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published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11736 November 18, 2020 Rabia II 3, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

HMC provides care for 1,800 stroke patients Despite the emergence of Covid-19 in Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Stroke Service Qatar to host has continued to provide safe and eff ective care for all patients with a confirmed or suspected stroke. Since the start of the year, more than 1,800 patients have been admitted to Hamad General FIFA Club Hospital’s Stroke Service, with about 1,200 of these diagnosed with a confirmed stroke and 600 experiencing mimic strokes. Page 7 World Cup Airlines to trial Covid tests to restart flights American Airlines, British Airways, and the oneworld alliance will in Feb 2021 launch a coronavirus testing trial this month aimed at convincing the US and UK governments he FIFA Club World Cup 2020 to introduce testing so that will take place in Qatar from HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani chairing the transatlantic travel can restart. TFebruary 1-11 next year, the Su- Qatari side at the Qatar-Kuwait Joint Supreme Committee for Co-operation meeting yesterday. They plan to collect data from at preme Committee for Delivery & Lega- least 500 passengers on flights cy yesterday said. from three US cities to London It will be the second time Qatar has Heathrow by asking them to played host to the world’s continen- take three free Covid-19 tests as tal club champions after successfully part of their journey: one before staging the 2019 version of the tourna- Qatar, Kuwait sign 5 MoUs departure, one on landing, and one ment, which was won by Liverpool FC. three days after their arrival. The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup was due to take place in December 2020 time will undoubtedly confi rm our Biden names campaign – but was delayed due to the Covid-19 readiness for the FIFA World Cup. to enhance co-operation pandemic. The number of Covid-19 “I wish all the participating teams vets to key posts cases remains low in Qatar and it is the best of luck and look forward to US President-elect Joe Biden hoped local fans will be able to attend witnessing top-level football during O Joint Supreme Committee for Co-operation holds fifth session announced yesterday he has February’s tournament. Ticketing de- the tournament.” appointed nine close campaign tails will be announced in due course. HE Sheikh Hamad added: “The aides to key White House Two teams have qualifi ed for the tournament presents an exciting op- QNA At the outset, HE the Deputy Prime Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber positions as he fleshes out a tournament to-date: host nation rep- portunity for Al Duhail, who will have Doha Minister and Minister of Foreign Af- al-Sabah. diverse leadership team. The resentatives Al Duhail, the reigning the chance to take on some of the best fairs off ered condolences on the death The Qatari foreign minister said new appointees include his 2020 Qatar Stars League champions, and club sides in the world. We also look of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber the fi fth session of the Qatari-Ku- campaign manager Jen O’Malley UEFA Champions League winners forward to again hosting Bayern Mu- he Joint Supreme Commit- al-Sabah. He said that the region lost waiti Joint Supreme Committee for Dillon being named deputy chief Bayern Munich. The fi ve remaining nich, one of the most prestigious clubs tee for Co-operation between a father and a great leader who was Co-operation during this very deli- of staff , who will serve under participants will be confi rmed over the in world football.” TQatar and Kuwait held its fi fth characterised by wisdom and good cate regional and international cir- White House chief of staff Ron next three months when qualifi cation Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary Gen- session yesterday via video confer- opinion, who devoted his life and ef- cumstances was an embodiment of Klain. Campaign co-chair Cedric tournaments are concluded. eral of Supreme Committee for Deliv- ence. fort to serving his country, the Arab the wise political will of the leaders Richmond was named senior HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin ery & Legacy, said: “Hosting the FIFA The Qatari side was chaired by HE and Islamic nation and the world. of the two countries. “It also refl ects advisor to the president. Page 11 Ahmed al-Thani, President, Qatar Club World Cup for a second time the Deputy Prime Minister and Min- HE Sheikh Mohamed added that Qa- the depth and strength of the distin- Football Association, said: “We will represents another vital learning op- ister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- tar will continue to remember with guished relationship and the close Ethiopian troops begin preparing to host this event im- portunity for our country as we edge hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, full appreciation and pride the noble bilateral ties, he said, adding that mediately as we look to build on the ever nearer to hosting the FIFA World while the Kuwaiti side was headed by stances of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad through this session, they exchanged marching on Mekelle tremendous success of last year’s tour- Cup. We will be working closely with Minister of Foreign Aff airs and Act- al-Jaber al-Sabah towards Qatar and views on issues of common inter- Ethiopia said its troops were nament. our stakeholders to provide an excep- ing Minister of Information Sheikh its people, especially during the cur- est to strengthen co-operation and marching on the capital of the “It was a pleasure to welcome thou- tional experience for fans, players and Dr Ahmed Nasser al-Mohamed al- rent Gulf crisis. achieve more integration in various Tigray region yesterday after sands of fans from across the world in offi cials, while fi ne-tuning our plans Sabah. sectors to achieve the common in- a deadline for rebel forces to 2019. Hosting the event for a second for 2022.” To Page 16 During the committee’s fi fth ses- The agreements terests of the two brotherly countries surrender passed in a two-week sion, the two sides reviewed bilat- and peoples. conflict shaking the Horn of Africa eral co-operation relations, as well as include memoranda Relations between Qatar and Ku- and alarming the world. “The final enhancing co-operation, achieving of understanding for wait are well-established, refl ected critical act of law enforcement FM meets GCC secretary-general more integration in various sectors, in the strengthening of the volume will be done in the coming days,” and exchanging views on issues of co-operation in the of trade exchange between the two Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. common concern. fields of encouraging countries and the increase in the pace Abiy’s special task force on the On the sidelines of the meeting, of economic co-operation in an un- Tigray conflict accused rebel forces Qatar and Kuwait signed fi ve memo- direct investment, precedented manner, he pointed out. of destroying bridges connecting randa of understanding (MoUs) and civil service affairs In the political fi eld, the minister the regional capital Mekelle with the minutes of the fi fth session be- expressed satisfaction in Qatar and the rest of the country in attempts tween the two countries. The agree- and administrative Kuwait’s united visions on regional to hold back federal government ments were signed by the Qatari and development, Islamic and international issues, adding that forces. Page 9 the Kuwaiti foreign ministers. the Qatari side looks forward to en- The agreements include memo- affairs between hancing coordination and co-oper- Trump cuts troop levels randa of understanding for coopera- the governments ation regarding issues of interest to tion in the fi elds of encouraging direct the people of the Gulf, as well as Arab, in Afghanistan to 2,500 investment, civil service aff airs and of the two countries Islamic nations, and the world. President Donald Trump will administrative development, Islamic and various HE Sheikh Mohamed thanked the sharply reduce the number of US aff airs between the governments of Kuwaiti minister of foreign aff airs for forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to the two countries, various agricultural agricultural fields the fraternal feelings in his speech 2,500 before he leaves off ice, the fi elds and improving the implementa- and for his keenness to strengthen Pentagon announced yesterday, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed tion, construction and maintenance HE the Deputy Prime Minister relations between the two brotherly stopping short of the complete bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday with GCC Secretary-General Dr Nayef of roads during the work of the Joint wished Kuwait success and pros- countries, wishing that this session’s withdrawal Trump threatened to Falah al-Hajraf, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting dealt with Supreme Committee for Co-opera- perity under the leadership of Amir success in achieving the desired goals carry out by Christmas. Acting exchanging views on the progress of the Gulf Co-operation Council, in addition tion, in addition to the signing of the Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber and results for the benefi t of the two Defence Secretary Christopher to issues of joint interest. meeting minutes of the fi fth session. al-Sabah and the Crown Prince countries and peoples. Miller confirmed the drawdown and also outlined a modest withdrawal of forces in Iraq that will reduce troop levels there from 3,000 to 2,500. Corbyn to be readmitted Sidra Medicine ‘test’ to aid call for immunity passports to UK Labour Party cientists at Qatar Foundation’s mune may lead that individual to be- against all of them, unlike most com- The former leader of Britain’s Sidra Medicine are working on lieve that they are immune and engage mercial assays. We are working with Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn will be Sdeveloping a better antibody test in high-risk activities that may lead to other entities in Qatar to fi gure out if readmitted after he was suspended that provides more detailed informa- a true infection. A false negative anti- antibodies to other coronaviruses im- from the party for downplaying a tion than existing commercial assays body test may cause an individual, who pacts immunity and how it aff ects the report that detailed serious failings for Covid-19 antibodies. is already immune, to be unnecessarily clinical trajectory of infected patients.” in its handling of anti-Semitism This is expected to make life easier re-screened for the virus for travel or Dr Grivel’s team at the Deep Pheno- complaints. The Equality and during the pandemic times by identi- work-related purposes. typing Core consists of Igor Pavlovski Human Rights Commission said in fying and certifying people who have The test that scientists at Sidra and Selma Maacha who have been in- October it had found evidence of developed immunity to the virus, mak- Medicine are working looks at multiple strumental in conducting the research failure to adequately train people ing them safer candidates for travel types of antibodies against the diff er- for Sidra Medicine’s serological tests. investigating alleged anti-Semitism. and work. ent protein components of the Cov- Dr Patrick Tang, division chief, Pa- “Immunity passports” is a huge area id-19 virus, as well as against the other thology Sciences at Sidra Medicine of interest for governments and re- common human coronaviruses. said that if this test can be applied to searchers alike .The idea is that some- The test is also high-throughput and, a larger population, it would defi nitely one who has already recovered from because it has been developed locally, improve the accuracy of the results. Covid-19 develops antibodies to the less expensive than all commercially “Commercially available serology virus that will remain in their body for available tests. The preliminary results tests have an accuracy rate of about at least a few months. This means they show that the test developed by Sidra 85-90%. If we had a more accurate are much less likely to be re-infected Medicine is much more accurate than serology test, we have a greater degree and develop symptoms from the vi- the currently available antibody tests Researchers at Sidra Medicine are developing test to support the call for of assurance about who is immune and rus, making them safer candidates for and provides more detailed information immunity passports. not likely to become symptomatic if travel and work. about each person’s immune response. exposed to the virus again. This would However, the use of immunity pass- But does this mean that those who milder symptoms or be asymptomatic? Medicine whose team is working on the mean that these people would be safe ports has been hampered partly by test positive for antibodies against “That’s the million-dollar question,” new serology assay. for customer-facing duties, or to travel inaccurate testing. A false positive an- other coronaviruses could also be im- says Dr Jean-Charles Grivel, director “There are seven human coronavi- or participate in public gatherings and tibody test in a person who is not im- mune to Covid-19? Or potentially face at the Deep Phenotyping Core at Sidra ruses. Our assay measures reactivity group activities,” added, Dr Tang. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 QATAR Speakers tackle public health challenges on Day 3 of WISH ay 3 of the World In- novation Summit for DHealth (WISH), held un- der the banner of ‘One World, Our Health’, featured several Peter Sands discusses the need for focusing on other epidemics. thematic panels and new re- search reports highlighting the Ghafur, digital health lead at the fellow at WISH, and debated healthcare challenges and major Institute of Global Health Inno- how the wearing of masks has epidemics the world is combat- vation at Imperial College Lon- become political. ing alongside Covid-19, and the don, highlighted a framework to Another full programme for potential of digital health solu- mitigate the accompanying risk Day 4 will include panels dis- tions. of cyber threats. Dr Ahmed El- cussions on Islamic Ethics and Eva Longoria, award-winning magarmid, founding executive Infertility Treatment and Health actor, producer, director, en- director of Qatar Computing Challenges of Major Sports trepreneur, and philanthropist, Research Institute at HBKU, also Events, with a keynote by Has- highlighted the ways in which A panel discussion on the Global Health Workforce of the Future. A discussion on Cyber Security and Healthcare Systems. spoke on the panel. san al-Thawadi, secretary- Covid-19 has taken deepened Highlighting WISH’s empha- general of the Supreme Com- existing inequalities for Latinos The potentially catastrophic ef- mental health was the focus of stitute, and Dr Insel, Humanest ing about depression in a mas- sis on building a healthier world mittee for Delivery & Legacy, in the US and marginalised peo- fect of resources being pulled the Mental Health and Digital Care, the panel also featured Dr terclass. Campbell also spoke through strong partnerships, a and a frank discussion with Dr ple across the world in her key- from three major epidemics to Technologies panel. A newly re- Dena al-Thani, assistant profes- on fake news and the Covid-19 panel discussion with The Vati- Anthony Fauci on bringing the note speech. address Covid-19, was also the leased report evaluated how real sor at the College of Science and infodemic during an ‘In Focus’ can’s Pontifi cal Academy for Life pandemic to an end. She asserted that govern- focus of an ‘In Conversation’ impact depends on whether dif- Engineering at Hamad Bin Kha- session that followed. and The BMJ discussed Religion WISH, Qatar Foundation’s ments and communities should session with Peter Sands, execu- ferent digital mental health tools lifa University (HBKU). Affi rming the potential of and Medical Ethics: Refl ec- global health initiative, will con- work together on solving the tive director of The Global Fund can be brought together into co- British journalist and author digital health solutions to revo- tions on Autonomy and Author- clude tomorrow. One can regis- concurrent educational and eco- to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and herent pathways and packages of Alastair Campbell shared per- lutionise healthcare, the Cyber ity. The day’s Agora session was ter at https://2020.wish.org.qa/ nomic crises aff ecting the mar- Malaria. care. Co-chaired by Prof Helen sonal insights about overcoming Security and Healthcare Sys- moderated by Maha El Akoum, register/ to attend the free vir- ginalised and underrepresented. The state of innovation in Christensen, the Black Dog In- the stigma associated with talk- tems panel, chaired by Dr Saira head of content and a research tual summit. Eva Longoria highlights global healthcare inequalities for women

By Joseph Varghese disproportionately impacted created a medical crisis but also in the current climate and has marginalised people was found Staff Reporter women and people of colour.” an economic crisis, an educa- voiced her concern that the coro- having some sort of mental ago- “The virus has left people to tional crisis and a social crisis. navirus pandemic has been hard- ny. “Mental health support must die, families to mourn and it has In this time of uncertainties, our er for women, who tend to have be made a priority. Failing to act va Longoria, award-win- turned the basic social interac- children are absorbing the stress multiple responsibilities. on these concerns puts us on a ning American actor, pro- tions into political statements. of going through these diffi cult “Every one of us has a role to way that fails in mental health Educer, director, entrepre- This invisible threat has left vis- times. It has a great impact on play in response to Covid-19. and antipoverty eff orts.” neur and philanthropist, voiced ible scars on our societies,” she our children and their mental Covid-19 has posed and in- “The need of the hour is col- her concerns and suggestions on highlighted. health that might linger for long,” creased interpersonal challenges laboration in facing the pan- the impact of the Covid-19 pan- Longoria, who has been at she added. for Latina women and women of demic as well as climate change. demic as well as global health in- the forefront of the fi ght for the During her career, Longo- colour. We have to meet the ex- This can only be done by being equalities experienced by women rights of Latinas and women of ria has devoted extensive time haustive needs of the global fam- united. In our commitment to and girls of colour. colour, said: “The pandemic has and energy to prioritising men- ily as we live in a global commu- fi ght against Covid-19, the com- Longoria was a keynote speak- been able to capitialise on the tal health among young Latina nity. We have to emerge from this mitment to stand with those who er at the virtual World Innovation Eva Longoria taking part in WISH 2020. large amount of inequalities that women, speaking out on such pandemic stronger,” she urged. fi ght for their voices to be heard Summit for Health (WISH) 2020 were prevalent in our society for issues as self-harm, anxiety and Highlighting the need for bet- and the commitment to tackle yesterday. policy makers, she said: “WISH that we desperately need right long and for the marginalised depression. Recently, she high- ter mental health support, the the greatest challenges that our Addressing the global com- enables the kind of global co-op- now, as we confront a pandemic people all over the world.” lighted the importance of nur- actor said even before the pan- world faces today, we need to stay munity of healthcare experts and eration on pressing health issues and a changing climate that have “The pandemic has not just turing women’s mental health demic, one in four among the united,” she added. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 3 QATAR

Amir sends congratulations to Moldova president-elect

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday a cable of congratulations to Maia Sandu on her victory in the presidential elections in Moldova, wishing her success and further progress and prosperity to the Moldovan people. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Tunisian newspapers Hamad al-Thani also sent a cable of congratulations to Sandu on her victory. Shura Council in webinar on parliamentary challenges

The Shura Council yesterday took part in a parliamentary webinar held by the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) under the title ‘Universal Health Coverage in Times of (Covid-19)’. Discussions during the webinar focused on the role of parliaments in providing equal opportunities for everyone to obtain highlight President quality health services without causing financial hardship, as the Covid-19 crisis has further strained health systems around the world and exacerbated inequality, especially among vulnerable groups in society. The Shura Council was represented by HE Fahad bin Mohamed Buzwair, member of the Saied’s visit to Qatar council.

QNA “There is agreement on the Libyan file, is witnessing development at all NHRC took measures to prevent Tunis levels that we can benefi t from. the Palestinian issue and regional and Qatar also benefi ts from the Tu- Arab issues, noting at the same time nisian competencies that work violations during pandemic unisian newspapers and there,” he added. The former websites emphasised the that Qatar stood by Tunisia after the Director of the Tunisian Insti- Timportance of the visit revolution and supported the success tute for Strategic Studies, Tariq QNA paid by Tunisian President Kais al-Kahlawi said that President Doha Saied to Qatar, at the invitation of the democratic transition path, in Saeid’s visit to Qatar is the fi rst of His Highness the Amir Sheikh addition to supporting it economically visit to an Arab country after Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Algeria. He was very welcomed E the Chairman of the noting that it comes within the with some funds and guarantees” in Qatar, adding that his visit is National Human Rights framework of the distinguished important, especially at the eco- HCommittee (NHRC) relations between the two coun- The newspaper said that Qa- general of the Democratic nomic level. Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri tries in various fi elds. tar is currently considered one of Movement of Tunisia Ghazi A former diplomat and politi- stressed yesterday that the The online newspaper Busi- Tunisia’s most important trad- Chaouachi said in a statement cal analyst, Jalal Lakhdar said in committee took wide-ranging ness News confi rmed that Kais ing partners, adding that the to Qatar News Agency (QNA): statements to offi cial medias that measures required to prevent Saied’s visit to Qatar is an op- past three years have witnessed “This visit comes within the the visit is very important, gives any human rights violations by portunity to consolidate rela- a qualitative leap especially with framework of consolidating bi- a positive atmosphere and con- companies during the corona- tions between Tunisia and Qatar regard to exporting Tunisian lateral relations between the two fi rms the depth of the relation- virus (Covid-19) pandemic. in various fi elds. For its part, the products to Doha, the most im- countries, especially since our ship between the two countries. Tunisian newspaper Le Maghreb portant of which is agricultural relations are great and there are “Such visits prepare the govern- Al-Marri noted stated that the visit discussed products. many agreements. This visit will ments to translate these rela- that following the many issues, especially with re- The second positive factor is try to activate those agreements, tions into economic and social declaration of Covid-19 gard to bilateral co-operation be- the high percentage of Qatari especially investment agree- projects, programmes and deci- as a pandemic, the NHRC tween the two countries, adding investment in Tunisia, which is ments. There are new agree- sions,” referring to the fi nancial implemented a non- that it seems that one of the most increasing annually, the paper ments that will be agreed upon and economic co-operation be- judicial mechanism to important objectives of this visit continued, stressing that Qatari to support the Tunisian econ- tween the two parties. receive complaints and is the initiation of Doha, through support for Tunisia is not new. omy, which is going through a There are Qatari investments regain rights lost during HE Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri the Qatar Fund for Development, For its part, Al Chourouk news- major crisis.” in the tourism sector and other the crisis the implementation of several paper said that President Kais Chaouachi said there is agree- economic sectors. Qatar was mechanism to receive com- the Prime Minister and Minis- important economic, tourism Saied and His Highness the Amir ment on the Libyan fi le, the Pal- among the most supportive of He was participating in a plaints and regain rights lost ter of Interior, HE the Minister and health projects, in addition agreed to continue consultations estinian issue and regional and the democratic transition in Tu- panel discussion held online during the crisis. He noted that of Health, HE the Minister of to important projects in the fi eld and co-ordinate positions in or- Arab issues, noting at the same nisia and the visit confi rms the under the title of ‘Preventing the committee launched a hot- Administrative Development, of infrastructure and building der to serve just humanitarian time that Qatar stood by Tunisia convergence of views regarding business-related human rights line and off ered legal advice, Labour, and Social Aff airs, to housing for families in-need in causes and strengthen security after the revolution and support- the Libyan fi le, he added. abuses in Asia Pacifi c: Actors while also communicating with ensure that the measures taken several parts of the country. and stability in the world. ed the success of the democratic The fi rst visit of Tunisian and actions’. The discussion is governmental and non-gov- to contain Covid-19 were in line Moreover, Assarih newspaper Tunisian journalist and politi- transition path, in addition to President Kais Saeid to Qatar, part of the Annual Forum on ernmental bodies to address with basic human rights. The said that the visit will support co- cal analyst Habib Bouajila wrote supporting it economically with since he assumed the presiden- Business and Human Rights, challenges and help people with committee also released a state- operation to ensure that the inter- that President Saied’s visit to some funds and guarantees. cy, comes within the framework taking place from Nov 16-18. grievances. The committee re- ment on April 6 of 2020 on the ests of the two countries are met, Qatar was largely positive, add- “We hope to expand these re- of strengthening the Tunisian- Al-Marri noted that follow- ceived a number of complaints measures taken to contain the and it will bring direct support to ing that this visit promises sta- lations in addition to the eco- Qatari relations and pushing for ing the declaration of Covid-19 that were an outcome of the virus, calling for consolidating overcome the Tunisian economic bility for the country. nomic, fi nancial, cultural, and co-operation between the two as a pandemic, the NHRC pandemic-related closures. The eff orts to respect human rights crisis or at least alleviating it. For his part, the secretary- scientifi c fi elds, because Qatar countries in various fi elds. implemented a non-judicial NHRC chairman addressed HE without discrimination. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 QATAR CMC stresses Qatar-specifi c MoPH reports 194 new barcode for local products cases and 133,217 total

he Central Municipal Council (CMC) held its 14th bi-weekly regular session Covid-19 recoveries Tof its sixth round yesterday morning, headed by its chairman Mohamed bin Ham- moud al-Shafi . QNA The council discussed and reviewed the Doha recommendations of its services and utilities committee on the non-availability of a spe- cifi c barcode for Qatari products. he Ministry of Public Accordingly, it urged the Ministry of Health (MoPH) report- Commerce and Industry to further enhance Ted yesterday, 194 new awareness campaigns to instruct local pro- confirmed cases of corona- ducers about the importance of having such Participants in the session. virus (Covid-19) during the a barcode and lay greater emphasis on the is- last 24 hours, of which 154 sue. and enhance services and products in the lo- gal committee’s report regarding its previ- are from community and 40 The council also discussed and reviewed cal market. ous recommendations on the standards for from travellers returning from the recommendations of its services and Further, the CMC reviewed the services and cleaning trucks after unloading their cargo, abroad who are subject to utilities committee on creating a public body utilities committee’s responses to its previous and the enforcement of Law No 15 of 2015 quarantine. specialised in agriculture and food safety. suggestions on various issues, including sup- on the ban on labourers’ accommodation in The MoPH also recorded 207 For this, the CMC urged the Ministry of porting Qatari citizens to repair, rehabilitate family residential areas. recoveries from the virus dur- Municipality and Environment to look into and develop their houses, safety and security Eventually, the CMC agreed that the re- ing the past 24 hours, bring- the possibility of creating an independent procedures for portable cabins, and combating sponses are suffi cient and it would follow ing the total number of cases body to deal with related issues in the coun- the phenomenon of abandoned houses. up on updates and developments regarding that have recovered in Qatar try, which would refl ect positively on the fi eld In addition, the council reviewed its le- these issues with the entities concerned. to 133,217. All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare, according to their health status. Measures to tackle Cov- id-19 in Qatar have succeed- Qatar takes part in virtual ed in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions is continuing to ministerial conference decline each week. Qatar’s proactive and ex- tensive testing of suspected cases has enabled us to iden- are being lifted, and num- Covid-19 are gradually being tify a high number of posi- bers are declining, this does lifted in Qatar, it is important on ‘Freedom of Religion’ tive cases in the community. not mean that the Covid-19 for everyone to play their role Qatar has one of the lowest pandemic is over in Qatar, as in controlling the virus by Covid-19 death rates in the people continue to be admit- following the precautionary QNA stressed that promoting reli- world. ted with moderate to severe measures. Doha gious freedom, freedom of wor- This is a result of: Covid-19 symptoms. Unless Anyone suffering from ship and the right of religious z Very high quality of care we follow all precautionary Covid-19 symptoms should minorities is not a provided through the public measures, we may experi- either contact 16000 hel- atar participated in the one-way street. healthcare sector ence a second wave of the vi- pline or go directly to one of third virtual Ministerial While the promotion of these z Qatar’s young popula- rus and see numbers increas- the designated health cen- QConference to Advance rights is enshrined in the consti- tion ing, as there are already signs tres to undergo the necessary Freedom of Religion or belief, tutions of most Western coun- z Proactive testing to of this happening in other checks at Muaither, Rawdat Al which was organised by Poland tries, there has been a worrying identify cases early countries around the world. Khail, Umm Slal, or Al Ghar- on November 16-17. underestimation of hate speech, z Expanding hospital ca- Avoid close contact with rafa health centres. This is Qatar was represented at intolerance and Islamophobia in pacity, especially intensive others, crowded places and important as the earlier the the conference by a delegation most Western societies. care, to ensure patients re- confined closed spaces where disease is detected the easier headed by HE the Adviser to the The recent measures are ceive the medical care people congregate. Now more it will be to receive the right Minister of Foreign Aff airs for merely the result of belittling z Protecting the elderly than ever, we must be careful treatment and recover from it. International Development Dr the importance of hate speech and those with chronic dis- and protect the most vulner- The MoPH has urged people Khalid bin Rashid al-Mansouri against Muslims, he said. eases able. to visit its website for regular and included HE the Acting Di- Qatar has made interfaith dialogue one of the pillars of its national Organising this conference Even though restrictions While the restrictions of updates and new information. rector of Department of Human and foreign policy. comes in light of the challenges Rights at the Ministry of Foreign facing the world today, which Aff airs Dr Turki bin Abdullah al- extremism, including Doha In- the aim of making the partici- have led to emergence of vio- Mahmoud. ternational Center for Interfaith pants, leaders in promoting in- lence based on religion or belief, In his speech, HE al-Mansouri Dialogue and Qatar Committee terfaith dialogue, he said. and discriminatory measures to said Qatar had demonstrated for Alliance of Civilisations, he In order to promote religious restrict human rights under the 144 people referred to public over the past two decades its de- said. tolerance, freedom and dialogue pretext of fi ghting the pandemic termination to build an open and Qatar hosts annually a fellow- between civilisations, Qatar (Covid-19), he said. tolerant society where people ship programme for the Alliance opened a compound for worship He called on governments and prosecution for not wearing masks of diff erent religious beliefs and of Civilisations in co-operation in 2002 for all sects. civil society organisations to ful- cultures feel at home. with the United Nations Gen- Qatar has also contributed to fi l their responsibilities towards Qatar has made interfaith eral Secretariat of the Alliance of restore and protect global cul- this more than ever before, em- he designated authorities referred 144 tious diseases, and in line with the precautionary dialogue one of the pillars of its Civilisations. tural and religious heritage by phasising the need for these at- people to the Public Prosecution for not and preventive measures put in place to curb the national and foreign policy; to It provides young leaders from supporting Unesco initiatives, tacks to act as a wake-up call Twearing masks in places where they are spread of Covid-19 in the country. achieve this goal, it established diff erent parts of the world an especially in areas exposed to for all to work more than ever, to mandatory, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported The designated authorities have called on the a number of institutions that opportunity to interact and learn natural disasters and wars, al- promote interfaith dialogue and yesterday. public to adhere to the precautionary and preven- promote interfaith dialogue to about each other’s cultures, re- Mansouri noted. to defend the rights of religious This comes in implementation of a Cabinet tive measures in place to ensure their safety and combat intolerance and religious ligious beliefs and history, with At the end, al-Mansouri minorities around the world. decision and Decree Law No 17 of 1990 on infec- that of others.

Man arrested for violating home quarantine rules

ne person was ar- spread of the coronavirus. rested in Doha yes- The person being referred Oterday for violating to the prosecution is Mo- the legal requirements of hamed Abu Saeed. home quarantine. The authorities con- The arrest came in imple- cerned call on quarantined mentation of the precau- citizens and residents to tionary measures in force adhere to the requirements in the country, approved by set by the Ministry of Pub- health authorities to ensure lic Health, to ensure their the achievement of pub- safety and the safety of lic safety and to curb the others.

Ministry recalls GMC and Cadillac models

he Ministry of Com- said it will co-ordinate with merce and Industry the dealer to follow up on T(MoCI), in co-oper- the maintenance and repair ation with Mannai Trading works. Company, dealer of GMC The MoCI has urged all and Cadillac in Qatar, has an- customers to report viola- nounced a recall of GMC Si- tions to its Consumer Pro- erra and Yukon, and Cadillac tection and Anti-Com- Escalade, model of 2018 due mercial Fraud Department, to possible a malfunction in which processes complaints, the electronic brake control. enquiries and suggestions The recall campaign through the call centre: comes within the framework 16001, e-mail: info@moci. of the MoCI’s continuous ef- gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQA- forts to protect consumers TAR, Instagram: MOCIQA- and ensure that car dealers TAR, and the ministry’s mo- follow up on vehicle defects bile app for Android and iOS: and repairs. The ministry has MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 5 QATAR Jumbo Electronics celebrates MIA to mark 40 years of ‘delighting consumers’ International ideo Home – Jumbo Day of Islamic Electronics is celebrat- Ving 40 years of “delight- ing consumers” in Qatar. To mark the occasion, Jumbo Art with events has said it is “sharing the joy of being 40 with all its valued cus- tomers”. he Museum of Islamic Art Celebrations are on at all (MIA) has announced that Jumbo retail outlets from today Tit is hosting a series of ac- until December 27. tivities in celebration of Islamic As part of the celebrations, art, which features throughout customers buying products the museum’s extensive collec- worth QR500 and above will tion of objects. have the opportunity to win This comes in celebration of one 43-inch LG television every the International Day of Islamic day via a raffl e draw that will be Art today, Qatar Museums said conducted on December 30. in a statement. During this period, double International Day of Islamic Jumbo loyalty points will be Art, declared during the 40th rewarded to customers besides session of the Unesco General off ering them “attractive dis- Conference in 2019, aims to raise A view of the Museum of Islamic counts and easy payment op- awareness of past and contem- Art. tions on a wide range of prod- porary artistic expressions of ucts”, the company said in a Video Home – Jumbo Electronics off icials Sajed Jassim Mohamed Sulaiman, vice-chairman and managing director; C V Rappai, director and Islam, and highlight the contri- to encourage children to engage statement. CEO; Rohit Pandit COO; and Ranjith P Abraham, retail head, marking the occasion. butions of Islamic Art to civilisa- with contemporary Islamic Art. “The extraordinary journey of tion. Meanwhile, on November 24, Video Home, Jumbo Electronics markets and retailers alike, and in the country’s infrastructure onymous with smart consumer kept customers fi rst and been To mark the day, MIA is cur- MIA will host a workshop for began in 1980 at Msheireb, the today we are proud to say that development. In the MEP space, electronics products and air- constantly working to contrib- rently running a social media children at 4pm during which heart of Doha at that time. Over we are one of the leading sup- Jumbo is closely working with conditioners as well as large and ute towards the betterment of campaign with a series of In- they can sketch the museum’s the last four decades, Qatar has pliers of consumer electronics brands such as Bosch, Siemens, small home appliances. Jumbo’s services. This commitment has stagram posts celebrating key famous Blue Monkey. grown into a modern, vibrant to these channel partners. We Cisco, Interel and Beldon. team monitors the end-to-end been praised by many brands dynasties and objects in Islamic Salem Abdulla al-Aswad, economy and has gone through are also a proud premium retail Today, Jumbo conducts its manufacturing process. and Jumbo has won many ac- history. Members of the com- deputy director of Learning various challenges, but our com- partner for Ooredoo.” business under the major verti- Jumbo has chalked out am- colades for providing the best munity are also invited to take and Outreach at MIA, said: mitment to the Qatar market has In 2020, Jumbo revamped cals of retail, distribution, B2B & bitious plans for the future and after-sales service in the entire and share a selfi e wearing Islam- “Through our curated activities been unwavering,” the statement its loyalty programme, ‘Mu- MEP and service, making it a “to- is working towards increas- Middle East and Gulf region,” ic art-inspired clothing. to mark International Day of Is- noted. “We have strived to serve kafa’, under which earning and tal solution provider” in Qatar. ing its reach and going beyond the statement continues. “Even On International Day of Is- lamic Art, MIA invites members the people of Qatar since our in- redeeming points has become Jumbo has been instrumental boundaries, as it wishes to take during the recent diffi cult time lamic Art, the museum will of the community to explore our ception with better products and simpler and more rewarding. in introducing many interna- the business to new heights by of the (Covid-19) pandemic, launch the ‘MIA Favourites’ vast collection of objects that services that delight our con- Customers get an advance noti- tional and world-class brands expansion in the entire Middle Jumbo demonstrated the high- trail, which features objects encapsulates Islamic art over sumers. We are glad to announce fi cation of Jumbo’s special pro- such as LG, Ariston, Indesit, East and Gulf region, the state- est standards of service by en- selected by staff and the back- the past 1,400 years. The ‘MIA our 40 years of uninterrupted motions and premium product Harman Kardon, JBL, Brother, ment notes. As a fi rst step, its suring proper supplies in adher- ground to why they chose the Favourites trail’ is also great way business in Qatar. launches. Priority delivery, dis- Kenwood, Blueair and Nu- fi rst branch will be operational ence with protocols to provide specifi c piece. The trail map can for visitors to uncover hidden “We took our fi rst steps in es- count on service and spare parts tribullet in the country, to name in Oman within December. peace of mind to customers.” be collected at MIA’s Informa- gems within our collection that tablishing our Jumbo retail net- are other added features of the a few. Together with its exten- “After-sales service has been Jumbo has partnered with tion Desk. MIA will also host they may never have noticed work across the country, which programme. sive network of retail stores and the key diff erentiator for Jum- the country’s leading logis- a walk-in sewing workshop in before.” is now 14-store strong. With the Jumbo has also forayed into service centres spread across bo Electronics, and we oper- tics provider, GWC, by tak- the museum’s atrium where All activities will be carried opening up of the economy, the the MEP (mechanical, electrical Qatar, Jumbo is a trusted name ate a 2,500sqm master service ing up 12,000CBM of space to members of the community can out with adherence to the nec- country witnessed the advent of and plumbing) and B2B busi- in the industry “for our princi- centre in the Industrial Area, strengthen its warehousing and create their own traditional tex- essary Covid-19 safety meas- hypermarkets and many inde- ness, which now caters to di- pals, vendors and consumers”. which is augmented by three distribution capabilities. This tiles. ures. pendent retailers. Jumbo diver- verse customers across a wide In the quest to provide the more satellite service centres association ensures that the The museum is also off ering a To register to attend one or sifi ed its operations from retail spectrum of clients – from large “best quality at competitive in Qatar to ensure prompt and products are delivered on time Mixed Media Islamic Art class at more of the activities, one can to distribution in order to cater private companies to top gov- prices”, Jumbo launched the Os- quality service. As part of its and in the best condition, the 4pm for children aged between visit https://www.mia.org.qa/ to the needs of these hyper- ernment organisations involved car brand. Today, Oscar is syn- philosophy, Jumbo has always statement adds. eight and 11 years. The class aims en/ Huawei Watch GT 2 Moonphase collection arrives in Qatar

uawei Consumer Business Group has announced that its Hlatest high-end smart watch, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro Moon- phase collection, is arriving in Qatar. The new launch marks the latest addition to Huawei’s award-winning Watch GT 2 Series, one of the best- selling smartwatches in the world, the company said in a statement. “With its luxurious Moonphase col- lection, a premium design, two-weeks battery life, professional health moni- toring, advanced sports tracking with 5 ATM water resistance (leather straps are not water resistant), and a wide range of handy assistant features, the new Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro Moon- phase collection is set to be a big hit with high-end luxury watch afi ciona- dos, fi tness fanatics and casual users From the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro Moonphase collection. alike,” the statement notes. The design is complemented by a watch frame is made from titanium. time heart rate, workout heart rate, Moonphase function that brings to The collection uses a low power high heart rate alert, highest oxygen users unique watch faces from which consumption chipset and Smart Pow- uptake, recovery time and more. they can observe the diff erent phases er Saving 2.0 to give it a long battery The Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro of the moon as it changes. The watch life of two weeks. Moonphase collection offers over face is made of sapphire for the 1.39 The new collection supports real- 100 workout modes to choose from. inch Amoled display, has a harder, time heart rate monitoring, whether The collection also comes with a more durable and textured exterior running, swimming or practising an- wide range of handy smart features that is scratch-resistant, while the other sport, and also monitors real- for everyday use.

QU hosts online discussion between Indian embassy to students from Qatar and Romania hold consular camp for urgent attestations Qatar University (QU)’s Department of International Aff airs has jointly The Indian embassy in Doha has held a virtual event with the announced that it is organising a University of Bucharest – Faculty of special consular camp for urgent Political Science (through its Centre attestations on November 21. for International Co-operation The camp will be held at the embassy and Development Studies - IDC), Iulia Zamfirescu, building in West Bay, according to with the support of the Romanian diplomatic Dr Mazhar information shared by the mission on embassy in Qatar. An online counsellor, al-Zoubi, chair of social media. discussion between students from charge d’aff aires the Department Applicants who have already registered Qatar and Romania took place at the embassy of International for an online appointment with the in the framework of marking, in of Romania in Aff airs, Qatar embassy may send their requests October this year, 30 years of Qatar. University. for urgent power of attorney, police diplomatic relations between the clearance certificate or original two countries and also to highlight certificate attestations etc, to the their good co-operation at the level WhatsApp number, 33059647, by today. of the United Nations, which has The requests have to be sent in the celebrated its 75th anniversary. following format: The students exchanged views Name; Passport number; QID number; on topics of interest related Dr Luciana Mobile number; e-mail ID; Nature of to bilateral and world aff airs, Alexandra service; Nature of urgency; and Already concluding that mutual knowledge Ghica, associate A Romanian taken appointment date. and understanding is key for professor of student of The appointment confirmation achieving a progressive future. International International and time will be conveyed through This was the first event of its kind Relations and Relations and WhatsApp. “Please adhere to all organised between universities European Studies, European Studies, Covid-19 health protocols during the from Romania and Qatar, QU said University of University of consular camp,” the embassy has in a statement. Bucharest. Bucharest. urged visitors. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 QATAR Under the slogan “Warmth and Peace”, Qatar Charity’s 2020-2021 winter drive kicks off nder the slogan “Warmth and Peace”, Qatar Charity (QC) launched its 2020-2021 winter campaign, targeting nearly one Umillion persons, including the displaced, refugees, the needy and the affected, in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, at a total cost of approximately 66 million Qatari riyals. The launch of the campaign took place during a press conference, which was held at Qatar Charity’s headquarters, attended by Mr. Faisal Rashid al-Fehaida, assistant CEO for the International Operations and Partnerships Sector and Mr. Khaled Al-Yafei, Director of the Projects Department, and moderated by Mr. Ahmed Al-Ali, Director of the Media and Communication Department. The campaign came in conjunction with the deployment of winter relief convoys for the Syrian displaced and refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border, and for the needy in the Kyrgyz capital. Target Group The campaign seeks to provide urgent winter aid to refugees and the displaced in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Jordan, Bangladesh and other countries in the fields of food, shelter, health and education. The campaign focuses on the countries going through crises and exceptional circumstances, as well as on the countries facing a harsh winter with temperatures below zero. The campaign also concentrates on those affected by the coronavirus in the regions

The campaign aims to provide aid to nearly one million people in 19 countries worldwide.

Al-Fahida stated that many public and social programs and events like ‘Snowball’ and ‘Tree of Hope’ will be held in several commercial complexes, to raise awareness about the challenging situations faced by refugees in winter. The campaign is expected to benefit 16,500 people, at an estimated cost of more than 1.3 million Qatari riyals.

Outside Qatar Mr. Khaled Al-Yafei, Director of Projects Department, said that the campaign aims to aggravated their suffering. He also noted that Khaled Al-Yafei: The the campaign is expected to provide these Faisal Al-Fahida: We vulnerable with food, clothing, and heating campaign focuses items to keep them warm and help them urge people in Qatar to on refugees and the survive the blistering cold of the winter. support the campaign Al-Fahida thanked donors, both displaced in crisis- individuals and institutions, who supported in order to lessen the hit areas. the “Warmth and Peace” campaign last season, which contributed to lessening suffering of the most of asylum and displacement and remote the sorrow of the affected individuals and affected persons, areas, in addition to providing winter bags families. He also urged people in Qatar, both for orphans sponsored by Qatar Charity in citizens and residents, to provide further especially in light of the support to the campaign this year, due to Kosovo, Palestine, Nepal, Pakistan, Bosnia coronavirus pandemic. and Herzegovina, Turkey, Albania, Tunisia, the challenging situations in light of the Lebanon and Jordan. coronavirus pandemic, which escalated the hardship of the vulnerable, especially in Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Faisal regions of asylum and displacement, as well The donation in favor of the campaign can Rashid Al-Fahida, Assistant CEO for the as, in remote areas. be made through Qatar Charity’s website, International Operations and Partnerships mobile App, branches, and collection at Qatar Charity, said, “Qatar Charity always Within Qatar points. The donors can also request a launches winter campaigns, in conjunction “home collector” through the mobile App Al-Fahida explained that the campaign, with providing the winter supplies for the and dial the hotline 44667711 to make their as usual, targets workers within the State of displaced and refugees living in camps before provide aid to more than 921,000 refugees, health, education and non-food items, by contributions. Mobile donating is also Qatar where winter bags full of warm clothes, the severe cold season comes.” the displaced, and the poor in 18 countries delivering food baskets, winter clothes, available. To send, QR50, QR100, QR200 blankets and other items are expected to to meet their winter needs and ease their blankets, heaters, fuel, tents, temporary and QR500, please send an SMS with the He also added that this winter campaign be distributed to them, in addition to the hardship, at an estimated cost of 64 million housing units, and shelter necessities. code ‘Winter’ to 92632, 92642, 92015, and of Qatar Charity is expected to benefit more distribution of food baskets to them. He Qatari riyals. 92428, respectively. than 937,000 persons within and outside pointed out that the distribution of winter Besides, the campaign seeks to deliver the Qatar, especially refugees, the displaced aid will take place in areas where the workers Al-Yafei pointed out that the campaign necessary medicines and medical supplies persons and those most in need, as well as live, and awareness workshops, and medical focuses on countries going through crises and during the predominance of seasonal Last Winter Campaign those affected by the coronavirus, which has examinations will be conducted for them. exceptional circumstances, noting that it seeks diseases to protect the poor, refugees, Achievements to provide meals, food baskets, tents, winter the displaced, and those with chronic clothes, blankets, heaters and fuel to help them diseases and urgent cases. Furthermore, The 2019-2020 winter campaign of Qatar survive the harsh winter. He also emphasized the campaign strives to provide means for Charity managed to deliver assistance to that relief convoys will continue throughout prevention and disinfection in light of the more than 1.2 million refugees, displaced the cold season to provide the intended coronavirus pandemic, and support the persons and needy people in 13 countries, at vulnerable with essentials, in addition to continued education of children and youth a total cost of over 67 million Qatari riyals. providing the necessary medical equipment in areas of asylum and displacement to As part of the campaign, Qatar Charity and means for prevention and disinfection. ensure that they do not drop out of school. provided relief, food, shelter, and health aid, in addition to delivering winter assistance How to Donate and extending social cohesion and livelihood Countries support. The targeted countries include Syria, As the freezing winter along with The assistance also included the Turkey, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, temperatures below zero approaches, Qatar distribution of winter bags to orphans in India, Nepal, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Charity calls on people in Qatar, both citizens nine countries. The bags had winter clothes, Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Jordan, and residents to donate to the campaign, a blanket, and food items. Under the “For Yemen, Kenya, Tunisia, and Chad, in addition as it is predictable that the health and Humanity” initiative, assistance worth to Rohingya refugees. living situation of the intended vulnerable will further worsen due to the coronavirus QR11mn were distributed to refugees in Iraq, The campaign aims to provide the winter pandemic. Yemen, and Jordan, in cooperation between essentials in five main areas: food, shelter, Qatar Charity and UNHCR. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 7 QATAR QNL digital exhibition to explore art of fi lm posters atar National Library (QNL) will launch a new The most recent Qandid Qatar episode was an interview with Northwestern Qatar’s dean, Marwan M Kraidy. Qdigital exhibition explor- ing the rich and diverse artwork of cinema posters in the Arab world. Arab Cinema Posters: Art and Memory is a special digital ex- hibition of the distinctive art- NU-Q students produce work used to attract moviegoers across the Middle East and North Africa, featuring items from the Heritage Library’s Arab Cinema archive collection. two podcasts on Qatar The exhibition will begin on November 25 and continue for tudents at Northwestern cuses on “ordinary people with and chronicled his transition to very relevant today, “the prob- six months. University in Qatar, a Qa- extraordinary stories”, following academia, describing his inter- lem now is not getting access The exhibition explores the art Star Foundation partner, the example set by the popular disciplinary background at the to information but fi guring out of fi lm posters (affi ches), which have created a podcast, Qandid online photoblog Humans of nexus of research, media and what kind of information is ac- were a major advertising tool for Qatar, which features interviews New York in presenting “an au- politics. tually information”. movies, featuring a paper sheet with leaders and opinion-mak- thentic portrait of the voices of On his research interests in Kraidy also highlighted with the title of the fi lm and the ers in the country. the city”. media, politics and culture, Northwestern Qatar’s unique names and images of its stars. Qandid Qatar is one of the In both projects, students Kraidy said, “half-jokingly,” position as “an embedded in- These posters were displayed in- two podcasts developed by share the responsibilities of that what he specialises in is stitution” – in the US, in Qa- side movie theatres or in outdoor students in one of Prof Spencer hosting, crewing and produc- “scandal”, explaining that what tar, in the Gulf, and in the Arab public areas, giving an insight Striker’s class, Digital Podcast ing individual episodes and have drives his work are questions world – and the opportunities into the fi lm’s story. Production. Striker says that created and uploaded several in- such as: “why does an issue be- that come with that and warned The exhibition also provides the class is “a hands-on, expe- terviews – including the stories come controversial in society?” against exaggerating the chang- an overview of the emergence riential learning practicum, in of a Kenyan security guard in and “how does the controversy es brought by the digital revolu- of movie artwork in the Arab which students form an inter- Education City who developed evolve?” tion. world. It reveals that the movie disciplinary team – a kind of a career in art since coming to Referring to his 2009 book, The student team behind poster industry in the region student-run podcast studio – Doha; and the entrepreneurial Reality Television and Arab Pol- the Qandid Qatar episode was initially transferred from consisting of such focus areas journey of Khalifa Saleh al-Ha- itics, he said that “a controversy with Kraidy include Natasha the hands of a group of Greek as audio post-production, art, roon, founder and CEO of the I is never just a controversy” but Das, Hind Abuaker and Thani artists in Egypt to several Egyp- social media promotion, web Love Qatar Network. rather “a map to understand the al-Thani as hosts; Samson tian pioneers, including Ragheb, design and project manage- The most recent Qandid Qa- social and political tensions that Mbogo as producer; Ayah Mo- Jasoor, Ahmed Fouad and oth- The exhibition will begin on November 25 and continue for six months. ment”. tar episode was an interview exist in society”. hamedain as sound designer, ers, who mastered the trade and Striker noted that Qandid with Northwestern Qatar’s During the episode, Kraidy recordist and editor; Arya established an important chain Walid Abdulwahed, the exhi- ests. They show the beginnings Qatar off ers “in-depth conver- dean, Marwan M Kraidy. In the was also asked about the impor- Mainali as project manager; of affi ches workshops in the Arab bition’s curator, added: “This ex- of fi lmmaking in the region and sations with Qatar-based VIPs/ interview, Kraidy refl ected on tance of communication skills and Ahmed Jassim and Thani region. hibition delves into our archive to provide an account of the his- local celebrities”, while Qatar in his beginnings in the world of in the 21st century, to which he al-Thani, who were responsi- Maryam al-Muttawa, QNL’s explore Arab movie posters to of- tory of cinema and its develop- Quotes, the second podcast, fo- media production in Lebanon, replied that while the fi eld is ble for the artwork. head of Collection Access, Dis- fer unique insights to cinephiles. ment in the Arab world, as well as tinctive Collections, said: “This The posters in this exhibition an overview of the beginnings of exciting new exhibition high- address diff erent themes and cinema in the Gulf. We hope that lights the work of Arab poster common issues among Arab many existing lovers of fi lm and artists who refl ected the spirit countries, such as modernity, budding cinematographers will and characteristics of each era originality, social change and visit our digital exhibition and through attractive pieces of art, other matters related to hu- learn more about the fascinating using a blend of brilliant colours, manitarian and national inter- world of Arab fi lm.” 1,800 stroke patients treated broad-font Arabic calligraphy and graphics, all of which com- bined to greatly contribute to Library visits continue to be by appointment only the success of these fi lms across Qatar National Library (QNL) and 60 years so far this year, says HMC the Arab world. It is the fi rst dig- has said visits to the library will, z Have a ‘Green’ status on the ital exhibition that we have pro- for everyone’s safety, continue Ehteraz app espite the emergence from the Joint Commission In- for stroke patients requiring “The opening of the Neu- duced, and we are proud of what to be by appointment only. z Have a body temperature of of Covid-19 in Qatar, ternational, endorsing the qual- follow-up appointments. The roangiography Suite has we have accomplished by our Moreover, visitors will be al- no more than 37.8C DHamad Medical Cor- ity and safety of care it provides. telephone service enabled re- helped our neuroradiology team, particularly during these lowed into the building only if z Have a face mask or shield poration’s Stroke Service has Additionally, we have intro- covering stroke patients to con- interventional team perform unprecedented times. they fulfil the following condi- One can read more about the continued to provide safe and duced multiple new units and tinue receiving medical advice more than 240 mechanical “We hope that fi lm enthusi- tions: library’s reopening measures at eff ective care for all patients services, including a new Stroke in the safety of their own homes. thrombectomies in the last five asts, as well as lovers of art and z Have a confirmation of their https://www.qnl.qa/en/reopen- with a confi rmed or suspected Unit in 2014, a Neuroangiogra- Suspected acute stroke patients years to remove blood clots or history, will enjoy our exhibition slot booking through an online ing-measures The FAQs can be stroke. phy Imaging Suite in 2016, and were still admitted to the Emer- clear blockages in patients’ and gain a new understanding of form on the library website found at https://www.qnl.qa/en/ Since the start of the year, a Stroke Prevention Clinic and gency Department at Hamad veins and arteries. This serv- the importance of the movement z Are between the ages of 13 library-reopening-FAQs more than 1,800 patients have Rapid Assessment Stroke Unit General Hospital. ice is making a significant im- to the region.” been admitted to Hamad Gen- in 2018,” Own added. “In addition to utilising provement to the outcomes of eral Hospital’s Stroke Service, Dr Naveed Akhtar, senior thrombolysis – a clot-busting many stroke patients,” Zakaria with approximately 1,200 of consultant neurologist and head drug providing eff ective treat- added. these diagnosed with a con- of the Stroke Service at HMC, ment in acute ischemic stroke Akhtar emphasised the speed fi rmed stroke and 600 experi- says in recent years there has – we now regularly utilise inter- at which treatment can be given encing mimic strokes, according been a gradual increase in the ventional thrombectomies, a type to stroke patients is of the high- to a press statement by HMC. number of suspected stroke pa- of minimally invasive surgery that est importance. “I am proud of how teams tients seen at HMC. removes a blood clot from an ar- “The more time that passes across the entire Stroke Service “In 2015, we saw an average of tery. Thrombectomy is a very ad- between the stroke happening have responded to this unprece- 100 patients a month, a number vanced and eff ective way to clear and medical intervention, the dented pandemic, including the that has risen to around 190 a a blocked blood vessel where greater the damage that can be Stroke Team and Stroke Unit, month throughout 2020. As thrombolysis might not re-open done. The term ‘time is brain’ Emergency Department, neuro- soon as the threat of Covid-19 the vessel,” said Dr Ayman Zaka- is frequently used to emphasise radiology, internal medical, and in Qatar became apparent, we ria, senior consultant, Interven- the need for fast intervention, stroke multidisciplinary teams,” worked hard to quickly adapt tional Neuroradiology at Hamad as the faster treatment can be said Dr Ahmed Own, head of the how we provide care to ensure General Hospital. given following a stroke, the HMC’s Neuroscience Institute. the safety of both our patients Out of the 1,200 confi rmed better the chances of recovery. If “Over the past decade, the and staff ,” Akhtar said. strokes this year, 798 were you suspect that you, or some- Stroke Service at HMC has He explained that the stroke ischemic strokes – caused by a one around you, has suff ered made signifi cant improvements teams immediately implement- blockage in an artery that sup- a stroke, call 999 immediately in the way in which it deliv- ed all necessary infection con- plies blood to the brain – and 73 so that care teams can respond, ers care to patients. The service trol protocols and established a received thrombolysis, and 19 had and treatment can be given as has twice received accreditation telephone consultation service a mechanical thrombectomy. soon as possible,” said Akhtar.

Compass International School is one of Qatar’s leading schools, providing the very best of British and international curricula. Compass School to host virtual open day for Early Years and Primary

ompass International Families will have the oppor- said in a press statement. School has announced tunity to learn more about the Families can register now at Cthat it will host a Virtual school, the Early Years Founda- cisdoha.com Open Day for parents of Early tion Stage Programme, the tran- “Compass International Years and Primary aged children sition from Early Years to Year School is one of Qatar’s leading at 9am on November 25. 1 and the Primary off ering at schools, providing the very best The live-hosted Virtual Open Compass in Year 1 and beyond. of British and international cur- Day will include some short vid- Throughout the presentation, ricula for over 13 years, as part of eos and pre-recorded interviews parents will also be able to ask Nord Anglia Education’s fam- with senior members of the aca- questions that will be answered ily of 69 premium international demic team followed by a Q&A in real time by members of the school worldwide,” the state- The Neuroangiography Suite provides physicians with advanced imaging. session. Admissions Team, the school has ment adds. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 QATAR

Qatar Charity launches ‘Warmth and Peace’ winter campaign

QNA sis in asylum, displacement and timated cost of QR64mn. health, education and non-food Doha remote areas.In addition, the Al-Yafei pointed out that the items through a number of prod- campaign will distribute an inte- campaign focuses on countries ucts needed by the target groups, grated winter bag for sponsored suff ering from crises and ex- which are food baskets, win- atar Charity has orphans by Qatar Charity in Ko- ceptional circumstances, noting ter clothes, blankets, heaters, launched its 2020-2021 sovo, Palestine, Nepal, Pakistan, that it seeks to provide meals, heating fuel, tents, temporary Q‘Warmth And Peace’ Bosnia, Turkey, Albania, Tuni- food baskets, tents, winter homes, and other accommoda- winter campaign. sia, Lebanon and Jordan. clothes, blankets, heaters and tion supplies. Through the support of do- In his speech during a press heating fuel for refugees and It also aims to provide the nec- nors from Qatar, the campaign conference, Faisal Rashid al-Fe- displaced families to help them essary medicines and medical seeks to reach about 1mn dis- haida, Assistant CEO for Inter- cope with the diffi cult condi- supplies during the spread of sea- placed people, refugees, needy national Operations and Part- tions where they live. sonal diseases to protect the poor, and aff ected people and to as- nerships Sector at Qatar Charity, He stressed that the relief refugees and displaced children, sist them in 19 African, Asian said the organisation has always Faisal Rashid al-Fehaida speaking during the press conference. convoys will continue through- those with chronic diseases and and European countries at a total dedicated and launched cam- out the winter season to provide urgent cases, in addition to pro- cost of about QR66mn. paigns, to cope with the cold is being provided to them to cope limited income, in addition to this campaign at an estimated the target population with their viding means of prevention and The campaign will provide winter by providing supplies with the cold winter, includ- organising awareness workshops cost of more than QR1.3mn. basic needs, in addition to pro- sterilisation against the coronavi- urgent winter aid to refugees needed by the aff ected groups ing food, clothing and means of and conducting medical exami- For his part, Director of viding them with the necessary rus, and supporting the continued and displaced people around the of displaced people and refugees heating. nations for them in appreciation Project Management at Qa- medical equipment, for means education of children and youth in world in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, in the camps, ahead of the harsh He explained that the cam- of their role in various areas of tar Charity Engineer Khalid of prevention and sterilisation. areas of asylum and displacement Jordan, Bangladesh and oth- winter. Al-Fehaida pointed out paign in Qatar targets workers development. al-Yafei said that the campaign Countries targeted outside to ensure that they do not drop out ers by focusing on food, shelter, that the Qatar Charity campaign and includes distribution of a He pointed out that a number aims to provide aid to more than Qatar include Syria, Turkey, of schools. health and education. to confront the dangers of winter winter bag that contains winter of public, social activities and 921,000 refugees and displaced Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Qatar Charity urged people in It will also focus on countries this season is expected to benefi t clothes, blankets and others, in programmes will be organised in persons who live in tents, tem- India, Nepal, Kosovo, Albania, Qatar and its residents to donate that suff er crises and excep- more than 937,000 people inside addition to food baskets with a number of commercial com- porary housing and poverty- Bosnia, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Jor- to support the ‘Warmth And tional conditions and countries and outside Qatar, especially basic foodstuff s at their places of plexes, in addition to screening stricken groups across the world dan, Yemen, Kenya, Tunisia, Peace’ winter campaign, as it is that face harsh winter in which refugees, displaced persons, and stay to help them cope with the of fi lms to raise awareness about in 18 countries in order to meet Chad and Rohingya refugees. expected that the suff ering of temperatures reach below zero, the most needy segments. The winter requirements. the situation of refugees in the their needs, especially with the The campaign seeks to provide the target groups will be doubled in addition to those aff ected by coronavirus pandemic has in- Assistance will also be provid- winter season. It is expected that increase in cold wave and to the essential winter aid needs this season due to the coronavi- the coronavirus (Covid-19) cri- creased their suff ering and help ed to orphans and families with 16,500 people will benefi t from mitigate their suff ering at an es- in fi ve key fi elds: food, shelter, rus. Ashghal completes road network to serve Oman Air adds fl ights three petrol stations to Indian cities of z Works come within the Road Improvement Project in Greater Doha South – Phase 6 Chennai, Hyderabad

he Public Works Au- man Air has announced board and exit the aircraft, which thority (Ashghal) yes- that it is adding twice- are carefully cleaned after each Tterday announced that Oweekly fl ights to the In- fl ight and at the end of every day. it has completed implementing dian cities of Chennai and Hy- All cabin crew members wear a network of roads, entrances derabad from Muscat, with the a full set of personal protective and exits, with a total length service set to start tomorrow. equipment, while the meal serv- of about 4.1km to serve three Flights to and from both cities ice has been modifi ed to increase petrol stations in Bu Sulba, Al will be operated on Thursdays safety and a number of other Naqian and on Sealine Road, and Saturdays. These schedules steps have been taken to ensure within the Road Improvement are confi rmed until December that the airline’s guests and crew Project in Greater Doha South - 31, according to a press state- are safe at all times, the state- Phase 6. ment issued by the airline in ment noted. These provide safe roads and Doha. Guests who are planning to entrances for users of petrol Additional information is depart from Oman should en- stations as well as regulated available at omanair.com, the sure that they are aware of all traffi c around them, Ashghal airline’s offi ces and travel agents. pre-departure requirements, has said in a statement. The Oman Air has said it will which are provided at omanair. project falls within the context maintain its comprehensive com, as well as the requirements of Ashghal’s plan to develop Fatema Hussein Salat safety programme throughout at their destinations. the existing road network and all elements of the travel journey Guests planning to travel to improve effi ciency in diff erent The project works included to ensure that guests fl y confi - Oman should ensure that they regions of the country. implementing a 1.4km stretch dently. Masks are required when are aware of all requirements, Fatema Hussein Salat, project of road to serve the Bu Sulba guests are on board the aircraft which are posted at the Civil engineer in the South Areas petrol station, a 2km stretch and in Oman’s airports. Distanc- Aviation Authority website, Section of the Roads Projects surrounding the ing is maintained while guests paca.gov.om. Department, said Ashghal is Al Naqian station and an- keen to provide a road network other 0.7km stretch serving the surrounding the Bu Sulba, Al Sealine Road petrol station with Naqian and Sealine Road petrol provision for lighting system, stations to serve the users of pavements, a drainage network these facilities, including visi- and protected utility lines for Information session tors and residents of these areas electricity and telecommuni- and neighbourhoods. cations, in addition to existing Salat also pointed to the im- services within the Bu Sulba on GU-Q’s ‘disaster portance of implementing the and Al Naqian fuel stations. project, noting that it includes Ashghal stressed that as serving fuel stations, facilitat- part of its commitment to management’ course ing access and providing road support local manufacturers safety elements. The new roads and products, most works of meet the needs of road users in the Road Improvement Project ing Qatari supply resources, poles, traffic lights, concrete in the project comprises 95% To provide working professionals fessionals across many industries, these and adjacent areas for safe in Greater Doha South - Phase including various materials pipes, asphalt and other mate- of the total materials used, it with the critical skills and industry including first response, planning, and comfortable access. 6 have been implemented us- and elements, such as lighting rials. The local products used added. knowledge needed to prepare for public policy, global health, hu- pandemics as well as other natu- man and social services, military, ral and human-created disasters, humanitarian aid and govern- Georgetown University (GU-Q) ment,” said Georgetown faculty is off ering a Virtual Alumni Panel director Dr Tim Frazier. “Graduates information session about its of this degree programme use one-year International Executive the strong critical thinking and Master’s in Emergency & Disaster problem-solving abilities they gain Management degree programme to serve in important leadership at 7pm on November 23. roles in their fields.” At the panel, graduates of the Off ered by Georgetown’s School programme - which has been of- of Continuing Studies in Wash- fered in Qatar since 2017 - will be ington, DC, the International on hand to share their experience Executive Master’s in Emer- in the programme and how it has gency & Disaster Management helped advance their careers. programme provides critical real- The information session will also world experience and engage- provide insights about the pro- ment opportunities with leading gramme’s international engage- experts in the field. ments, curriculum, requirements, The information session is open fees and off er a question-and- to the public and reservations answer session. are not required. More details are “Students in our programme available at http://scs.georgetown. represent a diverse group of pro- edu/panel.

For governments, organisations and companies alike, the sudden Covid-19 outbreak has brought into sharp focus the need for crisis The Bu Sulba petrol station. The Al Naqian petrol station. The Sealine Road petrol station. preparedness and response strategies. (File photo) Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Palestinians to restore UN: ‘Full-scale’ security co-operation

AFP they were before May 19, 2020”, Shtayyeh said yesterday. Ramallah Hussein al-Sheikh, the PA’s The decision came after re- civil affairs minister, said. ceipt of a letter from the Israeli Abbas said at the time that authorities indicating “that humanitarian he Palestinian Authority the halt in co-ordination was a Israel is ready to commit it- of President Mahmoud response to Israeli plans to an- self to the signed agreements TAbbas will restore secu- nex parts of the West Bank. with us,” Shtayyeh said in a rity co-ordination with Israel, Israel later put its annexa- video conference hosted by the after it was severed in May, tion plans on hold in return for Washington-based Council on a PA minister said yesterday an agreement to normalise ties Foreign Relations. evening. with the United Arab Emirates, “This is for us a very impor- “In the light of Mahmoud announced in August. tant step in the right direction,” crisis unfolding Abbas’s international con- “We will resume contacts he added, saying that the de- tacts...and given the written with the Israelis on finan- velopment followed interven- and verbal commitments we cial issues, on health issues, tion by the United States, the have received from the Israelis, on political issues,” Palestin- European Union and “other in Ethiopia we will resume relations where ian prime minister Mohamed countries”. Reuters Geneva Over 1,000 killed in six

major humanitarian cri- sis is unfolding in Ethio- Apia, the United Nations months in South Sudan refugee agency said yesterday, with more than 27,000 people now having fl ed heavy fi ghting AFP which leads to cycles of brutal in Jonglei as a result...is very to Sudan. Juba revenge killings. very high,” said Shearer. The pace of the exodus, some “More than 1,000 people He called for dialogue be- 4,000 a day, may also indicate died in Warrap in the past six tween communities, and said huge uprooting of people with- he United Nations Mis- months...there are a lot of peo- UNMISS would deploy peace- in the Tigray region, UN agen- sion in South Sudan said ple who want to go on and carry keepers to several temporary cies said, adding that teams on Tyesterday that more than out revenge attacks for those bases in some of the hotspots the ground were overwhelmed. 1,000 people have been killed that have died,” UN special en- for violence. “People are coming out of and 400 abducted in communal voy David Shearer said. Observers have warned that Ethiopia really scared, afraid, confl icts in the past six months. Shearer warned that once the communal violence risked with stories saying they have South Sudan is struggling to the dry season arrives in Janu- derailing a peace agreement been fl eeing heavy fi ghting and emerge from six years of con- ary, the potential for further signed in September 2018 to there’s no sign of the fi ght- flict which formally ended with conflict in the central state end the war that killed nearly ing stopping,” Babar Baloch, the creation of a power-sharing was high. Meanwhile in east- 400,000 people. spokesman of the UN High government in February. ern Jonglei, “hundreds” died Key tenets of the deal, such Commissioner for Refugees Violence has soared in recent in fighting this year “and more as the unification of warring (UNHCR), told a Geneva news months between rival commu- than 400 people were abduct- forces under one army, remain briefi ng. nities, often over cattle raiding ed”. “The potential for conflict stuck. Ethiopia’s prime minister warned yesterday that a dead- line for rebel northern forces Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia, stands next to Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and to lay down arms had expired, General Birhanu Jula (right), Chief of General Staff , during an event to honour the national defence Army patrol paving the way for a push on the forces in Addis Ababa, yesterday. discovers 29 bodies Tigray region’s capital in the Beirut residents defy in eastern Congo two-week confl ict destabilising the Horn of Africa. A military patrol has discovered Sudan already hosts nearly new lockdown 29 bodies in a region of eastern 1mn refugees including those Democratic Republic of Congo who have fl ed confl ict and pov- where civilians are facing a sharp erty in Chad, Eritrea, Central Reuters “This doesn’t work...As rise in attacks by militants, local African Republic and South Beirut you can see, people are on authorities said yesterday. Sudan. the streets, they (authorities) The victims were found in the “UNHCR is warning that a should have, from the begin- Beni territory of North Kivu full-scale humanitarian crisis eirut’s popular Sabra ning, followed a certain plan province, local army spokes- is unfolding as thousands of market teemed with that doesn’t harm the economy man Anthony Mualushay said, refugees fl ee ongoing fi ghting Bshoppers this week, and goes along with our situ- without giving further details or in Ethiopia’s Tigray region each some of them unmasked, in ation because we’re special in saying who was believed to be day to seek safety in eastern Su- apparent defi ance of a full na- Lebanon,” taxi driver Mahdi responsible. The province’s deputy dan,” Baloch said. tional lockdown imposed on Msheik told Reuters Television. governor, Lumoo Kahumbo, said “UNHCR is on stand-by to Saturday to stem a resurgence “Besides corona(virus), we initial findings showed the ADF, a provide assistance in Tigray of coronavirus infections. have another crisis, the bank Ugandan militia, were responsible. when access and security al- The Lebanese government crisis. You can’t completely “The provincial government of low,” he added. ordered the two-week restric- shut down because if you do, North Kivu strongly condemns Jens Laerke, spokesman of tions, including a 5pm-5am there are people who work on a this latest slaughter of civilians,” the UN Offi ce for the Co-or- curfew on Sundays, as new daily basis, what do you do with Kahumbo said in a statement. dination of Humanitarian Af- daily infections rose above them?” A security source said it was fairs (OCHA), told the briefi ng: 1,000. Even before the pandemic, suspected, based on the state of “There may be massive dis- Lebanon reported 1,016 new Lebanon was reeling from a fi - decomposition of their bodies and placement inside Tigray and Staff at the Prime Minister’s off ice waives Ethiopian national flags at an event to honour the national infections on Monday, bringing nancial crisis that crashed the their location, that the victims were that is of course a concern and defence forces, at the prime minister’s compound, in Addis Ababa, yesterday. its total to 106,446 cases and currency and paralysed banks, among the more than 1,400 men we try to prepare the best way 827 deaths since Feb 21. freezing savers out of their de- who escaped from Beni prison possible.” communications were compli- ernment and relevant regional can deploy helicopters to reach After city streets and roads posits. when it was attacked by suspected Baloch also repeated con- cating aid eff orts. authorities,” he told the brief- isolated groups. emptied on Sunday, pedestri- “We’re going to get some ADF fighters on Oct 19. cerns for tens of thousands Humanitarian access was a ing. It had already delivered ans were back on Monday and food, but there’s no lockdown The Allied Democratic Forces of Eritrean refugees settled in priority, added OCHA’s Laerke, A World Food Programme more than one tonne of food some motorists could be seen here. Go see the highways, no (ADF) have increased attacks on Ethiopia, saying that clashes saying negotiations were on- offi cial said it was operating to a Sudanese site — enough fl outing a re-imposed odd- odd or even (car) plates, every- civilians in the region since the had occurred near to one of going. “We are in continuous humanitarian fl ights daily to to support 60,000 people for a even licence plate alternate day one’s out,” said Rami Fathalla, army launched a fresh off ensive. the settlements, but that poor contact with the federal gov- Kassala in eastern Sudan and month. driving rule. a beauty salon worker.

Iran says any US move Five killed in Somalia restaurant suicide attack for attack would face AFP people were rushed to hospi- Mogadishu tal, some of them with seri- ous injuries.” ‘crushing’ response Witness Abdukadir Hus- ive people, some of them sein said there had been doz- police, were killed and ens of people in the restau- Reuters due to visit Israel, which has Fmore than 10 injured yes- rant when the blast occurred. Dubai/Jerusalem long hinted at possible military terday when a suicide bomber “Many of the people inside action against Iran. attacked a restaurant in the were wounded and I person- “If I were the Iranians, I Somali capital of Mogadishu, ally saw the...dead bodies of ny US attack on Iran would not feel at ease” after police said. two people, the whole area would face a “crushing” the report, Israeli Energy Min- The offi cer and witnesses was in a mess as the blast Aresponse, an Iranian ister Yuval Steinitz said, adding said the attacker walked into destroyed everything,” he government spokesman said that he was not aware of the the restaurant near a police said. There was no immediate yesterday, following reports US Oval Office deliberations last academy and blew himself up. claim for the attack. President Donald Trump asked Thursday. “The death of five people, The Al Qaeda linked Al for options for a strike on Iran’s “It is very important that the two of them members of the Shebaab frequently attacks main nuclear site last week but Iranians know that if, indeed, police, were confirmed, and civilian and government tar- decided against doing so. they suddenly dash toward high more than 10 others were gets in Mogadishu, which it “Any action against the Ira- levels of enrichment, in the di- wounded,” said Mohamed controlled until it was driven nian nation would certainly rection of nuclear weaponry, Abdirahman, a police officer out by African Union troops Somali policemen are seen at the scene of a suicide explosion at a restaurant near a police academy, in face a crushing response,” they are liable to encounter the at the scene. “The wounded in 2011. Mogadishu, yesterday. spokesman Ali Rabiei said, in military might of the United remarks streamed on an official States — and also, perhaps, of government website. other countries,” Steinitz told Citing a US official, Reu- Israel’s Army Radio. ters reported on Monday that Iran says its nuclear pro- Trump, with two months left in gramme is for peaceful needs. Mali holds state funeral for former president Toure office, conferred with top ad- Rabiei accused Israel of “psy- visers about the possibility of chological warfare” against attacking the Natanz uranium Iran. ali held a state funeral led it for a decade before being of 72 after he had been trans- into the centre of a square in the master of ceremonies de- enrichment plant — but was “I personally don’t foresee yesterday for former ousted in a coup, AFP reported ferred to Turkey for medical the capital Mali for ceremonies clared. dissuaded by them from that that it’s probable that they (the Mpresident Amadou from Bamako. care following heart surgery. attended by the leaders of the “It is an incalculable loss option. One of the advisers United States) would want to Toumani Toure, an emblematic Toure, sometimes called A coffin draped in the na- country’s latest putsch and by for Mali. He came bringing the named in the report, Secretary cause insecurity in the world fi gure who steered the troubled Mali’s “soldier of democracy,” tional flag and borne by six foreign dignitaries. breath of life, he leaves with of State Mike Pompeo, is today and the region,” Rabiei said. nation to free elections and died on November 10 at the age soldiers was slowly carried “A great man has fallen,” the wind of hope.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Chinese offi cial backs Hong Kong judicial ‘reform’ calls

AFP tem that stands in stark contrast stantly,” Zhang Xiaoming, deputy a person inside the trade should by democracy supporters. He with Hong Kong since last year’s China’s top lawmaking body said Hong Kong with the opaque, party-control- head of the Hong Kong and Macau be valued by the whole society, has also called for Hong Kong’s protests. In June, it bypassed any legislator deemed a threat led courts in authoritarian China. Aff airs Offi ce, said in a speech in particular the judiciary and the judges to “regain Beijing’s trust” Hong Kong’s legislature to im- to national security could be re- But following months of pro- marking the 30th anniversary of legal community,” Zhang said. and claimed courts “have subor- pose a sweeping national security moved without going through the senior Chinese offi cial democracy protests last year, Bei- Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. Litton, who served on Hong dinated the common good to the law which outlawed the expres- courts. yesterday backed calls to jing has cracked down on dissent “This does not aff ect judicial in- Kong’s Court of Final Appeal assertions of personal right”. sion of certain political views. In response, 15 other pro-de- A“reform” Hong Kong’s ju- and ramped up direct oversight in dependence,” he insisted. from 1997 to 2015, has been cel- Dozens of protester acquittals Beijing also toppled the ju- mocracy lawmakers resigned en diciary, in a landmark speech sig- the city. Yesterday a veteran of- Zhang did not give any spe- ebrated by Beijing’s state media – often accompanied by wither- dicial fi rewall between the two, masse, reducing the legislature to nalling Beijing’s determination to fi cial in charge of Beijing’s Hong cifi cs on what path such reform as a voice calling for an overhaul ing court criticism of police – awarding itself power over espe- a gathering of Beijing loyalists. assert more control over the city’s Kong policy said it was time to should take. But he did name- of the city’s judicial system. have triggered a growing backlash cially serious national security In Tuesday’s speech, Zhang independent legal system. re-examine how the judiciary op- check Henry Litton, a retired sen- He was highly critical of a rul- from Beijing loyalists. Defend- cases and allowing its security hailed the removal of the legisla- Semi-autonomous Hong Kong erated. ior judge who has written multi- ing during last year’s protests ers of Hong Kong’s legal system services to operate openly in the tors. “Patriots rule, anti-China owes much of its success to a “Even in Western countries, ple columns in recent months when senior judges struck down counter that the courts are simply city for the fi rst time. trouble-rousers out is a political transparent and internationally judicial systems have to catch up critical of Hong Kong’s judici- an order banning face masks, doing their jobs. Beijing has dra- Last week Hong Kong authori- rule... Now it has also become a respected common law legal sys- with the times and reform con- ary. “Such a rational voice from as well as other judicial reviews matically altered its relationship ties ousted four lawmakers after legal norm,” he said.

British diplomat rescues drowning student in China

Reuters 18 injured in Thai protests Beijing

Reuters keep parliamentarians safe. The Bangkok Royal Palace has made no com- British diplomat leapt ment since the protests began, into a river in south- although the king himself re- A west China to rescue hai police fi red water can- cently described Thailand as a drowning student over the non and teargas at pro- a “land of compromise” when weekend, Britain’s embassy in Ttesters marching on par- asked about the protests. Beijing and Chinese state me- liament yesterday, and at least “This is not a compromise,” dia said. 18 people were hurt in the most said Thanathorn Juangroon- Stephen Ellison, the 61-year- violent confrontation since a gruangkit, a former opposition old British consul-general in youth-led protest movement leader who was banned from Chongqing, jumped into the emerged in July. parliament in a legal decision he water at a scenic spot in the The protests have become the says was politically motivated. municipality on Saturday after biggest challenge to Thailand’s Prayuth took power as the spotting the struggling female establishment in years. head of a military junta in 2014 student, who had fallen in by Demonstrators converged on and remained in offi ce as prime accident, China’s official Xin- parliament to put pressure on minister after an election last hua news agency reported. lawmakers discussing changes year. Prayuth rejects opposition A video of the incident to the constitution. Protesters accusations that the election posted on the British embas- also want the removal of Prime was unfair. sy’s Twitter account shows a Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a The last fi ve months have woman drifting face-down in former army ruler, and to curb seen the rise of a protest move- the water as onlookers scream the powers of King Maha Vaji- ment demanding deep reform in panic, before the diplomat ralongkorn. to a system that demonstrators takes off his shoes, plunges in Police sprayed water cannon say entrenches the military’s and swims to her aid. at protesters who cut through grip on power. Royalist counter- A lifebelt is then tossed into razor-wire barricades and re- demonstrators say the protests the river, enabling people on moved concrete barriers outside threaten the monarchy. the bank to drag Ellison and the parliament. Offi cers then fi red Lawmakers were discussing student to safety. “Thanks to teargas. Thousands of protest- several proposals for constitu- the rescue, the student soon re- ers gathered at diff erent points tional changes, some of which sumed breathing and regained and the number grew into the would exclude the possibil- Royalists hold national flags while riding towards a rally in front of the parliament, to show their opposition towards the proposed motion to consciousness,” Xinhua said, evening. ity of altering the monarchy’s amend the Constitution on articles related to the monarchy, in Bangkok. citing the local authorities, Ambulances ferried the in- role. There is also discussion without naming the woman. jured to hospital. Bangkok’s of the role of the upper house The British embassy said Erawan Medical Centre said 18 Senate, which was entirely se- everyone is “immensely proud” people were hurt, 12 of them lected by Prayuth’s former junta of Ellison. Sino-British ties suff ering as a result of teargas. It and helped ensure that he kept have been strained in recent said one of those hurt was a po- power with a parliamentary months over China’s decision lice offi cer. majority after last year’s dis- to impose a new national secu- “This is brutal,” said a puted vote. rity law to quell pro-democracy 31-year-old volunteer with the Some protesters scuffl ed with protests in Hong Kong, which FreeYouth protest group, who dozens of yellow-shirted royal- London handed back to Beijing gave his name as Oh. Protesters ists who had remained behind in 1997 after 156 years of Brit- pushed forward behind make- after an earlier demonstration ish rule. shift shields – including infl at- by hundreds of right-wing Thais Chinese foreign ministry able pool ducks. calling on lawmakers not to spokesman Zhao Lijian praised The deputy head of Bang- make changes to the constitu- Ellison’s “heroic behaviour”. “I kok police, Piya Tavichai, told tion. want to give him a big thumbs Reuters: “Police had to use tear- “Amending the constitution up,” he said during a daily me- gas and water cannon because is going to lead to the abolition dia briefing yesterday in Bei- protesters were trying to break of the monarchy,” royalist lead- jing. China on Nov 5 barred through the barriers.” er Warong Dechgitvigrom told non-Chinese travellers from Government spokesman reporters. Protesters have said Police pass along riot shields to colleagues as pro-democracy countries including Britain Anucha Burapachaisri said po- they do not want to abolish the Pro-democracy protesters react as police fire tear gas during an protesters hold an anti-government rally near the Thai Parliament from entering amid surging lice had been obliged to act to monarchy. anti-government rally near the Thai Parliament in Bangkok. in Bangkok. coronavirus cases.

Aussie chef axed after posting Nazi symbol Japan, Australia reach security pact

AFP his Instagram post that included Baccarat Australia said in a state- music played in the background Reuters Sydney a “Black Sun” symbol, an image ment. – said allegations made against Tokyo associated with Nazi Germany His upcoming appearance on him were “untrue, unfactual and and used by neo-Nazis. Australia’s I’m a Celebrity... Get a load of garbage”. ustralian celebrity chef Publisher Pan MacMillan was Me Out of Here reality television He also claimed he had to apan and Australia agreed on and conspiracy theorist among those publicly distancing show was also reportedly can- “Google what neo-Nazi meant”. a breakthrough defence pact APete Evans was ditched themselves from Evans, telling celled. The since-deleted post Since the coronavirus pandemic Jyesterday allowing reciprocal by several companies and had retailers they could return his features an image of a caterpillar began, Evans has routinely used visits for training and operations, his books pulled from shelves books. Kitchenware brand Bac- wearing a “Make America Great his platform to promote con- and voiced concern over the dis- yesterday after he posted a Nazi carat said it would stop produc- Again” cap speaking with a but- spiracy theories about the out- puted South China Sea, where symbol to social media. ing and selling a line of products terfl y that has the “Black Sun” break. He is also known for pro- China is extending its military Major Australian retailers said carrying his name. “In our view, symbol on its wing. moting pseudoscientifi c dieting infl uence. they would remove Evans’ books the images and views expressed In a later video to his 1.7mn ideas such as the palaeolithic It is Japan’s fi rst agreement and products from stores fol- by Mr Evans are abhorrent, un- social media followers, Evans – diet, earning him the nickname covering foreign military pres- lowing a public backlash over acceptable and deeply off ensive,” stroking a horse as meditative “Paleo” Pete. ence on its soil since a status of forces agreement in 1960 that allowed the United States to base warships, jets and troops in Japan Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s prime minister bumps elbows with Scott as part of an alliance that Wash- Morrison, Australia’s prime minister, after receiving the medals of the Eating out in Melbourne ington describes as the bedrock of 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games from him, during a joint news regional security. conference at Suga’s off icial residence in Tokyo, Japan. The Reciprocal Access Agree- ment strengthens defence ties ministration”, Morrison said. The calls for an international inquiry between the two US allies at a two sides also agreed on the need into the source of the coronavi- time when China is asserting its for a framework to allow Japanese rus, fi rst identifi ed in China al- role in the region and the United military to protect Australian most a year ago. The two leaders States is going through a messy forces if needed, the joint state- expressed their worries about leadership transition. The pact ment said. Since mid-August, “recent negative developments allows Japanese and Australian the United States has repeatedly and serious incidents in the South troops to visit each other’s coun- riled China by sending warships China Sea, including militarisa- tries and conduct training and to the South China Sea and has tion of disputed features, danger- joint operations and was agreed in blacklisted 24 Chinese entities ous coercive use of coast guard principle by Japanese Prime Min- over their involvement in building vessels”, their statement said. ister Yoshihide Suga and his Aus- and militarising artifi cial islands Japan and Australia said they tralian counterpart, Scott Morri- there. also shared concerns about the son, who is visiting Tokyo. China said it was conduct- East China Sea and the former “I hereby announce that we ing military training in the South British colony of Hong Kong reached agreement in principle China Sea from Tuesday through where China has imposed a strict on a reciprocal access agree- the end of November. new national security law, clamp- ment, which had been negotiated The legacy of Japan’s invasion ing down on dissent. to elevate security and defence and occupation of parts of China They also agreed to deepen co-operation between Japan and in World War II still haunts rela- their ties in 5G networks tech- Australia to a new level,” Suga told tions, and the two sides dispute nology, and undersea cables and a joint news conference. ownership of islands in the East resource security for critical min- The pact “establishes stream- China Sea. Australia’s relations erals supply. “Trade should never lined arrangements to support with China have deteriorated af- be used as a tool to apply politi- People are seen at a cafe after the state of Victoria saw coronavirus case numbers drop in Melbourne, Australia. the deployment of defence forces ter Australian allegations of Chi- cal pressure,” Suga and Morrison more quickly and with less ad- nese meddling in its aff airs and said. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 11 AMERICAS/BRITAIN

WEATHER CRIME MISSION OPINION DISPUTE Thieves steal $6.6mn Apple Astronauts board ISS from Judge against giving more Taylor Swift says master products from truck SpaceX’s ‘Resilience’ time to death row inmate tapes sold off again

British police are hunting for thieves who made Four astronauts carried into orbit by a SpaceX A judge signalled reluctance to grant Lisa Taylor Swift said her master recordings had been off with £5mn ($6.6mn) worth of Apple products Crew Dragon boarded the International Space Montgomery, the only woman on federal death sold off to a private equity company, denying from iPhones to watches after tying up a driver Station yesterday, the first of what Nasa hopes row, extra time to petition for clemency after her her the chance to buy back the tapes herself and security guard during a truck heist in central will be many routine missions ending US reliance attorneys fell ill with Covid-19 before they could and resume control over the rights to her first England. The thieves targeted the truck on a slip on Russian rockets. The “Resilience” spacecraft complete her application. In a hearing in the six albums. “This was the second time my music road to the M1 motorway in Northamptonshire docked autonomously with the space station some district court of Columbia, judge Randolph Moss had been sold without my knowledge,” the last Tuesday evening, tying up the driver and 400kms above the Midwestern US state of Ohio questioned why her lawyers had not completed a 30-year-old singer wrote in a Twitter posting. Swift guard whom they left behind, before they took at 0401 GMT yesterday, completing a 27.5-hour draft of the clemency petition sooner. The justice also said she had begun re-recording her early the vehicle to a nearby industrial estate. There journey. The crew’s three Americans — Michael department said in October it would execute songs and that it had “proven to be exciting and People wade through floodwaters caused they transferred the trailer onto another truck, Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker — Montgomery on December 8, in what would be fulfilling.” Swift’s comments followed a long- by Hurricane Iota in Cartagena, Colombia. and drove it about nine miles to the town of along with Japan’s Soichi Noguchi, each floated the first federal execution of a woman since 1953. running feud with her former record company, Big Authorities rushed to evacuate thousands of Lutterworth where 48 pallets of the Apple goods in zero gravity through a hatch and onto the ISS, Montgomery, now 52, was convicted in 2007 of Machine Group, and with music executive Scooter people from coastal areas of Nicaragua and including watches, iPhone 11s, Air Pods, iPads where they were cheered and embraced by the kidnapping and strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett, Braun over the rights to some of her biggest hits, Honduras in the immediate path of the storm. and chargers were loaded into a third vehicle. station’s three crew members. who was eight months pregnant. including Shake It Off and You Belong to Me.

Facebook, Twitter Biden names policies attacked top campaign Reuters Washington

epublican senators yes- terday attacked the chief Rexecutives of Facebook staff to White and Twitter for what they called censorship of President Trump and his allies during the US elec- tion while Democrats bemoaned the spread of misinformation on social media. The CEOs, Jack Dorsey of Twitter and Mark Zuckerberg of House roles Facebook, defended their con- tent moderation practices at a Reuters terday also discussed national some ballots still being counted. congressional hearing sched- Washington security threats with his own In the state-by-state Electoral uled after the platforms de- team of advisers, rather than College that determines the win- cided to block stories from the current government offi cials, as ner, Biden has secured 306 votes New York Post that made claims resident-elect Joe Biden the Trump administration has to Trump’s 232. about the son of then-Demo- yesterday named several blocked him from receiving the One of Trump’s legal chal- cratic presidential candidate Joe Ptop advisers from his elec- classifi ed intelligence briefi ngs lenges was to get a hearing in a Biden. tion campaign and a Democratic normally accorded to an incom- Pennsylvania federal court yes- The move incited uproar congressman as senior White ing president. terday, where another setback among Republican lawmakers House aides, sticking with a tight General Services Administra- would likely doom his already who have consistently accused inner circle as he transitions to tor Emily Murphy has not yet slim chances. the companies of anti-conserv- the White House. recognized Biden as the “appar- District judge Matthew Brann ative bias. Biden is focused on prepar- ent winner,” which is needed to will hear arguments in a Trump In his opening remarks, Ju- ing to take over the presidency release government funding and campaign lawsuit that seeks to diciary Committee chairman on January 20, despite President offi ce space to the president- block the state’s top election of- Lindsey Graham asked: “What I Donald Trump’s increasingly elect. fi cial from certifying Biden as the want to try to fi nd out is if you’re tenuous eff ort to reverse the out- A Murphy spokeswoman said winner. not a newspaper at Twitter or come of the November 3 election. the administrator was follow- To remain in offi ce, Trump Facebook, then why do you have Biden presidential campaign ing precedent and would make a would need to overturn results in editorial control over the New manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, decision once the winner is clear. at least three of the closely con- York Post?” the fi rst woman to lead a winning Trump has remained angry tested states in unprecedented He said he did not think arti- Democratic presidential bid, will and defi ant on social media even fashion, and has no apparent le- cles on Hunter Biden, refuted by be named a deputy chief of staff , as a handful of Republicans have gal means to do so. the Biden campaign, needed to Biden said in a statement re- said Biden should be considered Trump supporters are also be fl agged or excluded from dis- leased by his transition team. the president-elect. clinging to hope that recounts tribution. Longtime close advisers Mike The president, who has could reverse state results, even Democrats focused on the Donilon and Steve Ricchetti will not conceded, has repeatedly though experts have said Biden’s spread of misinformation by join the White House as sen- claimed without evidence he is margins appear insurmountable. Trump, a Republican, and his ior advisor to the president and the victim of widespread voter Georgia is undertaking a man- supporters. counsellor to the president, re- fraud, and his campaign has fi led ual recount on its own, but in Zuckerberg and Dorsey ad- spectively. a fl urry of lawsuits in battle- Wisconsin the Trump campaign mitted the companies have made Dana Remus, the campaign’s ground states. would have to pay for a recount some mistakes, but mostly de- top lawyer, will be senior counsel Election offi cials in both par- in advance. fended their policies. to the president. Another close ties have said they see no evi- The Wisconsin Elections However, broader problems adviser, Ron Klain, was already dence of serious irregularities. Commission on Monday esti- with their content moderation named chief of staff . Trump campaign spokes- mated such a recount would cost decisions, especially around US Representative Cedric woman Erin Perrine yesterday $7.9mn. violent speech, became evident Richmond, who was a national defended the campaign’s eff ort, Perrine, the Trump campaign when senator Richard Blumen- co-chair of Biden’s campaign even as courts in multiple states spokeswoman, said the campaign thal, a Democrat, asked Face- and former chair of the Congres- have rejected their legal chal- would decide whether to pursue book’s Zuckerberg if he would sional Black Caucus, will vacate lenges. a Wisconsin recount in the next commit to taking down the ac- a House seat in Louisiana to join Asked what evidence Trump few days. Biden won Wisconsin count of former Trump White as a senior adviser and director of campaign had, Perrine told Fox by around 20,000 votes. House adviser Steve Bannon af- the White House Offi ce of Public News, “That’s part of what our Georgia’s top elections of- ter he suggested the beheading Engagement. pursuit is at this point...There’s fi cial, Secretary of State Brad of two senior US offi cials. Biden, who may name more no silver bullet here. It’s going to Raff ensperger, said in televi- Zuckerberg refused. “Senator, staff soon, could still be weeks take a little bit of time.” sion interviews that the audit no. That’s not what our policies Gwinnett County election workers handle ballots as part of the recount for the 2020 presidential away from naming his Cabinet Biden won the national popu- was almost complete and that would suggest that we should do election at the Beauty P Baldwin Voter Registrations and Elections Building in Lawrenceville, Georgia. appointees. lar vote by at least 5.6mn votes, the results would be largely un- in this case,” he said. Off icials are hoping to finish the hand counting of ballots before the deadline today. The former vice president yes- or 3.6 percentage points, with changed.

Brexit tensions risk fuelling PM remarks on Scotland N Irish paramilitaries: report The imminent end of the Ireland life in 2020”. Brexit transition period risks In its annual report, the IRC devolution spark anger fuelling paramilitary activity said: “As the end of the Brexit in Northern Ireland, a key transition period approaches, watchdog panel warned the possibility of a heightening Reuters He also said he saw no case for they’re not a threat to the powers yesterday. The Independent of tensions reinforces the London giving Scotland’s semi-auton- of the Scottish Parliament — or, Reporting Commission (IRC), urgency of dealing with the omous government and parlia- even more incredibly, that they established jointly by the UK ending of paramilitarism.” ment, which are dominated by support devolving more powers,” and Irish governments in 2016, Tim O’Connor, one of its four ritish Prime Minister Boris the SNP, any further powers in she said on Twitter. said Brexit has “the potential to commissioners, added: “The Johnson has called the dev- addition to the ones they hold Independence is the only way further and greatly complicate fact that these groups continue Bolution of powers to Scot- now. to protect and strengthen the the ending of paramilitarism” in to exist...constitutes heightened land “a disaster”, a comment that Asked about the comments Scottish parliament, she added. the British province. risk.” Brexit has the potential played into the hands of Scottish yesterday, Johnson’s spokesman In a sign of the nervousness Northern Ireland was the to drive paramilitary activity nationalists as recent polls show did not deny them but said: “The that Johnson’s comments caused epicentre of “The Troubles” because it is a “highly emotive” a majority of Scots now support PM has always fully supported among Scots who support stay- — a three-decade conflict issue which reawakens the independence. devolution and this government ing part of the United Kingdom, between loyalists paramilitaries “radioactive” questions of “The The bonds holding the United continues to put the union in the Conservative leader in Scot- and security forces backing Troubles”, he said. Kingdom together have been se- the heart of everything that we land, Douglas Ross, immediately continued British rule Britain voted to leave the EU in verely strained over the last fi ve do. He will always stand against contradicted the prime minister. and republicans intent on a landmark 2016 referendum years by Brexit, the government’s those trying to separate the Unit- “Devolution has not been a reunification with Ireland. and ties were off icially severed handling of the Covid-19 pan- ed Kingdom. disaster,” he said on Twitter. Around 3,500 lives were lost with the bloc in January. demic, and repeated calls by the “He is very clear that he re- “The SNP’s non-stop obses- to bombs and bullets before However, a divorce treaty froze Scottish National Party (SNP) for jects the SNP’s call to break up sion with another referendum the landmark Good Friday relations in the status quo a new referendum on independ- the UK.” — above jobs, schools and every- Agreement peace deal was during a transition period due ence. But Scotland’s First Minister thing else — has been a disaster.” sealed in 1998. to expire on December 31. In a video call on Friday with Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, Scottish voters rejected in- However the IRC — set up From 2021, Northern Ireland northern English lawmakers said Johnson’s comments to the dependence by 55% to 45% in a nearly two decades later will be subject to special from his Conservative Party, lawmakers showed the Con- 2014 referendum, but since then to monitor eff orts against arrangements to prevent the Johnson said that devolution, servatives’ public statements of the SNP have become stronger, dissident groups — warned re-emergence of a so-called which was introduced by Tony support for devolution were du- winning all elections in Scotland Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attends the Scottish “there are still thousands of hard border with remaining EU Blair, had been the former La- plicitous. by huge margins. Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, yesterday. Sturgeon tweeted signed-up (‘sworn’) members”. member Ireland — a frequent bout prime minister’s “biggest “Worth bookmarking these They are expected to perform it was “worth bookmarking Johnson’s comments for the next It also noted “paramilitarism flashpoint of Troubles-era mistake” and “a disaster”, media PM comments for the next strongly in elections to the Scot- time Tories say they’re not a threat to the powers of the Scottish remains a reality of Northern violence. reported. time Tories (Conservatives) say tish parliament in May. Parliament.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 EUROPE

Clashes fl are on 1973 student revolt anniversary

AFP junta’s grip on power and speed- they were backers of the KKE the arrested people to be freed”. Police turned out early to guard Athens ed the restoration of democracy, communist party and small left- Most years, tens of thousands public buildings and around 200 and last year’s commemorations wing party Antarsya. of largely left-wing demonstra- demonstrators who gathered drew crowds totalling more than Large numbers of riot police tors march through Athens to near the US embassy quickly dis- reek police used tear gas, 30,000 people in major cities. were already deployed. end up at the embassy of the US, persed, a police source said. stun grenades and water But this year Prime Minister An AFP photographer saw that which backed the Greek military By evening, central Athens was Gcannon in Athens yester- Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conserva- most of the demonstrators were dictatorship during the Cold War. again calm, with police still on day to break up a demonstration tive government banned the wearing masks. But this year’s ban stoked an- duty and 12 metro stations closed to commemorate a 1973 student public demonstrations as Greece One communist MP was in- ger among KKE communists, the to hinder new gatherings. uprising against the military jun- faces mounting coronavirus cas- jured and around 100 demon- radical left party under former After laying a wreath at the ta that was banned because of the es. strators arrested, police said. prime minister Alexis Tsipras, monument to the uprising early pandemic. This year, “protecting public KKE secretary-general Dimi- and former fi nance minis- yesterday, President Katerina November 17 is a treasured an- health and solidarity with our tris Koutsoubas said offi cers had ter Yanis Varoufakis’s MeRA25 Sakellaropoulou had told Greeks niversary for many Greeks, re- fellow citizens, especially young “attacked” the MP. movement. that “democracy is a regime of calling a crackdown that killed people squeezed by the economic Alexis Charitsis, spokesman All three rejected a govern- freedom but also responsibility. 24, including many students of crisis, is the priority”, Mitsotakis for the main Syriza opposition ment call for a simple gathering “Getting over our individual- the Athens Polytechnic. said yesterday. party, agreed that “police at- at the monument to the bloody ity for the common good, public The bloodbath was generally Police said around 1,500 peo- tacked and provoked a peaceful repression of the student move- health and solidarity is all of our considered to have broken the ple defi ed the ban, adding that demonstration”, calling for “all ment by the police and army. struggle”. Protesters help an injured fellow participant during clashes in Athens.

Crime family targeted over museum heist German police have arrested three suspects and raided properties over a spectacular Russian regions struggle heist a year ago in which more than a dozen pieces of diamond- encrusted jewellery were snatched from a state museum in Dresden. Investigators were searching 18 properties in Berlin, including 10 apartments as well as garages with Covid-19 pressure and vehicles, in connection with what local media have dubbed „ Turkey to impose new measures, Erdogan says day to curb the spread of the Angela Merkel said yesterday, one of the biggest museum „ Poland tests mink despite fur industry’s objections disease that has claimed more after federal and state leaders heists in modern history. „ Italy reports 32,191 new cases, 731 deaths than 6,000 lives in the Nordic postponed until November 25 The main target of the probe was „ Swedish cases rise, new measures welcomed country. a decision on further lockdown the so-called “Remmo clan”, a „ Dutch PM to keep lockdown measures Sweden, whose soft-touch measures. family of Arab origin notorious „ Merkel very worried about pandemic in Berlin pandemic response has garnered Merkel said she would have for ties to organised crime whose „ France regaining control over but caution needed: minister world-wide attention, regis- preferred to have agreed stricter members were in February tered 15,084 new coronavirus rules at a meeting with federal convicted in another high-profile Reuters/AFP Health Minister Mikhail Mu- cases for the latest four-day pe- and state leaders on Monday, museum break-in in central Moscow rashko said on Monday that 84% riod yesterday. adding that she was very worried Berlin. of the country’s hospital beds It was a small decrease com- about the uncontrolled spread of Prosecutors did not name the allocated for coronavirus pa- pared with the 15,779 cases re- coronavirus in some places, in- three German citizens detained, ussia reported a record tients had been fi lled. corded the corresponding pe- cluding the capital Berlin. but a spokesman confirmed they high 442 new coronavi- In the Ivanovo region north- riod last week. “Infection numbers aren’t are members of the Remmo Rrus-related deaths yes- east of Moscow, the regional “We’re still in a very serious growing exponentially anymore, family. terday as the country’s regions health minister Artur Fokin said situation,” Sweden’s Chief Epi- but are still far too high. So we The robbers launched their struggled to cope with over- that local morgues were over- demiologist Anders Tegnell told have to reduce contacts, reduce brazen raid lasting eight minutes fl owing morgues and medicine fl owing with corpses. a news conference. contacts, reduce contacts,” she on the Green Vault museum shortages. “We are looking for additional A sign reminding customers about social distancing is seen at the Sweden also registered 61 told a business event organised in Dresden’s Royal Palace on While Europe has reintro- refrigerating chambers since the entrance to a grocery store in central Stockholm. deaths since Friday, taking the by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung November 25, 2019. duced new restrictions in re- morgues can no longer cope with total toll to 6,225. daily. The director of Dresden’s state sponse to a second wave of the storage of bodies until they taurants and cafes will only off er The groups’ representatives The number of new corona- The number of confi rmed art collection, Marion Ackermann, coronavirus infections sweep- are handed over to relatives,” a delivery service. and some farm owners also sig- virus cases in the Netherlands coronavirus cases rose by 14,419 had refused to put a value on ing across the world, Russia has Fokin told reporters on Monday. Ankara only announces the nalled that they may refuse to declined around 15% over the in a day, data from the Robert the stolen items, calling them refused to enforce a new nation- Russian independent news- daily number of symptomatic allow the veterinary services to past week, health authorities Koch Institute (RKI) for infec- “priceless”. wide lockdown. paper Novaya Gazeta said that in cases, of which there were 3,819 test their animals for the coro- said yesterday, but Prime Min- tious diseases showed yesterday, The highly-contagious coro- some regions pharmacies were yesterday, as well as 103 deaths, navirus, which spread among ister Mark Rutte was expected while the death toll rose by 267. navirus causes the Covid-19 running out of medicines, while both around the levels last seen mink in Denmark and some of to announce few changes to the France’s health minister Ol- Activists protest respiratory disease. ambulance brigades were so in April, bringing the total death their keepers despite earlier country’s current lockdown ivier Veran said yesterday that Yesterday health authorities overwhelmed they were unable toll to 11,704 from the disease. culls. measures. the country is regaining control proposed curbs on recorded 22,410 new infections, to reach all patients. Poland has begun testing Italy has registered 32,191 In a weekly update, the Na- over the coronavirus but is not identifying police making Russia’s virus caseload Turkey’s President Tayyip minks for the coronavirus de- new coronavirus infections over tional Institute for Health ready to ease the second national the fi fth-highest in the world Erdogan said yesterday that the spite objections by lobby groups the past 24 hours, the health (RIVM) said there were 37,706 lockdown imposed to rein in the French rights activists and with some 1.95mn registered in- government will impose tighter and some farm owners, who fear ministry said yesterday, up from new cases in the week to No- disease. journalists protested yesterday fections. measures to respond to surging they could lead to a nationwide 27,354 the day before. vember 17, down from 43,621 After curfew measures ap- against a proposed law that The total virus fatalities stood numbers of coronavirus patients cull. The ministry also reported new cases in the week to No- plied in major French cities in would make it a crime, in certain at 33,391. and impose partial lockdowns at Earlier this month three in- 731 Covid-19-related deaths, up vember 10 and the lowest since mid-October failed to produce circumstances, to circulate an In a number of regions, doc- weekends across the country. dustry associations warned that from 504 the previous day and early October. the results the government had image of a police off icer’s face. tors and patients have reported “A lockdown restriction will a decision to test minks could the highest daily toll since April “(However) the number of hoped for, it enforced a one- Opponents say the law would extreme pressure on emergency be imposed outside the hours of pave the way for Poland to follow 3, when the country was in full people with a positive test result month lockdown on October 30, infringe journalists’ freedom services, medicine defi cits and 1000-2000 over the weekends Denmark’s move to cull its entire national lockdown. remains very high,” the RIVM though it was less strict than the to report on public events, and overfl owing morgues. in a way that will not disrupt mink population after a mutated There were 208,458 coronavi- said, with more than 150 infec- one that ran from March 17 to make it harder to hold off icers On Monday, Buryatia in east- supply and production chains,” form of the virus was found. rus swabs carried out in the past tions per 100,000 people in May 11. accountable if, for example, they ern Siberia became the fi rst he said. “We are afraid that the agri- day, the ministry said, against a nearly every region of the coun- After hitting a peak of 86,852 use excessive violence while Russian region since the second Speaking after a cabinet culture ministry wants to fol- previous 152,663. try. new infections per day on No- detaining a suspect. wave began to shutter night- meeting, Erdogan also said that low the ‘Danish path’,” Daniel Sweden’s Covid-19 cases The coronavirus situation in vember 7, the rate has dropped Lawmakers began debating spots, restaurants, shopping all schools will remain closed Chmielewski from the Polish continued to increase yesterday Germany is still very serious, sharply with the total reaching yesterday whether to adopt the malls and other non-essential and continue online education Association of Fur Farmers said as many welcomed the toughest even though infection numbers a more than one-month low on law, which is backed by President businesses for two weeks. until the year-end and all res- in an e-mailed statement. measures yet imposed on Mon- are not rising so fast, Chancellor Monday, at 9,406. Emmanuel Macron’s party and its parliamentary allies. Under the proposed law, anyone circulating a police off icer’s image with the intention that the off icer should be harmed as a result is liable to be jailed Three health chiefs resign for a year and ordered to pay a €45,000 ($53,450) fine. Several hundred protesters gathered outside parliament in central Paris, carrying placards within days in south Italy reading: “You’ll be deprived of your liberties for your own safety” and “Stop the law!” „ German govt bars The latest governor, Eugenio party, accused Prime Minis- tions to keep the pandemic in Supporters say the planned coronavirus protest outside Gaudio, resigned less than 24 ter Giuseppe Conte of presid- check. law does not stop journalists parliament hours after the cabinet had ap- ing over a “farce”, while Matteo The ministry said in a state- reporting on the actions of police, „ Slovak far-right groups pointed him. Salvini, leader of the far-right ment yesterday that it had re- but is designed to protect off icers protest against virus Gaudio, who previously head- League, called on Health Min- jected 12 applications to hold and their families. restrictions ed Rome’s Sapienza University, ister Roberto Speranza to resign. protests against the measures said he had decided not to take The government made no im- outside the historic Reichstag Reuters/AFP the job because his wife did not mediate comment and it was not building in central Berlin. Bulgaria blocks EU Rome/Berlin/Bratislava want to move to Calabria. clear whether a second offi cial Several hundred angry dem- “I have no intention of start- called up to help in Calabria on onstrators had already tried in discussions on N ing a family crisis,” said Gaudio, Monday, disaster relief expert late August to storm the building A protester burns a flare yesterday during a protest, against the Macedonia joining he Italian government whose candidacy had caused Gino Strada, was still willing to during a rally against coronavi- government of Igor Matovic and precautionary measures against was left red-faced yester- mutterings of discontent in go. rus rules, in a protest Chancel- the spread of the coronavirus, in front of the government building in Bulgaria blocked discussions Tday when a third health Italy’s ruling coalition after it Strada, a surgeon who found- lor Angela Merkel condemned as Bratislava, Slovakia. yesterday among EU ministers chief in Calabria quit in barely emerged that he was under in- ed the Emergency NGO which “shameful”. on North Macedonia’s bid to a week, leaving the southern re- vestigation for alleged irregu- aids civilian victims of war, has The ministry said the ban ap- Igor Matovic to resign. swept away the regime in former one day join the bloc, with Sofia gion’s hospitals rudderless and larities in university hirings. expressed doubts about his ap- plied both to the Bundestag low- Most of the protesters wore no Czechoslovakia, ushering in demanding that Skopje rewrite still lacking an emergency coro- Gaudio has denied any pointment, saying that he would er house at the Reichstag and the masks, which are required out- capitalism and democracy. its history books to highlight navirus plan. wrongdoing. not work in tandem with Gaudio Bundesrat upper house a short doors at all times in Slovakia. In a televised address on Mon- Bulgarian roots. The coronavirus causes the He had been called up to re- and was not sure what the health distance away. “I don’t like the government day, President Zuzana Caputova The ministers discussed Covid-19 respiratory disease. place Giuseppe Zuccatelli, who ministry wanted him to do. It said a rally would only be al- telling me what to do,” Jaroslav, a had called on Slovaks to com- for nearly eight hours by The resignation of any sen- had himself resigned barely a Italy’s regions normally have lowed on the site “if there is no 54-year-old taxi driver, told AFP memorate the anniversary “as videoconference a raft of issues, ior state bureaucrat is unusual week into the job after a video control over their own health fear of hindrance of the activity” at the protest. “Wear a mask, get a dignifi ed celebration of re- which included the European in Italy, where offi cials tend to emerged of him ridiculing the services, but Rome took charge of MPs or their staff “or access to tested, stay at home – they do gained freedom and democracy”. Union’s aim to expand into the cling to their jobs until retire- idea that mask wearing could of Calabria’s heavily-indebted the building”. nothing but give us orders. We “Slovakia, as well as other western Balkans by including ment, but to see three throw in curb the coronavirus. system in 2010 amid accusa- “These conditions have not are not animals.” countries are currently experi- North Macedonia and Albania. the towel in such swift succes- His predecessor Saverio Cot- tions that the local mafi a, the been met,” the ministry said. Police fi red tear gas at protest- encing a situation in which it’s Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister sion is remarkably rare, if not ticelli quit on November 7 after ‘Ndrangheta, had infi ltrated it Thousands protested in the ers after they broke through a necessary to temporarily restrict Ekaterina Zaharieva said that unprecedented. a disastrous television interview and was milking it of cash. Slovakia capital Bratislava cordon near government offi ces. our rights and freedoms in order Bulgaria was willing to open The rapid departures also in which he acknowledged that Meanwhile, militant oppo- yesterday against government “Matovic is a virus,” said Mar- to protect other important val- negotiations with Albania, but not raised questions about govern- the region did not have an emer- nents of Germany’s measures coronavirus restrictions, defy- ian Kotleba, an opposition MP ues, particularly life and health,” with North Macedonia. ment oversight of one of Italy’s gency Covid-19 plan. to halt the spread of coronavirus ing a ban on gatherings of more and chairman of the far-right she said. “Bulgaria doesn’t support this poorest regions, which has been He said it was not his respon- will be barred from marching than six people. LSNS party, which helped or- Slovakia is conducting mass stage of the accession framework designated a coronavirus “red sibility, only to discover on air outside parliament today over “Stop Covid terror! We want ganise the protest. coronavirus testing of the popu- with the Republic of North zone” partly because its hospi- that it was. fears of violence, the interior freedom!” read one of the signs The protest comes on the an- lation using antigen tests. Macedonia ... the plan does not tals are believed to be incapable Giorgia Meloni, head of the ministry said. at the demonstration, with oth- niversary of the bloodless Vel- The rate of positive cases has take into account Bulgarian of handling a major outbreak. opposition Brothers of Italy MPs are to pass new restric- ers calling on Prime Minister vet Revolution in 1989 which been around 1%. demands,” she said. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 13 INDIA

JUDICIARY EVENT PEOPLE POLITICS INITIATIVE Kerala CM’s former Modi to open Bengaluru Maharashtra pays Pawan Kalyan’s party to Police drive helps reunite secretary denied bail Tech Summit tomorrow homage to Thackeray contest corporation polls missing kids with families

A Kerala court yesterday refused to grant Prime Minister Narendra Modi will Top leaders from various political parties and Jana Sena chief and actor Pawan Kalyan yesterday A special drive launched by Delhi police this bail to IAS off icer and Kerala chief minister inaugurate the Bengaluru Tech Summit, commoners paid homage to the founder- announced that his party would contest the year helped trace 2,629 missing children and Pinarayi Vijayan’s former principal secretary M 2020 tomorrow. The event will deliberate on patriarch of Shiv Sena, BalaThackeray on his December 1 elections to the Greater Hyderabad reunite them with their families. In order to Sivasankar. He was arrested by the Enforcement the key challenges emerging in the post- eighth death anniversary in Mumbai yesterday. Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Hours after encourage police personnel to trace missing Directorate on October 29 for his alleged role in pandemic world with focus on the impact of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray led the state Telangana State Election Commission announced children, the police department had granted the gold smuggling case and is being questioned prominent technologies and innovations in along with his wife Rashmi Thackeray, son and the poll schedule for the 150-member municipal additional incentives, including out-of-turn by the financial probe agency. Sivasankar’s the domains of ‘Information Technology and minister Aditya Thackeray besides ministers, body, Kalyan issued a statement stating that Jana promotions for constables and head constables judicial custody ends on November 26 and prior Electronics’ and ‘Biotechnology.’ This year, leaders of other parties, and paid floral tributes Sena was ready to field its candidates. Pawan, who recovered 50 or more missing children to that, reports indicate he will be continue to be the theme of the summit is “Next is Now”. at the late leader’s memorial at Shivaji Park. In a who has long been focusing on politics in Andhra below the age of 14 within 12 calendar months. questioned by various central probe agencies. The prime minister will attend the event via message, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said: Pradesh, stated that in response to requests from “After the announcement of the special The Principal Sessions Court in Kochi witnessed video conference. The summit is organised “A heartfelt tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray whose party’s active and young workers, he has asked incentives, from August 7 to October 31, 1,222 heated arguments with Sivasankar’s lawyer by the government of Karnataka along with leadership, eloquence and contributions will rule party leaders and the city committee to be ready children were reported missing but 1,440 arguing that he was being pressured to name Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society forever in the hearts of the Marathis.” Nationalist for the polls. The actor-politician said some workers were traced. These include previously missing high-flying ruling front political leaders, but the (KITS), Karnataka government’s Vision Group Congress Party president Sharad Pawar said the and committee leaders discussed the issue with children as well,” said police spokesman Eish prosecution denied the claim. The prosecution on Information Technology, Biotechnology late Thackeray’s work as “an eff ective orator, him. Leaders of the party in GHMC divisions have Singhal. In one instance, a child aged six lodged cited several pieces of evidence against and StartUp, Software Technology Parks cartoonist and political commentator” is of already been raising people’s issues. Kalyan’s party in Sanskar Ashram in Dilshad Garden was Sivasankar and the court relied on these to of India (STPI) and MM Activ Sci-Tech special significance and political activists are had won one seat in the 175-member assembly reunited with his family in Bihar. The child had dismiss his bail plea. Communications. reminded of his ever-vigilante attitude. while the BJP had drawn a blank. gone missing in 2017. Delhi plans to reinstate some curbs as Covid infections rise

Agencies federal authorities for permis- New Delhi sion to impose the curbs. Since the middle of May, the capital has gradually opened s Delhi battles its worst markets and public transport phase in the coronavi- shut during the early phase of Arus pandemic, authori- the pandemic. ties drew up plans yesterday to Delhi, which recorded its reinstate some curbs, such as highest infections and deaths lockdowns of some markets, if last week, reported on Monday necessary, although elsewhere in a fall in new infections to 3,797, India new infections are falling. but federal authorities have India added 29,163 cases over warned it to be ready for as many the past 24 hours for its lowest as 15,000 cases a day. Staff members wearing masks enter a college in Bengaluru yesterday. The Karnataka government ordered the reopening of degree colleges which were closed for several months such increase since at least mid- As a popular time of year for due to the Covid-19 pandemic. July, government data showed, weddings nears, Kejriwal’s gov- taking its tally of infections ernment has also asked federal to 8.87mn, second only to the offi cials for a further cut in the United States, and a death toll of number of guests at such cel- 130,519. ebrations, to 50 from 200. Both infections and deaths The Delhi government’s on- have fallen from a mid-Septem- line tracker showed just 116 beds ber high but the situation is dif- available, from a total of 1,327 ferent in Delhi, a city of 20mn in intensive care units equipped India pins its hopes on swathed in air pollution, where with a ventilator. crowds thronged markets for last Federal offi cials have prom- week’s Diwali festival. ised to make hundreds more With his palms joined to- available soon. gether during a live broadcast Delhi’s air has high levels of on Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister tiny pollutants of the size known Arvind Kejriwal pleaded for peo- as PM 2.5, which doctors say can locally-tested vaccines ple to wear masks and maintain enter the nose to weaken the in- social distancing. ner lining of the lungs and help Agencies Baylor College of Medicine and of the Pfi zer and Moderna vac- the virus itself and, therefore, no ditional vaccines and an RNA- “If...we see that social dis- the coronavirus spread. New Delhi Dynavax Technologies Corpora- cines, both of which have said risk of catching Covid-19 from based vaccine is also safer for the tancing and mask-wearing is Meanwhile the federal gov- tion. interim results of last-stage tri- the shot itself. patient, as they are not produced not being followed in any bazaar ernment said the eff ect of the re- Paul told a news briefi ng that als of their candidates showed The vaccine is infused with a using infectious elements,” and there’s a possibility of those cent elections and festivals like ndia hopes fi ve locally-tested AstraZeneca vaccine’s last-stage that they were more than 90% piece of genetic code that trains Gupta said. areas becoming a hotspot, we Durga Puja and Diwali, among vaccines will help it to con- trials in India had gone well and eff ective. our immune system to recognise Production of RNA vaccines is should be allowed to close them others, on the Covid-19 situa- Itrol Covid-19, as those de- had almost been completed. Unlike Pfi zer’s vaccine which the spike protein on the surface laboratory-based, and the proc- down for a few days,” he added. tion are still not known. veloped by Pfi zer and Moderna The country has reported must be kept at -70C or below, of the virus - a lethal signature ess could be standardised and “I do believe that such harsh Addressing a press conference, may not be available to it in big 8.87mn infections, second only Moderna’s can be stored at nor- of the coronavirus. scaled, allowing quick responses measures would not be required. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan quantities soon. to the United States, and 130,519 mal fridge temperatures, making Health experts said mRNA to large outbreaks and epidem- But, if any marketplace has be- underscored that all stakeholders The fi ve candidates include deaths as a result of Covid-19. it more suited for poorer coun- vaccines can be very promising ics. come a corona hotspot due to the need to keep watching new cases Russia’s Sputnik-V whose But the daily coronavirus in- tries such as India where cold in the fi ght against the pandemic “A major advantage of RNA non-adhering of guidelines such very carefully. “Phase-II going to Phase-III” fections fell to their lowest since chains are limited. despite the challenges. vaccines is that RNA can be pro- as no social distancing or wear- He also urged people with trials in India will start next week mid-July, with 29,163 new cases “This obviously will be a very According to Dr Monika duced in the laboratory from ing of masks, we would have to symptoms to get themselves in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s reported for the last 24 hours, big hindrance to scale up the Gupta of Fortis Hospital in New a DNA template using readily impose a local lockdown in those tested. Laboratories, Vinod Paul, the the Health Ministry said vaccine,” Paul said of Pfi zer’s, Delhi, unlike a normal vaccine, available materials, less expen- areas as a precautionary meas- “As part of Covid-19 appro- head of a committee advising the Daily cases have fallen in India adding that if India fi nds itself RNA vaccines work by intro- sively and faster than conven- ure,” Kejriwal said. priate behaviour, citizens must prime minister, said. since hitting a peak in September. needing to do so it will pursue ducing an mRNA sequence (the tional vaccine production,” she “You can also see how all the ensure that if they are experi- The other experimental vac- “We are very hopeful that we this option. molecule which tells cells what explained. governments are working hand- encing any symptoms, then they cines are the one being devel- will be successful with the fi ve “If we are required to form our to build) which is coded for a Dr Naveen Aggarwal of Action in-hand to tackle the Covid-19 must get tested. Don’t hesitate, oped by AstraZeneca and Oxford vaccines,” Paul said yesterday. strategy on this particular vac- disease-specifi c antigen (like Cancer Hospital in New Delhi situation of Delhi. I am specifi - get yourself tested,” he said. University which is being manu- “They are easy platforms, cine, then we will proceed with Sars-CoV-2, the coronavirus). said mRNA vaccines are very cally very much thankful to the Niti Aayog member Dr V K factured by the Serum Institute availability of doses is very high. it. Though, even if we get it, we Once produced within the body, promising in the fi ght against central government for coming Paul, who was also present at the of India; Bharat Biotech and They will be able to control our will get it in a few months only. the antigen is recognised by the the Covid 19 pandemic “as the forward and helping the citizens media briefi ng, said the govern- the Indian government’s COV- pandemic in terms of the num- But talks are ongoing.” immune system, preparing it to effi cacy claims between 90 to of Delhi in this crucial time,” he ment is ensuring that 16 people AXIN; Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D bers of doses required.” Both vaccines use the mRNA fi ght the real thing. 95% by various manufacturers. said. are being traced for every posi- and lastly one being developed Paul said the government technology which means the “RNA vaccines are faster and However, results of the trial are Kejriwal said he had written to tive case in Delhi. by Biological E Ltd alongside was also watching the progress vaccine is not embedded with cheaper to produce than tra- still awaited.”

Street dog with prosthetic Sibal under fi re for limbs fi nds new home in UK criticising Congress

AFP transfused blood.” Doctors had London, where she will eventu- IANS He said “there was no need Faridabad to amputate her forelegs, leaving ally settle down with an adopter, New Delhi for Kapil Sibal to mention our her with stumps. Dubey said. internal issue in the media; this Her back legs were also badly “Rocky is a very brave dog - has hurt the sentiments of the street dog that lost its injured. even after going through trauma everal Congress leaders party workers across the coun- front legs after being run But the mutt - although not and losing both her legs, she’s yesterday attacked senior try.” Aover by a train has found a named Rocky after the iconic displayed incredible resilience, Sleader Kapil Sibal for his Gehlot said Congress is the new home in Britain after endur- movie character - nevertheless strength and spirit to live,” he said. criticism of the party high com- only party which can keep India ing a year of therapy and learn- battled as hard as the underdog “Now she’s ready to fl y to her mand over the party’s disastrous united and take it forward on the ing to walk again with prosthetic pugilist to recover. forever home.” election results in Bihar. path of comprehensive develop- limbs. “She made it,” Dubey said. A family in the Cotswolds Haryana Congress leader ment. The three-year-old mutt was “She’s a fi ghter.” have expressed their interest in Ajay Singh Yadav said Sibal who “We have improved with each found “covered in blood” and As Rocky recovered - learn- adopting Rocky, the Times of could not even win his Lok Sabha and every crisis and also formed her forelegs badly injured by a ing to use her chin for balance - India reported. seat had no right to criticise the the government in 2004 un- Railway Protection Force con- the rescue organisation released Ahead of her journey to the party openly. der the able leadership of Sonia stable at Faridabad in Haryana a video about her plight which new family, Rocky will stay in He also targeted Rashtriya Gandhi. We shall overcome this last October, People for Animals went viral on social media, at- London under the care of Wild Janata Dal leader Shivanand Ti- time too,” he said. India president, Ravi Dubey, told tracting the attention of the at Heart Foundation for further wari for blaming Rahul Gandhi Sibal, who was one of 23 lead- AFP. global dog rescue group Wild at treatment of her legs, the news- for the Bihar defeat. ers who wrote a letter some The offi cer carried the wound- Heart Foundation. paper added. Rajasthan Chief Minister months ago seeking sweeping ed canine - now named Rocky They pledged to fi nd her a An estimated 30mn stray dogs Ashok Gehlot said: “There are reforms in the party, again ques- - to one of PFA’s shelters, where home, while an Indian national roam India’s streets, with the various reasons for electoral tioned the functioning of the she was rushed to a hospital. living in London paid for her new mixed breeds often shunned in losses. But each time the rank party leadership. “It is almost impossible to legs. favour of pedigree pooches that and fi le of the Congress party He said he was “compelled save such a badly injured dog,” In July Rocky took her fi rst confer societal status. has shown undivided and fi rm to speak publicly” as there was veterinarian Mahesh Verma said steps on her new limbs, made by “In India, pets are often aban- belief in the party leadership “no forum in the party to discuss in a video shared by the shelter. a leading doctor in Jaipur. doned and abused. We are very and that is why we came out of party issues”, adding the Con- “There was a lot of bleeding... Rocky will board a plane early happy that Rocky will have a safe Rocky rests at the People For Animal Trust in Faridabad it stronger and united after eve- gress needs effi cient and senior we arranged a healthy dog and today in New Delhi and head to and open space,” said Dubey. yesterday. ry crisis”. leaders to manage elections. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Vaccine success: Green shoots of hope for economic recovery

It can’t just be bad news forever for the global economy. After close to a year of depressing developments on all fronts, green shoots of recovery are in sight despite the raging virus still wreaking havoc on the fi nancial world. American biotechnology company Moderna said on Monday its Covid-19 vaccine is 94.5% eff ective in a large late-stage clinical trial. The highly positive result comes just a week after Pfi zer and Germany’s BioNTech said their shot is more than 90% eff ective in an interim analysis. The best-case outcome: Soon, millions of people around the world could be spared from illness by the FM: All states involved must breakthroughs. Global stock markets surged on Monday refl ecting the long-term economic impact of viable virus vaccines. All three major US stock indexes advanced with new closing have desire to solve Gulf crisis records. The once-in-a-century pandemic has spread out its infectious thorns across the world with a one-size- QNA among Afghans at the present time, Doha which is our priority, the US is working fi ts-all impudence. With that, it has also subverted the closely with Doha to fi nd a solution in established paradigms of doing business. Afghanistan. We hope to see progress The International Monetary Fund has said it expects E the Deputy Prime Minis- before the end of the year,” he added. ter and Minister of Foreign On Qatar’s role in Syria, HE Sheikh a global recession this year that will be at least as severe Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Mohamed said that at present Qatar as the downturn during the fi nancial crisis more than a HAbdulrahman al-Thani af- is committed to its position, which decade ago, followed by a recovery in 2021. fi rmed that all countries which are party is that justice is required where war The Institute of International Finance has said it to the dispute must have the desire to crimes have been committed against the solve the Gulf crisis. Syrian people and there are displaced projects a 1.5% contraction in the global economy Speaking at a session entitled “A persons and refugees everywhere in the this year, with advanced economies shrinking 3.3%. View from the Middle East” which was world, stressing the need to address the Bloomberg Economics estimated in March the cost of lost held within the framework of the 2020 problem politically. ‘Virtual’ Global Security Forum, HE “We continue our eff orts, our output in 2020 at more than $3tn. the Foreign Minister said that “we have humanitarian aids and we continue to The pandemic is upending food supply chains, crippling the desire to fi nd a solution for a stable provide shelter, schools and healthcare economies, and eroding consumer purchasing power. GCC region which is needed in turbulent to the Syrian refugees and internally Make no mistake, the current vaccine euphoria has to be times. Whether it is under US President displaced persons inside Syria. We Donald Trump or President-elect Joe hope to see greater momentum from deconstructed with a lot of caution. Biden, mainly the basis for any solution the international community to help There are currently more than 170 vaccines at various will be good intentions of the blockading the Syrian people and reach a political stages of development with 29 of those performing trials countries and the State of Qatar as well.” solution there.” on humans. He added: “We have good intentions He noted that the international for a constructive engagement with momentum around Syria has been lost All goes well, Pfi zer could apply for authorisation in the the blockading countries to reach a a few years ago, as the main problem US this month. fair resolution. We believe there is HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin in Syria is that there are many red lines But global demand for vaccines is expected to far exceed no winner out of this crisis. The only Abdulrahman al-Thani that have been drawn recently and all consequence of this crisis is more of them have been crossed without initial supplies despite signifi cant eff orts to ramp up instability in our region. If we are keen relations with all institutions of the addressing all issues in a civilised accountability. production ahead of time. on our future and the future of our United States. Therefore, our relations manner through dialogue and “We always urge the international Moderna has already reached agreements to supply people, I think we need to fi nd a just are real and include various ministries, addressing these diff erences and community to engage in some way in 100mn doses to the US and 80mn to the European Union, solution to this crisis.” departments and institutions in both agreements related to the relationship order to fi nd justice for the Syrian people HE Sheikh Mohamed said: “Qatar countries.” between us. and not to forget accountability because among others. didn’t conduct any hostile activity He said that the region needs more “We want to reach a solution to this the blood that was shed in the war was Pfi zer and BioNTech also have their own deals for against the blockading countries. We diplomatic and peaceful eff orts to confl ict and we want to encourage abundant and it is the right of the Syrian hundreds of millions of shots. are ready, if the blockading countries resolve disputes, indicating that if there the Gulf Co-operation Council people to bring to justice those who The fast-emerging vaccine nationalism has shed the have the same willingness to work with are disputes between the Co-operation countries to participate positively committed war crimes,” he said. good intentions and on the basis of Council and Iran for decades, then and constructively. We need and want On the arms race in the region, HE the spotlight on the rich-poor-divide when it comes to correct information, to resolve the crisis those disputes need to be resolved by to encourage Iran to also engage in a Deputy Prime Minister said that “this fi nding an eff ective cure for the pandemic that has killed and reach a just solution which is in the diplomatic means. positive and constructive manner, but is a clear indication of instability in the more than 1.3mn people and infected more than 55mn. interest of our people. He added that the region does not this does not mean that we are going to region and this is what we want to end Public health specialists warn that such inward-looking “We appreciate the work by the late need a new arms race, because more solve the problem and solve everything by bringing more hope to diplomacy and Amir of Kuwait HH Sheikh Sabah al- arms mean more instability. “We do not at the present time. presenting more options for the future. vaccine nationalism could result in the pandemic lasting Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and eff orts say that countries should not build a “We have a disagreement with Iran This explains why we adopt a regional longer. now being carried out by HH the Amir deterrent force, because countries need and some of its policies, but this does security framework that guarantees Although international groups and a number of nations of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf that, and Qatar does. We must invest not mean that we are in confl ict with everyone to live safe in a state for our al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. We have more in diplomacy and diplomatic each other. Let us talk about common future and for the future of our people.” are promising to make vaccines aff ordable and accessible also seen very strong and signifi cant solutions with Iran and engage more things and interests and try to address “If there is a strong regional security to all, doses will likely struggle to keep up with demand in momentum by President Trump and constructively with them.” this dispute through discussion, framework operates, relations with all a world of roughly 7.8bn people. his administration in order to reach HE the Foreign Minister pointed out constructive participation and countries such as Russia, the United As things stand now, it’ll take until 2024 to inoculate the a resolution of the crisis. Qatar has that during the past year and a half, constructive dialogue in order to resolve States and China will be constructive been very open since the beginning there were many eff orts to bring the this dispute.” and friendly relations. We do not want world’s entire population, according to Adar Poonawalla, for a dialogue which is based on parties together to deal with Iran. He On the United States withdrawing the excesses in our region because we CEO of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest mutual respect, non-interference in referred to the Iranian HOPE Initiative almost completely from Afghanistan, do not believe that the exaggerations in vaccine maker. each other’s aff airs and respecting the and to the European Maritime Security he said: “We do not believe in military will benefi t any country in the region,” There are silver linings, too. Covid won’t be a pandemic sovereignty of each country.” Initiative to guarantee maritime solution. We believe in diplomacy in he added. On the US elections, HE Sheikh security in the Gulf. “I think we need to resolving all confl icts. There is war in HE Sheikh Mohamed said that Qatar for “a lot longer” thanks to rapid progress in vaccine Mohamed clarifi ed that the come up with a more solid vision for the Afghanistan for two decades and time has wants to maintain its strong strategic development, according to Anthony Fauci, the top US election result mainly concerns the future of our regional security.” come to reach a diplomatic solution.” relationship with the United States, and infectious disease offi cial. Americans, “but we congratulate Regarding the two agreements that HE Sheikh Mohamed added that its strategic and commerce relations with the new leadership, whether it is the the UAE and Bahrain signed separately Qatar will follow any path that leads to China, with the same going for Russia. Fighting the virus calls for patience. The world cannot administration of President-elect Biden with Israel to normalise relations, HE peace in Afghanistan and anywhere else On the energy issue, he said that just aff ord to wait and hope but needs proactive options to or President Trump.” Sheikh Mohamed said that Qatar’s in the world as the state is willing to do Qatar supplies nearly 30% the world’s bring the deadly virus to its knees. He pointed out that Qatar has strategic position is to discuss the roots of the everything to bring peace and help in LNG needs. All countries that depend partnership with the US and the ties are issue in a way that guarantees the right that regard. on the energy economy need to build developed on strong foundations. Qatar- of the Palestinians to establish an He added that this was provided to plans for a future a world not reliant on US ties cover many fi elds like defence, independent state. both the Afghans and the Americans, hydrocarbon energy sources. To Advertise security, economy, business, education, He added that it is better to have a whether with the Americans and the He said that Qatar launched a energy and other sectors. united front that takes into account the Taliban or with the Taliban and the national strategy for 2030 that [email protected] With regards to the results of the interest of the Palestinians and the two- Afghan government, as Qatar provided aimed to diversify the economy away Display US elections he said that the US state solution based on the borders of them with the platform for these talks. from hydrocarbon, in addition to policy would not aff ect Gulf region, 1967 with East Al Quds as its capital. “We believe that the steps taken thus implementing plans to diversify the 44466621 44418811 rather, it will aff ect the whole globe. He stressed that this was the solution, far between America and the Taliban economy since 2008.The country has “We hope to work with the upcoming and Qatar’s position on the matter, have been good steps forward. The achieved 80% of the objectives so far, Classified US administration to promote peace saying that Qatar continues to call for fi rst step for peace in Afghanistan is with 50% of GDP coming from non- 44466609 44418811 and stability in our region which is in negotiations between the Israelis and the between them, but more important hydrocarbon sectors. dire need now amid all these tensions Palestinians to put an end to the confl ict, than that is peace between the Afghans HE Sheikh Mohamed said that the Subscription surrounding us in the Middle East. We because the Palestinian people are the ones themselves – between the government State will continue to build its model will continue building on our strategic who are paying the biggest price for it. and the Taliban – which is still going for the future, noting that a core [email protected] partnership which we have been HE the Foreign Minister stressed on. However, we do not see signifi cant part of the strategy was expanding building over the years. the need for an agreement between progress in this regard, but we will investments in a way that benefi ts Qatar “Our relations with the US will not the countries of the GCC and Iran continue to push in this direction as and the countries that receive those © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved be aff ected because we have built strong on a peaceful solution side by side, we will focus on fi nding a solution investments. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 18, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

PM Khan reiterates resolve on WHO pushes for school economy

„ PM approves setting up of National Job Portal for closures to curb Covid opportunities to youth „ Pakistan heading towards Internews educational institutions were dents had been infected with it. Balochistan announces winter vacations in schools from December 1 economic stability: Qureshi Peshawar young and safe from complica- It added that 1,881 Covid-19 tions, but were infection carri- cases had been reported in Balochistan Education Minister Sardar Yar Mohamed winter vacations, in view of the rise in coronavirus Internews ers and had the potential to af- schools since the middle of Oc- Rind said the provincial government has decided to cases across Pakistan, will be taken in a meeting on Islamabad eclaring educational in- fect people in their families and tober, and the number of cases begin the winter vacations of educational institutions November 23. stitutions a major source communities. was increasing daily. before the scheduled time, in view of the second wave According to the statement from the federal educa- Dof the coronavirus trans- “The Covid-19 positivity rate The WHO offi cials said that of the coronavirus. tion ministry, the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers’ rime Minister Imran Khan mission in general population, among students and employ- they are calling for the imposi- The provincial education minister has announced that Conference (IPEMC) will meet on November 23 at has said that at a time the World Health Organisation ees of educational institutions tion of a lockdown to stem the the winter vacations will commence from December 1. 11am to review the situation. Pwhen the global economy (WHO) has expressed concern in the country is continuing to spread of the infection, and that “The new education year will begin from March, after During Monday’s meeting, the provincial education is being battered by the adverse about the government’s failure increase. The health depart- schools should be closed with- three-month vacations across the province,” Rind ministers gave briefings about the latest coronavirus eff ect of coronavirus pandemic, to decide about school closures ment recorded 1.12% positivity out delay. said. situation and the impact on the education sector in Pakistan’s economy is improv- in light of the growing coronavi- in schools on October 16 when They said there was a cluster- Earlier, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood their respective regions, but no final decision was ing at a pace rivalled by none in rus incidence in the country. the random testing began, but ing of cases, which could be con- had said that the decision on early and extended taken about vacations and closure of schools. the region. The coronavirus causes the it reached 2% on November 16 tained by lockdown only. Chairing a meeting to review Covid-19 respiratory disease. (Monday), ringing an alarm as The WHO offi cials said that the economic situation in the The WHO representatives schools are a source of escalat- the level of virus positivity rate deaths on the rise in the prov- incidence in the general popula- among the 15 highly-infected ar- country, the prime minister reit- based in Islamabad said that ing the infection to the families,” increasing from 1% to 2% is a ince, those areas that are report- tion. eas of the country. erated the government’s resolve the Covid-19 positivity rate in a WHO offi cial said. dangerous development after ing most of the cases should be They added that those dis- It added that those districts to improve the macro-economic the general population would Meanwhile, Khyber Pa- the start of the second wave in under complete lockdown, while tricts also had Covid-19 recorded the most Covid-19-re- condition of Pakistan, besides increase if the educational in- khtunkhwa (KP) recorded four the country. standard operating procedures hotspots during the fi rst wave, lated deaths and cases in the fi rst ensuring its trickle-down eff ects stitutions saw more and more coronavirus-related deaths They said that KP reported 10 (SOPs) for Covid-19 should be and that the situation is no dif- wave as well. to the grassroots level for the staff members and students test and 245 new cases on Monday, people dying of Covid-19 from strictly enforced to prevent the ferent in the second wave of the The UN agency said the ad- well-being of the populace. positive for the virus. a health department report re- November 1-7, but the Novem- spread of the coronavirus. infection, which is more danger- mission of patients to govern- Prime Minister Khan also They said schools needed to vealed. ber 8-16 period recorded 26 The offi cials said that there is ous than the previous one. ment hospitals due to Covid-19 mentioned the unprecedented be closed to decrease the inci- The report said that 1,315 peo- deaths. “clear” evidence that the dis- In a report, the WHO said that had reached 221 on Monday, steps taken by the government dence of coronavirus as most of ple had so far died of the virus in The WHO offi cials said that tricts recording most cases in three districts of KP – Pesha- compared with 99 recorded a for ease of doing business, and the infected cases reported in the province, while 42,615 resi- with the virus incidence and schools had a higher coronavirus war, Abbottabad and Swat – are week ago. emphasised moving further in the direction to improve exports. Minister for Economic Aff airs Makhdoom Khusru Bakhtiyar, briefi ng the meeting, said that the major indicators are show- Protest called off after govt agrees to boycott demand Justice ing a positive trajectory and that the country’s current account balance for the fi rst quarter of Reuters/AFP Up to 5,000 protesters on of the killing of a teacher. Qaiser is FY 20-21 registered a surplus Islamabad Sunday had attempted to reach The agreement between the of $792mn, against a defi cit of the capital Islamabad from the TLP and the government also $1,492mn in the same quarter nearby city of Rawalpindi, but stipulated that the Pakistan Peshawar last year. religious group has authorities blocked their path parliament would decide with- He said the balance of trade called off the third day of with shipping containers. in three months on whether to has also narrowed, registering Aplanned protests, saying Telephone services were re- expel the French ambassador. High improvement of 6% during the that the government had agreed stored late on Monday after Also, all detained protesters same period. to their demand for a boycott of being suspended in both Is- and their leaders would be set Bakhtiyar said that exports French products, the group’s lamabad and Rawalpindi for free immediately, the spokes- Court’s maintained positive momentum spokesman said. two days, a common tactic used man said, shortly after he was despite challenges, while the by authorities to prevent com- released. imports were brought down sig- Left: A boycott sign covers munication between protesters The TLP had blocked one of top judge nifi cantly. a store showcase displaying and leaders. the main roads into the capital, The minister said that work- French products at a shop in Hundreds of protesters demanding that the govern- ers’ remittances during the fi rst Peshawar. remained at the roadblock ment sever diplomatic ties with Internews four months of FY 20-21 were throughout Monday and into France and expel its ambassa- Peshawar $9.4bn against $5.452bn dol- Below: Truck drivers wait as yesterday morning. dor. lars in the fi rst quarter last year, workers remove a shipping Thousands of supporters had Pakistan’s trade with France registering a strong growth of container in front of the French clashed with police on the edge was valued at nearly $800mn in ustice Qaiser Rashid Khan 26.5%. consulate in Islamabad. of the capital, Islamabad, on the last fi nancial year, accord- has been sworn in as the act- Meanwhile, Prime Minister Monday in protests over recent ing to central bank data, with Jing chief justice of the Pesha- Khan has approved the setting incidents in France. $422mn worth of exports and war High Court here at the Gov- up of a National Job Portal to “We are calling off our pro- imports valued at $356mn. ernor’s House. provide job opportunities to the tests after the government A senior government offi cial Governor Shah Farman ad- youth. signed an agreement that it will who asked not to be named told ministered the oath to him. The approval was given during offi cially endorse boycotting AFP that the “government has The chief justice’s post fell a meeting with Special Assistant French products,” Ejaz Ashrafi , no intention of cutting diplo- vacant on November 12 after on Youth Aff airs Usman Dar in a spokesman for the Tehreek- matic ties with any country”. the incumbent, Justice Waqar Islamabad. e-Labbaik (TLP), told Reuters He added that the situation Ahmad Seth, died of the novel The prime minister said that by telephone. had been “handled according- coronavirus. youth is a precious asset of the The government spokesman ly” to ensure the protesters left The country’s president had country, and that it is a priority was not immediately available peacefully. appointed Justice Qaiser, the of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for comment on the agreement, The TLP called off a similar senior puisne judge of the high (PTI) government to empower which, according to a copy protest in 2017, in which one court, as the acting chief justice them. provided by the TLP and seen police offi cer and six protesters under Article 196 of the Consti- Foreign Minister Shah Mah- by Reuters, was signed by two were killed, after the govern- tution until the appointment of mood Qureshi meanwhile said ministers, a top offi cial, and the ment agreed to its demands, a permanent chief justice on the that the country is heading to- group’s leaders. which included the resignation recommendation of the Judicial wards economic stability, with The French embassy in Is- of the law minister. Commission for Appointment of the strengthening rupee, and lamabad declined to comment Adam Weinstein, a fellow Judges. increasing exports and remit- and Pakistan’s foreign ministry at the Quincy Institute think- Its notifi cation was issued by tances. did not respond to a request for tank said it is unlikely the gov- the law and justice ministry on Speaking with diff erent del- comment. ernment would move to cut November 13. egations and journalists in Mul- The protests erupted after ties with France, but that the Beside the high court judges tan, he said that the coronavi- French President Emmanuel episode had shown the TLP’s and senior lawyers, the oath- rus pandemic has damaged the Macron defended France’s free- “growing power to mobilise taking ceremony was also at- country’s economy. dom of speech laws, in the wake without warning”. tended by Chief Minister Mah- mood Khan, Ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Shaukat Man who allegedly hit a woman gets Yousafzai, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Kamran Khan job at Women Protection Authority Bangash, Chief Secretary Dr Ka- zim Niaz, police chief Sanaullah In an ironic twist, a man who was earlier booked by police and No party secures majority Abbasi, and others. released on bail for slapping a woman has now been appointed as Justice Qaiser hails from Tha- the district co-ordinator of the Punjab Women Protection Authority na area in Malakand district and (PWPA) in Sahiwal. was born on March 31, 1961. An off icial notification has been issued to confirm the appointment. A leading fi gure in the law- In September, a case was registered against Naveed Aslam, who in Gilgit-Baltistan elections yers’ movement from Khyber at the time was the District Information Secretary for the Pakistan Pakhtunkhwa, he was the fi rst Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for “attacking” postmaster Sofia Qasim. lawyer to be arrested after the Qasim claimed that Aslam had “slapped” her while on a visit to the Internews win from two constituencies – hamed Ibrahim Sanai as the The PML-N’s Hafi z Hafeez- imposition of an emergency rule postmaster’s off ice, adding that “the staff had to intervene to save Islamabad GBA-1 Gilgit-1 and GBA-4 Na- runner-up. ur-Rehman, the former chief by former military ruler, General her and push him out of the off ice”. gar-1. The PTI’s Raja Azam Khan minister of GB, clinched the Pervez Musharraf, on November Protests against the PTI member’s highhandedness then broke out, It is for the fi rst time that any won GBA-12 Shigar-1, with the third position. 3, 2007. with staff members refusing to work. rime Minister Imran candidate has won two seats in PPP’s Imran Nadeem as the Engineer Mohamed Anwar He was sent to the Dera Is- The police showed up, filed a case against Aslam, and arrested him. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek- the regional election. runner-up. of the PML-N won GBA-16 Di- mail Khan Central Prison under The postmaster said that the police had not included the Pe-Insaf (PTI) has emerged The PTI’s Colonel (retired) The PTI’s Haji Gulbar Khan amer-2. Section 3 of the Maintenance of appropriate clauses of the penal code in the case report, which as the leading party after bag- Obaidullah won GBA-6 Hunza, won GBA-18 Diamer-4, with Nazir Ahmed of the PTI has Public Order Ordinance. strengthened Aslam’s case and allowed him to be released on bail. ging nine out of the 23 Gilgit- where independent Noor Mo- independent candidate Malik won GBA-20 Ghizer-2. Justice Qaiser had graduated Baltistan (GB) legislative as- hamed was the runner-up. Kifayat as the runner-up. PML-N candidate Ghulam from the historical Islamia Col- sembly seats in the elections The PTI’s Raja Zakria won Nationalist leader and inde- Mohamed won GBA-21 Ghiz- lege, Peshawar, in 1981 and re- Two brothers gunned down in held on Sunday. GBA-7 Skardu-1, with former pendent candidate Nawaz Khan er-3, with the PPP’s Mohamed ceived his law degree from the According to unoffi cial re- chief minister Syed Mehdi Shah Naji won GBA-19 Ghizer-1 with Ayub as runner-up. Khyber Law College Peshawar Lahore sessions court lock-up sults, the Pakistan Peoples Party of the PPP the runner-up. the PPP’s Zafar Shadam Khail as The PTI’s Shamsul Haq Lone in 1984. (PPP) came in second with three The PTI’s Shamsul Haq Lone runner-up. won GBA-14 Astor-2. The judge earned his master’s Police have arrested a gunman after he killed two men inside seats, and the Pakistan Muslim won GBA-14 Astor-2 with the Independent candidate Abdul PTI candidate Haji Fida Mo- in political science and journal- “bakhshi khana”, the lockup for under-trial prisoners, of the sessions League – Nawaz (PML-N) se- PPP’s Dr Muzaff ar Ali as run- Hameed won GBA-23 Ganch- hamed Nashad lost GBA-9 Sk- ism from the University of Pe- court here. cured two seats. ner-up. ha-2 and defeated the Amina ardu-3 to independent candi- shawar in 1987 and 1991, respec- The arrested man, identified as Mohamed Kafeel alias Balli, told The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Mohamed Kazim of the Ansari of the PTI. date Wazir Mohamed Saleem. tively. police that he killed brothers Riyasat Nazir and Bilal Nazir to avenge – Fazlur (JUI-F) and the Majlis- MWM won GBA-8 Skardu-2 The PTI’s Khalid Khurshid Independent candidate Dil- He was enrolled as an advo- the murder of his mother. e-Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) with the PPP’s Syed Mohamed Khan won GBA-13 Astor-1, with pazeer Ahmad won GBA-15 cate of lower courts in 1984 and The police also recovered the murder weapon from the suspect. secured one seat each. Ali Shah as the runner-up. the PML-N’s Rana Farman Ali Diamer-1, with independent that of high court and the Su- The suspect, a resident of Nishter Colony, Ferozepur Road, who runs Seven seats went to inde- The PPP’s Engineer Moham- as the runner-up. candidate Haji Shah Baig as preme Court in 1991 and 2008, a gym, was later moved to Islampura police station. pendent candidates, who are ed Ismail won GBA-24 Ganch- Independent candidate Javed runner-up. respectively. Police operations wing Deputy Inspector-General Ashfaq Ahmad expected to play an important ha-3, with the PTI’s Syed Sham- Ali Manwa won GBA-5 Nagar-2. JUI-F candidate Rehmat Justice Qaiser and the late also rushed to the sessions court on being informed of the incident role in the formation of the next suddin the runner-up. The PTI’s general secretary Khaliq won GBA-17 Diamer Chief Justice Seth were made and inspected the crime scene. GB government. Independent candidate Fathe Ullah won GBA-2 Gilgit-2, 3, with the PTI’s Haider Khan additional judges of the high The police are investigating to how Kafeel managed to enter the PPP GB president Amjad Mushtaq Hussain won GBA-22 with the PPP’s Jamil Ahmad as coming in second place. court on the same day, August court premises with a firearm. Hussain Advocate managed to Ganchha-1 with the PTI’s Mo- the runner-up. 2, 2011. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 QATAR Leadership, creativity, sustainability in the spotlight at virtual Ajyal Talks Q Audiences will Climate and environmental youth activist Kianni will deliver have opportunity the third virtual Ajyal Talk, ‘In to enjoy inspiring Conversation with Sophia Kian- talks with ni’ at 4pm on November 23. At 18 years old, Kianni is the international youngest member on the United human rights hero Nations Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate and Nobel Peace Change. Her passion for environ- Prize nominee mental advocacy stemmed from the devastating eff ect of pollution Dr Alaa Murabit that she witnessed on her par- and youth climate ents’ home country of Iran. activist Sophia She is the founder and execu- tive director of Climate Cardi- Kianni nals, an international nonprofi t QWorld-renowned Dr Alaa Murabit Sophia Kianni with over 6,000 volunteers in 40+ countries working to trans- Qatari composer empower and broaden the world- Women Global Advisory Board most female contemporary com- late climate information into Dana Alfardan to Dana Alfardan view of the next generation of and the Council on Foreign Re- poser, Dana Alfardan will discuss more than 100 languages. change-makers.” lations. In 2019, Dr Murabit was how artists can lean into the trials Kianni has been featured in share her creative as part of this year’s virtual Ajyal and Sophia Kianni – to join us in Celebrated as a ‘Forbes 30 Un- selected as one of the Top 20 of caused by the recent pandemic to Forbes, CNN, The Guardian, process Talks showcase. unmissable dialogues on global der 30’, one of Canada’s 100 most the ‘World’s 100 Most Infl uential turn them into triumphs. CNBC and on the front page of Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi, leadership, musical inspiration impactful women in history and People in Gender Policy’ along- She will take audiences The Washington Post, and has festival director and chief ex- and the urgent need for sustain- a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, ‘In side Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Melin- through her intriguing creative been commended by the Con- he Doha Film Insti- ecutive offi cer of the DFI, said: ability and climate change re- Conversation with Dr Alaa Mura- da Gates and Michelle Obama, process, with key points uniquely gressional Committee on the tute’s (DFI) eighth Ajyal “Ajyal Talks inspires audiences of sponse.” bit’ at 5pm on November 20 will and has spoken at some of the illustrated through excerpts of Climate Crisis and the United TFilm Festival will present all ages, challenging them to ex- “Each of our speakers has be a virtual discussion not to be most prestigious events and in- accompanying compositions. Nations Foundation for her advo- world-renowned Qatari compos- pand their understanding of the carved out their own singular missed. Nicknamed ‘The Libyan stitutions around the world, in- Audiences will learn about the cacy. Tickets for this programme er Dana Alfardan, Libyan interna- world and unlock new perspec- space in the global market and Doogie Howser’ by Jon Stewart cluding SXSW, Oxford and TED. source of her inspiration and are free upon reservation. For up- tional humanitarian hero Dr Alaa tives. We are honoured to wel- represents the creativity of wom- for attending medical school at 15, ‘In Conversation with Dana Al- what it means to create melodic to-date information and ticket Murabit, and climate and envi- come three trailblazing women en as leaders. We look forward to Dr Murabit serves as an adviser fardan’ will be held online at 5pm narratives to tell engaging stories reservation, one can visit www. ronment activist Sophia Kianni, – Dr Alaa Murabit, Dana Alfardan witnessing their inspiring stories to organisations such as the UN on November 22. Qatar’s fore- through music. dohafi lminstitute.com/festival. Ooredoo Strategic Sponsor of HBKU’s institute to support hybrid edition of Ajyal fest inclusive screenings at Ajyal oredoo has announced that it is a Strategic OSponsor of the hybrid edition of Ajyal Film Festival — the eighth edition of the event — set to be held from today is presenting an adapted edition as well as showcase the best tal- until November 23. Ajyal Film this year with most activities ents from Qatar and the world. Festival, the Doha Film Insti- being delivered online to off er The adapted edition of Ajyal will tute’s annual signature event, is participants a safe event expe- present 80 fi lms from 46 coun- a unique initiative that inspires rience. The hybrid event format tries, including 16 fi lms in the creative interaction and cultural expands the spirit of Ajyal into Made in Qatar programme pre- exchange among youth and the an inclusive virtual space for sented by Ooredoo. wider community. immersive creative expression Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, di- Ajyal is designed to bring and community. Ajyal’s most rector of PR at Ooredoo, said: communities in Qatar, includ- popular events — fi lm screen- “We’re delighted to be the Stra- ing both Qatari citizens and ings, the Made in Qatar pro- tegic Sponsor for this worth- residents, together through fi lm gramme, the Ajyal Creativity while community event again screenings and fi lm-related Hub featuring Geekdom, Ajyal this year, as part of our corporate events. Tunes, art exhibitions from local social responsibility strategy. Dr Amal al-Malki For the third consecutive year, talents and the Ajyal Talks series Supporting our local commu- Ooredoo will present the Made – will return for participants of nities, and promoting arts and n line with its mission to en- in Qatar programme, premiering all ages from the safety of their culture, is a huge priority for rich the Qatari society through tomorrow to amplify talented homes, the statement notes. Ooredoo, as is encouraging the Itransformative educational young voices in the country’s Screenings and events at the young people of our communi- experiences, the Translation and growing fi lm community, the festival are intended to support ties to reach their potential, and Interpreting Institute (TII) at the company has said in a state- creative interaction, stimulate we look forward to seeing the in- College of Humanities and Social HBKU’s TII is supporting an all-inclusive screening for Ya Hoota at this year’s Ajyal Film Festival. (Photo ment. Building on the continued cinematic dialogue and inspire credible talents on show.” Sciences (CHSS), part of Hamad credit: Ajyal website) success of the festival and its communities to experience the One can fi nd out more at do- Bin Khalifa University, will sup- standout jury programme, DFI transformative power of fi lm, hafi lminstitute.com. port several inclusive screenings from HBKU’s Master of Arts in al-Malki, CHSS founding dean, visual translation support. We’re at this year’s Ajyal Film Festival. Audiovisual Translation will sup- said: “We’re looking forward to also determined to build on our Organised by the Doha Film port screenings of Ya Hoota, El- supporting another round of all- already close relations with the Institute (DFI), the festival brings evate, Black Veil and Beit Byoot. inclusive screenings at this year’s DFI over the coming years.” people together through screen- TII further underlined HBKU’s Ajyal Film Festival. Inclusivity has Taking place from today until First batch of approved vaccine ings and events that inspire crea- participation in Ajyal Film Fes- been at the heart of our cause at November 23, Ajyal Film Festi- tive interaction and cinematic tival by renewing its memoran- CHSS and TII from the very be- val will be held online as well as dialogue. This year’s event will dum of understanding with the ginning and we’re proud of our at Lusail’s Drive-In Cinema and expected by year-end: offi cial be the sixth in a row that TII will DFI. Signed earlier this month, collaboration with DFI’s team. Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City. provide audiovisual translation the memorandum confi rms both While Covid-19 has necessitated TII-supported inclusive screen- he first batch of an ap- dealing with Covid-19 cases. for selected fi lms. Under the su- organisations’ commitment to changes to this year’s event, we ings run from November 20 to 23 proved Covid-19 vac- He referred to the efficacy pervision of TII’s Translation and providing accessible fi lms for nevertheless remain committed and will also be available at www. Tcine is expected to ar- levels of Covid-19 vaccines, Training Centre, staff and alumni the people of Qatar. Dr Amal to providing high-quality audio- watch.ajyalfi lm.com/2020. rive in Qatar by the end of this as announced by the two lead- year, a senior health official ing pharma companies, noting has reiterated. that Moderna’s experimental Dr Hamad Eid al-Romaihi, vaccine is 94.5% effective in Yalda, A Night for Forgiveness inspires cinematic debate manager of Health Protection preventing Covid-19 based on and Communicable Disease interim data from a late-stage he eighth Ajyal Film Fes- Control under the Ministry trial, while Pfizer’s early data tival, presented by the of Public Health (MoPH), told showed that its vaccine — de- TDoha Film Institute (DFI), Al Rayyan TV that Qatar has veloped with BioNTech, is virtually hosted renowned Ira- signed agreements with Pfiz- more than 90% effective. nian documentarian and fi lm- er-BioNTech and Moderna to Dr Hamad Eid al-Romaihi These percentages are high maker Massoud Bakhshi, whose procure Covid-19 vaccines. given that the effectiveness latest feature Yalda, A Night for Under the agreement signed Dr al-Romaihi said the of the seasonal influenza vac- Forgiveness casts an inquisitive by the MoPH with Pfizer, Qa- MoPH has made sure that cine ranges between 40% and portrait of the forces of society, tar will have priority in ob- there are multiple sources to 60%, he observed. culture and mass media. taining vaccination for the obtain vaccines from to ensure On whether it is possible for Making its Mena premiere, coronavirus, he said. He ex- that the required quantities one person to be infected with winner of the World Cinema pects the first batch of the are available in the country. Covid-19 more than once, Dr Grand Jury Prize for Drama at Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Explaining the vaccination al-Romaihi said studies con- the 2020 Sundance Film Festi- reach the country at the end of process, he said, priority will ducted in Qatar indicated that val, Yalda, A Night for Forgive- 2020. The Moderna vaccine, be given to people at risk of in- the chances of getting infect- ness (France, Germany, Swit- on the other hand, will come fection, such as the elderly as ed twice with the virus are low zerland, Luxembourg, Lebanon, in the first half of 2021 based well as those with chronic dis- — four cases per 10,000 peo- Iran/2019) is the story of Mar- on the agreement with the eases, in addition to medical ple. “The percentage is very yam, a young Iranian woman who company. personnel on the frontlines of small,” he added. is sentenced to death for mur- dering her much older husband, Nasser. In front of millions of viewers on live television during Yalda A still from Yalda, A Night For Forgiveness. Qatar to host FIFA Club World Cup in Feb 2021 – a Zoroastrian celebration that marks the beginning of winter khshi said: “The fi lm’s universal “Probably the most important ness “skilfully unwraps the cul- From Page 1 cols helping to minimise the matches during the FIFA Club – Maryam must plea for her life, themes of forgiveness, sympathy aspect of the fi lm was our col- tural and societal layers of Iran spread of the virus. Meanwhile, World Cup with as many fans as with her fate fi rmly in the hands and humanity go beyond borders, laboration with an NGO run by through class struggle, media Qatar is currently hosting a limited number of fans are be- possible and build on the suc- of the victim’s daughter. making it accessible to audi- a group of courageous women in obsession and gender roles that 40 matches in the AFC Cham- ing allowed to attend domes- cess of 2019 to deliver an even Inspired by an actual top- ences everywhere – particularly Iran, who specialise in social jus- extend a complex audience expe- pions League East Zone amid tic matches in the country but better experience for everyone rating Iranian reality television in today’s world they hold up as tice cases. We donated the fi lm’s rience that is certain to mesmer- strict health and safety regu- must follow social distancing involved. We will continue to show, the fi lm artfully explores essential values that transcend proceeds from the national re- ise, provoke and entertain,” DFI lations due to Covid-19. The rules. monitor the Covid-19 situation themes of forgiveness and judi- our personal diff erences. Artists lease to their organisation – ef- has said in a press statement. country also hosted 35 West Nasser al-Khater, CEO, FIFA closely and ensure our prepara- cial justice torn between the age- carry a certain responsibility to fectively leading to the release of For up-to-date information Zone matches in September and Club World Cup Qatar 2020 tions prioritise the health and old “eye for an eye” principle and break these walls through au- two inmates and making a real- and ticket reservation, visit: October, with regular testing Local Organising Commit- safety of everyone involved in contemporary Iranian society. thentic storytelling that refl ects life impact.” www.dohafilminstitute.com/ and bubble-to-bubble proto- tee, said: “It is our goal to host the tournament.” At an online press briefi ng, Ba- the realities of the world.” Yalda, A Night for Forgive- festival.