BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Large corporates Werner bags in Qatar hat-trick urged to off er as Leipzig concessions to trounce SMEs to support Mainz economy

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11559 May 25, 2020 Shawwal 2, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Eid Mubarak

FM welcomes Afghan truce Coronavirus curbs fail to HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani yesterday tweeted, saying: “We welcome the announcements by the Afghan government dampen Eid and the Taliban of a ceasefire during Eid al-Fitr. We encourage the parties to take further steps to promote intra-Afghan negotiations and secure a durable festive spirit peace settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan.” z MoPH reports 9,170 Special prayers at home, virtual Covid-19 recoveries meetings mark this year’s celebrations The Ministry of Eid al-Fitr prayers were held yesterday exclusively in the presence of 40 worshippers including imams, muezzins and staff (MoPH) yesterday reported 1,501 By Shafeeq Alingal “The day turned out to be quite usual of the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque, as per the Hanbali doctrine. The prayers were broadcast on TV and new confirmed cases of Covid-19, Staff Reporter except I had special food with my fam- radio channels. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Aff airs (Awqaf) had announced earlier that the decision on closing 657 new recoveries and two ily,” said Najeeb Edassery, a resident of mosques and suspending congressional prayers as part of precautionary and preventive measures against the spread of deaths, bringing the total number Al Murra, reminiscing his experiences coronavirus (Covid-19) would also apply to Eid al-Fitr prayers. of recovered cases in Qatar to he fi rst-ever Eid al-Fitr under of earlier Eid days when he took his 9,170. Over the last 24 hours, 24 strict stay-at-home guidelines family out to various beaches. people were admitted to intensive Tyesterday lent an unprecedent- “I chose to talk to my friends and rel- care units (ICUs) due to the virus, ed experience to Qatar residents but atives by making group video calls. And bringing the total number of cases the precautionary measures against thus, I made virtual visits,” he said. in ICUs to 188. The MoPH stated the virus failed to dampen the religious For Suhaib Abdulla, the day started that the new cases are expatriate fervour of the faithful. with Eid al-Fitr special prayer at his Virus pushing US ties to workers infected as a result of The authorities had repeatedly ap- residence at Al Wakra. contact with individuals who were pealed to everyone to stay home for Eid “In fact, Eid al-Fitr came as a holi- previously infected, in addition to al-Fitr in order to control the spread of day for me since I was busy volunteer- recording new cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- ing with Qatar Charity at Al Aziziya among groups of workers in demic in the country. Al Meera for more than one month,” brink of cold war: China diff erent regions. Page 2 As a result, Qatar residents celebrat- he said. Unable to go out, Abdulla too ed the auspicious day by not going out, had virtual celebrations with his family UK primary schools holding special Eid al-Fitr prayers at back home in . AFP from animals to humans - possibly at some political forces in the US are homes, and organising virtual meet- Rather than making it a celebration Beijing a market in the central Chinese city of taking China-US relations hostage to partially reopen ings on various online platforms. only involving family and friends, some Wuhan, where the pandemic emerged and pushing our two countries to the Primary schools in England are to Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr prayers residents went an extra mile by organ- in December. brink of a new Cold War,” Wang said. reopen to some pupils from June 1, were held yesterday exclusively in the ising virtual cultural activities over hina said yesterday that rela- He blasted what he called eff orts by British Prime Minister presence of 40 worshippers includ- Zoom. A Kerala-based collective or- tions with the “It has come to our attention US politicians to “fabricate rumours” announced yesterday. Only reception ing imams, muezzins and staff at the ganised an exclusive meet during which Cwere “on the brink of a new that some political forces about the virus’s origin and “stigma- pupils aged 4-5 in the first year of Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab its members exchanged pleasantries, Cold War”, fuelled in part by ten- in the US are taking China- tise China”. school, those aged 5-6 in year one, Mosque, as per the Hanbali doctrine. shared Eid al-Fitr messages and some sions over the coronavirus pandemic US relations hostage and While European nations initially and those aged 10-11 in their final The prayers were broadcast on TV and of them had special Eid songs. Named that has killed nearly 350,000 peo- pushing our two countries to among the hardest hit have started primary year will return initially, he radio channels. Pattorma, which literally means Mem- ple worldwide and pitched the global the brink of a new Cold War” to ease lockdowns in a bid to salvage told a news conference. Page 7 The Ministry of Endowments and ory of Songs, the meet was attended by economy into a massive downturn. economies and lifestyles, other coun- Islamic Aff airs (Awqaf) had announced around 100 members in Qatar. Fresh tensions between Beijing and tries such as Brazil, where deaths have US may impose travel earlier that the decision to close “The programme received over- Washington emerged as virus restric- US President has surged, are emerging as new centres mosques and suspend congressional whelming response from the members. tions muted celebrations by Muslims accused Beijing of a lack of transpar- of the pandemic. ban on Brazil: official prayers as part of precautionary and And we refreshed ourselves and it lent around the world of the end of Ram- ency over the outbreak, and is push- Hundreds of millions of Muslims US President Donald Trump is preventive measures against the spread us numerous moments to muse the adan, Islam’s holy fasting month. ing the theory that it may have leaked around the world were celebrating the likely to impose a ban on incoming of Covid-19 would also apply to Eid al- memories,” said collective functionary More European nations meanwhile from a top-security Chinese labora- Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of travel from Brazil, as that country’s Fitr prayers. Ashraf Hudawi Kattumunda. moved to ease their lockdowns. tory. Ramadan. coronavirus caseload reaches In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi At the same time, churches were new peaks, said National Security Johnson was forced to defend his top said that Washington had been in- reopening in some countries, Spain’s Adviser Robert O’Brien . “We hope aide Dominic Cummings, accused of fected by a “political virus” to con- football league announced it would that’ll be temporary. But because of having breached the government’s tinually attack China, but that Beijing kick off again on June 8, and thou- the situation in Brazil, we’re going to own lockdown rules. would nevertheless be open to an in- sands fl ocked to beaches in the US, take every step necessary to protect Globally more than 5.3mn peo- ternational eff ort to fi nd the corona- where lockdowns and social distanc- the American people,” he said. ple have been infected by the virus, virus source. ing are issues that have begun to split which most scientists believe jumped “It has come to our attention that communities. Austrian leader sorry for breaking curfew Cancer patients need to be extra careful: HMC Austrian President apologised yesterday The National Center for Cancer Care significant worry and anxiety regarding meetings to discuss all cases as part after staying at a restaurant past and Research (NCCCR) of the Hamad their treatment and their timely and safe of our ongoing eff orts to ensure that the 11pm closing time mandated by Medical Corporation has urged cancer accessibility to hospitals,” Dr Noora al- everyone will be seen and treated the government as part of its anti- patients to take extra precautions to Hammadi, chair of the Department said. without unwanted delays, which could coronavirus measures. “I went out limit their exposure to Covid-19. “As a department, we would like compromise a patient’s treatment for the first time since the lockdown “The Department of Radiation Oncology to reassure our patients that all outcome,” Dr al-Hammadi added. with two friends and my wife,” at NCCCR understands and appreciates our radiotherapy-specific cancer She said the Department of Radiation Van der Bellen tweeted yesterday, that patients who are facing cancer services are open as usual. Our Oncology is committed to treating all adding: “We then lost track of time Screenshot of a virtual gathering organised by some residents yesterday in treatment, or a cancer diagnosis, during doctors are attending their weekly radiotherapy patients eff ectively and while chatting. I’m sincerely sorry.” Qatar, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. the Covid-19 pandemic may experience multidisciplinary tumour board in a safe manner. Sidra’s new method seeks to reduce shortage of testing kits

By Joseph Varghese sults. Our method helps to address the their families and staff , we test for the most clinical laboratories,” he said. Staff Reporter challenges around the shortage of ma- coronavirus using the new method “This method is of global importance terials and delays in Covid-19 tests,” on our inpatients and their guardians as other nations face limited extraction said Dr Khalid Fakhro, acting chief re- or companions staying with them in kit availability and have to consider al- new testing method for Cov- search offi cer of Sidra Medicine. the hospital. Where applicable, cer- ternative options. To share this inno- id-19, developed by Sidra Medi- According to the offi cial, the new tain staff are also tested,” Dr Stephan vation, we have published the protocol Acine, part of Qatar Foundation, method helps in getting accurate re- Lorenz, director of Integrated Genom- under an Open Access Licence for the aims to reduce global shortage of test- sults within four to eight hours and ics Services at Sidra Medicine, said. benefi t of other healthcare organisa- ing kits and is a proof of Qatar’s resil- since it is under Open Access Licence, According to Lorenz, the new ap- tions around the world,” Lorenz said. ience, an offi cial told Gulf Times. it is open to any healthcare organisa- proach reduces the cost of the most ex- “The new high-throughput extrac- Sidra Medicine had recently an- tion for their consideration. pensive part of the Covid-19 lab testing, tion method can be ramped up to proc- nounced the development of an in- “Our in-house extraction approach Dr Khalid Fakhro Dr Stephan Lorenz which is the extraction and purifi cation ess 4,000 extractions per day as need- house RNA (Ribonucleic acid) extrac- is an example of the resilience that of the genetic material from the virus. ed. Since it does not require reagents tion method using alternative test Qatar has built by investing in sustain- departments by leveraging our en- Sidra Medicine is already using the “It is most cost effi cient when used used in current commercial extrac- components. able biomedical research. It ensures we hanced robotics infrastructure. Com- new test method for in-house testing to test large batches of samples at tion systems, it is more cost effi cient “It is a testing mechanism to help have alternative methods available to bined with the team’s experience in on inpatients as well as other visitors the same time. Our testing approach and also bypasses current shortages in address the global shortage in test kits. test for coronavirus even when there single-cell RNA research, we have a to the facility. has equivalent accuracy to the com- commercially available extraction rea- When extraction kits are limited, the are critical shortages in supply chains solution that matches standard clini- “Sidra Medicine is not designated to mercially available methods used gents. Our testing approach has equiv- delays in sample processing can lead to around the world,” Fakhro said. cal methods being used worldwide, but treat Covid-19 patients however in or- around the world. Most importantly, alent accuracy to the commercially natural degradation of the viral RNA, “It was a collaborative method de- also requires less reagents and running der to keep our hospital free from Cov- this method does not compete for the available methods used around the potentially leading to false negative re- veloped by the pathology and research time,” explained Dr Fakhro. id-19 and for the safety of our patients, same commercial reagents used in world to test for Covid-19,” he added. Gulf Times 2 Monday, May 25, 2020 QATAR

Health experts offer advice on Covid-19 preventive measures

Health experts have off ered advice on Covid-19 and related matters such as chronic ailments and mental health, as well as children, stressing the need for following precautionary and preventive measures. Health ministry reports 9,170 HMC advisory total Covid-19 recovery cases

QNA vestigations by the research and including 256 acute hospital Doha investigation teams of the MoPH admissions in the last 24 hours. that contributed to the early de- The total number of Covid-19 tection of cases. deaths so far in Qatar is 23. he Ministry of Pub- The new confi rmed cases of The MoPH urged anyone with lic Health (MoPH) an- infection have been introduced symptoms of Covid-19 infec- Tnounced yesterday the to complete isolation in the tion to quickly contact the uni- registration of 1,501 new con- various medical facilities in the fi ed helpline (16000), or go to fi rmed cases of Covid-19, country, where they receive the one of the virus testing centres, and 657 new recoveries and necessary healthcare according as the earlier the disease is de- two deaths, bringing the total to the health status of each case. tected, the easier and faster are number of recovered cases in The MoPH revealed that the the chances of recovery. Qatar to 9,170. number of positive cases be- The Ministry stated that Qa- Over the last 24 hours, 24 peo- tween citizens and residents tar is still in the peak phase of ple were admitted to intensive witnessed a signifi cant rise, with the Covid-19 outbreak, which care units (ICUs) due to the vi- the number of relat- is seeing a rise in the number of rus, bringing the total number of ing to family gatherings, visits, infections recorded daily, and cases in ICUs to 188 cases. and sharing meals together with therefore it is necessary to ad- The MoPH stated that the new relatives and extended families here to, more than ever before, cases are expatriate workers in- has doubled, as they ignored the preventive measures and so- Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has issued an advisory on fected as a result of contact with the preventive measures recom- cial measures recommended. avoiding digestive disorders and other health issues during the individuals who were previously mended by the relevant authori- The MoPH also stressed the Eid al-Fitr holiday. infected, in addition to record- ties in the country, regarding importance for the elderly or ing new cases of infection among visits and social distancing. those suff ering from chronic groups of workers in diff erent re- The ministry stated that the diseases and their family mem- HMC reports 651 emergency cases on fi rst day of Eid gions. two new deaths were a 66-year- bers to follow strict measures to Cases of infection have also in- old and a 53-year-old, both of reduce the chances of infection, Hamad Medical Corporation were simple and mild. creased among citizens and residents whom were receiving treatment including refraining from social (HMC) reported a total of At HGH, there were 291 male as a result of contact with infected in intensive care and extended visits during Eid al-Fitr. 651 emergency cases on the patients and 140 women and family members who had been in- sincere condolences and great the last 24 hours, as many as break is 43,714. The four main testing centres first day of Eid al-Fitr with 16 cases were admitted. At fected in the workplace or through sympathy to their families. 188,143 have been tested so far The total number of current are Muaither Health Centre, 431 cases at Hamad General Wakra Hospital, there were 186 visits and family gatherings. According to a tweet from in Qatar. The total number of active cases is 34,521. The total Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, Hospital (HGH) and 220 at male patients and 34 females The new cases have been the MoPH, with a total of 3,349 infected people in Qatar since number of people currently un- Umm Slal Health Centre, and Al Wakra Hospital. All the cases with 23 admitted. identifi ed after conducting in- people tested for Covid-19 in the start of the Covid-19 out- der acute hospital care is 1,805, Gharafa Health Centre.

Ministry extends gratitude to Covid fighters One more repatriation fl ight leaves for India

ne more fl ight took off from Doha yesterday evening — AI O972 for Gaya — as part of the Indian repatriation mission. The fl ight, which had 146 passen- gers, was scheduled to have a technical halt in Delhi. This was the seventh fl ight from the country in Phase 2 of the Indian gov- ernment’s Vande Bharat mission, and the ninth fl ight overall since the start of the repatriation initiative, “bringing the number of repatriated passengers from Qatar to 1,520, plus 45 infants”, the Indian embassy tweeted. The embassy had recently said they now “have an indication of the non- Kerala destinations approved for the next round of repatriation fl ights from Qatar after the Eid holidays: Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs (MADLSA) has extended “its and Amritsar. Further details awaited deepest gratitude to all personnel in all sectors fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic, with special from Delhi”. Pictured are Gaya-bound regard to the medical staff ”. “Happy Eid al-Fitr to everyone, Qatar is proud of you,” the MADLSA passengers at Hamad International tweeted yesterday. Airport yesterday. (Picture courtesy of the Indian embassy page) ‘Azerbaijan, Qatar keen to further develop bilateral ties’

number of important was founded with the adoption of friendly relations with all independence of ADR. As the by instilling a fi rm conviction for the relations between Azerbai- visits have created a favour- steps have been taken of the Declaration on Independ- nations, especially neighbour- successor of the Azerbaijan preserving and strengthening jan and member countries of able legal framework for the Aby Azerbaijan and Qatar ence,” the statement said. ing nations and states, was de- Democratic Republic, the Re- independence and statehood. the Organisation of the Islamic deepening of relations. to develop bilateral relations in It continued, “Despite fac- termined as one of the foreign public of Azerbaijan restored its “Today, the Republic of Az- Conference began expanding,” “Today, there are political diff erent fi elds over the years, ing grave internal and external policy priorities of Azerbaijan independence in 1991. The dif- erbaijan - as an independ- the statement pointed out. and economic dialogue mecha- the embassy of Azerbaijan has challenges arising from the col- Democratic Republic. The fi rst fi culties faced by the Azerbaijan ent, sovereign and democratic In this context, diplomatic re- nisms between Azerbaijan and stressed. lapse of an empire, Azerbaijan major breakthrough in diplo- Democratic Republic, including country - brings to reality the lations between Azerbaijan and Qatar, and they successfully Issuing a statement on the Democratic Republic succeeded matic relations came when the Armenia’s territorial claims and aspirations and ideals of Az- Qatar were established on Sep- co-operate within internation- occasion of the National Day of in setting eff ective state institu- parliamentary delegation of war against Azerbaijan, geopo- erbaijan Democratic Repub- tember 14, 1994. al and regional organisations. Azerbaijan, the embassy said tions, upholding the rights of its Azerbaijan went to Paris with litical intrigues and socio-eco- lic with its good and effective The statement said, “Dur- Azerbaijan highly appreciates offi cial reciprocal visits by the citizens and gaining the trust of the main goal to gain interna- nomic problems engulfed the management, socio-economic ing this period of more than 25 the position of Qatar in con- leaders of the two countries the international community. tional recognition for Azerbaijan Republic of Azerbaijan as well and human capital develop- years of diplomatic relations, nection with the territorial in- opened broad prospects to en- Universal suff rage, as well as the Democratic Republic. Unani- since regaining its independence ment as well as its growing role both States have taken many tegrity and sovereignty of Az- hance co-operation. right of voting for women, was mous de-facto recognition of in 1991.” and prestige in international important steps to develop erbaijan. In the light of existing The people of Azerbaijan cel- guaranteed. The newly formed the independence of Azerbaijan The statement stressed that relations,” it noted. bilateral relations approxi- high-level political relations ebrate their country’s National republic made education a pri- was attained and the Azerbaijani the policies pursued later by the “Based on the reality of be- mately in all fields. Official between the countries, both Day on May 28. mary concern and on its end mission received an invitation to national leader of the Azerbaija- ing part of the Islamic world, the reciprocal visits by the leaders sides are interested in the de- “On May 28, 1918, the fi rst the Baku State University was the Supreme Council of the Paris ni people, Heydar Aliyev, helped Republic of Azerbaijan, from the of the two countries opened velopment of economic part- parliamentary democracy in founded. Peace Conference. develop a sense of national iden- fi rst days, sought to consolidate broad prospects to enhance nership, including investment, the Muslim world - Azerbaijan “As stated in the Declaration “The Bolsheviks invasion tity by reviving deep historical fraternal relations with broth- co-operation. The agree- trade and tourism co-opera- Democratic Republic (ADR) - of Independence, establishment of April 1920 put an end to the and cultural memory, as well as erly Muslim countries and thus, ments signed during these tion.” Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Iranian oil tanker Virus lockdowns aff ect Eid reaches Venezuela celebrations in Mideast

DPA Tehran/Caracas AFP Riyadh he fi rst of fi ve Iranian oil tankers headed to Ven- uslims around the Tezuela has arrived, Iranian world began marking offi cials confi rmed early yester- Ma sombre Eid al-Fitr day, amid tension over the pos- yesterday, many under corona- sibility the United States could virus lockdown, but lax restric- attempt to halt the deliveries. tions off ered respite to worship- “The fi rst Iranian tanker has pers in some countries despite reached Venezuela’s coasts. fears of skyrocketing infections. Thanks to the (Venezuelan) Bo- The three-day festival, which livarian armed forces for escort- marks the end of the holy month ing them,” the Iranian embassy of Ramadan, is traditionally cel- in Venezuela tweeted. ebrated with mosque prayers, Iranian President Has- family feasts and shopping for san Rouhani had on Satur- new clothes, gifts and sweet day warned the United States treats. against launching attacks on the But this year, the celebra- country’s oil tankers as they pass tion in the Middle East like through the Caribbean Sea on elsewhere is overshadowed by their way to Venezuela. the fast-spreading coronavirus, “If the Americans cause with many countries tighten- problems for our oil tankers in ing lockdown restrictions after the Caribbean Sea, we will also a partial easing during Ramadan cause problems for them,” Rou- led to a sharp spike in infec- hani said. tions. Rouhani stressed that Iran Further dampening the fes- does not want a new confl ict tive spirit, many countries have with the US, but that the country banned mass prayer gatherings would reserve the right to defend to limit the spread of the dis- its interests. ease. “We therefore hope that the Saudi Arabia, home to Is- Americans will not make a mis- lam’s holiest sites, began a take in this regard,” said the five-day round-the-clock president, according to com- curfew from Saturday after ments published on his offi ce’s infections more than quad- web portal. rupled since the start of Ra- The warning comes in the madan to over 72,000 — the midst of a spat about Iranian fuel highest in the Gulf. Makkah’s shipments to Venezuela. Grand Mosque has been al- Five Iranian oil tankers are most devoid of worshippers Palestinians perform Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) restrictions, outside the compound currently on course to Venezuela since March. housing Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, yesterday. Right: Syrian children play at a makeshift amusement park as they celebrate the Eid al-Fitr feast marking the and are due arrive in late May or At Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa end of the holy month of Ramadan, in the northwestern city of Idlib, yesterday. early June. The US has imposed mosque, Islam’s third-holiest tough economic sanctions on site, prayers were not permit- despite the enclave’s first are rising steadily, sparking caused by people “not re- The twin shocks of coro- rummaged through flea mar- both Iran and Venezuela and ted inside, although the site is coronavirus death on Satur- fears the virus may overwhelm specting health regulations”. navirus restrictions and fall- kets for clothes at bargain could decide to send its navy expected to reopen after the day, but worshippers mostly often underfunded healthcare The United Arab Emirates ing oil prices have plunged the prices as the war-ravaged and to prevent the tankers reaching Eid holiday. wore masks and placed their systems. has tightened its lockdown Gulf region into its worst eco- sanctions-hit country grap- their destination. Small scuffles broke out be- prayer mats far apart. Iran, which has experienced which had been relaxed during nomic crisis in decades. ples with a much more en- In a letter to UN Secretary- tween Israeli security forces “Eid is not Eid with the the Middle East’s deadliest Ramadan, but that did not stop The lockdowns have hit trenched economic crisis. General Antonio Guterres ear- and worshippers gathering atmosphere of coronavirus outbreak, called on its citizens some families from planning businesses hard, including re- “The flea market is the only lier this week, Iranian Foreign around the mosque at dawn, — people feel a sense of fear,” to avoid travel during Eid as getaways to luxury beachfront tailers normally buoyed by the place I can buy something new Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif although prayers eventually worshipper Akram Taher said. it battles to control infection hotels. However, Muslims in festive rush, as Muslims save to wear for the Eid holidays,” warned that any US attack would went ahead outside, an AFP Covid-19 death tolls across rates. Health Minister Saeed many countries steeled them- their money for masks, gloves 28-year-old Sham Alloush be “illegal and a form of piracy.” photographer said. the Middle East and Asia have Namaki said the country was selves for frugal celebrations and other protective gear. said. “Had it not been for this Iran has had close ties to Ven- In Gaza, Hamas authorities been lower than in Europe and focusing hard on avoiding amid growing financial dis- In the Syrian capital Da- place, I wouldn’t have been ezuela for many years. allowed prayers in mosques the United States, but numbers “new peaks of the disease” tress. mascus, Eid shoppers had able to buy new clothes at all.”

HEALTH 107-year-old Kuwait registers 838 new Covid-19 woman recovers infections, eight deaths from coronavirus Iranians mark end of Ramadan The Kuwaiti Health Ministry A 107-year-old Iranian woman reported 838 new cases of who was infected with the new AFP tive” behind this discrepancy made available to worshippers. coronavirus (Covid-19) overnight coronavirus has recovered, Iran’s Tehran over the date, contrary to what Eid al-Fitr is normally a for a total of 21,302 cases, QNA semi-official Fars news agency “some people might think”, time for visiting relatives, but reported. The ministry recorded reported yesterday, Reuters Alireza Movahednejad, a mem- many Iranians this year have eight new Covid-19-related reported The woman, Saltanat ranians in a rare event mark ber of the committee linked to chosen not to celebrate with deaths, bringing the total tally to Akbari, was admitted to the the end of the holy month the offi ce of the supreme leader elderly family members in or- 156. The off icial spokesman for Khansari hospital in the central Iof Ramadan this year on that is responsible for an- der to protect them from the the Kuwaiti ministry, Dr Abdullah city of Arak. She was released separate days — yesterday or nouncing the end of Ramadan, Covid-19 disease. al-Sanad said that most of the from the hospital after spending today — depending on dif- said on state TV. Iran has been battling the cases were in contact with con- “some time” in isolation. “She ferent religious authorities’ The timing of Eid is deter- Middle East’s deadliest novel firmed cases. Earlier yesterday, defeated the virus with the help edicts. mined by the position of the coronavirus outbreak since the Kuwaiti Health Ministry said of doctors and nurses at the Supreme leader Ayatollah moon, in accordance with the February. According to health that it had 370 Covid-19 cases hospital,” Fars said. Ali Khamenei announced Sat- Muslim lunar calendar. ministry spokesman Kianoush who have been cured, bringing urday evening on his offi cial In practice, due to the po- Jahanpour, 58 people passed the recoveries to 6,117 cases. website that the Eid al-Fitr litical system of the Islamic away from the illness in the OMAN REVEALS 513 TREMOR festival would fall yesterday republic, almost all open reli- Worshippers, standing spaced from each other with some clad past 24 hours in the Islamic re- NEW VIRUS CASES 5.1 quake strikes this year. gious sites — affi liated with the in masks as a measure against the Covid-19 pandemic, gather to public, taking the offi cial toll to Oman’s Health Ministry yester- But the country’s other sen- state — marked Eid yesterday. attend the prayers of Eid al-Fitr, in Tehran, yesterday. 7,417 deaths and 135,701 cases. day announced 513 new cases of western Iran ior clerics — whose guidance In the capital Tehran, where The Eid holiday was also the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), believers follow and who are many mosques remain closed due to the pandemic, but spe- mosque in the upscale Shah- marked by the traditional par- 179 Omanis and 334 foreigners, An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 seen as a “source of emulation”, as part of measures to combat cial dispensation has been rak-e Gharb neighbourhood of dons granted to prisoners by bringing the total number of struck the province of Kohgiluyeh such as Javadi Amoli, Makarem the spread of the novel coro- granted for Eid al-Fitr, one of West of Tehran. the supreme leader. infections with the virus in Oman and Boyer Ahmad in western Shirazi and Safi Golpayegani, navirus, worshippers took part the most important holidays She wore a mask cover- According to the judiciary’s to 7,770, QNA reported from Iran yesterday, the US Geological among others — have issued in morning prayers while try- on the Muslim calendar. ing her face, like the majority offi cial news agency Mizan On- Muscat. Two Omani nationals Survey reported. separate statements saying the ing to respect social distancing “We’re happy to have taken of those present. The prayers line, 3,721 convicts, including a had died of Covid-19, bringing the State TV gave no immediate infor- holiday would be celebrated rules, said AFP journalists. part in prayers here,” Massou- were held in the open air number of people “sentenced total deaths in the country to 36, mation about possible casualties today. Collective prayers are still meh, a 55-year-old worshipper courtyard of the mosque, with for crimes related to state secu- the ministry announced. or damage. There is no “political mo- banned in principle in the city said in the foyer of the Samen disinfectant gel and masks rity”, were granted pardons. Protests, pandemic rob Iraqi students of graduation dreams

AFP Haider al-Abboudi, as their uni- to a neighbouring nation broke ing class, most universities re- virus movement restrictions. But some of us can’t aff ord has worried 22-year-old medical Baghdad versities were shut down fi rst by out in Baghdad and the south scheduled fi rst semester exams “The whole atmosphere of that. We need to start working,” student Sajad Matar. mass anti-government protests, on October 1 — the fi rst week of for late February or March and graduation, of farewell — we she said. She joined the anti- “I was supposed to graduate then the spreading coronavirus. class. implemented online learning won’t live any of it,” said Raneen government protests last year this year but my heart is telling t was supposed to be Basma’s That will delay their hunt for modules. al-Khalili, 25, who studies tel- but admitted the weak turnout me it’s not going to happen,” he big year: a degree, language jobs in a country where youth According to the US But something else had been ecommunication engineering at lately had discouraged her from lamented. The class of 2019 from Icertifi cation and maybe a unemployment is already a stag- embassy in Baghdad, bubbling: the coronavirus. Al Mamoun University College returning to the streets. the private university he attends master’s abroad. gering 36% and is likely to spike between 200 and 250 Just as students prepared to in Baghdad. “This whole year slipped had yet to be appointed to govern- But local protests and a global much higher as the country students who were meant take the rescheduled exams, the The higher education min- through our fi ngers. It’s like it ment jobs, making it unlikely he pandemic threw the Iraqi stu- faces a fi nancial crisis. Basma to study in the US this government shut down all ma- istry will announce a schedule never happened,” she said from would get selected before the end dent’s plans off -course. Haitham, 23, had meticulously year will not be able to jor gathering places — includ- for fi nal exams “soon,” includ- her home in Baghdad. “Now it’s of 2021. “I’ve been dreaming of gradu- planned her studies so she could travel, due to coronavirus ing universities — to forestall the ing logistical guidelines to keep all Netfl ix, all the time.” That means he will stay at home ation since my fi rst day at uni- secure a rare private sector job in movement restrictions spread of the virus. students healthy, its spokesman More than 60% of Iraq’s pop- with his parents in Nasiriyah, an- versity. I even bought a coral Iraq. Some classes have continued Abboudi said. But for Mayyada ulation of 40mn is under 25 and other protest hotspot, without the pink graduation dress — and I Once armed with a degree in Leaving their classrooms be- online, but with no exams or fi - Mohamed, 23, it is already too it is estimated there will be an- 700,000 Iraqi dinars (about $600) never wear dresses,” said Basma, English literature, she hoped to hind, students took a leading nal projects, long-awaited grad- late. other 10mn by 2030. monthly salary he had expected. who studies at Baghdad’s Mus- take two language certifi cations role by organising strikes, erect- uation ceremonies have been put To graduate, the Baghdad Most senior students rely on “On top of that, the university tansariyah University. then pursue a master’s in either ing protest tents named after off , as have international schol- University fi ne arts student the government’s socialist-era still wants us to pay the 1,750,000 “Now I don’t know when I can business administration or in- their academic departments arships. must complete a fi nal sculpting programme of mass hiring, where Iraqi dinars ($1,500) of tuition for wear it.” terpretation. and staging marches to buoy the According to the US embassy project in the university studio, recent graduates are allocated jobs the spring semester,” Matar added Nearly 150,000 Iraqis may But then the protests erupted. movement when it dwindled. in Baghdad, between 200 and closed for more than two months in the country’s bloated public bitterly. not graduate as planned this The rallies demanding the “Sometimes I’d go without my 250 students who were meant to now. “The latest thing we heard sector. But the government has “But there’s no work in Nasiri- spring, according to the higher overhaul of a political class seen parents knowing,” Basma said. study in the US this year will not was that we’d start projects next struggled to absorb the new waves yah for me. Of course I’m afraid education ministry’s spokesman as corrupt, inept and beholden With so few students attend- be able to travel, due to corona- year, so we’d graduate a year late. of graduates in recent years, which for my future — I’ve lost all hope.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, May 25, 2020 AFRICA S Africa to ease Souvenir selfie lockdown curbs from June 1

Reuters/AFP “This will result in cities as “coronavirus hotspots”, Johannesburg including the administrative the opening up of capital Pretoria, the fi nan- the economy and cial hub Johannesburg and the resident Cyril Ramaphosa coastal city of Cape Town. announced yesterday a the removal of a “The list of hotspot areas will Pfurther easing of South number of restrictions be reviewed every two weeks de- Africa’s coronavirus lockdown pending on the progression of from June 1, allowing the vast on the movement the virus,” the president said. majority of the economy to of people while “Any part of the country could return to full capacity. be returned to alert levels 4 or 5 Africa’s most industrialised significantly if the spread of infections is not economy has been largely shut contained,” he warned. down since late March, when the expanding... our South Africa went into lock- government enforced severe re- public health down at the start of its coronavi- strictions to stem the spread of rus outbreak to delay an expect- A group of people take a souvenir photograph before performing the Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of the novel coronavirus which has interventions” ed peak in infections and allow Ramadan, outside a mosque closed amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday. so far infected 22,583 people and hospitals to prepare. killed 429. that has given way to concerns Ramaphosa said that around Ramaphosa, who has been un- about the impact on an already 20,000 beds were being repur- der pressure from rival political shrinking economy and on a posed for Covid-19 patients and parties and a variety of indus- mostly poor population. 27 fi eld hospitals built across the tries to ease the restrictions, said Under level three, Ramaphosa country. following broad consultations said that aside from a few excep- To date 842 Covid-19 patients Reporters held for violating virus regulations the cabinet had decided to move tions where risk of transmis- are in hospital, including 128 in the country to “level three” of its sion is high, the economy could intensive care. DPA bail hearing tomorrow. which are classifi ed as essential hospital, police decided not to fi ve-level lockdown system. return to full capacity, a cur- “We have known all along Harare Human rights organizations services under the Covid-19 reg- let the journalists into the hos- “This will result in the open- few and restriction on outdoor that the lockdown would only strongly condemned the arrests ulations, this amounts to muz- pital in accordance with the ing up of the economy and the exercise would be lifted. delay the spread of corona- and called for the journalists’ zling of the media and severely coronavirus regulations. removal of a number of restric- He warned though that this virus but that it would not be wo reporters have been release. undermines attempts by Zimba- The journalists are accused of tions on the movement of people would result in a spike in the able to stop it,” the president arrested in Zimbabwe on “The Zimbabwe authorities bwe to present itself as a country entering the next day through while signifi cantly expanding... number of cases, which he said said, adding that one-third of Tsuspicion of contravening should immediately set free the respectful of the rule of law and a back door and then failing to our public health interventions,” had only been delayed by the the country’s cumulative cases coronavirus regulations, a police two journalists and drop the human rights,” Mavhinga said. keep to the social distancing he said in a televised address. measures taken so far and given had been recorded over the past spokesman said yesterday. spurious charges of violating The journalists were arrest- regulations, according to the While Ramaphosa initially the country a chance to build up week alone. The two journalists also refused Covid-19 regulations that they ed in Harare on Friday as they charge-sheet. enjoyed broad support for the its public health capacity. Health experts have predicted to obey a police offi cer’s order, are facing,” said Dewa Mavhinga, sought to interview three mem- The journalists had permis- strict lockdown, which confi ned Air travel is still blocked, ex- that South Africa’s coronavirus spokesman Paul Nyathi said. who heads Human Rights Watch bers of the opposition in hospital sion from the victims and the most people to their homes aside cept for specifi c exemptions for outbreak will peak between July Both were charged in court in South Africa. who had allegedly been abducted, hospital to enter and ask ques- from essential trips and banned certain business trips. and November, causing at least on Saturday and now are be- “The two were arrested in according to the charge sheet. tions, said Paidamoyo Saurombe, the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, Ramaphosa identifi ed seven 40,000 deaths. ing held in custody until their the course of doing their duties After consulting with the the journalists’ lawyer. Nine killed in Beach fun 5 dead in blast during DRC attack Somalia Eid AFP More than 1,000 civilians Beni have died in attacks blamed festivities on the ADF in the Beni region since October 2014. They of- AFP ine civilians were ten target farmers returning Mogadishu killed yesterday in the from the fi elds or at home in Neastern Democratic their villages at night. Republic of Congo (DRC) re- The movement originated t least fi ve people were gion of Beni in another attack in neighbouring Uganda, op- killed and more than 20 blamed on the Allied Demo- posed to the rule of President Ainjured yesterday in So- cratic Forces (ADF) militia, Yoweri Museveni. In 1995 they malia in a blast during festivities according to local sources. crossed the border into DR to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival. The attackers fl ed after a Congo, which became its base “The initial information we have gunfi ght with army troops, of operations. received indicates the dead bodies according to Anthony Mua- “Barbaric acts” are being of fi ve people were collected from lushayi, a regional army committed by militiamen in the scene of the blast and more spokesman. Beni and elsewhere in eastern than 20 others have been wound- The fi ghters “burned down DR Congo, the government said ed,” police offi cer Mohamed Muk- some houses” and people have at a cabinet meeting on Friday. tar told AFP by phone from Baidoa, fl ed, said Donat Kibwana, the The government accuses about 250km (150 miles) west of region’s administrator, adding the ADF as well as another the capital Mogadishu. that there were “some wound- armed group, CODECO, of The cause of the explosion was ed on the military side”. massacring hundreds of civil- unclear. Local offi cial Bozi Sindiwa- ians in the neighbouring Ituri “The number of wounded ko said that two women and province further north. people is over 20 including wom- seven men were killed. The army reported yester- en and children, so that death The ADF is accused of kill- day the “neutralisation” of toll could increase because some ing more than 400 civilians in 17 fi ghters from CODECO, a of these people are seriously six months in retaliation for a political-religious sect that People enjoy a boat ride at the Lido beach after the Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid wounded,” Muktar added. military off ensive launched in claims to defend the interests concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Mogadishu yesterday. Witness Mohamud Ibrahim said October against their bases. of the Lendu ethnic group. the crowd had been dancing and singing when the blast occurred. “I’m not an expert but I think there was a roadside bomb in- volved, the blast was huge and it caused casualties more than a Offi cials in DR Congo deny 8 militants killed in operation grenade may cause,” he said, also speaking by phone. Another witness, Abdi Has- san, said people had gathered at virus fi gures manipulated by Ivorian-Burkinabe forces the spot on both Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the Eid festivi- ties, especially dancing. AFP declared coronavirus cases. Parliament, meanwhile, vot- AFP The captured men - 24 in Burkina Faso “How can someone shed the blood Kinshasa The arrests were made after ed on Friday to extend the state Abidjan of innocent civilians when they have “a controversy over a patient of emergency order by 15 days and 14 in Ivory Coast - were handed over been enjoying their Eid festival. who died this month”, said a for the third time. to intelligence services after a “terrorist “These perpetrators whoever overnment offi cials in government news bulletin. A team of Chinese medical ight suspected militants they are have turned their happi- the Democratic Repub- The country’s Council of experts that arrived in Kin- were killed and another base” was destroyed at Alidougou in ness into sadness,” Hassan said. Glic of Congo (DRC) have Ministers met on Friday after shasa earlier this month found E38 captured in a joint op- Burkina Faso The Muslim world is celebrat- denied any manipulation of its President Felix Tshisekedi asked no evidence that the number eration by Burkinabe and Ivorian ing the Eid al-Fitr festival which fi gures for coronavirus cases the health minister to inves- of virus cases or deaths were forces near the two countries’ marks the end of the holy month and deaths. tigate rumours of fake patient distorted, Jean-Jacques shared border, the Ivory Coast praising the “perfect coordina- said that a Burkinabe soldier was of Ramadan. The controversy came as deaths linked to the virus. Muyembe, DR Congo’s coro- army said yesterday. tion between the two armies”. wounded and hospitalised in Al Shebaab, an Al Qaeda af- health offi cials announced DR “A negative media campaign navirus front man, told a news The captured men - 24 in The fi ghting took place near Korhogo, in northern Ivory Coast. fi liate, was driven out of Mogad- Congo’s latest Covid-19 fi g- is being waged against our conference. Burkina Faso and 14 in Ivory the northeastern Ivorian city Jihadist hideouts have been ishu in 2011 and lost most of its ures which stand at 63 deaths country by some foreign me- “Cases are less severe here Coast - were handed over to in- of Ferkessedougou and Banfora detected north of the Comoe strongholds, but still controls from 2,025 cases, most of them dia, with the aim of tarnishing than in Europe or the United telligence services, a source at in southwestern Burkina Faso - National Park in northern Ivory vast swathes of the countryside. in the capital, Kinshasa. So far, its image in connection with States. We have a younger Ivorian army headquarters said, although a Burkinabe security Coast for over a year. Its militants have vowed to 312 people have recovered. the management of Covid-19,” population that is more re- adding that a “terrorist base” source had said Saturday that Security sources say they are overthrow the internation- The vast central African the Council of Ministers said in sistant to infection,” Muyem- was destroyed at Alidougou in the entire operation was carried jihadists operating in Burkina ally-backed government in country, one of the world’s the minutes of the meeting. be said. Burkina Faso. out in Ivory Coast. Faso who shelter in Ivory Coast Mogadishu and still carry out poorest, reported its fi rst case They also condemned at- Zhu Jing, the Chinese am- The joint operation also seized The Ivorian army source said when chased. attacks including suicide bomb- on March 10. tacks on coronavirus preven- bassador to DR Congo, said the arms, ammunition, USB keys yesterday that “no terrorist base Burkina Faso has faced repeated ings against government and The government has re- tion and response teams in team of Chinese doctors did and cell phones, the source said. exists on Ivorian territory which jihadist attacks since 2015, which international targets. ported that a doctor and a hos- Kinshasa, urging the minister not fi nd any “fake patients”. Operation “Comoe”, named may have served as a zone of ref- have claimed some 900 lives. In 2013 and 2016 the group pital administrator had been of justice “to act rigorously “The hospitalised patients after a river that fl ows through uge during previous off ensives” An attack in March 13, 2016 launched deadly attacks on arrested and later released against the perpetrators of are indeed suff ering from the the two countries, was launched by the Burkinabe army. attack near Ivory Coast’s main beachfront restaurants in over accusations of falsely these acts”. pandemic,” he said. in early May, the source said, A Burkina Faso military source city Abidjan killed 19 people. Mogadishu. Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 5 AMERICAS

Biden pressed on Americans soak up sun his picks for top economic posts as toll nears 100,000 By Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters New York

By Lisa Shumaker, Reuters vada, Utah, Virginia and Wiscon- iberal groups are pushing to pick tough New York sin, according to a Reuters tally. watchdogs for US economic posts ahead of the It is not clear if the cases are ris- LNovember 3 election to generate broader support ing from more testing or a second for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. mericans sunbathed on wave of infections. Leaders of organisations including the Revolving beaches, fi shed from boats Total US cases are over 1.6mn, Door Project and Demand Progress said they expect Aand strolled on boardwalks the highest in the world. to advance names of people they fi nd acceptable to this holiday weekend, but the occa- A plea by health offi cials and oversee taxes, regulation, stimulus oversight and mar- sional person wearing a mask was a many state governors to wear kets should Biden defeat Republican President Donald constant reminder that the world is masks in stores and in public is be- Trump. still battling the coronavirus pan- ing met with protest and resistance Activists want public-minded, progressive lead- demic. from some Americans. ers to help ensure a fair economic recovery from the The Memorial Day weekend that Social media is fi lled with vid- coronavirus pandemic and to guard against stimulus signals the start of the US summer eos of businesses turning away a money being wasted on what they view as corporate is normally a time when cemeteries few angry customers who refuse to giveaways. across the nation fi ll with American cover their mouths and noses. Several progressive activists said they have begun fl ags and ceremonies to remember “We need to be wearing masks in sharing personnel preferences privately with Biden those who died in US wars. public when we cannot social dis- campaign offi cials. They plan to further make their This year the holiday week is tance. It’s really critically important case through task forces established with Senator when the US death from Covid-19 we have the scientifi c evidence of how Bernie Sanders and other sympathetic members of is expected to exceed 100,000. important mask-wearing is to prevent Congress who support Biden. yesterday those droplets from reaching others,” The quiet pressure campaign, still in its early stages, fi lled its entire front page with the Dr , response co-ordina- has engaged nearly three dozen progressive groups so names and selected details of 1,000 tor for the White House coronavirus far, according to conversations with the groups. victims to try to capture the hu- task force, said on Fox News. “If you’re going to try to fi gure out how to make the manity of the lives lost. Few people wore masks on Sat- economy more fair, you’re going to have to put people in “We were trying to capture that urday while walking on a crowded positions who wake up every morning with the goal of personal toll,” Marc Lacey, the news- boardwalk in Ocean City, Mary- trying to make the economy more fair,” said Jeff Hauser, paper’s national editor, told Reuters. land. Masks were also a rare sight director of the advocacy group Revolving Door Project. “We were trying to humanise Signs are placed on the beach to direct people on how to keep social distance during Memorial Day weekend on other beaches, but people The former vice president has been criticised by these numbers which keep growing in Montauk, New York. mainly kept their distance in small some progressives for what they see as a cozy relation- and have reached such unfathom- groups and avoided playing games ship with Wall Street. able heights that they’re really hard hundreds of US newspapers: Lila All 50 states have relaxed coro- businesses are open, with restric- like Frisbee and volleyball. Many were alarmed that former Treasury secretary to grasp any more....This is about Fenwick, 87, the fi rst black woman navirus restrictions to some de- tions on capacity. “Personally, I’m not sure I’m Larry Summers is giving Biden advice because of his everyday people. It’s about a death to graduate from Harvard Law; gree. In some states, like Illinois Last week, 11 states reported a worried about that, but for those association with fi nancial deregulation eff orts. toll, reaching a number that’s really Romi Cohn, 91, saved 56 Jewish and New York, restaurants are still record number of new Covid-19 who are worried...I suggest they Informal advisers such as economic aide Jared Bern- just jaw-dropping.” families from the Gestapo; Hailey closed to in-person dining and hair cases, including Alabama, Arkan- stay home. I like to get out,” said stein, Washington Center for Equitable Growth chief Among the names, drawn from Herrera, 25, budding therapist with salons remain shuttered. sas, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Bruce Clark at Daytona Beach in Heather Boushey and former Consumer Financial Pro- obituaries and death notices in a gift for empathy. In many southern states, most Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Ne- . tection Bureau director Richard Cordray are viewed more favourably on the left because they focus on is- sues of inequality. Biden has considered announcing some Cabinet names when he makes his running mate pick. The campaign declined to comment on specifi c Ontario urges citizens Trump kicks off summer season at golf course names or conversations. A campaign adviser said Biden is at the forefront AFP as Covid-19 numbers continue ris- of the progressive movement and has engaged with to get tested for virus Washington ing in parts of the US — the worst- one-time rivals, including by supporting Sanders’ free hit country in the world, with 1.6mn higher education proposal and Senator Elizabeth War- infections and more than 96,000 ren’s plan to expand consumer bankruptcy protections. By David Ljunggren, Reuters you’ve been exposed to some- resident Donald Trump on Sat- deaths. Liberal group MoveOn polled members last week Ottawa one who has Covid-19 — even urday kicked off the start of the Nevertheless the warm weather and found most would be more likely to support Biden if you’re not showing symp- PAmerican summer season on and weeks of confi nement have made if he pledged not to appoint fi nance executives to his toms — please go get a test,” Saturday with his fi rst golf outing in many hungry for a return to some administration. he premier of Ontario, said Ford. two months, underlining his push for normalcy over the Memorial Day The fi ndings were shared with Biden’s campaign, Canada’s most popu- “The only way we can get a return to normal life in the United weekend, which is usually marked by said MoveOn political director Chris Torres. Tlous province, yester- those numbers where they States. barbecues and swimming. Warren, whom Biden is believed to be considering as day pleaded with citizens who need to be is for everyone who With lockdowns easing across the Residents of Galveston, Texas were a running mate, or Senator Jeff Merkley could be a good are worried they may have feels they need it to get a test... country and the US leader ramping fl ocking to the Seawall Urban Park fi t for Treasury secretary, activists said. contracted the coronavirus to we can open up the economy up his travels, Trump also confi rmed beach on a hot, windy day — few Other names that might pass muster with liberals get tested, as offi cials try to if we see the numbers going he would attend a space launch in wearing masks, though many fol- for top economic jobs include former Treasury deputy prevent a surge in cases. down.” Florida later this week. lowed social distancing, even in the secretary Sarah Bloom Raskin, Federal Reserve gov- Doug Ford also condemned The province will announce As the US marked Memorial Day water. ernor Lael Brainard and former Commodity Futures the thousands of people who a detailed testing strategy lat- weekend — the country’s unoffi - “I feel safe. Well we’re 6ft apart. Trading Commission chairman Gary Gensler, along fl ocked to a public park in To- er this week, said Ford. cial start of summer — Trump took It’s a lot of distance here. Very safe,” with economists including Joseph Stiglitz, Robert Re- ronto on Saturday, fl outing He also expressed shock a 35-minute drive from the White building contractor Michael Bryer ich, Paul Krugman and Jeff rey Sachs, people from the rules on social distancing. at images of large crowds in House to the Trump National club in President Donald Trump walks told AFP. progressive groups said. Canada’s total death toll Trinity Bellwoods park in To- Sterling, Virginia, in his fi rst visit to a from an SUV in Washington, DC on Others expressed relief at the A senior Democrat familiar with the selection process yesterday edged up by 1.6% to ronto — Canada’s largest city golf property since March 8. Saturday. change of scenery, like stay-at-home said it will be diffi cult for Biden to choose the head of a ma- 6,380 from Saturday, public — in the Saturday sun. US media captured footage of the mother Kayla Lambert, who was jor fi nancial institution for a senior role because it would health agency data showed. “I thought it was a rock president, an avid golfer before the high positive test rates. happy to just “get out of the house”. mean provoking an unnecessary fi ght with progressives. Although offi cials say the concert...we just can’t have coronavirus lockdown, on the course Trump, keen to fi nd a way out of “I have two kids that are playing The person also said it is likely too early for Biden to outbreak is clearly winding that right now, it’s just too on the warm sunny day, dressed in a the coronavirus crisis and facing an in the water and we just get tired of commit to personnel choices, given the uncertainties down nationally, Ontario has many people, too close,” he white shirt and dark trousers. uphill re-election battle, has ramped being stuck in the house. There’s around which political factions he needs most by No- recorded a steady rise in re- said. Neither Trump nor his three golf up pressure on state and local govern- not much else to do. So I came to the vember and how the pandemic will shape policy chal- cent days. Toronto Mayor John Tory partners wore masks, though he rode ments to ease lockdown measures. beach,” she said. lenges come January. “Our best defence right said the images were “unfor- alone in his golf cart, a CNN journal- On Friday, he demanded state gov- Trump, meanwhile, will continue Progressives said Biden has an opportunity to show now is to ramp up testing,” tunate and extremely disap- ist reported. ernors classify churches, synagogues ramping up his travel schedule next his commitment to improving the country through his Ford said in a fi ve-minute ad- pointing” and promised an White House coronavirus advi- and mosques as “essential services” week. choices for the economic posts. dress to Ontarians, adding increased police presence on sor Deborah Birx on Friday said that on the same level as food and drug The White House on Saturday “People whose lives don’t change cycle to cycle that the virus “will spread like Sunday. sports such as golf could be played stores, and immediately allow them confi rmed the president would also aren’t necessarily motivated just to beat Trump,” said wildfi re” unless checked. The city has reopened some safely if social distancing was in place to hold services. attend the May 27 launch in Florida Yvette Simpson, chief executive of the advocacy group “I’m here to ask for your parks on the understanding and players didn’t touch fl ags. The pandemic has hammered the of two astronauts on a SpaceX mis- Democracy For America. help today...if you’re worried that people will obey physical But she also warned that the American economy and led to a fi erce sion — the fi rst crewed space fl ight “Unity doesn’t mean one of the parts dominates and you have Covid-19, or that distancing rules. Washington area continued to have debate over virus restrictions, even from US soil in nine years. the rest is silent.” SpaceX set to launch astronauts into orbit for the fi rst time

By Ivan Couronne, AFP ly complex, winged ships that since 2011 to build the spacecraft. “Senior people at the legacy Washington carried dozens of astronauts into The capsule will be crewed by companies, Lockheed, Boeing, space for three decades. Robert Behnken, 49, and Doug- would tell me at a conference But their staggering cost — las Hurley, 53, both veteran space that these SpaceX guys don’t n the beginning, every- $200bn for 135 fl ights — and two travellers — Hurley piloted At- know what they don’t know,” he one was sceptical. But Elon fatal accidents fi nally put an end lantis on its last trip. told AFP. IMusk’s SpaceX defi ed ex- to the programme. Nineteen hours later they will SpaceX fi nally came out on top pectations — and on Wednesday The last shuttle, Atlantis, dock at the ISS, where two Rus- with its cheaper Falcon 9 rocket, hopes to make history by ferrying landed on July 21, 2011. sians and an American are wait- the fi rst stage of which comes two Nasa astronauts into space, After, Nasa astronauts learned ing for them. back to land vertically on a barge the fi rst crewed fl ight from US Russian and travelled to the ISS in The weather forecast remains in the Atlantic. soil in nine long years. the Russian Soyuz rocket from Ka- unfavourable, with a 60% chance Since 2012, SpaceX has been President Donald Trump zakhstan, in a partnership which of bad conditions, according to resupplying the ISS for Nasa, will be among the spectators at survived political tensions be- Cape Canaveral forecasters. thanks to the cargo version of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida tween Washington and Moscow. The next launch window is Dragon capsule. to witness the launch, which has But it was only ever meant to Saturday, May 30. The manned mission, called been given the green light despite be a temporary arrangement. The launch has taken fi ve years Demo-2, is crucial for Washing- months of shutdowns due to the Nasa had entrusted two private longer than planned to come ton in two ways. coronavirus pandemic. companies — aviation giant Boe- about, but even with the delays, The fi rst is to break Nasa’s de- The general public, in a nod to ing and upstart SpaceX — with SpaceX has beaten Boeing to the pendence on the Russians. virus restrictions, has been told the task of designing and build- punch. But the second is to catalyse a to watch via a livestream as Crew ing capsules that would replace Boeing’s test fl ight of its Star- private “low Earth orbit” market Dragon is launched by a Falcon 9 the shuttles. liner failed due to serious soft- open to tourists and businesses. rocket toward the International Nine years later, SpaceX — ware issues, and will have to be “We envision a day in the fu- Space Station. founded by Musk, the outspoken redone. ture where we have a dozen space Nasa’s Commercial Crew pro- South African entrepreneur who “It’s been a real success story,” stations in low Earth orbit. All gramme, aimed at developing A Nasa handout photo of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft on the also built PayPal and Tesla, in Scott Hubbard, former director operated by commercial indus- private spacecraft to transport launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Inset) 2002 — is ready to launch. of Nasa’s Ames Center in Silicon try,” said Nasa boss Jim Briden- American astronauts in to space, Wearing SpaceX spacesuits, astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken depart the Neil A Armstrong At 4.33pm on Wednesday, a Valley who now teaches at Stan- stine. began under Barack Obama. Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A during a dress rehearsal over the weekend. SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to ford, told AFP. Musk is aiming higher: he is But his successor sees it as a take off from Launch Pad 39A “There was huge scepticism,” building a huge rocket, Starship, symbol of his strategy to reassert He has ordered Nasa to return In the 22 years since the fi rst space agency have carried crews with the Crew Dragon capsule at Hubbard, who met Musk before to circumnavigate the Moon — or American domination of space, to the moon in 2024, an unlikely components of the ISS were there. its top. the creation of SpaceX and also even to travel to Mars and ulti- both military — with his creation timetable but one that has given launched, only spacecraft devel- Nasa used the illustrious shut- Nasa has awarded SpaceX chairs a SpaceX safety advisory mately make humanity a “multi- of the Space Force — and civilian. the storied space agency a boost. oped by Nasa and by the Russian tle programme — huge, extreme- more than $3bn in contracts panel, recalled. planet species”. Page 14 Gulf Times 6 Monday, May 25, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA US aide renews Thousands protest in HK warning on China over security law proposal over proposed law for Hong Kong AFP and violated the city’s current Hong Kong coronavirus-linked law banning public gatherings of more than AFP “I can’t see how Hong Kong eight people. Washington remains an Asian fi nancial olice fi red tear gas and wa- As the number of protesters center if the Chinese ter cannon at thousands of swelled, police fi red tear gas and Communist Party goes PHong Kong pro-democ- pepper spray to try and disperse top White House aide through and implements its racy protesters who gathered the crowd, and later deployed renewed a warning yes- national security law and yesterday against a controversial water cannon and armoured A terday that the US might takes over Hong Kong” security law proposed by China, vehicles against pockets of revoke Hong Kong’s special in the most intense clashes for protesters. trading privileges if China en- high degree of autonomy Beijing months. At least 180 people were ar- acts a tough new security law promised for Hong Kong.” As the demonstrators and rested, police said, the major- covering the territory. He said that China’s contin- police were facing off in the ity in Causeway Bay and Wan The warning from national ued respect for Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous fi nancial hub, Chai districts. Other protest- security advisor Robert O’Brien democratic institutions and civil Chinese Foreign Minister Wang ers were detained at a smaller came amid soaring tensions be- liberties was “key to preserving Yi insisted in Beijing that the demonstration in Tsim Sha Tsui. tween Washington and Beijing, its special status under US law.” proposed law must be imposed The Hong Kong government and only hours after China’s for- Washington and Beijing have “without the slightest delay”. condemned the “extremely vio- eign minister Wang Yi warned also jousted sharply over blame The planned legislation – lent and illegal acts” of the pro- that the two countries seemed for the coronavirus pandemic, expected to ban treason, sub- testers and said they reinforced poised “at the brink of a new and over the role of the World version and sedition – comes “the need and urgency of the Cold War.” Health Organization. after Hong Kong was shaken legislation on national security”. Referring to Beijing’s 1984 A US law passed last year re- last year by months of mas- It also accused protesters agreement to grant Hong Kong, quires the secretary of state sive, often-violent protests, of injuring at least four police a former British colony, sub- to certify each year that Hong and repeated warnings from offi cers. stantial autonomy through 2047, Kong remains largely autono- Beijing that it would not The scenes on Sunday were O’Brien told CBS’s “Face the Na- mous; absent that, the territory tolerate dissent. the most intense in months. Anti-government protesters react as riot police fire tear gas to disperse them during a march against tion” that “it looks like they’re risks losing trade privileges not With campaigners warning The Hong Kong pro-democ- Beijing’s plans to impose national security legislation in Hong Kong yesterday. violating that agreement.” enjoyed by mainland China. the proposal could spell the end racy movement had fi zzled at “I can’t see how Hong Kong The new Chinese law would of the city’s treasured freedoms, the beginning of 2020 as arrests years that Beijing was chipping Despite the alarm in Hong posed regulations in the city. remains an Asian fi nancial cent- enforce punishment for “sub- thousands gathered and chanted mounted and, later, large gath- away at those freedoms and Kong and in some Western capi- The massive protests last year er if the Chinese Communist version, treason and sedition” in slogans in the busy Causeway erings were banned to stop the tightening its control on the city, tals, Chinese and city offi cials were sparked by a now-scrapped Party goes through and imple- the city, which would allow Bei- Bay and Wan Chai districts, coronavirus. and campaigners have described have insisted the proposed law bill that would have allowed ments its national security law jing to crack down on protesters while some masked protesters More than 8,300 people have the new proposal as the most is needed to prevent unrest and extraditions to the mainland, and takes over Hong Kong,” he and dissidents. set up makeshift barricades to been arrested since the protests brazen move yet. protect national security. and there are fears the new mo- said. Hong Kong was swept by stop police vehicles. erupted last year. Around 200 Of particular concern is a A top pro-Beijing offi cial tion would be even more wide- “That’d be a tragedy for massive and occasionally violent “People may be criminalised were detained during small ral- provision allowing Chinese claimed Saturday that main- ranging. the people of Hong Kong and pro-democracy protests last only for words they say or pub- lies at malls on Mother’s Day security agents to operate in land Chinese law enforcement China’s legislature is expected it would also be very bad for year, and thousands gathered lish opposing the government,” earlier this month. Hong Kong, and that they could would not operate in the city to rubber-stamp the draft reso- China.” there Sunday to protest the pro- 25-year-old protester Vincent Hong Kong residents enjoy launch a crackdown against without “approval” from local lution on Thursday, before the US Secretary of State Mike posed law, facing off with police. said. rights – including freedom of those dissenting the mainland’s authorities. details are fl eshed out at another Pompeo had said Friday that Hong Kong residents enjoy Riot police were deployed speech – unseen on the Chinese communist rulers. But there is deep mistrust meeting at a later date. the proposed law – which Chi- rights – including freedom of after protesters ignored ear- mainland, as well as its own legal “I’m very scared, but I still of China’s opaque legal sys- Offi cials have said the law na’s rubber-stamp legislature speech – unseen on the main- lier warnings from authorities system and trade status. have to come out,” said protester tem in Hong Kong and of how would then be implemented is expected to act on quickly – land, and the city has its own against unauthorised assembly Fears had been growing for Christy Chan, 23. Beijing might use the pro- locally. would be a “death knell for the legal system and trade status. N Korea leader vows to bolster N-deterrence

Reuters cluding Kim was seen wearing a Kim has made an unusually Seoul mask during the meeting. small number of outings in the Sudden Amid stalled denuclearisa- past two months, with his ab- tion talks with the United States, sence from a key anniversary orth Korean leader Kim the meeting discussed measures prompting speculation about death of Jong-un hosted a meet- to bolster North Korea’s armed his condition, as Pyongyang has Ning to discuss the coun- forces and “reliably contain the stepped up measures against the try’s nuclear capabilities, state persistent big or small military Covid-19 pandemic. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the conference of the Central Military Committee of the Workers’ reality show media said yesterday, mark- threats from the hostile forces,” North Korea says it has no Party of Korea in this image released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday. ing his fi rst appearance in three state news agency KCNA said. confi rmed cases of the new weeks after a previous absence The meeting discussed “in- coronavirus, but South Korea’s global battle on the virus began. North Korea’s pledge to boost its for pondering such a move may star shocks sparked global speculation creasing the nuclear war deter- intelligence agency has said it The Chinese government’s top nuclear capabilities coincides with be to pressure Russia and China about his health. rence of the country and putting cannot rule out that the North diplomat, Wang Yi, expressed news reports that the United States to improve arms-control com- Ruling Workers’ Party offi - the strategic armed forces on a has had an outbreak. hope on Sunday that the United might conduct its fi rst full-fl edged mitments and enforcement,” Japan, fans cials wore face masks to greet high alert operation,” adopting US-led negotiations aimed at States and North Korea could nuclear test since 1992, noted Leif- Easley said. “But not only might Kim as he entered the meeting “crucial measures for consid- dismantling North Korea’s nu- resume meaningful dialogue as Eric Easley, who teaches interna- this tack encourage more nuclear Reuters of the party’s powerful Central erably increasing the fi repower clear and missile programmes soon as possible, “and not squan- tional studies at Ewha Womans risk-taking by those countries, Tokyo Military Commission, state tel- strike ability of the artillery have made little progress since der away the hard-earned results University in Seoul. it could provide Pyongyang an evision showed, but no one in- pieces,” it said. late last year, especially after a of (previous) engagement.” “The intention in Washington excuse for its next provocation.”

he sudden death of Hana Kimura, pictured, a Western Australia T22-year-old professional wrestler and a cast member in braces for worst the popular Netfl ix reality show storm in a decade Terrace House shocked fans and Australia to resume tourism as virus eases raised concerns over cyber-bul- Western Australia battened down lying after reports she was har- Reuters Morrison told reporters yesterday. portant to get agriculture and again, but doing so because we will let beauty salons reopen from for its worst storm in 10 years assed on social media. Melbourne These are his fi rst comments tourism back up to create more have got some new test results, June 1. Australia has reported yesterday as the remnants of Kimura was one of six resi- since the Treasury Department jobs and drive the economy. and we can be confi dent about 7,106 cases and 102 deaths. a tropical cyclone met a cold dents in the most recent season fl agged last week that Australia Earlier, Victoria said it would how much virus is out there,” In Victoria and New South Wales, front with heavy rains and storm of Terrace House, an interna- ustralia’s prime minister had vastly overestimated the ini- relax travel curbs to boost tour- Andrews said. where schools are set to reopen next surges expected across the state’s tionally popular show that fol- stressed the need to create tial costs of its coronavirus wage ism in its bushfi re-struck towns, Victoria, which reported one week, playgrounds and skate parks coast, off icials said yesterday. lows the lives of young men Ajobs as a way to minimise subsidy scheme. a key contributor to the southern case overnight, has conducted will also be able to reopen from to- Winds gusting up to 210km per and women living together. The government welfare spending, Australia on Friday halved the state’s coff ers. over 420,000 tests since the morrow, Andrews added. hour (130 miles per hour), were show suspended fi lming in April while the country’s second- number of people expected to be Tourists will be able to stay start 2020, and 174,000 this In Queensland, Australia’s expected yesterday near the due to the coronavirus. most populous state Victoria set covered by its subsidy scheme due overnight from June 1 in regional month, a week ahead of a sched- third-most populous state, of- country’s iron ore producing Stardom, a pro wrestling or- out measures to resume tourism to reporting errors and after swift- areas in the state, Premier Daniel ule set by health offi cials. fi cials announced a $50mn in- heartland of the Pilbara, moving ganisation that Kimura was affi l- to regions ravaged by bushfi res ly controlling the outbreak, a revi- Andrews said. The state has reported 1,603 vestment into community sports south towards the state capital of iated with, confi rmed her death and virus-linked curbs. sion that will save the government Victoria will open up ski fi elds cases, of which 180 are commu- from June 12, after one new case Perth overnight and today. in a statement posted on Twitter “Whether it’s how we access around A$60bn ($39bn). from June 22, with strict rules nity transmissions. was recorded overnight. “Really strong winds are already on Saturday, adding that details markets, how we deliver assist- “You just don’t go around and around hygiene and without In New South Wales, only one “In Australia, sport isn’t just being felt and they are whipping remained unclear. ance, whether it’s to bushfi re af- borrow A$60bn on a whim. You shared facilities after a testing case was recorded overnight, a something people watch, it’s up a lot of dust. Those conditions Kimura was a fan favourite fected communities... the thing carefully consider every dollar blitz showed low levels of com- returning traveller, bringing the something they participate in, and are moving southward and are on the show, with her signature that gets Australia back to where you have to borrow.” munity transmission. total to 3,085. As cases have pla- they particularly do it at a com- expected to hit Perth later today,” pink hair and shy personality we want to be is making jobs,” Scott Morrison also said it was im- “This is all about opening up teaued, the most populous state munity level,” Morrison said. said Bureau of Meteorology WA contrasting with her persona in state manager James Ashley. the wrestling ring. Fans fl ocked “We are expecting peak wave to Twitter after news reports of heights, particularly on Monday her death, applauding Kimura’s of over 8m (26ft)...It’s unlikely to work on the Netfl ix show. significantly ease in Perth until “I’m sorry Hana that this Philippine public warned of claims of drug for Covid-19 Monday afternoon,” he told a world was cruel to you and that press briefing. you could not fi nd your peace,” The Philippine health department record of the (Fabunan anti-viral province north of Manila, where unregistered drug. products have proliferated Spokespeople for miners BHP one user wrote. yesterday warned the public injection) applying with the FDA,” the injection is available to their The department of health globally which might hurt people Group and Rio Tinto, which use Celebrities also weighed in on against social media posts the Department of Health said in a patients. yesterday reported 258 new and even cause death,” it said. the world’s biggest iron ore the topic of online harassment claiming that an anti-viral drug statement. Since the Covid-19 outbreak, some confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the As world races to develop a export hub of Port Hedland, after since-deleted social media developed by a Filipino doctor can “The department will continue social media posts have claimed that Philippines, bringing the national vaccine for Covid-19, Duterte was were not immediately able to posts from Kimura mentioned cure or protect people against the to update our people of the anti-viral drug was “the Covid-19 tally to 14,035. reviewing recommendations comment. The Pilbara Ports how she was aff ected by a torrent coronavirus. any scientifically proven buster” and it has already been It also recorded five additional to establish research centres Authority, which operates of negative opinions from stran- The Food and Drug Administration developments in our fight against approved by President Rodrigo Duterte. fatalities, bringing the death toll to initiate local vaccine the port, did not immediately gers online. (FDA) has issued a cease-and-desist Covid-19,” it added. The Fabunan Medical Clinic has issued to 868. development, presidential respond to an emailed request for Yukio Hatoyama, Japan’s order against the use of the Fabunan Ruben Fabunan, a physician a notice on its Facebook page that the The department urged local spokesman Harry Roque said. comment. former prime minister, also anti-viral injection, amid reports now based in the United States, anti-viral drug was “not commercially scientists who have development The Philippines has signed up Jon Broomhall, acting assistant posted about Kimura’s death that more people were getting the developed the anti-viral drug sold” and is “used exclusively” at the treatments to apply for to take part in various vaccine commissioner at the Department on Twitter, saying Japan should medication, said Health Undersecretary together with three brothers, who facility by its doctors. certification with the FDA. clinical trials, which are expected of Fire and Emergency Services consider penalties for those who Maria Rosario Vergeire. are all doctors. Vergeire said the FDA was already “We do this for the protection of to start by the last quarter of the (DFES) said the “once-in-a-decade” target individuals for severe on- “To date, there has not been any They have a family clinic in a building a case against the the public, as many unregistered year, Roque said. (DPA) storm would bring flooding and line harassment. dangerous seas. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 7

BRITAIN Britons shun back to work plea, reveals study

Daily Mail than when the lockdown started – on people with jobs in the private in the public sector are either no they enjoy being off work – mar- He even gets an unprecedented ken at least one lockdown rule; London with public-sector workers gain- sector compared with the 5.5mn in worse off or are better off . riages have improved, and there is 13% rating from Labour voters, a O Voters say the biggest scandal ing the most. the public sector. Overall, the public say they are more support for re-opening pubs big proportion of whom work in is the mass deaths in care homes; Millions of voters are putting A total of 38% who work in the better off by 4%. and restaurants than getting chil- the public sector. O Boris Johnson is winning his ritons do not want to go back their feet up at home – and an private sector, where tens of thou- The survey will ring alarm bells dren back in classrooms from June. Other key poll fi ndings include: ‘coronavirus war’ with Labour into work because they fear astonishing four in ten have put sands of have lost their jobs or had in Downing St where there were The poll will also fuel concerns O Aside from seeing family and leader Sir Keir Starmer. Bthe lockdown is being eased on weight, particularly worrying wages cut, are worse off , according already fears that many people among Tory MPs that Chancel- friends after lockdown, people are In addition to public sector too quickly – and they enjoy being following clear evidence of a link to the poll. were reluctant to go back to work lor Rishi Sunak’s multi-billion- most looking forward to having a workers, pensioners have become at home, a poll revealed. between obesity and coronavirus. Just 29% are better off . to rescue the economy – a view re- pound pandemic rescue package haircut; better off during lockdown. The survey was a setback for The Daily Mail survey by JL By contrast, 46% of public sec- inforced by crowded beaches and – including paying furloughs of up O Only one in four primary A total of 35% of OAPs say they Boris Johnson, illustrating the up- Partners highlights the heroic sta- tor workers are better off , 30% say parks in last week’s sunny weather. to 80 % to laid-off workers until school parents plan to send their have more money, 53% say it has hill task he faces to bring the na- tus gained by doctors, nurses and it has made no diff erence and only People are well aware how badly October – may be too generous. children back to school in June; made no diff erence, and only 12% tion’s moribund economy back to other NHS staff on the front line, 23%, fewer than one in four, are the economy has been hit. It has made Sunak, dubbed ‘Mr O Men are more relaxed than are worse off . Forty-three percent life quickly. with almost 100% approval. worse off . Four in 10 say it will take at least Magic Money Tree’ by critics, by women about easing lockdown – of all voters say they have enjoyed It showed that on average people But there is a big diff erence be- It means a total of 76% – more three years to recover. far the most popular politician in and more keen to reopen shops; being at home more, with just 25% have more money in their pockets tween the eff ect of the lockdown than three quarters – of those But the survey also confi rms Britain. O Only four in 10 have not bro- not enjoying it. Briton held in Indian prison for breaching lockdown rules

Guardian News and Media Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh. London There is uncertainty over his next court date with Hughes’s family saying he has become a British man has been de- victim of the recent escalation tained in an Indian prison in anti-Muslim sentiment in the Aafter being accused of country. breaching the country’s strict “We have been left devastated coronavirus lockdown rules. by his treatment. At least when he Sohail Hughes, 29, had been on was in the hostel, in quarantine, an extended holiday to visit family we could speak with him but since in the Gujarat region when he was he has been in jail there has been detained last month. no contact and we have no idea His family, who have a launched when he will be able to speak to us a petition to have him freed, have again or anything about his next claimed he is being unlawfully court date. Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a remote press conference to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday. held by Indian offi cials. We are so worried about him,” Hughes’ sister, Aatika, said said Aatika. he was forced to take refuge in Hughes, a joiner, who lives in a mosque in Bhopal after being Dewsbury with his wife and three- caught out by the swiftly imple- year-old child, fl ew to India in mented lockdown laws requiring February and was due to return to people to stay off the streets. the UK on May 13. Aatika, 35, says her brother, The British embassy was in- PM backs Cummings alongside dozens of other men, formed of his detention on April had his passport seized before be- 25, after he had been in quarantine ing kept in quarantine for more for about 35 days. than a month inside a hostel. In a Foreign Offi ce (FCO) e- While in quarantine Hughes has mail to the family seen by the been repeatedly tested for Cov- Guardian, a civil servant says id-19 and has always been nega- she appreciates this must be a despite calls to resign tive. concerning time for the family Aatika said: “The government but that neither the FCO nor the gave the public four hours to get British high commission could Reuters Cummings was safe. A divisive fi gure, Cummings in northern England on other oc- A number of cabinet ministers to where they needed to go, before interfere with legal processes in London But the row within the govern- became the focus of criticism late casions. The government has de- and the attorney general have said all public transport was seized. another country. ing Conservatives looked set to on Friday when the Daily Mirror nied this. that the journey was justifi ed. Where were these foreigners sup- The e-mail states: “We cannot ripple on, with those who called and Guardian newspapers re- posed to go? get British nationals out of prison rime Minister Boris John- for the senior aide’s resignation ported he had travelled 400kms “However, at the same time or detention, nor can we get spe- son yesterday backed his expected to be marginalised. to Durham in northern England Primary schools to partially reopen from June 1 many other people were in simi- cial treatment for anyone because Psenior adviser Dominic “I’ve had extensive face-to- with his wife who had Covid-19 lar situations, stranded in yoga they are British. I would strongly Cummings despite calls from face conversations with Dominic symptoms. Primary schools in England schools has been controversial, centres, temples and other such advise that you consult with a lo- within his own Conservative Cummings,” Johnson told a news Johnson’s offi ce said Cum- are to reopen to some pupils with Britain having the highest places with nowhere else to go but cal lawyer who will be able to ad- Party for the aide to resign for conference. mings made the journey to ensure from June 1, Prime Minister coronavirus death rate in to have to wait to be repatriated. vise on your options.” travelling 400kms during the “And I conclude that in travel- his four-year-old son could be Boris Johnson announced Europe and the second-highest These people were free to go back In an offi cial statement, the coronavirus lockdown. ling to fi nd the right kind of child- properly cared for by relatives if yesterday. Only reception in Europe. According to the latest government figures, to their homes, back to their coun- FCO confi rmed that a consu- Cummings, who mastermind- care, at the moment when both he too fell ill. pupils aged 4-5 in the first year of school, those aged 5-6 in nearly 37,000 people have died tries, back to their families and lar team had been in direct with ed the 2016 campaign to leave he and his wife were about to be The journey took place at a time year one, and those aged 10-11 after testing positive. Broader Hughes while he was in quarantine loved ones, no questions asked.” the European Union, came un- incapacitated by coronavirus, when millions of Britons were in their final primary year will statistics including suspected On Thursday, Hughes appeared and have also been in close contact der pressure when newspapers and when he had no alternative - staying inside and foregoing con- return initially, he told a news cases puts the figure at over in court in Bhopal, accused of with his family to give them the reported he had travelled from I think he followed the instincts tacts with friends and relatives. conference. Secondary school 41,000. Teaching unions last spreading coronavirus and vio- latest updates. London to Durham in late March, of every father, and every parent. The government’s order at the pupils will come back later, week urged the government lating visa regulations after being An FCO spokesperson said: when Britain was under a strict And I do not mark him down for time was everyone in a house- with “some contact” between to reconsider plans to reopen, caught in the mosque with other “We are supporting a British man lockdown to combat the corona- that.” hold where anyone had symptoms teachers and older children as it gradually eases lockdown people. who has been detained in India virus outbreak. “I believe that in every respect must not leave home. preparing for exams from restrictions, given lingering His bail application was rejected and are in contact with the prison With Johnson’s words that he has acted responsibly and le- The newspapers have since re- June 15, he added. Reopening concerns over health and safety. and he is now being kept in the Old offi cials and local authorities.” he had acted with integrity, gally,” he added. ported that Cummings was seen England to provide 3,300 Huge rise in hacking attacks homes for homeless that told employees they could Guardian News and Media London choose to be furloughed if they Guardian News and Media Jon Sparkes, the chief execu- tary organisations have reported signed up to a specifi c website. London tive of the homelessness charity a rise in the number of homeless Other attacks have targeted the Crisis, welcomed the announce- in recent weeks – with hundreds ackers have launched a tools used by remote workers, in- ment but said he was waiting to of people still on the streets in wave of cyber attacks cluding fake requests to reset virtu- he government has vowed see the details of the funding. “Is London in particular. Htrying to exploit British al private network (VPN) accounts, to make 3,300 homes this only for the people who have The government’s an- people working from home, as Zoom video conferencing accounts Tavailable within 12 months been given safe accommodation nouncement comes after a the coronavirus lockdown forces with faked sign-in pages, or ac- to prevent rough sleepers housed in hotels, or is it also for peo- report was leaked earlier this the public to use often unfamiliar cepting an incoming “chat” re- in emergency pandemic accom- ple who have not yet been taken month that suggested the gov- computer systems. quest from colleagues on suppos- modation in England returning off the street? If it is going to be ernment would stop funding The proportion of attacks tar- edly corporate messaging systems. to the streets. a step-change it needs to be for its emergency programme to geting home workers increased There has also been an increase The ministry of housing, com- everybody.” house rough sleepers in hotels from 12% of malicious email traffi c in spoofi ng attacks, with e-mails munities and local government Dame Louise Casey, who is – a claim the MHCLG said was before the UK’s lockdown began in purporting to be from a colleague. (MHCLG) will bring forward leading the government’s rough “unfounded”. This sparked fears March to more than 60% six weeks Darktrace said about a fi fth of £160mn of its £381mn, four-year sleeping Covid-19 response among homelessness charities later, according to to data from cy- malicious e-mails would normal- rough sleeping services budget to taskforce, said: “We know this that councils could be under bersecurity company Darktrace ly use some form of spoofi ng, but be spent this year. safe harbour is just the start – we pressure to move rough sleepers provided to . that this rate has reached up to Six thousand “housing units” have here an extraordinary op- out of hotels before it has been Attacks specifi cally aimed at 60% as attackers exploit the in- will be built using the money and portunity to end rough sleeping possible to secure long-term exploiting the chaos wrought by creased separation of workforces. rough sleepers housed through for good.” housing for them. Sars-CoV-2 have been evident One spoofi ng attack featured the scheme will be provided sup- About 5,400 rough sleep- Councillor David Renard, since January, when the outbreak an unnamed company chief ex- port for mental health or sub- ers have been moved into ho- housing spokesman for the Local started to garner international ecutive supposedly asking work- stance abuse issues. tels since the lockdown began in Government Association, said: news headlines. ers to donate to his health charity, “This government wants to England and Wales after the gov- “While the funding for coun- The attacks have increased in while others mimic IT support end rough sleeping for good, ernment issued an “everyone in” cils to support rough sleepers sophistication, specifi cally tar- departments asking workers to and we now have a real opportu- directive to councils to stop the is positive, we still need clarity geting coronavirus-related anxi- download new software. nity to deliver on this moral mis- spread of the disease. from government on what ad- eties rather than the more usual GCHQ, the UK’s cyber-intel- sion,” said the Housing Secre- The government claims 90% ditional practical support will be attempts at fi nancial fraud or ligence organisation, has called tary, Robert Jenrick.“This will be of rough sleepers have been of- available to councils to help them extortion. for people to report attempts completely transformative and fered emergency accommoda- move people out of hotels and People walk down a footpath towards the popular tourist spot Durdle In early May, Darktrace de- at phishing using fraudulent e- changes the lives of thousands of tion. temporary accommodation and Door near West Lulworth on the south coast of England yesterday tected “a large malicious e-mail mails as it tries to block malicious rough sleepers for the better.” However, charities and volun- into housing.” after the government eased coronavirus lockdown rules. campaign” against UK businesses websites. Gulf Times 8 Monday, May 25, 2020 BRITAIN

Thousands of women underpaid state pension to the tune of £100mn

Daily Mail But the investigation by a made to wait up to six years for National Insurance contribu- the £80.45 a week they should vorcees could also be missing out The retired retail worker said: London former pensions minister sug- their state pension when the tions to earn a full pension. receive. because they too are entitled to a “I am pleased I have got it back gests that around 130,000 are government raised the age from Before 2008, married women Sir Steve, a former LibDem pension rate based on their hus- at last, but I am cross because I receiving less than they should. 60 to 66. had to claim the extra income MP, said: “It is truly shocking band’s contributions. could have done with that money round 130,000 married Some wives have also even The move cost 3.8mn women themselves when their husband that thousands of women are Jean Hayes, 75, should have when I was entitled to it. I could women could be miss- been reassured they were being up to £50,000 each in pension started collecting his pension. being short-changed on their had her pension increased from have gone on better holidays, Aing out on a bigger state paid enough, only for the de- pay. From then on, the DWP was state pensions. The system is £60.72 a week to £77.45 when her now I might be too old.” pension, an investigation has re- partment for work and Pensions The new scandal involves mar- supposed to pay the upgrade au- highly complex and few will be husband Richard, 77, retired in A DWP spokesman said: “We vealed. (DWP) to later admit they were ried women who reached state tomatically. aware of the special rules for 2008. The DWP said she was get- are aware of a number of cases It is feared that older wives owed thousands of pounds. pension age before April 2016. But former pensions minister married women. It is time for ting the correct amount. where individuals have been may be owed up to £100mn after Experts are calling on the gov- They are entitled to 60% of the Sir Steve Webb said fi gures sug- the DWP to take this issue seri- Yet mother-of-two Hay- underpaid state pension. We re- government blunders were ex- ernment to investigate how many state pension their husband gets. gested that around 130,000 mar- ously and launch a full investi- es, who lives near Andover in imbursed those aff ected as soon posed. are missing out and give them The boost dates back to an era ried women – whose husbands gation.” Hampshire, has now been given as errors were identifi ed. We are Retired married women can what they are entitled to. when many more wives were fi - were collecting the full basic Sir Steve, now a partner at £8,822.41 after the department checking for further cases, and if collect a state pension based on It comes after some women nancially dependent on their state pension of £134.25 a week – pension consultants Lane Clark admitted it had been paying her a any are found awards will be re- their husband’s work record. who were born in the 1950s were husbands and did not pay enough were getting pensions lower than & Peacock, said widows and di- lower rate for 12 years. viewed and any arrears paid.”

Mother Day’s catch of slain England, Wales teen dies face backlog of Guardian News and Media London

mother who had been fi ghting for answers fol- 40,000 criminal Alowing the stabbing of her teenage son in Greater Manchester has died “with a broken heart”, her family said. Debbie Makki died yesterday, cases due to virus 15 months after her son, Yousef Makki, was killed by a friend in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, last March. Guardian News and Media ures currently required mean sities will not be returning before The friend, Joshua Molnar, was London that even if we opened up all the late autumn. Why are we not cleared last July of the murder of the available crown courts, co-opting those huge buildings and manslaughter of 17-year-old we would still at best only have to be temporary courts? There’s a Yousef after a jury accepted he he criminal justice system half of all court rooms in use for lack of urgency from the govern- knifed him in the heart in self- in England and Wales is hearings.” ment.” defence. Tfacing a backlog of 40,000 A single trial presently re- The Conservative former Another of Yousef’s friends criminal cases, which will not be quires three courtrooms. One for justice minister, Lord Faulks, present that day, Adam Chowd- solved even if all crown courts are the judge, jury, witnesses, coun- warned that “justice delayed is hary, was convicted of possess- brought into service under phys- sel and defendant, a second court justice denied”. He raised the ing a knife but acquitted of other ical distancing rules, the Crimi- for the public and the third for prospect of trial by judge rather charges. nal Bar Association has warned. the jury … than jury in some cases. Debbie never accepted the ju- The scale of the challenge to “With deployment of even “There’s already a big back- ry’s verdicts and had complained the justice system posed by the three-quarters of all courts for log because the ministry of jus- about the police investigation into coronavirus pandemic is becom- actual hearings, (it) would only tice (MoJ) decided to restrict the her son’s death. ing apparent, as virtual hearings take us back, at worst, to where number of sittings days,” he told She was bitterly disappointed transform business in the higher we were at the start of the year the Guardian. last month when the Independ- civil courts but trigger alarms with the backlog growing by up “I personally wonder whether ent Offi ce for Police Conduct about the fairness of remote pro- to 1,000 cases a month, and at we are not a bit too wedded to the told the family they had found ceedings in the family and lower best to simply maintaining the concept of trial by jury … For a no potential misconduct by any courts. current, higher, backlog.” long time there’s been a view that individual offi cer involved in the Reliance on video technology In December, the crown court fraud trials are really unsuitable case. is accelerating the government’s backlog was 37,500 cases. for trial by jury. There are dif- She had been taken to hos- pre-existing £1bn court mod- Goodwin added: “The lord ferent ways you could do it; you pital two days before her death ernisation programme but also chief justice this month estimat- could have a judge with a couple after being isolated during throwing up questions about ed it was now around 40,000. of magistrates. lockdown. where it is appropriate: many Only when social distancing “People may say it’s terrible, Her family did not reveal the unrepresented claimants do not comes down from two metres to but if judges (deliver a verdict) cause of death but said the soli- have super-fast broadband or one metre can all the available they have to give reasons and tude gave her “too much time to are among those categorised as courts be used for hearings. therefore those reasons are ap- think about the loss of Yousef – “digitally excluded”. “Once we have the existing parent. It makes the process of and the stark injustice and inhu- Even before the pandemic, crown court estate open and making an appeal much clearer. mane treatment of our family that some criminal cases were being functioning to the maximum You can see what’s under the followed.” listed more than a year ahead due and operating within safe social bonnet.” Yousef’s sister, Jade Akoum, to austerity cuts in the number of distancing parameters, then HM There are attempts to reduce said their mother had never found allocated judges’ sitting days. Courts and Tribunals Service caseload pressure. peace and vowed to continue to With jury trials suspended, (HMCTS) may want to consider Deputy chief constable Sara fi ght for answers. the backlog grew at 1,000 cases using other court buildings or Glen, of the National Police “My mum’s mental and physi- a month. other buildings, not presently Chiefs’ Council, has suggested cal health had deteriorated dra- The Justice Secretary, Robert part of the court estate.” forces consider whether more matically over the past year and Buckland, is considering wheth- Labour’s shadow justice sec- cases should receive a caution. she hadn’t been the same since er to rent commercial premises – retary, David Lammy, told the The director of public prose- Yousef was murdered. dubbed “Nightingale courts” — Guardian: “Unless we can really cutions, Max Hill QC, on Thurs- “There have been a lot of with space to spread out jurors, up the pace of bringing particu- day denied there has been “de- false promises to our fam- lawyers and court staff . larly criminal and some civil law criminalisation” of off ences but ily, beacons of hope from indi- Caroline Goodwin QC, the matters, where vulnerable people said cases were being delayed viduals that have amounted to chair of the Criminal Bar Asso- need to be heard, we are heading during the crisis. nothing. I want to assure every- ciation, said: “The restrictions for a very serious backlog which However, he supported calls one that we will get to the bot- imposed mean the courts cannot this generation of lawyers has for forces to consider whether tom of this. Not only have these keep pace with that backlog, no never seen. lesser off ences which are charged awful people taken Yousef, they An angler walks along the banks of a reservoir after spending the day fishing in Farmoor matter how innovative the think- “I have been urging (the min- by the police might be dealt with have worn my mum down and Reservoir, Farmoor, Britain. ing is. istry of justice) to co-opt build- by cautions rather than court ap- taken her too.” “Social distancing meas- ings...It seems clear that univer- pearances.

Honing skills B&Q to stop selling Pupils’ grades face being weedkiller over cancer link changed: exam chiefs Daily Mail meal bread and other foods from London ice cream to snacks and breakfast cereals. Daily Mail as possible, that individual cen- But University and College Un- The Soil Association says London tres have not been too severe or ion general secretary Jo Grady said: &Q will stop selling the glyphosate has been linked to too generous in comparison with “We are disappointed that more weedkiller Roundup – af- health issues such as cancer and other centres.” has not been done to recognise Bter it has been linked to liver and kidney damage. rades awarded to pupils in Ofqual is also consulting on the impact that these changes will causing cancer in the US. B&Q said its decision to re- place of exam results will plans to off er a full range of exams have on disadvantaged students. The DIY giant has delisted move the products is part of a Gbe changed to refl ect na- to pupils in the autumn for those Without action, these groups are the popular weedkiller and oth- wider eff ort to help customers tional standards, exam chiefs have who are unable to receive a cal- likely to be even more underrep- er glyphosate-based products, create ‘healthier gardens’. It has revealed. culated grade or want to re-sit an resented.” which will disappear from shelves already removed neonicotinoids Schools and colleges are ‘highly exam. Bill Watkin, chief executive of once existing stock is sold. sprays because of concerns for likely’ to have some of the grades A full series of AS and A-level the Sixth Form Colleges Associa- Roundup is no longer available bees and metaldehyde, a slug – awarded by teachers based on exams are likely to take place in tion, said while Ofqual had “set out in any size on B&Q’s website but pellet, because it harms birds and youngsters’ past performance – October and GCSE exams in No- the fairest possible way” to award it is still selling 1 litre bottles at other wildlife. ‘adjusted’. vember. This is subject to consul- grades, there will still be “winners a clearance price of £1 at its 296 A spokesman said: ‘B&Q is Ofqual, which regulates GCSEs, tation with students and school and losers this year because no one outlets, according to Horticul- reviewing its garden care and A-levels and vocational qualifi ca- and college leaders over the com- system can meet the needs of every ture Week. maintenance range. This year we tions, says this is to “make sure ing weeks. centre and every young person”. Glyphosate-based products are removing all brands of prod- grades are as fair as possible”. Ofqual is proposing to “off er the Commenting on the plans for are the most commonly used ucts containing glyphosate.’ The organisation said grades full suite of papers as are normally autumn exams, Geoff Barton, weedkiller in British gardens The Royal Horticultural So- awarded by schools and colleges off ered in other summer exam se- general secretary of the Associa- and farms despite long standing ciety, some supermarkets such would be reviewed by consider- ries”.It is consulting until June 8 tion of School and College Lead- health concerns. as Waitrose and garden centre ing each institution’s performance about its proposals for how calcu- ers, raised concerns about the Government fi gures suggest Dobbies have dropped Roundup against national guidelines. lated grades should be determined. practicalities of hosting a full a third of UK cereal crops, such but the active ingredient is still But unions are worried that the It wants grades to be based on exam season ‘“on top of every- as wheat and barley, are sprayed available in products from many plans may unfairly hit disadvan- previous exam performance, with thing else they will have to do as with glyphosate – which is used garden centres. taged pupils. the exception of art and design a result of the current crisis”. Sally to both kill weeds and act as a The weedkiller was developed In a statement, Ofqual said: subjects. Ofqual said proposals to Collier, chief regulator for Ofqual, drying agent so the plants are by US agrochemical company “Such adjustments are in the in- award calculated grades have been called for students, teachers, lec- Team GB taekwondo athlete Lutalo Mohamed trains at his easier to harvest. Monsanto, which was bought by terests of fairness to all students supported by 82% of the 12,623 re- turers and institutions to give home in Walthamstow, London, yesterday. Studies have found traces of the German chemical giant Bayer because they will ensure, as far spondents so far. their views in the consultation. the chemical in 60% of whole- in 2018. Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 9 EUROPE

100 IS fi ghters in World’s shrinking forests Germany

DPA Berlin at risk from pandemic too ore than 100 people who have returned to State of the World’s Forests 2020 MGermany after going By Thin Lei Win, Reuters Thomson Reuters Foundation. : slowed, progress has been un- to 80% of all amphibian species, while more than nine out of 10 abroad to join the Islamic State Rome That makes it more likely trees „ The emergence of new in- even, with population growth 75% of bird species, and 68% of people living in extreme poverty (IS) militia have battleground will be felled for food and fuel fectious diseases, such as Cov- driving a rise in Africa. mammal species. depend on forests for at least experience or have prepared for because a third of the world’s id-19 (the respiratory disease „ Since 1990, an estimated „ More than half the world’s part of their livelihoods. combat, according to the interior orests face an increased people still depend on wood to caused by the coronavirus), may 420mn hectares of forest have forests are located in only fi ve „ Areas managed by indig- ministry in Berlin. risk of being cut down and cook, said Wilkie, director of the be linked to forest loss and hu- been lost, more than three times countries: Russia, Brazil, Cana- enous peoples account for about “For more than 100 of the Fdegraded as a result of the forestry division at the UN Food mans moving into forest areas, the size of South Africa. da, the United States and China. 28% of the world’s land surface people who have returned so economic fallout from the coro- and Agriculture Organisation exposing people to wildlife and „ Farm expansion is the main „ Forests provide essential and include some of its most far, the security authorities have navirus pandemic, a senior UN (FAO). facilitating the transition of vi- driver of tropical deforestation, services human rely on. ecologically intact forests. knowledge that they have ac- offi cial has said. The warning came as the ruses from animals to humans. with 40% coming from large- Three-quarters of accessible „ Globally, 18% of forest ar- tively participated in fi ghting in For many millions of poor FAO and United Nations Envi- „ Between 2015 and 2020, the scale agriculture – mainly cat- fresh water comes from forested eas are protected, but natural re- Syria or Iraq or have completed people who have lost casual ronment Programme (UNEP) world lost an estimated 10mn tle ranching and planting of soy watersheds, and 35% of global serves are not suffi cient to con- training,” a spokesperson said. work in the cities and are return- launched The State of the hectares (24.7mn acres) of for- bean and oil palm. food production benefi ts from serve biodiversity. “These people remain the fo- ing to their homes in rural areas, World’s Forests 2020 report, on ests per year, down from an an- A third is from small-scale animal pollination. They tend to be small, mak- cus of police and judicial inves- “the only social safety net they the International Day for Bio- nual 16 million hectares in the farming. „ Around the world, 1bn peo- ing it hard for species to migrate, tigations,” he added. have is the waters, the land and logical Diversity on Friday. 1990s. „ Forests cover only 31% of ple depend on wild foods and and are vulnerable to climate According to the interior min- the forest”, Mette Wilkie told the Here are 10 facts from The While deforestation has the global land area but are home 2.4bn use wood for cooking, change. istry, the authorities assume that more than 1,060 religious extremists left Germany in the Switzerland hands past few years headed for Syria or Iraq. over documents About a third of them are relating to Vatican thought to be back in Germany. As people return to St Peter’s Square, The authorities are taking financial scandal what they call a “holistic ap- proach” that includes criminal The prosecutor’s off ice of prosecution and observation as the Holy See has received well as eff orts to de-radicalise Pope urges defence of environment support from Switzerland in the and reintegrate the former fi ght- investigation into a financial ers. scandal surrounding a real estate Islamic State declared a self- Reuters ity is partly to blame for global deal that was undertaken by the styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria Vatican City warming. Vatican. in 2014. Local troops and a US- He urged Catholics to refl ect “The Federal Off ice of Justice led international coalition grad- on the environment for the has received a request for ually pushed back the extremists he public returned to St next twelve months, how they legal assistance in this matter,” in both countries. Peter’s Square yesterday can better protect it and how spokesman Raphael Frei told the The Islamic State’s last Tto receive Pope Francis’s to help those most vulnerable Sunday edition of the Zurich- stronghold in eastern Syria was blessing from his window for to the eff ects of climate change. based Neue Zuercher Zeitung lost in March 2019. the fi rst time in nearly three He also sent special greetings (NZZ). months as he convoked a year to Catholics in mainland China “With a diplomatic note dated of refl ection on the environ- on the day they celebrate a na- April 30, 2020, the Federal Off ice Boats with some ment. tional religious feast day. sent the Vatican a first part of the Only a few dozen people Catholics in China are requested documents.” 400 migrants went to the square, which was emerging from more than half The spokesman did not provide reach Sicily reopened last Monday along a century of division which saw any more precise information with St Peter’s Basilica follow- them split between a state- about the request, the NZZ report Boats carrying several hundred ing coronavirus lockdowns. backed “offi cial” church and said. migrants reached southern They kept to social distanc- a “non-offi cial” underground The judiciary of the Holy See is during the weekend, according to ing rules, and most of them church loyal to Rome. investigating irregularities when media reports. wore masks. In 2018, the Holy See and the Secretariat of State of the Around 400 people landed near Francis delivered his message Beijing signed a historic pact on Vatican bought a building in the Palma di Montechiaro in the via the Internet from his library, the naming of bishops, mean- Chelsea district of London, the province of Agrigento. as those in the square watched ing all bishops recognised the . Some tried to stop people driving on large screens, and then went pope’s authority. The Vatican’s financial regulator by, to ask for water and a ride, to the window for the silent But there have been hiccups. was also suspected of not having according to a report by the Ansa blessing. In June, the Vatican asked acted properly. news agency. In the past three months, he Beijing to stop intimidating According to media reports, The coastguard is now searching has blessed an empty square. clergy who refuse to sign an of- funds from Peter’s Pence – a for a large vessel off Sicily in Yesterday was the fi fth an- fi cial government registration. worldwide fundraiser directly which the migrants crossed the niversary of his encyclical The deal, which is up for re- to the Holy See – have been Mediterranean. “Laudato Si” on the care of the newal in September, has split misused, among other things. Police and military are also trying environment, which called for Catholics in China and around In addition, those responsible are to find the people who landed, as a reduction of fossil fuels and the world, with some critics said to have got involved with a anyone reaching Italy, legally or backed the majority scientifi c saying the Pope caved in to the This photo issued by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis saluting from the window of the shady partner and later tried to otherwise, is currently required consensus that human activ- Communist government. apostolic palace overlooking St Peter’s Square after his live streamed Angelus prayer. tap the Vatican Bank. to self-isolate for 14 days, among measures to contain the novel coronavirus. Fifty migrants were meanwhile detained on the island of Linosa, between Africa and Sicily. Germans opt for ‘staycations’ as coronavirus fears linger The coastguard is due to bring them to Lampedusa, where dozens of people reportedly By Isabelle Le Page, AFP Few of the tourists wandering who came to Binz with her hus- ued uncertainty around travel some European countries from ity for holidaymakers”, stresses landed on Saturday. Ostseebad Binz, Germany along the promenade were ob- band and two children to visit restrictions. mid-June, meaning trips to the Aage Duenhaupt, a spokesman Some 4,500 migrants have come serving social distancing rules, family and enjoy the beach. But even if borders are reo- Mediterranean will theoretically for tour operator TUI – plus the to Italy between the start of the and apart from restaurant staff While half of Germans like to pened, tourists will still have be back on the menu. fact that virus regulations still year and May 22, according to the ermans usually love their and ice cream sellers, no one was spend their summer holidays many unknowns to navigate, ac- But politicians are taking diff er from region to region. Interior Ministry, up from 1,360 in sun-soaked summer hol- wearing a mask. elsewhere in Europe, with Spain cording to Norbert Kunz, presi- pains to keep stressing the risks. In Mecklenburg-Western Po- the same period last year. Gidays abroad. At the start of this week, the top destination, more than a dent of the German Tourism “Be under no illusions: There merania, hotels are permitted to However, fears of a second Mecklenburg-Western Pomera- third preferred a staycation even Federation. will be no quick return to ‘busi- use only 60% of their capacity, wave of coronavirus infections nia, the northern German state before the coronavirus, accord- “What security measures are ness as usual’,” Foreign Minister while in other regions there are One woman dies have prompted a new holiday least aff ected by the coronavirus ing to offi cial statistics. in place? What happens if a new Heiko Maas has warned. no limits. destination of choice: their pandemic, reopened its hotels, Apart from Ruegen and the wave of coronavirus breaks out Having brought home some “We hope this restriction after argument home country. initially just for locals. Baltic Sea coast, Bavaria is also in the destination country or at 240,000 Germans stranded will be lifted soon, perhaps next in Greek camp On a recent public holiday, it From today, Germans from all a popular choice, with its moun- home, and if it leads to new trav- abroad in recent weeks, the gov- week,” said Oliver Gut, director was only 17° Celsius (62° Fahr- over the country will be able to tains and romantic castles. el restrictions?” he points out. ernment has warned there will of a boutique hotel chain in Binz. A young woman from enheit) in the seaside resort of join the fun. But this year, according to Compared to its neighbours not be another costly eff ort on “The situation remains very Afghanistan has been killed by Binz on the island of Ruegen. For local resident Regina, it’s Munich-based tour operator FTI France and Italy, Germany has so this scale in the event of a second tense” fi nancially, according to another Afghan woman during a But in the sunshine, with a relief to see people milling Group, demand for holidays at far managed to stay on top of the wave of the virus. Kunz of the tourism federation. row in the crowded migrant camp families playing ball on a beach around again on the promenade home has gone through the roof. crisis and prevent its hospitals Bavarian state premier He estimates that the sec- of Moria on the Greek island of and couples lounging around on the Baltic Sea, with its pretty “Bookings by German holi- from being overwhelmed. Markus Soeder has even pro- tor lost around €35bn ($38bn) Lesbos. with ice creams, it already felt white houses. daymakers in their own country There is a “sense of security” posed introducing bonuses such in revenues between March and Police confirmed to the state like the height of summer. “It is nice. We’ve been feeling are well ahead,” said director in staying at home, according to as tax breaks to promote holi- May, and is calling for a state broadcaster ERT for the North It was almost as though the very lonely in Binz lately,” the Ralph Schiller, noting a “clear Binz resident Regina, who won’t days in Germany, especially for support plan with immediate aid Aegean region that the incident virus and weeks of lockdown 69-year-old said. upward trend” in stays of at least be holidaying abroad this year. less wealthy families. and investment. occurred on Friday evening. since mid-March had all been a “It feels good, liberating, to be one week compared to last year. Germany is preparing to lift But there remains “the prob- “It will be a long time before The alleged perpetrator initially bad dream. here again!” said Julia Holz, 34, This is partly down to contin- an offi cial ban and allow travel to lem of accommodation capac- we get back to normal,” he said. fled to the surrounding hills, but was arrested during the night, state radio reported on Saturday. According to information from police sources, there had been a dispute between the children Alligator that survived Berlin of the two women who lived in neighbouring tents. The authorities have now taken the two families to other WWII bombing dies at 84 places, the local news portal Politikalesvos reported. The infamous Moria camp is AFP makes it past 50 in the wild. part of Adolf Hitler’s personal overcrowded, and disputes Moscow Born in the United States in collection, the zoo said. between people who live in 1936, Saturn was moved to the Keeping Saturn, which was a cramped conditions, sometimes Berlin zoo where it escaped picky eater and liked being mas- in huts and under plastic n alligator that survived a on November 23, 1943, after a saged with a brush, had been an sheeting, are commonplace. bombing raid on the Ber- bombing raid that killed several “honour”, the zoo said. According to the latest figures, Alin zoo in 1943 and found of its reptiles. Saturn “came to us after the some 17,000 people live in and itself east of the iron curtain after In 1946, it was found by British victory” over Nazi Germany, it around the camp, which has an World War II, has died of old age soldiers who handed it over to the said, “and celebrated the 75th off icial capacity of 2,757. at 84, the Moscow Zoo has an- Soviet authorities. anniversary of that victory with Aid organisations and the nounced. Saturn’s whereabouts during us”. United Nations Refugee Agency Saturn’s demise marked the the intervening three years are “a It had been “a great joy” to (UNHCR) have been calling for “end of an era”, the zoo said in mystery”, the zoo said. spend all these years with Sat- the camp to be closed and people a statement, and 84 was “a re- When Saturn was brought to urn, the statement said, adding: to be better accommodated for spectable age” for a Mississippi Moscow in July 1946, rumours “We hope we didn’t disappoint years. This undated handout picture released by the Moscow Zoo shows the Mississippi alligator ‘Saturn’. alligator, a species that rarely began circulating that it had been him.” Gulf Times 10 Monday, May 25, 2020 EUROPE

Italian Politicians issue appeal daily virus toll continues as Italy lifts lockdown to drop

DPA lost sight of the limits they had symptoms, or only minor ones. Reuters Rome been sticking to,” said Interior The voluntary testing was an- Rome Minister Luciana Lamorgese in nounced in April. an interview with broadcaster It to be run by the health min- s the weather warms up RTL102.5 on Saturday. istry and the statistics authori- taly recorded 50 new deaths and restrictions to con- In some cities, mayors closed ties together with the Red Cross, from the coronavirus epi- Atain the novel coronavi- bars in the early evening, and the the ministry said at the week- Idemic yesterday against 119 rus are lifted, Italy’s politicians authorities in Rimini, a resort end. the day before, the Civil Protec- advised citizens to take care and on the Adriatic, announced spot The blood tests are to be car- tion Agency said. maintain health precautions, checks to ensure illegal gather- ried out in 2,000 locations. However, it added that the warning that otherwise they ings were not taking place. Those selected as representa- data did not include deaths from could risk another wave of in- Italy, one of the countries tive are to be contacted by tel- the worst aff ected Lombardy re- fections. most aff ected by the virus, eased ephone and asked to take part. gion due to technical problems. Beaches throughout the its lockdown on May 18, allow- Their data is to be ano- The daily tally of new cases country are due to reopen today ing restaurants, bars and shops nymised. declined to 531 from 669 on Sat- but were opened early in many to reopen, as long as patrons fol- Evidence now suggests that urday. regions. low hygiene regulations. the virus had reached the coun- The total death toll since the Images on television of south- Gyms are due to reopen today. try weeks before the fi rst cases outbreak came to light on Febru- ern Italy showed beaches in Sic- Tourists from abroad may be were detected in Lombardy in ary 21 now stands at 32,785, the ily, for example, were packed allowed to enter the country as February. agency said, the third highest in and few sunbathers were wear- of June 3. Filippo Ansaldi, an expert the world after those of the Unit- ing protective masks. Throughout the country, from the Liguria region’s health ed States and Britain. In Rome, Naples, Genoa 230,000 people have tested authorities, said that studies in- The Civil Protection Agency and other cities, young people positive for the coronavirus and dicated the fi rst cases may have said the total number of con- headed to bars in the evenings almost 33,000 have died. occurred in Genoa as early as fi rmed cases in Italy since and many stood in groups with- Experts however believe the December 8, in remarks to local the start of its outbreak now out observing social distancing number of cases may be signifi - television. amounts to 229,858, the sixth measures or wearing face masks. cantly higher, and mass anti- Spain’s authorities an- highest global tally behind those Politicians in Rome and body testing is due to start today. nounced antibody testing of of the United States, Russia, throughout the country re- Some 150,000 people are to 90,000 people in April. Spain, Britain and Brazil. A newly-married couple pose for a picture yesterday in front of the Roman forum in Rome, as the country sponded with concern. be tested to identify those who In Germany, plans to test People registered as currently eases lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The text on the photo frame reads “After being stuck at home may have been infected with the 30,000 people have been post- carrying the illness dipped to ‘Crown(ing) of love’, a play on the Italian word for both ‘crown’ and the coronavirus. for so long, young people have virus but without showing any poned until September. 56,594 yesterday from 57,752 the day before. Italy due to start testing 150,000 people for coronavirus antibodies Venice Film Festival will go ahead in There were 553 people in in- tensive care yesterday, down Italy is due to start testing 150,000 for infected with the virus but without showing detected in Lombardy in February. September, says Veneto governor from 572 on Saturday, maintain- antibodies to the novel coronavirus in order any symptoms, or only minor ones. Off icially, 33,000 people have died of the virus, ing a long-running decline. to ascertain how many people may have been The study was announced in April and but experts believe the number is higher, and The Venice Film Festival will go ahead as scheduled at the beginning Of those originally infected, infected and whether this number tallies with participation is voluntary. evidence suggests the virus had reached the of September, Luca Zaia, the governor of the region around the Italian 140,479 were declared recovered off icial figures. Those selected as representative are to be country weeks before it was detected. city said yesterday as the spread of the new coronavirus in the country against 138,840 a day earlier. The testing, run by the health ministry and contacted by phone and asked to take part. Filippo Ansaldi, an expert from the Liguria slows. The agency said 2.198mn peo- the statistics authorities together with the Their data is to be anonymised. region’s health authorities, said studies Organised by the Biennale di Venezia company, Venice is the world’s ple had been tested for the virus Red Cross, is to be rolled out across 2,000 Italy is among the countries worst aff ected indicated the first cases may have occurred in longest running film festival. as of yesterday, against 2.164mn locations, the ministry said in Rome. by the pandemic, with 230,000 having tested Genoa as early as December 8, in remarks to In January it announced that Cate Blanchett would preside over its 77th on Saturday, out of a population It aims to identify those who may have been positive for the virus since the first cases were local television. edition. of around 60mn. Madrid residents eager ahead of Police execute 581 warrants at border reopening of facilities this week DPA “These fi gures illustrate the Berlin importance of the fi lter func- tion for the border police for France wants its citizens to the safety and health of citi- holiday at home this summer erman Federal Police zens in our country when it have executed 581 open matters,” Federal Police Presi- Reuters Gwarrants since border dent Dieter Romann said. Madrid/Paris checks were reintroduced to In mid-March he had halt the spread of the corona- stressed that Germany would virus. now control its borders be- esidents of Madrid and Offi cers also found almost cause of the pandemic. Barcelona are eagerly an- 130 violations of the weapons However, it is wrong to speak Rticipating the opening of law during their checks, DPA of a border closure, he added, parks, museums, churches and has learned. saying that, after all, the Fed- outdoor seating at bars this week, In about 150,000 cases, for- eral Republic of Germany is as Spain prepares to ease some of eigners who could not claim not a country like North Korea. the strictest lockdown measures a valid reason for entry were Interior Minister Horst in Europe. sent back at the border to halt Seehofer ordered temporary In Madrid, where for two the advance of the coronavirus checks at the borders to Aus- weeks authorities have begun to infection. tria, France, Denmark, Lux- let runners and cyclists out for Offi cers also found 3,100 embourg and Switzerland on exercise for a few hours in the wanted people within the two- March 16 to contain the coro- morning and evening, graphic month period of checks, the navirus pandemic. designer Jimena Ruiz jogged near Federal Police said in response The border with Lux- the wrought iron fence of Retiro to a DPA request. embourg is now no longer park, still shut with a chain. In almost 500 cases, missing checked, while at the borders “I can’t wait for it,” she said items were found. with , France and Swit- wistfully. “I’m really looking for- In addition, police offi cers zerland there should be checks ward to running, sunbathing and reported more than 800 viola- at least until June 15, but only sitting by the fountains.” tions of the Narcotics Act. on a random basis. The coronavirus death toll rose by 70 yesterday to 28,752, the eighth day in a row the daily Police catch Austria’s president death toll was under 100, the health ministry said. out in after virus curfew The total number of coronavi- rus cases rose to 235,772. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has apologised after Spain is now in the third month he and his wife, Doris Schmidauer, were caught by police in an of its national emergency, having open-air restaurant in downtown Vienna outside of the curfew that endured one of the highest per People in Paris enjoy the sunny is in place to contain the novel coronavirus. capita death tolls in the world weather yesterday on the banks Van der Bellen confirmed what had happened in remarks to the from the coronavirus, which hit of the river Seine. Kronen Zeitung newspaper and apologised, saying that he had hardest in Madrid. been talking and had not noticed the time. Madrid and Barcelona will fol- Right: The owners of a Madrid Police confirmed Van der Bellen had been seen in the restaurant. low other areas of the country restaurant measure the distance Van der Bellen and his wife still had drinks on their table just after where the lockdown has already between tables as they prepare midnight when police entered the restaurant for a spot check. been eased further. the seating area yesterday, on In Austria, bars and restaurants are currently permitted to stay Bars will be allowed to open the eve of its reopening. open only until 11pm; otherwise, owners face steep fines. terraces at 50% capacity and Penalties can reach up to €30,000 ($32,710) under laws relating to people will be permitted to meet while does not want its citizens Covid-19. in groups of a maximum of 10. to travel abroad this summer and The restaurant was off icially closed at the time the police entered. “A collective eff ort has al- recommends that they take their lowed us to leave behind the holidays in France, Environment most critical stage,” said govern- Minister Elisabeth Borne said. Police horses join in salsa course ment spokeswoman Maria Jesus Earlier this month, Presi- Montero yesterday, urging people dent Emmanuel Macron said it A salsa teacher in the Dutch city of The Hague welcomed some not to let their guard down as the was unlikely that French people unusual students during the coronavirus pandemic: two police lockdown eases. would be able to undertake ma- off icers on horseback. Madrid’s main hospitality or- jor foreign trips this summer and The off icers discovered a dance group during their patrol through ganisation told newspaper Cinco that even trips within Europe the Zuiderpark in the Dutch city. Dias this week that it expected may have to be limited to reduce Since sport is currently only permitted outside due to the only around 10% of bars to open the risk of a resurgence of the coronavirus crisis, the dance teacher had quickly moved her salsa their terraces in the city. coronavirus epidemic. course into the park. On Saturday Prime Minister Borne, in an interview with The police off icers did not write a ticket but instead took the Pedro Sanchez announced that France Inter radio yesterday, also opportunity to join in, a video broadcast on Dutch television Spain would reopen its borders to said that next week the govern- yesterday showed. international tourism from July. ment would decide on possibly She said that Paris parks had Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has ments without gardens, tend to The video showed the horses elegantly following the movements Tourism accounts for 12% of loosening rules on French do- to remain closed for now, as the repeatedly called on the govern- congregate around the closed of the other dancers, with a one, two, rocking step and turn. Spain’s economic output. mestic travel, currently limited to capital was still a “red zone” for ment to reopen parks as Paris- parks where it is diffi cult to re- “It was really great,” dance teacher Fieke told the broadcaster. “The The French government mean- a maximum 100km from home. virus circulation. ians, who mostly live in apart- spect social distancing rules. off icers were thrilled and it was great that they took part.” Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 11 INDIA

CLOSED DOOR AFFAIR PEST CONTROL MURDER SECURITY DEFENCE Muted Eid celebrations High alert over locust Kerala man held for wife’s Police bust LeT terror Army denies patrol party for Kerala Muslims swarm near Jhansi snake-bite death module in Kashmir detained by China forces

For Muslims across Kerala, yesterday began A sudden movement of a swarm of locusts The Kerala police yesterday claimed to have The J&K police yesterday busted a terror The Indian Army said yesterday that reports on with an unusual celebration of Eid al-Fitr: unlike spotted on the outskirts of Jhansi district has put solved the murder of a 25-year-old woman by module in central Kashmir’s Bugdam district the detention of a joint patrol party by Chinese in the past, most of them made it a private and the district administration on alert. The Jhansi arresting her husband and his associate. The and arrested four suspects, off icials said. forces in Ladakh were “inaccurate”. It was a closed-door aff air on account of lockdown district administration has directed the fire due were arrested on charges of killing the Sources said police and Army arrested a top claimed that an Indian patrol party comprising norms in place to combat Covid-19. One of the brigades to remain on standby with chemicals woman with a snake bite at Anchal, about 70km Lashkar-e-Taiba terror associate Wasim Ganie Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) country’s top Islamic scholars, Kanthapuram following a sudden movement by a swarm of from Thiruvanathapuram. The woman died on of Beerwah along with three other Over Ground personnel was detained by the Chinese People’s A P Aboobacker Musliyar, who is currently the locusts. District Magistrate Andra Vamsi, who May 7. A police off icer said it was a well-hatched Workers (OGWs) during cordon-and-search Liberation Army (PLA) last week after skirmishes Grand Mufti of India and also the President of the chaired an emergency meeting in this regard conspiracy by the woman’s husband Suraj and operations. According to police, the three terror in Ladakh. Reports claimed that the Indian team Islamic Community of India, has wished people said: “The villagers along with the common his friend Suresh, a snake-catcher. Police claim associates have been identified as Faruk Ahmad was detained and their firearms snatched by well, but had a word of caution for them. “At public has been told to inform control room Suraj wanted to marry again and therefore Dar, Mohamed Yasin and Azharudin Mir. The the Chinese and they were only released after this time of crisis, we should spend more time about the movement. The locusts will go to the decide to kill Uthara. On Saturday, the police arrested are residents of Beerwah in Budgam talks between both sides at the local level. The in prayers. We should abide by the orders. All of places where there is green grass or greenery. took Suraj, Suresh and a relative of Uthara into district. Police said arms, ammunition and other Indian Army has maintained that the reports on us should pray that the world recovers from this Hence, details about the movement at such custody. According to the police, Suresh had incriminating papers have been recovered from detention are inaccurate, though there had been crisis,” said the Grand Mufti. places must be shared.” provided Suraj the snakes. their possession. no off icial statement so far.

Telangana police Domestic fl ights to resume, crack mystery of 9 bodies found in a village well

IANS but coronavirus cases rise Hyderabad

elangana police yester- Reuters/IANS case when a 25-year-old student who day reportedly cracked Mumbai/New Delhi returned from Delhi last week tested Tthe mystery behind nine positive on Saturday. bodies recovered from a well in The student from Rabangla in South Warangal district with the arrest omestic fl ights will resume to- Sikkim district is admitted at Sir of four accused. day across India after a day of Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital in Main accused Sanjay Kumar D“hard negotiations”, the federal Gangtok. Hospital sources said his con- Jha from Bihar and three oth- civil aviation minister said yesterday dition was stable. ers have confessed to killing the after some states sought to limit the A month after Arunachal Pradesh nine, all migrants from West number of fl ights. became coronavirus free, an Arunachal Bengal, Bihar and Tripura. Flights will restart under an easing of student who has returned back to the They allegedly gave soft drinks restrictions imposed over the corona- state from Delhi by bus along with 33 laced with sedatives to the vic- virus, though the number of new cases other people on May 18 has tested Cov- tims and threw them in the well. rose yesterday by a record 24-hour id-19 positive yesterday. Bodies of Mohamed Maq- number. The 6,767 new cases took the The border state had become corona- sood Alam and four members of total to over 131,000. Airlines are pre- virus free after its lone patient, a 31-year- family were recovered from the paring to resume about a third of their old man who had attended the Tablighi well at Gorrekunta village near domestic fl ight operations from today, Jamaat congregation in Delhi, was dis- Warangal town on Thursday. without clarity over what quarantine charged from hospital on April 24. The next day bodies of two rules may apply to passengers. In Manipur, three people, including more family members of Maq- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West a woman, tested positive on Saturday sood and two men from Bihar Bengal — business hubs and home to night taking the state’s total cases to 32 and one from Tripura were also India’s busiest airports — had said they with 28 of them active. found in the same well. were not prepared to open for fl ights as In Tripura, three people, who re- The dead were identifi ed as coronavirus cases rose, state govern- cently came from Delhi, tested positive Maqsood (55), a native of West ment offi cials said. yesterday night taking the state’s total Bengal working in gunny bag Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu agreed Covid-19 positive cases to 194, which manufacturing unit in Warangal to operate limited fl ights from today included 161 Border Security Force per- for last 20 years, his wife Nisha while Andhra Pradesh would allow sonnel and their kin. (48), daughter Bushra Khatoon fl ights from tomorrow, federal Civil However, only 27 cases are active. (22), sons Shabaaz Alam (20), Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri In Guwahati, Assam Health Minister Sohail Alam (18) and Bushra’s said on Twitter yesterday evening. Migrant labourer stranded away from their hometowns due to Cyclone Amphan and the Covid-19 restrictions queue to collect Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 90% of three-year-old son. “It has been a long day of hard nego- food distributed by locals at a roadside in Kolkata. the 392 Covid-19 patients in the state The bodies of Sriram Kumar tiations with various state government have been reported from quarantine Shah (26), Shyam Kumar Shah to recommence civil aviation opera- With more cases being reported from id-19 positive, party sources said in patients here shot up by 1,725 cases to centres across the state. (21), both natives of Bihar and tions in the country.....Domestic fl ights across the state, the number of hot Mumbai yesterday. touch 30,542. He said out of 33 districts, Dhemaji Mohamed Shakeel (40) of Tripura will recommence across the country spots shot up yesterday from 37 to 55. The former chief minister’s condition Besides Mumbai’s 39 deaths, there in eastern Assam has reported no coro- were also recovered from the well. from tomorrow,” he said. State Health Minister K.K.Shailaja, has been described as asymptomatic were six each in Pune and Solapur, four navirus case, while Hojai in central As- They were all workers in the same The federal health ministry yester- however, said that the rise was expected and he is under treatment in Nanded, in Aurangabad, two in Thane (Thane sam, had the highest number — 77 — of gunny bag manufacturing unit. day asked states to design quarantine with more and more people coming back his home town. City and Mira-Bhayander) and one in cases. Sanjay Kumar, also a worker in plans based on symptoms of passengers from abroad and within the country. He is the second minister in the Maha Latur. “So far by train and by road, 60,000 a gunny bag unit, allegedly was where those with moderate or severe “All what one needs to do is to ensure Vikas Aghadi govermnent to test posi- On the positive side, 1,196 fully cured people, mostly from southern and in relationship with Bushra, who symptoms would be taken to dedicated that all those who are in isolation/quar- tive after Housing Minister Jitendra patients returned home yesterday, tak- western India, returned to Assam. Over had left her husband and was facilities. Those with mild symptoms antine stay indoors....if not, things will Awhad was diagnosed last month. ing the number of those discharged to 1.2mn people of the state are residing in staying with her parents. must stay at home. be more complicated. We managed the After nearly a month’s treatment, 14,600. diff erent parts of the country,” the min- The main accused bore grudge Airlines including IndiGo, India’s fi rst two phases and the third phase is Awhad was fully cured and discharged Addressing the state yesterday, Chief ister told the media yesterday evening. against Maqsood’s family as the biggest carrier, SpiceJet Ltd and Vistara, currently on and each and everyone has Maharashtra saw its Covid-19 tally Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned Out of the total cases, 57 people have relationship was stopped re- a joint venture between Tata Group and to ensure that they do not do anything crossing the 50K mark with the high- of cases spiking in the next few days been discharged from hospitals after cently. Since two Bihari youth Singapore Airlines, are preparing to re- which is not in tune with the directives est single-day infections of 3,041 pa- besides hinting at an extension of the they recovered from the disease and and another man from Tripura start some operations from today. of the health authorities,” she said. tients catapulting the number of cases lockdown 4.0 and fl ight restrictions. three migrated to other states, while had moved closely to Maqsood’s Budget carrier GoAir said it would Out of around 600,000 people — to 50,231, besides 58 deaths, health of- With 130 new positive cases, Karna- four died, including a 16-year-old girl. family, he planned to eliminate resume fl ight operations from June 1 400,000 from abroad and 200,000 fi cials said yesterday. taka’s tally rose to 2,089-mark, while 46 The Meghalaya government in a no- all with the help of two friends as it awaits clarity on the readiness of from within the country — registered This comes to roughly one death eve- were discharged from hospitals taking tifi cation said that after arrival by air- from Bihar and a local youth, states and airports. to return to Kerala since travel was per- ry 25 minutes, and a staggering average the number of cured persons to 654, said craft and railways up to Guwahati, the who also had some grudge Surge in Kerala mitted, so far 93,404 people have come, 127 new cases recorded every hour in an offi cial said in Bengaluru yesterday. Transport Department would arrange against the family. including 9,400 by air and sea and the the state. The number of active cases in the buses to pick up the Meghalaya-bound They hatched a plan and ex- With 53 new Covid-19 positive cases rest by train and road. The state has been recording over 50 state is 1,391 and Covid-19 deaths 42, people, who would be taken to Shillong ecuted it when Maqsood hosted registered yesterday and 62 on Saturday, Currently, 94,662 people are under fatalities and over 2,000 new patients including two for non-Covid cause. or Tura for testing. a party at his house on the occa- Kerala saw a surge of over 100 positive observation in homes, while 732 are in for the past one week now, with the pre- No death was reported during the last These people would be kept in insti- sion of his son’s birthday. cases in the past two days, the highest hospitals. vious highest fi gure standing at 2,940 24 hours in the southern state. tutional quarantine for up to 48 hours They served soft drinks laced registered so far, but termed it “expect- There are more challenges for tomor- cases on May 22. Spike in NE states till the test results of the samples are with sedatives to the victims ed”, attributing it to the returnees. row, as the postponed Class 10 and 12 With 58 fatalities — down by 18 from known. and then dumped the bodies in a Out of these cases, 18 were among examinations begin with a record 1.3mn highest 76 notched on May 19 — the Sikkim reported its fi rst coronavirus A Mizoram government notifi ca- nearby open well. those who returned from abroad and 29 students having to come out of their state death toll has touched 1,635. case and Arunachal Pradesh a fresh case tion said that no person shall board Bodies of all nine preserved from those coming back from various homes and head to various schools in The Health Department said with the while Assam registered 64 new cases in any fl ight bound for Lengpui Airport in after autopsy at Mahatma Gan- states of the country. the state for them. new cases, 33,988 were ‘active cases’. the past 24 hours, taking the state’s total Aizawl without obtaining prior permis- dhi Hospital at Warangal. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in Minister tests positive Of the total 58 fatalities, 39 were re- tally to 392 as of yesterday night. sion from Mizoram Home Department The district offi cials said if a Facebook post, said that as on date, corded in Mumbai alone, taking the In Gangtok, Sikkim Health Secretary and any person arriving there without nobody comes forward to claim the state has 322 active cases, while 520 Maharashtra PWD Minister Ashok city deaths up from 949 to 988 now, Pemba T Bhutia said that the Hima- a movement permit shall not be allowed the bodies, they will arrange the have been cured of the disease. Chavan is reported to have tested Cov- while the number of Covid-19 positive layan state reported its fi rst coronavirus to leave the airport. last rites. Army deploys to clean up cyclone-ravaged Kolkata

By Sailendra Sil, AFP Bengal — of which Kolkata is the pride of the garden is lost.” Kolkata capital — called for calm. The popular century-old “This is a huge disaster. We Baobab Tree and the “Mad Tree” need to have patience, because — which locals say has leaves that he Indian Army has been nobody has seen such a disaster appear to take diff erent shapes — mobilised to help with the before,” Banerjee said yesterday. were also uprooted during the Tclean-up after a devastat- “We are not sitting idle...A storm, Das added. ing cyclone hit the eastern city shortage of manpower stemming The cyclone also smashed into of Kolkata, as thousands again from the Covid-19 pandemic is the Sundarbans, a Unesco world protested yesterday again over hobbling relief and restoration heritage site straddling India and power and water shortages. eff orts.” Bangladesh famed for its man- At least 112 people were killed in Around 200 soldiers from the grove forest, destroying farms eastern India and Bangladesh after Indian Army’s Eastern Command and livelihoods. Cyclone Amphan — the strongest joined more than 4,000 disaster Banerjee, who visited the Sun- storm to hit the region since 1999 relief personnel and local volun- darbans on Saturday, said the — struck on Wednesday. teers working on the streets, a embankments of at least 25 riv- Streets were fl ooded in Kolk- military offi cer told AFP. ers were breached, impacting at ata, home to 15mn people, while One of Asia’s oldest botanic least 700 villages. power lines were brought down gardens was not spared by the She warned that “large and fallen trees blocked roads. cyclone, with more than 1,000 swathes of the Sundarbans could Authorities already grappling trees uprooted and hundreds turn infertile as saline water with the coronavirus struggled more damaged, offi cials said. starts sipping into the fi elds”. to clear roads — some which “It ravaged the more than Gobinda Mondal, 35, who lives remained fl ooded — as well as two-centuries-old Great Ban- in a remote village in the region, restore electricity and water to yan Tree, one of the main attrac- told AFP the cyclone had “un- homes. tions,” said Kanak Das, director done years of progress in curbing Police used batons to disperse of Kolkata’s Indian Botanical poverty in the coastal areas of the the protesters as Mamata Ban- Garden, founded in 1786 by an state”. erjee, the chief minister of West East India Company offi cer. “The “We are lost,” he added. Soldiers cut trees to clear the roads in Kolkata yesterday. Gulf Times 12 Monday, May 25, 2020 LATIN AMERICA Buenos Aires lockdown extended until June 7

Reuters public transportation will also be showed. The death toll is at 445. Buenos Aires rolled back. Some businesses had Fernandez said the rising case been allowed to reopen under a load was the driving factor in previous lockdown extension. extending the isolation period in rgentina on Saturday The lockdown, due to expire Buenos Aires, where 87% of new extended until June 7 a yesterday, has been in place since cases over the last two weeks Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro greets supporters at Planalto Palace in Brasilia yesterday. Amandatory lockdown in March 20, though offi cials have were confi rmed. Buenos Aires and tightened some relaxed restrictions in some areas “We are doing things well and I movement restrictions, after a of the country. thank everyone, but much remains steady increase in the city’s con- Argentina has a commercial to be done,” Fernandez said. fi rmed coronavirus cases in re- fl ight ban until September 1, one Argentina is still outpaced in cent days. of the world’s strictest travel infections and deaths by many Bolsonaro joins demonstrators as Offi cials will tighten traffi c measures during the pandemic. of its neighbours including Bra- controls between the capital and The country recorded 704 new zil, which has the world’s second Buenos Aires province, the area infections on Saturday, one of highest number of cases at 347,398 with the second highest concen- the highest single-day increases and a death toll of 22,013, Brazilian scandal heats up amid pandemic tration of cases, President Alber- since the pandemic began. government data showed. to Fernandez said in a televised The country has 11,353 cases, Argentina registered a death press conference. mostly in Buenos Aires, where rate of 9.8 per 100,000 people as of By Gabriela Mello, Reuters The rally, one of several such demonstrations More pro-Bolsonaro rallies are expected Commercial activity in some the city’s low-income neigh- May 22, compared to 94.3 in Brazil Brasilia Bolsonaro has encouraged in recent weeks, to take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most pop- of the city’s more populated bourhoods have been particu- and 47.2 in Peru, according to a re- came as the administration of US President ulous city and the epicentre of the Covid-19 neighbourhoods and access to larly hard hit, government data port presented by Fernandez. Donald Trump, a close ally of the far-right pandemic. razilian President Jair Bolsonaro yes- Bolsonaro, mulls a ban on travel from Brazil be- The demonstrations follow a decision by terday hailed supporters rallying in cause of the worsening outbreak there. Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court last week to Bthe country’s capital to back his ad- Health Ministry fi gures released on Sat- release a video recording of an April 22 min- Feeding time ministration as an unfolding political scan- urday evening showed that 16,508 new cases isterial meeting, in which Bolsonaro said he dal adds to the public health crisis driven by were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing wanted to change security offi cials, their the coronavirus outbreak. the total above 347,000, while the death toll bosses or even ministers to stop his family Surrounded by security guards wearing increased by 965 to 22,013. and friends from getting taking advantage. masks, but not wearing one himself, Bolsonaro Bolsonaro was seen posing for photo- of the situation was shown in a live streaming video on his Fa- graphs, shaking people’s hands and even The political scandal revolves around an cebook page greeting protesters waving Brazil- carrying a young boy on his shoulders, part accusation by former Justice Minister Ser- ian fl ags and calling him a ‘legend’ days after of a pattern of fl outing and discouraging gio Moro, a popular anti-graft crusader, Brazil topped Russia to become the world’s No social isolation measures advised by health that Bolsonaro aimed to interfere in police 2 virus hot spot after the United States. professionals to curb the pandemic. investigations.

Bolivia ex-health minister Protect activists, says caught in virus scandal Colombia’s Santos AFP La Paz DPA their opponents, Santos said. Bogota “A lot of the violence today is directed against social leaders olivia’s ex-health minister has been remanded in cus- who are asking for the voluntary tody over a corruption investigation into over-priced iven the violence in the replacement of coca plantations,” Bventilators to fi ght the novel coronavirus, the attorney shadow of the Covid-19 Santos told DPA in an interview. general said yesterday. Gpandemic, former Co- They are committed to projects Marcelo Navajas was fi red after he was arrested on Wednes- lombian president Juan Manuel related to the peace process or day as part of an investigation into the purchase of 179 venti- Santos has called for guarantees the return of land to displaced lators from a Spanish company for almost $5mn, around two of security for human rights de- people. and a half times their advertised price. fenders, environmentalists and Colombia has been suff ering Attorney General Ruddy Terrazas told journalists that a other activists. from an armed confl ict for dec- judge had remanded Navajas and three other health minis- “The state has a duty to protect ades, with more than 200,000 try offi cials in “pre-trial detention” following a hearing that these social leaders,” Santos told dead and 4mn internally dis- lasted 12 hours and ended before dawn yesterday. DPA yesterday. placed people. Navajas is to be held for three months and the other offi cials According to the human rights The Revolutionary Armed for six months. organisation Indepaz, more than Forces of Colombia (Farc) rebel The judge also placed two more offi cials under house arrest. 100 activists have been murdered organisation, which was heavily The scandal came to light at the end of last week when in- in the South American country fi nanced by cocaine traffi cking tensive care doctors complained that the ventilators were not this year. and extortion, had signed a peace suitable for Bolivian intensive care units. They are without personal treaty with the government dur- It then was learned that they were bought at grossly infl ated protection and because of the ing Santos’ term in 2016 and laid A girl feeds two American puma cubs named ‘Pandemic’ and ‘Quarantine’ that were born during the prices, with a Spanish company acting as an intermediary. restrictions during the corona- down arms. current coronavirus pandemic, at the Africa Bio-Zoo rescue and rehabilitation centre in Cordoba, Letters between Navajas and the Spanish company showed virus pandemic they have no way The security situation has im- State of Veracruz, Mexico. that the former minister “authorised this process,” said Ter- of moving around freely. This proved since then, but the smaller razas. makes them an easy target for guerrilla group ELN is still active. Scratching the surface: drones cast new light on mystery of Nazca Lines

By Dan Collyns in Palpa took just two weeks to fi nd the “The Nazca Lines are the cul- for humans,” explained Castillo, to the famous hummingbird, Guardian News and Media 25m by 65m image which had mination of a process of experi- a former minister of culture for during a publicity stunt aimed been hiding in plain sight in the mentation and improvement in Peru. at the 2014 UN climate change hills of Palpa, about 48km north technique which follow on from “They are clearly representa- summit in Lima. n aerial search in the Pe- of Nazca, in a huge expanse of these older geoglyphs,” said Isla. tions of identifi able people. They Outrage over the incident ruvian desert has revealed desert in southern Peru. Dating from AD200-700, the are demarcating territories.” prompted the US to give Peru a Aintriguing fi gures of hu- The design carved into the lines were given Unesco World By contrast, the larger and grant which helped fund Isla and mans and animals that predate hillside depicts a terrifying Heritage status in 1994. more sophisticated geoglyphs his team. the nearby Unesco world heritage mythological beast, part orca but More than a thousand of them further south in Nazca can not Registering and geo-referenc- site. with a human arm holding a tro- – vast geometric patterns, and be viewed completely from the ing the geoglyphs is the best way A faded decades-old black- phy head and several more heads zoomorphic fi gures such as the ground. to protect them from the spread and-white photograph was the inside its body. monkey, the hummingbird and According to Isla, the latest re- of agriculture or urban encroach- only lead Johny Isla had when he New research with drones has the whale – stretch across more search indicates the Nazca Lines ment, Castillo says. set out on the trail of a sea mon- helped uncover hundreds of such than 400sq km of the Nazca pla- were “made with the purpose of But just a few of the sites will ster. fi gures carved in the desert near teau. asking the Gods for water and fer- be made known to the public so The Peruvian archaeologist the lines in Nazca but which pre- They were created by removing tility in this desert area”. But ar- The figure known as ‘La Orca de Piedras Gordas’ that was as not to make them a target for spotted the image at a 2014 ex- date them by as much as 1,500 the top layer of pebbles to reveal chaeologists are still trying to un- rediscovered by Johny Isla. vandalism. hibition in Germany about the years. the lighter-coloured material be- derstand the transition between Many of the hillsides, cut Nazca Lines, the vast and intri- The archaeologists leading the neath. the Paracas culture’s depiction of Between them is a mythologi- take thousands and thousands through by the Pan-American cate desert images which attract eff ort now believe that the an- The newly discovered ge- largely human fi gures intended to cal creature with a mass of tenta- of pictures, which are then proc- highway, are already covered tens of thousands of tourists thropomorphic orca fi gure fi lls in oglyphs’ location on hillsides, be viewed by other people to the cles or snakes. essed in very large computers”, with modern-day etchings rang- every year. a missing link between hundreds however, marks a key diff erence, Nazca iconography in which hu- The fi gures are believed to Castillo said. “The images are so ing from brands of fertilizer to The photograph taken in the of older geoglyphs and the Nazca said Luis Jaime Castillo, a Peru- mans are all but absent. symbolise fertility. detailed that we can see a stone graffi ti tags. early 1970s showed a mysterious culture’s desert etchings. vian archaeologist working on As the society grew larger the From the ground, the designs half an inch across.” Castillo believes that in the killer whale deity carved in an The smaller forms were etched the Nazca-Palpa project with images may have been appropri- are now hard to see. The result of the process, Nazca and Palpa area – already arid hillside. on hillsides in nearby Palpa by Isla. ated by the elite and given a sa- But the drone’s eagle-eye re- known as photogrammetry, is described by Unesco as having The fi gure bore some resem- the Paracas and Topará cultures “Placing these geoglyphs on cred status, Castillo believes. veals the full design on a moni- highly detailed three-dimen- the “most outstanding group blance to others he knew but he between 500BC and AD200. the slopes means that, in con- It was a transition from draw- tor viewed by Castillo, who has sional mapping of large areas, of geoglyphs anywhere in the had never seen this one before. “This orca was made at a time trast with the Nazca Lines, you ings made by households or vil- long promoted aerial mapping which in the case of the Nazca world” – new discoveries may Isla, now Peru’s chief archae- of abundance and population can see them if you are standing lages to grand designs made by techniques to register Peru’s es- and Palpa Lines is a huge boost yet outnumber older ones. ologist for the lines, spent hours growth in a moment of change in the valley below where life and an organisation closer to a state, timated 100,000 archaeological for their protection. While the team have discov- poring through archives, before from one society to another,” said agriculture is taking place,” he he argues. sites, of which only a fraction The funding to discover these ered hundreds of geoglyphs in returning to Peru – armed with a Isla. said. On one hillside, a warrior have been excavated. new geoglyphs came, ironically, Palpa, Castillo expects to fi nd drone and a lifetime of local fi eld He believes that the Topará “If the Nazca Lines were made wearing a headdress and carrying Drones are being used not just as a result of an international many more. experience – to fi nd it. crafted the orca fi gure during a by humans for the gods, these a staff or spear stands close to a to fi nd geoglyphs but to “cover scandal, when Greenpeace activ- “We’ve registered maybe just After several false starts, it period of dynamic transition. fi gures were made by humans female fi gure. kilometres and kilometres and ists left damaging footprints next 5% of what there is,” he says. Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 13 PAKISTAN

Pakistan thanks US Sugar mill owners reject support on FATF, Covid-19, commission’s fi ndings debt relief Internews bers were part of the commis- suage the sugar crisis and its ac- sion’s report unveiled last week sugar mill groups were acting as is the one who owns a sugar mill Islamabad sion was well this time. counting. made some shocking revela- “cartels”. and does not hold political of- The PSMA alleged that the The commission was also ig- tions, including that many sugar Akbar said that the company fi ce. Internews commission distorted the facts norant of the ground realities mill owners were receiving tel- owned by Shehbaz Sharif’s fam- “We cannot ask Khusro Ba- Islamabad he Pakistan Sugar Mills in its report presented to Prime of the sugar sector, procure- egraphic transfers for payments ily engaged in “double report- khtiar to resign from his post. An Association (PSMA) has Minister Imran Khan and the ment and crushing processes, it for sugar sold to Afghanistan ing”. inquiry will be initiated against Trejected outright the in- federal government. opined. from the US and Dubai, there- In 2017-18, the company whoever is directly involved,” dviser to the Prime Min- quiry commission’s report, The association said that the The PSMA alleged that the fore seemingly “whitening” raked in additional profi ts of Akbar stated. ister on Finance and Rev- which was recently made pub- recommendations by the PSMA commission tried its best to re- money and earning dollars at the Rs1.3bn and in 2018-19, they He said that among the mills Aenue Dr Abdul Hafeez lic and explained how the price were neglected when the inquiry port lower price of sugar pro- same time. earned Rs780mn. shortlisted is Alliance Mills, Shaikh has said that Pakistan of sugar was fi xed, how exports was being conducted. duction, adding that no business While discussing the report’s Akbar said that sugar mills which is owned by the RYK appreciates the support extend- of the commodity were faked on The PSMA stated that the can operate as per the produc- fi ndings in a recent media brief- belonging to Jahangir Tareen’s Group. ed by the US on the Financial sales taxes, and how billions of commission neglected the role tion model laid out by the com- ing, Special Assistant to Prime group were found guilty of Moonis Elahi has 34% owner- Action Task Force (FATF), the rupees are overcharged by sugar of market forces, and did not mission. Minister on Accountability Mir- “double billing” and “over-in- ship of the group. coronavirus pandemic, and debt mills owners. consider the factor of demand The PSMA had in the past za Shahzad Akbar identifi ed the voicing” as well as “corporate “[The report] confi rms the relief from the G20 countries. The PSMA said that the com- and supply in the report. rejected a similar report by the mills owned by Shehbaz Sharif’s fraud”. premier’s long-held view that The coronavirus causes the mission made similar mistakes It grouping said that the in- Federal Investigation Agency family, Jahangir Tareen, Khusro Speaking of Economic Af- businessmen in politics will put Covid-19 disease. as the previous inquiry commit- quiry commission does not have (FIA). Bakhtiar’s brother and Moonis fairs Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, business fi rst,” the prime minis- He was speaking during a vir- tee, adding that the same mem- the adequate expertise to as- The Sugar Inquiry Commis- Elahi and revealed that six major he said that Bakhtiar’s brother ter’s adviser said. tual discussion with the offi ce- bearers and members of the US- Pakistan Business Council in Islamabad this week. Shaikh said that Pakistan values its relationship with the Army US, particularly the business collaborations which have a great potential of growth given gifts PPE the opportunities for business and investment available in the South Asian nation. to US in He said that the business en- vironment in Pakistan, facili- tated by a greater ease of doing solidarity business, improved regulations and huge market potential, is ideal for investment and joint gesture ventures by the US business- men. The adviser said that the Internews government had recently an- Islamabad nounced a Rs1.2tn stimulus package that included direct cash transfers, payment of tax akistan’s Armed Forces refunds, subsidised credits and have gifted Personal Pro- payroll loans, to shore up the Ptective Equipment (PPE) to economy and boost businesses. the US as a gesture of solidarity Similarly, the upcoming amid the coronavirus pandemic, budget is being designed in a way according to the Pakistani em- to provide maximum relief and bassy. incentives to the businesses and Marking The consignment of PPE ar- promote trade by reducing tariff rived via a C-130 fl ight from on a large number of items of raw Eid al-Fitr Islamabad, which landed at material. Andrews Air Force Base (AFB), Speaking on the occasion, Es- Women take a ‘wefie’ after Maryland. peranza Jelalian, president of the off ering Eid al-Fitr prayers at Pakistan’s ambassador to the US-Pakistan Business Council, Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque. US, Dr Asad Majeed Khan, and and Steven Kobos, chairman senior offi cers of the embassy’s of the US-Pakistan Business Left: A Frontier Constabulary Defence Wing were present at Council, said that the US gov- (FC) soldier stands guard as the airport. ernment and the businessmen Muslims off er Eid al-Fitr prayers Also present were David see Pakistan as an important in Quetta. Helvey, acting assistant secre- trade partner. tary of defence for Indo-Pacif- They hoped the bilateral col- ic Security Aff airs, and other laborations would further grow. American offi cials. In his remark on the occasion, ambassador Khan referred to the Case registered historic ties between the coun- tries and their armed forces. against woman He said the security forces of both countries had fought to- Police have registered a case gether in the global war on ter- against a woman whose video rorism and stand together in went viral on social media, fi ght against pandemic. in which she can be seen This, the Pakistani ambassa- misbehaving with police off icials dor said, is a manifestation of the at the Hazara Motorway. longstanding and close co-oper- The case was registered on the ation between the armed forces complaint of Assistant Sub- of both countries, particularly in Inspector (ASI) Aurangzaib Khan dealing with the natural calam- and the first information report ity, as both Pakistan and the US (FIR) describes the woman as an remain closely engaged in com- “unidentified person”. bating the pandemic. She had received a lot of flak on The equipment has been social media after the video went handed over to the US Federal viral in which she can be seen Emergency Management Agency shouting and threatening off icers Worshippers off er Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karachi to mark the end of Ramadan. Devotees off er Eid prayers at Rawalpindi’s Eidgah Sharif Darbar. (FEMA) for onward delivery to at the motorway. the US armed forces. Pakistan goes wild for blockbuster Turkish drama

By Zain Zaman Janjua, AFP with its daring protagonist, cliff - but has suff ered in the face of “There’s strong backing Islamabad hangers and high production rising competition from private among many in Pakistan for pan- values since it began broadcast- channels. Muslim solidarity, which trans- ing on the fi rst day of the holy “It is a good opportunity for lates in many cases to support for ubbed the Muslim Game month, which just concluded. PTV management to look at strong Muslim leaders from Ma- of Thrones, a drama about Usually, state broadcaster PTV themselves, shake their con- laysia to Turkey and many places Dthe makings of the Ot- fi lls its Ramadan programming science and wonder how they are in between,” he said. toman Empire sent Pakistan with live charity fundraisers, quiz unable to produce a prime-time Turkey has backed Pakistan wild during Ramadan this year, shows and religious content. drama,” Aehsun Talish, a Paki- on the international stage, par- smashing television records but But with the coronavirus pan- stani drama producer, told AFP. ticularly in the dispute with New exposing the country’s lack of demic stifl ing television studios, The channel has profi ted from Delhi over Kashmir, and the two original content. Prime Minister Imran Khan is- advertising breaks during the nations have enjoyed strong rela- The Turkish-made series has sued special instructions to the broadcasts but experts warn it is tions. earned praise for its focus on his- broadcaster to air the series in a on shaky ground. Pakistan is set for more Turk- torical fi gures from the Muslim bid to boost Islamic culture and “It’s a cheap re-run, a tem- ish dramas, with the prime min- world who have been framed as values among young people. porary fi lling. If we truly want ister already lining up another role models for Pakistani youths, “Over here, we go to Holly- PTV’s revival we will have to bank show for screening. and the Urdu-language version wood, then Bollywood, and back on local talent,” Samina Ahmad, At Mustafa’s home, his nieces of the show has racked up more again – third-hand culture gets a veteran television actress, told and nephews follow the Turk than 240mn views on YouTube promoted this way,” Khan told a AFP. leader’s sword battles with ex- alone. group of YouTubers recently, re- In this picture taken on May 9, members of a family sit together to watch Dirilis: Ertugrul. Turkish television has become citement in Resurrection: Ertu- “I prefer to watch it with kids, ferring to the infl uence of foreign a major vehicle of soft power, grul. so they can have real-life super- shows. credible, it’s really great to see fetching ratings fi ve times higher But a dependence on imported with viewers in the Muslim world “This historical Turkish drama heroes instead of fi ctional ones,” The fi ve-season series tells the how the show is resonating with than average. content is a source of frustra- becoming voracious consumers has provided us with a nice es- said Hassam Mustafa as he set- story of Ertugrul, the father of Urdu speakers around the world,” Featuring heartthrob heroes, tion for some Pakistani artists, of the country’s soaps. cape from stereotypical Pakistani tled down at his Islamabad home Osman I who founded the Otto- said Riyaad Minty, digital direc- Westernised heroines and pic- producers and directors who Resurrection: Ertugrul is an- dramas, which always centre on to watch the series with his niec- man Empire, which ruled parts of tor of TRT, which produced the turesque scenery, dozens of bemoan prime-time slots being other strategic asset for Turkey, the aff airs of saas-bahu,” he said, es and nephews. Europe, Western Asia and North series. Turkish soap operas have made given to a foreign show. said South Asia analyst Michael referring to relationships be- Resurrection: Ertugrul (Dirilis: Africa for more than 600 years. PTV said viewership has been it onto Pakistani television chan- PTV once used to produce the Kugelman from the Wilson Cen- tween controlling mothers and Ertugrul) has gripped audiences “The response has been in- unprecedented, with the drama nels since 2012. subcontinent’s best soap operas tre think tank. their daughters-in-law. Gulf Times 14 Monday, May 25, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Coronavirus, race and income: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor how the virus discriminates K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar AFP database of health worker Covid-19 “Compared to white populations they management, are more likely to feel Paris deaths. are more likely to have hypertension, unconfi dent while at work, and are [email protected] Because offi cial fi gures are tricky to diabetes, to have cardiovascular disease subjected to far higher levels of bullying 44350478 (News), come by, he and colleagues began by and those factors are known to put people and harassment than their white fter Covid-19 fi rst appeared scouring media reports. at increased risk of harm from Covid.” colleagues. 44466404 (Sport), in China late last year, doctors The results were startling. But that alone doesn’t explain the A recent survey conducted by 44466636 (Home delivery) quickly realised what made Of the 63 nurses and midwives killed discrepancy, and Sridhar said social ITV News collected around 4,000 some patients more vulnerable by the virus in Cook’s database, 76% factors likely played a signifi cant role. anonymous responses from doctors and 44350474 A to the virus than others: age, gender and were from a BAME (black, Asian, and “It could be because there’s some nurses, including numerous individuals facebook.com/gulftimes underlying health problems all played minority ethnic) background. underlying genetic predisposition but raising concerns that their BAME status a part. Of the 32 doctors and dentists who then we’d expect to see many more was putting them at higher risk. twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Now, as the pandemic kills hundreds have died from Covid-19 so far, all but deaths in countries that have larger “We were threatened with being across the world each day, experts two were non-white — 94%. BAME populations,” she said. “That’s sacked if we spoke up about not say evidence is mounting that other Overall, BAME health workers made up not what we’re seeing”. being allowed to wear PPE,” said one socioeconomic factors — specifi cally 63% of the deaths, despite only making up “The one factor that’s over-riding respondent. connected to race and income — infl uence just over 20% of the workforce. has to do with their social position, For Nagpaul, BAME status should be GULF TIMES who become sick and who dies. Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the British particularly with health workers. What added to the list of known Covid-19 risk Offi cials in Europe and the US Medical Association (BMA), told AFP we’re seeing with doctors with BAME factors. have insisted that Covid-19 doesn’t the fi gures were “a shock and a cause for backgrounds is really astounding.” “BAME status puts a doctor at higher discriminate. alarm”. Cook added that a greater proportion risk,” he said. But the fi gures suggest otherwise. “None of us could have foreseen this, of BAME individuals live in deprived “While of course we need to America set to open A slew of recent studies have it goes beyond the margins of statistical areas of Britain than white individuals, understand the reasons why, both for highlighted how people from minority variation we would allow for,” he said. which may limit their access to quality healthcare workers and the community backgrounds in Britain and the United “Many of these doctors played a very healthcare and testing. at large, what the NHS has a duty to States — two of the hardest hit nations visible role in the care of patients in In Sweden, which has gone against do is to make sure no one sector of the new chapter in — are disproportionately more likely their communities and for them to die the grain of strict lockdown procedures, workforce is at greater risk. The priority to die from Covid-19 than their white from Covid is a very noticeable loss.” the Public Health Agency reported this needs to be to prevent further death.” counterparts. Cook said he was taken aback month that Somali-born residents At least two healthcare trusts in Research printed in the Journal of by the disproportionate number of were over-represented among those Britain have already unilaterally space exploration the American Medical Association this BAME Covid-19 health worker deaths, hospitalised with Covid-19. declared BAME workers at high risk of month found that Covid-19 mortality was especially because it was not initially Poorer areas of Stockholm — where Covid-19 and have redeployed them “substantially higher” among black and understood as a risk factor when the many migrants live — have seen up to away from the front lines. Wednesday, May 27, is scheduled to witness two historic Latino patients than in white patients. pandemic struck. three times as many cases per capita as Cook said that without far greater moments in the annals of human spacefl ight, providing yet In Chicago, the rate of infection was “China did really well in giving us wealthier areas. monitoring and data reporting — another diversion from the depressing news of the Covid-19 925 per 100,000 black people compared information but they perhaps are less Within Britain’s health service, including the medical histories and pandemic. If everything goes as per schedule, SpaceX’s with 389 among white people. multicultural than other societies in the several studies suggest that BAME ethnicities of those patients and health Age-adjusted black mortality in New world,” he told AFP. doctors and nurses may be the victims workers who succumb to the virus — it Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule will liftoff York City was more than twice as high “The risk factors we saw coming out of systemic discrimination. would be hard to ever get to the bottom with Nasa astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, from as white, a trend backed up by another of China were to do with age, diabetes, In a recent BMA survey of 16,000 of why BAME people appear to be more Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the US, at 11.33pm Doha study carried out by Britain’s Institute immunosuppression, those kind of risk health workers, BAME doctors were vulnerable. time. It will be for the fi rst time in nearly a decade that US of Fiscal Studies. factors. So that’s what we focused on.” three times more likely than their white “We still can’t unpick whether being astronauts are about to blast into orbit aboard an American That found that black Britons were 2.5 But while the data shows clearly that colleagues to report having been under hypertensive is more of a risk factor times more likely to die from Covid-19 BAME people are at great risk of dying pressure to work on Covid-19 wards than being Asian, or whether having rocket from American soil. And for the fi rst time ever a than their white compatriots. from Covid-19, Cook said it was hard to without adequate personal protective asthma is more of a risk than being private company, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is running the show. In addition, several studies suggest pinpoint precisely why. equipment (PPE). black,” he said. This test fl ight has been years in the making. that deprivation is a key determinant in “BAME individuals are more likely Previous surveys have also shown, “At the moment we just have a list of Part of Nasa’s Commercial Crew Programme, the launch Covid-19 cases. to have a constellation of other risk for example, that BAME health workers risk factors and those risk factors each is happening from the historic pad 39A, the exact spot from A review of factors,” he said. feel less able to speak out against their have to be considered.” 3,600 Covid-19 test results found that where men fl ew to the moon and the space shuttles blasted people living in the most deprived areas off . Under normal circumstances, large crowds would have of Britain were four times more likely been expected to witness the visual spectacle, but, citing to test positive for the virus than those concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic, Nasa has urged living in the richest. people to stay away. Hundreds of thousands of people had An Imperial College pre-paper estimated that people in the lowest fl ocked to the area near Kennedy Space Center for the last income bracket were 32 % more likely shuttle launch in July 2011 with Hurley as the pilot. to die from the virus than those in the While Florida’s Space Coast has seen plenty of launches highest. since the shuttle’s farewell tour in 2011 — even at the height Devi Sridhar, professor and chair of of the Covid-19 pandemic — they were for satellites, robotic Global Public Health at the Medical School, said that a explorers and space station supplies. The only route to lack of preparedness when the pandemic orbit for astronauts was on Russian rockets. Launched struck exposed “a two-tiered system” in atop the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon will accelerate Britain’s response to the virus. to approximately “If we look back to March — which 17,000mph, according is astounding — if you were networked The epoch-making enough and rich enough you could go and to Nasa, placing the purchase a Covid test, just if you were shift to private capsule on course for curious if you had it or not,” she told AFP. the International Space “Yet if you were a health worker on companies allows Station. a Covid ward and had symptoms, you Since the last space would not have had access to a test. Nasa to zero in on That’s a dual system that is not good shuttle mission, the US for public health because you need deep space travel has relied on Russian people tested on the front line.” Soyuz rockets launched It is among those on the front line, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to get including doctors, nurses and care home NHS staff in personal protective equipment (PPE) from behind a closed door gesture as they participate in a national “clap for astronauts into space. According to reports, Russia charges workers, that the link between Covid-19 carers” to show thanks for the work of Britain’s NHS (National Health Service) workers and other frontline medical staff around the US about $75mn to send an astronaut into space. Last mortality and race becomes particularly the country as they battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic, at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, northwest England, stark. on May 21. Devi Sridhar, professor and chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, said: “If we week, Nasa agreed to pay Russian space agency Roscosmos Tim Cook, professor of anaesthesia look back to March — which is astounding — if you were networked enough and rich enough you could go and purchase a Covid $90mn for one fi nal seat on one of its Soyuz rockets. The at the Royal United Hospital of Bath test, just if you were curious if you had it or not. Yet if you were a health worker on a Covid ward and had symptoms, you would epoch-making shift to private companies allows Nasa to and the University of Bristol, keeps a not have had access to a test”. zero in on deep space travel. The space agency is set to return astronauts to the moon by 2024 under orders from the White House, a deadline looking increasingly unlikely even as three newly chosen commercial teams rush to develop lunar landers. Mars is next. With Covid-19, pretending everything is OK won’t make it so It may be recalled that Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, designer and founder, had sent his red Tesla Roadster into outer space two years ago during the fi rst fl ight of a supersized economy. And by conveying an implicit of a decision that it was safe to construct Virginia, Massachusetts and many of Falcon Heavy rocket. In the characteristic Musk showmanship, By David Shribman Los Angeles Times “not so bad” outlook, they may be homes and an elementary school on top the Caribbean islands. Barbados, where the astronauts will ride to the launch pad in a gull-winged ringing the dinner bell for the voracious of a toxic waste dump. It was only a few death estimates range from 6,000 to Tesla Model X, white with black trim just like the astronauts’ novel coronavirus that continues to years after the premiere of Jaws, and 10,000, provides the original Western spacesuits and the rocket itself. It will be just the fi fth time t’s not so bad. course through the country. I was bewildered by the way political Hemisphere example of economic That was the rationale in “We depend on the summer people fi gures seemed to possess an irrepressible motivations overwhelming health Nasa astronauts strap into a new US space system for liftoff — Barbados in 1647, when British here for our very lives,” Mayor Vaughn impulse to minimise threats. considerations. following Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle. Nasa owned Imerchants and wealthy planters, said in Jaws. “You are not going to have At the centre of the homeowners’ Much the same phenomenon occurred and operated all those spacecraft, built by contractors to precise seeking to preserve the island colony’s a summer unless you deal with this protests that ensued at Love Canal was during the post-World War I infl uenza specifi cations. The commercial crew programme, on the other slave trade, shrugged off the threat of problem,” replied oceanographer Matt a 27-year-old housewife who became pandemic in Philadelphia after 600 hand, calls for private businesses to handle and own it all, with the yellow fever epidemic that claimed Hooper. an eloquent House witness on Capitol sailors there came down with the disease. thousands of lives. Like the city fathers of Amity Island, Hill, pointedly asking whether health The city fathers saw the threat but didn’t input and oversight by Nasa. Also not so bad a hundred years America is suff ering a pandemic of what offi cials had a confl ict of interest in call off a Liberty Loan Campaign event – a Only three countries have launched humans — Russia, later in Boston and other colonial psychologists call “normalcy bias,” the administering tests where results parade with lavish fl oats, salutes to war the US, and China in that order — making SpaceX’s attempt seaports, when authorities played tendency to minimise disaster in the suggesting problems could cost them widows, a raucous rally for war bonds and all the more impressive. Hurley, 53, a retired Marine, and down the prevalence of smallpox so face of overwhelming evidence to the money. parade music conducted by John Philip Behnken, 49, an Air Force colonel, will spend one to four their customers overseas would keep contrary. The other day, more than four Sousa himself. Some 200,000 people welcoming their ships. As a result, this looming Covid-19 decades later, I reconnected with Lois crowded into Center City. There they months aboard the orbiting lab, currently down to a three- Not so bad in New York and other cities summer could be the most perilous in Gibbs and asked her to compare the stood shoulder to shoulder on the streets. man, half-size crew. They will participate in experiments in the 1830s, when President Andrew our history, though we cannot say we current health threat with the one that Three days later, 635 Philadelphians fell and possibly spacewalks, before ending their mission with Jackson, one of Donald Trump’s White were not warned. led to the evacuation of 800 families ill, and two weeks later the death toll an Atlantic splashdown, a scene not seen for a half-century. House heroes, repeatedly understated Just the other day, for example, from her neighbourhood in the late exceeded 4,500. Fingers crossed, while waiting for the liftoff . a raging cholera pandemic for fear of the ousted director of the Biomedical 1970s. “Politicians often underestimate spoiling the era’s economic boom. Advanced Research and Development “People in politics always want to these things,” said Jason Opal, a McGill Not so bad, too, in the fi ctional Authority, , told a House maintain calm and say things are not University historian who is writing resort town of Amity Island where, in subcommittee that, as a result of so bad,” she told me. “At Love Canal a history of epidemic diseases in the To Advertise the blockbuster 1975 fi lm Jaws, Mayor Washington’s initial “not so bad” they kept telling us the chemicals were US with his father, Steven Opal, a Larry Vaughn – worried about the outlook, “lives were endangered, and I no bigger a risk than driving a car or clinical professor of medicine at Brown [email protected] town’s economy – overruled Police believe lives were lost.” crossing the street. We heard all winter University. “It is a combination of Display Chief Martin Brody’s order to close the He then added, “I believe by not that the virus posed no bigger risk than wishful thinking and self-deception ... beaches after a shark attack. telling America the truth or being totally the fl u.” The Trump administration is extreme 44466621 44418811 Mayor Vaughn: “You yell ‘shark’ (and) transparent, regardless of where the Almost certainly the most in this regard. They simply don’t want we’ve got a panic on our hands on the information was coming from, people consequential not-so-bad error to preside over a disaster so they are Classified Fourth of July.” were not as prepared as they could have involved the mid-17th century yellow making believe the threat isn’t there.” 44466609 44418811 Chief Brody: “You open the beaches been.” fever outbreak in Barbados, then Making believe, in other words, on the Fourth of July, it’s like ringing the I have been observing the “not so perhaps the richest part of the British that things aren’t so bad. But there Subscription dinner bell.” bad” phenomenon since my earliest empire. The authorities there covered is a lesson here: Not so bad can be Now, 45 years after the release of that days as a reporter, when, at age 24, I it up because they wanted English and disastrous. – Tribune News Service [email protected] quintessential American summer fi lm, was assigned by the Buff alo Evening Dutch ships to keep coming, in large authorities in Washington and across News to cover the Love Canal chemical- measure to bring slaves to the Americas. z David Shribman, a nationally the country are rushing to open beaches contamination crisis in Niagara Falls, NY. The result: Yellow fever, carried by syndicated columnist, teaches US © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved and businesses out of worries about the That environmental catastrophe grew out mosquitoes, spread to Guyana, Brazil, politics at Montreal’s McGill University. Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 15 COMMENT The digital path to citizen-centric fi nance

By Achim Steiner and Maria Ramos the tens of trillions of dollars that and the protection of the natural world. Nwe York/Johannesburg governments spend annually in their And shifts are already happening. In name. And, crucially, digitalisation 2019, for example, European investors can disrupt those financial poured a record €120bn ($130bn) into oday, “mobile money” – a intermediaries that have become sustainable funds – twice as much as service enabling people entrenched and largely unproductive in 2018. to send, receive, and store rent-seekers. More information and leadership Tmoney on a cellphone – The fi nancial status quo, in which are now needed to harness fully the allows a market trader in Kenya to the wrong individuals are making the power of digital finance to channel borrow a modest amount at sunrise wrong choices, simply is no longer money in the right direction – to buy her stock, and then pay it back viable. People are the ultimate owners including toward achieving the SDGs. at sunset from her daily earnings. of the world’s income and wealth. In In this respect, the task of managing This seemingly simple micro-level fact, working people are already the digital finance is vital. It cannot be exchange has the power to support world’s fi nanciers. Even if many of left to central banks and financial livelihoods, increase access to health them fi nd fi nancial systems baffl ing, regulators alone, so long as their and education, and improve the lives of they fuel the global economic engine mandates are restricted to legitimate people in every country. And the digital through their tax payments, household but narrow concerns about financial revolution in fi nancial technology, savings and investments, and stability and money laundering. We or fi ntech, is extending the reach purchasing decisions. therefore urgently need governance of fi nance in into many other new Yet, global fi nance has become innovations that embrace more domains. detached from people’s preferences inclusive, extensive criteria and By the end of 2020, 1bn people and needs. The system did not capabilities in guiding our money to worldwide will use mobile money, with fundamentally change in the aftermath finance a sustainable future for all. Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest of the 2008 fi nancial crisis, which But as the planet warms, income and penetration rates. But fi ntech also exacted a tragic human cost, and it wealth inequalities widen, and people underpins multi-billion-dollar carbon remains largely unresponsive to the on every continent take to the streets markets, plays an essential role in the existential climate challenge that we in protest, it is clear that the time fi ght against illicit fi nancial fl ows, and now face. for short-term thinking has passed. is pivotal to improving tax collection Of course, not all aspects of That is why the digital revolution is so and boosting the eff ectiveness of digitalisation are positive. New important: it could take citizens out of public spending. In short, digital technologies off er new opportunities the engine room and put them in the disruption could bring about a for people to avoid paying reasonable driver’s seat, with a much greater say radically diff erent, citizen-centric levels of tax, or to steal money through over fi nancial fl ows. fi nancial system. fraud. Moreover, high-tech fi nancial If the world is to achieve the SDGs Such a change is badly needed, traders in eff ect tax traditional by 2030, then the 2020s must be a because today’s global fi nancial system investors such as pension funds and “decade of action.” By harnessing the seems to follow a logic that suits insurance companies merely by getting disruptive potential of fi ntech, we can those working in it. As International to market quicker, while adding no real create a fairer, more inclusive fi nancial Monetary Fund Managing Director economic value. system that propels sustainable Kristalina Georgieva recently But digital disruption’s potential for development everywhere. - Project emphasised, there is an urgent need to good most likely will far outweigh the A customer conducts a mobile money transfer, known as M-Pesa, inside the Safaricom mobile phone care centre in the Syndicate “return the fi nancial services industry negative, because it off ers a chance to central business district of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. to what it is supposed to be – an repurpose fi nance to serve people’s z Achim Steiner is Administrator industry that serves people.” needs. Currently, for example, 3.6bn Secretary-General’s Task Force on decision-making. In particular, or via consumer, employee, or of the United Nations Development Digitalisation can give people more people worldwide – including a Digital Financing of the Sustainable digitalisation could increase the shareholder actions. Programme (UNDP). choice regarding where to place their disproportionate number of women – Development Goals (SDGs), which quality and user-friendliness of The vital point – that fi nance is a z Maria Ramos is a former chief money – annual global savings will lack the resources and capabilities to we co-chair. The panel’s work to date relevant fi nancial information; reduce means to an end, namely inclusive, executive offi cer of Absa Group reach an estimated $25tn – as well take advantage of the digital world. But has highlighted the extraordinary the number of fi nancial intermediaries sustainable development – must not Limited. They are co-chairs of the UN as more say over what it should be eff orts are underway to help address opportunities that digitalisation that don’t add real value; and provide be overlooked. People increasingly Secretary-General’s Task Force on used for. New technologies also can this. creates for putting citizens’ voices citizens with platforms for collective want their money to be used for Digital Financing of the Sustainable give citizens greater influence over One such initiative is the UN and needs at the centre of fi nancial action, whether through crowdfunding positive goals, including climate action Development Goals.

Preventing a Covid-19 food crisis Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 380c Minimum Temperature : 280c By Carmen M Reinhart and Rob Sub- feed, fertilizers, and pesticides have surge, as happened in 2010-11. The the world’s population. baraman increased both the costs of farming estimates that protec- In fact, surging food prices would TUESDAY St Pererburg/Singapore and the risk of bad harvests. tionism accounted for about 40% be a global problem, because they Maximum Temperature : 380c Moreover, from harvesting fruits of the increase in the global price of are highly regressive everywhere. Minimum Temperature : 280c and vegetables in India to operat- wheat and 25% of the rise in maize Even in developed economies, a jump WEDNESDAY ven before the pandemic, ing meat plants in America, labour prices at that time. in food prices would drive a bigger Maximum Temperature : 390c there were signs that global shortages are becoming increasingly One can understand these wedge between the rich and poor, Minimum Temperature : 290c food prices could soon surge. apparent as cross-border travel countries’ nervousness. While the exacerbating already-severe wealth EExtreme weather events restrictions in much of the world Covid-19 pandemic has led to fall- inequality. No one should ignore the Fisherman's forecast induced by climate change have be- disrupt the normal seasonal cycle of ing growth, rising unemployment, age-old connection between food come more common. African swine migrant farm workers. And transpor- widening fiscal deficits, and soaring crises and social unrest. WARNING fever wiped out over one-quarter tation shortages are making it more debt in advanced and emerging Multilateral institutions have Inshore : Nil of the world’s pig population last challenging to get produce to market economies alike, the appearance of mobilised quickly during the crisis to year, causing food prices in China to – when there is one. new infection hotbeds in developing provide emergency loans to a record Offshore : Nil countries will mean an even starker number of developing countries, increase by 15-22% year on year so Farmers need to reconfigure WEATHER far in 2020. And more recently, the their supply chains away from bulk tradeoff between saving lives and while G20 creditors have agreed to a Inshore : Misty at places at first worst locust blight in 70 years has wholesale to (currently closed) protecting livelihoods. Moreover, temporary suspension of debt-serv- becomes hot daytime with some clouds at destroyed crops in East Africa. In restaurants, hotels, and schools, and developing countries are already ice payments from poor countries times, mild by night. Kenya, the price of maize, a staple toward grocery stores and home de- facing a sudden stop in capital and that request forbearance. But be- WIND food, has risen by over 60% since livery. But that takes time, not least remittance inflows and a collapse cause the risks posed by surging food Inshore : Southeasterly-North- 2019. because commercial and consumer in tourism, while the terms of trade prices do not apply only to the most easterly 05-15/18 KT Covid-19 is amplifying the risk of food products are prepared and and currencies of the many oil vulnerable economies, temporary Offshore : Southeasterly-North- a worldwide food-price spike, which packaged differently. In the mean- and primary-commodity export- debt relief may need to be extended easterly 03-12/15 KT would trigger outright crises in many time, fresh produce has had to be ers among them are crashing. Even to other countries as well. Visibility : 4-8/3 KM developing countries. In the poorest destroyed. before Covid-19, many low-income With the pandemic threatening to of these, food accounts for 40-60% Furthermore, some major food- countries were at serious risk of debt wreak even more economic havoc, Offshore : 1-3/4 FT of the consumption basket, about producing countries have already distress. And many of these econo- governments must work together 5-6 times its share in advanced imposed export bans or quotas in mies are also highly vulnerable to a to address the risk of disruptions to Around the region economies. response to the pandemic, as Russia spike in food prices. food supply chains. More broadly, While lockdowns have led to and Kazakhstan have done for grain, Nomura’s Food Vulnerability some modicum of global policy Weather Weather a collapse in demand for durable and India and Vietnam have done for Index ranks 110 countries based on coordination is essential to prevent today Max/min tomorrow Max/min goods and discretionary services, rice. Meanwhile, other countries are their exposure to large food-price food protectionism from becoming Baghdad Sunny 32/20 Sunny 36/21 the opposite is true of food. In cities stockpiling food through accelerated swings, taking into account their the post-pandemic new normal. - Kuwait City M Sunny 38/27 P Cloudy 41/28 around the world, reports of panic imports, as is true of the Philippines nominal GDP per capita, the share Project Syndicate Manama Sunny 38/29 Cloudy 34/29 buying and food hoarding have pro- (rice) and Egypt (wheat). of food in household consump- Muscat M Sunny 36/31 Sunny 37/32 liferated since the pandemic began. Such food protectionism may tion, and net food imports. The z Carmen M Reinhart is professor Tehran M Sunny 35/23 Sunny 36/23 On the supply side, global grain seem like a good way to provide relief latest reading shows that of the of the International Financial System stockpiles are healthy but could to the most vulnerable segments of 50 countries most vulnerable to a at Harvard University’s Kennedy quickly be depleted as the virus the population, but simultaneous sustained rise in food prices, nearly School of Government. disrupts food production and dis- interventions by many governments all are developing economies that z Rob Subbaraman is Head of Glo- tribution. And shortages of animal can result in a global food-price account for nearly three-fifths of bal Macro Research at Nomura.

Covid-19 off ers lesson on risk of ignoring climate change

Around the world he coronavirus offers programme said emissions needed to is the chair of the Global Carbon of global carbon dioxide emissions, Weather Weather important lessons on the drop 7.6% every year until 2030 for Project. He said in an interview from January through April and Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min need to reduce the threat of the global temperature increase to with the Stanford Woods Institute compare it to 2019. P Cloudy Sunny 26/16 Rain 22/13 Tclimate change. stay below the safer limit of 1.5C. for the Environment that almost The study shows that emissions Beirut Sunny 24/18 M Sunny 26/20 For starters, we’ve learned there is It’s a grim reminder that we $50 billion of stimulus funding fell an average of 26% during the Bangkok S T Storms 33/28 M Cloudy 34/27 a heavy price to be paid for ignoring shouldn’t wait another day to after the 2008 recession helped peak period of pandemic lockdowns Berlin Cloudy 15/06 P Cloudy 22/08 repeated warnings from scientists begin implementing innovative transform wind and solar power around the world. The United States, Cairo Sunny 32/18 M Sunny 34/19 with expertise in their field of study. approaches to transportation and and energy conservation. the second largest polluter in the Cape Town Rain 15/10 P Cloudy 14/09 Researchers at the Global Carbon industrial challenges. Any new “We have the same chance to world behind China, reduced carbon Colombo S T Storms 29/27 T Storms 29/27 Project last Tuesday published stimulus packages should seek reshape transportation now,” Jackson dioxide emissions by just over 30% Dhaka P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/27 a report revealing that the Earth ways of spurring clean energy said. “We could start by freeing up in mid-April. Hong Kong S T Storms 28/25 T Storms 29/24 can expect a drop of 7% in carbon programs and reducing emissions the $40 billion in low-interest loans Indeed, residents of California’s Istanbul S Showers 19/11 P Cloudy 21/13 dioxide emissions this year as a from cars and trucks. And climate currently idled in the Department of Bay Area and other cities across Jakarta T Storms 33/25 T Storms 33/25 result of the pandemic. It’s the change should be a front-burner Energy’s clean energy and advanced the country have noticed almost Karachi Sunny 33/29 Sunny 33/29 largest decrease in at least 75 years. issue in campaign debates this vehicle loan programs.” immediately after sheltering in place London Sunny 25/12 P Cloudy 25/14 That’s the good news. But the plunge fall for elections at every level of Jackson noted that before the orders were issued that the skies Manila I T Storms 33/28 I T Storms 33/28 in carbon emissions shouldn’t be government. The United States Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, became noticeably clearer. Moscow P Cloudy 18/07 Cloudy 18/09 perceived as a silver lining. The remains the only country to emissions of carbon dioxide were The coronavirus pandemic New Delhi Sunny 44/31 Sunny 46/31 decline is temporary. At some point, withdraw from the Paris climate rising by about 1% per year over the continues to wreak havoc throughout New York P Cloudy 22/15 P Cloudy 24/17 business will resume and people will agreement, in which nearly 200 previous decade. The study points the country and around the world. Paris P Cloudy 24/13 M Sunny 26/13 head back to work. The 7% drop will countries in 2015 made national out that it often takes months, or But it’s possible that we can use the Sao Paulo Sunny 21/10 Sunny 20/08 become a thing of the past. pledges to reduce greenhouse gas even years, to determine carbon pandemic to help create a cleaner, Seoul Cloudy 23/13 Rain 23/13 Here’s the challenge. The emissions. dioxide emissions after the end healthier world. Finding innovative Singapore S T Storms 32/27 S T Storms 33/27 authors of the study, in an op-ed The study was published in the of each calendar year. But the ways to fight climate change is a Sydney Rain 16/14 Showers 17/12 for Scientific American magazine, journal Nature Climate Change. researchers were able to analyse data good place to start. - Tribune News Tokyo Clear 26/17 Cloudy 24/17 noted that the UN Environment Stanford University’s Rob Jackson from 69 countries, representing 97% Service Gulf Times 16 Monday, May 25, 2020 QATAR Aspire Zone Foundation’s Eid al-Fitr celebration turns virtual amid curbs

n order to celebrate Eid al- Fitr, the management of As- Ipire Zone Foundation (AZF) invited the staff to join them for an E-Majlis yesterday to connect in these challenging times online and to exchange Eid wishes.

“Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important religious occasions in the Muslim calendar marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is traditionally celebrated with mosque prayers, family feasts and shopping for new clothes, gifts and sweet treats. But this year, the celebration is overshadowed by the fast-spreading respiratory disease. Although there will be no community events and gatherings this year, those The management and staff of Aspire Zone Foundation held an E-Majlis yesterday. celebrating can has come at a time when physi- ing the end of the holy month of make the most of cal distancing is being enforced Ramadan, is traditionally cel- for our well-being and health,” ebrated with mosque prayers, the unique time said AZF CEO Mohamed Kha- family feasts and shopping for with their loved lifa al-Suwaidi, who was part of new clothes, gifts and sweet ones at home” the virtual meeting along with treats. But this year, the celebra- Aspire Academy director-gen- tion is overshadowed by the fast- eral Ivan Bravo, Aspetar CEO Dr spreading respiratory disease. This comes as Qatar is experi- Abdulaziz Jeham al-Kuwari and Although there will be no com- encing a unique celebration of Eid Aspire Logistics director-gener- munity events and gatherings al-Fitr this year, with the authori- al Abdulla Nasser al-Nuaimi. this year, those celebrating can ties urging citizens and residents The participants used the op- make the most of the unique time to stay at home and protect them- portunity to talk with members with their loved ones at home,” selves and the wider community of the management, while vid- AZF has said in a statement. from the Covid-19 pandemic. eos were shown highlighting the Aspire Zone Foundation “It’s very important to reaf- diversity of Aspire as well as fea- stressed that it was one of the fi rst fi rm that we stand together as turing greetings and Eid wishes government entities in the coun- one this Eid, to celebrate synergy in diff erent languages. try to apply the quarantine policy and togetherness. Eid is an occa- “Eid al-Fitr, one of the most imposed by the state in the early sion to exchange greetings with important religious occasions days of the pandemic outbreak family and friends, this year it in the Muslim calendar mark- towards mid-March of this year. ‘Under the Microscope Beaches, tourist hotspots deserted during pandemic with Ashghal’ initiative off ers opportunity for Beaches, parks, other open areas and touristic destinations that usually see huge crowds on the first day of Eid al-Fitr wore a deserted look yesterday as they remained closed and residents to show people stayed at home in line with the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the state to curb the spread of Covid-19. Roads were also emptier than what one normally sees during Eid. On its part, the Ministry of Municipality and adoration for Qatar Environment reiterated through a tweet: “In line with the implementation of precautionary measures in the country, all parks and beaches remain closed until further notice. Celebrate the festival at home with your loved ones and stay safe.” PICTURES: Jayan Orma, Shaji Kayamkulam and Shemeer Rasheed

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has invited people to participate in the ‘Under the Microscope with Ashghal’ initiative with their creative artwork inspired by the authority’s projects. Those interested can participate in the initiative by visiting the link, http://www.ashghal.gov.qa/ en/pages/microscopeInitiative.aspx, until June 6, Ashghal has said through an announcement on Twitter. “Are you a great photographer? A talented graphic designer? An artist? Participate with us in the ‘Under the Microscope with Ashghal’ initiative launched by the Public Works Authority,” the announcement says. “And express your love for Qatar through your creative artwork inspired by Ashghal’s projects.” The winning artwork will be chosen through an artistic committee, and will then be displayed in an exclusive virtual exhibition for the public.