BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 5 New property Katara Traditional law seen helping Dhow Festival diversify Qatar’s commences market, attract today foreign investors published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11749 December 1, 2020 Rabia II 16, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Final phase of census in Qatar begins today The final phase of the General Census of Population, Housing QMC plays vital role in fi ght against Covid-19 and Establishments (Qatar Census 2020) will start today after it was suspended early this year due atar has successfully conveyed O Qatar Media Corporation helps disseminate eral Arts Program at Texas A&M Uni- The study referred to a 2019 report to the precautionary measures key health and safety messages versity at Qatar. by a private consulting fi rm company, taken by the State to prevent the Qto its multi-national and mul- correct information in the languages of As migrant workers faced the possi- which showed there were 94 nationali- spread of coronavirus. Officials ti-lingual population through a slew of the expatriates through multiple channels bility of high rates of infection during ties residing in Qatar. from the Ministries of Interior, measures ever since the Covid-19 out- the early stages of the pandemic, Qa- With a population of 700,000, In- Public Health, and the Planning break started earlier this year, and the including newspapers, radio stations, social tar’s multilingual campaign, alongside dians constituted by far the largest and Statistics Authority (PSA) also Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) has media, and posters and fliers Covid-19 preventive and precaution- nationality group in Qatar, making said the field census will resume played a vital role in this. ary measures at workers’ accommoda- up 21.8% of the total, of whom some from December 13 to mid-January From making optimum use of the tions and project sites, helped contain 400,000 were estimated to be Malay- 2021. Page 2 State’s television channels and radio to peoplelf from multiple lillii linguistici gardingdi the h coronavirus i were effff ec- the spread of the virus, they found. alam speakers from the southern In- stations to partnering with key media backgrounds. tively disseminated in the languages of The researchers identifi ed three ma- dian state of Kerala. QFFD signs MoU entities in the country and tapping It was also imperative to ensure that expatriates with the able support and jor factors that played a key role in the Bangladeshis and Nepalis also sur- the enormous potential of social me- the targeted audience received authen- guidance of QMC. success of the campaign: the use of passed the percentage of Qatari na- with Sudan ministry dia – QMC has had a multi-pronged tic and accurate messages, and there The study was carried out by Dr migrants languages such as Urdu, Ma- tionals, both groups individually mak- The Qatar Fund For Development strategy to ensure that people get should not be any miscommunication Rizwan Ahmad, associate professor layalam, Nepali, Bengali, Sinhalese and ing up 12.5% of the total population, (QFFD) has signed a memorandum prompt and accurate information on due to linguistic barriers. of Sociolinguistics in Department of Tagalog in printed posters and fl iers; use and residents from the Philippines, of understanding (MoU) with Covid-19. In this regard, a study conducted English Literature & Linguistics at Qa- of radio stations in delivering awareness Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the next Sudan’s Federal Ministry of One of the key challenges was to by two university professors in Qatar tar University, and Dr Sara Hillman, messages in an oral form; and mobilisa- largest non-Arab expatriate groups in Education to support a project communicate the Covid-19 messages showed how important messages re- assistant professor of English in Lib- tion of community and religious leaders. Qatar. To Page 7 by Education Above All (EAA) Foundation with its partner Unicef, which will provide 50,000 out- of-school children with access to quality formal and informal education. Page 9 US predicts ‘vaccines Qatar signs QR6bn deals before Christmas’ Hopes for a first wave of vaccinations before the end of for e-vehicles, facilities 2020 received a boost with US firm Moderna saying it was filing for emergency authorisation of QNA buses for the FIFA World Cup Qatar Under the contracts, e-buses and its Covid-19 vaccine in the United Doha 2022, the services to operate them and those running on environment- States and Europe. After top US establishing an electric bus (e-bus) as- friendly diesel that is free of sulphur scientists warned Americans to sembly plant. which causes harmful emissions will brace for a “surge superimposed atar yesterday signed con- The agreements are within the be provided and the infrastructure for on the surge,” Moderna reported tracts worth QR6bn with sev- framework of implementing the elec- them established, such as stations, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin full results had confirmed a high Qeral companies to purchase and tric vehicle strategy prepared by the warehouses and parking lots. Abdulaziz al-Thani and HE the Minister of Transport and Communications eff icacy estimated at 94.1%. manufacture environment friendly ve- Ministry of Transport and Communi- Additionally, a factory to assemble Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti witness the signing of an agreement. hicles in the country. cations. e-buses will be set up in a free zone. Biden taps Yellen as The agreements were signed in the The contracts were signed by the Mowasalat (Karwa) signed two con- ices for such buses and their facili- QFZA signed a multilateral frame- presence of HE the Prime Minister and Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), tracts to purchase buses to be be oper- ties, in addition to providing the smart work agreement with Yutong and Treasury secretary Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin the Supreme Committee for Delivery & ated during the World Cup - one with technology and techniques to manage Mowasalat to manufacture e-buses in US President-elect Joe Biden Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani. Legacy (SC), the Public Works Author- Yutong for 741 electric buses and 261 the bus fl eet. Additionally, the contract Umm AlHoul Free Zone, with the fi rst yesterday formally tapped ex- The deals are part of Qatar’s plan to ity (Ashghal), Karwa Transportation diesel buses and the second with Higer stipulates the provision of all safety e-buses produced for the World Cup. Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen implement the transformation of pub- Company, Chinese companies Yutong to purchase 1,815 buses powered by the and security requirements, essential A number of these e-buses will be ear- to lead the Treasury, as he named lic transport to environment-friendly and Higer and a number of private sec- new eco-friendly diesel. transportation plans and necessary marked for export across the Middle off icials to try to revitalise the vehicles. tor companies in the contracting and The SC signed a contract with consultation services. These contracts East, Europe, South America and Af- world’s largest economy. Page 11 The contracts include purchasing construction sectors. Karwa for providing operational serv- are estimated at nearly QR3.7bn. rica. To Page 9 Page 16

HMC launches lung transplant programme

n a signifi cant achievement for Qa- tar, Hamad Medical Corporation I(HMC) has said its Organ Trans- plant Programme will soon start lung transplants. The new milestone was announced at a special ceremony at HMC at- tended by HE the Minister for Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and other offi cials. A lung transplant is a major pro- cedure to replace a person’s diseased lungs with those from a donor. It is of- Off icials and dignitaries at the launch of the programme. fered to people with lung failure when all other treatment options have failed. patients in Qatar have access to this clinical and ethical standards it ap- Currently, Qatar’s organ transplant specialised level of care. plies, but it is also one that is appro- programme off ers kidney and liver “Qatar’s organ donation and trans- priate to the healthcare needs of our transplants and transplant surgeries, plantation programmes have fair- growing and diverse population. making HMC one of the most com- ness and equity at their heart and are “Being able to off er lung transplants prehensive transplant centres in the something which we can be extremely here in Qatar is a true milestone for our region, the corporation said in a press proud of,” she said. highly specialised teams, and means statement yesterday. “Qatar’s national strategy for or- that our patients no longer have to HE Dr al-Kuwari said the new lung gan donation and transplantation is travel overseas for these procedures transplant programme will ensure that not only world-leading in terms of the and follow-up care.” To Page 2 Kahramaa opens QR400mn Al Suwaidi Super Substation

The Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) yesterday launched the Al Suwaidi Super Substation, which is the first major substation with a voltage of 132/400KV to be implemented in the heart of Doha. The substation has been set up at a cost of QR400mn as part of Kahramaa’s plan to expand electricity transmission grids in Qatar. It will serve the Al Sadd, Bin Mahmoud and Fereej Al Soudan areas and also meet the electricity requirements of the Al Bidda Doha Metro station. The substation has been set up according to the highest safety and security standards, with 2mn work hours without injuries. Pictured are off icials at the inauguration yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 QATAR

Amir sends cable of congratulations to governor-general of Barbados

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Shura Council discusses draft budget for ’21 al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to Governor-General of Barbados Sandra Mason on the occasion of her country’s Independence Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a similar cable to Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley on the occasion. QNA Doha

he Shura Council held its regu- lar weekly session yesterday Tunder the chairmanship of HE the Speaker of the Council, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. In a meeting, attended by HE the Minister of Final phase of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, and a number of senior offi cials at the Minis- try of Finance and Ashghal, the Council discussed the draft General State Budget for the fi scal year 2021 and the draft law Qatar Census approving it. HE the Minister of Finance explained the government’s view on the draft The Shura Council held its regular weekly session yesterday. budget and answered the questions and queries raised by the members of the projects in accordance with the Qatar (UNOCT) Programme Offi ce, which is Council. At the beginning of the discus- National Vision 2030, especially those concerned with parliamentary engage- sion of the draft budget, HE the Speak- related to hosting 2022 FIFA World Cup ment in preventing and combating ter- begins today er of the Shura Council expressed the and the health and education sectors, rorism. The UNOCT Programme Offi ce Council’s pride in the wise leadership of in addition to allocating the necessary will be headquartered in Qatar and its QNA His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim fi nancial resources to develop new citi- activities will cover the parliaments of Doha bin Hamad al-Thani and his wise poli- zens’ lands and infrastructure for exist- the world. cies which enabled the country to occu- ing areas. The agreement was signed by HE the py this prestigious position and achieve It will also support initiatives to de- Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid he fi nal phase of the General these great achievements in various velop the business environment, to en- al-Mahmoud and the UN Under-Sec- Census of Population, Housing fi elds despite the blockade imposed on hance the role of the private sector and retary-General of the United Nations Tand Establishments (Qatar Cen- it and the coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- its participation in various economic Offi ce of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) sus 2020) will start today after it was demic. activities while working to maintain the Vladimir Voronkov via video conferenc- suspended earlier this year due to the HE the Speaker added that the State country’s credit rating, and raising lev- ing. precautionary measures taken by the Budget for 2021, the draft of which was els of non-oil revenue collection. HE the Speaker said that the establish- State to prevent the spread of corona- being discussed, is a result of His High- HE al-Mahmoud expressed, in his ment of this offi ce in Doha comes as an virus (Covid-19). ness the Amir’s directives, foremost of name and the names of all members of appreciation from the international com- At a press conference held yesterday Off icials at the press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen which is the need to adhere to proper the Council, his thanks to HE the Min- munity for Qatar’s distinguished role in and attended by representatives from planning, long-term vision and ration- ister of Finance, HE the President of the combating terrorism, based on the policy the Ministry of Interior and the Minis- General Census will be held between alisation of government spending as- Public Works Authority and the accom- of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim try of Public Health, the Planning and sociated with higher effi ciency of the panying team for attending the Coun- bin Hamad al-Thani in this fi eld, and his Statistics Authority (PSA) announced December 1 and January 7, while field public sector, to enhance economic di- cil’s session and responding to the in- keenness on unifying the global eff orts that the census through the PSA’s plat- census will begin from December 13 and versity, to increase labour productivity quiries of its members. to combat terrorism in all its forms and form (www.psa.gov.qa/census2020. and effi ciency in the public sector, and After extensive discussions that re- manifestations and whatever its motives, aspx) will start today, from December continue until mid-January 2021. Planning to encourage the private sector to invest. fl ected a deep understanding of the and to eliminate its causes. 1 to January 7, while fi eld census will In this way, it embodies the visions and budget’s objectives, pillars and projects, He added that the main tasks of the resume from December 13 to mid- and Statistics Authority provides multiple ideas presented by His Highness the the Shura Council praised the draft offi ce includes undertaking joint ini- January 2021, after it obtained the ap- options for for citizens and residents to Amir - the fi rst and foremost aim be- state budget for the fi scal year 2021, tiatives to support the balanced im- proval of the Ministry of Public Health ing to develop the country and serve the and praised the eff orts of the govern- plementation of the four pillars of the to conduct the census in light of the provide the census data; Approval granted citizens, he said. ment and what has been implemented in United Nations Global Counter-Ter- preventive measures against Covid-19. HE the Speaker stated that the draft terms of plans and programmes within rorism Strategy and relevant Secu- During the press conference, HE PSA by Ministry of Public Health to conduct the budget, which is characterised by clarity the framework of the National Develop- rity Council resolutions in the fi eld of President Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem census in light of the preventive measures and transparency, is based on adopting ment Strategy 2018-2022 and Qatar Na- countering terrorism and violent ex- al-Nabit said that the PSA will provide, the principle of medium-term planning tional Vision 2030. tremism leading to terrorism, including from December 1 until January 7, 2021, against Covid-19 for the general budget, and on requiring Then, the Council’s session continued monitoring the enactment of new leg- the electronic form for families and in- all ministries and government bodies to where HE the Speaker briefed the mem- islation around the world, and helping dividuals who wish to complete their through various media programmes, project are prepared. He stressed the stick to fi nancial ceilings and continuing bers on the agreement that was signed to formulate legislation, policies and data on their own without the need for and stressing that this co-operation is importance of the general census data to allocate fi nancial resources to com- last Wednesday to establish the United model counter-terrorism strategies led the enumerators to visit their places of a key for the success of the census. For for population, housing and establish- plete the implementation of strategic Nations Offi ce of Counter-Terrorism by parliaments. residence. his part, Head of the Department of ments for development plans, adding He stated that the fi eld visit will start Censuses and Statistical Surveys and that the census is the comprehensive in mid-December 2020 in cooperation Director of General Census of Popu- statistical process that provides deci- with the Ministry of Public Health lation, Housing and Establishments sion-makers with accurate data that and the Ministry of Interior within 2020 at PSA Nasser al-Mahdi said that contribute to designing plans and poli- the framework of strict precautionary there are three methods available for cies for various development services measures on which the enumerators citizens and residents to complete the and projects that serve everyone who have been trained to ensure the safety census data. The fi rst is to electroni- lives in Qatar. of everyone in order to collect data cally fi ll in the census form via the link For his part, Director of the Public from families whose data have not been www.psa.gov.qa/census2020.aspx Health Department at the Ministry completed electronically. which will be available on the fi rst of of Public Health Sheikh Dr Mohamed HE al-Nabit stressed the importance December, calling upon citizens and bin Hamad al-Thani said there is a of the General Census of Population, residents to use the website and easily complete co-ordination between the Housing and Establishments and said fi ll in the required data specifi ed in the Ministry and the PSA to implement that the census is one of the largest census form without the need to meet the census in accordance with strict statistical operations in all countries, fi eld enumerators. precautionary measures to prevent the and it is of great importance due to be- He stated that the second way is to spread of coronavirus. ing the main means of collecting data provide data through a direct inter- He said that all the precaution- related to all properties of buildings, view with the fi eld enumerators start- ary measures for fi eld enumerators, housing units, establishments, fami- ing from December 13, while the third which were adopted by the PSA in co- lies and individuals and their diff erent method is a paper envelope form that ordination with the Ministry of Public geographical divisions. will be distributed during the fi eld Health, are capable of implementing The PSA president added that the visit, which citizens and residents can the census project in safe health con- authority seeks through the census to fi ll it out in and hand it over later to ditions.For his part, Director of the provide a comprehensive database in fi eld enumerators on another day dur- Public Relations Department at the accordance with the latest concepts and ing the census period. The paper form Ministry of Interior Brigadier Abdul- international standards to serve plan- includes a special code (QR), allowing lah Khalifa al-Muftah affi rmed that ners, researchers and decision-makers access to the statistical form on the the ministry is a major partner in im- in the country and allow the necessary PSA’s website, and fi lling it out elec- plementing the census and is keen on international comparisons to be made. tronically, without the need for paper making it a success, adding that they The census, he said, aims mainly to fi lling, al-Mahdi pointed out. will contribute signifi cantly to rais- form a central registry for population, He stressed that the PSA sought to ing awareness of the importance of the housing and establishments charac- create these methods with the aim of census in various languages. He urged terised by high quality, comprehensive facilitating the process of providing citizens and residents to respond and coverage and continuous updating of data, in order to match the circum- co-operate with the PSA to make this that data, expecting the results of this stances of each family in a way that important national project a success. census to be announced in the second serves the statistical process and en- The press conference’s participants quarter of next year. sures accurate data that are completely called upon citizens and residents to He announced that the PSA would confi dential in accordance with the fully co-operate with the Qatar Cen- hold an integrated media campaign Statistics Law. sus 2020 project by providing accurate accompanying the implementation Al-Mahdi also noted that PSA has date that are important for decision- of this stage of the census, calling on completed all the preparations for the makers and policy-makers and plan- everyone, especially the media, to co- implementation of the census, which ners in the country in order to achieve operate in the implementation of this lasted two years, while also conducting the goals and objectives of Qatar Na- important national project by pro- an pilot census in a previous period to tional Vision 2030 and its development viding the necessary media support ensure that all systems for this national strategies.

HMC launches lung transplant programme

From Page 3 patients irrespective of nationality, re- place a multidisciplinary team with ligion or race,” Dr al-Ansari said. some leading international experts The programme will provide indi- “In November 2019, we set up a that will enable us to deliver the high- vidualised treatment for patients in Heart and Lung Transplant Taskforce est levels of care to our patients who need of a transplant with a multidisci- team who were charged with not only need these procedures. plinary team of transplant pulmonolo- creating the environment in which “At HMC, we also have the tech- gists and surgeons, along with nurses, the programme would be a success, nology, facilities and access to the ex- social workers, dietitians, rehabilita- but also marshalling the planning, pertise to perform these surgeries and tion staff and other specialists to pro- resources and technology needed importantly have overwhelming com- vide comprehensive care and support. to make this happen. Now, just one munity support for the organ donation This includes Prof Takahiro Oto, a year later, we are ready to launch lung programme, which is one of the keys to respected expert in lung transplanta- transplants at Hamad General Hospital its success.” tion who recently joined HMC as Lung – a momentous achievement for HMC Dr Riadh Fadhil, director of the Qa- Transplant team lead, the statement and for Qatar.” tar Organ Donation Center at HMC noted. Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, medical and chair of the Heart and Lung Task- Dr Abdulla al-Ansari, chief medi- director of Hamad General Hospital force, said there are currently more cal offi cer of HMC, said it was a great and director of Qatar Center for Organ than 430,000 registered organ donors achievement for the organisation Transplantation, said the launch of the in Qatar. and the teams involved to move into programme was the culmination of “The wider organ donation and the next phase in the development of many years of hard work by the trans- transplantation programme continues transplant services in Qatar. plant teams. to evolve to meet the changing needs of “As an organisation, we have con- “Since the start of our transplant our community and has been striving tinued growing to meet the increasing programme in 1986, we have worked to fulfi l its vision to provide the best- and changing needs of our community tirelessly and strengthened the excep- quality care for all patients, irrespec- and has been striving to fulfi l its vision tional care we provide to our patients,” tive of nationality, religion, or race,” Dr to provide the best-quality care for all Dr al-Maslamani said. “We have in Fadhil said. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 3 QATAR

Facility to serve Al Sadd, Bin Mahmoud Kahramaa opens QR400mn and Fereej Al Soudan areas as well as Al Bidda Doha Metro Al Suwaidi Super Substation station

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he Qatar General Elec- tricity & Water Corpora- Ttion (Kahramaa) yesterday launched the Al Suwaidi Super Substation, which is the fi rst ma- jor substation with a voltage of 132/400KV to be implemented in the heart of Doha. The substation has been set up at a cost of QR400mn as part of Kahramaa’s plan to expand elec- tricity transmission grids in Qa- tar. It will serve the Al Sadd, Bin A view of the Al Suwaidi Super Substation. Mahmoud and Fereej Al Soudan areas and also meet the electric- ity requirements of the Al Bidda Doha Metro station. The overall capacity of the substation is around 1,000MVA, which will be suffi cient to pro- vide the three vital residential areas with power along with the metro station. The inauguration of the substation was attended by Kahramaa offi cials, engineers, technicians and supervisors. Kahramaa off icials at the Al Suwaidi Super Substation yesterday. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Mohamed al-Kubaisi, head of Transmission Operations The overall station,” the Kahramaa offi cial and Maintenance Section at the noted. Electricity Transmission De- capacity of the Ali Rashid, head of the op- partment, told Gulf Times that substation is eration team at the Electricity the substation refl ects Kah- Transmission Department, said ramaa’s ability to meet new around 1,000MVA, the establishment of Al Suwaidi challenges. Another section of the substation. suff icient to Substation is part of Kahramaa’s This, according to him, has relentless eff orts to improve the been achieved by upgrading and rity standards, with 2mn work an alternative power supply for provide the three infrastructure of the electricity expanding the existing main hours without injuries. “The Al Bidda Metro station. “It in- vital residential sector in Qatar and to meet the substation, adding a 400KV grid works were completed within creases reliability and enhances growing demand on electrical to it and installing cables with a 24 months and this could be support for both the Al Sadd and areas with power power. voltage of 400KV and a length of achieved despite the challenges Bin Mahmoud stations as the ar- along with a metro “It’s also aimed at enhancing 16km to connect the Al Suwaidi of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he eas containing these stations are the security and sustainability of Substation with the Greater Doha added. densely populated and are under station the services provided by means South Substation. Aisha al-Mohamedi, head of high electrical loads. of the transmission and distri- Al-Kubaisi said the substa- the Transmission Grids Planning The station also allows for the tion as well as transferring some bution grids in a way that corre- tion has been set up according Section, said the new substation possibility of establishing other of the loads of Al Wajba Super sponds to the operational frame- to the highest safety and secu- plays a vital role in providing stations such as Al Amir area sta- Substation to Al Suwaidi Sub- works of the stations,” he noted. A section of the substation. Manufacturing fi rm of MDD Tram receives top awards at GLRA 2020

alifornia tram company, TIG/m, LLC, the innovative engineer- Cing and manufacturing fi rm of Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) tram, won the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, ‘Environmental and Sustainabil- ity Initiative’, and ‘Highly Commended in the Category of Customer Initia- tive’ categories at the Global Light Rail Awards (GLRA) 2020. “Congratulations to TIG/m, LLC for the great achievement. The tram at MDD has been a great added value service to our city, off ering an environ- ment-friendly means of transporta- tion within our premises. The award reiterates our right selection of TIG/m, which proved their high capabilities in bringing in this solution,” engineer Ali al-Kuwari, acting CEO, Msheireb Properties, said in a press statement. Since December 30, 2019, MDD Tram has transported 100,000 passengers within the city, taking visitors around the central hubs from Msheireb Muse- The MDD Tram takes visitors around the central hubs from Msheireb Museums ums station to Al Kahraba Street, Sikkat station to Al Kahraba Street, Sikkat Al Wadi back to the Heritage Quarter. Al Wadi back to the Heritage Quarter. The MDD Tram is part of the sus- ty and sustainability, and deliver the reduce the environmental impacts and tainability practices adopted by best possible passenger experience.” costs of urban rail transportation has Msheireb Properties to secure safe, More than 950 entries were made resulted in technologically ground- practical, environment-friendly to the GLRA awards this year and the breaking street railways systems that transportation for families, tourists, winning results generate a great deal of operate independent of any need for visitors and residents. Sustainability interest from the international transit distributed power infrastructure such is central to MDD, and the adoption community. The event was organised by as overhead wires. of the latest, cutting-edge technology Mainspring and supported by industry TIG/m was founded in 2005 by the enables conservation of natural re- publication Tramways & Urban Transit. merger of an engineering fi rm with a sources and quality of design. In the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ manufacturing company and dedi- At the GLRA, now in its 14th year, category, TIG/m prevailed over two cated all of its eff orts to developing a and well-known as the industry’s Os- other shortlisted contenders; industry new kind of urban electric rail car that cars, the judging panel evaluated sub- heavyweights, CAF and Stadler Rail. could operate without overhead wire, missions in 16 categories. TIG/m, LLC is an innovative engi- carrying all of the power for a full day TIG/m president Brad Read accepted neering and manufacturing fi rm sup- of passenger service aboard each car. the awards on behalf of the company, plying self-powered trams, tramway Since that time, they have installed noting that “this was one of the tough- infrastructure, and tram system serv- systems that do just that in the US, est years yet to choose the winners. It is ices to projects in various parts of the Aruba and Qatar, and now they are fantastic to see such expertise as we all world, including North America, South weeks away from beginning a large look to bring down costs, improve safe- America, and Asia. Their mission to new project in Riverside, California.

Qatar signs QR6bn deals for e-vehicles, facilities

From Page 1 cludes building eight main bus sta- lines of the ceremony, HE the Min- tions in West Bay, Msheireb, Indus- ister of Transport and Communica- The deal will also see technology trial Area, Al Soudan, Al Gharrafa, tions Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and knowledge transfers so parts for Education City, Al Wakra and Lusail, described the contracts as a key part the e-buses will be manufactured by with average capacity of 25 buses in of Qatar’s public transportation plan Qatari fi rms as part of the govern- each. 2030. ment’s wider localisation drive. These The contracts also include build- Mowasalat (Karwa) CEO Fahad Saad fi rms are expected to form the founda- ing four huge bus depots in Lusail, Al al-Qahtani said his organisation is tions of the region’s leading e-vehicle Rayyan, Industrial Area and Al Wakra, currently purchasing 3,000 new bus- industry, supplying e-vehicles and with each depot’s area ranging from es, 25% of which will be electric, for parts to markets across the globe. 129,000sq m to 190,000sq m. Ashghal the World Cup. These buses will sub- Ashghal signed 11 contracts worth will also build 2,700 air-conditioned sequently be added to the company’s QR2bn for the new bus stations and bus stops on all major roads. fl eet to build a legacy for the public bus depots programme, which in- In a statement issued on the side- and school transport. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 QATAR

Kenya National Assembly Qatar panel to disburse cash aid to needy Gaza families Speaker meets Qatar envoy QNA with the Qatar Fund for Develop- stressed that the distribution process He affi rmed that the distribution Gaza ment (QFFD), will begin the proc- will take place through the branches process will be carried out under the ess of disbursing cash assistance to of the Postal Bank in the sector, as full supervision of the Qatar Com- families in need in the Gaza Strip, part of the preventive measures taken mittee’s staff and in co-operation hairman of the Qatar Com- next Thursday. to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, with the authorities concerned, in a mittee for the Reconstruc- Ambassador al-Emadi stated that in order to preserve the safety of the manner that would ensure the highest Ction of Gaza ambassador 100,000 families in the Gaza Strip benefi ciaries and to ensure their com- standards of safety and security for Mohamed al-Emadi affi rmed that will benefi t from the cash assistance, mitment to preventive measures, the benefi ciaries and workers in the the committee, in co-operation at the rate of $100 per family. He sterilisation and social distancing. distribution centres. QU Young Scientists Center students shine in

Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya Justin Muturi met with Qatar’s ambassador to Kenya Jabr bin Ali al-Dossari, yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations and issues of common interest. national research contest

atar University’s Young Scientists Center soil fertility and agricultural production by us- students have won in the National Scien- ing agricultural incentives such as Arabic Gum. Qtifi c Research and Innovation Competi- The project will revolutionise agriculture in Qa- tion 2020, it was announced yesterday. tar, seeking self-suffi ciency in basic agricultural Armed forces to conduct Three groups of high school students won crops. four prizes, including two fi rst places, a third Dr Noora al-Thani, director of the Qatar Uni- place, and a special prize out of 720 participat- versity Young Scientists Center, expressed her training exercises from today ing projects from various schools and educational happiness and said: “Scientifi c research is of institutions. All the research involved is distin- great importance in developing societies and re- guished by its distinction, quality of ideas, and fi ning skills by combining query and knowledge QNA ternal Security Force (Lekhwiya) will carry innovative solutions that serve diff erent sectors and conducting experiments with data analysis, Doha out parachuting exercises in the Sealine and fi elds in energy, industry, environment and which leads to the creation of solutions and prod- area, which will continue until December agriculture. ucts”. 20, at a height of 7,000 feet, and a radius of Anfal al-Sulaiti from Zubaida secondary school Dr al-Thani addressed the winning students, he Directorate of Moral Guidance at three miles, according to the co-ordinates for girls won the fi rst place in the Chemistry and saying: “I always feel proud of our students who the Ministry of Defence announced (N24522808) and (E51275967), from 6am- Material Sciences category for research titled, are used to winning in local and international Tthat the Qatar Armed Forces will 6pm. “Polymeric nano-composite coating for the pro- competitions for research and innovation”. She carry out training exercises at the shoot- The General Command of the Armed tection of steel”. The importance of this coating also praised the eff orts of the Center’s sponsors, ing maritime fi eld (O.T.D-28) located in the Forces also announced that the Joint Spe- lies in its versatility in the fi elds of industry, pro- namely the Ras Laff an Industrial City Communi- east of Mesaieed, next to “Fasht Al Hadeed” cial Forces Command will carry out para- duction and preservation of the environment. ty Outreach Programme, and the partners, name- from December 1-31. chute jumping training in Sealine during Abdullah al-Janahi and Abdullah al-Nasr, from ly, Unesco-Doha Offi ce, and the Qatar National It would be held from 6am-10pm. the period from December 20-31, January Qatar Science and Technology secondary school Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The shooting maritime fi eld is located 31-February 11, 2021, March 7-18, 2021, for boys, won third place for the research titled, “In our modern world, scientifi c research is in the east of Mesaieed at a distance of ap- March 21-April 1, 2021 and June 6-17, 2021 “Smart and robust nano-composite fi bres for the only window to economic, social, cultural proximately 40km, and at an angle of 105 from 6am-3pm at a height of 10,000 feet self-powering electronic devices” in the Energy and intellectual progress. All scientifi c, industrial from the Port of Mesaieed next to “Fasht Al with a radius of seven miles, according to Category. This research presents a new, innova- and technological revolutions are nothing but the Hadeed” from the east, and it extends to the the co-ordinates (N245328) and (E0512975). tive and more effi cient way to produce electricity fruits of knowledge accumulation. south of Shuraawa Island. The Qatar Armed Forces General Com- that is safe on the environment. “That is why the Qatar University Young Sci- Meanwhile, the General Command of mand has called upon visitors of that area to Tamim al-Rashed and Yousef al-Mahmoud entists Center devotes tremendous eff orts and re- the Armed Forces announced that the In- take necessary precautions for their safety. from the Qatar Banking Sciences and Business Students working on a project. sources to instilling the foundations of scientifi c Administration secondary school for boys, won research and enriching knowledge capital in the the fi rst place in the category of plant and animal tions”. This research aims to improve soil prop- younger generation, in order to achieve strategies Qatar Petroleum reveals fuel prices for December sciences, and a special prize for a research enti- erties by creating a smart sensor to irrigate crops and goals pivotal in achieving the visions of the tled, “Hydrogel sensor for agricultural applica- according to soil needs, in addition to increasing country’s development.” Qatar Petroleum (QP) announced yesterday to QR1.10 per litre for November, while the the diesel and gasoline prices for the month price of Super Gasoline (95) is set at QR1.25 of December 2020, QNA reported. Prices per litre for December, which is similar to the witnessed stability in both gasoline and diesel current month. It also set Premium Gasoline prices. Qatar Petroleum set the price of a litre (91) price at QR1.20 per litre for December, of diesel at QR1.15 for December compared which is similar to the current month. MME attends regional workshop on public spaces

More than 150,000 get flu vaccine so far: official QNA Doha More than 150,000 people have so far as part of the ongoing campaign. The flu received the flu vaccine since the launch vaccine is available for free at all Primary of the seasonal influenza campaign in Health Care Corporation clinics, Hamad he Ministry of Municipality mid-October, a senior health official has Medical Corporation outpatient clinics (for and Environment, represent- said. This is twice the number of people patients with existing appointments) and Ted by the Urban Planning De- who had received the vaccine in the same designated private, semi-private clinics partment, participated in the activi- period last year, Dr Soha al-Bayat, head and hospitals across Qatar. Those who ties of a virtual regional workshop of vaccination at the Ministry of Public want to get the vaccine should take a prior on public spaces in Arab countries, Health, told Qatar TV in an interview. appointment in keeping with Covid-19 organised by the United Nations Some 500,000 people will be vaccinated measures at health facilities. Human Settlements Programme (Habitat) and its Public Space Pro- gramme, in partnership with the Arab Towns Organisation, It also had the participation of a number of representatives of urban, Participants in the virtual regional workshop. municipal and planning adminis- trations from Arab cities. post-coronavirus era.’ They dealt the lessons that cities have learned its ability to balance the needs of soci- During the three-day sympo- with the planning philosophy of from the spread of coronavirus, the ety and to preserve the state’s natural sium, the Urban Planning Depart- the Urban Planning Department growing importance of open spaces, and environmental components. It ment presented a working paper in Qatar that emanates from Qatar public spaces, green and recreational also had an analysis of the pillars of and a detailed technical presenta- National Vision 2030, particularly spaces, and the refl ection of these the solutions-based approach, max- tion entitled, ‘The inevitability of focused on the importance of pre- lessons on the strategy of public and imising the role of nature and green formulating a national strategy for paring for the post-oil era. green spaces in Qatari cities, in addi- public spaces in health, resilience and public spaces in the post-oil and The presentation also dealt with tion to reviewing Qatar’s strategy and sustainability.

Participants in a session from the open house.

HBKU’s virtual graduate studies open house expands its reach

atar Foundation’s Ha- online sessions, spanning all of HB- about course content, study op- Graduate Studies Open House mad Bin Khalifa University KU’s 33 multidisciplinary graduate tions and campus life. enabled HBKU to reach an even Q(HBKU) concluded yester- programmes across its six colleges. The sessions were held via the greater number of prospective day its nine-day Graduate Studies The event was directed at po- HBKU website, social media and students at home and abroad, Open House. tential students who had identi- mobile devices. Each college host- meaning that this was the first More than 500 prospective stu- fied a programme of interest and ed their session on a different day. Open House to transcend physical dents were able to benefi t from the would gain from knowing more The adjustments to this year’s boundaries. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 5 QATAR

Traditional dhows moored near Katara beach in preparation for the festival. Another stall being prepared for the festival.

Food safety violations Katara Traditional Dhow detected in Umm Slal Festival commences today he 10th edition of the There is also the participa- Katara Traditional Dhow tion of the Omani Folk Band, TFestival will open to- which will provide artistic day at 3.30pm at the esplanade performances in the mornings of Katara – the Cultural Vil- and evenings on all days of the lage, under the patronage of festival. This year’s edition His Highness the Amir Sheikh of the festival is partnered by Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Qatar Insurance (Official In- While the fi ve-day festival surance Sponsor), Qatar Air- will be open today to the public ways (Official Carrier), Qatar from 3.30pm-10pm, from to- Petroleum (Platinum Spon- morrow, the timings are 10am- sor), and Al Meera. 10pm except Friday (1pm- In many ways, the Katara 11pm). Traditional Dhow Festival is The annual event conclud- culturally unique. The Katara ing on Saturday will show- beachfront comes alive with case its distinguished and activities of dhow boats, an- distinct identity highlighting cient maritime market place, authentic maritime traditions traditional sea fishing meth- inspired by Qatar’s ancestral A stall featuring traditional handicraft goods is seen at Katara -The Cultural Village where the 10th ods, modern gadgetry, and past. The participating coun- edition of the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival will open today at 3.30pm. PICTURES: Jayan Orma authentic traditional festivi- tries this year are Qatar, Ku- ties accompanied by food and wait, Oman, Iraq, and Zanzi- cols to protect all members of the ancient maritime history casing ship-building process music. bar (Tanzania). society. aimed at restoring culture and and ancient craft, in addition Having grown exponentially The Katara Tradition- As in the past one decade, in preserving folk heritage. to marine competitions. over the years, the dhow festi- The Health Control Department in Umm Slal Municipality al Dhow Festival is being the festival is characterised There are exhibitions dis- There will also be story- val - where traditions are re- carried out during November 1,300 inspections, during launched this year amid con- by a number of competitions playing maritime heritage telling and traditional stage vived and renewed – occupies which five violating food establishments were closed. While tinuing health and safety pre- and marine shows, besides a collections from various par- shows throughout the festival a valuable stature as a promi- 4,709 slaughtered animal carcasses were examined, five cautionary measures against variety of cultural activities ticipating countries, special at Katara beachfront and also nent destination for heritage were fully and 796 partially destroyed for being unfit for Covid-19 and as per the Min- and events that reflect ances- pavilions of traditional handi- include Al Shoush, Al Haddaq and culture and attracts visi- human consumption. istry of Public Health proto- tral heritage and shed light on crafts, and workshops show- and Al Tafris competitions. tors of all nationalities. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 QATAR VIPs join children in tree planting exercise Shura Council Speaker and bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, HE the that trees are a symbol of life, spreading awareness about the Transport and Communications, finance minister plant trees at Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al- growth and continuous develop- importance of planting trees, and the Ministry of Culture and park near council building Emadi, and Ashghal president Dr ment in Qatar. emphasised the social responsi- Sports, Qatar Museums, Qatar Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi She thanked the eff orts and bility of everyone in the protec- Rail, and the Private Engineering s part of the “Qatar Beau- were present. contributions of His Highness tion and preservation of the en- Offi ce. tifi cation and Our Kids Shura Council member Ab- the Amir, the government and vironment. The committee is responsible APlanting Trees” cam- dullah bin Fahad bin Ghorab ministers. The campaign, launched by for the construction of central paign, trees were planted at a said he was impressed with the “We are happy to plant trees the committee last year and public parks, the provision of park near the Shura Council initiative, adding that it spreads today, and we hope that our chil- aimed at planting 1mn trees in dedicated lanes for pedestrians building yesterday. awareness about the importance dren and the next generation will co-operation with the Ministry and bicycles, the development of According to a statement is- of planting trees and increasing harvest the fruits of what we of Municipality and Environ- the Doha Corniche and Central sued by the Public Works Au- green areas in Qatar. planted,” al-Mannai said. ment (MME), will continue until Doha, and increasing aff oresta- Dignitaries and off icials with children taking part in the initiative. thority (Ashghal), the event was He also praised the commit- Mohamed Arqoub al-Khaldi, the end of 2021. tion and green areas. organised by the Supervisory tee’s eff orts to involve many chairman of the Supervisory The Supervisory Committee The committee’s work will It also focuses on the provision It is also intended to ensure Committee for the Beautifi ca- institutions and entities of the Committee for the Beautifi ca- for the Beautifi cation of Roads enhance sustainability through of more public transport options, a healthy environment within tion of Roads and Public Places state in the initiative. tion of Roads and Public Places in and Public Places in Qatar works minimising environmental pol- aimed at reducing the use of pri- residential neighbourhoods in Qatar. Shura Council member Dr Ai- Qatar, said that the “Qatar Beau- under the MME, in co-ordination lution and reducing the emission vate cars, and improving lifestyle and places of public gatherings HE the Speaker of the Shura sha Yousef al-Mannai expressed tifi cation and Our Kids Plant- with several ministries and other of CO2 through reduced con- through clean and safe transpor- through increased aff orestation Council Ahmed bin Abdullah delight in the initiative, saying ing Trees” campaign is aimed at entities, such as the Ministry of sumption of energy resources. tation. and landscaping. Difi event explores challenges in striving for work-family balance

ocal and regional social tance of discussing ways to fi nd ful and fl exible legislation which daycare facilities close to busi- experts have revealed the a work-family balance, saying: can be regularly adjusted to ac- ness centres to accommodate Lgreatest work-family bal- “In the past two decades, Gulf commodate and keep pace with the childcare aspect for working ance challenges in Qatari and societies have witnessed an un- the changes that happen at a state mothers,” he said. “Also, dedi- Omani societies, and explored precedented increase in female level,” he said. “Additionally, all cated awareness programmes for how laws and legislation can be education, which in turn refl ects parties – from working parents young people who are planning updated so that this balance can on the expansion of the contri- to business institutions and state on marriage can educate them be struck in both countries, in bution Qatari women make to the legislators – must be aware that about marriage responsibilities a virtual discussion organised labour market.” life roles are based on contractual and the principles of building a recently by Doha International “As Difi aims to stimulate and foundations and participatory family, supporting equality be- Family Institute (Difi ). support advocacy eff orts, the and consensual work.” tween men and women in raising The Qatar Foundation mem- studies focused on what work- “And they must understand children and working.” ber’s webinar, Work-family bal- ing parents in the region may how the co-ordination eff orts, Najat al-Abdullah, the director ance in Oman and Qatar: Chal- suff er from, due to a lack of poli- the recognition of family respon- of Family Aff airs at the Ministry lenges and Experiences, shed cies which co-ordinate work and sibilities, and the fl exibility to- of Administrative Development, light on the similarities and dif- family with regard to vacations, wards them, will not only benefi t Labour and Social Aff airs in Qa- ferences between the countries, childcare arrangements, paren- Dr Sharifa al-Emadi: In the past Aisha al-Sultan: Interviewees in Najat al-Abdullah: highlighted working parents, but will also re- tar, said that the development of based on two comparative stud- tal care, and work requirements,” two decades, Gulf societies have both studies agreed that ‘family Qatar laws that ensures the fl ect on the business side in terms policies and mechanisms to en- ies conducted by the policy and she said. “They also highlighted witnessed an unprecedented comes first’ and is the primary rights of working women, such of employees productivity, help- hance the strength of the family advocacy institute. the mental health issues that may increase in female education. goal. as granting paid maternity leave. ing to ensure a balanced outcome unit is an ongoing approach. The studies aimed to monitor occur in the absence of a bal- for society as a whole,” he added, She highlighted Qatari legis- the challenges faced by working ance.” markable participation of women “The interviewees in both for meeting family requirements, Panelist Dr Saleh al-Ghadoury, lation that ensures the rights of parents – especially with regard Difi researcher Aisha al-Sultan in the workforce over the past countries agreed that they pri- and that this is no longer second- the director of the Social Aff airs working women, such as granting to working mothers – and their outlined some of the fi ndings of few years.” marily depend on negotiating the ary or just an additional source of Department at the GCC Execu- paid maternity leave for a period signifi cant impact on family co- the studies in both a Qatari and “Interviewees in both studies expectations and responsibili- income for the family.” tive Bureau, said: “Women have of two months (three months in hesion. Omani context, saying: “In gen- agreed that ‘family comes fi rst’ ties assigned to each of the role Emphasising the importance become an active element in the the case of twins), the option of They also looked at the poli- eral, the results were very simi- and is the primary goal, while partners, including the spouse, of understanding and address- labour market and a major con- adding annual leave to maternity cies in place to help achieve this lar with regard to the challenges work is the means of support- the employer, extended fam- ing the sensitivities of this is- tributor to productivity and eco- leave, the right to have a two- balance within the labour laws of that Qataris and Omanis face ing this goal and securing and ily members, and house helpers, sue, Dr Yahya bin Badr bin Ma- nomic support, and the success hour period for breastfeeding for the two countries, in a way that in achieving a balance between providing for a family,” she said. and adjusting family roles to fi t lik al-Ma’awali, the governor of of working women has solved a period of two years, and allow- serves the interests of both fami- work and family, due to their “They also expressed their view within the contexts imposed by Oman’s South A’Sharqiya, told many problems – it has even ing working women fully-paid lies and businesses. similar social backgrounds, the that it becomes increasingly dif- a lifestyle and its requirements,” the webinar: “Policies that en- saved entire families.” leave for a period of fi ve years to Speaking at the webinar, Difi high rate of women’s education fi cult to achieve a balance be- al-Sultan said. “Men and women able co-ordination between “There are some recommen- take care of a child with disabili- executive director Dr Sharifa al- in light of the economic turna- tween the two roles and to keep interviewed in both countries work and family are certainly re- dations that may contribute to ties or who suff ers from a medi- Emadi spoke about the context round following the discovery of up with highly demanding life re- also emphasised that women quired.” addressing the issue of work- cal conditions that require their of the studies and the impor- oil in the Gulf region, and the re- quirements and responsibilities.” working has become a necessity “We also need to have thought- family balance, such as allocating mother to accompany them. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 7 QATAR

Mall of Qatar, AIMIA pact off ers Air Miles members attractive shopping options

all of Qatar (MoQ) and eligible to receive their gift cards “This is part of our strategic in the weekly raffl e draw, while redefi ne loyalty for our mem- AIMIA Loyalty Solu- at any customer service desks, plans to off er fl exible options redeeming points with MoQ bers, and we are excited to be Mtions has announced when redeeming their points to Air Miles members who can gift card worth QR500, they are partnering with MoQ to achieve a new partnership granting Air through Air Miles app, which enjoy unique benefi ts in one eligible to have coupons for the this,” said Paul Lacey, president Miles members a unique oppor- they can use to purchase their destination,” MoQ general man- grand raffl e draw to win one of – Europe, Middle East, and Af- tunity to leverage their Air Miles items, get discounts, and benefi t ager Emile Sarkis said in a press two luxury cars. rica, AIMIA Loyalty Solutions points at MoQ outlets. from great deals. statement. “Our unique Air Miles part- (now part of Kognitiv Corpora- MoQ will be the fi rst mall to “MoQ always endeavours to With ‘Pick & Choose’ shop nership with MoQ, one of the tion). grant Air Miles members the enhance the customers’ expe- and win festival goes on un- region’s premier retail desti- Members can now redeem chance to redeem their member- rience. Our partnership with til January 14, 2021, Air Miles nations, provides an excellent their Air Miles for use at over ship points with MoQ gift card, AIMIA Loyalty Solutions, one of members can take part in the opportunity to bring our en- 500 retailers at MoQ through Air allowing them to spend their the leading loyalty programme campaign and have the chance to hanced technology and loyalty Miles Mobile app. credits at the mall’s outlets, on Mall of Qatar providers, allows existing Air win a fascinating car. capabilities to life providing a Members can also redeem a wide range of fashion brands, Miles members to spend their By redeeming their points seamless proposition for cus- 14,000 Air Miles for a QR100 dinning options and much more, of MoQ’s continuous eff ort to tions to benefi t from loyalty pro- points at the mall via the MoQ with MoQ gift card worth tomers. gift card, 35,000 Air Miles for a all under one roof. enhance the customer experi- grammes. gift card and leverage from a QR300, they will be entitled to “This unique Air Miles pro- QR250 gift card, and 70,000 Air The new partnership is part ence and give patrons more op- All Air Miles members will be wide variety of options. have coupons and participate vides a fantastic opportunity to Miles for a QR500 gift card. First phase of Qatar Charity’s ‘Tamkeen’ programme ends

atar Charity (QC) has by providing the basics needed concluded the fi rst by entrepreneurs in the labour Qphase of ‘Tamkeen’, an market. Altiplano Ultimate Automatic. Possession Paved Rose Gold integrated training programme Al-Darwish congratulated watch. off ered remotely via its social the owners of the qualifi ed media accounts. projects, noting that the pro- Piaget prepares to dazzle The programme was gramme provides the necessary launched in October to enhance requirements for the project to this holiday season the economic, social and psy- enter the Qatari market. chological skills of individuals, Ahmed al-Sayegh, di- As the holiday season approaches, under the auspices of Etlaqq rector of Entrepreneurship luxury timepiece and jewellery Business Management and Be- at Bedaya Center, said the maker Piaget is reflecting upon daya Centre. ‘Tamkeen’ programme helps in- the “shared joy and extraordinary The fi rst phase of the pro- dividuals to launch their com- moments spent with loved ones”. gramme included six types of mercial projects, and trained 45 “As the snow starts to fall over training workshops to “enhance Jassim Mohamed al-Emadi Dr Latifa al-Darwish Ahmed al-Sayegh participants by developing their the Swiss village of La Côte-aux- and develop the necessary business ideas. The participants Fées, Piaget’s manufacture will practical skills, contributing to learned the basics of entrepre- soon be covered in a thick white transforming the ideas of in- projects, and those in need of “The ‘Tamkeen’ programme the plan, noting that the second neurship, working on the com- blanket. From the workshop’s dividuals into successful com- training to enter the market, in aims to enable people to have phase would include jobseekers mercial model and marketing windows overlooking this winter mercial projects that would add addition to those aff ected by the opportunities and ensure that and people with special needs in and fi nancial matters. In the wonderland, Piaget’s watchmakers economic value to society”, Qa- Covid-19 pandemic and those they lead a stable and happy life co-operation with the authori- process, they became fully aware and jewellers marvel at the beauty tar Charity said in a statement. willing to have a project that en- at all levels, in support of Qatar ties concerned and community of how to launch their own busi- of the snowflakes as they fall, each Some 45 people attended the sures a steady source of income National Vision 2030 and Sus- partners. It is aimed at provid- ness,” al-Sayegh noted. one unique, like the diamonds that Sunlight Drop Earring. workshops. for a more stable life. tainable Development Goals of ing these people with a sustain- The programme included six adorn the Maison’s timepieces and The fi nal projects included Speaking at the closing cer- the United Nations, in addition able source of income. training workshops, which are jewellery,” according to a press eight participations, of which emony of the fi rst phase of the to achieving community part- Dr Latifa al-Darwish, CEO “procedures for establishing a statement issued in Doha by Ali Bin four projects qualifi ed and would programme, Jassim Mohamed nership with several state insti- and co-founder of Etlaqq Busi- project, business model, visual Ali Holding. be sponsored by Etlaqq Business al-Emadi, director of the Lo- tutions,” said al-Emadi. ness Management, thanked QC identity, how to prepare a mar- Piaget’s artisans are busy Management and Bedaya Centre. cal Development Department He also announced the con- for launching the programme, keting plan for your project, preparing for the holiday season The programme targets in- at Qatar Charity, thanked the tinuation of the programme in which is managed to prepare fi x the price of your product or with an array of “extraordinary dividuals with ideas and small sponsors and participants. the next phases according to ready-to-start projects in Qatar service, and accounting”. creations imbued with sparkle, joy and happiness”, the Possession Open Bangle Rose statement notes. Gold. The Possession collection has always been a companion that as one of Piaget’s jewellery inspires its owners to take control collections, but it is also the name State Audit Bureau president chairs Arabosai meet of their lives and make their of an award-winning flower named dreams come true. With every after Yves Piaget. This glorious spin, twist or turn, this beautiful rose can range in colour from QNA convinced and aware of the im- opments in the fi eld of oversight talisman releases its magic to light pink to a vibrant fuchsia Doha portance of strengthening joint work. The two-day meeting of bring luck and happiness to its and is appreciated for its large eff orts to upgrade regulatory the executive council of Arabosai owner. Joining the Possession bloom with 80 layers of petals bodies to overcome the negative will discuss many important top- timepieces, the Maison is unveiling and its magnificent fragrance he president of the State Au- impacts of this pandemic.” ics, including the report of the a selection of Possession jewellery that features hints of citrus. The dit Bureau and chairman of He pointed out that Arabosai head of the executive council on creations that all playfully ‘Turn collection includes the Piaget Rose Tthe executive council of the was the fi rst to set up plans to the council’s activities and the for Extraordinary’. From rings to Necklace and Earrings. Arab Organisation of Supreme Au- deal with the repercussions of organisation’s activities since the bangles and sliding pendants, they The off ering also included dit Institutions (Arabosai), Sheikh the pandemic and to ensure the 59th meeting. It will also discuss are all unique like snowflakes. the Piaget Sunlight collection. Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud continuation of the organisa- reports of the general secretariat The collection includes the “Even if daylight hours are al-Thani, yesterday presided over tion’s work and its eff orts to en- and sub-committees of the or- Possession Paved Rose Gold shorter in La Côte-aux-Fées in the 61st virtual meeting of the or- hance the capabilities of member ganisation, the presentation of timepieces, Possession Sliding the wintertime, when the sun ganisation’s executive council. supervisory agencies through the reports of the bodies on their Pendant, Possession Open is at its zenith, thousands of Opening the meeting, Sheikh recommendations and proposals participation in the work of the Bangle Rose Gold and the sunny glitters dance across the Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud that were adopted in the extraor- committees and working groups Possession Twisted Open Bangle. pure white plains, like the gems al-Thani said the event, which is dinary council meeting held at of the International Organisation The Altiplano collection of of the Piaget’s Sunlight’s new being held in light of the continu- the beginning of the crisis. of Supreme Audit Institutions watches includes the Altiplano creations,” the statement adds. ing exceptional circumstances He expressed his confi dence (Intosai), the approval of the or- Ultimate Automatic and Altiplano The collection features the imposed by the coronavirus that the organisation will emerge ganisation’s accounting system, Diamond Paved 35mm and Sunlight Drop Earrings, Sunlight (Covid-19) pandemic and the stronger, more eff ective and be the closing account for the year 40mm timepieces. Fully Paved Pendant and Sunlight resulting economic and social able to achieve its goals, and keep 2019, and the estimated budget The Piaget Rose is best known Necklace. challenges, “has made us more pace with the successive devel- for 2020. (QNA)

QMC plays vital role in fi ght against Covid-19 Yamaha bike model recalled From Page 1 Covid-19 awareness campaign on Moving beyond posters and fl i- shared with the researchers their and accurate information, QMC across all its sectors — digital, au- When grouped all together, social media, particularly target- ers, QMC felt it was important to audio clips in 10 languages — Ben- launched a Twitter account, Cov- dio and visual. South/Southeast Asians consti- ing community members who did utilise migrant language radio sta- gali, English, Hindi, Tagalog, Kan- id19Qatar, in April to disseminate In addition to the radio stations he Ministry of Commerce tuted approximately 65% of the to- not know Arabic or English. tions to deliver the correct infor- nada, Malayalam, Nepali, Pashto, authentic news regarding the virus. mentioned above, QMC’s aware- and Industry (MoCI), in tal population of Qatar and formed Besides QMC, diff erent depart- mation to workers since many of Sinhalese and Urdu, which were Since then, it has acted as a ness campaign has also involved Tco-operation with Albadi the majority of the workforce, with ments of the government, namely them faced literacy issues. played on air. platform for publishing offi cial entities such as ‘Chandrika’ news- Trading & Contracting Co, an- Arabs around only 28%. While Ara- the Ministry of Interior, Ministry While discussing the role of Multilingual messages were news and follow-up on related paper (Malayalam). The awareness nounced the recall of Yamaha bic is the offi cial language of Qatar, of Public Health, Ministry of Ad- foreign-language media in Qatar prepared by their radio jockeys topics, in addition to focusing campaign aimed to contribute to YBR125ESD bike model of 2018 English acts as a de facto second of- ministrative Development, Labour on a local programme called Doha (RJs) in collaboration with com- on the eff orts of ministries, offi - reducing the spread of Covid-19 because the rear brake lining ad- fi cial language and is widely used as and Social Aff airs, Hamad Medical 360, al-Mudahka stressed how munity members. cial institutions and all sectors in by producing videos in diff erent hesive may peel off while brak- a lingua franca. Corporation, Ministry of Awqaf important it was to partner with They were aired from March 11 curbing the spread of the virus. languages to be published on the ing at high temperature. In addition, multiple vernacular and Islamic Aff airs, Ministry of the radio stations to fi ght misin- until the end of May from 6am un- The new Twitter account com- most popular social media plat- The recall campaign comes languages from the nations of the Commerce and Industry, Ministry formation and deliver the correct til midnight every hour. plemented QMC’s outreach eff orts forms, such as Facebook, Insta- within the framework of the expatriates are used by people in of Municipality and Environment information to people. Radio Olive and Suno Network in this regard. gram, Twitter and YouTube. MoCI’s continuous efforts to large numbers. and the Government Commu- QMC worked closely with Radio also did something unique; they The account has released daily This supported QMC’s goal to protect consumers and ensure These include Malayalam, Hin- nications Offi ce, worked on the Olive 106.3 FM, Suno Malayalam sent these audio clips to their newsletters in diff erent languages reach the largest possible number that dealers follow up on ve- di, Bengali, Nepali, Tamil, Balochi, multilingual awareness campaign. Network 91.7 FM, Qabayan Radio 40,000 listeners signed up for apart from publishing statistics of targeted groups. hicle defects and repairs. The Urdu, Tagalog, Indonesian, Per- Faisal Abdulhamed al-Mu- 94.3 FM, Radio Malayalam 98.6 their WhatsApp programmes. and the latest daily developments, The videos focused on the most MoCI said that it will co-ordi- sian, Sinhalese, Amharic, Swahili, dahka, Editor-in-Chief of ‘Gulf FM, and Urdu Radio FM 107. The study illustrates, as an ex- as well as awareness videos pro- important information, such as nate with the dealer to follow French and Pashto, among others. Times’ told the researchers in an Together with ‘Gulf Times’, ample, Covid-19 awareness mes- duced by the QMC. the need to maintain personal up on the maintenance and re- In particular, Urdu, Hindi, Ma- interview that he realised English a health awareness campaign, sages aired on Radio Malayalam The account has served as a bar- hygiene — including household pair works and will communi- layalam, Sinhalese, Tamil, Taga- was not understood by everyone ‘Come Together, Overcome To- 98.6 FM in diff erent languages rier against the spread of rumours cleanliness, the diff erence be- cate with customers to ensure log, Bengali, Nepali and English and miscommunication and mis- gether’, was initiated in Hindi, on a particular day (April 15). as well as a platform to introduce tween isolation and quarantine, that they carried out the nec- cover the major non-Arab migrant understanding about the virus in Nepali, Tagalog, Malayalam, Sin- Covid-19 Arabic and English ad- the most important articles and things to do at home such as ex- essary repairs. languages, accounting for ap- the early stages convinced him halese and Urdu. vertisements were aired 23 times news related to offi cial institu- ercise, and ensuring food hygiene. The MoCI urged all custom- proximately 65% of the expatriate and others knowledgeable about A new Bengali language chan- each, Covid-19 common notifi ca- tions and their eff orts to reduce Speaking to ‘Gulf Times’ earlier on ers to report any violations to its population. the matter that an aggressive nel was also launched on 95.3 FM tions 33 times, Covid-19 precau- the spread of Covid-19. how successful has been the policy Consumer Protection and Anti- The use of a wide variety of lan- campaign in the languages of the to assist the campaign as there did tions (Tamil) 17 times, Covid-19 Overall, QMC has produced of spreading awareness messages in Commercial Fraud Department, guages by Qatar’s residents made workers was needed. not previously exist any radio sta- precautions capsule sets (1 and 2) hundreds of awareness materials migrant languages in containing the which processes complaints, in- it imperative for QMC and gov- Accordingly, Qatar’s ministries tions for Bengali speakers. 22 times, Covid-19 precautions during the current Covid-19 crisis Covid-19 outbreak in Qatar, Dr Ah- quires and suggestions through ernment agencies to send out the published a number of awareness Although these stations are pri- (Malayalam) 9 times, Covid-19 through various channels, thereby mad said: “Communication at a time the following channels: Call cen- Covid-19 messages in as many posters and fl iers in languages be- vate and rely on advertisement, precautions (Bengali — 1 and 2) 10 supporting the government ef- like Covid-19 pandemic is referred to tre: 16001, e-mail: info@moci. languages as possible. yond Arabic and English, such as their station managers said they times, and Covid-19 precautions forts in containing the spread of as crisis communication.” gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Within less than two weeks of Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Nepali, saw it as part of their corporate (Sinhalese) 8 times. Covid-19. He said it is therefore essential Instagram: MOCIQATAR, MoCI the fi rst confi rmed case of Cov- Bengali, Sinhalese, Tagalog, Pa- social responsibility. Realising the potential of social Its awareness campaign has to ensure that the message reached mobile app for android and iOS: id-19 in Qatar, QMC launched a shto, Indonesian and Tamil. Radio Olive and Suno Network media in disseminating prompt seen the participation of entities all. MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 QATAR

The CP Club complex comprises several features, and boasts 14 designer townhouses that have been expertly curated by leading international names in fashion and interior design. Qatar Museums unveils CP Club at Msheireb atar Museums (QM) has interior design, including Diane unveiled CP Club – a von Furstenberg, Armani/Casa, Qtwist on the members- Minotti, Daniel Arsham, India only arts club based in the heart Mahdavi, Marie-Anne Oudejans of Doha’s creative oasis and bur- & Filipa de Abreu, Donna Ka- geoning design district, Msheir- ran/Urban Zen, Luxury Living, eb. The Future Perfect and Rossana The district is home to Qatar’s Orlandi, and by notable Qatari new hub for innovation and en- artists and designers Aisha al- trepreneurship M7, the Fashion Sowaidi and Wadha. Trust Arabia Prize, and the re- Members enjoy exclusive use cently announced Tasweer pho- of the Majlis clubhouse and cafe, amidst the most varied and in- It is an area rich with history and tography festival. a dramatic reimagining of the spiring settings, CP Club stands culture. Founded by QM Chairper- traditional gathering space, as ready to welcome a membership “I thrive on refl ecting memo- son HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint well as pop-up boutiques and ca- as stimulating and inventive as ries on design and creating ob- Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fes, bespoke programming, fash- the facilities themselves.” jects that conceptually tell a in collaboration with Msheireb ion shows, jewellery exhibitions, Speaking about Doha, where story. Properties and Whitney Robin- conversations with designers, she has now designed one of the “Once introduced to the town- son’s DW Northstar, and with the artists and architects, and an in- Msheireb townhouses, Fursten- house project, I was taken back sponsorship of the Qatar Nation- novative scent garden designed berg said: “What a gem … its his- in time to Doha, to the streets, to al Tourism Council (QNTC), CP by master perfumer Julian Bedel. tory from being a secret paradise the houses, and to all those emo- Club provides intimate, inspir- CP Club members also enjoy of pearl fi shermen to become a tions attached to them.” ing and engaging atmospheres priority access to rent any of the modern centre of education and “I think the sort of originality in which to relax, network and 14 designer townhouses. art. and comfort that comes about entertain. “CP Club will be a space for Qa- “The more you drive around through selecting your own fur- The CP Club complex com- tar’s most creative people to meet the more inspiring it gets ... the niture, design and art objects can prises a clubhouse with a cafe informally and exchange ideas in Rem Koolhaas library (QNL), make something feel and have a and members lounge, plus 14 a relaxed, sociable atmosphere,” Sheikha Moza Foundation, the particular character,” said exper- unique houses that have been HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said in a theatres, the restaurants ... all of imental artist and designer Dan- expertly curated by leading in- press statement. “Established in it is magical. iel Arsham, speaking about the ternational names in fashion and the ideal neighbourhood in Doha, “To design a DVF pied à terre in townhouse he curated. “I’m so Doha is an honour and a privilege much invested in the combina- Safety protocol ... I love Doha.” tion of art and architecture, what DVF is a reference to the ini- I hope to do with this place in In accordance with nationally mandated health and safety protocols, CP tials of her name. A pied à terre is Doha is to create a universe that Club members and guests are required to present a “green” health status a small living unit, like a fl at. people can step into and experi- on the Ehteraz virus-tracing app and to bring and wear face coverings Multidisciplinary artist and ence and have this kind of com- for the duration of their visit. designer Aisha al-Sowaidi, who plete worldview.” CP Club encourages safe social distancing throughout the complex. grew up in Doha, said: “Msheireb Tours for prospective members A clubhouse with a cafe and members lounge. holds a lot of memories for me. will begin on December 7. Thousands take WCM-Q’s online Covid lectures

Healthcare workers across register for the accredited webi- tinguished professor of the his- country attend WCM-Q nar series, and thousands have tory of medicine, director of the webinar series since attended the online lec- Centre for the History of Medi- tures. cine at the University of Michi- housands of healthcare Dr Salman al-Jerdi, assist- gan, and member of the National professionals across Qatar ant professor of neurology at Academy of Medicine. Thave taken advantage of WCM-Q and one of the series’ His webinar looked at pre- Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar co-directors, said: “As countries vious pandemics to aff ect the (WCM-Q)’s Covid-19 Live We- across the world entered lock- world in a lecture entitled When binar Series to learn of the latest down in March, doctors fought to Germs Travel: Coronavirus, and advancements in Covid thera- keep patients alive, researchers the Long History of Contagious pies, helping them to treat pa- studied the novel coronavirus in Crises. tients and save lives. laboratories, and new informa- Dr Thurayya Arayssi, professor The Covid-19 respiratory dis- tion was discovered on an almost of clinical medicine and senior ease is caused by the coronavirus. daily basis.” associate dean for medical edu- The webinars were developed “In some instances, this in- cation and continuing profes- at the beginning of the March formation was vital for improved sional development at the WCM- lockdown to meet the clini- patient outcomes but because Q, was the second co-director of cal needs of the local healthcare it was coming from discrete WCM-Q dean Dr Sheikh (top left) delivering a lecture. the webinar series. community, who were treating sources, it was a challenge for She said: “The pandemic has Covid-19 patients. the medical community to avail cifi cally needed during the coro- Becetti, Dr Ghaith Abu-Zeinah, been an incredibly fl uid and fast- The WCM-Q’s Division of itself of all the updates,” he said. navirus pandemic. Dr Mohamed Elshazly, and Dr al- moving crisis, both literally and Continuing Professional Devel- “So, the Covid-19 Live Webinar Whether it related to pulmo- Jerdi. in terms of our clinical knowl- opment (CPD) realised that to aid Series was conceived out of an nary care or paediatrics, diff erent They discussed subjects from edge, and the CPD team had to recovery, physicians and health- idea to help keep Qatar’s medical aspects of the crisis have been therapeutics for Covid-19 pneu- work incredibly fast to develop care workers in the country community abreast of the rapidly covered to support the entire monia to how Covid-19 aff ects and deliver this webinar series.” needed a trusted online source changing clinical situation.” healthcare community. the brain. “Our aim has always been to MoPH reports 185 new Covid-19 cases for the latest news about treat- So far there have been 33 pres- WCM-Q dean Dr Javaid Other speakers and topics provide high-quality presenta- ments and therapies. entations and a total of 36 speak- Sheikh delivered a lecture on the include Dr Randi R Diamond – tions from highly credible ex- The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced yesterday 185 With new facts, theories and ers, including presentations by vital importance of maintaining assistant professor of clinical perts discussing relevant and new confirmed cases of the coronavirus during the last 24 hours, discoveries about the virus be- WCM-Q faculty and alumni, close social relationships while medicine at Weill Cornell Medi- timely topics,” Dr Arayssi said. of which 152 are from community cases and 33 from travellers ing made daily across the world, physicians from Sidra and Ha- keeping to physical distancing cine in New York, who discussed “Given the popularity of the se- returning from abroad who are subject to quarantine. it was vital for the health of pa- mad Medical Corporation, and guidelines, and Dr Abdullatif al- Palliative Care and Covid-19, The ries among healthcare profes- The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease. tients in Qatar that doctors had experts from foreign institutions. Khal – deputy chief medical of- Weill Cornell Medicine Experi- sionals, I hope we have done that The ministry also recorded 228 recoveries from the virus during the the latest information. Each online lecture attracts fi cer, director of the Department ence – and Dr Evelyn C Granieri, and played a small part in im- past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases that recovered in With this as their mission, the more than 1,000 virtual attend- of Medical Education and senior professor of medicine at Colum- proving healthcare and clinical Qatar to 136,090. CPD team assembled a huge va- ees, and since the lectures began, consultant in infectious diseases bia University’s Vagelos College outcomes for Covid-19 patients The MoPH said that all new cases have been placed in isolation and riety of leading clinical experts 22,000 healthcare professionals at Hamad Medical Corporation – of Physicians and Surgeons in the in Qatar and the wider region.” are receiving necessary healthcare according to their health status. and topics to keep the medical have participated, the majority discussed the national response US, who spoke about the eff ects The Covid-19 Live Webinar The ministry said that measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have profession abreast of the latest from Qatar but some from across the pandemic. of Covid-19 on older patients. Series continues until the spring succeeded in flattening the curve, limiting the spread of the virus, updates. the world. The WCM-Q alumni who were A particularly high-profi le of 2021, and past presentations and that the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions is When launched, healthcare The series has been tailored to invited to deliver a lecture were recent lecturer was Dr Howard can be viewed online at CPD’s continuing to decline each week. workers across Qatar rushed to information that has been spe- Dr Mahrukh Rizvi, Dr Karima Markel, the George E Wantz dis- online archive. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 9 QATAR Top fashion designer handpicks VCUarts Qatar’s student’s design

furniture design created sity interior design Class of 2021 assistant professor, Interior and it was a challenge to choose by Virginia Common- student. “Not everyone gets the Design, VCUarts Qatar. “They between so many elegant pro- Awealth University School chance to say they’ve custom provide a necessary detailed posals. In the end, Diane and I of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts made a furniture piece for Diane explanation about fabrica- chose Maryam AlKuwari’s de- Qatar) interior design student von Furstenberg. tion and installation to realise sign for its functionality and Maryam Yacoub AlKuwari has Liam Cloquhoun, inter- their design intent. This major sophistication. Congratulations been chosen by world-renowned im chair of Interior Design, achievement by Maryam and to Maryam on this win – truly The headboard designed by Maryam Yacoub AlKuwari in Diane von Furstenberg’s Msheireb Downtown fashion designer Diane von VCUarts Qatar, noted how such all of our students is a perfect deserved!” Doha apartment. Furstenberg, and implemented projects add value to the overall chance to remind them how The project began around the in her apartment in Msheireb experience of pursuing a hands- talented, hard-working, and beginning of February 2020, York, and was inspired by the glass- Furstenberg’s personal use, as well “Likewise, this is not some- Downtown Doha. on programme such as interior deserving they are.” with AlKuwari and her class- based design there; it has multiple as book shelves on the other. thing I could have even dreamed AlKuwari’s design was hand- design. Earlier this week, von Fursten- mates being provided a brief to triangles that add beautiful depth AlKuwari says she owes her suc- of, without the guidance of my picked from among other “Experiences of practice such burg herself thanked the stu- custom design a piece of furni- and meaning to the space, and I cess to numerous people who have VCUarts Qatar professors, Liam proposals submitted by her as these are a vital part of our dents of VCUarts Qatar on her ture – either a sofa or a head- knew it was an element which, if supported her through her forma- Colquhoun and Haithem El-Ham- classmates in response to an programme,” says Colquhoun. Instagram account, and posted a board – for von Furstenberg’s I could incorporate stylishly into tive years – especially her father, mali, who have been extremely pa- invitation to collaborate with “And such initiatives would not photo of the winning headboard Doha apartment. my own concept, would give her Yacoub AlKuwari. tient, supportive and helpful. I’m Olivier Gelbsman, von Fursten- be possible without the support design. “We had the opportunity to visit a feel of her New York home. And, “My father has been there for very grateful for what they gave us, berg’s interior designer, to deco- of our industry partners such “The opportunity to select the apartment along with Gelb- of course, I wanted to include the me, every step of the way,” she says. and will continue to give us. rate the New York-based fashion as Diane von Furstenberg and a proposal from the next gen- sman to envision the space,” says beautiful Msheireb mashrabiya to “His belief and faith in me, and in “I am also appreciative of Her designer’s Doha apartment. Msheireb Properties. eration of designers is always an AlKuwari, who started with back- compliment the design.” what I could off er – even during Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa “I worked so hard on devel- “This project was a great op- exciting and refreshing experi- ground research on von Fursten- AlKuwari chose a colour scheme those moments when I felt like bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani oping this project, and now, to portunity for our students to ence,” says Gelbsman. berg, to further understand her comprising of matte black and giving up – are what pushed me for giving us future designers the see it come to life is certainly a experience developing shop “The students from VCUarts preferences. neutral tones, and further comple- beyond what I perceived were my opportunity to participate and be a dream come true,” says the Qatar drawings to fabricators,” says Qatar really stepped up to the “I studied images of her person- mented the headboard with three limits, and helped shape who I am part of the Culture Pass Club com- Foundation (QF) partner univer- Dr Haithem A El-Hammali, task that the brief presented, al apartment in Manhattan, New night-shelves on one side, for von as a designer, today. plex.”

Shura Council takes part in workshop

QFFD initiative to educate The Shura Council participated yesterday in a parliamentary workshop on “The role of Arab parliaments in protecting the rights of the elderly”, which was 50,000 children in Sudan organised virtually by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in co-operation with the Arab League and the Arab States MoU inked with Sudan’s Federal Ministry Regional Off ice of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). of Education to support EAA project Discussions during the workshop focused on the crucial role of parliaments in expressing the priorities and issues atar Fund For Devel- of the elderly and advancing their rights opment (QFFD) has by allocating financial resources and Qsigned a memorandum ensuring legislative laws that meet their of understanding (MoU) with needs, especially during the period of the Sudan’s Federal Ministry of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Education to support a project The Shura Council was represented in by Education Above All (EAA) this workshop by its members, Abdullah Foundation with its partner bin Khalid al-Mana and Saqr bin Fahad Unicef, which will provide al-Muraikhi. 50,000 out-of-school children with access to quality formal and informal education. The project will focus on QRCS provides medical equipment to protect 24,000 students in Gaza improvement of learning envi- ronments and capacity-build- Off icials signing the MoU. In co-operation with the Ministry of ing to ensure the provision of Education and Higher Education in Gaza, quality education for children of Qatar’s commitment towards About the support provided by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has deprived of education, in addi- the brothers and sisters in Su- QFFD to implement the educa- distributed 77 digital thermometers to tion to increasing community dan, and builds on a number of tion project in Sudan, al-Sulaiti 44 public schools in the blockade’s five participation and awareness of current development and relief said: “EAA has provided quality governorates, with a view to controlling the importance of access to and projects between the two coun- education in several countries, the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and enrolment in primary educa- tries, which cover several ar- including Sudan, through its ensuring a safe school environment for tion, EAA has said in a state- eas in various states,” al-Kuwari partnerships with international students and teachers. ment. said. institutions such as Unicef and In a press statement, engineer Mohamed The MoU was signed remotely “The MoU between Qatar UNHCR, to implement fi ve Nassar, director of Projects Department at the by QFFD director-general Khal- Fund For Development and the projects, in which it sought to Ministry of Education and Higher Education, ifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari and Su- Sudanese Ministry of Education enroll more than 600,000 out- said the contribution of QRCS met the needs dan’s ambassador to Qatar Ab- aims to provide quality educa- of-school children. And, with of the ministry to ensure a safe educational dul Rahim al-Siddig Mohamed, tion opportunities for out-of- the partnership between Unicef process by securing all the materials to protect who signed on behalf of Sudan’s school children, reaching the and EAA Foundation, the project the safety of staff and students at public Minister of Education Mohamed largest possible number of chil- will target the enrolment of schools. El-Amin Ahmed El-Tom, Qatar dren, and developing schools an additional 50,000 children Nassar noted that 24,000 boys and girls are News Agency reported. and facilities to support these without primary education, in- being checked with the new thermometers, The virtual signing ceremony eff orts. This project will be im- cluding children in rural areas, lauding QRCS’ constant eff orts to help the was attended by Minister El- plemented in co-operation with Bedouin communities, children Palestinian people. Tom, who delivered the open- our strategic partner, Education aff ected by confl ict and children Dr Akram Nassar, director of QRCS’s ing speech; Fahad bin Hamad Above All Foundation, through with disabilities.” representation mission in Gaza, highlighted al-Sulaiti, CEO of EAA Founda- its Educate a Child programme,” According to the latest statis- their support to Gaza’s schools as an tion; and members of the Qatari he added. tics by Unicef, Sudan has one of emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic, embassy in Khartoum. El-Tom thanked Qatar for its the highest numbers of out-of- keeping the students safe as they attend their School off icials hold temperature checks in Gaza. The project will ensure the permanent support to Sudan in school children in the Middle schools. education of 50,000 out-of- all fi elds, especially education, East and North Africa region. It “We have ongoing health projects to alleviate totalling $95,000 in value. It involved “Also, 13,000 litres of disinfectants (sodium school children who are not re- and spoke about the eff orts Su- is estimated that more than 3mn the impact of diff icult circumstances imposed procuring 800 swab kits, sanitisers, gloves, hypochlorite), shoes, and leather gloves ceiving formal education. dan is undertaking to advance children, aged between fi ve and by the virus. There is a project to provide and medical consumables for the Ministry of were delivered to the Municipality of Gaza, in “This support comes as part education. 13 years, do not go to school. emergency Coronavirus control supplies Health,” Dr Nassar said. order to protect its workers,” he added. Massive racial equality gaps in healthcare: medical experts

nstitutionalised racism neg- help rectify the inequalities by fected. Governments have that the nonprofi t Melanin Medics, atively impacts physical and ensuring those most at risk in data, health services have that agreed that much work must be Imental health, and medical the global south are among the data, but they are not respond- done to address racial inequali- communities around the world fi rst to receive the coronavirus ing to the data. They are not ties in healthcare. “This is go- have a great deal of work ahead vaccine. “We hope very much taking the immediate action ing to be a long road at gaining to correct those imbalances, that when these countries pri- needed to address healthcare’s some sort of normalcy. Things experts told a special edition oritise who’s going to get the racial inequalities.” need to happen at the govern- of QF’s Doha Debates #Dear- vaccine fi rst, they will genuinely Doreen Moraa Moracha, a mental level but also in our WorldLive programme at the look at those most vulnerable.” Kenyan native, said that the healthcare systems.” She called World Innovation Summit for Dr Kamran Abbasi, executive coronavirus pandemic is alarm- for greater diversity in leader- Health (WISH) 2020. editor of the British Medical ingly reminiscent of the ine- ship to address the challenges. The three guests said the glo- Journal, called for urgent ac- qualities experienced by Blacks “Representation is one of the bal response to the Covid-19 tion to address the racial im- and minorities with HIV. “HIV key issues that exists in medi- pandemic has once again shown balances in healthcare. “Every currently has the issue of stig- cine today.” that Blacks and minorities often health system is stressed, and at ma and discrimination, and we More than 400,000 people receive medical treatment that times like that, inequalities be- have seen it come out with the around the world watched the is inferior to healthcare provid- come worse, and unfortunately Covid-19 pandemic.” live programme, with the top ed to white majorities. it’s made much worse in this Moracha, who founded the viewing nations being Brazil, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the pandemic because much of the HIV advocacy initiative I Am Turkey, the US, Argentina, and World Health Organisation’s people exposed trying to save a Beautiful Story, added: “I the Philippines. Botswana-born regional direc- lives are from minority commu- feel that Africa may once again The programme and all Doha tor for Africa, said: “Covid-19 nities.” be left behind, or we may be Debates videos can be seen has not only highlighted and He called on government and brought something that does on-demand on Doha Debates’ worsened inequities, but it’s healthcare leaders to take cor- not work on us or work well.” Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, and going to worsen them [more] in rective action. “It’s a failure of Active audience member YouTube channels, and at Do- the future.” leadership. It’s clear we know Khadija Owusu, a medical stu- haDebates.com/DearWorld- She urged world leaders to minorities are adversely af- dent in the UK who founded Live. A screenshot of the session. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA Rival Libya offi cials hold new round of talks in Morocco

AFP forts to bring an end to a decade cording to participants. Government of National Accord in the east and west. Following a member based in the western convening the elected parliament Tangiers of conflict. Libya has been mired in vio- dominates Tripoli and the west, year-long but ultimately abortive city of Misrata, said the Tangier as soon as they return home. That The two days of talks in the lence since the 2011 fall of long- while an eastern administration is attempt by Haftar to seize Tripoli, talks aimed to “deal with pend- came after a UN-sponsored po- northern port city of Tangier time dictator Muammar Gadd- backed by part of the HoR, elect- the two sides signed a formal truce ing questions such as sovereign litical dialogue forum in Tunis in ivals from war-torn Lib- bring together 13 representa- afi in a Nato-backed uprising, ed in 2014 — along with military deal in October, pumping new life appointments” to key posts Last mid-November where partici- ya started a new round of tives each from Libya’s House with an array of armed groups chief Khalifa Haftar. into UN-led eff orts for a political week, also in Tangier, more than pants agreed to hold elections on Rtalk in Morocco yester- of Representatives (HoR) and and two administrations vying The HoR is deeply divided, with solution to the confl ict. 120 Libyan deputies pledged to December 24, 2021, but not on day as part of stepped-up ef- Supreme State Council, ac- for power. The UN-recognised sessions taking place in parallel Mohamed Raied, an HoR “end the divisions”, starting by who will lead the transition.

Australia premier slams Chinese Ethiopia’s PM savours spokesman’s ‘repugnant’ tweet

AFP shouldn’t the Australian government feel Sydney ashamed?” victory, Tigrayan leader She said Australia should “make a formal apology to the Afghan people”, adding that ustralia’s prime minister angrily de- “it is a fact that Australian soldiers brutally nounced a “repugnant”, “outrageous” slaughtered innocent civilians in Afghanistan”. Aand “appalling” tweet from a top Chinese Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said earlier in says war unfi nished government spokesman yesterday and demanded November that Morrison had called him per- Beijing formally apologise. sonally to express his “deepest sorrow” over Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Li- the allegations. Reuters jian sparked the outrage when he posted a staged Relations between Australia and China are Addis Ababa/Nairobi image of a man dressed as an Australian soldier in free fall. China has introduced a string of holding a bloody knife to an Afghan child’s throat. economic sanctions on Australian goods and Australian prosecutors are currently investi- state-controlled news outlets have repeatedly thiopia’s Prime Minister gating 19 members of the country’s military in attacked Australia over a range of issues. Abiy Ahmed lauded his connection with alleged war crimes committed The ill feeling appears to have been prompted Etroops yesterday for oust- by special forces in Afghanistan between 2005 by Canberra’s decision to push back on Beijing’s ing a rebellious northern move- and 2016. growing power in the region, to crack down on ment, but the leader of Tigrayan Morrison called the tweet — from an official Chinese influence operations Down Under and forces said they were still resist- Chinese government account — an “outra- to call for an independent investigation into the ing amid fears of a protracted geous and disgusting slur” against the Austral- origins of the coronavirus pandemic. guerrilla confl ict. ian armed forces and called on Twitter to take it “This sort of conduct is not conducive to any down. “It is utterly outrageous and it cannot be relationship,” Morrison said of the tweet. Pompeo calls justified on any basis whatsoever. “That’s why I think it’s so important in our for ‘complete The Chinese government should be totally mutual interests that this egregious act be end’ to fighting ashamed of this post,” Morrison said of the dealt with.” tweet. “It diminishes them in the world’s eyes.” The Chinese government spokesman had US Secretary of State Mike Pom- Asked about the tweet at a regular press tweeted that he was “shocked by the murder peo yesterday urged Ethiopian briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokes- of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to woman Hua Chunying replied: “With Austral- soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, & end fighting, voicing concern as ian soldiers committing such atrocious crimes, call for holding them accountable.” a military off ensive pursued the Tigray region’s dissident leaders. Pompeo in a phone call with Abiy “called for a complete end to the fighting and constructive Ethiopian refugees who fled the fighting in Tigray Region are pictured at Umm Rakuba camp in eastern dialogue to resolve the crisis,” a Sudan’s Gedaref State, yesterday. Cher welcomes ‘world’s loneliest State Department statement said. The top US diplomat noted Abiy’s over the Tigray People’s Lib- gle civilian in Tigray since start- Reuters in a text message. declaration that major operations eration Front (TPLF), a guerrilla ing an off ensive in response to an Claims from all sides are dif- elephant’ to new home in Cambodia were finished but “reiterated the movement-turned-political attack on a federal army base on fi cult to verify since phone and United States’ grave concern party that dominated national Nov 4. Though the highland city Internet links to Tigray have regarding ongoing hostilities and government for nearly three of 500,000 people eventually fell largely been down and access is AFP the risks the conflict pose,” it said. decades until 2018. with little resistance, the TPLF restricted. The TPLF has shelled Siem Reap “Our constitution was at- said yesterday it had shot down a Asmara’s airport and accused tacked but it didn’t take us three plane and retaken one town. Eritrea of sending troops to fi ght The nearly month-long war years, it took us three weeks,” TPLF leader Debretsion Ge- with Abiy’s forces. uperstar Cher welcomed has killed hundreds and prob- Abiy told parliament, compar- bremichael, a 57-year-old Both Eritrea and Ethiopia have “the world’s loneliest ably thousands of people, sent ing his off ensive with the Ameri- former radio operator, denied denied that accusation. Selephant” to Cambodia refugees into Sudan, enmeshed can Civil War of the 1860s. “Our reports he had fl ed to South Su- When he took offi ce in 2018, yesterday to begin a new life at Eritrea, and stirred rivalries army is disciplined and victori- dan and said his forces captured Abiy pledged to unite Ethiopia’s a specialised sanctuary after among Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic ous.” some soldiers from neighbour- 115mn people, but ethnic blood- the creature was rescued from groups. Though the TPLF said Mekelle ing Eritrea around Wukro, about shed had killed hundreds and grim conditions in a Pakistani Federal forces captured re- suff ered bombardment, Abiy 50km north of Mekelle. uprooted hundreds of thousands zoo. gional capital Mekelle at the said his troops had declined to “I’m close to Mekelle in Tig- from their homes even before the The plight of Kaavan — a weekend and declared victory use rockets and not killed a sin- ray fi ghting the invaders,” he told latest fl are-up. 36-year-old bull elephant at Islamabad’s zoo and originally from Sri Lanka — sparked glo- SHOWDOWN bal uproar from animal rights South Koreans, Chinese clash on social groups, who launched a cam- US pop singer Cher and Cambodia’s Deputy Minister of Environment media after Kimchi wins certification paign to save him. Neth Pheaktra (left) pose in front of the crate containing Kaavan Mali, foreign military His cause was boosted by the Asian elephant upon his arrival in Cambodia from Pakistan at spirited social media support Siem Reap International Airport, yesterday. China’s eff orts to win an international certification for Pao Cai, a pickled from actress and musician vegetable dish from Sichuan, is turning into a social media showdown bases attacked in north Cher, who travelled to see him pated journey was “unevent- aboard a jumbo Russian cargo between Chinese and South Korean netizens over the origin of Kimchi, a off from Pakistan and then to ful”, said Amir Khalil, a vet- plane to handle up to 200 litres staple Korean cuisine made of cabbage. Beijing recently won a certification Cambodia to welcome him to erinarian from animal welfare of urine. from the International Organisation for StandardiSation (ISO) for Pao Cai, AFP foreign forces operating in the his new home. group Four Paws, adding he After Kaavan touched down, an achievement the state-run Global Times reported as “an international Bamako troubled west African country. Wearing a black face mask, behaved “like a frequent fl yer”. monks off ered him fruit, standard for the Kimchi industry led by China.” South Korean media was fast “There were no casualties, the Oscar winner was on hand “Kaavan was eating, was not chanted prayers and sprin- to dispute such a claim and accuse the bigger neighbour of trying to make but there was some material at Siem Reap airport and waved stressed — he was even a little kled holy water on his crate Kimchi a type of China-made Pao Cai. The episode triggered anger on South uspected militants at- damage,” an Malian military of- excitedly at the plane after it bit sleeping, standing, leaning to bless him. For the last leg, Korean social media.”Its total nonsense, what a thief stealing our culture!” a tacked several Malian and fi cial said.French military forces landed around 2:30pm (0730 at the crate wall,” he said. he was loaded onto a truck for South Korean netizen wrote on Naver.com, a widely popular web portal. Sforeign military bases have around 5,000 troops in the GMT). Transporting an adult ele- the three-hour journey to his with mortars and rockets in the Sahel as part of their anti-mil- “I am so proud he is here,” phant by plane is no small task, new home, a wildlife sanctuary north of the country yesterday, itant Operation Barkane, and she said, after greeting Kaavan and has only been undertaken a in Oddar Meanchey province ERUPTION military sources said. thousands UN peacekeepers are through an opening at the base handful of times. which already hosts three fe- Thousands flee as volcano bursts to life No casualties were immedi- also operating in Mali. of the crate. Helpers packed his trunk male elephants. ately reported in the attacks on The European Takuba task “He’s going to be really hap- with 200 kilos of food to snack Cher followed behind in her Thousands have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that Menaka, Gao and Kidal in what force also includes special op- py here,” said Cher, adding that on during the seven-hour own vehicle as Kaavan made his burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column appeared to be a rare attempt erations troops from several she was hopeful his ordeal was fl ight, while a tube system was way through farmland and past of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said yesterday. at a co-ordinated assault on countries. over. Kaavan’s much-antici- installed in his transport crate the famous Angkor Wat temple.

Iran offi cial says Israel, exiled group killed scientist in complex operation

AFP present at the scene”. The Peo- Minister Amir Hatami and Rev- by some conservative lawmakers US slapped sanctions on Fakhri- Tehran ple’s Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) olutionary Guards commander to avoid entering potential nego- zadeh in 2008 for “activities and were “certainly” involved, along Hossein Salami. tiations with the United States, transactions that contributed to with “the Zionist regime and As the funeral got underway, a even as the hawkish presidency the development of Iran’s nu- ran said that Israel and an the Mossad”, he said in video in- religious singer praised Fakhri- of Donald Trump draws to a clear programme”. Around a year exiled opposition group used terviews, referring to the Israeli zadeh and alluded to the mar- close. after the US withdrew from the Inew and “complex” methods government and its spy agency. tyrdom of Imam Hossein, the Iran’s President Rouhani has nuclear deal, it began gradually to assassinate its leading nu- With few details emerging of revered 7th century holy fi gure. accused Israel of acting as a US abandoning most of its key com- clear scientist, as it buried him the attack itself, the scientist’s “If our enemies had not com- “mercenary”, blaming it for the mitments under the agreement. Monday in a funeral befi tting a son said his mother was also in mitted this heinous crime and killing of Fakhrizadeh, and su- The funeral was not open to top “martyr”. As it laid Mohsen the targeted car but survived the spilled our dear martyr’s blood, preme leader Khamenei has the public in order to maintain Fakhrizadeh — seen by Israel as attack. he might have remained un- called for the perpetrators to be health protocols over the novel the “father” of Iran’s nuclear Without citing sources, Fars known,” Hatami said in a speech. punished. coronavirus pandemic, the de- weapons programme — to rest, news agency said the attack had “But today, he who was only Parliament yesterday de- fence ministry said. the Islamic republic also vowed been carried out with the help an idol for...his students and manded a halt to international As part of the procession be- to redouble his work. of “a remote-controlled auto- colleagues, is introduced to the inspections of nuclear sites in fore the funeral, Fakhrizadeh’s Fakhrizadeh died on Friday af- matic machinegun” mounted on whole world,” he added, saying the country, a step that could remains were taken on Saturday ter his car and bodyguards were a pickup truck. he would be an inspiration for prove a fatal blow to the nuclear and yesterday to shrines in the targeted in a bomb and gun at- State-run Press TV said “all who embark on the path to Iranian mourners attend the burial ceremony of slain nuclear deal the Islamic republic agreed northeastern city of Mashhad tack on a major road outside the “made in Israel” weapons were fi ght”. scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh at Imamzadeh Saleh shrine in with world powers in 2015. and Qom in central Iran, as well capital, heightening tensions found at the scene. “The enemies should know northern Tehran, yesterday. Trump withdrew from the Iran as the shrine of the founder of once more between Tehran and Iran’s President Hassan Rou- that this is their fi rst defeat.” nuclear deal in 2018 and began the Islamic republic, R Khomeini its foes. hani had on Saturday accused Hatami had said after the speech, he said the government Khamenei, as well as former top reimposing crippling sanctions, in Tehran. Iran’s top security offi cial, Israel of acting as a “mercenary” scientist’s death that Fakhri- had decided to double the organ- general Qasem Soleimani, who but US President-elect Joe Biden The scientist’s coffi n was Rear-Admiral Ali Shamkhani of for the United States by carrying zadeh was one of his deputies isation’s budget to continue Fa- was killed in a January drone has promised a return to diplo- buried at Imamzadeh Saleh, an the Supreme National Security out the assassination. and headed the ministry’s De- khrizadeh’s path “vigorously”.A strike by the US in Baghdad. macy. Rouhani has emphasised important shrine in northern Council, said the “operation was Fakhrizadeh’s funeral was at- fence Research and Innovation large display showed a picture The assassination has led to Iran will seek its revenge for the Tehran where two other slain very complex, using electron- tended by several high-ranking Organisation, focusing on the of Fakhrizadeh next to Iran’s demands for a strong response assassination in “due time” and nuclear scientists were buried in ic equipment and no one was offi cials, including Defence fi eld of “nuclear defence”. In his supreme leader Ayatollah Ali from Iran’s leadership and calls not be rushed into a “trap”. The 2010 and 2011. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 11 AMERICAS

INVESTIGATION CLAIM POLITICS ECONOMY INITIATIVE Georgia probing Artists’ collective protest Losses for Bolsonaro Mexico braces for close Mexico announces new voter-registration groups was a US plot, says Cuba in Brazil local polls trade scrutiny from Biden $11.3bn investment plan

Election authorities in Georgia have opened Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that a President Jair Bolsonaro’s candidates suff ered further After years of fiery rhetoric from President Donald Mexico announced new investment of $11.3bn in in- investigations into progressive groups trying to recent protest in Havana by an artists’ collective defeats Sunday and the traditional centre-right Trump, Mexico is bracing for more discreet but frastructure projects in co-operation with the private sign up new voters in advance of twin January over freedom of expression was “the last at- emerged stronger in municipal runoff elections seen steadfast pressure from Joe Biden’s administration sector to help revive the pandemic-aff licted economy. elections that will determine control of the US tempt” by outgoing American President Donald as a gauge of where things stand in Brazilian politics to fulfil its trade obligations, analysts say. Mexico and The 228bn-peso plan is the second of its kind since senate, Secretary of State Brad Raff ensperger said Trump’s administration “to overthrow the revolu- ahead of presidential polls in 2022. Brazil’s biggest Canada were pressured by Trump to renegotiate October, when 297bn pesos of investments were yesterday. Raff ensperger, a Republican, said his of- tion.” “You know they tried to trick us. They set cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both elected the North American Free Trade Agreement. After unveiled to boost Latin America’s second-largest fice was examining registration eff orts by America up a media circus,” President Diaz-Canel told experienced centre-right mayors — incumbent Bruno more than two years of arduous haggling, it was re- economy. The latest round includes 29 infrastructure Votes, Vote Forward and the New Georgia Project. hundreds of young people who took part in a Covas and returning veteran Eduardo Paes, respec- placed as of July 1 by the US-Mexico-Canada Agree- projects in the energy, transportation, water and He said some groups had been encouraging “defence of the revolution” event in a park in tively — as the candidates endorsed by Bolsonaro ment — but only after the Democrats demanded sanitation sectors, among others. President Andres people who lived outside Georgia to register to the capital. The protest was “the last attempt were roundly defeated. The Brazilian left meanwhile US off icials renegotiate key elements. “Biden won’t Manuel Lopez Obrador hailed the announcement as vote in the state. “These third-party groups have that the Trumpists and the anti-Cuban mafia continued to struggle to bounce back from the be as hostile as Trump, but he will watch to see that “an alliance for investment, for development, for job a responsibility to not encourage illegal vot- (in Miami) could lead.” He called it part of an damaging impeachment of president Dilma Rousseff the commitments made in the USMCA are fulfilled, creation.” Mexico’s economy suff ered a 17% plunge ing. If they do so, they will be held responsible,” “unconventional war strategy to try to overthrow in 2016 and the jailing of her predecessor, Luiz Inacio which Trump hasn’t done,” Kenneth Smith, who was in the second quarter of 2020 from the previous Raff ensperger said. the revolution.” Lula da Silva, on corruption charges. the Mexican chief negotiator, said. quarter after the pandemic control measures. Top court justices reluctant to block Trump’s migrant census proposal

Reuters tices to wait for a few weeks until Washington more information is available on what data the Census Bureau in- tends to submit to the president. onservative Supreme House districts are based on Court justices yesterday a state’s population count in the Cappeared reluctant to is- decennial national census, which sue a ruling immediately block- was conducted this year. ing a plan by President Donald The challengers have said Trump’s administration to ex- Trump’s plan would dilute the clude immigrants living in the political clout of states with larg- US illegally from the population er numbers of illegal immigrants, totals used to allocate congres- including heavily Democratic sional districts to states. California, by undercounting The court’s conservatives, who their true populations and de- hold a 6-3 majority, signalled priving them of House seats. that such a ruling might be pre- If California loses House dis- mature based on the administra- tricts, that likely would mean tion’s admission that it does not Democrats lose House seats, know how or if it will be able to benefi ting Republicans. implement the proposal, a facet There are an estimated 11mn of Trump’s hardline policies on immigrants living in the US il- President Donald Trump, followed by his grandchildren, Arabella, Theodore, and Joseph, arrives at the White House aboard Marine One in Washington, DC. immigration being pursued in his legally. Until now, the govern- fi nal weeks in offi ce. ment’s practice was to count all A ruling tossing the current people regardless of their citi- legal challenge to the plan would zenship or immigration status. leave open the possibility of sub- The US Constitution requires sequent lawsuits if the admin- the apportionment of House istration does actually exclude seats to be based upon the “whole certain subsets of immigrants number of persons in each state.” from the population count for- Acting solicitor general Jeff rey Biden picks diverse team mally given to Congress for Wall told the justices that it is House of Representatives dis- “very unlikely” the administra- tricts to be apportioned among tion will have the required data the 50 states. to exclude all immigrants in the “We don’t know how many country illegally. aliens will be excluded, we don’t Instead, it may propose exclud- know what the eff ect of that will ing certain groups, such as those of top economic advisers be on apportionment. All these in federal detention, and the total questions would be resolved if number may not be high enough to Reuters cede to Biden, a Democrat. director and veteran Democratic restore the American dream — a known as Obamacare that was we wait until the apportionment aff ect apportionment, Wall said. Wilmington, Del. Trump has said without pro- spokeswoman Jen Psaki as press society where each person can one of the former president’s takes place. Why aren’t we better The challengers have argued viding evidence that the Novem- secretary. rise to their potential and dream central accomplishments and advised to do that?” conservative that Trump’s policy violates both ber 3 vote was fraudulent, claims “This team looks like America even bigger for their children. whose demolition became a cen- Chief Justice John Roberts asked. the constitution and the Census resident-elect Joe Biden that state and federal election of- and brings seriousness of pur- As treasury secretary, I will tral goal for Republicans. The justices were expected to Act, a federal law that outlines yesterday named former fi cials have dismissed. pose, the highest degree of com- work every day towards rebuild- Tanden, chief executive of the decide the case on a expedited how the census is conducted. PFederal Reserve chair Janet Biden named leading mem- petency, and unwavering belief in ing that dream for all.” progressive Center for American basis, with a ruling before the Trump’s lawyers said in court Yellen as his Treasury secretary bers of an economic team that the promise of America,” Biden Biden also said he would nomi- Progress think tank, would be end of the year. papers that he acted within his nominee, and named three wom- will have to combat the crushing said in a statement. “They will be nate Wally Adeyemo as Yellen’s the fi rst woman of colour to lead Democrat Joe Biden is set to authority and that the challeng- en to other top economic posts, blows to workers and businesses ready on day one to get to work deputy. Adeyemo had been a dep- the OMB if she is confi rmed by become president on January 20. ers lacked the necessary legal setting the stage for a more di- from the coronavirus pandem- for all Americans.” uty national security adviser un- the senate. Biden selected Cece- The challengers to Trump’s July standing to bring the case. verse White House. ic, which has killed more than Biden was expected to formal- der president Barack Obama, then lia Rouse, dean of the Princeton directive include various states The justices wrestled with While Biden’s transition to the 266,000 people in the US in nine ly introduce the new economic was the president of the Obama School of Public and Interna- led by New York, cities, counties whether it is premature for the presidency on January 20 ap- months. team members today, the transi- Foundation, which is overseeing tional Aff airs, to chair the Coun- and immigrant rights groups. court to rule now when it is not peared to be hitting its stride, In contrast to Trump, who tion team said. the planning for the Democratic cil of Economic Advisers. They have argued that the Re- clear whether the administration he himself was hobbling after largely picked white men for key Yellen, 74, chaired the US cen- former president’s library. She was a member of the publican president’s move could will be able to implement its plan. fracturing his foot while playing positions, Biden’s early appoint- tral bank from 2014 to 2018 and And Biden said he would council under Obama from 2009 leave several million people un- Conservative justice Samuel with his dog on Saturday and will ments were shaping up to be had served as the chair of presi- nominate Neera Tanden to head to 2011. Heather Boushey, an counted and cause California, Alito, in questioning Wall, said wear a protective boot for several highly diverse, including an all- dent Bill Clinton’s Council of the Offi ce of Management and economist focused on economic Texas and New Jersey to lose that for the administration to ex- weeks, his doctors said. women senior communications Economic Advisers. Budget. inequality and the president, House seats. clude all of the illegal immigrants The incoming administration team unveiled on Sunday night. On Twitter after Biden an- Tanden helped the Obama chief executive and co-founder Lawyers for the challengers living in the US from the popula- has been hampered for weeks He named campaign spokes- nounced her nomination Yellen administration create the Af- of the Washington Center for Eq- urged the court not to toss out tion count “seems to me a monu- by Republican President Donald woman Kate Bedingfi eld as underscored the challenges fac- fordable Care Act, the sweeping uitable Growth, will serve on the the lawsuit now, asking the jus- mental task.” Trump, who has refused to con- White House communications ing the US. “To recover, we must healthcare overhaul popularly council. Congress races to avoid US braces for December govt shutdown coronavirus surge Reuters Christmas,” Azar said on CBS’ Washington This Morning. Reuters Still unclear is whether Repub- Nearly 267,000 people have The federal government will Washington lican President Donald Trump, died in the US as a result of the ship the vaccines. State gover- who was defeated in the November virus. fter a Thanksgiving week- nors will decide how they are 3 election, will co-operate with the The massive spending bill end when the number of distributed within their states. he US Congress yesterday eff ort underway in Congress. could be the vehicle for provid- Apeople travelling through “They will be determining began a two-week sprint If the post-election ‘lame ing billions of dollars to state and US airports reached its highest which groups to be prioritised,” Tto rescue the federal gov- duck’ session of Congress fails to local governments to help them since mid-March, a top govern- Azar said, adding that he and ernment from a possible shut- produce any sort of budget deal, handle coronavirus vaccines that ment offi cial yesterday said some Vice President Mike Pence will down amid the coronavirus pan- the new Congress convening are on track to be available in Americans could begin receiving speak to all the nation’s gover- demic, the fi rst major test since in January would have to clean coming weeks and months. coronavirus vaccinations before nors to discuss the vaccines and the election of whether Repub- up the mess just weeks before Beyond pandemic worries, if Christmas. how to prioritise them for distri- licans and Democrats intend to the inauguration of Democratic government funds were allowed Health Secretary Alex Azar bution. co-operate. president-elect Joe Biden. to run out next month, airport said Pfi zer’s Covid-19 vaccine The US has reported more than Government funding for near- Trump has already warned operations could slow, national could be authorised and shipped 4mn new Covid-19 cases so far in ly all federal agencies expires on that he would veto a wide- parks would close, some medi- within days of a December 10 November and more than 35,000 December 11. ranging defence authorisation cal research would be put on meeting of outside advisers to coronavirus-related deaths, ac- Congressional negotiators bill Congress aims to pass if a hold and thousands of other the Food and Drug Administra- cording to a Reuters tally. have made progress on how to di- provision is included stripping programmes would be jeopard- tion tasked with reviewing trial Hospitalisations are at a pan- vvy up around $1.4tn to be spent Confederate leaders’ names from ised as government workers are data and recommending wheth- demic high and deaths the most by September 30, 2021, the end military bases. furloughed, further hurting the er it warrants approval. in six months. of the current fi scal year, accord- Failure by the Democratic- struggling US economy. A vaccine from Moderna could As the virus rages across the ing to a House of Representatives controlled House and Repub- Washington suff ered record- follow a week later, he said, after country, overwhelming hospi- Democratic aide. lican-controlled senate to pass long partial shutdowns between the company announced yester- tal systems and pushing already But more granular details are a spending bill could have dire December 22, 2018 and January day that it would apply for US exhausted medical staff near still unresolved and votes by the consequences. Some health- 25, 2019, the result of a standoff and European emergency au- a breaking point, US offi cials full House and senate on a mas- care operations could be short- between Democrats and Trump thorisation. pleaded with Americans to avoid sive funding bill may come close staff ed or otherwise interrupted over funding the US-Mexico bor- “So we could be seeing both travel and limit social gatherings to bumping up against that De- at a time when Covid-19 cases in der wall that was a centrepiece of Travellers pass through security screening at Seattle-Tacoma of these vaccines out and get- as the nation entered the winter cember 11 deadline. the US have been spiking. his presidency. International Airport in SeaTac, Washington. ting into people’s arms before holiday season. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 EUROPE Time running out for Brexit deal, negotiators warn

Reuters January, and the sides are trying settling disputes, an EU source on issues (such as) fi sheries and supply chains that stretch across Coveney told Ireland’s News- Combined with fi sh and shell- Brussels/London to secure a deal to govern nearly said. the level playing fi eld”. Europe and beyond – just as the talk Radio that a failure to agree fi sh processing, the sector makes $1tn in annual trade. “We are running out of time “We want to try and reach a world grapples with the vast eco- on fi shing rights could wreck a up 0.1% of Britain’s GDP. UK Prime Minister Boris John- here,” Irish Foreign Minister Si- free trade agreement as soon as nomic cost of the coronavirus deal. Britain wants “zonal attach- ritain and the European son, who is also tackling Europe’s mon Coveney said. possible but we’ve been clear we outbreak. “If there isn’t an agreement on ment” to agree a total allow- Union warned each other worst offi cial death toll from the Echoing his remarks, German won’t change our negotiating Talks between EU chief nego- this, the whole thing could fall on able catch for its waters – giving Byesterday that time was coronavirus pandemic, says that Chancellor Angela Merkel said position,” the spokesman said. tiator Michel Barnier and British the back of it and that’s the wor- it a much larger quota share running out to reach a Brexit a deal would be preferable but some EU member states were A trade deal would not only chief negotiator David Frost con- ry,” he said. than if the fi sh maths were trade deal, with big diff erences that Britain, which joined the EU losing patience. safeguard trade but also buttress tinued yesterday. Fishing alone contributed worked out on the EU’s propos- still to be bridged on state aid, in 1973, would fl ourish without “We don’t need a deal at any peace in British-ruled Northern The EU team were expected to just 0.03% of British econom- als. enforcement and fi shing. one. price and we have made this clear Ireland, though some disruption stay in London for two or three ic output in 2019, but it is an EU sources said Barnier had The United Kingdom leaves Talks in London over the ... a deal is in everyone’s interest,” is almost certain at the busiest more days. emotive subject as many Brexit off ered Britain a 15-18% bigger the EU’s orbit on December 31, weekend were “quite diffi - she said. EU-UK border points. Asked whether there was rea- supporters see it as a symbol catch after January 1 but London when a transition period of in- cult” and “massive divergenc- Johnson’s spokesman said that Failure to secure a deal would son for optimism, Barnier told of the regained sovereignty had demanded 80% and annual formal membership ends fol- es” remained on elements of there had been some progress but snarl borders, spook fi nancial reporters: “There are reasons for they hope leaving the EU will quota talks, which the bloc re- lowing its formal departure last fi sheries, economic fair play and “there still remains divergence markets and disrupt delicate determination.” bring. jects.

Sturgeon hints at Let’s not politicise probe legal move if UK PM of Covid origins: WHO blocks vote

„ Countries urged to ‘look very carefully’ at ski season plans “There is nothing to hide. We Covid-19 fatalities since its out- Reuters „ Turkey announces weekday, weekend lockdown want to know the origin. I don’t break emerged in February, the London „ UK has coronavirus back under control, says health minister want to have any confusion on second highest toll in Europe af- „ Merkel urges Germans to be careful or risk third wave that.” ter Britain’s. „ Italy reports 16,377 new cases, 672 deaths Scientists initially believed It has also registered 1.6mn cotland’s First Minis- „ Pope cancels traditional pre-Christmas ceremony the killer virus jumped from cases to date. ter Nicola Sturgeon has „ Russian hospital ‘started civilian vaccinations last week’ animals to humans at a market Pope Francis has meanwhile Sramped up her calls for selling exotic animals for meat cancelled a ceremony that tra- a new Scottish independence Reuters/AFP concern that the agency may in the city of Wuhan, where the ditionally begins Rome’s Christ- referendum, declining to rule Geneva have allowed China to dictate virus was fi rst detected late last mas season on December 8 at the out another vote next year and the terms of an international year. Spanish Steps because of coro- hinting she might go to court for investigation into the origins of However, experts now think navirus restrictions, the Vati- permission to hold one if London he World Health Organi- the virus, which fi rst surfaced in the market may not have been can said yesterday. tried to block it. sation (WHO) has insist- the Chinese city of Wuhan late the origin of the outbreak, but The Pope customarily places a Scots rejected independence Ted that it would do every- last year. rather a place where it was am- wreath of fl owers at the base of in 2014 but Brexit and the Brit- thing possible to fi nd the animal Since then, more than 1.46mn plifi ed. a 12m column bearing a statue of ish government’s handling of the origins of Covid-19, insisting people have died and 63mn have It is widely assumed that the A pedestrian walks past graff iti reading ‘Spread (love), not Covid’ on the Madonna and blesses from a coronavirus crisis have bolstered that knowledge was vital to pre- been infected worldwide. virus originally came from bats, the shutters of a closed shop in Hull, in northeast England, distance another wreath already support for secession, with most venting future outbreaks. The WHO has for months but the intermediate animal host yesterday. Hull will return to the England’s highest coronavirus placed around the statue’s arm polls showing a majority now The Covid-19 respiratory dis- been working to send a team of that transmitted it between bats category, Tier 3, when England exits its second lockdown and by fi refi ghters using a ladder. favour breaking away from the ease is caused by the coronavi- international experts, includ- and humans remains unknown. re-enters a tiered system of toughened regional restrictions The Vatican said Francis United Kingdom. rus. ing epidemiologists and animal Chinese state media have said tomorrow. would skip the ceremony, which Elections to Scotland’s de- “We want to know the ori- health specialists, to China to the virus existed abroad before it popes have been carrying out volved parliament will take place gin and we will do everything help probe the animal origin of was discovered in Wuhan, citing said that Britain has the pan- careless in the coming weeks. on the feast of the Immaculate in May, and Sturgeon’s Scottish to know the origin,” WHO chief the novel coronavirus pandemic the presence of coronavirus on demic back under control, as Germany’s number of new in- Conception since 1953, “in order National Party (SNP) is expected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and how the virus fi rst crossed imported frozen food packaging England prepares to exit a na- fections has stabilised at a high to avoid any risk of contagion to perform strongly, which it told reporters. over to humans. and scientifi c papers saying that tional lockdown this week and level since a partial lockdown caused by gatherings of people”. argues would be a mandate for He insisted that the UN health The organisation sent an ad- it had been circulating in Europe enter a tiered system of restric- was imposed on November 2 to Russia has delivered the fi rst another independence referen- agency is intent on getting to vance team to Beijing in July to last year. tions subject to a parliamentary contain a second wave of coro- known batch of Sputnik V vac- dum. the bottom of the mystery, and lay the groundwork for the in- After new cases and deaths hit vote. navirus infections. cines for civilian use to a hospi- In a speech to the SNP’s vir- urged critics who have accused it ternational probe. records highs in recent weeks, “We’ve got this virus back un- But offi cials have said that tal just south of Moscow, which tual conference, Sturgeon said of handing the reins of the probe But it has remained unclear Turkey will impose curfews on der control,” Hancock said at a progress was still fragile. said yesterday that it began vac- she wanted Scots to back the call to China to stop “politicising” when the larger team of scien- weekdays and full lockdowns news conference. “We’ll have to be very, very cinating the local population to hold another vote “for a legal the issue. tists would be able to travel to over weekends to combat the The UK reported 12,330 new careful during the winter,” Mer- last week. independence referendum to be “The WHO’s position is very, China to begin epidemiological spread of the coronavirus, Presi- cases of Covid-19 yesterday, kel said in a virtual panel discus- Russia, which is rushing to held in the early part of the new very clear. We need to know the studies to try to identify the fi rst dent Tayyip Erdogan said yes- up from 12,155 a day earlier, sion with police offi cers. “Oth- keep up with Western drugmak- parliament”. origin of this virus, because it human cases and their source of terday. and taking the cumulative total erwise we’ll end up directly in ers in the race for a coronavirus Speaking in earlier interviews, can help us prevent future out- infection. Citizens will not be allowed to since the start of the pandemic the next wave.” shot, has said interim trial re- she declined to rule out a possi- breaks,” Tedros said. Last week, the WHO’s emer- leave home between 9pm-5am to 1,629,657 cases, government Italy reported 672 corona- sults show its Sputnik V vaccine ble vote in autumn 2021. The United States, which with gencies chief Michael Ryan said on weekdays, and over the whole data showed. virus-related deaths yester- to be 92% eff ective at protecting “I’m not ruling anything out, more than 262,000 deaths is the the agency was hoping to send weekend from 9pm on Fridays to A total of 205 new deaths from day, against 541 on Sunday, and people from Covid-19. I’m not ruling anything in,” she country hardest hit by the pan- the international team to Wuhan 5am on Mondays, Erdogan said. the disease were also reported, 16,377 new infections, down Domodedovo’s Central City told Sky News. demic, has been harshly critical “as soon as possible”. Some sectors, including sup- down from 215 the previous day. from 20,648 the day before, the Hospital said on its website that British Prime Minister Boris of the WHO’s handling of the Tedros meanwhile rejected ply chain and production, will The UK has the highest total health ministry said, with the residents wanting for inocula- Johnson has said the 2014 vote crisis, and has accused it of kow- criticism over lacking transpar- be exempt from the measures death toll in Europe at 58,448. fall in cases refl ecting the usual tion had to register on a govern- in which Scots voted 55-45% towing to China and of dragging ency on the probe, stressing that which will begin on Tuesday, he Chancellor Angela Merkel drop in the number of swabs ment website in advance and against independence was a its feet on investigating how the the names of the experts on the added. said yesterday that Germany conducted on Sundays. bring along a negative Covid-19 decisive, once in a generation, outbreak fi rst started. team and the terms of reference The UK’s health minister, could face a third wave of coro- The fi rst Western country hit test result and ID documents on event and his government says Other critics have also voiced had been made public. Matt Hancock, has meanwhile navirus infections if citizens are by the virus, Italy has seen 55,576 the day. there should not be another ref- erendum in the near future. London must give permission for any plebiscite, and in remarks to BBC radio, Sturgeon declined to preclude taking legal action French offi cers charged over beating case Russia warns incoming should Johnson block another vote, saying that the question of whether the Scottish Parliament AFP and the population, government Moldovan president had the power to call a referen- Paris sources said. dum had never been determined Castaner acknowledged the in the courts. “deepening incomprehension” Reuters member state Romania. “That inalienable right of our French police offi cers over the draft law, which aims Moscow/Chisinau Sandu struck a concilia- self-determination cannot, and were charged yesterday to restrict the right of the press tory tone after her victory but will not, be subject to a West- Fover the beating and racial – and of social media users – to called yesterday for Russian minster veto,” she said in her abuse of a black music producer, publish images of on-duty po- he Kremlin has rebuff ed troops in Transdniestria to be conference speech. “We are as President Emmanuel Macron lice. calls by Moldova’s in- removed in favour of civilian seeing across the Atlantic, what scrambled to contain the politi- Earlier, Pierre Person, a mem- Tcoming president, Maia monitors under the Organisa- happens to those who try to hold cal fallout from the case that has ber of the parliamentary com- Sandu, for Russian troops to tion for Security and Co-oper- back the tide of democracy. They sparked outrage in France. mission, said that “a rewrite of withdraw from the breakaway ation in Europe (OSCE). get swept away.” The attack on Michel Zecler – the article or the creation of yet region of Transdniestria, say- In response, Kremlin Polls show Johnson is unpop- which was caught on camera – another committee won’t put an ing that it would be seriously spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ular in Scotland and his recent has become a new rallying cause end to the mistrust felt by a part destabilising. Russia expected the authori- comment that devolution of for critics of the police, who ac- of the population”. Sandu, a former World Bank ties in Chisinau to remain con- powers to Edinburgh was a “dis- cuse the force of institutional- “I am therefore in favour of economist who favours closer structive. aster” was seen as playing into ised racism and brutality. deleting Article 24,” he told the This picture taken over the weekend shows demonstrators with ties with the European Un- “Russia performs a very the independence movement’s It has also ramped up pressure Le Parisien newspaper. a sign reading ‘Freedom of press (under) attack: Macron gate’ on ion, defeated the pro-Russian important function ... and of hands. on the government to scrap or Human rights activists say Paris’s Place de la Republique, during a protest against the ‘global incumbent Igor Dodon in the course, a change in some sta- Brexit is also a major issue as revise a bill that would restrict the images of the beating – fi rst security’ draft law, which would criminalise the publication of second round of Moldova’s tus quo, which is based on the a clear majority of Scots voted the fi lming of police after mass published by the Loopsider images of on-duty police off icers. presidential election on No- spirit and letter of interna- to remain in European Union in demonstrations at the weekend news site – might never have vember 15. tional law, could lead to serious a 2016 referendum, even as the that left dozens injured. been made public if Article 24 release, a judicial source said. a centrist promising a liberal Russian President Vladimir destabilisation,” Peskov told United Kingdom as whole voted Lawmakers from President had already been in force. On Sunday, Paris prosecutor overhaul of France. Putin was quick to congratu- reporters in Moscow. 52-48% to leave. Emmanuel Macron’s party said The bill would criminalise Remy Heitz called for three of Macron said on Friday that late Sandu, but Dodon’s de- The Russian-speakers of In the 2014 independence yesterday that they would pro- publishing images of the police the offi cers to also be charged the images of Zecler’s beating feat marked a setback for the Transdniestria nominally se- campaign, the British govern- pose a “complete rewrite” of with the intent of harming their with racial abuse. “shame us”. Kremlin in Moldova, a small ceded from Moldova in 1990, ment had said that a “no” vote part of the draft law. “physical or psychological in- He said that the offi cers had The president “is caught in ex-Soviet republic sandwiched one year before the dissolution was the only way to ensure Scot- Christophe Castaner, the tegrity”. acknowledged that their use of a trap”, said the headline in the between Ukraine and EU of the Soviet Union. land would stay in the EU. parliamentary chief of Macron’s It was passed by the lower force was unjustifi ed, but that left-leaning Liberation daily. ruling LREM party, denied that house National Assembly this they claimed they had acted in The protests in Paris saw a it marked a climbdown by the month, though it still requires “fear” and “panic”, and denied brasserie set alight, cars torched European rights court allows lawsuit against 33 nations president. approval from the Senate. any racist abuse. and stones thrown at security He said the rewrite aimed to Yesterday a Paris investigat- Zecler had been stopped for forces, who responded with tear Europe’s top rights court said yesterday that it would In particular, they say the fierce wildfires that balance the need to protect the ing magistrate charged all four not wearing a mask. gas and anti-riot tactics. give priority status to a lawsuit filed by six young have ravaged Portugal in recent years are due in police with “the basic right to offi cers involved, with assault The police also claimed he Among those hurt was an Portuguese citizens against 33 nations they say are part to a failure of governments to abide by their freedom of information”. by a person holding public au- smelled strongly of cannabis award-winning Syrian photo- not fulfilling obligations to limit climate change. commitments as part of the 2015 Paris Accord to The announcement came af- thority. but only a tiny amount of the journalist, Ameer al-Halbi, 24, It is the first such lawsuit heard by the European combat global warming. ter Macron held a crisis meeting Three were also charged with substance was later found in a seen with a bruised face and Court of Human Rights (ECHR), whose rulings “The case involves the greenhouse gas emissions with cabinet ministers and par- fabricating their statement on bag, the prosecutor said. much of his head covered in must in theory be applied by all Council of Europe from 33 states,” the court said in a request for liamentary leaders. the incident. Critics says the new security bandages in AFP photos. members. information from the parties. The meeting aimed to come Two of the accused will re- legislation is further evidence Al-Halbi is a freelance pho- The six Portuguese plaintiff s, aged eight to 21, filed The case is unusual since it involves accusations up with “suggestions to restore main behind bars but the other of a slide to the right by Macron, tographer who has worked for their complaint with the backing of the Global Legal against several governments, whereas the ECHR confi dence” between the police two were freed on conditional who came to power in 2017 as Polka Magazine and AFP. Action Network, a British NGO. usually hears cases against just one country. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 13 INDIA

STUMPED PEOPLE POLITICS WEATHER TRAGEDY Congress in a spot as Actress Urmila Matondkar Karnataka gears up for Cyclone threat to Amte’s grand-daughter top leader praises Modi to join Shiv Sena today local polls in December Tamil Nadu, Kerala commits suicide

The Congress found itself on the back foot after party After remaining in denial mode for 14 months, The Karnataka State Election Commission (KSEC) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Renowned social worker Dr Sheetal Amte-Karajgi leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma former Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar will yesterday announced the dates for the gram pan- yesterday announced that a cyclone was brewing - the grand-daughter of the legendary Baba Amte praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting finally join the Shiv Sena today, a senior aide to chayat (village council) elections for 5,762 panchay- in the Bay of Bengal is likely to aff ect Tamil Nadu - committed suicide at the Anandwan Ashram vaccine development centres. Sharma’s praise for Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said yesterday. ats in two phases. Political parties in Karnataka are and Kerala, less than a week after cyclone Nivar in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, yesterday. As per Modi has come soon after Congress spokesperson From September 2019 till November 30 evening, gearing up for the elections - the largest in terms wreaked havoc in the southern states. The cy- preliminary information, Dr Sheetal reportedly Randeep Surjewala criticised the PM. Sharma is Matondkar, 46, had categorically denied she was of the number of seats and candidates contesting. clone will cross the Sri Lanka coast on December injected herself with some unknown substance. deputy leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha planning to join the Shiv Sena, though strong Gram panchayat elections are being held for 92,121 2 and bring heavy rains to Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Dr Sheetal was the CEO of Maharogi Sewa Samiti and was part of 23 leaders who had written letter to speculation reigned in political and media circles. seats in 35,884 constituencies spread across 5,762 it said in the bulletin. Fishermen out at sea have which has done commendable work among Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for reforms in the party. “Very late on Sunday night things were finalised gram panchayats in Karnataka. The polls are not been advised to return to coast. The depres- leprosy patients in the state and elsewhere. In He welcomed Modi’s visit to the Serum Institute, and she will join the Sena formally in presence fought on party symbols but play a vital role in sion in southeast Bay of Bengal is very likely to her 40s, she is survived by her parents Dr Vikas Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla as “a recognition of party president and CM Thackeray today,” the spreading parties’ strength at the grassroots level. intensify into a cyclonic storm, the IMD warned. “It B Amte and Dr Bharati V Amte, besides her of Indian scientists and their work to produce the CM’s aide Harshal Pradhan said. This will be Ma- KSEC commissioner B Basavaraju said elections is very likely to move west-northwestwards and husband Gautam and a minor son. Her family Covid vaccine”. “That alone will lift morale of frontline tondkar’s second party after she left the Congress would be held on December 22 and December 27 cross the Sri Lanka coast during evening or night claimed she had been facing “mental tensions warriors and reassure the nation,” he said. in a huff on September 10 last year. across the state. of December 2,” the IMD said. and depression.” Vigilance raid at state-owned KSFE leaves many ‘red faced’

IANS jayan. Here too no one had a clue Thiruvananthapuram about what was happening in the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau raids, forcing the newly- hile the Pinarayi Vi- appointed party state secretary jayan government has A Vijayaraghavan to say it will be Wbeen blaming various probed. central agencies for the ongo- However, yesterday it emerged ing probes in several cases, the that senior secretary Sanjay Kaul Vigilance and Anti-Corruption knew about the raid and it was Bureau (VACB) on Friday came carried out after allegations sur- knocking at the doors of 30 faced that things were not hunky branches of the state-owned dory at the Kerala State Financial Kerala State Financial Enterpris- Enterprises. es (KSFE). The raid was preceded by At the end of the day many a secret inspection and after including Finance Minister Tho- ascertaining that things were mas Issac and the chairman of not that clean at the KSFE, the KSFE were up in arms. VACB units was asked to con- The KSFE is incorporated as duct a raid on at least one KSFE a miscellaneous non-banking branch. fi nancial company and is fully But on Friday 30 owned by the government of branches were raided. Kerala. Its turnover is in excess At the end of the raids, it A farmer sits in a tractor trolley during a protest against the newly-passed farm bills at Singhu border near Delhi yesterday. of Rs400bn. Its most popular emerged that there were lapses product is the ‘chit fund’ busi- in the way things were being run ness. at the Kerala State Financial En- terprises. “KSFE is a financial Kaul is now expected to hand institution and is a over the raid report to Vijayan, reputed one with under whom the VACB func- credibility and it should tions. be the responsibility of Opposition leader Ramesh Modi refuses to back the government to probe Chennithala said it’s strange if there is anything wrong and surprising that Issac and the at KSFE and it should be CPI-M are up in arms over the done immediately” raid. “Is the Vigilance and Anti- Corruption Bureau only needed The fi nance minister went to probe cases against the oppo- hammer and tongs at the VACB sition. down on farm reforms and termed its actions as sheer “KSFE is a fi nancial institu- ‘madness’. tion and is a reputed one with Reuters/IANS lated farm produce market. missed the fears as misplaced. duping farmers for decades. The the scheme. He said that farm- The opposition Congress and credibility and it should be the New Delhi Farmers who could earlier sell “The new agricultural laws MSP was always announced but ers could not be blamed because the BJP were quick to latch on to responsibility of the govern- grains and other products only have been brought in for ben- never implemented. Their mega they have suff ered for decades the issue. ment to probe if there is any- at neighbouring government- efi t of the farmers. We will see schemes never reached the ben- and have been fl eeced. Phileepose Thomas, chairman thing wrong at KSFE and it rime Minister Narendra regulated wholesale markets and experience benefi ts of these efi ciaries,” he said. The government says the de- of the KSFE and a former Con- should be done immediately,” Modi yesterday resisted can now sell them across the new laws in the coming days,” he The farm sector contributes regulation of the sector will at- gress leader who quit the party Chennithala told the media yes- Pcalls for the repeal of farm country, including to big food said. nearly 15% of India’s $2.9tn tract investment and fi x the sup- after being denied a seat and terday. reforms that have ignited the processing companies and re- He blamed the opposition for economy and employs around ply chains that lose a quarter of later joined the CPI-M, said the Issac is already under fi re from biggest protests by farmers in tailers such as WalMart. spreading rumours about the half its 1.3bn people. the country’s produce to wastage. Vigilance and Anti-Corruption the opposition for his alleged years around the national capi- But farm groups and oppo- future of farmers. Modi listed the various But Rahul Gandhi, the leader Bureau had failed to comply leak of a Comptroller and Audi- tal, saying they were being mis- sition parties say the govern- “These forces have spread schemes announced by his gov- of the Congress party, said the with rules and he was neither in- tor General of India report, while led and that deregulation would ment will eventually abolish misinformation to such an ex- ernment for farmers including new laws would benefi t big formed of the raid before or after the chief minister is yet to com- benefi t them. the wholesale markets, where tent that it is unbelievable. mobile cold storage, micro ir- business and accused Modi of it took place. ment on this issue. Thousands of people from growers were assured of a mini- They did not even allow welfare rigation and access to a global crony capitalism. Issac was also peeved as he, Since Vijayan and Issac are not the big farming state of Punjab mum support price (MSP) for schemes to be implemented in market.”Black rice from this re- “Our farmers are standing despite the KSFE being directly on the same page on many is- were camped out on the out- staples like wheat and rice, leav- states where they are in power,” gion now has a market in Aus- up against the black laws, they under his ministry, had no clue sues, it would be Vijayaraghavan skirts of Delhi for a fi fth day de- ing small farmers at the mercy of Modi said. tralia,” he said. The prime min- have reached Delhi leaving their about the raid. who will have to answer a few manding that they be allowed to corporate agri-businesses. The prime minister said that ister said his government had farms and families behind. Do This issue surfaced at the unpleasant questions which the stage protests in the city centre Speaking at a public rally dur- the old system option was still also implemented the pension you want to stand with them or weekly party meeting of the CPI- opposition parties and the media against the new laws that open ing a visit to his political con- open for farmers. “These are scheme for farmers and 2.1mn with Modi’s capitalist friends?” M party bosses, including Vi- will be raising. up the country’s tightly regu- stituency of Varanasi, Modi dis- the same people who have been farmers have even been linked to he said in a tweet.

Keeping warm Serum Institute to sue man Decision on political over jab complication claim debut soon: Rajinikanth IANS about my health and doctors Chennai advice is true. Regarding my po- IANS out legally if needed,” said R Ra- a media statement said: “The litical stand, I will discuss with Chennai jaram, another advocate for the claim is malicious because the Rajini Makkal Mandram and an- volunteer. volunteer was specifi cally in- ctor Rajinikanth yester- nounce at an appropriate time,” The two advocates said this formed by the medical team that day said that he will an- Rajinikanth had written on he 40-year old volunteer will be a medico-legal case and the complications he suff ered Anounce his decision about Twitter in Tamil. had wanted to investigate the evidence of medical profes- were independent of the vaccine his next political move soon. The actor had confi rmed his Tthe cause of him contract- sionals will be obtained in sup- trial he underwent. His statement came soon after plunge into politics in December ing severe neurological health port of their client. “In-spite of being made aware a two-hour meeting with offi ce 2017 and even confi rmed setting complications after being vac- “The volunteer was a healthy of the same, he still chose to go bearers of Rajini Makkal Man- up his own party. He also set up cinated with Covidshield shots, male prior to being vaccinated. public and malign the reputation dram, an extension of his fan a website to register members under development at Serum In- He was tested only for corona- of the company.” club, in Chennai. from his fan clubs as well as stitute of India, but the company virus infection before being vac- The fi rm is silent on what basis “Districts secretaries told me those willing to join his party. was threatening him with a Rs1bn cinated with Covidshield. He was the medical team told the volun- they are with me on whatever I The website is called rajini- damage suit, his advocates said. found negative for coronavirus teer that his neurological prob- decide. I will announce my de- mandram.org and it’ll assemble “We are yet to get any reply for infection,” Prasad said. lems are independent of the vac- cision as soon as possible,” Ra- all his fans under the click of a the legal notice sent to various “No other medical tests were cine trial that he underwent. jinikanth told reporters outside mouse button. parties, including Serum Insti- done to ascertain his health con- According to Prasad, no other his residence after the meeting. However, soon after the tute. We have seen news reports dition,” Prasad added. medical tests were done on his The announcement comes in launch of the website, specula- about Serum Institute threaten- He said in case of any adverse client to ascertain his pre-vac- the backdrop of doctors advising tions were rife that Rajiniman- ing our client with a Rs1bn suit,” reaction, investigation into the cination health status and other the Tamil superstar to not enter dram could be the name of Ra- N G R Prasad, advocate, Row & issue should have been carried pre-existing ailments. politics due to his health condi- jinikanth’s party, but it is yet to Reddy, said. out immediately-whether it is “The allegations in the notice tion. Last month, after a letter be confi rmed. “Our client had restricted his related to the vaccine or not. are malicious and misconceived. stating Rajinikanth will not be Rajinikanth’s doctors had claim to only Rs50mn and wanted “But it was not done despite While the Serum Institute of In- entering politics did the rounds voiced their reservations on an investigation on why he was the severe neurological health dia is sympathetic with the vol- on social media, the actor denied his political entry since he had suff ering severe neurological complications our client devel- unteer’s medical condition, there A Kashmiri girl warms her feet with a “Kangri”, a traditional releasing any such letter. undergone a kidney transplant problems and to stop people being oped,” Prasad claimed. is absolutely no correlation with fire pot made of clay and twigs in which hot charcoal is “The leaked letter that has sometime back. They had also given the vaccine,” Prasad added. Reacting to the volunteer’s the vaccine trial and the medical kept, inside her house in Srinagar. been circulated is not mine. warned him that there was cur- “The client is ready to fi ght it legal notice, Serum Institute in condition of the volunteer.” However, the information in it rently no vaccine for Covid-19. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, December 1, 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 Sport pays tribute to Maradona with tears, applause, silence

On the fi rst weekend of sporting action since the death of Diego Maradona, sports, leagues and teams round the world paid tribute to the Argentine football great. Those who knew or had played with or against Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday, added poignant emotion to the commemorations often held in stadiums without fans. In Valencia, former Argentina and Sevilla teammate Diego Simeone, clapped during the minute’s silence before his Atletico Madrid team won in the empty Mestalla. OPEN HOUSE In Liverpool, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, who faced Maradona in Serie A, teared up as the players clapped. Even without fans to spoil a silence the Premier League has opted for a minute’s applause instead. “He was my opponent and he became my friend,” Ancelotti said on Friday. HBKU College of Law: Saturday’s tributes started on a rugby pitch in Newcastle, Australia, where New Zealand rugby captain Sam Cane laid an All Blacks jersey emblazoned with Maradona’s name and shirt number, 10, in the centre circle ahead of the kick-off of the Tri- Nations international against Argentina. The All Blacks then thrashed the Pumas. The road to the future In Italy, Germany, Spain, France and The Netherlands there was a minute’s silence before kick-off . By Dr Susan L Karamanian of the three disciplines shed light on challenges arising from the virus. specific courses or examinations. In Italy, where the players wore black armbands, an image of subjects not typically covered in the This is an important development Maradona appeared on the giant screens during the minute of curriculum. How do you gauge the local, as is the fact that our Qatari graduates silence before kick-off . BKU’s College of Law is regional and global job market for have a path within Qatar to become When his imaged committed to provid- From contract disputes to legal professionals, and especially licensed lawyers here. Further, His personal life appeared again on ing learning experi- bankruptcies and more, Covid-19 HBKU College of Law graduates, although we are just fi ve years old, stadium screens in the Hences that traverse civil, has presented numerous legal over the years ahead? our graduates have gone on to pursue LL.M. degrees at Harvard Law School, may have been 10th minutes, Serie A common and Shari’a law. How do challenges and dilemmas over We are pleased that HBKU’s College you plan to achieve this across the the past year or so. Will this be of Law Juris Doctor (JD) graduates have New York University School of Law, unconventional, games stopped as players academic year 2021 to 2022? refl ected in your programme landed important legal or law-related Georgetown University Law Center, stood and clapped for 60 Our outstanding faculty is critical off erings? jobs in Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and the Graduate Institute of Geneva. but skills on seconds. to the college’s overall learning The legal implications of Covid-19 and Industry, and Ministry of Foreign This is a remarkable accomplishment In England, Sergio experience. Faculty members were are immense. For example, new laws Aff airs as well as the Supreme and refl ects positively on the high the fi eld will Aguero was not involved educated at some of the world’s impose criminal sanctions for failing Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and quality of HBKU’s College of Law for Manchester City in most prominent universities, such as to wear a mask or not complying in business-oriented sectors, such as programme and our immensely be celebrated their 5-0 thrashing of Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, with quarantine standards. Another in Qatar Petroleum, Siemens, and the talented students. Burnley, but Pep Guardiola Virginia, and Texas. Each brings to the example is data privacy issues arising Qatar Financial Centre. forever classroom a comparative dimension, from contact tracing. The virus An important development HBKU College of Law was the confi rmed that was due to recognising that the law shares certain has raised key legal issues relating over the past year is that the bar fi rst in the Mena region to off er the a small injury problem rather than the Argentine striker’s close substantive principles, regardless to building safety and medical authorities in New York and Canada Juris Doctor programme. Do you family connection to Maradona. of its source. Yet there are distinct care. Furthermore, courts have have made it possible for our JD see the college as being a trailblazer Aguero was previously married to Maradona’s daughter diff erences. Our students understand fundamentally changed given the graduates to become licenced lawyers for the region, and perhaps even Gianinna. these diff erences in the context of shut-down and the subsequent need in those jurisdictions similar to internationally in future? Aguero posted a video of that tribute on Twitter with emojis specifi c problems and apply them to for social distancing. Our existing graduates of other major foreign law HBKU College of Law is defi nitely of a heart and praying hands. produce sustainable and generally courses, such as torts, constitutional schools. The students will need to a trailblazer as from inception it In 1986 Maradona scored twice to eliminate England in the acceptable solutions. law, criminal law, administrative law, take additional steps, such as for New recognised that legal education World Cup. The fi rst goal is known as the “Hand of God” and civil procedure, and healthcare law, York obtaining an LL.M. degree in the involves more than understanding the Developing academic are suited to address the many new United States or in Canada, taking law; instead, it requires the student the second was FIFA’s Goal of the Century. programmes that balance three to apply legal principles to complex During the minute’s applause in Manchester, City played diff erent legal systems must be factual situations. For instance, a Maradona’s second goal against England in Mexico on the big challenging. How does your college About Hamad Bin Khalifa University student with a BSc in Computer screens. On Friday the BBC rebroadcast the entire match. achieve this balancing act without Science is equipped to better In France, players walked out to a recording of Maradona compromising the consistency and Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow understand legal principles relating to singing La Mano de Dios from Emir Kusturica’s biographical quality of its programme off erings? artifi cial intelligence. HBKU’s College fi lm about the player. The French league also invited the players Being true to our comparative Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), ity through an enriching academic of Law joins leading law faculties a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and to form the letter “M” in the centre circle during the minute’s approach is very challenging, yet it outside of the United States such as the Education, Science and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers University of Melbourne Law School silence. is something we take seriously given the infl uence of the common law, civil Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and and National University of Singapore Maradona produced a rare moment of harmony between law and Shariah in Qatar. Although 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its Faculty of Law, in off ering the JD Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille as both clubs hung banners substantial learning occurs within that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities degree. We are proud to be in this saying “Adios”. the classroom, structured to address tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through company. At the Parc des Princes, the Argentine ambassador to France, the various sources, it also occurs in while having global impact. Located in its institutes and centres. For more O Dr Susan L Karamanian is Dean Education City, HBKU is committed to information about HBKU, visit www. our many colloquia, workshops, and of College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa Leonardo Constantino unfurled the national fl ag from the building and cultivating human capac- hbku.edu.qa. stadium roof. lectures, in which experts from any University. Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman had said the best tribute was to “show what we can do on the pitch”, and after Marseille’s Argentine striker Dario Benedetto scored his fi rst goal of the season in the win over Nantes, he celebrated by raising all 10 fi ngers. In Huesca, the Sevilla team took the fi eld wearing reproduction shirts from the season Maradona played with the club, all bearing his No.10 for the minute’s commemoration as a tango, ‘Mi Buenos Aires querido’ played. Maradona’s personal life may have been unconventional, but there’s no doubt his skills on the fi eld will be celebrated forever.

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

TRAILBLAZER: HBKU College of Law is a trailblazer as from inception it recognised that legal education involves more than understanding the law; instead, it requires the © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved student to apply legal principles to complex factual situations, according to Dr Susan Karamanian. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 1, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

13 killed, Country 17 hurt as stares at passenger Benazir’s daughter water bus collides scarcity in with van steals the show near future

Internews 27-year-old Aseefa Bhutto- Internews Sheikhupura Zardari makes political Islamabad debut at opposition rally in Multan with a speech t least 13 persons were reminiscent of late prime ess talked about but one killed after a passenger minister’s style of the key existential chal- Abus collided with an- Llenges Pakistan faces is other vehicle on the Narowal Internews water scarcity, which has a direct Road near Sheikhupura’s Narang Multan bearing on food security with a Mandi, local media reported population of approximately 220 yesterday. million to be fed. The bus was travelling from seefa Bhutto-Zardari’s Agriculture accounts for 19.3 Narowal to Lahore. address at the opposi- per cent of the country’s GDP Rescue 1122 offi cials said the Ation Pakistan Demo- and is by far the largest user of road accident left 17 passengers cratic Movement (PDM) rally water. Almost 90 per cent of injured. The victims were shifted here yesterday marked the the available water, including to Rural Health Centre Sheikhu- launch of her political career. both surface and groundwater, pura for treatment while those She became the second female is used in agriculture for irriga- critically injured were moved to from a national political family, tion. Mayo Hospital in Lahore. after Pakistan Muslim League The country claims to have Meanwhile, a team has been – Nawaz (PML-N)’s Maryam one of the best and largest ir- formed under District Emergen- Nawaz, to step into the ring. rigation systems in the world; cy Offi cer Rana Ejaz Ahmed to In her maiden but brief however, Pakistan is a water supervise the rescue operation. speech, the daughter of late scarce country now where per Ejaz Ahmed said that the acci- prime minister Benazir Bhutto, capita water availability has dent occurred due to smog. “The showed fl ashes of her illustri- dropped to almost 1,000 cubic bus collided with a Toyota Hiace ous mother’s trademark high- metres. Consequently, it has put van due to less visibility on the pitched tone and mannerisms the food security at risk because road,” he stated. as she declared the people of the an overwhelming majority of He said the LPG cylinder in country had decided to send the food comes from irrigated agri- the van exploded setting both “selected government” of Prime culture. the vehicles ablaze. Minister Imran Khan packing. Agriculture is already under On November 29, at least 11 “I pay tribute to all the party stress to meet the food demand people lost their lives after a workers and activists that de- of the fast-growing Pakistani truck overturned at Sangi area spite all hurdles created by the population. If history is any- in Sukkur district of the Sindh ‘selected government’, people thing to go by, the situation is province. have gathered in large numbers expected to increasingly worsen Rescue sources said at least here,” she noted. with serious implications for 11 people including women and Aseefa said she came in Mul- MULTAN MILESTONE: Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari (left) at the PDM rally yesterday. Right: Aseefa’s late mother Benazir Bhutto, the two-time food security. children succumbed to their tan on behalf of his brother and former prime minister seen in a file photo. The sustainability of water injuries so far after a truck car- Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) resources is a challenge in Pa- rying the passengers and bricks chairman Bilawal Bhutto- it was deemed suitable that Chaudhry said Aseefa was al- said the party’s Central Execu- hand, Aseefa is 28. kistan and a consequence of overturned. Zardari, who went into isolation someone from Zardari family ready active in Sindh’s politics tive Committee (CEC) would She is stepping into main- multiple factors: mismanage- The vehicle was coming from after contracting coronavirus should actively be part of the where she was assisting her decide what responsibility stream politics at a time when ment of water resources, in- Lahore to Karachi when it over- last week. PDM Multan gathering and aunt Faryal Talpur in politi- should be entrusted to Aseefa her family and party are in deep adequate storage facilities, low turned near Sangi area in Sukkur. “If our workers are arrested Aseefa was the natural choice,” cal matters. “She (Aseefa) has in future. “It’s teamwork and trouble. Her father is facing se- water use efficiency (WUE), then our women leaders are a PPP lawmaker disclosed on done commendable work in she would be a part of it. Bila- rious corruption cases and is water wastage, inappropriate ready to face all challenges.” condition of anonymity. Sindh in the fi ght against polio. wal is the captain of the team,” not visibly active on the political cropping pattern and outdated Lahore most The decision to engage Asee- The decision to involve She also actively assists Far- Chaudhry said. scene. These circumstances have water pricing mechanism. fa at the Multan rally was taken Aseefa in Multan gathering was yal Talpur in other social work. A PPP senator, requesting not necessitated her joining politics Pakistan has one of the low- polluted city after Bilawal tested positive for taken by her father and former Now, the party has decided to to be named, said it would not in support of her brother and the est per capita water storage in the world Covid-19. president Asif Ali Zardari in involve her in mainstream pol- be fair to compare Aseefa with party.” capacities in the world. The “An impression has been cre- consultation with Bilawal. itics,” he said. Maryam Nawaz. “Maryam was PML-N chairman Raja Za- country has per capita water ated that he (Bilawal) is trying “She (Aseefa) was more than Chaudhry said Bilawal around 40 when she started far-ul-Haq welcomed Aseefa’s storage capacity of 121 cubic Lahore ranked the most polluted to distance himself from the happy to be part of Multan ral- would virtually address Multan actively pursuing her political participation in Multan rally. “It metres. city in the world, according to air PDM and is at odds with former ly,” a source added. rally and his speech would deal ambitions back in the year 2013 is very encouraging to see that Even India despite being seven pollution data released by the prime minister and PML-N Compared to her older sister with issues concerning PDM when her father was elected she (Aseefa) is following into the times more populous than Paki- US Air Quality Index yesterday supremo Nawaz Sharif and Bakhtawar, who got engaged and the government. prime minister. footsteps of her great mother and stan, has per capita storage ca- morning. (Jamiat Ulema Islam chief) Fa- on Friday, Aseefa takes a keen Aseefa’s speech mostly fo- Before that she was a house- getting actively involved in poli- pacity of over 200 cubic metres. According to the index, Lahore zlur Rehman’s policy of target- interest in politics, often ex- cused on PPP in connection wife and raising her children. tics. Storage of our major national reported a particulate matter ing the security establishment changing notes with her father with the party’s Foundation She joined politics out of her free “Her participation at the PDM reservoirs caters only to 10 per (PM) rating of 423. But Lahore and naming individuals during and brother on political issues, Day (November 30) that coin- will when her father became the gathering is a valuable addition cent of the annual infl ow, against is not the only Pakistani city to PDM speeches. the source said. cides with the rally. PM and her children had grown for all of us that would further the world average of 40%. Con- feature in the top 10 list for the To counter this perception, Senior PPP leader Naveed To a query, the PPP leader up. Now, she is 47. On the other strengthen PDM,” he said. sequently, water storage capac- worst air quality. ity has decreased to less than 30 Pakistan’s largest city Karachi days against the minimum re- ranked at 7 on the AQI. quirement of 120 days. New Delhi came in second with With desperate times calling a PM of 229, while Nepal’s capital for desperate measures, Paki- Kathmandu ranked the third Green signal for procurement of Covid-19 vaccine stan needs to build multipurpose worst city with a PM of 178. dams so that it can withstand The United States Environmental fl oods, droughts and store ex- Protection Agency regards air Internews ment of coronavirus vaccine. were discussed and fi nalised Pfi zer claimed that its ex- the vaccine for free from Gavi, cess water from melting glaciers quality satisfactory if the AQI is Islamabad In a tweet yesterday, Umar today.” perimental Covid-19 vaccine two doses are required to inoc- and runoff from monsoon. Si- under 50. Lahore’s AQI fell in the said the recommendations will The government allocated is more than 90% eff ective ulate one person, and each dose multaneously, there is a need to range of 301 and higher, which has be presented to the cabinet initial funds of $150 million to based on initial trial results. was estimated to cost about strengthen the existing reser- been classified as “hazardous”. ederal Planning Minis- today for approval. He stated, buy Covid-19 vaccine directly Similarly, Russia’s sovereign $10. voirs. To reduce the smog, the provincial ter Asad Umar yesterday “The task force of experts from international manufac- wealth fund also explains that As, the delivery of free vaccine Pakistan’s water resources are disaster management authority Fsaid the National Com- headed by Special Advisor to turers by the second quarter of its Sputnik V vaccine is 92% from Gavi is delayed, Pakistan’s confronted with confl icts. Dis- in Punjab has to date sealed 613 mand and Operating Centre the Prime Minister on health 2021. It hopes to start immu- eff ective according to interim governments is making early ar- tribution of water among dif- brick kilns, 2,148 industries and (NCOC) has fi nalised its rec- Dr Faisal Sultan had developed nising its 220 million popula- trial results. rangements to buy the vaccine ferent federating units has been impounded 8,579 vehicles. ommendations for procure- the recommendations which tion soon. Although Pakistan will get directly from companies. a problem since 1947. Inter pro- vincial accord of 1991, known as water apportionment accord of 1991, has failed to fi x it. Indus River System Author- Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary celebrations ity (IRSA) has failed to imple- Covid positivity rate ment the accord according to its letter and spirit due to the lack of trust among provinces climbs to 8.5% that arises because of many reasons: absence of irrigation infrastructure in Khyber Pa- khtunkhwa and Balochistan Internews ratio of 27.75% and 23.44%, provinces, accord’s weak Islamabad respectively, followed by Hy- framework, lack of accurate derabad at 18.21%. and real-time measurement of However, in Punjab, La- water etc. he National Command hore has a positivity ratio of Policies that promote data se- and Operation Cen- 6.19% and Rawalpindi 4.83%. crecy impede the eff ectiveness of Ttre (NCOC) was told As for KP, the positivity ratio institutions that are tasked with yesterday that about 5,082 stood at 18.09% in Peshawar. planning and allocation of re- smart lockdowns were in place Quetta’s positivity ratio stood sources. across Pakistan, adding the at 9.09%. Islamabad recorded Opacity creates an atmosphere country’s virus positivity ratio a positivity ratio of 6.62%, of mistrust. Lack of trust and had jumped to 8.53%. whereas a 5.68% positivity ra- scarcity of resources will increase During the centre’s daily tio was observed in Gilgit. more competition and confl icts situational morning session, Moreover, at least 2,046 pa- among all stakeholders. the meeting was informed tients are in critical condition The country needs to build that around 2.05 million peo- across the country; 467 patients the capacity of the federal ple were currently under lock- in Punjab; 675 in Sindh; 356 in and provincial institutions down. In Punjab, 1,459 smart KP; 16 in Balochistan; 323 in Is- responsible for water data lockdowns were in place; lamabad; 23 in AJK; and fi ve in management. They perform 206 in Sindh; 182 in Khyber- GB. complex and interdependent Pakhtunkhwa (KP); 3,205 in A day earlier, the NCOC iden- functions of modelling, fore- Islamabad; and 30 in Gilgit- tifi ed Rawalpindi, Islamabad casting, water monitoring, Baltistan (GB). Capital Territory (ICT), Lahore, distribution and use. There is The meeting was informed Peshawar and Karachi among a need for federal legal mandate that Azad Jammu and Kash- the fi ve major cities contributing to be clarified for collection mir (AJK) had the highest about 70% to the spread of the and sharing of water informa- positivity ratio, at 21.3%; pandemic across the country. tion. Sindh 14.04%; KP 5.57%; Ba- The nation’s nerve centre for In addition to that, measures lochistan 11.95%; Islamabad monitoring the pandemic was are required to strengthen the 6.62%; Punjab 4.84%; GB briefed that the cities’ positivity provincial level regulatory frame- 3.43%. ratios were rising and they were Sikh pilgrims celebrating the 551st birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Sri Guru Nanak Dev, at Nankana Sahib, about 80km from the works for access of groundwater Mirpur and Muzaff arabad in reporting the most Covid-19 eastern city of Lahore yesterday. (AFP) and for its management and regu- AJK had the highest positivity cases per day. lation. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, December 1, 2020 QATAR Qatar takes big leap towards green, sustainable public transportation

QNA Key environment-friendly of Ashghal includes building Doha eight main bus stations in West vehicles contracts signed as part Bay, Musheireb, Industrial Area, Al Soudan, Al Gharrafa, Educa- E the Minister of Trans- of Qatar Public Transportation tion City, Al Wakra and Lusail, port and Communica- Plan 2030: minister with average capacity of 25 buses Htions Jassim Seif Ahmed in each of the stations. The con- al-Sulaiti said that the signing tracts also include building four of several contracts pertaining to huge bus depots in Lusail, Al the transformation to environ- Rayyan, Industrial Area and Al ment-friendly vehicles comes Wakra, and the area of each de- within the framework of imple- pot ranges from 129,000sq m to menting the Electric Vehicle (EV) 190,000sq m. Strategy the ministry developed Within these contracts, Ash- with the bodies concerned. This ghal will also build 2,700 bus is a key part of Qatar’s Public stops on all major roads, to serve Transportation Plan 2030 as well thousands of passengers in many as an integral part of our govern- areas to use public buses. These ment’s plans in terms of enacting bus stops with air-conditioned the laws and regulatory policies cabins will facilitate passengers that make projects successful to wait inside and prevent eff ects and sustainable. of bare sunlight and humidity. In a statement on the sidelines By 2022, 25% of the public of the contracts signing ceremo- The contracts signing ceremony was attended by number of ministers, off icials and dignitaries. transit bus fl eet in Qatar will have ny, HE al-Sulaiti affi rmed that become electric. Public buses, such steps would enhance Qa- government school buses and tar’s ranking as a pioneer in the Doha Metro feeder buses will area of clean energy mass transit, gradually shift to electrifi cation, becoming one of the very fi rst thus hitting the rollout percent- countries in the world having an age that is required to reduce integrated electric bus system, harmful carbon emissions from in addition to boosting the po- buses by 2030, in addition to tential value of the legacy of the honouring the concerted eff orts 2022 FIFA World Cup bus sys- that aim to maintain the environ- tem for creating a positive legacy. mental sustainability. The elec- That clearly demonstrates Qatar trifi ed buses are planned to be is committed to deploying global used during the 2022 FIFA World clean energy solutions on trans- Cup, making it a second-to-none portation and determined to host championship where electric an exceptional, eco-friendly, mass transit buses are deployed. carbon-neutral championship, As part of strategic plans, he noted. MoTC coordinates with several “Signing contracts with pio- government entities to install neering private sector companies and operate EV charging units to establish essential EV infra- this year and the coming one. It structure emphasises the min- QFZA signs multilateral framework also co-ordinates with private istry’s unwavering attention to sector companies to provide a state directions for reinforcing agreement with Yutong and Mowasalat number of charging units for free the participation of the private to manufacture electric-buses (e-buses) to be installed at locations to be sector in government develop- specifi ed by MoTC - and perform mental projects and encourag- in Umm Al Houl Free Zone, with the first periodic maintenance for them ing its partaking in mobility and - in addition to establishing the transportation projects in such e-buses produced for the FIFA World region’s largest solar-powered a way that helps enrich private Cup Qatar 2022; Ashghal signed 11 new electric charging station in Lusail sector companies’ investment City, which will be connected to mentality, thus boosting the lo- contracts worth QR2bn for building bus all stations. calisation of expertise and the Furthermore, several EV park- technology in use,” the minister stations and bus depots, as part of the ing spaces will be established and noted. public bus infrastructure programme work is underway to include this Welcoming the signing, HE project in released tendering. the Minister of State and Chair- cal, eco-friendly transit solu- and warehouses. The Ashghal As per the strategy, such a shift man of Qatar Free Zones Au- tions during the championship. president also clarifi ed that these will support building an infra- thority (QFZA) Ahmad al-Sayed He added that the FIFA World contracts are entrusted to Qatari structure for an integrated, mul- said: “The Qatar Free Zones have Cup Qatar 2022 has become one companies within the frame- timodal electric public transpor- become a prominent destina- of the national catalysts to ac- work of government’s directives tation system in the country and tion for companies with a vision celerate projects’ execution pace. to support national companies the fi rst of its kind in the region. for the future. This agreement He said that signing the contract and the assigned companies have Several permanent depots, dis- refl ects QFZA’s commitment to with Mowasalat (Karwa) will en- proven effi ciency in implement- tributed on a well-considered tap on the nexus between emerg- sure providing all operational ing works entrusted to them re- geographical order, will be estab- ing technologies and sustainable services for electric buses as well cently. lished in various areas across the development which provide huge as managing them ideally, plus He further pointed out Ash- country. opportunities for the long-term providing all security and safety ghal’s co-operation with all con- They will include facilities for economic development of Qa- requirements, something which cerned entities in the State to parking and charging and main- tar. Besides helping to anchor an promises a unique experience for provide integrated road network chasing 3,000 new buses for the (Karwa) signed two of them to in Umm Al Houl Free Zone, with tenance equipment, in addition electric vehicle auto cluster, this the World Cup fans and Qatar’s with distinct infrastructure and 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will purchase buses to put in serv- the fi rst e-buses produced for to administration buildings and project will provide opportuni- guests in 2022. common facilities such as park- then be added to the company’s ice during the 2022 FIFA World the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. staff and drivers’ accommoda- ties to local businesses through Al-Thawadi stressed that the ing lots and others, to serve every fl eet to build a legacy for the pub- Cup; one with Yutong for 741 A number of these e-buses will tion, which will be completed the localisation of contractors, concept of organising a carbon- means of public transportation in lic and school transport. They electric buses and 261 diesel be earmarked for export across during 2022, plus several main service providers and suppliers.” neutral championship is refl ect- the country including metro and also form an integral part of our buses and the second with Higer the Middle East, Europe, South stations that also support elec- “The production of e-buses ed in the integration that we are buses. transport fl eet for major events to purchase 1,815 diesel buses. America and Africa. trifi ed transportation services. for the national market showcas- currently witnessing between On his part, Mowasalat that will be hosted by Qatar in the These buses are powered by The deal will also see tech- The strategy backs the coun- es the attractive economic cli- multiple modes of transport and (Karwa) CEO Fahad Saad al- future.” the new eco-friendly diesel. SC nology and knowledge transfers try’s agenda for a greener future mate for international investors providing sustainable and envi- Qahtani said: “Qatar’s transport Al-Qahtani pointed out that signed a contract with Karwa so parts for the e-buses will be and contributes to striking an who can deliver what our market ronment-friendly solutions that sector is witnessing a break- more than 25% of these new bus- for providing operational serv- manufactured by Qatari fi rms as economic-environmental bal- requires. The plans to export the help reduce carbon emissions through in preparation for the es will be electric, which makes ices for such buses and their fa- part of the government’s wider ance in a way that ensures trans- e-buses underlines QFZ’s world- to the lowest level, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mowasalat the deal one of the largest of its cilities, in addition to providing localisation drive. These fi rms portation sector’s infrastructure class logistics operations that electric bus system, and linking provides modern, comfortable kind in the world and proves to the smart technology and tech- are expected to form the foun- projects sustainability, support- connect us to key markets across it to the advanced Doha Metro and eco-friendly solutions using be a leap towards public trans- niques to manage the bus fl eet. dations of the region’s leading ing economic growth and mak- the globe,” HE al-Sayed added. system, smart and innovative the latest technology for a fi rst- port sustainability. This is a part Additionally, the contract stipu- e-vehicle industry, supplying ing the most out of the natural Secretary-General of the Su- transport solutions, and what the class mobility infrastructure. of MoTC’s strategy to provide a lates the provision of all safety e-vehicles and parts to markets resources by increasing the rev- preme Committee for Delivery State has implemented in terms We will be one of the mainstays world-class, integrated multi- and security requirements, es- across the globe. enues of oil and gas sectors and and Legacy (SC) Hassan al-Tha- of huge projects for highways and in the process of transporting modal system that provides safe, sential transportation plans and Ashghal signed 11 new con- developing the means of trans- wadi said the gradual and full development of internal roads. fans, athletes and guests through reliable and eco-friendly servic- necessary consultation services. tracts worth QR2bn for build- portation though deploying clean transformation to an electric bus On his part, President of Pub- the largest bus operation in the es. Overall, this will improve Qa- These contracts are estimated at ing bus stations and bus depots, and alternative energy in step system is a signifi cant develop- lic Works Authority, Ashghal, history of sports tournaments. tar’s international position in the nearly QR3.7bn. as part of the public bus infra- with latest universal eco-friendly ment with regards to transporta- Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhanna- Applying the latest technology fi eld of environmental sustain- QFZA signed a multilateral structure programme. The new systems to reduce carbon emis- tion strategies for the 2022 FIFA di, confi rmed that Ashghal has in smart fl eet management will ability in line with Qatar National framework agreement with Yu- bus stations and bus depots sions and, therefore, create a World Cup as the SC endeavours signed 11 new contracts worth of ensure distinct, free, smooth and Vision 2030. tong and Mowasalat to manu- programme implemented by the clean, healthy and safe environ- to provide sustainable, economi- QR2bn for building bus stations safe rides. We are currently pur- As for contracts, Mowasalat facture electric-buses (e-buses) Buildings Projects Department ment for generations to come.

Agreement signed to manufacture e-buses in Qatar Free Zones

atar Free Zones Authority signing ceremony where other buses to be earmarked for export as part of the government’s wider this year. This strategic project electric vehicle auto cluster, this tricity and Water Corporation (QFZA) signed yesterday agreements were also formalised across the Middle East, Europe, localisation drive. These fi rms are will support Qatar’s long-term project will provide opportuni- (Kahramaa) has launched the Qa multilateral framework to facilitate the transformation of South America, and Africa. e-bus expected to form the foundations goals of transforming public ties to local businesses through ‘Electric Vehicles and Charg- agreement with Yutong, one of the e-vehicles industry in Qatar. production for export to overseas of the region’s leading e-vehicle transportation in the country to the localisation of contractors, ing Infrastructure Guideline in the world’s largest bus and coach The agreement was signed in the markets will be a major focus once industry, supplying e-vehicles clean energy, and helps position service providers and suppliers. Qatar’, which will help facilitate suppliers, and Mowasalat, the presence of HE the Prime Minis- manufacturing output reaches and parts to markets across the the nation as a leading regional The production of e-buses for the the wholesale adoption of e-ve- major transport services provider ter and Interior Minister Sheikh full capacity. globe. player in the e-transport and mo- national market showcases the hicles in Qatar. This investment in Qatar. The deal will see elec- Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz The deal is a result of extensive Yutong’s arrival to the Umm Al bility sector. attractive economic climate for is also a clear sign that Qatar is tric-buses (e-buses) manufac- al-Thani and HE the Minister of discussions between QFZA offi - Houl Free Zone adds to a growing HE the Minister of State and international investors who can an extremely attractive market tured in the zones with the fi rst e- Transport and Communications cials, Mowsalat, and representa- cluster of companies within Qa- chairman of QFZA Ahmad al- deliver what our market requires. for foreign investment in light of buses produced for the 2022 FIFA Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, in tives from the Chinese investors, tar Free Zones that are addressing Sayed said: “The Qatar Free Zones The plans to export the e-buses the various projects underway World Cup and beyond. addition to several ministers and following the signing of an agree- the growing demands for cleaner, have become a prominent desti- underlines QFZ’s world-class lo- in the country, not least hosting The deal is part of a wider Qa- senior offi cials and executives ment during His Highness the more sustainable forms of trans- nation for companies with a vision gistics operations that connect us the 2022 FIFA World Cup - the tari initiative to ensure 25% of the from QFZA. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad port. Qatar Free Zones operate in for the future. This agreement re- to key markets across the globe.” world’s biggest global sporting public bus network is powered by As per the agreement, Mow- al-Thani’s visit to China in 2019 an extremely competitive mar- fl ects QFZA’s commitment to tap As sustainability and carbon event - that is expected to attract electricity in time for the tourna- asalat and Yutong will partner to to establish a clean energy bus ket for FDI. Its growing e-vehicle on the nexus between emerging emissions become ever more a million and a half visitors from ment, with the entire public fl eet establish and operate the electric assembly factory in Qatar Free cluster and the proven market de- technologies and sustainable de- central to the decisions of gov- around the world. A signifi cant system expected to be e-powered buses factory to deliver electric Zones. The deal will also see tech- mand and supply-chains that are velopment which provide huge ernments and consumers alike, number of those visitors will be by 2030. buses that will ferry 2022 World nology and knowledge transfers supporting its growth are helping opportunities for the long-term the demand for electric-powered making trips between stadiums The multilateral framework Cup visitors between stadiums, so that parts for the e-buses will attract investors at a time when economic development of Qatar. transport is only set to increase. and hotels on e-buses produced agreement was signed during a with the fi rst cohort of these e- be manufactured by Qatari fi rms global FDI is down nearly 50% “Besides helping to anchor an To that end, Qatar General Elec- in Qatar Free Zones.