www.thepeninsula.qa Monday 4 May 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8247 11 Ramadan - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 PENMAG | 06 SPORT | 12

Qatar ideal Classifieds Kohli, Rohit, Sania investment and Services among stars in destination, says section online concert to Sheikh Khalifa included raise funds

Scratch and win from home with Hadaya Ooredoo on the Ooredoo App! #Hadaya_Ooredoo *Terms and conditions apply Amir directs to Qatar Airways keeps flying people home send medical SACHIN KUMAR H E Saoud bin Abdullah Al back to the United Kingdom on aid to Somalia THE PENINSULA Mahmoud, received a phone charter flights - with thanks to call on April 30 from H E Rob the pilots & aircrew of Qatar QNA — DOHA Qatar Airways has helped Oliphant, Parliamentary Sec- Airways,” said British High thousands of British and retary for Foreign Affairs, who Commission in Pakistan on its Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Canadian nationals return communicated the Canadian official Twitter account, bin Hamad Al Thani has home safely, who were away Government’s gratitude to the yesterday. directed sending medical from their family members due Qatari Government for the role The airline is still operating aid to the sisterly Federal to COVID-19 outbreak. Qatar Airways played in facil- flights to 35 cities around the Republic of Somalia, in Canadian citizens were itating the repatriation of world including London, Paris, support of the efforts of the flown from India while British Canadians from all around the Frankfurt, and Sydney, helping brothers in Somalia to nationals were flown from world. thousands of passengers get combat the pandemic of the Pakistan. Oliphant also praised the home safely. new coronavirus (COVID- “The 18th flight from India strong friendly relations “We are still operating 19). departed Amritsar earlier between Canada and Qatar, flights to 35 destinations around Qatar Airways has flown Canadians home from taking more Canadians home. and the mutual desire to the world while upholding the More flights arranged over next strengthening it further. safety and security of our pas- Ramadan Timing India while hundreds of Brits flew from Pakistan several days,” said a statement Similarly, the award- sengers and employees at all on Qatar Airways. on official page of the High winning airline has also times,” said Qatar Airways on Commission of Canada in received praise from British its official twitter account. Today's Iftar: The airline is still operating flights to 35 cities India, which was retweeted by officials for helping British The demand to help get 6:09pm around the world including London, Paris, Frankfurt Qatar Airways. nationals return home. stranded travellers home has Qatar Airways has received “Today’s #UKPkRepat- also seen Qatar Airways and Sydney. praise from Canada for helping Flights has departed Lahore for operate flights to new destina- Tomorrow's Qatar Airways announces 3 weekly flights to stranded nationals. According @HeathrowAirport. We wish tions. The Airline has now Imsak: to a statement posted on Qatar all on board a safe flight home. announced to start repatriation 03:23am Johannesburg, South Africa starting from May 5. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada. We’ve now helped nearly flights from tomorrow. Qatar’s Ambassador to Canada, 3,000 British nationals to get `P2 Stringent safety checks Qatar Committee MoPH reports 679 new COVID-19 disbursing cash cases as 130 more recover in place at food outlets, to 100,000 Gaza

THE PENINSULA — DOHA workplaces or other places the number of infections starts families where they had been exposed to descend gradually. processing facilities The Ministry of Public Health to infected people. The Ministry has also QNA — GAZA (MoPH) yesterday announced All the new infected cases recently stepped up efforts to SANAULLAH ATAULLAH coronavirus by enforcing a slew the registration of 679 new have been quarantined where track the transitional chains of THE PENINSULA of health rules based on the Chairman of the Qatar confirmed cases of the corona- they are receiving the necessary the virus and expand the search recommendations of World Committee for the Recon- virus (COVID-19). Another 130 medical care. for people infected by con- Food Safety and Environmental Health Organization,” said Al struction of Gaza, H E Ambas- people have recovered from the The Ministry has stated that ducting extensive and proactive Health department of the Baker. sador Mohammed Al Emadi, disease, bringing the total during the current period it investigations of large numbers Ministry of Public Health “The Ministry is carrying said that the Committee began number of cases of recovery in expects to see a fluctuation in of contacts of the people who (MoPH) in coordination with out inspection of food outlets from Saturday morning the Qatar to 1,664 cases. the number of cases of have recently been confirmed other ministries concerned has and food processing factories process of disbursing cash The total number of positive infection. This is for several with the disease. implemented strict measures in coordination with the Min- assistance to the families in COVID-19 cases recorded in reasons including that the out- The Ministry has called on under its nationwide campaign istry of Municipality and Envi- need in the Gaza Strip. Qatar so far is 15,551. There are break of the virus is considered all members of society to follow to curb the spread of COVID-19 ronment and the Ministry of Ambassador Al Emadi said 13,875 active cases currently to be at the peak stage before the safety guidelines. `P2 at food outlets and factories for Industry and Commerce to that the distribution process is under treatment. The Ministry processing foods. ensure the compliance of implemented through the post conducted 2,707 tests yesterday COVID-19 QATAR UPDATES ON 03 MAY 2020 “The campaign is successful health rules and safety offices in the governorates of taking the total tests done so far as it helped the food outlets and measures,” said Al Baker. the Gaza Strip for 100,000 to 104,435. factories to avoid violation of She said hypermarkets are families — $100 per family. The Ministry explained that health rules and preventive and required to make special focus He pointed out that the most of the new cases are due precautionary measures which on proper storage of food items, process of distributing cash to expatriate workers who have are inevitable to curb the applying health rules on food assistance is carried out in been infected with the virus as NEW ACTIVE NEW CASES TOTAL infection,” said Wasan Abdullah handlers related to wearing cooperation with the relevant a result of contact with indi- Al Baker, Director of Food face masks and gloves and government agencies to meet RECOVERIES CASES ANNOUNCED RECOVERIES viduals who have been previ- Safety and Environmental availability of disinfected safety standards for benefi- ously infected — theses cases Health at MoPH while talking materials. ciaries and to preserve suffi- have been identified as a result 130 13,875679 1,664 to Qatar TV yesterday. “The hypermarkets and cient distances between of investigations carried out by She said Food Safety and major food outlets should also them, as part of preventive the Ministry. Environmental Health keep sterilizing surfaces and measures to address the out- The remainder of new cases NEW department covered over 120 floors which could carry the break of COVID-19. Al Emadi infected with the virus have DEATHS major foot outlets and about 50 virus and educating the said that the distribution come from citizens and resi- 0 COVID-19 GLOBALLY food processing factories under workers and food handlers process is under full super- dents who have contracted the its inspection campaign. about the preventive and pro- vision of the Qatari com- virus from members of their TOTAL POSITIVE TOTAL DEATHS TOTAL RECOVERED “The campaign focused on tection measures to curb the mittee and its teams deployed families, who in turn had con- 3,498,283 246,736 1,119,817 preventive and precautionary spread of COVID-19,” said Al in the distribution centres. tracted the virus through their measures to curb the spread of Baker. `P2 `P2 Public Prosecution collecting Doha Municipality intensifies food inspection drive bails of temporary suspension THE PENINSULA — DOHA Doha Municipality closed 33 food outlets for a period ranging from five to of imprisonment The Food Monitoring Section of Doha 30 days for violating the health rules Municipality has intensified food outlets during April 2020. QNA — DOHA The Public Prosecution will inspection campaigns to ensure The inspectors of Health Monitoring also collect the amounts of compliance with health rules especially Section of Doha Municipality recorded The Public Prosecutor has release bail issued by the court during the holy month of Ramadan. 80 violations during the campaign to started undertaking the while considering the contin- The intensified inspection campaign inspect food outlets operating across collection of bails of temporary uation of the pretrial detention was launched following a month-long the municipality last month. suspension of imprisonment, of the accused or considering action plan which was prepared by the The inspectors made 2,363 in cooperation and coordi- their appeal pursuant to the Health Monitoring Section of Doha inspection visits to the outlets. Veter- nation with the Supreme provisions of Articles 117 and Municipality led by Najla Abdurrahman inary doctors at the central automated Judicial Council. 120 of the Criminal Procedure Al Hail. slaughterhouse inspected 112,844 Accordingly, the convicts or Law, through self-service The plan aimed at ensuring that all slaughtered animals. As many as 1,330 their representatives will be machines or through the food outlets are adhering to the health slaughtered animals and 3,065 kg meat able to pay the bail value to cashier. rules especially during the spiritual was destroyed for being unfit for human temporarily suspend the imple- The self-service machines month, said the Ministry of Municipality consumption. mentation of the initial sen- (kiosks) of Public Prosecution and Environment in a release. The veterinary doctors inspected tences issued for imprisonment are available at the head- The municipal inspectors check 37,500 kg of fish at Jetty of Corniche and covered by a bail to tem- quarters of the Public Prose- expiry dates of food items, proper and destroyed 81kg after it was found porarily halt their implemen- cution, the headquarters of the storage facility, transportation process unfit for human consumption. tation as per the Criminal Pro- Residence Affairs Prosecution, and food preparation to ensure the The municipal officials also cedure Law. the Capital Police Department, health and safety of the consumers. inspected 15,000 vehicles used for car- The aforementioned bails the headquarters for the The inspectors of the monitoring rying food items at Industrial Area. will be collected through the enforcement of judgements, the section of Doha Municipality also par- Only two vehicles were found not self-service machines of the government services complex ticipated in joint inspection campaigns complying with the health rules required Public Prosecution, as well as in Al Hilal, HIA, and the head- for food outlets across Doha in coordi- while transporting food items. The through the cashier in the quarters of the Court of First nation with the Ministry of Interior and seized food items were destroyed A Doha Municipality official checking the quality Public Prosecution building. Instance of Al Saad. the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. immediately. of foodstuff at an outlet. 02 HOME MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 QU’s move to admit more male pharmacy students lauded

QNA — DOHA City, followed by 400 bedded This major milestone in hospital practice, anticipated, around the world to fill this gap; College of Pharmacy. The Emergency Department, Indus- due to absence of pharmacy this can be minimized by grad- College has been working hard Qatar University’s College of trial Areas Hospital, Primary in the college history degree programme for males in uating more in-country phar- on this initiative in alignment Pharmacy (QU-CPH) Health Centers and pharmaceu- is in line with the the State of Qatar. This initiative macists. The college of with Qatar National Health announced official opening of tical industry. country in increasing will be a great leap to attract pharmacy with female students Strategy to provide efficient its current BSc pharmacy The Managing Director at male Qatari and non-Qatari stu- is doing great and graduating healthcare for everyone and to programme from next fall 2020. Primary Health Care Corpo- demand for recruiting dents to join the pharmacy highly qualified pharmacists build significant expansion of The online application process ration (PHCC), Dr. Mariam male pharmacists degree”. who are responsible enough to the country’s health services.” is now open and the college is Abdulmalik, said: “We at PHCC The Director of Department lead the development of “Our initiative also aligns ready to receive 15 male support the initiative to have especially with the of Pharmacy and Drug Control pharma profession in the State with Qatar University National students alongside the usual more male pharmacist grad- expansion projects in Ministry of Public Health, Dr. of Qatar. We would like to see Strategy for education and max- number of female students. uates in Qatar and in the local Aisha Ibrahim Al Ansari, said: the same progress to be imizing impact. This is deter- Furthermore, current QU job market. This programme HMC. “It is an achievement to com- achieved with our male mined also to cover the need for male students will have the will intensively meet the mence the male admission in pharmacists.” male pharmacists in Qatar opportunity to apply to transfer growing needs for pharmaceu- the College of Pharmacy. Like Dr Mohammad Diab, Dean being graduated as well from to general pharmacy this May. tical service expansion in Qatar health lifestyles and wellness. other professions in the country, of QU-CPH Dean said: “Since the only national College of This major milestone in the to align with the national health The Executive Director of the pharmacy should the opening of the College of Pharmacy in Qatar offering high college history is in line with the strategy and PHCC mission to Pharmacy at Hamad Medical encompass both male and Pharmacy in 2007, the College quality Canadian accredited country in increasing demand deliver comprehensive, inte- Corporation (HMC), Dr. Moza Al female candidates to equilibrate has been progressing and have curriculum. This will, without a for recruiting male pharmacists grated and coordinated person- Hail, said: “Over the last few the normal services in the been taking huge steps in doubt, take the future of especially with the expansion centered health care services in years we have seen a noticeable healthcare setting. Currently, climbing the ladder of success. pharmacy and providing effi- projects in HMC that includes; the community through gap in the absence of Qatari and Qatar depends on male phar- Male admission is a huge mile- cient healthcare to another three hospitals in the Medical focusing on disease prevention, non-Qatari male pharmacists macists from different countries stone and a turning point for the level,” he added. Qatar Airways Al Sheehaniya Municipality finds keeps flying supermarket violating rules THE PENINSULA — DOHA istry of Municipality and Envi- people home ronment in a statement. FROM PAGE 1 The Municipal Monitoring Legal action was taken Department at Al Sheehaniya against the violators and the At a time when you want Municipality caught a super- food items were destroyed after to be with family Mzansi South market for running without finding them unfit for human Africa, you can count on us to license inside Abu Nakhla consumption. This effort came take you home – Qatar animal farms’ complex on under the framework of Airways will be flying 3 flights Saturday. ongoing inspection campaigns weekly to Johannesburg Food items were also seized by Al Sheehaniya Municipality starting 5 May. Taking You for storing in unhealthy condi- on animal farms’ complex to Home it’s what we do,” said tions by violating the law for ensure the compliance of rules the airline in a tweet yes- regulating foods, said the Min- and regulations. terday. “Qatar Airways to provide six repatriation flights Qatar Committee disbursing cash from South Africa over a period of two weeks starting to 100,000 Gaza families 5 May out of Johannesburg - if you need to get back home we FROM PAGE 1 understanding of the safety can get you there via HIA,” it He expressed his gratitude procedures followed by the rel- Ashghal announces closure of 1.5km said. and thanks to the citizens ben- evant authorities and their The COVID-19 pandemic efiting from the cash commitment to the plan has created an unprecedented assistance, who expressed their adopted to confront the coro- stretch in Rawdat Al Naisar Street challenge for Qatar Airways full cooperation and navirus (COVID-19) outbreak. and the aviation industry as a THE PENINSULA — DOHA this closure will be imple- Rawdat Al Naisar Street whole. While the airline con- MoPH reports 679 new COVID-19 mented for a period of three coming from Jassim bin Ali tinues to maintain operations The Public Works Authority months. It is for the com- Street, will be required to turn where possible to take people cases as 130 more recover (Ashghal) has announced the pletion of infrastructure and right towards Street 1 then left home and to transport FROM PAGE 1 closure of a 1.5km stretch in road improvement works as towards Al Farsha Street to essential supplies, overall including in the workplace and Rawdat Al Naisar Street, in part of the road improvement reach their destinations. Sim- demand for air transport has The Ministry called upon public places. The Ministry has both directions, between works in Umm Al Dome and ilarly, road users coming in declined significantly. the public to stay at home and also reminded people to use a Street 1 next to Woqod Petrol Muaither Area which aims at opposite direction will be not go out except in cases of face mask as recommended Station and Street 70, starting enhancing the traffic flow and required to turn left towards Stringent safety necessity and to implement and avoid social visits to reduce tomorrow. alleviating the congestion in Street 70 then right to get on preventive measures and their risk of contracting the In coordination with the the area. Al Farsha Street, as shown in checks in place maintain physical distancing, virus. General Directorate of Traffic, During this time, users of the attached map. at food outlets FROM PAGE 1 Lulu Hypermarket supports QC's Ramadan campaign She said that the outlets are also asked to inform THE PENINSULA — DOHA Hypermarket Qatar. He added that such immediately about the sus- support would also continue in the future pected cases of coronavirus if For the third year in a row, Lulu Hyper- in such different seasons like Ramadan any worker showed the market Qatar has announced its support to benefit the weaker section of the society symptoms. “The trolleys for for Qatar Charity’s (QC) Ramadan and improve their standard of living. shopping should be disinfected campaign titled “Calm Your Heart by It is worth mentioning that last year, with proper sanitising mate- Giving”, as part of its community initiative Qatar Charity received a donation of rials. The companies which “Shop and Donate”. QR250,000 from Lulu Hypermarket Qatar provide food delivery services This support comes as per the pre- as part of its ‘Shop & Donate’ drive during are also required to comply vious cooperation and partnership the last Ramadan. The donation came in certain rules and regulations,” agreement signed between Qatar Charity support of Qatar Charity’s Ramadan Cam- said Al Baker. and Lulu hypermarket, which allows two paign: “the Gift of Giving” Campaign for She said that in factories sides to exchange experiences and coop- the last year. the focus of monitoring is also erate and coordinate the programmes and Qatar Charity has previously signed on workers and transporting projects that will be of common interest a number of co-operation agreements vehicles which should be dis- for the benefit of society. with Lulu Hypermarket Qatar. The first infected and sterilised in a This year, Lulu Hypermarket has more a serious threat to humanity due to the Heart by Giving”. agreement allows customers to donate proper manner. “The workers than 700 items in the shopping list to coronavirus outbreak, noting that such “This support from Lulu Hypermarket riyal and dirham fractions when paying should wear proper uniforms, support Qatar Charity’s Ramadan cam- support would enable Qatar Charity to comes within the framework of our Cor- purchase bills at various Lulu Hyper- masks and gloves and undergo paign by donating a specific portion of the help the vulnerable. porate Social Responsibility (CSR), as we market outlets, in order to support char- proper disinfection process profits gained by selling these items. Qatar Charity is always keen to coop- look forward to being an important role itable projects within and outside Qatar. before entering in the fac- Ali Al Ghareeb, Director of the erate with various public and private player in the social responsibility pro- The second agreement promotes tories. The factories are being Resource Development Department at sector institutions to reach out to the grammes in collaboration with Qatar Qatar Charity’s Khair Cards through Lulu monitored on daily basis to Qatar Charity, has expressed his delight largest number of beneficiaries in Qatar Charity, based on the values and tradi- outlets to promote charity among check especially the risk points at this support announced by Lulu, espe- and across the world, urging other com- tions of society in the solidarity and coop- shoppers, while the third agreement with the chances of infection,” cially in the holy month of Ramadan, and panies and institutions to support Qatar eration between the various segments,” involves a co-operation for the ‘Shop & said Al Baker. at a time when the whole world is facing Charity’s Ramadan campaign “Calm Your said Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Donate’ campaign. Gang arrested for threatening Eta Aquarid meteor shower to people by posing as policemen illuminate Qatar sky tomorrow THE PENINSULA — DOHA Security Department, arrested The four Asian nationals a gang of four who posed as were arrested after the THE PENINSULA — DOHA 19 till May 28, while its peak meteor shower by using The Ministry of Interior (MoI), policemen and threatened department received infor- occurs from evening of May recent digital cameras, but represented by the North people for money. mation about the gang in Al The residents of northern 5, till dawn of May 6, they have to increase an Najma and Old Airport area. hemisphere, including the astronomer expert at (QCH) exposure time of camera They went to residential apart- resident of Qatar, will have Dr. Beshir Marzouk said. when taking photo to get ments wearing Qatari dress a good chance to seeing and Generally, observing best photos OF meteor (thobe) masquerading them- observing Eta Aquarid meteor shower does not shower, Dr. Beshir Marzouk selves as policemen and meteor shower, which will need astronomical instru- added. threaten people to part their illuminate northern hemi- mentation therefore Qatar The Eta Aquarid meteor money, the Ministry tweeted. sphere sky from the evening residents and the resident of shower is created by debris The defendants were of tomorrow till the dawn of countries in northern hem- from “Halley Comet” where remanded for investigation and Wednesday, Qatar Calendar isphere can see Eta Aquarid the earth passes through the will be referred to prosecution House (QCH) has announced. meteor showers with naked dust and debris it leaves to complete the legal proce- According to astronomer eye from places without light behind during end of April dures. The Ministry recently experts on meteors shower and environment pollution till the last week of May arrested three persons in Al observations, Eta Aquarid (pure sky), and darker every year. Wakrah with expired food- meteor shower is one of an places, he said, adding the Halley Comet needs to stuffs. The house was raided important meteors showers people need to look to south- around 76 years to make a and seized different quantities seen from earth, where the east horizon of the sky from complete revolution around of food in two stores. Some of average rate of Eta Aquarid midnight till the dawn of Sun so it can be seen from which were expired and some showers flow will be 50 Eta Wednesday to catch Eta earth every 76th year where The members of the gang, who were arrested for cheating people did not have an expiry date. Aquarid meteors per hour. Aquarid meteor showers. the last time seen from earth by posing as policemen. Many empty new bags were Moreover, it is usually People can also take a was in 1986, while the next also seized. active every year from April nice photo for Eta Aquarid time to be seen in 2062. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 HOME 03 Indonesian envoy lauds Qatar’s efforts to beat COVID-19

recovered COVID-19 patients been also successfully pro- “Under the direction of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim is a positive sign that the viding solutions for those bin Hamad Al Thani, the State of Qatar has Government of the State of who wished to return their been implementing very effective policies Qatar has managed to way home. “In the last couple overcome the issue, so that of months, Qatar Airways has with inclusive measures to curb the disease in flattening the curve is just a been one of a very few air- Qatar, as well as handling all the patients very matter of time,” said lines that still provides Sidehabi. services for Indonesian cit- well by providing their need so they can be The Ambassador also izens, not only from Qatar, fully recovered,” said Sidehabi. praised the directives of H H but also from America, Africa the Amir to supports other and Europe countries,” said countries by providing Sidehabi. THE PENINSULA — DOHA humanitarian aid initiatives. The Ambassador said that made by the State of Qatar in “In this difficult time of the he was looking forward for a handling the pandemic issue pandemic, not a single better future of cooperation The Ambassador of the of the coronavirus. country could handle the between the two countries, Republic of Indonesia to “Under the direction of disease by itself,” said and wished to convey Qatar, Muhammad Basri Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Sidehabi. greetings to H H the Amir and Sidehabi, has praised Amir H Hamad Al Thani, the State of He said that the cooper- all the Qatari brothers on H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Qatar has been implementing ation between countries by occasion of the holy month Al Thani for directing to very effective policies with supporting medical aid is of Ramadan. “Let’s make use support other countries with inclusive measures to curb essential to those in need. of this holy month of medical aid and tremendous the disease in Qatar, as well “Qatar has been a role model Ramadan. Happy fasting to efforts made by Qatar to curb as handling all the patients to other countries as a all my Muslim brothers. the spread of COVID-19. very well by providing their The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Qatar, Muhammad helping hand in this time of Hopefully this time we get Muhammad Basri need so they can be fully Basri Sidehabi. the crises,” said Sidehabi. something valuable from Sidehabi in a statement con- recovered,” said Sidehabi. He said that during the Allah, the most gracious and veyed his utmost appreci- He said that the daily numbers of the recovered significant increase. “The difficult phase of air trans- most merciful. Ramadan ation to remarkable efforts updated report on the patients has shown a increasing number of portation, Qatar Airways has Kareem,” said Sidehabi. QF’s ABP focuses on emotional wellbeing of students FAZEENA SALEEM support to both students and instructors have long made elements emerged from the and successful competition of THE PENINSULA staff and encouraging us to extensive use of technology creativity, knowledge, dedi- the program as a whole. modify expectations,” Dr. Mark both in their classrooms and in cation, and skill of the ABP Ali Al Shahabi, a student in The Pre-University Education Newmark (pictured), Assistant the work that students do faculty. Foundation Class of ABP, said, (PUE) Division of Qatar Foun- Director, Academic Affairs, ABP outside of class. This provided “Online learning at the ABP “Virtual learning is a new expe- dation provides support for the told The Peninsula. a strong set of experiences to has gone through several iter- rience, that is really exciting and emotional wellbeing of students In usual circumstances, the draw on when moving to ations and the ABP continues new to us. I really enjoy virtual across its schools and learning ABP is a face-to-face foun- remote learning,” said Dr. to adapt to provide robust and learning because it’s more centres including the Academic dation programme. The pro- Newmark. effective remote learning. We interactive and you are more Bridge Program (ABP). gramme expands students’ PUE Division of QF has pro- are in the process of planning focused than actually being in As schools across the understanding of English, Math, vided the ABP with guidance for the next academic year in a classroom. I really find it country are closed due to Computers, and Science and about how remote learning case remote learning con- effective, students will start worries about the spread of sharpens their skills in these should be facilitated. The ABP tinues,” said Dr Newmark. depending on themselves more, learning and discuss the lessons COVID-19, QF students also areas. The ABP helps students arranged some peer-led The ABP has developed a they will start getting their own with my colleagues and to do have shifted to online learning to become more competitive training on platforms that could user-friendly tracking system sources of learning. The down my assignments in time. Virtual to continue their studies. applicants for university and assist with remote learning and to flag concerns about student side with Virtual learning is that learning have many beneficial “One of the lessons we more successful students at uni- PUE provided additional engagement and performance. not all students attend the effect such as I had learned learned early on was that we versity. But ABP has been training. PUE, sister institutions, The system calls for instructors, morning classes due to different many computer skills. But I had needed to take into account the making use of online teaching the ABP administration, ABP advisors, and administrators to sleeping schedules.” faced some challenges like I emotional impact of this for several years. departments, and instructors follow up with students. The Ahmad Jaber Mohammed didn’t have any communication extraordinary situation on both “For many years, students looked into best practices and follow-up is also tracked and Alshehabi, another student, said face to face , and if teachers post students and employees. PUE at the ABP have been able to shared ideas, experiences, and monitored. Credit at the ABP is that virtual learning is really many assignments I had been has been especially com- obtain their assignments and resources. As is so often the determined by successful per- exciting. little confused about what I mendable in providing wellness receive their grades online. ABP case, the most valuable design formance in individual courses “I saved my time for should to do first ,” he added. 'Catalyzing the Future' event at QF wins gold in global creativity awards

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Foundation’s (QF) efforts and research, development, and achievements in the field of innovation in Qatar,” said A global creative media accolade research, development, and Yosouf Abdulrahman Al-Salehi, has been awarded to Catalyzing innovation (RDI), while looking Executive Director, QSTP. the Future – the event that ahead to the next stage of “It showcased how QF and marked the 10th anniversary of Qatar’s RDI journey and how RDI-focused organizations Qatar Science & Technology this will create a legacy for the across Qatar have built a Park, and opened a new chapter nation. The event also cele- platform from which we can for research, development, and brated how QSTP – part of Qatar generate solutions that make innovation in Qatar. Foundation Research, Devel- our nation more sustainable and An international jury for the opment and Innovation – has have the potential to create Golden Award of Montreux become a national and regional international benefit, while named the event, which took hub of technology innovation making Qatar a global desti- A global creative media accolade has been awarded to Catalyzing the Future, the event that marked place in October 2019, as the and entrepreneurship since its nation for technology com- the 10th anniversary of Qatar Science & Technology Park. gold medal winner in the ‘Cele- establishment by QF in 2009; panies, innovators, and entre- bration/Anniversary’ category, and its future role in developing preneurs. “The strength and recognizing the impact that the Qatar’s business RDI sector and importance of this message was vital role that RDI has to play in marketing agency fischerAppelt, interactive 4D show. The innovative and interactive drawing leading technology amplified through Catalyzing Qatar’s development and nar- the Catalyzing The Future Golden Award of Montreux showcase made on a local, companies and talent to the The Future, an event that rative. We are delighted that the concept featured both a cer- honors companies and indi- regional, and international country. reflected innovation, effectiveness and the excellence emony, and an exhibition show- viduals responsible for the audience. “The Catalyzing The Future achievement, and aspiration, of this event has been recog- casing successful technology world’s best advertising and Catalyzing The Future, at celebration, and the campaign and which we believe has nized at such a prestigious ventures which have been incu- multimedia campaigns and Qatar Science & Technology that preceded it, marked a enhanced public and stake- industry level.”Produced by the bated at QSTP, with one of its events, with its jurors being from Park (QSTP), celebrated Qatar pivotal moment in the story of holder engagement with the Qatar office of leading event and centerpieces being an 16 countries. QU’s CBE holds panel discussion on economic, legal implications of pandemic

THE PENINSULA — DOHA their oil revenues. raised as to the extent to which a Speaking of the repercussions on worker is entitled to receive his salary Qatar University’s College of Business the Arab countries, Dr. Al Abbas said, while in quarantine, and can workers and Economics (CBE), in cooperation “The first and largest of these reper- in the affected sectors be laid off due with the Faculty of Law at Qatar cussions is the collapse of revenues to a lack of revenues?” University, organised a tele-discussion in the oil countries, where they will It is stated that “the solution of legal seminar entitled: “The economic, find themselves obliged to withdraw problems that may arise in some types financial and legal implications of the their financial reserves in order to of contracts lies in looking at each con- Corona pandemic: short and long-term face this crisis until the end of this tract and each incident separately, so perspectives.” year. As for the non-oil countries, there is no single answer to solve all With the participation of Dr. their fragile situation is due to the these problems.” Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Economic Adviser high budget and debt crisis. Secondly, It is worth noting that this seminar at the Emiri Diwan; Dr. Belkassem Al with the collapse of growth, unem- is the first of several seminars that the Abbas, Senior Expert at the Arab ployment rates in Arab countries in Faculty of Business and Economics has Planning Institute in the State of Kuwait general will rise by a total of approx- recently announced to hold during the and Dr. Mona Al Marzouqi, Assistant imately 4 percent.” He said that the period from May 2 to 16, with a weekly Dean for Research and Graduate third consequence is linked to supply episode every Saturday, with the partic- Studies at the Faculty of Law at Qatar chains, import of necessary goods ipation of a number of local and inter- University, the session was moderated Experts during a panel discussion on the economic and legal implications of the and stock depletion. national experts in the economy, finance, by Professor Dr. Saif Al Suwaidi, Pro- pandemic. As for the legal issues arising as a business and law and public health. fessor of Economics at Qatar result of the coronavirus University. to investors, producers, and health pandemic included most of the world’s spread, Dr. Muna Al Marzouqi The session focused on the reper- institutions, so where do the priorities countries other than their economic said, “The rapid spread of the cussions of the global health crisis lie? progress and economic systems”. Corona virus has produced caused by the spread of the corona Discussing about the economic He added that the impact will be many legal effects on con- pandemic in addition to its economic effects and dependencies of this pan- greater on countries that depend on tractual obligations and and legal repercussions at the local and demic on the world level, Dr. Al- one economic activity, countries that caused a disturbance in the global levels. Ibrahim said, “The repercussions of this depend on the flow of capital and contractual balance between Prof. Al Suwaidi started his speech pandemic on the global economy will developing countries that depend on the parties to the contractual stating, “This pandemic affected be very harsh - although this picture foreign direct investment and for the relationship.” people, production, consumption, is not complete yet - but we can say least developed aid dependent, in “We mention some investment and government decisions, that these effects are distinguished by addition to oil-exporting countries examples of legal problems as government have become confused. their severity and comprehensiveness, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council that may occur in various Do you provide assistance to con- we are talking about a loss of $5.5 countries due to the collapse in oil types of contracts: In labor sumers and individuals? Families, or trillion in global production, as the prices and thus a significant drop in contracts, the question was 04 HOME MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 QCRI webinars examine data exploration, meta-data for COVID-19 THE PENINSULA — DOHA The lecture touched Open Research Dataset. Users upon the notions of also enjoy a nearly 50 percent The Qatar Computing Research reduction in time utilized to Institute (QCRI), part of Hamad “good” versus “bad” scan relevant publications. Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), data visualization, Dr. Mourad Ouzzani, Prin- commenced its COVID-19 techniques that cipal Scientist at QCRI, said: webinar series with two online “Researchers around the world lectures addressing the topics enable good are investing a substantial of Data Exploration and Visu- visualization, amount of time in reviewing alization of COVID-19 Data and and associated thousands of COVID-19 publi- Meta-Research of COVID-19 cations – a process that can be Literature. The lectures form challenges. daunting and laborious. A high- part of an ongoing and quality systematic review can immersive series of webinars be one of the most critical that are freely available to the COVID-19 by reviewing various pieces of evidence to guide public. visualization methods. Data Dr. Sanjay Chawla, Research clinical practices. Rayyan aims Data Exploration and Visu- preparation techniques and Director of the Qatar Center to deliver a detailed summary alization of COVID-19 Data their challenges (including for Artificial Intelligence, QCRI of readily-available primary introduced tools and techniques inconsistent formats, data research in response to through which data can be errors, missing values, uncer- pandemic. important COVID-19 Qatar Computing Research Institute Senior Software Engineer, better understood and modeled. tainties in exponential growth) Speaking after the webinar, questions.” Hossam Hammady, and Principal Scientist, Dr. Mourad Ouzzani. The lecture touched upon the were reviewed. The second half Dr. Sanjay Chawla, Research QCRI’s upcoming webinars notions of “good” versus “bad” of the lecture offered an explor- Director of the Qatar Center for - to be held on May 4 and 7 – data visualization, techniques atory data analysis (EDA) and a Artificial Intelligence, QCRI, assumed a central role in the COVID-19 Literature showcased are Managing Health Services that enable good visualization, comparative view of the advan- said: “This webinar focused on first wave of the global response QCRI’s in-house technologies, During a Pandemic and and associated challenges. tages and disadvantages of each the benefits and pitfalls of data to COVID-19, and will continue which were specifically built to COVID-19 Epidemiological Offered in two parts, Data visualization model. For visualization design and to be key tools as the pandemic enable rapid literature Modeling. All webinars are Exploration and Visualization example, it is crucial to visualize addressed each facet of data unfolds.” screening. Rayyan, QCRI’s sys- freely accessible at https://www. of COVID-19 Data delved into data in a proper scale in order modeling for COVID-19 data. The institute’s second tematic review application, pro- hbku.edu.qa/en/ a study of several aspects of to understand the growth of the Data and data analytics have webinar on Meta-Research of vides a review of the COVID-19 data-science-covid-19. Qatar Charity distributes health bags to QAC launches Mitsubishi workers at Al Furjan and Al Mazroua markets virtual showroom in Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA Nawaf Al Thani, operations THE PENINSULA — DOHA director of automotive sector Keeping up with the ever- at NBK Group said: “The virtual Qatar Charity continues to distribute changing demands of showroom is a clear indication protective supplies and awareness mate- consumers, Qatar Automobiles of QAC’s strategy to bring con- rials to workers in cooperation with many Company (QAC), the authorised venient and cutting-edge tech- concerned authorities of the country. general distributor of nology to the forefront and This falls within Qatar Charity’s con- Mitsubishi Motors in Qatar, create practical solutions for tinued efforts to fight the spread of coro- presents cutting-edge tech- our customers to tackle the dif- navirus (COVID-19) nology in the automotive ficulties associated with the Qatar Charity has distributed health world, by launching a virtual current global situation. The supplies and awareness leaflets to workers showroom for Mitsubishi virtual showroom comes in line in Al Furjan Markets, in the partnership with vehicles in Qatar. with our plan to support the the Ministry of Administrative Devel- A replica of the actual government’s effort in pro- opment, Labor, Social Affairs and the Min- showroom on Salwa Road, the moting social distancing and istry of Public Health, and in cooperation virtual showroom is part of finding practical alternatives with the Qatar Development Bank. QAC’s effort to provide an inno- that support our business”. It distributed to workers in the vege- vative experience allowing cus- Hesham Al-Sahn, General table markets in cooperation with the Min- tomers to peruse a wide range Manager of Qatar Automobiles A Qatar Charity official giving health bag to worker in line with QC's continued efforts to istry of Municipal and Environment, ben- of Mitsubishi vehicles while Company said: “Fully com- fight the spread of COVID-19. efiting 3,000 workers, with the partici- they are at home. The move mitted to offering the utmost pation of volunteers from Qatar Charity and also indicates the company’s to our valued customers, we Asian communities. Al Markhiya, Al Rayyan, Al Mazrua, Umm Besides, Qatar Charity distributed health endeavor to implement social are pleased to launch this The distribution took place in 50 com- Al Naseem and other areas, to educate bags and awareness leaflets to workers in distancing and support the gov- unique experience to our cus- plexes of Al Furjan markets in various workers on maintaining personal hygiene five vegetable markets in Al Wakrah, Al ernment’s efforts to limit any tomers in Qatar to explore our regions of the country such as Al Wakrah, and taking preventive and precautionary Shahaniya, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al potential spread of new vehicles without the need Umm Salal, Al Khor and Qatifiyah, Hazm measures against the coronavirus. Mazroua. coronavirus. to leave their homes. Customer Customers can access the service and health remain our virtual showroom on the QAC priority, and we will continue website https://www.mit- enhancing technology to add Hilton The Pearl launches Ramadan ‘stay-in-dine-in’ packages subishi-motors.qa/en/buy/360- more offerings to the virtual THE PENINSULA — DOHA packages offer a range of away from their own home Umm Ali, and fruits round off Viewer to experience the 360- experience”. choices from rooms with during Ramadan, to celebrate the evening feast. degree technology, and explore Through the virtual Hilton Doha The Pearl Resi- Suhoor service, rooms with traditional Holy Month meals Suhoor menus have a the showroom to view the cars showroom, customers can dences has launched a range Iftar, or rooms where guests with their family but still have choice of hot & cold mezzes in an experience that exactly explore three Mitsubishi of ‘stay-in-&-dine-in’ celebrate both Ramadan meals the safety of social-distancing and classic and egg special- simulates the real one. the vehicles including Eclipse packages for guests this in the privacy of their own during these exceptional ities all served with juices and showroom highlights the full Cross, ASX, and Montero Sport, Ramadan which include apartment. times. water. range of vehicle specs, where and more vehicles to be added in-room Iftar and Suhoor The packages have been The advantage is that the The rates are offered customers can view the interior soon. The website is enhanced service. designed to enable people to Iftar and Suhoor menus have across the residences’ com- or exterior details by clicking to accommodate test drive The accommodation take a much-needed break been masterfully created by fortable and homely studios, on the icon associated with it, requests, even to customer’s Malaysian-cuisine-inspired and one and two-bedroomed to get more information, and homes. Customer service call French Chef Thibaut Pouplard suites which all have bal- even book a test drive. center at QAC is available to and Lebanese celebrity chef conies, dining tables and Speaking about the virtual answer enquiries and provide Joe Barza. lounge areas, and are based showroom, Sheikh Faleh bin more information. The hotel is offering 7 great on double occupancy. Iftar and 3 Suhoor menus The room with Iftar rate choices which feature tradi- ranges from QR655 to QR1,505 tional Ramadan favourites and while the room with Suhoor some with a creative twist. rate starts from QR575 – Guests can expect the ever- QR1,425. Rates for room with popular seasonal juices, light both Iftar and Suhoor range soups, and cold & hot mezze, from QR775 – QR1,625. and salads to ease into Iftar. These packages offer Main course choices feature a guests the chance to take a range of meat and fish dishes, Ramadan break, with high including traditional roasted quality food service and in a lamb, Malay oriental pies, setting where they benefit satays, and flavoursome and from the international The packages have been designed to enable people to take a health-generating curries. A standards that define a Hilton much-needed break away from their own home during Ramadan, tempting selection of Holy hotel with everything that they to celebrate traditional Holy Month meals with their family. Month desserts, including need in a home. Malabar Gold & Diamonds distributes food kits for needy THE PENINSULA — DOHA are yet to be known, it is sure to what we do best: supporting as through the reference by cus- be disrupting normal lives for each other, our partners, the tomers of Malabar Gold & As millions of people across the at least some time, in response authorities and offering a Diamonds. globe endure one of the biggest to which Malabar Gold & Dia- helping hand to communities Corporate Social Responsi- crises the world has ever seen, monds has implemented this around us,” he said. bility has always been a key Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one initiative, which is expected to The food kits contain element of the culture at among the largest jewellery benefit a large section of the essential supplies, including Malabar Gold & Diamonds. The retailers with over 250 stores society across all countries in staple, lentils, oil, and spices, for group supports many philan- globally, strengthens its CSR which it operates. which the group has set aside thropic activities and is always initiatives across GCC & Far ‘CSR initiatives remains a an amount of AED1.6m. These ready to take initiatives to help East. core value at Malabar Gold & food kits should help a family the deprived section in the In response to the rising Diamonds. Considering the dif- or group of individuals sustain society, setting aside 5 percent severity and impact of the ficulties caused by the unprec- for 30 days. The entire activity of its profit for CSR activities COVID-19 outbreak, Malabar edented crisis, this year, we is being spearheaded by the across all regions that they Gold & Diamonds has initiated decided to focus on distributing team members of Malabar Gold operate. distribution of 15,000 food kits food kits to affected families & Diamonds with the support The key focus areas of the to stranded labourers and fam- and individuals to ease their of external organizations and CSR initiatives of Malabar ilies affected by the crisis. The current circumstances. It’s times associations to identify the Group are in the areas of Health, unprecedented scenario like this that remind us that needy in the local communities. Education, Women Empow- brought about by COVID-19 has each one of us – individuals and Those in real need of the food erment, Housing, and Envi- In response to the rising severity and impact of the COVID-19 led to the redirection of CSR companies have something to kits, across GCC and Far East, ronment. The group, which cur- outbreak, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has initiated the distribution efforts usually undertaken by contribute and the importance are identified through rently has showrooms across of 15,000 food kits to stranded labourers and families affected Malabar Gold & Diamonds of coming together as a com- respective embassies, regional GCC, India, Far East, and USA by the crisis. during normal times towards munity,” said Shamlal Ahamed, associations, and like-minded undertakes several welfare distributing food kits to those MD – International Operations companies and individuals to communities. I am extremely organizations like KMCC, Red activities with the association affected by the crisis. Although of Malabar Gold & Diamonds. lend a helping hand to the pleased that even in the middle Crescent, Community Devel- of like-minded organisations in the implications of COVID-19 “I sincerely urge other affected in their own local of this crisis, we continue to do opment Authority, etc. as well the respective regions. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 MIDDLE EAST 05 Iran to reopen many mosques today as 47 more die of virus

REUTERS & AFP — TEHRAN “Mosques will reopen in 132 low-risk or ‘white cities’ and towns from today. Friday Iran plans to reopen mosques today in areas that have been prayer sermons will resume in those areas as consistently free of the corona- well... However, all these steps will be taken virus as President Hassan Rouhani’s government starts to by respecting the health protocols,” President ease restrictions that were Rouhani said in a televised meeting. aimed at containing the outbreak. With mosques closed and ban on inter-city trips and is only “recommended”. religious gatherings banned malls, with large shopping Rouhani did not give the names since mid-March as the out- centres resuming activities of the counties affected by the break spread in the Middle despite warnings by some measure or the number of East’s worst-hit country, health officials of a new wave mosques due to reopen today. ordinary Iranians have turned of infections. The measure is not to drive-ins for ceremonies School and university clo- expected to be implemented in during the holy Muslim fasting sures were maintained and cul- the capital, Tehran, or in the month of Ramadan. tural and sports gatherings are main Shia holy cities of State TV and videos on also still banned, though Mashhad which are among Lebanon protests continue social media showed people in Rouhani said the plan is for those most affected by the Protesters from across Lebanon holding national flags chant slogans as they gather for a demonstration their cars watching a religious some schools to reopen soon. outbreak. against dwindling economic conditions in the country, at Al Nour Square in the centre of the northern ceremony on a big screen in a “The schools in the white Mosques and some key Shia port city of Tripoli, yesterday. Tehran car park. and low-risk areas will reopen shrines in Iran were closed in “Mosques will reopen in 132 from May 16... However, we will March amid the Middle East’s low-risk or ‘white cities’ and continue to review the situ- deadliest COVID-19 outbreak. towns from today. Friday ation,” he said. The targeted counties are Kuwait registers 364 new virus cases prayer sermons will resume in Health ministry spokesman “low-risk”, Rouhani said. those areas as well... However, Kianoush Jahanpour said 47 The virus taskforce was also QNA — KUWAIT after they contracted the to receive those infected with all these steps will be taken by people died of the virus over the mulling reopening schools by disease, bringing the total the virus in preparation for respecting the health pro- past 24 hours, the lowest daily May 16 to allow for a month of The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health number of deaths to 38. their discharge from the hos- tocols,” Rouhani said in a tele- count in 55 days. classes before the summer announced yesterday the regis- Kuwaiti health authorities pital within the next two days. vised meeting. He said the country’s coro- break. According to Jahanpour, tration of 364 new coronavirus had announced earlier Sunday The Omani Ministry of Iran’s health ministry has navirus death toll had risen to the 47 new deaths brought to cases in the country during the past the recovery of 73 coronavirus Health reported on Sunday 85 divided the country into white, 6,203 and the total number of 6,203 the total number offi- 24 hours, bringing the total cases, bringing the number of new cases of coronavirus, yellow and red areas based on diagnosed cases had reached cially recorded in Iran since it number of cases registered to recovered cases in the country including 21 cases to Omanis, the number of infections and 97,424. He told a news con- reported its first cases in 4,983. to 1,776. Laboratory and radi- and 64 to non-Omanis, bringing deaths. The ministry said on ference he hoped “the trend will mid-February. Kuwait’s Health Ministry ological tests proved that these the total number of cases Saturday that the trajectory of continue in the upcoming days”. He added that 976 fresh Spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Al- cases are cured of the corona- recorded in the Sultanate to infections has started a The President argued that infection cases were confirmed Sanad said in a press con- virus and that they will be 2,568 with 12 deaths. “gradual” downward trend in Islam considers safety oblig- in the past 24 hours, bringing ference on Sunday that 5 deaths transferred to the rehabilitation The ministry confirmed that Iran. Iran has already lifted a atory, while praying in mosques the total to 97,424. were recorded for residents wing of the hospital designated 750 cases had recovered. Lebanon detains 5 Israel’s Supreme Court Sudanese along the border with Israel discusses Netanyahu’s AP — BEIRUT fate as prime minister The Lebanese military said it detained five Sudanese REUTERS — Responding to the petition, citizens yesterday near the OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Israel’s Attorney General border with Israel and was Avichai Mandelblit wrote to the questioning them. Israel’s Supreme Court began court saying that there was no The announcement came a two-day hearing yesterday sufficient legal ground to dis- hours after the Israeli military to determine whether Prime qualify Netanyahu. said it detained the five on sus- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s He described the case as a picion they were trying to infil- indictment on criminal charges “head-on collision” between trate the heavily-guarded disqualifies him from forming “on one side the most basic border. Israeli media said the a new government. democratic principle of hon- five were job seekers who A ruling against Netanyahu ouring the will of the majority... were returned to Lebanon in would likely trigger a snap (and) on the other integrity in coordination with the United election, the fourth since April public service, specifically Nations. 2019, as the country grapples among elected officials.” A spokesman for the UN with the coronavirus crisis and Eleven justices, wearing peacekeeping force in its economic fallout. face masks and separated by Lebanon said they are looking Netanyahu and his main screens as coronavirus precau- into the case with the parties Exam preparations rival Benny Gantz signed an tions, presided over the dis- without elaborating. agreement last month to form cussion. A small group outside Palestinian high school students receiving exam seating card information amid concerns about the The incident comes as the a unity government under the court, also following social spread of the coronavirus disease, in a school in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. Lebanon-Israel border has which they would take turns distancing guidelines, carried witnessed tensions in recent leading Israel after three elec- signs and Israeli flags to protest weeks between Israel and the tions that neither of them won. against government militant Hezbollah group. In power for more than a corruption. Last month, an Israeli Jordan lifts all curbs on economic decade and currently head of Some Israeli analysts have drone fired two missiles near a caretaker government, right- said the court, cast by an SUV carrying Hezbollah wing Netanyahu will serve as Netanyahu loyalists as liberal members in Syria, close to the activity in latest easing of lockdown prime minister of a new admin- and interventionist, was border with Lebanon. No one istration for 18 months before unlikely to bar the premier was hurt in the attack. REUTERS — AMMAN and hygiene guidelines. Jordan has reported 460 handing the reins to centrist from heading a new gov- Two days after the drone Minister of Industry and confirmed coronavirus cases Gantz, according to the unity ernment. A ruling is expected attack, Israel accused Hez- Jordan said yesterday it had Trade Tariq Hammouri said and nine deaths but says it has deal. to be announced by Thursday. bollah of “provocative” lifted all restrictions on businesses and industries now contained the outbreak. The pact has support from Netanyahu, Israel’s longest- activity, including multiple economic activity in the latest would now be able to resume The government of Prime a majority in parliament. But serving prime minister, was attempts to breach the border easing of coronavirus lockdown production. Minister Omar al Razzaz won several groups, including oppo- indicted in January on charges along the Lebanese-Israeli rules to help jump-start the Public transport will be widespread praise for quick sition parties and democracy of bribery, fraud and breach of frontier, and said it would cash-strapped economy. allowed to return to full normal moves to curb the spread of the watchdogs, have petitioned trust. He denies any wrong- complain to the UN Security Jordan has in the last two service with safety guidelines coronavirus. But as the eco- Israel’s highest court to nullify doing in all three cases against Council. Israel and Hezbollah weeks been lifting restrictions following the outbreak, but uni- nomic impact deepened, the the deal and bar Netanyahu him and says he is a victim of fought a bruising, 34-day war to allow businesses back to versities and schools will government faced criticism from leading the government, a political witch-hunt. Netan- in 2006 that ended in a work, but with lower levels of remain closed and a night from business groups and there citing the criminal proceedings yahu’s trial is due to start on stalemate. staff and strict social distancing curfew will continue. were fears of social unrest. against him. May 24. Turkey extends travel restrictions for 31 provinces; virus toll at 3,397

ANATOLIA — ANKARA United States and Russia. on US-Turkish Relations and A total of 63,151 people have Turkish Americans, I am Turkey extended restrictions on so far recovered from the new grateful to our NATO ally entry and exit for 31 provinces coronavirus, which causes the Turkey for their generosity,” till today.A statement by the respiratory disease COVID-19. Wilson said in a statement. Interior Ministry said all travels The number of tests con- “Working together, we will by land, sea and air are ducted in Turkey in the past 24 protect citizens of Turkey and restricted till midnight. hours stood at 24,001, raising America from the devastation It said that the restrictions the total number of tests during of the Wuhan virus.” applied in 31 provinces as part the outbreak to more than 1.135 Hastings, who also sits on of coronavirus measures will million. At least two other the Turkey Caucus, lauded Tur- be evaluated at the Cabinet federal lawmakers have added key’s generosity on Twitter, meeting to be chaired by Pres- their voices to a chorus saying: “We’re all in this ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanking Turkey for sending together and appreciate this today and a decision will be badly-needed medical supplies kind gesture.” taken regarding the measures. to the US amid the coronavirus Turkey has sent two ship- The number of people who pandemic. ments of medical equipment to have died from COVID-19 in South Carolina Con- the US as the country finds itself Turkey has risen by 61 in the gressman Joe Wilson, who is a in the midst of the worst out- last 24 hours to 3,397, Health co-chair of the Congressional break globally. The first Inspecting IS attack site Ministry data showed Turkey Caucus, and Alcee shipment on Wednesday yesterday. Hastings of Florida, joined Alex brought 500,000 surgical An Iraqi fighter with the Hashed Al Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) inspecting the site of the The overall number of cases Mooney and Steve Chabot in masks, 4,000 overalls, 2,000 Islamic State (IS) attack, a day earlier, on a unit of the paramilitary force in Mukaishefah, about 180km rose by 1,670 to 126,045, the expressing gratitude for the liters of disinfectant, 1,500 north of the capital Baghdad, yesterday. The attack killed 10 Iraqi fighters. data showed, the highest total shipments. goggles, 400 N-95 masks, and outside Western Europe, the “As Co-Chair of the Caucus 500 face shields. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA MONDAY 4 MAY 2020

Egypt reports Ivory Coast PM flies to France for medical checks 15 military REUTERS — ABIDJAN Defence Minister Hamed Bakayoko will serve casualties in as interim prime minister in Gon Coulibaly’s Ivory Coast Prime Minister Sinai operations Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the absence. ruling party’s candidate in REUTERS/AFP — CAIRO October’s presidential election, navirus response. in late March because of pos- has flown to France for medical “His intense activity these sible exposure to the corona- Egypt’s military said yesterday checks, the presidency said last weeks had an impact on his virus but did not test positive. that 15 of its men had died or yesterday. health, but it is nothing very President Alassane Ouattara been wounded in operations The brief statement said serious. He is doing well,” the designated Gon Coulibaly in in the Sinai Peninsula recently, Gon Coulibaly left on Saturday source said, adding that Gon March as the ruling RHDP and that 126 suspected mili- but gave no details about his Coulibaly would return to Ivory party’s candidate for the pres- tants had been killed. state of health. Coast in a few days. idential election after saying he The military publishes A source close to Gon Defence Minister Hamed would not himself seek a third updates on its operations in Coulibaly, who had heart Bakayoko, who recovered from term. Sinai every few months, surgery in 2012, said the prime the coronavirus last month, will Ivory Coast has recorded without giving a specific time minister had missed a serve as interim prime minister more than 1,300 cases of the frame. scheduled check-up in France in Gon Coulibaly’s absence, the coronavirus, one of the highest The statement came three in April because he was busy presidency’s statement said. totals in West Africa, with 15 days after the military said 10 A file photo of Ivory Coast Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. coordinating Ivory Coast’s coro- Gon Coulibaly self-isolated deaths. personnel were killed or wounded in an attack near Bir Al Abd in North Sinai. Islamic State claimed the attack. Sudan police disperse rally The Interior Ministry later said 18 suspected militants had demanding Bashir’s release been killed in a shootout near Bir Al Abd. Militants loyal to ANATOLIA — KHARTOUM been deployed in some areas Islamic State are active in the in the downtown of northern part of the Sinai Sudanese police broke up a Khartoum, closing the main Peninsula, where Egypt has protest staged by supporters roads that lead to the army been battling an insurgency for of former President Omar Al headquarters,” Ali Alnimairy, years. Human rights organi- Bashir in the capital Khartoum a local resident, said. sations accuse Egypt of car- yesterday, according to a local According to eyewitnesses, rying out extrajudicial execu- police source. hundreds of demonstrators tions, forced evictions and col- Several protesters were took to the streets in Khartoum lective punishment as part of arrested by security forces for and other states to demand the the crackdown. violating a lockdown imposed former president’s release. The military has denied by the authorities to stem the A source with the United such accusations, saying it spread of coronavirus, the Popular Movement, which is takes the lives of civilians into source said on condition of widely believed to be sup- consideration during opera- anonymity because he was ported by Al Bashir’s former tions. Security forces have not authorized to speak to the ruling party, said demonstra- Residents carry their belongings through flood water as they evacuate from their home after River been battling a long-running media. tions have also been staged in Nzoia burst its banks in Nyadorera, Siaya County, Kenya, on Saturday. insurgency in the area, spear- Yesterday’s rally was the states of Kassala, West headed by a local IS affiliate. called by Al Bashir’s sup- Kordofan and South Darfur. In February 2018, security porters to demand his release Al Bashir, who ruled Sudan Kenya waterbus with 20 passengers capsizes forces launched a nationwide amid reports that Ahmed since 1989, was ousted by the operation against militants, Haroun, the chairman of the military in April 2019 after ANATOLIA — NAIROBI, KENYA nation for the past two months “According to information focused on North Sinai. dissolved ruling party, has mass protests against his rule. as it experiences its long rains reaching is right now all 20 More than 925 suspected been infected with corona- The former president has A waterbus carrying 20 people season. people were rescued.” Kenya militants have been killed in virus in prison. been sentenced to two years capsized on Saturday in the Bondo Deputy County Com- is currently in its long rains the region along with dozens Sudanese authorities have in prison for corruption. He is Usenge region in western missioner Tom Macheneri told season which lasts from March of security personnel, warned protesters against also facing charges of under- Kenya, authorities said on reporters that two speed boats to May. according to official figures. gathering or violating the mining the constitution over Saturday. responded to a distress call More than 30 people have lockdown, with security the 1989 military coup he led. The boat capsized because from the lake region and been killed by flash floods and forces deployed in several Sudanese authorities have of strong winds presumed to managed to save all of the pas- landslides in the past month. streets in the capital ahead of so far confirmed 41 deaths and have been caused by storms sengers who were on board. Five police officers were Libyan army the protests. 593 infections from and rains which have been “They were all wearing life killed Friday in flash floods in “The national army has coronavirus. pounding the East African vests,” he said. the Rift Valley. targets militia in air strikes Tanzania Revered Algerian singer Idir dies at 70 in Paris ANATOLIA — ANKARA President sees AFP — ALGIERS album, also titled “A Vava Inouva”, in 1975. The Libyan Army yesterday ‘sabotage’ in But after a series of tours and another targeted the transport of Algerian singer Idir, a leading cultural album, he decided to abandon the music Janjaweed militia affiliated to virus numbers ambassador of his native Kabylie and its industry, until 1991, when the release of warlord Khalifa Haftar as they Berber language, died in Paris on Saturday, a compilation album relaunched his were preparing an attack AFP – DAR ES SALAAM aged 70, his family announced. career. south of the capital Tripoli. Idir, who suffered from pulmonary Installed in France, he became an The air strikes hit a bus Tanzanian President John fibrosis, was hospitalised on Friday. impassioned advocate of his native Kabylie, carrying Sudanese merce- Magufuli yesterday questioned “We regret to announce the death of while also defending multiculturalism and naries to Libya that would fight his country’s coronavirus our father (of us all), Idir,” a message posted immigration as they became key issues in for Haftar in the Al Qaryah numbers, and called on the on his official Facebook account said. Con- his adopted country’s 2007 presidential region 400 kilometres (248 authorities to investigate tacted by AFP, his family declined to race. miles) south of Tripoli, said a “sabotage” at the national comment further. French football legend Zinedine Zidane, statement by the press center laboratory. Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Teb- whose family hails from Kabylie, wrote of of the Libyan Army-led Oper- A file photo of Algerian Kabyle singer, Idir, The East African country boune called him “an icon of Algerian art”. Idir on Instagram: “You marked my ation Rage of Volcano. performing at the 10th edition of the Mawazine had recorded 480 cases of the “With his passing, Algeria has lost one childhood... I will never forget our meeting”. Janjaweed militia is virus and 16 deaths at its last of its monuments,” Tebboune said on international music festival “World Rythms” Algerian writer Kamel Daoud joined the accused of genocide in the civil update on Wednesday. Twitter. in Rabat. praise, tweeting, “He knew how to turn our war in Darfur, Sudan. The government has come France’s former president Francois Hol- roots into such a beautiful harvest, soothing The Libyan Army recently under fire from the opposition lande also paid homage to Idir, saying he on Radio Algiers to sing “A Vava Inouva”, and generous.” After a 38-year absence, made gains against Haftar’s for allegedly hiding infor- “entranced entire generations with the a lullaby set to acoustic guitar that is an ode Idir returned to Algeria in January 2018 for militias. mation and failing to take the rhythms of his dulcet, rich and moving to the rich oral traditions of Berber a Berber new year concert in the capital. Following the ouster of late disease seriously. melodies”. mountain villages. The following year, he defended the ruler Muammar Gaddafi in Magufuli said that people UNESCO praised Idir as an “eminent The song became hugely popular in popular uprisings that led to the resignation 2011, Libya’s government was who tested positive for the ambassador of the Kabylie and Berber Algeria and beyond, but Idir was unaware of longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika. founded in 2015 under a virus may not be sick, and cast cultures”. of its success, having been drafted for man- “I loved everything about these protests: UN-led political deal. doubt on the credibility of lab- Idir, whose real name was Hamid datory military service soon after the the intelligence of these youths, their Since April 2019, the gov- oratory equipment and Cheriet, was born on October 25, 1949, in recording. humour, their determination to remain ernment has been under technicians. Ait Lahcene, near the Kabylie capital of Tizi In a 2013 interview, Idir told AFP he peaceful,” Idir said in April 2019. attack by Haftar’s forces, based “The equipment or people Ouzou in northern Algeria. “came at the right time, with the right “I admit that these moments were like in eastern Libya. may be compromised and He studied to be a geologist, but in 1973 songs” that evoked the rhythms of daily life a breath of fresh air. And since I have pul- More than 1,000 people sometimes it can be sab- was tapped as a surprise last-minute he had heard since a baby. monary fibrosis, I know what I’m talking have been killed in the otage...,” Magufuli said in a replacement for the Kabylie diva Nouara He travelled to Paris to record his first about.” violence. Swahili speech broadcast live through state-run TBC. He said he had secretly had Virus efforts jeopardise vaccines a variety of animals, fruits and vehicle oil tested at the for millions of MENA children: UN laboratory. According to Magufuli, a papaya, a quail and a goat AFP — AMMAN “Nearly 4.5 million children tested positive and he suspects under the age of 15 risk missing a “dirty game” in the The coronavirus pandemic their measles vaccination.” Ted laboratory. could jeopardise vaccination Chaiban, Unicef’s regional “That means there is pos- campaigns in the Middle East director, said it was “absolutely sibility for technical errors or and North Africa (MENA), critical that every child gets these imported reagents have Unicef warned yesterday, immunised against deadly dis- issues. Probably, the techni- saying millions of children eases including polio, measles, cians are also bought to could miss out on polio and diphtheria and hepatitis”. mislead.” Magufuli was measles immunisations. He said measures including swearing in the new Minister The UN agency said most disinfection, protective clothing for Constitution and Legal countries in the region were and social distancing meant Affairs Mwigulu Nchemba, and continuing with routine cam- that “immunisation for children urged him to “go and inves- paigns, under strict controls to is possible even in the time of tigate if there is criminal pos- prevent the spread of the virus. COVID”. sibility at the national labo- But it warned that some Unicef and the World ratory and take action”. vaccination campaigns had Health Organization warned in Nchemba is taking over been suspended as health mid-April that around 117 after the death of Augustine workers were diverted to million children worldwide Mahiga — one of three MPs fighting the COVID-19 illness. risked contracting measles. who died in the space of 11 Libya Martyrs' Square “As a result, one in five The head of the global days. No reasons were given People are seen at Martyrs’ Square following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, during the children or 10 million children organisation fighting polio said for the lawmakers’ deaths. holy month of Ramadan in Tripoli, Libya, on Wednesday. under the age of five risk in early April COVID-19 had One MP tested positive for missing their polio vacci- dealt an unprecedented blow the coronavirus in April. nation,” it said in a statement. to mass immunisation drives. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 ASIA 07 India records highest daily spike with over 2,600 virus cases AGENCIES — NEW DELHI Helicopters showered masked health workers The tally of coronavirus cases with rose petals and jets roared across the in India crossed the 40,000 skies yesterday as India’s military paid tribute mark, with a record 2,644 new cases registered in the last 24 to frontline workers battling the pandemic. hours, the Health Ministry data revealed yesterday. agency Press Trust of India showered masked health The death toll in the (PTI), Paul said: “The rationale workers with rose petals and country have also touched behind the government’s jets roared across the skies yes- 1,306, with 83 deaths over the decision to extend the terday as India’s military paid past day, which is the highest lockdown by two more weeks tribute to frontline workers bat- single day figure. after May 3 is to consolidate tling the pandemic. Some 25 personnel of the the gains of the first and In one of the first of Border Security Force (BSF) second phase of restrictions.” several gestures yesterday, Passengers scuttle to board buses to return to their hometowns as Karnataka government opened tested positive for the virus on COVID-19 cases have been petals fell on to the upturned inter-state transport buses for people stranded during the government-imposed nationwide lockdown Sunday, taking the tally in the reported in 187 countries and faces of medical personnel against the spread of coronavirus, in Bengaluru, yesterday. force to 42, said an official. regions since it emerged in clad in protective gear as an These cases were reported China last December, with the army band played patriotic the country’s so-called virus lockdown in place since lighting efforts led by Prime from personnel posted in Delhi. US and Europe now the tunes including “Jai Ho” (May “corona warriors”. late March. The navy will light Minister Narendra Modi on Meanwhile, V K Paul, a hardest-hit areas. victory prevail) from the “The entire nation stands up its ships off the sub-con- previous Sundays. member of NITI Aayog, a policy The lockdown was popular Slumdog Millionaire united in these challenging tinent’s shores when night The pandemic has killed think tank of the government, extended for another two film. times,” Defence Minister falls as part of the tributes. more than 244,000 people, said that the continuous rise in weeks by the government on In several states and ter- Rajnath Singh tweeted yes- The performances were with total infections over 3.45 the number of people testing Friday, although some restric- ritories across the vast nation terday as he praised the the third public show of grat- million, while just over 1.1 positive for coronavirus is tions were lifted in regions of 1.3 billion people, fighter “commendable work” of the itude to health and other million people have recovered expected to stabilize anytime that have lower numbers of jets and transport aircraft in “frontline warriors”, including frontline workers, after from the disease, according soon. virus cases. formations took part in low- police which have been Indians took part in to figures compiled by the US’ In an interview to the news Meanwhile, helicopters flying aerial salutes to thank enforcing the nationwide nationwide clapping and lamp Johns Hopkins University. Shah Rukh Khan, Will Smith perform in star-studded online concert Foiled prison break leaves AFP — NEW DELHI Kohli and actor Khan — as well whom have lost their jobs and Hrithik Roshan — along with major philanthropic groups as international names such as gone hungry during an ongoing local choirs and children sang or including the Bill & Melinda Gates inmate dead in India's "King of Bollywood" actor Will Smith and rock legend nationwide lockdown imposed spoke passionately in English and Foundation, the organisers said superstar Shah Rukh Khan told Mick Jagger in the "I for India" from late March. Hindi about raising money for yesterday. Sri Lanka jokes and sang for his adoring show broadcast on Facebook. "They may have lost their those in need. Other celebrities The funds will be donated fans yesterday during an almost "I can, I will, and I must help," jobs, they may have lost their interviewed doctors and experts to more than 100 groups pro- AP — COLOMBO five-hour online benefit to raise Khan told fans after singing a homes. They and their families about the virus. viding food and other essential funds for those affected by the cheerful, humourous ditty about may be going hungry. So I would Organised by Bollywood services during the crisis. Prison guards in Sri Lanka coronavirus pandemic. how "everything will be alright" like to ask you to donate. Please directors Karan Johar and Zoya Concert organisers said the foiled an attempt by inmates Tens of thousands of viewers following the deadly crisis. give what you can," Jagger said. Akhtar, the event has so far raised money was needed "for those to escape yesterday after they watched more than 70 of the Jagger and Smith spoke Bollywood's biggest names Rs37.5m ($499,326) out of a target who have no work and no home used ropes and bed sheets to country's biggest celebrities — about the struggles of rural — including actress Priyanka of Rs60m. The donations would and do not know where their scale down the wall, leaving including cricket captain Virat migrant workers, many of Chopra Jonas and hearthrob be matched rupee-for-rupee by next meal is coming from". at least one dead, police said. Seven prisoners tried to flee the penitentiary in Mahara on the outskirts of the capital Australia fights virus Colombo, the police spokes- man’s office said. They were confronted by clusters as parts of guards after scaling down the prison walls, leading to a scuffle during which the guards fired in the air, police country ease curbs said. One inmate and two guards were injured and the REUTERS — MELBOURNE Australia and neighbouring inmate later died in a hospital, New Zealand, which have police said. Australia’s state of Victoria saw closed borders and imposed Sri Lankan prisons are its highest increase in new lockdowns and tight social highly congested with more coronavirus cases in weeks restrictions, have been hailed than 26,000 inmates crowded yesterday and New South Wales for containing COVID-19 out- in facilities with the capacity state struggled with a cluster of breaks, but the measures are set of 10,000. infections at an aged care to push both economies into In March, two inmates facility, as parts of the country recession. were killed and six others began easing distancing rules. Australia’s success in sup- wounded when they fought Thirteen new cases were pressing the virus has led to with guards during a protest recorded in Victoria yesterday, some states and territories against new strict measures health officials said, with six of allowing for more outdoor to control the spread of the the cases related to an infec- activities and public gatherings coronavirus in prisons. tions cluster at a meat earlier than planned. Last month, the gov- processing facility in Many national parks have Medical staff performs a test on a driver at a drive-through testing site, at a Melbourne carpark, ernment temporarily released Melbourne. reopened in the state of Australia. on bail about 3,000 “What I’m worried about is Queensland and people were prisoners. the unknown unknowns,” Vic- allowed to go on small picnics, Victoria, the second most as of late Saturday, according ministry said. This is about 16% toria’s Health Minister Jenny while the Northern Territory populous state, was set to keep to health officials. Neighbouring of the country’s population of Mikakos said at a televised has started lifting restrictions its strict rules at least until a New Zealand saw two new 25 million and well below the Bangladesh briefing, urging more people to with the aim of ending them by state of emergency expires on cases yesterday, bringing the government’s initial target of 40 get tested. June. May 11. Mikakos said that pos- total to 1,136. Twenty people percent. Despite the govern- starts releasing “We want to make sure that New South Wales has sible relaxation of rules after have died so far. ment’s assurances that the app if we have cases that are pos- allowed visiting the homes of that date will depend on the The Australian government, would not trace location and prisoners itive in the community we can friends or neighbours, but in number of daily infections. which is to meet on Friday to that the collected data will be identify those individuals... this groups no larger than two, and Over the past week Aus- discuss relaxing social dis- accessed only by health officials ANATOLIA — DHAKA is how we are going to defeat form next weekend, for the first tralia recorded an average of tancing rules on federal level, with the users’ consent, people the virus.” time in six weeks, real estate only 13 new cases a day, has hoped that its voluntary remained worried about the Bangladesh has started releasing In New South Wales there agents will be allowed to hold according to the health min- coronavirus tracing app, intro- app’s security. prisoners convicted of minor were four new cases, two of traditional property inspections istry, with the daily rate of duced last week, would help “As we all know, it is very offences as a precautionary which were recorded at the and on-site auctions. infections well below 1%, a guide it when making the important that as many people action to control infection Newmarch aged care facility in The easing, however, has fraction of what has been seen decisions. as possible download the app,” among the overcrowded prisons Sydney, where more than 60 been gradual and varied across in many other countries. As of Saturday, four million Deputy Chief Medical Officer in the country, said an official people have been infected and Australia, a country of a loose There were 6,783 confirmed Australians downloaded the Michael Kidd said on Saturday yesterday. 14 have died. federal system. cases and 94 deaths in Australia COVIDSafe app, the health at a televised briefing. Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Mustafa Kamal Pasha said: “The jail authority will release 2,884 Rohingya refugees relocated to Bangladesh island after weeks at sea prisoners across the country in line with the government’s AFP — DHAKA the coronavirus, Foreign Minister The 28 Rohingya were taken to the island precautionary measure related decision on it. And, the AK Abdul Momen said. to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she releasing started on Saturday Dozens of Rohingya refugees “Most likely they will stay late on Saturday instead of the camps as added. Human Rights Watch and we are hoping that the stranded at sea for weeks have there until they return to authorities were afraid they might be infected South Asia chief Meenakshi process would have been com- been relocated to a controversial Myanmar.” They are the first Ganguly said the relocation pleted by this week.” flood-prone island in the Bay of group of Rohingya to be sent to with the coronavirus, Foreign Minister AK would place the refugees “at “Considering the contra- Bengal, Bangladesh officials said the island, local government Abdul Momen said. further risk after the suffering diction between number of yesterday. administrator Tanmoy Das said, that they have already endured”. prisoners and accommodation Bangladesh last year con- adding they were being looked Bangladesh had refused to let refugees to Bhashan Char has In mid-April, 396 starving availability in jails, we have structed facilities for 100,000 after by navy personnel who had the two trawlers carrying about been staunchly opposed by the refugees were rescued from a decided to free some prisoners people on Bhashan Char, a built the facilities. 500 people land on its territory Rohingya community. trawler stranded in the Bay of convicted [in courts] of minor muddy silt islet in the cyclone- Officials said the group — despite UN calls to allow them in The UN refugee agency Bengal for more than two offences,” he added. prone coastal belt, saying they including 15 women and five as a powerful storm bears down UNHCR said yesterday that com- months. At least 60 people died The South Asian country needed to take pressure off children — were detained after on the region. So far, no corona- prehensive assessments were on the boat. The survivors were yesterday released as many as crowded border camps that are coming ashore on Saturday from virus cases have been confirmed needed before anyone is moved moved to transit centres near the 385 prisoners from the Dhaka home to almost one million one of two boats suck at sea while in the sprawling camps in Bang- to the island, spokeswoman border camps where they were Central Jail and some outside Rohingya. trying to reach Malaysia. ladesh’s Cox’s Bazar that house Louise Donovan said. quarantined. Dhaka jails while the initiative The 28 Rohingya were taken Some 250 other refugees Rohingya who fled a 2017 mil- “UNHCR has all preparations Thousands of Rohingya try started on Saturday releasing to the island late Saturday instead who also left the boat in six or itary crackdown in neighbouring in place to ensure the safe quar- every year to reach other coun- few of them who were serving of the camps as authorities were seven dinghies have not been Myanmar. antine of any refugees arriving tries, making the perilous journey jail terms from three months to afraid they might be infected with found, he added. The plan to move the by boat to Cox’s Bazar, as a on crowded, rickety boats. one year. 08 VIEWS MONDAY 4 MAY 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL In race for vaccine Oil’s recovery could THE world has realised by now that finding a new vaccine is the one and only effective solution to halt coronavirus and the disease (COVID-19) it causes. The global race for vaccine has gained momentum and Qatar spares no effort in its COVID-19 battle to take decades, not years find a vaccine and also in providing the best treatment that proves its medical and health efficiency. Citigroup analysts don’t collectively shrug off this requiring producers to create It is with sheer determination and absolute will see jet fuel consumption back latest crisis, just as we did the new capacity elsewhere. power Qatar engages in the global goal to find vaccine at last year’s level until well financial crash of 2008-09, Nowhere is that more obvious and the whole healthcare team works tooth and nail into 2022, and they’re at the which was consigned to than in the US shale patch. to make the dream “COVID-19-free world” a reality. optimistic end of the history with barely a But the second US shale Qatar is highly confident of getting a vaccine soon spectrum. Boeing’s CEO sug- backward glance. But the boom was driven by, among and is evident in the words of the Spokesperson of gests passenger traffic might global pandemic feels very other things, several years of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, H E JULIAN LEE not get back to 2019 levels for different from the financial robust growth in global oil Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, recently. BLOOMBERG three years, and even when crisis. It hits at our physical demand. This led to most of Her Excellency stated that Qatar will be among the the flying public does return, well-being as well as our the world’s oil producers, first countries to acquire any drug that proves to be airlines will use their newest financial health, and it has including almost all of the effective in treating the illness. Who knows what the new and most efficient planes to forced us all, to one degree or OPEC countries, pumping as Qatar also offered its willingness to support global normal for oil demand will be carry them, as my colleagues another, to adopt new ways of hard as they could, and efforts to find vaccine and also expressed its hap- once COVID-19 is firmly in Liam Denning and Brooke living and working, whether helped to keep oil prices at piness to participate in the mission. The nation also the rear view mirror? Not me, Sutherland note here. we like them or not. around $50 a barrel. called for international collaboration in vaccine devel- that’s for sure. But it is likely So let’s make a guess The industry can survive a But those OPEC producers opment as it will help in future endeavours to develop to be lower than it was in about the loss in future 5% drop in long-term are now cutting production by vaccines during possible emergence of similar 2019, and it could be that way demand, and let’s make a demand, but it will find it more than 20%, and non- diseases. for many years. That’s going fairly small one. Let’s assume much harder to thrive. OPEC countries are seeing In fact, Qatar eyes a new medicine which can to create overcapacity it’s about 5m barrels a day. A loss like that will cause their output fall by similar produce effective results in the treatment of COVID-19 throughout the oil supply That doesn’t sound like too structural overcapacity, right percentages. True, some of patients during trials. Qatar follows all the global devel- chain and weigh on prices. much; it’s about 5% of last through the oil supply chain. the wells that get shut will opments in vaccine researches and stays updated. While signs are emerging year’s global oil demand. The There will be too many wells never be reopened, but most Simultaneously, the nation urges public not to be that we might have passed drop in worldwide oil con- to get oil out of the ground, will sit waiting for their deceived by false promises and fake news on social the worst of this historic oil sumption in April has been too many ships to move it, too owners to see an opportunity media. demand rout, they’re very put as high as 35m barrels a many refineries to process it. to get them back to work. By not just waiting for a vaccine, Qatar took all tentative. No one is pre- day, and forecasts Even before the pan- That overhang of spare pro- possible measures to curb the menace. By building dicting a swift recovery to estimate 2020 oil use will be demic, we were looking at a duction capacity will put an field hospitals and raising the total number of available where we were before the about 10m barrels a day (or world where oil demand effective cap on oil prices, just beds to 18,000, Qatar was gearing up in advance to pandemic struck. Some, 10%) lower than in 2019. growth was increasingly con- as it did throughout the 1990s. face any worse situation. The willingness to provide including Royal Dutch Shell Sure, many of us will centrated in plastics, rather No amount of Saudi-led free treatment to all is noteworthy and the nation has Plc’s chief executive officer, return to our pre-COVID-19 than fuels. That was already supply management, or US not shown any discrimination in providing treatment Ben van Beurden, suggest ways of life just as quickly as darkening the outlook for presidential bullying of foreign to anyone during this crisis. The number of COVID-19 that oil demand may never we can, but others will gladly refiners in Europe and North oil producers, will be able to tests Qatar held so far is an ideal example to showcase recover fully. give up the daily commute in America, which were also remove that spare capacity. how effectively the nation moves ahead in its fight. favor of working from home facing growing competition And once the current crisis is The percentage of recovery among patients is also more often - and employers from newer plants in the past, Riyadh may be less very high as the quality of care the nation provides is The industry may be happy to accom- Middle East and Asia that willing to play the role of excellent. can survive modate their wishes. After were more efficient and had swing producer, restraining its The recent experiments in the US on using a new months of successful telecon- beneficial long-term oil output while everybody else medicine called ‘Remdesivir’ for coronavirus patients a 5% drop ferencing, those business trips supply deals. A prolonged reopens the taps. were found effective. Qatar is awaiting more results in long-term that helped keep planes full of drop in demand will only Every time oil prices rise, of the experiments and once it shows promising results, high-paying travellers may make that competition stiffer, producers will rush to use their Qatar will make it available for the patients here too. demand, but also come under more as more plants seek markets idled capacity, undermining There is no loophole in Qatar’s fight against it will find it scrutiny. These changes may for their excess products. the recovery. After the oil-price COVID-19 and is certain that it will bear fruit. push up electricity use while The upstream part of the slump of the mid-1980s, it took much harder to they dampen fuel demand, business - the bit that’s con- two decades for prices to thrive. but that will do little to help cerned with finding the crude return to their previous levels - the oil industry, which is and getting it out of the longer if you build in the effects increasingly struggling to hold ground - may face fewer of inflation. This time the wait onto its fragments of the problems. Oil fields naturally could be even more protracted. D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR power-generation sector. go into decline once they’re Julian Lee is an oil strat- brought into operation, egist for Bloomberg. EMAIL: [email protected] Of course, we could

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Robots and cameras: China’s sci-fi quarantine watch

MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 AFP —BEIJING — except for those arriving and informs the occupant in Officials put up a notice on from abroad and Hubei, the an eerie, childlike voice: each quarantined household’s DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Robots delivering meals, province where the virus first “Hello, this is your service door asking neighbours to ghostly figures in hazmat suits surfaced late last year. robot. Your order has arrived keep an eye on the confined LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 and cameras pointed at front At one quarantine hotel in outside your room.” Its belly inhabitants. doors: China’s methods to central Beijing, a guard sits at opens and the guest takes the In one Beijing residential BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 enforce coronavirus quaran- a desk on each floor to delivery items before the compound, officials told AFP tines have looked like a sci-fi monitor all movements. robot turns and rolls away. that people under home quar- SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 dystopia for legions of people. The solitude is broken by Doctors in hazmat suits go antine must inform com- Authorities have taken one of the few visitors from room to room daily munity volunteers whenever ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 drastic steps to ensure that allowed near the rooms: A reminding occupants, they open their doors. email: [email protected] people do not break isolation three-foot-tall cylindrical including an AFP journalist Friederike Boege, a rules after China largely tamed robot that delivers water who had been in Hubei, to German journalist, began her PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 the virus that had paralysed bottles, meals and packages take their temperatures with second quarantine in Beijing email: [email protected] the country for months. to hotel guests. the mercury thermometer this year on Sunday after With cases imported from The robot rides the ele- provided at check-in, and to returning from Hubei’s capital ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 abroad threatening to unravel vator and navigates hallways ask if any are experiencing Wuhan. Her building’s man- FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] China’s progress, travellers on its own to minimise symptoms. agement installed a camera in arriving from overseas have contact between guests and People under home quar- front of her door to monitor CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 been required to stay home or human staff. antine elsewhere in the city her movements. email: [email protected] in designated hotels for 14 days. When the robot arrives at have had silent electronic “It’s quite scary how you Beijing loosened the rule its destination, it dials the alarms installed on their get used to such things,” she SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 in the capital this week landline phone in the room doors. said. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The United Nations remains firm in its position that media freedom must be protected as part of any /Peninsula_Qatar peace process. All parties in any peace negotiations must uphold all fundamental human rights, /ThePeninsulaNewspaper including the right to freedom of expression. +974 6698 6188 Deborah Lyons, Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 OPINION 09 East Africa has weathered pandemics — and has a few things to teach the US access to health care, which most cases before any cases region’s preparedness, rel- symptoms like fever, chills, create a tinderbox for had been detected. ative to that of the United headaches and stomach pain pandemics. Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni States, is an emphasis on may be assumed by local pop- In addition, many coun- was particularly eloquent and international cooperation. ulations to be suffering from tries in Africa, like elsewhere, detail-oriented, explaining These countries make up the COVID, as opposed to malaria. suffer from conflict and civil what the disease was, how it The United States and membership of the Intergov- This could drive panic and war - conditions that exac- was transmitted and who was ernmental Authority on even persecution of the victims EDWARD H CARPENTER & erbate the potential for deadly at risk, before laying out a plan powerful developed Development (IGAD). The and their families. CHARLI CARPENTER disease beyond what is already to systematically close schools, countries can benefit organization, practicing social What is notable about THE WASHINGTON POST seen in stable, wealthy coun- churches and borders, to begin from the example of distancing, met March 30 by these East African states, tries. Conditions in refugee social distancing and put a hold video-teleconference and however, is their proactive The current pandemic won’t camps can make social dis- on weddings and funerals. Africa, where humility resolved to jointly formulate a and symbiotic approach to the be the last the world faces. tancing impossible. Health and South Sudan, Kenya and about the capacity to regional response, establish overall crisis, and their apo- And while it is functionally too humanitarian services may Uganda all shut down cross- treat diseases makes an emergency fund and litical information man- late for the United States to do already be overstretched; border air and ground travel mobilize support from the agement. For example, while anything but fight its way donor money may wane as for passengers, while main- societies favour global community and from most IGAD member states through the coronavirus wealthy countries turn inward. taining the regional cargo links measures to prevent IGAD medical professionals in halted their international and crisis, it can start to look for And warring parties may take that are especially important them; where there’s the diaspora. regional passenger flights, examples of better ways to advantage of the situation. for landlocked South Sudan. The crisis has even caused Ethiopia kept a single air con- deal with the next one. These factors make it all Notably, all of these a willingness to learn some prominent local leaders nection into the region open Those ways can be found the more remarkable that measures were rolled out in a from experience, to double down on a global to the rest of the world, thus in East Africa. emerging economies of East controlled manner without rather than disregard approach to economic policy, minimizing the regional risk It’s easy to look toward Africa are far better prepared political posturing, and with with Uganda’s president of contagion while keeping a South Korea and Taiwan for for this crisis than the United reasonable time built in to set science and rewrite saying: “I have warned our pipeline open for critical such examples. High-tech States was even two weeks the guidelines in motion. Kenya history; and where people to stop talking like the cargo like the donations from societies - with a cultural bias ago. These countries include gave 48 hours for foreign vis- selfish foreigners by trying to MA and for aid workers and toward transmission-blocking both some of the more stable itors to leave the country or reaching out to stop the little we have being medical personnel to enter behaviours such as wearing African nations (Uganda, enter quarantine; Uganda sys- neighbours in a spirit exported to other African under strict guidelines. masks, a history of strong Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea) tematically shut first primary of mutual assistance countries. We can keep a bit The East African situation direction by central govern- and some of the most unstable schools, then universities over for ourselves, but we shall has implications for the United ments, and the resources to (Somalia, Sudan and South the course of a week. While and cooperation helps share with the others States. First, there is a high deploy testing and contact Sudan). What they share is a economic costs were noted, the stave off transnational whatever we have.” probability that the difference tracking on a massive scale - relatively low incidence of governments put public health threats. The arrival of the virus on between the American and have been highly successful at COVID-19 and a strong, over profits. the continent has also given Chinese approaches to helping containing COVID-19. Less proactive and coordinated Second, experience rise to local innovation. the countries deal with the noticed is how well other response to the crisis. seeded these states’ ability to defeat it as we did with Ebola Researchers at Uganda’s pandemic will further tilt the countries are also doing rel- Three things stand out in respond quickly and effec- three times, with Marburg and Makekere University are devel- region toward China’s sphere ative to the United States, East Africa’s preparedness. tively; this is not their first with AIDS.” As a result, case oping a faster, cheaper COVID of influence. This could be including many in East Africa. First, their governments time dealing with a deadly counts and fatalities have so test, while in Kenya, college exacerbated if the American This may seem surprising to took early preventive pandemic. Cholera, influenza, far been extremely low in students and local manufac- military and diplomatic those raising the alarm about measures. In March, while HIV-AIDS and Ebola all pre- Africa generally (not quite turers are piloting ways to planners choose to pull their what to expect when the virus President Donald Trump was ceded COVID-19. The United 40,000 cases and 1640 deaths assemble ventilators from people out, as has already sweeps the developing world. saying that COVID-19 was States also has had its share of so far across a continent with locally sourced components. happened with the Peace The World Health Organiza- “something that we have tre- pandemics - yellow fever, the a population of over a billion, The region has willingly Corps, whose forced evacu- tion’s regional director recently mendous control of,” the 1918 flu, HIV-AIDS and SARS. according to Africa Centres benefited from international ation of all volunteers resulted warned of “social and eco- presidents of South Sudan, The difference may be a will- for Disease Control and Pre- beneficence - the Chinese bil- in over 1,000 “ambassadors of nomic devastation” in Africa, as Kenya and Uganda issued ingness to put lessons learned vention) and particularly low lionaire Jack Ma has donated goodwill” leaving East African confirmed cases and deaths detailed proclamations and into action. As Museveni put in East Africa. Most countries millions of test kits and face countries at a time when they began to climb. Even some decreed strong measures to it, “By confronting this disease in this region have fewer than masks and tens of thousands are needed most. Such a move, stable African countries have delay the arrival of the virus with enlightened, scientifi- 500 recorded cases. of sets of protective even done in the name of risk high poverty rates and minimal and suppress its spread - in cally based actions, we shall And a third reason for the equipment to African states; avoidance, would most likely the United States, Canada, cause irreparable reputational Germany and China have harm to the United States in a given millions of dollars in region that may be one of the COVID-related aid to South great emerging markets. Sudan alone, and there is The United States and already an extensive network powerful developed countries of humanitarian organisations can benefit from the example operating in the region. of Africa, where humility None of this means that the about the capacity to treat IGAD states will remain largely diseases makes societies immune to the impact of the favour measures to prevent global pandemic. As in most of them; where there’s a will- the world, testing has ingness to learn from expe- remained limited, and in rience, rather than disregard Africa, communicable diseases science and rewrite history; (lower respiratory tract infec- and where reaching out to tions, HIV, diarrhea, malaria neighbours in a spirit of and tuberculosis) already mutual assistance and coop- account for 35 percent of all eration helps stave off tran- deaths. Respiratory illness and snational threats. malaria both have symptoms Edward H Carpenter, a similar to COVID, so the actual Lieutenant Colonel in the US infection and death rates may Marine Corps, is serving as a be grossly underestimated, United Nations peacekeeper with both those who die and in Africa. Charli Carpenter is those who recover being a professor of political science Somalian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Isse Awad; Somalian Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, written off as just having had a at the University of Massa- Hamza Said Hamza, and Somalian Health Minister, Fawziya Abikar Nur, welcome the Turkish cargo plane carrying medical supplies, including case of malaria. Conversely, chusetts-Amherst, special- masks, overalls, test kits and domestic respiratory equipment for Somalia at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, yesterday. absent testing, those showing izing in humanitarian crises. Children may be the silent victims of coronavirus

may also mean that clinicians current outbreak will have distance-learning programs and look to carefully reo- are unable or unwilling to similar effects. In late March, can be ineffective even under pened schools as places have contact with patients, the World Health Organi- ideal circumstances. In where child health can be whether to give a physical zation called for preventive poorer households, where monitored and basic care exam or administer a shot.For mass-vaccination programs parents are less likely to be delivered. kids, that can have long- to be suspended worldwide able to work from home, the For their part, schools lasting consequences. At the to allow for social-distancing challenges can be severe. should strive to maintain as ADAM MINTER height of the West African measures. Although this was Especially in developing much continuity with stu- Every parent is BLOOMBERG Ebola epidemic, in 2014, insti- probably the right call, even regions, girls are at particular dents as possible. Step one tutional deliveries of children public-health experts who risk of not resuming their should be a concerted effort familiar with the - a crucial means of reducing supported the decision education due to increased to pay and retain teachers day-to-day perils Many parents felt a profound maternal mortality - acknowledged that it will poverty, domestic responsi- during the crisis. They’ll be sense of relief when analyses decreased by 37% compared contribute to a surge of dis- bilities and pregnancy rates key to reopening schools of the COVID-19 of the coronavirus found that to the previous year. Prenatal eases that might last for during the pandemic. Even quickly, and could provide outbreak, with kids rarely show symptoms consultations, which have years. when schools do reopen, the some much-needed stability and usually aren’t at much been shown to improve chil- Another serious worry - virus may pose a threat for for students who have lost playgrounds risk. Unfortunately, that dren’s long-term physical and for parents and for the world months or years into the their sense of routine or even closed, social doesn’t mean they’re safe mental health, decreased by - is that some 1.4 billion future. safety. from the global pandemic. 40%. children live in areas where Mitigating all of these Finally, planning needs to interaction Every parent is familiar Worse, vaccination rates schools have been fully or harmful effects will be an start now on assessments and limited and with the day-to-day perils of declined sharply. In 2013, partially closed, from immense challenge. After the accelerated curriculums screen time all the COVID-19 outbreak, with before the outbreak, a still- Southern California to rural Ebola epidemic, agencies and designed to help students playgrounds closed, social too-low 73% of Liberian India. Most of those kids have governments around the catch up and review what too tempting. interaction limited and screen children under age one were no idea when they’ll be able to world contributed to a new they were learning before the But the most time all too tempting. But the fully vaccinated. From July to return. When schools in vaccination program as soon pandemic. Modest steps like most consequential effects of September of 2014 that Liberia, Guinea and Sierra as it was safe to do so. That these won’t lead to cures or consequential this crisis are likely to come number dropped to 36%. Leone were closed to curtail won’t be cheap or easy on a treatments for the corona- effects of this from two areas: Health and Measles vaccination rates the spread of Ebola, students global basis. virus. But they might help education. alone declined by 45%. This lost as many as 1,848 hours of Nevertheless, the World ensure that its effect on future crisis are likely Natural disasters tend to drop-off created a large education. Health Organization, despite generations isn’t needlessly to come from two be especially harmful for chil- “immunity gap” that allowed A significant body of its recent problems, remains destructive. areas: Health and dren’s health. They disrupt the the disease to spread more research suggests that such a the appropriate organization Minter is a Bloomberg basic medical services that easily. The consequences lin- prolonged absence from to coordinate such a cam- Opinion columnist. He is the education. mothers and young kids rely gered: From 2016 to 2017, school can be detrimental paign, and planning and author of “Junkyard Planet: on, and usually divert crucial 49% of Liberia’s 2,954 sus- educationally and develop- funding should get underway Travels in the Billion-Dollar resources to more immediate pected measles cases were mentally, and especially immediately. Governments Trash Trade” and the forth- needs. Measures meant to detected in children under the harmful for low-income stu- should also prioritize coming “Secondhand: Travels protect health-care workers age of five. dents. As plenty of frustrated maternal and prenatal in the New Global Garage and the broader population In all likelihood, the parents are now finding, services during the pandemic, Sale.” 10 ASIA MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 Parks reopen in Bangkok as curbs eased AP — BANGKOK Thai health authorities reported three new Residents of Thailand’s capital confirmed cases of the coronavirus yesterday, enjoyed the city’s parks and bringing the total to 2,969, including 54 booked haircuts yesterday as they enjoyed their first day of deaths. There have been single-digit increases eased restrictions that were in new cases for more than a week, leading imposed weeks ago to combat to optimism that the country has the rate of the spread of the coronavirus. The top perk in Bangkok, transmission under control. a city famous for its eateries, may have been the reopening A nationwide ban had Team sports and use of the of restaurants. But it was not taken effect on April 10 and park’s exercise equipment is clear how many were actually expired at the end of April, but still not allowed. serving seated customers provinces including Bangkok Park guards blew whistles again, since strict guidelines can reinstate a ban anytime. to break up any gatherings of will make it hard for many of When the ban was origi- more than a handful of people, them to turn a profit. nally announced with just a whether they were running or Restaurants have to keep few hours of notice, there was picnicking. their customers at least 1.5 a rush to shops. . Barbers and hairdressers meters apart and practice a City dwellers seeking some around the city were also back wide range of sanitary fresh air and a chance to in action, and also under rules measures, beginning with stretch their legs flocked to to ensure social distancing. taking the temperature of cus- Lumpini Park in central They appeared to be doing tomers and staff, and circu- Bangkok, where they lined up good business as they advised lating fresh air. to be checked for face masks would-be customers to book Small restaurants that and have their temperatures appointments for the following could fit 20 people before taken before being allowed to day. might be able to seat eight to enter. Thai health authorities A vendor wearing protective mask sells food after the government started opening some restaurants 10 under the rules. Runners and walkers, reported three new confirmed outside shopping malls and parks amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, yesterday. Restaurants had been singly and in pairs, filled the cases of the coronavirus yes- limited to takeout and delivery park’s pathways but kept their terday, bringing the total to There have been single- more than a week, leading to the rate of transmission under services since mid-March. distance from each other. 2,969, including 54 deaths. digit increases in new cases for optimism that the country has control. Singapore Japan to extend emergency, relax some curbs reports 657 new REUTERS — TOKYO Shinzo Abe, will consult with experts at a meeting today to virus cases Japan could ease some of the extend the national state of current coronavirus-related emergency until May 31, broad- REUTERS — SINGAPORE curbs on economic activity by caster NHK reported allowing places such as parks yesterday. Singapore confirmed 657 new and museums to reopen, The government will also coronavirus infections provided proper preventive discuss further action on how yesterday, the vast majority of measures were in place, to prevent the spread of the them foreign workers living in Economy Minister Yasutoshi novel coronavirus epidemic. dormitories, taking the city- Nishimura said yesterday. Japan is expected to declare state’s total to 18,205. The remarks come a day the extension of the state of The health ministry before the government is set emergency after the meeting, reported one death, an to announce the extension of and Abe will hold a news con- 86-year-old Singaporean its state of emergency after ference in the evening to woman, bringing the virus- struggling to suppress the address the nation about the related death toll in the spread of the novel corona- pandemic. The government- country to 18. virus that has infected 15,589 issued state of emergency in Among the new cases, ten people and killed 530 in the Japan is set to expire on were Singaporeans or per- country. Wednesday, the last day of a manent residents, while 626 “As long as the proper pre- week-long national holiday. cases were foreign workers ventive measures are in place, The government is pre- living in dormitories, the min- it could be possible to ease paring to extend the state of istry said. some of the current restric- emergency for another month. Singapore has among the A woman rides a train during Japan’s 'Golden Week' holidays, in Tokyo, yesterday. tions on economic activities,” Under the state of emer- highest number of coronavirus Nishimura said at a news con- gency, the government has infections in Asia, mainly due ference held yesterday the 13 prefectures where the ensure visitors maintain their would be discussed at an asked people to stay at home, to outbreaks in cramped morning. Places like parks, coronavirus has spread distance, he added. expert’s meeting today, avoid unnecessary outings, and migrant-worker dormitories. museums, art galleries, and rapidly, if they take steps to Further details on how Nishimura said. refrain from going to crowded It has managed to curb the libraries could reopen even in disinfect their premises and restrictions might be eased Japanese prime minister, areas. spread of the disease among locals outside the dormitories. Singapore will start easing coronavirus restrictions over More people hit China roads in first the next few weeks, author- ities said on Saturday. major holiday since easing of curbs Nepal plans to REUTERS — BEIJING of the coronavirus. ease lockdown, Hundreds of sightseeing China’s most populous cities spots have also been reopened, restart economy saw a spike in outbound trav- including the Forbidden City ellers, tourists and day-trippers in Beijing, as authorities sought IANS — KATHMANDU on May 1, first day of a long to revive and repair local holiday weekend, led by economies. Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Wuhan, epicentre of the coro- The country recorded more Population is charting out navirus epidemic that first than 23 million domestic plans to ease the nationwide struck the country late last year. tourists on May 1, according to lockdown imposed in the wake The number of people trav- China’s culture and tourism of the coronavirus pandemic, elling outside their home cities ministry. in a bid to gradually restart the jumped nearly 50 percent at the The Ministry of Transpor- stalled economy, according to start of the Labour Day tation expects 23.36 million a media report. weekend, compared with the travellers a day during the If the recommendations of first day of the Tomb Sweeping period, up from 19.9 million per the ministry are adopted, 77 holiday on April 4, according to day during the April 4-6 Tomb districts of the country would calculations on data from Sweeping holiday. be divided into three clusters China’s internet giant Baidu Inc. But that estimation would of red, yellow and green, The increase in outbound still be far below the 67.13 depending on population— travel during the five-day million travellers per day density, geography, linkage to holiday, one of China’s peak during the 2019 Labour Day international border and the tourism periods each year, holiday. number of coronavirus cases, would help lift the travel and The expected drop is partly The Himalayan Times said in hospitality sectors that have because China has capped vis- the report. People wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the coronavirus as they walk between been hit hard by disruption itors to tourist spots at 30 Districts that fall under shopping mall buildings, in Beijing. from the coronavirus percent of capacity to adhere yellow and green zones will pandemic. to social distancing rules. see relaxation in restrictions, The spike in tourism was At the West Lake in the Some tourists also stayed also not a favourite. plunged 95 percent to whereas areas categorised as led by increases in travellers eastern city of Hangzhou, the closer to home, and others Hubei’s tourism $961,729. China reported one red zones will continue to from Wuhan, Beijing, Dalian, most popular sightseeing spot avoided areas such as Hei- department said its 22 reo- new coronavirus case for May remain shut, it added. Tianjin and Jinan, with China during the holiday according longjiang province that are still pened tourist sites saw 1, down from 12 a day earlier, The ministry has started having eased curbs on travel to Baidu, 183,700 visitors were battling local virus clusters. 109,664 visitors on May 1, and no new deaths, data from preparing modalities to ease and relaxed rules on quar- recorded on May 1, less than a Hubei province, where the down 87 percent from a year the country’s health authority the lockdown based on the antine amid dwindling cases third of the numbers last year. epidemic first emerged, was ago, while tourism revenue showed on Saturday. instruction given by the High- Level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 led by Deputy South Korea to allow gatherings, events after cases drop Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel. AFP — SEOUL social distancing has been gramme that has drawn wide- Chung Sye-kyun said during a are due to start their new “We are still working on widely observed since March. spread praise. government meeting. seasons this week after being these modalities. Nothing has South Korea said yesterday it Scores of events — from Its reported death toll is “Gatherings and events will postponed over virus fears, been finalised yet,” said will loosen social distancing K-pop concerts to sports around 250 — vastly lower than be permitted under the con- although the matches will be Roshan Pokharel, chief con- rules this week to allow gath- seasons — had been delayed or that of Italy, Britain, Spain and dition that they follow disin- played behind closed doors. sultant at the ministry. erings and events to take place cancelled, while museums and France, which have each fection measures,” he added. The government is also set The federal government after the number of new coro- galleries were closed and reli- recorded at least 24,000 The South reported 13 new to announce this week the dates enforced nationwide lockdown navirus cases dropped signifi- gious services suspended. fatalities. infections on Sunday, taking the for students to return to school, in Nepal on March 24 to cantly in recent days. But the South appears to “South Korea will total to 10,793, the Korea which is expected to be some prevent the spread of The country endured one of have brought its outbreak under implement the everyday life Centers for Disease Control time around mid-May, COVID-19 which has so far the worst early outbreaks of the control thanks to an extensive quarantine scheme starting said. Some professional sports, according to Yonhap news infected 59 people with no disease outside China and strict “trace, test and treat” pro- Wednesday,” Prime Minister including baseball and soccer, agency. deaths. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 ASIA 11 Random testing suggests hundreds Pakistan sees 1,297 of Kabul residents may be infected coronavirus cases, AP — KABUL 32 deaths in a day One-third of 500 random coro- INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD National Security Division Dr navirus tests in Afghanistan’s Moeed Yusuf told the media that capital came back positive, Pakistan witnessed record there were over 100,000 health officials said yesterday, number of deaths from the stranded Pakistanis in 88 coun- raising fears of widespread unde- coronavirus with nearly half of tries and efforts were being tected infections in one of the them being reported from made to bring them back at the world’s most fragile states. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) earliest. The results of the random alone as the tally of countrywide “However, 90 percent of the tests in the Afghan capital of confirmed cases surged past stranded Pakistanis are in Gulf Kabul are “concerning,” said 18,700 yesterday. states such as 69,695 in the Public Health Ministry Almost half of the 1,297 new United Arab Emirates, 15,594 in spokesman Wahid Mayar. cases were reported from Sindh, Saudi Arabia, 5,500 in Qatar and Afghanistan has performed only Special Assistant to the Prime others are in different limited testing so far — close to Minister on Health Dr Zafar countries. 12,000, with more than 2,700 Mirza announced during an “Those who have not regis- confirmed infections, in a nation afternoon press briefing amid tered themselves with Pakistani of 36.6 million. the controversy over fewer embassies, I suggest them to get As more testing becomes number of daily tests being con- themselves registered as available, the country’s con- ducted in Punjab for the past embassies have been preparing firmed infection numbers will several days. priority list of those who should likely rise sharply, said Mayar. He According to the Ministry of be sent at the earliest,” he said. urged residents to stay home. Security personnel wearing face masks stop motorists at a checkpoint during a government-imposed National Health Services Dr Yusuf reiterated that Kabul and most other cities are lockdown, in Kabul. website, Punjab conducted once the overseas Pakistanis in lockdown, but compliance has 16,156 tests while Sindh con- were brought back, they would not been widespread. The results of the random tests in the Afghan infected have been hiding their ducted 22,179 tests in the last have to stay in quarantine for The death toll — officially at symptoms, in part because of one week. 48 hours after which they would 85 — could also be much higher. capital of Kabul are ‘concerning’, said Public local stigma. In parts of the After a gap of few days, be tested for COVID-19. More than 250,000 Afghans Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Mayar. country, there have been reports Punjab finally increased the “As result of the test can take returned home from Iran since Afghanistan has performed only limited testing of COVID-19 patients being number of tests, taking the up to 30 hours, it will be decided the beginning of the year, fanning shunned by their neighbours and countrywide tally of daily tests only after that if they [pas- out across their country without so far — close to 12,000, with more than 2,700 even refused food from the local to 9,164. sengers] have to stay at quar- being tested or quarantined. confirmed infections, in a nation of 36.6 million. markets. The PM’s aide told the media antine centre more or can join Anecdotal reports have emerged The government, embroiled that a record number of con- their families. Everyone will of dozens of returnees dying of in political turmoil, has also faced firmed coronavirus cases and have to stay in the quarantine COVID-19, the disease caused by criticism for responding too deaths, i.e. 1,297 and 32, respec- as we cannot afford to let the the virus. The country’s health care most people. For some, especially slowly to the crisis. tively, were reported during the disease spread. At a recent briefing, a senior system, devastated by four older adults and people with Only recently, the gov- past 24 hours (till 12 midnight “Another concern is that the government official said 40 decades of war, is woefully existing health problems, it can ernment started testing in on May 1, 2020). positive cases, in flight arrived people died of the virus in Sarobi unprepared for a major outbreak. cause more severe illness or western Herat province where “Nearly 50 percent of these during last over one week, were district, barely 50km east of It has only 400 ventilators. death. the hundreds of thousands of patients were reported from the more than our expectations so Kabul. The Health Ministry said The new coronavirus causes Testing in Afghanistan has returnees from Iran have province of Sindh,” Dr Mirza passengers are being kept at it could not confirm the claim. mild or moderate symptoms for been sporadic and some of those transited. said. quarantine centres for more About the casualties, he said time. 47 percent of the deaths were Currently, it is not possible reported from KP, 28 percent to bring more than 7,500 pas- Afghanistan searches for bodies of migrants drowned in river from Punjab, 19 percent from sengers per week but in coming REUTERS — HERAT at Herat District Hospital said who were caught by Iranian Wahid Qatali in a tweet to Iranian Sindh and 6 percent from weeks we may increase their they had received the bodies of border guards on Saturday when officials said, “Our people are not Balochistan. number up to 15,000 a week,” Afghan officials yesterday Afghan migrants, some of whom they were trying to cross into Iran just some names you threw into He said it must be noted that he said. launched a hunt to retrieve had drowned. in search of work from Gulran the river. One day we will settle out of those 32 deaths, 31 The PM’s aide made it clear bodies of Afghan migrants from “So far, five bodies have been District of Herat. accounts.” occurred at hospitals and one that the government could not a river in a western province transferred to the hospital, of “After being tortured, the The incident could trigger a at a home. guarantee the departure of after reports that Iranian border these bodies, its clear that four Iranian soldiers threw all of us in diplomatic crisis between Iran “Fourteen patients were on flights on time, as flight opera- guards tortured and threw died due to drowning,” said Aref the Harirud river,” Mohammad and Afghanistan at a time when ventilators and 17 were in tions were suspended across the Afghans into the river to prevent Jalali, head of Herat District Hos- said. the coronavirus pandemic has intensive care units of hos- world. However, he added, the their entry into Iran. pital. The Iranian consulate in Shir Agha, who said he also seen a mass exodus of Afghan pitals,” he explained. government wanted to bring Afghanistan’s foreign min- Herat denied the allegations of survived the violence, said at migrants from Iran with many Moreover, 4,715 patients had passengers through Pakistan istry in a statement on Saturday torture and subsequent drowning least 23 of the 57 people thrown testing positive for COVID-19. fully recovered from the disease, International Airlines (PIA), said an inquiry had been of dozens of Afghan migrant by Iranian soldiers into the river Up to 2,000 Afghans daily he said, adding that the because other airlines were launched and a senior official in workers by border police. were dead. cross the border from Iran, a COVID-19 situation with the demanding up to six times the presidential palace in Kabul “Iranian border guards have “Iranian soldiers warned us global coronavirus hotspot, into blessing of God was still better higher fares. said initial assessments suggested not arrested any Afghan citizens,” that if we do not throw ourselves Herat. As of yesterday, at least than the estimated figures. “As we have received com- at least 70 Afghans who were the consulate said in a statement into the water, we will be shot,” 541 infected people are from Meanwhile, more than plaints that a number of airlines trying to enter Iran from bor- on Saturday. Iranian embassy said Agha. Local Afghan officials Herat province, which recorded 100,000 overseas Pakistanis in have been issuing tickets for dering Herat province were officials in the Afghan capital that it was not the first time that 13 deaths, with the majority of 88 countries have registered arrival in Pakistan, we suggest beaten and pushed into the Kabul were not immediately Afghans had been tortured and positive cases found among themselves with the embassies that overseas Pakistanis should Harirud river. The Harirud river available for a comment. killed by Iranian police guarding Afghan returnees from Iran, said seeking early arrangements for visit the government website basin is shared by Afghanistan, Noor Mohammad said he the 920km long border. Rafiq Shirzad, a health ministry their return. www.covid.gov.pk for the flight Iran and Turkmenistan. Doctors was one of 57 Afghan citizens Herat’s governor Sayed spokesman in Herat. Special Assistant to PM on information.

Philippines halts flights to lessen Nearly 100,000 evacuated after Uzbekistan dam bursts pressure on AFP — TASHKENT yesterday that a criminal probe had been opened into “official quarantine centres Nearly 100,000 people have negligence” and construction been displaced in Uzbekistan violations. AFP — MANILA and Kazakhstan after an Uzbek Construction of the Sardoba dam burst, flooding thousands dam began in 2010 under the The Philippines halted all of homes and destroying agri- supervision of current President inbound passenger flights for cultural fields. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was a week starting yesterday to The wall of the Sardoba res- prime minister at the time. free up space in quarantine ervoir dam in eastern Uzbekistan It was completed in 2017. centres filled with thousands burst early on Friday triggering Mirziyoyev on Friday flew to of migrant workers who have a government operation that saw the region, which saw strong come home during the coro- 70,000 people evacuated. winds and rains prior to the col- navirus pandemic. More than 50 people were lapse of the dam, in order to Millions of Filipinos work hospitalised during the flooding oversee the evacuation and abroad, with Saudi Arabia, the in Uzbekistan. cleanup operation. Officials in UAE, Singapore and Qatar Kazakhstan’s President Kazakhstan’s southern Turkestan among the most popular Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tweeted region criticised Uzbekistan for destinations. yesterday that 10 Kazakh villages not providing timely information Some 24,000 have close to the Uzbek border had on the status of flood control on already returned home, many suffered “strong flooding” forcing Saturday. after losing their jobs as the authorities to evacuate 22,000 “We have a copy of our cor- global economy screeches to people. Tokayev also said the two respondence with the Uzbek side, A view of the damaged dam site after its wall collapsed following heavy rain in Sirdarya Region, a halt because of the virus. governments were in talks after that as of (8pm on Friday) the sit- Uzbekistan. Those returning are Kazakh officials complained of uation was stable and there were required to complete a 14-day significant damages and not no problems,” said Saken Kalka- water would reach Maktaraal pened has happened.” worth more than $400,000 — quarantine at centres built or receiving timely information manov, deputy governor of the district,” he said, referring to the The administration of the mostly to cotton, which is grown re-purposed by the gov- from Uzbekistan about flooding. Turkestan region. area where the flood hit. Turkestan region estimated the throughout the Central Asian ernment that are now filled Uzbekistan said earlier “They said that not a drop of “Nevertheless, what hap- floods caused crop damage region. to capacity. “The new flight restriction... will be imple- mented for one week to give North Korea’s Kim ‘did not have surgery’; shots fired in DMZ the government the oppor- tunity to decongest the quar- REUTERS — SEOUL “Our assessment is that (Kim) from North Korea towards a Kim was seen in photographs US President Donald Trump, are antine facilities in Metro did not undergo surgery,” the guard post in South Korea, the smiling and talking to aides at the at a standstill. Manila,” government official North Korean leader Kim Jong official, who declined to be iden- South’s Joint Chiefs of Staffs (JCS) ribbon-cutting ceremony and The exchange of gunshots Carlito Galvez said in a Un did not undergo surgery tified, told reporters. said in a statement. touring the plant. State TV yesterday was the latest confron- statement. during almost three weeks of Asked if media reports of Kim South Korea responded by footage showed Kim’s leg move- tation between the rival Koreas The announcement effec- absence from public life, a having undergone a simple firing two shots towards North ments appearing stiff and jerky. that technically remain still at tively suspends the repatri- South Korean official said medical treatment were also Korea, the JCS said. No casualties The authenticity of the war after their 1950-53 conflict ation programme for workers yesterday, as the two Koreas untrue, the official simply said: were reported. photos, published on the website ended in a truce, not a treaty. affected by the pandemic, and exchanged gunfire at the Demil- “Yes.” After weeks of intense spec- of the official Rodong Sinmun In a lengthy briefing held the government has told them itarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea ulation about Kim’s health and newspaper, could not be verified. later yesterday, an official at to stay in their host countries the two sides. exchanged gunfire around a rural whereabouts, which included Reclusive North Korea for years South Korea’s JCS said the gun- for now. The government official guard post, raising tension a day one report he had undergone pursued nuclear and missile pro- shots did not seem a planned However, outbound declined to provide reasons, but after North Korean state media cardiovascular surgery, North grammes in defiance of UN provocation. The US-led UN flights will be allowed to con- said speculative reports that Kim showed Kim visiting a factory, the Korea’s official media published Security Council sanctions. Talks Command, which oversees tinue, including those flying had had an operation, citing first report of him making a photographs and a report on Sat- between North Korea and the affairs in the heavily fortified stranded foreigners out of the some differences in his leg move- public appearance since April 11. urday that Kim had attended the United States, highlighted by DMZ, said it was working with country. ments, were untrue. Multiple gunshots were fired completion of a fertiliser plant. three meetings between Kim and the JCS to assess the situation. 12 EUROPE MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 UK says virus Spain counts 164 more deaths, lowest number in weeks ANATOLIA — OVIEDO, SPAIN

The number of daily COVID-19 lockdown to be deaths and infections in Spain dropped substantially again yesterday, according to Spanish lifted gradually Health Ministry data. Official data confirmed 164 more deaths in the last 24 hours AFP — LONDON Prime Minister Boris — the lowest daily death toll Johnson will unveil since March 18. The British government The number of new con- yesterday said the easing of the government’s firmed infections also dropped coronavirus lockdown measures plans in coming days, to pre-lockdown levels. With was likely to be gradual, as it after announcing the 838 more confirmed infections, announced a further rise in the it is the lowest number of new overall death toll. country had passed contagions since March 11. Prime Minister Boris the peak of the virus. In total, at least 25,264 Johnson was expected to unveil According to the people in Spain have died from the government’s plans in COVID-19 and 217,466 people coming days, after announcing latest figures, 28,446 have been infected. Of those the country had passed the people have now died confirmed cases, 118,902 people peak of the virus. have recovered - up 1,654 from after testing positive People keep their social distance as they travel in the metro in Madrid, Spain, yesterday amid a According to the latest Saturday. As Spain sees the national lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. figures, 28,446 people have now for COVID-19. acute phase of the disease died after testing positive for fading, Today it will officially COVID-19, up 315 on Saturday, consideration”. embark on the first of four be in late June. sition politicians. only last for a maximum of 15 keeping it just below Europe’s Britain is banking on an phases of de-escalation. However, as political ten- “Sanchez doesn’t have a days. This week, politicians in worst-affected country, Italy. enhanced testing regime and Tomorrow, some businesses sions grow, several parties that plan B or A. He can’t take the Spain’s divided Parliament The number of positive cases contact tracing, including via a like hairdressers, dentists, or previously backed the gov- country hostage to cover up his will vote on whether or not to rose by 4,339 to 186,599. smartphone app, to monitor hardware shops will begin to ernment are now threatening incompetence,” tweeted Pablo back another extension of the Johnson himself contracted transmission rates and prevent operate, but clients will only be to block the extension of emer- Casado, leader of the conserv- emergency governing COVID-19 and spent three a second wave of infection. allowed in by appointment. gency measures. “We have no ative Popular Party. “We have measures, which expire next nights in intensive care. He The app, developed by the Spanish Prime Minister plan B, the only plan is the state to reactivate the economy with weekend. revealed in a newspaper digital arm of the state-run Pedro Sanchez said he plans to of alarm,” Sanchez told a tele- massive testing to stop conta- Sanchez also announced interview that plans were even National Health Service (NHS), continue extending Spain’s state vised press conference on Sat- gions and the bankruptcy of our that starting today, the wearing put in place in case he died. is to be trialled from next week of emergency until the de-esca- urday, remarks that got a cold welfare state.” In Spain, a state of masks on public transpor- “It was a tough old on the Isle of Wight, off Eng- lation is complete, which could shoulder from several oppo- of emergency can normally tation will be mandatory. moment, I won’t deny it,” he land’s south coast. told The Sun on Sunday. “They Gove said he hoped as had a strategy to deal with a many of the 80,000 house- France’s ‘StopCOVID’ contact-tracing France reports 135 ‘death of Stalin’-type scenario,” holds on the island as possible he added. Senior minister would download the app, more deaths taking Michael Gove said there would which he said was “one arrow app to enter testing phase next week likely be “some degree of con- in the quiver” of measures to toll to 24,895 REUTERS — PARIS straint” once restrictions were keep infection down. to assess the risk of one person infecting eased until a vaccine was On lifting the lockdown, he another, helping to isolate those who could REUTERS — PARIS found. And he told a daily added: “A phased approach is France’s state-supported “StopCOVID” spread the disease. The number of people who have died briefing of the government’s one which allows us to monitor contact-tracing app should enter its testing Like others in Europe, France has in France after contracting the new response to the global pan- the impact that those changes are phase next week when the country starts chosen the short-range Bluetooth “hand- coronavirus rose yesterday by 135 to demic there would be no having on public health and if nec- to unwind its lockdown, a government shakes” between devices as the best 24,895, the health ministry said. immediate return to the “old essary in a specific and localised minister said. approach, dismissing the alternative of The number of people treated in normal”. way. “That means we can pause Minister for Digital Affairs Cedric O, a using location data pursued by some coun- hospital for the coronavirus and the Weekend newspaper or even reintroduce those restric- member of President Emmanuel Macron’s tries in Asia as intrusive. number of people in intensive care units reports said primary schools tions that might be required in inner circle, presented the app as a key But debate has raged about whether continued to decline, it said. could reopen in early June order to deal with localised out- element of France’s strategy to stave off to log such contacts on individual devices The number of people in hospital while commuters taking public breaks of the disease.” the coronavirus as authorities grapple with or on a central server - which would be with the COVID-19 respiratory disease transport could face temper- Britain ordered all non- the prospect of mass testing. more directly useful to existing contact caused by the coronavirus fell yesterday ature checks. essential shops and services to “There’s nothing magical about this tracing teams that work phones and knock to 25,815 from 25,827 on Saturday. A quarantine period for close on March 23, telling app, but it’s not technological coquetry on doors to warn those who may be at risk. people travelling to Britain has people to stay at home except either,” O wrote on online publishing France has so far opted for a “cen- also been suggested. Transport to shop for groceries and med- platform Medium. “It’s only useful if it’s tralised” approach, which would need refused to budge, although discussions minister Grant Shapps said it icines, and to exercise once a integrated into a global health system.” Apple in particular to change the settings with the US. company were ongoing, O was a “serious point under day. Countries are rushing to develop apps on its iPhones. The smartphone maker has said. Greens enter Irish Confusion as Italy prepares to ease lockdown coalition talks

AFP — ROME groups, and is reopening its with climate on beaches. So is the Marghe Italy was spending its last day region, but for walks not sun- agenda in total lockdown yesterday, but bathing. Emilia-Romagna is REUTERS — DUBLIN the partial easing of strict coro- keeping them closed, even to navirus measures after a two- those who live by the sea. Ireland’s Green Party agreed month shutdown was causing “We’ve been waiting with to enter talks about forming a anxiety and confusion rather longing for May 4, but now it’s government with the centre- than elation. finally arrived it’s a letdown. right Fianna Fail and Fine Gael Across the country, attempts Until they tell me I’m really free, parties yesterday, but said it to make plans for the first day I’ll feel paranoid, like I’m would withdraw if it could not of freedom were hampered by breaking the rules in some agree a policy programme with uncertainty over the rules. The way,” 37-year old Michele climate action at its core. government has a list of per- Magna said. Ireland has been in mitted activities, but regions are Prime Minister Giuseppe political deadlock since an also making up their own Conte further puzzled many by inconclusive election in Feb- regulations. telling Italians visits with “con- ruary, with the caretaker gov- “I’m hoping this morning’s giunti” were allowed. ernment of Prime Minister Leo paper will clear it up. I want to The Italian word can mean Varadkar forced to implement take my old mum to the sea- either relatives or kinsmen. He costly and extensive fiscal and side, can I?” asked 53-year old then attempted to clarify by political policies by the coro- cleaner Pietro Garlanti as he saying that extended to people navirus crisis. queued patiently in the sun at who had “relationships of steady Varadkar’s Fine Gael and a kiosk in the capital’s historic People applaud from their window during a flash-mob to greet the beginning of Phase 2 of the affection”. Many asked did that traditional rival Fianna Fail centre. In this first stage, Italy’s lockdown held to stop the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, in Rome yesterday. Italians today will be mean lovers, friends and fiances reached an initial broad 60 million inhabitants will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks as Europe’s hardest-hit country eases were included? The government agreement last month to able to move more freely within back the world’s longest coronavirus lockdown. was forced Saturday to publish a govern together for the first their own regions, visiting rel- Q&A that specified people could time, but need more support atives, going to the re-opened groups, however, so big family gencies or for health reasons. lockdowns early, opening to see extended relatives — to control parliament and parks with their children and lunches are forbidden. Going to Italy’s 20 regions, however, bars and restaurants with including, for example, the cannot pass any laws until a going cycling or running further holiday homes is not allowed. have put their own spin on the outdoor tables this week. children of their cousins — but new prime minister is elected. from home. And people cannot leave their rules. Two of them, Veneto and Liguria is thinking about friends, however dear, were out If they can get the backing None of that can be done in own regions, except for emer- Calabria, even lifted their letting people go sailing in small of bounds. of the Green’s 12 lawmakers they would have a majority, which would allow the them to pass laws including those Germany’s TUI to test 3,000 Britain rejects EU demand for needed to uphold a 6.5 billion euro package to support busi- cruise ship workers for virus nesses shuttered by Ireland’s permanent office in Northern Ireland lockdown. AFP — BERLIN Measures to allow affected ANATOLIA — LONDON Great Britain (England, Wales, presence would be “divisive in firms to defer tax liabilities for Nearly 3,000 cruise ship workers quarantined aboard a liner will and Scotland) and Northern political and community terms.” 12 months and to use $2.2bn undergo tests for the novel coronavirus, German travel group TUI said. The UK has rejected the EU Ireland. The British government added credit guarantee scheme will “Mein Schiff 3” was being used to ferry 2,899 TUI employees demand to set up a permanent Schmid said the EU needed in a statement on Saturday: require legislation to be passed and crew home with both cruises and the usual means of transport office in Belfast, the capital of “very particular capabilities and “There is no reason why the by June or early July, Finance in much of Europe shut down by the pandemic. Northern Ireland. competences on the ground, commission should require a Minister Paschal Donohoe said. Problems began when the huge vessel docked at in the German The Republic of Ireland’s distinctive from the more tradi- permanent presence in Belfast “We are conscious of the huge North Sea port of Cuxhaven on April 28 with more than a dozen national broadcaster, RTE, tional competences of any other to monitor the implementation challenges facing any gov- crew members showing flu-like symptoms. One of them then tested reported on Saturday that Helga EU delegation.” She wanted the of the protocol.” An EU official ernment in the Covid-19 positive for the virus on Friday leading the company to quarantine Schmid, secretary general of the new office set up by June, but told RTE: “The UK cannot have crisis,” the Green Party said in everyone on board. A first wave of 229 tests on personnel who had EU’s external action service, Prime Minister Boris Johnson been taken by surprise by this. a statement, after days of talks been in contact with the infected crew member came back negative, told the UK in February that the insisted there would be no new The possibility of opening an among its lawmakers. TUI said. “All crew members will be tested during the day,” TUI EU wanted a permanent paperwork between Great office in Belfast has been dis- “Any proposal must be spokesman Friedericke Groenemeyer said. But what happens next presence in Belfast in order to Britain and Northern Ireland. cussed for a long time at this transformative on climate remains unclear even if all the tests are returned negative. oversee the implantation of the UK Paymaster General stage. The EU has been con- action and commit to strong The TUI staff on the ship had been expected to travel on from Brexit deal’s Irish protocol. Penny Mordaunt wrote back to sistent on this point.” The fear progress towards a more sus- Cuxhaven to their various countries under their own steam. The protocol allows EU offi- the EU on April 27 saying: “The for the EU is that the UK will tainable and fairer society. If “That poses a certain number of challenges with the general cials to oversee checks and con- UK cannot agree to the per- backtrack on commitments this is not the case Green Party international situation and the travel restrictions,” the spokesman trols carried out by British offi- manent EU presence based in made under the Brexit deal representatives will withdraw admitted. cials on goods moving between Belfast.” Mordaunt said the EU agreed last year. from negotiations,” it added. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 EUROPE 13 Germany’s SPD seeks scrapping of US nuclear arms shield

AFP — BERLIN ruled out them being stationed here in replace an ageing fleet of Tornado of 90 Eurofighters and 45 Boeing F-18s. security apparatus.” future.” fighter-bombers that can carry the US The Boeings can carry US nuclear Hundreds of thousands of Germans Left-leaning allies of Chancellor Angela His view was echoed by the party’s nuclear arms as part of a Nato deter- arms that the Airbus-made jets are not demonstrated against the deployment Merkel’s ruling conservatives launched co-president Norbert Walter-Borjans. rence force. designed for. of US Pershing intermediate range bal- an offensive yesterday calling for the “My position is clear against their The United States has an estimated But members of Merkel’s conserv- listic missiles in Europe at the height withdrawal of US nuclear arms in being stationed (in Germany), being 150 nuclear weapons deployed in ative Christian Democratic Union of the Cold War during the 1980s when Germany. made available and of course the use Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy as well (CDU) poured scorn on the SDP stance. Moscow had SS20 IRBMs. Two senior figures in the Social of nuclear arms,” he told Frankfurter as at the Buechel air base in Germany. “The SPD is in total nirvana about The SPD looks to be readying to go Democratic Party (SPD), the junior Allgemeine newspaper. Walter-Borjans said he was against security policy,” CDU member of par- into opposition after elections due in partner in the government coalition, After a series of electoral disasters, “buying replacement fighters to liament Patrick Sensburg told late 2021 and is building a pacifist, anti- voiced strong opposition to the the SPD has swung further to the left transport nuclear bombs” -- which Handelsblatt. nuclear platform. weapons. and a new leadership, including would tear up Germany’s post-war It needs to remember “that the As a result, “the conservatives have “Nuclear arms on German soil do Walter-Borjans and Muetzenich, has security policy built round the US American nuclear weapons serve pushed back any final decision to not strengthen our security, quite the taken over but the party is still lan- nuclear umbrella. above all to protect us”. replace the Tornados to the next par- contrary,” the SPD’s parliamentary guishing at 16 percent in opinion polls. To replace the Tornados, Defence “Our international partners will liament because they know their hands leader Rolf Muetzenich told The SPD campaign against the Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer doubt Germany’s ability to fulfil its will no longer be tied by the social- Tagesspiegel daily. “It is time Germany weapons comes as Berlin is seeking to last month recommended the purchase future role within the transatlantic democrats,” one diplomat said. Virus infections surge past 130,000 in Russia

AFP — MOSCOW As some European capital are only allowed to countries were leave their homes to walk their Russia yesterday reported a dogs, take out trash and visit new record daily rise in coro- looking to gradually their nearest shop although navirus infections as the lift restrictions, private car journeys have not number of confirmed cases been restricted up to now. surged past 130,000. officials in Moscow Many complained that it As some European coun- — the epicentre was increasingly difficult to tries were looking to gradually observe the quarantine as the lift restrictions, officials in of the contagion weather was getting warmer. Moscow — the epicentre of the in Russia — urged In a sprawling park in contagion in Russia —urged southwest Moscow yesterday, residents to stay home despite residents to stay a two-person police patrol glorious weather. home despite asked parents with small With the number of cases glorious weather. children to respect the con- rising by several thousand each finement rules and return day, Russia is now the European home. country registering the most Spain and the United States. Moscow mayor Sergei Sob- Deserted bazaar in Sarajevo new infections. Fifty-eight people died yanin on Saturday urged resi- Bascarsija, Sarajevo’s old bazaar and the historical center of the city remains deserted due to the Despite the increases, the over the past 24 hours, bringing dents to continue to respect coronavirus pandemic measures during Ramadan in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, yesterday. government has indicated it the total toll to 1,280. stay-at-home rules and other could gradually lift con- The authorities are pre- measures over the long May finement measures from May paring to set up temporary field holidays. “The threat is appar- 12, depending on the region. hospitals around Moscow ently on the rise,” Sobyanin said According to the govern- including at the VDNKh, the on his blog. France says won’t quarantine ment’s daily coronavirus famed Soviet-era outdoor exhi- Earlier this week Prime update, 10,633 confirmed infec- bition centre, in case infections Minister Mikhail Mishustin and tions were reported in the last continue to surge. Construction Minister Vladimir EU, Schengen area citizens 24 hours, bringing the total to Muscovites have been Yakushev tested positive for the 134,687. under lockdown since March coronavirus and were hospi- AFP — PARIS The number of new deaths declines in COVID-19 infec- President Vladimir Putin 30 and in mid-April, the talised. Mishustin’s first deputy from COVID-19 in France has tions, especially in hard-hit has said the situation remains authorities introduced a Andrei Belousov is now serving France said yesterday that it been declining in recent days, areas like the Paris region and “very difficult” and warned that system of digital permits to as acting prime minister. would not quarantine anyone with 135 fatalities reported over northeast France. the country was not yet past the reduce violations of the Mishustin’s spokesman arriving from the EU, the the past 24 hours on Sunday. The government has said peak of the outbreak. restrictions. Boris Belyakov told reporters Schengen area or Britain due The national health service the number of new coronavirus Russia’s official fatality rate They have warned that the on Sunday that the prime min- to the coronavirus, as it said the increase brought cases must stabilise at fewer has remained low in com- rules may be tightened further. ister was feeling fine and was prepares to start easing France’s total death toll to than 3,000 per day as it parison to countries like Italy, Residents of the Russian in touch with his colleagues. confinement measures after 24,895, the world’s fifth highest expands testing, otherwise two months of lockdown. figure after the United States, doctors and nurses could face On Saturday, the gov- Italy, Britain and Spain. another wave of patients that ernment had said it would The last time the number have tested hospitals since Portuguese enjoy easing lockdown extend the state of emergency of daily reported deaths was March. to contain the crisis until at below 135 was on March 22, “If the number of new cases REUTERS — LISBON Mother’s Day had some taking to beaches and least July 24, and anyone when it represented only those proves too high, we’ll have to parks before then with newfound confidence. entering France would have reported by hospitals. reconsider the date for lifting Portugal downgraded its state of emergency to On Lisbon’s waterfront, runners and cyclists to remain in isolation for two The current figure also the lockdown, and decide a category of “calamity” yesterday, as spring hopped out of each other’s way on Sunday weeks. includes deaths reported by according to the situation in sunshine drew people outdoors and the rate of morning. Beaches remain closed other than for But the quaratine rules elderly care homes and other each department,” Veran told new coronavirus cases reached its lowest since water sports and exercise, but under the lesser would not apply to “anyone medicalised care facilities. the Journal du Dimanche the beginning of the outbreak. state of calamity spending time in parks is no arriving from the European France plans to start lifting newspaper. “It’s like being freed from prison,” enthused longer strictly forbidden. Still, police officers Union, the Schengen zone or the coronavirus lockdown from He also cautioned against Rodrigo Garcia, 40, on a walk to Lisbon’s River were out in force on Sunday urging people not Britain, regardless of their May 11, when children are to planning summer holidays for Tagus with his wife, two sons and dog. “We’ve to linger and to maintain social distancing. nationality”, the presidency said return to school in stages, some now, saying “it’s unlikely that gone out here and there, but with the end of the “A state of calamity still means you should on Sunday. businesses will reopen and this virus is going to go on state of emergency we feel much freer.” stay home as much as you can,” officer Sofia And for French and EU cit- people will be able to travel vacation”. After a six-week state of emergency when Gordinho said, between speaking to groups pic- izens arriving in France from within 100km of their homes Officials are scrambling to people were urged to stay indoors except for nicking in Lisbon’s Campo Martires da Patria other regions outside the EU, without a signed justification ramp up testing capacities to brief exercise, and most non-essential services park about the new measures. “If people want the Schengen area and Britain, for their movement. 700,000 people each week by were shut, a three-phase reopening plan begins to sit in the sun for a bit, that’s okay, but we are “the rules will be announced in But Health Minister Olivier May 11, which health experts from today. But the temptation of 30 degree asking them to move on so others can come the coming days”, the presi- Veran warned Sunday that this say is essential for containing Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) temperatures and without it getting crowded.” dency said. would depend on further the outbreak.

UK royal Kate calls midwives and Young street doctor defies virus to help Belarus homeless parents to highlight AFP — MINSK remains one of the few nations that did not impose lockdown mental health issues For the past year-and-a-half measures. Its authoritarian medical student Karina leader Alexander Lukashenko REUTERS — LONDON Radchenko has provided free has dismissed the contagion as a health care to the homeless in “psychosis” and plans to stage a British royal Kate, the Duchess the Belarussian capital Minsk. military parade to mark victory of Cambridge, has video- Since the onset of the coro- over Nazi Germany next week. called a number of new navirus outbreak she has seen Radchenko, who is a fifth parents, midwives and other a spike in the number of people year medical student, said the maternity service profes- needing her help. country’s most vulnerable sionals to promote her Many people who were people— who face a higher risk message of mental health eking out a living in the ex- of being infected and then awareness during the corona- Soviet country before the epi- infecting others — were not virus pandemic. demic can no longer afford to getting enough help. Organisa- In a video posted on purchase medicines or go to a tions providing care for the Twitter by Kensington doctor, said Radchenko. homeless were either closing Palace, the residence and Together with those doors or reducing working hours office of Kate and her sleeping rough on the streets over coronavirus fears. Rad- husband Prince William, the some of them come to see her. chenko, who was inspired by mother-of-three could be “They are now forced to ask Belarus’ servicemen wearing protective gear disinfect a school in the village of Mikhanavichy outside projects like the US-based Street seen chatting via video-link for help together with the Minsk, yesterday, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Life has continued as normal in Belarus, whose Medicine Institute, started out on with a woman who had homeless because there’s leader Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed World Health Organisation recommendations to impose her own in late 2018. given birth the night before, nowhere else they can get it,” a virus lockdown. The one-woman mission a midwife, and various Radchenko said during one of gradually grew, and now the others. her street rounds. distributed nonprescription Yury praised the volunteers “We pay special attention team includes 25 volunteers “As organisations you’re The 28-year-old is the medicines to her patients with for giving out medicines and to people with signs of a respi- including around seven doctors, playing such a vital role, giving founder of “Street Medicine,” the help of several fellow vol- masks. “There are many fatal- ratory infection,” she said. all of them practising physicians key information, you’re hugely the country’s first volunteer unteers in a small park. ities. People should not be Belarus, which has a pop- except her. Since the start of the trusted by the public in project to treat the homeless She and her assistants wore dying,” he said, declining to give ulation of more than nine project, they have cared for general, and therefore the and needy. visors and gloves to protect his last name. million people, has reported more than 200 patients. information that you provide Pensioner Tatyana, who themselves against the infections. Radchenko’s team does not more than 16,700 coronavirus Twice a week they hit the is a lifeline to many people at declined to give her last name, An elderly woman turned up to have testing kits to screen cases overtaking neighboring streets to seek out the homeless. this time,” Kate told profes- said she comes to see the vol- have her blood pressure checked. people for the coronavirus so EU member Poland and ex- But Radchenko does not know sionals from not-for-profit unteers “sometimes” — when Another elderly woman received all they can do is to watch out Soviet Ukraine. Ninety-nine how long they will be able to mental health organisations on she runs out of money. On a a surgical mask. A 30-year-old ex- for the disease’s telltale people have died so far. continue. The state does not a group call. recent afternoon Radchenko convict had his temperature taken. symptoms. The ex-Soviet country help, and donations are small. 14 AMERICAS MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 Sunny days draw crowds to beaches, parks as US reopens from lockdowns

REUTERS — WASHINGTON Dr. Deborah Birx, “We’ve made it clear that response coordinator that is not a good phase one Sunny days and warm weather activity,” she said, as the are proving to be as challenging for the White House number of US cases topped 1.1 to manage as restaurants, hair coronavirus task million and the death toll rose salons and other businesses as to more than 67,000 about half of US states partially force, said on “Fox yesterday. reopen their economies after News Sunday” that Protesters gathering, as they the coronavirus lockdown. did last week in Michigan and On Saturday, thousands of massing on beaches other parts of the country to people gathered on the National was not safe unless demonstrate against stay-at- Mall in Washington to view a home restrictions, poses a huge US Navy flyover to honor people kept at least risk, she said. healthcare workers and others 6 feet apart. She “If they go home and infect People wearing protective masks take selfies as they spend time on the National Mall in Washington, DC. battling the pandemic. also weighed in their grandmother or their In New York City, the grandfather who has a deaths around the nation at this the 2020 NFL season as because we’re still very much warmest weather yet this spring against allowing such comorbid condition and they point. And we’re just not seeing scheduled,” NFL spokesman in the beginning days of coro- caused picnickers and sun- businesses as beauty have a serious or a very — or an that,” he said on CBS’ “Face the Brian McCarthy said in an email, navirus. Even if you’re a state bathers to flock to green spaces unfortunate outcome, they will Nation.” noting they will adjust to gov- that is seeing numbers go in Manhattan, including salons and spas to feel guilty for the rest of our “If we don’t snuff this out ernment regulations. down,” Walsh said. crowded conditions at Chris- reopen in the first lives,” Birx said. more and you have this slow On the other side of the “If we’re not smart about the topher Street Pier in Greenwich Scott Gottlieb, a former burn of infection, it can ignite spectrum is Boston Mayor Marty way we do things, those Village, according to photos on phase. Food and Drug Administration at any time.” Even in the face of Walsh in Massachusetts, which numbers could turn around and social media. commissioner, said on Sunday rising cases, some Americans has not begun reopening and is go right back up again.” As Texas Last week, California the country was seeing a “mixed are eager to return to socializing seeing coronavirus cases still becomes one of the leading ordered beaches in Orange would increase patrols. bag” of results from coronavirus and large gatherings — climbing. Massachusetts also states pushing for its businesses County to close, after crowds Dr. Deborah Birx, response mitigation efforts. He said there including sports. has issued a statewide order to reopen, Dallas Mayor Eric defied public health guidelines coordinator for the White were about 20 states that are The National Football telling people to wear masks in Johnson said people appear to to throng the popular shoreline. House coronavirus task force, seeing a rising number of new League said it will announce its public. be obeying the new rules. That prompted protests by said on “Fox News Sunday” that cases including Illinois, Texas, schedule for the upcoming He said the rallies against “People have not been demonstrators who accused the massing on beaches was not Maryland, Indiana, Virginia, season this week including its coronavirus mitigation efforts rushing back into these restau- state’s Democratic governor of safe unless people kept at least North Carolina and season opening game on Sept. were causing confusion and rants and they have not been overreach. 6 feet apart. She also weighed Tennessee. 10 and the Super Bowl, which making his job harder. rushing back into the areas of New York City Mayor Bill de in against allowing such busi- “We expected that we is scheduled to be played in “I don’t understand it. That the economy that the governor Blasio has there “some real nesses as beauty salons and would start seeing more signif- Tampa, Florida on February 7. makes messaging really con- reopened on Friday,” he told issues” near the pier and police spas to reopen in the first phase. icant declines in new cases and “We are planning on playing fusing.... It’s the wrong message, CNN. Man trying to Pompeo steps up pressure on China over virus handling quarantine on AFP — WASHINGTON China’s role in the agreed with the Office of the Director of numbers of COVID-19 cases and Several countries, including private Disney a US intelligence community National Intelligence said that deaths. Australia, Britain, Germany and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo statement on Thursday that the intelligence community will “Not wanting to take France, have joined in US calls island arrested yesterday stepped up a US backed “the wide scientific con- continue to study “whether the responsibility as the deaths con- for China to be more trans- campaign to hold China sensus that the COVID-19 virus outbreak began through contact tinue to mount, he blames parent about the coronavirus accountable for the spread of the was not man-made or geneti- with infected animals or if it others,” Senator Patrick Leahy outbreak. AP — ORLANDO deadly coronavirus, asserting cally modified.” was the result of an accident at of Vermont said in a statement. The United States now has there is “enormous evidence” But he went further than a laboratory in Wuhan.” Trump has also been more than 1,134,000 COVID-19 Florida deputies arrested a man the virus originated in a labo- Trump, in citing “significant” The Saturday Telegraph sharply critical of the World cases and more than 66,000 who had been living out his ratory in the city of Wuhan. and “enormous” evidence that report said the Australian gov- Health Organization’s response deaths, according to a tally kept quarantine on a shuttered The high-security bio-con- the virus originated in the ernment believed the virus to the pandemic and is sus- by Johns Hopkins University in Disney World island, telling tainment facility, the Wuhan Wuhan lab. probably originated in a so- pending US financial support, Maryland. authorities it felt like a “tropical Institute of Virology, has called “Remember, China has a called wet market, but that saying it moved too slowly to China now has nearly paradise.” Orange County Sher- such claims “impossible”. history of infecting the world there was a five percent chance alert the world to the gravity of 84,000 cases and more than iff’s deputies found Richard Pompeo, speaking on ABC’s and running substandard lab- it accidentally leaked from the the disease and was insuffi- 4,600 deaths. McGuire on Disney’s Discovery “This Week,” did not elaborate oratories,” Pompeo said, adding Wuhan lab. ciently skeptical of China’s After moving aggressively Island on Thursday. He said he’d on what he also described as early Chinese efforts to Some Democrats have said involvement. to lock down the region and been there since Monday or “significant amounts of downplay the coronavirus Trump is trying to shift blame The WHO has said it wants contain the virus, Wuhan and Tuesday and had planned to evidence”. amounted to “a classic Com- to avoid responsibility for a to be invited to take part in the surrounding province of camp there for a week, But Pompeo’s words clearly munist disinformation effort. slow response to the pandemic Chinese investigations into the Hubei lifted restrictions on according to an arrest report. sought to buttress repeated crit- That created enormous risk.” that has resulted in the US animal origins of the movements in late March and The 42-year-old said he icism from Donald Trump about In its Thursday statement, having by far the largest pandemic. early April. didn’t hear numerous deputies searching the private island for him on foot, by boat and by air because he was asleep in a Bush’s virus video building. He told the deputy he didn’t know it was a restricted area, despite there being has critics nostalgic numerous “no trespassing” signs. “Richard stated that he BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON left office in January 2009 and was unaware of that and that it typically keeps a low profile, looked like a tropical paradise,” Former President George W trending on the social media according to the arrest report. Bush says Americans should site, where the video had been Orange County Marine dep- come together as one to viewed five million times by uties on Bay Lake used a public confront the coronavirus midday yesterday. address system to tell McGuire pandemic that has claimed the One person unimpressed by he was not allowed to be on the lives of over 66,000 in the the message was President property, but he remained on country so far. Donald Trump, who tweeted the island, anyway, according In a video released on Sat- early yesterday that Bush “was to the arrest report. urday, the 43rd US president nowhere to be found in A security representative for said: “We are not partisan speaking up against the Disney said she saw McGuire combatants. We’re human greatest Hoax in American using a company boat Thursday, beings, equally vulnerable and history,” referring to his noting that the area had several equally wonderful in the sight impeachment. “no trespassing” signs and two of God.” In the roughly three- closed gates. She asked the Bush’s presidential center minute video, Bush speaks agency to press charges. posted the message on Twitter, over images of Americans in a McGuire was arrested on tagging @TheCallToUnite, a variety of settings, starting in a trespassing charge and taken Clap reward for New York caregivers livestream for celebrities and black-and-white and then to jail without incident. It was public figures to post encour- switching to color. “We cannot not immediately clear whether aging videos during the allow physical separation to he had an attorney who could Medical staff from Lenox Hill Hospital come outside while people show gratitude as part of the nightly pandemic. become emotional isolation,” comment. #ClapBecauseWeCare during the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday in New York City. It got the Republican, who he says. Probe of company that failed Trump to take pandemic victory lap in TV ‘town hall’ to deliver masks sought AFP — WASHINGTON the COVID-19 virus. Worse, the coronavirus an “invisible enemy,” Lincoln took the gamble in previously booming US will appear there for a two-hour 1861 that only war could pre- AP — BALTIMORE Party fundraiser, with John Donald Trump was to wrap economy, which was seen as a Fox News “town hall,” taking serve the United States by Thomas, also a GOP consultant, himself in the mantle of Amer- golden ticket to his second term, questions from the usually ending slavery and restoring the Maryland officials are seeking according to multiple news ica’s arguably greatest president is now in dire straits due to the friendly network’s hosts and nation’s ideals of freedom -- an investigation into a politi- reports. with a television extravaganza nationwide lockdown. from voters appearing by video. and he won. cally connected company that “We have determined that yesterday at the Lincoln But with officials saying the The memorial is only just Trump often compares contracted to provide the state since it has been one month Memorial meant to leave the viral spread has begun to taper, beyond the White House fences, himself favorably to the 19th with $12.5m worth of personal since the order was placed with coronavirus crisis behind and Trump is itching to declare but in the next few days, Trump century national hero. protective equipment that no confirmation of shipment, relaunch his election campaign. victory and get back on the will break months of self-quar- Retweeting a fan’s gushing never arrived. we are in the process of can- The businessman Repub- campaign trail. antine with long-distance trips endorsement yesterday of The Wall Street Journal celling the order and have lican is doing poorly in most That audacious shift was to to the key electoral states of Trump as a great friend of reported that the state signed referred this matter to the polls ahead of the November begin yesterday at possibly the Arizona and Ohio. African Americans, the pres- a deal on April 1 with Blue Attorney General,” Nick Cavey, presidential contest with his most hallowed monument in It’s a play that will ident replied: “So true, although Flame Medical LLC for 1.5 a spokesman for the state Democratic challenger Joe the country — the statue of emphasize Trump’s massive Honest Abe wasn’t bad. Thank million N95 masks and 110 ven- Department of General Services, Biden, who remains shuttered Abraham Lincoln, who led the visibility advantage over Biden you!” Now Trump wants to tilators. But the equipment said in a statement to The Bal- in his Delaware home. country through civil war, and, the White House hopes, extend that claim to great lead- never showed up and Maryland timore Sun on Saturday. Trump faces criticism for his urged reconciliation, and was rewrite the public relations ership by asking voters to put canceled the contract. A spokeswoman for Dem- bruising, divisive style during a assassinated in his moment of script after gaffes including the behind them the tragic events Blue Flame Medical was ocratic Attorney-General Brian time of national calamity, and is triumph. president’s suggestion that of the last months and to focus founded in late March by Mike Frosh confirmed receiving a accused by some of having Trump, who calls himself a coronavirus patients ingest on his promise of “spectacular” Gula, a former Republican referral about the contract. botched the early response to “wartime president” and the disinfectant. economic recovery. MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 AMERICAS 15 Venezuela foils attack by boat on main port city

AP — CARACAS “Those who assume they can attack the and home to the nation’s largest increasing pressure in recent vast underground oil reserves. institutional framework in Venezuela will have airport. weeks by indicting the socialist There was a report on Venezuelan officials said they Authorities say the attackers leader as a narcotrafficker and Friday that an apparently ill- foiled an early morning attempt to assume the consequences of their action,” had vehicles and heavy arms offering a $15m reward for his funded attempt to amass an by a group of armed men to said Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello, waiting for them in the port city. arrest. invasion force of 300 men in invade the country by boat Venezuela has been in a The US also has increased Colombia involving a former yesterday, killing eight attackers adding that one of the detained claimed to deepening political and eco- stiff sanctions, cutting off Ven- Venezuelan military officer and and arresting two more. be an agent of the US Drug Enforcement nomic crisis in recent years ezuela’s oil sector to choke an ex-Green Beret, suffered set- Socialist party chief Administration. under Maduro’s rule. Crumbling Maduro from a key source of backs in March when a main Diosdado Cabello said that two public services such as running hard cash. organizer was arrested, an arms of the attackers were being water, electricity and medical In addition to that pressure, cache was seized and some par- interrogated by authorities. care has driven nearly 5 million Maduro’s government has faced ticipants abandoned its camps. Cabello said it was carried out can attack the institutional phones, uniforms and helmets to migrate. several small-scale military Cabello linked Sunday’s by neighboring Colombia with framework in Venezuela will adorned with the US flag. A coalition of nearly 60 threats, including an attempt to attack to key players in that United States backing in a plot have to assume the conse- Interior Minister Nestor nations back opposition leader assassinate Maduro with a alleged plot. to overthrow President Nicolás quences of their action,” said Reverol described the attackers Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s drone and Guaidó’s call for a Meanwhile, Cesar Omana, Maduro. Cabello, adding that one of the as “mercenary terrorists” bent legitimate leader, saying military uprising, which was a businessman who participated Both countries have detained claimed to be an agent on destabilizing Venezuela’s Maduro’s 2018 election was a joined by few soldiers. in an unsuccessful plot against repeatedly denied earlier Ven- of the US Drug Enforcement institutions and creating sham because the most popular Maduro and his allies say Maduro a year ago, said some ezuelan allegations of backing Administration. “chaos.” opposition candidates were the Trump administration is 30 armed commandos from the for military plots against the Authorities said they found Officials said the attack took banned from running. determined to end Venezuela’s Sebin intelligence police raided socialist government. Peruvian documents, high- place on a beach in La Guaira, The United States has led a socialist government to exploit his Caracas home early Sunday. “Those who assume they caliber weapons, satellite about 20 miles from Caracas campaign to oust Maduro, the South American nation’s Omana is not in the country. False bomb threat Brazil’s top court blocks temporarily closes Anchorage Bolsonaro move to expel airport to arrivals Venezuelan diplomats REUTERS — ANCHORAGE REUTERS — BRASILIA of Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de The Anchorage airport, A Supreme Court judge issued Janeiro, Manaus, Belem and Alaska’s largest, temporarily an injunction on Saturday Boa Vista. shut on Saturday to inbound suspending for 10 days a Brazil withdrew the traffic because of a bomb decision by Brazil’s right-wing remainder of its diplomats from threat against a China Airlines President Jair Bolsonaro to Caracas on April 17 and the Bol- cargo flight bound for Taiwan. expel Venezuela’s 30 diplomats sonaro government had The cargo plane diverted and consular staff. expected Venezuela to do the to Ted Stevens Anchorage Bolsonaro and Brazil’s same by May 2, citing a verbal International Airport early in Foreign Ministry had given agreement on a reciprocal move the morning after leaving Venezuela until Saturday to to close each countries’ mis- Seattle, airport officials said. remove its diplomats in the sions, Brazilian officials said. No bomb was found and the latest chapter of worsening But Venezuela’s leftist gov- airport was reopened shortly relations between the ideolog- ernment said in a statement on before noon, officials said. ically opposed neighbours. Thursday that there had been The plane was searched in Justice Luis Roberto no such negotiation and that its a secure, remote section of the Barroso took up an injunction diplomats would stay put. Ven- airport, the airport said in a request from a Workers Party ezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge statement, with the Federal lawmaker that argued the Arreaza accused Brazil in a Beating the coronavirus away in Bolivia Bureau of Investigations and expulsion could violate Brazil’s Twitter post of violating inter- A military brass band plays music as they march through the streets of La Paz yesterday to lift the Anchorage Police Department. Constitution, international national law by forcing its dip- spirits of people during the quarantine ordered by the Bolivian government as a preventive measure “After extensive investi- agreements on human rights lomatic personnel to leave. against the spread of the novel coronavirus. gation, no explosive device and the Vienna Convention on Along with more than 50 was located,” the airport’s diplomatic relations. other countries, Brazil does not police and fire department Bolsonaro said in a Twitter recognize the legitimacy of said in a statement. “Investi- post that he had decided on the Maduro and has called for dem- Bolivia Air Force plane crashes killing gation at the airport has been “compulsory withdrawal of Ven- ocratic elections in Venezuela. completed, however, the ezuelan diplomatic corps” and he The Bolsonaro government investigation into the source criticized the injunction sought sees opposition leader Juan two crew and four Spaniards of the threat continues. by lawmaker Paulo Pimenta. Guaido as the rightful leader of The FBI does not believe “This lawmaker is a staunch a democratic transition in Ven- AP — LA PAZ, BOLIVIA twin-engine propeller plane, the plane was crewed by an there is any continuing threat defender of the Chavez/Maduro ezuela and has formally recog- went down in a marshy area Air Force captain and to our community as a result of regime,” he tweeted, in reference nized his envoy, Maria Tereza A Bolivian Air Force plane flying on the outskirts of Trinidad, a lieutenant. this incident.” Thae Anchorage to Venezuela’s late leftist leader Belandria, as Venezuela’s a humanitarian mission crashed city in the northeast of the The plane was carrying the Daily News said the plane was Hugo Chavez and his successor ambassador in Brasilia. minutes after takeoff in the country, the announcement Spaniards to the city of Santa headed to Taipei, Taiwan and President Nicolas Maduro. Belandria, however, lives Amazonian region, killing all six said. Cruz, where they were to the threat had been called into Barroso said the immediate and works out of a Brasilia occupants, including four Span- The statement identified board a flight bound for their the Port of Seattle, quoting an ejection of the diplomats in the hotel because the Venezuelan iards who were being ferried to the Spaniards as Francisco country. FBI spokesman who said inves- midst of the coronavirus pan- Embassy is still controlled by catch a flight to their homeland, José Gallegos Gonzáles, The ministry said investi- tigators were still trying to demic countered humanitarian Maduro representatives. The the Defense Ministry said on Yandira Olivera Velarde, gators were working to determine the source of the principles. The consular per- embassy has not had an ambas- Saturday. Delis Salvatierra Velarde and determine the cause of the threat. sonnel are based in the cities sador since 2016. The Beechcraft Baron, a Alba Aparicio Formas. It said accident. China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest carrier, said in a statement the flight had already taken off for Taipei when it was Mexican families protest at hospital hit by coronavirus informed of the threat by Seattle airport. The plane was REUTERS — ECATEPEC relatives. then diverted to Anchorage. Fernanda Garcia, 48, said she The crew were taken to a Families in a poor satellite city saw the group become upset after hotel to rest while police of Mexico’s capital with one of hospital staff said they would not searched the aircraft and the country’s most number of be releasing patient information. determined nothing unusual, coronavirus cases have “The family members became it added. protested to demand news of angry because many had been The aircraft was expected sick relatives and return of here for days without news of to land in Taipei late yesterday bodies of the dead after videos their relatives.” Her husband died evening, China Airlines said. surfaced showing cadavers at at the hospital on Friday evening Anchorage Airport is one of a hospital. after being admitted with respi- the world’s top five air-cargo One video of the Las ratory problems, and his body hubs. It ranks second in the Americas general hospital in has since been delivered to the nation for weight of landed Ecatepec that was posted to family, she said. cargo. It ranks 58th in passenger social media showed several Ecatepec, a working class travel among US airports. bagged bodies on stretchers, city of more than 1.7 million While passenger flights some in a small room and inhabitants outside Mexico City, have been sharply curtailed others outside lined against a has registered 407 confirmed during the coronavirus pan- courtyard wall. cases of the coronavirus and 28 demic, air cargo operations are “The only thing I demand deaths, according to data from considered by the state to be is that they give me the full Mexico’s health ministry. essential and have continued. body of my son,” Maria It is among the Mexican Flights that could not land Dolores Carrillo told television A member of Mexico’s National Guard wearing a protective mask keeps watch at Hospital General municipalities worst affected by in Anchorage on Saturday program Imagen on Friday las Americas in Mexico City, on Saturday. the virus, which initially hit the morning were advised to con- evening after her son died at more affluent parts of Latin sider diverting to the airport the hospital. showed upset family members way into the hospital. They shouted confrontation with police, America but is now spreading in Fairbanks. Another video from Friday who had apparently forced their in a crowded hallway in a demanding news of their in poor neighborhoods. How one of Brazil’s largest favelas confronts coronavirus

BLOOMBERG — BRASILIA guidelines while living side-by- They have dedicated one their lead. “The idea is to rep- continues to urge Brazilians to living space, and research has side in haphazard constructions building as a quarantine house, licate these activities in other resume work and businesses to found that someone living in The onset of the coronavirus and crowded homes. Yet resi- and they are turning closed communities,” he said, “and to reopen, harshly criticizing the favela-like conditions spends pandemic in Brazil’s favelas, dents of Paraisopolis, Sao schools into centers where res- serve as a model that can be restrictive policies of Sao Paulo 50% more time per day in shantytowns that sprawl around Paulo’s second-largest favela, idents who are unable to self- applied in other places.” Governor Joao Doria. contact with others than those the country’s largest cities, has have come up with a plan to isolate can come to sleep. With the peak of the pan- What makes social dis- living in richer areas. left the 11.4 million Brazilians combat the coronavirus with Those who lost their jobs as demic still to come in Brazil, it’s tancing nearly impossible in A 2018 study published in living in these densely-popu- little government help. housekeepers for rich Sao Paulo not clear how successful their favelas is the combination of the peer-reviewed academic lated neighborhoods in a partic- Their campaign involves a residents can apply for an strategy will be to slow the crowded spaces, poverty, and journal BMJ Open on the spread ularly vulnerable position. In number of actions made possible “Adopt-a-Housekeeper” spread of the virus in their com- little government support. Over of influenza in slums in India addition to their usual problems by donations and volunteer program, through which they munity. The state of Sao Paulo 100,000 Brazilians live in found that they “sustain greater — violent shoot outs, open work, from 10,000 free meals can receive 300 reais ($55) paid is the hardest hit by Covid-19, approximately 21,000 homes infection rates than non-slums sewage, military-style police to private ambulances to a grid by a crowd-funding project. with over 30,000 cases and in the 800,000sqm neigh- under all intervention scenarios, operations against drug traf- system of volunteer “street pres- Gilson Rodrigues, who leads the 2,511 deaths as of Friday, most borhood of Paraisopolis. Mul- sometimes by as much as 44.0 fickers — they now struggle to idents,” who check to make sure residents’ union in Paraisopolis, of them in its capital city. Yet tiple generations of a family percent” due to the greater embrace social distancing everyone on their street is OK. hopes other favelas can follow President Jair Bolsonaro often share the same small household sizes. 16 MORNING BREAK MONDAY 4 MAY 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY FAJR03.33 am SUNRISE 04.56 am 27oC 36oC Relatively hot daytime with some clouds, and mild by night. ZUHR 11.31 am ASR 02.59 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 01:29–14:42 LOW TIDE 09:21 – 20:28 MAGHRIB 06.09 pm ISHA 07.39 pm W ALRUWAIS: 24o↗29o W ALKHOR: 26o↗35o W DUKHAN: 24o↗34o W WAKRAH: 28o↗37o W MESAIEED 28o↗37o W ABUSAMRA 25o↗34o

Filmmakers draw inspiration from Russia lockdown

AFP — MOSCOW chased during the lockdown. Konchalovsky is not the Konchalovsky, who has only filmmaker to have found The coronavirus pandemic earned multiple international new inspiration during the might have brought the film awards and worked with lockdown. industry to a halt but Andrei renowned filmmaker Andrey Director and producer Konchalovsky, one of Russia’s Tarkovsky, has already received Timur Bekmambetov, who is most renowned film and theatre thousands of video clips and regarded as one of the inventors directors, is as busy as ever. photos to choose from. of the “Screenlife” format, in He wants to make a docu- “They shoot them from their which movies take place mentary about daily life under room, a decrepit window sill or entirely on computer screens, quarantine, exploring the poetic a favourite old sofa,” he said. wants to produce a film about side of the mundane, and he has Sometimes contributors the lockdown in the new genre. invited ordinary Russians to read out a text or wax philo- Like Konchalovsky, he has work with him on the project. sophical about Russians’ coping invited Russians to contribute “All of us have ended up on mechanisms. short videos and script pitches a desert island and that’s the Scenes have included Rus- for a project he has called “Tales most interesting thing,” the sians sharing a vodka bottle at From The Quarantine”. 82-year-old said in a video a makeshift table connecting The crowd-sourced stories interview. two nearby balconies or riding could be real or fictional. n late March, Konchalovsky a bike to a neighbour’s door. “Today we live more and issued a call on social media to Konchalovsky, who lived more on our screens rather than Pianist Bella Kartasheva performs on her balcony during a partial lockdown imposed by the authorities his fans to make short videos in the United States for many in real life: it’s where we fall in to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease in Moscow, yesterday. for a project he has called years and whose Hollywood love, get angry, where we find “Quarantine Russian Style”. movies include “Tango and and lose work and understand and “Night Watch”. But online platforms still their jobs due to the contagion “Take your smartphones, Cash”, also asked aspiring film- who we are,” Bekmambetov “Traditional cinema, which offer an opportunity to earn an – to participate in a project film your new routines, your makers to reflect on the nature said in a video interview from has come to a standstill during income. This is what Galiya dubbed “The Isolated”. favourite spot at home, or even of the quarantine in Russia and the city of Kazan more than 800 the crisis, is outdated,” he said. Fatkhutdinova, who makes “’The Isolated’ talks about your work web conference. And how it may be different from km east of Moscow. “We no longer want movies short films, hopes to do. everything that goes on in iso- we’ll make movies!” he said. lockdowns in China or Europe. The first episode is called about bank heists in the era of The 35-year-old was giving lation: love, betrayal, politics,” Every week the celebrated The film director said his “Telecommuting” and features electronic payments or balcony acting classes in China when the Fatkhutdinova said. filmmaker, who is followed by countrymen might adapt better professional actors in a web serenades in time of social coronavirus epidemic struck. She is now looking to sell more than 400,000 people on to crises than people in the conference. networks.” Stuck in quarantine, she her film to an online platform Facebook, asks his co-creators West. “Confinement speeds up Due to the epidemic the decided to launch a series of — one of the few distribution a number of questions. “Specifics of life in Russia usage of a new audiovisual lan- Russian film industry is likely short films to document the possibilities left during the He wants them to speak have fostered in man an guage,” said Bekmambetov, 58, to lose around 60 percent of experience upon her return to lockdown — to be able to pay about their fears or new rituals enormous ability to resist sanc- who shot to fame in the 2000s revenue this year, according to Russia. her actors. or even tell him about the “cra- tions,” he said. “That is why we when he directed Russian preliminary estimates from the She invited dozens of her “We must survive these ziest” thing they have pur- will be able to tough it out.” fantasy thrillers “Day Watch” culture ministry. actor friends — who had all lost strange times,” she said.

Kids’ Choice Awards: ‘Avengers: Italian museums turning to online options Endgame’, ‘Stranger Things’ win big IANS — ROME For most tourists, seeing But many of the country’s greatest some of the world’s museums are already open 24 hours IANS — LOS ANGELES Netflix’s “Stranger Things” won Most of Italy’s nearly 4,000 museums a day for increasingly sophisticated favourite TV show and star Millie are set to reopen this month, several greatest cultural treasures virtual tours. Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” Bobby Brown took home the favourite weeks after they closed at the start of will require a virtual tour. The Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan and Millie Bobby Brown’s “Stranger TV actress award for her role as the national coronavirus lockdown on had a well-developed virtual presence Things” emerged as the big winners Eleven. BTS, Taylor Swift, Ariana March 10. But for most tourists, seeing even before the lockdown. But the at the Kids’ Choice Awards 2020, Grande, Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish some of the world’s greatest cultural Italians looking to travel outside their museum’s director, James Bradburne, which was produced virtually after it and Lil Nas X all won music awards. treasures will require a virtual tour. region. Additionally, social distancing said in an interview that after the was delayed due to the coronavirus The award for favourite reality Last week, Prime Minister rules will also reduce the number of museum closed he had staffers pandemic. show went to “America’s Got Talent”, Giuseppe Conte announced a stage- visitors. working from home focused on further “Victorious” star Victoria Justice while Ellen DeGeneres became by-stage easing of national lockdown Florence’s sprawling Uffizi improving the museum’s high-defi- hosted the show yesterday, about six favourite TV host. rules. The first part of the so-called Museum, for example, will only allow nition digital presence. weeks after the original date. Along In film categories, Dove Cameron “Phase Two” starts on Monday, 450 visitors into the museum at a time, Dozens of other Italian museums with the award ceremony, the show was named as the favourite actress, allowing parks, factories, and building half its normal number. and cultural sites — ranging from the made a $1m donation to ‘No Kid with Dwayne Johnson becoming sites to reopen, reports Xinhua news In Rome, the full exhibit to mark Uffizi in Florence and the Museum of Hungry’ to help people affected by the favourite actor. agency. the 500th anniversary of the death of Modern Art in Bologna to the Palazzo COVID-19 crisis, reports variety.com. “Frozen 2” was named as the Two weeks later, museums will be Renaissance master Raphael, will most Ducale in Venice and the Colosseum The “Avengers” stars, including favourite animated movie, with allowed to reopen on May 18. likely end up shortened to just 15 days, in Rome — have taken similar steps. Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Beyonce named as the favourite Initially, the number of visits is since most of the works loaned to it Even the Scuderie del Quirinale has Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark female voice from an animated movie. expected to be small. must be returned. set up a virtual tour for the Raphael Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner made a Josh Gad won an honour for being the Last week, Minister of Tourism The exhibit, the largest collection exhibit aimed at those unable to visit. special appearance during the favourite male voice from an ani- Dario Franceschini said he did not of Raphael’s work ever gathered in one Italy is one of the European coun- broadcast. mated movie. expect foreign tourists, who represent place, had been scheduled to run from tries worst-hit by the coronavirus Their mega-hit superhero film Singer Ariana Grande was named the bulk of the country’s tourist March 5 to June 2, was forced to close pandemic. “Avengers: Endgame” won favourite as the favourite female artiste, Shawn industry, to return to Italy in large its doors just days after it opened. It currently accounts for the third movie, with “Spider-Man” star Tom Mendes became the favourite male numbers until 2021. Other museums say they’ll only highest coronavirus cases in the world Holland becoming the favourite artiste. The accolade for favourite At the start, movement within the allow tourists in by reservation or with 209,328 infections, with 28,710 superhero. music group went to BTS. country will be limited even for through the use of shifts. deaths. Swiss soldiers fight coronavirus armed with Bluetooth app

AFP — CHAMBLON numbers in close proximity. Sanchez, a project manager in conference in Bern on Friday Furthermore, they are iso- the EPFL IT department. that two surveys now showed Swiss army conscripts are lated from the rest of the pop- “It’s an idea that started in around 60 percent of the pop- taking the fight to the corona- ulation inside their barracks at Asia using GPS, which is a bit ulation would use the app —a virus pandemic by field-testing Chamblon, overlooking Lake more invasive because it tracks high level of reach that would a Bluetooth-based smartphone Neuchatel in western exactly where people were,” he make it very effective. app aimed at stopping a resur- Switzerland. said. “This was created to find Rosch said: “The chances gence of COVID-19. If an app user tests positive a solution that is much more that you detect something get The rapidly-created app for the virus, a coded message respectful of privacy.” higher the more people have it traces people who have inad- is sent to others who might have Because Bluetooth signal installed.” vertently crossed paths with been exposed to that person, cannot travel far, app users A May 11 roll-out date has someone infected with the with information as to what must be close to pick up the been floated, to coincide with virus. they should do next. digital handshake between Switzerland reopening its It uses wireless technology The aim is to break the devices. schools and restaurants. with each phone registering the chains of transmission and It does not matter wherea- But it is dependent on a others it has come into close thereby suppress any spread of bouts that connection takes government green light -- plus proximity with for a sustained the virus as lockdown restric- place, so no location data is tech giants Apple and Google period of time. tions are gradually lifted. gathered, and the process is releasing a new software For the field test, the Ubique, which developed anonymous. building block that will facilitate infantry recruits went through Switzerland’s main weather “We don’t have the name of such apps. a normal day: physical training, app, started working on the new A Swiss soldier holds his smartphone showing an app that could help the person or the phone Sanchez said any software theoretical study and shooting tool only a few weeks ago. trace those who have been in close contact with someone who tested number. The app sends a compatibility adjustments could at targets 300 metres away. They then joined forces with positive for the COVID-19 at the Swiss army barracks of Chamblon. message saying you were in then be finished by late May or “What we did before was experts from the Ecole Poly- contact on a certain date with early June. lab tests. Now we’re gathering technique Federale de “I’m pretty positive about Alfredo Sanchez went through a person who tested positive,” For now, the as-yet data on how this app performs Lausanne (EPFL) university, this becoming operational — the first data sets from the field said Sanchez. unnamed app is referred to as the in real life,” Simon Rosch, a which had produced similar and it will help,” Rosch said test. Switzerland believes it now Decentralised Privacy-Pre- software engineer with smart- ideas. during the test. A soldier was designated as has the virus under manageable serving Proximity Tracing project phone app developers Ubique, EPFL does the security, “It’s not a magic solution if he had tested positive for the control after more than 1,400 — or the more “Star Wars” robot- said. research and Bluetooth tests that can make the problem dis- virus, and his contacts were people died in the Alpine nation sounding DP3T for short. The military base makes a while Ubique builds that appear but it’s a good thing that then traced. and 30,000 tested positive. The Bluetooth contacts are good testing ground because, knowledge into the app and can support us.” “It’s in the evaluation phase. Matthias Egger, the govern- stored for 14 days on users’ unlike civilians, soldiers are still comes up with the design and Sitting in a military briefing The results will mean we will ment’s COVID-19 scientific task phones, rather than on a central allowed to congregate in user experience. room armed with a laptop, make some adjustments,” said force head, told a press server.