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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11649 August 23, 2020 Muharram 4, 1442 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

‘MoCI sets prices of PSG Doha academy players all stirred up basic commodities’ The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has stressed that GNA hails roles it determines the maximum prices of only basic commodities such as vegetables, fruits, fish and others. Regarding other items, the MoCI said prices may vary from one of Qatar, Turkey outlet to another and consumers should compare the rates and quality of diff erent items in such places and take the adequate decision accordingly. in supporting The ministry issued the clarification through a statement on Twitter yesterday, with regard to the issue of price variations between supermarkets and the MoCI’s role Libyan people in controlling consumer prices. The ministry has urged people to report any violations through its OResumption of political process stressed various communication channels, the call centre at 16001 and social media platforms at MOCIqatar. QNA irreversible option, stressing its stead- The prices of basic commodities Tripoli fast position rejecting the militarisa- such as vegetables, fruits and fish, tion of the country, “in acknowledge- etc, can be found on the MoCI ment to the blood of the martyrs, in website at https://www.moci.gov. he Presidential Council of the response to the demand of the Libyans, qa/en/our-services/consumer/ Libyan Government of National and in order to preserve the security, commodities-daily-prices/ TAccord (GNA) praised the roles unity and sovereignty of Libya”. of Qatar and Turkey in supporting the The Libyan Presidential Council af- MoPH reports 113,531 legitimate government and the Libyan fi rmed “the importance of resuming total Covid-19 recoveries people during the current crisis. the political process on clear grounds This came in a statement issued by in which there is no place for those The Ministry of Public Health Boys with the under-12 group, train at the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Football Academy in Doha yesterday, on the eve of the GNA Presidency Council follow- whose hands have been stained with (MoPH) reported yesterday the Champions League Final between France’s PSG and German side Bayern Munich, in Lisbon today. Page 12 ing a meeting headed by the Council’s the blood of Libyans, and whoever has 284 new confirmed cases of Chairman Faiz al-Sarraj, and attended committed violations that amount to coronavirus (Covid-19) and 315 by Vice President Ahmed Maitiq, and war crimes and crimes against human- recoveries from the virus in the members Mohamed Ammari Zayed ity, and does not waive the application last 24 hours, bringing the total and Ahmed Hamzah. The statement of justice against them.” number of people who have was carried by Libya’s news agency The statement also stressed the recovered from the disease in yesterday, one day after the GNA and need to resume production and ex- Qatar to 113,531. Page 2 QRCS to support 22 countries the Tobruk Assembly of Representa- portation in the oil fields and ports tives, announced an immediate cease- to support the Libyan economy, meet Houthi drone, missile fi re in the country. the needs of the Libyans and alleviate downed: Saudi The council extended thanks to their suffering. in their fi ght against Covid-19 Turkey, Qatar, and the brotherly and It emphasised that the parliamen- The Saudi-led coalition yesterday friendly countries that supported the tary and presidential elections in the intercepted and destroyed an position of the Government of Nation- country are the goal of the Presidency explosive-laden drone and a atar Red Crescent Society lies most affected by the lockdown.” al Accord and supported the Libyan Council to reach a stable, permanent ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s (QRCS) has launched a large- Co-operation agreements have people during the current crisis, the political stage, provided that they are Houthis towards Saudi Arabia’s Qscale international relief ini- been signed with the partner national statement said. conducted according to a sound con- southern region, state news agency tiative to implement a series of Cov- societies for the purpose of imple- In the statement, the Council af- stitutional rule agreed upon by the SPA reported, citing a coalition id-19 control projects in 22 countries, mentation. Preliminary co-ordina- fi rmed that the modern civil state is an Libyans. Page 4 spokesman. He said the missile benefi ting some 320,000 people. tion has already commenced, and the was heading towards the southern A budget of QR2,236,827 has been execution process will last until the Saudi city of Jizan. Yemen has been allocated for the scheme, which will end of 2020, QRCS has said. A view of Hamad City in Gaza locked in conflict since 2014 when the be implemented directly by QRCS’s “This is part of QRCS’s eff orts to Houthis seized Sanaa, the capital, and foreign representation offi ces and combat Covid-19 in Qatar and be- then much of the country’s north. missions in co-operation with the yond. Under the supervision of Qa- host fellow national societies, ac- tar’s Ministry of Public Health, QRCS Mali’s coup leaders cording to a press statement. has undertaken signifi cant roles in meet Ecowas team The target countries are as follows: Ibrahim Abdullah al-Maliki operating quarantine facilities, taking z Asia: Palestine, Afghanistan, Pa- swabs at its Workers’ Health Centres A key meeting yesterday between kistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Mongolia nel, and support health facilities and and deploying its ambulances and fi rst Mali’s coup leaders and mediators and Laos services to be able to provide care for responders,” the statement notes. “At from West Africa’s regional bloc z Africa: Ethiopia, Chad, Senegal, the suspected and confi rmed cases.” the same time, QRCS volunteers had seeking a return to civilian rule ended Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and This initiative, he explained, was a remarkable achievements in raising after just 20 minutes. A delegation Sierra Leone “cardinal form of support for health awareness at shopping centres and from the 15-nation Economic z Europe: Albania, Kosovo and systems in the target countries, where public places, disinfecting streets and Community of West African States Montenegro the consequences of the pandemic districts, and inspecting hygiene com- (Ecowas) earlier arrived in the capital, z South America: Venezuela, El weighed heavily on the health facili- pliance, just to name a few.” Bamako, for talks aimed at reversing Salvador and Peru ties”. Internationally, QRCS has con- the overthrow of Keita on Tuesday. z North America: Panama “QRCS will provide medicines, ducted many coronavirus control and The bloc has taken a hard line on the z Oceania: Vanuatu medical equipment and consuma- relief operations through its missions coup, shutting borders and halting QRCS chief executive director Ib- bles for the treatment of patients,” in Lebanon, Bangladesh, Turkey, financial flows. Page 5 rahim Abdullah al-Maliki said, “The continued al-Maliki. “We will en- Iraq, Yemen and Gaza. This portfolio initiative is aimed at backing the ef- hance protection of the medical involved establishing isolation cen- German trial concerts forts exerted by those countries to professionals who deal with quar- tres and fi eld hospitals, supporting to probe infection risks reduce the spread of the virus, alle- antined patients by securing masks, healthcare facilities, providing medi- viate its impact on the populations, gloves, sanitisers and other medical cal protective materials and donat- A German university yesterday provide health protection supplies for protective supplies. Also, food bas- ing in-kind medical supplies for the This picture taken on August 12, 2020 shows an aerial view of the Qatari-built launched a series of pop concerts ambulance and emergency person- kets will be distributed to the fami- health authorities. “Hamad City” housing project in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. under coronavirus conditions, hoping the mass experiment with 2,000 people can determine whether large events can safely resume. Tim Bendzko, a well-known singer, agreed to give three separate Navalny fl own to Berlin hospital in ‘worrying’ condition performances over the course of the day in Leipzig, allowing researchers from nearby Halle University to try Reuters would have died,” said Bizilj, adding out diff erent configurations for the Berlin that it would be up to doctors and Na- gigs. Only young, healthy volunteers valny’s family to provide further infor- were allowed to attend in a bid to mation on his condition. limit infection risks. Page 8 ravely ill Kremlin critic Alexei Bizilj, a Slovenian-born activist and Bild Lukashenko orders Navalny was evacuated to Ger- fi lmmaker, was earlier quoted by Gmany for medical treatment tabloid as saying Navalny’s condition army to defend borders yesterday, fl own out of the Siberian was stable during the fl ight and after city of Omsk in an ambulance aircraft landing. Belarus’s authoritarian leader and taken to a hospital in Berlin. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokes- Alexander Lukashenko yesterday There was no word yet from the woman, said on Twitter that “This is ordered his defence minister to Charite hospital on his condition but another proof that nothing was pre- take “stringent measures” to defend the founder of the activist group that venting Navalny from being trans- the country’s territorial integrity arranged the fl ight called Navalny’s ported, and it was necessary to do so as after mass protests erupted against health condition “very worrying”. early as possible.” his claim to election victory. The A long-time opponent of Presi- German doctors fl ew to Russia on 65-year-old, who said he won dent Vladimir Putin and campaigner Bizilj talks to the press yesterday outside Berlin’s Charite Paramedics load a stretcher into an ambulance that Friday to evacuate Navalny at the re- a sixth presidential term with against corruption, Navalny collapsed hospital after Navalny arrived for treatment. transported Navalny to Charite Mitte Hospital Complex. quest of his wife and allies who said 80% of the vote in the August 9 on a plane on Thursday after drinking that the hospital treating him was bad- ballot, made the comments while tea that his allies believe was laced with The air ambulance, arranged by the condition and further treatment once Cinema for Peace founder Jaka Bizilj, ly equipped. inspecting military units in Grodno, poison. Cinema for Peace Foundation, fl ew to tests have been completed and after speaking to reporters outside the hos- But there was then a delay fl ying him near Belarus’s border with Poland. Medical staff at the hospital in Omsk Berlin early yesterday and Navalny, consulting with his family. pital, said “his health condition is very out as the Omsk hospital initially said his Lukashenko denounced the recent said on Friday evening after clearing 44, was rushed to the Charite hospital A spokeswoman for Charite said lat- worrying”. condition meant he could not travel. mass protests, which he said were Navalny to be fl own out that he was in complex. er that it was unlikely that the hospi- “We got a very clear message from The Omsk doctors later said they receiving support from Western an induced coma and his life was not in The hospital said in a statement it tal would give a statement on Navalny the doctors that if there had not been had no objections after the German countries. Page 8 immediate danger. would provide an update about his over the weekend. an emergency landing in Omsk, he doctors deemed him fi t for travel. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 23, 2020 QATAR

QNB launches WhatsApp service SC, HBKU to to enhance customer experience

NB has launched the “QNB provides unique digital QNB WhatsApp Serv- banking services for its customers, Qice to provide customers including fl exible transfers world- off er course on with a wider range of banking wide, scheduling recurring trans- products and services. fers, bill payments, in addition to QNB WhatsApp banking will innovative and secure solutions be a new channel that serves for Internet and Mobile Banking QNB customers and the pub- services,” the statement adds. lic by providing general infor- QNB Group’s presence mation on the bank’s products through its subsidiaries and as- sustainability and services as well as a feature sociate companies extends to to message customer service more than 31 countries across agents for live support, accord- three continents, providing a ing to a press statement. comprehensive range of ad- Customers can easily start us- vanced products and services. ing the QNB WhatsApp banking by The total number of employ- downloading WhatsApp via iOS or ees is more than 29,000, oper- in sport events Android stores and save the What- ating through 1,000 locations, sApp number, +9744407777, on with an ATM network of over s part of its eff orts to con- their contact list. The QNB head off ice. 4,200 machines. tinuously share knowl- Aedge gained from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 prepara- tions, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) is ACTA holds partnering with the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) to of- MoPH reports 113,531 fer an online course. meeting with The ‘Sustainability and Ma- jor Sports Events’ course will be delivered in collaboration with govt bodies the Josoor Institute, launched total Covid recoveries with the purpose of building the capacity of sports and events in- s part of the prepara- dustries in Qatar and the Mena Sustainability has played a central part in the build-up to Qatar 2022 QNA tion of Qatar’s report region, and edX, a non-profi t ever since Qatar won the right to host the major sports event in 2010. Doha Afor the cycle of the Re- online learning platform found- view Mechanism of the United ed by Harvard University and forms every aspect of our work. two diff erent courses, one on Nations Convention Against the Massachusetts Institute of It is a culture and body of knowl- planning and the other on im- he Ministry of Public Corruption, the Administra- Technology. edge that we want to share with plementation. Health (MoPH) reported tive Control and Transparency Sustainability has played a the rest of the world,” al-Meer The courses explore the con- Tyesterday 284 new con- Authority (ACTA) held a meet- central part in the build-up to added. cept of sustainability in the con- fi rmed cases of coronavirus ing with offi cials and experts Qatar 2022 ever since Qatar won HBKU sees the course as text of major sports events and (Covid-19), and 315 recover- from six ministries and govern- the right to host the major sports an opportunity to continue help students learn how to for- ies from the virus in the last 24 mental bodies in the country, event in 2010. the work it is doing to provide mulate and write a sustainability hours, bringing the total number namely the Ministry of Interior, This includes a strong com- world-class educational con- strategy. of people who have recovered the Public Prosecution, the Na- mitment to incorporate the fi ve tent through a series of innova- In addition, students are from the disease in Qatar to tional Anti-Money Laundering pillars of sustainability – hu- tive online courses that will be taught how to track the progress 113,531. and Combating the Financing of man, social, economic, govern- delivered through the recently and impact of a sustainabil- The MoPH issued a statement Terrorism Committee, the Min- ance and environmental – in all launched HBKUx platform. ity action plan, ensure that pro- on Covid-19 developments in istry of Justice, the Ministry of aspects of tournament readiness “With the launch of HBKUx, curement processes and practic- Qatar, which said that all new Foreign Aff airs and the Ministry and the human legacy the event we are proud to be the fi rst uni- es are sustainable, plan for and cases have been introduced to of Finance. will have on Qatar and beyond. versity in the Middle East to deliver legacy and long-term isolation and are receiving nec- During the meeting, in which “After running the course suc- off er a robust online learning impact, and create, target and essary healthcare according to some experts of the ACTA par- cessfully last year, in which more platform that makes quality ac- deliver an eff ective communica- their health status. ticipated, government offi cials than 900 people from around ademic programmes and courses tions campaign. It said measures to tackle Cov- were briefed on the signifi cant the world registered, we wanted accessible to millions of learners “Imparting the tremendous id-19 in Qatar have succeeded in eff orts made by the ACTA to pre- to continue this collaboration around the world,” said Dr Susan amount of knowledge gained fl attening the curve and limiting pare the report and the key parts with HBKU because we truly be- Karamanian, dean of the College from the experience of or- the spread of the virus and the that were completed, in addition lieve in the power of Qatar 2022 of Law at HBKU. ganising a major event like number of new daily cases and to the required role of govern- in creating a substantial shift in “Partnering with an organi- Qatar 2022 is one of the most hospital admissions is continu- ment experts during the discus- the way major sports events in- sation like the Supreme Com- important parts of the legacy ing to decline each week. sion of the report. corporate sustainability in every mittee for Delivery & Legacy al- this tournament will leave,” Qatar’s proactive and exten- The meeting also discussed aspect of their delivery,” said Bo- lows us to provide our students said Talar Sahsuvaroglu, the sive testing of suspected cases the results of the review lot, dour al-Meer, senior manager, with unprecedented access to SC’s Sustainability and En- has enabled us to identify a high which resulted in the naming Sustainability & Environment at thought leaders who are working vironmental Subject Matter number of positive cases in the Palestine and Guinea as review- the SC. on delivering one of the world’s Expert, who will be one of the community. ing countries for Qatar’s report, “From water and waste man- largest sports events,” added Dr many instructors to deliver Qatar has one of the low- among other topics - QNA agement to ensuring that the Ala al-Fuqaha, Acting Associate the courses. est Covid-19 death rates in the infrastructure we are building Provost for Teaching and Learn- Registration for the pro- world. This is a result of: of the virus and see numbers in- medical conditions. leaves a long-term legacy for all ing at HBKU. gramme is now open through the zVery high quality of care creasing. There are already signs zWhen spending time our communities, we strive to In order to receive the certifi - Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s provided through the public of this happening in other coun- at home with elderly fam- ‘Noticeable rise’ in make sure that sustainability in- cation, students must complete website. – QNA healthcare sector for Covid-19 tries around the world. ily members or those with patients. Now more than ever, we must chronic diseases, people must humidity from zQatar’s young population. be careful and protect the most ensure that they wash their zProactive testing to identify vulnerable. hands regularly, wear a mask today: Met dept cases early. While the restrictions of Cov- and maintain social and phys- zExpanding hospital capac- id-19 are gradually being lifted in ical distancing. Labour ministry plans to train ity, especially intensive care, to Qatar, it is important for every- Anyone suff ering from Cov- he country is expected to ensure all patients receive the one to play their role in control- id-19 symptoms should either witness a noticeable rise medical care they need. ling the virus by following pre- contact 16000 helpline or go Tin relative humidity from govt employees at its headquarters zProtecting the elderly and cautionary measures: directly to one of the follow- today until the end of the week, those with chronic diseases. zAdherence to physical dis- ing designated health centres to the Qatar Met department has Even though restrictions are tancing. undergo the necessary checks: said. QNA headquarters targeting 4,300 The ministry has also devel- being lifted, and numbers are zAvoid close contact with Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, This will be due to a shift in Doha participants, in addition to 157 oped a gradual work plan in the declining, this does not mean others, crowded places and con- Umm Slal, or Al Gharrafa. wind direction to easterly, which online programmes targeting event of the return of training that the Covid-19 pandemic is fi ned closed spaces where other This is important as the earlier will range in speed from light to 1,570 trainees. programmes, as the number of over in Qatar. People continue people congregate. the disease is detected the eas- moderate at times, according to he Ministry of Adminis- An organised plan was devel- training programmes and the to be admitted with moderate to zWearing a face mask ier it will be to receive the right a statement issued by the de- trative Development, La- oped by the Institute of Public trainees will gradually increase, severe Covid-19 symptoms. zWashing hands regularly. treatment and recover from it. partment yesterday. Tbour and Social Aff airs, Administration in accordance bringing the total of programmes Unless people follow all pre- zMost importantly, it is vital The MoPH has urged the pub- There are chances of misty represented by the Institute with specifi c standards and con- to 20 per week, in addition to in- cautionary measures, the country that we continue to protect the lic to visit its website for regular to foggy conditions in some ar- of Public Administration, an- ditions, represented in applying creasing the number of partici- may experience a second wave elderly and those with chronic updates and new information. eas late at night and early in the nounced its readiness to start its social distancing between trainees pants to 20 in one programme. morning in the said period, the training programme plan at its and reducing the number of those Employees of government report states. headquarters, targeting govern- present in each training room, ad- agencies can register for training “Please be careful and follow ment agency employees, in the hering to all precautionary meas- programmes through the MA- latest updates through our of- event of the implementation of ures during the course of training WARED system. Temporary closure on G-Ring Road fi cial accounts,” the department the fourth phase of Qatar’s pre- programmes, so that the number The trainee must obtain the ap- advised the public. cautionary plan. of participants in one room does proval of his employer to register Meanwhile, the maximum In this context, the Institute of not exceed 10. in the programmes of the Institute temperature today is expected to Public Administration has pre- In addition, the Institute is tak- of Public Administration. be 40C in Abu Samra and 39C in pared a training plan consistent ing precautions by organising the In the event that the coun- Doha. with the precautionary meas- building entry and exit process, try does not shift to the fourth Yesterday, a maximum of 46C ures followed in the country to with the obligation for visitors phase, the ministry will suspend was recorded in Turayna, fol- confront the coronavirus (Cov- to wear masks and show Ehteraz the implementation of training lowed by 45C in Sheehaniya, id-19). The plan includes the application when entering the programmes at its headquarters Mukaynis and Karana, 44C in implementation of 290 training building, as well as adhering to el- while increasing remote pro- Mesaimeer and Jumayliyah, 43C programmes at the ministry’s evator use instructions. grammes. in the Qatar University area and Ghuwairiyah, and 42C in Doha (airport area) and Mesaieed. Qatar condemns Kahramaa runs conservation contest bombing in Iraq he Qatar General Elec- measures in place to prevent the Balance’ competition is or- tricity & Water Corpora- spread of the virus. ganised as part of Tarsheed’s Qatar has voiced its strong Ttion (Kahramaa), through Tarsheed has called on Qatari plan to raise awareness among condemnation and denunciation the National Programme for subscribers to register for the community members on con- of the two car bombings in Conservation and Energy Effi - ‘Monthly Conservation Bal- servation-related issues in Saladin Governorate, northern ciency (Tarsheed), is organising ance’ competition through the order to achieve its goals of Iraq, killing two security off icers a national competition titled Kahramaa website (Km.qa) or reducing electricity and wa- and wounding a number of ‘Monthly Conservation Balance’ via SMSes sent by Tarsheed to ter consumption, achieving civilians. for Qatari customers until Au- the targeted category of custom- energy efficiency, reducing In a statement yesterday, the gust 31. ers containing a link for registra- harmful carbon emissions and Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Valuable rewards will be of- tion and awareness advice. preserving the environment in reiterated the firm position of fered to customers with the After the registration proc- line with Qatar National Vision Qatar rejecting violence and highest consumption reduction ess, the subscriber will get a 2030. terrorism, regardless of their rate in three months, Kahramaa Tarsheed bag containing related Tarsheed has been organising motives and reasons. has said in a statement. awareness brochures and sam- competitions every year since its The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a temporary traff ic closure on G-Ring Road, The statement expressed the The competition is being or- ples of the tools used for conser- establishment in 2012 under the towards Al Majd Road between Aba Al Seleel and Bu Silla interchanges from 11pm today until 8am condolences of Qatar to the ganised remotely in view of the vation, such as water-saving tap patronage of His Highness the tomorrow. The closure will be carried out in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traff ic to families of the two victims and current Covid-19 pandemic heads and LED lights. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad complete the installation of ITS gantries, Ashghal has said. to the government and people of and as part of the precautionary The ‘Monthly Conservation al-Thani, the statement adds. Iraq. – QNA Gulf Times Sunday, August 23, 2020 3 QATAR

6-month partial closure of LuLu Intersection from today

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has HEC Paris to run reminded the public of the six- month partial closure of the junc- tion known as LuLu Intersection on D-Ring Road from today. “Follow the traff ic signboards and online session on guidelines to turn to diff erent directions as shown on the map,” the MoI tweeted yesterday. The Public Works Authority (Ash- ghal) had recently announced its degree courses the partial closure, which would be carried out in co-ordination with the General Directorate of EC Paris will be con- tion’s International Executive as well as leadership and human Traff ic to enable works at the key ducting an online infor- MBA (EMBA) and Specialised resources management. Par- intersection as part of the D-Ring Hmation session about its Master’s Degree in Strategic ticipants will choose one of the Upgrade Project. degree programmes on August Business Unit Management eight specialisations, delivered The left turn at LuLu Intersec- 26, from 4pm to 5pm. (SBUM) programmes. in diff erent locations. tion will be closed to traff ic from The session will provide pro- The EMBA is a practical and The SBUM is delivered in a D-Ring Road towards Jaber Bin spective participants an op- intense 16-month programme fl exible 15 to 18-month modu- Hayyan Street. Road users are portunity to interact remotely developed to provide partici- lar format starting with the core advised to take a U-turn at the with the admissions team of pants with an understanding of curriculum focused on strategy, Nuaija (Mall) Intersection to HEC Paris in Qatar to learn more the social, economic and envi- fi nance, leadership and change. reach their destinations. about how to accelerate their ronmental aspects of interna- It is characterised by a profes- For the left turn at LuLu Intersec- career path by studying in one tional business, as well as the sional thesis, which enables par- tion from Jaber Bin Hayyan of the world’s most prestigious skills to implement their vision. ticipants to focus on a specifi c Street towards D-Ring Road, road business schools. The curriculum is built around challenge related to their indus- users should take the right exit at Apart from providing use- three components: 11 core try and provides detailed and the signal onto D-Ring and then ful career tips, the interactive courses covering key business well-researched solutions. The use the recently made U-turn session is also intended to give areas, a specialisation (major), programme refl ects HEC Paris’ nearby. professionals and entrepreneurs and a fi nal strategic business commitment to contribute to the Road users coming from Nuaija from the private and public sec- project (capstone project). The development of a knowledge- (Mall) Intersection wishing to tor in-depth insights into how comprehensive core courses based economy in Qatar and to take a U-turn have to continue they can enhance their leader- include modules on strategy, strengthen corporate competi- driving and then use the recently ship skills through the institu- analysis and implementation, tiveness in the region. made U-turn after LuLu Intersec- tion.

HBKU College of Islamic Studies gives insight into Islamic ethics and Covid-19 pandemic 2020 colloquium marks the start of

he College of Islamic Stud- Northwestern Qatar’s academic year ies (CIS) at Hamad Bin TKhalifa University (HBKU) has recently collaborated with cademic publishing dur- search During a Pandemic,” which Belgium’s Katholieke Universiteit ing a pandemic and a pre- featured insights from Mary C Leuven (KU Leuven). This col- Aview of dean Marwan M Francis, director of the University laboration was refl ected in joint Kraidy’s strategic priorities for of Pennsylvania Press, and Zizi academic activities between the Northwestern Qatar were main Papacharissi, professor of politi- Centre for Islamic Legislation and topics that were covered in this cal science and head of the Com- Ethics (CILE) and KU Leuven’s year’s colloquium, an annual munication Department at the Leuven Centre for the Study of event for faculty and staff . The University of Illinois-Chicago. Islam, Culture and Society (LC- event also highlighted the re- Providing an overview of a SICS) to deliver a virtual summer search and creative output of the publishing industry disrupted school and an international con- university’s faculty. by a global pandemic, Francis ference. It was cemented with a Dean Kraidy outlined his four noted “something of a contrac- memorandum of understanding Dr Mohamed Ghaly, Dr Mutaz al-Khatib, and Dr Rajay Rai Jureidini strategic priorities for this year. The tion in scholarly publishing,” the between the institutions. were key speakers at the CILE Summer School. fi rst of these, he said, is to “reposi- implications of which are seen in Taking place from August 9 tion the institution as a scholarly journals and publishers getting to 12, the Islamic Ethics and the theological and juristic aspects. id-19 pandemic is by no means an community that is involved in the smaller and being forced to focus Covid-19 pandemic summer The summer school initiative exception to the rule and has trig- production of original knowledge on their strengths, though she school provided participants highlights CILE’s distinctiveness gered global discourse on related and storytelling of all kinds.” said these outlets are unlikely to interested in Islamic ethics with in leading the interdisciplinary moral issues. It was therefore an Due to the global move to on- disappear completely. Two other the skills and knowledge to fi eld of Islamic Ethics. Some of honour to work with KU Leuven to line learning, a transition Kraidy derivatives from the impact of critically engage with the glo- the school’s key speakers included develop a summer school initia- believes is accelerated but not ig- Covid-19 according to Francis bal ethical discourse surround- CIS faculty Dr Mohamed Ghaly, tive addressing these issues.” nited by Covid-19, Northwestern manifest in the “sharp turn to- ing Covid-19. Over the course Dr Mutaz al-Khatib and Dr Rajai CIS has established a two- Qatar is able to continue distin- ward digital delivery for books” of four days, participants be- Ray Jureidini, along with profes- year Master of Arts programme guishing itself in this online en- and the “notable inequalities came familiar with case studies sors from Leuven and Germany in Applied Islamic Ethics which vironment by “focusing on what and lags in submission that di- of pandemic diseases and their including Dr Umar Ryad, Dr Arjan combines the fundamentals of we do best, taking advantage of vide along gender lines.” eff ects on Muslim societies in Post and Dr Samer Rashwani. interdisciplinary scholarship in our location, and becoming more Marwan M Kraidy, Zizi Papacharissi and Mary C Francis during the Papacharissi refl ected on her medieval, colonial and contem- Speaking after the conclusion Islamic Studies with the practical visible as a node for creating new discussion. experience as a journal editor, porary times, such as congrega- of the summer school, Dr Mo- skills of research. The programme knowledge and new stories.” drawing on major trends she be- tional rituals, medical rationing hamed Ghaly, professor of Islamic addresses the challenge of bal- The importance of shared procedures that are both clearly sion.” The fourth and fi nal prior- lieves have made a diff erence in and triage. This was accompa- bioethics at CIS, said: “During ancing between taking the lead in governance was the subject of spelled out and equitable.” His ity addressed “a programme and the past two years. These includ- nied by an analysis of the ethi- times of uncertainty, individuals cutting-edge research and tech- Kraidy’s second strategic prior- third priority relates to “fac- agenda of research where every- ed open access, online publish- cal approaches and discourses and communities tend to consult nology on the one hand, and being ity, which he defi ned as a “self- ulty hiring, nurturing, promo- body becomes known for a few ing, the uneasy division between relating to Covid-19, including their moral systems and examine conscious of and faithful to one’s governing faculty that abide by tion, and retention,” which he fundamental questions and a books and articles in the fi eld secular bioethics and varying how controversial ethical dilem- religious and cultural identity on a set of academic values and said is “a fundamental aspect variety of studies around them.” and its relationship to tenure, Islamic approaches to scriptural, mas can be addressed. The Cov- the other hand. professional norms that are then of everything that we do and The colloquium also included a and the peer-review system and translated into processes and has to correspond to our mis- keynote panel on “Academic Re- its areas of improvement.

QAC off er on Mitsubishi vehicles until Aug 31

atar Automobiles the Mitsubishi Outlander Company (QAC), the is stylish, with changes on Qauthorised distribu- the front and rear exterior tor of Mitsubishi Motors design to give the care more Corporation in Qatar, con- attractive appearance. Driv- tinues with its off er on Mit- ing the Outlander is a pleas- subishi 2020 models with urable experience height- monthly instalments and a ened by quick, responsive package of benefi ts. handling and high-quality Valid until August 31, the craftsmanship. From gener- off er includes the Montero ous cabin space and com- Sport, Outlander, Eclipse fortable seating to quality Cross, ASX and Mirage. materials and refi ned amen- The off er has several ben- ities, every detail contrib- efi ts, including one-year utes to one’s travelling joy. free comprehensive insur- The Outlander is pow- ance, one-year free regis- ered by a choice of two clean tration, fi ve-year warranty and effi cient engines – the with unlimited mileage, and 2.4-litre MIVEC or 3.0-litre one-year or 20,000km free V6 MIVEC. service, QAC has said in a The Mitsubishi Mirage statement. is the family economy car The monthly instalment that secures utmost peace starts from QR999 with of mind and cost-eff ective- no down-payment, three ness. Thanks to its fl exibil- months’ grace period and The new 2020 ASX model has gone through some significant styling changes. ity and minimum fuel con- the option of in-house fi - sumption, the Mirage meets nancing through NBK Fi- ling uphill. Thanks to the ish like a coupé, it’s unques- With a new look, new tech- the expectations of the driv- nancial Services, subject to 8-speed automatic trans- tionably a Mitsubishi Mo- nology and a new more ers and passengers alike. In terms and conditions. mission, – a fi rst from Mit- tors SUV. “From distinctive powerful engine, it now terms of safety, the Mirage The 2020 Montero Sport subishi Motors – improved horizontal instrument panel adopts Mitsu’s latest Dy- has an enhanced light body has a fresh new face. The fuel effi ciency coupled with to shining silver trim and namic Shield front design made of reinforced steel that updated look features the a smoother, more luxurious monotone colour scheme, language with LED head- absorbs shocks and shatters new Dynamic Shield front drive is easily achieved. the cockpit welcomes you to lights and taillights. The the eff ect in all directions. grill, enhanced front bump- Built for maximum stabil- a bold new experience with 2.0-litre engine gives all the All the cars are available er design and new LED and ity and traction, the rugged Display Audio and Head Up power needed for all trips. at the Mitsubishi Motors fog lights to give the car frame and aerodynamically Display, keeping you stimu- MIVEC technology allows showroom on Salwa Road, more tough yet smooth and contoured body contribute lated and informed,” the the engine to combine max- which customers can visit modern look. to solid handling and stable statement notes. The newly imum power output, fuel ef- from Saturday to Thurs- The Montero Sport 2020 highway performance. developed 1.5L petrol turbo fi ciency, and environmental day, 8am to 9pm, and on model is equipped with The Eclipse Cross’s beau- engine provides a pleasing performance. The maxi- Friday from 5pm to 9pm. 3.0-litre V6 MIVEC engine. tiful, dynamic form creates response, high revolutions mum torque of the engine is The Al Khor showroom The high-displacement V6 the same sense of excite- and strong acceleration. 197Nm/4,200rpm, generat- is open from Saturday to engine supplies strong ac- ment and inspiration as the The new 2020 ASX model ing a maximum output of Wednesday, 8am to 8pm, celeration even when car- diamond ring eff ect during has gone through some sig- 110kW. and on Thursday from 8am rying heavy loads or travel- a total eclipse. While styl- nifi cant styling changes. The upgraded design of to 3pm. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 23, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD EU sees ‘new hope’ Protest against Israel-UAE deal for Libya with truce

Agencies stalemate and creates a new hope for cil of State has vehemently rejected those responsible for closure of oil Brussels a common ground towards a peaceful any dialogue with the commander facilities accountable. political solution to the longstanding of rival eastern-based forces, Kha- In recent months, Haftar’s loyal- Libyan crisis and the termination of lifa Haftar, who has been leading a ists have blocked oil facilities in the he European Union said yes- all foreign interference throughout campaign to seize the Libyan capital country. terday it saw “new hope” for the country”, he said. from the UN-backed Government On Friday, the GNA called on TLibya after the country’s rival He urged “concrete actions” to of National Accord (GNA). its allied forces to comply with the administrations declared a ceasefi re enable a permanent ceasefi re and a In a statement, the council, an truce. and said they would hold nation- relaunch of the political process, re- advisory body to the GNA, stressed GNA Prime Minister Fayez al- wide elections. quiring “the departure of all foreign the need to seriously work to end Serraj said the truce is to impose The surprise development on Fri- fi ghters and mercenaries present in the “state of insurgency” in the “full sovereignty over the Libyan day followed multiple visits by top Libya” as well as the resumption of North African country and the need territory, and the departure of for- foreign diplomats to Libya in recent peace negotiations “in the frame- to enable the government to take eign forces and mercenaries.” weeks, and came after a series of work of the UN-led Berlin process.” control over all of Libyan soil. The truce comes more than two agreements and pledges that, how- Borrell also called on all Libyan “Any dialogue or agreement months after fi ghters allied with ever, have failed to be implemented. parties to implement economic re- should be under the Libyan politi- the GNA regained control of several EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell form “with a view to agreeing on cal agreement, which regulated the areas close to Tripoli, foiling a long- described it as a “constructive fi rst a fair and transparent distribution mechanism of dialogue to be only running campaign by Haftar. step forward”. mechanism for oil revenues and to between elected bodies,” it added. Oil-wealthy Libya has been in The announcement “demon- enhancing the governance of Libyan It also called for resuming the turmoil since a 2011 revolt top- Demonstrators stage a protest in Yemen’s capital Sanaa against a US-brokered deal to strates the determination of the Lib- economic and fi nancial institutions.” production and export of oil, Libya’s pled long-time dictator Muammar normalise United Arab Emirates-Israeli relations, yesterday. yan leaders to overcome the current Meanwhile, Libya’s High Coun- main source of income, and holding Gaddafi .

IAEA head to make fi rst Iran visit tomorrow

Agencies Iranian government which will Vienna be valuable now and in the fu- ture,” he said in a statement. The statement said Grossi he head of the UN would meet “high-level Ira- atomic watchdog will nian authorities”, without Tto go Tehran tomor- specifying whom. row for meetings with sen- “We hope this visit will ior Iranian offi cials aimed at lead to reinforced mutual co- improving co-operation on operation,” Iran’s ambassador Iran’s nuclear activities, the to the International Atom- IAEA said. ic Energy Agency, Kazem The visit comes amid ten- Gharibabadi, said, according sions between the US and its to a statement posted by his European allies over Wash- mission on Twitter. ington’s bid to maintain an Grossi’s visit takes place arms embargo on Iran and re- shortly before a September 1 impose UN sanctions dating meeting in Vienna of the joint back to 2006. commission on the landmark It will be the fi rst visit to 2015 deal between Iran and Iran by Rafael Mariano Grossi global powers that aims to since he became director prevent Tehran from develop- general of the International ing a nuclear bomb. Atomic Energy Agency in De- The US and European na- cember. tions are at loggerheads after The IAEA said in a state- Washington began the proc- ment yesterday that Grossi ess on Thursday of activating will address Iran’s co-oper- a controversial mechanism ation with the agency and in aimed at restoring UN sanc- particular access for its in- tions on Iran. spectors to certain sites. Britain, France and Ger- “My objective is that my many rejected the move, say- meetings in Tehran will lead to ing it frustrated their eff orts concrete progress in address- to salvage the 2015 accord that ing the outstanding questions US President Donald Trump that the agency has related to pulled out of two years ago. safeguards in Iran and, in par- Washington controversial- ticular, to resolve the issue of ly maintains it has the right access,” he said. to force the reimposition of “I also hope to establish a sanctions through the agree- fruitful and co-operative chan- ment’s “snapback” mecha- nel of direct dialogue with the nism despite its withdrawal.

Iraqi coronavirus cases top 200,000

Iraq yesterday registered But airports, supermarkets nearly 4,000 cases of the and take-out cafes are open, novel coronavirus, bring- with varying degrees of ing the total number of social distancing or mask- infections recorded by the wearing. country to over 200,000. Many fear yet another spike According to the Iraqi health in cases is imminent, as ministry, 201,050 Iraqis have Shias converge on the holy contracted the virus, includ- city of Karbala to Ashura. ing 6,353 who have died, It usually sees thousands of while 143,393 are declared people cross the border from to have recovered since the neighbouring Iran, which has pandemic began. suffered the largest mortality The daily increases have hov- figure from Covid-19 infec- ered around 4,000 for more tions in the Middle East, with than a week, but authorities more than 20,200 deaths have declined to reimpose a officially registered. strict lockdown that was lifted Iraq’s hospitals have already earlier this summer. been worn down by decades An overnight curfew remains of conflict and poor invest- in place, most restaurants ment, with shortages in are closed for dine-in cus- medicines, hospital beds and tomers and land crossings even protective equipment are officially shut. for doctors.

Seven killed in South Sudan plane crash

Four passengers and three passengers survived and she crew were killed yesterday is in good health,” Transport when a cargo plane belonging Minister Madut Biar Yol said. to a local operator crashed “The four other passengers near South Sudan’s capital and the three crew members Juba, the transport minister are dead.” According to the said. The aircraft crashed minister, the crew members shortly after its early morn- were Russian while the ing takeoff in the Kameru passengers were all South neighbourhood around 7km Sudanese. The plane owned west of the city’s interna- by local company South West tional airport. “There were Aviation had been carrying eight people on board, three cash to the Wau region in the passengers and five crew. A country’s northwest for Juba- single person from among the based Opportunity Bank. Gulf Times Sunday, August 23, 2020 5 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

DR Congo vows to protect Nobel laureate after death threats

AFP wege and investigate death threats isters and others would “take all Peace Prize in 2018 for his work east, by proposing the establishment “these are the same ones who are with the death toll ranging widely Kinshasa against him after he called for an measures necessary to ensure Dr against sexual violence in war, and of an international criminal court for still killing in the DRC”, referring between 18 and 220. international court to try crimes in Mukwege’s security” and “open his relatives have been the target of the DRC in order to try the serious to a massacre in the east. “The macabre stories from the Democratic Republic of Congo. investigations”, the cabinet said “intimidation, hateful messages crimes committed there against the Civilians in Kipupu, a village Kipupu are in a straight line from he government vowed yes- DR Congo’s President Felix in a report, without giving detail. and death threats,” it said. civilian population,” it said. in South Kivu on the Fizi heights the massacres that have hit the terday to protect Nobel Tshisekedi pledged that the in- Mukwege, a Congolese gynae- This has occurred while he has On July 26, in a message on his overlooking Lake Tanganyika, DRC since 1996,” the peace prize Tpeace laureate Denis Muk- terior, security and justice min- cologist who shared the Nobel “pleaded for peace in the country’s Twitter account, Mukwege wrote came under attack on July 16, winner said in a tweet. W African envoys meet Mali junta after coup

AFP The rally, originally organised as Bamako an anti-Keita protest by a loose coa- lition that has led months of mass rallies against him, was recast to est African envoys held “celebrate the victory of the Malian talks with Mali’s military people”. Wjunta yesterday to try to “I am overjoyed! We won,” said push for a speedy return to civilian Mariam Cisse, 38. rule after a coup in the troubled na- Speaking at the rally Ismael tion. Wague, spokesman for the junta The delegation, headed by former which calls itself the National Nigerian president Goodluck Committee for the Salvation of Jonathan, held talks for half-an- the People, paid tribute to the hour with soldiers who seized power public. on Tuesday, including new strong- “We merely completed the work man colonel Assimi Goita. that you began and we recognise The envoys from the the regional ourselves in your fi ght,” he said. ECOWAS bloc also hope to meet The junta has said it welcomes the ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Former Nigerian president Goodluck Johnathan is seen next to Malick Diaw ECOWAS visit but has not talked of Keita, who is being detained by the (fourth right), the vice president of the CNSP (National Committee for the restoring Keita to power. junta at a military camp outside Salvation of the People) at Bamako airport upon his arrival yesterday. “A transitional council, with a Bamako. transitional president who is go- Rebel soldiers seized Keita and wants the best for the country,” Adding to the international pres- ing to be either military or civilian” other leaders after a mutiny on Jonathan said after his arrival. sure, the United States on Friday would be appointed, Wague told Tuesday, dealing another deep blow “We’re going to discuss with all suspended military aid to Mali, with France 24 television on Thursday. to a country already struggling with stakeholders and I think at the end of no further training or support of the Keita won election in a landslide a brutal insurgency and widespread the day we’ll come out with some- Mali armed forces. in 2013, presenting himself as a uni- public discontent over its govern- thing that is good for the country, But thousands of jubilant Mal- fying fi gure in a fractured country, ment. good for ECOWAS and good for the ians took to the streets of Bamako and was re-elected in 2018 for an- Mali’s neighbours have called for international community.” on Friday to celebrate the toppling other fi ve-year term. Keita to be reinstated, saying the A delegation offi cial said they of Keita, who was re-elected in 2018 But he failed to make headway purpose of the delegation’s visit was would meet Keita, who is being held but became the focus of widespread against the militant revolt that has to help “ensure the immediate re- with prime minister Boubou Cisse discontent. left swathes of the country in the turn of constitutional order”. in Kati, a military base northwest The crowds gathered in Bamako’s hands of armed insurgents and ig- “ECOWAS appreciates what is of Bamako where the coup was un- central square draped in the national nited ethnic violence in the coun- happening in Mali and ECOWAS leashed. fl ag and blasting on vuvuzela horns. try’s volatile centre.

I Coast president to run again

AFP prime minister Amadou above the urgent situation in ety groups say his standing Abidjan Gon Coulibaly – seen as his which the country fi nds it- again amounts to a “coup” anointed successor – of a self,” he said. that risks triggering chaos heart attack in July. But his party’s decision in the world’s biggest cocoa poradic violence fl ared After his nomination, provoked outrage among producer. in Ivory Coast yes- Ouattara vowed to score a young opposition support- Violence erupted in sever- Sterday after President fi rst-round knockout victo- ers who took to the streets to al towns, notably Divo, a co- Alassane Ouattara was cho- ry before tens of thousands voice loud and violent pro- coa-growing centre 200km sen by his ruling party to run of supporters at an Abidjan test in several major cities. northwest of Abidjan where for a third term in an Octo- rally. The constitution limits pro-opposition youths ber election, despite furious “Going back on my de- presidents to two terms, but clashed with young sup- opposition charges the move cision was not easy,” said 78-year-old Ouattara and porters of the ruling party. is unconstitutional. Ouattara, who insisted: his supporters argue that a “The city is paralysed – Ouattara, in power since “There is nothing prevent- 2016 constitutional tweak the coach station, a modern 2010, said in March he would ing me from standing.” reset the clock, allowing him school and a bakery have been not stand again but changed “I did not have the right to seek a third. set alight,” resident Berna- his mind after the death of to place my personal project Opposition and civil soci- dette Kouassi told AFP.

Israel shells Hamas posts in Gaza after rocket fi red

AFP Jerusalem

sraeli tanks shelled mili- tary positions of Gaza’s Iruling Hamas move- ment early yesterday, the army and Palestinian secu- rity sources said, hours af- ter a rocket was launched at southern Israel. A statement from the military said the Israeli “tanks targeted Hamas mil- itary posts in the southern Gaza Strip” in response to the Friday fi re. The rocket, which set off sirens in southern Israel, was intercepted by air de- fences without causing any casualties or damage. Gaza security sources said yesterday’s tank fi re targeted Hamas observation posts east of Rafah and east of Khan Yunis, causing no casualties. Israel has bombed Gaza almost daily since August 6 in retaliation for the launch of balloons fi tted with fi re bombs, or, less frequently, rockets. On Thursday night, Gaza militants fi red a dozen rockets at Israel, which re- sponded with air strikes For more information please contact us on on a rocket manufacturing Direct 33488019 or Email: [email protected] plant and underground in- frastructure. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 23, 2020 AMERICAS

Trump pushes FDA to US House takes on develop vaccine faster Trump claims FDA ‘deep Larger clinical studies are state’ slowing vaccine trials under way for several vaccine candidates, involving up to DPA/Reuters 30,000 subjects. Washington If these are completed by au- tumn, the regulator could start the approval process, which is USPS reform plans S President Donald normally costly and lengthy. Trump has put pressure US government experts, in- White House threatens veto But it is unlikely to be taken pandemic, Trump has alarmed cratic Representative Carolyn election, but said bigger changes Uon the authorities to cluding the government’s in- of Democratic bill on postal up in the Republican-controlled Democrats by repeatedly de- Maloney, who authored the leg- could come after that. develop and approve a vaccine fectious disease specialist An- service Senate. nouncing mail-in ballots as a islation. In fact, the House bill would for the novel coronavirus, in a thony Fauci, have said they are The White House strongly possible source of fraud. Maloney released yesterday a prevent DeJoy from taking ac- tweet yesterday. confi dent a vaccine could be Reuters opposes the legislation and has Postmaster-General Louis De- USPS document showing a drop tion until after next January or “The deep state, or whoever, available in early 2021. Washington said it would recommend that Joy recently suspended cost-cut- in service standards since July. the end of the coronavirus health over at the FDA is making it Trump often uses Twitter President Donald Trump veto the ting measures that have slowed The document showed a slow- emergency, whichever comes very diffi cult for drug compa- to criticise federal agencies, measure. deliveries in recent weeks. down in processing of fi rst class later. nies to get people in order to sometimes accusing them of he Democratic-led US The White House Offi ce of Democrats, who accuse Trump mail, but little impact on its last- “Our legislation is not just test the vaccines and thera- being controlled by the “deep House of Representatives Management and Budget said in a of trying to discourage mail-in mile delivery. about the election. It’s about – peutics. state” in an apparent reference Tprepared to vote yesterday statement that the House of Rep- balloting to gain an electoral ad- Republicans denied that the surprise, surprise, Mr Postmas- “Obviously, they are hoping to long-serving staff who, in on providing the cash-strapped resentatives bill “would arbitrar- vantage over Democratic presi- postal service was in any dan- ter-General – the coronavirus!” to delay the answer until af- Trump’s eyes, are determined US Postal Service (USPS) with ily give the USPS $25bn in ‘emer- dential nominee Joe Biden, cast ger and criticised Democrats Pelosi told a news conference. ter November 3rd. Must focus to undermine his agenda. $25bn and block policy changes gency’ taxpayer funding, without themselves in yesterday’s debate for moving legislation forward She insisted that congressional on speed, and saving lives!” His tweet increases the pres- that have stirred concerns about linking that funding to either the as defenders of a public that re- before DeJoy could testify at a action is necessary, calling De- Trump tweeted. sure on the FDA after Peter mail-in balloting ahead of the (coronavirus) pandemic or the lies on the postal service for vital House hearing tomorrow. Joy’s assurances ambiguous and The tweet was directed at Marks, director of its Centre November 3 election. upcoming election”. deliveries including prescription “This is the result of a legis- unsatisfactory. Stephen Hahn, the commis- for Biologics Evaluation and The Democratic-led cham- The bill was an “overreaction drugs. lative process only slightly less “His comments are one thing. sioner of the Food and Drug Research, last week said on a ber is widely expected to pass an to sensationalised media reports “The American people do not absurd than the conspiracies, in- His actions will be another. And Administration (FDA). conference call with govern- emergency bill dubbed the “De- that have made evidence-free want anyone messing with the sinuations and fabrications that that’s why we have this legisla- Trump has said in the past ment offi cials, pharmaceutical livering for America Act”, at a rare accusations that USPS has un- Post Offi ce. They certainly do not gave rise to the purported need tion,” she said. that he hopes that a vaccine is executives and academics that Saturday session called by House dertaken reforms to achieve po- want it to be politicised. They for it,” said Republican Repre- She said Trump’s attacks on developed around the time of he would resign if the agency Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the litical rather than operational just want their mail, they want sentative James Comer. mail-in voting are part of a larger the election. rubber-stamped an unproven congressional August recess. objectives”, the White House their medicines, and they want DeJoy told a Senate committee eff ort to suppress voters that also The comment came after vaccine. Democrats predicted that said. their mail-in ballots delivered in on Friday that the postal service includes his recent call for law Reuters exclusively reported Scientists, public health of- some House Republicans would With mail-in voting expected a timely way. And that is exactly would deliver ballots “securely enforcement offi cers to monitor on Thursday that a top FDA fi cials and lawmakers are wor- vote for the bill. to surge during the coronavirus what our bill does,” said Demo- and on time” in the November voting at polling places. offi cial said he would resign if ried that the Trump admin- the Trump administration ap- istration will push the FDA to proved a vaccine before it was approve a vaccine in advance shown to be safe and eff ective. of the vote, even if data from Experts have warned that clinical trials do not support its any political interference in the widespread use. vaccine testing and approval Marks, whose division reg- process could cast doubt and ulates cutting-edge biotech California treatments, vaccines and gene undermine its safety and le- gitimacy. therapies, told Reuters that Any concerns about the vac- he has not faced any politi- cine could lead to a lower level cal pressure and that the FDA of uptake, making it harder to would be guided by science seeks help alone. battle the pandemic. Hahn has repeatedly em- Should that change, he said phasised that the regulator will on Thursday, “I would feel stick to its usual stringent sci- obligated (to resign) because entifi c processes and has said in doing so, I would indicate on blazes to the American public that that it has not faced any pres- sure to alter its criteria. there’s something wrong”. AFP tares) and destroyed 565 struc- Los Angeles tures. The LNU fi re covered 314,207 acres by morning yesterday, ome of California’s largest making it the second-largest fi re fi res raged across the state in California history. Bid to delay handover of Syesterday, forcing tens of About 2,600 fi refi ghters are thousands from their homes tackling the two blazes, which as forecasters warned of fur- were described by offi cials as 15% Trump tax returns fails ther blazes sparked by lightning and 10% contained, respectively. strikes. “We simply haven’t seen any- Several thousand lightning thing like this in many, many People watch the Walbridge fire, part of the larger LNU Lightning Complex fire, from a vineyard in Healds- Reuters Circuit Court of Appeals in bolts have struck California in years,” California Governor burg, California. New York Manhattan scheduled oral ar- recent days, starting fi res that Gavin Newsom said on Friday. guments for September 1 on left thick smoke blanketing the Wineries in the famed Napa But many residents have re- can be found, was “extensively including Oregon, New Mexico the Republican president’s re- region. and Sonoma regions, which are fused evacuation orders. damaged”, it said. and Texas. US judge has denied quest for a stay. “The western US and Great still reeling from blazes in recent “At least if we’re here, we know About 119,000 people have But faced with the sheer scope President Donald Lawyers for Trump did not Plains are shrouded under a vast years, are under threat. exactly what’s going on,” Napa been evacuated from the area, of the disaster, Governor New- ATrump’s request to de- immediately respond to re- area of smoke due to ongoing “Many of these fi refi ght- resident John Newman, 68, told with many struggling to fi nd som also asked for help from lay letting Manhattan’s district quests for comment. wildfi res that extend from the ers have been on the lines for 72 the San Francisco Chronicle as he shelter and hesitating to go to Canada and Australia, which he attorney obtain his tax returns A spokesman for Vance de- Rockies to the West Coast,” the hours, and everybody is running sat in a lawn chair in his drive- centres set up by authorities be- said had “the world’s best fi re- for a criminal investigation clined to comment. National Weather Service (NWS) on fumes,” Assemblyman Jim way. “The family is worried, but cause of coronavirus risks. fi ghters”. into his family’s real estate In Thursday’s ruling, Mar- said yesterday. Wood of the Healdsburg district it’s a little diff erent if you’re here Some in counties south of San Most of the fi res are burning in business while Trump pursues rero said throwing out the “With severe drought and ex- in Sonoma told the Los Angeles fi rsthand.” Francisco opted to sleep in trail- unpopulated areas, and statewide an appeal. subpoena would eff ectively ceptionally dry fuels present, dry Times. “Our fi rst responders are Nature reserves were also rav- ers along the Pacifi c Ocean as they have blazed through some US District Judge Victor give the president immunity thunderstorms could spark ad- working to the ragged edge of aged. they fl ed nearby fi res, while tour- 771,000 acres – an area the size Marrero issued his decision from Vance’s criminal probe to ditional wildfi res this weekend.” everything they have.” The Big Basin Redwoods State ists were urged to leave to free up of Rhode Island state – he said. a day after rejecting Trump’s which the US Supreme Court The two largest blazes – Five deaths have been linked Park said that some of its historic accommodation for those evacu- In San Francisco, the smell of arguments that the grand jury in July declared he was not en- dubbed the LNU Lightning to the latest fl are-ups, with four buildings had been destroyed by ating their houses. smoke lingered for the third con- subpoena from district at- titled. Complex and the SCU Lightning bodies recovered on Thursday, fl ames. Fire crews, surveillance equip- secutive day, with the authori- torney Cyrus Vance to obtain The legal battle and grand Complex – have burned about including three from a burned The park, where giant redwood ment and other fi refi ghting hard- ties urging residents to remain his tax returns from the ac- jury secrecy rules make it un- 600,000 acres (240,000 hec- house in Napa County. trees of well over 500 years old ware was being sent from states indoors. counting fi rm Mazars USA was likely the tax returns will be- “wildly overbroad”. come public before the No- In refusing to delay the vember 3 election in which subpoena, Marrero said that Trump is seeking a second Trump had failed to show his term. appeal would likely succeed, Unlike other recent presi- Canada appeals court ruling that or that he would be irreparably dents, Trump has refused to CONDOLENCES harmed absent a stay. release his tax returns. “Because a grand jury is Vance’s investigation into struck down refugee pact with US under a legal obligation to Trump and his Trump Organi- JBK CONTROLS W.L.L keep the confi dentiality of its sation was spurred by disclo- records, the court fi nds that sures of hush money payments Management hereby inform Reuters The case will now be heard by the ment to weigh in, asylum-seekers no irreparable harm will en- to pornographic fi lm actress Ottawa Federal Court of Appeal and could who arrive at a formal Canada-US sue from the disclosure to it of Stormy Daniels and former the sad demise of our beloved end up at the Supreme Court. border crossing are blocked and told the President’s records sought Playboy model Karen McDou- Craig MacBride, a spokesman for to apply for asylum in the fi rst coun- here,” Marrero wrote. gal, who said they had sexual he Canadian government is Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, said try in which they arrived. Vance, a Democrat, will not relationships with Trump. appealing a Federal Court that the government believes there Lawyers for refugees who were obtain Trump’s tax returns The president has denied Khaleelur Rahman Truling that struck down on are factual and legal errors in the turned away at the Canadian border immediately, after the 2nd US their claims. human rights grounds a pact that Federal Court’s ruling. say that the United States does not General Manager of Elevators and compels asylum-seekers trying “The decision suggests all asylum qualify as a “safe” country under Escalators division of to enter Canada via the American claimants who are ineligible ... and President Donald Trump, who has Venezuela TV head slams YouTube border to fi rst seek sanctuary in the turned back to the US are automati- taken a hard line toward legal and United States. cally detained as a penalty. This is illegal immigration and asylum- Venezuelan state TV president has slammed YouTube for an “act of JBK CONTROLS W.L.L In July, the Ottawa-based court not the case,” MacBride said. seekers. censorship” after the suspension of the broadcaster’s channel. decided the 2004 “Safe Third Experts have said that suspend- Maureen Silcoff , president of Ca- VTV’s account was suspended on Thursday on the Google-owned nd Country Agreement” between the ing the agreement would have im- nadian Association of Refugee Law- video platform. On 22 August 2020 United States and Canada violated portant implications for the Cana- yers, said: “I’m deeply concerned “These are the politics of silencing that the self-proclaimed free the human rights of those trying to da-US relationship. the government wants to continue world enacts against countries it finds troubling,” VTV president enter Canada because they could Under the pact, which remains in turning people back into US prisons Freddy Nanez told AFP on Friday. The management and staff of end up being detained by US au- force because the court suspended where we know they will continue to “Unfortunately we have been the victim of an act of censorship by thorities. its decision to allow time for Parlia- suff er.” JBK CONTROLS W.L.L YouTube.” express their profound grief and deepest condolences to the family of Khaleelur Rahman. At least 12 killed in violence in southwestern Colombia

May the departed soul rest in peace DPA Two people were kidnapped in que is expected in the department Six people were killed on Friday man rights said on Friday. Mexico City the department of Narino, accord- today for security talks. in El Tambo, a town in the neigh- The United Nations has docu- and be granted place in Heaven. ing to initial information tweeted Concern is growing as the area bouring department of Cauca, mented more than 30 massacres in by Governor Jhon Rojas yesterday. has seen further murders recently. Carlos Vela, the mayor, said in a Colombia so far this year. May God give strength & solace to t least 12 people were killed Six young people were killed in Last week, nine people were post on Facebook. Armed groups are believed to kill the family to bear this irreplaceable in two attacks in south- the “massacre” in the coastal city killed in Narino in an attack by Furthermore, the bodies of fi ve civilians to terrorise local people Awestern Colombia, with six of Tamuco, according to Rojas, armed men. people who may have been killed into accepting their rule and force and untimely loss. killed in each incident, an outbreak who did not provide further infor- And three indigenous people were found in northeastern Co- young people to join their ranks. of violence that follows recent re- mation. were killed on a reservation in the lombia, on the border to Venezue- Other killings are thought to be ports of other murders. Colombian President Ivan Du- same area on Tuesday. la, the state ombudsman for hu- related to turf wars. Gulf Times Sunday, August 23, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

China okays S Korea, China hold highest-level human testing for vaccine talks since Covid-19 outbreak grown in

Reuters Communist Party Politburo, met presidential Blue House spokes- bilateral exchanges and stalled insect cells Seoul with South Korea’s new national man Kang Min-seok said in a denuclearisation negotiations security adviser, Suh Hoon, in statement. involving North Korea. the southern port city of Busan, Kang added that Yang ad- The two countries resumed Reuters outh Korea said yesterday the South Korean government dressed China’s position re- exchanges last month when Beijing it held talks with China’s said. garding the current US-China Seoul sent a high-level diplomat South Korea’s national security adviser Suh Hoon (left) and Yang Stop diplomat over trade, The two sides discussed top- relations and Suh in return em- for a bilateral economic meeting. Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party denuclearisation and the coro- ics such as accelerating free- phasised the importance of co- Suh, who took up the top se- of China’s (CPC) Central Committee, leave a meeting room after hina has approved human navirus response, in the fi rst vis- trade agreement negotiations, operative US-China relations for curity job last month after serv- their meeting at a hotel in Busan yesterday. testing for a potential it by a high-level Beijing offi cial expanding cultural exchanges as peace and prosperity in North- ing as intelligence chief, also dis- Ccoronavirus vaccine cul- since the Covid-19 pandemic well as the election of the World east Asia. cussed a potential trip to Seoul agreed to make Xi’s visit to stabilised, adding that China tivated within insect cells, local erupted late last year. Trade Organisation (WTO) Di- The talks come after the Cov- by Chinese President Xi Jinping. South Korea happen promptly called South Korea a priority government in the southwestern Yang Jiechi, a member of the rector General, South Korea’s id-19 pandemic had undercut Kang said the two countries once the Covid-19 situation for President Xi to visit. city of Chengdu said yesterday. China is in a global race to de- velop cost-eff ective vaccines to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. Using insect cells to grow pro- teins for the coronavirus vaccine — a fi rst in China — could speed Seoul to ramp up virus curbs up large-scale production, the city government of Chengdu said in a notice on social media WeChat. The vaccine, developed by over fears of second wave West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu, has re- ceived approval from the Na- AFP brought its earlier outbreak beginning of a nationwide sec- country will also be closed tional Medical Products Admin- Seoul under control — reported 332 ond wave,” said health and wel- from midnight. istration to enter a clinical trial, A snow-covered area in Oberon, New South Wales, yesterday. cases yesterday, the highest fare minister Park Neung-hoo South Korea has reported a the notice said. daily fi gure since early March. at a press briefi ng. Controlling total of 17,002 coronavirus in- When tested on monkeys, the outh Korea has an- Virus curbs were tightened the spread of the virus was the fections with 309 deaths. vaccine was shown to prevent nounced it will ramp up in the Seoul region last week highest priority, he added. A majority of the new cases Sars-CoV-2 infections with no Scoronavirus restrictions but with more than 300 cases The expanded measures in- have come from the greater obvious side-eff ects, the notice Antarctic winds trigger across the country starting to- reported two days in a row, au- clude restrictions on gather- Seoul region — home to half of added. day to try and control a grow- thorities expanded them to the ings and activities including the country’s 51mn people. ing outbreak. rest of the country. professional sports, which will South Korea endured one rare snowfall across The move came as South “We are at a very precarious be played behind closed doors of the worst early outbreaks Fire rips through Korea — which had largely stage where we could see the again. All beaches around the outside mainland China but brought it broadly under con- attorney general’s southeast Australia Australia Covid-19 hotspot state records 13 new deaths trol with extensive tracing and off ice in Jakarta testing while never imposing Australia’s second most infections, Australia has large possible level.” the kind of lockdowns ordered A fire engulfed the off ice of Reuters landscapes across New South populous state, Victoria, avoided the high casualty The state reported 182 new in much of Europe and other Indonesia’s attorney general Sydney Wales (NSW), Victoria, the Aus- reported 13 new coronavirus numbers of many nations daily infections, down from parts of the world. yesterday evening in downtown tralia Capital Territory and the deaths in the 24 hours with about 24,500 infections over 700 a day two weeks ago. The country has been seen Jakarta. There were no immediate island state of Tasmania fl ooded to yesterday morning, and 485 deaths. Meanwhile, the north as a model on how to combat reports of casualties and off icials did ntarctic air reaching Aus- social media as locals rushed to authorities said, while new “It’s great to see two days in eastern state of Queensland the pandemic with the public not say what might have caused the tralia’s south east trig- capture the surprise early spring infections in the hotspot state a row under 200, certainly introduced an immediate largely following safety health blaze, which spread quickly through Agered snowfall down snowfall. remained below 200 for the we are trending down,” said 10-people cap to all measures such as face masks. the six-storey building. Images to low altitudes across several “We’ve seen light #snow make second consecutive day. Brett Sutton, the state’s chief gatherings in Brisbane, its It even started allowing lim- showed firefighters dumping states yesterday, with many peo- it to #Canberra today, and yes even Other than in Victoria, which health officer. “The best way capital, and surrounding ited numbers of spectators at water on the raging blaze, which ple out enjoying the rare event heard a few rogue fl akes landed on accounts for over 80% of the to safeguard against a third regions, after a small sports games in July — which appeared to consume most of despite wild winds and heavy Parliament House,” in the nation’s country’s Covid-19 deaths wave is to bring that number outbreak was found at a was reversed for the greater the building, with more than snow that closed some roads. capital, the Bureau of Meteorology due to a second wave of down to the lowest feasible, youth detention centre. Seoul area last week and will be 100 personnel taking part in the Pictures of snowy towns and said in a Twitter post. reversed nationwide from today. eff ort, according to local media. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, August 23, 2020 EUROPE

BBC Three show Germany sees highest comes under fi re

By Mattha Busby virus spike since April and Lanre Bakare Guardian News & Media „ Czech authorities report 506 new coronavirus cases in 1,000 infections since May 12. record daily increase It marks a relentless uptick in „ Italy sees surge in coronavirus cases cases in the last few days, from he BBC has been criti- 947 on Friday, 845 on Thursday cised after it released a DPA/Reuters The numbers had been de- and 642 on Wednesday. Tclip from a new series of a Berlin/Rome/Prague creasing since late July, but that The fi gure of 215 for Rome is a sketch show that appeared to in- trend has reversed recently, record, more than the 208 peo- voke stereotypes about Jamaican stoking fears of a second wave of ple were infected in a one-day people. he number of new people infections. period on March 28, when Rome The black British comedy confi rmed to be infected However, the spike also comes had come to a virtual standstill show Famalam, whose third sea- Twith the coronavirus in in the wake of a signifi cant rise in to stop the coronavirus spread- son is being promoted ahead of Germany spiked again yesterday, testing. ing, the capital’s health offi cial its broadcast on BBC Three to- at a rate not seen since late April. Germany now provides free Alessio D’Amato said. day, had its latest sketch revealed The coronavirus causes the tests for people coming back “Sixty-one per cent (of the on Twitter. Covid-19 respiratory disease. from holidays, and as testing cases) are linked to people re- In the clip, titled Jamaican Over the last 24 hours, health rates increase, backlogs have turning from vacation,” D’Amato Countdown, critics say misogy- authorities across the coun- built up, leaving thousands said, almost half the cases were nistic language is used towards try recorded 2,034 new cases, waiting for their results. returning from the island of Sar- one character who selects the bringing the total number of Bavaria’s authorities were dinia. vowels and consonants for the infections so far to 232,082, the criticised last week after it Sardinia had been spared the contestants. government’s Robert Koch In- emerged that tens of thousands fi rst wave earlier this year but An actor on the show said stitute (RKI) for disease control of people had not received their D’Amato said the movement of there was a “healthy balance of said. results, including many who had tourists and people partying had sketches that banter every part The last time the number was tested positive for the virus. helped spread the virus. of society” and that Famalam higher was on April 25, when On Friday evening, a test- Francesco Vaia, director of sought to “poke fun on our 2,055 new infections were re- ing centre in Bavaria was closed Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital truths and stereotypes”. ported. temporarily after three employ- specialising in infectious diseas- Tourists, with only some wearing face masks, walk outside the Colosseum monument in Rome. However, Paul Gilroy, the his- Nationwide, there has been ees reported symptoms of the es, told Italian media that “the torian and founding director of a large number of smaller out- virus. solution is to do tests on depart- while recorded 506 new corona- German trial concerts to probe infection risks the centre for the study of race breaks, many of which are con- The centre, located on the A3 ing boats, planes and trains. This virus cases on Friday, the highest and racism at University Col- nected to events including large motorway near Passau and run is the only way to prevent the vi- number of new infections in one A German university launched a series of pop concerts under corona- lege London, tweeted: “This is family celebrations, according to by Eurofi n, a private provider, rus spreading”. day since the outbreak began virus conditions yesterday, hoping the mass experiment with 2,000 what diverse and inclusive BBC an RKI report on Friday. reopened after an hour, thanks D’Amato said most of those there. people can determine whether large events can safely resume. Three puts out in the middle of Additionally, coronavirus to volunteers. infected were young people who Czechia has so far reported Tim Bendzko, a well-known singer in Germany, agreed to give three this crisis.” cases have been identifi ed in The Bavarian health ministry were not showing symptoms and 21,551 confi rmed cases of the vi- separate performances over the course of the day in eastern city Kim-Marie Spence, a repre- travellers returning from abroad, is now assessing the situation at it was urgent to “block the chain rus, with 411 deaths, including Leipzig, allowing researchers from nearby Halle University to try out sentative for the Global Jamaica especially in the younger age the centre and said delays were of transmission as fast as possi- 19 over the past week. diff erent configurations for the gigs. Diaspora Council, tweeted: groups. likely this weekend. ble by fi nding the asymptomatic The Czech government was Only young, healthy volunteers were allowed to attend in a bid to limit “This content reinforces harm- Most of the latest outbreaks Since the start of the outbreak, and averting the spread of the among the fi rst in Europe to in- infection risks. ful stereotypes about Jamaicans are aff ecting private households according to the RKI, 9,267 peo- virus among families. troduce curbs on movement and As the audience arrives at the Leipzig Arena concert hall, they submit to & Black ppl – oversexed, unedu- and homes for the elderly, ac- ple have died in connection with “Be very careful especially business as the outbreak took a temperature check. cated, druggies … Famalam is cording to the RKI. Covid-19. with your relatives and the peo- hold. All the participants have to wear masks meeting the high-protection off ensive & unbecoming in mul- Outbreaks spread the fur- That was up by seven com- ple dearest to you,” he said in an It began to lift restrictions FFP2 standard, as well as an electronic device allowing tracking of their ticultural UK where Black Lives thest, however, in care homes pared to Friday. appeal to the young. since May but has reintroduced movements within the space. Matter.” and refugee centres, it said. The institute estimates that He warned them to stay at some measures as cases rose in Using fluorescent disinfectants, the researchers will also be able to see But Tom Moutchi, an actor in On average, some 19 peo- around 206,600 people have re- home and not meet up with peo- recent weeks. which surfaces concert-goers most often touch with their hands. the show, said it “played on all ple are infected when the virus covered after catching the virus. ple while awaiting test results. Face masks will once more be And the scientists even track the trajectories of tiny aerosol particles stereotypes” and that his cast- reaches old people’s homes, Meanwhile, Italy recorded “Don’t feel invincible,” he compulsory on public transport, breathed out by attendees, believed by experts to play a role in infec- mates included people of African while 21 people on average are more than 1,000 new cases of urged them. at health and social care facilities tions. and Caribbean origin. infected when it reaches refugee the coronavirus in the last 24 Italy – particularly the north- and in state offi ce buildings from The ultimate aim of the experiments is to find out whether concerts and “It’s only funny when it’s not centres. hours, the worst daily fi gure ern Lombardy region, the Venice September 1, but the govern- other large events could be allowed to resume while avoiding contami- you that’s the butt of the joke,” Schools, on the other hand, since lockdown was lifted in area and Rome – are seeing a ment rowed back on a require- nation risks. he tweeted. “The cast consist of aren’t leading to major outbreaks May, the health ministry report- resurgence in the virus over the ment to wear masks in shops, Local media quoted organisers as saying they expected 4,000 partici- Africans and Caribbeans. at present, the study found, and ed yesterday. summer. restaurants and common areas pants but later reported that only 2,000 had taken part. “We’re not trying to single out only a small number of cases can Offi cials in Rome said the The Italian government has of schools. Data collected will flow into a mathematical model to help judge risks or outrage anyone – we are just be traced back to restaurants, capital region recorded 215 new taken several steps to block the Outdoor public events includ- of the virus spreading in a large concert venue, with results expected in poking fun on our truths and hotels and offi ces. coronavirus infections in the spread, such as closing night- ing soccer, which starts new the autumn. stereotypes.” The study underlined the rel- same period mainly because of clubs since August 17 and mak- league season this week, may With most concert organisers and workers in the entertainment and cul- He suggested that he and his ative safety of meeting outdoors, people returning from holiday, ing mask wearing compulsory in be attended by up to 5,000 peo- tural sector jobless in recent months, hopes for the final report are high. castmates had experienced rac- stating that no or very few out- the biggest such rise since lock- busy public spaces between 6pm ple, if separated into sections But for now, large gatherings remain forbidden in Germany until at least ist abuse after the release of breaks could be traced back to down in March. and 6am. of 1,000, and indoor events can November. the sketch, adding: “If only you trips to zoos or picnics. The health ministry said Italy Since the pandemic erupted, host up to 5,000 in separate sec- Chancellor Angela Merkel recently warned that she sees no room to knew what we go through as Germany’s epidemic reached recorded 1,071 new cases of the Italy has recorded more than tions of 500. slacken infection control restrictions. BLACK people in this space. its peak in early April, when novel coronavirus in the last day 257,000 cases, including more The government plans to fur- Over the past 24 hours, Germany identified 2,000 new infections, a level “Yes, spirits are high but cases were rising by over 6,000 and three deaths, for the fi rst than 35,000 dead. ther relax restrictions on public last seen in late April at the height of the pandemic. please don’t use Famalam or the daily. time crossing the threshold of The Czech authorities mean- events from September. cast as scapegoats. “It’s also very weird how black people on here are campaigning Gandhi’s iconic glasses sold at auction for $340,000 for the removal of an ALL black show because you don’t like a A pair of gold-plated glasses part/section/skit … if you actu- London’s Tower Bridge shut to worn by Indian independence ally did watch the show you’d hero Mahatma Gandhi has sold know there’s a healthy balance in Britain for £260,000 (about of sketches that banter every traffi c; middle section stuck open €288,000, $340,000), the part of society. auction house said. “I love my Africans. But they “We found them just four weeks can get bantered either way. I DPA ago in our letterbox, left there love my Caribbeans but they can London by a gentleman whose uncle get bantered too. had been given them by Gandhi “No one is safe. It’s comedy himself,” East Bristol Auctions mate. Get a grip.” ondon’s famous Tower wrote on Instagram after the A BBC spokesperson said: Bridge was closed to sale. “An incredible result for an “Famalam is an award-nomi- Ltraffi c for several hours incredible item! Thanks to all nated sketch comedy series star- yesterday after its two middle those who bid.” ring some of the UK’s best black sections, which lift to allow tall Gandhi was known for giving out comedy talent, which explores ships to pass along the Thames old or unwanted pairs to those This photo taken on August 19, released by East Bristol Auctions, aspects of contemporary life River, became stuck open. in need. shows the pair of glasses that once belonged to Gandhi. from a black perspective. The bridge “experienced The non-violent protester gave “Now in its third series, the technical issues this afternoon the glasses to the vendor’s The sale price smashed the they’re no good, just throw them show has an established brand of and was locked in a raised po- uncle while he was working for original estimate of £15,000. away.” humour which is in line with au- sition”, stated the Corporation British Petroleum in South Africa Auctioneer Andrew Stowe told When he suggested they might dience expectations and is well- of London, which owns the during the 1920s or 30s, said the Sky News earlier this month be worth £15,000, “I think he known for challenging stere- bridge. auction house. that the vendor had told him: “If nearly fell off his chair”. otypes and confronting issues.” It tweeted that the bridge re- opened to pedestrians, but not traffi c, by evening. “Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffi c but open to pe- destrians,” the City of London Belarus army told to defend territorial integrity Police tweeted. “Mechanics are working to Witnesses said the Tower Bridge’s two arms failed to come down fi x the bridge. Please fi nd alter- at the same time. AFP/Reuters larus, which he described as “a nian President Gitanas Nauseda what it said was a substantial native routes,” the police have Minsk/Vilnius pearl”. told AFP. number of people responsible said. It was “the largest and most French for seesaw, were operat- “It involves taking the most Lithuania’s foreign ministry for rigging the vote and cracking The landmark bridge, one of sophisticated bascule bridge ed by steam-powered hydraulic stringent measures to protect the announced that US Deputy Sec- down on protests. London’s major tourist attrac- ever completed”, the corpora- systems that have been driven elarus’s leader Alexander territorial integrity of our coun- retary of State Stephen Biegun The Belarusian authorities tions, was built between 1886 tion said. by oil and electricity since 1976, Lukashenko has ordered try,” Lukashenko said. will visit Vilnius and Russia next have opened a criminal inves- and 1894. The bascules, from the it said. Bhis defence minister to take His visit comes ahead of large- week for talks on Belarus and the tigation into the opposition’s “stringent measures” to defend scale military exercises planned elections fallout. Co-ordination Council, whose the country’s territorial integ- in the Grodno region between Opponents of Europe’s long- members are seeking new elec- Protesters hold seventh anti-Kremlin march over governor rity after mass protests erupted August 28 and 31. est-serving leader have or- tions and a peaceful transition of against his claim to election vic- The former collective farm ganised strikes and the largest power. Around 1,500 people marched through the streets with you” – a sign of support for opposition rallies tory. director said that North Atlan- demonstrations in the ex-Soviet Lukashenko’s election chal- of the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk in Belarus protesting against the alleged rigging of The 65-year-old, who said he tic Treaty Organisation (Nato) country’s recent history to pro- lenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, yesterday, marking the seventh consecutive its presidential election. won a sixth presidential term troops in Poland and Lithuania test his re-election and demand who is now in exile in Lithuania, weekend of protests after the region’s governor Yesterday posters wishing recovery for Alexei with 80% of the vote in the Au- were “seriously stirring” near that he stand down. said this week that Belarusians was detained in early July. Navalny, a Kremlin critic who collapsed on a plane gust 9 ballot, made the com- their borders with Belarus and The opposition has called for a would “never accept the current Residents of Khabarovsk, 6,110km (3,800 miles) on Thursday after drinking tea that his allies ments while inspecting military ordered his troops into full com- major rally in Minsk today after leadership again” after the crack- east of Moscow, have protested since the believe was laced with poison, were also seen units in Grodno, near Belarus’s bat readiness. more than 100,000 people fl ood- down on post-election protests. detention of Sergei Furgal, the region’s popular among the people marching in Khabarovsk. border with Poland, according to Both countries denied the ac- ed onto the streets of the capital She also said she was receiving governor, on July 9 in connection with murder Navalny was evacuated from the Siberian city the president’s press service. cusation. and other cities in Belarus last a lot of calls from international charges which he denies. of Omsk and brought to Germany for medical Lukashenko denounced the “The regime is trying to divert weekend demanding Lukash- leaders, including Britain and His supporters say the detention is politically- treatment yesterday. recent mass protests, which he attention from Belarus’s internal enko’s resignation. Germany, and that all she was motivated. Regional authorities estimated around 1,500 said were receiving support from problems at any cost with totally The European Union this week asking them for was to support People marched yesterday with posters reading people took part in yesterday’s march, a smaller Western countries, and ordered baseless statements about imag- rejected his re-election and the Belarusian public and respect “Freedom to Furgal” and “Belarus – Khabarovsk is turnout than in previous weeks. the army to defend western Be- inary external threats,” Lithua- vowed to levy sanctions against the country’s sovereignty. Gulf Times Sunday, August 23, 2020 9 INDIA

Bicycle warriors on a mission to save children from traffi ckers

Reuters 1,000 villages in three states. Mukhiya, who was rescued at the The volunteers, all child la- and have been charged under About 175,000 children in In- ily businesses outside of school Patna So far, about 60 children have age of 11, told the Thomson Reu- bour survivors, are using bicy- India’s anti-human traffi cking dia have been removed or res- hours, a provision child rights been rescued and at least nine ters Foundation. cles fi tted with bright yellow laws, said Vishesh Gupta, who cued from work and given sup- campaigners say is exploited by traffi ckers arrested in the last Campaigners fear spike in boxes that have helpline num- chairs the State Commission for port since 2016, government employers and human traffi ck- ozens of children have week, offi cials said. child traffi cking from poor states bers painted on them in red and Protection of Child Rights in Ut- data shows. ers. been rescued from traf- “I got a tip-off from a villager after a coronavirus lockdown a network of informers. tar Pradesh. Satyarthi, who shared the Bicycle warrior Mukhiya, Dfi ckers over the last week that children were getting ready that wiped out many people’s Police said they rescued 28 As businesses reopen, some 2014 Nobel Peace Prize with Pa- who has worked with the KSCF after authorities were tipped off to leave for Delhi. I passed on the jobs and savings. children in Bihar last week after states have in recent days kistani rights campaigner Mala- since he was rescued from slav- by former child workers patrol- message to my seniors... by mid- Bihar has also been hard hit being tipped off by KSCF. stepped up vigilance on their la Yousafzai, has for decades ery as a child, is determined to ling on bicycles under a new night the children were rescued,” by fl ooding during the current Authorities in Uttar Pradesh borders to check traffi cking. worked with anti-traffi cking stop other children suffering scheme spearheaded by Nobel said Mukesh Mukhiya, 24, a bi- monsoon season, compound- recently pulled dozens more India’s national child pro- police units and child protection his fate. laureate Kailash Satyarthi. cycle patrol volunteer. ing people’s desperation, ac- children from buses headed for tection panel has asked village agencies to save children and “People have no jobs. They are About 50 volunteers are pa- “It was important to get these cording to the Kailash Satyarthi Delhi in an overnight rescue op- councils to connect families with bring perpetrators to justice. sitting at home,” he said. trolling the eastern state of Bi- children rescued. I was a child Children’s Foundation (KSCF), eration, according to the state’s welfare schemes for food and It is illegal to employ anyone “Thousands of children are at har as part of a project called Bi- labourer myself and worked on which launched the initiative child protection panel. funds to check traffi cking rooted under 15 in India, but children risk of being traffi cked and we cycle Caravan that aims to cover farms. They must go to school,” last week. Nine traffi ckers were arrested in fi nancial distress. are permitted to support fam- have to stop that.” CBI team at Sushant’s fl at to recreate crime scene

IANS ask Pithani: Who called the key- Mumbai maker to open the lock of Sush- ant’s room? Who brought down the body of Sushant? Who made team of Central Bureau a call to the police? of Investigation offi cials Meanwhile, one of the fed- Aprobing the death of Bol- eral probe teams arrived at the lywood actor Sushant Singh Ra- Bandra police station to speak jput yesterday visited his fl at in to the offi cers who were on duty Bandra, Mumbai, where he was on June 14 and visited the fl at of found dead on June 14. the late actor after a call was re- They were accompanied by a ceived. forensic team and the late actor’s Another team visited the fl atmate Siddharth Pithani and Cooper Hospital where the cook Neeraj. 34-year-old actor’s autopsy was This was after another team of conducted by three doctors. the CBI’s Special Investigation On Friday, the federal probe People walk near closed shops at the Heritage Street after strict lockdown norms for weekends and public holidays were imposed as a preventive measure against the Team visited the Cooper Hospi- agency contacted the All India coronavirus, in Amritsar yesterday. tal where Rajput’s body was tak- Institute of Medical Sciences en and the Bandra police station. (AIIMS) in Delhi to seek medico- Diff erent teams of the CBI are legal opinion on the autopsy re- pursuing the probe from multi- port of the late actor. ple angles, sources said. An agency source in Mumbai An SIT team led by S P Nupur said the CBI will ask for the call Prasad reached the Mont Blanc detail records of Sushant, his apartment in Bandra with the girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and India Covid cases jump by forensic team. others. The team will recreate the The CBI and forensic teams crime scene and also question reached Mumbai on Thursday Pithani, Neeraj, and Sushant’s evening and were exempted from staff member Dipesh Sawant on the mandatory quarantine by the the chain of events on June 13 municipal authorities. and 14. On August 6, the CBI took record as tally nears 3mn The forensic team will collect over the probe on the orders of all evidence from the fl at. the central government follow- Agencies Covid-19 patients recover- Most major cities have or- dia’s fi nancial capital have con- and rituals, the Ganesha festival A CBI source said that photo- ing a case fi led by the the actor’s New Delhi ing and being discharged from dered that effi gies of the popu- structed hundreds of artifi cial always brought communities graphs of the fl at and the autopsy father. hospitals and home isolation, lar elephant-headed Ganesha, immersion ponds across the together. But 2020 is muted and report will be shared with the fo- The case was registered the recovery rate has reached which can draw thousands city to stop hordes crowding the sad,” the 27-year-old said. rensic team for analysis. against Rhea Chakraborty, her ndia reported a record daily 74.69%. This has also led to de- of people onto the streets, be waterfront. In a sign of the times one of The action comes after the CBI father Indrajit, mother Sandhya, jump of coronavirus infec- clining case fatality rate, which shrunk back. People will also be able to the rare Ganesha elephants on recorded the statement of Pithani brother Showik, Sushant’s ex- Itions yesterday, bringing the stands at a new low of 1.87% to- Traditionally, the statues leave their elephant statues at display sprays sanitiser onto and Neeraj earlier in the day. manager Shruti Modi and house total near 3mn and piling pres- day,” the ministry said. can tower 10m (30ft) high or collection centres and volun- the hands of people who come Neeraj and Pithani were manager Samuel Miranda and sure on authorities to curb huge For most of western India, more and need dozens of peo- teers will immerse them in the to pray. brought for questioning at a unknown persons on the basis gatherings as a major religious especially Mumbai, the 11- ple to carry them but this year sea. People are barred from mak- guesthouse where the federal of K K festival began. day Ganesh chaturthi festival authorities said they can be no Authorities want people ing public off erings to the statue agency offi cers are staying. Singh’s complaint which was The 69,878 new infections is usually celebrated with big more than 1.1m tall in a bid to to mark the festival at home, and organisers have been or- On Friday, the CBI had grilled fi led on July 25. – the fourth straight day above public gatherings. cut crowds. dampening enthusiasm among dered to sanitise outdoor mar- Neeraj, Sushant’s house manag- The Enforcement Directorate 60,000 – take India’s total cas- Cases have plateaued in In New Delhi, no Ganesha pandemic-weary locals. quees several times a day. er Samuel Miranda and Sawant. (ED) is also probing a money es to 2.98mn, behind only the Mumbai, which now averages idols will be shown in public Even the statues worshipped Some cities which have seen Miranda was questioned for laundering angle into the death. United States and Brazil. just above 1,000 a day and has while Mumbai has cut back ac- at home must be no more than a surge in coronavirus cases had over fi ve hours and Neeraj for On Friday, the ED recorded Covid-19 deaths increased recorded more than 134,000 in cess to the seafront to immerse 33cm. proposed a complete ban on over 10 hours. a statement of Sushant’s sister by 945 to 55,794, data from total. Ganesha fi gures, usually the “Every year I looked forward Ganesha gatherings in public. The source said that Pithani Priyanka Singh in Delhi. the federal Health Ministry But strict pandemic regu- highlight of the festival. to Ganesha celebrations and But in Bengaluru, authorities was questioned to put together Earlier, the fi nancial probe showed. lations have meant the festi- Tens of thousands tradi- visited a nearby lake to watch relented following protests by the chain of events from June 13 agency had recorded the state- Amid the pandemic, there is val season, which begins this tionally flock to the beaches statue immersions. But this religious groups. that led to the actor’s death on ment of Sushant’s father, anoth- some reason to cheer, however. month, has been lacklustre. on the final day of the festival year, we are not even inviting Public displays of the el- June 14 and also to fi nd out who er sister Meetu Singh, besides India has achieved a record Authorities have imposed to immerse elaborately deco- friends home for traditional ephant figures will still be were present in the apartment at Rhea, Showik, Indrajit, Miranda, high of 63,631 recoveries in a tough anti-coronavirus restric- rated figurines in the Arabian prayers,” Mumbai-based ana- restricted with socially dis- the time. Shruti Modi, Pithani, Rumi Jaf- day, the Health Ministry said. tions on gatherings and the size Sea. lyst Ruta Amin said. tanced followers having to The CBI at the Bandra fl at will fery and several others. “With this high number of of Ganesha statues. This year, authorities in In- “With lively music, colours, wear masks. Tablighi followers were Border guards kill made scapegoats: court 5 drug smugglers Agencies on BSF troops,” a statement by Amritsar BSF said. IANS formation Reports registered missions proved that it had been “Hence to stop further mis- Aurangabad, Maharashtra against six Indians and 29 for- going on for over 50 years,” the adventure and in self-defence, eigners who were present at the judges said. order security forces BSF troops retaliated with fi re Jamaat congregation in Delhi in However, these circumstanc- shot dead fi ve men try- due to which fi ve intruders he Bombay High Court March. es and the latest fi gures of the Bing to smuggle heroin succumbed to bullet injuries,” has quashed a case against “There was virtually a perse- spread of the infection in India across the border yesterday, a it said. TTablighi Jamaat followers, cution of these foreigners. A po- show that “such action against spokesman said. In western markets, the her- including foreigners, and said litical government tries to fi nd the present petitioners should The fi ve were killed in an oin would have a street value there was a possibility that those the scapegoats... and circum- not have been taken”. early-morning shoot-out after of about $1.5mn, according to who were present in the organi- stances show that there is a prob- The court said records show opening fi re at Border Secu- experts. sation’s Delhi headquarters were ability that these foreigners were that the central government took rity Force (BSF) paramilitaries Punjab state is a major tran- chosen to be made scapegoats chosen to be made the scape- action against mainly Muslims near a frontier fence in the sit route for drugs entering In- and slammed several media or- goats,” Justices T V Nalawade and who attended the Nizamuddin Tarn Taran district of Punjab, dia from neighbouring coun- ganisations which blamed them M G Sewlikarcourt said. Markaz of the Tablighi Jamaat, according to BSF spokesman tries. for the spread of the coronavirus. The court said there was a but not against people or for- Krishna Rao. Punjab’s authorities have “It can be said that due to the “big propaganda in the print eigners belonging to other reli- An AK-47 rifle, four pis- been cracking down on the action taken, a fear was created and electronic media against gions. tols, ammunition magazines trade and abuse of opioids, and in the minds of those Muslims. these foreigners and attempts In this connection, referring and nearly 10kg of heroin have foiled several attempts to There is a smell of malice to take were made to paint a picture that to nationwide protests against were recovered, the spokes- smuggle drugs from outside. action against these foreigners these foreigners were responsi- the Citizenship Amendment man said. Last year, Punjab’s police and other Muslims for their al- ble for the spread of coronavirus Act, the court said that a major- “The troops cordoned the busted a gang smuggling so- leged activities,” the court said in India”. ity of the participants were Mus- BSF personnel hold an AK47 rifle after recovering it along with area and challenged the armed phisticated weapons and drugs in a ruling on Friday. “The propaganda against the lims and by the action taken by pistols, ammunition magazines and nearly 10kg of heroin, following intruders to stop and surren- across the border by using The Aurangabad bench of so-called religious activity was the authorities a “fear was creat- an overnight operation, at the border, around 58km from Amritsar der but the intruders did not drones, the Hindustan Times the court quashed the First In- unwarranted as records and sub- ed in the minds of the Muslims”. yesterday. pay any heed and opened fi re daily newspaper reported. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, August 23, 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 Mideast aviation seeks critical relief for restart The impact on the Middle East aviation industry and on economies caused by the shutdown of air traffi c due to the Covid-19 pandemic has deepened over the last few weeks. GDP supported by aviation in the Middle East region could fall by up to $85bn, data provided by International Air Transport Association has shown. The latest assessment from IATA Economics shows that the outlook at the national level has worsened for major aviation markets in the Middle East since June. For example, the passenger numbers, jobs at risk and GDP South Korea on top again impacts for the fi ve biggest Middle East markets all have declined. Job losses in aviation and related industries could grow to Parasite 1.5mn in the region. That is more than half of the region’s By Jim O’Neill unreasonable to assume that South fi lm won Best Picture. South Crucially, the subcomponents in London Korea would suff er more than other Korea is often stereotyped as being too our index captured not just who was 2.4mn aviation-related employment and 300,000 more OECD countries from the pandemic. In wooden and obsessed with education, inventing or manufacturing certain than the previous estimate. late January, it became one of the fi rst but here was a South Korean fi lm technologies – from mainframe Full-year 2020 traffi c is expected to plummet by 56% n August 11, the OECD countries to report Covid-19 infections receiving one of the world’s top artistic computers to mobile telephones – but compared to 2019. Previous estimate was a fall of 51%. signalled that it would outside China, and the risk of a major honours. also who was using them. South Korea To minimise the impact on jobs and the broader Middle be revising its 2020 real outbreak was no lower than anywhere To my horror, between the today is a technologically intensive else. writing and the publication of that society, and that has almost certainly East economy, an accelerated recovery of air transport across O(infl ation-adjusted) GDP forecast for South Korea from -1.2% But unlike Italy – another early commentary, South Korea had begun made a difference in the context of the region is paramount, experts say. to -0.8%, adding to the confi dence victim – South Korea has prevented to experience its first Covid-19 the pandemic, particularly when it This, they suggest can be achieved through government that the country is faring better a disruptive nationwide epidemic, outbreak. I feared that events on the has come to monitoring localised risks action in two priority areas – continued fi nancial and economically than any other OECD containing occasional fl are-ups as they ground would soon refute all my praise and containing the spread of the virus. regulatory support and harmonising the restart of air member. On average, the group’s have arisen. Moreover, insofar as the for the country. But I shouldn’t have By contrast, in the UK, we are still a 37 member states are projected to OECD forecast is correct, South Korea’s worried. Almost six months later, it is long way from having a “world-class” transport across the region. experience a real GDP contraction 2020 contraction is nothing compared clear that South Korea has once again testing and tracing system, because In particular, the of 7.6%. Worse, this news came just to what the country experienced acquitted itself well. the necessary technologies simply Middle East region’s a day before the United Kingdom’s following the 1997-98 Asian fi nancial More broadly, South Korea has are not available to enough of the Job losses in aviation industry seeks government reported a record-breaking crisis. become a model for other countries population. direct fi nancial aid such second-quarter contraction of 20.4%, Back in mid-March, many respected for two simple reasons. First, over South Korea is highly open to world aviation and following previous forecasts that the commentators focused on the fact that the past 40 years, it has been the only trade, and it reports its trade data on the as wage subsidies and UK economy was on track to shrink by the UK was just two weeks behind Italy, medium- to large-size (by population) fi rst of each month. The data for July related industries loans, an extension of 11.5% overall this year. making almost no mention of South “developing” or “emerging” economy show that its export performance has the waiver to the ‘80-20’ Forecasts are only forecasts, and the Korea. In the event, both Italy and the to have increased its per capita improved notably (which is to say that could grow to slot rule, and relief from OECD’s track record is no better (or UK went on to suff er especially deep income to the level of the advanced it is not declining as sharply as in the taxes and charges. worse) than other offi cial sources of crises, relative to other countries. Why economies. When I was entering the preceding months). 1.5mn in the such data. Based on my own reading did South Korea – a major trading workforce in the early 1980s, South This improvement may or may not Some governments of recent high-frequency indicators, country – manage the novel coronavirus Korea was about as wealthy as most be a harbinger of what awaits the global region in the Middle East have I suspect that global output fi gures in so much better, and what early lessons African countries, on average. Today, economy as it recovers from a historic provided certain relief to 2020 will turn out to be less grim than might have been taken from its it is as wealthy as Spain. collapse. But it is clearly another sign aviation. However, the situation is not getting better, experts many expect. experience? Second, South Korea has not only that South Korea has managed the say and urge governments need to continue applying relief Still, for the purposes of making At this point, no one can say with grown; it has also climbed the economic crisis well, particularly compared to measures – fi nancial and regulatory. cross-country comparisons, the certainty what factors have made ladder by embracing technology. When the ridiculous displays of bravado, OECD’s outlook is reliable. For example, the biggest diff erence. But if I were I was Chief Economist at Goldman denial, and incompetence in some of Securing support in the form of wage subsidies and the data clearly show that South Korea to speculate, I would point to those Sachs, I presided over the creation of the world’s advanced economies. It is loans as well as an extension of the waiver is needed to stands out from the crowd. The country features of South Korea’s economy that a sustainable development index for time for everyone to start learning from provide critical relief to airlines in planning schedules amid has long been a role model for other have been serving it especially well more than 180 countries. We found South Korea. – Project Syndicate developing economies, and it is now for the past few decades. On February that, in addition to ranking among the unpredictable demand patterns. Jim O’Neill, a former chairman of Some countries in the Middle East are opening their increasingly becoming one for more 20, I published a commentary entitled top ten on most indicators, South Korea z “advanced” economies like the United “All Eyes on South Korea” in response scored especially high on measures of Goldman Sachs Asset Management and a borders to regional and international air travel but States and the UK. to this year’s Academy Awards, where technological adoption and diff usion – former UK Treasury Minister, is Chair of inconsistent application of biosafety measures along with In retrospect, it would not have been South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s higher even than the US. Chatham House. unnecessary entry requirements are deterring passengers and suppressing the resumption of air travel. Harmonising the restart of aviation across the region is critical for economic recovery. Therefore, governments need to implement the common global set of air transport biosecurity measures, contained in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s CART Take-off Guidelines. “Businesses which contribute substantially to the region’s GDP and provide thousands of jobs are at risk without these vital connections. For the region’s economic recovery, it is imperative that the industry restart safely as soon as possible,” points out Mohamed al-Bakri, IATA’s regional vice president (Africa and the Middle East). Aviation supports livelihoods, trade, education, good health and wellbeing, and quality education. It reduces hunger and poverty and ensures access to essential medical supplies and humanitarian aid, as proven throughout this crisis. Covid-19 has already brought Middle Eastern economies to their knees. Containing the pandemic, therefore is the region’s top priority. And without air connectivity being re-established, the socio-economic impact will only get worse.

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Pedestrians wearing masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) walk in a shopping district in Seoul, South Korea, on August 20. South Korea has © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved prevented a disruptive nationwide epidemic, containing occasional flare-ups as they have arisen. Gulf Times Sunday, August 23, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Prime minister okays specialised Govt to use all means education project

Internews Islamabad ‘to bring back Sharif’

rime Minister Imran Internews He also said that the opposi- “It clearly means serious loss violations of international laws Faraz said that Sharif, who he Khan has approved a Islamabad tion parties would be responsi- to the economy, extreme rise in including money laundering,” he said did not even get one X-ray Pproject to introduce ble if the country was blacklisted prices and all imports will be too added. screening in London, was seen specialised education in 400 by the FATF as they are resisting costly for the people of Pakistan The minister said that the drinking coff ee and “doing poli- higher secondary schools of ederal Minister for Infor- the required amendments to the to aff ord.” former rulers made policies for tics” in London, getting in touch the country. mation Senator Shibli Faraz laws. The minister said that the cur- their personal interests and ben- with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Presiding over a meeting, the Fhas announced that the The government would not be rent state of the economy and its efi ts, while the focus of every Fazlur (JUI-F) chief Maulana prime minister gave his con- government will utilise all legal blackmailed by the opposition import-based structure are due policy by Prime Minister Imran Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan sent to the launch of Science, means to bring back former pre- parties “under any circumstanc- to the opposition parties’ ill-in- Khan is for the welfare of the Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Technology, Engineering and mier Nawaz Sharif from London, es”, Faraz vowed, adding that tended policies in the past. people of Pakistan. Bhutto Zardari. Maths (STEM) project in col- and that he will not be allowed to they would have to face the law The FATF-related amend- He said that Sharif, the Pa- “The only person he is not in laboration with universities in Prime Minister Khan: the evade the law on the pretext of a for alleged corruption. ments in the laws are set to be kistan Muslim League – Nawaz contact with is (PML-N presi- 400 higher secondary schools. country’s development is “fudged” medical report. According to him, the opposi- presented in parliament tomor- (PML-N) supremo, should re- dent) Shehbaz Sharif,” the min- The meeting was attended linked to the promotion of Faraz said that the opposition tion demanded 35 amendments row. turn, answer the allegations, and ister said. by Minister for Science and science and technology. wanted changes to the National in the NAB law for personal gain. Faraz said the opposition fi ght his case in courts again. The spokesman for the gov- Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Accountability Bureau (NAB) He said the opposition’s ap- should vote for the bills, as they “If he is innocent, why is he ernment also mocked Maryam Adviser to the Prime Minis- sion, the prime minister said laws to escape from the process proach is benefi ting Pakistan’s are responsible for the money running away?” the minister Nawaz, the daughter of the ter on Commerce Abdul Razak the country’s development is of accountability in return for “enemies”, who wanted to see the laundering allegations levelled said, adding: “We will use all le- former prime minister, for “cre- Dawood, the fi nance secretary, linked to the promotion of sci- supporting the Financial Action country blacklisted by the FATF. against Pakistan. gal means to bring back Nawaz ating a scene outside NAB of- the Federal Board of Revenue ence and technology, and di- Task Force (FATF) bill. “The fi nal review is in Octo- “They have siphoned money Sharif. fi ce” instead of responding to the (FBR) chairman and other sen- rected early fi nalisation of re- “But we will never bow down ber, and we hope to get out of out of the country through illegal “It is the duty of the govern- NAB’s queries. ior offi cials. lated projects. to such blackmailing,” he said the grey list, but if the enemies means, and the whole nation is ment to bring back those who are He also said: “I do not consider According to the Prime Min- Chaudhry briefed the prime while addressing a news confer- of the nation succeed, Pakistan paying price for it, not only in the required by law, the government Maryam Nawaz or Bilawal Bhutto ister Offi ce, in the first phase minister about the key projects ence at the Press Information will be placed in the blacklist … shape of a weak economy, but in will ask the NAB to contact the as politicians, just like I am not a special laboratories for science and achievements during the Department (PID). what will it mean?” Faraz said. the shape of the FATF due to their Foreign Offi ce in this regard.” noted poet.” and technology, engineering last two years and future plans and mathematics will be estab- for the promotion of science lished in 40 schools. and technology. Around 100,000 children in The prime minister was also 400 schools will have access informed about the progress to education and training in on the proposed University UN to modern sciences through this for Engineering and Emerging Law proposed to protect project. Technology to be set up at the Speaking on the occa- Prime Minister House. spend medics from violence $10mn

Pakistan, China Internews for food agree to safeguard Peshawar security in he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has de- common interests Tcided to enact a law to province ensure safety of health workers and patients in view of the in- Internews creasing incidents of violence in Internews Islamabad hospitals. Quetta “Yes, we are working on the bill for protection of the health- akistan and China have care providers. The proposed he United Nations Resi- agreed to collectively law will be put before the cabi- dent Co-ordinator Ju- Ptake measures to safe- net for approval, after which it Tlien Harneis has said that guard their common interests would be submitted to provin- $10mn will be spent on nutrition and promote peace, prosperity, cial assembly to make it an Act,” and food security in Baluchistan and development in the region. Health Secretary Syed Imtiaz to reduce the impact of drought The consensus to this eff ect Hussain Shah said. and the coronavirus on the peo- was reached during the second The latest spree of acts ple of Baluchistan. round of China-Pakistan For- Qureshi: met his Chinese of violence in the hospitals This is a short-term strategy eign Ministers’ Strategic Dia- counterpart Wang Yi. against healthcare providers has meant to support the people for logue in Hainan, China. prompted the government to the next one year, he said. Foreign Minister Shah Mah- a dispute left over from history renew eff orts to pass the long- Harneis visited Chagai, Nush- mood Qureshi represented between India and Pakistan, delayed piece of legislation, ac- ki and Dalbandin on Thursday Pakistan while the Chinese which is an objective fact. cording to offi cials. and met people of diff erent side was represented by State It said the Kashmir dispute They said that the govern- A healthcare worker takes a swab sample from a child to be tested for the coronavirus in Karachi. communities and discussed is- Councilor and Foreign Minis- should be resolved peace- ment is satisfi ed with the per- sues faced by them in the remote ter Wang Yi. fully and properly through the formance of the healthcare them against violence during ted by the law department and years, and with fi ne, which may areas of the province. According to a joint press UN Charter, relevant Security providers, who not only en- duty hours, they said. now the committee would make extend to Rs50,000. Under a long-term pro- release issued by Foreign Of- Council resolutions and bilat- sured better services to the pa- Two months ago, the govern- a fi nal decision,” said offi cials. Additionally, the violator of gramme, the European Union fi ce in Islamabad yesterday, eral agreements. tients, but also did not observe ment decided to implement it in They said that a few observa- the law shall also be liable to pay and the Food and Agriculture the two sides exchanged views China opposes any unilateral any strike or protest during the the shape of an ordinance, but it tions raised by law department to the healthcare service insti- Organisation (FAO) have also on the coronavirus pandemic, actions that complicate the coronavirus pandemic despite was again delayed, and two days in the past were already cleared, tution a compensation of twice launched a programme to sup- bilateral relations, and inter- situation. violence. ago a committee was formed to and that now it needed to be the purchase price of medical port and promote agriculture national and regional issues of Both sides also agreed to The coronavirus causes the make recommendations for the placed before the assembly. equipment damaged and the and livestock sectors in Balu- mutual interest. strengthen co-operation on Covid-19 respiratory disease. passage of the law from the as- Health Minister Taimur Sal- loss caused to the property as chistan. Both sides agreed to fur- the Afghan issue and appreci- Offi cials said that health- sembly, offi cials said. im Khan has also directed the may be determined by the court “The depleting water table in ther strengthen co-operation ated the eff orts made by Af- care providers experienced at In this regard, a meeting of health department to speed up trying the off ence. Chagai and Dalbandin is wor- in developing a vaccine to de- ghan government and the Tali- least half a dozen incidents of representatives of health, la- the legislation and put an end In case of off ender’s failure to rying, and we will extend all feat the pandemic, and strive ban to initiate the Intra-Afghan violence during the last two bour, law and Ushr and Zakat to the series of violent actions pay the compensation, the said possible help to the Baluchistan to promote establishment of Negotiations. months, but continued their departments was held, wherein committed against health work- sum shall be recovered as if it government to overcome this China-Pakistan Community of Meanwhile, Wang said that work to ensure unhindered they decided to go through the ers. is an arrear of land revenue due problem,” he said. Shared Future and Community China and Pakistan are true treatment of the Covid-19 pa- document and make recom- The proposed law makes any from him. Harneis said the government of Common Health. friends and good brothers tients. mendations for its earlier pas- act of violence against health Any off ence committed shall deserves appreciation for fenc- They agreed to continue sharing weal and woe. The Provincial Doctors As- sage from the assembly. workers or damage or loss to be cognisable and non-bailable, ing the border with Afghanistan, their fi rm support on issues At a media conference with sociation, the Young Doctors “The bill, which seeks to pro- property in a healthcare serv- according to the proposed law. but this had created economic concerning each other’s core Qureshi, the Chinese minister Association, the Nursing As- tect health workers, patients ice institution punishable, and The law also makes it obliga- problems for the people living on national interests. said that since outbreak of the sociation, and the Paramedical and their attendants from vio- any off ender shall be punishable tory upon the hospitals to pro- both sides of the border. Both sides underlined that coronavirus, China and Paki- Association had long demanded lence and prevent loss to the with imprisonment for a pe- vide full reports of treatment to “Through the $10mn pro- a peaceful, stable, cooperative stan had worked together to enactment of a law to protect property, has already been vet- riod, which may extend to three the patients. gramme, we will also support and prosperous South Asia is in help each other in times of dif- some targeted communities common interest of all parties. fi culty. living in bordering areas of Af- The Pakistani side briefed He said that both countries ghanistan,” he said. the Chinese side on the situ- shared experiences in epidemic ation in Jammu and Kashmir, prevention and fi ght, and pro- including its concerns, posi- vided medical supplies to each Islamabad’s new airport lacking Samsung mulls tion and current urgent issues. other, setting an example of The Chinese side reiter- inter-country co-operation in assembly plant ated that the Kashmir issue is fi ght against the epidemic. dedicated bomb squads: sources in Pakistan CPEC to vigorously promote co-operation: Xi Leading smartphone manufacturer Samsung is Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that his country is ready to Internews tance from the three cities, it submit reports in this regard. rity offi cials put a blanket on it considering setting up an work with Pakistan to jointly promote co-operation among the Rawalpindi will not be easy for rescue teams When Attock DPO Syed Kha- and shift it to a “bomb ditch”, assembly plant in the country, regional countries. and bomb disposal squads to lid Hamdani was contacted, he which he said is quite a danger- said Minister for Industries and In a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi, Xi said that both Pakistan and reach the airport on time in case said that the police security for ous exercise. Productions Hammad Azhar. China are working to maintain the “momentum of peace and devel- espite being one of the of an emergency situation.” the IIA has been put in place ac- The Rawalpindi police have “Smartphone production in opment in the region”. “sensitive” airports, the “Besides, the airport should cording to international stand- a bomb disposal squad, trained Pakistan is multiplying, following He said political parties of China and Pakistan have carried out DIslamabad Internation- also have detection dogs,” the ards, with the co-ordination of by US experts during a three- the Device Identification, friendly consultations on a regular basis, which have consolidated al Airport (IIA) does not have report said and added: “In case Rawalpindi and Islamabad po- month training programme in Registration and Blocking System political consensus between the two countries to vigorously promote bomb detection and bomb dis- of an emergency, the bomb dis- lice, as the airport is located in Sihala Police College in 2009. (DIRBS) implementation and the steady and long-term development of the China-Pakistan Eco- posal squads. posal team needed more than their jurisdictions. The police squad is trained in Mobile [Device Manufacturing] nomic Corridor (CPEC). According to sources, intel- one hour to reach there from When asked about the lack using sophisticated bomb dis- Policy launched recently,” he The Chinese president was responding to a special letter of congratu- ligence brought the issue to the Rawalpindi.” of a bomb disposal and detec- posal suits and other equipment tweeted. lations written by Alvi, on the second conference of the CPEC Political notice of Regional Police Offi cer The intelligence also sug- tion team at the airport, he that provide protection against He said that Samsung Pakistan Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism. (RPO) Sohail Habib Tajik last gested to the Rawalpindi RPO said: “Defi nitely their presence bomb explosions and anti-per- appreciated the government’s Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has reaff irmed commit- month. that he ensures the presence should be there.” However, the sonnel mines. policies and is actively ment to add value to the CPEC and bring dividends to the peoples of The intelligence intimated of a bomb disposal and detec- Rawalpindi police have yet to The bomb disposal suit (EOD considering setting up a the two countries. that since the IIA is a “sensitive” tion squad at the airport round respond to the RPO’s letter. Suit) consists of a ballistic hel- smartphone assembly plant in He was speaking with CPEC Authority chairman Lieutenant-General airport covered by greenwoods the clock so that they could When a senior security offi - met with visor, an X-Ray ma- the country. (retired) Asim Saleem Bajwa during a visit to the CPEC Authority in and located at a long distance promptly move and prevent any cial was contacted, he said that chine, a disruptor gun, a Jenson At the moment, around 14 Islamabad yesterday. from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, untoward incident. according to Standard Operat- tool kit, a fi brescope that helps smartphone companies are In a tweet, Bajwa said that the Chinese ambassador, on behalf of the and Attock, it should have res- Following the intelligence, ing Procedures (SOPs), when- the bomb disposal expert to see producing handsets in the Chinese government, thanked the Pakistan government for an ac- cue teams available 24 hours a Tajik directed the Rawalpindi ever any suspicious bag or any- the explosive material inside a country but most of those celerated momentum and greater focus on the CPEC. day. City Police Offi cer and Attock thing abandoned is found from device in the dark, armour plat- are feature phones with 2G It said: “Due to the long dis- District Police Offi cer (DPO) to the airport premises, the secu- ing, and a stethoscope. technology. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, August 23, 2020 QATAR

QNL to represent Middle East QNL president in global open access network atar National Library (QNL) has joined the Glo- Qbal Sustainability Coali- tion for Open Science Services (SCOSS), furthering its commit- hails library’s role ment to helping researchers in Qatar and beyond publish their fi ndings on international pub- lishing platforms. QNL was named as a repre- sentative of the Middle East on the board of SCOSS as part of its at the global level continuing commitment to shar- ing knowledge and information QNA achieving sustainable develop- for our endeavours to enhance across the world through open Doha ment goals in the Gulf, the Arab the Library’s position global- access. region and the Middle East,” he ly and expand its services for QNL will join a network of in- Qatar National Library said. knowledge, science and devel- fl uential organisations commit- E the Minister of State “The library pursues these opment”. ted to helping secure open access cess is all about making research reproducible research practices.” and President of Qa- roles through its international He pointed out that the treas- and open science infrastructures publications freely available so QNL takes part in vari- Htar National Library conferences, whether in the ures contained in the library, its worldwide. These infrastruc- anyone can benefi t from access ous international open access (QNL), Dr Hamad bin Ab- traditional or virtual format. content, its modernity, its ad- tures include scholarly commu- to research. We are committed to initiatives, such as INTACT’s dulaziz al-Kuwari, appreciated Covid-19 pandemic impeded vanced digitisation technology nication resources, services and doing everything we can to sup- OpenAPC project and Open Ac- the library’s joining the Global our traditional work, yet we ex- and its human potential will al- software that help researchers port the researchers of Qatar, the cess 2020, and contributes to the Sustainability Coalition for panded our demographic and low us to fulfi l our mission to the collect, store, organise, access, Middle East and worldwide to development of international Open Science Services (SCOSS) geographical circle by holding fullest. “We promise our patrons share and assess their research. disseminate their fi ndings as far open access principles through as it confirms the principle of virtual conferences and forums that we will hold virtual discus- SCOSS identifi es and analyses and wide as possible. the International Federation of leadership that is in Qatar and with international participa- sion groups covering all top- non-commercial services that “Open access is one of our core Information and Library Asso- that the library is taking firm tion, and we continue to provide ics related to national libraries are essential to open science and values, which can also be seen ciations. steps toward fulfilling its mis- support to researchers, scien- and their co-operation to serve open access and provides rec- in our commitment to off ering Since 2017, QNL has assisted sion and achieving its vision tists and creative thinkers,” he sustainable development and ommendations for funding to free, unrestricted access to our researchers in Qatar by creating with confidence. added. knowledge,” he stressed. entities interested in support- collections and services such as the Open Access Author Fund, “Qatar National Library has HE Dr al-Kuwari went on Qatar National Library has ing these services. Since 2017, the Qatar Digital Library. Open which covers all costs related to the capability to achieve the HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz saying: “Joining the Global joined the Global Sustain- SCOSS has encouraged the com- access is vital for improving the publishing their fi ndings on open principle of leadership that is al-Kuwari Sustainability Coalition for ability Coalition for Open Sci- munity to invest in nearly $3mn reach of research and helping to access platforms. QNL also off ers confirmed in our country every Open Science Services (SCOSS) ence Services (SCOSS), thus in open infrastructure projects. provide evidence for its impact. open access vouchers, allowing day. By serving the community, ing its mission and achieving its and having a representative of furthering its commitment to Dr Alwaleed Alkhaja, senior in- It also results in an improved QNL’s partner vendors to pro- as well as scientific institu- vision with confidence at the the Middle East on the board of helping researchers in Qatar tellectual property librarian, will reputation for researchers and vide vouchers for eligible authors tions, researchers and scholars national, regional and interna- the SCOSS reflect the position and beyond publish their find- sit on the board as QNL’s repre- their institutions, and in the long to publish their articles in one around the world, the library is tional levels. We have a role to the library has reached. This ings on international publish- sentative. term, higher-quality research of these vendors’ Open Access taking firm steps toward fulfill- play at the global level toward will represent a new incentive ing platforms. Dr Alkhaja said: “Open ac- through open, transparent and journals. PSG looks to widen appeal among Qatar football fans

AFP between fi ve and 16 years, it op- menting Qatar’s aim of becoming his expatriate countrymen. Qa- Doha erates across four sites, charging a footballing powerhouse by the tar’s total population is around QR2,000 (about $550, 465 euros) time of the World Cup in 2022, 2.79mn. a month. which it will host. During the Club World Cup in he young players of Paris PSG’s network of more than The Doha outpost, which Doha in December 2019, thou- Saint-Germain (PSG)’s 70 similar academies world- trains 1,000 youngsters, a third sands of local Liverpool support- Tacademy in Doha per- wide is a key part of its ambi- of whom are Qatari, gives the ers joined forces with travelling formed a range of drills under tious, Qatari-funded project to people of the Gulf country the fans to watch their victorious the watchful eyes of their mostly expand its appeal globally and opportunity to share in Qatar’s campaign. French coaches as the Gulf sun secure a place in the top echelon fl agship sporting investment. Qatar Reds have almost twice set on the horizon. of world football. Several PSG stars have visited as many followers on Facebook as Their side’s Champions “It’s important to promote in past years for winter training the PSG Fans Club Qatar, and the League triumph against Leipzig, our brand, but not only that. It’s camps – and fan selfi es. largely expatriate membership Boys train at the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Football Academy in Doha yesterday, on the eve of the taking them through to today’s about values too,” said academy The academy also supports would gather to watch Liverpool Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich. fi nal against Bayern Munich in technical director Cyril Klosek. Qatar’s strategy to cultivate fi xtures before the Covid-19 Lisbon, was on the lips of several “PSG is already one of the best home-grown talent ahead of pandemic. students. brands in the sports industry, we 2022 with one player from the But Qataris themselves have “My expectation is PSG are develop branding, merchandis- PSG academy sent to Paris for warmed to PSG since their coun- going to win 3-1, hat-trick from ing and these academies.” trials. try acquired it in 2011, experts Neymar,” said Yassine el-Sam- Twenty-two youngsters in im- “PSG was keen to set up train- say. man, 11. “But Bayern are a fan- maculate dark-blue PSG jerseys ing camps in Qatar, which con- “Qataris have become in- tastic team.” performed a range of dribbles tributed to strengthening their clined to support the team after Samman, like others at the and passes, sporting Qatari shirt popularity in Doha,” Qatar-based its acquisition by Qatar and the under-12s training session, said sponsor Ooredoo. sports journalist Hossam Na- presidency of Nasser al-Khelaifi his family were newcomers to the While the hardcore of PSG’s bawy told AFP. who (helped) the team reach the dominant French side. support in the country were “Certainly, winning the Champions League fi nal for the “I was watching a match with gathered at the training ground, Champions League would con- fi rst time,” said commentator my dad once. He told me there the club is working to appeal to tribute greatly to increasing Par- Mahmoud Nsiri. was this club he didn’t know football fans in Qatar more wide- is’s popularity in most parts of Many among PSG’s new gen- about called PSG. And I saw them ly. the world, not just Doha.” eration of supporters have been play really well, so we decided to “Most of the (students) knew While English Premier League lured by the club’s string of high- watch more of them.” PSG, but maybe less than English heavyweights like Manchester profi le signings, a direct result of The academy opened to fan- Premier League or Spanish clubs. United and Chelsea are hugely Qatar’s largesse. fare in January 2019 at an event But we talk a lot about the club’s popular, it is Liverpool that en- When asked why he supported attended by PSG superstar Ney- history,” said Klosek. joys the perhaps the most spir- PSG, one young supporter shop- mar and fi rst team coach Thomas PSG’s academy network is the ited support in Qatar where its ping at one of the club’s branded Cyril Klosek (left), technical director at the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Football Academy in Doha, speaks Tuchel. cornerstone of the club’s global Egyptian talisman Mo Salah is stores in Doha ahead of today’s with the academy players during a training session yesterday. Open to boys and girls aged ambitions as well as comple- revered by the large contingent of fi nal said simply: “Neymar”. Jaguar Land Rover develops contactless touchscreen to help

The patented technology, known as ‘predictive touch’, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to predict a user’s intended target on the fi ght bacteria, viruses touchscreen – whether that’s satellite navigation, temperature controls or entertainment settings – without touching a button. fort and time by up to 50%, as ics, to combine contextual infor- Predictive touch technology so long as the correct sensory ew contactless touch- versity of Cambridge is part of novations including a Driver well as limiting the spread of mation such as user profi le, in- eliminates the need to touch an data is available to support the screen technology de- Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Condition Monitor, engine noise bacteria and viruses. terface design and environmental interactive display and could, machine learning algorithm, the Nveloped by Jaguar Land Zero vision – a desire to make its cancellation and cabin air ioni- Uneven or poor road surfaces conditions with data available therefore, reduce the risk of statement adds. Rover and the University of vehicles safer and the environ- sation with PM2.5 fi ltration to can often cause vibrations that from other sensors, such as an spreading bacteria or viruses on Professor Simon Godsill from Cambridge will help keep driv- ment cleaner and healthier, ac- capture ultra-fi ne particles and make it diffi cult to select the cor- eye-gaze tracker, to infer the us- surfaces. Cambridge University’s Depart- ers’ eyes on the road and reduce cording to a press statement is- allergens. rect button on a touchscreen. er’s intent in real time. “The technology also off ers us ment of Engineering led the the spread of bacteria and viruses sued in Doha by Alfardan Premier “New technology like predic- This means drivers must take Lee Skrypchuk, Human Ma- the chance to make vehicles safer project. He said, “Touchscreens in a post-Covid-19 world. Motors Co, the offi cial retailer of tive touch is another step for- their attention away from the chine Interface technical spe- by reducing the cognitive load and other interactive displays are The patented technology, Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in ward as we address the wider road, increasing the risk of an ac- cialist at Jaguar Land Rover, on drivers and increasing the something most people use mul- known as ‘predictive touch’, uses Qatar. landscape of mobility, from how cident. said: “As countries around the amount of time they can spend tiple times per day, but they can artifi cial intelligence and sensors In the ‘new normal’ once customers connect with mobility The technology uses artifi cial world exit lockdowns, we notice focused on the road ahead. This be diffi cult to use while in mo- to predict a user’s intended target lockdowns around the world are services to the infrastructure re- intelligence to determine the how many everyday consumer is a key part of our Destination tion, whether that’s driving a car on the touchscreen – whether lifted, a greater emphasis will quired to enable fully integrated item the user intends to select on transactions are conducted Zero journey.” or changing the music on your that’s satellite navigation, tem- be placed on safe, clean mobil- autonomous vehicles in our cit- the screen early in the pointing using touchscreens: railway This software-based solution phone while you’re running. We perature controls or entertain- ity where personal space and ies,” the statement notes. task, speeding up the interaction. or cinema tickets, ATMs, air- for contactless interactions has also know that certain pathogens ment settings – without touch- hygiene will carry premiums. Lab-tests and on-road tri- A gesture tracker uses vision- port check-ins and supermar- reached high technology readi- can be transmitted via surfaces, ing a button. Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are als showed the predictive touch based or radio frequency-based ket self-service checkouts, as ness levels and can be seamlessly so this technology could help The pioneering system devel- already designed to help improve technology could reduce a driv- sensors, which are increasingly well as many industrial and integrated into existing touch- reduce the risk for that type of oped with engineers at the Uni- passenger well-being, with in- er’s touchscreen interaction ef- common in consumer electron- manufacturing applications. screens and interactive displays, transmission.”