INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-5,7,12 COMMENT 10 QATAR | Page 3 ARAB WORLD 7 BUSINESS 1-8 German INTERNATIONAL 7-9,11 SPORTS 1-8 QU among top corporate sector DOW JONES QE NYMEX 350 universities eyes investment worldwide 29,014.98 9,811.57 41.33 opportunities in +369.32 -39.11 -1.43 in 2021 THE +1.29% -0.4% -3.34% Qatar, says envoy Latest Figures rankings

published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11660 September 3, 2020 Muharram 15, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

8 held for violating Amir meets senior adviser to US president; home quarantine stresses just solution to Palestinian cause The competent authorities have Qatar Airways arrested eight people who violated the requirements of the home quarantine they had committed to following, in accordance with the procedures of the health to fl y to over authorities in the country. It is in implementation of the precautionary measures in force in the country, approved by health authorities represented in the 85 destinations Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to ensure the achievement of public safety and to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The arrested are currently being by mid-Sept referred to prosecution. They are: Mansour Hadi Hajaj al-Shahwani al-Hajri, Ahmed Abdulaziz Mohamed atar Airways will operate over Abdullah Marafieh, Munger Mannan, 650 weekly fl ights to more than ‘Qatar Airways deserves Bleech Flee, Jamblely Juba, Faleh Q85 destinations by mid-Sep- additional frequencies’ Hadi Fahad al-Shahwani al-Hajri, tember, off ering “more global connec- Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed al- tivity” than any other airline. Qatar Airways Group Chief Rakhila al-Marri and Abdul-Rahman The national carrier continues to Executive HE Akbar al-Baker Saleh Ali Abbad al-Ajji. lead the industry in providing global has said his airline “should The authorities concerned in connectivity by resuming fl ights to just be considered to be given a the state have urged citizens over half the destinations it operated reasonable amount of additional and residents who are subject to pre-Covid-19. frequencies so that we will be able quarantine to fully adhere to the Since the onset of the pandemic, to keep connecting the Australian requirements set by the Ministry of Qatar Airways network has never fallen people to the outside world.” Public Health, to ensure their safety below 30 destinations with continuous “We are a global connector for the and the safety of others. Anyone services to fi ve continents. people of Australia. And we are part who violates these conditions will During September, the airline will of the Qantas alliance – we are part expose himself to the penalties resume fl ights to the following des- of oneworld,” al-Baker said in his stipulated in accordance with the tinations – Houston (three weekly comments on expanding Australian provisions of Article (253) of the fl ights started September 2 increas- services during the CAPA Australia Penal Code No. (11) of 2004. ing to four weekly from September 15), Pacific Aviation Summit. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at his off ice in Al Bahr Palace yesterday with the visiting Kathmandu (one weekly fl ight starting Senior Adviser to the US President, Jared Kushner. During the meeting, they reviewed the close strategic relations Steroids cut Covid September 5), Mogadishu (three week- between Qatar and the United States, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common concern, especially the death rates: study ly fl ights starting September 6), Phila- tions via our US partners to several key peace process in the Middle East region. His Highness the Amir aff irmed, during the meeting, Qatar’s position that calls delphia (three weekly fl ights start- domestic points such as Atlanta, De- for a just settlement of the Palestinian cause on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Treating critically ill Covid-19 ing September 16) and Sialkot (three troit and Miami. Similarly, the increase Initiative and on the basis of the two-state solution in a way that achieves security and stability in the region. Page 2 patients with corticosteroid drugs weekly fl ights started September 1). in frequencies to Djibouti, Ho Chi Minh reduces the risk of death by 20%, The airline’s variety of fuel-effi cient City, London and New York will provide an analysis of seven international aircraft and strategic network manage- further air freight capacity to these im- trials found yesterday, prompting ment has also enabled it to increase fre- portant trade and economic centres. the World Health Organisation to quencies in the following destinations, “The recovery of international travel update its advice on treatment. providing more fl exible travel options will take time but returning to over UAE caused ‘maximum suff ering’ The analysis – which pooled data to passengers: Ankara (increased to 50% of our pre-Covid-19 network is a from separate trials of low dose daily from September 1), Baghdad (in- signifi cant milestone. Restoring pas- hydrocortisone, dexamethasone creasing to 11 weekly fl ights from Sep- senger confi dence is key, and we are and methylprednisolone – found tember 3), Basra (increased to daily proud to lead the industry by off ering for Qataris, UN court hears that steroids improve survival rates fl ights from September 2), Djibouti (in- one of the most fl exible and generous of Covid-19 patients sick enough to creasing to six weekly fl ights from Sep- booking policies that enables custom- O ‘Punitive measures intended to bend Qatar to UAE’s political will’ be in intensive care in hospital. tember 6), Erbil (increasing to 11 weekly ers to plan their travel with confi dence. “This is equivalent to around fl ights from September 3), Ho Chi Minh By continuing to fl y during the pan- 68% of (the sickest Covid-19) City (increasing to daily fl ights from demic while others stopped, we have AFP to avoid the truth,” Mohamed Ab- Elimination of All Forms of Racial patients surviving after treatment September 15), London Heathrow (in- gained the trust of passengers as an The Hague dulaziz al-Khulaifi , representing Qa- Discrimination (CERD). with corticosteroids, compared creased to four daily fl ights from Sep- airline they can rely on. tar, told the court. “The UAE’s actions go to the very to around 60% surviving in the tember 1), New York JFK (increased to “We have taken more international “This dispute is about the UAE’s core of the evil the convention was absence of corticosteroids,” the double daily fl ights from September passengers home than any other airline he United Arab Emirates (UAE) punitive discriminatory measures, designed to eradicate,” said al-Khu- researchers said in a statement. 1), Sulaymaniyah (increased to daily during this pandemic and as entry re- has infl icted “maximum suf- which are intended to bend the state laifi . fl ights from September 2). strictions ease and we resume more of Tfering” on Qataris as part of of Qatar to the UAE’s political will by The ICJ, set up in 1946 to rule Harry, Meghan sign Qatar Airways Group Chief Execu- our pre-Covid-19 network, we remain the Gulf diplomatic crisis, Qatar told infl icting maximum suff ering on the in disputes between UN member deal with Netflix tive, HE Akbar al-Baker said, “We are focused on our fundamental mission the UN’s top court yesterday. Qatari people.” states, is expected to decide in com- proud to be the leading global airline of carrying passengers across the globe Doha alleges that measures taken Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE ing months whether the case can go Prince Harry and Meghan have connecting passengers with the world, safely and reliably. There are still mil- by Abu Dhabi after several Middle and several other allies cut relations ahead. signed a multi-year deal to make TV operating one of the youngest, most lions of people who have not seen their Eastern states severed ties with Qatar with Qatar after accusing it of back- A fi nal judgement could however series, films and children’s shows for fuel-effi cient and sustainable fl eets to friends and families for months and our in 2017 breached a UN treaty against ing extremism and siding with Iran. take years, and while the ICJ’s rulings Netflix, as part of their new careers take people safely to where they need growing network allows them to travel racial discrimination. They imposed an eff ective block- are fi nal, it has no means of enforcing away from the frontline of the royal to be. The gradual rebuilding of our home or take a trip to see loved ones. The two energy-rich states are ade by land, air and sea, and ordered them. family. The Duke and Duchess of network has been focused on strength- “With a young fleet of fuel effi- arguing this week before the Inter- the expulsion of Qatari nationals. The case has gone Qatar’s way so Sussex, who have had to become self- ening connections between our hub cient aircraft such as the Airbus A350 national Court of Justice (ICJ) in The alliance has issued a raft of far, with the ICJ in 2018 ordering the suff icient after announcing in January in Doha and key gateways around the and Boeing 787 operating the major- The Hague about whether the tri- terms Qatar must accept before it will UAE to take emergency measures to that they intended to “step back” world as well as major business and ity of the current network, Qatar Air- bunal has the jurisdiction to deal lift the embargo. protect the rights of Qatari citizens. as senior members the royal family, leisure destinations. ways continues to offer passengers a with the case. Doha took the UAE to the ICJ in Doha has also won a separate but have set up a production company to “The resumption of fl ights to Phila- sustainable solution for their travel “The UAE seeks to avoid the juris- 2018, saying it had breached the 1965 related case at the ICJ in July that is develop projects for Netflix. Page 8 delphia will provide seamless connec- plans. To Page 12 diction of this court because it seeks International Convention on the specifi cally about the air blockade. US agency withholds Biden health ‘report’ Education City Stadium to Ashghal to develop Extreme performer ascends The US Department of Homeland Al Khor link roads Security (DHS) yesterday defended host first official match today 30,000ft using balloons its decision to withhold circulation The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) of an intelligence report warning yesterday announced the commencement that Russia was trying to portray of developing 28km of Al Khor link roads Democratic presidential candidate network and converting seven temporary Joe Biden as mentally unstable. roads into new permanent roads. The A draft of the report, headlined development works will provide greater “Russia Likely to Denigrate Health capacity and traff ic flow in all directions, of US Candidates to Influence 2020 according to a statement. Election,” was submitted to the Seven roads in Wadi Al Banat, Rawdat Al agency’s legislative and public aff airs Hamama, Tenbek and Umm Garn areas will off ice on July 7, according to ABC be developed along with three in Al Daayen. News, which first reported the matter. The new roads will be expanded to two and three lanes in each direction instead of one Navalny poisoned with increasing the vehicle capacity to 8,000 per Novichok nerve agent hour and reducing the travel time between these areas. German Chancellor Angela Merkel The roads will be linked to infrastructure yesterday demanded answers from networks services such as drainage, rainwater Russia over the case of opposition drainage and potable water networks in figure Alexei Navalny after Berlin addition to telecommunication and electricity said it had proof he was poisoned networks and street lighting. The new road with a Novichok nerve agent. “This design also includes green spaces and has given rise to some very serious Education City Stadium will host its first off icial match this evening, which will extended aff orestation. questions that only Russia can and be the QNB Stars League 2020/2021 season-opener between Al Sadd SC and Upon its completion in 2022, the development must answer,” Merkel said. The Al Kharaitiyat SC. In June, a digital launch had announced the completion of works will achieve improved traff ic flow in Extreme performer David Blaine performed his latest stunt German government said Navalny, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium, specially programmed as a tribute the area as these roads will connect Al Khor yesterday, ascending nearly 30,000 feet into the Arizona sky while who fell ill in Siberia in August and to frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dubbed the Road to the adjacent residential areas such as hanging from a cluster of jumbo-sized balloons before parachuting was later transferred to Berlin for ‘Diamond in the Desert’, Education City Stadium has a capacity of 40,000 and is Rawdat Al Hamama, Wadi Al Banat, Al Kheesa, safely back to earth. “It’s like magic, it feels like I’m floating in the treatment, had been poisoned with set to host matches up to and including the quarter-finals stage during the FIFA Al Daayen, Umm Garn and Tenbek as well as air,” Blaine said on a radio to his team of aides back on the ground a nerve agent from the Novichok World Cup 2022. The match between Al Sadd SC and Al Kharaitiyat SC will be facilitating access to sports and recreational after gently lifting off from a desert airstrip in Page, Arizona, family. Page 8 played from 6.15pm today. Sport Page 1 facilities. Pages 7, 12 connected to dozens of balloons. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, September 3, 2020 QATAR

FM meets Jared Kushner OFFICIAL Amir sends cable Awqaf ministry’s plans of congratulations to Vietnam president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and presented to Cabinet His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of E the Minister of En- ised by the intensifi cation of re- tural centre. congratulations to Vietnamese dowments (Awqaf) Health minister sources as a method of solution. 9- Establishing an eff ective President Nguyen Phu Trong on briefs Cabinet on Intermediate results: Hand Islamic Affairs Dr Covid-19 situation z Zakat management system. the anniversary of his country’s Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari 1- An advanced and eff ec- 10- An advanced and eff ective Independence Day. HE the Prime presented at yesterday’s regu- HE the Minister of Public tive call system that highlights communication and relations Minister and Minister of Interior lar Cabinet meeting the strate- Health, Dr Hanan Mohamed the true image of Islam and en- system. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- gy of the Awqaf ministry, which al-Kuwari brief the Cabinet trenches the approach of mod- Following the minister’s pres- dulaziz al-Thani also sent a cable aims to have a comprehensive yesterday on the latest devel- eration in society. entation the Cabinet considered of congratulations to the Prime system consolidating the noble opments as part of the eff orts 2- An integrated and eff ec- the topics on the agenda as fol- Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Islamic principles and values as to curb coronavirus (Covid-19) tive system for teaching the Holy lows: Phuc on the occasion. a way of life in the Qatari soci- in Qatar. Qur’an and its sciences, which First - Approval of the draft ety. In this regard, the Cabinet helps increase the turnout from decision of the Minister of Inte- PM sends cable of Following the meeting at aff irmed the continuation of various groups of society to rior amending some provisions the Amiri Diwan, chaired by work with the precautionary memorise the Holy Qur’an and of Minister of Interior decision congratulations to HE the Prime Minister and measures taken to combat the Prophet’s Sunnah, and en- No. 105 of 2019 to form the per- Tunisian premier Minister of Interior Sheikh the pandemic. hances chances of Qataris to win manent committee for births HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- local and international competi- and deaths, defi ning its func- Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday met HE the Prime Minister and Min- dulaziz al-Thani, HE the Min- tions. tions, working mechanism, pro- the Senior Adviser to the US President Jared Kushner who is ister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin ister of Justice and Acting within the acceptable limits of 3- Improved institutional cedures to be followed before it visiting Qatar. During the meeting, they reviewed relations Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent Minister of State for Cabinet risk, and disbursing those re- processes and eff ective use of and its remuneration. between Qatar and the US, in addition to issues of common a cable of congratulations to the Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali turns in a manner that ensures information technology that en- The draft resolution stipu- concern. He aff irmed, during the meeting, Qatar’s position that Prime Minister of Tunisia Hichem al-Nuaimi issued a statement the highest social return. able the provision of general and lates that the committee will be calls for a just settlement of the Palestinian cause on the basis Mechichi on the occasion of form- highlighting the details of the 3- Adopting the best social distinct services to benefi ciaries. formed as follows: of international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace ing the government and swearing- proceedings, the official Qa- media methodologies to moti- 4- The system of Islamic cul- zThree representatives from Initiative and on the basis of the two-state solution in a way in, wishing them good luck and tar News Agency reported. vate those who must pay Zakat ture as a comprehensive intel- the Ministry of Interior, includ- that achieves security and stability in the region. the Tunisian people further The Awqaf ministry’s plan in- on time, and collecting the max- lectual framework that keeps ing the president of the commit- progress and prosperity. – QNA cludes the following: imum Zakat due from individu- pace with the spirit of the times, tee. zMain result: als and companies. disseminates virtuous ethical zTwo representatives from A comprehensive and inte- 4- Developing a comprehen- principles and values in soci- the Ministry of Public Health, grated system for religious call sive strategy for community ety, preserves its traditions and one of whom is the deputy presi- and guidance and Islamic aff airs communication with clear and cultural heritage, promotes the dent of the committee. that consolidates the noble Is- specifi c goals to shed light on spirit of citizenship and toler- zA representative of the Pub- PM congratulates Sudanese lamic principles and values as a the ministry’s role and achieve- ance, strengthens links with the lic Prosecution. way of life in the Qatari society, ments in the best possible way, Islamic world as well as commu- zA representative of the Ha- and supports the system of social and in accordance with the high- nication and dialogue with other mad Medical Corporation. protection and human building est professional standards. cultures. zA representative of the Or- counterpart on peace pact in accordance with the process 5- Developing the best leader- 5- An eff ective contribution to phan Care Center (Dreama). of sustainable development. ship at all levels, and adopting building a strong, cohesive and Second - Approval of the draft zStrategic goals: an institutional culture that is constructive Qatari family, and decision of the Minister of Fi- QNA Sudanese people on the occa- For his part, The Sudanese 1- Monitoring social challeng- consistent with the ministry’s raising a generation that cher- nance regarding tax directives. Doha sion of signing the peace agree- prime minister thanked the es and the contrast between Is- objectives and the requirements ishes its country and serves its The draft decision falls within ment between the Sudanese leadership, government and lamic values and those common of implementing the strategy community. the automatic exchange of infor- transitional government and a people of Qatar for their strong in Qatari society, and promoting aimed at embodying the minis- 6- Places of worship in all mation based on the provisions E the Prime Minister number of armed movements, and firm support for the Su- the Islamic model among the try’s vision. parts of the country that have of the Convention on Mutual and Minister of Interior stressing that the agreement danese people, mainly their youth for a meaningful life full of 6- Adopting information high-quality services to perform Administrative Assistance in Tax HSheikh Khalid bin Kha- constitutes an important step continued support to establish contentment and tranquility. technology, and raising the min- their role in serving the commu- Matters, which was ratifi ed by lifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani held a for achieving the unity, secu- peace in Sudan. 2- Developing a comprehen- istry’s effi ciency to the highest nity. Decree No 14 of 2019. telephone conversation with the rity and stability of Sudan. Relations between Qatar and sive strategy to attract, manage possible levels. 7- An effi cient and distin- Third - Approval of a draft Prime Minister of Sudan Dr Ab- The Prime Minister and Inte- Sudan and ways of promoting and invest endowment assets in 7 - Adopting creative methods guished system for managing memorandum of understanding dalla Hamdok yesterday. rior Minister expressed the hope and developing them as well as accordance with best practices in solving problems and achiev- and co-ordinating Haj and Um- between the United Nations and At the outset, the Prime Min- that the Sudanese people fulfi l key regional and international in this fi eld in order to achieve ing results instead of relying on rah aff airs. Qatar regarding the provision of ister and Interior Minister con- their aspirations to develop- developments of mutual concern the largest returns possible traditional methods character- 8- An integrated Islamic cul- junior technical staff . gratulated Dr Hamdok and the ment, progress and prosperity. were also discussed. Gulf Times Thursday, September 3, 2020 3 QATAR QU among top 350 Beirut governor, mayor meet Qatar’s envoy global universities in THE rankings

atar University (QU) has jumped 90 places and Qentered the club of the best 350 International Universi- The Governor of Beirut Judge Marwan Abboud and Mayor of Beirut Municipality Engineer Jamal Itani have separately met ties according to Times Higher Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed Hassan Jaber al-Jaber. During the meetings, the losses and damage to the buildings, Education (THE) World Univer- institutions and homes of citizens in Beirut, the mechanism of damage surveying and reconstruction following the port explosion sity Rankings 2021.The results disaster, and the aid that arrived in Lebanon from friendly countries, were discussed. The governor and the mayor of Beirut showed that QU has jumped up hailed the great humanitarian role played by Qatar to rescue Lebanon in the wake of Beirut Port explosion, by sending hospital to the 301-350 band. and medical and relief aid. Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador also met the Secretary-General of the High Relief Commission Maj The THE World University Gen Mohamed Khair. During the meeting, Khair praised the aid and the great support provided by Qatar to Lebanon amidst the Rankings 2021 includes 1,527 ordeal they are going through after the port explosion. They reviewed the severe damage caused by the explosion, based on the universities across 93 countries preliminary results of the damage survey. and regions, standing as the largest and most diverse univer- sity rankings ever to date. The table is based on 13 carefully cal- ibrated performance indicators Qatar University that measure an institution’s Robust growth in use of treated wastewater for farming performance across teaching, For QU, international ranking is PwC Middle East said, “Qatar research, knowledge transfer a result and not a goal. Our main continues to invest in its educa- and international outlook. goal is to prepare national lead- tion system, its research strength By Santhosh V Perumal the fi gures released by the Plan- a key parameter of sustainable The treated wastewater dis- This achievement consoli- ers and develop the national hu- and the caliber of its higher edu- Business Reporter ning and Statistics Authority. development. charged into lagoons in July 2020 dates QU’s recent results in man capital towards building a cation institutions, capabilities The treated wastewater saw Agrico managing director stood at 1.96mn cu m or 8% of the rankings as the institution knowledge-based economy.” and partnerships, refl ected in a 1.2% and 6.6% month-on- Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf recently total treated wastewater reused moved from 276 in the QS World Phil Baty, chief knowledge Qatar University being recog- atar has witnessed ro- month and year-on-year re- said the agriculture sector in the against 6% in June 2020. Such University Ranking in 2020 to offi cer at THE said, “Qatar Uni- nised for its ongoing contribution bust growth in treated spectively in the review period. country has a wide area for devel- discharge saw 25.9% increase 245 in the 2021 ranking, eff ec- versity has always been one of in education and research and its Qwastewater used in agri- There has been a robust reuse opment and expansion, especially month-on-month and more than tively jumping 31 places, and the most internationally con- increasing relevance and impact. culture both month-on-month of treated wastewater in agricul- for local farms that want to further doubled on a yearly basis. becoming one of the most im- nected universities in the world This strong achievement has been and year-on-year this July as the ture, a sector that has received increase their production. There was no discharge of proved universities. – leading the world for our “in- made during a period when the country plans to develop 1.5mn increased thrust and support The treated wastewater reused treated wastewater into sea in QU president Dr Hassan al- ternational outlook” category in rules of higher education are be- sq m of diff erent types of green- from the government as part of for irrigation of green spaces saw July 2020. Derham, said, “This is a prestig- the World University Rankings, ing re-written by Covid-19 and houses in the next two years. the self-sustaining initiatives, a marginal 0.3% dip month-on- The PSA bulletin said the wa- ious moment for QU to be ranked with strong international con- the resultant changes to delivery The rising reuse of treated especially after the country month to 8.89mn cu m, which ac- ter produced grew 2% and 3.7% among top 350 Universities glo- nections and a diverse campus and collaboration models.” wastewater in the farming sec- came under unjust economic counted for 37% of the total treat- to 62.96mn cu m; while con- bally. This jump signifi es the community. So it is great to see The performance in the THE tor comes amidst Qatar’s plans and trade embargo. ed wastewater. On a yearly basis, sumption rose 3.3% and 4.6% commitment of QU towards its the university rise signifi cantly World University Rankings 2021 to produce 40,000 tonnes of The treated wastewater reused the reuse for irrigation of green respectively to 61.99mn cu m in fi ve-year strategy (2018-2022) up the rankings for 2021. This is is a great achievement for QU vegetables as part of measures to in agriculture increased by 10.5% spaces witnessed a 7.1% growth. July 2020. which maps out the routes to driven by an excellent score for and is a testament to the eff orts reduce the reliance on imports. and 5% on monthly and yearly The treated wastewater re- The Water Centre at the Qatar achieving continuing perform- research impact – a sign of how QU has undertaken to gain inter- The country uses the most basis respectively to 8.28mn cu m, used in deep injection into aq- Environment and Energy Re- ance excellence.” infl uential the university’s re- national recognition. The Uni- modern membrane ultra-fi ltra- which accounted for 34% of the uifers registered 14.5% and 8.6% search Institute, part of Hamad “The participation in world- search is among scholars global- versity stands today as a beacon tion system that helps in the re- total treated wastewater this July decline month-on-month and Bin Khalifa University, has been wide rankings brings a positive ly, based on our analysis of more of academic and research excel- cycling of treated wastewater. (compared to 31% in June 2020). year-on-year to 5.19mn cu m, helping Qatar in tackling its wa- competition; it raises partici- than 80 million citations across lence, and embraces a student Qatar’s treated wastewater The growth in the re-usage of which accounted for 21% of the ter security challenges by con- pants’ international standing more than 13 million research body of around 20,000 female stood at 24.32mn cubic metres treated wastewater for agricul- total treated wastewater in July ducting research, development and improves job market for publications.” and male students enroled in its out of 24.33mn cu m of wastewa- ture hints at the hydrocarbons- 2020 against more than 25% the and innovation to enhance every graduates of those universities. Roland Hancock, partner at various academic programmes. ter received in July this year, said rich country’s green initiatives, previous month. step of the water cycle in Qatar. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, September 3, 2020 QATAR QRCS elects new board of directors for 2020-24

atar Red Crescent Socie- The presentations on medical fi nancial statements and dis- ty’s (QRCS) recently-held services and media and digital charged the Board of Directors Qannual general meeting transformation were explained from liability. Talal Abu-Ghaz- (AGM) at the Sheikh Ali bin Ja- by Abdullah al-Qatan, execu- aleh & Co. International was an- bor al-Thani auditorium (head- tive director of Medical Aff airs nounced an external auditor for quarters) highlighted its achieve- Division; and Ammar Mohamed, the fi scal year ending December ments and elected a new board of director of Communication, re- 31,2020. directors for 2020-2024. spectively. The outgoing Board of Direc- The quorum was achieved as In Qatar, QRCS provided so- tors was thanked by the AGM stipulated by Law No. 12/2004 cial, medical, and awareness members, and a new board was concerning private societies and services for more than 1.6mn elected for the term 2020-2024, professional associations, and in benefi ciaries, at a total cost of under the supervision of the rep- conformity with QRCS statute. nearly QR331mn. Globally, 186 resentatives of RACA and exter- Presided over by QRCS presi- relief and development projects nal auditor and authorised del- dent Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem were implemented for the benefi t egates of the AGM. al-Ali al-Maadheed, the meeting of 7.7mn victims of disasters and These are the names of the new was attended by secretary-gen- confl icts. The overall cost of in- Board of Directors: president: eral Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi, Members of the new board of directors of the QRCS and senior off icials. ternational operations amounted Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer chief executive director engineer to QR174.7mn. al-Thani, vice-president: Dr Ibrahim Abdullah al-Maliki, tives of the external auditing forts that all these achievements “In 2000, I became a young and ple and elevated them spiritually, Salha presented the audit report Aisha bint Yousef al-Mannai, board members, and heads of de- fi rm Deloitte & Touche were also were possible, towards QRCS’s ambitious secretary-general of materially, and mentally”. on QRCS’s closing fi nancial state- secretary: Ali bin Hassan al- partments. present, including Medhat Salha humanitarian mission of helping QRCS,” he said. “Over the years, An overview was given about ments for the fi scal year ended De- Hammadi, members: Dr Khaled The Regulatory Authority for (partner), and Samer al-Jogol and the vulnerable everywhere. I learnt that your value does not the operational results of QRCS cember 31, 2019, which were found Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Omar Hus- Charitable Activities (Raca) was Tareq Alozom (audit). Dr al-Maadheed spoke of his lie in how many achievements in 2019. Engineer al-Maliki pre- valid and generally conforming to sain Alfardan, Dr Abdul-Salam represented by Mohamed Ali After the approval of agenda 20-year tenure at QRCS, during you make. What really matters is sented the data of the Relief and the International Financial Re- al-Qahtani, Mohamed Mahdi al- al-Qayed, director of Risk Man- items, al-Hammadi thanked every which he held several leadership how much infl uence you have on International Development Di- porting Standards (IFRS). Yami, Saleh Ali al-Mohannadi, agement and Compliance; and employee and volunteer who con- positions and concluded with the others’ lives. Throughout history, vision, Volunteering and Local Upon the recommendation Rashid Saad al-Mohannadi, Ib- Rashid al-Mohannadi, senior tributed to last year’s success. Ac- fi ght against the novel coronavi- prophets were the greatest ever, Development Division, and Re- from external auditor, the AGM rahim Hashim al-Sada, and Soad legal researcher. Representa- cording to him, it was by their ef- rus (Covid-19). because they cared for other peo- source Mobilisation Department. members endorsed the audited Saidan al-Hamad.

Henry Jacques adds three new fragrances to Les Brumes line

Henry Jacques has introduced Rose de Mai placing a distant Vanilla”. Sicilian Lemon and Ber- three more iconic fragrances to Provence in perspective, before gamot wrap around Cinnamon, its Les Brumes line: Correspond- Vanilla joins the Oud within the Cedar Wood and Patchouli. Possibility of ance, Chalain and Xantor. trail. With a spirit of adventure, Xan- “A lighter expression of its Chalain “captivates with a fu- tor is a complex and unique signature and most loved line sion of crisp florals, aromatic fragrance which transforms of essences, Les Brumes off er a accords, spices and fashionable through the diff erent seasons, more casual and modern way Iris – with a trail of Musk and making it easy to wear through- coronavirus of enjoying great perfumery Vanilla”. Smoky undertones nod out the whole year. with a unique ‘Splash & Spray’ towards the Orient, yet at the Previously available only in convertible flacon,” according same time, the scent is very the more traditional form of to a press statement issued in ‘Parisienne’. It is feminine but Essences, Correspondance, Doha by Ali Bin Ali Holding. refuses to be stereotyped and Chalain and Xantor now take The fragrances are available can be enjoyed by all. on a fresh dynamic thanks to reinfection in exclusively in Qatar at Galeries dous value: Rose Damascenia It is perfume that could be tradi- the new Les Brumes variation — Lafayette, 21 High st. and Oud invoke the Orient’s tional and filled with history, but feeling brighter and more airy, Correspondance is a “love letter greatest elegance, while Iris its layers make it extremely cur- while still possessing the strong to the spirit of travel within the bestows a traditional European rent and fresh in its approach. heart that makes every Henry Orient, a place where romanti- touch. Xantor is “modern and mascu- Jacques creation so distinctive. cism is conjured with precious Intensity is contrasted with line, a youthful scent with a hint Correspondance is priced at Qatar rare: study flowers and woods”. It is crafted scents of the simplest beauty, of freshness balanced perfectly QR4,225, Chalain at QR2,520 from components of tremen- with touches of Apricots and by deep, smoky Amber and and Xantor at QR3,420. study conducted among ies is not necessarily an indica- patients who have recov- tion of the inability of the body Aered from Covid-19, on to fi ght the virus, rather it shows the possibility of reinfection of that the immune system works the disease, has concluded that effi ciently. Once it has tackled such cases are very rare in Qatar. an infection and it is convinced A team led by Prof Laith Abu- that there is no need for high Raddad, professor of Infectious levels of antibodies, it goes into Vodafone off ers unique Disease Epidemiology, Weill ‘rest mode’, wherein antibod- Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM- ies levels can drop. If and when Q), a Qatar Foundation partner the immune system does detect university in collaboration with another threat, it quickly starts the Ministry of Public Health and producing antibodies again,” Apple Watch trade-in plan Hamad Medical Corporation, noted, Prof Abu-Raddad. conducted the nationwide study. This supports what has been The study was conducted on observed in Qatar so far and odafone Qatar is the only + Cellular), Vodafone is help- a large cohort of over 100,000 Prof Laith Abu-Raddad may explain why all the cases entity in the country of- ing customers get started with people, all of whom had con- of reinfection have been mild. Vfering customers the op- a special introductory cellular tracted and recovered from There is a possibility that There is growing evidence that portunity to trade-in their old trial. Covid-19. For the purpose of some of the reinfections de- the body is able to rapidly re- Apple Watch for the latest Apple As part of the launch pro- this study, all cases were tested tected were not true reinfec- spond to the virus the second Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular), motion they will get a free six again after 45 days of the first tions. Prof Abu-Raddad ex- time around, and that is be- according to a statement. month subscription; a serv- positive result. Those that test- plained, “It is possible that cause there are immune memo- With the Vodafone Trade- ice that usually costs QR30 per ed positive for the second time some of those infected persons ry cells that can mount a better in Programme, customers can month. were assessed to see whether may not have completely elimi- and faster response. trade-in any Apple Watch start- All Vodafone Postpaid cus- their new positive test reflected nated the first infection, or one “What we know so far is that ing with Apple Watch Series 2 tomers can enjoy the cellular a true reinfection. of their tests could have been a people do develop an immune for a credit towards the purchase trial on their Apple Watch Series “The study concluded that false positive. We plan to short- response – quite a strong one in of the new Apple Watch 5 (GPS + 5 by pairing it to their iPhone reinfections in Qatar are rare, ly start genetic sequencing of the vast majority of cases. What Cellular) Series. and enabling the eSIM to access occurring at a rate of less than these reinfections to compare is not completely clear yet is how Customers can trade up to their in-plan benefi ts. four in 10,000 cases. All cases the genetic code of the virus in long the immune response lasts. three Apple Watches and the for valuation: Villaggio Mall, Cellular) features an Always- In addition to that, every Ap- of reinfections recorded so far the first infection and the rein- One thing of concern here is that fi nal sale value will be based on Mall of Qatar, Landmark, City On display, breakthrough com- ple Watch Series 5 comes with a have been mild, with only one fection for the final verification some of the reinfected persons fi xed criteria such as model, de- Center Doha. munication, fi tness and health free six month subscription to case needing hospitalisation for on each identified reinfection.” were recorded to have high viral vice functionality, battery func- To trade in their watches capabilities along with built-in Apple Music, giving customers a short period of time. Not a sin- There has been a lot of dis- loads and thus can still spread tionality and screen intactness. safely and securely, customers cellular to make and receive access to over 60mn songs in- gle death in reinfected cases has cussion surrounding immunity the virus to others. All customers have to do is should log out of iCloud, delete calls even when away from your cluding some of the best Arabic been recorded so far,” said Prof as well – some reports mention “While our findings are en- bring the Apple Watch/es they all personal information and re- iPhone. selections. Abu-Raddad. how a drop in antibodies has couraging, they do not mean want to trade-in to one of the set to Factory Settings. Following its recent launch of To learn more, visit www.vo- “Although cases of reinfec- been seen two to three months Covid-19 recovered patients following Vodafone retail stores Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + the Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS dafone.qa/tradein tions have been recorded world- after infection, spreading con- should assume that they have wide, due to their low numbers cern that surviving Covid-19 developed long-term immu- and several other factors in- would off er little protection nity. It is important to exercise volved, we cannot rule out the against future coronavirus infec- caution, and everyone should One day road closure possibility that some of them tions, some going as far as saying continue to comply with the The Public Works Authority Traff ic is to complete the asphalt could be false positives,” said a vaccine might not be eff ective. control measures of masking (Ashghal) has announced a wearing course as part of A Ring Prof Abu-Raddad. He also high- “It is premature, if not dan- and social distancing. Until one-day closure on part of Gulf Road and B Ring Road develop- lighted that not enough time has gerous, to draw such conclusions a vaccine is developed, these Interchange, part of Onaiza ment projects. passed since the virus fi rst struck without solid evidence. In real- preventive measures are our Street and underpass from During the closure, users of the for the medical research commu- ity, it is not at all unusual for an- best bet to prevent infection as Civil defence Interchange to Gulf closed sections are required to nity to draw defi nitive conclu- tibody levels to drop following an well as reinfection,” Prof Abu- Interchange, part of Al Diwan use alternative routes as shown sions about reinfections. infection. The drop in antibod- Raddad added. Street from Al Diwan Intersection on the map. to Kahrabaa Intersection and Ashghal will install road signs part of Al Rumeila Street towards advising motorists of the closure Onaiza Street tomorrow. and has requested all road users The closure in co-ordination to follow them and abide by the QNB rolls out ‘Awesome with the General Directorate of speed limit to ensure safety. Double Rewards’ off er Temporary traffi c closure on the East Industrial Road

NB Group, the largest restrictions, as the bank is com- The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) fi nancial institution in mitted to continue presenting has announced a temporary traff ic Qthe Middle East and Af- exclusive off ers for its customers, closure on the East Industrial Road rica, has launched an exclusive while providing safe, secure, and towards the tunnel to Salwa Road “Awesome Double Rewards” of- fast payment solutions. between Street 35 to Street 15 from fer for its life rewards and Qatar tember, customers will earn QNB Group’s presence midnight today until 9am tomorrow. Airways co-branded credit card- twice the rewards compared to through its subsidiaries and as- The closure in co-ordination with the holders upon using the cards, weekday spends. sociate companies extends to General Directorate of Traff ic is to both locally and globally during Customers holding credit more than 31 countries across complete installation of ITS gantries. weekends in September 2020. cards of the life rewards pro- three continents, providing a Ashghal will install road signs QNB has launched this excit- gramme will receive double comprehensive range of prod- advising motorists of the closure ing and rewarding campaign for life rewards points while Qa- ucts and services. The total and requested all to follow them and the fi rst time, allowing a larger tar Airways co-branded credit number of employees is more abide by the speed limit to ensure number of customers to benefi t cardholders will receive double than 29,000 operating through safety. from it. Qmiles. 1,000 locations, with an ATM For any purchases made on The off er aligns with Qatar’s network of more than 4,200 Fridays and Saturdays in Sep- gradual lifting of the Covid-19 machines. Gulf Times Thursday, September 3, 2020 5 QATAR Ooredoo holds second MADLSA briefs QC Beach Clean-up event

oredoo, Qatar’s leading tles, is intended to encourage our commitment,” she said. telecommunications op- beachgoers to take responsibility “Despite the heat, our teams Oerator, has completed the for cleaning up their own rubbish worked solidly to clean up the on new labour laws second Beach Clean-up event in when they visit one of Qatar’s beach and make sure only sand- its new campaign aimed at pro- many beaches, and ensuring the castles were left behind. atar Chamber (QC) moting protection of the envi- sand is pristine when they leave. “We thank them for their hard chairman Sheikh Khalifa ronment, in collaboration with Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, di- work and look forward to many Qbin Jassim al-Thani re- Friends of The Environment rector of public relations at more such events in the near fu- cently presided over the meet- Centre. Ooredoo, said: “Once again, we ture.” ing of the QC Board of Directors Dozens of Ooredoo volunteers were incredibly proud to see a Farhood Hadi al-Hajri, execu- in the presence of Mohamed were at Zekreet Beach on Tues- large crowd of dedicated volun- tive director of the Friends of the Hassan al-Obaidly, the assistant day to clean up rubbish and any- teers join us in our new sustain- Environment Centre, said: “We undersecretary for Labour Af- thing not part of the natural en- ability initiative.” are very pleased to see Ooredoo, fairs at the Ministry of Admin- vironment, for the benefi t of the “Our corporate responsibility the Ministry of Municipality istrative Development, Labour marine life to which the beach is strategy includes a fi rm commit- and Environment, Al Sheehani- and Social Aff airs (MADLSA). home, and for the many visitors ment to promoting protection of ya Municipality and the Public The meeting touched upon who enjoy its natural beauty. our environment for the benefi t Cleaning Department coming many topics, including the re- Ooredoo’s Beach Clean-up of future generations, and we are together to execute this cam- cently-issued laws regarding campaign, with the social media delighted that so many of our paign. determining the minimum wage QC and MADLSA off icials at the hashtag #LeaveOnlySandcas- Ooredoo Family members share “This is not the fi rst time that for workers and domestic work- meeting. we have launched campaigns to ers, and facilitating changing EU heads of mission lauds new labour legislation clean beaches with partners, in jobs as well as challenges facing He noted that these reforms the framework of social respon- the private sector. are aimed at improving condi- The heads of Mission of European Union (EU) Member States in Qatar sibility we apply at the Centre. The meeting was also attend- tions of labour working in the and the Delegation of the European Union accredited to Qatar have “We focus on protecting and ed by QC general manager Saleh state. welcomed the new legislation introducing a minimum wage and abol- rehabilitating beaches, and this bin Hamad al-Sharqi. With regard to amendments ishing No Objection Certificates (NoCs). campaign helps spread envi- Addressing the meeting, aiming to facilitate chang- A statement said: “We, the EU Heads of Mission in Qatar, welcome ronmental awareness of the im- Sheikh Khalifa underscored the ing workplace, al-Obaidly said the historic decision taken by the Qatari authorities to introduce a portance of volunteer work in importance of boosting co-op- that there are three controls for non-discriminatory minimum wage, including for domestic workers, serving the environment among eration and co-ordination be- changing jobs which ensure the making Qatar the first country in the region to take this step. members of society. tween QC and MADLSA to ad- interests of the employee and “We also welcome the decision taken by the Qatari authorities to “We thank everyone who dress obstacles and challenges the employer, namely the noti- end the requirement for migrant workers to obtain their employer’s made this happen and promise faced by private sector compa- fi cation, non-competition, and consent to change jobs and to abolish the so-called No Objection you more campaigns to keep our nies. compensation. Certificates. Volunteers cleaning Zekreet Beach. beaches spotless.” On his part, al-Obaidly said “The State of Qatar has been “We commend the Qatari authorities for delivering on their commit- that the ministry is keen on sup- highly praised by many coun- ment to improve the situation of migrant workers with a series of semi- porting business owners and the tries and international organi- nal reforms of Qatar’s labour market and for eff ectively dismantling private sector as well as protect- sations after issuing these laws the kafala system. ing the interests of labourers. and amendments,” he noted. “We appreciate the continued commitment of the Qatari authorities, He praised the co-operation Further, he pointed out that it in particular the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and of the joint committee between was agreed to form a joint com- Social Aff airs to the eff ective implementation of its labour reforms and the chamber and MADLSA, mittee between Qatar Chamber commend the International Labour Organisation’s Qatar Off ice for its noting that it reviews the obsta- and the ministry to discuss re- crucial support (https://www.ilo.org/beirut/countries/qatar/lang--en/ cles facing the private sector. cruitment requests and other index.htm). Al-Obaidly outlined details issues, such as a ban and any “These new pieces of legislation are an important step in this process. of the new amendments, which other obstacles facing the pri- “The EU and its Member States continue to stand ready to support included determining the mini- vate sector, noting that this Qatar in the implementation of these reforms.” mum wage for workers and do- committee will be responsible mestic workers, amendments to for addressing all issues and the labour law and amendments obstacles facing the private sec- the QC, al-Obaidly revealed the ban will only be on the violating to the law regulating the entry tor and related to the ministry’s ministry’s decision to lift the commercial register, especially and exit of expatriates, and their competencies. ban on companies affi liated with with regard to delaying the pay- Ooredoo off icials and volunteers at Zekreet Beach. residence. In response to a request from a violating company, so that the ment of salaries. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, September 3, 2020 HOL STIC Wellbeing 25

you’re pretty much going to waste your time. You’ve got the Working out at home energy, the time, the no respon- sibility lifestyle to take advantage of, when you’re 25. Or at least with elbows positioned under when you’re in this phase. And By Bia Feroz your shoulders and your hands people want to distract you so shoulder-width apart. If someone you don’t have time to develop looked at you from the side, your your own potential of this energy, Whether you want to strengthen arms would form a 90-degree resources and time. I get it, we all your core, create long, lean mus- an- gle. Step your feet back, one want to be around the possibil- cles, or add a low-impact work- out at a time. Maintain a straight line ity of things, the exciting energy to your exercise regimen, these from heels through the top of your of something NEW that is stable exercises can help! Above all, head, looking down at the floor, By Sanah Thakur enough but constantly surprises these will focus on teaching you with gaze slightly in front of your you. But I’m not interested. I fi nd to stabilise and strengthen your face. Now, tighten your abs and my own self interesting. And why core, and this is one of the most hold. wenty-fi ve. What an inter- shouldn’t I? If we were left in a important things you can do for esting age. Maybe it’s just jail cell, this statement would your fitness. All of these functional Burpees: Tinteresting because it’s my suddenly be the only thing you’d activities require good stability Burpees are one of those exer- age right now and paying atten- need to survive mentally. To be that comes from your middle. And cises that everybody loves to hate, tion to anything relevant to your able to fi nd yourself, your mind the more stability and strength but they off er so many benefits. life, is reason enough to convince and your thoughts interesting. I you have, the less prone to injury Bend over or squat down and you it’s worth your time. Another think about jail a lot. Maybe be- you’ll be. place your hands on the floor in story we like to tell ourselves. I’ve Once the tower of action has been ness. Imagine, somebody elder, to your vision. Metaphors apart, cause it’s such a condition no one front of you, just outside of your been thinking a lot about this age, built and it’s overshadowed your questions you on your plan for the it’s always better to encourage the would ever want be in. So much Air Squats: feet. Jump both feet back so that but not just staying focused on the own structure, you don’t like this next 10 years. They’re asking your possibility of something than to time and nothing to do. You’d re- Air squats, also known as body you’re now in plank position. Drop number. The number is just a way potential anymore. It’s block- potential this question, not you, deal with your own discomfort ally need to rely on this one thing weight squats are a staple begin- to a push- up, your chest should in which I can evaluate or highlight ing your view and it’s constructed because remember, they don’t take when you realise the reality of we want to constantly ignore, ner move for working the lower touch the floor. You can also drop this segment of my life. I guess with newer technology. When you seriously yet. So, this poten- something. wouldn’t we? body. For air squats, stand with to your knees here, which makes age is a way in which our memory you’re 25, you’re seen as potential, tial will answer in maybes, hope- In this observation, it’s also es- The reason I wrote this col- your feet slightly wider than shoul- the impending push-up easier. helps us compartmentalise our so anyone elder than you is com- fully, I dream or believe in. But for sential to look at the group be- umn, is because I felt it was im- der width apart and your knees Push up to return to plank posi- life according to time. Otherwise forted by the fact that this idea of a minute, imagine you did have haviour and interaction between portant we realise that self-care and toes facing straight ahead. tion. Jump the feet back in toward imagine how much would over- a building could potentially not an answer. A carefully thought 25 year-olds, mostly through in our life starts building distinc- Squat down in the same way the hands and explosively jump lap, if we didn’t have markers on become something. We love lying about, well-constructed and re- conversations. Conversations are tively at this time. Your prefron- you’d sit into a chair - by pushing into the air, reaching your arms every 5km our memory decided down in the bed of empty promis- alistic vision of your life, that you mirrors of comparison. You aren’t tal cortex is fully developed by your hips back, then bending straight overhead. to run in this marathon of time? es, because even though you might supported with the evaluation and comparing yourself on husbands, this age. Which means your own your knees. Go as low as you can We wouldn’t be able to recall what not want to sleep there every analysis of the reliability of your kids, loans, homes, furniture, dogs brain is aware that it’s got some without your heels coming off the V-Up happened on our 10th birthday, night, it’s better than the unmade skills. You knew what you wanted, or promotions yet. Having even pretty big responsibility in this floor or your back rounding, then Lie faceup on the floor with your our teenage years or when we re- bed you left at your place. I’ve no- how long it would take and what the smallest amount of clarity, life and decisions to make. The push back up again. legs and arms straight. In one alised puberty was a reality. I’ve ticed, not many people want to steps you needed to get there. You like knowing exactly how I like my reality is, you can’t give up this movement, lift your toes and legs been observing myself at this stage take me seriously, because if they explain this elaborate plan to this coff ee or the type of newspaper I time. You absolutely can’t. This Planks: as if you’re trying to touch your of time because I’ve been noticing, did, they might have to re-evaluate individual and they smile or laugh, would read, or the books I associ- period of learning and testing is One of the best core exercises toes. Lower your body back down. specifi cally, how defi ning people’s their own lives or how seriously with discomfort or well concealed ate myself with or the materials just too important for your brain out there is the plank. Start on the view of your age can have on your they take themselves. Most peo- surprise at your answer. They then that now suit me, makes you feel right now. Especially since, most floor on your hands and knees. „ The author is an aspirational behaviour. Since we are mostly ple I interact with, have no long- wish you all the best or encourage more sorted out than your friends. decisions don’t have an impact Lower your forearms to the floor athlete.. perceived by such external char- term goals (neither did I, until I your potential, to work towards it. It’s all about the accessories of on anyone under your responsi- acteristics, like age, that we think was challenged to think about it). Then to feel better about them- self-development at this stage. bility, yet. Invest in it. Test it out. make us who we are, it’s important They’ve systematically followed a selves, they give you some advice You know, how deeply you’re Make those uncomfortable deci- to understand the way the world plan and consequentially, they let from a random tape, to help you planning to think about yourself, sions right now in the real sense, sees us. To notice it and be aware this memory marker, or age, allow “feel” better about this album you where exactly you’re planning so you can use the time to follow of it. them to use their neatly arranged haven’t even recorded yet. If you to take your life and how much them to their logical conclusions Twenty-fi ve is perceived as and timely ordered memories to haven’t even created the song you you’ve done vs how much you’ve and even the resources to manage young. It’s also perceived as re- parallel with yours. They com- know is going to be your goal, how talked about it. I guess though at damage control. Otherwise later sponsible because you’re granted ment on the mix tape of your life by is a pre-recorded song supposed 25, you could get away with just on, you’re just going to be deal- the most ‘responsible’ privileges comparing any song you decide to to motivate you, when you don’t talking about it. Responsibility ing with other people, who never at this age. People don’t take you play, with a track from the diff er- know what this other song is going changes the game though. That’s gave their brain this time and are too seriously, but they take you ent tapes they collected over their to sound like. That would mean, the tough part. So the more re- therefore novices in acting and seriously enough to be intrigued lives. The genre might be the same, you’re not happy with the direc- sponsible your complaint at 25 testing out their decisions. And or entertained by the things you but the lyrics, the artists, the beats tion it’s taking anyway and you sounds, the more serious people trust me, you don’t want to be in say. They don’t take you seri- — they’re from a diff erent ‘time’. needed to hear a similar version to will take you. that position. ously, because seeing potential It’s hard to make people conscious feel better about your own poten- If you don’t realise the power in something is more comforting of their reality, separate from their tial. But if you already know what of a time marker on your life and than knowing that this potential is age. They’re so blind to the objec- it will sound like, you’re probably how it can start marking other „ The author can be contacted on building and becoming concrete. tivity of comparing conscious- not even listening unless it’s close areas of your life in the future, Instagram @sincerelysanah

Wake up call

column. I am in my unicorn onsie, imagine how that makes a non- I feel like there is a judgment The usual categorisation between Air Squats my hair is wet from shower and I morning person feel; a frantic post on non- morning people, some morning or night person, doesn’t am sipping on my turmeric latte. alarm rush to get ready and start people dismiss them as lazy, or apply to some people. They are Usually, when back in Doha, I the commute or drive to work, that they simply can’t be bothered neither, they don’t particularly like would never be in such a relaxed yawning as they go. to get out of bed. When infact that early morning starts but neither state at this time. Since quitting the corporate world may not be the case at all, maybe do they love 2am bedtimes, they Since childhood, I have been a in 2018, I work for myself and they simply produce more effec- are in-between the two, they morning person, on the occasion pretty much set my own daily tive work later on in the day. might be afternoon or evening when I sleep in past 7am, I literally schedule, but never the less I still Scientific research has shown that people. feel guilty about it. stick to a 7am start. we all have different circadian If you were Prime Minister and it For centuries, our society has Lockdown has enabled many rhythms and that our unique was up to you, what time would By Shefa Ali been founded on the principle people to experience working internal clocks determine whether you start the working day? that mornings are when impor- from home, it makes me wonder if we are morning or night people. tant things get done. Office hours it really matters what time people Most of the time, you are an aver- „ The author is a consultant and Its 12:50 London time on Wednes- are designated in Qatar to start at start their day, as long as their agely functioning adult; laziness is coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ day, I am sitting down to write my 7am and London 9am. I can only deadlines are met. not a factor at all. shefa, Website: missshefa.com

Are you an addict? V-up Mobile phone addiction: and excitement for satisfaction and When a person spends more time us- self-fulfilment. ing a mobile phone than interacting Moderation and balance are the key with the real world, or can’t control components when we talk about a him or herself from using a mobile passionate behaviour. The balance phone,it has negative consequences disrupts when a person loses control, in your life, then it is time to recon- satisfaction, a sense of fulfilment and sider technology use as the chances joy, but obsessively and uncontrol- are that you are a mobile addict! lably continue to engage in that Smartphone addiction, also known behaviour despite negative eff ects as nomophobia meaning the fear on physical, mental, social, and finan- of being without a smartphone is cial life, that is termed as addictive often geared up by Internet addic- behaviour! Planks By Hala Bader al-Humaidhi tion disorder or Internet overuse problem. After all, it is not the tablet Addiction treatment: of the phone itself that generates the We have learned about the various Addiction refers to the pattern of problem but the apps, games, and forms of addiction that people can behaviour that causes negative online world that connect us to. be aff ected by. They all have one consequences for the person. Many noring relationships, or abandoning dictions. Both types of addictions thing in common, and that is that people believe that addiction only re- commitments, ignoring risk factors, result in dependency and have Shopping Addiction: they have harmful consequences for fers to those who have an irresistible such as sharing needles even with similar adverse eff ects and negative Addiction to shopping features addicts. Addiction is a disease that and overwhelming needs for specific potentially harmful consequences, consequences. Behavioural addic- excessive money and time spent on can be treated with professional help. substances or obsessive behaviour. physical eff ects, including needing tion includes addiction to things like shopping, not mentioning the activi- In the case of substance addiction, But it is easy for someone to become higher dosage for eff ect or with- mobile phones, working, shopping, ties and hiding purchases. Shopping an individual needs to go through a addicted to almost anything! drawal symptoms. The intensity video games, using social media, or addicts feel a high sense of excite- programme of detoxification. Recov- of each symptom depends on the others. Regardless, it is essential to ment from buying diff erent things. ery from substance addiction needs What is addiction? length of addiction someone has understand the warning symptoms Shopping may also bring on feelings an addict to stay away from that It can be harder than it looks to been going through. and get help if needed. of emptiness, helplessness, depres- substance to maintain their recovery. recognise an addiction in someone. sion, anger, and the terrible need to In contrast, for behavioural addicts According to the American Society Types of addiction: Internet Gaming: create a sense of control. A person like people addicted to the internet, of Addiction Medicine, addiction can Behavioural addictions such as Addiction to the Internet is a addicted to shopping purchases social media, or an eating disorder, be defined as a chronic disorder that the Internet and mobile phone ad- comparatively a new finding, but it frivolous stuff and feel extremely it is not possible to completely stay aff ects the brain’s rewards, memory, dictions, are also serious threats doesn’t mean that it’s less danger- guilty about it later! away from those things for which and motivation functions. A person to human health and lifestyle. ous. According to Kimberly Young, they have an addiction. They need to with an addiction will desire for a Behavioural addiction is the Psy D, Clinical Director of the Centre Diff erence between passion and know how to manage their behavio- substance or other behavioural compulsive, self-destructive, and for Internet Addiction, obsessive addiction: ral habits to prevent addiction. habits. An addict often disregards recurring behaviour to an extent gaming exactly meets the criteria of Our many daily activities and behav- Ask yourself now, are you an addict? other aspects of life to support their that results in harmful effects on addiction. Young said that children iours represent our motivations, aspi- desires. the personal and social life of an may become aggressive, depressed, rations, and passions for growth and Generally, an addict can show signs individual, as well as the physical or angry if parents stop them from improvement. Passion is a measure such as, unable to stay away from and mental health. playing games and they can cry and of a person’s enthusiasm and delight „ The author is a consultant in Public specific behaviour or substance, lack Behavioural addictions are as refuse to sleep or eat or do anything for a highly desirable goal of life Relations and Personality Types. Burpees of control, less socialisation like ig- consequential as substance ad- else! that he/she pursues with pleasure Instagram: @Tipsbyhalahill Gulf Times Thursday, September 3, 2020 7 QATAR/ASIA/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Tunisia lawmakers approve new govt Suga announces PM run

AFP tial successor to Abe – having A parliamentary AFP hours before the vote that it Tokyo served for years as his close ad- vote will follow Tunis would back Mechichi “despite viser, government spokesman reservations”. Political scientist and policy co-ordinator. Now two days later, Chokri Bahria, from the think apan’s chief cabinet secre- that many of the LDP’s most unisia’s parliament ap- tank Jossour, said Mechichi tary Yoshihide Suga formally powerful factions have coa- with lawmakers proved the country’s third would be able to lead a govern- Jannounced his bid to become lesced around him, experts said expected to Tgovernment in less than ment with “a support base that the country’s next prime minis- Suga appears to have an almost a year yesterday, overcoming should allow it a few months of ter yesterday, with growing par- insurmountable lead in the race. endorse the new discontent among lawmakers stability”. ty support making him the race’s He won’t run unchallenged, LDP leader as incensed by how the administra- Tunisia has been praised as a clear favourite. with former defence minister tion was formed and averting the rare success story for the Arab Suga unveiled his candidacy Shigeru Ishiba and LDP policy prime minister threat of disruptive early elec- Spring uprisings that swept the following days of speculation chief Fumio Kishida already an- tions. region in 2011, bringing down its about his plans and shortly af- nouncing they will stand. lenge the likes of Suga. Ishiba, Former interior minister long-time president Zine El Abi- ter the ruling Liberal Democratic And whoever inherits the top 63, polls well with the general Hichem Mechichi was confi rmed dine Ben Ali. But it is now mired Party set a September 14 vote job will face a raft of challenges, public but is less popular among as premier after his cabinet, in social and economic crisis, on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s from the coronavirus pandemic party members. He once left the dominated by independent tech- with the offi cial unemployment successor. and a tanking economy, to en- Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary and ruling Liberal LDP – spending time as both an nocrats, secured support from rate at 18%, and in need of new A parliamentary vote will suring the postponed Tokyo Ol- Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker, answers questions of the media independent and briefl y join- nearly two-thirds of the cham- assistance from the International follow two days later, with law- ympic Games can go ahead. The during a news conference to announce his candidacy for the party’s ing another party – and many ber’s deputies overnight. Monetary Fund. makers expected to endorse the LDP has opted for a scaled-back leadership election, in Tokyo, Japan. within the ruling bloc have not The 46-year-old has pledged Mechichi, a lawyer by training, new LDP leader as prime min- leadership vote that will not in- forgiven the political dalliance. to revitalise a tourism-reliant named judges, academics, public ister. clude rank-and-fi le members, – with the exception of the logical leanings. None of the three back policies economy that has been hit hard servants and business executives Suga pledged to “do my ut- instead polling only MPs and factions headed by rival candi- He has been close to Abe for that vary much from the gov- by the coronavirus pandemic to his cabinet. Ennahdha and most to continue the work of three representatives from each dates Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio more than a decade, and was a ernment’s existing line, though and said after the vote that his others had instead demanded a party leader Abe, who poured of the country’s 47 prefectures. Kishida – have lined up behind key voice encouraging him to Kishida and Ishiba have both al- government would be able to “political” government that re- his spirit and strength into the The decision has elicited some Suga”, said Tobias Harris, a Ja- run again after a disastrous fi rst ready spoken about the need to “move forward” provided it was fl ects the balance of parties and job”. criticism, but party offi cials said pan expert at Teneo consultan- term in offi ce that ended in 2007. ensure that economic stimulus not bogged down in political factions in parliament. Abe announced last week it would take too long to organise cy, in a note. Suga has effectively Former foreign minister Kish- helps all parts of society. tensions. Tunisia’s parliament The chairman of Ennahdha’s he would step down for health a broader vote. been the face of the government ida, 63, was in the past consid- Japan’s economy was in re- is deeply divided and many law- advisory board, Abdelkarim Ha- reasons, and Suga warned that Experts said the format fa- for years as its chief spokes- ered Abe’s favoured successor. cession even before the corona- makers were angry that Mechichi rouni, said the party would back “in this national crisis, there vours Suga, who lined up sup- man. This has meant his own But the outgoing prime min- virus hit, and the government bypassed the major political fac- Mechichi “given the diffi cult sit- must not be a political vacu- port even before he made his personal views on policy mat- ister has said he will not en- has been harshly criticised for tions in building his cabinet. uation of the country” but would um”. “There is not a moment candidacy offi cial. ters remain somewhat opaque, dorse a candidate, and Kishida’s its response to the pandemic, in- But the Ennahdha party, the then seek to “develop and reform to waste.” The 71-year-old has His selection “is increasingly though he is widely viewed as a limited public profi le is likely cluding an embarrassing U-turn biggest bloc in parliament, said this government”. long been mooted as a poten- assured, as the LDP’s factions pragmatist with no strong ideo- to leave him struggling to chal- on dispersing stimulus funds. Ashghal resumes Customer Zone work with 30% capacity

n line with the fourth phase of lifting Covid-19 restric- Itions, the Public Works Au- thority (Ashghal) has resumed work at the Customer Zone with a capacity of 30%. The works are carried out while maintaining all the neces- sary precautionary measures, it was announced on social media yesterday. Ashghal is ensuring that the number of custom- Ashghal has resumed work at the Customer Zone with a capacity of ers per branch does not exceed 30%. 15 at a time. The offi cial open- ing hours are from 7.30am to 12 noon. Miqdam Camp receives 14th Ashghal has taken measures to protect workers involved in its projects from Covid-19. Regular inspection tours are initiated at batch of national service cadets the workplaces while instruc- tions are followed by companies to maintain the safety of workers QNA ing, physical fi tness, infantry education in co-ordination medical services, to conduct at work sites. All precautionary Doha military training, disassembly with Qatar University and a a PCR examination, to make measures are taken for the project and installation of weapons, number of educational institu- sure the recruits are free from workers in the housing and daily shooting, self-defence skills, tions in the country. coronavirus (Covid-19), in ad- checks made to ensure the health Ashghal is ensuring that the number of customers per branch does iqdam Camp received swimming, battle and fi eld The National Service Acad- dition to sterilisation measures and safety of workers. not exceed 15 at a time. the 14th batch of skills. emy receives every year a and a commitment to wearing Mthe National Service As for the second phase, it batch of high school gradu- masks and ensuring a safe dis- Academy cadets yesterday. includes specialised training ates, and this year it received tance between them, in order The training period lasts for a on a type of the Qatar Armed a large number of cadets, with to complement the eff orts and year divided into three training Forces. all preventive and precaution- precautionary measures taken phases. The third phase enhances ary measures taken by a medi- by Qatar to prevent and limit The fi rst includes basic train- military skills and academic cal team from the armed forces the spread of the coronavirus. Lebanon PM designate Closure of a part of the road linking pledges to form ‘expert Al Ebb Street, Rawdat Al Hamama govt’ in record time

he Public Works riod, those coming from Al AFP complex political system seeks to 1975-1990 civil war has seen Authority (Ashghal) Tarfa Street in the direc- Beirut share power between diff erent re- poverty rates double to more Thas announced a tion of Rawdat Al Hamama ligious groups. But the country’s than half the population, sent temporary closure for eight can turn right to Al Ebb deadliest peacetime disaster has prices soaring and trapped peo- months from September 6 Street, use Wadi Al Banat ebanon’s prime minister created intense pressure for swift ple’s savings in the banks. Visit- of a 3km stretch of the road intersection on Al Khor designate Mustapha Adib reforms to lift it out of its worst ing to mark the centenary of the linking Al Ebb Street and Road or turn left and use Lpledged to form a ‘govern- economic crisis in decades. former French protectorate, Ma- Rawdat Al Hamama area. Street 245 known as Arab ment of experts’ to drive des- Adib started meeting parlia- cron strove to push for political During the closure in League Street to reach perately needed reforms in the mentary bloc leaders yesterday, change without being perceived co-ordination with the their destination. disaster-hit and economically as Pope Francis warned Leba- as meddling in the country’s af- General Directorate of Motorists coming from ailing country. non faced “extreme danger that fairs. But Lebanese newspaper Traffic, the road will be Al Majd Road in the direc- His announcement came after threatens the very existence of ‘Al-Akhbar’ complained the closed to traffic coming tion of Rawdat Al Hamama a high-profi le visit by Emmanuel the country”. “Lebanon cannot French president had behaved from Al Tarfa Street and area can use Rawdat Al Macron during which the French be abandoned to its solitude,” the like the “supreme leader of the Al Ebb Street in the direc- Hamama intersection on president said political leaders pope said. Lebanese republic” on his visit. tion of Rawdat Al Hama- Al Khor Road to reach their had agreed on a reform road map Lebanese lawmakers rushed Macron promised to host two ma and vice versa. destination. involving a government being to approve the nomination of the conferences in Paris in the second The objective is to allow Ashghal will install road put together within two weeks, little-known 48-year-old dip- half of October — one to help drum the implementation of the signs advising motorists of following last month’s devastat- lomat on Monday just hours be- up aid and the other to discuss road development work the closure and request- ing blast in the port of Beirut. fore the French president landed. progress on political reforms. He between Al Khor Road and ed all to follow them and “As I leave Beirut, I want to say Under Lebanon’s power-sharing said he would be back in Lebanon Rawdat Al Hamama area. abide by the speed limit to again and with conviction: I will system, the country’s main reli- in December. International donors During the closure pe- ensure safety. not abandon you,” Macron said in a gious communities usually agree on August 9 pledged more than statement as he fl ew out yesterday. on a new government lineup be- 250mn euros (around $300mn) The last government re- fore its announcement. in emergency aid, during a video signed in the face of public an- President Michel Aoun yester- conference jointly organised by ger over the August 4 explosion day said that Macron’s “drive” to France and the United Nations. that killed at least 190, wounded help Lebanon “must be matched Analyst Karim Bitar said that, Iran hails support for nuclear deal against US thousands and laid waste to en- by an honest Lebanese determi- considering the unusual speed tire districts of the capital. “We nation to help ourselves and to with which the prime minister was hope that we will quickly suc- form a capable and transparent nominated, Lebanon could have a AFP are struggling to save the accord “Fortunately, yesterday in Vi- against Iran “futile and childish.” ceed in forming a government government as soon as possible.” new government within the next Tehran after the United States with- enna, the 4+1 clearly stated that European Union senior offi cial made up of a coherent team that The forthcoming government, the few weeks. “Everyone in Leba- drew from it in 2018. they stand by the JCPOA and Helga Schmid, who chaired the is focused on dealing with the president said, should take “im- non now realises that we no longer Washington unilaterally re- that America does not have the talks in Vienna, said the par- many dossiers before us,” Adib mediate steps towards reform.” have the luxury of time, that the ran’s President Hassan Rou- imposed sanctions on the Is- right to misuse it,” Rouhani said ticipants were “united in resolve said in a televised statement after Gebran Bassil, the president’s clock is ticking,” he said. hani yesterday hailed the lamic republic. Iran has stepped in remarks to the weekly cabi- to preserve” the nuclear agree- concluding initial consultations. son-in-law and head of the Free “I do think that the French Ishow of unity by parties to up its nuclear activities in the net meeting broadcast on state ment. Schmid said that the US “We will proceed from the prin- Patriotic Movement said that pressure will lead to some forms a 2015 nuclear deal, after they past year in retaliation for television. “They have not only cannot launch the process to ciple that the government should ministerial portfolios in the new of change in the short term be- defeated US eff orts to restore Washington’s pullout from the pulled out of the JCPOA but also reimpose UN sanctions on Iran be a government of experts.” cabinet should not be reserved cause Lebanon is in such a dif- international sanctions. Britain, deal, offi cially known as the punished whoever has abided by using a Security Council resolu- Government formation is usu- for specifi c parties as had been fi cult fi nancial” situation, but China, France, Germany, and Joint Comprehensive Plan of it.” Rouhani called Washington’s tion enshrining a deal they have ally a drawn-out process in mul- the case in the past. Lebanon’s such changes risked being only Russia — dubbed the “4+1” — Action, or JCPOA. drive to reimpose UN sanctions abandoned. ti-confessional Lebanon where a worst economic crisis since the “cosmetic reforms”, he said. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, September 3, 2020 AMERICAS/BRITAIN/EUROPE White House slams WHO over criticism US puts top ICC Reuters Covid-19 respiratory disease. FDA’s gold standard for safety Head of Global Policy, said in a as long as offi cials are convinced for the pre-qualifi cation of vac- Washington About 172 countries are en- and effi cacy, is thoroughly test- statement. that its benefi ts outweigh the cines. gaging with the WHO’s Cov- ed, and saves lives,” he said, re- “Economic recovery is not risks. US President Donald Trump offi cial on id-19 vaccine plan to ensure ferring to the US Food and Drug possible if large parts of the On Monday, WHO offi cials has been critical of the WHO’s he White House has equitable access to vaccines, Administration. world are still shut down. The US said rushing out a vaccine could handling of the coronavirus pushed back on concerns known as COVAX. The global eff ort to develop will not be able to bounce back if pose risks. pandemic, accusing it of being blacklist Texpressed by the World “The United States will con- a vaccine against the virus that its allies and trading partners are “If you move too quickly to too focused on China and issu- Health Organisation (WHO) tinue to engage our international has killed more than 858,000 still suff ering,” Harris said. vaccinate ... millions of people, ing bad advice. after a US health offi cial said a partners to ensure we defeat people has seen recent launches There is no approved coro- you may miss certain adverse ef- In May, Trump announced the Reuters coronavirus vaccine might be this virus, but we will not be of late-stage clinical trials, as navirus vaccine, except one au- fects,” said Mike Ryan, the head US was cutting ties to the WHO. Washington authorised for use without com- constrained by multilateral or- work on treatments has also ac- thorised in Russia before large- of WHO’s emergencies pro- Phase III trials involving tens pleting full trials. ganisations infl uenced by the celerated. scale trials. gramme. of thousands of healthy volun- The White House also said corrupt World Health Organisa- “It is disappointing that the FDA Commissioner Stephen WHO chief scientist Soumya teers that test experimental vac- he US has imposed sanc- that the United States would not tion and China,” White House US has decided not to join COV- Hahn told the Financial Times Swaminathan said the FDA’s ap- cines against a placebo are con- tions on International join a global eff ort to develop, spokesman Judd Deere said in a AX. in an interview published on proach was “not something that sidered necessary to determine TCriminal Court (ICC) manufacture and distribute a statement on Tuesday. “The only way we’re going to Sunday that his agency was pre- you do very lightly”. safety and effi cacy before they prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, coronavirus vaccine because of “This president will spare end this pandemic is if countries pared to authorise a coronavirus She said the WHO’s preferred are given to hundreds of millions Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the WHO involvement. no expense to ensure that any work together,” Alex Harris, the vaccine before large-scale Phase approach would be to have a full people to prevent or lessen the said, over her investigation into The coronavirus causes the new vaccine maintains our own Wellcome Trust health charity’s III clinical trials were complete, set of data that could be used severity of Covid-19. whether American forces com- mitted war crimes in Afghani- stan. Pompeo also said Phakiso Mo- chochoko, the head of the ICC’s Jurisdiction, Complementa- rity and Co-operation Division, had also been blacklisted under sanctions authorised by Presi- dent Donald Trump in June. “Today we take the next step, Navalny poisoned with because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly,” Pom- peo told reporters. Pompeo also said that individ- uals and entities that continue to materially support Bensouda and Mochochoko would risk ex- posure to sanctions as well. nerve agent: Germany UN Secretary-General Anto- nio Guterres was concerned by AFP von der Leyen criticised a “des- on a ventilator. his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, Pompeo’s announcement, UN Berlin picable and cowardly act – once Doctors say that over time southwest England, using a spokesman Stephane Dujarric again”. the body can clear out the nerve Novichok nerve agent. told reporters. “The Russian people have agent, which disrupts commu- The Skripals spent days in a Dujarric said that “we trust ermany said yesterday a right to express their views nication between the brain, the coma before recovering but lo- that any restriction taken against that Russian opposition peacefully without fear of ret- main organs and muscles. cal resident Dawn Sturgess died individuals will be implemented Gleader Alexei Navalny ribution of any kind, and cer- “Recovery is likely to be after picking up a discarded per- consistently” with a decades- was poisoned with a Novichok tainly not with chemical agents,” lengthy. It is still too early to fume bottle allegedly used to old US deal with the United Na- nerve agent, leading Chancel- US National Security Council gauge the long-term eff ects carry the poison. tions to host the world body’s lor Angela Merkel to demand spokesman John Ullyot wrote on which may arise in relation to The United States, European headquarters in New York. answers from the Kremlin and Twitter. this severe poisoning,” added the Union members, the Nato and Bensouda was given the go- sparking widespread condem- North Atlantic Treaty Organi- hospital. other nations expelled more ahead by the court in March to nation in the West. sation (Nato) chief Jens Stolten- His wife Yulia Navalnaya than 150 Russian diplomats in investigate whether war crimes “It is certain that Alexei Nav- berg condemned the “shocking” wrote an upbeat and defi ant a co-ordinated action against were committed in Afghanistan alny is the victim of a crime. He use of a military-grade nerve message on Instagram, saying Moscow over the Skripal case, by the Taliban, Afghan military was meant to be silenced and I agent which, he said, made “a that “Alexei will defi nitely get leading to tit-for-tat reactions and US forces. condemn this in the strongest full and transparent” investiga- better” while the “state ter- from Moscow. The United States revoked possible terms, on behalf of the tion by Russia even more urgent. rorists” responsible for the at- The German government said Bensouda’s entry visa last year. German government,” she said. Following tests from its armed Navalny: poisoned by a chemical nerve agent. tack would live forever with the it would inform the Nato and But under an agreement be- The latest in a long line of at- forces’ chemical weapons labo- shame. EU partners over its fi ndings for tween the United Nations and tacks on Russian defectors and ratory, the German government lieves was ordered by the Krem- sia was ready to co-operate fully. Relations between the Euro- Navalny and seek a joint reaction Washington, she was still able opposition fi gures sent tensions said in a statement earlier that lin, but which Russia denies. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pean Union and Russia are par- on the case. to regularly travel to New York to between Moscow and the West it had “unequivocal evidence” Navalny, 44, fell ill after told RIA Novosti state news ticularly sour at present, with It also plans to contact the brief the UN Security Council on spiralling, with Merkel saying from samples taken from Na- boarding a plane in Siberia last agency that “we are ready and the two sides at odds over a host global toxic arms watchdog cases it had referred to the court that there are now “some very valny that the military-grade month, with aides saying they have an interest in full co-op- of issues from Russia’s annexa- OPCW over the results. in The Hague. serious questions that only Rus- Novichok agent was used. suspect he drank a cup of spiked eration and exchange of data on tion of Crimea, its backing of Navalny’s poisoning comes Rights groups immediately sia can and must answer”. The nerve agent, whose name tea at the airport. this topic with Germany”. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, after a daylight murder of a condemned the US designations. Other European fi gures means “newbie” or “newcomer” He was initially treated in a The Charite hospital that has as well as alleged election med- former Chechen rebel com- Richard Dicker, Human Rights searched for the strongest pos- in Russian, is a poison developed local Siberian hospital, where been treating Navalny reported dling. mander in a Berlin park in Au- Watch international justice di- sible terms to denounce the at- by the Soviet government to- doctors said they were unable improvements in his recovery The EU has had sanctions gust last year, which German rector, said it was a “stunning tack, with British Prime Min- wards the end of the Cold War to fi nd any toxic substances in but said he remains in a serious targeting whole sectors of the prosecutors believe was ordered perversion of US sanctions”. ister Boris Johnson calling it that can be deployed in an ultra- his blood, before he was fl own to condition. Russian economy in place since by Russia. “The Trump administration “outrageous” and French For- fi ne powder, liquid or vapour. Berlin for specialised treatment The charismatic Yale-educat- 2014. Merkel had also revealed in has twisted these sanctions to eign Minister Jean-Yves Le Dri- It was famously used against on August 22. ed lawyer, who has been Russia’s Two years ago, the Kremlin May that Russia had targeted her obstruct justice, not only for war an saying it was “shocking and ex-double agent Sergei Skripal The Kremlin, which has pre- leading opposition politician for was also accused of being be- in hacking attacks, saying that crimes victims, but for atrocity irresponsible”. in Britain in 2018, an assassina- viously questioned the credibil- around a decade, is still in the hind the attempted murder of she had concrete proof of the victims anywhere looking to the European Union chief Ursula tion attempt that the West be- ity of German doctors, said Rus- intensive care unit and remains ex-double agent Skripal and “outrageous” spying attempts. International Criminal Court for justice,” he said.

Ex-PM Berlusconi Venice fi lm festival opens with show of support for battered industry test positive for coronavirus Reuters not go ahead as planned earlier maybe it hasn’t before. Less Venice this year. territorial.” Former Italian prime minister “During our conversation in Film festivals are often in in- Silvio Berlusconi vowed to carry March, all of us, felt the great formal competition to show the on with political activities ahead he heads of Europe’s solitude of the artists, who also most hotly-anticipated new re- of local elections in September main fi lm festivals came wondered what would happen. leases. after testing positive for the Ttogether for the opening “So much fi lming stopped, Blanchett and Venice director coronavirus yesterday. of the Venice movie showcase lots of releases were cancelled Alberto Barbera highlighted the The coronavirus causes the yesterday in a show of solidar- and the very idea that the fes- growth of streaming platforms Covid-19 respiratory disease. ity for an industry which has tival could go on, while cinemas during months of lockdown and The 83-year-old media tycoon been hit hard by the coronavirus were closed ... did them some the negative eff ect this could will remain under isolation in pandemic. good.” have on cinemas. his house in the town of Arcore, The director of the Cannes Australian actress Cate Blan- “Today we risk going towards north of Milan, his staff said in a festival, the world’s biggest, chett, who heads the prize- a progressive reduction of the statement. and his counterparts for the awarding jury in Venice this role of movie theatres,” said He will continue to provide Berlin, Rotterdam, San Sebas- year, said she also wanted to Barbera. support to candidates from his tian, Locarno, Karlovy Vary and show support for fi lm-makers With coronavirus cases ris- centre-right Forza Italia party London fi lm festivals made the who had to complete their mov- ing again in Italy and else- at local elections scheduled for trip to Venice for the fi rst such ies in challenging circumstanc- where, a strict safety protocol September 20-21. international event to take place es. has been put in place, including Alberto Zangrillo, Berlusconi’s since the coronavirus pandemic “It’s so great that there’s so the wearing of face masks while personal physician at Milan’s San all but shut down the movie many heads of festivals all over watching fi lms. Raff aele hospital, told AdnKronos world. the world coming to support There are 18 titles compet- news agency that the former “It’s not for us, everything Venice and realising that, in ing for this year’s Golden Lion premier had no symptoms but that we’re doing and are trying fact, it’s ... supporting various award for best fi lm – fewer than had decided to test for Covid-19 to do ... it’s for the work, it’s for diff erent facets of the same in- usual. because of his recent holiday in the fi lms, it’s for the directors,” dustry,” she said. The top prize is due to be Sardinia. said Cannes chief Thierry Fre- “I think it feels very col- handed out when the festival Fans look through a gap to spot famous people on the red carpet during the gala ceremony of the 77th The Mediterranean island has maux, whose own festival could legiate, actually, in a way that ends on September 12. Venice International Film Festival, yesterday. suff ered a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in August as tourists from all over the country Canada, US, EU, UK discussing descended on its beaches. sanctions against Belarus Harry and Meghan team up with Netfl ix Mexico minister Canada, the United States, the European Union and Britain are discussing possible sanctions against Belarus over its crackdown quits over health Reuters ing platform said yesterday. family programming is also im- “We’re incredibly proud they against protests following a disputed election, a Canadian source London The couple moved to South- portant to us.” have chosen Netfl ix as their cre- directly familiar with the matter said yesterday. Mexico’s environment minister ern California with their infant Meghan, a former star of the ative home,” Netfl ix chief con- If sanctions were imposed, they would come “in the not too distant has resigned for health reasons son Archie this year after step- USA Network television show tent offi cer Ted Sarandos said in future”, said the source, who requested anonymity given the and will be replaced by the ritain’s Prince Harry and ping back from royal duties in Suits, has no plans to return to a statement. sensitivity of the situation. welfare minister, President his American-born wife January and announcing plans acting under the deal. The Netfl ix deal follows a Protests erupted after an August 9 election that the opposition says Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador BMeghan have signed an to be more fi nancially inde- The couple have no previous similar pact in 2018 with former was rigged to prolong President Alexander Lukashenko’s 26-year said yesterday, after a cabinet exclusive multiyear production pendent. experience as producers, but US president Barack Obama and rule. dispute over the herbicide deal with Netfl ix Inc, a major They said they will produce Netfl ix said they already have his wife Michelle. Lukashenko denies electoral fraud. glyphosate. step in their plan to make a liv- content on issues that resonate several projects in development, The New York Times said Har- UN human rights investigators say they have received reports of Environment Minister Victor ing for themselves outside the with them and that their non- including a nature documentary ry and Meghan had been speak- hundreds of cases of torture, beatings and mistreatment of anti- Manuel Toledo last week royal family. profi t Archewell is focused on. series and an animated series ing with other Hollywood com- government protesters by police. withdrew from his position citing Under the deal, whose value “Our focus will be on creating that celebrates inspiring wom- panies, including Walt Disney “There have been a number of things that have happened since poor health and stress, Lopez was not disclosed, the couple content that informs but also en. Co and Apple Inc. the election that are reprehensible,” said the Canadian source. Obrador said. will produce fi lms and series gives hope,” the couple said in They said they plan to high- Variety reported earlier this “We’ve made it clear the situation cannot stand and that’s precisely Lopez Obrador said Toledo’s ranging from children’s shows a statement yesterday. “As new light diversity in front of and month that they had met with the reason we are looking, with other partners, at some sort of decision to leave pre-dated the to scripted content, the stream- parents, making inspirational behind the camera. Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal. sanctions we could put in place.” fight over glyphosate. Gulf Times Thursday, September 3, 2020 9

INDIA

ACHIEVEMENT CRIME LAW AND ORDER ENTERTAINMENT RULING India among top 50 in Jeweller stabbed to death Teen held over murders Court snubs request Bail denied to student Global Innovation Index during robbery bid allowed to stay at home to stop film screening accused of killing boy

Marking a major advancement amid the A 35-year-old jewellery shop owner was The 15-year-old girl, accused of killing her The Delhi High Court has refused to grant The Supreme Court yesterday declined pandemic, India has moved up four places to stabbed to death during a robbery attempt mother and brother, is staying with her stay on the streaming of the film, Gunjan to grant bail to a boy accused of killing a rank 48th in the Global Innovation Index (GII) at his store in South Goa’s Margao town father, a senior railway off icer, under medical Saxena: The Kargil Girl, starring Janhvi seven-year-old boy on the premises of a 2020 released yesterday. Compiled by the yesterday, police said. The man has been supervision. Women police personnel in plain Kapoor. A single judge bench presided by private school in Gurugram, allegedly to World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), identified as Swapnil Walke, who runs a clothes have been deployed at the off icer’s justice Rajiv Shakdhar deliberated on a force a postponement of examinations. Cornell University and INSEAD business school, jewellery shop in Margao, located 35km residence. The Juvenile Court in Lucknow, petition filed by the central government The accused had allegedly slit the the index assessed 131 economies. Switzerland, from Panaji. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant where the girl was produced, had sent her and the Indian Air Force, claiming that throat of the victim, whose body was Sweden, the US, the UK and the Netherlands lead has assured “justice”, even as the opposition to 14-day judicial custody under medical the film shows the IAF in a bad light. found in the washroom of the school the innovation ranking. The top 10 is dominated yesterday decried the worsening law and supervision since she was suff ering from acute “You (Centre) had to approach the at the Bhondsi area in Gurugram. The by high-income countries. While the innovation order situation in the state. A video of the fatal depression and hallucination. “The court said court when the film was about to be court said: “We have heard the counsel index shows year-on-year stability at the top, assault has surfaced on social media, in which she will be kept under medical supervision released. I understand your concern, but for all parties exhaustively. Since the there is a gradual eastward shift in the locus Walke is seen trying to resist the robbery in King George’s Medical University (KGMU) an injunction cannot be granted at this petitioner is now being tried for the of innovation as a group of Asian economies – attempt, before he collapses after suffering during the period of the custody,” a police stage as the film is already out,” the court purposes of bail only as an adult, we notably China, India, the Philippines and Vietnam knife injuries. The victim was admitted to a off icer said The girl’s father submitted an said. The petition filed by the ministry of see no reason to interfere with the – have advanced considerably in the innovation nearby hospital where he succumbed to his application requesting that she may be defence sought a permanent injunction impugned judgment of the High Court at ranking over the years. injuries, police said. allowed to stay at home. on screening the film. this stage.” Tibetan soldier’s death sheds light on covert unit

Reuters Beijing denounces as a danger- Mumbai/ New Delhi ous separatist. He says he only wants genuine autonomy for his remote Hima- he death of a Tibetan layan homeland. member of an Indian spe- Chinese foreign ministry Tcial forces unit in a mine spokeswoman Hua Chunying blast near the site of a border told a news briefi ng yesterday fl are-up with Chinese troops has she did not know whether Tibet- off ered a rare glimpse into a lit- ans were fi ghting for India, but tle-known group of elite, high- urged caution. altitude warriors. “We are fi rmly opposed to any Tenzin Nyima, 53, was killed country, including India, sup- and another commando criti- porting the secession activities cally wounded in the blast near of Tibetan pro-independence the shores of the Pangong Tso forces or providing them with lake in the western Himalayas, any assistance or physical space,” three government offi cials and she said. two members of his family told Within the Tibetan commu- Reuters. nity, grieving has begun over Indian and Chinese forces came Nyima’s death, video footage close to direct confrontation in taken by the family and shared the area over the weekend over with Reuters shows. competing territorial claims, their His body was kept in a cof- A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel stands guard at a checkpoint along a highway leading to Ladakh, at Gagangeer in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district yesterday. governments have said. fi n covered with Indian and Ti- Nyima was part of the Special betan fl ags in a refugee colony Frontier Force (SFF), his family in Choglamsar village of India’s and three Indian government of- Ladakh region. fi cials said. Two bereaved relatives and The force recruits mostly from two neighbours of Nyima told Tibetan refugees, hundreds of Reuters that a government offi - thousands of whom have made cial who delivered the coffi n told India their home since the Dalai them that Nyima died “while de- 118 Chinese apps banned in Lama fl ed Tibet following a failed fending India”. uprising in 1959. Some are Indian The offi cial requested that citizens. the family refrain from speaking Few details are publicly known about Nyima’s 33-year service about the covert force set up with the SFF, the relatives said, soon after a war between India requesting anonymity as they backlash over border row and China in 1962. feared the Indian government Two offi cials estimated its might act against them. AFP clashes and showdowns on their around the world was developed panies out of contracts including has been reported. strength at more than 3,500 men. The defence ministry and New Delhi disputed Himalayan frontier in by Tencent. for its 5G mobile phone infra- India accused Chinese forces Amitabh Mathur, a former In- home ministry did not immedi- recent weeks. Other apps targeted by India structure and blocked Chinese of seeking to take more territory dian government adviser on Ti- ately respond to questions about In June, 20 Indian soldiers include games, online payment goods at ports and customs at the weekend, but its troops, betan aff airs, said the SFF were the relatives’ account. he government yesterday were killed in hand-to-hand services, dating sites and even posts. including special forces, seized a “crack troops, especially in the Photographs of the coffi n and banned 118 more Chinese combat in the Ladakh region. software to edit selfi es. India has warned that rela- number of hills that dominate a context of mountain climbing the Tibetan mourning rituals Tapps as the backlash in- China has also suff ered casual- The IT ministry accused the tions risk permanent damage strategic valley. and high-altitude warfare. were circulated on WhatsApp tensifi ed against Beijing over an ties in the high-altitude battle at apps of stealing user data and unless China pulls its troops China reacted with anger again “If at all they (SFF) were de- groups run by Tibetan refugees increasingly bitter border show- more than 13,800 feet but has not moving it abroad. back to positions they held be- yesterday. “Since the start of ployed, I am not surprised. It in Leh, the main city in Ladakh, down between the giant neigh- given fi gures. The “mining and profi ling fore May. this year, India has repeatedly makes sense to deploy them at and in Dharamshala in northern bours. India had already banned 59 by elements hostile to national Tensions at the border are violated bilateral agreements high altitudes. They are terrifi c India, the seat of the self-styled The government said the apps Chinese apps — including the security and defence of India, now at some of the highest levels and important consensus” on mountain climbers and comman- Tibetan government-in-exile. — including the popular video video-sharing platform TikTok which ultimately impinges upon since the 1962 war. the frontier, foreign ministry dos.” Some wanted greater recogni- game PUBG and other services — after the June battle. Another the sovereignty and integrity of Both sides have sent tens of spokesperson Hua Chunying said The defence and home minis- tion for the Tibetans’ service to provided by Chinese Internet gi- 47 were added in July. India, is a matter of very deep thousands of troops to the re- in Beijing. tries did not respond to a request India. “We respect and love India ant Tencent — promoted activi- The PUBG mobile app has mil- and immediate concern which gion with India dispatching more “It has tried to unilaterally for comment on the SFF. for giving us shelter but it is time ties “prejudicial to sovereignty lions of young users in India. requires emergency measures”, since the weekend, according to change the status quo by force, China has long considered the the nation acknowledges the and integrity of India, defence of The company said it had been it said. sources in Ladakh. undermined the peace and sta- presence of a large number of Ti- crucial role played by our men India, security of state and public made aware of the government India has increasingly used Indian and Chinese mili- bility of the border area, and betans in India as a threat to its in the SFF,” Lhagyari Namgyal order.” action but had no comment. economic weapons against its tary officers held a third caused tension in the border territorial integrity. Dolkar, a 34-year-old lawmaker India and China, which fought PUBG was developed by a neighbour in the dispute. day of emergency talks at area. The responsibility is un- They are led by Tibet’s spirit- of the Tibetan parliament-in- a border war in 1962, have been South Korean company, but the On top of banning the apps, the border yesterday but no doubtedly solely on the Indian ual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom exile, said. embroiled in a series of deadly mobile version that has taken off India has frozen Chinese com- progress in easing tensions side.” Facebook favouring BJP, Kerala govt’s KIIFB says Trinamool Congress a big bluff : Chandy IANS “Since 2016 (when Issac took Thiruvananthapuram over as minister) till now the Reuters tiate the bias,” Trinamool Con- speeches about Muslims. KIIFB was able to raise Rs153.15, New Delhi gress spokesman Derek O’ Brien The story prompted strong of which only Rs59.57mn have wrote in an August 31 letter to criticism of Facebook and Das, wo-time former Kerala been utilised in various an- Zuckerberg. with the Congress Party calling chief minister Oommen nounced projects. Two-thirds of est Bengal’s ruling “Please do all it takes to ur- for an investigation. TChandy yesterday said the the projects announced in 2016 party, the Trina- gently work towards maintaining It also pushed the parlia- fl agship project of State Finance are yet to get sanction and those Wmool Congress, has the integrity of your platform in ment’s IT panel, headed by a Minister Thomas Isaac, the Ker- projects which have begun, are accused Facebook of bias to- the Indian electoral process.” Congress lawmaker, to summon ala Infrastructure Investment now moving at a snail’s pace. wards Prime Minister Narendra Facebook. Fund Board (KIIFB), was nothing “With just seven months time Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party “Please do all it takes to At the time Facebook respond- but a bluff as “announcements left for this government, all the (BJP), adding to the clamour of urgently work towards ed to WSJ by saying it banned made on the project and the real- announced projects won’t even opposition voices which have maintaining the integrity hate speech and violence-incit- ity do not match at all.” be able to get the administrative called out the social media gi- of your platform in the ing content globally without any The KIIFB is a government- sanction. These are nothing but ant for its content regulation Indian electoral process” bias. owned fi nancial institution gimmicks meant for the upcom- practices. It also said it conducted regu- formed to mobilise funds for in- ing elections,” said Chandy add- In a letter to Facebook boss Facebook did not immediately lar audits of its processes for fair- frastructure development from ing, “Where is the money going Mark Zuckerberg, the Trinamool respond to an e-mail seeking ness and accuracy. outside the state revenues. The to come from?” Congress said the company’s comment. On Tuesday, the technology minister has been highlighting Chandy alleged that Issac recent blocking of pages and ac- West Bengal will hold state as- minister slammed Facebook for the project frequently. is borrowing from all quarters counts in the state pointed to the sembly elections early next year. censuring content posted by The reason why Chandy has while the total public debt as in links it had with the BJP. The Trinamool letter piles right-wing users. taken on Issac and the KIIFB is a 2015-16 (when Chandy demitted The letter became public just more pressure on Facebook, Menlo Park, California-head- four-page advertisement in the offi ce) was Rs1.5tn. hours before Facebook’s India which is the midst of a PR cri- quartered Facebook has previ- newspapers recently. “And since they took over boss Ajit Mohan appeared before sis and a political storm, fol- ously said it is a non-partisan “This KIIFB advertisement has till today that has gone up by a parliamentary panel, to explain lowing a recent Wall Street platform and it will remove con- cost the state exchequer a stag- Rs1.06tn and by the time this his company’s content regulation Journal story that said Ankhi tent that violates its community gering Rs40mn, when the state is government’s tenure ends, the policies. Das, the US tech giant’s pub- standards. passing through one of its worst total public debt of Kerala will “There is enough material now lic policy director for South Even Facebook employees fi nancial crisis. The ad claims that be in excess of Rs3tn. Due to the in the public domain, including and Central Asia, had opposed have questioned the company’s Ajit Mohan, managing director of Facebook India, comes out of 730 projects of varying sizes and wasteful expenditure and lavish internal memos of senior Face- the taking down of posts by a content policies in India, Reuters the Parliament annexe after his meeting with the parliamentary shapes costing Rs570mn have spending, Kerala will end up in book management, to substan- BJP politician who gave hate- has previously reported. panel, in New Delhi, yesterday. been sanctioned,” said Chandy. deep trouble,” added Chandy. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, September 3, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES When peaceful protests turn violent in US Candid, passionate and even angry debate is an essential feature of a free and democratic society. The First Amendment establishes an inviolable space for Americans to express their views and to “peaceably assemble.” Rallies, protests and marches are all protected by those guarantees. What the Constitution doesn’t protect is the right to intimidate or engage in violence against those with diff erent views. Harassment, even if technically not against the law, is wrong and corrosive to discourse. When advocates stop trying to persuade and choose instead to bully, frighten and threaten Entering Phase 4 of re-opening: Experiences political opponents, they are at war with the values that underlie their own freedoms. They aren’t adding their voices, they’re destroying the right of others to speak and act. and lessons learned at HBKU’s colleges Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been the object of voluminous criticism for her handling of the protests and Doha The pandemic’s impact on research goes beyond physical aspects, as one of persist in their pursuit of knowledge violence that erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. in public policy will be profound. The the biggest challenges has been tackling and discovery, and our administrators Activists have rallied at City Hall shouting demands for College of Public Policy is currently the emotional eff ects of isolation. ensured that operations continued to change. All that is part of what any mayor signs up for. ith Qatar now in Phase 4 of running a major research project track- Staying connected through the virtual run smoothly. But when protesters its re-opening, we spoke ing policy response in the Mena region, medium has been our only option and, Just as an individual’s character is which will give us a rich dataset on at least for the fi rst month of the new shaped by the struggles that they expe- began showing up to all six colleges at Hamad In what’s Bin Khalifa University which responses seemed to be most term, this will remain so. Yet there will rience, an institution as a whole under- in her Logan Square W (HBKU). In our fi rst in a series of two fea- eff ective and those that weren’t. Our come a time soon when we again come goes a similar transformation. Through becoming too neighbourhood, trying tures, the deans of the College of Public policy briefs and research papers aris- together in a single physical room, and, diligent eff ort and a drive to excel, our to reach her home, the Policy, the College of Law, and the College ing from this project will be a major with that, I trust we will experience a summer has proven more productive common a Chicago Police Department of Islamic Studies share their thoughts resource for the government of Qatar, as new sense of togetherness. than ever: strategies have been revised at both macro and micro levels, our had every justifi cation for on lessons learned from the pandemic, well as other governments and interna- scene across reasons to be hopeful and cautious, and tional agencies. zDr Emad El-Din Shahin, Dean, direction as a college has been realigned blocking them out. There’s their predictions for what the future may HBKU College of Islamic Studies to a refreshed QF strategy, multiple pro- the country, a diff erence between hold in their respective fi elds. zDr Susan L Karamanian, Dean, We continue to operate under grams have seen signifi cant advance- legitimate expression HBKU College of Law interesting circumstances, which has ment to better serve our students, and militancy and targeted personal zDr Leslie A Pal, Founding Dean, Over the past fi ve months, the College instilled a sense of confi dence in our our courses have been redesigned for harassment aimed at the HBKU College of Public Policy of Law has remained a vibrant commu- collective ability to rise above adversity. blended delivery and eff ective digital is crowding One lesson we learned from these nity, although our students, faculty, and Our consistent communication at the learning. mayor and her family. past painful months, is that eff ectively staff have not met in person. How did level of the college, HBKU, and Qatar When our students walk through out vigorous In what’s becoming too addressing the pandemic requires the this happen? The quick, eff ective, and Foundation (QF) as a whole has been key those doors this Fall term, virtually common a scene across support and compliance of the popula- sustained action of HBKU IT has been in relaying a sense of trust and solidar- and, eventually, in person, they will advocacy the country, militancy is tion. We’ve seen the world over that an essential element. Thus, the fi rst ity, without glossing over the practical experience our college as a transforma- compliance with reasonable control lesson is one of gratitude to those who implications of the changes around us. tive journey, one that speaks to their crowding out vigorous measures makes a diff erence – govern- took our calls at all hours, to ensure a As leaders, we have an acute sense of needs as an entire persona and not only advocacy. Many recent protests for racial justice have ments can’t put police offi cers in every functioning virtual world. responsibility to protect the interests as a student. Content will continue to attracted anarchists eager to throw rocks and bottles, building. People have to agree to take We faced many hurdles, yet I rarely of our respective communities. It was engage contemporary dialogue as befi ts damage property, loot stores and even attack innocent basic precautions, like social distancing heard “that is not possible.” Faculty, because of this consistent message of our ethos, but its digital enhancements bystanders. In Washington, DC, Black Lives Matter and wearing masks in public spaces. I staff , and students alike embraced the solidarity that students made con- will provide an unparalleled experience, protesters have encircled and shouted at random people was struck by how much Qatar has ben- challenge of moving everything from a certed eff orts to complete their term, engagement, and enriched learning. As efi ted from high levels of compliance. physical to a virtual room. If anything, despite the obstacles. Faculty continued an institution, we continue to adapt, as dining outdoors at restaurants, demanding that they make Of course, there has been the tempta- the optimism of humanity emerges as a to engage with students and provide we experience new formats and remain gestures of support. After President Donald Trump’s tion to gather with family and friends, defi ning quality of this unprecedented development opportunities over the mindful to not compromise the impor- convention speech last Thursday night, a hostile crowd but, overall, the level of compliance has time. Patience has also served us well. summer, researchers found ways to tance of the human element. surrounded Senator Rand Paul and his wife as they left the been quite high – people on streets, in Coupled with both are resiliency and White House, and police had to escort the couple to safety. shopping malls, or even alone in their our belief that this unseen virus was not cars, wearing masks, for example. going to stop us from learning. About Hamad Bin Khalifa University Paul said he feared for his life. This is the foundation for being cau- Although we have been and still re- Is this the “tolerance” we so often hear about and see on tiously hopeful as we move into Phase 4 main at a distance, we have been able to Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow bumper stickers from liberals and progressives? of re-opening. People and organisations expand our horizons well beyond any- The right has its own bad actors. In a May rally against throughout Qatar understand that our thing imaginable in early March. Thanks Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), ity through an enriching academic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home success in fl attening the curve was a to technology, our doors are now open a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and collective success. We know that phased to lawyers, law professors, law students, Education, Science and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers orders, demonstrators entered the state Capitol building re-opening is the best way forward, and others from around the world. We Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and carrying rifl es and signs saying, “Tyrants get the rope,” making careful assessments of the need not get on an airplane and travel 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its and death threats against lawmakers were posted on social impact, and if necessary, stepping back. thousands of miles to understand each that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities media. I am very hopeful that the measured other. tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through In Kenosha, Wisconsin, a former alderman put up a Facebook approach taken here in Qatar will pay off As we prepare to welcome new and while having global impact. Located in its institutes and centres. For more – gradually getting back to something returning law students, we are fi rst Education City, HBKU is committed to information about HBKU, visit www. post urging fellow gun owners to bring their weapons to the closer to normal life, while protecting committed to their health and safety, as building and cultivating human capac- hbku.edu.qa city after it suff ered riots, telling them: “This is what the 2nd health and safety. well as that of the faculty and staff . This Amendment was written for. We are at war in Kenosha.” A 17-year-old Illinoisan, Kyle Rittenhouse, was charged with shooting three people, two fatally, during the rioting. And Black Lives Matter activists marching from Milwaukee to the nation’s capital to protest police abuses encountered gun-wielding opponents and racial slurs; one was shot. Developments like these raise the spectre of even greater and more lethal violence around political demonstrations. The US has many problems that are fully deserving of the attention they are getting. But tactics aimed at injuring or scaring people will solve nothing and should be persecuted as much as the law allows. Civil, peaceful disagreement is indispensable to American system of democratic government. Now is the time to protect it.

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved HBKU CIS. Gulf Times Thursday, September 3, 2020 11 PAKISTAN Apex court suspends lower court decision on sugar inquiry report

Internews decision to declare on the com- During the hearing yesterday, had urged the NAB, the FIA and exports of the commodity are al- sible, given that the maximum owners were receiving telegraph- Islamabad mission’s report. the Supreme Court ruled that it the FBR to fi nd out if anyone was legedly faked to avail rebates on capacity of a truck, even when ic transfers for payments for sug- The SHC declared the Sugar would hear the Centre’s appeal given “illegal or unjust subsidy”. sales taxes, and how billions of overloaded, does not exceed 30 ar sold to Afghanistan from the Inquiry Commission report re- against the SHC’s decision and “If any government offi cial has rupees are allegedly overcharged tonnes. US and Dubai, therefore seem- he Supreme Court of Paki- lating to the increase in the sugar issued notices to 20 sugar mills misused his powers, it should be by sugar mills owners. The alleged scam also seem- ingly “whitening” money and stan has rejected the Sindh prices across the country null in Sindh as well as other parties investigated,” the SHC had said. According to sources, the re- ingly has another purpose: laun- earning dollars at the same time. THigh Court (SHC)’s deci- and void on August 17, direct- in the case. It also asked the FBR to inves- port mentioned in depth how the dering money. Another important fi nding sion to declare the Sugar Inquiry ing the Federal Board of Revenue The apex court then adjourned tigate the matter according to the amount of sugar exported to Af- If sugar is being exported to highlighted in the report is that Commission report null and (FBR), the Federal Investigation the hearing for a month. country’s tax laws. ghanistan is routinely infl ated to Afghanistan, the payment should sugar mills paid an estimated Rs- void. Agency (FIA), and the National The written verdict issued by The Sugar Inquiry Commis- show as if 75 tonnes of the com- also be coming in from the same 22bn in taxes to the government The apex court also agreed to Accountability Bureau (NAB) to SHC in August on a petition fi led sion report had some startling modity were being exported per country. of Pakistan, but out of that total hear the federal government’s launch a fresh investigation into by the sugar mill owners against revelations about how the price truck. However, it was found by the amount, Rs12bn was reclaimed in appeal against the High Court’s the matter. the government-led commission of sugar is allegedly fi xed, how However, this is barely pos- commission that many sugar mill rebates.

Karachi begins 11 die amid heavy rainfall operation to clear in northwest Pakistan structures Internews on nullahs Peshawar

Internews t least 11 more people Karachi were killed and over two Adozen injured in rain- related incidents, as heavy rain- he government of Sindh fall continued to batter parts of province has started an Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), of- Toperation against com- fi cials said yesterday. mercial encroachments along Rain has continued to lash the Gujjar nullah, a week after diff erent districts of KP, includ- record-breaking torrential rains ing Mansehra, Battagram, Bunir, triggered urban fl ooding in the Shangla, Kohistan and Swat, city. for days causing widespread Karachi Municipal Corpora- damage to roads and houses tion (KMC) director (anti-en- and causing landslides at some croachment) has said that the points. operations began at 8am at three Taj Mohamed, spokesperson locations in the country’s most- for the Rescue 1122 service in populous city. Bunir, said that three people – a He said that two anti-en- woman and two children – were croachment operations were killed and three others injured being conducted in the area be- at Chagharzai, while another tween Cafe Pyala to Teen Hatti woman died in the Ryal area of and one at a nullah in New Ka- Bunir after the roofs of their rachi. houses collapsed due to rain and K-Electric and Sui Gas teams landslides. arrived near Cafe Pyala before The injured were moved to the operation began. District Headquarters Hospital Authorities will remove com- Bunir, he added. mercial encroachments, such Additionally, four people, in- as cattle markets and parking cluding a woman and a child, spots alongside the Gujjar nullah were killed when their house in to ensure the drain does not get Hussain Banda in Oghi tehsil of clogged again. Mansehra, was hit by a landslide, Local residents gather to watch the swollen Charsadda river following heavy monsoon rainfall, on the outskirts of Peshawar. A protest by residents of Li- according to rescue offi cials. aquatabad FC area began earlier Two other people were also roads were blocked due to land- roads of the entire Kandia tehsil A suspension bridge linking across the district about damage ment Authority, Peshawar and when the central deputy com- injured. slides. were blocked due to landslides. Damorai with Banda was swept to houses, roads and water sup- other northern areas were seeing missioner urged them to vacate Battagram Deputy Commis- He added that water supply Water supply schemes were away in the fl ash fl oods, Ranjha ply lines. a heavy spell of rain while fl ood- their homes by 7am for the op- sioner Abdul Hameed said that schemes in diff erent parts of the also damaged at various points, said. Bisham Assistant Commis- ing was reported in storm-water eration. two girls aged between nine and district were also damaged. he added. Construction and works de- sioner Khurram Rehman said drains in Swat, Chitral and Ko- The protesters had blocked 12 were killed when heavy boul- Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Imran Hussain Ranjha, the partment has already begun ef- houses in the area near rivers histan. roads, seriously aff ecting traf- ders, displaced by the rains and man, identifi ed as Mohamed Shangla deputy commissioner, forts to clear the roads, he said, had been evacuated as the fl ow Last Friday, at least 20 people fi c between Nazimabad and Li- fl ooding, struck their house in Azeem, drowned in the Nandyar said that major infrastructural adding that the work was how- of water was increasing. were killed and nine suff ered in- aquatabad. the district’s Rashang area. river in Battagram while trying damage, especially to roads, was ever being hindered by continu- A day earlier, at least two peo- juries in fl ash fl oods caused by However, they ended their Local people dug through the to collect wood, Hameed said. reported in the district due to ous rainfall. ple were killed and seven oth- cloudbursts in diff erent parts of protest when police and Sindh debris to recover the bodies, he Upper Kohistan Deputy Com- fl ash fl oods. Ranjha further said that his ers injured in various incidents Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. government offi cials reassured said. missioner Arif Yousafzai said In particular, a 1km stretch revenue staff was collecting in- in the Shangla district amid the Landslides also hit vehicles them that the operation was Hameed said seven houses that around 10-15 houses, a of the Karora-Ajmeer road was formation about the houses that widespread rains. in Diamer district of Gilgit- being conducted against com- had collapsed across the district mosque and a seminary were washed away while other major were damaged, adding that re- According to a statement from Baltistan, killing a truck driver mercial encroachments and not so far, and eight major and link damaged in the rains while, link and link roads were damaged. ports were being received from the Provincial Disaster Manage- and injuring several others. residential ones.

Health experts puzzled as coronavirus cases drop Malala’s book club

By Kaneez Fatima and population and the hot and hu- A fl attening curve is all the starting next month Zain Zaman Janjua, AFP mid climate to unproven claims more curious considering how Lahore of natural immunity. the coronavirus has hit India, Its median age is only 22 and which with a median age of 26 Internews who show the world from their the coronavirus is known to dis- and crowded cities has a some- Islamabad unique perspective,” she wrote ix months after the coro- proportionately impact older what similar demographic. on Instagram. navirus arrived in Pakistan, people with prior health compli- Over the weekend, India set a And she’s got great taste; in Sthe country appears to have cations. new global record for the high- alala Yousafzai is a recent interview with Glam- dodged the worst of the pan- In comparison, Italy, with a est number of daily cases, with keeping herself busy our, Yousafzai revealed what demic, baffl ing health experts median age of 46.5, has recorded 78,761 new infections recorded in Mever since she gradu- she was currently reading. and dampening fears its crowded more than 35,000 deaths, while 24 hours, though Delhi is testing ated college in the middle of a “I started the book Why I’m urban areas and ramshackle hos- Pakistan’s offi cial toll is about at a far higher rate than Islama- pandemic. No Longer Talking to White pitals will be overrun. 6,300. bad. The Nobel Peace Prize win- People About Race by Reni Ed- The coronavirus causes the To date, the South Asian na- India has also reported more ner is joining forces with a sub- do-Lodge, and I fi nished Win- Covid-19 respiratory disease. tion has confi rmed more than than 64,000 deaths – the third- scription book club, Literati, to ners Take All by Anand Girid- Following an initial surge, the 295,000 infections and currently highest globally after the United start her very own book club. haradas,” she shared. number of infections has plum- is recording a few hundred new States and Brazil. The startup, that had pre- “Malala has always been a meted in recent weeks, with cases per day. Since recording its fi rst case viously only focused on chil- perfect choice for us obviously Covid-19 deaths hovering in Observers say that with only in late February, Pakistan has re- dren’s books, has enlisted just because she is so aspira- the single digits each day, while limited testing, the true number sponded in fi ts and bursts to the Stephen Curry, Susan Orlean, tional,” Literati chief executive neighbouring India tallies hun- of infections is likely consider- pandemic, rolling out loose lock- Richard Branson, the Joseph and founder Jessica Ewi told dreds of fatalities. ably higher. downs that were later reversed, Campbell Foundation, and Forbes. Pakistan has a long history of One testing exercise in Lahore while crowds shunned social dis- Yousafzai to head up their own The book club platform, failing to contain myriad infec- suggested as many as 7% of the tancing guidelines and continued curated book clubs. which launches next month, tious diseases such as polio, tu- city’s population had been ex- to fl ock to markets and mosques. Yousafzai has named hers will cost $24.95 per month; berculosis and hepatitis, while posed to the virus. Still, the government of Prime “Fearless”, and has vowed to members are posted a print successive governments have But anecdotal evidence from Minister Imran Khan has been choose underrated books by copy of whichever book the underfunded its healthcare sec- hospitals across Pakistan sup- quick to bask in the progress, marginalised voices. head of the club has picked. tor for decades. ports the downward trend. crediting itself with “smart” “Sign up to join me and to- They will also get limited Added to that, many Paki- While healthcare facilities lockdown policies and other Women wearing face masks as a preventative measure against the gether we’ll explore books release access to Literati’s stanis live in crowded, multi- were initially swamped, doctors measures. coronavirus are seen at a market in Lahore. from new voices and promi- iOS app, a social platform for generational homes or packed across Pakistan told AFP that Last month, Pakistani author- nent writers – women with members to discuss each book, apartment buildings that favour they are now no longer seeing ities lifted most of the country’s public to remain vigilant over there won’t be a second wave in bold ideas and storytellers which is currently in beta. rampant virus transmission. a coronavirus-related rush on remaining coronavirus restric- fears of a second wave. Pakistan. Most urban centres in “No one has been able to ex- emergency services. tions after new cases dropped for “People think we have defeat- Pakistan like Lahore and Karachi plain this decline ... we don’t “Regardless of the reasons, the several weeks. ed Covid-19 but my belief is that have already seen the worst when PM orders release of female prisoners have any concrete explanation,” good thing is the fi rst wave of the Restaurants and parks have re- the chances of the second wave it comes to coronavirus,” said said Salman Haseeb, a doctor at virus is almost over in Pakistan,” opened while people have fl ocked are still there,” warned Hassan Waheed Uz Zaman Tariq, head of In a landmark decision regarding women prisoners, Prime Minister Services Hospital in the eastern said Khizer Hayat, a doctor at to theatres, malls, and crowded Waseem, a microbiologist based the department of virology and Imran Khan has directed the immediate implementation of the city of Lahore. Nishtar hospital in the central back onto public transport. in Pakistan. infectious diseases at Chughtai Supreme Court of Pakistan’s Order 299/2020 for the release of Pakistanis have proposed nu- city of Multan. “The situation Schools and universities are However, other doctors sus- Lab. “Under Trial Women Prisoners and Convicted Women Prisoners”, merous hypotheses for their is now under control and the set to reopen later in September. pect that the country has already “People must also understand who fulfil the criteria of the order. country’s seeming ability to number of coronavirus cases is Masks have become an in- experienced the peak of the pan- that (the virus) is not completely In a tweet yesterday, the prime minister said that he has also asked weather the pandemic, credit- dropping, the wards are empty- creasingly rare sight, spurring demic. gone,” he added. “Precautions for immediate reports on foreign women prisoners and women on ing everything from the young ing. It’s hard to know why.” warnings from experts for the “I would reluctantly say that must be taken still.” death row for humanitarian consideration. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, September 3, 2020 QATAR

Largest fi rst-year class begins studies at CMU-Q

arnegie Mellon Uni- ditions of a typical convocation and positive, outcomes. CMU- new students to the community versity in Qatar, a Qa- ceremony at CMU-Q, including Q’s Summer Edge Programme and one another. Ctar Foundation partner the significance of academic is available each year to prime Trick spoke to the students university, welcomed the new dress, bagpipe music and the students for the coursework in about their virtual introduc- cohort of students in a virtual Carnegie Mellon tartan weave. their first term as university tion to the community: “Class convocation ceremony. There “Traditions are the touchstone students. The virtual Summer of 2024, I have been follow- are more than 120 students in for a community, and they rep- Edge saw four times the attend- ing your class closely, and I the Class of 2024, the largest resent our values and our pri- ance of past in-person sessions, think this experience is already enrolment in campus history. orities.” as students from 15 countries bringing you together. I predict Michael Trick, dean of CMU- More than 270 people logged logged in for the two-week pro- that these challenges will shape Q, highlighted the many tradi- in from around the world to gramme. you, bring out the best in you, tions of Carnegie Mellon and celebrate the formal introduc- First-year orientation took and make you stronger, more the Qatar campus during the tion of the first-year class to place as a series of virtual empathetic and thoughtful stu- ceremony. “Class of 2024, there the CMU-Q community. While workshops, panels and social dents and young professionals.” is no need to tell you that a vir- the Covid-19 pandemic pre- events over the two weeks be- CMU-Q students will begin tual convocation is a first for us, cluded a traditional in-person fore classes. CMU-Q recruited the year in remote mode and the but I believe it is important to orientation and welcome, the more than 70 current students university will incrementally carry on our traditions.” move to virtual activities has to organise and run the wel- move to a hybrid mode as it is Trick shared some of the tra- resulted in some surprising, come event that introduces the safe to do so. Virtual convocation of the newest CMU-Q batch.

Doha Festival City announces Education Ministry further openings in fourth phase

oha Festival City (DHFC) has introduced new safe- Dty measures for prayer rooms, food courts and fi tting announces 14th rooms as the country entered phase 4 of the gradual lifting of coronavirus (Covid-19) restric- tions on September 1. To ensure minimising the risks for customers when using the fi t- ting rooms, a maximum of three edition of Scientifi c items will be allowed to try-on per shopper across all of the re- tail stores. All unpurchased items will be sanitised and put back on dis- play after 24 hours only. DHFC’s store personnel will encourage A prayer room at Doha Festival City. Excellence Award customers to minimise touching of surfaces and to sanitise hands dors who will advise quests on ing. “While we are excited with QNA before and after the use of the fi t- distancing practices to adopt. the gradual return of normality Doha ting rooms. As North and South DHFC encourages people to and welcoming back visitors of food courts have reopened, visit Health and Safety and FAQ all ages to the Mall, we are en- DHFC has put in place several pages to learn more about Vox’s tirely committed to supporting he Ministry of Education and Higher measures to ensure the safety of safety procedures. the government’s directives and Education yesterday announced the all customers while they enjoy Prayer rooms at the mall have safety measures to ensure safety Tlaunch of the 14th edition of Scientifi c their dining experience. also reopened and will host Fri- of all our visitors”, DHFC gen- Excellence Award 2021. At a press conference A maximum of fi ve people day prayers, following the safety eral manager Robert Hall said in held remotely it defi ned the award, its vi- will be able to share one food protocols provided by the Min- a statement. sion, mission, objectives, categories, and the court table, with an exception istry of Endowments and Islamic In line with the preventative amendments made to the award criteria for the for families. Dedicated security Aff airs, as well as DHFC’s sup- measures set out by the authori- nine categories. agents will ensure social distanc- plementary measures. ties, DHFC introduced strin- CEO of the Scientifi c Excellence Award and ing guidelines are respected, and In addition to mandatory face gent health and safety measures Secretary-General of the Qatar National Com- an organised queuing system will masks and Ehteraz app checks throughout the mall for its staff mission for Education, Culture and Science, be put in place. operated at the mall’s entrances, and visitors. This includes a Dr Hamda Hassan al-Sulaiti, Chairman of the In accordance with the recent a full set of hygiene equipment thorough mall disinfection treat- Executive Committee of the Award and Act- government’s guidelines, Vox will be available at the prayer ment on a weekly basis, robust ing Assistant Undersecretary for Shared Serv- Cinema has now reopened its rooms, including hand sanitis- cleaning and sanitisation opera- ices Aff airs Ali al-Buainain, the Member of the A view of the press conference held via video conferencing yesterday. doors to the public aged 18 years ers and dryers, disposable prayer tions during mall trading hours, Executive Committee and a consultant in the and above. As part of its ongo- mats and bins, while slippers, 127 hand sanitising stations in- Offi ce of HE the Minister of Education Aisha their distinction across the various educational amendments that have been made to the award ing safety measures, Vox has previously provided by the mall stalled in the areas that have al-Sulaiti, participated in the press conference. stages. criteria for the nine categories, the organising implemented stringent protocol, will be removed. commonly touched surfaces. At the outset of the conference, Dr Hamda She said the award still comprises nine cat- committee will receive the applications elec- including regular auditoriums’ The capacity will be monitored At the entrance to the mall al-Sulaiti said the award is considered one of egories without change from the previous year, tronically after their inclusion in the system. disinfection with fogging ma- by the mall’s security agents dur- and all shops, visitors must show the most important and highest prizes off ered namely: the Scientifi c Excellence Award for Dr al-Sulaiti said that submission of appli- chine, enhanced cleaning of all ing each prayer, and housekeep- their green Ehteraz QR code, and by Qatar, and because the winners are hon- primary school students, for middle school cations for nomination starts from Oct 1 and surfaces, mandatory face masks, ing staff will be present to assist should wear a face mask dur- oured by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim students, for high school students, for univer- continues until Oct 29, and schools will receive gloves and temperature checks guests with the hygiene require- ing their whole time in the mall. bin Hamad al-Thani. She explained that the sity graduates, and for those holding a Mas- applications for students and teachers wish- for the cinema’s employees and ments. Safety and social distanc- Physical distancing stickers in award is related to honouring distinguished ters degree, for holders of a doctoral degree, ing to nominate for the award. Dr al-Sulaiti other cleanliness procedures. ing signages will be installed at common queuing areas, such as Qataris in various fi elds in order to spread the the Distinguished Teacher Award, the Distin- advised those wishing to run for the Scientifi c With auditorium capacity re- the entrance and on the fl oor of ATM machines, banks, telecom- culture of creativity and excellence in the Qa- guished School Award and the Distinguished Excellence Award to read carefully the award duced, the seats next to, in front prayer rooms, and entry points munication kiosks and branches tari society. Al-Sulaiti noted that the award Scientifi c Research Award. criteria. and behind customers’ selection to ablution areas will be closed and various retail shops were in- had a clear eff ect in enhancing the aspects of On the most important developments that More information about the award can be will remain empty. Vox encour- to avoid any unwarranted access. stalled to help shoppers keep the excellence among individuals and institutions have occurred regarding the award, Dr al- obtained through the Scientifi c Excellence ages its customers to enjoy the DHFC will now welcome chil- required physical distance as set who compete and aspire to obtain the award, Sulaiti said that the electronic system for the Award offi cial website: queue-less experience for tickets dren and will organise distribu- forth in the guidelines by the au- and improve the outcomes of the educational award in all its categories has been activated for https://www.edu.gov.qa/en/Scien- and food and beverage by plac- tion of kids masks as it is re- thorities. process, as this was refl ected in the increas- this year, and the online link will be announced tificAchievement/Pages/Home.aspx ing orders online. In addition to quired at all checkup entrances, Stores will provide sanitisers ing number of applicants year after year, and soon, due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- Or by contacting the following e-mails: instructional signages, Vox will as part of our commitment to all on entry and at cash points to en- the award recipients continued to maintain demic, in addition to the developmental mo.almohannadiedu.gov.qa, infoedu.gov.qa place safe distancing ambassa- customers’ safety and well-be- sure the highest level of hygiene.

The Tawasul launch ceremony. MoPH rolls out Tawasul network Qatar Airways to fly to over 85 destinations by mid-Sept he Ministry of Public ing technology. Mohamed Mu- said that the new internal net- Health (MoPH) launched barak al-Nuaimi, director of work will enable MoPH to effi - From Page 1 repatriation for as many people and June 2020, helping take policies to off er even more choice Tyesterday its new internal the offi ce of HE the Minister of ciently and securely respond to as possible by operating a robust over 180,000 Australian and to its passengers. The airline will information network Tawasul Public Health, pointed out that the employees. “We also remain in close contact Australian network to five cities, international travellers home allow unlimited date changes, (Communication), developed to Tawasul internal network is During the launch ceremo- with Australian authorities Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne since the start of the crisis. These and passengers can change their boost communication among considered an excellent addition ny, Salem Jabir al-Marri from regarding flight restrictions (currently no inbound passengers flights have also helped maintain destination as often as they need the employees. to the electronic services, solu- MoPH Customer Satisfaction, as ensuring the ongoing permitted), Perth and Sydney, vital supply chains for Australian if it is within 5,000 miles of the The network aims at improv- tions, and applications provided and e-Services Section gave a repatriation of passengers off ering more flights than any businesses with our airline original destination. ing the internal communication by MoPH to its employees which presentation on the various as- to the country is becoming other international airline. carrying over 15,000 tonnes of According to the latest IATA processes within MoPH and the would enhance the work envi- pects and functions of the new increasingly challenging. Despite “While other airlines grounded Australian goods since 1 March data, Qatar Airways has become co-ordination among its diff er- ronment. network and how it will improve the restrictions on passengers operations, we maintained our 2020.” the largest international carrier ent departments and sections Ali Abdullah al-Khater, chair work among the diff erent de- allowed to be carried into the flights, carrying almost 40% of To ensure travellers can plan their between April and June by through the use of the most of the Supreme Healthcare partments and sections and em- country, we continue to fulfil all international travellers to and travel with peace of mind, the fulfilling its mission of taking sophisticated shared comput- Communications Committee, ployees. our mission to facilitate ongoing from Australia between April airline has extended its booking people home.