US, Taliban Sign Historic Accord in Doha

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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11474 March 1, 2020 Rajab 6, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

First case of Amir meets US secretary of state Amir visits Jewellery & Watches Exhibition coronavirus in Qatar

QNA Doha

he Ministry of Public Health said that it confi rmed the Tcountry’s fi rst case of coronavirus Covid-19 yesterday. The ministry said in a statement that the patient is a 36-year-old Qatari male who returned recently from Iran. He was evacuated from Iran on a government-chartered plane and along with all other passengers has been in quarantine, and has been ad- mitted to Communicable Disease Cen- tre and isolated under strict infection control measures, the statement said adding that he is in a stable condition. The statement explained that given the nature of the coronavirus and the extent of the global spread, fi nding a case in Qatar was expected, stressing that the ministry began examining all persons closely related to the patient and implementing appropriate quarantine measures, adding that there is currently no evidence of the spread of the virus in the country. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Eff orts are currently focused on and his accompanying delegation at his Al Bahr Palace off ice yesterday on the occasion of their visit to examining incoming travellers at the country to attend the signing ceremony of the Afghan peace agreement. During the meeting, Pompeo all the country’s entry points, the thanked the Amir for hosting the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the US and Taliban, as His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited yesterday the 17th Doha statement stressed. well as hosting talks between the two sides to help reach the agreement and appreciating Qatar’s mediation Jewellery & Watches Exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. He toured the The ministry is taking all measures eff orts to resolve disputes and bring peace to the region and the world. The meeting also dealt with the various pavilions of the exhibition and saw the latest designs of Qatari and international to limit the further spread of the virus strategic bilateral relations between the US and Qatar and ways to enhance them, in addition to the most companies manufacturing of jewellery, watches and gemstones. The Amir also saw some and asks the public to take precau- prominent regional and international development. Page 2 creations of Qatari jewellery designers taking part in the exhibition. Page 20 tions and implement the simple protective measures by frequent washing of hands or using hand sanitiser, avoiding sick people, keeping social Amir meets Turkish FM Amir meets leader of Taliban Political Offi ce distancing and coughing or sneez- ing into the sleeve of a fl exed elbow or use a tissue which then should be discarded into a closed bin. The ministry also advises all those who have been in any of the countries where the virus has been identifi ed in the last 14 days and suff er from cough and fever to come forward for testing or to call the hotline of the Ministry of Public Health at 16000. The ministry is working closely with all partners and with the World Health Organisation to ensure the implementation of latest guidelines and the appropriate public health measures and asks the public to regularly check the ministry’s website for the latest advisories and information. 1st virus death on US soil US President Donald Trump moved to quell fears about the novel coronavirus after the first death on US soil was His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday at his Al Bahr Palace off ice with the confirmed yesterday. The US fatality head of the Political Off ice of Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, and his accompanying delegation occurred in Washington State’s King His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday at his off ice at Al Bahr on the occasion of their visit to the country to participate in the signing of a peace agreement between the US county, which includes Seattle. Trump Palace with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and the accompanying delegation on and the Afghan Taliban. The meeting reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Ghani told reporters that the victim was a the occasion of their visit to Qatar to attend the signing of the peace agreement between the Baradar expressed deep thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir for Qatar’s mediation between the woman in her late 50s. “We’ve taken the US and the Afghan Taliban movement. The meeting reviewed the strategic bilateral relations US and the Taliban movement, which culminated in the agreement, ending years of war and fighting between most aggressive actions to confront the and the prospects of further promoting them in addition to discussing the latest key regional the two sides. The Amir congratulated the delegation on reaching this important moment in the history of coronavirus,” he added. Page 12 and international developments. Afghanistan, hoping that security and peace will prevail throughout Afghanistan. US, Taliban sign historic accord in Doha Pompeo: “I want to start by thanking His Highness By Joseph Varghese US troops to start Afghan Staff Reporter the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for withdrawal ‘immediately’ Qatar’s invaluable role as a host for these historic he United States of America talks. His unstinting support helped both sides reach Washington: US troops will start (US) and the Taliban yester- this momentous day. Qatar is an important ally for withdrawing from Afghanistan Tday signed a peace agreement with immediate eff ect, says US in Doha under the auspices of Qatar the US. Qatar has played a significant role in the President Donald Trump. “Today. which is expected to end nearly two They will start immediately,” Trump decades of war in Afghanistan. peace negotiation eff orts and we expect that they told reporters at the White House, The major components of the peace will continue to help us in these eff orts” in response to a question about deal are: Taliban guarantees that Af- when the soldiers will start to exit ghan soil will not be used by its mem- between the two sides have been going Prime Minister and Foreign Minister the country. - DPA bers or other groups against the se- on for more than one and half years. of Turkmenistan Rasit Meredow, For- curity of the US and its allies; all US Among the dignitaries present on eign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz and Nato troops from Afghanistan the occasion were HE the Deputy Prime Kamilov, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan on the fi rst two parts paves way for the will withdraw within a timeline of 14 Minister and Minister of State for De- Sirodjidin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister last two parts. months; intra-Afghan negotiations fence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al- of Indonesia Retno Marsudi, Foreign According to the joint declaration, to start by March 10, 2020 as well as a Attiyah, HE the Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Norway Ine Marie Eriksen the initial step will see the US reducing permanent and comprehensive cease- and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Soreide, Secretary-General of Pugwash the number of its forces in Afghanistan fi re to be on the agenda of the intra- Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, International Paolo Cotta-Ramusino to 8,600 within 135 days and will pro- Afghan dialogue and negotiations. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Secretary-General of Shanghai Co- portionally bring down the number of The agreement was signed by the US Baradar and a number of Taliban leaders. operation Organisation Vladimir Norov forces of its allies and coalition forces. special envoy for Afghanistan Recon- Oman’s Minister Responsible for also attended the signing ceremony. The US and its coalition partners and ciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad and Head Foreign Aff airs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Ab- The four parts of the agreement are allies will also withdraw all their forces of the Political Offi ce of Afghan Taliban dullah, Turkish Foreign Minister Mev- interrelated and each will be imple- from fi ve military bases during the pe- Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, during a lut Cavusoglu, Pakistani Foreign Min- mented in accordance with its own riod of the fi rst 135 days of the agree- Khalilzad and Baradar shake hands after signing the agreement. ceremony at Sheraton Doha. The talks ister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Deputy agreed timeline and terms. Agreement ment.To Page 8 / Pages 2,3,4 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR

FM meets US secretary of state

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday met the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the Afghanistan peace agreement. During the meeting, bilateral relations and means of supporting and strengthening them and a number of regional and international issues of common concern were reviewed. Qatar welcomes Afghan peace agreement

atar welcomes the eff orts and keenness of the important that this process tant step on the road to set- signing of the peace American President Donald includes all the spectrum tle all confl icts in the world Qagreement by the Trump and the American of the Afghani regions and through peaceful means. United States and the Tali- administration to make the societal sectors to ensure a “To conclude, Qatar con- ban in Doha, and considers negotiations a success, and prosperous future for the fi rms that it will not spare it an important fi rst step to also praises the keenness of friendly Afghani people. any eff ort to continue its complete the comprehen- Taliban to crown the talks “Qatar stresses that it is eff ective participation in sive and sustainable peace with a peace agreement. easy to start wars and crises, all the international and process in Afghanistan, the “Qatar is looking forward but it is diffi cult to engage regional eff orts to achieve Ministry of Foreign Aff airs to completing the peace in a constructive diploma- comprehensive and sus- said in a statement. process in Afghanistan in the cy. This is why it considers tainable peace in Afghani- “Qatar highly values the near future and considers it this agreement an impor- stan,” the statement added. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 3 QATAR

Amir holds phone talk with Iran president

is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Hmad al-Thani held a tel- ephone conversation yesterday with the Iranian President Has- san Rouhani. During the phone call, the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and means to promote them, in addition to major regional and international developments. The Amir also expressed, during the call, Qatar’s solidar- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani with foreign dignitaries at the signing ceremony of the Afghanistan peace agreement in Doha yesterday. ity with Iran which has seen a PICTURE: Nasar K Moidheen number of its citizens infected with the novel coronavirus, expressing Qatar’s readiness to provide the necessary support to combat and prevent the virus. - FM: First step towards comprehensive Afghan peace QNA

QNA tainable peace. He noted that the and facing all challenges in or- Doha agreement must unite all seg- der to achieve peace and resolve Amir condoles ments of the Afghan society in their diff erences. order to start building the future. He praised the cessation of with Turkish E the Deputy Prime HE the Deputy Prime Minister violence that started yesterday in Minister and Minister of and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Afghanistan, stressing that it will president HForeign Aff airs Sheikh highlighted Qatar’s initiative in save innocent lives and support reach a final resolution. al community to exert more Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- holding the intra-Afghan con- peace and development eff orts. He pointed out that this meet- efforts to meet any challenges Thani yesterday stressed Qatar’s ference, saying it placed the fi rst HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- ing in Doha constitutes a mes- facing the desired peace in Af- is Highness the Amir position of the futility of any building block of an expanded dulrahman al-Thani stressed sage of support for the Afghan ghanistan, and stressed that Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- military solution to the Afghan societal dialogue between all Qatar’s fi rm belief in mediation people to overcome this diffi cult Qatar will spare no effort in Hmad al-Thani, His crisis. Afghan parties. He said he looks as a main tool in achieving peace stage, and is a tribute to the US, co-operating with members of Highness the Deputy Amir Addressing the dignitaries on forward to seeing this process and resolving confl icts, which Taliban, and the Afghan govern- the international community in Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- the occasion of the signing of the yield a comprehensive and sus- helped the country resolves HE the Deputy Prime Minister ment, and all the countries that that regard. He called on coun- Thani and HE the Prime Min- Afghan peace agreement in Doha tainable peace in the near future. many of the region’s crises and Minister of Foreign Aff airs have supported dialogue and tries witnessing conflicts to ister and Minister of Interior yesterday, HE Sheikh Mohamed HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- thanks to its credibility, trans- Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- negotiations between the two open up to initiatives that aim Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said dulrahman al-Thani discussed parency, and fairness. rahman al-Thani delivering his sides. to establish peace through dia- Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday that Qatar continued its media- the suff ering of the Afghan peo- He added that Qatar’s gov- speech. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- logue that realises the aspira- sent cables to Turkish Presi- tion eff orts to establish peace in ple and the danger they have to ernment and people were happy dulrahman al-Thani said he tions of people for security and dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan Afghanistan, in accordance to go through as a result of threats to have the peace agreement ment, and building successful looked forward to this agree- stability. expressing their condolences the wise directions of His High- of war and all its negative im- between the US and Taliban be and fruitful relations between ment being an important turn- HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- to the president and to the ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin plications. He added that Qatar signed in Doha, adding that the the two sides will require mu- ing point on the path of stability dulrahman al-Thani concluded brotherly people of Turkey Hamad al-Thani. appreciates the position taken agreement went through very tual understanding of each and prosperity for the Afghan his speech by expressing pride on the death of Turkish sol- He expressed his satisfaction by the US and Taliban during all long phases before ultimately party’s concerns and a sincere people and achieving its goals in that Qatar is open for dialogue diers in the aerial bombard- with reaching a deal, which he phases of negotiations and dia- being successful. desire to achieve the interest of security, development and pros- between all, stressing that it man- ment in the Syrian city of said will act as a fi rst step to- logues hosted in Doha, and their He added that achieving the all parties involved, stressing perity. aged to overcome all obstacles Idlib, wishing the injured wards comprehensive and sus- commitment to transparency desired peace from this agree- that this will be the only way to He called on the internation- that was facing the peace deal. speedy recovery - QNA Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR

Diesel, petrol prices decline in March FM meets foreign dignitaries atar Petroleum (QP) announced yes- Meanwhile, QP set the price of Super terday the diesel and gasoline prices for Gasoline (95) at QR1.65/litre for March, Qthe month of March 2020. Compared to 10.8% lower than the February price of the current month, prices of both gasoline and QR1.85/litre. The price of Premium Gaso- diesel have declined. QP set the diesel price at line (91) has been set at QR1.6/litre for QR1.7/litre for March, compared to QR1.9/litre March, compared to QR1.75/litre in Febru- in February, a decline by 10.5%. ary, a decline by about 8.6%. – QNA

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday held separate meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rasit Meredow; Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov; Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Muhriddin; Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi; Foreign Minister of Norway Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide; Secretary-General of Pugwash International Paolo Cotta-Ramusino; and the Secretary-General of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, Vladimir Norov, on the sidelines of ceremony of the signing the Afghanistan peace agreement. During the meetings, bilateral ties and topics of mutual interest were discussed.

HMC study to address challenges facing elderly diabetes patients

ith the global prevalence of Wdiabetes rising in the above 65-year-old age group, clinicians from Ha- mad Medical Corporation (HMC) have undertaken a study to help address some of the challenges associated with caring for these patients. The six-month study, led by a group of physi- cians from the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Prof Abdul Badi Abou Dr Navas Nadukkandiyil. Dr Marwan Ramadan. Hamad General Hospital, Samra. investigated the effective- ness of medications in searchers but said there cations most commonly tar Metabolic Institute controlling the blood glu- was an opportunity for prescribed to older adults. and chairman of Internal cose levels of older adults additional study into how Additionally, our data sug- Medicine at HMC, said the with diabetes. It also ex- the disease is treated, and gests that standard treat- study was important as amined medication use specifically medication ment guidelines were fol- it showed these medica- and prescribing patterns regimes, among a wider lowed properly among tions are indeed useful for for diabetic patients of group of older adults with the older diabetic popu- the elderly and can result different age groups and diabetes. lation in Qatar,” said Dr in better diabetes control the correlation to diabetes Dr Navas Nadukkandiyil, Nadukkandiyil. than traditional medica- complications. associate consultant, Geri- Dr Ramadan noted the tions. Dr Marwan Ramadan, atric Medicine, explained study is signifi cant as its “Selecting diabetes senior consultant, Geri- that medication use among fi ndings have the potential medication for the elderly atric Medicine, said the older diabetics of diff er- to positively aff ect the qual- requires a good balance be- study, entitled ‘Evidence- ent age groups showed that ity of life and life expectancy tween therapeutic targets based Diabetes Manage- combination therapy (treat- of older adults with diabet- and side eff ects, particular- ment in Elderly’, involved ment using more than one ics. He said this is notewor- ly, hypoglycaemia. The eld- around 150 individuals medication), was found to thy as elderly persons with erly are very sensitive to hy- with Type 2 diabetes mel- be more eff ective in attain- diabetes are more severely poglycaemia and the newer litus. He noted that in the ing the target HbA1c among aff ected by the acute and diabetes medications that context of Qatar, risk fac- diabetics aged 65 years to 74 chronic complications of do not cause hypoglycaemia tors associated with Type years. the disease. provide a special benefi t for 2 diabetes had been pre- “We found there were Prof Abdul Badi Abou this group,” said Prof Abou viously examined by re- three anti-diabetic medi- Samra, director of the Qa- Samra.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR al khaliji honours employees at annual staff event

l Khalij Commercial Bank (al Al-Khalifa said: “The banking world khaliji) recently recognised se- is a people business, which requires Alect employees for their out- us to have the best people in place to standing work as part of its annual staff represent the company and deliver the gathering at The Ritz-Carlton Doha. best customer service. It is important The event was led by al khaliji Group for our employees to know we recog- chairman and managing director nise their tireless eff orts. We would Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani al- not be where we are today without Thani, together with Group CEO Fahad them.” al-Khalifa and senior management, The gathering commemorated and honoured employees with gifts and the numerous milestones al khaliji certifi cates of recognition for complet- achieved in 2019, including the inaugu- ing over 10 years of service, as well as ration of the bank’s new headquarter in for their loyalty towards the bank and Lusail City called al khaliji Tower. its customers. In addition, outstanding The annual staff gathering is also performances of several employees in an auspicious occasion to celebrate 2019 were recognised. Al khaliji’s awards, the most recent Welcoming the staff gathering, al khaliji Group chairman and managing director Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani al-Thani, Group CEO Fahad al-Khalifa and senior management at the ceremony. of which included the ‘Best Premium Sheikh Hamad said: “We stand here Bank’ award at the New Age Banking today to celebrate your hard-work and was a milestone year for al khaliji. We and moved to our fl agship new head- These tremendous achievements were keep bringing the next generation of Summit 2020 and ‘Best Partner Bank’ our accomplishments in 2019, which registered an increase of +6% over 2018 quarter, al khaliji Tower, in Lusail City. possible due to your commitment to banking in Qatar.” award by Qatar Development Bank. African Women’s Diplomatic Garden a fi rst in the country

(Above) Ministry of Foreign Aff airs representatives taking part in the tree-planting ceremony. (Left) African Women’s Diplomatic Group members during the event.

The planting of trees sig- The launch, which also nifi es life, as trees support featured cultural shows the environment. In keep- from Africa and Qatar, con- ing with the Ghars initia- cluded with a tour of the tive, the African Garden is a QBG Botanical Museum, means of building that rela- which displays photo- tionship through the plant- graphs, murals and Islamic ing of trees and ‘greening’ inscriptions. the environment. To date, over 1,800 trees “The Qur’anic Botanic have been planted as part of Garden, being affi liated to the Ghars campaign, which Education City, plays such aims to cultivate 2,022 trees an important role in advanc- by the FIFA World Cup Qa- ing education in this country tar 2022. to leave an everlasting legacy. QBG – a member of Qa- Planting these trees is a sym- tar Foundation – also en- bolic gesture to ensure that gages the local community Africa remains a part of that through diverse year-round legacy and has a presence education activities de- in the garden. We are also signed to encourage re- pleased at the opportunity to sponsibility and respect to- strengthen bilateral relations ward the environment, frican Women’s matic Garden, to highlight ure to be a part of this cere- and we hope it will represent promote the value of plant- Diplomatic Garden, the importance of uniting mony organised by Qur’anic a garden of friendship being trees in the Islamic reli- Alaunched recently by globally around the com- Botanic Garden and show tween Africa and Qatar, with gion, and preserve Qatar’s the Qur’anic Botanic Gar- mon goal of environmental support for their work, and all 54 African countries rep- natural resources and bo- den (QBG) in celebration of conservation. We also look that of Qatar Foundation. resented eventually.” tanic diversity. Qatar Environment Day, is a forward to strengthening fi rst in the country. our cultural relations with To mark the event, a tree- the countries represented planting ceremony was held here and working together on February 26 in the pres- to cultivate the garden.” ence of ambassadors from 10 Launched at QBG Pilot African countries, members Garden in Education City, of the African Women’s Dip- the African Women’s Dip- lomatic Group and senior lomatic Garden is part of Qatari dignitaries, as well as QBG’s Ghars tree-planting local community leaders. campaign, and aims to Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi , highlight the importance of project director at QBG, green conservation initia- said: “Qatar has dedicated tives in Qatar. a day to spreading greater Emphasising a global awareness of the need to sustainability message to protect our environment, conserve the environment, and the special tree-plant- the garden incorporates ing ceremony is an example a variety of saplings rep- of QBG’s commitment – as resenting several African part of Qatar Foundation’s countries, including Mali, wider mission – to pro- Djibouti, South Africa and mote environmental values Senegal. in Qatar and support an African Women’s Dip- important pillar of our na- lomatic Group president tional vision. Anika Moosa, spouse of the “We hope, through the South African ambassador African Women’s Diplo- in Qatar, said: “It’s a pleas- Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 7 QATAR

Off icials of Mahaseel and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) during the tour of Al Sailiya Central Market. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Mahaseel sold 5mn kg vegetables in ongoing agricultural season ahaseel for Market- Mahaseel markets 30 diff er- an operations hall measuring achieved, the statement notes. ing and Agricultural ent vegetable varieties in the 3,500sq m. It also includes 11 So, a farmer’s main focus will be MServices Company, a local market through 44 hyper- cold stores with a height of 8m on agricultural activity, it adds. subsidiary of Hassad, yesterday market outlets across the coun- and an area of 2,000sq m. A consultative committee has announced that it has so far sold try, the company has said in a The production capacity is been formed by Mahaseel and it 5mn kg vegetables in the local statement. 400 tonnes per day. includes a number of local farm market in the current agricul- Moreover, 200 local farms are Mahaseel is currently work- owners among its members to tural season. currently registered with Ma- ing with local farm owners on monitor any remarks from the “We founded Mahaseel with haseel to benefi t from the mar- pre-contracting and daily di- farmers’ side. They also work the aim of providing the infra- keting and agricultural services rect contracting basis follow- with the company to fi nd eff ec- structure and services needed that are provided to farmers. ing specifi c conditions for each tive solutions in order to devel- to support the private agricul- The operations at Mahaseel’s programme. op and enhance the mechanism ture sector, as well as to moti- new headquarters, spread over The pre-contracting proof the operation. Further, Ma- vate them to increase the quan- 20,000sq m, began in concur- gramme is a guarantee for haseel conducts training pro- tity and enhance the quality of rence with the start of opera- farmers to sell their produce at grammes. local produce, towards achiev- tions at Al Sailiya Central Mar- a fi xed price without any in- Divided between theoreti- ing food security,” said Moham- ket. fl uence of market supply and cal and practical studies, these ed al-Sadah, Hassad CEO, dur- The headquarters includes demand factors, thus ensuring programmes ensure the devel- ing a tour of Al Sailiya Central a vegetable receiving hall that a near-constant return once opment of the private agricul- A section of the market. Market. covers over 2,300sq m and the agreed-upon quantities are ture sector.

A worker at the market.

Sidra Medicine Maternal and Child Health Symposium enhances well-being eff ort idra Medicine, a member of Qatar To register, one can e-mail MCH@ speak on reducing vulnerabilities in Foundation, has announced new risadmin.onmicrosoft.com As a pre- young girls and women from acquir- Sprogramme additions to its Ma- cursor to the symposium, Sidra Medi- ing chronic diseases and implementing ternal and Child Health (MCH) Sym- cine’s research department will also appropriate intervention strategies. posium 2020, which will held in Doha host a seminar on March 5, where glo- Sheikh Dr Mohamed’s talk will focus on March 7-9. bal and local health challenges will be on the status of non-communicable In strong alignment with Qatar’s Na- addressed by two leading healthcare diseases in Qatar and the national tional Health strategy 2018-2022 prior- experts, according to a press state- strategies to reduce them. ity target — ‘Healthy women leading to ment. To register for the seminar, one can healthy pregnancies’ — the MCH Sym- Titled ‘Current advances in the fi eld email [email protected]. posium 2020 will host an additional of obesity, diabetes and heart disease’, The MCH Symposium 2020 will seminar and community workshops. the pre-symposium seminar will fea- cover both translational and clinical The community workshops, one in ture Kent L Thornburg, professor of research with sessions looking at un- English and another in Arabic, will be Medicine from Oregon Health and Sci- derstanding the role of lifestyle and hosted at Sidra Medicine in partner- ence University, and Sheikh Dr Mo- women’s health in fertility, the role of ship with the Ministry of Public Health hamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director infectious and chronic diseases in re- (MoPH) on March 4. of Public Health at Qatar’s MoPH. productive health, as well as the latest The workshops are aimed at preg- Prof Thornburg, in addition to be- updates on the novel tools and proto- nant women and fi rst-time mothers ing a keynote speaker at the main MCH cols used in IVF and in the manage- to address common questions around Symposium 2020, will talk at the pre- ment of pregnancy complications. nutrition and exercise during preg- conference seminar about ‘Healthy The full agenda is available online at nancy as well as breastfeeding. Women, Healthy Society’.She will www.sidra.org/MCH. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR US, Taliban Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha hosts sign historic peace accord Qatar’s fi rst-ever Service Week

From Page 1 olls-Royce owners were welcomed to Qatar’s inaugural Rolls- Calling it ‘historic talks’, the US Sec- RRoyce Service Week, which took retary of State, Mike Pompeo said the place from February 24-27. Rolls-Royce agreement ‘is a true test’ and exhorted Motor Cars Doha, the authorised dealer Taliban to honour the commitments of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Qatar, made in the deal. greeted the owners in attendance at the He also highlighted the great role Service Week as well as their array of played by Qatar in making the peace deal luxury motor cars. possible. “I want to start by thanking The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim showroom at The Pearl-Qatar was the bin Hamad al-Thani for Qatar’s in- venue of the event, and was packed valuable role as a host for these historic with many exclusive services — all pro- talks. His unstinting support helped vided at the superior standards that the both sides reach this momentous day,” highly-valued Rolls-Royce customers said Pompeo. deserve and are accustomed to receiv- “Qatar is an important ally for the ing, a press statement noted. Chris Weglinski, assistant general US. Qatar has played a signifi cant role At the reins of this fi rst Service manager for Ownership Services, in the peace negotiation eff orts and we Week was technical specialist Alex- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha. expect that they will continue to help us ander Starzecki, who joined the Rolls- in these eff orts,” he observed at a press Royce Motor Cars Doha team all the For customers who required fur- conference later. way from the home of Rolls-Royce in ther services, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Goodwood, UK. Doha collected cars from the show- Abdulrahman al-Thani highlighted that Rolls-Royce customers enjoyed room to complete any needed mainte- Qatar has exerted sincere eff orts to pur- on-the-spot vehicle evaluations and nance then arranged for return deliv- sue peace in Afghanistan. oil services, as well as complimentary ery at the owner’s convenience. “Qatar has followed the process with map updates for Ghost, Wraith, and Chris Weglinski, assistant gen- great optimism and progressed in the Dawn vehicles produced after August eral manager for Ownership Services, mediator role. This agreement will be a 2015 – all provided by the team of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, said: real turning point for the welfare of the skilled technicians that were available “We thoroughly enjoyed Rolls-Royce people of Afghanistan and the country. throughout the week. Service Week; it was the perfect way Rolls-Royce customers enjoyed on-the-spot vehicle evaluations and oil services, as well as complimentary map updates Qatar always believes in dialogue to solve Rolls-Royce owners enjoyed exclu- to show our dedication and loyalty to for Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn vehicles produced after August 2015. any confl icts,” noted Sheikh Mohamed. sive benefi ts on parts and accessories, our valued customers. Pompeo also called on Taliban to keep body paint protection treatment, as “We are committed to keeping these tion, and Service Week is yet another showcased our extensive capabilities well as the high-level of technological the promises made in the agreement. well as leather cleaning and protection. luxury motor cars in the fi nest condi- way to make that possible. The event at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, as expertise we have on off er.” “The negotiation process in Doha, with all its twists and turns, has shown, it is possible for us to take this step together. We will closely watch Taliban’s compliance with Family Park hosted 9,600 visitors on Friday their commitments and calibrate the pace of our withdrawal to their actions. This is how we will ensure that Afghanistan nev- Qatar Charity distributes QR10mn relief er again serves as a base for international terrorists,” he pointed out. Addressing the gathering at the to 170,000 Syrian displaced, refugees signing ceremony, Abdul Ghani said that it was a great occasion for everyone. “The agreement between Taliban atar Charity’s (QC), through its and the US is good for both Afghani- new delegation, has distributed re- stan and the international community. Qlief aid to Syrian refugees in a camp We want good relations with all and we near the Turkish Syrian border, and food hope that this will be a new beginning,” assistance in many Turkish cities border- he noted. ing Syria. The agreement also states that the The delegation, which is the second of United States will seek economic co- A total of 9,600 people, including 6,850 adults and its kind in a week, was headed by Qatar operation for reconstruction of the new 2,750 children, visited Al Khor Family Park on Friday, the Charity CEO Yusuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari post-settlement Afghan Islamic gov- Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) said in and included many Qatari fi gures. ernment as determined by the intra- a tweet yesterday. Also, some 850 passengers took the The distributed aid included 2,000 tents Afghan dialogue and will not intervene train ride inside the park, the MME added. with 15,000 plastic insulators, 15,000 food in its internal aff airs. baskets each weighing 73kg, blankets, personal hygiene kits, winter clothes, heaters and 375,000 litres of fuel. The aid valued at more than QR10mn is expected to benefi t 33,600 families with 170,000 individuals, QC has said in a statement. QNL presents conservation The aid came in conjunction with the live broadcast hosted by several media outlets in Qatar, on Friday and yesterday, to raise donations for Syrian displaced and training course in Levant refugees as part of the ‘Sham Deserves’ Qatar Charity has distributed relief aid to Syrian refugees in a camp near the Turkish Syr- campaign. ian border, and food assistance in many Turkish cities bordering Syria. xperts from libraries, cul- The campaign, being implemented by tural institutions and muse- QC in partnership with Qatar Media Corp, Eums from across the Levant aims to deliver assistance to 250,000 Syr- recently participated in a four-day ian refugees and displaced persons in the training programme organised by areas of shelter, food, water, sanitation and Qatar National Library in Jounieh, health. Lebanon, in co-operation with the Donations in favour of the ‘Sham De- Holy Spirit University of Kaslik serves’ campaign can be made through and the Beit Gazo Centre. QC’s website, mobile app, 27 branches The training programme, ‘Prac- across the country and 97 collection points tical Methods for the Scientifi c in commercial centres. Examination of Library Objects’, Donors can also request for a ‘home col- was presented by the library in its lector’ through the mobile app and dial the role as the International Federa- hotline, 44667711, to make their contribution of Library Associations and A session in progress. tions. Institutions Regional Preservation Mobile donation is also available. To do- and Conservation Centre for Arab heritage manuscripts held in the Fr Dr Joseph Moukarzel, direc- nate QR100, QR200, QR500 and QR1,000, Countries and the Middle East. building’s archives. tor of Library and Museum at the one can send an SMS with the code “SOS” Dr Antonino Cosentino, direc- Refl ectance spectroscopy is an Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, to 92642, 92015, 92428 and 92429, respec- tor of Cultural Heritage Science eff ective technique in identifying said: “This workshop provided tively. Open Source, and Maxim Nasra, pigments and reveals information participants with the knowledge Book Conservation Specialist at vital to preserving historical items. necessary to refi ne their skills in the library, delivered the training. Stephane Ipert, Preservation modern scientifi c methods and The training focused on pre- and Conservation manager at the to examine collections in libraries serving the legacy of Eastern library, said: “We are delighted and museums and the impact of Cleanliness drive at Al Ruwais Churches, the library said in a that experts from across the Le- documents using modern scien- statement. vant region attended the workshop tifi c methods and means.” Marking Qatar The primary focus of the fi rst and learned about the latest devel- Fr Youssef Dergham, director Environment Day, two days was technical photog- opments and tools for preserving of Beit Gazo Centre, said: “We are the Beaches and raphy. Conservators take a col- historical manuscripts. It was an happy to host this workshop in Islands Division of lection of images using a modi- excellent and very rewarding four Lebanon and have learned valu- General Cleanliness fi ed digital camera and diff erent days for everyone involved. able information about the use Department of lighting sources and fi lters, with “The training will certainly be of of modern technologies in con- the Ministry of each image providing unique in- benefi t to conservators and pres- serving, restoring and studying Municipality and formation about the object under ervation professionals involved manuscripts. The workshop also Environment examination. with the important role of con- dealt with the basics of examining (MME), conducted a The identifi cation of pigments serving valuable documents and materials used for writing, and the cleanliness campaign in manuscripts and paintings with manuscripts that capture the her- rich decorations and colours that at Al Ruwais where the a portable device that uses refl ect- itage of the region. We will con- are precious and worthy of exami- beach was cleaned. ance spectroscopy technology en- tinue to work with our partners in nation and study. During the campaign, gaged participants on Day 3. the region to share knowledge and “It also focused on the technical plastic boxes, bags The programme concluded on expertise with professionals in the skills related to spectroscopy and and wood were Day 4 with practical training on fi eld and to raise awareness about colour, and their relevance in the fi eld removed from the sea. technical photography and re- the conservation of rare books, of technical examination of docu- The department has fl ectance spectroscopy using manuscripts and documents.” ments, manuscripts and books.” appealed visitors and fisherman to put waste only in designated places and maintain cleanliness.

Employees cleaning the beach at Al Ruwais. Participants of the programme. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 9 QATAR

AAB supports HMC with its blood donation campaign

bdullah Abdulghani & necessary screening conducted Bros Co (AAB), the exclu- by HMC staff before reaching Asive distributor of Toyota the actual number of accepted and Lexus in Qatar, has stressed donors. that it “carries on with its com- R K Murugan, acting CEO; mitment to promote the spirit Samer Jalal, HR & Admin direc- Senior off icials welcomed the medical team from HMC on behalf of AAB at Al Abdulghani Tower and the main service centre, Industrial Area. of voluntary blood donation” in tor; and Kamal al-Hajj, CSD di- support of Hamad Medical Cor- rector; along with Muthusamy, poration (HMC) by conducting senior manager, National Serv- the fi rst series of the Blood Do- ice; and other senior manage- nation Campaign for this year. ment team members welcomed A good turnout of volunteers the medical team from HMC on made the campaign a success, behalf of AAB at Al Abdulghani AAB said in a statement. Tower and the main service A signifi cant contribution was centre, Industrial Area, respec- made to the Blood Bank as a re- tively. sult of a good number of volun- “AAB is dedicated to pro- teers and accepted donors com- moting not only work-life bal- ing from various business units ance and a healthy lifestyle but in the Industrial Area and Al Ab- also the spirit of volunteerism dulghani Tower, the statement through its annual Blood Dona- noted. tion Campaign,” the statement All volunteers underwent the added. Jeweller off ers ‘unique Safari launches 3 opportunity to buy new promotions gold at the best rates’ afari, a leading retail kistani churidar material and sager, glucose monitor, blood Muringayilayil Varattityathu, n the wake of rising gold pric- in case it reduces, they can still the signifi cant diff erence in price group in Qatar, has an- chiffon churidar, etc. pressure monitor, hair straight- Muringaka Mutton Soup, Um- es, Malabar Gold & Diamond “draw mileage” from the reduced when compared to India. When Snounced the launch of Abaya collections such as ener of international brands machi Poth Fry, Beppur Su- Ihas announced that it is pro- rate. a customer spends QR183 in Qa- three new promotions – Saree, Turkish jilbab, Syrian jalabiya like Beurer, Citizen, Philips and lathan Konch, Puyapla Mutton viding customers with the Gold A customer intending to buy tar for 1gm of gold, the equiva- Churidar & Abaya Festival, and butterfly abaya, etc, are Braun will be showcased in the Soup, Kunjipathal, Ithathas Rate Protection Scheme. gold worth QR10,000 needs to lent value in India is Rs3,880, ie Malabar Food Festival and included in the festival at “very electronics division. Kozhicurry, Meen Vatti Pol- The scheme provides a pay QR1,000 to avail the advance QR198, giving them a benefi t of Health & Beauty – from today. attractive prices”, the state- Meanwhile, the Malabar lichathu, Irachipathiri, Mut- “unique opportunity to buy booking off er and, in turn, get QR15 per gram. “Safari has always occupied ment notes. Food Festival is the latest spe- tamala, Mutta Surka, Chat- gold, be it for personal use or as protected from the increasing “Considering that gold is a a prime spot for expatriates in In the Health & Beauty pro- cial offering from the Safari tippathiri, Kallaumekaya an investment, at the best rates”, gold rates. convenient investment assur- Qatar to purchase a wide va- motion, a wide variety of prod- Bakery & Hot food division. Nirachathu, Unnakaya, Rahath the leading jeweller has said in a According to the manage- ing safe returns even for the riety of quality products at a ucts is available to “maintain the Districts located between Biriyanai, Arakkal Poth Biriya- statement. ment team of Malabar Gold & middle class, there is an in- fabulous discounts. This time, health and beauty of valued cus- Kasaragod and Malappuram in ni, Vallumarathe Aattin Charu, Customers can pay 10% ad- Diamonds, this scheme has been crease in people deciding to it is introducing three new tomers” and “provide complete the southern Indian state of Kozhi Urumathu, Kizhiyi- vance for their favourite jewel- designed in such a way that cus- invest in this metal. Even amid promotions,” Safari said in a solutions” for related issues. Kerala are commonly referred lakiya Chemeen Kootam, lery and get benefi ts from the tomers are not aff ected by the in- several other investment op- statement. “Quality products at dis- to the Malabar region. Vazhuthanaga Kizhikootan, increasing gold rate and protect creasing gold rates. tions often considered by sala- The Saree, Churidar & Abaya count prices” are the highlight Malabar is famous for its Aval Milk, Safari’s own Kulukki themselves from the increase The off er will be valid until ried expatriates for higher re- Festival is designed in such a of this promotion. unique culture, arts and cui- Sarbath, Bathaka Vellam, Up- in the gold rate, the statement April 30 across all Malabar Gold turns not performing well, the way that customers will get a In the cosmetics division, sine. “Safari recreates the pilatta Manga, Uppilatta Pine- notes. & Diamonds stores in the GCC, fact that gold has not lost its purchase coupon worth QR75 beauty products such as soap, same traditional Malappuram, apple, Muttai, Pulimuttai, etc. If the gold rate increases at Malaysia, Singapore and the US. sheen is a major advantage for on every purchase of QR150. shampoo, liquid handwash Calicut and Thalasseri tastes The Malabar Food Festival the time of purchase, customers “It is always benefi cial to buy the market,” the jeweller ex- A wide variety of saree collec- and facewash of international under the supervision of emi- will be held at Safari Mall – can avail of the booked rate and, gold from the GCC, considering plained in the statement. tions are available as part of brands such as Olay, Enchan- nent chefs without losing the Abu Hamour, Safari Hyper- the promotion, including Ba- teur, Dove, Nivea, L’Oréal, fragrance of Malabar. Hun- market – Salwa Road and Sa- narasi, Kanchipuram, raw silk, Pond’s, etc, are included be- dreds of Malabar dishes will fari Mall – Al Khor. printed, cotton, Tussar silk, sides several other brands. In be showcased in the festival to Apart from these promo- synthetic and Georgette work, the sports division, home gym, stimulate your taste buds with tions, the next lucky draw of etc. treadmill, dumbbell sets, etc, traditional, nostalgic feelings,” the ‘Safari Win 20 Toyota Cor- Workshop discusses training The churidar range includes will be available at discounted the statement explains. rola Cars’ promotion will take cotton churidar material, cot- rates. The offerings include Kozhi place on March 5 at Safari Mall ton-silk churidar material, Pa- Also, products such as mas- Kothiperukiyathu, Kozhi – Abu Hamour. plan for government agencies

QNA aimed at enabling participants nal training bodies and measur- Doha to prepare a training plan for ing the impact. government agencies accord- The workshop reviewed the ing to specific criteria, such as “Procedures for Preparing the he General Institute of availability, consideration of all Training Plan for Specialised Public Administration at specialised fields and the ex- Programmes” guideline which Tthe Ministry of Adminis- tent to which the training pro- was prepared by the Institute of trative Development, Labour and grammes are compatible with Public Administration to inform Social Aff airs concluded a work- the track-linking plan prepared participants with the procedures shop on identifying the training by the institute. and practical steps for prepar- needs of government agencies The workshop discussed all ing the plan for specialised pro- for 2021. stages of the training process grammes, with the aim of pre- It was attended by employees such as identifying the needs, paring a training card for each from 51 governmental bodies. preparing the estimated budget, employee taking into account the The five-day workshop selecting the internal and exter- needs. Schools pledge support for Ooredoo Ride of Champions

he 2020 Ooredoo Ride of moting this with a passion. We Champions is set to enjoy feel, as a school, it is extremely Ta record attendance of Qa- important for children to get in- tar’s youth thanks to high levels volved in activities in the com- of participation from schools in munity, particularly those in- the country, the organisers have volving sport. We are delighted said. to launch this programme.” With just 10 days to go until Spaces are still available the close of registration of the for this year’s event, in all age event (to be held on March 13), classes, with registration open schools are showing their sup- at www.rocdoha.qa. The first port by registering students for 2,000 participants receive the Ooredoo Ride of Champions. limited-edition bike jerseys In appreciation, the event or- (for age 9+) and event bike ganisers are providing exhibition bottles. space at the event for schools, Offi cial partners and sup- with more than 50 registrations, porters of the Ooredoo Ride of to exhibit their learning pro- Champions include Ooredoo grammes to prospective parents. Qatar, Qatar National Tourism The principal of Newton In- Council, Dolphin Energy, Qa- ternational School Lagoon, tar Stock Exchange (presenting Trudie Masterson, had this to say partner of the QSE Corporate about her school’s participation Challenge), Turkish Airlines, in the event: “We are really happy Qatar Foundation, Ministry of to support the Ooredoo Ride of Culture and Sports, Qatar Cy- Champions. We have more than cling Federation, Rasen Sports, 2,000 students in our school and Garmin Lingawi, Rayyan Water, nine schools in our group, and we Best Buddies Qatar and Acces- have informed principals around sible Qatar. the country to encourage their To learn more about Ooredoo children to ride. Ride of Champions, one can visit “I know for sure that Lagoon www.rocdoha.qa or follow @ will have the biggest student rocdoha on Twitter, Instagram body going because we are pro- and Facebook. Students from Newton International School Lagoon come together to show their excitement for the Ooredoo Ride of Champions. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR Auto Class Cars in special off er on Maxus V80 uto Class Cars, the authorised general distribu- Ator of Maxus in Qatar, is presenting a special off er on the Maxus V80 multipurpose van. Workers taking part in the election. PICTURES: Nasar K Moideen Valid until March 20, the of- fer includes benefi ts such as 0% down-payment, 0% interest fees on one-year payment plan with the option of an in-house Nakheel Landscapes and fi nance by NBK Financial Serv- ices, fi rst year free registration, and three years or 120,000km manufacturer warranty (which- AG Middle East hold election ever comes fi rst). Described as the “perfect choice for individuals and cor- porates, whether for transpor- for workers’ representatives tation or commercial use”, the multipurpose van comes in different versions, according to a l Nakheel Agriculture press statement. and Trading Company, These include the V80 cargo, Ain partnership with AG the “best option for cargo and Middle East, recently conduct- commercial operations”, and the ed their fi fth workers’ election V80 16-seater, which is an “ideal by inviting the workers of both solution, whether for hospital- companies to choose their rep- ity, schools or public transport”, resentatives. the statement noted. The election was aimed at The Maxus V80 is equipped ensuring the welfare, safety with standard headlamps that and security of workers and come with tilt adjustability and providing them with a better LED Daytime Running Light. working environment. Off icials attending the election. The Standard version comes The selected candidates with 16-inch alloy wheels. The will represent them in a Joint a period of two years. The elect- their well-being. They imple- Rear Barn Doors split design Committee that’s entrusted ed representatives will work to ment strategies and policies make loading and unloading “a The Maxus V80. to discuss all issues related to discuss and resolve various is- that highlight the security and breeze”. workers and their rights with sues related to them and their safety of the work environment In terms of interior design, the representatives of the compa- rights through the Joint Com- in a realistic and practical way Maxus V80 is distinguished with ny’s board of directors with the mittee meetings alongside the that transmit a worker’s griev- its Humanised Design Interior. objectives being in address- representative from the board ances or issues via representa- From front to back, the Maxus ing workers’ issues, providing of directors from the two com- tives to the higher management V80 gives “you effi ciency and adequate training, developing panies. and works to achieve lasting comfort as only European-de- their performance, nurturing This comes in implementa- progress and development in signed vehicles can”. their cultures and improving tion of the provisions of Chap- the work environment so that it The ‘Various Space Arrange- compliance with occupational ter 13 of Labour Law No 14 of refl ects on the workers and the ment’, the “incredible” boot safety and health regulations 2004, and the decision of HE company with the best results. space and various styles of seat and means of preventing risks. the Minister of Administrative Nakheel Landscapes was arrangement allow the V80 to The election held at the Development, Labour and So- established in February 1998 provide various settings possible Asian Town Cricket Stadium cial Aff airs No 21 of 2019, and under the name of Al Nakheel for diff erent occasions. was attended by representa- following systems of local and Agriculture and Trade Com- The centre console is simple tives of the Ministry of Admin- international rules and gener- pany. and facilitates the ease of use in istrative Development, Labour ally accepted in this regard. The company employs more a modern way. and Social Aff airs (MADLSA), The two companies, ac- than 3,600 permanent em- “Surging power comes from the Supreme Committee for cording to an official press ployees and owns a large fleet an advanced, economical” Delivery & Legacy and the In- statement, believe in Qatar’s consisting of 1,200 units of 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine ternational Labour Organisa- efforts to promote and ensure machinery and vehicles with that generates 131ps of power A view of the interior. tion in addition to representa- workers’ rights through the 450,000sq m of plant nurs- and 330Nm of torque. The V80 tives from the Human Rights laws and decisions that are eries, modern facilities and is equipped with MIRA precise electronic active safety systems frame is strong, energy-absorb- senger during an emergency. Commission and numerous being applied with their im- more. tuning of spring rate and shock meet the stringent European ing and made of high-tensile yet The V80 and other Maxus ve- ambassadors from countries portant and effective role in AG Middle East focuses pri- absorber resistance to give car- collision standards for commer- lightweight materials to provide hicles are available at the Auto representing diff erent nation- the development of the coun- marily on agriculture and mod- like handling, while letting the cial vehicle. The V80 provides added safety without compris- Class Cars showroom on Salwa alities of the workers. try. The two companies hold ern irrigation methods. The occupant travel in complete more safety options with the ing fuel effi ciency. Road. Customers can visit the Around 4,000 workers par- labour elections once every two company has more than 1,600 comfort. factory Rear Parking Sensor for Besides, the front-row dual showroom from Saturday to ticipated in the election to se- years to improve the condi- employees and various projects Active safety equipment such getting in and out of tight spots airbags are designed to protect Thursday, 8am-9pm, and on lect their desired candidates for tions of workers and improve throughout Qatar. as ABS, EBD, BAS and other with ease. Its monocoque body the driver and front-row pas- Friday from 5pm-9pm. Northerly winds and temperature QU programme aims to prepare drop forecast for tomorrow school students for college ortherly winds, dust and time. This, in turn, will result in 17C, according to the forecast. a drop in temperature dusty conditions at times along The Met department has urged Nhave been forecast in the with poor visibility of below 2km people to be cautious, avoid all atar University (QU) is raise awareness among Qatari Al Qabas Programme lege of Medicine, and various country starting tomorrow, ac- in some areas, the report stated. marine activities and follow the collaborating with the female high school students 2020 will be held from QU services. The participants cording to the Met department. Off shore, the wind speed is latest updates through its offi cial QOffice of the Assistant on how to succeed in STEM March 15-19 by QU’s also get the opportunity to at- In a report yesterday, the de- expected to go beyond 30 knots, social media accounts. Undersecretary for Educa- and medicine fields, includ- Foundation Programme, tend lectures with current QU partment said northwesterly causing high waves of over 10ft Meanwhile, today’s forecast tional Affairs at the Ministry ing study skills and test taking under the Deanship of students. Upon completion, winds are expected to return to in some places. says poor visibility is expected of Education and Higher Edu- strategies. General Studies, students will be awarded with the country between Monday The northwesterly winds will in some places in the early hours cation to prepare female high Also envisaged is to pre- according to a statement certificates of participation. and Thursday due to the exten- be accompanied by a decrease in due to misty to foggy condi- school students for university. pare students for university The programme was sion of high pressure over the temperature, especially during tions. This will be followed by Al Qabas Programme 2020 life through a variety of edu- STEM colleges and improving launched in the 2018-2019 region. the night hours and early in the moderate daytime temperature, will be held from March 15- cational activities, events and chances of success. academic year when 42 female The wind speed inshore will morning. scattered clouds and a chance 19 by QU’s Foundation Pro- competitions offered in Eng- Al-Qabas Programme also Qatari high school students range from 12-22 knots, gust- The maximum temperature of light rain in the north by the gramme, under the Deanship lish, to develop their English includes orientation ses- from grades 10 and 11 paring to 30 knots in some places at is expected to range from 19- evening. It will be relatively cold of General Studies, according and math skills, thereby pav- sions about admission and ticipated along with 24 QU FP times, especially during the day- 25C and the minimum from 10- at night. to a statement. The aim is to ing the way for enrolment in visits to STEM colleges, Col- faculty and staff members.

QNRF grant for VCUarts Qatar professor to develop aerogel resin for 3D printing

r Khaled Saoud, a physics joints, dental implants and hear- based 3D printing technology. objective is also to build a ro- nology Development Fund is to professor at the Liberal ing aids, according to a press The resin will enable the 3D bust, valuable intellectual prop- make market-driven technolo- DArts and Science Pro- statement. printing of a strong, ultra-light, erty portfolio in Qatar’s priority gies less risky and more attrac- gram, Virginia Commonwealth “I am excited about this ﬂ exible, highly porous, biode- research areas. tive to potential licencees,” said University School of the Arts in project and expect that this gradable, biocompatible product Dr Michael Rao, president of Abeer al-Hammadi, director of Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) in Edu- technology will solve many with minimum shrinkage, using Virginia Commonwealth Uni- Innovation and Economic De- cation City, a Qatar Foundation problems in the medical field rapid prototyping capability, the versity (VCU) and the VCU velopment, QF RDI. “We are (QF) partner university, has been and aerospace industry by pro- statement noted. It will also pave Health System, praised Saoud delighted to provide such funds awarded a Technology Devel- viding a robust aerogel resin the way for 3D printing of diff er- for his work. to the state-of-the art aero- opment Fund (TDF) grant from formulation, which makes ul- ent types of porous materials “This is an outstanding ac- gel technology developed by Dr Qatar National Research Fund tralight, strong materials that such as graphene aerogel and complishment and I know you Khaled at VCUarts Qatar. The (QNRF) for his development of can be applied in a multitude of metal organic framework. are as proud and excited as we technology so far has attracted an aerogel resin for 3D printing. ways,” Saoud explained, add- The TDF provides gap fund- all are for you. Thank you for all many entrepreneurs and private The technology will allow ing that he aims to develop and ing for early-stage, promising that you do on behalf of VCU players in diff erent applica- the production of personalised optimise the resin, based on a technologies that may be further and again, congratulations on tions.” medical products and devices silica aerogel/polymer com- developed to increase their com- the award.” Find out more about VCUarts Dr Khaled Saoud such as prosthetic hands, legs, posite, for stereolithography- mercialisation potential. The “The objective of the Tech- Qatar at qatar.vcu.edu Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Erdogan asks Russia to stand aside in Syria

Reuters Syrian Observatory war monitor Turkey-backed rebels mean- We don’t intend to leave before missile systems as support in ghans, Iranians, and Moroccans its border with Turkey and de- Istanbul reported. The strategic city sits while said they had re-taken six the people of Syria say, ‘Okay, Idlib. among others. manding entry yesterday. on an important international towns and villages yesterday in this is done,’” Erdogan added. Ankara has previously voiced It has said it cannot take an- “The European Union needs roadway and has been a fl ash- the Jabal Zawiya area of southern As tensions rose, three rounds of the request, saying it faced air other refugee wave from Idlib. to keep its promises. urkish President Tayyip point of fi ghting in recent days. Idlib, reclaiming a small pock- talks between Russia and Turkey missile threats in the region. Violence in Idlib has dis- We don’t have to take care Erdogan said yesterday Turkish strikes using drones et of the province after fi erce failed to yield a ceasefi re. A US State Department offi - placed 1mn civilians since De- of this many refugees, to feed The had asked President and smart missiles late on Fri- clashes with Pro-Assad forces. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said cial told reporters on Friday that cember inside the country near them,” Erdogan said. Vladimir Putin for Russia to day hit Hezbollah headquarters With diplomacy sponsored by yesterday the two sides agreed in Washington was looking ur- the Turkish border in desperate He said funds transferred stand aside in Syria and let Tur- near Saraqeb, killing nine of its Ankara and Moscow to ease ten- this week’s talks to reduce ten- gently to support Ankara in Idlib winter conditions. to Turkey from the EU to sup- key deal with Syrian government members and wounding 30 in sions in tatters, Turkey has come sions in Idlib while continuing with information-sharing and Erdogan said 18,000 migrants port refugees were arriving too forces alone, after 34 Turkish one of the bloodiest attacks on closer than ever to confrontation military action there. equipment, but that any assist- has crossed the border to Eu- slowly and that he had asked soldiers were killed this week. the group in Syria, according to a with Russia on the battlefi eld in But Turkish Foreign Minister ance would not involve military rope from Turkey since the gates German Chancellor Angela Syrian government forces, commander in the regional alli- Syria. Mevlut Cavusoglu told report- moves by American units. were opened, without providing Merkel to send the funds di- backed by Russian air power, ance backing Damascus. Speaking in Istanbul, Erdogan ers in Doha the Idlib issue can After 33 of its soldiers were evidence, and that the number rectly to the Turkish govern- have waged a major assault to The Syrian Observatory said said he had told Putin in a phone be settled only in a meeting be- killed on Thursday, Turkey said could rise to 25,000-30,000 on ment. capture the northwestern prov- renewed Turkish drone strikes call to stand aside and let Turkey tween Erdogan and Putin, which it would allow migrants it hosts Saturday. Turkey’s borders to Europe ince of Idlib, part of the last re- yesterday killed 26 more pro- “do what is necessary” with the he said would take place on to freely pass to Europe. Greece and Bulgaria, both were closed to migrants under maining territory held by rebels Damascus troops around Idlib Syrian government. March 5 or March 6. One more Turkish soldier European Union member states an accord between Turkey and backed by Turkey. and the Aleppo countryside, He said Turkey did not intend Following a meeting with US was killed on Friday, raising this neighbouring Turkey, said they the EU that halted the 2015- Syrian and Russian warplanes bringing the death toll for Syrian to leave Syria right now.”We Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, month’s toll to 55. would not admit the migrants. 16 migration crisis when more yesterday kept up air strikes government forces and their al- went there because we were in- Cavusoglu said Turkey wanted Turkey hosts some 3.7mn Syr- Greek police fired tear gas than 1mn people crossed into on the Idlib city of Saraqeb, the lies to 74 since Friday. vited by the people of Syria. the United States to send Patriot ian refugees, in addition to Af- towards migrants gathered on Europe by foot.

Palestinians protest against settlements Iraq announces ﬁ ve new cases of infection

Reuters the worst-hit countries outside Baghdad China. All 13 cases of coronavirus detected were linked to Iran, the health ministry said. raq has detected fi ve new The fi rst case detected was of cases of coronavirus, four an Iranian student who has since Iin Baghdad and one in Babel been sent back and the other 12 province, the Health Ministry are all Iraqis who had visited said yesterday, taking the total Iran. number of cases in the country Lebanon’s health ministry to 13. said yesterday that three new All fi ve had recently returned cases of coronavirus had been from visits to neighbouring Iran confi rmed, state news agency and had been placed in quaran- NNA reported, bringing the total tine, the ministry said. number of cases in the country On Wednesday, Iraq banned to seven. public gatherings and barred en- The ministry said the three try by travellers from Kuwait and new patients had been quaran- Bahrain, prohibiting travel to or tined at a Beirut hospital and from a total of nine countries. that their cases were the result Iraq has cultural and religious of contact with those who were ties with Iran which is one of already infected in Lebanon.

Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags in front of security forces during a protest against Israeli settlements, in Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. Diplomats allegedly linked to Bashir dismissed

Reuters Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, and Khartoum those were appointed through political and social empower- Iran reports new ment,” Mohamed al-Faki, dep- udan has fi red scores of uty head of the committee, told diplomats for alleged links a news conference in the capital, Sto the administration of Khartoum. Some of the diplo- toppled President Omar al-Ba- mats were appointed by Bashir shir, a legal committee said yes- himself and the others were terday. picked through his now dis- The Empowerment Removal solved National Congress Party, surge in virus cases Committee was formed under said Taha Othman, a member of a law introduced in November the committee. AFP ently stayed at home. Traffi c in public places. In Bandar Ab- to dismantle the system built by Earlier this month, the com- Tehran was fl owing more freely than bas, on Iran’s Gulf coast, resi- Bashir, who was ousted in April mittee dissolved the boards of the normal in the capital yester- dents reportedly set alight a last year after nearly three dec- country’s central bank and 11 other day morning, when it usually clinic rumoured to be treating ades in power. state-owned banks and fi red the ran yesterday reported a chokes the streets at the start of people infected with coronavi- “One-hundred-and-nine managers of eight of the banks. It surge in new coronavi- the working week. rus on Friday night. ambassadors, diplomats and ad- also seized the assets of the former Irus cases as the number of The offi ce of Tehran’s gover- “The unsubstantiated ru- ministrators were fi red from the ruling party last month. deaths jumped to 43, but it dis- nor announced a reduction in mour that several coronavirus missed as “rumours” a report working hours in a bid to reduce patients were being held at the the real toll was much higher. the chances of the virus spread- clinic...provoked some resi- Since it announced its fi rst ing, state television reported. dents to set fi re to it,” Fars news deaths from Covid-19, Iran has Shops and pharmacies have agency said, adding the facility scrambled to bring the outbreak been struggling to meet demand denied it had any such patients. Militia fi ghters kill 24 in under control, shutting schools, as people stock up on bleach, Police and fi refi ghters arrived suspending cultural and sport- disinfectant wipes, face masks and calm was restored before ing events and halting meetings and other sanitary products, as the blaze was extinguished, northeastern DR Congo of the cabinet and parliament. well as non-perishable food. Fars reported. Iran’s coronavi- The health ministry yester- “Business...has hit rock bot- rus death toll is the highest for day reported nine new deaths tom because of the coronavi- any country other than China, AFP legacy of the two Congo wars and a 53% jump in infections rus,” said Hadian, owner of one where Covid-19 fi rst emerged. Bunia in the 1990s that dragged in its over the previous 24 hours, of Tehran’s now empty restau- One of Iran’s seven vice pres- neighbours Uganda and Rwanda. taking the overall totals to 43 rants. idents, Massoumeh Ebtekar, Friday’s latest massacre was deaths among 593 cases. Mask-clad pedestrians walk through Tajrish Bazaar in the Iranian “If the government had in- and Deputy Health Minister ilitia fi ghters in Demo- attributed to a militia active in That was the highest number capital Tehran, yesterday. formed us earlier we would have Iraj Harirchi are among several cratic Republic of Con- northern Ituri, bordering Ugan- of new cases for a single day tried to buy less. Now we have senior offi cials who have been Mgo killed 24 people and da and South Sudan, known as since February 19, when Iran Most of the dead were in Qom networks or media which are to throw away a lot of food every infected. injured 12 others, local offi cials Co-operative for the Develop- announced its fi rst two deaths or Tehran, the London-based not well-intentioned towards day and lose money,” he said. Jahanpour said yesterday that said yesterday, the latest attack ment of Congo, or Codeco by its in Qom, a centre for Islamic broadcaster said. Iranian people, I must say that “With this loss we have to pay 205 cases had been detected in in the restive northeastern prov- French initials. studies and pilgrimages, in- Health ministry spokesman what we publish as defi nitive the workers and rent too, and the previous 24 hours, increas- ince of Ituri. “A total of 24 people were cluding from abroad. Kianoush Jahanpour accused statistics is based on the latest this is very diffi cult for us.” ing the total of confi rmed infec- The killings took place late killed by gunshots” by militia- Citing unnamed sources in foreign media of spreading defi nitive fi ndings of laboratory Large posters have gone up tions to 593. Friday in a region where some men from Codeco, said local Iran’s health system, the BBC’s misinformation about the out- tests,” he said. on advertising billboards in the Among the latest infec- 700 people have died since a administrative offi cial Innocent Persian-language service said break. Fear of the virus is palpa- capital urging people to fol- tions were a new outbreak of 22 surge in intercommunal violence Madukadala in the Djugu terri- on Friday that at least 210 peo- “Given the rumours and false ble on the streets of Tehran, low hygiene guidelines such as cases in Golestan, a northeast- in 2017. tory. Alfred Alingi, another local ple had died in the Covid-19 and contradictory content that which have been less crowded washing hands and not touch- ern province on the Caspian Dozens of militia groups are administrator in Djugu, con- outbreak. may be published from satellite than usual as people appar- ing handrails and other objects Sea coast. active in eastern DR Congo, a fi rmed details of the attack.

Political crisis in Guinea-Bissau deepens Guinea-Bissau had two presidents and two prime ministers as of Guinea opposition urges president to scrap delayed referendum yesterday, after Umaro Cissoko Embalo, the inaugurated winner of December’s election, swore in a new premier, but parliament appointed a rival interim president. AFP lowing growing domestic and The draft constitution would re-elected for a fi nal fi ve-year not publicly announce a date for The flurry of clashing appointments adds to the confusion that Conakry international criticism over the extend the presidential terms to term in 2015. Speaking on na- the new vote, a letter from the has reigned since the Dec 29 presidential run-off in the small ballot. six years, potentially permitting tional television, the president leader to the West African bloc West African country. It is unclear how the situation could The referendum will decide Conde, 81, to govern for another said on Friday he had decided Ecowas, seen by AFP, said the develop. But the appointments suggest a continuation of the uinea’s opposition yes- whether to adopt a new consti- 12. in favour of a “slight postpone- new poll should take place with- institutional chaos of the past five years, when then-president terday called for the can- tution, which includes bans on Opposition leaders promised ment” because of “national and in two weeks. Jose Mario Vaz cycled through seven diff erent prime ministers Gcellation of a referendum female circumcision and under- to keep up the protests despite regional responsibilities”. Since October, the demon- during a series of political disputes. on changing the constitution, age marriage in the West African the postponement. The delay concerns both the strations over the reforms — led Further instability will weigh on the economy, which despite as fresh protests against Presi- country. “The fi ght continues until constitutional referendum and a by the Front National for the annual growth of around 5% is already hostage to the volatile dent Alpha Conde’s government But the proposal has sparked Alpha Conde leaves power un- parliamentary election that was Defence of the Constitution or price of cashew nuts that are the main income source for over broke out in the capital Conakry. huge protests since October der the current Constitution,” planned alongside it. FNDC — have sometimes turned two-thirds of households. Embalo, whom the electoral commis- Conde on Friday announced over fears that it will reset presi- said Ibrahima Diallo, part of the Conde’s announcement fol- violent. sion has repeatedly confirmed as the winner, was sworn the referendum, planned for to- dential term limits — allowing FNDC alliance opposing the new lowed criticism of the electoral At least 30 protesters and one in on Thursday. morrow, would be postponed Conde to run for a third spell in constitution. process several international gendarme have been killed to — possibly for two weeks — fol- offi ce later this year. Conde was elected in 2010 and organisations. While Conde did date, according to an AFP tally. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, March 1, 2020 AMERICAS

POWER PLAY JUSTICE HEALTH BACK ON TRACK DEFENCE Court backs Trump on snub El Salvador’s president Dengue fever death toll in Canada starts recalling Controversial Trump ally of Congressional subpoenas vetoes war crimes law Paraguay rises to 34 staff after rail blockade nominated as intel chief

The White House won a key victory for presidential El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Friday The death toll from a dengue fever outbreak Canadian National Railway Co has started calling President Donald Trump on Friday announced power on Friday when an appeals court rejected a vetoed a controversial law intended to allow the in Paraguay rose to 34, the Public Health back many of the 450 workers it laid off earlier Republican lawmaker John Ratcliff e as his lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s blocking his prosecution of crimes committed during the Ministry said on Friday, warning that the virus this month in eastern Canada, when blockades intelligence chief, sparking fresh controversy over a former legal advisor from honouring a Congressional country’s bloody civil war, arguing it was not in the is spreading beyond the capital Asuncion. The crippled operations on strategic rail lines, crucial position that has lacked a permanent off ice subpoena. The Washington appeals court ruled interest of victims. Congress had narrowly approved number of fatalities was up from 20 last week, according to a company email sent to customers holder for months. The 53-year-old Trump loyalist two-to-one the US judicial branch has no power to the law on Wednesday but opponents criticise that off icials said. Confirmed cases spiked to 137,000 on Friday. Last week, police made 10 arrests and was nominated as director of national intelligence, decide whether Trump could prevent former White it would allow judges to substantially reduce the from 100,000 in the South American country of cleared a blockade in eastern Canada that had but withdrew after criticism from Democrats and House counsel Don McGahn from testifying in an sentences of perpetrators of war crimes and crimes 6.8mn people. On Wednesday, a 5-year-old girl been stopping freight and passenger traff ic for a tepid response from key Republicans. Trump investigation of the president by the House Judiciary against humanity. “We issue a veto,” the president with dengue symptoms died in the northern city almost three weeks on one of Canada’s busiest said Friday he had held back Ratcliff e’s formal Committee. The court said under the constitution said in a statement, in which he called the law a of Concepcion. Her death shocked the country lines. The blockades were held in solidarity with nomination while an unspecified “inspector general the judicial branch does not have the authority to fraud. Human rights organisations and families of because fatalities from the disease — also known the Wet’suwet’en people in British Columbia, who report” was being prepared. Trump has been referee such a power struggle between the other victims had asked him to veto it. In order to overrule as “breakbone fever” due to its severe muscle are seeking to stop a gas pipeline over their land. determined to place someone politically close to two branches — eff ectively supporting Trump’s the president’s veto, lawmakers would need 56 out aches — are typically elderly people suff ering The e-mail seen by Reuters did not specify how him as chief of the intelligence community, which claim of near-absolute privilege and immunity. of the 84 possible votes in a new round of voting. from other ailments. many of the 450 workers were being called back. he views as hostile and full of leakers.

Biden seeks decisive South Carolina win First coronavirus death to revive campaign

Reuters on US soil confi rmed Greenville ormer vice president Joe Biden was yester- AFP/Reuters confi rmed its eighth case of the symptoms “similar to that of a cold”. day seeking a decisive win in South Carolina’s Washington/Los Angeles Covid-19 disease in its capital city “He is a young individual and so FDemocratic primary election to resuscitate of Toronto. Health offi cials said he is at very low risk,” he said. his presidential hopes, while Bernie Sanders aims late on Friday that the infected in- The patient and fi ve members of to cement his status as front-runner for the party’s he fi rst fatality from the novel dividual was identifi ed as a man in his family have been isolated at the nomination. coronavirus has been con- his 80s who had a travel history to National Institute of Respiratory The nominating contest in South Carolina, the Tfi rmed on US soil, a woman Egypt, offi cials said in a statement. Diseases, Lopez-Gatell added. fourth state to weigh in on which Democrat will face in her late 50s who was “medi- After the man arrived in Toronto The second case, a 41-year-old Republican President Donald Trump in November, is cally high-risk,” President Donald on February 20, he presented him- man who returned from Bergamo in taking place just three days before the Super Tuesday Trump said yesterday, as he urged self at Scarborough Health Net- Italy, is in isolation at a hotel in Si- elections in 14 states, which will award one-third of Americans not to panic. work’s General Hospital’s emer- naloa after being tested by regional the available national delegates in a single day. Health offi cials said the woman gency department on Thursday, the authorities, offi cials said. South Carolina, where African Americans ac- in Washington state was one of a statement added. A 59-year-old man in Mexico City count for 60% of the Democratic electorate, is seen handful with no known links to glo- According to the statement, he who also visited northern Italy is the as a fi nal stand for Biden, the one-time front-runner bal hot zones to have contracted the was isolated as he was tested for third case but authorities did not say who faltered in national polls after poor showings in virus — indicating that the patho- Covid-19 and discharged home the whether he had been hospitalised. Iowa and New Hampshire. gen was now likely spreading in same day feeling well for self-iso- El Salvador’s President Nayib His second-place fi nish in Nevada’s caucuses a communities. lation. The Toronto Public Health Bukele said on Friday that migra- week ago — while still far behind Sanders, a US sen- The death occurred in King coun- service is actively tracing the man’s tion authorities will be ordered to ator from Vermont — provided his campaign fresh ty, the most populous in the state contacts, the statement said. deny entry to most travellers arriv- momentum, and polls show he is well positioned to and home to Seattle, a city of more Ecuador yesterday confi rmed the ing from Iran, which has one of the win South Carolina. than 700,000 people, offi cials in fi rst case in the Andean country. largest outbreaks of the new coro- For months, Biden’s campaign has argued the the state said. The patient is an elderly female navirus outside China. state would serve as a “fi rewall” given his strength The victim was not immediately Winnipeg paramedics guide a stretcher carrying an ill woman from a Ecuadorean residing in Spain, Ca- Salvadorans and diplomats arriv- among African-American voters, and Biden himself identifi ed. Westjet flight from Vancouver to a waiting ambulance at Richardson talina Andramuño, the health min- ing from the Middle Eastern coun- has suggested anything less than a victory would “It is a sad day in our state as we International Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Friday night. ister, told reporters yesterday. try will be allowed in but will have to imperil his campaign. learn that a Washingtonian has died The patient arrived in Ecuador on spend 30 days in quarantine, Bukele “He’s going to show them what he’s got,” said Al- from Covid-19,” Washington state at the White House tomorrow to dis- Pacifi c time (2100 GMT). February 14 on a direct fl ight from said on Twitter. lison Pryor, 57, a retired parole offi cer from Charles- Governor Jay Inslee said in a state- cuss treatments and eff orts to devel- US public health offi cials have Madrid without showing any symp- “This is a strictly a health meas- ton who said she planned to vote for Biden. ment, sending condolences to the op a vaccine to combat the virus. identifi ed four “presumptive” toms, but soon felt ill and went to a ure,” he added. “From the heart we But with Super Tuesday looming, even a comfort- victim’s loved ones. The president said the number coronavirus cases believed to have hospital where she was diagnosed hope that the virus will be contained able victory in South Carolina might not be enough Speaking at a White House news of cases detected by the US public emerged from community trans- with the coronavirus. soon or a vaccine will develop.” for Biden to blunt the momentum of Sanders, a self- conference soon after the an- health system now stood at 22. mission of the infection, signalling “The patient is currently in in- El Salvador has no reported cases identifi ed “democratic socialist” whom Democratic nouncement, Trump said: “She was Combined with patients who a turning point in strategies needed tensive care at one of the hospi- of coronavirus. Party leaders worry might be too left-wing to beat a wonderful woman, a medically were repatriated from abroad, the to contain the disease in the United tals we had designated to attend US health authorities say the res- Trump. high-risk patient, in her late 50s.” overall number of infected on US States. to coronavirus,” Andramuño said, piratory disease that has infected After South Carolina, Biden will also face compe- “Additional cases in the United soil is now about 70. The US Centers for Disease Con- adding that the government was nearly 80,000 people and killed tition from billionaire former New York City Mayor States are likely,” he continued, “We will see more cases,” Health trol and Prevention (CDC) issued a monitoring people who may have more than 2,800 in China, where it Michael Bloomberg, who has blanketed the country adding that “healthy individuals Secretary Alex Azar told the White statement late on Friday citing three come into contact with the patient. originated, is no longer an imported with half a billion dollars in advertising. should be able to fully recover.” House press conference. cases of unknown origin newly di- Brazil had earlier last week con- phenomenon but has taken up resi- Bloomberg skipped the fi rst four states and will be “Our country is prepared for any “But it’s important to remember, agnosed by state public health au- fi rmed the fi rst case of the new dence in the United States. on the ballot for the fi rst time on Tuesday. circumstance,” Trump insisted, for the vast majority of individuals thorities — one each in California, coronavirus in Latin America. “What we know now is that the “If we win solidly here I think it’s going to raise us calling on “the media and politi- who contract the novel coronavirus, Oregon and Washington state. Mexico’s health ministry said the virus is here, present at some level, a lot of money as well and a lot of enthusiasm,” Biden cians and everybody else involved they will experience mild to moder- If confi rmed by the CDC, along country has confi rmed three cases but we still don’t know to what told reporters yesterday as he greeted supporters at a not to do anything to incite panic.” ate symptoms.” with a similar case of unknown of the coronavirus. degree,” said Dr Sara Cody, chief polling place in Greenville, South Carolina. The Republican leader and other Their treatment will be to remain origin announced on Wednesday The three men — two in Mexico public health offi cer for Santa Clara Sanders, with his unabashed populist message offi cials announced a more com- at home and treat the symptoms as in California, that would bring to City and one in the northern state County, speaking of the newly diag- of social and economic justice, has grown stronger plete ban on travel from Iran, which they would the fl u, he added. four the number of diagnosed indi- of Sinaloa — are all believed to have nosed case there, the latest of three with each contest, fi nishing in a virtual tie for fi rst has seen a rapid spread of the dis- An American citizen died of the viduals in the United States with no visited northern Italy, the epicentre in her county and the 10th detected in Iowa with former South Bend, Indiana, mayor ease, and encouraged Americans to new coronavirus in early February history of travel to a country where of the virus in Europe. in California. Pete Buttigieg, before notching a narrow win over avoid travel to hard-hit areas in Italy at the Chinese epicentre of the glo- the virus is circulating and no close “Probably all three were infected “This case does signal to us that Buttigieg in New Hampshire and a decisive victory and South Korea. bal outbreak, the city of Wuhan, the contact with an infected person. from the same source. All three are it is now time to shift how we re- in Nevada. Vice President Mike Pence, US embassy confi rmed at the time. Taken together, the four cases imported cases,” Jose Luis Alomia, spond,” she told a news conference Sanders had said on Friday he was in “striking discharged by Trump to lead eff orts Worldwide, the virus has hit 59 are a sign the virus is now spread- general director of epidemiology on Friday. tance” in South Carolina. against the virus, said that an exist- countries across the globe, with ing within at least four separate at the Ministry of Health, said at a Local media reported that the “We’ve come a long way,” he said at a church hall ing ban on travel from Iran had been more than 2,900 people killed and locations on the US West Coast press conference on Friday. illness of two of the patients — a in Saint George, a town about 80km northwest of expanded to include any foreign na- over 85,000 infected since it was spanning more than 1,450km, from Senior health ministry offi cial school employee in Oregon and Charleston. tional who has visited the Islamic fi rst detected at an animal market in California’s Silicon Valley region Hugo Lopez-Gatell told a separate an elementary school student in “When we started this campaign here in South republic within the last 14 days. Wuhan late last year. in Santa Clara County north to the news conference that one of the Washington — have already led Carolina, I think we were 25 or 30 points behind. Trump said he would meet with Authorities in Washington state Puget Sound near Seattle. men, a 35-year-old in the capi- to their respective schools being We’ve made up a lot of ground.” leaders of big pharmaceutical groups set a press conference for 1:00 pm Canada’s province of Ontario tal, “has a mild, mild illness” with closed temporarily. An upset victory could make Sanders hard to beat in his second bid for the White House, four years after losing the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. Republican activists eager to help Trump urged voters to participate in the Democratic primary to US shuts border bridge to stop migrants rushing in from Mexico support Sanders, who they view as the easiest candidate for the sitting president to defeat. “It’s time to vote and cause some chaos in South Reuters 60,000 people back to Mexico un- Carolina,” organizers of the eff ort wrote in an e-mail El Paso, Texas der one of Trump’s asylum policies, yesterday. called the Migrant Protection Pro- Biden is not the only candidate for whom South tocols (MPP), to await the outcome Carolina and Super Tuesday may represent make- S authorities said they closed of their cases in often dangerous or-break moments in what has been a fragmented the busy Ciudad Juarez-El border towns. campaign. UPaso border bridge on Friday There, they are vulnerable to kid- Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minne- after more than a hundred mostly napping, rape, robbery and other sota, who fi nished third in New Hampshire, have lost Cuban migrants tried to cross in re- crimes while living in sometimes ground as the primary calendar has shifted to states sponse to a court ruling suspending unsanitary conditions. with more diverse electorates. an asylum policy. Later on Friday, the Trump ad- Both have done well with white, educated, mod- Earlier, an appeals court ruled ministration said in an emergency erate Democrats, but have struggled to connect with to block one of President Donald motion that at least 25,000 migrants non-white voters. Trump’s signature immigration sent back through the program were According to entrance polls of Nevada caucus- policies the administration says still in Mexico and that halting the goers by Edison Research, Buttigieg received sup- has helped to curb migration on the program “could prompt a rush on port from just 9% of Latino voters and 2% of black southern border and forced tens of the southern border”. voters, while Klobuchar had support from 4% of thousands to wait in Mexico. In response, the appeals court Latinos and 3% of blacks. Word of the news spread on social put its ruling on hold to allow the After disappointing fi nishes in the fi rst three early media and a Reuters witness saw administration to petition the US voting states, Senator Elizabeth Warren is hoping migrants on the Mexican side of the Supreme Court to take up the issue. her assertive debate performances of late will trans- border heading towards the bridge “It’s time for everyone to start late into electoral success. while some US Customs and Bor- going home, no one is going to cross Speaking yesterday to around 200 supporters at der Protection (CBP) offi cers were tonight,” said Enrique Valenzuela, a canvassing kickoff in Columbia, South Carolina, putting on riot gear. head of the population council of she declined to comment on polls showing Sanders’ “I’ve been waiting in Juarez for the Chihuahua state government, strength, and sidestepped a question about whether ten months,” said one Cuban asy- whose is among those in charge of she needed to start winning states for her campaign lum seeker, who declined to give handling migrants at the border. to remain viable. his name. “I don’t care how long I “The suspension has been sus- Instead, she argued that she has already succeed- have to wait here for them to let us pended, MPP is back,” he told mi- ed by inspiring a grassroots movement and elevating through.” grants as he walked through the ideas such as a wealth tax. CBP confi rmed on its Twitter ac- crowd at the base of the bridge. “This is the culmination of a lifetime of work,” count that it had closed the Paso Del Even though some migrants left, Warren said. “This is winning.” Norte Bridge to stop a group of mi- dozens were still present when CBP Tom Steyer, a billionaire-turned-activist, appears grants from illegally and forcefully tweeted the bridge would remain likely to fi nish third after spending heavily in South entering the United States and that closed overnight. Carolina, but his anemic national polling suggests other ports stayed open. The bridge was reopened yester- he will struggle to compete in the Super Tuesday The policy has forced roughly day morning. Migrants block the Paso del Norte border crossing bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Friday night. contests. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Mahathir loses battle as king names former interior minister PM

Reuters former ruling party that had majority in parliament. “I hope it’s like going back to the old vious stint as prime minister, Kuala Lumpur been tarnished by corruption his majesty the king will accept government and we don’t want supports Malay nationalism. scandals. the letter and my explanation,” that.” “I think Muhyiddin would That former ruling party of Mahathir said in a statement that One placard read: “Traitor to lead a more overtly pro-ethnic alaysia’s 94-year-old six decades, the United Malays gave the 114 names of lawmakers the people, Traitor to the coun- Malay government characterised Mahathir Mohamed National Organisation (UMNO), he said supported him from the try, NotMyPM”. by social division, economic na- Mlost out in a battle to was among those that had rallied 222 member parliament. Nearby, a balloon seller said tionalism, and possibly less ﬁ s- become prime minister yester- in support of Muhyiddin, along Members of parliament sup- the new prime minister had been cal restraint,” said Peter Mum- day as the king named former with the Islamist party PAS. porting Mahathir planned a rally named by the king and should be ford of the Eurasia consultancy. interior minister Muhyiddin Although Mahathir and An- before Muhyiddin is sworn in given a chance. He did not want The latest crisis was triggered Yassin after a week of political war announced yesterday that today. to give his name. by a tussle for power between turmoil sparked by Mahathir’s they had joined hands again, the Muhyiddin urged all Malay- Muhyiddin is from Mahathir’s Mahathir and Anwar that has resignation. palace said in a statement the sians to accept the palace’s deci- Bersatu party, but had shown shaped Malaysian politics for But Mahathir made clear he king made his decision on the sion. himself ready to work with two decades. would not bow out quietly, say- basis that Muhyiddin, 72, possi- Angered by the decision on UMNO — from which he had Mahathir had promised to ing he would inform the king bly had the support of a majority Muhyiddin, around 200 people been sacked in 2016 after ques- hand power to Anwar after the he had a majority in parliament in parliament. had gathered in central Kuala tioning former prime minister 2018 election, but no date had supporting his return as prime “His majesty has decreed Lumpur in the evening despite Najib Razak’s handling of the been set. After resigning last minister. that the process of appointing police warnings that the protest 1MDB corruption scandal. Malaysia’s former interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin (centre) waves Monday, Mahathir had sought The king’s decision could a prime minister cannot be de- was illegal. Offi cers, however, Najib is now on trial on cor- next to his wife Noraini Abdul Rahman and family before talking to to form a national unity govern- again reshape politics in the layed,” it added. “This is the best stood on the sidelines without ruption charges. the press outside their home in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. ment that would have given him Southeast Asian country less decision for all.” intervening. UMNO’s fortunes have risen greater powers, but he won little than two years after an alliance Mahathir said he planned to “We’re really angry,” said since its 2018 defeat, with Ma- the face of criticism from some group in the country of 32mn. public support while Anwar re- of Mahathir, and old rival An- send a letter to the king to inform 23-year-old protester Atul Ra- hathir and Anwar’s Pakatan coa- Malay voters that it should do UMNO, which Mahathir led jected the plan and put himself war Ibrahim, 72, swept out the him that he had the support of a biatu. “UMNO-PAS is corrupt, lition losing ﬁ ve by-elections in more to favour the biggest ethnic from 1981 to 2003 during a pre- forward for the premiership.

Abe vows South Korea virus cases surge as fresh emergency WHO sounds maximum alert package

AFP ity falling to its lowest level on Seoul record as key industries ground AFP to a standstill under drastic Tokyo containment measures. outh Korea reported its More global events were dis- biggest surge in new coro- rupted due to the epidemic, apan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Snavirus cases yesterday as with the United States delaying Abe yesterday pledged an- concerns grew of a possible epi- a regional summit of the As- Jother emergency package to demic in the United States and sociation of Southeast Asian tackle the coronavirus, appeal- the World Health Organisation Nations due in Las Vegas next ing for co-operation as he faces raised its risk alert to its highest month. “This is not a time for criticism over drastic prevention level. panic. It is time to be prepared measures. The virus has rapidly spread — fully prepared,” UN Secre- The plan comes as the govern- across the world in the past tary-General Antonio Guterres ment ramps up its response to week, causing stock markets to said. the virus, which has infected at sink to their lowest levels since South Korea’s epidemic is least 230 people across the coun- the 2008 global fi nancial cri- centred in its fourth-largest try and been linked to fi ve deaths. sis over fears that the disease city, Daegu, whose streets have “We will swiftly compile a could wreak havoc on the world been largely deserted for days, second emergency package” economy. apart from long queues at the by using reserve funds worth More than 2,900 people have few shops with masks for sale. more than 270bn yen ($2.5bn) in died and over 85,000 have been Three women in the Daegu around 10 days, Abe told a news infected worldwide since it was area died of the illness, taking conference. fi rst detected in the central Chi- the national toll to 17, authori- In mid-February the govern- nese city of Wuhan late last year. ties said yesterday. ment set aside an initial 15.3bn The vast majority of infec- South Korea’s total is expect- yen for the fi ght against the vi- tions have been in China but ed to rise further with screening rus, including money to boost more daily cases are now logged of more than 210,000 members testing, strengthen inspections outside the country, with South of the Shincheonji Church of at borders and support manufac- Korea, Italy and Iran emerging Jesus, a secretive entity often turers of face masks. as major hotspots. accused of being a cult that “On my own responsibility, I South Korea has the most is linked to around half of the will take the best possible meas- cases outside China, with 3,150 country’s cases. ures against various issues,” Abe infections as 813 more patients South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear sanitise Daegu railway station in Daegu, yesterday. Yesterday, South Korea also said yesterday. were reported yesterday — the reported its fi rst reinfection He also vowed to speed up the country’s biggest increase to Mexico and New Zealand, as — including in France where said. In the US, health offi cials Cody, director of public health case with a 73-year-old woman introduction of legislation aimed date. well as reaching sub-Saharan a surge of new cases was con- reported three more cases of the for California’s Santa Clara testing positive for a second at easing the impact of the virus North Korean leader Kim Jong Africa with Nigeria reporting its fi rmed yesterday. The country new coronavirus transmitted to County, the heart of Silicon Val- time after recovering from the on people’s lives. Un warned top party offi cials of fi rst case. cancelled all gatherings of more people who did not travel over- ley where tech giants like Apple virus. While China reported 47 But Abe added that “we can- the “serious consequences” of “We have now increased than 5,000 people — including seas or come in contact with and Google are based. more deaths yesterday, it re- not score a victory in this battle failing to prevent an outbreak on our assessment of the risk of a Paris half-marathon sched- anyone known to be ill, indicat- US Federal Reserve chair corded 427 infections — fewer only with the government’s ef- their side of the border. spread and the risk of impact of uled for today — after 16 new ing the disease was spreading in Jerome Powell said the central new cases than South Korea — forts”. The impoverished nation, Covid-19 to very high at global cases were confi rmed yesterday, the country. bank was ready to intervene following unprecedented quar- “It is not easy to battle against with a weak and ill-equipped level,” WHO chief Tedros Adh- bringing the country’s total to There are now four such cases if needed, given the “evolv- antine eff orts locking down the enemy that you can’t see or healthcare system, has closed anom Ghebreyesus told report- 73. in the United States, all on the ing” risks to the world’s largest tens of millions of people in the know well,” he said. its borders to prevent the spread ers yesterday. “These measures are provi- Pacifi c seaboard, in addition to economy posed by the outbreak. worst-hit cities. “But I’m convinced we will of the disease into its territory. European nations are scram- sional and they will no doubt some 60 other infections in the Offi cial data released in China South Korean offi cials say certainly overcome this.” The virus has also spread to bling to contain the outbreak evolve.We want them to last a country. yesterday showed the extent they are not considering a city- On Thursday, Abe urged previously untouched zones in as new infections mounted in little, because it will allow us to “The virus is here, present of the damage caused to the wide quarantine for Daegu sim- schools nationwide to close for recent days, reaching nine new several countries — many linked contain the spread of the virus,” at some level, but we still don’t world’s second-largest econo- ilar to the lockdown imposed on several weeks to prevent the countries including Azerbaijan, to virus hotspot northern Italy health minister Olivier Veran know to what degree,” said Sara my, with manufacturing activ- Wuhan. spread of the new coronavirus. Bangladesh to ease rules for drone HK police fi re tear gas as use in research, entertainment

IANS do not weigh more than 7kg in an altitude below protesters return to streets Dhaka 50 feet and 3km away from airports and Key Point Installations (KPI). To fl y drones three and a half kilometres away from the airports and KPIs, the Reuters ages of the clashes that plunged he Bangladesh government was easing rules maximum altitude will be 100 feet. Hong Kong the former British colony into to allow the use of drones for research, sur- The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh’s turmoil last year and posed the Tvey, photography, movie-making, feasibility permission will be required in all other cases, gravest popular challenge to studies and entertainment, it was reported. bdnews24 reported. ong Kong police fi red Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has For drones weighing over 7kg, the importers will tear gas yesterday to The arrest this week of pub- taken opinions from stakeholders after drafting need permission from the Defence Ministry. Hdisperse hundreds of lishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, an the guidelines on registering and fl ying unmanned Anyone will be able to operate drones for en- black-clad protesters, some outspoken critic of Beijing, aerial vehicles or UAVs. Joint Secretary to the Civil tertainment. For other purposes, the operator will armed with petrol bombs, dur- on charges of illegal assem- Aviation Ministry Jnanendra Nath Sarker told have to be at least 18 years old. ing a rally to mark six months bly thrust the protest move- bdnews24 that the draft will be fi nalised next week. Those found in breach of the rules will face pun- since the authorities stormed ment back into the spotlight No permission will be required to fl y drones that ishment and fi nes under related laws. a subway station and arrested and drew condemnation from demonstrators. Washington and international One offi cer drew his gun but rights groups. did not fi re as protesters hurled Lai has made fi nancial con- plastic water bottles and um- Riot police detain an anti-government protester at Mong Kok, in tributions to Hong Kong’s pro- brellas at him. Hong Kong, yesterday. democracy demonstrators. Australia puts curbs on travellers The clashes are among the While there have been spo- most violent in the Chinese- gas at pro-democracy protest- police responded with pepper radic protests this year, they ruled city after a period of ers throwing petrol bombs. spray and tear gas. have been largely peaceful and Reuters to spend 14 days in another coun- for Australians travelling to Iran relative calm following intense Some chanted “Liberate One demonstrator hurled a a return to violent clashes will Melbourne try from March 1, Health Minister has been raised to “do not travel”. anti-government protests that Hong Kong, Revolution of our petrol bomb at a police vehicle pose a signifi cant challenge to Greg Hunt said. Health authorities yesterday escalated in June last year, time,” while others called for but missed. Others set up road embattled Hong Kong leader “There is likely at this stage a confi rmed the number of cases of with fears over the coronavi- the police force to be disband- blocks. Mong Kok subway sta- Carrie Lam as she grapples to ustralia will deny entry to high level of undetected cases and coronavirus in Australia was 25 af- rus keeping many residents in- ed, echoing slogans from previ- tion was closed. contain the spread of the coro- all foreign nationals trav- therefore those cases won’t be in- ter a 63-year-old woman return- doors. ous demonstrations. The police said in a state- navirus. Aelling from Iran due to the tercepted or identifi ed on depar- ing from Iran became ill. Hundreds of protesters gath- As the number of protest- ment they had used “minimum The outbreak has piled pres- escalating outbreak of corona- ture from Iran,” Hunt said. Iran has the highest death toll ered in and around Mong Kok ers increased, some set fi res on necessary force” for dispersal sure on Lam, in particular over virus in the Islamic republic, the Australian citizens and perma- from the fl u-like virus outside district and the Prince Edward Nathan Road in Kowloon dis- and arrest operations and urged her refusal to seal the border with government said yesterday. nent residents returning from Iran of China at 34, although World subway station, where some of trict, sending plumes of thick, members of the public to leave mainland China, which has infu- Foreign nationals travelling would be required to self-isolate Health Organisation (WHO) ex- the fi ercest violence erupted on black smoke billowing into the the area immediately. riated many residents who see it from Iran to Australia would need for 14 days and the travel advice perts say it could be higher. Aug 31, when police fi red tear air of the shopping hub, where The scenes brought back im- as a move to appease Beijing. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, March 1, 2020 BRITAIN

Johnson infl uenced Home Offi ce chief quits Thatcher’s EU hard over ‘bullying’ by Patel line, fi les Reuters Secretary Priti Patel, in the lat- amid reports that he wants to Rutnam said. “I have received make a statement to the House suggest London est test of Prime Minister Boris change other top government allegations that her conduct has of Commons tomorrow to an- Johnson’s plans for overhauling offi cials. included shouting and swearing, swer questions about Rutnam’s how the government operates. Philip Rutnam said he was belittling people, making unrea- claims. DPA ritain’s top offi cial in the Johnson forced the resigna- stepping down because he had sonable and repeated demands – “Priti Patel’s own position as London ministry responsible for tion of his fi nance minister this become the “target of vicious behaviour that created fear.” home secretary must now also Bpolicing resigned yester- month as part of a shake-up of and orchestrated campaign Rutnam said he had made at- be in question,” said Stephen day after clashes with Home how the government functions against him”, which he alleged tempts to reconcile the situation Doughty, a Labour lawmaker on ontentious claims by Patel was involved in. with Patel, at the request of the parliament’s Home Aff airs Se- Prime Minister Boris The civil servant’s resignation prime minister. lect Committee. CJohnson while he was a comes after reports last weekend “But despite my eff orts to Dominic Cummings, the news journalist in Brussels in- of tensions between the pair and engage with her, Priti Patel has prime minister’s senior adviser, fl uenced former leader Margaret allegations that Patel mistreated made no eff orts to engage with is driving the changes to how the Thatcher’s hard line against the offi cials and tried to remove me to discuss this,” he said. government functions, saying European Union in 1990, ac- Rutnam from her department, Rutnam said that this gave This image taken from footage that there are “profound prob- cording to fi les released yester- which she has denied. him “very strong claims” for broadcast last year by the UK lems” with how decisions are day. The Home Offi ce declined to constructive dismissal, which he Parliament’s Parliamentary made. Documents from the Thatcher comment yesterday when asked would be pursuing. Recording Unit shows Rutman Sajid Javid quit as fi nance Archive, held at Cambridge Uni- for Patel’s response to Rutnam’s Mark Sedwill, the country’s speaking before the Home minister this month after losing versity, included a copy of John- resignation and allegations. top civil servant, thanked Rut- Aff airs Committee in parliament. a power struggle with the prime son’s story in the Daily Telegraph Rutnam, who has worked in nam and expressed regret at his minister over who should con- on October 24, 1990, with the government for 33 years, took decision to resign. ments that he had turned down trol Britain’s economy. headline British right of veto fac- the unusual step of making a Rutnam said the Home Of- a settlement could have signifi - In other changes, Johnson’s es axe in Delors plan. statement outside his home, in fi ce had off ered him a financial cant ramifi cations. offi ce has already tightened its Then-European Commission which he also said he would sue settlement to avoid his public “Behaviour of ministers has grip on the advisers who are president Jacques Delors had the government over his depar- resignation – but said he hoped not been tested in court in this hired by ministers to provide “said the plans were intended ture. his decision to pursue damages way,” she said. “It would be ex- media and policy support. to pave the way for a Federation “My experience has been ex- would lead to changes. traordinary to see it played out Patel was forced to resign as of Europe, a super-state with treme. But I consider there is Catherine Haddon, senior fel- there.” Britain’s aid minister in 2017 the Brussels Commission as the Patel: accused of a ‘vicious and orchestrated campaign’ against evidence that it was part of a low at the Institute for Govern- The opposition Labour Party over undisclosed meetings with executive government and the Rutnam. wider pattern of behaviour,” ment, said that Rutnam’s com- called for Patel or Johnson to Israeli offi cials. Council of Ministers as a senate”, Johnson wrote. A note with Johnson’s story from Thatcher’s private secretary told her that “the Com- mission Opinion itself ... does not contain what M Delors is re- Flood-hit towns bracing for more rain ported by the Daily Telegraph as having suggested”. “It does not propose any radi- England has had more than yesterday morning. cal change in the present insti- double its average February The rain warning was lifted tutional plans of the [European] rainfall as downpours before midday as showers eased, Community – although it does continue but alerts remained in place for contain a lot of other horrors,” gales and the potential for power the note said. By Aaron Walawalkar cuts, transport delays, and large In a famous speech in par- Guardian News & Media waves for the coastal communi- liament on October 30, 1990, ties. Thatcher said “no, no, no!” to The wind warnings last until what she claimed were three pil- lood-hit towns are brac- 9am today across much of Eng- lars of Delors’s plan. ing for further downpours land and Wales and until 3pm Her speech came amid deep Fyesterday as Storm Jorge the same day across Northern divisions over Europe in the rul- pushes Britain into the wettest Ireland, southern Scotland, and ing Conservatives. February on record. northern England. Pro-EU deputy prime minis- February’s third named storm Persistent snowfall was fore- ter Geoff rey Howe resigned two is bringing rain, gales and snow, cast over higher parts of Scot- days later, criticising Thatcher’s prompting weather warnings land, with up to 30cm predicted position on Europe. stretching from Cornwall to the in some places, with warnings in Thatcher herself resigned on north of Scotland and across to place until noon tomorrow, the November 23, 1990, paving the Northern Ireland. Met Offi ce said. way for pro-EU Conservative Pontypridd, which was also A total of 83 fl ood warnings successor John Major. fl ooded two weeks ago, and the were in place across England and Historian Chris Collins of Ely area of Cardiff are among the Wales, mostly in the southwest, the Margaret Thatcher Founda- worst aff ected areas. along the English-Welsh border, tion said that Thatcher’s read- Residents have been advised and in Yorkshire. ing of Johnson’s article appeared to stay indoors amid winds of up A further 211 “fl ooding is pos- “poignant given what’s hap- to 70mph and warnings that wa- sible” alerts are also in force. pened since”. ter levels could rise further. The wind-chill factor will “It’s part of the trigger. Clear- In Ireland, a lorry was over- make temperatures feel close to ly, it’s there ... to remind her to turned as winds battered the freezing, said the Met Offi ce. have a bash at Delors, which is N59 road in Galway. Heavy rain, which started good politics in this context but The driver sustained no inju- with Storm Ciara and continued also, I guess, to remind her of the ries. with Storm Dennis, contributed mood that is surrounding this Police declared a critical in- to record river levels as safety issue,” the Guardian quoted Col- cident in fl ood-hit south Wales teams put in “Herculean eff orts” lins as saying. overnight, as Storm Jorge to erect fl ood defences. Collins added that “a lot of brought heavy rain and strong Towns including Ironbridge Conservatives would read arti- winds in what is Britain’s fourth and Bewdley along the Severn, cles like that one by Boris John- weekend of downpours. and West Cowick and Lidgate in son ... and say, yes, that’s what Cardiff council said its road east Yorkshire, along the River these guys [like Delors] are up team has answered about 100 Aire, are among the worst-hit to”. incidents. areas in England. Pascal Lamy, who was chief It has deployed emergency The Environment Agency said adviser to Delors in the 1990s, teams to work throughout the 1,000 staff per day had worked told the Financial Times last year night on fl ood defences and re- Waves crash yesterday over the lighthouse at Porthcawl, South Wales. on fl ood defences and pumps, that while reporting from Brus- moving debris. clearing debris and repairing sels that Johnson “did what peo- More than 600 homes and a and other organisations were dom said: “Indications are that to travel if absolutely necessary.” ary since records began in 1862 damaged defences, erecting 3.7 ple 30 years later would call fake similar number of businesses working continuously to ensure the rain is set to stop and river In Shropshire, the Environ- – with a UK average of 202.1mm, miles of barriers. news and provocation”. have been hit in Wales, making the safety and welfare of those levels will soon recede. ment Agency repaired fl ood de- beating the February 1990 fi gure It said the country needed to Before working for the Tel- up around a quarter of aff ected aff ected, minimise damage to “There is still signifi cant sur- fences along the River Severn at of 193.4mm. brace itself for “more frequent egraph, Johnson was sacked by properties in the UK. infrastructure and property, and face water and debris on the Ironbridge and Beales Corner. There were six yellow weath- periods of extreme weather like the rival Times newspaper in South Wales police said emer- minimise disruption. roads throughout the force area The Met Offi ce has declared er warnings for rain, wind and this” because of the climate 1988 for fabricating a quote by a gency services, local authorities Superintendent Andy King- so we would advise people only last month as the wettest Febru- snow in force across the country emergency. scholar.

UK coronavirus cases rise to 23 I’d have cut income tax,

Jailed UK-Iranian woman ter contracting it on a cruise ship need to get medicine to get bet- says former minister fears she has Covid-19 moored in Japan. ter. This does not go magically.” Meanwhile, Nazanin Zaghari- Ratcliff e urged Prime Minis- Reuters/AFP Ratcliff e, a British-Iranian wom- ter Boris Johnson to ensure that Reuters nak not to tear up fi scal rules, London an jailed in Tehran, believes she his wife is tested immediately, London which commit the government has contracted the new corona- and that British-Iranians “held to balance day-to-day spending virus as Iran struggles to contain hostage in Evin Prison are diplo- within three years when his suc- he number of people in- a surge in new cases, her husband matically protected”. ormer chancellor of the cessor delivers his fi rst budget fected with coronavirus in said yesterday. His appeal comes as Iran re- exchequer Sajid Javid said on March 11. Tthe United Kingdom had The 41-year-old detainee ported yesterday a surge in new Fhe would have cut income Javid said he would have paid risen to 23 yesterday, after three complained that prison authori- coronavirus cases, with the tax cut if he had not resigned for the income tax cuts partly more patients tested positive, ties are refusing to test her for the number of deaths jumping to 43. this month after a clash with through cutting waste in gov- Britain’s health department said. Covid-19 virus, despite suff ering But Tehran dismissed as “ru- Prime Minister Boris Johnson. ernment spending. “As of February 29 at 9am from a worsening “strange cold”, mours” a BBC Persian report, The former fi nance minister “I passionately believe that (0900 GMT), a total of 10,483 according to spouse Richard Rat- citing unnamed sources in the told the Times newspaper that where you can aff ord it, tax cuts Javid: I passionately believe that where you can aff ord it, tax cuts people have been tested in the cliff e. Islamic republic’s health system, the centrepiece of next month’s are a good thing and now that are a good thing. UK, of which 10,460 were con- “I am not good. I feel very bad that at least 210 people have so budget would have been a cut we have a majority, we should fi rmed negative and 23 positive,” in fact,” Zaghari-Ratcliff e told far died from the outbreak inside from April in the basic rate of be much more aggressive on the adults lacking basic literacy and “In my mind it was black and the department said in a state- her husband in a phone call yes- the country. income tax to 18p in the pound, tax cuts for the long term,” he numeracy skills to retrain. white,” he said. “Even if I had ment. terday from the prison, he re- Ratcliff e warned in his state- from 20p, and he had plans to added. He quit after losing a power entertained the idea for a sec- Prime Minister Boris Johnson vealed in a statement. ment that reports suggest Cov- reduce the basic rate to 15p from Javid said that he had also struggle over who should con- ond, I would be absolutely hu- said on Friday that slowing the “For a long time this has not id-19 has infected Evin Prison. 2025. planned to reduce stamp duty, trol Britain’s economy. miliated afterwards.” spread of coronavirus was now felt like a normal cold,” she add- His wife was arrested at Te- In his fi rst major interview would have introduced a net- Javid said he resigned after Sunak became fi nance min- his government’s top priority, ed, noting that her symptoms hran airport in April 2016 after since resigning in a clash with work of fast-charging stations he refused the prime minister’s ister after agreeing to the con- shortly after news that the fi rst included a sore throat, fever and visiting relatives in Iran with Johnson over the role of his for electric vehicles and pro- demand to sack his own team of ditions imposed by the prime Briton had died of the disease af- diffi culty breathing. “I know I their young daughter. advisers, Javid urged Rishi Su- vided help for the fi ve million advisers. minister. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 15 EUROPE

Luxembourg makes public transport free Italy’s coronavirus Reuters drives to work in the capi- Luxembourg tal Luxembourg City from a neighbouring village. The trip should take 30 min- uxembourg abolished utes, but traffi c means it can fares for trains, trams and last an hour. Lbuses yesterday in what Still, he says his car is the the government said was a bid best option. cases exceed 1,000 to tackle road congestion and “If it’s a day where I need pollution, as well as supporting to visit customers that are far DPA other things, today’s half mara- who attended a daycare centre Bonn health department. tal’s skin and venereal diseases low earners. away, I will take my car for Rome/Paris thon in Paris. in North Rhine Westphalia, a Another teacher in the state, clinic and had attended a confer- All standard-class journeys sure,” he said. It follows a similar measure wealthy and populous state in the this time at a special needs school ence in Munich, where he was in on public transport in the tiny But Mia Mayer, an em- taken by Switzerland this week, west of the country, have been in the town of Luedenscheid, has close contact with an Italian na- and wealthy European country ployee at Amazon, has already he coronavirus outbreak aff ecting events with 1,000 or infected. tested positive. tional who was infected, health are now free of charge, com- switched from driving to work reached a grim new mile- more attendees. The source of the virus is pre- The facility is closed. authorities said. pared to an annual pass worth to taking the bus to save time Tstone yesterday in Italy, as A slew of events have been sumed to be a caregiver at the Germany’s Robert Koch Insti- It was the third confi rmed €440 ($485) before. and money. the number of cases surpassed scrapped or postponed in Europe pre-school, located near the tute counted 66 detected infec- coronavirus case in Denmark. Travellers can still pay for “I had the experience on an 1,000, authorities said. as the continent steps up meas- Dutch border in the district of tions for all of Germany yester- Two other patients, both in fi rst class, at a cost of €660 a almost daily basis of trying to Eight more deaths were also ures to contain the outbreak. Heinsberg. day morning, mainly in North home isolation, had recently year. get through the city centre, reported, bringing the total to 29, Major events scrapped include All four children are doing Rhine Westphalia and Baden been on ski holidays in northern “For people with low in- getting really stuck in traffi c according to the Civil Protection the Geneva auto show, Berlin’s well, district offi cials said. Wuerttemberg. Italy. comes or the minimum wage, and sometimes taking 45-50 Agency. ITB travel trade show, the Mobile About 100 children attend the Later in the day, the city of Finland has also recorded three for them it’s really substan- minutes. Luxembourg City is Italy, with the largest outbreak World Congress in Barcelona, school. Bremen also reported its fi rst cases. tial,” transport minister Fran- not a huge place so that really in Europe, announced its fi rst and Milan’s huge annual furni- Residents of the municipality case. The latest is a woman who had cois Bausch told Reuters. “The is a long driving time,” she said. death from Covid-19 one week ture fair. have been in self-quarantine at Ahead of worship services to- also visited northern Italy and is main reason is to have a better To cope with the many com- ago. April’s International Journal- home in order to try and prevent day, the Evangelical Church in now in home isolation. quality of mobility, and then muters, Luxembourg plans to Cases have sprung up mostly ism Festival in northern Italy was the cluster of cases in the com- Germany called on the faithful to Norway reported an increase in the side reason is clearly also invest €3.9bn in railways from in the north, where several com- cancelled yesterday, along with munity from growing. exercise caution by taking meas- cases to 15. environmental issues.” 2018-28, upgrade the bus net- munities are under a protective an event planned by the Michelin Sixty people in Heinsberg ures such as not drinking from Four new cases were reported Luxembourg has just over work and add more park-and- lockdown. restaurant guide in the northern alone have tested positive, with the same communion chalice. in the west coast city of Bergen, 600,000 inhabitants, but ride sites on the border. Health offi cials have traced German city of Hamburg. other cases confi rmed across The Catholic Church has of- where an initial case was linked 214,000 more travel in for work Despite these investments, many of the outbreaks in other Michelin decided to abandon Germany. fered similar advice. to a person who had returned every day from neighbouring the government expects 65% of European nations back to Italy – the presentation of its 2020 Ger- In the city of Bonn, also locat- In Austria, authorities said from a trip to northern Italy. Germany, Belgium and France, commuters to still get to work and more cases were reported in many Guide and awarding of its ed in North Rhine Westphalia, a yesterday that nine cases have Some Italian schools that had causing heavy traffi c jams as by car in 2025, down from 73% Germany, Austria, and countries coveted stars, which was planned daycare centre was shuttered for now been confi rmed in the coun- been prompted to close by the the majority of workers com- in 2017. in Scandinavia yesterday. for Tuesday. the next two weeks after an em- try. virus will begin reopening start- mute by car. Luxembourg is the fi rst In France, the health minister Next month’s wine trade fair in ployee was confi rmed to have the Denmark reported its third ing tomorrow, Prime Minister More than half of Luxem- country to roll out free trans- announced a banned all events Dusseldorf was postponed. virus. coronavirus case, saying that an Giuseppe Conte said, but those bourg’s greenhouse gas emis- port, but some cities, includ- with more than 5,000 people due Last year’s attracted more The approximately 185 chil- employee at Aarhus University in the worst aff ected regions – sions come from transport. ing Estonian capital Tallinn, to concerns about the spread of than 60,000 visitors, many from dren who attended the school Hospital had likely been infected Lombardy, Alexandre Turquia, a sales have also experimented with the virus. overseas. were now being tested for the vi- during a visit to Germany. Emilia-Romagna and Veneto – manager at a hotel group, the idea. The ban would aff ect, among In Germany, four children rus, said Ingrid Heyer, head of the The man worked at the hospi- are to remain shuttered.

Slovaks vote in polls expected to Greece resists migrant ‘onslaught’ at border oust ruling party Slovaks voted in a general election yesterday expected to Reuters oust the governing populists Kastanies, Greece from power amid an angry backlash over the 2018 gangland- style murder of a journalist reek police fi red tear- whose stories exposed high- gas yesterday to push level corruption in the eurozone Gback hundreds of stone- country. throwing migrants trying to Allegedly a hit ordered by a cross over the border from Tur- businessman with connections key, as a crisis over Syria shift- to politicians, the killing of Jan ed onto the European Union’s Kuciak, which also took the life doorstep. of his fiancée Martina Kusnirova, Greece, which has tense rela- has become a lightning rod for tions with Turkey, accused An- public outrage at graft in public kara of sending the migrants to life. the border post in an organised Reeling from the fallout of the “onslaught” and said it would murder, surveys suggest that keep them out. Robert Fico’s governing populist- The EU said it was actively left Smer-Social Democracy supporting Greece – and its (Smer-SD) party is threatened by neighbour Bulgaria, which also OLaNO, a surging centre-right shares a border with Turkey – Migrants help a woman who fell as they ran from tear gas during opposition party focused on in protecting the bloc’s borders, clashes with Greek police at Pazarkule. rooting out corruption. but also sought to appease An- The double murder triggered the kara. Below: A man takes cover behind an umbrella after throwing a largest anti-government protests The crisis is the fi rst big policy mattress into a fire during clashes yesterday with Greek police in the since communist times and test for Greek Prime Minister buff er zone in Pazarkule at the Turkey-Greece border. toppled Fico as prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was Members of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with his party colleague Peter elected in July and promised a deliver food to migrants at Turkey’s Pazarkule border crossing with Pellegrini taking over the reins. tougher stance on immigration. Greece’s Kastanies. Turkey said on Thursday that it would no longer contain hun- Below: Greek off icers face migrants gathered at the border near Opposition rally dreds of thousands of asylum- Kastanies. seekers after an air strike on Idlib in central Moscow in neighbouring Syria killed 33 for slain liberal Turkish soldiers. Convoys of people appeared Thousands rallied in central heading towards the land and Moscow yesterday to call on sea borders of Greece, which was President Vladimir Putin not to a primary gateway for hundreds stay in power indefinitely, in the of thousands of asylum-seekers first major protest by the Russian into Europe in 2015 and 2016. opposition since the Kremlin “They (the migrants) didn’t chief announced controversial come here on their own. They plans to change the constitution. are being sent away and being The rally marked five years since used by (our) neighbour, Tur- the assassination of opposition key,” Greek Public Order Minis- politician Boris Nemtsov, but its ter Michalis Chrysohoidis told organisers also want the event reporters. to send a message to Putin after Government spokesman Stel- he proposed major constitutional ios Petsas, referring to the build- “We don’t have an obligation to Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday by an offi cer on the scene, which They had Turkish writing on dren waded across fast-moving changes. up of migrants which started on stop people leaving our country that some 18,000 migrants had was seen by Reuters, showed. them. waters of the Evros river and Organisers, including the Friday, said: “Greece yesterday but Greece has the duty to treat crossed from Turkey into Eu- Police fi red teargas to keep Nearly 1mn refugees and mi- took refuge in a chapel. country’s most prominent faced an organised, mass and il- them as human beings!” rope. people back. grants crossed from Turkey to They crossed into Greece on opposition leader Alexei Navalny, legal attempt to violate its bor- The EU statement expressed Speaking in Istanbul, he did An estimated 3,000 people Greece’s islands in 2015, but that Friday morning. called for a mass turnout to show ders and it withstood this at- condolences with Turkey over not provide evidence for the had gathered on the Turkish route all but closed after the EU- “Today is good,” Shir Agha, Putin that he must not consider tempt.” the deadly Idlib strike and said number but said it would rise. side of the border at Kastanies, Turkey pact in March 2016. 30, said in broken English. staying in power by any means Turkey hit back at the Greek the bloc was ready to step up hu- Bulgaria said it had seen no a Greek government offi cial said. Greece shares a long river bor- Greece had already said it when his current mandate ends accusations. manitarian support. migrant infl ows. Kastanies is just over 900km der with Turkey, and is a known would tighten border controls in 2024. “Look who’s lecturing us “The EU is actively engaged to A Reuters witness said there (550 miles) northeast of Athens. route for asylum-seekers. to prevent coronavirus reaching The White Counter monitor on international law! They’re uphold the EU-Turkey (migra- were about 500 people between “We are making a titanic ef- Reuters video showed tens of its Aegean islands, where thou- which counts attendance at shamelessly throwing tear gas tion pact) and to support Greece the Greek and Turkish border fort to keep our borders closed people at a time climbing, and sands of migrants are living in protests said 22,300 people took bombs on thousands of inno- and Bulgaria to protect the EU’s posts, and beyond that on the to such migration fl ows,” said some throwing their bags over a poor conditions. part in the march. cents piled at their gates,” Turk- external borders,” said Euro- Turkish side, at the Pazarkule Panagiotis Harelas, head of bor- 3m (10-foot) fence covered with A Syrian, who did not give his The interior ministry said 10,500 ish Foreign Minister Mevlut pean Council President Charles border gate, hundreds more. der guards in the area, showing barbed wire along the Greek name, said they had been in the took part. Cavusoglu tweeted, along with Michel, who chairs the 27 na- Overnight, demonstrators empty tear gas canisters that border in Turkey’s western Ed- border area for two days. pictures of hundreds sitting tional leaders of the bloc. hurled fl aming pieces of wood at were hurled from the Turkish irne province. “We have no food, look at outside the Greek border post. Turkish President Recep police, amateur footage fi lmed side. A group of Afghans with chil- these kids,” he said. France to push through pension reform by decree French Prime Minister Edouard Three die at Moscow birthday party after dry ice is thrown into pool Philippe said the government would push its contested pension reform through parliament by AFP investigators and reports said Two people died at the scene hospital, the Tass news agency water and suff ered chemical re- her husband after his death was decree, avoiding the need for a Moscow yesterday. while a third died in hospital, reported. actions. confi rmed. vote after the opposition filed The party at the Moscow pool Russia’s investigative commit- Four other people were ad- The Mash news channel on The dry ice was intended to more than 40,000 amendments complex late on Friday was to tee said in a statement. mitted after suff ering chemical messenger service Telegram create a fog cloud over the pool. to the draft law. hree people have died at mark the birthday of Ekaterina The authorities have also an- burns and poisoning. posted tearful videos it said were When dry ice – the solid form The reform is the single greatest a Moscow birthday party Didenko, a popular Instagram nounced a criminal probe into The RIA Novosti news agency of Ekaterina Didenko, fi rstly at of carbon dioxide – is dropped overhaul of France’s pension Tafter around 30kg of dry infl uencer focusing on phar- the incident. reported that the victims had the hospital saying that she had into water it creates swirling system since World War II and ice meant to create special ef- maceutical products with more Didenko’s husband Valentin jumped into the pool after the survived, and then, in a dis- clouds but can also cause an ex- prompted weeks of public sectors fects was tipped into a pool, than 1mn followers. was the man who died later in dry ice had been tipped into the traught state, paying tribute to plosion. strikes and street protests. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, March 1, 2020 INDIA

TENSION INITIATIVE CONTROVERSY JUDICIARY CRIME Curfew re-imposed in Health kiosks at railway Assam lecturer held for Verdict in murder of rape Nigerian gets 5 years in jail Shillong after man’s death stations for quick check-up remarks against PM survivor’s father deferred for cheating Kolkata man

Curfew was re-imposed yesterday in Shillong and The South Western Railway’s Hubli division has A college teacher in Assam was arrested for A Delhi court yesterday deferred till March 4 A Nigerian national was sentenced to five years Internet services were suspended in six of the allotted space for medical kiosks at five places. his social media post where he allegedly made the judgment in a case pertaining to alleged in prison by a Kolkata court for cheating a man eleven districts of Meghalaya following the death “In busy life, finding time for a health check-up derogatory comments about Prime Minister custodial death of the father of a woman, of nearly Rs2mn by impersonating as a European of a Khasi Students Union (KSU) activist on Friday, is difficult. Many times we all postpone it. Now Narendra Modi in relation to the recent Delhi who was raped by expelled Bharatiya Janata and falsely promising to produce a short film off icials said. East Khasi Hills district Deputy with medical kiosks at stations, passengers violence. Souradeep Sengupta was arrested on Party legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar in in India. The court also ordered Vincent Collins Commissioner M War Nongbri said the curfew can check their health during waiting time,” Friday night from his home in Silchar in Cachar Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district three years Otto to pay Rs2mn as compensation to Anutosh was clamped as a precautionary measure, though SWR general manager A K Singh said in a district after students of Gurucharan College ago. The case pertains to the death of the Dey or otherwise undergo six more months of there was no fresh incident of violence from any statement. The medical kiosks have been set protested near his house and later filed a police man in police custody on April 9, 2018. The imprisonment. Otto befriended Dey through part of Shillong yesterday. A police off icial said up at Dharwad, Belagavi, Vasco Da Gama, complaint. Sengupta posted comments on woman was allegedly kidnapped and raped social media by impersonating as Barry Williams Lurshai Hynniewta was seriously injured in a clash Ballari and Hosapet railway stations. The Facebook post on Tuesday where he accused by Sengar in 2017 when she was a minor. and lured him with a false assurance of investing on Friday between KSU activists and non-tribals. service, costing up to Rs100 is also expected the Bharatiya Janata Party “trying to recreate The court on December 20 last year sent £30,000 for producing the film. Believing Otto, He later died in a hospital. According to the police, to augment non-fare revenue generation at Godhra in Delhi right now”, made abusive him to jail for the “remainder of his natural Dey paid Rs1.87mn to diff erent bank accounts the clashes broke out during a protest against the five railway stations. Named Pulse Active comments about Modi. According to the biological life” for raping the woman. In the given by the fraudster. When Dey became the Citizenship Amendment Act. Meghalaya Chief Station and equipped with Internet of Things teacher’s family, a group of students staged a death of the woman’s father, 55 prosecution suspicious that Otto was defrauding him, he Minister Conrad Sangma has ordered an inquiry. (IoT), the kiosks generate reports on 21 body demonstration against Sengupta at the college witnesses and nine defence witnesses were lodged a complaint and police registered a case Central paramilitary forces have been deployed in parameters and risk indicators for lifestyle for his post, following which he deleted it and examined during the proceedings in the on February 13, 2015. Off icials arrested Otto with the tension-hit areas. diseases. apologised on Facebook itself. court. a woman Indian accomplice in July 2015. A small hospital overwhelmed by wave of violence

Reuters people had been beaten, it’ll New Delhi never leave me.” “At one point, we had to pull the shutters down, because we s deadly violence erupted could not take in more people,” in the northeast of New he said, tears welling up in his ADelhi this week, with eyes. armed mobs rampaging the M A Anwar, a local doctor who streets, a small hospital located set up the hospital two years ago in a densely packed Muslim to make up for the lack of good neighbourhood found itself at primary care in the area, said the the epicentre of the unrest. facility was only built to give pa- Al-Hind Hospital, in the riot- tients basic initial treatment. torn Mustafabad neighbour- But, as thousands gathered hood, was fl ooded with patients, around the hospital on Tuesday, and it has also become a place of ambulances could not enter to refuge for people whose homes take patients to bigger hospitals, were burnt or destroyed. said Anwar. Paramedics take medical supplies from a store at Al-Hind hospital, where victims are treated and many have taken shelter after they fled their homes following clashes At least 40 people were killed Amid the cries of worried between people demonstrating for and against a new citizenship law in a riot affected area in New Delhi. and hundreds more injured in families, Anwar contacted law- the worst sectarian violence in yers who secured a midnight Delhi in decades, as groups of hearing from the Delhi High Hindus and Muslims clashed. Court that eventually ordered The violence began after the police to escort ambulances weeks of protests over a citi- to the entrance. zenship law that Prime Minister Al-Hind had no mortuary. Narendra Modi’s government As they got into an ambu- introduced in December, which lance to take the dead bodies Schools in northeast eases the path to Indian citizen- away, Anwar said the vehicle was ship for minority groups from chased by men wielding swords. neighbouring Muslim-majority “I hope in my life I never have countries. to witness such inhumanity Critics say the law is biased again,” he said. against Muslims and undermines Traumatised families sat at India’s secular constitution. the hospital. Some had lost their Delhi shut till March 7 Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Par- homes and livelihoods. ty has denied having any bias Irshaad, a tailor, sat with his IANS On Friday, the Delhi High dents of Farroqui madrasa in of the students in the madarsa The Delhi government will be against India’s 180mn Muslims. four young children and wife New Delhi Court asked the police to ensure Brijpuri area of northeast Delhi scattered around in the after- giving compensation to those People were still trickling in with a small pile of clothes - his that board examination centres have been missing since Tuesday math of Tuesday’s violence. people whose shops, houses and yesterday, saying they had suf- house had been burnt down. in the violence-hit areas were night, residents said yesterday. He said about 200 children vehicles were torched by the ri- fered acid attacks and beatings “Everything is gone,” he said, uthorities yesterday de- given proper security. They said the Farooqui studied at the madrasa. “But oters, for rehabilitation and re- with rods. breaking down. clared that schools in “Exam centres must be sani- mosque and the madrasa were only over 10-15 poor children building their houses and shops. Doctors described being over- “What will my kids’ future be? Anortheast Delhi will re- tised,” the court said, and asked torched by rioters on Tuesday stay here,” he said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejri- whelmed on Monday and Tues- I have no documents, nothing to main closed till March 7. police to ensure that “there is no afternoon, killing Jalaluddin, an He said the number of children wal said: “Those people whose day when dozens of wounded show anymore.” This comes in the wake of breach of security.” imam, and injuring another sen- missing from the madrasa will be houses have been badly dam- streamed into the 15-bed, two- On the fl oor below lay a large-scale violence in northeast “At present the exams sched- ior imam. clear only after the senior imam aged in the violence will be giv- storey building. 26-year-old Muslim woman, Delhi earlier this week. More uled from March 2 onwards will Riyaz Ahmed, a resident of the returned to the mosque after been a compensation of Rs5lakh Some were carried on people’s who had given birth after being than 40 people have been killed be held subject to situation on Brij Puri area, whose 12-year-old ing discharged from hospital. (Rs500,000) each.” shoulders and others on wooden beaten while heavily pregnant at in clashes and arson. the ground,” the court said. son studied in the madrasa, told In other developments, the The government will give carts, stretching the hospital’s her home on Tuesday. The Directorate of Education After the violence intensifi ed IANS: “At least four children Delhi government yesterday Rs100,000 to the tenant, if any, resources to the limit. She went into labour that day, ordered the closure of all schools on Monday, Delhi Deputy Chief have been missing from the ma- launched relief disbursement while the remaining Rs400,000 Many medicines ran out, as and a Hindu neighbour took her in northeast Delhi on Tuesday Minister Manish Sisodia said drasa since Tuesday night.” process for people aff ected by the will be given to the landlord for did oxygen supplies. to safety, she said. after the outbreak of violence on there would be no school exami- Ahmed said after the violence violence, offi cial sources said. rebuilding his house. This com- But the fl ow of patients didn’t “A mob came into my home Monday. nations on Tuesday in the vio- on Tuesday afternoon, the stu- A special team of the Delhi pensation will be Rs250,000 for stop, said doctor Mehraj Ekram. and hit me with rods on my The Delhi government has de- lence-hit areas and all govern- dents were sheltered at the ma- government visited the badly hit smaller houses. “We were all crying as we stomach. I didn’t think my baby manded the suspension of board ment and private schools would drasa. “Suddenly at night, a mob Shiv Vihar area of the district to According to Kejriwal, treated them. For the rest of my would survive,” she said, as her examinations in these areas. In remain closed. attacked the madrasa and since chart out a road map for provid- Rs25,000 is being released im- life, I will not be able to shake rosy-cheeked infant yawned be- addition to the 10th and 12th However, the board exams of then these children have been ing relief to the victims. In addi- mediately as relief. The remain- those days from my mind,” he side her. board exams, the school exami- class 10 and 12 were beyond the missing,” he said. tion to this, many special offi cers ing amount will be given after said. “I don’t know where I’ll go. nations of up to class 11 were also control of the Delhi government. He also showed clothes, have been sent to other areas for verifi cation and submission of “The brutality with which We’ve lost everything.” postponed. Meanwhile, at least four stu- books, bags, blankets and beds disbursement of relief. applications.

Selfie with PM Bengaluru’s popular Indira Teenage chef wins four canteens to increase prices culinary Olympic medals IANS is a chef and winner of bronze Chennai at the 2012 and 2016 culinary IANS If the seven-month-old Rs1bn per annum for this fi scal Olympics in the fruit carving Bengaluru Bharatiya Janata Party govern- year (2020-21). event. ment approves the hike, break- “The proposed hike in prices e is only 16, but Chennai According to him, carving for fast dishes will be priced Rs10 is to off set reduction in budget- lad U Yeshwanth Kumar a competition is far more intri- ubsidised food served per plate and lunch/dinner at ary support to the scheme and Hhas carved out a niche cate and complicated than carv- at state-run Indira can- Rs15. meet the rising cost of operat- in the culinary world for himself ing some images on a fruit. Steens across Bedngaluru To minimise the impact of ing them,” Suresh said. and made his country proud – “The fruit carvings we see in would not be cheaper from the hike, the BBMP will in- Of the canteen, 177 are locat- he is the fi rst chef in the world marriages and other functions April, as the authorities are crease the quantity of food ed in municipal parks, grounds to win four silver medals at the are of basic level,” he said. set to increase price 50-100% served in breakfast, lunch and and other properties, while 21 culinary Olympics, held in Ger- “It was very challenging to to meet the rising cost of op- dinner by 50g per plate. are run as mobile canteens due many earlier this month. hold the knife in freezing cold erating them, an offi cial said Idli, pongal and upma are to lack of space for construct- Pitted against master chefs to executive delicate carvings yesterday. served for breakfast, while ing them in their wards. from 70 countries, Kumar won on fruits and vegetables,” Kumar “A proposal has been sub- lunch and dinner will consist of “The canteens are quite four silvers in diff erent individ- said. mitted to the state government vegetable rice, sambar rice and popular as they are patron- ual open category events - clas- Dhanapal said he did not par- for approval to increase the curd rice. ised by the common man, sical vegetable and fruit carving, ticipate this time due to fi nancial price of breakfast 100%, and “Though the previous two migrants, labourers, driv- live vegetable and fruit carving, constraints but sent his son to meals for lunch and dinner 50% governments allocated Rs100 ers, security guards, youth, artistry made from pastillage Germany. at Indira canteens operated crore to subsidise their fl agship bachelors, students, working and gum paste. “For live carving event, the by us through hired caterers,” scheme in the state budget, women and senior citizens,” “Pitted against competi- theme was fl oral ecstasy and my Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara their increasing operational Suresh said. tors much older and experi- son chose Thai carving that is Palike (BBMP) offi cial L Suresh and maintenance costs in Ben- Named after former prime enced than him, Yeshwanth much more diffi cult than Chi- told IANS. galuru and other cities across minister Indira Gandhi, the has brought laurels to India... nese style of carving,” Dhanapal Launched by the previous the state have made them un- canteens were set up on the it is not a simple achievement,” said. Congress government with sustainable,” Suresh said. lines of ‘Amma canteens’ in South India Chef’s Association In Thai style, a person can much fanfare in August 2017 With the new government neighbouring Tamil Nadu. (SICA) president and celebrity use only one knife and no oth- in all the 198 civic wards across facing a revenue shortfall due Although then ruling Con- chef K Damodaran said here yes- er tools, unlike Chinese style. the city, the canteens serve to a dip in tax collections and gress hoped to reap electoral A blind student takes a selfie picture with Prime Minister terday. Sculpting a precise image is very two-three dishes for breakfast burdened with other sub- benefi ts from the canteens in Narendra Modi after receiving a smartphone during a “Interestingly, the gold med- diffi cult with a single knife and it at Rs5 per plate and two-three sidised schemes, budgetary the May 2018 assembly elec- function at Parade Ground in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh al winner was aged about 50,” needs long hours of daily prac- varieties for lunch and dinner support to the Indira canteen tions, the party lost due to a yesterday. said the teenager’s father Uma- tice. “Even the knife is made only for Rs10 per plate. is unlikely to increase from fractured verdict. sankar Dhanapal, who himself in Thailand,” he said. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 17 PAKISTAN

Court tells govt to seal stores still using plastic bags The Lahore High Court has ordered the provincial government to immediately seal superstores still using plastic Pakistan confi rms two bags if they did not furnish aff idavits to comply with the ban in seven days. Justice Shahid Karim was hearing a public interest petition, when Additional Advocate-General Anees Hashmi submitted a report on behalf of the Environment new coronavirus cases Protection Agency (EPA). He stated that bakeries including Reuters/AFP/DPA/Internews Cakes and Bakes, Gourmet, Karachi/Islamabad Malmo and government utility stores had not abandoned the plastic bags as ordered by the akistan has confi rmed two court. more cases of coronavirus, However, he said, Al-Fateh store Pbringing the total number and Shezan Bakers submitted of positive cases to four since aff idavits to quit using plastic Wednesday when the fi rst two bags from March 4. cases were reported in the coun- Justice Karim directed the try. government to seal the bakeries “We have received reports of and all such stores if they did not two more positive cases of coro- give aff idavits to comply with the navirus, one has been reported ban within seven days. in Sindh province, (the) other Hashmi said the consumers at the in federal areas,” Dr Zafar Mirza, bakeries had been complaining Pakistan’s health minister, told a Awan: We will defeat the Mirza: the government would about the unavailability of plastic news conference. coronavirus the same way we further reinforce surveillance bags. The special adviser to the defeated other diseases. measures at border crossings. The consumers needed these prime minister for health did not bags to carry eggs, he said. say in which cities the new cases outbreak in the Middle East, neighbouring countries. Petitioner’s counsel Abuzar were reported, asking the media with at least 43 deaths reported There are growing fears in Salman Niazi pointed out that at to respect the patients’ privacy. so far. Pakistan, sandwiched between stores in Cantonment areas the He said that the two peo- “Gradually we are starting to China and Iran, which are both buyers brought rag bags with ple in the earlier reported cases receive our pilgrims from Taftan fi ghting major outbreaks, about them. were doing well and that one border with Iran,” Mirza told re- the country’s ability to deal with Justice Karim observed that was about to be discharged from porters in Islamabad. the illness. most consumers are unaware hospital. Flights to and from Iran have The virus has now killed more A health personnel checks the body temperature of a pilgrim returning from Iran at the Pakistan-Iran of the hazards of plastic bags, Sindh Information Minister been suspended, he said, adding than 2,900 people and infected border town of Taftan. but the court would eliminate all Murtaza Wahab told Reuters that the government would re- over 83,000 worldwide, with an environmental hazardous items. that one of the new cases was in view the measure at a later stage. increasing number of new cases Prime Minister Imran Khan on epidemic should be taken head- screening facilities are func- “The citizens need to change Karachi, the country’s economic Pakistan closed its border being reported each day. Information and Broadcasting on. tioning in Lahore, Islamabad, their attitude,” the judge said. hub, bringing the number re- with Iran last Sunday following Mirza said top government of- Dr Firdous Awan said that there “Provinces have been directed and Karachi to help identify in- He also expressed displeasure corded there to two. the outbreak in the neighbour- fi cials have decided “a national is no need to panic as 98% of to send their reports regard- cidences of the disease. over the sale of drinking water in The other of the fi rst two cas- ing country. campaign will be launched to those who fall victim to the dis- ing the steps taken to curb and “More than 98% of those who plastic bottles and issued notices es was reported in Islamabad. Mirza said that the govern- create greater awareness among ease eventually recover. contain the spread of the virus. fall victim to coronavirus recov- to all water manufacturing Both of those individuals had ment would further reinforce the people about coronavirus In a series of tweets, she said We will defeat the coronavirus er,” Awan said. companies, including Nestle, recently returned from Iran, surveillance measures at border and precautions”. Prime Minister Imran Khan had the same way we defeated other She added that it is important Pepsi and Coca Cola. which is at the epicentre of the crossings with Iran and other Yesterday Special Assistant to declared that the coronavirus diseases,” she said, adding that to take precautionary measures. Karim said that the whole world had already gave up selling water in plastic bottles and switched to glass. KP govt plans Study: Most heavy spending on tribal districts The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistanis government has planned to spend over Rs300bn for the development of merged tribal districts in the next three years. The plan, which is part of ‘overweight’ the three-year Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), was unveiled during a By world standards, weight and obesity] but we special ceremony at a policy 58.1% of Pakistanis are need to do a lot more individu- dialogue organised by the overweight, and 43.9% are ally collectively.” provincial government with obese The fresh fi gures came development partners in months after an international Islamabad. Internews health body warned that Pa- The dialogue was attended Karachi kistan was now among the top by provincial Finance Minister 10 countries in the world for Taimur Saleem Jhagra, chief absolute increase in diabetes secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, ore than half of Paki- prevalence. additional chief secretary Shakeel stan’s population is The International Diabe- Qadir Khan, foreign diplomats, Moverweight or faces tes Federation (IDF) released and representatives of donor obesity, which means a major- new fi gures in November last agencies, including the World ity of the people are vulnerable year highlighting the alarm- Bank, the UK’s Department for to multiple diseases and health ing growth in the prevalence of International Development complications that could prove diabetes around the world. (DFID), the Asian Development fatal, says a study conducted It reported that 38mn more Bank and Germany’s GiZ. by an offi cial research body. adults are now estimated to be The AIP covers the first three Offi cials and experts who living with diabetes globally, years under the Tribal Decade helped write the report about compared to results published Strategy (TDS) 2020-30 and a recent survey conducted by in 2017. comprises 168 projects in 19 the Pakistan Health Research Professor Abdul Basit, a sectors for the sustainable Council (PHRC) said that fresh member of the IDF Diabetes development of the merged data showed alarming trends Atlas Committee in Pakistan, districts. This picture taken on Friday night shows the site of the crash between a passenger train and a bus in Sukkur. in society, where not only said that it is not just diabetes The strategy document notes adults but children too are fast that the obesity heightens the that during the current fiscal, the becoming patients of obesity- risk of. KP government has mobilised linked diseases. Rs83bn for the purpose. “In the countrywide study, If we talk about the trend, “The AIP translates the (TDS) At least 19 killed in train-bus collision two cut-off s were put as there is no urban-rural into actionable initiatives over standards by the experts,” said divide. It’s same in every the first three years emerging a source citing fi ndings of the segment of society with on the perspective planning DPA/AFP Television footage showed into two because of the force of eral hours, Syed Ijazul Hassan, study. people from diff erent horizon,” it said, adding that the Islamabad that the passenger bus was split the crash. a spokesperson for the Pakistan “According to the World backgrounds – Dr Riaz of development portfolio consists into two pieces. “All those killed and in- Railway, said yesterday. Health Organisation (WHO), the Baqai Institute of 168 projects and interventions “At least 19 people including jured were passengers from the Train accidents are common 58.1% of the people in Pakistan separately conceived, funded and t least 19 people died and fi ve women died in the acci- coach,” he said, adding that an in Pakistan, where many tracks are overweight, and 43.9% are “It would not be wrong if we monitored from the traditional more than two dozen dent,” Bashir Ahmad Solangi, a assistant train driver sustained laid by the British colonial rul- obese. say that obesity or being over- Annual Development Programme Awere injured when a train doctor at Sukkur district hospi- minor injuries. ers before 1947 have not been “Similarly, according to the weight is ‘mother’ of several (ADP). crashed into a passenger bus tal, told DPA. “Apparently the accident upgraded since. Asian cut-off s, 72.3% of the diseases,” he said. “Obesity is The document said that in southern Pakistan, offi cials He said that another 26 in- took place due to bus driver’s Bombings by Islamist mili- people in Pakistan are over- known to cause 23 diff erent keeping a short-term focus, the said. jured people received treat- negligence,” Railways Minister tants and separatists and weak weight and 58.1% are obese. diseases. programme sought to lay the The train was on its way from ment. Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said, but safety and security systems are “These are fresh fi gures sug- “From hypertension to dia- foundations for the sustainable Karachi to Rawalpindi when Senior railway offi cial Tariq added that an inquiry was under other causes. gesting an alarming trend.” betes and from cardiac issues development, through an it slammed into a bus carry- Kolachi, who was at the scene way to clarify what had hap- There has been a rise in dead- Health professionals and to arthritis, there are a number increase in resources as well as ing nearly 50 passengers at an on Friday night, told AFP that pened. ly train accidents in Pakistan in practitioners saw the study as of diseases which one develops innovative diff erent approaches unmanned crossing near Rohri occurred at an unmanned rail- Rail operations resumed af- recent years and more than 100 a “wake-up call” and called for mainly due to obesity. to development. town late on Friday. way crossing, and the bus split ter being suspended for sev- people were killed in 2019. promoting healthy lifestyle, “It’s a condition we usually including on the importance invite through our lifestyle and of daily exercise, consumption casual approach. of healthy food and educating “Better lifestyle and healthy young children about the need diet can help you prevent obes- for taking part in physical ac- ity and diseases linked to it.” Sharif gets exemption from personal appearance in court tivity and avoiding junk food. “Preventing obesity is pos- “And most alarmingly, we sible through adopting and are seeing these trends in chil- maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Internews ment in London and that his doctors had Lahore High Court, also appeared before dren,” said Dr Musarrat Riaz and eating balanced food, Lahore not allowed him to travel. the accountability court. of the Baqai Institute of Dia- while treatment of chronic He asked the court to extend exemption Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz betology and Endocrinology, obesity is possible through to Sharif from personal appearance in the (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz, who assisted the PHRC in the medicines and bariatric sur- n accountability court in Punjab proceedings against him in the case. who is also on bail, has already been ex- recent study. gery combined with healthy has given former prime minister The court allowed the application and empted from personal appearance in the “If we talk about the trend, lifestyle,” said bariatric sur- ANawaz Sharif another exemption adjourned the hearing till March 30. court till the fi ling of the reference by the there is no urban-rural divide. geon Dr Tanvir Raazi Ahmed. from personal appearance in the court Earlier, a National Accountability Bu- NAB. It’s same in every segment of “Following extensive weight in the light of medical reports submitted reau (NAB) prosecutor told the court Another accountability court ad- society with people from dif- reduction, it has been observed by his counsel during the hearing of the that the reference was in a fi nal stage and journed till March 13 the hearing of the ferent backgrounds. But at the that people can get rid of many Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. would be fi led soon. money laundering/illegal assets case same time, we have seen a kind ailments including diabetes, Counsel Advocate Amjad Pervez told Sharif’s nephew Yousaf Abbas, a co- against Leader of the Opposition in Pun- of rise of awareness among the hypertension and live a normal Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. the court that Sharif is still under treat- suspect, who was released on bail by the jab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz. people on these issues [over- life.” Gulf Times 18 Sunday, March 1, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Sluggish economy: Global rate cuts are on the radar?

Rapidly spreading coronavirus is undoubtedly a new and unexpected blow to the global economy, which has been buff eted by a trade war mainly between the world’s two largest economies- the US and China. Central banks around the world are now keeping a close eye on the already sluggish world economy from slipping further and may mount a “coronavirus rescue” sooner than later. Investors aren’t buying the idea that central banks’ The 2020 race could become “wait-and-see approach” to the coronavirus will last, ramping up bets on interest-rate cuts that could start within months. Money markets now see three Federal Reserve reductions this year – starting next month – and one by the European the coronavirus election Central Bank (ECB) in July, a Bloomberg dispatch said. The Bank of England will cut in May, according to a similar By Matt Pearce nation’s private healthcare system reach that level. looking at the law of 50 diff erent states, Los Angeles poses a threat to the country’s ability to Political conventions could pose a which could handle crises in 50 diff erent metric. The ECB is in a tougher position than other central manage a deadly pandemic. particular risk for the spread of a virus; ways,” Morley said. banks, with limited ammunition if the situation worsens, “We need a president who does it’s happened before. According to the most recently and top offi cials including President Christine Lagarde have t’s hard to run an election during a not play politics with our health In 2016, California Republicans had available research from the National pandemic, let alone stay healthy. and national security,” Democratic to be quarantined in their hotel rooms in Conference of State Legislatures, “At signalled that more time is needed to weigh the impact of the In 1918, as Spanish infl uenza front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders Ohio after suff ering from an outbreak of least 45 states have statutes that deal virus outbreak. Iwreaked havoc in one of the of Vermont said in a statement on norovirus. with Election Day emergencies in some But even for those with greatest health disasters in US history, Thursday. Health and party offi cials are already way, though there is little consistency monitoring the potential impact to more space, such as the politicians were sidelined as bans on He urged support for his “Medicare between states on what events would be Money markets public gatherings made it impossible to for All” plan to create a national this summer’s Democratic National covered and exactly what plans will be Fed, there are doubts that hold campaign rallies. healthcare system “so everyone can see Convention in Milwaukee; Wisconsin followed in each emergency.” now see three monetary policy response There was no vaccine for that virus, a doctor or get a vaccine for free.” has seen one confi rmed case of Morley said local offi cials should start will prove eff ective, with which killed hundreds of thousands of As stories circulate of some coronavirus. planning now, getting rules in place Federal Reserve Americans, and the best offi cials could coronavirus tests costing as much as “Our No 1 concern is to ensure all “before the emergency hits. the shock concentrated do was keep people away from each 1,400 dollars, Pete Buttigieg, the former eligible voters are able to make their The last thing you want is reductions this on the supply side of the other to limit the microbe’s spread. mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said that voices heard without jeopardising government offi cials, many of whom economy. Now, for the fi rst time in a century, a insurance costs and coverage barriers anyone’s health and safety,” said themselves are elected offi cials, year US election faces the unusual threat of could “get in the way of the opportunity Maya Hixson, spokeswoman for the trying to make up the rules for an “The problem with doing being upended by a potential pandemic to delay the spread of infection.” Democratic National Committee. election in the middle of an ongoing monetary stimulus is that it will have limited impact on the as a new coronavirus has shocked Senator Elizabeth Warren of “We will continue to closely monitor election.” eff ects of the virus,” said Jens Peter Sorensen, chief analyst the global economy, tested President Massachusetts has attacked the as the situation develops.” But the National Association of Donald Trump’s administration administration’s “outrageous” refusal to A Republican National Convention State Election Directors, a group that at Danske Bank, in Copenhagen. “The Covid-19 virus is and fuelled Democratic attacks on promise a coronavirus vaccine would be spokesperson did not respond to represents election offi cials, was mum keeping people from work, the supply chain is disrupted and both his leadership and the private aff ordable for all Americans. a request for comment about the when asked if it was examining the issue tourists are not going to Italy. Monetary policy can do very healthcare system’s ability to protect all In a USA Today op-ed, former vice party’s convention in Charlotte, North of administering elections during a Americans. president Joe Biden slammed Trump’s Carolina, nor did local health offi cials. pandemic. little.” Should the virus spread, experts are attempted budget cuts to national Unlike other potential election Another question mark would be So far, the view among central bankers across the world is also raising concerns over Americans’ health and disease-prevention agencies, emergencies, a pandemic could aff ect Trump’s management of the crisis, with it’s too early to assess what the economic damage will be. ability to participate in the political which Congress has ignored by instead the entire country, throwing the critics questioning his ability to manage How much ammunition does central banks have to deal process should the nation undertake the boosting fi nancing for the National nation’s system of locally managed voting issues fairly and impartially. kind of isolation measures that could Institutes of Health and the Centers for elections and their protocols under “What if Trump decided is what he with the crisis remains the central question? make it more diffi cult to hold campaign Disease Control and Prevention. harsh strain. was going to do is put a quarantine on The Federal Reserve’s interest rates are already at rallies, nominating conventions and in- Former New York mayor Michael Voting experts are calling for election two or three states that were likely to go low levels, trimmed three times last year as the Trump person balloting. R Bloomberg broadcast an attack ad offi cials to make pandemic contingency the other way (and support Democrats), Business leaders are already against Trump over his management of plans now, rather than waiting to see the but not on the red states?” said Norman administration roiled markets in a trade battle with China. cancelling large conferences as a the virus. progress of the virus. Ornstein, The European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan, with preventative matter, and health offi cials A pandemic poses a unique threat to “You could have 50 states a resident scholar and elections interest rates below zero, may particularly struggle for a are warning that disruption to daily the political process. simultaneously all being impacted” in expert at the conservative American life could be “severe,” raising questions Unlike an earthquake or a terrorist a pandemic, said Michael Morley, an Enterprise Institute think tank. “This response eff ective against the type of trouble stemming from about a pandemic’s potential impact on attack, a pandemic is not an assistant professor of law at Florida raises a whole set of questions we don’t the coronavirus, according to Reuters. the nation’s democracy. unforeseeable event, potentially giving State University College of Law who normally like to think about, but we Monetary policy is most potent in bolstering demand by “If we’re unfortunate enough that the offi cials weeks or even months to specialises in election law. have to think about.” lowering the cost of borrowing - it cannot restore global virus becomes prevalent in the United prepare. He warned that the legal Ornstein added: “You would hope States, it could aff ect both campaigns A World Health Organisation complexities of such a scenario could be that people would act in the national supply chains that have ground to a halt or convince people and the election itself potentially, and official on Friday declined to call the unprecedented. interest and would put those things it is safe to go on a trip or for businesses to hold a sales aff ect how campaigns are run, aff ect coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, but “So rather than looking at the law of a aside, but we’re in a time of high stakes convention. who turns out to vote, and potentially scientists have previously said it could single state or a handful of states, you’re and high tribalism.” - TCA/DPA aff ect even the outcome of the election,” Still, monetary policymakers worldwide have braced to said Richard Hasen, a professor act even while arguing - perhaps hoping - for a base case in specialising in election law at the which the virus is contained reasonably soon. Markets may University of California, Irvine School of Law. have fallen off a cliff , they note; the real economy has not. In the best-case scenario, the one still Central bankers in recent years have warned broadly that hoped for by American health offi cials, their “toolkit” is limited by globally low interest rates and the virus’ march can be stopped, or at least slowed long enough for the lingering doubts that bond buying and other strategies will development of an eff ective vaccine, prove eff ective in another sharp downturn. which would likely take more than a Still, whatever the scope for fi scal policy, investors seemed year. to think events are forcing monetary authorities toward That would allow Americans to carry on with their lives and limit the some sort of response even if their fi repower is limited. damage to the domestic economy from That’s why many analysts seem to think that global rate the drastic isolation measures taken by cuts are certainly on the radar. China and other nations. It would prevent deaths and, as a political bonus to Trump, boost his To Advertise argument for reelection. “Because of all we’ve done, the risk to [email protected] the American people remains very low,” Display Trump said on Wednesday at a news conference with medical experts at the 44466621 44418811 White House, who nonetheless warned that the virus’ trajectory in the US was Classified “uncertain” and that they were bracing 44466609 44418811 for more cases. But as evidence emerges that the Subscription virus may have gained a toehold inside the US in addition to other [email protected] countries, Democratic candidates have slammed Trump’s sunny outlook on containment, while also arguing that Trump gestures, flanked by Vice-President Pence, after speaking at a news conference on the Covid-19 outbreak at the White © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved the patchwork, costly nature of the House last week. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 19 COMMENT The West’s fi nal countdown?

By Joschka Fischer Strategic thinking and a sense of Berlin historical responsibility are, at best, an afterthought. Worse, this state of aff airs prevails he year is still young, but despite the fact that there is no more its historical signifi cance is important issue to Europe than the already clear. At least as far US presidential election. Europeans Tas the West is concerned, should be preparing for the worst. The foreseeable events in the coming key question, both for Europe and the months will have an overwhelming West more broadly, is whether Nato and decisive impact on the future. could survive a second Trump term. If The moment of truth will come on Nato were to unravel, Europe and the November 3, 2020, when voters in the North Atlantic region would suddenly United States elect the country’s next face an enormous security crisis. In president. fact, without the transatlantic bond To be sure, US presidential elections that the Alliance provides, one could have always been globally important, hardly speak of “the West” at all. And because they determine who will lead Europe certainly wouldn’t be able to the world’s most powerful country for manage its own security. the next four years. But the stakes are In Brussels, but particularly at the much higher this time. The re-election European Council, the top-line agenda of President Donald Trump could spell should refl ect the fact that the strategic the end of the liberal world order and groundwork for the 21st century is the system of alliances that America being laid now – at this very moment. has fostered since the 1940s. There is far more at stake than the Departing from America’s tradition outcome of the next national election of global leadership, Trump favours a in any one European country. narrow-minded nationalism, and has This is not to discount the shown little restraint in undermining importance of regional and CAP US democracy itself, not least by funds. But with all due respect to the challenging the separation of powers frugal net contributors and the poorer Democratic presidential candidates (L-R) former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other core institutions. Should recipient countries that depend on EU (D-MA), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former vice-president Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tom Steyer walk on stage prior to the Democratic Trump win in November, he will disbursements, there simply are bigger presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Centre on February 25, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. The re-election of President Donald Trump could have a mandate to wreak havoc for issues that need to be addressed. spell the end of the liberal world order and the system of alliances that America has fostered since the 1940s. another four years. The result will fi t Europe’s very security and sovereignty the description he off ered in his first are now at risk. The EU must ask inaugural address: American carnage. Already, Trump has forced Europe expect merely four more years of the business as usual. EU offi cials are Council, short-term national interests itself if it is prepared to do what is Make no mistake: it makes a big to pursue its own sovereignty; but same. If Trump is re-elected, he will currently negotiating the terms of the have prevailed. It is as if the world necessary to remain an independent diff erence whether Trump is in offi ce achieving that end will not come easily most likely behave even more radically bloc’s next seven-year €1tn ($1.1tn) has not fundamentally changed over player, united in the common interest for eight years rather than just four. In or cheaply. and without restraint. He will be budget. Part of this involves a new the past three years. One might think of all Europeans. Otherwise, Europe’s addition to Americans, Europeans would When Trump was elected in fully convinced that he is the “chosen battle over the allocation of regional European leaders’ priorities would viability as a democratic, sovereign be the fi rst to feel the consequences of 2016, almost everyone both inside one,” having successfully withstood and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) adjust to the Trump presidency, the entity in control of its own destiny will a second Trump term. The fact is that and outside the US was caught by perfi dious attacks by the opposition, funds following Brexit. The Trump emergence of China as a global power, be called into question – and therefore Europe remains almost existentially surprise. In 2020, no one will make the old establishment, the media, and presidency has been a negligible factor Russia’s bet on military strength and tested by adversaries – like never dependent on the US, both economically the same mistake again. But nor can the “deep state.” Who would be left to in the proceedings. And although rearmament, and the rise of the digital before. – Project Syndicate and for its security. This dependence is anyone claim not to know what they stop him, or at least to chasten him? a strategy for achieving European economy. But no: self-interested a legacy of the twentieth century, with are getting with Trump. He may be a For all of its disastrous implications, sovereignty necessarily would require haggling dominates the agenda in  Joschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign its two world wars and its long Cold War. stranger to the truth, but he has stayed the idea of a “second Trump term” new fi nancial commitments, that Brussels and in Europe’s national minister and vice-chancellor from 1998 Such deeply rooted historical realities mostly true to his campaign promises. has not shaken the European Union particular issue has scarcely come up. capitals (which have always played a to 2005, was a leader of the German cannot be easily or quickly reversed. That said, it would be wrong to from its frustrating habit of pursuing Instead, within the European fundamental role in EU governance). Green Party for almost 20 years.

Six years on, MH370 fl ight mystery Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 180c stirs ‘unimaginable pain’ MONDAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 170c searches, only a few fragments of the government should be called out to DPA Around 2,000km south of TUESDAY Kuala Lumpur Australia’s west coast, this swathe aircraft — those which washed up on answer as to why they lied or covered Maximum Temperature : 240c of ocean is “as close to nowhere as it East African beaches thousands of up the truth.” Minimum Temperature : 170c is possible to be,” according to Tony kilometres west — have been found. Malaysia’s government was then ix years on, the unsolved Abbott, Australia’s prime minister at Conspiracy theories about the headed by Najib Razak, who is now on Fisherman's forecast disappearance of Malaysia the time of the disappearance. aircraft’s fate have proliferated, trial for corruption after losing 2018 WARNING Airlines fl ight MH370 stands Six Australians were among 14 ranging from it landing in the elections. Inshore : Expected poor visibility at some places at first Sas one of aviation’s murkiest nationalities onboard MH370, along Cambodian countryside or as far north Najib replied to Abbott’s claims by Offshore : Nil and most grimly compelling tragedies. with 153 Chinese passengers and 50 as Kazakhstan. saying it was unfair to suggest that the WEATHER Danica Weeks, whose New Zealand Malaysian crew and passengers. The offi cial Malaysian investigations pilot could be the culprit given the lack of Inshore : Misty to foggy at places at first becomes husband was among 239 people Four French passengers, two into MH370’s disappearance could not evidence, but added that his government moderate temperature onboard, told DPA: “The not knowing Ukrainians, one Dutch and one determine a cause. did not rule out any explanation. daytime with sctd of where or what happened to our loved Russian were also onboard. Abbott told a TV documentary The offi cial version of events is clouds& c of light rain that MH370 was deliberately steered at north by night ones causes us unimaginable pain.” Offshore : Misty at times with At 1:19am on March 8, 2014, as It has been six years since Malaysia Airlines off -course but that the “rogue pilot” sctd clouds becomes p MH370 was en route from Kuala theory has no proof and Zaharie had cloudy later with weak Lumpur to Beijing, a voice from the “no known history of apathy, anxiety, c of light rain at north fl ight MH370 disappeared from radar by night cockpit replied to air traffi c control or irritability.” WIND with “Goodnight. screens. The wreckage of the fl ight has never “The possibility of intervention by a Inshore : Southeasterly-Southerly Malaysian three seven zero.” third party cannot be excluded,” stated 05-15 KT been found and mystery still surrounds Offshore : Southeasterly 03-13/20 Those were the last words ever the offi cial safety investigation report, KT heard from the soon-to-vanish which was released on July 30 2018. Visibility : 4-8/2 KM aircraft. its disappearance. Will the loved ones of “We are not of the opinion it could Offshore : 1-3/6 FT Amid apparent miscommunication be an event committed by the pilot,” the passengers and governments ever Around the region between Malaysian and Vietnamese lead investigator Koh Soon Chong said air traffi c control, as the ight fl was defi nitively clear up the mystery? at the time. Weather Weather to cross into Vietnamese airspace The fl ight data and cockpit voice today Max/min tomorrow Max/min over the South China Sea, MH370 Though the fi rst confi rmed piece broadcast in Australia in February recorders — which would provide vital Baghdad M Sunny 19/10 P Cloudy 20/08 turned west, veering off -course across of MH370 wreckage was found on a 2020 that his Malaysian government information about what happened Kuwait City Sunny 27/13 Sunny 24/13 peninsular Malaysia. beach on the French-controlled Indian counterparts were of the view that that fateful night six years ago — were Manama M Sunny 26/18 Cloudy 23/18 It went north over the Strait of Ocean island of Reeunion on July 29, pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah carried out never found. Muscat Sunny 27/21 Sunny 28/22 Malacca, one of the world’s busiest 2015 — making it likely that MH370 a suicide-mass murder. On February 10, 2020, Malaysia’s Tehran M Sunny 17/06 S Showers 09/02 maritime trade conduits, before met its end somewhere in the lonely “My understanding — my very clear Transport Ministry stated that it had heading out over the Andaman Sea and vastness of that ocean — the location understanding — from the very top not decided on relaunching the search beyond the reach of radar around an of the body of the aircraft remains levels of the Malaysian government is for MH370 but “will review any new hour later. unknown. that from very, very early on here, they evidence that it offi cially receives.” The most widely held view, which A crash-landing would likely have thought it was a murder-suicide by the Oliver Plunkett, CEO of Ocean is based on the aircraft’s fuel load and shattered the aircraft into fragments, pilot,” Abbott said. Infi nity, a US exploration company commercial satellite data known as compounding the diffi culties of an “If this is true, the Malaysian that carried out the most recent search “handshakes,” is that MH370 then fl ew underwater search of stretches of government has lied to us and all the for MH370, told DPA: “Whilst no south into the Indian Ocean, where it ocean some 5,000-6.000 metres deep, search teams by having them search new search is imminent, we continue would likely have plummeted or glided where storms can stir waves that roar on the premise that the pilot was not to actively engage with a number of into some of the planet’s roughest and up to 30 metres high. in control of MH370 at the end of the subject experts to identify where any remotest waters. Despite several multinational fl ight,” Weeks said. “So the Malaysian new search might be focused.”

Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 16/08 P Cloudy 18/12 Live issues Beirut M Sunny 16/13 P Cloudy 17/12 Bangkok Sunny 34/27 Sunny 33/27 Berlin Showers 12/04 P Cloudy 09/04 Cairo M Sunny 22/11 Sunny 22/09 Cape Town Sunny 28/16 Sunny 26/16 Study warns of sudden change in Arctic Ocean Colombo P Cloudy 30/25 M Sunny 30/25 Dhaka Sunny 31/18 Sunny 31/18 Hong Kong P Cloudy 22/18 P Cloudy 22/18 QNA ing at a faster rate than the rest of the One of the key ﬁ ndings was the Juvenile Arctic cod, which Istanbul Rain 10/04 P Cloudy 11/05 Washington world. This is causing less sea ice, near-bottom waters that that typically dominate fish communities in the Jakarta T Storm 30/25 T Storm 31/24 early snowmelts and more greenhouse remained close to freezing year-round surface to mid-depth waters of the Karachi P Cloudy 29/18 Sunny 31/18 gases. Wildlife is also suff ering more had warmed for parts of each fall and northern Chukchi Sea, were sub- London Rain 10/04 Showers 09/02 recent study by scientists – seals and seabirds are dying in high winter from 2014 through 2018. Sea stantially more abundant in 2017 Manila M Sunny 33/23 M Sunny 33/23 from the University of Alaska numbers. ice that usually began to form each fall than in 2012 and 2013. The number Moscow Cloudy 02/-3 Cloudy 05/03 Fairbanks warned of a sud- Henry Huntington, lead author of was either absent or lower than aver- of pink salmon also increased New Delhi ST Storms 25/16 M Sunny 26/16 Aden change in the Arctic the study, said: ‘The rate of change age into January and even sometimes dramatically in the northern Bering New York P Cloudy 04/-3 Sunny 07/02 Ocean caused by climate change. over the study time frame came as a February. Sea in 2017. Paris Rain 11/06 Rain 11/04 Experts analysed data on water tem- shock.’ ‘Having a team with the exper- The team found that the spring ice ‘What happens in the northern Sao Paulo ST Storms 22/18 Showers 21/17 peratures, sea ice levels and wildlife tise to put together the pieces across retreat was also earlier than normal Bering and Chukchi seas may be a Seoul P Cloudy 13/0 P Cloudy 13/-1 patterns from the Bering and Chukchi the whole ecosystem simply drives in the past few years. And the lack of foretaste of what can be expected Singapore P Cloudy 33/25 P Cloudy 34/25 marine shelf located between Alaska home how far-reaching the changes ice and warm temperatures began to elsewhere in the world’s oceans in the Sydney P Cloudy 24/18 P Cloudy 24/18 and Russia. are and how much they matter.’ he dramatically aff ect the wildlife that coming years and decades,’ Hunting- Tokyo Clear 14/05 Cloudy 16/07 They found the Arctic is warm- added. call this area home. ton said. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, March 1, 2020 QATAR Amir visits Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition Amir attends Qatar Total Open final

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended yesterday parts of the final of the 18th Qatar Total Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The match ended with Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus defeating Czech Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-3. The final was attended by former Argentine president Mauricio Macri and his wife, a number of Sheikhs and ministers, and fans. Sport Page 1

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday visited the 17th Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) 2020 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. His Highness the Amir toured the various pavilions at the exhibition and saw the latest designs of Qatari and international companies in the manufacture of jewellery, watches and gemstones. His Highness the Amir also saw some creations of Qatari jewellery designers taking part in in the exhibition.