INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-4,12 COMMENT 10 SPORT | Page 1 ARAB WORLD 5 BUSINESS 1-8 Hamad Port’s INTERNATIONAL 5-9,11 SPORTS 1-8 SC driving Container DOW JONES QE NYMEX change through Terminal 2 initial Generation 27,657.42 9,915.8 41.11 operation begins -244.56 -26.26 +0.14 Amazing, says -0.88% -0.26% +0.34% in December Latest Figures al-Thawadi

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11678 September 21, 2020 Safar 4, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir to take part in FM meets GCC secretary-general meetings to mark UN 75th anniversary MoTC submits His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is taking part in the meetings of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the High- Phase 4 road Level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, which will be held at the UN headquarters in New York via video conference. The Amir will development deliver a speech at the High-Level meeting today, September 21, and a speech at the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly tomorrow, September 22. plan to Ashghal Amir sends greetings to Nepal president By Shafeeq Alingal and manage the mobility and trans- Staff Reporter portation projects as an integrated His Highness the Amir Sheikh network compatible with other modes Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and of transportation in an effi cient, eco- His Highness the Deputy Amir he Ministry of Transport and nomic, safe and environment-friendly Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Communication (MoTC) has fashion. The two sides aim to fulfi l al-Thani yesterday sent cables Tcompleted the concept design Qatar’s mobility and transportation of congratulations to Nepal’s of Major Roads and Infrastructure needs in line with the Second National President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in the Centre of Doha City - Phase 4 Development Strategy (2018-2022) HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday on her country’s National Day. HE project, key to the future development and Qatar National Vision 2030. with the Secretary-General of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Dr Nayef Falah al-Hajraf, the Prime Minister and Minister of of Qatar’s capital. The MoU defi nes and explains the who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the GCC and issues of common Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa The initiative is a part of the eff orts roles, missions and responsibilities concern. Business Page 1 bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a to develop an integrated planning sys- of the two sides based on the Amiri similar cable to Prime Minister K P tem for road network across the coun- decisions in such a way that avoids Sharma Oli. try, MoTC tweeted yesterday. duplication and limits overlapping “The concept design has been through a joint working mechanism Qatar reiterates its transferred to the Public Works Au- for planning, studying, designing, im- firm position on thority (Ashghal) to prepare the de- plementing, operating, maintaining tailed design and implementation,” the and managing the road projects in the QU, MME to develop ‘fi rst’ Palestinian issue tweet said. country according to approved devel- In August, MoTC signed an MoU opment plans. Qatar has reiterated its firm with Ashghal for planning, studying, The MoU also covers activating position on the Palestinian issue, designing, maintaining and managing community participation, facilitating solar agricultural greenhouse which stipulates ending the Israeli the road projects as part of upgrading co-operation, transferring knowledge occupation and establishing the the level of collaboration, joint eff orts and technology for supporting the ef- State of Palestine with Jerusalem and constructive co-operation with forts of achieving Qatar National Vi- atar University (QU) is to de- as its capital within the framework the aim of providing a safe, integrated sion 2030 as well as realising mutual velop the country’s fi rst solar of international legitimacy transportation system in line with best benefi ts, services and expertise that Qagriculture greenhouse in col- and relevant Security Council universal practices and standards. both parties can make available for laboration with the Department of resolutions while granting all MoTC and Ashghal look to develop each other. Agricultural Research at the Minis- Palestinian refugees the right of try of Municipality and Environment return, which Qatar sees as the (MME), it was announced yesterday. root and sustainable solution to QU has been provided a grant this conflict, which has lasted for by Qatar National Research Fund more than 70 years. In a statement (QNRF), for the project to develop a yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign thermally insulated greenhouse that Dr Saud Ghani A vied of the solar greenhouse Aff airs said that it is regrettable allows the entry of optimum solar ra- to see some misleading media diation levels through negative linear Though greenhouses provide an is relatively low. However, exces- campaigns that try to mix up issues fresnel lenses on the roof. optimised and controlled growth sive amounts of solar radiation en- and distort the image of Qatar The performance of the proposed environment for plants to maximise ter the greenhouse during the hot at the expense of the brotherly greenhouse in terms of providing the yield, they can be energy intensive. season due to its high transparency. Palestinian people and their required levels of solar radiation for In comparison to a conventional The conductive nature of the typical legitimate rights at this defining plant growth and the reduction in cool- greenhouse, the monthly cooling load greenhouse walls causes undesired moment in the history of the ing load were assessed using ray tracing of the proposed greenhouse is about heat gain. conflict. The statement indicated simulations, cooling load calculations 80% less. Therefore, the project can To overcome the fi rst shortcoming, that Qatar will spare no eff ort in and fi eld trials in Nabati farm. achieve the benefi ts of a closed green- the entry of sunlight to the green- providing whatever support it can Dr Saud Ghani, lead researcher of house while overcoming the high house is only allowed through nega- to alleviate the suff ering of the greenhouse project and professor of cooling demand, in subtropical and tive linear fresnel lenses that are fi t- Palestinians until the Palestinian mechanical engineering at College of arid regions. ted in rows in its roof corresponding people obtain all their legitimate Engineering said, “Qatar has set food The design of the solar greenhouse to the plant grow lines underneath. rights. (QNA) security as a priority for the country aims to overcome two identifi ed The lenses are placed directly above and set out a commitment to sustain shortcomings of the conventional the plants grow rows. They act as a 4 arrested for fl outing about 70% self-suffi ciency on green- greenhouse during the hot season, roof mounted lighting system, dis- home quarantine rules house vegetables. Achieving sustain- its highly transparent and conduc- persing sunlight over the plants. The able food security was further ascer- tive structure. The highly transpar- remaining walls of the greenhouse are The competent authorities tained by the ongoing geopolitical ent walls of a greenhouse are desired covered with thermal insulation rolls, in Doha yesterday arrested tensions and the unjust blockade on during the winter season where the thus, overcoming the second short- four people for violated the Artist’s renderings of the proposed development of key areas in Doha. the country.” amount of available solar radiation coming. To Page 3 legal requirements of home quarantine. The arrests came in implementation of the precautionary measures in force in the country to ensure public safety and to curb the spread of Biden blasts Trump plan to push apex court nominee the coronavirus. The four persons being referred to prosecution are: Mukhtar Ibrahim, Mohamed Nabil Reuters it was inappropriate to do so in an elec- Yousef Abdullah, Suhail al-Rahman Philadelphia/ Washington tion year. Aziz al-Rahman Ansari and Khalid A majority of Americans, some 62% Naji Abdul-Hafez Abdullah al-Ajji. including many Republicans, told a The authorities call on citizens emocratic presidential can- Reuters/Ipsos poll that they thought and residents who are subject to didate Joe Biden urged Senate the winner of the Nov 3 election should quarantine to fully adhere to the DRepublicans not to vote on any get to nominate a justice to fi ll the va- requirements set by the Ministry candidate nominated to the Supreme cancy. of Public Health, to ensure their Court as the November election ap- Trump on Saturday said he will make safety and the safety of others. proaches, calling his rival Donald his nomination this week and named Trump’s plan an “exercise in raw po- Amy Coney Barrett of the Chicago- MoPH reports 120,303 litical power.” based 7th Circuit and Barbara Lagoa of total Covid recoveries Biden was speaking yesterday, the the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit as pos- day that a second Senate Republican sible candidates. The Ministry of Public Health voiced objections to Trump’s plan to The passing of Ginsburg upended (MoPH) reported yesterday vote quickly on a replacement to liberal the November election contests, en- 230 new confirmed cases of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died ergising both Trump’s conservative coronavirus (Covid-19) during the on Friday. Trump speaks during a campaign event in Fayetteville, Joe Biden speaks at the National Constitution Center in base — eager to see the court over- last 24 hours, of which 214 are from Such an appointment by the presi- North Carolina, on Saturday. Philadelphia, yesterday. turn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision community cases and 16 from dent, if approved by the Senate, would that legalised abortion nationwide travellers returning from abroad cement a 6-3 conservative majority election, he should have the chance to He reiterated his pledge to nominate Senator Susan Collins of Maine — and presenting new complica- who are subject to quarantine, in that could infl uence American law and nominate the next Supreme Court jus- an African-American woman to the voiced similar concerns on Satur- tions in the battle for control of the addition to one death. The MoPH life for decades. tice. court, which would be a historic fi rst, day. US Senate. also recorded 214 recoveries from “Voters of this country should be The former vice president rejected if he has the opportunity. Collins is locked in a tight re-elec- “I will be putting forth a nominee the virus during the past 24 hours, heard... they’re the ones who this Con- the idea of releasing the names of po- Earlier yesterday, Senator Lisa tion battle, while Murkowski’s current next week. It will be a woman,” Trump bringing the total number of cases stitution envisions should decide who tential nominees, saying that doing Murkowski of Alaska said she did not term extends two more years. said at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, recovered in Qatar to 120,303. has the power to make this appoint- so, as Trump did, could improperly support Trump’s plan to move fast on Trump’s plan drew immediate criti- North Carolina, where supporters It also announced the death of ment,” Biden said in Philadelphia. “To infl uence those candidates’ decisions fi lling the seat, becoming the second cism from Democrats, who noted that chanted “fi ll that seat.” a 74-year-old patient, who had jam this nomination through the Senate in their current court roles as well as of the 53 Republicans in the 100-seat in 2016 Republican Senate Major- Trump and McConnell have time to received the necessary medical is just an exercise of raw political power.” subject them to “unrelenting political chamber to object publicly following ity Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a make the nomination and schedule a care. Page 2 Biden said that if he wins the Nov 3 attacks.” Ginsburg’s death. vote on a Democratic appointee, saying vote. Page 7 Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 21, 2020 QATAR

Minister receives copies of credentials of four new ambassadors

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received separately yesterday copies of the credentials of ambassadors of Malaysia, Austria, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan, Zamshari Shaharan, Karin Fichtinger-Grohe, Md Jashim Uddin and Arman Isagaliyev, respectively. HE al-Muraikhi wished the new ambassadors success in their missions, assuring them all support to enhance relations between Qatar and their countries and closer co-operation in various fields.

QFFD and QRCS sign pact to Call for eff orts to support Sudan’s health sector

QNA Doha turn challenges atar Fund for Develop- ment (QFFD) and Qatar QRed Crescent Society (QRCS) have signed a co-oper- ation agreement to implement projects aimed at strengthen- ing the health emergency pre- into opportunities paredness system in Sudan at a total cost of $556,567 to benefi t zFirst annual Planning between the public and private 2,452,800 people in the states Forum opens sectors. of White Nile and Kassala. HE the Minister of Municipal- The agreement was signed QFFD and QRCS off icials signing the co-operation agreement. QNA ity and Environment reviewed for QFFD by Deputy Gen- Doha a number of the ministry’s eral Manager for Development rehabilitating and equipping proved by the Ministry of projects in the fi elds of urban Projects Misfer bin Nasser al- eight health isolation cen- Health and the guidelines of planning aff airs, municipali- Shahwani, and for QRCS by tres, including fi ve in White the World Health Organisation. E the Minister of Munic- ties, public services, agricul- Assistant CEO for Internation- Nile State and three in Kassala In co-ordination with the ipality and Environment ture, fi sheries, environment, and al Operations and Partnerships State, according to the sys- Ministry of Health, QRCS will HAbdullah bin Abdulaziz shared services. Faisal bin Rashid al-Fehaida. tem followed by the Ministry select 166 epidemiological sur- bin Turki al-Subaie affi rmed HE al-Subaie said that the Under the agreement, sev- of Public Health in Sudan, in veillance sites in areas of need, that governmental institutions Ministry of Municipality and eral activities will be imple- addition to testing the emer- and it will furnish and equip are facing many challenges, the Environment is working on mented, including building the gency preparedness plan in 16 16 sites from them, and it will most prominent of which is the providing its services for citi- capacity of staff and volunteers districts in the two states by also train staff at each surveil- blockade imposed on the state, zens and residents, as well as to through organising a series of strengthening technical plat- lance site in accordance with and the coronavirus (Covid-19) the public and private sectors workshops and training cours- forms and printing materials the protocols and guidelines of pandemic. through several access points es, developing the capacity of for information, education and the Ministry of Health and the Concerted eff orts are required and in various sectors, as there the public health laboratory communication, and training WHO. to confront these challenges and HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin are more than 450 services, not- in White Nile and Kassala, in fi ve rapid response teams. Unprecedented fl oods in turn them into opportunities, Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie delivering his speech in the presence ing the necessity of uniting ef- addition to fi ve laboratories in In addition, 50 health work- Sudan have destroyed more especially in light of the prepa- of senior MME off icials. forts to work as a single system . the health facilities in the two ers and 200 volunteers will be than 100,000 homes, killed rations to host the 2022 FIFA He pointed out that the use of states to enhance diagnostic trained on skills to deal with more than 100 and displaced World Cup, he said. and Minister of Interior Sheikh ministry, in addition to prepar- technology is considered one of and epidemiological interven- outbreaks and rapid interven- hundreds of thousands. Most In his speech during the open- Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz ing plans, projects, and poli- the most signifi cant advanced tions. tion in epidemic cases, based states and regions are living in ing of the fi rst annual Planning al-Thani, in keeping pace with cies that contribute to evaluat- ways to implement the minis- The agreement also includes on the training protocols ap- catastrophic conditions. Forum, which was launched via Qatar National Vision 2030, it ing the course of implementing try’s strategy. video conferencing, with the was necessary to develop the strategic plans for sectors and Yousef Ahmed Janahi, Direc- participation of all sectors in strategic plan of the Ministry of departments, through perform- tor of Planning and Quality De- the ministry, HE al-Subaie said Municipality and Environment ance measurement indicators partment and General Co-ordi- that the current stage calls for and to achieve this goal, he said, for all administrative units in the nator of the forum, confi rmed Qatar Airways increases a transformation in the man- adding that the ministry, with ministry, that conforms with the that the main objectives behind agement of the business that is the help of experts and special- National Development Strategy holding this forum are to create done, through good planning for ists from various sectors, began of Qatar for 2018-2020, and Qa- a common vision for the future services to Clark, Philippines the future, based on results to to develop its strategic plan in tar National Vision 2030. of the ministry during the fi ve- reach the strategic objectives. co-operation with one of the Excellence in performance is year plan period in light of the Qatar Airways The forum is the fi rst of its international consultancy fi rms the way to achieve goals and to approved long-term vision and yesterday said it kind to build eff ective commu- specialised in formulating these achieve this, the Qatari cadres the national strategy of the state was increasing its nication channels between the plans. must be built through educa- and to provide opportunity for services to Clark, the ministry’s leaders to discuss He stressed that the forum tion, qualifi cation, training, and senior offi cials to present their Philippines, to nine their ambitions in order to en- represents an eff ective tool for refi ning of their skills, in addi- plans. weekly flights. “We now hance institutional eff ective- decision-makers to fi nd out tion to hiring Qataris for jobs The forum’s fi rst session yes- off er 30 weekly flights ness, exchange ideas, and opin- about the rapid internal and ex- with national competencies, as terday included a presentation to the Philippines, ions in the process of enhancing ternal changes of the ministry in this is one of the major priorities of the main plans, projects, and servicing the cities the mechanisms used to improve the various urban, agricultural, at the ministry, he said, point- activities of the Urban Planning of Cebu, Clark and the satisfaction of the benefi ci- environmental, and service sec- ing out some important strategic Aff airs Sector, where assistant Manila,” the airline aries of the internal and external tors, and to identify the gaps projects that have been planned undersecretary of the ministry tweeted yesterday. public, he explained. and diffi culties that hinder the to be relied on in developing engineer Fahd Mohamed al- In conformity with the direc- achievement of the strategic vi- services strategically, especially Qahtani presented the work plan tions of HE the Prime Minister sion, mission and goals of the in the fi eld of the partnership of the sector.

QBiC examines origin of diseases in MoPH reports 120,303 total Covid recoveries developmental stages of newborns QNA with moderate to severe Cov- Doha id-19 symptoms. “Unless we follow all pre- escribed as the fi rst-of- fathers, and children – and follow a large Arab population sample. cautionary measures, we may its-kind in the Middle the journey of the child until they “In the QBiC study, we have 31 he Ministry of Pub- experience a second wave of the DEast, a study titled Qa- are fi ve years old. nationalities at the moment. We lic Health (MoPH) re- virus and see numbers increas- tari Birth Cohort (QBiC) is cur- One of the main strengths of recruit Qataris and long-term Tported yesterday 230 ing — there are already signs of rently being conducted by Qatar the study will be the large number residents – those who have been new confi rmed cases of coro- this happening in other coun- Biobank, part of Qatar Founda- of participants. The data collected living in Qatar for 15 years or more. navirus (Covid-19) during the tries around the world.” tion Research, Development and from this large study sample will Qataris represent 28% of the sam- last 24 hours, of which 214 are It urged people to avoid close Innovation. allow for research on multiple ple population, while long-term from community cases and 16 contact with others, crowded The salient feature is that envi- outcomes. Arab residents are at 54% and from travellers returning from places and confi ned closed ronmental protocols have been set other nationalities stand at 18%,” abroad who are subject to quar- spaces where other people con- up to understand gene-environ- The salient feature is according to Dr Fthenou. antine, in addition to one death. gregate. “Now more than ever, ment interactions associated with that environmental In the second phase, the team The MoPH also recorded 214 we must be careful and protect health impact. A total of 216 preg- protocols have been is expected to collect data from recoveries from the virus dur- the most vulnerable.” nant women have been observed set up to understand newborns and toddlers, with ing the past 24 hours, bringing While the restrictions of as part of the study until now. gene-environment mothers also being tracked with the total number of cases re- Covid-19 are gradually being The aim is to examine how fac- interactions associated their babies in the fi rst month af- covered in Qatar to 120,303. It lifted in Qatar, it is important tors such as the environment, with health impact ter delivery. also announced the death of a for everyone to play their role in genetics, nutrition, and social “We will get data such as 74-year-old patient, who had controlling the virus by follow- aspects may aff ect their baby’s “The QBiC study aims at in- whether the mother is breastfeed- received the necessary medi- ing precautionary measures: health. Preliminary fi ndings show depth investigation of the impact ing – what type of breastfeeding cal care. The MoPH issued a „Adherence to physical dis- that 7% of the women are over- of genome-exposure synergy in (exclusive or predominant); we statement on Covid-19 devel- tancing weight, 37% have gestational the establishment of adverse birth will have the mother checked for opments in Qatar, which said „Avoid close contact with diabetes, 20% have a thyroid outcomes and chronic diseases postpartum depression; and fol- all new cases have been intro- others, crowded places and dysfunction, 10% have reported development,” Dr Fthenou said. low-up on the baby at six months, duced to isolation and are re- confi ned closed spaces where a psychological illness, and 9% The research team at Qatar one year, two years, and fi nally at ceiving necessary healthcare. other people congregate were diagnosed with hyperten- Biobank has developed well- four years,” Dr Fthenou noted. The health ministry said „Wearing a face mask sion. designed protocols for data All the collected data will be measures to tackle Covid-19 in „Washing hands regularly. “There have been smaller stud- collection with a focus to get associated with multiple health Qatar have succeeded in fl at- Qatar has one of the low- ity, especially intensive care, to „Most importantly, it is vital ies completed or ongoing in the harmonised data for future col- outcomes at diff erent timepoints. tening the curve and limiting est Covid-19 death rates in the ensure all patients receive the that we continue to protect the Middle East area with a small laborations with other interna- “The study will allow us to as- the spread of the virus and the world. This is due to: medical care they need elderly and those with chronic number of participants, but noth- tional birth cohorts. sess how various types of envi- number of new daily cases and zVery high quality of care zProtecting the elderly and medical conditions ing that is as holistic as ours,” said Though Arab genomes are se- ronmental exposures co-exist. hospital admissions is continu- provided thorough the public those with chronic diseases „When spending time at Dr Eleni Fthenou, a scientist at verely under-represented in ge- Novel tools and methods will be ing to decline each week. healthcare sector for Covid-19 The health ministry said even home with elderly family mem- Qatar Biobank. nomic studies globally, Qatar, implemented to obtain estimates Qatar’s proactive and exten- patients though restrictions are being bers or those with chronic dis- The QBiC study, now in its pi- through its various initiatives, is of individual environmental ex- sive testing of suspected cases zQatar’s young population lifted, and numbers are declin- eases, ensure you wash your lot phase, has also recruited 76 putting Arab genome on the map posures, including outdoor and has enabled the ministry to zProactive testing to iden- ing, this does not mean that the hands regularly, wear a mask fathers-to-be. The target is to of genomic research and science, indoor air pollution,” the scientist identify a high number of posi- tify cases early pandemic is over in Qatar as and maintain social and physi- recruit 3,000 families – mothers, and therefore the QBiC study has added. tive cases in the community. zExpanding hospital capac- people continue to be admitted cal distancing Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 3 QATAR

Qatar delivers medical, food Qatar’s hospitality sector aid to Senegal

QNA Dakar very resilient, says expert atar’s embassy in Dakar delivered medical and By Joey Aguilar furniture and equipment and Qfood aid, provided by Staff Reporter evaluated the addition of parti- Qatar Charity to Senegal to help tions at front desks to provide an it combat the coronavirus (Cov- extra level of precaution for both id-19) pandemic. atar and the hospital- guests and associates. Our ho- The aid delivery took place ity industry will emerge tels also continue to implement in presence of Director General Qstronger from the coro- touchless or low-touch solu- of the High Authority of Waqf navirus pandemic due to the tions including: mobile check (HAW) Halima Gob, a number of government’s initiatives, its fo- in/out, mobile chat, mobile key Senegalese government officials cus on health and safety, and the and mobile dining,” he added. and Qatar’s ambassador to Sen- country’s ability to innovate, an On food safety, Guvenc said egal Mohamed bin Kurdi Talib industry expert has said. they conduct additional training al-Marri. “The Qatar government’s for all food handlers and super- Halima Gob thanked Qatar for overall easing of Covid-19 re- visors, inspections, independent its humanitarian initiative, and strictions has been planned ef- audits and modifying their opera- confirmed that HAW will con- ficiently, ensuring the health tional practices for dining in their tinue its co-ordination and co- and safety of residents and sig- outlets, as well as in-room dining. operation with Qatar Charity in nificantly helping the hospitality He noted that the company has all fields. sector to work on its recovery in also created a new advisory board For his part, ambassador al- a co-ordinated manner,” Safak Ritz-Carlton Doha Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel – the Marriott Global Cleanli- Marri said that Qatar believes, Guvenc, area vice president – ness Council – which includes since the beginning of the Luxury Eastern Europe and Gulf pen but with all safety protocols hospitality industry as “very re- “It has also shifted travellers’ Some of these measures in- in-house and outside experts in Covid-19, that containing and Levant and Pakistan, Marriott in place. silient and has proven over the expectations and has funda- clude focusing on surface areas, hospitality, epidemiology, sani- eliminating the pandemic in the International, told Gulf Times. “We have already seen a de- years how well it can cope with mentally changed human atti- which includes rigorous pro- tation and protective technology. world needs co-operation and Sheraton Grand Doha Resort mand for local travel and dining in adversity and continue to re- tudes and behaviours. tocols and increased frequency “This team of experts from the solidarity and that countries & Convention Hotel, Sharq Vil- our properties. Now with the eas- invent itself. And we have seen “We understand that people of cleaning with hospital-grade field of medicine and public health must support each other finan- lage & Spa (a Ritz-Carlton Ho- ing of restrictions around events, that again now, going through are thinking about travel dif- disinfectants across public are helping us deploy scientifically cially, morally and humanely. tel), Al Messila Resort & Spa, group gatherings and travel into this pandemic”. ferently now and so are we. So, spaces and guest rooms; and supported practices and innova- He reiterated the strength of and Ritz-Carlton Doha are part the country, we remain optimistic “As a company, we continue since the early stages of this working on the installation of tions with a focus on developing the Qatar-Senegal bilateral rela- of Marriott International and on the impact it will have on our to take on-board learnings from pandemic we have been work- hand sanitiser and anti-bacte- the next level of hospitality clean- tions, and said that this aid is a owned by Katara Hospitality. properties and the tourism sector this crisis and use them as we ing to raise our exacting stand- rial wipe stations across public liness standards, norms and be- vivid example of the distinction Guvenc said phase 4 of the as a whole,” Guvenc said. adapt whatever the future holds. ards to an even higher level with areas and even including disin- haviours,” Guvenc said. of relations. gradual lifting of restrictions in “We thank the leaders of this The world is constantly chang- new protocols for the current fecting wipes in each room for He stressed that Marriott In- Qatar comes at a critical time as country and local authorities for ing and many of the learnings circumstances while also reim- guests’ personal use. ternational will remain commit- the industry heads into what is their guidance and communica- we have seen through Covid-19 agining how we can deliver the Guvenc said they also in- ted to supporting the growth of Honda car models usually its busiest season of the tion throughout this pandemic. will be integrated into how we do customer experience in a hygi- stalled signage in lobbies and the hospitality sector in Qatar, year. We would also like to thank the business in the future,” he said. enic yet human way,” he said, dining areas and other spaces to and looks forward to also ram- of 2018-19 recalled Many restrictions have been Qatar National Tourism Council According to Guvenc, the adding that they also continue remind guests to maintain social ping up its efforts for the 2022 lifted from September 1, allow- and Qatar Airways for their ongo- pandemic has not only impacted to work with local authorities distancing protocols. FIFA World Cup, which will wel- The Ministry of Commerce and ing several business establish- ing support and efforts,” he added. their business but also on how and follow the guidelines and “Our teams have also worked come travellers from across the Industry (MoCI), in co-operation ments across the country to reo- Guvenc described Qatar’s they operate their hotels. restrictions they have in place. on removing or re-arranging globe. with Doha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), announced the recall of Honda Accord, City 1,000 newborns diagnosed with and Civic models of 2018-2019 MoI issues tips on safe use of home security camera systems due to faulty fuel pump that rare disorders or genetic diseases may fail to operate, causing the engine to suddenly stop while The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a tweet yesterday. how to change the password, conformity by the Inspections Only a little over 1,000 newborns, out of a total of around 350,000 driving, thus increasing the risk of has advised residents to get Besides visiting the link on the and to ensure the security re- Section. babies born in Qatar since 2003, have been diagnosed with rare accidents. home surveillance devices from ministry’s website, people can quirements,” the ministry added. l Issuing conformity certifi- disorders or genetic diseases, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported The recall campaign comes accredited suppliers only to also call 2343999 to get the According to information avail- cates for cameras and security yesterday, citing a source at Hamad Medical Corporation. within the framework of the ensure that the system is safe relevant information. able on the MoI website, the surveillance devices and places Qatar’s Newborn Screening Programme (QNSP), offered free of MoCI’s continuous efforts to for use. The MoI also urged people to go Security Systems Department of installation. charge to all babies within 72 hours of birth, now tests for about protect consumers and ensure “To ensure the safe use of home through the user manual of home provides several services to l Preparing and deciding bids 80 different disorders, up from 32 at the launch of the initiative. that dealers follow up on vehicle security camera systems and security camera systems and implement the law regulating the for installing cameras and The cases of those babies diagnosed with rare disorders defects and repairs. to keep them safe from being devices to learn about the various use of cameras and security sur- security surveillance devices, in or genetic diseases are followed up at the genetic diseases The MoCI said that it will co- hacked, please visit the link options and requirements. veillance systems. These services co-ordination with the compe- department at Hamad Medical City. ordinate with the dealer to Security Systems Department “We recommend that you obtain can be classified as follows: tent bodies. The source stressed that the early detection of such cases follow up on the maintenance at http://moi.gov.qa before a copy of the user manual that l Issuing licences for secu- l Issuing licences for importing helps greatly in avoiding the possible complications that could and repair works and will buying them to ensure that the comes with the security camera rity surveillance systems and cameras and security surveil- happen to them in the future, which may end up in chronic communicate with customers to company is accredited,” the MoI to understand how to use it and devices after confirming their lance devices. disability. Qatar is considered the first country in the region to ensure that they carried out the adopt the screening programme. necessary repairs. Qatar, Oman collaborate to boost dementia care for families

o mark World Alzheimer’s Oman and Qatar share many Day today (Sept 21), Ha- cultural similarities, including Tmad Medical Corpora- a deep respect for the elderly tion (HMC) has collaborated and a desire to enhance the care with Oman Alzheimer’s Society provided to people living with A number of visitors from Paris and other regions in France visited the embassy headquarters known to host an educational webinar Alzheimer’s disease. as the Landolfo-Carcano palace. for families and caregivers deal- Additional participation ing with those who have Alzhe- and support came from car- imer’s disease or another form of egivers in each country who dementia. shared information about car- The webinar was arranged ing for someone with Alzhe- Qatar embassy takes part in to connect carers living in imer’s disease. For the first Oman and Qatar and provid- time ever in Qatar, an elderly ed an ideal platform for ex- Dr Hanadi al-Hamad Dr Hamed al-Sinawi man shared his personal ex- changing knowledge and ex- perience of living with Alzhe- European Heritage Days periences. senior consultant geriatrician Hamed al-Sinawi, senior con- imer’s disease. The event was jointly hosted and medical director, Rumailah sultant, old age psychiatrist and The event was also supported by Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, Qatar’s Hospital and Qatar Rehabili- chairman, Oman Alzheimer’s by the Doha Chapter of Alzhe- QNA visited the embassy headquar- Palace, the Parliament House, national lead for healthy ageing, tation Institute, HMC and Dr Society. imer’s Indonesia. Paris ters known as the Landolfo- Senate building and Matignon Carcano palace which was built Palace, in addition many prom- in 1868. inent museums, universities, s part of the Qatar- The palace is filled with murals historical libraries and archaeo- Temporary closure France 2020 Year of Cul- and oil paintings on the walls, logical sites in the capital Paris. Ehsan marks World Ature, Qatar’s embassy in as well as sculptures of famous Qatar embassy’s participa- Paris participated for the first French and European painters. tion in this cultural event for on Al Wakra Road time in the 37th edition of the On the occasion of the em- 2020 comes within the frame- Alzheimer’s Day European Heritage Days. bassy’s participation in this work of its keenness to highlight The events were opened on cultural event this year, several the role of Qatar in promoting Saturday at the embassy in cen- French media outlets included interest in culture, especially QNA Alzheimer’s patients and ways tral Paris by Qatar’s ambassador the embassy in Paris on the during the Qatar-France Year of Doha to deal with them. to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim list of Parisian buildings that Culture, as culture can achieve The centre also co-operated al-Thani. opened their doors to the public rapprochement between peo- with a number of bodies during A number of visitors from for the European Heritage Days. ples, in accordance with the he Elderly Empower- its awareness campaign, such Paris and other regions in France The list included the Elysee Qatar National Vision 2030. ment and Care Center as the Ministry of Endow- T(Ehsan), affiliated with ments and Islamic Affairs and Qatar Foundation for So- Hamad Medical Corporation. QU, MME to develop ‘first’ solar agricultural greenhouse cial Work (QFSW), marked Today, the centre will host the World Alzheimer’s Day, Medical Director of Rumailah From Page 1 suitable for the Qatari agricultural Agricultural Research Department. which falls on September 21 Hospital and Qatar Rehabili- environment from local organic The MME is offering the required each year, through an aware- tation Institute Dr Hanadi al- Dr Ali al-Kharboutli, consultant to degradable wastes with special agriculture land needed for the ness campaign on social me- Hamad via video conference, the Agricultural Research Depart- specifications for commercial pro- construction of the proposed dia entitled “Let’s Talk about to talk about the country’s ment, MME said, “The research duction. It is expected that the new greenhouse and provides other Alzheimer’s” aiming at rais- efforts to care for Alzheimer’s depends on the use of a number growing medium environment will agricultural resources needed ing awareness of the disease patients in light of the spread of technologies that are based on provide a viable substitute for the such as irrigation water, power, and alleviating its social im- of the coronavirus (Covid-19) The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a tem- the Fourth Industrial Revolution imported environments currently seeds, fertilisers and chemicals. pacts. pandemic. porary closure on Al Wakra Road towards the exit leading to 4.0 and its transformation into an used in agriculture.” “The new greenhouse is consid- The centre launched a The centre has intensively Hamad International Airport (HIA) from 11pm today (Monday) integral part of the agricultural “The design of these agriculture ered a to be a quantum leap in number of programmes and prepared its campaign on so- until 5am tomorrow (Tuesday). The closure in co-ordination with community by developing the greenhouses was carried out the field of protected agriculture, activities on Alzheimer’s and cial media to reach the largest the General Directorate of Traffic is to complete installation of greenhouse design, manufactur- using the latest technologies by increasing quantity and qual- published a number of aware- segment of the public due to ITS Gantries. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of ing, cooling and lighting systems. in the field of engineering and ity while reducing the operating ness leaflets about the disease the circumstances of the coro- the closure and urged all to follow and abide by the speed limit The research extends to creating agriculture,” according to Hamad costs of energy and water con- and talked about the psy- navirus and the precautions to ensure safety. a sustainable growing medium Saket al-Shammari, director of the sumption,” al-Shammari added. chological aspects related to related to social distancing. Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 21, 2020 QATAR

Indian ambassador welcomed Georgetown alumnus refl ects on how education helped him deliver solutions for blockade, pandemic

A Georgetown University in I decided that I wanted to join the As a result of the company’s Qatar (GU-Q) alumnus, Ibrahim best gas company. At that time and team-based eff orts, he explained: al-Derbasti, has reflected on how still true today, that’s Shell.” “There was zero disruption to our his education helped him deliver While an undergrad, “I kept hearing operations. To have that outcome solutions for the blockade and over and over that I had to become makes me really proud.” Covid-19 pandemic. a lifelong learner, which I just Al-Derbasti describes that success Al-Derbasti has forged a successful thought was something they tell all as one of the two proudest career at Shell and found the students because it sounded good. moments of his career. The second opportunity to give back to his But it turns out they meant it,” al- happened with a diff erent kind of community and country. Derbasti said. crisis: the Covid-19 pandemic. Using Driving about an hour-and-a-half That realisation came when he his expertise in procurement, he north of Doha, one will arrive in entered the workforce and found helped secure 20 metric tonnes the quiet coastal city of Ras Laff an, himself a novice among co-workers of the chemicals needed to run home of the Pearl GTL plant, a joint Ibrahim al-Derbasti with 30 years of experience. “There disinfection operations on Qatar’s development by Qatar Petroleum was this moment of shock, where roads. He proudly displays the and Shell and the largest Gas- activities for the $20bn Pearl GTL I had to really question how I was ‘thank you’ letter that the Public to-Liquids (GTL) energy plant in plant in Ras Laff an. He oversees going to catch up with people Works Authority (Ashghal) sent to the world. The multi-billion dollar seven distinct SC units: engineering who were so far ahead of me Shell for their eff orts. project has made Qatar the GTL & maintenance, turnaround, capital professionally. I realised that part “When I graduated from capital of the world. projects, catalyst & chemicals, of being a lifelong learner meant Georgetown, I had this tremendous “It is also where Qatari national corporate services & logistics, you have to close your knowledge drive to do something, to The India Travel Professional Forum welcomed the Indian ambassador to Qatar, Dr Ibrahim al-Derbasti, a graduate market intelligence and wells. gaps, become proactive and enable contribute somehow, but I was Deepak Mittal (centre). Seen on the occasion are general secretary Rehan Ali Syed, of QF partner GU-Q, has forged a Asked how a degree in yourself to accelerate and excel in not sure where or how. Now, I’ve president Thomas Jacob, events and sponsorship head Firos Nattu and Indian embassy successful career and found the international aff airs could lead your organisation.” gained this great education and first secretary Xavier Dhanaraj. opportunity to give back to his to a career in the energy sector, As he rose through the ranks I’m part of the oil and gas industry community and to his country, al-Derbasti answers: “Studying in Qatar Shell to his first team via this international company - it’s in times of national crisis and the liberal arts at GU-Q gives you leadership role in contracts and a responsibility to leverage that great adversity,” GU-Q said in a this well-rounded education that procurement for logistics and knowledge & experience, to make statement. sets you up for whatever career or corporate services, he experienced sure you translate that into tangible Al-Derbasti combined an education you want to pursue.” his first major professional crisis, contributions to your country. international aff airs education That education included school testing his skills and knowledge My education has allowed me to at GU-Q with business training sports, Model United Nations, co and challenging him to develop help other people, and to have the through an MBA from Cambridge curricular activities, and just the innovative solutions. “We got hit by impact that I want.” to become the deputy general right degree programme for his the blockade and had to remap and When he reflects on these manager for contracts and plans. “At GU-Q, you realise most of rechannel our entire supply chain experiences, he says, “I feel procurement at Shell in Ras our political drivers are hard wired because 90% was from inland. We humbled. And satisfied. Yet Laff an, where he is in charge of on economics. In Qatar, the main were a peninsula, but we had to determined to continue to grow all company supply chain (SC) driver is energy and natural gas. So operate as an island.” and learn.”

Indian embassy Open House Slew of off ers at ILO-India talks The Indian ambassador will hold an Open House on September 24 from 3pm to listen/redress Doha Festival City any urgent labour and consular issues of Indian nationals in Qatar. The oha Festival City (DHFC) Open House will be has announced off ers to held online and Indian Dcelebrate the end of season nationals who want to from a host of retail stores at the participate may register mall until early November. themselves by sending an Ikea, Fnac, & Other Stories, COS, e-mail to labour.doha@ Almotahajiba, Verona, American mea.gov.in. Eagle Outfi tters, Furla, Khaadi, Pari Gallery, Kashkha, L’Occitane, Mothercare, Ace, Diva On, The One Store, and Haagen Dazs have all announced off ers. Doha Festival City has announced Ikea will celebrate the 70th off ers to celebrate the end of anniversary of its catalogue by season. launching the 2021 edition. The home-and-garden store promo on all 500ml pints of ice- Ace has special off ers on select cream, also available for takeaway items, until October 17. until September 30. French retailer Fnac will launch Launched in August, the new the new Bose Earbuds, includ- Freakshakes Recipes, will be avail- ing Bose Earbuds 500 specifi cally able until end of September as well. designed for workouts, the latest DHFC opening hours are Sat- noise cancelling Earbuds 700, in urday to Wednesday from 10am- Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal addition to Eastpack and Havaia- 10pm, and Thursday to Friday received Houtan Homayounpour, nas waistpacks, luggage and travel from 10am-11pm. head of the International Labour pouches. Children of all ages are now al- Organisation (ILO) Project Off ice in The One Store has promotions lowed to enter the mall. Qatar, at the embassy yesterday. They on select items until September In line with the preventative discussed various issues, including 29, & Other Stories will introduce measures set out by the authori- the recent labour reforms and ways to new prices on select items until ties, DHFC has introduced strin- further improve the working conditions October 3, COS will also organise gent health and safety measures of the workforce, the Indian embassy promotions on a variety of articles. throughout the mall for its staff tweeted. Italian high-end luxury goods and visitors. brand, Furla’s promotions continue till November 27. American Eagle Out- fi tters, off ers promotions on a selection of hoodies (two for QR250), jeans (two for QR300) and tee- shirts and polos (two for QR180) until October 6. Almotahajiba has pro- motions on select items until October 17, Kashkha has dropped prices by up to 70% on all items until October 12. Pakistani-inspired fash- ion and lifestyle brand, Khaadi, has a new collec- tion, Verona Fashion has their latest collection. Pari Gallery will present new premium fragrances by Alexandre J, Sospiro and Roberto Cav- alli, as well as Fendi’s lat- est timepiece. L’Occitane, the French cosmetics brand will launch a new line of four limited edition lipsticks inspired by the colours of sunny Provence. Mothercare will run a sale of up to 50% on select items until October 13. Diva On is holding a promotion with new prices on all items until November 20. Sunglass Hut will be on promotion until Septem- ber 30. Optica has a buy-one- get-one-free off er on se- lect items until October 3. Sfera features a spe- cial promotion on Sfera Kids &Woman items dis- counted up to 50%. Pure Gold will launch its new diamond jewellery col- lection. Haagen Dazs off ers a buy-one-get-one-free Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA Covid-19 test in Gaza Thai monarchy faces challenge as protests escalate

Reuters fi nger salute adopted by pro- Bangkok democracy protesters. But far from all Thais support the new plaque, which resem- penly challenging the bles one that had commemorat- monarchy of Thai King ed the end of absolute monarchy OMaha Vajiralongkorn, in 1932 and which was removed thousands of protesters marched from outside a royal palace in in Bangkok yesterday to present 2017, after Vajiralongkorn took demands that include a call for the throne. reforms to curb his powers. Prominent right-wing poli- A Palestinian medical worker takes a swab sample from a man at a mosque in Gaza City Protesters have grown ever tician Warong Dechgitvigrom yesterday, while testing for potential Covid-19 coronavirus disease cases. bolder during two months of said the actions of the protesters demonstrations against Thai- were inappropriate and that the land’s palace and military-dom- king was above politics. inated establishment, breaking a “It didn’t achieve anything,” longstanding taboo on criticis- he told Reuters. “These actions ing the monarchy — which is il- are symbolically against the king, legal under lese majeste laws. but the king is not an opponent.” Arab League affi rms support for The Royal Palace was not im- Thai authorities have said mediately available for com- criticising the monarchy is un- ment. acceptable in a country where UN eff orts in promoting peace The king, who spends much People take photos with a commemorative plaque placed by the king is constitutionally “en- of his time in Europe, is not in pro-democracy protest leaders on the Sanam Luang pitch in throned in a position of revered Thailand now. Bangkok yesterday, after an overnight anti-government demonstration. worship”. Protests that began on QNA International Day of Peace that in all its forms, strengthening the The marchers were blocked university campuses have drawn Cairo falls on September 21 of each rule of law, adhering to the prin- by hundreds of unarmed police in years, tens of thousands of of the monarch as they have de- increasing numbers of older year, the Secretariat General of ciples of democracy, freedom, manning crowd control barriers. protesters on Saturday cheered ceived us”. Government spokes- people. the Arab League urged all na- and justice, and spreading the Protest leaders declared vic- calls for reform of the monar- man Anucha Burapachaisri said That includes “red shirt” he Secretariat General of tions and people, especially the values of tolerance, acceptance tory after handing police a letter chy as well as for the removal police would not use violence followers of ousted populist the Arab League affi rmed Arab countries that witnessed of others, multiculturalism and detailing their demands. of Prime Minister Prayut Chan- against protesters and it was up Prime Minister Thaksin Shina- Tits full support for the armed confl icts for an immedi- promoting dialogue. Phakphong Phongphetra, ocha, a former junta leader, and to the police to determine and watra who had clashed for years eff orts undertaken by the UN ate ceasefi re and commitment International Day of Peace head of the Metropolitan Police a new constitution and elec- prosecute any illegal speech. with pro-establishment “yel- to promote sustainable peace, to the cessation of hostilities celebration which falls on Sep- Bureau, said the letter would be tions. Bangkok authorities would low shirts” before Prayut seized including its commitments and resorting to a political so- tember 21 of each year, was ap- handed to police headquarters to Shortly after sunrise yes- need to determine whether the power in 2014. to maintaining and building lution as the only way to settle proved by United Nations Gen- decide how to proceed. terday, protesters cemented a plaque was illegal, and if it was “The new generation is peace, and its keenness to es- confl icts and disputes. eral Assembly in its Resolution “Our greatest victory in the plaque near the Grand Palace in it would be removed, Bangkok’s achieving what their parents and tablish a strategic partnership It also called on all people to No 36/67 issued on November two days is showing that ordi- Bangkok in the area known as deputy police chief Piya Taw- grandparents didn’t dare.I’m with the international organi- work on building and spreading a 30, 1981, to devote the ideals of nary people like us can send a Sanam Luang, or Royal Field. ichai told reporters. very proud of that,” said Som- sation for the prevention and culture of peace by consolidating peace and work to reduce ten- letter to royals,” Parit “Penguin” It reads, “At this place the After the protest, people porn Outsa, 50, a red shirt vet- resolution of confl icts. a set of values and behavioural sions and address the causes of Chiwarak, told the crowd before people have expressed their will: queued up to take pictures next eran. “We still respect the mon- In a statement on the occa- patterns based on respect for confl icts in various parts of the it dispersed. that this country belongs to the to the plaque, which also fea- archy, but it should be under the sion of the celebration of the human rights, rejecting violence world. At the biggest demonstration people and is not the property tures a hand giving the three- constitution.”

TENSION Iran says US faces ‘maximum Lebanon hosts concert isolation’ Iran said yesterday its arch-foe the for Beirut blast victims United States is facing “maximum isolation” after major powers dis- missed a unilateral US declaration AFP niture were ravaged in the blast. that UN sanctions on Tehran were Beirut The concert, broadcast on televi- back in force. The administration of sion and streamed online in the late US President Donald Trump said the evening, kicked off with a rendition of sanctions had been re-activated un- ebanon yesterday held a con- “Li Beirut”, an ode to the city by famed der the “snapback” mechanism in a cert for the victims of last Lebanese singer Fairouz. landmark 2015 nuclear treaty — de- Lmonth’s deadly Beirut blast in It was set to include virtual contri- spite Washington having withdrawn the grounds of a 19th-century palace butions from Lebanese artists, as well from the deal. As other signatories wrecked by the massive explosion. as the voices of some 250 choir sing- cast doubt on the move having any The August 4 blast at the capital’s ers from around the country. legal eff ect, Washington threatened port killed more than 190 people, Organisers asked Beirut residents to “impose consequences” on states wounded thousands and destroyed to place a lit candle on their balconies failing to comply. But Iran’s President or damaged buildings across swathes and in their windows in commemo- Hassan Rouhani said a concerted of the city. “To be able to mourn, to ration. The event was initially to be campaign by Washington to pres- take the time to really remember, it held at the port, but was moved af- sure Tehran had backfired. “We was important to have this moment ter the air quality around the site was can say that America’s ‘maximum of music,” artistic director Jean-Louis deemed too poor. pressure’ against Iran, in its political Mainguy said. On Saturday night, Mika, a singer and legal aspect, has turned into The event was held in the gardens of Lebanese origin, headlined another America’s maximum isolation,” he of the Sursock Palace, whose win- concert streamed online to fundraise said in a televised cabinet meeting. dows, red-tiled roof, ceilings and fur- after the blast.

CONFLICT Yemen rebel attack injures five

A projectile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit a village in Saudi Arabia’s southern Jizan province, wounding five civilians, state media reported. The civilians had been rushed to hospital after suf- fering “minor injuries” from flying shrapnel, the off icial Saudi Press Agency reported late Saturday. Three cars were also damaged in the border village, it said, without Lebanese singer Fadia Tomb performs with a choir at a concert for the victims of naming the village. The Houthis August’s deadly Beirut blast, in the gardens of the damaged 19th-century Sursock have so far not claimed respon- Palace in Achrafieh in Lebanon’s capital, yesterday. sibility for the attack. The rebels have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent months, mainly targeting southern provinces along the long border between both countries, as Fire ravages Uganda varsity well as Riyadh.

UNREST AFP “It is a very dark morning for Mak- Kampala erere University.Our iconic Main Ad- 10 Chad soldiers ministration Building caught fi re and killed in ambush the destruction is unbelievable,” tweet- huge fi re has destroyed part of ed Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Ten Chadian soldiers were killed the main building of Uganda’s institution’s vice chancellor. while attacking a base of the A prestigious Makerere Univer- Nawangwe pledged everything Boko Haram militant group in the sity, one of Africa’s oldest, police said would be done to “restore the building Lake Chad region, the province’s yesterday. to its historic state in the shortest time secretary-general said on Saturday. “The fi re is believed to have started possible” as the university tweeted Seven soldiers were also injured in from the roof spreading to fl oors that video footage of fl ames engulfi ng the Thursday’s ambush, Sadick Khatir house both records and fi nance depart- building. said, confirming information given ments,” said Kampala deputy police Makerere was established in 1922 as by an anonymous military source. spokesman Luke Oweyesigire. a humble technical school, but today is Contacted by AFP, however, army “A lot of property has been de- one of Africa’s oldest and most prestig- spokesman Azem Mbermandoa, stroyed. ious English universities. did not confirm the death toll but Investigations are ongoing to ascer- Built between 1938 and 1941, the added that the Chadian army had tain the cause of the fi re,” which started university today has 35,000 students “destroyed a Boko Haram base.” around 1am (2200 GMT). and 3,000 postgraduates. Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 21, 2020 QATAR QFFD, Qatar Charity sign pact for strengthening health system in Sudan he Qatar Fund of Development Projects at Kassala States Public Health lab for Development QFFD Mr. Mesfer bin Nasser Al will be upgraded, in addition to (QFFD) and Qatar Shahwani, and Assistant CEO five health facilities labs (HFL) Charity (QC) signed for the International Operations in both states to strengthen Ta cooperation agreement to and Partnerships Sector at Qatar diagnostic and epidemiological implement projects aimed at Charity Mr. Faisal bin Rashid Al interventions. strengthening health system Fahida. The agreement includes the emergency preparedness in According to the agreement, rehabilitation and equipping Sudan. The projects, valued the capacity of the health of eight isolation centers; five at US $ 556,567, is expected to workforce, both staff and in White Nile state and three benefit 2,452,800 people in the volunteers, will be built through in Kassala state. The centers states of Kassala and the White conducting a series of workshops will be furnished and equipped Nile. and training sessions at the according to the system followed The deal was signed by federal and state levels. The by the Ministry of Public Deputy Director-General capacity of the White Nile & Health in Sudan, in addition

to piloting the emergency In coordination with the MoH, community to benefit from the preparedness plan in 16 localities Qatar Charity will select 166 provided healthcare services, in both states by strengthening epidemiological surveillance and hygiene awareness, technical platforms, printing IEC sites in the needy localities. It in addition to controlling materials, and training five rapid will work to furnish and equip infectious diseases. response teams. 16 sites among, and staff will be This agreement comes at a trained in each surveillance site Besides, 50 health workers will time when Sudan is suffering in accordance with MoH & WHO be trained to deal with outbreaks the unprecedented flooding in protocols & guidelines. and rapid intervention in a century, which has caused the epidemic situations based on the Regarding health promotion, collapse of more than 100,000 MoH training approved protocols Qatar Charity aims, during the homes and the displacement and WHO guidelines, in addition implementation phase, to raise of hundreds of thousands of to 200 volunteers. the health awareness of the people, in addition to deaths. Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 7 AMERICAS/BRITAIN

DISASTER PANDEMIC PEOPLE COMMENT POLITICS US sets record with over Billionaire achieves goal Brazil’s Lula to back anyone Labour begins virtual 1mn virus tests in a day of giving away his fortune who can take on Bolsonaro bid to regain support

The US set a one-day record with over 1mn Chuck Feeney has achieved his lifetime ambi- Brazil’s former leftist President Luiz Inacio UK opposition leader Keir Starmer launched a coronavirus diagnostic tests being performed, but tion: giving away his $8bn fortune while he is still Lula da Silva, barred from elected office due digital edition of his Labour party’s annual confer- the country needs 6mn to 10mn a day to bring around to see the impact it has made. For the to corruption convictions, said he is open to ence yesterday, promising to move on from years outbreaks under control, according to various past 38 years, Feeney, an Irish American who backing any candidate who can beat far-right of bitter ideological infighting and stinging elec- experts. The country performed 1,061,411 tests, ac- made billions from a duty-free shopping empire, President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 elec- toral failure. The three-day “Labour Connected” cording to data from The Covid Tracking Project, has been making endowments to charities and tions. “I am prepared to support any candi- event, held in place of the traditional conference a volunteer-run eff ort to track the outbreak. The universities across the world. This week Feeney, date who is committed to the working people because of coronavirus, is the first major gather- record comes after testing has fallen for several 89, achieved his goal. The Atlantic Philanthropies, of Brazil and against Bolsonaro,” Lula said. ing of members since the former chief state weeks. The US tested on average 650,000 people the foundation he set up in secret in 1982 and Whether or not he himself runs in the next prosecutor and human rights lawyer took over in a day in the week ended September 13, down transferred almost all of his wealth to, has finally general election, Lula said depends on the April. Starmer, 58, is trying to turn Labour around from a peak in late July of over 800,000 people a run out of money. As he signed papers to formally courts. The former president has two criminal after its worst election defeat since the 1930s in The remnants of burned homes and cars are day. Since the start of the pandemic, testing short- dissolve the foundation, Feeney, who is in poor convictions for graft that bar him from run- December, when Conservative Prime Minister seen along a rural highway after a wildfire came ages have hampered eff orts to curb the spread health, said he was very satisfied with “completing ning unless he is able to overturn them, plus Boris Johnson swept to off ice on a promise to get through the area near Eagle Point, Oregon, US. of the virus. this on my watch”. five other indictments. Britain out of the European Union. Judge blocks ban on WeChat downloads

AFP The US department of com- New York merce announced it was post- poning the ban on TikTok downloads until September 27, US judge yesterday due to “recent positive devel- blocked the govern- opments.” A ment’s ban on WeChat Commerce Secretary Wilbur downloads, hours before it was Ross on Friday accused China of due to take effect in an ongo- using the two apps “to threaten the ing technology and espionage national security, foreign policy, battle between Washington and and the economy of the US.” Beijing. WeChat is “mostly used by The Trump administration Chinese visiting or working had ordered a ban on down- here or by Chinese-Americans loads of the messaging plat- staying in touch with their rel- form WeChat as well as hugely atives,” said William Reinsch popular video-sharing app of the Center for Strategic and TikTok, both owned by Chinese International Studies in Wash- companies. ington. Both bans have now been That includes several hun- suspended. dred thousand Chinese stu- A California court ruling dents in the US, who use it for said it granted a “motion for a daily online conversations. President Donald Trump reacts after speaking during a Make America Great Again campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina. nationwide injunction against Trump has often claimed, the implementation” of the without providing evidence, government order on WeChat, that TikTok and WeChat are with the judge citing concerns collecting user data for Beijing. over free speech. In early August, he gave By- The order would have slowed teDance until September 20 to WeChat down and made it un- hand over TikTok’s US opera- Republican senator opposes usable in the US for video chats tions to an American company. with family and friends, ac- TikTok’s brand of short, cording to experts. quirky phone videos has be- Owned by technology giant come a global phenomenon, TenCent, WeChat has around especially among young peo- 19mn active daily users in the US. ple, with 100mn users in the US pre-poll Supreme Court vote As President Donald Trump alone. seeks a breakthrough with vot- China condemned US “bul- Reuters noted that in 2016 Republican president Barack Obama’s Su- woman,” Trump said at a cam- Supreme Court,” Barrasso said. ers to win a second term in the lying,” saying it violated inter- Washington Senate majority leader Mitch preme Court nominee, Merrick paign rally in Fayetteville, North Democrat Hillary Clinton, November 3 election, he has in- national trade norms and that McConnell blocked a vote on a Garland. Carolina, where supporters whom Trump defeated in the creasingly put national security there was no evidence of any Democratic appointee, saying Trump on Saturday said he chanted “fi ll that seat.” “I think 2016 election, on the same pro- and his aggressive stance to- security threat. second Republican in it was inappropriate to do so in will make his nomination this it should be a woman because I gramme called that view “inde- ward China at the centre of his China also launched its long- Senate yesterday voiced an election year. week and named Amy Coney actually like women much more fensible.” campaign. expected “unreliable entities Aobjections to President “I did not support taking up Barrett of the Chicago-based than men.” “What’s happening in our He regularly accuses Demo- list,” seen as a weapon for Bei- Donald Trump’s plan to fi ll a a nomination eight months be- 7th Circuit and Barbara Lagoa Trump and McConnell have country is incredibly dangerous,” cratic opponent Joe Biden of jing to retaliate against the US. vacancy on the Supreme Court fore the 2016 election to fi ll the of the Atlanta-based 11th Cir- time to make the nomination said Clinton, a former secretary of weakness toward Beijing. The Trump administration weeks before an election that vacancy created by the passing cuit as possible candidates to fi ll and schedule a vote. state whose husband, Bill Clinton, The president said Saturday has used its own “entity list” would cement a 6-3 conserva- of justice Scalia,” Murkowski the vacancy created by Friday’s While elections are on No- nominated Ginsburg to the court that he had approved a deal to shut Chinese telecom giant tive majority. said in a statement. “We are now death of liberal icon Ruth Bader vember 3, a new Congress won’t in 1993. “Our institutions are be- allowing Silicon Valley giant Huawei out of the US market, Hours before Trump’s ri- even closer to the 2020 election Ginsburg. be sworn in until January 3, with ing basically undermined by the Oracle to become data partner in addition to the recent moves val in November, former vice – less than two months out – The passing of Ginsburg the winner of the presidential lust for power.” for TikTok to avert a shutdown against TikTok and WeChat. president Joe Biden, was due to and I believe the same standard upended the November elec- contest sworn in on January 20. Trump has already appointed of that app. US officials have described address the plan, senator Lisa must apply.” tion contests, energising both Republican senator John Bar- two justices: Neil Gorsuch in 2017 The deal, announced by the Washington’s crackdown as Murkowski of Alaska said she Senator Susan Collins of Trump’s conservative base – ea- rasso on NBC’s Meet the Press and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. companies, includes Walmart essential to safeguard against did not support the move, be- Maine voiced similar concerns ger to see the court overturn the yesterday brushed off Demo- Kavanaugh was narrowly as a commercial partner and potential Chinese espionage coming the second of the 53 Re- on Saturday. Collins is locked in 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that cratic complaints about the confi rmed after a heated con- would create a new US company through the platforms. publicans in the 100-seat cham- a tight re-election battle, while legalised abortion nationwide nomination process. fi rmation process in which he named TikTok Global. According to the US Treas- ber to object publicly following Murkowski’s current term ex- – and presenting new complica- “Let’s be very clear – if the angrily denied accusations by TikTok – owned by China’s ury, the TikTok deal still needs the death of liberal Justice Ruth tends two more years. tions in the battle for control of shoe were on the other foot and a California university profes- ByteDance – confirmed the to be finalised by the involved Bader Ginsburg on Friday. Justice Antonin Scalia, a close the US the Democrats had the White sor, Christine Blasey Ford, that Oracle agreement, which came companies and approved by a Trump’s plan to quickly fill friend of Ginsburg’s, died in Senate. House and the Senate, they he had sexually assaulted her as companies raced against the federal national security com- the vacancy drew immediate February 2016, but McConnell “I will be putting forth a would right now be trying to in 1982 when the two were high Sunday deadline. mittee. criticism from Democrats, who blocked a vote on Democratic nominee next week. It will be a confi rm another member of the school students in Maryland. Britain is at coronavirus Tory MPs plot revolt tipping point: Hancock over renewal of curbs Guardian News and Media alistic concern that NHS care London capacity might be overwhelmed Guardian News and Media Asked whether he would call but new analysis of Sage data on by Covid-19. London the police on a neighbour who Friday suggested it may be just “We now know that the NHS was breaking the rules, Hancock days behind. onservative MPs irked by coped well with the challenge said simply “yes”. Asked later on Times Radio the government’s sweep- of the virus and parliament has he Health Secretary, Matt Labour had repeatedly warned whether Londoners could be Cing lockdown measures been sitting largely since April. Hancock, has warned that that low-paid workers would asked to work from home as soon are plotting a rebellion when There is now no justification for Tthe UK is at a “tipping struggle to comply with the re- as this week, Hancock said: “I emergency Covid legislation is ministers ruling by emergency point” nationally, while new strictions without more fi nancial wouldn’t rule it out.” renewed this month, led by the powers without reference to coronavirus restrictions on Lon- help. That would mark a signifi cant party grandee Sir Graham Brady. normal democratic processes. don could be introduced in the The mayor of London, Sadiq volte-face from a government Many Tories have publicly ex- “It is essential that going for- coming days. Khan, warned on Friday that it that has been encouraging offi ce pressed their frustration at as- ward all of these massively im- “This country faces a tipping was “increasingly likely” the workers to return to their desks. pects of the restrictions. portant decisions for family life, point,” he said. “We face a choice. capital would face tougher rules. There are also concerns that Some are also concerned and aff ecting people’s jobs and If everybody follows the rules – These could include ordering problems with the track-and- the emergency law passed six businesses, should be exercised and we’ll be increasingly stringent hospitality venues to close early trace system may be leading to an months ago leaves too much with proper supervision and on the people who are not follow- and further limiting interactions underestimation of the scale of power in the hands of ministers. control.” ing the rules – then we can avoid between households. the problem. There is also irritation at poli- Brady, the chair of the 1922 further national lockdowns. Hancock said: “The fi rst line The Cabinet Offi ce Minister, cy being announced in late-night Committee of backbench Tory “But we of course have to be of defence is people’s behav- Michael Gove, held discussions briefi ngs to journalists instead of MPs, plans to try to amend the prepared to take action if that it iour. But then, after that, local with the Scottish and Welsh fi rst in the House of Commons. legislation to allow a parliamen- what is necessary. I don’t rule it lockdowns are necessary, and ministers on Saturday about Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons tary vote each time new emer- out; I don’t want to see it.” I’ve brought in local action right potential next steps, after both Speaker, recently threatened gency powers are used, or re- Britain reported 3,899 new across diff erent parts of the complained they were not being to run the Health Secretary, strictions introduced. Covid-19 cases yesterday, com- country where cases are rising.” consulted. Matt Hancock, “ragged” if he His intervention is a sign of pared to 4,422 on Saturday, the “I’ve had discussions this Boris Johnson has repeatedly persisted in making announce- the scale of disquiet among Boris government reported on its web- week with the mayor of London insisted he wants to avoid a na- ments to the press instead of Johnson’s backbenchers about site. and the teams are meeting to tionwide lockdown, calling it the MPs. the way he is handling the pan- The government has announced discuss further what might be “nuclear” option, and ministers Brady told the Sunday Tel- demic. fi nes of up to £10,000 for people needed,” he added. had hoped local restrictions, egraph: “In March, parliament Some Conservative MPs, such who fail to comply with a request City Hall believed London was which already cover more than gave the government sweep- as Desmond Swayne of New For- to self-isolate, and a £500 lump up to a fortnight behind northern 10mn people in the north-west, People socialise in the late summer sunshine at outside tables in ing emergency powers at a time est West, are concerned the gov- sum for low-paid workers who towns and cities that have expe- north-east and Midlands, might Soho, central London, yesterday as the government considers fresh when parliament was about to ernment’s restrictions are too need to stay at home. rienced a resurgence in the virus, be enough. nationwide restrictions after a rise in cases of the novel coronavirus. go into recess and there was re- draconian. Gulf Times 8 Monday, September 21, 2020 EUROPE

Over 100,000 rally in Minsk, police data leaked More than 100,000 people marched through Minsk yesterday on the sixth straight Madrid braces for partial weekend of protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, keeping up the pressure on the veteran Belarusian leader to quit. Many walked in a vast column that stretched back several kilometres, decked out in red- and-white opposition colours and coronavirus lockdown chanting “go away” as helmeted riot police patrolled the streets Protesters say localised number of cases is double that Meanwhile, gatherings of cess to the regional government ities said yesterday. the risk of ramping up transmis- with water canons on hand, a lockdowns discriminate of the national average and the more than six people will be building. Regional justice chief Enrique sion, and we shall also be able to witness said. against the poor number of hospital admissions banned in the entire region, “It is illogical that you can go Lopez condemned the demon- infect ourselves within our own Several protesters were dragged ... is triple the national average,” down from 10 currently. and do things in wealthier areas, strations. zone,” Bethania Perez, a nurse away from the crowd by security AFP/Reuters Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Yesterday people took to the but you cannot do the same in “We are clear that these are aged 31, told AFP. forces. Madrid said in a television interview on streets in some of the aff ected Vallecas. There is the same risk the areas with the highest level Madrid’s regional president Videos shared by local media Saturday. districts in protest against the of contagion. They are discrimi- of infection. To call protests Ayuso, who has been slammed outlets showed security forces But he stressed that he was new measures. nating,” said Begona Ramos, right now when what we want is for her management of the cri- in helmets or masks hauling early a million Madrid not contemplating a national They sported placards reading 56, a protester, who is self-em- to avoid this seems absolutely ir- sis, is due to meet Prime Minis- protesters off the streets in residents braced yester- lockdown. “No to a class-based lockdown” ployed and lives in Vallecas. responsible,” he told Cadena Ser ter Sanchez today. simultaneous protests in other Nday for a partial lock- Several districts of southern or “They’re destroying our dis- Demonstrators chanted, “Val- radio. The meeting is a sign of cen- cities. down, with several hundred Madrid have counted more than trict and now they’re locking us lecas is not a ghetto”. Madrid regional health chief tral government concern over The eastern European country marching in protest as Spanish 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhab- up”. They also called for the resig- Enrique Ruiz Escudero said if the crisis in Madrid, as the man- was plunged into turmoil authorities seek to put a brake on itants – around fi ve times the Hundreds gathered in the nation of Madrid regional leader these measures did not reduce agement of public health issues following a presidential election a second wave of Covid-19. national average, which in itself districts concerned and outside Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who attracted coronavirus cases, a city-wide is normally the responsibility of last month that Lukashenko says The Covid-19 respiratory dis- is the highest in the European the regional parliament to shout criticism for saying this week lockdown could follow. Spanish regional authorities. he won by a landslide but the ease is caused by the coronavi- Union. their displeasure. that “the way of life of immi- “If it is necessary to shut Regional health offi cials say opposition says was rigged. rus. Residents will be banned from Demonstrations took place grants” was partly to blame for down Madrid, we will do it,” he that Madrid’s healthcare system In tandem with the protests, The restrictions, which take leaving their district other than yesterday in 12 of the 37 districts the rise in cases. said in an interview with ABC is under growing pressure, with anonymous hackers leaked the eff ect today for two weeks, aff ect for essential travel like work, aff ected. Madrid mayor Jose Luis Mar- newspaper published yesterday. one in fi ve hospital beds occu- personal data of 1,000 police 850,000 people living mainly in medical care or taking children About 600 people demon- tínez-Almeida said the measures “The health centres hav- pied by Covid patients. off icers in retaliation for a densely-populated, low-income to school, Madrid’s regional strated in the southern district did not discriminate against the ing been working for years with As such, experts fear a sharp crackdown in which thousands of neighbourhoods in the south – government said on Friday. of Vallecas, which has one of poor. minimum staffi ng, they don’t increase in the regional mortali- people have been detained, many or 13% of the 6.6mn people liv- They will be allowed to move the highest infection rates in the “There are no fi rst-class resi- have enough staff or nurses ... ty rate – which is currently much complaining of beatings and ing in and around the capital. around freely inside their zone Spanish capital – about six times dents and second class-resi- and this crisis has made the situ- lower than in the spring – over torture in jail. Like many countries in Eu- but no one from outside will be higher than that of Chamberi, a dents. We have to be together at ation worse,” lamented Victoria, the coming weeks. The loyalty of the security forces rope, Spain is battling a coro- allowed in unless absolutely es- wealthy area in the north of the this moment,” he tweeted. a 63-year-old civil servant. Spain has so far recorded over is crucial to Lukashenko’s ability navirus surge and, once again, sential. city, according to regional gov- Police will set up 60 check- “You get the impression that 30,000 deaths – one of Europe’s to cling on to power. Madrid is the worst-hit region. Parks will be closed but shops, ernment fi gures. points to enforce the measures they take us for fools. We shall be worst tolls – and 600,000 con- Their faces are often obscured by “We’re concerned with the bars and restaurants will remain Tensions rose as protesters at today, but will not impose fi nes able to continue to go and work fi rmed cases, according to offi - masks, balaclavas or riot helmets. data we’re seeing, because the open at 50% capacity. one stage threatened to gain ac- on the fi rst day, regional author- in other non-confi ned zones at cial fi gures. Three people dead after rare storm Activists accuse batters Greece Three people have died after Cyclone Ianos, a rare storm known as a medicane, battered Italy of halting ship Greece, flooding streets and homes, Greek authorities said yesterday. Ianos uprooted trees and caused rescue mission power cuts on the Ionian islands and the western Peloponnese. It swept through central Greece Thousands march in “The fl imsy justifi cations on Saturday, hitting the cities Germany urging EU to take in show once again that this was of Karditsa and Farsala before refugees not an inspection serving the it moved south to the island of purpose of ship safety, but a sys- Crete. AFP tematic move to prevent civil sea The body of a man was found Berlin rescue operations in the Central under the collapsed roof of his Mediterranean,” said Philipp house in a village near Karditsa Hahn, Head of Mission on Sea- yesterday, the Athens News ctivists have accused Watch 4. “Even though the re- Agency said. Italian authorities of sponsible authorities have asked On Saturday, a 63-year-old man Ablocking migrant rescue us to assist in rescue operations, was found dead in the same ship Sea-Watch 4 from leaving they are now blocking yet an- area and the body of an elderly port and resuming its emergency other rescue vessel.” woman was found in nearby mission in the Mediterranean. Migrant rescue groups have Farsala, fire brigade off icials said. After an inspection on the repeatedly clashed with Italian Authorities were still searching safety of the vessel to operate authorities over their opera- for a woman reported missing in in high seas, Italian authorities tions. Karditsa, the off icial said. placed the ship under an admin- Italy has come under fi re in The heavy rainfall on Saturday istrative blockade, said the Ger- the past for refusing to allow pri- turned Karditsa, in one of man activist groups Sea-Watch vate vessels carrying migrants to Protesters hold a banner reading ‘We have the space’ during a demonstration in Berlin for the evacuation of all migrant camps in Greece, Greece’s biggest plains, into a and United4Rescue, as well as dock – former interior minister following the fire at the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos island. lake. Doctors without Borders. Matteo Salvini is facing a trial Cyclones were first recorded in It is currently docked in Pal- for illegally detaining migrants North Africa to Italy. on a Turkish beach. more than the 1,500 refugees doing enough to welcome mi- Greece in 1995 and have become ermo in southern Italy. at sea. Meanwhile, thousands of “I decided to speak up and now in Greece that Germany has grants. more frequent in recent years. The move comes as Italy However, Italy has authorised people demonstrated yesterday speak for those who can’t speak so far promised to welcome. Some 12,700 people were left A similar storm hit the country has been struggling in recent the arrival of charity ships since in Berlin and other German cit- for themselves ... if I can’t save Police said that around 5,000 homeless after a ferocious blaze in 2018. months with daily arrivals of it signed a deal with France, Ger- ies, urging the European Union my own family, then let’s save people turned up at the Berlin laid waste to their Moria camp Flash floods in 2017 killed hundreds of migrants from many, and Malta last September. to take in migrants left without the others,” said Tima Kurdi, rally. on the Greek island of Lesbos 25 people and left hundreds North Africa, a task complicated The deal stipulates partici- shelter after a fi re destroyed urging people to write to politi- Similar gatherings were seen last week. homeless. by security measures imposed pants must voluntarily take in a their biggest camp in Greece. cians to push for action. in Cologne, Munich and Leipzig. Since then, roughly 9,000 under the coronavirus crisis. share of asylum-seekers rescued The mask-clad protesters “We can’t close our eyes and In Paris, around 40 people have been resettled at a new Inspectors made their de- from overcrowded boats in the brandishing posters reading turn our backs and walk away carrying posters with slogans temporary site. Finnish cruise cision after fi nding too many Mediterranean. “Leave No One Behind” were from them. People are people, such as “No One Is Illegal” or But the destruction of Moria, life jackets on board for a ship Over the past fi ve years, at joined in the German capital by no matter where we come from,” “Asylum Is a Human Right” a notoriously overcrowded and ship evacuated which has a sewage system that least 19,164 migrants have died the aunt of Alan Kurdi, the Syr- she added. gathered to demand action. dirty camp, strengthened calls in Baltic sea is unsuitable for the potential in the Mediterranean, the dead- ian boy whose image became a Sonya Bobrik of the activist “The situation in the camps from locals and humanitarian number of people rescued, said liest route for migrants attempt- tragic symbol of the 2015 refugee group Seebruecke also stressed is dire,” said protester Nikolai organisations for the migrants to A Finnish passenger cruise ship the groups. ing the perilous crossing from crisis after his body washed up that “we have space” to take in Posner, adding that France is not be moved off the island. was evacuated yesterday after it ran aground off the island of Aland in the Baltic Sea, the cruise line and emergency services has said. The ship was headed towards Italians vote in regional elections Stockholm from Turku in Finland and ran aground around 12.50am local time (0950 GMT) outside AFP liament – from 630 to 400 in a historic left-wing stronghold But Lorenzo Salvioni, a stu- the city of Mariehamn on the Rome the lower house, and 315 to 200 that might fall to the far-right. dent in Rome, said he hoped “the autonomous Finnish island of in the upper house – is expected “If the left performs particu- country’s diffi culties caused by Aland near the Swedish coast. to pass, though there has been larly poorly ... Brussels will grow Covid” would mobilise Italians “There are no personal injuries talians headed to the polls a late uptick in the number of concerned,” Berenberg econo- to vote. and no-one’s life is in danger, yesterday – to the alarm of prominent ‘no’ declarations. mist Florian Hense told AFP. Some precautions have been and the situation aboard is Icoronavirus experts – for a As of afternoon yesterday, It will worry whether the na- taken with elderly and pregnant stable,” Eleonora Hansi, head referendum and regional elec- turnout for the referendum tional recovery plan Italy has to voters getting fast-track lanes to of information for Viking Line tions that could weaken the gov- stood at 12.3%, the interior min- present to obtain grants or loans cast their ballot. Scandinavia, told AFP. ernment and radically reshape istry said. to aid its ailing economy after With older people potentially The ship, Amorella, is 169m long the political landscape. The cost-cutting reform is the the coronavirus lockdown “will put off voting by the health risks, and does daily trips between The coronavirus causes the brainchild of the co-governing be ambitious enough, given the the left has been organising spe- Stockholm in Sweden and Turku Covid-19 respiratory disease. 5-Star Movement (M5S), but limited political capital of the cial transport. in Finland. Just a week after a Herculean while its centre-left coalition coalition in Rome”, he said. “And One in three voters for the Normally it carries between 1,800 eff ort by schools to reopen in Democratic Party (PD) partner whether, whatever plan Italy PD and League are aged over 65 and 2,000 passengers but due line with last-minute Covid-19 and parties on the right are the- comes up with, it will actually years, according to Italy’s Cor- to the coronavirus pandemic the rules, classrooms across the oretically in favour, their sup- implement it given the uncertain riere della Sera daily. number was heavily reduced, country were shut to pupils and port has been lacklustre at best. future of the current coalition”. Nearly 2,000 voters in iso- Hansi said. transformed into ballot stations The regional battle is for gov- The poll is going ahead despite lation due to the coronavirus Broadcaster YLE reported that for the two-day vote. ernance of Campania, Liguria, warnings against opening poll- have also registered to have their according to the crew’s Mayday A triumph for the far-right Marche, Puglia, Tuscany, Valle ing stations while Covid-19 case votes collected, including Ber- call, the ship had sprung “leaks in in this fi ercely-fought cam- d’Aosta and Veneto. numbers are on the rise. lusconi. multiple locations” as a result of paign would sound alarm bells in In every region, Matteo Sal- While Italy currently has few- But fear of catching the virus the impact. Brussels. vini’s far-right League, the anti- er new cases than Britain, France has seen a fl urry of last-minute “The 281 people onboard are It will be the fi rst test for immigration, anti-LGBT Broth- or Spain, it is still recording desertions by polling station A woman casts her vote in Campania’s regional election, which in not in immediate danger but Prime Minister Giuseppe Con- ers of Italy and former prime more than 1,500 daily. volunteers. was postponed from its original date in May due to the coronavirus the captain has decided that all te’s centre-left coalition gov- minister Silvio Berlusconi’s “The country is in a state of Milan was forced on Satur- outbreak, at a school in Naples. extra people be evacuated from ernment since it imposed an Forza Italia have joined forces in emergency; it is utterly con- day to call urgently for 100 fresh the ship,” the West Finland Coast economically crippling nation- a right-wing coalition. tradictory to be massing peo- pairs of hands. form disastrously, according to Fiammeri for Italy’s Il Sole 24 Guard said. wide lockdown to fi ght the virus, The coalition is set to easily ple together at polling stations, Prime Minister Conte has the Repubblica daily. Ore daily told AFP. “But there Around 5.30pm, the coast which has killed almost 36,000 retake Veneto and Liguria. particularly in light of the trend clinched a behind-doors deal That might not be enough. could well be a crisis, whether guard wrote on Twitter that all people. It could also snatch Marche in Europe,” Professor Massimo with PD leader Nicola Zingaretti “These elections are not go- it be Conte’s fall, the forming of passengers had “been evacuated The referendum, on slashing and Puglia from the left. Galli, infectious diseases chief at to fi ght to save each other’s po- ing to topple the government,” new coalition, or even a national to shore” and that part of the the number of members of par- But all eyes will be on Tuscany, Milan’s Sacco hospital, told AFP. litical skins should the left per- political commentator Barbara unity government.” crew was “next to be evacuated”. Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 9 INDIA

INVESTIGATION ELECTION CONTROVERSY REWARD PROJECT UP man arrested for BJP seeks suggestions Man found hanging in Bihar’s ‘Canal Man’ Bhandarkar meets Yogi, importing drugs on poll manifesto lock-up, family cries foul Loungi gifted tractor lauds film city plan

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has In the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, the A 38-year-old man held in a sex assault case was Loungi Bhuiyan, Bihar’s own ‘Canal Man’ who single- Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar yesterday met arrested a man from Lucknow and seized Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit launched a toll- found hanging in the lock-up of the Samaypur handedly cut out a 5km-long canal to bring water Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath 2.7kg of bud (curated marijuana) concealed in free number yesterday for receiving suggestions Badli police station in Delhi’s Outer North District to his native village Kolithwa, has won all-round in Lucknow to discuss the state government’s an air compressor machine in New Delhi. The from the public for its election manifesto. Bihar yesterday morning, following which his family applause for his toil of 20 years, with the Mahindra announcement about setting up India’s “biggest sender is based in the US. The payment for BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal said the toll-free number accused police of torturing him to death. The Group now gifting him a tractor. “Mahindra and most beautiful film city” in Gautam Buddha the consignment was made through bitcoins. has been launched for the common people, police, however, claimed the man, identified as Group Chairman Anand Mahindra in a tweet had Nagar district. According to a government According to the NCB, the parcel was sent from with a particular focus on farmers, where they Dharmendra, hanged himself with a bed sheet. promised to deliver the tractor to Loungi, which spokesman, Bhandarkar congratulated the chief the US on August 31. A detailed investigation can can now give a missed call and a dedicated According to the police, the man was in jailed on was immediately fulfilled. We are fortunate that a minister for planning the film city and promised with the help of digital analysis led the NCB team call centre will send them a message along with murder charges but was out on parole since March. warrior like him will now use a Mahindra tractor to full co-operation from the film fraternity. to C Gidwani, a Lucknow resident, who admitted a form. “The netizens can fill up the form and His parole was extended because of the coronavirus complete the remaining task,” the company said. Adityanath has asked off icials to identify land to his involvement in the case. He admitted that send it back to the centre. A separate provision pandemic. The police said that a case under Loungi said the widening of the canal can now be suitable for the film city project. State Bharatiya he used to import such parcels on a regular basis has also been made for dropping the form in a Protection of Children from Sexual Off ences Act done easily and fast with the help of the tractor. Janata Party leader Chandra Mohan said that for last one-and-a-half years for himself and for suggestion box set up in each of the 38 districts was registered after Dharmendra allegedly sexually Loungi said he was pained by the migration of the proposed film city would generate revenue, distribution to his friends. He used to order the of the state. Feedback of the common people assaulted a 14-year-old girl on Saturday. “The police young people from Kolithwa, which was drought- create jobs and also help showcase the state’s drugs from the US through Instagram or Wickr from diff erent backgrounds will help us to tortured him so much that he died; now, they are prone as it did not get to retain suff icient rainwater rich heritage. “There are vast untapped spots in and the payments were made through bitcoins. understand their grievances,” Jaiswal said. trying to cook up stories about his hanging. for irrigation due to its geographical location. UP that have pristine natural beauty.

Delhi journalist denies charges of spying for China

Agencies not commit any crime but was New Delhi framed in a false case. “The applicant is being framed in a false case. The applicant has olice in New Delhi said not committed any off ence,” they had arrested a free- Sharma’s lawyer said in his plea. Plance journalist on allega- The bail plea said Sharma suf- tions he was passing “sensitive fers from various ailments, in- information” to Chinese intel- cluding high blood pressure. ligence offi cers. “The applicant is about 61 But 61-year-old Rajeev Shar- years of age, and is suff ering from ma has denied the charges. acute case of sinus, and requires In statement the Delhi police constant treatment through a said Sharma was arrested earlier nebuliser. He has also undergone this week and offi cers had seized two surgeries for the same. Due some confi dential documents to the same, he is at high risk to related to the Indian defence de- Covid19...he is also a patient of partment from the journalist’s high blood pressure, and taking residence. medication for the past decade,” One Chinese woman and her Sharma said in his bail plea. Nepalese partner were also ar- He also said his family had not rested for allegedly supplying been allowed access to him, nor Sharma with “huge amounts of has been given any information money” for “conveying infor- about the allegations. mation to Chinese intelligence”. “No copy of the FIR is uploaded Farmers shout slogans as they stage a protest following the passing of agriculture bills, on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab yesterday. “On interrogation, Rajeev online. Despite multiple requests, Sharma has disclosed his in- the police have not furnished a volvement in procurement of copy of the FIR,” the plea added. secret/sensitive information Sharma also claimed that he and further conveying the same had deep roots in society, and was to his Chinese handlers,” Delhi’s a respected senior journalist. Deputy Commissioner of Police “His wife is an associate pro- Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said in the fessor at the Venkateswara Col- statement. lege, Delhi University. Therefore, Opposition slams govt However Sharma has claimed there is no risk of him running innocence, telling a Delhi court away from the process of jus- in his bail application that he did tice,” said the plea.

Job quota protest as farm bills passed Agencies the alliance party Akali Dal re- Her party believes the laws the opposition on minimum Amarinder Singh said his gov- New Delhi signed on Thursday in protest will destroy wholesale markets support price (MSP) and allay ernment will take the BJP and calling the bills “anti-farmer”, which ensure fair and timely the fears of the farmers. its allies, including the Akali and the opposition parties have payments to farmers, weaken “I said it earlier and I say it once Dal, to court over the new “un- arliament yesterday said farmers’ bargaining power the state’s farmers and the over- again: system of MSP will remain. constitutional, undemocratic passed new bills the gov- will be diminished by allowing all state economy. Government procurement will and anti-farmer laws.” Pernment says will make retailers to have tighter control Many farmer organisations continue,” Modi tweeted. “We will move the courts and it easier for farmers to sell their over them. have in recent days held street “We are here to serve our fi ght the draconian legislations produce directly to big buyers, Yesterday, some opposition protests in Punjab and neigh- farmers. We will do everything as soon as they get the presi- despite growing protest from lawmakers raised slogans, tore bouring Haryana. possible to support them and dential nod and become the law opposition parties and a long- documents and tried to grab Yesterday, the main opposi- ensure a better life for their of the land,” he said, express- time ally of the ruling Bharatiya Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah tion Congress party criticised coming generations.” ing shock at the way the cen- Janata Party. Naidu’s microphone, before two the government. Modi said the Indian farming tral government forced the bills Prime Minister Narendra controversial bills were passed “We will make sure that the system needed the latest tech- through the Rajya Sabha, the Modi has said the new laws will by a voice vote. government will have to step nology. upper house of parliament. reform antiquated laws and re- “The passage of both the bills down on its knees before the “Our agriculture sector is in Singh said his government move middlemen from agricul- in parliament is indeed a land- farming community of this desperate need of the latest tech- will not allow the central gov- ture trade, allowing farmers to mark day for Indian agricul- country,” said Randeep Surjew- nology that assists the industri- ernment, of which the Akali Dal sell to institutional buyers and ture,” Defence Minister Rajnath ala, a party spokesman. ous farmers. Now, with the pas- continues to “shamelessly” be a large retailers like Walmart. Singh said on Twitter. “It will be farmers one side sage of the bills, our farmers will part, to trample the rights and People from the Maratha community protest to demand The bills also make contract But Badal whose party has and big businesses on the other have easier access to futuristic interests of the farmers. employment quotas for the community in government jobs farming easier by providing a a strong base in the northern side, how will they fi ght?,” he technology that will boost pro- “We stand with the farmers while maintaining social distancing, during a demonstration in new set of rules. state of Punjab believes the bills added. duction and yield better results. and will do whatever it takes to Mumbai yesterday. But food processing minis- will increase farmer suff ering in However, Prime Minister This is a welcome step.” protect their interests,” he de- ter Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the breadbasket state. Narendra Modi sought to assure But Punjab Chief Minister clared. Coronavirus infections Heavy rains lash Udupi surge to 5.4mn in India town in Karnataka IANS “Torrential rains since morn- Udupi ing wreaked havoc in the three Agencies Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka more succumbed to the virus. coastal districts, causing fl ash New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra The new cases pushed the fl oods in many towns and villag- also saw 26,408 patients get- state’s tally to 171,306 while the eavy rains and gusty es, disrupting traffi c as roads and ting cured and returning home, death toll went up to 1,033. winds lashed Karnata- bridges were submerged. Power ndia’s coronavirus case tally including a 106-year-old great- Telangana’s fatality rate now Hka’s temple town Udupi, lines were also damaged,” said surged to 5.4mn as it added grandmother, state Health Min- stands at 0.60% against the na- fl ooding low-laying areas and the offi cial. Hundreds of people I92,605 new infections in the ister Rajesh Tope said. tional average of 1.60%. disrupting life, an offi cial said in Udupi district were marooned last 24 hours, data from the federal Anandibai Patil fl ashed a Odisha reported 4,330 fresh yesterday. as rain water fl ooded several Health Ministry showed yesterday. semi-toothless grin holding her cases in the last 24 hours, the “With the southwest mon- low-laying areas. The country has posted the ‘Discharge Card’ as she she was highest single-day spike taking soon remaining active in the Karnataka Chief Minister B S highest single-day caseload in wheeled out of Savlaram Hospi- the state’s total tally to 179,880. coastal and southern regions of Yediyurappa directed Udupi Dep- the world since early August, tal in Dombivali town of Thane. The Covid-19 death toll in- the state, heavy rains have been uty Commissioner G Jagadeesha and lags behind only the United Chief Minister Uddhav Thack- creased to 701 in the state with 10 lashing Udupi, Dakshina Kan- to launch rescue and relief opera- States, which has 6.7mn cases in eray, Tope, Tourism Minister Adi- new fatalities in the last 24 hours. nada and Kodagu districts since tions to save the stranded people terms of total infections. tya Thackeray, and others hailed While Cuttack and Puri dis- Saturday,” a state disaster man- from fl ood-hit areas. A total of 1,113 people died of her victory over the virus. tricts reported two deaths each, agement authority offi cial said. Udupi-Chikkamagalur Lok Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the Meanwhile, 38 more people one each died in Balangir, Gan- Udupi, about 400km west Sabha member Shobha Karand- ministry said, taking the death died in Delhi yesterday, taking jam, Kalahandi, Khordha, May- of Bengaluru, is popular for the laje urged the district adminis- toll to 86,752, which is a relatively the death toll due to Covid-19 in urbhanj and Sambalpur dis- 13th century Krishna temple. tration to send two helicopters low 1.6% of all cases. While the the national capital to 4,945. tricts, an offi cial said. The India Meteorological De- from the naval base in Karwar for recovery rate stands at 79.68%, Also, 4,071 fresh infections Meanwhile, the Indian Council partment (IMD) issued a red rescue operations in the island the fatality rate has come down to were reported, taking the total of Medical Research (ICMR) has alert in coastal and Malnad dis- areas and marooned villages. 1.61%, the data showed. number of cases beyond 242,000, completed the second round of a tricts till tomorrow, warning the “Two National Disaster Re- Maharashtra continues to be offi cials said. Telangana’s Cov- countrywide serological survey region will get heavy rainfall and sponse Force (NDRF) teams have the worst-hit state with over id-19 tally crossed the 170,000 (serosurvey) to detect the preva- A nurse pushes a wheelchair carrying Mai Handique, 101, as see strong winds due to a de- been rushed to Udupi for rescue 1.2mn cases, including 32,216 mark as the state reported 2,173 lence of Covid-19 and its analysis she is discharged after being treated for Covid-19 at Mahendra pression in the Arabian Sea and and relief operations,” the offi - deaths, followed by Andhra more cases yesterday, while eight is in the fi nal stage, offi cials said. Mohan Choudhury Hospital, in Guwahati. active monsoon clouds. cial said. Gulf Times 10 Monday, September 21, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES World leaders need to overhaul food production industries

It is nothing new that humans are destroying the natural environment at an unprecedented and alarming rate. A new report just reiterates this sad truth. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2020, nearly 21,000 monitored populations of mammals, fi sh, birds, reptiles and amphibians, encompassing almost 4,400 species around the world, have declined an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. Species in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as global freshwater habitats, were disproportionately impacted, declining, on average, 94% and 84%, respectively. The report, issued by WWF every two years, indicates that the rate populations are declining “signal a fundamentally Fighting the Covid infodemic broken relationship between humans and the natural world, the consequences of which – as demonstrated by the ongoing By Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and separate facts from semi-facts. to health threats when scientists and profoundly unethical. And we call on Covid-19 pandemic – can be catastrophic.” “This report As international HIV researchers, politicians inform one another, and the legislators to adopt only evidence- reminds us that we destroy the planet at our peril – because it is Adeeba Kamarulzaman Paris/Kuala Lumpur we know what is at stake. For four public receives clear and transparent based health-related laws and policies. our home,” WWF US president and CEO Carter Roberts said in decades, we have experienced information. The countries that Too many laws still criminalise disease a statement.” firsthand the deadly consequences have fared best in dealing with the instead of the stigma and discrimination The report blames humans alone for the “dire” state of he emergence of the Sars- of misinformation. We have faced pandemic are those where these three that accompany it. CoV-2 virus has not only led to off against Aids denialists and anti- constituencies have worked together Countering the Covid-19 infodemic the planet. It points to the exponential growth of human the global Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine extremists, and confronted eff ectively. requires not only facts, but also consumption, population, global trade and urbanisation over Tbut also fuelled an accompa- the stigma and myths that continue to Ensuring such collaboration requires the coordinated and strategic the last 50 years as key reasons for the unprecedented decline nying onslaught of misinformation. prevent many of those most in need of scientists – who this year have been advocacy for which those fighting of Earth’s resources – which it says the planet is incapable of Some have promoted drugs such as lifesaving health care from accessing pulled into the global spotlight and HIV are renowned. In the face of replenishing. The overuse of these fi nite resources by at least hydroxychloroquine as cures for the it. often attacked – to stand up for the misinformation, silence kills. All disease, despite insuffi cient scientifi c Many of those taking loudly to the integrity of science and forge stronger segments of society must act now to 56% has had a devastating eff ect on biodiversity, which is evidence of their eff ectiveness; others airwaves and plastering the Internet alliances with policymakers and dispel myths and amplify the voice crucial to sustaining human life on Earth. have announced a Covid-19 vaccine with false claims about Covid-19 – activists. Scientifi c research may take of science. Our lives, and especially The report points to land- before its safety and effi cacy have been off ering fake cures, downplaying the time, and conclusions may change as those of the poorest and most use change – in particular, rigorously tested. Meanwhile, far- consequences, and ignoring those new evidence is collected and analysed, marginalised, depend on it. Destruction the destruction of habitats fetched pandemic conspiracy theories most aff ected by the virus – recall the but policymakers must not play with This commentary is co-signed by Anton Pozniak, Professor of Clinical like rainforests for farming circulate widely on social media. tone of the Aids epidemic’s early days. people’s health by circumventing the of ecosystems The World Health Organisation Although the Aids epidemic taught us process for political gain. Research at the London School of – as the key driver for loss of defines an “infodemic” as “an that misinformation is lethal, it also We need to rally behind our Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a has threatened biodiversity, accounting for overabundance of information – showed us how powerful the medical colleagues to show the world that they consultant physician at the Chelsea and more than half of the loss in some accurate and some not – that and research communities can be when are not alone in championing evidence- Westminster Hospital, former president 1mn species — Europe, Central Asia, North makes it hard for people to find they band together, speak up, and based policies and interventions of the International Aids Society (2018- America, Latin America trustworthy sources and reliable demand attention and action to address to combat Covid-19. Being HIV 20); Linda-Gail Bekker, Professor of 500,000 animals guidance when they need it.” Today, a crisis. researchers has made all of us activists Medicine and Director of the Desmond and the Caribbean. Much the huge volume of misinformation Scientists, clinicians, and researchers by default. Now more than ever, our Tutu HIV Centre at the University of and plants and of that land is being used regarding Covid-19 threatens are trained to be objective. But being scientifi c colleagues need to play a Cape Town, former president of the for agriculture, which is to undermine evidence-based objective does not mean being silent. similar advocacy role to counter lies International Aids Society (2016-18); 500,000 insects responsible for 80% of global responses to the pandemic – and Countering attacks on science requires and myths, and protect the integrity of and Chris Beyrer, Professor of Public deforestation and makes up scientists must not stand idly by. researchers and front-line health-care science. Health and Human Rights at the — with extinction For example, the International Aids providers to call out deniers’ lack of We therefore call on governments to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of 70% of freshwater use. Society (IAS) recently convened the fi rst evidence, manipulated data, and fl at- protect the independence of national Public Health, former president of the Using this much land requires a vast food system that virtual International Aids Conference out lies. and multilateral scientifi c institutions. International Aids Society (2014-16). – releases 29% of global greenhouse gases, and the excessive and the fi rst global abstract-driven HIV researchers’ greatest We also call on social media companies Project Syndicate amount of land and water that people are using has killed conference on Covid-19. But the vital victories resulted not from scientifi c to contain, rather than facilitate, the 70% of terrestrial biodiversity and 50% of freshwater research presented at those meetings breakthroughs alone, but from forming spread of misinformation. These tech z Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, co- already risks being lost amid the deluge a common front with policymakers giants can no longer pretend to be mere winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in biodiversity. Many species simply cannot survive under the of content peddled by science deniers and grass-roots activists. From platforms that bear no responsibility for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery new conditions forced upon them when their habitats are and conspiracy theorists who openly the early days of the HIV response, the messages they amplify. of HIV, is a former president of the altered by humans. challenge established research methods. activists pressured politicians to give Similarly, we call on the news media International Aids Society (2012-14). Destruction of ecosystems has threatened 1mn species Less prominent, but equally pervasive scientists more resources to research to ensure that both coverage and Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Dean of the – 500,000 animals and plants and 500,000 insects – with and harmful, are the much subtler the virus, and called for better access to headlines render scientifi c knowledge Faculty of Medicine and Professor of factual misrepresentations, propaganda, treatment. accurately. Reporting scientifi c fi ndings Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the extinction, much of which can be prevented with conservation and hyperbole regarding Covid-19. The The global Covid-19 response is the selectively or out of context in order University of Malaya, is President of the and restoration eff orts. Where and how humans produce food is world therefore needs scientists to help latest proof that we are most resilient to promote particular narratives is International Aids Society. one of the biggest threats to nature, the report says. One-third of all terrestrial land is used for cropping and animal breeding. And of all the water withdrawn from available freshwater resources, 75% is used for crops or livestock. If current habitats remain the same, researchers predict that cropland areas may have to be 10-25% larger in 2050 than in 2005, just to accommodate increased food demand. That increase is expected, despite more than 820mn people facing food insecurity, indicating that much of the agricultural strain is being wasted. Around the world, an estimated one-third of all food produced for humans is lost or wasted – about 1.4bn tonnes every year. Food waste is responsible for at least 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions – three times more than that from aviation – and nearly one-quarter of those emissions come from wasted food. The report has stressed the need for world leaders to overhaul the food production and consumption industries – taking deforestation completely out of supply chains and making trade more sustainable, among other things.

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Rashakai SEZ to play key role in attracting FDI The Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northwest Pakistan will play significant role in attracting foreign direct Over 30% of individual investment (FDI) in the country, said an off icial. A spokesperson of the Board of Investment Islamabad has said that the Rashakai SEZ has a unique competitive advantage due to its proximity to the first juncture of the China-Pakistan fi lers paid no tax in 2018 Economic Corridor (CPEC) route, the Peshawar airport and the Internews skip higher tax rates applicable A total of 422,349 return fi l- nies declared their income in the to Punjab at 1.696mn, followed returns in tax year 2018 and paid ML-I railway line, besides access Islamabad on non-fi lers. ers were in the Rs750,001 to range of Rs500,001 to Rs7mn. by 779,771 in Sindh, 171,303 in Rs41.262bn. to a significant resource and The government introduced Rs1.5mn bracket, and the gov- There are only 3,380, or 7.58% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 151,204 in The major contribution came manufacturing base in the entire the bracket to encourage docu- ernment collects Rs2,000 from of companies, across the coun- the Islamabad Capital Territory, from 17,800 tax fi lers based out region. f the total 2.743mn indi- mentation of the economy, but individuals who earned between try, which declared their annual 52,101 in Baluchistan, and 1,437 of the Multan Road market, pay- He said the zone comprises vidual taxpayers, around it has attracted “nil” or “junk” Rs800,001 and Rs1.2mn annu- income in excess of Rs7mn. in Gilgit-Baltistan. ing Rs10.912bn, followed by Rai- 1,000 of acres of land and will be O1.004mn, or 36.6% of fi lers. ally. The total number of compa- In Karachi, as many as 106,818 wand bazaar – return fi lers of developed in three phases with taxpayers, paid no income tax in In the fi rst three taxable It clearly shows that the bulk nies that fi led tax returns in 2018 businessmen fi led their tax re- 6,096 – at Rs4.175bn. an expected FDI of $128mn. the tax year 2018, Federal Board brackets, around 1.296mn, or of return fi lers pay a very nomi- was 44,609, compared with turns in 94 markets. In Islamabad, in 10 major The spokesperson said that of Revenue (FBR) data showed. 47% of taxpayers, fi led their in- nal income tax. the number of companies (over The total tax paid in these markets around 8,150 business- Pakistan and China signed an Even though all of these in- come tax returns. In Pakistan, 235,514 individu- 100,000) registered with the Se- markets stood at Rs97.362bn. men fi led their tax returns and agreement for the development dividuals fi led their income tax It shows that bulk of return als fi led their tax returns un- curities and Exchange Compa- The bulk of the tax amount paid an amount of Rs40.318bn in of the Rashakai SEZ on returns, they fall under the non- fi lers, around 2.3mn, or 84% of der the bracket of Rs1.5mn to nies of Pakistan. is contributed by 72,339 shop the tax year 2018. September 14 in Islamabad, that tax bracket, where their declared taxpayers, are either junk fi lers Rs6mn. Pakistan is known for its low owners in Karachi’s Saddar, at The bulk of tax around provided for a comprehensive annual incomes are less than or fall in the lowest tax brackets. Ironically, there are only compliance with income tax Rs77.177bn. Rs39.935bn was collected from roadmap for timely completions Rs400,000. As many as 433,144 return 22,593 individuals who de- rules, and international donors The second highest tax con- 5,854 fi lers in the Blue Area. of the zone. In the case of association fi lers are in the taxable slab clared an annual income of over want the country to widen its tax tribution of Rs6.191bn came City-wise collection show Meanwhile, Abdul Karim, the of persons (AOPs), 29,480, or of Rs400,001 to Rs500,000, Rs6mn. base before asking the rest of the from Market Estate Avenue from that Karachi contributed special assistant to Khyber 45.82% of taxpayers, are return whereas 441,312 fall in the The trend is worrisome in world for more aid and help. 774 return fi lers, followed by Rs397.374bn in income tax Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister fi lers, but paid zero income tax Rs500,001 to Rs750,000 brack- the corporate sector, as nearly The contribution of compa- 202 fi lers from Karachi’s Forum, (excluding Malir district) in for industry and commerce, said as their declared incomes fell et. 32,000 companies, or 71% of big nies in income tax collection is paying Rs3.314bn. the tax year 2018, followed that the Rashakai SEZ agreement below the taxable limit. A nominal sum of Rs1,000 for taxpayers, declared their annual 56%, followed by 21% non-sal- In Jodia Bazar, around 2,384 by Islamabad with a tax pay- was a landmark development Of interest is the fact that individuals in the income brack- income as below Rs500,000. aried individuals, 15% salaried shop owners fi led their tax re- ment of Rs204.148bn, La- that would give enormous boost this particular tax bracket has ets ranging from Rs400,001 to The next bulk of 4,809 com- individuals, and 8% AoPs. turns to the tune of Rs3.059bn. hore Rs200.716bn, Pesha- to the economic and industrial gained many new entrants over Rs800,000 has been introduced panies are in the fi xed tax regime Province-wise data showed In Lahore, 115,964 shop own- war Rs13.643bn, and Quetta development of Pakistan. the past years, allowing them to through the Finance Act 2018. whereas around 4,859 compa- that bulk of return fi lers belong ers in 57 markets fi led their tax Rs10.132bn, respectively. He said that it would serve as an export base to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics (CARs), following the construction of Peshawar- Torkhum Motorway and the ML-1. Nawaz Sharif is now on

Technology-based Twitter, says Maryam farms planned Internews As of Saturday night, Sharif’s twitter Federal Minister for Science and Islamabad account had more than 21,000 follow- Technology Fawad Chaudhry has ers. said that the government plans to His maiden tweet in Urdu read: “Vote create technology-based farms in akistan Muslim League – Nawaz ko izzat do (give respect to ballot)”, the the country to promote export- (PML-N) supremo and former PML-N’s slogan in the 2018 general based agriculture. Pprime minister Nawaz Sharif is elections. Talking to APP in Islamabad, on Twitter now, his daughter Maryam Sharif is expected to address via he said that initially 500 Nawaz has said. video link from London the All Parties technology-based farms would “Happy & privileged to announce Conference (APC) organised by Paki- be established under the novel that in order to stay connected to the stan Peoples Party (PPP) over the week- project of Precision Agriculture. people of Pakistan, MNS has decided to end. He said under the project, two-, join Twitter,” she wrote. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari five- and 12.5-acre farms would be His Twitter handle is @NawazShar- contacted Sharif on Saturday and in- given technology packages. Sharif: His Twitter handle is @NawazSharifMNS. ifMNS. vited him to “virtually attend” the APC.

Sindh energy minister contracts coronavirus Probe into Covid-19 ‘fi gure fudging’ in Lahore Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh has revealed that he has contracted the Internews reported in Lahore, 43 in Gu- was made in almost the entire for the period from Aug 23 to Aug coronavirus, as the country be- Islamabad jranwala, 12 in Rawalpindi, 10 in city, creating doubts on the au- 31,” reads an offi cial document. gins to ease the last remaining Faisalabad, and the rest in Mul- thenticity of the data shared with The inquiry offi cer was also di- restrictions imposed to curb the tan, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Gu- the chief minister. rected to submit a comprehensive spread of the highly-contagious ith a visible increase in jrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Layyah, Initially, the Lahore district report, with recommendations disease. the number of positive Nankana, Dera Ghazi Khan, and health offi cer and deputy dis- and draft charge sheets against “During the past few days, I had Wcoronavirus cases in Khanewal. trict health offi cers of the above- the delinquents with documen- a fever and a soar throat [...] Prime Minister Khan: would be addressing the UN General Punjab, some offi cial documents As far as Lahore is concerned, mentioned towns were accused tary evidence within seven days After that I got myself tested,” Assembly this week by video-conferencing. have revealed that the primary the offi cial document revealed of generating fake statistics of issuance of notifi cation. he said. and secondary healthcare de- that the health authorities have about the positive cases. Meanwhile, offi cial data The minister said that he had partment has been making fi cti- allegedly been making fake en- The director (headquarters) of showed that the provincial capi- gone into self-isolation after the tious entries to show a smaller tries, probably for the benefi t of the directorate general of health tal has been reporting highest report came positive, and urged number of cases in Lahore. the Punjab chief minister in or- services (DGHS) Punjab was ap- number of confi rmed cases of the his friends and supporters to The coronavirus causes the der to show a smaller number of pointed as inquiry offi cer in this virus and deaths as well since the pray for his health. PM to address UN Covid-19 respiratory disease. Covid-19 cases. regard, with directions to inves- disease broke out. Shaikh is the latest mainstream According to the latest fi gures According to the initial inquir- tigate the above-mentioned of- According to the data, a total of politician to have contracted updated on Saturday, the prov- ies, fake entries were detected fi cials, determine responsibility, 49,382 people have tested posi- the virus. General Assembly ince reported 130 more people from the period of August 23-31 and submit a detailed report. tive in Lahore, while 862 have Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, tested positive for the virus dur- in the provincial capital. “The director (HQ) of the died so far. Sindh Education Minister Saeed ing the last 24 hours, showing a A probe has been launched. DGHS Punjab is hereby appoint- The total number of posi- Ghani, and Muttahida Majlis- session on Friday 40% surge in cases in Punjab, as Most complaints were fi led ed as inquiry offi cer to conduct a tive cases across Punjab reached e-Amal lawmaker Syed Abdul compared to those reported dur- from Ravi, Allama Iqbal, Gulberg, thorough probe into the fake/fi c- 98,272 with 2,226 deaths, as per Rasheed tested positive and ing the last one week or so. Aziz Bhatti, Nishtar, and Wagah titious entries found in the Cov- the offi cial update released on recovered earlier this year. Pakistan reiterates call other high-level engagements. Of the total new cases, 33 were towns that meant fake reporting id-19 data available at dashboard Saturday. for redoubling eff orts to Chaudhri said that Pakistan achieve SDGs welcomes the UN High Com- missioner for Human Rights Internews Michelle Bachelete`s reitera- Islamabad tion of serious concerns on vi- olence in Indian-administered Govt undecided about two bears, Kashmir. rime Minister Imran Meanwhile, Pakistan has Khan will address the renewed its call for redoubling lone elephant in Islamabad’s zoo PUN General Assembly eff orts to achieve Sustainable session on Friday. Development Goals (SDGs) Foreign Offi ce spokesperson aimed at ending poverty, fi ght- Internews compassion and understanding. According to a source in the Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said ing inequalities and tackling Islamabad It has presence in 15 countries. ministry of climate change, the that due to restrictions im- climate change. The team arrived on the invi- government is unsure whether it posed by the local administra- The call was made by Paki- tation of the government on Au- is viable to send the elephant to tion in New York, there will be stan’s Permanent Representa- hile the wolves await gust 22. Cambodia and the bears to Jor- no in-person high-level par- tive to the United Nations and to be shifted to their The six-member team had dan. ticipation from outside. United Nations Economic and Wnewly-built cages in come to evaluate the condition of “The government is con- He said that the General Social Council president Mu- Ayub National Park in Rawalpin- the lone elephant at the zoo be- cerned that sending the animals Debate of the 75th Session of nir Akram while speaking at di, the fate of two bears and the fore it could be allowed to under- to sanctuaries outside Pakistan the UN General Assembly will a high-level side event of UN lone elephant in the zoo in Is- take the seven-hour journey to brings a bad name to the country. This picture taken earlier this month shows Amir Khalil, head of commence on Tuesday. General Assembly. lamabad is yet to be decided. its 25,000-acre retirement home No country would want to give project development at Four Paws International, with Kaavan, an The spokesperson said For- He underscored that top pri- “New cages have been built in Cambodia. animals to Islamabad zoo ever elephant at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad. eign Minister Shah Mehmood ority is to control coronavirus for the wolves, and they will be Four Paws said that Kaavan again,” he said. Qureshi will participate virtu- pandemic, which has infl icted shifted to the Ayub Park as soon was obese, terribly lonely, and in A two-and-a-half-minute spokesperson Mohamed Saleem “He fears that Kaavan might ally in the high-level meeting unparalleled human suff ering. as the government gives the fi - the need of foot care which can- video by Brut Nature, which is a said that there is no doubt that not survive the journey, and even of the General Assembly to Akram also stressed the need nal go-ahead,” Islamabad Wild- not be provided at the Islamabad news media company, has been the animals are in a terrible con- if it does, it will be isolated in the commemorate the 75th anni- to fi nd ways to bridge the dig- life Management Board (IWMB) zoo due to the lack of facilities. doing the round on social media dition. new home.” versary of the United Nations. ital divide between developed Chairman Dr Anis Rehman told The team is still in Islamabad showing how the doors of the zoo The ministry is in the proc- Saleem said that the govern- He will also participate in and developing countries. Dawn. “However, the govern- waiting for the fi nal word from are now shut and its 30 wild ani- ess of deciding the best course ment is also considering the sug- ment is still indecisive about the government to take the bears mals await rescue. of action for the welfare of the gestion of improving the existing where to shift the two Himalayan with them. It highlights how international animals. living conditions for Kaavan to Protecting rights of Pakistanis among brown bears.” Earlier this month, the team of organisations have been raising “The expert committee international standards, expand- A team of Austrian experts experts had operated on the fe- alarm about the plight of animals formed to assist the government ing the elephant enclosure, and the government’s priorities: Qureshi from Four Paws, which arrived male bear, which was in a critical in the zoo. to shift the zoo animals, follow- introducing other animals into in the capital last month, off ered condition. It also shows footage of zoo ing Islamabad High Court (IHC) the bigger space to give it com- Foreign Minster Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stressed that to take the bears to one of their The team tranquillised the handlers lighting fi re inside the orders, has some reservations pany in consultation with inter- protecting the rights of the Pakistani community and resolving sanctuaries in Jordan, where they bear to clean an infected 6” cut cage of lions. about shifting Kaavan to the el- national experts. their issues on a priority basis is among top aims of the would get better care. on the chest. Two lions died of asphyxiation ephant sanctuary in Cambodia,” “However, the team of Aus- government. Four Paws is an international The bear has been in pain for a following the primitive methods he said. trian experts has declared Kaa- He was speaking with Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Austria, animal welfare organisation year now. used to shift the lions to a sanc- “One of the experts in the van and the two brown Hima- Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, who called on the minister in Islamabad. committed to encouraging peo- Bear sanctuaries in Punjab tuary in Kasur. committee advises against shift- layan brown bears fi t for travel,” The minister also gave special instructions to the newly-appointed ple to treat animals with respect, have declined to accept the bears. When contacted, ministry ing the elephant to Cambodia. he said. ambassador regarding the government’s foreign policy priorities. Gulf Times 12 Monday, September 21, 2020 QATAR VCUarts Qatar ushers in students and staff to new academic year Participants in the programme. irginia Commonwealth Nepal embassy holds University School of the VArts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner-university, welcomed National Day ceremony new and returning students, staff and faculty to the 2020- 2021 academic year. By Usha Wagle Gautam of diplomatic relations in 1977. The fi rst semester of the aca- Doha He appreciated the way Qatar demic year will be conducted in has continued to make phe- hybrid mode with instruction nomenal progress in recent and classes taking place online he embassy of Nepal in years despite various obstacles. while access to on-site resourc- Doha marked this year’s He expressed satisfaction at es such as the University’s Fab- TNational Day and Con- the presence of a large Nepali rication Lab, Materials Library stitution Day with a brief cer- diaspora in Qatar as the con- and Media Innovation Centre emony organised on the mis- necting bridge between the two will be pre-arranged, with safe- sion’s premises. countries. ty precautions in place. The ceremony was attended Speaking highly of the con- A total of 84 new stu- by embassy offi cials and staff tinuous labour reforms intro- dents drawn from 21 nation- along with a limited number duced by Qatar, including the alities make up the 333-strong of representatives of diff erent latest one on minimum wage VCUarts Qatar student com- Nepali community organisa- Ambassador Dr Narad Nath and the non-requirement of munity this year. tions in Qatar, in line with the Bharadwaj speaking at the No-Objection Certifi cates, he In addition, the art and de- preventive and precautionary ceremony. expressed confi dence that Qa- sign university also welcomed measures put in place to con- tar would continue to further 14 new staff and faculty on trol Covid-19. of the world. He recalled the develop and prosper - both for board. Nepal’s ambassador to Qa- historic promulgation of the its citizens and residents. The new academic year tar Dr Narad Nath Bharadwaj Constitution of Nepal on Sep- Ambassador Dr Bharadwaj kicked off with orientation pro- VCUartsQatar students orientation. inaugurated the event by light- tember 20, 2015, by the Con- also referred to Covid-19 and grammes for students, staff and ing the traditional oil lamp. He stituent Assembly. praised Qatar’s eff ective and faculty, during the third and During their virtual induc- ally well-organised, and en- ceptional response. And that’s then hoisted the fl ag of Nepal, “The Constitution has en- successful management of the fourth weeks of August. tion to university life, the new joyable. exactly what we at VCUarts Qa- which was followed by the na- sured democracy, inclusion, pandemic. While appreciating The student orientation pro- students interacted with staff , “It was fun to get to know my tar have done. tional anthem. Dr Bharadwaj development and social jus- Qatar’s support to Nepal and gramme was adapted for an on- faculty, and their peers, as they professors and peers on a per- “Our staff and faculty have delivered the National Day tice,” he noted. “As envisioned Nepalis against the Covid-19 line audience, but still kept the learned more about the facili- sonal level,” al-Dosari said. worked for weeks to adapt the message, and a cake was also by the Constitution, the Gov- challenges, he requested the students engaged and involved. ties, resources, activities and “Just being able to unleash orientation programme and cut to celebrate the joyous oc- ernment of Nepal has pursued Nepali community in Qatar to The programme was further associations, and the health our creativity during the orien- teaching curriculum to an on- casion. the path of peace, progress and strictly comply with the pre- augmented by a series of light- and safety precautions that the tation activities was a great in- line platform, in a manner that Dr Bharadwaj read out the prosperity.” ventive and precautionary hearted ‘How to Online’ videos university has rigorously im- troduction to the VCUarts Qatar is as engaging and produc- summary of the National Day He said the government was measures. fi lmed with the assistance of plemented across its campus, to community, and a fantastic way tive as possible. After weeks of messages from Nepal’s Presi- committed to realising its ob- Finally, Dr Bharadwaj ex- students who experienced on- battle Covid-19. to kick off a semester that will preparation and anticipation dent Bidya Devi Bhandari and jective of ‘Prosperous Nepal, pressed the willingness of Ne- line learning in the spring se- Jabor al-Dosari, a VCUarts be mostly online.” we’re delighted to welcome Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. Happy Nepali’ by focusing on pal to continue to explore fur- mester, off ering practical tips Qatar freshman, said he was VCUarts Qatar’s dean, Amir our growing community to our The envoy highlighted the economic growth. ther avenues of co-operation and guidance for the incoming delighted to meet his peers Berbic welcoming the new join- campus in Education City, and importance of National Day Dr Bharadwaj then touched and collaboration with Qatar cohort on how to make the most and professors, and found the ers to the campus, said: “An to an exciting and unique fall and Constitution Day for upon Nepal’s cordial ties with for the benefi t of both coun- of studying virtually. orientation week exception- exceptional year merits an ex- semester.” Nepalis living in diff erent parts Qatar since the establishment tries.

Ooredoo ‘Beach Cleanup’ event promotes environment protection

oredoo has completed its third ‘Beach Cleanup’ Oevent in its sustainability campaign aimed at promoting protection of the environment. A team of Ooredoo staff mem- bers attended Sealine Beach on Saturday, September 19, to re- move debris either left behind by previous visitors or washed ashore. In addition to the sand cleanup, the third event in- cluded a cleanup of the sea- bed, with the help of six scuba divers from Doha Divers Team, for the benefit of the marine environment to which the sea- bed is home. castles, aiming to encourage es. The campaign is being run The Environment Centre. only sandcastles after another in the event, and we’re im- tal element of our corporate re- Ooredoo launched its Beach beachgoers to take responsi- in collaboration with the Min- Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, successful cleanup event. We mensely proud of the efforts sponsibility strategy as a mat- Cleanup campaign several bility for cleaning up their own istry of Municipality and Envi- director, PR at Ooredoo, said: know the last of the summer made to protect our wonder- ter of priority, and look forward weeks ago with the social me- rubbish when they visit one of ronment, the Public Cleaning “We were delighted to leave yet heat makes it a challenge for ful natural environment. We’re to continuing this important dia hashtag #LeaveOnlySand- Qatar’s many beautiful beach- Department, and Friends of another beautiful beach with our staff and everyone involved committed to the environmen- initiative.” Cleanliness drive at Umm Bab Beach talabat partners with MME to mark The General Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment World Cleanup Day at Al Wakra Beach (MME), in co- operation with Doha Environmental Actions eading food and delivery Project has carried out app talabat, in partner- a cleaning campaign of Lship with the Ministry of Umm Bab Beach on the Municipality and Environment occasion on the World (MME), observed World Clean- Cleanup Day, which up Day recently. falls on September 19 Employees and riders joined each year. hands to beautify Al Wakra Large quantities Beach, collecting litter for of diff erent waste proper disposal. were removed from During the event, talabat and the beach. The the MME joined over 180 coun- General Cleanliness tries around the globe, dedicat- Department honoured ed to clean both the streets and a number of cleaning the beach. The World Cleanup Day drive at Al Wakra Beach. workers in appreciation The partnership brought for their daily eff orts to together a team of 55 employ- with Qatari start-up Elite Paper play for our environment,” the “At talabat, we encourage keep the various areas ees and riders, who took part Recycling, as well as promot- statement noted. our ecosystem to stay environ- of the country clean. in beautifying the well-known ing ‘no cutlery’ options on food Francisco de Sousa, man- mentally cautious throughout The MME also launched destination, talabat has said in orders, and guiding restaurant aging director of talabat Qa- the chain; our in-app features a public contest on a statement. partners to use recyclable pack- tar, said: “talabat is honoured to reduce waste and sustainable public hygiene law “talabat continues to pledge aging. As it continues to sup- to join forces with our local green packaging. We also en- through its Instagram its support for Qatar’s environ- port a cleaner future in Qatar, Ministry of Municipality and courage our customers to prop- account as part of ment in many ways, including talabat encourages its ecosys- Environment as we all have a erly dispose of their delivery raising awareness. the use of recycled boxes for tem and the public to always responsibility to save our envi- packages, preferably through groceries, where they partnered keep in mind the role they can ronment. recycling.”