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Qatar commercial banks’ assets growth Al-Attiyah wins his seventh tops 12% in January Qatar Cross-Country Rally published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11472 February 28, 2020 Rajab 4, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir, Pakistan PM review ties In brief Qatar intensifi es QATAR | Offi cial Amir meets GCC secretary-general eff orts to ward off His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met at the Amiri Diwan the new Secretary- General of the Gulf Co-operation coronavirus Council, Dr Nayef bin Falah al-Hajraf. The Amir congratulated the secretary- he Ministry of Public Health been strengthened, and the measures general, wishing him well in his role to (MoPH) yesterday announced also include the isolation of suspected serve the joint interests of the people Tthe intensifi cation of precau- cases at the Communicable Disease of GCC countries, and stressed Qatar’s tionary and preventive measures for Center of Hamad Medical Corpora- commitment to the unity of the GCC. early monitoring of any suspected cas- tion, according to the QNA report. This For his part, the secretary-general es of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), includes 14 days of continuous health His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday. expressed his thanks and appreciation the offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) monitoring for people who have come During talks held at the Amiri Diwan, the two sides discussed developing co-operation in economic, investment and energy fields. for the Amir, and for Qatar’s role in reported. from countries with a high prevalence They also exchanged views on regional and international issues. The talks were attended by HE the Prime Minister and Interior supporting the Council. In a statement, the ministry said the of the infection to ensure that they Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, and a number of ministers and the Pakistani delegation accompanying procedures for examining incoming are free of the disease and to intensify Khan. Earlier, Khan was accorded an off icial reception upon arrival at the Amiri Diwan. Later in the day, the Amir hosted a luncheon EUROPE | Health travellers from diff erent countries have health awareness activities. banquet in honour of the Pakistan prime minister and his delegation. It was attended by the Prime Minister and several ministers. been strengthened. All travellers arriv- There is follow-up of developments The Pakistan leader was welcomed upon arrival and seen off later at Hamad International Airport by HE the Minister of State for WHO says virus ing through the airport from countries related to the disease at the global and Energy Aff airs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi and Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah. Page 16 at ‘decisive point’ where the disease has spread are sent to regional levels according to the preva- The World Health Organisation the airport clinic to assess their health lence of the infection and with the declared yesterday that the new status. emergence of a number of confi rmed coronavirus epidemic was at a The statement noted that epide- cases in neighbouring countries, the Deputy Amir meets new GCC chief “decisive point” as countries across miological surveillance activities have statement points out. To Page 4 the globe battled to contain the His Highness the Deputy Amir deadly outbreak. Saudi Arabia Qataris evacuated from Iran arrive in Doha Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani banned pilgrims from visiting Islam’s yesterday met the newly-appointed holiest sites as the number of deaths The Government Communications experts. Additionally they have also Gulf Co-operation Council Secretary- jumped in neighbouring Iran, while Off ice (GCO) yesterday confirmed that been provided with all necessities. In a General Dr Nayef bin Falah al-Hajraf. Japan and Iraq ordered the closure all Qatari citizens evacuated from Iran statement, the GCO reiterated that there The Deputy Amir congratulated al- of schools. Alarm is growing as due to the coronavirus have arrived have been no cases of coronavirus Hajraf on his appointment and wished China is no longer the only breeding in Doha. A hotel has been set up as a in Qatar and urged people to refer to him well in his new role. The GCC chief ground for Covid-19, with other quarantine facility to be used by the off icial information and to not rely on expressed his thanks and appreciation countries including South Korea and citizens for a 14-day period and will be or distribute unconfirmed or unoff icial of the Deputy Amir, stressing that he Italy becoming hotbeds of infection, cared for and monitored by medical information. — QNA will do all that is possible to enhance raising fears of a pandemic. Page 9 co-operation between GCC countries. Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 28, 2020 QATAR

Off icial PM meets GCC secretary-general PM meets Moroccan king’s adviser, FM

Amir issues instruments of ratification His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the following instruments of ratification: 1. An instrument of ratification approving a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a Qatari-Pakistani HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani joint work group for commerce HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met the Adviser to King of Morocco Fouad Ali El Himma and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Aff airs and investment between Qatar’s yesterday met the Secretary-General of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Dr Nayef Falah and International Co-operation Nasser Bourita, on the occasion of their visit to Qatar. During the Ministry of Commerce and al-Hajraf, on the occasion of his appointment as secretary-general of the council. The Prime Minister meeting, the relations between the countries, and ways of supporting and strengthening them, in Industry, and Pakistan’s Ministry and Minister of Interior congratulated HE the Secretary-General, wishing him success in his role. addition to a number of issues of common concern were reviewed. of Commerce and Textile, signed in Islamabad on June 22, 2019. 2. An instrument of ratification approving a memorandum of understanding for co-operation in the fields of tourism and business events between the governments Qatar among the best countries of Qatar and Pakistan, signed in Islamabad on June 22, 2019. Qatar-US bilateral on many indicators: AlKhater Amir greets Dominican QNA Qatar has been classifi ed by the protection of women’s rights. Republic leader Geneva United Nations as a country She pointed out that Qatari trade ‘increasing’ with very high human develop- women have gained access to His Highness the Amir Sheikh ment, among the best countries influential decision-making Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, atar has proved that in the region and around the positions and have become His Highness the Deputy Amir By Shafeeq Alingal hard to support us in joint opera- there is no confl ict be- world on many indicators . important players in the civil Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- Staff Reporter tions in the region. We are train- Qtween Islam, develop- HE AlKhater said that Qa- service and the private sec- Thani and HE the Prime Minister ing pilots of the helicopters that ment, good governance and tar is a key international ac- tor, thanks to the encourag- and Minister of Interior Sheikh the US has sold to Qatar,” he said. human rights, HE the Assistant tor in many areas, including ing role of His Highness the Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz he relations between The two countries are work- Foreign Minister and Spokes- mediation, confl ict resolution, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- al-Thani yesterday sent cables of Qatar and US are excep- ing to ensure the protection of person for the Ministry of humanitarian assistance, de- mad al-Thani, in supporting congratulations to President of Ttional and the bilateral workers and a Qatari delegation Foreign Aff airs Lolwah Rashid velopment co-operation and women to achieve equal rights the Dominican Republic Danilo trade marked an increase of 35% of judges will visit the US next AlKhater has said noting that partnerships. and improve the promotion of Medina on the anniversary of his in 2019, the US embassy chargé month for training and exchange the country is now one of the She also pointed out that Qa- women’s position and role in country’s Independence. d’aff aires William Grant has said. experience at labour courts. fastest growing economies in tar has managed to overcome society. He was addressing a press He hailed Qatar for taking tre- the region due to Qatar Na- the negative eff ects of the un- The event was held under the Foreign minister roundtable at his residence yes- mendous steps to increase pro- tional Vision 2030, the National just blockade imposed on it by patronage of the permanent terday to discuss Qatar-US rela- tection of workers and give them Development Strategy (2012- some neighbouring countries delegation of Qatar and the sends message to tions over the past two years of the rights they deserve. Grant 2017) and the Second National since June 2017, especially the permanent mission to Malaysia Malta counterpart his tenure in Qatar. William Grant stated that the US is doing a lot Development Strategy (2018- economic impact, by strength- and the United Nations Offi ce Grant explained that invest- of work to develop Qatar’s ca- 2022). ening its resilience and part- on Drugs and Crime (UNODC,) The Minister for European and ment is increasing in both coun- government to make progress on pacity. “We have trained labour Speaking during a panel dis- nership with friendly countries, with the participation of mem- Foreign Aff airs of Malta Evarist tries. Qatar is investing in the US a range of issues.” inspectors here,” he said. cussion organised on the side- as well as continuing to imple- bers of the diplomatic corps Bartolo has received a written while the American companies The military co-operation The charge d’aff aires noted lines of the 43rd session of the ment strategic projects. and representatives of govern- message from HE the Deputy are investing in Qatar. between Qatar and the US has that Qatar Foundation (QF) is a Human Rights Council in Ge- HE AlKhater explained that ments and international or- Prime Minister and Minister of “Qataris tell us that they get strengthened over the last three great success, and said the US neva on good governance and Qatar attaches great impor- ganisations, in addition to civil Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed good returns on their invest- years, the chargé d’aff aires is glad that six of it’s universi- human rights, HE AlKhater said tance to the promotion and society representatives. bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, related ments so it’s a win win situa- pointed out. ties are functioning with QF. to bilateral relations and ways of tion. The US is seeing economic “It’s important for the US “We are glad that all six US uni- supporting and developing them. growth and increase in jobs for military to have a good base versities have more than 50% The message was delivered its citizens. Our business and platform for it’s operations. And women. The US is contributing by the Charges d’Aff aires of economic relations are strong Qatar provides it. What is very to the future growth of Qatar by ‘Million-tree’ initiative website launched the embassy of Qatar to Malta and Qatar makes the US feels obvious is the airbase. Our air helping to train the young people Khalid Ali Abel, during a meeting welcome,” he stated. force is extremely happy with to bring the country to the next yesterday with the Maltese Grant recalled it has been a what Qatar has provided with,” level,” he said. Minister of European and Foreign fantastic experience living and he said. While asked about the unjust Aff airs. working in Qatar and his tenure The US diplomat observed blockade, Grant said dispute has witnessed several accom- that the two countries also have is not good and it should be re- Justice minister plishments. “The relation be- exceptional co-operation out- solved. “The US position is pret- tween the two countries is ex- side the base. “The US Navy ty clear. And we say to all our holds meetings ceptional and this is the result of and Qatar Navy are doing more friends that it’s distracting us HE the Minister of Justice and strategic decisions, made by the together. US naval ships that from more important priorities Acting Minister of State for leadership of Qatar to work very patrol in the Arabian Gulf stop in the region. We want them to Cabinet Aff airs, Dr Issa Saad closely with the US on various in Qatar for resupplies. We also come to an agreement and move al-Jafali al-Nuaimi met the Chief areas. The US embassy works see the Qatar military becoming on with more important things,” Justice of The Gambia, Hassan continuously with entities of the a stronger partner. They work he added. Bubacar, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of his visit to Qatar. During the meeting, areas of legal and legislative co-operation between Qatar and The Gambia, Shura Council studies draft law on media as well as a number of issues of common concern, were QNA the Shura Council held a meeting yesterday chaired The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has launched a website (https://www. discussed. Doha by its Rapporteur Nasser bin Rashid bin Serayea al- mme.gov.qa/static/million-tree/) dedicated to the initiative to plant a million trees in the country. HE al-Nuaimi also met the Kaabi. The launch came as part of the three-day activities organised by the MME at Katara – the President of the National Court of The Committee continued to study a draft law Cultural Village on the occasion of Qatar Environment Day. Present on the occasion were HE the Justice of Ecuador, Maria Paulina he Joint Committee formed by the Legal and for regulating the press, publications, publishing, Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie and other Aguirre, and the Secretary for Legislative Aff airs Committee and the Infor- media activities and the arts. The Committee then dignitaries. Anti-corruption headed by Tmation and Cultural Aff airs Committee of decided to complete its study in the next meeting. Ecuador, Jose Javier de la Gasca.

Commander of Amiri Air Force meets Turkish counterpart 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Champions a ‘ride for all’

he upcoming Ooredoo inclusive. We have worked with competing in wheelchair divi- Ride of Champions will be our venue and community part- sion events and ambassador of Tthe “most inclusive in the ner, Qatar Foundation’s Com- Accessible Qatar, a Sasol initia- event’s history”, the organisers munity Development team, and tive, added: “I’m excited about have said. Accessible Qatar to add wheel- this year’s Ride of Champions The event will be held in Qa- chair and handcycle categories – it’s Qatar’s most inclusive tar Foundation’s Education City, to the event, as well as an ability- event. No matter your physi- Ceremonial Court from 6.30am friendly wave open to all ages. cal ability, it has a category for to 12.30pm on March 13. “The Qatar Cyclist Centre will you – from a 5.8km lap inside The organisers, Qatar Cy- continually strive to make its Education City where wheel- clists, are aiming for 2,000 par- events, such as the Ooredoo Ride chair users can use their every- ticipants this year with over of Champions, rides for all!” day chair to longer routes up to 1,000 spots already allocated, Hamad al-Jaaidi, co-man- 137km designed for cyclists and according to a press statement. aging director of the Ooredoo handcyclists. “The event has always wel- Ride of Champions, added: “The “I love such events because comed cyclists of all ages and Ooredoo Ride of Champions is they bring all walks of life in the levels of experience – from be- the biggest mass-participation community together. Can’t wait ginners to experienced amateurs cycling event in Qatar and the for #ROC2020; hope to see you by creating a safe, well-struc- pinnacle of the community there.” tured and friendly environment events organised by Qatar Cy- To refl ect this wider commu- for all participants,” the state- clists, as it off ers rides that suit nity involvement, the event will ment notes. all ages and experience levels, also be updating their event logo In 2019, the event started to with ability-friendly catego- to better represent the full par- move beyond youths and adults ries added in 2020. We hope all ticipating community. HE the Commander of the Amiri Air Force Staff Major General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Aqeel by including young members of members of Qatar’s communi- Spaces are still available for al-Nabit, who is visiting Turkey, met the Commander of the Turkish Air Force the IDD (intellectual and devel- ties come out and enjoy the day.” this year’s event, with registra- Lieutenant-General Hasan Kucukakyuz. During the meeting, they reviewed the military opmental disabilities) commu- Beyond the cycling on the day, tion open at www.rocdoha.qa relations between the two sides and means of enhancing and developing them. During his nity working with Best Buddies activities for kids and youth will To learn more about the Oore- visit, the commander of the Amiri Air Force toured several military bases and Turkish defence Qatar. be available thanks to various doo Ride of Champions, one can industries. He was briefed on the latest developments in the Turkish defence industry, and Dr Abulazziz al-Kuwari, pres- event partners. visit www.rocdoha.qa or follow reviewed ways to enhance co-operation between the two sides in the armament industries. ident of Qatar Cyclists, said: “In Ahmed al-Shahrani, the @rocdoha on Twitter, Instagram Ahmed al-Shahrani: 2020, we strive to be even more accomplished Qatari athlete and Facebook. accomplished Qatari athlete Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 3 QATAR Rare 525 carat jewellery worth $50mn goes on show at DJWE

By Joey Aguilar In this case, a once in a lifetime the earrings can become individ- Staff Reporter event, according to Boyajian. ual pendants, and the necklace The “suite” consists of an 18 can be converted into a collar to a carat ring, 72 carat earrings, and dropdown necklace and the tops rare 525 carat “paraiba the main necklace is 435 carat. of the earrings can be worn sepa- suite” by BFT Gems, fea- As the only paraiba suite in the rately so that you can have a lot of Aturing 17 gemstones and world in terms of colour, stone versatility in wearing it, enjoying pegged at $50mn, is currently on size, and weights, it cannot be it,” he said. show at the 17th edition of Doha reproduced at any cost. Created as an object of art, Jewellery & Watches (DJWE) ex- While saying that “all beauti- Boyajian said this “suite” took hibition. A “suite” refers to mul- ful pieces have a name,” he said about a year to create, manufac- tiple pieces of jewellery. that this paraiba suite, displayed ture and design: cutting of the “This one is not only one in the at the Alfardan pavilion, has no gemstones took several months world but will only be the one in name yet. “We are waiting for to do. “If anything went wrong the world because the gemstones the person who is interested in through the minor cutting then have such a rarity defi ne it and it to put the name on it because it would be millions of dollars unmatched,” gemologist William anybody who is going to buy this to fi nd a replacement, might be Boyajian told Gulf Times on the is really gonna be about them,” a $4-5mn mistake,” he added. sidelines of DJWE 2020. He was he stressed. “But it wouldn’t be While participating at the DJWE joined by BFT Gems president just anybody. We are looking for for the fi rst time, Boyajian said Peter Delisi. Boyajian is the de- someone who understands and they already “heard a lot of won- signer of the piece who was fully appreciates things that are the derful things about Qatar.” responsible for the design and rarest that you would fi nd that “We came because we had manufacturing, with over 5,000 the earth would make,” Boyajian something that is very impor- hours spent on completing it. said. tant. You go where you know “It is extremely rare to fi nd “It took tremendous amount people can appreciate fi ne things all those stones to match so of time for the earth to make this and that is why we’re here,” he this particular ‘suite’ repre- so understanding the rarity, un- added. He describes DJWE as “a sents probably the earth’s fi nest derstanding that anybody could The “suite” consists of an 18 carat ring, 72 carat earrings, and the main very beautiful and world-class pairiba,” he said. There are a to- make this necklace because of necklace is 435 carat. As the only paraiba suite in the world in terms of exhibition: “it lives up to the tal of 17 stones with six matched the quantity of stones necessary colour, stone size, and weights, it cannot be reproduced at any cost. name of being world-class.” pairs. Two matched pairs in the and that they wouldn’t even be “I’ve been to a lot of shows, earrings, and four matched pairs available unless somebody took this nature-inspired “paraiba in a regular jewellery store. “The some shows are big, a lot of peo- in the necklace. A matched pair the risk of putting it all together,” suite” is a museum piece and not uniqueness about it is that all the ple but DJWE is very elegant and Peter Delisi and William Boyajian (right) show the 525 carat “paraiba suite”. in gemstones is also very rare. he explained. Boyajian said that like a jewellery anyone would see parts of it are interchangeable, so it also has all the fi nest jewellery.” PICTURE: Jayan Orma ‘It’s a great opportunity to launch a specifi c lady’s collection at Doha fair’

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

acheron Constantin is currently showcasing their latest collection, VEgérie, for the very fi rst time glo- bally at the 17th edition of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) until February 29. Égérie is in fact the brand’s fi rst dedicat- ed women’s timepiece collection, designed by women for women. Gulf Times spoke with Vacheron Con- stantin’s regional brand director, Alexander Schmiedt at the exhibition and he explains: “Ladies and the female market are very im- portant, very appreciative of luxury, and this is a great opportunity to launch a spe- cifi c lady’s collection here at the Doha fair.” Speaking further about DJWE, Schmiedt explains about growth and the focus for this region, saying: “This prestigious exhibition serves as an important occasion to bring and showcase a new collection, which was Alexander Schmiedt. unveiled globally just six days ago.” Born from the encounter of two worlds, lows us to do things that others cannot do Haute Horlogerie and Haute Couture, the because we inspire ourselves from the past new Égérie collection weaves the face of and constantly innovate ourselves for the watchmaking femininity, according to future,” he stressed. Vacheron Constantin. “The new Vacheron “I think that is something that is very Constantin collection is infused with an ex- much appealing to the clients in the re- quisitely feminine sensibility; a dial featur- gion because the region here is something ing a pleated pattern and a diamond ‘halo’ which is very driven by innovation, but also resembling slender braiding and accentuat- strongly rooted in their past and very proud ing the feminine shape of the case. Above of their heritage,” Schmiedt said. all, sophistication is in each and every de- Vacheron Constantin brings to life un- tail, expressed through pleasingly harmoni- paralleled heritage and a spirit of innova- ous geometry punctuated by 18 carat gold tion through its key collections: Patrimony, Arabic numerals, daintily scalloped like Traditionnelle, Métiers d’Art, Overseas, lace,” Schmiedt said. Fiftysix and Historiques. It also off ers its For the whole duration of this exhibi- discerning clientele of connoisseurs the rare tion, Vacheron Constantin will be off ering opportunity to acquire unique and bespoke customers a unique experience, whereby timepieces by means of its “Les Cabino- they will be organising a Strap pop-up bar tiers“ department. giving them an opportunity to personalise “And really for the people who under- their Vacheron Constantin watch with a stand we are not for everybody, but really new strap created on the spot in accordance for the people we call them the connois- with their personal wishes. Founded in 1755, seurs, the people who know more, who Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest have passion, who know what they want, watch Manufacture in continuous produc- who want to be diff erent, and many people tion for more than 265 years, faithfully per- in Qatar are very sophisticated and that is petuating a proud heritage of watchmak- why they like it (Vacheron),” Schmiedt said. ing excellence and stylistic sophistication He also highlighted their close to 50 years of through generations of master craftsmen. partnership with the Alfardan family saying At the pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie and that “in a market like Qatar it is important understated elegance, the Maison creates to have a strong local partner who knows timepieces with unique technical and aes- the market, who can bring us to relation- thetic signatures, and an extremely high ships, and we have a very long and ongoing level of fi nishing touches.“Our heritage al- relationship with them.”

Égérie is Vacheron Constantin brand’s first dedicated women’s timepiece collection, designed by women for women. Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 28, 2020 QATAR

Turkish Pavilion at DJWE Indian Pavilion showcases rich legacy of jewellery making at DJWE

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he ongoing Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) has The 17th edition of the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) presents internationally recognisable names from Tturned to be an ideal venue for Turkey. This year’s event sees the debut of the Turkish Pavilion, bringing the jewellery traditions of the country to Qatar Indian exhibitors to showcase the rich under one roof. The Turkish Pavilion features 11 exhibitors, including Lida Diamond and Jewellery, Amor, Gezer, Mehmet legacy of jewellery making. Organ- Cumbus and Masgold. They sell intricately designed hand-made ‘shawl’ jewellery in 18 and 21 carat gold. ised under the aegis of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the pavilion has showcased the potential of the Indian gems and jewellery industry before a global au- dience. “We are here for the second con- secutive time and DJWE lends an International notifi cation opportunity for Indian exhibitors to reach out to the international buyers and jewellery lovers. The exhibition helps them explore new markets. Such venues help exhibitors from across the Bollywood star and DJWE brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor inaugurating the on Spring Home products world share their ideas and experi- Indian Pavilion (supplied picture). ences,” said Kewal K Duggal, director (trade and policy), GJEPC. he Ministry of Public Health mosa Pastry, best before 8/2/2023; and to consume them. In case such persons An organisation set up by the Min- (MoPH) has announced that it Spring Home Chicken Spring Roll, best have already consumed any of these istry of Commerce and Industry of Treceived an international noti- before 8/2/2023. items and are showing negative symp- India, GJEPC is Mumbai-based with fi cation regarding the possibility that The MoPH has asked the importer to toms related to their allergy, they are regional offi ces in New Delhi, Kolkata, Spring Home pastries originating in label the products indicating the milk advised to visit the nearest health cen- Chennai, Surat and Jaipur. The council Singapore contain milk or traces of milk, content in them or its eff ects. Neces- tre. aims to promote the Indian gem and which is not mentioned on the labels of sary measures have been taken to ensure The MoPH, as the authority responsi- jewellery industry and its products. these products. that the products are not displayed in ble for checking imported food, contin- Established in 1966, GJEPC represents In a statement yesterday, the minis- the market in a manner that does not uously communicates with internation- almost 7,000 exporters. Duggal stated try said it contacted the importer and conform to the relevant requirements, al organisations and entities concerned that Indian brands have supremacy requested for the withdrawal of the fol- it added. with food safety, receives periodic noti- in the global gems trade while the in- lowing products from the market: Further, the ministry has called upon fi cations and follows up on new reports dustry is run by the Indian jewellery Spring Home TYJ Spring Roll Pastry, people who are allergic to milk — and related to food safety and quality, the makers in GCC region. “In fact, Indian best before 8/2/2023; Spring Home Sa- have purchased these products — not notifi cation adds. dominance is quite visible at DJWE. Indian brands are sold by the local and international exhibitors here,” he said. A section of the Indian Pavilion at DJWE. PICTURE: Jayan Orma The number of exhibitors at Indian Pavilion has doubled this year reach- countries. The booths also display a Varun Kothari of Lotus Gem. ing 28. Many of this year’s exhibitors wide range of European and Middle Exhibitors at the Indian Pavilion in- decided to join the exhibition after Eastern-inspired contemporary jew- clude Amore Jewels Pvt Ltd, R Cham- they visited DJWE last year. The Indi- ellery. palal and Co, Full Moon Jewels, GDK an Pavilion showcases a range of stud- “We are here with special manufac- Jewels, Hia Exports, Iris Jewels and ded jewellery adorned with rubies, turing that enthuses the Qatari jewel- Kothari’s Jewellers. GJEPC is support- emeralds, sapphires and pearls that fi t lery lovers. We off er jewellery with nefi ed by the Indian embassy to set up the the tastes of enthusiasts in the GCC fi nishing and in aff ordable rates,” said pavilion. Qatar steps up eff orts to monitor coronavirus

From Page 1

The MoPH stressed the importance of following preventive measures such as maintaining general hygiene and washing hands with soap and water continuously. In case these are not available, sterile antiseptics can be used, especially after sneezing and coughing. Also, people should avoid touch- ing the eyes and nose if the hands are not clean, and also avoid direct com- munication with those who have res- piratory symptoms. There should be constant cleaning of surfaces and the etiquette of covering the nose and mouth needs to be followed, besides reducing some social habits that may contribute to spreading infection among members of society, such as greeting by kissing the nose and shak- ing the hand, the ministry added. The MoPH said while there are no confi rmed cases of the coronavirus in Qatar so far, the recommended health behaviours would enhance the prevention of the spread of colds and respiratory infections and help re- duce the chances of its spread among members of society. In a related development, the min- istry has launched a page on its web- site, www.moph.gov.qa, dedicated to providing reliable information and data regarding the coronavirus to the population of Qatar in Arabic, Eng- lish, Hindi, Malayalam, Chinese and French. This has been done to ensure that information can easily reach the largest possible audience. Meanwhile, Covid-19 was among the important topics discussed at the 53rd session of the Arab Health Min- isters’ Council in which Qatar partici- special session to discuss a report to port on the precautionary measures pated – represented by the MoPH. be submitted by HE the Minister of taken by the MoPH and its affi liated The session was held yesterday at Public Health, Dr Hanan Mohamed bodies to confront the threat of the the headquarters of the General Sec- al-Kuwari, on the measures taken by emerging coronavirus and the neces- retariat of the League of Arab States in the MoPH to confront the threat of sary preventive measures taken by the Cairo. The ministry’s delegation was Covid-19 and to listen to the ministry’s ministry to reduce the risk of the dis- headed by the Assistant Minister for experts. HE the Speaker of the Shura ease in the short and long terms in the Health Aff airs, Dr Salih Ali al-Marri. Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid event it lasts for a longer period, espe- On Wednesday, it was announced al-Mahmoud requested, in a letter sent cially with the spread of the disease in that the Shura Council would hold a to HE Dr al-Kuwari, for a detailed re- many countries, according to QNA. Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

CRIME POLITICS REFORM DEADLOCK FINANCE Children, pregnant teens New Tunisia govt sworn in Kenya bans controversial Iraq fails to form govt, IMF sounds alarm over rescued from ‘baby factory’ with parliament backing donkey slaughter trade prolonging domestic crisis deep Zimbabwe crisis

Police in southeastern Nigeria raided a child Tunisia’s new government was sworn in yesterday Kenya has decided to ban the slaughter of donkeys Iraqi politicians yesterday failed to agree on a Zimbabwe faces a grim economic outlook this traff icking facility holding at least 23 children and after winning a parliamentary confidence vote for use in Chinese medicine, a practice condemned government, prolonging a political deadlock. year and is also at risk of an extreme humanitarian four pregnant teenagers. Off icers arrested three that broke four months of post-election deadlock. by animal rights activists as cruel, unnecessary Parliament adjourned a session to approve a crisis, the International Monetary Fund warned people and rescued the children, who were aged Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, thirty ministers and devastating to donkey populations in Africa, a cabinet proposed by Prime Minister-designate yesterday. An IMF team issued the warning after between one and four. Nnamdi Omoni, a police and two secretaries of state were sworn-in during minister said yesterday. Agriculture Minister Peter Mohamed Allawi because of a lack of quorum, experts visited the southern African country and spokesman in Rivers State, said the captors were a ceremony at the presidential palace, over a Munya told AFP that the ban, imposed earlier this state TV reported, after lawmakers who opposed met with off icials there. Zimbabwe’s economy running what is known locally as a “baby factory”, month after Fakhfakh was designated premier by week, came after “people petitioned my off ice to his nominees boycotted the session. Political has been in a slump for more than a decade, with where young women are held until they give birth, President Kais Saied. Fakhfakh’s revised lineup won ban the slaughtering of donkeys because theft of infighting and corruption have crippled Iraq’s chronic shortages of cash, fuel, medicines and food, and their babies are sold. “It is not an orphanage the vote 129 to 77 — with one out of 207 lawmakers donkeys to sell had increased”. A ministry statement eff orts to recover from two US invasions, and shops are now even running out of cornmeal, centre because if it were so pregnant women present abstaining — after a debate that started on said rampant theft of donkeys was hitting farmers sanctions and the destructive war to defeat a main source of nourishment. “Executive directors ought not to be there,” Omoni said. In September, Wednesday and lasted more than 14 hours. The who use them to transport agricultural produce and Islamic State in 2017. The country faces a mass noted with concern that Zimbabwe is facing an police in Lagos freed 19 women and girls who new cabinet swore to “work loyally for the good of water, and causing “massive unemployment”. Four protest movement that broke out in October and economic and humanitarian crisis,” the IMF said. had mostly been abducted and impregnated by Tunisia, to respect the constitution and its legislation abattoirs dealing in donkey meat have been given a brought down former prime minister Adel Abdul “Absent a scaling up of donor support, the risks of a captors planning to sell their babies. (and) to scrupulously guard its interests”. month to stop the practice. Mahdi two months later. deep humanitarian crisis are high.”

Raging battle over strategic Syria town as humanitarian catastrophe unfolds

Reuters Amman

yrian rebels backed by Turkish forces said yesterday they had recaptured the cross- Sroads town of Saraqeb, marking a fi rst big push-back of a Syrian government off ensive. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said devel- opments were turning in Ankara’s favour, three weeks after the armed rebel opposition lost the northwestern town at the crossroads of two main highways to the Russian-backed Syrian government forces. Russian state television said Turkish military specialists were using using shoulder-fi red mis- siles to try to shoot down Russian and Syrian military aircraft over Idlib province — a develop- ment which if confi rmed would mark a serious escalation of the confl ict. Syrian warplanes also launched renewed air strikes yesterday on residential areas of Idlib city, witnesses said. The Syrian army has pushed hard in recent months to retake the last large rebel-held region in northwestern Syria after nine years of war that has displaced millions and killed hundreds A member of the Iraqi civil defence sprays disinfectant around the Great Mosque of Kufa, 10km northeast of the shrine city of Najaf in central Iraq. Iraq yesterday announced the first confirmed case of thousands. of coronavirus in Baghdad, taking nationwide infections to six and raising concerns about the capacity of the dilapidated health system to respond. Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into Syria’s Idlib prov- ince in an incursion to back the rebels against the off ensive by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Nearly 1mn Syrians have fl ed over the last three months, the biggest exodus of the war. The United Nations said yesterday the battle was having “catastrophic” humanitarian con- Iran coronavirus toll hits sequences, with the civilian death toll rising and schools and hospitals destroyed. At least 134 civilians, including 44 children, had been killed in February alone, Najat Rochdi, the United Nations’ senior humanitarian adviser on northwest Syria, said in Geneva. Seven children were among 11 people killed 26, top offi cials infected when an air strike hit a school in northern Idlib on Tuesday, she said. AFP Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims to holy sites Visitors to the shrines will be allowed to visit Rochdi also reiterated a call by the United Na- Tehran on condition they are provided “with hand- tions Secretary-General for a ceasefi re. Saudi Arabia yesterday suspended visas for visits suspensions were temporary. washing liquids, proper (health) information, In Ankara, Erdogan said he would press on to Islam’s holiest sites for the Umrah, an unprec- But it provided no timeframe for when they masks”, Health Minister Saeed Namaki told re- with the campaign as he announced that the he coronavirus epidemic in Iran has cost edented move triggered by coronavirus fears that will be lifted, and the decision left tens of thou- porters in Tehran. death toll of the Turkish military forces in the 26 lives, the health ministry announced raises questions over the annual Haj. The kingdom, sands of pilgrims preparing to visit the kingdom They must “not gather together in groups region this month had risen to 21. Tyesterday, with a vice president becom- which hosts millions of pilgrims every year in the from around the world in limbo. but just pray and leave”, he said. “Developments in Idlib have turned to our ad- ing the latest top offi cial to be infected as the cities of Makkah and Madinah, also suspended While no cases have been reported in Saudi In a rare move, authorities announced the vantage. We have three martyrs, let them rest in spread appeared to accelerate. visas for tourists from countries aff ected by the Arabia, one citizen is reported to be infected in cancellation of the main Friday weekly prayers peace. But on the other hand, the regime’s losses Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Ja- virus as fears of a pandemic deepen. Kuwait along with four Saudi women in Bahrain in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad as well as in the are very big,” he said in a speech. hanpour told a news conference that the tally Saudi Arabia, which so far has reported no — all of whom had returned from Iran. capitals of 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces and other “Our battle will continue. Our talks with the of infections had risen to 245 with 106 more cases of the virus but has expressed alarm over There is still no clarity over how the coronavi- infected areas. Russians continue,” he said. cases confi rmed — the highest number for a its spread in neighbouring countries, said the rus will aff ect the Haj. School closures have been extended in af- Earlier, the Turkish-backed rebels said they single day since Iran announced its fi rst infec- fected areas and universities are to remain made advances in Idlib. “The city of Saraqeb has tions on February 19. closed for another week starting tomorrow. been liberated completely from Assad’s gangs,” The Islamic republic has the highest death also contracted the virus, appearing in a video days after another top offi cial, deputy health “All of these decisions are temporary and if said Naji Mustafa, spokesman for a coalition of toll from the virus outside China, where Cov- posted by Fars news agency saying he was in minister Iraj Harirchi, head of the govern- the situation changes, we might intensify or rebel factions, the National Liberation Front. id-19 fi rst emerged. self-quarantine. ment’s coronavirus task force, said he too had ease them,” Namaki said. A Russian military source cited by Russian Among the latest coronavirus suff erers is The cleric is a deputy for the holy city of contracted the virus. In a message of thanks to doctors and nurses, news agencies denied that, saying Syrian gov- one of Iran’s seven vice presidents, Massou- Qom in central Iran where the country’s fi rst On Wednesday, Iranian authorities an- Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ernment forces had successfully repelled a rebel meh Ebtekar, who oversees women’s aff airs. cases were detected. nounced domestic travel restrictions for peo- said he hoped their eff orts would help “eradi- attack on the town. Ebtekar is being treated at home and mem- According to media reports, among those ple with confi rmed or suspected infections. cate this sinister virus soon”. A Turkish offi cial subsequently said As- bers of her team have been tested, state news who died yesterday in Qom was theologian They also placed curbs on access to ma- International health experts have expressed sad’s forces, backed by Russian warplanes, had agency IRNA reported. Hadi Khroroshahi, who in 1981 was named jor pilgrimage sites, including the Imam Reza concern about Iran’s handling of the outbreak. launched an assault to take back Saraqeb. Mojtaba Zolnour, head of parliament’s na- Iran’s fi rst ambassador to the Vatican. shrine in second city Mashhad and the Fatima But Tehran insists the situation has been “There are violent clashes,” he told Reuters. tional security and foreign aff airs committee, The announcement by Zolnour comes two Masumeh shrine in Qom. “improving”. Running out of time: East Africa faces new locust threat

Reuters gling from the ground, just as Salato, director of plant protec- Shebaab fi red anti-craft and Since 2016, there have been Addis Ababa farmers plant their seeds. tion at the Ministry of Agricul- machine guns at the swarms, droughts in Kenya, Somalia, “The second wave is coming,” ture, told Reuters. “We are run- Hashi said. Ethiopia, then fl oods, Ferrand said Cyril Ferrand, FAO’s head of ning out of time,” he said. Jubbaland forces, not to be said. ountries in East Africa are resilience for Eastern Africa. “As Ethiopia’s single pesticide fac- outdone, did so too. In South Sudan, more than half racing against time to pre- crops are planted, locusts will eat tory is working fl at out. Under such circumstances, the population already faces food Cvent new swarms of lo- everything.” The country needs 500,000 contractors are reluctant to do shortages. custs wreaking havoc with crops The impact so far on agricul- litres for the upcoming harvest aerial spraying, FAO said. The rains that blessed the re- and livelihoods after the worst ture, which generates about a and planting season but is strug- Meanwhile, locusts — which gion with a bumper crop last year infestation in generations. third of East Africa’s economic gling to produce its maximum have a life cycle of three months after a prolonged drought also A lack of expertise in control- output, is unknown, but FAO is 200,000 litres after foreign ex- — are breeding. FAO says each brought a curse. ling the pests is not their only using satellite images to assess change shortages delayed the generation is an average of 20 A cyclical weather pattern in problem: Kenya temporarily ran the damage, he said. purchase of chemicals, the fac- times more numerous. the Indian Ocean, intensifi ed by out of pesticides, Ethiopia needs In Kenya, the region’s wealthi- tory’s chief executive Simeneh When eggs hatch, as they are rising sea temperatures, con- more planes and Somalia and est and most stable country, the Altaye said. doing now in northern Kenya, the tributed to one of the wettest Yemen, torn by civil war, can’t locusts are mostly in the semi- FAO is helping the government hungry young locusts are earth- October-December rainy sea- guarantee exterminators’ safety. arid north, although some crops to procure planes, vehicles and bound for two weeks and more sons in fi ve decades, said Nath- Locust swarms have been re- have been aff ected, said Stanley sprayers, said Fatouma Seid, the vulnerable to spraying than when anial Matthews of the Stock- corded in the region since biblical A community volunteer uses a motorised spray to disperse pesticide Kipkoech, a senior offi cial at the agency’s representative in Ethio- they grow wings. holm-based Global Resilience times, but unusual weather patterns at a hatch site near Isiolo town in Isiolo county, eastern Kenya. Ministry of Agriculture. pia. After that, they take to the air Partnership, a public-private exacerbated by climate change have This month, Kenya ran out of It is also urgently trying to buy in swarms so dense they have partnership focused on climate created ideal conditions for insect Swarms can travel up to 150km Uganda has deployed the mili- pesticide for about a week and a pesticides from Europe. forced aircraft to divert. change. numbers to surge, scientists say. a day and contain between 40mn tary. half, he said. Pest controllers in Somalia A single square kilometre Locusts hatched in Yemen, Warmer seas are creating more and 80mn locusts per square Kenya has trained hundreds of Farmers watched helplessly can’t enter areas controlled by swarm can eat as much food in a largely ignored in the chaos of the rain, wakening dormant eggs, kilometre. If left unchecked, the youth cadets to spray. as their families’ crops were de- the Shebaab insurgents, said day as 35,000 people. civil war. and cyclones that disperse the number of locusts in East Africa Lacking pesticides, some se- voured. Aidid Suleiman Hashi, environ- FAO said containing the plague They migrated across the Red swarms are getting stronger and could explode 400-fold by June. curity forces in Somalia have In Ethiopia, the government ment minister for the southern will cost at least $138mn. Sea to the Horn of Africa, then more frequent. That would devastate harvests shot anti-aircraft guns at swarms can only aff ord to rent four planes region of Jubbaland. So far, donors have pledged spread to Sudan, Djibouti, Ethio- In Ethiopia, the locusts have in a region with more than 19mn darkening the skies. for aerial spraying, but it needs at When the locusts invaded, $52mn. pia, Somalia and Kenya. reached the fertile Rift Valley hungry people, the UN Food and Everyone is racing the rains least twice that number to con- residents blew horns, beat drums Failure means more hunger in Now they have been spotted in farmland and stripped grazing Agriculture Organization (FAO) expected in March: the next gen- tain the outbreak before harvest- and rang bells to scare away the a region already battered by con- Uganda, South Sudan and Tan- grounds in Kenya and Somalia. has warned. eration of larvae is already wrig- ing begins in March, Zebdewos insects. fl ict and climate shocks. zania. Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 28, 2020 AMERICAS

Author Clive Trump tasks Pence with Cussler dead at 88

AFP virus response oversight Los Angeles

Reuters sions spread outside of China. and killed nearly 3,000, mostly Washington/New York US Health and Human Serv- in China. estselling US author and ices Secretary Alex Azar said the US stocks turned lower in af- keen underwater adven- United States has 59 coronavirus ternoon trading – the S&P 500 Bturer Clive Cussler has resident Donald Trump cases, including 42 American index fell for a fi fth straight died aged 88, his family said on has told Americans that passengers repatriated from the day and the Dow Jones Indus- Wednesday. Pthe risk from coronavirus Diamond Princess cruise ship trial Average ended down 123.77 Cussler was the prolifi c writer remained “very low”, and placed docked in Japan. points, or 0.46%. of more than 80 books, mainly Vice-President Mike Pence in “We have to be alert to the Trump, who is running for a fast-paced action thrillers such charge of the US response to the possibility of a pandemic,” Peter second term in the November as Sahara and Raise the Titanic!, looming global health crisis. Marks, director of the Food and election, has been increasingly which collectively sold tens of At a White House briefi ng, Drug Administration’s Centre alarmed by the drop in US stock millions of copies. Trump defended his administra- for Biologics Evaluation and Re- markets, which he considers a “It is with a heavy heart that I tion’s handling of the crisis and search, said in an interview. barometer of the health of the want to share the sad news that said health experts were “ready, House of Representatives American economy and sees as my husband, Clive passed away willing and able” to move quick- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Demo- important to his re-election. on Monday,” his wife Janet Hor- ly if the virus spreads. crat, said in a statement that He told reporters at the White vath wrote on Facebook. He made his comments as the Trump administration “has House that fears of the corona- “I want to thank you, his fans public health offi cials warned mounted an opaque and chaotic virus had hurt the stock markets. and friends for all the support, Americans to prepare for more response to this outbreak”. But he also blamed the Demo- for all the good times and all the coronavirus cases. She said the House would put cratic presidential candidates adventures you have shared with The Centres for Disease Con- forward a “funding package with for spooking investors. him,” she added. trol and Prevention (CDC) con- transparency and accountability “I think the fi nancial markets The cause of death was not fi rmed an infection of the new Trump gestures, flanked by Vice-President Pence, after speaking at a news conference on the Covid-19 that fully addresses the scale and are very upset when they look at disclosed. coronavirus in California in outbreak at the White House. seriousness of this public health the Democrat candidates stand- He reportedly passed at his someone who had not travelled crisis”. ing on that stage making fools home in Arizona. outside the United States or cases in the city but de Blasio The State Department raised rus in the United States was not Trump is seeking $2.5bn from out of themselves,” Trump said According to Cussler’s web- been exposed to a person known announced plans to provide up its travel alert level for South “inevitable” and then went on to Congress to boost the gov- in reference to debates among site, his books were published in to have the virus, a fi rst for the to 1,200 hospital beds if needed. Korea and urged Americans to say: “It probably will, it possibly ernment’s virus response, an the Democratic contenders vy- more than 40 languages in more country. US stock markets fell for the reconsider going there. will. It could be at a very small amount Democrats said falls far ing for the right to challenge than 100 countries. How the person was infected fi fth consecutive day on inves- The CDC has advised Ameri- level, or it could be at a larger short of what is needed. him. Born in Illinois in 1931, Cus- was not known. tors’ alarm about the respiratory cans to not visit China and level. Whatever happens, we’re Senate Democratic Lead- Earlier, Trump accused two sler was raised in California It brought the total number of disease spreading. South Korea, and on Wednesday totally prepared.” er Chuck Schumer called for cable TV news channels, CNN and served as a mechanic in the cases in the United States to 15, At the White House, Trump stepped up travel warnings for Dr Anthony Fauci, the head $8.5bn to prepare. and MSNBC, of presenting the United States Air Force during according to the CDC. said he was not ready to insti- Iran, Italy and Mongolia. of the National Institute of Al- Global stock markets have danger from the virus in as bad the Korean War. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tute new travel restrictions for “The risk to the Ameri- lergy and Infectious Diseases, slumped in recent days due to a light as possible and upsetting After working at a gas station, called on the government to help countries such as South Korea can people remains very low,” said that while the virus was worries over a prolonged disrup- fi nancial markets. Cussler rose up in the advertis- the city obtain 300,000 extra and Italy that are dealing with Trump said, fl anked by Pence contained in the United States, tion to supply chains and econo- ing business before getting his protective masks. outbreaks – although he could and public health offi cials. Americans must prepare for a mies from the virus, which has „ Virus epidemic now at fi rst novel published in 1973. There were no confi rmed not rule it out. He said the spread of the vi- potential outbreak as transmis- infected about 80,000 people ‘decisive point’: WHO – Page 9 Success swiftly followed with Raise the Titanic! in 1976, described by Kirkus as “over- abundantly plotted” and with “a Contemporary fashion readership which won’t stop to come up for air”. Trump campaign Cussler went on to compile a fortune worth an estimated $80mn, according to the New York Times. sues the Times He is survived by second wife Horvath, along with his three children, four grandchildren and AFP Trump is running for re-elec- four great-grandchildren. New York tion, it said. The lawsuit comes after Trump’s impeachment acquit- Facebook sues S President Donald tal earlier this month in the Trump’s re-election Republican-majority Senate analytics firm for Ucampaign on Wednes- for abuse of power related to data misuse day fi led suit against the New pressure on Ukraine, which is York Times over an OpEd ar- fi ghting Russian aggression. Facebook has filed a federal ticle about links to Russia, the Special Counsel Robert Mu- lawsuit against oneAudience data fi rst legal action of its kind af- eller, who investigated Russian intelligence firm over a tactic it ter his regular criticism of the interference in the 2016 elec- used to gather information about “failing” newspaper and other tion, reported last April that users of social media platforms. traditional media organisa- there were numerous contacts New Jersey-based oneAudience tions. between members of Trump’s paid software makers to install The lawsuit by Donald J circle and Russia and that the “malicious” software in their apps Trump for President, Inc says campaign “expected it would in order to “improperly” collect the Times “knowingly pub- benefi t electorally from in- data about people at Facebook lished false and defamatory formation stolen and released and other social media sites, statements” in the March 27, through Russian eff orts”. Facebook said. 2019 column headlined The But it said the eff orts did not “Security researchers first Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro amount to criminal conspiracy. flagged oneAudience’s behaviour Quo. In response to the lawsuit, to us as part of our data abuse Its author was former Times a New York Times spokesper- bounty programme,” director executive editor Max Frankel. son said the Trump campaign of platform enforcement and “There was no need for de- “has turned to the courts to litigation Jessica Romero said in tailed electoral collusion be- try to punish an opinion writer a blog post. tween the Trump campaign for having an opinion they fi nd Fashion designs are displayed as part of the new exhibit Contemporary Muslim Fashion at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design “Facebook, and other aff ected and Vladimir Putin’s oligarchy unacceptable”. Museum in New York City. The exhibit is intended to explore the ways in which Muslim women embrace and express style. The show, companies, then took because they had an overarch- According to the suit fi led which runs from February 28 through August 2020, features ensembles and photographs. enforcement measures against ing deal: the quid of help in the in the Supreme Court of New oneAudience.” campaign against Hillary Clin- York, the campaign is seeking ton for the quo of a new pro- millions of dollars in damages. Russian foreign policy,” Frankel “Fortunately, the law pro- wrote. tects the right of Americans to “The Times was well aware express their judgments and when it published these state- conclusions, especially about Gunman kills fi ve co-workers in Milwaukee ments that they were not events of public importance,” true,” the campaign alleged in the Times spokesperson said. a document signed by lawyer Bernie Sanders, the front- Reuters The man, who worked as an on Wednesday evening. Charles Harder, without clari- runner so far among Demo- Milwaukee electrician at the brewery, lived The bodies of his fi ve victims, fying that the column appeared cratic party hopefuls seeking to in the neighbourhood for 15 years. also employees of the plant, were in the Opinion section, which challenge Trump in November, He was a good husband and fa- found in the same building. operates separately from the issued a statement about the nvestigators in Milwaukee ther of three children and helped It was unclear whether the Times newsroom. lawsuit. were searching yesterday his neighbour by doing odd jobs gunman and his dead co-workers “But the Times published “Trump has called the press Ifor a motive behind the fatal and repairs, she said. knew one another. these statements anyway, the ‘enemy of the people,’ and shooting of fi ve brewery employ- “He would come over and fi x The victims’ names were not knowing them to be false, and now – taking a page from his ees by a co-worker who later took anything,” Roenspies said. “This immediately released. knowing it would misinform dictator friends around the his own life in the latest spasm in is unreal.” No one else was injured in the and mislead its own readers, world – is trying to dismantle a wave of gun violence plaguing Authorities off ered few de- violence, which was confi ned to because of the Times’ extreme the right to a free press in the US schools and workplaces. tails of the circumstances sur- the brewing complex, located bias against and animosity to- First Amendment by suing the Police offi cers and investiga- rounding Wednesday afternoon’s west of the downtown area, and ward the Campaign”, and be- New York Times for publishing tors were seen entering and leav- shooting and no explanation for did not involve members of the cause of the Times’ “exuber- an opinion column about his ing a ranch house on Milwaukee’s what might have triggered the general public, Morales said. ance to improperly infl uence” dangerous relationship with northwest side believed to be carnage. The complex, usually bustling the 2020 election, in which Russia. Enough,” Sanders said. owned by the suspect in Wednes- “This is a tragic day for our with activity, was mostly de- day’s shooting at the Molson Co- city, this is a tragic day for our serted yesterday morning, with ors Beverage Co complex. state,” Mayor Tom Barrett said few cars in the parking lots and a Police off icers are seen at the site of the shooting, at the Molson Canada to stop providing security for The man’s name has not been outside the landmark facility, smattering of employees arriving Coors headquarters in Milwaukee. made public by authorities. known to locals as the old Miller at work. the Sussexes in the coming weeks The suspect, who was believed brewery. Last year brought 417 mass reignite a contentious debate The current front-runner for to have acted alone, was de- Some 1,400 employees work at shootings in the United States, about gun control as the cam- the Democratic nomination, US Canada will no longer provide security for Prince Harry and scribed by police as a 51-year-old the Molson Coors campus, which according to the Gun Violence paign for the Democratic nomi- Senator Bernie Sanders of the Meghan Markle, the Canadian government said yesterday, once the Milwaukee resident and employ- consists of about 20 buildings. Archive (GVA), the highest an- nation reaches a pivotal stage. rural state of Vermont, has come couple are no longer working members of the British royal family. ee of Molson Coors. Most of them were forced to nual number since the non-profi t Milwaukee will host this year’s under criticism by his party rivals The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been assisting The suspect’s next door neigh- remain holed up inside for sev- research group started keeping a Democratic National Conven- for what they say is his lukewarm London’s Metropolitan Police with security for the Duke and bour, Erna Roenspies, 82, cried as eral hours as police methodically tally in 2013. tion. record on gun control. Duchess of Sussex “intermittently” since November, when the she stood at her front door, look- swept the facilities to secure the The GVA defi nes a mass shoot- Democrats have seized on the Trump, acknowledging the couple began a six-week holiday in Canada, according to a ing at the police tape around her property. ing as any in which at least four issue and the country’s epidemic shooting on Wednesday as he statement from the federal Off ice of the Minister of Public Safety. neighbour’s home. Police who stormed the build- people, excluding the perpetra- of gun violence, hoping to gal- opened a White House news “As the Duke and Duchess are currently recognised as “He was like a son to me,” ing where the shooting unfolded tor, are shot. vanise opposition to President conference about the coronavi- Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to Roenspies said as she wiped her found the assailant dead of an Wednesday’s shooting, which Donald Trump and most of the rus outbreak, referred to the gun- provide security assistance on an as-needed basis,” the government eyes. “I don’t know what trig- apparent self-infl icted gunshot took place in the largest city Republican Party, which have man as a “wicked murderer” and statement said. “The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in gered this. Let’s pray for every- wound, Milwaukee police Chief in Wisconsin, a swing state in sought to block tighter gun regu- called the gun violence “a terrible keeping with their change in status.” one.” Alfonso Morales told reporters the presidential election, may lations. thing”. Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Indonesia says lack of coronavirus cases is a ‘blessing from Almighty’

Reuters 260mn people has not recorded reporters. Putranto said tests on who was suff ering pneumonia Indonesia’s lack of confi rmed symptoms that point to that in the next few days to Japan to Jakarta any cases though some of its cit- two patients who died this week after returning from overseas cases “may suggest the poten- direction.” “Imagine if every- pick up 68 of its citizens working izens overseas have contracted after suff ering symptoms asso- was not caused by the coronavi- tial for undetected cases” as air body who had a cough or fl u was aboard the coronavirus-aff ected the virus, including eight crew ciated with contracting the virus rus, but by H1N1 fl u, he said. travel may contribute to cases checked, then millions would be Diamond Princess, offi cials said. ndonesia’s health minis- on the Diamond Princess cruise had been negative. Researchers at the Har- being exported from China. checked,” he said. The crew could be quaran- ter defended the country’s liner off Japan’s Yokohama. On Feb 23, a Singaporean man vard TH Chan School of Public Indonesia has barred entry to Navaratnasamy Paranietha- tined for up to 28 days on Sebaru Iscreening process for coro- Health Minister Terawan Agus died after reportedly suff ering Health, in the United States, said visitors who have been in China ran, the World Health Organisa- island in the Java Sea north off navirus yesterday and said the Putranto said 134 test samples fever and shortness of breath in in a study this month that In- for 14 days and stopped all fl ights tion’s Indonesia representative, Jakarta, where 188 crew mem- absence of confi rmed cases in taken from people suspected the city of Batam, but the head donesia should strengthen out- to and from there. Indonesia has has said the WHO was “quite bers from another cruise ship are the world’s fourth-most popu- of having the coronavirus had of the local health agency said break surveillance and control — tested relatively few people in confi dent that Indonesia is ready also being held in quarantine. lous nation was a “blessing from turned out negative. this was due to another unspeci- especially as it had direct fl ights comparison to some neighbours to be able to respond to this situ- The coronavirus has infected the Almighty”. “If until this second all came fi ed disease. from the central Chinese city and its population, but Putranto ation.” more than 80,000 people glo- The sprawling Southeast out negative, then it’s a bless- The death of a 37-year-old of Wuhan, the epicentre of the said tests were conducted when Separately, Indonesia will bally and killed nearly 2,800, the Asian country of more than ing from the Almighty,” he told man in Semarang in Central Java outbreak. The Harvard team said “doctors determine they have send a Garuda Indonesia plane majority in China. PM Abe asks all of Japan schools to close over virus Reuters Reported cases rise to over 200, excluding Tokyo 705 on cruise liner; Total deaths up to 8, apan’s entire school system, from elementary to high including 4 from ship; Schools to be asked Jschools, will be asked to close from Monday until spring break to close throughout most of March late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yester- day. The dramatic escalation of Ja- pan’s fi ght against the virus fol- lows rising criticism of what has been seen as a lukewarm govern- ment response. “This coming week or two are an extremely im- portant period,” Abe told a coro- navirus task force. “Prioritising children’s’ health and safety above everything else, we will ask all the elemen- tary, junior high and high schools across Japan to temporarily close from March 2 to spring break.” The Japanese school year ends in Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) and Health Minister Katsunobu Kato attend a meeting at the March, with spring vacation usu- new Covid-19 coronavirus infectious disease control headquarters at the prime minister’s off ice in Tokyo ally starting the last week of the yesterday. month. A woman working as a tour a sore throat and chest pains, the of testing positive for the virus to spread this infection from one bus guide was reinfected with prefectural government said in after an initial recovery. “Once person to another.” The health the coronavirus, testing positive a statement. The woman in her you have the infection, it could ministry said yesterday that with after having recovered from an 40s fi rst tested positive in late remain dormant and with mini- the Diamond Princess still locat- earlier infection, Osaka’s pre- January and was discharged from mal symptoms, and then you can ed south of Tokyo, about 240 for- fectural government said. Her hospital on Feb 1 after recovering, get an exacerbation if it fi nds its eign and Japanese crew members case, the fi rst known of in Japan, A man in a protective gear disinfects a school facility amid the spread of a new coronavirus, at an according to the statement. way into the lungs,” said Philip who have tested negative for the highlighted how much is still un- elementary school in Kitahiroshima, Japan, yesterday. Though a fi rst known case for Tierno Jr, Professor of Micro- virus would disembark from the known about the virus even as Japan, second positive tests have biology and Pathology at NYU ship over the next few days. concerns grow about its global rus while pledging that the 2020 to a successful Olympic Games outbreak on the Diamond Prin- been reported in China — one on School of Medicine. Those with no symptoms spread. Summer Olympics will go ahead in Tokyo starting July 24,” Kyodo cess cruise liner that was quar- Feb 21 — where the disease origi- Tierno said much remains un- would remain at a facility near The number of cases in Japan in Tokyo. But its handling of the News reported. Abe’s sudden antined off Tokyo earlier this nated late last year. known about the virus. “I’m not Tokyo for further monitoring, rose yesterday to more than 200, virus has drawn increasing criti- announcement about schools month. A man in his 80s died in The outbreak has spread rap- certain that this is not bi-phasic, the ministry said in a statement. up from the offi cial tally of 186 cism, including from opposition set off a urryfl of worries on so- Hokkaido after contracting the idly and widely, infecting about like anthrax,” he said, meaning An offi cial could not immediately late on Wednesday. On the main politicians. cial media among parents now coronavirus, the prefectural gov- 80,000 people globally and kill- the disease appears to go away confi rm the total number of crew northern island of Hokkaido, 15 Abe got support from the In- scrambling to arrange childcare. ernment said, bringing the total ing nearly 2,800, the vast major- before recurring. on board the ship, which was car- new cases, including two chil- ternational Olympic Commit- “My honest feeling — all number of people who have died ity in mainland China. Asked to comment on pros- rying around 3,700 people when dren under the age of 10, were tee as its head, Thomas Bach, schools on break? It’s important in Japan to eight, including four Health Minister Katsunobu pects for the Olympic Games it fi rst docked on Feb. 3. confi rmed. told Japanese media the IOC is to protect children, but what from the ship. Kato said in parliament the gov- going ahead this summer, Tier- Japan’s biggest trading group, The government has urged “fully committed” to holding the happens if they have working The woman who tested posi- ernment would need to keep tabs no said, “The Olympics should Mitsubishi Corp, said it was tell- that big gatherings and sports Games on schedule. parents?” wrote @Kogoro1982. tive twice, a resident of Osaka, on the condition of those previ- be postponed if this continues ing all of its 3,800 staff in the events be scrapped or curtailed Bach told a conference call the The cases reported in Japan do in western Japan, tested positive ously discharged, as health ex- ... There are many people who country to work from home for for two weeks to contain the vi- committee “is fully committed not include 705 reported from an on Wednesday after developing perts analysed the implications don’t understand how easy it is two weeks starting today.

UN demands ‘unfettered access’ PM Ardern in Sydney Australia warns for China’s Uighur region visit virus ‘pandemic AFP uation of members of the Uighur jiang”. “We are looking forward Geneva minority,” she said, addressing to the visit of the High Commis- the UN Human Rights Council. sioner Mrs Bachelet to China, now upon us’ China has come under interna- including to Xinjiang, this year, team preparing for UN tional criticism for its treatment and we are working closely with rights chief Michelle of the Uighurs, with activists her offi ce on detailed arrange- AFP some 78,000 have been infect- ABachelet’s possible visit and witnesses saying it is trying ments for her visit,” he said. Sydney ed. There have been more than to the tightly controlled Mus- to forcibly integrate the mostly Bachelet fi rst asked Beijing 50 deaths and 3,600 cases in lim-majority Chinese region of Muslim ethnic group and strip in December 2018 for permis- dozens of other countries. The Xinjiang this year should be giv- them of their Islamic heritage. sion to carry out a fact-fi nding ustralia’s prime minister extended travel ban will come en “unfettered access”, she said Beijing has described intern- mission in Xinjiang. Beijing has said the country consid- as a blow to Australian univer- yesterday. ment camps in which an esti- previously said it would wel- Aered the new coronavi- sities which stand to lose $2bn In a speech in Geneva, Bache- mated 1mn Uighurs and other come UN offi cials to Xinjiang on rus to be a pandemic yesterday, in fees as tens of thousands of let welcomed the invitation mostly Muslim ethnic Turkic the condition that they stay out going a step beyond the WHO Chinese students are unable to from China to tour the region minorities have been held as of the country’s internal aff airs. as he extended a travel ban on take up places Down Under. but added: “We will continue to educational. The UN rights chief typically visitors from China. Students stuck in China request unfettered access for an China’s ambassador to the only undertakes national visits Announcing a national “have been provided with a advance team in preparation for UN, Chen Xu, on Wednesday provided the host government emergency response plan to the range of options”, said Catrio- this proposed visit”. dismissed abuse allegations as off ers guarantees on certain contagion, Scott Morrison said na Jackson, chief executive of “We will seek to analyse in “unacceptable” and said there conditions, including unfettered he was considering “additional Universities Australia, which depth the human rights situa- had been “economic, social and access to key sites and the right measures” for monitoring trav- represents the sector. They in- tion in China, including the sit- human rights progress in Xin- to speak with activists. ellers arriving in the country. clude postponing start dates, “We’re eff ectively operating delaying assessments, fee-free now on the basis that there is deferrals and accessing course S Korea launches ‘drive-thru’ coronavirus testing facilities one — a pandemic,” Morrison content online. said. “We believe the risk of a Australia has reported 22 From inside his car, a driver in the city of Goyang were local broadcaster YTN. None of global pandemic is very much infections, but none that were is checked for any fever or instructed to stop briefly to the drivers nor medical workers upon us.” contracted or passed from breathing diff iculties by medical submit a sample of secretions gave their names, the stigma of The World Health Organi- person-to-person inside the staff in protective clothing and for closer examination, with even being tested making people sation has stopped short of country. goggles who lean in through the entire procedure taking cautious. A growing number of calling the virus a pandemic, Morrison’s warning comes the window at a new drive-thru less than 10 minutes. “I initially local governments are launching even as the number of new as he scrambles to burnish his coronavirus clinic in South went to a community health the roadside testing facilities infections outside China ex- leadership credentials after Korea. He drove off after the centre and had to wait more this week, as demand soars for New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looks out of her ceed those inside the hardest- fi erce criticism of his handling brief test showed he was clear. than one hour, so this is easier checks and increasing waiting plane door as she arrives in Sydney on an off icial visit yesterday. hit country. More than 2,700 of the months-long bushfi re Others queuing in their vehicles and faster,” the first driver told times raise the risk of infection. people have died in China and crisis. Gulf Times 8 Friday, February 28, 2020 BRITAIN

ECONOMY PEOPLE LEGAL ASSURANCE SCHEME New post-budget economic Actor takes newspaper Taxi group wins right to Witnesses at Grenfell probe Drivers could get £3,000 forecasts ordered to court in libel case join Uber’s licence appeal ‘not to face prosecution’ vouchers for ditching cars

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak ordered an Hollywood star Johnny Depp appeared in a A taxi association will be able to participate in Witnesses at a public inquiry into the 2017 Drivers in Coventry could be paid up to additional set of economic forecasts to be London court to hear his lawyer argue that Uber’s appeal against the loss of its operating fire at Grenfell Tower in London which killed £3,000 a year in transport vouchers to produced by the country’s independent budget Depp’s ex-wife had lied when she accused licence in the capital city set to be heard in full 72 people will be immune from prosecution ditch their cars under a UK-first scheme. forecaster, asking that they be published on him of beating her in comments quoted by from July 6, a judge decided. The Licensed over the evidence they give, the attorney The Transport for the West Midlands March 13 — two days after he delivers his first the tabloid newspaper the Sun. Depp, the Taxi Drivers’ Association will be an interested general said. As a result, people involved in (TfWM) pilot project is designed to ease budget. “Given the unique circumstances this 55-year-old star of the Pirates of the Caribbean party in the case, giving it access to documents putting combustible cladding on the tower traffic congestion and improve air quality year, I would like to commission the OBR (Off ice films, is suing the tabloid’s publisher, News and meaning it could make submissions, as part of a redevelopment of the housing in the city. Those who scrap their cars for Budget Responsibility) to publish a second Group Newspapers, and its executive editor chief magistrate of England and Wales Emma block will be able to give oral evidence to the will receive between £1,500 and £3,000 forecast on March 13, to provide a limited Dan Wootton for libel over an article Wootton Arbuthnot ruled. Transport for London in inquiry without incriminating themselves. worth of mobility credits to spend using update to the March 11 forecast,” Sunak said. wrote in 2018 calling Depp a “wife beater”. November refused a renewal request from the “The undertaking I am providing to the inquiry a smartphone app or Swift travel card, on The request reflects the fact that the OBR is Depp himself attended the high court for the company to keep operating in one of its most means it can continue to take evidence public transport, taxis, bike shares or a legally bound to produce two sets of forecasts first day of the pre-trial review. The trial proper important markets, citing safety failures. Uber from witnesses who otherwise would likely car club. The scheme is part of the West per financial year and, because a planned is due to start on March 23 and last two weeks. says it has made a number of changes to the refuse to answer questions,” attorney general Midlands Combined Authority £1mn scheme budget in 2019 was cancelled due to a general Both Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard way it operates to enhance safety, combat Suella Braverman said. “These questions are which will be trialled in Coventry next year, election, has only produced one set in the accused each other of physical abuse during discrimination and abuse and boost the rights important to finding out the circumstances of and could be rolled out across the region if current period. their relationship. of drivers. the fire.” successful. NHS braces for virus mayhem

Daily Mail Six Nations games against Italy in London Dublin were postponed; O British holidaymakers plead- ed with Boris Johnson to ‘come atients with suspected rescue us’ after being trapped in a coronavirus will be tested Tenerife hotel; Pin their own homes in a bid O Health Secretary Matt Han- to contain the outbreak. cock chaired a meeting of the They will be ordered to stay emergency Cobra committee to indoors and wait for a paramedic discuss the crisis. or nurse rather than risk infecting The NHS has been trialling a dozens of people at hospital or on home-testing coronavirus serv- their way there. ice in parts of London but it is In a further sign that the NHS expected to be rolled out across is preparing for a pandemic, more England very shortly. staff are being recruited to the 111 Patients with suspicious helpline, which is the fi rst port of symptoms – a cough, shortness call for suspected victims. Offi - of breath or a temperature – will cials fear a sudden surge in cases be able to call NHS 111 which will in the UK because the virus is now arrange for a district nurse or par- spreading faster outside China, amedic to visit and take a swab. the country it started in. This will avoid them coming Campaigners against Heathrow expansion celebrate as they leave the Royal Courts of Justice in London yesterday after a decision by the Court of Appeal. A public awareness campaign into contact with dozens of other will be launched next week urg- healthcare workers or vulnerable ing Britons to regularly wash their patients in waiting rooms, lifts, hands for 20 seconds. Messages buses or taxis. will go out on social media and The NHS is hiring extra staff radio stations encouraging hand- for its 111 helpline which is al- washing on arrival at work, after ready dealing with a much higher using public transport and before volume of calls. An NHS England food. spokesman said the service was Govt not to appeal as court As fear of the virus spread, doz- “understandably busy” and ac- ens of schools sent pupils home knowledged that some “may have because of possible exposure and to wait longer than usual” as a re- 300 oil fi rm staff were evacuated sult. from their London HQ. The underlying message of A string of countries con- next week’s public awareness blocks Heathrow expansion fi rmed their fi rst cases of the campaign will be “protect your- disease and the number of cases self and protect others”. Reuters proved under the previous gov- emissions. We will carefully to expand it failed. Heathrow Airport has said in badly-aff ected Italy surged to Tests for coronavirus are being London ernment. consider this complex judgment Ten years ago, a plan for a new that it will appeal the decision 400. extended to include patients dis- During last year’s election and set out our next steps in runway was scrapped, before a in the Supreme Court, even A school attended by Prince playing fl u-like symptoms at 100 campaign, he said he would have due course,” Transport Minister government-appointed com- though the government is not. George and Princess Charlotte GP surgeries and eight hospitals he planned expansion of to fi nd some way of honouring Grant Shapps said. mission carried out a three-year “This is not the end of the road. was among dozens to close or to provide an “early warning” of London’s Heathrow Air- an old promise to lie down in Heathrow and its supporters study which again recommend- This is very fi xable,” CEO John send pupils home over fears they spread. Tport was declared unlaw- front of bulldozers at Heathrow argue that Britain’s exit from ed the expansion in 2015, giving Holland-Kaye told Sky News had been exposed the virus on Hancock told the Commons ful on environmental grounds by to halt the plans. the European Union makes the rise to the latest project. yesterday. trips abroad. the government was “taking all a court yesterday, a ruling that The government said it would expansion project critical to en- The judge said that in its cur- Heathrow believes that a re- In other developments: necessary measures to minimise could sink the $18bn project that not appeal the ruling, raising suring the country can increase rent form the government’s cently launched UK aviation O British Airways cancelled the risk to the public”. has been dogged by decades of questions about the future of a trade with the rest of the world. policy failed to take into account industry plan to reach net-zero dozens of fl ights to Milan due to He said: “We have a clear four- dispute and indecision. project which has been hotly de- The planned third runway climate change commitments carbon emissions by 2050 will a drop in demand from worried part plan to respond to the out- In a victory for climate change bated in Britain for almost half a would be the fi rst full-length made by the government when it help it see the decision over- British tourists; break of this disease: contain, de- campaigners, an appeal court century. runway built in the London area signed up to the Paris Agreement turned. O Parents revealed they were lay, research and mitigate. We are judge said that a failure to take In order for the new runway for 70 years. in 2015. Environmental campaign- stockpiling nappies, soup and also planning to introduce home into account the government’s to now proceed, the depart- Heathrow is the United King- “That, in our view, is legally ers such as Friends of the Earth tinned fruit in case shops were testing, some of which has started commitments on climate change ment for transport would need dom’s biggest port by value, fatal to the ANPS (airports na- and Greenpeace, and the local forced to close; already. was “legally fatal” to the plans to to amend its policy statement, accounting for 40% of exports tional policy statement) in its authorities who oppose the ex- O The government told work- “Home testing is the safest build a third runway at Europe’s but it was silent on the matter in 2019, but its two runways are present form,” said judge Keith pansion were delighted with the ers they were entitled to take two place to be tested because people busiest airport. yesterday. operating at full capacity, and Lindblom. ruling, saying the recognition of weeks of paid sick leave if they do not have to go anywhere, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson “We take seriously our com- the airport will in two years be The government will now have climate change commitments needed to self-isolate; that will allow us to roll out testing has been a vociferous opponent mitments on the environment, eclipsed as Europe’s busiest by to rework the policy if it wants it could have consequences for O Ireland’s men’s and women’s to a larger number of people.” of the expansion, which was ap- clean air and reducing carbon Paris, after previous attempts to go ahead, he added. other projects.

Charity initiative UK to withdraw from Severn fl ood misery to last European arrest warrant for 10 more days: police Guardian News and Media and the National Crime Agency London can apply for an EAW to eff ect a fast extradition of a criminal sus- Guardian News and Media yesterday engineers were able to nelly, who works on a programme pect from any EU member state, London inspect the Wharfage in person. to improve the quality of care in he UK is to abandon a cru- and likewise EU countries can Some residents who were the NHS, was beavering away on cial tool used to speed up apply to the UK to return fugi- evacuated from the Wharfage his laptop in the hotel, his dog Tthe transfer of criminals tives. The European Commission olice have warned that were holed up in the Valley Hotel Flossie at his feet. across borders with other Euro- has previously claimed that aver- people living along the in Coalbrookdale. “I’m normally here, there and pean countries. age extradition times have been PRiver Severn could face an- Sean and Eleanor Osborne, everywhere around the country,” Acting against the warnings of reduced from one year to less other 10 days of fl ooding misery, who run a B&B, held out as long he said. “This has given me the senior law enforcement offi cials, than two months through the use with more rain showers predicted as they could but when the water chance to catch up. The council the government said it would not of the EAW. to sweep across aff ected areas. began to creep under the barrier and the other authorities have be seeking to participate in the After the EU referendum, the Environment Agency offi cials were persuaded to leave. been brilliant. The hotel has been European arrest warrant (EAW) then NCA deputy director gener- and engineers were continuing Sean Osborne said: “It was a great too. They got to know that as part of the future relationship al, David Armond, said losing the to monitor a barrier at Ironbridge bit of a shock when we heard the Flossie likes carrots and put some with the European Union. EAW would be a “tricky” issue. in Shropshire yesterday after bang as the barrier moved. The outside our room for her.” In a document setting out the Theresa May argued strongly the weight of water caused it to power of the water was amaz- Some people are beginning to UK’s approach to negotiations in favour of the EAW when she buckle, prompting an emergency ing. We were prepared to take raise concerns about issues rang- with the EU, the government was home secretary. Rejoining evacuation. a calculated risk and stay. We ing from the sort of fl ood barri- said: “The UK is not seeking to the warrant, which also allows Severe fl ood warnings – wouldn’t have drowned because ers in Ironbridge to the impact of participate in the European ar- for swift extradition of foreign meaning there is a danger to life we could always have gone up- heaving reservoirs in the Welsh rest warrant as part of the future off enders in the UK was put to a – remain in place at Ironbridge. stairs.” But when the emergency hills and plans to build homes relationship. vote in 2014, ahead of which May The agency said it was possible services said they would really just upstream of the Wharfage. “The agreement should in- said it was a vital tool for keeping that the depth of fl ood water at prefer them to leave they agreed. But many were simply get- stead provide for fast-track ex- Britons safe. the Wharfage in Ironbridge could Sean Osborne added: “As far as ting on with the day-to-day job tradition arrangements, based Stephen Doughty, a Labour reach 1.8m. we’re concerned the barriers of staying safe and dry. There on the EU’s surrender agreement MP and member of the home af- The situation was deemed so have done their job.” were heartwarming tales of peo- with Norway and Iceland which fairs select committee said: “It is dangerous that initially the au- The Osbornes do not know ple helping each other. Hotels came into force in 2019, but with extraordinary that the govern- thorities used drones and remote how long they will be out of their and restaurants were off ering free appropriate further safeguards ment is willing to put the secu- cameras feeding images back to a house. rooms and meals for those who Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a charity The for individuals beyond those in rity and safety of our citizens at control centre so offi cers did not Many of those who had fl ed were displaced. A hairdresser who Connection At St Martin’s that supports rough sleepers in the European arrest warrant.” risk – all in the name of ideologi- have to risk their lives to monitor said they were making the best was fl ooded still found time to give London yesterday. Under the current arrange- cal obsession – by pulling out of the situation but by lunchtime out of the situation. Ian Don- haircuts. ments, police forces, prosecutors the European arrest warrant.” Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 9 EUROPE

Village faces 10-year Virus epidemic now at evacuation over WWII ‘decisive point’: WHO munitions AFP/Reuters/DPA rest of the world that’s now our Carlota, a volunteer nurse, Geneva/Tenerife/Berlin greatest concern,” Tedros said. told Reuters: “What we are re- World fi nancial markets have ally afraid of is that other people AFP plunged on fears that wide- could be infected. Supposedly in Geneva he World Health Organi- spread lockdowns could hamper healthy people it is not a deadly sation declared yesterday business activity and dent global virus. We should not have any Tthat the new coronavi- growth, while sports matches problem.” esidents of a Swiss village rus epidemic was at a “deci- and festivals have been can- A spokesman for the regional have been told that they sive point” as countries across celled to try to stem infections. government said none of the Rmay have to leave their the globe battled to contain the The EU said it was bracing for remaining guests presented any homes for over a decade while a deadly outbreak. an economic hit, with tourism symptoms and they might be nearby World War II munitions Saudi Arabia banned pilgrims already feeling the pinch and cleared before the end of a 14- store is cleared out. from visiting Islam’s holiest supply chains reliant on China day isolation period imposed on The former underground de- sites as the number of deaths also being aff ected. Wednesday. pot at Mitholz, which contains jumped in neighbouring Iran, And President Emmanuel “A decision has been made 3,500 tonnes of weaponry, has while Japan and Iraq ordered the Macron said France, the world’s that frees the hotel from the partially caved in and many of closure of schools. most visited country which has presence of 130 people,” he said the explosives are now covered Alarm is growing as China recorded two deaths, was pre- in televised comments. by fallen rocks. is no longer the only breeding paring for a jump in cases. Other guests appeared more Around half of the arsenal ground for Covid-19, with other “We are facing a crisis, an epi- concerned about being stuck on exploded in 1947, killing nine countries including South Korea demic that is coming,” he said. the hotel grounds. people, but the defence ministry and Italy becoming hotbeds of Several governments have ad- “Everything is quite surreal, said the risk of a second explo- infection, raising fears of a pan- vised against travel to Italy – Eu- 95% of the situation remains sion had been underestimated demic. rope’s epicentre with 528 cases normal here but we feel encap- for decades. “We’re at a decisive point,” and 14 deaths. Waiters stand by an empty restaurant in Venice’s St Mark’s Square, which would usually be full of sulated,” Christopher Betts, The ministry, which this week WHO chief Tedros Adhanom In Latin America’s fi rst case, a tourists, as a coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in the country. from Leicestershire in England, launched a consultation about Ghebreyesus told a press con- 61-year-old patient in Brazil had told Reuters by telephone. “We the evacuation, said the risk had ference in Geneva. “If you act travelled to Italy. based on how we handle it.” were cleared yesterday to leave others serving themselves at a kill the time by walking around, now become “unacceptable” aggressively now, you can con- Other countries including Al- The authorities in the west- a Tenerife hotel placed on lock- restaurant buff et. reading a bit, sitting by the pool.” and “total evacuation” was the tain this virus, you can prevent geria, Denmark, Romania and ern German state of North Rhine down after four cases of the Some, but not all, wore masks, The hotel, which has said it best solution. people getting sick, you can save Spain have also reported infec- Westphalia meanwhile reported coronavirus were detected there, lowering them while eating. is co-operating with authori- “Depending on how the work lives.” tions linked to Italy. 14 new infections of the corona- but Spanish authorities did little Lara Pennington from Man- ties, did not respond to requests develops, residents should ex- The virus has already killed But Rome hit back, with For- virus. to allay concerns of the close to chester, staying at the hotel with for comment, including on who pect the evacuation to last up to more than 2,760 people, mostly eign Minister Luigi Di Maio The cases are in the district 600 tourists who will remain her children and elderly in-laws, would ultimately pay for the more than 10 years,” the ministry in China – where it fi rst emerged slamming “false reports” abroad of Heinsberg, situated near the there. said basic safety measures such forced extended vacation. said, adding that the explosives in December – and infected about panic, cities in lockdown Dutch border. On the third day of the H10 as wearing masks and washing The coronavirus can spread would not be removed until 2031 more than 81,000 in over 45 and runs on supermarkets, say- Earlier, hundreds of people Costa Adeje Palace Hotel’s hands regularly were being ig- via droplets in the air when an at the earliest. countries. ing they were “doing more dam- were quarantined in their homes lockdown, only the widespread nored. infected person coughs, sneezes It also said a major road pass- But there are now more daily age than the risk of an epidemic”. in the area after a kindergar- presence of protective masks “There are numerous people or breathes out, and these can ing through the village – a col- cases being recorded outside The WHO’s Tedros said all ten teacher, who had attended a gave a glimpse of how unreal life who are not adhering to the pro- also contaminate surfaces such lection of chalet-style homes – China, raising fears that poor countries should ensure their Carnival event, was confi rmed has become for those inside the tocol and therefore the environ- as door handles and railings. could be rerouted and a railway countries with weak health in- health systems were prepared. as infected with the virus. compound. ment outside of our rooms still Spain’s total number of active line would have to be covered. frastructures would not be able “We are actually in a very deli- The total number of cases in A video from inside the hotel remains very unsafe for us. We coronavirus cases rose to 25 yes- The ministry added, however, to cope. cate situation in which the out- Heinsberg now stands at 20. showed guests sunbathing by have no intention of leaving our terday from 11, with the bulk of that closures of both “may be- “It’s what’s happening in the break can go in any direction Meanwhile, some 130 guests one of the swimming pools and rooms,” she said. them linked to Italy. come necessary, at least tempo- rarily”. The consultation will last un- til April 17. “If the evacuation creates in- surmountable problems ... it ‘Are you real?’ Putin quashes rumours of a body double would still be possible to signifi - cantly reduce the risks by cov- ering the depot with rock,” the Reuters pearances for his own safety. bourhood in southern Moscow ministry said. Moscow But he said he had been of- and is fi lled with rides, attrac- The defence ministry website fered the opportunity. tions and restaurants. said thousands more tonnes of “I declined these body dou- Joined by Moscow Mayor munitions had been dropped ussian President Vladimir bles. This (the off er) was dur- Sergei Sobyanin, Putin strolled into several Swiss lakes but det- Putin has acknowledged ing the most diffi cult periods through the park inspecting a onation could be “practically Rthat he was off ered the of the fi ght against terrorism,” scale model of the facility and excluded” as the explosives were chance to use a body double to Putin said, adding that he was stopping to take pictures with a not as concentrated as at Mith- make appearances in public for referring to the beginning of the group of disadvantaged children olz. security reasons, but said he de- 2000s. brought in for his visit. clined the off er and never used Russia fought a war in the Russia has strived in recent one. southern Muslim majority re- years to build bigger and better Man dies playing Putin, 67, who has dominated gion of Chechnya in the early facilities than the West to show Russian politics for more than years of Putin’s fi rst term and that it remains a force to be reck- Russian roulette two decades, has long been the was frequently targeted in at- oned with, and has prided itself to impress woman subject of conspiracy theories in tacks by Islamist militant on major construction and in- Russia – all of them unsubstan- groups. frastructure projects. The owner of a bar outside Paris tiated – that he uses a body dou- Putin said in the same inter- Dream Island is no exception. accidentally shot himself dead ble or even a small army of them. view that he didn’t use a mobile Municipal authorities say it playing Russian roulette in an One of the more elaborate phone. is the largest indoor theme park attempt to impress a woman, a theories compares photographs He had access to a special of- of its kind in Europe and that source close to the investigation of Putin over the years, claim- fi cial phone, he said, that could its main glass dome is several said yesterday. ing to have identifi ed a number connect with any number he times larger than the dome at A shot went off as the man, 47, of diff erent individuals posing wanted. the Galeries Lafayette in Paris played with a revolver in his bar as him. Yesterday the president in- and more than double the size of in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine just north But during an interview with spected Russia’s answer to one atop the German Reichstag of the French capital. Tass news agency aired yester- Disneyland, the country’s fi rst in Berlin. He “wanted to impress a woman”, day, Putin was shown a list of large-scale indoor theme park The new facility has drawn said the source. “He put a bullet popular Internet searches pur- which Moscow says will be the criticism from some quarters in the revolver, a 357 Magnum, portedly associated with his biggest of its kind in Europe however for its extravagance Putin with children from orphanages and low-income families during his visit to the Dream Island and spun the cylinder. He killed name, one of which was entitled when it opens tomorrow. and unusual design and popular amusement park, ahead of its upcoming inauguration. himself with the first shot” in “Putin body double evidence”. The theme park, called “Os- blogger Ilya Varlamov ranked it front of the woman. Asked “Are you real?” by the trov Mechty” – or Dream Is- seventh on his list of Russia’s top tion of Crimea from Ukraine and big infrastructure projects re- in Europe, and Putin last year The woman told investigators the interviewer, Putin replied “Yes” land – is built in the shape of a 100 ugliest buildings. has struggled to fi nd meaningful gardless. opened a rail route linking Rus- bar owner had consumed alcohol before going on to deny that he toy castle that spreads across 30 Russia remains under Western economic growth. In 2014 it opened what it said sia’s two biggest cities to Crimea and cocaine. uses a lookalike for public ap- hectares in an industrial neigh- sanctions over its 2014 annexa- But it has pressed ahead with was the largest shopping mall over a giant new bridge. Greek islanders stage new protests over migrant camps

AFP responded with tear gas, stun grenades our solidarity all these years, but the government’s plans to build the new Lesbos, Greece and rubber bullets. burden on the islands now needs camps to replace currently overcrowd- The Greek government said that to be eased”, said one demonstra- ed facilities where asylum-seekers live hundreds of anti-riot police who had tor, 47-year-old university employee in dire conditions. ore than 1,000 people rallied deployed to the islands to ensure the Michael Hakas. But the government says that the on the Greek island of Lesbos construction work could continue had The Greek islands of Lesbos, Sa- new camps, where entry and exit will be Myesterday to protest against now left. mos, Chios, Leros and Kos have been tightly controlled, will actually address new migrant camps, a day after vio- “The fi rst phase of digging is com- at the forefront of the migration crisis most of the islanders’ concerns by end- lent clashes left more than 60 injured, plete, (so) the police forces can now for the past fi ve years, with residents ing a currently “chaotic” situation. mostly police offi cers. return,” said government spokesman long complaining that the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Lesbos businesses and unions called Stelios Petsas. thousands of asylum-seekers threatens has called for calm and invited the is- for a general strike on the island to con- “The overwhelming majority of riot safety and public health. lands’ mayors and the North Aegean tinue, with shops shuttered for the sec- police left the islands on Thursday More than 38,000 migrants are governor to talks in Athens. ond day in a row. morning,” police spokesman Thodoros crowded into the islands’ camps de- “I understand the situation on the “No camps on the islands, either Chronopoulos told AFP. spite an offi cial capacity of just 6,200. islands,” he said during a cabinet meet- open or closed,” the demonstrators “Forty-three offi cers were injured The islanders say they will only ac- ing yesterday. chanted as they marched in the port slightly on Lesbos on Wednesday ... but cept small facilities where asylum- “But we have to isolate extremist el- town of Mytilene. they are not in any danger,” the spokes- seekers are screened and then either ements,” Mitsotakis said, adding that On the neighbouring island of Chios, man said. moved to the mainland or sent back to an investigation would be opened into hundreds of protesters took part in a Three had foot injuries from rifl es Turkey outright. “the use of excess violence” by some similar rally. fi red by local residents, he said. The conservative government which people. The demonstrations yesterday were After weeks of fruitless talks with came to power in July has announced Chios mayor Stamatis Karmantzis more peaceful than the previous day island offi cials on where to build the that the camps on Lesbos, Samos and stressed the need for dialogue. when locals had clashed violently with new facilities, the government had on Chios will be shut down this year, to be “A truce is needed,” he told Greek ra- police over the construction of new Monday secretly shipped construction replaced with new facilities that are to dio yesterday, indicating that he would A Greek riot police bus is loaded yesterday onto a ferry in the port of Mytilene, on migrant camps on the islands of Lesbos machinery and hundreds of riot police be operational by mid-2020. travel to Athens to meet Mitsotakis. the island of Lesbos, a day after the Greek government announced that hundreds and Chios. to Lesbos and Chios, causing outrage. On Leros and Kos, existing facilities “The migrant question is a national of anti-riot police, who had arrived on the island to ensure the construction work On Wednesday, hundreds of angry Lesbos “has become an enormous are to be revamped and expanded. and a European issue, not just a prob- of new migrant camps could continue, would now leave. islanders threw stones at police who prison for migrant souls. We’ve shown Local authorities have rejected the lem for the Aegean islands,” he said. Gulf Times 10 Friday, February 28, 2020 INDIA

CONTROVERSY DECISION EDUCATION ANGER BUSINESS Congress attacks govt as Maharashtra drops cases Marathi made mandatory Congress slams Chicken sales slump Pulwama accused gets bail in three state agitations in all Maharashtra schools Kerala police chief on virus rumours

Taking on the Modi government over bail The Maharashtra government has with- The Maharashtra legislature passed a bill The Congress-led opposition yesterday came A false rumour that coronavirus can be spread to the Pulwama attack conspiracy accused drawn several cases lodged by the previous making teaching and learning of Marathi down heavily on the way Kerala police chief by chickens has slashed poultry sales by almost as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Bharatiya Janata Party regime in the Maratha compulsory in all schools across the state Loknath Behera is running the department. 50%, top supplier Godrej Agrovet said yesterday. failed to file charge-sheet within the stipulated quotas, Koregaon-Bhima and Nanar refinery with the Assembly clearing the law yesterday. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said “A lot of misleading posts on social media, espe- time, the Congress, expressed dismay at the agitations, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Behera was running the police as his personal cially on WhatsApp, have created a false impres- working of intelligence agencies. “Intelligence announced yesterday. Deshmukh told the Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, fiefdom, with the full support of Chief Minister sion that humans can contract the coronavirus in Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama proved lacking. Assembly that the state government has 2020 was passed by the legislative council on Pinarayi Vijayan. “Never before has the state through chickens,” managing director B S Yadav The Modi government’s intelligence system withdrawn 348 out of the 649 cases in the Wednesday. The development came as Mahar- police chief posted officials in the Vigilance said. Sales have fallen to around 40mn birds a is weak. The investigative agencies are weak. Koregaon-Bhima violence, 460 out of 548 ashtra celebrated ‘Marathi Bhasha Din’ (Marathi and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB). Today week from 75mn about four weeks ago, he said. What kind of government they are running,” cases in the Maratha reservations agitation Language Day) yesterday. Among other things, it’s Behera who does the posting and this is Other poultry firms including Venky’s have also said Congress leader Pawan Khera. The Modi and three out of the five in the anti-Nanar re- the new bill provides for a penalty of upto Rs against the Vigilance manual. All those post- cited rumours spread by social media for a fall in government called itself nationalist and was finery movement. Some of these cases were 100,000 on schools that fail to comply with the ings done by him should be cancelled,” said poultry-related sales. A knock-on fall in prices has allowing bail to a terrorist from a notorious pending since several years and activists of provisions. For the first time, the bill will cover Chennithala. “The VACB is haunting the politi- hurt farmers as well, Yadav said, noting farmers terrorist organisation, like Jaish-e-Mohamed, he various political parties had been demanding all schools across the spectrum, irrespective of cal rivals of Pinarayi Vijayan government,” are now getting just Rs30-Rs35 per bird, down said and added, was not that treason. that these should be withdrawn. the boards to which they are affiliated. added Chennithala. from Rs80-Rs85.

US urges govt to Councillor permit peaceful assembly booked for

AFP/Reuters Washington alleged role he US yesterday urged India to respect the right Tto peaceful assembly and called on all sides to refrain from violence after sectarian riots in Delhi killed at least 38 people. In a cautious statement, the in Delhi riots top US diplomat for South Asia sought to show little distance IANS morning, he found the situation appears to be the middle of the with Prime Minister Narendra New Delhi has worsened. So he left again rioting. Modi, who was welcoming Pres- after speaking to the police. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Min- ident Donald Trump on a visit Earlier in the day, the media ister Arvind Kejriwal, while re- when the violence erupted. fter coming under the reached the roof of Hussain’s sponding to allegations that the “We echo (Modi’s) call for scanner of the Delhi Po- house where stones and bottles, AAP leader was involved in the calm and normalcy and urge all Alice for his alleged role in which appeared to be meant for killing of Ankit Sharma, said: parties to maintain peace, re- the arson in North-East Delhi petrol bombs, were found. “No one, be it any party, should frain from violence and respect which has claimed 38 lives so far be spared if they are responsible the right of peaceful assembly,” besides injuring 200 others, Aam “I was the target and not for inciting violence. Even if he is assistant secretary of state Alice Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor the attacker. Just tell a part of my Cabinet, he should Wells wrote on Twitter. Tahir Hussain yesterday claimed me one thing, will any be punished. If anyone from AAP Trump had declined comment he was the “target”, and “not the rioter allow the police to is found guilty, they should get when asked at a news conference attacker”. enter his house if he is double the punishment.” in New Delhi about the violence, Speaking to reporters in the involved?” In one of the deadliest vio- saying the issue was “up to In- national capital, Hussain said, lence in Delhi in decades, at least dia” and hailing Modi’s “incred- “I was the target and not the Even the father of slain Intel- 38 people have lost their lives ible” statements to him on reli- attacker. Just tell me one thing, ligence Bureau (IB) staff er Ankit while over 200 people have been gious freedom. will any rioter allow the police Sharma has alleged that Hussain injured after clashes between pro Bernie Sanders, the Demo- to enter his house if he is in- was behind the killing of his son and anti-CAA protesters turned cratic front-runner seeking to volved?” by a mob on Tuesday. violent in North-East Delhi. challenge Trump in November His remarks came after a Hussain further said that the The clashes fi rst broke out on elections, denounced Trump’s number of videos surfaced on rioters barged into his house and Sunday. In the three days that response to the “widespread an- social media, showing people al- he was only trying to protect the followed, hundreds of vehicles, ti-Muslim mob violence.” legedly throwing petrol bombs home from them. shops and homes were gutted. “Trump responds by saying, and stones from his rooftop. Fol- In a 41-second video clip post- Questions have been raised over ‘That’s up to India.’ That is a lowing the surfacing of the vide- ed on social media, Hussain can Delhi Police’s effi ciency for fail- failure of leadership on human os, Delhi Police have sealed Hus- be seen making an appeal in what ing to control the situation. rights,” Sanders tweeted. sain’s house besides registering a The US Commission on In- case against him. Fear persists as Delhi limps back to normalcy ternational Religious Freedom, In one such video, Hussain is which advises the government seen holding a wooden stick with As Delhi limps back to normalcy houses during the violence. Our but does not set policy, criticised smoke rising from his building. the sense of fear persisted Hindu brothers of the colony the Indian government’s re- Admitting that it was him in the in residents’ minds. The ensured our safety. They shifted sponse, voicing alarm at reports video, he clarifi ed that the video residents of the violence-hit us out to Khureji Khas where of police inaction. was of February 24. areas said they wanted early our other family members lived. “We urge the government to “The rioters had entered my return of peace and harmony. We are alive today due to them,” take serious eff orts to protect house after breaking the main Firoz Ahmed, whose shop Shagufta said. Shahana, a wom- Muslims and others targeted by door. I was trying to shoo them was torched by the mob, said, an from Bhajanapura who also mob violence,” Tony Perkins, the away using a baton,” he said, “I have come to my shop took refuge at the home of her chair of the commission and a adding that he had even called after three days to assess the relatives in Khureji Khas, said, Trump ally, said in a statement the police but no one responded damage.” When asked if the “After the violence broke out on on Wednesday. to his calls. situation had become normal, Sunday, we were terrified. We The violence began over a Hussain further said that the he said, “No, it’s still tense. feared for our safety. The next disputed new citizenship law police came to his house at 9pm Many shopkeepers guard their day our neighbours helped us on Monday but led to clashes on Sunday. “Joint Commissioner establishments in the night to to reach here and we are thank- between Muslims and Hindus Alok Kumar and deputy commis- prevent any untoward incident.” ful to them,” she said. On the in which hundreds were in- sioner of police A K Singla came Several people recounted heavy police deployment in the jured. here. They searched my house in experiences that only strength- area, Shabana said, “We are safe Many suff ered gunshot the presence of my neighbours, ened their faith in humanity. till the police is here. But once wounds, while arson, looting following which I left along with Shagufta, a resident of Gokal the deployment is decreased, and stone-throwing has also my family,” he said, adding that Puri, said, “We were stuck in our the real test will begin.” taken place. Women walk past charred vehicles in a riot aff ected area in New Delhi yesterday. when he returned on Tuesday Govt tears into Gandhis Launch event Alleged serial killer in judge transfer row Jolly attempts suicide IANS She was followed by Jolly’s father- Kozhikode (Kerala) in-law Tom Thomas in 2008. IANS transfer “deplorable”, the law Ravi Shankar Prasad minced In 2011, their son and Jolly’s New Delhi minister alleged that by politi- no word in his reply. “We re- husband, Roy Thomas, died and cising the issue, Congress has spect independence of the orty-seven-year-old Jolly this was followed by the death of displayed its “scant regard for judiciary. The record of the Thomas, who is accused of Roy’s maternal uncle, Mathew, in he government has hit the judiciary”. He connected it Congress in compromising in- Fkilling six family members, 2014. The last one in the extend- back hard and gave point with the party’s dismal elec- dependence of judiciary, super- attempted suicide by slashing ed family to die was Sily in 2016. Tby point rebuttal after toral performance and added, seding judges even of Supreme her right wrist early yesterday at Police have found out that Congress leaders Rahul Gan- “the people of India have re- Court during the Emergency is the Kozhikode district jail. She while Jolly used cyanide in dhi and Prianka Gandhi Vadra jected the Congress and hence well known. They rejoice only was rushed to the Medical Col- eliminating fi ve of the six, in the raised questions over the trans- it is hell bent on destroying the when the judgment is of their lege hospital, here, according to case of her mother-in-law An- fer of Justice Muralidhar. very institutions India cher- liking otherwise raise questions the police. namma, she used the poison Law Minister Ravi Shankar ishes by constantly attacking on the institutions itself,” he al- Jolly fi rst bit her wrists and normally given to kill rabid dogs Prasad called the transfer of them.” leged. then rubbed it against the tiles and sourced it from a veterinary justice Muralidhar a “routine” Earlier, Congress leader Pri- Answering to Rahul raking and injured herself, according to clinic on the grounds that she aff air. yanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted: up the judge Loya issue over a statement that was given to the wanted to eliminate her dog. He explained, “transfer of “The midnight transfer of jus- this matter, Prasad cited a Su- police in the hospital. Police began the probe into the justice Muralidhar was done tice Muralidhar isn’t shocking preme Court order. Without The hospital authorities indi- deaths after Roy Thomas’ brother, pursuant to the recommenda- given the current dispensation, mentioning Rahul’s name, the cate that a surgery is needed. A Rojo, now settled in the US, ap- tion dated February 12, 2020, of but it is certainly sad & shame- law minister asked, “The Loya police probe has started. proached the superintendent of po- the Supreme Court Collegium ful.” judgement has been well settled The Kerala Police probe team lice and voiced his suspicions about headed by the chief justice of Making a case for independ- by the Supreme Court. Those earlier this month fi led the sixth the series of mysterious deaths and India. While transferring the ence of judiciary, she went on to raising questions do not respect charge-sheet, completing the exhumed all the bodies. judge, his consent is taken. The allege, “Millions of Indians have the judgment of the apex court fi rst stage of the investigation Last year on October 5, the well settled process has been faith in a resilient & upright pronounced after elaborate ar- Workers walk near the Indian Coast Guard off shore patrol vessel process. police arrested Jolly and her two followed.” judiciary, the government’s guments. Does Rahul consider ‘Vajra’ during the launch ceremony at the Larsen & Toubro The fi rst in the Thomas family to accomplices who are currently in Hitting back hard at the attempts to muzzle justice & himself above the Supreme shipyard on outskirts of Chennai yesterday. die in 2002 was Jolly’s mother-in- jail, and registered separate cases Gandhis who earlier called the break their faith are deplorable.” Court?” law Annamma, a retired teacher. in each of the deaths. Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

Campus ‘invasion’ Chile mulls rewriting Pinochet’s constitution AFP Demonstrations that have left Campaigning will end three Santiago more than 30 people dead fi rst days before the referendum. broke out on October 18 last year, Voters opting to change the initially against a modest metro constitution will be asked if the ampaigning for next fare hike in the capital Santiago. redrafting should be carried out Students take part in a protest against government policies and Medellin’s Mayor Daniel Quintero for ordering members of the Mobile month’s referendum on But it quickly mushroomed by people specifi cally elected Anti-Disturbance Squadron (ESMAD) to enter the University of Antioquia in past protests, in Medellin, Colombia. Cchanging Chile’s dicta- into wider anger at social injus- for the job, perhaps via the for- torship-era constitution began tice. mation of a new constituent as- on Wednesday, more than four One of demonstrators’ main sembly. months after an outbreak of un- demands — alongside cheaper The government favours rest that triggered the ballot. education and health care — has a committee, half of which Cuba buys tanker More than 14mn Chileans will been a change to the constitu- would be made up of exist- and its cargo to be eligible to vote on April 26 on tion. ing lawmakers while directly changing a charter established in A month later, right-wing elected members would form Brazil ministry fi res top bypass sanctions 1980, under the military rule of President Sebastian Pinera and the other half. Augusto Pinochet (1973-90). his governing coalition agreed to Chileans would vote for the Cuba has purchased a shipment It has been changed before by hold the historic referendum. group in October. climate change offi cials of oil — and the vessel holding it — referendum, following a 1988 “The government is com- Members would then have as its owner refused to dock at the vote that paved the way for a re- mitted to encouraging Chileans nine months to come up with island nation over fears of violat- turn to democracy. to participate and to ensure a a new constitution, a period Reuters Claudio Angelo, spokesman for Brazilian ad- ing US sanctions, the government “So many tears and so much fair, democratic and transpar- that could be extended by three Brasilia vocacy group Climate Observatory. said on Wednesday. blood have been spilled so that ent vote,” Pinera said earlier this months. “There is no federal climate policy being Authorities in Cuba — which we could have a diff erent con- week following clashes between According to the last poll by formulated or implemented in Bolsonaro’s is facing a fuel shortage — did stitution,” Camilo Sanchez, the protesters and security forces at Activa Research, 69% of Chil- razil’s Environment Ministry has fi red Brazil, which tells us a lot about how seriously not specify where the fuel or president of the Young Commu- the weekend in the seaside resort eans were in favour of a change two senior climate offi cials, leaving the this government takes the Paris Agreement.” ship came from, nor when the nists, told AFP. of Vina del Mar. with only 14.5% against. Bposts vacant at a time when the country A person close to the ministry said there purchase took place. is under growing scrutiny for the greenhouse was no longer staff assigned to the directorate “We have reached the point gases released by clearing the Amazon rain- that oversees climate change as the positions where we had to buy a ship near forest. The dismissal of the ministry’s direc- remain vacant for now, requesting anonym- our shore — buy the ship — be- tor in charge of climate change and his deputy ity to speak freely. The fi rings follow a tense cause the owner refused to dock were announced in the offi cial government United Nations climate change summit for with the fuel on board,” Transport Cruise ship, blocked elsewhere, docks gazette on Wednesday. the Brazil delegation in December. Minister Eduardo Rodriguez said. The Environment Ministry told Reuters in Sources told Reuters that Salles had left “We have had to buy the ship a statement that the personnel move was de- senior climate negotiators in the dark about with money from the limited in Mexico after coronavirus scare signed to give “a new dynamic to the agenda the government’s aims in the talks and de- financial resources at our disposal of adaptation to climate change,” without scribed infi ghting between offi cials from the in our country to be able to buy elaborating. Environment Ministry and Foreign Ministry. this fuel,” he said. AFP The ministry said replacements would be Foreign leaders and environmentalists Cuba produces only 32% of the San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico announced in due course. condemned the policies of the Bolsonaro fuel it uses to generate electric- The right-wing government of President government last year when deforestation and ity, while the other 68% must be Jair Bolsonaro had already reduced the em- fi res in the Amazon rainforest surged, blam- imported, mostly from Venezuela cruise ship carrying 6,000 phasis on climate change within the ministry, ing the president’s rhetoric for emboldening — but Venezuelan imports have people, which was turned turning a vice-minister-level role on climate loggers, ranchers and land grabbers. been reduced, also because of Aaway by Jamaica and the change into a directorship. The Amazon is the world’s largest rain- sanctions from Washington. Cayman Islands after a crew mem- Bolsonaro has also appointed key offi cials forest and soaks up an enormous amount of Rodriguez lamented other ber tested positive for fl u, has docked who question the science behind climate greenhouse gases, with scientists calling its eff ects of the US trade embargo, in Mexico, the company said. change. Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo has protection vital for curbing more extreme which was instituted in 1962 and The MSC Meraviglia arrived called it a Marxist conspiracy. Environment global warming. recently strengthened by Presi- off Cozumel late on Wednesday Minister Ricardo Salles has said he is not sure Bolsonaro has said he is unfairly demon- dent Donald Trump. after receiving authorisation if global warming is man-made. ised on the matter and that Brazil is a model “We recently purchased two from the local health authorities, “It’s appalling, but hardly surprising,” said for environmental preservation. airplanes for air transport,” he MSC Cruises said in a statement. said, but the seller backed out of The Cayman Islands and Ja- Military Police personnel wear masks during measures to curb to a the plan for fear of violating the maica had refused to allow the coronavirus outbreak at El Alto International Airport in the outskirts UN condemns killings of Colombia women activists recent reactivation of Title III of ship to dock over fears about the of La Paz, Bolivia. the Helms-Burton Act. new coronavirus. Killings of women engaged killed, the Off ice of the United Brunori, the UN’s human rights That clause allows legal action A crew member had tested away “without even reviewing MSC Meraviglia or any other ship in community organising and Nations High Commissioner for chief in Colombia. to discourage foreign investment positive for regular seasonal fl u. the ship’s medical records.” in MSC Cruises’ fl eet.” defending human rights in Human Rights told journalists, “The quick and eff ective in Cuba after the country’s 1959 The cruise fi rm said it was “In both instances, the ship Its situation recalled the US Colombia increased nearly while a further 10 cases were implementation of a compre- communist revolution. “extremely disappointed” that was eff ectively turned away sim- cruise ship Westerdam, which 50% in 2019 compared to the still being verified. Fifteen of hensive program of guarantees And an “important inter- Jamaican authorities delayed a ply based on fears,” MSC said. was at sea for two weeks after it year before, the United Nations the activists murdered were for women leaders and women national company” cancelled decision to give the ship clear- “No other cases of type A in- was rejected by fi ve countries said on Wednesday as it urged women. human rights defenders could investments meant for modernis- ance despite having been pro- fl uenza have been reported on over fears its passengers could be the government to redouble “We are alarmed that in 2019 be an important tool for ing Cuban airports for the same vided with medical records. board MSC Meraviglia. Moreo- carrying the new coronavirus. protection eff orts. the killings of women human prevention and protection reason, Rodriguez said, without It said Grand Cayman au- ver, no cases of Covid-19 virus It was fi nally allowed to dock Last year, 108 human rights rights defenders increased against murders and attacks,” naming the firm. thorities had also turned the ship have been reported on board in Cambodia. defenders of all genders were close to 50%,” said Alberto he added. Independent media in the fi ring line in Cuba

By Katell Abiven, AFP to her and information was who graduated from the same But amid newly frosty rela- ble, was forced to close in 2019, Havana scarce. Most offi cial sources gave journalism schools as their state tions with Washington, his gov- citing state pressure that un- her the cold shoulder. media colleagues. ernment’s distrust of independ- dermined its network of corre- Instead, while working away Their key draw is covering hot- ent media has sharpened. spondents and cut off all access onica Baro’s investiga- on $2-an-hour public Wi-Fi, she button issues hitherto neglected All of which helps ensure inde- to funding. tion into cases of lead said she feared being threatened by the offi cial media, like the pendent media outlets act with “In a context where Ameri- Mpoisoning in Havana and harassed. environment, domestic violence discretion, especially outside the can aggressiveness continues won her a prestigious Latin Cuba is ranked 168 out of 180 and animal welfare. capital. to increase, the government is American journalism award but countries for press freedom by The independents have re- “If you leave Havana, the returning to a siege mentality,” few friends in the Cuban govern- Reporters without Borders (RSF). cently tackled stories about the mechanisms of state security said Nieves, citing the example ment, which views independ- Independent journalism is of- delapidated condition of hous- work perfectly and detect you of recent arrests of dissident Jose ent media outlets like hers with fi cially illegal, though tolerated ing in Havana — after the death when you enter a town to re- Daniel Ferrer and Roberto Qui- growing suspicion. to an extent, ensuring bloggers of three girls crushed by a falling port,” says 32-year-old Jose Jas- nones, a journalist with the Cu- Baro’s report for the Perio- are constantly walking a legal balcony — a multimedia project an Nieves, editor-in-chief of El baNet opposition site. dismo de Barrio website — which tightrope. on drought in Cuba, and a report Toque. “You end up arrested or This renewed fi rmness against won Colombia’s Gabo award for Despite this, Cuba’s online in- on major hotel developments in taken out of the municipality.” dissidents makes independent journalism — took two years to dependent media has won kudos the country. For Baro, “you rely on the will- journalism “a collateral victim,” pull together and a further six abroad — a Gabo for El Estornudo They “demonstrate a healthy ingness of a source to give you said Nieves. months to fact-check, but has in 2018, a Spanish environmental Cuban journalist of independent media El Estornudo, Monica Baro, autonomy to achieve responsible information, because they feel Because for the state “a free- helped throw light on the diffi - award for Periodismo de Barrio, talks to AFP at her home in Havana. journalism in the context of the sympathy for you or because they lance journalist from an alter- culties facing Cuba’s independ- and an online journalism award island, even if indeed a media’s have a very open vision of infor- native media is like a political ent media. for El Toque. funded by the US government, Emerging during the brief de- autonomy is always relative,” mation, which is exceptional in opponent, so it applies the same “Maybe in a less hostile con- But the higher profi le has come which also feature on the list. tente in Cuba-US relations dur- says Abel Somohano, a Cuban Cuba where the population is control tools for him.” text this investigation could have at a cost. In January, offi cials It’s the view espoused by Fran- ing US president Barack Obama’s academic based in Mexico who generally afraid to speak openly Maykel Gonzalez, 36 year old been done, written and revised published a list of 21 independent cisco Rodriguez Cruz, a 49-year- term, and boosted by the arrival has studied Cuba’s independent to the unoffi cial media.” director of Tremenda Nota, has in a year, but here everything is media organisations decried as old journalist with the offi cial of mobile internet in 2018, Cu- media. Around 50 Cuban journalists, been arrested three times in re- much more complicated,” said “platforms for the restoration of Trabajadores weekly. ba’s independent media outlets Independents, he says, express bloggers and activists recently cent years. He regularly receives the 31-year-old, seated on a sofa capitalism in Cuba.” “Independent media does not see themselves as off ering an al- “what is not seen in the discourse called in an open letter to the au- calls from State Security, and on- in her apartment which doubles Two days later, several of the exist. Not in Cuba nor, I believe, ternative to polarised state and of the offi cial media.” thorities to “end the repression” line threats. as her offi ce. sites were temporarily inacces- anywhere in the world.” opposition media, stripped of President Miguel Diaz-Canel of independents. In December, as he was pre- When she fi rst heard reports sible on the island. Cuba is too easy a target for the ideology. himself criticised state media in They referred to “arbitrary paring for a trip to Europe, he of lead poisoning in the teeming Some had already been perma- independents’ biased views, says Funded variously by a Swedish a 2018 interview with Venezuela- detentions and incarceration, learned he was banned from district of San Miguel del Padron nently blocked. Cruz: “It’s easy in a society like foundation, the European Union, based Telesur, particularly for house searches, confi scation of travelling. “For them, we are in 2016, Baro went to meet the lo- The communist government ours, under American govern- a British NGO and a Dutch radio being “too apologetic” and not equipment, interrogations.” counter-revolutionaries,” he cals to hear their story. equates such organizations with ment embargo, and with myriad station, they are the product of always “being capable of refl ect- One prominent independ- says. “Some days, I wake up very Many were too afraid to speak Miami-based opposition sites economic diffi culties.” around a dozen young journalists ing certain themes.” ent news website, Cuba Posi- discouraged.” Gulf Times 12 Friday, February 28, 2020 PAKISTAN PM: In Pakistan, Hundreds recently in minorities are equal citizens

Internews the bloodshed will get worse”, Karachi adding that “Indian Occupied Iran undergo checks Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ and K) was the beginning”. AFP/Reuters rime Minister Imran “Now 200mn Muslims in Karachi/Islamabad Khan has warned of stern India are being targeted. The Paction if any miscreant world community must act targeted religious minorities now,” he added. akistani authorities or their places of worship, in The clashes sparked over In- screened hundreds of reprisal for the recent deadly dian Prime Minister Narendra Ppeople who had recently attacks on Muslims in New Modi’s new citizenship legis- arrived from Iran, a major new Delhi. lation that saw mobs armed hotspot for coronavirus, after In a series of tweets, the with swords, guns and acid Islamabad confi rmed its fi rst two prime minister reminded the raze parts of a northeastern infections. nation that “our minorities are district of the Indian capital Offi cials in the teeming port equal citizens of this country” in the country’s some of the city of Karachi, where one of the and if there is any threat to worst communal violence in two cases was detected, said they non-Muslims or their places of decades. are also working to ensure a sup- worships in Pakistan, it would More than 20 people have ply of face masks, as prices shot be dealt with a fi rm govern- died in the violence, which up with concern growing over ment response. broke out after a speech by Pakistan’s ability to handle an “I want to warn our people Kapil Mishra, a politician from outbreak. that anyone in Pakistan target- the ruling Bhartiya Janata Par- At least one of the two cases A journalist uses his cellphone outside Karachi’s Aga Khan University Hospital, where ing our non-Muslim citizens ty (BJP). announced on Wednesday, a a Covid-19 patient has been admitted. or their places of worship will More than 150 people are 22-year-old man in Karachi, ap- be dealt with strictly. Our mi- also injured, offi cials at the peared to have contracted the vi- Left: Facemask vendors are seen on a street in Quetta. norities are equal citizens of Delhi government-run Lok rus in Iran, authorities have said. this country,” he said. Nayak Hospital told Turkey’s The government has now col- throughout the country. The virus has spread to more Schools in several areas were Iran on Sunday following the His tweets came after neti- Anadolu agency. lected the data for 1,500 people in Shah also said that the provin- than 30 countries, killing more shut and fl ights to and from Iran outbreak there. zens shared a video of an arson Mishra had given the police Sindh province who have arrived cial government is working with than 2,700 and infecting 80,000, were suspended yesterday to try The authorities, who have kept attack on a mosque in Delhi, an ultimatum to clear those in Pakistan from Iran recently, local surgical mask importers and mostly in China. to stop the spread of new corona- more than 200 of the pilgrims in and reports of clashes over the protesting against the citizen- Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah manufacturers to ensure a supply But new outbreaks in Europe, virus, after reporting its fi rst cas- quarantine at the border, have controversial new citizenship ship law or face consequences. told a press conference. for the province. the Middle East and in Asia have es of the infection, offi cials said. stepped up scanning measures at law that claimed lives of doz- Soon after, a mob, fl anked “We’re going to the next step,” Doctors at Islamabad’s largest fanned fears of the contagion The authorities shut schools airports and other border cross- ens of people. by police offi cers, entered the he said, adding that there are a public hospital – where the sec- taking hold in nations lacking the in Sindh and the southwestern ing, including western Afghani- Khan expressed concern protest site, chanting slogans total 8,000 such pilgrims across ond case was detected – said that infrastructure to cope. province of Baluchistan, which stan, said Special Assistant to over the developing situation of the right-wing Hindus, be- the country. they have not been given masks There are growing fears in Pa- borders Iran. the Prime Minister on Health Dr in India. fore starting throwing stones. “We’re locating each one of to treat patients. kistan – sandwiched between Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Au- Zafar Mirza. “Whenever a racist ideol- Over the next two days, ri- them,” Shah said, adding they “We have been requesting that China and Iran, both hotspots for thority said that it was suspend- He called on the people to not ogy based on hatred takes over, oters in the district set fi re to will go through 15 days of strict they provide us masks and other the disease – over how the coun- ing all fl ight operations with Iran panic. it leads to bloodshed,” he said. homes, shops, buses, motor- monitoring before being allowed protective equipment for four try would deal with the outbreak. starting from evening yesterday “We don’t need to worry un- “Today in India we are seeing cycles, and also beat unarmed to leave their homes. days, but no one cares,” Dr Fazl- The cost of surgical masks had till further notice. necessarily. We shouldn’t create the Nazi-inspired RSS [Rash- men with sticks, iron rods and He said all these people and e-Rabbi, president of the Young risen nearly tenfold in Karachi, “We have decided to close the any kind of panic,” the health triya Swayamsevak Sangh] stones. anyone who had got in touch Doctors Association at the hos- from Rs180 ($1.16) to Rs1,400 fl ights with Iran,” the authority’s minister said on Wednesday. ideology take over a nuclear- Witnesses told Anadolu that with them had to be isolated. pital, told AFP. ($9.09) per box of 50 masks. spokesman Sattar Khokhar told The health ministry has armed state of over a billion they attacked mosques and “They would be screened dili- With porous borders, creak- “Many buyers are coming to us Reuters. launched a media campaign to people.” looted shops, while the police gently until they are cleared,” he ing hospitals and large illiterate ... but the stocks are gone,” said Three Iranian carriers run educate people, urging them to Khan said that during his remained silent spectators. said. populations, Pakistan faces a po- Noman Qureshi, a shop owner in seven fl ights a week to and from co-operate with the authorities address at the United Nations, President Dr Arif Alvi has It is unclear how many more tentially devastating health crisis a medical market in downtown Pakistan. to help identify any suspected he had predicted that “once also condemned the incident, people are being screened from the new coronavirus. Karachi. Pakistan closed its border with cases. the genie is out of the bottle calling it a “disgraceful act”. US administration looking at energy projects in Pakistan

Internews companies to follow suit”. Islamabad “Pakistan off ers exciting opportu- nities in infrastructure development, exploration and production sectors he US administration is explor- too,” he said. ing areas where it could renew Shaikh said that Pakistan and the Tits economic partnership with US have maintained a durable rela- Pakistan, a foreign envoy said, with tionship over the years, “and there is both the sides agreeing to step up ef- a need to build it further”. forts for partnering in energy sector. “The arrival of the delegation from The US Commerce Secretary the (US) commerce sector is good Wilbur Ross, during meetings with news for Pakistan and would have offi cials of energy and fi nance min- positive consequences for the coun- Show istries, expressed interest in lending try,” he said. “This is at a time when support to Pakistan for reviving en- the government is looking forward to of force ergy sector. a major boost in exports after off ering Ross said his visit to Pakistan is part concessions to the export-oriented Fighter jets perform of the US government’s desire to in- sector of Pakistan.” during an air show in crease trade links with Pakistan. The adviser said that Pakistan is Karachi to “He also believed that such links trying to carve out a new progressive commemorate the between both the counties would not image in the comity of nations. Pakistan Air Force’s only enhance trade but encourage “We have tried to follow the FATF ‘Operation Swift further expansion of ties in all fi elds,” (Financial Action Taskforce) action Retort’, in which Indian a statement cited him as saying in a plan to a signifi cant level, opened military aircraft were meeting with Energy Minister Omar our markets to the foreign investors shot down on February Ayub Khan and Special Assistant to by providing ease of doing business,” 27, 2019, in Kashmir. the Prime Minister on Petroleum Na- he said. “We are trying to build our deem Babar. image as a tourism-friendly and in- Both the sides agreed to step up co- vestment-opportunity country in the operation in the energy sector. region.” Ross is leading a US trade delega- The fi nance adviser also shared the tion that is focusing on methods to updates on the economy with the US elevate bilateral trade and commercial secretary of commerce, voicing con- ties. cerns over rising prices and lower “They (the US) can help Pakistan revenue. in the energy sector and the details “Though the country is trying to of the projects where economic co- revive the economy through stabi- operation could be enhanced are be- lisation reform and inviting foreign ing worked on,” another statement investment to the country as well as quoted him as saying in a meeting taking care of its vulnerable, the ris- with Adviser to the Prime Minister on ing prices of food items, high energy Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez prices and slow revenue generation Shaikh. were issues that concerned him,” he Minister Khan called for greater said. “The government’s eff orts are US investments in energy sector, in- directed towards providing ease to cluding areas such power generation, the common man and it would require transmission and distribution, arti- guidance from its global partners as fi cial intelligence, renewable energy, well.” hydropower and training opportuni- Shaikh said that the trade between ties. the two countries is only around $7bn He reaffi rmed the country’s com- and the country has an urgent need to mitment to cleaner fuels and green increase that to help in GDP growth, energy. which requires long-term planning The energy minister said the coun- for economic development. try’s energy mix would be diversifi ed “We have made a mistake in the by injecting more hydel and renew- past of not forming our alliances on able sources, which are expected to the economic front based on our de- increase its share in energy mix by velopmental requirements,” he said. 52% by 2025 and 63% by 2030, re- “This is the time to enable the rela- spectively. tionship to become more long lasting Babar termed the re-entry of Exx- on a fi rm footing.” onMobil to the Pakistani market as a The fi nance adviser hoped that a favourable development “that could, healthy interaction would continue in hopefully, lead more United States future as well. Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Are there The dangers of special merits innovation and specifi c its evil eff ects to Rajab? maam Ash-Shaafi ’i, may Allah have be performed in exactly the same zDividing the Muslim nation. hat is special about mercy upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is manner as the Prophet, sallallaahu zAbandoning the Sunnah. the month of Rajab? anything that has no basis in the ‘alaihi wa sallam, did them. This cannot zIgniting disputes among the How authentic are IQur’an, Sunnah or sayings of any of be achieved unless the following six Muslims. Wthe Hadiths stating the companions.” conditions are fulfi lled: zAccusing the Prophet of not that actions are raised to Allah in Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy 1. The act of worship must coincide completely conveying the message of this month? upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is any form of with the Shari’ah in the reason for which Islam. Answer: Rajab is one of the sacred worship that did not exist (at the time it is done, or else it would be rejected. zCompeting with the Prophets in months about which Allah Almighty of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Therefore, celebrating Al-Mawlid is their prophethood. Says (what means): {Indeed, the sallam, and his companions) then later it a Bid’ah because it is performed as a zAltering the religion. number of months with Allah is 12 was innovated.” rewardable act, despite the fact that it [lunar] months in the register of Allah Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy has not been legislated. Reasons behind innovations: [from] the day He created the heavens upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is any form 2. The act of worship must coincide zIgnorance of the religion of Islam. and the earth; of these, four are of worship which has no basis in the with the Shari’ah in its category. zFollowing ones whims. sacred.} [Qur’an 9: 36] Shari’ah which would warrant its Therefore, it is not acceptable if a person zClinging to doubts. Rajab, which is called ‘Rajab The legislation.” were to slaughter a horse instead of a zThe sole use of ration with no Single’, does not occur in sequence with Ash-Shaatibi, may Allah have mercy camel or goat as a sacrifi ce after Haj. reference to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. the other three months that come in upon him, said: “(A Bid’ah) is any 3. The act of worship must coincide zIslamic scholars not fulfi lling their succession of one another (Thul-Qa‘dah matter which closely resembles the with the Shari’ah in its quantity. expected role. – Thul-Hijjah - Muharram). Rajab is Shari’ah and is intended to be a way of Therefore, if somebody were to add two zDependence on weak or fabricated also called “Rajab of Mudhar” because worshipping Allah.” Rak’ah to the Dhuhr prayer, making a total Ahaadith. the tribe of Mudhar used to venerate of six Rak’ah instead of four, this would be zExtreme reactions to others errors. and respect it so much. It is narrated on General rules to recognise Bid’ah: unacceptable as it would not be coinciding zThe failure to limit ones the authority of Abu Bakrah, may Allah zAny act of worship based on a with the Shari’ah in its quantity. understanding of the Islamic texts to be pleased with him, that the Prophet, fabricated Hadith is a Bid’ah, like the 4. The act of worship must coincide that of the companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: prayer in the month of Rajab which is with the Shari’ah in the manner in which it sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. “Time has turned back to the called the prayer of Raghaa’ib. is performed. Therefore, if someone were zBlind imitation of the masses. same as it was on the day when Allah zAny act of worship which the to begin their wudoo’ by washing their feet created the heavens and the earth. Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, instead of their hands, then this act would Ways to eradicate Bid’ah: The year is 12 months, of which four did not perform, although there were be unacceptable. „Warning against the dangers of months are sacred, three thereof come no preventing factors, is a Bid’ah, like 5. The act of worship must coincide Bid’ah and its evil eff ects. consecutively and these are Thul- uttering the intention before beginning with the Shari’ah in the timing of its „Calling people to adhere to Qa’dah, Thul-Hijjah and Muharram. the prayer, calling Adhaan for any prayer performance. So, praying the Dhuhr the Qur’an and Sunnah, with the Then, the fourth month is Rajab of other than the fi ve obligatory ones or prayer after sunset is unacceptable. understanding of the Salaf. Mudhar, which comes between Jumadah praying after fi nishing Sa’y between 6. The act of worship must coincide „Distinguishing between weak and and Sha’ban. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] mount Safaa and Marwah. with the Shari’ah in the place in which the authentic Ahaadith. In pre-Islamic era of ignorance, zAny habitual act performed with the it is performed. Therefore, one cannot „Purifying the schools of people used to off er sacrifi ces during intention of pleasing Allah which Islam perform stand on a mountain other than jurisprudence from the innovation of this month as an act of worship towards did not consider as an act of worship is ‘Arafah during Haj. fanaticism towards them. their idols. This type of sacrifi ce was a Bid’ah, such as for example: wearing „Spreading knowledge and called “‘Ateerah”. When Islam came, it coarse woollen clothes, continuous The dangers of Bid’ah and its evil correcting the peoples understanding cancelled such a practice. The Prophet, silence, refraining from eating bread eff ects: of faith, worship and fi nancial- sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “No or meat, not drinking cold water or zBid’ah is a precursor to disbelief. transactions. Fara’, No ‘Ateerah!” [Al-Bukhari and standing in the sun. zMaking unfounded statements on „Warning against and subduing the Muslim] Also, there is no authentic zPerforming prohibited acts with the behalf of Allah. innovators. evidence to support the observance of intention of pleasing Allah is a Bid’ah, zCorrecting the Prophet, sallallaahu „Receiving knowledge from the specifi c acts of worship in the month of such as singing songs about Him. ‘alaihi wa sallam, or claiming that he correct sources; i.e., the sincere guided Rajab, as believed by some people. Moreover, all acts of worship must had defi ciencies. Islamic scholars. Shaykhul Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “There is no authentic statement by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, about the virtue of worship in Rajab. Rather, most of the Hadiths in this The importance of seeking forgiveness regard are false.” Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy upon him, says, “There is e should never lose hope from Allah, he will fi nd Allah forgiving heart at rest from guilt. It protects a sees the angels or when the sun rises whoever sets up partners with Allah no authentic Hadith that can be used as or stop asking Allah The and merciful.”} [Qur’an, 4:110] believer from falling prey to desires and from the west at the approach of the has indeed invented a tremendous evidence of a special merit of the month Almighty for forgiveness Everyone commits sins and mistakes, lusts and increases his faith. Day of Judgment. This is confi rmed sin.”} [Qur’an, 4:48] of Rajab, of fasting it, of fasting certain Wfor our sins and mistakes. but Allah The Almighty is always Allah The Almighty then says in the by the following verse (which means): {Verily, Allah forgives not the setting days thereof, or of off ering Qiyam The importance of seeking forgiveness willing to forgive and He always gives Hadith Qudsi (sacred narration): O {And of no eff ect is the repentance of up of partners with Him, but He (voluntary night prayer) prayer on a is shown to us in a narration of the them a chance to repent and seek son of Adam, if you were to come to those who continue to do evil deeds forgives whom He pleases whatever certain night thereof.” Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam ( His forgiveness. A believer should Me with sins close to fi lling the earth until death faces one of them and he is less than that. And whoever sets up However, there is nothing wrong if may Allah exalt his mention ): “O people! never forget the fact that Allah The and then you would meet Me without says, Now I repent, nor of those who partners with Allah has indeed strayed a Muslim, during Rajab, observes the Turn to Allah in repentance and seek His Almighty is All-Forgiving. If Allah ascribing any partners with Me, I dies while they are disbelievers. For far away.} [Qur’an, 4:116] fasts that he regularly observes during forgiveness, for surely I make repentance The Almighty had willed, He could would certainly bring you forgiveness them, We have prepared a painful We must ask ourselves this question: other months. Examples include a hundred times every day.” Repentance have held everyone accountable for his close to fi lling it. torment.} [Qur’an, 4:18] Would we be willing to forgive Mondays, Thursdays, the 13th, 14th, is such a great act of worship that it can or her sins, but He has decreed that Look at how great is the mercy, Allah The Almighty also does not anyone who hurts us and disobeys and 15th of every lunar month, and completely erase one’s sins altogether, as He shall allow His servants to seek compassion and love of Allah The forgive the one who commits Shirk us constantly as easily as Allah The the habit of fasting every other day, the Noble Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa His forgiveness and that He shall in Almighty! The least Allah The Almighty (polytheism), which is the association Almighty is Able to forgive? Most provided that this is not done in this sallam, said: “One who repents from sins fact forgive whomever and whatever asks for is that one not ascribe any of partners with Allah The Almighty. probably, the answer would be no. month in specifi c. is like one without sin.” He wills. In fact, Allah The Almighty partners and gods with Him, for, He Forgiveness will only come to those However, our Creator is the Most Kind Allah Knows best. When a person commits a sin and commands His servants to seek is alone in His Sovereignty. After that who die while adhering to Tawheed and He is the Most Perfect as stated in then sincerely turns to Allah The His forgiveness in the verse (which if one commits sins and seeks sincere (Islamic Monotheism) and avoiding the verse (which means): {“Lo! Allah Article source: http://www.islamweb. Almighty for forgiveness, he will fi nd means): {“And seek Allah’s forgiveness. forgiveness, Allah The Almighty any form of Shirk. This is stated in the is a Lord of Kindness to mankind, but net/emainpage/ Allah The Almighty ready to accept Certainly, Allah is Forgiving, promises that He will forgive him and following verses (what means): most of mankind give not thanks.”} his repentance and to forgive him, as Merciful.”} [Qur’an, 73:20] shower His mercy upon him. {“Verily, Allah does not forgive [Qur’an, 2:143] this verse indicates (which means): Repentance is an act of worship However, one is not forgiven if that partners should be set up with {“And whoever does a wrong or wrongs which purifi es the soul and brings the he seeks repentance from Allah The Him, but He forgives whatever is less Article source: http://www.islamweb. himself, but then seeks forgiveness slave closer to His Lord. It puts the Almighty at the time of death when he than that for whomever He wills. And net/emainpage/ And cause not corruption upon the earth ll praise is due to Allah, may and fi rm constitution of the Muslim is greater than that of one who calls Another clear act of corruption improve the condition of a people must not be followed or obeyed, for His peace and blessings nation are built and on which its moral others beside Allah who can neither and mischief on the earth today is the while they are not changing their Allah put this earth in order through be upon His Prophet, his structure stands. The perpetrators of benefi t nor harm anything? merciless transgression, injustice, behaviour. The condition of people His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Ahousehold and companions. such mischief are guilty not only of Committing diff erent types of sins killings and destruction that the Jews will only change for the better when sallam, and His religion; Allah enjoins Fellow Muslims! Fear Allah, always their own crimes, but also of laying a are also an act of causing corruption are perpetrating in the holy land of Al- they repent, return to their Lord, belief in His oneness and orders that be conscious of Him and: bad precedence for others to follow – on the earth. The most grievous of Quds, or Jerusalem. They kill innocent seek His pleasure, worship Him as He He be worshipped alone; He forbids “Fear a day when no father will avail what an evil practice and ugly path! these sins are the destructive ones people, expel them from their land and should be worshipped, fully submit committing corruption upon the earth his son, nor will a son avail his father at There are many ways of spreading which Allah and His Messenger, besiege them without even showing themselves to Him, judge by His law by ascribing partners to Him and all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, corruption upon the earth, the worst of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, threaten mercy to the elderly or infants. We are and be pleased with it. They may of disobeying His Prophet, sallallaahu so let not the worldly life delude you them being the association of partners the perpetrators of with a severe not surprised by this, for it is just one of a course take advantage of whatever ‘alaihi wa sallam. and be not deceived about Allah by the with Allah in worship by attributing punishment. Some of them are: series of oppressive and arrogant acts of Allah facilitates of means of power, “When one refl ects on the current Deceiver (i.e. Satan).” (Luqmaan: 33). the rights that are exclusively His to Practising magic, committing murder, corruption that they are taking part in. progress and prosperity that He has condition of the world, he will observe Allah, the Almighty has created this others. This is indeed a great injustice; making interest-based transactions, Environmental pollution with its made abundant on the earth. Allah says that in every place where peace, earth by His Mercy and Favour which Allah tells us of Luqmaan’s admonition usurping the property of orphans, widespread destruction is another that which translates to: “And cause tranquillity and law and order are He bestowed upon His creatures in a to his son with that which translates as: fl eeing from a battle with disbelievers, form of causing corruption upon the not corruption upon the earth after its enjoyed, this is only as a result of the perfect manner for their utilisation. He “O my son, do not associate [anything] falsely accusing innocent believing earth in modern times. This pollution reformation. And invoke Him in fear people there having belief in the unity sent His Messengers and revealed His with Allah. Indeed, association [with women with fornication, mistreating has caused immense and unnecessary and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of of Allah, worshipping Him alone and books that contain clear evidences and Him] is great injustice” (Luqmaan: 13). one’s parents, bearing false witness, damage to human beings, animals, Allah is near to the doers of good.” (Al- following His Messenger, sallallaahu guidance to mankind. He guarantees The greatest crime that people adultery and fornication, drinking plants and aquatic creatures. This A’raaf: 56). ‘alaihi wa sallam. On the other for them the means that will lead to can commit against themselves and alcohol and taking narcotics, stealing, harm is caused by man’s selfi sh desire Brothers in faith! Imaam Ibn al- hand, one will notice that affl ictions, their prosperity in this life and the next the greatest self-harm that they severing bonds of kinship, etc. to hasten productivity and is a result of Qayyim said while commenting on tribulations, drought, oppression and by His truthful and unfailing promise. can accomplish is by committing These sins destroy man and turn him his selfi sh materialism and his craving this verse: “Indeed worshipping others all other evils that people suff er from It is by following these guidelines shirk, or associating partners with into an obedient servant of Satan, who for wealth which knows no limit. beside Allah, calling unto others beside are the result of disobeying Allah’s that humanity will become perfectly Allah in worship. By doing this, they will then lead him to all evils and blind We must realise and acknowledge Him and associating partners with Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa reformed. In reality there is no other equate Allah, who is the Creator, the him from seeing the truth and receiving that all this corruption occurs upon Him in worship are the greatest forms sallam, and associating partners with way of reformation except for the Omnipotent and the All-Provider, guidance. Satan will also make his evil the earth as a result of mankind’s evil of corruption that man can commit. In Allah in worship. Whoever ponders complete and comprehensive one that with a weak and limited creature. deeds fair seeming to him so much so deeds. Allah says that which translates fact, associating partners with Allah carefully over their own condition is brought by this religion in all areas That is why the perpetrator of shirk that he will actually view the evil and as: “Corruption has appeared and disobeying Him are at the head of and that of other peoples, will see that belief and law. is likened to a person who falls from corruption that he does as good deeds; throughout the land and sea by [reason all forms of corruption. matters are as described above. And Little wonder then that the the top of a high cliff to the ground just like the hypocrites whom Allah of] what the hands of people have “The earth can never be in order, there is no power except with Allah, corruption caused upon the earth after far below. Allah says that which describes in His Book when he says that earned so He [i.e. Allah] may let them nor can its inhabitants live in peace the Most High, the Magnifi cent”. it has been reformed is regarded by translates as: “And he who associates which translates as: “And when it is said taste part of [the consequence of] what unless all acts of worship are done for Therefore fellow Muslims, fear Allah Allah as being the worst of all crimes with Allah - it is though he had fallen to them, ‘Do not cause corruption on the they have done that perhaps they will the sake of Allah alone and performed and be among the righteous; by doing for it is tantamount to challenging from the sky and was snatched by the earth,’ the say, ‘We are but reformers’. return [i.e refrain]” (Ar-Room: 41). in accordance with the example laid this you will earn the pleasure of your Allah and His Messenger and waging birds or the wind carried him down Unquestionably, it is they who are the It must then be an indisputable down by His Messenger sallallaahu Lord and will be in His sight among the war on them. It is an attack on the into a remote place.” (Al-Hajj: 31). corrupters, but they perceive (it) not.” fact that the remedy lies at the hands ‘alaihi wa sallam. If people begin to successful and victorious. (Khutbah by strong pillars upon which the belief What corruption upon the earth (Al-Baqarah: 11-12). of the people, for Allah will never enjoin disobedience to Allah, then they Shaykh Usaamah al-Khayyaat) Gulf Times 14 Friday, February 28, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al-Marri: NHRC to continue Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor prosecuting blockading countries K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar QNA [email protected] Washington 44350478 (News), E the Chairman of the 44466404 (Sport), National Human Rights 44466636 (Home delivery) Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri has 44350474 H affi rmed the committee’s commitment facebook.com/gulftimes to continue to take the necessary legal measures necessary to condemn the twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar blockading countries because of their violations that have lasted for 1,000 days, stressing that the blockading countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will not be GULF TIMES spared of international condemnation by the committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the two bodies will demonstrate Why is President the exposure of Qatari citizens to racial discrimination. HE al-Marri stressed that after three years of unjust blockade, the NHRC Trump targeting will not rest until the victims are compensated, regardless of the fate of the crisis politically. The statements of HE Dr al- ‘sanctuary’ cities Marri came during his work visit to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with offi cials at the US US Republican President Donald Trump has intensifi ed his State Department that included administration’s fi ght in recent weeks against Democratic- Deputy Assistant Secretary of State led “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit co-operation with for Near East and International Labour federal immigration enforcement. Aff airs of the Bureau of Democracy, The fi ght over whether the states and localities need to Human Rights and Labour in the State Department and US Deputy Assistant participate in Trump’s immigration crackdown comes as the Secretary for Arabian Gulf Aff airs at the HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri addressing the officials of president faces re-election in November and has made the Bureau of Near Eastern Aff airs in the the US State Department. issue a focus of his 2020 campaign. State Department Timothy Lenderking. Trump is now opening up new fronts in the battle against During his meetings with US State has been practised against Qataris is benefi t of expatriate workers. Many discussion between the NHRC and the the cities, fi ling lawsuits and issuing subpoenas in what Department offi cials, NHRC chairman racial discrimination. He pointed out human rights organisations have also Qatari government and international Attorney General William Barr called part of a “signifi cant affi rmed that citizens and residents in that the Gulf community is shocked by encouraged the Qatari government to bodies. escalation” in the fi ght against unco-operative jurisdictions. Qatar have faced 1,000 days of racial these racist practices committed by the proceed with the reforms approach. He also indicated that the NHRC discrimination, noting that one of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia He added that the NHRC, on its has always welcomed all visits to The “sanctuary” movement dates back to the 1980s, when most dangerous aspects of the suff ering against citizens and residents of Qatar. part, welcomed the reforms and new Doha requested by international US churches sheltered Central American migrants who had incurred by Gulf citizens is the obstacles He addressed the offi cials of the US legislation, and it continues to urge the organisations. The State of Qatar is one fl ed civil strife in the region and feared deportation. imposed by the blockading states – State Department by saying that every government through its various reports of the few countries that extended an The label is now generally applied to states and localities especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE – year, the US State Department issues and recommendations to continue the open invitation to the United Nations that have laws, policies or regulations that make it harder for on the freedom of movement of people, a report that records human rights approach of reforms without stopping. Special Rapporteurs to visit Qatar. It has Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track down which did not exclude the sick, children violations in the world, and NHRC Regarding the rights of workers repeatedly welcomed all international and arrest immigrants they believe are deportable. and the elderly. demands that the violations of human employed in facilities related to the 2022 organisations to visit Doha to learn He pointed out that undermining rights by blockade countries be included Qatar World Cup, HE Dr al-Marri said about the human rights conditions in However, there is no offi cial defi nition of a “sanctuary” the freedom of movement resulted in the next report of the US State that they have certainly seen the reports it, including meeting representatives and levels of co-operation vary from place to place. in dispersion of Gulf families, and Department. of many human rights organisations of the blockade victims and listening One of the most high-profi le “sanctuary” policies forcible separation of many families, HE Dr al-Marri added that these that value the measures taken by to their testimonies about the suff ering is opposition to the prolonged detention of suspected on the pretext that one of its members violations have been confi rmed by the the Qatari authorities to provide a they have been subjected to for almost immigration law violators in state or local custody. holds the Qatari nationality, as well as United Nations High Commissioner safe working environment for these three years. ICE can request that a violation of the right of Qataris and for Human Rights, the European workers. The NHRC has always called Meanwhile, HE Dr al-Marri such suspects be held for residents to practise religious rites, Parliament and many parliaments for improving conditions of residence presented during his discussions Studies causing denial of Haj and Umrah for and human rights organisations in the and the work of these workers, because with the attendees an overview of the up to 48 hours beyond three consecutive seasons. United States and the world, stressing it is fi rmly convinced that the rights of repercussions of the blockade that has have shown their release time, which HE Dr al-Marri said in Qatar the that it’s necessary to include the workers and the reforms that preserve been going on for 1,000 days, warning allows ICE offi cers to take people are facing an unjust blockade. violations by the blockade countries in their dignity must be permanent and of the grave consequences resulting immigrants the person into custody. It is not an exaggeration to say it is the report of the US State Department lasting even after the World Cup ends. from the continued human suff ering of Such requests are known among the worst forms of the blockade on the human rights situation in the After the blockade, the NHRC faced thousands of citizens and residents, not do not commit as “detainers.” that targets people, and has deprived world. other challenges in its work for Qataris only in Qatar, but in all the countries of Ten states have measures in thousands of citizens and residents He explained that condemning and residents. the Gulf Co-operation Council. crimes at a in the Gulf states of their basic rights, human rights violations should not He referred to the recent visit He highlighted the need to raise place that restrict compliance foremost of which is the right to exclude any region in the world, let by a delegation from the European awareness among the American higher rate than with detainer requests, treatment, transportation, education, alone the Middle East and Gulf region Parliament and a delegation from the community and all societies about the deny ICE access to jails, and family reunifi cation, and other saturated with confl icts and disputes European Union headed by EU special seriousness of the punitive measures native-born or limit communication fundamental rights that the blockade and the consequent grave human rights representative for human rights Eamon taken by the blockading countries, with ICE, according to a list states continue to violate, disregarding violations that threaten the security and Gilmore to a number of the World Cup stressing that there is no selectivity Americans compiled by the Centre for the calls of states, governments, stability of the region, and therefore, facilities, and his meetings with workers in the fi eld of human rights and no Immigration Studies, a group and international human rights the security and stability of the world as and offi cials from various stakeholders calculations, and that violations are organisations, the most recent of which a whole. in the State of Qatar, such as the stateless, and that the issue of victims that advocates lower levels of immigration. is ICJ’s decision demanding the United In a related context, HE Dr al-Marri Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, the Ministry is the responsibility of the international More than 150 counties and cities have their own Arab Emirates to stop its discriminatory affi rmed that the committee urges the of Administrative Development, Labour community without discrimination. “sanctuary” measures, according to the group. measures against citizens and residents Qatari government to continue the and Social Aff airs, the National Human Responding to the inquiries of Some offi cials in non-co-operative jurisdictions argue in Qatar, but the Abu Dhabi authorities reforms it is undertaking to protect Rights Committee and the International members of the US-Qatar Business the requests are voluntary and honouring them could mean continue to violate their obligations to and defend the rights of citizens and Labour Organisation, where Eamon Council regarding the new challenges detaining people without a constitutionally valid reason. the ICJ. residents of Qatar alike. Gilmore stressed, at the end of his visit, facing the NHRC as a result of the Federal immigration offi cers still operate in “sanctuary” He added that the blockade of Qatar During a reception organised in his appreciation for the eff orts made by blockade of Qatar, HE Dr al-Marri said: jurisdictions, but with less assistance from local law aff ected the human rights situation his honour by the US-Qatar Business Qatar to introduce new improvements “The blockade imposed on us new in the region, and led to a loss of Council, the NHRC chairman said and legislation to end the sponsorship challenges, and the National Committee enforcement. confi dence in regional human rights that protecting the rights of citizens law to serve the rights of expatriate has received multiple complaints Unco-operative jurisdictions send fi ngerprints of anyone mechanisms and confl ict resolution. and residents in Qatar is an essential workers, praising the degree of progress from citizens and residents aff ected booked into prison or jail to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Meanwhile, HE Dr al-Marri presented pillar in the work of the NHRC, which and improvement in the conditions of by the grave violations imposed by the (FBI), which passes them on to ICE for an immigration status an overview of the progress of the cases has not stopped demanding the Qatari work and workers in Qatar. blockading countries”, but this did not check, according to an ICE spokeswoman. before the CERD against Saudi Arabia government for further reforms. He pointed out that the NHRC co- and will not force it to forget the basic ICE contends that not knowing the release date of a and the United Arab Emirates, and the On the recent reforms made by the ordinates with the European Union, role of the NHRC in defending human suspected immigration violator can make it harder to arrest cases brought before the ICJ against Qatari government to protect the rights the European Parliament, the United rights as a whole, including protecting Abu Dhabi, stressing that all cases of expatriates, he said the International Nations and international organisations the rights of Qatari citizens and and deport that person, and puts offi cers in danger. brought before the CERD and the ICJ Labour Organisation has welcomed on all that related to human rights in the residents, and the rights of expatriate The agency also argues that it should be allowed to enter will demonstrate to the world that what the reforms adopted by Qatar for the State of Qatar, and there is an ongoing workers in Qatar. jails to pick up suspects in a secure setting. Some states and localities generally refuse ICE detainer requests, but honour them in cases where the person has been charged or convicted of a serious crime. Other jurisdictions will not honour detainers in any circumstances, the ICE spokeswoman said. Some police chiefs worry that if they are seen as an arm Qatar is a pioneer in hosting UN centres of federal immigration enforcement, immigrants living in the country illegally may be less likely to come forward as victims or witnesses to crimes. QNA community, and on deepening and with the participation of more than designate a world day for women judges For others, there are concerns about straining local Doha strengthening the relations and 120 countries and nearly 50 heads of and how to activate it, he explained that resources or about their own legal liability, since some courts establishing peace for humanity. The judicial bodies and supreme courts, the aim of launching this initiative is to declaration also forms a new start for in partnership with the UN Offi ce enhance the presence of women in the have ruled against prolonged detention due to ICE requests. E the President of the exchanging experiences and benefi ting on Drugs and Crime. He also praised judiciary, and that their assumption While Trump and his top offi cials often highlight cases Supreme Judiciary Council from judicial experiences, in addition to the vital role made by all those who of the task of the judiciary be a self- of violence committed by immigrants, studies have shown and President of the Court of its role in enhancing the transparency contributed to making this meeting a evident and recognised matter, like immigrants do not commit crimes at a higher rate than HCassation Dr Hassan Lahdan and integrity of the judiciary, in close success from various judicial circles, other professional fi elds. native-born Americans. Saqr al-Mohannadi has underlined that co-operation with the United Nations. and the rich discussion and high-level For his part, the Representative of the declaration of intent signed by Qatar The president of the Supreme interaction made during the meeting. the UN Offi ce on Drugs and Crime and and the United Nations to establish a Judiciary Council highlighted the In response to Qatar News Agency Project Director of the Global Network To Advertise Doha-based UN centre concerned with pioneering initiative also launched (QNA) question on the “Doha for Judicial Integrity Marco Acehera judicial integrity complements the on Wednesday, which is designating Declaration of Judicial Integrity” and highlighted the success of the meeting, [email protected] pioneering initiatives launched by the a world day for women judges, to be the added value it provides to the and praised the partnership with Display country to host important UN centres celebrated internationally under the march of the Global Judicial Integrity Qatar in the fi eld of training, building that have a role in the fi eld of training, umbrella of the United Nations. Network, HE al-Mohannadi said that capabilities and developing training 44466621 44418811 development and unlocking potentials, He stressed the importance of the the large participation of international resources. and provide services to the countries of initiative, which was launched by Qatar judges and heads of courts in the He commended the eff orts exerted Classified the region and the whole world. in partnership with the International Doha meeting indicates clearly the by Qatar to make this meeting a success 44466609 44418811 Speaking at a press conference held Association of Women Judges, noting appreciation and confi dence that Qatar and the huge participation in it, after the closing session of the second that it affi rms Qatar’s pioneering enjoys internationally, whether in its considering it the largest international Subscription high-level meeting of the Global Judicial position as an active country in attitudes, stances or participation meeting for judges sponsored by the Integrity Network, on Wednesday. HE launching important initiatives. that is benefi cial to the international United Nations. [email protected] al-Mohannadi said that signing the Meanwhile, HE al-Mohannadi community. He underlined that the He hailed the signing of Doha declaration refl ects the keenness of the praised the great success achieved real addition off ered by the Doha Declaration, noting that the Qatari Qatari leadership on making Qatar an by the second high-level meeting of Declaration is “continuity”. eff orts contribute eff ectively to © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved eff ective member of the international the Global Judicial Integrity Network To a question about the initiative to promoting the judicial integrity. Gulf Times Friday, February 28, 2020 15 COMMENT China’s Covid-19 moment

Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng And it gave provincial, municipal, terminates the whole generational Hong Kong and county-level governments strict lineage, something unprecedented in instructions on improving public Chinese family history. As a result, hygiene, isolating possible victims, and Chinese may reorient themselves ast October, the 2019 Glo- sharing experience and expertise. toward health, home, and family, bal Health Security Report China’s unprecedented responses after years of rising travel and offl ine included a stark warning: “Na- appeared to have slowed the spread of consumption. Ltional health security is fun- the disease domestically. But densely The global media frenzy, some damentally weak around the world. No populated Wuhan is a transportation tinged with coronavirus-fuelled country is fully prepared for epidem- hub, home to central China’s biggest xenophobia, could reinforce China’s ics or pandemics, and every country airport, from which roughly 30,000 self-refl ection and self-strengthening has important gaps to address.” Just a people, on average, depart daily. This impulses, particularly in sorting couple of months later, a new corona- means Covid-19 can and has spread out domestic public health, social virus emerged in Wuhan, China – and around the world rapidly, testing the security, and governance issues. quickly demonstrated the accuracy of public health response capacity of Already, Covid-19 has led to swift the report’s assessment. countries far and wide. domestic damage control and a The virus, now called Covid-19, As of February 25, the World Health massive re-orientation of priorities, was fi rst discovered in China’s Wuhan Organisation reports 80,239 cases such as innovative ways of dealing with municipality, but was not taken in 33 countries, and 2,700 deaths (a business cash fl ows, survival of SMEs, suffi ciently seriously by the authorities 3.4% mortality rate). Hubei province job disruptions, and restoring key in the early weeks. Multiple mistakes accounted for the most cases, and 95% supply chains. being made, including the failure of the fatalities. But even when the virus is to comprehend the virus’s speed of South Korea is now second to China contained, escalating geopolitical transmission, compounded by the for Covid-19 infections, with 1,261 rivalries, technological disruption, delay in informing the public about confi rmed cases. The government climate change, and the likelihood the outbreak. In fact, some who fi rst has placed the country on the highest of new pandemics loom. So, beyond warned of the disease – most notably possible alert – a move that allows for tackling the current crisis, China’s the ophthalmologist Li Wenliang – lockdowns and other containment government should be working on were reprimanded by local authorities. measures. The southeastern city of long-term resilience-building reforms (Li subsequently died of the disease.) Daegu, where cases are concentrated, Doctors who have recovered from the Covid-19 coronavirus infection donating plasma in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei in education, health care, the social It was not until January 20 that has essentially been under a state of province. Chinese health off icials urged patients who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate blood so that plasma safety net, and internal feedback the government acted, after another emergency. Japan, with 847 cases can be extracted to treat others who are critically ill. mechanisms. The public expects no doctor, Zhong Nanshan – a hero in (around 700 from a single cruise ship) less. China’s fi ght against the 2003 outbreak is third on the list. supply chains, Samsung Electronics patterns and business operations on the disease’s consequences for The same is true worldwide. At of another coronavirus, severe acute The virus is also gaining ground in has suspended smartphone plant in China toward e-commerce and life, family, and society. However a time of unprecedented global respiratory syndrome (Sars) – alerted Europe, with 325 cases confi rmed in operations in Gumi after an employee tele-commuting – a trend that may be diffi cult the lockdown has been, interconnectedness, our biggest the public of the seriousness of the Italy. The country has now quarantined tested positive for Covid-19. mirrored in other aff ected countries as they have been able to count on their challenges are shared. Every country new virus. Wuhan and neighbouring more than 50,000 people. Even Iran is After Apple warned that its quarterly the virus spreads. government to deliver power, water, must work to build its resilience, or no cities in Hubei province – with a total facing an uptick in infections. Hopes revenues will take a hit, owing to The economic eff ects of this and online services reliably. Of course, one will be safe. – Project Syndicate population of some 58.5mn people – that a pandemic can be averted are slowed iPhone production and the shift – including changes in Chinese the government has also faced plenty are now in complete lockdown. Across dwindling fast. closure of Apple stores in China, global demand for travel, tourism services, of criticism on social media for its zAndrew Sheng is Distinguished China, as many as 700mn people are All of this is taking a serious investors are getting nervous. In the and luxury goods – will reverberate early attempts to suppress critical Fellow of the Asia Global Institute at largely confi ned to their homes. economic toll, as global supply United States, the S&P 500 dropped globally for months to come. But the information. But it has since allowed the University of Hong Kong and a China’s government subsequently chains are disrupted and services nearly 3% at the start of trading on more profound eff ect of the Covid-19 more open debate and feedback, as member of the UNEP Advisory Council mobilised more than 200 medical halted. Moreover, Japan’s economy – February 24. lockdown is on Chinese social in-depth reports by Caixin magazine on Sustainable Finance. Xiao Geng, teams from around the country, already under pressure from another With the outbreak still escalating, dynamics. have shown. President of the Hong Kong Institution including from the military, to help consumption-tax hike and the fallout the global damage will run deeper than An unprecedented number of The Covid-19 crisis has shaken the for International Finance, is a professor contain the disease. It also built three from Typhoon Hagibis – seems likely supply-chain disruptions. The sudden Chinese, up to half of the population, belief that economic prosperity can and Director of the Research Institute new hospitals, and nine temporary to contract even further. reduction in production and services have been trapped indoors for more compensate for social well-being. of Maritime Silk-Road at Peking hospitals, with unprecedented speed. In South Korea, a key hub in global is driving a shift in consumption than a month, with time to refl ect Death in one-child households University HSBC Business School.

Virus enigma: Experts ask why Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 230c Minimum Temperature : 180c

SATURDAY Africa seems to have few cases Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 170c

SUNDAY AFP it’s because Africa is not that force at the Aga Khan University Republic of Congo have generated Maximum Temperature : 260c Johannesburg connected.” Hospital in Nairobi. valuable skills for handling Minimum Temperature : 190c Thumbi Ndung’u, director of a “While it is true that for certain coronavirus. Durban-based infectious disease infections there may be genetic There is currently no vaccine Fisherman's forecast he coronavirus is research centre, SANTHE, said differences in susceptibility...there is or cure for the novel virus – the spreading fast beyond “I don’t think anybody knows” no current evidence to that effect for response is to contain it by WARNING Inshore : Nil its China birthplace but why Africa so far appeared to be Covid-19.” identifying and isolating patients Offshore : Strong wind and high sub-Saharan Africa, one unscathed. If the continent can count itself and carrying out grassroots sea till late night T WEATHER of the world’s most vulnerable He also speculated that it could lucky so far, experts say it is just a awareness campaigns. Inshore : Moderate temperature regions, has so far been almost be “there isn’t much travel to that question of time. “This experience may add value on daytime with some spared — and experts want to particular part of China from Africa “We think Africa is going to be ground,” said Yao. clouds& slight dust at know why. – back and forth”. affected,” said Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Despite this, Africa’s some places,cold by More than 2,700 people worldwide Or “it could just be a coincidence,” head of infectious diseases vulnerabilities are well known. night have died of Covid-19 and almost said Ndung’u. department at Paris’s Bichat A 2016 analysis by the Rand Offshore : Scattered clouds at 80,000 infected. Could it be a coverup, or cases that hospital. Corporation, a US thinktank, found first becomes fine Most of these have been in China, have gone undetected? On the plus said, the apparent that of the 25 countries in the world WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-Norther- but cases are now rising fast in parts Michel Yao, an emergency delay has given African countries that are most vulnerable to infectious ly 05-15/18 KT of Europe and the Middle East, while response expert at WHO Africa, precious weeks in which to outbreaks, 22 are in Africa – the Offshore : Northwesterly 08-18 KT the first infection in Latin America based in the Congolese capital prepare. others were Afghanistan, Yemen and Visibility : 4-8 KM was recorded on Wednesday, in Brazzaville, said these scenarios were Yao said more than half of sub- Haiti. Offshore : 3-5 FT Brazil. most unlikely. Saharan countries are now equipped Africa’s many conflict zones, But across all of Africa, just two To detect and hide cases would with laboratories that can test for the poor health infrastructure and cases have surfaced – a tally that has require an “exceptionally managed” virus – up from just two a few weeks porous borders are among the health specialists scratching their response, he said. ago. factors that accentuate the risk, it Around the region heads, given the continent’s close And undetected cases would result “In the beginning we had two, said. Weather Weather economic ties with China. in an outbreak that would be “surely South Africa and Senegal... (now) Last week a Lancet study found today Max/min tomorrow Max/min “This is the question that everyone detected, because it spreads faster,” we have 29 out of 47 countries that that only Egypt, Algeria and South Baghdad P Cloudy 22/09 Sunny 24/12 is asking, especially as other Yao said. have laboratories that can perform Africa had “the most prepared health Kuwait City Sunny 24/12 Sunny 23/14 regions such as South America or Could Africa’s predominantly the tests. So this is progress,” he systems in the continent” to handle Manama Sunny 22/16 Sunny 23/17 Eastern Europe now have cases,” hot climate ward off or even kill the said. the virus. Muscat Sunny 25/18 Sunny 27/19 said Amadou Alpha Sall, head of virus? “We were lucky to have a big In many countries, a sudden surge Tehran P Cloudy 14/06 Sunny 16/07 the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, the “There is no current evidence window of opportunity,” he said. in numbers of seriously ill patients Senegalese capital. to indicate that climate affects Another positive is that Ebola could overwhelm intensive care “The current figures could be transmission,” said Rodney Adam, outbreaks that have struck parts units. the reality, it’s hard to know. Maybe who heads the infection control task of West Africa and the Democratic “Africa is at high risk,” said Yao.

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Around the world Weather Weather Herbal supplements may not be eff ective for weight loss: study today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens M Sunny 16/08 Sunny 14/05 Beirut M Cloudy 19/06 M Sunny 20/14 By Kiersten Willis news release from the University of Obesity & Metabolism. The study “The problem with supplements Bangkok P Cloudy 34/26 P Cloudy 33/26 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sydney. reviewed the most recent global is that unlike pharmaceutical drugs, Berlin Rain&Snow 07/01 S Showers 08/01 “This finding suggests there research for herbal medicines clinical evidence is not required before Cairo P Cloudy 25/13 Sunny 27/12 is insufficient evidence to and weight loss by locating they are made available to the public in Cape Town Cloudy 21/17 Cloudy 27/14 f you’ve relied on taking herbal recommend any of these herbal 54 randomised and controlled supermarkets or chemists,” Fuller said. Colombo P Cloudy 32/24 P Cloudy 32/24 supplements to aid in weight medicines for the treatment of experiments that compared the The supplements can be sold Dhaka M Sunny 27/17 Sunny 29/17 loss, a recently published study weight loss. Furthermore, many effect of herbal medicines to placebo and marketed to the public with Hong Kong P Cloudy 20/16 Cloudy 20/18 Ihas news for you. studies had poor research methods for weight loss in more than 4,000 sponsors – defined as those who Istanbul Rain 18/06 M Cloudy 13/06 Researchers at the University or reporting and even though participants. import, export or manufacture Jakarta S T Storms 31/26 T Storm 30/25 of Sydney conducted the first most supplements appear safe Herbal medicines, or herbal goods – required to have but not Karachi P Cloudy 29/20 P Cloudy 28/18 worldwide study of herbal for short-term consumption, supplements, are products that necessarily provide evidence backing London Rain&Snow 07/01 Showers 11/10 medicines for weight loss in they are expensive and are not contain a plant or a combination of their claims. Just 20% of new listings Manila P Cloudy 32/23 P Cloudy 32/23 nearly two decades. Their findings going to provide a weight loss plants as the primary ingredient. are annually audited to make sure the Moscow Rain&Snow 04/-1 Cloudy 03/-1 suggest there isn’t enough that is clinically meaningful,” Those aimed at weight loss can be sponsors meet the requirement, the New Delhi P Cloudy 27/16 P Cloudy 27/17 evidence to recommend present said lead author Dr Nick Fuller composed of white kidney bean, authors noted. New York Cloudy 08/-2 M Sunny 06/-2 treatments. of the University of Sydney’s green tea and African mango. “The growth in the industry Paris Rain 12/02 Showers 08/08 These findings come despite Boden Collaboration for Obesity, According to the study’s and popularity of these products Sao Paulo Cloudy 21/17 Showers 23/18 some herbal medicines showing Nutrition, Exercise and Eating authors, 1,000 weight loss dietary highlights the importance of Seoul Showers 06/03 P Cloudy 13/00 statistically more weight loss than Disorders. supplements were included on the conducting more robust studies on Singapore P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 33/25 placebos. The weight loss was Researchers conducted a Australian Register of Therapeutic the effectiveness and safety of these Sydney M Sunny 23/18 P Cloudy 24/18 less than 5.5lb, meaning it’s not of systematic analysis and review Goods without evaluation of efficacy supplements for weight loss,” Fuller Tokyo Clear 12/02 Clear 14/04 clinical significance, according to a published in the journal Diabetes, between 1996 and 2006. said. – Tribune News Service Gulf Times 16 Friday, February 28, 2020 QATAR

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan inspect a guard of honour yesterday. Amir, Pakistan PM hold talks in Doha His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani greets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in QNA Bilateral trade volume grew Doha yesterday. Doha 63% in 2018 to reach QR9.5bn, making Pakistan one of Qatar’s most important trade partners. he Prime Minister of the The number of Qatari-Paki- Islamic Republic of Paki- stani joint companies operating Tstan Imran Khan yesterday in Qatar exceeds 1,500 in various visited Qatar, his second visit fi elds. since he became Pakistan’s prime Pakistan is considered to be minister in August 2018. an attractive investment desti- His Highness the Amir Sheikh nation to Qatari investments in Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met necessary sectors such as power, the Pakistani prime minister at agriculture, information tech- the Amiri Diwan to discuss bi- nology, communication, stra- lateral relations and the means to tegic and petrochemical indus- enhance them. tries, in addition to the fi nancial The two sides also discussed sector, insurance, real estate and regional and international issues furthermore sectors. of joint interest, including the Pakistan exports rice, leather, Afghan peace deal that is set to yarn, textile, cotton, fabrics and be signed in Doha later this week. meat to the State of Qatar while Offi cials from the two countries main items imported by Pakistan have shown commitment to ad- from Qatar are oil, gas, plastic, vancing ties by exchanging visits in organic chemicals and iron. recent years, including His High- The economy of Pakistan ness’s visit to Pakistan in March ranks 24th as the world’s largest 2015 and a second visit in June 2019. economy in terms of purchasing Bilateral ties between Qatar power parity, and the 42nd place and Pakistan are strong and wide- in terms of gross domestic prod- ranging. They cover politics, uct (GDP). commerce, defence and culture. It is expected that Pakistan The two sides co-ordinate would be among the highest their positions in international economies in the world by 2030. gatherings with the aim of serv- With the emergence of huge ing peace, security, and stability. projects, including the economic The two sides also hold politi- corridor between China and Pa- cal consultations and meetings kistan and the port of Gwadar, of joint committees, in addition Pakistani trade targets a future to agreements and memoran- media, sports, meteorology, and State of Qatar to Pakistan, and trade volume of $350bn in 2020. dums of understanding signed prevention of tax duplicity. another agreement of a direct It was also ranked amid the top in the fi elds of politics, economy, There is also a 20-year agree- shipping service between Hamad 10 countries in the world in the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets Pakistani off icials accompanying Prime commerce, security, education, ment to export LNG from the and Karachi ports. fi eld of business organisation. Minister Imran Khan.

Amir meets adviser to Morocco king and Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met at the Amiri Diwan with adviser to King of Morocco Fouad Ali El Himma and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co- operation Nasser Bourita. El Himma conveyed the greetings of King Mohamed VI, who wished His Highness good health and the Qatari people further progress. His Highness the Amir entrusted the adviser with his greetings and wishes of good health to the Moroccan king and for further progress and prosperity to the Moroccan people, expressing thanks to the decision of King Mohamed VI to mobilise all expertise and capabilities of Morocco to contribute to the organisation of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The meeting also reviewed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments. — QNA