BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar’s eff ective QFA delivers measures helped on government soft en impact of guarantee Covid pandemic requirements for Asian Cup 2027

published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11746 November 28, 2020 Rabia II 13, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir condoles with Young falconer Sudan council chief His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Court dismisses Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt Trump’s claim Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on the death of head of the National Umma Party (NUP) and former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of that election Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a similar cable to Prime Minister Dr Abdalla Hamdok. was unfair 112 face prosecution for not wearing masks AFP millions of votes in the state should be Washington thrown out due to fraud. The designated authorities The judge in that case, however, em- referred 112 people to the Public barrassed Giuliani by forcing him to Prosecution for not wearing federal appeals court yester- admit that none of his precise claims masks in places where they are day fl atly dismissed President before the court involved fraud or an- mandatory. They also referred 10 ADonald Trump’s claim that ything more than technical issues in others to the Public Prosecution for the election was unfair and refused to overseeing the vote count. violating the maximum number of freeze Joe Biden’s win in the key state On Tuesday the Pennsylvania gov- four people in a vehicle including of Pennsylvania. ernment offi cially certifi ed Biden’s the driver, except for cases when In a scathing review of the Trump victory in the state, and the Trump they are members of one family. campaign’s arguments that the presi- campaign appealed to federal court to The measure is in line with the dent was cheated in his November 3 have that certifi cation frozen. cabinet decision, decree Law No re-election bid, three appeals court But the appeals court said Trump’s 17 of 1990 on infectious diseases, The Qatari Society of Al Gannas has been organising a number of fascinating falcon hunting competitions and related judges unanimously said that allega- campaign had nothing substantial to and the precautionary measures activities as part of the championship which continues until December 15 at Al Khor and Sbkhat Marmi Sealine Area. tions of unfairness were not supported argue. “Its allegations are vague and in force in the country to contain The competitions cover falconry activities and contests in addition to Saluki dogs racing contests, and those targeting by evidence. conclusory,” the judges said. the spread of the coronavirus youngsters such as the young and aspiring falconers contests. A participant in the young falconer competition is seen “Charges of unfairness are serious. “It never alleges that anyone treated (Covid-19). The designated with his falcon yesterday. Page 12 But calling an election unfair does not the Trump campaign or Trump votes authorities called on the public make it so,” the court said. worse than it treated the Biden cam- to adhere to the precautionary In appealing a lower court ruling, the paign or Biden votes.” measures in place to ensure their Trump campaign claimed discrimina- With Biden’s national lead in the safety and the safety of others. tion, the judges noted. popular vote and the electoral college “But its alchemy cannot transmute now virtually unassailable, the court Top Iranian nuclear lead into gold,” the court said. indicated that another appeal, to the scientist assassinated Brexit goes down to wire: It was the latest in more than two US Supreme Court, would go nowhere. dozen court defeats around the coun- “The campaign has already litigat- Iran said one of its most prominent try for the Trump campaign and Re- ed and lost most of these issues,” the nuclear scientists was assassinated publicans who have alleged fraud and court said. yesterday in an attack on his car EU-UK diff erences remain other misconduct contributed to the “The campaign cannot win this law- outside Tehran that it accused president’s loss. suit. It conceded that it is not alleging arch foe Israel of being behind. Trump persists in arguing that Bi- election fraud.” The scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Reuters “The likelihood of a deal is very treated by Brussels as a third country. den’s clear victory is invalid. Nevertheless, Jenna Ellis, a Trump was “seriously wounded” when Brussels/London much determined by our friends and One EU diplomat said there are Last week a Pennsylvania state court campaign lawyer who worked with assailants targeted his car before partners in the EU — there’s a deal “only a few days left” for the talks, rejected arguments by Trump’s per- Giuliani on the case, tweeted their in- being engaged in a gunfight with there to be done if they want to do it.” which have previously continued sonal lawyer Rudy Giuliani that the tent to appeal.Page 7 his security team, the defence Barnier said on Twitter he would through numerous broken dead- ministry said in a statement. It he European Union and Britain travel to London yesterday evening lines. added that Fakhrizadeh, who said yesterday there were still for talks with Britain’s chief negotia- “The gaps on level playing-fi eld, Lockdown in Ramallah headed the defence ministry’s Tsubstantial diff erences over a tor David Frost. governance and fi sheries remain research and innovation Brexit trade deal as the EU chief ne- large,” the diplomat said following a organisation, was later “martyred” gotiator prepared to travel to London “Without London taking closed-door briefi ng given by Barnier after medics failed to revive him. in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a tu- the necessary decisions to national diplomats on the progress Page 3 multuous fi nale to the fi ve-year Brexit of the negotiations. crisis. quickly, reaching a deal “Without London taking the nec- Indian police clash With just fi ve weeks left until the will be all but impossible” essary decisions quickly, reaching a with angry farmers United Kingdom fi nally exits the EU’s deal will be all but impossible.” orbit on Dec 31, both sides are calling “Same signifi cant divergences per- A “no-deal” exit would snarl bor- Indian police fired tear gas and on the other to compromise on the sist,” Barnier said. ders, spook fi nancial markets and water cannon yesterday in a three main issues of contention — Neither side has so far shown a disrupt delicate supply chains that second day of clashes with farmers fi shing, state aid and how to resolve willingness to shift enough on the stretch across Europe and beyond — marching on New Delhi angry any future disputes. three outstanding issues to allow a just as the world grapples with the at agricultural reforms they fear The two sides will shortly resume breakthrough. vast economic cost of the Covid-19 will leave them at the mercy of face-to-face negotiations after they “It is late, but a deal is still possible, outbreak. big corporations. Authorities had to be suspended last week when one and I will continue to talk until it’s EU ambassadors called on the ex- eventually allowed the farmers, of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier’s clear that it isn’t,” Frost said. ecutive European Commission to ur- some of whom threw stones and team tested positive for Covid-19. Britain formally left the EU on Jan. gently prepare contingency measures broke barricades, to enter the “Clearly there are substantial 31 but has been in a transition pe- for a no-deal. capital under police escort to stage and important diff erences still to be riod since then under which rules on But Barnier is reluctant to go down a demonstration this weekend. bridged but we’re getting on with it,” trade, travel and business remain un- the contingency route as he still be- Police had deployed hundreds of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson changed. lieves a deal can be struck, another EU A Palestinian walks in a deserted street in the West Bank city of Ramallah off icers at diff erent entry points told reporters. From the start of 2021 it will be diplomat said. yesterday, amid a 48-hour lockdown due to an increase in coronavirus cases. to the capital, parking trucks full of sand and laying barbed wire to block the farmers’ path. Page 9 Four dead as protesters clash in southern Iraq Promising ‘reactor’ technology for Qatar’s natural gas industry Four people were shot dead and dozens wounded in Iraq’s O QF Innovator of the Year 2020 says research seldom makes an impact by staying in lab south yesterday, medics said, in clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of esearch, no matter how promis- methane and carbon dioxide, to high- technology developed in Prof Elba- Qatar. “It is only fair that the country firebrand Shia cleric Moqtada ing, cannot make a real-world value, multi-walled carbon nanotubes shir’s lab at Texas A&M Qatar, has at- that invested in it is the fi rst to be the Sadr. The violence erupted as tens Rimpact without support from (MWCNTs) and an important chemi- tracted interest from world-leading one to reap its benefi ts. This project of thousands of Sadr supporters the industrial sector. Academia and cal precursor called Syngas,” says Prof energy corporations. “They are in- is a joint eff ort, yes — we as scien- hit the streets of Baghdad and industry must walk hand-in-hand to Elbashir. terested in helping us scale it up to tists are responsible for the intellec- the southern city of Nasiriyah in move research from the lab to the in- He explains that the process com- industrial level, through monetary tual eff orts but the truth is this idea a show of force as preparations dustry – “that is the only way we can prises two stages, wherein the fi rst investment as well as granting us ac- would have never become a reality if it ramp up for June parliamentary realise the true benefi ts of the immense stage converts the GHGs to MWCNTs cess to some of their best scientists. I wasn’t for the visionary leadership at elections. research eff orts being made across the worth $1,000/kg. The second stage think, this is proof enough that what Qatar Foundation that has catapulted country,” says a professor at a Qatar converts the remaining gases to Syn- we have developed has the potential the research ecosystem we see in Qa- Abiy meets AU envoys Foundation (QF) partner university. gas, which directly meets the quality to be a game-changer,” said Prof El- tar today.” “Yes, making changes on the in- requirements of existing gas-to-liquid bashir. Speaking about plans, Prof Elbashir for talks on confl ict dustrial scale requires a lot of courage. (GTL) process plants and others in Qa- Earlier this month, Qatar Airways said: “If you ask me, this project is only Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy But it is also very necessary, we have Dr Nimir Elbashir, professor of tar. announced the launch of its carbon getting started. Until now, we were Ahmed yesterday met with to build on cutting-edge research to Chemical Engineering and Petroleum “The novelty of CARGEN is it re- off set programme. Commenting on working on proof-of-concept. Now African Union envoys to discuss achieve demonstrable benefi ts to the Engineering at Texas A&M University quires lower energy to operate than the relevance of CARGEN technology that we have successfully done that, the conflict in Tigray, where the wider economy and society,” says Dr at Qatar. the commercial reformers currently in in the area, Prof Elbashir said: “If CAR- taking this work from bench-scale to army is poised for what he has Nimir Elbashir, professor of Chemical Qatar. More importantly, the CARGEN GEN is integrated into Qatar’s natural industry-scale, that is the real success called the final off ensive against Engineering and Petroleum Engineer- The CARGEN reactor technology is 40% more effi cient in terms of CO2 gas processing plant, it can sequestrate and that is where the real work begins regional forces. Abiy, the winner ing at Texas A&M University at Qatar. has been developed as a result of an ex- footprint, as well as the operational a large amount of CO2 – which is cur- to commercialisation phase. of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Prof Elbashir was recently awarded ceptional proposal grant from the Qa- costs.” rently fl ared, from the gas processing “We as scientists have played our on Thursday announced a “third Distinguished Innovator of the Year tar National Research Fund’s National This technology is of relevance to plants This will eff ectively mean the part to the best of our ability, we de- and final phase” in his campaign 2020 for his homegrown CARGEN re- Priorities Research and has already every country that is a producer of fuel produced from Qatar’s natural gas signed and developed a technology against the Tigray People’s actor technology. The award was pre- been awarded fi ve patents. natural gas. It addresses the grave en- via GTL technology will have a signifi - that can be of great benefi t to the in- Liberation Front (TPLF), whose sented to him by the Industry Develop- “Developed within the technical vironmental concern of increased CO2 cantly lower carbon footprint.” dustrial sector. It is now time to pass forces have been battling federal ment and Knowledge Transfer division premise of natural gas reforming, the levels while also creating something of Despite having received attention the baton to the industrial partners troops in the defiant northern at Qatar Foundation Research, Devel- CARGEN reactor technology con- value, that is carbon nanotubes. from abroad, Prof Elbashir is deter- so they can lead the scaling up of this region for three weeks. Page 3 opment and Innovation. verts two greenhouse gases (GHGs), CARGEN, Qatar’s home-grown mined to keep it local and scale it up in technology.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 28, 2020 QATAR

QU holds IAESTE Day

Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) has held an event for the International QUBRC records rapid growth Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), to present programme details for students. The event, sponsored by Qatar Petroleum Development Co Ltd and Dolphin Energy Limited, was in published medical research aimed at communicating with students to urge them to join the QNA QUBRC’s endeavour to provide lar to those applied in developed study on cases infected with this programme and look for the most Doha practical and logistical meas- countries to study the genetic se- virus, which is being done in col- prominent training opportunities ures to support multidisciplinary quence, Dr Asma al-Thani said. laboration with QU College of available, QU said in a statement. medical and vital research that is In this context, QUBRC seeks, Medicine and the Ministry of Dolphin Energy general manager he Qatar University Bio- not available at QU colleges, as in co-operation with local bodies Public Health (MoPH). Another – Qatar, Hassan al-Emadi, said: medical Research Center part of its commitment to im- inside and outside the university, one is using digital simulation “This significant training platform T(QUBRC) has achieved prove the health of Qatar resi- to decode the genetic code of technology to test the ability of has been designed to enhance rapid growth in the number of dents and contribute to facing various endangered animal spe- some inhibitors to stop the novel the skills of talented Qatari and medical research papers pub- emerging health challenges. cies within the framework of the coronavirus binding to its cellu- international students, and lished in prestigious interna- QUBRC director Dr Asma al- recently established programme lar receptors. we are delighted to join forces tional journals, recording 275 this Thani told Qatar News Agency for environmental genome re- QUBRC is also studying the with Qatar University on this year. (QNA) in an interview that the search. genetic evolution of seasonal and important initiative. By providing Launched in 2014, the QUBRC implemented research projects This project came as Qatar was zoonotic coronavirus that infects advanced and multi-cultural is now one of the most important are great achievements, since chosen to follow the path of sus- humans. Another research is in training opportunities, we hope research centres in QU. During its actual launch six years ago, tainable development, making it collaboration with Qatar Founa- future technical challenges will the last three years, it recorded a stressing the need to move for- the focus of the national devel- tion’s Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- be solved and those taking part signifi cant increase in published ward in facing health challenges QUBRC’s Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) is a self-sustained facility opment strategy and also for the sity to study the evolution of the will graduate and develop into research. The number increased and achieving the goals, objec- consisting of two isolation labs. It is fully equipped for viral- and expansion of the industrial sec- coronavirus (Mers) that causes future leaders and contribute to from 134 in 2018 to 223 in 2019 to tives and strategies of research bacterial research on risk group 3 pathogens (picture courtesy: tor in the country, she said, add- respiratory syndrome in humans their nation’s well-being. We are reach 275 this year. and innovation in the country. QUBRC website). ing that the urban environment, and camels in the Middle East. delighted to be sponsors and The data indicate that the QUBRC, established accord- in light of these data, will be re- Among the studies that have wish all the participants best of number of new and ongoing ing to international standards, vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, corresponds to the third level of quired to preserve local species. been carried out and published luck.” research projects reached 72 is committed to improving the obesity and cancer. biosafety levels by CERTEK In- Regarding Covid-19 research, in this regard, are a compara- In his speech, QU-CENG dean this year, including special re- health of Qatar residents by con- In addition to genomics and ternational, which is licensed by Dr Asma al-Thani said that tive study on the presence and Dr Khaled Kamal Naji said: “We search projects to counter the ducting research, training and alternative medicine in co-oper- its origin country, the US. QUBRC is keen to harness all its amount of anti-coronavirus are honoured at QU-CENG to novel coronavirus which causes providing services in the fi eld of ation with relevant research in- It includes new and rare units eff orts, expertise and capabilities antibodies against seasonal be Qatar’s representative of Covid-19, in co-operation with applied and theoretical biomedi- stitutions such as Hamad Medi- such as a zebrafi sh research unit to serve the public interest in the and zoonotic coronaviruses in the International Association other research centres at QU and cal research in several important cal Corporation, Weill Cornell that is used as a model to study light of any developments related humans in Qatar, and one on for the Exchange of Students partners from inside and outside areas. Medicine – Qatar, Sidra Medi- many genetic diseases in order to to health, prevention and safety the complete structure of the for Technical Experience. We Qatar. This is compared to about There are researches con- cine, Qatar Biomedical Research match it with the human genetic for individuals and society. coronavirus spike protein (viral will facilitate the enrolment 20 researches registered in 2017, cerned with early diagnosis, Institute and Qatar Anti-Doping structure by 80%, such as the QUBRC has started many re- thorn) and its pre-bonding form procedures for various training 2018 and 43 projects in 2019. treatment and prevention of in- Laboratory, one of the most im- gene that causes enlarged heart searches to study emerging vi- with cellular receptors, in co- opportunities in the participating These research projects fectious diseases and metabolic portant features of QUBRC is disease. In addition to its reliance ruses, including the novel coro- operation with external research country, to develop solutions come within the framework of disorders, which include cardio- establishing a laboratory that on advanced technologies simi- navirus. Among them is a detailed centres. to the challenges facing the organisation’s work plans and to enhance exchange between Webinar calls member states.” “Qatar joined IAESTE in 2011 for restoration to prepare qualified graduates of rights of who are able to contribute eff ectively to areas they join and Palestinian make a diff erence. QU-CENG people seeks to cultivate the talents of its students with international The Doha Institute for Graduate experiences through this Studies organised a webinar exchange. We seek to meet the entitled ‘Palestine .. issue and challenges of student exchange compass’, on the occasion of the in the countries of the region International Day of Solidarity with and enhance student exchange the Palestinian People, which falls between these countries,” Dr Naji on Nov 29 every year. The webinar added. was held via video conference IAESTE is concerned with technology, with the participation the exchange of students for of the professor of political technical work experience science at Qatar University, Dr abroad, as students gain Mohamed al-Misfer, and the appropriate technical training Palestinian Academic professor, through this organisation. Dr Sana Hammoudi, in addition It includes committees to the Associate Professor at representing more than 80 the Doha Institute for Graduate countries, and seeks to connect Studies Dr Ibrahim Fraihat, and The month-long campaign reached a total of 500 workers, drivers and technicians of the Mechanical Equipment Department. students with employers in the Assistant Researcher at the foreign countries, provide Arab Center for Research and university students with technical Policy Studies Ayat Hamdan. expertise, and culturally enrich The lecture was conducted by students and their host societies. Director of Communication and MME security and safety campaign concludes The organisation serves nearly External Relations Department 4,000 students, 3,000 employers at the Institute Ali al-Kaabi. Dr and 1,000 academic institutions al-Misfer said that the Arabs must he fi rst phase of the secu- Awareness Section of the Pub- Department. They were trained Detailed explanations were al-Rumaihi, the director of the annually through professional support the Palestinian people rity and safety campaign lic Relations Department in co- in the most important precau- provided by specialists and Mechanical Equipment Depart- training programmes focusing with all their strength and stand Tfor workers, drivers and operation with the Mechanical tionary measures to address the trainers from the QRCS to con- ment, honoured the employees on professional life abroad and with them in order to recover technicians, carried out by the Equipment Department and coronavirus in workplaces. The front emergencies, disasters, and who made the campaign a suc- social and cultural reception their stolen rights, and to secure Ministry of Municipality and the Qatar Red Crescent Soci- campaign is one of the sustain- pandemics like the coronavirus. cess. programmes, international the return of the displaced and Environment (MME), has con- ety (QRCS). The month-long able projects that accompany the At the end of the campaign, QRCS representatives were networks and other professional refugees to their home. He added cluded. campaign reached a total of 500 awareness strategy to achieve the Public Relations Department also honoured in appreciation of activities and brands in more that in order to achieve this, a The programme in English workers, drivers and technicians goals of Qatar National Vision director Nasser Abdul Rahman their eff orts and dedication to the than 80 countries around the sincere Palestinian national unity and Urdu was conducted by the of the Mechanical Equipment 2030. al-Sarami and Sherida Sultan campaign. world. must gather all forces under one banner to restore the land and liberate the Palestinian soil from the Israeli occupation. One held for MoPH participates in global violating home MoPH reports 135,370 quarantine conditions total Covid recoveries antimicrobial awareness drive The competent authorities he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) partici- arrested yesterday one person QNA pated in the expanded global campaign to ob- who violated the requirements Doha Tserve World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, of the home quarantine they which concluded on November 24 under the slogan committed to following, which ‘United to Preserve Antimicrobials’. they are legally accountable he Ministry of Pub- The Global Antimicrobial Awareness Week is en- for, in accordance with the lic Health (MoPH) an- dorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) procedures of the health Tnounced yesterday 184 since 2015 to be a global event aimed at better under- authorities in the country. new confi rmed cases of corona- standing of the problem of antimicrobial resistance, It is in implementation of the virus (Covid-19), of which 150 raising awareness about it, and encouraging the fi ght precautionary measures in force are from community cases and against the exacerbation of the spread of antimicro- in the country, approved by 34 from travellers returning from bial resistance infections. health authorities represented abroad who are subject to quar- As resistance grows to a wider range of drugs be- in the Ministry of Public antine. yond antibiotics, this year, the WHO broadened the Health (MoPH), to ensure the The MoPH also recorded focus of the campaign to include all antimicrobi- achievement of public safety 172 recoveries from the virus als such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and and to curb the spread of the yesterday, bringing the total anti-parasitics. The World Antimicrobial Awareness coronavirus. The arrested person number of cases that recov- Week aims to help reduce the incorrect usage of anti- being referred to the competent ered in Qatar to 135,370. All new microbial medicines, and to maintain their eff ective- prosecution has been identified cases have been introduced to ness for as long as possible so that those who need as: 1- Mohamed Mubarak Saleh isolation and are receiving nec- them can get the best possible treatment. al-Rabiah al-Kuwari essary healthcare according to It also aims to raise awareness of the dangers of The concerned authorities in their health status. antimicrobial resistance at the global, regional and the State called on citizens and Measures to tackle Covid-19 local levels, and to encourage the implementation factors can increase the risk of antimicrobial resist- residents who are subject to in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- of best practices among the general public, policy- ance around the world, including the overuse of quarantine to fully adhere to the tening the curve and limiting makers, and health workers in the human and animal medicines and their misuse in humans as well as in requirements set by the Ministry the spread of the virus and the health as well as in other related sectors. the livestock and agricultural sectors, in addition to of Public Health to ensure their number of new daily cases and Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chairman of the National the lack of clean water and sanitation in certain areas safety and the safety of others. hospital admissions is continu- Committee for Combating Anti-microbial Resist- of the world. They warned that anyone who ing to decline each week. ance said: “The National Committee to Combat An- The programmes included awareness activities to violates these conditions will Qatar’s proactive and exten- timicrobial Resistance is playing an eff ective role and highlight the issue of antimicrobial resistance in all be subject to the penalties sive testing of suspected cases leading in improving the practices of workers in the healthcare institutions, the animal health sector, the stipulated in accordance with the has enabled the authorities to health sector and other related sectors in order to op- food safety sector, environmental health, academic provisions of Article 253 of the identify a high number of posi- timise the proper use of antimicrobials, raise aware- institutions and others. Awareness materials were Penal Code No 11 of 2004, and tive cases in the community. ness around the increasing of antimicrobial resist- developed and distributed across the health sector the provisions of Law No 17 of Qatar has one of the lowest Cov- care sector for Covid-19 patients. ity, especially intensive care, to ance, as well as take all actions necessary to achieve and to partners and stakeholders. Additionally, an 1990 regarding the prevention of id-19 death rates in the world. 2- Qatar’s young population. ensure all patients receive the the related WHO’s Sustainable Development Goals.” expanded social-media campaign aimed at enhanc- infectious diseases, and Law No This is a result of: 3- Proactive testing to identify medical care they need. Huda Amer al-Katheeri, director of the Strategic ing awareness of the antimicrobial component and 17 of 2002 on the protection of 1- Very high quality of care pro- cases early. 5- Protecting the elderly and Planning and Performance Department at the Min- the optimal use of it was launched under the theme society. vided thorough the public health- 4- Expanding hospital capac- those with chronic diseases. istry of Public Health (MoPH), affi rmed that many “Unite to prevent antimicrobial resistance “. Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA

Thousands attend funeral of former Sudanese PM Sadiq al-Mahdi

Iran says top nuclear scientist assassinated Thousands of Sudanese packed into the city of Omdurman yesterday for the funeral of Sadiq al-Mahdi, Sudan’s last democratically elected AFP and innovation organisation, was cowardice - with serious indica- tions. Trump said at the time prime minister, who died from the coronavirus at the age of 84. Tehran later “martyred” after medics tions of Israeli role - shows des- that the deal known formally as Mourners in traditional white garments, mostly wearing masks, wept failed to revive him. Fakhrizadeh perate warmongering of perpe- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of and waved national flags ahead of prayers for the two-time prime had been travelling in a car near trators,” he added. Action (JCPOA) did not off er suf- minister, who was a central figure in Sudan’s political and spiritual life ran said one of its most promi- Absard city in Tehran province’s He also called on the interna- fi cient guarantees to stop Tehran for more than half a century. Stewards moved through the crowds nent nuclear scientists was eastern Damavand county. tional community to “end their from acquiring an atomic bomb. gathered before the domed shrine where he was to be buried off ering Iassassinated yesterday in an A state television report on the shameful double standards & Iran has always denied it wants hand sanitiser to mourners as a precaution against Covid-19, but there attack on his car outside Tehran assassination described him as condemn this act of state terror.” such a weapon. was little sign of social distancing. Mahdi’s Umma Party had urged that it accused arch foe Israel one “of our country’s nuclear sci- Fakhrizadeh’s assassination Trump yesterday retweeted re- mourners on Thursday to follow all health procedures. of being behind. The scientist entists” and said that Israel “had comes less than two months be- ports on Fakhrizadeh’s assassina- Oxford-educated Mahdi, great-grandson of the messianic figure who Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was “seri- an old and deep enmity towards fore Joe Biden is to take offi ce as tion, without commenting on it fought the British in the 19th century, contracted Covid-19 last month ously wounded” when assailants him”. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mo- US president. Biden has promised himself. and had been receiving treatment. “The scenes broadcast on television targeted his car before being en- hamed Javad Zarif said there were a return to diplomacy with Iran The killing of Fakhrizadeh is of the funeral despite the health conditions... indicate the extent of the gaged in a gunfi ght with his secu- “serious indications of an Israeli after four hawkish years under the latest in a series of assassina- popularity and political weight that the late Imam enjoyed,” said Rasha rity team, Iran’s defence ministry role” in the scientist’s assassi- incumbent US President Donald tions of nuclear scientists in Iran Awad, editor of Al Taghyeer online newspaper. “Mahdi was known for said in a statement. nation. “Terrorists murdered an Trump, who withdrew from the in recent years that the Islamic Prominent Iranian scientist his moderation and realistic reading of the Sudanese political arena... It added that Fakhrizadeh, who eminent Iranian scientist today,” Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and be- republic has blamed Israel of car- Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is seen in His absence will inevitably weaken the democratic transition process,” headed the ministry’s research Zarif wrote on Twitter. “This gan reimposing crippling sanc- rying out. this undated photo. she added.

PM Abiy meets AU Thai protesters practise envoys for talks on Ethiopia confl ict

AFP of Liberia and Kgalema Motlan- Addis Ababa the of South Africa — dispatched ‘coup prevention’ in rally this week by the AU as mediators. In a statement issued after their AFP thiopian Prime Minister meeting, Abiy said he appreciated Bangkok Abiy Ahmed yesterday met “this gesture and... the steadfast Ewith African Union (AU) commitment this demonstrates envoys to discuss the confl ict in to the principle of African solu- housands of democracy Tigray, where the army is poised tions to African problems.” activists blocked a major for what he has called the fi nal of- Even so, the government has Tjunction in Bangkok yes- fensive against regional forces. a “constitutionally mandated re- terday to rehearse “coup pre- Abiy, the winner of last year’s sponsibility to enforce rule of law vention” strategies in the latest Nobel Peace Prize, on Thursday in the region and across the coun- round of Thailand’s anti-govern- announced a “third and fi nal try,” he said. Many attempts, he ment protests. phase” in his campaign against added, had been made to negoti- The country has for months the Tigray People’s Liberation ate with the TPLF before military been rocked by youth-led pro- Front (TPLF), whose forces have action was ordered on November tests demanding a new consti- been battling federal troops in 4. tution, reform of the untouch- the defi ant northern region for The Tigrayan government, able monarchy, and for Prime three weeks. meanwhile, said the federal army Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to The violence has killed many was bombarding towns and vil- resign. hundreds and displaced tens of lages and infl icting heavy dam- Prayut, who came to power thousands more, but there are age, although it did not specifi - in a 2014 coup, this week played grave fears for half a million ci- cally mention Mekele. down the prospects of being A protester wears toy ducks on her head during a pro-democracy vilians in Mekele, the regional “Our struggle will continue overthrown or introducing mar- A pro-democracy protester wearing make-up poses with a gun in rally demanding the prime minister to resign and reforms on the capital, which the army says it has from every direction until the tial law. Bangkok. monarchy, in Bangkok yesterday. encircled ahead of a threatened self-determination of the People Infl atable Santa Claus fi gures attack. of Tigray is guaranteed and the joined the bright yellow rubber elections and to change the fore ritually burning them. Army But in a country that has seen A major rally on Wednesday The international community invading force is driven out,” the ducks that have become a sym- prime minister and for a new Chief Narongphan Jittkaewtae a dozen coups since it became a targeted King Maha Vajiralong- has warned such a strike could authorities said in a statement bol of the movement as some government to actually listen to has rejected coup rumours saying democracy in 1932, the current korn’s huge wealth, demanding violate rules of war and has called read on local television, Tigray 5,000 demonstrators massed in the people,” she told AFP. the chance of another putsch was round of protests, which began in more transparency about his fi - for urgent mediation. Addis Aba- TV. It called upon “the Tigray the shadow of a motorway fl yo- As part of what they called “less than zero”. July, has fuelled rumours another nancial arrangements. ba has refused to negotiate with people as usual to struggle and ver in the north of the capital. “coup prevention” drills, pro- Political scientist Titipol could be looming. Next week a constitutional the TPLF and Abiy has rebuff ed defend” themselves. Natalie, a 32-year-old Bangkok testers passed an armada of the Phakdeewanich from Ubon Rat- The movement has broken court in Bangkok will rule on calls for dialogue as “interfer- The confl ict has erupted in a offi ce worker, said the last coup pool toy ducks over their heads, chathani University believes an- new ground for Thai political whether Prayut has broken rules ence” in Ethiopia’s internal af- year when the 55-member AU — was disastrous for Thailand and to represent the military passing other coup is unlikely at present. activism by demanding changes by living in an army house, de- fairs. But the prime minister re- which is headquartered in Addis warned the country shouldn’t go over the people to take the front “I don’t think he will be ousted to the monarchy, a once-revered spite the fact the former general ceived at his offi ce in Addis Ababa Ababa — resolved to play a more down that path again. row of Thai politics. Another because he still has strong sup- institution which some in the is no longer in the military’s top yesterday three African ex-lead- prominent role in resolving con- “Now is a crisis time in Bang- group paraded portraits of gen- port from conservatives... and kingdom are beginning to ques- brass. Losing the case could see ers — Joaquim Chissano of Mo- fl icts across the continent under kok and Thailand. I want new erals who had led past coups be- big businesses,” he told AFP. tion. Prayut forced out of offi ce. zambique, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf the slogan “Silencing the Guns”.

Philippine rebel chiefs convicted of kidnapping Suspected North Korean

AFP The couple were sentenced in absentia eral Edgard Arevalo said. “The Manila (military) will continue to hunt hackers targeted vaccine to 40 years in jail after a court found them down,” he added. Duterte’s them guilty of abducting four soldiers spokesman, Harry Roque, said wo fugitive communist he had “no idea where they are”, rebel leaders in the Phil- near Manila in 1988 while hailing the verdict “a tri- maker AstraZeneca: sources Tippines who had been in- umph of the justice system”. volved in failed peace talks to end the Maoist leaders were not in- a court found them guilty of ab- The peace talks failed follow- one of the world’s longest-run- terested in making peace. ducting four soldiers near Manila ing deadly rebel attacks against Reuters has previously denied carrying could be sold for profi t, used to ning insurgencies were convicted The couple have been on the in 1988. They were held hostage soldiers and police. The NPA London out cyberattacks. It has no direct extort the victims, or give foreign of kidnapping yesterday, offi cials run ever since. Duterte later for 75 days before being freed un- is one of the deadliest armed line of contact for foreign media. governments a valuable strategic said. signed an order declaring the harmed. groups in the Southeast Asian AstraZeneca, which has advantage as they fi ght to contain Benito Tiamzon and his wife Communist Party of the Phil- “The conviction of the Tiam- nation. It has been waging an in- uspected North Korean emerged as one of the top three a disease that has killed 1.4mn Wilma Tiamzon were freed on ippines and its 3,800-member zons is a victory for the many surgency for more than 50 years hackers have tried to break Covid-19 vaccine developers, people worldwide. bail in 2016 to help out in ne- armed wing the New People’s victims of atrocities of the to overthrow what the rebels call Sinto the systems of Brit- declined to comment. Microsoft said this month gotiations in Norway to end the Army (NPA), which the Tiam- (rebels) particularly orders to a capitalist system that has cre- ish drugmaker AstraZeneca in The sources, who spoke on it had seen two North Korean confl ict that has claimed tens of zons both allegedly led, “terrorist conduct murder, arson, extor- ated one of Asia’s biggest rich- recent weeks, two people with condition of anonymity to discuss hacking groups target vaccine thousands of lives. organisations”. tion, ambushes, bombing and poor divides. Peace talks to end knowledge of the matter told non-public information, said the developers in multiple countries, But President Rodrigo Duterte The couple were sentenced in the like that they orchestrated,” the confl ict have been held on Reuters, as the company races to tools and techniques used in the including by “sending messages shelved the talks in 2017, alleging absentia to 40 years in jail after military spokesman Major-Gen- and off for three decades. deploy its vaccine for the Cov- attacks showed they were part with fabricated job descriptions.” id-19 virus. of an ongoing hacking campaign Microsoft did not name any of The hackers posed as recruiters that US offi cials and cybersecu- the targeted organisations. on networking site LinkedIn and rity researchers have attributed to South Korean lawmakers said WhatsApp to approach Astra- North Korea. The campaign has that the country’s intelligence Sunset in Quezon City Zeneca staff with fake job off ers, previously focused on defence agency had foiled some of those the sources said. They then sent companies and media organisa- attempts. documents purporting to be job tions but pivoted to Covid-related Reuters has previously report- descriptions that were laced with targets in recent weeks, according ed that hackers from China and malicious code designed to gain to three people who have investi- Russia have attempted to break access to a victim’s computer. gated the attacks. into leading drugmakers and The hacking attempts targeted Cyberattacks against health even the World Health Organisa- a “broad set of people” includ- bodies, vaccine scientists and tion this year. Beijing and Mos- ing staff working on Covid-19 drugmakers have soared dur- cow have all denied the allega- research, said one of the sources, ing the Covid-19 pandemic as tions. Some of the accounts used but are not thought to have been state-backed and criminal hack- in the attacks on AstraZeneca successful. The North Korean ing groups scramble to obtain the were registered to Russian email mission to the United Nations in latest research and information addresses, one of the sources Geneva did not respond to a re- about the outbreak. Western of- said, in a possible attempt to quest for comment. Pyongyang fi cials say any stolen information mislead investigators.

Whiteley’s ‘Henri’s Armchair’ smashes Australian art auction record

A painting by famed Australian a request from the state gallery Executive Off icer of Menzies Art artist Brett Whiteley has sold at that commissioned the piece to Brands, which ran the sale. “It’s auction for A$6.25mn ($4.6mn), paint over a matchbook in the partly people wanting an outlet setting a new record in the painting that suggested drug use. that’s creative, that’s enhancing country and underscoring the The sale price, which beat a their life, when they’re restricted appeal of art investments amid previous record of A$5.4mn, in so many other things that the uncertainties of the pandemic. reflects how for those with money they would like to do.” The price ‘Henri’s Armchair’ is a chaotic to spend, luxury goods are a safe also confirms the importance of depiction of Sydney Harbour with place since travel and socialising Whiteley’s ‘Lavender Bay’ period, an elongated viewpoint through are largely out of bounds. “Being when he was starting his rise the windows of Whiteley’s home at home, looking at your four to fame and sought refuge in a in the Lavender Bay area of walls more than you’re used to, house where he could perfect Sydney. It was last sold by the collecting art has come to the his craft on one subject, the A silhouette of the skyline is pictured at sunset in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. artist to lawyer Clive Evatt in the fore and we’ve seen a lot more harbour, rather than chasing new mid-1970s after Whiteley refused bidding,” said Coralie Stow, Chief inspiration. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 28, 2020 COMMUNITY Celebration of cultural diversity z European Drive-In Film Festival proves a treat for Qatar residents

By Mudassir Raja Staff Reporter

atar residents from many countries are getting a Qchance to watch an as- sorted set of European movies at the ongoing European Drive-In Film Festival which concludes today at the VIP parking lot of Doha Festival City. People sitting in their vehi- cles can watch fi lms in a pleasant outdoor atmosphere. The fi lm gala kicked off with the premiere screening of a Swedish fi lm, The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Win- dow and Disappeared, a comedy about a man who has had a very rich life but did not want to cel- ebrate his 100th birthday. European ambassadors and organisers addressing the press conference. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam A film being screened at the festival on Thursday. (Supplied picture) The others fi lms include The White Knights from Belgium, Austrian ambassador Karin manager of Nestle Qatar were demic”, said Swiss ambassador started, the ambassador said: good refl ection of the very dy- interesting to sit in your car with Barefoot from The Czech Repub- Fichtinger-Grohe, Celine Gan- present. Speaking at a press Edgar Dorig, whose embassy “We started to think about it in namic fi lm industry in Europe.” windows down during the pleas- lic, As Needed from Italy, Cool seman (deputy head of mission conference before the inaugura- was entrusted with the task of July and August this year. We In response to a question, am- ant evening and watch movies Kids Don’I Cry from The Neth- at the embassy of Belgium), tion of the festival, the envoys implementing the idea of drive- wanted to have something that bassador Dorig said that they from diff erent countries.” erlands, Apollo of Gaza from Italian ambassador Alessandro highlighted the signifi cance and in festival. is Covid-19 safe, involves large would closely watch how people She also appreciated the ar- Switzerland, Mothers Know Bet- Prunas, German ambassador Dr need of the fi lm festival fi rst to “In times of hardships, cul- audience, and creates a sense receive the concept and if it re- rangements. “There is very clear ter from Portugal, Gundermann Claudius Fischbach, Ilyaas Sher- celebrate the diversity and then ture can give some comfort, of togetherness. The open air mained successful they would sound and easy to read subtitles. from Germany, and Brothers of ally (the second secretary at the to get some distraction from the encouragement and a welcome cinema has gradually developed work to make it an annual feature The screen size and its height lev- the Wind from Austria. embassy of the Netherlands), Covid-19 concerns. distraction. Diff erent channels into a drive-in fi lm festival. The in Qatar. el have made it easy to watch the HE the Minister of Culture Portuguese ambassador Antonio “Culture in all its forms – of delivering cultural activities concept has long been in prac- Alicia Amina, a Filipino expa- movie from a distance. I will sug- and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Alves de Carvalho, Swiss ambas- cinema, art, music, literature, have been shot down to curb the tice in European countries. Qa- triate, was present at the venue to gest that it can be a great addition bin Nasser al-Ali opened the sador Edgar Dorig, Jihad Zarkout and theatre – is very important. further outbreak of the virus. tar also has the history of open watch the opening fi lm with her to the entertainment industry, festival on Thursday evening, (assistant general manager of Culture is fundamental in all our Theatres, cinema and concerts air theatres. Finally, we have this family. She said: “I love watch- if Doha Festival City considers along with a number of Euro- Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate countries. It is perhaps more have been cancelled,” he added. venture. Subject matters and ing movies of diff erent kinds. using the venue as a permanent pean ambassadors. Swedish Company [DHFC]), and Zaher important during the diffi cult Sharing how the concept of themes of the selected fi lms are The drive-in fi lm watching is a drive-in movie theatre especially ambassador Anders Bengtcen, Abou Khamis, general business times such as the current pan- having the drive-in fi lm festival very broad. The collection is a new experience for me. It is very from November to April.”

Campaign recognises work of healthcare heroes amid Covid-19 Area 23 toastmasters conduct open house rea 23, under Division F in District 116, recently Aconducted an online open house with around 80 toastmasters and 20 plus non- toastmasters from Qatar and other places. The event was presided over by Sabari Prasad, Area 23 direc- tor, and was attended by Thay- alan K, District 116 director; Manzoor Moideen, Rajesh VC, and various other toastmasters and leaders from Qatar. Katie was the master of cer- emonies. The open house was started by Sabari Prasad. The launch of new advanced toast- masters club – Midas Touch Advanced Club – was done new advanced club. A keynote moderated by Simon Kurian. by Safeer Azeez were conducted. by Rajesh VC. The sponsor- speech on ‘The Why Toast- After the keynote speech, a The panellists were Sundare- ing clubs are EF Toastmasters masters’ was delivered by Robin demo toastmasters meeting for san Rajeswar, past District di- and Malaysian Toastmasters. Anand, immediate past District non-toastmasters led by Sruthy rector; Sabeena M K, Division E Haseeb CM was announced 105 director, followed by a ses- Mammen and a panel discussion director; Varghese Varghese and ‘Letters for Good’ is a campaign initiated by Riya Mahajan, a young student in Qatar, to say thanks as the charter president of the sion of questions and answers on the advanced club moderated Shehariyas Kandy. to the healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Riya calls them healthcare heroes and has invited people of all backgrounds and age to share handwritten letters, to recognise the contributions made by them. Gulf Times publishes one selected letter each week while the rest of the letters will be sent by Riya to HMC for circulation among the healthcare workers. There is no limit to the number, creativity, or personal feel to the letters, which should be scanned and e-mailed to [email protected] Picture shows a letter written by Rupali Prabhakar. resident of Qatar. Shantiniketan school marks Children’s Day

hantiniketan Indian School (SIS) recently organised the ICC holds online quiz competition SChildren’s Day celebration on the virtual platform Zoom. Indian Cultural Centre The event to pay tribute to the (ICC), under the aegis of fi rst prime minister of India Pandit Embassy of India, recently Jawaharlal Nehru was planned by conducted an online the teachers to entertain the chil- quiz competition – ICC dren. FB Quiz 2020 – related The short event turned out to to the Indian Community be a cultural extravaganza where a Benevolent Forum (ICBF) collaborative eff ort of teachers and life insurance scheme. parents added variety to the pro- The quiz competition was gramme. The students witnessed an conducted on the ICC array of events that included skits, Facebook page, by posting live drawing, live music and songs, a question each day for dances, and a short documentary six days and was open to Manikantan, ICC president; Mahesh Gowda, ICBF vice president; Vinod Nair, ICC vice on the life of Nehru. Principal Dr all Indian residents aged president; Bhumeshwar Padala, head of consular services; and Mohsin P, head of Subash B Nair congratulated the 18 years and above. Six aff iliation & membership. Nithya G S won the first prize. The second prize went to parents and teachers for exhibiting winners were randomly Shafqat Nabi and Remya Gibin. The third prize was shared by Navas Edukkupara their exceptional talents and asked selected through an open C, Abhishek Gairola and Afsar P V. The winners were awarded with cash prizes and the children to be focused and to Zoom meeting by A P appreciation plaques by the ICC management committee team. work hard for achieving their goals. MES students volunteer for QCS donation drive

wenty students from for an automatic credit of dona- and thanked the school for its Classes 11 and 12 of MES tion. MES is the only school en- involvement in the community TIndian School participat- gaged in the cause of supporting service. ed in the voluntary humanitar- the initiatives of QCS even during Congratulating the volunteers, ian initiative launched by Qatar the pandemic. Hameeda Kadar, MES princi- Cancer Society (QCS) at the LuLu The volunteering students pal, encouraged the students to branches recently. The objective were honoured with certifi cates take part in helping the society of the volunteering was to create and compliments at a felicita- and to uphold the core values of awareness on donation to sup- tion ceremony organised at the MES such as care, compassion, port QCS. conference hall of the school in achievement, respect and empa- As part of the assigned task, the recognition of their initiatives. thy. Jancy Mol Varghese, media volunteering students interacted Nisreen Yahya, head of Events co-ordinator, QCS, school offi - with customers and encouraged and Volunteering Department, cials, and media personnel were them to buy products from sec- QCS and Ammar Ali, Public Re- also among those present on the tions exclusively marked in pink lation Co-ordinator, were also occasion. The programme was as a certain percentage would go present at the ceremony. Speak- co-ordinated by the MES team as proceeds from such products ing on the occasion, Nisreen ex- of teachers comprising Rajesh to QCS, when the QR Code is pressed her gratitude for the vol- K S, Suchitra Kotian and Jency scanned at the billing counters unteering service of the students George. Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 5 COMMUNITY German Record Critics’ Award for Doha-based ISC organises online Syrian musician soccer juggling contest zQatar Philharmonic Orchestra member Maias Alyamani has appreciated the support provided by the musical group

By Mudassir Raja ndian Sports Centre (ISC) The football sub-committee Staff Reporter recently held the fi nals of of the ISC managed the entire Ithe ‘Soccer Juggling Con- event through an online plat- test’ as the part of ‘Year of form, with Safeerurahman, atar Philharmonic Or- Sports’ – a sporting festival secretary ISC for football, chestra (QPO) has not organised under the patronage supervising the proceedings. Qonly been quenching the of Embassy of India in Qatar. Hamsa Yousuf, Hafees, Abbas thirst of residents for classical The soccer juggling contest Ooty, Thaseen, Renjith Raju, western music but has also been was held online with hundreds Rahmathulla, Helmi, Sidhiq, off ering a stage to talented mu- of participants from Qatar and Arman, Ahmed, and Moideen sicians to display their skills in abroad sending in their videos were the judges. instrumental music. during the qualifi cation round. The fi nalists were divided The orchestra and its gifted As many as 22 participants into fi ve groups, and each par- musicians have continuously got the chance to compete in ticipant was given two chances been bringing laurels for Qatar. the fi nal round, after which to show their skills, with the The recent example is ‘Ger- Sahed Sheji was declared as best count picked for the fi - man Record Critics’ Award’ won the winner with 167 touches nal ranking. Abdulrahman E P by one of QPO members – Maias in a minute, while Ashir Salim and Sharaf P Hameed, ISC vice Alyamani, violinist, composer became the runner-up with presidents; Nisha Agrawal, and producer. The album – Ba- 154 touches. general secretary; Arun Ku- bylon Orchestra – recorded and The winner and runner-up mar, joint secretary; and Srini- produced by Maias along with will receive online shopping vasan, MC member; were also Babylon Orchestra, a jazz band, vouchers. present at the host venue. has received the award from the critics. Music critics and journal- ists from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland regularly come to- gether to honour outstanding Kuwaq felicitates its music and spoken word produc- tions. Made up of a maximum of Maias Alyamani 160 jurors, the award (also called former president Preis der deutschen Schallplat- to Europe to further my studies sic. I have been receiving high- tenkritik –PdSK)) places great about western classical music. profi le commissions to compose The award. importance on reaching inde- I spent time in Germany, Italy, music. I have also done music for annur United Welfare dent, and Vinod Vallikkol, pendent judgments, unaff ected and Austria. I got my degree in the Arab Olympic Games Open- my work has got the recognition cal music in Qatar. “QPO is one Association of Qatar general secretary, handed over by the interests of recording or Solo Performance from Vienna.” ing in Doha and many others.” from the critics. I am satisfi ed of the fi nest orchestras in the K(Kuwaq) recently fe- a memento to Mohamed Ali in audiobook producers. In 2006, Maias established a About the album that won him that I have done something bet- world. The music quality is very licitated its former president the presence of Ratheesh Ma- Maias Alyamani, a Doha- fl exible music group ‘MAqam the award, the Syrian violin- ter. I, however, feel the real prize high. The orchestra and Qatar and long-time Qatar resident thradan, secretary; Amith Ra- based Syrian musician, is con- Ensemble’ in Vienna, special- ist said: “About four years ago, I comes when the people appreci- opened their arms for me and Tabith Mohamed Ali, who has makrishnan, vice-president; sidered one of the foremost Arab ising in classical Arabic music. started working with a Jazz band ate your work.” other talented musicians. I have returned to India after 41 years Anil Kumar, Anjali Anil Ku- artistes today. He has performed Since its inception, the ensemble – Babylon Orchestra. They com- Maias believes classical music always received every support of service at Qatar Petroleum. mar, Rakhi Vinod and Khadija as soloist and improviser all over has enjoyed tremendous success missioned me to compose two is mother of all music. “Every from QPO.” At the function, Mohamed Naushad. Ali is well known in the world with leading musi- in Europe and the Middle East. pieces. They were discovering developed country has orches- Regarding his routine dur- Naushad, Kuwaq acting presi- Doha for his welfare activities. cians. Talking to Gulf Times, the “I do Arabic music fusions with Arabic and oriental music fusion tra that is a sign of a developed ing the Covid-19 lockdown, violinist recently spoke about classical and Jazz. I have also with Jazz. It went very well with society. For me classical music Maias said that he started a so- his work and the recognition. curated Arabic Nights at Jazz at them. Last summer, I recorded is not connected to a particular cial media channel on YouTube. Born and brought up in Da- Lincoln Centre Doha in 2014-15 the album Babylon Orchestra to- nation. It belongs to everyone. “I started speaking about clas- mascus, Maias comes from a presenting Arabic music fusions gether with them. One fi ne day, I Arab composers of classical mu- sical, Arabic and jazz music in music family as both his parents to new audiences. I have worked got the news that the album has sic are also there. The classical Arabic language. The platform were connected with music. “My with Dana Alfardan and other won the award.” music is getting very popular in became very successful in six parents always encouraged me Qatari musicians. In collabora- The musician is very happy Qatar. Most of the video games months. Hundreds of thousands towards music. I started learn- tion with Dana, I produced on- to receive the recognition earn- have classical music composed have started following my chan- ing violin when I was only six board Qatar Airways music and ing good name both for Qatar by orchestras.” The violinist is nel and millions others have years old. At the age of 20, I went Lusail stadium launching mu- and QPO. “I am very happy that all praise for quality of classi- viewed it.” DPS-MIS conducts Junior girls achieve top performance at Qatar Preparatory School Debate League KalaiSaaral event PS-Modern Indian School debaters partici- Dpated in the Qatar Pre- he KalaiSaaral-2020, a paratory School Debate League tribute to the heritage, cul- for Girls recently organised on- Tture and tradition of the line by Qatar Debate and won Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was top positions. recently celebrated at DPS-Model Team-1 consisting of Asin Indian School (DPS-MIS). Ashraf, Vaidehi Rogiye and The programme was attend- Amishi Negi bagged the top ed by Gopi Varadhan, director place followed by Team-2 with DPS-MIS, as chief guest. The Antara Alurkar, Geetika Yala- others who attended the event manchili and Drishti Tibre- were; Principal Asna Nafees, wal in the second place and the vice principals, headmistress team of Gargee Kanade, Man- and other key functionaries. jushree Magesh and Anah Mer- Principal Asna Nafees, in her chant secured the fi fth place. address, encouraged the stu- In the individual category, dents to learn diff erent languag- nine out of 10 debaters earned es in order to develop a better their place among the top 10 understanding of the rich cul- best speakers. Amishi Negi ture and traditions around the won the fi rst place followed Magesh, Geetika Yalamanchili The swing debaters, Sansriti, doors of new opportunities for world and to become progressive dran in conducting a meaning- of the state. Results of a few by Anah Merchant in the sec- and Gargee Kanade tied for the Sharvi, Ishita and Izma also the debaters and helped them citizens of tomorrow. ful programme and urged the competitions conducted prior ond place. Drishti Tibrewal, seventh place. gained in-depth knowledge work in team spirit, analyse dif- Varadhan appreciated the ef- students to passionately learn to the celebration were also an- Asin Ashraf and Vaidehi Rogi- DPS-MIS debaters competed about implementation of the ferent issues and structure their forts of the Tamil department the language and to preserve nounced. The programme was ye shared the third place and against 107 debaters from dif- fundamentals of debating. argumentation and refutation headed by Elavarkuzhali Naren- the distinctiveness and culture aired live on Facebook. Antara Alurkar, Manjushree ferent schools in three rounds. This tournament opened eff ectively. DPS-MIS debaters shine at international tournament

ighteen DPS Modern In- ternational teams. DPS-MIS Rogiye from IX-A in the third Drishti Tibrewal from IX-E in 14th dian School (DPS-MIS) Team-3 consisting of Azhar position. and Antara Shailesh Alurkar from Edebaters attended the fi rst Jaleel Mohamed from Class-IX- In the individual category of IX-A in the 15th position. season of the EurOpen 2020 A, Antara Shailesh Alurkar from the novice speakers, Gauri Gupta In the open category, DPS- organised by Debating Society IX-A, Tianna Priyadarshi Samal from X-B won the third position MIS debaters earned their place Germany recently. from X-I and Sparsh Chow- followed by Victoria Honoridez among top 100 speakers. Gauri The tournament was con- dhary from XI-I bagged the from X-J in 5th, Aryan Dubey Gupta and Priyal Dhare tied for ducted in two categories and second position in the novice from IX-A in 7th, Azhar Jaleel Mo- 59th position, whereas Jaefar 120 teams with more than 400 category followed by DPS-MIS hamed from IX-A in 9th, Vaidehi Shameem fi nished at the 79th speakers from all over the world Team-5 with Sneha Chand- Rogiye from IX-A in 10th, Sparsh position. Along with the debat- competed for the title. nani from XI-I, Asin Ashraf Chowdhary from XI-I in 11th, ers, team coach Jaya Majumder DPS-MIS teams debated Ayinikunnan from IX-C, Drishti Aarav Bedi from XI-C in 12th, was honoured to judge the break against many national and in- Tibrewal from IX-E, Vaidehi Aina Merchant from XI-A in 13th, rounds until semi-fi nals. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 28, 2020 COMMUNITY LEISURE/HOROSCOPE

Wordsearch Super Cryptic Clues Adam

Pooch Cafe

BEDFORD CALEDONIA DELHI FOUNDLAND HAMPSHIRE HEBRIDES MARKET ORLEANS YORK BRUNSWICK CASTLE ENGLAND Across Down GUINEA HAVEN JERSEY 1 Grate a little fruit (4) 1 Herb’s girl (8) MEXICO PORT ZEALAND 3 Attempt by Heather to get 2 Set off a sudden involuntary accommodation for horses (8) movement (5) 9 Believe a bird (7) 4 Do they pull tall buildings? Codeword 10 Saw how old notice is? (5) (6) Garfield Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. 11 Items collected for poor 6 Language – one with a Latin Squares with the same number in have the same letter little children (5) derivation (7) .in. Work out which number represents which letter 12 This country sounds like 7 Some meagre winnings may one in a hurry (6) be increased (4) 14 Reformed - after kicking 8 They secure 150 snakes (6) over the traces? (6) 13 A famous artist – one 16 Boat in which to start off ? making music (8) (6) 15 Cup from church seen by 19 Scottish children I found in Wonderland girl (7) food stores (6) 17 Financial backers in good 21 Pot plant (5) spirits (6) 24 A team apart (5) 18 A girl who takes the right 25 Room containing ancient part (6) bag (7) 20 Some dancing bobbins (5) 26 Joy making Sue paler (8) 22 A king, held in reverence, is 27 Raise back (4) vigilant (5) Bound And Gagged Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Solution Sudoku

Answers Codeword Wordsearch

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a ٩x٩ grid. The grid is also divided into nine (٣x٣) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every .anone is repeated

Colouring Horoscope ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

You could get upsetting news regarding your job, Aries. There Someone new will come in your life and you’ll feel an instant The wonders of technology may come to your home today, Gemini. could be a shakeup in the hierarchy or someone in a position of attraction. Whether it turns into anything lasting or not isn’t certain, You might purchase some new equipment like a computer or authority could abruptly leave. You and your co-workers could have but whatever happens, you’ll remember this person for a long phone, or decide to go for a state-of-the-art home entertainment some momentary fears about job security, but they’re probably time! You may also have a sudden interest in new forms of artistic centre. Whichever it is, expect a lot of activity in and around your unwarranted. Your security will survive these events, and you’ll expression and want to start learning videography or computer home as family members learn how to use your new toys. It will be probably be better off than you were before. graphics. exciting for everyone! CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Valuable and interesting information could come your way through Finances could take on a new dimension as you look to technology Bizarre, unexpected developments might turn your life upside down modern technology. You might discover new information online to help you increase your bank balance. You could decide to invest today, Virgo. Money could be involved. New people could arrive who that awakens an exciting new interest in you, perhaps related to the online or try some new means of recordkeeping. Whatever you try open doors that eventually lead to a new life. You could even meet sciences, occult, or metaphysics. You could even discover a talent will bode well for your financial future. Expect a lucky break or two someone new. It isn’t easy to make predictions for a strange day like for astrology. Online group activities may also be appealing now, as well. this. Rest assured that when you go to bed you won’t be the same particularly those regarding humanitarian pursuits. person you were when you woke up. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Today you might be fascinated with movies, music, and video. You You could have a strong urge to seek adventure, Scorpio. You might An unexpected career break could come your way, Sagittarius. It could discover a new interest in filmmaking, sound engineering, want to take a spontaneous trip to an exotic place, meet new people should be exciting and encouraging – and a little scary! Don’t let or videography that you want to pursue. You might decide to read in exciting fields, or try new pastimes, perhaps as outrageous as apprehension get to you. You won’t want to let this opportunity about these fields and apply what you learn to the movies you see skydiving. Go for it if you are able, but this urge could indicate pass you by. Your good fortune could arouse envy in some of your and the music you hear. If you’re serious about learning these skills, boredom in some part of your life. What can you change about your co-workers, but don’t let this bother you either. Simply do what you this is the time to go for it. You’ll enjoy it! lifestyle to avoid future stagnation? need to do to get the ball rolling and then go ahead with it. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

A trip by air may be in your future, Capricorn. You may be planning Unusual experiences may give rise to a new interest in the sciences Upsets in the home or neighbourhood could lead to a sudden to tour distant states or foreign lands when that’s possible. You could or occult practices like magic or alchemy. This is an excellent time to decision to move, causing a great deal of activity. You might not yet be going with friends or a group you’re associated with. Unusual start perusing such subjects, Aquarius, or embark on a formal study be sure where you’re going. Organisation and discipline are vital at new interests could capture your attention, enticing you to further of astrology. A lucky money break could come your way today. It times like this, Pisces. It might be helpful to make lists and cross off study. You might enroll in an online workshop. You’re looking toward might be a gift or a repaid loan. Your inclination might be to go out each task as you finish it. Don’t panic. This could turn out to be the expanding your horizons. Take care not to spread yourself too thin. and spend it all. Take care! best thing that ever happened to you. Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 7 AMERICAS/BRITAIN

EVENT LEGAL INVESTIGATION PANDEMIC VERDICT Quebec mosque shooter’s US opens probe into Bolsonaro rules out taking Ex-Citgo oil executives 40-year jail sentence cut 115,000 Tesla vehicles coronavirus vaccine jailed in Venezuela

A man who shot dead six people at a Quebec The US National Highway Traff ic Safety Administra- Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has said he will Six US-connected former oil company executives mosque in 2017 had his sentence reduced to 25 tion (NHSTA) said it had opened an investigation into not take a vaccine against the coronavirus have been sentenced to between eight and 13 years years in prison when a Canadian court ruled it was around 115,0000 Tesla vehicles over a front suspen- even after it receives approval from his own in prison, Venezuela’s Supreme Court said. Washing- unconstitutional for him to serve consecutive life sion safety issue. The auto safety regulator said it government. “I’m telling you, I won’t take it (the ton has repeatedly asked Caracas to release the men, sentences. Alexandre Bissonnette, who turns 31 next was opening a preliminary evaluation into 2015-2017 vaccine),” he said in a video posted to social who worked for Citgo, the US-based subsidiary of week, was sentenced in 2019 to life in prison with Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles after receiv- media. “It is my right.” Brazil has recorded over Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. They were first no possibility of parole for 40 years. In a unanimous ing 43 complaints alleging failure of the left or right 170,000 coronavirus deaths, behind only the arrested in November 2017 and accused of crimes decision, the Quebec Court of Appeal said a provi- front suspension fore links. Tesla in February 2017 US. Once any treatment is approved by Brazil’s including money laundering. The company’s former sion of the Criminal Code introduced in 2011 that issued a service bulletin describing a manufacturing health regulatory authorities, his government president, Jose Pereira Ruimwyk, a Venezuelan allows judges to impose consecutive life sentences condition that may result in front suspension fore will “immediately organise” its purchase and national with US residency, was jailed for 13 years and for multiple murders violates the Canadian Charter link failures, NHTSA said. Tesla did not immediately distribution to those who want it, he said in the seven months on charges including embezzlement Shoppers queue for a computer games store of Rights and Freedoms. The three-judge panel said respond to a request for comment. The 2017 service video. But he added he was “sure” that Brazil’s and conspiracy, the court said. The other five men, all to open on Black Friday, at the Tysons Corner it “makes it possible to impose a penalty which will bulletin said some vehicles have “front fore links that parliament would not make immunisation of whom were company directors, were each jailed Center, in Tysons, Virginia, US, yesterday. at all times be cruel and grossly disproportionate.” may not meet Tesla strength specifications. mandatory. for eight years and 10 months. Speculation mounts over whom president will pardon next

Guardian News and Media FBI. Michael Cohen, Trump’s Washington former lawyer and fi xer, was convicted of crimes including ly- ing to Congress and orchestrat- mid widespread outcry ing hush money payments and is over Donald Trump’s completing a three-year term at Apardon of Michael Flynn, home. speculation surged about who As he has conclusively turned might be next for clemency from on the president, a pardon seems the defeated president. unlikely. Rick Gates, Trump’s 2016 Papadopoulos mounted an un- deputy campaign chair, told the successful run for Congress and New York Times the president has also published a book. He told “knows how much those of us the Times: “Of course I would be who worked for him have suf- honoured to be pardoned.” fered, and I hope he takes that Outside the Mueller investiga- into consideration if and when tion, former campaign chief ex- he grants any pardons”. ecutive and White House strat- Gates was one of many Trump egist Steve Bannon was charged aides convicted under the former with fraud regarding fundraising special counsel Robert Mueller’s for a border wall. investigation of Russian election Rudy Giuliani, the president’s interference and links between lawyer and election lawsuit bull- Trump and Moscow. dog, is reportedly under investi- US President Donald Trump participates in a Thanksgiving teleconference with members of the United States Military, at the White House in Washington, DC. After pleading guilty to fi nancial gation regarding possible viola- fraud and lying to investigators, he tions of lobbying law. was sentenced to 45 days in jail. Elliott Broidy, a Trump fund- Gates also told the Times his raiser, pleaded guilty to lobbying motivation for criticising Muel- charges. ler in a recent book “was not to In August, Patrick Cotter, a seek a pardon; it was to expose former federal prosecutor who the truth about the Russia inves- helped convict the mob boss tigation”. Flynn, a retired general John Gotti, told the Guardian: “I Trump signals White House who was fi red from the Defence believe it unprecedented in any Intelligence Agency by Barack US administration for so many Obama in 2014, became a trusted of the closest circle of persons campaign surrogate for Trump. around the president to have But Trump fi red him as na- been shown to be conmen, grift- tional security adviser after ers and base criminals. exit if Biden victory certifi ed just 24 days on the job, for lying “While previous administra- to Vice-President Mike Pence tions had their share of those AFP serve only one term in offi ce be- Trump said, again without pro- have died in the US from Cov- den’s preparation for assuming about contacts with Russian of- trying to personally profi t and Washington fore Biden is inaugurated on Jan- viding any evidence during his id-19, with daily death tolls surg- the presidency. fi cials. those willing to break the law to uary 20. remarks to reporters at the White ing to 2,000 in recent days. Trump said on Thursday he He pleaded guilty to lying to serve the political interests of the When asked if he would leave House after he spoke to military Trump’s refusal to concede the would soon travel to Georgia to the FBI but was not sentenced president, what is unique about resident Donald Trump the White House if the Electoral personnel via video-link on the election to Biden has added to campaign ahead of two key run- before Trump pardoned him the Trump administration is the said for the fi rst time that College confi rmed Biden’s victo- Thanksgiving holiday. the countless norms he has torn off elections that will decide on Wednesday, saying: “Have a large number of people in direct Phe would leave the White ry, Trump said, “Certainly I will. He described the US voting up during his four years in power. which party controls the Senate. great life General Flynn!” contact with the president, of- House if Joe Biden is offi cially And you know that.” infrastructure as “like a third- Supporters suggest he is al- Biden, 78, this week intro- Trump has already commuted ten for years, who are revealed confi rmed the winner of the US But “if they do, they made a world country.” ready eyeing a run for president duced a slate of veteran diplo- a more than three-year sentence to be out-and-out fraudsters for election, even as he railed against mistake,” he said, adding, “It’s Earlier in the day he tweeted in 2024. mats and policy-makers who will handed to Roger Stone, a long- whom crime is apparently part of the “rigged” vote. going to be a very hard thing to that “this was a 100% rigged Trump, 74, is alleging — make up his national security time ally, for obstruction, lying their lifestyle and character.” Trump has made an unprec- concede.” election,” while on Wednesday among other conspiracy theo- and foreign policy team, saying: to Congress and witness intimi- Trump has pardoned allies in- edented attempt to defy the re- “I think that there will be a he called on his Republican sup- ries — that voting machines de- “America is back, ready to lead dation. cluding Joe Arpaio and Bernard sults of the election by refusing to lot of things happening between porters “to turn the election liberately deleted millions of his the world.” Former campaign manager Kerik and observers think he may concede, spreading wild theories now and (January) 20th,” he said. over.” votes, though the government He said that in his fi rst 100 Paul Manafort is in home con- even try to pardon himself. about stolen ballots and launch- The Electoral College, which President-elect Biden has said election security agency declared days in offi ce, he would tackle fi nement on a seven-year sen- However, it is not clear such a ing baseless legal challenges that determines the White House that Americans “won’t stand” it “the most secure” election in the Covid crisis, scrap Trump tence for fraud. move would be possible and if it have been thrown out by courts. winner, will meet on Decem- for attempts to derail the vote US history. policies “damaging” the envi- George Papadopoulos, a for- was, it would not apply to cases Answering his fi rst questions ber 14 to certify Biden’s victory, outcome, and urged for Ameri- Under pressure from some ronment and push legislation of- eign policy adviser, was sen- at state level, such as those in from reporters since the Novem- with Biden receiving 306 votes to cans to unite to fi ght the worsen- senior Republicans, Trump this fering millions of undocumented tenced to 14 days in jail after New York concerning tax issues ber 3 vote, the president moved Trump’s 232. ing pandemic. week ended his blockade of gov- US residents a route to citizen- pleading guilty to lying to the and campaign fi nance. closer to accepting that he would “This election was a fraud,” More than 260,000 people ernment assistance to ease Bi- ship.

UK presses on with Oxford Sturgeon puts UK on jab amid trial data questions independence warning Reuters the next parliament,” Scottish London First Minister Sturgeon told Reuters Tougher Covid and effi cacy. In the global race to the BBC. London rules for Wales develop vaccines against Cov- Scots voted 55-45% id-19, AstraZeneca’s candidate cottish leader Nicola against independence in a Wales will introduce more strin- is viewed as off ering one of the Sturgeon said an inde- 2014 referendum but both ritain gave AstraZeneca’s gent restrictions in an attempt best hopes for many developing Spendence referendum Brexit and the British gov- Covid-19 vaccine a vote of to bring down rising corona- countries because of its cheaper that could wrench apart the ernment’s handling of the Bconfi dence yesterday when virus infection rates ahead price and ability to be transport- United Kingdom after Brexit Covid-19 crisis have bol- it asked its regulator to assess it of an easing of the rules over ed at normal fridge temperatures. should take place in the ear- stered support for inde- for a rollout after experts raised Christmas, the devolved gov- Officials in the Philippines lier part of the devolved par- pendence among Scots. questions about trial data and the ernment said yesterday. Wales yesterday said they would se- liament’s next term, which The past 14 opinion surveys company said it may run another only emerged from a two-week cure 2.6mn shots of the Astra- begins next year. have shown that Scots sup- study to gauge the shot’s effi cacy. countrywide “firebreak” lock- Zeneca shot — the country’s If there was another ref- port independence. The UK government has se- down on November 9, but rising first supply deal for a Covidd-19 erendum and if Scots voted Those surveys show sup- cured 100mn doses of the vac- rates and concern over a post- vaccine — and were negotiating out, it would mark the biggest port ranging from 51-59% cine, developed by AstraZeneca Christmas spike meant further a possible purchase of a further shock to the United Kingdom though views on independ- and Oxford University, the most action was required, said First 1mn doses. since Irish independence a ence have been volatile over supplies it has ordered of any Minister Mark Drakeford. The announcements came century ago — just as London previous years with most shot to fi ght the pandemic. despite some scientists rais- grapples with the impact of polls in 2017-2019 showing The British drugmaker ex- ing doubts about the robustness Brexit. Scots opposed to breaking up pects 4mn doses to be available standards,” Hancock said. of results showing the shot was The pro-independence the UK. in the country by the end of next “This letter is an important 90% eff ective in a sub-group of Scottish National Party lead- Sturgeon’s Scottish Na- month, and Health Secretary step towards deploying a vaccine trial participants who, by error er said she anticipates that a tional Party (SNP) is expected Matt Hancock aims for a rollout as quickly as safely possible.” initially, received a half dose fol- vote will take place “in the to perform strongly in elec- to begin before Christmas. Britain’s Medicines and lowed by a full dose. AstraZeneca earlier part” of the next Scot- tions to the Scottish parlia- “We have formally asked the Healthcare products Regula- had released trial data on Mon- Police off icers patrol the streets in Belfast yesterday, as stricter tish parliament, which begins ment in May. regulator to assess the Oxford/ tory Agency (MHRA) started an day that showed its experimen- restrictions come in to force to help stem the spread of the novel next year. The SNP will argue that AstraZeneca vaccine, to under- accelerated “rolling review” of tal vaccine prevented on average coronavirus. Northern Ireland shops and restaurants will shut for “The referendum for a winning that election would stand the data and determine the vaccine at the start of this 70% of Covid-19 cases in late- two weeks in eff orts to curb the coronavirus, the British province whole variety of reasons be a mandate for another in- whether it meets rigorous safety month as data comes in on safety stage trials in Britain and Brazil. announced. should be in the earlier part of dependence referendum. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, November 28, 2020 EUROPE

Norway to ban outdoor poultry after bird flu case Norwegian authorities said yesterday that they would introduce a regional ban on French offi cers detained keeping poultry outside after a case of bird flu was confirmed in a wild bird. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority said a case of H5N8 had been confirmed in a wild goose in the western Sandnes municipality. amid fury over violence The government agency said that in the next few days it would Macron ‘very shocked’ by ra said she wished the producer detained for causing violence, “introduce a curfew for poultry images of police brutality strength, adding “thank you to but prosecutors threw out that in some parts of the country” those who fi lmed”. probe and began investigating meaning all domestic birds would AFP/Reuters A presidential offi cial said the offi cers instead. need to be kept under a roof. Paris yesterday that Macron, too, was Macron on Thursday held Norway is the latest in a line of “very shocked” by the images. talks with Darmanin to call for European countries to take action The incident raised questions tough punishments for those in- after finding cases of the virus, rench authorities have over the future of Paris police volved in the beating, a govern- which is not harmful to humans detained four offi cers sus- chief Didier Lallement, already ment source added. but is potentially devastating to Fpected of beating and ra- in the spotlight after the con- “Nausea,” said the front page the farming sector. cially abusing a black music pro- troversial removal of a migrant headline in the leftist Liberation Until the new measure comes ducer in Paris in a case that has camp in Paris earlier in the week. daily over a close-up picture of into force, the authorities asked shocked President Emmanuel It also put the government on Zecler’s swollen and bloodied poultry breeders, especially Macron and drawn outrage from the backfoot as it tries to push face. on the country’s west coast, to celebrities and sports stars. through new security legislation “The new video of a rare fe- take care to minimise contact Images published by the that would restrict the right of rocity... adds to a problem fed between their birds and wild Loopsider website show how the media to publish the faces of over the last months by a suc- birds, and report if they saw music producer Michel Zecler police agents. cession of blunders and a ten- increased mortality in their flocks. was repeatedly beaten by police Interior Minister Gerald Dar- dency to revert to authoritarian The Sandnes case is the first for several minutes and subject- manin, who is in charge of the tendencies,” it said. in Norway, but previously this ed to racial abuse as he tried to police forces, told French televi- The death in US police cus- autumn the virus has appeared enter his music studio last Sat- sion that the offi cers tarnished tody of George Floyd in May in France, Denmark, Belgium, the urday evening. the reputation of France’s secu- and the Black Lives Matter Netherlands, Russia, Ireland and The music producer told re- rity forces. movement have reverberated in Britain among other countries. porters that he was set upon by The four offi cers, all men, France where allegations of bru- police at his studio in Paris’s were detained for questioning tality by offi cers are common- 17th arrondissement. yesterday, a source close to the place, particularly in poor and Politician under He said he had been walking case told AFP. ethnically diverse urban areas. This picture taken on Thursday night shows protesters holding placards reading (from left) ‘Dystopia in the street without a face mask The offi cers, who had already “French police has a structural 2020 when fiction becomes reality’, ‘Big Manu (referring to French President Emmanuel Macron)’, and police protection – against French coronavirus been suspended from duty, were problem with violence, violence ‘Police everywhere, justice nowhere’, as they take part in a demonstration in Toulouse, against the after Covid threats health protocols – and, upon being held at the National Police that is committed against visible ‘global security’ draft law, which seeks to limit filming and photographing police off icers on duty. seeing a police car, went into Inspectorate General (IGPN), minorities,” Fabien Jobard, a so- A German politician has been his nearby studio to avoid being and prosecutors opened an in- ciologist, told AFP. vent journalists from potentially tion of images of the police. support from across the political placed under police protection fi ned. vestigation into violence by a “Unbearable video, unaccept- documenting abuses, as well as But this in turn sparked accu- spectrum. after receiving threats over However, he said, the police person in authority and false able violence,” Mbappe wrote on stopping social media users from sations that the prime minister But critics and even some restrictions introduced in his followed him inside and began testimony, the source said. Twitter next to a picture of the posting incriminating footage. was trying to bypass the legis- supporters accuse him of tilting town to fight Covid-19, the to assault and racially abuse him. Three of the four were be- injured producer. “Say no to rac- A protest against the draft law, lature. to the right as he seeks re-elec- respiratory disease caused by the The beating was captured on ing questioned on suspicion of ism.” which has yet to pass a Senate “It is not for the government tion in 2022. coronavirus. closed circuit television and mo- “violence with a racist motive” The outcry comes after the vote, has been called for today. to substitute the work of an ex- “Already accused of attack- Thomas Mueller, a lawmaker bile phone footage, which circu- committed intentionally in a lower house of parliament on In a sign that the government ternal committee in the place ing public freedoms through in hard-hit Hildburghausen in lated online. group, prosecutors said. Tuesday evening approved a se- could be preparing to backtrack, of parliamentary prerogatives,” the security bill ... the executive central Germany, learned on Celebrities including foot- The fourth is being ques- curity bill which would restrict Prime Minister Jean Castex an- the speaker of the lower house faces an accumulation of cases Sunday that threats had been ball World Cup winners Kylian tioned on suspicion of using the publication of photos or vid- nounced late on Thursday that Richard Ferrand told Castex, his of violence and police abuse, the made against him, he told the Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann violence but is not accused of eos of police offi cers’ faces. he would appoint a commission offi ce said. images of which have disturbed DPA news agency. condemned the beating, while racism. Media unions say it could to redraft Article 24 of the law Macron swept to power in even the ruling party,” said Le He has been under protection French star singer Aya Nakamu- Zecler was initially himself give police a green light to pre- that would restrict the publica- 2017 as a centrist who rallied Monde daily. since Thursday after being threatened and insulted on social media, “presumably in connection with the Corona protection measures”, police said. Hildburghausen, a town of 12,000 Denmark wants to inhabitants in Thuringia state, WHO: Nations with falling has the highest coronavirus incidence rate in Germany, at dig up ‘zombie mink’ more than 600 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the past week. Covid cases must stay alert Reuters/AFP she visited one of the aff ected Copenhagen mink farmers. “I don’t have any issues with Belarus leader to Reuters/AFP apologising for the course of quit when reforms Geneva enmark said yesterday events, because mistakes have that it wants to dig up been made,” Frederiksen, told are adopted Dmink that were culled broadcaster TV2. ven if countries see a fall to prevent the spread of the Dead mink were tipped into Belarusian leader Alexander in coronavirus cases, coronavirus, after some resur- trenches at a military area in Lukashenko said yesterday that Ethey need to stay vigilant, faced from mass graves. western Denmark and covered he would step down as president Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Denmark ordered all farmed with two metres of soil. once a new constitution is Health Organisation (WHO)’s mink to be culled early this However, hundreds have be- adopted and proposed curbing technical lead for Covid-19, said month after fi nding that 12 gun resurfacing, pushed out of presidential powers as part of yesterday. people had been infected by a the ground by what authorities the reforms, though he gave no The Covid-19 respiratory dis- mutated strain of the virus that say is gas from decomposition. timeline for those moves. ease is caused by the coronavi- causes Covid-19, which passed Newspapers have referred to Lukashenko, who has faced rus. from humans to mink and back them as the “zombie mink”. mass protests calling for him to “What we don’t want to see is to humans. Jensen’s replacement, Ras- step down since a presidential situations where you are mov- The decision led to 17mn mus Prehn, said he supported election on August 9, made the ing from lockdown to bringing animals being destroyed and the idea of digging up the ani- comment a day after Russia’s (the virus) under control to an- to the resignation of Food and mals and incinerating them. foreign minister told him to press other lockdown,” she told a vir- Agriculture Minister Morgens He said he had asked the en- ahead with constitutional reforms tual briefi ng in Geneva. Jensen. vironmental protection agency to defuse the crisis. Nearly 61mn people have On Thursday, Prime Min- look into whether it could be “I will not work as president with been reported to be infected by ister Mette Frederiksen wiped done, and parliament would be you under the new constitution,” the coronavirus globally, and away tears and apologised for briefed on the issue on Mon- Lukashenko was quoted as 1.4mn have died, according to a the handling of the crisis as day. saying by the Belta news agency. Reuters tally. “It is in our power to keep transmission low,” Kerkhove said. “We have seen dozens of countries show us that it can be brought under control and kept Romanians donate to fi ll funding under control.” Chairs are seen in the waiting area of a mass coronavirus testing station operated by the Austrian Meanwhile, the WHO’s di- armed forces in Korneuburg, Austria. rector of immunisation vaccines gaps for public healthcare and biologicals, Kate O’Brien, Lombardy, Piedmont and Ca- forcing new government curbs. nated, adding that by the end of has said that the UN agency labria will be downgraded from As of yesterday, 53,677 people the year the number is expected needs to evaluate coronavirus red to orange zones, while Sicily have died as a result of the dis- to reach 80,000. By Luiza Ilie, Reuters the future government and that from treatable diseases. vaccines and their immune re- and Liguria will drop from the ease in Italy, the second highest The minister did not specify Bucharest change happens,” said Gheo- The state has built one hospital sponses based on more than just orange to the yellow zone, which toll in Europe after Britain. whether vaccination will be rghiu, who met Uscatu almost 20 in the last three decades, spends a press release. has least restrictions. It has also registered some voluntary for soldiers, many of years ago. the least on healthcare in the Eu- AstraZeneca is likely to run an Yesterday’s decision follows 1.538mn cases. whom are drafted into the army arlier this week, Oana Ghe- Opinions polls show Roma- ropean Union and tens of thou- additional global trial to assess a gradual decline in hospitalisa- Turkey’s daily Covid-19 for compulsory service. orghiu and Carmen Uscatu nia’s current minority Liberal sands of doctors and nurses have the effi cacy of its vaccine using a tions from coronavirus in much death toll hit a record high for Cyprus announced yester- Ewere at a county hospital government is expected to win emigrated. lower dosage, its chief executive of Italy over the past week, with a fi fth consecutive day at 177, day that it would lift lockdowns in northeastern Romania mak- the election and form a coalition “Civic society can only substi- was quoted as saying on Thurs- the number of new cases also data from the health ministry in two key coastal cities but im- ing plans to quickly replace its cabinet with another centrist tute the state up to a point,” said day, amid questions over the re- retreating from highs seen ear- showed yesterday. pose a nationwide eight-hour intensive care unit after a fi re de- grouping. Camelia Mates from the Asso- sults of its late-stage study. lier this month. Turkey also recorded a new night-time curfew among other stroyed it two weeks ago, killing The Liberals have said they ciation for Community Relations And yesterday WHO assist- Italy introduced a three-tier high of 29,845 coronavirus in- uniform restrictions to tackle 12 Covid-19 patients. will tap €7.5bn available in EU (ARC), which connects donors to ant director-general Mariangela zoning system three weeks ago fections in the space of 24 hours, rising coronavirus cases. The Covid-19 respiratory dis- funds for healthcare, although causes and off ers a central plat- Simao has said that the agency with calibrated curbs depending including asymptomatic ones. A nationwide curfew will ap- ease is caused by the coronavirus. all parties in the election have re- form for text message giving. needs to see clinical data and on a variety of factors, including However, from July until ply between the hours of 9pm The founders of Give Life, an peatedly promised to reform the “If the state does not build information of good manu- infection rates and hospital oc- Wednesday, Ankara had only and 5am (1900 GMT to 0300 NGO that builds medical in- sector. hospitals, how many hospitals facturing practice to be able cupancy. reported symptomatic cases, of GMT) from November 30 until frastructure in Romania, have The November 14 fi re in Piatra could we build with €2-4 dona- to evaluate Russia’s Sputnik V Abruzzo, Campania, Tus- which there were 6,592 yester- December 13, Health Minister already raised funds from the Neamt was the latest in a string tions?” coronavirus vaccine. cany, Valle d’Aosta and Bolzano day. Constantinos Ioannou said. public and companies for the of hospital accidents that includ- ARC data showed Romanians Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is province will all remain in the The total number of deaths This brings to an end a two- country’s fi rst paediatric oncol- ed a maternity ward fi re which gave 51.9mn lei ($12.72mn) via more than 90% eff ective, a rep- red zone for now, while Basili- stood at 13,191. tier curfew system, which had ogy hospital and a modular coro- killed six newborns in 2010. text messages and direct debit resentative of the health minis- cata, Emilia Romagna, Fruili, Historical data and the cu- seen the capital Nicosia and navirus hospital with 38 beds in Critics say widespread cor- last year. try said this month, citing data the Marches, Puglia and Umbria mulative number of all cases other towns under curfew for the capital Bucharest. ruption means hospital manag- “When I vote, I do so hoping collated from vaccinations of will still be orange. were not available. six hours each night from 11pm. They hope that after a parlia- ers often lack experience, and things can change for the better,” the public, rather than from an Italy was the fi rst Western Russia’s military has started Limassol and Paphos – both mentary election on December previous court cases show that said Monica Simion, a store own- ongoing trial. country to be hit by the virus a mass coronavirus vaccination areas where caseloads have been 6, the government will make the some have taken bribes in ex- er who has donated to Give Life Italy meanwhile will ease in February, with the outbreak campaign which aims to inocu- high – will have their lockdowns healthcare system a priority after change for contracts. and volunteers at a Covid-relat- coronavirus restrictions in fi ve only coming under control after late more than 400,000 serv- lifted at the end of November, what they see as decades of ne- General physicians are in short ed call centre for the state pub- regions from tomorrow, includ- a months-long national lock- icemen, Defence Minister Sergei after a near-total prohibition on glect by the state. supply, and one in four Romani- lic health agency. “This includes ing in the country’s richest and down. Shoigu announced yesterday. movements in and out of those “The medical system is at ans lack suffi cient access to basic ensuring that a fi re like the one most populous region Lom- After a summer lull, infec- He said that more than 2,500 coastal resort cities and their rock bottom and ... I hope public services, leading to the European at the county hospital in Piatra bardy, the health ministry said. tions soared again in October, soldiers had already been vacci- wider districts. pressure will become stronger on Union’s highest mortality rate Neamt never happens again.” Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 9 INDIA

PANDEMIC POLITICS ACCIDENT CONTROVERSY DECISION PM to visit three Covid Tejashwi, JD-U leaders Pilot missing as MiG-29K Minister rubbishes CPI-M Karnataka cabinet clears vaccine centres today make personal attacks trainer jet crashes into sea claim in smuggling probe Vijayanagar formation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today embark Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav The Indian Navy yesterday said that a MiG- Union Minister V Muraleedharan yesterday hit Karnataka’s cabinet yesterday formally approved on a three-city visit to personally review Covid yesterday alleged in the Bihar Assembly 29K trainer aircraft, which was operating in back at CPI-M state secretary A Vijayaraghavan the formation of new district Vijayanagar by vaccine development and manufacturing process. that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not sire the Arabian sea, crashed at around 5pm on for alleging that the ongoing probes by central carving it out from existing Ballary district. The He will visit the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, another child as he was afraid of becoming Thursday. While one pilot has been rescued, agencies into the gold smuggling case were aimed new Vijayanagar district will be the 31st district Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute father to a female child. Tejashwi’s remark a search operation has been launched for the at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The minister of the state with the incorporation of six taluks of India in Pune. “The PM’s visit to these facilities triggered a war of words between JD-U and second pilot who has been missing since then. of state for external aff airs said that no directive of Ballari district into a new Vijayanagar district. and discussions with the scientists will help him RJD, with a JD-U leader calling Tejashwi as a The navy added that the search operation is was given to anyone to carry out investigations Speaking to reporters after the state cabinet get a first hand perspective of the preparations, “flop cricketer and class IX failed student”. in progress by air and surface units, and went in a particular way. Vijayaraghavan had earlier meeting, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary challenges and roadmap in India’s endeavour Kumar rubbished Yadav’s claim and asked on to add that an inquiry has been ordered said it was because of his innocence that Vijayan Aff airs Minister, J C Madhuswamy, said that the to vaccinate its citizens,” the PMO’s off ice said. “who was responsible for making his father to investigate the crash of MiG-29K trainer had sought a probe into the gold smuggling case new district will comprise of Hospet, Kottur, Meanwhile, Indian pharmaceutical firm Hetero said (Lalu Prasad) leader of the Lok Dal and who aircraft. The Indian Navy has a fleet of over by any central agency. “But the central agencies Koodlagi, Huvinahadagali, Harapanahalli and it will manufacture over 100mn doses of the Russian was responsible for making him (Tejashwi) 40 MiG-29K fighter aircraft based out of Goa have political bias and are going forward with the Hagaribommanahalli talukas. One of the major fall- Sputnik V Covid vaccine per year under the terms of deputy CM. Everyone knows it,” Kumar said in and also operated from the INS Vikramaditya intention of targeting Vijayan. We will deal with it out of the change is that the heritage town Hampi a deal with Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund. the assembly. aircraft carrier. politically,” said Vijayaraghavan. will now be part of Vijayanagar district.

Minister quits Delhi police Mamata cabinet relents, allows IANS Kolkata

day after West Bengal Ir- rigation and Transport AMinister Suvendu Adhika- farmers to ri was replaced from his post in the Hooghly River Bridge Com- mission (HRBC), the Trinamool Congress heavyweight from East Midnapore yesterday tendered his resignation from the Mamata Banerjee-led state cabinet. stage protest West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar wrote on Twitter that Reuters/IANS Amid criticism over perceived “The new laws holds the Adhikari’s resignation letter was New Delhi high-handedness of the police, promise of bringing revolution- sent to Chief Minister Mamata talks were held with farm leaders ary change to farmers’ lives,” Banerjee and a copy was for- that yielded a deal to let the pro- Farm Minister Narendra Singh warded to the governor’s offi ce ew Delhi police yesterday testers rally peacefully in a public Tomar told Reuters affiliate as well. agreed to let thousands ground of the capital. ANI. “The issue will be addressed Nof farmers stage a peace- “(We) appeal to them to main- The farm sector contributes from the constitutional perspec- ful protest inside the capital after tain peace,” Delhi police said in a nearly 15% of India’s $2.9tn tive,” Dhankhar wrote. initially blocking demonstrators statement. economy and employs around The state transport depart- on the outskirts and fi ring tear Authorities allowed farmers to half its 1.3bn people. ment on Thursday issued a cir- gas and water cannon at them. gather at a large fi eld on the out- Some 85% of India’s farmers cular stating that Adhikari was The farmers are angry over skirts of Delhi, and the local ad- own less than fi ve acres of land replaced by Trinamool Congress new laws deregulating the vast ministration made arrangements and lack the means to sell beyond MP from Sreerampore in Kolk- agriculture sector, saying they for protesters to spend the night local markets, even if that means ata’s adjoining Hooghly district will leave small growers vulner- there. Some farmers had already forgoing better prices. Kalyan Banerjee as chairman of able to corporate agri-businesses started walking towards the cap- The National Farmers’ Forum the Hooghly River Bridge Com- and could lead to a withdrawal of ital city. said that if the government really mission (HRBC) — a statutory price support for staples such as It was not immediately clear wanted to improve the condition body under the government of wheat and rice. when the rally would be held. of farmers, it should plug holes West Bengal. Protesters from Punjab rode Under the legislation en- in the minimum price-support The circular stated: “In ex- tractors and cars towards Delhi acted in September that Prime programme. ercise of the power conferred early yesterday morning and Minister Narendra Modi called Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Min- by sub-section (3) of section were stopped at the city’s fringes a watershed for agriculture, ister Captain Amarinder Singh 3 of The Hooghly River Bridge by police roadblocks. farmers are free to sell their pro- once again reiterated that the Act, 1969 (West Bengal Act of Clashes ensued, with police duce anywhere, including to big voices of the protesting farmers XXXVI-1969), the governor is unleashing tear gas and water corporate buyers, instead of at “cannot be muzzled indefi nitely” pleased to appoint MP Kalyan cannon to push back the farmers. government-regulated whole- and the “Centre should initiate Banerjee as chairman of the Plumes of smoke rose above sale markets where growers are talks”. HRBC with immediate eff ect and the fray and some protesters assured of a minimum procure- “The voice of farmers cannot until further orders.” threw stones at police as thou- ment price. be muzzled indefi nitely. Centre Established in 1969, HRBC was sands pressed against barricades, The government says there is should immediately initiate talks mandated with the construction waving fl ags and sticks. no plan to eliminate wholesale with leaders of the farmers’ un- of the iconic Vidyasagar Setu, an “Although the police have markets and that farmers could ions to defuse the tense situation engineering marvel over the river tried to stop us with force, bar- sell at these yards as well as to big at the Delhi borders. Hooghly that was inaugurated in ricades and water cannon, we’ve retailers such as WalMart. “Why wait till December 3 1992 as the longest cable-stayed decided to stay the course to It hopes to bring new invest- when the situation is getting out bridge in the country. make sure the government lis- ment to the farm sector and of hand now?” a tweet by chief Speculation was rife for the tens to the voice of millions of fi x the supply chains that lose minister’s media adviser Raveen past few months over the politi- Farmers gather as they try to march to New Delhi to protest against the central government’s recent farmers,” said protester Su- one-fourth of India’s produce to Thukral quoting Amarinder cal stand of the Trinamool heav- agricultural reforms at the Delhi-Haryana border in Kundli yesterday. krampal Dhayana. wastage. Singh said. yweight from East Midnapore and party insiders said Adhikari relations with the Trinamool su- premo had gotten strained. With the high-voltage West Bengal elections barely a few Five Covid patients die in hospital fi re CONDOLENCES months away, he had also taken out of several public rallies in The Editor-in-Chief, Management East Midnapore’s Khejuri under Reuters/IANS ernment official Udit Agarwal. preme Court, which asked both the an apolitical banner this week. Ahmedabad “Three of the patients in the in- federal and state governments to Earlier Trinamool Congress tensive care unit died on the spot, submit a detailed reply on recurring and Staff of GULF TIMES legislator from Cooch Behar and two others succumbed on way fi res in Covid-19 hospitals. (south) Assembly constituen- ive patients were killed yes- to another hospital. Two other In August, eight Covid-19 pa- extend their heartfelt condolences to cy, Mihir Goswami, joined the terday in a fi re that broke out patients in the ICU were unhurt,” tients were killed in a fi re in the ICU Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Fin a Covid19 ward, the fourth Agarwal said. ward of a hospital in Ahmedabad, Delhi. “I have resigned from the blaze in a novel coronavirus hospi- Twenty-seven other coronavirus the largest city of Gujarat. Reynold Philip Trinamool Congress and joined tal since the outbreak began, which patients being treated at the hospi- Prime Minister Narendra Modi the BJP. I like to call it a fi ght drew angry questions from the Su- tal were rescued. said on Twitter yesterday he was (Cartoonist) against the immoral activities preme Court. India has recorded 9.3mn infec- pained by the loss of lives. within the Trinamool and the The early morning blaze in Ra- tions, the second-highest in the “My thoughts are with those who on the sad demise of his beloved mother injustice meted out to the peo- jkot, Gujarat, gutted the intensive world after the US, and more 135,00 lost their loved ones in this unfor- ple in the north Bengal districts. care unit of the Uday Shivanand deaths. tunate tragedy. Praying for a quick I look forward to a new political Multi-Speciality Hospital around The health ministry yesterday recovery of the injured. The ad- era in Bengal. I hope people of 3am, television footage showed. reported 43,082 new cases and 492 ministration is ensuring all possible north Bengal would welcome the The most likely cause was an deaths in the past 24 hours. assistance to the aff ected,” the pre- decision,” Goswami said. electrical short circuit, said gov- The latest fi re angered the Su- mier said.

Mufti barred from holding press meet

IANS the media.The police said the presser ra’s family on the pretext of secu- The National Investigation Agen- Srinagar of the PDP president was not allowed rity, while the BJP leaders and Un- cy on Wednesday arrested Peoples as per the orders from the higher ups. ion ministers were allowed to travel Democratic Party leader Waheed “The press has been barred from across Kashmir. Parra. He has been detained in con- ormer Jammu and Kashmir entering my residence In Srinagar. “I have been illegally detained yet nection with the former deputy su-

chief minister and Peoples This despite no written orders ex- again. Since two days, the Jammu perintendent Davinder Singh and MRS ANNA FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sports diplomacy brings Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor nations and peoples closer Amjad Khan and Romans had considered sports sport arena. Thanks to our ministries In this way, so-called sports P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar an inevitable tradition that helped of foreign aff airs which contain a diplomacy is being conceived, and strengthen social relations between large networking system all over the diplomacy is being understood as a [email protected] all social class, gender, ethnicity and world concluded by the diff erent relevant profession of promoting the 44350478 (News), kinship. embassies, international organisations interests of a state or government In addition, sports continue to and consulates that use the universal against others. 44466404 (Sport), embody friendship, respect, and passions in order to bring people Moreover, having as its purpose the 44466636 (Home delivery) tolerance, among others. They are together and create dialogue and achievement of peace and co-operation everything that unites us, and transmits enhance the role of the communities. agreements and bringing the leadership 44350474 the exchange of admiration and cultural It is a strategic aspect of our work to of international relations through facebook.com/gulftimes understanding creating a peaceful co- continue to promote the practice of negotiation. existence between nations. sports abroad by creating a strong Sports diplomacy uses a global twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Sports play a huge factor in the major interaction between nations. language to strengthen relations aspects of public policy and diplomacy. Sports unite us and promote greater between nations and its peoples. We They are always in the foreground for friendships. It is the complement of believe that it does not fi nd discrepant every society, creating specialists who having a happy life as it boosts both issues; rather, it becomes a modality or carry out eff orts for a common goal. our physical and emotional health. My instrument that breaks down barriers GULF TIMES It brings along diff erent advantages country, Peru, does it with many sports, and limitations. such as the integral development of and I must be grateful for the opportunity Diplomacy does not stop being our youth as well as the rest of the that other international players give us, the projection of internal politics of populations. It is an important element coinciding with the start of qualifi cations a country with other actors such as By Jose Benzaquen for the development of countries and for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. international organisations. In our days, Pooled Covid-19 one that greatly benefi ts our established It also refl ects good patriotism, a we also speak of a digital diplomacy, Ambassador of Peru societies. more egalitarian society and without a parliamentary diplomacy, local I believe that it is a fundamental distinctions. In the world of sports, government diplomacy, a corporate testing could help or decades, sports have been aspect that we as nations, are everyone has the opportunity to come diplomacy, as well as a relevant one of the key elements that committed to constantly promote for together and to be alike. In the world presidential diplomacy (heads of state). help improve human’s physical the good of all societies with the help of sports, there is no room for racism, It should also be noted that Factivity and ability to maintain of our leaders and commanders and intolerance and hatred. Thanks to international events help promote reopen schools safely a healthy lifestyle. It continues to help representatives such as National and international organisations we are on a other sectors and the diff erent aspects. us strive to be better in every aspect of International Olympic Committees good path, avoiding violence and with Furthermore, it gives us the opportunity our life; bringing along positivity, high- whose mission is to ensure the the permanent and main objective of to showcase our developments, Vaccine or no, testing and tracing Covid-19 infections lighting a sense of competition gov- success of the organisation of all having the good of world society. attractions, museums, new or recovered will be crucial to returning America fully to work and erned by a set of rules that teach us how games worldwide. Qatar is the perfect We are born playing something, cities (such as Msheireb Downtown school. It’s a key area where the Trump administration has to be disciplined as well as maintaining example that throughout the years has whether we are walking or running, Doha in Qatar) and unique sports a strong and healthy mental health. demonstrated its focus and dedication we compete and only certain public facilities (stadiums), related to a noble let the country down, and something that President-elect In the early days, physical activities to the promotion of all the diff erent policy guidelines are needed. The detachment (donations) in favour of Joe Biden has vowed to fi x with a major surge of new testing were seen as leisure, a hobby and a types of sports by hosting numerous important language of sports is unity less developed countries. capacity. product of modernity. They were events: from Tennis Championship to and participation, where we all win. It The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will But even many countries that have committed to an inherited by the nature of Homo the World Athletics Championship in is the important way in which a country be a meeting of all peoples and nations, sapiens; as a necessity and an added 2019 to the upcoming World Cup 2022. projects itself to the world and a and we are absolutely sure that it will aggressive testing regime are fi nding it extremely expensive value to the overall well-being and Sport diplomacy carries along a fundamental way of understanding and be an unforgettable celebration of and time-consuming. In response, some have relied on a lifestyle. Historically, both the Greeks wild perspective in the diplomatic and promoting peace. friendship between all nations. method that isn’t much talked about in the United States, though it’s well understood: Pooling the lab samples of several people at once. With new evidence showing its eff ectiveness — as well as potential weaknesses if it isn’t done correctly — pooling is something the Biden administration should seriously explore, especially as a way of reopening schools once the current surge subsides. A tale of two economies Pooling samples is exactly what Pooling is By Stephen S. Roach year, the US economy was still 3.5% second quarter of 2020. double the pre-Covid low (3.5%). With it sounds like. New Haven below its previous peak in the fourth But services consumption, which weekly claims for unemployment something the Biden Sometimes it quarter of 2019. With the exception of makes up over 61% of total US insurance only just starting to creep involves using the 4% peak-to-trough decline during consumer spending, is a diff erent up in early November as new curfews administration uddenly, there is a credible case the 2008-09 global fi nancial crisis, matter altogether. Services accounted and other lockdown-like measures are the samples for a vaccine-led economic re- the current 3.5% gap is as large as that for fully 72% of the collapse in total put into place, and a dysfunctional US should seriously from nasal and covery. Modern science has de- recorded in the depths of every other consumer spending from January Congress failing to agree on another throat swabs, Slivered what must certainly be post-WWII US recession. to April. While services have since relief package, the risk of renewed explore, especially as or in its simpler one of the greatest miracles of my long Consequently, it is ludicrous to partly bounced back, as of September, weakness in overall employment is lifetime. Just as Covid-19 dragged the speak of a US economy that is already they had recouped just 64% of the growing. a way of reopening form, collecting world economy into the sharpest and in recovery. The second quarter lockdown-induced losses earlier this The news on vaccines is truly saliva in cups deepest recession on record, an equally snapback was nothing more than year. extraordinary. While the logistics schools and mixing it, powerful symmetry on the upside now the proverbial dead cat bounce – a With Covid-19 still raging, of production and distribution are usually from fi ve seems possible. mechanistic post-lockdown rebound vulnerable American consumers daunting, to say the least, there is good If only it were that easy. With after the steepest decline on record. remain understandably reluctant to reason to be hopeful that the end of people at a time, sometimes more. If the test comes up Covid-19 still raging – and rates of That is very different than the organic, re-engage in the personal interaction the Covid-19 pandemic may now be in negative, all the people are considered clear of infection. infection, hospitalisation, and death cumulative recovery of an economy required of face-to-face services sight. But the impact on the economy If not, everyone in the group is retested individually. It can now spiralling out of control (again) truly on the mend. The US remains in activities such as restaurant dining, will not be instantaneous, with dramatically cut down the number of tests that need to be – the near-term risks to economic a deep hole. in-person retail shopping, travel, vaccination unlikely to bring about so- performed, which means far less cost and less straining of activity have tipped decidedly to the Just ask American consumers, who, at hotel stays, and leisure and recreation called herd immunity until mid-2021 at downside in the United States and 68% of GDP, have long accounted for the activities. These services collectively the earliest. capacity. Europe. The combination of pandemic dominant share of US aggregate demand. account for almost 20% of total So, what happens between now Some private schools, such as Duke University, have been fatigue and the politicisation of public After plunging by an unprecedented 18% household services outlays. and then? For a still vulnerable US using it in the United States and have stayed open without health practices has come into play at from January to April, total consumer The understandable fear of personal economy now in the grips of predictable outbreaks. On a much larger scale, China used it to test precisely the moment when the long spending has since recouped about 85% interactions in the midst of a pandemic aftershocks, the case for a relapse, or a anticipated second wave of Covid-19 is of that loss (in real terms). But the devil is brings us to the second ingredient of double-dip, before mid-2021 is all the almost the entire population of Wuhan, where the virus at hand. in the details. the double-dip: aftershocks. With the more compelling. was fi rst identifi ed in December. That’s 11mn people. Unfortunately, this fi ts the script of The rebound has been concentrated current exponential rise in Covid-19 To paraphrase Charles Dickens, this A recent study demonstrated that, for Covid-19 pool the dreaded double-dip recession that in goods consumption – big- cases, lockdowns are back – not as is the best of times and the worst of testing, a test could evaluate pools of at least 32 nasal I warned of recently. The bottom-line ticket durables like cars, furniture, severe as in March and April but still times. As fi nancial markets celebrate bears repeating: Apparent economic and appliances, plus soft-good aimed at a partial curtailment of the coming vaccine-led boom, the samples without losing sensitivity, or the ability to recoveries in the US have given way nondurables like food, clothing, fuel, person-to-person activity heading confl uence of epidemiological and correctly identify true positives. to relapses in eight of the 11 business and pharmaceuticals that have more into the all-important holiday season. political aftershocks has pushed us back But US health offi cials generally have been talking about cycles since World War II. The relapses than made up for what was lost during Precisely at the moment when the into a quagmire of heightened economic pools of lower numbers. Generally speaking, the greater the refl ect two conditions: lingering the lockdown-induced plunge. In economic calendar typically expects vulnerability. In Dickensian terms, to disease’s prevalence in a population, the smaller your pools vulnerability from the recession, itself, September, goods consumption in real an enormous surge of activity, the reach a “spring of hope,” we fi rst must and the likelihood of aftershocks. terms was 7.6% above its pre-pandemic odds of a major seasonally adjusted endure a “winter of despair.” – Project have to be. Unfortunately, both conditions have January 2020 high. The bounceback disappointment are rising. Syndicate Yet pooled testing has been rare in the United States. In now been satisfi ed. benefi ted signifi cantly from a surge This poses serious risks to the part, that’s for good reason: The testing is eff ective only Vulnerability is hardly debatable. in online buying by stay-at-home still-battered US labour market. Yes, O Stephen S. Roach is a faculty when infection rates are low — because that means less Notwithstanding the record 33% consumers, with e-commerce going the overall jobless rate has come down member at Yale University and annualised snapback in real GDP from 11.3% of total retail sales in the sharply from 14.7% in April to 6.9% the author of Unbalanced: The chance of needing to retest each person in a group — and growth in the third quarter of this fourth quarter of 2019 to 16.1% in the in October, but it remains essentially Codependency of America and China. for the most part, we’re falling short. The tests can be highly accurate, but that depends on how the testing is done and how many people are in each pool. Overloading the pools would yield too many false negative results, because multiple clean samples in the pool can dilute an infected one below the test’s ability to detect the virus. Still, this is an especially promising avenue for schools, where infection rates appear to have stayed on the low side, compared with the general population. By bringing down costs, students could be tested more often, making everyone feel safer about reopening campuses. We’re still hoping not to lose the entire academic year. – Tribune News Service

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Near-term risks to economic activity have tipped decidedly to the downside in the United States. Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Five university teachers among top 2% of scientists New policy guidance

Internews Dr Gilani is a distinguished Islamabad pharmacologist. He obtained his PhD degree from the Uni- versity of Sydney in 1985. ive faculty members of He also holds the title of for higher education the University of Haripur Higher Education Commission F(UoH) in Pakistan’s Khy- “distinguished national pro- Internews ic institutions will remain closed use the laboratories to complete As for hostels, the new policy heads of institutions shall ensure ber Paktunkhwa (KP) province fessor”. Islamabad during this period. their thesis work, or third-year guidance says that vice-chan- that the fl exibility granted by the have been included among the He has co-edited two World Academic institutions are or higher medical students who cellors have the authority to al- government is exercised in a ju- top 2% of the scientists of the Health Organisation (WHO) scheduled to open on January 11, need to obtain clinical training. low limited occupancy of hos- dicious manner, authorised at world, in a list compiled by the books on essential medicine. he Higher Education 2021. The total number of the stu- tels, subject to the coronavirus the highest level, and monitored US’s Stanford University. He also has to his credit Commission (HEC) has However, a review meeting will dents permitted to come to cam- restrictions. and managed eff ectively and ef- According to a statement is- around 500 articles. Tannounced new policy be held during the fi rst week of pus should not exceed 30% of Only the students in the “es- fi ciently,” reads the new policy sued by the offi ce of the UoH Dr Gilani has supervised the guidance for Higher Education January 2021 to assess the situ- the total enrolment, or a lower sential” categories will be al- guidance. registrar, the list classifi ed the research work of 20 PhD grad- Institutions (HEIs), following the ation, and authorise the opening number, if dictated by the cam- lowed. The HEC has also released scientists based on career-long uates. government’s decision regarding of academic institutions. pus conditions. The total number of students Rs10mn each to all public-sector citation impact until the end He is a member of the edito- continuation of education during In the light of the government The vice-chancellors may re- shall not exceed 30% of the de- universities to help them estab- of 2019, and also for the single rial boards of 12 international the second wave of the coronavi- directions, vice-chancellors have quire faculty members to come sign capacity of the hotels (or a lish any supportive arrangements year (2019). journals. rus pandemic. been authorised to allow small to campus to deliver or prepare small number if so dictated by needed to improve the quality of It said that 81 Pakistanis Meanwhile, Dr Hashim has The coronavirus causes the groups of “essential” individuals their online lectures. health considerations). the online education process. were included among the top been working as assistant Covid-19 respiratory disease. on campus, subject to the imple- All the large examinations All SOPs (standard operating The universities may also re- 2% scientists across the world professor at the UoH’s De- As per the government direc- mentation of scrutiny mecha- planned for December 2020 have procedures) shall be implement- cruit senior, tech-savvy students for their career-long citation partment of Pure and Applied tions, all academic institutions nisms or safeguards. been postponed, with exception ed strictly and diligently. to assist the faculty members in impact, while citation impact Mathematics since July. were closed from November 26 Only certain categories of stu- of assessment examinations, The universities will put in technology-related problems in- in a single year included 243 Dr Fahad is an assistant pro- until December 24. dents may be allowed to be on such as the MDCAT (Medical and place appropriate measures, in- volved in the provision of online Pakistani scientists. fessor at the UoH’s Depart- However, they will continue to campus. Dental College Admission Test), cluding isolating hostel residents education. UoH Vice-Chancellor Dr ment of Agronomy. deliver education through online These categories may com- other entrance exams, recruit- (i.e., treating the hostel as a safe Furthermore, the HEC has Anwarul Hassan Gilani is the He obtained his PhD degree or hybrid means or through as- prise low-income students who ment exams, or pre-scheduled bubble) to protect them from ex- constituted a Covid Response only serving vice-chancellor, from China’s Huazhong Agri- signing homework (especially if may have Internet connectiv- small examinations (e.g., less ternal infection. Oversight Committee to collabo- who got three civil awards in- culture University. there are problems of Internet ity problems at home because of than 30 students). The universities shall draw up rate with the vice-chancellors in cluding Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Dr Farooq is an assistant connectivity). lack of access or the availability These may be conducted, if rules regarding the presence of their respective regions, clarify Dr Khalid Zaman, another professor at the UoH’s De- The winter holidays will be of proper devices, foreign stu- absolutely necessary, with strict faculty members or staff on cam- questions or concerns, share best faculty member of the UoH, partment of Pure and Applied scheduled from December 25 to dents, PhD or MPhil students (or observance of all health and safe- pus. practices, and oversee imple- has been ranked among 70 top Mathematics. January 10, 2021, and all academ- fi nal-year students) who need to ty protocols. “All the vice-chancellors and mentation. scientists from Pakistan. He earned his PhD degree Based on single-year citation from Islamabad’s Quaid-e- impact, three newly-appointed Azam University. faculty members of UoH – Dr Dr Zaman is a assistant pro- Shah Fahd, Dr Hashim, and Dr fessor at the Faculty of Social Mohamed Farooq – have also and Management Sciences, Cher in Pakistan to send off Kaavan the elephant been included among the top part of the UoH’s Department 2% researchers of the world. of Economics. Music icon meets PM Khan in environmental initiatives in ahead of elephant’s move Pakistan. Kaavan will be airlifted to Reuters/AFP the Cambodian province of Islamabad Siem Reap. PTI’s Zaidi is elected It has been training with international specialists from merican singer Cher is rescue organisation Four Paws, GB Assembly speaker in Pakistan to send off armed with bananas and other AKaavan, the elephant treats to get it used to the small she has spent years trying to enclosure and loud noises of Internews their votes for the slot of free, before it is moved to a the 10-hour fl ight. Islamabad speaker. sanctuary in Cambodia tomor- Wellwishers in Pakistan, in- Voting and vote counting row. cluding President Dr Arif Alvi, were held in the presence of The 36-year-old Asian ele- have been saying goodbye to mjad Hussain Zaidi of polling agents of both contest- phant has spent most of its life Kaavan this week. the Pakistan Tehreek- ants. in Islamabad Zoo, much of that The plight of Kaavan – an Ai-Insaf (PTI) has been After the election, Zaidi took time without a companion, overweight bull elephant – has elected Speaker of the Gilg- the oath of offi ce, administered and animal rights advocates drawn international condem- it-Baltistan (GB) Legislative by outgoing Speaker Fida Mo- have campaigned for it to be nation and highlighted the Assembly, and Nazir Ahmed hamed Nashad. rescued from grim conditions. woeful state of Islamabad’s of the same party as Deputy The new speaker then The singer is also helping to zoo, where conditions are so Speaker through a secret bal- chaired the assembly session pay for Kaavan’s relocation. bad that a judge in May or- lot. and held the election for the Cher tweeted her thanks dered all the animals there to Zaidi secured 18 votes while slot of deputy speaker. after meeting Prime Minister be moved. Ghulam Mohamed, joint can- The PTI’s Ahmed secured Imran Khan yesterday, “for Volunteers working with didate of the Pakistan Peoples 22 votes while his rival Rehmat making it possible for me to Kaavan say the elephant re- Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim Khaliq of the JUI-F obtained take Kaavan to Cambodia”. sponds well to music and sing- League – Nawaz (PML-N), the nine votes. A statement from the Prime ing, and Cher is expected to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur Then the new deputy speak- This photograph taken and released by Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) yesterday shows Prime Minister Offi ce said that the belt out a song or two for the (JUI-F) and the Balawaristan er took the oath of offi ce. Minister Imran Khan with American pop icon Cher in Islamabad. Cher met Khan yesterday ahead of the premier thanked Cher and in- elephant before he departs Is- National Front – Naji for the The election for the slot of relocation of Kaavan the elephant from Islamabad’s dilapidated zoo to a Cambodian sanctuary. vited her to participate further lamabad. post of speaker, obtained eight GB chief minister will be held votes. today. Six votes – four for the PTI The PTI has not nominated candidate and two for his op- a candidate for the post, while ponent – were rejected due to the rival parties have nominat- Welcome home inaccurate stamping. ed Amjad Hussain of the PPP as Peshawar, Karachi In total, 32 members cast their joint candidate. recording the most Pakistan to continue to play role for peace in Afghanistan: Qureshi coronavirus cases Afghanistan has commended Pakistan’s eff orts in the Afghan peace process. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohamed Haneef Atmar met Ban on serving meals lives of 7,897 people so far. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the during domestic flights Since the outbreak of the 47th session of Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC)’s Council pandemic, a total of 389,311 of Foreign Ministers in Niamey, Niger yesterday. Internews cases have been detected, Qureshi said that Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and will Peshawar/Rawalpindi with Sindh reporting 168,783, continue to play its conciliatory role for peace in the neighbouring Punjab 117,160, Khyber Pa- country. khtunkhwa 46,281, Balo- He further said that the Afghan leadership should remain cognisant eshawar has reported chistan 17,008, Islamabad of the elements that want to sabotage peace eff orts in Afghanistan. the highest number of 28,980, Kashmir 6,501, and Qureshi is in Niamey to lead Pakistan’s delegation at 47th session of Pcoronavirus cases, fol- Gilgit-Baltistan 4,598. the OIC. lowed by Karachi and Hydera- A total of 5,386,916 corona Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr bad, as per the National Com- tests have been conducted so Moeed Yusuf has meanwhile said that the economic security of mand and Operations Centre far, while 2,112 patients ad- Pakistan is linked with stability in Afghanistan, and that the region (NCOC) yesterday. mitted in hospitals across the cannot progress without unified approach. The highly-contagious country are said to be in critical He was speaking with Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Najeebullah coronavirus causes the Cov- condition. Alikhel in Islamabad. id-19 respiratory disease. The Civil Aviation Authority Moeed said that both countries can achieve prosperity through A meeting of the NCOC (CAA) has meanwhile imposed enhanced co-ordination and bilateral trade. A fisherman, who was released by the Indian government, embraces family members upon his arrival was held under the chairman- a ban on serving meals during He said regional connectivity with the Central Asian republics will yesterday in the port city of Karachi. ship of Planning Minister Asad all domestic fl ight operations benefit both countries. Umar, in which offi cials shared – chartered and private – as the data indicating that Pesha- coronavirus cases in the coun- war has the highest percentage try continue to rise. Pakistan in Digital of Covid-19 cases, at 19.65%. Passengers and crew mem- Karachi is second with bers have also been asked to Co-operation 17.73%, and Hyderabad is third wear face masks throughout Organisation Court issues parole orders for Shehbaz, Hamza with 16.32%. the fl ight. Umar said that the priority In pursuance of the au- Pakistan has joined the Digital of the government is to protect thority’s directive, Pakistan Co-operation Organisation (DCO) Banking court issues arrest As per details, Shehbaz and Meanwhile, a banking court Shafi , Tariq Shafi , Javed Shafi , people from the deadly disease. International Airlines (PIA) as a founding member. warrants for Sharif’s cousins Hamza were to be released from has issued arrest warrants for Ali Pervaiz, and Ibrahim Tariq He added that measures are has discontinued serving hot The body is aimed at promoting Kot Lakhpat Jail yesterday. Nawaz Sharif’s cousins after one last chance to appear before being taken to contain spread beverages like tea or coff ee on digital co-operation in various Internews The funeral of Begum they failed to appear in the case it. of the coronavirus and urged domestic and international areas among the members. Lahore Shamim Akhtar – the mother for allegedly defaulting on bank They allegedly defaulted on the public to follow standard fl ights so that interactions be- Other founding members are of former prime minister Nawaz loans. loans of worth Rs700mn, ob- operating procedures (SOPs). tween members of the crew Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif – will The court ordered the police tained for Ittifaq and Kashmir Meanwhile, 3,113 people and passengers could be limit- Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE, the court in Lahore has is- be held in Lahore. to arrest and produce Javed and sugar mills. contracted Covid-19 and 54 ed; prepackaged cold beverages Foreign Off ice said in a statement. sued release orders for She died in London. Tariq Shafi at the next hearing As per reports, they had been more died in the past 24 hours, will be served during the fl ight Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood APakistan Muslim League She will be buried at their Jati on December 17. served multiple notices by the as per NCOC statistics. instead. Qureshi said the DCO would off er – Nawaz (PML-N) president Umra residence. During proceedings yester- banks, requesting that they pay A total of 43,214 people were According to the PIA, this a platform to promote the global Shehbaz Sharif and his son Earlier, Punjab Chief Minis- day, the court turned down their back the loan. tested. move is a part of new SOPs is- digital agenda in the scientific, Hamza Shehbaz on fi ve-day ter Usman Buzdar approved the plea to grant them exemption The court therefore was re- The number of patients who sued by the NCOC. health, educational, commercial, parole, following the death of release of the PML-N president from personal appearance in the quested to order action against have recovered from the virus Passengers will be allowed social, agricultural, investment Begum Shamim Akhtar, it was and his son on parole to attend case. them as per the relevant legisla- has reached 335,881. to bring their own meals if they and security spheres. learnt yesterday. the funeral. The court had given Shahid tion. The disease has claimed the wish. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, November 28, 2020 QATAR

Museum of Islamic Art is set to attract more visitors as QNTC promotes domestic tourism

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is one of the key tourist attractions in Qatar. Domestic tourism will get a further boost with the promotion of upcoming events and travel destinations in the country through Qatar National Tourism Council’s (QNTC) off icial website, social media pages and channels, as announced recently. A spellbinding evening view of the MIA. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Friday deals off er joy for shoppers across Qatar hoppers had the chance to take advantage of a wide Srange of promotions, huge discounts, and other deals at major hypermarkets and super- markets in Qatar yesterday. Electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops were among the fast-moving and most sought-after items apart from accessories and appliances such as television sets. From QR4,069, LuLu Hy- permarkets reduced the price of Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (256 GB) to QR2,349 while the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ul- tra (256GB) was being sold at QR3,749 from its original price of QR4,999. LuLu sliced laptop prices too. For example, the HP Stream with 4GB RAM was reduced from QR1,499 to QR1,199. LuLu Group International regional manager Shanavas P LuLu’s Super Friday gets a good response from shoppers. M told Gulf Times that LuLu’s ‘Super Friday’ received a good items, he said all categories on refour Qatar’s Friday exclusive bile devices and accessories such items were already out-of-stock just for you! Enjoy our weekly 100QAR. Hurry Up! Shop online response from shoppers in the electronics and mobile devices online deals also off ered huge as iPhone 11 Pro (256GB), Apple when checked on Carrefour Qa- deals on a wide range of prod- from Carrefour App today,” Car- country yesterday. (various brands) were among the discounts on electronics and Watch Series 5, Apply Mac Book tar’s website yesterday evening. ucts until 1st of December and refour posted in its social media Besides groceries and fresh best sellers. Meanwhile, Car- smartphones. Many of its mo- Pro i5, Apple AirPods 2, and other “More Carrefour Friday off ers free delivery on all orders above pages yesterday. Al Gannas competitions test preparedness for upcoming major events

he Qatari Society of Al Gannas has been organising a number of Tfascinating falcon hunting com- petitions and related activities as part of the championship which continues until December 15 at Al Khor and Sb- khat Marmi Sealine Area. The competitions cover both falcon- ry activities and contests, in addition to Saluki dogs racing contests, and those targeting youngsters such as the young and aspiring falconers’ contests. While the competitions have been going on well according to schedule, some competitions were postponed due to the weather conditions. These competitions in all their cat- egories are considered as warm-up Saluki dogs are made ready for a session of racing. activity for all the participants and as a way of early preparations for the up- coming main competitions, especially the Marmi Festival. They also serve as a way to test the level of preparedness of the falcons and the Saluki dogs and whether they need further training for the upcoming major events. All the participants at this event have been keen to abide by the precaution- ary and preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19 such as wear- ing facemasks, keeping safe physical distance from others and displaying the Owners and fans drive beside the track cheering during the fiercely contested green healthy code on Ehteraz App. A participant registers for the young falconers’ contest. Saluki dogs’ race.