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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11579 June 14, 2020 Shawwal 22, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir holds phone talk Qatar Rail receives new batch of trainsets with Angolan president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday a Malls, shopping telephone conversation with Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco, during which they discussed bilateral relations and means to bolster them. Developments of the Covid-19 centres to open pandemic were also discussed. In this regard, the Angolan president extended thanks and appreciation to the Amir for the Qatari support and assistance to his country during the from 8am-8pm pandemic. Qatar reports recovery of 55,252 Covid cases from tomorrow The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced 1,828 confirmed new cases of coronavirus alls and shopping centres will z Restaurants that deliver to home (Covid-19), with 1,956 people be allowed to operate from addresses or hand over orders at the recovering from the disease in the M8am-8pm from tomorrow, restaurant, while prohibiting custom- Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) received a new batch of trainsets at Hamad Port yesterday from Japanese last 24 hours, bringing the total when the fi rst phase of lifting Covid-19 ers from dining in. manufacturer Kinki Sharyo Co Ltd. The batch consists of two trains, which are part of the 35 additional trains set to number of recovered cases in Qatar restrictions begins, but these busi- z Shops selling sweets, ice cream, arrive over the coming months. Page 20 to 55,252. The ministry said that in the nesses will remain closed on Fridays cakes, pastries, honey and dates. last 24 hours 13 new cases have been and Saturdays. Gaming centres, amusement parks, admitted to intensive care due to This was announced by the Ministry skateboard arenas, prayer rooms and health complications resulting from of Commerce and Industry through cinemas will remain closed, the no- AstraZeneca to infection with the virus, bringing the a notifi cation yesterday, in line with tifi cation states. This decision also supply Europe total number of cases currently in the previous decisions and measures prohibits any artistic, cultural or rec- Private clinics allowed to intensive care to 232. Page 3 adopted by Qatar to preserve the health reational activities at malls and com- with 300mn and safety of citizens and residents, mercial centres. Anti-racism protesters and to limit the spread of Covid-19. Malls and shopping centres have to doses of vaccine operate at 40% of capacity clash with police The four-phase lifting of restric- adhere to the precautionary and pre- tions begins on June 15, followed by the ventive measures outlined by the Min- AstraZeneca Plc has signed a z Work can resume across all specialities from tomorrow Riot police fired tear gas and second stage on July 1, the third on Au- istry of Public Health and the Ministry contract with European govern- charged at pockets of violent gust 1 and the fourth and fi nal on Sep- of Administrative Development, La- ments to supply the region with its protesters at an anti-racism rally tember 1. bour and Social Aff airs, and shall com- potential vaccine against the coro- ork can resume in all spe- than 40 minutes for each client with in central Paris yesterday, as a According to the MoCI notifi cation ply with the following guidelines: navirus, the British drugmaker’s cialities at private health- each doctor or care provider. wave of anger continued to sweep on the “fi rst stage of the gradual lifting z Allowing shoppers onto the latest deal to pledge its drug to Wcare facilities in Qatar z Allow clients to enter the health- the world following the death of of restrictions on malls and shopping premises only after checking the col- help combat the pandemic. from tomorrow, but services pro- care facility only fi ve minutes before African American George Floyd. The centres”, the businesses allowed to our code on the Ehteraz app. Only The contract is for up to 300mn vided should not exceed 40% of the scheduled appointment time. protesters gathered in Place de la resume operations and the conditions ‘Green’ code holders are allowed in. doses of the vaccine, developed their maximum capacity, a circu- z Check the Covid-19 status of the Republique, chanting “No justice, applicable to them are: z Barring people not wearing a by the University of Oxford, the lar issued by the Ministry of Public clients and health workers through no peace” beneath the statue of z Partial opening of some shops in medical mask and compelling visitors company said yesterday, adding Health (MoPH), Healthcare Facilities the Ehteraz application. Marianne, who personifies the commercial centres, provided the out- to wear one throughout their time at that it was looking to expand Licensing & Accreditation Depart- z Check the temperature for cli- French Republic. Page 12 let’s fl oor space is not less than 300sq the mall. manufacturing of the vaccine, ment, yesterday said. ents and workers upon entering the m. z Barring individuals under the age which it said it would provide for The easing of restrictions is part health facility. Police-involved death of 12, and those aged 60 and above, no profit during the pandemic. of the government’s plan to lift the z Clients may be allowed to wait being probed in Canada from entering the mall. Deliveries will start by the end of Covid-19 curbs in a phased manner. within the healthcare facility, pro- z Gaming centres, z Measuring the body temperature of 2020. As announced recently, the four- vided the space allocated to each Authorities in eastern Canada’s New amusement parks, workers and visitors at all entrances and The deal is the first contract phase lifting of restrictions begins on client is not less than 9sqm and that Brunswick province said yesterday preventing those with temperatures signed by Europe’s Inclusive June 15, followed by the second stage the distance between two clients is they have opened an investigation skateboard arenas, above 38C from entering the mall. vaccines Alliance (IVA), a group on July 1, the third on August 1 and 1.5-2m. into the police-involved death of an prayer rooms and z Providing hand sanitisers across formed by France, Germany, Italy the fourth and fi nal on September 1. z It is not allowed to mix clients indigenous man. The 48-year-old cinemas will remain mall facilities. and the Netherlands to secure The MoPH circular explains the with respiratory infections or fe- died after being shot by a federal z Educating visitors to maintain a vaccine doses for all member implementation of the gradual lift- ver with other clients. Instead, they police off icer Friday near the small closed safe distance of no less than 2m from states as soon as possible. ing of Covid-19 restrictions for the must be separated in separate wait- northern town of Miramichi, said z Those under 12 years other individuals. “This will ensure that hundreds of private healthcare sector for Phase 1, ing rooms, one room each. Quebec’s Bureau of Independent and above 60 are barred z Reducing the number of parking millions of people in Europe will starting tomorrow: z All workers and clients must Investigations (BII), which is leading spaces available to visitors by 50%. have access to this vaccine, of 1. Work may resume in all health wear face masks all the time. the inquiry. from entering malls z Operating at less than 30% of the course if it works and we will know specialities. z The facility must provide ap- z Parking spaces for mall’s regular capacity. that by the end of summer,” the 2. Clinical operations at the propriate Personal Protective Equip- Rival protesters z Barring smoking at mall entrances ment (PPE) for health workers. visitors to be reduced company’s chief executive, Pascal healthcare facilities should not ex- scuffle in London and removing all containers designated Soriot told journalists. He said he ceed 40% of the maximum capacity. z Provide full protection (full PPE) by 50% for cigarette waste. has “good hope” that it will work, 3: Continuing to provide telemed- for health workers when making in- Scuff les broke out in London z Only ‘Green’ code z Preventing the gathering of visi- based on initial data. icine services as much as possible. terventions that generate aerosols or yesterday between far-right activists, tors and limousine/taxi drivers at the The alliance “will work together 4: Continue to suspend health splashes (for instance, dental proce- Black Lives Matter protesters and holders on Ehteraz app entrance to the mall with the European Commission services delivered at home (home dures). police trying to keep the two sides will be allowed in Shops and retail outlets operating and other countries in Europe to visits by doctors, physical therapy, z Frequent disinfection of ex- apart. In Trafalgar Square and z Malls to operate at inside malls and shopping centres have ensure everybody across Europe is etc) except for nursing services pro- amination rooms, chairs, treatment surrounding avenues, small bands to comply with the following meas- supplied with the vaccine,” he said. vided through long-term contracts. rooms and waiting rooms according of protesters jostled, tossed bottles less than 30% of their ures: “We have a very self-suff icient 5: Adherence to the following in- to the infection control rules of the and cans and set off fireworks as riot capacity z Continuously measure the body supply chain for Europe” with structions at all times: MoPH. police with dogs and horses lined up. z Malls and shopping temperature of the outlet’s staff , isolate manufacturers lined up in the z Receiving clients only through z Applying strict physical dis- Far-right groups shouted racial slurs employees who exhibit symptoms and Netherlands, Germany, Italy and pre-booked appointments, except tancing while providing care and at the anti-racism protesters, and centres to remain inform the authorities concerned to take Italy, among others, he said. for emergency and urgent care serv- maintaining a safe distance except some tried to use metal crash barriers closed on weekends the necessary precautions and health Page 12 ices. during doing medical examinations to break through police lines. Page 11 measures in this regard. To Page 3 z Allocating a clinic time of no less or procedures. To Page 3 UDC awards QR1.5bn contracts for Gewan Island development

nited Development Company Gewan Island, UDC’s latest real- (UDC) has awarded contracts estate project, is situated next to The Ufor Gewan Island’s building and Pearl-Qatar, spanning 400,000sq m. landscape package to China Railway Once completed, the island will ac- 18th Bureau, and has equally tasked commodate 3,500 residents and a sim- Navayuga Engineering Company with ilar number of daily visitors. infrastructure works on the island. Gewan Island will be home to UDC’s investment in these packages 659 residential units, including 586 amounts to about QR1.5bn; develop- apartments, 20 standalone villas lo- ment works are expected to be com- cated along a placid beach in a quiet pleted in 2022, it was announced in a and gated seaside community, as well statement yesterday. as 21 beachfront villas with private UDC president and CEO Ibrahim beach, 26 waterfront villas that are Jassim al-Othman, who is also member equipped with private pontoons for of the board, said: “Despite the cur- private boats, and six independent rent exceptionally diffi cult conditions, island villas, in addition to 11,000sq UDC continues to pursue the develop- m of retail spaces and 15 multi-use ment phases of all its projects as part buildings. of an action plan based on enhancing Gewan Island will also feature a operational fl exibility to achieve sus- Multi-use buildings developed by UDC (design). Inset: UDC president and CEO golf course with the five-star Cor- tainable growth for the company and Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman. Crystal Walkway in Gewan Island (design). inthia Doha Hotel and connected to create new opportunities and long- beach club, an air conditioned ‘crys- term revenue streams, while attach- expected to undertake works on Gewan 71,000sq m common basement park- tion to the installation of island-wide across the island, including main pow- tal walkway’ outdoor promenade, a ing great importance to the safety of Island’s common basement structure, ing. CCTV surveillance and landscaping of er and chilled water supply, automatic seaside boardwalk, parks, and green employees, residents and contractors including services and fi nishes to all The building and landscape package all public spaces and 15 UDC buildings. solid waste system, utility structures, areas, which will play a major role alike by applying the necessary pre- 15 buildings being developed by UDC, also includes development of desig- The scope of work for the infra- boundary walls, and gates to villa plots, in attracting various new brands to cautions.” which will deliver 586 apartment units, nated roads and road connections, the structure package carried out by as well as several bridge crossings con- Doha. The island will also be home to As part of the building and landscape 11,000sq m of retail area, a mixed-use island’s clubhouse, prayer rooms, and Navayuga Engineering Company will necting diff erent residential districts entertainment facilities, a clubhouse package, China Railway 18th Bureau is climate-controlled Crystal Walk, and a 20 standalone seaside villas, in addi- cover primary service installations on the island. and a mosque. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 14, 2020 QATAR Top South Korean honour for Qatar’s ambassador

QNA Beijing

atar’s ambassador to China Mohamed bin Ab- Qdullah al-Dehaimi has HE the Minister of been awarded the Gwanghwa Education and Higher Medal for Excellent Diplomatic Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Service in appreciation of his Wahed Ali al-Hammadi great role in promoting co-oper- ation between Qatar and the Re- public of Korea during his tenure as ambassador of Qatar in Seoul from 2014-2019. 11,500 The medal was awarded to am- bassador al-Dehaimi by the am- bassador of the Republic of Korea students to China, Jang Ha-sung, on behalf of the South Korean president, at a ceremony held at the premises of complete the Korean embassy in Beijing, as ambassador al-Dehaimi was un- able to travel to Seoul due to the SSC fi nal Covid-19 pandemic. This medal is one of fi ve fi rst-class honours awarded to civilians who con- South Korean ambassador to China, Jang Ha-sung, presenting the award to Qatar’s ambassador exams tribute to developing their coun- Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Dehaimi in Beijing. tries’ relations with Korea. Qatar’s ambassador to China Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Dehaimiin Ambassador al-Dehaimi said appreciation of the government eration between the two coun- colleagues, the ambassadors of QNA poses with South Korean ambassador to China, Jang Ha-sung, after in a speech on the occasion that of the Republic of Korea for the tries, but also its appreciation for Qatar, to boost the Qatari-Kore- Doha receiving the award in Beijing. the medal not only refl ects the eff orts made to enhance co-op- all the contributions made by his an friendship over long decades.

ome 11,500 students have completed the fi nal exami- Snation of the Secondary Pakistani envoy thanks Qatar for support and co-operation School Certifi cate (SSC) for the academic year 2019/2020, which lasted two weeks, since June, 1. Male and female students had akistan ambassador Syed support and co-operation, ow- also be repatriated in the coming try of Administrative Develop- done the tests at 149 centres, and Ahsan Raza Shah has ing to which more than 90% of days, the statement said. ment, Labour and Social Aff airs were observed by about 6,100 Pthanked the Qatari au- the Pakistani community mem- The ambassador lauded Qa- for “promptly and eff ectively” employees, including commit- thorities for their “solid” sup- bers (who had registered with tar’s eff orts in fighting the addressing employment related tees employees. port to the Pakistani commu- the embassy to return to Paki- pandemic and expressed his issues of the Pakistani commu- HE the Minister of Educa- nity in the wake of the diffi cult stan) have already reached their profound gratitude to the au- nity. tion and Higher Education Dr situation arising out of the novel homes through 37 special fl ights thorities for the provision of “The Pakistani community Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali coronavirus pandemic. operated by Qatar Airways and medical facilities of the highest considers Qatar as their second al-Hammadi said in a press In a press statement yesterday, Pakistan International Airlines. standard to the aff ected Pakista- home and will continue to pro- statement that the ministry the envoy especially thanked The repatriated Pakistanis in- ni community members. “The vide full co-operation and sup- had observed all precautionary Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Af- cluded those who were in Qatar role of Qatar Charity and other port to the authorities during measures taken by the state to fairs, Ministry of Interior, Qa- on visit, short-term business agencies has been praiseworthy. the current situation and in the curb the spread of the Covid-19 tar Civil Aviation Authority and and family visa as well as emer- “ coming months and years,” he pandemic to ensure the health Qatar Airways for their valuable gency cases. The remaining will He also thanked the Minis- added. Ambassador Syed Ahsan Raza Shah. and safety of the students, and all school personnel during the exams. HE al-Hammadi has con- gratulated the students of the secondary certifi cate on fi nish- ing their exams for the academic Justice ministry establishes year 2019/2020 yesterday, which they performed in an exception- al health condition that aff ected three administrative units the entire world. The minister addressed the students on this occasion, QNA law, and that registration istration Aff airs of the stressing that they have given Doha is open to all companies Ministry of Justice organ- an example in resilience and re- and individuals who want ises the work and provides sponsibility. to practise the real estate technical expertise in the “By taking the exams amid the he Ministry of Jus- brokerage profession as fi elds of engineering, ac- spread of Covid-19 pandemic, tice has established per criteria followed in ac- counting and any other you have demonstrated your Tthree administra- cordance with the provi- fi elds or specialisations to fi rm belief in the importance of tive units, after the Cabi- sions of the law. achieve the goals that the learning and steadily moving net’s approval, and within The ministry said that law seeks to achieve. forward towards building your the framework of the min- in order to facilitate the The new administra- future,” HE the minister said istry’s commitment to na- citizens who wish to prac- tion’s vision focuses on adding that they have faced the tional plans and strategies tise the profession, bro- highlighting the Qatari challnge with their heads held in support of the national kers and offi ces currently expertise and qualifying high. development process, the operating, a registration national experts to benefi t The minister thanked the goals of the Qatar Na- page has been launched from them in the various school authorities, teachers and tional Vision 2030 and the on the offi cial website of specialisations that the administrative offi cials in the requirements of a com- the Ministry, and the Real judiciary needs. ministry for successful conduct prehensive economic and Estate Mediation Aff airs The department relies of the exams. social progress. Department wishing to in its procedures on Law The Secondary School Cer- This also comes in the register is received at the No 16 of 2017 regulat- tificate control centres are context of providing the administration headquar- ing the work of experts, located at Sumaya and Hafsa necessary means to up- ters located in the main which specifi es the con- schools for girls, where evalu- grade the legal, judicial building of the ministry. ditions and controls for ation is being carried out, be- and legislative system The offi cial website the registration of experts sides monitoring, estimating in the country, devel- page for registering real and their guarantees and grades and reviewing them to oping legal professions estate brokers allows the obligations while practis- ensure that each student gets and working to issue the registration of brokers in ing their work, whether the accurate degree. necessary legislation to all the categories. before the judicial au- After the completion all the encourage and protect The page also includes thorities or other relevant process, the results will be national and foreign in- an explanatory presen- authorities, and the rules announced on the website of vestment. tation of all the required of their disciplinary ac- the Ministry of Education and The new administra- data in a way that allows countability. Higher Education after the tive units include the Real the broker to register all The Anti-Money Laun- approval of HE the Minister of Estate Brokerage Depart- his data without the need dering and Terrorist Fi- Education and Higher Educa- ment, the Experts Admin- to come to the adminis- nancing Unit in the Min- tion. istration, and the Anti- tration headquarters, un- istry of Justice refl ects Certifi cates will be received in Money Laundering and less he wants to register in the Qatari pioneering in schools, and students will be in- Terrorist Financing Unit. person. this fi eld, and achieving formed of the date by a text mes- The Real Estate Bro- In developing the pro- the goals and strategies of sage. - QNA kerage Department has fession of real estate bro- national co-operation and started to perform its du- kerage, the ministry seeks co-ordination between Arab rights bodies ties within the framework to activate the controls the supervisory authori- of the Ministry of Justice’s mentioned in the law, in- ties and the competent hold seminar activation of Law No 22 of cluding the obligations authorities in the area of on Covid-19 2017 regulating real es- of the real estate broker, combating money laun- tate brokerage works, and which stipulates that bro- dering and terrorist fi - The Doha-based Arab Network in conjunction directly ker must be of Qatari na- nancing. for National Human Rights with its competencies to tionality, that he must be The new unit keeps Institutions (ANNHRI) in regulate the profession of fully qualifi ed and of good pace with the continuous partnership with the Association real estate brokerage after conduct and behaviour, updating of the interna- for the Prevention of Torture APT His Highness the Amir and that he performs a le- tional standards adopted - based in Geneva - organised Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad gal oath, and that he will by the major interna- an online seminar on “Control al-Thani approving the pass training courses and tional organisations, and of places of deprivation”, Cabinet decision No 29 of tests that will be devel- the unit also highlights with the participation of 33 2019 to form the commit- oped for the profession for the advanced position representatives of the national tee and its work system. public interest. of Qatar regionally and human rights institutions, The ministry has called These eff orts will be globally in terms of set- andmembers of the network. on the real estate brokers strengthened by starting ting standards and legal The seminar aimed at identifying and the offi ces of the real meetings of the Commit- systems for combating the main challenges and good estate brokers involved in tee for Regulating Non- money laundering and practices related to preventing the real estate sector to Qatari Ownership of Real terrorist financing based and countering the spread of the accelerate the registration Estate and Utilising it, on the provisions of Law Covid-19 in places of deprivation to complete the licensing which will encourage the No 20 of 2019, issuing the of liberty, and to provide and accreditation proce- investment climate in the Anti-Money Laundering guidance to detention monitors dures for practising the country and boost the real Law Financing terrorism on eff ective precautionary real estate brokerage pro- estate sector in general. and its executive regula- measures to be taken while fession, according to the The Experts Admin- tions. visiting places of detention. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 3 QATAR

General Takaful QRCS ad hoc committee to Company appoints Mohamed Elailah regulate work of volunteers as general manager z QRCS volunteers ‘dedicated to protecting Qatar’ he Board of Directors of General Takaful Com- Tpany, a Qatari private atar Red Crescent Soci- the diversity of volunteers shareholding insurance com- ety (QRCS) has created is considered in order to ca- pany operating in accordance Qan ad hoc committee ter to visitors from differ- with the principles of Islam to supervise and regulate the ent backgrounds and walks and Shariah, has appointed work of volunteers in the cur- of life,” Dr al-Kazim com- Mohamed Elailah as the com- rent fight against Covid-19. mented. “Our volunteers are pany’s general manager. Mohamed Elailah It is a sub-committee of the trained in how to deal with Elailah’s appointment larger Covid-19 Crisis Man- and guide the public. As per comes after the resignation of of the Chartered Insurance In- agement Committee, created the government instruc- Majed Akel from his position stitute in the United Kingdom early in the crisis to respond to tions, everyone who wants to as general manager of General and a Bachelor’s degree in Me- the pandemic. enter a shopping centre has Takaful after a long career of chanical Engineering from the Chaired by Muna Fadel al- to show their ‘Green’ status contributions and achieve- American University in Cairo. Sulaiti, executive director of on the Ehteraz application.” ments, the company has said He is also a member of Char- QRCS’s Volunteering and Lo- Ahmed Ali al-Khulaifi , head in a statement. tered Insurance Institute as cal Development Division, the of QRCS Volunteers Section Before joining General chartered insurer. new 12-member committee Ahmed Ali al-Khulaifi Dr Youssef Ali al-Kazim Muna Fadel al-Sulaiti and member of the committee, Takaful Company, Elailah Elailah has also conducted is closely watching the work highlighted the “exceptional served as the chief operat- and participated in a number done by QRCS’s dedicated vol- success” of the Volunteer for ing offi cer of Insurance Op- of research papers and stud- unteers to protect the country Qatar campaign, with more than erations at Qatar General ies on insurance products and against the virus. 18,000 male and female volun- Insurance and Reinsurance Islamic insurance operations. It is assigned to plan and man- teers registered within just a few Company, one of the leading Commenting on his ap- age all volunteer-related pro- weeks. insurance companies in Qatar. pointment, Elailah said: “I grammes and activities, keeping Among the areas in which Elailah has a rich and di- thank the Board of Direc- an eye on local and international the volunteers actively engage verse experience in the insur- tors for their trust and I look updates, recommendations of are providing services at quar- ance industry, including lead- forward to working with the relevant organisations, govern- antine facilities (mainly the ership and strategy skills as Board and the employees of ment decisions and schemes, Mekaines Workers’ Quarantine well as product innovation and General Takaful during the and decisions of QRCS’s Cov- Centre), taking part with teams customer service excellence. coming period to reformu- id-19 Crisis Management Com- of the Ministry of Municipal- He holds a Master’s degree late the company’s strategy mittee. ity and Environment in street of Science from Sir John Cass and strengthening its market Also, the ad hoc commit- sanitisation and hygiene in- Business School – City Uni- position, product innova- tee undertakes short-term spection, offering health infor- versity (London) in Insurance tion, customer service quality and medium-term strategies, mation and masks to the pub- and Risk Management, Ad- and maximising shareholders outlining of volunteer man- lic, and conducting field health vanced Diploma in Insurance value.” agement contingency plans, screening in the most prone budgeting and resource mobi- districts. lisation. It co-ordinates with Ahmed Ismael al-Zyarah, both the government and pri- head of the 9th Disaster Man- vate sectors on any communi- The QRCS top management visiting volunteers at a mall. agement Camp and a member of Malls, shopping centres to open ty-oriented initiatives where the committee, noted that spe- QRCS’s volunteers can make amendments based on the situa- chairman of the ad hoc commit- ganisation of consumers, take cialised training was crucial for from 8am-8pm from tomorrow significant contributions. tion on the ground, priorities of tee, commended the results of temperatures, distribute masks those responding to such an un- “Our responsibilities include work, safety of our volunteers, the ‘Help Me to Help You’ ini- and gloves and advise social dis- usual situation. “QRCS adopts directly administering the ap- and optimal eff ectiveness of in- tiative, launched by QRCS two tancing,” he said. an annual training programme From Page 1 houses, employee housing and proved contingency plans and tervention,” said al-Sulaiti. months ago. He believes this mecha- to build the capacity of its vol- affi liated transportation facili- procedures; identifying risks Dr Youssef Ali al-Kazim, di- “Now, you can see QRCS vol- nism helped avoid crowds unteers in many fi elds, particu- z Abide by the decision to ties. and challenges; fi nding out solu- rector of the Arab Federation for unteers stationed around shop- and made shopping easier larly disaster preparedness and allow employees aged 60 years The decision comes into tions; and making the necessary Voluntary Activities and vice- ping centres, to help in the or- and safer. “In this initiative, response.” and above, in addition to preg- eff ect tomorrow and may be nant women and staff with subject to amendments and chronic diseases, to work from updates according to the latest remotely. developments in this regard. z Place safe-distancing Any violation of the decision stickers on the store’s fl oor. will subject perpetrators to Eight parks to open for sports z Allow customers to enter legal accountability and pro- retail outlets only according cedures. to the store’s capacity. Only The MoCI has stressed one individual is allowed per that the success of each stage 9sq m. of the comprehensive plan tomorrow with restricted timings z Encourage customers to for the gradual lifting of re- pay using credit cards rather strictions depends on the than using cash. adherence of all citizens and z Continuously sterilise all of residents to the required pre- he Ministry of Munici- In a statement yesterday, the safely disposing of discarded the outlet’s facilities, including cautionary and preventive pality and Environment MME urged people wishing to items at designated spots, and administrative offi ces, ware- measures. T(MME) has announced enter such parks to abide by the maintaining personal and pub- the procedures and conditions preventive and precautionary lic hygiene standards within for entering the limited number measures put in place. and outside the parks, the Clinics allowed to operate at 40% capacity of public gardens and parks that These include displaying statement noted. will be opened to the public to- the ‘Green’ health code on the The MME stressed that com- From Page 1 morrow to exercise and practise Ehteraz app on their phones, plying with such instructions sports and specifi c times. undergoing body temperature and conditions is essential for z Utilisation of single-use tools as much as possible, which must This comes as part of the com- checks at the entrance, follow- the safety and health of all. be disposed of immediately according to the MoPH standards. prehensive plan to gradually lift ing the instructions of security As announced recently, the z Compliance with the rules and guidelines of the MoPH regarding the restrictions imposed earlier personnel at the parks and co- four-phase lifting of restrictions the health of workers at the health facility and the need to monitor to curb the spread of Covid-19 in operating with them, keeping in the country begins on June 15, their health status. Violating these rules will expose the health the country. a safe physical distance from followed by the second stage on facility concerned to legal accountability, the circular states. In Phase 1, eight parks will These are Al Wakra Public Park, Al Sailiya Park (Abu Nakhla), Al others, no sitting inside the July 1, the third on August 1 and The circular was issued by Noora Abdulla Mohamed al- be open from 4am until 9am Al Khor Park, Al Qutaifi yah Dafna Park, Museum Park and Al parks, which are meant for ex- the fourth and fi nal on Septem- Mulla, acting director of the Healthcare Facilities Licensing & and from 4pm until 10pm daily. Park 66, Al Shamal City Park, Rayyan Park. ercising and practising sports, ber 1. Accreditation Department. MoPH reports 55,252 total Covid-19 recoveries

QNA individuals who were previously ed to overcome the stage of the last until September 1. strictions imposed in a gradual Doha infected, in addition to recording peak of the virus outbreak with In this context, it is stressed and gradual way. new cases of infection among the spread of the virus, thanks that the application of preven- The ministry warns that lift- groups of workers in diff erent to the measures and measures tive measures and measures ing the restrictions gradually he Ministry of Public regions. taken by the state to address it, must continue to be imple- does not mean the disappear- Health (MoPH) yesterday The new cases have been iden- in addition to the commitment mented in the stages of gradu- ance of the Covid-19, but was Tannounced 1,828 con- tifi ed through track and trace of the community members to ally lifting the imposed re- during the development of the fi rmed new cases of coronavirus team at the Health Ministry. the recommendations and pre- strictions that were applied in gradual lifting plan, taking into (Covid-19), with 1,956 people Cases of infection have also ventive instructions, the most the country as a result of the account priorities, while being recovering from the disease in increased signifi cantly among important of which are social spread of the Covid-19, as fail- careful to avoid the risks that the last 24 hours, bringing the citizens and residents as a result separation, staying at home, not ure to adhere to precautionary may arise as a result of the lifting total number of recovered cases of contact with infected family going out except for necessity measures during the next stage process. in Qatar to 55,252. members who had been infected and not mixing. will lead to the return of the vi- Each stage will be subject to The ministry said that in the in the workplace or through vis- Anyone who has symptoms of rus to the country. evaluation and review based on last 24 hours 13 new cases have its and family gatherings. Covid-19 should either quickly The ministry also pointed out the extent of the spread f the vi- been admitted to intensive care The new confi rms cases of in- contact the 16000 helpline or go that the measures applied by the rus as the success of each stage due to health complications re- fection have been introduced to directly to one of the designated state in the early stages, in Feb- depends on the commitment of sulting from infection with the complete isolation in the various health centres for testing. ruary, contributed greatly and everyone to implement the re- virus, bringing the total number medical facilities in the country, This is important as the earlier eff ectively to controlling the ex- quired precautions. of cases currently in intensive where they receive the neces- the disease is detected the eas- tent of its spread. The Ministry of Public Health care to 232. sary healthcare according to the ier it will be to receive the right This also helped in expanding also stresses that the Covid-19 It also said that there has been health status of each case. treatment and recover from it. the capacity of the health system pandemic that swept the world a small decrease in the number of The ministry confi rmed that The main screening centres to deal with all cases contrary to posed a great challenge to all acute Covid-19 positive patients eff orts to tackle the Covid-19 include Muaither Health Centre, what happened in some coun- countries and aff ected each being admitted to intensive care virus in Qatar have succeeded Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, tries that failed to implement country in a diff erent way. thanks to the measures taken by in fl attening the curve and re- Umm Slal Health Centre and Al precautionary measures early Therefore, it is important to the Ministry of Public Health ducing the impact of the virus Gharrafa Health Centre. enough, which led to the col- realise that all the precautionary and the authorities concerned by a large percentage thanks The ministry reaffi rms the ne- lapse of their health system and measures are aimed at primarily to limit the spread of the virus, to the decisions of the ban, the cessity for the elderly or those an inability to handle the large to protecting public health and the most important of which is preventive measures taken, and suff ering from chronic diseases numbers of cases. individuals from this virus, tak- the early detection of the virus the awareness and cooperation and their family members to The ministry stresses that the ing into account all other aspects which can contribute signifi - of all members of society, and follow strict methods and pre- gradual lifting of restrictions of life, whether social or eco- cantly to reducing the severity of that there are relatively low av- cautions to reduce the risk of came after a thorough study of nomic. infection. erage numbers in relation to the infection with them and work the reality in Qatar and from The ministry recommends The ministry said that the new recorded cases of new hospital to protect them from infection The ministry states that, based will begin, starting tomorrow, similar experiences in many visiting its website regularly cases are due to expatriate work- admissions. by refraining from social visits, on the extensive data and stud- June 15, to lift the restrictions countries of the world that have to view the latest information ers who were infected with the The Ministry of Public Health wearing the mask and cleansing ies conducted by the concerned imposed to combat the epidemic succeeded in limiting the spread and instructions related to virus as a result of contact with added that Qatar has now start- the hands when near them. authorities in the country, Qatar gradually in four stages that will of the virus after lifting the re- Covid-19. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 14, 2020 QATAR NBK launches Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG virtual showrooms

asser Bin Khaled (NBK) highlights a wide range of vehicle tomotive sector at NBK Group, customers to experience an al- Automobiles, the au- specs, where customers can view said: “We are strengthening our ternative visit to the showroom. Nthorised general distrib- the details of the interior or ex- commitment in line with our This technology will transform utor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, terior by clicking on the icon as- customer-centric approach by the way we service our cus- has launched its new cutting- sociated with it. bringing the showroom expe- tomers and allow us to meet edge virtual showroom, allowing The platform off ers users a rience to customers’ location the needs of our busy clientele customers to explore Mercedes- live chat with Mercedes-Benz through a virtual showroom 24h/7. Customers will feel the Benz and Mercedes-AMG ve- team to get answers in real time. with a digitally-enabled journey. essence of our brand and enjoy hicles from the comfort of their Customers can also take an on- It allows our customers to expe- several facilities on one single homes. line appointment, book a test rience our products with com- platform.” Delivering an experience drive, and avail 24H Roadside plete confi dence, convenience Through the virtual show- identical to the actual showroom Contacts. and with zero physical contact. room, customers can explore on Salwa Road, the virtual show- With its welcome voiceover Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles a range of Mercedes-Benz and room operates on 360-degree in both Arabic and English lan- continues to invest in technol- Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the technology that applies for both guages, the journey to the fasci- ogy to off er the latest innova- sporty sedans, high-end luxury Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes- nating world of Mercedes-Benz tive solutions that best meet cars, GT cars and the powerful AMG adjacent showrooms, and captures the latest innovations the needs of our customers. It is SUVs. The website is enhanced can be accessed on the Mer- of the brand and brings them to part of our ongoing strategy to to accommodate test drive re- cedes-Benz website: www.mer- customers in a new innovative respond to our community and quests, even to customers’ cedes-benz-mena.com. way, NBK Automobiles has said maintain their safety.” homes. Through the new platform, in a statement. Ihab El Feky, chief operations The customer service call customers can now explore the Speaking about the new Mer- offi cer – Auto at NBK Group, centre at Nasser Bin Khaled Au- showroom to view the cars in an cedes-Benz virtual showroom, added: “The new Mercedes- tomobiles is available to answer experience that exactly simu- Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Tha- Benz virtual showroom will enquiries and provide more in- lates the real one. The showroom ni, operations director of the au- create a practical solution for formation.

QDA off ers education Vodafone and Aman sign MoU for kids with odafone Qatar and the are victims of violence or fam- Naimi said: “Aman plays a vital children and women to conduct Protection and Social ily break-up and reintegrating role in our society, and as part their remote learning. Vodafone VRehabilitation Centre them into society. Among the of our corporate social respon- Qatar is a strategic partner and diabetes (Aman) have announced the centre’s wide range of serv- sibility, it’s important that we we hope to launch more distin- signing of a memorandum of ices are a mobile application support such social work. We guished and new initiatives to understanding (MoU) to support for children to seek help and a look forward to using our dig- help the people we serve. This via digital the digital transformation of the counselling hotline that pro- ital expertise and world class co-operation with Vodafone centre. vides free consultations (so- customer service experience Qatar adds value, given the com- The virtual MoU was signed cial, psychological and legal) for to upskill Aman’s people and pany’s high level of expertise, channels by Vodafone Qatar chief human women under the strictest of optimise their processes and especially in the fi elds of tel- resources offi cer Khames Mo- confi dentiality. communications services.” ecommunications and customer hamed al-Naimi and Mariam Moreover, the centre provides Al-Misned noted, “Vodafone service. atar Diabetes Associa- bint Ali al-Misned, acting CEO Mariam bint Ali al-Misned Khames Mohamed al-Naimi a hotline (919) to these catego- Qatar has been a long-term sup- “This co-operation with Vo- tion (QDA), a member of of Aman. ries, managed by a team avail- porter of the Aman centre, hav- dafone Qatar in the fi eld of train- QQatar Foundation, in col- The agreement will see the that will streamline Aman’s Established in 2002 by Her able 24/7. Under the partnership, ing worked with us in 2017 on ing represents only a starting laboration with Sidra Medicine, two entities work together to communications, among oth- Highness Sheikha Moza bint Vodafone Qatar will be advising launching the Aman watches point, as the centre intends to organised a discussion via video foster knowledge transfer, train er benefi ts, Vodafone Qatar Nasser, the centre targets the Aman on how to enhance these that track children, and recently broaden it to include other fi elds telecommunication for parents and develop Aman’s talent and and Aman have said in a joint protection and rehabilitation crucial services. providing laptops and an inter- in line with our plan to optimise of children diagnosed with type 1 establish new digital processes statement. of women and children who Commenting on the MoU, al- net connection for the centre’s the outcomes of the MoU.” diabetes recently. The meeting was attended by about 100 parents and Dr Abdul- lah al-Hamaq, executive director Foodstuff shop in Najma of QDA. The main speaker of the meet- Inspection closed for violation ing, Dr Fawzyia Ali al-Khalaf, senior attending physician – En- docrinology/Diabetes Children’s drives in Clinical Management Group. Division of Endocrinology, as- sistant professor at Weill Cornell Al Shamal Medical College – Qatar, and director, Clinical Services – En- Dr Khaled Shams docrinology/Diabetes at Sidra he Health Supervi- Medicine, addressed the audi- sion Department PHCC off ers ence with educational topics and Tof the Municipal responded to their enquiries. Control Department at Al guidelines The meeting also had an in- Shamal municipality carried teractive session where parents out 40 inspection drives at to safeguard asked many questions of concern foodstuff shops within its health during to the health of their children, jurisdiction. such as how to take care of them During the campaign, summer in the light of Covid-19, how to shops were inspected to see deal with the insulin pump and if they followed health pro- The Primary Health Care also about mental health and cedures and met the essen- Corporation (PHCC) is raising procedures when returning to tial requirements. A total of awareness on protecting one’s school at the start of the next 15 slaughtered livestock car- health during the summer academic year. casses and 5,640kg of fi sh as the hot season is on in the “The association is ready to were inspected. country. provide all possible assistance in According to Dr Khaled Shams, training school nurses and school head of PHCC’s Al Sheehaniya staff ,” Dr al-Hamaq noted. Health Centre, many people “There have been no cases of The Transport Company wait for the summer to rest Covid-19 among children with dia- and recuperate, especially betes in Qatar. We implement the (MOWASALAT) after their studies and work. necessary health procedures and However, many diseases follow up on the children at their The Tenders Committee announces the following Tenders: associated with high homes by phone instead of them temperatures and humidity The Health Control Section of the Municipal Control Department at Doha having to come to the hospital,” said Tender No. Subject Document Fees Tender Bond Closing Date come with it, which can aff ect municipality conducted a surprise inspection drive at Najma, resulting in Dr al-Khalaf, who advised parents their health, whether adults recording seven violations and the closure of a foodstuff shop for 30 days. about the importance of controlling Renovation of Medical 007-TC/MCB06/2020 Qrs. 500/- Qrs. 43, 000.00 02/07/2020 or children, and especially Most of the violations were regarding food preparation and storing foodstuff their children’s diabetes by follow- Commission Building patients with allergies. in unhygienic conditions, absence of health certificates for workers, keep- ing the prescribed diet plan, taking Due to the habits that many ing cooked food at room temperature and lack of attention to hygiene. The insulin doses prescribed by the doc- CONDITIONS: people acquire during summer, violating food establishments are being monitored to rectify their conditions. tor and through exercising. • Copies of Tender document will be forwarded to your e-mail upon submitting the such as sitting or sleeping under following (via E-mail) to [email protected] and [email protected] air-conditioners, using electric • Required documents: Singed & Stamped intention Letter (indicating Tender fans, having a sudden change Subject & Reference / Company Contact Details: Tel, Fax, Email). 2) Copy from hot to cold weather and of Commercial Registration. 3) Bank receipt indicating the deposit of consuming cold drinks, can document fees to Mowasalat Bank Account with QNB (Mowasalat’s Bank result in respiratory infections, Account No. 0013-011272-060 with Qatar National Bank). including cold, flu, sore • Documents issuance dates are: 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 June 2020 from 07:00am to 02:00pm. throat, tonsillitis, asthma and respiratory infections, especially • Tenders should be accompanied by a Tender bond issued by a bank operating in the in children, Dr Shams explains. State of Qatar as a temporary deposit and valid for 180 days from the closing date. Dr Shams also pointed to the • The successful Tenderer shall submit a Performance bond issued by a bank variations of temperature in operating in the State of Qatar equivalent to 10% of the contract sum that shall be swimming pools, which can valid for 30 days after the completion date of the contract. result in the spread of nose • Any Tender Bid that doesn’t include the tender bond shall not be considered. (Tender and ear allergies, and sinus Bond must be in a Separate Envelope) infections due to exposure • Offers should be valid for 180 days commencing from the above closing date. to some chemicals used to • Bids must be submitted in 3 separate sealed (IN RED WAX) envelope as per the disinfect pools. following form:. He also noted that staying in • Technical Bid (1 Original + 2 Non-Editable CD/Flash Drive) swimming pools frequently • Commercial Bid (1 Original + 2 Non-Editable CD/Flash Drive) is one of the major causes of • Tender Bond (1 Original) outer ear fungal infections, and • Mowasalat shall have the right to increase or decrease the scope of work by 20%. the symptoms include feeling • Tenders should be submitted not later than 12.00 noon on the closing date and pain, ear fullness and others. PXVWEHGHSRVLWHGLQWRWKH7HQGHUER[SURYLGHGLQWKHRI¿FHRI7KH6HFUHWDU\ To prevent summer diseases, Dr Shams advised to avoid Tenders Committee, located in the 1st Floor, at the Transport Company-Abu exposing oneself to a sudden Hamour and should be in sealed envelopes addressed to the Chairman- change in the temperature, Tenders Committee quoting the Tender No. and subject. avoid direct exposure to cold • Offers arriving after the closing date & Time Shall not be Accepted. air currents, drink water and • Note: the Shortest Delivery Time is an essential part of evaluation for the fluids to stay hydrated and selection of the successful Bid. compensate for the fluids lost • Bids will not be Accepted if the participated vendor is not registered (Visit due to high temperatures. He Mowasalat Website). also asked people to avoid TEL : 44588991 FAX : 44588850 exposure to direct sunlight and CHAIRMAN – TENDERS COMMITTEE dust as well as to wear a head cover for swimming or put earplugs to keep water out of the ear. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 5 QATAR Mall of Qatar delivers prizes to over 100 winners of Eid social media contests

all of Qatar (MoQ) de- ority for the Nation’s Mall at all of Qatar’s social media plat- tions related to the mall diff erent would like to thank all our follow- livered more than 100 times,” MoQ said in a statement. forms, where followers shared brands, and more than 15 win- ers for their participation and con- Mprizes to the winners of Catered to all age groups, the their Eid Moments while stay- ners received several gifts from gratulate all the winners.” Eid and Ramadan competitions competitions were part of Mall of ing at home. Appreciating their diff erent stores - including per- Additionally, Mall of Qatar that received positive engage- Qatar’s campaign to engage with reaction and admiring their fume sets, gift sets and outdoor launched a CSR initiative dur- ment and interaction from fol- the community and were in line lovely pictures and videos, all BBQ grilling sets. ing Ramadan, distributing Iftar lowers on the mall’s social media with the mall’s strategy to en- participants received a variety of Emile Sarkis, general man- meals to labourers in collabora- platforms. hance relations with customers prizes, ranging from iPhone 11, ager, Mall of Qatar, said: “These tion with Wahab. Besides, the “The daily and weekly com- especially during Covid-19, with Apple Watch Series 5, Samsung competitions come as part of our mall also supported its tenants petitions were part of compre- the aim of educating them about watches and gift vouchers worth commitment to our community in with the ‘Stay safe & shop from hensive campaign competitions, Ramadan and Islam and enter- QR500 valid for two years. sharing their happiness during Eid home’ campaign, allowing cus- and refl ected the mall’s ongoing taining them while at home. In addition, several followers and engaging with our commu- tomers to shop for their favour- commitment towards the local The Eid campaign included a participated in another Eid daily nity of followers. We are thrilled to ite brands and products from the community, which is a top pri- week-long competition on Mall competition that included ques- have received a great response and comfort of their own homes. Hilton Doha The Pearl launches QC to open largest celebration package education city for

ilton Doha The Pearl Residences has launched Hpackaged staycation “designed to make guests’ cel- ebratory events more memora- orphans in Sudan ble than ever”, it has been an- nounced. atar Charity (QC) will “Aimed at those wanting to open the largest educa- get the most from honeymoons, Qtion city for orphans in birthdays, anniversaries and Sudan, it has been announced. other celebratory events this Offi cials at the Ministry summer, the package starting of Education in Sudan have from QR1,000 is based on ac- noted the importance of commodation with breakfast Taiba Education City in Om- stays and include a range of ex- durman, which is about to be tras giving thoughtful touches to accomplished with the sup- the deal”, a statement notes. The package starting from QR1,000 is based on accommodation port of a philanthropist from Guests booking on the pack- with breakfast stays and include a range of extras giving thoughtful Qatar, providing a qualitative aged deal will be welcomed with a touches to the deal. addition to the orphan service celebratory cake, fi nd their room and care. decorated with balloons or silk The work at Taiba Education rose petals, their towels crafted City, implemented by Qatar into beautiful swans and hearts, a Charity, is nearing completion. bouquet of fi ve roses scented the It aims to provide comprehen- room and fl ameless candles add- sive care for 600 orphans and is ing a touch of romance. expected to benefi t 6,600 peo- Guests can also upgrade to a ple - including orphans, their customised exquisite romantic families and those most in need dinner for two expertly curated from the areas south of Khar- The project is 95% complete. by the hotel’s award-winning toum State. French celebrity executive chef, The project is 95% complete, with specialists at the Ministry foundation school with nine phans in the state of Khartoum Thibaut Pouplard. The dinner, according to Hussein Karmash, of Education. classrooms and a computer lab, alone, according to the Min- which must be booked in ad- director of QC’s offi ce in Sudan. Mohamed Ibrahim Ali and a secondary school with istry of Social Welfare of the vance, features a choice of two He expects it to be completed Fadlallah, director-general four classrooms, a laboratory, state, at a time when sponsor- ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ three-course within one and a half months of the Ministry of Education a library and a computer lab, in ship by governmental organisa- dinner menu selections priced at after the end of the Covid-19 in the state of Khartoum, addition to offi ces, homes and tions and agencies do not ex- QR399 and QR499 per couple. lockdown in Sudan. said the “presence of a spe- a health centre that provides ceed 50%. Package pricing depends on He also noted that Taiba cialised city that provides medical services for students Professor Mona Ibrahim al- numbers in the celebratory party Education City would be fully integrated educational serv- and the poor from surrounding Faki, head of organisations at and the choice of room made and Guests booking on the packaged deal will be welcomed with a ready for opening before the ices for orphans is an addi- villages. the Ministry of Education in they must be made 24 hours in celebratory cake. beginning of the school year tion that has to be welcomed The city also has various ad- Khartoum, said Taiba Educa- advance of arrival. in September, pointing out as it will have a clear refl ec- ministrative facilities, dining tion City is being established “Many celebrations have had commercial director at Hilton best treatment, enjoy our warm that the process of selecting tion in society by off ering and activities halls, sports fa- among villages and areas where to be put on hold due to the pan- The Pearl. “We want to make hospitality with a little bit more. orphaned students is now un- services for orphans”. cilities and a dormitory for 600 there are no schools, which will demic, but no one needs to miss sure that those guests who de- We want them to leave with derway according to specifi c The 9,000sq m city consists orphans. make it very useful for the resi- out,” explained Wael Sabanegh, cide to celebrate with us get the memories they will cherish.” criteria, in full co-ordination of many facilities, notably, a There are nearly 60,000 or- dents of those villages.

HBKU More repatriation flights take off for India professor Civil Defence e-services wins award embers of the pub- General Directorate of Civil Interior or Metrash2 mobile lic can now apply for Defence electronically through app. “It’s our pleasure to serve Mmany services of the the website of the Ministry of you,” the MoI tweeted.

Dr Roberto Di Pietro, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Two more flights took off from Doha’s Hamad International Airport yesterday as part of the Indian College of Science and government’s ongoing Vande Bharat mission to repatriate stranded citizens. IX 1576 took off for Engineering (CSE), has Thiruvananthapuram with 175 passengers and three infants, the Indian embassy tweeted. Then, received the Jean-Claude IX 1774 left for Kannur with 172 passengers and five infants. These were the 27th and 28th flights Laprie Award. Introduced from Doha, respectively, under the Vande Bharat mission, “bringing the total number of repatriated in 2012, the award recog- passengers to 4,729 plus 134 infants”, the embassy said. nises outstanding papers that have significantly influenced the theory and/ or practice of dependable computing. The award honours Jean-Claude Laprie who devoted his entire career to research on the dependability of computing systems. Dr Di Pietro joined CSE in 2017 as a professor of cyberse- curity, leading the college’s eff orts to establish a world-class cybersecurity laboratory addressing both fundamental and applied challenges in the field, to have an impact and to drive innovation. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 14, 2020 QATAR QF school’s 2020 graduates experience mix of emotions

raduation is a time that three years but, during that Fellow QAK graduate Ali al- chapter of his life, by complet- creates a mixture of time, I have learned so much. Muhannadi said, “In my 12 years ing his university studies and Gmany emotions, and that I have learned how to become at the school, I have spent happy becoming an engineer. is certainly true for graduat- a more confi dent person, and moments that will accompany Also looking to the future ing students at Qatar Academy how to become a risk-taker and me throughout my life. as she graduates from QAK is Al Khor (QAK) - part of Qatar accomplish things that take me “I learned a lot from my Aldana Jubran al-Abdlie, who Foundation (QF)’s Pre-Univer- out of my comfort zone. Apart teachers, who have always en- said, “Considering how stress- sity Education – as they blend from being on stage to perform couraged me to persevere and ful and hectic the last year of the happiness sparked by their several times, which I thought achieve, and led me to discover high school has been, I’m really achievements with a tinge of was something I was incapable that what I thought was impos- glad I get to relax a little now! sadness over the pandemic- of, I also got the chance to help sible one day can be achieved “Further ahead, I’m very imposed separation of their col- run many events. the next. I’m thankful to all my hopeful for the future, as I see leagues and teachers. “The school also taught me teachers, and the friends with it more challenging and a win- “It’s a really huge and emo- how to never be afraid to say whom I have shared happy times dow to opportunities that I’ve tional step, which I feel like no what’s on my mind, due to the that I will never forget. worked hard for in the past Baby hawksbill turtles moving to the sea after being released from the nobody can ever be fully ready ease and calmness of my teach- “During my studies at QAK, years. Before joining QAK, I’d protected site on Fuwairit Beach. for,” said Rahaf Ibrahim al-Mo- ers. They always heard me out Ali al-Muhannadi I have also gained many skills. never been in an International hannadi, one of the students no matter what my issue was I mastered many techni- Baccalaureate school, so QAK graduating from QAK this year. or how small it might seem to ation together, but added: “We cal skills, as well as the skill has helped me to build my “I am defi nitely so excited be, and they have always done have to believe that everything of purposeful discussion - I overall character - from public 54 baby hawksbill about it. Just like when I started their best to help me find a so- happens for a reason. We can’t have always enjoyed discuss- speaking and writing essays to school, this new phase of my life lution.” ignore it and act like everything ing ideas with teachers and discovering new talents. I can is going to teach me new things Rahaf doesn’t hide her sad- is alright, but we still have to be other students.” wholeheartedly say I wouldn’t and allow me to experience what ness that she and her peers, due hopeful and continue aiming to Ali’s key goal is to contribute have evolved into the better ver- turtles released to I’ve never experienced before. to Covid-19, have not had the reach our goals and dreams, in a to the development of his coun- sion of myself had I not been in “I’ve only been at QAK for chance to celebrate their gradu- safe manner.” try, Qatar, as he looks to the new QAK.” sea at Fuwairit

he Ministry of Munici- operation with a team from the pality and Environment Department of Protection and T(MME), represented by the Wildlife. Department of Protection and The project covers Ras Laff an Ministry launches National Wildlife, released to the sea 54 beach, Huwaila, Al Jassasiya, Al baby hawksbill turtles, from the Marawanah, Fuwairit, Al Gharia fi rst batch of hatchlings recorded and Al Mufeer and the islands of on June 8 at Fuwairit Beach. Umm Tais and Ras Rukn. The project team concerned Earlier, at the beginning of the had transported 118 nests of the turtle nesting season, the MME, Address registration hotline endangered hawksbill turtles in co-operation with the Envi- to the protected site at Fuwairit ronmental Protection Reserves he Ministry of Interior tration will help the government Beach. The turtle protection and Wildlife Department and the (MoI) has provided a easily reach out to people and project under the supervision Department of Public Hygiene Thotline, 2342000, where deliver various services, includ- of the MME and funded by Qa- (Beaches and Islands Section) technical support will be pro- ing ambulance services. A citi- tar Petroleum is implemented carried out a cleanliness drive on vided to people in order to ad- zen or an expatriate, or a legal by the Environmental Sciences Fuwairit Beach and removed two dress various issues concerning representative, has to register Centre at Qatar University in co- tonnes of various types of waste. the National Address registra- the data in a simple form that tion. includes the address of resi- The MoI has asked the pub- dence, fi xed telephone number, lic to contact the number to get mobile number, email, employer clarifi cations on the registration address for government and process. private sector employees, and The ministry has so far an- permanent address abroad, if nounced certain relaxations for available. citizens and residents who are The guardian of minor chil- abroad for education and treat- dren has to register their data ment when it comes to National and bears the legal responsibil- Address registration. ity for the validity of this infor- The relaxation applies to mation. residents and citizens who are The registration will increase unable to come to Qatar due the performance rates of secu- to Covid-19 restrictions. Such rity services for rapid response persons will be allowed to com- According to recent fi gures, as Also, more than 70% of citizens qualitative leap in the conduct in case of emergencies. These plete the registration process released by the MoI, some 1.5mn have completed their registration. of judicial procedures while en- include services provided by Al without facing penalties if they people have completed the reg- Described as the fi rst of its abling a proper communication Fazaa, Traffi c Department, Civil present certifi cates that prove istration process. They include kind in GCC countries, the Na- system. Defence and the Ambulance their presence abroad. both citizens and expatriates. tional Address law provides a The National Address regis- Service. Solid waste dumping violation MME offi cial takes part in A baby hawksbill turtle being measured before being released into the sea. virtual meet

he Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment T(MME), represented by the Environmental Operations Department, participated in a virtual meeting with the Envi- ronmental Security Department Two tonnes of waste were removed from Fuwairit Beach before the at the Interpol Global Complex beginning of the turtle nesting season. for Innovation in Singapore. The meeting was attended by Mubarak Mohamed al-Buainain, Mubarak al-Buanain Deadline extended for QU admissions director of the Environmental Operations Department. The other member countries, in- Qatar University (QU) yesterday announced it has extended the admis- Covid-19 developments and its ternational organisations, civil sion timeline for the Fall 2020 undergraduate class until June 16, and that eff ects on daily lives were dis- organisations and the private the final admission decisions will announced on July 26. cussed, according to a statement sector, provides support in the The Admission Department of QU pointed out that undergraduate Al Khor and Al Thakira Municipality has spotted a violation of dumping solid waste including from the MME. fi eld of investigations, co-or- applicants to Qatar University are required to apply to their intended col- construction waste at an undesignated area. A violation report was issued against the driver of The Interpol Environmen- dinates operations, exchanges lege of study using the QU online admission application, adding that the the vehicle involved. The incident has been referred to the security entities concerned to take the tal Crime Programme, in co- and analyses information, data required documents need to be uploaded through the online application necessary legal procedures against the violator. operation with the Environ- and statistics related to envi- without physical presence, in implementation of the precautionary meas- mental Security Unit of Qatar, ronmental crimes. ures taken to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Personal boats to be allowed to be operated from tomorrow

ith Qatar set to gradually MoI said the personal boats allowed to the necessary safety procedures. lift Covid-19 restrictions, include private cruisers not licensed For inquiries, one has to call 2354666 Wthe General Directorate of for fi shing and designated for ‘picnics’, or 2354923. Coasts and Borders Security under as well as jet boats. These boats are to As per the comprehensive plan for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has ex- be used at half their capacity. the gradual lifting of restrictions an- plained the types of personal boats Also permitted are sambuks and nounced recently, boat/yacht rentals that will be permitted from tomorrow personal yachts, where a maximum of will be allowed for families, with up to and the safety measures that are to be 10 people are allowed. 10 people, from Phase 2. followed. The boats that are permitted should Excursion boats will be allowed from Like many other activities and sec- be used individually or for members of the fourth phase. tors, the return of marine activities, the same family from the same house, The four-phase lifting of restric- too, will happen in phases starting in addition to the driver. tions begins tomorrow, followed by with the use of personal boats from It is mandatory to contact the speci- the second stage on July 1, the third on tomorrow. fi ed numbers to determine the vessel’s August 1 and the fourth and fi nal on In an infographic on Twitter, the route while ensuring strict adherence September 1. Picture used for illustrative purpose only. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Rouhani decries Fresh Lebanon protests over reduced respect for spiralling economic crisis pandemic AFP Beirut rules

undreds of demonstra- tors angered by a deep- AFP Hening economic crisis Tehran rallied yesterday across Leba- non for a third consecutive day, after violent overnight riots ranian President Has- sparked condemnation from the san Rouhani yesterday re- political elite. Iproached citizens for their Protesting against the surg- reduced adherence to health ing cost of living and the gov- measures designed to stop the ernment’s apparent impotence spread of the novel coronavirus. in the face of Lebanon’s worst A handout picture provided by “The respect of measures by economic turmoil since the the Lebanese photo agency our dear people has been great, 1975-1990 civil war, protest- Dalati and Nohra yesterday up to 80% or more” of citizens ers in central Beirut brandished shows Prime Minister Hassan played by the rules between fl ags and chanted anti-govern- Diab speaking at the government April 20 and May 20, Rouhani ment slogans. palace in the capital Beirut. said, citing a report. “We are here to demand the But it was “disturbing” to see formation of a new transitional he said, vowing to defeat cor- that this proportion “has great- government” and early par- ruption in the country. ly diminished...with only 18 to liamentary elections, Nehmat Lebanon is caught in a spiral- 20% of people respecting” the Badreddine, an activist and dem- ling economic crisis, including a rules now, the president said in a onstrator said near the Grand rapid devaluation of the Leba- live televised speech. Serail seat of government. In the nese pound, which has triggered The health ministry yesterday northern city of Tripoli, young a fresh wave of demonstrations announced 71 deaths from the men scuffl ed with security forces, since Thursday. disease over the last 24 hours who fi red rubber bullets to dis- Local media said the exchange and 2,410 new infections. perse crowds. rate had tumbled to 6,000 Leb- Rouhani also expressed con- The stand-off began after anese pounds per dollar on the cerns about infection counter- young men blocked a highway black market at one point Fri- measures at the holy shrine of to prevent a number of trucks day, compared to the offi cial peg Imam Reza in Mashhad, the cap- carrying produce destined for of 1,507 in place since 1997. ital of Khorasan Razavi province Syria from passing through, ac- In Martyrs’ Square, the epi- and a main pilgrimage site in the cording to the offi cial National centre of protests in downtown country. News Agency. Beirut, demonstrators dressed Lebanese anti-government protesters hurl rocks at soldiers amid clashes in the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood in the northern port city of “Offi cials must make greater The Lebanese Red Cross said in black and with their faces Tripoli, yesterday. eff orts — reports on mask wear- it treated nine people wounded whitened carried a coffi n draped ing, social distancing and collec- in Tripoli. with the Lebanese fl ag in a sym- 200 young men gathered on tails at soldiers late Friday and rior Minister Mohamed Fahmi etary Fund last month in a bid tive prayer are not satisfactory” Prime Minister Hassan Diab bolic funeral yesterday for their mopeds in central Beirut on Fri- damaged the facades of several said security forces would fi nd to unlock billions of dollars in at the shrine, Rouhani said, in a speech condemned Fri- crisis-ridden country. day night, some of them defac- banks and shops. those responsible for damaging fi nancial aid. Dialogue is ongo- noting also concerns about the day night’s violence and what President Michel Aoun has ing shop fronts and setting fi re Soldiers responded with tear property in the capital. Leba- ing. Unemployment has soared wider province. he termed eff orts to mount a announced that the central bank to stores. Security forces fi red gas. The next day, Diab called non — one of the most indebted to 35% nationwide. Since announcing its fi rst “coup” against the government will implement measures from tear gas to disperse them and on offi cials to assess damage in countries in the world, with a The country enforced a lock- cases in the holy city of Qom in and “manipulate” the value of tomorrow including “feeding some of the young men threw central Beirut. sovereign debt of more than down in mid-March to stem February, Iran has struggled to the Lebanese pound. dollars into the market”, in a bid stones and fi re crackers back. Former premier Saad Har- 170% of GDP — went into de- the spread of the novel corona- contain what quickly became the “The state and the people are to support the Lebanese pound. In Tripoli, demonstrators iri toured the area, condemn- fault in March. It started talks virus, dealing a further blow to Middle East’s deadliest outbreak being subjected to blackmail,” Despite the pledges, some threw stones and Molotov cock- ing vandalism and riots. Inte- with the International Mon- businesses. of the Covid-19 respiratory dis- ease. Offi cial fi gures show the ill- CONFLICT ness has killed 8,730 in the Netherlands rejects annexation plan country, while 184,955 are con- fi rmed to have been infected. Turkey, Russia to hold Oman registers The Netherlands expressed yesterday its opposition to the proposed Israeli There has been scepticism at plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, saying the plan breaches home and abroad about Iran’s international law and resolutions, QNA reported. offi cial fi gures, with concerns talks on Libya, Syria 1,006 Covid-19 cases Stef Blok, Minister of Foreign Aff airs of the Netherlands, and Sigrid Kaag, the real toll could be much high- the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation have er. Authorities initially imposed reiterated the country’s position on the illegal Israeli settlements, describ- a series of measures aimed at ing them as an obstacle to achieving peace and a two-state solution. AFP tions on regional problems that QNA reported 514 more infections halting the virus’ spread, such Istanbul are of mutual interest”. Turkey Muscat with the novel coronavirus Meanwhile, settlers attacked Friday night a number of Palestinian homes as the closure of mosques, but and Russia — whose leaders have (Covid-19), taking the coun- in Hebron, the West Bank, and smashed the windows of several vehicles, has gradually rolled back many forged a strong partnership in re- try’s count of confi rmed QNA reported from Hebron. A group of “Kiryat Arba” settlers, located on of these steps since April. Imam ussia’s foreign and defence cent years — back opposing sides he Omani Ministry of cases to 35,466. the citizens’ lands in the northeast of Hebron, attacked several Palestinian Reza and other major shrines — ministers will visit Turkey in Libya, which has been riven by Health reported 1,006 Four more people also homes near the settlement, smashed windows, and caused varying dam- Fatima Masumeh in Qom and Rtoday, the foreign ministry unrest since the fall of dictator Tnew infections with died from the infectious res- age to many vehicles parked in front of the owners’ homes, local sources Shah Abdol-Azim in Tehran — announced, for talks on regional Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. coronavirus (Covid-19), in- piratory illness over the past told Palestine’s WAFA. Also in Hebron, a group of settlers attacked a Palestin- were shut in mid-March, before issues including Libya confl ict. Russia has backed eastern cluding 435 Omanis and 571 24 hours, raising Kuwait’s ian while he was passing through Al Shuhada Street, beating him severely, authorities reopened them in The meeting, by Sergei Lavrov strongman Khalifa Haftar. foreigners, bringing the total death toll due to the virus under the protection of the Israeli occupation soldiers. late May. and Sergei Shoigu, was agreed by Haftar has reportedly enjoyed number of cases to 22,077, to 289 so far, the ministry’s Russian President Vladimir Pu- the support of the Wagner mer- the death toll to 99, and spokesman Dr Abdullah al- TRAGEDY tin and his Turkish counterpart, cenary group allegedly run by an the total recoveries to 7,530 Sanad said in a statement to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the min- ally of Putin. cases. Kuwait news agency Kuna. 12 feared dead after boat sinks istry said yesterday. Turkey and its allies back the The total number of ex- The latest cases include A Turkish diplomatic source UN-recognised Government of aminations conducted 281 Kuwaiti citizens, 63 resi- Twelve people are missing after a migrant boat bound for Europe Coalition said the situation in the north National Accord (GNA) in Tripo- during the past 24 hours dents while the remaining sank off the Libyan coast, survivors said yesterday, DPA reported African country of Libya would li. Ankara has sent Syrian fi ght- was 3,135, and the number patients belong to several from Cairo. fi gure high on the agenda of talks ers, military advisers and drones of cases in intensive care other nationalities, al-Sa- The incident took place off the port town of Zawiya, west of the claims rebel in Istanbul. in support of the GNA, which reached 94 cases, the min- nad said. Libyan capital Tripoli and 20 other migrants were rescued, the Turkish media reported that has changed the tide of war in istry said in a statement to In addition, a total of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said. The survivors of the Syria confl ict would also be the confl ict-struck country. Oman News Agency (ONA). 9,295 patients are still re- the shipwreck reported that 12 migrants are still missing at sea, the missile discussed. GNA forces have in recent KUWAIT REPORTS ceiving medication at hos- agency tweeted without providing further details. The Russian foreign ministry weeks recaptured outposts in 514 INFECTIONS pitals, while 176 others are In recent years, the conflict-ridden country has been a major transit confi rmed the visit of Lavrov western Libya seized earlier by Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti in intensive care units, the route for migrants, mostly Africans, desperate to reach Europe on destruction and Shoigu “to hold consulta- pro-Haftar loyalists. Ministry of Health yesterday spokesman added. perilous journeys aboard shipwrecks.

DPA Cairo

Confl ict, division blight virus response in Libya coalition, fi ghting Yem- en’s rebels, said yester- Aday it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile AFP equipment didn’t arrive until So authorities decided to launched by the rebel group in Tripoli after a large number of infec- quarantine returnees before the direction of Saudi Arabia. tions among close contacts”, their repatriation instead, a de- The coalition’s spokesman Najjar said. “The residents did cision critics say has led to new Turki al-Malki said the missile ar and division are not co-operate and did not re- infections among those who had targeted civilian facilities weakening Libya’s spect the preventive measures”, came into contact with them. in the south-western Saudi city Wfi ght against the novel Najjar said.”They acted like “Each fl ight carrying re- of Najran near the border with coronavirus, with the govern- nothing was wrong”. Ibrahim turnees was like bringing back Yemen, the state Saudi news ment struggling to deal with al-Zouay, head of the com- booby traps”, said Mahmoud agency SPA reported. an outbreak deep in the desert mittee to fi ght the pandemic in Abdeldayem, who works in the An unspecifi ed number of ci- south. Sebha, acknowledged that lo- civil registry in Tripoli. vilians were injured by shrapnel The oil-rich North African cal authorities had been over- “How come there were cas- from the missile, according to nation has been mired in chaos whelmed by the task. es?” he asked, questioning the the offi cial. There has been no since a Nato-backed uprising “We were unable to iso- quarantine and testing arrange- comment so far from Yemen’s toppled and killed longtime dic- late ‘patient zero’ because the ments prior to departure. Houthi rebels. tator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. number of cases grew”, he said. “There must be a problem in The UN-recognised Govern- “The support and rapid inter- implementing the programme.” POLITICS ment of National Accord (GNA) A man wearing a protective face mask gives his information to a member of a medical team before a vention teams stuck to testing More than 8,000 people had controls the west, including swab test for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), at a medical clinic in Tripoli, Libya. and monitoring the family and been brought home before re- Three activists in the capital Tripoli, while mili- friends” of confi rmed cases, he patriations were suspended last tary strongman Khalifa Haftar countries, according to Badred- But health measures “are dif- But that only accounts for added. week as fi ghting in the country Algeria to face trial controls the east and some of dine al-Najjar, head of Libya’s fi cult to apply due to the politi- cases that the Tripoli-based Divisions and accusations intensifi ed. the far-fl ung oases and oilfi elds centre for disease control. cal and security context”, Najjar disease control centre has been of mismanagement have also Mahmoud Khalfallah, a Three activists of Algeria’s “Hirak” that dot the south. “We even had weeks without said. able to confi rm. marred a plan to repatriate former health ministry adviser, protest movement were yesterday With Libya already largely cut new infections,” he said. The situation has changed Najjar said local authorities in more than 15,000 Libyans stuck said Libya’s political divisions ordered to be held in pre-trial off from the rest of the world by The rival administrations im- rapidly in recent weeks, with Sebha, which is under the con- abroad. had marred its handling of the detention, a prisoners’ defence confl ict when it reported its fi rst posed curfews and closed bor- dozens of cases appearing in the trol of pro-Haftar forces, were Libya lacks adequate infra- pandemic. group said. The National Commit- coronavirus case at the end of ders, schools, businesses and south’s largest oasis city Sebha. not equipped to deal with an structure for quarantining ar- “Health is above all a service. tee for the Release of Detainees March, the situation appeared mosques, in a bid to prevent The GNA has reported 393 outbreak, and initially refused rivals on its soil, and the securi- Involving it in political strug- (CNLD) told AFP that Merzoug relatively contained. often obsolete and worn-down coronavirus infections and fi ve the GNA’s help. ty situation prompted fears that gles is shameful and unaccept- Touati, Yanis Adjila and Amar Beri Cases of infection were “very health facilities from becoming deaths nationwide, around half “It was diffi cult to open armed individuals could release able”, he said. “It’s Libyans who appeared in court in the north- low” compared to neighbouring overwhelmed. of them in and around Sebha. up isolation rooms...and the people from isolation by force. will pay the price.” eastern town of Bejaia. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, June 14, 2020 AFRICA Long days for Mali hospital coping with violence and virus

By Amaury Hauchard, AFP shots on a daily basis. It must also tal was mainly dedicated to treat- The hospital, built with Bel- lished, and “everyone knows morgue with a stretcher that they cases in the country to date, with Mopti, Mali cope with a growing number of ing the wounded from the belea- gian and French fi nancing, is the what they have to do,” he said. would have to clean. over 100 fatalities. Covid-19 cases. guered country’s volatile north only facility of its size within Somine Dolo is struggling now, It was used to transport the In his cramped offi ce, Abdou- Traore was called to the emer- when it was inaugurated in 2014. hundreds of kilometres and is on however, to cope with a pandem- remains of a patient who, it ap- laye Traore now coordinates the fter a busy day juggling gency room just as his day was Mali, a poor nation of some the front line of the confl ict, ad- ic on top of other crises. peared post mortem, may have hospital’s response to the out- paperwork and meetings, ending. An all-terrain ambu- 19mn people, has been in the grip mitting 682 wounded civilians Before the fi rst cases even ar- been a carrier of the virus. break, in addition to overseeing ABrehima Traore, deputy lance had just brought in an un- of extremist violence since 2012, and fi ghters in 2019 — four times rived, a hospital within the hos- It would take time to confi rm anaesthesia and resuscitation. director of a hospital in war-torn conscious man with a gunshot when fi ghters linked to Al Qaeda as many as in 2018. pital was set up, consisting of whether or not the deceased was “The coronavirus is eating up Mali, may have hoped for some wound to the lung. commandeered an initially sepa- Matthias Diassana, director of large white tents where Covid-19 infected. my days,” he said, adjusting a rest. Then his phone rang: he was Armed men had attacked his ratist rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs emergency services, details his patients have been treated. All tests performed in Mali stethoscope that never leaves his needed in the operating room. village in the Bandiagara region, in the north. days divided between visits to One recent day, there were 22 must go to a laboratory in the neck. Traore is one of the doctors about 100km away. A 15-year- Inter-communal attacks have patients, trauma operations and patients in isolation and only capital Bamako, an eight-hour But he and a colleague de- who keeps the hospital in Mopti old boy was also shot and taken increased, and the state no longer orthopaedic consultations. four caregivers allowed at a time drive from Mopti. ployed by the International — at the forefront of an insur- to hospital. has much control over large rural “We are all straddling several beyond the orange barriers which Getting the results can take Committee of the Red Cross are gency in the West African state The surgeon, who had spread areas. tasks due to the lack of staff ,” separate the reception centre three days in Mopti, and fi ve or the only two resuscitation spe- for years, and now in the fi ght himself thin since the morning, The confl ict — which has killed with just 200 people running the from the rest of the hospital. six days for tests done near the cialists in the facility. against coronavirus — running worked for two hours to save the thousands of soldiers and civil- hospital, he said. Protected by coveralls, masks border with Burkina Faso, Som- Two days earlier, he was still smoothly. patient. ians to date — has since spread to “It can all be turned upside down and boots, three hospital cleaners ine Dolo’s doctors said. on the job at 4.30am. The hospital has received pa- A rare new medical facility in central Mali, as well as to neigh- by emergencies,” Diassana said. reassigned to disinfect against Authorities have recorded “For the moment I’m holding tients severely wounded by gun- the Sahel, the Somine Dolo hospi- bouring Burkina Faso and Niger. But the team is well estab- coronavirus returned from the more than 1,700 coronavirus out,” he said. “But for how long?” Popular 25-year-old Ugandan gorilla killed at Unesco park

African nations Ugandan wildlife authorities have Democratic Republic of Congo, is a death of Rafiki. The arrests followed The man “confessed to killing the go- detained four men in connection with 320sq km patch of dense tropical forest UWA’s investigation of Rafiki’s death “af- rilla in self-defence,” the statement said, the killing of a 25-year-old male gorilla, that is home to primates, elephants, ter a postmortem report revealed that adding he said it charged at him while the leader of a gorilla group and hugely antelopes and other wildlife. the Silverback sustained an injury by a he and a colleague were hunting. popular with tourists. Tourists are however mostly drawn to sharp device/object that penetrated its Rafiki was head of a 17-member call for racism The Silverback gorilla, named Rafiki, the park by its estimated 400 mountain left upper part of the abdomen up to the gorilla group called Nkuringo. was killed in the Bwindi Impenetrable gorillas — roughly half the world’s internal organs”. Poaching is rampant in Uganda’s National Park after going missing on population. One of the detained men had been game parks and police frequently June 1. His body was found the next day. In a statement, the state-run Uganda found in possession of wild hog meat, announce seizures of illicitly acquired The park, a Unesco world heritage Wildlife Authority (UWA) said the four rope and wire snares and spears, the wildlife products such as ivory, rhino debate at UN site near Uganda’s border with the men were detained for their role in the statement said. horns, pangolin scales and others. rights council Zimbabwe opposition trio deny lying over abduction, torture AFP the United States and around the world, Geneva “is unfortunately not an isolated inci- dent, with many previous cases of un- AFP They had visited the lawyer to dis- tion to the police, the police are now dy until the magistrate rules on a bail armed persons of African descent suf- Harare cuss another case in which they were saying they were not telling the truth,” application tomorrow. frican countries have called on fering the same fate due to unchecked charged over their participation in a Muchadehama told journalists out- On Wednesday, nine UN special the UN Human Rights Council police brutality,” it said. protest last month. side the Harare magistrate’s court. rapporteurs — who do not speak for Ato urgently debate racism and “Sadly, the fates of many other vic- Zimbabwean opposition law- The three women were admitted to He said they “are denying the the UN but report their fi ndings to it — police brutality amid the unrest in the tims attracted no attention, as they maker and two activists have hospital with various injuries after they charges.” called on Zimbabwe to drop the earlier US and beyond over George Floyd’s were not captured on social media for Adenied charges they lied to were arrested in that case and said they MDC-Alliance spokeswoman Fad- charges against the women and stop death. all to see,” Ambassador Dieudonne De- police about being abducted and tor- had been taken to a place out of town by zai Mahere queried how the women the reported pattern of disappearanc- In a letter written on behalf of 54 Af- sire Sougouri wrote on behalf of the Af- tured last month, their lawyer said, as unidentifi ed men who allegedly sexu- could be said to have lied about their es and torture. rican countries, Burkina Faso’s ambas- rican Group at the council. the women were remanded in custody. ally assaulted one of them. abduction and torture when they had “Targeting peaceful dissidents, in- sador to the UN in Geneva asked the While the letter called for a debate on Movement for Democratic Change Their lawyer, Alec Muchadeha- injuries to show for the assaults. cluding youth leaders, in direct retali- UN’s top rights body on Friday for an racism around the globe, it in particular Alliance MP Joana Mamombe and ma, said the three were charged with On arrival at the court on Friday ation for the exercise of their freedom “urgent debate” on “racially inspired highlighted the situation in the United party youth assembly activists Cecilia “making false statements prejudicial Marova was seen limping and using a of association, peaceful assembly and human rights violations, police brutal- States. Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were ar- to the state.” crutch, and was helped by Mamombe. freedom of expression, is a serious vio- ity against people of African descent “The protests the world is witnessing rested at their lawyer’s offi ces. “When they reported their abduc- The three were remanded in custo- lation of human rights law,” they said. and the violence against the peaceful are a rejection of the fundamental ra- protests that call for these injustices to cial inequality and discrimination that stop.” characterise life in the United States for The letter, addressed to rights council black people, and other people of col- president Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger our,” it said. of Austria, requested that this debate Council President Tichy-Fisslberger Foreign forces continue to foment violence in DR Congo be held next week, when the council’s will announce tomorrow a proposed 43rd session resumes, after it was in- day for the urgent debate, and unless terrupted in March due to the Covid-19 there are any objections, which is un- AFP rope, is a haven for groups that op- (KST) said in its monthly report pub- soil have never been confi rmed by the pandemic. likely, it will go ahead. Bunia pose them. lished late on Friday. Kinshasa authorities. The call came after Floyd’s family, A number of countries are expected Since April “we have recorded eight In North Kivu, the Rwandan army At the end of April, Rwandan Presi- along with the families of other victims to address Floyd’s killing and concerns incursions by South Sudanese sol- “participated in the hunt for Rwandan dent Paul Kagame denied them at a of police violence and over 600 NGOs about police violence and racism in the oldiers from South Sudan, diers” into the territory of Aru, in the Hutu rebels of the Democratic Forces news conference in Kigali. this week called on the council to ur- United States during the resumed 43rd Rwanda and Burundi have re- eastern province of Ituri, local civil for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), The KST report also recorded gently address systemic racism and po- council session even without a special Speatedly made incursions into society chairman Innocent Magudhe jointly with the Congolese army”, KST clashes between the Congolese mili- lice impunity in the US. debate. volatile eastern and north-east- told AFP. said. tary and fi ghters from various armed For the council to consider such a re- But since the deadline for tabling ern regions of DR Congo in recent The latest incursion took place on FDLR’s leaders were involved in groups active in North Kivu and South quest, it needs to have the backing of at fresh resolutions during this session months, local sources and experts Wednesday in Kokwa, located on the Rwanda’s 1994 genocide that killed Kivu provinces, and an increase in vi- least one country. expired back in March, they will only be have said. border with South Sudan, he said. about 800,000 people — mainly Tut- olence against civilians. With the request now coming from able to call for concrete actions within The Democratic Republic of Con- During the incursions South Suda- sis. “After a particularly mild month of a large group of states, “that increases the confi nes of this extraordinary de- go’s east is one of Africa’s fl ashpoints, nese soldiers “burn houses, loot the The Burundian army intervened in March, the atrocities have returned to the chances” it will take place, a council bate. gripped by militia violence which has property of the population” by tak- South Kivu “to hunt down Burundian a sadly usual level: 85 killings of civil- spokesman told AFP. John Fisher, head of the Human claimed more than 1,000 lives in a ing cows and motorcycles, in an area rebels, including the Resistance for ians by armed actors were recorded in Friday’s letter pointed to the case of Rights Watch’s Geneva offi ce, voiced matter of months and caused more where Congolese soldiers are in re- the Rule of Law with the support of April,” according to the KST. George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man hope earlier Friday, before the African than half a million people to fl ee their duced numbers, according to Magud- other local groups,” it said. DR Congo’s east was the theatre who died in police custody in Minneap- Group letter went out, that the council homes. he. “It seems that the objective was to of two major wars, which ran from olis on May 25 after a white offi cer, who would order some form of scrutiny of The government in Kinshasa has in Further south in neighbouring guard against Burundian rebellions in 1996-1997 and from 1998-2003, the has since been charged with murder, the US situation. the past accused neighbouring coun- North Kivu and South Kivu provinc- South Kivu, especially before the May second of which eventually involved pressed his knee on his neck for nearly “There are underlying issues of sys- tries of seeking to destabilise it. es, the presence of the Rwandan and 20 presidential election” in Burundi, nine countries and two dozen armed nine minutes. temic racism that need to be addressed These governments have in turn Burundian armies “was noted” dur- according to the monitoring group. groups. His death, which was caught on video and addressed meaningfully,” he told said that DR Congo, a vast country ing the month of April, a monitoring Persistent rumours of incursions Millions died from the fi ghting, dis- and has sparked massive protests across journalists. the size of western continental Eu- group called the Kivu Security Tracker by Rwandan soldiers on DR Congo ease or malnutrition. Jobs gone, investments wasted: Africa’s deserted safaris leave mounting toll

By Mfuneko Toyana and “We’re getting to a point where we completed community hall that was tourism to resume as early as Septem- Omar Mohamed, Reuters have to ask ourselves how long do we being built using tourist donations. ber. Mabarhule, South Africa carry on?” he said. “A lot of us are liv- The Madilika Craft Centre sits so With the pandemic’s peak on most ing on reserves just to survive.” close to the boundary of the Kruger Na- of the continent still predicted to be Plutsick is not alone. A survey of tional Park that lions can sometimes be months away, that appears unlikely. hen Khimbini Hlongwane close to 500 businesses in the Kruger heard roaring in the distance. South Africa’s government has in- spent most of his small safari Lowveld district — South Africa’s sa- A layer of dust now coats the pink stead said regional and international Wtour company’s savings on fari heartland — conducted by the local walls of the women’s cooperative, tourism are only expected to resume the deposit for a new minibus in Febru- tourism agency last month, found 90% which shut when the private game next year. ary, it seemed like a safe bet. His rev- believed they would not survive even if lodges where it sold its traditional Xit- Kenya, Namibia and Rwanda also enues had doubled in the previous year. international borders opened immedi- songa beaded jewellery closed down in remain closed to international visitors, And bookings by American, British, ately. Over two-thirds of them have laid March. while in Zambia tourists are permitted and Brazilian tourists hoping to catch a off employees. Now, with her income gone, co- but face a two-week quarantine upon glimpse of elephants, giraff es and lions The lack of tourist dollars is forcing founder Jane Mashele is hoping the arrival. at South Africa’s famous Kruger Na- wildlife projects across Africa to make sweet potatoes and spinach in her gar- Tanzania has dropped quarantine tional Park were up. cuts, and beyond the human cost, con- den will be enough to feed her four or- requirements and is welcoming foreign Now, with borders closed and air- servationists worry that growing des- phaned grandchildren. guests. lines grounded due to the Covid-19 peration in rural communities hit by “We started the centre because we One East African tour operator said pandemic, Africa’s multi-billion-dol- Covid-19 could fuel a wave of poach- were tired of sitting at home with no even if restrictions were eased, inter- lar safari industry is unravelling and he ing. jobs,” she said. “This is terrible.” national travellers could be discouraged can no longer aff ord the payments on Three popular game parks in South In South Africa, which has recorded by the possibility of quarantines when the new 21-seater, which sits collecting Tourists watch a herd of buffaloes at a game reserve adjacent to the Kruger Africa recently dehorned dozens of rhi- the most Covid-19 cases of any African they return home. dust in the parking lot. National Park in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, in this 2019 file photo. nos as a preventative measure, hoping nation, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko In the meantime, South Africa, for “It hasn’t moved since the day we that it would make them less attractive Kubayi-Ngubane warned parliament one, hopes domestic visitors can drive bought it,” said Hlongwane, who has A slump in tourist dollars has hit But a survey of over 300 tour op- targets for poachers. last month that up to 600,000 jobs the fi rst phase of a recovery. been forced to stop paying the salaries conservation projects hard. erators conducted by the online safari In Mabarhule, a community on the were at risk if the sector remained shut South African national parks are now of his fi ve employees. “We could’ve And even as countries around the travel platform this month showed that edge of Kruger National Park, roughly until September. opening for self-driving safaris. been using that money to survive right world loosen lockdowns, game parks, almost 93% reported a drop in bookings half of residents were already jobless Governments’ relief initiatives — But overnight visits and travel across now.” lodges and travel agencies face a grim of at least 75% due to the pandemic. before the pandemic. like South Africa’s off er of 50,000 rand provincial borders remain banned un- From Kenya’s Masai Mara to the Oka- future. Cancellations have also spiked, the Freelance workers like Sipho Nkosi — ($3,000) one-time grants to small der current restrictions. vango Delta in Botswana, rural commu- The safari industry generates some majority of them said. a tour guide and father of four who typ- tourism businesses — will do little to Even when permitted, some opera- nities that depend on safaris for income $12.4bn in annual revenues for South Leon Plutsick’s Distinctly Africa lodge ically makes around 550 rand ($33) per staunch the losses, some operators tors worry that local visitors will not be are seeing their livelihoods and dreams Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, on the Manyeleti private game reserve tour — have found themselves without said. enough to save their businesses. shattered. Tanzania Uganda and Zambia — Af- bordering the Kruger National Park had a safety net. In the face of looming fi nancial ca- “To open for two or four or six peo- Hundreds of thousands of people rica’s top wildlife tourist destinations been full in March. Today, his employees “We’d saved some money. But its lamity, the Tourism Business Council ple, is it actually worth it?” asked lodge rely on the sector, not to mention their — according to an estimate by Safari- are sitting at home and baboons have running out, so we’ll start starving,” of South Africa — the industry’s lobby owner Plutsick. “I’ll just be digging dependents. Bookings. ransacked his unstaff ed kitchen. said Nkosi, standing outside a half- group — is pushing for international myself a bigger hole.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 9 AMERICAS

Fauci warns of virus spikes as Trump ducks controversies US reopens

Reuters at West Point graduation Washington

AFP Trump later derided Mattis, a re- he top US infectious diseases offi cial on Washington spected retired marine corps leader, Friday cautioned that the “blips” of ris- as “our country’s most overrated Ting coronavirus hospitalisations being general.” reported by some states could get out of con- resident Donald Trump yes- The fracture in civil-military rela- trol if robust contact tracing regimes are not terday addressed the new tions hung over Trump’s address to put in place. Pgraduating class of the West the cadets at the picturesque West As restrictions on economic activity are Point military academy, praising the Point campus, situated in green hills lifted, the United States was bound to see in- “righteous glory of the American north of New York City. creased infections, Anthony Fauci told CNN. warrior” but largely side-stepping The president clearly wants to be “But when you start seeing more hospitali- recent controversies over racial un- seen as a tough leader as he battles zations, that’s a sure fi re sign that you’re in a rest and the military’s role in putting for reelection in November against situation where you’re going in the wrong di- it down. Democrat Joe Biden, whom Trump rection,” Fauci said. “America is the greatest country in labels “weak.” So far, more than 114,000 people have died human history,” Trump told the 1,107 The academy had been shut and from Covid-19 in the United States, according newly minted second lieutenants as students sent home because of the to a Reuters tally. they sat, well-spaced, under a bright coronavirus pandemic. About half a dozen US states are grappling sun on the parade ground of the US But Trump abruptly announced in with a rising number of coronavirus patients Military Academy. April that he would address the grad- fi lling hospital beds. But he made no direct mention of uates in person. Texas and North Carolina on Friday report- the recent racial turmoil and only So cadets were recalled and put ed their highest hospitalisation rates since the glancingly referred to recent dissent through weeks of Covid-19 quaran- pandemic began. from top military fi gures over his tine and testing. But offi cials in both states point out they threat to employ active duty troops They wore masks as they marched also have among the lowest rates of deaths to put down protests. onto the fi eld; Trump, as usual, did from Covid-19. Trump’s closest mention came not. Fauci underscored that increased hospitali- when he said, “I also want to thank Asked in a Fox News interview that zations was a worrying trend, however, and a the men and women of our National aired on Friday about Esper and Mil- sign that “maybe we need to slow down a lit- Guard” for responding to “challeng- ley, Trump replied, “If that’s the way tle” on reopenings. es from hurricanes and natural dis- they feel, I think that’s fi ne.” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said asters to ensuring peace, safety and “I have good relationships with the on Friday that while his state’s rise in hospi- the constitutional rule of law on our military,” he said. talizations and new cases was sobering, mov- streets.” But Trump’s strains with the Pen- ing ahead with more reopenings was not off The president, who was intro- tagon have long roots. the table. duced by the academy’s fi rst black He controversially overrode top Texas has been at the forefront of states’ ef- superintendent, Lieutenant General Graduating West Point cadets throw their hats in the air in celebration as US Army helicopters fly overhead at the Pentagon generals in 2019 to protect forts to reopen their economies and Governor Darryl Williams, also referred only culmination of their 2020 United States Military Academy Graduation Ceremony yesterday. a Navy Seal, Eddie Gallagher, ac- Greg Abbott on Friday said in an interview passingly to the nation’s racial chal- cused of war crimes. with KYTX TV it would remain that way “be- lenges. ate forces during that war, which Defense Secretary Mark Esper took Trump’s side on June 1, when Na- He also forced the Pentagon to cause we have so many hospital beds available “The army was at the forefront of brought an end to slavery. the exceptional step of publicly de- tional Guard troops fi red smoke divert billions of dollars from other to anybody who gets ill.” ending the terrible injustice of seg- Trump has rejected recent de- nouncing such use of the troops. bombs and pepper balls to clear projects to build a wall along the bor- “For every person in a hospital bed, there are regation,” he said, and it was West mands to rename US military bases And Esper’s predecessor, James peaceful protestors from outside the der with Mexico. 10 open, available hospital beds available for Point graduates who led the fi ght in bearing the names of Confederate Mattis, accused Trump of deliber- White House so the president could And his precipitous eff orts to them,” Abbott said. “So there’s plenty of hos- the Civil War to “end the evil of slav- offi cers. ately dividing the country and mak- walk across and pose for pictures at withdraw US troops from abroad — pital capacity to be able to deal with Covid-19.” ery.” Tensions between Trump and the ing “a mockery” of the US constitu- a nearby church. including a reported plan to slash Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she Trump did not mention that military had soared since he threat- tion. “I should not have been there,” troop levels in Afghanistan and an would put county applications to reopen on one West Point barracks still bears ened to call out active duty troops to On Thursday, General Mark Mil- said Milley, adding that his presence abrupt decision to pull thousands of hold after the state reported a record daily rise the name of General Robert E Lee, put down sometimes violent protests ley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, “created a perception of military in- troops from Germany — have upend- in new coronavirus cases on Thursday. who led the break-away Confeder- when racial turmoil broke out recently. said he regretted his presence at volvement in domestic politics.” ed Pentagon plans. “This is essentially a statewide ‘yellow light,’ it’s time to press pause for one week before any further reopening,” Brown, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Trump pushes back political ‘Juneteenth’ rally in Tulsa by a day 8 hurt in Texas shooting gunman shot and wounded eight peo- Reuters friends and supporters have reached saw one of the country’s worst out- of Juneteenth, and that Trump had a white offi cer knelt on his neck for ple outside a San Antonio, Texas, bar Washington out to suggest that we consider breaks of racial violence when white built a “record of success” for Afri- nearly nine minutes. Alate Friday night, but there were no fa- changing the date out of respect for mobs went on the rampage, massa- can Americans. The offi cer was fi red and has been talities, police said. this Holiday,” Trump wrote on Twit- cring black residents and destroying Trump, seeking re-election on charged with second-degree murder. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus resident Donald Trump has ter late on Friday. their homes and businesses. November 3, won Oklahoma by more Fox News interviewer Harris told an early morning news briefi ng yesterday bowed to pressure over an “I have therefore decided to move “This isn’t just a wink to white than 36 points in 2016. Faulkner, who is black, later said she that a group of people were denied entry to the Pelection rally scheduled to take our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in supremacists — he’s throwing them Referring to his rally, Trump told was not sure whether Trump was bar around midnight. place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the order to honor their requests.” a welcome home party,” Senator Fox News in an interview recorded aware of the painful history of Tulsa A man in the group went to a vehicle, got “Juneteenth” anniversary that com- June 19th, known by African Kamala Harris, a top contender to be on Thursday and screened earlier on for African Americans because her a rifl e, walked across the street and started memorates the end of US slavery, and Americans as Freedom Day, com- Democratic presidential candidate Friday: “Think about it as a celebra- questions in the interview focused on shooting people, McManus said. The gunman said he was pushing the event back memorates the date in 1865 when Joe Biden’s running mate, wrote on tion.” the Juneteenth date of the rally. fl ed the scene. by a day. Texas was forced to comply with Twitter on Thursday. Trump, who suspended his po- The president said during the Police said that the victims included fi ve Trump’s decision to hold his fi rst President Abraham Lincoln’s Eman- US Representative Al Green, a litical rallies in March due to the Floyd protests in which looting oc- women and three men, between the ages of 23 campaign rally in months on June 19 cipation Proclamation declaring all Congressional Black Caucus mem- pandemic, had earlier denied that curred in some cities that “when the to 41. All were listed in stable conditions at lo- in a city notorious for a 1921 massa- people held as slaves free — the last ber, denounced the move as “overt scheduling the event on Juneteenth looting starts, the shooting starts.” cal hospitals, police said. cre of its black citizens had prompted of the pro-slavery Confederate states racism from the highest offi ce in the was deliberate. Trump told Fox News he was not Neither the alleged shooter nor the victims fi erce criticism, especially in the face to do so. land.” The rally will take place amid aware that this phrase originated were identifi ed. Few other details were imme- of nationwide protests against ra- African American leaders had Katrina Pierson, senior adviser protests around the United States with a white segregationist who was diately available. cial inequality and police brutality blasted Trump’s decision to resume to the Trump campaign, said at the sparked by the death of George Floyd, Miami mayor in the 1960s. Demo- Calls to the San Antonio police representa- against African Americans. his campaigning after the coronavi- time that Republicans, as the party a black man who died in police cus- crats and other critics have accused tives seeking more details were not immedi- “Many of my African American rus lockdown in Tulsa, which in 1921 of Lincoln, were proud of the history tody in Minneapolis on May 25 after Trump of stoking racial divisions. ately returned yesterday morning. Toronto’s ‘Graffi ti Alley’ repainted to honour Floyd, ght fi racism

By Olivier Monnier, AFP ‘Video of indigenous chief’s arrest shocking’ Toronto Canadian Prime Minister Justin The tense situation degener- Trudeau on Friday called for an ates quickly when the off icer tries ozens of street artists independent investigation after to handcuff Adam’s wife, and a have painted over parts a “shocking” video showing the second off icer is seen tackling Dof Toronto’s “Graffi ti Al- arrest of an indigenous chief by Adam to the ground and punch- ley” in shades of black and gray federal police. ing him in the face. in a message of solidarity with The video, filmed and released Adam last weekend circulated anti-racism protesters following by the Royal Canadian Mounted images of his bruised and bat- the death in US police custody of Police, show an off icer rushing tered face following the arrest. George Floyd. at Chief Allan Adam on March “We know that this is not an The new sombre murals con- 10 during an encounter over an isolated incident,” Trudeau said. trast with the brightly coloured expired license plate. “Far too many black Canadians original paintings in this spot The off icer tackles Adam and and indigenous people do not feel popular with tourists on the punches him in the face. safe around police. It’s unaccept- south side of Canada’s largest “We’ve all now seen the shock- able. And as governments, we city. ing video of Chief Adam’s arrest have to change that.” Malcolm X, Martin Luther and we must get to the bottom of On Thursday, the prime King Jr, a raised fi st — the artwork this,” Trudeau told a daily briefing. minister had said systemic racism depicts heroes and symbols of “Like many people I have exists in all Canadian institutions the African-American commu- serious questions about what including the RCMP, after the nity, as well as victims of police happened,” he said. “The inde- nation’s top cop balked at the brutality. pendent investigation must be notion. A portrait of the 46-year-old transparent and be carried out so After a week of denying it, Floyd is among them. that we get answers.” RCMP Commissioner Brenda Floyd’s likeness in “Graffi ti Al- In the dashcam video, broad- Lucki on Friday reversed her ley” bears a black band across his cast by several Canadian media, position and acknowledged in a mouth reading “I can’t breathe” Adam has a heated exchange statement that “systemic racism — his last words as he pleaded with a police off icer outside a is part of every institution, the with offi cers before he lost con- casino in the province of Alberta. RCMP included.” sciousness. “But we can hear you,” the art- ist added around Floyd’s face. really powerful and beautiful way One mural depicts a panther The project is aimed at rais- of protesting,” the 25-year-old with yellow and orange eyes, ing awareness about the anti- said. a tribute to the activism of the racism movement, and for artists “People are starting to real- Black Panthers. A woman kneels and raises a fist as she poses in front of a mural of George Floyd in the Graff iti Alley of Toronto. to show their support, one of the ize that (racism) is an issue that Another shows a raised fi st organisers, Moises Frank, told we’re not going to shy away from with the caption, “Still fi ghting 4 girl who gave a heart-wrench- a 43-year-old black man. things that she’s experiencing courageous little girl speaking AFP. talking about anymore,” he said. black lives.” ing speech to the Charlotte city “There’s a video of her circu- and sees in her community and out against it,” he said. “I hope “I think using art as a tool of “I hope it’s only the beginning of Frank chose to paint Zianna council in North Carolina in 2016, lating (in which) she breaks down the injustice,” Frank said. that in her lifetime, she can see talking against oppression is a the conversation.” Oliphant, a then-nine-year-old in response to the police killing of in front of the camera about the “I thought that was a really changes happening.” Gulf Times 10 Sunday, June 14, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

China Beijing district locked down after sentences Australian to death dozens test positive for Covid-19 for drug AFP Beijing’s fi rst Covid-19 case announced yesterday that the Beijing in two months, announced on district has established a “war- Thursday, had visited Xinfadi time mechanism” to deal with traffi cking market and had no recent travel the fresh wave. ozens of people tested history outside the city. Police cars were patrolling AFP positive for the corona- China’s domestic outbreak the streets outside blocked-off Beijing Dvirus in Beijing as parts of had been brought largely un- neighbourhoods and AFP saw the city were locked down yes- der control through strict lock- one bus carrying workers in terday after the emergence of a downs that were imposed after hazmat suits. n Australian national has new cluster linked to a wholesale the disease was fi rst detected “Everyone’s very stressed been sentenced to death food market. late last year. right now,” an elderly driver said Ain China for drug traffi ck- People were ordered to stay These measures had mostly outside a fenced-off neighbour- ing, in a ruling that could further home at 11 residential estates in been lifted as the infection rate hood, refusing to give his name infl ame tensions between Beijing south Beijing’s Fengtai district dropped, and the majority of because of the heavy police and Canberra. and the nearby Xinfadi market recent cases were citizens liv- presence. Australia’s foreign ministry was closed as authorities raced ing abroad who were tested as “There are cases living in said it was “deeply saddened” to contain the outbreak that has they returned home during the there, it’s real.” by the verdict and reiterated the fuelled fears of a resurgence in pandemic. With many shops in the af- country’s opposition to capital local transmission. Among the six new domes- fected areas closed, residents punishment. Most of the six new domestic tic cases announced Saturday worried how they would stock The man, named in Chinese infections reported yesterday were three Xinfadi market work- up on essentials. pinyin as “Kamu Jielaisibi” and were linked to the meat and veg- ers, one market visitor and two “What do you want us to eat identifi ed by Australian media etable market, health offi cials employees at the China Meat and drink?” a woman surnamed as Cam Gillespie, was handed said, which provides much of the Research Centre, 7km (4 miles) Wang said. the death penalty by Guangzhou capital’s food supply. away. One of the employees had “I hope we can get suffi cient Intermediate People’s Court on Offi cial news agency Xinhua visited the market last week. supplies as soon as possible”. Wednesday, according to a notice reported at least one of the cases Authorities closed the market, Nine nearby schools and kin- Police off icers wearing face masks are seen outside an entrance of the Xinfadi wholesale market, which posted on the court website. was “severe”. along with another seafood mar- dergartens have been closed. has been closed for business after new coronavirus infections were detected, in Beijing yesterday. The notice revealed no details But another 45 asymptomat- ket visited by one of the patients, On Friday, Beijing delayed the about the defendant besides his ic cases - which China counts for disinfection and sample return of students to primary giene of the city’s food supply. stocks of salmon overnight in the had “close contact” with Xinfadi Australian nationality. separately - were detected af- collection on Friday. schools across the city, and sus- Beijing’s market supervision capital, but said supplies of other since May 30, after they tested According to Chinese local ter mass testing of nearly 2,000 AFP reporters saw hundreds pended all sporting events and authorities ordered a city-wide products would not be aff ected, more than 5,000 environmental media, the man was arrested workers at the market on Friday, of police offi cers, many wearing group dining. food safety inspection focusing Beijing Daily reported yesterday. samples from farmers’ markets at Guangzhou Baiyun Air- city health offi cial Pang Xinghuo masks and gloves, and dozens Cross-provincial tour groups on fresh and frozen meat, poultry Community volunteers - who and large supermarkets across port, northwest of Hong Kong, later told reporters. of paramilitary police deployed have also been stopped. and fi sh in supermarkets, ware- became a common sight during the city on Friday. Of those, all in December 2013 with more Another worker tested posi- at the two markets, with no one The chairman of the Xinfadi houses and catering services. the outbreak - were knocking on 40 positive samples came from than 7.5kg (16 pounds) of meth- tive at a farmers’ market in the allowed to leave Xinfadi. market told state-run Beijing In central Chaoyang district, residents doors to ask if they had Xinfadi market. amphetamine in his checked city’s northwestern district of An ambulance was seen News that the virus was de- offi cials said they would carry recently visited Xinfadi market. Around 10,000 people work- luggage. Haidian - a close contact of one driving in yesterday afternoon. tected on chopping boards out screenings at all wet markets. Beijing authorities also an- ing at the Xinfadi market will be A spokesperson for Australia’s of the confi rmed cases linked to Offi cials in Fengtai - which used to handle imported salm- Major supermarket chains in- nounced a mass Covid-19 test- tested, the market chairman told foreign ministry said consular Xinfadi. has more than 2mn residents - on, stoking fears over the hy- cluding Carrefour removed all ing campaign of anyone who has local media. assistance was being provid- ed to the man, but they would not confi rm his identity citing privacy obligations. “We are deeply saddened to Nepal N Korea warns hear of the verdict made in his case,” the spokesperson said, adding that Australia “op- House poses the death penalty, in all of actions over circumstances for all people.” “We support the universal abolition of the death penalty approves and are committed to pursuing defectors in South this goal through all the avenues available to us.” new map China is Australia’s largest Reuters Korean hotlines and is threat- trading partner, as well as a ma- Seoul ening to close a liaison offi ce jor source of lucrative interna- as land between the two governments. tional students and tourists. As part of the eff ort to im- But relations have been trou- he sister of North Ko- prove ties with the North, bled in recent years and wors- row with rea’s leader has warned South Korean President Moon ened after China reacted furi- Tof retaliatory measures Jae-in’s administration has ously to Australia’s call for an against South Korea that could sought to discourage the leaf- independent probe into the ori- India involve the military, in the lat- let and rice campaigns, and gins of the deadly coronavirus est escalation of tensions over defectors have complained of pandemic. defectors from the North who pressure to avoid criticism of Beijing subsequently imposed escalates Protesters participate in a Black Lives Matter rally to raise awareness of Aboriginal deaths in custody, in have been sending back prop- North Korea. tariff s on Australian barley and solidarity with those in the United States protesting the death in Minneapolis police custody of George aganda and food. Analysts say North Korea issued travel warnings to tourists Reuters Floyd, in Perth yesterday. Kim Yo-jong, who serves appears to using the leafl et and students over virus-linked Kathmandu unoffi cially as one of Kim issue to increase pressure on racism against ethnic Asians in Jong-un’s top aides, issued the South Korea amid stalled de- the country. warning in a statement carried nuclearisation talks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison he lower house of Nepal’s by state news agency KCNA “The leafl ets are an excuse dismissed the allegations of rac- parliament yesterday ap- Thousands march yesterday. or justifi cation to raise the ist treatment of Chinese as “rub- Tproved a new map of the “By exercising my power ante, manufacture a crisis, bish” and said his government country, including areas disput- authorised by the Supreme and bully Seoul to get what would “never be intimidated by ed with India, the speaker of the Leader, our Party and the it wants,” said Duyeon Kim, threats” or “trade our values in national legislature said. state, I gave an instruction to a senior adviser at the In- response to coercion from wher- The move signals a hardening for racial justice the ... department in charge of ternational Crisis Group, a ever it comes”. of Nepal’s position over a dec- the aff airs with (the) enemy to Belgium-based independent Last year, China sentenced ades-long border row that has decisively carry out the next non-profi t organisation. two Canadian nationals to death strained ties between the South action,” Kim said. Pyongyang feels betrayed on drug traffi cking charges dur- Asian neighbours. Her statement, which did and misled by Seoul’s predic- ing an escalating diplomatic India has rejected Nepal’s in Australia not say what the next ac- tion that the United States row with Canada over the arrest new map, calling it an “unilat- tion could be, came days after would lift some sanctions of top Huawei executive Meng eral act” that is not based on South Korea took legal action in exchange for North Korea Wanzhou. historical facts or evidence. AFP “We are here to cial injustice towards the coun- against defectors who have closing its nuclear reactor site, Canadian attempts to plead Nepal published its revised Perth try’s indigenous peoples. been sending material such as and is upset that leafl ets and for clemency for Robert Schel- map in May after India inau- support our future Aboriginal Australians are rice and anti-North leafl ets, US-South Korea military drills lenberg and Fan Wei have so far gurated a 80km (50 miles) road as indigenous vastly over-represented in the usually by balloon over the continue, Kim said. not been successful. connecting its northern Ut- housands of protesters prison population, and there heavily fortifi ed border or in “They’re upset that Seoul China has also detained two tarakhand state with Lipulekh rallied for racial equality people and to walk have been more than 400 indig- bottles by sea. has done nothing to change Canadian nationals, including on the border with Tibet that Tin cities across Australia against the in- enous deaths in custody in the North Korea said it has been the environment and is a former diplomat, on spying passes through the land Nepal yesterday despite offi cial warn- last three decades. angered by the defectors and again telling Seoul to stay charges, in a move widely con- says belongs to it. ings the demonstrations could justices of... what No prosecutions have been to mark its displeasure it has out of its nuclear talks with sidered to be in retaliation for The map shows a sliver of undermine the country’s success brought over the deaths, despite in the past week severed inter- Washington,” she added. Meng’s arrest. land on the northwest tip of Ne- in suppressing the coronavirus. happens to our dozens of investigations, in- pal as the Nepali territory. The biggest demonstration people, with over quests and in some cases video Agni Prasad Sapkota, Speaker took place in the Western Aus- evidence of abuse. Seven foreigners arrested at anti-govt protest in Nepal of Nepal’s House of Representa- tralian capital Perth where sev- 400 black deaths Many protesters carried signs tives, said the new map was ap- eral thousand people gathered in in custody” refl ecting the Aboriginal experi- Nepali police arrested 10 proved by 258 out of 275 mem- a park waving “Black Lives Mat- ence, including “Stop deaths in protesters including foreign bers of parliament, exceeding ter” signs and Aboriginal fl ags. and police did not intervene. custody” and “White Australia nationals from Australia, the required two-thirds major- Smaller protests for Aborigi- It was the second straight stop lying to yourselves”. the United States and China ity. There were no votes against. nal rights were held in Darwin, weekend of large protests in In parallel with the Black Lives yesterday as hundreds staged The map must also be passed capital of the Northern Terri- Australia, initially organised in Matter rallies, dozens of people a demonstration in Kathmandu by the National Assembly, the tory, and towns in neighbour- solidarity with the Black Lives protested in Brisbane, Sydney against the government’s parliament’s upper chamber, ing Queensland - both regions Matter movement in the United and Melbourne against the pro- handling of the virus crisis. and approved by President with numerous indigenous States following the killing by longed detention of asylum- Demonstrators have defied a Bidhya Devi Bhandari be- communities. a white policeman of African- seekers under the government’s nationwide lockdown for several fore it becomes a part of the “We are here to support our American George Floyd. tough refugee policies. days this week to demand better constitution. future as indigenous people and Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds Police had banned all those testing and quarantine facilities Prachanda, a former prime to walk against the injustices gathered in a Taipei park with protests for violating coronavirus for returning migrant workers. minister and chief of the ruling of... what happens to our peo- some holding signs with slogans health regulations, but they took Police off icial Sushil Kumar Yadav Nepal Communist Party, said ple, with over 400 black deaths such as “This is a movement, not place largely without incident. said that seven of those arrested Nepal did not want to com- in custody,” one unidentifi ed a moment”. Australia has been one of the were foreigners. Three of them plicate the matter and seeks a protester told public broadcaster At one point the crowd went most successful countries in were Chinese, with one each peaceful settlement. ABC at the Darwin march. down on one knee to mourn black containing the epidemic, with from the United States, Australia, “We want to resolve the issue With the exception of the Dar- people killed by police in the Unit- about 7,000 cases and 102 deaths Canada and Norway, he said. Protesters maintaining social distancing hold placards during a with India through peaceful talks win demonstration, which had ed States and held eight minutes for a population of 25mn. “It has not been decided if they demonstration against the government’s handling of the fight at the political and diplomatic authorisation, the other pro- of silence to remember Floyd. Health offi cials said this week will be charged,” Yadav added. against the coronavirus, in Kathmandu yesterday. levels,” Prachanda, the former tests violated offi cial injunctions Dozens also marched in To- that the virus had been virtu- At the protest yesterday, Maoist rebel chief, who still goes against mass gatherings insti- kyo in the rain to raise awareness ally eliminated in many regions participants showed up in old student, Alisha Shrestha, who minister’s residence earlier this week. by his war nom de guerre, said in tuted three months ago to curb about racial discrimination. of the country, though there masks, carrying banners reading was not arrested. Nepal imposed a nationwide parliament yesterday. the spread of the coronavirus. The movement has resonated continue to be a handful of new “enough is enough”. While that protest ended peacefully, lockdown in March in a bid to There was no immediate But organisers made eff orts to particularly strongly with many cases daily in the most populous “This is a time of crisis and we police had used water cannon, halt the spread of the pandemic. comment from India on the keep the protesters spread out in Australia, a country also states of New South Wales and need our government to be batons and tear gas to disperse It currently has 5,062 cases of parliamentary vote. and mostly wearing face masks, wrestling with the legacy of ra- Victoria. accountable,” said one 23-year- demonstrations near the prime Covid-19, with 16 deaths. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 11 BRITAIN

Fawlty Towers episode Govt rules out removal pulled over ‘slurs’ of controversial statues AFP Culture secretary says In the three-page letter, Dow- surrounded by dozens of local against the removal of “contested However, Soames said that the statue boarded up, although London contested memorials can den said heritage should be used people, some in Scout uniform. heritage” and saying that it had Khan was right to heed police ad- she understood the necessity. educate and that history to educate people about all as- Dowden tweeted: “As Culture temporarily boarded up some vice and board up the statue and While she acknowledged some should not be airbrushed pects of Britain’s morally com- Sec I would like us to use herit- monuments to protect them. the nearby Cenotaph. of her grandfather’s views would ne of classic comedy plex past, “rather than airbrush- age to educate people about all Sir Nicholas Soames – a former “I fi nd it extraordinary that be considered unacceptable to- Fawlty Towers’ most fa- By Nazia Parveen ing history”. aspects of Britain’s complex past, Conservative minister and Sir millions and millions of people day, she said he was rightly seen Omous episodes – The Guardian News & Media The debate over the future good and bad, rather than air- Winston Churchill’s grandson – all over the world who look up to as a hero by millions of British Germans – was taken off UK hundreds of statues and monu- brushing history.” said that he was “deeply upset” Britain will be astonished that a people. screens on Friday because of ments in the UK has raged since He said in the letter that many after the former prime minister’s statue of Churchill and the Cen- “He was a powerful, complex “racial slurs”, as anti-racism he government has sig- last weekend, and a growing of the monuments were listed statue was defaced. otaph, our national war memo- man with infi nitely more good protests gathered pace. nalled that it will not number of petitions have been and could not be removed with- It was later among the stat- rial, could have been defaced in than bad in the ledger of his life,” The decision by UKTV Tremove any statues or set up both for and against their out planning permission via a ues that were boarded up before this disgusting way,” he said. she told BBC Radio 4’s Today sparked an online debate and monuments from its property, removal. quasi-judicial process. planned anti-racism protests. “These people who are march- programme. drew a furious condemnation as tensions mount over the UK’s In Bristol last weekend, a Street names could also not be Soames told the Daily Tele- ing did not set out to do this, “Until now he was regarded as from lead actor John Cleese, who memorials to controversial fi g- statue of the 17th-century slave changed without the formal con- graph that the incident, in which but a very, very small, extremely the saviour of this country and said that the episode had been ures. trader Edward Colston was top- sent of two-thirds of residents “racist” was scrawled on the explosive group of people who one of this country’s greatest completely misunderstood, and The culture secretary, Oliver pled. who live on the street. monument, suggested British have made a practice of hijack- democrats and parliamentarians. the BBC-owned streaming serv- Dowden, said that he had written In Poole, the council an- He wrote: “In our democracy, society had “lost its compass”. ing entirely responsible demon- “That is why the statue is ice later said the episode would to MPs, peers and councillors, nounced plans to remove a statue if one wishes to change the urban The home secretary, Priti Pa- strations are behaving in an un- there. People weren’t looking at be reinstated with “extra guid- outlining the government’s posi- of Robert Baden-Powell, the landscape, this should be done tel, called for the statue in Par- speakable and cowardly manner. the entire record of people when ance” at the start. tion, after a week in which tens Scout movement founder, amid through the democratic process.” liament Square to be uncovered “It feels like a society that has they put up statues to them. Cleese, who fi rst found fame of thousands of people protested concerns that it would be target- Meanwhile, Historic Eng- “immediately” and criticised the lost its compass.” “If they did, we would be liv- with Monty Python’s Flying against statues of historical fi g- ed by anti-racism activists; but land gave the government its London mayor, Sadiq Khan, for His sister Emma Soames said ing in a country of empty plinths, Circus, said it was a critique of ures linked to slavery and racism. these were thwarted when it was full backing, stating that it was covering it up. that she had been shocked to see I think.” racist attitudes, not an endorse- ment of them. In a tweet he said the BBC was “now run by a mixture of mar- keting people and petty bureau- Far-right, anti-racism protesters scuffl e crats”. “I would have hoped that someone at the BBC would un- derstand that there are two ways Arrests made as ‘guard our during Black Lives Matter pro- our prime minister gave them a of making fun of human behav- monuments’ demonstrators tests last weekend. green light by not properly sup- iour,” he wrote. chant ‘Eng-ger-land’ and By about 11am several thou- porting the Black Lives Matter “One is to attack it directly. throw bottles sand mainly white protesters had movement, which is a call for The other is to have someone gathered, many of them drink- equality. who is patently a fi gure of fun, By Damien Gayle ing. “That’s what Stand Up To Rac- speak up on behalf of that be- Guardian News & Media At points they chanted the ism is calling for, that’s why we haviour,” he added. name of the far-right fi gurehead stood with some young people in UKTV said earlier the episode Tommy Robinson, and “Eng- Marble Arch.” contained “racial slurs so we are t least fi ve people have ger-land”. By late afternoon, sirens con- taking the episode down while been arrested in clashes Statues of Churchill, Nelson tinued to be heard in central we review it”. Abetween protesters and Mandela and Gandhi had been London, and protesters from the “We regularly review older police in central London at a boarded off . rightwing demonstration were content to ensure it meets audi- demonstration against perceived On the statue of Churchill, apparently still in the area. ence expectations and are par- slights to British national herit- someone had stuck a poster with The mayor of London, Sadiq ticularly aware of the impact age. a message that read: “Do not de- Khan, urged the people in Parlia- of outdated language,” UKTV Scotland Yard said that as of stroy our history. Keep our his- ment Square to leave by the 5pm added. 5pm yesterday, they had arrested tory and learn from it so the same deadline set by the Metropolitan The streaming service later fi ve people for off ences includ- mistakes don’t happen again.” police under the Public Order said it will be “adding extra ing violent disorder, assault on Speaking before the clashes, Act. guidance and warnings to the police, possession of an off ensive Paul Golding, the leader of Brit- He wrote on Twitter: “Eve- front of programmes to highlight weapon, being drunk and disor- ain First, said that the crowds had ryone who intended to come to potentially off ensive content and derly and possession of class A turned out to “guard our monu- BLM protests today but didn’t language”. drugs. ments”, telling the PA news agen- has reduced the risk of confron- “We will reinstate Fawlty At one point, the demonstra- cy: “I am extremely fed up with tation with these extreme right- Towers once that extra guidance tors, who included far-right the way that the authorities have wingers, and the spread of (the has been added, which we ex- activists, took over Parliament allowed two consecutive week- Police off icers protect an injured man who was attacked during a Black Lives Matter protest in London’s coronavirus). pect will be in the coming days,” Square and pelted mounted po- ends of vandalism against our Trafalgar Square. “To those in Parliament it said. lice with bottles, cans and a national monuments. Square: to prevent further vio- The episode, fi rst aired in smoke canister. “Anyone who comes along to- As of 3pm, one 35-year-old events over fears of confl ict. They dissipated soon after lence and the spread of the virus October 1975, centres on manic Later on, as police in riot gear day to try and vandalise them will man had been arrested on sus- The London Antifascist As- seeing suspected scouts from in our city, please leave now.” hotel owner Basil Fawlty, played formed lines to contain protest- probably be dealt with by all of picion of possession of class A sembly (LAFA), which has op- the opposing demo and fearing a Several hundred Black Lives by Cleese, off ending a group of ers in the square, they also came these Englishmen that turned up, drugs, said the Metropolitan po- posed nearly every right-wing confrontation. Matter protesters who had gath- German tourists. under attack from a hail of bot- and they’re fed up as well.” lice. rally in London, late on Friday One protester told the Guard- ered in Trafalgar Square were Fawlty repeatedly says “don’t tles and cans. Their behaviour was criticised Police had imposed strict con- tweeted that it was rescinding its ian that she was disappointed being moved along by police just mention the war” and ultimately Several thousand had re- by the home secretary, Priti Pa- ditions on the right-wing rally, callout. there had not been a bigger pres- after 5pm. does a goosestepping imperson- sponded to a social media callout tel, who tweeted: “Thoroughly and any demonstration held by Several hundred did rally in ence to oppose the presence of One man said he had been ation of Adolf Hitler. to “protect the monuments”, in unacceptable thuggery. Any per- “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) pro- Hyde Park, after a callout by the far-right. there for about an hour and had The episode also contains a response to graffi ti on the statue petrators of violence or vandal- testers, after fears that a meeting Stand Up To Racism (SUTR). Weyman Bennett, the co-con- seen no trouble. character, Major Gowen, talk- of Winston Churchill and the ism should expect to face the full of the two would lead to violence. A witness at the scene said venor of SUTR, said: “It’s a dis- “We just came along to look ing about the West Indies cricket Cenotaph in London, and the force of the law. However, organisers of Black protesters made speeches before grace that the far-right were al- over the younger people and team in off ensive terms. toppling of the statue of the slave “Violence towards our police Lives Matter demonstrations in marching to Marble Arch and lowed to be involved in thuggery make sure they’re OK,” he ex- The decision to take the epi- trader Edward Colston in Bristol, offi cers will not be tolerated.” central London cancelled their taking a knee. and rioting, and that’s because plained. sode down even caught the eye of international leaders, with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte asked about it at a Friday news conference. Queen marks offi cial birthday Fawlty Towers, named Brit- ain’s greatest-ever sitcom by experts for the Radio Times magazine in 2019, joins a list of AFP Castle, where she has been stay- served government virus guide- UK programmes pulled in recent London ing during the coronavirus out- lines to keep at least 2m apart, days. break, in her fi rst offi cial public in a ceremony dubbed “mini- That followed Black Lives appearance since the country’s Trooping”. Matter protests sparked by the ueen Elizabeth II cel- virus lockdown began in late The annual “Trooping” event, death in US police custody of ebrated her offi cial birth- March. which normally features hun- unarmed black man George Qday yesterday in subdued It was the fi rst time the castle, dreds of servicemen and women Floyd, which has triggered glo- style, with a scaled-down ver- west of London, has staged an from Britain’s most prestigious bal outrage. sion of the traditional “Trooping event to mark a sovereign’s offi - regiments for a centuries-old Netfl ix removed comedies the Colour” ceremony due to the cial birthday since 1895, when a spectacle of military pomp and Little Britain, The League of Gen- coronavirus pandemic. ceremony was held in honour of pageantry in front of thousands tlemen and The Mighty Boosh. The 94-year-old monarch Queen Victoria. of spectators, was cancelled be- Fawlty Towers ran for 12 epi- Queen Elizabeth views a military ceremony by soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, to mark watched a smaller military pa- The parade featured soldiers cause of the ongoing health cri- sodes between 1975 and 1979. her off icial birthday, in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London. rade in the grounds of Windsor from the Welsh Guards, who ob- sis. BMA demands answers over missing BAME pages of Covid-19 report

Letter to health secretary retary Matt Hancock, shared ex- On Thursday, a senior aca- unable to make any recommen- own time, you’ve wasted tax- In the letter, the BMA’s chair PHE to conduct an epidemio- calls for urgent publication clusively with the Guardian, the demic disclosed that the advice dations in its report on BAME payers’ money, and you’ve lost wrote: “A clear response is need- logical review to analyse how of suggested safeguards for head of the BMA called for the for the government on how to people and coronavirus because trust.” ed as to why these pages and im- diff erent factors can impact on BAME communities missing pages and recommen- protect BAME communities from some of the data needed was not PHE said the recommenda- portant recommendations were people’s health outcomes from dations to be published immedi- the coronavirus has yet to be available. tions would be published next omitted from publication, espe- Covid 19. By Aamna Mohdin ately. published. However, Prof Raj Bhopal, a week at the same time that they cially when it is so critical that “This was published in full on Guardian News & Media Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE, the The safeguarding proposals scientist who had been asked to were submitted to ministers. action is taken to save lives now the 2 June. In parallel, Prof Kevin BMA council chair, noted his were drawn up in a document peer-review the unpublished “We feel [the review] hasn’t and reduce race inequalities.” Fenton, on PHE’s behalf, en- concern over reports that 69 separate from the review pub- recommendations fi le, told the done justice to the aims of having The letter continued: “The gaged with a signifi cant number he British Medical As- pages covering seven recommen- lished last week showing that BBC that parliament had “not an investigation and it has not BMA called for this review and of individuals and organisations sociation (BMA) has de- dations were removed from last Covid-19 kills disproportionate- been told the full truth”. done justice to the BAME com- contributed our views to it, and within the BAME community, to Tmanded an explanation week’s Public Health England’s ly high numbers of people from Bhopal, from the University munity,” Nagpaul said. “The rai- we were extremely disappointed hear their views, concerns and from the government follow- report. ethnic minorities. of Edinburgh, described the rec- son d’etre of the review was for it that the points raised in our sub- ideas about the impact of Cov- ing reports that pages contain- “I’m fi nding it inexplicable The review was widely criti- ommendations document as an to be a basis for change. mission were not addressed in id-19 on their communities. ing recommendations to protect the government did not release cised for failing to investigate “open secret” and said it had “So a review without the rec- the report published on June 2. “This important engagement black, Asian and minority ethnic the full report at a time not only possible reasons for the dispari- “every hallmark of a [govern- ommendation was basically a “It now appears that pages ad- work will inform the work the (BAME) communities were re- when the BAME community suf- ties or make recommendations ment] report ready to go to the statistical analysis, and it wasn’t dressing these and the contribu- equalities minister is now taking moved from last week’s Covid-19 fered so disproportionately with on how to address them. press”. the review we were all expecting tions from other stakeholders forward. disparity report. the virus, but also at a time when Last week, Kemi Badenoch, the He added: “If you consult the to be published. may have been removed from the “We intend to both formally The Covid-19 respiratory dis- there was global outcry and out- minister for women and equali- public, you must publish the re- “And now we know the reason fi nal report.” submit this work to the minister ease is caused by the coronavirus. rage to racial inequalities,” he ties, told the Commons that sults. Otherwise, you’ve wasted why it wasn’t published, was be- A PHE spokesperson said: next week, and will publish it at In a letter sent to health sec- said. Public Health England (PHE) was their time, you’ve wasted your cause it wasn’t the full report.” “The government commissioned the same time.” Gulf Times 12 Sunday, June 14, 2020 EUROPE EU in deal to buy 300mn coronavirus vaccine doses

AFP formed in 1999 from the merger ing other deals earlier this month trials with hundreds of volun- “In order for the vaccines to be Union citizens” stand to benefi t. though the clinical trials on hu- Berlin of the Swedish company Astra to double production capacity to teers in April and is now expand- available in large numbers very The European Commission mans have not yet been fi nalised. and British company Zeneca, more than 2bn doses. ing them to 10,000 participants. quickly after their possible ap- defended the idea on Friday that This commitment would give which provides for the supply of “This agreement will ensure The development of a vaccine proval this year or next year, pro- EU countries should join up to member states the right to buy ermany, France, Italy and a vaccine to all EU member states that hundreds of millions of Eu- could be successfully completed duction capacities must be guar- guarantee privileged access to a doses at a certain price once the the Netherlands have as soon it is discovered, said the ropeans have access to Oxford by year end, German government anteed by contract now.” future vaccine, arguing strongly vaccine is available, in return for Gsigned an agreement with German Ministry of Health. University’s vaccine following sources told AFP. According to the World Bank, for the establishment of advance the risk taken in terms of invest- pharmaceutical group Astra- AstraZeneca is partnering in approval,” Chief Executive Pascal The doses announced yester- the EU has a population of purchase contracts. ments. Zeneca to guarantee the supply the enterprise with Britain’s Ox- Soriot said in a statement. “With day, potentially rising to 400mn, around 447mn. With the laboratories trying Major pharmaceutical groups to the EU of 300mn doses of a ford University, which has pio- our European supply chain due to “must be distributed to all mem- German Minister of Health to fi nd a vaccine in record time are engaged in a race to develop possible coronavirus vaccine, the neered the inoculation. begin production soon, we hope ber states that want to partici- Jens Spahn declared yesterday – 12 to 18 months instead of sev- a vaccine against the coronavi- German government announced. The fi rm has been building to make the vaccine available pate, depending on the size of that “the swift and co-ordinat- eral years in normal times – these rus, which has so far killed more The four countries have signed separate supply chains around widely and rapidly.” their population”, the German ed action of a group of member advance payments allow them than 417,000 people and infected an agreement with the group, the world during the tests, strik- Oxford University began initial ministry said. states” would see “all European to invest in production, even more than 7.4mn worldwide. Uncertainty as Spain authorities put virus death toll ‘on hold’ Thousands take part

AFP mitted all the required data, yet Madrid saying it wasn’t refl ected in the overall balance. Such was the case with An- or days now, Spain’s daily dalusia whose health minister in anti-racism rallies coronavirus death toll Jesus Aguirre recently lashed Fhas been on hold, gener- out at the central government’s DPA/Reuters/AFP However, it was quickly cut ating widespread uncertainty “total lack of respect for the Paris/Zurich/Berlin into pieces, apparently by resi- about the real state of the epi- dead” in publishing lower fi g- dents who came out onto a bal- demic that has claimed more ures than those submitted by cony on the next fl oor down. than 27,000 lives. the southern region itself. housands of people pro- A police source said that 12 The coronavirus causes the One problem with the new tested in central Paris yes- people were arrested over the Covid-19 respiratory disease. system is that it puts “exces- Tterday in the latest dem- banner, with police headquarters The health ministry’s emer- sive emphasis on reporting onstration accusing the police of announcing a total of 26 arrests. gencies co-ordinator Fern- the previous day’s fi gures” be- racism and excessive violence. Police said that they had also ando Simon, who for months cause if the data arrive after the The demonstration was called alerted prosecutors to a video, has given a daily briefi ng on deadline, they’re not added to by Assa Traore, whose brother published by a right-wing mag- the pandemic’s evolution, ac- the daily total, explained Kiko Adama, a young black man, died azine, that showed a protester knowledged the “astonish- Llaneras, a data analyst with El in disputed circumstances after shouting an anti-Semitic slur at ment” and “confusion” gener- Pais newspaper. his arrest by gendarmes in 2016 the far-right activists with the ated by the fi gures. It has turned into “a source in a town north of Paris. banner. On May 25, the ministry of huge disinformation” and in Many of the mostly young, ra- The demonstration was large- changed its method of collect- terms of communication it has cially mixed crowd – estimated ly good-humoured, but minor ing data on confi rmed cases “tainted the entire debate”, he by police to be 15,000-strong – clashes broke out after several and fatalities, initially giving a said. bore placards with slogans from hours, when most protesters daily death toll of between 50 The situation became even the US “Black Lives Matters” were already leaving the square. and 100. more chaotic this week after (BLM) movement. People in the crowd threw But the fi gure then fell to the National Statistics Insti- “We are gathering today to bottles and fl ares at riot police fewer than fi ve per day and on tute (INE) and the Carlos III denounce police violence. We manning a barrier. some days there were no deaths Health Institute published are gathering today to denounce Loud bangs rang out as police at all. fi gures showing that Spain’s social violence. We are gather- fi red what broadcaster BFMTV Prime Minister Pedro death toll has been between ing today to denounce racial vio- said were tear gas canisters. Sanchez even told parliament 43,000 and 44,000 higher lence,” Traore said as the square In her speech, Traore drew a that there had been “no deaths” than it has been on average in began to fi ll up. parallel between the death of her for several days, prompting a recent years. “I’m here to support the brother and that of George Floyd A French riot police off icer is backlash from the right and And this “excess mortal- Traore family,” one young black in the United States, which set assisted by his colleagues the far-right who have since ity” has further infl amed the protester, a security guard who off a wave of protests against po- during the rally against racism accused him of hiding the real opposition who point to it as gave his name as Jonys, told DPA. lice violence and racism in the US and police brutality at Paris’s number of fatalities. proof the government is play- “It could have been my brother and abroad. Place de la Republique. “(The) biggest danger is ing down the death toll. or my sister. It could have been An estimated 20,000 people communicating this idea that But the government has re- anyone.” defi ed police warnings about Chanting “Black lives matter”, the epidemic is over because jected such claims, saying that He said he “totally” felt he had the protest ban to attend an ear- “No Justice, no peace”, and “Say the virus is still present in our such fi gures include those who at times been treated in a racist lier demonstration she called last his name: George Floyd”, the country although at much died of other causes or had way by police offi cers – “but not week. protesters, most clad entirely in lower levels,” warned Salvador Covid-19 symptoms and never all the police. We mustn’t lump Thanks to that mobilisation, black, snaked through the centre Macip, an expert in health sci- had a PCR (Polymerase chain them all together”. people now “recognise that there of Switzerland’s fi nancial hub, ences at Catalonia’s Open Uni- reaction) test. Police had warned that the is racism in France, in the French joined by thousands more in oth- versity. Such testing kits, which protest was banned under ongo- police, in the French gendarme- er Swiss cities. Simon has said that the new were very scarce at the start of ing coronavirus restrictions. rie”, she declared. Even though Swiss gather- system was set up to facilitate the outbreak, have since be- They did not stop the rally, but The latest protests have rekin- ings of more than 300 people are the rapid detection and isola- come essential for confi rming forced demonstrators to remain dled debate in France about rac- banned to help curb the spread tion of any new outbreak and a new case and adding it to the in the large square of Place de ism, but also about police tactics. of the new coronovirus, police that the regions must provide overall fi gures. la Republique, preventing them Security forces were already said they would tolerate the un- a detailed breakdown of cases, “It is normal that the death marching across the city centre criticised last year for their harsh authorised assembly as long as it rather than lumping all fi gures toll does not coincide with the as planned. tactics during often violent dem- remained peaceful. together. excess mortality fi gures,” ex- Later however, France’s top onstrations by the “yellow vests” As the main march was dis- However, last week he ac- plained Ildefonso Hernández, administrative court suspended protest movement. persing, authorities clashed knowledged that the overall spokesman for the Spanish So- the blanket ban on protests, say- Interior Minister Christophe with a separate group of around number of deaths had re- ciety of Public Health, saying ing that it was a disproportion- Castaner on Monday announced 300 leftist agitators gathered in mained “frozen” as a result of similar situations occur during ate restriction on a fundamental limited reforms including a ban a square in the city centre who discrepancies in the fi gures, fl u season and heatwaves. freedom. on using chokeholds on suspects were throwing stones and bot- which he put down to delays in “Is the government hid- The court noted that govern- and the automatic suspension of tles, police said. submitting data in certain re- ing deaths under the carpet? ment advisers had indicated that offi cers in case of any “confi rmed Police used pepper spray and gional areas. No it’s not. Is the government the coronavirus epidemic was at suspicion” of racist actions or detained several people. Since June 7, the number of communicating clearly? No, a low level and as of June 5 there remarks. One policeman was hurt. dead has stuck at 27,136 while it’s not doing that either,” he was no sign of it worsening again. However, that drew a furious In Stuttgart, about 2,000 peo- the regional authorities “re- complained. The coronavirus causes the response from police offi cers, ple demonstrated against racism. view the information on deaths “One of the fundamental is- Covid-19 respiratory disease. hundreds of whom protested A 24-year-old black speaker ... (until) they can give a precise sues is that the management of Furthermore, protests had on Thursday around the coun- at the rally in the southwestern death date which will give a information and communicat- gone ahead anyway without any try, symbolically throwing their German city underlined that clearer sequence”, Simon said. ing fi gures in the epidemic has consultations with authorities handcuff s onto the ground. racism was a major problem in But some regions have hit not been clear enough,” agreed about how to ensure precautions Meanwhile, in Switzer- Germany, too, saying that even People throw back tear gas canisters at riot police forces during a back, insisting they have sub- Llaneras. were observed. land more than 10,000 people though she was born in the coun- rally against racism and police brutality, at Paris’s Place de la As protesters gathered yester- marched through Zurich to dem- try, she was treated as if she was Republique. day, far-right counter-demon- onstrate against racism, while a not a German citizen. strators unfurled a huge banner smaller leftist group apart from She was one of many speakers The mask-wearing crowd, Crime”, “Trump Step Down”, and denouncing what they called the main protest threw objects at who demanded greater respect which was made up of many “Enough Is Enough”. “anti-white racism” from a police as the march was winding and fairer treatment of people of young people, held up signs Organisers told DPA that the rooftop. down. colour. that read: “Colour Is Not A protest went off peacefully.

Italy’s coronavirus Russia more than doubles April virus death toll toll rises by 78 Deaths from the coronavirus epidemic in Italy climbed by 78 AFP much lower than in other coun- The previously announced toll “The main blow will fall in yesterday, the Civil Protection Moscow tries with large outbreaks, raising for April was 1,152. May and probably the fi rst half of Agency said, while the tally of questions over possible underre- Russia has previously made June,” Golikova said. “Doctors are new cases increased by 346. porting of deaths. public a total death fi gure of 6,829 now fi ghting for citizens’ lives, es- The total death toll since the ussia has more than dou- The April fi gures from Rosstat, for the pandemic, a preliminary pecially those who are on ventila- outbreak came to light on bled its offi cial coronavirus the offi cial statistics agency, in- fi gure based on daily counts. tors.” February 21 now stands at 34,301, Rdeath toll for April to 2,712 clude 1,270 deaths where the virus Offi cials including First Deputy On Wednesday, the health de- the agency said, the fourth after changing how it classifi es was the main cause. Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova partment in Moscow reported highest in the world after those fatalities. However, the statistics now also have said that the change in the that 5,260 people had died in May, of the United States, Britain and Offi cials warned that May’s include deaths where the victim way deaths are counted follows using the new method of classify- Brazil. death toll was likely to be even tested positive for the coronavi- recommendations of the World ing virus deaths – a death rate of The death count was muddied by worse in Russia, which has the rus but it was not the main cause Health Organisation (WHO). 3.8%. the fact that the central region of world’s third largest number of of death. Russia had previously attrib- Offi cial death statistics for May Lazio, around the capital city of cases with 520,129. In April there were 435 deaths uted its low death fi gures to mass are not yet available for the whole Rome, said that only two of the The country reported 8,706 where the virus had a “signifi cant testing and its practice of carrying country. 25 deaths declared yesterday had new cases yesterday after its infl uence” and 617 where it was out autopsies to establish cause of The state statistics agency had happened in the last 24 hours, number of new infections peaked present but did not play a major death. delayed its release of death fi gures bringing the daily deaths down in mid-May. role, the agency said. The new April fi gure represents for April, the fi rst full month of to 55. The capital Moscow – the na- The statistics also include 390 a death rate of 2.6% among those Russia’s outbreak. The number of confirmed cases A man performs a pass with a cape as people stand outside tion’s worst aff ected city – lifted cases where the person initially infected, Golikova said at a tel- Golikova said earlier that this amounts to 236,651, the seventh Madrid’s Las Ventas bullring to show support for bullfighting, tight lockdown measures last tested negative to coronavirus, evised briefi ng yesterday. was because regional laboratories highest global tally behind those following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which led to week. but it was later ruled to be the The death rate for May will be were still processing autopsy re- of the United States, Russia, the cancellation of bullfights. Russia’s death toll has been main cause of death. higher, she added. sults. Brazil, Spain, Britain, and India. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 13 INDIA 90 doctors of Chennai hospital test positive for Covid-19

IANS around 300 doctors had been The interactions with the fam- Palani is the second lawmaker DMK president M K Stalin Rashtra Samithi (TRS) tested constituency on June 2 to attend Chennai transferred to the hospital from ily are via WhatsApp and other in Tamil Nadu to test positive for urged Chief Minister K Palan- positive for Covid-19 while Fi- the Telangana Formation Day various other places. modes,” the official said. coronavirus. iswami to take charge of the nance Minister T Harish Rao celebrations and again on June The hospital was increasing Meanwhile, ruling All India Recently Dravida Munnetra Health Department for the “ef- went gone into self-quarantine 5 to participate in another pro- least 90 doctors of the the Covid-19 ward strength by Anna Dravida Munnetra Ka- Kazhagam lawmaker J Anbazha- fective management” of Cov- after his personal assistant was gramme. Rajiv Gandhi Govern- adding 500 more beds, he said zhagam legislator K Palani has gan died in a private hospital due id-19 outbreak in the state. found infected by the virus. Health Department officials Ament General Hospital in and added, the additional beds tested positive for coronavirus to Covid-19. In a statement issued a day The legislator, who represents were trying to trace those who Chennai have tested positive for would be ready soon. and has been admitted to MIOT Tamil Nadu yesterday report- after Health Secretary Beela a constituency in the united accompanied the MLA during the coronavirus in 10 days, an of- “It is really physically taxing Hospital in Chennai, said a hos- ed 30 Covid-19 deaths. Rajesh was repelaced by J Rad- Warangal district, was admitted to his visits. ficial said in Chennai yesterday. for doctors and nurses at Cov- pital official. The state also reported 1,989 hakrishnan, Stalin alleged there hospital in Hyderabad late Friday. The contacts were being “Some of them are Covid-19 id-19 wards in the government According to the official, Pal- new positive cases. was no co-ordination at the His condition is said to be sta- traced through photographs and treating doctors, while others hospitals in the state,” he said. ani, 57, representing the Sripe- It is the highest death toll in a ground level in preventing the ble. videos taken during the pro- belong to various other depart- “It has been three months rumbudur assembly constituen- day since the coronavirus out- coronavirus spread and its man- The MLA’s family members grammes. ments,” the official told IANS. since we slept or ate properly. We cy, was admitted to the hospital break in the state. agement. and staff were quarantined at a He is the first MLA from Tel- As there was a shortage of also don’t have any proper in- on Friday night. The official said The Health Department said Meanwhile, a legislator of Te- function hall in Hyderabad. angana to test positive for Cov- physicians, the official said teraction with family members. the lawmaker was fine. the state’s death toll now is 397. langana’s ruling party Telangana The legislator had gone to the id-19. India sees biggest PM reviews single-day jump in virus cases preparations

Agencies New Delhi to deal with ndia reported its biggest single-day jump in corona- Ivirus cases yesterday, add- ing 11,458 confirmed infections and taking its total count to more than 300,000, according to data from the federal Health Ministry. Covid crisis India is the fourth-worst af- fected country in the world, hav- IANS the total cases, two-thirds are In the first meeting at 11am ing surpassed the United King- New Delhi in five states - with an -over , Shah and Harsh Vardhan will dom on Friday, with cases steadily whelming proportion being in meet Lieutenant Governor increasingly despite a nationwide big cities. Anil Baijal and Chief Minis- lockdown that began in late March rime Minister Narendra In view of the challenges be- ter Arvind Kejriwal along with and has since been loosened. Modi yesterday reviewed ing faced, particularly by the members of the State Dis- Confirmed cases in the worst- Pthe coronavirus situation large cities, it was decided to aster Management Author- hit state of Maharashtra moved across the country at a high- augment testing as well as the ity (SDMA) to take stock of the past the 100,000 mark, data level meeting and discussed number of beds and services novel coronavirus situation, showed yesterday. the future roadmap to con- to effectively handle the peak which so far has claimed 1,214 The national capital New Del- tain the pandemic as India has surge of daily cases. lives in the national capital. hi, where the health system has surpassed the UK to become Modi listened to the recom- All India Institute of Medi- also been reeling, saw more than fourth worst-affected country mendations of the Empowered cal Sciences (AIIMS) Director 2,000 new cases. with a total of over 308,000 Group on city- and district- Randeep Guleria, commission- Despite the rising case load, cases so far. wise requirements of hospital ers of three municipal corpora- the recovery rate of patients During the meeting, the beds and isolation beds and tions and senior officers from was improving, with more than prime minister reviewed the instructed Health Ministry to the central home and health 147,000 people having been preparation to tackle the dis- undertake emergency planning ministries will also be present cured, the ministry said. ease and also took stock of the in consultation with the states in the meeting. The rate is now 49.95%, the situation in different states and and UTs. Shah along with the health ministry said. union territories, including in The prime minister also ad- minister will also hold another The ministry has also added Delhi. vised the ministry to ensure meeting with mayors of three new signs of Covid-19 symp- “Reviewed the Covid-19 sit- suitable preparations in view of MCDs around 5pm to review toms such as loss of smell (anos- uation across the nation during the start of the monsoon sea- the preparations to deal with mia) and loss of taste (ageusia) a high-level meeting. We also son. the deadly disease. preceding the onset of respira- reviewed the roadmap ahead, The present and emerg- The home ministry Office tory symptoms. and steps to contain the pan- ing scenario of the Covid-19 announced these meetings Meanwhile, in a significant demic in the parts where most disease in the capital was dis- through tweets amid a worry- move, Maharashtra Health cases are coming from,” the cussed and the projections for ing spike in infections in the Minister Rajesh Tope yester- Prime Minister’s Office tweet- next two months were deliber- city where 2,137 new cases were day slashed by 50% the cost of ed. ated. reported in a 24-hour period on Covid-19 tests in private labs, The meeting was attended The prime minister sug- Friday evening. which was between Rs4,500 and by Home Minister Amit Shah, gested that the home minister These meetings come in the Rs5,200, proving a huge relief to Health Minister Harsh Var- and health minister convene wake of the Supreme Court’s thousands of anxious people. dhan, the prime minister’s an emergency meeting with criticism of the “horrendous, In Punjab, the government Principal Secretary P K Mishra, the Delhi lieutenant governor horrific and pathetic” situa- warned private hospitals after Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, and chief minister in the pres- tion in Delhi and said coronavi- reports of exorbitant rates being Health Secretary Preeti Sudan, ence of all senior officials of rus patients were being treated charged from Covid-19 patients. Indian Council of Medical Re- central and Delhi governments “worse than animals”. Health Minister Balbir Singh search Director General Balram and officials of the municipal The court had also asked the Sidhu said such hospitals face Bhargava and Vinod Paul, NITI corporations of Delhi to plan government to explain the fall cancellation of licence. Aayog member and convener a co-ordinated and compre- in testing, which had “gone He said the state government of the Empowered Group of hensive response to handle the down from 7,000 to 5,000 a would soon finalise charges for Medical Emergency Manage- challenge posed by rising cases day when Chennai and Mumbai Covid-19 treatment, keeping in ment Plan. of Covid-19. have increased....” view the interests of patients as Paul made a detailed presen- Shah later said he will chair On June 10, Shah and Ke- well as private hospitals. “But at tation on the current status and two meetings today, where the jriwal discussed the Covid-19 no cost will the government al- lthe ikely scenario of Covid-19 health minister will also be spike in Delhi, a day after the low exploitation of patients by Health workers spray disinfectant inside government offices as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 cases in the medium-term. present, to review the situation chief minister tested negative private hospitals,” he said. coronavirus, in Chennai yesterday. It was observed that out of in Delhi. for the virus. 4-month-old baby recovers Four premier hotels to from Covid-19 in Andhra be linked to hospitals IANS and place them at the dis- IANS sponded well to treatment and The woman was admitted to New Delhi posal of Fortis Hospital, Vas- Visakhapatnam as her condition improved the the hospital in South Goa’s Mar- ant Kunj. ventilator was taken off. gao town on Thursday, after she Hotel Vasant Continnetal According to Visakhapatnam tested positive for the viral in- s the number of Cov- has been asked to isolate 117 four-month-old baby in district collector V Vinay Chand, fection. id-19 patients spikes rooms and place them at the Andhra Pradesh has re- the baby and her mother were dis- “We had good news from the Ato dangerous levels in disposal of Indian Spinal In- Acovered from Covid-19 charged after they tested negative. Covid-19 hospital. We have had the national capital, the Delhi juries Centre Hopsital, Vasant after being on ventilator for 18 She is the youngest to re- a delivery of a baby girl. The government has directed four Kunj. days, officials said. cover from Covid-19 in Andhra mother was admitted to the premier hotels to be attached Andaz Delhi - a concept The recovery, which is sure to Pradesh. Covid hospital just one day pri- with hospitals to accommo- by Hyatt in Aerocity- has give hope to many battling the In April, an 85-year-old wom- or. The mother was found posi- date more patients. also been asked to isolate all dreaded virus, happened in Vi- an recovered from the disease in tive and since she was in the high The Delhi government has rooms and attach them with sakhapatnam. Anantapur district. risk category, being nine months ordered Pullman Hotels in IGI Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vi- The baby, who picked up the She was the oldest patient to pregnant, we had immediately Airport to isolate all its rooms har. virus from her mother, was dis- recover in the state. shifted her to Covid hospital,” and place them at the disposal Earlier, as part of this exer- charged from Visakha Institute In the neighbouring Telanaga Mohanan told reporters in Pan- of Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vi- cise, Hotel Crown Plaza, Okhla of Medical Sciences (VIMS) late state, a 45-day-old baby boy had aji. har. had been attached with Batra on Friday. recovered from Covid last month. “The baby is absolutely It will now be an extended Hospital; Hotel Surya, New A tribal woman from East He was 20 days’ old when he healthy and she was tested nega- hospital for the attached hos- Friends Colony with Indrap- Godavari had tested positive for tested positive and admitted to tive. So our team immediately pital. rastha Apollo Hospital; Hotel Covid-19 and was admitted to Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital. shifted her to the Goa Medical The government has de- Siddharth, Rajendra Place with VIMS last month. He and his mother were dis- College,” the official said. cided to requisition rooms and Dr B L Kapur Memorial Hospi- Later her daughter too was charged after undergoing treat- The health secretary also said beds in various hotels of Delhi tal; Hotel Jivitesh, Pusa Road found infected and was admitted ment in the hospital for 25 days. that apart from the medical staff and link them with the near- with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, at the same hospital on May 25. Meanwhile in Goa, a girl born at the Covid hospital, the state est hospitals to accommodate and Hotel Sheraton, Saket with As the baby had breathing to a Covid-19 positive mother Health Department had brought more number of Covid-19 pa- Max Smart Super Speciality problems and her condition was late on Friday has tested nega- in experts from the obstetrics, tients. Hospital. critical, she was put on ventila- tive and is in good health, Health gynaecology and paediatrics at In another order, the gov- This is being done to accom- tor support. Secretary Nila Mohanan said the Goa Medical College to assist A man waits for customers in front of his furniture stall in New Delhi ernment has asked Hyatt Re- modate more number of Covid Doctors said the baby re- yesterday. with the caesarean delivery. yesterday. gency to isolate 200 rooms 19 patients. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, June 14, 2020 INDIA Online school classes a hit in Kerala, to enter 2nd phase

IANS and their parents gave a tremen- Each period is of 30 minutes 40 lakh. Apart from India, the online classes on new subjects “The classes are pre-recorded Meanwhile, various organi- Thiruvananthapuram dous response to the the online duration. classes were also viewed by hun- will be telecast as per the sched- and after the classes are over it’s sations, including Kerala Local classes held from June 1 to 12. As much as 27 terabyte data dreds of children in the Middle ules already published from the responsibility of the teacher Self Government Department, The online education is now was downloaded in a single day East as well as American and Eu- 8.30am to 5.30pm. Based on the concerned to get back to the is ensuring either laptops or erala is poised to enter available through cable opera- through Victers web - the live ropean regions. feedback of the initial classes, we students over mobile phones smartphones are provided for the second phase of on- tors, fi ve DTH operators, Vict- web streaming facility of KITE- K Anvar Sadath, chief execu- have incorporated newer facili- to clear whatever doubts they free to those who cannot af- Kline classes after the the ers Web, Facebook and YouTube Victers. The subscriber base of tive offi cer of KITE that is co-or- ties in the classes, including dis- have. Wherever children were ford. trial run turned out to be a huge channel of KITE-Victers, the the YouTube channel of Vict- dinating all technical and other play of English words during a not able to attend the classes, “We did not have a TV in our success to educate and instruct state-owned body in charge of ers (YouTube.com/itsvicters) aspects of this new mode of edu- class especially for the benefi t of special arrangements were made house. When the local leaders children in the comforts of their the endeavour. has reached nearly 1mn, while cation, said the new ‘First Bell” those who study in English-me- to get them to gather at common were told about this problem, homes amid the lockdown, an Every day, there were four pe- over 16.50 lakh downloads of its classes will be aired through dium classes and descriptions in places near their homes in li- one of them brought us a new TV offi cial said yesterday. riods for Class 12, three for Class mobile app was recorded from KITE Victers channel and vari- Malayalam in language classes, braries or clubs to attend the on- set for free. A few families in my Over 4mn students of Classes 10 and two each for Class 8 and Google Play. ous online platforms from to- including Hindi. It would also be line classes; everything is avail- neighbourhood also got these,” 1 to 10 and 12, studying in over 9, and one period each for all In the case of some specifi c morrow. available in Tamil and Kannada able on YouTube as well,” Sadath said a woman who works as a 16,000 state syllabus schools, other classes. classes, the viewership exceeded “Starting from Monday, the mediums,” said Sadath. added. housemaid. Kashmiris fed up with militancy: army chief

IANS of a specifi c intelligence input. New Delhi This year till June 11, 98 sus- pected militants were killed in the valley. esidents of Jammu and Among them are some of the Kashmir are fed up with most wanted. Rmilitancy and terrorism In May, Riyaz Naikoo, one of and they want the situation to Kashmir’s most wanted terror- return to normal, Indian Army ists and the commander of Hiz- Chief General Manoj Mukund bul Mujahideen, was killed dur- Naravane said yesterday. ing an encounter in Jammu and Talking about frequent opera- Kashmir’s Pulwama district. tions against militants hiding in Islamic State Jammu and the valley, Naravane said, “Most Kashmir (ISJK) commander Adil of the operations were based on Ahmad Wani and Lashkar-e- the information provided by the Taiba (LeT) cadre Shaheen Ah- locals themselves. This goes on mad Thoker were killed on May A woman rides past a mural painted on a garbage dump after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the Covid-19, in New to show that they are also abso- 25 at Khud Hanjipora Kulgam, Delhi yesterday. lutely fed up with militancy and while Hizbul Mujahideen com- terrorism and they want the sit- mander Parvaiz Ahmad Pandith uation to return to normal.” and Jaish e Mohamed com- About the overall situation mander Shakir Ahmed Itoo were across the valley, the General neutralised on May 30. said the army achieved a lot of In other developements, the success over the last few days. National Investigation Agency “As far as Jammu and Kashmir (NIA) has taken into 10-day Kerala under attack over is concerned, we have had a lot of custody a 22-year-old Lashkar- success in the last one week or 10 e-Taiba (LeT) handler, who was days. In the last one week alone, in touch with several handlers, more than 15 terrorists have been including 26/11 Mumbai blast killed.” mastermind Hafi z Sayeed, ac- He attributed the success to cording to sources. the close co-operation and co- Tania Praveen was alleg- Covid certifi cate demand ordination between all the secu- edly handling communication rity forces operating in the union through WhatsApp groups and IANS negative certifi cate from those ersault is not acceptable at all,” Various organisations in people tested positive, taking territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Facebook. Thiruvananthapuram coming from Italy and South Chennithala added. the Middle East are operating the tally to 1,342. A few hours before General Highly radicalised Praveen had Korea. According to sources, a Covid around 100 chartered fl ights in “Of the 85, 53 came from Naravane’s spoke on the ground also been in touch with Sayeed. “This new guideline is not test in the Middle east costs June. abroad, 18 from other states, situation in Kashmir, two sus- A team of anti-terror probe ongress and Bharatiya applicable to those coming on Rs7,000 and it takes two to sev- Vijayan had on June 3 said the 10 were local people and four pected militants were killed in an agency will question her at the Janata Party leaders yes- Vande Bharat fl ights. It’s sad en days to get the Covid nega- only conditions the government health professionals,” Health encounter with security forces NIA’s Kolkata offi ce. Cterday reacted sharply to that those coming on char- tive certifi cate. had set for passengers coming Minister K K Shailaja said. at Zadoora Nipora area in South The NIA took over the probe a new Kerala government order tered fl ights are those who do Federal Minister of State for by chartered fl ights were that “As of today, 1,045 people have Kashmir’s Kulgam district. recently and is targeting the fe- which insists on a Covid-19 not have any money and now External Aff airs and BJP leader the fare should be comparable been cured,” she said yesterday. The encounter took place after male spy ring in the country, negative certifi cate from all with this new direction they V Muraleedharan expressed with that of the Vande Bharat There are 2,35,418 people un- police and army launched a joint working for banned militant those arriving from abroad on will have to spend from their shock at this turnaround by the fl ights, and preference should der observation at homes, care operation in the area on the basis outfi ts operating in Kashmir. chartered fl ights. pocket. This is totally unac- Kerala government. be given to women and the eld- centres and 1,989 in hospitals. The new order will become ceptable and this irresponsible “Such a rule is not there in erly. During the day, two hot pots Murder suspect beaten to death applicable from June 20. order should be withdrawn,” any state. This new rule is the Close to 400,000 Keralites were added and 13 were exclud- Leader of Opposition Ramesh said Chennithala. least practical. This is a cruel have registered on the Norka- ed, taking the total to 117. A teenager accused of murder home. Yesterday the family Chennithala said it was surpris- “What’s even more surpris- order and hugely detrimental Roots web portal, expressing The lockdown was observed was beaten to death by villagers members of Kisku, along with ing that the Pinarayi Vijayan ing is that the Covid negative to the Kerala diaspora wait- their desire to return. on all Sundays in the state. But in Jharkhand’s Giridih district other villagers, attacked Marandi’s government which passed a certifi cate should not be older ing to return,” Muraleedharan Till Friday, over 60,000 peo- with the central government yesterday, police said. Suresh home with bows and arrows and unanimous resolution in the than 48 hours before the fl ight said. ple had already arrived. allowing opening of places Marandi, 18, was one of seven sticks, thrashing him to death. A Kerala assembly to bring back departs. Senior Indian Union Muslim The sudden turnaround is on of worship and some exams people accused of killing a man villager informed the police about all Kerala expatriates without We fail to understand the League leader and Lok Sabha account of the spike in cases, scheduled for today, permission in Giridih. On June 4, 32-year-old the incident. The police rushed any testing, has now come out logic; what actually needs to be member P K Kunhalikutty said especially after May 7 when the has been granted to those who Heeralal Kisku was murdered to the village and saved two of with a totally diff erent order. done is, there should be a pre- this order should be immedi- fi rst fl ight from the Middle East wished to travel. over a land dispute in the district. Marandi’s family members. Senior It was on March 12 that the departure health check-up. And ately withdrawn as it is going to arrived in the state. But with all denominations of On Friday, the family members of police off icers and off icials from Kerala assembly passed the res- once they arrive, they should be create problems for many who The state witnessed another the Kerala churches deciding to Kisku came to know that Marandi, the district administration are olution, after the Civil Aviation asked to follow the isolation/ were ready to travel on char- day of high number of new wait, it remains to be seen if any who was absconding, had come camping in the village. Ministry demanded a Covid-19 quarantine norms. This som- tered fl ights. Covid-19 cases yesterday as 85 church would open. TDP leader, son held for Passing-out parade Not rejoining UDF, vehicle document scam says ruling party ally

IANS than four years back? We left IANS Hyderabad and taken to Anantapur. dence of the former MLA, de- Thiruvananthapuram UDF more than fi ve years back. Hyderabad Prabhakar Reddy is the young- manding their money back. We are not going anywhere at er brother of senior leader and The accused purchased the ve- all and this is baseless,” said former MP J C Diwakar Reddy. hicles as scrap from Ashok Ley- he Kerala Congress Pillai and added his party is he Andhra Pradesh police His wife J C Uma Reddy and land and got them registered in (Pillai) party yesterday with Chief Minister Pinarayi yesterday arrested op- son J C Asmith Reddy own Jat- Nagaland in 2018 by producing Tdenied rumours that it Vijayan. Tposition Telugu Desam adhara Industries Private Ltd. fake and fabricated documents. is returning to the Congress- The party of the father and Party (TDP) leader J C Prabhakar Jatadhara and C Gopal Reddy In response to a request from led United Democratic Front son was an ally of the UDF Reddy and his son Asmith Reddy & Company are facing charges the transport department in (UDF), and insisted it is with and after unpleasant tenure for allegedly forging documents of forging documents to register January this year, Ashok Leyland the ruling Left Democratic towards the end of the then to register and sell vehicles pur- BS-III vehicles as BS-IV vehicles provided details of 66 vehicles, Front (LDF). Oommen Chandy government chased as scrap from a leading and selling them. They had alleg- mentioning that all the vehi- The party consists of veter- (2011-16), it decided to severe automobile company. edly purchased the BS-III vehi- cles were sold by them as scrap an state politician R Balakrish- ties with the Congress-led al- Prabhakar Reddy is the second cles as scrap from Ashok Leyland. to Gopal Reddy & Company (40 na Pillai who presently holds liance. TDP leader to be arrested in two Tadipatri police had last vehicles) and to Jatadhara Indus- a ‘cabinet’ rank post, and his During the 2016 assembly days. week booked Prabhakar Reddy tries Private Ltd (26 vehicles). legislator son K B Ganesh Ku- polls, Pillai and his party fi rst Former minister and senior and three others for allegedly Gopal Reddy & Co belongs to mar. became a friendly ally and later leader K Atchannaidu was taken forging documents and selling Gopal Reddy, who is a close as- Both were present at a media became a full fl edged partner into custody by the Anti-Corrup- 18-wheeler trailer lorries. sociate of Prabhakar Reddy. meeting yesterday where they of the LDF. tion Bureau (ACB) on Friday for The issue came to light when “The investigations revealed refuted the media speculation. Ganesh Kumar is a two-time the scam in purchase of medicines the Road Transport Authority that all the vehicles were fi rst Graduates of Technical Entry Scheme (TES-35) from Cadets “We do not know how this minister, when the party was and equipment for ESI hospitals. seized the vehicles and 10 people registered before the Registering Training Wing (CTW) of the Military College of Electronics baseless news has surfaced. with the UDF. A police team from Anantapur who had purchased the vehicles Authority, Kohima, Nagaland and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) attend a passing-out Why should we leave when The lone legislator of the district took the former legisla- from Nageswara Reddy, fl eet and then came to Anantapur dis- parade at Carriappa Drill Square in Secunderabad, the twin we are treated with utmost party said the baseless news tor from Tadipatri and his son into manager of Prabhakar Reddy, trict on NOC from Nagaland,” an city of Hyderabad, yesterday. respect in the LDF, where we was nothing a but well- custody from their residence in staged a protest outside the resi- offi cial said. became a full fl edged ally more planned conspiracy. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 15 LATIN AMERICA

Actress reignites long debate on Brazil Covid-19 death racism in Mexico

By Noe Torres, Reuters Mexico City toll continues to rise How dark! No! How ugly!” a Mexican social media star exclaimed after accidentally us- AFP/Reuters/DPA “ing a filter that darkened her face during a Rio de Janeiro/Santiago live broadcast on Instagram, reigniting the coun- try’s longstanding debate about racism. The remarks by Barbara de Regil, a popular ac- razil on Friday claimed the tress in movies and soap operas, came as Mexi- unenviable position of having cans are engaging in their own conversations Bthe second-highest coronavi- about racism after the death in the United States rus death toll worldwide behind the of George Floyd, an African American, under the United States, where several states knee of a white police officer. have posted record daily case totals, In Mexico, the debate has centred on discrimi- signalling the crisis is far from over. nation against indigenous groups, who have long Brazil’s health ministry recorded suffered from poverty, isolation and a lack of rep- 909 deaths in the past 24 hours, resentation in politics and popular culture. putting the total at 41,828 — mean- With many Mexicans still confined to their ing the country of 212mn people has homes by the coronavirus pandemic, the discus- now surpassed Britain’s death toll. sion has played out largely online. Experts warn the actual number Amid the backlash to de Regil’s remarks, some of cases in Latin America’s biggest fans rushed to her defence, saying she had made economy could be many times higher an innocent mistake. than the confirmed figure of 828,810. Others called for people to stop following her “Some areas are at a critical on social media. stage” in Brazil, with intensive care “We will not tolerate more racism. Neither in unit occupancy levels of more than Mexico nor the world,” one user wrote on Twitter, 90%, World Health Organisation proclaiming that the actress was “CANCELLED.” emergencies director Mike Ryan told The video is no longer available on de Regil’s journalists in Geneva. Instagram page. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Neither de Regil or Instagram responded to a who threatened last week to quit the request for comment. WHO over “ideological bias,” has The success of Yalitza Aparicio, the indigenous dismissed the virus as a “little flu,” Mexican star of the Oscar-winning 2018 film and berated state officials for impos- Roma, has helped bring conversations about race ing lockdowns. and ethnicity to the fore. Latin America is the latest epi- She stands in stark contrast to the pale women centre in the world’s battle with the and men with European features who dominate novel coronavirus, which emerged in Mexican television and film, though they repre- China late last year. sent only a sliver of the country’s overwhelmingly The region has recorded more mestizo and indigenous population. than 1.5mn infections and 76,000 The actress, who was disparaged by a telen- deaths, with no signs the virus is ovela actor using crude and racially-charged slowing. language even as she was being feted during last Chile health minister goes year’s award season, has spoken out in recent Suzane Valverde (left) hugs her 85-year-old mother Carmelita Valverde, through a translucent plastic curtain at a senior nursing home in Sao Paulo, Brazil, days about the importance of amplifying indig- In Santiago, Chile President Se- yesterday, amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. enous voices. bastian Pinera yesterday replaced “Our voice is less heard because of our skin Health Minister Jaime Manalich ports of spats among health minis- José Miguel Bernucci, Colmed’s 21mn people, and the region ac- er of the city will reopen the week of colour,” she said last week in a virtual event or- amid controversy over the country’s try officials, and Manalich has been national secretary, welcomed the counts for more than 40% of some June 22-28. ganised by the magazine GQ. figures for deaths from the corona- criticised by opposition politicians, appointment, saying he was looking 139,000 confirmed cases of corona- The Dominican Republic will ex- Roughly a quarter of Mexico’s population is in- virus outbreak. mayors, medical experts and social forward to a more consensual ap- virus in the country. tend its state of health emergency digenous, and at least 7mn people speak an indig- Pinera said Manalich had spared groups for refusing to release more proach and a “change in strategy to On Friday Mexico reported a until the end of this month after the enous language, according to official data. “no effort” in carrying out his “diffi- detailed contagion data or apply jointly confront the pandemic.” record of more than 5,000 new cas- Chamber of Deputies approved the The isolation and poverty that indigenous peo- cult and noble duty” to protect Chil- lockdowns sooner and for succes- Mexico City to reopen es. measure on Friday, local media re- ple suffer was brought to international attention eans` health. sive changes in criteria for recording “We think next week the city can ported. in the 1990s by the leftist Zapatista rebellion. He replaced him with Oscar En- deaths and cases. Meanwhile, Mexico’s health min- begin a process of very orderly tran- The emergency, which has been in But little progress has been made. rique Paris, an academic and medi- A Chilean investigative website, istry reported a record 5,222 new sition,” said Mayor Claudia Shein- force since March 19, allows Presi- A recent study by global aid charity Oxfam cal doctor. Ciper, yesterday reported that the confirmed infections along with baum, noting there had been a slight dent Danilo Medina to take meas- found Mexicans who identify as indigenous and The sudden reshuffle comes as health ministry had told the World 504 additional fatalities on Friday, drop in hospital occupancy rates and ures such as restricting mobility to have darker skin tones suffer greater disadvan- Chile faces its toughest month in the Health Organisation that as many bringing the total in the country to that the city’s contagion alert level prevent the spread of Covid-19. tages. pandemic so far, with spiralling ac- as 5,000 deaths in the country were 139,196 cases and 16,448 deaths. was close to coming down a notch. More than 22,000 people have Many Mexicans also face discrimination be- tive cases and deaths rates. linked to coronavirus. The government has said the real Curbs on vehicle traffic and public been infected by the novel corona- cause of their dress, weight, height and religious The country now has the highest The health ministry’s statistics number of infected people is likely transport are due to be eased tomor- virus, which has killed 568 people in beliefs, experts say. number of confirmed cases per mil- department reported figures to the significantly higher than the official row and factories will start opening the Caribbean country. According to a 2017 survey by the National lion people in Latin America, reporting global body of people who had died count. on Tuesday under strict sanitary The Senate had already approved Statistics Institute and the National Council to 167,355 cases yesterday and 3,101 deaths. after testing positive for coronavirus The mayor of Mexico City said on protections, the city government the fifth extension of the emergency. Prevent Discrimination (Conapred), 20% of re- Manalich, a tough-talking kid- test but also deaths suspected to be Friday the Mexican capital will next said. There were objections to it in the spondents said they had experienced discrimina- ney specialist who once ran one of linked to Covid-19, the respiratory week lift restrictions on car traf- On Thursday, small shops will opposition-dominated Chamber of tion in the last 12 months. Chile´s top hospitals, has won praise disease caused by the novel corona- fic and public transport, and allow have permission to reopen, while Deputies, but one of the critical par- “As in the United States, in Mexico there is a for an aggressive campaign to keep virus. 340,000 factory works to get back professional services and scientific ties changed its mind and allowed it lot of discrimination and racism. No one here hospitals supplied with ventilators The new minister, Enrique Paris, to work, even though new cases of workers linked to “industry” can go to be approved. is exempt from being discriminated against,” and protective equipment and lead- is a former head of the Chilean Col- coronavirus are still rising. back as of Friday, it added. The country of 11mn residents will said Susana Reyes, who last week participated ing detailed daily press conferences. lege of Doctors (Colmed) and a uni- Mexico City and the adjacent ur- If conditions are deemed suitable, hold general elections five days after in a small demonstration in Mexico City over But there have been frequent re- versity deacon. ban sprawl are home to more than street markets and the historic cent- the emergency is due to end. Floyd’s death.

Colombian close Winter woes Venezuela’s top to Maduro held court appoints in West Africa electoral body

Reuters Reuters Washington Caracas

uthorities in Cape Verde have arrested Alex enezuelan opposition leaders have pledged Saab, a Colombian businessman close to so- to extend the term of the current legis- Acialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Vlature past the end date of January 2021 who was charged by the United States with alleged after the government-friendly Supreme Court money laundering, the US Department of Justice appointed an electoral body to oversee this year’s said yesterday. parliamentary elections. Department of Justice spokeswoman Nicole Nav- An extension would allow Juan Guaido, who is as Oxman said in a statement that Saab was arrested recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela’s pursuant to an Interpol red notice issued with re- rightful leader due to his position as president of spect to his US indictment, without providing fur- the opposition-held National Assembly, to re- ther details. main in the role even if opposition parties boycott Maria Dominguez, Saab’s US-based attorney, the elections due by the end of the year. confirmed his arrest but also declined to provide Venezuela’s constitution grants the power to ap- further details about his arrest in the archipelago point members of the national electoral council to nation off the coast of western Africa. congress, but the Supreme Court — widely viewed In July 2019, US prosecutors charged Saab and as loyal to President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist another Colombian businessman with money laun- government — on Friday named its own board af- dering related to a 2011-2015 scheme to pay bribes ter ruling the legislature had failed to do so. to take advantage of Venezuela’s government-set Opposition leaders denounced the move as an exchange rate. attempt to rig the election. The US Treasury Department has also imposed “The current legitimate National Assembly will sanctions on Saab for allegedly orchestrating a vast continue as long as no valid constitutional electoral corruption network for food imports and distribu- process to substitute it has been held,” Henry Ra- tion in Venezuela and profiting from overvalued mos, a senior lawmaker from the large Democratic contracts, including the food subsidy program. Action block, wrote on Twitter on Friday night. US officials said the food programme lined the Jose Ignacio Hernandez, Guaido’s chief overseas pockets of Maduro, who has overseen a six-year legal representative, wrote on Twitter that the con- economic collapse of the once-prosperous Opec stitution said the Assembly’s mandate would last nation and stands accused of corruption and human until conditions for a fair election were established. rights violations. Venezuela’s information ministry did not im- Venezuela’s information ministry did not imme- mediately respond to a request for comment. diately respond to a request for comment. The court’s decision to name its own council The arrest came after the Colombian attorney has raised the likelihood that opposition parties general’s office last week said it had frozen assets would boycott the parliamentary election as they belonging to Saab in the country worth some 35bn did Maduro’s re-election in 2018. Colombian pesos ($9.28mn), adding that Saab was Colombian migrants, camping in front of their consulate in the Chilean capital Santiago to request humanitarian return flights amid A loss of control of the National Assembly, held under investigation for crimes including money the Covid-19 pandemic, dismantle their improvised tents after being transferred to hostels ahead of a cold snap and rain. by the opposition since early 2016, could compli- laundering. cate Guaido’s standing. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, June 14, 2020 PAKISTAN

Pakistan’s literacy rate increases by 2%: Analysts off er mixed Economic Survey

Internews remained at 87% when com- Islamabad pared to 2015-16. Province-wise data suggests that Punjab showed improve- reactions to budget akistan’s literacy rate in- ment from 93% in 2015-16 to creased by 2% to 60% in 95% in 2018-19, while Sindh Internews Mir mentioned that other sec- P2018-19 from the 2015- remained stable with primary Islamabad tors, too, should be facilitated the 16 period, according to the level GER at 78%. way the construction sector was Economic Survey. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (ex- aided by the government. The bump in the literacy cluding merged areas) im- nalysts have off ered mixed “Should traders just shut rate was witnessed among the proved to 89% in 2018-2019 as reactions to the FY 2020- down their shops and start con- population aged 10 years and compared to 88% in 2015-16, A21 budget of Pakistan, with structing houses? The per-capita above, the survey said, noting while Baluchistan witnessed a most expressing disappointment income has fallen and shops are that the literacy rate in the ur- decline from 59% in 2015-16 to and a lack of enthusiasm, calling deserted,” he added. ban areas was higher, at 74%, 57% in 2018-19. it ambitious and “directionless”, Another member of the busi- as compared to the rural areas The Net Enrollment Rates while others going so far as to say ness community, Mohamed So- with a rate of 51%. (NER) slightly improved at the it can be viewed as “business- hail, called the budget “imprac- Pakistan Social and Liv- national level, from 65% in friendly”. tical”. ing Standards Measurement 2015-16 to 66% in 2018-19. After Minister for Industries He said that the most impor- (PSLM) conducted the survey Province-wise comparison and Production Hamad Azhar’s tant factors that concern the during the term 2018-19. reveals that Punjab witnessed budget presentation, fi nancial common man are employment In terms of the province- an improvement in net en- analyst Khurram Shehzad said and income, which are under wise break-up, the report said rollment, taking it to 73% in that the budget did not entail threat due to the current pan- that Punjab led the other prov- 2018-19, compared to 71% in anything extraordinary, although demic. “The budget seems quite inces, with a 64% literacy rate, 2015-16. tax relief on custom and import incomplete and uncertain.“ followed by Sindh (excluding Sindh showed an improve- duties has been given and the He said that the biggest threat merged areas) with 57%, Khy- ment, at 58% in 2018-19 com- hard-hit hotel industry also got is the fi scal defi cit, which was not ber Pakhtunkhwa (including pared to 56% in 2015-16. respite in terms of taxes. addressed in the budget, adding merged areas) with 55%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (ex- The analyst lamented that de- that in case of a negative defi cit, Baluchistan with 40%. cluding merged areas) wit- spite no new taxes, the GDP rate the government does not know Gross Enrollment Rates nessed a decline from 67% in will be diffi cult to maintain with This picture taken on Friday shows a man watching a live broadcast of the budget speech of Industries how to overcome its shortcom- (GER) at the primary level ex- 2015-16 to 66% in 2018-19, 2% defi cit and 6.5% infl ation and Production Minister Hamad Azhar. ings. cluding katchi (prep) for the while Baluchistan remained rate, adding that due to these On the fl ip side, Islamabad age group 6-10 years at the stable with primary level NER factors the Federal Board of Rev- “However, we see many meas- “The Rs650bn non-revenue dustries are suff ering. This is Chamber of Commerce and In- national level during 2018-19 at 40%, the survey added. enue (FBR) will have a hard time ures for revenue,” he noted. income allotted – here will they a disappointing budget for the dustry (ICCI) president Mo- achieving its target which is 24% The Covid-19 respiratory dis- get it from? Last year they had business community,” Teli said. hamed Ahmed said he welcomes of the total tax collection. ease is caused by the coronavirus. kept Rs150bn for privatisation. All Pakistan Anjuman-e- the budget, terming it “business- He welcomed the govern- Hussain said that it seems that How do they hope to privatise? Tajran (APAT) secretary-general friendly”. ment’s move to not raise the rate there is no good news as such for How will steel mills be revived? Naeem Mir rejected the 2020-21 He noted that the customs and of pension and salaries this year, the business community and “I How will (Pakistan) Railways and budget, saying that small busi- regulatory duties were reduced Huge surplus of staff explaining that the government am sure (there’s) some bad news”. the PIA (Pakistan International nesses were ignored and that the and relief provided to the indus- in previous years has been mak- “The audit measures they have Airline) be revived?” he ques- condition of presenting a copy tries, which brought down the ing an increase in these un-fund- adopted, and for third party in- tioned, expressing dissatisfac- of CNIC for transactions was infl ation rate. at Pakistan Railways ed pensions with no sources to formation and revisions in ap- tion. encouraging the undocumented “The government presented generate revenue for them. peals, and the sales tax revisions Abdul Qadir Memon, an expert economy. a business-friendly budget,” he “Most people receiving pen- and other revisions, do not make on tax issues, said that the outlay “The CNIC condition should added. irks chief justice sions are not even alive, hence, it seem like there is anything of the budget is more than the have been revoked amid the The ICCI president also wel- cutting this expenditure would good in particular contained for allocation this time, adding that coronavirus” crisis, he said, not- comed the move of relaxing the cushion economy in times of the business community,” said the targets also seem quite “un- ing that no easy loan scheme condition of presenting CNIC Internews of passengers died but no re- pandemic,” Shehzad said. the businessman. attainable”. for small business owners was copies for transactions worth Islamabad port on it had come to light so He said that for tackling bare- “And we did not ask for any He did acknowledge that many launched. Rs100,000 or more. far. level poverty, the government concessions. We asked for fa- relaxations have been given this Small businesses provide em- “No new taxes were intro- Similarly, another accident has the Ehsaas Programme. cilitation and the creation of an year in terms of property income ployment to about 40% of the duced, and that is great,” Ahmed he Supreme Court of a week ago had caused heavy Businessman Mian Zahid Hus- environment conducive to busi- and withholding taxation. workforce, he added. said. Pakistan has highlighted fi nancial losses to the Pakistan sain said that this is a status-quo ness. Industrialist Siraj Kassim Teli “Poor government policies The move to give concessions Tthe need for overhaul- Railways, Ahmed observed. budget which happens to appear “So there is nothing satisfac- said that the government men- have shrunk the Rs51bn econo- on imported products for chil- ing the Pakistan Railways, The Pakistan Railways was quite “directionless”. tory there. Yes, they have raised tioned the coronavirus several my,” the APAT offi cial said, add- dren was commendable. while regretting that the or- continuously running into “Our post-Covid-19 economy the limit for purchasing beyond times in the budget, but failed to ing that the incumbent regime “From the budget speech, it ganisation could not properly losses but the incompetent will require a jump start and I which a CNIC (computerised frame any policies in wake of the was “hiding” behind the corona- seems that [the government] function with huge surplus of employees would never let the found no such recommendations national identity card) will be re- situation. virus pandemic. gave a lot of concessions,” he employees who were “incom- department to go into profi t, in the budget. quired, which I feel should have He said that the main focus “If no new tax is imposed, how said. petent and insincere” to their the chief justice said, adding “We had proposed zero rating been abolished,” he added. seemed to be the construction will the budget defi cit be brought “The government’s direction institution. that everybody knew about the (VAT exemption) for some goods He said the business commu- sector, and the cement and tour- from 7% to 4.4%?” he wondered, of running business operations “Complete overhauling of state of aff airs in the railways. and we saw no mention of that. nity wanted audits to be deferred ism industries in terms of relief. stressing that the government is clear,” Ahmed noted, adding the Pakistan Railways is re- Declaring his explanation Nothing for SMEs (small- and for a year or two “but I feel like it “These are (Prime Minister could not let itself off the hook by that the fi xed tax rate, however, quired,” observed Chief Jus- unsatisfactory, the apex court medium-sized enterprises) and (the time period) has been nar- Imran) Khan sahab’s favourite playing a game of fi lers and non- may pose challenges to the small tice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed directed the railways secre- nothing of note for governance. rowed down even more”. sectors, rest of all the local in- fi lers. business owners. while heading a two-judge tary to submit a report on the Supreme Court bench that operations and employees of had taken up a case regarding the Pakistan Railways within a the regularisation of around month. 76,000 employees of the Paki- The nation’s top judge told stan Railways. the railways secretary that he One dead after bomb The chief justice also re- was unable to run the Pakistan ferred to the repeated occur- Railways, adding that a train rence of train accidents, in or aircraft accident was not a blast in Rawalpindi which not only a number of joke. lives lost, but the Pakistan “The railway system has Railways also had to suff er become corrupt entirely,” the DPA/AFP/Internews carried out a major search af- huge fi nancial losses. chief justice regretted. Islamabad/Rawalpindi ter the explosion in the area, It had become the order of The court also highlighted the Rawalpindi police wrote on the day that every week an in- the need for initiating an over- Twitter. cident occurred, the chief jus- hauling of the Pakistan Rail- t least one person was Videos on social media and on tice observed, recalling how six ways through a reform process killed in an explosion in television showed rescue workers months ago a major accident to weed out “incompetent and ARawalpindi late on Friday, and debris on the street. took place in which a number insincere” surplus employees. and 12 others were wounded, No one initially claimed re- Dawn newspaper reported. sponsibility for the attack. The explosive device had been There have been repeated at- Pakistani on Bill and Melinda Gates placed in a busy marketplace, the tacks in Pakistan in recent years, newspaper cited police sources but the South Asian country has Foundation leadership team as saying. remained calm in recent months. Most shops were already shut Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s fourth- Dr Anita Zaidi has been appointed as the new president for gender at the time of the blast. largest city, is known for its equality at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “One killed, while 12 oth- military garrison and adjoins the In a remarkable feat for Pakistan, she is now a part of the executive ers were injured in an explosion. capital Islamabad. leadership team (ELT), included among the six other presidents. The explosive was planted in an This is the fi rst bomb blast in Zaidi has also served as the director of the Vaccine Development, electric pole,” Rawalpindi police Rawalpindi since 2015, the same Surveillance, and Enteric and Diarrhoeal Diseases Programmes at spokesman Sajjad ul Hassan told year the army intensifi ed a crack- the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. AFP. down on militants. Security personnel and civilians gather at the site of a bomb explosion, which killed at least one person, in “Her team’s work is focused on vaccine development for people in He said it was an attempt at Analysts however still warn Rawalpindi. the poorest parts of the world, surveillance to identify and address “organised terrorism”. that Pakistan has not yet ad- causes of death in children in the most under-served areas, and Rawalpindi police chief Ahsan dressed the root causes of ex- initial investigation report about 8.43pm near the city’s Koyla vestigation, the spokesperson significantly reducing the adverse consequences of diarrhoeal and Younas confi rmed the bomb ex- tremism. the blast in Rawalpindi. Centre, Saddar. said. enteric infections on children’s health in low and middle-income plosion and toll. Yesterday the Counter-Terror- According to a CTD spokes- There was no evidence of ball- Two carts and two motorcycles countries,” read the text on the off icial site of Bill and Melinda Gates Police and security forces ism Department (CTD) issued an person, the blast occurred at bearings found in the initial in- were destroyed in the explosion. Foundation. Thar coal power plants could cause 29,000 deaths from pollution: study

Internews for Research on Energy and Clean health and toxics impacts of the high levels of SO2 and 29,000 fi fth would be deposited on land Sindh province, where the bulk The authors also found serious Karachi Air (CREA), which describes it- proposed coal mining and power people to air pollution-related ecosystems in the region”, the re- of coal-fi red capacity is set to be gaps in how the Environmental self as “an independent research cluster in Thar, Pakistan. fatalities, the power plants com- port says. established, already has a poor Impact Assessments (EIAs) for organisation focused on reveal- More than 6,000MW worth plex will also lead to a sprawling Most of this deposition will be record of taking air quality seri- these plants were done. cluster of coal-fi red power ing the trends, causes and health of coal-fi red power plants are in array of health-related compli- on crop land and increase mer- ously. “Did anyone even read these plants in the Thar desert, impacts, as well as the solutions various stages of development in cations. cury concentration in the food The Sindh Environmental EIAs during their approval?” the Asome of which are already to air pollution”. the country, the study authors “Other health impacts in- chain. Protection Agency, for example, author asked during his presen- operational, could expose around The lead author is Lauri Myl- say, of which 3,700MW is to be clude 40,000 asthma emergency Eight coal-based power plants does not provide ambient air tation. 100,000 people to harmful acidic lyvirta, whose bio on the CREA’s situated in the Thar desert. room visits, 19,900 new cases of have been commissioned in Paki- quality reports routinely and in a “The existence of such el- gases exceeding safe limits es- website says he has “served as a One plant of 660MW capacity asthma in children, 32,000 pre- stan over the last three years, and transparent manner. ementary errors and omissions tablished by the World Health member of the Technical Work- has already been commissioned term births, 20mn days of work one small plant has been opera- Not only that, its Environmen- in the cornerstone data used in Organisation (WHO) and 29,000 ing Group on regulating emis- there. absence (sick leave), and 57,000 tional since 1995. tal Quality Standards (EQS) are the EIAs makes it appear that the people could die from air pollu- sions from large combustion “The proposed plants would years lived with disability re- Taken together, the name- much more relaxed than for the reports have not been independ- tion related causes over the 30- plants in the European Union and constitute one of the largest air lated to chronic obstructive pul- plate power generating capac- rest of the country or the WHO ently reviewed by the regulator, year operating life of the plants, currently serves as a member of pollutant, mercury and carbon monary disease, diabetes and ity of these plants is 5,090MW, recommendations. raising serious questions about a new study by an independent the expert panel on regulating dioxide (CO2) emission hotspots stroke,” the report says. and another 11 plants with a total “While the national EQS sets the level of regulatory oversight,” research organisation shows. SO2 [sulphur dioxide] emissions in South Asia,” the report says. In addition to this, the power generating capacity of 6,208MW the PM2.5 limit for 24-hour mean the authors say after reviewing The study was released in an in South Africa”. Aside from exposing some plants will release 1,400kg of are still in the pipeline. at 35 μg/m3, the Sindh EQS sets it all the gaps in the emissions data online presentation by the Centre The report is titled Air quality, 100,000 people to dangerously mercury per year, “of which one- Authors also point out that at 75 μg/m3,” the report said. of the EIAs. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES

Government must Chinese consulate in pandemic outreach pass anti-terror Survey reveals most Filipinos bill to stay off ‘grey list’: panel under ‘great stress’ due to Covid-19 The Philippines risks being included in an international “grey list” of nations falling short of By Catherine S Valente cut. A total of 58% of those Luzon for two months to global money-laundering rules Manila Times who “have a job but are not slow the spread of Covid-19. if it fails to enact and eff ectively receiving” any pay have ex- Some areas outside of Lu- implement a new anti-terrorism perienced “great stress” zon followed suit to prevent bill, its anti-money laundering ajority of Filipinos while 57% of those who the transmission of the dis- body warned yesterday, Reuters are stressed due to “currently do not have a job ease. reported. The bill, opposed by Mthe coronavirus dis- but used to have one” have The government eased re- human rights activists who fear ease 2019 (Covid-19), accord- experienced the same. strictions in Metro Manila it could be used to suppress ing to the latest Social Weath- “Great stress” has been – the Covid-19 epicentre – free speech and harass those er Stations (SWS) survey. experienced by 52% of Fili- and some other parts of the who challenge the government, The mobile phone survey, pinos who have jobs and country on June 1, allowing is awaiting Philippine President conducted from May 4-10 were receiving full pay, and more businesses to reopen Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. from among 4,010 respond- by 51% of those who have and public transportation to Though the country’s compli- ents nationwide, showed 55% never had a job, according to resume at reduced capacity ance with global rules had im- of them experienced “great SWS. in a bid to jumpstart the local proved, the Anti-Money Launder- stress” due to the pandem- The survey also found the economy. ing Council said, it must pass and ic, while 34% experienced highest number of people Meanwhile, the same sur- show it could implement tougher “much stress.” experiencing “great stress” vey showed that people with measures to combat terrorism On the other hand, 7% had in Visayas at 63%, compared less formal education have before the observation period set “a little stress” while 4% had to 58% in Metro Manila, 55% been under great stress due by the intergovernmental Finan- “no stress” at all, according in Mindanao, and 51% in to the Covid-19 pandemic. cial Action Task Force expires in to SWS. Balance Luzon (whole of Lu- “The proportion of those February. Of those under “great zon except Metro Manila). with great stress was at Failure to do so, it said, could lead stress,” 68% experienced in- The number of Filipinos 59% among non-elemen- to the Philippines being included voluntary hunger in the past who have experienced “great tary graduates, 58% among in the global watchdog’s grey list, three months, while 52% of stress” is the same in areas those who reached some which could hurt the economy, families did not get involun- under enhanced community high school, and 56% among The Chinese Consulate in Laoag, with the support of the Chinese embassy in Manila, donated 20,000 already reeling from the impact tarily hungry. quarantine and general com- junior high school graduates, packs of ‘Friendship Rice’ to the provinces and cities in Northern Luzon as part of its outreach to those of the Covid-19 pandemic. SWS said that stress was munity quarantine areas, at compared to 52% among aff ected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese Consul and Head of Post Zhou Youbin led the event that “The Philippines’ inclusion in the higher among those who lost 55%.President Rodrigo Du- those with some college as also commemorated the 45th Anniversary of China-Philippines Diplomatic Relations. Off icials from grey list will result in an additional their jobs due to the outbreak terte ordered non-essential well as among college gradu- Northern Luzon were also present. layer of scrutiny from regula- or those whose salaries were workers to stay at home in ates,” SWS said. tors and financial institutions,” the council said in a statement, adding it will also put at risk the country’s goal of getting an “A” credit rating. Duterte, who has drawn inter- national criticism for his war on drugs and his human rights record, had been criticised for pri- China says Philippines will get oritising the passage of the anti- terrorism bill over an economic stimulus package to counter the impact of the pandemic. But the council said, “Fighting terrorism is just as urgent because it also priority if it creates a vaccine concerns protecting life”. By Catherine S Valente research trials for Covid-19 cal supplies and equipment. In his letter to Xi, Duterte not- Manila Times vaccine development and un- Xi expressed support in the ed the need to further strength- derscored the importance of resumption and completion en both countries’ partnership making the vaccine accessible of “priority infrastructure co- as it faced the Covid pandemic. hinese President Xi Jin- and aff ordable to all countries,” operation projects in the Philip- “The exchange of letters dem- Police ping has assured Presi- Roque said. pines.” onstrated shared commitment Cdent Rodrigo Duterte “President Xi, on the other Duterte and Xi also talked to strengthen comprehensive that the Philippines will be pri- hand, assured PRRD (President about their countries’ “crucial strategic co-operation and ar- oritised once China develops Duterte) his country’s com- strategies to restart economies ticulated the resolve to uphold chief a vaccine for the coronavirus mitment to make the vaccine under the new normal,” ac- peace, stability, prosperity and disease 2019 (Covid-19), Mala- available for all, adding that the cording to the Palace. The Phil- principles of international law, canang said. Philippines, as a friendly neigh- ippines has eased quarantine including the rule of law,” Mala- sacked Xi made the commitment bour, would certainly be a pri- measures across the country in canang said. during an “open and focused” ority,” he said. a bid to reopen the economy. It earlier said the relation- telephone conversation be- The Inter-Agency Task Force “President Xi underscored ship between the Philippines DPA tween Duterte and the Chinese for the Management of Emerg- gratitude for the Philippines’ and China is now at the “renais- Manila leader on Thursday night, Pal- ing Infectious Diseases recently support for China’s own fi ght sance” stage, hopeful that the ace spokesman Harry Roque Jr approved the Philippines’ col- against Covid-19, including the sea row between the two na- said in a statement. laboration with some Chinese Philippines ‘goodwill donation tions would be resolved. city police chief in the Roque said both leaders “ten- organisations for the trials. to the city of Wuhan, describ- The two nations have been western Philippines has dered their commitment to The vaccine being developed ing this as acts of kindness that locked in a maritime dispute Abeen sacked from his post work together in fi ghting Cov- by the Chinese Academy of Sci- shall be returned many times over the West Philippine Sea for allegedly beating up and ar- id-19 as part of international ences, Sinopharm and the Wu- more,” the Palace said. (South China Sea). resting local forest guards hired eff orts to contain the spread of han Institute of Virology has Duterte: focus on enhancing China ties The two leaders’ phone con- Since assuming the presiden- by the Environment Depart- the virus.” entered the second phase of versation came three days af- cy, Duterte has sought to down- ment. “The president mentioned clinical trials, with 96 people state broadcaster CGTN. the Filipino leader of China’s ter China and the Philippines play the dispute in exchange for Marlon Balonglong, chief of to his Chinese counterpart being given the experimental In his telephone conversation “full support” in supplying the marked their 45th year of diplo- improved ties with the world’s the police force in Puerto Princ- the need for co-operation in vaccine, according to Chinese with Duterte, Xi also assured Philippines with critical medi- matic ties on June 9. second largest economy. esa City, about 600 kilometres southwest of Manila, will face an investigation into the June 10 in- cident, said national police chief Archie Gamboa yesterday. “The allegations against Ba- Health dept expands virus testing longlong are serious and his re- lief is an administrative action to preclude any possibility of By Red Mendoza ity of testing into diff erent sub- Covid-19 swabbing centres and undue infl uence in the ongoing Manila Times groups based on the severity of social workers providing relief investigation,” Gamboa said. the disease and if they have rel- assistance and amelioration; and Balonglong allegedly led a evant travel history or contact Subgroup F: Patients who will group of offi cers who intercept- ersonnel manning quar- with another Covid-19 positive undergo high-risk, elective sur- ed the forest guards hired by the antine facilities, barangay case. gical procedures like pregnant Department of Environment and P(village) health workers These include Subgroup A: women, dialysis patients and or Natural Resources (DENR) to and pregnant women will be Patients and healthcare workers those who will undergo chemo- serve an eviction order against among those who will be tested with severe and critical symp- therapy or radiotherapy; and illegal settlers in a mangrove for the coronavirus disease 2019 toms with relevant travel history immune-compromised patients reservation area. (Covid-19) after the Department or close contact with another with human immunodefi ciency But Balonglong allegedly of Health (DoH) expanded its Covid-19 patient; Subgroup B: virus (HIV). Also in Subgroup F mauled some of the guards and testing protocols. Vulnerable patients and health are individuals living in confi ned took them all to the police sta- “With the invaluable sup- workers with mild symptoms, spaces like persons deprived of tion. They were later released, port from our partners, the such as the elderly and with pre- liberty. according to a complaint fi led hardworking DoH family, and existing conditions; Subgroup Under Department Memo- by the DENR with the national the active participation of all C: Those with mild symptoms randum 2020-0258, the DoH police. our laboratories, we have sig- and are not vulnerable; Sub- included personnel manning Gamboa said Balonglong nifi cantly increased our testing group D: Those without symp- temporary quarantine facilities needs to explain why he reacted capacity. We have thus updated toms; Subgroup E: Frontliners and quarantine control points, angrily against the local guards our guidelines to be attuned to “indirectly involved in health- national/regional/local risk re- and appeared to have defend- the needs of all those needing care provision in the response duction and management teams, ed the illegal settlers, who cut to be tested,” Health Secretary against Covid-19” and person- and barangay health emergency mangrove trees and built houses Francisco Duque 3rd said in a nel of the Bureau of Jail Man- response teams and offi cials on the reserve area, in violation statement. agement and Penology, Bureau providing border control under of environmental laws. A suspected Covid-19 patient undergoes the testing process in Barangay, Old Balara in Quezon City. The DoH classifi ed the prior- of Corrections, those manning Subgroup E. Call for law to ban dual citizens from media ownership

By Divina NJD Cruz The issue is one of the grounds put tion’s interest.” To counter the posi- countries would be prohibited from that if we would like to qualify the Manila Times forward by lawmakers opposed to tion of ABS-CBN, the Department of becoming media owners or share- constitutional provision to take giving another 25-year franchise to Justice and some lawmakers that the holders. I, for one, will recommend cognisance of the issue on dual ABS-CBN. Constitution does not distinguish be- or support legislation that would citizenship, we are only left with nakalusugan party-list Rep. They anchor their argument on tween a Filipino and a dual citizen in impose such prohibition,” Defensor the choice of crafting a legislative Michael Defensor called for Lopez “violating” the constitutional owning media entities, Defensor said said. measure that will, once and for all, Alegislation that would ban provision that limits ownership and there was a need for a specifi c law that He said conflict of interest might settle this novel bewilderment on Filipinos with dual citizenship from management of mass media “to citi- would prohibit it. arise in cases where allegiance to the concerned constitutional provi- owning shares in mass media compa- zens of the Philippine, or to corpora- Defensor recalled that a Depart- only the Philippines is required of sion,” Garbin said. nies in the country. tions, co-operatives or associations, ment of Justice official told law- dual citizens owning mass media. “However, we are also well-aware Defensor made the call after the wholly-owned and managed by such makers during Monday’s hearing Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo that even if we are to create a law ad- House of Representatives joint hear- citizens.” that Congress has the authority to Garbin Jr agreed that crafting a new dressing issue, whether it will be for ing that extensively tackled the is- Defensor believed that the hear- flesh out the constitutional man- law would settle the media owner- or against the interest of the subject sue of citizenship of ABS-CBN Corp ings “have shown that allowing a date on ownership of media by Fili- ship issue. “As clearly established, applicant, this may not be applied chairman Emeritus Eugenio Gabriel Filipino, who is at the same time a pinos. “I think the consensus is to the law is silent on the issue of dual retroactively,” he added, suggesting Anakalusugan party-list representative Lopez 3rd, who is both a Filipino and citizen of another country, is inimi- do just that, so that dual citizens citizenship. Therefore, I am con- that a new law may not be imple- Michael Defensor. an American by birth. cal to national security and the na- who certainly have allegiance to two strained to take the same wisdom mented to the case of ABS-CBN. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, June 14, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sociology of racial dynamics Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko The George Floyd moment in context P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar shapes the worldviews of the players and [email protected] make them act in a way that fits the logic 44350478 (News), of the “field”. This suggests that to under- stand the behaviours of American police, 44466404 (Sport), one must uncover the logic of the “game” 44466636 (Home delivery) they’re playing – policing. Let me now examine racial dynamics 44350474 on the three systemic levels I mentioned facebook.com/gulftimes above. On the structural level sociological twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar analysis of the social construction of race leads us to take into account both sides of the black/white binary paradigm when addressing racial inequality. In other words, we need to identify, in GULF TIMES the case of the dream land of America, By Darim al-Bassam how the prevailing Anglo Saxon ideology Demonstrators react as they march past the Trump International Hotel in e all watched the 2106 “whiteness as the norm” plays a major Washington during a protest against the death of George Floyd, near the White American election role since the time of the settling pioneers House in Washington. campaign when Donald in sustaining social privilege beyond that Low rates likely to Trump’s running discourse which is accorded marginalised others. really get free of coercive force? That can only happen when a recurrent focusedW on remaking American identity The white, Anglo-Saxon cultural and One reason the chant “Black Lives and institutionalised form of racism has along even starker racial lines, declaring racial dominance in that country is the Matter” is so important is that it states the become a way of seeing, entering into the stay as global economy that he is representing a “Movement”. ‘invisible omnipresent norm’ obvious but the obvious has not yet been presentation of visual evidence to justify Trump’s harnessed growing anxie- The concept of “cultural capital” historically realised. hateful and unjustified and heartbreaking ties among the white about an emerging coined originally by Pierre Bourdieu, un- So it is, according to Butler, a statement murder. faces huge challenges non-white majority in the US population, derstood as a particular stock of cultural of outrage and a demand for equality, for The lives taken in this way are not predicted by demographers to occur two competencies, help us to explain how the right to live free of constraint, but also lives worth grieving; they belong to the decades from now. within social structure of racialised euro- a chant that links the history of slavery, of increasing number of those who are un- The Federal Reserve (Fed) rates are likely to remain at Now, more than ever political life is centric countries like the United Sates, debt peonage, segregation, and a prison derstood as ungrievable, whose lives are record lows near zero as the world’s largest economy figured as a battle for a particular kind of the ideas, values, beliefs and practices system geared toward the containment, thought not to be worth preserving. recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, which has already future; in fact, the future, with the past as associated with legitimate high culture neutralisation and degradation of black Law was and is crucial in the legitimacy caused a sharp fall in economic activity and surge in job a criteria, is the term of the battle itself for are accepted as the norm and how cultural lives, but also a police system that more of racial violence and division. the white. reproduction, or the intergenerational and more easily and often can take away As the historian George M Fredrick- losses. Trump’s signature phrase and line of transmission of prevailing race privilege a black life in a flash all because some of- son (2002 ) put it: “The legacy of the At its June 10 meeting the US central bank kept it hats, “Make America Great Again,” is a takes place. ficer perceives a threat. past racism directed at blacks in the benchmark interest rate at 0.25% and signalled that it fundamentally biopolitical statement of a While Bourdieu did not use race in It may be that even when a black man United States is more like a bacillus that planned to keep it there for some time. strikingly racialised future. his analysis of social relations, his ideas is moving away from the police, that man we have failed to destroy, a live germ That means it could be years until interest rates rise again As he seeks neither global approval about power help explain how race, as a is still considered to be a threat or worth that not only continues to make some of nor cross-party electoral appeal, it no structuring or organising principle, can killing. us ill but retains the capacity to generate around the world. longer worries him so much about who is reproduce inequity and discrimination. Indeed, in the case of schematic racism, new strains of a disease for which we The Fed’s “dot plot”, which reflects the forecasts of the watching. Prevailing racial cultural capital and its anti-black racism figures black people have no certain cure’ central bank’s policymakers, isn’t showing any rate hikes Coercion is trumping leadership at emanating power relations can exclude through a certain lens and filter, one that We can conclude in this regard that this year or in 2021. home and abroad (Inderjeet Parmar, other identities from the assets and value can quite easily construe a black person, despite much positive change in the post Even in 2022, the majority of policymakers believe rates Conversation, June 5 2020). added provided by that high culture or another racial minority, who is walking civil rights era, institutionalised racism, How should we understand racism capital and discriminate against other toward us as someone who is potentially, the American notions of racism and white will remain at the current levels. and the violence, counterviolence and races, yet often remain ‘natural, normal or actually, threatening, or is considered, supremacy remain powerful elements of Along with the rate decision, the central banker projected civil unrest that mark the current era in and unmarked. in his very being, a threat. (Butler 2015 ) American culture. that the economy will shrink 6.5% in 2020, a year that saw American “law and order” policing ? How It is the effect of the power of norma- So let us think about what this is: a The adaptability and enduring power of an unprecedented halting of business activity in an effort to we identify the George Floyd moment in tivity and the status quo for replicating man like George Floyd is in a chokehold these forces can be seen in the emergence combat the coronavirus pandemic. that context? the status quo through the soft power of and states that he cannot breathe, and of a new historical epoch best described Millions of people — first, mostly peo- biopolitical practices. the chokehold is not relaxed, and the man by some researchers as the era of Laissez However, 2021 is expected to show a 5% gain followed by ple of colour, then joined by whites and Racialised symbolic violence comes as dies because he is perceived as a threat. Faire Racism. 3.5% in 2022, both well above the economy’s longer-term other ethnicities — turned out in street a result of cultural reproduction. The police sees a threat although Laissez faire racism, for (Kluegel and trend. protests in all 50 states and all around the symbolic violence survives even as op- George was not resisting, unarmed, com- Smith 1986), identifies this new era as one Most analysts expect the Fed to pause and assess the world against racism and the use of exces- pressed members are understood as active pletely physically subdued, lying in the where longstanding values of meritoc- economic landscape before embarking on any further sive force by police and law enforcement. agents. ground, handcuffed, crying out for his life racy, individualism, majority rule and And, based on this understanding, can we That soft power, symbolic violence at and cannot move. competition in a free marketplace weave actions, which could come at September’s meeting. consider the soul searching marches shout- the macro/structural level turns to hard Sociologically, this is a war zone of the together as rationalisation for persistent The central bank repeated its commitment from the ing George Floyd’s cry “ I Can’t Breathe” power, physical violence at the meso/ mind that play out on the street. systemic racial inequality in a putatively April meeting that it “expects to maintain this target as a tip point moment and as a historical/ institutional level of racism. Zones of “let die” biopower and bypoli- antidiscrimination, race neutral demo- range until it is confident that the economy has weathered political opportunity that can lead to trans- Systemic racism works as fostering life tics. cratic state. recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum formative changes? Is this a social uprising or disallowing it to the point of death, and In fact, the point is not just that black So it is not just that black lives matter, capable of leading to the end of racial profil- in valuations of what constitutes the hu- lives can be disposed of so easily: they are though that must be said again and again. employment and price stability goals.” ing and “Let Die” racial policies? Can it man, not-quite human, and nonhuman. targeted and hunted by a police force that It is also that stand-your-ground and The Fed, according to trigger actions to rewrite the rules for a just It is inherited from Settler colonialism is becoming increasingly emboldened racist killings are becoming increasingly CNBC, also said it will society and make black lives matter? times, premised on “logic of elimination”. to wage its race war by every grand jury normalised, which is why intelligent The coronavirus continue to increase its To render scientific answers to such From 2015 to 2019, according to statistics decision that ratifies the point of view of forms of collective outrage have become bond holdings, targeting questions, sociologists like me need to compiled by the Washington Post, police institutional racism and state violence. obligatory. (Buttler 2015 ) pandemic look at the social dynamics of racism in a shot and killed 962 to 1,004 Americans Whiteness is less a property of skin Finally, on the micro/individual level, Treasury purchases systemic way (macro/ structural, meso/ each year. than a social power reproducing its domi- sociological research findings show that has brought at $80bn a month and institutional and micro/ agency levels) According to Ruth Butler (2018) when nance in both explicit and implicit ways. although racism remains an endur- mortgage-backed rather than focus on the characteristics we are talking about institutional racism It is a “a stylised repetition of acts” ing social problem at the structural and “tremendous securities at $40bn. of “bad apple” police officers or angry, in the United States, we have to remem- that solidifies and privileges white bodies institutional levels, racism is increasingly In early march, the Fed revengeful citizens. ber that under slavery black lives were (George Yancy, New York Times, January unacceptable to most Americans. human and slashed the target range I must identify the “Rules of the Game” considered only a fraction of a human 2015 ). Few white people see themselves as embedded in the context in which the life, so the prevailing way of valuing lives Justifying lethal violence in the name racist. economic for its overnight funds rate violence occurs or at how the state/ assumed that some lives mattered more, of self-defence is reserved for those who But there remains, unconsciously, the to 0-0.25%, where it last people of different identities and races were more human, more worthy, more have a publicly recognised self to defend. “Silent Racism” that refers to the nega- hardship” upon was during the financial interact ? deserving of life and freedom, where But those whose lives are not consid- tive thoughts and attitudes regarding the crisis. The rate serves as a I am drawing in this regards on Pierre freedom meant minimally the freedom to ered to matter, whose lives are perceived black race and other people of colour on people around benchmark for short-term Bourdieu’s concept of the “field” to sup- move and thrive without being subjected as a threat to the life that embodies white the part of white people, including those port my argument that the “game” itself, to coercive force. privilege can be destroyed in the name of who see themselves and are generally seen the world bank borrowing and also as rather than innate personality traits, But when and where did black lives ever that life. by others as not racist. To Page 19 a guide for most consumer borrowing. The central bank acknowledged the “tremendous human and economic hardship” that the coronavirus pandemic has brought upon people around the world, noted CNN Business. By December, the Fed expects the unemployment rate to fall to 9.3%, down from 13.3% in May, but still substantially above the 3.5% rate from February - a near 50- year low, the network said. Millions of people in the world’s largest economy won’t get their old jobs back, “and there may not be a job for them for some time,” said Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Even by end-2022, the unemployment rate is still projected to be 5.5%, far higher than at the start of this year. Powell reiterated that some demographic groups, notably women, black and Hispanic workers, are bearing the brunt of the unemployment crisis. Analysts say Powell was trying to drive home the message that the economy remains in need of extraordinary help despite recent despite glimmers of a possible recovery, including a government report that employers surprisingly added jobs in May. By keeping its rate ultra-low for more than two more years, Fed makes it easier for consumers and businesses to borrow and spend enough to sustain an economy depressed by business shutdowns and high unemployment.

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Demonstrators march through downtown yesterday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The march was led by youths looking to call attention to Native Americans who have been killed by police. Protests and demonstrations continue in cities around the world in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis Police custody on May 25. Gulf Times Sunday, June 14, 2020 19 COMMENT Europe sets sights on dud antibody tests amid Covid-19 free-for-all

By Francesco Guarascio A dozen tests have been subject to on the market were a “disaster”. seek authorisation before using the Brussels regulators’ warnings for mis-selling, The World Health Organisation also CE mark only for so-called home including in Spain and Sweden. warned that tests on the market were or self-tests, which are those who At least nine of them are no longer not suffi ciently reliable and could not can be performed at home without he market for Covid-19 allowed to be sold in the United prove immunity. professional advice. antibody tests is red-hot. States, according to a Reuters analysis Such comments were backed up About a dozen antibody devices It has ballooned in a matter of public data from the Food and Drug by a study conducted by the Dutch have been unlawfully marketed as Tof months as hundreds of Administration, which clamped down regulator who found in May that CE-marked self-tests without prior products fl ood the world for people on the sector last month. none of 16 reviewed tests were authorisation, according to the who want to fi nd out whether they’ve The EU Commission is now looking trustworthy. Spanish and Swedish regulators. already had the virus. at changing the self-certifi cation “The test results are not reliable. Low performance is not in itself The problem is, some of them don’t regime that allows test-makers to The percentage of false positive and illegal and has been tolerated in work properly. label their products with the CE mark false negative results is too high,” the Europe in the initial phase of the As a result, European authorities themselves, an EU offi cial and two study concluded, without naming the Covid-19 crisis because tests were aim to tighten regulation of the new European regulatory sources told manufacturers. rare. sector, to weed out tests that give Reuters, declining to be named as the “Those tests are quite meaningless,” But companies cannot exaggerate consistently inaccurate results and plans have not been made public. said a spokesman for the Dutch Health the accuracy of their devices. crack down on companies that make Among changes being examined, and Youth Care Inspectorate, a part An offi cial at the Swedish regulator false claims, three sources familiar companies could be required to of the health ministry that supervises said the body had yet to start with the plans told Reuters. have tests reviewed by independent public health. performance checks, while two Much is on the line, even beyond watchdogs before placing the CE mark Despite the poor results, clinics pharmaceutical industry sources said the potential for fraud. on them, the sources said. and labs in the Netherlands are still such checks were rare in Europe. Governments and companies are That would mark a signifi cant allowed to off er these tests. There is however a balance to be relying on these tests to measure toughening of the current regime, struck on regulation, according to how widely the virus has spread as whereby makers merely self-certify z INDUSTRY BACKS RULE industry experts who worry that if they rush to get their economies and compliance with EU safety rules and REVIEW new rules are too strict or onerous employees back to work and avoid a supervisors can subsequently penalise Introducing an independent review they could delay the deployment second wave of infections, even if they them if their claims turn out to be of products would bring forward an of tests to conduct large-scale do not prove immunity. false. FILE PICTURE: Senior technician Benoit Samson-Couterie, conducts research into EU reform that had been agreed before epidemiological surveys. False results could undermine that Guidance setting out minimum antibodies against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in a laboratory at Sanquin the coronavirus crisis but was not due But greater scrutiny could help eff ort. performance criteria for tests could blood bank in Amsterdam, Netherlands. to take eff ect until 2022. improve the tarnished reputation of Many people have also been using also be adopted, the two regulatory In the absence of an EU the sector. kits, also known as serological or sources told Reuters. z SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY It’s a potentially lucrative business: performance standard for tests, MedTechEurope, the trading blood tests, at home or for personal Under current rules, kits can carry a Scientists have not yet defi nitively testing about 450mn people in the EU France has already set its own body for medical technology fi rms checks in clinics. CE mark regardless of their accuracy. proven whether or how long Covid-19 would cost billions of euros based on thresholds. including Abbott, Roche and Siemens Since April the number of antibody When asked about the plans, a survivors are immune to new such prices. About 60 kits have met the Healthineers, backed plans to review kits carrying the region’s CE mark of spokesman for the Commission, the infections, even if they developed “People might be spending lots country’s requirement of at least 90% industry regulations. quality doubled to more than 200, EU executive, said it was “currently antibodies. of money for nothing,” said Pauline of correct positive results, a measure “We support the intention of according to a list compiled by the EU considering the best way forward”. Nevertheless, many people are Constant of BEUC, a European known as sensitivity, and 98% of these plans, and would welcome Commission, the EU executive. “We are assessing a number of willing to pay for the tests — and consumer organisation. correct negative results, so-called the opportunity to provide the Some of these kits are unreliable, diff erent instruments available many don’t come cheap, selling for Severin Schwan, CEO of Swiss specifi city. industry’s input into this debate half a dozen national regulators and together with member states to see anything from a few euros to more drug giant Roche which has its own Under current EU rules, on how to best ensure only well- industry sources across Europe told which action is the most appropriate,” than 150 euros in some private clinics antibody test, sounded an alarm in overseen and enforced by national performing tests are on the market,” Reuters. he added. in Europe. late April, when he said some tests watchdogs, manufacturers must it said. - Reuters

Rage against the pandemic Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 410c men suff ering from syphilis had been By Barry Eichengreen killing triggered a national uprising is against another round of pandemic- Minimum Temperature : 310c Beerkeley that an especially horrifi c recording related emergency support for the left untreated, supposedly in the name quickly dominated social media and poor and unemployed. of medical science. MONDAY traditional news outlets alike. But this Notice the regional pattern. Countries with diff erent histories Maximum Temperature : 440c wo weeks of massive, answer will satisfy only those who The dominant explanation, from the US have more extensive Minimum Temperature : 330c nationwide demonstrations have forgotten the equally horrifi c developed in part by the late welfare states. For this reason, they TUESDAY against police violence recording of Garner’s killing. economist Alberto Alesina, for are less at risk, it would seem, of a Maximum Temperature : 450c Tand racial bias have raised A more convincing explanation America’s lack of a social-welfare state social explosion. So argued European Minimum Temperature : 330c concerns about a second wave of must include the pandemic. It is not along European lines is its history of Commission Vice-President Fisherman's forecast Covid-19 infections in the United incidental that African-Americans racism. Alesina showed that race is Margaritis Schinas earlier this month. States. It’s hard to engage in a work disproportionately in the service the single most important predictor of Schinas’s assertion, of course, WARNING collective display of righteous anger sector, where employment has been support for welfare in the US, and that skips lightly over racial grievances in Inshore : Strong wind expected over George Floyd’s killing at the decimated. It is not incidental that the opponents of welfare-state policies Europe, such as in France’s banlieues. most areas daytime hands of the Minneapolis police and share of the nonelderly US population have long used race-based rhetoric to It ignores widespread hostility toward Offshore : Strong wind and high remain two meters apart from one’s lacking health insurance is 1.5 times mobilise their supporters. immigrants and refugees, especially sea fellow protesters. And mask wearing higher among blacks than among Alesina also demonstrated those from Africa. No matter, Schinas WEATHER is less than universal among the whites. And it is not incidental that the that redistributive policies that presumably would reply. The welfare Inshore : Hot daytime with slight dust to blowing dust demonstrators, just as it is among the Covid-19 mortality rate is 2.4 times as disproportionately benefi t members of state was created before race became at some places and US public generally. This doesn’t bode high among black Americans as white minorities are unappealing to members a major issue in Europe. It is a fact on relatively hot by night. well for public health or the economy. Americans. Even without more images of the majority, who lack a sense of the ground. It is not going away. WIND solidarity with the poor. The South, But recall the British exception. Inshore : Northwesterly-Norther- But while it has been widely noted of police brutality, the situation ly 17-27/37 KT that the social turmoil unfolding in facing many African-Americans, with its history of slavery and Jim Crow, First, in 1942, came the Beveridge the wake of Floyd’s death may worsen disproportionately aff ected by the is where this cleavage runs deepest. Report, the founding document Offshore : Northwesterly 15-25/32 the already-acute Covid-19 crisis, pandemic, was already approaching Some will question an argument on which the British welfare was KT the connection running in the other the unbearable. linking twenty-fi rst-century social erected. But then came successive Visibility : 4-8/3 KM direction – from the pandemic to the That is because of America’s problems to this “ancient history.” waves of immigration from the demonstrations – has received far less threadbare social safety net. But researchers have shown that US Caribbean and South Asia, which Offshore : 4-8/11 FT attention. Without diminishing for a Unemployment insurance benefi ts counties with more lynchings between created the perception, if not also the moment the horror of Floyd’s death, are typically limited to 26 weeks in 1882 and 1930 have more black-white fact, of ethnic fractionalisation. And Around the region then came Margaret Thatcher, the the question is: why now? the US. Certain states in the South inequality and higher mortality rates Weather Weather today. dismantler of the welfare state. After all, before Floyd, there was provide fewer. Indeed, some, such as today Max/min tomorrow Max/min The diff erence in mortality Europe can do better, perhaps, but the police killing of Michael Brown in Florida, have intentionally designed Sunny 42/26 Sunny 45/26 rates refl ects not just poverty and its leaders should not fool themselves Baghdad Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014. their bureaucracies to make applying Sunny 43/31 Sunny 44/31 inequality, but also a lack of trust in that they won’t have to work at it. - Kuwait City The previous month, there was Eric for unemployment benefi ts as diffi cult Cloudy 37/32 Cloudy 39/32 the public health system on the part Project Syndicate Manama Garner in New York City, who died in as possible. M Sunny 39/33 P Cloudy 39/33 of African-American men. For older Muscat a police chokehold, despite pleading, Other states, again mainly in the Sunny 37/23 Sunny 36/23 like Floyd, “I can’t breathe.” A recent South, have not extended Medicaid African-American men, in particular, z Barry Eichengreen is Professor Tehran National Public Radio segment was eligibility to low-income people, as mortality rates have been aff ected by the of Economics at the University of fronted by the names of nearly 100 permitted by the Aff ordable Care Act. revelation in 1972 of the pathological California, Berkeley. His latest book African-Americans who died in police Likewise, Senate Majority Leader experiment conducted by the US Public is The Populist Temptation: Economic custody over the past six years. Mitch McConnell (from the Southern Health Service in Tuskegee, Alabama. Grievance and Political Reaction in the One explanation for why Floyd’s state of Kentucky) is leading the fi ght Since 1932, some 400 African-American Modern Era. Sociology of racial dynamics

From Page 18 constantly and tacitly discriminate. almost two-fi fths of the working-age By the mid-2040s, racial and ethnic Around the world Undoing whiteness has to be diffi cult population. (Brooking Institute, January minorities are projected to make up Weather Weather An apparent implication of silent rac- work, but it starts, as Ruth Butler put 2018) about half of all Americans, but the Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min ism inhabiting the “not racist” category it, with humility, with learning history, While much attention has been given 2020 census will show that the post- Athens Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 33/19 is that the historical construction racist/ with white people learning how the to this generation’s attributes — its millennial generation — people who are Beirut Sunny 25/21 Sunny 26/21 not racist is no longer meaningful. (Bar- history of racism persists in the everyday technological savvy, tolerance and younger than millennials — will already Bangkok S T Storms 35/27 S T Storms 32/27 bara Trepagnier 2014) vicissitudes of the present, even as some independence, and its sceptical view of be minority white. Berlin P Cloudy 25/14 M Sunny 25/13 Moreover, data show that the “not of us may think we are “beyond” such established institutions — I would argue This means that millennials, now Cairo Sunny 34/20 Sunny 35/21 racist” category itself produces latent a history, or even convinced that we the one characteristic of millennials that 44% minority, will pave the way for the Cape Town Showers 16/10 Sunny 17/08 eff ects that serve to maintain the racial have magically become “post-racial.” matters most is their racial and ethnic generations behind them as workers, Colombo T Storms 30/27 S T Storms 30/26 status quo. It is diffi cult and ongoing work, calling diversity. consumers and leaders in business and Dhaka T Storms 32/26 T Storms 31/26 Sociologists proposed replacing the on an ethical disposition and political The millennial narrative is more government in their acceptance of a Hong Kong T Storms 28/26 T Storms 28/26 oppositional either/or categories with a solidarity that risks error in the practice hopeful, portraying a group of young racially diverse America. (William Frey Istanbul S T Storms 25/20 S T Storms 27/20 continuum that accurately refl ects rac- of solidarity. whites who are much more comforta- 2018) Jakarta P Cloudy 34/25 S T Storms 33/25 ism in the United States today. It is worth mentioning in our analysis ble with diversity than their predeces- Finally, if white millennials are as Karachi M Sunny 34/29 P Cloudy 35/29 Silent racism underlies the everyday of racial dynamics at this micro level sors. progressive as recent popular portray- London P Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 22/13 racism that routinely discriminates that the millennial generation represents Indeed, this generation, which is als indicate, particularly with respect to Manila S T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 against people of colour, regardless of the only hope. leading “ Black Lives Matter” protests racial issues, then white youth might be Moscow P Cloudy 21/13 P Cloudy 24/15 the “good intentions” of the actor. They bridge between an older, largely now all over the United States, is poised less susceptible to well-known psycho- New Delhi M Sunny 41/30 M Sunny 41/30 There are white people who may be white America and a much more diverse to be the demographic bridge to the na- logical tendencies associated with racial New York M Sunny 24/16 M Sunny 25/16 very convinced that they are not rac- post-millennial America. tion’s diverse future. group membership than whites in other Paris M Cloudy 24/14 P Cloudy 24/14 ist, but that does not necessarily mean The millennials, at over 75mn strong, When asked about the most impor- generations, who have been shown to Sao Paulo Cloudy 19/14 P Cloudy 21/16 that they have examined, or worked constitute America’s largest generation, tant issues facing the country, millenni- feel threatened by the nation’s changing Seoul P Cloudy 27/16 M Sunny 27/17 though, how whiteness organises their eclipsing the postwar baby boomers. als of all racial backgrounds cite racism demography (Craig and Richeson 2018). Singapore S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/27 lives, values, the institutions they Now all over 20, millennials make up as one of their major concerns, though This gives hope that the George Floyd Sydney P Cloudy 19/08 Sunny 19/09 support, how they are implicated in nearly a quarter of the total population, there is substantial variation between moment will pave the way for real social Tokyo Rain 26/20 Clear 34/24 ways of talking, seeing, and doing that 30% of the voting-age population, and groups (Pew Resrach Center May 2020) transformation. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, June 14, 2020 QATAR Qatar Rail welcomes its new batch of Doha Metro trains zAdditional trains will increase Metro capacity and serve future expansions

atar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced Qthat it received a new batch of trainsets at Hamad Port yesterday in accordance with an agreement signed earlier with manufacturer Kinki Sharyo Co Ltd. The batch consists of two trains, which are part of the 35 additional trains set to arrive in the country over the coming months, Qatar Rail has said in a statement. According to the delivery schedule, the last batch will ar- rive by the end of the second quarter next year, increasing the total number of Doha Metro trains serving the network from 75 trains to 110. The new trains will be moved to the Qatar Rail depot in Al Wakra for assembly and testing purposes, to be integrated later into the existing rail system. All the necessary tests will be con- ducted to ensure that the highest standards of safety are met. The additional trains will con- tribute to increasing the capac- ity of the Metro network as the country gears towards the FIFA The new trains will be moved to the Qatar Rail depot in Al Wakra for assembly and testing purposes, to be integrated later into the existing rail system. World Cup Qatar 2022, which is expected to attract more than in the expansion of the current 1.5mn visitors, the statement network.” The Doha Metro de- noted. The trains will also serve sign embodies the Qatari herit- the future expansion of the Doha age and culture combined with Metro lines that Qatar Rail in- state-of-the-art technology. It tends to implement. is designed and manufactured Abdullah Abdulaziz al-Sub- by Kinki Sharyo Co Ltd at its aie, managing director and CEO factories located in Osaka, Ja- of Qatar Rail, said: “The Doha pan. Metro network provides a reli- The Doha Metro is consid- able and comfortable means of ered one of the fastest driver- transportation within the city less trains in the world and the as it extensively covers and con- fastest ever in the region, with nects key destinations in Doha. a speed reaching 100kph. Each The additional trainsets will un- train consists of three Metro doubtedly boost the network’s cars; one for the Gold and Family capacity and decrease the head- Class and two for the Standard ways on all the lines.” Class. Moreover, they will contribute The Gold Class has 16 seats to providing a comprehensive while the Family Class has 26 and seamless transport experi- seats, and the two Standard ence for visitors and crowds dur- Class cars have 88 seats in total. ing the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he The Doha Metro is distinguish- stressed. able by its modern design that “In addition, this strate- refl ects the unique identity of gic move will contribute to the Qatari heritage, which is em- achievement of the project’s bodied through the exterior and long-term goals represented interior designs. GU-Q student club hosts Black QF alumni help students make Lives Matter panel discussion watching TV a learning experience atar Foundation (QF) universities alumni Os- he Black Student As- Qaama Shehzad and Ha- sociation (BSA) at Qatar roon Yasin both work in the fi eld TFoundation (QF) partner of education in Pakistan and, Georgetown University in Qatar over the course of the last year, (GU-Q) has hosted a webinar have attempted new things in titled, ‘Black Lives Matter: Po- their respective occupations lice Brutality and Racial Injus- with the aim of benefi ting a larg- tice in America’. er number of people. The online event was moder- Shehzad quit his job as a uni- Osaama Shehzad Haroon Yasin ated by the BSA’s student co- versity instructor to join an founders and featured GU-Q edtech company, hoping to reach onboarded as one of the several place,” said Yasin. “For far too faculty, African American out beyond the 20 students that organisations feeding content long, we have built classrooms in Studies expert Professor Mau- were in his classroom. into the Teleschool channel. which students have to stick to rice Jackson, and American and Yasin, who runs a digital Content worked on by Yasin ‘dead’ sessions even if they don’t Comparative Politics specialist learning mobile app called Tal- and Shehzad is now broadcast enjoy the lesson.” Professor Clyde Wilcox. eemabad, tried to televise the every day from 8am to 6pm, The one-way communication Attended by an audience app’s content on local television, reaching an audience of 50mn on of television is also a challenge, of students, faculty, staff and but faced delays due to red tape Pakistan’s national television. as it doesn’t allow educators to members of the QF community, and censorship guidelines. The Teleschool initiative is ef- test the skills and knowledge of the panel took an unfl inching Then came the Covid-19 pan- fective in reaching out to com- its recipients, Shehzad points look at the wave of protests that The online event was moderated by the BSA’s student co-founders and featured GU-Q faculty, African demic, changing educational munities that have a television out, adding that Knowledge have swept across the US and American Studies expert Professor Maurice Jackson, and American and Comparative Politics specialist landscapes across the globe. but cannot aff ord an Internet Platform has created online as- around the world, and answered Professor Clyde Wilcox. As schools were shut and connection or a computer. sessments which they encourage audience questions about race, students asked to start learning However, both Shehzad and Teleschool audience to take after police reform and the divisive highlighted pivotal moments attracted over 60 members in but requires us to step up and from home, the government of Yasin agree that broadcasting tuning into lessons, although politics that surround issues of in US civil rights history, not- its fi rst year, has hosted several live up to the responsibilities Pakistan launched Teleschool, an lessons on TV is not without its there is no way to enforce this. social justice. ing that each successive eff ort events, including a collaboration aff orded us as institutions of initiative that broadcasts educa- challenges. Talking about virtual class- Dr Wilcox, whose research builds on the previous genera- with Words and Strings, a Black- scholarship and service.” tional content for K-12 students “It’s very diff erent to engage rooms in general, Yasin also interest includes religion and tion’s struggle. led initiative in Doha that aims to Noting that conversations on national television daily. For a broadcast audience, compared warned against overusing the politics, public opinion and The BSA student club was enrich the local art scene. about race and inequality are Shehzad and Yasin — who have to a digital or in-app audience,” “golden word — e-learning” to electoral behaviour, noted that launched in the fall of 2019 The dean of GU-Q, Dr Ah- often diffi cult for students to graduated from Carnegie Mellon explained Yasin. “The viewers ensure the boundaries between the broad public reaction to the by third-year students Tsed- mad Dallal, said: “As a univer- have, Tsedenya hopes institu- University in Qatar (CMU-Q) can switch the channel at any technology, fun, and learning latest of many cases of racial- enya Girmay, an International sity with longstanding com- tions of higher learning expand and Georgetown University in moment, so you don’t want to be are not so blurred that students ised police brutality has been Politics major, and Lina Hajo, mitment to foundational values and increase opportunities Qatar (GU-Q), respectively — too obvious while you are teach- either start resenting them col- driven by many intersecting a Culture and Politics major. of diversity and social justice, for positive and constructive this was a unique opportunity to ing.” lectively or not doing anything factors. These include the on- The club aims to encourage Georgetown is committed to engagement on these issues. directly reach students without Since television is primarily else, such as playing outdoors going pandemic which has de- Black student unity, support, ensuring a safe campus envi- She says the panel is the fi rst any middlemen. used for entertainment, putting and spending quality time with creased public trust in institu- and cultural exchange in Doha, ronment where students, facul- of many discussions the club The launch of the initiative al- educational content on it pushes the family. tions and highlighted the racial and to create awareness on is- ty, and staff can come together hopes to host, in a community lowed Taleemabad to fast-track the content creators to make it “Edtech companies can be inequalities in healthcare. sues faced by communities for critical conversations on where “the nature of Georget- its partnership with Pakistan’s more fun and engaging than they overbearing and we don’t want Dr Jackson, a prolifi c author worldwide. “It’s very impor- issues of race and inequal- own’s liberal arts education at- federal education ministry and would for other platforms. to develop an allergic reaction on African American history tant that we recognise that the ity. This moment in our history tracts students who care about screen its cartoon-style animat- “If you (as a child on the re- to e-learning that will be hard and culture and an inductee to Black Lives Matter movement represents a turning point, and social awareness and commu- ed videos on television. ceiving end) don’t like it, you to recover from,” he said. “Let’s the Washington, DC, Hall of may have started in the US, but demands that we not only bear nity engagement”. Knowledge Platform, the get to walk out. That’s a dream take our foot off the accelera- Fame for his social activism, these are global issues,” said witness to the systemic vio- The panel discussion is avail- edtech company where Shehzad come true for children because tor for some time, as too much described the events as un- Tsedenya. lence and inequality faced by able for viewing on the GU-Q creates science content for stu- they get to pick what they want. learning is also something that precedented in his lifetime. He The club, which has already Black community members, BSA’s Instagram page. dents from Grade 6-12, was also And it puts the educators in their can be a trap for children.”