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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11652 August 26, 2020 Muharram 7, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir sends cable of congratulations to Uruguay leader Qatar to stand His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister by Lebanese of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou on the anniversary of his people: FM country’s Independence Day. – QNA

MoPH reports 114,318 OLebanese president thanks His Highness the Amir for total Covid-19 recoveries supporting his country and lauds Qatar’s prompt dispatch The Ministry of Public Health of aid following Beirut blast (MoPH) announced yesterday 232 new confirmed cases of O‘We are about to complete a study of rebuilding public coronavirus (Covid-19). It said 219 schools in partnership with Unicef, and rehabilitating of these are community cases and 13 travellers returning from abroad. some damaged hospitals in Lebanon’: FM The MoPH also recorded 219 HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during his meeting recoveries from the virus during atar is committed to stand by progress, development and pros- with Lebanese President Michel Aoun yesterday. the past 24 hours, bringing the total the brotherly Lebanese people perity. number of cases recovered in Qatar Qin the reconstruction phase In remarks after the meeting, HE to 114,318. It said in a statement following the Beirut port explosion Sheikh Mohamed said Lebanon is go- that all new cases have been kept earlier this month, support eff orts to ing through a critical time and that his in isolation and are receiving overcome the humanitarian catastro- visit is to convey the condolences of necessary healthcare. Page 2 phe and continue to provide support Qatar to the Lebanese people, and to in the light of its economic crisis and wish a speedy recovery for those in- Turkey ‘fully rejects’ the aggravated Covid-19 pandemic, jured in the Beirut port explosion. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and He added: “His Highness the US’ Hamas criticism Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- Amir’s directives are clear to study the Turkey “fully rejects” a statement hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has projects aff ected by this explosion, and by the US State Department stressed. we are about to complete a study of re- objecting to a recent meeting He made the observation during building public schools in partnership between President Tayyip Erdogan a meeting with Lebanese President with Unicef, and rehabilitating some and two leaders of Hamas in Michel Aoun in Beirut yesterday. damaged hospitals in Lebanon.” Istanbul, the Turkish Foreign On his part, Aoun thanked His He confi rmed the existence of a Ministry said yesterday. Turkey’s Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin ‘pre-plan’ by Qatar to help the Leba- foreign ministry said: “Declaring Hamad al-Thani for his stance in sup- nese people overcome the economic the legitimate representative of port of Lebanon at all times. He also crisis before the explosion, adding that Hamas, who came to power after appreciated the prompt response of Qatar has views that will be discussed winning democratic elections in Qatar under the directives of His High- with the Lebanese government. Gaza and is an important reality of ness the Amir to provide immediate aid Further, he said “there is no doubt the region, as a terrorist will not be to Lebanon after the Beirut port explo- that there is a need for political and of any contribution to eff orts for sion, the offi cial Qatar News Agency social stability in Lebanon in order peace and stability in the region.” (QNA) reported. to support this reform process, hop- At the beginning of the meeting, HE ing that all political and social forces No ‘Finger Lickin’ for Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greet- in Lebanon place the interest of the now, KFC to customers ings of His Highness the Amir to the Lebanese people at the centre of these Lebanese president and for the peo- reforms and ensure that these reforms Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) ple further progress and prosperity. stem from the needs of the Lebanese is temporarily suspending its He also conveyed the condolences of people not from any external pres- long-time advertisement slogan His Highness the Amir to the Leba- sures”. “it’s finger lickin’ good”, calling nese president for the victims of the HE Sheikh Mohamed also held meet- it inappropriate in the current explosion, as well as His Highness the ings with a number of Lebanese digni- HE Sheikh Mohamed during his visit to the Beirut port blast site. Covid-19 pandemic situation . Amir’s wishes for a speedy recovery of taries and offi cials, including Speaker In an era when face masks and the injured, QNA said. of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Ber- of Lebanon (Banque du Liban) Riad Lebanese Red Cross George Kittana. He was accompanied during the tour hand-washing have become the For his part, Aoun entrusted HE ri, Caretaker Prime Minister Dr Has- Salame, Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh HE Sheikh Mohamed also toured the by the Deputy Prime Minister and Min- norm and health off icials are Sheikh Mohamed to convey his san Diab, Minister of Foreign Aff airs Abdul-Latif Derian, Cardinal Patriarch explosion site at the Beirut port, where ister of Defence in the Lebanese care- recommending people to stop greetings to His Highness the Amir, and Emigrants Charbel Wehbe, leader Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, he was briefed on the extent of losses taker government, Zina Aker, and Qa- touching their faces, KFC said the wishing him health and happi- of the Future Movement party Saad Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All at the port and the damage infl icted on tar’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed slogan “doesn’t feel quite right.” ness and the people of Qatar more Hariri, governor of the Central Bank the East, and secretary-general of the the surrounding areas. Hassan Jaber al-Jaber. Page 2 UFO turns out to be Internet balloon An unidentified flying object parachuted into dense Congo jungle to the confusion of local ‘Cyber gang’ that duped victims MoU inked to off er authorities, who detained two people for questioning until a subsidiary of Google parent of nearly QR10mn busted company Alphabet confirmed the services to cyclists device was an Internet balloon. Images shared on social media cyber crime gang that de- The director of the Economic and To claim the prize without any delay, showed people inspecting a large frauded its victims of nearly Cyber Crimes Combating Depart- the victim will give the code, making silver-coloured contraption fitted AQR10mn has been busted in ment said they received complaints it easy for the criminals to access his/ with solar panels and wires. an operation named ‘Uncovering the that some bank customers had been her bank account. Mask’, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) victims of cyber fraud and money The assistant director of the de- Kremlin dismisses announced yesterday. stolen from their accounts. partment explained that using such In a press statement, the MoI said The gang used methods like sending methods, the criminals would ac- ‘poison’ claims the Economic and Cyber Crimes a text message to their intended victim cess their victims’ bank accounts and Russia faced mounting international Combating Department at the Gen- saying that person’s bank card had been transfer money abroad, pay bills or calls yesterday for a probe into eral Directorate of Criminal Investi- suspended and s/he had to call a speci- make online purchases. the poisoning of opposition leader gation arrested members of the crim- fi ed phone number, or that he had won The department formed a high- Alexei Navalny even as the Kremlin inal gang for being involved in cyber a large amount of money as a prize. level search-and-investigation team dismissed the findings of his fraud operations and stealing funds Once the victim responded to such and carried out the ‘Uncovering the Yousef al-Emadi and Dr Abdulaziz Jaham al-Kuwari signing the MoU yesterday. German doctors. The 44-year-old from customers of banks. a message, the gang members would Mask’ operation. The team gathered Navalny, who is one of the fiercest They used to transfer these funds ask that person to send them the OTP information, conducted investiga- he Supervisory Committee for directors at Qatar Cyclists Centre; Ab- critics of President Vladimir Putin abroad, pay bills and make online (one-time password) or verifi cation tions and tracked suspicious money Beautifi cation of Roads and dulla al-Hammadi, member of Qatar and has exposed massive off icial purchases after accessing their vic- code s/he had received on his/her transfers. It monitored several persons TPublic Places in Qatar at the Cyclists Centre; and Ali bin Towar al- corruption, is being treated in a tims’ bank data. The total amount of phone (which is used by fi nancial in- from some Asian countries with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Kuwari, Media Committee in-charge Berlin hospital after falling ill on a such fraudulent transactions reached stitutions as an extra security step for co-operation of the relevant authori- yesterday signed a memorandum of at Qatar Cyclists Centre. flight in Siberia last Thursday. nearly QR10mn, the MoI said. customers), the MoI statement noted. ties in State institutions. To Page 4 understanding (MoU) with the Qa- On the occasion, al-Emadi said the tar Cyclists Centre at the Ministry of MoU signed with the Qatar Cyclists Anderson fi rst pacer to Culture and Sports to provide a host of Centre is aimed at educating the com- take 600 Test wickets services for the fast cycling track on Al munity and spreading the culture of Khor Road. cycling, in addition to using cycling as a England paceman James Anderson These services include electric bike safe and healthy means of transporta- cemented his place in cricket history parking spaces, fi rst aid and use of tion. He stressed that Ashghal seeks to by taking his 600th Test wicket as motorcycles to provide emergency as- create infrastructure that contributes the rain-marred third and final Test sistance, among others, according to a to enhancing a culture of sports among against Pakistan at Southampton press statement by Ashghal. all segments of the society through the ended in a draw yesterday. Anderson The signing ceremony was at- provision of necessary facilities. is the first fast bowler – and fourth tended by Yousef al-Emadi, director Ashghal is all set to provide a net- overall – to take 600 Test wickets. of Projects Aff airs at Ashghal; Dr Ab- work of cycling and pedestrian paths The only men ahead of him on the dulaziz Jaham al-Kuwari, president of across 2,650km by 2022, he added. all-time Test list are three retired Qatar Cyclists Centre; Mohamed Ar- Al-Khaldi said the fast track for spinners – Sri Lanka’s Muttiah qoub al-Khaldi, chairman of the Su- cyclists has been constructed and Muralitharan (800), Australia’s Shane pervisory Committee of Beautifi cation opened to the public. The 33km-long Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble of Roads and Public Places; Abdel Fat- track allows speeds of up to 50km/h. (619). Sport Page 1 Two of the arrested gang members with the items seized from them. tah al-Saadi, member of the board of To Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 26, 2020 QATAR Lebanese offi cials laud Amir for Qatar’s support in crises zHE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani meets a number of Lebanese dignitaries, visits Beirut port blast site

enior Lebanese dignitaries yesterday expressed grati- Stude and appreciation for His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for Qatar’s solidarity and continu- ous support for Lebanon in all crises. This came during HE the Dep- uty Prime Minister and Min- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani ister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh with Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister Dr Hassan Diab. HE Sheikh Mohamed with leader of the Future Movement party Saad Hariri. Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani’s visit to Beirut yesterday, where he met with a number of dignitaries, the offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. Besides Lebanese President Michel Aoun, HE Sheikh Mohamed also held meetings with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Dr Hassan Diab, Minister of Foreign Aff airs and Emigrants Charbel We- hbe, leader of the Future Movement party Saad Hariri, governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban) Riad Salame, Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul-Latif De- rian, Cardinal Patriarch Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the HE Sheikh Mohamed with Cardinal Patriarch Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and others. East, and secretary-general of the HE Sheikh Mohamed with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Aff airs and Lebanese Red Cross George Kit- Meanwhile, the governor of Emigrants Charbel Wehbe. tana. the Lebanese central bank ex- During his meetings with tended thanks and appreciation Berri, Dr Diab and Wehbe, HE to Qatar for supporting Leba- Sheikh Mohamed expressed the non, praising the $50mn con- condolences of the government tribution provided by Qatar at and people of Qatar for the vic- the International Conference on tims of the Beirut port blast, Support to Beirut and the Leba- wishing a speedy recovery for nese People, QNA said. the injured. The meeting reviewed Qatar’s On their part, Berri and Dr support to Lebanon to face the Diab expressed gratitude and economic crisis and the impacts appreciation for His Highness of the Beirut port explosion on HE Sheikh Mohamed with governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon the Amir with regard to Qatar’s the economy, as well as issues of HE Sheikh Mohamed with Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul-Latif Derian and others. (Banque du Liban) Riad Salame. solidarity and continuous sup- mutual concern. port for Lebanon in all crises. deputy prime minister and of the government and people stressed the importance of stabil- During these meetings, the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Meets of Qatar for the victims of the ity and national unity. two sides discussed co-oper- Mufti of Lebanon Beirut port blast, wishing the in- HE Sheikh Mohamed also ation relations as well as the The meeting with the Grand jured a speedy recovery. toured the Beirut port explosion developments in Lebanon, the Mufti of Lebanon reviewed the For his part, the Patriarch ex- site, where he was briefed on the Qatari assistance to support the general situation and the condi- pressed thanks and appreciation extent of losses and the damage brothers in Lebanon after the tions of the Lebanese people in for His Highness the Amir for infl icted on the surrounding areas. explosion, in addition to issues the wake of the Beirut port ex- Qatar’s support to Lebanon and He was accompanied during of common concern. plosion, in addition to issues of its continuous solidarity with the tour by Deputy Prime Min- HE Sheikh Mohamed also re- mutual concern. Lebanon in all crises. ister and Minister of Defence in viewed co-operation relations In his meeting with the The meeting discussed the gen- the Lebanese caretaker govern- during his meeting with Hariri, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch eral situation and the conditions ment, Zina Aker, and Qatar’s developments in Lebanon and and All the East, HE Sheikh Mo- of the Lebanese people in the wake ambassador to Lebanon Mo- HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during his meeting with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament issues of common concern. hamed off ered the condolences of the Beirut port explosion, and hamed Hassan Jaber al-Jaber. Nabih Berri. Minister meets Chinese ambassador MoPH reports 114,318 total Covid-19 recoveries

QNA tries around the world. Doha Now more than ever, people must be careful and protect the most vulnerable. he Ministry of Pub- While the restrictions of Cov- lic Health (MoPH) an- id-19 are gradually being lifted in Tnounced yesterday 232 Qatar, it is important for every- new confi rmed cases of coro- one to play their role in control- HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti met the Chinese navirus (Covid-19). It said 219 ling the virus by following pre- ambassador to Qatar, Zhou Jian, at the ministry yesterday. They reviewed relations between Qatar of these are community cases cautionary measures: and China in the fields of ports, transportation and communications and means of further and 13 travellers returning from zAdherence to physical dis- developing them. abroad. The MoPH also recorded tancing. 219 recoveries from the virus zAvoid close contact with during the past 24 hours, bring- others, crowded places and con- ing the total number of cases re- fi ned closed spaces where other covered in Qatar to 114,318. people congregate. The MoPH issued a statement zWearing a face mask HMC’s Tobacco Control Centre provides on Covid-19 developments in zWashing hands regularly. Qatar, which said that all new zMost importantly, it is vi- cases have been introduced to tal that people continue to pro- treatment for smokers during pandemic isolation and are receiving nec- tect the elderly and those with essary healthcare according to chronic medical conditions. their health status. zWhen spending time at amad Medical Corpora- Dr Heba Fouad, regional sur- It said that measures to tackle home with elderly family mem- tion’s (HMC) Tobacco veillance offi cer, Dr Dongbo Fu, Covid-19 in Qatar have suc- bers or those with chronic dis- HControl Centre, a des- medical offi cer for Tobacco Ces- ceeded in fl attening the curve eases, people must ensure that ignated World Health Organi- sation at WHO in Geneva, and and limiting the spread of the vi- they wash their hands regularly, sation (WHO) Collaborating Dr Feras al-Hawari, chief, sec- rus and the number of new daily wear a mask and maintain social Centre, participated in a virtual tion of pulmonary and critical cases and hospital admissions is and physical distancing. meeting organised by WHO on care and director, Cancer Con- continuing to decline each week. Anyone suff ering from Cov- Monday. trol Offi ce at the King Hussein Qatar’s proactive and exten- id-19 symptoms should either The meeting discussed smok- Cancer Centre in Jordan were sive testing of suspected cases contact 16000 helpline or go ing cessation services and re- Dr Ahmad al-Mulla taking part also in attendance. has enabled us to identify a high directly to one of the follow- lated treatments. The discussion in a virtual meeting with WHO Throughout the Covid-19 number of positive cases in the ing designated health centres to involved experts from WHO in representatives. pandemic, HMC’s Tobacco Con- community. cases early. that the Covid-19 pandemic is undergo the necessary checks: Geneva and the Regional Offi ce trol Centre has continued to Qatar has one of the low- zExpanding hospital capac- over in Qatar. People continue Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, for the Eastern Mediterranean. Over 70 participants attend- provide consultations and sup- est Covid-19 death rates in the ity, especially intensive care, to to be admitted with moderate to Umm Slal, or Al Gharrafa. Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, head of ed the meeting, with the list of port, including medications and world. This is a result of: ensure all patients receive the severe Covid-19 symptoms. This is important as the earlier HMC’s Tobacco Control Cen- speakers including Dr Asmus psychological support for tobac- zVery high quality of care medical care they need. Unless people follow all pre- the disease is detected the easi- tre, presented a scientifi c paper Hammerich, director, Noncom- co-dependent patients through provided through the public zProtecting the elderly and cautionary measures, the country er it will be to receive the right which discussed Qatar’s experi- municable Diseases and Mental telephone-based consultations. healthcare sector for Covid-19 those with chronic diseases. may experience a second wave treatment and recover from it. ence in providing treatment for Health and Dr Fatimah El Awa, The Centre recently celebrat- patients. Even though restrictions are of the virus and see numbers in- The MoPH urged the public to smokers during the Covid-19 regional adviser for the Tobacco ed its third anniversary of being a zQatar’s young population. being lifted, and numbers are creasing – there are already signs visit its website for regular up- pandemic. Free Initiative. WHO Collaborating Centre. zProactive testing to identify declining, this does not mean of this happening in other coun- dates and new information. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 26, 2020 3 QATAR Qatar has become Speaker meets ambassadors of Turkey, Greece a central power in Mideast: envoy HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud met the ambassador of Turkey to Qatar Mehmet Mustafa Goksu. During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of relations between Qatar and Turkey in the parliamentary field and ways to enhance them. HE al-Mahmoud also met the outgoing ambassador of Greece to Qatar, Constantinos Orphanides. HE al-Mahmoud wished the QNA to invest in an intensive and ambassador of Greece success in his future assignments and relations between Qatar and Greece further development. Hamburg long-term basis in the German economy, and announced its desire to continue expanding atar has become a central this co-operation, which was power in the Middle East confirmed by His Highness the Al-Muraikhi bids farewell to envoys of Iran and Greece Qthrough its success in Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad affi rming its position as a trust- al-Thani, during the inaugura- worthy partner and support to tion of the “Qatar-Germany peace, stability and security ef- Business and Investment Fo- forts in the region, Qatar’s am- rum” in 2018, with the partici- bassador to the Federal Republic pation of German Chancellor of Germany Mohamed Jaham Angela Merkel. al-Kuwari said, adding that the Al-Kuwari stressed that the country is pursuing this in di- Qatari market has a lot of po- plomacy, dialogue and human Qatar’s ambassador to the tential and opportunities for solidarity. Federal Republic of Germany German companies, through in- Delivering a lecture at the in- Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari. dustrial free zones that provide vitation of the “Hafen Hamburg excellent conditions for long- Club” to a number of business- for the exchange of experiences term investment, and called on men, economists and repre- and ideas to create future tech- representatives of small and HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met separately with the outgoing ambassadors of Iran and Greece sentatives of German companies nologies such as hydrogen tech- medium-sized companies to to Qatar - Mohamed Ali Subhani and Constantinos Orphanides, respectively, yesterday. HE al-Muraikhi thanked the ambassadors for their from various sectors, HE al-Ku- nology. visit Qatar to closely learn about eff orts in supporting and strengthening relations, and wished them success in their future assignments. wari added that the principles He pointed out that the geo- these possibilities that the Qa- adopted by Qatar constituted graphical location of Qatar and tari market off ers for mutual in- a major factor in enabling it to the logistical, fi nancial, service vestment. face the political and economic and digital infrastructure that it He added: “Qatar is not inter- blockade imposed on it, as it re- possesses makes it able to pro- ested in achieving short-term fused to submit to the blackmail vide excellent conditions for economic profi ts, but rather in of some countries. production facilities while ob- developing a sustainable, reliable And it adhered to the inde- taining a safe supply of energy. and long-term partnership with Education ministry holds seminars pendence of its sovereign deci- Speaking about Qatar as a Germany for the benefi t of the two sions, and made the blockade a major player in a multipolar countries and two peoples, which factor that pushes and motivates world, he added: “Qatar has fo- can be noticed from reliable Qa- QNA sons learned from the results of and the reports prepared by it, and hindering the achievement to open up more to the coun- cused its activities in the sports tari investments in major German Doha the Programme for International and developing a culture of re- of goals for educational leaders tries of the world to develop its field based on its belief in the companies such as Deutsche Bank Student Assessment (PISA), and lying on evidence and research and decision-makers. economy and to take great and role of sport in promoting in- and Volkswagen.” the reality of primary school output for educational decision- Al-Kaabi said that all those tangible steps towards ensur- ternational dialogue, exchange The lecture was attended by he Educational Policy and students’ performance in Arabic making. concerned should be given the ing its food and economic secu- and interaction between cul- the Deputy Chairman of the Par- Research Department at language skills in national and Director of the Educational opportunity to view the results rity, which was greatly refl ected tures, which are the same prin- liamentary Committee on Cul- Tthe Ministry of Educa- international tests in govern- Policy and Research Depart- of these studies and research and in its success in addressing the ciples that the State of Qa- tural and Media Aff airs in Ger- tion and Higher Education an- ment schools. ment Nouf Abdullah al-Kaabi discuss them with full transpar- coronavirus epidemic crisis and tar adopts in its openness to man Bundestag Johannes Selle, nounced the end of the fi rst The Educational Policy and affi rmed the activation of the ency as this contributes to open- facing the resulting economic the world, which it translated head of international trade af- series of seminars on research Research Department also an- Department’s most important ing development prospects and eff ects. into diligent work to continue fairs department at the Hamburg and educational development nounced that with the beginning competencies in seeking to keep raising questions that can bring He explained that the Qa- hosting international sport- State Council Corinna Nien- reports in the educational sys- of the next academic year (2020- pace with development priori- about changes to improve the tari economy proved during the ing events, especially the 2022 stedt, and Commander of the tem for the fi rst season of 2020 2021), these seminars will start ties, by preparing educational education system. coronavirus epidemic crisis its World Cup, and encouraged it General Command of the Ger- in the fi eld of scientifi c research for the second season of 2020 researches based on recent sta- For her part, head of the edu- fl exibility and competitiveness, to run again to host the 2032 man Army in the state of Ham- and educational policies. The by convening fi ve more sessions, tistical data and important edu- cational research section Lulwa citing an example of the suc- Summer Olympic Games”. burg Captain Michael Giss. department prepared and organ- indicating its eff orts to enrich cational indicators prepared by Rashid al-Nuaimi said that edu- cesses achieved by Qatar Air- He reaffi rmed that Qatar has The lecture covered four axes: ised remotely the seminars. educational research practices the Department’s educational cational research is one of the ways in increasing its market succeeded, in record time, in Qatar as the main mediator and Some of these seminars dealt in the State of Qatar, and in- statistics section, and the im- main pillars from which solu- share and the relief work it pro- becoming a milestone in the central interlocutor in the Mid- with crisis management in light crease intellectual mobility in portance of benefi ting from the tions to problems and challenges vided to citizens of other coun- world of art and culture, as it has dle East to promote interna- of the coronavirus (Covid-19) the education sector by holding results of educational research in in the public education system tries and evacuating stranded become a global centre that at- tional peace and security; Qatar pandemic, the eff ects of repeated seminars aimed at informing providing recommendations and are found, and it also contributes people to their countries. tracts visitors from all over the as an economic power between failure on Qatar’s performance interested persons and special- proposed solutions to address to drawing educational policies In his speech, HE al-Kuwari world through cultural institu- blockade, sustainable diver- in international indicators, les- ists about the results of research the challenges facing education and decision-making. linked the global endeavours tions, world-class museums and sifi cation of the economy and to achieve a transformation in the huge libraries. achieving autonomy; Qatar as the use of alternative energy On the distinguished part- a major player in a multi-polar sources, and the continuation of nership between Qatar and global system; and Qatar as a stable growth around the world, Germany, al-Kuwari said that partner and an active investor in which provides opportunities Qatar confirmed its intention the German economy. Authors forum discusses literary forms in Qatar

QNA professor of literature and criti- From the 1970s to present day, through for the short story due to JEE exam centre in Doha changed Doha cal studies at Qatar University Dr the book transferred the peculi- the author’s courage in expressing Abdelhak Belabed. arity of society and the changes the true feelings of a Qatari young India’s National Testing Agency has decided to When contacted, Hemant Kumar Dwivedi, the first During the session, impor- that gradually occurred in it, woman looking for change and change the examination centre in Qatar for JEE secretary at the Indian embassy, said that the mis- he Qatari Forum for Au- tant topics dealt with by author including changes in style and liberation of the mind. ( Mains) Exam 2020 to Birla Public School, Doha, sion was well aware of the issue and in touch with thors discussed, during Kaltham Jaber al-Kuwari were themes. The short story reached The session pointed out that while observing necessary health and safety various authorities to resolve it. Tits weekly session yes- highlighted, as she was the fi rst artistic maturity in the 1980s. al-Kuwari adopted a mediating protocol. Last time also the examination was held at Birla terday, the history of the emer- Qatari woman to publish a col- The short story became the style between prose and poetry, This was announced by the Indian embassy in a Public School. JEE is meant for admission to the gence of literary forms in Qatar, lection of stories in 1978 that de- dominant art in the Qatari lit- which is appropriate to the na- tweet yesterday. The confusion prevailing about the prestigious engineering colleges including IIT which were launched with local tailed how Qatari women felt at erary renaissance and Qatari ture of the topic she dealt with, centre for the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) in (Indian Institute of Technology) and NITs (National newspapers that contributed to that time in light of the changes women had a strong presence in and considered that her style is Qatar would be solved ‘very soon’, an Indian em- Institute of Technology) and is held twice a year. establishing a relationship be- that society experienced, which the literary fi eld as it was the best one of the truest, most accurate bassy off icial had told Gulf Times on Monday. This year the examination was held in January and tween local writers and readers led to the generation of mixed way to express women’s issues and disciplined methods of ex- Several students set to appear for the JEE examina- the second one is expected to be held in the first and helped promote literary pro- feelings; Al-Kuwari embodied and concerns. pressing human feelings, as she tion from Qatar this year were earlier scheduled to week of September. It is learnt that a large number duction. the individual crisis within the Among the most prominent was keen to depict the echoes take the exam with Family Computers Centre in Al of students from Qatar are set to appear for the The session was held in local community in her various works is the collection of stories of reality on herself, her feelings Rayyan, but according to the father of a candidate examination. Generally, the examination is held in the Qatari Forum for Authors works, which revealed the para- by al-Kuwari titled, ‘You and for- and her heart, which made her the institute informed they will not be able to con- April to May but this year due to the Covid-19 it was YouTube channel under the title digm shift experienced by Qa- est silence and hesitation,’ which writings more like poems as she duct the examination due to technical reasons. postponed to September. “Read Me, I am this book” Initi- tari women and the beginning of expressed the concerns of a gen- merged issues with her style to ative ,” which was moderated by their participation in social life. eration and heralded a break- form an integrated artistic unit. Qatar’s envoy visits facilities built by QFF in Japan

QNA Tokyo

mbassador of Qatar to Japan, Hassan bin Mo- Ahamed Rafi al-Emadi, paid an inspection tour to three facilities that were completed as part of the projects of the Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF) to recon- struct the areas that witnessed widespread damage due to the earthquake and Tsunami disas- ters in March of 2011. The ambassador, along with members of the embassy, Min- ister Plenipotentiary Abdullah bin Jassim al-Ziyara and Second Secretary at the embassy Rashid Ambassador of Qatar to Japan, Hassan bin Mohamed Rafi al-Emadi ,and other members of the Qatari embassy delegation during their inspection tour. bin Mubarak al-Khater, visited “Intilaq Centre” designated to The centre includes a room this project, which costs is USD the Tohoku University, which plained the progress, work fected by disasters. the QFF in Japan implemented entrepreneurship innovators in dedicated to Qatar, which show- 6.9mn, and is based on an edu- includes a scientific facil- plans and expected accom- They pointed out that life has 12 projects to meet the urgent Sendai city of Miyagi prefecture. cases a variety of posters, bro- cational programme aimed at ity aimed at graduating a new plishments. returned to normal in the aff ect- and sustainable needs of the This innovative centre, cost- chures and promotional materi- providing students with practi- generation of engineers and The officials expressed ed areas thanks to the contribu- residents of the areas aff ected by ing USD 16.5mn, is part of a als to promote Qatari culture and cal experience so that they can researchers. The cost of this their gratitude and apprecia- tions and achievements of QFF. the earthquake and tsunami in globally connected network of heritage. develop plans for their future project, located in Sendai, is tion for the initiative of Qatar The offi cials also stressed that three prefectures: Miyagi, Iwate start-up communities that fos- The tour also included a visit lives. USD 2.8mn. and its support for the Japa- these projects will always be a and Fukushima. ter entrepreneurship and intrap- to the “Elem Project” in Sendai The ambassador and mem- The ambassador and the nese people during the disas- symbol of the strong friendship The projects focused on the reneurship and seek to delve into city, where the ambassador bers of the embassy concluded members of the embassy were ter, as well as its humanitarian and co-operation between Japan fi elds of education, fi sheries, new and innovative projects in and members of the embassy the inspection tour with a visit welcomed by the officials of gesture of contributing to the and Qatar. healthcare, and entrepreneur- addition to entrepreneurship. learned about the progress of to the Qatar Science Campus at these three facilities, who ex- efforts to rebuild the areas af- It is worth mentioning that ship. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, August 26, 2020 QATAR ‘Retail rebound expected thanks to Qatar’s solid fi nancial base’

By Joey Aguilar According to Hall, the Qatar pers and mall-goers. At DHFC, thorough mall disinfection treat- local and international brands, Staff Reporter government laid out “a very clear more than QR1mn a month is ment on a weekly basis, robust particularly during their tempo- package of fi nancial support” to spent on cleaning standards and cleaning and sanitisation opera- rarily closure amid the pandemic. the private sector, particularly for various operation, among oth- tions during mall trading hours, “We have a long-term commit- atar’s retail industry will Qatari-based businesses, during ers, making it a beautiful and safe and installing 127 hand sanitis- ment and so many discussions witness a strong recov- the onset of the outbreak, which space for visitors and employees, ing stations in the areas that have and many interactions, we have Qery from the eff ects of substantially helped cushion the he noted. “Our team works ex- commonly touched surfaces. ensured that our retailers have the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) economy from the pandemic’s tremely hard to achieve a 100% DHFC also require visitors been supported during the pe- pandemic due to the country’s impact. standard and I push them hard in to show their green Ehteraz QR riod they were closed,” he said. solid fi nancial base, Doha Festi- Hall noted that construction those targets,” said Hall, stress- code at its entrance and all shops, “As retailers have opened we are val City general manager Robert growth for hosting one of the ing that they are also working in apart from wearing a face mask at looking to support further those Hall has said. most anticipated sporting events conjunction with the Qatar gov- all time. It also installed physi- brands that need support.” “We are very fortunate in Qa- in the world – the FIFA World ernment to resolve, reduce, and cal distancing stickers in com- “Social interaction is still a tar to have not only a very solid Cup 2022 – also continued. “It is in time eliminate Covid-19. mon queuing areas, such as ATM key fundamental on what we do fi nancial base of the country, a very well-considered plan for The mall, inline with the pre- machines, banks, telecommuni- so once we have supported some but also a great vision set by His the country and we are all very Robert Hall ventative measures set out by cation kiosks and branches and businesses in the short term we Highness the Amir with his plans fortunate to have that in place and Qatari authorities, introduced various retail shops to help and expect quite a strong rebound,” for the 2030 National Vision,” he so we are very confi dent about said. Hall highlighted the eff orts centres in the country to reopen stringent health and safety guide shoppers. he said, noting that “it will cer- told reporters at a virtual press rebound, we are very confi dent of the Qatar government to en- and introduce standards that measures within its premises Hall cited DHFC’s various sup- tainly be the strongest rebound briefi ng. about returning to business,” he able malls and other shopping would ensure the safety of shop- for its staff and visitors such as a port to its retailers, comprising in the GCC.” ‘Cyber gang’ that duped victims QU-CPH faculty deliberate drug of nearly QR10mn busted From Page 1 repurposing for Covid treatment After obtaining permission from hile Covid-19 has created the Public Prosecu- an unprecedented situ- tion, the investiga- Wation all over the world tion team arrested with no drug available to treat the the gang members pandemic, three faculty members at who were inside the Qatar University’s College of Phar- country and seized macy (CPH) have highlighted the many devices that advantages of drug repurposing, a they used for their process that involves fi nding a new fraudulent activi- use for an “old” drug. ties. “Drug repurposing is a useful It was also found strategy of using existing therapeu- that some members tics for new indications,” stated Dr of the gang were Fatima Mraiche, Associate Professor residing in other of Pharmacology and Pathophysi- countries. ology at the CPH. She has been in- “The Ministry volved in research that looks at the of Interior calls new use of existing drugs. on all citizens and The arrested gang members with the items seized from them. Drug repurposing is appealing as residents to exer- the safety, effi cacy, and toxicity of an Dr Hazem Elewa Dr Fatima Mraiche (right) cise caution, not existing drug have been extensively to respond to these studied by the US Food and Drug ing drugs that do not add any benefi ts types of suspicious Administration and/or the European or with harmful side eff ects. “A good messages and not Medicines Agency. This is signifi - example is the use of hydroxychloro- to disclose per- cant during an emergency when time quine and azithromycin in Covid-19 sonal and banking is ticking and large controlled trials, patients. Preliminary results from a data to unknown which take much time, are not suitable small study in France showed that this individuals or in- to address the existing situation. combination contributed to a reduc- stitutions. Some countries are against the tion in time to a clinical resolution and The ministry use of drug repurposing because of a reduction in viral load. Since then, also advises the the potential adverse eff ects associ- many other studies have shown a lack public to approach ated with the drugs and the lack of of effi cacy or at most, very modest the banking au- statistically signifi cant clinical data benefi ts from this combination. In thorities to verify that can prove effi cacy. Dr Mraiche’s addition, this combination is associ- the authenticity of current work investigates SGLT2 in- ated with cardiac toxicity. the messages they hibitors, anti-diabetic agents, which “Currently, the CDC, WHO, and receive or inform show remarkable cardiovascular many international organisations the authorities benefi ts and could be repurposed as recommend against its use, however, concerned at the novel cardio protective interventions the combination is still recommend- Dr Daoud al-Badriyeh MoI,” the ministry in high-risk cardiovascular patients. ed and prescribed by many prac- stressed. Dr Hazem Elewa, Associate Pro- titioners which may be extremely tors that vary with the change in given that drug companies could po- fessor and Head of Clinical Training harmful to patients. drug use, including the relevance of tentially be inclined to support non- at the CPH, said, “since supportive “Furthermore, with the already in- the disease, optimal dose, patients’ commercial eff orts of repurposing. care is the mainstay treatment ap- creased economic burden of Covid-19 characteristics, and the drug inter- “For example, based on a recent proach for Covid-19 patients, repur- in societies, the cost of drug explora- action with other concurrent drugs economic study published at the posing drugs approved for other in- tion is a major barrier for many. Here, in Covid-19 patients,” he added. Journal of Virus Eradication, au- dications to be used in the treatment within the context of cost, treating Dr Daoud al-Badriyeh, Associate thors calculated that for one of the of Sars-CoV-2 is a smart, fast and Covid-19 with repurposed drugs leads Professor of Pharmacoeconomics at drugs, which reduced duration of practical idea. to signifi cant cost savings since exper- the CPH, observed that while drug Covid-19 infections, the standard “However, the health systems in iments related to general drug safety, repurposing for Covid-19 treatment cost-eff ectiveness evaluations can the diff erent countries have to assess pharmacokinetics, and the route of comes with added costs for evaluat- justify a drug cost to hospitals that is the use of these repurposed drugs for administration are already performed. ing the therapies and their safety via as high as $4,500, assuming a case of safety and eff ectiveness in appro- “It is important to emphasise, clinical studies in real-world settings life saved as an outcome. priately designed studies. Then, the nonetheless, that cost savings can- of Covid-19 patients, this cost is eas- This is when, based on how much repurposed drugs should be periodi- not be what solely defi nes successful ily surpassed by the cost-saving as- this drug really costs to manufac- cally reviewed based on the results of repurposing of drugs. A successful sociated with not having to develop ture, having the drug costing hos- these studies to recommend those repurposing has to be confi rmed via new drugs. He clarifi ed, however, pitals only $10 for 10 days of use will that work and avoid those that do not. clinical studies that investigate the that “potential cost saving with re- also have the company recovering its If this is not done, you may end up us- impact of several important fac- purposed drugs may not be achieved, manufacturing cost.” Umm Slal fi sh market a big hit with all

he excellent services at the ventive and precautionary measures new fi sh market at Umm Slal to fi ght any potential spread of the TCentral Market, which was novel coronavirus (Covid-19) are in partially opened recently and await- place with a thermal camera installed ing a full opening soon, has won the at the entrance to avoid the entry of praise and appreciation of both cus- any person with fever, in addition to tomers and salesmen. the other applicable measures. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported Veterinarians supervise the work that the new fi sh market building in- and ensure the quality of the fi sh on cludes 62 shops, a hall for fi sh clean- display as well. ing, toilets and other services such as Saeed al-Harassy, a customer, ex- a sophisticated cooling and ventila- pressed his appreciation of the new tion system and adequate number of market stressing that it is sophis- Fish cleaning in progress at the new fish market at Umm Slal Central parking lots that can accommodate a ticated, well-equipped convenient Market. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed large number of vehicles. and comfortable for both sellers and The various fi sh shops at the mar- customers. Shopping is enjoyable ket are distributed in a way that allows due to the ample space and excellent a good distance between each other cleaning services. with stainless steel seats for waiting Ali al-Kuwari, another customer, customers, storeroom, washing basins said the partial opening of the fi sh and adequate sanitary drainage sys- market have made customers excited tem. The market has gates dedicated about the upcoming full opening as to loading and unloading fi sh cargoes it would give them more buying op- in addition to the gates dedicated for tions due to expected competition the exit and entry of the customers. between larger numbers of sellers. The highest standards of hygiene Mohamed Nassar, a seller, said and cleanliness have been applied in that the market is a big relief for the the market. All the necessary pre- sellers and traders as well. A salesman interacts with a customer at the Umm Slal fish market. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 26, 2020 5 QATAR QBRI volunteers help HMC in Covid battle atar Biomedical Re- netics of Sars-CoV-2 – the than 200 fatalities reported across search Institute (QBRI) RNA virus responsible for the the country. Worldwide, over Qat Hamad Bin Khalifa pandemic. 23mn people have been confi rmed University (HBKU) supported Dr Fares al-Ejeh, senior sci- as having the virus and there have Hamad Medical Corporation’s entist, QBRI, said “It was a great been more than 800,000 fatali- (HMC) eff orts against Covid-19 honour and responsibility to ties. through a volunteer programme. orchestrate the volunteer pro- “We are proud to support In June, QBRI employed all gramme and other aspects of HMC,” said Dr Omar El-Agnaf, of its eff orts to provide high- the relationship between QBRI executive director, QBRI “As calibre volunteers to HMC. The and the Department of Labora- one of Qatar’s leading health- research institute also placed tory Medicine and Pathology at care providers, it is engaged in the capabilities of its research HMC. All of our appreciation tremendously important work staff at HMC’s disposal, as they goes to QBRI’s volunteers who and our co-operation once again provided technical assistance Some of the QBRI volunteers. committed to the mission and highlights our responsibility to within the corporation’s labora- worked around the clock to sup- the local community. As a rule, tories where needed. research associate, QBRI, said: purpose during this challenging port HMC and increase its test- QBRI generally deals with non- In doing so, QBRI conducted “I volunteered because I always time and has allowed me to give ing capacity”. communicable and non-infec- an information session in col- felt that assisting others is part back to the country that is cur- QBRI has also shared laboratory tious diseases; however, once laboration with HMC to en- of what makes us human. It was rently hosting me.” equipment with HMC, while re- our support was needed we of- courage the volunteers to play fulfi lling to extend a helping Aside from the implementa- searchers with specifi c knowledge fered all our expertise and rele- an active role within the larger hand to others and contribute tion of a successful volunteer about molecular biology have vant equipment to assist the in- picture. One of the many aims through knowledge-sharing; it programme, QBRI jointly host- volunteered to provide technical valuable work being carried out of the information session was is only my hope that my eff orts ed a webinar which featured assistance for analysing Covid-19 by the corporation to fi ght this to explain the safety standards have contributed to this noble guest speaker Dr Peter Coyle, samples. HMC has examined devastating virus. It is a team ef- followed by HMC and ensure the endeavour.” senior consultant, head of Vi- nearly 600,000 people since the fort in every way possible.” well-being of QBRI’s partici- Dr Ilaria Poggiolini, postdoc- rology, HMC. The talk focused outbreak of the pandemic. Over More information on the work pants. toral researcher, QBRI, said: “Vol- on the Diagnostic Stewardship 100,000 people have tested posi- of QBRI is available at qbri. Dr Afi f Ben Mahmoud, senior unteering has given me a sense of for Covid-19 and the viral ki- tive for the virus in Qatar with less hbku.edu.qa Current Bravia TVs ‘Ready for GU-Q names winners of competition PlayStation 5’ eorgetown University in eration of scholars capable of er sense of Hindu nationhood.” research support at GU-Q. Qatar has announced the tackling the complex problems This is signifi cant, she explains, “We expected a few students Gwinners of the Summer of our times.” because “the socio-cultural and to sign up, but in the end, we had ifty One East, Qatar’s lead- smooth gaming experiences Research Competition, an initi- The fi rst place winner of the religious fabric of Indian soci- more than 20 applications. This ing department store, and with the PS5 console. ative to promote research train- competition was International ety is multidimensional, and competition was very successful FSony Middle East & Africa ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ TV ing and create new knowledge Politics senior Adithi Sanjay. it is important to understand in achieving its aim of promot- announced that a lineup of the models also boast Bravia Game on issues surrounding Covid-19 Her paper, “The Saff ronisation the impact of a disruptive black ing a vibrant student research latter’s current Bravia TVs are Mode, which allows users to for students during the summer of Swadeshi in the Covid-19 Era: swan event such as Covid-19 on culture, even in a time of global offi cially ‘Ready for PlayStation automatically play games on holiday. Modi’s Strategic Reimagination the domestic political climate of crisis.” 5’. the PS5 console with low la- The competition invited all of Self-Reliance,” examines In- the world’s largest democracy.” The faculty committee also The new ‘Ready for PlaySta- tency. Thanks to Bravia Game GU-Q students to produce a dian Prime Minister Narendra The faculty committee over- honoured two students who tied tion 5’ tagline has been created in Mode, users can wake both TV 3,000 to 4,000 word original Modi’s push for self-reliance seeing the competition praised for the second place: fourth- partnership with Sony Interac- and PS5 with the DualSense research paper on a topic re- during the pandemic, in the her work, saying: “This essay year student Irene Promodh, for tive Entertainment (SIE) to make wireless controller at once, lated to the pandemic under the context of rising Hindu nation- provides an incisive analysis of “The Politics of Good Samari- it easier for consumers to select while also seamlessly control mentorship of a faculty member. alist sentiment and the memory how actors manipulate an ideo- tanism in a Pandemic: ‘Migrant’ the optimum TV in preparation their PS5 using just the TV re- The top seven submissions were of India’s independence move- logical tradition and cultural re- and ‘Expat’ Churches in Doha,” for the highly anticipated launch mote. supported by competitive re- ment. Adithi Sanjay: first place winner sources to realise their political under the mentorship of Prof of PlayStation 5 (PS5), the next- Sony’s TVs deliver beautiful search stipends. Working under the guidance goals.” Uday Chandra, and third-year generation game console releas- pictures with vibrant colour and The dean of GU-Q, Dr Ahmad of faculty member M Reza Pirb- and July 2020. While the summer months student Aleksandr Chirgun for ing later this year. stunning contrast, thanks to the Dallal, said: “This competition hai while quarantined at home in “I found that Prime Minis- are not typically used to launch “The economic impact of the The new TV lineup is now best-in-class family of X1 proc- is an excellent illustration of Bengaluru, India, Adithi applied ter Modi reimagined Gandhian major student research projects, Covid-19 pandemic on the Rus- available at Modern Home on essors. Additionally, powerful how the GU-Q community can critical discourse analysis to notions of self-reliance in an the competition generated a lot sian economy and its implica- Salwa road, Fnac at Lagoona Mall sound that comes directly from contribute to local knowledge transcripts of all public speech- exclusivist manner during the of interest, said Dr Kai-Henrik tions” under the mentorship of and Doha Festival City (DHFC), the TV screen creates a highly production while training a gen- es given by Modi between March pandemic, to push for a narrow- Barth, senior assistant dean for Prof Jack Rossbach. Virgin Megastore at Villaggio realistic and captivating viewing Mall, Landmark, DHFC, and experience. Mall of Qatar, and other major With Sony’s cutting-edge Real estate law will put end to work of illegal brokers, say experts retailers around Doha. proprietary technologies, users The fi rst ‘Ready for PlaySta- can become fully immersed in The implementation of the them even try to market and pro- Centre at the Ministry of Justice the profession and its related ac- on his property. Besides, foreign tion 5’ TVs from Sony includes the true next-generation level Real Estate Brokerage Law will mote houses and places without recently organised a specialised tivities would eventually wipe out brokerage companies can have the standout X90H 4K HDR Full of transformative play off ered by eventually will see the end of knowing their owners, hoping to training course for the first batch the phenomenon of unregulated off ices in Doha and Qatari firms Array LED and Z8H 8K HDR Full PS5. unlicensed and unauthorised make a profit by any means. of 10 Qatari real estate brokers brokers who often try to trick also can have off ices in other Array LED models. The X90H Sony, together with SIE, will real estate brokers in the country Faisal al-Dossari said the regula- who are set to receive gradua- both parties to maximise their countries. displays gameplay images of up continue to provide the ultimate and thereby help stabilise a key tion of real estate brokerage tion certificates and licences next illegal gains. This would also help Ali Ajlan al-Marri said that the local to 4K resolution at 120fps with a gaming experience to PlaySta- market, experts have said. would give foreign investors more week to practise the profession. normalise prices,” he said. real estate market has suff ered very low input lag of 7.2ms. tion fans around the world with They told Arabic daily Arrayah confidence in the local market. Mohamed al-Nuaimi thanked the Saif Mohamed al-Tamimi much harm from the illegal and The Z8H is capable of dis- ‘One Sony’, a unique collabora- that the local real estate market is They can deal with author- Ministry for upgrading the real explained that the Real Estate unethical practices of the un- playing incredibly detailed 8K tion of creativity and technology now plagued by self-proclaimed ised and regulated real estate estate profession in the country Brokerage Law does not permit regulated brokers. He also hoped resolution images while also across Sony entities. real estate brokers who do not brokerage off ices and agencies, and organising such a course anybody to practise without prior that the law would be enforced showcasing 4K resolution game- Product specifi cations are also have any proper qualification, which can be accountable to the that would reflect positively on authorisation from the owner of soon to abolish the menace play images at 120fps (support- posted at: https://www.sony. experience or even a minimum authorities. the field. the place himself, who can author- and thereby help in reviving the ing spec varies by PS5 game). com/en-qa/electronics/bravia- knowledge of the field. Some of The Legal and Judicial Studies “The government regulation of ise more than one broker to work market. Both TVs will provide extremely gaming QNL events in Sept to focus Sheehaniya sanitisation drive continues on science and research

he schedule of online thought. This fi nding could help events at Qatar National paint a clearer picture than ever TLibrary in September in- before of the relationship be- cludes a variety of interactive tween Earth and the Moon. lectures in science and research “Readings in Qatar National to help inspire visitors to think a Library’s Manuscript Col- little diff erently. lection: Prominent Copies of On September 7, participants Hanafi Fiqh” will be held on can start their sustainability September 20. This is the fourth journey. Presented by the Doha in a series of lectures and talks Environmental Actions Project, providing readings of rare his- Al Sheehaniya Municipality’s Services Aff airs Department has continued its campaigns to disinfect this session will allow partici- torical works from the Heritage and sanitise various facilities under its jurisdiction. Accordingly, intensive sanitisation was carried pants to learn about how plas- Library’s collection of manu- out at Al Nasraniya and the Camel Racetrack areas as part of maintaining the highest levels of public tic pollution aff ects marine life scripts. The series is a rare op- health and hygiene. in Qatar, as well as some of the portunity to explore the rich simple changes they can make in The online events at Qatar National Library includes a variety of collection and its masterworks, their lives to help ease the prob- interactive lectures in science and research to help inspire visitors to along with the Heritage Li- lem. think a little diff erently. brary’s digital and virtual serv- On September 8, the fi fth ices. This lecture will discuss session of the Productive Re- tember 13 will help learn more share their stirring stories. Ab- notable manuscripts of Hanfi searcher series will take place. about how the traffi cking and dullah Srour is one such fi gure; Fiqh, one of the four Sunni Is- These lectures are aimed at en- smuggling of heritage items a photographer and teacher who lamic schools of jurisprudence. couraging researchers in Qatar from libraries and archives are earned acclaim for his photo The lecture will be delivered by through peer-learning with on the rise globally. In the Mena of the world’s largest printed Mohamed Yaser Shahin, a re- leading academics from around and West and Central Africa poster, “Tamim Al Majd,” which searcher at the Centre of Islamic the world. The sixth session of regions, this phenomenon is entered the Guinness Book of Research in Turkey. the series will take place on Sep- bigger due to the greater preva- World Records. The Young Adults Creative tember 22. lence of confl ict and insecurity. The Science Book Forum will Writing Circle on September 24 Experts in public speaking The guest speaker will be Dr be held on September 18 with gives young writers of any ex- will help learners on September Alsharqi Dahmali, a member of “What the Moon is Really Made perience level the opportunity 12 to present achievements and the Advisory Council of the In- Of.” Nasa scientist Dr Essam to come together, share projects successes in a team or interview ternational Council of Museums Heggy will discuss his team’s they are working on and get with supreme confi dence. Their in Morocco. latest discovery that the subsur- feedback in a supportive envi- tips will help participants be- At the Inspiring Individuals face of the Moon might be richer ronment; participants also re- come assured public speakers. series on September 17, lumi- in metals like iron and titanium ceive writing prompts in each Another session on Sep- naries from Qatari society will than researchers previously session. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, August 26, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

ALLEGATION POLITICS VERDICT JUDICIARY TERRORISM Police kill teenagers for Assad asks caretaker Zambian health minister Trial of Bashir for 1989 Al Qaeda blows up Yemen Covid-19 violations PM to form new govt cleared of graft charges coup adjourned to Sept 1 clinic after executing dentist

Angolan security forces killed at least seven young Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday ap- A Zambian court yesterday cleared the country’s The trial of Sudan’s ousted president Omar Al Qaeda blew up a medical centre in war-torn men, including minors, when violently enforcing pointed caretaker prime minister Hussein Arnous health minister of corruption charges, citing al-Bashir, on charges related to the coup that Yemen yesterday, 10 days after executing a coronavirus lockdown rules between May and to draw up a new cabinet as the country grapples lack of evidence to back the allegations. Chitalu brought him to power in 1989, was adjourned yes- dentist it accused of guiding US drone strikes July, Amnesty International said yesterday. Most of with a stinging economic crisis and a coronavirus Chilufya, 47, was arrested in June accused of terday to September 1, the judge said. Bashir and against its militants. The clinic in the Somaa the victims were teenagers allegedly shot dead by outbreak. “President Assad issues decree number using ill-gotten gains to acquire assets. He was others could face the death penalty if convicted district of Al-Baida province was where the dentist police and army off icers, who either fired at them 210 for year 2020, which tasks Hussein Arnous with charged with possessing property suspected to over the coup that toppled the elected govern- worked before his execution, a local off icial told directly or hit the boys accidentally. Security forces forming a government,” the presidency said in a be proceeds of crime. “Considering the available ment of prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. “The trial AFP. The militants shot Motthar al-Youssoufi, and used “excessive and unlawful force” in dealing with statement. Formerly the minister for water resources, evidence, the accused is hereby acquitted,” mag- has been adjourned to (next) Tuesday to discuss left his body outside the health centre on August coronavirus lockdown breaches, the watchdog Arnous replaced Imad Khamis in June and served as istrate Lameck Mwale ruled in the capital Lusaka. the requests made by defence counsel,” the judge 15. Yesterday, they blew up the clinic. Al Qaeda in reported after a joint investigation with Angolan interim prime minister until parliamentary polls were Chilufya had been freed on bail a day after his said. Defence lawyers had called for the trial to be the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is active in rights group OMUNGA. “One teenage boy was shot held last month. Khamis was sacked following a wave arrest and remained in off ice during the trial. He postponed on the grounds that the courtroom Yemen, is considered by the United States as the in the face while he lay injured; another was killed of public criticism over the government’s handling of declined to comment on his acquittal outside precautions taken against the novel coronavirus radical group’s most dangerous branch. Washing- when police fired on a group of friends practising an economic crisis that has seen the value of the Syr- court. Graft investigators homed in on Chilufya were “inadequate”. Bashir was overthrown in a ton has carried out a drone campaign against its at a sports field,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty ian pound plummet against the dollar on the black in May after the minister allegedly amassed a palace coup in April last year following months of leaders for the past two decades. But the extrem- International director for eastern and southern market. He had served as premier for four years. Like sudden fortune. According to court documents, mass protests against his three decades of iron- ist group has thrived in the chaos of civil war Africa. “A state of emergency is no excuse for such Assad and Khamis, Arnous has been the target of US Chilufya bought around $215,000-worth of shares fisted rule. He was detained by the army and now between Yemen’s government and rebels who outrageous human rights violations.” and European Union sanctions. in a lakeside lodge in 2017. faces separate trials on multiple charges. control the capital Sanaa. Can’t establish ties with Israel now, Sudan tells Pompeo

AFP the government has no mandate Khartoum to normalise ties with Israel. Hamdok’s offi ce said he had made the same point to Pompeo, udan said yesterday it can- the fi rst US secretary of state to not establish diplomatic visit Sudan since Condoleezza Srelations with Israel for Rice went there in 2005. now, dashing hopes for a speedy “The prime minister clarifi ed breakthrough during a visit by that the transitional period in US Secretary of State Mike Pom- Sudan is being led by a wide al- peo. liance with a specifi c agenda – to Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif walks with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi ahead of talks in Tehran yesterday. Prime Minister Abdalla Ham- complete the transition, achieve dok told Pompeo that Sudan’s peace and stability in the country transitional government – which and hold free elections,” govern- replaced ousted strongman ment spokesman Faisal Saleh Omar al-Bashir last year and is said in a statement. set to rule until 2022 elections – Hamdok told Pompeo that his has “no mandate” to take such a interim government “does not weighty step. have a mandate beyond these The announcement was a set- tasks or to decide on normalisa- Iran hails ‘constructive’ back to a charm off ensive by the tion with Israel”, the statement US and Israel to forge more ties said. between the Jewish state and the When Pompeo arrived hours Arab world following a landmark earlier, he tweeted that he had US-brokered August 13 agree- fl own to Khartoum on a historic ment between Israel and the “fi rst offi cial non-stop fl ight” United Arab Emirates. from Tel Aviv. talks with IAEA chief Israel remains technically at The US top diplomat also war with Sudan, which remains met Sudan’s Sovereign Coun- AFP “Today’s talks were construc- tain neutrality in any situation view with Iran’s Al-Alam televi- “But this issue must be re- on a US State Department black- cil chief General Abdel Fat- Tehran tive,” he added. and refrain from entering inter- sion network that access may be solved once and for all...mean- list of backers of terrorism. tah al-Burhan for talks which “It was decided that the agen- national political games.” granted if the agency does not ing that they would not demand Hamdok urged the US not to the State Department had said cy continue its work profession- Aside from meeting Grossi, demand more. afterwards to inspect some- link “the subject of lifting Su- would express US “support for ran’s nuclear body said it ally and independently and Iran, Zarif also spoke by phone yes- “To prevent enemies from ex- where else in the same way,” he dan from the State Sponsors of deepening the Sudan-Israel re- held “constructive” talks too, act in the framework of its terday to his French counter- ploiting the situation we are seek- added. Terrorism list and the subject of lationship”. Iyesterday with the visiting commitments.” part Jean-Yves Le Drian, ac- ing ways to alleviate our concerns Grossi was also expected to normalisation with Israel,” his Netanyahu had met Burhan in head of the International Atomic Salehi said Iran’s “enemies cording to the French foreign and say there is access, see there’s meet Iran’s President Hassan spokesman said. February in Uganda and later an- Energy Agency amid tensions will not rest” but noted that ministry. nothing,” Behrouz Kamalvandi Rouhani today before fl ying back The coalition which led Su- nounced that they had agreed to over a US bid to reimpose UN Tehran has “so far been able to Le Drian stressed the “un- was quoted as saying. to Vienna. dan’s protest movement, the co-operate towards normalising sanctions. manage the issue”. failing determination of the E3 Forces of Freedom and Change, ties. The trip is Rafael Mariano Access to the two disput- (Britain, France, and Germany) noted “the right of Palestinians Sudan’s cabinet however later Grossi’s fi rst to the Islamic re- ed sites has been blocked for to preserve the Vienna agree- Talks possible if US returns to N-deal: Rouhani to their land and to a free and denied that Burhan had made public since the Argentine took months, prompting a diplomatic ment” reached in 2015 while dignified life” and argued that such a promise. the helm of the Vienna-based row. calling on Iran to stick to its nu- If the United States wants an adversaries have almost UN agency last year. Iran has argued that the clear commitments, it said in a agreement with Iran, it must come to blows since 2018 It comes more than two IAEA’s access requests are based statement. first come back to Tehran’s when US President Donald years after US President Don- on allegations from the coun- The UN agency’s board of gov- 2015 nuclear deal with six Trump ditched the deal ald Trump pulled out of a 2015 try’s arch-enemy Israel and have ernors had passed a resolution powers that Washington reached by his predecessor landmark international agree- no legal basis. in late June put forward by the abandoned two years ago, Barack Obama and reimposed ment that put curbs on Iran’s The two sides were working European states, urging Tehran Iranian President Hassan sanctions that have crippled nuclear programme in exchange on a statement which would be to provide inspectors access to Rouhani said yesterday. the Iranian economy. “Trump for sanctions relief. announced “in due time”, Salehi two sites to help clarify whether “Washington’s maximum has been talking a lot. The Grossi fi rst met with the head added. undeclared nuclear activity took pressure policy on Iran has next president, whether it is of Iran’s atomic agency, Ali Ak- Grossi tweeted later that place there in the early 2000s. failed 100%...If Washington Trump or someone else, must bar Salehi, and later held talks the two sides were working According to the spokesman wants an agreement with us, adopt a different approach with Foreign Minister Mohamed on “reaching an agreement on for Iran’s nuclear body, one of then they should apologise towards Iran,” Rouhani said. In Javad Zarif. IAEA’s safeguards verifi cation the two is located in central Iran for exiting the deal and return response to US sanctions, Te- “A new chapter has started activities in Iran.” between Isfahan and Yazd prov- to it,” Rouhani told a televised hran has breached key limits with this visit,” Salehi said after In a statement before the inces, and the other is close to news conference. Long-tense on nuclear activity imposed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greets Sudanese Prime Minister their meeting, quoted by state talks, the nuclear body had said Tehran. relations between the two by the 2015 accord. Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum yesterday. news agency Irna. Iran expects the IAEA to “main- He hinted in a Monday inter-

Gaza in lockdown to contain Africa now free of its fi rst Covid-19 outbreak polio, says WHO AFP infectious and contagious virus Reuters other people in the Maghazi ref- hospitals often complain about Lagos which attacks the spinal cord Gaza ugee camp in central Gaza, and shortages of medical supplies. and causes irreversible paralysis that the camp was now isolated The two countries cite secu- in children. from the rest of the 360sq km rity concerns over Hamas for the he World Health Organi- It was endemic around the aza was in lockdown yes- territory. blockade. sation (WHO) yesterday world until a vaccine was found terday after the fi rst cases “Pandemic investigation “What happens if one of us Tdeclared that Africa was in the 1950s, though this re- Gof Covid-19 in the general committees are conducting the gets infected?” asked Khaled now free of the virus that causes mained out of reach for many population of the Palestinian en- necessary tests to follow up the Sami, a Gaza resident. polio, a landmark in a decades- poorer countries in Asia and Af- clave, whose restricted borders conditions of the infected four “When people are seriously ill, long campaign to eradicate the rica. until now had helped spare it people and those who had come they send them into Israel, the notorious disease around the In 1988, when the WHO, from an outbreak. in contact with them,” he said. West Bank or Egypt. Everything world. Unicef and Rotary launched the Health authorities in the Businesses, schools and is closed now and who is going to “Today is a historic day for worldwide campaign to eradicate Hamas-controlled territory are mosques were shuttered late on open the gate for someone suf- Africa,” said Prof Rose Gana Fo- the disease, there were 350,000 concerned over the potentially Monday, and the enclave’s streets fering from the coronavirus?” mban Leke, whose commission cases globally. disastrous combination of pov- were largely deserted as police Yesterday, the World Health certifi ed that no cases had oc- In 1996, there were more than erty, densely populated refugee broadcast loudspeaker warnings Organisation said Gaza’s hospi- curred on the continent for the 70,000 cases in Africa alone. camps and limited hospital facil- to obey a 48-hour curfew. tals currently have capacity for past four years, the threshold for Thanks to a global eff ort and ities in dealing with an outbreak. “The movement of people is 350 Covid-19 patients for a pop- eradication of poliovirus. fi nancial backing – some $19bn A government spokesman prohibited except in extreme ulation of 2mn. Poliovirus now joins smallpox over 30 years – only Afghanistan said the four cases were uncov- necessity. When forced to move Dr Ayadil Saparbekov, head of in the list of viruses that have and Pakistan have recorded cases ered after a woman travelled to for an urgent matter people must WHO’s local Health Emergencies been wiped out in Africa, the this year: 87 in total. the West Bank, where she tested wear face masks,” said a Health Team, said it would work with the WHO said. Poliovirus is typically spread positive. Ministry statement. Gaza authorities to convert former Since 1996, eradication eff orts in the faeces of an infected per- Four members of her family It warned of “legal measures” border protest medical tents into “have prevented up to 1.8mn son and is picked up through then tested positive in Gaza, the against violators. Covid-19 triage facilities. children from crippling life-long contaminated water or food. fi rst cases outside quarantined With Israel and Egypt main- “That way doctors can iden- paralysis and saved approxi- Vaccinating people to prevent border facilities. taining tight restrictions along tify if they have symptoms, and mately 180,000 lives,” the agency them from becoming infected Interior Ministry spokesman the coastal enclave’s fortifi ed they won’t rush to hospitals and Police patrol a street in Gaza City amid a two-day lockdown due to said. thus breaks the cycle of trans- Eyad al-Bozom said the family frontier, most Gazans have little risk infecting everyone there,” he the detection of first cases of Covid-19 in the general population, Poliomyelitis – the medi- mission and eventually eradi- had been in contact with many access to the outside world, and said. yesterday. cal term for polio – is an acutely cates the virus in the wild. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 26, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Facebook vows legal action over forced removal of Thai group

AFP called ‘Royalist Marketplace’, was warned that such requirements pongpun, an exiled Thai activist hugely powerful, supported by a constitution scripted by the ple’s human rights,” said Asia Bangkok created in April and had more would undermine its ability to based in Japan and moderator for the arch-royalist military and military. Pavin said the group’s Advocacy Director John Sifton. than a million members before reliably invest in the country. the group, told AFP it had been the country’s billionaire clans. removal by Facebook showed the So far 11 activists have been ar- it was taken down on Monday. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- a place for “genuine discussion” Since ascending the throne, he company was working to “pro- rested on various charges, in- acebook said yesterday it A Facebook spokesperson told cha insisted his government’s ac- on the monarchy, including its has amassed direct control of the mote authoritarianism” in Thai- cluding sedition and breaking would fi le a legal challenge AFP the network had been “com- tions had been completely above political role and protesters’ pro- palace’s fortune, estimated to be land, and “endorsing the gov- coronavirus gathering rules, but Fagainst a Thai government pelled” by the government to re- board. posals for reforms. worth up to $60bn. ernment’s tactic in censorship of nobody has yet been charged un- order to take down a group where move the group. “Requests like “We took action against this Thailand’s biggest recent pro- Protesters are calling for more information”. der the royal defamation law. pro-democracy activists held this are severe, contravene inter- (Facebook) page under our laws. democracy rallies have seen up to transparency of palace fi nances “It has become a part of ob- Yesterday morning, prominent discussions about the monarchy, national human rights law, and We haven’t done this as a dicta- 20,000 turn out on the streets, and for the defamation law to be struction of democratisation activist and human rights lawyer a taboo subject in the country. have a chilling eff ect on people’s torship,” he told reporters yester- in a movement partly inspired by scrapped – as well as the disso- process in Thailand, as well as of Anon Numpa, 35, was arrested A growing tide of youth-led ability to express themselves,” day. the Hong Kong protests last year. lution of parliament and a new free speech.” for the third time in relation to protests has swept Thailand in the platform said. “Everyone must respect the The Thai monarchy has long constitution. Human Rights Watch slammed the protests. recent weeks – buoyed by anger “We work to protect and de- law of each country ... anyone been a taboo subject and is Prime Minister Prayut is the Thailand for using “rights-abus- A small royalist counter-dem- against what many regard as an fend the rights of all internet us- who chooses otherwise, must shielded by a harsh royal defama- former army chief, who led a ing laws” to crack down on free- onstration also took place out- illegitimate, military-aligned ers and are preparing to legally be very careful,” he said, adding tion law, under which people can military coup in 2014 before be- dom of expression. side the Japanese embassy with government and an overly pow- challenge this request.” that Thailand would defend itself be sentenced to up to 15 years per ing elected in polls last year. “Facebook should fi ght the protesters demanding Tokyo de- erful royal family. The company did not give if any lawsuit is brought against charge. Activists say the vote was government’s demands in every port Pavin back to Thailand to The private Facebook group, details of the legal action, but the country. Pavin Chachaval- King Maha Vajiralongkorn is stacked in his favour thanks to forum it can to protect Thai peo- face lese-majeste charges.

Hong Kong leader S Korea students go back defends universal virus testing scheme

DPA He added it would be “em- Hong Kong barrassing” if the government online over Covid-19 fears lifted measures before getting to grips with the number of Reuters Over the past ong Kong Chief Execu- asymptomatic carriers. Seoul two weeks, at tive Carrie Lam yester- The testing scheme, which Hday loosened coronavi- is backed by China, also came least 150 students rus restrictions and defended under heavy criticism amid outh Korea yesterday or- an upcoming universal virus concerns that the handling dered most schools in and 43 school testing scheme, calling criti- of sampling data posed a risk SSeoul and surrounding staff have tested cisms of it politically moti- to privacy. In an interview areas to close and move classes vated. with broadcaster RTHK, Lam back online, the latest in a se- positive in the In a press conference, Lam said that critics of the testing ries of precautionary measures greater Seoul said that getting the city op- scheme wanted to discredit the aimed at heading off a resurgence erating normally again was the Chinese central government, in coronavirus cases. area, Education motivation for the mass testing. which is assisting in the city- The Korea Centers for Disease Minister Yoo “The purpose of launching wide operation. “I would make Control and Prevention reported the universal community test- a strong plea that well-known 280 new coronavirus cases as of Eun-hae told ing is to identify as early as people, especially in the rel- midnight Monday, bringing the a briefing possible any silent transmitters evant professional area, should country’s total to 17,945 with 310 in society,” she said. express their view in a more re- deaths. That represents a drop in Over the past two weeks, at Tests would let the govern- sponsible way,” she said. daily new infections from 397 re- least 150 students and 43 school ment feel safe enough to ease “This is about public health, ported as of midnight Saturday, staff have tested positive in the social-distancing measures, so let us focus on public health.” the highest daily tally since early greater Seoul area, Education that Hong Kong’s economy and Other widespread criticism March. Minister Yoo Eun-hae told a people’s livelihoods could re- has come from the medical With most of the new cases briefi ng. turn to normal as soon as possi- community, members of which centred in the densely populated Seoul on Monday ordered ble, Lam said. Lam announced have raised questions about the capital area, however, health au- masks to be worn in both indoor the new testing initiative last effectiveness of the scheme. thorities say the country is on the and outdoor public places for week after a spike in daily coro- Lam rejected accusations brink of a nation-wide outbreak the fi rst time, and has ordered navirus cases. It will run for that people queuing up for and have called on people to stay places like churches, nightclubs, Students wearing masks look at a mobile phone amid the coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, South Korea, two weeks, starting September mass testing would be put at home and limit travel. karaoke bars and other high-risk yesterday. 1, and aims to identify asymp- risk and said that appointments “It would be too hasty to say venues closed. tomatic carriers of the virus by would be booked using an on- that the curve has fl attened,” Health Minister Park Neung- testing as many as 5mn people. line system. Lam added it was KCDC deputy director Kwon hoo yesterday pleaded with The government also an- unreasonable to compare the Jun-wook told a briefi ng. “There thousands of doctors who have nounced yesterday that, start- universal community testing is still a high risk that cases could been staging walkouts to return ing from Friday, restaurants to the 2020 Legislative Coun- continue to rise.” to work. could resume evening business cil elections, which were post- The past week has seen three “We sincerely ask the medical and venues including sports poned for a year due to the con- times as many serious cases staff to promptly return to the grounds, cinemas and beauty tagion risks posed by thousands compared to past spikes, he said, medical ground, where the pa- parlours could reopen. Accord- queueing to cast their ballots. raising concerns that the death tients are awaiting,” he said at a ing to official figures, Hong The election was postponed toll could rise. All students, ex- meeting. Kong’s restaurant revenues fell one day after 12 pro-democracy cept for high school seniors, in The doctors are protesting to a record low in the first three candidates were disqualified the cities of Seoul and Incheon several government proposals, months of 2020, plunging by from the race. and the province of Geonggi will including a plan to increase the almost a third. According to Lam, the take classes online until Sept 11, number of medical students by Joseph Tsang, a leading in- planned tests would only be the Ministry of Education said 4,000 over the next 10 years. fectious disease expert, criti- identified with an individual yesterday. The government says the cised the government’s deci- barcode, though concerns were The beginning of the spring plan is necessary to be bet- sion to relax restrictions before raised about data being used semester had been postponed ter prepared for public health the two-week testing was com- for surveillance in the territory. several times since March, but as crises like the coronavirus plete. Speaking during a radio Hong Kong has reported 4,692 daily coronavirus cases dropped pandemic, but doctors’ asso- interview with RTHK, he fore- cases to date, with the number sharply since a February peak, ciations have said it would un- cast 20 daily new cases in Hong of daily cases falling back into most of South Korea’s schools necessarily flood the market Kong in September, many of single digits, after a recent reopened in stages between May and do little to fix more sys- which could be detected during surge in locally transmitted 20 and June 1. temic problems. A couple wearing masks walks in an empty shopping district amid the coronavirus pandemic in Seoul. the testing scheme. cases.

Myanmar urged to Australia blocks Chinese firm’s bid to buy dairy company restore Internet in Australia said yesterday it “would this time, Lion and Mengniu Dairy Investment Review Board and his Rakhine state Virus outbreak keeps Rohingya be contrary to national interests” have mutually agreed to cease the own department. to allow a Chinese firm to buy a current sale process,” Lion said in Earlier this year the Australian Humanitarian workers battling the major dairy producer, the latest a statement. Although Australia’s government moved to tighten novel coronavirus in Myanmar’s indoors on ‘genocide’ anniversary sign of souring relations between consumer watchdog had earlier rules covering foreign investment Rakhine state have urged the two countries. cleared the deal, Australian in the country, with temporary authorities to restore high-speed The US$430mn sale of Lion Dairy Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in measures allowing increased Internet access to help tackle AFP desh, where 600,000 people band and two sons were killed in and Drinks – currently owned by a statement yeterday that the sale oversight on takeovers of local rising infections in an area where Kutupalong, Bangladesh live in cramped and unsanitary 2017, told AFP as she sat outside Japan’s Kirin – to Mengniu Dairy “would be contrary to the national firms during the pandemic. tens of thousands of people have conditions. But the Bangladeshi her shanty home. had been awaiting regulatory interest”. Just last year, Inner Mongolia- been displaced. authorities, increasingly impa- Bangladesh has signed an approval since November, but the The Australian Financial headquartered Mengniu was The region has seen the fastest lmost a million Rohingya tient with the Rohingya and who agreement with Myanmar to Chinese firm pulled out of the deal Review newspaper reported given approval to purchase one spread of the coronavirus in refugees stuck in Bangla- a year ago cut internet access in return the refugees, but the Ro- yesterday. “Given this approval that Frydenberg’s stance was of Australia’s largest baby-formula Myanmar in recent months with Adesh marked three years the camps, have banned gather- hingya refuse to go back without is unlikely to be forthcoming at against the advice of the Foreign manufacturers, Bellamy’s. more than 80 confirmed cases out since escaping from Myanmar ings because of the coronavirus guarantees for their safety and of the country’s total of 474. yesterday, with coronavirus forc- pandemic. There have been fewer proper rights. About 600,000 Citing security, Myanmar has ing them to hold a day-long “si- than 100 reported infections and Rohingya remain in Myanmar, curbed Internet access in large lent protest” inside their fl imsy, six deaths. but most are not regarded as citi- swathes of the area, where many leaky huts. An August 2017 mili- The sprawling camps have zens, living in what Amnesty In- Free Covid-19 testing in Manila people live in camps due to tary operation that has triggered been cut off from the rest of ternational describes as “apart- fighting between the army and genocide charges at the UN’s top Bangladesh, with the military heid” conditions. ethnic minority insurgents. Aid court drove 750,000 Rohingya erecting barbed-wire fences The Rohingya doubt the “sin- workers from three groups said out of Myanmar’s Rakhine state around the perimeters. Inside, cerity of the Myanmar authori- the government should restore into neighbouring Bangladesh, to movement has been restricted. ties”, Bangladesh foreign secre- 4G Internet access to help inform join 200,000 who fl ed earlier. With people marking ‘Genocide tary Masud bin Momen said. people about the virus. “If they Three years later, and with Remembrance Day’ with silence Desperation had led hundreds do not do it at this time, when no work or decent education and prayers inside their rickety to fl ee the camps for other coun- information is essential, it will be for their children, there is little homes, the camps bore a desert- tries this year on rickety boats recorded in history as a crime,” prospect of a return to Myanmar, ed look, with shops and the usu- often arranged by unscrupulous said Zaw Zaw Tun, the secretary of where members of the mostly ally teeming tea stalls closed as traffi cking gangs. “I cannot de- one of the aid groups, the Rakhine Muslim minority have long been heavy rain pounded the camps. scribe how much suff ering we Ethnic Congress. The high-speed treated as inferior intruders. Rohingya groups have distrib- have gone through for the past Internet blackout, imposed in Myanmar’s military “killed uted leafl ets and fl yers and past- three years,” said Mohammad June last year, is due to be lifted more than 10,000 of our people. ed posters showing Myanmar’s Bashar, 30, a madrasa student this month and while the internet They carried out mass murders leader Aung San Suu Kyi and its in Myanmar border town of is working in some areas, in others and rapes and drove our people military chief Min Aung Hla- Maungdaw who lost his father there is only slower 2G service. A from their home”, Mohib Ullah, ing. One poster read: “Aung San and uncles in 2017. government spokesman did not a Rohingya leader in the camps, Suu Kyi is a terrorist, not a No- “Living here in the camps like answer telephone calls seeking told AFP. bel Peace prize winner”. Another beggars and unwanted, I often comment. Another humanitarian For the second anniversary called for the International Court see my tree-shaded homestead, worker, Aung Than Tun, said last year, Ullah led a rally of about of Justice to hang Min Aung Hla- cows and my happy family in my the limited access was making 200,000 protesters at Kutupal- ing. “I have been waiting for dreams, but that world has been Filipinos queue for free Covid-19 swab testing amid the outbreak, in Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, it easier for rumours about the ong, the largest of the network justice for the last three years,” shattered and devastated,” he Metro Manila, Philippines. coronavirus to spread. of camps in southeast Bangla- Hanufa Begum, 44, whose hus- told AFP. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, August 26, 2020 AMERICAS/BRITAIN/EUROPE

CONTROVERSY CRACKDOWN LEGAL CRIME PEOPLE Kremlin defies calls to Belarus jails two Mladic should be cleared Frenchman murders Ronaldinho flies home probe Navalny illness opposition leaders of genocide, say lawyers family out of ‘hatred’ after house arrest ends

The Kremlin said it saw no need for now Belarus yesterday jailed two opposition leaders Lawyers for former Bosnian Serb military chief A 50-year-old Frenchman who handed Former world soccer star Ronaldinho to investigate circumstances leading up for 10 days as the government pursued a Ratko Mladic urged a UN court yesterday to himself into police has confessed to killing Gaucho left Paraguay yesterday, hours to politician Alexei Navalny’s grave illness. crackdown on the few figures still at large, while overturn his genocide conviction, saying the his parents and parents-in-law in a quadruple after a judge liberated him from five Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called schoolteachers led a new protest of thousands charges against him were “made out of thin murder over his “fierce hatred” of them all, months of house arrest over an adulterated for an investigation and for Russia to hold against President Alexander Lukashenko. air”. Mladic, now 78, was in particular “not tied” prosecutors said yesterday. The man, an passport. Ronaldinho left the hotel where the perpetrators accountable after German Despite most major opposition figures being in to any of the deaths in the notorious Srebrenica only child, said he killed his parents in the he had been staying since April in the doctors found indications of a toxic substance jail or exile, Lukashenko has so far failed to put massacre in Bosnia in 1995, his defence team southern city of Perpignan and ex-parents- capital, Asuncion, for Rio de Janeiro on in his body. Navalny, an outspoken opponent down protests against his 26-year-old rule, more told the appeal hearing in The Hague. His in-law at Le Boulou, close to the border a private flight with his brother Roberto, of President Vladimir Putin, was airlifted to than two weeks after an election his opponents lawyers also argued that Mladic was at risk with Spain. Officers confirmed that four Paraguayan authorities said. Hours Germany for treatment on Saturday after say was rigged. Olga Kovalkova and Siarhei of a “miscarriage of justice” because he was bodies had been found at the indicated beforehand on his Instagram account, collapsing on a plane while flying back to Dyleuski were brought to separate courts where mentally unfit for the two-day hearing against locations. The suspect handed himself over he thanked his Brazilian lawyer and the Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov they were each jailed for 10 days. Kovalkova his 2017 conviction and life sentence over the to the police on Sunday night after killing team of professionals who advised him in said the German clinic had not conclusively is the main representative still in Belarus of wars that tore apart Yugoslavia in the 1990s. them over the weekend, prosecutors said. Paraguay, as well as some fans who gave identified the substance behind Navalny’s opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Mladic was found guilty of genocide over the “He reproached his parents...for being ‘bad him gifts. He also published a photo with illness and it was unclear why German doctors and Dyleuski has led strikes at Minsk’s flagship Srebrenica massacre, in which some 8,000 parents,’” deputy Perpignan prosecutor Luc- the former defender of the Paraguayan were “rushing” to use the word poisoning. tractor factory. Muslim men and boys were killed. Andre Lenormand said in a statement. team, Carlos Gamarra.

Ready Thousands flee as hurricane nears for snap Black man Canada elections: O’Toole shot by police

AFP Ottawa may not walk ew conservative leader Erin O’Toole yesterday Ncast himself as a scrappy everyman who will promote di- versity within the party, revive Canada’s beleaguered oil in- dustry and push back against a again: family “predatory” China. But the 47-year-old former AFP fi cers had their guns pulled. George Floyd on May 25 in Min- air force navigator was coy about Kenosha Late Monday police wearing neapolis, which led to protests whether or not he would seek military-type gear fi red tear gas spreading in the US and abroad. to topple Prime Minister Jus- at hundreds of protesters who As the two offi cers involved tin Trudeau’s Liberals and force black man shot several snubbed a citywide curfew to were placed on administrative elections at the next opportunity times by police may be demonstrate over Blake’s shoot- leave, Wisconsin authorities in September. Apermanently paralysed, ing. launched a probe into the shoot- “I think (Canadians) are tired his family said yesterday, after The protesters, chanting “No ing. of a directionless, divisive and protesters burned buildings and justice, no peace” and “Say his Democratic presidential can- ethically challenged Liberal gov- tore down street lamps in a sec- name — Jacob Blake,” shot fi re- didate Joe Biden called for a “full ernment,” O’Toole said at his ond night of protests in Kenosha, works and lobbed water bottles and transparent investigation.” fi rst news conference since being Wisconsin over the incident. at the police. Wisconsin’s lieutenant gov- elected leader of Canada’s main Jacob Blake was undergo- ernor Mandela Barnes said the opposition party. ing surgery to try to repair nerve “Blake was shot on Sunday shooting of Blake reflected a The MP, veterans minister in damage, his cousin said. by a white policeman pattern of police violence na- the last Tory administration, “He’s paralysed from the waist while getting into a tionwide against African Amer- said he would continue to work down... He hasn’t woken up yet car that held his three icans. with Trudeau’s minority gov- but they’re saying it’s a 50/50 children aft er trying Barnes said Blake “was actu- ernment to deliver pandemic chance he’ll walk away,” Herman to break up a domestic ally trying to de-escalate a situ- aid, but added that he was ready Poster told the Daily Beast news dispute” ation in his community but the to fi ght a general election, if site. responding offi cer didn’t feel the pushed. It was the most recent in a Sherese Lott, 37, said she at- need to do the same.” “I will always put the inter- series of allegedly unjustifi ed tended with her two daughters Crump, who also represents ests of Canadians fi rst and will police shootings and killings of and a cousin to protest “because the families of George Floyd and collaborate when I can,” he said, African Americans that have we want change.” other black victims of police adding that “if Trudeau thinks sparked outrage in the US. She questioned why the offi c- mistreatment, said Blake’s family he can play some games with a Blake was shot on Sunday by ers did not tackle or Taser him if had been able to visit him in the new leader and force an election a white policeman while get- they wanted to arrest Blake, and hospital. we will be ready.” ting into a car that held his three said police need to be held ac- “They are relieved that he is Trudeau last week suspended children after trying to break up countable. in stable condition,” Crump told parliament until the end of Sep- a domestic dispute, according “If I killed someone I’d be con- ABC’s Good Morning America tember and said that on its re- to civil rights attorney Benjamin victed and regarded as a murder- show. turn he would seek support for Crump, who is representing the er. I think it should be the same “However he is still in inten- massive social and environmen- Blake family. for the police.” sive care and he is still facing tal spending to pull Canada out Jacob Blake’s father, also A couple, who only gave their more surgeries in the future,” he of an economic slump. named Jacob, told the Chicago names as Michelle and Kalvin, said. Critics suggested the prime Sun Times “What justifi ed all had brought their seven-year- Crump said it was thought minister was eff ectively dar- those shots?...What justifi ed old daughter and eight-year-old that Blake was hit by four of the ing opposition parties to trigger doing that in front of my grand- son with them. seven shots fi red by one of the snap elections in the middle of sons? What are we doing?” “I want my kids to see how two offi cers. an economic crisis, while shut- A bystander video shows po- change happens and am here so He said he had no indication or ting down investigations into the lice shooting seven times at nothing like this ever happens to witness accounts that Blake was awarding of a major government Residents fill sandbags at St Raymond Church, provided by mayor LaToya Cantrell and the local Blake, 29, at close range as he them,” Michelle said. armed or had an altercation with contract to a charity that paid government, as Hurricane Laura warnings were issued for part of Louisiana and Texas, in New tried to enter the car. The footage and the lack of the police. members of Trudeau’s family. Orleans, Louisiana, US, yesterday. Hurricane Laura was bearing down on the US Gulf Coast Offi cials say police had been immediate explanation provoked “He was walking away. He In order to topple the Liberals, yesterday, threatening fierce winds and storm surge from San Luis Pass, Texas to Ocean Springs, called to a domestic disturbance, painful memories of the po- wasn’t posing a threat to them,” the Tories would need the back- Mississippi and prompting thousands to evacuate before an expected landfall tomorrow. but have not said why the two of- lice killing of African American Crump said. ing of at least two other parties.

BBC accused of ‘Rule Ofqual’s chief quits Britannia’ censorship

Reuters George Floyd in the US. over exams fi asco Rule Britannia! includes the London line: “Rule, Britannia! Britannia Guardian News and Media/ his “full confi dence”. He had pre- to return to school and that he rules the waves; Britons never, Reuters viously refused to back Collier. would look at medical evidence to very year millions tune in never, never, shall be slaves.” London The education secretary also see whether he should change the to watch a pomp-laden Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted that Ofqual was respon- government’s advice on wearing Ecelebration of all things said yesterday he had to address sible for the climbdown for which face coverings. British with fl ag-waving music the subject. he head of England’s exam he originally took credit. He is under pressure to show he lovers boisterously singing along “I think it’s time we stopped regulator, Sally Collier, has The government was forced to can preside over a full-time return to patriotic anthems performed our cringing embarrassment Tresigned over the exams fi - apologise for the fi asco that result- to school after the grades debacle. at the last night of the BBC’s about our history, about our tra- asco that has engulfed schools and ed in disadvantaged students be- “I’m really pleased by the work Promenade concerts. ditions and about our culture, universities. ing worst hit by downgrades, while that teachers, schools, parents, But a decision by the public and we stopped this general bout Collier, the chief regulator and private schools pupils’ results were pupils have done to get ready,” broadcaster to omit the words from of self-recrimination,” he told Ofqual chief executive, oversaw boosted under the algorithm. Johnson said of the reopening of two of the best known songs in this broadcasters. “I wanted to get the development of the fl awed ex- An Ofqual source said: “What schools during a visit in southwest year’s concert from London’s Royal that off my chest.” ams algorithm that was scrapped Sally (Collier) has been absolutely England. Albert Hall has sparked a bitter row Outgoing BBC boss Tony after it downgraded nearly 40% of focused on doing is sorting out Questioned over whether Eng- over censorship and the country’s Hall said it would be very hard A-level results. A-levels and dealing with the after land would have to change its pol- imperial past. to recreate the atmosphere of a It came after ministers insisted eff ects of that, and preparing for icy on not advising some children The BBC said an orchestral- 5,000-strong audience, but de- on avoiding grade infl ation. GCSEs.” to wear face coverings at school as only version of Rule Britannia! clined to say whether the lyrics She had been conspicuous by Meanwhile Prime Minister Scotland has, Johnson said: “You and Land of Hope and Glory were dropped because of any co- her absence since the U-turn on Boris Johnson yesterday said he know, we’ll look at the changing would be performed to refl ect lonial links. results last week, with Ofqual’s was “really pleased” by the work medical evidence as we go on. how the Last Night of the Proms He said he suspected the lyrics chair, Roger Taylor, issuing a pub- done to prepare schools for reo- “If we need to change the ad- concert would take place on Sep- would be back next year. lic apology instead. pening next week, a test of his gov- vice, then of course we will.” tember 12 with no audience and a The annual musical jambo- Ofqual said she would be re- ernment after it failed to get chil- Johnson has been criticised for small orchestra due to Covid-19. ree, normally the conclusion to a placed temporarily by her pred- dren back to class earlier this year. his government’s wider response However, the move follows a summer-long series of concerts, ecessor Dame Glenys Stacey. Johnson, whose Conservative to the pandemic, accused by op- media report that the conduc- has attracted criticism in the Collier’s resignation comes days government has come under fi re position parties and medics for tor believed the time had come past for being jingoistic, while after the publication of millions of for how it has tackled education being too slow to lock down, too Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Appledore Shipyard in south “to bring change” to the con- its defenders argue it represents GCSE results and a day after Gavin during the coronavirus crisis, said quick to ease restrictions and for west England yesterday as the historic shipyard announced it’s cert after the global anti-racism a joyful outpouring of tradition Williamson insisted Ofqual had it was “crucial” for all children failing to test enough people. re-opening having being bought by InfraStrata in a £7mn deal. protests spurred by the death of and patriotism. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 26, 2020 9 INDIA

SEARCH JUDICIARY POLITICS CONTROVERSY EDUCATION Prisoner given garbage Court orders CBI probe Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA’s HC refuses to stay handing Patnaik wants JEE and job escapes from jail into Kerala twin murders daughter set to join SP over of airport to Adani NEET tests cancelled

A prisoner escaped from a jail in north Goa The Kerala government yesterday suff ered a Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party The Kerala High Court yesterday declined to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday after he was assigned to dump garbage huge setback after the Kerala High Court ruled (BJP) lawmaker Rajesh Mishra’s daughter stay the central government’s move to lease out urged the government to postpone the Joint outside the jail premises. A statewide manhunt that the Central Bureau of Investigation will Sakshi Mishra, who hit the headlines last Thiruvananthapuram airport to Adani Enterprises. Entrance Examination (Main) and National has been launched to trace Hemraj Bharadwaj, probe the case of two Youth Congress workers year when she eloped with a Dalit boy, is The court, however, posted the case for a detailed Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET) to be held who was arrested in a drugs case. “We have murdered near Periya in Kasaragod last year. now preparing to join the Samajwadi Party. hearing for September 15 and asked the state in the first fortnight of September. In a letter to alerted the police who ensured the borders The gruesome murders took place on February Sakshi told reporters that she was impressed government to come with its points before Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, were sealed within 20 minutes of his escape 17 last year. The family members of the victims with the work culture in the Samajwadi Party September 9. The Kerala government has said the the chief minister said the entrance tests must being brought to our notice. We expect that and the Congress party have been demanding and its popularity among the youth. She decision to lease out the airport for 50 years came be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. he will be arrested soon,” Inspector General a CBI probe alleging that senior CPI-M leaders said that she has sought an appointment at a time when a petition against it is pending in Patnaik also said the National Testing Agency of Prisons Gurudas Pilarnkar told reporters. in the district conspired to eliminate the two with SP president Akhilesh Yadav. “The the court. Last week an all-party meeting called by (NTA) must open exam centres in all 30 A Home Ministry official said Bharadwaj was men. A Peethambaran, a local CPI-M leader kind of development that took place during Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to prevent districts of the state. “In view of the prevailing asked by prison guards to dump garbage is the prime accused in the case and is in Akhilesh’s regime was unparalleled. It has the transfer deal from going through and on pandemic conditions in the country, it will be outside the prison complex, when he made custody. Krupesh, 19, and Sharath Lal Joshy, given a new identity to UP. I have been Monday the Kerala assembly passed a unanimous highly unsafe and perilous for the students to good his escape. “An inquiry will be ordered 24, were attacked by three men. While Krupesh impressed enough by this to want to join SP,” resolution, asking the central government to hand physically visit the test centres to appear in into the lapses by the prison authorities, which died at the Kasargod district hospital, Joshy she said. If Sakshi joins the SP, it would cause the airport to a state-run company. However, the these tests,” Patnaik said. More than 50,000 led to the escape of the undertrial,” the official succumbed to injuries on his way to a medical considerable embarrassment to her father entire business community has wholeheartedly students from Odisha are appearing in NEET said. facility in Mangaluru, Karnataka. who is in the BJP, sources said. welcomed the decision of the central government. and around 40,000 in JEE (Main) this year. India’s new Covid infections top global tally for 18th straight day

Agencies Home Minister Amit Shah, other New Delhi ministers and several chief min- isters. Doctors said yestedray that ndia reported yesterday the Minister of State for Defence and highest number of new coro- AYUSH, Shripad Naik, whon- Inavirus cases globally for the tested positive for Covid-19 was 18th straight day, remaining well stable. ahead of the United States and But his recovery could take a Brazil, offi cial fi gures showed. “long time”, a Manipal Hospital It took India from the end of doctor said. January, when the country’s fi rst Consultant oncologist at case was reported, until July to Goa’s Manipal Hospital and Rescue workers carry a four-year-old boy after being pulled out from the rubble of a collapsed A man cries as he looks for his relatives after the building collapsed, reach around 1.6mn cases, a pe- Naik’s personal friend Dr Shek- five-storey apartment building in Mahad yesterday. yesterday. riod when the government im- har Salkar also said the minister posed a strict lockdown. had tested negative for Covid-19 However, infections have late on Monday but as per norms rocketed by another 1.5mn since another test has been conducted the start of August, taking the to re-confi rm his status. total to around 3.1mn, behind “He is good now. He is stable. only Brazil and the United States. He will need a long time to re- The rate of new cases in India cover. It will not be a fast recov- Rescuers pull toddler alive is increasing rapidly, climbing ery,” Salkar told reporters. by 60,975 in the latest 24-hour Naiktested positive on August period, according to the federal 12 and was initially advised home Health Ministry. isolation. He was shifted to Ma- “If we cross the absolute nipal Hospital near Panaji after numbers (in Brazil and the Unit- his health worsened. ed States), I won’t be surprised, Haryana Chief Minister from collapsed building but we also have a larger popula- Manohar Lal Khattar, who who tion,” Giridhar Babu, epidemi- too tested positive for coronavi- ologist at the non-profi t Public rus, is stable, his health bulletin Health Foundation of India, said. said yesterday. But deaths have remained Khattar, 66, has been admitted comparatively low – at 58,390, to Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital. or 1.84% of total cases – lower In Bengaluru, an offi cial said Agencies The cause of the accident side,” a Mahad police offi cial “Three people from my fam- “We had just gone a few me- than the global mortality per- Karnataka Congress president D Mumbai was not immediately clear but said, adding that authorities ily are stuck under the rubble tres from the building and we centage of 3.4%. K Shivakumar tested positive for building collapses are common had initially feared much worse, – my mother, my sister and my heard loud noise. Then there India reported its fi rst Cov- the coronavirus. during India’s June-September with early estimates as high as nephew,” said Gazala, a doctor was smoke everywhere. The id-19 fatality in mid-March, “Shivakumar has been ad- escuers pulled a four- monsoon, with old and rickety 200. who preferred to give only her building collapsed a few sec- with the death toll rising to mitted to a private hospital,” the year-old boy from the structures buckling after days Mahad legislator Bharat fi rst name. onds after we ran out,” Shabana around 35,700 by the end of July. party offi cial said. Rrubble of a collapsed of non-stop rain. Gogawale said that many of the Mustafa Chafekar, a resident Lora, said. In August so far, around 22,600 Though Shivakumar, 58, is building in Maharashtra to loud National Disaster Response building’s occupants appeared who had been in home quaran- Local politician Manik Moti- deaths have been recorded. asymptomatic, he has advised cheers yesterday, hours after Force spokesman Sachidanand to have been out shopping when tine after testing positive for the ram Jagtap told TV9 Marathi Deaths are considered a lag- all who came in contact with him the fi ve-storey apartment block Gawde told reporters that locals the accident occurred around virus, told the Mumbai Mirror that the structure was seven ging indicator, given the two- recently to get tested and isolate came down “like a house of and emergency workers had re- 7pm. that he and his family of fi ve ini- years old and built on “weak” week incubation period of the themselves at home. cards”, killing 11 and burying up trieved the bodies of 11 victims Others had left the town al- tially thought they were experi- foundations. disease. Karnataka Chief Minister B S to 60 others. in addition to the little boy who together, preferring to wait out encing an earthquake. “It fell like a house of cards,” Prime Minister Narendra Mo- Yediyurappa, opposition leader The accident late Monday in survived the collapse. the pandemic in their home vil- “We ran down immediately. Jagtap said. di’s government has said it is re- Siddaramaiah, Janata Dal-Sec- Mahad led three disaster-re- Video of the rescue eff ort lages. The whole (structure) col- Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured by the high recovery rate ular (JD-S) leader H D Kumaras- sponse teams and sniff er dogs to showed onlookers applauding “Many families were not re- lapsed right in front of us,” the tweeted that he was “saddened”. – around 75% of the total 3.1mn wamy and scores of other lead- work through the night, comb- and cheering as the child was siding in the building as they 39-year-old said of their es- “My thoughts are with the cases are no longer infected, ac- ers wished Shivakumar a speedy ing tin sheets, twisted metal and plucked out of the wreckage and went to their native places due cape. families of those who lost their cording to the Health Ministry. recovery. broken bricks. hauled up on a stretcher. to the coronavirus-induced He said residents had previ- dear ones. I pray the injured re- Amid the race to develop a Meanwhile, Mysuru Police Mahad is an industrial town Estimates of the number lockdown,” district collector ously complained to the build- cover soon,” he said. vaccine, the ministry said India Commissioner Chandra Gupta about 165km south of Mumbai. trapped ranged from 20 to 70 Nidhi Choudhari said. ers about the condition of the The building collapse is a was in conversation with Russia tested positive for the coronavi- Offi cials said many residents yesterday morning after dozens As emergency workers made complex. further blow to Maharashtra, regarding Sputnik-V, its experi- rus, a police offi cial said. of the 47 fl ats inside the build- managed to fl ee when the build- their way through the wreckage, A woman among the survi- already hit hard by the corona- mental Covid-19 vaccine. Similarly, Assistant Commis- ing were spared because they ing began to shake. looking for survivors, distressed vors described how she and her virus, with the state accounting zThe disease has hit many sioner of Police Bharat Raj has had already fl ed the town to es- “No one knows how many relatives watched, desperate for three daughters fl ed when the for more than a fi fth of India’s senior politicians including also tested positive. cape the coronavirus pandemic. people are actually stuck in- news of their loved ones. building as it began to shake.. more than 3mn infections. Metal from Viraat could be Virus-hit resort turns used to make motorbikes pool into fi sh farm AFP 16,000 two-month-old pearl Agencies down said yesterday. 1986 and renamed the INS Viraat Kochi spot fi sh in the pool,” Ave- Ahmedabad The Shree Ram Group at Asia’s before serving another 29 years. da’s general manager Jyotish largest ship scrapyard in Alang in Viraat was decommissioned Surendran said. Gujarat, said it had secured the fi nally in 2017 having sailed luxury resort in Kerala “We plan to harvest by No- crap metal from what was giant vessel in an auction and more than a million kilometres has turned its swim- vember and will export to the once the world’s oldest- would take up to a year to break – roughly equivalent to circum- Aming pool into a fi sh Middle East,” Surendran said, Sserving aircraft carrier down. navigating the globe 28 times. farm to stop the business sink- predicting about four tonnes – and Britain’s fl agship during The ship entered Britain’s Royal In 1987 then prime minister ing amid the economic cri- of pearl spots growing in the 1982 Falklands war – could Navy in 1959 as the HMS Hermes Rajiv Gandhi reportedly used sis caused by the coronavirus the swimming pool could be be used to make motorbikes, the after being laid down in 1944. the ship to holiday on a remote pandemic. worth $40,000 on the mar- fi rm charged with breaking it She was sold the Indian Navy in tropical island in the Arabian Sea Normally the 150m pool at ket. with his family and friends. the Aveda Resort in Kumara- The makeshift farm would After a solemn decommis- kom is packed with European not cover the losses from the sioning ceremony in Mumbai in tourists. pandemic, which has driven 2017 there were plans to turn the Now thousands of pearl many hotels to bankruptcy, ship into a fl oating museum and spot fish are causing the said the hotel boss. hotel, but they fell through. splash. But Surendran was hope- Now the steel from the vessel The complex was forced to ful that the money would help could fi nd another use. shut in March when a nation- cover basic bills so the busi- “Once the ship docks at wide coronavirus lockdown ness can keep running until Alang, it will take us around 9-12 was ordered. tourists return. months to dismantle it and then Few hotels have been al- And the Aveda plans to keep we shall sell it as scrap to recov- lowed to reopen since. faith with the pearl spot even er the cost,” Shree Ram Group Of those which are still when business resumes. chairman Mukesh Patel said. shuttered, not many boast a “We can’t continue with “We have been approached by pool with 7.5mn litres of water, this farm in the pool, but we two motorcycle makers for us- which can be put to alternative are trying to fi nd alternative ing the steel from the warship use. land where we can build up this In this file photo taken on March 6, 2017 aircraft carrier INS Viraat is to build bikes. But nothing has A resort employee pumps in the backwaters into the swimming pool “We have had zero revenues, knowledge for bigger projects,” docked on its final day as it is decommissioned in Mumbai. been fi nalised yet,” he said. that has been turned into a fish farm. so in June, we put around he said. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, August 26, 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 The US needs a realistic Russia strategy

The suspected poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny underscores the dangers Russians face for speaking out against President Vladimir Putin. It’s also a warning to those currently protesting for democratic change in neighbouring Belarus. So long as Putin remains at the helm, Russia will continue to pose a serious threat to democratic values, in its periphery and beyond. A coherent strategy to confront this challenge will be essential for the next US administration. It should include responding Lukashenko’s Ceausescu moment? more directly to Putin’s provocations, raising the costs for Russian misconduct and strengthening America’s relationships with its Nato allies. The US shouldn’t rule out co-operation By Sławomir Sierakowski This strategy explains why The quickest way to overthrow a in Warsaw and has been encouraging Minsk Lukashenko recently made a show of dictatorship is to break the bonds of steady protests; and there is the with Moscow in areas of mutual interest, but only when doing arresting Russian mercenaries in front loyalty between the dictator and his opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, so demonstrably advances its own security. of television cameras. It is why he has security apparatus. Division within the now hiding in Minsk. But the strikes Above all, Washington must send clear signals to Putin about t some point, all dictators tried to dismiss his electoral challenger power elite is a necessary precondition and protests by factory workers, the kinds of behaviour the US deems unacceptable. The Trump start to believe their own and her team as “three girls who have for change, and it is possible that doctors, women in white, and others administration’s policies have instead been characterised lies. Belarusian President no idea about politics.” And it is why Lukashenko’s public humiliation before are all spontaneous initiatives, and by inconstancy. Since 2017, the US has imposed sanctions AAlexander Lukashenko is a he responded with force to the protests the factory workers has already cost it is these organic displays of dissent against Russian individuals and some government entities for case in point: he is now behaving as immediately following the election. him his credibility with the regime’s that have completely undermined the regime’s authority. a range of actions, from conducting cyberattacks to meddling though he really did win 80% of the vote But Belarusian society did not defenders. in an election that he himself ensured succumb to fear. On the contrary, Moreover, in addition to striking, At this point, Lukashenko does not in Ukraine to poisoning a former Russian spy living in the UK. was rigged. Belarusians from all walks of life have workers are now joining the protests know whom to arrest. The striking Yet the impact of these measures has been blunted by Trump’s With peaceful protests sweeping forged a broadening chain of solidarity. against the authorities, which is also workers have exposed his helplessness. resistance to tougher penalties, his acceptance of Putin’s denial Belarusian cities and towns, As workers have joined with fl ower- necessary to break the regime’s spell The women’s protest movement has of interference in the 2016 election and his push to welcome Lukashenko, on August 17, visited the bearing women in white, doctors, and of control. Doctors have marched on shown the riot police to be mostly Russia back into the Group of Seven club of industrial nations. Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT) artists, Lukashenko has been caught the health ministry to express their toothless. The entire dictatorship has More recently, and the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ). completely off guard. Equally ominous discontent. Workers have appeared become a fl ailing, headless body. Trump has refused to Each factory plays a vital role not just for his political future, state television at the state television headquarters, In terms of international relations, a The US shouldn’t in the country’s economy but also in its workers have joined the mass strikes, at the former KGB headquarters, and major development this week was the respond to intelligence national identity, and both have long and many police offi cers have cast off even before the country’s two most Lithuanian parliament’s decision not to rule out co- assessments that served as a foundation for Lukashenko’s their uniforms, with one lieutenant notorious prisons, Valadarka and recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate Russian operatives power. Anyone who has seen the colonel revealing the regime’s plans for Okrestina, where political prisoners and president of Belarus. For its part, operation with paid bounties to workers’ housing complex on Socialist pacifying the protests. detained protesters are locked up. These Russia has not been eager to intervene. Taliban fighters to kill Street in Minsk will understand the Lukashenko’s cold reception at MZKT developments are crucial, because they Previous democratic transformations Moscow in US troops. The US quid pro quo. For “a man of everyday and MAZ indicates that the falling mean that Lukashenko cannot simply in Armenia, Moldova, and Georgia have should avoid a rush life,” as the late Polish dissident Jacek dominos have now reached his working- bunker down and wait things out. already shown that Russia can secure areas of mutual Kuro used to say, these residences are class base. The Potemkin rallies that he The pressure on the regime is now favourably inclined post-dictatorships to judgment, but the decidedly above average. has staged to demonstrate his support constant and ubiquitous, and the within its sphere of infl uence at no cost. interest, but only president’s willingness Nonetheless, when Lukashenko have been drowned out by much larger authorities are beginning to panic. Continuing with Lukashenko in power, to side with the appealed to these workers this week, he opposition rallies. The hundreds of When Zviazda, Belarus’s oldest however, will only guarantee more when doing so Kremlin’s version of did not hear “We will help,” but rather thousands of protesters who have newspaper, announced its own protest trouble for the Kremlin. events, rather than that “Ukhodi!” – “Go away!” or “Get lost!”. fl ooded into Belarusian city streets have against censorship, the information The louder Lukashenko’s calls for demonstrably of his own intelligence The episode had poignant historical eff ectively expelled Lukashenko from minister showed up at its offi ces to try Russian President Vladimir Putin’s agencies, is disturbing. parallels that should concern the country’s most populated areas. to mollify the journalists there. At other help, the louder Putin laughs. For now, advances its own Lukashenko. When Romanian dictator And now, more parts of the country media outlets, Lukashenko’s cronies Putin is dispatching trolls, not tanks, to At a minimum, the Nicolae Ceausescu spoke before a huge are rebelling, replacing Lukashenko’s have started seeking pliable journalists Belarus. In just 24 hours, Lukashenko security White House should crowd of protesters in December 1989, barely modifi ed Soviet fl ag with the to replace those on strike, off ering has been transformed from a desperate suspend high-level he, too, was heckled and mocked. He fell white-red-white fl ag favoured by the salaries many times higher than the dictator into a pathetic, pitiful King communication with Moscow while it conducts a thorough from power soon thereafter. opposition. The latter now fl ies even at national average. But such gambits only Lear raging on his heath. – Project investigation. If the deaths of American troops are traced The jibes hurled at Lukashenko by the iconic Nesvizh Castle. highlight the government’s desperation. Syndicate back to Russian operatives, the US should impose a cost that workers may have fatally undermined Lukashenko’s many mistakes suggest It is important to note that the will make Putin regret those actions. his defence strategy, which is to create that he is not listening to his advisers, Belarusian uprising is happening z Sławomir Sierakowski, founder of the impression that only he can control most of whom are probably beginning without any clear leaders. Yes, there the Krytyka Polityczna movement, is Meanwhile, Washington needs to push back against the situation. The message he has been to fear for their own safety. We may be are influential activists and the Director of the Institute for Advanced Putin’s eff orts to divide Nato and subvert the US political trying to convey is, “I am the guarantor approaching the moment where they start opposition presidential candidate, Study in Warsaw and Senior Fellow system. Military and diplomatic offi cials should remind of stability. You don’t have such a bad to abandon him, joining the opposition or Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya; there is the at the German Council on Foreign their counterparts of America’s capacity to retaliate if life. Don’t risk it.” fl eeing the country before it is too late. Telegram blog NEXTA, which is based Relations. Russia attempts to meddle in this fall’s election. The next administration should repair relationships with Nato partners and work with them on modernising weapons systems. The US should also reverse Trump’s decision to remove some 9,000 troops from Germany, which has cheered Russia at the expense of allies’ security. As during the Cold War, the US should look for ways to manage tensions and reduce the risks of catastrophic escalation. Russia lacks the economic power to compete with the US, but it possesses the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal and a larger military budget than any European country. Extending and strengthening the New START treaty, a bilateral arms- control agreement that’s due to expire next February, is critical for the security of both countries. Seeking collaboration in areas of shared concern – on climate change, say, or space policy – would also make sense. Engaging with Putin, however, should not mean placating him. Consistent messaging, tougher deterrence measures and resolute support for allies are essential to a successful strategy. Continued drift will only embolden Putin and his operatives, to the detriment of America’s security and the world’s. – Tribune News Service

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council in Minsk, Belarus. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 26, 2020 11

PAKISTAN Chinese entrepreneurs urged to establish offi ces in Pakistan

Internews leading Chinese companies un- two countries is a foremost pri- China Railway Group Limited, of Investment Atif R Bokhari, investments and explore more China also saw Pakistan as an Islamabad dertaking business ventures in ority,” he added. Industrial and Commercial Bank chairman of the CPEC Author- business opportunities in various emerging hub of trade. critical sectors, including energy, Prime Minister Khan assured of China, China Machinery En- ity retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem sectors of the economy. Talking about the China-Pakistan communication, agriculture, the Chinese investors that his gineering Corporation and China Bajwa also attended the meeting. “Various reforms introduced at Economic Corridor, the ambassador mphasising the need for science and technology, fi nancial government would accord the Mobile Pakistan Limited. The Chinese investors thanked policy and implementation level said the prime minister had cat- more co-operation be- sector and industry. highest priority to provision for Chinese Ambassador to Pa- the prime minister for his per- have enhanced confi dence of the egorically announced that the CPEC Etween China and Pakistan The prime minister, while wel- every possible facilitation to Chi- kistan Yao Jing and Haier CEO sonal interest in facilitating Chinese business community and would strengthen ties between the in all fi elds, Prime Minister Im- coming the representatives of nese investors. Javed Afridi were also present at Chinese investors and business Pakistan is being looked as a major two brotherly countries. ran Khan has asked Chinese en- leading Chinese companies, stat- The delegation comprised the meeting. community in Pakistan. partner in development in the post Media reports said the prime trepreneurs to establish their re- ed that Pakistan accorded great representatives of Power Con- Minister for Communication The participants expressed sat- Covid-19 environment”, stated the minister had also stressed the gional offi ces in Pakistan. importance to strengthening its struction Corporation of China Murad Saeed, Minister for In- isfaction over the business friendly Chinese ambassador. need for boosting tourism in Pa- “Chinese business houses relations with China. (Power China), China Road and dustries Hammad Azhar, Plan- policies of the present govern- Later, while launching a tree kistan and talked about scenic should establish their regional He reiterated that Pakistan Bridge Corporation (CRBC), ning Minister Asad Umar, fi nance ment, especially in improving the plantation drive, Chinese Am- beauty of Swat. offi ces in Pakistan,” the prime and China have a shared destiny. China Gezhouba (Group) Paki- adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, ease of doing business. bassador Jing said Prime Min- Jing appreciated Pakistan’s minister said while chairing a “Strengthening of business-to- stan, China Three Gorges South commerce adviser Abdul Razak They reaffi rmed their com- ister Khan’s vision was to make strategy to deal with the Cov- meeting with a delegation of 10 business ties of the people of the Asia Investment Company Ltd, Dawood, chairman of the Board mitment to further expand their Pakistan a “hub of trade”.He said id-19 pandemic. Punjab govt Peace talks set to deliver on its pledges: chief minister

Internews plying the roads in Bahawalpur Lahore as well. Commenting on the new- ly-launched Ravi River Front n the upcoming phase, the project, he said the project had Punjab government will be- been conceived much earlier but Igin delivering on its promis- it was so huge that no previous es, Chief Minister Usman Ahmad government ever dared build it. Khan Buzdar told Geo News in an The Ravi River project would exclusive sit-down. be a game changer for Lahore, The chief minister said that till Punjab and the entire country, now the provincial government the chief minister stressed. had been tied up with formulat- Buzdar said the project will ing policies and settling down address several issues such as into its new role. the falling level of underground “But in the next phase (of our water and the disappearing green government) we will deliver,” he pockets in the province. announced in “Aapas Ki Baat”, Buzdar also promised to bring Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi greets Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar upon his arrival with the delegation for talks at the Pakistan which aired on Monday night. the project to fruition within his foreign ministry in Islamabad. Pakistan has invited key Taliban negotiators to its capital to push for peace talks to end the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan, The chief minister said he is tenure. Islamabad’s foreign minister said. a “positive man” and concerns Once construction begins, himself solely with his work. the project will consume 90% to “I don’t interfere in anyone 95% indigenous material which else’s job nor do I allow anyone in turn will boost 40 local indus- else to poke their nose in mine,” tries including the construction Buzdar said. sector, Buzdar pointed out. Addressing the recent rumors The much-delayed Orange of his removal, he said that those Line Metro Train in Lahore is ex- spreading such news wanted to pected to be up and running be- destabilise the province and the fore the end of this year, Buzdar All options to be explored to country. announced, adding the test-run Buzdar said he had the full of the project has already been trust of Prime Minister Imran completed, but was delayed be- Khan, which some people did not cause of the Covid-19 pandemic. like at all. Replying to a question regard- Speaking on the tourism sec- ing the high-level transfers and bring back Nawaz: premier tor, the chief minister said it postings, including that of the was a subject very close to Prime inspector general and chief sec- Internews opposition parties’ blackmail- ity and interior, Shahzad Akbar, ernment of Punjab, he added, peal was fi led by the anti-graft Minister Khan’s heart. retary, Buzdar defended the rul- Islamabad ing over legislation pertaining to said Nawaz had not fulfi lled any but claimed that the PML-N watchdog. Punjab, Buzdar added, is go- ing party and said that since the the Financial Action Task Force of the conditions under which he leader had submitted “no such The adviser had added that ing to become the tourism hub of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has (FATF). He also advised against was allowed to leave Pakistan for report”.The NAB has fi led an the Islamabad High Court had on Pakistan with its historical sites, come to power in Punjab, after rime Minister Imran Khan any conditional dialogue with medical treatment. appeal in the Islamabad High August 18 declared Nawaz “an ab- deserts, mountains, rivers and a 35-year rule by a single party, has called for the use of the opposition parties over the As the National Account- Court for Nawaz’s seven-year sconder” as his bail had expired. villages. “We have a lot which we it has had to face a slew of chal- Pall options to bring back FATF legislation. ability Bureau (NAB) stepped imprisonment sentence in the Al “The federal government has will promote,” the chief minister lenges. former premier and PML-N su- “There can be no compromise up eff orts to continue proceed- Azizia Steel Mills case to be ex- decided to take matters forward explained, “In the near future, “Transfers and postings is an premo Nawaz Sharif from Lon- on national interests with the ings in the two cases against the tended to 14 years. with the help of the NAB,” he said. you will be able to see the tour- executive issue,” he said. don, where he had left for medi- opposition,” he said, according former premier, Akbar said the Justices Amir Farooq and “This dual standard of ac- ism projects we are working on.” Replying to a question regard- cal treatment. to an announcement. PML-N supremo was permitted Mohsin Akhtar Kayani were countability cannot take place Elaborating on his point, ing him giving undue advan- Khan’s comments came dur- The premier was apprised of to get medical treatment abroad scheduled to preside over a hear- in Pakistan as common people Buzdar said that rest houses tage to those in his close circles, ing a meeting at the Parliament the progress to date over the leg- subject to returning within the ing of the case on September 1. who hardly get parole return (to across Punjab have reopened and the chief minister said merit is House, where party leaders, fed- islative matters, with his legal stipulated time frame. Moreover, a hearing against serve their sentence) and Nawaz can now be booked online. the only criteria, adding: “We eral ministers, and some spokes- team presenting various diff er- Nawaz was also bound to the former premier’s acquit- who has been disqualifi ed for life Separately, double-decker haven’t done anything beyond persons were present. ent options in this regard. submit his periodical medical tal in the Flagship Investments by the Supreme Court and found buses have been rolled out in the law and will never allow any- The premier during the meet- Last week, adviser to the reports and updates on his treat- case would also be held that guilty in two cases is enjoying his Rawalpindi, and will soon be one else to do so.” ing vowed not to give in to the prime minister on accountabil- ment to the court and the gov- same day, for which another ap- life in London.”

Rains lash Karachi Sindh govt names new Police team to probe lawyer’s ‘kidnap’ claims

Internews where she worked. Karachi commissioner The report stated she was kid- Okara napped by “unidentifi ed men at Internews bad Division and principal involved in the illegal allotment gun point”. Karachi secretary to the Sindh chief of land and misused their pow- unjab province’s Okara dis- Malik visited Irshad, who was minister. ers as government offi cials. trict police offi cer (DPO) freed two days ago, at the De- In 2018, Rajput’s services The court added that the POmer Saeed Malik has palpur DHQ Hospital, according he Sindh province gov- were transferred to the feder- suspects caused a loss to the formed a high-level investigation to the police statement. ernment yesterday ap- al government where he was national exchequer and should team comprising three members Malik also met her husband Tpointed Sohail Rajput appointed to the ministry of therefore be arrested immedi- to probe the alleged kidnapping Akmal Wattoo and son Mohamed the new Karachi commissioner finance as additional secre- ately. of a female lawyer in the Depalpur Moiz and assured them that the after transferring Iftikhar Shal- tary. The court also issued orders city of Okara district, a police perpetrators will not be able to awani, who was serving as the On August 18, 2020, his serv- for the arrest of Fazlur Reh- statement said. escape the law “no matter how city’s commissioner, to the post ices were once again transferred man and others accused in the The case came to limelight af- infl uential they are”. of secretary, local government to the Sindh government. reference, including Waseem, ter a video and photos of a woman Police said the woman’s state- and housing town planning de- He is expected to take charge Nadeem Qadir Khokhar, Sabih went viral on Twitter purportedly ment will be recorded in court as partment. as Karachi commissioner soon. Aslam and others. after she was recovered from the soon as she is discharged from Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Shallwani’s transfer to the MQM’s Saif Abbas, Shoaib captivity of her kidnappers. hospital. Ali Shah, approved Rajput’s post came about a day after the Memon and Shaukat Jokhio, In the video, she can be seen According to police, Irshad is a appointment, who is a grade National Accountability Bureau who have been in jail for the last saying that she is a lawyer as she complainant in six other cases, of 21 officer, as Karachi commis- (NAB) arrested Sindh’s secre- two years in connection with tries to string together words which fi ve are registered in Haveli sioner. tary, local government, Roshan the case, were granted bail, with to explain the ordeal she went Lakkha police station while one is A senior government offi cer Ali Shaikh from the Sindh High the court ordering their imme- through. lodged in Baseerpur police station. who joined the civil service in Court over his suspected in- diate release. Several social media users She is also nominated in two 1991, Rajput was serving as ad- volvement in a case pertaining The Karachi Metropolitan tweeted her photos and videos, cases and a guarantor in another ditional secretary at the min- to the illegal allotment of gov- Corporation and the Sindh demanding that the perpetrators case, all of which are registered in istry of fi nance before his ap- ernment land. Board of Revenue had fi led a ref- be brought to justice. Haveli Lakkha police station. pointment as commissioner of NAB offi cials moved to arrest erence against Shaikh and oth- ‘JusticeforNasreenAdvo- One of the cases fi led by Irshad the Karachi division. the senior bureaucrat after the ers, accusing them of allotting cate’ was among the top trends in Haveli Lakkha police station He has previously been ap- court rejected Shaikh’s bail plea 265 acres of government land on Twitter earlier yesterday in October last year said that she pointed to the posts of secre- in the case. illegally. morning. According to a first was kidnapped by three men who tary, local government Sindh The court, while hearing the The land, which was located Heavy monsoon rains in Karachi yesterday affected information report, Nasreen subjected her to physical torture board, secretary, finance case yesterday, remarked that in Landhi, was illegally allotted road traffic. Irshad was kidnapped on Au- and forced her to sign blank pa- Sindh, commissioner Hydera- Shaikh and nine others had been to the small cottage industry. gust 15 near Depalpur kutcheri, pers. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, August 26, 2020 QATAR For a cause: Qatari art initiative to support low-income families

By Joseph Varghese on the website. Individuals and Staff Reporter companies can view them online and buy them by paying elec- tronically,” she explained. Qatari artist in collabora- Al-Darwish noted that some of tion with Qatar Charity the most prominent artists in the Ahas initiated a community country – both Qataris and resi- campaign to support the low- dents – have joined the initiative. income families, especially those “The artists who have joined me aff ected by Covid-19. Founder in the initiative include some of of Hessa Art House, Hanadi al- the leading names such as Has- Darwish initiated the idea of the san al-Mulla, one of the pioneers project ‘We Are All for It.’ of art in Qatar, Abdullah al-Fa- Accordingly, paintings of sev- khro, Jamila Shuraim, Jawaher eral leading artists in the coun- al-Mannai among others. I hope try have been displayed on Qatar we will be able to raise a good Charity website which will be amount of money through this sold and the money donated to project and help a good number the very low-income families. of people,” she added. “We want to help them espe- Hanadi al-Darwish Those interested, can choose cially during the pandemic of any painting and make the pay- Covid-19 as several people are hit support low-income families to ment which will be used to sup- hard due to the prevailing situa- achieve social solidarity between port the low-income families. tion. A number of leading artists the society and needy groups,” Payment for the paintings is have joined the initiative so far,” continued al-Darwish. made through an electronic link al-Darwish told Gulf Times. “This is the fi rst campaign to be entered into the family aid “The aim of the project is to Hessa Art House has launched account. Once a painting is sold, provide awareness about human and we plan to add more of such it will be delivered to the buyer by and social dimensions of life. programmes in the near future. a representative of Qatar Charity Participating artists are rais- So far 42 paintings from diff er- from Sunday to Thursday from A painting by Hassan al-Mulla on display. ing awareness and advocacy to ent artists have been displayed 9am-2pm. A painting by Jawaher al-Mannai. MoU inked to off er services Mall of Qatar off ers wide to users of fast cycling track back-to-school collection From Page 1 operation with Ashghal, includ- agreement, which will help pro- ing safety campaigns, fi rst-aid vide services to users of the fast Dr Abdulaziz Jaham al-Ku- training for emergencies and cycling track on Al Khor Road.” ith the summer holi- wari praised the eff orts made to awareness sessions to educate The Supervisory Committee day coming to an end provide a secure and connected riders on the correct and safe of Beautifi cation of Roads and Wand the new academic network for cyclists. He stressed riding methods through cycle Public Places in Qatar works in year staring soon, Mall of Qatar the importance of co-operation tracks. co-ordination with several min- (MoQ) stores have an extensive between various entities in the Following the signing of the istries and other entities, such collection for parents to ensure country in order to promote a MoU, al-Saadi said: “We hope as the Ministry of Transport and a fresh and active school year healthy lifestyle and physical this agreement will contribute Communications, Ministry of ahead for their young ones. exercise. to encouraging all segments of Culture and Sports, Qatar Mu- The off erings by internation- “We seek to encourage all the society to practise sport on a seums, Qatar Rail and Private ally recognised brands include family members to use the fast regular basis.” Engineering Offi ce, among oth- bags, notebooks, paints, sta- track. The facilities include pro- Al-Hammadi said through ers. It is responsible for fi ve ma- tionery, scientifi c and art sup- vision of fi rst aid to those who the agreement, fi rst aid will be jor tasks: construction of central plies, in addition to the school are on the track as well as logis- provided to the fast track us- public parks, provision of dedi- supplies of schools, shoes, and tics services using motorcycles ers and assistance will be given cated tracks for pedestrians and attire, all in a one-stop destina- to provide emergency assist- during emergencies using mo- bicycles, development of Doha tion for all the back-to-school ance,” he said. torcycles. Corniche, development of Cen- essentials before the school bell The MoU’s scope also include Ali bin Towar al-Kuwari add- tral Doha and increasing aff or- rings. the organisation of events in co- ed, “We are pleased to sign the estation and green areas. “We are delighted to welcome parents at MoQ and off er an un- paralleled collection of school supplies under one roof in a safe and comfortable environment. On this occasion, we wish the students an active year and joy- The Mall of Qatar ful learning,” MoQ general man- ager Emile Sarkis said in a press tery Barn Kids, and Samsonite. statement. Stores at the mall Taking part in the competi- are ready to showcase their lat- tion is easy; followers need to est and newest collections in- give the right answer to weekly cluding Virgin Megastore, Pot- posted questions to get an op- tery Barn Kids, Claire’s, Salam portunity to receive one of many Stores, Aafaq Bookstore, Mosaf- prizes. er, Samsonite, Kipling and Tinc. MoQ urges all visitors to fol- Mohamed Arqoub al-Khaldi Abdulla al-Hammadi At the same time, the shop- low the instructions at the en- ping experience is further en- trances, to ensure the safety and hanced by CenterPoint, L C health of visitors, employees, Waikiki, among other stores and tenants. All visitors entering that off ers wide selection of in- the mall should show the green ternational brands products and code on the Ehteraz app on their complemented by a vast col- mobiles, wear masks, and always lection of shoes from Athlete’s maintain social distancing. Co, off ering a wide selection of Customers can also collect Stores at MoQ are ready to showcase their latest collections. leather soles and sports trainers. face masks and gloves from the Also, MoQ followers on so- customer services desks if re- regularly. The mall also installed Stores at MoQ are open from cial media have the chance to quired. Throughout the mall 80 handrails UV sanitisers to Sunday to Wednesday between win valuable prizes every week, corridor and hallways, more automatically disinfects the 10am and 10pm, from Thurs- including a distinctive set of than 70 hand sanitation stations handrails of the escalators and day to Friday between 10am and school collections from Virgin have been installed, allowing protect customers while they midnight, and Saturday between Ali bin Towar al-Kuwari Abdel Fattah al-Saadi Megastore, Salam Stores, Pot- visitors to sanitise their hands shop and dine in the mall. 10am and 11pm. QRCS extends medical support to Al-Jomhouri Hospital in Taiz

s the Covid-19 spread rate rises in Yemen, Qatar Red ACrescent Society (QRCS) has gone ahead with support- ing local health professionals to protect their lives against the virus. This will ensure that they con- tinue to serve patients and carry out their medical tasks amid dif- fi cult humanitarian conditions suff ered by the Yemeni people. “QRCS is here to bring all the safety supplies for our medical staff ,” said Dr Ferial Mohamed Ahmed, head of the Department of Isolation at Al-Jomhouri Dr Ahmed thanked QRCS for acting promptly to help the physicians, QRCS delivered medical protective supplies in the presence of Hospital in Taiz. Medical support for Al-Jomhouri Hospital in Taiz. which greatly reduced the risks of the pandemic. directors of Taiz Public Health and Population Off ice and the hospital. She met QRCS’s representa- tive, who delivered medical pro- their work without fear from in- Dr Ahmed thanked QRCS for tion centre, Al-Jomhouri Hos- played a signifi cant role in pro- departments. We would like to humanitarian interventions for tective supplies in the presence fection. acting promptly to help the phy- pital lacks the basic medical re- viding medical aid to control thank them and urge them to the brotherly people of Yemen. of the directors of the Taiz Pub- Today, we are even more re- sicians, which greatly reduced sources, including consumables, the coronavirus outbreak. They give us more assistance to over- It covers three governorates lic Health and Population Offi ce assured as all the staff members the risks of the pandemic. disinfectants and detergents.” provided Al-Jomhouri Hospi- come this pandemic, which has (Sana’a, Taiz and Saada), where and the hospital. of the isolation and other de- “This support comes in a too In a statement, Dr Rajeh al- tal with protective supplies for weighed heavily on many al- workers at health facilities are “With the previous support, partments are given protective bad situation in Taiz,” she added. Maleeki, director of the Taiz medical staff of the coronavirus ready-suff ering Yemeni people.” provided with all Covid-19 pro- our medical staff could resume equipment.” “While assigned as an isola- Health Offi ce, said: “QRCS isolation centre, as well as other The project is part of QRCS’s tective supplies.