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MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 4 SAFAR - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8387 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Enjoy Ooredoo’s fast 5G network

Amir to participate in 75th session of UNGA Initial operation at CT2 of QNA — DOHA Hamad Port to begin in Dec Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is taking THE PENINSULA — DOHA part in the meetings of the Full operation of Phases 1 & 2 will start before the end of 2022, 75th session of the United The initial operation of Hamad taking the port’s capacity to three million TEUs per year. Nations General Assembly Port’s Container Terminal 2 and the High-Level meeting (CT2) is set to begin this The area of Phases 1 & 2 of Hamad Port’s CT2 is 380,000sqm to commemorate the 75th December for container and its quay is 624 metres long. anniversary of the United handling, announced the Nations, which will be held Ministry of Transport and Phase 1 of CT2 has been equipped with 3 STS quay cranes with at the UN headquarters in Communications, yesterday. advanced technology, including semi-automation and New York, the United States CT2 development consists of remote-control operations. of America, via videocon- four phases. Full operation of ference. Phase 1 & 2 will start before the end All materials used in the works of infrastructure, H H the Amir will deliver of 2022, taking the port’s capacity preparations and construction at CT2 are made in a speech at the High-Level to 3 million TEUs per year. Phases Qatar with universal specifications. meeting today (September 3 & 4 will be developed later to 21) and a speech at the raise the port’s operational opening of the 75th session capacity according to the local of the UN General Assembly market’s needs. tomorrow (September 22). Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said: “Announcing the initial operation Qatar reiterates of CT2 is a new achievement to be MME provides more added to Hamad Port’s series of its firm position previous achievements, thus near completion confirms the “During developing CT2 boosting its huge potential, continuity of plans that aim to and its associated building and on Palestine issue than 450 services advanced utilities and modern develop and increase the port’s construction works, MoTC’s systems for increasing Qatar’s capacity, which is progressing vision has been implemented, QNA — DOHA QNA — DOHA exchange ideas, and opinions in trade with the world, in addition in full gear with no delay or which aims at supporting the the process of enhancing the to improving the country’s com- slowdown despite the reper- local manufacturing and The State of Qatar affirmed its Minister of Municipality and mechanisms used to improve the petitiveness by transforming it into cussions associated with the deploying latest technologies firm position on the Palestinian Environment H E Eng. Abdullah satisfaction of the beneficiaries a regional business hub with sus- COVID-19 pandemic, which that are based on environ- issue, which stipulates ending bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al of the internal and external tainable development for the affected several economies mental sustainability and clean the Israeli occupation and Subaie has said that the Ministry public, he explained. coming generations.” around the world directly and energy,” His Excellency said. establishing the State of is providing its services for H E the Minister of Munic- The fact that CT2 works indirectly, H E the Minister said. `P3 Palestine with Jerusalem as its citizens and residents, as well ipality and Environment capital within the framework as to the public and private reviewed a number of the Min- of international legitimacy and sectors through several access istry’s projects in the fields of relevant Security Council reso- points and in various sectors. urban planning affairs, munic- lutions while granting all Pales- H E the Minister said that ipalities, public services, agri- tinian refugees the right of there are over 450 services, culture, fisheries, environment, return, as that is what the State noting that necessity of uniting and shared services. of Qatar sees as the root and efforts to work as a single His Excellency the Minister sustainable solution to this system and not as separate pointed out that the use of tech- conflict, which has lasted for organisational units, to improve nology is considered one of the more than 70 years. work performance in the most significant advanced ways In a statement issued yes- services provided to the public. to implement the ministry’s terday, the Ministry of Foreign In his speech during the strategy and achieve its mission, Affairs said that it is regrettable opening of the First Annual vision, and goals, and it also con- to see some misleading media Planning Forum, which was tributes very effectively to devel- campaigns that try to mix up launched via video conferencing oping services and raising the issues and distort the image of yesterday with the participation level of service provided to the the State of Qatar at the of all sectors in the Ministry, H public and beneficiaries, to be expense of the brotherly Pal- E the Minister said that the accessible to all around the clock. estinian people and their legit- current stage calls for a trans- H E the Minister added that imate rights at this defining formation in the management as part of its concern for the moment in the history of the of the business that is done, public, the Ministry is keen to conflict. through good planning for the measure the satisfaction of ben- The statement indicated future, based on results to reach eficiaries by launching customer that the State of Qatar will the strategic objectives. satisfaction questionnaires in spare no effort in providing This annual forum is the first various sectors, and it also makes Foreign Minister meets GCC Secretary-General whatever support it can to of its kind to build effective com- internal questionnaires to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al alleviate the suffering of the munication channels between measure the satisfaction of the Thani met yesterday with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) H E Dr. Nayef Palestinians until the Pales- the Ministry’s leaders to discuss internal public (employees) with tinian people obtain all their their ambitions in order enhance the services provided by the sup- Falah Al Hajraf, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, views were exchanged on legitimate rights. institutional effectiveness, porting departments. `P2 the GCC march and issues of common concern.

Concept design Construction sector emerges as largest job creator in Qatar for Central Doha’s SACHIN KUMAR and skilled workers. the run-up to FIFA World Cup build airport, road network, skilled and highly skilled Phase 4 roads THE PENINSULA The construction sector is Qatar 2022, Qatari cities have Doha Metro, Qatar now has workers are well represented playing a significant role in undergone a massive change. world-class infrastructure. The in the labour market. The development ready Apart from helping in building poweringring Qatar’sQ economy. In With massive investment to demand for expatriate workers number of skilled and highly a robust infrastructure, the remained linked to the per- skilled workers reached IRFAN BUKHARI construction sector has also formance of a specific sector. 609,900 workers, which is THE PENINSULA emerged as the biggest job Increased activity and heavy around 30.5 percent of total creator in Qatar. The investment made the con- expatriate workers. The Ministry of Transport and construction sector has struction sector the largest job In coming years, the devel- Communications (MoTC) has attracted the highest number of The construction sector creator in the country. Other opment projects that are being completed concept design for expatriate workforce last year. absorbed the bulk of imported sectors such as real estate, implemented during the current Phase 4 of the Main Roads The construction sector labour, employing about 44.2 hotels, wholesale and retail trade period and planned for the Infrastructure Project in absorbed the bulk of imported percent of the total expatriate and manufacturing have played future, it is expected that the Central Doha. labour, employing about 44.2 44.2% workforce in 2019. their part in job creation. need for the unskilled and semi- The concept of the percent of the total expatriate According to the Planning skilled workforce will continue project which includes many workforce in 2019, according The rapid growth in Qatar’s economy in the past few and Statistics Authority, the to grow. new underpasses and to a report of the Planning and wholesale and retail trade In addition to the less- overhead bridges has been Statistics Authority. years has created job opportunities for thousands of sectors employed 12.6 percent skilled workforce, given that the sent to the Public Works Qatar’s population at the skilled and semi-skilled workers. workforce while real estate and Qatari economy is currently Authority (Ashghal) for end of 2019 reached about 2.8 According to the Planning and Statistics Authority, hotels and other accommo- moving along a trajectory with detailed design and million, of which the number of dation absorbed 8.8 percent of the goal of having a digital implementation. workforce in the country was the wholesale and retail trade sectors employed the workforce. The household economy based on knowledge, “Continuing the Ministry’s about 2.1 million. The expatriate 12.6 percent workforce. service sector employed 8.7 in particular with the current efforts to develop an inte- workforce accounts for about percent workforce while man- enactment of the country’s grated planning system for 94.9 percent of the total work- ufacturing absorbed 7.6 percent strategy to enhance the role of road network across the force, as per the Planning and workforce. research, development, and country, Phase 4 of the Main Statistics Authority figures. Public services including innovation activities, it can be Roads Infrastructure & The rapid growth in Qatar’s education and health absorbed expected that the highly skilled Concept Design Project in economy in the past few years five percent of the workforce. imported workforce will Central Doha has been com- has created job opportunities According to the results of enlarge and flourish over the pleted, which is a major part for thousands of semi-skilled the 2019 labour force survey, next decade, noted the report. of the future of Doha. `P2 02 HOME MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020

MME provides over 450 services Embassy delivers medical OFFICIAL NEWS Amir congratulates FROM PAGE 1 and food aid to Senegal President of Nepal Eng. Yousef Ahmed Janahi, Director of Planning and QNA — DAKAR cooperation with Qatar DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Quality Department and Charity to achieve partnership Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir General Coordinator of the First The Embassy of the State of with it in all fields. H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Annual Planning Forum of the Qatar to the Republic of For his part, Ambassador Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of Ministry of Municipality and Senegal delivered medical and Al Marri affirmed that pro- congratulations to President of the Environment, confirmed that preventive aid and food vision of aid from the State of Federal Democratic Republic of the main objectives behind baskets, provided by Qatar Qatar to the Republic of Nepal H E Bidhya Devi Bhandari holding this forum are to create Charity to Senegal, repre- Senegal aims to support on the occasion of her country’s a common vision for the future sented by the High Authority efforts to combat the corona- National Day. Prime Minister and of the Ministry during the five- of Waqf (HAW), to assist in virus pandemic. Minister of Interior H E Sheikh year plan period in light of the efforts to combat the corona- He said that the State of Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz approved long-term vision and virus (COVID-19) pandemic. Qatar has seen, since the Al Thani also sent a cable of con- the national strategy of the state The delivery of the aid was beginning of the COVID-19, gratulations to Prime Minister of and to provide the opportunity attended by Director General that containing and elimi- the Federal Democratic Repub- for senior officials to present of the High Authority of Waqf nating the pandemic in the lic of Nepal H E K P Sharma Oli Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Eng. Abdullah bin their plans for an open and (HAW) Halima Gob, a number world needs cooperation and on the occasion of his country’s Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie (top left), and other officials during honest discussion, review and of Senegalese government solidarity and that countries National Day. — QNA comment on them in the the opening session of the Planning Forum, yesterday. officials, and Ambassador of must support each other interest of the Ministry, in the State of Qatar to Senegal financially, morally and addition to discussing related Urban Planning Affairs Sector, departments of the sector, H E Mohammed bin Kurdi humanely. Expats can change issues and explore and where Assistant Undersecretary namely (urban planning - land Talib Al Marri. He reiterated the strength exchange solutions. of the Ministry Eng. Fahd and survey - expropriation - Halima Gob thanked the of the bilateral relations work organisation The first session of the Muhammad Al Qahtani pre- infrastructure planning infra- State of Qatar for its human- between the two countries, forum yesterday included a sented the work plan of the structure - state property) by itarian initiative, and con- and said that this aid is a vivid within 90 days of presentation of the main plans, Urban Planning Affairs Sector, presenting their department’s firmed that HAW will continue example of the distinction of residency expiry projects, and activities of the and the managers of the business plan, separately. its coordination and relations. SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Four arrested for THE PENINSULA Check company approval before installing Expatriates can change their violating home work organisation even within quarantine rules 90 days from the date of surveillance cameras, MoI advises expiry of their residency permits, according to the new QNA — DOHA SIDI MOHAMED gov.qa) before making a pur- public to ensure they also get a houses, shops of gold and jew- ministerial decision published THE PENINSULA chase, to make sure that the copy of the user manual ellery, sports and cultural in the official gazette The competent authorities company selling these devices attached with the camera in clubs, shopping malls and yesterday. yesterday arrested four people To ensure safe use of home is accredited. order to know how to use it, entertainment centres, hos- As per the new decision, who violated the requirements surveillance cameras and This will help in ensuring change the password, and to pitals and clinics, and ware- the employer is required to of the home quarantine, they devices, the Ministry of Interior safe use of home security fulfil the security houses — to install surveillance submit an additional contract committed to following, which (MoI) has urged citizens and camera systems and keep them requirements. cameras. in case of hiring a worker tem- they are legally accountable residents to ensure the safe from hackers. Due to the importance of Article no 2 of law no 9 for porarily (ayara) to the main job for, in accordance with the company selling the device is In order to avoid the surveillance cameras and their 2011 regulating the use of contract of the worker. procedures of the health accredited before making any potential dangers of using these contribution to detecting and Security and Surveillance This came in the decision authorities in the country. purchase. technologies in homes, it is following up many crimes, CCTV Camera and devices of the Minister of Interior No. It is in implementation of Home surveillance cameras preferable to adhere to general Qatar issued Law No. 9/2011 stipulates that, “Facilities 51 of 2020 amending some the precautionary measures and devices enhance security safety requirements, the most regulating the use of Security owners and those in-charge provisions of executive regu- in force in the country, and safety of a premises important of which is changing and Surveillance CCTV camera of management thereof, shall lations of the Law No. 21 of approved by health authorities through monitoring. the password after purchasing and devices. install the CCTV surveillance 2015 about regulating the represented in the Ministry of The Ministry has advised the these devices, in order to pre- The law requires all public camera and devices. Such entry and exit of expatriates Public Health (MoPH) to public to visit the section of serve the contents of the facilities — such hotels, hotel devices shall be operated and their residency. ensure the achievement of Security Systems Department registration. apartments, residential com- around the clock, and shall The decision was pub- public safety and to curb the at the MoI website (http://moi. The Ministry advised the plexes, banks, exchange have a control room.” lished in the Official Gazette spread of the coronavirus. of the State of Qatar numbered The four persons being 15, yesterday. The Gazette was referred to prosecution are Concept design for posted on Twitter by the Min- Mukhtar Ibrahim; Mohammed istry of Justice. Nabil Yousef Abdullah; Suhail Central Doha’s Phase The article No. 1 of the Al Rahman Aziz Al Rahman decision of the Minister of Ansari and Khalid Naji Abdul- 4 roads development Interior No. 51 of 2020 stipu- Hafez Abdullah Al Ajji. lated to replace the text of the The authorities concerned ready article No. 65 and 67 of the in the state have called on cit- FROM PAGE 1 executive regulation of the izens and residents who are Law No. 21 of 2015. subject to quarantine to fully It has been submitted to the Public As per the amended article adhere to the requirements set Works Authority (Ashghal) to prepare the No. 65, the work organisation by the Ministry of Public detailed design and start implementation,” of the expatriate will be Health, to ensure their safety the MoTC said yesterday in a tweet. changed according to the rules and the safety of others. According to infographics shared with and regulation in this regard. The authorities warned the tweet, many new expansion works will The expatriate will notify that anyone who violates these be executed at D-Ring Road (Al Najma), the department concerned at conditions will expose himself C-Ring Road (Al Jahra), Doha Express Way the Ministry of Administrative to the penalties stipulated in (Haloul), D-Ring Road (Rawdat Al Khail), Development, Labor and accordance with the provi- where at some places new underpasses will Social Affairs following the sions of Article (253) of the be constructed while at others overhead procedures in this regard. Penal Code No. (11) of 2004, bridges have been proposed. The MOTC and Ashghal aim to develop and plans for maintaining and managing The residency permit of and the provisions of Law No. It is to be noted here that the Ministry and manage the mobility and transportation road projects and networks as well as expat should be valid or within (17) of 1990 regarding the pre- of Transport and Communications had projects as an integrated network com- coordinating on resolving the complaints 90 days from the date of vention of infectious diseases, signed an MoU with the Public Works patible with other modes of transportation from the public, doing the necessary expiry unless it expired for the and Law No. (17) of 2002 on Authority (Ashghal) on planning, studying, in such an efficient, economic, safe and maintenance works, developing and reasons which is not in his the protection of society. designing, maintaining and managing the environment-friendly fashion. boosting joint cooperation to benefit from control. According to the road projects in August this year. The two sides aim to fulfill the needs their capabilities in joint fields and stim- amended article No. 67, the The MoU is upgrading the level of col- of the State of Qatar from in mobility and ulating sustainable economic and social employer who requested to Qatar and Oman laboration, joint efforts and constructive transportation in line with the Second development for the State of Qatar. hire an expatriate worker tem- cooperation between the two sides with National Development Strategy (2018- Ashghal carries out infrastructure porarily will submit an addi- collaborate to the aim of providing a safe, integrated 2022) and Qatar National Vision 2030, projects across the country according to tional contract to the main job transportation system in line with best an earlier statement had stated. the recommendations of MoTC and the contact signed by employer educate dementia universal practices and standards within Additionally, there will be an acti- comprehensive plans, strategic studies, and expatriate worker which the tasks and competencies of the two vation of a joint working mechanism concept designs, priorities, recommen- will be endorsed by the Labor caregivers parties. regarding putting the necessary strategies dations, reports, researches and the like. Ministry.

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

World Alzheimer’s Day and QU to develop Qatar’s first solar agriculture greenhouse Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have collaborated with THE PENINSULA — DOHA totype as a blue print.” required field tests, in agricul- Oman Alzheimer’s Society to Dr. Ali Al Kharboutli, con- tural terms, to assess the tech- host an educational webinar Qatar University’s (QU) Solar sultant to the Agricultural nologies developed by the for families and caregivers Greenhouse project is funded by Research Department, MME, College of Engineering. dealing with someone who has Qatar National Research Fund said: “The research depends on “The Ministry of Munici- Alzheimer’s disease or another (QNRF), National Priority the use of a number of technol- pality and Environment is form of dementia. Research Program (NPRP), in ogies that are based on the offering the required agriculture Oman and Qatar share collaboration with Department Fourth Industrial Revolution 4.0 land needed for the con- many cultural similarities, of Agricultural Research of the and its transformation into an struction of the developed including a deep respect for Ministry of Municipality and integral part of the agricultural greenhouse and provides other the elderly and a desire to Environment (MME). community by developing the agricultural resources needed enhance the care provided to During the past 15 years, greenhouse design, manufac- such as irrigation water, power, people living with Alzheimer’s Qatar witnessed rapid economic turing, cooling and lighting seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. disease. and exponential population systems.” The new greenhouse is con- The webinar was arranged growth. Thus, the research and Hamad Saket Al Shammari, sidered to be a quantum leap in as a virtual event to connect development projects of Pro- Director of the Agricultural the field of protected agri- Qatar University’s Solar Greenhouse project carers living in Oman and tected Agriculture is essential for Research Department, said in culture, in which it is expected Qatar. It provided an ideal healthy population and are key order to enhance sustainable that production will be platform for exchanging to enhance food security. tensions and the imposed were assessed using ray tracing food security, the Agricultural increased in quantity and knowledge and experiences. Commenting on the Solar blockade on the country.” simulations, cooling load calcu- Research Department actively quality while reducing the oper- The event was jointly Greenhouse project, Dr. Saud This project developed a lations and field trials in Nabati engaged with the College of ating costs of energy and water hosted by, Dr. Hanadi Al Ghani, lead researcher of Green- thermally insulated greenhouse farm. Engineering at Qatar University consumption,” Al Shammari Hamad — Qatar’s National house project and Professor of that allows the entry of optimum Dr. Saud added: “The green- to develop greenhouses suitable added. Lead for Healthy Ageing, Mechanical Engineering at solar radiation levels through house prototype is currently for the Qatari local weather con- Masoud Jarallah Al Marri, Senior Consultant Geriatrician College of Engineering, said: negative linear Fresnel lenses under field tests for yield assess- ditions and market. Director of the Food Security and Medical Director “Qatar has set food security as a located in its roof. The lenses ments at the Nabati farm in “The design of these agri- Department at MME, high- Rumailah Hospital and Qatar priority for the country and set distribute the solar radiation Mekanees, south of Doha. For culture greenhouses was lighted the importance of this Rehabilitation Institute, out a commitment to sustain over the plant rows. The per- the last two summers (2018, carried using the latest technol- project and its effective role in Hamad Medical Corporation about 70 percent self-sufficiency formance of the proposed 2019), the field tests have proven ogies in the field of engineering supporting the Ministry’s objec- — and Dr. Hamed Al Sinawi, on greenhouse vegetables. greenhouse in terms of pro- very promising and the Ministry and agriculture. Where the tives towards achieving food Senior Consultant Old Age Achieving sustainable food viding the required levels of is looking forward to develop Agricultural Research security in Qatar, by achieving Psychiatrist and Chairman security was further ascertained solar radiation for plant growth Qatar’s first agriculture green- Department, represented by the stable production of agricultural Oman Alzheimer’s Society. by the ongoing geopolitical and the reduction in cooling load house standards using this pro- MME research team, carried the crops throughout the year. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 HOME 03 Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Initial operation at CT2 of receives credentials of envoys Hamad Port to begin in Dec

FROM PAGE 1 CT2 has been also the total to 26. H E the Minister noted that equipped with 12 RTGs are used for handling all materials used in the works containers on the landside. of infrastructure, preparations RTGs and 14 more will RTGs are of battery hybrid type and construction at CT2 are and this technology reduces the made in Qatar with universal be added during 2021, environmental impact of RTG specifications, as well as the taking the total to 26. operations by reducing fuel structures of the electric consumption. trailers that transport con- CT2 has 22 Terminal tainers within the terminal / 624m long. QTerminals, which Tractor APM 75T HE for con- port, thus supporting the manages and operates Phase 1 tainer transportation within the electric vehicles strategy and of Hamad Port, has completed terminal and the port. This type legislations that aim to back two million man-hours without of terminal tractors is capable the country’s agenda for LTI during the development of functioning very efficiently greener future. works of CT2. in high temperatures. H E Minister Al Sulaiti said Phase 1 of CT2 has been It’s equipped with advanced that MoTC, by backing this kind equipped with 3 STS quay batteries, an entirely solid-state of business, is significantly con- cranes with advanced tech- technology insensitive to tem- tributing to reinforcing the nology, including semi-auto- perature variations from -20 to localisation of manufacturing, mation and remote-control 160°C. This supports its opera- expertise and global technol- operations. tions at Hamad Port in summers ogies, in addition to its plans for STS cranes are known for when temperatures are very localising the actual operational being fast and extremely effi- high in Qatar. processes for several transpor- cient in container handling and Terminal Tractors APM 75T tation and communication capable of handling latest types HE have high productivity and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, received separately yesterday projects, thus enriching local of vessels. Four more cranes less maintenance cost. These copies of the credentials of Ambassador of Malaysia, H E Zamshari Shaharan (above); Ambassador companies’ investment ide- will be added during 2021, are also easy to drive with a of the Republic of Austria, H E Karin Fichtinger-Grohe; Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of ology to achieve the Qatar taking the total number of high level of safety, eco-friendly Bangladesh, H E Md Jashim Uddin; and Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of National Vision 2030. cranes to seven. and energy saver. Being fully- Qatar, H E Arman Isagaliyev. H E the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the new ambassadors The area of Phases 1 & 2 of CT2 has been also equipped electric makes them clean and success in their missions, assuring to provide all support to upgrade relations between the State of Hamad Port’s CT2 is with 12 RTGs and 14 more will sustainable with no polluting Qatar and their countries to closer cooperation in various fields. 380,000sqm and its quay is be added during 2021, taking or carbon emissions or noise. MoPH: 230 new Generation Amazing programme benefits over 500,000 COVID-19 cases, THE PENINSULA — DOHA harnessed for a better future for our region and the globe.” 214 recoveries Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary- Generation Amazing’s work During his video message, General of the Supreme Al Thawadi praised the work of THE PENINSULA — DOHA Committee for Delivery & follows the ethos that brings us Generation Amazing, which Legacy (SC), said that SC is using together today — promoting aims to positively impact the The Ministry of Public Health sport to drive change through tolerance and respect, lives of one million people by (MoPH) yesterday announced its football for development empowering youth and women, the time the first ball is kicked the registration of 230 new programme, Generation and encouraging health, at the FIFA World Cup Qatar confirmed cases of COVID-19 Amazing, which has already 2022. in the country. benefited more than 500,000 education and social inclusion. Speaking about the pro- Among the new cases were people in Asia and the Middle gramme’s impact on youth in 16 travellers returning from East. Hassan Al Thawadi less privileged parts of the abroad. He was addressing a high- Secretary-General, Supreme Committee world, Generation Amazing Another 214 people have level meeting during the launch for Delivery & Legacy Programmes Director, Nasser recovered from the virus, of the UN Global Programme Al Khori said, “Generation bringing the total number of initiative on the Security of Amazing has reached across recovered cases in Qatar to Major Sporting Events on four continents, built football 120,303. The Ministry has also Friday. global international community Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), sports must be recognised as a pitches in 30 under-privileged reported one new death due “Generation Amazing’s truly recognise sport’s power Dr Fadi Makki, Director of cross-cutting theme for communities, and positively to COVID-19 of a person aged work follows the ethos that and utilises that power to its B4Development and Founder attaining the sustainable devel- impacted the lives of 500,000 74 and was receiving medical brings us together today — pro- fullest potential.” of Nudge Lebanon, and José opment goals,” Al Thawadi said. young people to date. We work care. moting tolerance and respect, The meeting comes within Mourinho, Head Coach of Tot- “The coalition of organisations closely together with our All new cases have been empowering youth and women, the framework of the UN Global tenham Hotspur Football Club. and individuals from within the partners at the B4Development introduced to isolation and are and encouraging health, edu- Programme on the Security of Dr Makki took part in the United Nations and from behavioural insights unit to receiving necessary healthcare cation and social inclusion,” Al Major Sporting Events, and Pro- panel session entitled ‘Under- various other bodies and sectors make sure our impact is according to their health Thawadi said in a video speech motion of Sport and Its Values standing contemporary forms is a very encouraging step measured and based on scien- status. to attendees of Friday’s event. as a Tool to Prevent Violent of extremism and shaping inter- towards that recognition.” tific insights. The Ministry of Public “Each of these factors plays Extremism. national policies to tackle them “In Qatar, we have recog- “By 2022 we aim to reach 1 Health further said that a significant role in the wider The event saw the partici- through sport’ where he dis- nised that potential and placed million youth globally, empow- measures to tackle COVID-19 aim of preventing the causes of pation of high-level speakers cussed his work in Lebanon. sports at the forefront of our ering new generations of young in Qatar have succeeded in violent extremism. We all rec- including Permanent Repre- Also speaking at Friday’s nation’s future. We understand leaders across the region and flattening the curve and lim- ognise that ethos and the sentative of Qatar to the United event was Generation Amazing the precious responsibility we the world to transform their iting the spread of the virus. potential within sports for Nations, H E Ambassador Programmes Director, Nasser have of hosting the world in communities and generate The number of daily new cases achieving these goals. It is Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Al Khori, who discussed in 2022 and ensuring that the pos- exciting social development and hospital admissions has incumbent upon us all to ensure Thani, Mohammed Hanzab, depth the programme’s impact. itive effects of bringing the opportunities over the coming gradually declined over the that the United Nations and the Chairman of the International “I am a firm believer that world together must be decades.” past few weeks. DFI-supported Palestinian twins’ film Qatar can help rebuild education in wins NETPAC Award at Toronto post-pandemic era: World Bank official Gaza Mon Amour FAZEENA SALEEM is a satire on love THE PENINSULA Qatar and the World Bank could work together to and desire, and an Lauding Qatar’s global modernise and strengthen literacy in Arabic in the Middle affirmation that life education efforts, Education East and North Africa where one in two 10-year-olds is continues amidst the Director at the World Bank, learning poor in the sense that he or she cannot read and Jaime Saavedra, has said that comprehend a simple text. absurdity of living. the country could contribute in rebuilding education in post COVID-19 era. Jaime Saavedra RAYNALD C RIVERA He said Qatar has com- Education Director at the World Bank THE PENINSULA mendably focused on invest- ments into education across the Identical twin brothers Tarzan world and it could help can also be a global example of “We must, as a community, Abunasser and Arab Abunasser rebuilding education through how to rebuild an equitable and seize this opportunity to reim- from Gaza won another global advocacy, financial well-performing education agine traditional models of edu- A still from the film ‘Gaza Mon Amour’. accolade bagging the Netpac support and by setting a global system where all students, girls cation service delivery in bold Award at the just concluded example. and boys, thrive on challenging ways. 2020 Toronto International unspoken emotions portraying voices and talent and discov- In an email interview with learning and sharing the "The World Bank, for its Film Festival (TIFF) for their daily life”. Gaza Mon Amour is ering universally resonant The Peninsula, Saavedra said approaches and tools. part, is now working in 65 film Gaza Mon Amour, which a satire on love and desire, and stories. The programme is that to rebuild education, Qatar “For instance, Qatar and the countries providing technical was supported by Doha Film an affirmation that life con- focused on supporting the as a nation can contribute glo- World Bank could work assistance and $2.6bn in Institute (DFI). tinues amidst the absurdity of region’s filmmakers to realise bally, through its global together to modernise and financial support for the pan- Shortly after the living. Earlier this month, the their storytelling aspirations by advocacy and through its strengthen literacy in Arabic in demic response, with a focus announcement of this year’s film received wide critical elevating original voices in financial support. “Notably the Middle East and North on ‘building back better’ so that TIFF award winners, the acclaim when it world pre- cinema, promote creative inter- through Qatari foundations, of Africa where one in two systems don’t replicate the Institute posted a congratu- miered at the 77th Venice Inter- action and provide creative which at least two are known 10-year-olds is learning poor problems that led to a learning latory message on its social national Film Festival where it support throughout the film- the world over — the Qatar in the sense that he or she crisis before COVID-19 and are media pages on the latest win competed in the Orizzonti making cycle to establish a Foundation and Education cannot read and comprehend better prepared for future of the filmmakers for their official section (Horizons) robust film ecosystem in the Above All Foundation — Qatar a simple text,” he said. shocks,” he said. sophomore feature film. which ran parallel to the festi- Arab world. has commendably focused on The education of over 1.7 In the schools of the future, The Network for the Pro- val’s main competition. Since its establishment, investments into educating the billion learners has been neg- learning will happen anywhere, motion of Asian Cinema Gaza Mon Amour was a DFI’s Grants programme has out-of-school children and tal- atively impacted by COVID-19 anytime and for all, according (NETPAC) is a worldwide recipient of DFI Grants pro- already helped numerous film ented but excluded youth in pandemic, though before the to Chanduv. “The ultimate goal organisation of 29 member gramme. DFI also previously projects in the region and poor countries.” outbreak of the pandemic the is for learning to take place with countries and is considered a supported the brothers’ first around the world become a “Qatar can maintain that world was already tackling a joy, rigor, and purpose; learning leading authority on Asian feature film, Dégradé, which reality. leadership by increasing its learning crisis. According to spaces will be flexible and cinema. It gives out an award was selected to compete in the It has helped a great investments globally in edu- Chanduv, as countries prepare inclusive so that children can at the TIFF every year. International Critics’ Week number of films that have taken cation, which could also include for an uncertain reopening, the learn anywhere, anytime; all On giving the award to Gaza section at the 2015 Cannes Film part in various film festivals higher contributions to the immediate priority is to min- schools will be safe and Mon Amour, the NETPAC Festival. around the world, many of World Bank, which is the imise dropout rates, make up inclusive; and school leaders Award jury described the film The DFI Grants programme which have gained awards and largest international fund of for learning losses, and ensure will be innovative and will use as “a heartwarming, thought- has evolved as a key initiative wide acclaim from critics and education,” he said. the more disadvantaged don’t technology to improve school provoking and poetic tale of for identifying new cinematic audiences. Saavedra said that Qatar get left further behind. management,” he said. 04 HOME MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 Texas A&M at Qatar to Qatar’s Embassy to France participates teach robotics virtually in European Heritage Days to school students Qatar embassy’s joining this THE PENINSULA — DOHA be provided via videoconference cultural event for the year 2020 and an online learning platform. Texas A&M University at Qatar, The participants will need a comes within the framework of its a Qatar Foundation partner computer and Internet access, keenness to highlight the role of university, is offering a new and are expected to commit four the State of Qatar in promoting program on robotics for students to six hours per week. They will in grades 8 to 12. also need to purchase the simu- interest in culture, especially The Virtual Robotics Games lation software licence (QR100). during the Qatar-France Year of STEM (science, technology, engi- Only students who complete Culture, as culture can achieve neering and math) program is an submission of the weekly tasks integrated online learning will receive a certificate. rapprochement between peoples, workshop and competition Texas A&M at Qatar dean Dr. in accordance with the Qatar organised and hosted by Texas César Octavio Malavé encouraged National Vision 2030. A&M at Qatar to provide an all STEM-minded students to opportunity for middle and high commit to this extracurricular school students to explore the program to develop and enhance QNA — PARIS Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic, H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al fundamentals of designing, their school learning. Thani, participating in the 37th edition of the European Heritage Days as part of the building, programming and “Our mission of teaching and As part of the Qatar-France Year of Culture Qatar-France Year of Culture 2020, in Paris. testing robots in a virtual envi- learning continues despite the 2020, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to ronment — all from the comfort circumstances we are living in France participated for the first time in the and safety of their own homes. due to the coronavirus pan- 37th edition of the European Heritage Days. State of Qatar’s participation in this cul- role of the State of Qatar in promoting Students in grades 8-12 will demic,” Malavé said. “As engi- The events were opened on Saturday tural event this year, a number of French interest in culture, especially during the learn the basics of robot design, neering and education leaders at the embassy headquarters in central Paris media outlets included the building of Qatar-France Year of Culture, as culture coding and simulation, and in Qatar, Texas A&M at Qatar is by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Qatar’s Embassy in Paris on the list of can achieve rapprochement between refine their ideas for a working uniquely positioned to be able to French Republic H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Parisian buildings that opened their doors peoples, in accordance with the Qatar robot in a virtual environment offer our expertise to school stu- Al Thani. to the public on the occasion of the National Vision 2030. using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 dents to help them continue to On this occasion, the Embassy opened European Heritage Days. The participation in this event virtual platform. Using state-of- learn and grow. We are proud to its doors to the public as visitors from Paris The list included the Elysee Palace, the reflected the relentless endeavour of the the-art design and simulation be able to support STEM learning and other French regions arrived to the Parliament House, Senate building and Mat- State of Qatar to keep the cultural her- software, participants will build in Qatar through our virtual embassy headquarters known as the Lan- ignon Palace, in addition to a number of itage alive within various events and a robot to complete the assigned programming.” dolfo-Carcano palace, which was built in the most prominent museums, universities, occasions, and it is the best evidence of mission. They will also present Interested students should 1868. The palace is filled with murals and historical libraries and archaeological sites the depth of friendship between the State their designs to a panel of apply for a spot in the program oily drawn paintings on the walls, as well in the capital Paris. of Qatar and the French Republic, and the robotics experts. at https://stem.qa/stem-pro- as sculptures of famous French and Qatar embassy’s joining this cultural mutual understanding and consolidated Students will receive weekly grams/idea/. Applications are European painters. event for the year 2020 comes within the support between the two countries and online training sessions, and will due today. On the occasion of the Embassy of the framework of its keenness to highlight the the two peoples. QEERI a growing force in solar tech research

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Solar Consortium at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is composed of seven members, takes advantage of world-class solar testing facil- ities and expertise, including its Outdoor Test Facility (OTF) and recently opened Photovoltaic (PV) Reliability Lab. The OTF is a 35,000m2 field station with state-of-the-art Officials from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment with talabat employees during a cleanup solar technologies and systems campaign at Al Wakra Beach. QEERI Solar Consortium’s groundbreaking work is supported by allowing the optimisation of PV cutting-edge outdoor test and photovoltaic facilities. performance in harsh climates and the development of solu- talabat and MME join World tions to mitigate solar con- version degradation over time Our aim with the Solar Consortium is to bring due to outdoor exposure. together researchers, technology producers, project Cleanup Day at Al Wakra Beach Dr. Veronica Bermudez, developers and local authorities from the solar Senior Research Director of energy field to shape a common focus on practical QEERI’s Energy Center, said: THE PENINSULA — DOHA The partnership brought Francisco de Sousa, Man- “Our aim with the Solar Con- tests of solar-based devices and systems within together a team of 55 aging Director of talabat Qatar, sortium is to bring together Qatar’s desert environment. The region’s leading food and employees and riders, who said, “talabat is honoured to researchers, technology pro- delivery app, talabat, in part- continue to showcase their join forces with our local Min- ducers, project developers and Dr. Veronica Bermudez nership with the Ministry of crucial role for our society, as istry of Municipality and Envi- local authorities from the solar Senior Research Director of QEERI’s Energy Center Municipality and Environment they took part in beautifying the ronment as we all have a energy field, to shape a common (MME), observed the global iconic destination. responsibility to save our focus on practical tests of solar- event dedicated to saving our talabat continues to pledge environment.” based devices and systems environment - World Cleanup its support for Qatar’s envi- de Sousa also commented within Qatar’s desert envi- and simulation of outdoor deg- technologies have been tested Day. Earlier this week, ronment in many ways, on talabat’s commitment ronment. We are thrilled at how radation conditions, which in the OTF. As a result of employees and riders joined including the use of recycled towards a greener future for the industry has involved us in complements field results and growing international interest hands to beautify Al Wakra boxes for groceries, where Qatar. “At talabat, we their development projects and contributes to the development in PV power plants for the Mena Beach, collecting litter for they partnered with Qatari encourage our ecosystem to look forward to building upon of ad hoc solutions for Qatar region, the Consortium has a proper disposal. start-up Elite Paper Recycling, stay environmentally cautious these partnerships. Building a and the region. Members of the particular interest in bifacial PV During the event, talabat as well as promoting “no throughout the chain, our solid understanding of the reli- Solar Consortium carry out modules. and the Ministry joined over cutlery” options on food in-app features to reduce ability and degradation shared (pre-competitive) and Bifacial PV is capable of pro- 180 countries around the globe, orders, and guiding restaurant waste and sustainable green pathways is a key component private (competitive) research ducing energy from both its front dedicated to clean both the partners to use recyclable packaging. We also encourage for the future economic com- projects in the fields of soil mit- and back sides, taking advantage streets and the beach. packaging. As it continues to our customers to properly petitiveness of solar technol- igation, PV modules cleaning, of the high reflectivity of Qatar’s The partnership came support a cleaner future in dispose their delivery ogies in particular for Qatar and PV production forecasting, and ground (albedo). Measurements together as both organisations Qatar, talabat encourages its packages, preferably through the Mena region.” others. at QEERI’s OTF have established followed a similar vision: a ecosystem and the public to recycling. Both at an organisa- The PV Reliability Lab’s As part of the Consortium’s that albedo from Qatar’s ground cleaner, more environmentally- always keep in mind the role tional and individual level, we equipment and tools, including work to increase the PV energy is over 40 percent, which can friendly way of life in Qatar and they can play for our have a role to keep Qatar environmental chambers, yield in desert conditions, over boost electricity production with beyond. environment. clean!” enables precise module testing 25 different PV module bifacial PV. QU’s pharmacy students hold annual election virtually THE PENINSULA — DOHA students’ initiatives in hosting I learnt new skills that I will be myself and prepared me for the academic and non-academic using even beyond my uni- professional world. I hope that The College of Pharmacy (CPH) outreach and social events. versity time. I highly encourage all CPH students would take this at Qatar University (QU) held its QPhUS board members may also every student to try such expe- opportunity to be active annual elections, for its Qatar be selected to represent Qatar rience and I am glad to continue members In QPhUS.” The 12th Pharmacy Undergraduate regionally or internationally at being the president for this year Annual Potluck Food Festival Society (QPhUS), for the conferences, scientific or edu- with new talented team which was voted as event of the year. academic year 2020-2021. cational events. QPhUS is an I am sure will drive QPhUS to a CPH Assistant Dean for Election campaign and voting active member of the interna- great path”. Student Affairs Dr. Alla El- was held virtually due to tional pharmaceutical students’ Bassant Elkattan was Awaisi who oversaw the cam- precautionary measures to federation (IPSF). announced as AY19 QPHUS paign, nominations and the prevent (COVID-19). The names of the members executive of the year. Bassant elections congratulated the new There were nine executive of the elected QPHUS executive who served as QPhUS Contact executive team and said: “We council positions, and students council for this year are as Person and Public Relations are incredibly proud of our from general pharmacy year follows: President, Hend Officer for the past two years student body amazing achieve- and all four professional years AlNaimi; Vice President, Marwa and have recently graduated ments and outstanding of pharmacy were encouraged Elshazly; Contact Person and from the College of Pharmacy outcome. They have led a to nominate themselves and Public Relations Officer, Ruba BSc program said, “It is a great number of great initiatives last participate in electing their Sulaiman; Media and Marketing honour to be chosen by my col- academic year despite representatives. Director, Taimaa Hejazi; leagues as the executive of the COVID-19 with long lasting The executives are members Treasurer, Dana Mustafa; year. Yet, this was only possible memorable impact on all those of CPH undergraduate student General Secretary, Fatima because of the amazing team who have participated. We at advisory committee which is a Nazar, and four Class Repre- Elected QPhUS executive council members. that I had the pleasure of the College of Pharmacy are forum to discuss any strengths, sentatives, Hiba Mohammed, working with this year. Being always keen to provide our stu- concerns or areas for improve- Laila Shafei, Lana Kattan and Ahmad Alshare representing the being an executive member and part of QPhUS leadership for the dents with opportunities to ments relating to the students’ Sondus Jawad. For this year, first batch of males in CPH. the president of QPhUS, it was past years is the true blessing grow and develop various skills academic and non-academic two general pharmacy students The president of this year’s a great opportunity to express that I will forever be grateful including leadership skills from experience. These members take were included, Layan Mohamed QPHUS Hend AlNaimi said: my leadership skills and gain for. Through different opportu- now to be the agent for change an active role in leading representing females, and “Last year was my first year new experience with the team. nities, it helped in developing in the future”. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 HOME 05

In April 2019, Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani UNHCR's holistic approach supports Humanitarian Fund contributed more than $35m in support of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and displaced Yemenis in the form of Zakat through UNHCR. This was the largest refugees and hosts in Lebanon contribution UNHCR has ever received from an individual MOHAMED OSMAN in Lebanon added, noting that the the situation emerged as new pressing “UNHCR teams donor and the first major Zakat contribution of its kind. THE PENINSULA medical equipment will remain property challenge for the UNHCR which stepped will strive to ensure of the hospitals after the pandemic, with up its efforts in response to the cata- affected families On August 4, the world’s attention the aim to cure many more patients long strophic effects of the explosion and have a secured suddenly turned towards Lebanon with after COVID-19.The UNHCR in Lebanon increased “basic assistance cash pro- place before astonishment and shock. It was a huge also provides supports in the form of gramme to reach as many marginalized winter, in addition and deadly explosion that destroyed a cash assistance distribution to the most and vulnerable families”. The programme to cash for shelter part of Beirut, adding salt to its political vulnerable refugee families, to help them also includes protection from violence and rental and economic wound that has been cover their primary needs such as against marginalized segments of society. payments.” bleeding for years. housing, food and medicine as “there are Before going to implement all these UNHCR is Lebanon is also hosting over a no formal refugee camps in Lebanon and support programmes for the victims of also prioritising million Syrian refugees amid political hence, refugees live in cities, villages.” the explosion, The Peninsula asked the provision of chaos and economic hardship. For those who live in collective and Girard whether the UN conducted psycho-social The blast came while the country tented informal settlements, the UNHCR assessment to needs and what were the support and psy- was undergoing through a painful works on improving their shelter condi- findings, she said: “Immediately fol- chological first struggle due to outbreak of COVID-19 tions to protect them from hazards. The lowing the explosion, UNHCR began and aid to those who and complete lockdown. For UN bodies holistic approach of the UNHCR also covers continues to conduct assessments of have been most and humanitarian agencies working on supporting public education system and families affected in heavily damaged affected. Com- the ground to support the vast segments community interventions in identifying out- areas such as Karantina, Mar Mikhael munity outreach of the society, including refugees and of-school children and youth the UN, senior and Borj Hamoud.” volunteers are nationals through holistic support official said. These supports take the form “Across all areas, three main needs visiting affected Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani system, the blast posed an additional of providing counselling and awareness were highlighted: shelter rehabilitation, families to challenge. To shed lights on the UNHCR sessions and community-based solutions household items and other basic needs provide information and support and entire community and focuses on the most response to the crisis and its humani- for those at risk of dropping out. “One of like food and water,” she stressed. “The refer to assistance and services as vulnerable in the community,” she said, tarian initiative immediately taken after impact area of the explosion included needed. The UN official underlined that stressing that their work is about saving lives, the blast and other relief and financial neighbourhoods hosting refugees. as part of the inter-agency humanitarian leaving no one behind. assistances The Peninsula approached UNHCR is saddened to report 14 refugees appeal, the UNHCR has mobilised $35m Mireille Girard did not forget to UNHCR representative in Lebanon, lost their lives, 250 have been injured,” to provide immediate emergency remind The Peninsula with the important Mireille Girard, for an exclusive the UNHCR underlined. In regard to pri- response to the most affected and most role of Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin interview. oritising support for the victim of Beirut vulnerable households and individuals Thani Al Thani in the field of humani- Girard highlighted some factual blast, Girard said: “The UNHCR response in Lebanon. “This includes $32.5m for tarian supports describing him as an points regarding the role of UNHCR and focused on two areas of shelter and pro- shelter interventions and $2.5m for pro- Eminent Advocate of the UNHCR and its situation in Lebanon which is for “mil- tection through a whole-population tection activities,” Girard stressed. largest individual donor for the past two lions of refugees, throughout the years” approach, targeting the most affected Regarding public interaction and years. forcing the UN to run support in a holistic and most vulnerable households and response to the online donation cam- In April 2019, Thani bin Abdullah bin manner “whole of society approach”. individuals, including Lebanese, refugees paign launched by the UNHCR in Thani Al Thani Humanitarian Fund, con- UNHCR support is not limited to refugees and other populations.” Lebanon immediately after the blast, tributed more than $35m in support of but “both refugees seeking a safe haven She pointed out that “while assess- Mireille Girard said: “Public outpouring of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and in Lebanon and the host community”. ments are still underway, initial esti- support and solidarity for Lebanon and its displaced Yemenis in the form of Zakat Since the onset of the pandemic, mates indicate that at least 24,667 vul- people following the explosion has been through UNHCR, she said, adding, “This Girard said: “We have been working in Mireille Girard, UNHCR representative nerable households have been severely heart-warming. Both in advocacy and was the largest contribution UNHCR has close collaboration with the Lebanese affected by the blast and are in need of donations, people have shown their gen- ever received from an individual donor Ministry of Public Health and other the UNHCR’s core programmes according urgent support.” erosity and kindness in helping the Leb- and the first major Zakat contribution of partners within the framework of the to the UNHCR representative in Lebanon During his recent visit to Lebanon, UN anese community overcome these chal- its kind.” national response to ensure that all com- is protection and registration of refugees, High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo lenging times.” Furthermore, in 2020, more than munities in Lebanon – Lebanese, ref- providing them with birth certifications and Grandi, affirmed UNHCR’s support to over She also lauded the generosity of $43m were channelled through four sep- ugees and migrants - are safe, and have civil documentation.” Apart from this there 100,000 people who were severely Lebanese community describing it as arate agreements to fund UNHCR’s work access to the necessary testing, treatment is protection provided to women and affected by the blast. This support aims “pillar of support for those in need of in support of refugees and displaced people and isolation”. children from violence and exploitation, to provide emergency housing repairs and safety and refuge”, adding, “Today we in Yemen, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Chad. She further stressed that the she stressed. trauma counselling to Lebanese, refugees stand with them, hand in hand, to “$5 million provided vital monthly cash “UNHCR’s COVID-19 support to hospitals Speaking about the recent Beirut and other affected populations. overcome this tragedy.” assistance to 143,000 vulnerable Syrian covers 800 additional beds and 100 explosion, its impact and the additional Working on the ground with partners For their part refugees and UN staff refugees in Lebanon.” additional ICU beds in total, including burdens placed on the shoulders of the such as the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), the contributed to the clean-up efforts, offered According to Mireille Girard, “The ventilators and other advanced UNHCR office in Lebanon, she said: “The UNHCR provided a total of 6,554 kits shelter to those left homeless, and donated funding received from Sheikh Al Thani equipment, as well as medicine stocks.” explosion in Beirut comes at an already immediately after the blast to meet urgent blood to help the injured. Asked whether provides a lifeline to those displaced all “Since February, UNHCR teams difficult time for the country, with a needs, Mireille Girard highlighted, pointing the blast incident diverted the attention around the world and ensures they are deployed all efforts to build dedicated swirling economic crisis, steepening that these supports helped restore a degree from refugees in Lebanon to the victims, supported in a dignified manner. “The hospital expansion facilities or rehabil- poverty and a pandemic which has dev- of privacy, dignity and safety for over she pointed out that all were affected, assistance, whether cash or in any other itate existing unused sections and astated global economies.” 20,000 persons still residing in the affected regardless of nationality or status. “The form is distributed through the Refugee refurbish them with new medical The explosion left thousands of fam- areas. The next step, according to Girard, immediate humanitarian response of the Zakat Fund and is 100% Shariah equipment,” the UNHCR representative ilies without shelter and properties and is maintenance of buildings. She said: UN to the tragic blast covers the compliant.” Lulu Hypermarket at Bin Mahmoud attracts huge customers

THE PENINSULA — DOHA specialty food imported from LuLu is committed to around the world are made Director of LuLu Group, Dr. expand in Qatar. Despite available on shelves. The new Mohamed Althaf has said that the the challenges of store has dedicated area to newly opened Bin Mahmoud COVID-19 and its impact support local initiatives and stock Store of Lulu Hypermarket is all Qatari Products on a priority attracting large number of on the global economy, basis. Apart from its high-quality customers due to its proximity to I trust and support the product range, LuLu has ensured Doha Metro Station. visionary leadership of safe shopping by implementing “The metro mobility service this great country for health and hygiene measures, helped turn up huge customers to business expansions and from contactless payments to our store at Bin Mahmoud. The safety measures among its growing number of visitors sur- development of employees, and regular saniti- prised us thanks to Doha Metro,” untouched market zation of showroom, warehouse Dr. Mohamed Althaf told The opportunities. and transport facilities. Peninsula. He said that Lulu Besides, strong measures Hypermarket is working to build Dr. Mohamed Althaf such as hygiene protocol, social additional parking lots to accom- distancing, transparent protective modate over 200 more cars and Director of LuLu Group shields for cashiers at checkouts will add some more business activ- and regular deep cleaning of all ities to its Bin Mahmoud store. Dr. shared surfaces and touch points Althaf said that the project is The leading retail chain Lulu etc. are in place based on expected to be completed within Hypermarket has further COVID-19 Protocol to ensure the a month, making it a full-fledged strengthened its presence in health safety and wellness of cus- store fully capable to meet the need Qatar with the launch a new full- tomers and employees alike. of neighborhood residents. fledged hypermarket located at The new store has kicked off Sheikh Muhammed bin Ahmed M.A. Al Thani, owner of the building of Lulu Hypermarket at Bin Mahmoud, “LuLu is committed to Bin Mahmoud. The opening of with inaugural offers and special and Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of LuLu Group, cutting a cake at the opening of the new store. expand in Qatar. Despite the new store brings the total number promos in all categories including challenges of COVID-19 and its of Lulu stores in Qatar to 13. The essentials and unique product quality retail including well- The new hypermarket show- Groceries, Household, Elec- impact on the global economy, I management indicated that this offerings for a multi-ethnic client planned retail floor layout cases all categories of merchandise tronics, Mobile, Footwear, trust and support the visionary phenomenal growth would not profile living in and around focused on customer conven- starting from fresh food section con- Luggage, Toys, Home Furnishing, leadership of this great country have been possible without the Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Fereej ience, premium quality products, sisting of a wide assortment of fruits Linen, Fresh Food and Fruits & for business expansions and help and support of the govern- Abdul Aziz, Mushaireb, Muntazah, highly competitive prices and & vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, Vegetables etc. at wallet-friendly development of untouched mental authorities and valued Al Sadd and Al Nasr locations. excellent customer service and bakery, hot and cold ready-to eat prices that are exclusive for the market opportunities. It is our customers. Due to prevailing The new venture will live up more, to be recognized as a par- food, chilled & dairy products, new store’s clientele. duty as an organisation to boost extraordinary circumstances and to the same brand identity that adigm for world-class shopping frozen food, roastery, grocery To widen its reach, LuLu has economic growth and this is why respecting the COVID-19 Pro- Lulu has committed to its cus- experience. The new outlet is tai- food and non-food, specialty planned an exponential growth we aggressively continue to bring tocol, the opening ceremony was tomers since day one, high- lored to meet the needs of imported foods, health & beauty, in its existing e-commerce oper- the LuLu brand closer to people held on virtual platform. lighting quality products and a modern-day shopping. The household, home appliances, ations by adding more vehicles at various residential commu- Sprawling on a huge built up world-class shopping experience. management said that the store footwear, toys, luggage, sta- to its current fleet, available at nities. I hope that the new store area of over 85,000 square feet The new store has been arrayed has services like money tionery, linen, electronics, www.luluhypermarket.com. This will ensure safe and convenient with car park facility, the new in with state-of-the-art amen- exchange, ATMs and many more mobiles, IT and more. effort has then increased the shopping experience to the cus- store is expected to become the ities that are best matching the for the convenience of its Organic and ‘Free from manpower to better serve its tomers,” said Dr. Althaf. ultimate one-stop shop for daily world-class ambience for the customers. worry’ food ranges and other customers.

The fruits section. The new branch of Lulu Hypermarket at Bin Mahmoud. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA DOHA TODAY

06 MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020

Shopping buzz is back at malls, hypermarkets

Shoppers enjoying with family and friends at City Center (left), and Doha Festival City. PICS: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

SACHIN KUMAR standards,” he added. physical distance as set forth in are allowed, we have resumed our THE PENINSULA Checking customers’ temper- the guidelines by the authorities,” weekly shopping with family,” a ature, Ehteraz app status and said Hall, elaborating about the resident told The Peninsula. Qatar’s retail market is again masks, keeping hand sanitisers, measures taken by Doha Festival Aiming to capitalise on cus- buzzing with activity as shoppers regular sanitisation have now City for customers’ and staff tomers’ confidence, malls and are back to showrooms with become a permanent feature of safety. hypermarkets have announced family and friends. Residents’ Qatar’s retail sector. Parents are happier with the array of offers and discounts to shopping spree has set the cash “In addition to supporting decision to allow children to enter attract them. Special deals and register ringing at the malls, families where required with face malls and hypermarkets. Earlier, the exciting offers can be seen at all hypermarkets and showrooms, masks designed for use by families were avoiding going to the major malls and which have opened their doors children, we would still like to malls because it was difficult to go hypermarkets. after implementing all the safety reiterate that all our operations for shopping, leaving kids at home. “Malls are not just shopping measures prescribed by author- destination, they have now ities. become a place for family outings. Better connectivity with start We are delighted to They have cinemas, restaurant, of Doha Metro and permission to entertainment and showrooms, Ultra-modern operating allow children to enter malls have welcome back our younger which makes them a perfect place increased the flow of shoppers to shoppers who can delight for family outings. The weather is theaters showrooms. in the open space provided still hot and humid which means Safety measures taken by by the wide malls and we cannot go to park or beaches malls and hypermarkets have ambient space afforded by during the afternoon. Reopening instilled greater confidence among of malls is a great relief during residents, encouraging them shop the design of Festival City. summer time, as we have nowhere with their family members. With precautionary else to go for family outing,” “We are delighted to welcome measures remaining in another resident told The back our younger shoppers who force throughout all our Peninsula. can delight in the open space pro- reopening phases, we have The food court outlets, dining vided by the wide malls and areas, and cinemas have ambient space afforded by the seen a steady influx of undergone thorough sanitisation design of Festival City. With pre- visitors to the Mall, now to welcome the returning visitors cautionary measures remaining including families with and serve them in a world-class in force throughout all our reo- children of all ages allowed hygienic and safe environment. pening phases, we have seen a comply with the precautionary to re-enter the Mall Due to COVID-19 restrictions, State-of-the-art ambulance steady influx of visitors to the Mall, and preventive measures set by youngsters should be accom- now including families with the Ministry of Public Health and Robert Hall, General Manager panied by their parents. fleet children of all ages allowed to re- the Ministry of Administrative of Doha Festival City As per the instructions of con- enter the Mall,” Robert Hall, Development, Labour and Social cerned government authorities, General Manager of Doha Festival Affairs,” said Hall. playgrounds and leisure centers City told The Peninsula. “At the entrance to the mall will remain closed while cinemas “This decision comes at the and all shops, visitors must show are open to guests over 18 years perfect time for families to return their green Ehteraz QR code, and “Even though malls were open with limited capacity. to the Mall for the Back to School wear a face mask during their time earlier, I was not going there Doha Festival City recently and End of Season retail offers. in the mall. Physical distancing because children below 12 years announced a range of new offers Families can now shop from a stickers in common queuing areas, were not allowed. It is very dif- to celebrate the End of Year myriad of retail stores for all their such as ATM machines, banks, tel- ficult for us to leave our eight year Season from a host of retail stores school essentials with the utmost ecommunication kiosks and old daughter at home and go for with special deals and exciting ease of mind and reassurance that branches and various retail shops shopping. We were eagerly offers for our visitors from mid- their safety is safeguarded were installed to help shoppers be waiting for permission for malls September till early November according to the highest reminded to keep the required to allow children. Once children 2020.

Highly-advanced patient THROUGH THE LENS information systems

Cutting-edge treatments for cancer Artworks on display at the Fire Station, which was built in 1982 At Hamad Medical Corporation we as a Civil Defence are utilizing advanced technology and building. It was occupied by the innovative systems to deliver the highest fire brigade until quality care to Qatar’s population. late 2012 when it was handed over to Qatar Museums to be used for art www.hamad.qa exhibitions.

PICS: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 DOHA TODAY 07

Bangladesh Nepal Embassy celebrates Constitution Day Writers Journalists Association meets THE PENINSULA — DOHA new ambassador The Embassy of Nepal in Doha H E Ambassador Dr. Bharadwaj appreciated the way marked yesterday National Day Qatar has continued to make phenomenal progress THE PENINSULA — DOHA of Nepal and Constitution Day amidst a brief ceremony in recent years despite various obstacles. He praised Bangladesh Writers Journalists organised inside the Embassy Qatar’s effective and successful management of the Association Qatar has held a premises. pandemic. While appreciating Qatar’s support to courtesy visit and exchange of In line with the preventive views with the newly and precautionary measures to Nepal and Nepalese against the COVID-19 challenges, appointed Ambassador of control the COVID-19, the cer- he requested the community to strictly comply with Bangladesh to Qatar, H E emony was attended by Muhammad Jashim Uddin. The Embassy family and a limited the preventive and precautionary measures. meeting was held on number of representatives of September 16, at the Embassy various Nepali community of Bangladesh, Doha, Qatar. organisations in Qatar. A delegation led by Pres- Ambassador of Nepal to Devi Bhandari and the Prime Nepal has pursued the path of ident of Bangladesh Writers Qatar, H E Dr. Narad Nath Minister of Nepal, H E K P peace, progress and prosperity. Journalists Association, Aminul Bhardwaj inaugurated the event Sharma Oli. H E the Ambas- The Ambassador said that the Haque and General Secretary by lighting traditional oil-fed sador highlighted the impor- Government is committed to Shahabuddin Muhammad lamp. He then hoisted the flag tance of National Day and Con- realising its objective of ‘Pros- Shamim extended heartfelt of Nepal which was followed by stitution day for Nepalese living perous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ by greetings and congratulations the national anthem. H E Dr. in different parts of the world. focusing on economic growth. to the newly appointed Bharadwaj delivered National H E recalled the historic Dr. Bharadwaj then touched Ambassador Muhammad Day message which was fol- promulgation of the Consti- upon Nepal’s cordial ties with Jashim Uddin. They presented lowed by cake cutting cer- tution of Nepal on September the State of Qatar subsisting the ambassador with a copy emony to celebrate the joyous 20, 2015 by the Constituent happily since the establishment of the association’s annual occasion. Assembly. The Constitution has of diplomatic relations in 1977. magazine, ‘Poriborton’. Mah- Delivering the National Day ensured democracy, inclusion, He appreciated the way Qatar bubur Rahman, First Secretary message, H E Dr. Bharadwaj development and social justice, has continued to make phe- of the Embassy was also read out the summary of the he added. nomenal progress in recent present. National Day messages from the As envisioned by the Con- years despite various obstacles. at the presence of large number Ambassador H E Dr. Narad The delegation presented President of Nepal, H E Bidya stitution, the Government of H E expressed satisfaction of Nepali diaspora in Qatar as Nath Bhardwaj hoisting the 12 proposals to the ambas- connecting bridge between the flag to celebrate National Day sador in the interest of the two countries. Speaking highly and Constitution Day of Nepal Bangladeshi expatriates. The of the continuous series of yesterday at the embassy Ambassador said some issues labour reforms introduced by premises. are already being settled and the State of Qatar, including the the embassy would do its best latest one on minimum wages to meet the rest as soon as and non-requirement of NOCs, Nepalese against the COVID-19 possible. he expressed confidence that challenges, he requested the H E the Ambassador said Qatar will continue to develop Nepali community in Qatar to that he would take various itself into a prosperous country, strictly comply with the pre- steps to solve all the problems both for its citizens as well as ventive and precautionary of the expatriate Bangladeshis, for its residents. measures. improve the quality of life as H E Ambassador Dr. Finally, H E Dr. Bharadwaj well as improve the image of Bharadwaj also referred to the expressed the willingness of Bangladesh. He sought the current crisis of COVID-19. He Nepal to continue to explore cooperation of the media per- praised Qatar’s effective and further avenues of cooperation sonnel as well as the leaders successful management of the and collaboration with the State of the Bangladesh community pandemic. While appreciating of Qatar for the mutual benefit and expatriates of all walks of Qatar’s support to Nepal and of both the countries. life in this regard. GU-Q alumnus on how education helped deliver solutions for siege, pandemic

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Supply Chain (SC) activities of Pearl As a result of the company’s GTL Plant in Ras Laffan. He oversees Ibrahim Al Derbasti combined an team-based efforts, he said, If you drive about an hour and a half seven distinct SC units. international affairs education at GU-Q “There was zero disruption to our north of the towering skyline of Doha, When asked how a degree in inter- with business training through an MBA operations. To have that outcome you will find yourself in the quiet national affairs could lead to a career makes me really proud.” coastal city of Ras Laffan, home of the in the energy sector, he said, “Studying from Cambridge to become the Deputy The second happened with a Pearl GTL plant, a joint development the liberal arts at GU-Q gives you this General Manager for Contracts and different kind of crisis: the by Qatar Petroleum and Shell and the well-rounded education that sets you Procurement at Shell in Ras Laffan, COVID-19 pandemic. Using his largest Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) energy up for whatever career or education where he is in charge of all company expertise in procurement, he plant in the world. you want to pursue.” Supply Chain (SC) activities of Pearl GTL helped secure 20 metric tons of It is also where Qatari national “At GU-Q, you realise most of our the chemicals needed to run dis- Ibrahim Al Derbasti, a graduate of QF political drivers are hard wired on eco- Plant in Ras Laffan. He oversees seven infection operations on Qatar’s partner Georgetown University in nomics. In Qatar, the main driver is distinct SC units. roads. Qatar (GU-Q), has forged a successful energy and natural gas. So I decided “When I graduated from career, and found the opportunity to that I wanted to join the best gas Georgetown, I had this tre- give back to his community and to his company. At that time and still true and procurement for logistics and cor- mendous drive to do something, country, in times of national crisis and today, that’s Shell.” porate services, he experienced his first to contribute somehow, but I was not great adversity. While an undergrad, “I kept major professional crisis, testing his sure where or how. Now, I’ve gained Ibrahim combined an international hearing over and over that I had to skills and knowledge and challenging this great education and I’m part of the affairs education at GU-Q with become a lifelong learner, which I just him to develop innovative solutions. oil and gas industry via this interna- business training through an MBA from thought was something they tell all stu- “We got hit by the blockade and had tional company - it’s a responsibility Cambridge to become the Deputy dents because it sounded good. But it himself a novice among coworkers to remap and rechannel our entire to leverage that knowledge & expe- General Manager for Contracts and turns out they meant it.” with 30 years of experience. As he rose supply chain because 90% was from rience, to make sure you translate that Procurement at Shell in Ras Laffan, That realisation came when he through the ranks in Qatar Shell to his inland. We were a peninsula, but we into tangible contributions to your where he is in charge of all company entered the workforce and found first team leadership role in contracts had to operate as an island.” country.” Ooredoo holds third beach clean-up event THE PENINSULA — DOHA another successful clean-up event. We know the last of the Qatar’s leading telecommu- summer heat makes it a chal- nications operator, Ooredoo, lenge for our staff and eve- has completed its third beach ryone involved in the event, clean-up event in its sustain- and we’re immensely proud ability campaign aimed at of the efforts made to protect promoting protection of the our wonderful natural envi- environment. ronment. We’re committed to A team of Ooredoo staff the environmental element of members attended Sealine our corporate responsibility Beach on Thursday to remove strategy as a matter of pri- debris either left behind by ority, and look forward to previous visitors or washed continuing this important ashore. In addition to the sand initiative.” Letters of thanks written by students to frontline clean-up, the third event workers battling COVID-19 included a clean-up of the seabed, with the help of six scuba divers from Doha Divers Team, for the benefit Resident starts letter-writing of the marine environment to which the seabed is home. drive to thank frontline workers Ooredoo launched its beach clean-up campaign THE PENINSULA — DOHA notes are scanned and sent to several weeks ago with the the hospital which is then for- social media hashtag As a step to honour the frontline warded to the healthcare staff,” #LeaveOnlySandcastles, workers battling COVID-19 in Riya told The Peninsula. aiming to encourage beach- Qatar and to express gratitude, “My father is a doctor and I goers to take responsibility for former Birla Public School understand the hard work cleaning up their own wastes student Riya Mahajan decided these professionals put in to when they visit one of Qatar’s to go the old school way of fight the pandemic,” she adds. many beautiful beaches. writing letters to healthcare Riya has already received many The campaign is being run workers. letters and drawings. She plans in collaboration with the Min- The 17-year-old who is to approach schools and col- istry of Municipality and Envi- heading to Purdue University leges who might be interested ronment, the Public Cleaning this fall decided to start a letter to be part of the project. Department and Friends of writing campaign to thank the Riya adds that citizens and The Environment Centre. staff at the HMC. residents interested in this ini- Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, “Children, youngsters and tiative can pen their thoughts, Director PR at Ooredoo, said: adults could write letters, notes scan the letters and send them “We were delighted to leave or even drawings for these through email to letters- yet another beautiful beach workers. These handwritten [email protected]. with only sandcastles after 08 VIEWS MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visits the home of Syrian refugee Makhoul Al Hamad, 43, and his family in Beirut. The family of six, who fled to Lebanon in 2016, had their windows blown out by the blast and six-year-old daughter Sama’s eye was badly injured. FIFA happy with Qatar

FIFA UNHCR’s humanitarian response to President Gianni Infantino told its 211 member nations that Qatar - hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup - will fulfill its pledge to deliver an event to remember for generations. While addressing the Beirut blast covers entire society 70th Congress of FIFA, Infantino said on Friday: “By the way, in 2022, I (will) give you an advanced refugees per capita in the and will be facing significant respond to calls from persons warning (smiles) ...you will see, in Qatar, the best world, with about one million labor and material costs in in distress, and refer indi- ever World Cup. So get ready for that.” During the refugees in the country. Today, making home repairs. Time is viduals in need to special¬ized same message, the FIFA President also noted devastated by the Beirut of the essence and given the services, including tailored Qatar’s well received decision to abolish the Kafala explosion, we are standing with financial crisis that Lebanon mental health and psycho- system. Infantino said: “I want to congratulate, Qatar. the people of Lebanon, and the has been facing for the past logical support. Mabrouk, Qatar. Why? Well, the State of the Qatar thousands of families who have months, multi-purpose cash While we cope with this has recently abolished the Kafala system. The State MIREILLE GIRARD — UNHCR been impacted by its aftermath. remains the most effective current emergency, I must also of Qatar has also introduced minimum wages for REPRESENTATIVE IN LEBANON UNHCR is on the ground means to provide immediate note that this comes at a time workers. This is a milestone (achievement). This is working with people affected relief and to support rapid where we are facing a global a game changer. And this is not me saying. This the by the devastating blast and repair and reconstruction pandemic which has impacted ILO saying it.” On 4 August 2020, a huge ensuring they can return to or needs. It will also support every country both medically While Infantino talked of matters relating to explosion at Beirut’s port stay in their homes. This other related needs such as and economically. In recent football in general, the FIFA boss admitted what the devastated the city, killing at explosion affected everyone, food, basic assistance and weeks we have seen a sharp world knows: That come 2022, the football family least 180 people and injuring Lebanese, refugees and other healthcare costs that affected increase in the number of would remember the next World Cup for a long time. over 6,500 others. Dozens populations, regardless of populations may face. COVID-19 cases in Lebanon, In July 2018, when France emerged as the World more people remain missing nationality or status. Our While providing shelter and we are fast-tracking the Cup champions, FIFA was quick to praise Russia and an estimated 300,000 immediate humanitarian support is of immediate deployment of ventilators and and its Local Organizing Committee for delivering people had their homes seri- response to the tragic blast importance, we cannot other ICU equipment to hos- a memorable event. Infantino has been a regular ously damaged. The explo- covers the entire community overlook the urgency and pitals across the country to visitor to Qatar where he has seen actual progress sions hit as Lebanon faces a and focuses on the most vul- vitality of protection activities help them face the increase in on the ground. In a televised address when Qatar multi-faceted crisis. In recent nerable in the community and that are taking place. Those patient admissions. This will inaugurated the Education City Stadium in June this months, the socio-economic on two major areas – shelter most vulnerable are at the further complement our year, FIFA President Infantino said: “...the new situation of Lebanese and and protection, notably com- heart of UNHCR’s response, ongoing COVID-19 response in stadium in Education City reminds us that football refugees has continued to munity-based protection and where existing community Lebanon, which is providing will return, and with more passion than ever.” Nick- deteriorate, with the cost of mental health and psycho- structures are built upon and the healthcare system with named the ‘Diamond in the Desert’, the basic needs exponentially social support. new ones are engaged to reach 800 additional beds and 100 40,000-capacity football venue - which is located rising as a result of the deep UNHCR’s emergency out to individuals in imme- additional ICU beds, in within Qatar Foundation’s Education City - is the economic and financial crisis, support of shelter aid and diate need and advise on the addition to ventilators and first World Cup stadium to achieve a five-star sus- exacerbated by the impact of trauma counseling targets services and assistance other advanced equipment, tainability rating under the Global Sustainability COVID-19. 100,000 vulnerable affected required to secure people’s and the expansion of hospital Assessment System. Lebanon and its people Lebanese, refugees and other basic rights and dignity, while facilities, in order to help the The Education City Stadium launch three months have been a pillar of support populations without dis- laying the ground for emo- country accommodate access ago followed after Qatar inaugurated the country’s for thousands of refugees, year tinction. In the first phase of tional and material recovery to those in need. iconic Khalifa International Stadium in May 2017 and after year. Lebanon continues our shelter emergency and resilience against further The needs are great, and the brand new Al Janoub Stadium in 2019. Infantino to host the highest number of response, we have been pro- shocks. People in need are the cost is even higher. was present at both inauguration ceremonies watched Lebanon and its viding families with emer- identified and referred to However, there is no price on by millions of viewers on TV around the region and the gency weatherproofing kits services by trained Outreach the value of human life and world. While it surges ahead to complete four remaining people have been including wood and plastic Volunteers, community groups dignity. Today, and from the venues, Qatar is currently hosting the West Zone a pillar of support sheets, to help them secure the and UNHCR and partner staff heart of Beirut, we ask the matches of the 2020 AFC Champions League. Club for thousands of external entrances of their in mobile units and foot on the international community, teams from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Iran and homes and cover damaged ground, and through hotlines from the individual to the Uzbekistan have joined two Qatari sides - Al Sadd and refugees, year window openings, in order to and other assessments. People private sector, to stand with Al Duhail - to feature in the September 13-October 4 after year. Lebanon provide a level of safety and in the affected neighborhoods Lebanon during its time of championship at a time when the coronavirus pan- security, protect them from the have endured multiple need, not forgetting all the demic is sweeping the globe. continues to host the elements and restore their traumas and struggle with the years this country and its highest number of privacy and dignity. In the next pains of loss, feelings of inse- people stood by those who refugees per capita in phase we will now be pro- curity and shattered dignity. needed support. Every gesture viding support for rehabili- Psychological first aid and of support and every action the world, with about tation of houses and buildings, psychosocial support is an count. We stand in solidarity one million refugees reconnection to water and important part of our response with Lebanon in these tragic D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR in the country. sanitation and electrical at all stages, from emergency and testing times and remain to recovery, to help survivors committed to supporting the EMAIL: [email protected] networks. This is in addition to a cash recover and rebuild their self- people of Beirut and all those assistance programme to confidence and resilience. involved in the response as EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 affected households who will Front-liners are trained in they try to recover the city, FAX: +974 4455 7758 have to undertake rental and psychosocial first aid to and overcome their pain and accommo¬dation payments receive and appropriately immense losses. MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769

LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 Educational films reflect evolving US views ERIN BLAKEMORE “Darkening Day: Air Pollution schools, libraries and non- writes. They’re also fasci- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 THE WASHINGTON POST Films and Environmental commercial venues, and they nating watches, and a glimpse Awareness, 1960-1972”, all draw connections between of the kinds of concerns that SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 Today, the health risks of curated by the National air pollution and industry. drove people to push for polluted air are well known. Library of Medicine, high- From a housewife frustrated tighter rules on air pollution. ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 Considered a “major cause of lights six educational films by a sooty coffee table to Mr. The movies’ brisk doom- email: [email protected] death and disease” by the that helped the public learn Hack, a cartoon character and-gloom voice-overs, World Health Organization, more about air pollution’s with a chronic cough from air groovy soundtracks and PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 air pollution can cause lung risks. Cinema historian Jen- pollution, they show how vintage visuals make for email: [email protected] cancer, heart disease, stroke, nifer Lynn Peterson puts the lives were affected by the entertaining viewing. But asthma, low birth weight and films in context in an essay output of industrial polluters their content speaks to the ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 a host of other conditions. that accompanies them. during the infancy of federal urgency of environmental FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] But a half-century ago, Made between 1960 and air pollution regulation. form in a time of rapid indus- those effects hadn’t been 1972, they reflect the era’s The movies “anticipate trial expansion -- and echo CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 studied, or publicized, as changing understanding of today’s discourse surrounding modern concerns about the email: [email protected] thoroughly. So the US gov- the dangers of air pollution. climate change, environ- effects of both air pollution ernment turned to film to All of the movies were mental calamity, and the and human-caused climate SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 educate the public. made to be watched in Anthropocene,” Peterson change. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The alliance with Washington is the cornerstone of peace and /Peninsula_Qatar stability in the region.

/ThePeninsulaNewspaper Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan

+974 6698 6188 MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 GULF / MIDDLE EAST 09 US faces ‘isolation’ as world powers dismiss sanctions: Iran

AFP — TEHRAN its “illegitimate initiative and actions” could not have “inter- Iran said yesterday its arch-foe “We can say that national legal consequences” the United States is facing America’s ‘maximum for others. “maximum isolation” after Rouhani thanked UNSC major powers dismissed a pressure’ against Iran, in members who had “stood unilateral US declaration that its political and legal against America’s illegal UN sanctions on Tehran were aspect, has turned into request” and said that if back in force. America’s maximum remaining signatories let Iran The Trump administration isolation,” Iran President access the deal’s economic ben- said the sanctions had been re- efits, Iran would reinstate activated under the “snapback” Hassan Rouhani said in a nuclear commitments it had mechanism in a landmark 2015 televised cabinet meeting. dropped in response to the US nuclear treaty — despite Wash- He also praised the UN withdrawal. ington having withdrawn from Security Council’s Iran’s foreign ministry the deal. approach to the issue as brushed off the move and called As other signatories cast on the rest of the world to unite doubt on the move having any “very valuable” as it against what it called the US’s legal effect, Washington ignored “America’s “reckless actions”. “I imagine threatened to “impose conse- request (and) held no these are the most bitter days quences” on states failing to session to consider their and hours for” the United comply. But Iran’s President States, said spokesman Saeed request”. Smoke billows following a reported Russian airstrike on the western outskirts of the mostly rebel- Hassan Rouhani said a con- Khatibzadeh. held Syrian province of Idlib, yesterday. certed campaign by Wash- US Secretary of State Mike ington to pressure Tehran had Pompeo, announcing the move, backfired. JCPOA in 2018, saying the deal said Washington “welcomes the “We can say that America’s — negotiated by his predecessor return of virtually all previously Russian jets strike rebel-held Idlib ‘maximum pressure’ against Barack Obama — was terminated UN sanctions on the Iran, in its political and legal insufficient. Islamic Republic of Iran”. aspect, has turned into Amer- He also renewed and even He said further measures city, the heaviest since ceasefire ica’s maximum isolation,” he strengthened Washington’s would be announced in the said in a televised cabinet own sanctions as part of a coming days against sanctions REUTERS — AMMAN Mohammed Rasheed, a former comment from Moscow or the meeting. He also praised the UN “maximum pressure” campaign “violators”, to ensure that “Iran rebel official and a volunteer Syrian army who have long Security Council’s approach to against the Islamic republic. does not reap the benefits of Syrian opposition sources said plane spotter whose network accused militant groups who the issue as “very valuable” as The US insists it is still a UN-prohibited activity”. Russian jets bombed rebel- covers the Russian air base in hold sway in the last opposition it ignored “America’s request participant in the agreement With around six weeks to held northwestern Syria the western coastal province of redoubt of wrecking the (and) held no session to con- that it stormed out of — but only go until the US presidential yesterday in the most Latakia. ceasefire deal and attacking sider their request”. so it can activate the snapback election, Trump could unveil extensive strikes since a Other tracking centres said army-held areas. The Security Council was option, which it announced on those measures in a speech at Turkish-Russian deal halted Russian Sukhoi jets hit the The deal between Turkish what “the Americans always August 20. the UN General Assembly major fighting with a ceasefire Horsh area and Arab Said town, President Tayyip Erdogan and thought of as their point of Virtually every other tomorrow. But Iran’s foreign nearly six months ago. west of the city of Idlib. Uniden- Russia’s President Vladimir strength,” he said. The sanctions Security Council member dis- ministry said that Washington, Witnesses said the war- tified drones also hit two rebel- Putin also defused a military in question had been lifted putes Washington’s ability to by leaving the nuclear deal, had planes struck the western out- held towns in the Sahel al-Ghab confrontation between them when Iran, the five permanent execute this legal pirouette, and “explicitly denied itself of any skirts of Idlib city and that there plain, west of Hama province. after Ankara poured thousands members of the UN Security the UN body has not taken the right” to use the “snapback” was heavy artillery shelling in There has been no wide- of troops into Idlib province to Council (Britain, China, France, measure any further. mechanism. It also warned that the mountainous Jabal al Zawya scale aerial bombing since a hold back Russian-backed Russia and the US) and Yesterday, France, Germany “if the United States acts on region in southern Idlib from March agreement ended a forces from new advances. Germany signed the 2015 treaty and Britain issued a joint these threats, directly, or with nearby Syrian army outposts. Russian-backed bombing cam- Western diplomats tracking on Iran’s nuclear programme, statement saying Washington’s the cooperation of a handful of There were no immediate paign that displaced over a Syria say Moscow piled known as the Joint Compre- “purported notification” was its puppets, it will face a serious reports of casualties. million people in the region pressure on Ankara in the latest hensive Plan of Action. “incapable of having any legal response and be responsible for “These 30 raids are by far which borders Turkey after round of talks on Wednesday But US President Donald effect”. Russia also said the US all the dangerous the heaviest strikes so far since months of fighting. to scale down its extensive mil- Trump withdrew from the lacked legal authority and that consequences.” the ceasefire deal,” said There was no immediate itary presence in Idlib. Iran Speaker Arab League supports UN efforts to promote sustainable peace slams govt over QNA — CAIRO tional organisation for the that witness armed conflicts to and behavioral patterns based International’s Day of Peace US sanctions prevention and resolution of an immediate ceasefire and on respect for human rights, celebration which falls on Sep. The Secretariat General of the conflicts. commitment to the cessation of rejecting violence in all its 21 of each year, was approved ANATOLIA — TEHRAN Arab League affirmed its full In a statement on the hostilities and resorting to a forms, strengthening the rule by United Nations General support for the efforts under- occasion of the celebration of political solution as the only of law, adhering to the prin- Assembly in its Resolution No. Iran’s Parliament Speaker taken by the UN to promote the International Day of Peace way to settle conflicts and ciples of democracy, freedom, 36/67 issued on November 30, Baqer Ghalibaf has criticised sustainable peace, including its that falls on September 21 of disputes. and justice, and spreading the 1981, to devote the ideals of the “passive” reactions of the commitments to maintaining each year, the Secretariat It also called on all peoples values of tolerance, peace and work to reduce ten- Hassan Rouhani’s government and building peace, and its General of the Arab League to work on building and acceptance of others, multi- sions and address the causes of to the US move to re-impose keenness to establish a strategic called all nations and peoples, spreading a culture of peace culturalism and promoting conflicts in various parts of the sanctions on Tehran. partnership with the interna- especially the Arab countries by consolidating a set of values dialogue. world. Speaking during a plenary session of parliament on Sat- urday, Ghalibaf said the “pas- siveness” in the face of the US Oman reports 28 COVID-19 “hostile actions” would only escalate the pressure of sanc- deaths and 1,722 new cases tions on the lives of the Iranian people. He called on the gov- AGENCIES — MUSCAT/KUWAIT of cases in the country to 99,434. ernment to take “active, smart The Ministry also reported three and effective” measures against The Ministry of Health (MoH) deaths, bringing the total number the US re-imposition of all pre- in Oman has registered 1,722 of deaths recorded in Kuwait to 2015 sanctions on Iran. new coronavirus cases and 28 584 cases so far. Ghalibaf further said that deaths, yesterday. The total The Ministry said that the duty of officials is to cases in the country have now among the 385 new confirmed “strengthen the people”, touched 93,475, including cases, there were contacts alluding to their “difficult 85,418 recoveries and 846 with previously confirmed living conditions and lack of deaths, according to MoH. In cases and others under inves- economic support.” the past 72 hours, 770 recov- tigation for the source of Ghalibaf, who was elected eries were reported. infection. It added that the as the parliament speaker after The ministry urged eve- patients in intensive care units conservatives swept the Feb- ryone to adhere to social dis- have reached 98. ruary elections, has been a tancing instructions issued by Meanwhile, Turkish health severe critic of Rouhani’s gov- the Supreme Committee and authorities registered 1,519 ernment. A former IRGC com- the MoH, as well as staying at more coronavirus cases and mander and a leading con- home and not going out unless 1,116 recoveries in the past 24 servative political figure, he necessary. hours.The country’s tally of has on several occasions crit- Kuwaiti Ministry of Health COVID-19 infections reached icised the government for Fisherman at work announced yesterday the reg- 302,867, including 266,117 signing the 2015 nuclear deal istration of 385 new coronavirus recoveries, according to the A fisherman removes garbage and dead fish at Al Shamlan Harbour in the Sharq district of Kuwait with the US and its European (COVID-19) cases in the past 24 data released by Health Min- City, yesterday. allies. Ghalibaf ruled out any hours, bringing the total number istry yesterday. US policy change towards Iran following the November pres- idential election. “When we Iraq plans to believe in (the power of) Dozens of Israeli settlers storm Al Aqsa complex people, we will win,” Ghalibaf connect Turkey said. “Whenever we forget ANATOLIA/QNA — OCCUPIED compound to celebrate the state’s “eternal and undivided” occasion of Sukkot. them, we will face defeat in the JERUSALEM occasion. capital. He pointed out that the with rail network blink of an eye”. On Saturday, an Israeli Meanwhile, Israeli occu- closure of the Mosque had been Last week, the parliament’s Dozens of Israeli settlers forced settler attempted to blow in a pation authorities continueD imposed by the occupation ANATOLIA — BAGHDAD national security and foreign their way into Jerusalem’s shofar inside the flashpoint for the second consecutive day since 1994, following its division policy committee had submitted flashpoint Al Aqsa complex compound, but he was kicked to close the Ibrahimi Mosque in in time and space, after the A railway will be built between a triple-urgency motion aimed yesterday in celebration of the out by the guards. Hebron and prevent the prayers massacre that was committed Iraq’s Mosul and Turkey, to counter the US “maximum Jewish New Year. Al Aqsa represents the there, under the pretext of inside it, which killed 29 wor- according to the governor of pressure campaign” on Iran. In a statement, the Jeru- world’s third-holiest site for Jewish holidays. shipers and wounded 150 Mosul. A team of engineers Under the motion, the gov- salem Awqaf Department said Muslims, while Jews refer to Director of Ibrahimi others, as it deliberately with the support of Turkish ernment will be obliged to take 76 settlers backed by Israeli the area as the “Temple Mosque Hefzi Abu Sneineh said exposes it to the evils of settlers. companies will start laying a reciprocal measures, which police forces had entered the Mount,” claiming it was the that the occupation authorities He added that they also prevent new modern rail line between includes lifting all restrictions compound. site of two Jewish temples in had closed the Mosque since the call for prayer and the entry the two countries in the coming on Iran’s nuclear program According to an Anadolu ancient times. Saturday, on the occasion of the of employees in many times. days, Najim Al Jubouri said in a placed by the 2015 nuclear deal. Agency reporter, the settlers Israel occupied East Jeru- Hebrew New Year’s Day, Pal- Abu Sneineh explained that statement to Al Sabaah, a semi- Officials say that Iran will toured the courtyard in cele- salem, in which the Al Aqsa is estine’s Wafa reported. the Ibrahimi Mosque is the his- official Iraqi newspaper. consider ending the implemen- bration of the Jewish Rosh located, during the 1967 Arab- Abu Sneineh added that torical and religious title of He said the rail line to be tation of the Additional Protocol Hashanah, which falls from Israeli War. the occupation will close the Hebron city, stressing that pre- built from Mosul’s center towards that the country had voluntarily Sunday to Thursday. In a move never recog- Mosque at intervals, as it will venting Muslims from per- the Turkey border aimed to accepted under the 2015 accord Right-wing Jewish sup- nised by the international be closed on September 27 forming prayer and practicing reduce the intensity at the land and the enrichment of uranium porters have called on sup- community, Israel annexed and 28, on the occasion of the religious rites in it is contrary border crossing. However, he did could go up to the level of 90,000 porters over the past few days the entire city in 1980, Yom Kippur. It will be closed to all religious and human not provide details about the separate work units (SWUs). to converge on the Al Aqsa claiming it as the Jewish also on October 9 on the norms. project’s budget and cost. 10 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 Some Libyan oil facilities restart operations REUTERS — BENGHAZI Libya’s oil sector has stood Libya’s oil sector has almost entirely quiet since stood almost entirely Workers at Libya’s major January, when eastern-based Sharara field have restarted forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar quiet since January, operations, two engineers imposed a blockade on energy when eastern-based working there said, after exports during their ultimately National Oil Corporation (NOC) foiled assault on Tripoli. forces loyal to Khalifa announced a partial lifting of Haftar said on Friday the Haftar imposed a force majeure. blockade would be lifted but blockade on energy They said flaring had NOC has demanded that his restarted at the field and shared forces and allied mercenaries exports during their a video of it, and added that that it says pose a danger to its ultimately foiled engineers had been returning staff must leave all oil to the area since Wednesday. facilities. assault on Tripoli. It was unclear when pro- On Saturday it lifted force duction might restart and there majeure on what it described was no immediate comment as “safe” fields and ports but not recovery. from the NOC. on any where fighters remain, Sharara has been plagued Two other NOC companies though it did not name these. by security problems in recent Houthi education officials shout slogans after lighting a flame during a ceremony to mark the 6th said they had issued directives The NOC has said facilities years that have caused repeated anniversary of the takeover of Sana'a by the Houthi movement, in Sana'a, Yemen, yesterday. to staff to start working to were degraded during the full or partial shutdowns. The prepare to recommence pro- shutdown and during years of field is operated by the NOC in duction as soon as possible. conflict, which could slow any a joint venture with Spain’s Five injured in Houthi attack on Saudi village Repsol, France’s Total, Austria’s OMV and Norway’s Equinor. AFP — RIYADH have so far not claimed respon- a ragtag but highly motivated Elsewhere, Arabian Gulf Oil sibility for the attack. tribal militia that specialises in Co (AGOCO), an NOC company A projectile fired by Yemen’s The rebels have stepped up guerrilla tactics. that had been producing Houthi rebels hit a village in missile and drone attacks on The coalition intervened in around 300,000 barrels per Saudi Arabia’s southern Jizan Saudi Arabia in recent months, support of the Yemeni gov- day early last year, said it was province, wounding five mainly targeting southern ernment in 2015 after the ordering staff to start opera- civilians, state media reported. provinces along the long border Houthis seized Sana'a and tions to prepare for a The civilians had been between both countries, as well closed in on the government’s resumption in output as soon rushed to hospital after suf- as Riyadh. temporary southern base of as possible. fering “minor injuries” from A Saudi-led coalition, which Aden. Since then, tens of thou- Sirte Oil Co, another NOC flying shrapnel, it reported late has been battling the Houthis sands of people, mostly company, said it had issued a Saturday. Three cars were also for more than five years, says civilians, have been killed and directive to all staff to take the damaged in the border village, it has intercepted most of them. millions displaced in what the necessary measures to prepare it said, without naming the Assisted by Western powers United Nations has called the Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally-recognised government for the start of production as village. including the United States, the world’s worst humanitarian patrol in Zamzam, near Abu Qareen, Libya, on September 15, 2020. soon as possible. The Iran-backed Houthis coalition has struggled to oust disaster. Verdict against young artistes in Sudan stirs controversy Nigerian AP — CAIRO 5,000 Sudanese pounds ($90) the uprising against Al Bashir, neighbours did not leave and slogans similar to those they’d opposition each, the lawyer said. The condemned the verdict against continued to shout at them, used during the uprising, A Sudanese court’s decision to verdict can be appealed. the artistes. according to Al Basry, the according to a 30-second video governor wins send five young artistes to Among the jailed artistes is The ruling has also grabbed lawyer. shared online. prison has stirred controversy award-winning filmmaker the attention of film profes- One of the neighbours phys- Strategic Initiative for re-election both in Sudan and abroad, with Hajooj Kuka, whose films “Beats sionals worldwide, many of ically attacked Duaa Tarig, an Women in the Horn of Africa, AFP — BENIN CITY, NIGERIA activists and rights groups of the Antonov” and “aKasha” whom sent an open letter to the artist and office manager for or SIHA, the women’s rights calling for judicial reforms were exhibited at the Venice government calling for the Civic Lab, before others started NGO, accused authorities of Governor Godwin Obaseki of following last year’s pro- and Toronto film festivals. Kuka artistes’ release. beating the artistes and staff as handling the case in a “biased Nigeria’s main opposition democracy uprising that was invited earlier this year to Cameron Bailey, the artistic well as throwing stones at them, and politicised environment.” party has won re-election in toppled longtime autocrat Omar join the Academy of Motion director of Toronto Film Fes- Al Basry said. It said Tarig’s attempts to file a southern Edo state, officials Al Bashir. Picture Arts and Sciences, tival, voiced his frustration in a Police forces arrested complaint against the investi- said yesterday after the The artistes — known for which awards the Oscars. tweet on Friday: “Hajooj is an eleven artistes including Tarig, gator who allegedly assaulted nation’s first poll since the start their support for the uprising — Sudan has been on a fragile exceptional filmmaker. … Now who has accused an investi- her were denied several times. of the coronavirus pandemic. were convicted and sentenced path to democracy since the he’s been jailed in Sudan. We gator of slapping her until she The group called for their Obaseki of the Peoples on Thursday to two months in popular uprising led the military need to make some noise about fainted after she took issue with immediate release. A gov- Democratic Party (PDP) scored prison on charges of public dis- to overthrow Al Bashir in April this.” The case dates back to him photographing her with his ernment spokesman did not 307,955 to beat his closest turbance and violating public 2019. A military-civilian gov- August, when a group of artistes phone, their lawyer said. respond to phone calls by AP challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu safety measures by a criminal ernment now rules the country, was rehearsing with the Civic The remaining six are seeking comment yesterday. of President Muhammadu court in the capital, Khartoum, with elections possible in late Lab artistic group in Khartoum. awaiting their trial on similar Sudan’s Youth and Sports Min- Buhari’s ruling All Progressives their lawyer Othman Al Basry 2022. Neighbours complained about charges, he said. ister Walaa Al Boushi visited the Congress (APC), who polled said. The Sudanese Professionals’ noise, and the event organisers While in detention, the jailed artistes on Saturday to 223,619 votes in Saturday’s The artistes were also fined Association, which spearheaded lowered the volume, but the artistes protested and chanted show solidarity with them. vote, the election commision said. A total of 17 political parties had fielded candidates. Official: 10 Chad Obaseki was elected on APC’s Fire ravages Uganda’s platform in 2016 but defected soldiers killed in to the PDP after being denied the ticket because of intra- Boko Haram prestigious university party squabbles. AFP — KAMPALA around 1am (2200 GMT). Sixteen of Nigeria’s 36 ambush “It is a very dark morning states are led by opposition A huge fire has destroyed part for Makerere University. Our governors. Edo voters turned AFP — N’DJAMENA of the main building of Uganda’s iconic Main Administration out in face masks in com- prestigious Makerere Building caught fire and the pliance with government Ten Chadian soldiers were University, one of Africa’s destruction is unbelievable,” measures to curb the spread killed while attacking a base oldest, police said yesterday. tweeted Professor Barnabas of the coronavirus, which has of the Boko Haram militant “The fire is believed to have Nawangwe, the institution’s so far infected 57,000 people group in the Lake Chad region, started from the roof spreading vice-chancellor. and claimed almost 1,100 lives. the province’s secretary- to floors that house both Nawangwe pledged every- Security was tight, with general told AFP on Saturday. records and finance depart- thing would be done to “restore police officers and soldiers Seven soldiers were also ments,” said Kampala deputy the building to its historic state screening vehicles on major Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at the Ivory Tower of Makerere injured in Thursday’s ambush, police spokesman Luke in the shortest time possible” as roads. Nigeria, Africa’s most University in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday. Sadick Khatir said, confirming Oweyesigire. the university tweeted video populous nation, held general information given by an anon- “A lot of property has been footage of flames engulfing the elections last year, but Edo is ymous military source. destroyed. Investigations are building. Makerere was estab- Africa’s oldest and most pres- 1941, the university today has among seven states that vote Contacted by AFP, ongoing to ascertain the cause lished in 1922 as a humble tech- tigious English universities. 35,000 students and 3,000 off-season because of court however, army spokesman of the fire,” which started nical school, but today is one of Built between 1938 and postgraduates. rulings. Azem Mbermandoa, did not confirm the death toll but added that the Chadian army had “destroyed a Boko Haram Zimbabwe: Poor good Samaritans rescue homeless children base, recovered weapons and ammunition”. ANATOLIA — MOUNT HAMPDEN, Her only daughter, and For the children’s food, she “I just do my part and become Epworth, a poor settlement east The militant group, which ZIMBABWE mother to her grandson, lives often prepares mealie rice and fulfilled that at least I am of Harare, “What matters is to originated in Nigeria in 2009, and works in neighbouring tomato soup, which the children helping the poor children.” feed the unfortunate homeless has established bases on islets At times, destitute children South Africa. are fond of, she said. According to child rights children with whatever little I dotting Lake Chad, a vast sleep at her shack, packed But, even under the circum- Yet, amidst poverty, many defenders like Mateline can get no matter how poor or swampy expanse on the inside her thatched kitchen hut. stances, Chinowaita, who is a good Samaritans like Chi- Ngirazi, “The exact number of good the food may seem to be,” border between Nigeria, Chad, But more often homeless street vendor at times in the nowaita do not find it easy to homeless children in Zim- she said. Niger and Cameroon. children just want to feed from Harare Central Business District help the nation’s homeless babwe is tough to determine. Meanwhile, despite grap- The Chadian army the poor good Samaritan before or by the highway to Chinhoyi, children. Having children living on the pling with inflation hovering launched an offensive against returning to the streets of the a farming town northwest of “Each time you want to help streets is not a new phe- above 800% in March, Zim- Boko Haram in April after the Zimbabwean capital. Harare, has not given up on street kids, people think you nomenon in this country. In babwe set up the Hampden death of some 100 soldiers in Sarudzai Chinowaita, 54, helping poor homeless children. want to use them for your own fact, during the late 1980s, Vocational Center as a pro- an attack by the group on one one of the slum dwellers in Yet, last month, another gain,” said Chinowaita. homeless children became spective home for homeless of its bases. Mount Hampden outside good Samaritan, Onai Nhi- The rules meant to fight the common facets of the urban families and children living on President Idriss Deby then Harare regularly feeds and watiwa, who ran an unregis- spread of the coronavirus have landscape of this country, the streets. claimed to have pushed the accommodate the children but tered Ruoko RwaMwari Chil- also made it hard for many who especially here in Harare,” she But, even then, homeless militants out. But despite this has had no worries about her dren’s Trust in the slums of are poor, like Chinowaita, to said. So, now as the crisis of children have not found the military operation, the attacks initiative despite being not for- Mount Hampden, was censured freely have homeless children homeless children deepens in centre adequate, choosing have continued. mally employed because she by authorities before the lining up for food at their Zimbabwe’s towns and cities, rather to return to the streets or In Chad’s Lake Province, receives help from children were taken by social homes. good Samaritans like Chi- switch to poor good Samaritans more than 360,000 people well-wishers. welfare agents. “You make the kids line up nowaita have had no option as like Chinowaita and Chizuzu. have fled their homes to avoid Instead, Chinowaita said her But Chinowaita had a for food or stay at your place at they strive to help children “At the Hampden Voca- attacks and also flooding, concern has been to ensure narrow escape and has since your own peril because there whom they have sheltered in tional Center, government according to the International homeless children she has wel- kept helping homeless children are always people who tip inhabitable slums where basic workers there give us very Organization for Migration comed in her shack always find at her shack. authorities that someone is sanitation facilities are entirely small portions of food and they (IOM). The president admitted something to eat. And if pos- “I get donations in cash and breaking COVID-19 rules and non-existent. harass us. I enjoy being on the in early August that “Boko sible, even a place to sleep in kind from well-wishers to help they can come for you and For Zimbabwe’s poverty- streets getting help often from Haram would still do a lot of her dwelling which she shares me assist the homeless children arrest you,” she said. stricken good Samaritans like kind well-wishers,” Mendisi damage” in Chad. with her 5-year-old grandson. I meet here,” Chinowaita said. “But,” Chinowaita insisted, Linet Chizuzu, 43, who lives in Ngwabi, 12, told Anatolia. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 ASIA 11 Indian Parliament passes farm bills amid uproar

AP — NEW DELHI The upper house the bills amid the pandemic,” he passed two out of said. Modi should “explain how it Amid an uproar in Parliament, will help in achieving the govern- Indian lawmakers yesterday three bills, amid a ment’s goal of doubling farmers’ approved a pair of controversial war of words between income,” he added. agriculture bills that the Farmers have long been seen government says will boost ruling lawmakers and as the heart and soul of India, growth in the farming sector those opposing the where agriculture supports more through private investments. legislation. The third than half of the country’s 1.4 The two bills were approved billion people. But they’ve also even though most opposition bill could not be taken seen their economic clout parties and some allies of Prime up because the upper diminish over the last three Minister Narendra Modi called decades. Once accounting for a them anti-farmer. house adjourned for third of India’s gross domestic The legislation is aimed at the day amid chaotic product, farmers now account reforming India’s deeply for only 15 percent of the coun- stressed farming sector and will scenes. try’s $2.9 trillion economy. give farmers freedom to market India’s farmers, often com- their produce, Agriculture Min- plaining about being ignored, ister Narendra Singh Tomar said approved all three bills on hold frequent protests to while tabling the proposed laws Thursday. The passed bills will demand better crop prices, in the upper house of have to be signed by India’s cer- more loan waivers and even Parliament. emonial president, a formality water delivery systems to guar- The bills are also aimed at before becoming law. antee irrigation during dry removing middlemen from the On Thursday, Shiromani spells. Sometimes they stage farm trade and making farming Akali Dal party lawmaker Har- sit-ins or dump truckloads of market-oriented, the gov- simrat Kaur resigned as min- vegetables onto highways to ernment has said. ister for food processing in Farmers shout slogans following the passing of agriculture bills in the Lok Sabha, on the outskirts of disrupt traffic. Several protests The upper house passed two protest against the bills. The Amritsar, in Punjab, yesterday. by farmers were reported out of three bills, amid a war of party is one of the Modi govern- against the bills in northern words between ruling law- ment’s most trusted allies. attacks on the government, sector will double farmers’ irrigation and power supply, India yesterday. makers and those opposing the Tomar sought to allay critics calling the legislation “black income by 2022. removing middlemen will not More than half of India’s legislation. The third bill, of the legislation by saying that law” and “pro-corporate.” The critics say the bills create be helpful to the farming sector. farmers are in debt, with 20,638 intended to be part of the farm the government’s market inter- Rahul Gandhi, a top leader of an undemocratic mechanism by Participating in the Par- killing themselves in 2018 and liberalisation plan, could not be vention policy to procure agri- the main opposition Congress which bureaucrats become arbi- liament debate, former Prime 2019, according to India’s taken up because the upper culture crops from farmers will party, said in a tweet yesterday trators to settle any contract dis- Minister H D Deve Gowda, now National Crime Records Bureau. house adjourned for the day continue. The policy insures that Modi “is making farmers putes between farmers and a lawmaker, asked Modi to Many factors are believed amid chaotic scenes, with oppo- farmers against any sharp fall ‘slaves’ of the capitalists, which buyers, rather than civil courts. explain the short- and long- to contribute to farmer suicides, sition lawmakers tearing doc- in prices of their agricultural the country will never allow to They also say that in the absence term impact of the bills on including poor crop yields, uments and shouting slogans produce. succeed.” The government has of better infrastructure like farmers. financial devastation or debt, against the bills. However, the opposition projected that its massive climate-controlled storage facil- “The prime minister should and a lack of community The lower house had leaders launched scathing support plans in the agriculture ities, proper roads and reliable explain why there’s a hurry to pass support. South Korea Arrest of Myanmar students draws ire of activists keeps social ANATOLIA — YANGON against the army’s unlawful for violating the ban. lawyer from the Legal Clinic military fascist. actions. Armed conflicts between Myanmar. “It reminds us of the expe- distancing The arrest of three students by They can face up to three the Myanmar military and “Then they should be rience of opposition when Myanmar’s authorities for years in jail and are set to Arakan Army — the rebel group released on bail,” she told Myanmar was being ruled by organising protests has drawn appear in court on Wednesday. with majority ethnic Rakhine Anadolu Agency over the phone the military junta,” he said. restrictions the ire of activists across the The treatment meted out to Buddhists — have been esca- last week. Scores of Rohingya Muslims globe. them is in stark contrast with lating over the past years, The All Burma Federation in a refugee camp in Bangla- REUTERS — SEOUL The students are being the leniency shown to political resulting in the surge of civilian of Student Unions (ABFSU), an desh’s Cox’s Bazaar staged a charged under the Natural Dis- parties as campaigning ahead casualties in Rakhine state. umbrella association of student protest demanding the imme- South Korea yesterday aster Management Law, which of the general election in The students or their family groups across the country, diate release of the three extended level 2 social bans large gatherings to curb November reach fever-pitch. member were not available fro issued a statement earlier this Rakhine students. distancing for a week until the spread of the coronavirus In early September, hun- comment, but the lawyers rep- month, demanding the release In a joint statement, September 27, which limits pandemic. dreds of supporters of the ruling resenting them said the state of the Rakhine students. Rohingya groups across the indoor gatherings to below 50 Toe Toe Aung, Kyaw Naing party National League for was using the law to silence ABFSU chair Than Nyi Nyi world condemned the arrests. and outdoor to less than 100, Htay and Oo Than Naing, all Democracy (NLD) campaigned dissent. Win told Anadolu Agency last “Our fight for justice is a and may tighten limits for the ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, held in Bago, a town about 80km “In the point of the fair week that more than a dozen fight for everyone that has been Chuseok holiday when people a demonstration earlier this east of the commercial hub judicial system and human student leaders have been killed, injured or abused by the traditionally reunite with month in the coastal city of Yangon, ignoring the ban on rights, they should only be sued arrested for organising the Tatmadaw,” the groups said in families. Sittwe against the ban on 4G gathering more than 50 people. under the law relating to their campaign in which they dis- the statement, referring to Prime Minister Chung Sye- Internet in the region and No one in Bago was arrested activities,” said Hla Hla Yee, a tribute pamphlets calling the Burmese term for the army. kyun said the level 2 restric- tions need to be kept ahead of Chuseok as “cases with untraceable origins are India to extend $250m loan steadily increasing and fewer tests being carried out on to virus-hit Maldives weekends means we should be on high alert.” AFP — MALÉ Social distancing policies for the September 30-October India yesterday announced a $250m loan to the Maldives to boost 2 holiday will be announced its coronavirus-battered economy in a further bid to counter in the coming days. China’s growing financial footprint in South Asia. South Korea reported 82 The Indian Ocean archipelago, renowned for its luxury resorts, new coronavirus cases as has been badly hit by the pandemic, with foreign tourists failing of midnight on Saturday, to flock back in large numbers after international flights restarted the lowest daily infections in mid-July. since mid August, according India’s High Commission in the Maldives said the loan was to the Korea Centers for being provided after a request by Maldives President Ibrahim Disease Control and Mohamed Solih for “financial assistance to overcome the difficult Prevention. economic situation.” Of the total, 72 were locally “The Maldives is at liberty to use the money in repairing the transmitted, bringing the total domestic economic situation in line with its own priorities,” it said tally to 22,975, with 383 in a statement. deaths. A sale of treasury bonds issued by the Maldives government Clusters of infections from to State Bank of India (SBI) will raise the money, with ten years a church and political rally given for repayment, the statement added. sparked a second wave of out- The assistance follows a $500m pledge by New Delhi in August breaks in August, driving the to help build bridges and causeways in the nation of 1,192 islands daily tally to more than 400, Train services resume in Bangladesh located on major East-West shipping lanes. before the numbers began Under former president Abdulla Yameen’s administration, dropping to the low 100s in People queue to purchase tickets as Bangladesh railway resumed all passenger train services following which was ousted in 2018 elections, the Maldives borrowed some early September. its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Kamalapur railway station in Dhaka, yesterday. $1.4 billion from Beijing for expensive infrastructure projects, according to Solih’s government. The loans added to critics’ concerns that Chinese aid in Asia and beyond was saddling countries with unsustainable debts while Taiwan President says China a threat to region expanding Beijing’s sphere of influence. The bond takes New Delhi’s total pledged financial assistance REUTERS — TAIPEI The exercises took place as which have been involved in body to China’s parliament, to the Maldives to over $2bn since Solih came to power, according US Undersecretary for Eco- many Chinese fly-bys of Taiwan. reiterated that Taiwan inde- to India’s foreign ministry. Two days of Chinese military nomic Affairs Keith Krach was One montage shows a sim- pendence was a dead end, and aircraft approaching Taiwan in Taipei, the most senior State ulation of an H-6 attack against that “relying on foreigners to demonstrate that Beijing is a Department office to come in an air base that appears by its pump yourself up was to take Police arrest defector trying threat to the entire region and four decades. runway layout to be the main a risk out of desperation”. have shown Taiwanese even Speaking to reporters, Tsai US air force base on Guam. “It will only bring Taiwan to cross back to North Korea more clearly the true nature of denounced China’s drills. Asked about that footage risks it cannot bear. We will not China’s government, President “I believe these activities are and China’s decision to release tolerate any harm to the coun- REUTERS — SEOUL Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday. no help to China’s international it while Krach was in Taiwan, try’s sovereignty, security and Multiple Chinese aircraft image, and what’s more have Tsai said China’s recent activ- development interests,” Wang South Korean police said yesterday they had arrested a defector flew across the mid-line of the put Taiwan’s people even more ities were a threat broader than said in comments made by who tried to return to North Korea after a similar, successful Taiwan Strait and into Taiwan’s on their guard, understanding just to Taiwan. video. crossing in July escalated tensions on the peninsula. air defence identification zone even better the true nature of “China’s existence is indeed Further friction seems likely The defector, who had fled to South Korea in 2018, was sus- on Friday and Saturday, causing the Chinese Communist aggressive and will bring a def- as Taiwan and the United States pected of breaking into a military training site in South Korea’s Taiwan to scramble jets to regime,” she said. inite threat.” In comments continue to deepen relations, border town of Cheorwon on Thursday to head back to North intercept. China claims Taiwan “Additionally, other coun- carried by Chinese state media with Taiwan angling for a free Korea. “The man is under police investigation. We are looking as its own territory. tries in the region also have a from a forum on relations with trade agreement. into details such as why he tried to cross the border,” a police- At a news conference in better understanding of the Taiwan in the southeastern Taiwan Economy Minister women said by telephone. She said she could not confirm the date Beijing on Friday about China’s threat posed by China,” Tsai Chinese city of Xiamen, the Wang Mei-hua said yesterday the of the arrest. UN peacekeeping efforts, China added. “The Chinese Commu- number-four leader of the island plans to hold a formal eco- In July, a 24-year-old defector returned to North Korea the announced combat drills near nists must restrain themselves, ruling Communist Party on nomic dialogue with the United way he left in 2017, going through a drainage ditch and swimming the Taiwan Strait and and not provoke.” China’s air Sunday did not directly mention States, after having what she across the Han River to the North. When the 24-year-old defector denounced what it called col- force on Saturday put out a the recent drills. called informal talks with Krach illegally returned to North Korea in July, the “runaway” prompted lusion between the island and video showing exercises by its Wang Yang, who heads a and his team on issues like supply the government to launch an investigation into the military unit the United States. nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, largely ceremonial advisory chain restructuring. responsible for the crossing. 12 ASIA MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 Thai protesters instal democracy plaque

AP — BANGKOK The protesters The protesters later attempted to march attempted to march toward the Anti-government demon- Grand Palace to hand over a strators occupying a historic toward the Grand petition seeking royal reforms field in the Thai capital Palace to hand over a to the head of the Privy Council, yesterday installed a plaque the king’s advisers, but were symbolising the country’s tran- petition seeking royal blocked by police barricades. sition to democracy to replace reforms to the head of One of them, Panusaya, was the original one that was myste- allowed to deliver the petition, riously ripped out and stolen the Privy Council, the which was addressed to the three years ago, as they vowed king’s advisers, but king. It was received by a police to press on with calls for new official, who promised to elections and reform of the were blocked by police forward it to the council. monarchy. barricades. Just before the rally ended, The mass student-led rally Parit called for a general strike that began on Saturday was the on October 14, the anniversary largest in a series of protests this to us all,” student leader Parit of a popular student uprising in year, with thousands camping “Penguin” Chirawak told the 1973 that ended a military dic- Police sit behind barricades as anti-government protesters take part in a pro-democracy rally in overnight at Sanam Luang field crowd. tatorship after dozens were Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Another activist, Panusaya killed by police. He also urged A group of activists drilled Sithijirawattanakul, said their people to withdraw their funds of Wisconsin-Madison, said that There were skits and music, They believe that Prime a hole in front of a makeshift demands do not propose getting and close their accounts at Siam by holding their protest at and speakers gave fiery Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, stage and, after Buddhist rituals, rid of the monarchy. “They are Commercial Bank, in which the Sanam Luang, a longtime “site speeches late Saturday who as army commander led a laid down a round brass plaque proposals with good intentions king is the biggest shareholder. of recreation and protest for the accusing the government of 2014 coup toppling an elected in cement to commemorate the to make the institution of the Calls for comment to the bank, people, taken over in recent incompetence, corruption in government, was returned to 1932 revolution that changed monarchy remain graciously also known as SCB, and several years by the monarchy,” the the military and failing to power unfairly in last year’s Thailand from an absolute above the people under demo- of its corporate communica- protesters “have won a signif- protect women’s rights. At least general election because the monarchy to a constitutional cratic rule,” Panusaya said. tions executives went unan- icant victory.” 8,000 police officers were laws had been changed to favor monarchy. Still, such calls took the swered or did not connect. “Their resounding message reportedly deployed for the a pro-military party. Protesters “At the dawn of September nation by surprise. Protesters’ Parit also called for another is that Sanam Luang, and the event. say a constitution promulgated 20, here is where the people demands seek to limit the king’s protest Thursday outside par- country, belong to the people,” “The people who came here under military rule is proclaim that this country powers, establish tighter con- liament to follow up on the pro- he said in an email. today came here peacefully and undemocratic. belongs to the people,” read part trols on palace finances and testers’ demands. The crowd were a disparate are really calling for The students are too young of the inscription on the plaque. allow open discussion of the Organisers had predicted batch. They included an LGBTQ democracy,” said Panupong to have been caught up in the In April 2017, the original monarchy. that as many as 50,000 people contingent waving iconic Jadnok, one of the protest sometimes violent partisan plaque vanished from Bang- Their boldness was unprec- would take part in the weekend rainbow banners while red flags leaders. battles that roiled Thailand a kok’s Royal Plaza and was edented, as the monarchy is con- protest, but reporters estimated sprouted across the area, rep- Their core demands were decade ago, said Kevin replaced by one praising the sidered sacrosanct in Thailand, that around 20,000 were resenting Thailand’s Red Shirt the dissolution of parliament Hewison, a University of North monarchy. with a harsh law that mandates present by Saturday evening. political movement, which with fresh elections, a new con- Carolina professor emeritus “The nation does not belong a three- to 15-year prison term Tyrell Haberkorn, a Thai battled the country’s military in stitution and an end to intimi- and a veteran Thai studies to only one person, but belongs for defaming it. studies scholar at the University Bangkok’s streets 10 years ago. dation of political activists. scholar. Kin of 12 arrested HK people want access to lawyers Air strikes leave 24 REUTERS — HONG KONG committing crimes in Hong there,” the father of one the lawyers appointed by the Kong related to the anti-gov- detainee, Li Tsz Yin, said. families have been refused to dead in Afghanistan Relatives of some of the 12 Hong ernment protests that erupted The Hong Kong government meet with the detainees. In other Kong people arrested by China last year. Ten had been charged, and the police did not immedi- words, the conditions of the so- AP — KABUL his neighbors against running at sea last month demanded the released on bail and not ately respond to a request for called arrested persons are still toward the burning buildings city’s government check on allowed to leave the former comment. known only to the Chinese Government air strikes in the for fear of a second air strike. their condition and ensure British colony, and all are now The relatives also asked authorities,” a statement said. north of Afghanistan killed 24 “I yelled at people and told lawyers appointed by the being detained in neighbouring police “to give an account of the On Tuesday, Hong Kong civilians, including children, them not to go because maybe families and not the Chinese Shenzhen. date, time, place and process of leader Carrie Lam voiced dis- and wounded six others, there would be another government, can meet with Relatives of some of the the arrest” and whether there content with the group being witnesses said yesterday. bombing, but they ran to help them. detainees held a news con- were any injuries or casualties, characterised by some as “dem- The two witnesses said that and to put out the fire,” The 12 were arrested on ference outside the Hong Kong and the Marine Department to ocratic activists being most of those killed in Satur- Rahmani said. August 23 for illegal entry into police headquarters on Sunday release radar records of the day oppressed”, saying they were day’s airstrikes, which struck A second witness in the mainland Chinese waters after to express their frustration with of the arrest. running away from the law. the village of Sayed Ramazan area, Kalamuddin, who like setting off from Hong Kong in local authorities. “We want our They said the government Lam said they would have to be in northern Kunduz province, many Afghans uses just one a boat bound for self-ruled son back...even though we can’t “only shirked responsibility and “dealt with” by mainland were civilians. name, said the lone Taliban Taiwan. visit him, at least give us a letter confused the public with mere authorities, but pledged to The Khanabad district in fighter living in the house that All were suspected of from him to confirm that he’s excuses.” “However, up to now, provide “feasible” assistance. the province where the village was initially hit had been killed. is located is Taliban Taliban spokesman Zabi- controlled. hullah Mujahid condemned the Strict Philippine The Afghan Defence Min- air strikes and said the Taliban istry, however, said the air- had no military operations in mask and visor strikes killed 30 Taliban the area at the time of the air fighters, but added an investi- strike. rules make gation was being held into The United Nations has claims that civilians were harshly criticized both sides in commuters sweat among those killed. the conflict for the relentless The air strikes come as killing of civilians in Afghani- AFP — MANILA Taliban and government- stan’s protracted war. appointed negotiators are The peace talks in Qatar are In the sweltering heat and meeting for the first time in part of a US brokered deal with humidity, 31-year-old Caitlyn Qatar to discuss the future of the Taliban that will eventually Tojanes grumbles about having Afghanistan and an end to lead to US withdrawal of to wear a face shield over her decades of war and conflict. American troops from mask as she waits in line for her Villagers said an initial air Afghanistan. bus in the Philippine capital strike targeted a house In early July, Afghan Manila. belonging to a Taliban fighter, national army personnel fired “It’s uncomfortable. Com- whose home doubled as a mortars into a busy market in bined with the long queues it check post that stops and frisks southern Helmand, killing 23 means we get to work already people to ensure they are not people. The Defense Ministry tired and bathed in sweat,” said connected to the government. is still investigating the incident. Tojanes, whose commute The explosion set fire to a Also on Saturday, at least involves three buses and takes People wearing face shields queue up at a public market in Manila. nearby home, trapping a family six rockets were fired at Nato’s several hours. inside, said Latif Rahmani who Resolute Support base in But she is resigned to the store manager in the sprawling recording the highest number of rising by several thousand witnessed the air strikes. southern Kandahar. No casu- new normal in the Philippines, capital of 12 million where most confirmed cases in Southeast every day. Some measures have Speaking by phone, alties were reported and no one where it is now compulsory to of the country’s infections have Asia with more than 283,000 been eased to help kickstart the Rahmani said farmers and vil- claimed responsibility. wear both masks and plastic been recorded. infections and over 4,900 deaths. devastated economy. lagers ran to douse the fire and Nato said in a statement shields in indoor public spaces “People should not put the Six months after tough “It’s a big adjustment having rescue trapped family members that if the Taliban were behind and on public transport to curb entire burden on the gov- restrictions were introduced to to wear a mask and a face inside when a second air strike the rocket fire, it could jeop- the spread of the coronavirus. ernment. We must practise self- curb the contagion — including shield and having to wash your hit, killing many of them. ardize the US peace deal in “With Covid, it’s up to the discipline.” The latest measure stay-at-home orders, travel hands with alcohol each time Rahmani, who said he was which the Taliban have people to maintain discipline,” comes as the country struggles bans and no talking on buses you touch something,” said Jeff working on his house at the promised not to attack US and said Tojanes, who works as a to contain the virus outbreak, and trains — infections are still Langurayan, 31. time of the air strike, warned Nato forces. 2 Pakistani soldiers die in Probe launched into COVID-19 ‘figure fudging’ in Lahore shoot out with militants INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD Of the total new cases, 33 capital and a thorough probe appointed as inquiry officer in this were reported in Lahore, 43 in was launched. regard with directions to inves- AP — ISLAMABAD troops had cleared it. With a visible increase in the Gujranwala, 12 in Rawalpindi, Most complaints were filed tigate the officials, fix responsi- Earlier this month, the number of COVID-19 positive 10 in Faisalabad and others in from Ravi, Allama Iqbal, bility and submit a detailed report. Pakistan’s military yesterday Pakistani Taliban took respon- cases in Punjab, some official Multan, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Gulberg, Aziz Bhatti, Nishtar and The director (HQ) of the said two soldiers were killed in sibility for a powerful roadside documents have revealed that Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Wagah towns that meant fake DGHS Punjab is hereby a shoot out with militants bomb in northwestern Pakistan the primary and secondary Layyah, Nankana, Dera Ghazi reporting was made in almost appointed as inquiry officer to during a search operation in the that targeted a military vehicle, healthcare department has Khan and Khanewal. entire city, creating doubts on conduct a thorough probe into country’s northwest, a former killing three soldiers and been making fictitious entries As far as Lahore is con- the authenticity of the data the fake/fictitious entries found militant stronghold. wounding four. to show less number of cases in cerned, the official document updated and shared with the CM. in the Covid-19 data available The operation was conducted That attack raised fears that Lahore. unveiled that the health author- Initially, the Lahore district at dashboard for the period late Saturday in the Spalga area the Pakistani Taliban were According to the latest ities have allegedly been health officer and deputy dis- from August 23 to August 31,” near Miranshah, the main town regrouping in the region. Also figures updated on Saturday, making fake entries probably trict health officers of the reads an official document. in North Waziristan in Khyber known as Tehreek-e-Taliban the province reported 130 more to dodge the Punjab chief min- above-mentioned towns have The inquiry officer was also Pakhtunkhwa province bor- Pakistan, they are a separate people tested positive for the ister in order to show less been held guilty of generating directed to submit a compre- dering Afghanistan. insurgent group from the virus during the last 24 hours, number of COVID-19 cases. fake statistics about the number hensive report with recommen- The area has served as a Afghan Taliban, although Paki- showing around 40 percent According to the initial of positive cases. dations and draft charge sheets base for Pakistani and foreign stan’s militant groups are often surge in cases in Punjab as inquiries, fake entries were The director (headquarters) against the delinquents with doc- militants until recent years, interlinked with those across compared to those reported detected from the period of of the directorate general of health umentary evidence within seven when the military claimed tahe border in Afghanistan. during the last one week or so. August 23 to 31 in the provincial services (DGHS) Punjab has been days of issuance of notification. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 EUROPE 13 Madrid braces for partial lockdown as virus surges AFP — MADRID The restrictions, which take effect today for two weeks, affect 850,000 people living Nearly a million Madrid resi- dents were bracing yesterday for mainly in densely-populated, low-income a partial lockdown with several neighbourhoods in the south — or 13 percent hundred marching in protest as Spanish authorities seek to put of the 6.6 million people living in and around a brake on a second wave of the capital. COVID-19. The restrictions, which take effect today for two weeks, affect national average, which in itself reading "No to a class-based 850,000 people living mainly in is the highest in the European lockdown" or "They're densely-populated, low-income Union. destroying our district and now neighbourhoods in the south — Residents will be banned they're locking us up". or 13 percent of the 6.6 million from leaving their district other Hundreds gathered in the people living in and around the than for essential travel like districts concerned and outside capital. work, medical care or taking the regional parliament to shout Like many countries in children to school, Madrid's their displeasure. Europe, Spain is battling a coro- regional government said on "The health centres having navirus surge and, once again, Friday. been working for years with madrid is the worst-hit region. They will be allowed to minimum staffing, they don't "We're concerned with the move around freely inside their have enough staff or nurses ... data we're seeing, because the zone but no one from outside and this crisis has made the sit- number of cases is double that will be allowed in unless abso- uation worse," lamented Vic- of the national average and the lutely essential. Parks will be toria, a 63-year-old civil servant. number of hospital admissions... closed but shops, bars and res- "You get the impression they is triple the national average," taurants will remain open at 50 take us for fools. We shall be able Demonstrators gather in front of the Assembly of Madrid yesterday during a demonstration to protest Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez percent capacity. to continue to go and work in against the new restrictive measures announced by regional authorities. said in a television interview on Meanwhile, gatherings of other non-confined zones at the Saturday. more than six people will be risk of ramping up transmission, of the crisis, is due to meet regional authorities. rate — which is currently much But he stressed he was not banned in the entire region, and we shall also be able to Sanchez today. Regional health officials say lower than in the spring — over contemplating a national down from ten currently. infect ourselves within our own The meeting is a sign of Madrid's healthcare system is the coming weeks. lockdown. Yesterday, people took to the zone," Bethania Perez, a nurse central government concern under growing pressure, with Spain has so far recorded Several districts of southern streets in some of the affected aged 31, said. over the crisis in Madrid, as one in five hospital beds over 30,000 deaths — one of Madrid have counted more than districts in protest against the Madrid's regional president the management of public occupied by Covid patients. Europe's worst tolls — and 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhab- new measures. Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who has been health issues is normally the As such, experts fear a sharp 600,000 confirmed cases, itants — around five times the They sported placards slammed for her management responsibility of Spanish increase in the regional mortality according to official figures. Britain is at COVID-19 tipping point: Hancock UK’s Labour begins REUTERS — LONDON — with London possibly next in self-isolate if they have been in and the teams are meeting line. contact with someone infected today to discuss further what Britain is at a tipping point on “The nation faces a tipping with COVID-19. might be needed.” virtual bid to COVID-19, Health Minister Matt point and we have a choice,” In addition to tighter rules Hancock was also asked on Hancock said yesterday, Hancock told Sky News. on social gatherings across the Times Radio about the possi- warning that a second national “The choice is either that country, several cities and bility of Londoners being told regain support lockdown could be imposed if everybody follows the rules... regions in Britain have had to work from home later this people don’t follow government or we will have to take more ‘local lockdowns’ imposed, lim- week, and said: “Well, I AFP — LONDON rules designed to stop the measures.” iting even more strictly when, wouldn’t rule it out.” spread of the virus. Hancock later told the BBC where and how many people The opposition Labour UK opposition leader Keir COVID-19 cases have risen that a second national can meet up socially. Party leader Keir Starmer said Starmer launched a digital sharply in recent weeks to more lockdown was possible option. Asked about comments he would support whatever edition of his Labour Party’s than 4,000 per day. “I don’t rule it out, I don’t from London mayor Sadiq measures the government annual conference yesterday, Prime Minister Boris want to see it,” he said. Khan, who said on Friday new brings forward, but criticised promising to move on from years Johnson has called it a second Johnson announced fines of restrictions were increasingly the government’s testing system of bitter ideological infighting wave and stricter lockdown up to $12,900 on Saturday for likely in the capital, Hancock for not having the capacity to and stinging electoral failure. measures have been introduced people in England who break said: “I’ve had discussions this deal with increased demand as The three-day “Labour Con- in areas across the country new rules requiring them to week with the Mayor of London, schools returned. nected” event, held in place of the traditional conference because of coronavirus, is the first major gathering of members UK Labour leader Keir Starmer Thousands protest since the former chief state pros- ecutor and human rights lawyer because of accusations — in Berlin in support took over in April. strongly denied — that Corbyn Starmer, 58, is trying to turn and his top team turned a blind of migrants Labour around after its worst eye to anti-Semitism. election defeat since the 1930s He has also seen a surge in REUTERS — BERLIN in December, when Conservative popularity for his efforts to hold Prime Minister Boris Johnson Johnson to account for his Protesters called on European Union states swept to office on a promise to response to the coronavirus to allow in migrants stuck in Greek camps get Britain out of the European outbreak, which has killed at a demonstration in Berlin yesterday Union. almost 42,000 people in Britain before the EU sets out proposals this week Under his hard-left prede- — the worst toll in Europe. on how to help after a fire in one of the cessor Jeremy Corbyn, the party A new YouGov poll for The camps left 12,000 people without shelter. of former prime minister Tony Times put Labour level with the The emergency has highlighted Europe’s Blair was plagued by splits over Tories for the first time since patchy response to a multi-year crisis that policy, particularly on Brexit, as Johnson took over last summer. has seen more than a million migrants reach well as claims of widespread Starmer said yesterday he its shores, often on board flimsy vessels, anti-Semitism. backed government efforts to after fleeing wars and poverty in the Middle Starmer said yesterday the tackle a new surge in cases of East and beyond. Protesters hold a banner reading “We have the space” during a demonstration for the election defeat was “devastating” COVID-19, including new fines After the fire in the Moria camp on the evacuation of all migrant camps in Greece after the fire at the Moria refugee camp on for the entire Labour movement, of up to £10,000 ($13,000) for island of Lesbos on September 9, Germany and promised “new leadership” people who failed to self- Lesbos, in Berlin, yesterday. agreed to take in 1,553 migrants stranded focused on winning power at the isolate when told to do so. on Greek islands. next scheduled election in 2024. But he condemned the lack But the protesters in central Berlin are somehow scared of 15,000 people and protection into Germany. German Interior “I’ve spent the last six of mass testing, saying Johnson wanted more action. there is an eternal discussion about who Minister Horst Seehofer told Bild am months listening and asking for should apologise for failing to Wearing face masks in line with coro- will help these people,” said demonstrator Sonntag weekly that he had high hopes. conversations with people that anticipate a surge in demand navirus regulations, around 5,000 people Oliver Bock. “I expect the EU Commission to come are difficult rather than easy, for tests this month as schools held up banners with slogans such as ‘We Despite deep divisions among members, up with a solid proposal that pulls out all and changing and focusing on reopened. have space! What else has to happen? the European Commission is due this week the stops so we have a political agreement the future,” he told Sky News “The government’s now Evacuate Moria Now!’, ‘Shame on you EU’ to put forward new proposals on migration. on European asylum policy by the end of television. effectively lost control of and ‘Shelters not Prisons’. The bloc has failed to agree a common the year,” Seehofer told the paper. He added Starmer has won plaudits testing, it doesn’t necessarily “I find it unacceptable that we live in asylum policy five years after Merkel that he expected no more than 100,000 for trying to win back Jewish know where the virus is,” he one of the richest parts of the world and allowed 1.2 million people seeking migrants to arrive in Germany this year. members who left in droves said. Activists accuse Italy of Italians vote in regional elections, referendum in test for coalition REUTERS — ROME referendum it champions to cut halting ship rescue mission the number of lawmakers to Italians began voting yesterday 600 from 945. AFP — BERLIN coronavirus crisis. Inspectors in a raft of local ballots and a Early voting went smoothly made their decision after referendum, with the ruling despite concerns over possible Rights activists yesterday finding too many life jackets coalition under pressure in its delays due to coronavirus social accused Italian authorities of on board for a ship which has first electoral test since the coro- distancing rules. blocking migrant rescue ship a sewage system that is navirus crisis. “The polling station pres- Sea-Watch 4 from leaving port unsuitable for the potential Voters have largely ident and the staff were very and resuming its emergency number of people rescued, approved of Prime Minister clear about the rules. It took 15 mission in the Mediterranean. said the groups. Giuseppe Conte’s handling of the seconds longer to vote perhaps, After an inspection on the “The flimsy justifications pandemic, but recent opinion but everything was fine,” said safety of the vessel to operate show once again that this was polls suggest this will not help 69-year-old university professor in high seas, Italian authorities not an inspection serving the his coalition allies in the vote for Carlo Di Giovine after voting in placed the ship under an purpose of ship safety, but a the heads of seven regions and the referendum in Rome. administrative blockade, said systematic move to prevent mayors in almost 1,000 towns. The centre-left is expected the German activist groups civil sea rescue operations in The rightist opposition, led to lose control of Marche in the Sea-Watch and United4Rescue, the Central Mediterranean,” by Matteo Salvini’s League, is A voter wearing a protective face mask casts her ballot for the centre and Puglia in the south, as well as Doctors without said Philipp Hahn, Head of expected to win at least four of constitutional referendum on the reduction of lawmakers, at a while holding on to the southern Borders. Mission on Sea-Watch 4. the regions up for grabs, and poll station in Rome, Italy, yesterday. region of Campania. Tuscany It is currently docked in “Even though the respon- could capture the traditional looks like a neck-and-neck race. Palermo in southern Italy. sible authorities have asked us leftwing stronghold of Tuscany. pares a crucial 2021 budget. fielding separate candidates The right should easily keep The move comes as Italy to assist in rescue operations, A drubbing for the ruling Voting takes place over two almost everywhere, hurting power in the two northern has been struggling in recent they are now blocking yet parties would galvanise the days and exit polls will be pub- their chances against a united regions where it currently months with daily arrivals of another rescue vessel.” League and its allies, but most lished at 1300 GMT today when centre-right. governs — Liguria and Veneto. hundreds of migrants from Migrant rescue groups analysts say it would be unlikely ballot boxes close. 5-Star, which does not run The seventh region at stake is North Africa, a task compli- have repeatedly clashed with to trigger a government collapse The co-ruling anti-estab- any of Italy’s 20 regions, is the tiny, French-speaking Valle cated by security measures Italian authorities over their in the midst of the coronavirus lishment 5-Star Movement and pinning its hopes on the only D’Aosta which has its own party imposed under the operations. crisis and as the country pre- centre-left Democratic Party are nationwide ballot — a system. 14 EUROPE / AMERICAS MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 Tens of thousands protest in Minsk

AFP — MINSK Belarusian interior ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said yesterday that police Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched in the Bela- had detained 415 people on that march in rusian capital of Minsk yesterday Minsk and 15 in other cities for breaking rules despite authorities deploying a heavy police presence. on mass demonstrations. She said 385 had The protest came a day after been released. officers detained hundreds of demonstrators at a women’s march in the capital. balaclavas sporadically detained Belarusian interior ministry The opposition movement protesters carrying flags and spokeswoman Olga Chemo- has kept up a wave of large-scale signs at the start, while some danova said yesterday that police demonstrations every Sunday people took shelter in a shopping had detained 415 people on that since President Alexander mall and in a fast-food restaurant march in Minsk and 15 in other Lukashenko won a disputed to escape arrest. cities for breaking rules on mass Opposition supporters hold a rally to demand the resignation of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko victory in August 9 polls. The Viasna rights group said demonstrations. She said 385 had more than a month after the disputed presidential election, in Minsk, yesterday. People holding red-and- at least 16 had been detained in been released. white protest flags gathered at Minsk as well as eight at protests The scale of Saturday’s the “March of Justice” that in other cities. detentions prompted the oppo- to publish what it said was a list Belarusians were ready to strip and the regime’s violent occupied the whole of a central The government ordered a sition’s Coordination Council to of the names and ranks of more police obeying “criminal orders” crackdown on protesters. avenue and walked towards the reduction in mobile Internet cov- warn of a “new phase in the esca- than 1,000 police. of anonymity. Authorities have jailed many heavily guarded Palace of Inde- erage during the event while lation of violence against Protesters have sought to Lukashenko has dismissed of Tikhanovskaya’s allies who pendence, where Lukashenko central metro stations were peaceful protesters.” expose the identity of police who opposition calls for his resig- formed the leadership of the has his offices. closed. Among those detained was appear at demonstrations in plain nation and sought help from Rus- Coordination Council or driven They held placards with The mass protest came after one of the most prominent faces clothes or in uniforms without sia’s President Vladimir Putin, them out of the country. slogans such as “Cowards beat riot police cracked down on of the protest movement, insignia or name badges, trying who has promised law One of her campaign up women” and “Get out!”. peaceful women demonstrators 73-year-old activist Nina Bagin- to pull off their masks and enforcement backup if needed partners, Maria Kolesnikova, has Before the march, police and on Saturday who were wearing skaya, although she was later balaclavas. and a $1.5bn loan. been imprisoned and charged internal troops had positioned shiny accessories for their so- released. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is set to meet with undermining national military trucks and armoured called “Sparkly March.” The aggressive police tactics Tikhanovskaya, who claimed European Union foreign min- security. She released a message personnel carriers in the city They dragged protesters into prompted an opposition Tel- victory over Lukashenko in the isters in Brussels today as the EU to protesters yesterday saying: centre and set up barbed wire. vans, lifted some women off their egram channel, Nexta, which has polls and has taken shelter in prepares sanctions against those “Freedom is worth fighting for. Riot police in black feet and carrying them. more than 2 million subscribers, Lithuania, on Saturday said it blames for rigging the election Don’t be afraid to be free!”. Novichok scientist Czech govt could declare virus emergency: Minister REUTERS — PRAGUE some deeper measures (against The ‘R’ number measures act faster and with stricter the epidemic), then the emer- how many people are likely to measures than under normal apologises to Navalny The Czech government could gency state will be necessary,” get infected by one person that conditions. declare a state of emergency if Vojtech said in a televised carries the virus. Earlier in the In the past 14 days, the Czech a recent spike in coronavirus debate yesterday. weekend, Vojtech told the Republic has had 193 cases of MOSCOW AFP — recover. cases continues in the coming The government should seznamzpravy.cz news website coronavirus per 100,000 people, “Navalny will just have to days, Health Minister Adam debate this step today, Vojtech that he would consider pro- the second highest number in A scientist involved in the be patient but in the end, he Vojtech said. said, added that he would not posing a state of emergency if Europe behind Spain, according secret Soviet programme to should be healthy,” Mirza- The Czech Republic’s daily yet propose declaration of a the number moved close to 2. to the European Centre for create the Novichok nerve yanov said, predicting count of new coronavirus cases state of emergency. The Czech government last Disease Prevention and Control agent has apologised to the recovery would take “almost has reached record highs in “We have not seen an esca- declared a state of emergency (ECDC). Czech authorities are Russian opposition politician a year.” He suggested that recent days and the country of lation. The ‘R’ (reproduction) in March in the early days of the now bringing back some Alexei Navalny, who is recov- Navalny most likely took in the 10.7 million had reported a total number is around 1.6. We will global pandemic. Such declara- measures imposed in spring, ering from poisoning in Berlin. poison by mouth, since he of 48,306 cases as of Saturday, have to assess it based on tions do not impose any specific such as the wearing of face Vil Mirzayanov, a chemist appears not to have contam- Health Ministry data showed. weekdays when more tests are measures but create a masks indoors, while seeking to who was the first to reveal inated others. “Should we need to have done,” he said. framework for the executive to avoid a full-scale lockdown. Novichok’s development, in an This counters a suggestion interview with Russia’s TV by another scientist who Rain on Saturday evening said worked on Novichok, Vladimir Three dead after rare he wanted to apologise to Uglev, who told Proyekt inves- Navalny after Germany said it tigative site that Navalny’s sur- found “unequivocal evidence” vival suggested he had only Mediterranean storm he was poisoned with skin contact. Novichok. Navalny’s aides gathered batters Greece The opposition politician discarded objects from his on Saturday described his hotel room in the Siberian city REUTERS — ATHENS severe symptoms after falling of Tomsk and sent them to ill on a plane on August 20, German experts who found Three people have died after Cyclone Ianos, including inability to form Novichok on a water bottle. a rare storm known as a medicane, battered words, saying he still struggled Russian scientist Leonid Greece, flooding streets and homes, Greek to pour a glass of water or use Rink, who state media says authorities said yesterday. a phone. worked on the programme to Ianos uprooted trees and caused power “I offer my profound apol- develop Novichok, poured cuts on the Ionian islands and the western ogies to Navalny for the fact scorn on Mirzayanov’s com- Peloponnese. It swept through central that I took part in this criminal ments on Sunday. Greece on Saturday, hitting the cities of Kar- business, developing this sub- Speaking to the RIA ditsa and Farsala before it moved south to stance that he was poisoned Novosti news agency, Rink the island of Crete. with,” said Mirzayanov, who said Mirzayanov, while he The body of a man was found under the now lives in the United States worked at the same research collapsed roof of his house in a village near and wrote the first articles on centre, was an “ordinary” Karditsa yesterday, the Athens News Novichok’s development in chemist not directly involved Agency said. On Saturday, a 63-year-old the early 1990s. in Novichok’s creation. man was found dead in the same area and A heavily damaged bridge in Mouzaki, central Greece, after the floods caused by the His apology comes as “He has nothing to do with the body of an elderly woman was found Mediterranean Cyclone Ianos, yesterday. another scientist who worked the creation of Novichok,” in nearby Farsala, fire brigade officials said. on the programme has denied Rink insisted, adding Mirza- Authorities were still searching for a roads and a medical centre in the town of streets and shops. The fire brigade said it that Navalny could have been yanov could not know its “bio- woman reported missing in Karditsa, the Mouzaki. Experts estimate that about 5,000 had received more than 2,450 calls in the poisoned with Novichok. logical effects.” Rink argued official said. houses were flooded in the area of Kar- affected regions for assistance to rescue So far three scientists, now that if Novichok had been used The heavy rainfall on Saturday turned ditsa. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, trapped people, cut down trees, and pump in their 70s, have made public on Navalny, the opposition Karditsa, in one of Greece’s biggest plains, who is expected to visit the region in the out water from homes and businesses. statements after working on leader would have died. into a lake. Video footage showed flooded coming days, said the government will Cyclones were first recorded in Greece the top-secret Soviet project. “He wouldn’t have sur- highways, collapsed bridges and agricul- provide economic relief to the affected in 1995 and have become more frequent in Mirzayanov predicted that vived if it was Novichok,” he tural land turned into mud lakes with areas. recent years. A similar storm hit the country Navalny would eventually said. farmers carrying their sheep to rescue. By Saturday night, the storm had in 2018. Flash floods in 2017 killed 25 people A river flooded its banks and damaged reached Crete, where heavy rainfall flooded and left hundreds homeless. Lula says he will back anyone who can take on Bolsonaro Brazil, Mexico report

REUTERS — BRASILIA known as the PT, will support left before has a government done found him in good health. and center-left parties in the so much for social inclusion “I did all the exams for more deaths from virus Brazil’s former leftist President November local elections to taking care of the poor, Blacks someone who wants to live to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, barred build opposition to Bolsonaro, and indigenous people,” he said. 120 and everything is mar- ANATOLIA — BRASILIA outbreak in the Latin America from elected office due to who he accused of failing to lead If Lula were free to run and velous. I have the energy of a region. Brazil’s vibrant financial corruption convictions, said he Brazil out of its worst economic the election held today, he would 30-year-old and the political Brazil reported 739 more fatal- hub of Sao Paolo, with a popu- is open to backing any candidate and public health crisis in the tie with Bolsonaro in a run-off, drive of a 20-year-old,” he ities from the novel coronavirus, lation of nearly 46 million, is the who can beat far-right President coronavirus pandemic. a poll by Poder360 news portal joked. while Mexico saw 455 over the country’s most-affected region. Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 elec- Still one of Brazil’s most found last week. Today, his party will launch past 24 hours, health authorities Mexico’s Health Ministry tions. popular politicians, Lula — who The survey showed Lula was a National Reconstruction Plan said on Saturday. reported 73,258 virus-related “I am prepared to support governed Brazil from 2003-2010 favoured by women, blue-collar that will propose recovering In Brazil, the third worst- deaths, with 455 additions over any candidate who is committed — maintains that the corruption workers, young and older and Latin America’s largest hit country in the world after the past day. With health to the working people of Brazil cases against him were politi- university-educated voters, economy from its worst slump India in terms of cases, the authorities registering 5,167 and against Bolsonaro,” Lula said cally motivated to stop him while Bolsonaro would win with strong industrial invest- death toll reached 136,532, more positive tests, total cases on Friday in an interview via returning to power and said he farm-belt states, the Amazon and ments and the creation of a new while confirmed cases to date in the country rose to 694,121. video conference. hopes the graft sentences can be even the northeast, once a Lula social welfare program that will surpassed 4.52 million with As many as 586,154 people Whether or not he himself annulled by the courts as new stronghold but where Bolsonaro guarantee low-income families 33,057 new infections, have recovered from the runs in the next general election, evidence of bias by prosecutors has made inroads with payments a 600 reais a month stipend. according to the Brazilian disease so far, according to Lula said depends on the courts. emerges. Lula is sure of his place to families during the “I am absolutely convinced Health Ministry. official numbers. The former president has two in the history books for lifting pandemic. of my innocence. They banned More than 3.93 million The first infection in Mexico criminal convictions for graft millions out of poverty and he Lula, who will be 75 next me because they knew I was people have so far recovered was registered on February 28 that bar him from running unless said there was no need for a mea month, left quarantine in his going to win again,” he said. from the virus in the Latin and and the first fatality on he is able to overturn them, plus culpa for misdeeds committed home in an industrial suburb of Candidate or not, Lula plans to American country. March 19. Mexico is among the five other indictments. by his party. Sao Paulo on Thursday for the lead his party and start trav- With a population of over top 10 countries with the The charismatic former “We did not do everything first times since March 12 to do elling up and down Brazil as 211 million, Brazil is seen as the highest number of pandemic leader said his Workers Party, we should have done, but never routine medical exams that soon as the pandemic abates. epicenter of the COVID-19 cases reported. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Biden blasts Trump’s plan to push SC nominee ahead of poll

REUTERS — PHILADELPHIA Trump’s plan to some 62 percent including many quickly fill the Republicans, told a Reuters/Ipsos Democratic presidential poll that they thought the winner candidate Joe Biden blasted as an vacancy drew of the November 3 election “exercise in raw political power” immediate criticism should get to nominate a justice President Donald Trump’s plan to fill the vacancy. to fill a vacancy on the Supreme from Democrats, who Justice Antonin Scalia, a close Court weeks before an election noted that in 2016 friend of Ginsburg’s, died in Feb- that would cement a 6-3 conserv- Republican Senate ruary 2016, but McConnell ative majority. blocked a vote on Democratic “Voters of this country should Majority Leader President Barack Obama’s be heard... they’re the ones who Mitch McConnell Supreme Court nominee, Merrick this Constitution envisions should Garland. decide who has the power to blocked a vote Trump on Saturday said he make this appointment,” Biden on a Democratic will make his nomination this said in Philadelphia. week and named Amy Coney “To jam this nomination appointee, saying it Barrett of the Chicago-based 7th through the Senate is just an was inappropriate to Circuit and Barbara Lagoa of the exercise of raw political power.” Atlanta-based 11th Circuit as pos- Biden said that if he wins the do so in an election sible candidates to fill the November 3 election, he should year. vacancy created by Friday’s have the chance to nominate the death of liberal icon Ruth Bader next Supreme Court justice. Ginsburg. Biden’s remarks came the was inappropriate to do so in an The passing of Ginsburg Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice-President Joe Biden talking to members of the day a second Republican in the election year. upended the November election Duluth Fire Department in Duluth, Minnesota. US Senate yesterday voiced “I did not support taking up contests, energizing both Trump’s objections to Trump’s plan. a nomination eight months conservative base - eager to see Senator Lisa Murkowski of before the 2016 election to fill the the court overturn the 1973 Roe and McConnell have time to the Democrats had the White the court in 1993. Alaska said she did not support vacancy created by the passing v Wade decision that legalised make the nomination and House and the Senate, they “Our institutions are being the move, becoming the second of Justice Scalia,” Murkowski said abortion nationwide — and pre- schedule a vote. While elections would right now be trying to basically undermined by the lust of the 53 Republicans in the 100- in a statement. senting new complications in the are on November 3, a new Con- confirm another member of the for power.” Trump has already seat chamber to object publicly “We are now even closer to battle for control of the US gress won’t be sworn in until Supreme Court,” Barrasso said. appointed two justices: Neil following the death of liberal the 2020 election — less than two Senate. January 3, with the winner of the Democrat Hillary Clinton, Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on months out — and I believe the “I will be putting forth a presidential contest sworn in on whom Trump defeated in the Kavanaugh in 2018. Kavanaugh Friday. same standard must apply.” nominee next week. It will be a January 20. 2016 election, on the same was narrowly confirmed after a Trump’s plan to quickly fill Senator Susan Collins of Maine woman,” Trump said at a cam- Republican Senator John Bar- program called that view heated confirmation process in the vacancy drew immediate voiced similar concerns on Sat- paign rally in Fayetteville, North rasso on NBC’s “Meet the Press” “indefensible.” which he angrily denied accusa- criticism from Democrats, who urday. Collins is locked in a tight Carolina, where supporters yesterday brushed off Demo- “What’s happening in our tions by a California university noted that in 2016 Republican re-election battle, while chanted “fill that seat.” cratic complaints about the nom- country is incredibly dangerous,” professor, Christine Blasey Ford, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Murkowski’s current term “I think it should be a woman ination process. said Clinton, a former secretary that he had sexually assaulted her McConnell blocked a vote on a extends two more years. because I actually like women “Let’s be very clear - if the of state whose husband, Bill in 1982 when the two were high Democratic appointee, saying it A majority of Americans, much more than men.” Trump shoe were on the other foot and Clinton, nominated Ginsburg to school students in Maryland.

US sets record with Massive damage of rare plants probed at Nevada mine site over 1 million virus AP — RENO Somebody dug them up while were no reports of tool marks. a premeditated, somewhat the site of the proposed mine federal wildlife officials con- The Center for Biological organised, large-scale oper- with a projected value of more tests in a day State and federal authorities are sider listing the plant as an Diversity, which petitioned to ation aimed at wiping out one than $1 billion. investigating the mysterious endangered species. list the plant earlier this year, of the rarest plants on Earth, “The impact on the plants is REUTERS — NEW YORK loss of a significant swath of a Nevada’s Department of reported “mass destruction” at one that was already in the very alarming, no matter what rare desert wildflower that’s Conservation and Natural the site about 200 miles pipeline for protection,” Don- the cause,” said Leger, who The United States set a one-day being considered for federal Resources, US Bureau of Land southeast of Reno to state and nelly said. directs UNR’s Museum of record with over 1 million coro- protection at a contentious Management and Fish and federal officials on Tuesday. He wasn’t aware at the time Natural History. navirus diagnostic tests being mine site in Nevada with some Wildlife Service are It estimates as many as that researchers at the Uni- Ioneer executive chairman performed, but the country of the largest untapped lithium investigating. 17,000 plants were lost - up to versity of Nevada, Reno had James Calaway doubts any- needs 6 million to 10 million a deposits in the world. “While the investigation is 40% of the entire population. observed the same phe- where near 17,000 plants were day to bring outbreaks under The Australian mining still underway and the cause Patrick Donnelly, the nomenon September 8 and impacted but said it could be in control, according to various company, Ioneer Ltd., and state has yet to be determined, the center’s Nevada director, and reported it to the Nevada the “low thousands.” He experts. biologists investigating the evidence reported to us is con- Naomi Fraga, director of con- Department of Conservation accused the Center for Bio- The country performed unprecedented incident believe sistent with herbivore activity,” servation at the California and Natural Resources’ Division logical Diversity of spreading 1,061,411 tests on Saturday, small mammals most likely department spokeswoman Botanic Garden in Claremont, of Natural Heritage. “outlandish, false, inflammatory according to data from The caused the damage to thou- Samantha Thompson said in an discovered and photographed Elizabeth Leger, a UNR and irresponsible” statements COVID Tracking Project, a vol- sands of plants at the only place email. the damage September 13. They biology professor leading a about possible human unteer-run effort to track the Tiehm’s buckwheat is known Thompson said the agency believe the plants were research effort to try to trans- involvement. outbreak. to exist. isn’t aware of any similar removed with small shovels or plant the wildflower, is among “It was some rodents that The record comes after Conservationists suspect a instance involving Tiehm’s or spades. those who suspect small got hungry and thirsty,” testing has fallen for several more sinister scenario: related species. She said there “This appears to have been animals caused the damage at Calaway said. weeks. The United States tested on average 650,000 people a day in the week ended September Firefighters in US aided 13, down from a peak in late July of over 800,000 people a day. Since the start of the pan- by weather as winds demic, testing shortages have hampered efforts to curb the drive California blaze spread of the virus. At one point during the summer, Houston residents REUTERS — NEW YORK “That’ll be over the next three lined up in cars and waited to seven days, which should at hours for tests, even sleeping in Firefighters in the Pacific least help,” Roth said. “Something their vehicles overnight. Miami Northwest got a helping hand is better than nothing.” But even saw similar lines. from cooler, damp weather in after the rainfall west of the Once tested, people may their battle against an array of Cascade Mountains, the fire was have to wait up to two weeks to deadly wildfires on Saturday, still feeding on deep layers of learn if they have the virus, even as uncooperative winds in long-dead vegetation that is which has killed nearly 200,000 Southern California spread abundant in the western wil- Americans and infected more another landscape-scorching derness, a fire report read. than 6.7 million. Such delays blaze. “Rain doesn’t do much to put defeat the purpose of trying to The weather shift, which out the fire unless we get a lot of prevent further infections. followed intermittently heavy it,” Incident Commander Alan In March, President Donald showers on Friday, helped more Sinclair said in a statement. The Bobcat Fire burns in Juniper Hills, California, as firefighters work to put out the flames. Trump said “anyone who wants than 9,000 personnel fight 29 “But the good news is the a test, gets a test.” That goal has wildfires across Washington cool, damp weather is moder- yet to be achieved. and Oregon, including the Riv- ating fire activity and giving us a Oregon emergency man- acres in California, killing 26 Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel At the heart of the crisis is a erside Fire southeast of chance to make progress in con- agement officials have warned people and destroying more Mountains northeast of Los reliance by labs on automated Portland, the US Forestry tainment efforts.” the death toll there could climb than 5,800 structures since Angeles, spread rapidly in high testing equipment that locks Service said. The Riverside Fire has as search teams scour the ruins mid-August, the state winds leaving more than 91,000 them into using proprietary Firefighters can expect burned nearly 138,000 acres of thousands of homes engulfed Department of Forestry and acres scorched, it said. The chemical kits and other tools another 2 to 4 inches of rain in and is only 11 percent contained, in flames during chaotic evacu- Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said. cause of the fire, which has con- made by a handful of the next week for coastal Oregon The unusually ferocious wild- ations early in the disaster. A force of more than 19,000 tainment lines set up only on 15 manufacturers. and parts of the Cascade Moun- fires have claimed at least eight Thousands of evacuees, par- firefighters made headway percent of its perimeter, is being The Food and Drug Admin- tains, said David Roth, a meteor- lives in Oregon and one in ticularly in Oregon, have been against the 27 major blazes they investigated, it added. istration has granted emergency ologist for the National Weather Washington state, blackening 1.7 forced into emergency shelters, have been battling since August Winds remain a threat, with use authorisation to several Service’s Weather Prediction million acres hectares) in the two mobile trailers and hotel rooms. as searing temperatures dimin- forecasts calling for gusts up to saliva tests, which require no Center in College Park states since Labor Day and To the south, flames have ished somewhat, Cal Fire said. 25 mph amid very low humidity, swabs and use readily available Maryland. incinerating several small towns. charred a record 3.5 million But at least one blaze, the it said. reagents. Tropical Storm Beta churns towards Texas and Louisiana

AP — HOUSTON was no longer expected to reach experienced during either Hur- which has seen more than its Kitcheo and her family had yesterday. hurricane intensity, the National ricane Harvey in 2017 or share of tropical weather over evacuated last month when “This has definitely been Tropical Storm Beta trudged Weather Service said Sunday. Tropical Storm Imelda last year. the years, officials didn’t expect forecasts suggested Hurricane more stressful, this hurricane toward the coasts of Texas and Beta was set to make landfall Harvey dumped more than 50 to issue a mandatory evacuation Laura could make landfall near season,” she said. Louisiana yesterday, threat- along Texas’ central or upper inches of rain on Houston and order but they advised people Galveston, but they’re planning Galveston, which has about ening to bring more rain, wind Gulf Coast late today or early causing $125bn in damage in to have supplies ready in case to buy supplies and wait out 50,000 residents, was the site and stress to a part of the tomorrow, with rainfall as its Texas. Imelda, which hit they have to stay home for Beta. Laura ended up making of the deadliest hurricane in US country that has already been biggest threat. It was then Southeast Texas, was one of the several days if roads are landfall in neighbouring history, a 1900 storm that killed drenched and battered during expected to move north- wettest cyclones on record. flooded. The coastal city about Louisiana. an estimated 6,000 people. The this year’s unusually busy eastward along the coast and The first rain bands from 50 miles south of Houston was Kitcheo, whose home is 18 city was also hit hard in 2008 hurricane season. head into Louisiana sometime Beta reached the Texas coast expected to get up to 10 inches feet above the ground on stilts, by Hurricane Ike, which caused While Beta could bring up mid-week. yesterday, but the heaviest rain of rain. said she expected her street to about $30bn in damage. to 20 inches of rain to some Forecasters said Beta was wasn’t expected to arrive until “We’re not incredibly be impassable as water from Kitcheo’s previous home was areas of Texas and Louisiana not expected to bring the same today into tomorrow. worried,” Galveston resident rising tides was already flooding heavily damaged during Ike and over the next several days, it amount of rainfall that Texas In low-lying Galveston, Nancy Kitcheo said yesterday. neighbouring roadways had to be torn down. MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 16

Msheireb Museums’ first design contest now open

RAYNALD C RIVERA The top three winners will be selected to and assembly) with all details member of Virginia Common- THE PENINSULA receive cash prizes of QR15,000; QR10,000 and and technical data submitted as wealth University School of the a PDF file. All submissions shall Arts in Qatar. PRAYER Msheireb Museums has QR5,000 respectively. In addition, the winning be made in either Arabic or Registration is open until TIMINGS announced an open invitation designers will have their name acknowledged English language. November 30 and winners will PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING for designers and the general The criteria for evaluating be announced in the second half public to join in its first design on all merchandise they have designed which the submitted designs include of January next year. competition which will focus on will be sold. uniqueness, use of Msheireb The top three winners will FAJR 04.04 am designing gift products which Museums and/or Msheireb be selected to receive cash SUNRISE 05.21 am will be sold at the museum gift Downtown Doha concepts with prizes of QR15,000; QR10,000 shop. Msheireb Museums and/or first-degree siblings, read the creativity in development of the and QR5,000. DHUHR 11.28 am “Msheireb Museums is Msheireb Downtown Doha that rules posted on Msheireb design, and design of product. In addition, the winning ASR 02.55 pm pleased to invite all creative will be retailed in the Msheireb Museums’ website. The project must not have been designers will have their name MAGHRIB 05.33 pm designers to participate in its Museums gift shop. A participant can submit up submitted to other acknowledged on all mer- first Design Competition for gift The competition is open to to three product designs. The competitions. chandise they have designed ISHA 07.03 pm products. Special prizes await designers, students, innovators, design proposal must contain a The jury will comprise which will be sold. the winners!” the museum has and the general public age 18 detailed description of the members of Msheireb Those who are interested posted on its social media and above and holding a valid concept with suggested meas- Museums and Msheireb Prop- to know more about the pages. Qatar Residency Permit and urements, and each design pro- erties from various profes- competition and submit Contest participants must Qatar ID, excluding Msheireb posal should include a sional backgrounds, including their product design pro- design a unique gift item or sou- Museum and Msheireb Prop- maximum of 10 images or the sectors of museums, posals, may visit http://bit.ly/ venir product that represents erties employees or drawings of the product (pieces design, retail, in addition to a DesignCompetitionEN

WEATHER TODAY Technology: World’s smallest ultrasound detector developed 32oC 38oC IANS — LONDON Minimum Maximum Hazy to misty at places at first becomes hot daytime with local A team of European researchers clouds, relatively humid by night. has developed the world’s smallest ultrasound detector W ALRUWAIS : 28o → 36o that is based on miniaturised W ALKHOR : 30o → 37o photonic circuits on top of a W DUKHAN : 26o → 36o silicon chip. W WAKRAH : 26o → 37o With a size 100 times smaller than an average human W MESAIEED : 26o → 37o hair, the new detector can vis- W ABUSAMRA : 25o → 38o ualise features that are much smaller than previously pos- sible, leading to what is known as super-resolution imaging, HIGH TIDE 07:08 – 18:34 said the team from Helmholtz Silicon chip (approx. 3 mm x 6 Art Land Festivals Zentrum Munchen and the mm) with multiple detectors. LOW TIDE 01:54 – 14:19 Technical University of Munich PIC: HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM An aerial view shows tourists visiting the bamboo-made art installation ‘The ripple maze at Gaoshuang’ (TUM) in Germany. MUENCHEN / ROMAN SHNAIDERMAN by Taiwanese artist Lee Kuei-chih during the Art Land Festivals in Taoyuan, yesterday. Silicon photonics tech- nology is widely used to min- were able to miniaturise the iaturise optical components new detector while retaining and densely pack them on the high sensitivity due to the use Hollywood stars don pajamas for ‘virtual’ Emmys small surface of a silicon chip. of silicon photonics was Researchers capitalised on breathtaking”, says Professor AFP — LOS ANGELES going to look like — it’s a crap- “’Watchmen’ speaks so spe- Netflix, which despite landing the advantages of miniaturised Vasilis Ntziachristos, lead of the shoot,” said Deadline awards cifically in so many unprece- a record 160 nominations this photonic circuits and built the research team. TV stars picked out their columnist Pete Hammond. dented ways to the moment in year is still desperate to win its world’s smallest ultrasound The SWED is also up to 200 favourite pajamas ahead of Jimmy Kimmel has been which we’re living right now,” first major series Emmy. detector called the silicon times smaller than the ultra- reinvented, pandemic-hit tasked with hosting the night. said Hill. “I think people will Dark horses include British waveguide-etalon detector or sound wavelength employed, Emmys, which will see The late night funnyman probably get pretty tired of royals saga “The Crown” and SWED. which means that it can be used nominees accept prizes live began presenting his own talk hearing Watchmen’s name live-action Star Wars series SWED monitors changes in to visualise features that are from their homes, with dark show from home months ago, getting called... it’s as much of “The Mandalorian,” which light intensity propagating smaller than one micrometre. superhero satire “Watchmen” and held together the notorious a lock as we have right now.” boasts lavish Thrones-esque through the miniaturised pho- The technology is important tipped to dominate the night. 2017 Oscars after a fiasco saw The prestigious drama production values and has tonic circuits. for developing a number of dif- Hollywood’s first major the wrong best picture winner series categories promise to be already won multiple Emmys “This is the first time that a ferent detection applications COVID-era award show will announced. more closely contested this year in technical categories for new- detector smaller than the size based on ultrasound waves. look radically different to pre- “The executive producers at than in recent editions — HBO’s comer Disney+. of a blood cell is used to detect “We will continue to vious editions, with no red least seem very prepared for Emmys record-breaking “Game In race for comedy honours, ultrasound using the silicon optimise every parameter of this carpet and a host broadcasting anything and more importantly of Thrones” has finally mounted past winner “The Marvelous photonics technology,” said technology — the sensitivity, the from an empty theatre in Los everything to go wrong,” said a dragon and soared off to Mrs Maisel” — Amazon’s quirky Rami Shnaiderman, developer integration of SWED in large Angeles, which remains under Libby Hall, IndieWire’s TV Westeros. tale of a 1950s housewife who of SWED. arrays, and its implementation strict lockdown. awards editor. “It’s a relief for HBO that becomes a standup comic — “If a piezoelectric detector in hand-held devices and endo- Winners at the 72nd Emmys As for the awards them- they have ‘Succession’ hitting will battle sleeper hit “Schitt’s was miniaturised to the scale scopes,” Shnaiderman said. have been sent cameras to hook selves, “Watchmen” leads the at the right time,” said Creek.” of SWED, it would be 100 While the researchers are up in their own living rooms, charge with a whopping 26 Hammond. The latter, a Canadian million times less sensitive”. primarily aiming for applications gardens and even bedrooms. nominations, primarily in the The dark portrait of a pow- comedy about a privileged Reducing the size leads to in clinical diagnostics and basic They have also been limited series categories. erful Murdoch-esque family’s family forced to live in a higher resolution and can offer biomedical research, industrial encouraged to get creative with The timely graphic novel wrangling for control of a rundown motel, failed to earn smaller, densely packed one or applications may also benefit their acceptance speeches as spin-off — which won rave dynastic media empire has a single nomination in its first two dimensional ultrasound from the new technology. well as locations, meaning even reviews from critics and audi- amassed 18 nominations. four years, but gained attention arrays with improved ability to The increased imaging res- the show’s producers are in for ences alike — tackles historic It is tied with “Ozark,” Jason by later airing on Netflix and discriminate features in the olution may lead to studying a few surprises. US racism, police violence and Bateman’s crime saga set in the signed off with a heartwarming imaged tissue or material. ultra-fine details in tissues and “They don’t know what it’s even mask-wearing. American heartland from final season. aceThe degree to which we materia Bakery helps Chinese with hearing impairment earn their daily bread

AFP — CHANGSHA said Wan Ting, a 28-year-old But other aspects of running employed by Bach’s since 2017 a business — hiring, working The oven’s warm glow and after a previous unsuccessful with suppliers, talking to cus- aroma of fresh bread signal the stint in advertising design. tomers — pose major challenges morning rush at Bach’s Bakery “It’s hard (to find work) in to opening their own bake in the central Chinese city of other places. You need to know shops. Changsha, but although the someone to be able to find good “Two of our very experi- baking staff chatter excitedly, work. If not, you have few enced bakers (have tried), but you could hear a pin drop. options,” added Wan, hearing- they both closed their shops Bach’s employs mainly impaired since birth and later again. It was too much hearing-impaired staff, whose speaking via sign language hassle for them,” he said. banter over trays of pumpkin translated by Brutzer. The bright and compact bread, Danish sausage rolls and With their communication bakery has had a devoted local apple turnovers is done entirely challenges, the hearing- clientele for years in the city — in sign language. impaired are often steered into known more for its peppery The operation, owned and work requiring skilful use of the Hunan cuisine — despite being operated by German national hands, said the 50-year-old hidden in a non-descript resi- Uwe Brutzer, provides work Brutzer, making the bakery a dential side alley. opportunities that are often nice fit. Bakery margins are thin, hard to come by for his Bach and his wife Dorothee however, and Bach’s has employees. first came to Changsha in 2002 struggled, said Brutzer. Hearing-impaired employees using sign language while working at a bakery run by Uwe Brutzer in Despite growing awareness with a German charity to help But things are looking up, Changsha in China’s Hunan province. of disabled needs, life remains hearing-impaired children. despite China’s traumatic coro- a challenge for China’s hearing He took over the bakery in navirus lockdowns earlier this Bach’s went viral this summer customer every few minutes “But that will slow down, I impaired, officially estimated 2011 and has since trained year. thanks to a spate of feel-good and business is up five-fold hope, to a good level where we at between 20 and 30 million. around 20 bakers. Moving to no-touch take- Chinese media coverage. from last year, said Brutzer. The can pay better salaries and It’s difficult to “make good Most go on to work in other out service during the epidemic Today, a loud creak from challenge now is meeting people will be happier,” he money and get an education,” bakeries, restaurants or hotels. kept volumes humming, and the front door announces a new demand. said.