INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-5, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 QATAR | Page 20 ARAB WORLD 8 BUSINESS 1-12 Qatar Petroleum INTERNATIONAL 9-17 SPORTS 1-8 North-south wins ‘New key link road Venturer of DOW JONES QE NYMEX set to open at the Year 2020’ 26,067.28 9,224.80 40.88 Mesaimeer +177.10 -19.03 +0.26 award +0.68% -0.21% +0.64% Interchange Latest Figures

published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11604 July 9, 2020 Dhul-Qa’da 18, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir sends greetings Amir receives president-elect of UNGA to Dominican leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah Commercial bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to Luis activities to Rodolfo Abinader on his victory in the presidential elections of the Dominican Republic. Education and health ministers discuss resume on school scenarios HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi yesterday held a virtual meeting with HE the Minister weekends of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari to discuss the best back- to-school scenarios and directions in His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday at his off ice in Al Bahr Palace, with the light of the current Covid-19 situation. z Cabinet decision comes into effect today President-elect of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Volkan Bozkir, and the In a statement on its website, the accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. At the beginning of the meeting, the Amir Ministry of Education and Higher z All precautionary steps against Covid-19 congratulated Bozkir on his election, wishing him success in his duties. For his part, Bozkir expressed his wishes to Education said the meeting also will continue to be implemented continue expanding co-operation between Qatar and the United Nations during his term as president. The meeting touched on the organisation of the dealt with a number of regional and international issues, as well as the most prominent global developments. Page 2 educational process in full compliance with the precautionary measures he Cabinet yesterday decided The decision comes into eff ect today. and social distancing norms, without that all commercial activities The MoCI notifi cation said the aff ecting the students’ learning and Tin the country will resume and Cabinet decision was “to cancel Cir- academic achievement. shops will remain open on weekends, cular No 16 on the suspension of all the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports. commercial activities in shops and of- UN chief denounces The Ministry of Commerce and In- fi ces on Fridays and Saturdays, and to WHO collaborating centre ‘interference’ in Libya dustry (MoCI), too, has issued a no- allow the resumption of all commercial tifi cation in this regard. The decision activities”. UN Secretary-General Antonio comes into eff ect today. This is “in line with the regulations Guterres said yesterday that foreign After HE the Prime Minister and adopted as part of the second stage of inaugurated at WCM-Q interference in the Libya conflict has Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin the gradual lifting of restrictions on reached “unprecedented levels,” Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired commercial activities across the State”, with sophisticated equipment and yesterday’s regular Cabinet meeting, it added. zSheikha Moza attends mercenaries involved in the fighting. held using video-conferencing tech- The MoCI stressed that “all precau- opening Guterres denounced the situation nology, HE the Minister of Justice and tionary and preventive measures set by during a ministers-level UN Security Acting Minister of State for Cabinet the Ministry of Public Health and Min- Council video conference, expressing Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi istry of Administrative Development, er Highness Sheikha Moza particular concern about the military gave the details of the proceedings. Labour and Social Aff airs in previous bint Nasser, Chairperson of forces massing around the city of Sirte, At the beginning of the meeting, the decisions should be implemented”. HQatar Foundation for Educa- halfway between Tripoli in the west Cabinet heard a presentation by HE the Meanwhile, the Cabinet yesterday tion, Science and Community De- and Benghazi in the east. “The conflict Minister of Public Health on the latest approved a draft law amending some velopment (QF), attended an event has entered a new phase with foreign developments regarding the steps tak- provisions of Decree Law No 11 of 2012 marking the offi cial designation of interference reaching unprecedented en to contain the spread of Covid-19 in on government regulation of the buy- a research group at Weill Cornell levels, including in the delivery of the country. The Cabinet affi rmed the ing and selling of chemical and petro- Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) as a sophisticated equipment and the continued implementation of the pre- chemical products that are produced in World Health Organisation (WHO) number of mercenaries involved in cautionary measures taken to combat Qatar, QNA added. Collaborating Centre for combating the fighting,” he said. Page 8 the pandemic. The meeting also reviewed a report Covid-19 and other selected infec- As part of the plan to gradually lift the on Qatar’s population in 2019 and the tious diseases in the region. Trump case witness restrictions imposed as a result of Cov- outcomes of a study by the permanent Under the new designation, the Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, id-19, the Cabinet decided to revoke its population committee and its remarks Infectious Disease Epidemiology attended an event marking the off icial designation of a Weill Cornell Medicine quits military service earlier decision on closing shops and all on the report. The Cabinet then took Group (IDEG) at WCM-Q will support – Qatar research group as a WHO Collaborating Center. The event was A key witness who gave testimony commercial activities on Friday and Sat- the appropriate decisions regarding WHO’s regional and global eff orts attended by the Minister of Public Health, HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari. about President Donald Trump urday of every week, according to QNA. the matter. to promote health and well-being by during the impeachment hearings providing scientifi c research and ad- Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) achievement, and further strengthens is retiring from the military, citing vice to inform policy decisions and and Hamad Medical Corporation Qatar’s ability to fi ght infectious dis- pressure on his career advancement, Cabinet okays raise in Qataris’ employment public health programmes in the East- (HMC) as they confront the infec- eases that aff ect communities all over his lawyer said. Lieutenant Colonel ern Mediterranean Region (EMR). tion’s spread, working with healthcare the EMR region and beyond.” Alexander Vindman told Congress The Cabinet has approved a draft (QNA), the draft decision comes in Led by Dr Laith Abu-Raddad, and policy experts to provide scientifi c She added, “This offi cial desig- in 2019 that it was “inappropriate” decision of HE the Minister of implementation of the provision of WCM-Q professor of infectious dis- technical analyses that has supported nation demonstrates the success of when Trump pushed Ukraine to open Administrative Development, Labour Labour Law No 14 of 2004. ease epidemiology, IDEG has a special the Covid-19 national response. Qatar’s investment in the healthcare an investigation into Joe Biden, his and Social Aff airs (MADLSA) on The draft decision aims to raise the focus on viral hepatitis, which is espe- HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, and research sectors, and reinforces political rival. Vindman had direct determining the ratio of Qatari to non- percentage of Qataris working in state- cially prevalent in EMR countries and Minister of Public Health and manag- Qatar’s contribution to public health knowledge of a Trump call with Qatari employees in the private sector. owned companies, or where the state is is one of the leading causes of deaths ing director of HMC, said: “The mem- on a global level. On behalf of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr This came at the regular Cabinet an investor, to 60%, the report states. globally. The group contributed to ef- bers of the IDEG are doing fantastic health sector, I would like to thank Zelensky. David Pressman, a lawyer meeting yesterday, chaired by HE The decision also includes other forts in combating the spread of HIV/ work with senior experts and offi cials Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint for Vindman, said there had been a the Prime Minister and Minister of authorities that are subject to the AIDS, reproductive tract infections in the MoPH and HMC to ensure we Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foun- “campaign of bullying, intimidation, Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin retirement and pensions law. It aims to and, more recently, Covid-19. minimise the spread of the corona- dation, for her vision and leadership and retaliation” by the president Abdulaziz al-Thani. raise the percentage of Qataris in human Since the start of the Covid-19 pan- virus in Qatar. Being awarded World in creating a culture of research ex- against the soldier. Page 9 According to the Qatar News Agency resources to 80% in these authorities. demic, IDEG has spearheaded WCM- Health Organisation Collaborating cellence in Qatar Foundation and in Q’s eff orts to work closely with the Centre status on WCM-Q is a huge WCM-Q.” To Page 20 US virus cases soar past 3mn mark After shattering a daily record this week and recording more than 60,000 ‘Only way to solve Libyan crisis is to Masks become a fashion statement new coronavirus cases, the United States has now passed the 3mn mark in the total tally since the start of the Reuters coronavirus pandemic. The US has support Govt of National Accord’ Washington seen 131,594 deaths related to Covid-19, according to the count, maintained by Johns Hopkins University. Florida is QNA demic, when a missile strike targeted S coronavirus offi cial Dr De- starting to see pressure on its health Doha a hospital equipped to treat Covid-19 borah Birx, who attracted a cult system, as are parts of Texas. Both of patients in Tripoli. Ufollowing for wearing colourful the populous states are seeing surges. HE the Deputy Prime Minister scarves, yesterday sought to convince California, Arizona and Georgia are atar has affi rmed that the only and Minister of Foreign Affairs in- Americans that wearing face masks is also facing serious challenges amid way to solve the Libyan crisis dicated that the landmines laid by not only sensible but stylish too. sustained spreads. Qis to support the Government those militias resulted in dozens “I know some of you do watch what I of National Accord and commit to of Libyan victims, not to mention wear. I’m wearing this specially today,” Buff ett donates $2.9bn to implementing the Skhirat Agree- the continued systematic extra- said Birx, showing a white mask with ment, Security Council resolutions, judicial killings, pointing out that the words “Stay Safe! Stay Strong!” Gates, family charities and the results of the Berlin Confer- the international community also “Masks can be a fashion statement,” Warren Buff ett has donated roughly ence. recently witnessed mass graves in the White House coronavirus response $2.9bn of Berkshire Hathaway Inc This came in a statement by the areas that were controlled by illegal co-ordinator told reporters. Dr Deborah Birx, the White House stock to four family charities and the State of Qatar, delivered by HE the militias. As she appeared at daily televised coronavirus response co-ordinator, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister He said Qatar reiterated its con- coronavirus briefi ngs in the spring, shows off her personal face mask during latest but not largest contribution in of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Moham- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and demnation of these dangerous and Birx captivated the internet with her a White House coronavirus disease his plan to give away his fortune. In ed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, to a Minister of Foreign Aff airs participating illegal practices and warned against scarf choices including bright fl orals task force briefing at the US Education a statement , Berkshire said Buff ett’s meeting of the United Nations Secu- in the meeting of the UN Security supporting a certain party against and classic Hermes designs. An Insta- Department in Washington, yesterday. 15th annual donation comprised rity Council on the situation in Libya, Council on the situation in Libya. another. He added that it has be- gram account devoted to her scarves 15.97mn Class B shares of Berkshire. It which was held yesterday via video come clear that the only way to solve attracted nearly 41,000 followers. While some people have resisted wearing boosted his donations to the charities conferencing. ternationally recognised legitimate the Libyan crisis is to support the Birx noted that her mask yesterday the coverings, several states and cities are to more than $37.4bn since Buff ett, HE the Foreign Minister said that government. The militias committed Government of National Accord and was a gift from the Salt River Tribe in now requiring them. President Donald who turns 90 on Aug 30, began more than a year ago, the Libyan serious violations of international commit to implementing the Skhirat Arizona which she visited last week. Trump has refused to wear a mask pub- giving his Berkshire shares away in capital, Tripoli, was the scene of un- humanitarian and human rights law, agreement, Security Council reso- Public health offi cials have said face licly or ask Americans to do so, although 2006. Four-fifths of the donations go lawful militia attacks, which targeted including attacks on health care facil- lutions, and the results of the Berlin masks can prevent the spread of disease he has said he would if he was in a crowd to the Gates Foundation. innocent Libyan civilians and the in- ities, even during the Covid-19 pan- conference. To Page 4 and allow for safer economic activity. and could not distance himself. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, July 9, 2020 QATAR

FM receives phone FM meets president-elect of 75th UNGA Call from Costa Rican foreign minister call from S Korean counterpart

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani received a telephone call yesterday from South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. They discussed bilateral relations, in addition to issues of joint interest. Joaan bin Jassim Staff College holds graduation event Joaan bin Jassim Joint Command HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman and Staff College celebrated the al-Thani, met yesterday with the visiting president-elect of the 75th United Nations General graduation of the Joint Opera- Assembly (UNGA), Volkan Bozkir. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between Qatar and HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin tions Course No 2 and the Joint the UN General Assembly, in addition to issues of joint interest. Abdulrahman al-Thani received yesterday a video call from Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Aff airs Command and Staff Course No Rodolfo Solano Quiros. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations and issues of common 6, in the presence of HE the Chief concern. They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the of Staff of the Qatari Armed opening of the embassy of Costa Rica in Doha. Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Qatar voices concern Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem. over attacks against MoPH reports 96,107 total women journalists Covid-19 recovery cases QNA great concern as this population group in- QNA national Commission of Inquiry and expression, and that no re- Doha cludes the highest percentage of the elderly Geneva on the violence against women, strictions should be placed except and people with chronic conditions. Now its causes and consequences. within the framework permitted more than ever, we must be careful and pro- Al-Suwaidi expressed Qatar’s by international standards. He he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) tect the most vulnerable,” the ministry said. atar yesterday expressed strong condemnation that jour- also stressed the importance of reported yesterday 608 new confi rmed While the restrictions of Covid-19 are grad- deep concern that jour- nalists, especially women, are ensuring that journalist and the Tcases of coronavirus (Covid-19) and ually being lifted in Qatar, it is important for Qnalists in the Arab world being subjected to harassment, media provide accurate news cov- 1,204 recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing everyone to play their role in controlling the vi- are being targeted for practising abuse, threats, defamation and erage to help raise awareness that the total number of people recovered from rus by following precautionary measures: ad- their profession and for basi- fabrication of false news, as can save many lives, especially at the disease in Qatar to 96,107. herence to physical distancing, wearing a face cally being women, in addition well as violence that sometimes a time when the world is facing The MoPH also announced the deaths of mask and washing your hands regularly. to being subjected to death, kid- reaches the point of killing, with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- people aged 50, 55, 67 and 74, who were all Most importantly, it is vital that we con- napping and threat, as well as the aim of undermining their demic. receiving the necessary medical care. tinue to protect the elderly and those with being defamed on social media credibility, silencing and dis- Concluding his speech, al- The MoPH said in a statement all new cas- chronic medical conditions. platforms by the so-called social couraging them from practising Suwaidi called on countries to es have been isolated and are receiving nec- Anyone suff ering from Covid-19 symp- bugs of some countries. journalism or addressing spe- fulfi l their responsibilities to essary healthcare. toms should either contact 16000 helpline This came in the speech that cifi c topics. ensure the protection of journal- Measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have or go directly to one of the designated health was delivered by Second Secre- Qatar pays great attention to ists, including women journal- succeeded in fl attening the curve and limit- centres to undergo the necessary checks: tary of the Permanent Mission the issue of freedom of expres- ists, and to hold those respon- ing the spread of the virus. The number of Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al of Qatar to the United Nations in sion as a basic human right, he sible for violations and crimes new daily cases and hospital admissions has Gharrafa health centres. Geneva Abdullah bin Khalifa al- explained, stressing the need to accountable and to ensure that gradually declined over the past few weeks. people who were infected at the height of the This is important as the earlier the disease Suwaidi, in the interactive dia- protect journalists and ensure they have access to appropriate “We are seeing a rise in the number of virus several weeks ago. There has been an is detected the easier it will be to receive the logue with Independent Inter- their right of freedom of opinion remedies. deaths in recent weeks and this is due to the increase in cases among families. This is of right treatment and recover from it. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 3 QATAR

Shura Council participates in meeting to support Palestinian issue

The Shura Council par- ticipated yesterday in a parliamentary meeting on the renewed support for the Palestinian issue in light of the repercussions of the deal of the century and the coro- navirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The meeting was held by the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds, via video confer- ence. The meeting aimed to revive communication between parliamentarians from the League’s members in the region, and to renew support for the Palestinian issue from within the parliaments of the regional league’s countries, as well as enhance the capabilities of participants debate in future work pro- represented in this meeting by in this field, exchange work grammes on the Palestinian council member Saqr bin Fahd experiences and develop issue. The Shura Council was al-Muraikhi.

The MME partnered with Carrefour to remove all single-use plastic Carrefour provided each in-store customer with a free reusable bag, bags from its cash counters for three consecutive days. alongside 10 reward points for MyClub members. Shura Council participates in meeting on post-Covid economic recovery MME and Carrefour join The Shura Council yesterday participated in a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) on “Post-Covid Economic fi ght against plastic bags Recovery and support to SMEs, Fintech, Venture Capital and Start-Ups”, via upporting the cause of second year that we celebrate In- serves by creating a successful ment of this important cause video conferencing International Plastic Bag ternational Plastic Bag Free Day. campaign geared towards the and hope that together, we’ve technology. SFree Day, the Ministry of In doing so, we hope to continue development of a greener, clean- inspired customers to continue The aim of the meeting was Municipality and Environment raising awareness of the long- er and more sustainable world,” contributing to a greener, safer to review parliamentarians (MME) partnered with Carrefour term damage that single-use BaKhamis added. and healthier world.” from the Euro-Mediterranean to remove all single-use plastic plastic consumption has on the Carrefour Qatar country man- Carrefour has saved over region for government bags from its cash counters for environment and encouraging ager Laurent Hausknecht said, 4mn single-use plastic bags in policies and the most three consecutive days. customers to shop with reusable “Sustainability is at the heart the fi rst six months of the year, eff ective legislative tools in To encourage more sustain- bags. of everything we do. We have a which is equivalent to a reduc- order to address the multiple able, long-term shopping hab- This year, in spite of the dis- number of activities in place to tion of 7 tonnes in carbon emis- economic challenges in the its, Carrefour provided each ruptions brought about by the change habits toward single-use sions, a press statement notes. recovery phase at the national in-store customer with a free re- Covid-19 pandemic, we ran this plastic bags, such as creating “Today, Carrefour is a leading and regional levels, and to usable bag, alongside 10 reward initiative for three consecutive quicker green cash counters in regional retailer that is pioneer- support small and medium- points for MyClub members. days, encouraging customers to all our hypermarkets for those ing sustainable initiatives that sized companies, investors From July 3 to 5, the green ini- reduce their plastic footprint by who bring reusable bags. contribute to a greener envi- and workers, in terms of tiative aimed to fi ght plastic bag cutting down their consumption “Through our celebration of ronment. The brand continues conditions for easy access governments and international providing indicators on how pollution and contribute to a of single-use plastics.” International Plastic Bag Free to plan new initiatives designed to credit and financial and institutions exchanged views to ensure a strong economic more sustainable environment, “We would like to com- Day, we’re highlighting our to protect the environment and monetary eff iciency within a and proposals on tackling the recovery in the current phase of in line with Qatar National Vi- mend Carrefour for their ongo- commitment to tackling plastic encourage communities to play facilitated regional approach. diff iculties faced by govern- the Corona virus epidemic. The sion 2030 and the eff orts of the ing sustainability eff orts and pollution, having removed all their part in creating a greener, During the ments and the productive Shura Council was represented MME. community-mindedness. The single-use plastic bags from our cleaner world by reducing their meeting, high-ranking sectors in the Euro-Mediterra- at the meeting by its member MME’s Awareness head Noof brand continues to demonstrate store for three days. We thank reliance on single-use plastic off icials from national nean and Gulf’s regions, and Mohamed bin Ali al-Maadid. BaKhamis said: “This marks the its commitment to the people it the ministry for its endorse- bags,” it adds. Labour ministry participates Vodafone Qatar launches ‘Shater’ in seminar with EU experts entertainment app for children he Ministry of Administra- sustainable economic recovery. ment, Labour and Social Aff airs, tive Development, Labour Assistant Undersecretary for the necessary precautions have odafone Qatar has part- keep their curious young minds Tand Social Aff airs partici- Labour Aff airs at the ministry, been taken, social protection nered with Digital Virgo happily and safely occupied this pated in a video conference on Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly, policies for workers have been Vto develop an exclusive summer.” best practices in the fi eld of work stated that the government of established, assistance to em- new digital content environment Pascal Dufour, vice-president with the participation of experts Qatar has taken the necessary ployers in responding and im- called ‘Shater’. for Mena & Turkey, Digital Vir- from the European Union. precautions to confront the pan- plementation of these measures, Accessible both over the web go, added: “‘Shater’ is a unique The seminar aimed to provide demic, including a set of eco- and regulation of the contractual and as an iOS or Android app, and engaging environment for a platform for exchanging ex- nomic policies in the form of a relationship between the two “this safe and fun digital space children with no compromises periences and highlighting new package of fi nancial incentives parties during the crisis to en- for children - www.shater.qa - is on safety, giving parents com- practices in various countries of to assist the private sector and sure business and employment the fi rst of its kind in Qatar”, the plete control over the content. the region to address the coro- national security programmes sustainability. As well as provid- company has said in a statement. We are pleased to see our part- navirus epidemic (Covid-19) and while delaying the repayment of ing assistance and support and Providing a tailored mix of nership with Vodafone Qatar go its social and economic impacts, loans and interest. providing the ministry’s serv- popular local and global digital from strength to strength, in line and to exchange views on the fu- He said at the level of the Min- ices remotely using information content, fi ltered by age, ‘Shater’ with our commitment to expand ture of work towards achieving a istry of Administrative Develop- technology. – QNA comes with full parental con- our footprint across the Middle trols. A usage dashboard lets East.” parents monitor the time spent enjoy access to the ‘Shater’ app have access to quality gaming Vodafone Qatar has made by their children on all the ac- free of charge for seven days. content from mobile entertain- online safety a priority with the tivities. The range of content After the promotional period, ment partners and the ability launch of AmanTECH, its digital is based on the preferences of customers will be charged QR40 to pay for this content securely safety programme. The ‘Aman- Celestial treat for Qatar residents children in Qatar and includes per month to access the entire with their monthly phone bills, TECH Augmented Reality App learning activities, 200 games catalogue of videos, games and the statement notes. game’ helps children aged 7-13 and videos. activities. In addition, custom- Diego Camberos, chief operat- years learn greater online aware- eople in Qatar would be the rising time of Venus (2.16am) Venus reaches the aphelion (far- Customers who purchase the ers can download all content and ing offi cer at Vodafone Qatar, said: ness while online resources able to see Venus with the until sunrise (4.51am). thest) point in its orbit around ‘Explorer Plan’, Vodafone’s post- watch it at their own leisure. “We are delighted to off er this for parents, including a digital Pnaked eye tomorrow, Qatar The statement noted that the sun once every 225 days, with paid plan for children below 18 The new app comes after the safe new digital space, ‘Shater’. In parenting guide and safety tips Calendar House (QCH) has said. Venus would be at the farthest the phenomenon last occurring years, will get a free subscription recent launch of Gamester, a working with a partner like Digital are freely accessible at www.vo- In a statement yesterday, point in its orbit around the on November 28, 2019. It will to ‘Shater’ content. As a pro- Vodafone Qatar gaming plat- Virgo, we kept in mind the safety dafone.qa/AmanTECH. QCH astronomy expert Dr Be- sun (aphelion) tomorrow, at again be at its farthest point on motional off er, every Vodafone form developed by Digital Virgo, concerns of parents about unsu- The new ‘Shater’ app is availa- shir Marzouk Venus could be ob- 5.45pm Doha time. It will be February 20, 2021. postpaid customer can enjoy ac- leveraging Digital Virgo’s digital pervised access to digital media ble to download from the Google served over the eastern horizon some 109mn km from the sun’s On July 4, Earth was at the cess to the ‘Shater’ app free of marketing expertise and direct but also what youngsters enjoy. Play Store and Apple Store. To in the dawn sky tomorrow for centre. farthest point in its orbit around charge for the fi rst month. carrier billing technology, Vo- With ‘Shater’, they get a full range learn more, one can visit www. two hours and 35 minutes, from Dr Marzouk explained that the sun. Prepaid customers can also dafone Qatar’s 1.7mn users now of age-appropriate content to vodafone.qa/en/shater. Qatar Charity delivers aid to virus, quake-hit in Pakistan

atar Charity (QC), Disaster Management Author- of the relief projects imple- through its offi ce in Pa- ity and Provincial Disaster Man- mented in Mirpur where QC Qkistan, has distributed agement Authority, QC said in a has distributed 200 winter- 4,000 hygiene kits to govern- statement. ised kits, two ambulances ment quarantine centres and In addition to distribut- along with medical equipment other health facilities across the ing 4,000 hygiene kits in all and medicines for the health country, and delivered aid to provinces, Qatar Charity de- department, and 80 small- those aff ected by the 2019 earth- livered 500 hygiene kits to and medium-sized income- quake and the current year’s several hospitals in Peshawar generating projects. Besides, heavy snowfall in Pakistan-ad- and provided support worth it has implemented relief food ministered Kashmir. nearly QR2mn to 245,000 in- projects in Neelum, benefit- This assistance comes from dividuals of fragile commu- ing hundreds of families, the Qatar Charity within the frame- nities affected by the 2019 statement adds. work of its global eff orts to curb earthquake in Mirpur as well The deputy commissioner of the spread of Covid-19 in vari- as the current year’s heavy Neelum and the State Disaster ous parts of the world. snowfall in Neelum Valley. Management Authority thanked The distribution of the assist- Widows, female-headed the people in Qatar for identify- ance took place in all provinces households, persons with ing the most aff ected emergency of the country, in co-operation special needs, the elderly and areas and providing support to with the local authorities and orphans were given priority vulnerable communities in this in co-ordination with the State while selecting beneficiaries challenging time. Qatar Charity assistance in Pakistan. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, July 9, 2020 QATAR US embassy Singapore companies have keen interest in Qatar market: envoy issues new By Joey Aguilar the two countries. He noted Staff Reporter that SBCQ aims to deepen con- nections between the business communities of both countries, usiness interest among as well as serve as a resource Singapore companies in point for companies interested Bthe Qatar market remains in exploring commercial oppor- student visa strong, further boosting eco- tunities in the two markets. nomic and possible avenues of Sohan cited the strong rela- collaboration between the two tions between the two coun- countries, Singaporean ambas- tries, saying “our leaders know sador Jai Sohan has said. each other well, and we had a “Our companies have par- healthy exchange of bilateral ticipated in projects in Qatar visits prior to the Covid-19 pan- guidance in various sectors, including demic, which has unfortunately waste and water management, resulted in a cessation of most oil and gas, urban planning and international travel.” e-solutions,” the envoy told Gulf Qatar and Singapore also he US embassy in Doha has es or pursuing a ‘hybrid model’— [email protected] with questions Times. aim to further develop their issued a statement on new that is, a mixture of online and regarding your specifi c situation. Qatar and Singapore, which co-operation, explore business Tstudent visa guidance. in-person classes — to qualify Our staff stands ready to assist,” enjoy warm bilateral relations Singaporean ambassador Jai Sohan opportunities in various areas, “Student visas are an important for non-immigrant student sta- the statement continued. “For since diplomatic relations including the small- and medi- priority for US embassy Doha, tus. These students would be al- new students wishing to apply to were established between East. Bilateral trade amounted mately 650mn people, and many um-sized enterprises sector. and we are proud of the success lowed to stay in the United States US universities for the upcoming the two countries in January to S$8.64bn (about QR22.5bn) rapidly growing economies. Last year, more than 100 Qatari students have had at US while completing their studies.” academic year, please also feel 1984, co-operate in a number with energy exports from Qatar The envoy said they also es- Singaporean professionals in academic institutions. We ap- This temporary accommoda- free to reach out to our Educa- of areas such as trade and in- comprising almost 80% of the tablished the Singapore Business Qatar, apart from other local preciate the patience of students tion provides “greater fl exibil- tional Advising Team at doha@ vestment, energy, public sec- two countries’ bilateral trade. Council Qatar (SBCQ), com- business community members and their families during this ex- ity” for non-immigrant students educationusa.org with any ques- tor training, urban planning, He also urged Qatar’s energy prising Singaporean profession- with close connection to Sin- traordinary time,” it said. to continue their education in tions you may have.” and environmental and water companies to explore using als and businesspersons from gapore, took part in a network- Guidance from the US Immi- the US, while also allowing for As the guidance unfolds, the management. Singapore as a regional hub to across all industry sectors and ing event for hosted by Qatar gration and Customs Enforce- proper social distancing on open embassy staff will continue to In 2019, Sohan noted that Qa- conduct their Liquefi ed Natural registered with the Qatar Finan- Chamber, which also aims to ment indicates that students and operating campuses across co-ordinate with the Minis- tar was Singapore’s third largest Gas-related business in South- cial Centre, to further boost the deepen trade relations be- enrolled under a fully online America, the statement noted. try of Higher Education to ad- trading partner in the Middle east Asia – a region of approxi- economic relationship between tween the two countries. programme at an academic insti- Students should contact their dress students’ questions and tution should depart the United Designated School Offi cial (DSO) concerns. The website, www. States. “We are pleased to an- at their academic institution to qa.usembassy.gov, should be nounce, however, that many understand the rules for their checked regularly for updates. international students who had programme. “Your DSO can tell For the full press releases from planned to study this fall in the you whether you should apply for the Department of Homeland United States may still have the a student (F-1) visa at this time,” Security and the Department of opportunity to do so. it advised. State, one can consult https:// “The Department of Home- International students will www.ice.gov/news/releases/ land Security has announced its also still have to obtain the ap- sevp-modifies-temporary-ex- plan for temporary modifi cations propriate visa and may still be emptions-nonimmigrant-stu- to F-1 and M-1 non-immigrant subject to other visa process- dents-taking-online-courses- visa requirements for the fall ing or travel restrictions due to during and https://www.state. 2020 semester to allow those Covid-19. “Please contact our gov/international-students- students taking in-person class- Consular Section at Consular- are-welcome-in-the-u-s/.

‘Only way to solve Libyan crisis is to support Govt of National Accord’ The completed road works.

From Page 1 eff ective international mecha- pirations of the Libyan people,” nism to hold countries that do a solution that leads to building HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- not abide by these agreements to the state that the Libyans seek Road improvement works dulrahman al-Thani pointed out account. and deserve, away from narrow that the UN Security Council He added that the internation- interests, personal aspirations, unanimously approved the Skhi- al community should not only malignant agendas, and unlawful rat Agreement, which recognised hold some factions accountable external interference. the Government of National Ac- for the status quo in Libya but The international community fi nished ahead of schedule cord as the only legitimate exec- should also hold countries ac- and the United Nations must utive authority in Libya. countable for violations of inter- work sincerely to provide the “Unfortunately, some coun- national law. “Unfortunately, we support necessary to achieve this he Public Works Author- QAshghal completes maintenance and development tries initially supported this have seen systematic violations goal. ity (Ashghal) recently works on a number of roads in the Hazm Al Markhiya and agreement, but they did not re- against the government of na- HE the minister affi rmed Qa- Tcompleted maintenance spect it later after they supported tional accord while the interna- tar’s support for the eff orts of the and development works on a Lejbailat areas and enabled opposing factions tional community has remained United Nations and the eff orts number of roads in the Hazm against the government. This is silent.” of the United Nations Mission in Al Markhiya and Lejbailat ar- placed with new LEDs to im- members of the Central Mu- how we got to where we are now,” HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- Libya in the implementation of eas, part of the framework con- prove visibility and save en- nicipal Council for each area, he said. dulrahman al-Thani stressed its mission, and renewed Qatar’s tracts for road maintenance in ergy. “This was in addition to Ashghal noted. In order to He stressed that if the inter- the need to return to negotia- call to actors to ensure respect for the country. installing and rehabilitating maintain the health and safety national community is serious tions and national dialogue and international humanitarian law In a statement yesterday, around 7,000sqm of sidewalks of workers at the project site, about resolving this situation, complete the transitional pe- and international human rights Ashghal said it assigned the within an area of 10,000sq m, especially in view of the Cov- then any agreed political solution riod. “We call for a solution that law and to hold accountable works to local contractors and with the aim of providing a safe id-19 outbreak, all necessary based on dialogue and under- preserves the sovereignty and those responsible for violations multiple teams worked to com- and better experience for road precautions and preventive standing must include a clear and unity of Libya and fulfi ls the as- and serious crimes. plete the project within sev- users and residents of these ar- measures were taken and im- en months instead of 12, five eas.” plemented. months ahead of schedule. Maintenance and improve- These included adherence Katara holds virtual exhibition on Qatari heritage These works included pav- ment works are identified and to social distancing and pro- ing, marking, maintenance and carried out after inspecting vision of protective masks, Cultural Village Foundation – artistic style through which he pandemic which made convening rehabilitation of the asphalt internal roads and the safety Mohamed al-Khashabi sterilisation of tools and other Katara held virtual exhibition invokes the Qatari heritage and real exhibitions a diff icult task, he layer for about 21km of internal elements surrounding them, stringent health and safety ‘Heritage’ to document an memories that are still exist in his said, hoping that this technology roads in both Hazm Al Markhi- which include lighting, speed traffic lights, in addition to measures. Ashghal began the important aspects of Qatari memory since childhood. will continue in the future as an ya and Lejbailat, using Qatari- humps, pavement status, traf- installing directional and traf- implementation of the Frame- heritage. The expo will continue Bu Jassoum praised the virtual integral part of real exhibitions. manufactured materials. fic and directional signs. fic signs to ensure safety on the work Contract for Road Main- until the end of December exhibitions organised by Katara Katara presents the exhibition Mohamed al-Khashabi, civil Maintenance and develop- road, the statement explained. tenance in Qatar in 2017, which 2020. The exhibition includes 12 on its social media platforms, as to document the inveterate engineer in the Roads Opera- ment works included replacing These works were imple- includes safety inspections, artworks by Qatari artist Hassan they contribute to reviving the patrimony and to revive the past tion and Maintenance Depart- the top asphalt layer on some mented while taking into con- rehabilitation, replacement Bu Jassoum, some of which were fine art in Qatar and showcasing that still exists in the memories ment at Ashghal, said: “Ash- roads, treating asphalt defects sideration requests made by and maintenance of the road painted by Bu Jassoum during his the artworks of artists. They also and to retrieve this remembrance ghal installed 18 new lighting on the main and local roads, residents and in co-operation networks, including urgent, home quarantine. The artworks contribute to exploiting free through paintings to be a witness poles with LED lights, while developing lighting poles, re- with representatives of the routine and preventive main- reflect the artist’s vision and time during by the Coronavirus of that important part of history. 18 old lighting lamps were re- placing lamps and developing municipality concerned and tenance. Sidra Medicine supports blood donation campaign

ore than 100 staff HMC has said members from Sidra that the country MMedicine registered to donate blood yesterday at is in need of the mobile blood donation bus set up by Hamad Medical Cor- blood types O+, poration’s Blood Donor Cen- O-, A-, B- and AB- tre. Dr Jason Ford, chair, Depart- other people will take the ment of Pathology and Labo- time to donate blood, which ratory Medicine at Sidra Medi- is needed now more than ever cine, encouraged people to due to the pandemic.” donate blood and said: “I feel Approximately, 40 units of fortunate to be able to donate blood were collected from the blood, to help sick children and blood donation drive at Sidra adults in Qatar. Medicine. “As a consultant in blood This can help with lifesav- transfusion, I know that my ing treatments for well over 40 blood will be used to save lives, adults or 100 children. as it can be used to help the HMC has highlighted that children and mothers at Sidra the country is in need of blood Medicine as well as the pa- types O+, O-, A-, B- and AB-. tients at HMC and throughout For those able to donate, visit the whole country. the Blood Donor Centre near “Qatar has a very safe blood Hamad General Hospital or call transfusion system. I hope 4439 1981 to check eligibility. Dr Jason Ford donating blood. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 5 QATAR QU’s Gas Processing Centre awarded QNRF grant

he Gas Processing Centre cated to address pressing and strate- Qatar, has been granted $5mn from life cycle assessment and environ- Kahramaa, Agrico and Innovate (GPC) at the College of En- gic challenges for Qatar and produce QNRF, in addition to $1.4mn as in- mental impacts. Calgary. Tgineering, Qatar University tangible societal and economic im- dustrial co-funding for a period of The GPC team, led by Prof Muf- Prof El-Naas said, “We are de- (QU), in collaboration with Qa- pact. It also supports multi-institu- five years. tah El-Naas, includes researchers lighted to win the fi rst QNRF CO2 tar Environment and Energy Re- tional and inter/multi-disciplinary The cluster proposal off ers a ho- from the College of Engineering Cluster grant. In this project, we aim search Institute (Qeeri) at Hamad research to solve signifi cant and listic approach to carbon manage- and the College of Arts and Sci- to develop innovative technology for Bin Khalifa University, College of complex problems in a holistic way ment, including the development of ences in addition to researchers converting CO2 from a harmful pol- Business and Economics at QU that are resistant to conventional ap- eff ective CO2 capture technologies from Qatar Shell and the Flemish lutant to a useful product. We will and Qatar Green Building Council, proaches. using innovative materials and the Institute for Technological Re- not only mitigate the eff ects of CO2 have received the prestigious QNRF The proposed cluster project, implementation of novel technolo- search. The cluster also involves emissions but also improve the in- National Priorities Research Pro- which focuses on the development gies to convert carbon dioxide into notable national and international door air quality for the whole soci- gramme - Cluster grant. of a highly efficient and sustaina- high-value chemicals. The cluster entities, including the Ministry of ety. I look forward to working on this Prof Muftah El-Naas The cluster programme is dedi- ble carbon management system for also examines process economics, Municipality and Environment, great project with a great team.” Bestselling QF launches unique author to speak reading initiative for on race and expectant mothers

atar Reads and Qatar life, but it can also cause stress National Library have and anxiety. So, through this Qannounced the offi cial initiative, we want work hand- identity at QF launch of their Mommy to Be in-hand with our members to programme, a unique initiative support them on their journey designed to off er support to ex- to motherhood, and as they pectant mothers and those with navigate this period of their newborns and toddlers aged lives.” 0-2. Upcoming webinars include programme The programme is divided a discussion titled ‘What To into three phases: the pregnancy Expect When You Are Expect- period, the postnatal period and ing’ on July 13 with Dr Mah- a child’s early years. moud Zidan, a specialist from he author of a book that The reading materials are cu- the Obstetrics and Gynaecology has opened up new per- rated by a committee of experts Department at Hamad Medical Tspectives on white su- from Qatar National Library, Corporation. The session will be premacy and topped the New while the workshops aim to in Arabic. York Times bestseller list will equip expectant mothers with Qatar Reads, part of Qatar share her views on racism and a range of practical skills, with Foundation, offers a range of privilege – and how everyone can topics ranging from prenatal other programmes for vari- play their part in undoing them yoga to reading for toddlers, Qa- ous age groups, including the – in the latest edition of Qatar tar Foundation (QF) has said in a Family Reading Programme for Foundation (QF)’s Education statement. children aged 3-13 and Read City Speaker Series next week “To create a generation of Qatar Reads, part of Qatar Foundation, off ers a range of other to Lead, which targets profes- Layla F Saad – whose book Me readers and leaders, we need to programmes for various age groups. sionals. and White Supremacy has gained plant the seeds of learning, cu- For more information about an avid worldwide readership riosity and creativity from an “Mommy to Be is more than connect with like-minded peo- the Mommy to Be programme, – will refl ect on her own expe- early age. And this is the over- just a programme. It provides ple through discussions and or Qatar Reads’ additional ini- riences of racism and society’s arching aim of Mommy to Be,” access to educational reading networking events. tiatives, one can visit https:// shared responsibility to identify, said Aljazi T al-Henzab, project materials, interactive work- “Ultimately, pregnancy is qatarreads.qa/programs/mom- oppose and defeat discrimina- manager, Qatar Reads. shops and the opportunity to an exciting time in a mother’s my-to-be-program/. tion, as the guest speaker at the online event on July 15. Titled ‘Race and Identity in the 21st Century’, the talk comes as the issue of racial prejudice dominates global conversations, sparking widespread protests Webinar focuses on benefi ts and calls for action. Saad – who, as well as being an author, is a teacher and an infl uential voice on race, iden- of reading habits in children tity, leadership, personal trans- formation and social change – will speak about what white atar Reads, in collabora- brarian, Qatar National Library, Reading can also introduce matches your child’s interest.” supremacy really means, where tion with Qatar National who led the discussion. “And, children to writing and pre- Reading to children in an in- its roots lie and how it is rein- Layla F Saad QLibrary, has hosted an importantly, children acquire pare them for school. “Reading teractive process, according to forced, the importance of being interactive webinar highlight- language skills through listen- and writing are two compatible Azzam. “You can allow your a good ancestor, and why people off ered for free in an Instagram “dialogue never stops” – following ing the benefi ts of reading to ing to the conversation of those skills. Through reading, children child to fl ip the pages of the book should recognise that the power challenge and in a self-published two recent events in collaboration children from a young age, and around them.” can be introduced to written to increase their participation to change notions of supremacy digital workbook in 2018. In with the World Innovation Sum- the importance of creating posi- According to Azzam, one of texts, and they can look at the in the reading process. Explain lies with them. the space of six months, it was mit for Health that opened up glo- tive habits, as part of its unique the most wonderful ways to talk text and memorise the shape of new terminology, ask questions Moderated by Dr Amal Mo- downloaded by 100,000 people, bal perspectives on Covid-19, and Mommy to Be programme. to children is to discuss a cer- printed words,” said Azzam. and help with the answers. It is hamed al-Malki, founding dean and has since become a USA To- focused on the pandemic’s impact The event addressed how tain book. “Use a language that The best types of books to use not necessary to read the whole of the College of Humanities day, Amazon, Wall Street Journa’, on the mental health of societies reading can help promote the they can understand, talk to in the early learning stages are story at once, but it is necessary and Social Sciences at Hamad Indie, and Pacifi c Northwest be- around the world. development of language and your child, ask them questions, picture books, according to Az- to make reading a habit. Bin Khalifa University, a mem- stseller, in addition to the New To register for the event literacy skills, and encourage and allow them to answer. Even zam, as they allow children to “Reading time should become ber of QF, the Education City York Times. through Microsoft Teams – a love of learning in children. if they do not directly interact understand the story through your child’s favourite time. You Speaker Series event will take Having grown up in the West, where Arabic, French, Spanish With new mothers at the cen- with you, the process itself can images. And they often include need to work on making it a fun place from 4pm-5.30pm with Saad now lives in Qatar and iden- and Italian subtitles will be avail- tre of the discussion, it also ad- develop a child’s linguistic skills. short text, which children can experience that your child en- viewers from Qatar, the region tifi es herself as “an East Afri- able – one can visit www.qf.org. dressed topics such as how to “Infants are born with mil- see, and parents can read aloud. joys and loves. Make your chil- and around the world being in- can, Arab, British, Black, Muslim qa/ecss, where more information build bridges between parents lions of nerve cells, and reading Providing advice on how to dren treat their books like their vited to put their questions to woman”. about the Education City Speak- and children, and ways to pro- to them can help stimulate these read to children, Azzam said: “It favourite toys to play with,” she Saad during a Q&A session fol- Next week’s talk will be the third er Series can also be found. One mote a culture of reading from cells. They can develop the abil- is very important to go through concluded. lowing the discussion. online edition of the Education can also watch this edition of the an early age. ity to absorb language and skills, the book on your own before you Mommy to Be is a joint pro- Described as an anti-racism City Speaker Series – which has Education City Speaker Series “A parent is a child’s fi rst and can connect an image with a read it to your child to decide if gramme between Qatar Founda- education workbook, Me and continued amid the Covid-19 pan- on Qatar Foundation’s Facebook teacher,” said Faten Azzam, name, or an object with its use it’s suitable for their age. And tion’s Qatar Reads initiative and White Supremacy was initially demic, refl ecting QF’s belief that and YouTube channels. senior information services li- and sound.” remember to pick a book that Qatar National Library. QNL leads discussion on heritage traffi cking in Mena

atar National Library mali, member of the Advisory where he presented the activities (QNL) brought together Council of the International of the IFLA PAC Regional Cen- Qexperts from the Arab Council of Museums in Mo- tre to counter the traffi cking of region to discuss the fight rocco. manuscripts, books and archives against the illegal trafficking The event was moderated by in the Mena region. and smuggling of manuscripts Maxim Nasra, co-ordinator of Dr Salamah said, “Libraries heritage items across the Mid- the IFLA PAC Regional Centre play such important roles in dle East and North Africa at QNL. the preservation and restora- (Mena). “Documentary heritage is par- tion of documentary heritage The opening speech at the ticularly at risk for traffi cking, as and forgotten treasure. We event was given by Dr Hamda it’s less likely to be protected by can help by building a net- al-Sulaiti, secretary-general of national legislation than other work and raising awareness of the Qatari National Committee artefacts, and is easier to move the pricelessness and cultural for Education, Culture and Sci- illegally,” Ipert said. value of artefacts, and making ence. “For several years, traffick- them available to all through Stephane Ipert, director ing and smuggling of heritage digitisation and publishing, as of the International Federa- items from libraries and ar- well as preserving the origi- tion of Library Associations chives have been rising. In the nals.” and Institutions (IFLA) Pres- Mena region in particular, this As a PAC Regional Centre, ervation and Conservation phenomenon is greater due to QNL aims to create a profes- Centre (PAC) Regional Cen- the number of nations suffer- sional network of collaborative tre at Qatar National Library, ing from conflict, upheaval and assistance to exchange knowl- was joined by Dr Rajaa Ben impoverishment.” edge and share successful ex- Salamah, general director of Ipert also spoke in March this periences toward the preserva- the National Library of Tu- year at the World Customs Or- tion of documentary heritage nisia, and Dr Alsharqi Dah- ganisation in Brussels, Belgium, throughout the region. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, July 9, 2020 QATAR

Barwa Bank names winners in savings account draw

arwa Bank has announced cash prize of QR50,000. the supervision of a representa- well as two winners per draw for and yearly there is one winner of “product full of value-added the names of winners in Also, a cash prize worth tive of the qualitative licence and the cash prize of QR10,000. the grand prize of QR1,000,000. benefi ts and services. Bthe latest draw for Thara’a, QR25,000 was awarded to Mis- market control department at the Additionally, quarterly there In all, the scheme rewards 365 Thara’a off ers account hold- the many benefi ts of Thara’a its Shariah-compliant savings kath Sharifdeen and Mohamed Ministry of Commerce and In- are two winners per draw for the winners with cash prizes up to ers access to Barwa Bank’s in- savings account by visiting account. Alabadi, the bank said in a state- dustry. On a monthly basis, there cash prize of QR25,000 each, QR3,290,000. novative banking channels”, the Barwa Bank’s website, www. Bank clients Marlo Enriquez ment yesterday. are 42 winners per draw for the two winners per draw for the Coupled with cash prizes and statement added. barwabank.com, or by calling and Baina al-Marri each won a The draw was conducted under cash prize of QR5,000 each, as cash prize of QR50,000 each, a reward scheme, Thara’a is a Customers may learn about the Contact Centre on 800 8555. Meeting focuses on DFI hosts ‘Hezayah Qatar-Sweden food Screenwriting Lab’ to security co-operation assist emerging talent asoud al-Marri, direc- tor of the Food Secu- Mrity Department at the Ministry of Municipality and zDelivered in three sessions of five-day workshops taking place from June this year until Environment (MME), has held a meeting with Swedish ambassa- January 2021, the lab is designed to assist emerging screenwriters and writer-directors dor Anders Bengtsson. The meeting came as part of he Doha Film Insti- its endeavour to discuss ways tute (DFI) has said it is of enhancing co-operation Thosting the latest edi- with leading countries in the tion of its popular ‘Hezayah field of food security, the MME Screenwriting Lab’ for emerg- said in a statement. ing screenwriters and writer- Held using remote commu- directors to assist in the devel- nication technology, the meet- opment and writing of original ing was attended by Sarah al- feature-length screenplays. Malki, assistant director of the Participants in the meeting. Delivered in three sessions MME’s Food Security Depart- of fi ve-day workshops taking ment, and Swedish officials. topics, including the precau- volved in food security projects place from June this year until The national food security tionary measures taken by Qa- in Qatar. It also stressed the January 2021, the lab is designed strategy of Qatar and the plans tar to combat Covid-19. importance of further co- to assist emerging screenwrit- therein were reviewed during The meeting highlighted that operation between the two ers and writer-directors to the meeting. Discussions were opportunities are available for countries in the field of food develop and write an original also held on various other key Swedish companies to be in- security. feature-length screenplay, built around in-depth group sessions and individual feedback. The first session took place online from June 12-16. Participants will work in small groups with the support perspectives. The lab helps par- that will be held from Septem- in a cotton-farming village in of experienced mentors and are ticipants realise the potential ber 24-28 and the fi nal session Sudan and must learn to stand Qatar stresses key role of digital encouraged to develop personal of their narratives and expand in January 2021. The projects up for herself; Wisam al-Jafari’s stories that refl ect contempo- story ideas into compelling participating in the Lab will be ‘The Hearse to the Final House rary life in the Middle East re- works of cinema, while making eligible to apply for the Pop Up of Happiness’ follows Lina, technology in human progress gion. them attune to realistic budget- Film Residency Award, which the daughter of a hearse driver Participants are selected ing on diff erent fi lm production consists of a three-week fi lm who attempts to reach her sis- on the basis of the strength scales,” she added. residency programme in one of ter prior to her wedding night; QNA the opportunities and challenges implementing programmes that of their screenplay idea, their This year’s lab mentors in- the residences of the Pop Up and Youssef Michraf’s ‘Sweet Geneva that new digital technologies facilitate the use of technology writing ability, their vision and clude acclaimed Palestin- Film Network next year. Disposition’, about a young pose on enhancing and protect- and communications in all seg- approach, and their previous ian fi lmmaker, Annemarie Jacir, The selected screenplay boy who searches the streets ing human rights. ments of society. work. whose work has premiered as projects for the 2020 ‘Heza- for a 50-year-old man to im- atar stressed yesterday Al-Buainaine said that, in One of those was a programme Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi, offi cial selections in Cannes, yah Screenwriting Lab’ include personate his father at his high the important role digital light of Qatar’s great develop- providing training on Qatar’s chief executive offi cer of DFI, Berlin, Venice, Locarno and Anas Khalaf’s ‘The Photogra- school. Two projects helmed Qtechnology is playing in ment in sciences and informa- e-government services, which said: “Screenwriting is both a Telluride, and three of her fea- pher’, the story of a Syrian man by Qatari screenwriters are facilitating human progress, and tion technology, the state started aimed to build the administra- foundation of fi lm and an art ture fi lms were Palestine’s of- at the heart of the regime who also part of the workshop, the big contribution it is making using technology to provide tive and leadership qualities of form in itself. As an under- fi cial Oscar entries; and script decides to leave Syria and de- Khalifa al-Marri and Abdulla in enhancing and protecting hu- many of its services, particularly people from the two genders in pinning aspect of fi lm devel- consultant Joelle Touma, a re- fect; Ben Robinson’s ‘Sabah’, in Fakhroo’s ‘Will I Ever Be Good man rights and basic freedoms, in critical fi elds like education order to ensure the success of opment, DFI’s long-running nowned screenwriter and script which a Qatari teenager directs Enough’, about a father’s fer- but noted that the same tech- and health among others. the country’s digital transfor- specialised ‘Hezayah Screen- doctor with extensive credits in her drama group to broadcast vent search for his missing nologies could be used in ways He added that the e-learning mation. writing Lab’ is a transformative fi lm and television. their controversial perform- daughter that leads him to find that threaten cyber security with programme that has been im- He added that it was one of experience where aspiring tal- Lab adviser Matthieu Darras ance live across social media; a few surprises along the way; methods such as fake news and plemented by Qatar’s Ministry the strategic goals of the vision ents examine and explore their leads and designs several pro- Hamad al-Tourah’s ‘Passports’, and Nadia al-Khater’s ‘De- manipulating social media plat- of Education for many years for Qatar e-government 2020. inner creativity and personal grammes of talent development about a Texan woman living in mocracy’, about a class clown forms. in public schools as one of the Al-Buainaine concluded his re- voice.” and fi lm consultancy that are Kuwait who runs into trouble in and teacher’s pet battle to win This came during the speech initiatives that aim to develop marks by posing a question on “It off ers a comprehensive active worldwide, including the her marriage that makes her be- the presidency in a conten- by Second Secretary of Qatar’s the educational process and of- how best to use digital technol- take on the screenwriting proc- First Cut Lab, Pop Up Film Res- gin to loosen her grip on life in tious student election. Permanent Mission in Geneva fer e-services, something that ogy to face current global chal- ess, from initial character and idency and the Full Circle Lab. the country; ‘Cotton Queen’ by To learn more about the Mohamed Abdulla al-Buainaine helped students continue learn- lenges led by epidemics, and theme development to the fi - The fi rst session took place Suzannah Mirghani, the story Institute’s year-round ini- in the 44th regular session of ing during the Covid-19 crisis. how to make it more accessible nal pitching session, covering online from June 12-16, fol- of 15-year-old Nafi sa who fi nds tiatives and programmes, visit the Human Rights Council on He noted that Qatar worked on to developing countries. both the creative and practical lowed by the second session herself in an arranged marriage www.dohafilminstitute.com

Fumigation drive Action over hygiene violations in Umm Slal

Umm Slal Municipality’s general control section conducted 1,614 inspection tours in the first half of the year, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) said. Al Sheehaniya Municipality’s services aff airs department has These resulted in the issuance of 257 violation reports according to the stipulations of Law No 18 of 2017 on public hygiene, with 126 of these being resolved through carried out a campaign to combat flies and mosquitoes in the reconciliation after duly addressing the factors responsible for the violations. Besides, 271 abandoned vehicles were removed in co-operation with the committee for Al Khreiab barn complex there, the Ministry of Municipality and removing abandoned vehicles and the general cleanliness department, the MME added. Further, some waste was also removed while the section received 134 related Environment has said. complaints and addressed them immediately.

Campaign launched against abandoned vehicles in Al Shamal Municipality

Al Shamal Municipality’s general control section, in co-operation with the North Security Department, has conducted a campaign to remove abandoned vehicles and equipment. Some 13 warning stickers were placed on such vehicles and equipment during the campaign, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said. Also, three abandoned vehicles were removed by the municipality and 10 by their owners, it added. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 7 HOL STIC The four-week Nature’s Eff ect Wellbeing workout

By Louis Hazel Mountain climber The Guardian Starting in plank position, lift left toe off fl oor, bring left knee towards chest and gently tap fl oor im to perform each exer- with toe. Return to plank and re- cise for 30 seconds, with peat on right. Alternate as fast as Ano rest between moves. you can. Repeat toe taps, as before. Then take one minute to recov- er before repeating. Forward lunge With hands on hips, step for- Bicycle crunch ward on to your left foot (about Lie on your back with knees 1m in front of you). Slowly bend By Reem Abdulrahman Jassim bent to 90 degrees and hands knees to 90 degrees to lower your al-Muftah by your ears. Slowly extend left hips. Push through your heel to heel towards the floor while return to starting position. Repeat reaching left elbow across to on right side. Repeat toe taps, as ow much of your time do right knee. Repeat on opposite before. you spend in nature? Do side. Hyou have elements of na- Back squat ture around you and your home? Toe taps Stand with feet slightly wider These are the types of questions Keeping your body upright, than shoulder-width apart, and I remind to ask myself every few drive your arms in a running straight. Lower hips and bend months to ensure that I am liv- motion, while lifting one leg at a knees to 90 degrees, keeping chest ing a healthy lifestyle. Nature has time, knee bent. Gently tap each upright. Pause, then return to a huge impact on the mind and foot on the top of a step. Repeat, standing position. Repeat toe taps, body and I hope that by the end of urban and busy cities had an nature reduce stress but it ulti- to angle some of your seating to- to screen time is a rising issue alternating as fast as you can. as before. of this article you realise and un- increase in their stress levels mately puts you in a better, more wards windows and natural light. and I hope we are all able to play derstand its importance the same while those who viewed images positive mood improving your Especially if you are working out an active role in our children’s way I do. of nature and trees did not have psychological well-being. So at home, face a window or have a lives by increasing the amount Being, seeing or imagining the same increase in stress as the why not be around nature all the view of some greenery indoor or of time they spend in nature on a nature reduces feelings of anger, others. Another group of stud- time or at least add elements of outdoors and enjoy the relaxing continuous and consistent basis, stress and fear. Therefore, you ies also concluded that being in it around you? My home is fi lled rush of calming vibes as you fo- directly infl uencing their mental mentally feel better but physi- nature can help increase your at- with nature and it’s not all neces- cus on your pump. With the cur- and physical health for the better. cally too! Being exposed to na- tention span. This is because we sarily real. I have a combination rent quarantining and working As you go through your day to- ture also reduces your heart rate, as humans like to observe and of real and fake plants. This is from home it is the perfect op- day, stop and ask yourself if you blood pressure and muscle ten- being outdoors allows us to take because I am uncomfortable with portunity to start adding touches are at all exposed to nature and if sion. So nature reduces stress, in that landscape and environ- having too much soil and plants of nature to your personal and not, fi nd a way. Exposure to na- anxiety and depression proving ment and actually take the time that attract insects as I have a work areas. ture is vital to your overall health, that being in nature and enjoy- to focus on the small things. We baby in the house and family If nature has such a positive well-being and happiness and ing the great outdoors is a good naturally fi nd nature interesting members with allergies. I made eff ect on us, imagine how benefi - is one of the easiest and fastest way to relax and release bad en- and are able to let our minds ex- sure to put greenery and/or green cial it is to children and even ba- ways to make a diff erence in your ergy. Let’s not forget to mention perience it. This leads to us being spaces in every room. Plants in bies. Most kids these days don’t own life. Bicycle Crunch Mountain climber the great benefi ts of Vitamin D able to distract ourselves from the room might not be as ben- seem to want to be out and if they on health too. To take a closer mental or even physical pain as efi cial as being out in nature but are, you can bet they will be play- look, studies have even shown we absorb the nature instead. always remember that something ing with some kind of gadget or „ The author is a wellness advocate that people who viewed images Not only does exposure to is better than nothing. Make sure screen. The lack of nature due and infl uencer @keys2balance.

At your service Self-care is everything but ‘care’ If you’re an artist, you serve your these are all valid purposes. community by creating beauty, if If any of these provide a service to you’re a makeup artist, you serve others, call it a happy co-incidence. By Stuti Bagri working or not. A lot of people others by making them feel good Wherever purpose goes, meaning tend to conflate self-indulgence about their appearance. If you are wants to follow. Meaning answers with self-care. Indulgence is geared a street sweeper you serve mother the question, “Why do I do what I The field of mental wellness is towards enjoyment and relaxa- nature and the community you work do?” It’s hard to answer that question abuzz with the idea of self-care. tion, while care is concerned with in by giving them a clean environ- without knowing what your ‘work’ is. Apparently, doodling with glittery looking after things that require our ment to move about in. Get clear on your purpose first. Even gel pens is the road to my mental attention and energy. Indulgence The philosopher-poet Rumi said, a purpose that seems selfish is valid wellness. So are bath salts, yoga, actively pushes discomfort away, “Each of us has been made for some if it’s based on your aptitudes. Get and watching a movie. Like a but care requires some amount of By Shefa Ali particular work, and the desire for clear on your purpose first. Even a Chinese takeout menu, the options discomfort to operate. It may seem that work has been put in every purpose that seems selfish is valid if are numerous and I’m free to pick unsettling that self-care is not about heart.” Your aptitudes are the talents it’s based on your aptitudes. what I like. comfort and convenience but why Toe Taps Ever heard the saying ‘Work is Wor- you were born with. They constitute Don’t try to force purposeful work by I find this self-care revolution mildly must it be? If securing your physical ship?” One of my favourite spiritual your desire for a particular work and insisting on a purpose that overtly amusing at best, and extremely health does not entail comfort, why teachers in India has another similar they shine a light on your purpose. serves others. What you’re here annoying at worst. Before you voice would securing your mental health lovely, beautiful saying….”Your mind Your ‘work’ could be paid or maybe to do probably does serve others your retorts, hear me out. I see be comfortable? Comfort must be should always be with him and your unpaid. It’s just another word for in some way and when the time is the value of self-care as a concept. ditched to make space for growth, hands should be doing his work.” purpose. Your work might involve right you will figure it out, but in the These formulae are oriented to- and the purpose of self-care is to A lot of people think that in order to raising your children and taking care mean time just get curious and try wards giving you space to confront foster growth. be spiritual, or to ‘be with God,’ one of your household, maybe it’s cor- everything that excites you. One day and organise the messy closet of Contrary to what we’re told, must be sitting crossed legged in porate communications, or maybe when you least expect it, suddenly it your feelings. My complaint is with nobody is pandering to our self- a lotus posture in the Himalayas or it’s taking care of animals. Maybe it’s will all fit into place. the mindlessness with which it is care needs but ourselves. We hear praying all day long. This is not the building websites or writing books. sold and prescribed to us as a one- various iterations of the slogan that only way. There is a yogic concept Maybe it’s taking care of a garden or „ The author is a consultant and size-fits-all solution. all our decisions and experiences known as Karma Yoga, its all about understanding an ancient civilisa- coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ This mindless self-care is perpetu- are acceptable. “Its okay to take serving God by doing your duty. tion, or finding out if aliens exist, shefa, Website: missshefa.com ated by an infamous cognitive bias: time off ”; “It’s okay to not be okay.” the confirmation bias. This sys- If it were really okay to not be okay, Forward Lunge Back Squat tematic error in thinking leads you everybody wouldn’t default to an to believe evidence that squarely “I’m fine” when asked how we’re aligns with your preconceived no- doing. But we do. So evidently, tion of something. If it contradicts the world expects you to be okay The miracle of tidying up it, you’re tempted to toss it out the and run like clockwork even when window and rid yourself of the duty you’re barely able to change out of to confront the discrepancy. your pajamas. This makes it harder ing, we are even not comfortable How does this relate to self-care? to carve time out from our already on inviting people to our environ- Self-care hacks propagate their busy schedules for self-care, ment. This can be prevented by benefits, so we know exactly what but makes doing so all the more rearranging the space. Putting they’re meant to do. And because imperative. everything back to where it’s sup- it’s become such a huge market, To paraphrase from a tweet (Rega posed to be. It will immediately it has lost the need to justify its Jha) that sums this up succinctly, extinguish the noise of seeing credibility. We’re told that listening getting your mental health know- everything everywhere. When we to calming music will soothe our how from social media is like eating successfully clean one part of our mind, help us feel refreshed, and fries while looking at a photo of life, we get a chance to see the distract us from discomforting spinach and believing you’ve got other parts of our life or the next thoughts. We’re well-versed with your nutrients. To understand your section of our space that needs the reward ready for us if we listen self-care needs, cut out the clutter cleaning. It can, therefore, result to this music. Having already been of advice that social media throws By Hala Bader al-Humaidhi in continuous cleanup which acquainted with what to expect, at you and be very, very candid further amplifies the feeling of ac- we find it easy to believe that it is about what you need. Consider a complishment and organisation. doing what it’s set out to do: help us situation where you’ve just been Tidying up is a phrasal verb that Creativity is blocked when things take care of ourselves. When we’re broken up with. You have a choice means to put back things to their are not in a specific shape or style told to re-evaluate, we’re likely to on how to address this: you could proper place. This act makes an of arrangement. Tidying up gives brush off the suggestion. Why must get start meeting up with your initially jumbled place looks neat our environment a well-defined we doubt something that wellness friends and distracting yourself, and and more welcoming. In our lives, point of view which enables gurus say is foolproof? Doubting obstinately ignore the overstuff ed different aspects need cleaning our minds to create more ways self-care doesn’t sit well with our suitcase of feelings ready to burst and re-arranging. This ranges through which space can be idea that self-care works. So, in open at any point. Or, you could sit from the material surroundings enhanced. Most religious leaders order to maintain consistency, we down with your feelings and think. such as our house or office space and mystical gurus claim that keep our cynicism at bay. To protect Think deeply about what led your to the immaterial surroundings creativity is generated when we the notion of self-care that we want relationship down this road, wheth- such as our emotional and spir- are in one with nature. Nature to believe, we discard the evidence er you have something to take itual environment. When things has geometrical precision and that it isn’t working. And gradually, responsibility for, and unasham- around us are disorganised and arrangements; it goes without we lose sight of this pressing ques- edly face the change this brings in thrown everywhere, we lose focus saying that for us to be aligned tion: Are these activities helping your life. Instead of pretending to and descend into chaos; when with the creative universe, we you accomplish genuine wellness have impenetrable armor around we take a step to rearrange and must tidy up, and bring order or are they shielding you with a your heart, say you’re hurting — to put things back in order, we get to our lives. That is if our line of façade of care? If you’re not going yourself, most importantly. It’s not a chance to achieve closure on thinking co-relates with such to ask what it’s doing for you, you’re as fun as being distracted, but it’s certain issues and finally focus on mystical teachings. Even in a going to believe that it’s doing what the smarter choice. those that matter at the moment. practical sense, an ideal human be- it promises to you. Make a decision considering what Some of the benefits of tidying ing, even yourself is well organised Understanding whether your you choose to do and what you’re up, or rather the miracles that and physiologically symmetrical, ‘self-care’ is truly self-care will tempted to do — be thoughtful and it does to our physiology and and therefore clutter interferes with help clear the fog of whether it’s honest with your use of self-care. psychology includes a decrease in one’s physiological and psychologi- frustration, sense of responsibility, cal presentation. the house, arranging the garage, to go about one’s problems may concept of decluttering has been cultivation of self-care, a sense of Poor organisation goes hand in and even slashing and weeding cross the mind and thus gives a explored by famous individuals such achievement, clarity of thinking, hand with irresponsibility and stress. around the house. When this is sense of direction. As well as, tidy- as Marie Kondo and proven eff ective promotes efficiency and gives Psychologists suggest that to deal complete, a sense of responsibil- ing up takes your mind from your in improving our lives. room for creativity change. with these two, the first thing one ity automatically embraces a routine, thoughts, and problems In a nutshell, let’s tidy up! Frustration builds up when there must do is organise their physical person and they can face what is as you could listen to music or is chaos and we don’t know how surroundings. This can involve stressing them or rather what is just hum. These are just a few „ The author is a consultant in Public to navigate our personal space or activities such as washing the causing them discomfort. In the ways on how tidying up can make Relations and Personality Types. where to start. With such a feel- dishes, doing laundry, cleaning process of cleaning, ideas on how us feel better about ourselves. The Instagram: @Tipsbyhalahill Gulf Times 8 Thursday, July 9, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

HEALTH Oman registers 1,210 new Covid-19 cases UN chief slams ‘unprecedented’ The Oman Ministry of Health has registered 1,210 new coronavirus cases in the nation yesterday. Of these new cases, 939 were Omanis and 271 were non-Omanis, bringing foreign meddling in Libya confl ict the total number of positive cases in the country to 50,207, in addition to 233 deaths, and 32,005 recoveries, QNA reported from Muscat. In a Reuters with an internationally recog- curity Council Libya sanctions on Libyan soil, East and West,” in Berlin,” Guterres said. Gu- statement reported by the Oman New York nised government controlling committee. he told the council, calling on terres said that between April News Agency (ONA), 3,987 tests of the capital, Tripoli, and the “We continue to oppose all all states with infl uence on the and June this year the UN mis- Covid-19 were conducted over the northwest, while military leader foreign military intervention in Libyan parties to push for a sion has documented at least past 24 hours, and 128 cases are in nited Nations Secretary- Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi rules Libya,” said US ambassador to truce. 102 civilians deaths and 254 the intensive care unit. The Oman General Antonio Gu- the east. “The confl ict has en- the UN Kelly Craft. “There is The warring parties are cur- civilians injuries — a 172% in- health ministry announced earlier Uterres warned the Secu- tered a new phase with foreign no place for foreign mercenar- rently mobilising forces at the crease compared to the first yesterday that it had recorded rity Council yesterday that the interference reaching unprec- ies or proxy forces in Libya, in- new frontlines between the cit- quarter of 2020. nine deaths of those infected with confl ict in Libya has entered a edented levels, including in the cluding...Russian government ies of Misrata and Sirte. He said there had also been coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the new phase with “unprecedent- delivery of sophisticated equip- proxies.” “We are very concerned at least 21 attacks on medi- total number of deaths registered in ed levels” of foreign interfer- ment and the number of merce- Russia’s UN ambassador about the alarming military cal facilities, ambulances and the Sultanate to 233. ence and mercenaries in the oil- naries involved in the fi ghting,” Vassily Nebenzia rejected the build-up around the city, and medical personnel. Meanwhile, the Kuwait Ministry of producing country. Guterres said. accusations of Russian involve- the high-level of direct foreign Guterres also called on the Health announced yesterday that Libya descended into chaos Russian private military con- ment in Libya. interference in the conflict Security Council to take action it had reported 762 new cases of after the Nato-backed over- tractor Wagner Group has up to Antonio Guterres “But we know about other in violation of the UN arms over the obstruction by several Covid-19 during the last 24 hours, throw of leader Muammar 1,200 people deployed in Libya, countries’ military personnel, embargo, UN Security Coun- key national officials of an in- bringing the total to 52,007 con- Gaddafi in 2011. strengthening Haftar’s forces, report by independent sanc- including from those countries cil resolutions, and commit- ternational audit of the Cen- firmed cases, while two new deaths Since 2014, it has been split, according to a confi dential May tions monitors to the UN Se- that accuse us, to be present ments made by Member States tral Bank of Libya. have been reported, which brought the tally to 379.

TENSION Hundreds of US affi rms Lebanon protesters rally in Sudan’s Darfur support amid Hundreds of Sudanese protesters have kept up a demonstration in Hezbollah criticism Central Darfur for more than a week, calling on the government to beef up security in the region. The angry Reuters A US embassy statement demonstrators have camped outside Beirut said McKenzie “reaffi rmed the a government building in the town importance of preserving Leb- of Nertiti since late June following anon’s security, stability, and multiple recent killings and looting US general voiced Wash- sovereignty...” Several dozen incidents on farmland and properties. ington’s backing for Leb- protesters, some waving Hez- One of the protesters, Samya Adam, Aanese stability yesterday bollah fl ags, gathered at Beirut said her family’s farming business is on a visit that triggered a pro- airport in a protest which the under continuous threat of attack test by demonstrators including group’s Al-Manar TV said car- by armed groups. “We, the women supporters of the Iran-backed ried several messages against of Nertiti, have no business other Hezbollah against US policies in Washington. These included than farming,” she said. “And when the country. a rejection of a US embassy we go to work in the fields, we often General Kenneth McKen- plan to hold a memorial for 241 get beaten and sometimes even zie’s visit to Beirut, a big re- US service personnel killed in raped.” Darfur has long been plagued Women wearing protective face masks shop at a bazaar following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Tehran, yesterday. cipient of US military aid, 1983 by a bomb attack in Bei- by poor security. In 2003, a deadly comes after Hezbollah stepped rut during McKenzie’s visit, an conflict erupted in Darfur between up criticism of US ambassador Al-Manar broadcaster said. African minority rebels and forces Dorothy Shea on Tuesday, ac- The US embassy statement backed by the government of former cusing her of blatant interfer- said McKenzie’s one-day visit president Omar al-Bashir. As virus cases rise, Iranian leader ence in Lebanese aff airs. included “a brief stop at me- Lebanon is in throes of an morials honouring the memory acute fi nancial crisis seen as of those who have perished in TRAGEDY the biggest threat to its stabil- service to their country”. Explosion at bans wedding, funeral ceremonies ity since the 1975-90 civil war. The United States says Hez- Hezbollah is a major player bollah carried out the 1983 at- Nigeria oil facility in Lebanese politics and backs tack, which was preceded by kills seven DPA/Agencies funeral ceremonies where pro- spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari was quoted as saying by ISNA the government of Prime Min- the bombing of US embassy Tehran tective health regulations were said that another 153 deaths news agency. ister Hassan Diab. in Beirut. An explosion at an oil production not observed, according to the had been recorded over the past Iran closed schools, can- facility in southern Nigeria has Health Ministry. 24 hours, bringing the total to celled public events and banned killed seven workers, the country’s ranian President Hassan Alongside travelling by pub- 12,084. movement between its 31 prov- state-run oil group said yesterday. Rouhani yesterday banned lic transport, such ceremonies She said total cases had risen inces in March, but the gov- The Nigerian National Petroleum Ipeople from holding cer- are the places where people are to 248,379 with 2,691 more ernment progressively lifted Corp (NNPC) said the blast hap- emonies to celebrate weddings most likely to become infected, people testing positive,AFP restrictions from April to try to Spanish FM warns pened during operations at the and funerals as the number of the ministry said. reported. Nine of Iran’s 31 reopen its sanctions-hit econ- Gbetiokun OML 40 production coronavirus cases in the coun- Iran recorded a surge in cases provinces are now classifi ed as omy. platform in the Niger Delta region try continues to rise steeply. this week, with 350 deaths due “red”, the highest category in Zali said that Tehran needs over annexation plan of the West African country. “The “Both are banned until fur- to the virus reported during the the country’s virus risk scaling. “more restrictive measures” to incident, which occurred on ther notice,” Rouhani told a last 48 hours. Another 10 are on alert in- contain the virus and will dis- Tuesday during the installation of cabinet meeting, and said that More than 5,200 people were cluding the capital Tehran and cuss their reimposition in an here would be a Euro- way to overcome the conflict a ladder on a platform...unfortu- the requirement for people to infected with the coronavirus the surrounding province, Lari emergency meeting with the pean response if the between Israel and Palestine nately caused seven fatalities,” the wear face masks in public plac- in the same period. added. health minister. TIsraeli entity moves is through dialogue.” NNPC said in a statement. es should remain in place. In total, more than 12,000 “Tehran is facing a very frag- His deputy, Ali Maher, told forward with its plan to an- “In case that this unilat- The company said other workers “That’s the only way we can people in the country have died ile situation,” said Alireza Zali, ISNA that measures may be re- nex parts of the Palestinian eral annexation goes ahead on the facility have been account- start into autumn feeling re- of the virus, and more than the head of the city’s virus task- introduced as soon as Saturday. territory, Ministry of Foreign — which we hope is not the ed for, and an investigation has laxed,” Rouhani was cited as 250,000 have been infected, force. Some red provinces have Affairs, European Union and case — there would have to been launched into the incident. saying by Isna news agency. the ministry said yesterday, ac- “The number of infections, already reimposed restric- Co-operation of Spain Aran- be a European response,” The NNPC said the victims were Thousands of Iranians have cording to a report by the IRNA deaths and hospitalisations tions in recent weeks after re- cha Gonzalez Laya said, QNA the Spanish Foreign Minis- employees of a firm engaged for been infected with the virus news agency. have been on a sharp rising tra- ceiving a green light from the reported from Madrid. ter said at a news conference the job. while attending wedding and Earlier, Health ministry jectory in the past 10 days,” he government. Gonzalez said “the only in Madrid.

SA airline to off er US threatens to stop training for Alphabet’s Loon launches its up to 1,000 staff Burkina Faso aid South African Airways (SAA) will provide a year’s training for up to 1,000 employees, revisions to its balloon Internet service in Kenya over army killings restructuring plan show, in a con- cession to trade unions angered by thousands of looming job cuts. Reuters county of Baringo in the heart State-owned SAA’s administrators Baringo of the Rift Valley, Mucheru AFP international watchdog’s re- published a restructuring plan placed a video call to President Abidjan port said. “Available evidence last month after repeated delays Uhuru Kenyatta. suggests the involvement of and months of wrangling with the lphabet Inc began of- “Now you will be able to sell government security forces in government and unions. Creditors fering the world’s fi rst your products on the Internet. I he United States yester- extrajudicial mass killings,” it are due to vote on the plan on July Acommercial high-speed want to see online sales of hon- day called on Burkina added. HRW’s Sahel director 14, which envisages scaling back Internet using balloons to vil- ey,” a beaming Kenyatta told TFaso’s government to Corinne Dufka said “the Burkina SAA’s operations before ramping lagers in remote regions of Ken- residents via the call, referring investigate reports that 180 Faso authorities need to urgent- them up gradually as disruption ya’s Rift Valley yesterday. to the region’s renowned bee- men were extrajudicially ex- ly uncover who turned Djibo linked to the coronavirus pan- The service is run by Loon, a keeping. ecuted by the army, threaten- into a ‘killing fi eld’.” demic eases. In proposed changes unit of Google’s parent Alpha- Locals used to travel more ing to withdraw security aid if Nagy, the US assistant secre- published yesterday, SAA’s bet, and Telkom Kenya, the East than 60km to the nearest towns it did not act swiftly. tary of state for Africa, said that administrators kept the number African nation’s third largest for an Internet connection. “US security assistance can- “Burkinabe authorities must do of staff needed in the restructured telecoms operator. Now, Dorcas Kipkeroi said not continue without action,” more to prevent these abuses SAA at 1,000, from around 4,600 “Kenya is the fi rst country... she wants to sell her jars of tweeted Tibor Nagy, the top and hold perpetrators account- currently. But instead of laying off to have base stations high up Kenyan Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and honey to expatriate Kenyans US diplomat for Africa, calling able”. Peter Pham, the US envoy 3,600, they now suggest roughly in the sky. Now we will be able Communications Joe Mucheru uses his cell phone on the Loon longing for a taste of home. “It a Human Rights Watch report to Africa’s Sahel region, tweeted 2,600 will lose their jobs and up to to cover the whole country technology Internet to stream a live video call of Kenya’s President will help me reach Kenyans who into the killings “very troubling”. that “without rapid and thor- 1,000 will be placed on a “training in a very short span of time,” Uhuru Kenyatta addressing villagers in Radad, Baringo, yesterday. live abroad because communi- Over the last three years, secu- ough action, these abuses put layoff scheme” where SAA will con- said Information Minister Joe cation has been diffi cult,” she rity forces in the West African the partnership with the US in tribute up to 4,650 rand ($270) a Mucheru after launching the fectively building the next layer the upper atmosphere, high said. country have been repeatedly danger.” month in pension, unemployment service. The technology has of the mobile network around above planes and weather. Westgarth said Loon, which accused of extrajudicial killings The US embassy in Burkina and healthcare benefits for each been used before, but not com- the world. They are launched from fa- has a deal to roll out the service in their battles against militant Faso’s capital Ouagadougou employee. The public enterprises mercially. We look like a cell tower cilities in California and Puerto with Vodacom in Mozambique, groups and inter-community said Washington was “deeply ministry said those on the training US telecom operators used 20km in the sky,” said Alastair Rico and controlled via com- has seen increased interest from confl icts. concerned by the continued and scheme would remain SAA em- balloons to connect more than Westgarth, Loon’s chief execu- puters in Loon’s fl ight station in operators and governments af- Human Rights Watch said growing number of allegations ployees but not receive salaries. 250,000 people in Puerto Rico tive. Silicon Valley, using helium and ter the coronavirus crisis forced yesterday that the bodies of at of abuse and extrajudicial kill- If SAA does not need them after after a 2017 hurricane. The fl oating base stations pressure to steer. people to rely on the internet least 180 men, mostly from the ings carried about by Burkinabe the training they will lose their The project aims to provide have a much wider coverage, They also have software more heavily. ethnic Fulani group, were buried security forces.” jobs. The administrators have also aff ordable fourth generation about a hundred times the area equipped with artifi cial intel- “It has really accelerated ex- in mass graves by residents of “We strongly urge the gov- delayed by one week until July 22 (4G) Internet to under-covered of a traditional cell phone tow- ligence to navigate fl ight paths isting discussions,” he said. the northern town of Djibo be- ernment to immediately launch a deadline for conditions to be met or uncovered rural communi- er, Westgarth said. without much human inter- Details of the commercial tween April and May. an independent, timely, and for the restructuring plan to work, ties. The large, translucent bal- vention. agreement between Loon and Many were blindfolded, had fully resourced investigation including a commitment from the It has been more than a dec- loons are fi tted with a solar During the launch of the Telkom Kenya have not been their hands tied behind the back into these new allegations,” the government on funding. ade in the making. “We are ef- panel and battery, and fl oat in service in the vast, semi-arid made public. and were shot in the head, the embassy said it a statement. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 9 AMERICAS

Harvard, MIT seek temporary halt to Trump administration rule on international students

Reuters rary restraining order on the new of foreign students to leave the port their eff orts to protect stu- There are more than a mil- the rule and how those aff ected indication of having considered New York directive issued by the govern- country if their schools switch dents.” lion foreign students at US col- could comply without having to the health of students, faculty, ment on Monday. fully to remote learning. The US Department of Justice leges and universities, and many leave the country. university staff , or communities,” “We will pursue this case vig- Harvard had announced it did not immediately respond to a schools depend on revenue from On Twitter, professors across the complaint said. arvard University and orously so that our international would hold all classes online in request for comment. foreign students, who often pay the country off ered to teach out- The suit alleges the govern- Massachusetts Institute students — and international the coming fall term. US President Donald Trump is full tuition. door in-person independent study ment skirted the proper rule- Hof Technology yesterday students at institutions across Massachusetts Attorney Gen- pushing schools across the coun- The US Immigration and Cus- courses for aff ected students. making process and is asking the sued the Trump administration, the country — can continue eral Maura Healey said in a state- try to re-open in the fall. toms Enforcement (ICE) agency The ICE policy change marked court to strike it down. seeking to block a new rule that their studies without the threat ment the state was also planning The Trump administration rule said most students on F-1 an unexpected reversal of excep- Judge Allison Burroughs, ap- would bar foreign students from of deportation,” Harvard presi- to sue over the rule, which she announcement blindsided aca- and M-1 visas could stay if their tions to the rules limiting online pointed by former president remaining in the United States if dent Lawrence Bacow wrote in a called “cruel” and “illegal.” demic institutions grappling programmes were in person or learning for foreign students Barack Obama, is assigned to their universities move all cours- statement addressed to the Har- Her offi ce said it was still with the logistical challenges of off ered a mix of online and in- when colleges and universities hear the case. es online due to the coronavirus vard community. working out the details of any safely resuming classes as the person instruction. in March rushed to shutter cam- In 2017, she ordered a halt to pandemic. The lawsuit, fi led by two of the potential legal action but that it coronavirus pandemic continues The announcement left stu- puses and move to virtual classes Trump’s travel ban on several The two universities fi led a most elite US universities, is the had been in touch with Harvard unabated around the world, and dents, professors, and universi- as the pandemic forced lock- Muslim-majority countries, a lawsuit in federal court in Boston fi rst to challenge the order that and other major colleges and surges in the United States, espe- ties scrambling to fi gure out ex- downs. policy that was eventually upheld asking for an emergency tempo- could force tens of thousands universities in the state to “sup- cially among young people. actly who would be aff ected by ICE “proceeded without any by the US Supreme Court. Trump threatens to cut funding Supreme Court to rule today on Trump for schools that do not reopen fi nancial records

Reuters post. The White House did not elaborate AFP the ones involving Trump’s fi - Washington on which CDC guidelines Trump took is- Washington nances and the court’s decisions sue with. could have an impact on No- The CDC has recommended a number vember’s presidential election. resident Donald Trump yesterday of considerations for schools, includ- he US Supreme Court is They could also have long- threatened to cut off funding to ing testing, dividing students into small to rule today on whether term implications for law- Pschools that do not open in the fall groups, serving packaged lunches in TPresident Donald Trump makers’ ability to scrutinize and criticised a federal health agency’s classrooms instead of cafeterias, and must release fi nancial records presidents and test the claim by guidelines for reopening schools as “very minimising sharing of school supplies. to prosecutors and Congress, Trump’s attorneys that a presi- tough & expensive.” It advised sneeze guards and partitions politically sensitive cases with dent is immune from criminal The Republican president, who is seek- be put in place when social distancing is potentially far-reaching impli- investigation while in offi ce. ing re-election in November, accused not possible, and that seats be spaced at cations. US presidents are not re- Democrats of wanting to keep schools least six feet apart. Asserting presidential im- quired by law to release details shut for political reasons, despite a surge “It’s time for us to get our kids back to munity, the New York real estate of their personal fi nances but in coronavirus cases across the country. school,” Vice President Mike Pence said tycoon has refused to release his every US leader since Richard “The Dems think it would be bad for after a White House coronavirus task tax returns despite promising to Nixon has done so. them politically if US schools open before force meeting yesterday at the Depart- do so during his 2016 campaign Trump’s secrecy over his tax the November Election, but is important ment of Education. for the White House. returns and personal fi nances for the children & families. May cut off Pence said the CDC plans to issue new Trump’s fi nances are the tar- has prompted speculation about funding if not open!” Trump said on Twit- guidelines on schools and stressed the get of Democratic-led commit- the New York real-estate mag- ter, pointing to schools reopening in some agency’s guidelines were not meant to tees in the House of Representa- nate’s true worth and possible European countries with no problems. replace local school considerations and tives which are looking into the fi nancial entanglements. It was not clear what specifi c federal aid decision-making. (From left) Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania president, the Trump Organi- Congressional investigations the Republican president had in mind. On Tuesday, Trump held meetings Trump attend a roundtable discussion on the Safe Reopening of America’s Schools zation and his family in what have raised questions about States are responsible for primary and about school reopenings at the White during the coronavirus pandemic, at the White House on in Washington, DC, on started as a probe into foreign whether he has sensitive fi nan- secondary education under the US Con- House and said he would pressure state Tuesday. infl uence in 2016. cial exposure to Russia, and also stitution, but the federal government pro- governors to open schools in the fall. New York prosecutor Cyrus whether he has used question- vides some supplementary funding. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo re- Experts have also shown online learn- schools in the fall, but reserved the right Vance, a Democrat, is look- able accounting loopholes to Trump also took aim at the US Centers torted yesterday that the federal govern- ing exacerbates the divide between poorer to “tweak that if it means saving lives.” ing meanwhile into whether avoid paying taxes in the 1990s for Disease Control and Prevention, the ment has no authority on schools and his and more wealthy Americans, who have In Los Angeles, the top public health Trump broke campaign fi nance and 2000s. nation’s health protection agency whose state will announce reopening plans in the greater access to technology. offi cial said the planned reopening of pri- laws with “hush money” pay- In both the New York and director sits on the White House corona- fi rst week of August. The alarming surge in cases in the mary and secondary schools in the fall is ments to an adult-fi lm star and congressional cases, subpoenas virus task force. Business and conservative groups have United States, however, has raised con- at risk. a former Playboy model. were issued to Mazars, Trump’s “I disagree with @CDCgov on their urged reopening schools safely as impor- cerns about the increased risk of spread of “Every single school district at this The Supreme Court said longtime accounting fi rm, as very tough & expensive guidelines for tant to getting parents back to work and the virus by children to vulnerable adults point needs to have plans in place to con- Wednesday that it would issue well as to Deutsche Bank and opening schools. While they want them reviving the US economy. at home as well as to older teachers and tinue distance learning for 100% of the its opinions in the remaining Capital One bank demanding open, they are asking schools to do very Educators say socialisation and other school staff . time,” Public Health Director Barbara Fer- cases for this term at 10am today. his fi nancial records for 2010- impractical things. I will be meeting with benefi ts such as school food programs are New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy rer told offi cials in a private conference Among the pending cases are 2018. them!!!” Trump said in a separate Twitter critically important. said yesterday he planned to reopen state call reported by the Los Angeles Times. Canada ‘slow’ to deport foreigners ordered to leave

Canada is slow to deport foreign cases had continued to accumu- nationals ordered to leave the late...in two-thirds of these cases, New Jersey to make face masks mandatory in public country, partly due to poor data the agency did not know the quality and flaws in the way whereabouts of the individuals,” cases are managed, a top off icial he said in a report. watchdog said yesterday. Public Safety Minister Bill Reuters its battle against the virus. record numbers of new infec- Auditor General Sylvain Blair, who has overall respon- New York “We’ve gone through hell tions. Nineteen states have re- Ricard, who reports directly to sibility for law enforcement, in New Jersey. We’ve lost over ported record increases in cases parliament, said a probe showed acknowledged shortfalls in the 13,000 people, we’ve brought this month and about 24 states the approach taken by the Ca- CBSA’s performance. ew Jersey Governor Phil our numbers way down. We have reported disturbingly high nadian Border Services Agency “The CBSA will take specific Murphy said yesterday can’t go through that hell again.” infection rates as a percentage of (CBSA) “had not led to the timely measures to address concerns Nhe would sign an execu- Many states require use of diagnostic tests conducted over removal of foreign nationals” raised and it has already taken tive order requiring people to masks in public indoor areas and the past week. from Canada, with about 50,000 steps to better deliver on its wear face coverings outdoors to recommend they be used out- In Texas alone, the number of cases still outstanding. mandate in relation to remov- prevent a resurgence of the novel side. hospitalized patients more than Besides data and case man- als,” he said in a statement. coronavirus whenever social Murphy is taking action as in- doubled in just two weeks, and agement issues, Ricard blamed Deportation orders are served distancing is not possible. fections skyrocket in many other the number of available hos- inadequate information sharing against failed asylum claimants, More than 15,000 people have states, including California, pital intensive care unit beds and a lengthy appeals process. people who overstay their visas died from Covid-19 in New Florida and Texas, and health for adults in Florida has fallen “About 50,000 enforceable and those with criminal records. Jersey, ranking it second after A string quartet of musicians from the New York Philharmonic offi cials warn of a coming spike sharply in recent days. neighboring New York state in Orchestra perform on a sidewalk in their first public performance in the death toll from the vi- Additional hospitalizations the total number of deaths, ac- since the Orchestra’s closing in March due to the outbreak of the rus, which has killed more than could strain healthcare systems cording to a Reuters tally. coronavirus disease. 131,000 Americans. in many areas, leading to an up- A Democrat, Murphy told The US outbreak crossed a tick in lives lost. MSNBC that requiring the pub- hot spot where rates of the virus he said, acknowledging that it grim milestone of over 3mn con- The US death toll rose by 962 lic to wear masks outdoors was have started to creep up again. would be hard to enforce the or- fi rmed cases on Tuesday, rough- on Tuesday, the biggest one-day Vindman leaves Army, critical to controlling the spread “There’s no question that face der but saying the state needed ly equivalent to 1% of the popu- rise since June 10, according to a of the virus in the state, an early coverings are a game-changer,” to build on the progress made in lation, as more states reported Reuters tally. alleges Trump ‘bullying’

Reuters Vindman, then the White Washington House National Security Coun- Facebook moves are a setback for civil rights: audit cil’s top Ukraine expert, testi- fi ed that Trump’s request for an AFP Facebook allowed the three posts from The report recommends that Facebook The review covered a range of Facebook ormer White House aide investigation into former vice San Francisco Trump in May to remain and “asserted build a stronger civil rights infrastructure policies including workforce diversity, al- Alexander Vindman, a key president Joe Biden and his son that the posts did not violate its commu- that includes experts on key topics such gorithmic bias, election and census inter- Ffi gure in the impeachment Hunter during a July phone call nity standards,” the report said. as elections and hate speech, with a full- ference and advertising practices. of President Donald Trump, said with Ukraine President Volody- acebook has made a series of deci- The auditors “vigorously made known time team working under a “civil rights Facebook said the audit report points yesterday he was retiring from myr Zelenskiy was improper. sions that undermined civil rights, our disagreement,” and claimed they vice president” at the California-based out its progress and shortcomings and the Army after suff ering what his Trump has repeatedly com- Fincluding allowing posts from “clearly violated Facebook’s policies,” it company. makes it clear that more needs to be done. attorney described as campaign plained about Vindman’s testimo- President Donald Trump that violate the added. “These decisions exposed a major The report also calls for an interpreta- “This two-year journey has had a pro- of “bullying, intimidation, and ny and called him insubordinate. values of the leading social network, an hole in Facebook’s understanding and ap- tion of Facebook policy against voter sup- found eff ect on the way we think about retaliation” by Trump. “Through a campaign of bul- independent audit report said yesterday. plication of civil rights....We believe civil pression that prohibits content such as our impact on the world,” Facebook chief Vindman, an Army lieutenant lying, intimidation, and retalia- The audit commissioned by Facebook in rights expertise was not sought and ap- misleading Trump posts about the integ- operating offi cer Sheryl Sandberg said of colonel who had been due for a tion, the President of the United 2018 found the California giant had taken plied to the degree it should have been and rity of mail-in voting. working with the auditors. promotion, provided some of the States attempted to force LTC “important steps forward in building a the resulting decisions were devastating.” “Facebook has made policy and en- “We have made real progress over the most damaging testimony dur- Vindman to choose: Between long-term civil rights accountability struc- The action could “establish terrible forcement choices that leave our election years, but this work is never fi nished and ing an investigation by the US adhering to the law or pleasing a ture” but “are not suffi cient and should not precedent for others to emulate,” the au- exposed to interference by the president we know what a big responsibility Face- House of Representatives into President,” the statement from be the end of Facebook’s progress.” dit stated. and others who seek to use misinforma- book has to get better at fi nding and re- Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Vindman’s attorney said. Despite progress, “the auditors are In recent weeks, Facebook did appear to tion to sow confusion and suppress vot- moving hateful content,” she said. Vindman confi rmed to Reu- Defense Secretary Mark Es- concerned that those gains could be ob- make some changes, in one case removing ing,” the report said. Facebook said it is putting some of the ters his decision to retire instead per said in November that Vind- scured by the vexing and heartbreaking a Trump campaign ad using a Nazi sym- The report also advised Facebook to audit proposals into practice, and made “a of becoming a colonel and wrote man should not fear retaliation decisions Facebook has made that repre- bol. go beyond banning explicit references to commitment to hire a civil rights leader on Twitter that he and his fam- over his testimony. sent signifi cant setbacks for civil rights,” The company also said it would tag white separatism and white nationalism to who will continue to push us on these is- ily “look forward to the next At the time, Esper said he had the 100-page report said. posts from world leaders that violate its also prohibit them being praised, support- sues internally,” according to Sandberg. chapter of our lives.” reinforced the “no retaliation” The auditors expressed particular alarm policies even if they remain accessible be- ed or represented at the social network. The report comes a day after Sandberg “After more than 21 years of message in a conversation with at Facebook’s reluctance to take action on cause they are “newsworthy.” The audit led by former American Civil and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuck- military service, Lieutenant the secretary of the Army. posts from Trump this year which “allowed The report detailed steps the social net- Liberties Union lawyer Laura Murphy erberg met with organizers of a Facebook ad Colonel Alexander Vindman is Last week, Democratic US the propagation of hate/violent speech” work has taken to fi ght bigotry, election was launched at the behest of civil rights boycott pressing for more aggressive action retiring today after it has been Senator Tammy Duckworth said and “facilitated voter suppression.” tampering and more, but contended that organizations and members of Congress on hateful content and disinformation. made clear that his future with- she would put a hold on the con- Facebook’s inaction “seems to refl ect a the eff orts are inadequate. seeking to ensure that “civil rights laws The activists said they were disap- in the institution he has duti- fi rmation of over 1,000 military statement of values that protecting free “Unfortunately, in our view Facebook’s and principles are respected, embraced, pointed and vowed to press on with their fully served will forever be lim- promotions until Esper provid- expression is more important than other approach to civil rights remains too reac- and robustly incorporated into the work campaign which has grown to nearly ited,” according to a statement ed assurances on not blocking stated company values.” tive and piecemeal,” the report said. at Facebook,” according to the report. 1,000 advertisers. from his attorney. the promotion of Vindman. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, July 9, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Bangladesh shuts hospital Deluge in Duchang Sri Lanka, Maldives over fake Covid measles-free: WHO test reports Authorities in Bangladesh have ordered the shutdown AFP of a private hospital after Colombo lawmakers found thousands of fake Covid-19 test reports were issued by the health easles and rubella have been eradicated from Sri Lanka and facilities, off icials said the Maldives after decades of immunisation programmes, yesterday. Two branches Mthe World Health Organisation said yesterday. “Coming at a of Regent Hospital Limited, time when the entire world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, located in the capital this success is encouraging and demonstrates the importance of joint Dhaka’s Uttara and Mirpur eff orts,” WHO regional director Khetrapal Singh said in a statement. neighbourhood, were asked The Maldives recorded its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and to shut their operations rubella in October 2015, the global health body said. immediately, health ministry Sri Lanka’s last endemic cases of measles and rubella were reported off icial Aminul Hasan said. in May 2016 and March 2017 respectively, it added. “Patients were also asked to There has been no evidence of endemic transmission of the two shift to other hospitals,” Hasan viruses for over three years “in the presence of a well performing said in a statement. surveillance system,” the WHO said. Bhutan, North Korea and East Members of the Rapid Action Timor were also declared to be measles-free. The declarations came Battalion unit of police sealed amid measles outbreaks in developed countries, including the United off the health facilities in the States. evening after they found An anti-vaxxer movement in the US and elsewhere has surged with the hospital issued more the social media-fuelled rise of conspiracy theories. The coronavirus than 6,000 fake coronavirus pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems in South Asia and south- test reports and collected east Asia, the WHO added, including immunisation and surveillance exorbitant fees from the An aerial view shows buildings and farmlands partially submerged in floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Duchang county, Jiangxi programmes. It said it was committed to supporting member coun- patients, magistrate Sarwoer province, China, yesterday. tries and partners “fully revive” such activities. Alam said. Kim Jong-un ordered China opens Hong Kong to pay damages to South Korea POWs post for its police offi cials AFP The ruling was Seoul the first time a South Korean AFP that erupted last year. The law is South Korean court or- court claimed Hong Kong the most radical change in Hong dered Pyongyang’s lead- Kong’s freedoms and autonomy A er Kim Jong-un to com- jurisdiction since Britain handed the city back pensate two former prisoners hina opened a new offi ce to China in 1997. of war who spent decades as over Pyongyang yesterday for its intel- Similar national security laws forced labourers in the North, or issued a Cligence agents to operate are used to crush dissent on the in a move that could set a far- openly in Hong Kong for the fi rst mainland and police in Hong reaching legal precedent on the compensation time under a tough new secu- Kong have already arrested peo- divided peninsula. order against its rity law, in a public display of its ple voicing certain political views The ruling was the first time tightening control over the fi - now deemed illegal, such as ad- a South Korean court claimed leader, according nance hub. vocating independence or greater jurisdiction over Pyongyang or to a campaign The new base is located in a autonomy. issued a compensation order rapidly converted hotel overlook- The content of the security law against its leader, according to group backing the ing the city’s Victoria Park, a loca- was kept secret until it was enact- a campaign group backing the plaintiff s tion that has hosted pro-democ- ed last Tuesday, bypassing Hong plaintiffs. racy protests for years, including Kong’s legislature. China has said The two men — one surnamed North, according to data by an annual vigil marking Beijing’s it will have jurisdiction over the Han, 87, and the other Ro, 90 — the War Memorial of Korea in deadly Tiananmen crackdown. most serious cases, toppling the say they were captured during Seoul. Pyongyang repatriated A plaque bearing the security legal fi rewall that has existed be- the 1950-53 Korean War, but only 8,343 South Koreans after agency’s name was unveiled in tween its Communist Party-con- were never repatriated after the the armistice, according to the front of Hong Kong government trolled courts and Hong Kong’s armistice that brought hostili- Seoul government. and mainland offi cials — includ- independent judiciary since the ties to a close. The South has since raised ing Beijing’s top envoy to the city handover. Instead, they say they were the issue many times, but the and the commander of the Chi- Among many precedent- forced to work at coal mines North maintained no former nese army barracks in Hong Kong. setting provisions in the law is and other facilities for decades soldiers from the South were Police blocked roads around authorisation for China’s secu- until they escaped the North being held against their will. the former Metropark Hotel and rity agents to work openly inside Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam and off icials unveil a plaque during the opening of the new Off ice via China. Ro returned to the Civic groups say some 80 surrounded it with water-fi lled Hong Kong, with powers to in- for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong. South in 2000, and Han a year South Korean POWs escaped barriers. A Chinese fl ag was un- vestigate and prosecute national later. They filed the suit in the North and returned to the furled on a pole erected outside security crimes. concerns about due process in the 2016, saying they had suffered South in 2000 and 2001. Law- the building while a plaque with Until now Hong Kong’s own country, where the courts have a “enormous mental and physical yers representing the two men the national emblem went up police and judiciary had complete conviction rate of about 99%. damage” in the North. welcomed the ruling, saying a overnight. jurisdiction over the semi-auton- Last week Beijing appointed The Seoul Central District South Korean court for the first City leader Carrie Lam — a omous fi nance hub. But China Zheng Yanxiong to head up the Court on Tuesday ordered time “exercised jurisdiction” pro-Beijing appointee — hailed argues national security is the re- agency. A party hardliner, Zheng the North and leader Kim to against “illegal acts committed the opening as “a historic mo- sponsibility of the central govern- is best known for his involvement pay each of them 21mn won by Kim Jong Un”. ment” and said China’s intel- ment and says the law is needed to in a clampdown against protests ($17,500), a court spokeswoman “This is a milestone ruling,” ligence apparatus would be an restore stability. across the border in neighbouring told AFP. said lawyer Koo Chung-seo, “important partner” in helping On the authoritarian mainland, Guangdong province. Following the ruling, a civic adding it paved the way for fur- to safeguard national security. China’s secret police are the spear One of his deputies is Li group supporting the two said ther legal action by other in- Luo Huining, Beijing’s top envoy tip of a highly effi cient and ruth- Jiangzhou, a veteran public se- they would take legal steps to dividuals against Kim and his to Hong Kong, said the city had less security apparatus that pur- curity offi cer who has worked in seize North Korean assets un- regime. “bade farewell to the days when sues critics and scrubs the public the Liaison Offi ce, the body that der Seoul’s control, such as Inter-Korean relations have it was defenceless in national se- sphere of dissent. represents Beijing in Hong Kong. copyright fees for Pyongyang’s been in a deep freeze follow- curity”. In his speech, Luo rejected crit- Little is known about the other, state TV. ing the collapse of a summit Beijing imposed the new law icism of the mainland legal sys- Sun Qingye. By the end of the war, there in Hanoi between Kim and US on Hong Kong last week target- tem, saying “the Chinese main- Last week the ‘South China were 170,000 North Korean President Donald Trump early ing acts of subversion, seces- land has a healthy legal system Morning Post’ described Sun as a and Chinese prisoners in the last year over what the nuclear- sion, terrorism and foreign col- and a sound environment for the senior offi cial from China’s intel- US-led UN forces’ POW camps, armed North would be will- lusion, in response to huge and rule of law”. ligence agency, according to gov- Journalists film behind water-filled barriers after the opening while 100,000 South Korean ing to give up in exchange for a often violent democracy protests Observers have regularly raised ernment sources. ceremony of national security off ice, in Hong Kong. and UN troops were held in the loosening of sanctions.

Australia looking to restrict return of citizens amid outbreak South Korea seeks remdesivir to treat Reuters infections in the 24 hours to ily set up a system to issue travel Sydney Wednesday morning, down from permits for a select group, mostly the previous day’s record 191 commuters in border towns, but a but well over the low single digit website created to dispense pass- over 5,000 patients ustralia will likely slow daily increases of the other states es crashed soon after its launch down the return of its cit- and territories. Of the new cases, on Tuesday evening with offi cials Aizens from abroad, Prime 75 were occupants of nine public saying more than 44,000 people Reuters Minister Scott Morrison said housing towers that were ear- applied. Offi cials reassured that Seoul yesterday, as it grapples with a lier this week placed under the regular commuters could instead fresh outbreak of the coronavirus country’s strictest lockdown so show residential and employ- that has led it to isolate its second far. Around 3,000 residents have ment documentation. outh Korea has asked Gilead Sciences Inc’s to supply enough of most populous state. been banned from leaving the Victoria’s only other internal its anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat more than 5,000 Covid-19 The border between Victoria buildings, which are under police border, with South Australia, has Spatients in preparation for a potential second wave of infections, and New South Wales, the busi- Police off icers look out the windows of a public housing tower, guard, for fi ve days. All residents been closed since mid-March. an opposition lawmaker said yesterday. est in the country, was closed locked down in response to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease are being tested for Covid-19. In Melbourne, renewed lock- One of the few treatments shown to alter the course of Covid-10, overnight and around 4.9mn res- in Melbourne, Australia. At the border with NSW, cars down measures will kick in at remdesivir is in high demand, but there are concerns about its avail- idents in the Victorian capital of banked up on both sides as po- midnight for at least six weeks, ability after Gilead allocated nearly all of its supply to the United States Melbourne will return to partial With the Victoria shutdown nouncing that its national airline lice checkpoints caused delays closing down cafes, bars, res- over the next three months. lockdown at midnight following putting pressure on other states, will not take new inbound book- of more than an hour for driv- taurants and gyms, and confi n- South Korea said last week it has 33 severely ill patients who are a spike in Covid-19 cases in the Morrison said he would take a ings for three weeks to reduce ers. The state line is heavily traf- ing residents to their homes ex- eligible for the intravenously-administered medicine which helped city. proposal on Friday to the nation- the burden on overfl owing quar- fi cked by daily commuters who cept for essential business. The to shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial. In a letter sent to “The rest of the country knows al cabinet created to deal with the antine facilities. There has been live and work on either side. Australian economy will take Gilead on June 3, South Korea had requested doses for 360 patients that the sacrifi ce that you’re go- pandemic, seeking to slow down growing public concern in Aus- “I got a permit but with all the an economic hit of up to A$1bn who are in urgent need of the drug, and for enough to have ready for an ing through right now is not just the return of Australian citizens tralia about security lapses that checks, my commute across was ($700mn) per week from the additional 5,000 patients in the event of a second wave of infections. for you and your own family, but and permanent residents by re- have led to returnees spreading heavily delayed,” Amanda Cohn, border closure and Melbourne The document specifi ed six vials for each patient. it’s for the broader Australian ducing the number of repatria- the virus, despite undertaking who crosses the border from her lockdown, federal treasurer Josh A copy of the letter was disclosed by South Korean lawmaker Kang community,” Morrison said dur- tion fl ights. The two groups have quarantine on arrival. Victoria home in NSW each day to reach Frydenberg said. Gi-yun. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) ing a televised media conference. been the only arrivals allowed has begun an inquiry into how the Victorian hospital where Nationwide, Australia has re- said they had roughly estimated the number of patients who might fall “I can imagine the frustration ... since Australia closed its inter- the state went from the brink of she works, told Reuters by tel- ported about 9,000 Covid-19 severely ill based on its experience of Covid-19 so far, but needs could we don’t have control over the national border in March. eradicating the virus to soaring ephone. “Plenty of others need cases and 106 deaths from the change, its chief Jeong Eun-kyeong told a briefi ng on Wednesday. virus as such, but we do have Neighbouring New Zealand infection numbers. to get across and they don’t have virus, a level that remains low Gilead Korea told Reuters they had received a letter on June 3 but could control over how we respond.” has already taken that step, an- The state reported 134 new a permit.” Authorities had hast- compared to other nations. not disclose details due to a confi dentiality agreement. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 11

BRITAIN

Cummings to tour sensitive MoD sites amid defence review

Guardian News and media cialist military research labora- to an adviser who has complained Cummings on this,” the e-mail and foreign policy, which was curement processes. tense criticism for travelling to London tories at Porton Down, Wiltshire. that military procurement “has said.“It is for the (the minister’s delayed by the coronavirus crisis. Speaking at the defence select and around County Durham with According to an e-mail seen by continued to squander billions of special adviser) and the secre- Over the weekend there was committee, the infl uential Brex- his family during lockdown. the Sydney Morning Herald, the pounds” and who has written in tary of state to engage in the fi rst speculation that the armed forc- iter told General Sir Nick Carter, His enthusiasm for the poten- ominic Cummings is to Cummings tour will also cover his personal blog of the potential instance before delegating to of- es faced signifi cant cuts, includ- the chief of the defence staff : tial for military technology is well visit the SAS and four the Special Boat Service, defence for drone warfare. fi cials.” ing reducing the size of the army “Can we just make a plea to you. known. In March 2019, before he Dother of the ministry of intelligence and the Rapid Capa- The tour was deemed suffi - It is understood Cummings’ by nearly 20,000 to 55,000 per- You are the professional head of entered government, Cummings defence’s most sensitive sites, a bilities Offi ce, which is responsi- ciently important by Ben Wal- clearance level was checked to sonnel, but this was repeatedly the armed forces. Please nip back wrote: “A teenager will be able to leaked e-mail has revealed, at a ble for special project develop- lace, the defence secretary, that ensure he was permitted to visit denied by Wallace, who said the to the department and ask them deploy a drone from their smart- time when the armed forces are ment. he and his special adviser wanted the national security sites on the review process had hardly begun. to sort themselves out, because if phone to sink one of these multi- battling to avoid swingeing cuts Cummings has visited MI5 and to arrange its outline themselves list and to engage in open con- On Tuesday, the Conserva- not, Cummings is going to come billion-dollar platforms. Such a in an upcoming review. MI6, the domestic and foreign before handing over to offi cials, versations with troops, research- tive backbencher Mark Francois down there and sort you out his teenager could already take out MoD sources confi rmed a per- intelligence agencies, twice al- according to the e-mail. ers and intelligence specialists warned the head of the armed own way, and you won’t like it.” the stage of a Downing Street sonal tour had been organised for ready, it said. “The secretary of state ex- present. forces that Cummings would Cummings’ status within gov- photo op with a little imagination the prime minister’s chief advis- The idea is to showcase some plicitly does not wish anyone to Downing Street has restarted “sort you out”, after a lengthy ernment appears to have rapidly and initiative, as I wrote about er, which will also take in the spe- of the MoD’s fl agship operations engage Number 10 or Dominic an integrated review of defence complaint about the MoD’s pro- recovered after he endured in- years ago.” Johnson refuses to apologise to Sunak unveils care workers

Guardian News and Media hospitality VAT London

oris Johnson repeatedly refused to apologise to Bcare workers yesterday cut and stamp after claiming that some homes failed to follow “the correct pro- cedures” during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak. The prime minister said on Monday: “We discovered too duty holiday many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures in the way that they could have, but we’re learning lessons the whole time.” Guardian News and Media £500,000 in England and North- In the fi rst two months of At prime minister’s questions London ern Ireland, until March 31, was the Covid-19 crisis the number yesterday the Labour leader, Keir also announced. of 18- to 24-year-olds claim- Starmer, confronted Johnson Sunak said the move would ing universal credit rose by a with the remarks and pressed he government will slash save jobs in the construction quarter of a million to almost him to apologise. VAT in hospitality and lei- sector and encourage homeown- 500,000, while it is estimated Johnson replied: “The last Tsure businesses, introduce ers to move and invest in their that 700,000 school leavers and thing I wanted to do is to blame a stamp duty holiday and spend homes. university graduates will enter a care workers for anything that’s up to £9bn rewarding employers The fresh spending commit- depressed jobs market this sum- happened. When it comes to that bring back furloughed staff , ments came as Sunak said the mer. taking blame, I take full respon- the chancellor said in his sum- government would be defi ned by The plan revives an idea used sibility for what has happened.” mer statement yesterday. its response to the crisis and he by Labour during the global fi - He praised care workers, saying nancial crisis that the tax and rates of infection in care homes Outlining measures designed would never accept unemploy- had fallen signifi cantly.“That’s to protect existing jobs and create ment as an unavoidable outcome spending watchdog, the Insti- thanks to our care workers, and I thousands of new ones, Rishi Su- of the Covid-19 pandemic. tute for Fiscal Studies, has al- pay tribute to them,” he said. nak said he off ered all nations of He said the government will ready assessed as an eff ective But he claimed that on Mon- the UK comprehensive proposals fund six-month job placements scheme. day he had been highlighting the to support the economy and help for an estimated 350,000 18- Alongside the youth scheme, fact that no one had known dur- it bounce back from crisis. to 24-year-olds to prevent the the chancellor announced a £3bn ing the early stages of the out- Amid concerns that struggling young from bearing the brunt of green investment recovery pack- break what the right procedures businesses will be forced to sack the economic crisis. age to decarbonise public build- were – a line used repeatedly by tens of thousands of furloughed Trailed overnight in advance ings and cut emissions from Downing Street since he made staff as the government’s main of the statement, Sunak said the poorly insulated homes. the comments. jobs subsidy is wound down from £2bn scheme will support em- In a further move to generate Urged again by Starmer to say next month, Sunak said employ- ployers when they off er universal jobs around the country, Su- sorry, Johnson said: “He keeps ers could claim a £1,000 bonus credit claimants a job. nak said the plan includes £1bn saying that I blamed or tried to for each one of the 9.4mn staff Each “kickstarter” job will for public buildings – such as blame care workers and that is furloughed since March that re- cover 100% of the national mini- schools and hospitals – and a simply not the case. The real- turn to work. mum wage for 25 hours a week, £2bn scheme to retrofi t people’s ity is we now know things about A cut in VAT from 20% to 5% allowing employers to provide homes. how the coronavirus is passed, on hospitality and leisure servic- wage top-ups without any claw- Homeowners will also be person to person, without symp- es – including restaurants, cafes, back of state funds. able to apply for vouchers of up toms, that we just didn’t know.” zoos and cinemas – until next People under 25 receive a lower to £5,000, with up to £10,000 Starmer pointed out that as January would cost the Treasury national minimum wage, start- available for some of the poorest many as one in 20 care home resi- £4bn, he said and would com- ing at £4.55 an hour for some- families. dents may have died in the pan- “We are doubling down on our demic, according to offi cial fi g- bine with a 50% discount on eat- one under 18, rising to £6.45 an ures, a statistic he called “chilling”. ing in restaurants and cafes as hour for 18- to 20-year-olds and ambitions to level up,” he said. “By refusing to apologise, he part of an “eat out to help out” £8.20 an hour for 21- to 24-year- Around £120mn will be made rubs salt into the wounds of the discount. olds. available for capital spending in very people he stood at his front The VAT cut, eff ective from The chancellor said companies the arts and culture industry to door and clapped,” he said. next Wednesday, will not apply could start making applications boost jobs. Starmer also raised the is- to alcohol served in pubs or res- for the jobs subsidies within a This investment will be part of sue of hospital parking charges, taurants. month and the fi rst young peo- a broader £1.57bn rescue pack- which reportedly could be reim- An immediate stamp duty ple would be employed in the age to help weather the impact of posed for NHS staff . Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak leaves 11 Downing street in central London yesterday. holiday for homes sold for up to autumn. coronavirus.

Heard in court Rowling, Rushdie, Atwood Hancock accused of not warn against ‘intolerance’ sharing Covid-19 data with wider calls for greater equal- Guardian News and Media London ity and inclusion across our so- Guardian News and Media BAME people, will be put into next worst-hit city. ciety”, the letter goes on to decry London lockdown and we need to get this About half of Leicester’s what it calls “a new set of moral right,” Soulsby wrote. population come from black, K Rowling, Salman Rush- attitudes and political commit- “If you look at Leicester, we Asian and minority ethnic back- die and Margaret Atwood are ments that tend to weaken our he mayor of Leicester has have Hindu, Sikh and Muslim grounds. Jamong the signatories to a norms of open debate and tol- accused Matt Hancock communities, a sizeable Goan BAME people have accounted controversial open letter warning eration of diff erences in favour of Tand Public Health Eng- community, as well as commu- for 18.1% of all those testing that the spread of “censorious- ideological conformity”. land (PHE) of withholding vital nities from the Caribbean and positive for coronavirus in Eng- ness” is leading to “an intolerance Hitting out at how a “panicked data that could help reduce the Somalia. Only recently are we land so far, people from an Asian of opposing views” and “a vogue damage control” is leading to the spread of coronavirus through getting granular data (on coro- background almost 10%. Souls- for public shaming and ostracism”. delivery of “hasty and dispro- BAME communities as well as navirus cases), and even then by, a former MP and councillor, Rowling said she was “proud portionate punishments instead workplaces. we are having to clear it up our- apologised in June after being to sign this letter in defence of a of considered reforms”, the letter In a letter to the health secre- selves.” photographed at his partner’s foundational principle of a liberal criticises how “editors are fi red tary yesterday, Sir Peter Soulsby Bradford, Barnsley and Roch- home, in breach of the lockdown society: open debate and freedom for running controversial pieces; claimed that information sent dale, other cities with large mi- rules. of thought and speech”. Rowling books are withdrawn for alleged from Whitehall to local offi cials nority ethnic populations, have In his letter, he wrote that compared the current climate to inauthenticity; journalists are did not disclose the ethnicity or been identifi ed by health offi - Leicester’s director of public the McCarthy years, adding: “To barred from writing on certain workplaces of people who fall ill, cials as the places with the next health had repeatedly asked PHE quote the inimitable Lillian Hell- topics; professors are investi- increasing the diffi culty of trac- biggest increases in coronavirus to provide access to results data, man: ‘I cannot and will not cut gated for quoting works of litera- ing the spread of the disease. cases after Leiceser. preferably at a postcode or “low- my conscience to fi t this year’s ture in class; a researcher is fi red Local health offi cials have re- Soulsby sent the letter after er super output” level, so that of- fashions’.” for circulating a peer-reviewed lied on fi gures about death rates the government claimed he and fi cials could monitor the spread Published in Harper’s Maga- academic study; and the heads of and hospital admissions that Leicester’s Labour-run council of the disease street by street. zine, the letter is signed by more organisations are ousted for what provide limited information on had failed to get a grip of the local “This data was not forthcom- than 150 writers, academics and are sometimes just clumsy mis- the backgrounds of individuals, outbreak. ing to us or other councils. The artistes, also including major takes”. Its instigator, the writer he said. Leicester was put into a reason given for this was that it names such as Martin Amis, Noam Thomas Chatterton Williams, “There have been mislead- city-wide lockdown last week wasn’t in a fi t state to publish Amber Heard, American actress and former wife of Hollywood Chomsky, Steven Pinker, Malcolm referenced incidents including ing claims from the government after Hancock said the seven- because it hadn’t been ‘cleaned’. actor Johnny Depp, arrives on the second day of a libel trial Gladwell and Gloria Steinem. the allegations of racism which about what data and information day infection rate had reached This was the data feed from the brought by Hollywood actor Johnny Depp against News Acknowledging that “power- led to resignations at US institu- we are being provided. There is 135 cases per 100,000 people, test-and-trace system that the Group Newspapers (NGN), at the high court in London, ful protests for racial and social tions like the National Book Crit- a good chance that other cit- the highest in the country and PM had launched as ‘world- yesterday. justice are leading to overdue de- ics Circle, and the Poetry Foun- ies, some with high numbers of three times higher than the beating’,” he said. mands for police reform, along dation, to the New York Times. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, July 9, 2020 EUROPE

TRAGEDY CRIME CUTTING WASTE DISPUTE PAPERWORK 2 hikers killed, 8 hurt in Two charged over brutal Dutch farmers protest Mining giant contests fine Denmark introduces virus Austrian route rockfall assault on bus driver new pollution rules for massive Arctic spill certificate for travellers

Two people were killed and eight injured by French prosecutors yesterday charged two men Dutch police detained about 50 farmers who Mining giant Norilsk Nickel said yesterday it Denmark has introduced a so-called Covid-19 rockfall on a popular hiking trail through the with attempted murder after a bus driver was blocked a road with their tractors yesterday in was contesting a fine imposed by the Russian certificate aimed at making it easier for nationals Baerenschuetzklamm gorge in the Austrian assaulted and left brain dead for refusing to let protest against new environmental pollution authorities over a massive oil spill in the Arctic planning to travel abroad during the pandemic, Alps, the police reported yesterday. According to aboard a group of people who were not wearing rules which they say threaten their livelihoods. that sparked a state of emergency. Norilsk the Health Ministry said yesterday. The digital initial findings, several rocks fell from the steep face masks. Four men set upon 59-year-old The farmers had defied a ban on demonstrations Nickel “disputes the amount of environmental certificate was to show if the individual has slope and hit the hikers near the town of Mixnitz Philippe Monguillot in the southwestern town of to block the entrance to a waste disposal facility damage caused by the diesel leak” calculated a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in the southern province of Styria. Some of the Bayonne on Sunday after he asked three of them in the northern town of Wijster, the police said. by the Russian environmental watchdog, test. Some countries require such a test to hikers sustained severe injuries, police said. The to wear masks and tried to check another man’s Local media said those detained faced a 390 Rosprirodnadzor, the company said in a statement. allow entry. The certificate could also be used two victims were identified as a 50-year-old ticket. The other two men have been charged with euro ($440) fine. The latest protests are over The watchdog this week requested a subsidiary to be exempt from quarantine regulations, Hungarian woman and a 21-year-old from Austria. non-assistance to a person in danger and one government plans to limit the amount of protein of Norilsk Nickel pay “voluntary compensation” the ministry added. The certificate would be The Baerenschuetzklamm gorge has been closed has also been charged with attempting to hide in cow feed, meant to reduce the emissions of totalling 147.8bn roubles ($2.05bn), or one third available free of charge after undergoing a for visitors and hikers while an investigation is a suspect, the local prosecutor’s off ice said. The nitrogen oxides by animals. The Netherlands was of the group’s net profit last year. Norilsk Nickel Covid-19 test in Denmark, and the test results ongoing. With its limestone walls rising up to four men made a run for it after the brutal assault found last year to be in violation of European reiterated it would financially support “the were completed. The test must not be older than 300m, the gorge is a popular tourist destination. and hid in one of the men’s apartment, it added. Union rules on “reactive nitrogen” pollution. consequences of the accident at its own expense”. seven days to be valid. France’s ‘Acquittator’ Serbia coronavirus curfew sows controversy as triggers violent protests new justice minister AFP Paris AFP sure from hooligans, but I think Belgrade we are showing our strength by showing that I do not decide he surprise appointment by French President Emmanuel alone,” said the 50-year-old, who Macron of a star lawyer as justice minister has created a erbia’s president said yes- is accused of authoritarian con- Tstorm of controversy, with critics slamming a “declara- terday that a weekend cur- trol of Serbia despite holding what tion of war” but supporters seeing a real chance at progress on a Sfew to combat a resurgence should be a ceremonial post. series of judicial reforms. of coronavirus infections might He branded the protesters as Eric Dupond-Moretti is one of France’s most high profi le de- be scrapped after the measure “fascists” and said there were fence lawyers and has earned the nickname of the “Acquittator” sparked angry protests that end- suspicions of “meddling of for- for his track record in getting clients acquitted. ed in clashes with police. eign intelligence”, without pro- An intimidating fi gure who has likened the courtroom to a Chaotic scenes rocked Belgrade viding any evidence. theatre, Dupond-Moretti swore as recently as 2018 that he would on Tuesday night after thousands Vucic also conceded that some never be justice minister, saying no one would have the “utterly of people streamed into the city police offi cers, who were accused absurd” idea — “and frankly I would never accept such a thing”. centre to protest the president’s of excessive force, “failed” and Yet the burly 59-year-old was nonetheless Macron’s choice to announcement that authorities that they would be held account- lead the justice ministry in a cabinet reshuffl e under new Prime would reimpose a round-the- able. Minister Jean Castex. clock weekend lockdown. Scenes of police brutality Dupond-Moretti was given a rough welcome yesterday in the Around 20 people were ar- were captured on TV by regional National Assembly as he made his fi rst appearance in parlia- rested and dozens were injured in broadcaster N1, including an ment, loudly heckled by opposition MPs and showing signs of running battles between police, incident in which offi cers used his political inexperience. who used tear gas, and protest- batons to beat three men sitting “You were never meant to occupy that seat and there you are ers who stormed into parliament, peacefully on a bench. now,” snapped Antoine Savignat of the right-wing Republicans threw rocks at offi cers and were “The violent dispersal of dem- opposition party. accused of setting police cars onstrators by the Serbian police As tensions rose, Dupond-Moretti looked unusually uneasy alight. in Belgrade yesterday raises seri- and said: “I beg of you, It’s already hard for me. It’s my fi rst time.” Their outrage focused on ous human rights concerns,” said As a lawyer, Dupond-Moretti has won 120 acquittals for his President Aleksandar Vucic, who the Council of Europe’s Human clients, reportedly a record. critics accuse of inviting a second Rights Commission Dunja Mi- His confrontational and highly mediatised style have angered wave of coronavirus infections by jatovic. judges who loudly objected to his appointment. rapidly lifting initial lockdown Serbian police chief Vladimir “Naming a person who is so divisive and who has such scorn measures before an election in Rebic said offi cers “used force for the judiciary is a declaration of war,” said Celine Parisot, head June. only when it was used against us”. of the USM magistrates union. His party won the poll by a The injured included 43 po- France’s national conference of prosecutors also sounded landslide in a vote boycotted by liceman and at least 17 protesters, alarm about “numerous comments” by Dupond-Moretti that the main opposition. he said. “arouse worry and questions.” In an televised address, Vucic Three police horses were also He has also aroused the ire of feminists by criticising the said he was still in favour of a cur- hurt. #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, saying such few but that a government crisis The demonstration brought Protesters shout slogans in front of the National Assembly building in Belgrade on Tuesday night. complaints “should be made not to the media, not on social net- team would “decide tomorrow”. together protesters from across works, but to the judiciary.” “There will defi nitely be tight- the political spectrum, spanning cases comes two months after country reported its deadliest day nearly 17,000 infections and 330 Taking offi ce on Tuesday, Dupond-Moretti tried to strike a ening the measures for Belgrade,” the left to the far-right. Serbia lifted almost all restrictions yet on Tuesday with 13 fatalities. deaths in the population of 7mn. more conciliatory tone, saying he was extending his hand to the he said, adding that the “crisis Another protest has been to allow major sporting events Vucic warned that hospitals The local Balkan Investigative “whole judicial family” and promising “dialogue.” team seems to think that there called for yesterday evening by with thousands of spectators and are being pushed to the brink Reporting Network has accused He insisted that the ministry of justice was not a “the ministry should be no curfew”. opposition parties who boycotted national elections in June. with nearly 120 patients on ven- authorities of suppressing the of war...but the ministry of freedoms”. “It would be shameful for me to the June election. In the past two weeks daily in- tilators. true toll — claims denied by the He has taken a strong line on urging France to repatriate go back on my words under pres- The new spike of coronavirus fections have shot up, while the The government has reported government. French citizens accused of joining extremists in Iraq and Syria, something the government has steadfastly refused. Le Monde newspaper said his appointment was as if Didier Raoult — the controversial French doctor who backs the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 — had been named health minister. Ukraine fi refi ghters beat back deadly forest wildfi re But supporters say Dupond-Moretti’s weight of personality means he can have a far greater impact than his mild-mannered predecessor, law professor Nicole Belloubet. AFP Volodymyr Zelensky and other pro-Russian separatists could “I am 70 years old and I have At least nine people including Dupond-Moretti, who has vowed to create a judiciary “closer Kyiv senior offi cials. shoot them down. nothing left,” Viktor, a villager two children have been hospi- to citizens,” faces a tall in-tray at his new offi ce in the plush Place The blaze began on Mon- More than 100 homes have whose house completely burned talised, the interior ministry has Vendome in central Paris. day in Lugansk region and en- been destroyed entirely in two down, told AFP. said. Pending reforms concern the appointment process for pros- orest fi res in eastern gulfed Smolyaninove, a village villages, with dozens more dam- “I have never seen that in my The ministry said on Tuesday ecutors and procedures for putting minors on trial, while Du- Ukraine that have killed just 20km from the front line aged, according to the ministry. life,” said Vassyl, a rescuer, dous- six people had died as a result of pond-Moretti also wants to improve conditions in prisons and Ffi ve people and left dozens of Ukraine’s war with Russia- An AFP correspondent in ing water over a smouldering fi re the fi res, but revised the death toll reduce inmate levels. homeless are being brought un- backed separatists. Smolyaninove saw animal corps- in the charred remains of a house. down to fi ve. “Since Robert Badinter, no lawyer has been named justice der control by fi refi ghters, offi - More than 1,200 fi refi ght- es and charred buildings with Avakov said the wind had died An offi cial told AFP on the con- minister,” said Estellia Araez, head of the French lawyers’ un- cials said yesterday. ers, rescue workers and National their windows panes melted and down since Tuesday, making it dition of anonymity that there ion SAF, referring to the hugely respected justice minister under Interior Minister Arsen Avakov Guard are fi ghting fi res in three gardens burned. easier to battle the blaze. was “confusion” over the num- president Francois Mitterrand who pushed through the abolition said the situation was improv- locations, Avakov said. The village was enveloped in “We fl ew over the site and we bers and that the fi gure could rise of the death penality. ing and he had seen no new fi res Firefi ghting planes were also thick smoke with fl ames still vis- did not see any additional fi res... with some people unaccounted “It bodes well that a colleague who has always defended during a fl y-over with President dispatched despite fears that ible yesterday in nearby forests . We do not see a threat,” he said. for. freedoms has been named justice minister,” she said. Survivors of Srebrenica genocide march to honour victims, 25 years on

By Dado Ruvic, Reuters the eastern enclave of Srebrenica government is indoctrinating Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Crni Vrh, Bosnia where about 40,000 Bosnian children with denials of the 1995 Karadzic, who is serving a life Muslims had found shelter under genocide and wrecking attempts sentence after being convicted of United Nations protection. at reconciliation. genocide for Srebrenica. ozens of survivors of the After Srebrenica fell into Serb Judge Carmel Agius, presi- Last month in the northern Srebrenica genocide yes- hands on July 11, 1995, the wom- dent of the court completing war town of Gradiska Bosnian Serbs Dterday marched through en and children were separated crimes trials stemming from the put up a huge mural at a primary the woods of eastern Bosnia from men and bussed to territory breakup of Yugoslavia, added school of Ratko Mladic, military along the route they took to es- controlled by the Bosnian army. unhealed ethnic divisions in leader of Bosnian Serb forces as cape Bosnian Serb death squads Some 8,000 men and boys were Bosnia were driving the younger they overran Srebrenica, which a quarter of a century ago this then executed by Bosnian Serb generation away in their tens of had been declared a UN safe area week. forces, about 6,000 of them as thousands. in 1993 and was protected by Organisers had banned more they tried to escape through the Members of the Republika lightly armed Dutch troops. people from joining due to the woods and buried in mass graves. Srpska government have repeat- Bosnian Serb Prime Minister coronavirus pandemic and par- In previous years, thousands edly questioned the number of Radovan Viskovic said last week- ticipants could not start the of Bosnians and supporters have Bosnian Muslims killed in Sre- end a new report would be com- peace march as customary in the joined the three-day march along brenica a quarter of a century ago pleted in a month or two. village of Nezuk due to a rising a 100km forest trail. this week. “In this way the Serb Repub- number of infections in the area. This year, the commemora- They also accuse the Yugoslav lic government wants to bring Wearing face masks and wav- tions were being marked mainly war crimes tribunal of anti-Serb the truth about the suff ering of ing Bosnian fl ags, the marchers through exhibitions and confer- bias. Serbs...closer to the interna- passed the mass graves in which ences, and eight recently iden- “What you fi nd is a humon- tional community and histori- thousands of victims’ bodies tifi ed victims will be buried at a gous eff ort on the part of the ans, who when they write about have been found over the past cemetery on July 11, anniversary authorities to indoctrinate their these events one day, will have two decades. day. children with their own version clear evidence that truth is not “We are sending messages to “This march is sad, depress- of the events,” Agius told Reuters. only what one side states,” Visk- our kids so they will not forget ing, it’s unusual without people,” The Serb member of Bosnia’s ovic said. what happened in Srebrenica,” said survivor Ramo Kadric, who tri-partite presidency, Milorad Agius said the international said march participant Salih Mu- was one of 15,000 men and boys Dodik, last year called the Sre- war crimes cases have left no lalic. “I hope the genocide will trying to fl ee Bosnian Serb forces. brenica genocide “a fabricated room for misunderstanding: not happen to anyone again.” “It reminds me of war.” myth”. “They all come to one conclu- People walk through a forest near the village of Crni Vrh, Bosnia, on the ‘March of Peace’, to retrace the Bosnian Serb forces led by Meanwhile, the head of a UN He has also opened a student sion: namely that what happened route taken by Bosnian Muslims who fled Serb forces as they slaughtered 8,000 Muslims in 1995. General Ratko Mladic attacked court has said the Bosnian Serb dormitory named after former in Srebrenica was genocide.” Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 13

INDIA NDMC’s staff worried over 100% attendance order

IANS to function in full strength with sealed and shuttered after two seven employees is awaited. by public transport could also Sudhakar Kumar, president of Kumar said the NDMC comes New Delhi immediate eff ect, according to a offi cials tested positive for the The official feared that field bring the virus,” the NDMC of- NDMC Karamchari Sangh, sent under the Home Ministry, circular issued by Director (Per- coronavirus. and office workers might bring ficial rued. a letter to the council stating but the recent directions were sonal) R P Sati on July 6. “The cases are increasing by the infection to the cramped On the contrary, director Co- that the health of the employees passed as per the orders of the n order by the New Delhi “Exception given to persons the day. As many as 126 people office as the work in the coun- ordination and In-charge of was in jeopardy. Delhi government. Municipal Council ask- with co-morbidities, pregnant have contracted the disease till cil usually involves public Covid-19 Cell, Virender Singh He requested them to make “If Delhi government’s order Aing employees to return women, etc. They will apply for now and eight have succumbed dealing. said, “We are an essential serv- arrangements to protect the em- is being applied to NDMC, the to work with 100% strength has permission to be given on sub- to the virus,” an offi cial told “NDMC has over 5,000 field ice. We have electricity, water, ployees from the virus. exgratia should also be increased left many worried. mission of a written request IANS on the condition of ano- workers deployed at Covid sanitisation, and medical health The union leader said that from Rs15 lakh to Rs1 crore,” the They say over 100 employ- supported by medical papers,” nymity. centres, for antigen testing, department. This is just like the 100% attendance has been made union leader demanded. ees have tested positive for the the circular stated. Out of the total cases, 22 em- gathering sero-survey, and police department or our forces compulsory at a time when three This comes at a time when coronavirus and a part of their A day after the notice was is- ployees are currently in home other works. If they come back on the borders who cannot have employees have tested positive the number of coronavirus cases building is sealed. sued, room number 1508 of the quarantine, four are hospital- to the building, they might 50% attendance. Come what in a week. in the national capital has sur- All the departments, divisions 15th fl oor belonging to the civil ised, 85 have recovered, eight bring the infection. Similarly, may, they have to work.” An offi cial tested positive on passed 100,000 and as many as and branches have been asked engineering department was have died while the status of office employees who come Irked by the recent circular, July 3 and two others on July 7. 3,000 people have died. Kerala capital ‘sitting on an active volcano’, says minister

Reuters ther,” she told the Thomson Reu- Kochi ters Foundation. Neighbourhoods have been sealed with a single entry and hiruvananthapuram, the exit point under the “triple lock- capital of Kerala that won down”, which refers to move- Tpraise for its early han- ment of people and vehicles; dling of the coronavirus pan- households with infected people, demic has enforced a strict lock- and clusters where people who down after a surge in cases, with have had contact with infected one minister saying the city was people live. “sitting on an active volcano”. People have been advised to The capital city implemented stay at home and those who go what it called a “triple lock- out must carry signed forms down” this week, as India over- declaring why for police inspec- took Russia to record the world’s tion. third-highest number of corona- All offi ces, businesses and virus infections. public transport have been shut. Kerala’s strict early measures City inhabitant K X Thomas to curb the coronavirus’s spread said there were police every- meant it had just about 100 cases where and he had been stopped People consult with health off icials before their testing for the coronavirus at a testing centre behind an open area of the government-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, in Hyderabad in May, a scenario that propelled three times when he went to buy yesterday. its Health Minister K K Shailaja fi sh in the morning. with a previously low profi le to “Police allowed me to pass rockstar status. only after ensuring that I had a But since then nearly half a mask and I was going to buy es- million people, mostly migrant sentials. This is the strictest en- workers, have arrived back in forcement of lockdown I have Kerala from abroad or from other seen,” he said. Indian states. The state has made wear- Cipla undercuts rivals Yesterday, the state recorded ing masks and social distancing the highest single-day spike of mandatory for a year, and banned 301 infections, taking the total to spitting in public. 6,301. Violating these rules can result Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- in a fi ne of up to Rs10,000 or two jayan, who had voiced concerns years in prison. with generic remdesivir about an outbreak if people were Divya Gopinath, a city deputy not tested before coming back, commissioner of police, said has attributed the rise in num- nearly 220 people were arrest- bers to the returnees, saying they ed in the fi rst two days of the Agencies The drug will be available producers to make the treatment been attached to the Lok Nayak Jai thority has separate beds for men account for more than 80% of new lockdown and 208 vehicles Bengaluru through the government and widely available. Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. A team and women. coronavirus cases. seized. hospitals only, the company said. India is now the third worst of 80 doctors and 150 nurses has Kejriwal sought a detailed re- “The city seems to be sitting “We have been very strict in Sources had said that the fi rst hit nation in the pandemic with been stationed at the centre by the port from the Delhi government’s on an active volcano,” said Ka- implementing the lockdown,” ipla Ltd has priced its ge- batch of 10,000 vials had been 700,000 cases, behind the United ‘Doctors For You’, an NGO. health secretary on factors re- dakampally Surendran, the state she said. neric version of remdesi- printed with a price of Rs4,000, States and Brazil. Lieutenant Governor Anil Bai- sponsible for Covid-19 deaths minister in charge of the area, “We deployed police person- Cvir, Cipremi, at Rs4,000 Rs800 below the cheapest option, An employee at Cipla, who jal, Deputy Chief Minister Man- in the city. The death rate in the urging people to “strictly follow” nel on all roads and streets and ($53.34) per 100mg vial, the launched by European competitor declined to be named because he ish Sisodia and the East District national capital has seen a sharp the lockdown measures. have given them instructions Indian drugmaker said yester- Mylan this week. is not authorised to speak to the administration team were present decline since June. Thiruvananthapuram’s deputy to arrest the violators and shift day, making it among the lowest Privately held Hetero Labs Ltd’s media, said the company would on the occasion. The analytical report on deaths mayor Rakhi Ravi Kumar said the them to institutional quarantine priced versions of the Covid-19 version, Covifor, costs Rs5,400 send Cipremi to stockists starting “The capacity of LNJP, which will aid the implementation of rise in cases risked becoming un- centres.” treatment available so far glo- per vial while Mylan prices today. had 2,000 beds, has been en- more stringent measures to re- manageable as people continued Social media users in other bally. Desrem at Rs4,800. It was not immediately clear hanced by adding of 100 beds duce deaths, the city government to return to the already densely states where cases have risen Cipla had earlier said pricing With coronavirus cases in- how many of Cipla’s vials would through Shehnai Banquet. Now said, adding that it will also help populated city. sharply, such as Tamil Nadu, would not exceed Rs5,000. creasing, several more of the big be required for a full treatment 500 more beds have been added mitigate the other causes that Residents are allowed to go Karnataka and Assam, urged au- On Tuesday, Sovereign Phar- India-based healthcare fi rms course. through this facility, taking the have added to the casualties, such out to buy essential items like thorities to implement similar ma, which is manufacturing and which make much of the world’s Gilead has said a patient would number of beds to 2,600,” Kejri- as co-morbidities, age, and health groceries and medicine only be- lockdowns. packaging the drug for Cipla, said pharmaceuticals are expected typically need six vials of remde- wal said. condition. tween 7am and 11am. Several states have either it had dispatched the fi rst batch. to launch competing versions of sivir for a fi ve-day course. The new centre is equipped In June, the capital city record- Each neighbourhood can have already introduced weekend Cipla India business chief ex- remdesivir, the only major treat- In New Delhi meanwhile, Chief with CCTV cameras, food facility ed the highest single-day spike of one shop open. curfews and extended exist- ecutive offi cer and executive vice ment so far approved for Cov- Minister Arvind Kejriwal yester- for up to 700, ambulance arrange- 120 deaths, which has now gone “People are allowed only to the ing lockdowns as the situation president Nikhil Chopra said in id-19. day opened through video link a ments for the LNJP Hospital, spe- down to 50. The measures such as nearest shop in the area. If they worsens. an e-mailed statement that the Remdesivir’s developer, Gilead 500-bed Covid care centre, set cialists and doctors, mental health the increase in the number of ICU go further, the police will stop India has more than 740,000 company was launching Cipremi Sciences Inc, has priced the origi- up in record six days, at the Com- care counsellors and leisure activ- beds, installation of more oxygen and send them back. We are im- cases, trailing the United States commercially yesterday and aims nal version at $390 per 100mg vial monwealth Games stadium. ities like books and board games. beds and plasma banks have re- plementing it strictly to prevent and Brazil, according to a tally by to supply over 80,000 vials with- for wealthier nations while sign- To enhance the city’s medi- The centre, set up by the Dis- duced the death rate and the posi- the virus from spreading fur- Johns Hopkins University. in the fi rst month. ing licensing deals with generic cal infrastructure, the centre has trict Disaster Management Au- tivity ratio. Plasma therapy for Goa corona patients from next week: CM

IANS a contract basis to facilitate the cal workers by a Bharatiya Janata Kumaraguru had tested positive. Rajendra Institute of Medi- Panaji treatment. Party legislator caused embar- Former minister and senior cal Science (RIM) in Ranchi and “We have asked Health Sec- rassment for the government. AIADMK leader B Valarmathi on Mahto in a Dhanbad hospital. retary Nila Mohanan to start the “Parties will have to stop, Monday tested positive and has O A day after a Bharatiya Ja- oa will start treating Cov- process of hiring the personnel whether it is at homes and out- been admitted to a private hos- nata Party (BJP) lawmaker con- id-19 patients in critical required,” Sawant said. doors. Police inspectors have pital here. tracted Covid-19 in Odisha, rul- Gconditions with blood The chief minister said that been instructed,” Sawant said. Four DMK lawmakers too have ing Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA plasma therapy from next week, the state government’s blood Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Elec- tested positive . Prasant Behera has tested posi- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant bank was being upgraded to store tricity Minister and senior All Also yesterday, Jharkhand tive for the coronavirus, an offi - said yesterday. plasma for future use. India Anna Dravida Munnetra Chief Minister Hemant Soren cial said yesterday. Sawant said that the Health “We will freeze blood plasma Kazhagam leader P Thangamani went into home quarantine after Salipur MLA Behera is the sec- Department was in the process of units in a freezer at our blood yesterday tested positive for the a minister and a legislator tested ond legislator in Odisha to have creating a plasma storage facility bank so that it can be used at a coronavirus and was admitted to positive for coronavirus. got the infection. at the existing blood bank. later date,” he said. a Chennai hospital for treatment. Jharkhand Public Health Engi- His personal security guard “We are procuring a plas- In view of the rising Covid-19 In a tweet, opposition Dravida neering Department (PHED) Min- and driver have also contracted mapheresis machine for treat- cases in the state, the Health Munnetra Kazhagam president ister Mithilesh Thakur, Jharkahnd the virus. They have been shifted ment of patients with plasma Department was in touch with M K Stalin said he had spoken Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator to a Covid hospital in Cuttack, voluntarily extracted from those its counterpart in Kerala, where to Thangamani by phone and Mathura Mahto, and 20 journalists the offi cial said. who have recovered from Cov- treatment of patients in critical wished him a speedy recovery. of Dhanbad districts have tested The Cuttack district admin- id-19. The treatment will begin condition with blood plasma has Thangamani is the second min- positive for the coronavirus. istration has initiated contact from next week,” Sawant told re- yielded successful results. ister and the sixth lawmaker of AI- The minister and legislator had tracing as the MLA had attended Students of class 9 from a slum area, who do not have access to porters here. Sawant also said that police ADMK to get infected by the virus. earlier met the chief minister. several programmes in his con- Internet facilities and miss their online lessons, attend an open-air The chief minister said that a had been ordered to crack down Earlier, Higher Education Principal secretary of the chief stituency. class taken by a college student, after authorities closed all schools special pathologist as well as a even on house parties. Minister K P Anbalagan, law- minister, Rajiv Arun Ekka, has Earlier, BJP’s Nilgiri MLA Su- in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in New doctor specialising in transfu- His comments came days af- makers K Palani, Amman K Ar- also gone into home quarantine. kanta Kumar Nayak had tested Delhi yesterday. sion would also be appointed on ter a party organised for politi- junan, NSathan Prabhakar and Thakur was admitted to the positive for Covid-19. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, July 9, 2020 INDIA Police offi cer arrested for links with UP gangster

IANS The two were arrested after Delhi yesterday, sources said. gangster in a mask wearing a surrender in the National Capi- and confi rmed that the person Pradesh police detained Gy- Kanpur their call detail records con- However, he managed to give blue T-shirt. tal Region. caught on camera in the hotel anendra Prakash Nigam, alias fi rmed that they had informed the slip to the police, who only According to the sources, the All hotels in the NCR have also was Vikas Dubey,” Rao said. Raju Khullar, Dubey’s brother- Dubey of an impending police managed to arrest three of his hotel turned back the man as his been alerted. “The most wanted gangster in-law, from Shahdol district of senior Uttar Pradesh po- raid on his house last Friday. associates. identity card did not have a clear K K Rao, the newly appointed is alone and using private taxis Madhya Pradesh. lice offi cer who allegedly When the police team reached Yesterday afternoon, police photograph. police commissioner of Gurugram, or three-wheelers to travel from Earlier, the STF had detained Ahelped gangster Vikas Dubey’s house in Bikru village, conducted a raid at the Farida- The Uttar Pradesh police were has asked his men keep a strict vigil one place to another. There is a Adarsh, Nigam’s son on Monday, Dubey wanted for the killing of the gangster and his accomplices bad hotel. Dubey had left the also conducting raids at various lo- in the border areas as Dubey may possibility of him entering the Shahdol Additional Superin- eight policemen was arrested opened fi re killing eight police- place by then. cations in their search for the crim- try to sneak into the city. territory of Gurugram. I have tendent of Police Pratima Math- yesterday, offi cials said. men on the spot. Later, three men were arrested inal, including in Greater Noida. “Dubey was caught on CCTV directed the police to check each ew said. Dubey and Nigam were Vinay Tiwari was the station Tiwari and Sharma were sus- from diff erent locations in the city. Faridabad, Gurugram and camera in one of the hotels in and every vehicle on the borders, once close friends. house offi cer of Chaubeypur in pended on Sunday. They have been identifi ed as Delhi are also on a high alert Faridabad. He seems injured and especially connected with Fari- In other developments, the Kanpur district. Meanwhile, Dubey was report- Shrawan, Ankur and Prabhat. and the Delhi police’s Special was limping,” Rao said. dabad,” Rao said. STF shot dead Amar Dubey, a Sub-inspector K K Sharma edly seen in a hotel in Haryana’s A CCTV footage recovered Cell has also been alerted amid “The Faridabad police have Also yesterday, the Spe- right-hand man of the gangster, was also arrested with Tiwari. Faridabad district adjoining New by the police shows the wanted speculation that Dubey may analysed the CCTV footage cial Task Force (STF) of Uttar in Maudaha yesterday morning. Shops shut on militant’s death anniversary Govt sets up panel to probe three Gandhi family trusts

IANS ‘documentary proof’, sought an will be good for the country. New Delhi explanation from the Congress Party spokesman Abhishek on why the Chinese embassy had Manu Singhvi said, “RGF has donated about Rs90 lakh to the nothing to fear, we are here as he government yesterday Foundation. law abiding persons.” set up a ministerial com- The embassy and the Chinese “But you have to be ‘exposed A family travels on a motorcycle in Lal Chowk city square in Srinagar where most shops are shut on the fourth death anniversary of Tmittee to probe alleged government are alleged donors fully’, you are not asking similar militant leader Burhan Wani, yesterday. Wani’s killing sparked mass street protests in Jammu and that left over 90 people dead and violations by three Gandhi fam- to the Foundation. questions to any holy cows, like thousands injured. ily trusts, offi cials said. A petition has also been fi led the Vivekananda Foundation, The committee led by a Spe- in the Supreme Court seeking India Foundation, the Overseas cial Director of the Enforcement a probe into the memorandum Friends of the BJP and for that Directorate will co-ordinate in- of understanding between the matter the RSS,” said Singhvi. vestigations into alleged viola- Congress and the Communist “Whose blue eyed boys and tion of the Prevention of Money Party of China in 2008. girls are these organisations, Laundering Act (PMLA), Income On June 27, BJP president J P which are never asked anything.” Tax Act, and Foreign Contribu- Nadda had alleged that the mon- Singhvi said, “There are two Vijayan must quit over gold tion (Regulation) Act (FCRA) by ey received in the PM National laws, for that matter there were the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Relief Fund (PMNRF) between many sets of rules for diff erent Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, 2005-2008 was diverted to the entities for the government.” and Indira Gandhi Memorial Foundation (RGF). He said the RGF was not go- Trust, a Home Ministry spokes- The Rajiv Gandhi Charitable ing to be cowed down and will smuggling, says opposition man said. Trust is a registered not-for- continue its work as an NGO and The Rajiv Gandhi Founda- profi t organisation set up in was prepared to give truckloads tion was established on June 21, 2002 to address the develop- of papers. IANS during investigation into the This clearly shows that he now president K Surendran alleged 1991, to work on a range of is- mental needs of the underprivi- Meanwhile Rahul Gandhi said Thiruvananthapuram smuggling of 30kg gold, link- fears the fi nger of suspicion will that Vijayan’s offi ce has a cru- sues, including literacy, health, leged in the country, especially truth cannot be “intimidated”. ing her to top smugglers op- be on him. He should now or- cial role in the case and hence disability, empowerment of the the rural poor. “Mr Modi believes the world is erating from the United Arab der a CBI probe and quit,” said he should quit and face the underprivileged, livelihood, and On its board are Sonia Gan- like him. He thinks every one has pposition parties yes- Emirates. Chennithala. probe. natural resources management. dhi, Rahul Gandhi, businessman a price or can be intimidated,” he terday demanded the “Vijayan on Tuesday said Kerala police failed to act as “A detailed probe into the Its current focus areas are ed- Ashok Ganguly, and chartered tweeted, referring to Prime Min- Oresignation of Kerala that he does not know this lady. reports now point out that the foreign trips of Vijayan’s top of- ucation, disability, and natural accountant Bansi Mehta. ister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay- It is a bluff as she has been seen gold smuggling gang by now fi cials is needed. What Vijayan resources management. The Trust’s name is men- “He will never understand an’s and a probe into the gold moving close to Vijayan at a few has done a business of over should have done fi rst when Congress president Sonia tioned in an alleged land grab that those who fi ght for the truth smuggling case allegedly in- functions,” Congress leader Rs100 crore. Also there are re- this news came was to immedi- Gandhi is the chairperson of the case in Haryana by the Central have no price and cannot be in- volving a woman working in the Ramesh Chennithala said. ports that the gold was moved ately order a high-level probe,” Foundation while former prime Bureau of Investigation, which timidated,” Gandhi added. IT Department. “In January, at a two-day in state government vehicles, said Surendran. minister Manmohan Singh, has made Sonia Gandhi’s son- The Congress also issued a The Congress wanted the high-level Space Conference he said. The BJP yesterday also held Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi in-law Robert Vadra and former statement saying the party and Central Bureau of Investigation held at the Kovalam Raveez Ho- “So, we demand that the protests to demand Vijayan’s and his sister Priyanka Gandhi chief minister Bhupinder Singh its leadership will not be intimi- to take over the case. tel, the chief minister was at the probe should include the CM’s resignation, while Congress- Vadra, and senior party leader P Hooda as the main accused. dated by the cowardly acts and The main suspect Swapna meeting for four hours and this offi ce also.” led United Democratic Front Chidambaram are members of The then Haryana govern- blind witch-hunt by a panicked Suresh, who was sacked from controversial lady was the host. The Congress leader said that will take to the streets today. the board. ment had allegedly handed over Modi government. the IT Department is on the All people know the relation Vijayan’s claim that none from Suresh was said to be very The government’s move fol- panchayat land to the Trust dur- Party spokesman Randeep run. between Vijayan and Sivas- his offi ce had spoken to the cus- close to Sivasankar who was on lowed recent allegations by the ing 2004-14 in the name of pub- Surjewala said, “Will the Modi Police yesterday took into ankar,” he said. toms was not true since it had Tuesday removed from his post ruling Bharatiya Janata Party lic interest. government hold an inquiry into custody a lady friend and were M Sivasankar, a senior IAS been denied by a top offi cial, as the chief minister’s secretary against the Congress and the The Congress slammed the the donations and the amounts questioning her. offi cer and secretary to Vijayan, who has said they will summon and also divested of the IT sec- Gandhi family, claiming that government, saying if the BJP received by Rashtriya Swayam- The name of Swapna Suresh, was also the IT secretary. all those who called them to retary’s post. China had funded the Rajiv Gan- uses its energy and time to resolve sevak Sangh from all sources a high-profi le consultant with “Vijayan has now tried to release the baggage containing Sivasankar later applied for dhi Foundation. issues of national interest instead including foreign sources, indi- the Kerala Information Tech- wash his hands of by booting the gold. a year’s leave, which has been Last month, Law Minis- of making false and unsuccess- viduals, entities, organisations nology Department, emerged out Sivasankar from key posts. State Bharatiya Janata Party sanctioned. ter Ravi Shankar Prasad, citing ful attacks on the Gandhis, it and governments?” China took ‘incredibly E-tailers to list ‘country of aggressive action’: US origin’ labels on products Reuters but the Indian deaths were the Washington highest along the border in more Agencies it was diffi cult to do this for the of valued addition in the items. than fi ve decades. New Delhi tens of millions of products al- It demanded that products not “The Chinese took incred- ready selling on their platforms, carrying the description should S Secretary of State Mike ibly aggressive action and the they added. not be sold in the country. Pompeo yesterday ac- Indians have done their best to -commerce companies in Amazon, Flipkart and DPIIT “We are of the considered Ucused China of taking respond to that,” Pompeo said India like Amazon.com’s lo- did not respond to requests for opinion that provision of men- “incredibly aggressive action” in a news conference at the State Ecal unit and Walmart’s Flip- comment. tioning country of origin and in a recent clash with India over Department. kart have begun to update their The government push to have value addition will make cus- a disputed section of the neigh- “I put this in the context of back-end systems to allow sellers e-commerce companies name tomers fully understand as to bours’ border, saying the inci- General Secretary Xi Jinping and to identify the country of origin the country of origin beside what they are purchasing. Such dent could not be assessed in his behaviour throughout the on all new product listings on their product listings comes against a provision will also strengthen isolation. region, throughout the world,” platforms, two sources aware of the backdrop of tensions be- the ‘Make in India’ concept of On the night of June 15, Chi- he said. the matter said yesterday. tween India and China following Prime Minister Narendra Modi nese forces and Indian troops “I don’t think it’s possibly to The Ministry of Commerce a border skirmish in June that and will also demolish the un- fought for hours with rods and look at that particular instance, and Industry’s Department for left 20 Indian soldiers dead. ethical designs of certain sec- clubs, resulting in a dramatic Chinese Communist Party ag- Promotion of Industry and In- Trader groups have since tions to sell imported goods by escalation that left 20 Indian gression in isolation. You need ternal Trade (DPIIT), which called for a boycott of Chinese- wrongly labelling ‘Made in In- soldiers killed, with some fall- to put it in the larger context,” hosted an online meeting of e- made products and echoed dia’ on such goods”, said CAIT. ing to their deaths in the freezing Pompeo said. commerce players yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s New Delhi has banned 59 Chi- waters of the Galwan river in the His comments refl ect the wanted the changes to be imple- call for a self-reliant nation. nese origin apps, and Chinese Ladakh region. deep running tensions between mented by the end of July. The Confederation of All India goods in ports have also faced On Monday, Indian govern- Washington and Beijing, which The companies, however, said Traders (CAIT) had asked Com- extra scrutiny and delays. ment sources said China began have been at loggerheads over they would need two to three merce and Industry Minister “In the current context, there pulling back troops from along the handling of the coronavirus months, according to the sourc- Piyush Goyal to ensure that all is an anti-China sentiment so if A file picture of Prabhjot Singh, son of Satnam Singh, a soldier the border with India, after weeks outbreak, China’s actions in the es, who asked not to be named as products sold in India through e- there is labelling, it could poten- who was killed in the border clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh of talks between senior military former British colony of Hong the discussions were private. commerce or offl ine shops or by tially infl uence purchases,” said region, cries as he stands next to the coff in of his father during offi cials on how to ease tensions. Kong and a nearly two-year The changes would fi rst be any other method must mention Devangshu Dutta, head of retail his funeral ceremony in Bhojraj village in Gurdaspur, Punjab on China has yet to confi rm trade dispute between the US made for new product listings as of country of origin and content consultancy fi rm Third Eyesight. June 18. whether it suff ered casualties and China. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 15

LATIN AMERICA Moro criticises Bolsonaro, rules out 2022 bid

AFP tion that notably saw Lula jailed why I was resigning. After the of the problems – with all due “Brazil was always a reli- sudden, on the part of the Armed tion of public policy. The diff er- Brasília for accepting a bribe. beginning of the pandemic, there respect – was the lack of more able democracy and the Brazilian Forces.” ence is that President Bolsonaro He later joined Bolsonaro’s was a crisis of government cred- support from the (Presidential) people were always seen as very “The presence of the military would be a right-wing populist government but stormed out in ibility and growing tension with Planalto Palace.” tolerant, very nice, and that im- in the government, of itself, is not and President Lula a left-wing ormer Brazil justice min- April, accusing the president of the other powers, the Federal Su- O What do you make of the age was being eroded by a hostile negative. What is wrong is to try to populist. In a way, they are two ister Sergio Moro said interfering with Federal Police preme Court and the Congress. president’s more moderate discourse. It’s good that this is use that presence as if they were in extremes, with all due respect, FPresident Jair Bolsonaro investigations. My resignation falls within stance in recent weeks? changing.” a position of strength that could be that should be avoided.” and leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula Here are the main excerpts that context but it is only a part “The change in the president’s O Ten of the 23 ministers in imposed on other powers.” O Is a presidential bid with da Silva are “two extremes to be from the interview by video con- of it, I don’t feel responsible (for position, with less hostility and Bolsonaro’s government are “That never came from the former health minister Henrique avoided,” in an interview with ference: the crisis).” a more moderate discourse, is military offi cers. How did you Armed Forces but from the mis- Mandetta as running mate likely AFP during which he appeared to O After your accusations O Did the president break his good for the country... for sta- feel about their presence in the taken discourse of the Planalto in 2022? rule out his own presidential bid against Bolsonaro, do you feel promise to fi ght corruption? bility.” “Unfortunately, some of cabinet? (presidential palace) itself.” “With the coronavirus, the in 2022. partly responsible for the politi- “We managed to make progress the president’s pronouncements “I lived with the military (in O “Do you see similarities be- challenges of 2020 are too great Moro, 47, made his name as a cal crisis in Brazil? in fi ghting violent crime and or- created unnecessary tension, the government) and there is no tween Bolsonaro and Lula? for us to think about 2022. It’s judge in leading the high-profi le “My intention was not to harm ganised crime, but not much in giving the country a negative im- possible perspective of an au- “Both have a somewhat popu- an absolutely unpredictable sce- Car Wash corruption investiga- the government, it was to clarify relation to corruption, and one age. thoritarian movement, all of a list character in the formula- nario.” Argentina’s pandemic-hit events business reinvents itself

AFP “While we are waiting for the Buenos Aires, pandemic to pass, many busi- nesses will fall away, we won’t be back until 2021,” she said. rgentina’s strict corona- Some event entertainers are virus lockdown has forced embracing the new and taking Ahundreds of party venues their birthday party perform- into bankruptcy since it came ances online. into force in March, but many From his house in Buenos owners are successfully remod- Aires, Gustavo Pintos welcomes elling their businesses to em- guests on his computer, greets brace the virtual realities of the the party’s birthday boy and be- pandemic’s new normal. gins his routine as “Kaphu the Lionel Mariani, owner of four Magician.” Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech next to Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez (right) during the promotion ceremony of members of the venues in Buenos Aires that cater This evening his audience is Bolivarian National Armed Forces at the military school in Caracas, amid the coronavirus pandemic. for birthday parties and wed- 400kms away, in the port city of dings, faced closure once the so- Mar del Plata. cial distancing measures hit. “It’s not the same as having But he converted his biggest the audience present,” says the venue into a fruit and vegetable magician, who has been plying warehouse, and his 20 employ- his trade for 25 years. “At fi rst I Top court strips Guaido of ees — formerly entertainers or was resisting, but now I’m do- sound engineers — now deliver ing three shows a day, a horizon home orders. of work has opened up that was “I don’t think you can go back unimaginable before!” to partying as before,” says Mari- Actress and children’s enter- ani. “We will be one of the last tainer Any Gonzalez has taken opposition party leadership events businesses standing, if we the same view and started a new return. And what would a birth- niche business. day be like? We would have to “Now I have no limits,” said wrap every kid in plastic. As long Gonzalez, who was recently AFP organisation Popular Will.” ours and any other concept be- They were angered that the ceeded to increase the number of as there’s no vaccine, there’ll be hired to do story shows with her Caracas The court named a “collective longing to Popular Will.” Supreme Court had named a new seats in parliament to 277, from no parties.” puppet Lupe by people in other ad hoc leadership” led by a rival of After being elected parlia- board for the National Electoral 167 currently, citing a population In his children’s party event countries. Guaido’s, Jose Gregorio Noriega, mentary speaker of the single- Commission, which they said was increase in a country where some room in the Caballito neighbour- “I’m working a lot more than enezuela’s Supreme who is also a lawmaker. chamber National Assembly, the prerogative of parliament. 5mn people have emigrated to es- hood, vegetable boxes are now before,” she says.”Families want Court, stacked with loy- The court made a similar ruling Guaido proclaimed himself to be The new CNE leadership pro- cape crushing poverty. stacked next to a mothballed me- to banish the drama and cel- Valists of the government last month to overturn the leader- caretaker president in January of chanical bull and infl atable castle. ebrate anyway.” of President Nicolas Maduro, ship of two other opposition par- 2019, arguing that the election Poverty rate surges, reveals study Argentina’s lockdown is Her services are tailored to has ordered Juan Guaido to re- ties, Justice First and Democratic that had returned Maduro to stricter in Buenos Aires and its diff erent budgets, ranging from linquish his position as leader of Action. power had been fraudulent. sprawling suburbs than any- a brief virtual greeting to a story one of the main opposition par- The country, under the leader- Noriega is an ally of Luis Parra, a Venezuela’s poverty rate surged takes into account income as well where else. with puppets or a full hour of ties, giving the position to one of ship of the Socialist Party for more lawmaker who broke with Guaido in 2019 to levels unmatched as access to education and public Despite millions of dollars animation. his rivals instead. than two decades, fi rst under late after being accused of corruption elsewhere in Latin America as the services, among other factors. doled out in state aid, the pan- Gabriel Valino has been per- Guaido, who is recognised by president Hugo Chavez and then in a nutritional programme led by once-prosperous Opec nation’s That was 13.8% higher than the demic has pushed to the limit an forming as Pirucho the Clown the US and some 60 other coun- his successor Maduro, is to hold the Maduro government. hyperinfl ationary economic 51% fi gure recorded in 2018, the economy that has been in reces- for 25 years. tries as the country’s interim elections on December 6. With government backing, collapse continued for a sixth biggest one-year jump since sion since 2018. He misses the contact with president, is the leader of the The country’s National Assem- Parra proclaimed himself last Jan- straight year, according to a study. the survey began in 2014. The Almost a million people work laughing audiences but now Popular Will party, one of several bly is the only branch of govern- uary to be the legitimate speaker The 2019-2020 National Survey country’s crude exports — the in the events sector in Argentina, performs 30 virtual shows per political factions opposing the ment not controlled by Maduro’s of the National Assembly instead of Living Conditions (ENCOVI), main source of government according to an owners’ associa- month. Maduro government. party, something the president of Guaido. conducted by researchers at revenue in the country — fell by tion — even more when related “I know that celebrations in The Supreme Court said in a has vowed will change in the up- Eleven opposition parties, in- Andres Bello Catholic University a third to their lowest levels in 75 businesses like fl orists and en- salons will not return, because statement it had “decreed as a coming election. cluding Popular Will, Democratic (UCAB), found that 64.8% years in 2019. “There is no wealth tertainers are taken into account. even without the coronavirus, precautionary measure this con- The court ruled that the new Action and Justice First, have an- of Venezuelan households to distribute,” said Pedro Luis “There are bankruptcies,” la- this way is cheaper for families stitutional protection consisting leadership of Guaido’s party “will nounced they will boycott the experienced “multidimensional España, a UCAB sociologist who mented Silvia Amarante, presi- who are going to be left without of the suspension of the current be able to use the electoral slate, December elections, calling them poverty” in 2019, a measure that contributed to the study. dent of owners’ association. a peso,” he says. national leadership of the political the logo, symbols, emblems, col- a “farce.” Chile putting workers’ health Martinelli’s sons held over copper production: govt in corruption probe Reuters American corruption scandal Reuters Uruguay had maintained all pro- in 2020 production. Guatemala City uncovered in 2014, in which Santiago ductive work and reported just 29 Prokurica said that projection the company paid more than deaths from Covid-19. held only if cases start to decline. $700mn in bribes to government Leading copper miners in “Everything will depend on S prosecutors have offi cials in various countries. hile’s mines minister said Chile, including state-owned how the pandemic evolves,” he charged two sons of The US department of justice there were “no silver bul- Codelco, BHP Group and Anglo said. “If cases increase, that will Uformer Panamanian said in a statement the Martinelli Clets” to help the industry American have maintained and generate a more serious outlook.” president Ricardo Martinelli in sons are accused of having been weather the coronavirus pan- even increased production until He said Tuesday’s copper price connection with bribery and intermediaries for the payment demic, but insisted the world’s now. of $2.77 per pound — from an an- money laundering linked to Bra- of about $28mn in bribes from biggest copper producer was pri- But as coronavirus cases have nual low of $2.09 on March 23 zilian construction fi rm Odebre- Odebrecht to a high-ranking oritising workers’ health to avoid recently spiked with at least 10 — was a more accurate refl ection cht, according to a federal com- Panama offi cial between 2009 the spread of infections that confi rmed deaths, the miners of the market’s supply-demand plaint. and 2014, the period in which could further harm operations. have altered shift patterns, sus- dynamics after many months of Luis Enrique Martinelli, 38, their father was in offi ce. Baldo Prokurica told Reuters pended upgrades and smelter distortion driven by the US-Chi- and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli, The criminal complaint fi led that Chile’s copper industry had operations in a bid to stop the na trade war and collapse in the 40, were arrested earlier in Gua- in the federal court in Brooklyn, kept the contagion rate to just spread. price of petrol. temala City as they attempted New York, on June 27, described 2% with a strict testing regime Some unions and local lead- “We’ve had one thing after an- to board a fl ight to Panama, and the brothers as “close relatives” and by keeping half of its more ers have called for mines in the other and also that means that face extradition to the US, Gua- of the offi cial, without providing than 200,000-strong workforce worst-hit areas to shut down al- the markets are moving towards temala’s police said in a state- further detail. at home. together. stabilisation,” he said. “We feel ment. The complaint also alleges “A company that does not take Prokurica said nothing could positive and believe that that A Martinelli family spokes- that the pair managed secret care of its workers will not be be ruled out. price should remain as such be- man did not immediately reply bank accounts under shell com- able to work, if workers get sick,” “There’s no silver bullet with cause one way or another you’re to a request for comment on the pany names to facilitate payment he said in a video interview. “If these things,” he said. “No one in not going to see more copper be- charges. of the bribes, with many transac- we were prioritising production, the world can say what is going to ing produced.” But the family said in a state- tions made through US banks. companies would have 100% of happen. Venturing an opinion on Last month, Prokurica un- ment following the arrest that it Former president Martinelli workers on the job.” that puts you in a position where derlined the importance of fi nd- was working to ensure the sons and his successor, Juan Carlos Neighbouring Peru, the No. 2 frankly there is a very high pos- ing “balance” between keeping have legal assistance in Guate- Varela, were last week banned copper producer, opted to shut sibility you end up being wrong.” mining — a major earner for the mala and are able to transfer the from leaving Panama while un- down all industry for 100 days Chile’s copper commis- country’s battered economy — Luis Enrique Martinelli (left) and Ricardo Martinelli Jr., sons of proceedings to Panama. der investigation for money but still had the world’s fi fth- sion, Cochilco, has predicted a on its feet and safeguarding the Panamanian former president (2009-2014) Ricardo Martinelli, Odebrecht has been at the laundering in separate corrup- highest case rate, he said, while 200,000 to 240,000-tonne drop health of workers. remain in a security cell after being arrested in Guatemala City. centre of a far-reaching Latin tion cases. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, July 9, 2020 PAKISTAN

DECISION DATA LAW AND ORDER INITIATIVE WARNING Pakistan to seek re-election Only 42% coronavirus Police presence around Punjab Council of Arts Schools to face action to Geneva-based UNHRC testing capacity utilised madrasa stepped up begins online talent hunt for dismissing staff

Pakistan has decided to seek re-election to For the 18th consecutive day, coronavirus testing The police presence around the E-7 madrasa The Punjab Council of the Arts plans to scout Punjab’s Minister for School Education, Murad the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in Pakistan registered a reduction after hitting a Jamia Fareedia has been heightened as for new talent in music, fine arts and creative Raas, has said stern action will be taken against (UNHRC), which has 47 elected members. record-high on June 19, according to data of the tensions continue between former Lal Masjid arts through a talent hunt and by exhibiting private schools involved in sacking teachers. He In a note verbale to UN Secretary-General ministry of national health services regulation cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz and the madrasa’s the works of artistes online for virtual tours. was addressing the media after being informed of Antonio Guterres, the Pakistani mission to the and co-ordination. The ministry, which provides administrator. Capital administration and police Operations director Mohamed Abrar Alam said a private school that dismissed 190 staff members world body said Pakistan will contest one of daily statistics of the outbreak, noted that on July 7 off icials said police deployment was increased that the talent hunt had been launched to find including teachers, citing financial problems due to the four seats reserved for Asia Pacific Group Pakistan carried out 21,951 tests across the country, after directions from the deputy commissioner. talented youths to encourage artistes, artisans the Covid-19 pandemic. He said all private school of States for the 2021-2023 term. Pakistan’s which is only 30% of its total testing capacity. As per Surveillance in and around the madrasa has also and intellectuals. The council has decided to teachers being laid off from jobs should file written current term will expire at the end of this the National Command Operation Center (NCOC), been increased to monitor the situation and hold this talent hunt through online exhibitions, complaint to their respective district education year. Pakistan has already served on the Pakistan has a testing output of 71,780 tests per act quickly if necessary, they said. The police’s talks and performances in various districts of authority (DAE) chief executive off icer (CEO) and Human Rights Council four times since its day for the virus at its 133 laboratories. A further investigation wing has also gathered information Punjab. Competitions among the youth would the department would take action against schools. creation. The UN General Assembly will hold breakdown of the testing numbers highlights and shared it with concerned senior off icers to be held at the district, divisional and provincial He said as private schools were charging fees elections to fill the vacant seats of the council that Pakistan tested its highest coronavirus make arrangements to prevent violence between levels in music, fine arts, crafts, drama and and as they did not have any expenditure due to in October during its 75th session. samples to date on June 19, of over 31,000. the two groups present on the madrasa premises. literature. closure how could they then dismiss their staff . Coronavirus hits export of mangoes

AFP “king of fruits”, the mango origi- Multan nated in the subcontinent with two dozen varieties grown in Pa- kistan. windling harvests, The country’s most treasured drooping demand and variety is the greenish-yellow Dexport supply chains hit Chaunsa, known for its rich, by the coronavirus are biting unique fl avour and juicy pulp. into Pakistan’s mango industry, It has also earned a place in with producers of the prized recent literary history, with re- fruit battling to weather a disas- nowned Pakistan author Mo- trous season. hamed Hanif longlisted for the Across Pakistan’s “mango prestigious Man Booker Prize for belt” in Punjab and Sindh prov- “A Case of Exploding Mangoes”, inces, farmers say a long winter a comic novel based on an un- and changing rain patterns have explained 1988 plane crash that slashed production by up to half killed former president Moham- this year — just as virus shut- ed Zia ul-Haq. downs sparked border restric- With much of the world’s air tions and spiralling export costs. traffi c grounded by the corona- “There are multiple problems virus, exports of the best prime, that mango farmers are fac- ripe fruit by plane to the US and ing,” said Rana Mohamed Azim, Europe have been particularly whose family has been produc- hard hit, but ground transport ing the fruit in Punjab for gen- has also been badly aff ected. erations. Dozens of trucks piled high Motorcyclists ride past a banner paying tribute to health and medical workers for their fight against Covid-19 on a street in Islamabad yesterday. with the yellow fruit were stranded at the border with Iran last month, their precious cargo rotting in the searing 40-degree heat. Even where trading has con- tinued via sea to the key Middle Global plan to protect poor East market — which accounts for 70% of exports — demand has plunged. “The situation is extremely Since the virus took hold worrisome for us. The shoppers are making fewer out- mangoes are ready, but no ings to supermarkets and are from virus impact vital: PM exporter is willing to take wary of spending on luxury the risk and place orders” items, while Pakistani migrant workers who relish the fruit have “The situation is extremely returned home. Internews He said though the host coun- and labourers unemployed.” worst eff ects of the lockdown,” worrisome for us. The mangoes The domestic market brings Islamabad tries are also faced with many “Hence, we came up with the the prime minister stressed. are ready, but no exporter is will- far less revenue. problems due to Coronavirus, smart lockdown idea under which Meanwhile, President Dr Arif ing to take the risk and place or- In one bright spot, harvests “yet we need to convince them public gatherings were stopped Alvi has called for enhanced co- ders,” he said, adding that he was were at least spared the ravages rime Minister Imran Khan to be more sympathetic to these but we allowed other activities like ordination among the Pakistan already suff ering from a 40% of the worst locust plague in 25 has urged the world com- labourers.” reopening of construction and ag- Red Crescent Society (PRCS), decline in the harvest. years, which wiped out entire Pmunity to formulate a Khan pointed out that the riculture sectors,” the prime min- ministry of national health serv- Pakistan produced more than vegetable and cotton harvests. combined strategy to protect the lockdown has hit the labour ister pointed out. ices and the national disaster 1.5mn tonnes of mangoes in 2019 As fl ights resume and border vulnerable segments of the soci- community the most. “The future is very The Pakistani government management authority (NDMA) — and exported a record 115,000 restrictions are eased, grow- ety especially labourers from the “The future is very uncertain uncertain as we do not has provided cash assistance to to eff ectively respond to the tonnes worth $80mn — making ers hope to increase exports in impact of Covid-19. as we do not know how long know how long the labourers under the Ehsaas Pro- Covid-19 pandemic. it the sixth-largest exporter of the second half of the season to The premier was addressing the economy will take to re- economy will take to gramme after completing their Alvi was speaking during a the fruit in the world. avoid a complete lost season. an online ILO Global Summit cover from the impacts of the recover from the impacts registration process, the prime presentation given by PRCS, But Waheed Ahmed, head of “The situation has forced us on Covid-19 and the World of pandemic,” the prime minister of the pandemic” minister said. chairman Abrar-ul-Haq in Is- a produce association in Paki- to think of new solutions,” said Work. stressed. He said it was the fi rst time in lamabad. stan, said exports have dropped producer Mohamed Ali Gardezi, The prime minister pointed “We are praying that vaccines nerable groups,” he added. the country’s history that such a The president asked the Pa- around 40% compared to the who for the fi rst time has taken out that many countries includ- come out as a cure to the virus Sharing the initial lockdown huge amount of money was dis- kistan Red Crescent Society to same period last year, with just his business online, delivering ing Pakistan depend upon re- but in the meantime we need to experience of Pakistan, the bursed in such a short space of further increase its outreach and a few months left of the season. door-to-door in the age of social mittances sent by the overseas share our experiences and ex- prime minister said “it had ren- time. provide medical help to the peo- Known in South Asia as the distancing. workers. change ideas to protect our vul- dered our daily wage workers “This has saved us from the ple aff ected by coronavirus.

Educational Anti-India rally institutions ‘to Indian spy ‘refuses to open in Sept’

Education institutes across appeal death sentence’ Pakistan will reopen in the first week of September; sources said yesterday. According to AFP/Internews to the Indian high commission sources, the decision was made Islamabad inviting it to fi le an appeal on in a meeting presided by the Jadhav’s behalf. Federal Education Minister Irfan said Pakistan gave con- Shafqat Mehmood along with the former Indian naval of- sular access, stayed Jadhav’s ex- provincial education ministers. fi cer on death row in Pa- ecution and revamped existing Sources said the meeting decided Akistan for spying has re- laws for the right to review in the to reopen schools with all the fused to lodge an appeal against context of Vienna Convention to Covid-19 standard operating his conviction, an offi cial said comply judgment of the ICJ. procedures (SOPs) in place. yesterday, and will try for a mili- “Pakistan has off ered second “Schools will be reopened after tary pardon instead. consular access to commander taking a look at the coronavirus Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav Jadhav and a meeting with his situation in the country. The final was arrested in 2016 in Paki- wife and father,” Irfan said. decision to reopen schools will be stan’s southwestern province of In December 2017, Jadhav’s wife taken by the national command Balochistan — a region where the and mother were allowed to visit and control centre,” sources government has long accused him on humanitarian grounds. added. New Delhi of backing rebels. Earlier, director general South Last month, the minister had Jadhav was sentenced to death Asia at the Foreign Offi ce Zahid said the government was by a military tribunal in 2017, but Hafeez too disclosed the govern- considering opening schools the International Court of Justice ment had off ered to assist in ar- with implementation of SOPs and ordered Islamabad last year to ranging legal representative for suggestions had been sought review the sentence, and he was Jadhav. He said instead of using from the madrasas and private later off ered the right to appeal. dilatory tactics and playing poli- institutions of all provinces, “Commander Jadhav refused tics over the including Azad Jammu and to fi le a petition for the review and issue, India should follow the Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. the reconsideration for his sen- due legal course and co-operate The education minister had tence and conviction,” said attor- with the courts in Pakistan to added that the education ney general offi cial Ahmad Irfan. give eff ect to the judgment of the ministry, through Unicef, was in “He instead preferred to fol- International Court of Justice. consultation with those countries low up on his pending mercy pe- Hafeez said Pakistan is fully which had opened schools under Activists of the Pakistan Youth Forum Kashmir carry photographs of Kashmiri fighter Burhan Wani during a protest against tition”, Irfan added. Jadhav had cognizant of its international various SOPs. India on the fourth death anniversary of Burhan Wani in Lahore yesterday. Yesterday marked the fourth death anniversary fi led a mercy petition with Paki- obligations and committed to He added that consultations were of Wani whose killing sparked mass street protests in India that left over 90 people dead and thousands more injured. stan’s army chief in 2017. implement the ICJ judgment on also being held with the Unicef. He said Pakistan had written Jadhav. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES Duterte says nation can’t aff ord total reopening of economy

By Catherine S Valente bers,” Duterte said. Manila Times “Because if we open the en- tire Philippines and thousands upon thousands of cases would he Philippines will be in happen then. We are in deep “deep trouble” if it totally trouble. We will have difficulty. Treopens the economy “in First off, we don’t have money,” wild abandon” amid the coro- he added. navirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) The president said he could pandemic, President Rodrigo not follow other countries that Duterte warned early yesterday. loosened their lockdown and In a taped public address fully reopened their economies aired on state-run PTV-4 despite the pandemic. early yesterday, Duterte said He noted that countries like the country must be “circum- Japan, South Korea, China and spect” in gradually opening the the United States have suffered economy to curb the spread of almost a “relapse” when they Covid-19. encountered another wave of “We have to be very circum- infections. spect in the opening of the “Although they opened their economy. It must be gradual. If economy for money to come ever there is going to be a spike into the government’s coffers, Rodrigo Duterte: call for caution again, infected, or reinfected, there was a spike, they have a at least calibrated numbers of problem of almost a relapse… “And if ever there is going to people allowed to go out will That’s difficult,” Duterte said. be a spike again, many might still be at manageable num- “We are poor. We cannot af- be infected or re-infected, at ford really a total pandemic. We least the calibrated numbers are poor, we cannot gamble,” he of people we allowed to go out New daily high of 2,538 added. The president warned would be still within manage- virus cases reported, that the country would only able numbers,” he added. The tally tops 50,000 suffer because of the possibil- president also said the country An empty ticket booth is pictured as cinemas remain temporarily closed amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Quezon City, ity that Covid-19 infections suffered a “double whammy” Metro Manila, yesterday. The Philippines yesterday might continue to rise. when the pandemic affected reported a record of 2,538 new “It would be really difficult public health and the economy Covid-19 will be found by De- coronavirus infections, pushing for us. First and foremost, we but recognised the govern- cember. the country’s tally to more than don’t have enough money to ment’s “timely intervention” “Again, just because you are 50,000. The Department of address the pandemic,” he said. as well as the work of health allowing some of the sectors of Health said the death toll from The Philippines has been workers in stemming the dis- our society to go out and work, Covid-19 rose to 1,314 over the under community quarantine ease outbreak. it does not follow that Covid is same period, with five additional since mid-March, where the “I hope this will pass. It con- not here. Covid will remain for deaths reported over the past movement of people has been cerns the health of the nation all time. The only thing that 24 hours. limited. and the economy. The only would make it useless actually Of the new cases, 1,922 are infec- The government has eased consolation is that we are not would be the vaccine. But the tions confirmed in the past three restrictions in Metro Manila the only one. Of course, the vaccine is an antibody pro- days, while 617 were confirmed and some other parts of the rich nations are better off. At duced by the body to fight,” previously but only later added country since June 1, permit- least we are able to stop the Duterte said. to the tally, the department said. ting more movement and busi- rampaging Covid on its tracks “I am confident that by our The country’s total was at 50,359 ness reopening. with our timely intervention, readings of other countries as of yesterday, it added. At present, Duterte said the government especially the who have much improved their “An increase in the number of country remains on the first medical workers,” he said. scientific study, I think that by cases were also reported from wave of the coronavirus trans- Duterte also said the corona- December there will be a vac- closed settings,” the department mission. virus disease would “remain for cine or at least if not a vaccine, said in its bulletin. “There is also “Have we arrived at the sec- all time: until the world found a a medicine that could kill the continuous clustering observed ond wave? I don’t think so. We vaccine or a cure to the illness. Covid-19. I would prefer that in villages.” are still grappling with the first He remained optimistic that we use the medicine to kill then A worker wearing a face mask and face shield arranges juice packs in a grocery amid the coronavirus wave,” Duterte said. a vaccine or medicine “to kill” get a vaccine later on,” he said. disease (Covid-19) outbreak in Quezon City, Metro Manila, yesterday.

11 arrested activists Arrest warrants issued released from Law-abiding Filipinos ‘should police custody in hazing death case After staying for three days inside a police detention facility without charges, the 11 activists who were arrested in Cabuyao, the documents given by Co to the not fear anti-terrorism law’ Laguna, while protesting in By Darwin Pesco Manila Times Times, the court did not recom- front of a barangay (village) mend bail for the three cadets. DPA Act of 2020 was “the much- incitement of terrorism “by blow up a church, blow up a hall against the recently signed The Baguio Prosecutor’s Of- Manila needed legal weapon that we means of speeches, proclama- market, the right to defend it- Anti-Terrorism Act were freed arrants of arrest were fi ce recommended murder and need to fi ght terrorism.” tions, writings, emblems, ban- self accrues to the government on Monday night, Manila Times issued in Baguio City hazing charges against Imperial “For the law-abiding citizen ners or other representations.” heavily.” reported. Wagainst three cadets and Lumbag and hazing and less hilippine President Ro- of this country, I am address- It also allows the detention “If you do that to the people, Kyle Salgado, spokesman for of the Philippine Military Acad- physical injuries against Tadena. drigo Duterte yesterday ing you with all sincerity — do of suspects for up to 24 days if you kill them wantonly, then the Alyansa ng Mamamayan emy (PMA) who were linked to the Arrest orders were also issued Passured law-abiding not be afraid if you are not a without formal charges and I would take it as a right to kill para sa Pagsusulong ng Karapa- death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin against Lt Col. Caesar Cande- citizens that they should not terrorist, and you will not de- empowers an anti-terrorism you,” he added. tang Pantao (Southern Tagalog), Dormitorio, police said yesterday. laria, former head of the PMA fear a new anti-terrorism law stroy the government, blow council to designate individu- Groups of lawyers, academ- in a phone interview, said the PCol. Allen Rae Co, Baguio Station Hospital; and medical despite warnings that it could up a church or public utilities, als or groups as suspected ter- ics and even lawmakers have prosecutor handling the case City police chief, confi rmed to offi cers, Maj Maria Ofelia Beloy stifl e political dissent and lead just to derail the nation,” he rorists who could be arrested fi led several petitions at the recommended their temporary The Manila Times that it was co- and Capt Flor Apple Apostol. to more human rights viola- said. and surveilled. Supreme Court, challenging release pending statements of ordinating with court authorities The court recommended tions. Duterte signed the law last Duterte stressed that if the law’s constitutionality and the police and the accused. for the arrest of Cadets’ Shalimar P200,000 bail each for Cande- In a televised address aired week, despite appeals from nothing bad happens, then seeking a temporary restrain- Salgado was one of those Imperial Jr, Felix Lumbag Jr, and laria and the two medical offi c- before dawn yesterday, Du- various sectors for him to veto there was no problem with the ing order on its implementa- arrested. Julius Carlo Tadena. Based on ers. terte said the Anti-Terrorism the statute, which criminalises law, but added that “once you tion.

Lawmakers’ stance may leave media giant struggling for new franchise

By Divina NJD Cruz day. Legislative Franchises “My heart grieves for the ABS- lies. There were violations priving millions of our Filipinos, Manila Times Committee chairman Franz Al- CBN employees who face possi- and the question is, are these of our people access to infor- varez, however, said they had yet ble displacement, particularly at enough not to qualify them for mation and entertainment and to schedule a date for voting. this time of the pandemic. a franchise? I will state my vote causing massive unemployment huttered media giant ABS- Aside from the 46 members As an act of redemption for in the near future,” Defensor in the middle of a pandemic are CBN Corp faces an uphill of the Committee on Legislative its employees, I hope that ABS- added. consistent with prudent judg- Sbattle in its bid to secure Franchises, 46 House leaders CBN will be generous enough to Meanwhile, for Agusan del ment, justice and equity,” Fortun a new franchise, as majority of or ex-offi cio members will also attend to its employees’ needs in Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun, said during the hearing on Mon- lawmakers at the House of Rep- vote for the fi rst reading at the these diffi cult times as it may be there had been no violations on day. The Kabataan party-list resentatives seemed reluctant to committee level. its last act of magnanimity to the the side of ABS-CBN as suf- also believe that ABS-CBN has allow the network to reopen. If approved, the bill granting a people it has considered its fam- fi ciently stated by concerned complied with the provisions Based on documents obtained new franchise will be presented ily,” he said. government agencies on the is- and requirements of its previ- by Manila Times, lawmakers who to the plenary for deliberations “In any case, I am also certain sues of citizenship, Philippine ous franchise and deserves new were likely to reject the grant of and voting for the second and The ABS-CBN network headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila. that this will just be a tempo- Depositary Receipts, tax, labour franchise “that will enable it to a franchise outnumbered those third reading. rary setback to the majority of practices and reportage. continue its broadcasting serv- who supported the network. If rejected, the franchise bills had been biased in the coverage grant a franchise to ABS-CBN, its employees as other networks Fortun said there were re- ice to 19mn Filipino households An initial tally of votes showed will no longer reach the plenary and placement of advertise- saying the network failed to and stations will readily accept a forms that need to be instituted out of 21mn nationwide and over that 25 lawmakers were likely to level. ments during the 2016 elections disprove the allegations hurled workforce that comes with prov- in the industry but these must be 3mn Filipinos overseas, espe- vote in favour of the network, 57 On Monday, House Speaker when he ran for vice president against it. en talent and expertise,” Salo addressed through legislation in cially in this time of a pandemic were likely to oppose a new fran- Alan Peter Cayetano urged law- as the running mate of President Salo said his party-list is added. Anakalusugan party-list Congress, commitment of media where news and information chise, while 10 were unsure. makers to cast a “conscience Rodrigo Duterte. “convinced that the pieces of Michael Defensor believed that organisations to make reforms dissemination, even entertain- The Joint Committee on Leg- vote.” “So, it’s really important for evidence presented, discussed the issues had been discussed within their companies, and the ment, is as critical as a need.” islative Franchises and on Good “I cannot speak for the par- me that at the end of the day, the and distilled in the hearings fa- thoroughly and that there had vigilance of the people. “The fault-fi nding against Government and Public Ac- ties, because they will discuss Filipino knows what the decision vour the oppositors.” been violations. But he stressed “shutting ABS-CBN has gone too far, leav- countability concluded hearings among themselves. is, why Congress decided that “My party-list group deems “I think overall the joint- down a mass media corporation ing more jobs lost and millions of on the alleged violations of ABS- But from the start, we’ve way. So, hopefully, these 12 hear- that ABS-CBN failed to success- committees were able to discuss is certainly not the right thing to Filipinos without access to news CBN on Monday. been urging a conscience vote,” ings somehow shed light on the fully rebut the long list of alleged thoroughly the issues lined up do.” and entertainment. There had been 12 hearings Cayetano told reporters. many, many innuendos and is- violations. for interpellation,” Defensor told He appealed to the members Amid the pandemic when that extensively tackled the net- Cayetano decided not to tes- sues that we’ve been reading on And thus, this representation Manila Times. of the committee to heed the fi rms are closing and downsizing work’s alleged violations of its tify in the hearing on the alleged social media and what we hear, cannot anymore support the “I would like to separate the call of Cayetano for a conscience with millions of displaced work- franchise, the Constitution, la- biased-reporting of ABS-CBN watch and read in traditional grant of a new franchise to ABS- issues into two categories. One vote. “This is most welcome ers, and unemployment is at an bour and tax laws, and biased re- so as not to “sway” the other media,” he said. CBN,” he said. is constitutional and the others and we appeal to the members all-time high, the government porting and meddling in politics. lawmakers. On Monday, Kabayan party- Salo also appealed to the ABS- are violations of laws on labour, of the committee to seek divine must focus instead on support- Voting on the grant of a new He said he would submit a list Rep. Ron Salo withdrew his CBN management to help its taxation, among others. guidance and consult their con- ing local enterprises and pre- franchise will be held after the written position to the commit- authorship of House Bill 6901, employees who might lose their I have asked the hard ques- science whether or not denying serving jobs,” Kabataan party- summation of the hearings to- tee on his view that the network one of the 13 bills seeking to jobs during the pandemic. tions and exposed the anoma- the franchise of ABS-CBN, de- list Rep. Sarah Elago said. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, July 9, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Not enough data about what’s causing Covid-19 to surge When demonstrators took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police offi cer, the cause was just but the worry was real: Were the marches going to lead to massive new outbreaks of coronavirus just as most of the United States had fl attened the curve? At the same time, newly reopened restaurants and stores drew customers – sometimes masked, often not – while crowds returned to beaches. Released from sheltering in place, people held gatherings at their homes, trusting that the folks they invited would be It’s not just coronavirus: America careful not to expose everyone around them to danger. Now, cases are surging in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, West Virginia, Tennessee and Montana; average case counts hit new highs on Sunday in a dozen states, California repeatedly fails at public health included. For 27 straight days, the count for the country as a whole has climbed relentlessly higher. So who’s to blame for the frightening increase in infections? By Noam N Levey “Public health is a quintessential overall healthcare costs. in smoking stands as one of the great Because the new coronavirus is, well, new, there’s still a lot one Los Angeles Times/Washington public action,” said Dr David Other wealthy nations invest up to public health success stories in the US. Blumenthal, president of the New York- twice as much on primary care services Even victories have sometimes proved doesn’t know about what makes a situation safe instead of a based Commonwealth Fund, which and have substantially lower overall ephemeral, however. potential Covid-19 hot spot. But tentative answers are coming s the coronavirus outbreak studies health systems in the US and health care spending. Although the Obama administration in now, sometimes at great human cost. swept the United States, abroad. The US spent more than $10,000 in 2012 issued rules setting standards The protests don’t seem to have caused any major health President Donald Trump for “It must be done by people working per person on healthcare in 2018, more for less salt and more whole grains in problems, even though the participants often were in close Amonths promised high- together on behalf of themselves than double what major European school meals, the Trump administration tech solutions just over the horizon: and others. In a fi ercely independent nations such as France, Britain and has been working since 2017 to roll back proximity and were frequently yelling, which increases thousands of new ventilators, miracle culture, that is very hard to undertake.” the Netherlands spend, according to the rules under pressure from the food the exhalation of droplets. Demonstrators in Boston drugs and vaccines developed at “warp America spends more than $237bn data compiled by the Organisation industry. were no more likely to test positive afterwards than the speed.” a year on medical care for people with for Economic Cooperation and “It’s just ridiculous,” said Colin city’s population as a whole. The rates of positive tests He has shown decidedly less diabetes, for example, much of it to Development. Schwarz, deputy director of federal aff airs were similarly low among demonstrators in Minneapolis enthusiasm for simpler steps such control a disease that can be prevented The roots of these imbalances run at the nonprofi t Center for Science in mask-wearing and social distancing. or managed with simple interventions deep in American healthcare, dating the Public Interest, which spent years and Seattle. A national study by the National Bureau of That has frustrated public health like eating more healthful foods. back to eff orts by physicians in the pushing for the food standards. “The Economic Research found that overall, coronavirus rates offi cials, who are now pleading with Just the tab for prescription drugs early 20th century to maintain control evidence is clear that strong standards were no higher in counties that were the sites of large Americans to make a few small changes to control the disease topped $85bn of medical care against a rising public reduce obesity and set kids up for better protests than those that saw no demonstrations. in their behaviours to help control the in 2017, according to research by the health movement championed by health long-term, but they are obviously These fi ndings are widening pandemic. American Diabetes Association. government reformers. not looking long-term.” far from defi nitive, But if the president’s disdain for By contrast, eff orts by public As healthcare in America became big Today, there is growing consensus Covid-19 is masks may be extreme, his impulse to health advocates, nutrition experts, business, creating what the editor of among experts and healthcare leaders however. In Los Angeles, look for the latest and greatest medical paediatricians and others to strengthen the New England Journal of Medicine that combating chronic illnesses such apolitical and demonstrators had intervention refl ects a strong tradition in dietary standards or create more in 1980 called a “medical industrial as diabetes and heart disease — and trouble getting testing American health care that has long put a incentives for healthful eating have run complex,” drugmakers, medical controlling costs — will require even without judgment; appointments, which premium on new drugs, bigger medical into persistent barriers, stymieing such systems, dialysis companies and others more robust public health interventions. could mean that some systems and more technology, often at initiatives for decades. dependent on high medical spending These include new eff orts to tackle it neither rewards the expense of public health initiatives “There has long been this double expanded their infl uence. underlying causes of poor health, such cases are unknown that other nations have shown to be more standard when it comes to public And while medical spending in as poverty, inadequate housing and protesters nor and uncounted; in eff ective at lower cost. health,” said John Auerbach, president the US rocketed upward, wariness of education and poor childcare, areas New York City, city “We are much more willing to put of the nonprofi t Trust for America’s government helped check any parallel where the US has also under-invested punishes people offi cials instructed money towards treating something Health. expansion in public health. over the years. contact tracers not to than preventing it,” said Dr Richard “If there is a new medicine, there is “Americans have been much more “We need to go upstream,” said who want some Besser, the former acting director of just an assumption that it will get paid comfortable allowing money to fl ow to George Halvorson, the former chief ask people who tested the US Centers for Disease Control and for, no matter the cost. But every public the private sector rather than go to the executive of Kaiser Permanente who company positive whether they Prevention who now heads the Robert health policy requires a cost-benefi t public sector,” said Blumenthal of the now chairs First 5 California, an had attended protests, as Wood Johnson Foundation. analysis that must show it not only Commonwealth Fund. ambitious state eff ort to improve early though ignorance was going to make people safer. It is a mindset that helps explain the improves health but saves money.” Since the 2008-09 recession, the childhood education and development. Massive gatherings still aren’t a good idea – some nation’s more than 3.6tn-dollar annual Even the structure of the American Trust for America’s Public Health has Besser, the former acting CDC healthcare tab, by far the highest in the health care system tends to favor high- estimated that nearly 60,000 state and director, warned that the country’s protesters did in fact become infected – but there’s no world. cost interventions such as surgery local public health jobs have been lost as inability to address these issues and indication so far that the protests were super-spreader It also accounts for some of America’s and treatment by specialists like investment in public health fl agged. build an adequate safety net is also now events. Being outdoors almost certainly helped. struggles with the current pandemic, endocrinologists, orthopedists and Meanwhile, even small eff orts to tackle complicating the eff ort to control the Instead, the most common sources of recent Covid-19 surges which is exploding across the country, cardiologists, rather than primary care public health challenges like removing coronavirus. have been some of the smallest venues, especially eateries. threatening to claim tens of thousands physicians who traditionally helped sodas and junk food from school vending “We don’t have the social contract we of additional lives, even as it fades in patients maintain their health and machines have proved to be monumental need,” he noted. “It’s much harder to be People there are socialising indoors, often in close proximity, Europe and other wealthy nations. prevent disease. tasks requiring years of advocacy. successful in America because we don’t talking loudly to be heard over the chatter, their masks coming Similarly, the long-standing Nationally, the US devotes on Auerbach, who was Boston health believe everyone deserves things such as off as they eat or not worn at all. The long-awaited reopening of American resistance to public health average only about 5 per cent to 7 per commissioner before taking the helm at health insurance, jobs that pay a living indoor restaurants also appears to be a contributor. measures hampers eff orts to restrain cent of total health care spending to the Trust for America’s Health, called wage and sick leave. Private get-togethers are repeatedly cited by health offi cials diabetes, heart disease and other primary care, even though there is the push to limit smoking in restaurants These things are not available to tens chronic illnesses that are driving growing evidence that places that in the 1990s “one of the most diffi cult of millions of people of America. And as problematic. Contact tracing in Sacramento found that the hundreds of billions of dollars of have stronger primary care systems fi ghts I’ve been involved in in 30 years so, it’s harder for people to do the right biggest sources of recent spread there were graduation parties, medical spending. have healthier populations and lower in public health.” Today, the reduction thing.” – TCA-DPA funeral gatherings and the like. Caution falls away when people are with those who are known, loved and trusted. It would be premature to draw too many lessons from the limited data one has at this point. Still, the lectures given by public health offi cials appear to have been borne out in key ways. Outdoors is clearly less risky than indoors. Social distancing is needed, as are masks, masks, masks. Covid-19 is apolitical and without judgment; it neither rewards protesters nor punishes people who want some company. It just follows the laws of science.

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected]

© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Trump holds up a protective face shield during a behind-the-scenes tour of a Ford facility in Michigan in May. Gulf Times Thursday, July 9, 2020 19 COMMENT ‘Qatar-Malaysia ties to continue to maintain upward trajectory’

By Joey Aguilar ties between the two countries in key ships and countries’ economy. I ance events for the past few years. The Staff Reporter areas of mutual interest, including am proud to say that Malaysia and latest event was ‘Colours of Malaysia trade and investment, infrastructure, Qatar have passed this test, and 2019’, organised in partnership with higher education, health, legal and we have shown a great example on Qatar Airways to further promote Ma- he change of leadership judicial co-operation. how to address the pandemic. Low laysia’s historical heritage and culture. in Malaysia is expected to He highlighted trade as a key pil- death and high recovery rates for Ten professional dancers were witness the continuation lar of Qatar-Malaysia co-operation, our countries are a testimony to our fl own in from Istana Budaya (pal- Tof Qatar-Malaysia bilateral saying that total trade in 2019 reached nations and able leaderships during ace of culture) to perform at Hamad ties on an upward trajectory, further $.079bn (RM3.43bn). this crisis.” International Airport and Katara – the strengthening the two countries’ close “Although trade between the two He said the Malaysian prime min- Cultural Village. and brotherly relations, Malaysian countries has come down slightly ister thanked Qatar for the medical “These initiatives will be contin- embassy charge d’aff aires Mohamed by 9% in 2019 as compared to the treatment and assistance to Malay- ued in the years to come after travel Shahir Sabarudin has said. previous year, Qatar has improved its sians aff ected by Covid-19 in the restrictions have been eased by both The envoy told Gulf Times that Ma- overall ranking from the 5th largest country. Malaysian and Qatar governments,” laysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhy- trading partner for Malaysia in 2018 to He also commended the Qatar gov- Sabarudin said. iddin Yassin had a phone conversation the 4th largest trading partner in 2019 ernment for eff ectively handling the The two countries, he noted, have in April with His Highness the Amir in the region,” the envoy noted. spread of Covid-19 pandemic. actively pursued co-operation in Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in He said Malaysia’s main exports to “Malaysia also appreciates Qatar’s education, which saw the former Ma- which both leaders agreed to further Qatar in 2019 were petroleum prod- eff orts in treating 40 Malaysians who laysian Minister of Education visiting strengthen bilateral ties. ucts; manufactures of metal; jewel- were infected with the Covid-19 virus. Qatar in November 2019 to attend the “Both leaders extended visit invita- lery; transport equipment; processed It is a relief to us to learn that 39 of World Innovation Summit for Educa- tions to each other, and it is hoped food; machinery, equipment and them have fully recovered. Mean- tion in Doha. that these bilateral visits will take parts; iron and steel products; palm while, one Malaysian passed away on The envoy said Malaysia and Qatar place as soon as the Covid-19 pan- oil and palm oil-based agricultural June 10,” Sabarudin said. also discussed issues of mutual inter- demic is over,” Sabarudin said. products; electrical and electronic “Thanks to the swift response est in the higher education sector In 2019, he noted that a number products; as well as chemicals and from Hamad Medical Hospital, the in August 2019 during its 1st Joint of steps have been taken to further chemical products. deceased was buried on the same Working Group (JWG) meeting held in strengthen and expand bilateral ties Meanwhile, Malaysia’s imports Mohamed Shahir Sabarudin day and the family member has Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was held between the two countries, including from Qatar in 2019 were mainly pe- extended their appreciation to the within the framework of the agree- high-level visits and close co-opera- troleum and chemical products. “As a gateway for Qatar to access projects in Qatar for the past dec- medical team who had been treating ment that was signed between Qatar tion in multilateral institutions. About Qatar Chamber board mem- Asean markets with more than 600mn ade while many others are currently the person for the past one month,” and Malaysia in 2017. The visit of the former prime min- ber Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli’s people, Malaysia continued to further involved in the facility management he added. “At the moment, the number of ister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir earlier statement that the Qatari explore potential co-operation to ad- services for airport operational facili- He stressed that bilateral relations students from both countries is still Mohamed, to Qatar in December 2019, private sector views Malaysia as one dress the food security issue, agricul- ties and ancillary buildings and the between Malaysia and Qatar are get- low. However, Malaysia has been followed by the visit of His Highness of the “most important” economic ture and tourism. Strategic economic hospitality industry. ting stronger during the Covid-19 actively engaging with Qatar Univer- the Amir to Malaysia provided an destinations worldwide, Sabaru- alliances and partnerships are more “We are also working very hard to crisis. sity, Hamad Bin Khalifa University excellent opportunity to both sides to din said Malaysia echoes the same crucial than ever at this moment support Qatar on its National Vision On the cultural front, the envoy and top-notch US and UK universities engage at the highest level, and gave sentiment “mainly due to the fact due to the great global lockdown due 2030 eff orts as well as the eff orts that said this area has been one of their in Qatar to increase the number of a fresh momentum to the bilateral that Malaysia remains a pro-business to the Covid-19 pandemic that has will make the 2022 FIFA World Cup in priorities, which he described as a Malaysian students in Qatar, includ- ties between the two countries, it was nation, backed by strong economic interrupted the global supply chain,” Qatar a success,” he added. suitable platform to increase people- ing the exchange of students between observed. fundamentals, stability, cost-com- he stressed. About the impact of the Covid-19 to-people contact and to close the gap universities,” Sabarubin said. “There Sabarudin said the visit also petitiveness and its strategic location Sabarudin said several Malaysian outbreak on Qatar-Malaysia rela- between Malaysians and Qataris. are also Malaysian academicians who provided an opportunity to better in the centre of the Association of companies have been involved in tions, the envoy said: “The Covid-19 The Malaysian embassy organised are working in various universities in leverage the existing complementari- South-East Asian Nations (Asean). crucial infrastructure development pandemic is a test for our leader- many cultural and dance perform- Qatar.”

Qatar-Argentina relations Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 420c Minimum Temperature : 320c

FRIDAY Maximum Temperature : 430c deep and solid: envoy Minimum Temperature : 320c SATURDAY By Carlos Hernández joint work, since during the last 2 Maximum Temperature : 430c Ambassador of Argentine to Qatar years we were able to achieve over 40 Minimum Temperature : 320c agreements and memorandums of Fisherman's forecast understanding, taking into account n July 9, 1816, precisely those already signed, in the process WARNING 204 years ago, the Republic to be signed and in the last stage of Inshore : Nil of Argentina declared negotiations. Offshore : Nil its independence, at the The Republic of Argentina found O WEATHER in Qatar a rich and generous country, province of Tucuman, the smallest one Inshore : Misty at places at first of all the Argentine territory. with relevant presence regionally and becomes hot daytime That date, which we commemorate internationally, with a very well- with some clouds today, was the initiation of a rich known record in helping and assisting WIND history of events which developed not only developing nations but also Inshore : Southeasterly-North- along the years, transforming our on the international humanitarian easterly 05-15 KT country as an excellent and successful scene, leading its neighbours in this Offshore : Northeasterly-North- multicultural example, in which matter. westerly 03-12 KT diff erent races, religions and cultures On the other side, Qatar found in came together to evoke the deep Argentina not only a reliable strategic Visibility : 4-8/3 KM feeling of being Argentine, since partner but also a peaceful country, Offshore : 1-3 FT that is the solid symbol of unity in all with spectacular landscapes and aspects. Argentine ambassador to Qatar Carlos Herná ndez. friendly people. To commemorate this national day Living in Qatar, an amazing country in the Gulf is something very special. understanding to open our embassy As Qatar was increasing its exports with the incredible Qatari people Around the region Although geographically speaking in Doha. Finally the offi ces were and investments to our country, under the wise guidance of its leader, Weather Weather we are separated from Qatar by opened in 2013 through the drive of Argentina was also expanding its His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min approximately 13,000km, our bilateral our President at the time, Ms. Cristina exports to Qatar in a very dynamic bin Hamad al-Thani, it is important to Baghdad Sunny 48/31 Sunny 48/31 relations are deep and solid, not only Fernandez de Kirchner. way. However, we can’t limit emphasise that our bilateral relations Kuwait City P Cloudy 42/31 Sunny 44/33 because of our joint achievements but Since then the bilateral relations everything economy and commerce. are compact and we only need to work Manama M Sunny 42/33 Sunny 41/33 also because of our intense feeling of between Argentina and Qatar have We have also achieved excellent mutually in order to make it more Muscat P Cloudy 35/33 P Cloudy 39/33 mutual friendship. intensifi ed in a rapid, solid and results in education, culture and extensive. Tehran Sunny 38/25 M Sunny 36/25 Our countries established uninterrupted process through several sports co-operation. This contributes For Argentina and Qatar this is diplomatic relations 46 years ago important bilateral achievements defi nitely to a realistic and sustainable an easy job since our people share in 1974 with a joint release, and in which not even the unjust blockade integration of our peoples. fundamental values and concepts like 1994 we signed a memorandum of could slow down or stop. We have clear evidence of our family, friendship and loyalty.

Live issues With festival cancelled by virus, Japan fi refl ies dance alone Around the world AFP “The glowing is the courtship protect fi refl ies, and the insects now season makes the ritual all the more Weather Weather Tatsuno, Japan behaviour of fireflies. They glow attract tens of thousands of visitors poignant, said Takei. Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min to communicate between the male during the annual summer fi refl y “The brief shining of the light is so Athens Sunny 32/23 Sunny 32/22 and the female,” Katsunori Funaki, festival. impressive, making me feel that I also Beirut M Sunny 28/24 Sunny 28/24 s the sun sets in the Japanese from the city’s tourism division, “When we have lots of fi refl ies, we have to live my best,” he said. Bangkok M Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/27 town of Tatsuno, thousands told AFP. get a spectacular landscape full of Firefl y festivals are staged around Berlin Rain 19/14 S T Storms 23/12 of fi refl ies begin glowing, “During the short, 10-day period, lights, with both stars and glowing late June in many parts of Japan, and Cairo M Sunny 36/24 M Sunny 35/26 Aproducing a spectacle that they fi nd a partner and lay eggs for the fi refl ies refl ected in the water,” Takei the glowing courtship ritual has long Cape Town Sunny 19/13 Rain 17/12 usually draws crowds of delighted next year.” said. been celebrated in the country. Colombo S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 visitors. When conditions are right, with Firefl ies are often said to be evidence “This may be part of Japan’s unique Dhaka T Storm 32/27 T Storm 31/27 But this year, the dance of the neither rain nor wind, as many as of a pristine natural environment, but aesthetics, but they are so precious to Hong Kong S T Storms 30/27 Cloudy 30/27 incandescent insects is being 30,000 fi refl ies perform their magic the insects only thrive when other us because we can only see them for a Istanbul S T Storms 26/21 Sunny 28/21 performed without spectators, during the 10-day period in Tatsuno, conditions are also met. short period of time,” said Takei. Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 P Cloudy 32/24 after coronavirus prevention a town set on a river in central Nagano “To help fireflies, we need to have Festival organiser Tatsuki Komatsu Karachi S T Storms 37/30 P Cloudy 36/30 measures forced organisers of a prefecture. a snail called ‘kawanina’,” Funaki said he felt the insects were “look- London Showers 19/16 Showers 19/13 popular firefly festival to cancel the “Historical records say a massive said. ing for a partner more freely with no Manila T Storm 34/27 T Storm 34/27 event. number of fi refl ies were seen along the Firefl ies spend about nine months humans around” but said he hoped the Moscow S T Storms 28/13 P Cloudy 22/13 The decision may have disappointed Tenryu river in the late 19th through of their year-long lifecycle growing in festival could be held again next year. New Delhi T Storm 31/27 S T Storms 33/28 fans of the brilliant bugs, but it early 20th century,” Mayor Yasuo fresh water, and baby insects grow by “Firefl ies are a creature that grows New York S T Storms 29/23 P Cloudy 31/23 provides an unusually serene Takei said. eating the snail, Funaki said. over a year and fl ies for only 10 days Paris P Cloudy 27/17 P Cloudy 29/18 atmosphere as the insects blink on and But the creature almost died out The town has also created a park to leave behind the next generation Sao Paulo M Sunny 27/16 M Cloudy 21/13 off , appearing to dance through the in the area as silk production and complete with ditches to bring in fresh before dying,” he said. Seoul M Sunny 31/20 P Cloudy 33/22 black night air. other industries fl ourished further water from the river and waterfalls to “We want to take care of them so Singapore T Storm 29/26 T Storm 30/26 The natural spectacle lasts just 10 upstream, creating pollution. produce an oxygen-rich aquatic home that they will leave eggs for next year Sydney P Cloudy 16/07 P Cloudy 17/09 days in early summer, and is the fi nal After World War II, the town worked for the insects. and we will once again see fi refl ies Tokyo Rain 28/23 Cloudy 28/24 chapter of a fi refl y’s life. hard to restore the environment and The silence of this year’s mating dance wonderfully.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, July 9, 2020 QATAR WHO collaborating centre inaugurated at WCM-Q

From Page 1

Dr Ahmed al-Mandhari, WHO regional director for the East- ern Mediterranean, said: “The designation of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar as a WHO Collaborating Centre recognises a history of more than a decade of collaboration in the fi eld of infectious diseases and provides a formal framework for future joint activities. Collaborating centres such as IDEG are our critical partners in our endeavour to achieve our vi- sion for the region, ‘Vision 2023’, with its goal of ‘Health for All, by All’. “The Collaborating Centre could also play an important role in support of another important joint initiative between WHO and the Qatar Fund for Develop- Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attends a meeting at the event. ment in addressing emergencies, including infectious diseases the group as a WHO Collaborat- such as Covid-19, and the provi- ing Centre. sion of essential health services This honour demonstrates in selected countries of the re- the global impact of the scien- gion.” tifi c capacity and infrastructure IDEG lead Dr Abu-Raddad that has been built in Qatar with noted: “It is very gratifying for the support of Qatar Founda- our research team to receive this tion. honourable designation from the “I off er my warmest thanks WHO. We are very pleased and to HE Dr Hanan al-Kuwari and proud to be able to support the other esteemed colleagues at the work of the WHO in combating Ministry of Public Health and infectious diseases and their im- World Health Organisation for pact on people in Qatar, the EMR giving us the opportunity to work region and beyond. We also feel with them to tackle the Covid-19 very privileged to have been in a pandemic and other infectious position to provide scientifi c and diseases.” technical support to the Ministry The designation of the IDEG of Public Health and the State comes after a decade of high- of Qatar during the coronavirus profi le studies on the epidemiol- epidemic.” ogy of infectious diseases on the Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Dr Javaid Sheikh, dean of national, regional and interna- Foundation, tours the facility at WCM-Q. WCM-Q, added: “All of us at tional levels, which has helped WCM-Q are extremely proud inform public health policy and specifi cally HIV/Aids and hepa- research infrastructure and sci- Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended an event marking of the excellent work of the In- programmes, WCM-Q said in a titis, that have a severe negative entifi c human capital in recent the off icial designation of a Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar research group as a WHO Collaborating Center fectious Disease Epidemiology statement. impact on the health and well- years, will be host to a valuable covering the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region. The group will support WHO’s regional and global Group. Its members’ dedication The group will carry out ac- being of communities all over the resource working to promote the eff orts to promote health and well-being by providing scientific research and advice to inform policy to promoting public health, for tivities in support of key WHO EMR and beyond. health and well-being of people decisions and public health programmes, with special focus on viral hepatitis, and combating the spread more than a decade, has led to programmes aimed at combating This means that Qatar, thanks right across the region and glo- of HIV/Aids, reproductive tract infections, and Covid-19. The event was attended by HE the Minister of this distinguished designation of the spread of infectious diseases, to its investment in biomedical bally. Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari. North-south key link road set to open at Mesaimeer Interchange

„ Ashghal to open 7km road connecting Southern Doha Expressway and Doha Expressway at Mesaimeer Interchange „ Opening to take place on Saturday, July 11 „ 92% of works on Mesaimeer Interchange completed „ New route will provide direct traffic flow from Mesaieed, Al Wakra, Al Wukair towards Doha, 22 February Street and Al Shamal Road he Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced Tthat it will open a 7km road, linking Doha Expressway and Southern Doha Expressway Hassan al-Ghanim at Mesaimeer Interchange, on July 11, to ensure free and direct heart of Doha through a connec- traffi c fl ow from Mesaieed, Al tion to Rawdat Al Khail Street, Wakra and Al Wukair towards which intersects with D-Ring Doha, 22 February Street and Al and C-Ring roads, and also be- Shamal Road. This will be done tween the busy areas of Nuaija, in co-ordination with the Gen- Al Thumama, Bu Hamour, Al eral Directorate of Traffi c. Maamoura and Mesaimeer, pro- In a statement yesterday, Ash- The road will enable a direct link with the Al Janoub, Ras Abu Aboud and Al Thumama stadiums as it viding easy access to Al Wakra, Al ghal said it had opened the lanes integrates with other major arteries. Wukair and the Industrial Area. to Al Wakra in March and would It is located in a vital area that open the other lanes from Al Khail Street and Industrial Area has many facilities, including Al Wakra to improve traffi c in both Road in both directions, in addi- Thumama Stadium, one of the directions. The route has 4-6 tion to connecting E-Ring Road World Cup venues. lanes in each direction to allow with the southern part of Doha The interchange has three pe- some 20,000 vehicles per hour Expressway in one direction, destrian bridges that will help in both directions, saving around which will achieve “great fl ow of ease people’s access to the stadi- 70% of travel time. traffi c in all directions”. um. The interchange also serves More importantly, the road The project involves 6.1km many important educational, will enable a direct link with the length of construction works, health and commercial facilities Al Janoub, Ras Abu Aboud and with 3-4 lanes in each direction such as the Medical Commission, Al Thumama stadiums as it in- to accommodate about 30,000 Meteorological Department, tegrates with other major arter- vehicles per hour in both direc- many schools, health centres and ies, running from Umm Besher tions. nearby shopping malls. Interchange on G-Ring Road The new interchange will sig- and Southern Doha Expressway, nifi cantly improve traffi c, re- Strategic link through Al Wetiyyat Interchange ducing travel time by more than The newly constructed Me- on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, 70%, the statement notes. saimeer Interchange integrates onto Mesaimeer Interchange Snapshots of the project. The Al Wetiyyat Interchange on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. with Sabah Al Ahmad Corri- along with Doha Expressway, E- Hexagon Interchange dor through its connection to Al Ring Road, Industrial Area Road Force Interchange on Airport time by about 70%. Al-Ghanim Corridor, passing through Me- right at the Al Wetiyyat intersec- Mesaimeer Interchange is the Wetiyyat Interchange, which is a and Rawdat Al Khail Street. Street along with Al Thumama explained that most parts of Me- saimeer Interchange and reach- tion, passing through Mesaimeer fi rst of its kind in Qatar connect- strategic link between the south- Ashghal will open the right Interchange on Najma Street, saimeer Interchange have been ing Doha Expressway and 22 Feb- Interchange and reaching Doha ing six main roads, namely Me- ern part of Doha Expressway with access at Umm Besher Inter- and shifting traffi c to Al Wetiyyat opened to traffi c so far. About ruary Street. Expressway and 22 February saimeer Interchange, Doha Ex- Doha’s main highway, to provide change on G-Ring Road from Al Interchange, Mesaimeer Inter- 92% of the works on the vital in- Those arriving from Ras Bu Street. Road users arriving from pressway, southern part of Doha free-fl owing traffi c between the Wakra and Al Wukair via South- change and the roads connected terchange has been fi nished, he Abboud Street, Al Wakra Road Mesaimeer can use the exit loop Expressway, Sabah Al Ahmed north of Doha and its south. ern Doha Expressway, as well as to Doha Expressway, Rawdat Al said, adding that a tunnel is to and G-Ring Road will be able to at Mesaimeer Interchange to Corridor, Industrial Area Road The project is a vital one with two more accesses at Al Wetiyyat Khail Road, Industrial Area Road be completed and opened soon turn right at Umm Besher In- reach Nuaija and 22 February and Rawdat Al Khail Street. two levels comprising three Interchange on Sabah Al Ahmad and E-Ring Road. so that the whole interchange is terchange and then use the Al Street. The interchange also provides bridges and four vehicle under- Corridor from Al Thumama, Air Hassan al-Ghanim from the open for traffi c. Wetiyyat Interchange on Sabah a vital traffi c link between the passes to provide easy access to Force Interchange and from Bu Highway Projects Department Al Ahmad Corridor via Me- Underpass benefits south, central and north of the the nearby residential areas such Hamour and Mesaimeer towards said the new road is a direct link Traff ic flow saimeer Interchange, reaching The three-level Mesaimeer In- country. It links traffi c from the as Al Thumama, Mesaimeer, Bu Mesaimeer Interchange, the between the south and north of Those arriving from the south- Doha Expressway and 22 Febru- terchange is the fi rst of its kind south through the southern part Hamour, Nuaija and Al Wakra, statement explained. the country. Road users com- ern part of Doha Expressway will ary Street. in Qatar as it contains nine un- of Doha Expressway, main car- as well as free-fl owing traffi c for The new openings will off er ing from Mesaieed in the north be able to continue on Umm Commuters travelling from derpasses providing free-fl ow riageway of Doha Expressway road users towards Hamad In- new alternative routes and short- and vice-versa can use a direct Besher Interchange on G-Ring Hamad International Airport and traffi c, Ashghal has stressed. The and Al Shamal Road. ternational Airport, the south- cuts, alleviating traffi c pressure and free route without any traf- Road and then use Al Wetiyyat Al Thumama via Sabah Al Ahmad interchange contains two main It also connects traffi c between ern areas, Doha, and then to the at Airport Interchange and Air fi c signals to shorten the journey Interchange on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will also be able to turn bridges connecting Rawdat Al Industrial Area Road and the northern areas of the country.