www.thepeninsula.qa Sunday 23 August 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8358 4 Muharram - 1442 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 13 PENMAG | 15 SPORT | 20

Climate fund for poor Classifieds 'Transformed' nations vows to drive and Services PSG allow Qatar green COVID-19 section to bask in recovery included limelight

Cheering for Paris! Ooredoo, the network of heroes. Qatar-Germany trade ties strong, up by 10% last year THE PENINSULA — DOHA that support both economies. or with full German capital, which are Addressing the forum, Sheikh active in many fields such as rail, trade, Qatari-German Business Forum The bilateral trade between Qatar and Khalifa stressed the forum’s impor- contracting, services, communication, reviewed trade and investment Germany reached $2.3bn in 2019, tance in shedding light on bolstering infrastructure, medical equipment and cooperation and discussed witnessing a double-digit growth of 10 cooperation between Qatari and devices and others. percent compared to $2.1bn in 2018, German businessmen and exploring “Germany is one of the most establishing alliances and showing the strong economic ties new opportunities between private important investment destinations for partnerships that support both between two countries. sector of both countries, especially Qatar, where the value of Qatari invest- economies. This came during Qatari-German under the current challenges related ments in Germany exceeded ¤25bn in Business Forum organised by Qatar to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its many sectors including the automotive Germany is one of the most important investment destinations Chamber and Arab-German Chamber economic impacts. industry, telecommunications, hospi- for Qatar and the value of Qatari investments in Germany of Commerce and Industry through Sheikh Khalifa praised the strong tality, banking and other important video conference. and close relation between the State sectors,” he noted. exceeded €25bn. Under the patronage of Chairman of Qatar and the Federal Republic of QC Chairman pointed out that of Qatar Chamber (QC) Sheikh Khalifa Germany, especially in economic and Qatar’s economy offers a plenty of There are about 300 German companies operating in Qatar, bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari-German commercial aspects, noting that their investment opportunities that attract whether with Qatari partners or with full German capital. Business Forum kicked off on Thursday bilateral trade grew by 10 percent, from foreign investors and international through video conference, the QC said $2.1bn in 2018 to $2.3bn last year. “This companies, especially in the Qatar's economic laws and legislations provide a safe and stable in a statement. means that Germany is a very essential presence of a set of economic laws environment for investment. The forum was presided over by trade partner for Qatar,” he added. and legislations that provide a safe Sheikh Khalifa and President of the Sheikh Khalifa noted that the two and stable environment for Arab-German Chamber of Commerce countries’ bilateral relations have investment. and Industry Peter Ramsauer, in the evolved considerably following the Elaborating these laws, he said that presence of Ambassador of the State visit of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin they include the law regulating the of Qatar to Germany, H E Mohammed Hamad Al Thani to Germany in 2018 investment of non-Qatari capital in bin Jaham Al Kuwari; Vice-President which witnessed the announcement economic activity, which provides of the Arab-German Chamber of Com- to allocate investments of ¤10bn to several investment incentives for non- merce and Industry, Olaf Hoffmann; support the German economy during Qatari investors, including the allo- General Secretary of the Arab-German the next five years and signing of many cation of land, exemption from income Chamber of Commerce and Industry, important agreements that contributed tax, exemption from custom duties and Abdulaziz Al Mikhlafi; and Qatar to further developing cooperation ties freedom of transfer and other incen- Chamber General Manager, Saleh bin and stimulating investments between tives, adding that Qatar enjoyed a Hamad Al Sharqi. both countries. highly developed infrastructure and During the forum, both sides Regarding mutual investments, state-of-the-art economic and free reviewed trade and investment Sheikh Khalifa said that there are about zones and offered a wide range of cooperation and discussed estab- 300 German companies operating in attractive incentives for foreign Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, during the lishing alliances and partnerships Qatar, whether with Qatari partners investors. `P3 Qatari-German Business Forum. GNA Presidential Council praises Qatar, Turkey for supporting Libya MoCI clarifies

QNA — TRIPOLI The Presidential Council of the Libyan Government of In its statement, the Council amount to war crimes and crimes about price National Accord stressed its steadfast position rejecting affirmed that the modern civil against humanity, and does not The Presidential Council of the state is an irreversible option, waive the application of justice variation of Libyan Government of National the militarisation of the state. stressing its steadfast position against them.” Accord (GNA) praised the role rejecting the militarisation of the The statement also stressed the goods in of the State of Qatar and Turkey Council affirmed the importance of resuming the state, in acknowledgement to the need to resume production and in supporting the legitimate political process and stressed the need to resume blood of the martyrs, in response exportation in the oil fields and ports supermarkets government and the Libyan to the demand of the Libyans, and to support the Libyan economy, people during the current crisis. production and export of oil to meet the in order to preserve the security, meet the needs of the Libyans and THE PENINSULA — DOHA This came in a statement needs of the Libyans. unity and sovereignty of Libya. alleviate their suffering. issued by the GNA Presidency The Libyan Presidential It emphasized that the parlia- The Ministry of Commerce and Council following a meeting news agency yesterday, one day State of Qatar, and the brotherly Council affirmed “the importance mentary and presidential elections Industry (MoCI) has clarified headed the Council’s Chairman after the GNA and the Tobruk and friendly countries that sup- of resuming the political process in the country are the goal of the in a statement on social media Faiz Al Sarraj, and attended by Assembly of Representatives, ported the position of the Gov- on clear grounds in which there Presidency Council to reach a that they set maximum price Vice President Ahmed Maitiq, announced an immediate cease- ernment of National Accord and is no place for those whose hands stable, permanent political stage, for commodities such as vege- and members Mohamed Ammari fire in the country. supported the Libyan people have been stained with the blood provided that they are conducted tables, fruits, fish and some Zayed and Ahmed Hamzah. The The council extended thanks during the current crisis, the of Libyans, and whoever has according to a sound constitutional basic commodities. As for Statement was carried by Libya’s to the Republic of Turkey, the statement said. committed violations that rule agreed upon by the Libyans. other commodities, their prices may vary from one supermarket to the other. The clarification came in MADLSA to train govt response to many queries and messages received from con- sumers about price dis- employees on fourth crepancy between super- markets and the role of the ministry in controlling prices. phase of reopening “We would like to clarify that the Ministry sets the QNA — DOHA adhering to all precautionary maximum prices for vege- measures during the periods of tables, fruits and fish, in The Ministry of Administrative training programs, so that the addition to other basic com- Development, Labour and Social number of participants in one modities. As for the rest of the Affairs (MADLSA), represented by room does not exceed 10. other commodities, their the Institute of Public Adminis- The Institute is taking pre- prices may vary from one tration, has announced its read- cautions by organising the outlet to the other. Accord- iness to start its training building entry and exit process, ingly, we advise consumers to programme at its headquarters, with the obligation for visitors to compare prices and quality targeting government agency wear masks and show Ehteraz between outlets and take the employees, in the event of imple- application when entering the appropriate decision when mentation of the fourth phase of building, as well as adhering to purchasing,” the Ministry Qatar’s precautionary plan. elevator use instructions. tweeted yesterday. In this context, the Institute The Ministry has also The prices for basic com- of Public Administration pre- developed a gradual work plan in modities like vegetable, fruit PSG gear up for UEFA Champions League final pared a training plan consistent the event of the return of training and fish can be accessed at the Paris St Germain players taking part in a training session at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal with the precautionary programmes, as the number of Ministry’s website. The min- yesterday, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. measures followed in the programmes and the number of istry urged consumers to country to confront the coro- trainees will gradually increase, report any violations and sug- navirus (COVID-19), and the bringing the total of programmes gestions through call center: training plan included the to 20 per week, in addition to 16001. QRCS supports 22 countries in COVID-19 fight implementation of 290 training increasing the number of partici- programmes at the Ministry’s pants to 20 participants. THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mali, Sierra Leone, Albania, and International Development headquarters targeting 4,300 Employees of government Kosovo, Montenegro, Venezuela, Division, Eng. Ibrahim Abdullah participants, in addition to 157 agencies can register for Qatar Red Crescent Society El Salvador, Peru, Panama and Al Maliki, said: “The initiative is online training programs tar- training programmes through (QRCS) has launched a large scale Vanuatu. aimed at backing the efforts geting 1,570 participants. MAWARED system. international relief initiative to A budget of QR2,236,827 exerted by those countries to An organised plan was The trainee must obtain the implement a series of COVID-19 was allocated for the scheme, reduce the spread of the virus, alle- developed by the Institute of approval of his employer to reg- control projects in 22 countries, which will be implemented viate its impact on the populations, Public Administration in ister in the programs of the benefiting some 320,000 persons. directly by QRCS’ foreign rep- provide health protection supplies accordance with specific Institute of Public Adminis- FINAL The list of target countries resentation offices and mis- for ambulance and emergency standards and conditions, rep- tration. In the event that the includes Palestine, Afghanistan, sions, in cooperation with the personnel, and support health resented in applying social dis- country does not shift to the TODAY'S FIXTURE Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Mon- host fellow National Societies. facilities and services to be able to tancing between trainees and fourth phase, the Ministry will Bayern Munich vs PSG golia, and Laos, Ethiopia, Chad, Chief Executive Director and provide care for the suspected and reducing the number of those increasing remote training to Kick off at 10:00pm Qatar time Senegal, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, Acting General Director of Relief confirmed cases.” `P2 present in each training room, cover training needs at this stage. 02 HOME SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY o o Hazy to misty at places at first becomes hot daytime with FAJR03.48 am SUNRISE 05.09 am 34 C 39 C some clouds. ZUHR 11.38 am ASR 03.07 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 06:45 – 19:11 LOW TIDE 02:33–14:20 MAGHRIB 06.09 pm ISHA 07.39 pm W ALRUWAIS: 29o↗37o W ALKHOR: 27o↗37o W DUKHAN: 30o↗38o W WAKRAH: 28o↗37o W MESAIEED 28o↗37o W ABUSAMRA 25o↗40o

Qatar condemns ACTA holds meeting with six government bodies bombings in Iraq QNA — DOHA Ministry of Justice, the During the meeting, in which some experts governmental experts in the QNA — DOHA Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ACTA participated, government reviewing countries, and spe- As part of the preparation of and the Ministry of Finance. cialists from the secretariat Qatar has voiced its strong the State of Qatar’s report for During the meeting, in officials were briefed on the significant of the UNODC. condemnation and denunci- the cycle of the Review Mech- which some experts of the efforts made by the ACTA to prepare the It is worth noting that the ation of the two car bombings anism of the United Nations ACTA participated, gov- Conference of the States Parties in Saladin Governorate, Convention Against ernment officials were briefed report and the most important parts that to the United Nations Con- northern Iraq, killing two Corruption, the Adminis- on the significant efforts were completed, in addition to the required vention Against Corruption has security officers and wounding trative Control and Trans- made by the ACTA to prepare role of government experts during the established a dedicated mech- a number of civilians. parency Authority (ACTA) the report and the most anism to review the implemen- The Ministry of Foreign held a meeting with officials important parts that were discussion of the report. tation of the Convention, stip- Affairs in a statement reit- and experts from six minis- completed, in addition to the ulating that each State Party erated the firm position of tries and governmental bodies required role of government shall provide the UNODC Sec- Qatar on rejecting violence and in the country, namely the experts during the discussion reviewing countries for the State reviewing the report. retariat with the information terrorism. Ministry of Interior, the Public of the report. of Qatar’s report, the date set for The meeting also agreed requested by the Conference on The statement expressed Prosecution, the National The meeting also discussed submitting it to the secretariat on the conditions for visual its compliance with and imple- the condolences of the Qatar Anti-Money Laundering and the results of the review lot, of the United Nations Office on communication that will take mentation of the Convention, to the families of the two Combating the Financing of which resulted in the naming Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and place between government using the comprehensive self- victims and to the government Terrorism Committee, the Palestine and Guinea as the internal mechanism for experts in the State of Qatar, assessment checklist. and people of Iraq. What does precision medicine mean for Qatar? MoPH: 315 recoveries; THE PENINSULA — DOHA works for the majority to a According to Dr. Fakhro, it future where treatment is is disorders like cancer where 284 new virus cases Qatar has the unique ability to given in the right dose to the PM has demonstrated a lot of be among the world’s top right person at the right time promise so far. THE PENINSULA — DOHA measures to tackle COVID-19 in producers of biomedical — and that is Personalised “Knowledge of the gene Qatar have succeeded in flat- discoveries, according to Dr. Medicine, Dr. Fakhro said. responsible for the tumour can The Ministry of Public Health tening the curve and limiting the Khalid Fakhro, Acting Chief of However, it is important to help doctors determine which (MoPH) yesterday announced spread of the virus. Research at Sidra Medicine note that PM may not arrive drugs a patient is most likely the registration of 284 new The Ministry further said and Director of Sidra Medi- for all diseases at the same to respond to, sparing the confirmed COVID-19 cases that Qatar has one of the lowest cine’s Precision Medicine time. patient from receiving treat- found from 7,001 tests conducted COVID-19 death rates in the Programme. “Some conditions, such as ments that are not likely to yesterday. world, as a result of the coun- Tailored, personalised, chronic illnesses (type 2 dia- help, or chemotherapy as a Another 315 people have try’s young population, genomic medicine as well as betes, asthma, hypertension blanket treatment that affects recovered from the virus, proactive testing to identify targeted therapy are all words or high cholesterol levels) many parts of the body bringing the total number of cases early and expanding hos- commonly associated with have many moving parts. including those not affected recovered cases in Qatar to pital capacity, especially precision medicine. But what Genetic predisposition may by the tumour.” 113,531. All new cases have been intensive care to ensure all do they mean? A question play an important role as evi- For Qatar, the implemen- introduced to isolation and are patients receive the medical making the rounds as pre- dence by family history, for tation of PM means moving receiving necessary healthcare care they need and protecting cision medicine becomes a example, but the environment towards more precise and pow according to their health status. the elderly and those with more widely used term. Dr. Khalid Fakhro, Acting Chief also plays a significant role. erful health care, which will The Ministry further said that chronic diseases. Think of migraines, why Research Officer, Sidra Medicine While it is easy to measure the eventually translate to better do some people respond well genetic component using public health for everyone. to paracetamol, while others – it takes into account the genome technologies, it is “At Sidra Medicine, we have respond better to ibuprofen or buyer’s exact size and is tai- almost impossible to capture developed core competencies QRCS supports 22 nations aspirin? Some might not lored to perfectly fit their phy- an individual’s entire environ- in genome sequencing and com- respond to any of these and sique. In this analogy, the mental exposure history,” Dr. putational analysis, and we are may require stronger doses of ready-to-wear suit represents Fakhro said. beginning to investigate the role in COVID-19 fight different drugs before finding modern medicine, while the In such cases, conven- genetics plays in disease predis- FROM PAGE 1 a combination that works for tailor-made suit represents tional medical treatment has position and progression. roles in operating quarantine them. the PM. largely been based on ‘trial “This is also what makes our This initiative, he facilities, taking swabs at its “Each one of us is unique With the advent of PM, the and error’. Once a person is hospital unique — in its explained, was a cardinal form Workers’ Health Centers, and in our biological makeup and conventional ‘one-size-fits- diagnosed with an illness, they approach to health care as it will of support for the health deploying its ambulance precision medicine (PM) all’ approach is beginning to are prescribed a drug, if it help doctors make more systems in the target countries, vehicles and first responders. allows us to investigate this crumble and will soon be doesn’t work, another one accurate diagnoses and pre- where the consequences of the At the same time, QRCS’s difference on a molecular replaced with more targeted may be prescribed, or a com- scribe more effective treatments pandemic weighed heavily on volunteers made remarkable level, rather than on the level discovery and treatment. bination of medications, and for patients. the health facilities. achievements in raising of people’s outward Thanks to the PM, we now so on, until something works. “It will also help us predict “QRCS will provide medi- awareness at shopping centers symptoms. The ability to see know two people with the This may be a viable solution disease outcomes in patients cines, medical equipment, and an d public places, disinfecting these differences so precisely same disease symptoms might for chronic diseases because with chronic disorders, for consumables for the treatment streets and districts, inspecting means we can better under- react differently to the same they progress slowly, but con- example, why do some diabetics of patients. We will enhance hygiene compliance, just to stand what causes specific dis- drug, due to differences in ditions such as autism, meta- develop retinopathy (vision protection of the medical pro- name a few. eases and hence, how to treat their genetic makeup. Con- bolic disorders and cancer are impairment) while others have fessionals who deal with quar- Internationally, QRCS has them more effectively,” said versely, two patients with an entirely different story. end-stage kidney failure?” antined patients, by securing conducted many coronavirus Dr. Fakhro. seemingly different symptoms With such conditions, timing Dr. Fakhro said that Qatar, masks, gloves, sanitisers, and control and relief operations, It’s almost like thinking of may have the same underlying is everything and every day due to its size, has tremendous other medical protective sup- through its missions in the difference between a genetic basis, providing a counts for the patient. In many potential to build an exciting plies. Also, food baskets will be Lebanon, Bangladesh, Turkey, ready-to-wear suit and a unified target for drug cases, it has been shown that economy around the PM which distributed to the families most Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza. This tailor-made suit. The former intervention. early intervention increases will make us one of a kind in the affected by the lockdown,” said portfolio involved establishing is stitched based on broad With this knowledge, there the chances of survival and region, and amongst the top pro- Eng. Al Maliki. isolation centers and field hos- population averages, whereas is a shift from prescribing improves the quality of life ducers of biomedical discoveries For the purpose of imple- pitals, supporting health care the latter is made to measure treatments based on what significantly. around the world.” mentation, cooperation agree- facilities, providing medical ments were signed with the protective materials, and partner National Societies. donating in-kind medical sup- Preliminary coordination has plies for health authorities. Lulu Intersection to be partially closed for six months already commenced, and the QRCS pays great attention THE PENINSULA — DOHA execution process will last to economic and food aid for six-month partial closure of the yesterday. The Public Works provide free flow of traffic by until the end of 2020. the communities, refugees, Lulu Intersection on D-Ring junction known as Lulu Inter- Authority (Ashghal) has started increasing the number of lanes This is part of QRCS’s and displaced persons Road will be closed partially for section on D-Ring Road starting implementing the upgrading on Fereej Al Ali intersection (Al efforts to combat COVID-19 in affected by the pandemic, 6 months as part of the from today. Follow the traffic works of the D-Ring Road. Tadamon Intersection), Nuaija Qatar and beyond. Under the believing that concerted upgrading works of the D-Ring signboards and guidelines to The project aims to improve Intersection and providing free supervision of Qatar’s Ministry efforts are necessary to fight road. turn to different directions,” traffic on the three main inter- flow traffic on Lulu of Public Health (MOPH), QRCS such a threat to millions of “Please pay attention to the Ministry of Interior tweeted sections of the D-Ring Road to intersection. has undertaken significant lives around the world. Auto Class Cars continues its summer offer HMC encourages people to stay connected on MG vehicles’ maintenance services THE PENINSULA — DOHA HMC also reminded services and press 1 for medical consultation. Mental health staff THE PENINSULA — DOHA Hamad Medical Corporation people that it is managing the helpline speaks (HMC) has encouraged people important to take a range of languages and every Auto Class Cars, the authorised to stay connected with their effort will be made to enable distributor of MG in Qatar, friends and family and give care of mental health callers to communicate in their continues its amazing offer on them emotional support during during the time of language of choice, where maintenance services of all MG isolation due to COVID-19. possible. cars in Qatar, giving clients a In a social media message, uncertainty. The helpline is staffed by a great opportunity to have a free HMC has said, “People diag- team of mental health profes- checkup of their vehicles, espe- nosed with COVID-19 deserve sionals who can provide cially during hot summer times. compassionate care, helping assessment and support to Running until August 31, them stay connected with their and anxious at this time. callers through four main cat- the offer is valid for all MG cars. loved ones by phone; video or Talking about your feelings will egories: Children and parents, Customers can visit the service messaging can provide comfort lessen your distress,” it added. adults, older people and centres to get free checkup of during isolation.” HMC has urged to seek frontline healthcare workers. oil filter, AC filter, air filter and HMC also reminded people support through the Mental The helpline aims to provide an engine oil, by professional that it is important to take care Health Helpline 16000 if easily-accessible support line authorized technicians. of mental health during the needed. It further said, “If you for people in need of profes- Hesham Al Sahn, General time of uncertainty. feel stressed or anxious, talk to sional advice and care. Manager of Auto Class Cars Auto Class Cars continues its amazing offer on maintenance services “It is important to take care a family member or friend, or In collaboration with Min- said: “Taking into consideration of all MG cars in Qatar, giving clients a great opportunity to have a of your mental health and well- call the Mental Health Helpline istry of Public Health and the hot summer times, we are free checkup of their vehicles, especially during hot summer times. being. Maintain a balanced diet on 16000 to speak to a Primary Health Care Corpo- thrilled to support our valued and keep active, stay connected healthcare professional.” ration, the Mental Health clients and offer them free in the best way”. MG has a rich portfolio of with family and friends via The helpline is available Service in HMC launched the checkups of main parts to enjoy Since its acquisition of MG sedan, crossover and SUV digital communications, from Sunday to Thursday from new helpline in May to provide cool and comfortable drive. It Motor, SAIC Motor, as a Global vehicles that are distinguished establish a daily routine and get 8am to 7pm and on Saturday support for people experiencing is part of our social responsi- Top 500 company, has opened with their stylish designs, adequate sleep,” said a from 8am to 3pm. People can mental health problems as a bility towards our community a new chapter for this British- modern technology and com- awareness message. call 16000, press 2 for English, result of the current to help them maintain their cars born brand. petitive prices. “It is normal to feel fearful press 3 for HMC medical COVID-19. SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 HOME 03 QNL joins Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services THE PENINSULA — DOHA non-commercial services that are H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, “Joining the Global Sustain- to make every effort to be worthy essential to open science and Minister of State, and President of Qatar ability Coalition for Open Science of their esteemed trust.” Qatar National Library (QNL) has open access and provides recom- Services (SCOSS) and having a Dr. Alwaleed Alkhaja said: joined the Global Sustainability mendations for funding to National Library said: “Qatar National Library representative of the Middle East “Open access is all about making Coalition for Open Science entities interested in supporting has the capability to achieve the principle of on the board of the SCOSS reflect research publications freely Services (SCOSS), thus furthering these services. Since 2017, SCOSS the position the Library has available so anyone can benefit its commitment to helping has encouraged the community leadership that is confirmed in our country reached. This will represent a from access to research. We are researchers in Qatar and beyond to invest in nearly US$3 million every day. By serving the community, as well new incentive for our endeavours committed to doing everything publish their findings on inter- in open infrastructure projects. to enhance the Library’s position we can to support the researchers national publishing platforms. Dr. Alwaleed Alkhaja, Senior as scientific institutions, researchers and globally and expand its services of Qatar, the Middle East and The Library was named as a Intellectual Property Librarian, scholars around the world, the Library is taking for knowledge, science and worldwide to disseminate their representative of the Middle East will sit on the board as the development. findings as far and wide as on the board of SCOSS as part of Library’s representative. firm steps toward fulfilling its mission and “The treasures contained in possible. its continuing commitment to H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz achieving its vision with confidence at the our Library, its content, its “Open access is one of our sharing knowledge and infor- Al Kuwari, Minister of State, national, regional and international levels.” modernity, its advanced digiti- core values, which can also be mation across the world through Qatar, and President of Qatar sation technology and its human seen in our commitment to open access. The Library will join National Library said: “Qatar potential will allow us to fulfil our offering free, unrestricted access a network of influential organi- National Library has the capa- and international levels. We have our traditional work, yet we mission to the fullest. We promise to our collections and services zations committed to helping bility to achieve the principle of a role to play at the global level expanded our demographic and our patrons that we will hold such as the Qatar Digital Library. secure open access and open leadership that is confirmed in toward achieving sustainable geographical circle by holding virtual discussion groups cov- Open access is vital for improving science infrastructures our country every day. By serving development goals in the Gulf, virtual conferences and forums ering all topics related to national the reach of research and helping worldwide. These infrastructures the community, as well as scien- the Arab region and the Middle with international participation, libraries and their cooperation to to provide evidence for its impact. include scholarly communication tific institutions, researchers and East. and we continue to provide serve sustainable development It also results in an improved rep- resources, services and software scholars around the world, the “The Library pursues these support to researchers, scientists and knowledge. utation for researchers and their that help researchers collect, Library is taking firm steps roles through its international and creative thinkers. Our com- “We congratulate our wise institutions, and in the long term, store, organize, access, share and toward fulfilling its mission and conferences, whether in the tra- mitment to open access reflects leadership and our dear country higher-quality research through assess their research. achieving its vision with confi- ditional or virtual format. our ongoing efforts to remove on the position our national open, transparent and repro- SCOSS identifies and analyses dence at the national, regional COVID-19 pandemic impeded barriers to information for all. library has reached. We promise ducible research practices. Majoor emerges as major online CILE virtual summer school organised in platform for pharmaceutical services partnership with leading Belgian university THE PENINSULA — DOHA critically engage with the global including Dr. Umar Ryad, Dr. ethical discourse surrounding Arjan Post and Dr Samer and products delivery in Qatar In line with its mission to frame COVID-19. Over the course of Rashwani. debates on Islam in a global four days, participants became Speaking after the conclusion THE PENINSULA — DOHA context, the College of Islamic familiar with case studies of pan- of the summer school, Dr. Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin demic diseases and their effects Mohammed Ghaly, professor of Majoor has emerged as a major Khalifa University (HBKU) has on Muslim societies in medieval, Islamic bioethics at CIS, said, Qatar’s government-approved recently collaborated with colonial and contemporary “During times of uncertainty, medicine delivery platform in Belgium’s Katholieke Universiteit times, such as congregational individuals and communities the digital space. It aims to Leuven (KU Leuven). rituals, medical rationing and tend to consult their moral simplify the medicine This collaboration was triage. This was accompanied by systems and examine how con- procurement and delivery Majoor Marketing and Delivery is reflected in joint academic activ- an analysis of the ethical troversial ethical dilemmas can process, thus making visits to 100 percent Qatari company and all ities between the Center for approaches and discourses be addressed. The COVID-19 the pharmacy less stressful for medicine deliveries are being provided Islamic Legislation and Ethics relating to COVID-19, including pandemic is by no means an patients and their loved ones. (CILE) and KU Leuven’s Leuven secular bioethics and varying exception to the rule and has trig- Majoor platform for phar- on specially-equipped vehicles. Majoor Centre for the Study of Islam, Islamic approaches to scriptural, gered global discourse on related maceutical delivery was granted Marketing and Delivery application Culture and Society (LCSICS) to theological and juristic aspects. moral issues. the licence number 13 from the platform’s core business is delivering deliver a virtual summer school The summer school initiative “It was therefore an honour Ministry of Public Health for pharmaceutical services and products. and an international conference. highlights CILE’s distinctiveness to work with KU Leuven to providing medicine delivery on It was cemented with a memo- in leading the interdisciplinary develop a summer school initi- February 4, 2020, said Dr Khalid randum of understanding field of Islamic Ethics. Some of ative addressing these issues. The K Al Hajri, Chairman of Majoor AppStore and Google baby care products. between the institutions. the school’s key speakers affinities between CILE and Markting and Delivery in a PlayStore. As a delivery platform The Islamic Ethics and the included CIS faculty Dr. LCSICS are clear, and most communication. With zero setup costs, approved by Qatar’s Ministry COVID-19 Pandemic summer Mohammed Ghaly, Dr. Mutaz Al notably include our shared com- Majoor Marketing and Majoor is a cost-free marketing of Public Health, Majoor allows school provided participants Khatib and Dr. Rajai Ray mitment to the development of Delivery is 100 percent Qatari initiative that doctors and doctors and clinics to offer an interested in Islamic ethics with Jureidini, along with professors scholarship concerning Islam company and all medicine clinics can use to build up their additional service to patients the skills and knowledge to from Leuven and Germany and Muslim societies. ” deliveries are being provided practice and offer bundled that would otherwise not be on specially-equipped vehicles. medication delivery services to possible. With a network all Majoor Marketing and patients. Majoor takes a fee only across Qatar, Majoor ensures HEC Paris in Delivery application platform’s when a patient requires medi- delivery of normal as well as Qatar-Germany trade core business is delivering cation to be delivered to a spec- urgent medication within pre- pharmaceutical services and ified location. viously agreed-upon time Qatar to run products. It also helps doctors Recognising the need to frames. and clinics offer additional ensure online availability of a Majoor’s simplified order- online session ties strong, up services over and above their wider variety of healthcare- placing platforms allow doctors current offerings thus ensuring related products in addition to to ensure that all MoPH THE PENINSULA — DOHA greater patient satisfaction. medicines, Majoor also offers requirements are met while by 10% last year Majoor is currently available delivery of medical cosmetics, enabling speedy placement of HEC Paris in Qatar will be as a mobile app in the Apple hygiene products, as well as delivery orders. conducting an online infor- FROM PAGE 1 economic areas, emphasizing mation session about its degree Sheikh Khalifa assured that that Qatar is interested to programmes on August 26, the Chamber highly welcomes further intensify the excellent from 4pm to 5pm. German companies willing to relations with Germany. The session will provide invest in Qatar and benefit from He also said that the forum COVID-19 care: Perspective prospective participants an the investment incentives and would contribute to further opportunity to interact remotely available opportunities, strengthening the outstanding with the admissions team of pointing out that there is a sig- cooperation and networks as of a frontline physician HEC Paris in Qatar to learn nificant room for German com- well as attracting new entre- more about how to accelerate panies to participate in the preneurial opportunities FAZEENA SALEEM their career path by studying in projects pertaining to the host allowing us to face these global THE PENINSULA one of the world’s most pres- of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. challenges ahead with strong tigious business schools. He also invited the Qatari economic, political and sus- At a time when COVID-19 Apart from providing useful companies to identify the tainable commitment. brought the world to its knees career tips, the interactive opportunities available in He referred to the meeting and the virus tested the resil- session is also intended to give German and establish active between Amir H H Sheikh ience of health care system, professionals and entrepre- partnerships and economic alli- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar under the strategic and neurs from the private and ances with the German side in the German Chancellor H E phenomenal leadership thrived public sector in-depth insights various sectors. Angela Merkel on the occasion all through, said a frontline into how they can enhance their On his part, President of the of the Qatar-Germany Business physician. leadership skills through the Arab-German Chamber of and Investment Forum 2018, The efficiency of the institution’s International Exec- Commerce and Industry Peter noting that the meeting wit- healthcare system has been utive MBA (EMBA) and Spe- Ramsauer said that Qatar and nessed Qatar’s announcement proved by the smooth transition cialised Master’s Degree in Stra- Germany are linked with close to invest massively and long- from the peak to the flattening tegic Business Unit Man- relations at all fields, affirming term-focused in the German of the curve, said Dr. Haajra Dr. Haajra Fatima agement (SBUM) that Qatar has mamaged to economy and to further expand Fatima , Medical Resident, at programmes. accomplish great development its already extensive economic Hamad Medical Corporation, in The efficiency of the healthcare system has The International Executive and is moving rapidly toward relations. a message circulated on social been proved by the smooth transition from MBA is a practical and intense achieving the economic “Qatar offers great possibil- media. 16-month programme development. ities and opportunities for Sharing her experience as a the peak to the flattening of the curve, said developed to provide partici- He also noted that there is German companies. Partly due frontline physician during Dr. Haajra Fatima , Medical Resident, at Hamad pants with an understanding of a large business delegation will to its geographical location, it COVID-19, Dr. Fatima, said, “I the social, economic and envi- be visiting Qatar after the end has developed into a global was privileged to be a part of the Medical Corporation, in a message circulated ronmental aspects of interna- of this pandemic to meet their trading center that offers task force fighting COVID- 19 in on social media. tional business, as well as the Qatari counterparts and excellent conditions for pro- the state of Qatar. Working on skills to implement their vision. explore the Qatari market. duction facilities with secure the frontline at the Communi- The curriculum is built around “Qatar has defeated the energy supplies. Qatar benefits cable Disease Centre (CDC), was routinely screen high risk staff need to provide health care pro- three components: 11 core siege imposed on it since 2017. from an outstanding logistical, a remarkable experience. The working in common occurrence. viders with personal protective courses covering key business It has benefited much from that financial, and digital infra- CDC, situated in the heart of This is not to forget the constant equipment (PPE), such as masks, areas, a specialization (major), siege through reordering its structure combined with an Doha, has been devoted in the monitoring of the clinical con- gloves and gowns, to keep them and a final strategic business economic priorities and open welcome culture. Within country’s efforts to tackle the dition of patients admitted as safe as they treat patients. project (capstone project). achieving the self-sufficiency,” this framework, the underlying crisis. CDC as a COVID-19 well as timely escalation of care Fatima says that the Ministry of The comprehensive core he added. Ramsauer paid state strategy “Vision 2030” facility has been unique in many as the need to,” she added. Health is providing all needed courses include modules on tribute to the Qatari stimuli offers the opportunity of ways.” According to Dr. Fatima, a medical supplies, including ade- strategy, analysis and imple- package and measures taken shaping tomorrow’s future She highlighted that the CDC rapidly evolving protocol was quate PPE. mentation, as well as leadership by the government during the together with a key economy had adapted to the delivery of in place in order to deliver the “I would like to highlight as and human resources man- current crisis to support the in the gulf region,” he added. an entirely new and challenging best care possible and to ensure health care workers there was agement. Participants will private sector. In his statement during the task. the safety of healthcare workers. never a moment when they choose one of the eight special- On his part, Ambassador of froum, QC board member Dr “Every patient was triaged “As more was being dis- were anxious about insufficient izations, delivered in different of Qatar to Germany H E Khalid bin Klefeekh Al Hajri and assessed the severity of covered about COVID-19 PPE. We had enough of it at any locations. These specialisations Mohammed bin Jaham al said that Qatar and Germany symptoms around the clock and worldwide, we witnessed the given point in time. I take this are Energy; Innovation & Social Kuwari said that Germany and enjoyed strong relations, and accordingly provided appro- smooth transition from the peak opportunity to thank all our Business; Entrepreneurship and Qatar are bound by a close they are keen on developing priate level of care,” said Dr. to the flattening of the curve,” patients for their cooperation Innovation; Differentiation and partnership that not only looks such relations to higher levels Fatima. she said. and concordance with the Innovation through Services; back on a long tradition but also and establishing more alliances “Outdoor makeshift well- In the battle against measures taken to tackle the Leading Digital Transformation; covers a wide range of political, and partnerships that are of equipped tents set up to COVID-19, there is an urgent pandemic,” she added. Luxury; Finance; among others. social and particularly advantage for their economy. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 West African leaders push for return to civilian rule in Mali A delegation, headed by Nigeria’s former countries, have been deployed to try to stem the bloodshed. president Goodluck Jonathan, planned to meet In a sign of the continuing members of the new junta as well as ousted challenge facing the country, four soldiers were killed by president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. an explosive device in the AFP — BAMAKO country. military base northwest of The ECOWAS visit to Mali Bamako where the coup was comes after the UN’s peace- West African leaders arrived unleashed. keeping mission in the in Mali yesterday to try to Adding to the interna- country said a human rights push for a speedy return to tional pressure, the United team had gained access to the civilian rule after a military States on Friday suspended ousted president and other coup in the troubled nation. military aid to Mali, with no detainees on Thursday. The delegation, headed by further training or support of A junta member said the former Nigerian president the Mali armed forces. coup leaders had released Goodluck Jonathan, planning But thousands of jubilant former economy minister to meet members of the new Malians took to the streets of Abdoulaye Daffe and Sabane junta as well as ousted pres- Bamako on Friday to cele- Mahalmoudou, Keita’s private ident Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. brate the toppling of Keita, secretary, calling the move Rebel soldiers seized Keita who was reelected in 2018 but “proof that we respect human and other leaders after a became the focus of wide- rights”. mutiny on Tuesday, dealing spread discontent. While Keita and Cisse another deep blow to a The crowds gathered in have no television, radio or country already struggling Bamako’s central square phone, other detainees are in with a brutal insurgency and draped in the national flag a training centre, where they A delegation of West African leaders headed by Nigeria’s former president Goodluck Jonathan widespread public discontent and blasting on vuvuzela are sleeping on mattresses (centre) arrive in Mali capital Bamako yesterday on a mission to restore order after a military coup. over its government. horns. and have a TV, according to Mali’s neighbours have The rally, originally witnesses to the visit. called for Keita to be rein- organised as an anti-Keita National Committee for the “A transitional council, five-year term. The 75-year-old ousted stated, saying the purpose of protest by a loose coalition Salvation of the People, paid with a transitional president But he failed to make president “looked tired but the delegation’s visit was to that has led months of mass tribute to the public. who is going to be either mil- headway against the militant relaxed,” they said, describing help “ensure the immediate rallies against him, was recast “We merely completed the itary or civilian” would be revolt that has left swathes of his conditions as “acceptable”. return of constitutional to “celebrate the victory of the work that you began and we appointed, Wague told France the country in the hands of Tuesday’s coup was the order”. Malian people”. recognise ourselves in your 24 television on Thursday. armed Islamists and ignited second in eight years, and has A delegation official said “I am overjoyed! We won,” fight,” he said. Keita won election in a ethnic violence in the coun- heightened concern over they would meet members of said Mariam Cisse, 38. The junta has said it landslide in 2013, presenting try’s volatile centre. regional stability as its mil- the junta and later Keita, who Speaking at the rally weclomes the ECOWAS visit himself as a unifying figure in Thousands of UN and itant insurgency that now is being held with prime min- Ismael Wague, spokesman for but has not talked of restoring a fractured country, and was French troops, along with sol- threatens neighbouring Niger ister Boubou Cisse in Kati, a the junta which calls itself the Keita to power. re-elected in 2018 for another diers from five Sahel and Burkina Faso. Iraq, US discuss capabilities of security forces IAEA chief to visit Iran Virus cases ANATOLIA — BAGHDAD principle,” the statement quoted Al Kadhimi as saying. He underlined the Iraq and the US discussed bilateral rela- need to strengthen cooperation with in Iraq top tions, including boosting the capabilities Washington, especially in the economic tomorrow amid standoff of the Iraqi forces, the Iraqi government field. The Iraqi premier said the issue of ANATOLIA — TEHRAN material and nuclear-related 200,000 said yesterday. the displaced was a major priority for his activities”. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al government. “We are resolved to return The chief of the International Atomic Last month, Grossi warned that AFP — BAGHDAD Kadhimi held talks in Washington with the displaced to their areas and solve the Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano “things will be bad” for Iran if the IAEA House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. problems facing minorities in Iraq,” he Grossi, will visit Tehran tomorrow, his inspectors were denied access to the Iraq yesterday registered The talks tackled “enhancing the said. Pelosi, for her part, hailed steps taken first visit to the country since taking nuclear sites, and said it was “absolute nearly 4,000 cases of the combat capabilities of the Iraqi security by the Iraqi government since it came to office in December. necessity for us to resolve the issue very novel coronavirus, bringing forces in a way that takes the relations power. Grossi will hold talks with high-level soon”. the total number of cases between the two countries to a new “Iraq is an independent and important government officials in Tehran on coop- Iran has so far refused access to the recorded by the country to phase,” the government said in a country in a difficult region, and there is eration between the two sides and two nuclear sites, maintaining that the over 200,000. statement. a consensus to support the independence granting IAEA inspectors access to IAEA had no legal basis to inspect them According to the Iraqi The discussions also dwelt on the of the [al-Kadhimi] government and… nuclear sites, according to a statement since the activities at the sites are from health ministry, 201,050 issues of the displaced and minorities as support government efforts in the war issued by the nuclear watchdog early 2000s. Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Min- Iraqis have contracted the well as bilateral cooperation in the against Daesh/ISIS.” yesterday. ister Javad Zarif had criticized the virus, including 6,353 who security, economic, educational and other Al Kadhimi was set to conclude his “I have decided to come personally European countries for adopting a draft have died, while 143,393 are fields. four-day visit to the US lateryesterday, to Tehran so that I can reinforce the resolution to push for inspection of the declared to have recovered “Iraq is a sovereign state, and any his first trip to Washington since he took importance of cooperation and the full two nuclear sites in question. since the pandemic began. relationship should be based on this office in May. implementation of all safeguards com- Iran’s envoy to the IAEA Kazzem The daily increases have mitments and obligations with the Gharibabadi said “no country will open hovered around 4,000 for IAEA,” Grossi said. its territory to the inspections” based on more than a week, but author- The objective of the visit, he under- allegations of its “enemies”. ities have declined to Israel shells Hamas posts in Gaza lined, was to make “progress” in Gharibabadi on Saturday confirmed reimpose a strict lockdown addressing the “outstanding questions” the upcoming visit of the IAEA chief, that was lifted earlier this AFP — JERUSALEM The rocket, which set off sirens in that the IAEA has with Iran, particularly saying it comes upon an invitation from summer. southern Israel, was intercepted by air the issue of “access” to nuclear sites. the Iranian government. An overnight curfew Israeli tanks shelled military positions defences without causing any casu- The IAEA chief has in recent months The visit coincides with the looming remains in place, most restau- of Gaza’s ruling Hamas movement alties or damage. issued strong statements, calling on uncertainty over the 2015 Iran nuclear rants are closed for dine-in early yesterday, the army and Pales- Gaza security sources said yes- Tehran to allow IAEA inspectors access deal (JCPOA), following the US push to customers and land crossings tinian security sources said, hours after terday tank fire targeted Hamas obser- to two nuclear sites in Iran. The state- reinstate all international sanctions on are officially shut. a rocket was launched at southern vation posts east of Rafah and east of ments have not gone down well with Tehran by triggering the snapback But airports, supermarkets Israel. Khan Yunis, causing no casualties. Tehran. mechanism under the agreement. and take-out cafes are open, A statement from the military said Israel has bombed Gaza almost In his first address to the IAEA’s board There is a speculation that Iran will with varying degrees of social the Israeli “tanks targeted Hamas mil- daily since August 6 in retaliation for of governors in March, Grossi had called exit the deal and end cooperation with distancing or mask-wearing. itary posts in the southern Gaza Strip” the launch of balloons fitted with fire on Iran to “cooperate immediately and the IAEA, including leaving the Non Pro- Many fear yet another in response to the Friday fire. bombs, or, less frequently, rockets. fully” with the nuclear agency and liferation Treaty (NPT), if the pre-2015 spike in cases is imminent, as provide access to inspectors. sanctions are reinstated. Shia Muslims converge on the In June, he told reporters in Vienna According to officials in Tehran, the holy city of Karbala to com- that Iran has “not engaged in substantive issue is likely to figure prominently in memorate the beginning of discussions to clarify our questions the discussions between the IAEA chief the mourning month of related to possible undeclared nuclear and Iranian government officials. Muharram. Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan report new COVID-19 cases

ANATOLIA — ISTANBUL Health authorities in two Arab nations confirmed more fatalities from the coro- navirus as the region continues to battle the pandemic. Three fatalities and 628 new cases were reported. The death toll hit 116 and the number of cases stand at 11,580, including 3,204 recoveries. One new death and 64 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, according to health officials. The death toll stands at 64 and the number of cases reached 2,607 while 1,420 patients have recovered. Tunisia also imposed curfews in two southern towns Friday from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one week to stem the spread of COVID-19 - Jordan No new deaths were reported, but there are 34 new infections, health officials said. To date, 11 people have died from COVID-19, with 1,532 infected with 1,262 recoveries. Since originating in Wuhan, China last December, COVID-19 has claimed more than 797,900 lives in 188 countries and regions. More than 22.8 million cases have been reported worldwide, while an excess of 14.6 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University. SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 05 Violence as Ouattara chosen by party to run for third term

AFP — ABIDJAN The constitution limits and a bakery have been set presidents to two alight,” resident Bernadette Sporadic violence flared in Kouassi said. Ivory Coast yesterday after terms, but Ivory Coast Gagnoa, the home town of President Alassane Ouattara President Alassane former president Laurent was chosen by his ruling party Gbagbo further to the to run for a third term in an Ouattara and his northwest, also saw unrest. October election, despite supporters argue that “Young people close to the furious opposition charges the opposition burned tyres and set move is unconstitutional. a 2016 constitutional up barricades in different parts Ouattara, in power since tweak reset the clock, of town,” one resident said, 2010, said in March he would allowing him to seek adding that protesters shouted not stand again but changed his “we don’t want a third mind after the death of prime a third. mandate.” minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly There were further inci- — seen as his anointed suc- dents at Bonoua in the south cessor — of a heart attack in cities. west, home town of former first July. The constitution limits pres- lady Simone Gbagbo, which also After his nomination, idents to two terms, but saw unrest Friday. Ouattara vowed to score a first- 78-year-old Ouattara and his After Ouattara’s re-election round knockout victory before supporters argue that a 2016 announcement earlier this Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara speaks at the meeting of the ruling coalition party RHDP tens of thousands of supporters constitutional tweak reset the month, mass protests organised to nominate him to stand for a third term in October’s election in Abidjan, yesterday. at an Abidjan rally held after the clock, allowing him to seek a descended into three days of nomination. third. violence in which six people against Ouattara’s candidacy a erupted after the election, when Criminal Court in The Hague “Going back on my decision Opposition and civil society died and a hundred were “dismal failure”. then president Gbagbo refused after he was cleared in 2019 of was not easy,” said Ouattara, groups say his standing again injured. The government on to cede to the victor, Ouattara. crimes against humanity over who insisted: “There is nothing amounts to a “coup” that risks His ruling Houphouetist Thursday announced a ban on On Friday, election author- the 2010 election unrest. preventing me from standing.” triggering chaos in the world’s Rally for Democracy and Peace all outdoor protests until Sep- ities rejected appeals by Gbagbo His return to Ivory Coast “I did not have the right to biggest cocoa producer. (RHDP) party said Ouattara was tember 13 in the wake of the and former rebel leader Guil- would be sensitive before the place my personal project Violence erupted in several nominated as its candidate at deadly demonstrations this laume Soro to be allowed to run presidential election. His above the urgent situation in towns, notably Divo, a cocoa- an event attended by 100,000 month. in October. Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) which the country finds itself,” growing centre 200km people in an Abidjan stadium. Outtara’s change of heart The two men had appealed party urged him to throw his hat he said. northwest of Abidjan where “We remain focused on the has heightened tensions before to the Independent Electoral in the electoral ring. But his party’s decision pro- pro-opposition youths clashed election, with a record to defend the October 31 vote. Commission (CEI) against a Soro, a former rebel leader, voked outrage among young with young supporters of the and a project to propose to Ivo- Ivory Coast, one of the decision to not include them in has been forced into self- opposition supporters who took ruling party. rians,” party spokesman world’s biggest producers of electoral lists for the ballot. imposed exile in France in the to the streets to voice loud and “The city is paralysed — the Mamadou Toure said, branding coffee and cocoa, is still trau- Gbagbo was freed condi- face of a long list of legal violent protest in several major coach station, a modern school the street demonstrations matised by a brief civil war that tionally by the International problems at home. DR Congo vows to protect Nobel laureate Mukwege after death threats EU sees ‘new hope’ for AFP — KINSHASA ministers and others would threats,” it said. referring to a massacre in the “take all measures necessary to This has occurred while he east. The government vowed ensure Dr Mukwege’s security” has “pleaded for peace in the Civilians in Kipupu, a village Libya with ceasefire yesterday to protect Nobel and “open investigations”, the country’s east, by proposing the in South Kivu on the Fizi heights peace laureate Denis Mukwege Cabinet said in a report, without establishment of an interna- overlooking Lake Tanganyika, AFP — BRUSSELS political process, requiring “the and investigate death threats giving detail. tional criminal court for the came under attack on July 16, departure of all foreign fighters against him after he called for Mukwege, a Congolese DRC in order to try the serious with the death toll ranging The European Union said and mercenaries present in an international court to try gynaecologist who shared the crimes committed there against widely between 18 and 220. yesterday it saw “new hope” for Libya” as well as the crimes in the Democratic Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for the civilian population,” it said. “The macabre stories from Libya after the country’s rival resumption of peace negotia- Republic of Congo. his work against sexual violence On July 26, in a message on Kipupu are in a straight line from administrations declared a tions “in the framework of the DR Congo’s president Felix in war, and his relatives have his Twitter account, Mukwege the massacres that have hit the ceasefire and said they would UN-led Berlin process.” Tshisekedi pledged that the been the target of “intimidation, wrote “these are the same ones DRC since 1996,” the peace prize hold nationwide elections. Borrell also called on all interior, security and justice hateful messages and death who are still killing in the DRC”, winner said in a tweet. The surprise development Libyan parties to implementat on Friday followed multiple economic reform “with a view visits by top foreign diplomats to agreeing on a fair and trans- Seven people dead to Libya in recent weeks, and parent distribution mechanism ‘Unofficial’ world’s oldest man dies in South Africa came after a series of agree- for oil revenues and to in South Sudan AFP — JOHANNESBURG (grandfather) was still chopping ments and pledges that, enhancing the governance of wood,” family spokesman however, have failed to be Libyan economic and financial cargo plane crash A 116-year-old survivor of the Andre Naidoo said fondly, implemented. institutions.” 1918 Spanish Flu believed to be recalling the old man using a 4 EU diplomatic chief Josep Libya has been torn by civil AFP — JUBA among the world’s oldest pound hammer. “He was a Borrell described it as a “con- war since the ouster of late people died yesterday in South strong man, full of pride,” he structive first step forward”. ruler Muammar Gaddafi in Four passengers and three Africa, his family said. added. The announcement “dem- 2011. The government’s efforts crew were killed yesterday Born on May 8, 1904, Fredie But within 3 days, his family onstrates the determination of for a long-term political set- when a cargo plane belonging Blom (pictured) had “lived this saw him shrink “from a big man the Libyan leaders to overcome tlement had since failed due to to a local operator crashed long because of God’s grace,” to a small person”. the current stalemate and a military offensive by forces near South Sudan’s capital he told AFP this year. Born in the rural town of creates a new hope for a loyal to Haftar. Juba, the transport minister Guinness World Records Adelaide, tucked near the Great common ground towards a Since last September, said. lists the oldest currently living Winterberg mountain range of peaceful political solution to several high-level meetings The aircraft crashed man as Briton Bob Weighton, teenager. But he himself sur- South Africa’s Eastern Cape the longstanding Libyan crisis were held in the German shortly after its early morning aged 112, but South African vived and went on to raise the province, Blom died at Tygerberg and the termination of all capital to put an end to the takeoff in the Kameru neigh- media have described Blom as three children of his wife of 46 Hospital in Cape Town. foreign interference throughout Libyan conflict, with the par- bourhood around seven kilo- “unofficially” the world’s oldest. years, Jeanette, as his own, His death was “not a COVID the country”, he said. ticipation of France, Italy, metres west of the city’s inter- Blom’s entire family was becoming grandfather to five death at all, it’s normal natural He urged “concrete actions” Germany and the UK. The national airport. wiped out by the Spanish Flu over the years. death,” Naidoo said in reference to enable a permanent negotiations are known as the “There were eight people pandemic when he was just a “Two weeks ago oupa to the coronavirus pandemic. ceasefire and a relaunch of the Berlin peace process. on board, three passengers and five crew. A single person from among the passengers survived and she is in good health,” Transport Minister Madut Biar Yol said. “The four other passengers and the three crew members are dead.” According to the minister, the crew members were Russian while the passengers were all South Sudanese.

Turkey nabs alleged Palizzi painting smugglers

ANATOLIA — MUGLA

Turkish security forces caught alleged artwork traffickers yesterday suspected of attempting to smuggle a painting signed by world- famous Italian artist Filippo Palizzi. Anti-smuggling teams in the southwestern Milas district of Mugla province had received intelligence that several historical objects were going to be brought from outside the city to be sold, according to a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The teams raided a hotel room of three suspects and found the painting in their possession. Sporting Palizzi’s name, the painting is thought to date back to the late 19th century and is worth millions of Turkish liras. 06 ASIA SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 COVID-19 recoveries in India exceed active cases by more than 1.5 million

IANS — NEW DELHI The country has 1.87 per cent today,” said the recorded 69,878 new ministry officials. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, They added: “Early identi- there is some reason to cheer. coronavirus infection fication through aggressive India has achieved a record high cases in a single day testing, comprehensive surveil- of 63,631 recoveries in a day, the lance and contact tracing along Health Ministry said. The daily taking the total tally with focus on timely and effi- tests yesterday scaled a new of cases to 29,75,701. cient clinical treatment of high of more than one million, patients have ensured speedy taking the cumulative tests to In the last 24 hours, recovery. Higher number of more than 34 million. 945 people lost their recoveries and declining fatality According to the ministry, lives due to Covid-19 have shown that India’s graded the country has recorded and pro-active strategy is deliv- 69,878 new coronavirus infection taking the ering results on the field,” said infection cases in a single day total death tally to the health ministry. Police personnel check travel passes from commuters after strict lockdown norms for weekends and taking the total tally of cases to Building on the continuum public holidays were imposed as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Amritsar, Punjab, 29,75,701. In the last 24 hours, 55,794 cases. of care approach, the policy of India, yesterday. 945 people lost their lives due testing aggressively, tracking to COVID-19 infection taking and currently comprises only comprehensively and treating the total death tally to 55,794 23.43 per cent of the total pos- efficiently, focussed attention on so far. In the last 24 hours, 8,827 hospitals and quarantine centres hospital after recovering. A total cases. itive cases. effective surveillance and house- people recovered from the in the last 24 hours, when 93 21,698 people have lost their lives The silver lining, however, “With this high number of to-house contact tracing has led infection of the virus. The state people succumbed to the disease as 339 died in the last 24 hours. is that India’s total recoveries has COVID-19 patients recovering to early detection and identifi- has recorded 3,092 deaths so far taking the toll to 4,522 so far in The national capital has exceeded the total active cases, and being discharged from the cation of COVID-19 cases. and in the last 24 hours 91 people the state. 11,426 active COVID-19 cases. which stand at 6,97,330, by more hospitals and home isolation, Andhra Pradesh, one of the succumbed to the infection In The state of Maharashtra has So far, 1,42,908 people have than 1.5 million. The record high the Recovery Rate has reached worst hit states, has recorded Karnataka, the total active cases 1,64,879 active cases. A total recovered, of which 1,082 in the recoveries have ensured that the 74.69 per cent. This has also led 87,803 active cases so far. A total are 83,082. So far 1,76,942 4,70,873 people recovered from last 24 hours. The capital has actual caseload of the country to declining Case Fatality Rate, 2,44,045 people have recovered people have recovered from the the virus infection and in the last reported 4,270 deaths so far as viz the active cases, has reduced which stands at a new low of from the deadly virus in the state infection, of whom 6,561 left 24 hours, as 11,749 people left 13 died in past one day. 50kg ovarian South Korea expands social distancing rules as outbreak spreads tumour removed REUTERS — SEOUL testing to contain its first out- The same guidelines will be the least intense and stage 3 the drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc from woman in break of the novel coronavirus, imposed on other areas across toughest, where schools and to supply enough remdesivir to South Korea said yesterday it but Asia’s fourth-largest economy the country effective Sunday. businesses are urged to close. treat more than 5,000 COVID-19 Delhi hospital will roll out tougher social has experienced persistent out- However, in some areas with “If we enhance the social patients in preparation for a pos- distancing guidelines to curb breaks in recent weeks, mostly fewer infections, the guidelines distancing guidelines to the sible second wave of infections. IANS — NEW DELHI the spread of coronavirus in and around densely populated would be recommended rather third stage, it is inevitable that The Health Ministry also nationwide as it battles a new Seoul and the surrounding areas. than obligatory. they will take a toll on people’s said it was postponing its Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreak of the disease The latest numbers take the “If we don’t curb the spread daily lives and economy. We decision to pursue policies doctors at a private hospital in spreading from, Seoul. country’s tally to 17,002 with (of the virus) in early stages, this urge you to the situation seri- boosting the number of medical Delhi successfully removed an The Korea Centes for 309 deaths. will grow as a large-scale wave. ously,” KCDC deputy director students until the COVID-19 sit- ovarian tumour weighing Disease Control and Prevention In Seoul and some sur- To us, there is nothing more Kwon Jun-wook told a briefing. uation stabilises. 50kg from a 52-year-old (KCDC) reported 315 new rounding cities, the government important than focusing on Kwon said South Korea has Thousands of South Korean woman. domestic coronavirus infections has reimposed second-tier social responding to COVID-19,” provided anti-viral drug rem- doctors have staged strikes and The woman Lakshmi as of midnight Friday, the latest distancing rules, including Health Minister Park Neung- desivir to treat 143 patients at protests over government plans (name changed), who is a local in a string of triple digit restricting large gatherings, hoo told a briefing yesterday. 35 hospitals, but access to the to train new doctors, saying there resident, had recently started increases in new local cases. banning in-person church Health authorities have cat- drug has been irregular due to enough doctors but better con- experiencing difficulty in South Korea used advanced meetings while closing nightclubs, egorized social distancing rules issues on the supplier side. ditions and systems are needed breathing, acute pain in her contact tracing and widespread karaokes, buffets and cyber cafes. in three stages - stage 1 being In June, South Korea asked to properly allocate them. lower abdomen and conse- quently difficulty in walking and sleeping, the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said. Facebook in India Upon investigation, it was revealed that the woman had a giant, progressively transparent and expanding tumour in her ovary and this was putting pressure on her intestine non-partisan: Official (intestinal adhesions) causing acute stomach ache and ina- ANATOLIA — NEW DELHI policies. We take allegations of bility to digest food. bias incredibly seriously, and “In over 30 years of my Facebook said on Friday it is want to make it clear that we experience as a surgeon, I “and always has been an open, denounce hate and bigotry in have never come across a case transparent and non-partisan any form,” Vice-President and where the tumour weighed platform where people can Managing Director of Facebook almost half the person’s body express themselves freely,” as India Ajit Mohan said in a note weight,” said Dr Arun Prasad, a political controversy erupts published Friday. “We want to Senior Consultant, Surgical about the company’s reported make it clear that we denounce Gastroenterology & Bariatric tolerance of hate speech posts. hate in any form.” “Many ques- Surgery. Last week, a news report, tions have been raised specif- She had been gaining which triggered a political row ically about enforcement of our weight for the past few months in the country, said that a top policies around hate speech,” and weighed a total of 106kg. executive of Facebook Ankhi Das said. Additionally, the haemoglobin Das opposed applying the hate “We have removed and will of the patient had dropped to Action against fishing illegally speech rule against at least four continue to remove content six, causing severe anaemia. individuals and groups linked posted by public figures in India A team of surgeons conducted Thai officials check a detained Vietnamese fishermen at the Narthiwat fishing port in Thailand’s southern with Bharatiya Janata Party when it violates our Com- a three-and-a-half-hour province of Narathiwat yesterday, after the boat was found to be illegally fishing in Thai waters. (BJP). munity Standards.” According surgery for extraction of this Subsequently, the country’s to Das, as per latest 50kg tumour this week. main opposition party Indian enforcement numbers, “Here, there was no space National Congress wrote to Facebook has removed 22.5 in the abdomen for insertion Fire engulfs A-G’s office in Jakarta Facebook CEO Mark Zuck- million pieces of hate speech of equipment via laparoscopy erberg, saying that Facebook content in the second quarter or robot-assisted methods, AFP — JAKARTA through the six-storey building. “It started on the sixth “may be a willing participant of 2020. hence we had to resort to tra- Images showed firefighters floor,” Hari Setiyono, a in thwarting the right and “Facebook’s commitment ditional methods of surgery,” A fire engulfed the office of dumping water on the raging spokesman for the attorney values” that “leaders sacrificed to India and its people is unwa- Prasad said. Indonesia’s attorney general blaze, which appeared to general’s office, told reporters. their lives for.” The controversy vering. With some of our largest “With the combined effort yesterday evening in consume most of the building, “There are no casualties so has intensified into a war of thriving communities in this of experts from the Gastroen- downtown Jakarta. There were with more than 100 personnel far.” The office had been closed words between the leaders country, we recognize our terology, Gyanecology and no immediate reports of casu- taking part in the effort, since public holidays started on from the BJP and Congress responsibility to keep our plat- Anesthesiology teams, the alties and officials did not say according to local media. The Thursday, he added. “There was party. forms to be places where extraction was done success- what might have caused the fire broke out shortly after 7pm no activity at the building when “We have been accused of people feel empowered to fully,” he added. blaze, which spread quickly local time. the fire struck,” Setiyono said. bias in the way we enforce our communicate safely," he said. A reputed media organization in Qatar is looking for Reporter New solutions needed 3 years after Rohingya crisis: UN GENEVA [ .Q%CR .:0V : CV: 7V:` V6]V`1VJHV8 ANATOLIA — “Three years on from the Advisory Commission’s recom- require a comprehensive society latest exodus of Rohingya ref- mendations on Rakhine State, engagement, resuming and [ :H.VCQ`; RV$`VV 1J =Q%`J:C1I5 I: HQII%J1H:QJ Q` : The UN refugee agency, ugees who fled Myanmar and to which the Government of enhancing dialogue between `VC: VR VCR8 UNHCR, called on Friday for sought sanctuary in Bangladesh Myanmar has committed,” said Myanmar authorities and [ $ :JRLQ` &'() V6]V`1VJHV 1Q%CR GV :J :R0:J :$V8 renewed solutions for displaced from August 2017 onwards, Mahecic. Rohingya refugees and other [ 1C1J$%:C ^)`:G1HL'J$C1._ 1 :J :R0:J :$V8 and stateless Rohingya commu- challenges persist and continue He noted that Bangladesh measures that help inspire trust, [ (. 8 nities inside and outside to evolve,” said Mahecic. had ensured protection and he said. Myanmar. “Rohingya communities extended life-saving humani- “These include lifting restric- The agency said nearly estimate that up to three- tarian support by hosting nine tions on freedom of movement, [ Q0V`1J$ :1$JIVJ  :JR RV0VCQ]1J$ Q1J 1RV: 1J Q 900,000 are refugees in Bang- quarters of the Rohingya people out of 10 Rohingya refugees reg- reconfirming that internally dis- `VCV0:J JV1 HQJ VJ 8 ladesh, three years after a crisis are today living outside of istered in the Asia-Pacific region. placed Rohingya can return to [ /QCCQ11J$ ]`VH`1GVR VR1 Q`1:C  7CV :JR `Q`I: 8 there peaked. Myanmar.” “This generosity must be their villages and providing a [  :7 :%JVR Q CQH:C5 `V$1QJ:C :JR  : V 1%V :JR .V1` UNHCR spokesmsn Andrej The agency said Bangladesh acknowledged through con- clear pathway towards citi- VcVH  QJ CQH:C HQII%J1V8 Mahecic said at a Geneva news registered more than 860,000 tinued investment in both zenship,” said Mahecic. [ )VJR1J$ HQII%J1 7 V0VJ  :JR CQH:C :JR `V$1QJ:C conference that the interna- Rohingya refugees in settle- Rohingya refugees and Bang- He said Rohingya people’s IVVJ$ : :1$JVR8 tional community must ments in Cox’s Bazar. ladeshi host communities,” he strength and resilience in exile maintain support for Rohingya “Ultimately, the solution to said. in Bangladesh and elsewhere %:C1VR H:JR1R: V :`V 1J01 VR Q VJR .V1`  Q7 refugees, host communities and the plight of the Rohingya lies Creating conditions con- had formed the backbone of the [email protected] expand the search for in Myanmar, and in compre- ducive to the Rohingya people’s humanitarian response during solutions. hensively implementing the safe and sustainable return will the past three years. SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 ASIA 07 Pakistan sanctions Taliban to avoid finance blacklist AP — ISLAMABAD The orders identified dozens of individuals, the Afghan mujahedeen and Afghanistan’s best hope for a traditional jirga or council’s allies of the United States to end peace after more than four order to release the last Pakistan issued sweeping including the Taliban’s chief peace negotiator the 10-year invasion of Afghan- decades of war. Taliban it is holding, saying it financial sanctions against Abdul Ghani Baradar and several members istan by the former Soviet But even as Washington has wants 22 Afghan commandos Afghanistan’s Taliban, just as Union. It ended in February, already begun withdrawing its being held by the Taliban freed the militant group is in the midst of the Haqqani family, including Sirajuddin, 1989. soldiers, efforts to get talks first. of US-led peace process in the the current head of the Haqqani network and Pakistan has denied giving started between Kabul’s As well as the Taliban, the neighbouring country. sanctuary to the Taliban fol- political leadership and the orders also target al-Qaida and The orders, which were deputy head of the Taliban. lowing their ouster in 2001 by Taliban have been stymied by the Islamic State affiliate which made public late on Friday, the US-led coalition but both delays in a prisoner release has carried out deadly attacks identified dozens of individuals, The orders were issued as which severely restricts a coun- Washington and Kabul rou- program. in both Pakistan and including the Taliban’s chief part of Pakistan’s efforts to try’s international borrowing tinely accused Islamabad of The two sides are to release Afghanistan. peace negotiator Abdul Ghani avoid being blacklisted by the capabilities. Pakistan is trying giving them a safe haven. prisoners — 5,000 by the gov- They also take aim at out- Baradar and several members Financial Action Task Force to get off the grey list, said the Still it was Pakistan’s rela- ernment and 1,000 by the lawed Pakistani groups like of the Haqqani family, including (FATF), which monitors money officials. tionship with the Taliban that Taliban — as a good will gesture Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Sirajuddin, the current head of laundering and tracks terrorist There was no immediate Washington eventually sought ahead of talks. Both sides blame (TTP), thousands of whom are the Haqqani network and groups’ activities, according to response from the Taliban, but to exploit to move its peace the other for the delays. believed by the UN to be hiding deputy head of the Taliban. security officials who spoke on many of the group’s leaders are negotiations with the insurgent The timing of Pakistan’s in remote regions of Afghan- The list of sanctioned groups condition of anonymity because known to own businesses and movement forward. America decision to issue the orders istan. The TTP has declared war included others besides the they were not authorized to property in Pakistan. signed a peace deal with the implementing the restrictive on Pakistan, carrying out one Taliban and were in keeping speak to the media. Many of Taliban leaders, Taliban on February 29. The sanctions could also be seen as of the worst terrorist attacks in with a five-year-old United Last year the Paris-based including those heading the deal is intended to end Wash- a move to pressure the Taliban the country in 2014 killing 145 Nations resolution sanctioning group put Islamabad on a grey much -feared Haqqani network, ington’s nearly 20 years of mil- into a quick start to the intra- children and their teachers at the Afghan group and freezing list. Until now only Iran and have lived in Pakistan since the itary engagement in Afghan- Afghan negotiations. an army public school in their assets. North Korea are blacklisted, 1980s, when they were part of istan, and has been touted as Kabul has defied a northwest Pakistan. 7 killed in rain-related China, Pakistan praise Kabul, incidents as monsoon Taliban efforts wreaks havoc in Karachi for peace talks INTERNEWS — KARACHI moderate to isolated heavy falls, are expected in Karachi, ANATOLIA — ISLAMABAD Yet another monsoon spell Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, brought more devastation to Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, China and Pakistan on Friday Karachi on Friday, claiming the Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, praised efforts by the Afghan lives of at least seven citizens Umerkot, Sanghar, Sukkur, government and Taliban to and inundating roads in various Larkana, Lasbela, Khuzdar, initiate intra-Afghan negotia- parts of the city. Barkhan, Zhob, Musa Khel, tions and urged both sides to According to the Met Loralai, Kohlu and Sibbi from commence talks for durable department, the highest amount Friday to Monday.” Amid the peace and stability in the of rainfall, 185.7mm, was downpour recorded today, a war-torn country as soon as recorded in Surjani Town. young man died after being possible. Meanwhile, 14.4mm was electrocuted in the city’s Docks In a joint statement fol- recorded at Karachi (MOS), area, according to police and lowing the second round of the 54mm at PAF Masroor Base, rescue officials. China-Pakistan Foreign Min- 22mm at PAF Faisal Base, They stated that 20-year- isters’ Strategic Dialogue in 84mm at Gulshan-e-Hadeed, old Saifullah died from electro- Hainan, China, both sides 106.4mm at North Karachi, cution while turning on an elec- emphasized the importance of 106mm at Nazimabad, 20mm trical switch at his home in an inclusive, broad-based, and at Saddar, 25mm at Landhi, Machar Colony. The body was Pakistani army soldiers take part of rescue operation in a flooded area after heavy monsoon rains in comprehensive negotiated 28.2mm at University Road, shifted to Civil Hospital to com- the port city of Karachi, yesterday. agreement for a future political 20.8mm at Jinnah Terminal, plete legal formalities. settlement in Afghanistan. 11.5mm at Kemari and 28.5mm SHO Azam Rajpur said that brother drowned in a drain on there was no sign of them stop the operation to rescue him “While reaffirming their at Saadi Town. the deceased’s family didn’t Friday evening, according to despite the passage of one hour, due to darkness. commitment to an Afghan-led On Thursday, the Met office want to pursue the case legally. police. Area SHO Tahir Khan Khan said. Earlier today, Sindh Chief and Afghan-owned Peace had predicted that the monsoon Separately, two men died said Bilal, 17, slipped and fell In a separate incident, a Minister Murad Ali Shah Process, both sides encouraged spell in Karachi and other parts after being struck by lightning into a nullah near Bismillah teenager drowned in Lyari directed the departments con- relevant parties in Afghanistan of Sindh as well as Balochistan on the outskirts of Malir. The Chowk. His father Nasir and River near Teen Hatti, according cerned to remain alert and to seize this historic oppor- could last till Monday. deceased were identified as Nasir’s brother Adnan jumped to rescue workers. They said begin preparations for draining tunity and commence the “Strong monsoon currents Shah Nawaz and Sultan Mallah. in order to save the teenager but that some boys were playing rainwater. Intra-Afghan Negotiations at are expected to penetrate Sindh Police and rescue workers they too drowned. The officer football when the ball fell into “As soon as the rain stops, the earliest leading to durable from Friday to Monday,” it said said the two died after being said the nullah was inundated the river. water accumulated in low-lying peace and stability in Afghan- in a brief statement. struck by lightning at a farm after the heavy rain. As Ali Raza tried to retrieve areas should be drained using istan. China appreciated Paki- “Under the influence of this house in Haji Mehar Goth. Rescue workers and area it, heavy flow of water swept machines,” he directed. People’s stan’s positive contribution to system rain, winds and thun- In the New Karachi area, a residents were trying to rescue him away. An Edhi Foundation homes should be protected, he the Afghan peace process and dershowers, with a few man, his teenaged son and the three family members but spokesperson said they had to said. efforts for promoting peace and stability in region and beyond,” said the statement. South Korea and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Taiwan tells China not to underestimate its resolve Shah Mahmood Qureshi China reaffirm arrived in Hainan along with REUTERS — TAIPEI retary was in Taipei. war.” China’s provocations and the use of force to bring Taiwan a high-level delegation on plans for Taiwan’s defence ministry, threats will only further unite under its control. Taiwan’s Thursday, in his second visit China should not underestimate in a statement late on Thursday Taiwan’s people and “recognise people have shown no interest to China after the coronavirus leaders’ summit Taiwan’s resolve to defend to accompany a video showing the essence of the Chinese in being run by autocratic outbreak originating in Wuhan itself, and China’s military Taiwanese forces drilling, said Communist’s militarism”, it Beijing. since last December. AP — SEOUL threats will only cause Taiwan’s it was “expressing its stern said. Taiwan President Tsai In March, Qureshi visited people to be even more attitude about recent Chinese “In the end it will have the Ing-wen is overseeing a military along with President Arif Alvi Senior South Korean and resolute, the island’s defence Communist People’s Liberation opposite effect, inciting the modernisation programme, in an apparent show of his Chinese officials yesterday ministry said in a new video Army military pressure acts”. wrath and antipathy of Tai- though Taiwan’s forces are country’s solidarity with China reaffirmed plans to arrange a responding to repeated Chinese Taiwan will not provoke, wan’s people, seriously hurting dwarfed by China’s, which now battling COVID-19. summit between their leaders threats. but it will also not show peace and stability across the have advanced equipment A video released by “at an early date” once coro- China has stepped up its weakness, it added. Taiwan Strait.” The slickly pro- including stealth fighters and Pakistan showed Chinese navirus concerns subside, military activity around the “Absolutely do not treat duced video, also released on aircraft carriers. Foreign Minister Wang Yi Seoul’s presidential office said. democratic island Beijing lightly our resolve to defend the ministry’s Facebook page, The United States, Taiwan’s warmly welcomed his Paki- At a meeting in the South claims as sovereign Chinese Taiwan,” the ministry said. shows Taiwan’s F-16s main arms supplier, has ramped stani counterpart upon his Korean port city of Busan, top territory, sending fighter jets “The most arrogant country screaming into the air, missiles up support for the island. Last arrival for the second round Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi and warships on exercises can easily provoke a war, and being fired from land and at sea, year, the US State Department of the China-Pakistan Foreign and South Korea’s national close to Taiwan, including last the most ignorant government and soldiers on manoeuvres. approved arms sales worth Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue security adviser, Suh Hoon, also week when the US health sec- can be caught in the flames of China has never renounced $10bn for Taiwan. in Hainan. discussed the international standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and rising tensions between Wash- Indonesia books 50 million ington and Beijing, the Blue House said in a statement. vaccine doses from Sinovac The government of South Korean President Moon Jae-in REUTERS — JAKARTA and 6,500 deaths and is keen has been eager to improve to secure a vaccine for its 260 bilateral relations that have China’s Sinovac Biotech has million people and develop its been strained since South committed to provide 50 own, amid concern among Korea deployed a US anti- million doses of a coronavirus some developing countries missile system on its soil in vaccine candidate to Indone- about competition for access. 2017 over Chinese objections. sia’s government from “Indonesia sees a strong Moon had hoped to host November to March, a minister commitment from China’s Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesia’s state-owned industries to forge partner- in Seoul during the earlier half pharmaceutical company Bio ships and a strong com- of the year, but the spread of Farma said. mitment from its government COVID-19 prevented the visit. The Southeast Asian nation to foster those partnerships,” Yang, a Politburo member is seeking to secure a supply she said late on Thursday via of the Chinese Communist as cases rise unabated. video. Party’s powerful Central Com- During a visit to China, Sinovac did not immedi- mittee, promised “constant Indonesian Foreign Minister ately respond to a request for communication and cooper- Retno Marsudi said a prelim- comment on Friday and Bio ation” with South Korea while inary agreement had been Farma said in a statement on supporting efforts to denu- signed with Sinovac for bulk Friday evening that the 50 clearise the Korean Peninsula purchase and supply of the million bulk would come in and stabilise peace, according vaccine, CoronaVac, from stages: 10 million for each to the Blue House, which didn’t November to March, after month starting in November. provide further details. which Indonesia’s state- Marsudi said on Thursday that Moon’s government is On-board safety measures owned Bio Farma would get the doses had been 40 million. eager to resume engagement priority access until Phase III trials for Sino- with North Korea, which has A Bangkok Airways stewardess wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus end-2021. vac’s CoronaVac began last virtually cut off all inter- demonstrating safety measures before take-off from Koh Samui airport in Koh Samui, southern Thailand. Indonesia has recorded week in Indonesia involving Korean cooperation. 149,408 coronavirus infections 1,620 volunteers. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020

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CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] People line in a sidewalk filled with tents set up by the homeless, amid an outbreak of the coronavirus in San Francisco, California.

EDITORIAL States have to ensure adequate A welcome development housing amid the pandemic THE collapse of military campaign launched by Haftar’s I was certain that governments would While governments may not be quick forces in April 2019 in an attempt to capture the capital take the necessary steps to ensure that the Tripoli was a turning point in the Libyan conflict. The ongoing legacy of the 2008 global financial to embrace housing as a human Government of National Accord (GNA) managed in last crisis - the invasion of residential real right or admit there is a housing June to kick out Haftar’s forces from the outskirts of the estate by institutional investors and the crisis that requires a new approach, capital and other towns. unaffordability of rental housing - would The failure to achieve the designated goals through not be exacerbated or repeat itself. the devastation wreaked by this the military operation against the UN backed government LEILANI FARHA And I assumed that what would begin pandemic has surely strengthened AL JAZEERA of GNA along pressures from the international com- as emergency measures would translate their resolve to be better protected munity has forced those refusing peaceful solution and into the drafting of longer-term housing dialogue to respond to calls for excluding military When COVID-19 was understood as a strategies aimed at fixing the causes and against any future pandemic threats. solution. global and deadly threat, there was a effects of the housing crisis, again not as a The GNA led by Fayez Al Sarraj announced on singular prescription promulgated by the matter of human rights obligations, but on do what they do best - make a profit - Friday a ceasefire agreement in all Libyan territories, World Health Organization (WHO) and the understanding that pandemics are no boasting access to trillions of “dry powder” and called for the demilitarization of Sirte and Jurfa governments around the world: stay home, longer one-off events, so we must prepare for new acquisitions. Without any sign of areas, and that police forces from the two sides agree wash your hands, and keep a physical for the future. government restraint, they are eyeing dis- on security arrangements there. A step widely wel- distance from others. As former UN special I thought a renewed sense of urgency tressed residential real estate assets, comed by the international community and major rapporteur on the right to adequate around viral outbreaks and public health including multifamily rental apartments, actors, including the European Union, UN Secretary- housing and an advocate in the area of would ignite bold determination to end which can perform well, even in economic General Antonio Guterres. housing for decades, the implications of homelessness and forced evictions, hard times. The State of Qatar was calling for political solutions this guidance to me were clear - and upgrade informal settlements, increase This is not to say that governments have and renewed its support of Skhirat agreement of almost hopeful. tenant protections against unaffordability not responded at all with measures to December 2015, therefore it was among the first to If protecting against further spread and eviction, and regulate global institu- address homelessness and protect residents welcome this agreement. Qatar expressed its hope that required a home, a shelter to isolate in, tional financial actors that have wreaked of informal settlements and tenants. At the all Libyan parties respect the ceasefire agreement, access to sanitation, then, intentionally or havoc on the housing sector since the onset of the pandemic, the UK government expedite the completion of the political process, and lift not, the WHO was prescribing access to global financial crisis. swiftly provided 5,400 street homeless with the blockade on the oil fields to resume production and adequate housing. Housing was clearly a Six months into this nightmare, not hotel rooms and other accommodation and exports. requirement for the world to stay safe and only has the housing crisis and its effects have promised the provision of 3,300 long- Qatar renewed it position and faith that there is no effectively address the pandemic. Access to not been effectively tackled, they may have term housing units with social supports other option except a political solution for the Libyan adequate housing would reduce infection become more pronounced, while revi- within 12 months. In fact, the use of hotel crisis and supported the sincere intention of the GNA rates and ensure that healthcare systems talised plans to address the housing crisis rooms as emergency accommodation for led by Fayez Al Sarraj to stop the bloodshed and sit would not be overwhelmed. In other words, have been scant. homeless people was instituted in a number down to find a political solution that serves Libya and home and hospitals have been put forward In Canada, still one of the wealthiest of places, including the US state of Cali- its people and thus results from a civilian government. as equally necessary to preserving life. countries in the world, there has been a fornia, France, and parts of Canada. This was also expressed by the Deputy Prime Min- With this unambiguous position proliferation of homeless encampments - Spain, like many other countries, ister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr. adopted by governments, I was certain we in part as a result of limitations on the implemented a moratorium on evictions Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, in an interview with would see the global housing crisis tackled numbers of spaces in shelters to ensure during the pandemic and is also providing Al Jazeera TV on Thursday. with the urgency that is in fact warranted conformity with social distancing policies. microloans to low-income tenants or those “There is importance to reach a political solution to when a human right is violated en masse. People living in homelessness also fear who have suffered job loss to assist them in the Libyan crisis, and this political solution comes This was not utopian opportunism, but COVID-19 outbreaks in shelters and other making rental payments. The loans can be through the political agreement and the outputs of the rather a logical deduction based on the congregate settings they have been offered, repaid over the course of six years. Skhirat Agreement in accordance with relevant Security global “stay at home” prescription. preferring instead the space and safety of While such measures are not insignif- Council resolutions, Al Attiyah said. I anticipated that governments would pitching a tent in the outdoors. icant, a global scan indicates they are far Qatar called upon all Libyans to engage in con- move swiftly to eliminate homelessness, In India, one of the countries hardest hit too few. While governments may not be structive and inclusive political process that uphold the not because of a new regard for the dignity by the pandemic, forced evictions of Indig- quick to embrace housing as a human right national interest and adhere to dialogue without of people living in homelessness or recog- enous communities, as well as thousands of or admit there is a housing crisis that excluding any component of the Libyan society, leading nition of their rights, but because in the face people living in informal settlements without requires a new approach, the devastation to a comprehensive political settlement that preserves of a virus that spreads exponentially and provision of alternative housing, have been wreaked by this pandemic has surely the country’s sovereignty and unity. that causes death, governments know that reported in Gurugram, Telangana, Madhya strengthened their resolve to be better pro- Qatar is hopeful to see the ceasefire announcement one person living in the street who is Pradesh, and Delhi, in July alone. tected against any future pandemic threats. paves way for a lasting political solution in Libya and exposed to the virus could put an entire In the United States, estimates indicate If that is the case, ensuring access to rebuilding the country in a way that preserves the rights nation at risk. that approximately 40 percent of renter adequate, affordable and secure housing is of the Libyan people and the rule of law. I was sure that governments would households are at risk of experiencing both prevention and prescription. Maybe impose adequate protections for those rental shortfalls, with 12 million potentially once governments commit to that, they will living in rental accommodation and expe- facing eviction within the next four months, be bold enough to call those measures riencing economic hardship so that no particularly once moratoriums on evictions what they are: the implementation of the matter their financial position they could are lifted. right to housing. D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR remain in their own homes and out of Meanwhile, private equity firms and harm’s way for the duration of the other institutional investors are salivating The author is the Global Director of The Shift EMAIL: [email protected] pandemic. at the once in a generation opportunity to and co-host of the podcast PUSHBACK Talks. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Russia vaccine roll-out plan prompts virus mutation worries MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 KATE KELLAND "Less than complete pro- hurdles have been passed. Scientists say similar evolu- REUTERS tection could provide a selection Russia said it plans to begin tionary pressure to mutate is DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 pressure that drives the virus to a large-scale efficacy trial of the seen with bacterial pathogens, Russia's plan to roll-out its evade what antibody there is, vaccine in a total of 40,000 which - when faced with antibi- LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 "Sputnik-V" COVID-19 vaccine creating strains that then evade people, but will also begin otics designed to target them - even before full trials show how all vaccine responses," said Ian administering it to people in can evolve and adapt to evade BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 well it works is prompting Jones, a virology professor at high-risk groups, such as the drugs and develop resistance. concern among virus experts, Britain's Reading University. healthcare workers, before the Antibiotic resistance and the SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 who warn a partially effective "In that sense, a poor trial has produced any results. rise of superbugs, is described by shot may encourage the novel vaccine is worse than no "You want to make sure the the World Health Organization as ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 coronavirus to mutate. vaccine." vaccine is effective. We really one of the biggest threats to email: [email protected] Viruses, including the pan- Sputnik-V's developers, as don't know that (about the global health, food security and demic SARS-CoV-2, are known well as financial backers and Sputnik vaccine)," said Kathryn development today. PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 for their ability to mutate all the Russian authorities, say the Edwards, a professor of paedi- Jones stressed that vaccine- email: [email protected] time - and often this has little or vaccine is safe and that two atrics and vaccine expert in the induced viral mutations are "a no impact on the risk posed to months of small-scale human infectious diseases division at rare outcome", and the greater ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 people. But some scientists are trials have shown that it works. Vanderbilt University School of the efficacy of the vaccine in FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] worried that adding "evolu- But the results of those trials Medicine in the United States. blocking a virus' ability to enter tionary pressure" to the have not been made public, and She said that the risk of cells and replicate there, the CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 pathogen by deploying what many Western scientists are what a vaccine might do to a lower the risk of it having an email: [email protected] might not be a fully protective sceptical, warning against its virus - in terms of fighting it, opportunity to circulate and vaccine could make things use until all internationally blocking it, or forcing it to adapt "learn" how to evade antibody SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 worse. approved testing and regulatory - is "always a concern". defences. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

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/ThePeninsulaQatar Going back on my decision was not easy. There is nothing preventing me from standing. I did /Peninsula_Qatar not have the right to place my personal project above the urgent situation in which the country /ThePeninsulaNewspaper finds itself. +974 6698 6188 Alassane Ouattara, Ivory Coast President SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 EUROPE 09 Kremlin critic ‘stable’ after transfer to Berlin hospital AFP — BERLIN Berlin’s Charite Rights to intervene. Human rights group Cinema Leading Kremlin critic Alexei hospital confirmed for Peace said it had financed Navalny, who has suffered a in a statement that it the medical transport with suspected poisoning, was in a private money, although its stable condition in hospital after had admitted Navalny chief Bizilj would not reveal the being flown to Berlin following and was carrying out list of donors it cobbled together a standoff over his medical at the last minute. evacuation from Russia. an “extensive medical Navalny is the latest in a A convoy including two diagnosis”. long line of Kremlin critics who yellow ambulances brought have fallen seriously ill or died Navalny from Berlin’s Tegel in apparent poisonings. airport to the renowned Charite though Russian doctors said His wife told journalists that hospital just after 10:20 am local tests showed no trace of any she wanted Navalny to be “in time (0820 GMT). poison. an independent hospital, whose “Navalny’s condition is Doctors treating him in doctors we trust”. stable,” Jaka Bizilj, the head of Omsk had refused to let Navalny’s spokesman Kira the Cinema for Peace foun- Navalny leave but reversed Yarmysh tweeted that “the dation that brought Navalny to course after his family and staff battle for Alexei’s life and health Germany in a chartered medical demanded he be allowed to is just beginning... but at least Paramedics loading a stretcher into an ambulance that allegedly transported Russian opposition plane, said. travel to Germany. now we’ve taken the first step.” leader Alexei Navalny at Charite Mitte Hospital Complex where he will receive medical treatment, in Berlin’s Charite hospital As the plane left Omsk, Nav- The air ambulance was dis- Berlin, yesterday. confirmed in a statement that alny’s wife Yulia thanked sup- patched to take Navalny to it had admitted Navalny and porters via Instagram for their Berlin after Chancellor Angela was carrying out an “extensive “persistence”. Merkel extended an offer of Siberia, where he was working a ploy to “play for time” and media that the organisation was medical diagnosis”. “Without your support, we treatment. to support opposition candi- make it impossible to trace “continuing its work”. The 44-year-old lawyer and wouldn’t have been able to take European Union leaders dates ahead of regional elec- poison, posing a “critical threat Many supporters expressed anti-corruption campaigner, him!” she wrote. including Merkel and French tions next month. to his life”. relief he was going for one of President Vladimir The air ambulance arrived President Emmanuel Macron Yarmysh said he had seemed Navalny has made many treatment outside Russia. Putin’s fiercest critics, went into in Omsk on Friday morning but have voiced concern for “absolutely fine” before boarding enemies with his anti-cor- “I feel as relieved now as if a coma after falling suddenly ill Russian doctors initially said Navalny, who has faced the flight and had only con- ruption investigations, which terrorists had freed a hostage Thursday on a plane to Moscow Navalny was too “unstable” to repeated physical attacks and sumed a cup of tea at the airport. often reveal the lavish lifestyles after long negotiations,” fellow that had to make an emergency be moved, before relenting later prosecutions in more than a She said she was sure he of Russia’s elite and attract mil- opposition politician Ilya Yashin landing in Omsk. that day. decade of opposition to Russian had suffered from an “inten- lions of views online. tweeted, criticising the delay in Aides said they believe Navalny’s wife had authorities. tional poisoning” and blamed The director of the Anti- Navalny’s departure. Navalny was poisoned, appar- appealed directly to Putin to let Navalny lost consciousness Putin. Corruption Foundation that “I want to believe that this ently via a cup of tea at the him leave, while his aides asked shortly after his plane took off She also claimed Russia’s Navalny founded, Ivan wasted time won’t cost Alexei airport, and blamed Putin, the European Court of Human on Thursday from Tomsk in refusal to evacuate Navalny was Zhdanov, confirmed on social his life.”

Greece denying Swedish PM defends COVID-19 strategy from criticism over toll pushbacks despite REUTERS & BLOOMBERG are quite a few people who both infections and deaths in “This will give Sweden — STOCKHOLM think we were right.” recent weeks. access to the vaccine if it’s evidence: Watchdog While many countries Lofven also defended the approved,” the prime minister Sweden has chosen the right enforced strict lockdowns, decision by the Public Health said at a press conference in ANATOLIA — ATHENS strategy in fighting the spread Sweden has relied mainly on Agency not to enforce the Stockholm. “And with that we of the new coronavirus (COVID- voluntary measures focused on wearing of facemasks, as many will be able to take an important The Greek government has 19), Prime Minister Stefan social distancing, though public European countries have done, step to secure a vaccine for been denying the pushback of Lofven (pictured) said, gatherings have been limited to fight the spread of the virus. Sweden.” thousands of migrants and defending his government’s and care homes — which saw a “What they are saying, and Sweden expects to get about asylum seekers trying to reach decision not to adopt a strict heavy death toll what I absolutely believe, is that 6 million doses based on the its shores, despite evidence lockdown as many European — quarantined. they cannot be the main tool we size of its population, and the that they have been secretly countries have done. While Sweden has seen use,” Lofven said. country’s health agency has doing so, a global human rights More than 5,800 Swedes more fatalities than its neigh- “What is important still is been granted a budget of $229m watchdog said in a report have died of COVID 19, a much bours, it has not been as badly social distancing, testing and to finance purchases of the yesterday. higher death rate than in neigh- adopted, I believe is right — to hit as countries like Britain and tracking. Those must be our vaccine, according to Lofven. In a recent interview with bouring Norway, Denmark and protect individuals, limit the Spain, which adopted much main focus in order to reduce In recent weeks the Nordic CNN, Greece Prime Minister Finland which adopted much spread of the infection, etc,” he stricter lockdown measures. infection.” country has seen the pace of Kyriakos Mitsotakis denied the tougher measures than Sweden, said in an interview in daily Furthermore, while many On Thursday, Sweden’s infections converge with those accusations, saying: “They are leading many to question the Dagens Nyheter. parts of Europe are seeing a government has decided to join of neighbouring Denmark and an insult to the Greek Coast government’s approach. “What has been discussed pick up in new cases as they the European Union’s Norway, despite a dramatic Guard that has saved tens of But Lofven said Sweden had most, and what we did differ- gradually loosen restrictions on agreement to distribute a coro- improvement in the number of thousands of migrants and made the correct choice. ently in Sweden, was that we travel and social interactions, navirus vaccine via drugmaker COVID-19 deaths and cases refugees.”However, evidence “The strategy that we did not close schools. Now there Sweden has seen a decline in AstraZeneca Plc. throughout July. and reports describing the abuses are too many to be ignored, Eva Cosse, a Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic glasses researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a report. sell for $340,000 at UK auction Cosse, after interviewing victims and witnesses, said AFP — LONDON pairs to those in need or those that Greek authorities have who had helped him. been seen forcibly pushing A pair of gold-plated glasses The non-violent protestor back migrants and asylum worn by Indian independence gave the glasses to the vendor’s seekers from Rhodes, Samos, hero Mahatma Gandhi has sold uncle while he was working for and Symi islands in small in Britain for £260,000 (about British Petroleum in South inflatable boats. $340,000), the auction house Africa during the 1920s or 30s, A victim from Syria said. said the auction house. described how the Greek Coast “We found them just four The sale price smashed the Guard “carried out life-threat- weeks ago in our letterbox, left original estimate of around ening manoeuvres to force the there by a gentleman whose £15,000. small boat carrying pas- uncle had been given them by Auctioneer Andrew Stowe sengers, including women and Gandhi himself,” East Bristol told Sky News earlier this children, back to Turkey”, Auctions wrote on Instagram month that the vendor had told Cosse added. after the sale late Friday. him: “If they’re no good, just Cosse added that European “An incredible result for an throw them away.” Commission, despite being incredible item! Thanks to all When he suggested they aware of Greece’s actions, has those who bid.” might be worth £15,000, “I been doing nothing to stop Gandhi was known for think he nearly fell off his these pushbacks and to hold giving out old or unwanted chair.” Greece accountable.

A fence in construction is seen on the Serbian side at the border with North Macedonia near the Ukraine reports 2,328 virus cases in 24 hours northern village of Tabanovce, yesterday. REUTERS — KIEV

Serbia mum on fence building near border Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged people to act AFP — BELGRADE as well as the Prime Minister’s region, including Hungary, on health advice yesterday after office, not responding to North Macedonia and Slovenia, official data showed daily Serbia’s government declined requests for comment. built border barriers during the COVID-19 infections had risen to comment yesterday on the According to an order pub- 2015 migrant crisis, when hun- to a record level. construction of a fence that was lished on the finance ministry’s dreds of thousands of people The country saw 2,328 ongoing near its border with website, which laid out condi- flowed through the Balkans cases of the new coronavirus North Macedonia, a common tions for crossing private fleeing war and poverty at in the past 24 hours, and 37 crossing point for migrants property for the fence, the home. deaths of people having tested traversing the Balkan region. barrier was commissioned to That route was officially positive for the virus, data from The barrier is being erected “block the state border” to shuttered in 2016, but traffic the national council of security on the southern frontier, close “prevent the spread of novel has continued — at lower levels and defence showed. to an official border crossing coronavirus” in case of “mass — through the region. Infections have risen Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits a supermarket amid and the Tabanovce transit camp and unauthorised” crossings. When asked to comment, sharply in recent days and the the coronavirus pandemic in Bakhmut, in Donetsk Region, recently. for migrants on North Macedo- Serbia, a key transit country European Commission spokes- latest daily total surpassed the nia’s side, according to an AFP on the so-called Balkan route, person Ana Pisonero-Hern- previous record of 2,134 set on really did not have the first started rising photographer. has recently seen a fresh tide of andez noted that EU funding to Thursday, pushing the total wave (of infections) when it “We are well prepared in Images of the fence were refugees and migrants hoping help Serbia manage migration, number of cases to 102,971. The happened in Europe. Now it is terms of (hospital) places, initially published by Radio to reach Western and Northern which has amounted to $118m death toll has risen to 2,244, the coming, now we are growing ... equipment, number of tests ... Free Europe earlier in the week, Europe. since 2015, does “not include figures showed. almost daily.” But no number of places in hos- while North Macedonia’s Some 30,000 migrants and the construction of fences.” Zelenskiy asked people to He said Ukraine had pitals, and especially no interior ministry told state refugees registered in the country The UN refugee agency take seriously the recent jump in managed to avoid a big number number of specialists, will help media that it was set up on during the first half of 2020, office in Serbia said the country the daily tally of new infections, of infections in March through us survive if there is the second Serbian territory. almost three times the number “has a sovereign right to control urging them to wear masks and May thanks to a strict lockdown. and third wave, if it is very Belgrade has, however, during the same period last year, its borders” but also an obli- keep social distancing. Yet as soon as restrictions had powerful,” the president remained silent, with the according to official data. gation to process asylum “Please help doctors, be gradually been lifted, numbers said.“And here the question is interior and foreign ministries, Several countries from the requests. careful,” Zelenskiy said. “We of new daily coronavirus cases only for our people”. 10 EUROPE SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 Germans experiment on how big gatherings spread COVID-19

AP — BERLIN masks throughout the day’s expected the day to feel more participants was strictly been praised for its handling of in the context of religious or testing. sterile and like an experiment, enforced. the pandemic with its rapid family events.” Germany held a pop concert Researchers equipped each but that the crowd was into the Stefan Moritz, who led the response and robust testing. It “The trend is very con- yesterday to see how those volunteer with contact tracers concert. study, said researchers had has registered only 9,267 con- cerning,” the agency said. attending would spread coro- to record their routes in the “We really had a lot of fun,” only about a third of the vol- firmed virus deaths so far, one- Germany’s 16 states are in navirus. arena and track the path of the he said. “We survived drive-in unteers they had hoped for, fourth of Britain’s virus death the process of resuming in-class German researchers aerosols — the small particles concerts this summer and in partially because many toll. teaching at schools. The pos- studying COVID-19 packed part that could carry the virus — they that respect, for us this is a first Germans are still away on But the numbers have been sible risks of virus clusters of a Leipzig arena with volun- emitted as they mingled and step toward normalcy.” summer holidays and partially rising recently, and Germany’s building up in educational insti- teers, collecting data in a “real talked. Fluorescent disin- Under the first scenario, due to fears of participating disease control centre reported tutions and then spreading to life” simulation of a pop concert fectants were used to highlight which simulated the very even with the safety measures 2,034 new cases of COVID-19 families and further into society with strict health and safety which surfaces at the mock beginning of a pandemic, the taken. But he said the exper- yesterday, the first time the has been a matter of great controls. concert were touched most concert-goers were kept close iment had gone well. daily national increase has concern. About 1,500 people took frequently. together in the room with no “We are satisfied with the topped 2,000 since the end of In Berlin, one of the first part in the experiment run by German pop singer Tim social distancing. In the second, numbers,” he told reporters. April. states to return, at least 41 the University Hospital in Bendzko appeared on stage to the researchers instituted “We have good data quality.” The Robert Koch Institute schools this week reported that Halle, each taking a corona- create as realistic a reaction hygiene measures and larger The results of the study are said coronavirus outbreaks are students or teachers have virus (COVID-19) test ahead of from the crowd as possible for social distances between the expected in four to six weeks, being reported in nursing become infected, and hundreds time, testing negative, and three scenarios. volunteers. In the third, a dis- he said. homes, hospitals, schools and of them have been put into having to wear protective Afterward, he said he had tance of 1.5 metres between In general, Germany has “especially among travelers and quarantine.

Berlin launches Lukashenko initiative to protect trees from heat orders army to REUTERS — BERLIN Residents of Germany’s capital Berlin can do their bit to defend borders ensure the city’s trees get enough water during the hot AFP — MINSK Lukashenko said that summer months as part of a Nato troops in Poland new neighbourhood initiative. Belarus’s authoritarian leader The platform, dubbed “Giess Alexander Lukashenko and Lithuania were den Kiez” — which can be trans- yesterday ordered his defence “seriously stirring” lated as “water the ‘hood” — minister to take “stringent was launched by CityLAB, a measures” to defend the coun- near their borders foundation-backed body that try’s territorial integrity after with Belarus and looks at future concepts for Ber- mass protests erupted against lin’s metropolitan area. his claim to election victory. ordered his troops into On an interactive map, The 65-year-old, who said full combat readiness. users can trace and track he won a sixth presidential term 625,000 trees in Berlin, with 80 percent of the vote in including their type, age and the August 9 ballot, made the in Poland and Lithuania were water needs. Once an account comments while inspecting mil- “seriously stirring” near their has been set up users can itary units in Grodno, near Bela- borders with Belarus and exchange information, ena- rus’s border with Poland, ordered his troops into full Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko visiting a military firing range near Grodno, in Belarus, yesterday. bling better coordination to according to the president’s combat readiness. take care of trees in the city. press service. Both countries denied the news agency PAP. flooded onto the streets of the elections and a peaceful tran- “And each time a tree has Lukashenko denounced the accusation. Lithuania’s foreign ministry capital and other cities in sition of power. been watered it can be entered recent mass protests, which he “The regime is trying to announced that US Deputy Sec- Belarus last weekend Lukashenko has rejected into the system, with the correct said were receiving support divert attention from Belarus’s retary of State Stephen Biegun demanding Lukashenko’s the idea of holding another amount of litres which shows from Western countries, and internal problems at any cost will visit Vilnius and Russia next resignation. ballot, dismissed calls to resign other users that you’ve taken ordered the army to defend with totally baseless statements week for talks on Belarus and The European Union this and accused the opposition of care of a tree,” Malgorzata western Belarus, which he about imaginary external the elections fallout. week rejected his re-election attempting to seize power. Magdon of the initiative said. described as “a pearl”. threats,” Lithuanian President Opponents of Europe’s and vowed to levy sanctions On Friday, he vowed to “It involves taking the most Gitanas Nauseda said. longest serving leader have against what it said was a sub- “solve the problem” of the stringent measures to protect The Polish president’s chief organised strikes and the stantial number of people protest movement. Italy tops 1,000 the territorial integrity of our of staff, Krzysztof Szczerski, for largest demonstrations in the responsible for rigging the vote Lukashenko’s election chal- country,” Lukashenko said. his part dismissed the claim that ex-Soviet country’s recent and cracking down on lenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, infections for first His visit comes ahead of Poland planned to violate Bela- history to protest his re- protests. who is now in exile in Lithuania, large-scale military exercises rusian territorial integrity as election and demand that he The Belarusian authorities said this week that Belarusians time since May planned in the Grodno region “regime propaganda”, calling it stand down. have opened a criminal inves- would “never accept the current between August 28 and 31. “sad and surprising”. The opposition has called tigation into the opposition’s leadership again” after the ANATOLIA — ROME The former collective farm “Poland... has no such for a major rally in Minsk today Coordination Council, whose crackdown on post-election director said that Nato troops intention,” he told the Polish after more than 100,000 people members are seeking new protests. Italy yesterday reported 1,071 more infections of the novel coronavirus, topping 1,000 Travellers from Belarus blocks over 50 news websites amid massive protests daily cases for the first time since mid-May, new data by France to UK must AP — MINSK TV channel focusing on neigh- are fradulent and are calling for of protest and a larger demon- the Health Ministry showed. boring Belarus. Lukashenko to resign. stration was expected in the The country has seen a self-certify no Authorities in Belarus have On Friday, the state pub- Lukashenko’s main evening. constant surge in new cases blocked more than 50 news lishing house stopped printing election challenger, Sviatlana “Threats, intimidation, over the past few weeks, with virus symptoms media websites reporting on two top independent news- Tsikhanouskaya, has called for blocking no longer work. Hun- scientists blaming holiday how the country has been papers, the Narodnaya Volya another massive show of oppo- dreds of thousands of Belaru- goers coming back from high- REUTERS — LONDON shaken by two weeks of and Komsomolskaya Pravda, sition at a protest Sunday. sians are telling him ‘go away’’ risk destinations and large protests demanding that citing an equipment “We are closer than ever to from all corners and gatherings of people enjoying Travellers from France to the authoritarian President Alex- malfunction. our dream,” she said in a video squares,”said Anna Skura- the nightlife at the peak of the United Kingdom will be ander Lukashenko resign after Protests unprecedented in message from Lithuania, where tovich, one of the women in the summer season. required to self-certify that 26 years in power. Belarus for their size and she took refuge after the chain. Italy has been one of the they are not suffering corona- The Belarusian Association duration broke out after the election. Some previous pres- Protesters say they are fed worst-hit countries globally — virus (COVID-19) symptoms or of Journalists reported the shut- August 9 presidential election, idential challengers in Belarus up with the country’s declining with more than 35,400 fatal- have been in contact with a downs yesterday, which which election officials say have been jailed for years. living standards and have been ities — but has managed to confirmed case within 14 days including sites for the US- handed Lukashenko a sixth Yesterday, hundreds of angered at Lukashenko’s dis- contain the outbreak thanks preceding travel, the British funded Radio Liberty and term in office in a landslide. Pro- women dressed in white missal of the coronavirus to strict lockdown measures government said. Belsat, a Polish-funded satellite testers allege the official results formed a chain in Minsk as sign pandemic. that the government started The United Kingdom has easing only in May. said travelers returning from France on or after August 15 should self-isolate upon their return, due to high COVID-19 Swiss right-wing elects only infection rates in France. The imposition of quar- antine conditions have hit candidate Chiesa as president Britons’ favourite holiday des- tinations in the middle of REUTERS — ZURICH would vote against the proposal and summer and as the travel 35 percent for it. industry fights for survival. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) elected The trained economist was elected Earlier this year, the gov- Marco Chiesa from Italian-speaking at a party meeting in Brugg Windisch, ernment was criticised for region Ticino as president of the right- west of Zurich. He was the only can- being too slow to lock down at wing party yesterday as it tries to didate standing for election, a lack of the beginning of the pandemic sharpen its profile and rebuild its choice criticised by some delegates at when many cases were appeal among voters. the meeting. thought to have arrived from Chiesa, 45, was nominated in a sur- Chiesa was elected to his party’s holidaymakers returning from prise move last month after Switzer- vice-presidency in 2018. In 2019, he Italy. land’s biggest party tried for months to was mentioned as a possible successor The UK’s quarantine policy find a successor to outgoing president to outgoing SVP president Albert began in June. Albert Roesti, who announced last year Roesti; however, he initially rejected Other countries including he was stepping down. the overtures as his management of Spain, the Netherlands, Top of his agenda will likely be the the retirement home did not allow him Belgium, Croatia and Austria party’s campaign in a September 27 ref- to take on another position. He later are already on the govern- erendum on ending free movement of resigned from the centre, which ment’s quarantine list. people with the European Union. opened up the possibility of his Since originating in Opinion polls suggest a majority in nomination. Wuhan, China last December, favour of keeping free movement, but In July 2020, a selection committee COVID-19 has claimed more if the vote goes the other way bilateral of the SVP tasked with nominating a than 797,900 lives in 188 trade agreements between Switzerland new party president named Chiesa as countries and regions. and the EU could be at risk. its preferred candidate for the post. More than 22.8 million Chiesa vowed to stick to the party Andreas Glarner withdrew in favour of cases have been reported line, saying: “I don’t want to have to Chiesa. Before the election, Alfred Heer worldwide, while an excess of watch how Swiss families suffer from also withdrew. 14.6 million patients have the burden of millions of immigrants The SVP used to dominate Switzer- recovered, according to figures Swiss People’s Party’s (SVP) newly-elected President Marco Chiesa poses with his wife from the European Union.” land’s political debates with often compiled by US-based Johns Monja during a party meeting in Brugg Windisch, in Switzerland, yesterday. Swiss broadcaster SRG published a inflammatory campaigns targeting hopkins University. poll on Thursday suggesting 61 percent immigrants and the European Union. SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 AMERICAS 11

US closes lanes, adds checks at California fires force thousands Mexico border to contain virus to flee as more blazes feared REUTERS — WASHINGTON AFP — LOS ANGELES Several thousand The United States on Friday closed lanes at select ports of Some of California’s largest ever lightning bolts have entry at the border with fires raged across the state yes- hit California in Mexico and will conduct more terday, forcing tens of thou- recent days, starting secondary checks to limit non- sands from their homes as fore- essential travel and the spread casters warned of further blazes fires that left thick of coronavirus, a US Customs sparked by lightning strikes. smoke blanketing and Border Protection (CBP) Several thousand lightning official said. bolts have hit California in the region. Non-essential travel has recent days, starting fires that been restricted at the border left thick smoke blanketing the many years,” California Gov- since March, but US citizens region. ernor Gavin Newsom said. and permanent residents can “The western US and Great “Many of these firefighters still enter the United States Plains are shrouded under a have been on the lines for 72 from Mexico. The new vast area of smoke due to hours, and everybody is running measures are aimed at those ongoing wildfires that extend on fumes,” Assemblyman Jim travellers, the CBP official said. from the Rockies to the West Wood of the Healdsburg district US President Donald Trump Coast,” the National Weather in Sonoma told the Los Angeles has taken a series of sweeping Service said yesterday. “With Times. “Our first responders are steps to scale back immigration severe drought and exceptionally working to the ragged edge of during the coronavirus pan- dry fuels present, dry thunder- everything they have.” demic, including emergency storms could spark additional Six deaths have been linked border rules that allow US wildfires this weekend.” to the latest flare-ups, with four authorities to rapidly deport The two largest blazes — bodies recovered on Thursday, migrants arrested at the border. dubbed the LNU Lightning including three from a burned CBP said it would take Complex and the SCU Lightning house in a rural area of Napa Docked boats burn on Lake Berryessa during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Napa, California. steps to reduce non-essential Complex — have burned about County. But many residents travel at more than a dozen 600,000 acres (240,000 hec- have refused evacuation orders. destroyed by flames. trailers along the Pacific Ocean from Canada and Australia, border crossings in Texas, tares) and destroyed 565 struc- “At least if we’re here, we The park, where giant as they fled nearby fires, while which he said had “the world’s Arizona and California. The tures. The LNU fire covered know exactly what’s going on,” redwood trees of well over 500 tourists were urged to leave to best firefighters”. wait times for passenger 314,207 acres by yesterday Napa resident John Newman, years old can be found, was free up accommodation for Most of the fires are burning vehicles at those ports of entry morning, making it the second- 68, told the San Francisco “extensively damaged,” it said. those evacuating their houses. in unpopulated areas, and on Friday evening ranged from largest fire in California history. Chronicle as he sat in a lawn About 119,000 people have Fire crews, surveillance statewide they have blazed no wait to several hours. About 2,600 firefighters are chair in his driveway. “Family been evacuated from the area, equipment and other fire- through some 771,000 acres — tackling the two blazes, which is worried, but it’s a little dif- with many struggling to find fighting hardware was being an area the size of Rhode Island Violence across were described by officials as ferent if you’re here firsthand.” shelter and hesitating to go to sent from states including state — he said. In San Fran- 15 percent and 10 percent con- Nature reserves were also centers set up by authorities Oregon, New Mexico and Texas. cisco, the smell of smoke lin- Colombia leaves tained, respectively. ravaged. The Big Basin Red- because of coronavirus risks. But faced with the sheer gered for the third consecutive “We simply haven’t seen woods State Park said that some Some in counties south of scope of the disaster, Governor day, with authorities urging res- 17 dead anything like this in many, of its historic buildings had been San Francisco opted to sleep in Newsom also asked for help idents to stay indoors. REUTERS — BOGOTA

Three attacks in the last 24 Coronavirus pandemic is hours have left at least 17 dead across Colombia in regions contested by drug traffickers, stabilising in Brazil: WHO criminal groups and dissidents of the demobilized FARC guer- AFP — GENEVA very high number of cases and rillas, officials and local media a large number of deaths,” reported yesterday. The coronavirus pandemic is Ryan told reporters. “Credit to Separate attacks each stabilising in Brazil and any the health workers and the reported leaving six people dead reversal of its rampant spread communities in Brazil for took place in the Colombian in the vast country would be “a taking the necessary actions to provinces of Narino and Cauca, success for the world”, the stabilise the situation. while a further five people were WHO said on Friday. “We’re in that difficult period also reported killed in Arauca The World Health Organi- in Brazil where it looks like province. zation’s emergencies director things could be getting better. “We don’t know if the dead Michael Ryan told a virtual “The question is: is this a lull, can form part of an organization or press conference that there was this be continued and can we see if they are family members,” a “clear downward trend in that downward trend?” General Nairo Martinez, com- many parts of Brazil”. Ryan said some parts of the mander of the Army’s Hercules Brazil has the world’s South American country were Task Force, said in reference to second-highest number of showing a clear downturn, the killings in Narino. coronavirus cases and deaths while other areas were expe- President Ivan Duque after the United States. riencing increases, with the lamented the deaths in a According to the WHO’s disease still very prevalent and message via his Twitter An image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) yesterday COVID-19 dashboard, more unstable in its transmission. account. “We are pained by the shows Tropical Storm Laura over Puerto Rico and approaching Haiti; and Tropical Storm Marco than 3.45 million people have However, in general, “the deaths caused by the violence between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. tested positive for the virus in trend in Brazil is stable or driven by drug trafficking and Brazil, with 111,100 people downwards. That needs to keep terrorism,” he said. having lost their lives. going”, the Irish epidemiologist Eight people were shot Two tropical storms a potential The country has recorded said. Latin America represents dead by an unidentified armed nearly 6,900 deaths and more nine percent of the world’s group in a contested drug traf- than 290,000 cases in the last population but has registered ficking area in Narino province double threat to US Gulf Coast seven days, according to the UN 40 percent of the total a week ago. Another five health agency. COVID-19 deaths in the last two people were killed in an attack AP — SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO Klotzbach. The last time two westward course. “The acceleration of cases months. “There is still much to in a neighborhood in the east tropical storms were in the Gulf Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda has stabilised but there’s still a do in Brazil,” said Ryan. of the city of Cali on August 11. Two tropical storms advanced together was in 1959, he said. Vázquez declared a state of across the Caribbean yesterday The last time two storms emergency and warned that as potentially historic threats made landfall in the United States flooding could be worse than to the US Gulf Coast, one within 24 hours of each other what Tropical Storm Isaias 'Brazil military plane flew illegal Amazon miners' dumping rain on Puerto Rico was in 1933, Klotzbach said. unleashed three weeks ago. and the Virgin Islands while the The projected track from The storm was centered AFP — SAO PAULO Prosecutors in the northern Activists say illegal mining is other was pushing through the the US National Hurricane about 95km southwest of Ponce state of Para said the Air Force a major cause of environmental gap between Mexico’s Yucatan Center might put both storms on Puerto Rico’s central southern Brazilian prosecutors alleged plane used to transport the group destruction in the world’s biggest Peninsula and Cuba. together in the Gulf on Tuesday, coast early yesterday afternoon, that a military airplane was to Brasilia was originally rainforest and a threat to indig- Tropical Storms Laura and with Marco hitting near the with maximum sustained winds inappropriately used to fly a deployed to fight environmental enous communities. Marco were both projected to Texas-Louisiana border and of 50 mph (85 kph). It was group of illegal miners oper- crimes in the Amazon region. However, Bolsonaro, a approach the US Gulf Coast at or Laura making landfall a little moving west at 18 mph (30 kph). ating in the Amazon rainforest Instead, it “was used to transport climate-change skeptic, has close to hurricane force. The less than a day later, though Marco, meanwhile, was to meet with Environment Min- criminals,” they said. pushed for indigenous reserva- current, uncertain track would both tracks remain uncertain. strengthening while centered ister Ricardo Salles in Brasilia. The incident occurred in tions to be opened up to mining take them to Texas or Louisiana. Laura began flinging rain about 85km southwest of The allegation is the latest early August on the Munduruku and agriculture. Two hurricanes have never across Puerto Rico and the Cuba’s western tip, headed to controversy for far-right Pres- and Sai Cinza indigenous res- According to prosecutors, appeared in the Gulf of Mexico Virgin Islands yesterday the north-northwest at 12 mph ident Jair Bolsonaro’s environment ervations. Like many such res- Salles had visited the Munduruku at the same time, according to morning and was expected to (19 kph). It had maximum sus- minister, whom activists accuse of ervations, they have been and Sai Cinza region the day records going back to at least drench the Dominican tained winds of 65 mph (100 working to dismantle environ- overrun by wildcat gold miners, before, after which the planned 1900, said Colorado State Uni- Republic, Haiti and parts of kph). It was expected to become mental protections rather than even though mining on indig- operation against environmental versity hurricane researcher Phil Cuba during the day on its a hurricane later. promote them. enous lands is illegal in Brazil. crimes was cancelled. Lori Loughlin to serve two months in prison in US admissions scam AFP — NEW YORK Loughlin apologized through community service. Both their two daughters at the Uni- tears during her sentencing hearings took place via Zoom versity of Southern California as American actress Lori Loughlin hearing for her “awful decision,” video conference due to the recruits to the crew team -- a was given a two-month prison saying: “I went along with a plan coronavirus pandemic. sport neither had ever trained in. term on Friday after admitting to give my daughters an unfair In delivering both punish- Loughlin was among the most to conspiracy to commit fraud advantage. I thought I was acting ments Nathaniel Gorton, a high-profile personalities as part of her role in a sprawling out of love for my children. But federal judge in Boston, indicted in the wide-reaching college admissions scandal. in reality it only undermined my accepted their plea deals and case. She and her husband were Loughlin — best known for daughters’ abilities and followed the prosecution’s sen- initially charged with conspiracy playing Aunt Becky in the accomplishments.” tencing recommendations. to commit money laundering, 1980s-90s hit sitcom “Full Loughlin is to surrender to Gorton said he was “dumb- bribery and transfer funds. House” — and her husband, the US Bureau of Prisons before founded” that someone with “a The actress said she had designer Mossimo Giannulli, 2pm on November 19. She also fairytale life” now stood before realized her actions only served An April 3, 2019 file picture shows actress Lori Loughlin, and her were among some 50 people faces two years of supervised him “a convicted felon”. to “exacerbate existing inequal- husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, leaving the federal indicted over an elaborate scam release, a $150,000 fine and 100 Friday’s hearings end a legal ities.” “I am truly, profoundly and courthouse, in Boston, Massachusetts. to secure spots for already priv- hours of community service. saga that saw Loughlin and her deeply sorry,” she said. “I’m ready ileged children at prestigious US Giannulli, 57, will serve five same day as his wife. His sen- supervised release, a $250,000 husband admit to paying to face the consequences and universities. months and must surrender the tence included two years of fine and 250 hours of $500,000 to gain admission for make amends.” 12 AMERICAS SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 Republican convention to Trump warns election vote begin tomorrow; First Lady to speak on Tuesday count could take ‘weeks’ AFP — WASHINGTON and rarely opens up about her The prospect of a personal life, is expected to slow count of an Launching political grenades make remarks from the White — and real fireworks — Pres- House’s iconic Rose Garden on expected 50 million ident Donald Trump’s Repub- Tuesday. votes cast by mail lican party will use next week’s Vice-President Mike Pence, — one consequence convention to ignite its base who is important to bringing ahead of the most divisive US right-wing Christian voters to of the coronavirus election in decades. Trump’s banner, will give his pandemic — has As the Democrats demon- speech in Baltimore on raised concerns of strated in their on-screen-only Wednesday. convention to nominate Joe The rest of the time before political turmoil and Biden this week, the 2020 pres- Trump’s finale on Thursday is legal challenges idential election is already deep expected to feature family in untested territory. members, who are an integral that could further The Republican version, part of his campaign, congres- delay a result, for which starts on Monday and sional allies and special guests the presidential as climaxes on Thursday with highlighting the President’s Trump accepting his nomi- potent blend of patriotism and well as congressional nation for a second term, will anti-socialist rhetoric. races. turn things further on their Republican invitations have head. Rather than go online reportedly gone out to Patricia or seek an alternate venue, and Mark McCloskey, who AFP & AP — WASHINGTON Trump will give his speech became rightwing folk heroes from the White House itself — when they were filmed waving US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the 2020 Council for National Policy meeting in an act of bravado that firearms at a group of pro- warned on Friday that the Arlington, Virginia, US, on Friday. stretches ethics rules and, testers marching down their results of the November 3 pres- while legal, tramples over street in St Louis. idential election could take trailing challenger Joe Biden, transmitting the votes. “We need central” as she recalled law- presidential etiquette. Although later charged weeks or months to determine. alleged that Democrats were to prepare as a nation that the makers to Washington in a highly He has justified his choice with a weapons violation, the Amid concerns that a wave promoting universal mail-in election will not be decided on unusual election year as millions as the most practical, cost couple have been lionized by of mail-in ballots could over- voting to manipulate the results. November 3,” he said. of Americans are expected to opt effective measure after Trump and his supporters on whelm the post office and local But he suggested a systemic “I’m worried about ran- for mail-in ballots to avoid COVID-19 forced cancelation Fox News and across the con- election bodies, Trump sug- problem as well. “We’re not pre- somware attacks. I’m worried polling places during the coro- of Republican plans for a tra- servative media sphere. gested the traditional election- pared for this, 51 million ballots. about cyberattacks. I’m worried navirus pandemic. ditional convention with big Another invite symbolizing night verdict could be delayed. It will be a tremendous embar- about the inability of people to "We are here today because crowds in North Carolina. Republicans’ sense of outrage “You’ll never have an election rassment for the country,” he vote because of cyber penetra- our democracy is being eroded As Trump says, he already will be Nicholas Sandmann, a count on November 3,” Trump said. “This is a very serious tions and ransomware.” “So for by this administration,” said Rep lives in the White House. But recent graduate of the Cov- said in a speech to the Council problem for a democracy.” me I worry about not up to the Jim McGovern, D-Mass, the by making the presidential res- ington Catholic High School. He of National Policy, a conserv- On Wednesday, a top US election, from the influence per- chairman of the rules committee, idence his political stage and became famous in 2019 when ative activist group. “You’re not official for election security said spective, I’m worried about the opening debate. He argued Pres- applying to turn the adjacent he was portrayed by major going to be able to know the his biggest worry is of outside interference perspective come ident Trump is trying to halt National Mall into a fireworks media outlets as taunting a end of this election, in my interference in a likely count of November 3, 4 and all the way mail-in ballots, afraid that so launchpad, Trump is also delib- Native American elder, while opinion, for weeks, months, the votes the day after the through November,” he said. many Americans will vote he erately showing off his power, wearing one of Trump’s “Make maybe never,” he said. November 3 election. Meanwhile, the House could lose the White House. in contrast to Biden’s low-key, America Great Again” baseball The prospect of a slow While meddling by Russia, opened a rare session yesterday But Republicans countered online approach. caps, during a school visit to count of an expected 50 million China, Iran and others in the to address mail delivery disrup- that complaints about mail The formal nominating part Washington. votes cast by mail — one con- run-up to the poll is a concern, “I’m tions, launching debate on leg- delivery disruptions are over- of the convention will take The account was based on a sequence of the coronavirus worried about Election Day on,” islation that would reverse blown, and no emergency place on Monday in Charlotte, viral video but subsequent pandemic — has raised con- said Bill Evanina, director of the recent changes in US postal funding is needed right now. North Carolina, with a small footage cast doubt over the cerns of political turmoil and National Counterintelligence and Service operations and send With the majority, Democrats group of Republican delegates entire story and Sandmann’s legal challenges that could Security Center. He said external $25bn in emergency funds to are expected to easily pass the — and possibly Trump — family sued, receiving financial further delay a result, for the actors could use hacks like ran- shore up the agency ahead of legislation. But Republicans are attending in person. settlements from CNN and The presidential as well as congres- somware and other cyberattacks the November election. unlikely to sign on, and the bill First Lady Melania Trump, Washington Post — and sional races. against the infrastructure for Speaker Nancy Pelosi said is certain to stall in the GOP- who came to the United States becoming symbols of conserv- Trump, who polls show is delivering, counting and the postal service will be "election held Senate. as an immigrant from Slovenia ative anger at the media.

Former officer in Green Berets Steve Bannon says he is charged with spying for Moscow victim of ‘political hit job’

AFP — WASHINGTON AFP — WASHINGTON conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another of conspiracy to commit money A former officer in the US US President Donald Trump's former top laundering. The 66-year-old was Special Forces Green Berets was strategist Steve Bannon, who was released on bail of $5m. arrested on Friday and charged arrested this week for defrauding donors Prosecutors said the online crowd- with spying for Moscow, the to a Mexico border wall fundraising cam- funding campaign known as “We Build Justice Department said. paign, has said he is the victim of a the Wall” raised more than $25m, which US-born Peter Rafael Dzi- “political hit job”. the defendants promised would go binski Debbins, 45, was “I’m in this for the long haul. I’m in towards construction of a southern recruited by the Russians as this for the fight. I’m going to continue border barrier but siphoned off instead. early as 1996, before he had to fight,” he said on Friday on his Once a prominent and trusted presi- joined the army but after podcast, Bannon’s War Room. “This was dential ally, Bannon was behind some of several trips to Russia, the to stop and intimidate people that want Trump’s most controversial moves, native home of his mother, the to talk about the wall. This is to stop and including his ban on some travellers from department added. intimidate people that have president abroad and the decision to pull the US out Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon exits the Manhattan Federal While he was still at uni- Trump’s back on building the wall.” of the Paris climate change agreement. Court, following his arraignment hearing for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and versity he met with Russian Bannon, who is credited with orches- After frequent clashes with others in the conspiracy to commit money laundering, in the Manhattan borough of New York agents in Chelyabinsk while he trating Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential White House, including Trump, Bannon was studying there, telling them bid, on Thursday denied one count of was pushed out in August 2017. City, New York, US, on Thursday. he was a “son of Russia” and was politically pro-Russian, according to the allegations. The next year Debbins — Rhode Island reopened whom his Russian contacts gave Washington zoo welcomes the cover name of Ikar Lesnikov — married his Russian girlfriend, day cares without major whose father was a military ‘precious’ new baby panda officer, and he joined the US mil- virus outbreaks: Study itary. A few years later he told AFP — WASHINGTON Since the two pandas’ National Zoo pays $500,000 the Russians he wanted to leave arrival in 2000, Mei Xiang has per year towards panda con- AFP — WASHINGTON stable bubbles of staff and the military, but they pressed Washington zoo officials her- given birth to three surviving servation efforts in China. children. The programs also had him instead to remain and alded the arrival of “a precious cubs: males Tai Shan in 2005 Fewer than 2,000 giant Rhode Island, the smallest US to conform to strict quarantining encouraged him to join the giant panda cub” on Friday, fol- and Bei Bei in 2015, and a pandas still live in their natural state, was able to reopen day and contact tracing measures if special forces. He did so in 2001, lowing the much-watched birth female, Bao Bao, in 2013. habitat in China, while some 600 care programs in the summer an outbreak occurred. and two years later was made a of panda Mei Xiang’s latest The three were returned to more live in zoos and breeding without high rates of corona- An important caveat is that captain based in Germany and baby, four years after her last China on their fourth birthdays centers around the world, virus spread, a study said. while the report said these pro- later Azerbaijan with high-level pregnancy. under a partnership contract in according to the Washington zoo. Robert Redfield, Director of grams had a capacity for 18,945 security clearance. The new mother was exhib- which China owns the pandas. Genetically similar to the the Centers for Disease Control children, it is not known how He left the service in 2005 iting typical panda mom Mei Xiang and Tian Tian bear, pandas feed exclusively and Prevention which wrote many children actually attended but was in regular contact with behavior like “nursing her cub themselves will be returned to on bamboo. They weigh in at the study, held it up as an over the period studied. the Russians while involved in and cuddling it close,” the China next December. Under approximately 100kg and example that could be repli- Between June 1 and July 31, business in Minnesota. Smithsonian’s National Zoo said the US-China agreement, the measure up to six feet long. cated across the country. 52 cases — either confirmed or The last contact with his on Twitter. “We’re overjoyed to “I think this is an inspiring probable — were reported from Russian handlers mentioned share that Mei Xiang gave birth article to tell individuals that a total of 29 programs. In total, in the indictment was in 2011, at 6:35pm and is caring for her there is a path where one can four of the 666 programs saw when he told them he was newborn attentively,” it said, use or partner with their public “secondary” transmission — moving to Washington. That adding that mom and cub health authorities and safely get that is to say an infection or year, according to his LinkedIn “appear to be doing well”. these childcare programs reo- infections that occurred within profile, he began working for Fans of the panda were able pened,” he said. A total of 666 the center itself. These hap- a series of Washington-area to follow her labor live thanks out of 891 childcare programs, pened either when adults defence and intelligence con- to a “panda cam” accessible on both center- and home-based, moved between classes or tractors, and studying at the the zoo’s website 24 hours a day reopened in Rhode Island on when children infected other Institute of World Politics, — although high interest caused June 1 following a significant children in the same group. which focuses on national the feature to crash at some decline in cases and hospitali- Despite the low number of security and intelligence. points. Mei Xiang, who is 22 zations in the state. cases, their impact was still sub- He was charged with one years old, was artificially Officials imposed measures stantial: In total, 89 classes were count of conspiracy to supply inseminated on March 22 with like universal masking for adults, shut down and 853 staff and US defence information to a the frozen semen of Tian Tian, daily symptom screening for children had to quarantine for foreign government, which another resident giant panda everyone, routine disinfection, 14 days. The state has a popu- This August 24, 2016 file photo shows female giant panda Mei Xiang carries a maximum sentence of who will turn 23 later this reduced class sizes (first up to 12, lation of just over one million resting in her enclosure at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. life in prison. month, according to the zoo. and later 20), and maintaining and is split into five counties. BUSINESS SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 13

PAGE | 14 PAGE | 14 Dollar gains against Rabobank joins major euro for first week lenders reviewing since mid-June commodity trade after key data finance

Global trade to stabilise further as major economies re-open A cautious optimism has QNB ECONOMIC East Asian economies producers globally, after hardwareKey and indicators electronics. forreinforcing global tradeother positive continuously marched ahead COMMENTARY expanded on a month-on- several months of supply- The adoption of 5G tech-(y/y, %)signs of an early recovery over the last few months, as month basis for the first time side disruption and several advanced economies since January 2020. After 5 inventory drawdowns. The gradually “re-opened” their activity, i.e., global trade. months of decline, USD COVID-19 shock affected the activities, hopefully leaving Exports of early-reporting export values from key Asian export-intensive manufac- the peak of the pandemic and highly open economies economies increased by 6% turing sector after 19 months shock behind. The stabili- of East Asia, which are a key from June to July. Exports for of steep industrial deceler- sation of the COVID-19 coincident indicator of Asia and Europe, in par- ation, when the manufac- spread and aggressive policy overall trade dynamics, are ticular, have picked up sub- turing cycle was ripe to turn stimulus produced a signif- so far down 11% y/y in July stantially, suggesting a quick into expansive mode. The icant reversal of economic 2020. While this represents “re-opening” rebound. build-up of inventories trends, from a rapid but deep a significant downturn, it is Second, transportation related to preventive depression to what so far far off from the collapse activity, a key leading indi- measures against disruption appears to be a recovery to experienced in April, when cator for incoming demand in US-China trade relations close to previous levels in the y/y exports crumbled by more and exports, had also started in 2018 were gradually medium term. At the time of than 19%. Moreover, a to point to additional drawn down over 2019, writing, a broad based stabi- smoother trend-line of strength. The Dow Jones requiring new orders and an lisation is taking place 3-month average y/y figures Transportation Average, an increase in trade flows. The globally, igniting not only the point to the beginning of a equity index comprised of pandemic did not completely badly hit service sector but turning point for exports, airlines, trucking, marine wipe out the need for those also manufacturing, as with the trend gradually transportation, railroad and new orders. expressed by the bounce in moving upwards after the delivery companies, whose Fourth, the pandemic has surveys with purchasing sharp crash. performance traditionally accelerated secular or long- managers (Purchasing Most importantly, leads exports by 3 months, term consumption trends that Managers Indices or PMIs). however, four reasons point are not only signalling for the are traditionally export- nology and the required IT from the global recession. Several months into the to promising signs that the beginning of a recovery but intensive, such as software, infrastructure for its proper Should the pandemic stabilize tentative rebound, this turning point in global trade for a significant acceleration electronics and communi- functioning is boosting further and extraordinary analysis delves into the will gain momentum. over the next few months. cation equipment. Working demand for the semicon- policy support continue, figures of one of the most First, last month (July), Third, a backlog of new from home requirements are ductor industry. activity and trade will likely reliable gauges of real exports of early reporting orders is set to reach propping up the demand for All in all, trade is so far accelerate even more. Climate fund for poor nations vows Al Attiyah Foundation: Weekly energy market to drive green COVID-19 recovery review REUTERS — BARCELONA pandemic and the fund needed Heinrich Böll Foundation North to increase support “even America, said the fund should THE PENINSULA — DOHA The Green Climate Fund has during these difficult times”. take a hard look at whether the promised developing nations Those promises came as forest emission reductions it is Oil prices lost about 1 percent it will ramp up efforts to help small island states criticised the paying for would be per- on Friday as the economic them tackle climate challenges pace and size of GCF assistance, manent. It should also ensure recovery worldwide runs into as they strive to recover from saying they were now strug- the funding protects and ben- stumbling blocks due to the coronavirus pandemic, gling with the economic blow efits forest communities and renewed Covid-19 lockdowns approving $879m in backing from the pandemic on top of indigenous people, she told the and on worries about rising for 15 new projects around the climate change impacts such Thomson Reuters crude supply. The eurozone’s world. as rising seas and stronger Foundation. economic recovery from its At a four-day virtual board storms. Other new projects deepest downturn on record meeting ending late Friday, the Fiji’s U.N. Ambassador included one for zero-defor- stalled this month as pent-up fund added Afghanistan and Satyendra Prasad said estation cocoa production in demand, unleashed by the Sudan to a list of more than 100 COVID-19 risked worsening the for island nations, including Ivory Coast, providing rural vil- easing of lockdowns in July, more supply from the US. The countries receiving a total of already high debt burden of strengthening buildings to lages in Senegal and Afghan- dwindled a survey showed. By average LNG price for October $6.2bn to reduce planet- small island nations, as tourism withstand hurricanes in istan with solar mini-grids, and contrast, US housing and man- delivery into Northeast Asia heating emissions and enhance dived. Antigua and Barbuda, and conserving biodiversity on ufacturing survey data came was estimated at about $4.10 climate resilience. “The importance of the installing solar power systems Indian Ocean islands. in better than expected. per million British thermal The Green Climate Fund (GCF)... in accelerating trans- on farmland on Fiji’s Ovalau The fund said initiatives like Brent crude futures settled units (mmBtu), up 40 cents (GCF) was set up under UN formative climate action in this island. these would create jobs and at $44.35 a barrel, down 55 from the previous week, but climate talks in 2010 to help present decade cannot be It also gave the green light support a green recovery from cents or 1.2 percent, while US down about 10 to 20 cents developing nations tackle understated,” he added. to payments rewarding reduc- the coronavirus crisis. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) from earlier this week. global warming, and started He told the Thomson tions in deforestation in The board also accepted crude futures settled at $42.34 Expectations of more allocating money in 2015. Reuters Foundation island Colombia and Indonesia Senegal’s La Banque Agricole a barrel, falling 1.1 percent. cargoes from the US as well as Executive Director Yannick nations were struggling to between 2014 and 2016. and the United Nations Indus- Brent fell about 1 percent for news that the maintenance at Glemarec (pictured) said the access other sources of finance But more than 80 green trial Development Organization the week, although WTI saw a Gorgon will not be as extensive fund had “a key role to play to and urged the GCF to boost aid groups issued an open letter as partners that can implement weekly rise of nearly 1 percent. as initially thought are maintain climate ambition in to help them prepare project ahead of the meeting opposing projects with fund money. In demand, India’s crude oil expected to weigh on prices the era of COVID-19” and proposals and to release such funding. But Japan’s Sumitomo imports fell in July to their next week. would aim to improve the funding for approved projects They said deforestation had Mitsui Banking Corporation lowest level since 2010, while Chevron Corp plans to shut speed and efficiency of its faster. since spiked and countries (SMBC) put its accreditation US motorists drove 13 percent Train 1 at its Gorgon LNG plant response to developing country The Alliance of Small Island should not be rewarded for application on hold after cam- fewer miles in June than a year in Australia in early October needs. States said its members repre- “paper reductions” in carbon paigners argued the GCF should earlier, according the US and Train 3 in January 2021 for Board co-chair Nauman sented less than 10 percent of emissions calculated from not work with a company that Department of Transport. inspections on key equipment Bashir Bhatti, from Pakistan, total funding requests. favourable baselines. lends to developers of coal- Putting further pressure on in the processing units. Its train said climate finance would be The GCF this week Liane Schalatek, who leads power plants, though it has oil prices, Libya’s national oil 2 is expected to restart pro- crucial for recovery from the approved three new projects climate finance work for the ruled out backing new ones. company said it could restart duction in early September oil exports after the North after maintenance was African country’s interna- extended for two months. Amazon consumer tionally recognised gov- Buyers are expected to South Africa seeks proposals for ernment in Tripoli announced cancel up to 10 LNG cargoes business CEO Jeff a ceasefire. Those additional for October loading from the barrels would add to the US, the lowest number in Wilke to retire 2,000MW of emergency power output from OPEC+. The group months as prices i has been focused on ensuring n Asia and Europe recover. next year REUTERS — CAPE TOWN lockdown restrictions to contain be fully operational by not later members that had overpro- The exact number of cancel- the new coronavirus and has re- than the end of June 2022,” the duced against their commit- lations was not immediately IANS — SAN FRANCISCO South Africa has issued a request opened power-hungry indus- department said in Saturday’s ments would cut output. clear, but several trade sources for proposals to procure 2,000 tries, such as mining, in a bid to statement, adding it expected to An internal report showed estimated a range of three to Jeff Wilke, the CEO of Amazon’s megawatts of emergency power, kick-start a weak economy. attract around 40 billion rand the group wanted oversupply ten, much lower than the 40 worldwide consumer division, a step needed to help plug a During load shedding, which ($2.33 billion) of investment. between May and July com- to 45 likely cancelled in July is set to retire early next year severe energy shortage, the is meant to protect the national In February, Turkey’s Kar- pensated for with cuts this and August. As a result, Henry after serving the company for department of energy said power grid from complete col- powership, one of the world’s month and next, Reuters Hub prices moved high last over two decades. yesterday. lapse, residents and businesses largest suppliers of floating reported. The report also week, closing at $2.45 per Dave Clark, Amazon’s South Africa’s state-owned are typically left without elec- power plants, said it had sub- showed OPEC+ expects oil mmBtu on Friday. Senior Vice-President of Retail power utility Eskom has been tricity for a couple of hours at a mitted plans to provide “several” demand in 2020 to fall by 9.1 European gas prices have Operations, will succeed Wilke, forced to cut power regularly, time. ships capable of alleviating the million barrels per day (mbpd), also increased this month due Amazon said in a statement. hobbling economic growth in In December, South Africa country’s power shortages. and by as much as 11.2 mbpd to lower Russian gas flows. In a memo to employees, Africa’s most industrialised issued a request for information The department of energy if there is a resurgence of Analysts now expect winter Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff country as unreliable coal-fired (RFI) to source between 2,000 said on Saturday that bidders Covid-19 infections. LNG prices to rise to $5-6 per Bezos called Wilke his “tutor”. plants struggle to generate and 3,000 megawatts (MW) of would need to conform to South Asian spot LNG prices mmbtu as the market tightens. Wilke, who joined the enough electricity to meet generation capacity to be con- Africa’s policies designed to jumped to a multi-month high Both the TTF and NBP prices company in 1999, is often demand. nected in the shortest time, at the broaden economic participation earlier last week, although they saw weekly gains last week, credited with shaping the Scheduled blackouts, known least cost. for the black majority and to eased slightly towards the end with both benchmarks closing logistics system that the e-com- as load shedding, have resumed “All power procured under make commitments to job cre- of the week on expectations of above $2.75 per mmBtu. merce giant has today. as South Africa has eased strict this programme is expected to ation and skills development. 14 BUSINESS SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 QNB launches WhatsApp service to Dollar gains against euro for first week since enhance customer experience mid-June after key data THE PENINSULA — DOHA QNB customers and the public Stores and save the WhatsApp solutions for Internet and REUTERS - NEW YORK QNB, the largest financial insti- by providing general infor- number +9744407777 in their Mobile Banking services. tution in the Middle East and mation on the Bank’s products contact list. QNB Group’s presence The US dollar on Friday gained Africa, has launched QNB and services as well as a feature QNB provides unique through its subsidiaries and against the euro for the first WhatsApp Service to provide to message customer service digital banking services for its associate companies extends week since mid-June after data customers with a wider range agents for live support. customers, including flexible to more than 31 countries showed a strong uptick in US of banking products and Customers can easily start transfers worldwide, sched- across three continents pro- business activity, while the services. using the QNB WhatsApp uling recurring transfers, bill viding a comprehensive range single currency was held down QNB WhatsApp banking will banking by downloading payments, in addition to of advanced products and as an August batch of European be a new channel that serves WhatsApp via IOS or Android innovative and secure services. business surveys pointed to a stuttering economic recovery. US business activity snapped back to the highest Schamotta, chief market strat- since early 2019 this month as egist at Cambridge Global Rabobank joins lenders reviewing companies in both the manu- Payments. facturing and services sectors The euro dipped to a one- saw a resurgence in new orders week low of $1.175 against the even as new COVID-19 cases greenback earlier, before rising commodity trade finance remain stubbornly high across back to $1.179, down 0.61 BLOOMBERG finance,” Rabobank spokesman Lawyers representing Vicentin the country. “The Markit PMI percent on the day. Eric Lagerwey said by phone. creditors, including the Utrecht- flash readings show the US is The greenback escaped a Rabobank Group is reviewing Some of the biggest com- based bank, earlier this year outperforming Europe,” said ninth consecutive weekly its commodity trade finance modity and trade-finance asked a New York judge to sub- Edward Moya (pictured), decline that would marked business, joining other major lenders, including ABN Amro poena the company, saying they senior market analyst at the longest losing streak since lenders in reconsidering their Bank NV, BNP Paribas SA and suspected about $400m of funds OANDA in New York. the summer of 2010 and a run roles in an industry upended by Societe Generale SA, are scaling had been siphoned to sister firms, The data contrasted with that has only happened five recent trading scandals and the back or even completely pulling court papers showed. weakness in the euro zone, as times since 1990. novel coronavirus. out of the sector. “In terms of our interna- commitment to the food chain the pent-up demand unleashed The recovery in the dollar The Dutch bank, best The move comes after a tional activities, Rabobank is a and the developments that are last month by the easing of began on Wednesday after the known for financing food and series of scandals involving com- unique bank in the world that associated with it. What it spe- virus lockdowns dwindled. Federal Open Market Com- agricultural traders, is analyzing modity traders from Asia to the primarily focuses on serving the cifically means for the product “Clearly the PMI numbers mittee released minutes from clients in its current portfolio. Middle East and Argentina, while food chains,” Chief Executive offering and the type of service this morning suggest that Europe its last meeting, the tone of While it has no plans to exit the many trading houses faced Officer Wiebe Draijer (pic- provided is of course an is losing a little momentum here which was more dovish than sector, it may choose not to financial stress as the pandemic tured) said on a August 13 con- ongoing part of a review.” and that we’re seeing some tur- expected. The minutes finance some customers when hit commodity demand. ference call with journalists. Rabobank recently appointed bulence in other areas of the prompted dollar bears to buy facilities come up for renewal, Rabobank took a hit from “We do see that it is a vol- Esther Berkelaar, one of its trade global economy. So that is into the heavily shorted cur- sources said. “We continuously its exposure to companies atile business where you also finance bankers in the Nether- weighing on the performance rency, fueling its biggest review the underlying business including Argentina’s bankrupt see an impact over the cycles, lands, to a newly created position gap between the US and its one-day surge in more than of trade and commodity soy-export giant Vicentin SAIC. but we have long-term as head of risk for the unit. major counterparts,” said Karl two months. Qatar Automobiles Company continues its offer on full range of Mitsubishi vehicles

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Financial Services (terms and 8-speed automatic transmission strong personality that drives conditions apply). – First from Mitsubishi Motors – you to explore. The fresh sur- Qatar Automobiles Company, the Montero Sport improved fuel efficiency coupled prise of the body persists in the authorized distributor of Mit- The 2020 Montero Sport gets with smoother, more luxurious cabin where engineering subishi Motors Corporation in a fresh new face. The updated drive is easily achieved. passion culminates in sporty, Qatar, continues its offer on the look features the new Dynamic Built for maximum stability dynamic refinement. full range of Mitsubishi vehicles Shield front grill, enhanced front and traction, the rugged frame From distinctive horizontal 2020 models, with monthly bumper design and new LED and and aerodynamically contoured instrument panel to shining installments and package of fog lights to give the car more body contribute to solid handling silver trim and monotone color benefits. tough yet smooth and modern and stable highway scheme, the cockpit welcomes Valid until August 31, the offer look. On the back, the layout of performance. you to a bold new experience A view of the interior and dashboard of a Mitsubishi car. includes Montero Sport, Out- rear lamps was changed, signal Eclipse Cross with Display Audio and Head lander, Eclipse cross, ASX and the lights and brake lights’ positions The Eclipse Cross’s beau- Up Display keeping you stim- Mirage. The amazing offer has have been switched, with a new tiful, dynamic form creates the ulated and informed. The care more attractive responsive handling and high- several benefits including 1-year spoiler out back adding a smoked same sense of excitement and newly developed 1.5L petrol appearance. Both bumpers, quality craftsmanship. free comprehensive insurance, finish in order to give the car a inspiration as the diamond ring turbo engine, it provides a front and rear, are extended The ride is also extremely 1-year free registration,5-year more sophisticated look. effect during a total eclipse. pleasing response, high revo- while the radiator grill is wider quiet thanks to enhanced noise warranty with unlimited mileage, The Montero Sport 2020 While stylish like a coupé, it’s lutions and strong with new headlamps feature reduction measures that lower and 1 year or 20,000 km free model is equipped with 3.0- unquestionably a Mitsubishi acceleration. LED lighting for both the high engine, road and wind noise. service. The monthly installment LITER V6 MIVEC engine. The Motors SUV. The dynamic, Outlander and low beams. The interior is From generous cabin space and starts from 999 Qatari Riyals, high-displacement V6 engine sculpted form projects the The upgraded design of refreshing silence and quality. comfortable seating to quality with no down payment, 3 months supplies strong acceleration even explosive power of an athlete Mitsubishi Outlander is stylish, Driving the OUTLANDER is a materials and refined amenities, grace period and the option of in- when carrying heavy loads or from sporty face to high-tech with changes on the front and pleasurable experience every detail contributes to your house financing through NBK traveling uphill. Thanks to the rear lamps. All harmonize in a rear exterior design to give the heightened by quick, traveling joy. The all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter available in Qatar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA to his or her needs. highest specification model The Sprinter transitions from where high-resolution touch- Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Auto- a commercial vehicle with pure screens and high-quality mate- mobiles, the Authorised General utility value to an impressive rials determine the visual Distributor of Mercedes-Benz business card for commercial impression and ambience. in Qatar, presents the all-new fleets and businesses. It pioneers The stowage compartment Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in the new design idiom of Mer- concept exemplifies the adapt- Qatar. It is available now at cedes-Benz Vans and embodies ability of the interior. A choice Mercedes-Benz showroom on the inherent emotional appeal of open or closed compartments, Salwa Road. and intelligence. and a lockable compartment The new Sprinter elevates The Sprinter has different within the roof liner in the the benchmark for the large van priorities dependent on the cus- cockpit area, enable the config- segment, offering an innovative tomers’ needs and requirements. uration to be tailored precisely and diverse range of product Ranging from the basic specifi- to the given requirements for the features that serves specific cation variant for customers who workplace behind the wheel. market needs more effectively value proven Sprinter attributes The desire for multiple indi- than ever before. Through its such as standard-fit electronic vidualisation options is con- technology and intelligence, the stability program (ESP) and tinued in the temperature reg- new Sprinter offers every cus- standard safety equipment like ulation, with a new advanced air tomer a model tailored precisely Crosswind Assist, through to the conditioning system ideal for the The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

MENA region. THERMOTRONIC automatically previously maintained within Found in a separate control regulates the fan, air distri- the passenger car series. These panel below the display for the bution and temperature to the include the radar-based dis- telematic system, the modular comfort level of a passenger tance control system DIS- construction of the ventilation car. TRONIC, Active Brake Assist system allows both the inte- Mercedes-Benz Vans’ role and Active Lane Keeping Assist. gration of a standard heating as a driver of innovation and a The Sprinter comes also with system and the use of a roof- pioneer in the introduction of standard-fit Crosswind Assist, mounted air conditioning modern safety technologies in Active Brake Assist and Lane system with a separate cooling the large van segment. Keeping Assist. 3 camera solu- circuit e.g. for passenger Modern safety and tions, from the reversing transport in hot countries. assistance systems play a par- camera with rear view mirror The high-performance ticularly important role in this display to the 360 degrees overhead air conditioning segment throughout the region, camera, are optionally available system supplements the air as commercially used vehicles to further enhance the good conditioning at the front to up are often in operation on a daily overall view from the cockpit. to 7 kW with an additional 11 basis, covering long mileages The optionally available kW of rear cooling output, both and must remain controllable LED high performance head- running on independent cir- even at the limits despite their lamps provide for optimum cuits, to reach a possible com- relatively large dimensions. illumination of the carriageway bined total of 18 kW to deliver With the presentation of the in dark. Standard fit airbag can the ultimate in climate comfort new Sprinter, a whole range of help the driver in a collision. An in the passenger compartment. optional safety and assistance additional 5 airbags are The powerful one-zone auto- systems is now available from optionally available for driver The range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. matic climate control system Mercedes-Benz Vans that were and co-driver. Sunday 23 August 2020 To advertise contact: Tel: 44557 857 or email: [email protected] 16 CLASSIFIEDS SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020

SITUATION VACANT in QATAR FOR HIRING REQUIRED Rafeeq delivery company is looking NURSE for Motorcycle Drivers to work in a Nursery in Al Kheesa

For more details must have license from contact: 30965022 the Ministry of Health email: [email protected] Call: 33115533 SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 CLASSIFIEDS 17

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CHANGE OF NAME I, Abhay Babu Shkor Babu Holder of India Passport No. L4967800 (Qatar ID No. 28935600139) hereby change my name to ABHAY BABU CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE CHACKO BABU CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY W.L.L. Any objection, please contact the Complete General Cleaning Services for Old and New Villas Tel: 44582257 Mobile: 33189899/ 55565328 E-mail: [email protected] Immigration and Passport Office within 15

AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL days from the publication of this notice. Complete General Cleaning For Residential & Commercial. Supply of Cleaning Staff on Contract Basis. Pest Control Services. Office: 44367555 Mob: 30029977/55875920 E-mail: [email protected] I, Relyn Batucan Pahati

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AFP — SOUTHAMPTON a first series win over Pakistan But he still received in a decade, then saw Anderson applause from his team-mates Zak Crawley converted his reduce the tourists to 24-3 at in a match being played behind maiden Test hundred into a the close -- a deficit of 559 runs closed doors because of the superb innings of 267 yesterday -- as he moved to within four COVID-19 outbreak. as England piled on the runs of becoming the first paceman The 22-year-old Crawley against Pakistan in their series to take 600 wickets in Tests. was the seventh England finale at Southampton before Shan Masood was plumb batsman to turn his maiden Test James Anderson rocked the lbw for four before fellow hundred into a double century tourists with a late treble strike. opener Abid Ali (one) edged and the first since Rob Key Crawley and Jos Buttler, Anderson low to Dom Sibley at against the West Indies at Lord’s who made 152, shared a stand third slip. in 2004. of 359 that powered England to And with what became the Earlier, Buttler completed 583-8 declared on the second last ball of the day, Anderson just the second hundred of his day of the third Test. had star batsman Babar Azam England’s Zak Crawley plays a shot on the 47-match Test career and first England, 1-0 up in a three- lbw for 11 with one that cut second day of the third Test match against as a wicketkeeper. match contest and looking for back. Pakistan yesterday. INSET: James Anderson Crawley, advancing down (left) celebrates with Dom Bess after taking the pitch, lofted Yasir over long- SCOREBOARD the wicket of Pakistan’s Abid Ali. off for six before a clipped England 1st Innings 1; Alam 12-0-46-2; Masood 3-1-11-0; Shafiq 7-0- boundary off paceman R. Burns c Masood b Afridi ...... 6 24-1 (1nb) Mohammad Abbas saw him to D. Sibley lbw b Yasir Shah ...... 22 Pakistan 1st Innings 250. Z. Crawley st Rizwan b Shafiq ...... 267 Shan Masood lbw b Anderson ...... 4 But his near 10-hour innings J. Root c Rizwan b Naseem Shah ...... 29 Abid Ali c Sibley b Anderson ...... 1 end when he was stumped O. Pope b Yasir Shah ...... 3 Azhar Ali not out ...... 4 down the legside by J. Buttler c and b Alam ...... 152 Babar Azam lbw b Anderson ...... 11 C. Woakes c Yasir Shah b Alam ...... 40 Extras (b1, lb1, w2) ...... 4 Anderson had stumps Shah (1-109 in 27) both going surpassing the 254 shared by Mohammad Rizwan off part- D. Bess not out ...... 27 Total (3 wkts, 10.5 overs, 55 mins) 24 figures of 3-13 in 5.5 overs. for more than four an over. Keith Fletcher and Tony Greig time spinner Asad Shafiq. S. Broad b Afridi ...... 15 To bat: Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad England’s total was their Crawley’s innings was the against India at the Brabourne Crawley faced 393 balls, Extras (b4, lb13, nb4, w1) ...... 22 Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen highest in Tests since they made seventh highest maiden Stadium in Mumbai in February hitting 34 fours and one six, Total (8 wkts dec, 154.4 overs, 671m) 583 Afridi, Naseem Shah 589-8 declared against Pakistan hundred in 143 years of Test- 1973. in what was the 10th-highest Did not bat: J Archer, J Anderson Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Masood), 2-11 (Abid), 3-24 at Old Trafford four years ago. match cricket and the 10th One of the few false shots of Test score by an England Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Burns), 2-73 (Sibley), 3-114 (Babar) Three of Pakistan’s frontline highest score by any England his innings saw Crawley, 186 batsman. (Root), 4-127 (Pope), 5-486 (Crawley), 6-530 Bowling: Anderson 5.5-1-13-3; Broad 3-1-6-0; (Buttler), 7-547 (Woakes), 8-583 (Broad) Archer 2-0-3-0 (1w) bowlers conceded over 100 batsman. not out at lunch, go to 200 when Together with Buttler, he Bowling: Afridi 33.4-5-121-2 (3nb, 1w); Abbas Match position: Pakistan are 559 runs behind runs each, with leg-spinner His partnership with Buttler he edged a four past second slip had taken England from 127-4 33-8-82-0; Yasir 39-3-173-2; Naseem 27-6-109- with seven first-innings wickets standing Yasir Shah (2-173 from 39 overs) was also a new England fifth- off Naseem -- his 25th boundary to 486-5 against an increasingly and teenage paceman Naseem wicket record in Tests, in 331 balls. ragged Pakistan.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s NBA: Clippers top Mavs to Pol Espargaro during qualifying, yesterday. take lead, Doncic injured

REUTERS — NEW YORK Dallas star Luka Doncic remaining that put third-seeded finished the game Boston up by four and set the Kawhi Leonard recorded 36 watching from the bench stage for a possible sweep in the points, nine rebounds and eight due to a sprained left best-of-seven series. Game 4 is assists to lead the Las Angeles ankle. Doncic had 13 set for Sunday. Clippers over the Dallas points, 10 rebounds and Joel Embiid led all scorers Mavericks 130-122 on Friday with 30 points for the sixth- 10 assists in 29 minutes, night to grab a 2-1 lead in a seeded 76ers. Western Conference first- but he hit just 4 of 14 Utah Jazz 124 - Denver round play-off series near shots from the floor. Nuggets 87 Orlando. Mike Conley scored 27 Espargaro, KTM celebrate maiden Dallas star Luka Doncic fin- lead over Brooklyn in their points and Rudy Gobert added ished the game watching from Eastern Conference first-round 24 points and 14 rebounds to the bench due to a sprained left series. power Utah to a 2-1 series lead MotoGP pole in Styrian qualifying ankle. Doncic had 13 points, 10 The second-seeded Raptors over Denver in their first-round rebounds and 10 assists in 29 own a 3-0 series edge for the series in the Western Con- minutes, but he hit just 4 of 14 first time in team history. They ference play-offs. Game 4 is on STYRIAN MOTOGP GRID AFP — SPIELBERG shots from the floor. can close out the Nets tonight Sunday. Front row it in the dying seconds for Landry Shamet scored 18 in Game 4. Donovan Mitchell added 20 1. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) KTM, the performance all the points, Ivica Zubac added 15 The Nets’ Tyler Johnson was points while Georges Niang Pol Espargaro powered his 2. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) sweeter coming on home soil and Marcus Morris Sr. had 14 elevated to the starting lineup scored a playoff career-high 16 KTM to a first ever elite pole for the Austrian outfit. 3. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) points to help the second- and scored a playoff career- points off the bench. Utah position in Styrian MotoGP “I fell really pleased with Second row seeded Clippers move in front high 23 points while starting for earned its second straight lop- qualifying yesterday. it,” beamed the maiden 4. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) in the best-of-seven series. Joe Harris, who missed the sided victory over Denver after Japan’s Takaaki Nakagami pole-sitter. 5. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) Kristaps Porzingis registered 34 game for personal reasons. going 18-for-37 from 3-point sprang a surprise to set the “I didn’t imagine we could points and 13 rebounds, Seth Boston Celtics 102 - Phil- range. Conley led the way, second fastest time for 6. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) do the pole, I was thinking for Curry added 22 on 9-of-11 adelphia 76ers 94 going a career-playoff-best Honda’s satellite LCR team to Third row first or maybe second row it shooting, and Tim Hardaway Boston made three key 7-for-8 from long distance. join the Spaniard in what will 7. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM-Tech-3) would be amazing for us. also scored 22 for the defensive plays down the Nikola Jokic scored 15 be his first top-tier front row 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) “I was making mistakes in Mavericks. stretch and overtook Phila- points and Jamal Murray added appearance. 9. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) practice, so I’m super happy, Toronto Raptors 117 - delphia to grab a 3-0 lead in 12 to lead the Nuggets. Both Placed third was Johann Fourth row and all the guys at KTM Brooklyn Nets 92 their Eastern Conference first- players added five rebounds Zarco but rather than joining 10. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) deserve this so much.” Pascal Siakam scored 26 round play-off series. and six assists. Denver shot just Espargaro and Nakagami at 11. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) In fourth came Joan Mirs points, Fred VanVleet added 22 Kemba Walker scored a 37.5 percent from the floor, the head of the grid the 12. Iker Lecuona (ESP/KTM-Tech3) and the Spaniard got an added and Toronto Raptors never team-high 24 points, including compared to 51.2 percent for Frenchman will be starting Selected bonus for his best ever quali- trailed in taking a commanding a key jumper with 1:05 the Jazz. today’s race from the pitlane. Fifth row fying performance by filling

Zarco was penalised for 13: Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) Zarco’s place on the front row. “irresponsible riding” in a 14. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) Italian legend Valentino crash with Franco Morbidelli Rossi had to settle for 15th last week. He was back on his after crashing in his final lap bike after sitting out Friday’s This was the first time the in Q1. practice due to surgery on the Frenchman who won the The 41-year-old nine-time wrist he injured in the opening two races in Jerez has world champion was badly collision. finished off the front row since shaken by last Sunday’s Championship leader the British MotoGP last year. accident when Morbidelli’s Fabio Quartararo failed to fire In an ultra competitive stray bike flew across the and sets off 10th for this fifth session provisional pole track centimetres in front of leg of the coronavirus-dis- changed ownership numerous him which “almost killed” Los Angeles Clippers’ rupted season. times before Espargaro nailed him. Kawhi Leonard (left) scores ahead of Dallas Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber during their play-off game. World champion Marquez sidelined for at least two more months

AFP — SPIELBERG Marquez could conceivably the Spanish Grand Prix on July miss the remainder of the cam- 19. Reigning MotoGP world paign. Marquez, 27, has won the “There has been a lot of talk champion Marc Marquez MotoGP title in six of the past about Marc’s recovery and the (pictured) will be sidelined for seven seasons and each of the various deadlines, but from the another two to three monthsths last four. first day after the second oper- after fracturing his right armm in HoweHowever,ver, he ation wewe have said that the only July’s season opener, endinging hashas yet to score objectiveobjectiv that exists is for him any chance of the Spaniardard a single point to be oneon hundred percent,” defending his title. this year after ssaidaid teamtea manager Alberto “The objective of bothoth he waswas hurthurt Puig.Puig. Marquez and the Repsol Hondanda iinn the first “We“We do not want to rush. Team is to return to the Worldrld race ofof thethe OnceOnce MarcM is in a position to Championship when Marc’sc’s season, returnreturn andan compete at the level arm has fully recovered fromom he knows,know then we will think the serious injury that occurredred aboutabout the next objective.” in Jerez,” Honda said inn a French rider Fabio statement yesterday. QuartararoQu of Yamaha- “It is estimated it will takeake SRTSR leads the champi- between two to three monthsths onshipon standings with 67 before Marc can return.” pointsp from four races, The 2020 season is due to withw Italy’s Andrea finish at the Portuguese Grandnd DDovizioso of Ducati 11 Prix on November 22, meaningng pointsp behind in second. SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020 SPORT 19 ‘Proud’ Al Duhail relish QSL title triumph THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Al Duhail’s President H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani has praised the team and all members of the club following their QNB Stars League 2019- 2020 title triumph, hoping for more achievements from the Red Knights in the future. In his congratulatory message, the Al Duhail Pres- ident said: “The team succeeded in achieving the league title despite all the difficulties. I con- gratulate the players and all my brothers in the club, and also the technical and administrative staff for this achievement.” Al Duhail sealed the title on Friday after a 1-0 victory over Al Ahli, finishing their campaign The team succeeded in with 16 wins, 4 draws and two achieving the league losses. Al Rayyan finished title despite all the second with 14 wins, six draws difficulties. I congratulate and a defeat while Al Sadd, the the players and all my 14-time champions finished brothers in the club, and third. also the technical and Sheikh Khalifa said the administrative staff for management will continue to this achievement. support the team and provide The management will good atmosphere in which the always be close to the players can compete with players and provide them motivation. “The management will with the atmosphere always be close to the players that motivates them QSL CEO congratulates champions Al Duhail and provide them with the to work strongly. Now atmosphere that motivates our focus has shifted THE PENINSULA – DOHA superior this season and winning professionalism and disciplinepline of them to work strongly. Now our completely to the rest of the well-deserved league shield all staff, clubs and playersayers focus has shifted completely to the competitions before Hani Taleb Ballan (pictured), CEO after a fierce competition that went during the season in generaleral the rest of the competitions the start of the new of Qatar Stars League (QSL), down till the last week." and during the pandemic,mic, before the start of the new season, as there is an congratulated the Board of "I also praise the level of com- which led to a number of ppre-re- season, as there is an important important match waiting Directors of Al Duhail club on petition exhibited by all teams for cautionary measures takenen by match waiting us in the semi- us in the semi-final of becoming the champions on various positions in the table the authorities concernedd whenwhen final of the Amir Cup, and also the Amir Cup, and also Friday. resulting from the readiness of football activity was stoppedped our matches in the AFC Cham- He said, “On behalf of all staff clubs and players, and the great and all parties demon-- our matches in the AFC pions league, and God willing, of the QSL, I extend my sincere professionalism they’ve achieved strated utmost responsi- the team will achieve good Champions league, and congratulations to Al Duhail club, besides reflecting on the strength bility and commitment by results,” he said. God willing, the team its players, technical as well as and stature of QNB Stars League,” adhering to the General It wasn’t an easy sailing for will achieve good results: administrative staff and all its Balan said. Protocol and approved Al Duhail during the season as Al Duhail’s President employees for emerging as The QSL CEO also praised the plan. they suffered injuries to their H E Sheikh Khalifa bin key players including striker Hamad Al Thani Yousef Msakni, Assim Madibo Regragui : Despite The Absences , The Team SSucceededucceeded In Winning The Title and Bassam Al Rawi. The team also saw a change in man- beginning, which was to regain Coach Regragui credits collective agement with Walid Regragui the league shield, which was replacing Rui Faria as head very difficult. Thank God for effort for his maiden QSL silverware I extend my sincere coach. what has been achieved and I congratulations to Al Duhail club, its players, Al Duhail Vice-President, am happy with the team’s con- THE PENINSULA – DOHA Khalifa Khamis Al Sulaiti said tinued successes,” said striker title with the club. This was not an easy title technical as well as the QSL title is a result of Ismail Mohammed. to win, specially in the middle of the administrative staff and teamwork by all members of Al Duhail left back Sultan Al Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui yesterday COVID-19 pandemic that stopped the com- all its employees for the club. Breik said: “We deserved the credited the collective effort of everyone at petitions for a long period. But the team suc- emerging as superior this “ This season was not easy title. I’m proud of my contri- the club for his maiden title triumph at the ceeded in keeping the top place of the League season and winning the but the team remained deter- bution as well as that of my col- QNB Stars League. after returning despite a fierce challenge from well-deserved league mined and achieved the results leagues towards winning the The Moroccan expressed his happiness Al Rayyan team." Regragui said. shield after a fierce we hoped for. Now all our focus QNB Stars League shield during with the league title and congratulated eve- “I congratulate all my team-mates in the competition that went is on the coming challenges,” the 2019-20 season, which was ryone, including the club President. coaching and medical staff on the big efforts. down till the last week: he said. a difficult mission.” “I congratulate His Highness Sheikh We played our last match and we were Al Duhail’s Executive Mohammed Al Bakri said: Khalifa bin Hamad, the club’s President, and missing the services of Msakni, Ahmed Yasser Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of Director Adnan Al Ali said the “I am proud of the team’s all the members of the Board of Directors and and Madibo and also the new professional Qatar Stars League team deserved to be crowned success in winning the league the players who helped me achieving my first Dudu," Regragui said. the champions because of their title this season after a long and consistent performance despite difficult journey during which This season was not easy the injury challenges. we demonstrated our ability to Al Duhail players but the team remained Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s emerge on top. The team played throw coach determined and achieved players were also ecstatic after well in all other tournaments, Walid Regragui the results we hoped for. lifting the Falcon Shield. be it domestic or AFC Cham- in the air as they Now all our focus is on “We had one goal from the pions League.” celebrate the the coming challenges: QSL title victory Al Duhail Vice-President, on Friday. Khalifa Khamis Al Sulaiti

Top This was not an easy title to win, specially in the middle of the COVID-19 scorers pandemic that stopped the competitions for a long period. But the team succeeded in keeping the 15 top place of the League after returning despite a fierce challenge from Al Rayyan team: Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui Akram Afif Yacine Brahimi (Al Sadd) (Al Rayyan) RK PLAYER TEAM GOALS (PEN) 1. Akram Afif Al Sadd 15 (5) Yacine Brahimi Al Rayyan 15 (4) 3. Baghdad Bounedjah Al Sadd 14 (4) 4. Ramin Rezaeian Al Shahaniya 13 (6) 5. Mohamed Benyettou Al Wakrah 11 (1) Sofiane Hanni Al Gharafa 11 (4) 7. Ahmed Alaaeldin Al Gharafa 10 (0) Hamdi Harbaoui Al Arabi 10 (4) 9. Tiago Bezerra Al Khor SC 9 (2) 10. Hasan Al Haydos Al Sadd 8 (1) Mohammed Muntari Al Duhail SC 8 (1) 12. Almoez Ali Al Duhail SC 7 (3) Abel Hernández Al Ahli Doha 7 (0) Jonathan Kodjia Al Gharafa 7 (1) 14 Pierre-Michel Lasogga Al Arabi 7 (1) Baghdad 16. Karim Ansarifard Al Sailiya 6 (1) Bounedjah Edmilson Al Duhail SC 6 (0) (Al Sadd) Ahmed Hamoudane Al Khor SC 6 (0) Abdulaziz Hatem Al Rayyan 6 (0) Kayke Rodrigues Qatar SC 6 (0) 21. Mahmoud Al Mawas Umm Salal 5 (1) Raúl Becerra Umm Salal 5 (0) Nabil El Zhar Al Ahli Doha 5 (3) Mohamed Elneel Al Arabi 5 (0) Jean-Paul Késsé Al Shahaniya 5 (0) Lucca Al Khor SC 5 (1) Sardor Rashidov Qatar SC 5 (0) Rodrigo Tabata Al Rayyan/Al Sadd 5 (0) SPORT SPORT | 18 SPORT | 19 Clinical England Coach Regragui heap misery credits collective on Pakistan in effort for his third Test maiden QSL title

SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2020

PSG and Bayern Munich target Champions League glory Stage set for blockbuster showdown AFP – LISBON Paris Saint-Germain’s players taking part in a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League final The Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar against Bayern Munich in Lisbon. 'Transformed' and Kylian Mbappe are one game away from winning a first UEFA Champions League that would cap PSG allow their rise to the status of one of the world’s most powerful clubs, but a fearsome Bayern Munich led by the Qatar to bask prolific Robert Lewandowski stand in their way in today’s final. It is a mouthwatering showdown in limelight between two of the European con- tinent’s super-clubs, two teams not AFP – LISBON used to losing, but one which will be played out behind closed doors If Paris Saint- inside the cavernous Estadio da Luz Germain beat in Lisbon. Bayern Munich in In the year of the coronavirus today’s Champions pandemic, this Champions League League final in will perhaps always carry an asterisk Lisbon, the pictures next to it, after the delay of five will probably be of months in getting the round of 16 Neymar’s tears of completed and the introduction of joy or wild scenes a ‘Final Eight’ tournament in Portu- of celebration in PSG President gal’s capital, with one-off ties in the the French capital, Nasser Al Khelaifi quarter-finals and semi-finals and but basking in the no supporters allowed in. Bayern Munich players during a glory of it all will be the Amir of Qatar. Almost all the sense of occasion training session at the Estadio da The club’s first appearance in the final of is lost from the relatively calm Luz in Lisbon, Europe’s elite club competition comes in the streets of Lisbon in the build-up, and Portugal, month it celebrates its 50th birthday, yet the the atmosphere at kick-off in Ben- yesterday. starting point for all this was June 30, 2011. fica’s 65,000-seat ground will be at That was when Qatar Sports Investments best surreal, at worst sad. (QSI) bought PSG, with its President Nasser Al None of that takes away from the Khelaifi promising to make the club “a great significance of the occasion for two team and a strong brand on the international clubs who seek validation from the scene”. Champions League and the prestige PSG recently won their seventh French surrounding it. title in eight seasons and their fourth domestic Nine years after the Qatari treble in six years. takeover which transformed them, Now, after half a dozen seasons of under- PSG have finally made it this far. whelming performances on the continental They can become just the second stage, they are through to the biggest and most French representative to win club prestigious club game of all. football’s biggest prize, 27 years after “Since we arrived here, the Champions Marseille won the inaugural edition League has been our dream, and we are close of the modern Champions League. to fulfilling our dream now,” Khelaifi said after It is a battle between the the team beat RB Leipzig in the semi-final. nouveau riche and one of the great PSG were big before QSI -- under the own- names of the European football aris- ership of French pay TV giant Canal Plus in tocracy -- Bayern are appearing in the 1990s, with stars like George Weah, they their 11th final. won the league in 1994 and reached the Cham- The Germans have won the pions League semi-finals a year later. trophy five times, most recently in They lifted their only European trophy to 2013. Four starters from that 2-1 date, the Cup Winners’ Cup, in 1996. final win over Borussia Dortmund winning promotion to France’s top season. They have scored 42 goals Leipzig in the semi-finals, winning But by 2011 this was a club in dire straits. at Wembley -- goalkeeper Manuel flight. in those matches, including a 7-2 3-0. They had just finished fourth in Ligue 1 but Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba A year later, captain Franz win away to Tottenham Hotspur They have lost once since a year earlier came 13th. and Thomas Mueller -- are in line Beckenbauer lifted the trophy at and the 8-2 quarter-final demo- November 1, last year, and they Crowds at the Parc des Princes were down to start here. PSG’sPSG s Parc des PrincesPrinces aftera Bayern lition of Barcelona. overturned that 2-1 reverse in with the club having stopped selling tickets When,When, in 1974,1974, beat LLeedseeds UUnitednited in the final. Lewandowski has 55 goals this Dortmund in the last 16 by winning to members of two rival supporters’ groups BayernBayern won the TTwelvewelve montmonthshs aafterfter that, they season. But he is more than ably the return leg. Neymar finally seems because of hooliganism problems. firstfirst ofof threethree defeateddefeated Saint-EtienSaint-Etienne,ne the great supported. happy. Mbappe is still feeling the Under Khelaifi, a revered figure in Qatar, succesuccessivessive French side of the era,era to win it Bayern take the risk of playing after-effects of an ankle injury but PSG are effectively a different club. EuropeanEuropean again.again. LeavingLeaving aside ththeir storied with a dangerouslylyy highhigh remains capable of decidindecidingg the It took them just two years to shoot up to Cups, a past, Bayern are the mmost formi- defensive line. Yet it remainsemainsins final.final. fifthfift place in Deloitte’s Football Money League. young PSG dable team in EuropeEurope justju now. to be seen if they can affordfford TheirTh revenue in 2012/13 was just under outfitoutfit wwereere Their 3-0 semi-finalsemi-fina win over to take that risk againstainst €400m4 ($471m), having quadrupled in the only just Lyon was their 20th coconsecutive PSG’s thrilling attackk ooff shortsh time under QSI. victory.victory. TheTheyy are unbeatenunbe in 29 Neymar, Mbappe and Only Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and matches since DecemberDecemb last year Angel Di Maria. ManchesterMaa United sat before them. under their unassumingunassum coach PSG, under Germanmann That season PSG returned to the Cham- HansiHansi Flick.Flick. coach Thomas Tuchel,hel,helh pionspiopip League after eight years away and won They have alreadyalready ppocketed a utterly dominate in Franceancce theirtheh first Ligue 1 title of the Qatar era. German leagueleagu and cup and finally seem to havehahavhaveavveve They made the marquee signing of David double,double, with the found a winning formulamuulaulllaa Beckham.BeB Huge commercial deals were signed BunBundesligades title in Europe, gaining admi-ddmdmimmii- withwiwi the Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatari ttheirheir eighthe in a ration from Beckenbauerbabaueueruerer mobilemmoo provider Ooredoo. rrow.ow. They have himself. Deloitte’s most recent figures put them won all 10 "They're one heckckk ofo f a fifthffiffiftfiiiftfftt again with revenue of €635.9m. matchesmat in the team," he told Bayern'sayerayayeere n'sn''s PSG committed the two biggest transfer ChampionsC h a website. feesfeefef in history, signing Neymar from Barcelona LLeagueea this PSG were too strongngng forfoforor R RBB forffooror €222m and Kylian Mbappe from Monaco forffooorr €180m, in 2017. The club has spent, in total, an estimated €1.3bn1 on transfer fees alone in these nine years.yey On the streets in Doha, there is still more focusffooc on the English Premier League than on Two years in a row suffering PSG,PS although interest is growing. The PSG store in Doha’s Villaggio mall was an injury in crucial moments thisthii week emblazoned with a poster pro- for me and for my team. Now I claimingclaccllala “WE ARE PARIS -- LISBOA 2020” am fully fit, uninjured, and able coveringcoco half the shopfront. to help my teammates in the best It is not just Paris -- Qatar Airways has a sleeves sponsorship deal with Bayern and possible way. I’m incredibly happy. tooktoottoo to Twitter labelling the final as the I’m very, very happy: Neymar #Qlassico.#QQ