QC briefed on Qatar 2022 willwill QDB export be for the entirentire support Arab region:n: strategy Gomaa

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THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 4 RABIA II - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8446 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Recharge using the app and get health insurance as a gift! Amir, Ghani Amir congratulates Sultan of Oman, King of Morocco discuss Afghan QNA/THE PENINSULA — DOHA of the Sultanate of Oman. I congratulate my brother, His Oman on the occasion of his Kingdom of Morocco H E Dr. peace talks wish continued prosperity, Majesty King Mohammed VI country’s National Day, and Saad Eddine El Othmani on Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin security and stability for our and people of Morocco on the to H M King Mohammed VI of the occasion of his country’s QNA — DOHA Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday brothers in this dear country, 65th anniversary of the Inde- the Kingdom of Morocco on Independence Day. a cable of congratulations to with which we have strong pendence Day of the brotherly the occasion of his country’s Deputy Prime Minister Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin H M Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik fraternal ties, cooperation and Kingdom of Morocco. I hope Independence Day. and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamad Al Thani held of the Sultanate of Oman on historical relations based on that Allah preserve the Prime Minister and Min- H E Sheikh Mohammed bin yesterday via telephone a the occasion of his country’s solidarity and affection,” H H Kingdom of Morocco and it ister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Thani also conversation with President National Day. the Amir said in the tweet. will enjoy security and pros- Khalid bin Khalifa bin congratulated Oman in a of the Islamic Republic of H H the Amir also congrat- Meanwhile, the Amir sent perity under its wise Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent tweet saying, “We congrat- Afghanistan, H E Dr. ulated Oman on its 50th a cable of congratulations yes- leadership.” cables of congratulations to H ulate our brothers, leadership Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, on National Day through a tweet. terday to H M King Mohammed Deputy Amir H H Sheikh M Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik and people in the Sultanate of bilateral relations and the “I congratulate my brother H VI of the Kingdom of Morocco Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani of the Sultanate of Oman on Oman on the occasion of means to enhance them in all M Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik on the occasion of his coun- also sent cables of congratu- the occasion of his country’s National Day. We wish you fields. and the brotherly people of try’s Independence Day. lations to H M Sultan Haitham National Day, and to the Head more progress and During the call, they dis- Oman on 50th National Day The Amir also tweeted: “I Bin Tarik of the Sultanate of of the Government of the prosperity.” cussed the latest developments in the situation in Afghanistan and the Afghan peace negoti- ations hosted by Doha, and in this regard, H H the Amir Qatar’s proactive approach Precautions still vital affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue to make all efforts to achieve security, despite vaccine gains: peace and stability in to secure vaccines effective Afghanistan. QNA — DOHA Dr. Fauci at WISH The MoPH has been in HIA introduces Chair of the National Health discussions with multiple FAZEENA SALEEM Strategic Group on COVID-19 international THE PENINSULA first-of-its-kind and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation pharmaceutical Director of the National baggage (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal companies since the Institute of Allergy and Infec- has confirmed that the early days of the tious Diseases in the US and a screening system proactive approach taken by pandemic to ensure member of the White House the Ministry of Public Health coronavirus task force, Dr. THE PENINSULA — DOHA (MoPH) to secure the COVID-19 Qatar’s population has Anthony Fauci, has said that the vaccine from various sources early access to COVID-19 COVID-19 pandemic will end Hamad International Airport has proven effective. vaccines as soon as they with an effective and safe (HIA) is the first airport in the Dr. Al Khal’s comments demonstrate safety and vaccine but alongside public region to obtain Smiths Detec- come following Tuesday’s health measures. tion’s HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, announcement by Moderna, a efficacy and are He was in conversation which offers advanced Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal US biotech company, that approved for use. with Editor in Chief of medical screening of carry-on baggage interim data from its ongoing journal The BMJ, Fiona Godlee, at security checkpoints using trials showed its COVID-19 during the fourth day of World Computed Tomography (CT) vaccine was 95 percent MoPH announced in October Innovation Summit for Health I believe the COVID-19 X-ray. effective. that it had signed an 2020, yesterday. pandemic will end with HIA selected this In mid-October, MoPH agreement with Moderna to “I believe the COVID-19 an effective and safe equipment as it enables the announced it had signed an pandemic will end with an vaccine that ultimately airport operators to deliver the agreement with Moderna to procure its COVID-19 effective and safe vaccine that highest levels of security inter- procure its COVID-19 vaccine vaccine as soon as it is ultimately will be widely dis- will be widely nationally and optimises as soon as it is approved and approved and released for tributed throughout the world. distributed throughout checkpoint performance by released for global use. This global use. This agreement But that is going to happen the world. But that is expediting the screening proc- agreement with Moderna was together with public health going to happen esses helping improve the pas- on top of Qatar’s agreement with Moderna was on top of measures. I don’t think it’s senger experience. This cabin with Pfizer and BioNTech. Qatar’s agreement with going to be like measles where together with public baggage screening equipment health measures. I “The promising results of Pfizer and BioNTech. it’s 98% effective even though uses a CT gantry that rotates at Moderna’s preliminary analysis it’s a highly transmissible don’t think it’s going to a constant speed as baggage is of its phase 3 clinical trials virus,” he said. be like measles where carried through on its conveyor follow the announcement of use,” said Dr. Al Khal. followsfollows interim analysisanalysis of the “But you have got to roll out belt. Hundreds of images are similar data from Pfizer and “It is extremely encour- data from a clinical trial the vaccine together with it’s 98% effective even taken of each bag to create 3D BioNTech earlier this month. aging that the two companies involving 30,000 people in the public health measures until though it’s a highly imagery in real-time, allowing Between the two companies, with which we have signed US. Half of the study partici- the overall protection umbrella transmissible virus. for more accurate assessments tens of thousands of volunteers agreements are seeing very pants were given two doses of essentially is all over the world. of the bag’s contents. This are involved in the ongoing high rates of effectiveness in the vaccine, four weeks apart, It’s probably going to take a Dr. Anthony Fauci advanced screening technology clinical trials. the early results of their clinical and half of the participants year or two to happen,” he allows passengers to keep elec- "The MoPH has been in dis- trials. However, the findings received placebo injections. added. tronic devices and liquids in cussions with multiple interna- are the interim results of the The preliminary analysis is Speaking on regulatory from the Food and Drug their hand baggage removing tional pharmaceutical com- companies clinical trials and based on the first 95 study par- mechanism of COVID-19 Administration (FDA) com- some of the stress for our pas- panies since the early days of further results of the ongoing ticipants to develop COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Fauci said, “A lot missioner that science itself sengers whilst significantly the pandemic to ensure Qatar’s clinical trials will be available symptoms. From these, only of things are politicised but I and not political considera- increasing checkpoint population has early access to in due course,” added Dr. Al five cases were in people who think people across the world tions will dictate the decisions throughput and further COVID-19 vaccines as soon as Khal. received the vaccine, while 90 and in the US should realise about the regulatory compo- reducing wait times to new they demonstrate safety and Moderna’s announcement cases were in those given the that there are a lot of fail-safe nents of the vaccine trial.” internationally recognised efficacy and are approved for that its vaccine is 95% effective placebo. `P3 checks. We have assurances `P5 standards. HIA Vice-President (Security), Saeed Yousef Al Sulaiti, said: “At HIA, we are Sport playing vital role in return to normalcy: Al Thawadi always championing the adoption of cutting-edge tech- FAZEENA SALEEM contribute to our shared cause, by November 2022 we are able nologies to ensure operational THE PENINSULA and to ensure we harness that to play host to a global cele- excellence and deliver a power in the future for the sake bration in a post-COVID world. seamless passenger experience. The Secretary-General of the of public health, community, We sincerely hope that we’re Smiths Detection has a repu- Supreme Committee for and a brighter future for the able to welcome as many vis- tation for providing market Delivery & Legacy (SC), Hassan generations to come,” said Al itors as possible to our country leading solutions with world- Al Thawadi, yesterday said that Thawadi. and to our region, many of renowned standards for sport is playing a role in the “As societies strive to whom will be visiting for the quality. We are proud to be the return to normalcy, with Qatar emerge from lockdowns, sport first time and experiencing their first airport in the region to recently hosting teams for the is playing an important role in first taste of the Middle East and introduce the latest CT group stages of the Asian our journey toward a return to Arab world,” said Al Thawadi. screening technology available Football Confederation Cham- normalcy. Our collective future “We’re acutely aware of the in the industry. HIA is com- pions League under ‘bubble’ hinges on a coordinated and socioeconomic effects of the mitted to remaining at the fore- conditions. coherent approach to public pandemic around the world and front of technological advance- In a keynote speech health, both physical and Our collective future hinges on a coordinated and are striving to offer an ments to continuously enhance delivered at the World Inno- mental. This was a necessity coherent approach to public health, both physical affordable and safe World Cup,” the passenger experience while vation Summit for Health before the spread of COVID, and and mental. This was a necessity before the spread he added. improving operational effi- (WISH) 2020, he said that sport that necessity is now an imper- Al Thawadi also highlighted ciency.” The new screening must be considered a critical ative,” he said. of COVID, and that necessity is now an imperative. the steps taken by Qatar to lanes will allow the parallel vehicle for contributing to the Al Thawadi emphasised Hassan Al Thawadi protect FIFA World Cup Qatar preparation of passengers for shared mission of maintaining Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 workforce from the the screening process and physical and mental health AFC Champions League West COVID-19 pandemic, including provide convenient space to across the globe. Zone matches recently, which participants from the spread of importance of being prepared multilingual awareness sessions avoid congestion whilst pro- “We all remember the were conducted within a strict COVID-19. to host the FIFA World Cup in provided by in-house health viding high capacity and a swift power that sport has to medical bubble to protect Al Thawadi highlighted the 2022. “We certainly hope that experts. `P5 screening process. `P5 02 HOME THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020

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Cabinet briefed on efforts to curb COVID-19 spread OFFICIAL NEWS Amir holds phone QNA — DOHA explanation provided by H E The Cabinet also gave approval of a draft of Kuwait; a draft memo- call with President Minister of Public Health on the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the randum of understanding on of Tajikistan Prime Minister and Minister of latest developments to limit the cooperation in the field of over- Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin spread of the coronavirus field of social affairs between the governments of the sight work between the State DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani (COVID-19), and the Council State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait. Audit Bureau in the State of bin Hamad Al Thani held a tele- chaired yesterday the cabinet’s affirmed the continuation of Qatar and the Audit Bureau in phone conversation with President regular meeting held at its seat work with regard to the pre- the Hashemite Kingdom of of the Republic of Tajikistan H E at the Amiri Diwan. cautionary measures that have Jordan; and a draft memo- Emomali Rahmon yesterday. Dur- Following the meeting, been taken in order to combat The Cabinet also gave memorandum of under- randum of understanding on ing the phone call, they reviewed Minister of Justice and Acting this pandemic. approval of a draft memo- standing on cooperation cooperation in the field of the bilateral relations between the Minister of State for Cabinet After that, the Council gave randum of understanding on between the Ministry of Jus- supervisory work between the two countries and prospects of Affairs H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al approval of the proposal of the cooperation in the field of social tice’s Legal and Judicial Studies State Audit Bureau in the State enhancing them, in addition to Jafali Al Nuaimi said that at the National Tourism Council to affairs between the govern- Centre in the State of Qatar and of Qatar and the Public Finance several issues of common con- beginning of the meeting, the participate in a number of ments of the State of Qatar and the Kuwait Institute for Judicial Court in the Kingdom of cern. -QNA Cabinet listened to the foreign exhibitions in 2021. the State of Kuwait, a draft and Legal Studies in the State Morocco. Amir sends written Qatar’s proactive message to approach to secure Qatar University launches Qatar Digital Project Bangladesh PM — DOHA vaccines effective THE PENINSULA ities into three-dimen- FROM PAGE 1 sional digital models. DHAKA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Qatar University’s (QU) College It is easy to use later bin Hamad Al Thani sent yester- “Never before has so much of Engineering (QU-CENG) to connect with engi- day a written message to Prime effort and resources have been announced the launch of the neering building mod- Minister of the People’s Republic put into the development of a Qatar Digital Project, with the elling systems or BIM. of Bangladesh H E Sheikh Hasina vaccine. This investment is now participation of specialists from This connection and Wazed, pertaining to bilateral rela- starting to pay off and we have Qatar and International experts conversion to 3D models tions and the means of supporting seen very promising early in two-dimensional surveying, is the first important step and developing them. The mes- results from two different using remote drones’ aerial towards the digital trans- sage was delivered by Ambassador vaccines. We eagerly await photography, for aerial surveying formation policy of the State of Qatar to Bangla- further results of the trials and at Qatar University. The project Qatar University officials and others during the launch of the Qatar Digital Project. pursued by the State of desh H E Ahmed bin Mohammed regulatory approval of the is sponsored by Dolphin Energy Qatar and reaching the Al Dehaimi, during a meeting with vaccines and there is good Limited. establishment of smart Minister of Foreign Affairs of the reason to be optimistic that the Dolphin Energy’s General Khaled Kamal Naji said, “The many future applications. cities where in the future People’s Republic of Bangla- COVID-19 vaccines on the Manager — Qatar, Hassan Al project comes to introduce the “The new model for Qatar it is necessary to raise the coun- desh H E Dr. Abul Kalam Abdul horizon can enable life to return Emadi, said, “We are delighted mechanisms of aerial surveying University will provide an” aug- try’s infrastructure into digital Momen. -QNA to normal sooner rather than to support this significant project. and to invest in modern technol- mented virtual reality “expe- models. This would facilitate the later,” said Dr. Al Khal. Investing in modern technologies ogies through the use of remote rience, which will be accessible process of linking these three- Amir congratulates One held for violating will not only be of great value to drones to capture high-quality to visitors to the Qatar University dimensional models with the university’s faculty, students, aerial images of Qatar University website, as they will be able to building and facility man- President of Latvia home quarantine rules and experts; it will also help for three-dimensional wander inside the university agement and maintenance provide a digital infrastructure surveying.” buildings and discover all the systems. DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin QNA — DOHA that will drive cultural change. “The project works to services provided by the uni- A group of engineers and Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir Digital transformation is now a provide a high-quality digital versity’, he added. technicians were trained at the H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad The authorities arrested strategic imperative, and we model for Qatar University in The project also supports College of Engineering to use Al Thani sent yesterday cables yesterday one person who hope that this initiative will three dimensions. This would obtaining real dimensions of the these modern technologies from of congratulations to H E Presi- violated the requirements of provide opportunities to practice facilitate the process of main- infrastructure with an accuracy several scientific departments. dent Egils Levits of the Republic the home quarantine. The enhanced technical innovation taining facilities within the uni- of 3-4cm, considered a high- The College of Engineering ini- of Latvia on the occasion of his arrested person being referred and efficiently implement versity, linking them with facil- quality figure in aerial surveying, tiative “Digital Qatar” or the dig- country’s Independence Day. Prime to the competent prosecution business solutions.” ities management systems, pro- noting that the results of the itization of Qatar is an important Minister and Minister of Interior has been identified as Mansour Also commenting, QU-CENG viding three-dimensional maps aerial surveying will be used to project for digital transformation H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Al Sayyed Abdulaziz Ismail. Dean and project supervisor for all faculty and students, and convert the photographed facil- at Qatar University. Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a cable of congratulations to Prime Min- ister H E Krisjanis Karins of the Republic of Latvia on the occa- Qatar Airways and sion of his country’s Independence Air Canada sign Day. -QNA Shura Council codeshare agreement committee THE PENINSULA — DOHA Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to elects rapporteur Qatar Airways has announced secure this strategic codeshare it has finalised a codeshare agreement with Air Canada to QNA — DOHA agreement with Air Canada provide our travellers with a applicable for travel between seamless journey to and from The Public Services and Utilities Doha and Toronto. Sales have Toronto with excel-lence in Committee of the Shura Council started with the first codeshare state-of-the-art and sus- held its first meeting yesterday flight to operate from tainable aircraft, safety, A view of the skyline of Toronto, Canada. in the 49th regular session of the December 15, 2020. comfort and onboard service. Council. The agreement reinforces The agreement will increase The Committee unani- Qatar Airways’ long-term com- choices for thousands of pas- The Agreement will enhance travel services A380s as it is not environmen- mously elected H E Mohammed mitment to Canadian pas- sengers and al-lows for smooth between Toronto and Doha from December tally justifiable to operate such bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi as its Rap- sengers, and to boosting Can- connectivity to a significant a large, four-engine aircraft in porteur during this session. ada’s global connectivity to number of new destinations – 15, 2020. Qatar Airways’ global passengers the current market. Qatar The Committee examined support the recovery of tourism partic-ularly throughout Africa, will now be able to enjoy seamless one stop Airways has also recently law No. 18 of 2020 amending and trade. Asia and the Middle East. By launched a new programme certain provisions of labour law Qatar Airways’ passengers harnessing our comple- connections to and from Toronto via Doha. that enables passengers to vol- No. 14 of 2004, and decided to can now enjoy seamless, one- mentary strengths, this untarily offset the carbon emis- complete its study at its next stop connections to and from agreement will also provide temporarily operating three throughout this crisis and per- sions associated with their meeting. Toronto via the Best Airport in benefits to aid the recovery of weekly services to Toronto in fectly positions it to lead the journey at the point of booking. the Middle East, Hamad Inter- international travel.” addition to charter flights to sustainable recovery of inter- By the end of the IATA national Airport. Air Canada Qatar Airways began flying Vancouver to help bring more national travel. The airline Winter Season, Qatar Airways Shura Council takes passengers will benefit from to Canada in June 2011 with than 40,000 passengers home recently took delivery of three plans to rebuild its network to part in meeting on being able to book travel on three weekly flights to Montreal to Canada. new state-of-the-art Airbus 126 destinations including 20 Qatar Air-ways’ flights that expanded to four weekly in Qatar Airways’ strategic A350-1000 aircraft, increasing in Africa, 11 in the Americas, 42 political participation between Toronto and Doha December 2018. The airline has investment in a variety of fuel- its total A350 fleet to 52 with in Asia-Pacific, 38 in Europe and onwards to more than 75 worked closely with the Gov- efficient, twin-engine air-craft, an average age of just 2.6 years. and 15 in the Middle East. Many QNA — DOHA destinations in Africa, Asia and ernment of Canada and its including the largest fleet of Due to COVID-19’s impact cities will be served with a the Middle East. embassies around the world Airbus A350 aircraft, has on travel demand, the airline strong schedule with daily or The Shura Council took part Qatar Airways Group Chief throughout the pandemic, enabled it to continue flying has grounded its fleet of Airbus more frequencies. yesterday in an interactive online parliamentary event on young women’s political partic- ipation and leadership, Ajyal Film Festival opens with celebration of resilience, perseverance co-organised by the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) and THE PENINSULA — DOHA perspective as Arabs and as the Office of the United Nations modern-day storytellers. Now Secretary Generals Envoy on The first-ever hybrid edition of it’s your turn to shine, as cre- Youth (OSGEY). the 8th Ajyal Film Festival, ative role models for the gen- The meeting focused on presented by the Doha Film erations of the future.” the challenges faced by young Institute (DFI) from November Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, women in engaging in political 18- 23, opened with a glam- Festival Director and Chief leadership and enhancing the orous red carpet event at Katara Executive Officer of the Doha participation of young women Cultural Village last night. Film Institute, said: “In previous in political decision-making. In line with government years, the size of our audiences The Shura Council was repre- guidelines and with the health were limited to the number of sented at the meeting by H E of all Ajyal participants as the seats available; Ajyal 2020’s Reem bint Mohammed Al top priority, the six-day event new hybrid format breaks these Mansouri, member of the will be delivered with a mix of limitations and enables audi- Council. virtual and in-person ences from around the globe to elements. join in cinematic celebration of On occasion of the festival culture and creative expression Ghana Minister meets opening, H E Sheikha Al from wherever they are. I want Qatar’s Ambassador Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa to thank all our local and inter- Al Thani, Chairperson of the national participants for their QNA — ACCRA Doha Film Institute, addressed support and trust in the unwa- the youth: “Ajyal 2020 offers a vering spirit of Ajyal.” Minister of Foreign Affairs and unique opportunity for you to This year, the Festival will Regional Integration of the connect with peers around the showcase a diverse programme Republic of Ghana H E Shirley world who share your passion of 22 features and 58 shorts, Ayorkor Botchway met with for learning and discovery including 31 from the Arab Ambassador of the State of through cinema. Our culture’s World and 30 by women Qatar to Ghana H E Mohammed rich history of literature, art, directors. The festival con- Fatma Hassan Alremaihi (right), Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, bin Ahmed Al Humaid. The music and performance serves tinues to amplify powerful with guests on the red carpet during yesterday’s opening ceremony of the 8th Ajyal Film Festival at meeting reviewed the bilateral to preserve our past and voices and rouse all generations Katara Cultural Village. In its first-ever hybrid edition, the festival opened with the film Sun Children cooperation and issues of informs our unique identity and through cinema. by acclaimed director Majid Majidi. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA mutual concern. 04 HOME THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 QU organises conference on COVID-19 impact on education

QNA — DOHA pre-university education. He explained that monitoring Qatar University’s National and tracking the educational Center For Educational Devel- reality in light of the coronavirus opment (NCED) held an inter- crisis allows for making possible national virtual conference deliberate changes to the cur- entitled “COVID-19: A Game ricula of the educational institu- Changer in Education: Recon- tions and the methods of necting Virtually”, with the learning, noting that there are participation of 3,500 experts, international, Arab and local educators and those interested education systems or institutions in educational issues from Qatar that have succeeded in absorbing and abroad. the shock of the pandemic and The conference discussed quickly restoring balance to their the effects of the coronavirus educational system. pandemic on the educational Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham, For his part, Director of the process at the local, Arab and President, Qatar University National Center For Educational international levels, and laid out Development Dr. Abdullah Abu- some practical solutions to the Tineh said that the conference The delivery of the aid was attended by the representative of the Salvadoran Red Cross Society, Dr. problems associated with those forums give the opportunity for included nine virtual rooms dis- José Benjamin Ruiz Rodas, and the Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to effects by researchers, practi- educators to clearly identify the cussed 75 research papers on the tioners and science students in situation at their educational educational policies in light of the the Republic of El Salvador, Tariq Othman Al Othman. their postgraduate studies. institutions and with their stu- COVID-19, parent participation, The conference also high- dents, in addition to the chal- blended learning and distance lighted topics related to lenges they are facing the ways learning, special needs learning, Embassy of Qatar delivers financial aid teachers, students, parents and to overcoming them, in e-learning challenges, various all those interested in educa- accordance with best practices strategies in evaluating distance to Salvadoran Red Cross Society tional issues in accordance with and research-supported learning students, teaching strat- the conferences multiple core applications. egies and classroom man- themes. Dr. Al Derham noted that the agement, as well as the practices, QNA — SAN SALVADOR storms that hit the country. public authorities in alleviating Educational issues were quality of conferences and prospects and professional The delivery of the aid was human suffering and protecting raised with a number of deci- forums in this exceptional cir- development in light of the The Embassy of the State of attended by the representative the lives and health of people. sionmakers and educational cumstance is being judged by the COVID-19. Qatar in El Salvador delivered of the Salvadoran Red Cross The Acting Charge d’Affaires policymakers as well as various practical solutions they offer and The conference also included financial aid from the Qatar Red Society Dr. José Benjamin Ruiz Tariq Othman Al Othman educational experiences during the possible practices for edu- seven other virtual rooms that Crescent Society (QRCS) to the Rodas and the Acting Charge renewed the commitment of the the time of the pandemic in the cators, far from theories or inap- included 14 workshops in themes Salvadoran Red Cross Society d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to continue sup- United States, Europe and the plicable recommendations. dealt with teaching strategies for (IFRC) in El Salvador. State of Qatar to the Republic of porting El Salvador in con- Arab world. He underlined the impor- mathematics teachers, classroom The aid is intended for pur- El Salvador Tariq Othman Al fronting coronavirus, pointing In a speech on the occasion, tance of this conference as it interaction, interactive educa- chasing personal protective Othman. out the importance of joint President of Qatar University Dr. allocated an important space to tional applications, student par- equipment for medical workers, Dr. José Benjamn expressed action and cooperation between Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham monitor, study and analyse the ticipation in online learning, medical equipment for Salva- gratitude to the State of Qatar countries in order to address this noted the consequences of the reality of the response of edu- blended evaluation and remote doran Red Cross volunteers, and for this generous donation, global crisis. He also praised the coronavirus pandemic on the cational policymakers and evaluation, achievement files food supplies for families which will enable the Salva- heroic role and efforts made by educational field at the global decision-makers to the effects and electronic tests, and various affected by the coronavirus pan- doran Red Cross Society to con- the Salvadoran Red Cross level. of the pandemic on the educa- strategies in evaluating distance demic (COVID-19) and tropical tinue its role in assisting the Society during the crisis. He said that such educational tional systems in university and learning students. NHRC attends conference on human rights in Eurasia

QNA — DOHA 4th International Conference for Vice-Chairman of NHRC, H E Dr. Mohammed most vulnerable groups such as the Protection of Human Rights in low-wage workers, domestic Vice-Chairman of the National Eurasia, held in Moscow via video bin Saif Al Kuwari, stressed that the workers and detainees, to ensure Human Rights Committee conference technology, under the committee monitors the human rights the right to health for everyone (NHRC), H E Dr. Mohammed bin slogan: “Exchange of Best Practices situation during challenges in the without discrimination, as well Saif Al Kuwari, confirmed that the by Ombudsmen.” as ensuring the promotion of the nature of the crisis imposed by the He explained that one of the circumstances of the coronavirus crisis, and right of access to information. coronavirus (COVID-19) lessons learned from the coro- makes recommendations to the competent At the same time, he pandemic prompted the navirus pandemic is the devel- renewed that the NHRC took committee to speed up its admin- opment of electronic mecha- authorities, noting that it also continues many measures to continue its istrative procedures and be more nisms for submitting complaints to follow all developments related to the role as a non-judicial mech- sensitive to the needs of and documents by com- anism for receiving grievances complainants and petitions. plainants, improving response humanitarian effects of this pandemic. during the current health crisis, He pointed out that despite mechanisms and time limits for in addition to its endeavour to the cancellation of meetings and looking into complaints and communicate with govern- face-to-face interviews, in finding solutions, as well as Vice-chairman of NHRC H E Dr. Committee (NHRC) noted that the situation during challenges in the mental and non-governmental accordance with the procedures informing complainants of Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari Committee is currently working circumstances of the coronavirus agencies to face challenges and followed to limit the spread of the developments and requirements to improve the work of these (COVID-19) crisis, and makes rec- assist petitioners. virus, the NHRC has continued for resolving them. representatives of communities, offices by enhancing interaction ommendations to the competent In conclusion of his speech, to work to reassure the peti- He said that one of the have proven their effectiveness with representatives of the com- authorities, noting that it also con- he thanked organisers for the tioners that they will obtain pos- lessons learned during this pan- in reaching vulnerable groups, munities, providing more tinues to follow all developments invitation to share the experience itive results by resorting to it. demic is to know the extent of and have shown a great deal of capacity-building and training related to the humanitarian of the NHRC in the conference, This came during His Excel- the importance of having offices credibility with regard to the services, and establishing new effects of this pandemic, as he pointing out the importance of lis- lency speech when sharing the for communities in the head- information provided to the mechanisms for the offices to said in this context, that NHRC tening to the experiences of other experience of the NHRC in the field quarters of the NHRC. He committee, work more effectively. have taken into consideration institutions in order to enrich and of protecting human rights during pointed out that these offices, Vice-chairman of the He also stressed that the com- many of the main concerns, strengthen experiences to protect the coronavirus pandemic, at the staffed by volunteers from National Human Rights mittee monitors the human rights including the protection of the human rights. iPhone 12 Series available from midnight today

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Customers who opted to receive their unrivalled new camera systems, a iPhone 12 via home delivery can expect ceramic shield front cover, and edge-to- Ooredoo has announced that after selling their new device to be delivered to their edge Super Retina XDR displays for an thousands of the new iPhone 12 Series doorstep and all current social distancing immersive visual experience. devices via its pre-order services, the and safety measures in place – starting Director PR at Ooredoo Sabah Rabiah coveted new smartphones will be at 8 am tomorrow. Al Kuwari said, “As always, we’ve seen delivered or made available for collection Customers who chose to collect their a huge amount of excitement sur- as arranged from midnight today. new iPhone 12 from an Ooredoo shop rounding the launch of the latest iPhone, Customers who selected collection can pick up their new smartphone at and we’re delighted to once again be at as their preferred method to receive their their selected shop tomorrow, starting the centre of it. We know being able to new iPhone 12 will be able to collect their at 1pm. access the latest, most covetable devices device from midnight tonight until 3am Alongside 5G capability, the iPhone and technology is a huge priority for our tomorrow at Khalifa Stadium, with all 12 Series boasts the Apple-designed A14 customers, and we’re proud to be once current social distancing and safety Bionic chip — billed as the fastest chip in again able to deliver what they want for measures strictly in place. a smartphone — and a sleek new design, complete customer satisfaction.” 219 new virus cases, 256 recoveries : MoPH

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Also 256 people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) number of recovered cases in Qatar to yesterday announced the registration 133,473. of 219 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. All new cases have been introduced According to the Ministry, among them to isolation and are receiving necessary 47 were travellers returning from healthcare according to their health abroad. status.

146 referred to prosecution for not wearing masks

QNA — DOHA are members of one family. The measure is in line with the The designated authorities cabinet decision, decree law no. 17 announced that 146 people were of 1990 on infectious diseases and referred to the Public Prosecution the precautionary measures in force for not wearing masks in places in the country to contain the spread where they are mandatory. of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Ten others were also referred to The designated authorities the Public Prosecution for violating called on the public to adhere to the the maximum number of four precautionary measures in place to people in a vehicle, including the ensure their safety and the safety driver, except for cases when they of others. THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 HOME 05 Ooredoo announces Artists play prominent role in fight for winners of first 5G racial equality, Doha Debates hears

THE PENINSULA — DOHA conversation was very narrow Virtual Hackathon to the Black and white races, and As artists around the world use no one was actually discussing THE PENINSULA — DOHA their talent to support the global other forms of racism,” she said. call for racial equality, the third According to the artist, this Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading 5G episode of #DearWorldLive — includes colourism — a form of pioneer, has announced the hosted by Doha Debates, a prejudice or discrimination in conclusion of the first Ooredoo production of Qatar Foundation which people who are usually 5G Virtual Hackathon, with — explored how creativity and members of the same race are four winning teams selected to artistic expression are powerful treated differently based on the progress their innovations. tools for change. shades of their skin or features. An impressive 46 teams The episode featured a con- Assis and Satir acknowledged entered the Hackathon out of versation between Brazilian the prevalence of colorism as a 150+ applications, ready and award-winning filmmaker and Artists at the third episode of #DearWorldLive, hosted by Doha Debates. prominent form of racism in their eager to innovate for a 5G future, illustrator Leandro Assis; Enas respective communities. Assis and judges were presented with Satir, a Toronto-based Sudanese Brazilians. Assis’ series — called Bolsonaro, [who] are white, rich explained: “When you look at some incredible ideas. artist whose art revolves around Confinada, meaning ‘confined’ — people from Rio de Janeiro and Enas’ work, it is beautiful and Four teams were selected issues of race and African shows the starkly divergent real- São Paulo and big cities. I wanted unique — but when you pay as winners. In the Smart X cat- identity; and Aya Adil Elbaz, a ities that Brazil’s rich and poor face to talk about things white people attention you see that it is similar egory, edinemenu — a solution We’re delighted to Sudanese writer and a student at during the pandemic. do, but they don’t normally talk to what I know, because there is for the dining industry that announce the winners of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Speaking from Brazil, Assis told about it in public. something common. Unfortu- enables digitalisation and com- our first-ever 5G Virtual Khalifa University, where she is #DearWorldLive: “I decided to “I knew I needed to nately, it’s racism.” pliance automation via on- completing her Master’s degree make a comic strip to criticise the humanize Black people because The show also focused on the demand ordering — won the Hackathon. A great deal in Islamic finance. government and Jair Bolsonaro, the that is what racists don’t do. They tokenization of Black artists, top spot. Qimbia triumphed in of preparation went into Host Nelufar Hedayat began main leader of the far-right dehumanize Black people.” described by Satir as “when the Sports Tech category with the event, and we’re the conversation with questions for movement in Brazil. At first it was Satir, who has lived in Sudan, people don’t show support for the their social platform connecting proud to see it was such Assis, who this year created a new a humour comic, but then I realized Bahrain, and now Canada, spoke Black artist because the artist is sports enthusiasts with venue comic series that criticizes the dis- I was missing something. about a similar theme in both important,” but because they want operators across Qatar, while a success. proportionate toll of the COVID-19 “I wanted to talk about the artists’ work: the Black maid. “A to make it seem like they are con- Eventy, a venue booking portal pandemic on poor and Black kind of people who helped elect few months ago, I felt the cerned about representation. for social and corporate Sheikh Mohammed bin engagements, headed the Abdulla Al Thani Media and Entertainment cat- CEO of Ooredoo Qatar egory. Online education HMC experts warn against incorrect use of antibiotics platform Educarso, designed for hearing-impaired learners, I look forward to seeing THE PENINSULA — DOHA known as antibiotic or antimi- strong steps now, both here in topped the EduTech category. these exciting innovations as crobial resistance and is Qatar and internationally,” said CEO of Ooredoo Qatar they develop.” To mark World Antimicrobial becoming one of the biggest Dr. Al Maslamani. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla The four lucky teams will Awareness Week from threats to global health according According to Senior Con- Al Thani said, “We’re delighted receive pre-seed investment of November 18 to 24, experts at to the World Health Organization sultant in Infectious Diseases and to announce the winners of our up to QR25,000 to develop a Hamad Medical Corporation (WHO). Incorrect use of antibi- Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead first-ever 5G Virtual Hackathon. Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (HMC) are advising the public otics, especially overuse, is at HMC, Dr. Hisham Ziglam, most A great deal of preparation went and run a validation sprint. that incorrect use, especially making it harder to treat many illnesses are caused by two kinds into the event, and we’re proud They will also be integrated overuse, of antibiotics is making infections such as pneumonia, of germs, bacteria, or viruses. to see it was such a success. into the Lean Start-up Pro- a growing number of infections tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and sal- “Antibiotics can cure bac- Innovation is at the heart of our gramme (LSP 14) to further val- harder to treat. monellosis, as the antibiotics are terial infections only — they corporate strategy as we move idate and develop their MVP The problem of antimicrobial becoming less effective,” added cannot cure viral infections. Bac- towards complete digitalisation and pitch at the Final Demo or antibiotic resistance has been or prevent infections. They are Dr. Al Maslamani. teria are the cause of issues such — in line with Qatar National Day in December 2020. recognised worldwide as one of an essential part of many “In recent years antibiotic as sore throat, some types of Vision 2030. To welcome so Finally, the winning teams the greatest threats to human patients’ treatment plans as they resistance has risen to danger- pneumonia, and sinus infections, many keen young entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity health, animal health, food work by stopping the growth of ously high levels in all parts of the while viral infections include with such innovative ideas was to be incubated by Ooredoo’s security, and development. It has bacteria that may be causing a world, and Qatar is no different. common colds, most coughs, and immensely encouraging. I want Digital & Beyond Incubator, been estimated that 10 million problem in the body,” said Every day, our clinicians are wit- the flu. It is vitally important that to extend my sincere gratitude gain access to additional people per year will die by 2050 Medical Director of HMC’s Com- nessing the damaging effects of the public understand that using to our Academia and Business funding and in-kind support of due to infections caused by anti- municable Disease Center, Dr. antibiotic resistance which antibiotics for a viral infection Ecosystems partners for their up to QR 250,000, and get the biotic-resistant bacteria unless Muna Al Maslamani (pictured). threaten our ability to treat will not cure the infection, help invaluable support, without opportunity to fast-track to action is taken. “However, when antibiotics common infectious diseases and you feel better, or prevent others whom the Hackathon would not piloting of their MVP with “Antibiotics are powerful are used incorrectly, they can as we continue to battle from catching your illness,” said have been possible. Ooredoo ecosystem partners. medicines that are used to treat become less effective. This is COVID-19, it is important to take Dr. Ziglam. HIA introduces new baggage screening system

FROM PAGE 1 HIA screening belt. checkpoint, further These new generation enhancing security X-Ray machines will also be and safety. partnered with fully automated Screening operators tray return systems integrated will be also sup- with automated UV-C emitting ported with the modules that will automatically newest techno- disinfect the trays before pas- logical devel- sengers handle them to further opment of AI-based safeguard the health and safety threat object of all HIA passengers. detection software As a result of an extensive called iCMORE that evaluation programme, HIA provides aid by also selected new passenger detecting sharp screening technology to replace HIA, in partnership with objects or other possibly dan- the previous generation. A non- Smiths Detection, also intends gerous items. invasive, contactless screening to remove screening operators With passenger-centricity method will be provided by the from the new lanes to provide at the heart of its digital trans- deployment of Rohde & more efficient handling of formation, Hamad Interna- Schwarz Millimeter-wave body images and to allow the tional Airport has optimised scanners and CEIA shoe screeners to sit in a more various airport operations with scanners, reducing the need for suitable environment to smart solutions to cope with the pat-down search and shoe interpret images without the disruptions caused by removal. distractions of a busy COVID-19.

Sport playing vital role in return Precautions still vital to normalcy: Al Thawadi despite vaccine gains: FROM PAGE 1 Dr. Fauci at WISH “With over 18,000 workers mobilised on our infra- FROM PAGE 1 structure sites at the onset of the pandemic, we acted promptly to minimise risk of infection and ensure their For most people, COVID-19 is a brief safety, in line with our government’s public health pro- and mild disease but some are left strug- tocols,” he said. gling with symptoms including lasting “The proactive strategy we employed enabled us to fatigue, persistent pain and breathlessness manage the spread of COVID-19 on our projects for up for months, and it’s known as ‘long to six weeks until the first case was reported. Under the COVID’. guidance and approval of the local health authorities, About ‘long COVID’, Dr. Fauci said, we introduced our own 1,000-bed capacity isolation “We’re starting to see emerging infor- facility to ensure the monitoring and maintenance of mation. That’s why we need to take this strict quarantine protocol to minimise the spread of disease with a degree of humility and infection among the rest of the workforce,” he added. commit to preventing infection, through According to Al Thawadi, the isolation facility was universal wearing of masks, avoiding closed in mid-August due to the significant drop in cases crowds, distance, washing hands, and and continues to review the situation on a daily basis, doing everything we can to get a vaccine.” following local guidelines to protect the health and safety During the conversation, Dr. Fauci of all workers. acknowledged the deep impact of “180,000 residents including our SC workforce were COVID-19 on minorities in the US, espe- given access to an app focused on COVID-19 awareness cially African-Americans, a result of social and we initiated a mental health awareness campaign determinants of health. in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Dr. Fauci, who is also a physician and Hamad Medical Corporation.” immunologist, shared why he continues Following the keynote speech, a panel on Health to see patients. “If you ask me what my Challenges of Major Sporting Events was led by Abby underlying identity is that always grounds Hoffman. He is currently a Senior Executive in the Min- me in the reality of what we need to do istry of Health, Canada, and a World Athletics Exec- and gives me insight into the kind of utive Board Member. He discussed legacy planning to emphasis we need, it’s my identity as a capture lasting health and public health benefits. The physician. It really helps me to under- panellists discussed a new research report that will act stand disease pathogenesis, but also to as a point of reference in preparation for the FIFA World understand the impact that has on them Cup Qatar 2022. and it inspires me,” he said. DOHA TODAY

06 THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 Doha a living, breathing canvas RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

With its massive collection of public art pieces, Doha is a living and breathing canvas - a cosmopolitan city exploding with stunning colours and unique art forms, many of which were fashioned by inter- nationally renowned artists. The city’s art scene pulsates with life as artworks can be found everywhere. Walking along Doha Mural by Corniche, one can encounter the Dimitrije highly complex stainless steel cal- Bugarski at ligraphic sculpture by Sabah Arbilli, Doha Fire see César Baldaccini’s monumental Station. thumb sculpture while visiting Souq Waqif, have a look at Guillaume Rousere’s sculpture “Allow Me” while stopping by Msheireb Metro Station, or view eL Seed’s colourful calligraffiti works while passing by the Salwa tunnel. No visitor, who has been in the country, has returned to his hometown unimpressed by Qatar’s Indian artist Subodh ever thriving art scene. With Qatar Gupta’s Gandhi’s Three Museums’ recent announcement Monkeys. PICS: RAYNALD of over a dozen artists creating art C RIVERA/THE PENINSULA pieces in different locations this month through its Jedariart initi- ative, Qatar’s public art scene is Small Lie by American artist KAWS, Challenge, Argentinean street artist Mubarak Al Malik, Huda Basahal, sure to get a further boost. and Oryx sculptures by Dutch artist Martin Ron’s 11-metre tall mural Noura Al Mansoori, Dimitrije With COVID-19, public art has Tom Claassen. Among other inter- Oryx Goes Forward, Italian artist Bugarski, Nada Khozestani, Sharefa never been a more important national artists whose works are Lorenzo Quinn’s sculpture The Al Mannai, Thamer Al Dossari, element of art landscape, assuming displayed at HIA are Tom Otterness, Force of Nature, and Indian artist Muna Al Bader, Fatima Al Shar- a significant role in sparking debate Adel Abdessemed, Maurizio Cat- Subodh Gupta’s Gandhi’s Three shani, Michael Perrone, Maryam Al and provoking critical thinking telan, Don Gummer, Keith Haring, Monkeys. Maadhadi, Shuaa Al Kuwari, beyond the walls of art galleries. Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer, Marc All of the museums in Qatar Abdulaziz Yousef, Abdulla Al While museums and galleries Quinn, Anselm Reyle, Rudolf never run short of important public Emadi, Alanoud Al Ghamdi, Haifa have already opened their doors Stingel, and Bill Viola. art pieces such as 7 by Richard Al Khuzaei and Aisha Al Fadhala. with safety precautions, public art Local and regional artists whose Serra at the Museum of Islamic Art In a press statement, Qatar presents a good alternative to works are installed at the airport Park, ALFA by Jean-Michel Othoniel Museums said the artworks will encounter and appreciate art in an include Ali Hassan, Ahmed Al and Flag of Glory by Ahmed Al provide a tangible sense of space informal and interactive way. Bahrani, Dia Azzawi, Mohammed Bahrani at the National Museum of for the community, and by serving Home to a galaxy of public art Aljaida, Mubarak Al Malik, Amal Al Qatar, and The Guardian of the as a new touristic attraction, pieces, Doha offers a window into Aathem, and Yousif Ahmed. Fertile Crescent by Ismail Fattah at increase foot traffic through a great variety of artworks starting In many parts of the world, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern neighbourhoods. from Hamad International Airport many art pieces have been born out Art. By organising a number of com- (HIA) - a preview of what the of events of historical significance. Venues hosting big interna- petitions and open calls, Qatar country can offer in the field of art At Doha Fire Station, powerful and tional events such as the Qatar Museums turns developing the and culture. The airport inspires visually striking murals marking National Convention Center and country’s art scene active and par- travelers from miles and cultures 100 days of the blockade never fail Doha Exhibition and Convention ticipatory involving both local and Ultra-modern operating away with a wide range of public to catch the attention of visitors. Center as well as several plush international artists. art pieces by local, regional and The works which adorn the exterior hotels also have their own art Sculptures and installations can theaters international artists. walls of the home of Artists in Res- installations on display. also be found in several parks Perhaps the most conspicuous idence were created by Mubarak And there are more to come around the country. Public art is and famous public art piece in HIA Al Malik, Ali Al Kuwari, Dimitrije with Qatar Museums’ latest public one of the important components is the Lamp Bear by Swiss artist Urs Bugarski, Thamer Mesfer, and Assil art initiative in which 17 artists will of the large-scale second and third Fischer. Virtually every visitor to Diab. leave their mark at several loca- packages of Doha Central Devel- Qatar couldn’t help but take a photo Another institution which plays tions in Qatar including Al-Abraj opment and Beautification Projects with the 23ft canary yellow teddy an important role in the country’s Park, Al-Asmakh area, Doha Fes- as recently announced by Ashghal. bear to have something happy to cultural scene, the Cultural Village tival City Interchange, Alkhor Inter- Despite the challenges posed by remember of their Doha visit. Foundation (Katara) teems with change, Post Office Park, 5/6 Park, he pandemic, massive development Other works by prominent murals and sculptures by local and 5/6 Flyover, Qatar National Library in Doha’s art landscape is unde- international artists that can be international artists such as the late Metro Station and the Woqod Petrol niably apparent and its vibrancy seen at the airport are Cosmos by Qatari artist Yousef Al Sada’s one- Station in Fereej Kulaib. can be seen in the growing presence French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, million-piece mosaic called The participating artists include of public art. State-of-the-art ambulance Winner of first SundanceTV Shorts Competition Mena announced fleet

THE PENINSULA - DOHA As You Can See zooms in on the grooves, submissions came from Qatar, Tunisia, cuts and lines engraved on a woman’s hand, Morocco, Lebanon and Egypt, filmmakers from Organisers announced As You Can See, the short which tell the story of how she raised her five Yemen, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq film by Egypt-based filmmaker Ghada Fikri, has children, mostly on her own as seen through also shared their unique stories and won the Jury prize for the first Middle East and her daughter’s eyes. perspectives. North Africa edition of the SundanceTV Shorts The runners up of the competition are The “The diversity and quality of the stories Competition, held in partnership with beIN Red Mountain by Kamel Harb, Huit Ans – 8 shared has been inspiring, and we are humbled Media Group and the Doha Film Institute. The Years by Ziad Mazraany and How My Grand- that this competition has attracted so many dis- prize was awarded based on creativity, enter- mother Became a Chair by Nicolas Fattouh, all tinct narratives from every corner of the MENA tainment value, original storytelling and from Lebanon. A fifth film, Beit Byoot by Pal- region,” said Harold Gronenthal, lead juror and production value. estinian filmmaker Mayar Hamdan, has been EVP, Programming and Marketing for AMC Net- The winner will participate in an exclusive awarded an honorable mention. The five short works International, broadcaster of SundanceTV masterclass with Golden Globe winner and films will be screened at Ajyal Film Festival in outside of North America. “The talent we have Highly-advanced patient Academy Award and Primetime Emmy Award Doha, between November18 and 23. The films seen and the boldness of the storytelling is information systems nominee Uma Thurman, who was part of the will also be shown exclusively on SundanceTV impressive, and selecting a winner has not been jury panel alongside Palestinian filmmaker and on beIN MEDIA GROUP’s channel 75 in MENA. an easy task for the jury. We look forward to poet Annemarie Jacir, Qatari-American writer beIN MEDIA GROUP is a global sports and amplifying these voices through the platforms and artist Sophia Al-Maria and television entertainment broadcaster and the official of Ajyal and SundanceTV.” industry veteran, Harold Gronenthal, who is partner for SundanceTV’s first-ever Shorts The MENA edition of the competition was Executive Vice President, Programming and competition in MENA. held following successful runs in Europe and Marketing for AMC Networks International, The SundanceTV Shorts competition South Africa, providing a platform for inde- broadcaster of SundanceTV outside of North attracted 371 submissions from around the pendent storytellers and emerging talent in the America. region. While the largest number of region to share their stories. BPS Kindergarten celebrates Children’s Day and Diwali

THE PENINSULA - DOHA entertaining animation videos on A BPS Close on the heels of Children’s the life of Jawaharlal Nehru and Kindergarten Cutting-edge treatments for Day along with the Diwali cele- how Diwali is celebrated. Stu- student bration on November 12, the dents expressed their excitement celebrating cancer Kindergarten section at Birla as it was entertainment on the Diwali. Public School (BPS) organised a whole for them. special assembly with gaiety and Each class celebrated the At Hamad Medical Corporation we fervor on virtual platform. event with extreme gusto filled are utilizing advanced technology and This day which is also the with music, dance, colouring birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal activity, and some sweets to innovative systems to deliver the highest Nehru, the first prime minister of munch on. Students were elated quality care to Qatar’s population. India, is celebrated as a tribute to to see one of their peers dressed him. He was known for his as Chacha Nehru and gave a relentless effort to increase speech. A BPS awareness of the rights, care, and It was a wonderful, col- www.hamad.qa Kindergarten education of children. ourful, and expressive day student It was a fun-filled day for the where smiling faces and joyful donning students. The teachers made the songs filled the air. Thus, the traditional day special, as they had a lot of whole day turned to be a day for attire. fun-filled activities and videos enjoyment and enlightenment lined for them. as there is no garden as beau- The students enjoyed the tiful as childhood. THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 DOHA TODAY 07 NU-Q students produce two podcasts on Qatar THE PENINSULA – DOHA communicate it much more broadly…much faster,” Kraidy Students at Northwestern said, emphasizing that this University in Qatar, a Qatar does not mean that technology Foundation partner, have is changing everything and created a podcast, Qandid that we should be wary of Qatar, which features inter- exaggerating its impact. “We views with leaders and are humans; we will absorb opinion-makers in Qatar. new technology, we will bend Qandid Qatar is one of the it to our needs, so you have to two podcasts developed by of fake news, including the start with people.” students in Professor Spencer Qandid Qatar offers emergence of fictional person- The student team behind Striker’s class, Digital Podcast “in-depth conversations alities during the Arab Spring the Qandid Qatar episode with Production. Striker says that with Qatar-based VIPs/ and “an entire cottage Kraidy include Natasha Das, the class is “a hands-on, expe- local celebrities”, while industry” in the U.S. dedicated Hind Abuaker, and Thani Al riential learning practicum, in The recent Qandid Qatar episode was an interview with Northwestern Qatar in Quotes, the to promoting the idea that Thani as hosts; Samson Mbogo which students form an inter- University in Qatar’s Dean, Marwan M Kraidy. school shootings are not real. as producer; Ayah Moham- disciplinary team—a kind of second podcast, focuses on Kraidy said that communi- edain as sound designer, student-run podcast studio— hosting, crewing, and pro- transition to academia, “ordinary people with cation students must be well- recordist, and editor; Arya consisting of such focus areas ducing individual episodes and describing his interdisciplinary extraordinary stories”. versed in the liberal arts – in Mainali as project manager; as audio post-production, art, have created and uploaded background at the nexus of courses such as anthropology, and Ahmed Jassim and Thani social media promotion, web several interviews– including research, media, and literature, and political science Al Thani, who were respon- design, and project the stories of a Kenyan politics. – to “tune your mind to detect sible for the artwork. management.” security guard in Education On his research interests understand the social and when something is wrong – to By the end of the semester, Striker noted that Qandid City who developed a career in media, politics, and culture, political tensions that exist in understand somebody is trying Striker said, both podcasts Qatar offers “in-depth conver- in art since coming to Doha, Kraidy said, “half-jokingly,” society.” to sell you a lie.” “will have about a dozen, sations with Qatar-based VIPs/ and the entrepreneurial that what he specializes in is During the episode, Kraidy Kraidy also highlighted high-quality episodes pro- local celebrities,” while Qatar journey of Khalifa Saleh Al “scandal,” explaining that was also asked about the Northwestern Qatar’s unique duced per podcast published in Quotes, the second podcast, Haroon, founder, and CEO of what drives his work are ques- importance of communication position as “an embedded to Apple Podcasts, Google focuses on “ordinary people the I Love Qatar Network. tions such as: “why does an skills in the twenty-first institution” – in the U.S., in Podcasts, Spotify, and with extraordinary stories,” The most recent Qandid issue become controversial in century. He replied that while Qatar, in the Gulf, and in the YouTube.” The class has also following the example set by Qatar episode was an society?” and “how does the the field is very relevant today, Arab world – and the oppor- created a new website, Qatar- the popular online photoblog interview with Northwestern controversy evolve?” “the problem now is not tunities that came with that Podcasts.com, which, Striker Humans of New York in pre- Qatar’s dean, Marwan M. Referring to his 2009 book, getting access to information and warned against exagger- added, “will serve as a senting “an authentic portrait Kraidy. In the interview, Reality Television, and Arab but figuring out what kind of ating the changes brought by platform through which we of the voices of the city.” Kraidy reflected on his begin- Politics, he said that “a con- information is actually the digital revolution. can develop new podcast In both projects, students nings in media production in troversy is never just a con- information.” “The digital means let us series with different share the responsibilities of Lebanon and chronicled his troversy” but rather “a map to Citing dangerous incidents express knowledge and concepts.” Winners of ISC ‘Under Arm Ball VCUarts Qatar announces third and Pass Challenge’ announced fourth Eco Lux Lab workshops

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) will be conducting the third and fourth workshops in the university’s Eco Luxury Labo- ratory (Eco Lux Lab) series, which focuses on sustainable Volleyball winner Anusree Runner-up Archana fashion. – DOHA The third online Eco Lux THE PENINSULA where all the candidates com- Lab session – titled ‘Fashion peted. Capt. Atla Mohan, Defense Illustration’ – will be held today Indian Sports Centre (ISC), under Attache at Embassy of India, and and presented by Richard the patronage of the Embassy of Coordinating Officer ISC inaugu- Haines, a renowned fashion India, launched the Year of Sports rated the competition. illustrator based in Brooklyn. campaign last month. Hassan Chougule, President The fourth workshop would be In the past month, several Indian Sports Centre, announced held on December 3, and artist attractive virtual tournaments and the Winners and Runners. Helen Kirkum would fashion Richard Haines free online yoga and zumba ses- Anusree from Bengaluru won the sneakers out of recycled sions were conducted to promote challenge and received a gift material from her London magazine recently reintro- career. the Fashion Design sports activities and a healthy life- voucher worth $100, whereas studio. duced fashion illustration in The fourth workshop – department at VCUarts Qatar style among the Qatar Archana from Palakkad was the Both workshops are open its publications, for the first titled ‘Recycled Sneakers’ – – a Qatar Foundation partner community. runner-up and received a gift to industry practitioners and time since it started using features Kirkum, an artist and university – in response to the As part of the ‘Year of Sports’ voucher worth $50. members of the public keen photographs in the early 20th designer who has worked with growing realization that programme ‘Under Arm Ball Pass Sharaf P Hameed, Vice Pres- to hone their know-how of century. adidas, Reebok, Timberland, current and future generations Challenge’ was conducted ident (Corporate and Gov- sustainable practices in the Haines – an alumnus of and Nike. She caught the eye of designers need to be taught recently. An online open compe- ernment Relations and Spon- fashion industry. VCUarts, Richmond – is one of of artists and the public alike the importance of sustainable tition was held for volleyball in sorship), applauded the In response to the huge the top fashion illustrators for her work involving dis- fashion. which a total of 38 participants winners and participants and carbon footprint produced by internationally and has collab- carded and recycled sneakers; The workshops aim to from Qatar, Kuwait, and India spoke about the significance of fashion photoshoots, leading orated with J Crewe, Prada, through her craftsmanship, make participants aware that registered for the event. Partici- sports and fitness in daily life. names in fashion have con- Calvin Klein. In the third she emphasizes the possibil- luxury can be sustainable and pants had sent video entries in the Manoj Kumar, Mohamed Najeeb, sciously shifted to more sus- workshop, participants will pay ities of creating couture-level beautiful without sacrificing the qualification round, where 20 eli- and Ashik Mahe were the judges. tainable operational proc- a virtual visit to his Brooklyn accessories from discarded former for the latter. Both gible entries were shortlisted for Nisha Agarwal, Srinivasan, Safeer esses, one of them being studios to have a closer look at material. workshops will be held from the final round. Rahman & Arun Kumar from the fashion illustration. The his creative process and listen Eco Lux Lab is a pio- 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, on the The final round competition ISC managing committee sup- Italian edition of the Vogue to his experiences spanning his neering initiative launched by specified dates. was held on the Zoom platform, ported the event.

THROUGH THE LENS

The 7th Qatar International Boat Show (QAWARIB-2020) at the Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar, will run from 2:30pm to 9:30pm daily until November 20. Enthusiasts can visit the show, where 33 companies, mostly local firms, and 158 international brands with local dealers, participate. Highly skilled and quality locally manufactured boats are on display with other international brands of yachts and boats. The event provides a single window to the luxury lifestyle enthusiasts of the region. It preserves the centuries-old relationship of the natives with the sea in addition to its role in positioning Qatar as a regional hub for luxury, highly-skilled craftsmanship, and most modern boats and marine-related accessories. PICS. ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA 08 VIEWS THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 Credible relationships and flexibility – how Established in 1996 tech transfer works in a time of COVID-19 CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] JOSHUA SETIPA Nine months ago, as the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR COVID-19 pandemic was MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI unfolding, I sat down with [email protected] colleagues and we brain- stormed. The virus was moving quickly, how could we help developing and least EDITORIAL developed countries accel- erate access to quality life- saving health technologies? We researched, we spoke to Flying higher, growing stronger experts and we activated our networks - there was no time The UN Technology Bank helps least developed countries build the science, technology and innovation QATAR Airways continues to take steps and measures to lose. capacity that they need to promote the structural transformation of their economies, eradicate that show that the multiple award-winning airline con- At the same time Mario poverty and foster sustainable development. tinues to grow stronger despite challenging environment Sanchez, a Costa Rican phar- created by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time when macist and entrepreneur, was airlines around the world are struggling to continue their boarding a plane, on a mission and Mario to help him under- other pressing issues faced by operations, Qatar Airways continues to take customer- to try to buy medical-grade stand the regulations and Community masks least developed countries. centric measures and achieve new milestones. masks. But what he thought assessments necessary for the are an effective and One of these problems is The airline yesterday said that has finalised a code- would be a simple trans- mask to get national and medical waste. WHO estimate share agreement with Air Canada applicable for travel action— turned out to be an international approval suitable choice for the that globally 89 million between Doha and Toronto. The agreement reinforces odyssey that took him from Mario’s project is proof that public, yet medical medical masks, 76 million Qatar Airways’ long-term commitment to Canadian pas- Costa Rica to the US, Poland, we can meet global health grade masks are gloves and 1.6 million goggles sengers, and to boosting Canada’s global connectivity Germany, and the Netherlands. challenges by matching civic- are needed each month for to support the recovery of tourism and trade. For small-scale manufacturers minded innovators with enter- crucial for protecting COVID-19 response. The pan- Qatar Airways is one of the few airlines to have con- and entrepreneurs, finding prising manufacturers in health care workers. demic has produced moun- tinuously flown throughout the pandemic to take pas- genuine, quality and affordable developing countries. At the tains of discarded personal sengers home safely and reliably. materials and technology to Tech Access Partnership, we At least 7,000 PPE, hampering efforts to With more than 700 weekly frequencies currently, manufacture COVID-19 health record requests and offers, vet healthcare workers contain the pandemic and it plans to increase its network to more than 125 des- products is not easy – in the technologies and draw on UN also harming the envi- tinations by the end of 2020. first half of this year it was vir- and external expertise to set up globally have died ronment. The Tech Access Since the onset of the pandemic, Qatar Airways has tually impossible. Every step of optimal matches for tech from COVID-19. Partnership is committed to flown over 175 million kilometres taking home over 2.3 the way Mario was met with transfer. This ensures that We will continue the achievement of the Sus- million passengers on over 37,000 flights. The airline obstacles: False leads, shoddy partnerships have a better tainable Development Goals has also operated more than 400 charter flights across materials, unscrupulous chance at making a lasting connecting socially- and has begun to consider the world enabling it to stay up to date with the latest dealers and an unwillingness to impact. We are in talks with minded entrepreneurs ways to address the PPE airport and national health procedures and maintain a open and share technologies. other local partners in Lesotho waste challenges, using envi- finger on the pulse of global passenger flows, in par- A few days before the and South Africa, and con- like Mario Sanchez ronmentally friendly tech- ticular in markets where it does not operate regular borders closed, Mario returned fident that collaborations like with the technology nology and circular economic scheduled flights. to Costa Rica with no masks these have the potential to practices that eliminate waste. Earlier this week, Qatar Airways had launched a and a sobering realization: His bolster nations’ health systems they need to stem this The current moment is global programme ‘Student Club’ exclusive to students country was facing a dire and their broader economies. tide. fraught with uncertainty as the worldwide. Student Club is powered by the airline’s shortage of the masks and Despite these successes, very systems that sustain life— loyalty programme, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and other personal protective there is still much to do. from our health systems to our offers a range of benefits curated for students to support equipment (PPE) that health COVID-19 has not always ecosystems—are under them throughout their educational journey. professionals would need to behaved as expected. As the unprecedented stress. We must Members of Student Club will enjoy great savings confront the pandemic. And the virus and needs of developing not be afraid to adapt and aim and bespoke benefits such as special fares on flights, only way Costa Rica was going countries change and adapt, for the highest possible extra baggage allowances, the flexibility to change the to have enough of these sup- so must we. can play a leading role. standards. Mario Sanchez took dates of their flight, complimentary Super Wi-Fi onboard, plies was to start making them. Community masks are an Pulse oximeters have also a risk and it is paying off and more. They will also be automatically enrolled to In many ways, Mario was effective and suitable choice for become a crucial tool to -because he found the right Qatar Airways Privilege Club. The airline has also taken well-placed to take on this the public, yet medical grade determine whether a partner. Never has it been more several measures for safety of passengers. Qatar Airways’ challenge — he runs a drug- masks are crucial for protecting COVID-19 patient’s blood important to have genuine and onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew manufacturing company and health care workers. At least oxygen levels have dropped trustworthy partnerships in include the provision of Personal Protective Equipment even wrote his master’s thesis 7,000 healthcare workers glo- into the danger zone. And yet, place. At the WISH global (PPE) for cabin crew and a complimentary protective kit on medical shortages. Despite bally have died from COVID-19. most of the pulse oximeters healthcare summit in Qatar this and disposable face shields for passengers. this, Mario struggled to access We will continue connecting on the market today produce week I look forward to sharing Environmentally conscious passengers can travel the technology necessary to socially-minded entrepreneurs accurate readings only on how technology transfer offers with the reassurance that Qatar Airways continuously make the medical-grade like Mario Sanchez with the lighter skin tones, leading to commercial and social monitors the market to assess both passenger and masks that hospitals desper- technology they need to stem potentially dangerous medical optimism for the future. It will cargo demand to ensure it operates the most efficient ately needed. this tide. errors for people with darker take a collective and nimble aircraft on each route. Whilst Mario had been on As the virus treatment has skin. This represents another effort to get lifesaving tech- The airline’s achievements are a proof that Qatar the road, our project had evolved, we have learned that clear instance where it will be nology to those that need it and Airways will always provide its passengers with the very come to life. The Tech Access our initial projection of the essential to broker a transfer to build solid health systems best onboard experience every time they travel with it. Partnership was launched - need for more ventilators has of technology between intel- that can tackle the greatest connecting manufacturers, not materialized. What devel- lectual property holders and health challenges of our time. entrepreneurs and other tech- oping countries do need is local manufacturers to Joshua Setipa is the Man- nology seekers in developing increased capacity to maintain produce pulse oximeters that aging Director of the UN countries with global inno- and repair the ventilators they are suited to the population Technology Bank for Least D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR vators, universities and others already have or adapt them for that will use them. Developed Countries. The use by COVID-19 patients. We Meanwhile, despite manu- Tech Access Partnership is a EMAIL: [email protected] who make their intellectual property and technologies are engaging other actors to facturers’ recent commitments joint collaboration between available in order to serve the extend their support to coun- to make a certain number of The UN Technology Bank, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 common good. Within a few tries and also call on countries rapid diagnostic tests available UNDP, UNCTAD and WHO. FAX: +974 4455 7758 days we linked Mario with a that now have excess capacity to Least Developed Countries, Turkish company, MEMSIS, of ventilators to consider part- through the WHO led ACT - MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 that had developed a mem- nering with us to make these Accelerator, these donations The current moment brane for use in medical- available to countries that still are not enough to properly is fraught with DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 grade masks. We accom- lack adequate capacity. The manage the pandemic long- panied the two parties as they Tech Access Partnership will term. They do not, free devel- uncertainty as the LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 reached an agreement and also pivot to addressing these oping countries of dependency very systems that navigated the regulatory important needs in the medical on others to meet their health BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 process. This was a part- device space: Oxygen and needs. Effective technology sustain life — from nership that Mario could trust. pulse oximeters. transfer can. We will continue our health systems SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 In a matter of months, Many of the sickest coro- to take a leading role in tech- to our ecosystems Mario has designed and man- navirus patients need supple- nology transfer that boosts the ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 ufactured a mask that is mental oxygen in order to vital local production of tests. — are under email: [email protected] suitable for medical use, survive, yet too many people At the same time, we and our unprecedented stress. received regulatory approval are denied this life saving partners will continue to PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 from the Costa Rican gov- treatment because they live in advocate to address the We must not be afraid email: [email protected] ernment and produced and countries with oxygen shortages of investments for to adapt and aim for tested prototypes. Once man- shortages. We are encouraged developing these essential ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 ufacturing ramps up Mario to see that some pilot studies diagnostic capacities, espe- the highest possible FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] will supply masks to Costa have been undertaken to help cially in developing countries. standards. Rica, as well as the rest of low-resource health systems While we remain com- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 Central America and the Car- increase their ability to manu- mitted to helping countries email: [email protected] ibbean — a region home to facture oxygen. Scaling these meet their health challenges, nearly 90 million people. We efforts is now key and we there is also potential to apply SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 worked with the developer believe technology transfer technology transfer to address FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar US troop drawdown from Afghanistan is a good step and in the interest of the people of both /Peninsula_Qatar countries. The sooner the foreign forces leave, /ThePeninsulaNewspaper the more the war will be prevented. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban Spokesman +974 6698 6188 THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST 09 Iraq, Saudi reopen Arar border crossing after 30 years

AFP — BAGHDAD current Iraqi Prime Minister in decades — followed by a Baghdad is also notori- Mustafa al-Kadhemi the Top officials including Iraq’s interior minister and the Riyadh trip by Iraqi premier ously slow to activate external Iraq and Saudi Arabia relation between the the two head of its border commission travelled from Haider Al Abadi. investment, with international yesterday reopened their land Arab states impoved signifi- The first commercial firms and foreign countries border for the first time in 30 cantly and agreed to open the Baghdad to formally open the Arar crossing. Arar will flights resumed between the complaining that rampant cor- years. border grossing point for be open to both goods and people for the first time two countries and officials ruption hamstrings more Top officials including trade. since Riyadh cut off its diplomatic relationship with began discussing Arar, with investment. Iraq’s interior minister and the Kadhemi was to travel to Baghdad in 1990, following Saddam Hussein’s high-profile US diplomat Brett Kadhemi’s government has head of its border commission Saudi Arabia on his first invasion of Kuwait. McGurk even visiting the sought to fast-track foreign travelled from Baghdad to for- foreign trip as prime minister crossing in 2017 to support its investment including Saudi mally open the Arar crossing. in May, but the visit was can- reopening. support for energy and They met up with a dele- celled at the last minute when But those plans were agriculture. gation who had joined them Saudi King Salman was of a second border point at Al project in Iraq”. repeatedly delayed, with Arar On his trip to Washington from Riyadh, all in masks, and hospitalised. Jumayma, along Iraq’s The closer ties have been only opened on rare occasions this summer, he agreed to a cut a red ribbon at the border He has yet to make the trip, southern border with the a long time coming. to allow through Iraqi religious half-dozen projects that would crossing as a line of cargo although Iraqi ministers have Saudi kingdom. They did not improve pilgrims on their way to use Saudi funding to finance trucks waited behind them. visited Riyadh to meet with But pro-Iran factions in much after Saddam’s toppling Makkah for the Haj. US energy firms. Arar will be open to both their counterparts and a top- Iraq, which call themselves the in the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq is the second-largest Last year, Iraq signed a goods and people for the first level Saudi delegation trav- “Islamic Resistance,” have as Riyadh looked at the new producer in the OPEC oil deal to plug into the Gulf time since Riyadh cut off its elled to Baghdad last week. stood firmly against closer ties Shiite-dominated political cartel, outranked only by Cooperation Council’s power diplomatic relationship with Baghdad sees Arar as a with Saudi Arabia. class with suspicion due to Saudi Arabia. grid and add up to 500 MW of Baghdad in 1990, following potential border points Ahead of Arar’s opening, their ties to Iran. Its oil, gas and electricity electricity to its dilapidated Iraqi president Saddam Hus- through which Iraq brings in one such group identifying A thaw began in 2017 when infrastructure is severely out- electricity sector. sein’s invasion of Kuwait. a large share of its imports. itself as Ashab Al Kahf pub- then Saudi foreign minister dated and inefficient but low Those deals too have been Ties have remained rocky The two Arab states are lished a statement announcing Adel Al Jubeir travelled to oil prices this year have criticised by pro-Iran factions ever since, but under the also exploring the reopening its “rejection of the Saudi Baghdad — the first such visit stymied efforts to revamp it. in Iraq.

Pompeo lands in US imposes new staunch ally Israel sanctions on Iran on farewell tour AFP — JERUSALEM REUTERS — WASHINGTON Islamic Revolution in 1979. “Iran’s Supreme Leader uses US Secretary of State Mike The United States yesterday Bonyad Mostazafan to reward Pompeo arrived in Israel announced a sweeping new his allies under the pretense of yesterday for a farewell visit sanctions package on Iran charity,” US Treasury Secretary as the chief diplomat of the targeting a foundation controlled Steven Mnuchin said in the strongly pro-Israeli Trump by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali statement. administration. Khamenei as Washington “The United States will con- Palestinians protested as accused Iranian officials of tinue to target key officials and Pompeo was expected to human rights abuses a year after revenue generating sources that become the first US top dip- a deadly crackdown on anti- enable the regime’s ongoing lomat to visit a Jewish set- government demonstrators. repression of its own people.” tlement in the occupied West The sanctions imposed by The Treasury Department also Bank. the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on Iranian Pompeo — who has so far marked the latest action to rein- Intelligence Minister Mahmoud backed Donald Trump in force the “maximum pressure” Alavi, accusing his ministry of refusing to concede defeat to campaign on Tehran pursued by playing a role in serious human People look at the damage after the Iraqi military said rockets fell inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, President-elect Joe Biden — is President Donald Trump’s rights abuses against Iranians, yesterday. on a Europe and Middle East administration and came just including during the November tour that has so far taken him over two months before he is 2019 protests. to France, Turkey and Georgia. due to leave office after his The crackdown a year ago Iraq foreign minister condemns rocket November 3 election loss. may have been the bloodiest The department imposed the repression of protesters in Iran attack in Baghdad as ‘terrorist act’ Israeli air strikes sanctions on what it described since the 1979 revolution. as a key patronage network for About 1,500 people were AP — BAGHDAD to the U S Embassy. Frequent attacks targeting hit Iran targets in the supreme leader. It said it killed during less than two weeks The rockets, which killed a the US Embassy and vehicles blacklisted the Bonyad Mosta- of unrest that started on Iraq’s foreign minister yeserday child and wounded five other transporting equipment for US Syria, 10 killed zafan, or the Foundation of the November 15, 2019. condemned a rocket attack in civilians, indicated an end to an troops have led Washington to Oppressed, which is controlled The toll included at least 17 the capital a day earlier, calling informal truce announced by threaten to close its Baghdad AFP — JERUSALEM by Khamenei, as well as 10 indi- teenagers and about 400 women it a “terrorist act,” and said Iran-backed militias in October diplomatic mission. viduals and 51 entities it said as well as some members of the combat operations by the to halt attacks targeting the US Hussein called the attack Israeli warplanes struck Syria were associated. security forces and police. Iran’s US-led coalition will cease once presence in Iraq. One rocket against the Green Zone “blatant, yesterday, hitting Iranian The charitable foundation - Interior Ministry has said around troop withdrawals take place landed just 600 metes from the criminal and terrorist” in com- targets and killing 10 Syrian an economic, cultural, and social 225 people were killed during in the coming weeks. US Embassy compound, Iraqi ments to reporters following a and foreign fighters in what the welfare institution - has amassed the protests, which erupted after Fuad Hussein’s comments security officials said. meeting with the US ambas- Israeli army called a retaliatory vast amounts of wealth to the state media announced that gas came hours after seven rockets US troops invaded Iraq in sador and US military leaders. attack after explosive devices detriment of the rest of the prices would rise by as much as struck Baghdad, four of them 2003 and left in 2011 but “It is an attack on the Iraqi gov- were found near one of its Iranian economy and controls 200 percent and the revenue exploding inside the heavily returned in 2014 after the ernment and Iraqi people and bases on the occupied Golan hundreds of companies and would be used to help needy fortified Green Zone, the seat Islamic State group overran we condemn such operations,” Heights. properties confiscated since the families. of Iraq’s government and home large parts of Iraq. Hussein said. An Israeli army statement said its fighter jets had over- night hit “military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Iran to meet nuclear commitments if Biden lifts sanctions: FM Force and the Syrian armed forces”. The elite Quds Force is AFP — TEHRAN Donald Trump unilaterally “If it does carry out this res- with the deal’s promised eco- need negotiating is America’s the main foreign operations withdrew from a landmark olution and sanctions are lifted nomic benefits. return... which is not a priority,” arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Iran will “automatically” return nuclear agreement in 2018 and and there are no obstacles to Zarif described Biden as a he said. Guards. to its nuclear commitments if reimposed, then reinforced, crip- Iran’s economic activities, then “foreign affairs veteran” whom “The first priority is America The targets included US President-elect Joe Biden pling sanctions. While Trump has Iran will carry out” its obliga- he has known for 30 years. ending its law breaking and “storage facilities, headquarters lifts sanctions imposed over the sought to maximise pressure on tions under the deal, he said. Once in the White House, rebelling.” The New York Times and military compounds” as past two years, its foreign Iran and isolate it globally, Biden Iran, which denies it is Biden could “lift all of these reported Monday that Trump well as “Syrian surface-to-air minister said yesterday. has proposed to offer the Islamic seeking to build a nuclear (sanctions) with three executive had last week asked top aides missile batteries,” it said. Tehran’s return to its com- republic a “credible path back to bomb, has since May 2019 grad- orders,” Zarif argued. about the possibility of striking Syrian state news agency mitments “can be done automat- diplomacy”. ually suspended most of its key If Biden’s administration Iran’s nuclear facilities. SANA said the strikes had killed ically and needs no conditions or Zarif argued that “America is obligations under the does so, Iran’s return to nuclear Senior officials reportedly three of its soldiers and even negotiations,” Mohammad obligated to implement Reso- agreement. commitments will be “quick”, “dissuaded the president from wounded another. Javad Zarif said in comments lution 2231 as a member of the It argued it was reacting to the minister added. moving ahead with a military The monitoring group published in the state-run Iran United Nations and its Security the sanctions and the inability Washington’s return to the strike,” warning him that such Syrian Observatory for Human daily. Council,” pointing to the UNSC of the other parties -- Britain, deal, however, could wait, Zarif an attack could escalate into a Rights said 10 people were Decades old US-Iranian ten- resolution that enshrined the China, France, Germany and added. broader conflict in the last killed, including foreign fighters sions escalated after US President 2015 nuclear deal. Russia — to provide Tehran “The next stage that will weeks of his presidency. as well as Syrian soldiers. Meet Gaza’s first Turkey urges discipline ahead woman taxi driver of new COVID-19 curfews AFP — GAZA REUTERS — ISTANBUL quoted him as saying. COVID-19 has killed a total Palestinian mother-of-five Nayla Abu Jubbah Turkey’s government urged of 11,704 in Turkey according to launched a small revolution this week by “tight discipline” yesterday as official figures that opposition becoming the first female taxi driver in Gaza the country prepared for new lawmakers and medical groups Strip. weekend curfews, online have criticised for masking the In Palestinian territory, women have the schooling and limits on restau- true scale of the outbreak. same legal rights as men to drive a vehicle, rants and cafes that are to begin The government — which but in practice the trade of taxi driver has been tomorrow evening and last since July has not reported con- exclusively male — until now. through year end to contain the firmed asymptomatic cases of “One day I was talking with a friend who pandemic. COVID-19 — said there were works as a hairdresser and I said to her: ‘What President Recep Tayyip 3,819 new symptomatic patients would you say if we started a taxi service for Erdogan announced the tighter and 103 deaths on Tuesday. women?’ She said it was a crazy idea,” the restrictions on Tuesday in In a notice, the interior min- 39-year-old said. The Israeli-blockaded ter- The first female Palestinian taxi driver in the Gaza Strip, Nayla Abu Jubbah, 39, sits in her response to a coronavirus surge istry said restaurants, cafes, ritory was suffering 50 percent unem- vehicle, in Gaza City on Tuesday. that has brought reported daily hairdressers and shopping malls ployment even before the COVID-19 pan- cases to levels last seen in late will only operate from 10am to demic. After drinking a steaming cup of tea Abu Jubbah does not cruise the streets she said. “Hence the project of a taxi service April, just after the initial peak. 8pm locally. For dining, only in her home, the social work graduate in a for fares, taking only advance bookings. entirely for women, to put them at ease.” “Without losing anything, takeaway and delivery services headscarf puts on a face mask and marches “I leave my home and I will pick up my Today she is driving through the streets of the virus has gone into the will be allowed. to her car parked outside. clients, to bring them for example from the Gaza City to pick up 27-year-old Aya Saleem mass infection period,” Health Under the new curbs, which After slotting her smartphone into its hairdressing salon to a wedding,” she says. for a shopping trip. Minister Fahrettin Koca told will take effect from 8pm holder and giving a toot on the horn for show, She bought the vehicle with her inher- “We live in a conservative society. So reporters in parliament. “It tomorrow, cinemas will be she starts the engine and is off on the roads itance when her father died. when I saw that there was a taxi company seems we must put our lives closed and schools will provide of Gaza, where the Islamist Hamas movement “I said to myself one day that I needed to especially for women... I felt a kind of under tight discipline for online education for the rest of has ruled for more than 13 years. take advantage of the car, to put it to work,” freedom”, says Saleem. some time,” broadcasters the year. 10 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 Both sides claim wins as fighting rages in Ethiopia

AFP — ADDIS ABABA hundreds of people injured in areas affected by clashes.” Both sides in Ethiopia’s raging We’re inflicting heavy The organisation said hos- internal conflict claimed defeats on all fronts pitals in Tigray and neigh- military successes yesterday, against the forces that bouring Amhara region creating a muddied picture of came to attack us. I call “urgently need hospital beds, fighting even as the government mattresses, blankets and promised it would soon be over. upon all the Tigrayan bedsheets.” A communications blackout people to go out en One hospital in the Amhara in the northern Tigray region, masse to drive out the city of Gondar “has been where Prime Minister Abiy invaders. receiving large numbers of crit- Ahmed has ordered military ically injured patients with operations against the ruling more than 400 treated so far in party, has made it difficult to get Debretsion Gebremichael, the facility,” the ICRC said. a clear view of hostilities now Tigrayan leader Three Ethiopia Red Cross entering their third week. ambulances have been attacked “We’re inflicting heavy in “a worrying sign that medical defeats on all fronts against the with the TPLF, an organisation workers and first responders forces that came to attack us,” that dominated Ethiopian pol- are not being respected and Ethiopian refugees who fled fighting in Tigray province seen at a reception centre in Sudan’s eastern Tigrayan leader Debretsion itics for nearly three decades protected”, though the ICRC Gedaref province, yesterday. Gebremichael said in a before Abiy took office in 2018. noted that the details of the statement, referring to federal Tensions ramped up after attacks were “not clear”. days, the final law enforcement a town farther south that the refugees. forces. Tigray held its own elections in Abiy has resisted interna- activities will be done.” government claimed to control Federal forces say they “I call upon all the Tigrayan September — defying a tional pressure to bring about a His government later over the weekend, raising ques- already control Tigray’s western people to go out en masse to nationwide ban on polls cessation of hostilities. claimed to be marching on the tions as to how solid its gains zone, which saw heavy fighting drive out the invaders,” he because of coronavirus — and He says mediation can only regional capital, Mekele, and to were. at the start of the conflict. added. tried to brand Abiy an illegit- happen when the TPLF is dis- hold the town of Mehoni 125 km Clashes also took place The government has But army chief Berhanu Jula imate ruler. armed and its leaders arrested. to the south. Tuesday in the northern town accused the TPLF of destroying said in a statement of his own The UN refugee agency said On Tuesday, Abiy Yet fierce fighting was also of Shire, where camps house four bridges leading into that Ethiopia’s army was on Tuesday that around 27,000 announced that “in the coming reported Tuesday near Alamata, thousands of Eritrean Mekele. “winning on all fronts” and that Ethiopians had fled across the the Tigray People’s Liberation border into Sudan — a figure Front (TPLF) was “in a state of now rising by around 4,000 Ethiopia says disarms Tigrayan peacekeepers in Somalia desperation.” people each day. REUTERS — NAIROBI “The TPLF’s plan to drag A spokesman warned of “a over the their loyalty, the targeting ethnic Tigrayans in operations, the security source Ethiopia into civil war and tear full-blown humanitarian crisis” sources said, without detailing any way. said. it apart has failed. It is currently as the UN and aid organisations Ethiopian peacekeepers in the process. They said they Two diplomatic sources Disarmaments weaken the in a desperate mode as it is sur- negotiated with the government Somalia have disarmed included bilateral and African said the disarmed men were AU force’s ability to fight the Al rounded,” Berhanu said. to get full access to Tigray. between 200 and 300 of their Union troops. believed to be confined to their Qaeda-linked al Shabaab Abiy, last year’s Nobel Peace Hundreds of combatants are ethnic Tigrayan colleagues The Ethiopian government, bases in Somalia and a security insurgency as Somalia pre- Prize winner, announced the said to have died in fighting, but over the past week as conflict a military spokesman and source said a deputy com- pares to hold parliamentary military campaign in Tigray on casualty totals so far are rough rages in the northern Ethi- African Union (AU) peace- mander in one of the military elections next month and pres- November 4, saying it was in estimates. opian region, four security and keeping force did not respond sectors was among those who idential elections in February. response to TPLF attacks on Yesterday, the International diplomatic sources told to calls and messages for had been disarmed. US President Donald Trump is federal military camps. Committee of the Red Cross Reuters. comment. An Ethiopian gov- The disarmaments are a also considering pulling out It marked a dramatic esca- (ICRC) said the Ethiopia Red The soldiers’ weapons ernment taskforce yesterday major headache for the peace- hundreds of US troops before lation of his long-running feud Cross Society had “transported were removed due to concerns denied the authorities were keeping force as it tries to plan January. DR Congo declares Biden, Ramaphosa keen to end of latest Ebola virus outbreak strengthen US-Africa ties AFP — JOHANNESBURG identified Africa as a major REUTERS — KINSHASA player in international affairs South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and in the advancement of Democratic Republic of Congo and US President-elect Joe multilateralism,” it said. announced the end of an Biden are eager to boost rela- Biden was declared winner almost six-month Ebola tions between America and the of the November 3 election but outbreak in the west of the African continent, the presi- Donald Trump has not country yesterday as health dency said after a phone call conceded. authorities looked to apply between the two leaders. Trump, still president until lessons from the successful Ramaphosa, who is also the January, did not make a good response to the fight against current chairman of the African impression on Africans during coronavirus (COVID-19) in Union, “is hopeful of a strong his term. Africa. partnership between the United Less than a year after he The outbreak, which States and the African continent took office, he infamously infected 130 people and killed in promoting peace and sta- praised the healthcare system 55, emerged in June, weeks bility in international relations of “Nambia” — mispronouncing before a separate Ebola epi- and advancing multilater- Namibia — during a speech at demic in the east drew to a alism,” his office said in a the United Nations. Months close. That one killed more statement after the call late later insulted Haiti and African than 2,200 people, the Tuesday. nations during a closed-door second-most in the disease’s “Biden and Vice President- meeting at the White House, history. elect Kamala Harris have sparking global outrage. “I am pleased to solemnly Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine is led into a vehicle by declare the end of the 11th epi- riot policemen in Luuka district, eastern Uganda, yesterday. demic of Ebola virus disease in Equateur Province,” Health UN releases $100m fund to Minister Eteni Longondo told Protests in Uganda after pop star politician held a news conference. countries at risk of famine Longondo attributed the AFP — KAMPALA guidelines on COVID-19, Martin Okoth Ochola yesterday success of the response to the holding rallies, processions and warned officers were taking “a AP — NAIROBI its rebellious northern Tigray ready availability of vaccines Ugandan police fired tear gas and hosting more than the recom- tougher approach to preserve region. and treatments as well as rubber bullets yesterday at large mended 200 people per cam- the integrity of the electoral The United Nations humani- “Without immediate action, efforts to move treatment crowds of protesters supporting paign venue,” said Kafeero. process.” tarian office is releasing $100m famine could be a reality in the centres closer to local popular presidential candidate He said Wine had been Wine was most recently in emergency funding to seven coming months in parts of communities. Bobi Wine, who was earlier taken in for questioning. arrested on November 3 after countries at risk of famine in Burkina Faso, northeast Medics vaccinated 40,000 arrested while campaigning. “As law enforcement, we registering his candidacy for the Africa and the Middle East amid Nigeria, South Sudan and people in communities scat- Kampala police com- can’t stand and watch as poli- January 14 presidential election, conflict and the coronavirus Yemen. This would be the first tered across rainforests that mander Moses Kafeero said that ticians put the lives of Ugandans over accusations he was (COVID-19) pandemic, while time famine has been declared often lacked electricity. They the pop star-turned-MP had at stake by encouraging pro- planning an illegal rally. the humanitarian chief says since 2017 in parts of South used cold-chain technology to been arrested for violating cessions and huge rallies, which Wine, nicknamed the returning to a world where Sudan,” the statement said. keep vaccines at temperatures coronavirus measures at his fuel COVID-19 transmission,” “Ghetto President”, has faced famines are common would be A return to a world where as low as -80 degrees Celsius, rallies. he said. escalating police harassment “obscene.” famines are commonplace the World Health Organization It is the latest in a string of The arrest sparked protests since announcing his intention A statement overnight said would be “obscene in a world (WHO) said. arrests of the singer, whose real in the capital Kampala and to challenge Museveni, who $80m of the money will go to where there is more than “The technology used to name is Robert Kyagulanyi, as other major towns, where seized power at the head of a Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, enough food for everyone,” UN keep the Ebola vaccine at he has become a thorn in the side Wine’s supporters lit fires in the rebel army in 1986. Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan humanitarian chief Mark super-cold temperatures will of President Yoweri Museveni, middle of roads and lobbed His catchy pop songs about and Yemen. Another $20m has Lowcock said. be helpful when bringing a who will be running for a sixth rocks at police, and were dis- social justice, poverty and cor- been set aside for “anticipatory The UN said the money will COVID-19 vaccine to Africa,” term in government. persed with tear gas and rubber ruption have shaken the ruling action to fight hunger in target the most vulnerable, said WHO’s Africa director, “Bobi Wine has continu- bullets. party and its ageing patriarch Ethiopia,” where deadly especially women, girls and Matshidiso Moeti. ously violated electoral Uganda’s police chief Museveni. fighting erupted this month in people with disabilities. Kenya makes hospital arrests as it probes child trafficking ring REUTERS — NAIROBI Kenya’s Inspector General senior medical officers in col- African nation. men, women and children who However, the 2020 TIP of Police Hillary Mutyambai lusion with the child smugglers Officials from the Mama are trafficked into forced labour report said that the Kenyan gov- Kenya said yesterday it had said three medical officers from are highly involved.” Lucy Kibabki hospital named and sexual slavery, according ernment had identified 578 arrested three hospital staff in a public hospital had been The arrests were announced in the documentary did not to the US State Department’s child victims in 2019. a probe into the theft and sale arrested, with a high possibility two days after the BBC aired its reply to calls for comment. 2020 Trafficking in Persons Campaigners say that the of babies, accusing some public of more arrests to come. explosive Africa Eye docu- Mutyambai directed county (TIP) report. true number is far higher, hospitals and care homes of “During an operation by mentary, ‘The Baby Stealers’, police commanders and other Once bought or lured, noting that victims often do not colluding with organised crime. police to unearth the organised alleging a trade in babies that local security agencies across children are forced into understand they have been Authorities acted after a crime, police officers noted with stretched right into Nairobi care Kenya to “immediately domestic work, farming, fishing, trafficked. BBC investigation revealed how a lot of concern that local public system. undertake investigations and herding, street vending and The BBC’S year-long inves- Kenyan child trafficking syndi- hospitals and children homes The government launched operations on matters touching begging. Girls and boys are tigation found young children cates — from street clinics to a within Nairobi are involved,” a sweeping investigation on on child trafficking” — espe- exploited in prostitution were snatched from homeless government-run hospital — said Mutyambai in a statement. Tuesday, saying it would do its cially in hospitals and children’s throughout Kenya, it added. women, while illegal street were stealing babies from vul- “In the course of the inves- utmost to root out the wide- homes. There are no accurate clinics in informal settlements nerable mothers to be sold for tigations and operations, it is spread human trafficking that Kenya is a source, transit figures on the number of were buying newborns from as little as $400. unfortunate that it was realised has long plagued the East and destination country for children trafficked in Kenya. poor mothers. THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 ASIA 11 Thai protesters hit police HQ with paint, projectiles

AFP — BANGKOK Some protesters Prime Minister Prayut has threw glass bottles urged protesters to refrain from Thousands of democracy violence, but ruled out intro- activists marched on Thailand’s and paint bombs over ducing another emergency police headquarters in the walls of police decree — like the one banning downtown Bangkok yesterday public gatherings of more than on a second day of protest, after headquarters, which four people which spanned a six people were shot during was barricaded week in October. violent clashes. But there is little sign the The kingdom has been with dumper trucks, demonstrators are prepared to rocked by months of protests concrete blocks and back down. demanding changes to the con- “We should not be afraid — stitution, the removal of Prime razor wire, while this is just a transitional Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha — others used water moment in our history,” Sirapop and even changes to the pistols to hurl paint Poompuengpoot, another untouchable monarchy. student leader, told the crowd Protesters — numbering inside the compound. yesterday. more than 10,000 — packed the “People are working for us Ratchaprasong intersection in the compound. in parliament and the rest is up the heart of Bangkok’s shopping Many had come equipped to us: keep fighting.” and commercial district, after with helmets, goggles and gas Tuesday’s drama saw pro- their leaders vowed to step up masks to protect themselves testers plough through police the movement. against police action. barricades towards parliament After daubing anti-royal “We will protect our people. to put pressure on MPs debating slogans on walls and the ground We don’t want any violence but constitutional reform, they marched on the heavily- there will be no compromise prompting the use of tear gas defended national police head- until they meet our demands,” and water cannon. quarters — led by a clown and protester Jay, 26, said. Police say they did not fire a parade of giant inflatable Yesterday’s protest came a either live rounds or rubber rubber ducks. day after the most violent con- bullets on Tuesday, and they are A demonstrator throws paint over a plaque with lettering on it in front of the police headquarters They were accompanied by frontations since the democracy investigating who was behind during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. a Buddhist monk giving the movement began in July, as the shootings of six people, three-fingered salute borrowed police used tear gas and irritant- which happened about 300 Wednesday protesters sprayed and write anything, even about Lawmakers have this week from the “Hunger Games” laced water cannon on pro- metres from the main protest hundreds of anti-royal slogans, our king,” protester Luke, 29, been discussing various pro- movies that has become testers trying to reach par- zone near parliament. some of them obscene. said. “I am really happy. I did posals for constitutional change, emblematic of the youth-led liament, and democracy The Thai Human Rights Such scenes were until not think this will happen in my which mostly exclude any protest movement. activists clashed with Lawyers Association slammed recently unthinkable in a country.” reform to the monarchy. Some protesters threw glass royalists. police tactics, saying they were country where the king and his King Maha Vajiralongkorn Yesterday, they agreed to bottles and paint bombs over More than 50 people were “not in accordance with inter- family are protected by some sits at the apex of Thai power, look at two proposals for a the walls of police HQ, which injured, six of them with national procedure to disperse of the world’s toughest royal supported by the military and “constitutional drafting was barricaded with dumper gunshot wounds, according to demonstrations”. defamation laws. the kingdom’s billionaire clans, assembly”, while rejecting more trucks, concrete blocks and medical officials, though it is not The movement has seen “Tonight is our first victory. and the royal family enjoys far-reaching bills to revise the razor wire, while others used clear who was responsible for calls from some for reform to A victory for freedom of speech. support from mostly older role of the royals and change water pistols to hurl paint inside the shooting. the monarchy, and on We can speak about everything, conservatives. the makeup of the senate. Modi calls Biden to advance strategic ties India must limit carbon REUTERS — NEW DELHI Trump has refused to concede Modi had built close ties expanding military and eco- defeat. with Trump. The two leaders nomic influence in the region. emissions: G20 report Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed that up with held a joint rally in the US city During the telephone call, Modi has spoken to US Pres- a phone call to congratulate of Houston last year and again Modi also extended his best IANS — NEW DELHI governments’ recovery ident-elect Joe Biden by tele- Biden and reaffirm his com- in Modi’s home state of Gujarat wishes to Vice-President-elect responses risk reversing, phone to congratulate him on mitment to a strategic part- this year, during a visit to India Kamala Harris, the daughter of As the world’s leading econ- instead of locking in, positive his election victory, which he nership between the two big by Trump. an Indian immigrant whose omies are directing trillions of pre-COVID trends. said showed the strength of US democracies, Modi said on Modi’s critics said the prime election to the second highest dollars towards COVID-19 At least 19 of the G20 coun- democracy, and he vowed to Twitter late on Tuesday. minister had come dangerously public office in the United States recovery packages, a significant tries have chosen to provide deepen strategic ties. “Prime Minister Modi close to endorsing Trump’s can- has been cheered in India. proportion is going to fossil fuel financial support to their Modi initially sent his con- warmly congratulated Pres- didature, which they said could The two leaders also dis- industries without climate- domestic oil, coal and/or gas gratulations to Biden in a social ident-elect Biden on his hurt India’s prospects under a cussed their priorities, including related conditions, risking clean sectors and 14 countries bailed media message soon after US election, describing it as a tes- Democratic administration. containing the novel corona- energy opportunities in the out their national airline com- television networks projected tament to the strength and resil- India and the United States virus pandemic, promoting coming decade, a G20 climate panies without climate condi- him to be the winner of the ience of democratic traditions drew closer during Trump’s access to affordable vaccines performance report said tions attached. November 3 election even in the United States,” the Indian presidency as both countries and tackling climate change, the yesterday. Only four G20 countries though President Donald foreign ministry said. aimed to counter China’s foreign ministry said. India, it said, is not on track provided more funding to green for a 1.5 degrees Celsius world. sectors compared with fossil To be on track, India needs to fuel or other emissions- Daily COVID-19 limit its carbon dioxide (CO2) intensive industries. emissions to 4.597 MtCO2e by “The recovery packages can cases at highest 2030 and below 3.389 MtCO2e solve the climate crisis or make by 2050. it worse,” said Charlene Watson in South Korea India can do so by adopting of the Overseas Development a ‘no new coal’ policy as well Institute. since August as working on a plan to phase “Some G20 members like out coal by 2040. India’s the EU, France or Germany are REUTERS — SEOUL average death rate per 1,000 setting mostly a good example due to air pollution is more than for building more resilient South Korea reported 313 new 1.7 to 18 times the G20 average. economies whilst shielding daily COVID-19 cases yesterday, These are among the key themselves against the accel- the highest number since findings of the 2020 Climate erating climate impacts. Others August, as cluster infections Transparency Report, an annual direct too much support to continued to emerge from collaboration between 14 think fossil fuels, putting at risk pos- offices, medical facilities and tanks, including TERI, and NGOs itive recent developments.” small gatherings, prompting across G20 countries. According to the report, in authorities to tighten social This year’s report analyses 2019 energy-related CO2 emis- distancing rules. G20 countries’ performance sions declined in G20 countries The daily tally has been across 100 indicators of climate for the first time due to climate above 200 for five consecutive adaptation, mitigation and policies rather than due to days and surpassed 300 for the finance, apart from emission external shocks (such as the first time since August when impacts of the COVID-19 crisis 2008-09 financial crisis), there was a large outbreak at a ‘Palace guard’ members wearing face masks take part in a ‘changing of the guards’ ceremony at the and responses by their namely by 0.1 per cent, down church political rally, according main gate of Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, yesterday. governments. from a 1.9 per cent growth in to the Korea Disease Control Year 2019 has seen a 2018. and Prevention Agency (KDCA). spike in new cases. occurring simultaneously in imported. Nearly 74 percent of remarkable departure from the Due to the impacts of the The government decided “We’re in a crisis where every corner of our society, real domestic infections came from long-term growth trend in pandemic, G20 energy-related on Tuesday to impose stricter there are pessimistic views that life situations, unlike the past the greater Seoul area, home to energy-related emissions and CO2 emissions are projected to social distancing measures for predict another nationwide when there were large out- around half of the country’s 52 a stable expansion of renew- be 7.5 per cent lower by the end the greater Seoul area a month transmission,” Vice Health Min- breaks from a specific place or million population, including ables in the G20. But of 2020 compared with 2019. after easing them, warning of ister Kang Do-tae told a group.” cases linked to a hiking club, a researchers caution that by Most notably, global avi- an even bigger crisis if its meeting. Of the new cases, 245 were gym, a manufacturing plant and providing unconditional ation emissions collapsed this current efforts fail to blunt a “Infections are now locally transmitted and 68 family gatherings. support to fossil fuels, year. Quad group begin second South Australia declares 6-day lockdown to curb virus phase of naval exercise REUTERS — SYDNEY “We are going hard and we returned traveller from the The lockdown, to take are going early. Time is of the United Kingdom. The cleaner effect from midnight, will mean AP — NEW DELHI combined military exercise of South Australia yesterday essence and we must act swiftly then spread the virus to her people will be restricted from this size. The first phase of the declared a six-day lockdown to and decisively.” extended family in Adelaide, the going outside of their homes, The navies of India, the United Malabar drill took place stamp out what the state The southern state, home state’s capital city. with only one person per States, Australia and Japan held November 3-6 in the Bay of premier described as a highly to just under 1.8 million people, It was taking 24 hours or household allowed to leave exercises on Tuesday in the Bengal. contagious outbreak of the reported two new cases yes- less for a newly infected person each day, but only for specific Northern Arabian Sea in the This phase consists of oper- coronavirus disease that offi- terday, taking the total to 22. to become infectious to others, purposes. second phase of a naval drill ations centred on the Indian cials linked to a returned trav- The cluster started to emerge authorities said. Masks will be required in seen as part of a regional initi- navy’s Vikramaditya carrier eller from the UK. at the weekend, representing The South Australian gov- all areas outside of the home. ative to counter China’s battle group and the US Navy’s Most businesses will close the first serious signs of com- ernment did not immediately All schools, takeaway food, growing assertiveness in the Nimitz carrier strike group, the except for some food outlets, munity transmission in South respond to questions about the clubs cafes and universities will Indo-Pacific. ministry said. The Australian and people will be largely con- Australia since mid-April. specific strain yesterday. be closed, along with the con- The Malabar naval exercise frigate Ballarat, Japan’s fined to their homes, as the state While the case numbers Peter Collignon, an infectious struction industry, which has “highlights enhanced conver- Murasame destroyer, and sub- tries to avoid a more severe remain modest, Marshall said diseases physician and micro- been allowed to operate during gence of views amongst the marines and aircraft are also breakout like the one that all the state needed to act quickly biologist at Canberra Hospital, past lockdowns in Australia. four vibrant democracies on participating in the exercise. but shuttered neighbouring Vic- because the identified virus said given the virus was brought Australia’s Acting Chief maritime issues,” India’s India has been locked for toria for more than 100 days. strain was “highly contagious in from an overseas traveller, it Medical Officer Paul Kelly said Defence Ministry said. months in a military standoff “We need this circuit with short incubation period would not be a new strain. South Australian authorities had This is the second time that with China along their disputed breaker, this community and limited symptoms”. “It may be different to what found secondary cases of the four countries - an informal border. It hopes the exercise pause,” South Australian Authorities said yesterday has been prevalent in Australia COVID-19 were spreading grouping known as the Quad - will act as a deterrent against Premier Steven Marshall told that a hotel cleaner contracted but it isn’t any more deadly or quickly in the new outbreak. have participated in a Beijing, analysts say. media yesterday. the virus from a quarantined contagious,” said Collignon. 12 ASIA THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 US to draw down troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 REUTERS — WASHINGTON Acting Defence “Further reductions in Afghanistan will also undercut President Donald Trump will Secretary Christopher negotiations there; the Taliban sharply reduce the number of Miller confirmed the has done nothing - met no con- US forces in Afghanistan from dition — that would justify this 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January, Afghan drawdown cut,” Thornberry said. the Pentagon announced on saying: “By January The top Democrat on the Tuesday, stopping short of a 15, 2021, our committee, however, Repre- threatened full withdrawal from sentative Adam Smith, came out America’s longest war after forces, their size in in support of the move — even fierce opposition from allies at Afghanistan, will be as he cautioned that it needed home and abroad. to “be responsibly and carefully Trump’s decision to limit 2,500 troops". executed to ensure stability in himself to a partial withdrawal the region.” was first reported on Monday But those plans have yet to but still triggered a rebuke from months not to have any earth- be hammered out in detail, offi- senior Republicans and Demo- shaking changes in regard to cials say, leaving questions unan- crats who fear it will undermine defense or foreign policy,” swered about which troops to security and hurt fragile peace McConnell, who opposed a withdraw and the impact on a talks with the Taliban. pullout, told reporters. mission that ranges from advising Acting Defence Secretary Trump is due to leave office and supporting Afghan forces to An Afghan National Army soldier (left) stands guard at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Kabul, Christopher Miller, who Trump on January 20 after losing this carrying out counter-terrorism Afghanistan, yesterday. installed last week after month’s presidential election to strikes against Al Qaeda and abruptly firing Mark Esper, con- Democrat Joe Biden. Critics Islamic State militants. in 2001 following the Al Qaeda istan home by Christmas!” not very stable,” he said. firmed the Afghan drawdown. slammed Trump for timing the House Speaker Nancy September 11 attacks on the That threat had alarmed US “I would say 2,500 is “By January 15, 2021, our withdrawal to his own calendar Pelosi, the top Democrat in United States. Thousands of military officials, US allies and probably stable as long as the forces, their size in Afghanistan, as opposed to some kind of Congress, said it was concerning American and allied troops have lawmakers, who had fiercely US-Taliban peace holds. But will be 2,500 troops,” Miller told breakthrough in Afghanistan that that Trump’s withdrawal was died in fighting in opposed an abrupt, unilateral that may not happen because reporters. would justify a major drawdown. being carried out without close Afghanistan. pullout. the Taliban have not done a About the same time, the top Biden’s transition team did coordination with Nato and that Some US military officials Rick Olson, a former US reduction in violence, as they Senate Republican, Majority not respond to a request for a hasty withdrawal risks making had been urging Trump to keep special envoy for Afghanistan committed to do.” Leader Mitch McConnell, cau- comment on Trump’s troop Afghanistan a platform for ter- US troop levels at around 4,500 and Pakistan, said that the Ronald Neumann, a former tioned against any major cuts. rorism once again. for now. remaining 2,500 troops still give US ambassador to Kabul, cau- changes in US defence or The top Republican on the US and Afghan officials are The withdrawal stops the United States some leverage tioned that “if we are pulling out foreign policy in the next couple House of Representatives warning of troubling levels of short of his pledge on in advancing peace efforts, but faster than the withdrawal of months, including any pre- Armed Services Committee, violence by Taliban insurgents October 7, when Trump said “it would have been better to schedule, there’s no incentive cipitous troop drawdows in Mac Thornberry, also slammed and persistent Taliban links to on Twitter. “We should have have left them at 4,500.” for the Taliban to negotiate.” Afghanistan. the troop cut as a “mistake,” as Al Qaeda. the small remaining number “Zero would have been The withdrawals could hand “It is extremely important did other prominent Repub- It was those ties that trig- of our BRAVE Men and truly awful, while 2,500 is Biden a new set of challenges here in the next couple of licans and Democrats. gered US military intervention Women serving in Afghan- maybe okay, but it’s probably when he takes office. Taiwan to require HK police arrest 3 former lawmakers who disrupted session travellers to have AP — HONG KONG Hong Kong government and the of the chamber with a pot of us,” he told reporters. Chu and Chan - were arrested negative COVID-19 central Chinese government in pungent liquid hidden in a Chu and Chan quit the leg- over an earlier chaotic legis- tests before arriving Hong Kong police arrested Beijing of tightening control paper lantern, but dropped it islature in protest after Hong lative session on May 8. three former opposition over the semi-autonomous ter- after he was stopped by security Kong leader Carrie Lam post- During that meeting, lawmakers yesterday for ritory in response to demands guards. On the same day, Hui poned legislative elections by scuffles broke out between the REUTERS — TAIPEI disrupting legislative meetings for more democracy. They say splashed some liquid at the one year, citing the coronavirus pro-Beijing and pro-democracy several months ago, adding to authorities are destroying the front of the legislature and was pandemic. camps as they debated who Taiwan, a poster child for concerns about a crackdown on autonomy promised to the city, escorted out. The pro-democracy camp would preside over a committee efforts to control the novel the city’s pro-democracy camp. a global financial center with Emergency services were criticized the postponement as that oversees bills. The pro- coronavirus, will from next Posts on the Facebook greater freedoms than mainland called to the venue, and several an attempt by the pro-Beijing democracy lawmakers arrested month require almost all accounts of Ted Hui, Eddie Chu China. pro-Beijing lawmakers reported government to thwart its efforts were accused of rushing the visitors to have negative and Raymond Chan said they The three former law- feeling unwell. to win a majority in the elec- chairperson’s desk, bumping COVID-19 tests before had been arrested over the inci- makers disrupted meetings Hui, who was released on tions, which had been slated for into security guards and arriving, it said yesterday, dents in the legislature’s main debating a now-approved ordi- bail later Wednesday, said it September. throwing sheets of paper from tightening rules after an uptick chamber. The three separately nance that criminalises any was “ridiculous” that the police The opposition lawmakers the public gallery. in imported cases. disrupted meetings by splashing insult to or abuse of the Chinese were using criminal procedures also said the postponement Last week, 15 pro- The government will also pungent liquids and other items national anthem, the “March of against lawmakers based on breached the Basic Law, Hong democracy lawmakers resigned increase the number of places in May and June. the Volunteers.” what they say or do in the Kong’s mini-constitution, which en masse after Beijing passed a where people must wear A Hong Kong police On May 28, Hui rushed to legislature. came into effect after the resolution that led to the dis- masks. statement said they arrested the front of the legislature, “This only shows to all Hong former British colony was qualification of four of their col- Taiwan has not reported three former lawmakers on sus- dropping a rotten plant and Kong people and to the world returned to China in 1997. leagues. Hui and another law- any domestic transmissions of picion of contempt in the legis- attempting to kick it at the that this regime is a tyranny, The arrests of the ex-law- maker, Claudia Mo, left their the virus for more than 200 lature and intent to cause harm body’s president. Chu splashed that its persecution against dis- makers is the latest in a string posts immediately, while the days, and has the pandemic to others. The statement did not a bottle of liquid in the sidents, against opposition, of arrests in recent months. others are expected to stay on well in hand thanks to early identify them by name. legislature. against democratic legislators Earlier this month, seven former until Dec. 1. The resignations and effective prevention. Pro-democracy lawmakers One week later, Chan has never stopped. It’s been and sitting members of the pro- will leave the body with vir- But the island’s gov- and activists have accused the attempted to approach the front non-stop prosecution against democracy camp - including tually no opposition voice. ernment has watched nerv- ously as imported cases rise, albeit at a far lower rate than in many other places. Taiwan Taiwan grounds all F16 jets reported eight new cases on Friday, all imported, the most after one goes missing in a single day since April 19. Health Minister Chen Shih- AFP — TAIPEI massively outgunned by chung said that between Dec. China’s fighters. 1 and February 28 virtually Taiwan has grounded all of its Without the F16s, it consists everyone entering Taiwan will F16 fighter jets for safety of the locally-built Indigenous be required to have a negative checks as rescuers continue to Defence Fighter, French-built COVID test, taken within three search for one that went Mirages from the late 1990s and days of setting out to travel, missing during a training F5-E fighters that date back to though exceptions will be exercise, authorities said the 1970s. made for international mar- yesterday. There have been seven iners and in individual human- The decision removes crashes involving F16s since itarian cases. around 150 planes from Tai- Taiwan took delivery of the The enforcement period wan’s skies, leaving the dem- fighters purchased from the may also be extended, he told ocratic island relying on an United States in 1997. reporters. even more limited fleet to Taiwan has scrambled its Previously, Taiwanese cit- warn off Chinese jets that planes at double the rate of last izens and Taiwan residence have been buzzing it at an year to protect against China’s permit holders did not need to unprecedented rate in recent increased incursions into its present negative coronavirus months. defensive zone. tests before being allowed in, The air force said a single- Analysts say Beijing’s though most other travellers seat F16 flown by a 44-year- fly-bys are designed to test the did. old pilot disappeared from island’s defence responses but The government will also Members of Malaysia Social Welfare Department wearing personal protective equipment prepare radar at an altitude of some also to wear out its fighters, mandate people wear masks for food distribution at an area under enhanced lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak 6,000 feet two minutes after which come closer to expiry in a larger number of places, in Klang, yesterday. taking off from Hualien air base with each sortie. including temples, art galleries in eastern Taiwan on Tuesday Taiwan’s military has been and bars, Chen said, also from night. battered by a string of air December 1, or risk fines of up Malaysia declares emergency in eastern The disappearance comes crashes this year. to T$15,000 ($526). Masks are less than three weeks after a In January, eight senior offi- already widely worn in Taiwan. region to stop polls amid pandemic pilot was killed when his F-5E cials including the chief of the Some public places like fighter jet crashed into the sea general staff were killed in a night markets may have to REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR jump, reporting nearly half of would be held at a later date. during training, prompting a helicopter crash. limit the number of people the country’s infections, most of The Batu Sapi by-election similar grounding. Beijing has piled military, who can enter, according to Malaysia’s king yesterday which were linked to an election was originally set to be held on “The rescue mission is our economic and diplomatic guidelines Chen unveiled. declared a state of emergency in held there in September. December 5, following the death top priority now. The air force pressure on Taiwan since Taiwan, with a population a parliamentary constituency in King Al Sultan Abdullah made of a lawmaker last month. has grounded all F16s for President Tsai’s election in of 24 million, has reported a the eastern state of Sabah to the decision to declare a state of In a separate televised checks and I’ve instructed an 2016, in part due to her refusal total of 608 cases of the virus prevent a by-election being held emergency in the Batu Sapi con- announcement, Muhyiddin said investigation into the cause of to acknowledge its stance that and seven deaths. It has about there, citing fears that it could lead stituency on the advice of Prime the emergency declaration was the incident,” President Tsai the island is part of “one 60 active cases. to a fresh coronavirus outbreak. Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and only aimed at stopping the Ing-wen told reporters China”. Life has largely returned The Southeast Asian nation after receiving a briefing by senior election and assured the public yesterday. Under US President Donald to normal after earlier restric- has seen a sharp spike in cases government officials, Malaysia’s that no additional lockdowns Taiwan lives under the Trump, Washington authorised tions on large-scale events in recent weeks, with the total palace said in a statement. or restrictions on movement constant threat of invasion by some $18bn worth of arms were lifted, and the island has number of coronavirus infec- The king was satisfied that would be imposed. China, which views the island sales to Taiwan, including 66 never gone into full lockdown. tions rising to more than the declaration was necessary Under Malaysia’s consti- as its own territory and has new generation F16s and Still, its borders remain 50,000 cases yesterday. “to curb and prevent a fourth tution, an election must be vowed to seize it one day, by advanced missile platforms — effectively closed to most Sabah, on Borneo island, has wave of COVID-19 infections”, called within 60 days of a seat force if necessary. sales that have angered visitors. been worst-hit by the recent it said, adding that the polls being vacated. Its fleet of fighters is old and Beijing. THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 EUROPE 13 Europe sees fall in infections after strict virus curbs AP — GENEVA cases followed “the strength- As new cases fell, Virologist Steven Van Gucht, closure. The Netherlands Prime over 6,000 new cases over the ening of public health and social the tally of virus from the government’s Sci- Minister Mark Rutte hailed a last day, down from a peak of Europe made up almost half of measures.” deaths still rose ensano health group, said Bel- “positive” downward trend but more than 10,000 daily cases the world’s 4 million new coro- But as new cases fell, the gium’s daily average of virus said case counts were still too in October. Economic Affairs navirus cases last week but tally of virus deaths still rose “substantially” in deaths now stood at 185, a 5 high. He warned the country to Minister Guy Parmelin cited a recorded a nearly 10 percent fall “substantially” in Europe over Europe over the last percent decrease compared to remain on a partial lockdown. “more optimistic horizon” in in infections compared to the the last week to more than week to more than the average a week ago. Over In mid-October, rates of Switzerland yesterday. week before, thanks in part to 29,000, WHO said. 29,000, WHO said. the last week, the daily average infection were among the worst Regional officials in Geneva strict government lockdown In Europe, WHO said the of hospital admissions dropped in Europe. noted a “plateau” in positive measures that have fanned sharpest rise in coronavirus 24 percent and new infections Switzerland, which has reg- COVID-19 tests in recent days some discontent, the World cases was in Austria, which saw corner, particularly in the low- fell 39 percent. istered some of the highest and yesterday eased some Health Organization reported a 30 percent increase in new lands near the English Channel. Officials in the Netherlands, transmission rates in the world restrictions on hairdressers, yesterday. cases compared to the previous Belgium said yesterday it to the north, were easing in recent weeks, yesterday parlours, therapists and per- The latest weekly tally from week. WHO also noted the UK had taken a major step in con- restrictions amid falling stepped up government support sonal trainers, among others. the UN health agency found its was the first country in the taining the resurgence of the infection rates, and were poised to help people affected by the Europe has seen over 54-nation European region con- region to record more than coronavirus, reporting a drop to reopen venues like cinemas, virus and by lockdown 338,000 confirmed virus deaths tinued to report most new cases 50,000 deaths. in the daily death count for the museums, libraries, zoos and measures even as case counts in the pandemic, according to of any region worldwide — 46 Pockets of Western Europe first time since the latest swimming pools — still with eased back from recent peaks. a tally by Johns Hopkins percent — but its decline in have shown signs of turning a COVID-19 wave hit this autumn. limitations — after a two-week The Alpine country counted University. Berlin police disperse Man held over Birmingham protest over virus rules bombings AP — BERLIN were eventually forced back. More than 100 people were AFP — LONDON German police fired water arrested, Cabiltz said, and many cannons yesterday at demon- more temporarily detained. A 65-year-old man was strators protesting coronavirus Nine police officers were arrested yesterday in restrictions in Berlin’s injured. The protest crowd connection with one of Brit- government district, after thinned significantly by late ain’s worst terror attacks, the crowds ignored calls to wear afternoon as many demon- 1974 Birmingham bombings masks and keep their distance strators marched back to the which killed 21 and left 182 from one another in line with city’s main train station, others injured. pandemic regulations. chanting and blowing whistles. Six men were wrongly As water shot from the One protester held a sign jailed for the bombings, which cannons rained down on pro- saying “Truth, Freedom, Don’t were blamed on the Provi- testers outside the landmark Touch Our Constitution.” sional Irish Republican Army Brandenburg Gate, police in riot The protests came as (IRA). gear moved through the crowd German lawmakers debated a But the conviction of the carrying away some partici- bill that would provide legal so-called “Birmingham Six” in pants. Some demonstrators underpinning for the gov- 1975 was ruled unsafe by the threw fireworks, flares and ernment to issue social dis- Court of Appeal in 1991 and other objects in response as tancing rules, require masks in they were freed. No one has Demonstrators attend a protest against the government’s coronavirus disease restrictions, near the police helicopters hovered public and to close stores and since been convicted. Brandenburger Gate, in Berlin yesterday. overhead. other venues to slow the spread West Midlands Police said Officers avoided shooting of the virus. counter-terrorism officers and the cannons directly at pro- The bill easily passed both vocal minority has staged authorities “struggle every day Overall, the country has colleagues from the Police testers because there were the lower and upper houses of regular rallies around the in trying to strike the balance” reported about 833,000 coro- Service of Northern Ireland children in the crowd, and they Germany’s parliament and was country, arguing that the between restrictions and safe- navirus cases and more than detained the man at his home worked slowly and methodi- yesterday being fast-tracked to restrictions are guarding democratic freedoms. 13,000 virus-related deaths in in Belfast. cally to disperse the crowd, the county’s president for his unconstitutional. But he insisted that the pandemic, a death toll one- “The man was arrested Berlin police spokesman Thilo signature. Health Minister Jens Spahn, Germany had found the right fourth the size of Britain’s. under the Terrorism Act and Cabiltz said. Some protesters While such virus-pre- defended the measures in par- path, noting that it has fared The health minister denied a search of his home is being popped open umbrellas and vention measures are supported liament ahead of the vote, much better than many of its that vaccinations would be carried out,” the force said in held their ground until they by most people in Germany, a telling lawmakers that European neighbours. compulsory. a statement. “He will be interviewed under caution at a police Spain to move station in Northern Ireland.” Spain okays trial of Johnson & Johnson vaccine The twin attacks in the heart 200 migrants out of Britain’s second city on AFP — MADRID 30,000 volunteers in Belgium, or a placebo. “These trials are According to World Health November 21, 1974 came of Canaries port Colombia, France, Germany, essential to guarantee the Organization protocols, a can- during rising violence against Spain yesterday authorised the South Africa, Spain, the United quality, safety and effectiveness didate vaccine must complete British rule in Northern MADRID AFP — launch of late-stage trials of Kingdom, the United States and of vaccines,” the agency said, three phases of clinical trials to Ireland. Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 the Philippines, said the agency. indicating the results would be be approved for industrial The IRA has never claimed Spain is moving 200 migrants vaccine candidate, which will The agency did not say how made available after all the data production. responsibility. into a temporary camp set up also be tested in eight other many people would take part is analysed at the end of the Phase 3 trials are the largest. Inquests began last year to by the army to ease conditions nations. in Spain, only that the hospitals trials. A vaccine is deemed ready to re-examine the deaths in Bir- at a Canary Islands port over- The phase 3 trial will be involved would begin recruiting Johnson & Johnson carried move into industrial production mingham after claims police whelmed by thousands of new carried out in nine hospitals volunteers “as soon as out mid-stage phase 2 trials of once this last phase provides failed to heed two warnings of arrivals. The move comes as across Spain involving volun- possible”. the vaccine in September in clear evidence of its safety and an impending attack — one 11 the archipelago has seen a teers both with and without Twenty percent of the vol- Spain and other countries. efficacy. days before, the second on the huge surge in migrant underlying health conditions, unteers will be under the age of This will be the first phase Two other firms, Pfizer and day. numbers, with more than the national medicines agency 40, and 30 percent will be over 3 trial in Spain for a vaccine Moderna, announced this week The original inquests were 16,000 migrants arriving this AEMPS said in a statement. 60. They will be given either a against COVID-19, according to that their candidate vaccines halted by the police probe that year, 10 times the figure for the Trials of the two-dose dose of the experimental the medicines agency, a unit of had shown over 90-percent led to the conviction of the whole of 2019. vaccine will involve up to vaccine dubbed Ad26.COV2.S the health ministry. efficacy in their phase 3 trials. “Birmingham Six”. The situation has caused chaos at Arguineguin port on Gran Canaria, the main island. Rights groups say some British PM defends PPE procurement 2,000 people have been sleeping there for days if not weeks, many in the rough. contracts after watchdog criticism During the morning, offi- cials and police were locked REUTERS — LONDON Details about some of the needed to respond urgently to in talks about “speeding up the £10.5bn worth of contracts the coronavirus crisis. transfer of 200 migrants this British Prime Minister Boris awarded without any compe- “We shifted heaven and afternoon from Arguineguin Johnson defended yesterday tition were missing, and other earth to get 32 billion items of to the new camp in Barranco his government’s handling of agreements were drawn up PPE (personal protective Seco”, a government statement the procurement of protective only after companies had equipment) into this country,” said. Set up by the military in equipment during the started on the work, the NAO Johnson told parliament. “I’m an old weapons dump near Las COVID-19 pandemic, after a said. The watchdog’s head, very proud of what has been Palmas, the island’s capital, the spending watchdog said Gareth Davies, acknowledged achieved.” The NAO said that camp is made up of 23 tents suppliers with political links there were exceptional circum- by July 31, the government had which can house 200 people, had been fast-tracked. stances but said openness was awarded 8,600 contracts in the Spanish army said, posting The National Audit Office essential if the government was response to the pandemic, with images on Twitter of bunk- (NAO) said there had been a to maintain public trust. “The the vast majority for PPE. beds inside military-style lack of transparency and a evidence set out in our report In recent weeks, news- canvas tents. failure to explain why certain shows that these standards of papers have accused the gov- Rights groups such as suppliers were chosen, or how transparency and documen- ernment of running a “chu- Amnesty and Human Rights any conflict of interest was tation were not consistently mocracy” with contracts and Watch have called for urgent dealt with, in procurement met in the first phase of the appointments made to those People are seen in the city centre near to an electronic poster displaying changes at Arguineguin port, deals between March and the pandemic,” he said. with family or business links to COVID-19 information in Hull, in north-east England, yesterday. saying conditions there were end of July worth £18bn. The government said it had those in power. appalling. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande- Marlaska earlier this month said the Arguineguin port Slovenia backs Hungary and Poland in EU budget revolt camp, which was only set up to process arrivals and carry AFP — BUDAPEST the two countries on Monday Orban said in a statement by the rule of law,” Orban said. to political debates would be a out virus tests, would be closed in vetoing the plans, its prime ahead of an EU leaders’ summit “Once this proposal gets grave mistake, one that would “in the coming weeks” and the Hungary and Poland were minister weighed into the row today that Hungary, alongside adopted, there will be no more undermine Europe’s unity,” he migrants relocated to military backed by Slovenian political yesterday. Poland, had vetoed the EU’s obstacles to tying member added. Orban has been sites in Las Palmas. ally Janez Jansa yesterday in “Some political groups... are budget because it saw the rule states’ share of common funds implacably opposed to schemes During the morning opposing plans to tie EU funds openly threatening to use the of law conditions as tantamount to supporting migration and (to floated in the wake of the meeting, Canaries officials to rule of law criteria, even as instrument wrongly called ‘rule to “blackmailing” countries that the) use of financial means to 2015-16 migrant crisis to were also seeking “to analyse Orban hinted at a possible of law’ in order to discipline oppose migration. blackmail countries which resettle refugees arriving in the events which took place” compromise. individual EU member states The nationalist premier has oppose migration,” he said. other parts of the continent, on Tuesday, when police Hungary and Poland through a majority vote,” Jansa frequently clashed with Brussels “In the migration-related notably southern member states allowed some 200 migrants blocked approval on Monday said in a letter to EU Council in recent years over his tough debates of recent years, rule of such as Italy and Greece. The to leave Arguineguin port. of the EU’s long-term budget President Charles Michel pub- anti-migration stance and his law has transitioned into a vetoes triggered outrage in They were later bussed to and coronavirus rescue — a lished in local media. statement yesterday sought to political and ideological Brussels, with senior European the capital, but with nowhere 1.8-trillion-euro package — and Jansa is a close ally of Orban link the two issues. weapon from a legal point of diplomats saying there was no to go, prompting heavy crit- plunged the bloc into a political and has mimicked the Hungar- “In Brussels today, they only reference,” said Orban. question of the other countries icism in parliament yesterday crisis. ian’s hardline rhetoric on view countries which let “In our view, tying eco- agreeing to loosen the rule of against the government. While Slovenia did not join migration. migrants in as those governed nomic and financial questions law condition. 14 EUROPE / AMERICAS THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 Pfizer, BioNTech results show vaccine 95% effective

AFP — WASHINGTON based on data from 94 sick On Monday, US biotech firm Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit), more Pfizer and BioNTech said a completed people, and the companies say Moderna said the two-dose akin to a regular freezer. Pfizer and BioNTech said analysis of their experimental COVID-19 the additional patients have vaccine it developed with the This has to do with having yesterday a completed analysis now given them a more com- US National Institutes of Health different formulations of “lipid of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine found it protected 95 percent of plete picture. (NIH) was 94.5 percent effective, nanoparticles” used to deliver vaccine found it protected 95 people against the disease and announced The ongoing late-stage trial according to a preliminary the mRNA molecule. percent of people against the is taking place at 150 global sites analysis. The deep-freezer conditions disease and announced they they were applying for US emergency in the US, Germany, Turkey, Both vaccines use mRNA needed for the Pfizer-BioNTech were applying for US emer- approval “within days”. South Africa, Brazil and (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine have raised concerns, gency approval “within days”. Argentina. technology to deliver genetic which the companies tried to The US pharmaceutical The trial will continue for material to the body that makes address yesterday. company and its German eight-month journey to bring Out of the 170 patients who another two years to find out human cells create a protein They said they had partner brought further hope to forward a vaccine capable of became sick, 10 developed how long immunity lasts and from the virus. developed “specially designed, a world upended by the coro- helping to end this devastating severe COVID-19— nine in the whether there are longer term This trains the immune temperature-controlled navirus pandemic with the pandemic,” said Pfizer CEO placebo group and one in the safety issues. system to be ready to attack if thermal shippers utilizing dry announcement, which follows Albert Bourla. vaccine group. If the FDA issues an emer- it encounters SARS-CoV-2. ice to maintain temperature one last week when they said a “With hundreds of thou- The new data showed the gency use authorization, the No mRNA vaccines have conditions” which can be used preliminary analysis showed sands of people around the vaccine was generally well tol- vaccine could start reaching the ever been approved, but for up to 15 days by refilling the product was 90 percent globe infected every day, we erated, with most side-effects first Americans—frontline Anthony Fauci, the scientist with dry case. effective. urgently need to get a safe and short-lived and either mild or workers, the elderly and other who led the NIH effort, told AFP Each container would have Adding to the encouraging effective vaccine to the world,” moderate. high-risk people — in the first Tuesday the technology had a GPS thermal sensor to track data was that the efficacy was he added. About four percent experi- half of December. now “established itself.” location and temperature as it found to be consistent across all Yesterday’s news came after enced severe fatigue and two The US has said it expects But there are also important makes its way across the world. age-groups — a primary 170 people fell sick in an percent got severe headaches it to be available to the general differences between the two. On the other hand, the concern for a disease that hits ongoing clinical trial of almost after their second dose. population by April. For one, the Pfizer vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech doses are the elderly the hardest— as well 44,000 people — 162 of whom Older patients had fewer Pfizer and BioNTech said needs to be stored at -70 much smaller— 30 micrograms as genders and ethnicities. were in a placebo group and and milder side-effects. they expect to produce 50 degrees Celsius (- 94 degrees to Moderna-NIH’s 100 micro- “The study results mark an eight of whom received the The preliminary analysis million doses this year and 1.3 Fahrenheit) while the Moderna grams— probably lowering pro- important step in this historic two-dose medicine. announced last week had been billion by the end of 2021. vaccine only needs -20 degrees duction costs per dose. US asks Georgia EU looks at more oppn to drop sanctions on boycott threat Belarus regime BLOOMBERG — TBILISI Senior US officials called for AFP — BRUSSELS Bondarenko, after he was sav- Georgia’s opposition to work agely beaten in detention. within the legal system to The European Union will look No sanctions address their concerns over last at imposing further economic announcement was expected month’s parliamentary elections, sanctions on the regime of immediately at ministers’ as Secretary of State Michael Belarus President Alexander meeting today because it is Pompeo visited in a show of Lukashenko at a meeting of being held by videolink, owing support for the country’s efforts European affairs ministers to coronavirus measures, to orient itself toward the West today, diplomats said. which weakens its decision- and away from Russia. The EU already sanctioned making authority. The officials, who spoke to Lukashenko, his son and 53 But sources said the min- reporters on customary condition others for the violent isters could launch a procedure of anonymity, said the election repression of Belarusians pro- with a view to having sanctions results were generally accurate testing results of the August 9 adopted unanimously by the and not fatally flawed, though presidential election, which the 27 member states. they said there were some con- opposition, the EU and Canada The existing sanctions by cerns like vote-buying and intim- called fraudulent. the EU prohibit the Belarusian idation. They said they’ll urge the Georgian opposition supporters share US flags as they attend a rally in central Tbilisi, yesterday. “All options are open. Sec- officials getting visas and opposition not to boycott par- Georgian opposition supporters pledged permanent protest rallies — despite a violent police toral sanctions are on the freezing their assets in the bloc. liament but to push for electoral crackdown — until snap polls are called as the opposition accused the ruling Georgian Dream Party table,” one diplomat told AFP. But “nothing has changed reform within the law. of rigging legislative elections, which it won narrowly a week ago. “It will be up to the ministers on the ground”, a European The comments came as to decide the nature of the diplomat said. “Pressure has to Pompeo visited the country as measures to adopt.” A be maintained and political part of a seven-nation swing Europe, Philip Reeker, planned to Pompeo’s visit is an opportunity protests in the weeks since the spokesman for EU foreign push is needed.” Belarusians through Europe and the Middle stay on and meet opposition to deepen cooperation in ruling Georgia Dream party, policy chief Josep Borrell said continue to demonstrate East. He met President Salome leaders. “We want to do every- “defense, security, economy founded by the country’s richest extra sanctions were being against Lukashenko despite Zourabichvili in the morning and thing we can to support your and consolidating democracy,” man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, considered after the death a repression and intimidation by planned to meet civil society democratic process,” Pompeo Gakharia said. claimed victory in October 31 week ago of an opposition plainclothes police and security leaders later in the day, while his said at a meeting with Prime Opposition supporters in parliamentary elections for the activist, 31-year-old Roman forces. acting assistant secretary for Minister Giorgi Gakharia. the capital, Tbilisi, have kept up third straight election. Peru interim President assumes post, vows to defend fiscal stability Argentina seeks wealth tax to fund BLOOMBERG — LIMA political and social tumult requests for comment. triggered by Martin Vizcarra’s The 35-year-old econ- COVID-19 aid Peru’s new interim leader impeachment. omist, known as Toni, won vowed to defend fiscal stability Peruvian assets rallied on early praise for putting REUTERS — BUENOS AIRES in the face of demands for Tuesday on expectations the together one of Latin Amer- higher government spending, new government won’t give ica’s largest rescue packages The lower house of Argen- signaling he’ll resist populist in to congress’ demands for during the pandemic, tina’s Congress yesterday economic measures from higher spending amid the although the plan eventually approved a bill seeking to congress. deepest recession in a fell short as rising infections raise 300bn pesos ($3.75bn) The pandemic has dimin- century. His team asked turned Peru into a global through a tax on large fortunes ished fiscal reserves and the Maria Antonieta Alva to hotspot. to finance programmes aimed government will have return as finance minister Harvard-educated and at helping families hit by the “enormous” difficulty bal- just a week after she social media-savvy, her COVID-19 pandemic. ancing the budget, President resigned, according to three potential return could The Senate was expected Francisco Sagasti said in a people familiar with the appease younger voters, who to consider the government- speech to lawmakers yes- matter. took to the streets following backed legislation before the terday. His administration Alva, who left following Vizcarra’s ouster. Those pro- end of the month. The lower will address the most urgent Vizcarra’s ouster, is consid- tests led to the resignation on house vote was 133 to 115 with demands while respecting ering the proposal, said the Sunday of Manuel Merino, two abstentions. fiscal stability. “If we don’t, people, who requested ano- who had taken over as People with more than we all lose,” he said. nymity because the talks are interim leader days before. $2.5m—about 12,000 indi- Sagasti was sworn in as private. Neither Alva nor a Congress chose Sagasti as viduals —would get hit by the Peru's new interim President Francisco Sagasti attends his swearing-in interim leader following a representative for Sagasti’s Peru’s third president in a 2% flat tax. The levy would ceremony, in Lima, Peru, yesterday. week of unprecedented Partido Morado replied to week yesterday. increase progressively as equity increases, under the proposal. President Alberto Denmark minister steps down Fernández took office in Thousands march in Croatia to December amid a recession over illegal mink cull order that has been exacerbated by honour war city despite virus the pandemic. REUTERS — COPENHAGEN Jensen earlier yesterday. Sweden culls 3,200 AP — ZAGREB by the 1990s war. it fell into the Serb-led army’s “I want the prime minister turkeys after finding Croatia yesterday reported hands in November 1991. Hun- Denmark’s Prime Minister to acknowledge that when she Thousands yesterday marched 3,251 new cases of infection dreds of Vukovar fighters and Mette Frederiksen yesterday makes a mistake, it’s her bird flu on farm to commemorate the suffering with the virus while 38 people civilians were killed and cap- faced opposition calls to resign responsibility,” Elleman-Jensen of Croatia’s eastern city of died in the past 24 hours in the tured, while thousands of non- after her agriculture minister said. REUTERS — STOCKHOLM Vukovar during the 1991-95 country of 4.2 million people. Serb residents were later stepped down over an illegal Two weeks ago, authorities war despite a persisting surge Bigger gatherings are otherwise expelled. This has made the city order by the government to cull drafted the military and police Sweden has culled 3,200 in new coronavirus cases in the banned in the country and on the Danube a symbol of the country’s farmed mink. to help Denmark’s 1,100 mink turkeys after finding bird flu, country. health authorities have said no Croatia’s independence plight. The government is facing farmers cull their 17 million authorities said yesterday, Prime Minister Andrej more than 500 people should Borislav Milosevic, a deputy its biggest crisis yet during the mink, one of the world’s biggest effectively bringing to a halt Plenkovic led the crowds, which join the march in Vukovar. prime minister from the coronavirus pandemic after it populations of the animals, the country’s poultry exports also included Serb politicians More than 10,000 people Croatian Serb minority party, ordered the culling of all which are bred for their fur. to markets outside the who joined in as part of efforts died in the conflict that erupted said dialogue and reconciliation farmed mink earlier this month Farmers said the move would European Union for at least to boost reconciliation and mend when Croatia split from the are now key for the future and to prevent the spread of end their business for good. three months. still tense ties between the rival Serb-dominated Yugoslav fed- young generations. He called COVID-19, including a new The government’s drastic The slaughter follows a Balkan nations. eration and the minority Serbs for accounting for all those still mutated strain, but later decision came after health series of outbreaks of bird flu in Many participants in backed by the Yugoslav army missing from the war, which admitted the order had no legal authorities said the mink Europe in the last few weeks, Vukovar failed to wear face rebelled against the move, remains a thorny issue in Serb- basis. industry posed a risk to public with wild birds suspected to be masks or socially distance taking hold of swaths of Croatia Croat postwar relations. “I want the Prime Minister health in the country due to spreading the disease. The despite recommendations to do to set up a Serb mini-state. Croatia joined the European to do the same,” opposition widespread outbreaks on disease, found in the southern so from the country’s epidemi- The border city of Vukovar Union in 2013, but remains one leader Jakob Elleman-Jensen farms, exacerbated by the find Swedish region of Skane, had ologists. The annual event is of was demolished in the of the weakest economies in the of The Liberal Party said, of a mutated virus strain, which already killed around 1,400 great symbolic importance for relentless, three-month bloc, partly still because of the referring to the resignation of it said could compromise the turkeys on the farm before the Croatia, which is still burdened Yugoslav army shelling before war. Agriculture Minister Mogens efficacy of future vaccines. cull began on Tuesday THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Judge orders US to stop expelling children who cross southern border

AP — HOUSTON The Trump cruel and unlawful.” The Justice Redfield to move forward administration has Department did not immedi- anyway. Opponents of the A federal judge yesterday ately say whether it would policy accuse the adminis- ordered the Trump adminis- expelled at least appeal. It has appealed another tration of using the pandemic tration to stop expelling immi- 8,800 unaccompanied federal judge’s order barring the as a pretext to restrict immi- grant children who cross the use of hotels to detain children. gration and say agents can southern border alone, halting children since The incoming adminis- safely screen minors for a policy that has resulted in March, when it tration of President-elect Joe COVID-19 without denying pro- thousands of rapid deportations Biden has not directly said tections under federal anti-traf- of minors during the corona- issued an emergency whether it will keep trying to ficking law and a court set- virus pandemic. declaration citing expel immigrants under public- tlement that governs the US District Judge Emmet health authority. Biden is treatment of children. Sullivan issued a preliminary the coronavirus as expected to roll back several US Magistrate Judge G. injunction sought by legal grounds for barring Trump administration policies Michael Harvey recommended Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during her weekly groups suing on behalf of restricting asylum as part of a on Sept. 25 that Sullivan grant an most people crossing press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. children whom the government broader shift on immigration. injunction barring expulsions of sought to expel before they the border from The Trump administration children, saying the government could request asylum or other remaining in the has argued in court that it must was claiming power that was protections under federal law. expel children who have “breathtakingly broad.” House Democrats back Pelosi The Trump administration United States. recently crossed the border — Children and parents who has expelled at least 8,800 whether they had authorisation have been expelled have for another term as Speaker unaccompanied children since Sullivan’s order bars only or not — to prevent the infection reported believing they would March, when it issued an emer- the expulsion of children who of border agents and others in be allowed to reunite with AP — WASHINGTON new Congress convenes in early gency declaration citing the cross the border unaccom- immigration custody. The emer- family in the U.S., only to January, shortly before Biden’s coronavirus as grounds for panied by a parent. The gov- gency declaration was made by instead be deported to their House Democrats nominated Jan. 20 inauguration. Hoyer’s barring most people crossing ernment has expelled more Dr. Robert Redfield, director of countries of origin. Nancy Pelosi yesterday as the and Clyburn’s jobs are party the border from remaining in than 147,000 people since the Centers for Disease Control One mother of 12- and speaker to lead them into Joe positions that don’t need House the United States. March, including adults, and and Prevention, and the Justice 9-year-olds found out her Biden’s presidency, picking her approval. Border agents have forced parents and children traveling Department on October 2 cited children had been expelled to guide a smaller and ideolog- Pelosi has won wide acclaim many people to return to together. the judgment of “the nation’s top when she received a call from ically divided majority in shep- among Democrats as a leading foe Mexico right away, while “This policy was sending public health official” in urging an official in Honduras asking herding his agenda towards of outgoing President Donald detaining others in holding thousands of young children Sullivan not to stop the expulsion her to send a relative to collect enactment. Trump in battles over facilities or hotels, sometimes back to danger without any of children. them. The father of a 1-year-old Democrats used a voice impeachment, immigration and for days or weeks. Meanwhile, hearing,” said Lee Gelernt, a The top CDC officials girl alleged that agents told him vote to make Pelosi, D-Calif., health care. She’s given as good as government-funded facilities lawyer for the American Civil resisted issuing the declaration and his wife to feed the girl ice their choice to serve two more she’s gotten from the insult-prone meant to hold children while Liberties Union. “Like so many because it lacked a public in case their temperatures were years in her post. Scattered Republican president, sometimes they are placed with sponsors other Trump administration health basis, but that Vice Pres- checked before boarding a around the country, it was the directly to his face, prompting him have thousands of unused beds. policies, it was gratuitously ident Mike Pence ordered flight. party’s first virtual leadership to call her “Crazy Nancy” and sup- election, a response to the coro- porters to create memes and navirus pandemic. action figures honoring her. US death toll from House Majority Leader Steny But with some votes still Hoyer, D-Md., and No. 3 party being tallied in this month’s COVID-19 nears leader Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., Con- elections, 10 incumbent House gress’ highest ranking Black Democrats have been defeated, quarter million as member, were reelected to their dashing expectations of adding infection rates soar positions, like Pelosi without seats and damaging party opposition. Clyburn revived morale. Democrats were on Biden’s faltering bid for the Dem- track to have perhaps a 222-213 REUTERS — NEW YORK ocratic presidential nomination majority, one of the smallest in this year by helping him win the decades. This has sparked The death toll from COVID-19 South Carolina primary, a turn- finger-pointing, with progres- in the United States approached around moment in Biden’s sives saying the party failed to 250,000 yesterday, the day campaign. adequately win over minority after the country recorded the “The theme, I think, of what and young liberal voters. Mod- highest number of victims in we do next has to be about erates say that they were hurt nearly four months, a chilling justice” in the economy, health by far-left initiatives like sign for a healthcare system care and policing, Pelosi told her defunding the police and that already struggling to cope. colleagues after the vote, Pelosi should have struck a On Tuesday, the pandemic according to a transcript released preelection stimulus deal with claimed 1,596 lives in the United by her office. She also asked the White House. States, more than on any single them to listen respectfully to Besides bitterness over their day since July 27, contributing to voters and each other, adding, election setback, many Demo- a total of 248,898 confirmed “Joe Biden is a unifier, so that will crats continue calling for fresh deaths since the pandemic People line up for COVID-19 tests at Judiciary Square in Washington, DC, yesterday. The United States make it easier for us.” leadership. Pelosi and Hoyer began, according to a tally. is home to the world’s largest coronavirus outbreak, with nearly 249,000 deaths as of yesterday, Underscoring Pelosi’s have been No. 1 and 2 House For weeks, health officials according to Johns Hopkins University. emphasis on inclusiveness, five Democrats since 2003, while and healthcare workers have of the seven Democrats who’d Clyburn rose to the No. 3 ranks warned that hospitals in all planned to deliver speeches in 2007. Pelosi and Clyburn are regions could soon become of patients hospitalized with Forty-one U.S. states have Government officials in at backing her candidacy were 80, Hoyer is 81. overwhelmed, with widespread COVID-19 topped 75,000 on reported daily record increases least 18 states, representing women. They included con- Pelosi’s reelection by the community transmission of the Tuesday, setting a new record. in COVID-19 cases in both sides of the U.S. political gresswoman-elect Nikema House would give her a seventh virus evident in many places. The Midwest has become the epi- November, 20 have registered divide, have issued sweeping Williams, who won the Atlanta- and eight year as speaker. She “I’m the most concerned center, reporting almost a half- new all-time highs in corona- new public health mandates area district represented by served the first four during the I’ve been since this pandemic million cases in the week ending virus-related deaths from day this month. These range from Democratic Rep. John Lewis, 2000s until Republicans recap- started,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, on Monday. In Wisconsin, 90.6% to day, and 26 have reported stricter limits on social gath- the civil rights champion, until tured the House majority in the director of Johns Hopkins Center of Intensive Care Unit beds were new peaks in hospitalizations, erings and non-essential busi- his death in July. tea party election of 2010, a for Health Security, told CNN yes- occupied as of Wednesday, state according to a Reuters tally of nesses to new requirements for The full House will formally conservative uprising that terday. Nationwide, the number data showed. public health data. wearing masks in public places. elect the new speaker when the presaged the rise of Trump. Acting Pentagon chief cites risks during troop reductions US drug charges against Mexico’s AP — WASHINGTON order to cut the US military important question is whether “It sends a clear signal to done in a way that “protects our presence to 2,500 troops in those remaining troops will be the Taliban” and strengthens fighting men and women and our former defence The coming period of US troop those countries by January 15 able to prevent Al Qaeda, the their hand in negotiations with hard-earned gains.” “At the withdrawals from Afghanistan was a step toward ending the Islamic State, Iranian proxies, the Kabul government, said same time, should any malign minister dropped and Iraq is “fraught with risk,” wars responsibly. Some and others from plotting attacks Hagel, who stressed that he actors underestimate our REUTERS — NEW YORK/ but the military will not hesitate members of Congress, that can spill American blood, favors finding a way to end US resolve or attempt to MEXICO CITY to strike back if extremists including Republicans, have or if they will be exposed as military involvement in undermine our efforts, we will attempt to undermine the tran- argued that the move is unwise jihadis gain ground.” Afghanistan without sabo- not hesitate to restore deter- A federal judge yesterday sition to a smaller US force in or premature. Chuck Hagel, a Republican taging the government’s rence and defeat any and all granted a US government those countries, the newly “Headlines about ‘bringing who served as defense secretary chances of achieving a viable threats,” he added, speaking request to drop drug charges installed Acting Secretary of the boys home’ sound good, but in the Obama administration, peace deal. “This is not going at Bragg’s outdoor Special against former Mexican Defence said. that’s not what’s happening,” said in an interview earlier this to end well for the Afghan Operations Memorial Plaza. Defence Minister Salvador Speaking at Fort Bragg in said Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska week that Trump should have left government.” “As we implement the pres- Cienfuegos and return him to North Carolina, Christopher C Republican and member of the troop reduction decisions to Miller had announced ident’s orders, we recognize that Mexico, a move Mexico said Miller, who served in both Senate Intelligence Committee. President-elect Joe Biden, since Trump’s troop-cut decision on transitions and campaigns are would restore trust in the Afghanistan and Iraq as an “After this retreat, there will still the new administration will have Tuesday at the Pentagon, and he fraught with risk and unex- countries’ severely strained Army Special Forces officer, be American troops in Iraq and to deal with the consequences of elaborated on the plan at Bragg. pected challenges and oppor- security cooperation ties. said President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan. The most American troop withdrawals. He said the reductions would be tunities,” Miller said. The dismissal came one day after a surprise announcement by US Attorney General William Barr and Wildfire destroys 20 homes in Nevada Mexican Attorney General Ale- jandro Gertz Manero that the AP — RENO, NEVADA grew to more than 5.2 sq km fires have been happening in the US case against Cienfuegos within hours of igniting in brush region year-round in recent years, would end, just one month A fast-moving wildfire driven by above the neighborhood, Reno he said. Winds gusting over 80kph after being announced. strong winds destroyed or Fire Chief David Cochran said Tuesday afternoon drove the “Although these are very damaged about 20 homes in a on Tuesday night. flames but later subsided and rain serious charges against a very Reno neighbourhood and forced There were no immediate fell late on Tuesday night and significant figure, and the old the evacuation of hundreds more reports of injuries, and the cause early yesterday. adage ‘a bird in the hand’ on the edge of the Sierra Nevada of the fire was under investi- Winkelman said the overnight comes to mind, I have no foothills, authorities said gation. Winkelman said the fire rain helped dampen the fire after reason to doubt the sincerity yesterday. It was one of several started about 200 yards (183 firefighters stopped its progress. of the government’s decision,” blazes burning near the Nevada- meters) from the origin point of a The moisture helped crews US District Judge Carol Bagley California border. 2011 fire that destroyed 27 homes. working to extinguish the fire, Amon said at a hearing. Cien- Preliminary information indi- That fire was started by arcing which was contained around 5% fuegos, 72, was Mexico’s cated that five homes were power lines at a substation, he of its perimeter as of Wednesday defence minister from 2012 to An American flag blows in the high winds that spread a destroyed and that 15 were said. “Same situation—super morning, he said. 2018. The charges prompted wildfire into residential neighbourhoods in Reno, Nevada. damaged in the fire that started windy,” Winkelman said. Anita Noble of Reno was Mexico’s current government on Tuesday, said Battalion Chief Winkelman said it wasn’t spraying down a hillside with a to threaten a review of agree- Mark Winkelman of the Reno Fire known whether power equipment garden hose near her daughter’s neighbor’s house.” it was coming from up in the ments allowing US Drug Department. played any role in Tuesday’s fire home, telling KOLO-TV that she “We were about ready to canyon, and it wasn’t, it was Enforcement Administration As many as 500 homes were but that dry and windy conditions “could have been the one to save leave, and I saw a bunch of right below the ravine,” agents to operate in the threatened by the blaze that helped spread the blaze. Wildland my daughter’s house and the smoke, and my daughter said Noble said. country. THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2020 16

Indian Ambassador visits The Peninsula You Ask, officials answer

PRAYER Questions answered by TIMINGS PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Readers can send questions: FAJR 04.33 am [email protected] SUNRISE 05.53 am DHUHR 11.19 am ASR 02.24 pm To change job during probation, do I need to MAGHRIB 04.47 pm ISHA 06.17 pm follow same procedure like any other employee in the company?

ANSWER: It may be stipulated in your the end of your notice period and your employment contract that you shall be basic wage is QAR 1,500 per month, The Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula, Dr. Khalid bin Mubarak Al-Shafi, received subject to a probation period agreed you will have to pay your employer Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal, at The Peninsula office on upon with your employer, provided QAR 750 to terminate the contract Tuesday. The Ambassador was briefed about the evolution of the newspaper over that the probation period does not legally. the past two decades since its establishment and its mission, vision and role of the exceed six months from the date of newspaper’s website. The Indian Ambassador and the Editor-in-Chief discussed commencement of your work. You Do I need to pay or reimburse PIC: QASSIM cooperation between the Indian embassy in Doha and the newspaper. my new employer for any WEATHER RAHMATULLAH/THE PENINSULA shall not be subject to more than one TODAY probation period with the same administrative costs for the employer. change of employer? You may terminate the No, the procedure to change employment contract within the pro- employer is free of charge for workers. COVID-19 pandemic foils bation period, provided you comply You do not need to pay or reimburse with the following: any amount to your new employer for -Notify your current employer at the issuance of a new QID and health o o least one month before you plan to card either. 23 C 30 C Nobel prize festivities leave your current job, through Minimum Maximum AFP — OSLO ADLSA’s electronic system. Will I be able to change my job Moderate temperature with some Foundation on Wednesday announced -Your new employer must com- if there is a non-compete clouds at times. The lavish Nobel festivities usually held that the head of the World Food Pro- pensate your current employer a clause in my employment in December to fête achievements in gramme would not be able to collect the portion of the recruitment fees and contract? science, literature and peace have been Peace Prize in Norway next month. one-way air ticket at the level that was Your employer can only include a W ALRUWAIS : 24o → 28o scrapped this year, as the pandemic It said it was considering holding a digital agreed to by the current and new non-compete clause in your W ALKHOR : 22o → 28o prevents the 2020 laureates from award ceremony in December, and the tra- employers, not exceeding two months employment contract if the nature of collecting their prizes in person. ditional lecture and banquet would be held of your current basic wage. your work puts you in a position to W DUKHAN : 24o → 28o The Nobel prizes are traditionally next year, when, hopefully, WFP director know the clients of the employer or W WAKRAH : 22o → 31o awarded at formal ceremonies on David Beasley would be able to attend. What happens if I do not com- the secrets of the business. This means W MESAIEED : 22o → 31o December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 “With the current restrictions in Oslo, plete the notice period with my that after your contract termination, W ABUSAMRA : 20o → 28o death of prize creator Alfred Nobel. it would not be possible to carry out the current employer? you cannot compete with the The prizes for medicine, physics, ceremony or other parts of the laureate’s If you decide to stop working employer or take part in any com- chemistry, literature and economics are traditional programme in a good and before the end of your notice period, peting business in the same economic presented in Stockholm, while the peace worthy manner,” organisers said. you will have to pay your current sector. HIGH TIDE 07:32 – 18:26 prize is awarded separately in Oslo. The last time there was no Nobel cer- employer for every day of the notice The duration of the non-compete But this year COVID-19 has dealt a emony in Oslo was in 1976, when the period you do not work. clause cannot exceed one year from LOW TIDE 01:17 – 15:20 blow to the revels, usually attended by committee decided to “reserve” the This is calculated as an amount the date of leaving your employment. royals sporting tails and glittering tiaras honour for lack of a candidate deemed equivalent to your basic wage for the ADLSA will issue a regulation to and followed by gala banquets. worthy. remaining part of the notice period on further clarify the provisions related After already cancelling the Swedish It was awarded retroactively the fol- a pro rata basis. For example: If you to the non-compete clauses. festivities in September, the Nobel lowing year. want to stop working two weeks before — SOURCE: Ministry of ADLSA website

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