INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2,3, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 SPORT | Page 1 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 SPORTS 1-8 Commercial ISLAM 13 Duhail and Rayyan in title Bank half-yearly DOW JONES QE NYMEX net profi t tops race as QNB QR901mn 26,652.33 9,368.29 41.18 Stars League -353.51 -17.87 +0.11 -1.31% -0.19% +0.27% resumes Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11619 July 24, 2020 Dhul-Hijjah 3, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar 2 TV channel launched In brief

Amir sends written All schools message to president of South Sudan His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent a written message to President of the to reopen in Republic of South Sudan Lt General Salva Kiir Mayardit, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them. The message was handed over to the South Sudan president by HE the 3 stages in Minister of Foreign Aff airs’ Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, in Juba. The Special Envoy conveyed Amir’s greetings to the the president and September Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) launched Qatar 2 TV channel yesterday. The new channel will broadcast the most important His Highness’ wishes to the people of programmes presented by Qatar TV throughout its history. HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Media South Sudan of further development QNA Corporation, had earlier this week reviewed the preparations for the opening of the channel. The Assistant Director of Qatar and growth. For his part, the Doha TV and Programme Director Mubarak al-Awami said Qatar 2 TV will form a distinct mix of all the materials presented by South Sudan president entrusted Qatar TV throughout its history, noting that the launch of this channel was preceded by days of work to prepare the shows the Special Envoy to convey his that deserved to be broadcast again, as well as the preparation of a diversified programme schedule. The new channel is greetings and wishes to the Amir he Ministry of Education and expected to draw a large following in the coming period, as it would present programmes from the distinct stages in the of health and happiness, and the Higher Education yesterday history of Qatar. — QNA Qatari people more prosperity and Tannounced that all public and development. Page 3 private schools in Qatar will start the 2020/2021 academic year in three stag- es starting from September 1. Qatar reports 105,018 zFirst stage: It will be for three days Covid-19 recoveries from September 1 to 3. On these days, In-person classes begin in September (File) the attendance will not exceed one- Qatar launches Entry Permit Qatar yesterday reported 373 new third of the students’ total strength in education remotely in the fi rst week. confirmed cases of coronavirus the school. zThird stage: Begins on September and 377 recoveries in the last 24 The educational aff airs and special 20 for all students in public and private hours. The Ministry of Public Health education departments have sent guide- schools and kindergartens; 100% of Service for residents abroad (MoPH) said a total of 105,018 lines for government schools including students in schools and kindergartens people have now recovered in specialised schools, those in the fi eld start attending classes in schools. the country. The ministry also of special education (Audio Education The resumption of classes in phases z Service is available on Qatar Portal and applications can be submitted from August 1 announced that a 91-year-old Complex, Al Heedaya schools, and kin- will be done while continuing to take person died of Covid-19. Page 2 dergarten) and private schools and kin- precautionary measures in accordance atar has launched the ‘Excep- public/authn/password) to your ex- travel policy announced earlier. The dergartens with suggested models on with the requirements of the health tional Entry Permit’ service to isting account (if available). changes came into eff ect on July 22. how students can attend. and safety department in the education Qenable residents, who are cur- z Click on “Apply for Exceptional A statement issued by the Govern- Iranian plane threatened zSecond stage: It will last two ministry, in co-ordination with the rently stuck abroad due to Covid-19, Entry Permit”. ment Communications Offi ce (GCO) by Israeli fi ghter jets weeks, from September 6 to 17 for inte- Ministry of Public Health. to return to the country. z Read the terms and conditions said the revision was based on public An Iranian passenger plane was grated education, where the attendance Assistant Undersecretary for Educa- The service is available on the Qatar and prepare all required attachments health indicators in Qatar as well as threatened by two Israeli fighter and occupancy rate in all public and pri- tional Aff airs at the Ministry of Educa- Portal and applications to get the en- before starting the application. around the world. jets in Syrian airspace yesterday, vate schools and kindergartens will not tion and Higher Education Fawzia al- try permit can be submitted starting z Enter the application page and fi ll According to it residents will be Iranian state broadcaster IRIB exceed 50% of the number of students. Khater said the gradual return in three August 1. in the required information correctly allowed to return to Qatar starting reported. The Mahan Air aircraft The students’ attendance will al- stages aims to provide lessons to students The temporary service “allows em- and completely as shown on the pass- the fi rst of August 2020. Their entry had to descend to prevent a ternate during the two weeks in two in addition to raising the awareness of ployers, whether individuals or com- port. will be organised based on a series collision, leading to several groups. Half of the students (50%) the students, their parents and academic panies, government or private sectors, z Enter your email ID correctly to of priorities, including public health passengers being injured in the will attend classes in the fi rst week in and administrative staff in government to apply for entry permits for resi- receive approval on your application. indicators, the nature of the needs process. However, a Reuters report, school. They will receive their educa- schools with precautionary measures dents and their family members hold- z Print the entry permit and keep a of the various government and semi- quoting the pilot of the Iranian tion remotely in the following week. and how to achieve social distancing to ing QIDs under which they can return copy of it and a copy of the quarantine government sectors and humanitarian plane said two US fighter jets The other half of students will attend maintain the health of students and the to Qatar”, according to information undertaking to be presented to airport cases, and through submitting return came close to his plane. Mahan Air in the second week of the start of the staff , without aff ecting the educational available on the Qatar Portal (ht- offi cials. requests for permits via the “Qatar flight 1152 was on its way to Beirut. academic year after they receive their attainment of these students. To Page 3 tps://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/ For more information, one can Portal” website based on the above- Syria, meanwhile, has claimed qsports/home). call 109 from within Qatar or +974 mentioned priorities. that a coalition led by the US is Following are the steps to apply: 44069999 from outside the country. The employer shall bear the costs of responsible for the incident. z Create a new account (https:// As part of lifting the Covid-19 re- the quarantine in the dedicated facili- UK makes masks compulsory www.nas.gov.qa/self-service/reg- strictions gradually, the government ties for blue collar workers in the pri- ister/select-user-type?sp=MOTC- earlier this week announced changes vate sector and domestic workers at a US, UK accuse Russia QSPORTS-PRD) on Qatar Portal or to the quarantine requirements for in- nominal cost after obtaining the entry of testing space weapon log in (https://www.nas.gov.qa/idp/ coming passengers after reviewing the permit. To Page 3 The United States and Britain yesterday accused Russia of launching a “space-based anti- satellite weapon” during a satellite test last week. Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth, the head of the Qatar Airways starts Cebu service space directorate under Britain’s Defence Ministry, said London was “concerned by the manner in which atar Airways “continues to ing a new direct service to Cebu, of- Qatar’s national carrier will also Russia tested one of its satellites show its resilience”, launching fering our passengers another gate- resume its fi rst China fl ights, with a by launching a projectile with the Qanother new destination dur- way into the Philippines. Being the once weekly Guangzhou service. characteristics of a weapon.” The ing this crisis with Cebu, Philippines airline that has never stopped fl ying The airline’s mix of modern fu- US Space Command said it had joining Brisbane, Australia and To- since Covid-19 hit, it has been Qatar el-efficient aircraft has meant its “evidence that Russia conducted a ronto, Canada as new destinations to Airways’ mission to take people home network has never fallen below 30 non-destructive test of a space- A vending machine dispensing face coverings is pictured in Carnaby Street, central join the airline’s global network in the safely during the pandemic, and we destinations throughout this crisis based anti-satellite weapon” on London, yesterday as lockdown restrictions continue to be eased during the novel past few months. have helped more than 2mn people get and has enabled the airline to adapt July 15. coronavirus pandemic. The wearing of face masks in shops in England will be Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker home to their loved ones since Febru- its plans and continue adding new compulsory from today, but full guidance is yet to be published. Page 8 said: “We are delighted to be launch- ary.” routes. Page 16

Qatar ‘ready for unconditional dialogue’ with blockading countries

QNA The blockade is also harming the in- Qatar has taken international law as a ing countries closing their air spaces against the complicated piracy carried New York terests of people, Sheikha Alya said at path to protect the rights of its citizens to Qatar aircraft in flagrant violation out by BeOutQ channel and even pro- the UN Security Council, which held a and residents who have been negatively of international law and international moting that piracy. virtual meeting on “the situation in the aff ected by the illegal measures, she agreements. Sheikha Alya said these judicial rul- atar has reiterated adherence to Middle East, including the Palestinian said. The ambassador said the verdict was ings confi rm the integrity of the legal resolving a crisis with countries issue.” Sheikha Alya said Qatar has resorted one of a series of rulings in favour of position of Qatar and the illegitimacy Qwhich have imposed a block- Sheikha Alya said everyone has re- to international forums and judicial Qatar, including the order issued by the of the measures taken against it. ade by peaceful diplomatic means and alised that the blockading countries’ bodies, especially the International court in 2018 and in 2019 regarding the She said that despite these unlaw- through mediation and constructive justifi cation for the illegal measures, Court of Justice as the main judicial or- UAE’s violation of the United Nations ful and unjustifi ed measures and the unconditional dialogue. which followed the hacking of Qatar gan of the United Nations. Convention on the Elimination of All persistent malicious campaigns, Qatar Qatar’s Permanent Representative Qa- News Agency on May 23, 2017, is totally She referred to the decision of the Forms of Racial Discrimination. remains committed to its endeavour to tar to the United Nations HE Ambassador false. International Court last week, which She also noted the ruling issued last resolve the crisis by peaceful and dip- Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif al- She said while the blockading coun- rejected the two appeals lodged by June by the World Trade Organisation lomatic means through mediation and Thani said the three-year-old blockade is tries continued to ignore the principles Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and (WTO), which acknowledged that Sau- constructive unconditional dialogue. unfair and illegal and against the United and the Charter of the United Nations Egypt regarding the jurisdiction of di Arabia had violated its obligations In this context, she reiterated Qatar’s Nations Charter, principles of interna- and international law in a blatant man- the International Civil Aviation Or- under the Agreement on Trade-Related appreciation for the eff orts of Kuwait’s tional law, international agreements and ner, these principles formed the basis ganisation (ICAO) to consider the Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber covenants and human rights. of Qatar’s approach to the crisis. HE Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani Qatari complaint about the blockad- (TRIPS) by refusing to take measures al-Sabah. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 24, 2020 QATAR MoPH reports MME participates in GCC meeting on environment

105,018 total he Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment T(MME), represented by the Environmental Monitoring and Laboratory Department, took part in the fi rst technical Covid recoveries meeting of environmental ex- pectations in the Gulf Co-oper- QNA ation Council (GCC) countries. Doha The meeting was held for national experts from environ- mental ministries and agencies he Ministry of Public in the GCC and a presentation Health (MoPH) reported was made on the experience of Tyesterday 373 new con- assessing the global environ- fi rmed cases of coronavirus ment outlook, an offi cial MME (Covid-19), and 377 recover- press statement said. ies from the virus in the last 24 The meeting that was held hours, bringing the total number via videoconferencing came of people who have recovered in the wake of the agreement from the disease in Qatar to signed between the GCC Gen- 105,018. eral Secretariat and the West The MoPH also announced Asia Offi ce of the United Na- one new death of a patient aged tions Environment Programme 91 who was receiving the neces- (UNEP). As per the agreement, sary medical care. the fi rst report on the state of An MoPH statement on the environment in the GCC Covid-19 developments in Qa- countries will be issued pro- tar said that all new cases have viding an objective analysis of been introduced to isolation the state of the environment and are receiving necessary with its geographical extension healthcare according to their in the six countries and their health status. surrounding seas as well as the It added that measures to state of the environment in air tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have quality, water resources, bio- succeeded in fl attening the curve logical diversity, land resources, and limiting the spread of the vi- coastal and marine environ- rus and the number of new daily ments fi elds. cases and hospital admissions is The report will also address The Environmental Monitoring and Laboratory Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- continuing to decline each week. expectations for the foreseeable ronment (MME) participated in the GCC technical meeting. Qatar’s proactive and exten- future and the policies needed to sive testing of suspected cases maintain a healthy environment Engineer Ziyad al-Ghanem ronmental Protection, Natural for Geographic Information has enabled the country to iden- hospital with moderate to severe zAvoid close contact with with healthy people to achieve and Dr Ahmed Aksakal from Reserves, and Wildlife, Yasser Systems (CGIS) and Khaled tify a high number of positive Covid-19 symptoms. others, crowded places and con- the aspirations of the GCC coun- the Environmental Monitor- Nasr and Nasser al-Mansouri Rashid from the Qatar General cases in the community, it said Unless the public follows all fi ned closed spaces where other tries in sustainability. ing and Laboratory Depart- from the Department of Pro- Corporation for Electricity adding that the country has one precautionary measures, the people congregate. Representing Qatar, Dr ment, Talib al-Hajri, Director tection and Wildlife, Kha- and Water (Kahramaa) attend- of the lowest Covid-19 death country may experience a sec- zWearing a face mask. Marwa Mohamed al-Ghanem, of the Department of Envi- led al-Nahri from the Centre ed the meeting. rates in the world. This is a result ond wave of the virus and see z Washing hands regularly. of: numbers increasing. There are Most importantly, it is vital z Very high quality of care already signs of this happening that people continue to pro- provided thorough the public in other countries around the tect the elderly and those with healthcare sector for Covid-19 world. chronic medical conditions. patients It advised the public to avoid Anyone suff ering from Cov- zQatar’s young population close contact with others, id-19 symptoms should either Nando’s Qatar wins the Nando’s Partner z Proactive testing to identify crowded places and confi ned contact 16000 helpline or go cases early closed spaces where other peo- directly to one of the designated z Expanding hospital capac- ple gather. Now more than ever, health centres to undergo the ity, especially intensive care, to people must be careful and pro- necessary checks: Muaither, Of The Year 2019-20, marketing award ensure all patients receive the tect the most vulnerable, the Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al medical care they need statement said. Gharrafa health centres. This is z Protecting the elderly and While the restrictions of Cov- important as the earlier the dis- ando’s Qatar has won business pillars: People, Opera- those with chronic diseases. id-19 are gradually being lifted in ease is detected the easier it will the ‘Partner Of The tions, Finance, Supply Chain The statement said that lift- Qatar, it is important for every- be to receive the right treatment NYear’, marketing award and Marketing, with each pillar ing of restrictions and declin- one to play their role in control- and recover from it. for 2019-2020, besting 10 receiving an award for excel- ing numbers do not mean that ling the virus by following pre- The public has been urged to other franchise markets from lence. the Covid-19 pandemic is over cautionary measures: visit the MoPH website for regu- around the world, it was an- Congratulating Nando’s Qa- in Qatar. Every day between 50 zAdherence to physical dis- lar updates and new informa- nounced. tar, Ashley Stansfi eld, Nando’s and 100 people are admitted to tancing. tion. “Keeping pride, passion, general manager of Marketing courage, integrity and family – Middle East and South Asia, (the Nando’s values) at the said: “As marketers, each and core of everything we do; to every day we work at building win any pillar is a challeng- this amazing brand in the hearts Qatar and Indonesia discuss ways to ing, yet motivating exercise. and minds of our fans – and of At the end of the day, all ef- course feeding them the world’s forts that go in must create a best chicken. It is a pleasure to enhance co-operation in employment memorable brand experience work with someone of Sumit’s that Nando’s promises to its talent and the rest of the Nan- he Qatari-Indonesian the Ministry of Manpower and bringing in Indonesian workers customers,” Nando’s Qatar do’s Qatar team in advancing Joint Committee held a Transmigration of Indonesia. with scientifi c and technical ex- Marketing head Sumit Ran- the brand’s eff orts in the coun- Tmeeting on Wednesday The meeting reviewed ways pertise, familiarising themselves jan said in a press statement. try.” via video conference technology of developing bilateral relations with activities and projects, and The award forms part of Sajed Sulaiman, manag- to follow up on the implementa- in the fi eld of employment be- exchanging experiences regard- Nando’s various programmes ing director of Oryx group for tion of the agreement to regulate tween the two countries. The ing the agreement signed be- it runs throughout the year to food and services, Nando’s the employment of the Indone- two parties stressed a number of tween the two parties. recognise and reward the con- Qatar, said: “Ever since the sian workforce in Qatar. important aspects for agreeing The precautionary measures tribution of its people in driving inception of Nando’s Qatar in The meeting was chaired by and activating them through the are taken by the authorities con- desired business practices and 2001, we have aimed to bring Assistant Undersecretary for bilateral agreement signed be- cerned in both countries to con- results. people together to create ex- Labour Aff airs at the Ministry tween the two countries on the front the coronavirus (Covid-19) The ‘Partner Of The Year ceptional and unique experi- of Administrative Development, use of employment. were also reviewed, particularly award’ runs across Nando’s ences. Keeping our customers Labour and Social Aff airs, Mo- The meeting discussed iden- with regard to workplaces and eleven franchise markets from satisfied and our people happy hamed Hassan al-Obaidly, and tifying mechanisms regarding the protection and safety of around the world. The pro- is the goal that we strive for to A representative receiving the Nando’s Partner Of The Year the Acting Secretary-General of opening domestic recruitment, workers. – QNA gramme is based on fi ve key this day.” 2019-20, marketing award.

Qatar to start distributing Qatar calls for resolving Middle East crisis cash aid to needy Gaza From Page 1 tions, the agreed terms of refer- the core of the two-state solu- opment support with more than sis, but rather lead to a further ence, the principle of Land for tion and the opportunities for a $1.2bn in the fi elds of education, threat to peace, security and On the UN Security Coun- Peace and the Arab Peace Initia- peaceful settlement, and consti- electricity supply, the enhancing stability, as well as more severe families from tomorrow cil’s discussion of the situation tive. tutes a violation of international of infrastructure and housing, in violations of international hu- in the Middle East, including In order to resolve the Pal- law and Security Council resolu- addition to employment fi nanc- manitarian law, internation- E the Chairman of the post offi ces in the governorates the Palestinian issue, Sheikha estinian issue, the two-state tions. ing. al human rights law and the Qatar Committee for the of the Gaza Strip for 100,000 Alya said since the previous solution that constitutes of In 2020, Qatar pledged a persistence of humanitarian HReconstruction of Gaza, families, with each family re- discussion, the world’s atten- the establishment of an inde- “We reiterate the $150mn grant over six months, needs. ambassador Mohamed al-Ema- ceiving $100. tion has been focused on the pendent and viable State of international calls for including support to combat Sheikha Alya also reiterated di, affi rmed that the committee, He added that the aid dis- tremendous joint challenge Palestine on the 1967 borders ceasefi re in all confl icts, the Covid-19 pandemic, she Qatar’s call for a solution condu- in co-operation with Qatar Fund tribution process will continue of the coronavirus pandemic, with East Jerusalem as its capi- in order to focus on added. cive to a political transition that for Development, will begin the until Wednesday. Ambassador which should be an additional tal must also be achieved, she combating the pandemic She also acknowledged the meets the legitimate aspirations process of disbursing cash as- al-Emadi pointed out that the motive to resolve crises in the said, adding that the occupa- and its dangers that makes pioneering role of Qatar, through of the Syrian people according sistance to needy families in the distribution process will be car- Middle East. tion of all Arab lands must end, no distinction between the which it continues to support to the Geneva Statement and the Gaza Strip tomorrow. ried out in co-operation with the “We reiterate the interna- including the occupied Syrian parties of any confl ict” the United Nations Relief and implementation of Resolution Ambassador al-Emadi said competent government agen- tional calls for ceasefi re in all Golan and the occupied Leba- Work Agency for Palestine refu- 2254. that the distribution process cies, adhering to Coivd-19 pre- confl icts, in order to focus on nese territories. In this context, she reiter- gees (UNRWA) to fulfi ll its man- On Libya, the ambassador said will be implemented through the ventive measures. – QNA combating the pandemic and its Sheikha Alya called for ending ated Qatar’s principled posi- date, which is indispensable as the cause of the crisis is clear and dangers that makes no distinc- settlements, the dismantling of tion in supporting the Pales- it is at the forefront of the Arab so is its solution. tion between the parties of any illegal settlements, and the ces- tinian people’s endeavour to countries in terms of providing She said unlawful militias Thundery rain with strong winds forecast confl ict,” she said. sation of measures that aff ect obtain their legitimate rights, contribution to the agency’s ba- had launched an aggression She reaffi rmed Qatar’s prin- the nature of Al Quds as well as and to work by all means to cre- sic resources. targeting innocent civilians of Thundery rain along with sudden strong winds is expected by cipled support for eff orts to its legal status and demographic ate conditions conductive to Regarding the Syrian crisis, the brotherly Libyan people afternoon in the inshore areas of the country today, the Qatar Met achieve a comprehensive, just composition, in addition to a just peace. HE said that the brotherly Syrian and its internationally recog- department said. The off shore forecast says daytime will be hot in the and lasting peace as well as set- solution to the crisis of refugees She referred to the humani- people have suff ered enough as nised legitimate government, western areas of the country with some clouds. Thundery rain is also tlement of the Palestinian issue, and the guarantee of all the inal- tarian support provided by Qatar their country has gone through condemning serious violations expected in the western areas. Off shore areas will be cloudy and foggy. while stressing that the only way ienable rights of the Palestinian to improve the living and eco- indescribable damage where of international humanitar- Wind speed in inshore areas will range from 15 to 30 knots, with the to resolve is through direct nego- people. nomic conditions that Palestin- they must live in security and ian and human rights law by possibility of thunder. Off shore areas may witness wind speed of up tiations between the two parties She stressed that Israel’s an- ians face in the West Bank and dignity. militias, including destroying to 18 knots. and with international support, nexation of occupied Palestinian Gaza Strip, noting that, over the She reaffirmed that the at- health facilities, laying land- The minimum and maximum temperatures in the country today are on the basis of international law, territories in 1967 in an unilat- past eight years, Qatar has pro- tempts for a military solution mines and systematic and mass expected to be 33C and 43C, respectively. international legitimacy resolu- eral and illegal matter strikes at vided humanitarian and devel- will not put an end to the cri- extrajudicial killings. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Schools to reopen in three stages Amir sends written message to president of S Sudan His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani From Page 1 approved plan for the gradual re- working hours starting from 7.10 yesterday sent a written opening of government schools am to 12 noon. message to President of the Assistant Undersecretary for included a proposal to alternate Al-Nama said the Ministry has Republic of South Sudan Lt Private Schools Aff airs at the attendance for students and a included an appendix of the re- General Salva Kiir Mayardit, Ministry of Education and High- quota for study materials for dif- quirements that private schools pertaining to bilateral relations er Education Omar al-Nama said ferent stages, and also included and kindergartens must adhere and ways to support and that the gradual return through the school schedule for class- to before the start of the school develop them. The message the three phases will allow pri- es during the fi rst and second year, such as having a permanent was handed over to the vate schools and kindergartens to school hours of the primary, pre- nurse and providing isolation South Sudan president by receive students after a break and paratory and secondary stages. rooms in the event of a student or HE the Minister of Foreign educate them about the precau- School timings are from 7.15am school staff showing any symp- Aff airs’ Special Envoy for tionary procedures followed in to 12.30pm, with six classes of toms, in addition to providing Counterterrorism and the classrooms and school build- 45 minutes each per day , along suffi cient sterilisers on a daily Mediation in Conflict Resolution, ings, in addition to introducing with fi ve minute breaks between basis and distributing them to all Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, new students to remote learning classes. facilities and classrooms. in Juba. The Special Envoy programmes. The school day also includes a He also stressed that at the conveyed Amir’s greetings Al-Khater and al-Nama 25-minute break, taking into ac- start of the academic year on to the the president and His stressed the importance of the count the system of the school September 1, no one will be al- Highness’ wishes to the people fi rst stage in terms of raising schedule so that there are three lowed to enter the school build- of South Sudan of further awareness about the mecha- diff erent times for school break ings and kindergartens without development and growth. nisms of attendance during the to reduce the number of students agreeing to follow the precau- For his part, the South Sudan next two weeks after the opening during any break. tionary requirements manual president entrusted the Special of schools. As for kindergarten, the usual issued by the Ministry’s Depart- Envoy to convey his greetings Al-Khater also said that the daily schedule is applied, with ment of Health and Safety. and wishes to the Amir of health and happiness, and the Qatari people more prosperity and development. Entry Permit Systems ...

From Page 1 when planning their return to website until the need to organ- Qatar in order to avoid absence ise the entry process ends, based Workers in the various sectors during the mandatory quaran- on relevant public health indica- are required to coordinate the tine period, whether in the des- tors. dates of travel and return with ignated facilities or at home. Persons with serious health their employers. The GCO statement made it conditions have been made eli- Families and workers in the clear that the process of issuing gible for home quarantine for a education sector must take the return permits for residents will week, regardless of the country French FM rebukes quarantine period into account be through the “Qatar Portal“ from which they arrived.

Kuwait to shorten curfew, allow mosques to reopen

Kuwait will shorten its nightly as hotels to re-open. In addition, all begin an hour later at 9pm and Lebanon leadership curfew and reopen hotels and mosques would be open for Eid end two hours earlier at 3am, it mosques next week in the lat- al-Adha prayers, the Center for Gov- said. The decision will be reviewed AFP was clearly wearing thin as he est relaxation of its coronavirus ernment Communication (CGC) by the cabinet after the Eid al-Adha Beirut dished out more criticism dur- restrictions, the government said said on Twitter. break. The cabinet also decided to ing an afternoon visit to Amel, a yesterday. People expect the holiday to begin end the isolation of the Farwaniya charity in southern Beirut that The Gulf country said it would on July 31. Until now, only some district on Sunday. It is the last rance’s top diplomat Jean- helps some of Lebanon’s most enter “phase three” of its coronavi- mosques had been allowed to isolated area in the country, which Yves Le Drian scolded Leb- vulnerable. rus restrictions on July 28, enabling operate. The curfew put in place has recorded 61,872 coronavirus Fanon’s leadership yesterday “I was reading in Lebanese taxis to operate and resorts as well to limit the spread of the virus will infections, and 421 deaths. for failing to take the measures newspapers that Lebanon was he said are necessary to save the waiting for Le Drian. No, it’s country from collapse. Lebanon France that’s waiting for Leba- is in the midst of its worst eco- non,” he said. nomic crisis since the 1975-1990 “What is striking to us is how civil war, marked by a steep de- passive the authorities of this Sudan PM says currency to be cline in the value of the currency country are,” Le Drian said dur- and runaway infl ation that have ing a conversation with the head plunged nearly half of the popu- of Amel about soaring poverty lation into poverty. levels. Le Drian’s uncompromis- adjusted as he unveils reforms Le Drian, on the fi rst such ing tone echoed an appeal he visit of a top foreign politician made in the French senate earlier in months, made no secret of his this month and which was widely Reuters petrol, following amendments to would be allowed to start buying exasperation with a leadership reported in Lebanon: “Help us Khartoum the 2020 budget in order to miti- fuel using dollars at a free market he described as “passive”. “Con- help you, dammit.” “I said dam- gate the impact of the coronavi- price in August. crete actions have been expected mit the other day in the Senate rus pandemic. Hamdok said that while sub- for too long,” Le Drian said, in a so I wouldn’t have to use a swear udanese Prime Minis- The pandemic has hit the sidies on diesel and petrol will statement to the press after meet- word. It was an aff ectionate word ter Abdalla Hamdok an- economy hard, causing a loss be lifted, the government would ing his counterpart Nassif Hitti. but it came with a dose of anger,” Snounced long-awaited 40% of public revenues, acting continue to bear the brunt of the The free-falling economy he said. economic and political reforms Finance Minister Hiba Mohamed cost of fl our, medicine and cook- has sparked mass protests since French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (centre), wearing a Dozens of businesses are clos- aimed at rescuing the country’s Ali said. A government source ing gas. Subsidised fuel can still October against a political class protective mask against the coronavirus, walks down the stairs at the ing down permanently every economy and keeping its civilian told Reuters the currency adjust- be sold to sectors like agriculture, accused of being incompetent Foreign Ministry in Beirut, following a meeting with his Lebanese day, thousands of people are los- transition on track after the oust- ment programme would begin Ali said. and corrupt. Tens of thousands counterpart in the Lebanese capital yesterday. ing their jobs or suff ering mas- er of Omar al-Bashir last year. in August aiming to reach a full The removal of costly subsi- have lost their jobs or part of sive pay cuts and the suicides of Sudan’s economy is at risk of fl oat in two years. The amended dies is often a key requirement of their income. After the country non to exit the crisis,” Le Drian recovery measures have to be im- citizens submerged by debt have freefall, hammered by an an- budget would be approved in the donors such as the International defaulted on its debt for the fi rst warned. plemented,” the French minister shocked the nation. Lebanon nual infl ation rate of more than coming days, the source added. Monetary Fund, which signed a time in March, the government Lebanon’s government says said. is burdened by sovereign debt 100% and shortages of electric- Fuel and bread shortages were staff -level agreement on policies pledged reforms and two months it needs more than $20bn in ex- He singled out as an example equivalent to 170% of its GDP. ity, bread, fuel and medicine. The the initial spark that led to mass and reforms that can underpin ago started talks with the In- ternal funding, which includes the loss-making electricity sec- Most traffi c lights have stopped currency recently hit a record low protests against Bashir’s three- a staff -monitored program sub- ternational Monetary Fund. But $11bn pledged by donors at a tor, where reforms have been working in Beirut, electricity is of 150 Sudanese pounds to the decade rule. Ali said the private ject to board’s approval. Foreign the negotiations have hit a wall, Paris conference in 2018 that was dragging for years. “I can say becoming scarce and a growing dollar on the black market com- sector would be allowed to im- donor nations in June pledged with two top members of the never delivered over lack of re- clearly that what has been done number of Lebanese are looking pared with 55 at the offi cial rate, port fuel in unlimited quantities $1.8bn to help Sudan. Ali said government’s own team resign- forms. Analysts say a deal with until now in this fi eld is not en- for ways to leave the country. though it is now at 140 to the dol- through a newly created trade $484.7mn of that money has ing, allegedly in frustration at the the IMF is key to unlocking any couraging,” he said. Le Drian The slow motion collapse of a lar. fi nance fund, which Hamdok been set aside for a cash trans- administration’s lack of commit- further aid. “France is ready to met Prime Minister Hassan Diab, state that will celebrate its cen- Hamdok said Sudan would said has a portfolio of $1bn for fer programme to support poor ment to reform. fully mobilise at Lebanon’s side President Michel Aoun and par- tenary in just over a month has start a currency adjustment plan imports. The government source families as the subsidies are being “There is no alternative to an and to mobilise all its partners, liament speaker Nabih Berri in sparked warnings that sectarian and lift subsidies on diesel and told Reuters that fuel importers phased out. IMF programme to allow Leba- but for that serious and credible the morning. But his patience violence could return. Black waters: Oil spills pollute northeast Syria creeks

AFP latest in March, it said in a June cause of fumes and said the ru- Rmeilan, Syria report. dimentary set-ups used to burn Thousands of barrels have the crude have burnt him and his leaked out into creeks in the area coworkers. “We have to do this n his village near a northeast over the past fi ve years, threaten- because there are no other jobs,” Syria oil facility, Abdulkarim ing the health and livelihoods of said the 37-year-old, his fi ngers IMatar said he has watched his people in dozens of villages, ac- tainted black. “I’m forced to do horses die because of oil spills that cording to PAX and Samir Mada- this to feed my children.” have polluted waterways in the ni, co-founder of oil shipping The oil contamination has taint- resource-rich region. The land- website TankerTrackers.com. ed water supplies in a region also owner said winter fl oods caused Matar said the polluted tributary grappling with an outbreak of the oil waste from a nearby storage running past his land “contami- novel coronavirus that has so far facility to spill over onto his land. nates our groundwater and con- infected six people, one of whom “The oil waste... sticks to our stantly emits odours”. “It’s also died, according to data collated soil and agricultural lands” the a hotbed for diseases, including by the United Nations. Wim Zwi- 48-year-old said, complaining skin infections,” he added, of the jnenburg, the author of the PAX of a poor harvest in the village of waters that eventually feed into report, said people along the creeks Abu Hajar. “I have lost two Arabi- the Khabour river in the city of use local ground water, now likely an horses because of the river wa- Hasakeh. contaminated, or surface water for ter”, he added, explaining they had With the help of US forces, a A man drives a motorcycle past a makeshift refinery using burners to basic household use. drunk water contaminated by oil. semi-autonomous Kurdish ad- distill crude oil in the village of Bishiriya in the countryside near the town US military vehicle pass by sheep grazing and drinking from a stream But “they are reluctant now Oil pollution in Syria has been ministration controls some of of Qahtaniya west of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria’s Kurdish-controlled polluted by an oil spill near the village of Sukayriyah, in the countryside to use these water sources due to a growing concern since the 2011 Syria’s most sought-after oil northeastern Hasakeh province. south of Rumaylan in northeastern Syria. the fact they are polluted”, he said. onset of a civil war that has taken fi elds in the northeast and relies Kurdish authorities said they are a toll on oil infrastructure and on them as a key source of reve- ing of oil dripping from the fl eece and cows have died because they refi neries have cropped up across workers walked past blackened aware of the problem but claim seen rival powers compete over nue. The major Rmeilan fi eld, lo- of one of his sheep, blaming it on drank oil contaminated water. the northeast in recent years, storage tanks, their faces covered there is very little they can do. control of key hydrocarbon fi elds. cated near a US airbase, has been oil waste fl oating down from the Residents too suff er heavily from dumping oil waste in the water- with scarves. Exposure to oil “It is one of our biggest envi- In the Kurdish-held north- among the Syrian Kurds’ most Gir Zero facility, near the village of the pollution, Mahmoud said, de- ways, PAX said. and its waste products, whether ronmental concerns,” said Berivan east, a large storage facility in the prized assets since regime forces Tall Adas. “Since the start of the scribing the foul odour of gas and These informal refi neries re- through inhalation or skin con- Omer, an environmental offi cial Rmeilan oil fi eld in Hasakeh prov- withdrew early on in the war. confl ict, the water coming from crude oil wafting over the area at ceive oil from nearby fi elds and tact, has created problems for with the Kurdish administration. ince is of particular concern, ac- But oil wealth comes at a heavy Tall Adas has become polluted dusk. “We regularly have to take process it to provide benzine, many in the trade, including Ah- “But solutions at this stage are cording to the Dutch peace organ- cost for livestock farmers like with oil and the most aff ected are our children to the doctor to put gasoline and diesel to locals. mad Mohammad who works at diffi cult to fi nd because they re- isation PAX. Oil leaks from the Hasan Abdul Mahmoud, who is in the sheep,” Mahmoud said. them on a respirator because of In one such refi nery near the the refi nery. quire large fi nances and the right Gir Zero storage facility have been his thirties. In another creekside Around him, several herd- the fumes,” he said. Compound- town of Al Qahtaniya, plumes He complained of constant expertise,” she told AFP from her suspected since at least 2014, the village, he pointed to a thick coat- ers explained how their sheep ing the situation, makeshift oil of black smoke rose overhead as headaches and chest pains be- offi ce in Qamishli. Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 24, 2020 AFRICA Zimbabwean youth fi ght coronavirus ‘infodemic’

Reuters that ‘ignorance is bliss’. Well, in comb through online comments, a survey by the South African- them how they thought they online to dispel misconceptions, “We used humour to share ac- Johannesburg/Bulawayo, this instance, ignorance is not identify and correct Covid-19 based Ichikowitz Family Founda- could tackle the pandemic. inviting hundreds of Zimbabwe- curate information about Cov- Zimbabwe bliss, if anything ignorance is misinformation. tion. “We gave them the job of com- ans to WhatsApp groups as well id-19,” said Mlauzi, who esti- death,” said Bridget Mutsinze, 25, The spread of coronavirus VSO volunteers are tapping ing up with a plan and a budget as Twitter and Facebook conver- mated the video reached at least a volunteer based in the capital, misinformation has been a glo- into the informal conversa- and they decided that they could sations. 10,000 people over diff erent rinking alcohol will kill Harare. bal issue, with the World Health tions taking place on these use social media, memes, radio, WhatsApp stickers – custom- platforms. the coronavirus. Although relatively low com- Organisation describing it as an platforms. online videos and WhatsApp made images that can be shared In Gwabalanda, the Bulawayo D It is OK to share face pared to the rest of the continent, “infodemic”. “If we do not get facts out stickers in local languages to with contacts – were designed suburb where she lives, dozens of masks. Zimbabwe is experiencing an up- While tech giants WhatsApp there, people will continue to fi ght fake news about the virus,” by the VSO volunteers, with slo- residents were waking up at 6am Africans cannot get Covid-19. tick in the number of coronavirus and Facebook have teamed up live as they wish and the number said Zimbizi. gans such as ‘Fake News Alert’ in to run after a rumour circulated The pandemic is not even real. infections, with more than 1,800 with African governments to of people who get the virus will Zimbabwe has 16 offi cial lan- red capital letters and ‘Wash your that exercise would protect them These are some of the coro- cases and at least 26 deaths, ac- tackle fake news through inter- continue to spread,” Mutsinze guages. hands thoroughly b4 you touch from Covid-19. navirus myths that a team of 20 cording to a tally by Johns Hop- active bots, adverts and push told the Thomson Reuters Foun- According to the Ichikowitz your face’. Maluzi used social media to Zimbabwean youth have been kins University. notifications, VSO volunteers dation. survey, 52% of young Zimbabwe- “I worked with a popular Bu- share WHO guidelines with her busting online since the coun- To stem the spread of the dis- are leading the battle within When Zimbabwe’s lock- ans feel that fake news severely lawayo local comedian, Ntan- neighbourhood. try’s lockdown began in late ease, Zimbabwean youth working their communities. down was announced in impacts their ability to stay in- doyenkosi Moyo, to create two “Since then the number of March, using social media and with development charity Vol- Across the continent, 86% March, Christon Zimbizi, a formed, even before the corona- videos, one in Shona language people running has decreased radio shows to reach an esti- untary Service Overseas (VSO) of Africans aged 18-24 own a VSO project manager based in virus hit. and one in Ndebele,” said Sith- now that they have more accurate mated 100,000 people to date. have taken to Twitter, What- smartphone and nearly 90% use Harare, assembled volunteers, Using information provided by andekile Mlauzi, 29, a VSO vol- information,” she said, scrolling “There is a common saying sApp, Facebook and radio to it for social media, according to including Mutsinze, and asked the WHO, the volunteers went unteer. through her tablet. Opposition calls for Ivory Coast presidential poll to be delayed

AFP fused to leave offi ce after losing Abidjan long-delayed elections. The months-long standoff claimed around 3,000 lives and vory Coast’s dominant op- dug a division across the coun- position force yesterday try. Icalled for a delay in looming The outcome of October’s presidential elections to estab- ballot has become uncertain af- lish “a credible electoral com- ter the sudden death this month mission”. of Prime Minister Amadou Gon It said a postponement was Coulibaly, a popular fi gure seen supported by a ruling last week as Ouattara’s anointed succes- by the African Court on Human sor. and Peoples’ Rights, declaring His death has stirred specula- that local electoral commissions tion that Ouattara may opt for were unbalanced. a third term if his RHDP party Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita walks with his Ivory Coast counterpart Alassane Ouattara upon his arrival in Bamako yesterday. The vast majority of the 558 cannot settle on a diff erent can- local commissions are chaired didate. by President Alassane Ouat- The move could spark accu- tara’s RHDP party, according to sations of abuse of democracy offi cial fi gures. under the country’s two-term The opposition Democratic presidential limits. Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI), In March, Ouattara decided which had sought the court’s not to seek a third term, but ruling, said the upcoming vote, has previously argued that the W African leaders meet due on October 31, had to be constitutional change reset the postponed. clock, enabling him to do so. “For peace, stability and the The fi eld of candidates for the credibility of the electoral proc- top job is growing, with former ess, if we need to push back the foreign minister Marcel Amon- date a bit, we will see no incon- Tanoh announcing on Wednes- venience. The essential thing day that he would run in the in bid to ease Mali crisis is that we guarantee a credible election, though he did not say vote,” PDCI spokesman Jean- whether he had the backing of AFP surgency could slide into chaos. ger over Keita’s perceived failure The West African leaders will their homes. Louis Billon told AFP. a party. Bamako Presidents Alassane Ouattara to tackle the dire economy, cor- weigh on proposed solutions But much of the current ten- The delay “should not last The PDCI is expected to of- of Ivory Coast and Macky Sall of ruption and the eight-year mili- that have been crafted in be- sion was sparked in April, when more than 12 months,” he said. fi cially pick party chief Henri Senegal were greeted at the air- tant revolt. hind-the-scenes talks between the constitutional court tossed Local electoral commissions Konan Bedie, a former head of est African leaders port by Keita. Malians are also incensed at the president and opposition out 31 results from the parlia- in Ivory Coast come under the state, as its candidate during gathered in Bamako They were followed by Ni- the disputed outcome of long- this week. mentary elections, benefi ting aegis of the country’s national its convention which begins to- Wyesterday in a fresh geria’s Muhammadu Buhari, Ma- delayed parliamentary elections Keita, who came to power in Keita’s party and sparking pro- Independent Electoral Commis- morrow. push to end an escalating po- hamadou Issoufou of Niger and in March and April that handed 2013, has come under increasing tests. sion (CEI). Another opposition party, the litical crisis in the fragile state of Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana. victory to Keita’s party. pressure to end Mali’s long-run- Tensions then ratched up into Ouattara’s regime interprets Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), is Mali. A small group of demonstra- The summit comes on the ning confl ict. a crisis on July 10 when an anti- the court’s ruling diff erently, ar- split in the absence of its his- In an exceptional one-day tors gathered outside the airport. heels of a fi ve-day mediation The poor nation of some 20mn Keita rally organised by the June 5 guing that it vindicates the CEI toric chief Gbagbo and has yet to summit, the presidents of Sen- “We’re here to demand IBK’s mission from the 15-nation Eco- people has been struggling to Movement turned violent. as being independent and fair. name a champion. egal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria resignation and ensure our com- nomic Community of West Af- contain an insurgency that fi rst Protesters blocked bridges in The 2020 presidential elec- Former rebel chief and ex- and Niger have scheduled meet- rades who have been killed are rican States (ECOWAS), which emerged in the north in 2012 Bamako, stormed the premises tions are set to be tense after premier Guillaume Soro has said ings with Malian President Ibra- not forgotten,” said Yaya Sylla, ended on Sunday without recon- before spreading to its centre, of the state broadcaster and at- years of political turbulence. he will contest the vote, but lives him Boubacar Keita and leaders a young protester, using the ac- ciling the two sides. as well as neighbouring Burkina tacked the parliament. In 2011, Ouattara, at the head in self-imposed exile in France. of a protest movement clamour- ronym by which Mali’s leader is “It is this Thursday that the Faso and Niger. Three days of clashes between of a rebel force based in the He has been sentenced in ab- ing for his resignation. known. last act is played, the curtain Thousands of soldiers and ci- protesters and security forces Muslim-majority north of the sentia to a 20-year jail term in The unrest deeply worries The June 5 Movement, named will fall,” said a Malian opposi- vilians have died in the confl ict, followed, leaving 11 dead and 158 country, ousted then president Ivory Coast on charges of at- Mali’s neighbours and allies, who after the date when the protests tion politician who declined to be and hundreds of thousands of injured in the worst political un- Laurent Gbagbo, who had re- tempted insurrection. fear a country bloodied by an in- began, has tapped into deep an- named. people have been driven from rest Mali had seen in years. ‘13,000 S African health UN ‘horrifi ed’ by killing of aid workers in Nigeria workers contract Covid’ national Rescue Committee and DPA Lagos Rich International. Agencies ened by the virus. The data revealed that by July The Nigerian government Johannesburg “The growth we are seeing in 12, some 2.6% of Covid-19 hos- would do everything to ensure Covid-19 cases in Africa is plac- pital admissions in South Africa he United Nations has said “the perpetrators of this atroc- ing an ever-greater strain on were healthcare workers. it is “utterly shocked and ity face the law,” Buhari said in a oronavirus has infected health services across the con- Those infected included nurs- Thorrifi ed” by the killing statement. some 13,000 South Af- tinent,” said Matshidiso Moeti, es, doctors, porters, administra- of fi ve aid workers by unknown The aid workers were ab- Crican health workers and WHO regional director for Af- tors, paramedics and laboratory armed groups in northeastern ducted while travelling on a main killed more than 100 of them, the rica, at a news conference yes- scientists. Nigeria. route connecting the town of health ministry said yesterday, as terday. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize “They were committed hu- Monguno with Borno state capi- the virus takes a toll on frontline “This has very real conse- told parliament earlier this manitarians who devoted their tal Maiduguri last month. caregivers. quences for the individuals month that “since the Covid-19 lives to helping vulnerable peo- “Their safety and securing South Africa holds the high- who work in them, and there is pandemic, PPE supply chains ple and communities in an area their safe release have been our est number of infections on the no more sobering example of have become severely con- heavily aff ected by violence,” highest priority since they were continent with 408,052 recorded this than the rising number of strained”. UN humanitarian coordinator in captured last month,” Kallon cases and 5,940 deaths so far. health worker infections,” she WHO Africa chief Moeti said Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said in a said. It is also the world’s fi fth said. it was critical to ensure health statement. The co-ordinator said he was worst-aff ected country in terms A combination of a recent workers “have the equipment, The statement follows the troubled by the number of illegal of diagnosed infections. spike in infections, staff short- skills and information they need release of a video showing the checkpoints set up by non-state Health ministry spokesman ages and a lack of personal pro- to keep themselves, their pa- brutal killing of five aid work- armed groups along the region’s Popo Maja said that 13,174 health tective equipment (PPE) have tients and colleagues safe”. ers kidnapped last month in main supply routes, which dis- workers had become infected as been blamed for the infection Health workers are infected northeastern Borno State by rupt the delivery of life-saving of Tuesday, including 103 deaths increases. due to lack of protective equip- what are believed to be terror- assistance and heighten the risks and 6,394 people declared recov- A recent report by South Afri- ment as well as weak prevention ists. for civilians of being abducted, ered. ca’s National Institute for Occu- and control measures, according President Muhammadu Buhari killed or injured. South Africa’s statistics were pational Health said hospital ad- to Moeti. identifi ed the victims as employ- Some 10.6mn people are in unveiled as the World Health Or- missions of health workers were Surging global demand for ees of Nigeria’s State Emergency need of urgent humanitarian aid ganisation (WHO) reported that increasing weekly in line with the protective gear and global travel Management Agency as well as due to armed confl ict and the more than 10,000 health workers national trend of rising numbers restrictions have caused supply The family of one of the aid workers abducted last month gather international aid organisations Covid-19 pandemic, according in 40 countries had been sick- of admissions. shortages, the WHO said. to mourn his death in Maiduguri yesterday. Action Against Hunger, Inter- to the UN. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 5 AMERICAS Portland mayor teargassed as protests rage on

Reuters in Minneapolis on May 25. Portland Demonstrators and local of- fi cials see the move as a politi- cal ploy by US President Donald he mayor of the US city Trump, a Republican, to drum up Mothers protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland on Wednesday. of Portland, Ted Wheeler, a “law and order” campaign as he Twas stung by tear gas be- faces an uphill re-election battle. heavy tear gas. His eyes and nose chucked water bottles at him. occupying our city,” he said. fore dawn yesterday after he Wheeler, a Democrat, has were running, his face was red The mayor has been criticised One demonstrator asked him if joined demonstrators protesting called the intervention an abuse and his eyes were bloodshot. by demonstrators for the local he was willing to abolish the po- against racial injustice and police of federal power and said it was He was whisked away by his police’s unchecked use of force lice, to which he replied ‘no’, and brutality. escalating the violence. security team to the city’s mu- against demonstrators, which has was loudly booed by many. Security forces have frequently Wednesday night saw bigger nicipal services building. included tear gassing, trampling, Asked about his experience tear-gassed and clubbed demon- and bigger crowds of supporters Prior to the incident, Wheeler and pummelling protesters. of getting tear-gassed, Wheeler strators during weeks of unrest joining the demonstrations. faced an angry crowd of more Speaking to the crowd, Wheel- told Reuters: “You can’t really and Wheeler, visiting the protest After a few demonstrators had than 1,000 demonstrators er decried the presence of federal comply with any orders that are site outside the federal court- set trash bags on the fi re outside packed outside the courthouse. law enforcement offi cers, who being issued because, frankly, house in downtown Portland, the courthouse, federal agents The mayor’s offi ce had said were caught last week snatching you’re not paying attention to urged federal agents to be with- inside the Justice Center fi red Wheeler would attend the dem- protesters from the street into what’s around you, you’re focus- drawn from the city. “They’re not Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler wipes his eyes after being exposed to tear gas, fl ash bangs and pepper onstration that night to talk to unmarked cars. ing on your eyes. You’re focusing wanted here,” he said. tear gas in front of the Mark O Hatfield US Courthouse in Portland. balls into the area. protesters and attempt to de-es- “They’re not wanted here. on trying to breathe.” But Wheeler, who is also the Wheeler stood at the front of calate tensions that have played They’re not properly trained to be Asked if he might rethink the city’s police commissioner, said he should have done more to fl ashpoint in a national debate the line, in a surgical mask and out between demonstrators and here. And we’re asking them right use of tear gas by local police of- was jeered at by demonstrators protect Portland’s citizens. over civil liberties that has roiled goggles, and began to cough, a law enforcement over the past 54 this minute — we’re demanding fi cers, Wheeler said: “It makes me who called on him to resign and The deployment of federal the United States since the death Reuters reporter said. nights. Demonstrators screamed that they leave. We’re demanding think long and hard on whether or chanted “Shame on You”. Some agents in Portland on July 4 is a of George Floyd in police custody He experienced two rounds of expletives at him and a few that the federal government stop not this is a viable tool.”

US infections pass 4mn in rapid acceleration this month Judge fi nds Cohen target

Reuters/AFP Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said yes- of retaliation for Trump Washington/Miami terday said he believed his city’s strict rule on mask-wearing is making a diff er- ence, citing improving numbers there. book, orders his release he total number of coronavi- “The remediation eff orts that we’ve rus cases reported in the United taken, including the mask in public TStates passed 4mn yesterday, rule, are working,” he told CNN. Reuters The judge asked the two sides to refl ecting a rapid acceleration of infec- Another partisan point of contention New York negotiate the media provision over tions detected in the country since the is whether schools should start fully the next week so that “it is consist- fi rst case was recorded on January 21, a opening in August despite concerns ent with the First Amendment but Reuters tally showed. that doing so could cause infections to resident Donald Trump’s yet serve the purposes of confi ne- It took the country 98 days to reach spike. former lawyer Michael Cohen ment.” 1mn cases, but just 16 days to go from Trump has threatened to withhold Pwas yesterday ordered re- For the time being, Cohen’s law- 3mn to 4mn, according to the tally. federal funding if schools do not reopen, leased from prison and will go into yer said he would agree to the impo- The average number of new US cases but he told a press briefi ng on Wednes- home confi nement today after a sition of the media gag order pend- is now rising by more than 2,600 every day the decision would ultimately be up federal judge found he was a target ing the discussion so he does not hour, the highest rate in the world. to state governors. of retaliation for planning to publish have to wait. As the pandemic has spread widely Florida yesterday reported a record a book about the president ahead of The judge, who said he had never over the country, moving from the early one-day increase in Covid-19 deaths November’s election. seen such a gag order in his 21 years epicenter of New York to the South and with 173 lives lost, according to the state Cohen, who had been released in on the bench, said he found that rea- West, federal, state and local offi cials health department. May, was sent back to prison on July sonable. have clashed over how to fi ght it, in- Nurses and their supporters protest yesterday, demanding better personal On Wednesday, Covid-19 deaths rose 9 after questioning a provision in a “He should be released by 2pm to cluding over how and when to ease so- protective equipment, outside MedStar’s Washington Hospital Center in by more than 1,100 for a second day in new series of conditions US proba- his son,” the judge said. cial and economic restrictions aimed at Washington, DC. a row, including record single-day in- tion offi cers asked him to sign. Cohen, who once said he would curbing the infection rate. creases in fatalities in Alabama, Cali- The provision barred him from “take a bullet” for Trump, was sen- Whether to order the wearing of perts, has become highly politicised, ing poll numbers over his handling of the fornia, Nevada and Texas. publishing the book, engaging with tenced in 2018 for directing hush masks, a common practice in the rest with some Republican governors in health crisis ahead of an election in Novem- The daily death tally is still well below news organisations and posting on payments to adult fi lm star Stormy of the world and recommended by the hard-hit states particularly resistant. ber, has long resisted wearing a mask but levels seen in April, when on average social media. Daniels and former model Karen federal government’s own health ex- President Donald Trump, who faces fall- this week encouraged Americans to do so. 2,000 people a day died from the virus. US District Judge Alvin Heller- McDougal, who claimed they had af- stein ordered Cohen released from a fairs with Trump The president has federal prison in Otisville, New York, denied having the encounters and Chinese researcher takes about 110km northwest of New York has called Cohen a “rat.” refuge in consulate, faces City to his son by 2pmEDT today. On July 2, Cohen tweeted he was US visa fraud charges “I make the fi nding that the pur- close to completing a book and he Republicans ditch coronavirus payroll tax pose of transferring Mr Cohen from anticipated publishing it in Septem- A Chinese researcher who US author- furlough and home confi nement to jail ber. ities say hid her ties to the People’s is retaliatory and it’s retaliatory be- At the time of his release in May, Liberation Army has taken refuge in cut, haggle over unemployment payments cause of his desire to exercise his First he wrote on Twitter that “there is so Beijing’s San Francisco consulate to Amendment rights to publish a book,” much I want to say and intend to say. avoid visa fraud charges, in a case Hellerstein said at yesterday’s hearing. But now is not the right time. Soon.” Beijing said yesterday was “naked Reuters Trump comfortable having son, grandkids back in schools political persecution.” Washington According to a court document President Donald Trump said on immune systems and suggested they filed this week in a separate case Wednesday he is comfortable with his would not bring the disease home to in California, Tang Juan, a cancer S Senate Republican lead- son, Barron, and grandchildren going parents and elderly relatives, something treatment researcher at University of ers and White House offi cials back to school, arguing that schools he said was being studied. Canadian minister pays back California-Davis, lied about her posi- Uyesterday tried to hammer out should be open despite concerns from “They don’t catch it easily, they don’t tion as a PLA civilian medical off icial a proposal for a fresh round of coro- many that it could lead to more corona- bring it home easily,” he said. on her visa application last year. navirus aid, which offi cials said will virus infections. He said the decision to open schools NGO at heart of ethics probe The document filed on Monday, in not include a payroll tax cut and could Trump’s push for schools to reopen would ultimately be up to state gover- the separate visa fraud case of PLA- reduce an enhanced unemployment comes even as cases of the deadly nors. tied researcher Song Chen, said that benefi t. disease skyrocket across the country, At his second coronavirus-related AFP gramme, but the controversy has after FBI agents interviewed Tang Republicans have been trying for including in states critical to his re- press briefing in as many days, Trump Ottawa continued to rage. on June 20, she took refuge in the days to agree on a negotiating posi- election in November such as Florida urged young people again to avoid WE Charity has admitted to pay- Chinese consulate in San Francisco. tion, a preliminary step to hashing out and Texas. packed bars and said he was conduct- ing nearly C$300,000 to Trudeau’s The Tang and Song cases are the details with Democrats who control The president, a Republican, has ing the briefing without doctors from anadian fi nance minister mother, brother and wife for speaking latest in a series of US arrests of the House of Representatives, which in threatened to withhold federal funding his White House Coronavirus Task Force Bill Morneau announced on engagements over the past few years. Chinese researchers for allegedly hid- May passed a proposed $3tn response if schools do not reopen. because he had been briefed by them CWednesday he had repaid Trudeau’s wife would have re- ing their ties to the PLA or Chinese plan that the Senate declined to take He said he was fine with the children in himself. more than C$41,000 (US$30,500) ceived C$1,500 for an event in 2012, Communist Party in visa applications up. his family returning to school buildings. “I Trump cited civil rights demonstra- in travel expenses to a charity at the before her husband had become the to study or do research in the United Democratic leaders, meanwhile, re- am comfortable with that,” he said. tions around the country as one reason heart of the country’s ethics com- head of the Liberal Party. States. jected the idea of passing a piecemeal Trump said children had strong for the spike in cases. missioner’s investigation into Prime Both Trudeau and Morneau have Tang’s status was mentioned in bill. Minister Justin Trudeau. apologised for not recusing them- Song’s case to justify a federal pros- The talks continue as US corona- Testifying on Wednesday after- selves from the negotiations on the ecutor’s argument that the recently virus cases passed the 4mn mark, a tections for businesses reopening. themselves over how much to cut un- noon before the House of Commons contract awarded to WE Charity. arrested Song should not be released milestone of a pandemic that has killed Instead of continuing a weekly $600 employment benefi ts,” he said. fi nance committee, Morneau said he Two of Morneau’s daughters were on bail because she is likely to try to more than 143,000 Americans and enhancement of unemployment ben- The draft Senate Republican plan had reimbursed the money to WE associated with the charity, one of flee the country. thrown tens of millions out of work. efi ts that expires on July 31, Mnuchin was expected to include direct pay- Charity earlier in the morning. them as an employee. The cases come amid boiling Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Republicans were looking at re- ments to Americans totaling $1,200 The same day, the prime minis- The check Morneau sent Wednes- trade, military and diplomatic and White House Chief of Staff Mark placing 70% of wages. for individuals and $2,400 for couples, ter’s offi ce announced that Trudeau day was to reimburse the charity for tensions between Washington and Meadows met with Senate Majority “We’re not going to pay people more according to a senior Senate aide. would also testify before the com- expenses related to two humanitarian Beijing. Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol to stay home than to work,” he said. Asked whether a payroll tax cut mittee, as requested by opposition trips he and his family took in 2017. On Wednesday, the State Depart- Hill, a day after hammering out Re- However, the idea of doing a partial would be included in the proposal be- Conservatives, although the date He said it was an expense that he ment said it had ordered China to publican agreements in principle on instead of a comprehensive coronavi- ing put forth by Senate Republicans, has yet to be set. had been unaware of, as the NGO shut its consulate in Houston, accus- portions of a potential coronavirus- rus aid bill was shot down by Demo- Mnuchin said: “Not in this, but we’re Ethics commissioner Mario Dion, never gave him an invoice. ing Beijing of ramping up spying and response bill, which could be present- crats from both sides of the Capitol. going to come back....One of the prob- an independent offi cer of parlia- Morneau acknowledged he should intellectual property theft operations. ed to Democrats as early as this week. “We cannot piecemeal this,” House lems with the payroll tax cut is it takes ment, opened an investigation into have checked on his own. “I want to “These activities have increased “We’ve fi nalised the appropriations. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a news time, so we are much more focused Trudeau and Morneau after the apologise for this mistake,” he told markedly in scale and scope over the We’re just going over some of the fi - conference. right now on the direct payments.” former’s Liberal government award- the members of parliament. past few years,” the department said. nal text that went back and forth last Democrats want to keep the en- Mnuchin told reporters the proposal ed a major contract to WE Charity to Unconvinced by his testimony Asked yesterday in Beijing about night,” Mnuchin told reporters. hanced unemployment benefi ts, and being worked out by Senate Republi- manage a student scholarship pro- and surprised that he had paid WE Tang, Chinese Foreign Ministry Mnuchin said that if offi cials can’t Senate Democratic Leader Chuck cans will include $16bn in new fund- gramme worth nearly C$1bn, despite Charity back for the trips just hours spokesman Wang Wenbin said he get everything done at once, some Schumer scoff ed at the divisions that ing for coronavirus testing, for a total ties between the organisation and before his appearance before the had no information to release at the items should be prioritised, including have thus far prevented Republicans of $25bn. the two offi cials’ families. House of Commons, opposition moment. an extension of unemployment insur- from presenting a united proposal. He also said this might not be the The group has since said it is Conservatives immediately called ance, aid to schools and liability pro- “Republicans are fi ghting with last coronavirus aid package. withdrawing from the federal pro- for his resignation. Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 24, 2020 ASIA

Serial killer’s body cremated Pro-democracy protests in Thailand in Thailand 60 years later

The body of an alleged serial killer who became notorious for eating his victim’s organs has been cremated at a temple in Thailand after being on display at a hospital for over 60 years. Si Quey Sae-Ung was convicted in 1958 of killing seven children before extracting and eating their organs. He confessed to one murder charge but denied all other charges, including cannibalism. He was executed by firing squad in 1959 at the age of 32. His embalmed body has since been on display in a glass container at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital under a sign that read “cannibal”. The sign was later changed to “death row prisoner” in May 2019 after an online petition with over 10,000 names called for a funeral to be arranged for Si Quey after over 60 years on public display. Demonstrators light up their smartphones as they gather during a protest demanding the resignation of Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, under a highway in Pathum Thani, at the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand.

Fearful PNG calls for WHO virus help

AFP have a stronger foothold than cases among health workers had sist... the Health Department. Philippines Sydney those detected cases indicate. caused deep concern. We have always said we don’t National pandemic response “We are afraid to move around have adequate facilities.” controller David Manning ex- in case we contract the virus, Senior health department of- apua New Guinea has pressed “serious concerns on especially when there is no so- fi cial Esrom Doani told AFP that asked for World Health the alarming rate of increase of cial distancing being observed,” plans were already being drawn POrganisation help after a Covid-19 cases in Port Moresby she said, adding that her fam- up for the police and Papua New rapidly spreading new corona- and the likely spread to the oth- ily would be staying at home as Guinea Defence Forces to aid the re-imposes virus outbreak sparked prepara- er provinces”, saying there was much as possible. eff ort. tions for large-scale community a “high likelihood of expanded Against the growing threat He added that the positive transmission in the under-re- community transmission”. Manning said that the WHO cases among medical workers sourced country. Papua New Guinea is one of was in the process of mobilis- had prompted an investiga- Having mostly dodged the the poorest countries in the Pa- ing international emergency tion into whether the cause was Covid-19 pandemic until now, cifi c. Its rickety health system is medical teams to deploy to the transmission or a possible bio- Papua New Guinea reported already under severe pressure country. security breach. non-essential yesterday it had detected three from the widespread transmis- He said in a statement there Manning admitted testing new cases in the previous 24 sion of malaria, tuberculosis was “an urgent need” for emer- had been “very limited” in areas hours, bringing the total to 30 – and HIV/Aids, as well as one of gency health workers to help the outside the capital, and “while up from just 11 on Sunday. the world’s few remaining out- country manage a surge in cases there is no evidence of hospitals With limited coronavi- breaks of polio. and administer isolation facili- being overwhelmed”, that could rus testing and many positive Port Moresby resident and ties. “be due to delayed reporting or cases found in health workers, mother of fi ve Christine Tameta We are also discussing with poor health checking behav- travel ban there are fears the virus may told AFP that the number of the PNG Defence Force to as- iour”.

DPA The policies were required to death toll rose to 1,871, with 28 Manila cover rebooking and accommo- additional reported deaths. Tonga asks dation expenses should tourists The Philippine government get stranded, as well as medical began easing the lockdown im- China to he Philippines has reim- costs in case of infection. posed in March in the country’s restructure posed a ban on non-es- “The sad news is, only one most populous island of Luzon, Tsential travel abroad, more insurance company in the Phil- which encompasses Manila, and heavy debt load than two weeks after permitting ippines agreed to this travel and other high-risk areas, on June 1. touristic trips outside the coun- health insurance so the (inter- Limited public transporta- The Pacific island nation try, a government spokesman agency task force on Covid-19) tion has resumed, while shop- of Tonga has asked Beijing said yesterday. Filipinos were for suspended non-essential out- ping malls, salons, barber shops, to restructure its large almost four months banned from bound travel,” presidential restaurants, private offi ces and bilateral debt load, the all non-essential domestic and spokesman Harry Roque said. even some churches have also government said yesterday, international travel from mid- An exception would be made opened in a reduced capacity. as the pandemic upends the March when a lockdown was for tourists with confi rmed Last week, the government said region’s tourism revenues imposed to contain the spread of bookings as of July 20, he added. it would start allowing foreigners and an onerous Chinese loan the coronavirus. Yesterday, the Department of with permanent residence visas repayment schedule looms. The government lifted the ban Health reported 2,200 additional to travel to the Philippines from Tonga is one of the biggest on July 7, with the proviso that confi rmed coronavirus infec- August 1. Chinese debtors in the South travellers take out adequate trav- tions in the Philippines, bringing Foreign tourists are still not al- Pacific, with its financial el and health insurance. the national tally to 74,390. The lowed entry. reliance dating back to loans taken more than a decade ago to rebuild its capital, Nuku’alofa, after riots. The small economy, largely dependent on external Passengers wearing protective face masks pass through the automated entranceway at a station amid aid and remittances from the coronavirus disease outbreak in Tokyo, Japan. Tongans living abroad, has since taken out additional loans. Tonga is due to make small principal repayments to the Japan reports record daily Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) this financial year before the schedule ramps up in 2023-2024, when it will virus cases for second day need to set aside about 15% of revenue to service external debts. “Government is DPA devastated by the pandemic. amid fears the Olympic host city putting in place a strategy to Tokyo But the government abruptly could be facing a second wave prepare for future payment decided last week to exclude To- of infections. “This is a very big of these EXIM loans while kyo from the campaign follow- number,” Tokyo Governor Yuriko noting that it has further apan confi rmed 981 new ing a rapid rise in case numbers Koike told reporters. “We have to requested a restructure of coronavirus cases, includ- there. stop the spread of the coronavi- both loans,” the government Jing 366 in Tokyo, yesterday, Tokyo confi rmed 366 new rus with the cooperation of eve- said in a budget statement. marking a record daily nation- coronavirus cases yesterday, also ryone.” Stranded passengers take shelter outside a pier due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus Tonga’s government did not wide increase for the second the highest daily tally since the The governor urged Tokyo’s disease outbreak, in Manila North Harbor, Manila, Philippines. respond to questions. day in a row, according to Kyodo start of the outbreak, compared 14mn residents to stay at home Two sources with knowledge News. with just 8 cases on May 25, when during a four-day weekend of its financial position told The country reported 795 new a coronavirus state of emergency starting on Thursday to curb the Reuters it had asked for the infections on Wednesday, sur- was ended in the city. spread of the outbreak. Yester- debt to be cancelled, but passing the previous single-day The new daily record came day’s nationwide fi gure brought had yet to receive Beijing’s record set in April. A resurgence when Tokyo marked one year un- the total number of infections to NGOs demand release of inmates response. coincided with a controversial til the opening ceremony of the about 28,900, including 712 on The foreign ministry in travel promotion campaign that postponed Olympics. a cruise ship quarantined near Beijing did not immediately the government launched on This was the fi fth time in Tokyo in February, while the from Cambodia’s crowded jails respond to a request for Thursday to reboot the tourism the past 15 days that the daily country has so far reported about comment. Tonga has industry and local economies record has been broken in Tokyo 1,000 deaths. previously got reprieves DPA with coronavirus. “The inhumane ceived a fi nal verdict. Cambodia’s on the timing of principal Phnom Penh conditions which prisoners are new justice minister, Koeut Rith, repayments, though the debt Malaysia says won’t restrict social media videos after outcry forced to endure in Cambodia are has announced measures to clear has remained outstanding. utterly indefensible,” said Ming a backlog of pending cases and Its total external debt stands uman rights groups yes- Yu Hah, Amnesty promote alternatives to incar- at $186mn, with almost Malaysia insisted yesterday it His comments sparked a storm he said, adding that platforms terday urged Cambo- International’s deputy regional ceration. two-thirds owed to China, the would not use decades-old laws of criticism from opposition like TikTok and YouTube did Hdian authorities to fol- director for the Asia-Pacifi c. “The So far about 3,500 cases have budget statement shows. to stop people posting videos lawmakers and social media users not exist when the law was low through on a vow to release authorities must follow through been cleared. In an address this The United States and its on social media, backtracking concerned the government was enacted. Off icials were open to 10,000 low-risk prisoners from on their commitments to address month, Cambodia’s ambassa- Western allies worry that on earlier comments that trying to silence dissent, as well as any suggestions about how the the country’s notoriously over- this crisis without delay,” she dor and permanent representa- China is using debt to secure sparked concerns about mockery online. However, hours legislation could be improved, crowded jails, including women added. Cambodia’s prison sys- tive to the United Nations, An influence over strategically worsening freedom of later, he released a statement he said. and children. tem has an estimated capacity Sokkhoeurn, blamed the situa- located Pacific islands, claims expression. Communications saying he had simply been Many had been more amused In a joint statement, Amnesty of 26,593 inmates, but currently tion on a lack of judges. In May, China has repeatedly denied. Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told explaining how the current laws, than outraged by Saifuddin’s International and the Cambodian holds around 40,000. The situa- Cambodian Interior Minister In February, the International parliament earlier yesterday which date from the 1980s, on original comments, and posted League for the Promotion and De- tion is fuelled by rampant use of Sar Kheng announced that up to Monetary Fund said that that the law required people in producing films worked. mocking videos. Alongside a clip fense of Human Rights (Licadho) pre-trial detention and a years- 10,000 prisoners would be re- despite recent prudent Malaysia to get off icial permission “The government has never, and of his pet cat, one Twitter user said thousands of inmates were long crackdown on drug crime, leased due to the pandemic. How- management, Tonga’s risk to make any video – even those does not intend to, use this act commented: “Just letting you subjected to inhumane conditions which critics say targets the poor. ever, information about the ini- of external debt distress was intended for social media to restrict personal freedoms know that I do not have a... licence and a heightened risk of infection Only 30% of inmates have re- tiative has not been made public. high due to past borrowing. platforms such as TikTok. of individuals on social media,” to publish this film.” Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

China state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit

Reuters property and Americans’ private diately revoke” the decision. For- leader is going all out in his at- day that China was consider- “Even if China doesn’t close it, it and return to the right direction!” Shanghai information”, prompting Chinese eign ministry spokeswoman Hua tempts to portray China as an ing shutting the US consulate in could instead cut its staff to one the embassy posted separately on threats of retaliation. Chunying wrote on Twitter that agent of evil,” it said. Wuhan, where the United States or two hundred. This will make its Twitter account. Separately, The decision marked a dra- China would “surely react with Polls show President Donald withdrew staff during the coro- Washington suff er much pain,” according to US court fi lings, the he US government’s order matic escalation of tension be- fi rm countermeasures”. Trump trailing his challenger, navirus outbreak. he wrote. The other US consu- Federal Bureau of Investigation is to China to shut its con- tween the world’s two biggest The offi cial English-language former Vice President Joe Biden, Hu Xijin, editor the Global lates in China are in Guangzhou, alleging that a Chinese research- Tsulate in Houston is an economies amid fresh accusa- China Daily newspaper described ahead of the Nov 3 election as Times, a tabloid published by the Shanghai and Shenyang. er accused of visa fraud and con- attempt to blame Beijing for US tions of Chinese espionage in the closure as “a new gambit in the coronavirus crisis worsens, ruling Communist Party’s offi cial The Chinese embassy in cealing ties to the military is now failures ahead of the November the United States and calls by US the US administration’s bid to exacting a deep toll on the US People’s Daily, said in a column Washington, in a statement re- holed up in China’s consulate in presidential election, Chinese Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paint China as a malevolent ac- economy. China has not said how that shutting the Wuhan con- leased yesterday, accused the San Francisco. state media said in editorials yes- for a new global coalition against tor on the world stage, and thus it may retaliate. sulate would not be suffi ciently United States of “groundless fab- Other Chinese researchers at terday. Beijing. make it an outlaw to the interna- The South China Morning Post disruptive. rications” about the actions of US universities have also been The United States said on China’s embassy to the Unit- tional community”. reported that China may close Hu said the United States had a China’s diplomatic missions and arrested for visa fraud, the fi lings Wednesday it had given China ed States described the order “The move shows that lagging the US consulate in the south- large consulate in Hong Kong and urged it to “immediately revoke showed. China’s foreign ministry 72 hours to close the consulate as “political provocation” and behind his presidential election western city of Chengdu, while a it was “too obvious that the con- this erroneous decision”. did not immediately respond to a “to protect American intellectual called on Washington to “imme- opponent in the polls ... the US source told Reuters on Wednes- sulate is an intelligence centre”. “It’s time to step on the brakes request for comment.

China’s long march

‘Questions to Heaven’ China’s Mars probe lifted off on July 23 from the southern island of Hainan. The mission was China launches dubbed Tianwen-1 (‘Questions to Heaven’) in a nod to a classical Chinese poem that has verses about the cosmos. The probe aims to go into Martian orbit, land on the planet and release a small rover to conduct research Mars mission in on its surface. The craft will travel at least 55mn km to reach its destination.

Without Russia this time It is not China’s first attempt to go to Mars. A previous mission successful liftoff with Russia in 2011 failed because the Russian launcher was unable AFP to get the craft into a transfer or- Wenchang, China bit to slingshot towards the Red Planet. The hardware partially disintegrated as it later crashed hina launched a rover to back to Earth. Following that fail- Mars yesterday, a journey ure, Beijing decided to try again Ccoinciding with a similar on its own. “Its purposes are not US mission as the powers take diff erent from those of other their rivalry into deep space. countries: develop the capability, The two countries are taking explore the universe... and finally, advantage of a period when Earth create political influence and and Mars are favourably aligned national prestige,” said Chen for a short journey, with the US Lan, an independent analyst at spacecraft due to lift off on July GoTaikonauts.com, which special- 30. ises in news about China’s space The Chinese mission is named programme. Tianwen-1 (“Questions to Heav- en”) – a nod to a classical poem Jade Rabbits that has verses about the cosmos. China sent two rovers to the Engineers and other employ- Moon, Jade Rabbit One and Two ees cheered at the launch site on (Yutu in Chinese), in 2013 and the southern island of Hainan as 2019. The second rover made a it lifted off into blue sky aboard a historic soft landing on the far Long March 5 – China’s biggest side of the Moon, making China space rocket. Site commander the first country to do so. “The lu- Zhang Xueyu declared the mis- nar Yutu rovers are good practice sion a success on state broad- in many ways for a Martian rover. caster CCTV. People watch a Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to The terrain is broadly similar,” The fi ve-tonne Tianwen-1 Mars, lifting off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China’s Hainan Province, China. Jonathan McDowell, an astrono- is expected to arrive in Febru- mer at the Harvard-Smithsonian A Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part ary 2021 after a seven-month, and gather rock and soil samples The Asian powerhouse has there is a greater risk of failure. Center for Astrophysics, told of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, lifts off from the Wenchang Space 55-mn-km voyage. with the goal of bringing them laid the groundwork to assemble China has upgraded its monitor- AFP. But the distance from Launch Centre in southern China’s Hainan Province yesterday. The mission includes a Mars back to Earth on another mission a space station by 2022 and gain ing stations in the far-western Earth means communication orbiter, a lander and a rover that in 2031. Tianwen-1 is “broadly a permanent foothold in Earth Xinjiang region and northeastern will be slower, McDowell said, will study the planet’s soil. “As comparable to Viking in its scope orbit. Heilongjiang province to meet adding that the risk of problems a fi rst try for China, I don’t ex- and ambition”, said McDowell, China has already sent two the Mars mission requirements, increases with such a long trip. pect it to do anything signifi cant referring to Nasa’s Mars landing rovers to the Moon. With the state news agency Xinhua re- beyond what the US has already missions in 1975-1976. second, China became the fi rst ported last week. Space race done,” said Jonathan McDowell, After watching the United country to make a successful soft The majority of the dozens of China has poured billions of dol- an astronomer at the Harvard- States and the Soviet Union lead landing on the far side. The Moon missions sent by the US, Rus- lars into its space programme to Smithsonian Center for Astro- the way during the Cold War, missions gave China experience sia, Europe, Japan and India to catch up with the US, Russia and physics. It is a crowded fi eld. But China has poured billions of dol- in operating spacecraft beyond Mars since 1960 ended in failure. Europe. In 2003, it became the the race to watch is between the lars into its military-led space Earth orbit, but Mars is another Tianwen-1 is not China’s fi rst at- third nation — after the US and United States and China, which programme. “China joining (the story. tempt to go to Mars. Russia — to send a human into has worked furiously to try and Mars race) will change the situ- The much greater distance A previous mission with Rus- space. It has launched a slew of match Washington’s supremacy ation dominated by the US for means “a bigger light travel time, sia in 2011 ended prematurely as satellites into orbit, completing a in space. half a century,” said Chen Lan, an so you have to do things more the launch failed. Now, Beijing is constellation in June to set up its Nasa, the American space independent analyst at GoTaiko- slowly as the radio signal round trying on its own. own navigation system, Beidou, agency, has already sent four rov- nauts.com, which specialises in trip time is large,” said McDowell. “As long as (Tianwen) safely to rival the US GPS system. The ers to Mars since the late 1990s. China’s space programme. China It also means “you need a more lands on the Martian surface and Asian powerhouse plans to as- The next one, Perseverance, is an has made huge strides in the past sensitive ground station on Earth sends back the fi rst image, the semble a space station by 2022 SUV-sized vehicle that will look decade, sending a human into because the signals will be much mission will... be a big success,” in Earth orbit. Liu Tongjie, spokesman for China’s Mars exploration mission, speaks for signs of ancient microbial life, space in 2003. fainter,” he added, noting that Chen said. during a press conference before the launch of a Long March-5 rocket.

S Korea, US drills Australia reports highest coronavirus deaths in 3 months should be put off to Reuters draw N Korea into Sydney ustralia reported its high- est daily number of coro- talks, says nominee Anavirus-related deaths in three months yesterday as new infections continued to climb in Reuters least scaling back, the exercis- its second most populous state. Seoul es, which are due to start next Victoria state said it had con- month, might convince North fi rmed another 403 infections, Korea to reconsider negotia- while fi ve people had died from outh Korea should post- tions. the virus in the last 24 hours. pone military exercises “If the exercises take place as The fatalities, including a man Swith the United States in planned, North Korea’s back- in his 50s, mark the country’s the hope of drawing North Ko- lash will be strong but if they biggest one-day rise in Covid-19 Police off icers in protective face masks patrol a street in Melbourne after rea back into talks, the South are completely postponed, it deaths since late April. it became the first city in Australia to enforce mask-wearing in public as Korean politician set to take might take it as a fresh mes- “This demonstrates the grow- part of eff orts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus yesterday. An essential worker at a shop in Melbourne. over responsibility for relations sage,” Lee told a parliamentary ing toll this terrible virus is tak- with the North said yesterday. confi rmation hearing. ing on our community,” Health While the social distancing forecast for a surplus, Fryden- on whether authorities can keep four children hospitalised with South Korean President “If we can show fl exibility by Minister Jenny Mikakos told re- rules – which limited mobility berg said. The shortfall will a lid on new virus outbreaks in Covid-19. “We all need to work Moon Jae-in wants to get dia- scaling it back by around half porters in the state capital, Mel- of residents and shuttered busi- climb further next year, hitting Melbourne and Sydney, its two together, doing simple things, logue with North Korea back or moving its location further bourne. nesses – slowed the spread of A$184.5bn in 2020-21. “Aus- biggest cities, a Reuters poll doing, large and small things, on track after negotiations be- south, North Korea would re- With authorities unable to Covid-19, Australian Treasurer tralia is experiencing a health found. each of us to protect each other,” tween the United States and spond accordingly.” bring new infections below Josh Frydenberg said it has taken and economic crisis like noth- Victoria has for more than two Andrews told reporters in Mel- North Korea on its nuclear pro- Questions over the exer- triple digits, residents in Mel- a heavy toll on the economy. ing we have seen in the last 100 weeks required nearly 5mn peo- bourne. “It’s all about the small gramme broke down. cises come after a period of bourne and most of the state are The government reported years,” Frydenberg told reporters ple to stay home unless leaving things, the small improvements Regular military exercises rising tension with North Ko- now required to wear masks out- its biggest budget defi cit since in Canberra. for permitted essential reasons. in our internal processes, and in between South Korean and US rea, which appears increas- side of their homes. World War II yesterday after “Our economy has taken a big Residents who do not wear terms of compliance across the forces have for years infuri- ingly frustrated that talks Nationally, Australia has re- committing to fi scal stimulus of hit and there are many challeng- face masks are liable to fi nes of Victorian community that add ated North Korea, which sees with both South Korea and the corded about 13,000 corona- around A$289bn, or 14.6% of es we confront. We can see the A$200. up.” the drills as preparations for its United States, including three virus cases with a death toll of gross domestic product (GDP). mountain ahead.” State police said they will Authorities in Australia’s invasion. Lee In-young, who meetings between leader Kim 128. The rise in new infections The budget swung into a Analysts expect the economy show some discretion over the most populous state, New South has been nominated as South Jong-un and President Don- came after Australia began re- massive defi cit of A$85.8bn will rebound in coming months coming week, though state Pre- Wales are also on high alert for Korea’s next unifi cation min- ald Trump since 2018, have laxing strict containment meas- ($61.3bn) in the year-ended June as life returns to some sort of mier Daniel Andrews urged peo- new cases despite the border ister, said postponing, or at brought no easing of sanctions. ures imposed in mid-March. 2020 compared with an earlier normal, though much depends ple to comply, citing the cases of with Victoria being closed. Gulf Times 8 Friday, July 24, 2020 BRITAIN

Plans to boost cycling and walking under threat, say campaigners

Guardian News and Media encourage more cycling and ment from Downing Street and A Guardian analysis this media feeds seeking to argue the ing can be done about the general guessed that other people were London walking. the department for transport to month found six areas – Ealing, plans are not supported by lo- danger from motor vehicles. less supportive, and more hos- The figures, from a YouGov help reduce motor traffic lev- Wandsworth, South Glouces- cals. The campaign was commis- tile, to the idea than they were.” survey undertaken this week, els when fewer people can use tershire, Traff ord, Portsmouth But BikeIsBest – which is sup- sioned by Dr Ian Walker, an en- BikeIsBest’s Adam Tranter overnment plans to found that more generally, 65% public transport because of the and Surrey – where funded cycle ported in part by companies in vironmental psychologist at the said: “When 20mph streets boost levels of walk- of people said they wanted coronavirus. routes had been cancelled. the cycle industry – said their University of Bath and a leading were first proposed, pro-mo- Ging and cycling after the streets redesigned to protect This has included pavements This included the removal of a polling showed such moves were researcher on attitudes to cy- toring groups were whipped up coronavirus crisis are under pedestrians and cyclists. widened with barriers, tempo- temporary cycle lane on Reigate generally popular, and that they cling, to analyse the polling. into a frenzy, just as they are threat from a minority of objec- It found 51% would cycle rary cycle lanes, and low-traffi c High Street after just a few days, believed something could be “Perhaps one reason nega- today. tors, whose views do not repre- more if this happened, while zones in residential streets, with when the local Conservative MP, done about the perils of motor tive voices find it so easy to “In 2017, data showed that sent the opinions of many Brit- 33% said they would drive less entrances partly blocked so pe- Crispin Blunt, lobbied Surrey traffi c. sway things their way is that the proportion opposed or ons, a pro-cycling campaign if street layouts were changed. destrians and cyclists can move county council. It found, for example, that 65% people have a tendency to mis- strongly opposed to residential has claimed. Dozens of cities and other freely, but motor vehicles can- Several subsequent schemes of respondents believed chil- judge public levels of support,” 20mph limits was just 10%. The Research carried out for the councils across the UK have not. have faced intense protests from dren should be able to play in the he said. “The survey showed same is happening here with BikeIsBest organisation found introduced temporary schemes The changes have led to some relatively small groups of resi- street without the danger from that, while most people think measures to enable more people 77% of Britons would support to try and encourage walking vocal protests, prompting some dents and others, who have set rat-running traffi c, while 66% Britain would be a better place to switch their journeys to cy- changes in their local area to and cycling, after encourage- councils to back down. up websites and energetic social disagree with the idea that noth- if more people cycled, they also cling and walking.” Unis accused Windsor Castle reopens to public of overreliance on fees from Chinese students

Guardian News and Media moment in UK-China relations, London with Boris Johnson’s government off ering the prospect of citizen- ship to nearly 3mn Hong Kong ritain’s universities rely residents after protests there. too heavily on tuition fees Onward’s proposals also fol- Bfrom Chinese students, low current government think- according to a Conservative- ing on changes to higher educa- backed thinktank that wants the tion funding in England. government to replace them with The report suggests that increased funding for domestic ministers increase the teaching students taking “high value” de- grants paid for domestic stu- grees. dents taking high “value-added The report by Onward, a courses”, enabling universities to thinktank supported by Tory expand in those areas and lessen MPs and donors, claims there their reliance on international are “well-founded fears” that fees. China’s Communist party and At the same time so-called its satellites have sought to un- “low-value” courses could see dermine academic freedom and their domestic student numbers People walk past Windsor Castle as it reopens to the public, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Windsor yesterday. research on UK campuses, at the capped, with one option tying same time as lucrative interna- student loan availability to grad- tional student fees have distorted uate earnings. the priorities of universities. One of the report’s complaints To tackle those concerns the is that the rapid growth in inter- report proposes a series of radi- national student numbers has cal policies, including capping “crowded out” domestic stu- the income a university could dents at prestigious institutions. earn from a single country and Instead, Onward recommends steering more UK students into that universities’ ability to re- courses with high graduate earn- cruit overseas students should be Face masks mandatory in ings, such as medicine, law, eco- connected to their growth in UK nomics and sciences. students. Will Tanner, the report’s au- But the Russell Group of lead- thor and a former special adviser ing research institutions, such to Theresa May as home secre- as Cardiff and Manchester uni- tary and prime minister, said: versities, rejected the claim that shops, stations from today “Britain has never had a serious domestic students were being debate about the growth of over- overlooked. Guardian News and Media coverings, the rules say it will not Banks and post offi ces will be face coverings in shops. a perspex screen or similar pro- seas students. “Russell Group universities London be compulsory for shop or super- able to ask people to remove face From today, those who do not tective set-up. “Yet the viability of the UK’s have grown UK student num- market staff to wear them. coverings for identifi cation pur- do so could face fi nes of up to Tom Ironside, director of busi- most prestigious universities, to bers alongside international The government only says “we poses. £100, in line with the rules for ness & regulation at the Brit- say nothing of billions of pounds numbers, and home students ace coverings will be com- strongly recommend that em- The Health Secretary, Matt wearing face coverings public ish Retail Consortium, the trade of science funding, is now decid- continue to make up over three- pulsory in takeaways, banks ployers consider their use where Hancock, said: “As we move into transport. body which represents most of ed not in parliament but in coun- quarters of our undergradu- Fand post offi ces as well appropriate”. the next stage of easing restric- Children under 11 and those the high street, said: “Retailers tries thousands of miles away. ates, who will be equipped with as shops, supermarkets, indoor New government guidelines tions for the public, it is vital we with certain disabilities will be are doing all they can to support “Even more worrying is that a the skills to go on to success in shopping centres and stations in published yesterday afternoon continue to shop safely so that we exempt. necessary safety regulations and third of overseas funding comes whatever path they choose,” England from today, the govern- confi rmed that coverings must be can make the most of our fantastic Shops can refuse entry to any- will play their role in commu- from China, a country whose said Tim Bradshaw, the group’s ment has announced. worn in shops, banks, building so- retail industry this summer. one without an exemption who nicating and encouraging the government has shown itself chief executive. Face coverings must be worn cieties and post offi ces and “travel “Everyone must play their part refuses to wear a face covering and government’s new policy on face unafraid of threatening to cut “Students from around the when buying food and drink to hubs” such as trains stations and in fi ghting this virus by following can call the police if people refuse coverings. student fl ows in response to world choose to study at British take away, but if sitting down and airports. this new guidance. I also want to to comply. “While enforcement of this criticism and whose commercial universities because of the high- consuming their purchase in the It will not be compulsory for thank the public for all the sacri- But major retailers said they policy will be handled by the po- partnerships with UK universi- quality education and experience same premises, a customer can customers to wear masks or fi ces they are making to help keep would not ask staff to enforce the lice, the ultimate responsibil- ties are increasingly under scru- they provide – this is a testament remove their face covering in or- similar coverings in hairdressers, this country safe.” rules and some said they would ity remains with customers who tiny.” to our quality and should be seen der to eat and drink there. gyms, dine-in restaurants or cin- Retailers said they would not also not require staff wear masks if must ensure that they wear a face The report comes at a tense as a success story.” While shoppers must wear face emas, concert halls or theatres. ask staff to enforce the wearing of they were already working behind covering when going into stores.” Heard shared fears about Pilots’ union agrees to Depp to mother in 2013 BA cost-cutting deal AFP pulsory redundancies” but added London that this number might fall. Reuters says that after a long session of and loving. “He’s a remarkable The deal comprises voluntary London taking drugs, Depp had become man when he’s like that. I didn’t part-time work, voluntary sev- enraged by the sight of a painting want to lose that. I always held ritain’s BALPA pilots’ trade erance and a reserve pool of pi- by her ex-partner, Tasya van Ree, out hope he would get clean and union has reached a pro- lots on reduced pay — who would merican actress Amber that was hanging on a wall in her sober.” Bvisional agreement with be on stand-by to return when Heard texted her moth- apartment. However, in other texts the British Airways over plans to cut demand recovers for air travel. Aer in 2013 that she was She says that was the fi rst of same day, she told her mother wages by 20% and potentially It also includes pay cuts that heartbroken to discover her then many occasions on which Depp that Depp had not hit her, that shed about 270 jobs. would start at 20% — but this boyfriend, Johnny Depp, became was violent towards her. she was “ok physically”, and that BA, which is owned by London- would drop to 8% over the next violent and abusive when high on The court heard that Heard he was “raging in general” rather listed airline conglomerate IAG, two years before reducing to- drugs and alcohol, likening him had texted her mother at vari- than being violent with her. wants to slash costs as it navigates wards zero over the longer term. to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. ous points over a period of hours Those texts appeared to con- a coronavirus-induced collapse in BA’s pilots in the BALPA union The texts were read to the High during which the drug-taking, tradict her sworn witness state- global demand for air travel. have until July 30 to cast their Court in London, where Heard is drinking and violence took place. ment to the court, in which she “After nearly three months vote over the proposed cost-cut- giving evidence on behalf of the “He’s nuts mom. Violent and said he had grabbed her, shaken of negotiations over British ting package. publishers of tabloid newspaper, crazy. I am heartbroken that her and shoved her against a wall Airways’ proposals to make up Parent group IAG yesterday The Sun, who are being sued for THIS is who I love,” she said in during the incident. to 1,255 pilots redundant and welcomed the union announce- defamation by Depp over a 2018 one of the texts. Asked why she told her mother change terms and conditions... ment and stressed that the article that labelled him a “wife “I feel like I’m on a very fast that he had not hurt her, Heard the British Airline Pilots Associ- measures were “in response to beater”. train that’s about to explode but said that her father had been vio- ation (BALPA) has opened a con- the Covid-19 crisis aff ecting the Depp, who gave evidence last I don’t want to jump off and leave lent towards her mother through- sultation among 4,300 BA pilots aviation industry”. It added in week, denies all of Heard’s al- my love behind. So I stay on the out their marriage, and that she on a package to protect jobs,” it a brief statement that it would legations of violence and abuse train. Even though I know it’s became concerned her mother said in a statement. provide a further update follow- and says she assaulted him. about to explode,” she said in an- would tell her father about Depp’s “BALPA is recommending its ing the outcome of the ballot. Yesterday, the last of four days other. violence towards her. members accept these proposals British Airways had warned of oral evidence by Heard, she Asked to explain what she She said she feared her father’s as the best that can be achieved in April that it could slash up to was asked about an incident she meant by that, Heard told the possible reaction to that. in these incredibly diffi cult cir- 12,000 jobs, or a quarter of its said had taken place in March court: “I was so in love with Heard also texted that “the cumstances.” workforce, in a drastic restruc- 2013, when the couple were dat- Johnny at that time.” crazy mood swings and binges The union added that BA pilots turing as the carrier grapples ing but were not yet married. She said that when he was are really diffi cult for me to han- were nevertheless “devastated” at with fallout from the deadly pan- In a written statement, Heard clean and sober, he was generous dle”. US actress Amber Heard arrives at the high court in London yesterday. the prospect of “around 270 com- demic. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 9 EUROPE

WEATHER WOES DEMOCRACY POLITICS ARSON LEGOLAND Greeks continue battle Divided Bosnia town sets EU members join hands on Ukraine anti-corruption Toymaker scraps ‘military’ against forest blaze vote date after 12 years Mediterranean migration activist’s house torched plane model after backlash

Greek firefighters yesterday battled a wind-driven Bosnia’s ethnically divided southern town of Nearly a dozen European countries yesterday The house of a prominent Ukrainian anti-corruption Danish toymaker Lego said yesterday it had forest fire that burned through pine forest and Mostar will hold its first local vote in 12 years on agreed to set up a platform with EU bodies to co- campaigner in the village of Gnidyn outside the cancelled the launch of a model of a multi- forced the evacuation of hundreds of people December 20, the election authority announced ordinate the response against irregular migration capital has been set on fire, he said yesterday, purpose aircraft after critics pointed out it near the seaside village of Kechries in the eastern yesterday. Bosnia is set to hold local elections on on the eastern Mediterranean route. Interior and condemning authorities for their inability to protect conflicted with the company’s creed not to Peleponnese, off icials said. Thick smoke billowed November 15 if the national parliament passes migration ministers agreed at a conference in activists. Vitaly Shabunin, the head of the non-profit make toys out of “real military vehicles.” The above treetops licked by flames as more than the 2020 budget. Mostar, where failure by the Vienna that the platform would deal with faster Anti-Corruption Action Centre, posted pictures of aircraft in question is the American Bell Boeing 236 firefighters tackled the blaze, assisted by Bosnian Muslims and Croat ruling parties to returns of rejected migrants and faster asylum his one-storey house with damaged interiors and V-22 Osprey, an aircraft distinguished by its four helicopters, eight planes, municipal staff enforce a 2010 constitutional court decision procedures, as well as with the fight against a collapsed roof on Facebook. “No one was hurt,” ability to turn its propellers vertically, making and volunteers. “The fire burned olive and pine on power-sharing had blocked the election of people smugglers. Austrian Interior Minister Karl the Kyiv-based activist said, adding that he, his wife it in eff ect both a helicopter and an airplane. trees in a thick forest. Distressing to see residents city councillors for the decade, was originally Nehammer said the new platform would be seated and their children were not at home at the time, Lego’s model was scheduled to launch on running around with hoses, it’s a sad picture,” exempted from the vote. But a last-minute deal in the Austrian capital. According to border agency and his parents managed to escape. Shabunin did August 1. “The aircraft is only used by the Anastasis Giolis, vice-prefect of Corinth told state has enabled the state election commission to set Frontex, the number of irregular border crossings not immediately blame anyone for the blaze but military,” Lego said. “We have a long-standing TV ERT. The fire lightly damaged three homes at the vote in Mostar for December 20, commission between Turkey and Greece rose to 1,250 in June, criticised the Ukrainian authorities for their inability policy not to create sets which feature real the nearby villages of Athikia and Alamano. head Zeljko Balakar said. an eight-fold increase since April. to “protect public activists”. military vehicles.” European virus infections soar past 3mn mark

AFP French hospital tests virus detector built into a breathalyser Brussels A hospital in the southern French city sive care at the hospital, said the objective of Lyon is testing patients with a new was to have the machine fully operational urope yesterday reached a record machine that enables them to breathe into by the end of the year. of more than 3mn coronavirus a tube to see whether they have Covid-19 “This type of quick test means we will President Tayyip Erdogan visits the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii in Turkish) in Istanbul on Sunday. Ecases, as EU lawmakers examined a in a matter of seconds. have the results straightaway and can then massive aid package for their pandemic- The machine is entering a second trial move the patient to the right area of the ravaged economies and the UN called for phase after three months of use on dozens hospital. As we now have a few eff icient a basic income for the world’s poorest to of people, among whom about 20 had the treatments, the quicker we can diagnose help slow the spread. virus and the others did not. the quicker we can treat them,” he said. Prayers at Hagia Sophia will crown The continent now accounts for a Unlike the uncomfortable standard PCR Bruno Lina, an independent virus expert fi fth of the world’s total cases of more (polymerase chain reaction) tests, it is not who has been consulted on the machine, than 15mn and remains the hardest hit invasive and provides an immediate result. said it was a step in the right direction, but decades-long campaign by Muslims in terms of deaths, with 206,633 out of “It’s the same principle as a classic at this stage was too expensive for wide- 627,307 worldwide. breathalyser test,” Christian George, direc- spread distribution in hospitals. The European Parliament was yester- tor of research at the National Centre of “If our hypothesis is proved correct Reuters “We struggled for this for years,” try. “The decision to turn the Hagia day examining a massive recovery pack- Scientific Research at the la Croix-Rousse we could see second or third generation Istanbul Genc said in front of the mosque, Sophia museum into a mosque is age hammered out at a hard-fought sum- hospital, told Reuters. machines that cost less and that would whose huge grey dome and rose- based on a long-standing demand mit that saw fi scally disciplined nations “The machine will register the mol- specifically home in on the markers of the coloured walls and buttresses have by the vast majority of the Turkish oppose huge aid grants to coronavirus- ecules in the exhaled air and then detects infection that we have identified,” Lina, hen Yunus Genc prays marked the city skyline for a millen- people,” presidential spokesman hit countries such as Spain and Italy. traces of the sickness.” who heads the National Enterovirus and today at Hagia Sophia, it nium and a half, joined later by four Ibrahim Kalin said. The 750bn euro post-coronavirus re- Jean-Christophe Richard, head of inten- Parechovirus Reference Centre, said. Wwill mark the triumphant towering minarets. “We believe it makes more sense covery plan is tied with the EU’s long- culmination of decades-long eff orts “Hagia Sophia is a symbol and to use it...as a house of worship.” term budget. EU chief Charles Michel by Islamist-rooted groups like his to we, like all Muslims, wanted it He said under Erdogan’s rule, said the total stimulus would reach 1.8tn A Temporary Basic Income might enable But city attractions are seeing home- convert the ancient monument, re- opened as a mosque...When Sultan churches and synagogues serving euros ($2.2tn). “This moment, it’s my governments to give people in lockdown grown crowds, such as the Seine river vered by both Christians and Mus- Mehmet the Conqueror came to Is- Turkey’s minority Christian and conviction, is pivotal in European history. a fi nancial lifeline,” said UNDP Adminis- cruise ships that are usually swamped lims, to a mosque. tanbul he bought Hagia Sophia with Jewish communities had also been We acted fast and with urgency,” Michel trator Achim Steiner. UN projections have by visitors from the United States and Genc’s Anatolian Youth Associa- his own money as a symbol of the built, or rebuilt. told the European Parliament. warned the virus could kill 1.67mn people Latin America. “Most clients are clear- tion (AGD) held protests and organ- conquest, endowed it and wanted it In Hagia Sophia, the Christian “Europe’s response is greater than that in 30 low-income countries. ly French, with lots of families,” said a ised prayers outside the 1,500-year- to be a mosque.” frescoes and the glittering mosa- of the United States or China,” to fi ght the Belgium yesterday made masks man- spokesman for the catering and facilities old Hagia Sophia, while another Genc’s AGD group is an off shoot ics adorning the cavernous dome coronavirus, which has ravaged the glo- datory in outdoor markets and busy ar- management group Sodexo, which oper- group waged a series of failed legal of a movement founded by Tur- and central hall will be concealed bal economy and sent millions into dire eas. “These measures are not advice, ates the Bateaux Parisiens ships. campaigns until a top Turkish court key’s fi rst Islamist prime minister by curtains during Muslim prayer poverty, he said. they are orders,” Belgian Prime Minister He said the chic Jules Verne restau- last month fi nally ruled in their fa- Necmettin Erbakan, whose politi- times, but remain on display for the The UN called for a temporary ba- Sophie Wilmes said of the move, which rant on the Eiff el tower was booked solid vour, annulling its status as a mu- cal party was a forerunner of the AK rest of the time. sic income for nearly 3bn of the world’s comes into eff ect tomorrow. every night in July, and nearly so for lunch, seum. Party which has ruled Turkey under “That’s part of the Islamic legal poorest people. Funding of $199bn per “Announcing a strengthening of the by locals. “Before, you had to book a table President Tayyip Erdogan im- Erdogan’s leadership for 17 years. tradition, just like the Jewish tradi- month would provide 2.7bn people with a rules is a hard blow for our morale, but three months in advance, which put off the mediately declared the building — a Amid the chaos and uprisings tion where you are not supposed to temporary basic income and the “means we’d prefer to take these measures today French, but now it’s just one month,” he said. Christian Byzantine cathedral for which shook the Middle East since have many descriptions and paint- to buy food and pay for health and edu- than to regret it tomorrow,” she said. The production of a vaccine is now key 900 years before it was seized by 2011, Erdogan sought to position ings, while you’re praying,” Kalin cation expenses”, the UN Development Paris, the world’s most visited city, to ensuring a return to something close Ottoman conquerors and served as Turkey as a regional power. said. Programme said. was starved of tourists — the lifeblood of to normality. More than 200 candidate a mosque until 1934 — a mosque The Hagia Sophia move was a “They will be covered during “Bailouts and recovery plans cannot its economy — after being battered by a drugs are being developed, with 23 hav- once more, with fi rst prayers to be sign towards “achieving freedom” prayer times, and other times they only focus on big markets and big business. two-month Covid-19 lockdown. ing progressed to clinical trials. held today. for Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, will be open to everyone,” he told The decisions unleashed a torrent Erdogan said earlier this month. Reuters. of criticism from church leaders, Erdogan threw his weight be- Icons and artwork in the build- who said the conversion to exclu- hind the campaign to convert Hagia ing’s upper fl oors and side galleries sively Muslim worship risked deep- Sophia before local elections last would remain uncovered, he added. Singing marathon ening religious divisions. year which dealt a painful blow to Pictures from inside Hagia Sophia Turkey says the site will remain his ruling AK Party. this week have shown a large carpet Norwegian artist Kjell open for visitors and its Christian Offi cials say the move addresses a being laid on the fl oor in prepara- Elvis (Kjell Henning artworks protected. deep-rooted wish within the coun- tion for the prayers. Bjrnstad) performs in central Oslo yesterday in an attempt to beat the record of the world’s longest Elvis Presley singing marathon. He Armed Ukrainian fl ees after hostage drama plans is to perform continuously for 50 Reuters in Ukraine in three days. On Tues- lice colonel and drove off with him hours, ending tomorrow Kyiv day, an armed man held 13 people in a car provided by police. morning. captive on a bus for hours before re- Gerashechenko and local au- leasing them. thorities say police allowed the man n armed man yesterday took Police yesterday were trying to to leave the town “for the safety of a senior policeman hostage arrest a man suspected of car theft citizens”. Ain the central Ukrainian city when he took out a grenade and “The intruder left the car in the of Poltava and drove off with him threatened to kill one of the offi c- middle of the road and ran to the before abandoning both the car and ers, Deputy Interior Minister Anton forest. A special operation to detain the offi cer and running into a forest, Gerashchenko said on Facebook. a dangerous armed criminal is un- the police said. After negotiations, the man ex- derway. The hostage was released, It was the second hostage-taking changed the police offi cer for a po- unharmed,” the police said.

93-year-old ex-Nazi camp guard gets suspended jail sentence for complicity in atrocities

By Sebastian Bronst, AFP said Dey had helped to “dehu- Dey said he was “shaken” by lowed the criminal orders,” she be seen as a call to “respect hu- Hamburg, welcomed the convic- He came into prosecutors’ Hamburg manise human beings and turn witness accounts from Stutthof, told him. man dignity at all costs, even if tion as an “important signal”. sights after a landmark 2011 rul- them into numbers”. where tens of thousands of peo- Dey was given a juvenile sen- the cost is your own safety”. Yet he also criticised the deci- ing against former Sobibor camp “You still see yourself as a mere ple died from illness, malnutri- tence because he was 17 and 18 Dey had thought only of his sion to impose only a suspended guard John Demjanjuk on the ba- 93-year-old former Nazi observer, when in fact you were tion and murder by gas chamber years old when he served at the own safety, and not made any ef- sentence, saying it could lead the sis that he was part of the Nazi concentration camp guard an accomplice to this man-made and surprise execution. camp between April 1944 and forts to escape service, she added. public to believe that the crimes killing machine. Awas yesterday handed a hell,” she told him as she handed But he added that he became April 1945. Meier-Goering also noted at Stutthof were less serious than Since then, Germany has been suspended sentence of two years down the sentence, also for one aware of the “extent of the atroc- Stefan Waterkamp, his lawyer, that he had not shown “any real they were. racing to use that legal precedent for complicity in World War II case of attempted murder. ities” only upon hearing witness had argued that such a young emotion” in his apology and his Set up by the Nazis in 1939 to against surviving SS personnel atrocities, in what could be one In his last statements to the testimonies and reports. man could hardly have been ex- statements before the court. detain Polish political prisoners, rather than trying to fi nd evi- of the last such cases against sur- court, Dey had apologised to Judge Meier-Goering, however, pected to break ranks, and that One Stutthof survivor dis- Stutthof camp ended up hold- dence that they directly commit- viving SS guards. victims but stressed that he had said the court was “convinced” the teenage Dey “saw no escape”. missed Dey’s apology. ing 110,000 inmates, including ted murders or atrocities. Bruno Dey was convicted for been forced into his role at the that Dey would have known about Judge Meier-Goering said that “I’m speechless. I don’t many Jews. Some 65,000 people Courts have since convicted his role in the murder of 5,232 camp. the brutality of the camp. Dey’s youth at the time was a “mit- want his apology, I don’t need perished in the camp, around Oskar Groening, an account- people when he was a teenage “Today I would like to apolo- “There were corpses every- igating factor” in the sentence, but it,” Marek Dunin-Wasowicz, a 4,000 of them murdered in the ant at Auschwitz, and Reinhold SS tower guard at the Stutthof gise to those who went through where,” she said, adding that the that it did not excuse him. 93-year-old camp survivor, told gas chambers. Hanning, a former SS guard at camp near what was Danzig, now the hell of this madness, as well extermination camps could not Like millions of other Germans AFP by telephone from his home Dey, who now lives in Ham- the same camp, for complicity Gdansk, in then Nazi-occupied as to their relatives. Something have functioned without people at the time, Dey had failed to in Warsaw. burg, became a baker after the in mass murder. Both were found Poland. like this must never happen like Dey. “strain his conscience”, she said. Christoph Rueckel, a lawyer rep- war. He later married and had guilty at the age of 94 but died Judge Anne Meier-Goering again,” he said from the dock. “You should never have fol- She said the sentence should resenting fi ve of the co-plaintiff s in two daughters. before they could be imprisoned. Gulf Times 10 Friday, July 24, 2020 INDIA

POLITICS DISASTER CONTROVERSY WILDLIFE TRAGEDY Naidu’s objection to Flood waters continue NGT questions nod for Monkeys kill 30 lambs Driver live streams slogans sparks protests to wreak havoc in Bihar drilling in national park in Telangana village suicide on Facebook

Protests were witnessed in diff erent parts of Flood waters have now started entering new The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Monkeys wreaked havoc killing around 30 A 37-year-old driver in a private company Maharashtra yesterday over Vice President M areas in Bihar, triggering fears of more loss of the ministry of environment, forest and climate lambs in a village in Telangana’s Suryapet in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu live Venkaiah Naidu’s objection to slogans raised by life and property. Almost 650,000 people in 10 change, the Assam State Biodiversity Board district, off icials said. The incident occurred streamed his suicide on Facebook, police a Bharatiya Janata Party member Udayanraje districts have been aff ected by the floods so far. and Oil India Ltd how environmental clearance in Shobanadrigudem village, notorious for said yesterday. “He hanged himself at his Bhosale, after his oath-taking ceremony in the Buildings in Gopalganj have all been submerged to the proposed drilling of seven wells in the monkey menace. A group of about 20 monkeys residence. His wife said Ramkumar was Rajya Sabha. After he took the oath in English, by the flood waters. The national disaster Dibru Saikhowa National Park was permitted attacked the lambs in a shed left behind by a an alcoholic and had attempted suicide Bhosale – the 13th direct descendent of the response force and the state disaster response without a biodiversity impact assessment. shepherd while taking another herd of sheep earlier but was saved,” a police official said. legendary warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – force are working non-stop to rescue the people. This was mandated by the Supreme Court in grazing. As no one was present in the house, According to police Ramkumar returned raised a slogan hailing Shivaji. Naidu, who is the Disaster management department additional 2017. As per the apex court, the Assam State the simians attacked the hapless lambs which home drunk, opted for the live option on chairman of the Upper House, gently reminded secretary Ramchandra Doo said that the Biodiversity Board was required to conduct a were about 30 days old. Some neighbours tried Facebook and hanged himself from the Bhosale that raising slogans was not permitted department is on alert in view of the increased biodiversity impact assessment. The petitioners to chase away the monkeys but failed. All the ceiling fan. Prior to his hanging, he had in the House and it would not go on record, water level in various rivers. The rising water – Bimal Gogoi and Mridu Pukhan – contended lambs died after being bitten by the monkeys. called and informed his father about his and cautioned against repeating it in future. level has aff ected 55 blocks of 282 panchayats that as per their information, no such study Suryapet is one of the districts in the state decision to commit suicide and requested Maharashtra’s ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the 10 districts of Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Supaul, has been conducted. They contended the facing monkey menace. Hordes of monkeys him to take care of his son. His friends called allies later carried out demonstrations all over Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaff arpur, Gopalganj, ministry illegally exempted the project from the enter homes, raid business establishments and his wife but Ramkumar had died before help the state. West Champaran, Khagaria and East Champaran. requirement of public consultation. harass people. arrived. US green card Polluted river wait time for Indians ‘can go up to 450 years’

IANS green card and the Protect Chil- New York dren of Immigrant Workers Act proposed by Democrat Sena- tor Dick Durbin seeks to remedy he wait time for green this. cards for Indians profes- While the cause of children Tsionals stuck in the “aw- who came to the US illegally has ful, hellish green card backlog” a lot of political support, the could go up from the current children who came in legally but 195 years to 450 years in 10 years reached adulthood has been un- without a comprehensive reform der the radar and Durbin’s bill of the immigration system, a Re- proposes a parallel remedy. publican Senator has warned. Durbin said that without in- Senator Mike Lee said: “By the creasing the total number of green time we stretch this (backlogs) cards, it would not be possible to out to 2030, the 195-year back- deal with the huge backlogs and log I mentioned a moment ago the decades-long wait times. would be extended out to a 400- He said, “Just do the math; to 450-year backlog.” 140,000 EB (employment) vi- He said that for those fi ling for sas and 226,000 family visas per A man rows his boat amidst foam in the polluted Yamuna river on the outskirts of New Delhi yesterday. green cards “in 2020, the wait for year and 5mn people waiting. an EB2 green card is not, in fact, 20 If you think you can solve this to 30 years for an Indian national. without changing the number of “What is it, then? Is it 30? Is it green cards, you can’t.” 40, 50, 60? No, it is much longer He said that Lee told him that than that. It is 195 years. many Republicans opposed in- “This means that someone creasing the number of green from India entering the back- cards that can be issued in a year. log today would have to wait 195 Durbin’s bill would also allow years to receive an EB3 green H1-B visa-holders to fi le early card.” for green cards, freeing them to Defi ant Gehlot ‘to call EB2 green cards — the perma- switch jobs without being held nent immigration visa leading to down by the employers who citizenship — are for those with sponsored them for the visa. advanced degrees and EB3 for One of the compromises of- skilled and professional workers. fered in Durbin’s bill is to restrict The annual green card quota H1-B visas for outsourcing com- Assembly session soon’ for India and most countries is panies. about 26,000. It would prohibit a company IANS court, he said, “Those who Assembly Speaker’s request to held hostage, and are under rections of Home Minister Amit Lee gave these wait times from hiring additional H-1B Jaipur went to court have committed a stay the Rajasthan high court (the eye of) bouncers... we hope Shah, it will not stop us from while opposing a Democratic bill workers in the future if the com- mistake. The court case has no proceedings on Sachin Pilot and that when they come back, they exposing the BJP’s ideology. that would protect the children pany’s workforce is more than 50 relation to anti-defection law. It MLAs’ petition against disqual- will vote with us. We have a full “Earlier, we came to know of those on H1-B and other em- employees and more than 50% of mid the ongoing political is connected to the fact that we ifi cation notice. majority even without them. about raids after they were con- ployment visas who are waiting those are temporary workers. crisis in Rajasthan fol- called two CLP (Congress Leg- The apex court also allowed On the same basis, we will go to ducted. However, now, we start for their green cards from being He said that eight of the top Alowing the rebellion by islature Party) meetings so that the high court to pass an order the house and prove our major- getting news three-four days deported when they turn 21. 10 companies getting H1-B visas his now sacked deputy Sachin those who had gone can come on the matter today, but said ity.” ahead that raids will be con- He said that with such long were outsourcing companies. Pilot and his loyal legislators, back, but they did not come. that it will be subjected to the He also slammed the raids be- ducted,” he quipped. wait times, the children would Defending his opposition to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot “It seemed that they had in- outcome of the proceedings in ing conducted by the enforce- Gehlot also termed the BJP not be able to qualify for green Durbin’s bill, Lee said that the yesterday asserted that he en- tentions of parting ways. Our the top court. ment directorate, the Central a “fascist party”, which is “en- cards in their lifetimes and, in- Fairness for High-Skilled Im- joys a full majority in the As- chief whip fi led a petition in this A bench headed by justice Bureau of Investigation and the gaged in killing democracy”.”It stead, a comprehensive reform is migrants Act he and Democratic sembly. regard. In fact, a Speaker can is- Arun Mishra and comprising income tax department, includ- is only the Congress party needed. Senator Kamala Harris have pro- Addressing the media here, sue notice, call them and talk to justices B R Gavai and Krish- ing on his elder brother’s offi ce which can fi ght its ideology.” When children turn 21, they posed would protect children, he said: “We have a majority them. The debate hovers around na Murari took up the matter and farmhouse in Rajasthan. “During the time of corona, are no longer considered de- protects widows and widowers and will call a session soon as this subject and has no relation through video conferencing. “Although raids have been the BJP is trying to topple our pendents and will lose their visa of H1-B visa-holders, while ex- the Congress MLAs are stand- with the anti-defection act.” Gehlot also claimed that the started by the ED, the CBI, the government,” he said, adding status based on their parents’ pediting green cards for all high- ing together.” The Supreme Court yesterday rebel legislators have been held IT etc under Prime Minister that the “nation will never for- visas as well as their claim to a skilled immigrants. On the Pilot camp going to declined to accede to Rajasthan hostage. “Those who have been Narendra Modi’s rule on the di- give them for this act”.

Nation must fi ght Crucial time for Vijayan virus ‘vigorously’: PM as aide faces NIA grilling DPA/IANS example of the fact that even New Delhi in this coronavirus crisis, the country has not stopped,” IANS the UAE consulate and employed what is expected to uphold the Modi said at a virtual founda- Thiruvananthapuram with the state IT department, political morality,” wrote Suren- ndia reported another record tion stone laying ceremony of a surfaced. dran on Facebook. daily spike of 45,720 new water supply project in north- The case turned a full circle Congress legislator K S Sabar- ICovid-19 infections and eastern India. rucial days lie ahead for when their links with senior IAS inath said “all know what Vi- 1,129 deaths, a health ministry “Till the vaccine comes, where Kerala Chief Minister offi cial Sivasankar, who has been jayan will now say and it will be bulletin said yesterday, as Prime we have to fi ght vigorously CPinarayi Vijayan as his suspended and booted out from his routine reaction — ‘those who Minister Narendra Modi warned against the coronavirus, devel- former principal secretary and two key posts, were unearthed. have done wrong will not be pro- the country must keep fi ghting opment works also have to be ex-Kerala IT secretary M Sivas- On Wednesday the NIA had tected or spared.’” “vigorously” until a vaccine is carried forward with full force,” ankar presented himself before completed a joint questioning Earlier in the day the NIA of- available. he added. the National Investigation Agen- session of the three arrested — fi cials served Sivasankar a notice The total infections in In- Meanwhile, as the number cy yesterday evening in the sen- Sarith, Swapna and Sandip Nair at his residence here, asking him dia have now touched 1.24mn, of Covid-19 cases continue to sational gold smuggling case. and it was only a matter of time to appear before them. placing it third among countries rise in Kerala, Chief Minis- The customs department before Sivasankar was told to ap- Around 3.55pm, arriving in his worst hit by the virus. ter Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday which began the probe in the case pear. personal car, Sivasankar reached Only the US and Brazil have expressed confidence that the last week had questioned Sivas- Vijayan has been trying to wash the Police Club and when news- more cases. state and its people will come ankar for over nine hours. his hands off Sivasankar with his men asked him if it was the NIA India’s fatality rate is still through these trying times The gold smuggling case which stock statement of “none will be or the customs, he walked away among the lowest in the world and that a ‘Covid brigade’ will has large scale political ramifi ca- spared, whosoever he is.” without commenting. at around 24 per 1mn population be formed to handle the situ- tions, fi rst surfaced when P S With the news of Sivasankar CPI-M legislator A M Sham- and the recovery rate is above ation. Sarith, a former employee of the appearing before the NIA, state seer said the opposition’s reac- 60%, a health ministry spokes- Vijayan said there were 1,078 UAE consulate here, was arrested BJP president K Surendran said tion was along expected lines woman said. Covid cases in Kerala as of yes- by the customs on July 5 when he the time is up for Vijayan and he and the CM had made his posi- The spike in deaths on terday. was facilitating the smuggling of must quit. tion clear. “I don’t fi nd anything Wednesday was due to a retro- “With this the total number 30kgs of gold in diplomatic bag- “With each passing moment wrong in the questioning and the spective addition of 444 cases by of positive cases has reached gage to Thiruvananthapuram of you sticking to your post, you NIA is doing their duty. It’s only Tamil Nadu. 16,110, of which 9,458 are pres- from Dubai. are challenging the basic prin- natural that the opposition will Modi said until a vaccine ently positive. Of the day’s posi- It scandal turned murki- ciple of democracy. The country cry for the resignation of the CM, People who have recovered from coronavirus stand in a queue as comes, India needed to fi ght vig- tive cases, 798 are local infect- er when the name of Swapna is expecting that you would lead as it’s common in politics,” said they wait to donate blood plasma during a screening at a school orously against the coronavirus. ees. At present the state has 428 Suresh, a former employee of by example and resign as that’s Shamseer. in Dharavi, Mumbai, yesterday. “Today’s programme is an hotspots,” he said. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

PEST CONTROL RECOVERED ‘WILD WEST’ VOTE WORRY FINANCE Bodies found after deadly Venezuela condemns US Bolivia ponder delaying Mexico all set to raise Colombia chopper crash bounty on top off icial elections over pandemic public sector pensions

The Colombian army said on Wednesday they Venezuela’s government has blasted a $5mn US Calls are multiplying for the Bolivian authorities Mexico will raise pensions of federal government recovered two bodies from a helicopter crash reward off er for information leading to the arrest to postpone general elections scheduled for workers, President Andres Manuel Lopez in a jungle region where guerrillas are active, of the country’s Supreme Court president, likening September 6 as the coronavirus pandemic Obrador said yesterday, a day after his bringing the toll to 11 dead and six wounded. The it to something out of the Wild West. Washington continues battering the country, local media government announced plans to boost pensions Black Hawk helicopter went down on Monday “disrespects the Supreme Court of Justice, in the reported. The electoral tribunal of Chuquisaca of average workers in the private sector by with 17 people aboard on a stretch of the Inirida person of its president, Maikel Moreno, through said the southern region did not meet the about 40%. “We’re also going to present a River, in the country’s southeastern jungle false accusations and the off er of rewards in conditions for people to vote, according to reform...for the benefit of workers employed by region. The wounded soldiers, along with the the style of the cowboys and the wild and far the daily El Deber on Wednesday. A scientific the state,” Lopez Obrador said. The public sector Salvadoran soldiers use fumigation bombs to bodies of nine of their comrades, were rescued west,” the foreign ministry has said. Venezuela committee advising the Health Ministry and reform would be applied to federal government eradicate an outbreak of flying locusts in crops on Tuesday, but two soldiers were missing, “rejects once again the illegal and coercive several political parties have also called for workers, and be put forward once Mexico and pastures together with technicians from the off icials said. The two final bodies were found actions of the Donald Trump government against postponement of the elections, which were due emerges from the pandemic. Under the private Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock as part of and taken to the nearby town of Mitu, in the the Venezuelan people and its constitutional in May. Bolivia on Tuesday confirmed 62,357 sector pension plan, total contributions will rise the so-called “Valkiria” operation in El Havillal, Vaupes department, before being moved to the institutions,” it said. Moreno has been on the novel coronavirus infections, up 1,366 in 24 to 15% of salary from 6.5% over eight years, and San Miguel, El Salvador. capital Bogota, the army said in a statement. Treasury Department’s black list since 2017. hours, and a total of 2,273 deaths. employer contributions to 13.87% from 5.15%.

Chilean extradited over brutal murder of former girlfriend

By Miguel Sanchez, AFP criminal nature and gender Santiago violence is not a political trial nor does it compromise the political relations between fter more than three Chile and France,” analyst Rene years evading French Jara, from Santiago University, Aprosecutors, Chilean told AFP. national Nicolas Zepeda was After the plane lands today set to be extradited late yes- at Charles de Gaulle airport in terday to France, where is he Paris Zepeda, the only suspect accused of murdering his Japa- in the case, will be transferred nese ex-girlfriend in 2016. to Besancon to stand trial. Police escorted the 29-year- “Three years have passed old from the seaside resort of since my beloved daugh- Vina del Mar, 120km west of ter disappeared...I pray that Santiago, where he had been Nicolas will be tried in France, under house arrest, to the San- I would give my life for this,” tiago international airport some said Kurosaki’s mother Taeko 12 hours ahead of schedule. in a moving letter presented to After a two hour trip Zepeda the court in Chile. entered the airport terminal “We will never forgive Nico- under police escort, where he las, who took Narumi’s life and is to be formally handed over to her from the whole family.” French police. According to investigators, Zepeda is due to board an Air Zepeda went to Besancon at the France fl ight later in the after- beginning of December 2016 to noon to Paris. see his former girlfriend. A boy looks at a coff in with a sign reading ‘You decide, at home or in this box’, part of a local authorities’ campaign in the Escuintla municipality, 55km south of Guatemala City. In Narumi Kurosaki, then 21, On the evening of December the last four months, Guatemala registered 40,229 cases of Covid-19 — of which 1,531 have died and 26,685 recovered — amid criticism on the government’s crisis management, vanished from her university in 4, the pair entered her resi- including reports of saturation in hospitals, unpaid health workers and lack of equipment. Besancon, near the French Alps dence together. in December 2016 after eating French prosecutors say sev- with Zepeda. eral students heard “howls of He had returned to Chile by terror, cries” that night, but the time her disappearance was nobody called the police. reported days later. Zepeda, the son of a wealthy French investigators believe Chilean family, met Kurosaki in he killed Kurosaki in a jeal- Japan in 2014. ous rage — but her body was At the time of her disappear- Latin America exceeds never found, despite extensive ance, the pair had broken up searches. and she was in a new relation- Zepeda has been under ship, which prosecutors said house arrest with police sur- angered Zepeda, who threat- veillance in Vina del Mar. ened Kurosaki in an online His extradition will end a video he later removed. legal process in Chile that be- Investigators said that in the 4mn Covid-19 cases gan in March when authorities days before her disappearance, fi nally accepted a request from Zepeda fl ew to France, hired a Reuters of cases in Latin America’s larg- ing country recorded 4,463 new On July 7, the former army cap- open up the economy as hunger French prosecutors to hand car and drove to Besancon to Santiago/Rio de Janeiro est nation to 2,227,514, while cases for the day, taking its total tain tested positive for the virus and unemployment bite. him over. meet her. deaths rose to 82,771. to 366,550, double the number at and has since said he is taking hy- As the Argentine government The process was delayed On the way, they said he Neighbouring Argentina post- the start of June. droxychloroquine, a drug he has has eased lockdown measures and complicated by the novel stopped to buy matches, fl am- razil and Argentina regis- ed a daily record of 5,782 con- The numbers point to the consistently promoted despite in recent weeks, the country’s coronavirus pandemic and the mable liquid and bleach at a tered daily records for con- fi rmed cases, the vast majority struggles nations across the re- little proof of its eff ectiveness. caseload has increased sharply. closing of borders. supermarket. Bfi rmed coronavirus cases of them in and around the capi- gion have had in containing the He tested positive again on Mexico’s Health Ministry re- This will be the third extra- Zepeda was questioned in on Wednesday, pushing the total tal, Buenos Aires, taking the total pandemic, despite widely vary- Wednesday, a development that ported on Wednesday 6,019 dition of a Chilean to France, April last year by a Chilean number of cases in Latin America number infected in the country ing strategies to combat the out- could disrupt a planned trip new confi rmed coronavirus in- and comes even though French judge in the presence of French past 4mn and underlining the to 141,900. break. through Brazil’s northeast over fections and 790 additional fa- authorities refuse to send investigators. diffi culty the region faces in con- Peru, which has the second- In Brazil, right-wing President the weekend. talities, bringing the total in the former Chilean guerrilla Ricar- He denies any hand in Kuro- trolling the pandemic. highest number of cases in Latin Jair Bolsonaro has consistently Argentina and Peru adopted country to 362,274 cases and do Palma Salamanca back to saki’s disappearance. Brazil registered 67,860 ad- America behind Brazil, added played down the seriousness of the strict lockdowns early on, but 41,190 deaths. his homeland to stand trial for While the case has generated ditional cases of the virus on 3,688 previously uncounted peo- pandemic, leaving mayors and state never managed to eliminate The Mexican government has the 1991 murder of right-wing little interest in Chile, it has Wednesday, along with 1,284 re- ple to its death toll on Wednesday, governors to implement a patch- community transmission of the said the real number of infect- senator Jaime Guzman. been followed closely in both lated deaths. taking fatalities to nearly 17,500. work of quarantine orders that have virus, and, as in Brazil, leaders ed people is likely signifi cantly “The Zepeda case is of a France and Japan. That brought the total number The Andean copper-produc- been progressively relaxed. have faced increasing pressure to higher than the confi rmed cases.

Face mask fashion: Cuba’s quinceaneras fl aunt style Ecuador’s Amazon tribes turn

Reuters to tech to track virus cases Havana

By Anastasia Moloney, tions tracked have increased Ecuador has reported uban girls are turning face Reuters to 1,733 from 47 since May 15. about 4,500 confi rmed Cov- masks into a fashion acces- Bogota “While this platform id-19 cases, including nearly Csory for their quinceanera shows important and dis- 150 deaths among indig- photoshoots, designing them to turbing numbers, each digit enous people, according to match their 15th birthday party out- cuador’s indigenous is a person, a mom, a dad, a the Washington-based Pan fi ts — both out of safety concerns groups in the Ama- grandfather or grandmother. American Health Organiza- and to show how they came of age Ezon have launched an We have lost a lot of elders tion (PAHO). during the coronavirus pandemic. information dashboard to — they are the keepers of Earlier this week, PAHO Cuba made face masks obliga- monitor the coronavirus and our traditions, our ancestral called on governments in tory in public spaces early on in identify contagion hotspots knowledge, our languages,” the region to “intensify ef- the outbreak and credits them with as the disease spreads said Marlon Vargas, head of forts” to stem the spread of helping it contain the spread of the through the rainforest and CONFENIAE, in a statement. the coronavirus among in- coronavirus on the island. threatens ancient cultures. “We are using technology digenous people as countries On Monday, it registered zero The dashboard, a col- to help document how we including Brazil, Ecuador, new cases nationwide. lection of charts that ag- are being aff ected and hope it Colombia and Mexico report As the country eases lockdown gregates coronavirus data, brings the resources we need a rise in the number of cases restrictions, face masks are even shows Covid-19 infection to combat this virus,” he said. and deaths among tribal becoming part of the quinceanera and death rates and sus- Indigenous groups across communities. celebrations — a rite of passage into pected and recovered cases the Amazon say they have To prevent the spread of womanhood common through- by area and tribe since early been largely left to fend for Covid-19, most indigenous out Latin America — that typically May, said The Confederation themselves, and that Cov- communities are isolating includes photoshoots with many of Indigenous Nationalities id-19 tests and health care themselves and have blocked glamorous ensembles. of the Ecuadorian Amazon services are not reaching roads, bridges and trails to “I had to design my face masks (CONFENIAE), which gath- their remote communities. close off their reserves. to fi t with my outfi t and for all the ered the information. “The goal of this dash- But as Ecuador’s corona- colours to work,” said birthday girl Naomi Ramos tries dresses for her quinceanera celebration in Havana. About 250,000 indigenous board is to show the spread virus lockdown has gradually Sofi a Valenzuela, on the sidelines people live in Ecuador’s Am- of Covid-19, identifying eased, oil companies have of a beach photoshoot in a fl oaty In one, for example, she poses in wake of the coronavirus-induced — called “nasobuco” or “nose azon region where they are outbreak hotspots that can restarted operations and white dress. front of a Havana wall covered in col- lockdown so creating matching mouth” in Cuban Spanish — eye- facing a high risk of infection inform emergency response have brought in workers and “The face mask was really im- ourful graffi ti while wearing a black masks is not always easy. catching “as if it was part of the and death from the corona- to priority areas,” said Car- equipment in and around portant because it marked an im- top, black and white checkered mini “I had to innovate,” she said. whole show.” virus due to malnutrition los Mazabanda, a fi eld coor- indigenous reserves, which portant stage of my life, these three skirt, and matching face mask. “You have to please those celebrat- Birthday girl Thaidelen Gonzalez and a lack of drinking water, dinator at Amazon Watch, raises the risk of exposure, months of pandemic.” Her seamstress Migdalaixis ing their quinceanera.” said it was also simply about being health services and Covid-19 an indigenous rights group according to Amazon Watch. Valenzuela did some of her Sanchez said she interlaced black Photographer Manuel Padron, careful. “The photos will turn out tests. that worked with CONFE- Across Ecuador, Covid-19 shoots without a mask — like the and white stripes to create the ma- who has been shooting quincean- well anyway so wearing a face mask According to data on the NIAE and others to build has claimed the lives of near- one on the beach — and others terial for the cloth mask. eras for more than 10 years, says and looking after oneself is not too dashboard, Covid-19 cases and maintain the dashboard ly 5,500 people and infected with, especially in urban spaces. Some shops are still shut in the the girls fi nd sporting a face mask onerous,” she said. among the 10 indigenous na- platform. about 76,000 others. Gulf Times 12 Friday, July 24, 2020 PAKISTAN

VIOLENCE CO-OPERATION LEGAL OPINION PEOPLE 18 injured in blast in Pakistan, China discuss Court extends Shehbaz Banning YouTube not 103-year-old man north-western Pakistan bilateral ties, CPEC interim bail till August 17 a solution: PM’s aide recovers from Covid-19

At least 18 people were injured in an explo- The second round of bilateral consultations The Lahore High Court yesterday extended Special assistant to the prime minister on Digital A 103-year-old man was discharged from a hos- sion in the city of Parachinar in north-west between Pakistan and China was held yesterday. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif interim bail Pakistan, Tania Aidrus, said that banning video pital in Chitral after beating coronavirus and fully Pakistan, an official said yesterday. The explo- Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and China’s till August 17, after he appeared before the streaming website YouTube was “not a solution”, recovering from the contagious disease. Aziz Abdul sion is thought to have been trigged by a Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui held consulta- court in the assets beyond means case. In the highlighting how the platform had created thou- Alim, a resident of Booni village, tested positive device, the official added. Two people are said tions through video link. They discussed Pakistan- previous hearing of the case, the court had sands of jobs for Pakistanis over the years. Taking to for coronavirus a couple of weeks ago, following to be in critical condition, hospital authori- China bilateral ties, the regional situation, extended Shehbaz’s bail till July 23. During the Twitter, Aidrus recalled how Pakistan’s content crea- which he was admitted to the Aga Khan Health ties said. Parachinar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enhancement of co-operation to control Covid-19, hearing, Shehbaz told the court that seven tor ecosystem had been held back the three years Services Emergency Response Centre where he province, is located around 20kms from the CPEC and strengthening of bilateral economic co- National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inves- when YouTube was banned in the country. “Banning received the treatment for the disease. The regional border with Afghanistan. It was formerly one operation. Speaking on the occasion, the foreign tigative officers had probed his case. “They a platform like YouTube is not a solution. The three head of Aga Khan Health Service (AKHS) said that of the semi-autonomous tribal areas under secretary said Pakistan and China are strategic (investigative officers) do not have anything to years when YouTube was banned in Pakistan it held during a two-week stay at the centre, the elderly federal administration until it was merged with co-operative partners. He said both the countries ask me but I am still being summoned,” said back our content creator ecosystem which has just man convalesced without requiring supplemental Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018. The area has desire mutual respect, respect for integrity and the former chief minister Punjab, adding that started to flourish now, creating employment oppor- oxygen. “We treated Aziz as a high-risk patient given repeatedly been the target of terrorist attacks sovereignty of each other, and promotion of he had risked his illness to arrive in Pakistan tunities for thousands,” she tweeted. Aidrus further his advanced age and provided him with appropri- by extremists such as the Pakistani Taliban peace, prosperity and stability on the basis of from London and braved court appearances tweeted that “brute force measures” like banning ate medical care along with psychosocial and moral and Al Qaeda. principles equal benefit and progress. and NAB inquiries. YouTube will not serve any purpose. support,” he added.

New UNGA chief Bozkir PM’s fi nance to reach Pakistan adviser on Monday removed Internews Islamabad from NFC nited Nations General Assembly (UNGA) presi- Udent-elect Volkan Bozkir Internews lio would now open the NFC will arrive in Pakistan on July 27, Islamabad dialogue or Dr Shaikh would Foreign Minister Shah Meh- be made minister for fi nance mood Qureshi said yesterday. through Senate, Chandna said Bozkir’s visit comes amid n a major politico-legal re- he would not speculate. heightened tensions between treat, the federal govern- Under the fresh notifi cation, Pakistan and India and increased Iment denotifi ed the adviser Javed Jabbar has also been re- unprovoked fi ring at the Line of to the prime minister on fi nance placed by Dr Kaiser Bengali as Control (LoC) targeting civilians and revenue and the fi nance non-statutory member from by the Indian side. secretary as members of the Balochistan on the NFC. Qureshi said he will present National Finance Commission Jabbar had resigned last Pakistan’s stance on occupied (NFC) and gave up a number of month after criticism from Kashmir and other regional is- its terms of reference (ToR). some Baloch politicians that he sues to the UNGA president The decision was taken af- did not belong to the province. during his visit. ter the government’s May 12 Interestingly, Dr Bengali, “India’s relations with its Faiza (left) and Sheerat Shabbir, who are sisters and got shrapnel wounds when a shell hit their family house, sit along with other villagers and jour- notifi cation on constitution of who had served as non-statu- neighbours, including China, nalists during a trip organised by the army, near the Line of Control (LoC) in Chirikot Sector, Kashmir. the 11-member NFC faced le- tory member from Balochistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are get- gal challenges in various high is also a non-Baloch. ting tense day by day,” Qureshi courts, along with a long list of The reconstituted nine- was quoted as saying by Radio ToR envisaging fresh specifi c member NFC is now led by the Pakistan. responsibilities and expenses federal minister for finance He added India’s ties in the re- to be shared by the provinces. and comprises four provin- gion were deteriorating due to its A fresh notifi cation for the cial finance ministers, besides Hindutva ideology. nine-member NFC and revised non-statutory members Tariq “Even Iran has dropped India Military accuses India ToR was submitted to the Is- Bajwa from Punjab, Dr Asad from Chabahar project,” Qureshi lamabad High Court on the ba- Sayeed from Sindh, Mushar- added. sis of which the court disposed raf Rasool Cyan from Khyber The foreign minister added off a petition of the opposition Pakhtunkhwa and Dr Kaiser India has been targeting civil- PML-N challenging the locus Bengali from Balochistan. ians along LoC and committing standi of adviser to the PM on The government has now violations of international laws. of increased shelling fi nance and revenue, Dr Abdul deleted a number of spe- Speaking about the visit of Hafeez Shaikh, and the fi nance cific subjects from the previ- a foreign media delegation to Reuters The military said that in 2019, matic relationship has worsened “Three of us sisters and our secretary as NFC members. ous notification and added a LoC, Qureshi said India always Chirikot Sector when ceasefi re violations hit a further as Delhi and Islamabad grandmother were injured,” she “The new notifi cation is in fresh subject suggesting the uses double standards but on more than decade-high peak, each ejected half of its neigh- said, adding that had spent four line with the constitution,” said Centre would like the prov- the other hand, Pakistan took there were just over 3,500 inci- bour’s diplomats. days in hospital being treated for fi nance ministry’s spokesman inces to share the financial a delegation of foreign media akistan’s military this dents. On Pakistan’s side of Kash- shrapnel wounds. Mohsin Mushtaq Chandna in a burden of national develop- to the LoC to show them the week said there had been mir, which is relatively heavily During interaction with a brief response to questions. ment projects and take some reality. Pan escalation in fi ring and Already in 2020 there populated close to the LoC, lo- group of international media Asked if the prime minister unspecified additional fiscal He wondered if India would shelling across the de facto bor- have been almost 1,800 cals said that shelling or firing which visited the Line of Con- holding the fi nance portfo- responsibilities. allow independent journalists to der that separates Pakistani and violations, the military was becoming a near-daily oc- trol at Chirikot Sector, residents visit occupied Kashmir. Indian-controlled Kashmir, at a said, adding that the currence. hoped the people of Indian Oc- “India keeps movements of time of heightened diplomatic surge during the more “It can start any time day or cupied Jammu and Kashmir will New number plates for Sindh vehicles the UN observers limited so tensions between the nuclear- volatile summer season night,” said Malik Mohamed taste freedom soon. that they cannot see the facts at armed neighbours. since June had been Ayub, a local deputy commis- The international media was The Sindh province of Pakistan’s duced by November this year. LoC,” Qureshi said. Major General Amer Ahsan more pronounced than in sioner, who said around four ci- shown areas in Poonch sector to- Cabinet in its meeting held The cabinet also paid rich trib- A day earlier, a foreign media Nawaz, the commander of Paki- previous years vilians were killed and 13 wound- wards Indian side from where In- in Karachi under Sindh Chief ute to sister Ruth Lewis, one of delegation met those aff ected by stani troops in Kashmir, accused ed in his district since he took the dian troops deliberately targeted Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah the founder members of Darul unprovoked shelling by the In- the Indian military of trying to Already in 2020 there have job four months ago. civilian population with heavy accorded approval to new Sakoon in Karachi and recom- dian army alongside LoC. distract attention from unrest in been almost 1,800 violations, Faiza Shabbir, 12, said she and weapons. security features number plates mended her name to the federal The visit was undertaken by its part of Kashmir. the military said, adding that the her sisters had been afraid when The international media was for vehicles in the province. government for a civil award. the media delegation ahead of “If you compare it to the past surge during the more volatile shelling began in their area ear- also shown the Indians’ surveil- The excise and taxation Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the fi rst anniversary of India’s years, there is a defi nite increase summer season since June had lier this month. lance grid and obstacle system department off icials informed sister Ruth Lewis served those unilateral decision to revoke oc- in this year,” he told reporters been more pronounced than in “Firing was going on, so we hid along the LoC. It also witnessed the meeting that these new people who were neglected in cupied Kashmir’s special status near the so-called Line of Con- previous years. in our house, then a shell hit our military posts deployed along number plates will be intro- the society. on August 5. trol (LoC). In recent months the diplo- roof. LoC eyeball to eyeball.

Govt moves court to seek Fun time Police look to prevent counsel for Indian spy cleric leaving seminary Internews causing tensions with the current Islamabad seminary administration. Internews Commander Jadhav of the Indian declined to take advantage of He returned to Jamia Hafsa Islamabad Navy illegally entered Pakistan the law, insisting that sympa- after two days following the in- on March 3, 2016, and was ar- thetic consideration be given he Islamabad police has tervention of ulema who assured rested by the Pakistani authori- to his mercy petition pending cordoned off the Jamia him the matter that brought him he government has moved ties in a counter-intelligence with chief of the army staff Gen THafsa to prevent former to the seminary would be re- the Islamabad High Court operation from Mashkel, Balo- Qamar Javed Bajwa. Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul solved. T(IHC) for appointment chistan. Section 2 of the ICJ Review and Aziz from leaving the seminary. In a message, Aziz threatened of state counsel for Indian spy, The naval commander con- Reconsideration Ordinance, 2020 Capital administration and to break the agreement with the Commander Kulbhushan Jad- fessed to his association with the empowers Pakistan’s high court police offi cials said Aziz recently capital administration, the offi - hav, to implement the verdict of Indian intelligence agency, RAW, to review and reconsider any de- announced he would return to cials said, after the disappearance the International Court of Justice and involvement in espionage cision where the ICJ has decided Lal Masjid because the capital’s of his close aide Maulana Idrees (ICJ) regarding his conviction. and terrorist activities in diff erent in relation to a foreign national in administration had violated an from outside Jamia Fareedia. The government fi led the pe- parts of Balochistan and Sindh. respect of rights under Article 36 agreement he made with them. The offi cials said Aziz’ wife tition through the law and jus- After a trial in a military court, of the Vienna Convention of Con- In response, a police contin- and students from Jamia Hafsa tice secretary after the agent the RAW agent was sentenced to sular Relations of April 24, 1963 or gent consisting of 150 offi cials, visited the seminary after Idrees’ of India’s intelligence agency, death on April 10, 2017. a foreign national was aggrieved in including counter terrorism de- disappearance, resulting in a Research and Analysis Wing The ICJ in its July 2019 ruling respect of the rights available un- partment, anti-terrorism force physical confrontation between (RAW), and the Indian govern- had asked Pakistan to grant con- der Article 36 of the Vienna Con- and anti-riot unit personnel, the students of both seminaries. ment avoided the remedy made sular access to India and called vention of Consular Relations of were deployed around the G-7 In response to the message, available to them by the federa- for an eff ective review and re- April 24, 1963. seminary to prevent him from police were deployed around Lal tion for fi ling a review petition consideration of Jadhav case. Such a foreign national, wheth- leaving. Masjid to prevent Aziz from en- against his death sentence. Pakistan invited India to move er himself or through his author- Aziz and his family moved to tering the mosque. The defence secretary and judge a review and reconsideration pe- ised representative or through a Jamia Hafsa from Lal Masjid in He later said he would go to the advocate general (JAG) at the Gen- tition before the IHC under “The consular offi cer of a mission of his June after reaching an agree- mosque, at which point police eral Headquarters (GHQ) have been International Court of Justice country, may fi le a petition before ment with the administration were also deployed around Jamia impleaded as respondents in the pe- (Review and Reconsideration) the high court for review and re- under which he was banned from Hafsa to stop him there. tition that urged the IHC to appoint Ordinance 2020” against his consideration in terms of Section entering the mosque for two They said he exited Jamia Haf- a counsel to review and reconsider conviction by a military court. 3 with regard to an order of con- months. sa with guards and few others, the military court verdict in accord- The invitation was extended viction or sentence awarded by a On July 7, Aziz, his family and but then went back inside after ance with the ICJ decision. to the Indian government af- military court operating under the Boys play in a water channel in Rawalpindi. Jamia Hafsa students moved into a brief chat with the police offi - According to the petition, ter Commander Jadhav twice Pakistan Army Act, 1952. Jamia Fareedia, a seminary in E-7, cials stationed there. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH A duty mankind owes to Allah

By Mohamed al-Qaasim ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: From ‘Umrah to ‘Umrah is an expiation for what occurs between the two (i.e. sins), and there llah the Most High says: And is no reward for the accepted Haj other Haj to the House (Al-Ka’aba) than Al-Jannah. Also he (sallallaahu is a duty mankind owes to ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated: Whoever AAllah, those who can aff ord makes Haj and neither quarrels or the expenses and whoever disbelieves, commits indecency will return home then Allah is not in need of any of the like the day his mother gave birth to him. ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn, and all that [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] exists). [Ale-Imraan 97] The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Also His statement: And perform sallam) strongly urged increasing one’s properly the Haj and the ‘Umrah for obedience and adherence between the Allah. [Al-Baqarah 196] And fi nally: And Haj and the ‘Umrah for he said: Make the proclaim to mankind the Haj. They will Haj and the ‘Umrah follow each other come to you on foot and on every lean closely, for they remove poverty and camel, they will come from every deep sins as a blacksmith’s bellows remove and distant mountain highway. [Al-Haj impurities from iron, gold and silver; 27]. and Haj which is accepted gets no less Dear Muslims, Haj is one of the fi ve a reward than Paradise. [Al-Tirmidhi pillars of Islam. The Messenger of Allah Hadith 2524 Narrated by Abdullah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ibn Mas’ud ; Umar ibn al-Khattaab. Islam is founded upon fi ve pillars: The Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it, and declaration that there is no true deity Ahmad and Ibn Maajah transmitted it worthy of worship besides Allah and that from Umar up to “from iron.”] Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also the performance of prayer (salaah), said in a hadith that enlivens the feelings giving zakaat (due alms), fasting in the and hurries you on: From ‘Umrah to month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage ‘Umrah is expiation for all that occurs (Haj) to the inviolable House of Allah for between them (of sins) and the accepted whoever has the means. [Al-Bukhari and Haj has no reward other than Al-Jannah. Muslim] [Muslim] Is a duty for every Muslim who is Along with this great reward is the able to hurry to the fulfi l the Haj before fact that the days of Haj are few. So falling into sin. The Messenger of Allah don’t hesitate and undervalue this stated: Hasten to the Haj because none chance while the means to travel are It is incumbent upon of pleasing Allah alone and attaining Funds that were lawfully earned so Travel: Make those supplications of you knows what will happen to him. much easier compared to past days and the reward of the Hereafter. This, so that nothing sinful may touch your that are well known, such as the [Ahmed]. you live a life of relative plenty. Favors the person undertaking that all one’s actions and speech and Haj. It may be that you Haj is accepted supplication of travel and the takbeer It is narrated from Abdur-Rahman call for gratitude and life is for the the Haj to intend their expenditure is a means to get closer to but tainted with some sin from some when ascending to a high point and the Ibn Saabit: Whoever dies without having purpose of worshipping Allah. Don’t Haj and ‘Umrah for the Allah. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa other way. It is stated in a hadith of the tasbeeh (Subhaanallah – glorifi cation performed the Haj and there was no delay further or procrastinate and sake of pleasing Allah sallam) said: Verily deeds are judged and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi of Allah as free of all perfection) when debilitating illness as an obstacle nor receive the good tidings as one of the alone and attaining the motivated by intention and verily every wa sallam) where he said: As soon as a descending in a valley, along with unjust ruler or some overwhelming delegations of Ar-Rahmaan (the Most person shall get what they intended. [Al- pilgrim sets out for Haj with a provision supplications when stopping at places necessity preventing him, would die in the Merciful), Allah, who has called them reward of the Hereaft er. Bukhari and Muslim] which is lawful, and puts his foot in the along the road etc. state of either a Jew or a Christian. [This and they have answered Him and He This, so that all one’s 3. Learn The Rites of Haj And ‘Umrah stirrup (rides his mount) and calls out: 9. Mentally Prepare For The Haj: Just statement is considered a da’eef (weak) has given to them. actions and speech and And Related Issues: Learn the conditions ‘O, Allah! Here I am in response to Your as important as preparing physically you hadith but it is supported by a similar Receive the glad tidings of a great day expenditure is a means of Haj and its obligations, its pillars and call,’ an announcer answers him from should prepare to make psychological statement by ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab and in which there will be many false steps to get closer to Allah. sunnah or supererogatory aspects to the the heavens above, saying: ‘Your call adjustments to deal with the hardships, therefore known to have a sound origin and slips of the tongue forgiven for the point that you can worship Allah with has been heard; you are a happy one; toils and inconvenience of travelling according to Al-Haafi z Ibn Hajar al- Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) insight clarity and knowledge and you your provisions are lawful, your mount and Haj and consider all of it as good Asqalaani in Talkhees Al-Kabeer] said: There is not a day when more slaves (Al-Istikhaarah and Al-Istishaara) : The will also avoid errors which may spoil is lawful and your pilgrimage is free of to be added to your scale of deeds. It is narrated by Sa’eed ibn Mansour are freed from the Hellfi re than on the one who seeks guidance will not fail, your Haj. Books on Haj are plentiful and sin and acceptable.’ But, if his provisions There are those who just complain that Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (radiallahu Day of Arafah. [Muslim] nor will the one who seeks advice regret easy to obtain. Your local mosque may are unlawfully gained, and he puts his and mumble about the heat, the food, ‘anhu) said: I have considered sending a Be happy and fi nd comfort and it. Seek the guidance of Allah regarding have preparatory classes as well. foot in the stirrup and calls out: ‘O Allah! the long trip... Haj is not a vacation or man to the various cities to see whoever prepare for the meeting with Allah the the appropriate time, transportation 4. Leave Plenty Of Provisions For Your Here I am in response to Your call,’ an recreational activity! Know that the has the means but has not made the Haj Glorifi ed and Majestic, and benefi t and companions for your journey. Family And Advise Them To Have Fear announcer from the heavens above highest type of patience, and the type to then impose the jizyah (a tax imposed from your time by doing that which will The Istikhaarah prayer is to perform Of Allah (Taqwaa): It is obligatory for answers him back, saying: ‘Your call is that is most greatly rewarded, is patience upon non-Muslim subjects in an Islamic benefi t you in the next life and it will two units (rak’atain) of prayer and whoever intends to make Haj that they not accepted; nor are you welcome; your in the obedience of Allah. Even with all state). They are not Muslims. They are then be cause for joy at the time when no afterwards supplicate to Allah saying the leave adequate provisions for those whose food is unlawful; your provisions are the transportation and road facilities, not Muslims. amount of wealth nor progeny will avail supplication of Al-Istikhaarah which is maintenance they are responsible for of unlawful; and your pilgrimage is not free some hardship and toil will remain. It is therefore a duty for you my you. The Day when the records will be as follows: O Allah, I consult You as You money, food, and drink. One should be of sin and is unacceptable.”’ Al-Mundhri Don’t nullify your deeds dear pilgrim brother or sister Muslim to fulfi l this made to fl y and hearts will be trembling are All-Knowing and I appeal to You to confi dent that their family is safe and says: “This is reported by At-Tabarani by mentioning all you have done or great obligation when it is easy at this and transformed and you will see people give me power as You are Omnipotent, sound and not left in a situation of trial in Al-Awsat, and also by Al-Asbahani in irritations and petty annoyances and time for you to do so, and all praise is as though they are drunken however I ask You for Your great favour, for You or danger. It is highly recommended (and a mursal hadith from Aslam, the freed driving away other Muslims by your due to Allah. Don’t let the Shaitaan they will not be ... rather it will be the have power and I do not, and You know many scholars say obligatory) to have one’s slave of ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab.” hand or your tongue. You must apply cause you to sit and be overtaken by intense punishment from Allah. all of the hidden matters . O Allah ! If you will prepared before travelling. It is said in a poem: kindness and compassion. procrastination and be distracted by Dear brothers and sisters, work for know that this matter (then he should 5. Sincere Repentance To Allah For When you make Haj with wealth 10. Lower The Gaze From What some desire. Ask yourself...How long this world to the extent needed to live mention it) is good for me in my religion, All Sins And Disobedience: Allah, Who whose origin is unlawful Allah Has Made Haraam To Look At: Be will you delay it? Till next year? Who in it, but work also for the Hereafter my livelihood, and for my life in the is free of all imperfections, states: And You have not made a Haj but a Haj of conscious and fear Allah regarding those knows what condition you will be in next in order to live in it. Don’t put things Hereafter, (or he said: ‘for my present all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O no consequence things which are unlawful. You will be year? Think of the generations and how off when death is indeed before you and future life,’) then make it (easy) for believers, that you may be successful. Allah accepts not except all that is in holy places of tremendous religious they used to trek to the Haj for months to and sickness stops you or you become me. And if you know that this matter [An-Noor 31] True repentance (At- virtuous. Not all who make the Haj to the signifi cance, so hold your tongue and reach the Ancient House! engulfed in work. Instead, escape is not good for me in my religion, my Taubah) is when one renounces all his or House of Allah are successful control your limbs so that your Haj is The benefi ts of Haj are tremendous from all that and seek Allah’s aid and livelihood and my life in the Hereafter, her sins and disobedience to Allah and His 7. Choose Righteous Companions: not a sinful or false one that will be a and its reward is glorious. It combines depend upon Him and be among those (or he said: ‘for my present and future Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) They will be good for you during travel burden upon your back on the Day of both physical and material forms who are answering the call to Haj and life,’) then keep it away from me and take and discontinues doing them and feel for they will remind you of what you may Resurrection. of worship. The former due to the remembering Allah’s greatness this year. me away from it and choose what is good truly remorseful for those past ill deeds have forgotten and inform you of what May Allah accept our obedience undergoing any hardship, exertion, My brother or sister Muslim: If Allah for me wherever it is and please me with and is determined not to return to them. If you may not know and look out for you and adherence and excuse us of our fatigue, strain, harsh conditions has already opened your breast and you it.” [Al-Bukhari] someone else’s rights have been violated and show you brotherly love. They will shortcomings and make for us and our and travel. The latter is due to the have decided to perform the Haj for His 2. Purify Your Intention To Perform they must be given back their rightful consider all of that as an act of worship Muslim parents those through whom expenditure the pilgrim makes for and sake and the reward of the Hereafter, I The Haj For Allah Alone: It is incumbent possessions or made amends with no gaining them nearness to Allah the forgiveness is granted from among the during the Haj. remind you of the following matters: upon the person undertaking the Haj to matter what the violation may have been. Mighty and Majestic. pilgrims answering the call this year and The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 1. Ask Allah For Guidance And Advice intend their Haj and ‘Umrah for the sake 6. Use Only Lawful (halaal) Funds: 8. Adhere To The Etiquette Of in the years to come. A history of Haj aj literally means ‘to set they should present themselves before the supplication of Ibraaheem to be stopped. Instead, Allah told them: any provisions for the journey. In the out for a place’. Islamically, Allah in the same condition they were answered: “And when you have completed your pre-Islamic period, some people who however, it refers to the born. Their prayer became devoid of “Our Lord! Send amongst them rites [of Haj] then remember Allah as claimed to be mutawakkiloon (those Hannual pilgrimage that all sincere remembrance of Allah and a Messenger of their own, who shall you remember your forefathers; nay having complete trust in Allah) would Muslims make to Makkah with the was instead reduced to a series of hand recite unto them your aayaat (verses) with a more vigorous remembrance.” travel to perform Haj begging food the intention of performing certain religious clapping, whistling and the blowing and instruct them in the book and the (Surah al-Baqarah 2:200) whole journey. They considered this rites in accordance with the method of horns. Even the talbiyyah* was Wisdom and sanctify them. Verily Competitions in generosity were also form of behaviour a sign of piety and an prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad distorted by them with the following you are the ‘Azeezul-Hakeem [the prohibited. Of course, the feeding of the indication of how much faith they had (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). additions: ‘No one is Your partner All-Mighty, the All-Wise].” (Surah al- poor pilgrims was still encouraged as in Allah. However Allah told mankind Haj and its rites were fi rst ordained except one who is permitted by you. Baqarah 2:129) this was done in the time of Ibraaheem that to have suffi cient provisions for the by Allah in the time of the Prophet You are his Master and the Master of Sure enough, a man named but Allah commanded that the journey was one of the preconditions for lbraaheem [Abraham] (‘alaihi-s-salaam) what he possesses’. Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullaah (sallallaahu slaughtering of the animals which was making Haj. He said: and he was the one who was entrusted Sacrifi ces were also made in the ‘alaihi wa sallam) was born in the very done for this purpose should be done “And take a provision [with you] for by Allah to build the Ka’aba – the House name of God. However, the blood of the city that Ibraaheem (AS) had made seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than the journey, but the best provision is of Allah – along with his son Ismaa’eel sacrifi ced animals was poured onto the this supplication centuries earlier. fame and the praise of the people. He at-Taqwaa (piety).” (Surah al-Baqarah [Ishmael] at Makkah. Allah described walls of the Ka’aba and the fl esh was hung For 23 years, the Prophet Muhammad said: 2:197) the Ka’aba and its building as follows: from pillars around the Ka’aba, in the (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) spread the “So mention the name of Allah over In this way, all the pre-Islamic “And remember when We showed belief that Allah demanded the fl esh and message of Tawheed [true monotheism] these animals when they are drawn up practices, which were based in Ibraaheem the site of the [Sacred] House blood of these animals. – the same message that Ibraaheem and in lines. Then, when they are drawn ignorance, were abolished and Haj was [saying]: Associate not anything [in Singing, drinking, adultery and all the other Prophets came with – and on their sides [after the slaughter], eat once more made a model of piety, fear of worship with Me and purify My House other acts of immorality were rife established the law of Allah upon the thereof and feed the beggar who does Allah, purity, simplicity and austerity. for those who circumambulate it [i.e. amongst the pilgrims and the poetry land. He expended every eff ort into not ask, and the beggar who asks.” Now, when the pilgrims reached the perform tawaaf] and those who stand competitions, which were held, were making the word of Allah supreme and (Surah al-Haj 22:36) Ka’aba, they no longer found the up for prayer and those who bow down a major part of the whole Haj event. In his victory over falsehood culminated As for the deplorable practice of carnivals and the frolic and frivolity and make prostration [in prayer, etc.].” these competitions, poets would praise in the smashing of the idols inside the spattering blood of the sacrifi ced that had once occupied the minds of the (Surah al-Haj 22:26) the bravery and splendour of their own Ka’aba which once again became the animals on the walls of the Ka’aba and pilgrims there before. Now, there was After building the Ka’aba, Ibraaheem tribesmen and tell exaggerated tales of universal centre for the worshippers of hanging their fl esh on altars, then Allah the remembrance of Allah at every step would come to Makkah to perform the cowardice and miserliness of other the one True God. clearly informed them that: and every action and every sacrifi ce was Haj every year, and after his death, tribes. Competitions in generosity were Not only did the Prophet rid the “It is neither their meat nor their devoted to Him alone. It was this kind this practice was continued by his son. also staged where the chief of each tribe Ka’aba of all its impurities, but he also blood that reaches Allah, but it is of Haj that was worthy of the reward “And take a However, gradually with the passage would set up huge cauldrons and feed reinstated all the rites of Haj which were Taqwaa (piety) from you that reaches of paradise, as the Prophet (sallallaahu provision of time, both the form and the goal of the pilgrims, only so that they could established by Allah’s Permission, in the Him.” (Surah al-Haj 22:37) ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The reward for [with you] for the Haj rites were changed. As idolatry become well-known for their extreme time of Ibraaheem. Specifi c injunctions The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa an accepted Haj is nothing less than spread throughout Arabia, the Ka’aba generosity. in the Qur’an were revealed in order to sallam) also put a stop to the practice of paradise.” [Saheeh al-Bukhari] the journey, lost its purity and idols were placed Thus the people had totally eliminate all the false rites which had circling the Ka’aba in a state of nudity May Allah grant us all the ability to but the best inside it. Its walls became covered with abandoned the teachings of their become rampant in the pre-Islamic and the argument that the pagans put visit His House and perform the Haj in poems and paintings, including one forefather and leader Ibraaheem. period. All indecent and shameful forward to justify this ritual was sharply the manner of the Prophet Muhammad provision is of Jesus and his mother Maryam and The House that he had made pure for acts were strictly banned in Allah’s rebutted in Allah’s question: (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). at-Taqwaa eventually over 360 idols came to be the worship of Allah alone, had been statement: “Say: Who has forbidden the placed around the Ka’aba. totally desecrated by the pagans and “There is to be no lewdness nor adornment [i.e. clothes] given by Allah Footnote (piety).” (Surah During the Haj period itself, the rites which he had established wrangles during Haj.” (Surah al-Baqarah which He has produced for His Slaves?” z Labbaik Allaahumma labbaik... al-Baqarah the atmosphere around the sacred were completely distorted by them. 2:197) (Surah al-A’raaf 7:32) (Here I am present, O’ Allah, I am 2:197) precincts of the Ka’aba was like a This sad state of aff airs continued Competitions among poets in the Another custom which was present...) This is the chant which the circus. Men and women would go for nearly 2,500 years. But then after exaltations of their forefathers and prohibited through the Qur’an was that pilgrims say when they are going around round the Ka’aba naked, arguing that this long period, the time came for their tribesmens’ achievements were all of setting off for Haj without taking the Ka’aba. Gulf Times 14 Friday, July 24, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES The many obstacles to opening schools in the United States

Opening public schools in the United States this fall requires more than throwing wide the doors, ushering in the kids and ringing the bells. That may come as news to a particularly loud voice in the Oval Offi ce, but every state and local offi cial working on the problem knows it all too well. So even as everyone wants to see students return as scheduled, there needs to be a plan for doing so. One that ensures safety, protects everyone – students, teachers, administrators, staff and families – and inspires confi dence. The country is not there yet. Not even close. Plans are all over, everywhere. Disjointed. Inconsistent. “In the works.” From American to There are a few common denominators: Confusion. Apprehension. Fear. Once the virus was loose in the country, it was destined to be chaotic – and for one broad, universal, perfectly obvious reason: a lack of preparation. America was not European exceptionalism prepared. Virginia was If America cannot not prepared. Nobody was By Stephen S Roach today’s charged and polarised political On macro imbalances, the precipitous one-third of its broader budget package prepared. New Haven environment. And there was a major decline in US domestic saving that for green infrastructure and related open the schools The response suff ered tug of war over the composition of underpinned my original argument spending initiatives. US President its own set of diffi culties, the EU fund, which will comprise now seems to be well under way. Donald Trump has unfortunately gone safely, with the too. America is a working hose are tough words to swal- €390bn in one-off Covid relief grants The initial pandemic-related spike in precisely the opposite direction, democracy, with many low for a hardcore Eurosceptic. and €360bn in longer-duration loans. in personal saving now seems to be continuing to dismantle most of the public’s trust and players, competing Like many, I have long been While the devil could lurk in the receding, with the personal saving environmental regulations put in place by President Barack Obama’s centres of authority and Tcritical of Europe’s Economic details, the bottom line is clear: the rate falling from 32% in April to 23% in and Monetary Union as a dysfunc- Next Generation EU plan will draw May, while the federal budget defi cit is administration, to say nothing of having confi dence, it countless voices. All these tional currency area. Notwithstand- critical support from large-scale exploding, spiking to $863bn in June withdrawn from the Paris accord in would be better to participants have chimed ing a strong political commitment to issuance of pan-European sovereign alone – almost equalling the $984bn early 2017. in, mostly in reaction European unifi cation as the antidote bonds. That fi nally puts Europe on the shortfall for all of 2019. And, of course, The Covid containment disparity not rush things to events and the eff ect to a century of war and devastating map as the backer of a new risk-free the US Congress is just days away from is equally striking. New cases in the too much resembles a bloodshed, there was always a critical asset in a world that up until now has enacting yet another multi-trillion- US soared to a record daily high of cacophony of noise. leg missing from the EMU stool: fi scal only known only one: US Treasuries. dollar Covid-19 relief bill. This will 67,000 in the week ending July 21 – up Our most prominent, visible political leadership – the White union. Europe’s fi scal breakthrough put enormous pressure on already- a staggering 208% from mid-June. In House, the state governors – get to wear logo jackets, fl y in Not anymore. The historic agreement drives an important wedge between depressed domestic saving – the net the EU-27, the daily count of newly helicopters, hold press conferences, issue edicts, orders and reached on July 21 on a €750bn ($868bn) the overvalued US dollar and the national saving rate was just 1.5% of confi rmed infections has remained guidelines. European Union recovery fund, dubbed undervalued euro. Recent trading in national income in the largely pre- roughly stable since mid-May, at a But you know what? By American tradition, habit and law, public Next Generation EU, changes that – foreign-exchange markets now seems pandemic fi rst quarter of 2020 – and little over 5,000. Given that the EU’s schools remain a locally controlled enterprise. with profound and lasting implications to be catching on to this. But there is a put the current account on a path population is 35% larger, America’s Every authoritative pronouncement you hear about K-12 public for both an overvalued US dollar and an long way to go. Notwithstanding a surge toward a record defi cit. abysmal failure at containing the education – no matter how confi dent and brave, no matter whether undervalued euro. in June and early July, the broad euro The comparison with Europe is coronavirus is all the more glaring governmental or journalistic – has to be understood in the context of Unlike the United States, which index remains 14% below its October particularly compelling from this on a per capita basis. Moreover, the 2009 high in real terms, whereas the perspective. Whereas the International expansion of coronavirus testing who is running the show, meaning local cities and counties. appears to be squandering the opportunities presented by the epic dollar, despite weakening in recent Monetary Fund expects the US current- in the US is actually decelerating One should understand why things have been so fragmented and Covid-19 crisis, Europe has risen to the weeks, remains 29% above its July 2011 account defi cit to hit 2.6% of GDP just as the infection rate is often inconsistent. The patterns – or lack thereof – were established occasion – and not for the fi rst time. In low. My prediction of a 35% drop in the in 2020, the EU is expected to run a exploding, undermining the Trump early on. July 2012, in the depths of a seemingly broad dollar index is premised on the current-account surplus of 2.7% of GDP administration’s vacuous justifi cation Schools (more or less) were shuttered in 50 states in March and fatal sovereign debt crisis, then-ECB belief that this is just the beginning of a – a diff erential of 5.3 percentage points. that more testing is driving the rise in April – and were kept closed, even when it was known that it would President Mario Draghi vowed to do long-overdue realignment between the With the US entering the Covid crisis infections. With Europe’s much deeper profoundly throw life out of kilter. “whatever it takes” to defend the world’s two major currencies. with a much thinner saving cushion and commitment to public-health policy After all, people were getting sick, lives were at risk, the death toll beleaguered euro. While that pledge I fully recognise that currency calls moving far more aggressively on the and enforcement, whose currency was mounting. solidifi ed the European Central Bank’s have long been the trickiest macro fi scal front, the net-saving and current- would you rather own? After that, the schools (more or less) took a stab at on-line credibility as an unshakable guardian forecasts of all. Former US Federal account diff erentials will continue American exceptionalism has long instruction and, boy, was that ever uneven and often unfair. of the single currency, it did nothing to Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan to shift in Europe’s favour – putting been the icing on the cake for the Not every family has a snazzy wireless and a faultless computer address the greater imperative: the need famously put them on a par with coin signifi cant downward pressure on the Tefl on-like US dollar. Those days are setup. Children who relied upon school lunch for nutritional support to trade national sovereignty for a pan- tosses. Still, sometimes it pays to take dollar. gone. As the world’s most unloved faced additional hurdles. Previous social and economic inequities European fi scal transfer mechanism. a stab. The same is true from the standpoint major currency, the euro may well be were amplifi ed. The July 21 agreement accomplishes My bearish view that an overvalued of global leadership, especially headed for an exceptional run of its with America pushing ahead on own. Downward pressure on the dollar Early summer yielded to optimism. We’re going to get through this. just that. And now the EMU stool fi nally dollar is ripe for a sharp decline refl ects has all three legs: a common currency, two strains of analysis: America’s deglobalisation, decoupling, and will only intensify as a result. – Project The fall will be better. one central bank, and a credible rapidly worsening macroeconomic trade protectionism. Moreover, I was Syndicate Now doubt rules again. Indecision is rampant. commitment to a unifi ed fi scal policy. imbalances and a government that particularly impressed by Europe’s Offi cials face two competing points of views. Families want the Of course, the deal is far from is abdicating all semblance of global latest eff orts to address climate change O Stephen S Roach is a faculty member schools to reopen in the fall while teachers remain wary and resistant. perfect. Signifi cantly, it requires leadership. The July 21 breakthrough in — not only framing Next Generation EU at Yale University and the author of Everyone is watching, thinking, taking soundings, trying to do the unanimous consent from the EU’s 27 Europe, and what it means for the euro, to be compliant with the Paris climate Unbalanced: The Codependency of best thing. member states – always a nail biter in only deepens my conviction. agreement, but also earmarking close to America and China. The uncertainty may not soon change. History says so. The last, great infl uenza epidemic struck America in the fall of 1918, took a heavy toll and subsided. But it did not stop fl aring: Ten years later, “Infl uenza Deaths Increasing,” read the Danville Bee headline on Dec. 27, 1928, and, over the next three weeks, between 100,000 and 125,000 new cases were reported. This business does not quit – not until a vaccine emerges. To open schools without it means tackling a host of issues – logistics, location, transportation, social distancing and cleanliness, among many others – to the community’s satisfaction, and doing so in a matter of weeks, not months. School offi cials are doing their best but it’s hard to believe they will be able to clear those hurdles in so fl uid a situation. And if America cannot open the schools safely, with the public’s trust and confi dence, it would be better to not rush things. – Tribune News Service

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected] European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel bump elbows at the end of the news conference following a four days European summit at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, early July 21, 2020. EU leaders approved a 750bn-euro package to revive their coronavirus-ravaged © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved economies after a tough 90-hour summit on July 21, along with a tn-euro budget for the next seven years. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2020 15 COMMENT How to change people’s minds about science

By Hugo Mercier down about half of its nuclear credibility of that information, Paris power capacity in response to for example by asking how public pressure following the many studies there have been 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident on the topic, or whether the n some issues, the in Japan. But that decision scientists involved have confl icts majority of scientists indirectly resulted in thousands of interest. As long as these agree, but large seg- of deaths from air pollution as questions are not answered, GM Oments of the public production by coal-fi red power food’s critics won’t change their are not convinced, resulting in plants replaced the lost nuclear minds much. consensus gaps. Unfortunately, output. During a 2018 science festival many of the most important gaps Yet, in most cases, people are in France, researchers Sacha today relate to sustainability. happy to accept the scientifi c Altay and Camille Lakhlifi For example, there is a long- consensus, assuming that they attempted to relay the scientifi c standing scientific consensus are aware of it: few dispute consensus about GM food to about the reality of climate that water is H2O or that light small groups. In discussions change and what causes it. consists of photons, for example. lasting up to a half-hour, they Yet, ten years ago, only half To understand why consensus addressed many counter- of Americans believed that gaps exist in some domains, and arguments, and created human activity caused global how we can bridge them, we substantial shifts in opinion, warming (and one-third need to consider the psychology with participants’ average still doubt it). Similarly, the of communication, or how we view of GM food going from overwhelming majority of decide what to believe and whom opposition to tentative support. scientists, along with expert to trust. A newly formed scientifi c groups, agree that genetically When we evaluate a message, consensus does not modified foods are safe to eat, we fi rst compare its content automatically and immediately and can play an important with our pre-existing opinion: gain acceptance among the part in helping to feed the if there is a clash, we tend to public. This does not mean that world while reducing carbon reject the message. In the case people are hopelessly stubborn, dioxide emissions. But in most of scientifi c information, people but rather that they need countries, large numbers of cannot rely on their personal good reasons to change their citizens think that GM foods experience, but they still have minds. Scientists, educators, harm both consumers and the intuitions. Unfortunately, most and other public fi gures must environment. scientifi c theories are counter- communicate the consensus, Furthermore, most experts intuitive: my intuitions tell me explain the basic mechanisms – including the United Nations that the sun revolves around the involved, and patiently and Intergovernmental Panel on earth, which is fl at, for example. knowledgeably talk to people and Climate Change – believe Similarly, many fi nd it intuitively A Romanian farmer shows genetically modified soybeans in the village of Varasti, 130km southeast of Bucharest, in this file photo. address their remaining qualms. that nuclear power should implausible that puny humans We cannot hope to overcome play a role in lowering global can aff ect Earth’s climate, have organised resistance. scientific consensus exists in we do. Many people may think When people are taught about consensus gaps if we give up on greenhouse-gas emissions. an instinctively negative reaction But rejecting messages that a given domain, they tend to they know how a toilet fl ush mechanisms – such as how reasoned discourse. – Project But in many countries, a large to foods that have been modifi ed do not fit with our intuitions is adjust their opinions in the works, but when asked to explain climate change works, and what Syndicate share of the population regard in “unnatural” ways, and have a only an initial reaction, which direction of the consensus. the mechanism, most realise that GM technology is – their respect nuclear energy as dangerous learned fear of nuclear energy, can be overcome under the Still, why not simply accept their understanding is actually for the scientifi c consensus O Hugo Mercier is a research and even polluting. probably because of its link with right conditions. For starters, the consensus? How can fairly limited. Yet, even if few of increases. scientist at the Institut Jean These consensus gaps are nuclear weapons. people pay attention to a members of the public believe us would claim to know exactly But the best way to change Nicod – part of the French worrying not only because Unsurprisingly, therefore, variety of cues in deciding how that they are more likely to be how a nuclear reactor functions, people’s minds is through National Center for Scientifi c they lead to socially costly many scientifi c results in these much they should trust the right on a scientifi c issue than or how GM food is produced, respectful argumentation. When Research (CNRS) – and the individual actions that generate fi elds percolate only slowly to source of any message, and, thousands of experts who have we still tend to overestimate opponents of GM food are told author of Not Born Yesterday: large amounts of CO2, but the public – especially if interest fortunately, they still trust spent their lives studying it? our understanding and thus that scientists think such food The Science of Who We Trust also because public opinion groups capitalise on the fi ndings’ scientists. As a result, when Alas, we all tend to believe that downplay the knowledge gap is perfectly safe to consume, and What We Believe (Princeton infl uences policy. Germany shut counter-intuitiveness to mount people are informed that a we understand things better than between us and the scientists. they will likely question the University Press, 2020).

Trump’s ancient ballot lie Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 390c were excluded. Some of these twist to the story brought about citizenship. States have also limited Minimum Temperature : 350c By David Stasavage elections were no doubt rowdy a feature of voting that we view turnout by reducing the number of New York SATURDAY and undisciplined – as democracy as sacred today. Some members polling stations. Maximum Temperature : 390c often is – but they allowed for much of Parliament advocated not only The clear eff ect of these measures Minimum Temperature : 340c s the United States heads greater (male) participation than expanding the franchise, but also is to tilt the playing fi eld against SUNDAY towards its most signifi cant would soon be the case. making the ballot for elections to the low-income and minority groups. Maximum Temperature : 400c and contentious presi- In 1429, members of the House of House of Commons secret. Since Much like in England 600 years ago, Minimum Temperature : 340c dential election in a very Commons petitioned King Henry time immemorial, voting in county the stated objective – preserving the Fisherman's forecast A VI to agree to a new law ostensibly elections had taken place in public, long time, there is much talk about integrity of the electoral process – is intended to ensure that county enabling people with means to just a convenient smokescreen. voting by mail. Some see this option WARNING as necessary to ensure ballot access elections to Parliament proceeded intimidate or bribe others to vote as In the US debate over voting by Inshore : Thundery rain ex- for all amid the Covid-19 pandemic, peacefully. The petition stated that instructed. mail – a measure supported by a pected associated with sudden strong wind by particularly blue-collar workers and without this new law, “homicides, But it would be another 40 years large majority of American adults afternoon minority groups, who have dispro- riots, assaults, and divisions will before Parliament fi nally adopted – opponents of broad electoral Offshore : Nil most probably arise and occur.” the 1872 Ballot Act. One of the main participation are once again raising WEATHER portionately high infection rates. But Inshore : Haze at places at first others, including President Donald In other words, the law’s backers reasons for the delay in introducing the specter of fraud and corruption becomes hot daytime Trump, vociferously oppose mail-in claimed, the integrity of the electoral secret balloting was that opponents to pursue narrow partisan goals. with some clouds and a chance of rain maybe ballots, pointing to a purported risk process was in danger. argued – once again – that it would Without citing any evidence, they thundery at west areas of fraud. But the parliamentarians’ jeopardise the integrity of the claim that this new voting system and blowing dust proposed method of addressing the electoral process. Some MPs had is somehow subject to greater WIND Their argument is bogus – and Inshore : Northeasterly-South- not exactly new. For the last six perceived problem betrayed their true proposed a secret ballot as early as irregularities than traditional in- easterly 05-15/30 KT centuries, those seeking to limit the motivation. They called for the county 1830, but others argued then that person voting. Offshore : Southeasterly-North- easterly 05-15/18 KT franchise have sought to achieve election franchise to be restricted such a measure would result in But the real fear of Trump and Visibility : 4-8/3 KM their goals by citing the need to to those who owned land with an “eternal suspicion and hypocrisy.” others is that mail-in voting will Offshore : 2-4/5 FT maintain the “integrity” of the annual return of at least 40 shillings, a In 1862, another opponent of secret boost turnout and aid Democratic electoral system. signifi cant sum at the time. ballots said much the same thing, candidates, even though it is not Consider England in the early The root cause of the problem, as claiming that, “instead of being a even certain that such an eff ect exists Around the region fi fteenth century. At that time, each the law’s supporters saw it, was “the check on bribery, it would facilitate in states that already allow it. We Weather Weather English county sent two “knights too great and excessive numbers of it by preventing detection in many can only hope that the advocates of Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min of the shire” as representatives people” who had been participating cases.” expanded suff rage will eventually Baghdad M Sunny 50/30 M Sunny 50/30 to Parliament. And because there in elections. The 40-shilling rule Sadly, such arguments are being resume their winning streak. – Kuwait City Sunny 43/32 Sunny 42/31 was no formal law governing how became law in England in 1430, echoed today in the US, which Project Syndicate Manama Sunny 41/33 Sunny 41/34 these knights (a largely honorifi c and would not be repealed until has entered a new era of voting Muscat Sunny 34/29 Sunny 34/30 term) would be selected, it fell to Parliament passed the Great Reform restrictions that recalls its past O David Stasavage is Dean for Tehran P Cloudy 38/26 M Sunny 38/27 each county’s sheriff to organise an Act of 1832. disenfranchisement of African- the Social Sciences at New York election. With that act, Parliament had Americans. In recent years, 25 US University and author of The Decline By custom, all free male fi nally come around to the idea states have passed laws that make and Rise of Democracy: A Global inhabitants of a county had the that the 40-shilling rule was an it more diffi cult to vote, such as by History from Antiquity to Today right to participate, while women anachronism. But then a new requiring a photo ID or even proof of (Princeton University Press 2020).

Live issues

Around the world Blood test fi nds cancers before Weather Weather Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 35/23 Sunny 36/23 Beirut Sunny 30/25 Sunny 29/26 standard diagnosis: study Bangkok T Storm 32/26 T Storm 32/26 Berlin M Sunny 23/11 P Cloudy 22/12 Cairo Sunny 37/23 Sunny 37/23 AFP people at higher risk, based on individuals enrolled in a 10-year for DNA signatures specifi c to Cape Town Sunny 18/11 P Cloudy 18/11 Paris family history, age or other known health survey of 120,000 people in diff erent cancers. Colombo M Cloudy 29/26 P Cloudy 30/26 risk factors,” said co-author Kun China, conducted between 2007 and More large-scale studies across long Dhaka T Storm 30/26 T Storm 30/26 Zhang, head of the bioengineering 2017. time periods are needed to confi rm the Hong Kong P Cloudy 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 blood test has been shown department at the University of The monitoring programme potential of the test for early cancer Istanbul Sunny 30/22 Sunny 29/21 to detect fi ve types of cancer California San Diego and an equity included regular blood samples. detection, the authors cautioned. Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 S T Storms 32/24 years before the diseases holder in Singlera Genomics, which For 191 patients diagnosed with Half of the 32 authors either work Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 S T Storms 33/29 Acould be spotted using con- developed the test. cancer, the scientists used the new test for Singlera Genomics, are co- London Cloudy 24/16 M Cloudy 25/16 ventional diagnostic methods, accord- Early detection of cancers is crucial to analyse blood samples taken up to inventors of patents related to the test Manila T Storm 33/26 T Storm 32/26 ing to a study published on Tuesday. because survival is signifi cantly four years earlier. or hold equity in the company. Moscow S T Storm 21/16 T Storm 21/12 Developed by a Sino-US startup, the enhanced when the disease can be They separately detected cancer — Cancer is a leading cause of death New Delhi S T Storms 31/26 S Showers 31/26 test found cancers in 91% of people treated in its early stages and tumours with 88% accuracy — of 113 patients worldwide, accounting for nearly New York Sunny 34/24 S T Storms 31/26 who showed no symptoms when the can be removed, whether surgically, who were already diagnosed when the 10mn deaths a year. Paris Sunny 27/13 P Cloudy 27/14 blood sample was collected but were with drugs or with radiation. blood samples were collected. In 2018, lung cancer caused 1.76mn Sao Paulo Sunny 27/14 M Sunny 27/14 diagnosed one-to-four years later To date, however, there are few The technique, developed over deaths, colon cancer 862,000, Seoul P Cloudy 31/22 S T Storms 29/22 with stomach, esophageal, colon, lung eff ective early screening tests a decade, is designed to detect stomach cancer 783,000, liver cancer Singapore S T Storms 30/26 T Storm 29/26 or liver cancer, researchers reported in available. asymptomatic disease based on 782,000, and esophageal cancer Sydney M Sunny 15/07 P Cloudy 16/07 Nature Communications. Researchers examined blood a biological process called DNA 508,000, according to the World Tokyo Cloudy 28/22 Cloudy 31/24 “The immediate focus is to test samples from more than 600 methylation analysis, which screens Health Organisation (WHO). Gulf Times 16 Friday, July 24, 2020 QATAR Qatar Airways launches service to Cebu zThe Philippines city joins Brisbane and Toronto as the national carrier’s new destinations added recently

atar Airways “continues pandemic, and we have helped in total, comprising of passen- mous for its white sand beach- to show its resilience”, more than two million people ger freighters, belly-hold cargo es, turquoise waterfalls and Qlaunching another new get home to their loved ones flights and freighters in and out world-renowned diving spots. destination during this crisis since February. of Mainland China each week, Cebu joins Bali, the Maldives, with Cebu, Philippines joining “The resumption of providing more than 2,500 Tunis and Zanzibar as some of Brisbane, Australia and Toronto, Guangzhou passenger services is tonnes of weekly cargo capac- the popular year round holiday Canada as new destinations to one of the signifi cant steps taken ity each way.” destinations, Qatar Airways join the airline’s global network by Qatar Airways to demonstrate Qatar Airways continues to has resumed services to in the in the past few months. our confi dence in the gradual lead the recovery of internation- past few weeks. Qatar’s national carrier recovery of the regional travel al air travel. By the end of July, Qatar Airways operations are will also resume its fi rst Chi- market and global connectiv- the airline’s network will expand not dependent on any specifi c na fl ights, with a once weekly ity. Since the Covid-19 crisis to over 450 weekly fl ights to aircraft type. The airline’s vari- Guangzhou service. The airline’s started, we have challenged our- more than 70 destinations with ety of modern fuel-effi cient air- mix of modern fuel-effi cient air- selves to be at the forefront and the additions of Cebu (three craft has meant it can continue craft has meant its network has combat the eff ects of this global weekly fl ights starting July 24) fl ying by off ering the right ca- never fallen below 30 destina- pandemic, by volunteering our and Guangzhou (once weekly pacity in each market. tions throughout this crisis and services to deliver worldwide fl ight starting July 26). Due to Covid-19’s impact on has enabled the airline to adapt medical supplies co-ordinated Qatar Airways last operated travel demand, the airline has its plans and continue adding by Chinese embassies and con- fl ights to Cebu in March 2012. taken the decision to ground its new routes. sulates. The relaunching of fl ights to fl eet of Airbus A380s as it is not Qatar Airways Group Chief “With over 40 onward Cebu will see the airline’s net- commercially or environmen- Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker available connections to Af- work in the Philippines expand tally justifi able to operate such a said, “We are delighted to be rica, Europe and the Middle to 13 weekly fl ights: large aircraft in the current mar- launching a new direct service East, passengers from Cebu Manila (nine weekly fl ights), ket. to Cebu, offering our passen- and Guangzhou will be able to Clark (one weekly fl ight) and “The airline’s fl eet of 49 Air- gers another gateway into the enjoy the ‘Best Airline in the Cebu (three weekly fl ights) bus A350 and 30 Boeing 787 are Philippines. Being the airline World’ and the ‘World’s Best Cebu is the second largest the ideal choice for the most that has never stopped flying Business Class Seat’ while national Airport, the Best freighter services, we have China’s surging demand for city in the Philippines and it strategically important long- since Covid-19 hit, it has been also having access to the larg- Airport in the Middle East,” also operated a large number imports and exports. With is an important economic and haul routes to the Americas, Eu- Qatar Airways’ mission to take est and broadest network in Qatar Airways said. of charters and freight-only the resumption of passenger trading hub along with being a rope and Asia-Pacifi c regions,” people home safely during the the region via Hamad Inter- “In addition to scheduled passenger aircraft to meet flights, we will have 49 flights popular tourist destination fa- Qatar Airways said. Virtual expos at Katara continue to Report highlights Qatar’s showcase Qatar’s creative talents commitment to sharing By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter FIFA World Cup lessons irtual exhibitions at Ka- tara – the Cultural Village Vcontinue to provide an zNew SC report focuses on Qatar’s best practices in dust management opportunity for Qatar’s creative community to showcase their he Supreme Commit- works, including the recently tee for Delivery & Legacy launched “The Unreachable Mi- T(SC)’s new report, ‘Dust rage” by Qatari artist Masoud Management Best Practices for al-Bulushi. Construction’, “showcases our Katara, as well as museums, commitment to sharing best heritage sites, and galleries in practices and lessons learned Qatar, have been hosting exhibi- from Qatar’s hosting of the fi rst tions and a number of art activi- FIFA World Cup in the Middle ties remotely since the onset of East and Arab world”, an SC of- the Covid-19 pandemic. fi cial has stressed. These eff orts are in line with The report is available now. the state’s precautionary meas- “Delivering a sustainable ures in preventing the spread of legacy is a core goal of the FIFA the virus. World Cup Qatar 2022. New in- Open until December 31 on frastructure and facilities are Katara’s website, the solo exhi- one part – but another is chang- bition features 20 unique and ing mindsets and sharing knowl- thought-provoking paintings The Unreachable Mirage exhibition features 20 unique paintings by Qatari artist Masoud al-Bulushi. edge,” said Bodour al-Meer, Sus- which highlight a traditional veil tainability & Environment senior used mostly by Arab women – grand prize at the 2003 Youth hosting a number of virtual and colour. manager, in a statement issued the batoola. Exhibition, in addition to the exhibitions such as Qatari art- Virtual visitors can view al- by the SC. Al-Bulushi’s latest works also Ministry of Culture and Sports’ ist Hassan Bu Jassoum’s “Her- Kuwari’s 17 paintings that fo- “Our commitment to sus- refl ect his keenness on this sub- top award at the 2015 Second In- itage”, Syrian contemporary cus on local architecture while tainability is illustrated by our Bodour al-Meer, Sustainability & Environment senior manager. ject as depicted in many of his ternational Mini Art exhibition artist Hadi Qasous’ “Patches”, “Cultures Collision” put a adherence to the Global Sus- previous exhibitions in Qatar for visual arts. Qatari artist Fatima al-Nuai- spotlight on popular cartoon tainability Assessment System creating new facilities is an ex- and Development (Gord). To- and other countries, including Some of the artist’s solo ex- mi’s “The Result”, Qatari Art- characters with well-known (GSAS) – a FIFA-compliant ample of the physical legacy Qa- gether with Gord – the local France, Britain, Cuba and Mo- hibitions also include ‘Behind ist Ali Dasmal al-Kuwari’s “Al Qatari/Arab landmarks on the body that rates the sustainabil- tar 2022 will leave – “but there is GSAS awarding body – we are rocco, among others. the Dark’ at Souq Waqif in 2011, Taybeen”, and artist Hassan backdrop. ity features of Qatar 2022 infra- also a very important softer side creating a series of reports on The artist, a member of Qatar ‘Al That’ at Katara in 2013, and Taleb Alsalat’s “Culture Col- These virtual initiatives also structure. to legacy; and that’s knowledge environmental practices at Fine Arts Society and Souq Wa- a similar exhibition also titled lusion”. form part of Katara’s Summer “All our stadiums are be- transfer”. construction sites. The first re- qif Art Centre who won a series “Unreachable Mirage” at W Do- The “Heritage” exhibition Festival 2020 aimed at encour- ing assessed under the GSAS In March, the SC held the port – ‘Dust Management Best of awards, has a distinct style of ha’s Art29 art gallery, which dis- underscores the importance of aging and inspiring the creative method, including the recently first Annual Knowledge Shar- Practices for Construction’ – is infusing abstract and reality on played many of his exceptional remembering the past through community in Qatar to take part completed Education City Sta- ing Conference for national available now and contains a his work. works. art while “Patches” presents 16 and further enhance their skills dium, which was awarded a stakeholders. During this host of useful details that can He was awarded by the Qatar Apart from “The Unreach- paintings that reflect the art- through various activities and five-star rating – the highest event, colleagues from across be used to support projects in Fine Arts Association with the able Mirage”, Katara is also ist’s penchant for calligraphy competitions. ever awarded under the GSAS the SC delivered key learning Qatar and around the world. scheme. Achieving this mile- from a range of projects, in- “Dust management is an im- stone took collaboration and cluding those related to sus- portant topic – particularly in innovation in order to tackle all tainability. Qatar and the region. We hope Eid al-Adha inspection drives conclude at Al Dayeen the environmental challenges “We have also prioritised that the best practices outlined presented by the project.” knowledge sharing on all our in this report can be applied She noted that Education project sites. Our Sustainabil- on future projects. Air qual- City Stadium is “one of our ity & Environment Knowledge ity is a pressing environmental modular tournament venues”. Exchange Programme brings concern and construction dust About half of its 40,000 seats staff together from all our and emissions are a key con- will be removed after Qatar project sites and invites them tributor to this problem. This 2022 and donated to create to share solutions and lessons report shows that the impacts new facilities both in Qatar learned with a view to optimis- can be managed and mitigated and overseas. This innovative ing sustainability throughout through simple and effective solution ensures there will be our infrastructure programme,” measures.” no ‘white elephants’ after the she said. “We look forward to sharing tournament and means the Al-Meer continued, “Our further reports in the near future benefits of hosting the World latest knowledge transfer as we work hard to deliver the Cup will be felt far and wide, project has been managed in sustainable legacy this ground- the statement notes. collaboration with the Gulf breaking tournament deserves,” Removing modular seats and Organisation for Research she added.

The Al Daayen Municipality, represented by the Health Control Section of the Municipal Control Department, concluded its Eid al-Adha inspection drives. The week-long campaign was initiated as part of the preparations for Eid al-Adha and they included checks at meat shops. The checks were carried in order to ensure that the meat sold conformed to the required quality and standard. The first report – ‘Dust Management Best Practices for Construction’ – is available now and contains a “host of useful details that can be used to support projects in Qatar and around the world”.