QIIB wins World No. 1 4 coveted Farag leads prizes as star cast part of IFN at Qatar Awards 2020 Classic Business | 01 Sport | 12

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 3 RABIA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8416 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Watch Disney+ Streaming App Originals as a gift Terms & Conditions Apply Commissioned by Amir, Sheikh Thani bin Hamad attends opening of Ibn Haldun University

QNA — ISTANBUL at the regional and interna- tional level. Commissioned by Amir H H H E Sheikh Thani bin Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Hamad Al Thani, in the Thani in response to the invi- presence of the Turkish Pres- tation of President of the ident, witnessed the signing of Republic of Turkey H E Recep an agreement between Qatar Tayyip Erdogan, H E Sheikh University and Ibn Haldun Uni- Thani bin Hamad Al Thani versity regarding the granting attended the official opening of a joint PhD in many aca- ceremony of Ibn Haldun demic programmes offered by University (IHU), which was held the two universities. yesterday in Istanbul. The opening was attended During the ceremony, H E by a number of Their Excel- Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al lencies ministers and senior Thani received from the uni- Turkish officials, in addition to versity administration ‘Al Fateh members of the university’s Key ‘, in appreciation of the administrative and teaching President of the Republic of Turkey, H E Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and H E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani attending the official opening efforts of the State of Qatar in staff and guests of the ceremony of Ibn Haldun University (IHU), in Istanbul, yesterday. supporting the education sector ceremony. Flu shots more important Minister of State for Foreign Affairs meets Azerbaijan envoy than ever: Health official FAZEENA SALEEM community and help the health “Getting a flu shot this year THE PENINSULA system in times of COVID-19. is more important than ever He also said that getting a because of COVID-19. The flu The launch of annual seasonal flu vaccine can reduce the pos- vaccine may not protect you flu vaccination campaign will sibility of becoming co-infected against COVID-19, but it will begin across the country from with flu and COVID-19, which reduce your risk of developing today with health officials could end up with a severe the flu and flu-related compli- describing it as “more illness. cations, and reduce the possi- important than ever” during the “While the flu and bility of getting infected with COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 are two different both the flu and COVID-19 Chair of the National Health viruses, it is important to ensure viruses at the same time,” he Strategic Group on COVID-19 you are protected against the added. and Head of the Infectious Dis- seasonal flu this year,” Dr. Al Because flu and COVID-19 eases Division at Hamad Khal said addressing a press share similar symptoms, “it has Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. conference held yesterday to the potential to create anxiety Abdullatif Al Khal, said cutting launch the seasonal flu cam- among people with COVID-19 the risk of flu will protect the paign at the Medical City. still in our community,” said Dr. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met yesterday with Ambassador Al Khal. of Republic of Azerbaijan to Qatar, H E Rashad Ismayilov. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations, The annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign is a joint in addition to issues of joint interest. initiative of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Primary Health Care Corpo- ration (PHCC) and HMC. Over 99.988% of Qatar Airways The vaccine is available for free across all PHCC health centers, at HMC for patients passengers travel COVID-19 free attending clinic appointments The annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign begins across and at more than 40 private THE PENINSULA — DOHA programme has resulted in more uniform in May 2020, as well the country from today clinics and hospitals as well than 99.988 percent of pas- as the inclusion of passenger as semi-governmental Qatar Airways reports sengers travelling COVID-19-free face shields on all flights. The vaccine is available for free at all PHCC health centers, at healthcare facilities, until extremely low numbers of on board, with significantly less Qatar Airways Group Chief HMC for patients attending clinic appointments and at more March 2021. COVID-19 cases on board its than one per cent of passengers Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, Dr. Al Khal said the annual aircraft after operating more confirmed to have tested positive said: “With the adoption of the than 40 private clinics and hospitals as well as semi- seasonal flu vaccine is the best than 4.6 million passenger by local authorities following a right measures such as metic- governmental healthcare facilities, until March 2021 and safest way to reduce the flown sectors and over 33 Qatar Airways flight. ulous on-board safety, hygiene chances of catching the flu and billion revenue passenger kilo- In addition to this, signifi- and social distancing proce- The flu vaccine may not protect against COVID-19, but it will potentially spreading it to metres on more than 37,000 cantly less than one per cent dures in place at airports, and reduce the risk of developing the flu and flu-related others. COVID-19-free flights across (0.002 percent) of operating compliance with the testing and The circulating flu viruses the globe since February 2020. cabin crew have been affected entry requirements of local complications, and reduce the possibility of getting infected change from year to year which The success of the airline’s on board to date, with no new authorities, air travel does not with both the flu and COVID-19 viruses at the same time is why it is important to receive robust COVID-19 monitoring, cases recorded since the airline need to be a source of concern the flu vaccine annually. `P2 detection and hygiene introduced its full PPE in-flight to passengers.” `P4 Katara International Hunting and Ministerial decision to abolish system Falcons Exhibition opens today of reporting absconding workers soon RAYNALD C RIVERA States, the UK, Turkey, SANAULLAH ATAULLAH the Ministry and the Embassy steps in the field of labour THE PENINSULA Pakistan, Romania, Belgium, THE PENINSULA of Canada yesterday. Head of reforms and the latest is can- Portugal, France, and Hungary International Labour Organi- celling requirement of no Opening fixtures in the 2020/21 The gigantic white tent at are participating in the five-day To safeguard the workers’ rights zation (ILO) Office Qatar, objection certificate (NOC) for UEFA Champions League group Katara’s Wisdom Square and exhibition. in Qatar, a ministerial decision Houtan Homayounpour mod- changing the work. phase this week (Kick-offs 10pm Building 12’s vast exhibition From today until Thursday will be issued soon to abolish the erated the webinar. “The new reform allowed Qatar time unless stated): TODAY'S MATCHES space are all set to welcome and on Saturday, the exhibition existing system of reporting Al Obaidli said that the workers to change their work falconry and hunting enthu- is open from 9am to 2pm and absconding workers (commonly employer will be no more organisations freely which is first GROUP E siasts for today’s opening of the from 4pm to 11pm. known Balag Al Horob). entitled to report for absconding of its kind in the Middle Eastern Chelsea (ENG) vs Sevilla (ESP) fourth Katara International There will be a break “We are working with the workers. He only has to inform countries. We have cancelled the Rennes (FRA) vs Krasnodar (RUS) Hunting and Falcons Exhibition from 2pm to 4pm for Ministry of Interior to cancel the that his worker quit the job to sponsorship system completely,” GROUP F (7:55pm) (S’hail 2020). disinfection. system for reporting runaway avert future liability. said Obaidli. Zenit Saint-Petersburg (RUS) vs A total of 112 companies On Friday, the exhibition’s workers,” said Assistant Under- The Ministry will investigate He said that non-discrimi- Club Brugge (BEL) from 13 countries have flown operating hours will be from secretary for Labour Affairs at the status of the absconding natory minimum wage has Lazio (ITA) vs Borussia Dortmund (GER) in to take part in what is con- 2pm to 11pm. the Ministry of Administrative worker and settle the situation been also introduced in Qatar GROUP G (7:55pm) sidered the biggest interna- Organisers said this year’s Development and Labour and according to the applicable law. and Ministry is working side- Dynamo Kiev (UKR) vs Juventus (ITA) tional event of its kind in the S’hail is an exceptionally Social Affairs (MADLSA), H E He can file complaint and apply by-side with its partners and Barcelona (ESP) vs Ferencvaros (HUN) Mena region. advanced edition which fully Mohamed Hassan Al Obaidli. for changing a job. The runaway international organizations GROUP H Some of the leading com- responds to the precau- Al Obaidli was addressing worker will be entitled to avail notably International Labour Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) vs panies dealing in falconry and tionary and safety measures a webinar titled ‘Labour all of his rights. The report for Organization (ILO) for fair Manchester United (ENG) hunting supplies and against COVID-19 and in Reforms in Qatar: A Virtual absconding worker will not affect recruitment, developing mech- RB Leipzig (GER) vs Istanbul equipment from Qatar, Kuwait, accordance with safe Panel Discussion of Effective their status at all,” said Obaidli. anism for inspection and curb Basaksehir (TUR) Spain Lebanon, the United shopping standards. `P2 Implementation’ organised by He said that Qatar took historical human trafficking. `P3 02 HOME TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020

Prime Minister sends written Katara International Hunting and OFFICIAL NEWS Falcons Exhibition opens today Amir sends FROM PAGE 1 message to Kuwait Deputy PM scrumptious food from game congratulations to In line with COVID-19 pre- meat prepared by Katara res- cautionary measures, hunting taurants adhering to COVID-19 New Zealand PM and falconry enthusiasts will preventive measures and safety be able to make their purchase requirements set by gov- DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim online as well as participate in ernment agencies. bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir an online falcon auction S’hail enjoys backing of a H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad through a special application number of government entities Al Thani, and Prime Minister and that can be downloaded on including the Sports and Social Minister of Interior H H Sheikh mobile phones. Also, regis- Activities Support Fund Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz tration will be done online to (Da’am), which lends support Al Thani sent yesterday cables of avoid overcrowding at the for the third consecutive year congratulations to Prime Minis- venue. A feature of the event recognising the important role ter of New Zealand, H E Jacinda will be two competitions, one the exhibition plays in pre- Ardern, on the occasion of the of which is the best pavilion serving falconry as vital Labour Party’s victory in the gen- contest which carries a prize of element of Qatar’s cultural her- eral elections. — QNA QR20,000 and highlights the itage which it has become pavilions’ innovative designs, famous for. creative elements and ability “The exhibition is a special Qatar participates to attract visitor attention. event for the sport of hunting The other competition is for and falconry in the region and in AASTMT the best burqa (falcon hood) the world, because this sport which is open for manufac- has an important place in the General Assembly turers of falcon hood and in Qatari society in particular, as which the top three winners it is the sport of parents and QNA — ALEXANDRIA Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, has sent will be selected to receive grandparents that has been a written message to Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for $3,000; $2,000 and $1,000 passed on to generations over The State of Qatar participated Cabinet Affairs, H E Anas Khalid Nasser Al Saleh, pertaining to the bilateral relations and aspects respectively. the years,” said Da’am Exec- in the 25th session of the of enhancing and developing them. The message was handed over by Ambassador of the State of Visitors to the event will utive Director Abdul Rahman General Assembly of the Arab Qatar to Kuwait, H E Bander bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, during his meeting with the Kuwaiti Deputy also enjoy a variety of cafes and Abdul Latif Al Mannai, exec- Academy for Science, Tech- Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs yesterday. restaurants serving utive director of Da’am. nology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) at the expert level, which was held at the Academy's headquarters Govt to boost visibility of Flu shots more important than ever: Official in Alexandria yesterday. FROM PAGE 1 The State of Qatar’s dele- gation to the session was local products at stores “As the influenza virus headed by Ambassador and SIDI MOHAMED The government has strains change most winters, you the Permanent Representative THE PENINSULA need to get immunized each of the State of Qatar to the put in place a system year to be protected against new League of Arab States, H E A law to boost visibility of local that encourages strains. We encourage people to Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al produce at sales outlets will be come early to get vaccinated to Sahlawi. implemented soon, said Deputy production and protect themselves and their The draft agenda for this Chairman of the Standing patronage of national loved ones from flu. It takes session includes a number of Committee of the Central around two weeks for anti- topics, including the follow- Markets Department of the products. bodies to develop in the body up to the decisions of the 24th Ministry of Commerce and and provide protection against session of the General Industry (MoCI), Abdullah Al flu,” he said. Assembly of the Academy, the Kuwari yesterday. in sales outlets and in dis- It is recommended that flu presentation of the Academy’s As the country works playing their products in the vaccine is safe for everyone achievements report, the towards achieving food market,” he said. above six months. Those aged Academy's budget for the fiscal security, the government has Al Kuwari said central over 50 and those with chronic year ending on June 30, 2020, Director Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MoPH, put in place a system that markets have specialised conditions regardless of their and its budget for the new Dr. Hamad Al Romaihi; and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division encourages production and counters to receive complaints age are also at greatest risk from fiscal year. patronage of national products from customers. Consumers the flu and its complications. at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal (right), The sessions will also addressing a press conference at the Medical City yesterday. across the country. can also call the ministry on the “Vaccination to prevent PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA discuss a number of notes and “Under the upcoming law, designated number, and the influenza is particularly recommendations related to there will be a great oppor- complaint will be followed up important for people who are at Arab cooperation in the field tunity for the fresh local in contact with the high risk for the flu and its com- be able to access it both safely flu vaccine at health centers, as of maritime transport. produce and local food complainant. plications. This includes the and without cost. all COVID-19 precautions are products to get priority on He added that the ministry elderly, young children, “The vaccine is available for implemented. “People can call display (on markets’ shelves),” is keen to address all com- pregnant women and people free across all PHCC health the PHCC helpline 107 and fix MoPH: 240 new said Al Kuwari while speaking plaints, noting that while some with chronic medical conditions. centers, and at many private and an appointment at their health to a local channel yesterday. issues can be resolved in a day, It is also important for semi-governmental health centre for flu vaccination,” Dr. COVID-19 cases, Based on the government some may need more time to healthcare workers to vaccinate centers. The Ministry of Public Elawad said. directives, he said, priority will be verified. He assured the themselves against the flu to Health has built a strong part- He also stressed the impor- 244 recoveries be given to local products public that most reports are protect their patients,” Dr. Al nership with private healthcare tance of practicing preventive regarding their display in sales resolved within three days. Al Khal added. providers to ensure easy access actions this includes wearing a THE PENINSULA — DOHA outlets. Kuwari said the ministry Being conducted for the to the vaccine and increase mask, washing hands and Al Kuwari said that in a bid receives complaints about sixth consecutive year, the cam- levels of immunization against keeping an appropriate distance. The Ministry of Public Health to encourage local producers, prices, quality or commercial paign under the theme ‘Fight the the flu in our community. This Head of Vaccination Unit, Health (MoPH) yesterday announced sales outlets will be obliged to fraud. Flu’ aims to vaccinate around year we have taken extra steps Protection and Communicable the registration of 240 new pay suppliers of local produce Al Kuwari also highlighted 500,000 people, which is more to ensure we ordered more flu Disease Control Department at confirmed COVID-19 cases. within a month. This provisions that authorities regularly carry than double from 200,000 vaccines than ever before to the MoPH, Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Among them, 25 were trav- is the first of its kind in the out inspection drives in the during the previous season. The ensure widespread access to the said that even healthy people ellers returning from abroad. country. markets to monitor prices. Director Health Protection and vaccine,” said Dr. Al Romaihi. can get sick from the flu and Also 244 people have “The State is keen to “Some traders are trying to Communicable Diseases at Manager Health Protection, Pre- spread it to others. “Even if you recovered from the virus, support the local products and take advantage of the current MoPH, Dr. Hamad Al Romaihi, ventive Health Directorate at not get severely sick with flu, bringing the total number of the MoCI has assisted many conditions (COVID-19) but the said that Qatar had taken steps PHCC, Dr. Khalid Hamid you may pass it onto someone recovered cases in Qatar to local merchants and manufac- monitoring control will be to ensure anyone who needed Elawad, said that is safe and with a weak immune system,” 126,650. turers in finding opportunities tightened further,” he added. the flu vaccine this year would highly recommended to get the she said. All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare according to their health Ashghal opens Al Waab and Murraikh interchanges status. THE PENINSULA — DOHA The opening also Four arrested for The Public Works Authority includes the 2.6km ‘Ashghal’ has announced the bridge, the longest violating home opening of the Al Waab Inter- change and Murraikh Inter- in Qatar, extending quarantine change completely to traffic as over both Al Waab QNA — DOHA part of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project works. Interchange and The competent authorities Al Waab Interchange and Murraikh Interchange arrested yesterday four people the old Lekhwiya Roundabout who violated the requirements were developed into two multi- and reaching of the home quarantine, they level intersections consisting of Al Mukafaha committed to following, which 8 bridges and two main light Interchange. they are legally accountable signals. for, in accordance with the Ashghal had partially procedures of the health opened the two interchanges authorities in the country. recently, but with the opening direction to provide free traffic It is in implementation of of the rest of the junction, it will flow in front of those coming the precautionary measures provide an alternative road par- from Salwa Road and Al Waab in force in the country, allel to the Doha Expressway to in the direction of Al Rayyan approved by health authorities shorten the journey time by and Al Rayyan Road, and vice represented in the Ministry of about 80%, especially in the dis- versa. Public Health (MoPH) to tance between Al Rayyan Inter- Ashghal also opened a new ensure the achievement of change and Nasser Bin flyover at Al Waab Interchange public safety and to curb the Salemein Al Suwaidi Inter- with a length of 1,140 metres to spread of the coronavirus. The new interchanges provide an alternative road parallel to Doha Expressway and will cut the travel change, which witnesses great link traffic on Al Waab Street The four people being time by about 80%, especially between Al Rayyan and Nasser Bin Salemein Al Suwaidi interchanges. traffic congestion. Those and coming from Muaither in referred to the competent coming from Salwa Road or Al the direction of Al Rayyan, in prosecution are Sultan Waab Street in the north addition to another overpass Interchange after converting it facilities in addition to resi- Department, stated that the two Mohammed Sultan Al Nefaihi direction can use the Al Waab that connects traffic on Al Waab from a traffic signal to a three dential complexes and malls. new interchanges have radically Al Kubaisi; Yousef Thani and Muraikh Interchange and Street coming from Al Sadd and level interchange will improve The interchange will also changed the area after the trans- Yousef Abdullah Al Haddad; the new bridges that provide Doha Expressway in the traffic movement in all direc- facilitate access to a number of formation of the Lekhwiya Fahad Hamad Saleh Al Hamad free traffic flow. direction of Al Waab and Salwa tions and facilitate access to sports facilities such as Khalifa Roundabout into a two-level Al Mannai and Osama Ayman The opening included the Road along 740 metres. many important roads such as International Stadium, Jassim intersection and Al Waab inter- Mohammed Smayyan. longest bridge in Qatar, with a Five other bridges have Doha Expressway, Salwa Road bin Hamad Stadium (Al Sadd), change signal into a three-level The concerned authorities length of 2.6 kilometres, been opened, providing and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena intersection to provide an alter- in the State called on citizens extending over both Al Waab entrances and exits to Al Waab as well as providing traffic flow and Aspire Zone, as well as the native and safe option for road and residents who are subject Interchange and Murraikh and Murraikh interchanges, to Al Waab, Fereej Al Soudan, metro stations for the nearby users coming from Salwa Road, to quarantine to fully adhere Interchange to reach the inter- providing a free flow of traffic Al Sadd and Mehairja reaching gold line, such as Al Soudan Al Waab Road, Doha Expressway, to the requirements set by the section known as Al Mukafaha to and from Sabah Al Ahmad Al Rayyan and Muaither, where Station and Al Waab Station. Al Rayyan Road and many other Ministry of Public Health, to Interchange. The vital bridge Corridor. there are many different Engineer Bader Darwish, main streets such as Al Khufos ensure their safety and the consists of four lanes in each The opening of Al Waab schools, educational and health Manager of Highway Projects Street and Furousiya Street. safety of others. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 03 PSA committed to providing high-quality official statistics

THE PENINSULA — DOHA methodologies for data producers in the implement its programmes and projects Celebrating this occasion country, and to raise statistical awareness in accordance with the innovative statis- President of the Planning and Statistics spotlights the wise Qatari by providing and disseminating eco- tical practices that keep pace with the Authority (PSA), H E Dr. Saleh bin nomic, demographic, social, health, edu- developments arising out of the current Mohammed Al Nabit, has said that PSA leadership’s interest in the cational and environmental data for the situation. Perhaps the most prominent is committed to providing high-quality private sector, and workers in the projects in this regard are, the population, official statistics. statistics sector in view of its investment and business sector and in housing and establishments Census 2020, In a statement on the occasion of crucial role in enhancing the scientific research. completion of household surveys, eco- the World Statistics Day, which falls He said that at international level, nomic establishment surveys, preparation on October 20, 2020, he said that cel- ability of decision-makers to the PSA spares no effort to keep pace of GDP, prices, indexes, foreign trade sta- ebration of this day reaffirms the prepare sustainable with global advancement in the field of tistics, preparation of SDG 2030 indi- important role the PSA plays as the statistics, especially through its partici- cators and others,” he said. main source of official statistics in the development policies for the pation in the United Nations Statistical “In this context, we affirm that we country. next phase of Qatar. Commission, and as an active member are constantly working on updating our “Today, we celebrate the World Sta- of the International Statistical Institute statistical system and adopting modern tistics Day with the rest of the world. This - one of the world’s leading professional internationally-approved methodologies celebration comes in response to the President of the Planning and Statistics Authority, organizations. The PSA also contributes related to providing high-quality, reliable United Nations General Assembly Res- to providing United Nations organiza- and timely data, armed with the UN basic olution No. 69/282, which called on all H E Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit tions and other international and principles of official statistics and main- countries to celebrate this occasion with regional organizations with necessary taining the confidentiality of individual the theme ‘Connecting the world with data for updating their databases, and information and limiting its use for sta- data we can trust’.” sector in particular. for producing data that would provide preparing international and regional tistical purposes only,” he added. He said that this day is an occasion “Celebrating this occasion spotlights objective diagnostic requirements for reports, with a view to preserve the vital He thanked distinguished members to celebrate the important role played by the wise Qatari leadership’s interest in preparing, developing and following-up and effective role of the State of Qatar of the Statistics Advisory Committee for official statistics in relation to collection, the statistics sector in view of its crucial successive national development strat- on the international statistical map. their tangible efforts in establishing a dissemination and analysis of economic, role in enhancing the ability of decision- egies, foremost of which is the National “As the PSA is committed to providing solid digital infrastructure. He also social and environmental data, to be pre- makers to prepare sustainable devel- Development Strategy 2018-2022 in high-quality official statistics, and in order thanked data providers in government sented in the form of numbers, indicators, opment policies for the next phase of order to achieve Qatar National Vision to overcome the challenges associated institutions, statisticians, the private graphs and maps to be used by the public Qatar. This celebration reaffirms the 2030,” he said. with the circumstances experienced by sector and the households for their coop- in general and by businesses, researchers, important role the PSA plays as the main He added that the PSA is also keen Qatar and the rest of the world by the eration, to all partners in the statistical academics, government workers, civil source of official statistics, and the to coordinate and standardize statistical spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) process, and to data users for their con- society organizations and the private vehicle of the national statistical system concepts, definitions and sound pandemic, the PSA continues to tinued trust and support.

Qatar’s Ambassador in France opens The Ambassador expressed his readiness to strengthen cooperation with the city of exhibition on 2022 World Cup Nice in general and its Sports QNA — PARIS In a speech during the cer- driver of social and human devel- Museum in particular, and to emony, the Qatari ambassador opment and assured that fans will organise joint activities that Ambassador of Qatar to the said that the innovative designs be able to reach the matches via French Republic, H E Sheikh Ali of these stadiums symbolize the modernized roads, such as Doha contribute to enriching the bin Jassim Al Thani, and Mayor Qatari culture and ancient history Metro or an environmentally history of sport, which remains of Nice, H E Christian Estrosi, of the region, while responding friendly light transport service. one of the most important have inaugurated an exhibition to sophisticated engineering, The Ambassador expressed means of promoting dialogue of the models of the eight world- technical and aesthetic require- his readiness to strengthen coop- and peace among people. class stadiums dedicated to ments. He pointed out to the eration with the city of Nice in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup design of the upper stands in general and its Sports Museum in matches, at the National Sports some stadiums are in the form of particular, and to organise joint be legendary and exceptional by Museum, as part of the activities removable units, so that their activities that contribute to all standards. of the Qatar-France Year of capacity is reduced after the end enriching the history of sport, Ambassador of Qatar to France, H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, On the sidelines of the Culture 2020, in order to extend of the world cup and the donation which remains one of the most showing one of the models of 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums to opening of the exhibition, the bridges of dialogue and cooper- of a number of seats, to develop important means of promoting Mayor of Nice, H E Christian Estrosi, in France. Ambassador of Qatar held a ation with the various French sports projects in developing dialogue and peace among people. bilateral meeting with the Mayor regions. countries and contribute to He thanked the museum offi- exhibition in one of the most For his part, the Mayor of Nice of Nice, during which they dis- The opening ceremony was spreading passion for this sport cials for organizing this exhi- important and most beautiful expressed his admiration for the cussed ways to enhance cooper- attended by Director of the in different parts of the world. bition, which constitutes an cities of the French Riviera continuous preparations that are ation between the State of Qatar National Sports Museum Marie This makes these engineering occasion to express the distin- reflects the depth of relations taking place in World Cup and the City of Nice in various Grasse, a group of French per- innovations coupled with a spirit guished partnership between between the two countries and projects, considering it evidence fields. They also discussed pros- sonalities, parliamentarians and of determination to make the Qatar and French in all fields, their constant endeavour to that the World Cup 2022, the first pects for investment in a number a number of journalists. 2022 FIFA World Cup a true stressing that hosting this develop it through activities. of its kind in the Arab world, will of projects in the future.

Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, H E Mohamed Hassan Al Obaidli, with ambassadors and representatives of ILO and Qatar Chamber during the webinar. Ministerial decision to abolish system of reporting absconding workers soon FROM PAGE 1 being provided faster services to keep open the line of commu- “The reforms are being taken with easy procedures by the Min- nications with embassies here in under Qatar National Vision istry,” said Obaidli. Doha, Ministry of Administrative (2030) which aims at converting He said that the Ministry took Development, Labour and Social Qatar into an advanced country strict actions against those com- Affairs, and National Human enabling to achieve sustainable panies failed in paying wages to Rights Committee,” said Holtz. development goals and provide workers on time putting them on Legal Advisor at Qatar decent life to Qatari citizens and blacklist and suspending services Chamber Abul Rahman Solaiman those expatriates living in the of the Ministry for them and said Qatar Chamber will play its country,” said Obaidli. referring to the security agencies role prominently in defending He said that the Ministry is com- in serious cases. rights of private sectors and mitted to implement these reforms “The Ministry in cooperation interests of private companies with to safeguard workers’ rights and to with international organisations its all committees concerned. provide best suitable work envi- started taking actions to curb Associate Editor and Director ronment recognized human trafficking. First verdict of Projects Migrant-Rights Organ- internationally. will be issued soon to convict ization, Vani Saraswathi said that “The reforms aim at making people in a case of human traf- the significant reforms were made suitable work environment to ficking pertaining to immoral during past few months in Qatar attract expatriate workers in Qatar, activities. In addition to other cases like removing exit permit and foreign investments and com- for trading visas and exploiting NOC allowing workers’ mobility panies,” said Obaidli. He said that workers which are also under the in labor market. the last two reforms about removing procedure,” said Obaidli. “These two are really prom- NOC and sponsorship completely Ambassador of Canada to ising steps. One of the strong point will take the job market to new Qatar, H E Stefanie McCollum said about NOC abolishing is that all stage. “Now the market has become that labour reforms in Qatar are can be done online – notice more competitive. The companies important for Canada because period to employer and apply for operating in Qatar can also benefit there is a range of Canadian com- a new job which means that face from easy transfer of the work- panies and institutions which are to face interaction is removed,” force,” said Obaidli. operating here in areas such as said Saraswathi. He said that the job change education, healthcare, infra- Managing Director of Nelson will take place under certain rules structure, energy, legal services Park and Board Member of the like notifying and serving notice and communications. Canadian Business Council period as per the contract period “Reforms are also important Qatar, Jeffrey Asselstine, said that – one month notice period for less because Canadians are recruited labor reforms which were made than two years and two months in Qatar under labor law. About during past few years are very for over two years. 9,000 Canadians work and live positive. “I think that online “To safeguard workers’ rights, here with their families,” said system for changing jobs will we have started classifying com- McCollum. become more flexible and easier. panies according to their Chargé d’Affaires of US That changes will bring great adherence to labor law. The com- Embassy in Doha H E Ambas- benefit for employees and panies which are complying to the sador Greta C. Holtz said that the employers as well as the system laws, wage protection system, and recent reforms need some time is being more flexible and trans- cooperating with the Ministry are to see the full effect. “We intend parent,” said Asselstine. 04 HOME TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 HMC provides optimal Qatar participates in GCC Interior Ministry Undersecretaries meeting cancer care during QNA — DOHA The State of Qatar participated in the eleventh meeting of the COVID-19 pandemic Undersecretaries of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) THE PENINSULA — DOHA Medical Oncology at NCCCR, Dr. Interior Ministries held Dr. Al Hassan said cancer Salha Bujassoum Al Bader said, yesterday, through video The medical director of Hamad services, like other specialties “Breast cancer is a health conference. Medical Corporation’s (HMC) across HMC, have adopted a concern for women around the Undersecretary of the Min- National Center for Cancer Care number of new measures to world. But if breast cancer is istry of Interior and Com- and Research (NCCCR) said the ensure the best possible care caught early and treated early, mander of the Lekhwiya Force, delivery of high-quality care for survival rates increase signifi- H E Major General Abdul Aziz patients with cancer during the remained available to patients. cantly and can be near 100 bin Faisal Al Thani represented pandemic has been challenging. percent. That is why HMC is the State of Qatar in the However, he said NCCCR cancer joining international forces to meeting. services have remained fully raise awareness about breast The undersecretaries dis- operational with day care, short- cancer during October. We are cussed a number of issues on stay, and inpatient services being encouraging all women to know the table. They also reviewed available to patients. and understand breast cancer some reports referred to them “With full adherence to the signs and symptoms and to learn by the specialized security precautionary measures put in more about the screening tests agencies and committees and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Commander of the place by the Ministry of Public available in Qatar.” took appropriate recommen- Lekhwiya Force, H E Major General Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Thani, Health to curb the spread of “HMC’s continuous effort to dations and decisions regarding participating in the meeting which was held yesterday through COVID-19, the NCCCR continued raise awareness of breast cancer them. video conferencing. delivering essential care to all is the backbone of our overall patients with cancer, and without awareness program. Our goal is compromising patient treatment Dr. Mohamed Salem Al Hassan to develop a healthy population Over 99.998% of QA passengers travel COVID-19 free outcomes and overall care,” said and a cancer-free generation, FROM PAGE 1 Medical Director of NCCCR, Dr. weakened immune systems, due stemming from our ongoing com- According to the the knowledge that flying con- Mohamed Salem Al Hassan. to their underlying condition or mitment to not only offer high- “From the onset of the latest IATA data, tinues to be the safest form of Dr. Al Hassan said cancer treatment. Having a weakened quality cancer care but also to COVID-19 pandemic, we have Qatar Airways has travel,” Al Baker said. services, like other specialties immune system makes it harder educate the public on practical introduced the most rigorous and become the largest “Whilst these numbers may across HMC, have adopted a to fight off diseases and patients steps they can take to protect stringent virus monitoring, be low, we will continue to fas- number of new measures to with cancer may be at higher risk themselves from diseases,” added detection and on-board hygiene international carrier tidiously monitor global devel- ensure the best possible care for more severe COVID-19 illness. Dr. Al Bader. programme in existence within between April to July. opments in the fight to control the remained available to patients. Even a mild case of COVID-19 To mark this year’s Breast the global aviation community. spread of COVID-19, as well as In recognition of Breast could cause serious complications Cancer Awareness Month, HMC As an industry, we want to work closely with local health Cancer Awareness Month, offi- for individuals with cancer, so has organised a month-long ensure the recovery of com- infection, with specialist onboard authorities to support with cials at HMC are urging patients they must adhere to hand hygiene social media campaign with mercial aviation by encouraging infection prevention training and tracing activities whenever a pos- with breast cancer, and other guidelines, avoid contact with several health-related messages passengers to feel confident that the introduction of full PPE in- itive case is confirmed and they types of cancer, to take additional individuals who are sick, and to raise awareness of breast they are safe and protected, from flight uniform in May completely have travelled with us within the preventive measures to avoid follow social distancing measures. cancer and focus on prevention departure to arrival, with all air- eradicating this risk to date,” he time range of the incubation contracting COVID-19. Some Speaking about breast cancer and early detection, both during lines,” said Al Baker. added. period. As an industry, we must patients with cancer have awareness month, Chairman of the pandemic and beyond. “Our risk-based approach has “As a result of these remain vigilant and avoid any seen us adopt a number of addi- important measures we are able complacency, but ensure that we tional measures such as the intro- to report that 99.988 percent of have strong safety and security duction of PCR testing for pas- the more than 4.6 million pas- procedures in place to instill con- sengers departing from ‘high risk’ senger flown sectors operated fidence in passengers and countries, and the use of the most have been COVID-19-free on provide reassurance, whether advanced HEPA air filtration board our aircraft since February they are travelling home, visiting systems on board our aircraft, 2020. In addition, significantly friends and family, or taking a wherever possible. This is in less than one percent of Qatar leisure trip,” Al Baker added. addition to the recent intro- Airways’ more than 37,000 According to the latest IATA duction of Honeywell’s Ultraviolet flights have been confirmed to data, Qatar Airways has become Cabin System, operated by Qatar have carried an infected pas- the largest international carrier Aviation Services, as an additional senger. Given the extremely low between April to July by fulfilling step in the cleaning of our aircraft numbers of cases travelling on its mission of taking people and yet more evidence of Qatar flights and the even lower risk of home. This enabled the airline to Airways commitment to transmission, with a recent IATA accumulate unmatched expe- enhancing its safety practices. We study finding 1 in 27 million trav- rience in carrying passengers have also done everything pos- ellers had contracted COVID-19 safely and reliably and uniquely sible to protect our crew and on board a flight, passengers can positioned the airline to effec- Officials pose for a group photo to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. employees from exposure to travel with peace of mind with tively rebuild its network. QU, QBRI explore repurposing anti-tumor drugs for COVID-19 treatment

THE PENINSULA — DOHA fight the virus with no vaccine repurposing anti-tumor drugs reactive metabolites would be “We are in a pandemic, with “Building on some unpub- in sight. Drug repurposing refers for COVID-19 treatment. What most effective in producing pro- time not being on our side, so lished data from previously With COVID-19 continuing to to reusing existing licensed is typical between viruses and teotoxicity - damage to its pro- repurposing an existing drug can done work by myself and Prof. wreak havoc globally, the global drugs to treat or prevent many cancers and makes them teins. Two reactive metabolites help us find a cure much faster. Rabbani at the University of death toll is now over one diseases outside the scope of both dangerous is how fast they known to produce major quan- Because they are already approved Warwick, UK, we knew that million. A number that seemed their original medical purpose. replicate and spread in the titative modification of protein drugs, the conditions for safe use certain clinically-approved like an exaggeration back when In a collaborative effort, sci- human body. in physiological systems are: are known, which eliminates the anti-cancer drugs increase MG the pandemic started will soon entists from the Qatar Bio- “We started by performing reactive oxygen species (ROS) need for lengthy safety evaluation,” levels that would be high become a harsh reality. Several medical Research Institute a computer-based analysis of and methylglyoxal (MG),” said noted Prof. Dr. Paul J Thornalley, enough to modify and inactivate studies have been focusing on (QBRI) and Qatar University (QU) the proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 Dr. Naila Rabbani, QU College Research Director of the Diabetes the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human repurposing existing drugs to have explored the possibility of virus to explore which type of of Medicine. Research Center at QBRI. cells,” Prof. Thornalley added.

FROM LEFT: Managing Director Policy and Enforcement, QFCRA, Prue Morris; CEO, QFCRA, Michael Ryan; Founding Dean, CPP, Dr. Leslie A Pal, and Professor and Program Director at CPP, Dr. Andreas Rechkemmer, during the MoU signing ceremony held recently. HBKU signs agreement with QFCRA THE PENINSULA — DOHA regulation. The MoU also provides comprehensive nature of the Memo- opportunities for students enrolled in randum of Understanding. Not only The College of Public Policy (CPP) at CPP’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) does it provide opportunities for sea- Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s program to gain hands-on experience soned academics and practitioners, (HBKU) mission to contribute to of policy making practices and pro- but it also highlights CPP’s and the effective policy development has been cedures. This will be achieved through QFCRA’s commitment to developing boosted by the signing of a Memo- a series of internships and partici- future generations of public policy randum of Understanding (MoU) with pation in research activities. Members professionals. We look forward to an the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory of QFCRA staff will also support MPP innovative and creative partnership Authority (QFCRA). capstone projects with expert insights over the next three years.” Both parties agreed to strengthen and general advice. Chief Executive Officer of the and promote collaboration with the Speaking after the signing, QFCRA, Michael G. Ryan welcomed aim of developing initiatives related Founding Dean of CPP, Dr. Leslie A. the signing of the MoU and said, “The to public policy development and Pal said,“We’re looking forward to QFCRA is very pleased to establish this implementation, during an event held building upon HBKU’s already close MoU with the College of Public Policy recently. ties with one of Qatar’s most at HBKU. Policy development plays Opportunities for future cooper- important regulatory bodies. Trans- an essential role in effective financial ation include the co-organization of parency and accountability are at the regulation, and the MoU provides us workshops, exchanges of invitations heart of the QFCRA’s work, particu- with a strong foundation for our to seminars and conferences, as well larly when it comes to policy devel- future work together. It sets a as research projects and publications opment. Those values guide CPP’s framework for greater collaboration on matters and issues of mutual approach to teaching public policy, between the QFCRA and CPP, and that interest. The latter opportunity and both parties stand to benefit from partnership and our sharing of includes analysis of public policy as closer collaboration. expertise and experience will add a it relates to financial services “We’re also delighted with the new depth and capacity to our work.” TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 05 QF explores energy generation using industrial wastewater THE PENINSULA – DOHA

An innovative project funded by Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Qatar National Research Fund, explore energy generation using industrial wastewater. Scientists from Global Water Sustaina- bility Center (GWSC), Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), a QF partner university and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have been working together to use PW to gen- erate what is called “blue energy”, sometimes also called osmotic power or salinity gradient CEO of QIC Group, Salem Al Mannai with Katara General Manager power. It is based on the phenomenon of Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti osmosis, which is the movement of water mol- ecules from a region of low solute concen- tration to a region of high solute concentration, QIC is official insurance through a semi-permeable membrane. The technology being pursued by the group is called Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO). In sponsor of S’hail simpler words, imagine to have two solutions THE PENINSULA – DOHA partnership, Salem Al Mannai, of water, one with high salt content and the Group CEO of QIC Group stated, other with little or no salt. If these two solu- Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), “As the leading insurer in Qatar, tions were placed side by side, with only a thin the leading insurer in Qatar and we have a long standing com- semi-permeable membrane between them – Dareen Dardor, Joel Minier Matar, Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, and Dr. Samer Adham discussing the MENA region is the Official mitment to acting as a trusted which means it only allows water molecules PRO membrane configurations Insurance Sponsor of S’hail – and ethical partner with the to pass through and not salt ions – water mol- Katara International Hunting & Qatari community and to playing ecules will move from the side with low salinity ConocoPhillips GWSC, Dr. Samer Adham, such as freshwater or treated wastewater have Falcons Exhibition. a vital role in the sustainability to the side with high salinity. This movement at the Qatar Science and Technology Park, been used as feed solution, with seawater or Slated to commence from of Qatar’s social fabric.” of water molecules across the membrane will that is part of Qatar Foundation Research, rejected brine from seawater desalination today until October 24 at the Cul- He further added, “We have build up pressure which can eventually be used Development, and Innovation. plants used as draw solution. Our project aims tural Village Foundation in Katara, ensured that the core values of to drive turbines and generate power. “The challenge with PW is its complex com- at adopting seawater or brine from desali- S’hail is regarded as the largest our business and operating prin- The oil industry handles more water position, in addition to being hypersaline, it also nation plants as feed solution, and the hyper- international exhibitions that spe- ciples align with our objectives for than oil. It goes by the name of produced consists of dispersed oil, hydrocarbons and sus- saline produced water as draw solution. cializes in exhibiting Falcons. The CSR. In effect, being socially con- water – a term used to describe water that pended solids. Its complex composition means Hypersaline produced water can have salin- exhibition displays various Falcons scious has allowed us to respond, is generated as a byproduct during the it does not make economic sense to treat this ities up to eight times higher than seawater and its handling equipment. Now engage and solve the common extraction of oil and natural gas. An average water for use in irrigation or such. It is typically and this greatly increases the osmotic pressure in its fourth year, the International concerns of the society along with of three to five barrels of water is produced reinjected into disposal wells so it can help differential and can be the key to better effi- Hunting & Falcons exhibition the cooperation of our customers, per barrel of oil, this number increases as maintain reservoir pressure and enhance oil ciency,” Dr. Adham explained, boasts of participants from dif- business partners and affiliates. oil wells age and can reach up to ten. recovery via waterflooding,” said Dr. Adham Of course, using PW comes with its own ferent countries across the world. "Contribution to and par- “Since aging is inevitable, the amount While its high salinity is perhaps what share of challenges. The first challenge is Qatar Insurance Company has ticipation in S’hail demon- of produced water (PW) generated is only hinders its reuse the most, it is also what gives pre-treatment of PW before it can be used long demonstrated its eagerness strates our relentless efforts in expected to increase. With that in mind, we it potential in blue energy generation. Since as its constituents can quickly block the towards supporting activities that highlighting the culture and are trying a different approach wherein the amount of energy generated is dependent pores of the membrane and greatly reduce showcase Qatar’s rich culture and traditions of the Nation. It also instead of trying to find new ways to dispose on the salinity difference – a greater salinity its efficiency. The second challenge is that enhance the Qatari individual’s underpins our keenness PW, we are looking at it as a resource rather difference will mean more energy produced. because of the larger salinity gradient, the connection with his environment towards maintaining and than a nuisance. For the past 2-3 years, we This is exactly what the group is trying to do. osmotic pressure that will be created is and heritage. reviving the legacy of Falconry have been exploring the possibility of gen- “In most of the previous studies of power much higher than currently used mem- Commenting on the latest for our future generation.” erating energy using PW,” said Head of the production using PRO, low salinity waters branes are able to withstand. Digital mental health tools are an urgent necessity: WISH 2020 report THE PENINSULA – DOHA among children and ‘only a revolution in access, interventions and digital-first adolescents. quality, and engagement through services are the way to do this A forthcoming WISH 2020 report The new report has been pro- technology’ can meaningfully and it’s an issue that faces every titled ‘The Digital Mental Health duced by an international group address it. The new report by government in every country. Revolution: Transforming Care led by director and chief scientist WISH will offer a set of policy “We need to bring together Through Innovation and of the Australia-based Black Dog recommendations based on case the digital innovations that are Scale-Up’ will claim that digital Institute, Professor Helen Chris- studies, exploring ways in which already in use by consumers with tools designed to address mental tensen and by a leading American governments, investors, busi- key insights and evidence on health needs are an urgent expert in mental health research, nesses, schools, and health their effectiveness from science. necessity. policy, and technology and co- leaders can all play a role. Our report aims to understand The full report will be founder and chair of Humanest Prof. Helen Christensen said, the ways that digital models have released during the upcoming Care, Dr. Tom Insel. “Even before COVID-19 struck worked and the ways we can best World Innovation Summit for One of the most critical the world, mental health services support the development of Health (WISH), which will take health needs, mental health dis- were struggling in every country. digital technologies for mental place virtually from November orders affect one in three people We know that mental health, and health into the future.” 15 to 19. WISH is Qatar Founda- worldwide at some point in their drug and alcohol problems are Among the policy briefings tion’s global health initiative. life – they are among the leading the leading cause of disability that will guide WISH summit dis- Working with research causes of disability and account across the world and now with cussions in November, Child and partners and leading experts, the for nearly eight million deaths COVID-19, 75% of the population Adolescent Mental Health WISH 2020 conference, which annually (almost a million of Prof. Helen Christensen (left) and Dr. Tom Insel is reporting psychological dis- touches on barriers to the acces- is free to attend, will be placing a which are by suicide). tress. To cope with this, massive sibility of high-quality mental major focus on discussing mental The report finds that the gap need and what current health middle- and low-income coun- interventions that reach millions health care for children and health in general, and especially between the treatment people systems can deliver in high-, tries is currently so great that of people are needed. Digital adolescents. HEC Paris in QCS launches ‘Blossom’ Qatar to host information campaign for breast cancer INVITATION TO TENDER

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Bid Closing Tender session ‘Blossom’ is a national campaign Description Tender Fee 9AM – 2PM Reference ONLY THE PENINSULA — DOHA Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched targeting all categories of Qatari QF/2020/PD- QCRI VMware Support & Subscription ‘Blossom’ campaign to raise awareness society, and aims to emphasize SC/29105 renewal QAR 500.00 16th November 2020 HEC Paris in Qatar will be about breast cancer in the month of importance of periodic examination for conducting an online infor- October. QF/2020/PD- Cisco Smartnet-Core end distribution early detection and spreading the SC/29106 QAR 500.00 16th November 2020 mation session on its worldwide ‘Blossom’ is a national campaign tar- culture of healthy life style to prevent. International Executive MBA geting all categories of Qatari society QF/2020/PD- Supply of Horse Tack Items (Al Shaqab degree programme on October throughout the month, and aims to SL/29109 Equine Education) QAR 500.00 16th November 2020 22. The session will provide emphasize importance of periodic prospective participants an examination for early detection and Qatar Foundation (QF) Procurement Directorate is inviting companies to participate in the above listed public opportunity to interact with the spreading the culture of healthy life style was 82.3%, while in the period from 2013 tenders. HEC Paris in Qatar admissions to prevent. The campaign will also high- to 2016 the survival rate increased to team, and learn about acceler- light health services available in Qatar, 89.07%, which means that 89.07% of Tender fee: Interested bidders shall first deposit the respective non-refundable Tender Fee as mentioned above into the following Qatar Foundation bank account: ating their careers by studying activating QCS’s role in providing psy- females diagnosed with breast cancer in one of the world’s most pres- chological and financial support to between 2013 and 2016 were still alive Account Name : QATAR FOUNDATION Account Number : 0 0 1 3 - 0 2 4 1 7 1 - 0 0 1 tigious business schools. cancer patients. up to 2016,” he added. IBAN : QA19 QNBA 0000 0000 0013 0241 7100 1 The next intake of the Inter- Professional Development and Sci- He noted that QCS organizes virtual Swift Code No : QNBAQAQA national Executive MBA will be entific Research Department at QCS, Dr. workshops for health care providers Bank Name : Qatar National Bank in February 2021.Participants Hadi Mohammed Abu Rasheed said that about breast cancer. Tender Document Issue Date: From October 21, 2020 until October 27, 2020 between 9AM to 2PM except Friday enrolling for the upcoming according to latest Qatar National Head of Health Education and Saturday. The tender fees should be paid to QF account before October 27, 2020, 11AM. Tender documents will not be issued if fees are paid after the above deadline. EMBA program will benefit from Cancer Registry (QNCR) of the Ministry Department, Heba Nassar said, “Blossom an early bird discount, valid of Public Health, in 2016 there were 266 campaign this year focuses on awareness Interested bidders shall request the tender document by providing clear copies of the following documents to until the end of October. breast cancer newly diagnosed cases in of breast cancer, signs and symptoms, Qatar Foundation’s email [email protected] via a single email.

Dean of HEC Paris in Qatar, 3% of all newly diagnosed cases risk factors, prevention methods, early 1. Bidder’s tender fee receipt clearly highlighting “QF Tender reference number” and “bidder’s name”. Qatar, Dr. Pablo Martin de in 2016 were males and 97% were detection, and the importance of com- 2. PDF copy of the participating company’s commercial registrations with names of the individual partners. Holan said, “HEC Paris has females and 25.94% of the newly diag- munity support for people living with For companies with corporate partners /owners, the commercial registration of the corporate partners been delivering impact and nosed cases in 2016 were Qataris and breast cancer. QCS has launched the reflecting its individual owners should be submitted together as part of the tender requirement. excellence in education for 74.06% were non-Qataris. awareness campaign via its electronic 3. Authorization letter on company’s letterhead detailing the full name, telephone and email id of the over 100 years, and the #1 Dr. Abu Rasheed said, “In 2016, the platforms within the framework of pre- company’s focal point for all tender communications. position is a recognition of the cumulative risk for women between ventive measures to limit the spread of QF Tender Committee will verify all the above documents and issue the tender documents to all bidders who have quality of our participants, 0-74 years old is 8.4%, which means COVID-19, by spreading awareness mes- fully complied with above requirements. who bring a wealth of prac- almost one out of 12 women will develop sages and videos related to the definition The commercial bid must be valid for 120 days from bid closing date. tical business experience from breast cancer before 75 years old in of breast cancer.” a wide spectrum of industries, Qatar, pointing that almost 64% of She added, that in addition, several The successful tenderer will be required to submit a performance bond as prescribed in each of the above tender our world-class faculty who newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer virtual workshops have been launched documents. are at the frontier of in Qatar in 2016 were diagnosed in early targeting institutions, ministries, hotels, Qatar Foundation tendering qualifications, terms and conditions shall apply as stipulated in the tender document. knowledge, and our out- stages (stage 1 or stage2).” schools, universities, and health insti- standing alumni community”, “According to QNCR, from 2013 to tutions such as Hamad Medical he added. 2015 females breast cancer survival rate Corporation. 06 MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020

Kuwait Cabinet Iran sees record approves decree for December 5 337 virus deaths election in a single day REUTERS — KUWAIT Kuwait’s Cabinet yesterday approved a draft decree for AFP — TEHRAN parliamentary elections to be The latest deaths held on December 5, the Iran yesterday announced 337 brought to 30,712 government communications deaths from the novel corona- centre said in a Twitter post. virus, a record high for a single the total number of Amir H H Sheikh Nawaf Al day in the Middle East country fatalities since Iran Ahmad Al Sabah, who assumed hardest hit by the Covid-19 power last month following the pandemic. reported its first death of the Gulf Arab coun- “In recent days, we have coronavirus cases in try’s late ruler, must approve witnessed an unprecedented the decree. Kuwait has the increase in mortality from February.The previous most powerful legislature in the disease,” health ministry record death toll for the Gulf region. spokeswoman Sima Sadat Earlier this month the Amir Lari said in televised a day in Iran was Kuwait, Jordan foreign ministers meet had asked the Cabinet to carry remarks. 279 announced on on its duties and prepare for She said the latest deaths Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (right) and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al parliamentary elections due brought to 30,712 the total Wednesday. Mohammad Al Sabah during a joint press conference in Amman, yesterday. this year. number of fatalities since Iran reported its first coronavirus cases in February. several new highs since early The previous record death September. US official holds secret hostage talks in Syria toll for a day in Iran was 279 The numbers were also announced on Wednesday. likely to be higher than offi- BLOOMBERG — DAMASCUS American journalist Austin Tice, down some troop deployments officials met last week in Wash- Iran said the total number cially reported, Deputy Health who was abducted eight years in the Middle East. ington with Abbas Ibrahim, the of infections in the country Minister Iraj Harirchi acknowl- A top White House official went ago while on assignment in Since taking office in 2017, influential head of Lebanon’s reached 534,631 on Monday, edged on Wednesday, pri- to Damascus this summer to Syria, and Syrian-American President Donald Trump has General Security agency, who with 4,251 people testing pos- marily due to testing and negotiate the release of two therapist Majd Kamalmaz, who twice launched military strikes has had a hand in securing the itive in the past 24 hours. reporting protocols. American hostages, according disappeared in 2017 after being on Assad’s regime in response release of three hostages, “The current situation is the Tehran and four major to two people familiar with the stopped at a government to the use of chemical weapons. including Sam Goodwin, a US result of neglecting to comply cities were partially sealed off matter, a rare sign of diplomacy checkpoint. Nevertheless, Trump said in citizen released from Syria last with health protocols, reduced from Thursday to midday between the US and Syrian The talks — reported earlier March that the US. was working year. Guests at a dinner for use of masks and dangerous Sunday in a bid to dissuade Ira- President Bashar Al Assad’s by the Wall Street Journal — with Syria to secure Tice’s Ibrahim on Friday included social behaviour in recent nians from travelling during regime. come as the US tries to force release, and the president has Diane Foley, the mother of weeks,” Lari said. holidays. Kash Patel, a top White Assad’s regime to negotiate an touted his record of negotiating American journalist James Deaths and infections from Authorities in the capital House counterterrorism official, end to the ongoing civil war and the return of American hostages Foley, who covered Syria’s civil the virus have been on a rising ordered the closure of most met with an undisclosed Syrian are a part of the Trump admin- at recent campaign rallies. war and was beheaded by trajectory in Iran and recorded public places as of October 3. official to discuss the release of istration’s broader push to wind Trump administration Islamic State in 2014. Top Palestinian Cyprus President to meet official Erekat in new leader of TRNC critical condition AFP — NICOSIA president and Tatar had agreed to meet AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Republic of Cyprus President Nicos in the UN-patrolled buffer zone, that has Anastasiades and the newly elected for decades separated the north and Long-time chief Palestinian leader of the Turkish Republic of south. negotiator Saeb Erekat was in Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have agreed to “The President of the Republic pro- critical condition and in a meet, a spokesman for his government posed to Mr Tatar to meet as soon as medically induced coma said yesterday. possible for a first acquaintance and yesterday, said the Israeli Voters in the north on Sunday nar- contact, something that Mr Tatar hospital in Jerusalem treating rowly elected Turkish Cypriot nation- accepted,” said Kyriacos Koushos in a him for coronavirus compli- alist Ersin Tatar, who was backed by statement, giving no timeframe for the cations. Ankara. planned meeting. The Palestine Liberation Tatar is an advocate of a two-state Tatar, 60, clinched his surprise Organization said on Sunday solution, and held the post of premier in victory in a second round of presi- that Erekat had been admitted the TRNC. He edged out previous Turkish dential elections, winning 51.7 percent to Hadassah Ein Kerem hos- Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, 72, a sup- of the vote. Anastasiades said he was pital’s coronavirus intensive porter of reunification with the Greek “ready and determined” to respond to care unit due to “chronic Cypriot south. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ health problems in the respi- Newly-elected Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar celebrating with supporters after “The verdict of our compatriots to calls for a re-engagement in the peace ratory system”. winning the election in the northern part of Nicosia, the capital of Turkish Republic elect Mr Ersin Tatar as the new leader process to ensure talks resume after a The 65-year-old had tested of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), on Sunday night. of the Turkish Cypriot community is fully three-year hiatus. positive for COVID-19 on respected,” said Greek Cypriot leader “I want to hope that Mr Tatar shows October 9, the PLO said. Anastasiades, urging him to back a new the same willingness,” he said, ahead of tions in the north of Cyprus. of cheering and Turkish flag-waving Erekat had “arrived in United Nations led peace initiative. his government spokesman disclosing The last attempt at UN-mediated supporters, Tatar thanked Turkey’s head serious condition” and was “I congratulate Mr Tatar and look that the president had contacted the UN negotiations collapsed in Switzerland in of state and said: “We deserve our sov- receiving oxygen, the hospital forward to a familiarity meeting as soon chief of mission in Cyprus who agreed July 2017. Tatar received the open ereignty — we are the voice of Turkish said on Sunday, adding that his as possible,” the president added in a to make the arrangements for their backing of Turkey’s President Recep Cypriots.” Erdogan was swift to cele- condition was “serious” but statement. A spokesman for Anasta- meeting. Guterres had said he will Tayyip Erdogan during the election cam- brate the victory, which followed a high “stable”. siades’ government later said that the rekindle the peace process after elec- paign. In a victory speech to hundreds 67 percent turnout at the polls. Yesterday morning, Hadassah said that after a “quiet night,” his condition “deteriorated and is now Iran will sell more arms than buy after embargo lifted defined critical and due to res- piratory distress, he is anaes- AFP — TEHRAN the United States has Yemen — fighting Houthi October 18, under the terms of Hatami told state television on thetised and ventilated.” withdrawn. rebels backed by Tehran. the UN resolution that Sunday that his country relies Erekat, who lives in the Iran yesterday said it is more “Before being a buyer in the The lifting of the embargo enshrined the 2015 nuclear primarily on its own military town of Jericho in the Israeli- inclined to sell weapons rather arms market, Iran has the allows Iran to buy and sell mil- deal. capabilities. occupied West Bank, than buy them, after it ability to supply” other coun- itary equipment including However, Washington has He said that the Iran-Iraq underwent lung-transplant announced the end of a long- tries, Iran’s foreign ministry tanks, armoured vehicles, argued that arms sales to Iran war in the 1980s taught Tehran surgery in the United States in standing UN conventional arms spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh combat aircraft, helicopters and would still violate UN resolu- the “importance of self- 2017. embargo. told reporters. heavy artillery. tions, and has threatened sanc- reliance”, and led it to “produce “Mr Erekat is a challenge Tehran said the ban “Of course, Iran is not like According to Khatibzadeh, tions on anyone involved is 90 percent of our defence needs to treat for coronavirus since imposed more than a decade the United States, whose pres- Iran will “act responsibly” and such deals. locally.” he had lung transplants, he is ago was lifted “automatically” ident seeks to sell deadly sell weapons to other countries President Donald Trump Hatami added that “a immunosuppressed, and has as of Sunday, based on the weapons to slaughter the “based on its own withdrew his country from the number of countries” have con- another bacterial infection in terms of a 2015 landmark Yemeni people,” he added, calculations.” nuclear deal and unilaterally tacted Iran on potential arms addition to coronavirus,” nuclear deal with world referring to US weapons pur- The embargo on the sale of begun reimposing economic trade. But he emphasised that Hadassah said yesterday. powers, from which the chased by Saudi Arabia, which arms to Iran was due to start sanctions on Iran in 2018. “our sales will be much more Hadassah said it was “in Islamic republic’s arch-enemy leads a military coalition in expiring progressively from Iran’s defence minister Amir expansive (than purchases)”. contact with international medical authorities regarding the treatment policy of this Iran and Ukraine open new complex patient”. Israeli forces arrest talks over downed plane five Palestinians including released AFP — TEHRAN Irna said the talks were held at the foreign ministry in Tehran prisoner Iran hosted officials from and that they would continue Ukraine in a second round of until tomorrow. QNA — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM talks yesterday over compen- The first round of negotia- sation for a Kiev-bound tions were held in Kiev in July, The Israeli occupation forces passenger mistakenly shot with the Ukrainian authorities arrested five Palestinians, down in January, state media saying they were “cautiously including a released prisoner reported. optimistic” about the process. from the West Bank. Ukraine International Air- Iran’s civil aviation The Israeli occupation lines Flight 752 crashed shortly authority has said the mis- forces arrested a released after taking off from the Iranian alignment of an air defence prisoner from Al Saff Street in capital’s main airport on unit’s radar system was the key the center of Bethlehem, after January 8. “human error” that led to the raiding and searching his The Islamic Republic plane’s downing. house, and tampered with its admitted days later that its Tehran’s air defences had contents. Occupation woes forces accidentally shot down been on high alert at the time These forces also arrested the plane, killing all 176 people in case the US retaliated against four Palestinians from Al A stuffed toy and salvaged items are seen outside a Palestinian structure after it was demolished by on board, after firing two mis- Iranian strikes hours earlier on Arroub camp, north of Hebron, Israeli forces in Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. siles amid heightened US-Iran American troops stationed in after raiding and searching tensions. State news agency Iraq. their houses. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 AFRICA 07 US expected to remove Sudan from terror list soon

AGENCIES — WASHINGTON/ Israel and another Arab country Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of court to try ousted president news conference yesterday. KHARTOUM would give US President Donald terrorism dates back to its toppled ruler Omar Al Bashir over the Darfur “These options include Trump an opportunity to tout a conflict. handing (them) over, The Trump administration is new diplomatic achievement as Omar Al Bashir, and makes it difficult for its The options have been dis- appearance (before the court), close to an agreement with he seeks re-election on transitional government to access urgently cussed during a visit to forming a hybrid court or a Sudan to remove Khartoum November 3. Khartoum since Saturday by special court following consul- from the US list of state Sudan’s designation as a needed debt relief and foreign financing. ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda tations with state institutions sponsors of terrorism and an state sponsor of terrorism dates Many in Sudan see this as undeserved since aimed at putting to trial those and families of the victims,” he announcement could be made back to its toppled ruler Omar accused in the conflict that cost said. An ICC delegation headed in coming days, two US officials Al Bashir, and makes it difficult Bashir was removed last year and Sudan has hundreds of thousands of lives. by Bensouda is due to stay until said yesterday. for its transitional government long cooperated with the United States on Bashir, 76, has been wanted tomorrow and has been The deal could also set in to access urgently needed debt by the ICC for nearly a decade meeting senior Sudanese motion steps by Sudan toward relief and foreign financing. counter-terrorism. over charges of genocide, war officials. sestablishing diplomatic rela- Many in Sudan see this as crimes and crimes against Two other suspects, Ahmed tions with Israel, one of the offi- undeserved since Bashir was humanity in the ravaged region Haroun, an ex-governor of cials said, following similar US- removed last year and Sudan announcement of Khartoum’s fast to go in warming of rela- of western Sudan. South Kordofan state, and brokered moves in recent has long cooperated with the de-listing not be explicitly tions with Israel. “We discussed several Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, weeks by the United Arab United States on linked to normalisation with Meanwhile, Sudan said yes- options and suggestions relating an ex-defence minister, also Emirates and Bahrain. But counter-terrorism. Israel. terday that talks with the Inter- to ICC cases and we are looking face ICC charges of war crimes details were still being worked A key sticking point in US- Differences remain between national Criminal Court have forward to reaching a common and crimes against humanity. out, the source said. Sudan talks has been Sudan’s Sudanese political and military covered options ranging from vision,” Justice Minister Both are in custody in Rapprochement between insistence that any officials on how far and how a handover to forming a hybrid Nasreddin Abdelbary told a Sudan. South Africa trims SA health minister tests high risk country list, virus positive

but adds Germany AP — JOHANNESBURG REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG The government has said it would revise the list of banned South Africa’s health minister South Africa has reduced the countries every two weeks. The Dr. Zweli Mkhize has number of countries on its high risk latest list still includes the announced that he and his COVID-19 list by more than half United States, the United wife have tested positive for to 22 from 60, the government said Kingdom, France, Belgium and COVID-19 and warned of a yesterday, although Germany was Spain among European coun- possible resurgence of the among the notable additions to the tries, as well as Russia, Brazil disease in the country. register. and India. Mkhize and his wife got The only people from high The government did not positive results after they both risk countries allowed entry are explain the reasons behind the displayed symptoms, he said business travellers, holders of addition of Germany. The in a statement. critical skills visas, investors number of confirmed corona- “I was feeling abnormally and people on international virus cases in Germany increased exhausted and as the day pro- missions in sports, arts, culture to 366,299 according to data. gressed, I started losing and science, or people visiting Although less hard hit than much appetite. My wife had a cough, for a minimum of three months. of Europe, Germany is now expe- was dizzy and was extremely South Africa opened its riencing a second wave of exhausted,” he wrote. His wife borders to international trav- infection. Statistics South Africa May, who is also a doctor, has ellers at the beginning of October data for July published last month been hospitalized for obser- after a six-month ban that hit showed a 94.4% year-on-year vation and rehydration, he tourism and the broader drop in foreign arrivals. There said. Mkhize emphasized that Football fans protest economy hard. The initial list were 484 arrivals from overseas, South Africans should con- Tunisian youth burn tyres and block the road leading to the city of Chebba yesterday to protest included a number of key sources with European travellers tinue to wear masks and san- against the decision of the Tunisian Football Federation to freeze the activities of CS Chebba football of tourists, drawing criticism for accounting for more than half of itize their hands to avoid more experts. that number. infections. team from professional league 1, and to relegate it to division 4. Tunisia lets Guinea’s oppn self-declares victory in presidential poll regions to AFP — CONAKRY results that will come out of the impose curfews ballot box”. Much of the Guinea’s opposition leader tension in Guinea relates to to curb COVID-19 Cellou Dalein Diallo declared President Conde’s controversial yesterday, without waiting for bid for a third term. REUTERS — TUNIS official results, that he had won He pushed through a new a presidential election against constitution in March which he Tunisia’s Prime Minister incumbent Alpha Conde, who is argued would modernise the Hichem Mechichi yesterday seeking a controversial third country. But it also allowed him gave regional governors the term. to bypass a two-term limit for power to order curfews Speaking at a press con- presidents, provoking mass starting from today to combat ference in the capital Conakry protests. After decades as an the coronavirus pandemic, his a day after the hotly contested opposition activist, Conde office said. first-round vote, Diallo said he became Guinea’s first demo- His statement clarified an had emerged “victorious” cratically elected president in earlier one saying the curfew despite “anomalies which 2010 and won again in 2015, but was being imposed across the marred the ballot”. rights groups now accuse him country. Several regions, “I invite all my fellow cit- of veering towards including the capital Tunis, izens who love peace and authoritarianism. have already implemented justice to stay vigilant and com- Diallo was formerly a prime curfews in recent weeks. mitted to defend this demo- minister under authoritarian Coronavirus cases have cratic victory,” said the leader Lansana Conte. Election workers counting ballots during Guinea’s presidential election in Conakry, Guinea, yesterday. been surging in Tunisia, which 68-year-old, dressed in a sky- He unsuccessfully chal- had managed to contain the blue robe, from his party lenged Conde in both 2010 and virus earlier in the year, and headquarters. must declare the results. Opposition members are cadre in Diallo’s UFDG party, 2015, in elections his party have now reached more than Outside the building, sup- Polling day was mostly deeply suspicious of the fairness said that results at individual activists are convinced were 40,000. Mechichi has said porters erupted in joy and calm, but it followed months of of the poll, as well as the inde- polling states were public, ena- rigged. Before vote counting Tunisia will not impose another chanted “Cellou, president”. protests against a third term for pendence of Guinea’s electoral bling the party’s own observers began on Sunday, Diallo’s general, nationwide lockdown, Elsewhere in the city, security 82-year-old President Conde authority. to conduct a count. activists said their observers however, saying the economic forces fired tear gas cannisters in the West African nation, Guinea’s security minister “If we are the winners, we had been obstructed at polling cost is too high, with the at crowds assembling in support during which dozens of people fired back that Diallo should will defend our victory,” he said. stations and alleged ballot-box economy expected to shrink by of Diallo. were killed. “return to his senses”. “We won’t wait.” stuffing. 7% this year and the fiscal deficit His announcement sets the Signs of a looming electoral Twelve candidates are Earlier yesterday, Guinea’s Prime Minister Kassory expected to double. stage for a showdown with the dispute began to appear during vying for the presidency, but government said in a statement Fofana said that the opposition government, which insists that the vote, however, when Diallo Conde and Diallo are the that the opposition “clearly publishing results ahead of the 15 dead since start Sunday’s vote was fair and that told reporters that Conde could frontrunners. intended to create chaos and to official results was tantamount of Nigeria protests: the official electoral authority “cheat” his way to power. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, a call into question the real to pouring “oil on the fire”. Amnesty Dialogue possible with certain AFP — LAGOS Ethiopia violence fuelled by fighters Sahel militants: UN chief At least 15 people have been trained in Sudan, says PM Abiy killed, including two AFP — PARIS policemen, since protests AFP — ADDIS ABABA against police brutality training and are being armed with Metekel. They say more than Dialogue may be possible with certain militant groups active in erupted in Nigeria this month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy modern weapons,” Abiy told law- 150 civilians have been killed Africa’s Sahel region, but not “radical” ones such as the Islamic according to Amnesty Inter- Ahmed said yesterday that makers, referring to the restive in the attacks, figures that could State (IS) group, UN chief Antonio Guterres said yesterday. national yesterday. fighters involved in recent state in Sudan. “While successive not be independently verified. “There will be groups with which we can talk, and which will Anger over abuses by attacks on civilians in the west measures have calmed the situ- Abiy did not provide a have an interest in engaging in this dialogue to become political Nigeria police’s notorious of the country were receiving ation, (the assailants) cross to detailed explanation for the actors in the future,” Guterres said in an interview with French Special Anti-Robbery Squad training and shelter in neigh- Blue Nile state, and when it’s violence, who exactly the daily Le Monde. “But there are still those whose terrorist radicalism (SARS) forced the government bouring Sudan and that Khar- peaceful and people are com- fighters were, or give a death is such that there will be nothing to be done with them,” he added, to scrap the unit, but protests toum’s assistance was needed placent they come back.” toll. He did say hundreds had citing IS. Much of the vast Sahel region is prey to insecurity and vio- have continued and snow- to stabilise the area. Restoring peace “not only been arrested in clean-up oper- lence, which erupted after a rebellion in northern Mali in 2012. balled into calls for sweeping Abiy’s government had pre- requires much effort from us, ations involving the military. The conflict has since spread to the centre of the country, as changes in the West African viously said little about what but also from the government He also said, without pro- well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, claiming thousands powerhouse. One person died was driving the violence in the on the other side of the border”, viding details or evidence, that of lives. Last week, African Union Peace and Security Commis- in Kano while four others died Benishangul-Gumuz region, Abiy said. Opposition politicians at least some of the fighters sioner Smail Chergui urged dialogue with extremists in the con- in Benin City, Abuja and Osogbo which opposition politicians have —notably from the Amhara want “to cut the road leading flict-ridden region. over the weekend. Amnesty had described as ethnically moti- ethnic group, Ethiopia’s to” the Grand Ethiopian Ren- He pointed to Afghanistan, where the United States and the reported a death toll of 10 last vated. At least 12 people were second-largest — have for aissance Dam, a massive hydro- Taliban agreed a truce in late February, as a possible template. Thursday. In Lagos, home to 20 killed in an attack in the region’s weeks been sounding the alarm power project on the Blue Nile Chergui’s appeal came after Mali’s government this month million people, thousands of Metekel zone last week, while at about what they say is a tar- River that has been a long- swapped some 200 prisoners for four hostages held by an Al people took to the streets again least 15 died in a similar attack in geted campaign by ethnic running source of tension with Qaeda-affiliated group. The last French citizen held hostage in yesterday bringing the economic late September. “In Blue Nile state, Gumuz militias against ethnic downstream neighbours Sudan the world, Sophie Petronin, was released alongside Mali oppo- hub to a standstill. hundreds of people are receiving Amhara and Agew living in and Egypt. sition figure Soumaila Cisse, along with two Italians. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL Towards food self-sufficiency Big Pharma is not willing THE measures taken by the government to make Qatar self-sufficient in food products have started yielding positive results. Qatar is expected to be among top 10 countries in Global Food Security Index by 2021, to help us defeat COVID-19 driven by the Strategic Food Security Project 2019- 2023, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. medicines. TRIPS was con- A recent its executives cash in on rising Director of Food Security Department at the Min- cluded as the HIV/AIDS crisis ground-breaking share prices rather than get its istry of Municipality and Environment (MME), Masoud reached epidemic propor- medicine out to as many Jarallah Al Marri has said that Qatar achieved self-suf- tions in Southern Africa. proposal by India people as possible. And British ficiency in a number of fresh products — 106 percent While drugs had been and South Africa could company Astra-Zeneca made in fresh milk, 75 percent in fish production and 127 developed that could a deal with Oxford University, percent in fresh chicken. A number of new projects lengthen life, reduce suf- change all that. Those which has trumped Oxford’s and programme were launched under the national NICK DEARDEN fering and help prevent the governments have initial promise to make their food security strategy in 2018 after blockade in coop- AL JAZEERA transmission of HIV, most research available without eration with public and private sectors people in the world could not lodged a proposal patents. All of these drugs The Global Food Security Index considers the core For months, experts have afford those medicines, and at the World Trade have received significant issues of affordability, availability, and quality across repeatedly told us that no one the new trade rules pre- amounts of public money. a set of 113 countries. The index is a dynamic quan- is safe from coronavirus until vented countries from simply Organization (WTO) to But perhaps this titative and qualitative benchmarking model, con- we are all safe. If that is true, taking the technology and suspend international behaviour is not surprising. structed from 34 unique indicators, that measures we should be going all out to producing the drugs them- After all, what else can be these drivers of food security across both developing ensure the world’s resources selves. Millions died unnec- patent laws for an expected of a system which and developed countries. are used to bring treatments essarily in one of the most extended period, hands no-strings public funds Stable food prices, and near non-existent poverty and vaccines to the whole obscene examples of cor- over to the some of the richest contribute to ensuring food security, in particularly food world as soon as possible. porate profits trumping the allowing countries to corporations in the world, and affordability. Food affordability is measured by the ability Several initiatives have right to life. share technology and allows them to charge of consumers to purchase food, their vulnerability to attempted just that, but Today, Big Pharma, as whatever the market will bear price shocks, and the presence of programmes and efforts have been stymied by these corporations are col- produce their own for life-saving medicines for policies to support consumers when shocks occur. the self-interest of big lectively known, is a dys- versions of patented at least 20 years? It is the Qatar had ranked 29th in the index in 2017 when business, and by the leaders functional industry. While model itself which is broken, the blockade was imposed. With the help of food of rich countries who are ter- modern medicine risks col- medicines, treatments and the Indian-South African security programme, Qatar jumped to 22nd position rified of undermining rules lapsing because of antibiotic and protective proposal aims to change this. in 2018 and in 2019 it made another major achievement designed to keep their coun- resistance, these companies There are already securing 13th position. tries at the top of the pecking spend more resources equipment without exemptions within TRIPS, Qatar had exceeded the target in achieving self- order. inflating their stock price being held to ransom hard-fought-for by cam- sufficiency in various fresh food products, including A recent ground-breaking than developing new medi- paigners in the 1990s, under vegetables, meat and fish in 2019. Qatar’s National proposal by India and South cines. What useful medicines by the corporations which countries can Strategy for Food Security has also played important Africa could change all that. are produced depend on which own those override patents in certain role in boosting self sufficiency in food products. The Those governments have massive injections of cash circumstances. Indeed, a food strategy of Qatar is based on four points which lodged a proposal at the from the public sector, which patents. It is a game- number of countries in include local production, strategic reserve, interna- World Trade Organization normally comes without any changer, which recent months from tional trade and supply in local market. (WTO) to suspend interna- conditions constraining the Germany to Ecuador, Chile The strategy helped Qatar to achieve self-suffi- tional patent laws for an prices these megacorpora- challenges one of to Israel, have said they will ciency in the production of a number of fresh food extended period, allowing tions can charge for the final the most shameful use this option if forced to. items by boosting the local food production with the countries to share technology drugs produced. But there are huge limita- help of advanced technologies like vegetables, dairy, and produce their own ver- Little wonder then that aspects of modern tions to these exemptions, meat and fish. New projects in cooperation with private sions of patented medicines, India and South Africa are trade rules. most notably that they leave companies have been also launched to increase the treatments and protective sceptical about the ability of individual countries to fight self-sufficiency rate of Qatar in fresh food production equipment without being held Big Pharma to help us deal over every individual drug to meet the existing and future demands. A number to ransom by the corporations with coronavirus. In fact, that they need to get hold of, of projects have also been launched to increase the which own those patents. It is there have already been against the full might of Big production of eggs and vegetables. All these measures a game-changer, which chal- attempts to design a system Pharma and their Western have enabled Qatar to achieve remarkable progress lenges one of the most which can help the world on Big Pharma keeping its government backers. Far in food security. shameful aspects of modern provide coronavirus medi- patents intact. The fact that better, given how funda- trade rules. cines which would be rich countries are spending mentally broken the system Intellectual property – available to all on a fair billions of dollars buying as is, to use this opportunity to essentially patents and copy- basis. Costa Rica proposed many potential vaccines as do things differently. right – first became a trade allowing countries and possible suggests they do not If coronavirus has shown D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR issue in the mid-1990s when researchers to share their have much faith in these us anything, it is how reliant technologies, collaborate on schemes. They are, it seems, we are on each other, and on EMAIL: [email protected] the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual research and produce just for poor countries who public services. Many of us in Property Rights, or TRIPS, patent-free medicines back have no better choice. the West enjoy a health EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 was negotiated at the WTO. in the spring. It is true that some com- system which is protected FAX: +974 4455 7758 TRIPS extended Western- Despite gaining broad panies have promised to from the whims of the style patent protections across support from around the produce medicines “without market. If this applies to our MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 the whole world, allowing the world, Big Pharma howled in profit” during the pandemic, hospitals, why should it not business to sit on patents for a protest. Pfizer called it “non- but even here we have every also apply to the medicines DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 minimum of 20 years, during sense”. British companies reason to be sceptical, with we are given when we are in which time they are able to working on coronavirus treat- companies themselves left to hospital? And if it is good LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 dictate who can use their cre- ments, AstraZeneca and Glax- define when the pandemic is enough for the rich world, it is ations and at what price. oSmithKlein, refused to par- “over” and near-total surely even more important BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 At a stroke, it meant that ticipate, backed by the British secrecy surrounding their in countries where so many one of the main benefits of government which tried to pricing. What we do know is die every year simply because SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 trade for developing countries water down the proposals. that one company, Gilead, Big Pharma does not find it – the ability to learn from and When asked whether he which produces Donald sufficiently profitable to ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 copy technologies developed would attend the launch of Trump’s favourite drug rem- research the medicines that email: [email protected] in richer countries – was lost. the Costa Rican scheme, the desivir, tried to get special could save those lives, or to Just as bad, corporations director of a prominent Big patent protection on the charge a low enough price PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 started worrying more about Pharma lobbying group, said basis that their medicine had that those in need could email: [email protected] extending these patents, for he was “too busy”. a limited potential market; afford them. It is time for a instance making tiny changes The scheme is up and an astonishing claim in a transformation. The Indian- ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 to products that were of no running, but its voluntary drug you hope will help in a South African proposal must FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] benefit to the consumer, than nature means that its impact pandemic. be supported as a vital first they did developing new and will be limited. And while Another company, step. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 useful products. there are global programmes Moderna, released suspi- Nick Dearden is the email: [email protected] Nowhere did this have a to support “fair distribution” ciously early test findings on director of UK campaigning more devastating impact of medicines across the world, its contender for a vaccine, in organisation Global Justice SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 than in the development of these schemes are all based a move suspected of helping Now. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Equitably sharing vaccines is the fastest way to safeguard high-risk communities, stabilise /Peninsula_Qatar health systems and drive a truly global /ThePeninsulaNewspaper economic recovery. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General +974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 OPINION 09 Coronavirus surge tests US and European resolve

The dramatic resurgence of that the efficiency and federal states in imposing the virus across the continent enduring vigilance of the fresh, sweeping restrictions. punctured whatever illusions response in countries like She appealed to citizens to Europeans had that they had The virus is Vietnam, South Korea and refrain from travel and weathered the worst of the spreading within Taiwan continue to set the socializing in big groups. pandemic. Countries like standard for how to control “The comparatively relaxed Spain and Italy, which wel- countries to areas the virus. The situation in summer is over. Now we are ISHAAN THAROOR comed back holiday goers largely unscathed Europe, though, further facing difficult months,” THE WASHINGTON POST over the summer, are again complicates the picture: Merkel said in her weekly among the front-runners in earlier this year, Mask-wearing is perhaps podcast. “How winter will be, overall cases. be it in the upper more widespread in Spain how our Christmas will be, On both sides of the Atlantic, “Europe clamped down Midwest and than any other European will be decided in the coming the pandemic is surging. For hard on the pandemic this country, but it still suffers days and weeks. We all the first time since late July, Spring, and the payoff was a northern plains of one of the worst outbreaks decide that through our the United States reported summer that was more the United States or on the continent. actions.” more than 60,000 new daily normal than many people Nor does it seem that any But that may be an even confirmed coronavirus cases had expected,” wrote my col- the southern Italian society has achieved any- tougher pill to swallow than it on Thursday and Friday, with league Michael Birnbaum. region of Campania, thing close to herd immunity. was half a year ago. “Citizens numbers hovering just under “But by the end of August, “One of the hopes in some have made huge sacrifices,” 60,000 on Saturday. Many of infections were again on the where daily quarters had been that herd said Hans Kluge, the WHO’s the infections are in rural rise, with more cases concen- detected cases immunity could provide regional director for Europe, East Asia is not areas far from the major cities trated among younger people are now five times some protection, with places last week. “It has come at an experiencing a that bore the initial brunt of - who perhaps considered hard-hit in the spring shel- extraordinary cost, which has the outbreak earlier this year. the virus a more remote higher than a peak tered from the worst of any exhausted all of us, regardless similarly brutal wave In Europe, new restric- threat. Now it is spreading to in March, according resurgence in the virus due to of where we live, or what we of infections, a sign tions and shutdowns are their parents and grand- increased antibody levels,” do.” The sense of exhaustion coming into place. Last week, parents, and medical systems to my colleagues. noted the Financial Times. spans the globe. “During the that the efficiency the continent overtook the are beginning to feel the “Unfortunately, that has first lockdown, we saw so and enduring United States in cases per strain.” proved not to be the case so many people who were capita. Public health officials Increased overall testing cities over the weekend. far, with many of the centers focused on tackling this pan- vigilance of the warned of an accelerating and partially explains the spike, “We are really very close of the outbreak in the spring demic as a united com- response in countries possibly “exponential” rise in but experts also fear a steady to a tsunami,” Belgian health also suffering the worst in the munity,” Brig. Gen. Sigal Bar- infections, with confirmed uptick in deaths and hospital- minister Frank Vanden- autumn, both at the country Tzvi, commander of com- like Vietnam, South cases in the 53 European izations. “The most worrying broucke told reporters on and subnational region munity policing for the Israel Korea and Taiwan nations, as categorized by the thing is that the number of Sunday as his country - which level.” Police, to my colleagues. “This continue to set the World Health Organization, cases is rising very quickly has one of the world’s highest The virus is spreading time around though, people climbing from 6 million to 7 among the elderly, which will per capita infection rates - within countries to areas are worrying more about standard for how to million in just ten days. quickly result in many new readied to impose new largely unscathed earlier this themselves and their own control the virus. Without effective counter- patients arriving in hospitals,” restrictions. “We no longer year, be it in the upper needs. There is a lot less com- measures, the WHO warned, French Prime Minister Jean control what is happening.” Midwest and northern plains munity spirit.” daily coronavirus-related Castex said on Thursday. East Asia is not experi- of the United States or the “In the Spring, it was fear deaths in Europe could rise to France imposed curfews on encing a similarly brutal southern Italian region of and a sense of, ‘We are all in it five times their April peak. Paris and eight other major wave of infections, a sign Campania, where daily together’,” Vaile Wright, a detected cases are now five psychologist at the American times higher than a peak in Psychological Association, March, according to my col- told the New York Times. leagues. Authorities there “Things are different now. shuttered schools in a bid to Fear has really been replaced rein in the spike and stave off with fatigue.” the disastrous overcrowding Ishaan Tharoor is a col- of hospitals that crippled umnist on the foreign desk of parts of northern Italy in the The Washington Post, where Spring. he authors the Today’s “Are we dramatizing it?” WorldView newsletter and the region’s governor, Vin- column. cenzo De Luca, wrote on his official Facebook page. “No, simply doing a calculation “In the Spring, that will prevent us from a crushing situation in our it was fear and a hospitals.” sense of, ‘We are In some European coun- all in it together’,” tries, national leaders have found themselves at odds Vaile Wright, a with regional officials over psychologist at the scale and severity of lockdowns. Andy Burnham, the American the mayor of the northern Psychological English city of Manchester, clashed with the central gov- Association, told ernment over whether to the New York Times. increase the severity of restrictions on movement “Things are different and businesses in his city. now. Fear has really Across Britain, a patchwork been replaced with of differing gradations of lockdowns has stoked con- fatigue.” fusion and anger. The deserted Canebiere in Marseille as a curfew took effect to fight the spread of COVID-19. About 20 million people in the Paris region German Chancellor and eight other French cities were facing 9pm to 6am curfew from October 17, after cases surged in what has once again become one Angela Merkel is facing of Europe’s major hotpots. resistance from her country’s China’s recovery boosts world outlook as consumer mood brightens

BLOOMBERG since April 2019 as onshore government borrowing and growth is virtually the only Getting the economy trading started yesterday. central bank easing compared reason it expects global quickly back on its feet is China’s economic recovery Underpinning the recovery to China’s peers. Instead, the output to be 0.6% higher by crucial to China’s global from the depths plunged has been an aggressive con- government has focused on the end of 2021 compared to ambitions. They were ham- during the COVID-19 tainment of the deadly coro- targeted support for business, the end of 2019. mered home last week by pandemic continued, navirus that has allowed fac- a contrast to how it responded But the recovery isn’t President Xi Jinping during a providing support for a world tories to quickly reopen and to the global financial crisis. without its holes. The tour of tech-hub Shenzhen, economy suffering its deepest capitalise on a global rush for “China is supporting the economy was only 0.7% where he doubled down on recession since the Great medical equipment and work- world in a different way from larger in the nine months calls to take the global lead in Depression. from-home technology -- a what it did after 2008,” said through September than it technology and other stra- Gross domestic product dynamic that helped exporters Shen Jianguang, chief econ- was in the same period in tegic industries. climbed 4.9% in the third win record market share in the omist of e-commerce giant, 2019. At the start of the year Urging an “unswerving” quarter from a year ago, seven months to July. JD.com. “A slowing economy the government expected full- commitment to technological according to data released in “One of the reasons that means it could not afford year growth of around 6%. innovation in a period of Beijing yesterday. That’s lower headline GDP missed expec- another stimulus in 2020. And consumers have been “changes unseen in a than economists forecast, but tations is probably a strong Instead, it did its job by slow to spend as they once century”, Xi again promoted a Despite the weaker- faster than the 3.2% expansion rebound in imports, which serving as the ‘supplier of last did. Even with the virus under need to become more self than-expected GDP seen in the second quarter. contributes negatively to resort.’” control, shoppers have spent reliant, a policy that is Retail sales expanded 3.3% in GDP,” said Liu Peiqian, China Central bank Governor Yi about 9% less in the first eight expected to be a central part performance, output September, industrial pro- economist at Natwest Markets Gang said on Sunday that months of the year compared of a new 5-year economic expanded 0.7% in the duction grew 6.9% in the Plc in Singapore. “That should China has “pro-active fiscal to the same period last year. plan that will be discussed at month and investment growth not be viewed negatively, as policy” and “an acommo- It’s also unclear how a Communist Party gathering year to date, meaning accelerated to 0.8% in the nine strong growth in imports dative monetary policy to durable the recovery will expected later this month. that the world’s months to the end of the reflected recovery in under- support the economy.” prove to be given domestic That focus on driving quarter. lying economic growth is “Right now, China has pressures from unem- growth in new economy second-largest Despite the weaker-than- strengthening.” basically put COVID-19 under ployment and rising cor- sectors like consumption, economy regained all expected GDP performance, Shoppers have been more control,” Yi said in a webinar porate and household debt. technology and services the ground it lost in output expanded 0.7% in the cautious, but robust spending organized by the Group of 30. China Evergrande Group, the means investment there is year to date, meaning that the through the recent Golden “In general, the Chinese world’s most indebted outstripping that in old the first half. Strong world’s second-largest Week holidays suggest they economy remains resilient developer, has rattled sectors, making this cycle import growth in the economy regained all the too are starting to open their with great potential. Con- investors amid fears for its different from the credit and ground it lost in the first half. wallets again. tinued recovery is anticipated financial health. construction boom post third quarter may Strong import growth in the “China’s recovery remains which will benefit the global Much will also depend on 2008, noted Cui Li, head of have dented the GDP third quarter may have intact, even with a slower- economy.” how relations with the US macro research at CCB Inter- dented the GDP number while than-anticipated pickup in 3Q Analysis of International evolve after November’s pres- national Holdings Ltd. in number while still still being a positive sign for GDP growth. The undershoot Monetary Fund data shows idential election. Any wors- Hong Kong. being a positive sign overall output. was caused by a service sector the proportion of worldwide ening of trade frictions could “An industrial cycle led by for overall output. While Chinese stocks still struggling to shake off the growth coming from China is throw a spanner in the export the economic upgrade and the pared gains after the data, virus impact. But the manufac- expected to increase from revival. At the same time, the absence of a large credit they remained above Friday’s turing sector leapt back to pre- 26.8% in 2021 to 27.7% in resurgent virus in Europe and expansion will make this close. The yuan was little pandemic levels of growth.” 2025, according to Bloomberg the US will complicate the growth recovery more sus- changed, having briefly The recovery has come calculations. global rebound and could tainable,” she said. “The climbed to the strongest level with relatively restrained The IMF says Chinese impair China’s own recovery. Chinese recovery will sustain.” 10 ASIA TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 India to return Chinese soldier who ‘strayed’ across LAC AP — SRINAGAR The soldier, Corporal last month. Although the standoff has persisted, the talks The Indian army said it appre- Wang Ya Long from seem to have calmed the situ- hended a Chinese soldier China’s People’s ation along the border, with no yesterday in the remote Ladakh new military aggression region, where the two countries Liberation Army, was reported for over a month now. are locked in a months-long apprehended inside The fiercely contested Line military standoff along their of Actual Control separates disputed mountain border. Indian-controlled Chinese-held and Indian-held The soldier, Corporal Wang territories from Ladakh in the Ya Long from China’s People’s Ladakh’s Demchok west to India’s eastern state of Liberation Army, was appre- area and was to Arunachal Pradesh, which hended inside Indian-con- China claims in its entirety. It is trolled Ladakh’s Demchok area be released soon, broken in parts where the and was to be released soon, the army said in a Himalayan nations of Nepal and the army said in a statement. Bhutan border China. It said the soldier “had statement. India claims the Chinese- strayed” across the de facto controlled Aksai Chin plateau border along the eastern section as part of the Ladakh region. Students attend their class at St. Anthony’s Convent Girls’ Inter College in Allahabad, India, yesterday of what’s known as the Line of yesterday said the Indian side According to India, the as educational institutions reopened after more than five months due to COVID-19. Actual Control, a loose demar- had received an inquiry from control line is 3,488kmlong, cation separating Indian- and China’s military “about the while China says it is consid- Chinese-controlled areas. whereabouts of the missing erably shorter. The line divides “As per established pro- soldier.” The soldier “has been the areas of physical control Panel warns virus cases could rise in India tocols, he will be returned back provided medical assistance rather than territorial claims. to Chinese officials at the including oxygen, food and Relations between the two REUTERS — MUMBAI infected and it could go up to a mathematical model. Chushul-Moldo meeting point warm clothes to protect him countries have often been 50 percent by February,” “We have evolved a new after completion of formalities,” from the vagaries of extreme strained, partly due to their At least half of India’s 1.3 billion Manindra Agrawal, a professor model which explicitly takes the statement said. altitude and harsh climatic undemarcated border. They people are likely to have been at the Indian Institute for Tech- into account unreported cases, China did not immediately conditions,” the statement fought a border war in 1962 that infected with the new corona- nology in Kanpur and a com- so we can divide infected comment on the soldier’s said. spilled into Ladakh and ended virus by next February, helping mittee member, said. people into two categories - apprehension. India and China have each in an uneasy truce. Since then, slow the spread of the disease, The committee’s estimate reported cases and infections The high-altitude standoff stationed tens of thousands of troops have guarded the unde- a member of a federal for the current spread of the that do not get reported,” between the Asian giants began soldiers backed by artillery, fined border and occasionally government committee tasked virus is much higher than the Agrawal said. in early May with a fierce brawl, tanks and fighter jets and are brawled. They have agreed not with providing projections said federal government’s sero- The committee warned and exploded into hand-to- bracing for a harsh winter in the to attack each other with yesterday. logical surveys, which that their projections would hand combat with clubs, stones cold-desert region, where tem- firearms. India has so far reported showed that only around 14 not hold up if precautions and fists on June 15 that left 20 peratures can fall to minus 50 India declared Ladakh a 7.55 million cases of the coro- percent of the population had were not followed, and cases Indian soldiers dead. China is degrees Celsius. federal territory and separated navirus and is second only to been infected, as of could spike by up to 2.6 believed to also have had cas- The nuclear-armed rivals it from disputed Kashmir in the United States in terms of September. million infections in a single ualties, but has not given any have accused each other of August 2019, ending Indian- total infections. But Agrawal said serological month if measures such as details. crossing into rival territory and administered Kashmir’s semi- But COVID-19 infections surveys might not be able to get social distancing and wearing China detained at least 10 of firing shots for the first time autonomous status. It also are decreasing in India after a sampling absolutely correct masks were ignored. Indian soldiers, including four in 45 years. vowed to take back the Aksai peak in mid-September, with because of the sheer size of the Experts have warned that officers, following the deadly The sides have held several Chin plateau. 61,390 new cases reported on population that they were infections could rise in India as brawl. They were returned rounds of talks by military, dip- China was among the first average each day, according surveying. the holiday season nears, with three days later after intense lomatic and political officials, countries to strongly condemn to a tally. Instead, the committee of celebrations for the Hindu fes- military and diplomatic including negotiations between the move, raising it at interna- “Our mathematical model virologists, scientists and other tivals of Durga Puja and Diwali negotiations. their foreign ministers and tional forums including the UN estimates that around 30% of experts, whose report was made due this month and in mid- The Indian army statement defence ministers in Moscow Security Council. the population is currently public on Sunday, has relied on November, respectively. Insurgents in Myanmar claim Malaysia PM mulls Cabinet reshuffle to keep key ally REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR with the United Malays National Another source from UMNO UMNO did not immediately corruption charges were behind kidnapping NLD Organisation (UMNO), the said the party wants more say respond to requests for Anwar’s premiership bid. Malaysian Prime Minister largest party in his coalition, to in deciding on matters such as comment. On Sunday, UMNO denied candidates Muhyiddin Yassin is in talks on negotiate new terms that could who among the party are UMNO lost a 2018 election that its president, Ahmad Zahid a possible cabinet reshuffle in include more prominent cabinet appointed to cabinet and what in its first defeat since inde- Hamidi, and former leader Najib REUTERS — YANGON an attempt to appease a key ally positions for the party, sources portfolios they would hold. pendence over 60 years ago, Razak had signed a letter with- that has threatened to pull close to the government and The sources asked not to be amid popular anger over drawing support for Muhyiddin Insurgents from western support for the ruling coalition, UMNO said. identified as they were not allegedly rampant corruption. and backing Anwar instead. Myanmar yesterday claimed three sources said yesterday. A breakthrough in the talks authorised to speak to the But it returned to power in Najib was found guilty in July responsibility for the Muhyiddin is facing a pre- could stall Anwar’s premiership media. The two parties are also March when it allied with and sentenced to 12 years in jail. kidnapping last week of three miership challenge from oppo- bid, but also leave Muhyiddin discussing which constituencies Muhyiddin after the collapse of He has appealed the verdict and ruling party candidates in sition leader Anwar Ibrahim, hanging by a two-seat majority they would contest in a general the administration of veteran is out on bail, but faces three conflict-torn Rakhine state, who last week met Malaysia’s in the 222-seat parliament while election, even though polls are politician Mahathir Mohamad. other corruption trials. Zahid is and demanded the release of king in a bid to prove he has he grapples with an economy not imminent, two of the UMNO members have since also in the middle of a graft trial. detained student protesters in majority support from law- battered by the coronavirus and sources said. balked at playing second fiddle Anwar dismissed the return for letting them go. makers, including from among a new surge in infections. Elections are not due until to Muhyiddin’s smaller Bersatu rumours last week as “irrel- The ruling National League government turncoats, to form “UMNO is negotiating and 2023, but some in the gov- party, coalition sources have evant and irresponsible”, and for Democracy (NLD) said the a new government. it shows they are not ready to ernment have pushed for early said. said there was no space for three — two women and a man The prime minister has exit the coalition,” said one polls to win a stronger mandate. Speculation has been rife cutting deals with individuals — were abducted on since entered fresh discussions source. Muhyiddin’s office and that UMNO lawmakers facing for support. Wednesday while cam- paigning in Rakhine before a November 8 election. The western region, where Thai police probe media most parliamentary seats are held by Rakhine nationalist opponents of Myanmar’s over protest coverage leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has been beset by an insurgency REUTERS — BANGKOK Facebook page of a protest that has intensified this year. group. The Arakan Army (AA), the Thai police said yesterday they Some of the content could rebel group battling gov- had ordered an investigation “cause confusion and instigate ernment troops there, said in of four news outlets and causing unrest to society”, a statement posted online the imposed curbs on messaging police spokesman Kissana three candidates would be app Telegram under emer- Phathanacharoen said, adding “detained and investigated as gency measures to try to stop that the broadcast regulator required by circumstances till protests, but thousands of and digital ministry would a certain time”. people defied a ban on demon- investigate and take appro- It accused the NLD of com- strations for a fifth day. priate action. plicity with military “atroc- The announcement of the Putchapong Nodthaisong, ities” against civilians but said media investigations prompted a spokesman for the digital it was willing to free the group accusations of an attack on ministry, said it had requested in return for the release of stu- press freedom by the gov- court orders to take down dents arrested while protesting ernment of Prime Minister content by the four media the war and other “innocent Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former outlets and the Facebook page people” detained by junta leader the protesters are of the protest group Free Youth, authorities. A balancing act seeking to drive from office. among more than 300,000 “If they make demands in Thousands of protesters pieces of content it said vio- A man wearing a face mask as a preventative measure against COVID-19 transports wooden furniture this way, it would difficult for gathered at an intersection in lated Thai laws over the last us to comply,” Myo Nyunt, a on his bicycle in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday. Bangkok chanting “keep week. member of the NLD’s central fighting”, in the latest demon- The Manushya Foundation, executive committee, told stration in three months of pro- an independent group which Reuters by phone. tests that have also called for campaigns for online freedom, The country’s election US resettles most of 1,100 refugees: Australia reforms to the monarchy. called the measures an attempt committee said on Saturday “This action takes away to silence free media. more than half the polling sta- AP — CANBERRA but agreed to honor the US com- by the United States to be people’s rights to information,” “Since the ban on protests tions initially planned in mitment, subject to “extreme resettled by March or April. said 19-year-old Jin, who like did not work, the military- Rakhine will no longer The United States is expected to vetting” of the refugees. The resettlement deal “is many protesters was only backed government hopes to operate, as parts of the state have resettled more than 1,100 The United States has operating very effectively to willing to give one name. create fear of telling the truth,” are too unstable for voting. refugees by early next year resettled 870 refugees since date,” Ablong said. The government ordered a its director Emilie Palamy The AA, which recruits from under a deal President Donald October 2017 and around 250 The end of the US ban on news and online infor- Pradichit said. “We urge free the mostly Buddhist ethnic Trump reluctantly honoured more have received provisional agreement was expected to mation that could affect media to resist.” majority in Rakhine, seeks with Australia, an Australian approval to make new homes leave around 80 asylum national security last Thursday, Police chief Suwat Jangy- greater autonomy for the region official said yesterday. in the United States, Home seekers on the poor island when it also banned political odsuk also said he had ordered from the central government. President Barack Obama’s Affairs Department deputy sec- nations of Papua New Guinea gatherings of more than five the digital ministry to restrict The Arakan Student Union administration struck a deal in retary Marc Ablong told an Aus- and Nauru. people in the face of the Free Youth’s group on Tel- said four of its members had 2016 to accept up to 1,250 ref- tralian Senate committee. Australia deterred asylum growing challenge. egram, a messaging application been detained on Monday ugees from Iran, Bangladesh, While resettlement had seekers from coming by boat in According to a police doc- that protesters have used to after marching through the Somalia and Myanmar whom been disrupted in recent 2013 by banning those who ument dated October 16, coordinate in recent days. state capital of Sittwe holding Australia had banished to months by the pandemic, have arrived by sea from ever investigations have been Protests have taken place banners criticising the gov- Pacific island camps. Trump Ablong said Australia expected being allowed to settle on the ordered into content from four every day since they were ernment and military. condemned the deal as “dumb” the last of the refugees accepted Australian mainland. media outlets as well as the banned. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 ASIA 11 Japan and Vietnam to boost defence ties, resume flights

AP — HANOI Suga said his four- Nations in 2019, share values day trip to Vietnam such as rule of law, openness, Japanese Prime Minister transparency and freedom. Yoshihide Suga, in his first and later Indonesia Suga expressed strong overseas summit since taking was key to pursuing support for their vision and said office last month, agreed with together Japan and Asean can his Vietnamese counterpart to multilateral economic achieve a peaceful and pros- step up defence and security and security perous future. cooperation in the face of “Unfortunately in this China’s expanding influence in cooperation to counter region, there is a move in the the region. China’s growing South China Sea that goes In talks in Hanoi yesterday, power and protect against the rule of law and Suga and Vietnamese Prime openness stated in this Asean Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc set sea lanes in disputed Outlook, and Japan strongly a basic agreement allowing areas of the South opposes any attempt that esca- Japan to export defence lates tensions in the South China equipment and technology to China Sea. Sea,” Suga said in his speech, Vietnam. Japan has been pur- hinting at China’s growing suing such pacts in recent years assertiveness in the area. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (centre left) and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan to bolster ties with Southeast suitable destination for his first Japan already has defence Phuc (centre right) feed the fish at a pond at the Presidential Palace compound in Hanoi, yesterday. Asia and sustain its own defence trip abroad as Japan’s leader. equipment transfer deals with industry. Neither of the two leaders the US, Britain and Malaysia, Shinzo Abe’s efforts to build Vietnamese accounts for more dependence on manufacturing Suga said his four-day trip mentioned China by name in among other countries. Vietnam Japan’s defence capabilities. than half of the foreign workers and other businesses in China. to Vietnam and later Indonesia their news conference. Phuc is a 12th partner, while Japan is Suga and Phuc signed other Japan has accepted in recent Yesterday, Japan and was key to pursuing multilateral said the peace and stability of still negotiating deals with Indo- agreements to cooperate in a years to make up for its Vietnam agreed on the need to economic and security cooper- the South China Sea should be nesia and Thailand. In its first range of economic fields and on declining and ageing cooperate on diversifying ation to counter China’s protected by the rule of law, not actual delivery of such exports, anti-terrorism measures. population. supply chains — a lesson Japan growing power and protect sea unilaterally by force or threats. Japan in August exported a The two sides also agreed Japan is one of Vietnam’s learned from its dire shortages lanes in disputed areas of the “Vietnam appreciates that radar surveillance system to the to ease entry bans and allow top trading partners with of surgical masks and protective South China Sea. Japan, one of the world’s Philippines. short-term business visits and two-way trade of $28.6bn so far gowns earlier this year due to “Vietnam is crucial to leading powers, is actively con- Details of possible reopen flights between this year. Japan is also Vietnam’s heavy dependence on Chinese achieving our vision of ‘the Free tributing its efforts to maintain equipment sales were not men- Vietnam and Japan. Such travel largest overseas aid donor, pro- imports. and Open Indo-Pacific,’ and our peace and stability in the region tioned, but Suga called the has been very tightly restricted viding $23bn as of 2019 and In August, Vietnam agreed valuable partner,’” Suga told a and in the world,” Phuc said. agreement “a major step” for a due to the pandemic, but both accounting for more than a to buy six coast guard patrol news conference after his In a speech later yesterday bilateral defence cooperation, countries have managed to quarter of Vietnam’s foreign boats worth $345m from Japan. meeting with Phuc. “Japan, as at Vietnam-Japan University, saying he expects further somewhat stabilize COVID-19 loans. The country is seeking to an Indo-Pacific nation, will con- Suga said that Japan’s “Free and developments. outbreaks. The government has been improve its maritime defences tinue to contribute to the peace Open Indo-Pacific” concept and Japan partially lifted its ban Suga also promised to trying to entice Japanese com- amid China’s continuing devel- and stability in this region.” “Asean Outlook on the Indo- on military equipment and provide support for Vietnamese panies to invest in Vietnam opment and militarisation of Suga said Vietnam, at the cente Pacific,” formulated by the technology transfer in 2014 as workers in Japan affected by the and other Southeast Asian artificial islands in contested of the region, was the most Association of Southeast Asian part of former Prime Minister pandemic’s hit to the economy. countries to lessen Japan’s waters of the South China Sea. Vietnam troops find more bodies New violence threatens Afghan peace push: Khalilzad AP — KABUL at least 13 people and wounded immediate reaction to Khalil- The fighting has overwhelmed The peace talks in Qatar after latest around 120 others in Afghani- zad’s tweets. However, it issued the only emergency hospital in between the Taliban and Afghan The US special envoy to Afghan- stan’s western Ghor province. a statement on Sunday over the Lashkar Gah, Helmand’s pro- government negotiators began deadly landslide istan warned yesterday that Though no one claimed respon- US airstrikes targeting Helmand vincial capital, said Marco Puntin, in September, but after a cere- “distressingly high” levels of sibility for the bombing, suspicion province. the program coordinator at monious start they became REUTERS — HANOI violence threaten to derail immediately fell on the Taliban. The Taliban warned that “all EMERGENCY, an aid group bogged down, mainly in the ongoing peace talks between “Violence has stalked responsibility and conse- working there. He said doctors minutiae of Islamic jurispru- Vietnamese soldiers with the Afghan government and the Afghans for far too long. It has quences from continuation of faced those wounded from six- dence. This current round of heavy machinery and rescue Taliban. robbed far too many Afghans such actions shall fall squarely consecutive nights of fighting. negotiations come after a deal dogs searched yesterday for Zalmay Khalilzad’s com- of their loved ones,” Khalilzad on the shoulders of the “Most of the patients we are in February between the US and the last remaining troops ments come as renewed wrote on Twitter. “The tragedy American side.” Omer Zwak, a currently admitting to the hos- the Taliban that seeks to end buried under a mudslide, after fighting for days has plagued in Ghor today is the most recent spokesman for Helmand’s pro- pital are victims of bomb America’s longest war. recovering 18 bodies from the Afghanistan’s southern example.” vincial governor, said Monday attacks and therefore suffer Despite the challenges, the latest in a week of deadly Helmand province, a longtime He added: “The belief that there were still gun battles in a complicated injuries, which ongoing talks represent the landslides caused by unre- Taliban stronghold. The Taliban says violence must escalate to few areas of the province’s Nad require complex surgery and a most-serious effort yet at lenting rains. this Friday agreed to halt its win concessions at the negoti- Ali and Nawa districts. long hospital stay,” Puntin said ending decades of war in Floods and mudslides attacks on condition of the US ating table is very risky. Such The Afghan air force sepa- in statement. “Civilians are Afghanistan that followed the during October have killed at stopping its air strikes in the an approach can undermine the rately conducted limited air paying the price for this 2001 US-led invasion that least 93 people in central area. peace process and repeats past strikes to support Afghan forces offensive, trapped by the toppled its Taliban government, Vietnam and left 30 missing, But then came a suicide car miscalculations by Afghan trying to retake Taliban-held crossfire and often hit by which then was hosting al- among those four military, bombing on Sunday that killed leaders.” The Taliban offered no areas, Zwak said. mortars, rockets and grenades.” Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. which has lost 29 personnel to the adverse weather, in what could be its highest number of peace-time casualties. Four Taiwanese and Chinese bodies were found on Monday. The landslide early on Sunday in the province Quang staffers hurt in Fiji clash Tri buried 22 soldiers and was the fourth incident of its kind AP — TAIPEI venue, causing injuries and in the space of six days in damage to one Chinese dip- central Vietnam, which is China and Taiwan traded accu- lomat,” the statement said. expecting more intense rainfall sations yesterday over a violent The Chinese side also crit- in the coming days. altercation that broke out icized the National Day cele- The military, which plays a between Chinese diplomats bration, saying it “violates the key role in Vietnam’s disaster and Taiwan government one-China principle and the response, has sent hundreds of employees at a recent Taiwan relevant rules and regulations rescuers, heavy equipment and National Day reception in Fiji. of the Fijian government, with search dogs to help the mission Both China and Taiwan an attempt to create ‘two as the government tackles some confirmed the October 8 Chinas’ or ‘one China, one of its worst floods in years. incident but each disputed the Taiwan’ internationally,” it In neighbouring Thua other’s claim of what precipi- added. The one-China principle Thien Hue province, rescuers tated the fight, which resulted refers to the idea that Taiwan, battled driving rain in search in one Taiwanese staffer being a self-ruled island democracy, of at least 15 construction sent to a hospital with a head is a part of China. workers missing after a land- injury. One of the Chinese dip- Yesterday afternoon, slide a week ago. Eleven sol- lomats also was injured. China’s Ministry of Foreign diers sent to find them were The confrontation, an Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian, killed by a separate mudslide. extreme example of the ten- criticized the flags and cake A family of six was killed Posing for an artist's version sions between the rival govern- that the Taiwanese side when mud buried their house ments, erupted when Tai- displayed. as they slept late on Saturday A woman and a girl posing for a portrait at an artist stall on a street in the 798 art district in Beijing, wanese at the gathering tried “Taipei’s Trade office in Fiji in Quang Tri province. China. to stop Chinese diplomats from on October 8 flagrantly held a taking photos of guests at the ‘so-called’ national celebration reception marking Taiwan’s event. The fake flag was pub- national day, a Taiwan foreign licly displayed on the scene, Court grants bail to detained son-in-law of Sharif ministry spokeswoman, Joanne and the cake was also marked Ou, said in a written statement. with a fake flag pattern,” he AP — KARACHI Maryam Nawaz, who addressed Pakistan as criticism of the implying the military had a “The Ministry of Foreign said at a routine press briefing. a large anti-government rally country’s military, which ruled hand in her husband’s arrest. Affairs strongly condemns the Those actions “severely Pakistani police briefly detained Sunday. the country of 220 million She added opposition Chinese embassy in Fiji’s staff‘s violate the one-China principle.” the son-in-law of exiled former But he was freed later after people - directly or indirectly - parties will continue their pro- actions which severely violates Taiwan is recognized as an prime minister Nawaz Sharif a court granted him bail, his for most of its history. tests until Khan is removed rule of law and norms of civi- independent government by yesterday, accusing him of party and family said. Chanting political slogans from power. lised behaviour,” said Ou. She only 15 nations, most of them leading a crowd in a chant Safdar yesterday had visited at Jinnah’s tomb is widely con- The 70-year-old Sharif who said Taiwan had made a formal small and poor. But its demo- against the military at the tomb the mausoleum of Mohammad sidered taboo. Police say they has had a long uneasy rela- protest to the Fiji cratically elected government of the country’s founder. Ali Jinnah, who led inde- arrested Safdar, himself a tionship with the military, government. has extensive commercial and The arrest of Mohammad pendence movement to get a member of the Pakistan Muslim served as Pakistan’s prime min- China’s embassy in Fiji said informal ties with many nations. Safdar came after Sharif’s separate homeland from Britain League party, after receiving a ister three times. A court in 2017 in a statement released Monday Fiji switched its diplomatic Pakistan Muslim League oppo- in 1947 when united India was complaint from a citizen ousted him from power over that Taiwan’s account was recognition to Beijing in 1975. sition party joined a series of divided into two countries: alleging he was harassed. corruption allegations. Sharif “inconsistent with the facts.” It The National Day event in Suva, nationwide protests against the India and Pakistan. Jinnah Hours after Safdar’s arrest, has been staying in London said one of its staff also was the Fiji capital, was hosted by government of Prime Minister remains a revered figure in his politician wife Maryam since November after being injured. the Taipei Trade Office. Imran Khan. His arrest drew Muslim-majority Pakistan, with Safdar told a news conference allowed to receive medical “On that very evening, the Chinese diplomats have condemnation from the oppo- his tomb often drawing politi- that police forcibly entered her treatment abroad. staff of the Taipei Trade Office become increasingly assertive sition, which said authorities cians and leaders. room to take her husband Several opposition leaders in Fiji acted provocatively abroad as Beijing intensifies its wanted to target Sharif’s family. While at the tomb, Safdar away. She alleged Karachi have faced criminal charges in against the Chinese Embassy longstanding pressure on other Police detained Safdar at a led a crowd in chanting: “Give police were being used by recent weeks as organized staff who were carrying out governments to isolate Taiwan, Karachi hotel room where he respect to the vote!” That slogan “unknown but known forces” opposition to Khan, a former their official duties in the public which split with the mainland was staying with his wife is viewed in to suppress their voice, cricketer, grows. area outside the function in 1949 following a civil war. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 UK welcomes EU offer to break Brexit deadlock AFP — LONDON contact between Barnier and On Friday, after the EU summit, British Prime “uncertainty over the UK’s Britain has threatened to UK counterpart David Frost. Minister Boris Johnson declared he was ready trading relationship with the redraw its existing divorce The European Union yesterday “I prefer to look forward in EU”. There was a better atmos- treaty with the EU under a new signalled a potential break- optimism rather than back in to abandon talks and revoked an invitation for phere in another track of talks internal market bill to regulate through in stalled Brexit talks anger,” Gove said, while Barnier to come to London this week. yesterday between Gove and post-Brexit trade within the UK, in a move welcomed by Britain, stressing: “We do sincerely want European Commission vice- including for Northern Ireland. which stressed however that it an agreement but we can’t have president Maros Sefcovic, who The contentious law has would not accept a deal at any an agreement on any terms.” integration. In the absence of a campaign advising businesses both relayed progress on guar- passed Britain’s House of price. Moments earlier, before he was deal, Britain and the EU would that “time is running out” to be anteeing the rights of each side’s Commons. Addressing a major British made aware of Barnier’s offer trade on a barebones ready for a complex new expatriate residents after Brexit. In a rare joint letter pub- bone of contention after an on Twitter, Gove had told MPs arrangement governed by trading chapter from 2021, deal “I am pleased to report that lished in the Financial Times, inconclusive EU summit last it would be “meaningless” to World Trade Organization or no deal. But industry groups in this forum, the approach the five most senior bishops week, EU negotiator Michel resume trade negotiations (WTO) tariffs and quotas, which warned anew of potential chaos from the EU is very con- including Archbishop of Can- Barnier said Brussels was now unless Brussels recognised Brit- would be disruptive at best and for road hauliers and the pos- structive,” Gove told terbury Justin Welby said the willing to embark on an inten- ain’s new-found sovereignty ruinous at worst for many busi- sibility of drugs shortages, with parliament. bill set a “disastrous precedent” sified round of talks on the basis from next year in areas such as nesses. On Friday, after the EU vital preparations still in the Sefcovic likewise sounded for violating the rule of law. of legally binding texts. fishing and state aid. summit, British Prime Minister early stages by Britain’s upbeat about citizens’ rights, British business groups say “I welcome that and obvi- Those are two of the biggest Boris Johnson declared he was government. while cautioning in a statement they are doing all they can to ously we need to make sure we stumbling blocks holding up an ready to abandon talks and Confederation of British that Britain must uphold the prepare for Brexit but are ham- work on the basis of the pro- overarching agreement once revoked an invitation for Industry deputy chief Josh “full and timely implemen- pered by a lack of government posed intensification that they Britain finishes a post-Brexit Barnier to come to London this Hardie said a “hat-trick of tation” of post-Brexit arrange- clarity, including about a new propose,” senior minister transition period at the end of week. unprecedented challenges” ments for Northern Ireland IT system for EU-bound truck Michael Gove told parliament, this year, and goes its own way Gove then yesterday loomed thanks to the corona- under a peace deal for the drivers that is still in the testing following a tension-defusing after 45 years of European launched an information virus pandemic and troubled territory. stage. EU to link national Europe tightens virus COVID-19 tracing curbs as cases surge apps together AFP/REUTERS — BRUSSELS and a curfew will be reinforced AP — BRUSSELS overnight. A raft of European nations Belgium’s second major The European Commission including Italy and Belgium lockdown comes after Prime yesterday launched an took urgent new measures Minister Alexander de Croo EU-wide system devised to yesterday to combat a second warned the situation was “much link national COVID-19 tracing wave of coronavirus infections worse” than in March when apps together in its latest effort as the worldwide caseload there was an almost complete to slow down the coronavirus topped 40 million. confinement. pandemic. The latest global milestone Italy, the initial epicentre of Following testing in dif- came just hours after the Europe’s outbreak, also ferent EU countries earlier this number of people who have announced fresh curbs autumn, the bloc’s executive died from COVID-19 passed including earlier closures for arm said the system got 250,000 in Europe, according restaurants and a push to underway with three national to an AFP tally, as the pandemic increase working from home. apps — Germany’s Corona- rampages across much of the Switzerland meanwhile Warn-App, Ireland’s COVID continent. made mask-wearing com- Protesters light flares as hundreds of demonstrators, including football supporters, protest against tracker, and Italy’s immuni — Many governments are pulsory in indoor public spaces the Czech government’s new measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19, in Prague yesterday. now linked through the so- seeking to avoid the full-on and put limits on public gath- called interoperability lockdowns imposed in the first erings after infections doubled gateway. According to the wave as they battle to keep their over the last week. Several Spanish regions essential travel from tonight on the surface of the virus. They European Commission, these economies going. “The second wave is here, toughened their coronavirus after infection rates in the area require an uncomfortable nasal three apps have been down- But in some countries, earlier and stronger than we restrictions yesterday, seeking surpassed 500 cases per or throat swab, and can produce loaded by around 30 million people are chafing against new expected, but we are prepared,” to curb a second wave of con- 100,000 people. results more quickly than PCR people, the equivalent of two- restrictions on daily life, and Swiss Health Minister Alain tagion that looks set to drive the Meanwhile, Hungary plans tests — which detect genetic thirds of all tracing app down- anti-mask protests, court chal- Berset said. country with Western Europe's to launch rapid antigen tests for material in the virus — but are loads in the EU. lenges and battles between France imposed its own highest case load above one coronavirus infections possibly considered less accurate. Tracing apps have been central and local governments overnight curfew from the million infections this week. as soon as today, Prime Minister "Together with our epide- developed to break contagion are on the rise. weekend in nine cities including Authorities in the northern Viktor Orban said yesterday, as miologists we are following chains by alerting people if In Belgium, where hospital- Paris, affecting 20 million region of Castile and Leon testing in the central European what new testing methods are they’ve been near someone isations rose 100 percent in just people, with a record 32,400 announced they would seal off country has struggled to keep available in the world," Orban who has been infected. the last week, restaurants were new infections reported on the city of Burgos and nearby up with the pace of infections. told parliament in response to As virus cases continue to closed yesterday for a month Saturday. Aranda de Duero to all but Antigen tests detect proteins a lawmaker's question. surge across the 27-nation bloc, the new system ensures that national apps can work in Copenhagen all the countries willing to join Wales to become first European territory to re-enter lockdown the scheme, as users only need mayor quits after to install one app also com- AFP — LONDON outside under the new “fire- despite tightened local restric- decision” to reimpose such patible in other participating harassment cases breaker” measures. tions in various locations, with stringent measures until nations. In total, the com- Wales will become the first Non-food retailers, cafes, the seven-day rolling incidence November 9 had been made mission said tracing apps from AP — COPENHAGEN, DENMARK territory in Europe to reimpose restaurants, and hotels as well rate standing at more than 130 “with a heavy heart” and the 20 member states could be a full lockdown later this week, as services such as hairdressers cases per 100,000 people. two-week duration was “the linked via this system. Copenhagen’s lord mayor is after First Minister Mark Drak- and beauticians must all close “This firebreak is our best shortest we can make it”. “Many member states have stepping down after 11 years eford announced yesterday that for 14 days from 6pm (1700 chance of regaining control of “We have a small window launched voluntary contact in the job and as deputy leader the nation would shut down for GMT) on Friday. the virus and avoiding a much- of opportunity to act,” he said. tracing and warning apps, and of Denmark’s governing Social two weeks to reduce a surge in Schools, which will shut longer and damaging national The Welsh leader noted the commission has supported Democratic Party following coronavirus cases. next week for a statutory lockdown,” Drakeford said as £300m ($390m) would be allo- them in making these apps admissions that he harassed Approximately three million holiday, will only reopen for he unveiled the new restric- cated to an “economic resil- safely interact with each other,” women during social gath- residents in Wales will be told primary, special-needs and tions. “Unless we act the NHS ience fund” to help struggling said Thierry Breton, the com- erings. to stay at home from Friday, some secondary school year will not be able to look after the businesses hit by the closure missioner for single market. “I have decided to resign except for very limited purposes groups during the second week increasing number that are order. The UK has suffered “Free movement is an integral as mayor so that my party has such as exercise or of the lockdown. falling ill,” he added, referring Europe’s worst death toll from part of the single market, the plenty of time to find my employment, and cannot mix Cases have surged across to the state-run health service. coronavirus, with more than gateway is facilitating this replacement ahead of the next with each other indoors or Wales over recent weeks, Drakeford said the “difficult 43,000 deaths. while helping save lives.” local elections,” Frank Jensen said. Jensen has publicly apol- ogised for his behaviour, Dutch to pay children of which is reported to have occurred over the past 30 years. He said drinks was often Indonesia colonial killings involved. AFP — THE HAGUE conform to a set of criteria The next municipal elec- including proof that the parent tions in Denmark are to held The Dutch government said had indeed been killed in a in November 2021. yesterday it will pay a lump documented execution and Jensen, 59, a former justice sum of ¤5,000 to children of proof of paternity through minister, said the pressure had all men executed by colonial identity papers. become too great in recent troops during Indonesia’s inde- Dutch courts are hearing days. pendence war in the late 1940s. several other cases of relatives On Sunday, he had got the The announcement follows asking for compensation for backing of the party in Copen- a court ruling earlier this year atrocities committed by Dutch hagen and told a news con- which ordered the state to colonial troops during so-called ference that he wanted to con- compensate widows and cleansing actions to root out tinue as mayor. children of 11 men killed in Indonesian freedom fighters. But later in the day, Prime Indonesia’s southern Sulawesi At least 860 men were Minister Mette Frederiksen, between 1946 and 1947. killed by firing squads, mostly the leader of the Social Dem- Dutch judges previously between December 1946 and ocrats, said: “It is obvious that also slapped down arguments April 1947 in Sulawesi, then Policemen observe a minute of silence in the courtyard of the Bordeaux city hall, yesterday, in homage we in the Social Democrats by the state claiming the vio- called Celebes. to Samuel Paty, a history teacher who was killed by an attacker. have problems. That needs to lence committed during Indo- The Dutch government change now.” nesia’s independence struggle apologised in 2013 for the Jensen told a news con- Police operations under way after teacher’s death from its former colonial master killings carried out by its ference yesterday that the were bound by a statute of colonial army and announced decision to step down was his AP — PARIS Samuel Paty was beheaded meet members of France’s limitations. compensation to the widows own and he was not pressured in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, leading Muslim organisation, “Children who can prove of those who died. to resign. Frederiksen said on France’s interior minister said northwest of Paris, by a the French Muslim Council, or that their father was a victim Early this year Dutch King Facebook that it was “the yesterday that police operations 18-year-old Moscow-born CFCM, later in the day. of summary execution as Willem-Alexander also apolo- correct decision”. were under way into dozens of Chechen refugee, who was later French authorities said they described... are eligible for gised — the first by a Dutch Jensen has been lord people who allegedly issued shot dead by police. detained 11 people following the compensation,” Dutch Foreign monarch — for “excessive vio- mayor of Copenhagen since messages of support for the The government will rein- killing. Minister Stef Blok and Defence lence” during the former col- 2009. attacker after the beheading of force security at schools when Darmanin said they include Minister Ank Bijleveld said. ony’s fight for independence. The position has been held a history teacher near Paris. classes resume on November 2 the father of a student and an The compensation Indonesia declared inde- by his party since 1938. Gerald Darmanin said on after two weeks of holidays. activist. Darmanin said author- amounted to ¤5000 ($5,900), pendence on August 17, 1945 The lord mayor is the French radio Europe 1 that at French President ities were also looking into the two ministers said in a letter following a brief wartime occu- political head of a adminis- least 80 cases of hate speech Emmanuel Macron also met about 50 associations suspected to parliament. pation by the Japanese and trative system presided over have been reported since Fri- with Paty’s family yesterday. of encouraging hate speech. However, those claiming several hundred years as a by six other mayors. day’s attack. Macron was also due to Some will be dissolved, he said. compensation needed to Dutch colony. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 EUROPE 13

Slovenia brings Moscow not to in curfew to fight introduce strict rise in infections AFP — LJUBLJANA

The Slovenian government virus curbs announced yesterday a nationwide curfew and an REUTERS — MOSCOW internal travel ban as the Russia has recorded country fights to bring down Russia hit a record daily high 1,415,316 infections a surge in coronavirus cases. of 15,982 coronavirus infections since the start of the Starting today, Slovenia’s yesterday as the authorities in roughly two million inhab- the capital Moscow said they pandemic, fourth itants will have to stay at home would not introduce strict highest tally in the between 9pm and 6am, under restrictions to contain the the terms of a new gov- rapidly-spreading virus. world. ernment decree. Russian authorities also The emergency services reported 179 deaths in the last businesses — are absolutely and those who have to travel 24 hours, bringing the official unacceptable and impossible for work will be exempted. death toll to 24,366. for us,” Sobyanin wrote on his The government also The city of nearly 13 million, website. “The optimal strategy lowered the limit for private A general view of the PGE National Stadium where the government is building a special field hospital which recorded 5,376 new is to find a middle way between gatherings from 10 people to for people infected with the coronavirus disease, in Warsaw yesterday. infections yesterday, has closing the city and dropping six and banned all but essential already opened temporary hos- restrictions completely.” Sob- travel between the country’s pitals, ordered businesses to yanin added, however, that the Poland turns stadium into COVID-19 field hospital 12 regions. have at least 30% of staff city could impose further tar- As of Monday only ele- working remotely and intro- geted restrictions to curb cases. AP — WARSAW, POLAND those who need it,” Müller said, constructed to host matches for mentary school pupils from duced online learning for sec- Despite Russia’s growing speaking on TVP Info, the state the Euro 2012 football champi- the first to fifth grade have ondary school students, among number of COVID-19 cases, the Poland’s government is trans- TV’s all-news channel. onship, which Poland co- been attending classes in other measures. authorities have been reluctant forming the National Stadium Also yesterday, Jaroslaw hosted with Ukraine. person. Older school pupils Moscow Mayor Sergei Sob- to impose harsh restrictions. in Warsaw into a field hospital Kaczynski, the leader of the Poland experienced very and university students are yanin said there were signs last The Kremlin has said Russia to handle the surging number conservative ruling party and low rates of infection in the receiving classes online. week that authorities were is better-equipped the handle of people infected with the deputy prime minister, went spring compared with western The new restrictions have getting the coronavirus out- the pandemic this time around coronavirus. into voluntary quarantine after European countries but is now been put in place after new break under control and that because of improved treatment Government spokesman having contact with an infected witnessing an exponential surge infections more than doubled he saw no need to impose methods, more hospital beds Piotr Müller said yesterday that person. He was showing no of coronavirus infections. over the last week and those tougher restrictions than those and a tried and tested system the stadium will have room for symptoms and working from The Health Ministry needing hospital treatment currently in place. to tackle the virus. Russia has 500 patients and will be home, the party spokesman recorded yesterday 7,482 new exceeded the number of beds “Extreme measures — the recorded 1,415,316 infections equipped with oxygen therapy said. Defence Minister Mariusz coronavirus infections over the set aside for coronavirus introduction of a curfew, a since the start of the pandemic, for those who need it. Blaszczak said he was also previous day and 41 deaths. patients. complete ban on movements making it the country with the “We can see that the going into quarantine after Since the start of the pandemic Like several other coun- across the city, a ban on world’s fourth highest number number of cases is growing so contact with an infected person. the nation of 38 million has tries in the region Slovenia entering and leaving (the city), of cases after the United States, fast that we need to secure The stadium, with a seating recorded 183,248 cases and successfully contained the first and the shuttering of nearly all India and Brazil. places for hospitalisation for capacity of over 58,500, was 3,614 deaths. wave of the coronavirus in spring, but has been unable to stop a surge of new cases in recent weeks. Lithuanians with COVID-19, self-isolating vote in drive-ins So far Slovenia has regis- tered over 13,500 cases of the AP — VILNIUS, LITHUANIA into ballot boxes. this from the very start and governing coalition, came in So far, Lithuania has novel coronavirus while 190 There are four such many more could have voted second. recorded 7,726 coronavirus people have died, according Lithuanians started voting drive-in stations in Lithuania. in the first round,” said Jonas, a Analysts believe Homeland cases and 113 deaths. to official data. yesterday in the second round Only those in isolation and former teacher who declined to Union will be successful in the Earlier this year, Czechs cit- On Saturday, health of a national election, with on an official list can vote give his last name. runoff and will be forming a izens also cast their ballots from authorities said the volume of some of them casting ballots that way until Thursday. All The opposition conservative new centre-right coalition in their cars, a measure forced by new cases meant they would from their cars in special other registered voters can Homeland Union party claimed the 141-seat assembly. the coronavirus pandemic, in no longer be able to carry out drive-in polling stations amid cast their ballots in the runoff victory in the first round of the Under Lithuania’s election one of the 156 drive-in tem- contact tracing of every new a local spike in COVID-19. at regular polling stations on election, which was held on system, the remaining 68 law- porary voting stations across case but would instead ask Voters arrived alone in their October 25. October 11, while the Farmers makers will be elected in a pro- the country for those quaran- those who test positive to vehicles as instructed, wore face “This is very convenient. I and Greens Union, which forms portional vote in the second tined because of COVID-19 inform close contacts masks and dropped their votes only wish they would have done the backbone of the current round. infections. themselves. Mayor sentenced Austria to limit private to community service over indoor gatherings to 6 Arctic fuel spill to combat pandemic REUTERS — MOSCOW REUTERS — VIENNA events, which will be capped A Russian court yesterday at 1,500 people outdoors and sentenced the former mayor Austria will limit private gath- 1,000 indoors, with a range of the Arctic city of Norilsk to erings to a maximum of six of restrictions. Shops, restau- six months of community people indoors and 12 outside rants and theatres remain service after finding him guilty starting later this week to help open. of negligence over a major fuel curb a steady resurgence of The rules of six and 12 will spill in the region. coronavirus infections, Chan- be far-reaching, Kurz said. Rinat Akhmetchin, who cellor Sebastian Kurz said “Fundamentally that resigned as mayor in July, was yesterday. applies everywhere. That charged with negligence after Daily cases now regularly means in restaurants as well a fuel tank at a power station surpass the height of the first as in yoga class, at dance in the remote, industrial region wave in March, but Austria’s lessons as well as at birthday lost pressure and collapsed in response this time is parties, weddings or at late May, leaking more than different. members’ clubs. All gatherings 20,000 tonnes of fuel into While the conservative- outside work are covered,” he Belarusian pensioners parade through the streets during a rally to demand the resignation of rivers and subsoil. led government quickly intro- said, adding that there is an authoritarian leader and new fair election, in Minsk, yesterday. Greenpeace has compared duced a national lockdown in exception for funerals. the incident to the 1989 Exxon March, it now wants to avoid He conceded that police Valdez oil spill off the coast of Belarus moves detained US analyst to house arrest that for fear of further dam- cannot generally check homes Alaska. aging the economy and or take action simply because The Krasnoyarsk Regional AFP — MINSK was detained on July 29 ahead held. The Belarusian opposi- annoying voters. too many people are gathered Court said in a statement that of August 9 presidential elec- tion’s Coordination Council said “We are fully aware, ladies there, though that appears to in addition to his community The authorities in Belarus have tions that Lukashenko claims yesterday that its member and gentlemen, that these be one of the main places service, Akhmetchin would moved to house arrest a high- to have won but which the Liliya Vlasova — who was also measures are unpopular. They where infections occur. He have his salary cut by 15% profile American political opposition says were rigged. present at the prison meeting are unpopular but unfortu- warned, however, against during that period. analyst and strategist held for “I managed to speak to — had also been released from nately they are necessary,” taking advantage of that. It did not specify the over two-and-a-half months in Vitali, he has been transferred detention and moved to house Kurz told a news conference, “If too many people in capacity in which he would jail as President Alexander to house arrest,” his lawyer arrest. The Coordination adding that infections were Austria have parties at home carry out his community Lukashenko cracks down on Anton Gashinsky said. Council added that “only the doubling roughly every three and are delighted that the service. Russia’s Investigative opponents, his lawyer said Shkliarov was one of a release of all political prisoners” weeks. police are unable to intervene, Committee, the body that yesterday. group of detainees who earlier could help achieve a settlement The new rules, which yes, that will work for a probes serious crimes, charged Vitali Shkliarov, a Harvard this month met Lukashenko in of the political crisis. lower the indoor limit from certain time but then that will Akhmetchin with criminal University fellow who has a bizarre meeting conducted Shkliarov has been charged 10 currently, take effect on lead to rising infection negligence in June, saying he advised presidential candidates inside the KGB security service with organising actions vio- Friday. They will be different numbers and then the need had failed to coordinate and in the US, Russia and Ukraine, prison where they are being lating public order. for professionally organised for even tougher measures.” organise emergency measures to contain and control fallout from the spill. Norilsk, a city of 180,000 people located 300 French court tries Russian for multi-million-euro cyber fraud km (190 miles) inside the Arctic Circle, is built around AP/AFP — PARIS email. If downloaded, the recip- accusing him of laundering bil- Investigators described the — as much as $8 million — Norilsk Nickel, the world’s ient’s data was encrypted and lions of dollars through BTC-e. system he allegedly used as identified one as belonging to leading nickel and palladium The trial of a Russian man they were asked to pay a He was arrested at the extremely elaborate, involving Vinnik. US investigators producer. Norilsk Nickel had alleged to have used ran- ransom in bitcoin to free it. request of US authorities in the the mass mail-shots of the “con- suspect the 41-year-old of estimated the environmental somware in a ¤135m ($157m) In France, companies, legal summer of 2017 while on taminated” emails via a botnet: being the mastermind of what cost of the fuel spill in the bitcoin fraud was due to begin. offices and local councils were vacation in northern Greece, a network of already infected they say has become one the Arctic in May is 21.4 billion Alexander Vinnik, who is also targeted between 2016 and After a two-year legal tug-of- computers. main ways cybercriminals roubles ($273m), far less than wanted in the United States and 2018. Twenty victims paid the war, Greek authorities ruled The way that the paid launder their illegal gains. A an assessment by the country’s in Russia, faces up to ten years ransom through BTC-e, one of Vinnik would be extradited first ransoms were subsequently US indictment accuses Vinnik environment watchdog. in prison at his Paris trial over the world’s largest digital cur- to France, then to the US, and laundered to make it difficult to of 21 charges ranging from The Russian environment charges of extortion, money rency exchanges. finally to Russia. trace was equally sophisticated, identity theft and facilitating watchdog filed a lawsuit laundering and criminal Vinnik, 41, says he was only In January after he was says the indictment. drug trafficking to money laun- against a power business association. a technical consultant at BTC-e extradited to France, Vinnik Prosecutors identified 20 dering. He allegedly operated owned by Norilsk Nickel (Nor- French prosecutors say and had no knowledge of illegal began a 35-day hunger strike businesses in six cities across the BTC-e bitcoin exchange nickel) to claim 148 billion Vinnik was one of the creators activity. He has denied any saying he wanted to be extra- France among the victims and until his arrest at the northern roubles ($1.88bn) for the of malware called “Locky” wrongdoing. The United States dited first to Russia, where he following the money trail Greek tourist resort of damage. which was delivered through also wants to prosecute Vinnik, faces lesser charges. through various bank accounts Halkidiki. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 Global virus cases surpass 40 million milestone REUTERS — NEW YORK 38 days it took to get from 20 The United States, India, and Brazil remain the tions through local measures. Iran, the Middle Eastern to 30 million, the 44 days worst affected countries in the world. COVID- France imposed curfews country hardest-hit by the Worldwide coronavirus cases between 10 and 20 million, and while other European nations coronavirus, extended restric- crossed 40 million yesterday, the three months it took to 19 cases in North, Central, and South America are closing schools, canceling tions and closures in the capital according to a tally, as the reach 10 million cases from represent about 47.27 percent or nearly half of surgeries, and enlisting student Tehran into a third week on onset of winter in the northern when the first cases were medics. Saturday as its death toll rose hemisphere fuelled a resur- reported in Wuhan, China, in global cases. President Donald Trump above 30,000. gence in the spread of the early January. called for a big economic Since the pandemic started, disease. Record one-day increases COVID-19 cases in North, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, stimulus as US infections sur- over 1.1 million people have The tally is based on official in new infections were seen at Central, and South America Cyprus, and the Czech Republic passed eight million, with died due to COVID-19, with the reporting by individual coun- the end of last week, with represent about 47.27 percent have reported record daily record spikes in several states. global fatality rate hovering tries. Experts believe the true global coronavirus cases rising or nearly half of global cases. increases in the number of States across the Midwest around 2.8 percent of the total numbers of both cases and above 400,000 for the first Around 247 cases are seen coronavirus infections. are seeing a rise in coronavirus cases. deaths are likely much higher, time. per 10,000 people in the Europe currently accounts cases, with new infections and An official at the World given deficiencies in testing There were an average of United States. For India and for over 17 percent of the global hospitalisations rising to record Health Organization has said and potential under-reporting around 347,000 cases each day Brazil, those numbers stand at cases and nearly 22 percent of levels. the global death toll from by some countries. over the past week, compared 55 cases and 248 cases per the deaths related to the virus India’s cumulative tally of COVID-19 could double to 2 The data shows the pace of with 292,000 in the first week 10,000 people respectively. worldwide. coronavirus infections stood at million before a successful the pandemic continues to pick of October. New cases are growing at Parts of the UK were put 7.43 million on Saturday, with vaccine is widely used and up. It took just 32 days to go The United States, India, over 150,000 a day in Europe, into lockdown as Prime Min- the number of active infections could be even higher without from 30 million global cases to and Brazil remain the worst as many countries including ister Boris Johnson bid to slipping below 800,000 for the concerted action to curb the 40 million, compared with the affected countries in the world. Italy, Netherlands, Germany, contain a second wave of infec- first time in 1.5 months. pandemic. Bolivia’s socialists claim Argentina victory as unofficial to exceed count shows big win 1 million REUTERS — LA PAZ closely advising the campaign, said in a press conference in virus cases Bolivia’s socialist candidate Luis Buenos Aires. Arce looks set to win the coun- Arce, a former economy min- REUTERS — BUENOS AIRES try’s presidential election without ister under Morales, sounded the need for a run-off, an unof- confident of victory without Argentina is on track to become ficial count indicated yesterday, explicitly claiming the win at his the fifth country in the world to putting the leftwing party of Evo own press conference shortly exceed one million coronavirus Morales on the brink of a return after midnight in the Bolivian cases, which would make it the to power. capital La Paz. smallest nation by far to reach The quick-count from “We are going to work, and the grim milestone, after infec- pollster Ciesmori, released by we will resume the process of tions accelerated in recent Bolivian TV channel Unitel change without hate,” Arce told weeks. around midnight on Sunday, reporters. “We will learn and we There were over 989,000 showed Arce had 52.4 percent of will overcome the mistakes we’ve cases of the virus in the South valid votes, more than 20 per- made (before) as the Movement American country by Sunday centage points above the second Toward Socialism party”. night, according to health min- Supporters of Bolivia’s leftist presidential candidate Luis Arce celebrate after Arce won the country’s place centrist rival Carlos Mesa, Conducted amid the ongoing istry data. With a rolling daily general election, in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday. who had 31.5 percent. coronavirus pandemic, Sunday’s average over 13,000 cases, that The official count had poll was regarded as a test of number was expected to top the reached just 5% of votes cast, and democracy in the Andean nation congratulations. leftist presidents in the region and race, had voted peacefully million mark yesterday. exit polls had been delayed hours after last year’s election was The election outcome, if con- over the last two decades, and the but faced long lines meant to That would put it alongside after polls closed, leaving annulled after allegations of vote firmed, is chastening for the Bolivian election is a litmus test avoid overcrowding inside voting the United States, India, Brazil, Bolivians in the dark about the rigging, which sparked bloody country’s conservatives and will of the left’s abiding clout in Latin locations. Many had said they and Russia, all with far larger election result. A candidate needs protests and led to Morales likely bolster the image of America. worried the election result could populations than Argentina’s 45 40 percent of the votes and a quitting after almost 14 years in Morales, the socialist indigenous “The vote is set to be the most lead to more violence. million people. The country is 10-point lead to win outright. power. leader whose shadow still looms important since Bolivia returned “I hope everything turns out also grappling with low levels “All the data known so far Jeanine Anez, the conserv- large over the country despite to democracy in 1982,” Carlos peacefully and that the next gov- of testing. But for those getting indicate that there has been a ative interim President who took him living in exile in Argentina Valverde, a political analyst, said ernment can also provide the tested, more than 60% of recent victory for the Movement over in a power vacuum last year, since last year’s disputed election. earlier in the day. solutions that all Bolivians are tests are coming back positive, towards Socialism,” Morales, who said that it appeared Arce was the Morales was an iconic and On Sunday, residents of La hoping for,” said David Villarroel, one of the world’s highest pos- handpicked Arce and has been election winner and offered her long-lasting figure in a wave of Paz, a city starkly divided by class voting in La Paz. itivity rates. The explosion in cases has strained hospitals and healthcare works, with intensive care unit beds in the country Chile anniversary rallies turn violent, police fire tear gas more than 64% occupied. In some provinces, healthcare REUTERS — SANTIAGO tional referendum. reforms to the pension, systems are on the brink of “Those who carry out these healthcare and education becoming overwhelmed. Tens of thousands of Chileans acts of violence do not want systems. Rioting and looting “I would like this to end gathered in the central square of Chileans to solve our problems resulted in billions of dollars in now. I cannot continue at this Santiago to mark the one-year through democratic means,” damage and losses to the coun- pace,” said Cynthia Jiménez, a anniversary of mass protests that Perez told reporters, vowing to try’s businesses and infra- resident intensive care doctor left over 30 dead and thousands punish those who crossed the line structure. The unrest saw the mil- at Hospital Posadas in Buenos injured, with peaceful rallies on Sunday. itary take to the streets for the Aires province, the hardest hit Sunday devolving by nightfall Early in the day, an angry first time since the rule of dictator area of the country. into riots and looting. mob jeered and threatened a Augusto Pinochet. “It tires you to see people People gathered early in the Communist Party mayor. Later, Police estimated that Sun- who come ill with respiratory day in demonstrations masked individuals firebombed day’s rally in Santiago attracted failure and you have to save downtown and in cities a police headquarters and around 25,000 people by 6pm, them,” she added. “And you throughout Chile that gained size church. Vandals attacked another far smaller than the largest pro- know that if you intubate them, and fervour through the evening. Santiago church in the early tests of 2019. it will end badly for many. That Many touted signs and rainbow evening, setting its spire aflame In the past few days, small- hurts.” Argentina imposed strict coloured homemade banners Demonstrators set a riot police vehicle on fire during clashes on and choking side streets with scale demonstrations and iso- quarantine measures on March calling for a “yes” vote next the commemoration of the first anniversary of the social uprising smoke. More than 15 metro sta- lated incidents of violence have 20, shortly after the country’s Sunday in a referendum over in Chile, in Santiago, on Sunday. tions were temporarily closed nonetheless resurfaced in Chile, first COVID-19 case was con- whether to scrap the country’s amid the unrest. Police fired tear as the capital’s 6 million citizens firmed, which initially helped dictatorship-era Constitution, a supermarkets and clashes with Interior Minister Victor Perez gas and water cannons in skir- emerge from months of con- slow the virus’ spread. key demand of the 2019 police across the capital later in spoke late in the evening, praising mishes with sometimes violent, finement following the COVID-19 The government has since protests. the day. Fire truck sirens, burning the early, peaceful rallies while hooded and masked people. pandemic. Most demonstrators eased restrictions in many parts The demonstrations, while barricades on roadways and fire- blasting the late-night mayhem. Last year’s protests, which on Sunday wore masks, but of the country to help revive largely peaceful early on, were works on downtown streets He called on Chileans to settle began October 18, raged until many could be seen in tight economic growth, leading to a marred by increasing incidents added to a sense of chaos in some their differences by voting in the mid-December as Chileans groups, raising concerns about rise in infections. More than of violence, looting of neighbourhoods. upcoming October 25 constitu- gathered nationwide to call for a potential health risk. 26,000 people have died. Panama offers COVID-19 tests Thousands of indigenous Colombians march in Bogota to international travellers AFP — BOGOTA

REUTERS — PANAMA CITY hope resuming international air Thousands of indigenous Colombians travel with additional safety arrived in the country’s capital on Sunday, Panama is the latest country to measures will help the Isthmus demanding a meeting with President Ivan offer travellers a COVID-19 test nation known for its famous Duque and an end to growing violence in when they arrive at its main shipping canal regain their territories. airport, a little less than a week competitiveness. The demonstrators are also asking that after resuming international Raffoul Arab, the manager they be consulted on major development flights following a seven-month of the Tocumen International projects and for the full implementation of suspension due to the pandemic. Airport in Panama City, said the a 2016 peace plan that ended a half century The Sofia SARS Antigen Flu- tests are for travelers who do not of insurgency by the rebel Revolutionary orescent Immunoassay tests are already have a negative test less Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). meant to prevent the import of than 48 hours old. “We demand guarantees for life, the new cases at a time when parts Venezuelan traveler Jorge right to land and that they comply with the of Europe and the United States Lopez last week arrived in peace agreements with the FARC rebels,” are seeing a resurgence. Panama City on a flight from Hermes Pete, senior advisor to the Regional International flights to and Miami and took the test at the Indigenous Council of Cauca, said. from Panama, a regional trans- airport, in a few seconds, without Protests began on October 10 in south- portation hub, resumed on having to wait in line for it. western Colombia and gradually advanced Colombian indigenous people march to demand the government to protect their territories, October 12. Since then, some “This makes travelling to to the capital. and stop the assassinations of social leaders, in Bogota, yesterday. 1,000 people were tested, said Panama easier,” he said. “Here, The approximately 7,500 who traveled Yelitza Campos, an adviser at they do the test quickly and at to Bogota demanded a face-to-face meeting meeting with a federal delegation and the insisted the minga, or indigenous meeting, Jers Medical, the distributer of $50 it’s accessible.” Panama, with the president to discuss the rise in vio- ombudsman — an offer protestors rejected. “does not come sick, the minga comes the tests in Panama. which took strict measures lence from guerrillas and other groups Ceballos also stressed his concerns healthy,” and asked that the movement not A Panamanian health official earlier this year to contain the financed by drug trafficking. about the risks of the pandemic, saying the be stigmatised. said of those tested, about 20 spread of the pandemic, has so But presidential advisor Miguel Ceballos government had distributed 1,000 Bogota mayor Claudia Lopez welcomed people have come back positive far registered about 125,000 insisted that there was no possibility of COVID-19 tests among the demonstrators. the protest movement and urged Duque to for COVID-19. Panamanians official cases and 2,500 deaths. meeting with Duque, instead offering a But protest spokesperson Noelia Campo listen to its demands. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Trump calls Fauci a ‘disaster’; reassures his team he can win

REUTERS — WASHINGTON Speaking from his public health experts. signature hotel in “Fauci is a nice guy. He’s been US President Donald Trump here for 500 years,” Trump called coronavirus expert Las Vegas ahead added. Anthony Fauci a “disaster” of two rallies in Fauci, 79, is one of the most yesterday and sought to reassure respected scientists in the United campaign workers he still has a Arizona, Trump said States and has served under path to victory on Election Day Americans were fed Republican and Democratic pres- 15 days away despite slipping up with pandemic idents. He has been director of opinion poll numbers. the National Institute of Allergy Trump and Fauci, a member restrictions. and Infectious Diseases since of his coronavirus task force, 1984. have been at odds over how best Trump suggested he had to handle a pandemic that has campaign workers which the avoided firing Fauci because of killed more than 219,000 people campaign allowed reporters to the negative blowback he would in the United States and join. receive. weakened the Republican pres- Speaking from his signature Trump took his frustration ident’s November 3 re-election hotel in Las Vegas ahead of two out on Fauci midway through a bid. rallies in Arizona, Trump said call intended to buck up his Fauci has openly complained Americans were fed up with pan- national team of campaign US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One as he arrives at Phoenix Sky Harbor about being cited in a Trump re- demic restrictions. workers amid a spate of stories International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. election campaign advertisement “People are saying, suggesting a campaign in turmoil. and said in an interview ‘Whatever. Just leave us alone.’ With nearly two weeks to go until momentum,” campaign manager Clinton. “We cannot become com- broadcast on Sunday night by They’re tired of it. People are tired Election Day, Democrat Joe Biden Bill Stepien said on the call. “This is the best I’ve ever felt,” placent because the very searing CBS’ “60 Minutes” that he was not of hearing Fauci and all these holds a lead in national opinion Trump called news stories he said. truth is that Donald Trump can surprised Trump himself con- idiots,” said Trump, whose rallies polls and in many battleground about internal strife “bullshit” and Biden campaign manager Jen still win this race, and every indi- tracted the virus. include many supporters not states where the election is likely said he felt he was in a better O’Malley Dillon said over the cation we have shows that this “Fauci is a disaster. If I lis- wearing masks and standing to be decided. position now than four years ago weekend that national poll thing is going to come down to tened to him, we’d have 500,000 shoulder to shoulder at odds with “We have momentum at the when he scored an improbable figures were misleading because the wire,” she wrote in a memo deaths,” Trump said on a call with the guidance of Fauci and other exact time that we want victory over Democrat Hillary must-win states were close. to donors. US borders with Canada, Mexico to stay closed till November 21 US Apex Court to review

REUTERS — WASHINGTON non-essential travel through confirming a policy put in Trump said it would open November 21. We are working place in March to control the “pretty soon” because Canada two cases involving The United States’ land borders closely with Mexico and spread of COVID-19. wanted the restrictions lifted. between Canada and Mexico Canada to identify safe criteria “We’d love to have the But Canada’s government has will remain closed to all non- to ease the restrictions in the border open... but we can’t do made it clear it does not want Trump border policy essential travel until November future and support our border that unless we’re comfortable the restrictions removed until 21, the US Homeland Security communities,” said US Acting that Canadians are being kept COVID-19 is under control in AP — WASHINGTON January 2019. It became a key Department said yesterday. Homeland Security Secretary safe,” Prime Minister Justin both countries. pillar of the administration’s The extension comes as the Chad Wolf on Twitter. Trudeau said in an interview The restrictions are partic- The Supreme Court yesterday response to an unprecedented United States remains one of Mexico’s foreign ministry on AM 900 CHML Hamilton ularly painful for US and agreed to hear two cases surge of asylum-seeking fam- the worst-affected countries also confirmed that the radio earlier on Monday. Canadian towns along the involving Trump administration ilies from Central American in the world and is reporting measures will remain in place “Right now, the situation border that are tightly inter- policies at the US-Mexico border: countries at the border, drawing the second-highest number of and unchanged until in the United States continues twined. Statistics Canada said one about a policy that makes criticism for having people wait new cases daily. November 21. to be of concern,” Trudeau earlier US visits to Canada by asylum-seekers wait in Mexico in highly dangerous Mexican “To continue to limit the Canada’s Public Safety added. automobile had plummeted by for US court hearings and a cities. spread of COVID, the US, Minister Bill Blair earlier dis- Last month, on the day the more than 95 percent in second about the administra- Lower courts found that the Mexico, and Canada will closed the latest one-month border extension was con- August compared with August tion’s use of money to fund the policy is probably illegal. But extend the restrictions on extension on Twitter, firmed, US President Donald 2019. border wall. earlier this year the Supreme The justices’ decision to hear Court stepped in to allow the the cases continues its practice policy to remain in effect while Early in-person voting of reviewing lower court rulings a lawsuit challenging it plays out that have found President in the courts. More than 60,000 begins in key swing Donald Trump’s immigration asylum-seekers were returned policies illegal over the past four to Mexico under the policy. The years. Justice Department estimated in state of Florida Most notably, the high court late February that there were reviewed and ultimately upheld 25,000 people still waiting in AP — FORT LAUDERDALE Trump’s travel ban on visitors Mexico for hearings in US court. from some largely Muslim coun- Those hearings were suspended Florida begins in-person early voting in tries. In June, the court kept in because of the coronavirus much of the state yesterday as the Trump place legal protections for immi- pandemic. campaign tries to cut into an early grants who came to the US as The Trump administration advantage Democrats have posted in children. told the high court in April that mail-in votes in the key swing state. The justices will not hear the “program has been With its 29 electoral votes, Florida is either new case until 2021, and extremely effective at reducing crucial to both candidates but especially so the outcome of the presidential the strain on the United States’ for President Donald Trump, who moved election could make the cases go immigration detention capacity his official residence to his Palm Beach estate away, or at least reduce their sig- and improving the efficient res- Mar-a-Lago from New York last year. A nificance. If Democrat Joe Biden olution of asylum Florida loss would make it nearly impos- wins the White House, he has applications.” sible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral pledged to end “Migrant Pro- In a statement after the high votes needed to retain the White House over tection Protocols,” which Trump court agreed to take the case, former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden. considers a cornerstone policy Judy Rabinovitz, an attorney for Under state law, counties can offer up Voters wait in line to cast their early ballots at the Westchester Regional Library polling on immigration. the American Civil Liberties to two weeks of early voting and many do, station in Westchester, Florida, yesterday. In the border wall case, Union, which is challenging the including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm much of the money has already policy, called the policy “illegal Beach and other population centers. Large Florida Republicans have said they the centre of intense focus during recounts been spent and wall constructed. and depraved.” “The courts have counties offer multiple sites and all counties aren’t worried about the mail-in gap, of ballots, including the 2000 presidential It is unclear what could be done repeatedly ruled against it, and allow those who have received mail-in believing any advantage Biden gets will be race between Republican George W Bush about wall that has already been the Supreme Court should as ballots to drop them off. The latest a county swamped by Trump supporters casting in- and Democrat Al Gore. The recount drew built if the administration loses, well,” she said. can start early voting is on Saturday. person ballots starting this week and on a chaotic slew of court challenges that ulti- but it could conceivably be torn The high court also agreed About 2.5 million mail-in ballots have Election Day. They believe Democrats are mately ended with US Supreme Court down. Biden has said he would to hear the Trump administra- already been cast, with Democrats “cannibalising” their own votes — moving halting further recounting, deciding the race cease wall construction if elected tion’s appeal of a lower court returning 1.2 million and Republicans about in-person voters to mail-in without for Bush. Elections officials are predicting but would not tear down what ruling that it improperly diverted 755,000 as of Sunday. Non-affiliated voters increasing their overall support. They point that between mail-in ballots and early was built under Trump’s watch. money to build portions of the and third-party members make up the rest. to their increased voter registration, which voting, about 70 percent of the ballots The court has allowed both border wall with Mexico. The number of mail-in votes is already narrowed the Democrats’ lead to 134,000, expected will be cast before Election Day. policies to continue even after The high court has previ- approaching the 2.7 million cast in 2016 down 327,000 four years ago. The state allows those ballots to be proc- they were held illegal by lower ously allowed construction to when Republicans had a 70,000-vote Long lines have plagued early voting essed, but the actual count remains secret courts, a sign the challengers continue, even after a federal margin on returns. Trump defeated Hillary sites in Georgia and other states, but Florida until after the polls close November 3. could face long odds when the appeals court ruled in June that Clinton in the state by about 113,000 votes. county elections supervisors have said they Counties must end early voting by justices ultimately decide the the administration had illegally No Republican has won the presidency expect lines to move smoothly. November 1. Mail-in ballots, with few cases. The Trump administration sidestepped Congress in trans- without winning Florida since Calvin Some elections in Florida have been exceptions, must be received by 7pm policy known informally as ferring $2.5bn in Defence Coolidge in 1924. won on the thinnest of margins, becoming November 3. “Remain in Mexico” began in Department funds.

Venezuela’s opposition prepares Virus curbs reinstated in Wisconsin as New Mexico sounds the alarm popular consultation to reject Maduro REUTERS — NEW YORK Wisconsin, one of several However, a field hospital week ended October 18, REUTERS — CARACAS nomic situation. battleground states in the erected at fairgrounds outside according to the analysis of “This is, I want to emphasise, As Wisconsin battled one of the upcoming US presidential Milwaukee for COVID-19 state and county reports. Since Venezuela’s opposition is organ- the last resource we have in the worst coronavirus surges in the election, is scrambling to patients was empty as of the outbreak started, nearly ising a popular consultation to constitution,” said Blanca United States, a judge yesterday contain a resurgence of the Sunday, according to Wis- 220,000 people in the country repudiate the government of Marmol, a former supreme court reinstated an order from coronavirus that officials fear consin health authorities. have died and over 8.1 million President Nicolas Maduro, a magistrate who is helping Governor Tony Evers’ admin- could overwhelm the state’s The number of new have become infected with the process expected to be held organize the effort, in a press istration limiting indoor public hospitals. COVID-19 cases in the United novel coronavirus. around the December 6 congres- conference alongside other gatherings. Evers’ emergency directive States last week rose 13 In New Mexico, the gov- sional election that the oppo- citizen activists. The order, issued earlier was challenged in court shortly percent to more than 393,000, ernor warned on Monday that sition is boycotting. “We have been fighting for this month to stem rising new after it was issued on October approaching levels last seen the state’s healthcare resources Maduro’s adversaries say the 20 years, making use of all the COVID-19 infections in the 6, and a judge initially blocked during a summer peak, might not be sufficient if coro- parliamentary vote is rigged in resources that the constitution state, put a 25 percent capacity it on October 14. according to an analysis. navirus cases continue to rise favor of the ruling Socialist Party, establishes, which have been limit on the number of people Wisconsin is one of five Thirty-four of 50 states at the current pace. and most opposition parties have systematically snatched (from who may gather indoors, states where more than 20% have seen cases increase for at “If COVID-19 continues to ruled out fielding candidates. us).” The idea of a popular con- including at bars and restau- of COVID-19 tests are coming least two weeks in a row, up exponentially spread like last The consultation will likely sultation was first proposed in rants, until November 6. back positive. from 29 the prior week. They week, New Mexico will not help the opposition demonstrate August by opposition leader and “This critically important Local health officials last include Pennsylvania, Ohio, have the health care and hos- the broad rejection of Maduro congress chief Juan Guaido, who ruling will help us prevent the week warned about “very Michigan and North Carolina pital capacity for every New after years of economic crisis, is recognized by dozens of coun- spread of this virus by intense community spread in — all battleground states for Mexican who needs care,” but does not by itself offer a clear tries as Venezuela’s legitimate restoring limits on public gath- all age groups” as they the November 3 election. Governor Michelle Lujan path toward a change of gov- president following Maduro’s erings,” Evers said in a announced a string of grim Deaths fell 2 percent to Grisham, a Democrat, wrote ernment or resolution of the eco- disputed 2018 re-election. statement. records. about 4,900 people for the in a tweet. TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 16

Aspetar recognised as AFC Medical Centre of Excellence

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The recognition highlights the AFC’s Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports PRAYER Medicine Hospital in Qatar has commitment towards TIMINGS been recognised as part of the ensuring world-class PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Medical Centre of Excel- healthcare to the lence network in a virtual Continent’s teams FAJR 04.17 am ceremony. and players. SUNRISE 05.35 am The recognition highlights the AFC’s commitment towards DHUHR 11.19 am ensuring world-class healthcare would like to thank Aspetar and ASR 02.36 pm to the Continent’s teams and the Qatar Football Association for MAGHRIB 05.04 pm players. sharing our belief and vision.” Aspetar will now be part of Echoing the AFC President’s ISHA 06.34 pm established medical centres message, AFC General Secretary under the AFC Medical Centre of Dato’ Windsor John, in a special Excellence, which was launched video message to Aspetar, said: in 2018 to provide better “World-class teams and players healthcare for the Continent’s require world-class medical footballers by recognising treatment and care. There has medical centres in Asia. This ini- never been a sharper focus on tiative demonstrates leadership our players’ health, well-being, in clinical research and educa- and rehabilitation than during WEATHER tional expertise as well as injury- this pandemic. Asia is a vast Con- prevention and management tinent and sports medicine is a TODAY Participants during a virtual meeting of Asian Football Confederation. measures. constantly evolving discipline, so AFC President Shaikh Salman it is vital that we continue to bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The expand our network of AFC players. We are confident that organising several key scientific recognition of our work and AFC’s vision and mission has set Medical Centres of Excellence to with this recognition, Aspetar events. As the first FIFA Medical expertise and to join such an out our objectives to ensure the ensure that more players can will continue to elevate football Centre of Excellence accredited exclusive network of sports success of our teams, players and gain greater access to the highest and sports medicine through in the Middle East, Aspetar’s medicine centres of excellence. o o officials and sports medicine standards of medical attention education and research collab- partnership with the AFC has We are one of the leading sports 27 C 34 C plays an important role in this and treatment. oration in the Continent.” enabled major advances in the medicine centres in the world, Minimum Maximum journey. “The AFC acknowledges the As one of the AFC’s long- treatment and care of Asian we believe at Aspetar that we “As one of our long-standing crucial role of Aspetar and all our standing partners, Aspetar con- footballers. can bring our experience in Relativley hot daytime with some clouds and mild by night. partners, Aspetar has already Medical Centres of Excellence in tinues to support Asian football Mohammed Khalifa Al sports medicine and sports grown to take its position as one raising the standards in sports development by contributing to Suwaidi, Aspetar General science to serve football in Asia, of the leaders in protecting the science and medicine in Asia and sports medicine knowledge and Director, said: “It is an honour there’s so much that can be W ALRUWAIS : 28o → 31o wellbeing of players and the AFC their commitment to the care of scientific research and by to receive such a high done,” he added. W ALKHOR : 26o → 33o W DUKHAN : 26o → 31o W WAKRAH : 20o → 35o IDAM partners with HMC, QCS for W MESAIEED : 20o → 35o W ABUSAMRA : 25o → 33o Breast Cancer Awareness Month many forget to take steps to have a plan HIGH TIDE THE PENINSULA — DOHA 07:02 – 18:03 to detect the disease in its early stages To mark this year’s Breast Cancer and encourage others to do the same. LOW TIDE 01:14 – 14:19 Awareness Month, IDAM, one of Qatar “HMC’s healthcare professionals and Museums’ flagship restaurants, is part- leaders are committed to continually nering with Hamad Medical Corporation improving services and collaborating with (HMC) and Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) to other entities in the country such as IDAM inspire the local community to ‘Think and Qatar Cancer Society to raise Pink.’ awareness and broaden women’s under- Nokia to build This collaboration seeks to raise standing on breast cancer. The ultimate awareness, provide advice, insight, goal is to best meet their needs now and mobile network encouragement, and increase donations in the future,” said Dr. Salha Bujassoum IDAM by Alain Ducasse, one of Qatar Museums’ flagship restaurants, located at the to Qatar’s leading cancer charity. Al Bader, Chairperson of Medical Museum of Islamic Art. on moon Throughout October, IDAM by Alain Oncology and Palliative Care Medicine, Ducasse will offer a special pink-themed Director of Breast Cancer Program at HELSINKI REUTERS — lunch and dinner menu. Female guests HMC. about this vital initiative and the infor- Alongside its à la carte menu, IDAM’s will be able to enjoy at 15 percent dis- Mona Ashknani, General Manager of mation provided throughout October. Pink Lunch Experience Menu and Pink Finland’s Nokia has been count. Additionally, diners can make a Qatar Cancer Society, praised the initi- Phil Lawrie, General Manager of IN-Q Dinner Experience menu enables diners selected by Nasa to build the quick and convenient donation to QCS ative of its restaurant partner, IDAM, and Enterprises, Qatar Museums’ commercial to enjoy dishes such as grilled foie-gras, first cellular network on the via a digital link on display at every table. pointed out its potential “to strengthen organisation, said: “We are extremely oven-baked duckling with figs and moon, the company said IDAM’s social media platforms will efforts to combat cancer and raise pleased to be supporting such an chestnuts, and milk pastilla with rose and yesterday. feature practical advice and insight from awareness about it.” important cause. We aim to bring raspberry. The 3-course Pink Lunch The lunar network will be doctors from HMC, along with inspira- “To fight cancer we need to organise attention to the work of HMC and Qatar Experience Menu is available every part of the US space agency’s tional stories from cancer survivors in an awareness programmes in corporation Cancer Society and utilise their insight Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday efforts to return humans to the effort to encourage knowledge sharing with all organisation across Qatar and we and knowledge to provide advice and from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and is QR250 moon by 2024 and build long- and practical advice from HMC doctors. should do that continually and not link inspiration to help our local or QR212.5, with ladies’ discount. The term settlements there under its “Breast cancer is a health concern for the awareness to a specific time period,” community. 5-course Pink Dinner Experience Menu Artemis programme. women worldwide, and the impact it has she added, “Our restaurant staff is showing sol- is available every day except Mondays Nokia said the first wireless on the community is huge. However, Local influencers, media, and doctors idarity with the cause — wearing a pink from 700pm to 9.30pm and is QR350 or broadband communications breast cancer treatment has become very from HMC were also invited to a lunch ribbon to remind guests of this annual QR297.5 with ladies’ discount. system in space would be built effective, and the cure rate is reaching 95 event that introduced them to the menu initiative and encouraging guests to For reservations and further infor- on the lunar surface in late percent of cases if detected early. While and promotion at the IDAM. The event donate to Qatar Cancer Society when they mation about the menu, call IDAM +974 2022, before humans make it most people are aware of breast cancer, encouraged all parties to spread the word dine at IDAM.” 4422 4488. back there. After delivery, the network will configure itself and establish the first LTE (Long- Term Evolution) communica- EU falls short of targets to protect nature: EEA tions system on the moon, Nokia said. REUTERS — BRUSSELS “The network will provide habitats and species have a poor with the 2001-2006 period. are still losing our vital life next year, where nearly 200 critical communication capa- Unsustainable farming, forestry or bad conservation status, the But it is set to miss these goals support system,” EU environment countries will negotiate a new bilities for many different data- and the sprawl of urbanisation EU environment agency (EEA) by 12 percent for habitats and 2 commissioner Virginijus Sinkev- agreement on protecting nature. transmission applications, are degrading the health of said in a report yesterday. percent for non-bird species, the icius said. With the twin crises of The European Commission including vital command and Europe’s animals and natural The EU had aimed to increase EEA said. The EU also fell short climate change and wildlife loss presented plans in May to halve control functions, remote habitats, the bloc’s environment the amount of habitats and non- of a goal to raise the amount of accelerating, the EU, with coun- chemical pesticide use and farm control of lunar rovers, real- agency said, meaning that the bird species with a good or bird species with a good or tries including Canada and 25 percent of agricultural land time navigation and streaming European Union will miss key improved conservation status by improved population status by Britain, is attempting to build organically by 2030 — which of high definition video,” Nokia targets to protect biodiversity. 100 percent and 50 percent, 2020. momentum ahead of a global farming groups said could harm said. Most of Europe’s protected respectively, in 2020 compared “It shows very clearly that we summit on biodiversity in China crop yields. Bulgarian circus defies odds during pandemic

REUTERS — SOFIA re-arrange his programme six aerial gymnasts and other per- times amid accumulating bills formers from Italy, Ukraine, Sitting in his caravan in and artist cancellations, and the Moldova and Russia. downtown Sofia, Alexander circus only opened its doors on But, like much of Europe, Balkanski, a former acrobat and September 1. Bulgaria has seen a surge in trapeze artist and the founder of “All over Europe circuses are COVID-19 infections this Bulgaria’s largest circus, swings on their knees, including us,” said autumn, and this has quickly between hope and despair as he Balkanski, whose family origi- dented the numbers of visitors counts the emotional and nally came from Italy and who coming to the 2,000-seat venue. financial costs of the COVID-19 himself has been performing “We started the first week pandemic. since the age of eight. very well, with about 300-600 This year Balkanski, 78, had A welcome injection of visitors per day. The second hoped to celebrate the 200th 50,000 euros in state aid was week we saw a 10 percent drop,” anniversary of his family’s spent within days on back pay, he said. involvement in circus and the rents and maintenance bills for In recent days, that has 20th birthday of Circus Balkanski, his 40-member troupe. slowed to a trickle of a few but the lockdown has drastically People initially flocked back dozen. An artiste warms up backstage ahead of her performance at Circus Balkanski in Sofia, Bulgaria. curtailed the season, which to the Big Top in September to “I do not want circus to die usually runs from April to watch Balkanski’s son and before me. I want to go before November. daughter-in-law perform an the circus dies,” said Balkanski. Leonid Brezhnev, and also to US for Pope John Paul II in 1986. “Bulgaria needs to know that Balkanski mortgaged his acrobatic ‘Wheel of Death’ and During a long career he has President Richard Nixon and Despite the challenges posed Circus Balkanski is alive. Our home to raise 250,000 euros for the ‘Hell Riders’ from Colombia performed to Communist-era Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. by the pandemic, Balkanski season ends on November 22 a new tent ordered to mark the on motorcycles. leaders such as Bulgaria’s Todor His most cherished memory remains defiant that the show and I am sure we will have the anniversaries. He had to Balkanski also contracted Zhivkov and the Soviet Union’s is performing at the Vatican City must, and will, go on. strength to persevere.”