INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-6,12 COMMENT 10 QATAR | Page 12 ARAB WORLD 7 BUSINESS 1-12 Qatar private INTERNATIONAL 7-9,11 SPORTS 1-8 Last Covid-19 sector bounces DOW JONES QE NYMEX patient back on lift ing discharged 28,148.64 9,956.66 39.36 of Covid-19 +465.83 +3.15 +2.31 from Lebsear +1.68% +0.03% +6.23% curbs: QFC Latest Figures Field Hospital

published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11693 October 6, 2020 Safar 19, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

PM offers condolences to Amir of Kuwait

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday off ered condolences to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on the death of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, praying to Allah to have mercy on the soul of the deceased and to rest it in peace in Paradise. The prime minister also off ered condolences to members of the ruling family and ranking off icials. Ministers and members of the off icial delegation accompanying the prime minister also off ered their condolences. Two held for violating PM meets Afghan president home quarantine rules Competent authorities arrested yesterday two people who violated All Qatar residents to the requirements of the home quarantine, which they committed to following, in accordance with the procedures of the health authorities in the country. The get Covid vaccine free two persons being referred to prosecution are: Albert Mondano Oshavillo and Nasser Ghaidan By Ayman Adly is not yet clear whether the upcoming Mohamed al-Hatheeth al-Qahtani. Staff Reporter vaccines would be permanent or need Authorities have called on citizens to repeated every year to maintain the and residents to fully adhere to the desired immunity,” he said. quarantine requirements set by the he Ministry of Public Health The MoPH has been reviewing the Ministry of Public Health. (MoPH) has decided to provide latest authenticated international Tthe Covid-19 vaccine free of scientifi c journals and periodicals re- S’hail 2020 exhibition charge to all Qatar residents, a top of- garding the experiments conducted to start on October 20 fi cial said yesterday. by the international drug companies Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the and universities separately or joint- The Cultural Village Foundation National Health Strategic Group on ly regarding the potential vaccines – Katara will kick off the fourth Covid-19 and head of Infectious Dis- against Covid-19. edition of the International Hunting eases at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr al-Khal pointed out that based and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail was talking to Qatar TV. Dr Abdullatif al-Khal on the outcome of such researches 2020) on October 20. The 5-day Dr al-Khal had announced yes- and experiments, MoPH has con- exhibition provides the opportunity terday that the MoPH has signed an nerable categories of people such as tacted those with the most promising for 112 specialised international agreement with Pfi zer and BioNTech the elderly and those suff ering from and reliable outcomes and achieved companies from 13 countries to supply Qatar with their BNT162 chronic diseases,” Dr al-Khal stated. encouraging advanced clinical trials around the world to present the mRNA-based candidate vaccine “Over time, more and more quan- of their potential Covid-19 vaccines. best equipment and products to against Sars-CoV-2. tities of the vaccine would be avail- “During the past three months some the public. Alongside Qatar, the “According to the website of Pfi zer, able to provide for all as Qatar is set of these companies and institutes have participating countries include the vaccine would possibly be ap- to buy it from diff erent entities to be reached phase two and three of their Kuwait, Pakistan, US, Britain, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin proved by the end of October or the able to make available locally suffi - trials, which are considered advanced Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Lebanon, Abdulaziz al-Thani met with President of Afghanistan Dr Mohamed Ashraf Ghani start of November this year after the cient quantities as soon as possible. levels in this regard. While the MoPH Portugal, Romania, France, and at his residence yesterday evening. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and successful clinical trials. So, I expect “If things go well by the end of 2020 has already signed an agreement with Hungary. Page 4 ways of enhancing and promoting them in various fields, as well as the latest that the initial amounts of their vac- around 100mn portions of the vaccine Pfi zer and BioNTech to supply Qatar developments in Afghanistan in light of the Afghan peace negotiations hosted cine supplies to Qatar could be avail- would be produced globally to be in- with their vaccine as soon it is ready Covid not a worry; by Doha. The meeting was attended by a number of ministers and a number of able in the country during December creased to more than 1bn in 2021. and safe for use, we shall continue to Trump to check out members of the off icial delegation accompanying the Afghan president. Earlier 2020- January 2021 if things went “I recommend that everybody discuss with other major companies in upon his arrival at Doha International Airport on an off icial visit to Qatar, Dr Ghani well as planned,” he said yesterday. should take the Covid-19 vaccine, in- the fi eld to secure the best options and US President Donald Trump and the delegation accompanying him were welcomed by HE the Minister of “The fi rst quantities of the vaccine cluding those who recovered from the enough quantities when possible and announced he is leaving the hospital State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and Afghan ambassador could be limited in quantity, so prior- disease because it is not yet clear if available,” the top offi cial and health- yesterday where he received Abdul Hakim Dalili. Page 2 ity would be given to the most vul- the acquired immunity would last. It care expert said. To Page 3 emergency treatment for Covid-19, telling Americans, who’ve seen nearly 210,000 people die from the virus this year, that they have nothing to worry about. Trump’s Twitter statement came hours after his own US fi rms keen on expanding Metrash2 enables ‘automatic’ chief spokeswoman tested positive for the virus. “I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center RP renewal of employees today at 6.30pm. Feeling really operations, workforce in Qatar good!” Trump tweeted. Page 8 By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter Virus-hunting trio win By Peter Alagos a benefi t of expanding in Qatar and Nobel for medicine Business Reporter 80% of survey respondents expect to maintain or increase their workforce new initiative implemented by Two Americans and a Briton won in Qatar. Only one company indicated the Ministry of Interior (MoI) the 2020 Nobel Prize for Medicine merican companies have a that it might scale back its investment Aallows companies to automati- yesterday for identifying the strong footprint in Qatar and in Qatar, citing a potential increase in cally renew the residency of employees hepatitis C virus, in work spanning Aare looking to maintain and investment costs,” the report stated. through the Metrash2 application. decades that has helped to limit expand operations and their work- Another key fi nding gleaned from This was highlighted during an online the spread of the fatal disease force, the US Chamber of Commerce the report showed that “there are awareness seminar on Metrash2 serv- Ft Lt Mohamed Khalid al-Tamimi and develop drugs to cure it. said in the second edition of its US signifi cant economic growth oppor- ices organised yesterday by the Gen- The discoveries by Harvey Alter, Business Outlook in Qatar Report. tunities in all sectors of the Qatari eral Directorate of Information Systems al-Tamimi, an offi cer from the Smart Charles Rice and Briton Michael The chamber recently released the economy.” (GDIS) at the ministry, in co-operation Devices Section at the Electronic Serv- Houghton mean there is now a report, “which is intended to serve as The survey participants cited a with the Public Relations Department. ices Department, GDIS. chance of eradicating the hepatitis a barometer of US business sentiment wide range of sectors in Qatar as hav- The virtual seminar was attended The offi cial said the number of ben- C virus - a goal the World Health in the State of Qatar,” according to US ing “large growth potential,” “indi- by a large number of representatives efi ciaries of the Metrash2 service has Organisation wants to achieve Chamber of Commerce senior vice cating that the overall economic op- from various companies and establish- reached about 2mn. in the next decade. The trio will president, Middle East, Turkey, Cen- portunities in Qatar are signifi cant.” ments. A presentation was made on the “The application off ers more than 220 share the 10 million Swedish crown tral Asia Aff airs Khush Choksy. US Chamber of Commerce senior According to the survey, the sectors benefi ts of Metrash2 services for citi- active services,” he continued. “Met- ($1.1mn) prize money. Page 8 “Our hope is that American and vice president for Middle East and that US companies viewed as “espe- zens, residents and companies. rash2 is available in six languages: Arabic, foreign companies, as well as thought Turkey Aff airs Khush Choksy. cially promising” are oil and gas, ICT, Named ZeroClick, the new auto- English, French, Malayalam, Urdu and ‘Covid could spread by leaders from governments, academia, fi nance, healthcare, infrastructure, matic residency renewal feature for Spanish. It guarantees safe and encrypt- and non-government organisations energy, and defence among others. agriculture, tourism, and logistics. companies was recently introduced by ed services and supports most smart de- airborne transmission’ in the US and across the Middle East Overall, a full 90% of fi rms sur- “Several companies cited the 2022 the MoI, the attendees were told. vices, which contributes to reaching the US Centers for Disease Control and will utilise this report to understand veyed have active plans to maintain FIFA World Cup as a key reason for “We have introduced a new concept largest possible segment of users.” Prevention (CDC) yesterday updated the opportunities and issues for busi- or expand their operations in Qatar. growing operations in Qatar. This is for companies. In order to benefi t from During the seminar, Ft Lt al-Tami- its guidance saying the coronavirus nesses in Qatar,” Choksy said. Growth opportunities and diversifi - primarily through construction and this service, a company is only re- mi also explained the procedures of pandemic (Covid-19) can sometimes Choksy noted that the survey par- cation of the customer base were se- maintenance of stadiums and other quired to register for ‘automatic resi- transactions that take place through be spread by airborne transmission. ticipants include small and medium- lected by up to 75% of respondents as associated infrastructure projects, dency renewal’ through Metrash2. The Metrash2, such as sending reminder Some infections can be spread by sized businesses and large multi- the leading drivers of this expansion, training and education, marketing, residency of employees is automati- notices to a user about the expiry date exposure to virus in small droplets national corporations working in a the report continued. security and risk mitigation, public cally renewed and IDs are delivered to of documents, completing government and particles that can linger in the air variety of sectors, including services, “Many companies also cited the health, and development of cyberse- the companies without human inter- procedures and handling errors auto- for minutes to hours, the CDC said. healthcare, digital, infrastructure, availability of trained personnel as curity capabilities. To Page 12 vention,” said Ft Lt Mohamed Khalid matically. Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 QATAR

Afghan president arrives in Doha MME announces registration for winter camping

QNA The registration will open on West. The camping will start from Doha October 11 to receive applications October 20. for camping in Al Shamal, Al Gha- Assistant of the Director of the De- shamiyah, Sealine, Ras Matbakh, partment of Protection and Wildlife he Ministry of Municipality and Arida, Zekreet, Al Nqian, Al Kharara, Talib Khalid al-Shahwani said a se- Environment (MME) repre- Ashiraj, Al Sariyah and Umm Al Maa. curity deposit of QR10,000 has to be Tsented by Protection and Wild- The camping will begin from October paid which will be refundable once the life Department has announced the 13. season ends, after inspection is car- registration process for winter camp- In the second phase, the registra- ried out according to requirements. ing season 2020-2021. tion will start on October 14 for camp- Apart from this, a non-refundable The announcement was made dur- ing in Al Reem Reserve, Al Marona, Al fee of QR3,000 is levied as rent for ing a press conference held at the Mazrouha, Umm Al Aafai, Al Hasham, the area. For places which are listed as headquarters of the ministry yester- Abu Zahlof, Al Zubara, Al Udaid, Al coastal or as natural reserve, a fee of day. Interested candidates can submit Khuraij South and Bu Samra, with QR10,000 will be charged. their applications through govern- camping starting from October 16. He explained that the ministry has ment service centres operating across The third phase registration will co-ordinated and co-operated with Afghanistan President Dr Mohamed Ashraf Ghani arrived in Doha yesterday on an off icial visit to Qatar. He was the country or through the ministry begin on October 18 and will be for all concerned government agencies welcomed at Doha International Airport by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi website www.mme.gov.qa or Aoun camping in Rawdat Rashed, Rawdat regarding the procedures and require- and Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar Abdul Hakim Dalili. application. Aisha, Al Khor, Al Waab, Imgaitna, ments to ensure security, safety and The registration process will be Al Ghariyah, Al Mufair, Ras Al Nouf, health of the campers, and to protect done in three phases. Al Otouryah, Al Saneah and Al Rees and preserve the environment during the camping season, expressing his hope that all campers will co-operate to preserve the environment and pre- serve its resources. Al-Shahwani reviewed the prepara- Qatar expresses concern over tions and equipment that have been taken, the controls and conditions for this season’s camping on land, on the deteriorating conditions in Libya coasts, and on the reserves, as well as the security and safety instructions that must be adhered to ensure an QNA ideal, safe and enjoyable camping sea- Geneva son for all, noting that this season the ‘camp site permit amendment service’ Off icials at the press conference. PICTURE: Ram Chand has been cancelled. atar expressed yesterday its deep concern regarding the deterioration of human rights, security, econom- Qic, and humanitarian conditions in Libya. Speaker of Shura Council offers condolences to Kuwait Amir Qatar also strongly condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian facilities like airports, hospitals, and refugee HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud off ered yesterday morning condolences to the centres, calling on all parties to respect its commitments un- Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah on the death of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, praying to der international law, and stressed the importance of hold- Allah to have mercy on the soul of the deceased and to rest it in peace. The Speaker and his accompanying delegation also ing those responsible for human rights crimes and violations off ered condolences to members of the ruling family and ranking off icials. accountable. Qatar welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the Libyan Presidential Council of the Government of Na- tional Accord and the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, expressing hope that all parties will adhere to the cease- fire. Qatar added that commitment to the ceasefire will be a step in the right direction towards implementing the Sukhairat Agreement and its outcomes, noting that the latter is the reference for political settlement and the es- HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United tablishment of peace and sustainable development for all Nations in Geneva Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri. Libyans. This came during the Qatar’s statement delivered by HE international community and the United Nations Com- the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Na- mission on Human Rights to continue providing support tions in Geneva Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri in an interactive to enhance the Libyan government’s ability to honour its dialogue with the fact-finding mission in Libya, during commitments and face challenges, particularly the Cov- the 45th regular session of the Human Rights Council. id-19 pandemic.He expressed Qatar’s thanks to the fact- HE al-Mansouri expressed his appreciation with the finding mission in Libya for its efforts, and expressed Qa- Government of National Accord’s efforts to improve hu- tar’s support to efforts aimed at establishing peace and man rights conditions, and renewed Qatar’s call to the protection of human rights in Libya. MoPH reports 123,664 total Covid recoveries

QNA Doha

he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced yesterday T194 new confi rmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) during the last 24 hours, of which 180 are from com- munity cases and 14 from travellers re- turning from abroad, who are subject to quarantine. The MoPH also recorded 189 recov- eries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases recovered in Qatar to 123,664. The MoPH issued a statement on Covid-19 developments in Qatar, which said that all new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiv- ing necessary healthcare. The ministry said measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in fl attening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admis- sions are continuing to decline each week. Qatar’s proactive and extensive test- ing of suspected cases has enabled the MoPH to identify a high number of positive cases in the community. Qatar has one of the lowest Cov- id-19 death rates in the world. This is a result of: z Very high quality of care provided through the public healthcare sector z Qatar’s young population lifted, and numbers are declining, this ing the precautionary measures: z Proactive testing to identify cases does not mean that the Covid-19 pan- „ Adherence to physical distancing early demic is over in Qatar, as people con- „Wearing a face mask zExpanding hospital capacity, es- tinue to be admitted with moderate to „Washing hands regularly pecially intensive care, to ensure pa- severe Covid-19 symptoms. Anyone suff ering from Covid-19 tients receive the medical care While the restrictions of Covid-19 symptoms should either contact zProtecting the elderly and those are gradually being lifted in Qatar, it 16000 helpline or go directly to one of with chronic diseases is important for everyone to play their the designated health centres to un- Even though restrictions are being role in controlling the virus by follow- dergo the necessary checks. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 6, 2020 3 QATAR

New promotion launched on Ooredoo App

atar’s leading telecom- App. Treats include discounts Nojoom Points for a regular and we’re always looking for from discounts and offers with munications operator and offers from a wide range of Treat and 200 Nojoom Points ways in which we can achieve our awesome Nojoom net- Qhas announced a new partners on the awesome No- for a Special Treat. this aim and give our custom- work partners, and we’re sure promotion for its customers on joom network, as well as free Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, ers even more value for their the promotion will be well re- the Ooredoo App until the end trials of great entertainment director PR at Ooredoo, said: money. The Ooredoo Treats ceived.” of November 2020. channels. “We’re delighted to launch promotion will encourage cus- Customers who are not yet Ooredoo Treats offers cus- Once customers have opened this fun new promotion for our tomers to experience the ease members of the Nojoom reward tomers the opportunity to open and redeemed their Treat for customers. Achieving complete and efficiency of our popu- programme can join via oore- up and redeem a Treat each the day, they can use their No- customer satisfaction is a key lar Ooredoo App, while giv- doo.qa. Customers who are not to take part in the promotion, joom programme to be able to time they log in to the Ooredoo joom Points to buy more; 100 aim of our corporate strategy, ing them the chance to benefit Nojoom members will be able but will need to join the No- buy extra Treats. Education ministry honours 110

Some of the participants in the Arab Digital Content Forum. veteran teachers

QNA teachers on the day, who had spent many years Forum highlights Qatar’s initiatives Doha serving science and education in Qatar, and expressed his gratitude for their services to the country, and in the past year in particular. to promote digital Arabic content he Ministry of Education and Higher At the end of his speech, al-Hammadi in a Education honoured 110 teachers in message to male and female students, urged Tpublic schools of various nationalities, them not to forget the role of their teachers, atar’s initiatives in sup- Arab States (LAS) Khaled Wali who have spent nearly 30 years in service of and to thank and appreciate them as well as porting and promoting stressed the importance of de- the educational process and preparation of to treat them like their fathers and moth- Qdigital Arabic content veloping online Arabic content future generations. ers, and to be friendly and loyal to them, as was highlighted during the 4th to reach out to the largest pos- This comes within the framework of the in these exceptional circumstances, they are Arab Digital Content Forum sible number of users in the virtual celebration of the Ministry of Edu- worthy of their appreciation, respect and that began online yesterday. Arab world. cation and Higher Education of the World praise than ever before. In his opening address, the The forum discusses six Teachers’ Day under the slogan, “messenger For her part, Assistant Undersecretary of Communications Regulatory main topics on the reality of of science, thank you.” the Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- Authority (CRA) president Arabic digital content, the im- The honour is an appreciation of the role cation for Educational Aff airs Fawzia Ab- Mohamed Ali al-Mannai said portance of Arabic digital con- of veteran teachers in preparing good citizens dulaziz al-Khater congratulated all teachers, Qatar has executed several Mohamed Ali al-Mannai tent during crises, the future over time, and an affi rmation of the attention extending heartfelt appreciation and deepest initiatives supporting and pro- addressing the online event prospects of e-learning in the that the teacher receives as the most impor- HE the Minister of Education and Higher gratitude for their sincere and great eff orts moting digital Arabic content yesterday. Arab region, the role of Arabic tant component of the educational system, Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed to advance the educational process in Qatar. such as the Doha Historical digital content within a smart especially the fi rst generation who laid the Ali al-Hammadi Al-Khater also hailed the eff orts of everyone Dictionary of Arabic and Na- “Since the Internet has be- nation, the Arabic digital con- solid building blocks of the educational edi- who faced diffi culties amid the current cir- tional Digitisation Plan aimed come the largest place for tent and entrepreneurship fi ce in Qatar. dents with the implementation of strict pre- cumstances in the world, and the challenges at developing a vibrant digital available information, using amongst youth and the ad- On the occasion of the celebration of the cautionary measures. The minister said that facing people’s lives, particularly in educa- ecosystem through which fu- the Arabic language on the In- vancement of the Arabic digital World Teachers’ Day that is held on Oct 5 the world celebrates 2020 Teachers’ Day, under tion. She praised the eff orts exerted by the ture generations can tap into ternet nowadays requires fun- content. It is held within the each year, HE the Minister of Education and the slogan, “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reim- teachers amid the current challenges, which their past and create new ex- damental informational tools framework of implementing Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wa- agining the future,” as education faces a severe imposed a great burden on education, saying pressions of Qatari culture on based on Arabic language com- the decision of the 18th Round hed Ali al-Hammadi praised the teachers and challenge all over the world, indicating that that teachers stood fi rm to confront the chal- the global stage. He noted that puting and analysis accurately of the Arab Telecommunica- said that their role was, is and will remain es- the eff ects of the Covid-19 pandemic were not lenges, and had accomplished great achieve- Qatar also issued Law 7 of 2019 and academically and among tions and Information Council sential and crucial in providing education for limited to the health aspect only, but also had ments in the educational fi eld to live up to the on Protecting the Arabic Lan- those tools are the search en- of Ministers, which decided the students, as they have proven that they negative eff ects on all aspects of life, including aspirations. She underlined that the minis- guage. gines and dictionaries,” al- to organise the Digital Arabic are leaders and role models in a time of crisis. the educational system across the world. try’s celebration of the World Teachers’ Day The forum has the theme, Mannai added. Content Forum yearly, and the He added that teachers performed their In this context, al-Hammadi addressing the annually aims to consolidate the status that “The Future of Arabic Content Director of the ICT De- ITU Arab Regional Offi ce plan duties in spreading science and knowledge teachers, said, “It is customary for us to meet teachers enjoy in the educational system in on the Internet.” The event is partment at the League of of action 2015. despite the dangers of the pandemic, carry- with you on Oct 5 of each year to celebrate, in Qatar, in appreciation of their noble and piv- organised by the Ministry of ing on themselves a supreme responsibility appreciation of your role, and to mark the an- otal role in raising generations with values. Transport and Communica- which they accomplished to the fullest. In his niversary of the adoption of the joint recom- Al-Khater noted that the current excep- tions (MoTC) under the aus- speech, the minister affi rmed that the past mendation between the International Labour tional circumstances make us count on teach- pices of the League of Arab academic year witnessed a rapid response Organisation and Unesco in 1966 regarding ers to make more eff orts and a qualitative States in collaboration with from the teachers in moving from the class- the conditions of teachers, but for the circum- distinction in performance for upgrading edu- CRA of Qatar, the Arab Infor- room learning environment to which they stances of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in line cation, through the use of innovative methods mation and Communication are accustomed, to the distance learning en- with the implementation of the precaution- and modern strategies that are commensurate Technologies Organisation vironment with diff erent standards, which ary measures, we decided to celebrate this with the conditions at present. In conclusion, (AICTO), the UN Economic made us all feel proud and confi dent about year from a distance, and we all hope that this the Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry and Social Commission for the educational system. gloom will disappear from the whole world, of Education and Higher Education for Edu- West Asia (ESCWA) and the HE al-Hammadi added that the ministry was and that life will soon return to normal.” cational Aff airs reiterated gratitude and ap- ITU. It will continue until to- able to complete the previous academic year on He also paid tribute to the new Qatari and preciation to the teachers for their dedication morrow (October 7). time, and held exams for male and female stu- expatriate teachers, in addition to the honoured and sincerity in performing their duties.

MoI seminar sheds light on Metrash2 services

Participants of an online awareness seminar on Metrash2 services organised yesterday by the General Directorate of Information Systems (GDIS), Ministry of Interior (MoI), in co-operation with the Public Relations Department. The virtual seminar was attended by a large number of representatives from various companies and establishments. A presentation was made on the benefits of Metrash2 services for citizens, residents and companies.

All Qatar residents to get Covid vaccine free

From Page 1 on younger patients by these global including social distancing, which issues circulating on the social me- entities in the future when the vac- have proven to be highly eff ective in dia without any verifi cation. Dr al-Khal pointed out that cines are successful. containing the spread of infection as “The MoPH will constantly up- though most of the clinical experi- Dr al-Khal strongly urged the while vaccines are not available. date the people on such issues with ments have been conducted on peo- people to abide by the Covid-19 In addition, he advised people to all the valid and authentic informa- ple aged 18 and above to expedite precautionary and preventive meas- avoid listening to false information tion as soon as they are available,” the process, the same would be done ures recommended by the MoPH, regarding vaccines and other related Dr al-Khal added. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 QATAR S’hail an opportunity for companies to showcase their best off erings zKatara to host international hunting and falcons exhibition from October 20-24 zMore than 80% of exhibition space prepared zOnline falcon auction to take place

atara - the Cultural Vil- Mohamed Abdulatif al-Mi- lage Foundation has said snad, deputy chairman of the Kit is gearing up to host the organising committee of S’hail fourth edition of S’hail - Katara 2020, said all necessary prepara- International Hunting and Fal- tions are being made - including cons Exhibition 2020 from Octo- precautionary measures - to curb ber 20-24. any possible spread of Covid-19. The event will provide an op- There will be ample space for the portunity for some 112 compa- exhibitors and accompanying nies from 13 countries to display activities, such as the display of their best off erings during the handicrafts and falconry neces- exhibition, Katara has said in a sities, in addition to some herit- Abdulaziz al-Sayid Mohamed Abdulatif al-Misnad A view of the venue. statement. age and cultural programmes. Besides Qatar, the list of coun- He said hunting enthusiasts tries includes Kuwait, Pakistan, and lovers will also be able to take the US, the UK, Spain, Turkey, part in an online falcon auction Msheireb Tram services back Belgium, Lebanon, Portugal, Ro- through a special smartphone mania, France and Hungary. application to reduce direct in- QU’s Emergent Materials The event will be held in part- teraction among participants at nership with key sponsors such the venue. Besides, the transac- as Qatar Airways, the Social tions will be conducted through and Sporting Activities Support bank transfers to avoid touching journal indexed in Scopus Fund (Daam), Ooredoo and Qatar cash or bank cards. Insurance Company. As for the entry of visitors, he Stressing that the 2020 edition explained that it would be done atar University (QU) has announced EM aims to be responsible for providing a pub- of S’hail will be an exceptional through e-registration and pre- that Emergent Materials (EM), a multi- lication source to the growing community of ma- one, Katara said it will fully com- booking via the S’hail 2020 web- Qdisciplinary journal founded by QU and terials scientists - chemists, engineers, physicists, ply with all the precautionary and site to maintain the health and published by Springer Nature, has been indexed and researchers who are involved in doing innova- preventive measures adopted by safety of all. in major databases, notably in Scopus. tive research in materials science and engineering. the country in the fi ght against Abdulaziz al-Sayid, director of Scopus is the largest abstract and citation The goal is to publish a series of high-quality and Covid-19. It is expected to provide S’hail 2020, said this edition of database of peer-reviewed literature: scientifi c high impact research articles that refl ect and bring an important marketing and eco- the exhibition will see the launch journals, books, and conference proceedings. the best research in the fi eld of physics, chemistry, nomic platform to display the best of two contests - one for the most Scopus delivers a comprehensive overview of biology, and engineering of advanced materials, by equipment and products in the beautiful commercial stall with the world’s research output in the fi elds of sci- conveying these to the forefront and to the interna- fi eld, through the participation of the fi rst prize of QR20,000, and ence, technology, medicine, social sciences, arts tional research community. the 112 specialised companies. the other for the most beautiful and humanities, featuring smart tools to track, The founder of the journal, Prof Mariam Ali Work has been progressing falcon veil with three prizes allo- analyse and visualise research. al-Maadeed, vice-president, research and gradu- steadily at Katara’s Al Hikma cated for the three best designs. Furthermore, EM previously has been in- ate studies, said, “The progress in this magazine Square, where the event will be The organising committee will dexed by Web of Science after assessing the refl ects the general strength and high quality of held, and more than 80% of the also host a varied group of cafes quality, number, and characteristics of papers research administration and output at QU. The exhibition space is already pre- and restaurants that will pre- published. Web of Science is a popular platform current international collaboration and involve- pared. The event is expected to pare fresh meals on the occasion used to search literature and forms databases to ment of scholars locally and internationally show receive thousands of visitors while following the necessary support the world’s most trusted citation index that Qatar University can lead in the international from Qatar and abroad. Covid-19 precautions. for scientifi c and scholarly research. scientifi c community with a powerful impact.”

The Tram service at Msheireb Downtown Doha has resumed at 30% of the capacity, Msheireb Properties has announced. “Look at me – I’m back on track, all over Msheireb Downtown QCH to hold Doha! Welcome aboard…but no more than 30% capacity please. Let’s keep our city safe for all,” the company has tweeted. An accompanying video explains the precautionary measures online course that need to be followed by the public, which include using hand sanitisers, maintaining a safe physical distance with others, showing the Ehteraz app before boarding, undergoing on astronomy body temperature checks and wearing the face mask. Images captured from video posted by Msheireb Properties on Twitter.

he Qatar Calendar House will hold a three-day online educational course, Tentitled “Introduction to Astronomy,” from Saturday. The course, to be presented by astronomer Dr Bashir Marzouq, aims to provide partici- pants with information about astronomy and its origin, celestial bodies and the most im- portant astronomical phenomena and instru- ments. During the fi rst day, the course will include the defi nition of astronomy, its various specialisations, its importance and origin. On the second day, the participants will learn about celestial bodies and their types, with an expla- nation of the various celes- tial bodies such as planets, moons and meteors. Distant objects, such as galaxies and their diff er- ent types, as well as stars, their composition and their diff erent types will also be introduced. The third day will be devoted to the topic of ob- servations, astronomical phenomena, astronomi- cal instruments and as- tronomical telescopes and their various types, as well as astronomical phenom- ena within our solar sys- tem and their importance such as solar phenomena, conjunction, convergence, invisibility, elongation and others. Qatar condemns explosion in Afghanistan Qatar has strongly condemned the explosion that targeted the convoy of the governor of Laghman in eastern Afghanistan, which caused deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and causes. The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of victims and the government and people of Afghanistan. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5 QATAR QRCS supports health and relief projects in Palestinian territories

QNA Doha Qatar begins disbursing cash aid to poor families in Gaza atar Red Crescent Soci- ety (QRCS) announced Qatar Committee for the He added that this will be done Qthe implementation Reconstruction of Gaza, in to ensure the safety of those of four major humanitar- co-operation with Qatar Fund receiving the aid, and to see ian projects in Palestinian cities, for Development, will today they maintain social distancing. villages and towns in the West begin disbursing cash aid to He stressed that the Qatari Bank and occupied Jerusalem, in poor families in Gaza. HE the committee, along with the co-operation with the Palestine chairman of the committee designated authorities led Red Crescent Society, at a total ambassador Mohamed al- by the Ministry of Social budget of QR4,920,630. Emadi said 100,000 families Development and the Ministry The projects benefi ted 68,800 will benefit from the aid, with of Communications and people. each family set to receive $100. Information Technology, will A project has been imple- He said the disbursement will oversee the disbursement in mented to distribute food par- take place with the required order to ensure the highest cels to 3,780 families, compris- medical precautions adopted standards of safety and ing about 18,900 people, in by the Palestinian Ministry of security, in light of the spread of light of the increased needs of Health to contain Covid-19. the coronavirus in Gaza. (QNA) Palestinian families from previ- ous years due to the coronavirus lies in Hebron and its villages, completed a project to restore (Covid-19) pandemic, which Ramallah and Al Bireh gover- and equip the operations and has caused unemployment rates norate, the villages northwest sterilisation sections of the Pal- to double as a result of the sus- of Jerusalem, Qalqilya, Tubas estinian Red Crescent Hospital pension of many businesses and and the northern Jordan Valley, — Jerusalem. professions. Salfi t, Jericho and the southern The project included the res- Qeeri announces Young QRCS also implemented, in Jordan Valley, Nablus and Cen- toration of the operations and co-operation with its Pales- tral Jordan Valley, Tulkarm, and sterilisation sections, and the tinian counterpart, a live meat Jenin, and the city of Bethlehem entire electricity network. The Innovator Awards distribution project to cover the and its villages. operations department was pro- needs of 8,460 Palestinian fami- In the health sector, QRCS vided with 11 medical devices. Competition 2020

he Qatar Environment and presentations. The intermediate Energy Research Institute and senior level competitions T(Qeeri) at the Hamad Bin begin with a preliminary round, Qatar Charity provides food aid for Khalifa University has launched with fi ve teams qualifying for a the second edition of its Young fi nal round of presentations and Innovator Awards Competition. question and answer sessions. Open to all national and in- “The interest we received ternational schools in Qatar, the from schools last year was over- coronavirus-hit people in Palestine competition raises awareness whelming and we saw immense of the impact of climate change creativity and scientifi c think- while inspiring participants to ing in the entries we received, atar Charity (QC) has adopt sustainable practices in even from the really young stu- distributed food parcels their everyday lives. dents. We hope this competition Qto nearly 11,000 people Rules, guidelines and regis- will encourage students to learn who have been home-quaran- tration forms are available on the more about climate change, un- tined due to the Covid-19 pan- Qeeri website. The registrations derstand what role they can play, demic in Palestine. will open on October 8 and the and deliver innovative solutions The distribution, which took deadline for registration is Octo- for a global challenge,” said, Dil- place in co-operation with the ber 31 with the fi nals expected to raz Kunnummal, PR, Commu- Ministry of Social Development, be held on December 8. nications & Outreach specialist comes as part of Qatar Charity’s The competition poses the and competition co-ordinator continued eff orts in delivering question, “How can you miti- Dr Marc Vermeersch, executive food and medical aid to limit gate climate change challenges director, Qeeri, said, “We believe the outbreak of the pandemic in and promote sustainability in that children are indeed the fu- many countries worldwide, ac- your home and surroundings?” ture, and it is the children of today cording to a press statement. Possible topics for exploration who will be change makers driving Some 1,675 underprivileged include rising sea levels, wa- research, development and inno- and home-quarantined Pales- ter scarcity, sustainable energy, vation to create a more sustainable tinian families benefi ted from pollution, degradation of infra- world. Qeeri sees the promotion the food baskets distributed in structure, and natural disasters. of science and research among several governorates of the Gaza In keeping with last year’s ac- young people as a fundamental Strip in Palestine. The baskets tivities, Qeeri’s second Young component of our mission and will be suffi cient for a family for Innovator Awards Competition believes that youth have a crucial the two-week home quarantine is divided into age groups. Junior role to play in bringing about sus- period. level participants aged between tainable positive change.” The benefi ciaries were delight- six and nine years will be tasked The judging panel for the ed at receiving the food baskets, with drawing their solutions competition includes esteemed which, they said, would contrib- for more sustainable living. For academics and business fi gures ute to easing the economic bur- The distribution comes as part of QC’s continued eff orts in delivering food and medical aid to limit the outbreak of the pandemic in many their part, intermediate cat- from the fi elds of energy, en- den on them and help them meet countries worldwide. egory contestants (10-13 years) vironment and water research. the basic needs of their children. will submit research posters, Entries will be judged on various Engineer Mohamed Abu one of the fi rst organisations that also noted that Qatar Charity is families in need. In April, QC supplies to quarantine centres with the senior category (14-17 factors including the value of the Haloub, director of Qatar Chari- extended support to the poor in still working hard to implement provided medicines, medical and hospitals in various gover- years) providing a research ab- recommendation showcased, ty’s Gaza offi ce, said that QC was light of the Covid-19 spread. He more relief projects to help the consumables and prevention norates in Palestine. stract and undertaking project quality and creativity.

Indian embassy marks Gandhi birth anniversary

The Indian embassy in Doha commemorated the International Day of Non-Violence and the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with great fervour and enthusiasm while abiding by the Covid-19 preventive and precautionary measures. Embassy off icials and heads of the apex bodies participated. Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal paid floral tribute to Gandhi and a sapling was planted in the embassy premises to mark the occasion. The event began with the rendition of bhajans (devotional songs) by members of the Indian community. The ambassador shared his thoughts on the life and contributions of Gandhi. He spoke on the relevance of Gandhian principles and ideals in the contemporary world, especially in the context of the global pandemic. Ambassador Dr Mittal lauded the eff orts of Indian community to support fellow Indians during the Covid-19 pandemic.The event concluded with the screening of a video based on Gandhi’s quotes, and global rendition of Vaishnava Janato. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 QATAR

‘Online fundraising platforms play a key role in US elections’

By Joey Aguilar (VRT) of the US and the Ameri- transacting donations. On the largely healthy thing to get more election is set to break previ- elections and public policy. Staff Reporter can electoral process. right they have a similar plat- Americans participating, to have ous records with nearly $11bn “So doing this work allows us The US Department of State, form, Win Red,” Krumholz said. more money coming from larger in spending – “more than 50% to see, for instance, that the last in collaboration with Meridian At the recently-held VTR press numbers of people in smaller pricier than the 2016 contest election cycle cost more than nline fundraising plat- International Centre, has organ- briefi ng on “Following the Money amounts,” Krumholz noted. when adjusting for infl ation.” $5.7bn, the biggest jump in mid- forms of Democratic and ised the eight-week programme in 2020”, Krumholz talked about “But that, of course, doesn’t According to CPR, this year’s term election spending in at least ORepublican Parties played for more than 225 journalists in- campaign fi nance, Political Action mean that the mega-donors are election would still be the most 20 years,” Krumholz said. a vital role in raising a signifi cant cluding those from the Middle Committees (PACs), dark money, giving any less. We’ve already expensive ever even if federal The CRP offi cial pointed amount of campaign funds in East to cover the upcoming US and the Citizens United Supreme seen millions and millions of dol- committees (which already spent out that “this rapid increase in this year’s US presidential elec- elections remotely. Court decision, among others. lars largely going to these Super $7.2bn so far) did not spend an- money fl owing into US politics tions – considered the costliest “We fully anticipated that the She said that Act Blue has been PACs and outside groups, which other dollar from this point on. is partly due to the US Supreme in history – amid the coronavirus economic hardship that many around longer and raised more is making up, as I said, more than Founded 37 years ago by two Court’s landmark decision Citi- pandemic, Center for Responsive are going through would have a money than Win Red. a billion dollars already this cy- former senators, Frank Church zens United versus Federal Elec- Politics (CRP) executive director depressive eff ect on donations. “So these platforms allow cle,” she said, noting that this US (Democrat of Idaho) and Hugh tion Commission in 2010, which Sheila Krumholz has said. However, I think one counterac- for small donations from mas- Presidential election will be the Scott (Republican), CRP is an allowed organisations that are She was interacting with tive tool is Act Blue, which is the sive numbers of people. That costliest in history. independent nonprofit that nominally independent from the journalists participating in the Democrats online fundraising is, I think, both a new trend and A recent CRP report showed tracks and researches money candidates to raise and spend un- fi rst-ever Virtual Reporting Tour tool. It’s really just a website for interesting, and also, I think, a that the total cost of the 2020 in US politics and its effect on limited sums from any source.” Sheila Krumholz QM, Aman Qatar participates in IFAD meeting sign deal for rehabilitation of children atar Museums (QM) and bour and Social Aff airs while en- She stressed the importance of the Protection and Social dorsing artistic talents at Aman promoting co-operation bonds QRehabilitation Centre as well as any other activity that between Aman Centre and QM, (Aman) signed a memorandum of the two parties deem necessary seeking to realise common goals co-operation to rehabilitate and to achieve their objectives. of supporting children and pro- Qatar yesterday participated in an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) virtual meeting. Qatar was represented by reintegrate into society children “QM seeks to discover and at- viding suitable care in the best its ambassador to Italy and IFAD’s governor and the permanent representative of the state to the United Nations agencies in Rome who fall victim to violence and tract local artistic and creative possible ways. Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Maliki. In his speech al-Maliki off ered condolences on the death of the Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad family disintegration. talents and works on supporting Al-Misnad added that the al-Jaber al-Sabah, and praised his role, dedication and wisdom in supporting development, stability and peace not only in the Arab The two institutions will com- and developing these talents to agreement will contribute in region, but in the whole world. He referred to Qatar’s role in establishing the IFAD and supporting its policies and programmes and its bine their eff orts and strengthen broaden the creative horizons of promoting social responsibil- importance to tackle various problems including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. bilateral co-operation in pursuit community members who con- ity and increases horizons of of the shared objectives of sup- tribute to Qatar’s rich artistic creativity of all individuals in the porting children and providing scene,” al-Namla said. society, sprung from its social re- youth with the best appropriate “We are pleased to co-operate sponsibility mandate. care. with Aman Centre to off er schol- Furthermore, she noted that The three-year agreement was arship and job training to benefi - this agreement is expected to signed by QM CEO Ahmad Musa ciaries of the Centre’s services in a have a positive impact on com- al-Namla and Aman executive bid to guarantee youth a decent life munity members, particularly Arab population missing from director Mariam bint Ali bin and a bright professional future in in terms of creating a safety net Nasser al-Misnad. line with our social responsibility for target groups who will gain In line with the agreement, principles,” he added. access to job opportunities and QM will seek to off er suitable and For her part, al-Misnad said: professional training, while also global genomics database: expert professional training to empower “We at Aman Centre are keen to supporting artistic talents. the Centre’s benefi ciaries to join open horizons of co-operation Al-Misnad reaffi rmed the the job market. QM will also sup- with various sectors in the state keenness of civil society organi- majority of the over nome. It is a template genome in- have diff erent causative muta- port scholarship applications whose paths and goals meet ours sations to provide and develop 400mn-strong Arab corporating the most up-to-date tions along the relevant genes. sponsored by the Ministry of Ad- towards serving Aman’s target the best services for the target Apopulation is largely un- information we have on human “So far, we have sequenced ministrative Development, La- groups”. groups, continuously. accounted for in global genomic genomics, created by putting to- 20,000 Qatari genomes, and studies, according to Dr Said Is- gether a large number of genom- within the next few months we mail, director of Qatar Founda- es,” he said. hope to have sequenced 10% of tion’s Qatar Genome Programme “Comparing a sequenced ge- the Qatari population. While the (QGP). nome to a reference genome al- end-goal is to sequence the vast “Diversity in genomics is a real lows us to identify the similarities majority of the population, sci- problem. Between 75-80% of the and diff erences between the two. entifi cally, 10% is good enough genetic information in the global Here is where the problem is, the to capture most of the medically genomics databases is of people current reference human genome relevant gene variants. of European descent, followed Dr Said Ismail is very much lacking mutations “This has also allowed us to by 10% Asian, 2% African, 1% specifi c to the Arab population. establish the fi rst comprehen- Hispanic, and less than 1% for all step is to sequence and under- What this means is, if an Arab sive Qatari reference genome. We other groups,” Dr Ismail said. stand its genomes. This is exactly person’s genome is compared to now know what the main com- The human genome is akin to a what QGP has been focusing on a European reference human ge- ponents of the Qatari reference puzzle, every ethnicity represents during the past fi ve years. We nome, there is a possibility they genome are. In this process, we a part of the puzzle. At present, have sequenced around 20,000 will either be misdiagnosed or have identifi ed markers that have some parts of the puzzle are very Qatari genomes and are in the undiagnosed.” never been reported before and well defi ned such as Europeans. process of sequencing 3,000 of The same disease can manifest are unique to the Qatari popula- Other parts are present but still the country’s non-Qatari Arab through diff erent mutations in tion,” he said. missing some pieces such as Afri- residents to create the fi rst com- diff erent ethnicities, according “The next step is to shift gears cans and Asians. Yet another part prehensive Arab reference ge- to Dr Ismail. “Examples include from research to clinical imple- of the puzzle is almost absent – it nome,” Dr Ismail said. hereditary disorders like thalas- mentation, and we hope to initiate is just one large gaping hole – and “To fi gure out any anomalies in saemia, cystic fi brosis and also this in collaboration with Hamad this part represents Arabs. the base pairs, we need a standard familial cancers like breast and Medical Corporation, Sidra Medi- “For any ethnicity to benefi t that we can compare it to – this colon cancer, where you’ll fi nd cine and other healthcare providers Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad Ahmad Musa al-Namla from precision medicine, the fi rst is what is called a reference ge- that diff erent populations may in the very near future.”

Qafco grant for QU faculty and students Qatar University (QU) in col- on Qatar’s research priorities. Doha Festival City laboration with Qatar Fertiliser This grant is an evidence of high- Company (Qafco) has initiated standard research, qualifications, the Qafco Research and Devel- equipment and QU’s contribu- unveils its interactive opment Grant (QRDG). tions in the support develop- The grant is meant for the faculty ment of research in Qatar.” and students from diff erent fields Dr Mohamed al-Salem, director perceptual art pieces of research at QU and supports of research support (Grants & Qatar University’s Research Contracts) at QU, said:“Qafco Strategy providing a supportive grant proves that it is focusing oha Festival City (DHFC) The concept of the percep- research environment. on contributing to the support has launched an interac- tual art via hanging pieces was QRDG grant supports Qafco and development of diff erent Dtive perceptual art dis- first developed by the artist strategy in creating knowledge research priorities in the country, play, off ering an opportunity for Michael Murphy. DHFC brings and contributing to help Qatar which will eventually result in visitors to create enjoyable mem- this avant-garde art form to becoming self-suff icient and significant contributions to Qatar ories by taking photos and inter- Doha. building a knowledge-based National Vision 2030.” acting with the art pieces. “DHFC thrives by engaging economy to achieve Qatar Hassan al-Mohammadi, Qafco The experience encompasses a with the guests and contributing National Vision 2030. chief administration off icer, said large 3D sticker on the fl oor and to Doha’s art community,” gen- The Qafco grant is dedicated to “this research partnership aims to hanging art pieces, which include eral manager Robert Hall said in research proposals that provide support Qatar’s National Vision of a mystery quote for visitors to a press statement. solutions to research areas in 2030 as we believe that securing decipher. The quote is composed The unique interactive art process enhancement, environ- sustainable economic and social of 50 artistic hanging plates, display will be held at the Cen- mental studies, climate change growth is not possible without a 16x3.5m each, visible from dif- tre Court until October 13. adaptation and soil health well-rounded view that prioritises ferent angles and parts of the DHFC opening hours are from management. preservation of the environment. By Centre court of the Mall. Saturday to Wednesday be- Prof Mariam al-Maadeed, vice doing so we will be able to secure The quote, however, will be tween 10am and 10pm, and president for research and grad- the future for the next generation in only legible through the hole of from Thursday and Friday be- uate studies at QU, said:“This Qatar. Supporting Qatar University the famous Torus sculpture icon, tween 10am and 11pm. Children co-operation with Qafco plays is the first step to achieve eff ective creating a fun challenge for visi- of all ages are now allowed to an important role in research results that will allow us to reach our tors to discover. enter the mall. The experience encompasses a large 3D sticker on the floor and hanging art pieces. experience at QU which focuses future aspirations.” Gulf Times Tuesday, October 6, 2020 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA

DEAL TIES LAYOFFS OPINION DIPLOMACY Politician, aid worker to be Pompeo arrives in Philippine Airlines to Taiwan hopes Trump gets Micronesian leaders threaten freed in Mali prisoner swap Japan for shortened trip cut up to 2,700 jobs better to keep resisting China to leave Pacific forum The leaders of five Micronesian nations have threat- Mali will release scores of suspected insurgents in a US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Japan Philippine Airlines Inc (PAL) said yesterday it is Taiwan hopes that US President Donald Trump can ened to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum prisoner exchange for opposition leader Soumaila yesterday shortly after midnight for a visit that has cutting up to a third of its workforce, or around get better from the coronavirus soon so that he can unless they get to choose the head of the regional Cisse and French aid worker Sophie Petronin, two been cut short by President Donald Trump’s hospitali- 2,700 jobs, as the aviation sector continues to continue to lead the free world in resisting China’s grouping, risking instability in an area where China is security sources and a diplomatic source said. Cisse, sation with Covid-19. The trip has been scaled back to suffer from pandemic-driven travel curbs. “outrages”, the speaker of the island’s parliament vying for influence. The Micronesian heads, who do a popular politician who served as finance minister one full day in Japan after Trump took ill and the State The southeast Asian nation’s carriers, which said yesterday. Democratic Taiwan has come under not share a unified stance on Beijing, argue it is their from 1993-2000, was kidnapped by gunmen while Department said Pompeo would not go to Mongolia halted operations in mid-March as President increasingly severe military pressure from China, turn to select the PIF secretary-general under an campaigning in the northern region of Timbuktu and South Korea. Pompeo is expected to meet with Rodrigo Duterte imposed one of the world’s which claims the island as its sovereign territory, informal arrangement that has stood for decades. in March, while Petronin, who ran a charity for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga today for the first time strictest and longest coronavirus lockdowns, with China’s air force sending frequent sorties to But several high-profile candidates from elsewhere malnourished and orphaned children, was abducted since Suga took off ice and attend a wider meeting with are slowly ramping up operations. “The collapse buzz Taiwan in recent weeks. Speaking ahead of Tai- in the Pacific have also nominated, including former near the northern city of Gao in late 2016. They the foreign ministers of India and Australia. That meet- in travel demand and persistent travel restric- wan’s National Day celebrations on Saturday, parlia- Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna. The five are two high-profile examples of Mali’s deepening ing of the Quad grouping — the United States, Japan, tions on most global and domestic routes have ment Speaker You Si-kun said he had been shocked leaders — from Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, security crisis caused by presence of militant groups Australia and Japan — comes at a time of intense made retrenchment inevitable,” PAL said to hear of Trump’s illness, and that he wished him Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia bent on overthrowing state authority. tension between Washington and China. in a statement. well on behalf of the legislature. (FSM) — say they will walk if their wishes are not met. Aoun off ers condolences to Kuwait Amir ‘Cautious optimism’ as conference pushes Libya peace

AFP Gaddafi in 2011, with rival power based around the internation- representatives of Libya’s rival Berlin centres as well as a myriad of mi- ally recognised Government of administrations that took place litias vying for control. National Accord in Tripoli and a in Egypt in late September paved But there has been increased parliament in the eastern city of the way for further face-to-face ermany’s foreign min- hope since the two main warring Tobruk. discussions. ister yesterday voiced factions separately announced Eastern strongman Khalifa A joint statement by Maas and G“cautious optimism” in August that they would cease Haftar, launched an off ensive on Guterres after yesterday’s talks over eff orts to end the confl ict in hostilities, which was followed Tripoli in April 2019. But it has said the meeting “highlighted Libya, as top diplomats sought by a series of UN-backed talks. been beaten back by the GNA the need to seize the opportunity to foster a peace drive given new “In recent weeks and months, with military support from Tur- created by the positive develop- impetus by a series of talks in re- I have been encouraged to wit- key, which has turned the tide ments over the past few weeks cent weeks. ness a lull in the fi ghting,” said with the deployment of highly to achieve peace and stability in A handout picture released by the Amiri Diwan shows Lebanese President Michel Aoun off ering UN Secretary-General Anto- Guterres, adding that “direct eff ective drones. Libya.” condolences to Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah at Kuwait international nio Guterres joined German For- confrontation between the par- Diplomats say that Haftar All Libyan parties should “act airport in the capital, yesterday. eign Minister Heiko Maas, other ties has been limited.” no longer has the infl uence he responsibly and constructively top diplomats and representa- The rival parties were brought used to wield, and the key east- in the interest of their nation” tives of neighbouring countries together in Berlin in January, but ern powerbroker is now Aguila and build consensus based on an at the meeting in Berlin. attempts to impose a ceasefi re Saleh, speaker of the Tobruk- “inclusive political settlement “We believe that there is now and arms embargo largely failed based parliament. leading to elections that would a window in which much has for months. The head of the GNA, Fayez restore democratic legitimacy,” become possible that was not Guterres said yesterday that al-Sarraj, has said he would step it added. As virus cases rise, Lebanon possible before. I think we must the commitments made in Berlin down by the end of this month as British Foreign Minister Do- seize that,” Maas said. had to be upheld, including “full part of eff orts to broker a peace minic Raab said the internation- “There is reason for cautious and unconditional implemen- agreement and both sides have al community wanted to help optimism — we see increasingly tation of the Security Council called for national elections. Libya “chart a path to peace.” fears reaching Europe-levels signs of a switch from a mili- arms embargo.” Talks in Morocco last month “We agreed during our meet- taristic to a political logic,” he “The violations of the em- brought together fi ve members ing today that upcoming...talks added. bargo are a scandal and call into of the Tripoli-based GNA and are an important opportunity to AFP a bid to stem the pandemic. home and public institutions Libya has been wracked by question the basic commitment fi ve from the rival parliament of do this and I urge all parties to Beirut “The rate of infections in close for eight days until next confl ict since the overthrow and to peace of all involved,” he said. Tobruk. make the most of it,” he wrote on Lebanon has reached 120 per Monday, the interior ministry killing of dictator Muammar The two main factions are Two days of talks between Twitter. 100,000 people per week, has said. ebanon’s caretaker health which is considered to be a peak Healthcare facilities, phar- minister said yesterday and brings us closer to the Eu- macies and bakeries can how- Lhe fears increasing coro- ropean scenarios,” said minis- ever remain open. navirus cases in the country ter Hamad Hassan. Cases have spiked in the af- could reach European levels As a comparison, offi cial termath of the port explosion Iran on virus red alert as Ethiopian govt bans and urged more private hospi- French fi gures show new coro- that killed more than 190 peo- tals to help prepare for any new navirus cases stand above 250 ple and overwhelmed the capi- deterioration. per 100,000 people in Paris tal’s health services with thou- cases, deaths hit record fl ights over dam The Mediterranean country per week. Hassan, who has sands of wounded. had kept its numbers relatively been caretaker minister since Authorities fear the continu- low since its fi rst case in Febru- the government resigned in ous rise of cases could further Reuters daily death toll high set on July Reuters He declined to give more de- ary, but the easing up of meas- the wake of a massive August 4 overwhelm the fragile health- Dubai 28, bringing the total death toll Addis Ababa tails on the reasons. ures this summer has set infec- explosion in Beirut, said Leba- care sector. to 27,192. Offi cials have com- Later yesterday in a speech tion rates back on the rise. non’s death rate stood at 1.2 per Hassan said the authorities plained that many have defi ed to parliament, Ethiopia’s presi- Covid-19 infections have 100,000 cases of infection. were working on securing an ran’s Health Ministry said regulations to wear face masks thiopia has banned all dent Sahle-Work Zewde said: shot up to 44,482 including He called the localised lock- extra 300 intensive care beds yesterday nearly the whole and some families used lock- flights over its giant “This year will be a year where 406 deaths since February, and downs across the country a for coronavirus patients. Icountry was on a coronavirus downs to go on trips, helping Enew hydropower dam the Grand Ethiopian Renais- Lebanon on Sunday put 111 vil- “last chance”. Residents of He urged more private hospi- red alert as cases and deaths rose spread the virus with hospitals on the Blue Nile for secu- sance Dam will start generating lages and towns on lockdown in those districts should stay at tals to pitch in with help. to record levels, with a member nearly full. rity reasons, the head of its power with the two turbines.” of the state task force’s warning “If people keep going on civil aviation authority said She also said that work was fi eld hospitals might be needed if weekend trips..., our patients yesterday, as the president underway to enable a second people fl out the rules. might have to go to fi eld hospi- pledged the dam would begin fi lling of the dam within the Algerians take to streets despite ban on protests Ministry spokeswoman Sima tals,” said Masoud Mardani, a generating power in the next next 12 months. Sadat Lari told state television member of the state coronavi- 12 months. In July, Ethiopia said it had Hundreds of Algerians defied a nationwide ban students. Protests also took place in several other that 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces rus task force, told Khabaronline The move could worsen achieved its fi rst year of fi lling on protests and took to the streets yesterday to areas of Algeria, with demonstrators chanting: were “red” zones, the highest website. On Saturday, schools, Ethiopia’s dispute with Egypt the dam thanks to rainfall in demand democratic change and mark the an- “The people want the fall of the regime” and “Yes alert level, while four were at the libraries, mosques and other and Sudan over its $4bn Grand the area. niversary of 1988 demonstrations that ushered to a civil state, no to a military state”, according to next “orange” level. public institutions in the capital Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopian Prime Minister in reforms. the CNLD and social media. Authorities registered a record Tehran closed for a week as part which Cairo has said could Abiy Ahmed told the United Around 400 to 500 demonstrators in Algiers They called for the release of members of the high 3,902 new cases in the past of measures to stem the rapid threaten its main supply of Nations last month that the tried to march to the city centre but were dis- Hirak, the anti-government protest movement 24 hours, with the total number rise in Covid-19 cases. Similar water. “All fl ights have been country has “no intention” persed by police who made a number of arrests, which last year swept ailing president Abdelaziz of identifi ed cases in the worst- closures have been also imposed banned to secure the dam,” the of harming Sudan and Egypt an AFP reporter said. Bouteflika from power. More than 60 people are hit country in the Middle East in Zanjan province, northwest of director-general of the Ethio- with the dam, days after Egyp- A prisoners support committee, the CNLD, said currently behind bars for acts related to Hirak, rising to 475,674, Lari said. Tehran, and cities in several oth- pian Civil Aviation Authority, tian President Abdel Fattah more than 20 people were arrested including according to the CNLD. She said 235 patients had died er provinces, shutting museums, Wesenyeleh Hunegnaw, told al-Sisi reiterated his concerns in the past 24 hours, equalling a theatres and hair salons. Reuters by phone. over the project.

Oman reinstates ambassador in Syria Tasmanian devils released on Australian mainland Oman has sent an ambassador to Syria, becoming the first Gulf state to do so after they downgraded or AFP After 16 years of work, in- project would create an “insur- in February, Faulkner said. shut missions in Damascus in 2012 Sydney cluding the establishment of ance population” against the Another 40 are set to be re- over attacks by the government mainland Australia’s largest face-tumour disease, which has leased over the next two years there on protests at the start of Tasmanian devil breeding pro- so far proved untreatable, and into the sanctuary, which is on what turned into a war. Oman is asmanian devils have gramme, Faulkner said it was help restore the native environ- land bought by Aussie Ark for its one of the rare Arab countries that been released into the “incredible and surreal” to have ment. “Devils present one of habitat suitability, high number kept diplomatic relations with the Twild on Australia’s main- reached the goal. the only natural solutions to the of herbivores and location near Syrian government of President land 3,000 years after the feisty “It’s the stuff dreams are control of fox and the cat, and a national park. Bashar al-Assad after the 2011 marsupials went extinct there, made of,” he said. the fox and cat are responsible “The land initially was select- uprising. Syria’s foreign minister on in what conservationists de- “Our biggest native mainland for nearly all of our 40 mam- ed because it’s just like a slice of Sunday accepted the credentials scribed yesterday as a “historic” predator is the tiger quoll — and mal extinctions (in Australia),” Tasmania,” Faulkner said. of Oman’s ambassador Turki bin step. they’re just over a kilo — so to be he added. He said he was confi dent that Mahmood al-Busaidy, appointed Aussie Ark, along with a bringing back something of this “So there’s more than the close monitoring as the Tasma- to the post in a royal decree in coalition of other conserva- enormity is huge.” devil at stake here.” nian devils make the “massive March, ONA said. Some Arab tion groups, revealed yesterday Tasmanian devils, which Aussie Ark selected the re- transition” back to the wild — states are seeking reconciliation that they had released 26 of the weigh up to eight kilograms This undated handout photo released by WildArk shows Aussie Ark introduced devils for their where they have no supplied with Damascus after decisive gains carnivorous mammals into a and have a black or brown coat, staff releasing Tasmanian devils into a wild sanctuary on Barrington breeding suitability, placing food, water or shelter for the by pro-government forces in the 400-hectare sanctuary at Bar- typically prey on other native Tops in Australia’s New South Wales state. them in the sprawling, fenced fi rst time in their lives — would conflict, aiming to expand their rington Tops, about 3.5 hours animals or scavenge carcasses. area in the hopes of warding off ensure the programme’s early clout in Syria at the expense of oth- north of Sydney. According to government en- confronting rivals over food or as many as 150,000 before the threats to their survival includ- success. ers.Oman, whose Sultan Haitham Tim Faulkner, president of vironmental authorities, devils mates — are classifi ed as endan- mysterious, fatal disease fi rst ing feral pests, noxious weeds As part of the “ambitious” pledged when assuming power in Aussie Ark, said the “historic” are not dangerous to humans or gered after a contagious facial struck in the mid-1990s. and cars. rewilding scheme, Aussie Ark January to continue maintaining releases in July and September livestock but will defend them- tumour disease ravaged the re- On Australia’s mainland, they “We’ve put young, healthy plans to eventually introduce friendly ties with all nations, kept were the fi rst steps in a project selves if attacked and can cause maining population on the Aus- are believed to have been wiped devils in, we put them in now more of the animals to unfenced its embassy open. Kuwait has akin to the successful move to serious injury. tralian island state of Tasmania. out by packs of dingoes — wild which gives them the best part areas, where they will contend said it would reopen its mission in return wolves to Yellowstone The animals — known for It is estimated that fewer dogs native to the vast continent of six months to settle, fi nd with a much greater range of Damascus if there is agreement in National Park in the United their extremely loud growl, than 25,000 Tasmanian devils — an estimated 3,000 years ago. their territory (and) prepare for new threats including the coun- the Arab League. States in the 1990s. powerful jaws and ferocity when still live in the wild, down from Faulkner said it was hoped the breeding” which usually occurs try’s notorious bushfi res. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 BRITAIN/AMERICA/EUROPE

HEATH CONFLICT LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE LEGAL NY governor closes schools Fears grow for civilians Kyrgyz police use teargas Belgium’s new princess asks US Supreme Court in coronavirus hot spots as Karabakh fighting rages to disperse protesters nothing of estranged family opens new term

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani Kyrgyz police yesterday used teargas and An artist who won a legal battle to prove that The US Supreme Court yesterday returned schools to close beginning today in several forces were raging yesterday over the disputed water cannon to disperse thousands of Belgium’s former King Albert II is her father to work for the first time since liberal Justice coronavirus “hot spots” in the New York Nagorno-Karabakh region as fears grew for people demonstrating against the result yesterday said she was not expecting anything Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death and heard City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The civilians after the two sides began shelling of a parliamentary election, after some from her new family, after a court last week arguments in two cases, opening its new announcement brings forward a plan by New major cities. Separatist forces in Karabakh – an protesters tried to break into the government made her a princess. Delphine of Saxe-Cobourg term as senate Republicans pursued quick York Mayor Bill de Blasio to close schools in nine ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from headquarters. Gunshots and stun grenades was granted the title as a result of a court confirmation of President Donald Trump’s neighbourhoods beginning tomorrow after Azerbaijan in the 1990s – reported firefights could be heard as riot police with dogs, ruling on October 1 after a DNA test showed the conservative nominee to replace her. At least coronavirus test positivit1y rates rose above 3% along the frontline and the regional capital backed by several vehicles, moved into the former monarch was her father, her lawyers at the outset of the term, the cases are being in those areas for seven days in a row. “I am not Stepanakert again coming under artillery fire. central square in the capital Bishkek and the said last week. She changed her surname from argued as they were at the end of the last term going to recommend or allow any New York The region’s leadership said it had pulled back protesters retreated. Two establishment parties Boel to Saxe-Cobourg, her father’s family name. by teleconference because of the coronavirus City family to send their child to a school that fighters in some areas of the frontline “for supporting closer links between the former “If I had done this for the title, the money, all pandemic. With eight justices rather than the I wouldn’t send my child,” Cuomo told a news tactical purposes”, after Azerbaijan claimed Soviet republic and Russia look set to dominate that I would have lost,” she told reporters. “I’m usual nine, the court started a term due to run conference yesterday. He said the state would separatist soldiers were fleeing their posts. the new parliament after Sunday’s election, still going to be Delphine, I’m not going to be through next June that includes several major take over enforcement of social distancing rules Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said Armenian which Western observers said had been marred hanging out in the streets and say please call cases including one that will decide the fate of from local authorities in the hot spots. forces were shelling several towns. by vote buying. me princess.” the Obamacare healthcare law. Virus-hunting trio win Nobel for hepatitis C discovery

Reuters cording to the WHO. Stockholm/Berlin The shared prize recognises research dating back to the 1960s when Alter, at the US wo Americans and a Briton National Institutes of Health won the 2020 Nobel Prize (NIH), found that a liver dis- Tfor Medicine yesterday for ease that was not hepatitis A or identifying the hepatitis C virus, B could be spread through blood in work spanning decades that transfusions. has helped to limit the spread A team led by Houghton, then of the fatal disease and develop working for the pharmaceuticals drugs to cure it. fi rm Chiron, created a clone of a The discoveries by Harvey new virus in the mid-1980s from Alter, Charles Rice and Briton fragments found in the blood of Michael Houghton mean there an infected chimpanzee. is now a chance of eradicating The disease it causes was the hepatitis C virus — a goal named hepatitis C. the World Health Organisation Its identifi cation made it pos- wants to achieve in the next dec- sible to develop tests to screen ade. bloodbank supplies and greatly “It’s so other-worldly — it’s reduce the spread of the disease, something you don’t think will which can cause cirrhosis and President Trump waves from the back of a car in a motorcade outside of Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. ever happen,” Alter, 85, said after liver cancer. picking up the phone only after a “We thought it would be solved third pre-dawn call from Stock- quickly, but it actually took seven holm. years to fi nd,” Houghton told The trio share the 10mn Swed- a news conference on Zoom.”I ish crown ($1.1mn) award for thought I was going mad.” discovering and proving that a The fi nal piece of the jigsaw blood-borne virus causes hepa- puzzle came when Rice, now at ‘Don’t be afraid of Covid,’ says titis C, which affl icts 70mn peo- Rockefeller University in New ple and causes 400,000 deaths York, was able to genetically en- each year. gineer a version of the hepatitis “(To) go from basically the C virus and demonstrate that it beginning-part of this discov- alone could cause symptoms in ery to when it can be success- a chimpanzee comparable to an Trump as aides test positive fully treated — this is kind of a infection in humans. rare treat for a basic scientist,” But Rice told Reuters that the Reuters his decision to leave the military in the US and killed more than ing for reporters on Thursday in nationally by 10 percentage Rice, 68, told reporters on a WHO was unlikely to be able to Washington hospital for a brief car ride after 209,000. which she did not wear a face points. About 65% of Americans Zoom call. eradicate the virus by 2030, in a barrage of criticism that he put In recent days, he released mask. said Trump would not have been Nominations for this year’s part because a broadly eff ective himself, and the people taking videos to reassure the public he Chad Gilmartin and Karoline infected had he taken the virus award preceded the global spread and widely available vaccine was S President Donald care of him, at greater risk. is recovering from the disease Leavitt, who work in the White more seriously. of the new coronavirus pandem- still years away, and also because Trump was expected to “It is reported that the media caused by the virus. House’s press offi ce, also have Trump has repeatedly fl outed ic, but the choice of winners rec- many countries have banned re- Uleave the military hospi- is upset because I got into a se- The coronavirus outbreak tested positive, a source con- social-distancing guidelines ognises the importance of iden- search on chimpanzees, which tal where he was being treated cure vehicle to say thank you to around Trump widened yester- fi rmed to Reuters. meant to curb its spread. tifying a virus as the fi rst step in was more powerful than studies for Covid-19 later yesterday, the many fans and supporters day when White House press “These people think this is all He also mocked former vice winning the battle against a new on rodents. adding that he felt “really good.” who were standing outside of secretary Kayleigh McEnany a game. Everyone in that White president Biden at last Tuesday’s disease. Houghton, 69, is a professor of “I will be leaving the great the hospital for many hours, and said she had tested positive for House who was exposed to Hicks debate for wearing a mask at Rice said advances in gene se- virology at Canada’s University Walter Reed Medical Center to- even days, to pay their respect to the virus after “testing negative and the president should have events, even when he is far from quencing would make it possible of Alberta. day at 6.30pm. Feeling really their president. If I didn’t do it, consistently” every day since begun quarantine last week. other people. today for researchers to achieve He told reporters the award good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Media would say rude!!!” he said Thursday, the same day it was They don’t care about the rules, Biden, who has tested nega- “spectacular” progress towards validated his team’s work on a Don’t let it dominate your life. on Twitter. announced that White House which is why we have 200,000 tive for the disease several times developing treatments and vac- hepatitis C vaccine, which is now “We have developed, un- Trump was reluctant to go to aide Hope Hicks had tested posi- dead. Vote them all out,” Demo- since sharing the stage with cines for Covid-19. in clinical trials. der the Trump Administration, the hospital last week and is ea- tive. cratic senator Chris Murphy Trump last week, said yesterday Nearly 3mn hepatitis C suf- While eff ective antiviral treat- some really great drugs & knowl- ger to get out, a source said. McEnany, a well-known fi g- tweeted. he was willing to participate in ferers are co-infected with the ments are now available, a course edge. I feel better than I did 20 Trump has for months played ure at the forefront of the White A Reuters/Ipsos poll released next week’s scheduled presi- human immunodeficiency vi- can cost $30,000 in the United years ago!” he said on Twitter. down the threat of the pandemic House’s often combative deal- on Sunday showed the Repub- dential debate if health experts rus (HIV) that causes Aids, ac- States. Trump yesterday also defended which has infected 7.4mn people ings with the media, held a brief- lican Trump trailing Biden, 77, deemed it safe.

Washed away Govt downplays failure Sunak backs Johnson in Covid testing data amid leadership talk Reuters “To be frank, I think that the London slightly lower numbers that we’d seen didn’t really refl ect where AFP cellor’s residence at 11 Downing sky-high borrowing they have we thought that the disease was London Street, Sunak told a fringe event: incurred. rime Minister Boris John- likely to go, so I think these num- “Defi nitely not, seeing what the “We have a sacred responsibil- son yesterday sought to bers are realistic,” said Johnson. prime minister has to deal with. ity to future generations to leave Pplay down a failure in Health Secretary Matt Han- inance Minister Rishi Su- It’s a job hard enough for me to the public fi nances strong, and England’s Covid-19 testing data cock will update parliament on nak yesterday denied he do.” through careful management of system that delayed 15,841 re- the mishap later, he said. Fwas eyeing up the job of his The 40-year-old minister our economy, this Conservative sults, saying the much higher Johnson, who earlier this year beleaguered boss, Boris Johnson, moved his young family into the government will always balance updated fi gures were more in line promised a “world-beating” and vowed to uphold his “sacred residence over the summer, and the books,” he said, without of- with forecasts of the outbreak’s test-and-trace system, has more responsibility” of rebalancing said Johnson’s dog Dilyn was fering any details. spread. recently said there have been the books after a splurge of coro- “my two daughters’ favourite “If instead we argue there is The glitch is likely to cast missteps but that the govern- navirus spending. thing in the world...That has at no limit on what we can spend, further doubt over Johnson’s ment has been confronted with The chancellor of the excheq- least staved off me having to get that we can simply borrow our handling of the coronavirus the biggest health crisis since the uer is being portrayed as a leader- a dog for a little while”. way out of any hole, what is the pandemic: his Conservative gov- 1918 infl uenza outbreak. in-waiting by some Conservative In an earlier speech to the rul- point in us?” he added, warning ernment’s response has been cast The technical glitch, which lawmakers and right-wing com- ing party’s virtual conference, of “hard choices” ahead. by political opponents as slow, was identifi ed on Friday and has mentators, after resisting stricter Sunak paid credit to Johnson’s Yet while backing Johnson, poorly organised and confusing. now been resolved, led to 15,841 curbs on public life to counter the “special and rare quality” of con- Sunak also sought to adopt a tone On Sunday, authorities re- cases not being uploaded into re- Covid-19 crisis. necting with people. of confi dent leadership as mil- ported a jump in daily Covid-19 porting dashboards used by the But speaking at the Conserva- “But what the commenta- lions more people submit to local cases to a record 22,961, af- National Health Service (NHS) tives’ annual conference, Sunak tors don’t see, the thing I see, is lockdowns to restrict a second ter saying a technical issue had contact-tracing system. downplayed any rift with the the concern and care he feels for wave of the coronavirus. meant that thousands of test “We fully understand the con- prime minister, acknowledging people every day, for the well- “Because even if this moment results had not been transferred cern this may cause and further the “diffi cult trade-off s and de- being of every person in our is more diffi cult than any of you into computer systems on time, robust measures have been put cisions” forced upon Johnson’s country,” he said. have ever faced, even if it feels A house is left dangerously perched on the edge of a hill including for contact tracers. in place as a result,” said Michael government as Britain endures Sunak has won plaudits for a like there is no hope, I am tell- after heavy rains and flooding in Saint-Martin-Vesubie, “The incidence that we’re see- Brodie, the interim chief execu- the worst pandemic toll in Eu- series of big-spending schemes ing you that there is, and that the southeastern France. Villages have been cut off from the ing in the cases really sort of cor- tive of Public Health England, rope. designed to protect jobs, but his overwhelming might of the Brit- world in the Alpes Maritimes, where hundreds of fire-fighters responds to pretty much where the government-funded body in Asked if he was looking to popularity will be tested when ish state will be placed at your have been mobilised. we thought we were,” Johnson charge of public health manage- move next door from the chan- it comes to bringing down the service,” he said. said. ment in Britain’s biggest region. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 6, 2020 9 INDIA

EDUCATION PROTEST DEFENCE TRIAL CRIME JEE Advanced results out, UP power employees India successfully tests Woman seeks virtual Man stabbed to death Mumbai boy tops exam go on indefinite strike anti-sub weapon system cross-examination during robbery bid

The results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Employees in the power department of India successfully tested an anti-submarine weapon The alleged victim in the sexual assault case A 24-year-old man was stabbed to death and Advanced were declared by the Indian Institute of the Uttar Pradesh government began an system developed by the Defence Research and against journalist Tarun Tejpal has sought cross- another left wounded in New Delhi by robbers Technology (IIT), Delhi, yesterday. Chirag Falor from indefinite work boycott from yesterday in in Development Organisation (DRDO) yesterday, in a examination via video conference due to the who attempted to escape after snatching a the IIT Mumbai zone topped the examination while protest against the proposed privatisation boost to its naval warfare capabilities. Defence Minister ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tejpal objected mobile phone. The victim Aman and three Kanishka Mittal of IIT Roorkee zone secured the of the Varanasi distribution company. Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO scientists for the to her cross examination virtually before the friends were out on Sunday night when one of second position. More than 40,000 students have The government said it has made all feat. This will be a major technology breakthrough Supreme Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the robbers tried to snatch his phone. Aman passed the engineering entrance examination. arrangements to deal with the protest. The for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. representing the Goa government, told the court managed to pin him down. “In the meantime, Falor scored 352 of 396 marks while Mittal got UP Power Corp Ltd (UPPCL) management I congratulate DRDO and other stakeholders for the alleged victim has lung infection and she his associate came and stabbed Aman. He 315. As many as 150,838 students took the JEE had held talks with employees to persuade this significant achievement,” Singh said. DRDO is avoiding travel during the pandemic. Senior also injured Aman’s friend. Aman succumbed Advanced exam after passing the JEE Main them to withdraw the boycott call, but the chairman G Satheesh Reddy said that the supersonic lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, strongly to his injuries later,” a police officer said. exam. Of these, 43,204 students have cleared the talks failed. “After the UPPCL management missile-assisted release of torpedo (SMART) is a game objected saying that the woman did not want to Both were rushed to the RML Hospital where JEE Advanced examination. Education Minister turned down our reform proposal, we have changer technology demonstration in anti-submarine face trial and insisted she had no lung problem. Aman, a resident of New Ashok Nagar in East Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank congratulated the asked all the power personnel to begin the warfare. “All the mission objectives including missile However, the court asked Sibal: “What is wrong Delhi, was declared dead. The police have successful students. Nishank spoke to the toppers full day work boycott from today as per the flight up to the range and altitude, separation of the with video conferencing? We are also hearing registered a case of murder and attempt by phone and also felicitated the National Testing pre-declared plan,” said Shailendra Dubey, nose cone, release of torpedo and deployment of cases through video conferencing.” Sibal said his to murder in Kamla Market police station. Agency (NTA) for successfully conducting the chairman of the All-India Power Engineers velocity reduction mechanism (VRM) have been client wanted to complete the trial expeditiously Several teams have been formed to arrest the examination amid the coronavirus pandemic. Federation (AIPEF). met perfectly,” the DRDO said in a statement. and he was against the extension of the trial. suspects. BJP ally warns Biharis against voting for Nitish party candidates

IANS Manoj Jha cited a phone number New Delhi which was allegedly used to demand money from aspiring party candidates for allotment key ally of the Bharatiya of ticket in the coming assembly Janata Party yesterday elections but was not registered Awarned Bihar people that with anyone as per the state-run voting for the Janata Dal (United) telecom company. will only force an exodus of their “The phone number was used children from the state. by unknown persons for ran- “This is a decisive moment for dom calls to aspiring candidates the state of Bihar,” Lok Janshakti of the RJD. Interestingly, when Party chief Chirag Paswan said you call back on it, the name of in an open letter. Tejashwi Yadav emerge on True- “It is a matter of life and death caller,” he said. for crores of Biharis as we don’t Jha said this phone number have any time to lose. Every vote was registered in the name of cast in favour a JD-U candidate former chief minister Rabri Devi will force your children to fl ee but it was disconnected on No- (Bihar) tomorrow,” Paswan said. vember 21, 2016. Demonstrators hold placards and shout slogans in New Delhi during a protest yesterday over the death of a rape victim in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The 37-year-old son of fed- After this, it was allotted to the eral minister Ram Vilas Paswan Forest Department offi ce in Patna, has been espousing the cause of but they also gave it up on March ‘Bihar fi rst, Bihari fi rst’ and has 18, 2019 and as per inquiries with sought the “blessings” of all in BSNL, it has not been registered his new journey. with anyone since then. The strongly-worded letter “On September 19, a missed comes a day after the Paswan call from this number went to a junior announced on Sunday RJD aspirant in Sitamarhi. Since, SC urged to order CBI his party will not fi ght the Oc- Tejashwi Yadav’s name emerged tober-November Bihar assembly on Truecaller, when he called election under the leadership back on that number, he was in- of Chief Minister and JD-U su- structed to come to Patna with premo Nitish Kumar, but will Rs25 lakh via Lalganj town to get instead go solo. ticket. Another candidate of Mu- “At the state level and due zaff arpur was also approached in probe into Hathras case to ideological diff erences with a similar fashion. I have a long the JD-U, the LJP has decided list of calls which were made IANS tigation - either by the CBI or The PIL, citing the annual for complaining about the lack Kumar, representing Kondli to fi ght the elections in Bihar from it to demand money from New Delhi a special investigation team report of the National Crime of oxygen cylinders because of seat in Delhi also made public outside the alliance,” a resolu- candidates,” he said, waving a (SIT) under a sitting or retired Records Bureau (NCRB) re- which many children died in a the identity of the victim in a tion passed by its parliamentary bunch of documents. Supreme Court or High Court leased in January, said a rape Gorakhpur hospital. series of tweets. board stated. “If that phone number is not he Supreme Court will judge - and transfer the case to case is registered with the Uttar Citing the Hathras case, the He even tagged Delhi Chief “In many seats, there may be registered with any person, then today hear a petition Delhi, as Uttar Pradesh authori- Pradesh police every two hours petitioner said: “The victim, Minister Arvind Kejriwal in ideological fi ghts with the JD-U who is misusing it in the name of Tseeking a Central Bureau ties had failed to take certain while crime against a child is re- who belonged to the Dalit com- these tweets. where the public can decide Tejashwi Yadav? I fi rmly believes of Investigation probe into the actions against the accused. ported every 90 minutes in the munity, was raped by four men Despite being Covid positive, which representative will keep that a conspiracy of such mag- gruesome gang-rape and mur- The petition said the police state. on September 14. The woman’s Kumar met the family mem- Bihar’s good in mind,” the reso- nitude cannot be possible with- der of a 19-year-old Dalit wom- hurriedly cremated the victim’s “That report claims that family told local media that they bers of the victim. He also took lution said. out the connivance of the ruling an in Hathras district of Uttar body without the permission of 4,322 cases of rape were re- found her, bleeding and para- photos and videos of the meet- However, the LJP has been party. Chief Minister Nitish Ku- Pradesh. her family. ported in 2018, with almost 12 lysed with a split tongue and a ing which he shared on social open to a post-poll alliance with mar, Deputy Chief Minister Su- A bench, headed by Chief Another petition urged the taking place daily and state also broken spine in a fi eld outside media. the BJP, but without the JD-U. shil Kumar Modi and their close Justice S A Bobde and compris- Supreme Court to impose pres- recorded 59,445 crimes against their home. She died two weeks “I have come to meet the In other developments, the ministers are involved in a con- ing Justices A S Bopanna and ident’s rule in Uttar Pradesh. women with 162 being reported later after battling serious inju- victim’s family in Hathras. Rashtriya Janata Dal yesterday spiracy against Tejashwi Yadav V Ramasubramanian, will take The petition fi led by advo- every day, which indicates a ries in a hospital in New Delhi.” Fear is being created within accused Nitish Kumar and Dep- to win this election,” he added. up the public interest petition cate C R Jaya Sukin said Ut- surge of 7% in 2017, when 56,011 Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Par- the family. It is a murder of uty Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Jha also hit out at BSNL for fi led by social activist Satyama tar Pradesh ranks as the most crimes - 153 crimes per day - ty legislator Kuldeep Kumar, democracy and the constitu- Modi of engaging in a criminal allowing this conspiracy to take Dubey and advocates Vishal unsafe state for women in the were registered”, the PIL said. who was found Covid-19 posi- tion,” he tweeted. conspiracy against party leader place, saying it has put a ques- Thakre and Rudra Pratap Yadav. country and cited a string of in- Sukin also cited the case of tive fi ve days ago, yesterday vis- Kumar, who had claimed to Tejashwi Yadav. tion mark on reputation of the The petitioners have urged cidents establishing gross vio- doctor Kafeel Khan, saying he ited the victim’s home to meet be in home isolation, did not re- RJD’s Rajya Sabha member company. the court to order a fair inves- lation of human rights . was thrown into jail for months her family. spond to questions. Maharashtra sees lowest Delhi sets up ‘war room’ Covid cases in one week to deal with pollution AFP stubble into fertiliser, Kejriwal New Delhi said. IANS turning the state into a place ing traders of death should apolo- The fermented liquid, made Mumbai with the third highest incidence gise. This government has always with a type of cane sugar and of Covid-19 cases in the country. blamed others for their ineffi cien- ew Delhi unveiled a slew fl our, is meant to slowly decom- Two-time former chief min- cies. First they blamed the spread of plans yesterday aimed pose the straw. he Mumbai Metropolitan ister Oommen Chandy said Ker- on the arrival of Kerala expats, Nat reducing the citys Smoke from burning stubble - Region crossed the half- ala today is only behind Mahar- then they said it was the fi shing annual toxic smog, as authori- particularly from neighbouring Tmillion mark of Covid-19 ashtra and Karnataka in the total community and now they blame ties warned the severe pollution states - is blamed for nearly half cases but Maharashtra recorded number of cases. the Congress. Instead of blaming could worsen the coronavirus the air pollution in New Delhi, its lowest infections in one week, “The test positivity ratio others for their own faults, all ef- epidemic. even though it is offi cially out- health offi cials said yesterday. which should be around 5% to- forts should now be made to see a Air in the metropolis becomes lawed. The state witnessed 263 deaths day in Kerala stands at 14.56%. concerted and joint action against a noxious cocktail of dust and Air quality will be monitored yesterday, down by nearly half Both Vijayan and Shailaja have the Covid spread,” he said. smoke each winter, caused by in a new war room, and there will from the peak of 515, and the toll been blaming the Congress-led Leader of Opposition Ramesh vehicle fumes, industrial emis- be checks on construction sites. now is 38,347. Maharashtra re- UDF for the spread, as we were Chennithala said a few cases of sions and smoke from agricul- Authorities will also introduce corded 10,244 new infections, the protesting. But the fact of the gross medical negligence have now tural burning. a phone app for people to report lowest since it witnessed 11,921 matter is, Shailaja in August come out from the Medical College The haze regularly sees the polluters. cases on September 28 - and over had predicted that Kerala will hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. city ranked as one of the world’s Delhi’s measurements of PM2.5 14,000 lower than the peak single- see daily cases spike to 10,000. “There has been a total failure in most polluted. - tiny particles that get into the day tally of 24,886 (September 11). When she said that Kerala never Covid monitoring and with things In a virtual news conference bloodstream and vital organs - The number of cases as of yes- had protests of the Congress. going out of hand, Vijayan, who yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister often soar to almost 40 times the terday was 14,53,653. And today as predicted by her, used to conduct daily press meet- Arvind Kejriwal said authori- World Health Organisation’s rec- In a relief, the state recovery the cases have spiked like never ings, has now gone missing. This ties would introduce a series of ommended safe level of 25. rate also shot up for the third before and they are blaming us government has failed miserably,” initiatives - including setting up Pollution levels plunged ear- day - from 79.64% to 80.0% - for it,” said Chandy. Chennithala said. a “war room” to deal with hot lier this year when the months- while the current mortality rate On Sunday Kerala had 80,818 State Congress president spots when they arise, and trial- long nationwide lockdown remained unchanged at 2.64%. active cases, while 139,620 peo- Mullapally Ramachandran said ling new technology to deal with against coronavirus halted much In Kerala meanwhile, the ple have been cured and the the way the Vijayan government old problems. industrial production. Congress party slammed Health highest number of daily case is handling things has caused lot For starters, authorities will But experts say the respite Minister K K Shailaja and Chief touched 9,258 on Friday. of discomfort for the hard work- Commuters wearing face masks wait at a bus stand in New Delhi test a so-called bio-decomposer may not signifi cantly reduce the Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for “Those who accused us of be- ing medical professionals. yesterday. process, which would turn crop seasonal “airpocalypse”. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Kipchoge’s aura fades with London defeat

When race commentator Steve Cram announced “this is not normal” midway through Sunday’s London Marathon it was something of an understatement as Eliud Kipchoge, the most dominant performer the distance has ever seen, was fi nally looking mortal. An hour later, Kipchoge trailed home eighth in a time six minutes slower than his own world record and over a minute adrift of Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, who won the race after a spectacular sprint fi nish in two hours, 05.41 minutes. How to end pandemic this year The Kenyan had fi nally cracked just under three miles from the end, later saying he was suff ering from a blocked The number of tests needed sprawling network of actors and strategy already being rolled out locally protective equipment, and expanded ear that aff ected his breathing and cramp in his hip, but globally over a year to supply a institutions. To be truly eff ective, any (such as the free mandatory testing medical facilities. refusing to blame the cold, wet conditions for his poor such program must be designed to at MIT and Georgetown University in But universal testing must not weekly testing regimen would generate systemic resilience and public the United States, weekly testing of be viewed as a separate item on a run. be equivalent to less than half value. employees at German workplaces, and larger list of priorities. The point of a It was no surprise that he looked slightly bemused As has been demonstrated by the population-wide testing campaign mission-oriented approach is to create as he tried to articulate what had happened, having the number of cans of soda the Nobel laureate economist Paul in Wuhan). dynamic public-sector capabilities and never previously experienced what almost every other consumed annually Romer, the epidemiologist Michael Similar strategies need to be strengthen the entire health system at marathon runner at every level has — a bad day at the Mina, a recent IMF working paper, launched at the national level, once. New testing capacity should be By Reda Cherif, Fuad Hasanov and many others, a properly designed especially in low- and middle-income integrated with national and local health offi ce. universal testing program could bring countries where the affordability and systems as part of a broader programme His record over the distance almost defi es belief. and Mariana Mazzucato London the pandemic to an end within just a scalability of molecular testing is low. design, so that each leg of the strategy Kipchoge won his fi rst race in Hamburg in 2013 and later few months. The missing ingredients Many countries have the capacity to supports the others. that year suff ered what was, until Sunday, his only defeat. are industrial policies and other produce a sufficient supply of tests at More broadly, Covid-19 has It can hardly be described as a failure, however, as Wilson esearch to develop a safe, government measures to coordinate and a cost that would pale in comparison underscored the need for a more eff ective, and widely available steer production, in order to eliminate to those inflicted by the pandemic. resilient and responsive industrial Kipsang needed to run a then-world record to beat him. Covid-19 vaccine is advancing the bottlenecks that the private sector The number of tests needed globally ecosystem that can increase production After that, Kipchoge Rrapidly. But when it will happen faces. over a year to supply a weekly testing of essential items quickly. Even under The Kenyan embarked on an extraordinary is not clear. Much depends on how we The necessary testing technology of regimen would be equivalent to less current conditions, increasing the streak of 10 straight wins, govern the production and distribution rapid immunodiagnostic tests — such than half the number of cans of soda production of tests and implementing a all in top-level races. His of new drugs. While the World Health as saliva-based antigen tests that are consumed annually. Moreover, scaling universal testing strategy is feasible, and cracked just Organisation’s Covid-19 Technology similar to home pregnancy tests and up production of antigen tests could could end the pandemic by year’s end, times, undoubtedly helped Access Pool promises to foster cost less than $5 — already exists. be done relatively quickly, and would while also creating the infrastructure under three by developments in shoe accessibility, the actual availability of Although these tests are sub-optimal in be a minor effort compared to the US needed to ward off future pandemics. miles from technology, edged downwards vaccines and treatments also will hinge sensitivity compared with the standard mobilisation for World War II. All countries need to adopt a until he smashed the world on local manufacturing capacity, which polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, While billions of dollars are being longer-term vision and shore up record in Berlin two years ago in many countries has been eroded by they are specifi c enough to detect funnelled toward vaccine development their manufacturing capabilities. By the end deindustrialisation. infections at scale in settings disease and production, additional funding also leading on this issue, governments can with 2:01.39. The only time he Moreover, while universal testing prevalence is high; and, crucially, they must be directed toward strengthening strengthen local productive capacities has recorded a slower run than Sunday’s was his 2:08.44 remains a feasible, cost-eff ective, do not require centralised laboratory our testing infrastructure. At $5 per and create a new kind of economic in the tactically raced 2016 Olympics, where he took gold. and immediately available method of facilities. unit, the cost of testing the world’s commons. The same mission-oriented After that, he fell 26 seconds short of becoming the fi rst managing the pandemic until a vaccine Therefore, with a purposeful population every week would come to approach could then be applied to man to break the two-hour barrier in Monza, but came arrives, this approach also requires programme design that carefully around $2 trillion. That is far less than science policy and industrial strategy, manufacturing capacity and sound considers the functionality and the pandemic-related loss of global laying the groundwork for more cross- back even better prepared in Vienna last year to clock governance in the public interest. Yet limitations of the technology deployed, income during this period (as measured sectoral innovations and the type of 1:59.40 — a time not recognised as an offi cial record due even in advanced economies, over- rapid tests can enable decentralised by the diff erence between pre- and resilient manufacturing that will be to it coming in a closed race with in and out pacemakers. reliance on the private sector may universal testing programmes at post-pandemic growth forecasts) needed to tackle other highly complex When Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele came within two prevent governments from maximising the community level. For example, and fi scal stimulus so far this year, an global challenges. The days when we seconds of his world record a year ago the juicy head-to- test production and deployment. tests could be made available free estimated total of $20 trillion. And could pin all our hopes on technological For example, the British government of charge at local pharmacies, with these comparisons don’t account for fi xes are over. — Project Syndicate head between the only two men to go under two hours, has proposed a “moon shot” testing the expectation that everyone test the costs of lost lives or the potential two minutes was teed up for London in April. programme, yet its actual strategy themselves on a regular basis and self- benefi ts of achieving new economies zReda Cherif is Senior Economist That race was cancelled due to Covid-19, however, and needs clarifi cation. isolate if positive. The same kits could of scale in test production — a spillover at the International Monetary Fund. organisers scrambled to put on Sunday’s event on a 19.6- Such a mission-oriented approach be used as “infection-free” passports that could enable the eradication of the Fuad Hasanov is Senior Economist lap course in a London park, only for Bekele to withdraw requires a holistic, systems-level for admission to public spaces such as seasonal fl u. at the International Monetary Fund perspective, particularly when it comes schools and workplaces. In this case, There are potentially steep challenges and Adjunct Professor of Economics on Friday with a calf injury. to “wicked problems” like public- a new market would likely emerge as beyond production, of course. As at Georgetown University. Mariana Kipchoge’s fi fth London title appeared like it may be health crises and climate change, airlines, malls, restaurants, and cafés practical as universal testing is, any such Mazzucato is Professor in the a formality, but from the start he was unable to impose which involve a wide range of complex start purchasing cheap, rapid tests so eff ort could still come under pressure if Economics of Innovation and Public himself in his usual way. The conditions were horrible socioeconomic and technological that they can get back to business. governments believe they must choose Value and Founding Director of the but there was a pack of 11 runners still together when they issues. Implementing universal testing Rapid testing can help to expand between diff erent production needs UCL Institute for Innovation and reached the halfway point in a dawdling 63 minutes. will require contributions from a and complement the universal testing for vaccines, anti-viral drugs, personal Public Purpose (IIPP). Everyone watched and waited for the favourite to make his move, but it never came. And while his game face is usually inscrutable, this time there were hints of distress. The moment of truth fi nally arrived just under three miles from the end when the pace picked up slightly and Kipchoge was left behind. After the race, wearing gloves and a huge padded coat, Kipchoge said: “It’s not the end of the world that I can’t win — that’s sport. If you’re beaten, you don’t go to a tree and hang yourself.” Can he now challenge his rivals for a gold at the Olympics next year in Tokyo? Will he ever rediscover the speed, let alone the aura, that has enabled him to rule the event for more than a decade? It would be interesting to watch.

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Bottomline: All countries need to adopt a longer-term vision and shore up their manufacturing capabilities. By leading on this issue, governments can strengthen local © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved productive capacities and create a new kind of economic commons. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 6, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Accountability court indicts College sealed after Zardari in Park Covid-19 infections Lane reference Internews lations of standard operating Islamabad procedure (SOP), so educational institutions are frequently di- Internews rected to follow the SOP to con- Islamabad he capital administration trol the virus. After the cases of Pakistan’s Islamabad were detected at the educational Thas decided to seal the institution, a recommendation ormer president Asif Ali Federal Government Postgradu- was moved to the deputy com- Zardari has been indicted ate College for Girls in F-7/2 af- missioner to close the college,” Fby an accountability court ter two people at the institution he said. in the Thatta Water Supply and tested positive for Covid-19. The college will be closed Park Lane references. The college will be closed for for fi ve days, during which its The PPP leader and others fi ve days, Islamabad District premises will be disinfected and nominated in the references Health Offi cer Dr Zaeem Zia contact tracing carried out. presented themselves before said. He added that other educa- the court yesterday in a hearing “We will disinfect the educa- tional institutions have also presided over by Justice Azam tional institution and try to trace reported single cases, because Khan. the patients’ contacts. Hopeful- of which the health depart- During the hearing, the ly, the institution will open after ment is monitoring them former president was present- fi ve days but that is not certain,” closely. ed with a charge sheet for the Dr Zia added. “If the number of cases in- Thatta Water Supply and Park When asked the policy for creases, those institutions will Lane references, while the other closing institutions, Dr Zia said be closed,” he said. suspects were provided a copy of schools and colleges will be Deputy Commissioner Hamza their indictments. closed if two or more people test Shafqaat said that although the A total 19 persons were in- positive during random sam- college was sealed, there was a dicted in the Park Lane reference pling in a single day. problem with the hostel because while 15 were indicted in the Safety measure: A student wearing a facemask leaves a school sealed by authorities as some teachers and students tested positive for the “Moreover, educational in- a few teachers living there insist- Thatta Water Supply reference. Covid-19 coronavirus in Islamabad yesterday. stitutions can be closed for vio- ed they be allowed to stay. Zardari pleaded not guilty to the charges as the court directed the National Accountability Bu- reau (NAB) to present witnesses in the Park Lane reference by October 20 and in the Thatta Water Supply reference by Oc- Bids invited for tober 21. The court had indicted Zard- ari and his sister Faryal Talpur on September 28 in the mega Sharif, daughter record 6 LNG money laundering reference. Speaking outside the ac- countability court with report- ers, Zardari was asked to com- spot cargoes ment on Khawaja Asif’s remarks about him. “Khawaja Asif must have giv- en the statement on somebody’s slapped with for December instructions,” he said. “The in- tent was to divide the opposi- tion.” Reuters tised tenders for delivery of Talking about the account- Islamabad two cargoes in August, three ability cases fi led against him, in September, two in October Zardari said that he had previ- and three in November. ously suff ered under the same akistan will ramp up In a press conference last circumstances when cases were sedition charges spot buying of lique- week, Pakistan’s Minister for fi led against him. Pfi ed natural gas (LNG) Petroleum Nadeem Babar said “When we are in opposition, from the international market, the country was headed to- such cases are fi led against us,” “dual standards of account- seeking up to six cargoes for wards a major gas shortfall in he said. “We have been going ability”, saying that he can December, its procurement December and January, and through these cases [in the past “no longer remain quiet” on subsidiary said on its web- blamed dwindling indigenous as well].” the matter. site, as the country prepares gas supply and rising demand. The Thatta Water Supply is a He was addressing a PML- for a potentially crippling gas He added that there had supplementary reference part N central working committee shortage. been a lack of local exploration of the fake bank accounts and meeting via a video link from December and January see licences granted by the previ- mega money-laundering scam London. the largest spike in demand for ous government, and while references fi led by NAB against “Nawaz Sharif is not made gas in Pakistan, but this year new gas discoveries were Zardari. of the kind of stuff that can the demand-supply shortfall found, they were small in size. In October 2015, the anti- remain quiet on dual stand- will be greater on the back of He said his government would corruption wing of the Federal ards of accountability,” he higher consumption and di- advertise more exploration li- Investigation Agency in Karachi said, adding that “no-one minishing indigenous supply, cences this month. received a tip-off about suspi- should try to silence me”. authorities believe. According to a report put cious intra-bank transactions He said that although A source in Pakistan LNG out in August by the Oil and from the Summit Bank, Sindh Prime Minister Imran Khan Ltd (PLL), which handles LNG Gas Regulatory Authority in- Bank and the United Bank Lim- “is to blame” for the coun- imports, told Reuters that six creased demand had resulted ited. try’s current state, “it is those spot cargo purchases for de- in natural gas availability con- who brought him into power livery in December would be straint. who are truly responsible”. the most in a single month by The main consumer of nat- “They will have to explain,” the country. ural gas was the power sector, Sharif had said. An advertisement by PLL which consumed 38%, while As he began his address, said the country was seeking the domestic sector was at Majority fears he spoke of how it had been the cargoes, each of 140,000 22% and fertiliser 16%. a long time since such an ad- cubic metres, in six delivery Up to 45% of Pakistan’s country headed dress had taken place. “I am windows and November 2 is power sector energy mix is Under fire: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, left, with his daughter Maryam Nawaz. (File photo) addressing you all after a long the deadline for submission of based on natural gas, accord- in ‘wrong time. And in these two-and- bids. ing to the report, which add- direction’ a-half years we have all en- Pakistan has long term LNG ed: “The demand supply gap Reuters/Internews try. Sharif, a long-standing by Reuters, adding that it was dured much.” agreements in place, including during FY2018-19 was 1,440 Lahore critic of the military, denies the aimed at maligning the armed “But it is with God’s grace one with Qatar, but has also MMCFD, which is expected corruption charges. forces and the judiciary. we are seeing each other now,” been active on the spot market to rise to 3,684 MMCFD by Internews “We will ensure a court trial The military, which has ruled Sharif said. since August. FY2024-25 and 5,389 MMCFD Islamabad akistani police fi led sedition against the accused,” govern- Pakistan for half of its history “When I look at the state the The country has adver- by FY2029-30”. charges yesterday against ment offi cial Musarrat Cheema since independence in 1947, country is in, it saddens me Pformer prime minister Na- told Reuters regarding the sedi- denies meddling in politics or deeply,” the former prime min- he majority of Pakistanis waz Sharif, his daughter Maryam tion charges. electoral wrongdoing. ister said. “We were on such a PM’s birthday becomes top twitter trend continue to fear that the Nawaz and dozens of his party In his recent speeches via The opposition parties have great path to progress and look Tcountry is heading in the leaders over comments he made video links from his London formed a new alliance, known at where we are now.” wrong direction since last year, criticising the interference of the home, Sharif has said the in- as the Pakistan Democratic Sharif said he sees a world Prime Minister Imran Khan claims a survey. military in national politics. terference of the military in Movement (PDM), and an- of a difference between the (pictured) turned 68 yes- France-based organisation Last month, Sharif’s Pakistan politics was the root cause of all nounced a campaign of na- Pakistan of a few years ago terday. lpsos, in its survey titled “Con- Muslim League and eight other Pakistan’s problems. tionwide protests to dislodge and the one before us now. “I As expected, the former sumer Confi dence Survey in opposition parties came together The sedition case filed Khan’s government, saying it do not understand why this cricketer-turned-politician’s Pakistan”, released claimed that to accuse the military of meddling against Sharif, his daughter has been a failure on all fronts. has happened.” birthday was noticed far four in fi ve Pakistanis contin- in politics and of rigging elections and 44 top party leaders says Sharif’s close aide Shahid Sharif’s third term as prime and wide on Twitter, with ued to fear that the country was in 2018 that brought Prime Min- he has sought in his speeches Khaqan Abbasi said the sedi- minister ran from 2013 to 2017, both his political support- heading in the wrong direction ister Imran Khan to power. to isolate Pakistan interna- tion charges would not deter when he was removed by the ers as well as his fans from since last year. Sharif left Pakistan last No- tionally and have it declared a the opposition’s campaign. Supreme Court amid revela- his cricketing days wishing It also revealed that three in vember to get medical treat- rogue state. “Arrest us, we’re ready for tions over his personal wealth, him well. four Pakistanis expressed dis- ment after being granted bail “Convict Nawaz Sharif has that,” he said. which he blames on the army #HappyBirthdayPMIm- satisfaction with the way things from a seven-year jail sentence been openly inciting the pub- Sharif on Thursday called generals after he fell out with ranKhan quickly became the are going in Pakistan today, for corruption, though his lic to commit treason,” said the out the incumbent govern- them over the handling of mili- number one Twitter trend in while the same proportion of daughter remains in the coun- case, a copy of which was seen ment for what he termed its tants. the country. Pakistanis described as bad the Khan’s former cricket vice- current economic situation in captain and once roommate, the country. Javed Miandad, who recently The survey, which the organi- fell out with him over “po- sation asserted was based on Sharif names aide, who created stir, spokesperson litical diff erences” but later 1,000 samples collected from apologised after his nephew urban and rural areas of the was appointed a provincial Firdous Ashiq Awan, did the country from people aged 18- Internews pointed as a spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar cricket coach — since then same: plus years with (male and female Islamabad on Sharif’s instructions. She revealed that Zubair twice withdrawn over age related Indian sports writer Joy 50:50%) in September this year, further said that a spokesper- met the army chief in August controversy — was among Bhattacharjya recalled what said that unemployment was a sons’ committee would also be and then in September. He the first ones to wish him, PM Imran’s greatest contri- worrying issue which got am- he Pakistan Muslim formed under the guidance of said the meeting was held at doing so almost as the date bution to cricket was. plifi ed by 11% people since last League – Nawaz (PML- the party’s primary spokes- Zubair’s request. changed to October 5 in the Pak Passion Editor Saj Sadiq year, followed by increasing in- TN) has appointed former person and central informa- In the meetings Zubair wee hours of yesterday. described PM Imran as “the fl ation and poverty. Sindh governor Mohamed tion secretary. talked about Sharif and Mar- The Pakistan Cricket Board, greatest ever Pakistani The survey report, while club- Zubair as the spokesperson Dr Mussadiq Malik, Mohsin yam, the DG ISPR added. whose patron-in-chief cricketer”. bing various stated responses of party supremo and former Shahnawaz Ranjha, Talal Later, the former gover- the prime minister is, was Pakistani film star Shaan by them stated that 75% of the prime minister Nawaz Sharif Chaudhry, Uzma Bukhari and nor also confirmed his meet- among the first cricketing appeared to compare PM most worrying issues related to and his daughter Maryam Na- Ataullah Tarar will be part of ings saying that he had gone bodies to wish him: Imran to Quaid-e-Azam economic despair of the masses. waz. the committee. to discuss economic issues. The International Cricket Mohammad Ali Jinnah — It also stated that signifi cant in- The PML-N spokesper- The former governor’s ap- “Of course, Nawaz Sharif and Council wasn’t far behind: the country’s founder — as crease in infl ation and poverty son Marriyum Aurangzeb pointment comes after Direc- Maryam Nawaz, all came un- Former SAPM for Informa- he wished him health and are at the top since August last announced this yesterday. tor-General of Inter-Services der discussion. No relief was tion and Broadcasting, Dr prosperity and power. year. She said Zubair has been ap- Public Relations (DGISPR) ever requested,” he tweeted. Mohamed Zubair Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 QATAR Sidra transforms lives of kids with

liver diseases Members of the Liver Clinic team at Sidra Medicine. he Liver Clinic at Sidra who travel abroad for liver trans- transplant co-ordinators, allied abroad for months,” Dr al-Masri surgery,” the doctor said. last possible option. steps that the Sidra Medicine Medicine has transformed plantations, are given the best health professionals, and social added. Joe, whose parents are resi- Once it became evident that team took to ensure that Joe’s Tthe lives of hundreds of pre and post-operative care. workers.” “While we do not conduct liver dents of Qatar, was born in Leba- Joe would require a liver trans- care was done in a safe manner, children in Qatar with complex Dr Mamoun Elawad, who is the Attending physician Dr We- transplants as yet at Sidra Medi- non with biliary atresia in early plant, with his father as the do- is something that we will never liver diseases, including 40 sent division chief of gastroenterolo- sam al-Masri is part of the Liver cine, by setting up the clinical 2019. nor, the family members were forget.” overseas for liver transplanta- gy and hepatology at Sidra Medi- Clinic at Sidra Medicine. pre and post-operative service Upon learning about the spe- prepared for the procedure clini- Professor Ziyad M Hijazi, act- tions. cine, stated: “We work in tandem He explained: “Previously, here, we have drastically reduced cialist paediatric care provided cally and psychologically by an ing chief medical offi cer at Sidra The clinical programme, part with a multidisciplinary team of paediatric patients who received the need for the patient to travel by Sidra Medicine in Qatar, Joe’s extended team of experts from Medicine, added: “Joe’s case is of the Gastroenterology, Hepa- experts in order to ensure that we treatment overseas had to stay in weeks earlier to prepare for the mother Marie Louise fl ew back to Sidra Medicine. just one of the many examples tology and Nutrition Service at provide the most advanced treat- those countries, sometimes for surgery or to remain abroad for Qatar when he was fi ve months Joe’s mother recalled: “When of the personalised approach to Sidra Medicine, oversees the care ment options available to address months on end, on account of long periods for post-operative old. Joe was eight months old, we care that we off er all our patients and treatment programmes for a full range of paediatric liver dis- unforeseen complications as well care,” he said. The clinical team worked travelled to India for his trans- and their families – whether in children with diff erent liver dis- eases. as to maintain regular care and “Our patients travel to well- closely with Joe’s family to moni- plantation.” Qatar or when they have to travel eases. “This includes the close in- follow-up.” established liver transplant cen- tor his progress, optimise his “Despite the fact that this was abroad. It also off ers support in a volvement of gastroenterolo- “At times, an entire family has tres in the United Kingdom, the medical condition and consider in March during the early days of “We look forward to develop- unique clinical setting to ensure gists, anaesthesiologists, sur- to uproot themselves in order to United States, India and Turkey diff erent treatment programmes, the global lockdown of the coro- ing a liver transplant programme that paediatric patients in Qatar, geons, and intensivists, liver accompany their child and stay for the actual transplantation with a liver transplant being the navirus pandemic,” she said, “the for children in Qatar.”

2nd edition of Qatar Achievements on Vocational Safety book launched

he second edition of the health and safety have always Qatar Achievements on been one of the prime objectives TVocational Safety book of Qatar. was launched yesterday under “In these troubled times, they the patronage of the Ministry of assume greater signifi cance. It Municipality and Environment becomes imperative for us that (MME). we are even more careful than The book highlights the rapid before, because the next two strides that have been taken by years are going to prove crucial Qatar towards achieving moder- for us with regards to staging a nity, and gives an account of the successful and memorable 2022 massive development accom- FIFA World Cup,” he said. plished by the country in a short Khalifa al-Muhannadi, chair- period of time. man of event organisers Sogha It also emphasises Qatar’s Advertising, said that the book is keenness to provide aff ordable going to be a real eye-opener for housing for labourers, respect- the whole world, as it describes ing and guaranteeing their fun- how the workers involved with damental rights, and supporting the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qa- them with adequate compen- tar are adhering to the interna- Al-Sada addressing the event. sation when they are unable to tional safety standards and occu- work. pational safety guidelines. Safety awards were presented Safety awards were presented to companies in various categories. Addressing the function, The book launch function also to companies in various catego- Ahmed al-Sada, assistant un- marked the distribution of excel- ries, including small and medium Qetaifan Projects was the offi - Al Balagh were the gold spon- Care Corporation and Shail the Alfardan Group. dersecretary for Services Aff airs lence awards to local companies enterprises, real estate, oil and cial sponsor for the event. sors. Holding, and the Bronze cat- The event was supported by at the MME, said that the pro- that implemented the best occu- gas, retail and health organisa- The Supreme Committee for The silver category sponsors egory sponsors were Al Jaber the Ministry of Transport and motion and implementation of pational safety standards. tions. Delivery and Legacy (SC) and included the Primary Health Engineering, the QIMC, and Communications. Kahramaa, National Service Last coronavirus patient discharged Academy sign agreement from Lebsear Field Hospital

he Qatar General Electric- he last Covid-19 patient ity and Water Corpora- at the Lebsear Field Hos- Ttion (Kahramaa) signed an Tpital was discharged yes- agreement of co-operation with terday following his recovery. the National Service Academy The Covid-19 respiratory dis- of the Ministry of Defence yes- ease is caused by the coronavi- terday. rus. According to a Kahramaa The hospital received 1,884 statement, the agreement fea- Covid-19 patients since its tures training of national service opening in May and provided recruits and enhances co-opera- the necessary treatment to tion in the common and specifi c them, said Abdulla al-Mushiri, areas to benefi t both organisa- the hospital’s administra- tions. tive director, in a video posted The agreement was signed by yesterday on the social media Kahramaa president Engineer channels of the Ministry of Issa bin Hilal al-Kuwari and Public Health (MoPH), Hamad National Service Academy head Medical Corporation, and the Staff Major-General Saeed Ha- Primary Health Care Corpora- mad al-Nuaimi. Al-Kuwari and al-Nuaimi signing the agreement yesterday. tion. Al-Kuwari said that Kahramaa The hospital, located near Al is keen to strengthen co-opera- Al-Kuwari added that the dents, employees and members Sheehaniya (Dukhan Road), is tion with all national authorities agreement includes various areas of the National Service Academy. a joint initiative of the MoPH and institutions. of co-operation, including the Al-Nuaimi said that the agree- and Ministry of Defence He explained that this is in line exchange of experiences in the ment will provide students and em- (MoD). with the goals that support the fi elds of training and develop- ployees of the academy with oppor- It was opened to help ease the development of society, meet the ment. tunities for training in the drinking pressure on other designated country’s electricity and water Under the agreement, Kah- water system, electrical and water Covid-19 hospitals in the coun- The last Covid-19 patient at Lebsear Field Hospital was discharged yesterday in the presence of doctors demand, and security on a per- ramaa will provide training op- installations, and solar energy tech- try, said clinical lead Dr Abdul- and staff . manent and regular basis. portunities to the recruited stu- nologies and their uses. lah al-Naimi. The hospital has 504 sin- gle rooms with attached bath- rooms. “We provided a safe and com- fortable environment for all our US fi rms keen on expanding patients round the clock, and allocated a room for each pa- tient,” al-Mushiri said. operations, workforce in Qatar “Today, the last coronavirus patient was discharged from the Lebsear Field Hospital,” added From Page 1 lieve that American firms are tive perception to expand their Dr al-Naimi, thanking the MoD viewed “more favourably than partnerships on the ground in the for its support. “Additionally, new entities local companies” and “more country,” the report said. The hospital was built in such as the Qatar Free Zones are favourably than non-Western On quality of life, the survey record time by the Ministry of key factors causing companies to non-local companies.” showed that “90% of respond- Defence, and handed over to the consider increasing their invest- “When compared to other ents believe their expatriate em- Ministry of Public Health to op- ments in Qatar or moving their Western companies in Qatar, this ployees are satisfi ed or somewhat erate. Staff seeing off the last Covid-19 patient at Lebsear Field Hospital. operations there,” the report number falls slightly to 55%, but satisfi ed with their assignments The Lebsear Field Hospital said. this still demonstrates the posi- in Qatar and the overall quality was previously used as a mili- lighted the significance of sult of a strong partnership vey my deep gratitude to the Based on the experiences tive perception US companies of life in Qatar…quality of life in tary hospital by the MoD. the hospital as one of Qatar’s between the Ministry of Public Ministry of Defence for their respondents have had in Qa- face in Qatar…US companies are Qatar is high and an important Earlier, HE the Minister of dedicated Covid-19 facilities. Health, Ministry of Defence, support of the healthcare sec- tar, the report stated that viewed positively in Qatar and contributor to corporate expan- Public Health Dr Hanan Mo- “The operation of the Leb- and Hamad Medical Corpora- tor throughout this pandemic,” more than two thirds be- can take advantage of this posi- sion in the country.” hamed al-Kuwari had high- sear Field Hospital is the re- tion, and I would like to con- she had said.