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MONDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11965 July 5, 2021 Dhul-Qa’da 25, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir congratulates PM honours engineers of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor PM meets Jordanian minister US president 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 of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to US President Joe Biden on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. (QNA) 45 killed in Philippine military plane crash At least 45 people were killed and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz dozens injured yesterday when a al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting Jordanian Minister of Interior Mazin Philippine military aircraft carrying Abdellah Hilal al-Farrayeh and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, troops crashed and burst into they reviewed bilateral relations, as well as ways to enhance them, especially in flames after missing the runway in HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani honoured yesterday the security fields. They also discussed the most prominent regional and international the country’s south, off icials said. engineers of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) who excelled in the completion of the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor developments of joint interest. After the meeting, HE the Prime Minister and the Nearly a hundred people, most of project. He honoured the 24 distinguished male and female engineers for completing the project, praising their eff orts in Jordanian minister of interior signed a co-operation agreement in the security field them recent army graduates, were implementing the project according to the approved specifications. The honouring ceremony was held amid precautionary between the governments of Qatar and Jordan. HE the Prime Minister hosted a on the C-130 Hercules transport and preventive measures to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). (QNA) Page 2 luncheon banquet in honour of the Jordanian delegation. (QNA) Page 2 plane which was trying to land on Jolo island in Sulu province around midday. Some of the soldiers were seen jumping out of the plane before it hit the ground and exploded into QC to build 1,400 homes for flames, said Major General William 75% of people over 16 get one Covid shot Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force-Sulu. Page 9 displaced Syrians in Turkey hree out of every four people With this, 75.3% of the population Covid-19 among the community and aged 16 years and above in Qatar aged 16 years and above have now 57 among travellers, Qatar News Agen- delegation of Qatar Charity addition to the basic facilities. It is Thave received at least one dose received at least one dose of the vac- cy reported. It also recorded 189 recov- (QC) has arrived in Turkey to also expected to include kindergar- of the Covid-19 vaccine, data pub- cine, while 64.2% have received both eries from the virus during the past 24 Alay the foundation stone for tens, and primary, preparatory and lished by the Ministry of Public Health doses. hours, bringing the total number of re- a large shelter project for the ben- secondary schools for boys and girls, (MoPH) yesterday show. Also, 93.1% of people above 40 years coveries in Qatar to 220,449. efi t of internally displaced Syrians. in addition to a vocational school. The MoPH said 3,249,265 Covid-19 have been vaccinated with at least one “In recent weeks, the combined This comes as part of Qatar Charity’s The city will also have a mosque, vaccine doses have been administered dose while 84% have got both doses. impact of Covid-19 restrictions and continued eff orts to provide qualita- a primary health care centre, a mar- in the country since the start of the As for people above 60 years (the most increasing vaccination rates, and the tive shelters for the vulnerable. ket, administrative buildings, green programme, with 22,957 doses given vulnerable population group), 97.6% overwhelming support of the commu- The residential city, which is spaces, and children’s play areas, in in the past 24 hours. A break-up of the have received at least one dose and nity, has resulted in a consistent reduc- considered to be one of the largest addition to integrated infrastructure data reveals that 1,760,633 people have 92.5% both doses. tion in the number of new daily infec- housing projects for the displaced for water, sanitation, and electricity been vaccinated with at least one dose Meanwhile, the MoPH yesterday tions in the country,” the ministry said Syrians, will have 1,400 homes, in services, and roads. To Page 12 while 1,488,632 have got both doses. reported 64 new confi rmed cases of in a statement yesterday. To Page 4 Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 5, 2021 QATAR

PM honours engineers of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project Qatar-Jordan security pact signed

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani honoured yesterday the engineers of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) who excelled in the completion of the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting Jordanian Minister of Interior Mazin Abdellah Hilal al-Farrayeh and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations. After the meeting, HE the Prime Minister and Jordanian minister of interior signed a co-operation agreement in the security field between the governments of Qatar and Jordan.

FM meets Togo counterpart

Al-Thawadi stresses football’s power to inspire and unite HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting Togo Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Co-operation and African Integration Robert Dussey. At the meeting, bilateral relations and ways to enhance them were at UN conference discussed, besides stressing on mutual support at international forums. assan al-Thawadi, Ansari, chairman of the Safety secretary-general of and Security Operations Com- Hthe Supreme Commit- mittee (SSOC), FIFA World Cup Saudi foreign ministry official meets tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar 2022, chaired the breakout called on the international session. Qatar’s acting charge d’affaires community to recognise the He said: “Recognising the power of sport during a confer- importance of sport in build- Saudi Arabia’s ence organised by the United ing healthy, resilient individuals Undersecretary of the Nations (UN). and stable societies is not a new Ministry of Foreign Aff airs He was a guest speaker dur- concept. For millennia, it is rec- for Protocol Aff airs Khalid ing the Second UN High-Level ognised as a helpful tool to chan- bin Faisal al-Sahli met with Conference of Heads of Counter nel youthful energies, bringing Acting Charge d’Aff aires Terrorism Agencies of Member communities together, teach of Qatar’s embassy States, which was held online crucial life skills and disciplines, in Riyadh Hassan bin from June 28-30. The confer- and enhance physical and mental Mansour al-Khater. The ence theme was ‘Countering health; combating loneliness and meeting reviewed aspects and Preventing Terrorism in the isolation among marginalised of bilateral co-operation. Age of Transformative Tech- Hassan al-Thawadi people and communities. Al-Khater congratulated nologies: Addressing the Chal- “Qatar is determined to use al-Sahli on his appointment lenges of the New Decade’. the power of sport to positively to the position, and Speaking during a breakout impact young lives and create wished him success in his session focused on the preven- sustainable social development assignments. tion of terrorism through inno- in vulnerable communities as vative programmes, sport and part of the journey towards host- behavioural insights to unite ing the FIFA World Cup in 2022. communities and build resilient This fact is confi rmed by research societies, al-Thawadi outlined and studies that show the soci- the various legacy programmes etal benefi ts of sport for young Qatar embassy in Panama takes part in implemented by Qatar to lev- people through giving them pos- erage the hosting of the FIFA itive energy that enables them to Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum World Cup, and stressed the participate in sports activities, importance of using sport to while at the same time providing address the root causes of ex- them with an alternative to the tremism, sc.qa reported. negative aspects of social media, Al-Thawadi said: “Securing especially those related to crime, the event itself from a counter- Generation Amazing has built more than 30 football pitches in extremism and terrorism. There terrorism perspective is a major disadvantaged communities and positively impacted the lives of is no doubt that this approach task, requiring careful collabo- more than 725,000 people since being launched in 2010. will benefi t individuals and soci- ration with a wide network of eties in general.” partnerships across institu- Major-General al-Ansari con- tions, nations and borders. The cluded: “Qatar may be among inauguration of the UN Offi ce the safest countries in the world of Counter Terrorism’s Interna- but we share in the responsibility tional Hub on Behavioural In- to keep everyone safe. After all, sights last December is timely. terrorists only have to succeed I have absolutely no doubt that once – we have to succeed every we will work closely with our time. Qatar pledges to co-oper- partners in the United Nations ate, co-ordinate, share and pool to deliver a successful and secure our knowledge from hosting the World Cup. greatest tournament in the world “I’m even more confi dent The SC has implemented a range of health and safety programmes and to give that knowledge to the Qatar’s embassy in Panama participated in the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, which that the international commu- to protect workers and introduced forums to encourage world in the same way as we have was held in the Parliament of Latin America and the Caribbean, QNA reported. A large number of nity must truly recognise and grievances to be raised. so graciously been given it by parliamentarians and governmental off icials participated. During the forum, Qatar’s ambassador in responsibly leverage the power other countries.” Panama Saad bin Mubarak al-Nuaimi delivered a speech on Qatar’s eff orts to confront international of sport to contribute towards utilises the power of football established UN Offi ce of Counter Captain Hamad Abdulla al- security challenges and combat terrorism. addressing the root causes of ex- to bring about social change in Terrorism’s International Hub on Sulaiti, deputy head, Planning & tremism proliferating through- countries across the world. Gen- Behavioural Insights in Doha to Follow-Up Unit, SSOC, also took out our world. Sport’s potential eration Amazing has built more complement its counter-terror- part in the conference. is too great, and too infl uential, than 30 football pitches in disad- ism mission. Al-Thawadi added: Captain al-Sulaiti outlined to overlook or dismiss. And that’s vantaged communities and posi- “As incubators of the pioneering Qatar’s approach to gathering why we have worked tirelessly to tively impacted the lives of more B4Development, an organisation security knowledge, includ- ensure that 2022 leaves genuine than 725,000 people since being for behavioural insights in the ing learning from expert bod- Training course for Customs staff on lasting social legacies that make a launched in 2010. global south, our intention is to ies around the world such as diff erence in communities across Further, he spoke about B4De- ensure that the work continues Interpol, Europol and the UN. the world for decades to come.” velopment (B4D) – the fi rst beyond the World Cup and our “We have brought international preparedness for N-emergencies ends Al-Thawadi referenced the behavioural economics unit to co-operation with the interna- experts from many countries to major strides made in relation be launched in the region. B4D tional hub through B4Develop- work alongside and advise our to workers’ welfare during his has been heavily involved in SC ment and Generation Amazing planning and operational teams. national training course for Customs em- co-operation with the International Atomic Energy speech. The SC has implemented projects – including to encourage serves as the foundation for a We commission a quarterly re- ployees on preparedness and response to Agency (IAEA). The training course comes within a range of health and safety pro- grievances to be raised by work- long-lasting collaborative part- view of worldwide terrorism and Anuclear or radiological emergencies at bor- the technical co-operation programmes between grammes to protect workers and ers and to boost participation in nership addressing those root extremism. We review the les- der crossings concluded,QNA reported. Qatar and the IAEA under the project “Strength- introduced forums to encourage Generation Amazing projects. causes, and leading on leveraging sons from these events as they Sixty employees took part in the fi ve-day course ening National Capabilities in the Field of Prepar- grievances to be raised. He also Moving forward, B4D and sport to counter extremism and must relate to Qatar and adjust which was organised by the Ministry of Munici- edness and Response to Radiological and Nuclear discussed the SC’s Generation Generation Amazing will work terrorism.” our protective security footprint pality and Environment, represented by the Ra- Emergencies”, and as part of the national capacity Amazing programme, which hand-in-hand with the recently Major-General Abdulaziz al- in line with our discussions.” diation and Chemicals Protection Department, in building programmes. Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 3 QATAR

Ministry urges members of the public to be wary of cyber-criminals

By Ayman Adly circumstances of the society trusted and well-known web- Staff Reporter where they live, using this in- sites, and avoid even opening un- formation to trap their potential known or untrusted links. victims. In the meantime, he advised ith the increasing Lieutenant Ahmed added that parents to exercise parental con- number of diff erent the scammers know that people trol on the content that their Wtypes of online crimes buy online a lot and may ask their children are viewing and the such as hacking, fraud, threat victims to share their credit card games they play, through the and blackmail, people should be 2018 to combat the rising risks of Any attempts of blackmailing, information, claiming that the various software and technical extra careful when conducting cyber-crimes and cyber-security threatening or breach of confi - victim had won a prize or have tools available for this. any online transaction and take challenges, which have become dentiality, should be reported to pay a small delivery fee before There are laws, including Law all the necessary precautions at more and more common. immediately to the department proceeding forward. No 4 for 2017, to protect the all time when dealing with such The offi cer also explained the through Metrash2, e-mail:cccc@ Accordingly, he emphasised sanctity of private life of the peo- things, an awareness webinar by provisions of Law No 14 for 2014 moi.gov.qa, the hotline: that everyone should be respon- ple in Qatar. the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has promulgating the Cybercrime 66815757, telephone:2347444, or sible for his own cyber-safety Lieutenant Ahmed said that stressed. Prevention Law and its amend- in person at the department. and security. the law prohibits taking pictures The webinar on the Financial ments to cover all the types of The offi cer explained that the He recommended that people or videos of road accident vic- and Cyber Crimes and Preven- crimes that involve the use of penalties for such crimes ac- change their e-mail password tims and sharing them, in addi- tion Methods was held yesterday Internet and information tech- cording to the law can go up to more often, selecting powerful tion to taking photos of people by the Public Relations Depart- nology. fi ve years in jail and a fi ne start- combinations of letters, fi gures in the public areas without their ment at the MoI. Lieutenant Ahmed strongly ing from QR10,000 and up to and symbols, and never share it consent, as there are strict pen- It was presented by Lieutenant advised people not to respond QR500,000 or any of these, with anybody. alties for this. Ahmed Hamad Hassan al-Thani, to scammers or perpetrators of and people can have more in- Further, they should not use He stressed that online risks awareness offi cer at the Econom- fraudulent or suspicious activi- formation on the legal issues one password for all their online and threats aff ect both individu- ic and Cyber Crimes Department ties. through Qatar legal portal www. accounts and platforms, as in als and companies, government at (MoI), who introduced the People should immediately almeezan.qa. case one of these is hacked, the and private institutes in various various related public services of block such contacts and discon- The offi cer said that scammers hacker could have access to all ways to gain illegal and unau- A Ministry of Interior online advisory asking the public ‘never to the department. nect them from all sorts of online and fraudulent people often such accounts. thorised access to restricted in- open or download attachments from unknown sources as they may He pointed out that the de- communications to avoid poten- know how to manipulate their Lieutenant Ahmed also ad- formation and services to misuse contain viruses and malware’. partment was created in the late tial losses. targeted victims and know the vised people to only buy through them. MME, retailers join hands to send a green message

International Plastic Bag Free Right: Awareness messages at a Day observed in Qatar Carrefour outlet.

he Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment T(MME), represented by the Public Relations Department (Awareness Section) and the Of- fi ce of the Assistant Undersec- retary for Public Services Aff airs (Waste Recycling and Treatment, General Cleanliness Depart- ment), organised several aware- ness events on the occasion of International Plastic Bag Free Day, which falls on July 3 every year. The events, according to an MME press statement, were or- ganised with the participation of LuLu Hypermarket, Al Meera, Carrefour, and talabat in the Paper bag distribution in co-operation with presence of ministry offi cials and Use of paper bags at an Al Meera outlet. talabat. other participating entities. Off icials taking part in the initiative at a LuLu Hypermarket outlet. The programmes included ed- various institutions, stickers “Environment-friendly bags as part of the ministry’s eff orts ucating members of the public, achieve Qatar National Vision markets and talabat. ness about the dangers of plastic were placed on shopping carts were distributed to various sec- to create sustainable, environ- including visitors to malls and 2030. Several awareness activities use while sending invitations to while plastic bags were replaced tions of the public. The campaign ment-friendly cities and to pro- shopping centres, on the issue by The events were aimed at en- were also organised on social government agencies and insti- with paper ones in the vegetables aims to reduce the consumption mote alternatives to plastic “for distributing awareness materials couraging members of society media (#FutureWithoutPlastic) tutions seeking their participa- and fruits sections of hypermar- of regular single-use plastic bags our future and the sustainability and environmentally-friendly to reduce the use of single-use to raise public awareness about tion in the initiative. kets. and promote the use of alterna- of our resources”. bags. plastic bags and replace them the importance of using reusable Educational videos were also Hassan Nasr al-Nasr, assist- tives made of cloth,” he added. Offi cials from LuLu Hyper- This was done with the aim of with recycled bags. bags and reducing the use of sin- circulated, and these were aimed ant director of Waste Recycling Nouf Bakhmis, head of the market, Carrefour, Al Meera, informing the public of the need Accordingly, thousands of gle-use plastic bags that pollute at reducing the consumption of and Treatment at the MME, said Awareness Section at the MME’s and talabat thanked the MME to reduce the use of plastic bags environment-friendly bags were the environment. plastic materials. that such events come in co-op- Public Relations Department, for organising the initiative and in order to preserve and sus- distributed through the partici- Competitions were organised In addition to placing adver- eration with leading retailers and said that observing Internation- praised the ministry’s eff orts to tain the environment, and help pating entities, including hyper- on social media to spread aware- tisements at the entrances of other entities. al Plastic Bag Free Day comes reduce plastic bags.

MoI to hold webinar on Search and Follow-up Qatar ‘reconfi gured itself and its airline in the right way’ Department’s services The Public Relations Department at the By Joey Aguilar Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced Staff Reporter that it is organising an awareness webinar on the services of the Search and Follow-up department for the public. atar has reconfi gured It will be held in association with the Search itself and its airline in and Follow-up Department, under the General Qthe right way amid the Directorate of Passports, at 9.30am on novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Wednesday (July 7) via Zoom. pandemic, moving heavily into Accordingly, the Public Relations Department cargo and developing further has invited the Admin/Human Resources/ as a transit hub, Simon Cas- Finance/Safety and Security managers son, the president of Hotel Op- and PROs of public and private companies; erations ((Europe, Middle East, community leaders and representatives; and Africa) at Four Seasons Simon Casson The Seasons Tea lounge and lobby of the Four Seasons hotel in Doha. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam and supplied Admin/HR and Finance managers and PROs Hotels and Resorts, has said. of schools; and the general public to attend “If you look at decades past, be there, you are always happy providing shelter, food, and early days.” “You can only do that “I think the ways they will he said. “Trust in the brand be- the webinar that will be held in Arabic with cities that have developed to arrive early for a fl ight so water goes back to the begin- in partnership with a great own- change is that people will be comes even more important, translation to English. themselves as major tourism you can enjoy the shopping ning of time since humanity er-partner who has the vision to looking at how seriously you take because when people start to The registration form is available at https:// centres have done it through and the restaurants and all the started to travel the world. invest in a world-class building,” health and safety, and it’s some- travel again, they have to adapt forms.gle/EUAfyHZrJ5tfDsGn9 airports and airlines,” he told facilities they have there.” About preparing Four Sea- he added. “If you look around thing we moved very quickly on – no one is used to it.” The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/618 Gulf Times during his recent He said that he admires the sons Hotel Doha for the pres- now at the fabrics, the design by as a company at the beginning of As part of its expansion, Cas- 6754109?pwd=Z2M0VmtGc1RjOTZ5OGxtakc4e visit to Doha. “Qatar stands “extraordinary resilience” of tigious football tournament in Pierre-Yves Rochon, this is one the pandemic,” Casson said. son said Four Seasons opened WE3UT09, while the meeting ID is 618 675 4109 on that podium with best-in- QNTC secretary-general HE 2022, Casson said that the ho- of the most famous hotel design- “We recognised very early its fi rst hotel in Spain – in Ma- and the passcode 12345. class nations who have been Akbar al-Baker, who is also tel has seen a signifi cant fi nan- ers in the world.” that this was serious, and a lot drid – last year and it is set to in- able to leverage the market- the oneworld alliance Govern- cial investment, renovating “And so, it’s the people of of things were going to change,” augurate another hotel in Sicily. ing and value of the country ing Board chairman and Qatar every room and suite, and the Four Seasons that ultimately he pointed out. “So, the sen- “I look after Europe, Middle Met : ‘Noticeable rise’ in through its national carrier.” Airways Group chief execu- lobby, and doubling the size of make the diff erence, because ior leadership of the company East and Africa, and we have 15 humidity until midweek Casson, who discussed the tive, which has a “signifi cant the banquets and catering area the guests who come and stay in realised it was important not or 20 projects that are very ac- growing demand for post-pan- presence in global aviation”. in the past two years – making Doha are paying for the location, just for us to say ‘we are safe’ or tive across the region, including The country is expected to witness a demic luxury travel, lauded the “He is an optimist and a be- it “a hotel which is right at the for the brand, for the security, for ‘these procedures are safe’, be- here in the Middle East,” he said. “noticeable rise” in relative humidity until eff orts of the Qatar National liever. He doesn’t just sit there top of the local market”. the interiors – all of that they are cause at the end of the day we “Africa is a continent where we the middle of this week due to a shift in wind Tourism Council (QNTC) and and wait for things to happen, “When I was general man- paying for,” Casson said. are hoteliers, not scientists – we are under-represented, as we direction to easterly, the Qatar Met department Qatar Airways in promoting he goes out there and makes a ager here and the bid was “But those same guests – and I are not medical professionals.” have two hotels, so we are ac- has said. In a post on social media yesterday, Qatar as a leisure, business and diff erence,” Casson noted. “I’ve awarded, I immediately signed was telling the hotel team – know Casson noted that they en- tively looking to progress with the department said the winds will range in sports tourism destination. no doubt that all of Qatar can the contract committing this they cannot pay for someone to tered into a consulting agree- some new deals there as well.” speed from light to moderate at times. Qatar, he said, has always be very proud of what Akbar al- hotel to be at the service of the genuinely care about their expe- ment with Johns Hopkins Asked what makes Doha spe- There are chances of misty to foggy conditions been a country with a long- Baker and the team have done.” country for the World Cup,” he rience,” he added. “They cannot Medicine International, the cial for the Four Seasons brand, in some areas late at night and early in term vision for tourism with all Given all the developments recalled. “The hotel couldn’t be pay for someone to go out of their global division of healthcare Casson said that they created a the morning, especially on Tuesday and stakeholders making a massive in vaccinations and work to better prepared. It’s always been way to create a special moment and research leader Johns hotel that was transformative Wednesday, causing low horizontal visibility of eff ort to boost travel and tour- curb the spread of Covid-19, a building that’s been architec- or a memorable experience.” Hopkins Medicine. for the Qatar hospitality market. less than 2km. “Please be careful and follow ism, “and the results are clear, he expressed optimism that turally impressive and occupies “That’s something that “We have partnered with “We really set a benchmark latest updates through our off icial accounts,” together with the resilience of recovery of the hospitality a special place here in West Bay.” money can’t buy,” Casson said. them for the past year and a half and said this is where luxury the department advised. Today’s detailed the country and its people”. sector in the country will be “We didn’t come to Qatar as In the post-pandemic era, he so they could advise us on our really is,” he noted. “I think forecast says hazy to misty conditions are “When you look at Hamad both gradual and strong. a brand in 2005 to be second or said guests’ expectations will health and safety programme, this benefi ted the country and expected in some places at first, followed by a International Airport, it’s He noted that hospitality is third, we came here to be the continue to be high, especially Lead With Care. That’s been other hotels to come in the hot day and humid conditions by night. among the best in the world,” an industry that is thousands best,” Casson stated. “And I think for a leading luxury hotel and re- really important, and I think market and believe they can do The temperature is likely to range from 33-40C Casson said. “It’s just a treat to of years old – the concept of we established that during those sort company like Four Seasons. that guests sense it and see it,” business in Qatar.” in Doha today. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 5, 2021 QATAR

Qatar’s embassy supplies medical aid to National Children’s Hospital in El Salvador The Qatar embassy in El Salvador has provided Qeeri’s second Science medical assistance to the National Children’s Hospital (Benjamin Bloom), which included medical equip- ment and supplies, recrea- tional materials for children Majlis promotes and basic health products, QNA reported. El Salvador’s Vice-Minister of Health, Carlos Alvarenga, received the aid at a ceremony, organised by the health awareness on managing ministry. The general hospi- tal provides healthcare for children, especially patients with cancer, kidney failure and heart disease. The Salvadoran Vice-Minister scarce water resources of Health expressed his thanks to Qatar for the atar Environment and En- donation. Acting Charge ergy Research Institute d’Aff aires at the Qatar em- Q(Qeeri) at Hamad Bin Khalifa bassy in San Salvador, Tariq University (HBKU) recently held the Othman al-Othman, said second in its series of Science Majlis the support comes as part initiatives, as part of the institute’s of the series of assistance 2021 community outreach pro- provided by Qatar to the gramme to promote greater aware- Salvadoran government ness of its research projects. during the Covid-19 pandemic, reiterating the state’s keenness to continue working More than 100 participants at- to support the friendly people of El Salvador and to make eff orts to confront the tended the online session, which current health crisis in the country. featured Dr Jenny Lawler, senior research director at the Water Cen- tre, Qeeri, exploring the topic, ‘The Management and Distribution of Shafallah launches summer activity for the disabled Water Resources in Qatar’. She explained how Qatar and the The Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities, a Qatar Social Work subordinate, launched Arab world are preparing to face a the fifth edition of its summer programme yesterday under the slogan “Stay at home...your looming water crisis. Referring to Participants in the online session. summer on the platform”, via its online platform, QNA reported. the various water processes Qatar is The participation will be available to all persons with disabilities in Qatar. Al Shafallah Centre actively using, such as water desali- water, and environment that Qa- is utilised to the maximum, are re- ter problem, which has the potential executive director Laalee Mohamed Abu Alfin said that this year’s summer activity aims to nation and wastewater treatment, tar is facing. Everyone has a role to ally interesting. In line with Qatar to aff ect human beings but also all strengthen the centre’s initiative in providing the best educational, training and rehabilitation Dr Lawler spoke about the role that play, and through events like Sci- National Vision 2030, Qeeri is com- living things in the world. I believe services for its aff iliates and contribute to transferring aff iliates from the routine and usual Qeeri is playing to preserve and en- ence Majlis, we are hoping to hear mitted to supporting the nation in it is important we know where our atmosphere, through the implementation of various activities in an entertainment framework. hance the way water is used in Qatar. the community’s point of view and ensuring that our research informs water comes from, and how it is She emphasised at the same time on activating extra-curricular activities to provide Science Majlis provides a plat- to build a strong collaboration with the most effi cient use of its water treated and utilised. associates with experiences and skills during the summer period. She explained the activity form for experts from Qeeri and the community we serve. To speak resources. “This session by Qeeri’s experts will contribute eff ectively to employing the capabilities of the aff iliates via the implementation members of the community in Qa- to them directly and hear their feed- “I thoroughly enjoyed the inter- helped us learn and appreciate the of purposeful activities during their spare time, adding that the summer activity this year will tar and further afi eld to engage in back provides us with unique and action that we had with the commu- research into water resources. De- be held on the Microsoft Teams programme. Abu Alfin pointed out that the summer activity informal discussions on energy, valuable insights and helps us assess nity. It is a two-way learning process spite an audience of diff erent ages and will be held between July 4 and August 4, four sessions per week from Sunday to Wednesday water, and environment topics rel- how we can do better for the people even for us. Some of the questions scientifi c capabilities, Dr Lawler was from 9am-12pm. evant to the country. The forum is living in the country.” we get, especially from the younger able to break down the science and designed to actively engage attend- Commenting on her experience, members of the community, are explain it in a way that all of us could ees of all ages, by off ering them an Dr Lawler said: “Despite water be- quite thought-provoking, and go a understand. I look forward to more insight into the research carried out ing a resource that we cannot live long way in inspiring us.” such sessions from the institute.” at Qeeri, making it more accessible without, a lot of people don’t have Seyma Durukan, a student who The next Qeeri event will be and better understood. a clear understanding of where it attended the event from Turkey, the second edition of its Inter- Dr Marc Vermeersch, executive comes from, and how it is managed found the Science Majlis an educa- national Conference in Sustain- director at Qeeri, said: “We believe and disposed of. Topics like drinking tional and insightful experience. “I able Energy-Water-Environment that community engagement and water provision, wastewater treat- am very happy that Qeeri conducts Nexus in Desert Climates 2021 awareness is key in tackling the ment and fi ltration processes, and not only national but also regional (ICSEWEN’21), scheduled for grand challenges related to energy, how we can ensure that every drop and international studies on the wa- November 22-25.

Ministry of Culture and Sports to celebrate Arab Youth Day

The Ministry of Culture and Sports, represented of targeted youth programmes and activities, announced a scholarship in co-operation with by the Youth Aff airs Department, will participate within the framework of the joint Arab action strategic partner, the Ministry of Culture and in celebrating the Arab Youth Day, for the first in the youth sector, aimed at promoting co- Sports of Qatar. time today, QNA reported. operation and the exchange of expertise and The scholarship is an employment skills The Executive Off ice of the Council of Arab experiences between youth leaders in various diploma that helps the jobseeker for work Ministers for Youth and Sports agreed in its Arab countries, in order to face challenges requirements, such as eff ective communication, 66th session to celebrate the Arab Youth Day on and respond to current and emerging youth developing success skills, building relationships, July 5, aiming to draw the attention of the Arab problems and issues. designing the CV and creativity in job community to youth issues, and to celebrate Al-Rumaihi noted that the Youth Aff airs interviews. The diploma includes 65 training the potential of this group as a major partner Department will launch an initiative to support hours in four sections: work requirements, in the societies of the region, emphasising that the youth in Qatar (citizens and Arab residents), digital skills, curriculum vitae, and job youth are not just beneficiaries, rather they are in co-operation with the Local Committee of the interviews. leaders and essential partners in the eff orts to Arab Trainers Union, which will be a diploma in Youth centres and youth committees at sports find solutions to issues facing development in employment skills to empower Qatari and Arab clubs will also participate in the activities to the Arab world, and in providing the necessary youth, with the most important skills required mark the Arab Youth Day. For example, the support for the future of their countries. for the labour market. She noted that all youth Media Center for Youth will present a panel To mark the occasion, youth centres and centres and youth committees in sports clubs in discussion on the importance of media; the youth committees at sports clubs in Qatar will Qatar have been asked to focus on organising Simaisma and Al-Daayen Girls Forum will organise a number of youth activities aimed youth events on this day, to highlight youth present a training workshop on empowerment at strengthening ties between Arab youth, issues in the Arab world, based on the fact that and skills; Al Wakra Youth Center will organise emphasising their important role in developing Qatari youth, who are proud of their national a symposium on creative skills for youth in and advancing their societies, and in finding identity and belonging to the Arab nation, are co-operation with the Nama Center and Qatar solutions to their problems. an integral part of Arab youth. Business Incubation Center; Qatar Scientific Director of the Youth Aff airs Department at the The Local Committee for Employment Skills, Club will organise a symposium on information Ministry of Culture and Sports Maha al-Rumaihi on behalf of the Arab Trainers Union which security and ethical hacking, and Qatar said that the ministry will celebrate the first operates within the framework of the Council Volunteer Center will hold a dialogue session on edition of the Arab Youth Day through a host of Arab Economic Unity of the Arab League, the obstacles facing the youth in volunteering.

75% of people over 16 get at least one Covid shot

From Page 1 No quarantine in Morocco for vaccinated “However, it is still important to be visitors from Qatar cautious as the second wave is not yet over and there are still two highly con- People arriving in Morocco from Qatar are tagious and highly virulent strains of exempted from quarantine, provided they the virus that are actively circulating in are vaccinated against Covid-19, Qatar’s the community,” the statement noted. embassy in Rabat has said in a social The second phase of the gradual lift- media notification. This comes into eff ect ing of precautionary restrictions began at 11.59pm on July 6 as part of Morocco’s on June 18 and is part of a four-stage updated travel regulations. Morocco plan to be implemented over the com- has issued two lists, A and B, for diff erent ing months. countries. In its notification yesterday, the The date of implementation and the embassy said travellers from List B (which duration of each phase will depend on includes Qatar) are required to submit a the pandemic indicators, which rely to negative result of a PCR test done no more a great extent on the degree of compli- than 48 hours before travel, indicating ance of the community members with that they are classified in two categories: the current measures, restrictions and 1. Holders of a certificate proving that guidance by the government. 174 face prosecution over Covid-19 violations they are fully vaccinated with any of the It is important during the current Covid-19 vaccines accepted in Morocco, period that all members of society, in- The designated authorities have referred 174 people to the prosecution are exempted from quarantine. 2. Persons cluding those who have received the for violating the precautionary and preventive measures enforced by the who have not yet received the vaccine, or vaccination, continue to wear masks as country to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) who are not fully vaccinated, must undergo recommended and continue to adhere said yesterday. Among them, 165 people were referred to the prosecu- 10-day quarantine at their own expense at to social distancing, the MoPH stressed. tion for not wearing masks in places where they are mandatory, and nine designated places. The vaccines accepted The statement continued: “With persons for not maintaining safe physical distancing. in Morocco are AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Covid-19 still a threat to our health here Sputnik, Pfizer/Biontech, Johnson & in Qatar, it is important for everyone to Johnson (Jannsen), Covishield, Moderna play their role in controlling the virus tancing; avoiding close contact people congregate; wearing a and Sinovac. by following precautionary measures.” with others, crowded places and face mask; and washing hands These are adherence to physical dis- confi ned closed spaces where regularly. Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 5 QATAR

State Audit Bureau president meets UN, Tunisian officials Panel discussion on Qatar’s Islamic architecture

HE the President of the The Qatari Forum for Authors Qatar’s contributions to Islamic State Audit Bureau and organised a panel discussion titled architecture are a testament to chairman of the Executive ‘Islamic Civilisation and Architecture’, history, with monuments that clearly Council of the Arab presented by researcher and plastic reflect the art of Islamic civilisation, Organisation of Supreme artist Mohamed Ali Abel, as part worthy of being the capital of Islamic Audit Institutions of the activities of Doha, Capital of culture, most notably, the Education (Arabosai), Sheikh Bandar Culture in the Islamic World 2021 City Mosque, a modern building with bin Mohamed bin Saud initiative. an Islamic identity and character al-Thani, met the UN The lecturer reviewed Qatar’s inspired by the character of Islamic Under-Secretary-General pivotal role and its positive impact architecture, consisting of the two and Executive Secretary in preserving Islamic architecture in high minarets and numerous Islamic of the UN Economic and the region, pointing to the mention inscriptions adorning its exterior and Social Commission for of Qatar in the pre-Islamic Arab interior walls. Western Asia (ESCWA), heritage as well as the Islamic The Museum of Islamic Art, which is Dr Rola Dashti (top heritage. a beacon of Islamic heritage, is with right), yesterday. The researcher indicated that the old external surfaces designed in the During the meeting, building system was very accurate, form of ancient Islamic palaces and they discussed bilateral which is called the rules and laws of historical mosques in Qatar, the Mosque of Imam Muhammad bin relations between the Gulf architecture with pebbles and including Al Qebab Mosque or the Abdulwahhab and its external prayer Arabosai and the ESCWA mud, which are possibilities that only Domes Mosque was called the Forty- squares and the domes that are and ways to enhance Gulf construction knows, explaining Four Mosque because it contains 44 successively laid in an ancient Islamic co-operation in the field that Qatar revived the original domes, built by Sheikh Jassim bin character, represent one of the of audit work, especially scheme of Islamic mosques more Mohammad, the founder in 1878, as monuments of Islamic architecture, the contribution of Arab than ten years ago. this type of mosque is considered an and many other ancient and modern supreme audit bodies He pointed to the most important authentic style. monuments. to achieve sustainable development goals. The president of the State Audit Bureau and chairman of the Executive Council of the Arab Organisation of Supreme Katara names winners of short story contest Audit Institutions (Arabosai), also met the he Cultural Village Foundation First President of the (Katara) announced the win- Audit Court of Tunisia Tners of the Katara short story and Secretary-General of competition, which was launched as the Arabosai, Najib Salim part of the activities of Doha, Capital al-Qatari (bottom right) , of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, yesterday. and as a continuation of the short sto- During the meeting, the ry competitions that Katara launches two discussed bilateral annually in the holy month of Ram- relations and ways to adan. enhance co-operation The Sudanese contestant Moham- in the areas of oversight ed Ismail won fi rst place for his story From right: Mohamed Ismail, Suzan Ibrahim al-Saabi and Ahmad Abdul-Imam work and efforts to entitled The Brothers of Youssef and a Jabri. improve the performance prize of QR15,000. of the Arabosai. The Syrian contestant Suzan Ibra- tached to the relationship of kinship The Katara Short Story Competi- him al-Saabi won second place for her and charity to relatives. tion allowed writers of both sexes to story Away from a Balcony, and a prize For the fi rst time, participation in participate without age restrictions, of QR12,000, while the third place was the competition was available from provided that the contestant had the awarded to the Iranian contestant, participants from outside Qatar, right to participate in only one story. Ahmad Abdul-Imam Jabri, for his sto- where the number of participants Katara has launched a package of ry Dwar and won a prize of QR10,000. reached 438 contestants. competitions during the last period Katara launched the competition Among the conditions stipulated within the activities of Doha, Capital during the period from the beginning for the competition, the story was not of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, of Ramadan 2021 until the end of the be less than 1,500 words and not more and allocated valuable prizes for them, holy month and identifi ed the topic than 5,000 words, written in standard such as launching a research competi- ‘Qatar a strategic “kith and kin” to be the main focus Arabic, and would not have been pre- tion in Islamic, linguistic and rhetori- around which the stories participat- viously published, or won an award so cal studies, a competition for ideas for ing in the competition revolve, given that it was specifi c to the competition mobile applications and the Katara partner on global the great importance that Islam at- only. Prize for Arabic Poetry. peace, security’ — John Desrocher, US Chargé d’Aff aires

ohn Desrocher, the newly ap- to grow. Finding that growth will be pointed US Chargé d’Aff aires to the focus of my time here. JQatar, has hailed Qatar’s leader- ship and mediation to promote peace How much is the US investment and reconciliation in the region and in Qatar and in which sectors, how beyond. many American companies work In an interview with Arabic daily here and how attractive are Qa- Arrayah, Desrocher pledged to con- tar’s recent economic legislation, tinue building bridges between Qa- labour reforms to the American taris and Americans across many businessmen? sectors including education, military, The US private sector’s engagement trade, and investment. in Qatar is extensive. The United Excerpts from the interview: States remains Qatar’s largest foreign direct investor and its largest source Q: You have a wide and pro- of imports. There are over 120 US found knowledge of the Arab companies operating here. World and served in Iraq, Egypt, On labour reforms, much work re- Algeria. Could you tell us more mains to be done but we recognise the about yourself, what was your im- DETERMINED: John Desrocher signifi cant reforms of the past few pression being appointed as the years, including the creation of La- head of mission to Qatar and how tary Blinken met with Deputy Prime bour Dispute Resolution Committees, did you fi nd it here so far? Minister and Minister of Foreign Af- elimination of exit permit require- A: Thank you for the invitation to fairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed ments for migrant workers, imple- speak with you on the United States’ bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Rome. mentation of a minimum wage, and Independence Day. While I indeed The two discussed regional security abolition of the No Objection Certifi - have served in much of the Arab world, and building international support cate. Just last week, my government my experience in Qatar until now has for humanitarian eff orts in Gaza. The recognised Mohamed al-Obaidly, As- been limited to a short visit a few years United States lauds Qatar’s leader- sistant Undersecretary of the Qatari ago. I’m delighted to be able to return ship and mediation to promote peace Ministry of Administrative Develop- for a more substantial stay and work and reconciliation in the region and ment, Labour and Social Aff airs, with with my Qatari counterparts on our beyond. On climate change, we wel- an award for his leadership in spurring many areas of common interest. I’m come that Qatar’s energy authorities reforms to the sponsorship system grateful for the warm welcome I have have joined ours along with the ener- and addressing labour issues in Qatar. received from everyone I have met. gy ministries of Canada, Norway, and Saudi Arabia to launch the new Net What would you say to the What is your assessment of Zero Producers Forum, which is dedi- American community here, how Qatar-US bilateral relations and cated to developing long-term strate- many are they, sectors of work what is special about these rela- gies for energy producing countries to and their role in enhancing the re- tions in your opinion? reach global net zero emissions. lations? The Qatar-US bilateral relationship This is an exciting year for the near- is strong. We work closely together With your experience in inter- ly 17,000 Americans living in Qatar as on many issues, and we appreciate national trade, how do you see the we celebrate the Qatar-USA 2021 Year Qatar’s constructive role in address- progress achieved in the econom- of Culture. Big events are coming up ing regional crises and promoting re- ic relations, trade volume and mu- in the fall that we invite the American gional stability. After nearly 50 years tual investments between the two community and all residents of Qatar of friendship and partnership, the US countries? to attend, for example, the Qatar-USA embassy continues to build bridg- I have spent my career deepen- Festival, which will take place in No- es between Qataris and Americans ing economic relations between my vember and will include live music, across many sectors including educa- country and partners around the fi lm screenings, cooking demonstra- tion, military, trade, and investment. world. In Doha, much of this work has tions, and performance art. The past already been done. Our countries have year and a half have been challenging How strategic is the US-Qatar extensive economic ties and the US- for everyone. partnership in maintaining peace Qatar trade relationship is growing. The American community here has and security regionally and inter- The annual trade between our two been resilient. Our embassy held a nationally, Gaza de-escalation, countries was worth more than $8 virtual town hall with American citi- dialogue with Iran, fi ghting ex- billion before the pandemic. US fi rms zens back in the spring, and we will tremism and terrorism, and cli- are leading partners for Qatar’s oil and continue to conduct this type of out- mate change as well? gas industry. In addition to energy, US reach. Our citizens and institutions The United States views Qatar as a companies are active in defence, avia- are ambassadors of American culture strategic partner on a range of issues tion, high tech, healthcare, food, and and values, and they are the founda- related to international peace and construction. We import a great deal tion of the close relations between our security. Just a few days ago, Secre- from Qatar as well, but there is room countries. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 5, 2021 QATAR No dream too big, proves mum-of-three  From chef to interior designer, Class of 2021 interior design student shares her story of how VCUarts Qatar – and Qatar – helped fulfi l her dream

career change calls for would be able to juggle the de- grit, and drive. This is es- mands of the programme, with Apecially true if it means my role as a mother to three having to attend university all young children.” over again. And, even more so, if When she gained admission you’re a mother to three. at VCUarts Qatar, she was de- Charlene Mukite, along with lighted, and stepped into what her husband and three children, she describes “as four years on arrived in Qatar in late 2015. A a treadmill, with intermittent year into her settling down in the breaks”. country, she began soul-search- “I would attend classes dur- ing. ing the day, and rush home to be “Up until then, I had pur- with my kids and my husband sued careers that were conven- until 7pm. Then after dinner, ient – convenient to train for, or I’d work on my assignments, of- convenient in terms of employ- ten past midnight. That was the ability, or convenient for work routine for four years. This also timings. I had worked as a chef meant that unlike most of my and administrative assistant in unmarried younger classmates, Dubai, and as a trainee chef in I had no social life; in fact, I’d Kenya. But once I came to Qa- text my friends telling them, tar, and I watched my three girls ‘please don’t forget me’, or, ‘I’ll grow up around me, I realised get in touch with you once I get that in order to raise them to be a break,’ hoping they would un- true to themselves, I fi rst needed derstand.” to be true to myself – and that Mukite says that much to meant doing what I love. her relief, and joy, the new rou- “I asked myself ‘When was tine brought the family closer the last time you did something together. Her husband – who that gave you a sense of accom- works with Qatar Airways – plishment?’ And I immediately would step in and look after their To switch careers, Charlene Mukite - mother to three young daughters - studied interior design at VCUarts Qatar. Right: Mukite in the midst of a design project at VCUarts Qatar. recalled the time I was involved children when she had deadlines Below: A project completed by Mukite and her teammates at VCUarts Qatar. (Images courtesy of Charlene Mukite). in one fi t-out and design project to meet. And young though they for a family-owned brand in were, her daughters understood “Additionally, residents like us classmates was like a breath of dents. I wanted to explore how a us. But what critics don’t un- Nairobi. That single experience when “mummy had homework have access to some of the best fresh air; I was exposed to the living environment can aid age- derstand is that women become had given me such joy and satis- to complete”. housing, education, recreational thought process of a diff er- ing in place. I held discussions better mothers when they feel faction, that years later, in Doha, But it was one specifi c inci- facilities and retail services in ent generation, inspiring me to with a Kenyan architect, and an fulfi lled inside. It’s not about the I knew that was what I wanted to dent that made her realise just the world. These may seem small think and look at things diff er- interior designer, and for the number of hours you spend with do.” how lucky she “was to be living in the larger scheme of things, ently. My faculty were equally thesis, I am proposed changes in your child; it’s about what you Mukite says she hadn’t heard in Qatar”. but for parents, these translate amazing in explaining processes the design that allows the elderly put into those hours. of Virginia Commonwealth Uni- “In my Junior year at VCUarts into better opportunities for our and techniques. If it were not to continue living in their homes “To any mother contemplat- versity School of the Arts in Qa- Qatar, my oldest daughter fell children, and peace of mind for for their guidance and enthusi- for as long as they can, without ing returning to studies, I’d like tar (VCUarts Qatar) – the name sick. I was exhausted with the ourselves.” asm, I wouldn’t have enjoyed the having to shift to old-age or re- to tell them it’s not a walk in the popped up when she did an In- eff ort and worry of juggling Prior to joining VCUarts Qa- course so much. Or attempted tirement homes.” park. When I joined VCUarts ternet search for interior design course work and caring for her, tar, one of Mukite’s biggest con- my fi nal project.” As she graduates from Qatar, my mind told me it courses. After studying the BFA as she was in and out of hospi- cerns was how she would get Mukite’s final project – ti- VCUarts Qatar this year, the wouldn’t be easy, but my heart curriculum, though, she felt tal for months. That’s when I along with students who were tled Nia/Intent– explores Kenyan says her journey and told me it would be worthwhile. daunted. realised that living in Qatar was almost half her age, and whether, home interior solutions for the initial fears refl ect those of all I was right.” “First came the waves of a blessing. The healthcare sys- having had her schooling in an elderly. mothers. And, to those who questioned anxiety – would a prestigious tem here is the best I have come exam-oriented, textbook-based “In Kenya, the elderly is an “Once a woman becomes a her decision to return to univer- American university accept a across, and my daughter made a system, she would be able to overlooked demographic; homes mother, there is a sense of guilt sity at a later age, she has a re- person of my age. Then, came full recovery, thanks to the ex- cope with a technology-led cur- – even those of the well-heeled attached with going back to sponse. the trepidation – the nagging cellent care she received at Sidra riculum. – are not suitable or adaptable to work, or to study. This stems “I can turn 40, or I can turn 40 self-doubt – about whether I Medicine. “Interacting with younger the requirements of ageing resi- from society’s expectations of with a degree under my hat.” QU College of Law gets ‘worker welfare award’

he College of Law (LAWC) at Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to Qatar University (QU) was se- the payment of bank loans, sales and Tlected for the best worker wel- lease contracts and commercial part- fare personality award for 2020, at a nership, as well as personal status is- ceremony held under the auspices of sues, especially those related to mar- the Ministry of Administrative De- riage and alimony, child support and velopment, Labour and Social Aff airs domestic violence. (MADLSA), titled ‘Workers’ welfare is The committee commended the re- a moral duty and legal obligation’. search project carried out by students The selection was made by Work- A view of QU. of the College of Law in the fall 2020 ers’ Welfare Awards Committee head semester, which dealt with the legal Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari, fi rst year 2020, and best personality in eff ects of the pandemic on obligations vice-chairman of Qatar Chamber. worker welfare for the year 2020. in employment contracts, in partner- The committee includes repre- Dr Khaled bin Saleh al-Shammari, ship with 30 legal clinics in universi- sentatives from the National Human assistant dean for academic aff airs, ties from 20 countries: Qatar, Spain, Rights Committee, the Department received the award. India, the US, South Africa, Croatia, of Occupational Safety and Health at The committee commended the ef- Nigeria, Morocco, Australia, New the Supreme Committee for Delivery forts made by the legal clinic at LAWC Zealand, Jordan, the United Kingdom, & Legacy, the Community Police, the in providing legal assistance to vulner- Pakistan, Malawi, Oman, Kuwait, Tu- Labour Inspection Department at the able groups, especially migrant work- nisia, Canada, Romania and Turkey. MADLSA, the Public Relations De- ers, in various labour cases, which The committee reviewed the fi nal partment at the Public Works Author- include breaching the terms and con- report, which included the results of ity (Ashghal) and a number of profes- ditions stipulated in work contracts, the research project and the recom- sors from QU. especially those related to wages and mendations. The committee presented honorary end-of-service benefi ts, and other The committee also referred to the awards for the best company in worker obligations imposed on the employer. role of the College of Law in enriching welfare during the Covid-19 pandem- The legal clinic is also involved research related to labour and work- ic, best company in worker accommo- with criminal and civil cases, includ- ers’ issues, and raising awareness of dation, best company in occupational ing claims for refund of sums that their rights under the Qatari legisla- safety and health, best worker of the were paid before the emergence of the tive system.

Course on systems, communications to secure sports events begins

he Foundation course on sys- offi cers from the departments of the experts and technology offi cers are tems and communications, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of De- lecturing at the championship’s secu- Torganised by the Safety and fence and Lekhwiya Force. They will rity operations centre, seeks to provide Security Operations Committee undergo a training programme that participants with the best experiences (SSOC) of the FIFA World Cup Qa- includes a theoretical part and an ap- and skills that will strengthen their tar 2022, kicked off yesterday at the plied part on the use of techniques performance in security and safety FIFA World Cup’s security opera- of the championship’s security op- operations of various sports tourna- tions centre. erations centre in securing sporting ments held in the country, foremost Participating in the fi ve-day course events. of which is the FIFA World Cup Qatar are 52 offi cers and non-commissioned The course, in which a number of 2022. (QNA) Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Families of Beirut Lebanon medicine importers warn foreign blast victims mark 11 drugs running out

AFP new lines of credit. “Importing Filling up a car with petrol Beirut companies’ stocks of hundreds has increased by 55% in the past months since disaster of medicines to treat chronic two weeks, as the government and incurable diseases have run has slashed fuel subsidies. AFP ebanon’s medicine im- out,” it warned. Hospitals have also warned that Beirut porters yesterday said “And hundreds more will run worsening power cuts and fuel Lthey had run out of hun- out through July if we cannot shortages were are also gravely dreds of essential drugs and resume imports as soon as pos- impacting the health sector. ozens of relatives of those warned of more shortages, as sible.” Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper killed in Lebanon’s port the country’s dire fi nancial cri- Syndicate head Karim Ge- quoted the head of the private Dblast gathered yesterday sis batters the health sector. bara said some drugs to treat hospital syndicate Sleiman Ha- to mark 11 months since the ca- Lebanese are grappling with cardiac diseases, high blood roun as saying that hospitals tastrophe and urge answers from a raft of shortages, including pressure, diabetes, cancer and had enough fuel stocks to oper- a sluggish probe towards pros- petrol, as the caretaker govern- multiple sclerosis were already ate generators for just two days, ecuting those responsible. ment discusses lifting subsidies out of stock. instead of two weeks. Hundreds of tonnes of ammo- it can no longer aff ord amid If nothing is done, “the situ- Firass Abiad, the head of the nium nitrate fertiliser exploded what the World Bank says is one ation will be catastrophic by the Rafi c Hariri main public hos- on the dockside on August 4 last of the world’s worst fi nancial end of July” depriving “hun- pital battling the Covid pan- year, killing more than 200 peo- crises since the 1850s. dreds of thousands of patients” demic, said the lives of patients ple, injuring thousands, and rav- The local currency has lost of their medication, he warned. were also at risk. aging swathes of the capital. more than 90% of its value On Thursday, President “For most hospitals in Leb- It emerged afterwards that top on the black market, but the Michel Aoun said he had agreed anon, the major concern cur- political and security offi cials, central bank had been provid- with ministers and the central rently is not the (coronavirus) including then prime minister ing importers with dollars at a bank chief to “continue subsi- Delta variant, nor shortages Hassan Diab, had known about much more favourable offi cial dising medication and medical in supplies. The major worry the explosives being stored un- rate to cover a large part of the supplies” selected by the health now is electricity, without safely at the port for years. cost of imported drugs. ministry according to priority. which medical equipments Among the men, women and Medicine “imports have al- The Lebanese state is pro- cannot work,” Abiad wrote on children who rallied yesterday most completely ground to a viding less than fi ve hours of Twitter. outside the port was 47-year-old halt over the past month”, the electricity a day in most areas, “Old generators cannot con- mother of three Raghida al-Zein, association of pharmaceuticals as it struggles to come up with tinue running nonstop. When dressed in black and clutching a importers said in a statement. the foreign currency for fuel they breakdown, lives will be at portrait of her husband killed in Relatives of the victims of Beirut’s port blast hold their pictures as they rally in the Lebanese capital yesterday, The syndicate said the cen- imports. risk.” the blast. to urge answers from a sluggish probe towards prosecuting those responsible for the catastrophe. tral bank has not released the For the past months, Leba- The government resigned af- “I lost the pillar of our home, a promised dollars to pay sup- nese motorists have had to ter a deadly port explosion on friend.We have lost everything,” gangs,” he said of the deeply all the joy in life,” he said. A similar move led to his pred- pliers abroad, who are owed queue for hours outside petrol August 4 last year, but a deeply she said, accusing offi cials of divided political class, which Maalouf described the au- ecessor being thrown off the case more than $600mn in accu- stations in scorching heat as divided political class has failed being “without a conscience”. many accuse of incompetence thorities as “corrupt and crimi- in February, after causing an up- mulated dues since December, fuel has become in short sup- since to agree on a new cabinet Nearby a teenager and young girl and corruption. nal”, but said he held hope in the roar among the political elite for and importers cannot obtain ply. to lift the nation out of crisis. held up a banner that read: “The Retired army offi cer Elias judiciary. issuing charges against Diab and wives and children of the Beirut Tanios Maalouf, 61, said he had The judge investigating the former cabinet ministers. Leba- port martyrs demand justice.” lost his son George, a soldier blast said Friday he had sum- non’s government resigned after Ibrahim Hoteit, who lost his who had been stationed at the moned outgoing premier Diab the explosion, but has remained brother Sarwat, said the families entrance of the port when the and taken steps towards indict- in a caretaker capacity as the of the victims needed to know fertiliser blew up on the evening ing several former ministers and country’s many political par- Houthis launch rare Abu Dhabi the truth. of August 4, 2020. security offi cials over the explo- ties bicker over shares in a new “We live in a country run by “George was taken, and with it sion. cabinet. attack on Yemen’s updates tense southern region Covid travel

Tigray rebels accept ‘ceasefi re in Reuters comment from the Houthis, procedures Aden who are trying to seize the government’s last northern stronghold in gas-rich Marib Reuters principle’ but set conditions emen’s Houthi move- while also keeping up cross- Cairo ment yesterday car- border attacks on Saudi cities. Yried out a rare missile Instability in the south AFP dissident regional authorities, Ababa immediately declared ment of Tigray” said yesterday. strike on a southern region further complicates stalled itizens and residents of Addis Ababa which emerged from the Tig- a unilateral ceasefire, but this “However, before a ceasefire that has seen renewed in- eff orts led by the United Na- Abu Dhabi arriving in the ray People’s Liberation Front was swiftly derided as a “joke” agreement is formalised, the fi ghting between forces allied tions and backed by the Unit- Cemirate from abroad will (TPLF). by the rebel forces, which following thorny issues must to a military coalition, three ed States to secure a nation- have to take two coronavirus ebels in Ethiopia’s war- The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize vowed to continue fighting. be resolved,” the text contin- government sources said. wide ceasefi re needed to end PCR tests, on arrival and on day torn Tigray region yester- winner accused them of or- Now the rebels have agreed ues, before listing the condi- The attack on a military more than six years of war in 11, and quarantine for 12 days, the Rday accepted “a ceasefi re chestrating attacks on Ethio- to a ceasefire in principle but tions. base in Abyan, which two Yemen that have caused a dire Emergency, Crisis and Disasters in principle” but posed strict pian military bases. another of their conditions is The rebel authorities are also of the sources said killed at humanitarian crisis. Committee said yesterday. conditions for it to be formal- After early successes and a the restoration of what Addis calling for “procedures to hold least two soldiers and in- Saudi Arabia, which has Arrivals from green list desti- ised. premature declaration of vic- Ababa considers the rebel gov- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy jured over 20, comes as the been hosting talks between nations will only take PCR tests Notable among those condi- tory, government forces were ernment in Tigray. Ahmed and President Issaias recognised government and the STC and President Abd- on arrival and on days six and 12. tions was the withdrawal from bogged down in a vicious and The United Nations and nu- Aferworki to account for “the a separatist group both mass Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s gov- Vaccinated arrivals in the the region of Eritrean forces as months-long battle with pro- merous government have called damage they have caused”, as fi ghters in the area while Ri- ernment, said on Friday that emirate will take two PCR tests well as fighters from the neigh- TPLF fighters - the Tigray for a ceasefire to be respected, well as the creation by the UN yadh moves to ease tensions. the nominal allies had agreed on arrival and on day 6 and will bouring Ethiopian region of Defence Forces, or TDF. The especially to allow humanitar- of an independent investiga- The Southern Transitional to stop political, military, se- quarantine for seven days. Amhara, who have been sup- Ethiopian army was backed by ian aid to reach civilian popu- tion body to probe the ‘horrific Council (STC) has been vy- curity and other escalations Arrivals from green list des- porting the Ethiopian army troops from the neighbouring lations. “As long as we have a crimes’ carried out during the ing with the government for threatening a power-sharing tinations won’t have to quaran- during the eight-month long Amhara region and the army of foolproof guarantee that the conflict. control of the south. deal struck in 2019, state tine. conflict. Eritrea, which borders Tigray. security of our people will not Other conditions are hu- The Houthis, who ousted news agency SPA reported. The rules apply to vaccinated Tigray has been the scene of On Monday, the TDF recap- be compromised by a second manitarian, including the dis- the government from the The two sides have yet to UAE citizens and residents who fighting since Prime Minister tured Mekele, held by the Ethi- round of invasions, we accept a tribution of aid and the safe Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in late redeploy troops out of Aden received their second dose at Abiy Ahmed sent the army in opian army since November 28. ceasefire in principle,” a state- return to Tigray of 2014, largely hold the north. and other southern regions least 28 days earlier, the commit- early November to topple the The government in Addis ment signed by the “govern- displaced people. There was no immediate as the pact stipulates. tee added. At least four Mali Zuma defi ant as surrender deadline nears soldiers die in attack AFP make the country ungovern- Nkandla able.” Police, under orders to AFP valry and various types of border arrest Zuma if necessary, were Bamako smuggling. stationed across the province x-South African presi- yesterday to control the crowds Since 2012, separatist dent Jacob Zuma yes- descending on Nkandla. t least four Malian sol- and militant rebellions Eterday told hundreds of If Zuma fails to turn himself diers died yesterday in in northern Mali have supporters camped outside his in, police will be given a further Aan attack by suspected plunged the country into home his rights had been vio- three days to arrest him. militant gunmen near the border constant conflict that has lated as a deadline approached Cathleen Powell, a South Af- with Mauritania, the army said. left thousands of civilians for him to surrender to authori- rican law professor, said the de- An administrative mission of and fighters dead ties. cision to hear Zuma’s challenge the army, known by its initials “My constitutional rights did not suspend the constitu- FAMa, was hit around 1035 GMT The violence has spread to were abused” by judges of the tional court ruling. and local time, by an “armed nearby Burkina Faso and Niger country’s constitutional court, Over the weekend, the rul- terrorist group” that has not yet in the Sahel region. On Friday, said Zuma, who has been sen- ing ANC sent representatives to been identifi ed, the army said on France said it would resume joint tenced to 15 months in prison speak with Zuma at his home, social media. military operations in Mali, af- for contempt of court after he which was renovated while It typically uses the term “ter- ter suspending them early last repeatedly refused to give evi- he was president at a cost of rorists” to mean militants. The month following the West Af- dence to corruption investiga- around 20mn euros ($24mn) to army convoy returned fi re and rican country’s second coup in tors. the taxpayer. the announcement mentioned a less than a year. His supporters have vowed to The party could face a seri- “provisional toll of four dead on But on French President Em- render South Africa ungovern- ous political crisis between the FAMa side.” manuel Macron has announced able if he is jailed. those who back Zuma and oth- Since 2012, separatist and a major drawdown of France’s After sentencing Zuma, the ers loyal to Ramaphosa, who militant rebellions in northern military presence in the Sahel. South African court nonethe- has campaigned on a pledge to Mali have plunged the country France has around 5,100 troops less agreed to hear his challenge Former South African president Jacob Zuma speaks to supporters who gathered at his home, as the fi ght corruption. Zuma has also into constant confl ict that has there under its Barkhane opera- to rescind the order. court agreed to hear his challenge to a 15-month jail term for failing to attend a corruption hearing, in been accused of involvement in left thousands of civilians and tion which spans fi ve countries A surrender deadline was Nkandla, yesterday. a bribery aff air that goes back fi ghters dead, despite interna- — Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, set to run out yesterday but more than 20 years. tional help. Mauritania and Niger. Paris now 79-year-old Zuma has shown Kwa-Zulu Natal province for South African authorities. protesters called for President He allegedly received more Separatists signed a peace plans to fold its presence into no sign he will hand himself in. weeks. “If (Police Minister) Bheki Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. than 4mn rand, around 235,000 agreement in 2015, but groups the so-called Takuba interna- In a show of force, loyalists “When I saw the police here Cele comes here to arrest uBaba “We are here to say Ram- euros at current rates, from linked to Al Qaeda and the Is- tional task force, in which the clad in their African National I wondered how will they get to (Zuma) he must start with us,” aphosa must step down. Must French defence group Thales, lamic State continue to op- Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Congress (ANC) regalia have me, how will they get through supporter Lindokuhle Mapha- step down”, a visibly angry loy- which was awarded a con- pose the government, against a Romania and Sweden have also been outside their embattled all these people,” Zuma said lala said.. alist said. tract worth around 2.8bn euros background of inter-ethnic ri- pledged to participate. leader’s Nkandla homestead in as he continued to mock Vowing to protect Zuma, the “As from Monday we will overall. Gulf Times 8 Monday, July 5, 2021 AMERICAS

Two arrested as armed militia Venezuela activists charged with Mexico City increases payout for Peru govt rejects Fujimori call for group stands off with police terrorism, says rights group families of train collapse victims international audit for June 6 poll

Residents in a suburban Boston neighbourhood were asked Three activists with Venezuelan rights group Fundaredes, Mexico City off icials said on Saturday that financial support Peru’s government has rejected a request by presidential to “shelter in place” early on Saturday as an armed stand-off which has lifted the lid on fighting near the border with would be increased for the families of victims who died after a candidate Keiko Fujimori to seek an international audit of its between 8-10 militia members and police forced the closure of Colombia, are facing criminal charges including “terrorism”, metro railway line collapsed onto a busy street on May 3, for a June 6 election, leaving her with few recourses to overturn the a US interstate highway. their lawyer said on Saturday. total of nearly 2mn pesos ($101,225). apparent lead over her rival candidate Pedro Castillo. Two people were taken into custody before dawn and at least Director Javier Tarazona and his colleagues Rafael Tarazona Off icials said in a news conference that the families of 26 Minister of Justice Eduardo Vega explained in a letter sent to one gun was recovered, police said, following a stand-off that and Omar Garcia are accused of “treason, terrorism and people who died in the May 3 incident would receive an Fujimori, a conservative and the daughter of the imprisoned started after 1am along Interstate 95 in Wakefield, a city about incitement to hatred”, lawyer Stefania Migliorini said in a video additional 1mn pesos in compensation for a total of 1.92mn ex-president Alberto Fujimori, that legally the government 14 miles north of Boston, when a Massachusetts State Police posted on social networks. pesos, and that they would receive the money next week. cannot intervene while the country’s electoral jury reviews her off icer pulled over two cars. According to Fundaredes, the three were arrested on Mexico City first announced victims’ families would receive an claims of alleged irregularities. The cars stopped in a breakdown lane and the group’s leader Friday when they went to the public prosecutor’s off ice in initial 650,000 pesos in compensation from the Metro train Fujimori has alleged fraud, though failed to provide public told police that they were travelling from Rhode Island to the northwestern city of Coro to file a complaint against line on May 8. evidence of such, and sought a recount of ballots as well as Maine for “training”, police said in a news conference. “harassment and persecution” at the hands of police and That was later raised to 870,000 pesos, off icials said, before international intervention. The off icer asked for identification and permits for the intelligence agents. the new increase announced on Saturday. The National Elections Jury is at present reviewing contested weapons, but the people refused and scattered into the nearby They are now in preventative detention in Caracas, the group An additional 50,000 pesos from the city was also part of the ballots, a task that will be completed by mid-July, according to woods, still armed, police said. – Reuters said. – AFP compensation. – Reuters a source at the body. – Reuters Americans mark Independence Day with a bang

Reuters/AFP As always, fi reworks displays back to allow for social distanc- land Security warned state and New York/Washington are the highlight of the July ing in recognition of the contin- local police last week of a height- Fourth holiday. ued threat of the Covid-19, which ened threat of violence by do- Two of the biggest pyrotechnic has killed more than 600,000 mestic extremist groups amid re- mericans marked their shows in the country blasted off Americans. laxed Covid-19 restrictions and Girls pose in outfits in the styled nation’s 245th birthday over the National Mall in Wash- The more aggressive Delta the July Fourth holiday. after the American flag during Ayesterday with fi reworks ington, and over a mile stretch of variant has raised alarms about It was expected to be the the US Independence Day in that may look brighter, hot- New York City’s East River, sepa- the potential for another surge busiest July Fourth road travel New York. dogs that may taste juicier and rating Manhattan from the bor- among the unvaccinated. holiday on record – with an es- marching bands that may sound oughs of Queens and Brooklyn. Even so, this holiday was a timated 43.6mn Americans be- since he took offi ce. jauntier after the coronavirus Some classic July Fourth events time for Americans to show their hind the wheel, or 5% more than With hospitalisations and (Covid-19) pandemic forced the such as Nathan’s Famous Hot patriotism and to celebrate a a previous record set in 2019, the deaths from Covid-19 down 90% cancellation of nearly all celebra- Dog Eating Contest in Brooklyn’s fresh sense of freedom in a per- American Automobile Associa- since January and the country tions last year. Coney Island remained scaled sonal sense by mingling with tion said. largely reopened, the message friends once again and enjoying Aleksandra Magidoff , a from the South Lawn will be un- summer’s simple pleasures. 12-year-old from Brooklyn, mistakable: what a diff erence a But this year’s July Fourth was traveled to a New Jersey suburb to year makes. not entirely carefree. reconnect with a lifelong friend “We do have a lot to celebrate. The US Department of Home- and her family. We are much further along than I They were among the more think anyone anticipated in this Left: Children dressed up in than 3.5mn people who have fi ght against the pandemic,” Jeff patriotic accessories get ready moved out of New York, once Zients, the White House corona- to ride in an Independence Day the US epicentre of Covid-19, virus response co-ordinator, told People cheer ahead of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog- parade celebration in Brighton, since the pandemic started in the ABC. Eating Contest, held on Independence Day, at Maimonides Park in Michigan. spring of 2020. Jubilation will be tempered Brooklyn, New York City. “I’m so excited – I can talk to by the White House falling just Below: Spectators watch as them and celebrate with them short of its much-promoted vac- tional Mall drew big crowds to a July Fourth was sombre. monster trucks perform stunts and just socialise!” said Mag- cination goal of getting seven in 17-minute fi reworks display set In addition to the pall cast over at the ‘Monster Freedom Fest’, idoff , who was fully vaccinated 10 adults their fi rst shot by Inde- off from both sides of the Lincoln the country by the pandemic and during Independence Day under the enormous blue whale pendence Day. Memorial Refl ecting Pool. the Florida building collapse, weekend celebrations at the model at the American Museum Opponents of the White House On New York’s East River, 50 the US West faces a heightened Lincoln Speedway in of Natural History in New York. event have voiced concern that pyrotechnicians have spent days risk of wildfi res after a scorch- Abbottstown, Pennsylvania. The girls planned to gorge on images of nationwide partying loading more than 65,000 shells ing heatwave and extremely dry “a bunch of hamburgers and hot- could send the wrong message, on fi ve barges to wow audiences conditions. dogs” before taking in the fi re- with only 46% of Americans watching the spectacular show And nationwide supply chain works show at a New Jersey fair- fully inoculated, and areas with either in person or on television. glitches tied to the pandemic grounds, she said. low vaccination take-up awash The display was presented by have jacked up prices of every- Last July Fourth she watched with the highly-contagious Delta Macy’s department store. thing from household items to fi reworks from her apartment variant. Lighting up the night’s sky not fi reworks. building’s rooftop while under Public health offi cials have only delights crowds but also The White House – at least pandemic lockdown, allowed to highlighted swaths of rural promises to restore a lifeline this outwardly – continues to brim celebrate with only her immedi- America where hospitals are year for the businesses that sup- with confi dence. ate family. starting to fi ll up again, especially ply the 16,000 July Fourth fi re- Six in 10 respondents in a new In Washington, masks must be in Utah, Missouri, Arkansas and works displays that typically oc- poll by the Washington Post and worn by any unvaccinated people Wyoming. cur in cities and towns. ABC News out yesterday give Bi- who are among the 1,000 people Anthony Fauci, America’s top Last year, only a “scant few” den positive ratings for his han- – military personnel with their infectious disease expert, told went on with the show, said Julie dling of the pandemic. families and essential workers – NBC that unvaccinated people Heckman, executive director of California Senator Alex Padilla attending President Joe Biden’s now account 99.2% of Covid-19 the American Pyrotechnics As- called Independence Day “a re- July Fourth celebration on the deaths. sociation. minder of the American dream”. White House lawn with essential Elsewhere in Washington, “Approximately 70% are “The best way to celebrate workers and military families, of- marching bands stepped off yes- scheduled to return, and many Independence Day is by taking fi cials said. terday in a traditional parade on will be bigger and better than a moment to acknowledge all It would be the largest in- Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row. pre-pandemic levels,” she said. the hard work that it took to get person event at the White House As darkness fell, the Na- However, for some Americans, here,” he said.

Tropical Storm Elsa Collapsed Florida condo building churns past Haiti, to be razed as storm approaches headed for Cuba Reuters/AFP standing building that is posed Miami-Dade fi re chief Alan Surfside, Florida to the fi rst responders” as crews Cominsky said meanwhile sever- drill into columns of the dam- al cases of Covid-19 had been de- AFP ing possible on Sunday after- aged building, she said. “We will tected in one team of searchers. Port-au-Prince noon as Elsa approaches the reparations for demolition begin the search and rescue once That team, he said, had been south-central coast of Cuba”, work were underway yes- again on any sections of the pile demobilised, and medical proto- the NHC said in its 11pm (0300 Pterday ahead of the pos- that are safe to access as soon as cols put in place to isolate anyone ropical Storm Elsa GMT yesterday) update. sible arrival of Tropical Storm we’re cleared.” aff ected. churned late on Satur- Forecasters had warned of Elsa at the partially collapsed Cava noted that it was 11 days In the wreckage of the Cham- Tday off the southwestern rainfall of 4-8” (10-20cm) Miami-area condo where 24 are since the collapse. plain Towers South complex in coast of Haiti, headed towards across portions of southern Debris hangs from utility lines in Sandy Bay, St. Vincent and the confi rmed dead. As of morning yesterday, Surfside, workers were drilling Jamaica and eastern Cuba as Hispaniola and Jamaica, with Grenadines, following the passing of Hurricane Elsa in an area on Hopes of fi nding anyone alive Tropical Storm Elsa was off the into columns where small ex- forecasters warned of heavy isolated areas receiving 15”. the north coast. are fast diminishing. coast of Jamaica with winds of plosive charges will be placed to rains, fl ash fl ooding and mud- “This rain may lead to scat- Most of the 12-storey Cham- 60mph (95kph). bring the remains of the build- slides. tered fl ash fl ooding and mud- Offi cials in the impoverished armed gangs control part of the plain Towers South building col- Today the storm was forecast ing down in a small area, offi cials The weather system brought slides, some of which may be nation have voiced fears that only road leading from the capi- lapsed in the early hours of June to move across Cuba and hit said. maximum sustained winds of signifi cant in nature,” the NHC they lack emergency supplies tal to the south and are allowing 24, sending up a huge cloud of western Florida on tomorrow or Residents in nearby build- 65mph (100kph) and was mov- said. such as food and water. nothing through. dust and rattling Americans un- on Wednesday. ings do not need to evacuate but ing northwest at 17mph, the Cuba is Elsa’s next target, The government recently To reach these threatened ar- prepared for such a deadly urban Governor Ron DeSantis told should stay indoors due to dust, US National Hurricane Centre with hurricane conditions ex- used a good part of its emer- eas, Chandler said, “we have to disaster. reporters demolition work could the mayor said. (NHC) said. pected on the eastern part of gency resources in another cri- go through red zones”, referring Search and rescue eff orts for be completed before Elsa arrives, Instead of the usual fi reworks “There are fairly intense gusts the island on Sunday, while the sis: the evacuation of thousands to gang-held territory. 121 people missing have been probably tomorrow. and fl ag-waving parties, beach- of wind and light rain, but so far southern coast could see a storm of people from their homes in In 2016, Category 4 Hurri- suspended. Authorities had previously side communities in the area we have not recorded any dam- surge of 3-5’. Port-au-Prince because of rag- cane Matthew killed more than “Our top priority is that the said the work could take weeks, have planned more subdued age,” said Jerry Chandler, direc- From Sunday into Monday, ing gang violence. 500 people in southern Haiti building come down as soon as but DeSantis, a Republican, said events for the Fourth of July. tor of the Haitian Civil Protec- parts of Cuba could get 5-10” Many of the displaced are and caused nearly $2bn in dam- possible no matter what time accelerating demolition was only Miami Beach cancelled its In- tion Agency. of rain, with isolated incidents staying in gyms, schools, or age. that occurs,” Miami-Dade Coun- prudent. dependence Day celebrations. Elsa was the Atlantic’s fi rst of 15” resulting in “signifi cant other public buildings, and In the United States, parts of ty Mayor Daniella Levine Cava He said demolition could be Investigators have not deter- hurricane of the season on Fri- fl ash fl ooding and mudslides”, some supplies originally ear- the Florida Keys were placed told reporters yesterday. “We completed within 36 hours – mined what caused the 40-year- day, when it was a Category 1 the NHC said. marked for hurricane season under a tropical storm watch on do not know a specifi c time the entailing “minimal work stop- old complex to collapse. storm, until being downgraded In Haiti, authorities raised have been diverted to support Saturday evening with forecast- demolition will occur.” page from the search and rescue A 2018 engineering report on Saturday afternoon. the alert level to the maximum them, Chandler said. ers expecting rain, storm surges, “Search and rescue does have teams” – and that work sifting found structural defi ciencies The storm was not expected red on Saturday morning, warn- Authorities want to ship and strong winds from Elsa to to pause temporarily while the through the existing debris could that are now the focus of inquir- to change in strength overnight, ing the entire country to remain emergency supplies to the aff ect the area and the Florida demolition preparation is un- resume as soon as it is clear that ies that include a grand jury ex- with “some slight strengthen- vigilant. southern coast, but heavily peninsula early next week. derway. There is threat to the no fi res have erupted. amination. Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 9 WORLD

TRAGEDY DISASTER DECISION PEOPLE COMMENT 11 die in Cambodia after Philippines on alert for Thailand to partially Malaysia premier UK Covid data looks drinking toxic hooch another volcano eruption relax Covid restrictions in stable condition ‘positive for easing curbs’

Eleven Cambodian villagers died after drinking Philippine scientists yesterday warned a volcano Thailand plans to allow some construction projects Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is in The data that will decide if final lockdown rice wine suspected to be toxic during a funeral, south of Manila could erupt again “anytime soon” as to resume in its capital and surrounding provinces stable condition and is expected to be discharged restrictions in England can be lifted on July 19 is a police off icer said yesterday, adding to the toxic gas emissions hit a record high and thousands although most sites and workers’ camps will remain from hospital soon after receiving treatment for looking “very positive”, thanks to the success of kingdom’s growing recent death toll from unsafe more people in vulnerable communities left their closed as the country deals with its biggest coronavi- a digestive system infection, his off ice said yes- the vaccination programme, Housing Secretary homemade alcohol. In the past two months, more homes. Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque rus outbreak to date. The national Covid-19 task force terday. Following advice from a team of doctors, Robert Jenrick said yesterday. “The data that than 30 people have died in three separate inci- lake, has been discharging sulphur dioxide for the has agreed to relax curbs on construction projects Muhyiddin, who was hospitalised for diarrhoea on we’re seeing that the prime minister is reviewing dents across Cambodia from home-brewed rice past week, creating a haze over Manila and several where they could cause damage or danger, the gov- Wednesday, will remain in hospital for intravenous at the moment ahead of his decision point on the wine containing methanol — a highly toxic liquid surrounding provinces, and prompting health warn- ernment said on its Facebook page yesterday. It cited antibiotic treatment and is expected to be dis- roadmap looks very positive,” he told Sky News. that can cause blindness if ingested. Since Friday, 11 ings. Nearly 4,500 people have left their homes underground projects, scaff olding and those related charged “in a few more days”, his off ice said in a “It does seem as if we can now move forward and people who attended a funeral in coastal Kampot since authorities called for evacuations of high-risk to traff ic safety as examples. Construction projects statement. “His condition is stable and improving move to a much more permissive regime where province — about 155km from the capital Phnom areas on the lake’s shores, the provincial disaster related to Covid-19 control, such as field hospitals, will and he is allowed to work while receiving treat- we move away from many of those restrictions Penh — died while 10 more were hospitalised after agency said yesterday. Some settlements have also be allowed to go ahead. Movement of construc- ment,” it said. A thorough health screening found that have been so diff icult for us.” Jenrick added imbibing homemade wine. Last month, at least 15 been locked down, temporarily preventing residents tion workers will be allowed for outbreak contain- no evidence that Muhyiddin was experiencing a that the wearing of face coverings in England will rice wine brewers and sellers were arrested. from returning to their properties. ment such as health screening and vaccinations. recurrence of cancer, his off ice said. become a personal choice.

25 dead in Myanmar 45 killed as clashes

AFP Yangon plane carrying

wenty-fi ve anti-junta fi ghters and civilians were Tkilled during clashes with the military in central Myan- mar, villagers said yesterday, as troops crashes locals increasingly take up arms against the regime in the coup- wracked country. Myanmar has been in tur- moil since a February coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s gov- ernment, with 890 people killed in Philippines in a junta crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring Reuters The army in the sprawling group. Manila Philippine archipelago has been In some areas civilians have fi ghting a long war against mili- formed “defence forces” to tants from Abu Sayyaf and other combat the State Administra- Philippines Air Force factions. “They were supposed to tion Council, as the junta dubs troop plane crashed and join us in our fi ght against terror- itself, often using hunting rifl es Abroke up in fl ames on a ism,” said Commander William N or makeshift weapons cobbled southern island yesterday, kill- Gonzales of Joint Task Force Sulu. together from household items. ing at least 45 people after some Jolo airport has a 1,200-metre The central Sagaing region has jumped free, offi cials said, in the runway that usually takes civil- been the site of multiple skir- country’s worst military air dis- ian turboprop fl ights though oc- mishes between defence forces aster in nearly 30 years. casionally some military fl ights, and the military, and on Friday Pictures from the scene according to a Civil Aviation fi ghting broke out in Depayin showed fl ames and smoke pour- Authority of the Philippines township. ing from wreckage strewn among spokesperson. Residents said military coconut palms as men in combat Jolo island, part of the Sulu ar- trucks entered their area and uniform milled around, while a chipelago, is about 950km south opened fire on a village near column of thick black smoke rose of the capital, Manila. the jungle hoping to flush out into the sky. The Lockheed C-130H Her- members of the local defence The Lockheed C-130 transport cules aircraft, with registration force. “We heard the shooting aircraft, carrying troops bound for 5125, had only recently arrived in of artillery 26 times,” said a counter-insurgency operations, the Philippines. villager, who added that anti- crashed with 96 people on board. It was one of two aircraft pro- junta fighters tried to retaliate The plane had attempted to vided by the US government but could not fend off the at- land at Jolo airport, but overshot through the Defence Security tack. the runway without touching Cooperation Agency, a govern- “They shot everyone who they down. ment website said in January. saw on the road and in the vil- It failed to regain enough It quoted an air force spokes- lage. They did not just have one power and height and crashed at man as saying the aircraft would target,” he said. nearby Patikul. boost capability for heavy airlift Civilians were among the “A number of soldiers were missions. The website C-130.net dead, he added. seen jumping out of the aircraft said the plane that crashed had Villagers waited until Satur- before it hit the ground, sparing fi rst fl own in 1988. The model day to venture out of their homes them from the explosion caused is a workhorse for armed forces to assess the casualties, said a by the crash,” the Joint Task Force around the world. member of the local defence Sulu said in a statement. Residents gather as smoke rises The Philippines armed forces force who helped to organise the It was not immediately clear from the wreckage after the have a patchy air safety record. collection of bodies. how many jumped or whether transport plane crashed on land- Last month a Black Hawk heli- “We fi rstly got nine dead bod- they had survived. ing in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines. copter crashed during a training ies and buried them,” he said Military chief Cirilito Sobejana mission, killing six people. adding that eight more were said the plane had “missed the the plane, but an investigation had A Philippines Air Force C-130 found by a diff erent team and runway trying to regain power”. yet to begin as eff orts were focused crash in 1993 killed 30 people. also buried the same day. The department of national on rescue and treatment. A 2008 crash of the civilian Yesterday they found eight defence said 45 people had been The military command said variant of the Lockheed plane more bodies. killed, including three civilians the soldiers aboard had the rank fl own by the Philippines Air “I noticed from their bodies on the ground, while 53 were in- of private and were being de- Force killed 11 people, the Avia- that most of them were shot in jured, including four civilians. ployed to their battalions. tion Safety Network says. the head,” he said — an obser- Five military personnel were They were fl ying to the pro- The country’s worst plane vation that another man who still missing. A military spokes- vincial airport of Jolo from crash was that of an Air Philip- helped move the dead con- Rescue workers arrive as smoke billows from the wreckage of a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane man, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said Laguindingan, about 460km to pines Boeing 737 in 2000, which fi rmed. after it crashed yesterday near the airport in Jolo town, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao. there was no sign of any attack on the northeast. killed 131 people.

Cool drink for a hot day UK eyes stiff sentences Bangladesh’s virus for Channel migrants hotspot gasps for air AFP venting abuse of the system, London cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it”. AFP any oxygen until the end.” tive also told how her brother The bill’s unveiling comes Khulna, Bangladesh The southwestern district bor- had died without oxygen. Afroza ritain has announced it will as the Britain’s asylum system dering India’s West Bengal state shed tears in a hospital ward. “If seek harsher sentences for strains under the pressure of a has seen a sharp rise in corona- only they could have given a little Bmigrants caught entering record number of arrivals over mpty oxygen cylinders are virus infections blamed on the oxygen to my brother, he would the country without permission the Channel. piling up almost as fast as more contagious Delta variant, still be alive,” she said. amid a record-breaking surge in A total of nearly 6,000 mi- Ebodies in the city of Khul- which was fi rst detected in India. Police and troops have pa- arrivals over the English Channel. grants have made the dangerous na, which has become Bangla- On Thursday, Khulna city re- trolled the streets across Bang- The stricter prison sentences for crossing in the fi rst six months of desh’s coronavirus hotspot in a corded 46 virus deaths, accord- ladesh, home to 168mn people, both migrants and people smug- 2021. The total number of 8,417 dire new surge. ing to an offi cial count, while in since Thursday to enforce the glers come as part of Home Secre- arrivals for the whole of 2020 is The government has ordered earlier waves the daily death toll lockdown. tary Priti Patel’s plans to overhaul likely to be overtaken in the next a strict week-long nationwide never went into double fi gures. Hundreds of people have been asylum rules in a bid to prevent two months if trends continue, lockdown in a bid to halt the Most people in the city of arrested each day for leaving what her department has charac- according to fi gures from the do- spread of Covid-19, but Khulna’s 680,000 people say the real toll their homes. terised as “asylum shopping”. mestic Press Association news hospitals cannot cope. Neither is much higher and, according to In Khulna, restrictions on The legislation announced agency. can relatives of the dead. reports, graveyards cannot cope movement have been in place yesterday makes it a criminal of- The Home Offi ce said it was Mohamed Siddik leaned with the number of dead in near- since last month, as the infection fence to arrive in the UK without “very likely that those travelling against empty cylinders under a by cities such as Satkhira. rate has soared. permission, with a maximum to the UK via small boat will have hospital emergency porch, tear- The main state-run Khulna But the city’s factories are still sentence for those entering the come from a safe European Un- fully telling relatives in phone general hospital is one of four in open and many people say they country unlawfully increasing ion country in which they could calls that his 50-year-old brother the city treating coronavirus pa- are forced to go out to work. from six months to four years. have claimed asylum”. had died. tients and has 400 beds but de- Student Rafi kul Islam said he Under the law set for its fi rst “Where this is the case, they The 42-year-old businessman mand far outstrips supply. walked seven kilometres to his reading in parliament tomorrow, are not seeking refuge at the brought his brother to hospital as “We have been dealing with part-time factory job as there people smugglers will face life earliest opportunity or showing his condition deteriorated. enormous admission pressure in were no buses. sentences, up from the current good reason for seeking to enter But there was no bed and no hospitals,” said Niaz Mohamed, “Most shops and transport are maximum of 14 years. the UK illegally but are instead oxygen, he said. chief government doctor for the shut down. But given Khulna’s A child drinks sugarcane juice sold by a roadside vendor Patel said the plans were “fair ‘asylum shopping’ by picking “He passed away gasping for Khulna region. He denied there serious situation, we must main- on a hot summer afternoon in Sri Ganganagar in the but fi rm”, adding that the UK the UK as a preferred destination air in the hospital corridor,” said was an oxygen shortage. tain this. There is no other way. northern Indian state of Rajasthan yesterday. would “welcome people through over others and using an illegal Siddik. “They didn’t give him But another grieving rela- The situation is dire,” he said. safe and legal routes whilst pre- route to get here,” it added. Gulf Times 10 Monday, July 5, 2021 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 attack of the Covid zombies

As Western economies emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, banks and governments are facing a new problem: how to deal with the corporate walking dead. But an innovative worker- centred scheme could off er a possible solution. In both the United States and the European Union, corporate bankruptcies have declined during the 15 months of the pan- demic, despite the severe accompanying recession. That decline is a result of rich-country governments – in their understand- able desire to soften the pandemic’s economic blow – extend- ing every possible safety net to fi rms. Often, however, they did so without even trying to separate those with good economic prospects from those with none. As a result, the business sector’s natural selection process has weakened precisely when Covid-19 has accelerated many pre-existing trends, increasing the share of fi rms that should be Swiss ambitions and the considered zombies. But policymakers must now address the wider economic impact of sustaining unviable companies. Governments cannot abruptly discontinue all business sub- sidies, of course. During the pandemic, many otherwise healthy fi rms have accumulated a lot of debt. Suddenly subjecting all of them to rigid market discipline would result in a very large impetus in Qatar ties number of unnecessary bankruptcies. Moreover, the economic and financial impact of an im- mediate cut-off of support would be politically suicidal Switzerland was recently 50 years old. These relations stand on for any elected government. The negative GDP shock ranked by the European a solid foundation, are friendly and would have severe effects on both unemployment and constructive. The fi elds of ever-growing public finances, and the losses that a wave of bankrupt- Innovation Scoreboard as co-operation between our two countries cies would force on lenders would further weaken banks’ the most innovative business are very diverse. For example, Qatar is one of our most important economic balance sheets. The near-certain result would be massive location in Europe. Next voter discontent, all but ensuring the government’s loss at partners in the Mena region. In 2020, the next election. year, we celebrate 50 years our bilateral trade volume amounted to QR5.8bn. Co-operation in the fi nancial At the same time, policy- of diplomatic relations sector contributes signifi cantly to this To weed out makers cannot continue to with Qatar positive development. Despite the help all zombie fi rms. Such diffi cult Covid situation, it decreased by assistance would have large zombie fi rms, By Ueli Maurer only 6.7% compared to 2019. fi scal costs and hamper the Switzerland is a prime tourist governments productivity growth that destination for Qataris and expats alike, Western governments des- he reputation of Switzerland not only to cool down in summer but should start to perately need to solve many of as one of the most important also skiing and hiking in wintertime. their fi scal and political prob- Tand leading fi nancial centres of Qatar has also substantially invested in condition any lems. The changes produced the world is well known. However, by the Swiss hotel industry over the years. by the pandemic call for new implementing brand-new state legal Swiss tourists, on the other hand, will subsidy to a and innovative fi rms. But it regulations for DLT (Blockchain) in be increasingly heading to Qatar to recent months we took a huge step visit the fascinating desert, its sandy will be diffi cult for such rms fi company on an forward in fostering the innovative beaches and the country’s landmark to enter the market and grow ecosystem of crypto currencies in our museums ahead of and during FIFA endorsement if we waste so many physi- country. World Cup Qatar 2022. Furthermore, cal, human, and fi nancial Hence, we are combining the our two countries are co-operating by a majority resources in keeping zombie traditional strengths of high towards protecting the rights of migrant businesses alive. productivity, stability and security with workers, which constitute an important of its workers Separating the corporate new developments such as sustainable part of the society in both countries. living from the corporate fi nance and Fintech innovation (www. I’m very pleased that Qatar is fi nance.swiss) with our new fi nancial committed to improve their livelihoods dead is not easy even in normal times: This is what the art of DIVERSE CO-OPERATION: The fields of ever-growing co-operation between our market policy. through fair job opportunities, banking is all about. And while distinguishing between healthy two countries are very diverse, says the Swiss finance minister. and unviable fi rms is tricky for the private sector in the best of In June 2021, Switzerland proudly without the threat of exploitation. For received an excellent review from the Switzerland and the world at large, times, it is particularly diffi cult to do so now, when there is still International Monetary Fund (IMF) for million Swiss francs to be accepted. facilitating co-operation between security and prosperity in the Gulf a high degree of uncertainty about the post-pandemic world to its economic and fi nancial policy during Start-ups in the fi nancial sector public authorities and green Fintech region are of major importance. I come. But the private sector can at least aggressively use incen- the Covid pandemic. therefore, do not need a full banking companies, universities, venture capital welcome that relations between Qatar tives to capture diff use information. This is prohibitively tough It is of paramount importance for me licence. fi rms and consultancies. The network and other states in the Gulf region have for a government agency, especially one that lacks the necessary as the fi nance minister of Switzerland The combination of digital presented its fi rst action plan in spring recently eased, and I am confi dent that accumulated expertise. that not only our government, but technology, which can produce 2021. the increased co-operation between This is a new version of an old problem explored most notably also our fi nancial centre stakeholders innovative fi nancial services, and Strong relations with Qatar GCC states will further benefi t Swiss- by Friedrich Hayek. As Hayek showed, the allocation of knowl- maintain a strong presence in Qatar. sustainable fi nance, which takes climate Less than two years from now, Qatari relations. edge in society is diff use, and it is diffi cult for any government And next year, we even celebrate 50 change risks into account, is forward- Qatar and Switzerland will celebrate to gather it in an unbiased way. years of diplomatic relations. With looking. The Green Fintech Network an important anniversary: our The writer is fi nance minister of But there is a possible way to resolve this difficulty. If my visit to Qatar, I am promoting and has existed in Switzerland since 2020, diplomatic relations will be exactly Switzerland you want to assess the quality of a student, there is no honouring our bilateral relations. Blockchain, Startups, Green more revealing metric than asking her classmates. Those Fintech who learn day in and day out with a peer can best appre- For decades, one of the main ciate her talent. In the same way, nobody can gauge the objectives of the Swiss fi nancial quality of a firm better than its own employees. To weed centre has been cross-border wealth out zombie firms, therefore, governments should start to management. In this area, Switzerland condition any subsidy to a company on an endorsement by is the world leader with a market a majority of its workers. share of over 25% of all internationally The problem is that, unlike classmates, employees have an in- managed assets. Whilst this top centive to lie. If the fi rm were to fail, they would lose their jobs. ranking is expected to continue in the Because endorsing their company does not cost them anything, future, renewed eff orts are needed to most will probably overstate its future prospects. provide the best possible framework for new technologies and sustainable But this problem can be easily overcome with appropriate development in the fi nancial sector, in incentives. If properly calibrated, such a scheme would be able which Switzerland has high ambitions to separate zombies from otherwise healthy fi rms burdened by to be one of the international pioneers. the eff ects of the pandemic. – Project Syndicate. Switzerland’s recent ranking by the European Innovation Scoreboard as the most innovative business location in To Advertise Europe, ahead of all EU member states, is an encouraging development. [email protected] By introducing the DLT Regulation on February 1, 2021, we push innovation Display whilst mitigating risks – for example, 44466621 44418811 with regard to money laundering. In the so-called Crypto Valley in the Classified Zug region, hundreds of startups are 44466609 44418811 taking advantage of these attractive conditions. Subscription On January 1, 2019, Swiss lawmakers created the so-called Fintech licence – a [email protected] licence with facilitating requirements to promote innovative fi nancial companies. The Fintech licence allows © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved public deposits of up to a hundred Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 11 WORLD In Karachi, painting the town red Le Pen stands by bid to sanitise French far-right

AFP in Paris and other cities week Perpignan after week in 2018-2019, win- ning several concessions from the government. rench far-right leader Many yellow vests saw the Marine Le Pen yesterday protests as a vindication of the Fstood by her bid to make power of the street over the her party more respectable at a ballot box. National Rally congress domi- “The only winner of Yellow nated by the party’s drubbing Vest abstentionism is Macron,” in recent regional polls, ten Le Pen warned. months from presidential elec- It was Marine Le Pen’s una- tions. bashedly extremist father Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), DETERMINED: Le Pen. Jean-Marie who sent shock- which had been tipped for waves through France in 2002 strong gains in last month’s balisation and so many other when he beat a Socialist to elections, was left fl oundering subjects that dominate the po- land a spot in the run-off of the after failing to win any of the 13 litical debate,” she said trium- presidential election against regions in mainland France. phantly, noting that many ri- the ultimately victorious Artists painting the wall outside the National Cricket Stadium during the ‘Rang De Karachi’ beautification project organised by the local The results raised questions vals from the mainstream right Jacques Chirac. municipal corporation in the southern port city yesterday. (AFP) about Le Pen’s strategy of try- now shared the RN’s diagnosis. Jean-Marie Le Pen was ing to tone down her party’s On crime, Le Pen painted a thrown out of the National anti-immigration, anti-EU dark picture of a country in- Front (later renamed the Na- rhetoric and position it as a fested with “crime bosses, Is- tional Rally) in 2015 after a se- Luxembourg PM Italy reports more mainstream force – at the lamists and mafi as” and vowed ries of anti-Semitic remarks. risk of losing anti-establish- to restore the authority of the The most likely scenario of hospitalised for 12 new Covid ment votes. state. She also promised to hold a rematch between Le Pen and Covid observation 4 perish in worst Cyprus deaths Addressing a party con- a referendum on immigration if Macron is by no means a fore- gress in the southern city of elected, to allow voters decide gone conclusion. Perpignan, a combative Le who they wanted to allow into The regional election also Luxembourg Prime Minister forest fi re in decades Italy reported 12 coronavirus- Pen insisted she had made the France. shone a light on the weakness Xavier Bettel was hospitalised related deaths yesterday, down right choice in trying to turn a In a sign of party backing for of Macron’s fl edgling Repub- yesterday and will be kept AFP from 22 the day before, while movement once synonymous her strategy of trying to make lic on the Move (LREM) party, under observation as tests are Arakapas the daily tally of new infections with racism and anti-Semitism the RN more respectable she which fi nished last with seven carried out a week after he fell to 808 from 932, the health into a “responsible” party that was re-elected unopposed yes- percent of second-round votes. tested positive for Covid-19, ministry said. was ready to govern. terday to a fourth term as party Both Le Pen’s and Macron’s the government said. huge forest blaze in Cyprus killed four people, destroyed Italy has registered 127,649 “We will not go back to be- leader. parties have downplayed the Bettel, 48, is to stay in homes and forced evacuations of villages, police said yes- deaths linked to Covid-19 ing the National Front,” she One of her proteges, Jordan signifi cance of the regional hospital for 24 hours as a Aterday, as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fi re- since its outbreak emerged in said, referring to the party’s Bardella, was chosen to stand election and attempted to re- precautionary measure, the fi ghting planes to the Mediterranean island. February last year, the second- old name, which she changed in for her as party leader during gain lost momentum. statement said. The Egyptian government said the four dead were agricultural highest toll in Europe after in 2018 as part of an image her presidential campaign. Macron is reportedly plan- He began 10 days of self- workers from the North African country, while Nicosia vowed in a Britain and the eighth-highest makeover. The media-savvy 25-year- ning to resurrect a controver- isolation on June 27, less than tweet to “stand by the victims’ families in the face of this tragedy, globally. Polls show the presidential old, who fl opped in the region- sial pensions bill that he put two days after attending a off ering every support”. The country has reported 4.26 election coming down to an- al elections in the greater Paris on the back burner during the European Union summit in Fanned by strong winds, the fi re broke out Saturday afternoon million cases to date. other duel between Le Pen and region, is currently the RN’s Covid-19 crisis, in an attempt Brussels, but none of the other and swept through the southern foothills of the Troodos moun- The number of patients in centrist President Emmanuel deputy leader. to buff his credentials as a re- 26 EU leaders who attended tains as the country grapples with a blistering heatwave. hospital with Covid-19 – not Macron, who faced off in the Analysts say the key chal- former. the summit were considered a “Everything was a nightmare and pure hell here, the village was including those in intensive care fi nal of the 2017 election. lenge for the far-right will be to The emergence of a strong contact case. surrounded by fi re,” said Akis Giorgiou, 45, from the hamlet of – stood at 1,364 yesterday, down Macron, 43, has yet to an- get voters increasingly turned candidate on the traditional The Luxembourg premier had Arakapas, who had spent a terrifying night there and was relieved from 1,394 a day earlier. nounce whether he will seek off by all politicians, including right could sap him of support already received one dose of yesterday that his home was spared from the fl ames. There were seven new a second term but is shown as those on the fringes, to turn out among centre-right voters. the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine At least 25 buildings were damaged or destroyed, nine of them admissions to intensive care comfortably beating Le Pen in a on election day. Former minister Xavier Ber- on May 6. in Arakapas, said a local police offi cial. units, up from two on Saturday, runoff if he does. “They no longer go to vote trand, who won re-election as The country of 630,000 “It is a tragedy,” President Nicos Anastasiades said about the while the total number of Le Pen, 52, who is making her just to say they are not happy,” head of the northern Hauts- inhabitants has seen a surge blaze on Twitter, describing it as “the largest fi re since 1974”, the intensive care patients fell to 197 third bid for the top job, argued sociologist Erwan Lecoeur told de-France region last month, of infections in the past 10 year when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its north- from 204. Some 141,640 tests her greatest success so far had France Info radio. is among several current or days, and 136 people tested ern third. for Covid-19 were carried out in been “ideological”. Le Pen made a special ap- former members of Nicolas positive for the coronavirus on The blaze had caused loss of life and destroyed property and the space of 24 hours, compared “We were right about im- peal to the anti-elite “yellow Sarkozy’s Republicans party Saturday, a level last seen in forest lands, Anastasiades said, adding that “the government will with a previous 228,127, the migration, about society’s de- vest” protesters who staged aiming to turn the vote into a Luxembourg in mid-May. provide immediate assistance” to the victims and their families. ministry said. scent into savagery, about glo- often-violent demonstrations three-way race. European vacation: car rentals complicated, expensive

AFP back an average of 364 euros compared Until the spring, most companies meet demand. “We’ve begun to warn GetAround, a web platform that or- three times more expensive,” he said. Paris to 277 euros two years ago. still had fl eets roughly a third smaller people: if you want to come to Italy, ganises such rentals, said it has seen “a In the United States, where prices For Italy, the fi gure is 407 euros than in 2019, she said. which is fi nally reopening, plan and sharp increases in searches and rent- shot higher during the spring, tourists this summer compared to 250 euros Car rental fi rms are used to regu- reserve ahead,” said the head of the als” in European markets. visiting Hawaii turned to renting vans. fter long months of lockdowns in 2019. In Spain, the average cost has larly selling their vehicles and replac- association of Italian car rental fi rms, Since May more than 90% of cars In France, there are still cars, ac- and curfews Europeans are jumped to 263 euros from 185 euros. ing them, so rebuilding their inventory Massimiliano Archiapatti. available on the platform have been cording to Jean-Philippe Doyen, who Alooking forward to jetting off for According to another website, Lili- should not have been a problem. He said they were working hard to rented on weekends, and many have handles shared mobility at the Na- a bit of sun and sand – only to fi nd that go, daily rental costs have nearly dou- Except the pandemic sent demand meet the surge in demand at vacation already been booked for much of the tional Council of Automobile Profes- their dream vacation risks turning into bled on the French island of Corsica. At for consumer electronics surging, cre- spots. summer. sionals. a nightmare as no rental cars are avail- the resort city of Palma on the Spanish ating a shortage of semiconductors, or “But we’ve got two big islands that GetAround has used the surge in de- “Clients have a tendency to reserve able. island of Mallorca, rental prices have chips, that are used not only in com- are major international tourism desti- mand to expand the number of cities it at the last minute, even more so in the In many areas popular with tourists nearly tripled. puters but increasingly in cars. nations,” he said, which makes it dif- serves. still somewhat uncertain situation,” he cars are simply not available or sub- Today’s problem is a direct result of “A key contributor to the challenge fi cult to move cars around, especially For some, their arrival can’t come said. compacts are going for a stiff 500 euros the coronavirus pandemic. right now is the global chip shortage, as the trip to Sardinia takes half a day. fast enough. They will often wait until just a few ($600 per week). Faced with near absence of clients, which has impacted new vehicle avail- “The ferries are already full with Bruno Riondet, a 51-year-old aero- days before their trip, which means Car rental comparison websites selling off vehicles to raise cash made a ability across the industry at a time people bringing their cars,” he added. nautics technician, rents cars to attend car rental fi rms don’t have a complete show just how expensive renting a ve- lot of sense for car rental fi rms strug- when demand is already high,” said a “Given the law of supply and de- matches of his favourite British foot- overview of upcoming demand, he hicle has become for tourists this sum- gling to survive. spokesman for Enterprise. mand, there is a risk it will impact on ball club, Brighton. added. He said business is recover- mer. “Everyone drastically reduced their It said it was working to acquire new prices,” Archiapatti said. “Before, to rent a car I was pay- ing but that revenue has yet to reach According to Carigami, renting a car fl eet,” said the head of Europcar, Caro- vehicles but that in the meantime it is The increase in demand is also being ing between 25 and 30 euros per day. pre-pandemic levels as travel is not yet for a week this summer will set tourists line Parot. shifting cars around in order to better seen for rentals between individuals. Today, it’s more than 90 euros, that’s completely unfettered.

Pazzi, the pizza-making robot, gets down to business in Paris today

A combo of pictures shows “Pazzi”, a pizza-making robot, in various stages of work in a restaurant in Paris. The pizza-making robot from Parisian startup Pazzi that will begin to operate in the heart of Paris today may be the forerunner of an army of future robot cooks around the world. The small Pazzi restaurant in the Beaubourg district is the second to open, after the one in the Val d’Europe shopping centre in eastern Paris, which opened in November 2019. (AFP) Gulf Times 12 Monday, July 5, 2021 QATAR

QBG holds wild desert plant restoration event

 Qatar Foundation entity marks UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought  The QBG has planted 1,443 native trees in 2021 as part of its ecosystem restoration eff orts

he Qur’anic Botanic Gar- bat Desertifi cation online world den (QBG), the fi rst garden map, was meant to inspire com- Tin the world to exhibit all munities in Qatar and around the plant species mentioned in the world to take action to prevent, Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sun- halt and reverse land degrada- nah, marked the United Nations tion. (UN) World Day to Combat De- Held in line with the United sertifi cation and Drought recent- Nations’ SDGs (sustainable de- ly with a wild desert plant resto- velopment goals), the environ- ration event at Rawdat Al Faras in mental pillar of Qatar National Al Nasraniya. Vision 2030 (QNV2030) and In celebration of this day, the QBG’s goal of restoring wild the QBG planted 15 trees of the plants in their natural habitats, Samor, Salma and Sidr varieties combating desertifi cation, and in their natural habitats, all of co-operating with the local com- In celebration of this day, the QBG planted 15 trees of the Samor, Salma and Sidr varieties in their natural which are mentioned in the Holy munity to support its commit- habitats. Qur’an and Hadith and native ment to preserving the nation’s to the Rawdat ecosystem at the environment, plants and fungal to Combat Desertifi cation and we work closely with important community members to be active Rawdat Al Faras restoration site. natural resources, the activity Drought is an exceptionally im- stakeholders, such as the Min- contributors to these eff orts, the The seeds for these plants were aims to contribute towards cre- portant occasion for the QBG and istry of Municipality and Envi- QBG recently launched its free- collected from environmental ating a greener Qatar and health- one that reminds us of the neces- ronment, to rehabilitate endemic of-charge “Home Garden Phone areas in Qatar that face the pres- ier planet for the generations to sity of protecting our planet.” plants and plant wild trees in Helpline”. sures of land degradation, camp- come. “At the heart of this event is their desert habitats to reduce The initiative enables the pub- ing, grazing and infrastructure As part of its ecosystem res- the QBG’s commitment to sus- carbon emissions and limit de- lic to pose any home gardening development, and then germi- toration eff orts, the QBG has tainability, environmental pro- sertifi cation in Qatar.” questions directly to QBG ex- nated and propagated by the QBG planted 1,443 native trees in 2021 tection and the preservation of Additionally, in a bid to sup- perts by calling 3091 8519 every The seeds for these plants were collected from areas in Qatar that team at its Conservation Centre. alone. our planet’s natural resources port the Environmental Devel- Monday from 9am-12.30pm, and face the pressures of land degradation, camping, grazing and The event, which is listed on QBG director Fatima al-Khu- for the generations to come,” opment Pillar of QNV2030, pro- every Wednesday from 12.30pm- infrastructure development. the UN Convention to Com- laifi said: “The UN World Day she said. “Across the country, tect ecosystems and empower 2.30pm. Over 4,400 trees planted along Al Shamal Road  Project includes planting 4,477 trees along 23km of Al Shamal Road in both directions  About 95% of tree plantation works is completed and project is planned to be delivered in full in the third quarter of 2021 Most of the tree species are of local origin. The trees are being he Supervisory Commit- in Qatar, said: “The importance consideration of their lesser need planted on both sides of this vital tee of Beautifi cation of of this plantation initiative lies for water and maintenance, the highway between Doha Festival TRoads and Public Places in in the location of the project on statement notes. City and Al Khor. Qatar continues with tree-plant- Al Shamal Road, which is one of ing works along Al Shamal Road, the vital routes in Qatar’s high- Recent development of Al The committee’s work will where more than 4,400 trees are way network as it connects sev- Shamal Road contribute to enhance sustain- being planted along both sides of eral destinations and residential Ashghal recently developed Al ability through minimising en- the vital highway between Doha neighbourhoods.” Shamal Road with the construc- vironmental pollution, reducing Festival City and Al Khor. “Planting trees and increasing tion of service roads through- CO2 (carbon dioxide) emission So far, about 95% of tree plan- green areas in Qatar are among out the highway with a length of through minimised consump- tation works has been completed, major tasks of the committee, about 200km, beginning from tion and conservation of energy and the project is planned to be aimed at enhancing the quality the northern part of Doha city resources. delivered in full in the third quar- of life and improving the over- at Duhail Interchange until Al It will also focus on the provi- ter of 2021. all aesthetic appearance of the Shamal city on the northern tip sion of more public transport op- The scope of the project in- country,” he said. of the State. connected bicycle path along the Culture and Sports, Qatar Muse- tions aiming for the reduced use cludes getting connected with Fakhroo said that the project The development works in- road. ums, Qatar Rail, and the Private of private cars and an improved treated sewage effl uent (TSE) works include planting 4,477 cluded the addition of two new Engineering Offi ce. lifestyle through clean and safe lines for irrigation, and the pro- trees along 23km of Al Shamal interchanges at Izghawa and Supervisory Committee of The committee is responsible transportation. vision of shaded places on both Road in both directions. Umm Salal, and expansion works Beautification of Roads and for fi ve major tasks: the con- Further, the committee will sides of Al Shamal Road, the Most of the tree species are of on three interchanges – Al Hu- Public Places in Qatar struction of central public parks, work for provision of a healthy Public Works Authority (Ash- local origin, commensurate with waila Interchange, Al Kheesa The committee works in co-or- neighbourhood parks, and the environment within residential Fakhroo: Planting trees and ghal) has said in a statement. the nature of the Qatari environ- Interchange and Al Kharaitiyat dination with several ministries provision of dedicated lanes for neighbourhoods and places of increasing green areas in Qatar Regarding the project, Jas- ment, and characterised by their Interchange – as well as develop- and other entities of the State, pedestrians and bicycles, the de- public gatherings through in- are among major tasks of the sim Abdulrahman Fakhroo, resistance to dry climatic condi- ment works of Al Khor Road and such as the Ministry of Mu- velopment of the Doha Corniche, creased aff orestation and land- committee, aimed at enhancing project manager at the Supervi- tions, such as the Sidr tree and Umm Birka Road. nicipality and Environment, the the development of Central scaping, which will greatly help the quality of life and improving sory Committee of Beautifi ca- Acacia Arabica. The expansion project also Ministry of Transport and Com- Doha, and increasing trees and in reducing the temperature in the overall aesthetic appearance tion of Roads and Public Places These species are selected in included the construction of a munications, the Ministry of green areas. cities. of the country.

QC aims Campaign to remove abandoned to build vehicles begins in Al Shamal

1,400 7,484 abandoned vehicles removed since start of 2021 homes joint campaign has been Architect’s rendition of the project in Turkey. launched at Al Shamal AMunicipality yesterday From Page 1 equate housing for families liv- el villages, benefi ting tens of These villages and cities have morning to remove abandoned ing in challenging humanitarian thousands of the aff ected and nearly 5,368 housing units for vehicles, in accordance with Law Qatar Charity, through this conditions. the displaced in northern Syria, 5,368 families. No 18 of 2017 on Public Hygiene. project, aims to alleviate the Since the beginning of the and Syrian refugees in some Some of them include The campaign is being im- suff ering of the displaced in Syrian crisis, Qatar Charity has neighbouring countries, at a to- schools, clinics and health cen- plemented by the committee to northern Syria by providing ad- managed to establish 11 mod- tal cost of QR96.5mn. tres. remove abandoned vehicles, the mechanical equipment depart- ment and the general cleanli- ness department in co-operation with Al Shamal Municipality, the Ministry of Municipality and En- vironment (MME) has said in a statement. This initiative is part of the The campaign in Al Shamal Municipality will continue for two weeks. second phase of the campaign to remove abandoned vehicles, Shamal Municipality will con- ent areas of Al Shamal Munici- as stipulated in the MME’s work tinue for two weeks. pality, and these will be removed plan in this regard for 2021. A total of 7,484 abandoned ve- soon in co-operation with the Hamad Sultan al-Shahwani, hicles have already been removed committee and other entities head of the general control sec- from diff erent municipalities in concerned. tion at Doha Municipality and a the country since the launch of The offi cials called on the member of the committee, took the fi rst phase of the campaign at public and garage owners to part in the launch of the cam- the start of this year. co-operate with the authorities paign alongside Hassan al-Nuai- After Al Shamal, the commit- concerned to carry out the work mi, head of the health control tee will carry out a similar cam- in order to preserve the aesthetic section at Al Shamal Municipal- paign in Al Khor and Al Thakhira appearance of the country. ity, a number of Internal Security Municipality, before proceeding They also urged owners to re- Force (Lekhwiya) personnel, and to other municipalities based on move abandoned vehicles in or- offi cials and representatives from the timetable. der to avoid legal accountability the participating entities. On his part, al-Nauimi said through the implementation of Al-Shahwani said that the that so far 140 abandoned vehi- Law No 18 of 2017 on Public Hy- Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Qatar Charity has managed to establish 11 model villages, benefiting tens of thousands. committee’s campaign in Al cles have been spotted in diff er- giene.