Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 26, 2020 QATAR NHRC reviews precautionary measures at workers’ housing, quarantine facilities lMonitoring team visits quarantine centres in Industrial Area, Umm Salal and Mesaieed and hotels housing residents subjected to compulsory quarantine
QNA Doha
he field visits and -moni toring team of the Na- Ttional Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has visited workers in some parts of the In- dustrial Area that were subjected to quarantine, several quaran- tine places for workers in Umm Salal and Mesaieed, and some hotels designated for quaran- tine, to identify the precaution- ary measures followed there and the quality of health services provided to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). The NHRC team during its visit to the places of quarantine in Industrial Area, Umm Salal and Mesaieed and the hotels housing quarantined residents. This is part of the continua- tion of the NHRC’s visits pro- tasks entrusted to it, and in im- masks for workers to prevent the who had contact with them, and tunity to know about the prepara- close follow-up of any case of in- took a closer look at the precau- gramme, which in the previous plementation of the regulations spread of the epidemic, he added. the plans taken to ensure that tion of a new emergency field clin- fection among the workers since tionary measures followed in the stage, included penal institutions and laws that regulate the work Dr al-Kuwari pointed out that the epidemic does not transmit ic that will open soon, he added. the diagnoses of the infection un- hotels which receive the resi- and places of detention. The pro- of the committee. the monitoring committee team within the Industrial Area. Meanwhile, the NHRC team til completion of treatment. dents subjected to compulsory gramme will continue during the Dr al-Kuwari explained that also briefed officials during the About the quality of health- also visited the quarantine centres Dr al-Kuwari noted that the quarantine, al-Kuwari added. coming days to include many the NHRC has obtained extensive meetings on the implementation care provided to infected work- for workers infected with corona- workers’ residence areas are He noted that the team lis- more institutions and bodies con- information about the number of of the precautionary measures ers, Dr al-Kuwari said that the virus in Umm Salal and Mesaieed. provided with laboratories and tened to comprehensive expla- cerned with the application of workers in some parts of the In- approved by the Atate in some team reviewed the work of the Dr al-Kuwari said that the team medical care rooms that include nations on the health services precautionary measures approved dustrial Area that were subjected parts of the Industrial Area that mobile inspection units inside spoke to officials and patients in a sufficient number of beds, provided to the residents, and by the official authorities to con- to quarantine, the size of hous- were subjected to quarantine, es- the Industrial Area, which are the centres, and listened to exten- oxygen tubes, and artificial res- the strict precautionary pro- tain Covid-19. ing facilities, the conditions of pecially sterilisation and clean- responsible for examining those sive explanations about a number pirators, if needed, in addition to cedures followed by the hotel On the goals of the visit to residence and housing of workers, ing operations that the region has living there, and the mechanisms of patients and the general situa- isolation areas between patients. management to prevent mixing some parts of the Industrial Area shelter services, and the quality of been subjected to since the start of used to conduct examinations, tion inside quarantine areas and Places for entertainment and ex- and ensure required distancing, that were subjected to quaran- healthy food and nutritional sup- the application of the quarantine, as well as reviewing the process the needs of the isolated persons. ercise and sports were also pro- as well as the services provided tine, Vice-Chairman of NHRC plements provided to workers in and health services provided to of distributing masks and steri- The team noted great care in terms vided in order to maintain the to clean the rooms, the quality of and chairman of the field visit quarantine in the region, espe- residents and workers. lisers, in addition to visiting sev- of attention, accommodation, hy- psychological health for resi- healthy food, ventilation in the and monitoring committee, Dr cially to those with chronic dis- Dr al-Kuwari added that the eral commercial complexes, food giene, and other additional serv- dents of those centres. The team rooms, laundry and other health Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, said eases, and the elderly. team was briefed on the proce- stores, pharmacies, and open ices, as well as ensuring no over- was also briefed on the services services necessary for the safety that based on NHRC’s con- During the visit to Industrial dures used to treat people infect- exchange offices in the Indus- crowding in the rooms. provided to protect the guards and security of the residents. cern for the health and safety of Area, the NHRC team inspected ed with the virus, the preventive trial Area. In the Umm Salal quarantine and supervisors at the work- Dr al-Kuwari said that work- workers, and everyone who lives the distribution points of the food medical equipment provided for The officials of the Industrial centre, the team was briefed about ers’ residence areas, and made ers in places of quarantine and in Qatar, it visited the various baskets for workers, the mecha- workers to protect them from the Area have informed the team that the medical services provided sure that they received all health the residents in the hotels were places of major human gather- nism of work, and distributed risk of transmission of the virus, the medical centres distribute there. A team of 45 people from services and medical checks re- given the hotlines of the NHRC ings to inspect the precautionary some necessary health supplies, including the procedures used the medicine free of charge to the various medical specialities pro- quired for doctors and workers. and were urged to contact when- measures followed, as per the including free sterile bags and to isolate the infected and those needy, and the visit was an oppor- vide care at the centre to ensure During the visit, the team also ever needed.
In brief UNEP praises GAC plan for disposal of ozone-damaging substances
FM holds phone QNA talks with Doha Iran, Afghan he United Nations counterparts Environment Pro- Tgramme (UNEP) HE the Deputy Prime praised the initiative of the Minister and Minister of General Authority of Cus- Foreign Affairs Sheikh toms (GAC) for holding the Mohamed bin Abdulrahman online training programme al-Thani yesterday received (the role of customs in the a telephone call from Iranian phasing out of ozone harm- Foreign Minister Mohamed ful substances), which was The GAC Customs Training Centre organised the programme Javad Zareef. organised by the Customs through the newly launched online training and education The call focused on Training Centre in co-op- platform. reviewing bilateral eration with the Ministry of relations, and co-ordinating Municipality and Environ- of the programme, HE the to the interaction between efforts to contain the ment and the UNEP from Chairman of GAC Ahmed the programme participants, coronavirus (Covid-19), April 21-23. bin Abdullah al-Jamal who numbered 130 people the latest developments in The GAC Customs Train- stressed the authority’s in- from all disciplines related to Afghanistan and issues of ing Centre organised the terest in this international the subject. joint interest. programme, which is the programme that aims to He said that GAC plans lHE the Deputy Prime first of its kind with the UN, protect the environment and to continue to implement Minister and Minister of through the newly launched the phasing out of ozone- training programmes re- Foreign Affairs Sheikh online training and educa- depleting substances. motely. Mohamed bin Abdulrahman tion platform, aiming at The training programme James Corlin, policy di- al-Thani yesterday received starting the implementation focused on several major rector and ozone action a telephone call from of the phase-out plan for axes related to the protection network in the legal divi- Afghanistan’s Minister of ozone-depleting substances of the ozone layer, the most sion of the UN - Paris Office, Foreign Affairs Mohamed in Qatar. important of which are the stressed his gratitude for the Haneef Atmar. The UNEP reported about Vienna Convention for the prominent role played by The call reviewed this training programme Protection of the Ozone Lay- the GAC, in addition to the bilateral relations, and through their official Twit- er, the licensing system and role of the Ministry of Mu- co-ordinating efforts to ter account in Arabic and the identification of risks to nicipality and Environment contain the coronavirus English and praised Qatar’s combat illegal trade in these and all participants, indicat- (Covid-19), in addition to a efforts in this regard, stress- substances, and customs ing that the coming period number of issues of joint ing that the country was procedures for ozone-de- will witness continuous co- interest. proactive in preparing the pleting substances. operation to implement the requirements to participate Director of the Customs national plan for the phase- Qatar- Moroccan in this program despite the Training Centre Mubarak al- out of ozone-damaging challenges caused by the Buainain emphasised build- substances in Qatar through health sector spread of the coronavirus ing the capacity for the suc- customs as the first line of ties reviewed (Covid-19). cess of the programme and defence for environmental During the closing session achieving its goals, pointing protection.
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed 833 new cases of Covid-19, 120 more recover al Kuwari held a telephone call with Moroccan Minister From Page 1 and public places. The ministry reminds of Health Dr Khalid Ait Taleb. people to use a face mask and avoid social They discussed ways to The ministry calls on all members of the visits to reduce their risk of contracting the enhance co-operation society to stay at home and not go out except virus. between Qatar and Morocco in cases of necessity and to take care to Also one can visit its webpage regularly to in the health sector, in implement preventive measures and maintain view the latest information and instructions addition to discussing the social distancing , including in the workplace related to Covid-19, the statement added. developments related to the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Ehteraz app launched to fight Covid-19 pandemic. The two sides stressed the From Page 1 and curb the spread of the virus, Ehteraz, importance of co-operation which means precaution, will also display as well as exchanging Earlier this month, HE the Spokesperson of the the latest developments and official statistics information and Supreme Committee for Crisis Management related to Covid-19. The app will also receive experiences on methods Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohamed AlKhater had awareness and precautionary instructions of treatment, and how to announced that a new smartphone app would issued by the official authorities. track Covid-19 patients to be launched soon. The app uses a GPS feature and Bluetooth to reduce its spread. Besides helping enhance preventive measures perform various services. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 3 QATAR QC launches ‘Feed a Fasting Person’ project worldwide atar Charity (QC), with support from people in QQatar, has initiated its Ramadan campaign, ‘Calm Your Heart by Giving’, by implement- ing the ‘Feed a Fasting Person’ project in 30 countries, includ- ing Turkey, Sudan, Kyrgyzstan and others. The ‘Feed a Fasting Person’ project, implemented outside Qatar, is valued at QR16mn and aims to benefit 424,396 people by distributing food baskets and Iftar meals to them, QC has said in a statement. Turkey In Turkey, QC, in co-opera- tion with major municipalities, has started delivering ready-to- eat Iftar meals to the homes of beneficiaries in Sahinbey and Uskudar municipalities, in addi- tion to other municipalities that host a large number of Syrian refugees. Qatar Charity aims to provide Iftar meals to more than 100,000 fasting people, including Syr- Qatar Charity volunteers prepare meal parcels, in Kyrgyzstan. A Qatar Charity volunteer hands over relief aid to a beneficiary in Sudan. ian refugees and Turkish people, by delivering the meals to the as it prepares and packs meals in Iftar tables that were cancelled efactors in Qatar for supporting homes of the beneficiaries. The the municipal kitchens to ensure this year due to the coronavirus the vulnerable who cannot meet ‘Feed a Fasting Person’ project that they will remain safe and pandemic,” said the director of their Ramadan needs. will also include the distribution clean, the statement notes. Qatar Charity’s office in Sudan, QC, with the support of do- of food baskets to thousands of Sudan Hussein Karmash. nors in Qatar, aims to benefit beneficiaries inside Syria. Qatar Charity, through its of- He also pointed out that the 1,960,028 people at an estimated The most vulnerable sections fice in Sudan, has started the dis- ‘Feed a Fasting Person’ project cost of QR85,140,826 this Ra- like orphans and people over the tribution of food items, benefit- aims to help needy families, poor madan. Its Ramadan projects age of 65 years have been taken ing 2,000 people in a rural area orphans and people with special include ‘Feed a Fasting Person’, into consideration while select- of the Omdurman. Some 24,475 needs, in addition to providing Zakat al-Fitr and Eid clothing ing beneficiaries, in addition to people are expected to benefit support to students of the In- projects, in addition to delivering those who lost their jobs due to from food baskets at a cost of ternational University of Africa, relief food aid in areas of disas- the coronavirus epidemic. QR660,793. which has thousands of interna- ters and crises, and providing as- QC has taken into considera- “Qatar Charity has regularly tional students in need of such sistance to those affected by the tion public safety and precau- been implementing the ‘Feed a support. coronavirus. tionary measures in the im- Fasting Person’ project for a long The beneficiaries expressed plementation of its Ramadan time by distributing food baskets their delight at receiving aid, Right: Food being prepared in projects to fight the coronavirus, to needy families, and setting up extending thanks to the ben- Turkey. QRCS extends food aid to 26,400 Iraqis, Syrians
atar Red Crescent ciaries, in accordance with Society (QRCS) has the selection criteria adopt- Qcompleted a hu- ed for the project. manitarian project to help Each basket contained vulnerable groups affected 19kg of food staples like by the Covid-19 lockdown rice, lentils, vegetable oil, in Iraq. tomato paste, sugar and Some $267,759 worth of bulgur. food aid was distributed There are plans to expand to 26,400 beneficiaries in the project by adding extra Mosul (Nineveh) and Erbil 1,000 food baskets, to be (Iraqi Kurdistan) as part distributed over the coming of the project. A total of few days, QRCS has said. 2,000 and 2,800 food bas- All preventive measures kets were distributed in were taken to ensure the the two cities, respective- safety of both the workers ly, QRCS said in a state- and beneficiaries. Personal ment. protective equipment was The purpose of the in- provided, including masks, tervention is to alleviate Some $267,759 worth of food aid was distributed to 26,400 gloves and medical gowns, the suffering of displaced beneficiaries in Mosul and Erbil. and a safe distance was Iraqis and Syrian refugees kept between the work- by meeting the food needs. ures, the statement noted. done in co-operation with ers and recipients to avoid Special attention was The procurement was the Iraqi Red Crescent So- close contact. paid to day labourers and conducted under a public ciety (IRCS) and local au- Home visits were made to low-income workers who tender to comply with the thorities in the target areas. those who could not show stopped work due to the transparency regulations. Also, IRCS helped in de- up to receive their food coronavirus control meas- The distributions were veloping the list of benefi- baskets.
MoPH dispels rumour about Inspection campaign at shopper fainting due labour housing to ensure to coronavirus infection compliance, says official he ongoing inspec- tions at workers’ accom- present circumstances. The Ministry of Public tion campaign at modations, stressed this The violating hous- Health (MoPH) has is- Tworkers’ accommo- while speaking to Qatar TV. ing units are given a grace sued a statement noting dations is mainly aimed at The inspectors taking period to rectify the situ- that what has been cir- ensuring that they strictly part in the campaign focus ation and the inspection culating on social media comply with health and on the above-mentioned team conducts follow-up about a shopper falling safety standards while issues in addition to rel- visits to such places to en- unconscious, as a result housing the appropriate evant hygiene standards. sure compliance. of being infected with number of workers based The first phase of the Al-Meer said in case the Covid-19, is incorrect on the space available to campaign has focused on number of inhabitants has and not true. ensure physical and so- different areas in Doha to be decreased through In a tweet, the MoPH cial distancing to curb the city as part of a scheduled evacuation, alternative stressed that the spread of Covid-19. plan to cover more places. locations are available shopper fainted due to Mohamed Ali al-Meer, Besides, MADLSA of- where the affected work- fatigue, which resulted general supervisor of the ficials maintain constant ers can be shifted. in a loss of balance. joint campaign being car- communication with He noted that the main He is in good health, it ried out by the Ministry of owners of companies conditions to issue nec- added. Administrative Develop- to urge them to provide essary approvals and li- The ministry has urged ment, Labour and Social workers with proper ac- cences for a company by people to avoid spread- Affairs (MADLSA), in co- commodation compliant MADLSA is to provide ing rumours and ensure operation with the Minis- with the stipulated stand- adequate workers accom- the authenticity of the try of Interior and Ministry ards and requirements, modation that comply information they obtain. of Municipality and Envi- while especially avoid- with the set standards and ronment to detect viola- ing overcrowding in the regulations. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 26, 2020 QATAR Qatar calls for end to unjust siege
From Page 1 Qatar’s appreciation for the rus, which threatens everyone, At the international level, she geting civilians led to the larg- erations against Tripoli and tar- Yemen, she stressed the urgent sincere efforts of Kuwait’s Amir should be a catalyst for rap- noted the assistance provided est wave of displacement in the geting the internationally rec- need to secure basic needs and Despite the continuation of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber prochement in the region, seek- by Qatar to the countries af- crisis and its breaching of fla- ognised legitimate government facilitate the delivery of human- these policies and procedures al-Sabah, while the other party ing solutions to crises and ten- fected by the pandemic, not- grant violations of international launched by the forces of retired itarian aid to all Yemenis, espe- against Qatar, she noted that continued to refuse the offer of sions, stopping hostilities and ing that Qatar is running urgent humanitarian law, including tar- Major General Khalifa Haftar, cially in view of the threat posed Doha has continued to adhere dialogue. facilitating humanitarian ac- air bridges to transport medical geting forbidden health facili- during which serious violations by the coronavirus pandemic. to principles based on respect HE Sheikha Alya warned of cess,” she said. equipment, and in order to en- ties, according to what the sum- of international humanitarian She said: “The fundamen- for international law and the the danger of the spread of the She also commended the ef- sure that the people stuck in the mary of the report of the Board law were committed, the most tal solution to the human trag- Charter of the United Nations, coronavirus pandemic in the forts being made by France, Tu- affected areas and the United of Inquiry established by the recent of which was a missile edy requires an end to the crisis as it successfully resorted to in- Middle East, stating that the nisia and the rest of the Security Nations personnel are returned secretary-general.” attack on a hospital equipped to through a comprehensive dia- ternational legal frameworks, region is particularly vulnerable Council members to adopt a res- to their countries. She reaffirmed the necessity treat corona patients. logue to achieve a political solu- particularly the International to the devastating effects of the olution on Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, HE the ambas- of a political solution to the Syr- She renewed her call to all ac- tion and national reconciliation Court of Justice, to counter un- pandemic on the political, eco- “Qatar has devoted the nec- sador drew attention to the ac- ian Arab nation that leads to a tors to uphold the interests of based on Resolution 2216, and to just measures that constitute a nomic and social fields. essary attention to addressing tive role played by Qatar in fa- political transition that meets the Libyan people and respect maintain the unity of Yemen and flagrant violation of the Charter “What makes the humanitar- this transboundary issue, and cilitating their transit through the legitimate aspirations of the their will for a peaceful solution achieve its security and stabili- of the United Nations and the ian and the economies situation has showed its high readiness Hamad International Airport, Syrian people, in accordance and preserve the unity of their ty.” She expressed the support of principles of international law, more complicated is the deficit to confront it, as it has initiated and to the continued operation with the Geneva Declaration and country, and to overcome hu- Qatar to the efforts of the special international conventions, char- in the health sectors as a result of several precautionary measures of Qatar Airways, especially for the implementation of Resolu- man suffering, especially amid envoy of the secretary-general in ters and human rights. the conflicts and crises in the re- at the national level, and has as- humanitarian cases in light of tion 2254 with all its elements, in the threat posed by the reper- implementing his mandate. HE the ambassador reiterated gion, in addition to the difficulty sured the absorptive capacity of the limited flights globally. addition to achieving justice and cussions of the coronavirus Concluding the statement HE the readiness of Qatar to set- of facing the possible spread of the health sector, and has taken On the Syrian crisis, HE accountability for war crimes pandemic, expressing the State Sheikha Alya called on the in- tle the crisis peacefully through the virus in the refugee camps, measures in the urgent and long Sheikha Alya said: “Attempts to and crimes against humanity. of Qatar’s support for efforts to ternational community to reject constructive, unconditional dia- the displaced persons and the term to counter the economic impose a military solution only On the situation in Libya, she stop violence, achieve national attempts to stir up crises and use logue based on mutual respect population groups suffering effects of the pandemic, in addi- leads to humanitarian catastro- stated that one of the most se- consensus and implement Secu- malicious methods to destabilise that preserves the sovereignty from destruction and violence. tion to its keenness to provide a phes, as was recently shown in rious threats to the unity and rity Council resolutions. and threaten regional and inter- of the States, and renewed the “The spread of the coronavi- high level of food security.” northwestern Syria, where tar- stability of Libya is military op- Regarding the situation in national solidarity. QIB announces Ramadan working hours for branches, service centres
atar Islamic Bank (QIB) available across the country at has announced the new 40 different locations. Qhours for operating For corporates, which fre- branches and service centres quently deposit bulk cheques, that will be effective during the QIB is offering them the Remote holy month of Ramadan. Deposit Cheque (RDC) solution The following branches will – a safe, quick and efficient so- be operating from Sunday- lution to allow corporate cus- Thursday, 9am-1pm: Salwa tomers to deposit bulk cheques Road, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd, remotely, using the RDC scan- Corporate Branch (Grand Ha- ner and a QIB secured portal to mad Street), Old Airport Road upload and send the cheques to and Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid the bank to be processed in one Al Mahmoud Islamic Culture working day. Corporate cus- Centre (Fanar). tomers can also track the status In addition, the following of the cheques. QIB service centres will be op- call centre.” The statement add- Bank Guarantee, check balanc- QIB has 180 ATMs strategi- erating from Sunday-Thursday, ed, “QIB is urging all customers es, manage liquidity, request cally placed across the country, 9am-1pm: Fanar, C-Ring Serv- to bank from home and priori- statements, pay utility bills, 40 of which are Cash & Cheque ice Centre and the WPS Centre tise the use of its digital chan- open and manage fixed deposit Deposit Machines, eliminat- (Barwa Commercial Avenue – nels, which have over 90 features accounts, manage corporate ing the need to interact with a Industrial Area). available 24/7, and are built to credit cards, manage cheques, teller in the branch. To further “During these unprecedented serve the majority of customers’ and request card and cheque limit contact in branches, QIB times, a key preventive measure banking needs instantly.” book replacements to be deliv- has Interactive Teller Machines to limit the spread of the Cov- QIB said corporate clients are ered to their addresses. (Live Teller) for customers to id-19 is to transact only through also requested to manage their The bank has recently talk to a bank teller via real time remote, digital channels and banking services remotely, as launched a new Corporate De- audio/video to conduct the avoid any physical contact,” QIB their entire daily banking needs posit Only Card, which allows same banking transactions of- said in a statement. is available on QIB’s Corporate large corporations, as well as fered at a regular branch. “Therefore, QIB will not be Internet Banking. small and medium-sized enter- The machines are regularly accepting applications for serv- Through the platform, cor- prises, to deposit cash or cheques cleaned and hand sanitisers are ices that are available on QIB’s porate customers can make lo- in their accounts at any time installed next to each machine award-winning mobile applica- cal and international transfers, through QIB’s self-service Cash for customers to use before and tion, Internet banking, ATMs or apply for Letter of Credit and & Cheque Deposit Machines after their transactions. QBG research contests enable students to find solutions to local challenges
ore than 300 local and teachers from nearly 40 students and teach- schools take part. The research Mers participated in the posters were judged by a sci- Qur’anic Botanic Garden’s (QBG) entific arbitration committee 2019-2020 Young Botanist and during a research fair in Feb- Food Security educational pro- ruary, and QBG will publish a grammes, which helped young book compiling the best re- people devise solutions to some search abstracts. of Qatar’s most pressing chal- The top-performing student lenges. projects in this year’s pro- and Business Administration “Well done to our tremen- “The topic of our research gramme included Rafidah Bint Independent School for Girls dous group of students. Their was designing a model for water Kaab Girls’ School with two took home first place, Shah- efforts will ultimately sup- purification using the Moringa projects coming in first and haniya Independent Second- port Qatar’s commitments to Oleifera plant. I enjoyed work- third place, respectively, Za- ary School for Boys won sec- achieve the global Sustainable ing on this project and I hope ynab Preparatory Girls’ School ond place, and Al Dukhan Girls Development Goals.” that there will be other similar in second place, and Doha In- School was awarded third place. QBG – a member of Qatar competitions in the future,” said dependent Secondary School Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi, Foundation – honoured the Jawhara Adel from Rafidah Bint for Boys in third place. project director at QBG, said: participants with trophies and Kaab Girls’ School. As many as 140 students “Through education, QBG certificates. “I think this competition is from 24 schools participated strives to support Qatar’s youth The full list of winners and excellent in its idea and content, More than 300 local students and teachers participated in QBG’s 2019-2020 Young Botanist and Food in QBG’s Food Security pro- to find practical solutions, projects can be found on QBG’s and through it I have gained self- Security educational programmes. gramme, which encourages within scientific research, to social media channels: Insta- confidence, the ability to com- modern agricultural practices address the food security and gram — Quranic_Botanic_Gar- municate with the jury, express al-Dossari, a student from Doha Young Botanist Research Con- tion and Higher Education’s that make investments in this environmental challenges fac- den; Facebook — Qur’anic Bo- research ideas and communi- Secondary School for Boys. test, organised in collaboration Scientific Research Section, sector feasible. ing our country, given our cli- tanic Garden; and on Twitter at cate them,” said Jabr Mohamed The fourth edition of the with the Ministry of Educa- saw more than 150 students The Qatar Banking Studies mate conditions. @QuranicGarden
Praise for Qatar Aviation Services
The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has thanked Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) for being a partner and helping it make the first air bridge flight between Kabul (Afghanistan) and Doha. “Partnerships are key enablers to facilitating our life- saving air operations. Thanks to partners like Qatar Aviation Services, UNHAS made its 1st air bridge flight Kabul and Doha,” UNHAS tweeted yesterday. QAS is “providing all services required for a successful turnaround in Doha”, it added. In a related tweet, Qatar Airways said: “We are hugely proud of our friends at Qatar Aviation Services for their efforts in assisting UNHAS. Well done to all for this hugely important initiative.” Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 5 QATAR
QCRI to host AI lecture series on coronavirus
he Qatar Centre for Arti- QCRI scientists Dr Nan ficial Intelligence (QCAI), Tang and Dr Mohamed Amin Tpart of Qatar Computing Sadeghi will discuss various as- Research Institute (QCRI) under pects of the topic. Hamad Bin Khalifa University, “We need to analyse relevant has launched a series of artificial data and develop an authentic intelligence (AI) lectures related and informative mental model. to the novel coronavirus (Cov- This can be carried out through id-19). ‘visualisation’ and ‘explora- The lectures - six of them in tion’. There are many ways in total - by QCAI start tomor- which visualisations could row. They will explore the need lead to misleading conclusions; to understand a pandemic like therefore, good visualisation is Covid-19 and how to contain it. challenging,” Dr Chawla noted. “Covid-19 is the first pan- The second half of the lecture demic of the Information Age. will cover exploratory data anal- There are two parallel pandem- ysis where experts will interpret ics. The first is the physical visualisations, develop hypoth- WCM-Q has switched to an online admissions process to continue to recruit talented students from all over the world during the global Covid-19 outbreak. pandemic of infections, recov- eses, analyse them and compare eries, deaths, hospitals, venti- the advantages and disadvan- lators. The second is the infor- tages of different visualisations. mation tsunami: flattening the The lecture aims to review best curve, predictions, R0 (indi- practices in analysing the statis- cates how contagious an infec- tics of Covid-19. tious disease is), drug repur- Dr Tang is a senior scientist posing and social distancing,” at QCRI and was formerly a re- Dr Sanjay Chawla, research di- search fellow at the Laboratory WCM-Q admissions rector at QCAI, told Gulf Times. for Foundations of Computer “The role of AI and data sci- Science at the University of Ed- ence is to create an accurate in- inburgh. formation filter to ‘make sense His research interests focus on of’ and design better policies data preparation, data visualisa- for managing the physical pan- tion and collaborative data sci- demic. There will be six lectures ence. which elaborate on how AI and Dr Sadeghi studies machine process goes online data science is being used,” he learning applications at QCRI. said. Earlier, he was an assistant pro- eill Cornell Medicine the final decision on admission to get a very good idea of each The first lecture to be held to- fessor at the University of Te- – Qatar (WCM-Q) made by a committee of senior applicant’s attributes from the morrow will be on ‘Data Visuali- hran. He graduated from the Whas moved to an on- WCM-Q faculty, WCM-Q stu- interviews.” sation and Exploration of Cov- University of Illinois Urbana- line admissions process to con- dents and a representative from “We are all very apprecia- id-19 Data’. QCRI experts will Champaign. He has previously tinue to recruit talented future the Ministry of Public Health, tive of the enthusiasm with study several aspects of Covid-19 worked at Google, Amazon and doctors from across Qatar and who now convene via vide- which our applicants have em- by reviewing the different types Adobe. His research interests in- all over the world during the oconference. The participants braced the online interviews. of visualisation techniques and clude machine learning, compu- global coronavirus lockdown. report that virtual, online proc- The technology has worked challenges associated with them. ter vision and their applications. With applicants to the medi- ess of conducting Committee on very well, allowing the appli- cal college unable to travel to Admissions meetings has been cants to present themselves to Qatar, the face-to-face on- working very well. their best and to have engaging campus interviews that nor- Farhan Aziz, director of Ad- interviews with the members mally form an integral part of missions at WCM-Q, said: “We of the Committee on Admis- the admissions process could have been pleasantly surprised sions,” added Dr Marco Ame- no longer take place. Senior by how smoothly we were able duri, WCM-Q senior associate faculty, admissions profes- Dr Ravinder Mamtani, Dr Marco Ameduri and Farhan Aziz. to make the transition to online dean for pre-medical educa- sionals and ITS specialists at interviews. Candidates selected tion and Education City col- WCM-Q – a Qatar Foundation WCM-Q professor of health- tant part of which is an inter- for interviews have been under- laborative curricular affairs. partner university – quick- care policy and research, view.” standing about the change to Students who complete the ly moved to set up a process professor of medicine and WCM-Q recruits students online interviews and some of WCM-Q Medical Programme whereby applicants selected vice-dean for student affairs from all over Qatar and across them have told us that they were receive the same MD degree as for interview could be inter- (Admissions), said: “Given the globe to its six-year Medical relieved not to have the stress of their counterparts at Weill Cor- viewed remotely using vide- the current global coronavirus Programme, four-year Medi- travel during the Covid-19 out- nell Medicine in New York City. oconferencing software. crisis, recruiting medical stu- cal Curriculum and Foundation break. Graduates of WCM-Q go on to To comply with public health dents has never been so impor- Programme. To apply, students “Perhaps the most important secure places in residency train- guidelines, WCM-Q decided tant and we were, therefore, must submit an online applica- aspect is that connectivity or ing programmes at elite aca- that candidates who live in Qa- determined that there must tion and required documents technical issues with the online demic health centres in Qatar tar could take their interviews be no disruption whatsoever by the stipulated deadlines, as interviews have not posed dif- and the US. Many of them opt to via video-conference in the to our admissions procedure. indicated on WCM-Q’s Admis- ficulties; the interviews have work in Qatar to serve the health same way as candidates who live We also had to ensure that the sions website. gone well indeed and the quality needs of the community here abroad. process remained comparable Competitive applicants are of modern videoconferencing after they have completed their Dr Ravinder Mamtani, to the normal one, an impor- invited for an interview, with technology means we are able residency programmes. Dr Sanjay Chawla We take the air we breathe for granted: Qatari researcher
ir pollution is harmful by Covid-19 has been linked to “For example, we have found ing planting certain types of emergency entries, due to res- from Covid-19,” she says. ing practices where a balance is - we know that - but it pre-existing health conditions out that 60% of this dust comes trees that have proven efficiency piratory diseases related to dust, The first lesson is that work achieved between productivity Abecomes deadly in a glo- similar to diseases caused by air from natural resources while the to enhance air quality such as would be admitted to hospitals,” and learning can be successfully and acceptable air quality. bal pandemic of a disease that pollution, according to her. rest comes from human activi- Samar and Sidra trees,” the PhD she noted. accomplished online, she notes. As someone who is at the fore- attacks the lungs. With water Studies have shown that over ties such as transportation and candidate at HBKU, part of Qatar But the question remains – if Also, that people should main- front of research that is designed quality taking precedence, it may the past few years, air quality in construction. While the natural Foundation, said. air quality has improved amid the tain hygiene and implement safe to help build a more sustainable seem that the quality of air we Qatar, especially in its major ur- sources of dust might not im- “In Qatar, traffic has reduced current lockdown, are there les- distancing while shopping. Qatar, and as a mother of four breathe is taken for granted, says ban centres, has been deteriorat- pose critical health impacts, it by a large measure due to online sons to be learned for future ac- Hanadi al-Thani suggests that and a researcher, Hanadi al-Tha- Hanadi al-Thani, a researcher at ing due to rapid industrialisation, still stimulates allergic reactions, work practices and the closure tions and policies? although the long-term impact ni’s vision of herself was to con- Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s urbanisation and increasing traf- such as asthma, in a large number of malls and recreation areas, “Indeed, this is a very impor- is unpredictable, especially if life tribute to building a sustainable Environmental Sustainability fic. Qatar is also known to have of children and adults.” and this would have significant tant point to highlight. Although goes back to normal once the cri- environment in Qatar. programme. a dusty climate, and al-Thani’s “Hence, we have recommend- impact on air quality – reducing the current situation has im- sis ends, it is the responsibility of “It was something I have al- Polluted air has killed mil- research is in close relation to the ed several sustainable policies harmful emissions much below proved the air quality in Qatar governments to implement strict ways aspired to do and it’s only lions around the world, and a impact this has on human health and solutions for air pollution the normal levels. Hence, it is and other parts around the world, measures on the use of transpor- the beginning for me as my re- large number of deaths caused and environment. problems in urban areas, includ- expected that fewer asthma and we have learned many lessons tation and other emission pollut- search will expand,” she added. Qatar’s air quality improves due to social distancing: Qeeri
atar has witnessed a sub- its impact on the health and greatest negative impacts on who live in polluted counties in stantial improvement in productivity of the population, human health and some of the the US. Qair quality over the past and quantify any improvements most challenging to manage.” “Long-term exposure to poor air few weeks, say scientists at the related to pollution reduction Stronger decreases were quality may make the population Qatar Environment and Energy measures. seen in the Chinese province more vulnerable to respiratory ill- Research Institute (Qeeri), part The stations, coupled with an of Wuhan when total lock- nesses including Covid-19 and can of Hamad Bin Khalifa University air quality forecasting platform downs were implemented aggravate other respiratory condi- (HBKU). developed by the ESC, “uniquely to contain the spread of the tions such as asthma,” Dr Azhar Sid- According to the team at position Qeeri to provide maxi- coronavirus. dique, scientist at ESC, said. Qeeri’s Environment & Sustain- mum impact in the national fight Dr Christos Fountoukis, senior Improving air quality dur- ability Center (ESC), this change against air pollution”. scientist at ESC, explained: “It is ing the pandemic alone will not is, in large part, a result of the Mohamed Ayoub, senior re- remarkable to see the compari- eliminate this risk. The only way social distancing policies Qa- search director at ESC, said: son in air quality levels in Wuhan to achieve that is to reduce the tar has put in place to tackle the “We have observed a 30% de- between January 1 and 20 (the population’s long-term exposure Qeeri says Qatar has seen a 30% decrease in PM2.5 concentrations which can be directly attributed to social Covid-19 pandemic. crease in PM2.5 concentrations period before the lockdown) and by reducing air pollutant con- distancing policies. Qeeri operates a network of across greater Doha, which can the February 10-25 period, which centrations in the long term. five air quality monitoring sta- be directly attributed to social clearly shows the impact of the “Qeeri has been working with insights into the contribution tive director at Qeeri, added: closely with key national stake- tions strategically located across distancing policies. Similarly, lockdown on the city’s air pol- national authorities to study the of local emissions to our overall “Over the past few weeks, the holders, including the Ministry greater Doha, where approxi- we’ve observed decreases of 9% lution as well as the surrounding effectiveness of social distancing pollution profile and has provid- scientists, researchers and en- of Public Health and the Min- mately 95% of the country’s and 18%, respectively, in ozone areas.” policies through the monitoring ed a real-life experiment of sorts gineers at Qeeri have realigned istry of Municipality and En- population lives, a press state- and nitrogen dioxide concen- A recent study by Harvard of air pollutants associated with on strategies to further reduce air our research focus to ensure vironment, on various topics ment notes. The purpose of the trations. This is very significant University found a 15% increase traffic, construction, industry, pollution in the future,” Ayoub that we can support Qatar in related to air quality, climate stations is to assess air qual- as PM2.5 and ozone are known in the likelihood of death from shipping, aviation and the like. said. its fight against the Covid-19 change and environmental sus- ity in these areas, understand to be the air pollutants with the coronavirus infection for people This has given us tremendous Dr Marc Vermeersch, execu- pandemic. Qeeri’s ESC works tainability.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 26, 2020 RAMADAN/QATAR/ARAB WORLD Fasting and purification of soul you who believe! Observ- illness such as stroke patients with Qatar stresses on a ing saum (the fasting) is hemiplegia or paralysis of one’s side prescribed for you as it was of the body. His left hand is there still prescribed for those before connected to his body, he can see it, Oyou, that you may become the pious. yet he cannot move it on his own and (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183) sometimes might not even feel that it two-state solution to The goal of fasting is to attain Taqwa is there. Subhanallah! or God-consciousness and fear of Ninth, we have heard the hadith Allah. The ability to tame the unruly of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa tendencies of one’s inner self on one sallam : Whoever guarantees me what hand, and the cultivation of one’s will is between his jaws/beard [the tongue] Palestinian issue power, on the other, are very important and what is between his legs [sexual in the process of purification of organs] I guarantee him Paradise the soul. This is because during [Bukhari]. Don’t you see? Being QNA cupation government from using this HE the ambassador said: “Adher- fasting in Ramadan, there are many fasting makes us more conscious of New York pandemic that threatens the entire ence to international law and the opportunities, blessings and means what we say and more careful in our world and humanity to implement its Charter of the United Nations means that one can avail and utilise so that interactions with the opposite sex. illegal policies in the land of the State rejecting and condemning all actions one’s soul is purified. Tenth, fasting again makes us he State of Qatar, on behalf of of Palestine occupied in 1967. and measures that it violates by Is- First, forgiveness of sins has a very remember that we are not here just the Group of Arab States to the She added that all understand that rael, the occupying power, foremost of positive result in purifying the soul. for those who are living in non- to eat and drink; that our existence TUnited Nations has affirmed moving forward with these annexa- which is the continued occupation of The accumulation of sins for the Muslim countries experience the is not just mere fulfilment and the adherence of the Arab position to tion schemes has serious implications Arab lands, illegal settlement activi- whole year produces in the conscience temptation where everyone is eating gratification of our basic desires; peace as a strategic option, calling for for security, peace and stability in the ties in the occupied territories, and at- a sense of endless guilt and the feeling and drinking while you are holding that we are here for a more sublime the settlement of the Palestinian is- region and the world, and that there tempts to illegally annex the lands. of one’s sins are being forgiven is a yourself because you want to follow purpose, which is to worship Allah. In sue on the basis of a two-state solu- is no alternative to settling this issue And attempts to change the char- relief in one’s weary heart. Have you what Allah wants. other words we eat not just to live but tion that leads to the establishment just, comprehensive and sustainable acter of the city of Jerusalem, its legal ever wondered how people cannot Fifth, everything seems to slow to worship the Creator. This is what of a Palestinian state on the borders of in accordance with the provisions of status, its demographic composition, sleep at night because they have down during Ramadan (especially in separates us from the modern, secular June 4, 1967. the United Nations Charter, interna- or prejudice the Islamic and Christian wronged someone or quarrelled with Muslim countries), and one doesn’t materialistic people where they eat It also expressed support for Pales- tional law and international references religious sanctities in it, and the siege someone? This heavy burden upon have the usual energy to do the to live or even worst, some of them tine’s full membership of the United for the peace process. of the Gaza Strip.” a believer’s soul is relieved once fruitless things. Hence one is left with actually live to eat. For the first time in Nations. She reaffirmed that the Palestinian Her Excellency said that these reconciliation takes place. Similarly, more free time to think and ponder. human history, there are more obese This came in a statement by HE the issue lies at the core of the Security measures, apart from being a blatant Allah subhanahu wa taala, in His This leaves a person with more time to people in the world than those who ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Council’s mandate to maintain inter- violation of international law and in- mercy forgives the fasting people ponder over his life and possibly the are starving. Saif al-Thani, Permanent Representa- national peace and security under the ternational legitimacy resolutions, whereby relieving him of the guilt wrong things he have done. Eleventh, fasting is a chance to tive of the State of Qatar to the United Charter of the United Nations, and it is undermine peace chances and hinder of his past sins against Allah. The Sixth, feeling and doing the act demonstrate sincerity to Allah. All Nations, who chaired the Arab Group necessary to implement the numerous chances of a two-state solution. Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu yields more certainty that witnessing types of worship are visible to others for this month to the UN Security council resolutions related to the Pal- She warned against its continua- ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: it. How many times we have seen even giving charity secretly whereby Council, which held a virtual meeting estinian issue. tion, saying “its continuation indi- Who ever fast in Ramadan having pictures of malnourished children in the receiver knew that somebody on “the situation in the Middle East It also reiterated the firm Arab posi- cates Israel’s intransigence, its defi- Iman and Ihtisab, his past sins will Africa and felt pity for them, yet one gave him secretly. However in fasting and the Palestinian issue”. tion that adheres to peace as a strate- ance of international law and Security be forgiven for him. (Agreed upon by still cannot feel how is it to starved nobody knows if you really fasted or She stated that this meeting is be- gic option, and calls for the settlement Council resolutions, and its lack of se- Bukhari and Muslim) and taste the pangs of hunger in one’s secretly ingested food to your mouth ing held in an unprecedented format of the Palestinian issue on the basis riousness in seeking peace.” This hadith stipulates two stomach. This in turn should turn on except Allah. Sincerity in actions is that reflects the big changes due to of a two-state solution that leads to Her Excellency praised the role conditions in order for the sins to be the switch of gratefulness in us for the a fundamental prerequisite in the the pandemic of the new coronavirus the establishment of the Palestinian played by the United Nations Re- forgiven. The fasting person must blessings of Allah. acceptance of deeds and consequently (Covid-19), which represents a threat State on the borders of June 4, 1967 lief and Works Agency for Palestine of course be a Mu’min. Al Ihtisab Seventh, fasting makes us success. to the whole world, including the Mid- with East Jerusalem as its capital, and Refugees (UNRWA) in providing ba- carries with it three meanings: having realise our potential as human Twelfth, fasting helps to cure the dle East region. agreement on final status issues that sic services for more than 5mn Pal- firm resolve, hoping for the reward, beings. Some of us think that the disease of the ‘desire for more’. When She pointed out that Israel, the include borders, refugees, and Jerusa- estinians, which is an indispensable and being pleased with the act not obligations and prohibitions of Islam one thinks that he is able to survive occupying power, is exploiting the lem. role, stressing the need to support the considering it a heavy burden. are overwhelming or inapplicable with only one and half meal a day and world’s preoccupation with confront- Her Excellency called for the con- agency to ensure the continuation of Secondly, one should feel that he especially in non-Muslim societies this is his real needs. Some of us has ing the global pandemic to move for- tinuation of international efforts to its activities in accordance with the is doing a deed that is very dear and so we involve ourselves in haram this self-made needs, a make believe ward in its policies and plans to annex re-launch serious and effective ne- mandate given to it. special to Allah. Every deed of son of activities thinking that we cannot do that we ourselves concocted. How parts of the Palestinian territory oc- gotiations within a specific timetable Concluding the statement, HE the Adam has an equivalent reward of 10 anything about it. But in Ramadan, many of us say things like “I can’t cupied in 1967, accelerating the pace with a view to reaching a settlement ambassador Sheikha Alya affirmed her to 700 times, except fasting which will we only haven’t abstained from the live without smart phone or a V8 of Israeli colonial settlement there and in accordance with the terms of refer- support for the endeavour of the State be rewarded by Allah Al Kareem, the haram but from the halal as well. If we engine powered vehicle or a three- violating the rights of the Palestinian ence of the peace process, the resolu- of Palestine to obtain full membership Most Generous. have the strength to abstain from the storey villa”? We misallocate our people. tions of international legitimacy and in the United Nations Organisation. Third, fasting purifies the soul by halal then all the more so we have the resources at the expense of other more On behalf of the Arab Group to the the Arab Peace Initiative, put forward She also reiterated the solidarity of cultivating the much needed virtue of will power to abstain from the haram? important things. United Nations, she called on the in- by the Arab states in 2002 and still re- all Arab countries with the State of patience. There are three categories Allah is not unjust that He would Ultimately, Taqwa have a big role ternational community and the United affirm their commitment to them. Palestine and the brotherly Palestinian or facets of patience: Being patient prohibit things from us that we cannot in all of this. This will power to do Nations, including the Security Coun- “The success of efforts aimed at people in their legitimate endeavour to in performing the obligations, being avoid. This is especially true for the the things that Allah has ordered us cil, to assume their responsibilities to achieving this goal and reviving the end the historical injustice that he had patient in avoiding the prohibitions smokers! In fact fasting is a sort of to do, this self-restraint that bridles ensure the implementation of interna- peace process requires that it conform been subjected to for many years, to and being patient in times of calamity. training for the gradual weaning from us to avoid what Allah has prohibited tional law and international legitimacy to the principles of international law put an end to their long-standing suf- All of these three are trained in the the addictive effects of smoking. for us, and this love for Allah, doing decisions in the occupied Palestinian and international terms of reference fering, and to attain all their inalien- fasting person by performing the Eighth, turning to Allah and what is beyond the obligatory. territories and prevent the Israeli oc- for the peace process,” she added. able rights. obligatory act of fasting, avoiding vile, realising one’s need for Him. If Allah Fasting in Ramadan and its Taraweeh filthy, senseless, sinful actions and takes away our most fundamental incorporates all of these aspects, being patient in difficulties that might needs as human beings then who purifying our souls and making us happen while fasting. is there to help us. Imagine if Allah closer and closer to Allah. Fourth, fasting reminds him the takes away our sense of taste or sense Note: This article is adapted from true purpose of his creation and the of satiety. Having been born with the Book “Purification of the Soul” by meaning of Islam. That to worship all the complete senses and limbs Jamaluddin Zarabozo. Allah, one must inevitably submit to makes us forget that ultimately these His will first; that Allah comes first are not really ours. This reality is Article source: http://www. before one’s own desires. Especially vividly demonstrated in people with islamweb.net/emainpage/
Lebanese security forces inspect the entrance of a Fransabank branch in Lebanon’s southern city of Sidon yesterday, after unknown assailants targeted the bank entrance with an explosive device. . . Lebanon bank attacked with explosive amid economic crisis AFP Beirut
ssailants lobbed an explosive device at a bank in Lebanon yesterday, in Athe latest attack on financial insti- tutions in a country facing its worst eco- nomic crisis in decades. The official National News Agency said the night-time assault targeted a branch of Fransabank in the southern port city of Sidon, damaging its glass facade. There were no immediate reports of any casualties. The attack came a day after Prime Min- ister Hassan Diab said Lebanese bank de- posits had plunged $5.7bn in the first two months of the year, despite curbs on with- drawals and a ban on transfers abroad. Lebanon is grappling with a severe lack of liquidity and an acute economic crisis that has been compounded since mid- March by a lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus. In recent months, the Lebanese pound, . which has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, has plummeted in value from around 1,500 pounds against the green- back to almost 3,800 on the parallel mar- ket. Banks had gradually restricted dollar withdrawals until halting them altogether last month. The country’s dire economic situa- tion has sparked street protests that first erupted in October last year, as well as sev- eral attacks on banks nationwide. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD
Europe Iran health officials raise calls for truce in Libya as fears of ‘fresh virus outbreak’ fighting AFP Tehran surges amadan began in Iran yesterday as health of- Reuters Rficials raised fears of a Brussels “fresh outbreak” of coronavi- rus cases in the country, two weeks into a gradual reopening he foreign ministers of of shops. Germany, France and Italy Tand the EU’s top diplomat made a joint call yesterday for Rouhani says nation a humanitarian truce in Libya, should assume saying all sides must resume worst-case scenario peace talks. “We want to unite our voices Iran should draw up economic to those of the UN Secretary- plans based on a worst-case General (Antonio) Guterres and scenario of nearly a year of dis- his Acting Special Representa- ruptions due to the coronavirus, tive for Libya, Stephanie Turco President Hassan Rouhani said Williams, in their call for a hu- yesterday, Reuters reported. manitarian truce in Libya,” the “Our first request is that we statement said. should plan production long- “We call on all the Libyan ac- term based on a pessimistic view tors to get inspired by the spirit that we might face this virus...for of the Holy Ramadan, engage months,” Rouhani said in a meet- in resuming talks for a genuine ing with heads of Iranian private ceasefire,” said the statement, companies carried live on state signed by the EU’s Josep Bor- TV. “Maybe (we will face this) till rell, France’s Jean-Yves Le Drian, the end of the year, we do not Italy’s Luigi di Maio and Heiko know,” Rouhani added, referring Maas of Germany. to the Iranian calendar year which A shopper clad in a face mask and latex gloves, due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, exchanges cash with a seller at a date stall in Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, yesterday Libya’s conflict escalated ends in March 2021. during the holy month of Ramadan. sharply this month, with fierce Earlier, a Health Ministry spokes- fighting on several different man said the total number of peo- main closed until further notice remain closed...for too long”. fronts in the west of the country ple diagnosed with the virus had and authorities have ordered The spread of the disease in Iran despite urgent calls from the UN reached 89,328, of whom 3,096 that Iftar meals — when extend- has slowed since the start of and aid agencies for a truce to were in a critical condition. Deputy ed family and friends tradition- April, but Alireza Zali, the anti- tackle the coronavirus crisis. Health Minister Iraj Harirchi said ally gather to break their day- coronavirus co-ordinator for World leaders met in Berlin in the country’s daily death toll had time fasts after sunset — must the capital, yesterday criticised January to set the basis for what fallen by about 70% from its peak, be restricted to the immediate “hasty reopenings”. They could they hoped was a fresh chance while the number of coronavirus family. “create new waves of sickness for a peace process. patients in hospital had fallen by “We usually go to the mosque in Tehran and complicate ef- But the new wave of fighting about half. to pray, but not this time,” said forts to bring the epidemic un- has been fuelled by arms im- Ahmad Bakhchi, who sells re- der control”, he said, quoted by ported from abroad, Williams ligious goods at north Tehran’s the semi-official news agency has said. As the country marked the Tajrish Bazaar abutting the ISNA. The European Union has start of the Islamic holy month Imamzadeh-Saleh mosque, an Health ministry spokesman launched a new naval and air of Ramadan, another 76 fatali- important shrine that remains Kianoush Jahanpour said Iran mission in the eastern Mediter- ties were declared. shuttered. has now recorded 89,328 cases ranean to stop more arms reach With an official death toll of “It makes us sad, but we have of Covid-19, including 1,134 warring factions in Libya but 5,650, Iran has paid the dead- no other choice but to be pa- over the past 24 hours, since its cannot patrol the Egypt-Libya liest price in the Middle East tient,” he said. first case in February. land border, through which ar- from the pandemic. Fellow vendor Morad Ali So- The number of Iranian casu- tillery is still being delivered. Authorities have in phases leimani, whose nearby stall is alties is widely thought to be The EU is concerned that since April 11 allowed the reo- stocked with kitchenware, said much higher, however. Shoppers clad in protective gear, including face masks and shields and latex gloves, due to the Covid-19 could that the conflict could pening of a number of busi- “closing the mosques was the Jahanpour reiterated that coronavirus pandemic, walk through the Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran. worsen regional instability and nesses that were closed as part right decision”. social distancing and hygiene swell the flow of migrants from of measures to curb the spread “But when the virus sub- measures to guard against the The ministry’s infectious of “signs of a fresh outbreak” Qom in central Iran “where we the Middle East and Africa al- of the Covid-19 disease. sides, they will have to reo- novel coronavirus needed to re- diseases department head, Mo- in provinces such as Gilan and made great efforts to control the most a decade after Muammar Mosques, however, will re- pen,” he added, “they cannot main in place. hamed Mehdi Gouya, warned Mazandaran in the north and epidemic”. Gaddafi’s fall in 2011.
Kuwait Prayer time Tunisia hopes novel methods will aid fight reports AFP 278 new Tunis he feared impact of coronavirus on Tuni- cases, four Tsia’s fragile public health system has provoked a flurry of innovation from robotics to deaths digitalisation efforts to bolster the North African country’s pandemic response. QNA The government has even Kuwait turned to students for help, asking the engineering school in Sousse, south of the capi- tal Tunis, to task its students he Kuwaiti Ministry of with designing a locally made Health reported yester- ventilator as their end-of-year Tday 278 new coronavirus A Palestinian family performs the special prayer during project. (Covid-19) infections in the last the holy month of Ramadan in their home in Khan Yunis Ventilators are crucial for 24 hours, bringing the tally to in the southern Gaza Strip, as mass prayers are suspended treating critically ill Covid-19 2,892, while four deaths were due to the Covid-19 pandemic. patients, but as in many coun- reported. tries, Tunisia’s poorly equipped The total number of deaths hospitals lack sufficient -num reached 19. bers of the devices. During its daily briefing car- Costs and delivery times for ried by Kuwait news agency ventilators have increased dra- Medical staff accompany a woman (centre), who was healed from the coronavirus (Covid-19) after Kuna, Health Ministry spokes- matically. having spent more than a month in a coma, upon her discharge from the hospital in the city of person Dr Abdullah al-Sanad US urges extension of “Students, teachers and doc- Ariana near the capital Tunis. said that 58 patients were in in- tors have come up with a func- tensive care, with 25 of them in tioning prototype,” said Aref of doctors and engineers with nis engineering school Insat is These include digitisation ef- critical condition. arms sales embargo Meddeb, the school’s director. internationally recognised working on an artificial intel- forts by previously technopho- Those currently receiving “This is the first time these qualifications annually. ligence programme to evalu- bic government bodies. treatment at hospitals reached machines have been made in But with low salaries and few ate the probability of infection The interior ministry has 2,217 patients, said the spokes- AFP space programme — which Tunisia. local opportunities, many emi- based on an X-ray of the lungs. even started issuing some doc- person. The deaths were of a Washington Tehran has long insisted is It shows that there is real po- grate. “The crisis has exposed us,” uments — waivers for move- Kuwaiti female, 74, and three peaceful and civilian — was tential here.” While Tunisian laboratories Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh ment during lockdown — on- expatriates. in fact “neither peaceful nor Other Tunisian researchers are struggling to keep up with admitted on television, but it line. Earlier yesterday, Health Min- S Secretary of State entirely civilian.” have developed plans for a sim- Covid-19 testing, Tunisia was has also “revealed solid compe- The health ministry has ister Sheikh Dr Basel al-Sabah Mike Pompeo called Pompeo said the tech- plified respirator made with 3D one of the first countries in the tence” in the fields of informa- adopted an application de- announced the recovery of 43 Uyesterday for the UN to nology used to launch the printed parts. region to decode the local strain tion technology and artificial veloped by students to track patients as the total rose to 656 extend its conventional arms satellite — dubbed Nour, It will soon be made freely of the virus, a necessary step intelligence. hospital bed availability and recoveries. embargo on Iran beyond its or “light” in Persian — was available, allowing undevel- towards developing a vaccine. “After coronavirus we will facilitate transfers and the de- OMAN REGISTERS scheduled end in October, cit- compatible with that used to oped countries without access The Pasteur Institute in Tu- rebuild on this basis,” he said. ployment of extra emergency 115 NEW CASES ing Tehran’s recent launch of a launch ballistic missiles. “All to sophisticated equipment to nis is one of few African insti- Tunisia has reported 38 bed space. The Omani Ministry of Health military satellite. peace-loving nations must make their own. tutions leading research into a deaths and fewer than 1,000 In the private sector, a Tuni- announced yesterday, 115 new The lifting of the embargo reject Iran’s development “We are using everything vaccine. cases of coronavirus, but the sian robotics company is devel- cases of Covid-19, including 48 was stipulated in the multi- of ballistic-missile-capable that we can find open source “Other countries are in impact of the lockdown in ef- oping devices for policing and cases for Omanis, and 67 cases nation Iranian nuclear deal technologies and join togeth- and the help of a Tunisian en- more advanced stages but that fect since March 22 has deci- to help with screening patients for non-Omanis, bringing the concluded in 2015, but which er to constrain Iran’s missile gineer specialised in respira- doesn’t guarantee that we will mated the economy. on arrival at hospital. total number of cases registered the United States, under Presi- programmes,” the secretary tors,” said Khalil Allouch, an have rapid access to vaccines,” The government is eager to “We are not overwhelmed in the Sultanate to 1,905, and the dent Donald Trump, unilater- of state said. engineering student on the lo- said Hechmi Louzir, director of highlight the Tunisian response yet,” said Dr Jalila Ben Khe- number of deaths at 10. ally renounced in 2018. He called on the European cal respirator project based in the institute. to the virus, creating a website lil, head of the country’s main In a statement carried by the He said Iran’s announce- Union to “sanction those in- Tunis. “If we managed (to develop a to showcase the country’s many Covid-19 unit. Oman News Agency (ONA), the ment Wednesday that it had dividuals and entities work- “This crisis has shown us we vaccine), it would be extraordi- innovations both by govern- But “we need to explore all ministry confirmed that 329 orbited its first military sat- ing on Iran’s missile pro- can be more self-sufficient.” nary.” ment and non-government avenues to get out” of this situ- cases had recovered. ellite demonstrated that its grammes.” Tunisia graduates thousands On the diagnostic side, Tu- bodies. ation. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, April 26, 2020 AFRICA
Kenya rains, South Africa to partially landslides toll hits 29
DPA reopen agriculture sector Nairobi Some manufacturing, South Africa has recorded 4,220 he death toll due to landslides retail to be allowed confirmed cases including 79 deaths brought on by heavy rains in western with 152,390 people tested for the virus. TKenya rose yesterday to 29 as au- Ramaphosa had on Tuesday an- thorities reported 10 additional deaths. Reuters nounced a 500bn rand ($26.29bn) “We mourn the 29 Kenyans who have Johannesburg rescue package, equivalent to 10% lost their lives in Elgeyo Marakwet and of the GDP of the country, aimed at West Pokot,” President Uhuru said in a tel- cushioning the blow from the new evised address to the nation. outh Africa plans to reopen its coronavirus on businesses and poor “My administration continues to make agriculture sector and allow households. every effort to support affected families and Ssome manufacturing and retail communities across the country.” to resume as the country balances the Both communities are in Kenya’s Rift need to restart economic output and Minister says Valley. curb the spread of the new coronavi- With heavy rain continuing to fall, it was rus, trade minister Ebrahim Patel said face masks unclear if the death toll would still rise. yesterday. Although the rainy season started late South Africa has spent a month mandatory this year, it has lasted for an exceptionally under restrictions requiring most of long period. the population to stay at home apart South Africans will have to wear face “Our long rains are here, and while we are from essential trips, leaving many masks from May 1 when coronavirus grateful for the blessings, the heavy rains in businesses and individuals struggling lockdown restrictions will begin to be many parts of our country have also, unfor- without income in the recession-hit eased, the government said yesterday. tunately, led to flooding and landslides and, economy. “It is going to be mandatory to use in some cases, loss of life and destruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa had a cloth mask as you step out of your property”, Kenyatta said. said earlier last week that the govern- home,” Traditional Affairs Minis- ment will allow a partial reopening ter Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told a of the economy on May 1, with some press conference in Pretoria. industries allowed to operate under a “You will need to have your nose Northern white five-level risk system. and mouth covered in public,” The country is expected to move Dlamini-Zuma said, adding that peo- rhino research onto the fourth level stage of the lock- ple could use a scarf or T-shirt if they down on May 1. South African Rugby national team captain Siya Kolisi (centre) and members of the Nelson Mandela Foundation packs do not have a mask. on ice due to “In agriculture, forestry and fish- protective face masks inside food parcels to be handed to child-headed families in Zandspruit informal settlement, President Cyril Ramaphosa had ing, that whole sector will begin to re- north of Johannesburg. announced on Thursday that corona- travel curbs open, and that will include forestry as virus restrictions would be progres- well as horticulture and the transport Some of the extra manufacturing In retail, under level four, con- every industry, every worker wants to sively eased from May 1 as the country DPA of livestock and animal auctions,” Pa- activities to be scaled to 50% pro- sumers will be allowed to buy food return to work, but we need to strike comes out of a lockdown imposed on Nairobi tel said in a televised media briefing. duction include automotive manu- from restaurants for home delivery, a careful balance between getting to March 27 to combat the pandemic. “In manufacturing, there will a facturing, including components, stationery and educational books, work as rapidly as possible and con- “If you are not an essential worker further partial opening of the sectors. production of cement and other con- tobacco products as well as personal taining the spread of the virus and or do not work in the prioritised sec- ue to the coronavirus pandemic, The sectors will not be open 100% struction material, as well as station- computers and mobile telephones. saving lives,” he said. tors continue to stay at home, except researchers have had to temporar- during level four because we need to ery production. The sale of liquor will still not be There will still be restrictions on when you are buying essential goods Dily suspend their efforts to save the give firms an opportunity for phased Open-cast mining will now be al- permitted. travel and exercise, with curfews im- or services or for emergency medical nearly extinct northern white rhino. return to work. As a broad baseline lowed at 100% capacity, a govern- Patel said the planned changes will plemented between 8pm and 5am, services,” Dlamini-Zuma said. “If you “It has all been put on hold,” Steven Seet, 20% of all manufacturing workers ment document outlining permitted be discussed with industries. cooperative governance minister can, please work from home no mat- a spokesperson for Germany’s Leibniz In- will begin to restart.” activities showed. “It has been a hard balancing act, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said. ter the sector you are in,” she added. stitute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) told DPA late on Friday. Scientists from an international scien- tific consortium had planned to travel to Kenya this month to further their work, but Helping hand postponed the trip due to travel restric- Zimbabwe official accused of insulting tions in both Germany and the East African country. They hope to be able to travel in August or October. Mnangagwa over response to Covid-19 Scientists from IZW, the United States, Japan and Italy are trying to use artificial insemination to save the northern white AFP dent Cyril Ramaphosa in the han- a uniform and coordinated policy at rhinoceros from extinction. Harare dling of the pandemic. federal and state levels to tackle the Thousands of the species once lived in “Ramaphosa just announced virus, the letter from the Nigeria Africa, but have become endangered due a 500bn (rand, $26bn) stimulus Governors’ Forum (NGF) said. to poaching. There are only two left in the n opposition municipal package. Seeing him addressing Nigeria reported 114 new cas- world: two females that are guarded around official has been charged and comparing him with ED you es of the coronavirus on Friday, the clock at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Awith insulting Zimbabwe won’t doubt that we are having a bringing its total to 1,095 with 32 The last male northern white rhino died President Emmerson Mnangagwa fool for a head of state,” the mes- deaths. A total of 28 states have so in 2018, but sperm from him and others over for his handling of the coro- sage said, as cited in the ZLHR far reported cases, with more than was cryopreserved in the hope that assisted navirus pandemic, a lawyers’ as- statement. The initials ED refer to half of those in the commercial reproduction techniques could be used to sociation has said. the president’s full name, Emmer- hub Lagos. rescue the species. Chrispen Rambu, a local coun- son Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Nigeria, with 200 mnpeople, is So far the researchers have been able cillor in the eastern town of So far the authorities have re- Africa’s most populous country. to remove egg cells from the two females Chipinge and a member of the ported just 29 coronavirus cases Some 20mn reside in Lagos. and fertilize them with some of the frozen opposition Movement for Demo- and four deaths. Among measures to be an- sperm. The next step was to use the ferti- cratic Change (MDC), was called nounced by Buhari the governors lized embryos in surrogate mothers — the in by the police, the Zimba- Nigeria governors seek want the government to incorpo- related southern white rhinos. bwe Lawyers for Human Rights compulsory face mask rate a lockdown on flights and on Seet explained that given the complicat- (ZLHR) said in a statement late on use interstate movement, restrictions ed nature of the procedure they wanted to Friday. on large gatherings, overnight test it using eggs from wild southern white He was then charged with in- Nigerian state governors have curfews and compulsory face rhinos in Kenya. “This is a financial step sulting Mnangagwa and under- asked President Muhammadu Bu- mask use in public. back for us,” Seet said of the postponement. Florence Akiuor from the coalition for grassroots human rights defenders mining his authority, it said. hari to approve the compulsory use Lagos and Ogun states, as well Ol Pejeta is also struggling. It says around Kenya (CGHRD’S Kenya) explains how to use a mask during a food distribution The ZLHR said the police be- of face masks in public as confirmed as the capital Abuja, are already 70% of the reserve’s revenue comes from programme, during which a bag containing 2kg of maize flour, 1kg each of lieve Rambu sent a WhatsApp coronavirus cases rise, according to under federally imposed lock- tourism, which has now plummeted. But sugar and rice, soap, tea, salt and a face mask, were given out to vulnerable message to a local group which a letter seen by Reuters yesterday. downs, while various states have all costs — including protecting the world’s families that have lost their income in the Mathare slum of Nairobi. unfavourably compared Mnan- The 36 state governors argued instigated their own containment last two northern white rhinos — still need gagwa with South African Presi- the approval was necessary to have measures. to be covered. DR Congo sect leader Iftar fare held after deadly raid
AFP Police said that eight officers Kinshasa, home to some 10mn Kinshasa were seriously injured in the raid, people, to the ports of Matadi suggesting that the fatalities and Moanda. were all sect members. At the end of March, police had he self-styled ‘prophet’ of An eyewitness told AFP he had dispersed several BDK members a separatist sect blamed seen 15 bodies after the police ac- in Kinshasa for defying a ban on Tfor deadly attacks in the tion, and many more injured. gatherings of more than 20 peo- Democratic Republic of Congo Nsemi, who is aged around 70, ple imposed to halt the spread of has been arrested in a raid on his was taken to hospital with a head the novel coronavirus. home in Kinshasa involving hun- injury before being handed over Nsemi, a former chemistry dreds of security forces. to prosecutors. teacher, was detained in 2017 for “Mission accomplished,” a Police condemned some inciting tribal hatred but later police tweet said yesterday, af- members of the security forces escaped from prison during a ter troops stormed the home of for looting belongings from the brazen pre-dawn raid. former MP Ne Muanda Nsemi, property after the raid, saying in He spent two years on the run who heads the Bundu Dia Kongo a statement that the perpetrators before being re-arrested days af- (BDK) sect, following an hours- would be punished. ter making a public appearance long siege on Friday. The BDK aims to revive the this week on television. A police source, speaking on pre-colonial Kongo kingdom He re-entered political life in condition of anonymity, said that included what are today 2019 following the election of several BDK members were found parts of neighbouring Angola, president Felix Tshisekedi, and in the house and added that an the Republic of Congo and Ga- in January proclaimed himself undisclosed number of people bon, and has repeatedly fought president of the DR Congo in a had died in the raid. with security forces. “divine coup”. An interior ministry statement Since April 13, about 20 sect Dozens of armed groups and said at least eight people were members and police have been militias operate in the DR Congo, killed and another 35 injured, killed in three separate clashes on many in the east of the country, a Street vendors sell food on the side of the road in the Lazaret district of Niamey as Muslims prepared to break their fast during the without giving details. a key highway in the Kongo Central legacy of the two Congo wars in the holy month of Ramadan. The Iftar took place calmly in Niamey after riots in protest against the curfew and the ban on collective A total of 168 were arrested, province that neighbours Kinshasa. 1990s that dragged in the country’s prayers, decreed to fight against the spread of the coronavirus. according to the statement. The route is vital as it links neighbours Uganda and Rwanda. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 9 AMERICAS
JUSTICE BACK HOME RAMPAGE VULNERABLE TRIBES RELIEF FOR KIN Top court refuses to block US repatriates stranded Jailed gang members go on Amazon leaders demand Woman back from Covid Trump immigration policy citizens from Cuba killing spree in El Salvador illegal miners stay away dead after hospital mixup
The US Supreme Court on Friday rejected a About 300 US citizens stranded in Cuba since Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele late on Friday Amazon tribal leaders called on governments An Ecuadoran woman who was pronounced long-shot bid by New York and two other states Havana suspended regular air travel earlier this ordered a 24-hour lockdown of prisons containing in South America on Friday to ensure illegal dead of Covid-19 suddenly woke up in the to suspend, during the coronavirus pandemic, month due to the coronavirus pandemic were gang members, and said their leaders would be miners stay away from their forest lands as they hospital, to the delight and relief of relatives a Trump administration immigration policy that repatriated on two charter flights on Friday. sent into solitary confinement after a sudden spike fear outsiders could spread the coronavirus who had identified someone else’s body as denies legal permanent residency to certain Among them were Cuban Americans who had in homicides during the day. “No contact with among vulnerable indigenous communities. At hers and had it cremated. Alba Maruri, 74, immigrants deemed likely to require government feared a ban on Cuban citizens’ leaving would the outside world. Shops will remain closed and least 10 indigenous people in Brazil, Ecuador was hospitalised in March in Guayaquil, the assistance in the future. The court turned away stand in their way, but they received special all activities are suspended until further notice,” and Colombia have died from the highly Ecuadoran city hardest hit by the pandemic, New York’s request, which was joined by the dispensation from the Cuban immigration Bukele wrote on Twitter shortly before midnight. contagious Covid-19, according to the Indigenous with fever and trouble breathing. She lost states of Connecticut and Vermont as well as New office. A spokeswoman for Delta Airlines, which “Gang leaders will go into solitary confinement.” Organizations of the Amazon River Basin (COICA). consciousness for three weeks and was declared York City, with none of the nine justices publicly operated the two charter flights, said there were Bukele said the “maximum emergency” lockdown Illegal mining has “intensified” as gold miners are dead on March 27, relatives said. Her family was dissenting. The states argued that the regulation 313 passengers in total but deferred to the State would be enforced while police investigated some emboldened by weaker controls and a lack of shown a corpse in the hospital morgue, but is hindering efforts to combat the spread of Department when asked if all were US citizens. 22 homicides reported on Friday. That number was state presence during the coronavirus lockdown not allowed to get close to it. Maruri regained the coronavirus “by deterring immigrants from The State Department not immediately reply to a the highest total in a single day since Bukele took in forests where indigenous people live, according consciousness on Thursday and told doctors accessing healthcare and public benefits.” request for comment. office last June, a police spokesman said. to Tuntiak Katan, COICA’s deputy head. who she was and had them call her sister Aura.
Plans to restart do not hinge Beaches eyed as some on ‘immunity’ levels: Trudeau
Reuters states reopen slowly Winnipeg, Manitoba
Reuters pleaded for those who visit the shore Miami to practice social distancing. lans underway to restart the economies The move to enjoy the better of Canadian provinces do not depend on weather comes after the United Ppresuming people who become infected any Americans were yes- States on Friday recorded 36,491 with coronavirus develop immunity to it, Ca- terday expected to flock new cases of Covid-19, the respi- nadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yes- Mto beaches as one Florida ratory disease caused by the virus, terday. county relaxed restrictions and Cali- a record daily high, according to a The World Health Organisation said earlier fornia braced for a heat wave, even as Reuters tally. that there was “no evidence” that people who new cases of the novel coronavirus More than 911,000 people in the have recovered from Covid-19 and have anti- hit a record high the day before. United States have contracted the bodies are protected from a second infection. Volusia County, home to the famed virus and nearly 52,000 people have “I don’t believe there are any plans that hinge Daytona Beach, yesterday opened died, the tally shows. on certain people being immune to Covid-19,” lots at its coastal parks to handi- Georgia, Oklahoma and some Trudeau said in his daily briefing in Ottawa, capped visitors, one step in a phased other states took tentative steps to adding that provincial plans focus on prevent- reopening that has so far limited its reopen their economies on Friday, ing the spread through social distancing and beaches to those wanting to walk, despite disapproval from President protective equipment in workplaces. “(Immu- surf, bike or swim. Donald Trump and warnings from nity) is something we need to get clearer an- The step is warranted by the coun- health experts that such moves could swers to and until we have those clear answers, ty’s successful efforts to suppress rekindle the virus and cause more we need to err on the side of more caution.” cases of the virus, George Reck- deaths. In a scientific brief, the United Nations agen- tenwald, the county manager, said Theo Walker, owner of Golden cy warned governments against issuing “im- at a briefing on Friday, although he Anchor Tattoo in Atlanta, said he had munity passports” or “risk-free certificates” to likened the situation to tapping the put the question of whether to reo- people who have been infected as their accuracy brakes on a car going downhill. pen to his artists and they voted yes. could not be guaranteed. “We are starting to let up that brake He has given them protective New Brunswick is the first Canadian prov- a little bit but you don’t want to do equipment and was opening yes- ince to begin reopening parts of its economy it too fast because you don’t want to People hold signs during a protest against the coronavirus shutdown in front of State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, terday for business again, after a and Saskatchewan has outlined a plan to start speed out of control,” he said. “If you on Friday. “straightforward” first day back on reopening in May. are on the beach you should be physi- Friday, although he had to turn away Trudeau met with provincial premiers on Fri- cally active. No sitting, sunbathing or “I walked on the beach 10 minutes Some were already parking cars of Californians to the open beaches customers who tried to enter as a day to discuss their restart plans. hanging out with a cooler.” ago and it’s packed. That wasn’t sup- and pitching tents right on the beach, in Newport Beach and Huntington group. Measures will differ as infection rates vary John Overchuck, 45, who lives in posed to happen,” said Overchuck, Overchuck said. Beach on Friday despite stay-at- “In an ideal world we would have among provinces, but require national coordi- a beachfront home with his wife and an attorney who has offices in nearby “My family and I are bunkered in, home orders for people across the loved to just wait at home until it’s all nation, he said. toddler daughter just south of Day- Orlando. but you’re opening up condos, rentals state, and similarly large crowds over, but unfortunately we all have Canada’s death toll from Covid-19 rose 7% tona Beach in New Smyrna Beach, He fears the return of thousands and bringing in people from all over,” were expected yesterday. bills that are waiting, and I did not to 2,350 from a day earlier. Cases reached more said it’s “way too soon to do this.” of spring breakers and tourists from he said. “Who knows if they’ve been Governor Gavin Newsom said he want my artists to suffer anymore,” than 44,000. “I know they have rules and re- across the United States who in nor- taking precautions? I have a three- expected the state’s beaches to see Walker said. Trudeau announced funding for the coun- strictions, but people aren’t listen- mal times are drawn to Smyrna and year-old. I have to put her first.” “a significant increase in volume” “We all decided it was time to get try’s fish and seafood processors whose -busi ing,” he said. other county beaches. A heat wave brought thousands due to the very warm weekend, and back to work.” nesses were harmed by the coronavirus pan- demic. The government will spend C$62.5mn ($44.32mn) to support the processors, he said. They can use the money to buy protective equipment for workers or storage space for products to sell them later. Navy wants to reinstate fired USS Theodore Roosevelt captain AFP adds: The Canadian government said Fri- day that 1mn KN95 masks imported from China did not meet its strict standards and so could Reuters officials said, speaking on condition reinstatement. “During this time 856 sailors from the Roosevelt’s tion his character in a speech to the not be distributed to frontline health workers Washington of anonymity. of crisis, Captain Crozier is exactly 4,800-member crew who have tested Roosevelt’s crew, which also leaked to amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Pentagon issued a statement what our sailors need: a leader who positive for the coronavirus, effec- the media. Modly then resigned. The Public Health Agency of Canada “has acknowledging Esper received the inspires confidence,” he said. tively taking one of the Navy’s most News of the Navy’s recommen- identified approximately 1mn KN95 masks as n an extraordinary reversal, the US results of the Navy’s preliminary in- A senior US defense official, speak- powerful ships out of operation. dations could boost morale among non-compliant with specifications for health- Navy has recommended reinstating quiry into the Roosevelt incident. ing on condition of anonymity, said Crozier was fired by the Navy’s top sailors on the Roosevelt, who were care settings,” a spokesman told AFP. Ithe fired captain of the coronavi- But it added that Esper wanted to Esper wanted to be sure that the final civilian, then-acting navy secretary caught between the Navy’s desire “These items were not distributed to prov- rus-hit aircraft carrier Theodore Roo- review a written copy of the com- Navy report would stand up to pub- Thomas Modly, against the recom- to keep the ship operational and its inces and territories for frontline health care sevelt, whose crew hailed him as their pleted inquiry. lic scrutiny before signing off and mendations of uniformed leaders, duty to shield them from unneces- response, and are being subsequently assessed hero for risking his job to safeguard Suggesting no decision was immi- stressed that the Roosevelt outbreak who suggested he wait for an inves- sary risk in peacetime. for use in non-healthcare settings,” he said. their lives, officials said on Friday. nent, the statement said Esper then inquiry went far beyond Crozier. tigation into the letter’s leak. “When you are in the military you “Much of the world’s supply is manufac- The Navy’s leadership made the “intends to thoroughly review the But Esper’s deliberations raised Modly’s decision backfired badly, sign away a lot of your choices and tured in China and moving materials out of that recommendation to reinstate Cap- report and will meet again with Navy questions about whether political or as members of the crew hailed their your (ability) to share your opin- country is highly complex,” said Public Services tain Brett Crozier to Defense Secre- leadership to discuss next steps.” other considerations might override captain as a hero in an emotional ions about some things,” one sailor, and Procurement Minister Anita Anand. tary Mark Esper on Friday, just three The Navy said in a statement “no the Navy’s recommendations in a sendoff captured on video that went speaking on the condition of ano- The relationship between Ottawa and Beijing weeks after Crozier was relieved of final decisions have been made.” case that has seen Democrats vocally viral on social media. Embarrassed, nymity, told Reuters. has been on the rocks ever since the arrest of command after the leak of a letter he House Armed Services Commit- critical of the Trump administra- Modly then compounded his prob- “It is nice to see that us standing Meng Wanzhou, an executive at Chinese tel- wrote calling on the Navy for strong- tee chairman Adam Smith, a Demo- tion’s handling of the matter. lems by flying out to the carrier to rid- together for this (shows) that our ecoms giant Huawei, in December 2018 in Van- er measures to protect the crew, the crat, called for Crozier’s immediate Sources say Crozier is one of the icule Crozier over the leak and ques- voices matter.” couver.
Showdown looms between Silicon Valley and states over contact tracing apps
Reuters to build public trust by empha- there is a place for having solu- Without the changes the he and one other person have the San Francisco sising that the changes they are tions that protect privacy and two companies are working on, keys. making to Bluetooth to allow the enable more efficient contact iPhone users would have to keep North Dakota is paying about tracing apps to work will not tap tracing,” said Burgum, himself a their phone unlocked and app $9,000 to license Care19 for six S states promoting apps phones’ GPS sensors, which pri- former software executive who open at all times. months, he said. that could prove essential vacy activists see as too intrusive. sold a company to Microsoft for Utah’s Healthy Together con- Allgood said the Utah app asks Uto ending the coronavirus But the states pioneering the more than $1bn in 2001. tact tracing app, which launched users for their phone number, but lockdown may be headed for a apps — North and South Dakota, Anonymized GPS location on Wednesday, for now is using a location data is stored anony- showdown with the two Silicon and Utah — say allowing public data is already playing a key role workaround that only catalogues mously in a server rented from Valley companies that control health authorities to use GPS in in an early version of Care19, an some encounters. Amazon Web Services. key software on 99% of smart- tandem with Bluetooth is key to app that about 40,000 people Healthy Together also collects “We don’t see a reason why phones over the collection of making the system viable. have signed up for in North and location data and its developers Apple or Google would not allow sensitive GPS location data. The Bluetooth technology will South Dakota. hope Apple and Google do not us to participate in their tools,” Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s enable users to be notified if they Authorities currently ask force them to drop that function- said Diesel Peltz, Twenty’s CEO. Google plan to release technolo- crossed paths with a coronavirus Care19 users to give them per- ality to adopt the more compre- Brookins and Burgum ex- gy jointly in the coming weeks for carrier, but will not specify where mission for timestamped GPS hensive Bluetooth technology. pressed confidence the two tech digital contact tracing through the encounter happened, infor- location data, which allows of- “What Utah wanted to under- giants would allow for location Bluetooth sensors on phones. mation crucial to authorities who ficials to manually call places stand is not just who is spreading Two woman stand in front of a mural by artist @Dister picturing first data collection after seeing the Public health authorities have want to identify hotspots for vi- where users could have spread [the virus] to whom but also lo- responders with masks on and a Thank You message in the Harlem safeguards Care19 has put in determined that the technology rus transmission and move fast to the virus and ask for names and cation zones,” said Jared Allgood, neighbourhood of Manhattan in New York City. place, including not asking for is crucial to apps that will alert stop outbreaks. numbers of others who may have chief strategy officer for Twenty, users’ names, phone numbers or people when they have been close Apple and Google said on Fri- been there at the same time. the startup which developed Costco or a Walmart? They are make businesses and individuals email addresses. to people who have tested posi- day that they still have not de- This laborious process will Utah’s app for an initial $1.75mn. trying to make policy decisions vulnerable to being ostracised if “Some people are completely tive for the novel coronavirus. cided how to proceed. no longer be necessary with the GPS location data allows au- that move our economy from a the data are exposed. opposed to an intrusion on pri- For contact tracing apps to “I would encourage them to go Bluetooth technology coming thorities to decide which busi- broad-based ‘everything is shut But Tim Brookins, a principal vacy but there’s a younger gen- work, however, millions of peo- for the ‘and’ and not the ‘or’ so- from Apple and Google, which nesses may need to be closed down’ to a more targeted ap- engineer at Microsoft who previ- eration sharing their location on ple must be willing to use them lution,” North Dakota Governor will automatically catalogue en- because the virus is spreading proach,” Allgood said in an inter- ously worked for Burgum and de- dozens of apps,” Burgum said. without fear their locations and Doug Burgum said of Apple and counters between users and ena- there, and prioritize which con- view on Friday. veloped Care19 independently of “There may be a set of people other personal data is being Google in an interview earlier in ble carriers to anonymously con- tacts of diagnosed patients to Privacy experts have warned his employer, said location data is highly social, young and going tracked and stored. the week. vey to others potentially infected test. that any cache of location data stored on a Microsoft Azure serv- out to bars who may see this tool Google and Apple have sought “During this new normal, that they should get tested. “Is it happening in a park, a related to health issues could er that he rents and to which only as fantastic.” Gulf Times 10 Sunday, April 26, 2020 ASIA
Body of Five years after Nepal’s quake, guide of missing Koreans lockdown stops reconstruction found Reuters/IANS at home along with most others. cates after the quake have yet to Kathmandu Nepal has reported 49 cases of receive loans from banks to start earch teams looking for the coronavirus and no deaths so far. rebuilding houses. bodies of four South Kore- Reconstruction has already Hari Darshan of the independ- Sans killed in a Himalayas he coronavirus epidemic suffered from political infight- ent Centre for Resilient Develop- avalanche have found the frozen has not only put Nepal’s ing, bureaucracy and confusion. ment said victims of the earth- corpse of their Nepali guide, po- Tpeople and economy in Officials say fewer than half a quake were frustrated by the slow lice said yesterday. lockdown for a month, but also million houses have been built pace of construction and the A wall of snow hit the trekkers at stopped the slow and desper- or rebuilt, along with 5,300 of building materials and housing about 3,230m (10,600ft) near the ately needed reconstruction of the required 7,500 school build- designs approved by the NRA. Annapurna base camp in Nepal on homes and other buildings dev- ings and less than half of the “Many people are still liv- January 17. But avalanches and more astated by two huge earthquakes 900 damaged monuments and ing in vulnerable temporary snowfall since have made it too dan- in 2015. cultural sites. structures,” he said. gerous to launch a proper hunt. A magnitude 7.8 quake hit Ne- The Central Level Project Im- Meanwhile, the rebuilding Police returned to the area on pal on April 25 of that year and plementation Unit (Education), works of the earthquake-rav- Friday after thawing snow re- was followed by another of mag- an entity under the author- aged health facilities were also vealed a bag. “Our team then nitude 7.3 less than three weeks ity formed to reconstruct school lagging far behind the schedule. found the body as the snow later. Whole towns, centuries- buildings, had sought Rs11bn Out of 1,197 health centres, melted,” Kaski district police old temples and other historic to rebuild 1,806 public school only 669 (56%) have been com- chief Dan Bahadur Karki, said. sites were reduced to rubble. buildings in the current fiscal pleted so far while 145 of them Karki said that no decision has Almost 9,000 people were year. are mid-construction. been taken yet whether to resume killed and more than a million The Ministry of Finance, how- The records of the National a full search for the South Koreans. houses destroyed, at a cost to the ever, allocated only Rs9.23bn, Rebuilding Authority show “The snow is still very deep economy of $6bn. of which Rs8bn was in loans that construction of 32% of the in the area where we suspect the Prime Minister K P Sharma pledged by the Indian govern- quake-damaged health infra- bodies are. We are still discussing Oli offered condolences to the ment through the Exim Bank. structure has not even started. what to do next,” he said. families of victims in an anni- “If the needed budget is made “We have missed the dead- Nepal has also been in a corona- versary statement released late available, we expect the re- line for the reconstruction of virus lockdown for the past month on Friday. construction project of school schools and health facilities, with all trekking permits suspended. Manohar Ghimire at the state- buildings to be completed in but we have made good progress Thousands of trekkers visit run National Reconstruction next two years,” Dilip Shekhar, in the reconstruction of indi- Nepal every year for its stun- Authority said the nationwide deputy chief at the unit, said. vidual homes,” Sushil Gyewali, ning views of the Himalayas and lockdown, ordered on March 24, Many people who were left the chief executive officer of the A policeman (right) helps to pull back a scooter as rider ignores a government-imposed nationwide lockdown, routes lined with picturesque had kept construction workers without land ownership certifi- authority said. on the outskirts of Kathmandu yesterday. villages. (AFP) Indonesia reports 396 new virus cases Thai oceans
Reuters Jakarta see more fish ndonesia reported yesterday 396 new coronavirus cases, Itaking the total number to 8,607, data provided by health and dugongs ministry official Achmad Yurianto showed. Thirty one more people who had tested positive for the virus died, taking the total number amid Covid-19 of deaths to 720, according to the data. The world’s fourth most populous country has been hit hard by the virus, with the high- closures est numbers of deaths in Asia outside of China. US President Donald Trump DPA/Reuters had reported seeing dugongs announced on Friday he would Bangkok on a daily basis, sometimes in be sending ventilators and un- groups of around five to six, specified help to Indonesia at near the island of Ko Libong in the request of President Joko hai oceans are seeing southern Thailand. Widodo. more fish and rare ma- Dugongs are herbivorous The Indonesian presidential Trine animals since being marine mammals that are list- palace said in a statement that closed to tourists due to the ed as vulnerable to extinction Trump and Widodo held a call on coronavirus pandemic. by the International Union for Friday to discuss ways to collabo- Thailand’s Department of Conservation of Nature. rate during the pandemic, includ- National Parks, Wildlife and The wildlife department ing on how to overcome the pro- Plant Conservations said yes- had also released drone foot- tective gear and masks shortages terday in a Facebook post that age of a herd of around 30 faced by both countries. officials sent out to inspect dugongs near Ko Libong it The statement said Trump coral reefs saw a clear increase shot on Tuesday. had agreed to “strengthen part- in the amount of fish among Thailand has closed all na- nerships in trade and econom- them. tional parks, malls and most ics” between the United States “From the survey, we found shops and meeting places and Indonesia after recovery A street vendor wearing a protective mask sits as he waits for customers, as the government imposed large-scale restrictions to prevent the that since the national park’s to curb the spread of the from the coronavirus outbreak. spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Jakarta yesterday. closure over the past month, coronavirus. we are clearly seeing an in- Thailand yesterday reported crease in the amount of fish,” 53 new coronavirus cases and the posting said. the death of a 48-year-old “For example the parrot Thai man who was infected fish, which are usually seen in with the virus along with four groups of five to six - we are other family members. Cambodian artist fights stigma through art now seeing them in groups Since the outbreak esca- of 15 to 20.” lated in January, Thailand has By Suy SE, AFP from once-friendly peers was It said coral reefs at the Hat reported a total of 2,907 cases Siem Reap, Cambodia the most cutting. Wanakon National Park in and 51 deaths, while 2,547 He was nicknamed “A-Kam- Prachuap Khiri Khan prov- patients have recovered and bot” by villagers, a deroga- ince, around 240km south of gone home. hispered insults, so- tory Khmer word for the handi- Bangkok, are not showing new The country has been un- cial isolation, and lost capped, after his return home signs of deterioration. der a state of emergency since Wopportunities - Morn - which “pierced” him deeply, The department said a ma- March 26 which will last until Chear is channelling the stigma and made him question whether rine animal conservationist at least April 30. he has endured since he lost both if life was worth living. his hands a decade ago into art- Relief came in 2015 when he work that highlights the hard- was recruited into a non-profit ships of Cambodia’s disabled. group’s training programme At 20, he was electrocuted in a - teaching him contemporary construction accident and both dance, drawing, computer skills, his hands developed gangrene, and even English. pushing doctors to amputate Working with Open Studio them below the elbow. Cambodia in 2018 seemed a nat- “I was depressed, I did not ural move, as it fuelled his drive know what I could do to earn to use art to persuade the public money to feed my family,” he to see the disabled as capable says of the shock he felt when he people. woke up from surgery. “Some people who looked Ten years later, Chear has down on me in the past have found his place at an arts collec- Morn Chear cleaning his linocut block printed artwork displayed at the Open Studio in Siem Reap province. become friendly again,” says tive based in Siem Reap, where Chear, adding that his artwork he specialises in Linocut block print toter he lost his arms. nificant changes in the past two country’s disabled live below the has been displayed in the US printing - a technique rarely “Most of my artworks are all decades, with cities like Siem poverty line. and France. used in Cambodia. about my real stories,” he says, Reap and its capital Phnom Penh Government officials say But now, with billions world- Open Studio Cambodia rep- gesturing at a piece that features developing at break-neck pace 310,000 people out of Cambo- wide forced to remain home due resents several contemporary himself sitting in a hammock as to satisfy a growing tourist- and dia’s 16mn-strong population to the coronavirus pandemic, he artists, selling their pieces out others walk towards a pagoda. export-reliant economy. have disabilities - though the is reminded of the social isola- of an airy studio in the heart of Chear remembers the incident But health and education re- number is likely higher as many tion he endured right after he a city famed for the Angkor Wat of his friends snubbing him clear mains a sticking point, and for fall between the gaps. lost his arms. temple complex. as day - “Don’t call him to come people with disabilities, access is Discrimination is rife, with “I hope we will overcome Linocut block printing re- with us, he is handicapped, it’s even more challenging. Cambodians seeing the disabled it,” he tells AFP from his home quires a deft handle to chisel a embarrassing,” he recalls them A survey last year by the Cam- as street beggars or a burden to in Kampot province, return- This aerial view screengrab from handout video shows dugongs scene into a block of linoleum, whispering. bodian Disabled People’s Or- their families. ing after the workshop was swimming in Joohoy cape at Libong island in Trang province in and then applying ink on the Cambodia has undergone sig- ganisation found that 60% of the For Chear, the social isolation temporarily closed. southern Thailand yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA
Celebrity Australia, NZ mark Anzac chef fined for peddling coronavirus Day with driveway vigils ‘machine’ Reuters was one of just a handful of peo- served in the name of peace Sydney ple allowed to attend a ceremony and justice.” AFP at the country’s national war In Australia people also Sydney memorial in Canberra. flocked to beaches to light can- housands across Aus- Australia and New Zealand dles and honour the country’s tralia and New Zealand both managed to curb coro- military, who have fought in ustralian celebrity chef Pete Thonoured their countries’ navirus infections before the many worldwide conflicts. Evans has been fined thou- military personnel yesterday epidemic strained their pub- Australia reported 20 new Asands of dollars after pro- in private ceremonies held in lic health systems, but officials coronavirus cases yesterday, moting a “light machine” which he driveways and on balconies, as of the two sparsely populated which took its total to 6,687, ac- claimed could help treat coronavirus. the coronavirus outbreak forced Pacific neighbours continue to cording to health ministry data. Evans was handed the most traditional Anzac Day me- worry. There have been 80 deaths. A$25,000 ($16,000) fine on -Fri morials to be cancelled for the New Zealand will next week In New Zealand, there were day over his claims the BioCharg- first time in decades. ease some of the world’s strict- three new confirmed cases, er device – which looks like a Crowds typically gather at est lockdown measures taken to bringing the total of infections to cross between a blender and a lava dawn services on April 25 to tackle the pandemic, while Aus- 1,117. Eighteen people have died, lamp – could be used to help beat commemorate the bloody bat- tralia’s strict social distancing health ministry data showed. the “Wuhan coronavirus”. tle on the Gallipoli peninsula in rules remain in place. On April 25, 1915, thousands “Just briefly it’s programmed Turkey during World War One, In remembrances dubbed of troops from the Australian with about a thousand different which in recent decades has “stand at dawn,” New Zealand and New Zealand Army Corps recipes, there’s a couple on there become one of the most impor- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (Anzac) were among a larger for Wuhan coronavirus,” Evans tant national occasions in both stood on her driveway along Allied Force that landed on the said in a Facebook live video countries. with her fiance and his father narrow beaches of the Gallipoli published earlier this month. But with public gatherings yesterday. peninsula, an ill-fated campaign Australia’s Therapeutic Goods banned to stop the spread of “This year a new threat faces that would claim more than People hold flags as they pay their respects during the Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Administration (TGA) said in a the novel coronavirus, people all nations as the impact of the 130,000 lives. Remembrance in Melbourne yesterday. statement his claim had “no ap- were asked to remember the day coronavirus deepens world- While the Gallipoli cam- parent foundation” and it had privately. wide,” Ardern said in an emailed paign against the Turks failed, in all military conflicts and Spanish flu pandemic in 1919, the “Though our streets were received a number of complaints “Our remembrances today, statement. the landing date of April 25 has the first Anzac Day parade was year after what was at the time empty, the returning veterans about the livestream. small, quiet and homely, will be,” “As we face these signifi- become a major day of remem- held in 1916. dubbed the Great War. Ceremo- were not forgotten,” Morrison The Royal Australian College of Australian Prime Minister Scott cant challenges, we remember brance in Australia and New Broad public commemora- nies were also greatly scaled back said. “We have never forgotten General Practitioners President Morrison said in his address. He the courage of those who have Zealand for their troops killed tions were cancelled during the during World War Two. them, and we never will.” Harry Nespolon welcomed the fine and told people to ignore the paleo-pushing chef’s health ad- vice, in a series of tweets on Friday. “This ‘light machine’ doesn’t do anything but drain your wal- let,” Nespolon said. Covid-19 cases on docked “Stick to cooking mate.” The makers of the device, Advanced Biotechnologies, de- scribe it as a “Subtle Energy Re- vitalisation Platform” and issued Japan cruise ship near 150 a statement following Evans’ video, distancing themselves from the Covid-19 claim. AFP Its operator first notified local functions, the vessel’s operator the region if it is safe to do so. “The BioCharger NG is not a med- Tokyo authorities of suspected virus has told Japanese officials. So far, one crew member has ical device, is not intended for use in infections last weekend. “Quite a lot of people were been hospitalised, while others the diagnosis of disease or other con- All crew members have now confirmed positive and our next with relatively mild symptoms ditions,” the company said. lmost a quarter of the 623 been tested with another 57 challenge is how to build a medi- have remained on the ship. The BioCharger, selling at Lam Wing-kee (centre) stands with Taiwan Parliamentary Speaker Yu crew members on a cruise testing positive yesterday, rais- cation system aboard for them,” Japan has already dealt with $14,990, has since disappeared Shyi-kun (left) and secretary general of the ruling Democratic Progressive Aship docked in western ing the number of cases to 148, a the official said. one virus outbreak on a cruise from Evans’ website. Party (DPP) Lo Wen-jia, during the launch of the ‘Causeway Bay Books’ Japan have tested positive for local official told reporters. Crew members are all non- ship – the Diamond Princess, Evans has previously been criti- bookstore in Taipei yesterday. the coronavirus, an official said Further details, such as their Japanese except for one transla- which docked in Yokohama af- cised by medical experts over his yesterday. nationalities or age, were not tor who is a Japanese national. ter a former passenger tested questionable health advice which The Italy-flagged Costa At- immediately available, the Local officials are working positive for the disease. includes paleo diets as a treat- lantica has no passengers aboard official said. with the government in Tokyo to Authorities ordered an on- ment for a raft of chronic illnesses, and arrived in the southern Some crew have been isolated allow those who test negative to ship quarantine, but more than bone broth as a substitute for baby port of Nagasaki for repairs in in cabins but many also have to go home, while also attempting 700 people ultimately contracted formula and claiming fluoride in HK publisher January. move around to maintain basic to arrange for the ship to leave the virus and 13 died. drinking water is toxic. detained by China sees more imported virus cases
China reopens Reuters Still it has faced a continu- day quarantine, as well as two Beijing ous trickle of cases brought in tests for Covid-19 as well as an by Chinese citizens wanting to antibody test. return home in spite of risks of China reported 12 new coro- hina’s northwestern getting infected. In recent days, navirus cases on April 24, com- shop in Taiwan province of Shaanxi many of these have come back pared with six new cases on the Creported yesterday from Russia. previous day, National Health AFP Lam’s attacker reportedly said seven new imported cases of The new cases in Shaanxi Commission data showed Taipei his fundraising project for the the novel coronavirus, all in were all Chinese nationals who yesterday. bookstore “damaged” Taiwan’s citizens returning home from had returned on April 20 on a Of those, 11 were import- relations with China. Russia, even as domestic cas- flight from Moscow that was ed, compared with two the Hong Kong publisher Police were also investigating es in the country were largely diverted away from Beijing. As previous day. previously detained by a death threat left at a govern- curbed. of Saturday, the flight had a The commission also reported AChinese authorities reo- ment agency’s Facebook page The port city of Manzhouli confirmed total of 30 cases, and 29 new asymptomatic cases, pened his bookstore in Taiwan against him. in Inner Mongolia also report- 8 asymptomatic infections, ac- slightly down from the previ- yesterday, defying what he called Banners reading “Taiwan in- ed three new imported cases, cording to the provincial health ous day’s 34. Four of these cases attempts linked to Beijing to dependence” and “Free Hong without giving details. commission. were imported. intimidate him. Kong, revolution now” deco- China has instituted strin- No further details were given The total number of con- The opening of Lam Wing- rated the wall of the small shop, gent checks at its ports and bor- about the imported cases in firmed cases in China, where kee’s Causeway Bay Books which focuses on political titles der points, banning the entry Manzhouli in Inner Mongo- the virus first emerged in late came a year after he fled to the and was opened with the help of foreign nationals on March lia. The northern province an- December, is now 82,816. The A medical worker checking notes in front of food delivery employees, island when the Hong Kong of a hugely successful crowd- 28, and even diverting interna- nounced on Friday that it would death toll remained the same in queue to have their nucleic acid test as part of Covid-19 pandemic government announced a now- funding campaign. tional flights from its capital city start requiring all interna- at 4,632, with no new deaths measures, at a health services centre in Suifenhe in China’s northeast- scrapped proposal to allow The chant “Free Hong Kong” Beijing. tional arrivals to undergo a 28- reported on April 24. ern Heilongjiang province yesterday. extraditions to China. became popular during the huge The 64-year-old was one of street protests in the city last year five booksellers from Causeway that were initially sparked by the Bay Books publishing salacious extradition bill but later morphed titles about China’s leaders who into a cry for democracy. vanished and then resurfaced in Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing- China sends team to advise on N Korea leader custody on the mainland in 2015. wen sent a bouquet of flowers He was allowed back to Hong for the store opening with a note Reuters identified given the sensitivity of Trump told reporters, but he situation very keenly.” gain since taking power and Kong the next year on the condi- using a Chinese proverb about Beijing/Seoul the matter. declined to say if he had been in North Korea is one of the world’s family history of cardiovascular tion that he pick up a computer justice and fairness. The Liaison Department could touch with North Korean officials. most isolated and secretive problems. hard drive that listed bookstore China still sees self-ruling not be reached by Reuters On Friday, a South Korean source countries, and the health of its When Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim customers and return. democratic Taiwan as part of its China has dispatched a team to for comment late on Friday. told Reuters their intelligence leaders is treated as a matter Jong Il, suffered a stroke in 2008, Instead, he skipped bail and territory and has vowed to one North Korea, including medical China’s foreign ministry did not was that Kim was alive and of state security. Reuters has South Korean media reported went public to tell an explosive day seize the island, by force if experts, to advise on North immediately respond to a request would likely make an appearance not been able to independently at the time that Chinese doctors story of how he was blindfolded necessary. Korean leader Kim Jong-un, for comment late on Friday. soon. The person said he did confirm any details on Kim’s were involved in his treatment by mainland police after cross- Tsai’s government has ad- according to three people familiar Daily NK, a Seoul-based website, not have any comment on Kim’s whereabouts or condition. along with French physicians. ing the border, and interrogated vertised Taiwan as a place that with the situation. reported earlier this week current condition or any Chinese North Korea’s state media last Last year, Chinese President Xi for months. values liberties and democracy, The trip by the Chinese doctors that Kim was recovering after involvement. reported on Kim’s whereabouts Jinping made the first state visit “The reopening is very mean- encouraging media outlets and and officials comes amid undergoing a cardiovascular An official familiar with US when he presided over a meeting in 14 years by a Chinese leader ingful,” Lam told reporters in the organisations that are kicked out conflicting reports about the procedure on April 12. It cited one intelligence said that Kim was on April 11. State media did not to North Korea, an impoverished new store in Taipei. of authoritarian China to set up health of the North Korean unnamed source in North Korea. known to have health problems report that he was in attendance state that depends on Beijing for “Causeway Bay Books was shop there instead. leader. Reuters was unable to South Korean government but they had no reason to at an event to mark the birthday economic and diplomatic support. destroyed by China through “I feel very proud of Tai- immediately determine what the officials and a Chinese official conclude he was seriously ill or of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on China is North Korea’s chief ally violent means. The reopening wan’s democratic system and of trip by the Chinese team signaled with the Liaison Department unable eventually to reappear in April 15, an important anniversary and the economic lifeline for a proves Taiwan is a place with Taiwan valuing the rule of law in terms of Kim’s health. challenged subsequent reports public. in North Korea. country hard-hit by UN sanctions, freedom and democracy and we and human rights,” Parliament A delegation led by a senior suggesting that Kim was in grave A US State department Kim, believed to be 36, has and has a keen interest in the still have the right to read books,” Speaker Yu Shyi-kun, who vis- member of the Chinese danger after surgery. South spokeswoman had no comment. disappeared from coverage in stability of the country with which he added. ited Lam’s shop yesterday, told Communist Party’s International Korean officials said they had US Secretary of State, Mike North Korean state media before. it shares a long, porous border. On Tuesday, a man pelted red reporters. Liaison Department left Beijing for detected no signs of unusual Pompeo, when asked about In 2014, he vanished for more Kim is a third-generation paint at Lam while he was at a “I am here to congratulate him North Korea on Thursday, two of activity in North Korea. Kim’s health on Fox News after than a month and North Korean hereditary leader who came to cafe, just a day after he received (Lam) for reopening his book- the people said. The department On Thursday, US President Donald Trump spoke said, “I don’t have state TV later showed him walking power after his father Kim Jong Il a letter threatening legal action store and to cheer him on.” is the main Chinese body dealing Trump also downplayed earlier anything I can share with you with a limp. Speculation about died in 2011 from a heart attack. from a person who claimed to Thomas Lan, a 17-year-old with neighbouring North Korea. reports that Kim was gravely ill. tonight, but the American people his health has been fanned by his He has visited China four times have already trademarked the customer, said he closely fol- The sources declined to be “I think the report was incorrect,” should know we’re watching the heavy smoking, apparent weight since 2018. bookstore’s name. lowed the protests in Hong Kong. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, April 26, 2020 BRITAIN
Man held after gun Britain passes milestone fired at funeral
By Jedidajah Otte of 20,000 virus deaths Guardian News & Media
AFP/Reuters/Guardian in the world and the actual death London toll could be much higher when man has been arrested deaths in the community are after a gun was fired as taken into account, particularly Ahundreds of mourners he UK’s official corona- at care homes. gathered for the Manchester fu- virus death toll passed The UK government has been neral of a criminal known as “Mr Tthe milestone of 20,000 under pressure to relax so- Ibiza”, despite social distancing yesterday, which the Home Sec- cial distancing rules since the rules. retary Priti Patel described as “a country went into lockdown on Armed police scrambled to deeply tragic and moving mo- March 23, but Patel said min- Gorton Cemetery in Manchester ment”. isters would not yet give a date on Thursday after chaos broke Health department figures for any relaxation in the regula- out during the funeral of Clive showed a further 813 people had tions. Pinnock, 38, from Longsight, died in hospital after contracting “We’ve made a great deal of south Manchester, who died in a Covid-19, pushing the official progress, but actually we’re not road crash earlier this month. number of fatalities to 20,319. out of the woods yet, we really Patel: The nation today will be After the gun was fired, a The coronavirus causes the are not,” she said. deeply moved by the figures of 34-year-old man was arrested Covid-19 respiratory disease. The lockdown was extended the number of people who have on suspicion of attempted mur- The medical director of Na- on April 16 and is due for review died. Every death is a tragedy. der after police found him suf- tional Health Service (NHS) on May 7. This is a deeply tragic and fering from minor knife wounds. England Stephen Powis and the Questions have been raised moving moment. Greater Manchester police UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir over shortages in personal pro- (GMP) said that the force had Patrick Vallance, had earlier said tective equipment and a lack of SAGE”, and said they attended decided to allow the crowd of that keeping the number of fa- widespread testing, particularly meetings “to understand better mourners to gather after a “care- talities lower than 20,000 would of frontline health and social the scientific debates concern- ful assessment” of the situation, be “a good outcome”. care workers. ing this emergency”. An officer tells members of the public that they are not allowed to sit and enjoy the sunshine on the and having come to the conclu- “The nation today will be Prime Minister Boris John- The statement added it was grass, but are allowed to walk to take exercise, in London Fields park in east London. sion that it would be “in the in- deeply moved by the figures of son’s government was also em- “factually wrong and damag- terests of public safety”. the number of people who have broiled in a political row after ing to sensible public debate” to 2000 to 2007, and that it was the scientists and the experts ministrations in Scotland, Wales Superintendent Rebecca died,” Patel said during the daily it emerged his chief adviser at- suggest the committee’s advice wrong for them to now do so. who are members of the SAGE.” and Northern Ireland have been Boyce of the GMP said in a state- Downing Street briefing. “Every tended meetings of the main sci- was affected by the government. If a political adviser is sit- The former head of the civil allowed to take part in SAGE ment that the force had engaged death is a tragedy.” entific group advising ministers Labour’s health spokesman, ting on the SAGE “it’s a fair as- service, Bob Kerslake, however, meetings as observers. with the Pinnock family to dis- She added: “This is a deeply on the coronavirus pandemic in John Ashworth told BBC radio sumption that they are at least in said there is a risk “the govern- Unlike Cummings, they were cuss funeral arrangements and tragic and moving moment.” Britain. yesterday that his “concern” part playing this role, one which ment is leading the science when not allowed to ask questions, social distancing rules. Yesterday’s toll was an in- Downing Street was forced to was “that political advisers have it’s simply inappropriate and it’s supposed to be the other way having instead to submit them in “We continued to closely crease on the 684 deaths report- deny that Dominic Cummings influenced the debate”. wrong for them to be playing”, round”. writing in advance. monitor the situation and as it ed the previous day and comes and another adviser, Ben Warn- Throughout the outbreak, he tweeted. Former Conservative front- The editor of the Lancet said progressed it was clear that the after the government claimed er, were members of the po- ministers have reiterated that Powis, the NHS England bencher, David Davis, tweeted that Cummings’ attendance of emotions of those at the gather- the virus had hit its peak. litically independent Scientific their policies have been guided medical director, said that he that “we should publish the SAGE meetings would call into ing were high and therefore a de- However, there was some op- Advisory Group for Emergencies by scientific advice, but the is confident that the SAGE had membership of the SAGE: re- question the independent scien- cision was made, in the interests timism as those diagnosed as (SAGE). process has been shrouded in se- been a forum for scientific dis- move any non-scientist mem- tific advice that it is mandated to of public safety, not to intervene having contracted the virus fell However, following reports crecy and the extent of political cussion among experts. bers”. provide. unless the wider public were put by 473 to 4,913, according to the in the Guardian newspaper, influence remains unclear. “It is the experts from a va- The former Brexit secretary “If it is true that Dominic at risk by the groups.” same health department figures. the government admitted that In a statement, Ashworth said riety of backgrounds who dis- said that advice should be made Cummings attended meetings In 2015, Pinnock was jailed University of Oxford analysis Cummings had sat in on group Cummings was “not a medi- cuss the evidence, they discuss public alongside any dissenting of the SAGE, then the govern- for 11 years and six months after also showed that the numbers meetings. cal or scientific expert” and the the evidence base of the various opinions as expressed during ment led by Boris Johnson has stabbing two men following a dying in England may be on a Until now, membership of the government must make clear he topics, they come to conclusions meetings. utterly corrupted independent row in a pub in the city. downward spiral as it said a third committee, which is a key body can no longer participate or at- around that evidence base,” he “We do this for the monetary scientific advice,” Richard - Hor The force’s decision was criti- of the 711 additional deaths re- in shaping the UK’s response tend, “if the public are to have told the Today programme. policy committee, how is it not ton tweeted. cised by members of the public corded in the latest government to the pandemic, has not been confidence in the SAGE”. “It is then, of course, the role right to do so for the much more “But I’m afraid to say that the on social media. figures yesterday occurred more made public. The government’s former of the SAGE to advise the gov- important scientific advisory scientists who sit on the SAGE Many families have been than a week ago. In a statement, a Number 10 chief scientific adviser David ernment. committee?” he tweeted. have allowed themselves to be forced to hold remote funeral Despite that, the latest fig- spokesman said that “it is not King said that party political I have been confident that It understood the chief medi- corrupted”, including the chief services for loved ones who died ures confirm Britain has been true that Mr Cummings or Dr advisers never attended SAGE what happens at the SAGE is a cal officers and chief scientific scientific officer and chief medi- since the coronavirus lockdown one of the worst-hit countries Warner are ‘on’ or members of meetings during his tenure from scientific discussion involving advisers from the devolved ad- cal officer. began. WWII veteran tops UK music charts Former Watchdog after record coronavirus fundraiser presenter Lynn
AFP Guinness World Records also London announced Moore had broken Faulds Wood dies the record for raising the most money in an individual char- 99-year-old British ity walk – more than £27mn By Hannah J Davies own diagnosis with bowel can- World War II veteran who ($33mn, €31mn). Guardian News & Media cer. Ashot to fame raising mil- He initially set out to raise just She also later developed skin lions for health workers fighting £1,000 for the NHS by walking cancer, and became involved in Faulds Woods: had previously the coronavirus has become the 100 laps of his 25m (82-foot) he former Watchdog host raising awareness of the disease, worked in print media. oldest artist to reach No 1 in the garden, with the help of his Lynn Faulds Wood has co-founding the European Can- UK music singles charts. walking frame. Tdied at the age of 72. cer Patient Coalition in 2002. loss to journalism and to her Captain Tom Moore’s rendi- However, Moore’s journey In a statement yesterday, her She was a consumer cham- friends and family. tion of You’ll Never Walk Alone resonated with a public inun- family said: “Having suffered a pion on GMTV between 2003 “We are all devastated at this – a much-loved and widely cov- dated with grim pandemic cov- massive stroke last night and a and 2009 and in 2014 returned news.” ered song from a 1945 musical erage and he became a global subsequent bleed on the brain, to Watchdog after two decades Raworth said: “I have known – sold 82,000 units, the Press phenomenon praised by British presenter and journalist Lynn to host a spinoff daytime series, Lynn since I was 14. She inspired Association (PA) news agency Olympic great Mo Farrah and Faulds Wood passed away peace- Watchdog Test House, alongside me to become a journalist. She said on Friday, beating Canadi- Prince William. fully at 12 noon today with her Sophie Raworth. has lived next door to my parents an artist The Weeknd’s Blinding The final lap of his garden in husband, John Stapleton, and Leading the tributes, Dame for decades. She has been the Lights in second place. Bedfordshire, south England, son Nick at her bedside.” Esther Rantzen, with whom she most wonderful, generous, kind “It’s out of this world, truly was met with a guard of honour The presenter and journalist, presented the 2006 consumer friend to me and my family for amazing!” Moore, a captain who from the Yorkshire Regiment who was born in Glasgow, pre- show Old Dogs New Tricks, said: such a long time. Can’t believe served in India, said on his offi- and broadcast live on British TV sented Watchdog alongside Sta- “I have known Lynn for many she has gone.” cial Twitter account. A handout picture released by Guinness World Records on Friday on Thursday. pleton from 1985 to 1993. years. Nicky Campbell, who present- The single, which features shows Captain Moore with his two certificates. “What a way to finish the She had previously worked in “We made a series together, ed Watchdog between 2001 and Moore singing alongside actor week,” Moore’s latest tweet said. print media, and then on con- which was huge fun but also very 2009, described Faulds Wood as and singer Michael Ball and a been tight, Martin Talbot, chief that Moore “can have a No 1 for “It’s simply wonderful and all sumer affairs for ITV’s TV-am hard-hitting because she was “the real thing”. choir from the state-run Na- executive of the Official Charts his 100th birthday”. for such a good cause. and Breakfast Time on the BBC. such an impressive and coura- “She cared genuinely and pas- tional Health Service (NHS), is Company told PA, until The “My grandchildren can’t “The NHS staff and the - vol In the 1990s, she was one of geous consumer journalist. sionately about people and their also the fastest-selling single of Weeknd tweeted his support on believe I am a chart topper!” unteers are the real heroes & the hosts of the ITV current af- “She fought for the rights of rights,” he said. “When I joined the year so far, according to PA. Thursday for the “incredible 99 Moore, who turns 100 at the end they continue to do such a mag- fairs series World in Action, re- vulnerable people doggedly and Watchdog, hers was the legacy The race to the No.1 spot had yr old war veteran”, and his hope of this month, told PA. nificent job THANK YOU!” porting on cancer following her determinedly and she is a huge we all aspired to.” Rubber bones and road crossing: Sport commentators get creative
By Steven Griffiths, AFP Cotter has worked at the Olym- the dogs fighting over an orange Heath gives the run-of-the-mill ket, an “international 4x4 push- of Partridge,” he said. eos for him to add mock com- London pics and Wimbledon, but during rubber bone – “So into the final activities a tongue-in-cheek chair formation final” as mothers “I saw my character as some- mentary. the health crisis he has kept his minute and Olive in possession, sports flavour. wheel their babies through a park one who could make two flies on One of Buck’s most popular voice in action by focusing on his but this is where Mabel is strong, His many comedic gems in- and a “spaniel speedway” com- a wall sound interesting.” is a clip of chicken wings being ogs chasing rubber bones, two labradors, Olive and Mabel. chasing the game, using that clude people crossing the road to mentary that was so popular he Heath and Cotter are not alone grilled while he says: “Look at “competitive” road Cotter took to Twitter to share intensity” – has been watched his excitable voiceover – “Cross- has started a website to sell T- among the commentating frater- this. They were already hot com- Dcrossing and the thrills of a commentary on his dogs as they 18.4mn times. road dash, light turns to red, we shirts with the slogan on. nity in turning to people’s daily ing out. They’re back on the grill. grilled chicken have become the munched from separate food “It just shows how much we wait for the beeps, there they are. His ironic take is inspired by routines to provide light relief “The sauce is inside the bowl. new currency for sports com- bowls – “Olive, focused, relent- are all missing sport and what we “Now then, JD Sports man, British commentating icons, as during the lockdown. Reaching back in. Wanting more. mentators looking to entertain less, tasting. Nothing left but the term ‘normal life’. We absolutely he’s got a decent start, leggings well as television character Alan In the United States, Fox They keep coming out of that fans during the coronavirus lock- bowl to lick now. take it for granted and we are at on the outside. Partridge. Sports commentator Joe Buck bowl. down. “Great rivals but great friends. last realising that,” Cotter said. “Oh! JD Sports a bit distracted Heath, whose Twitter follow- was working on the Kansas City “How many can you give us, With virtually no sport being You see the swapping of bowls Freelance rugby commenta- over the shoulder, and leggings is ing is now more than 126,000, Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory over Andrew? Unbelievable.” played anywhere in the world there at the end.” tor Nick Heath, who usually going to get there. told AFP: “It’s been much more the San Francisco 49ers just Summing up the desire for due to the pandemic, under-em- His post of the eating contest works for the BBC and Sky, has “She does it again, three titles popular than I expected. weeks before the pandemic took levity at such a worrying time, ployed TV pundits are keeping has been viewed by more than gone viral with his hilarious “life in three days. Off past Vegas Gold “I was just doing the parody hold. Buck told the Washington Post: the sporting public amused with 10mn people and was retweeted commentaries” while sport is on for the lap of honour. voice I used when I was writing But now Buck, one of Amer- “I didn’t know that it would take social media commentary on the by Hollywood actor Ryan Rey- hold. “Victorious!” some comedy a few years ago. ica’s most celebrated announc- off. That’s where we are. I think more mundane aspects of life. nolds. Filming people going about Heath also muses on competi- “There’s some Brian Moore, ers, is asking his 268,000 Twitter people are starved for something BBC commentator Andrew A follow-up effort featuring their business in south London, tive vegetable-buying in a mar- Barry Davies, a couple of dollops followers to send him short vid- along these lines.” Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 13 EUROPE
It’s safer to eat in restaurants Spain daily virus toll up than at home, says slightly with 378 deaths Ducasse Italy’s daily coronavirus to have developed antibodies our collective responsibility”. seen at the height of the epidemic this has been extended for the ary 21 now stands at 26,384, the death toll lowest since March against the virus. Spain has been ramping up in Spain. third time to run until May 9. agency said, the second high- 17, new cases fall However, the health minis- the use of antibody tests, which Today Spain is to start allow- The lockdown has severely est in the world after that of the AFP try has begun using only the show whether a person’s immune ing children out for up to an hour restricted people’s freedom of United States. Paris AFP/DPA/Reuters number of cases confirmed by system has developed defences a day in the first steps towards movement with citizens only The number of confirmed cas- Madrid/Rome PCR (polymerase chain reac- against coronavirus, to deter- easing one of the world’s tough- permitted to leave their homes to es was 195,351, the third highest tion) tests, or swab tests, giving mine whether or not they had est lockdowns. go to the supermarket, the chem- global tally behind those of the rench superstar chef Alain a figure of 205,905 – 2,944 of been infected. The measure, which comes ist, to work or to take their dog United States and Spain. Ducasse insists that it is pain’s daily virus toll rose which were detected in the last Increased testing would allow into effect this morning, means for a walk. People registered as currently Fsafer to eat in restaurants slightly yesterday with 378 24 hours. officials to begin gathering data under-14s will be able to go out Outdoor sport is not allowed. carrying the illness fell to 105,847 than at home during the corona- Speople dying, the health The move came as Spain on the overall number of people once a day for one hour between Meanwhile, deaths from the from 106,527 on Friday, a sixth virus epidemic. ministry said, a day after regis- passed an important landmark infected, Simon said, ruling out 9am and 9pm. coronavirus epidemic in Italy consecutive daily decline. With restaurants shuttered by tering the lowest number of fa- in its fight against the virus on any mass testing of people who They will now be able to take a climbed by 415 yesterday, the There were 2,102 people in lockdowns across the world, he talities in four weeks. Friday, with the daily number of have not shown symptoms. walk within a 1km radius of their smallest daily tally since March intensive care yesterday against claimed that it was far riskier to The number of fatalities was recoveries outpacing the number Health officials have said the homes. 17, the Civil Protection Agency 2,173 on Friday, maintaining a shop and cook at home. slightly higher than Friday’s of new infections for the first epidemic peaked on April 2 when Playgrounds remain closed but said. long-running decline. “It’s better to eat in a restau- figure of 367, raising the overall time since the start of the pan- 950 people died over 24 hours, children are to be able to roller The number of new infections Of those originally infected, rant that takes all the precau- death toll in Spain to 22,902, the demic. nearly three weeks after the gov- skate, ride scooters and play ball was also the lowest in five days at 63,120 were declared recovered tions, than at home where you third-highest figure in the world “Every day, the epidemic im- ernment imposed a nationwide games. 2,357 from 3,021 on Friday. against 60,498 a day earlier. have to go to your little local after that of the United States proves a little,” said Fernando lockdown that confined almost So far, 95,708 people have been Yesterday’s death toll was The agency said 1.187mn peo- supermarket where people are and Italy. Simon, the ministry’s emergen- 47mn citizens to home to slow declared free of the virus, 3,353 of slightly down from 420 on Fri- ple had been tested for the virus bumping into each other, touch- The overall number of infec- cies coordinator, while warning the spread of the virus. them in the past 24 hours. day. against 1.148mn the day before, ing the fruit and not everybody is tions has now passed 223,759, a against “excessive euphoria” and The 378 deaths reported yes- The country has been in a state The total of fatalities since the out of a population of around wearing masks,” he told AFP. figure that includes those shown stressing the need to “keep up terday are almost half the level of emergency since March 15 and outbreak came to light on Febru- 60mn. Ducasse, whose restaurants have 17 Michelin stars – the most of any chef in the world – claimed that it made more sani- tary sense to eat out. Restaurants were closed on Lisbon celebrates scientific advice to halt the spread the coronavirus and to enforce social distancing. However, thousands of takea- ways in France and elsewhere unsung ‘superheroes’ have remained open, with sev- eral top French chefs including Ducasse providing haute cuisine Portugal ramps up to go. coronavirus testing at care He made the safety com- homes ments after making the case for a “gradual and responsible” reo- Reuters pening of restaurants in France Lisbon to President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. Ducasse said that Macron had rom garbage collectors to taken his arguments on board, delivery drivers, the un- adding that cafes and restau- Fsung heroes of Portugal’s rants could start reopening “be- coronavirus lockdown have been tween June 2 and 20” if the death given a starring role in a video toll from the virus continues to campaign recognising their su- fall. perhuman role in keeping the Morgado is seen dressed up The chef represented the capital city on its feet. as Spider-man during a special country’s hard-hit hospitality Launched by Lisbon’s Santo tribute to municipal workers for sector in a video meeting with Antonio parish council on Friday, keeping Lisbon city running. the French leader. the video depicts often-over- The French government said looked workers going about their Left: Pedro Matos, a sweeper at that it would decide when ca- daily routines dressed up as their the Santo Antonio parish council, fes, restaurants and hotels could favourite superheroes, including works while dressed as Batman. open at the end of May. Spider-Man and The Flash. France is the most visited “The goal was to pay tribute home. about 750 homes, aims to con- Right: Ines Gomes and Manuela country in the world, with some to people who continue to work Dressed up as DC villain Har- tain the spread of the outbreak Matos, workers at the Santo 1mn people employed in its hos- and continue to help those most ley Quinn, council worker Ines there “by testing all workers and Antonio parish council, are seen pitality sector. in need,” Vasco Morgado, coun- Gomes said the campaign made residents with symptoms”, the dressed up as Harley Quinn and Cafes and restaurants are at cil president and the campaign’s her feel appreciated and motivat- labour ministry said. Wonder Woman. the heart of French culture and mastermind, told Reuters yester- ed to continue to work through The Institute of Social Security identity, but have been shut- day. tough times. estimates that around 150,000 of the healthy ministry’s health tered since the country went into The video has already been “It was a great initiative,” she people live in care homes across directorate, Graca Freitas, said on lockdown mode nearly six weeks watched by nearly 1,000 people said. the country, so the planned tests Wednesday. ago. on YouTube. Portugal, which has been un- would cover less than half of Visits to care homes were As well as a partial reopening, Morgado said the global pan- der lockdown since March 18, those residents. banned when the country de- the hospitality industry are de- demic is changing people’s per- has so far reported 23,392 cases Around 35,000 more live in clared a lockdown on March 18, manding tax and rent breaks to ceptions of certain jobs, which of the new coronavirus, and 880 unregistered homes, according since extended to May 2. help the hard-pressed sector. might have gone unappreciated deaths, a small fraction of the toll to the Association of Domiciliary The government said on March The government instead in the past but are now more im- in neighbouring Spain. and Care Home Support (ALI). 30 that tests would be made promised to extend an aid portant than ever. Portugal meanwhile hopes “We should have the capacity available to all care workers and scheme to establishments that “Today is indispensable to to conduct 70,000 coronavirus to test everyone in care homes,” residents suspected of carry- employed up to 20 people. have someone delivering food or tests by the end of May at care secretary of state for health An- ing the disease, and deployed “We are going in the right di- the newspaper because you can- homes, among whose residents tonio Sales said on Friday, with- the army to assist in disinfecting rection,” Ducasse told AFP. not go out,” he said. around two in five of the -coun out explicitly committing to do- homes where cases were wide- He described the lockdown The local council has a total of try’s coronavirus deaths have oc- ing so. spread. as “catastrophic” for the sec- 64 people working on a rotating curred. Portugal has reported 23,392 Portugal’s testing rate is one of tor, which is dominated by small basis doing all sorts of jobs, from Around 17,000 tests have been cases of the new coronavirus, and the highest in the world, ranking not reflected an increase in the said on Friday that even if the family businesses, and said “this picking up trash and maintaining conducted so far at some 200 880 deaths. above Norway, Italy and Germa- rate of positive cases, which is a state of emergency was lifted can only last for a few more the city’s gardens to distribut- homes. Two in five of those who have ny at 31,000 per million people. good sign,” Sales said. next week, restrictions on move- weeks”. ing food to elderly people stuck The ramp-up, due to cover died lived in care homes, the head “Increased testing has so far Prime Minister Antonio Costa ment would continue. ‘I want my life back’: Germans protest against lockdown Poll: Germans more
Reuters ers sat peacefully on the ground worried about the Berlin at a distance from each other, holding white roses in reference to the White Rose resistance virus than the climate erman police officers movement against the Nazis. wearing riot gear and “We are here today ... to stand Gface masks tussled yes- up for our opinion. For the pro- DPA many (AfD) party were concerns terday with dozens of protesters tection of constitutional rights, Berlin about refugees and foreigners demonstrating in central Berlin freedom, and above all freedom living in Germany as serious a against the coronavirus lock- of speech,” said a woman holding problem as the pandemic, with down on public life. a rose who gave her name only as he coronavirus and its ef- 42% saying these concerns were Protesters shouted “I want my Sandra. fects are the problems equally important. life back” and held up signs with Germany has the fifth-highest Tmost troubling Germans Another poll carried out week- slogans such as “Protect consti- Covid-19 case total behind the today, according to the results of ly by RTL about people’s views of tutional rights”, “Freedom isn’t United States, Spain, Italy and a recent poll published yesterday. the political parties found ap- everything but without free- France. Some 60% of respondents proval remained steady for the dom, everything is nothing”, and However, it has kept coronavi- said they worried most about the governing centre-right Chris- “Daddy, what is a kiss?” rus fatalities relatively low after pandemic. tian Democrats, with approval at Police said on Twitter that early and extensive testing. Of the whole, 40% are also 39%, the same as last week. they had arrested more than 100 Encouraged by lower infection fearful of its effect on the - Ger The same poll showed the cen- people. figures, the government allowed man economy, the poll by RTL/ tre-left Social Democrats win- Some protesters tried to keep A demonstrator sits on a street in Berlin as police officers pass by, during a protest against the coronavirus smaller stores to re-open on ntv found. ning an approval rating of 16% a distance from each other, sit- restrictions. Monday, along with car and bi- Longer term concerns such as and the Green Party 15%, both ting on the ground and wearing cycle dealers and bookstores, but climate change have been pushed the same as last week. masks, but others clustered to- The protesters handed out litz said permission had been 180 police officers were on duty. social distancing rules remain in into the background, the poll The pro-business Free Demo- gether. newspapers entitled Democratic granted for a newspaper distri- Germany’s Constitutional place until May 3. suggested. crats gained a percentage point Like dozens of countries Resistance, which said the new bution campaign, but the health Court ruled earlier this month The country’s confirmed cases Just 10% of respondents called with an approval rating of 6%, around the globe, Germany has coronavirus is an attempt to seize authorities had not granted per- that people have the right to increased by 2,055 to 152,438 and this an urgent problem, com- while the AfD lost a point, slip- put in place strict curbs on public power by spreading fear. mission for a public demonstra- hold protests if they adhere to the death toll rose by 179 to 5,500, pared to 37% last summer. ping to 9%. activity to slow transmission of The papers quoted 127 doc- tion. social distancing rules, after pro- data from the Robert Koch Insti- Migration is a key issue for The poll was conducted by Covid-19, imposing its lockdown tors from around the world who “During coronavirus times and democracy activists brought a tute (RKI) for infectious diseases only 11% of those polled, down public opinion institute Forsa on March 17. question the need for strict lock- according to containment regu- case argued that the lockdown showed yesterday – a second day from 29% last July/August. and includes data taken from The coronavirus causes the downs. lations, we are obliged to prevent breaches freedom of assembly. of deceleration in both cases and Only among followers of the 2,505 people between April 20- Covid-19 respiratory disease. Police spokesman Thilo Cab- a gathering,” Cablitz said, adding Yesterday a number of protest- deaths. far-right Alternative for Ger- 24. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, April 26, 2020 INDIA
CRIME TRAGEDY PEOPLE REACTION JUDICIARY Man kills wife after Man ‘hangs’ himself Malayalam TV actor Manmohan Singh slams Death sentence commuted argument about children in auto-rickshaw Ravi Vallathol dies govt decision on DA to 25-year life term
A man allegedly killed his wife after an argument A Mumbai driver hanged himself inside his Popular Malayalam Former prime minister Manmohan Singh yesterday The Supreme Court on Friday imposed a over their children’s future turned violent in auto-rickshaw, police said yesterday. According TV serial actor Ravi criticised the government’s decision to cut back hike minimum 25-year jail term on two men who were New Delhi yesterday. The couple have nine to senior police inspector D Kamble of Dindoshi Vallathol died in in dearness allowance of government employees earlier sentenced to death by the Bombay High children and a coronavirus lockdown of over Police Station in Malad east, the body of the auto- Thiruvananthapuram and pensioners. Singh said he did not think at Court for the murder of an eight-year-old boy of a 30 days created an uncertainty. This was the rickshaw driver - identified as Dayashankar A Soni, yesterday. He was this “stage such cuts were necessary”. In a video Nagpur dentist couple in 2014. The court said the second marriage for both of them. The man 47, was found on Friday near the BMC Colony in 67 and is survived message released by the Congress, Singh, former case fell short of the “rarest of rare” cases where a himself informed the police about the incident Goregaon east. According to eyewitnesses, the by his wife. He Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, former finance death sentence alone deserved to be awarded to on Sat. The incident took place in the Madipur J J body was found in a seated position with a rope began his career minister P Chidambaram and several other top the men. The top court however concurred with Colony which has been declared a containment around the neck tied to the rod on the vehicle in the Malayalam leaders slammed the government over its decision. the finding of the trial court and the high court zone for the deadly virus. According to the roof. According to a statement by his wife, Soni film industry as a “We should be on the side of people whose DA is that the prosecution had proved the case beyond police, 34-year-old Raisul Azam is a street vendor was an alcoholic and suffered back and knee lyricist and later as an actor. He was a favourite being cut. I sincerely believe that it is not necessary reasonable doubt. The convicts had posed as and married Gulshan, 39, some months back. problems due to which he was in depression. She among the TV audience. He has acted in 47 that it is the stage to enforce hardship to government employees of the dental clinic run by the couple Azam has three children from his first wife added that she did not suspect any foul play or films and over a 100 TV serials besides writing servants and armed forces personnel,” Singh said. and kidnapped the boy. Later, they demanded while Gulshan has six from her first husband. In blame anybody for her husband’s suicide. Kamble short stories in over 25 years. He was the son The remarks came two days after the government ransom before killing the child. “The motive was another incident, a couple killed the parents of said the victim’s body has been sent for autopsy of hugely popular writer and drama artiste T N decided to freeze payment of additional instalment to become rich by not doing hard work but by the husband in Dwarka district of Delhi on Friday to Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon and further Gopinathan Nair and the nephew of legendary of DA to all its employees and dearness relief (DR) to demanding ransom after kidnapping a young, night. Both have been arrested. investigations are underway. poet Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon. pensioners falling due from January 1 this year. innocent boy of eight years,” said the court. Concern mounts as Maharashtra sees 811 fresh Covid-19 cases
IANS tail Traders Welfare Association of cases in the state to 1,821, Mumbai said its 1.40mn member estab- Health Minister C Vijayabaskar lishments in Maharashtra were said in Chennai. The Jama Masjid mosque wears a near-deserted look at Iftar time on the first day of Ramadan following a lockdown in the old quarters of Delhi ready to resume businesses, the One patient died yesterday, yesterday. he novel coronavirus situ- state government has not an- taking the state’s death toll to 23. ation appeared to worsen nounced any decision so far. Vijayabaskar also said that 94 Tyesterday in Maharashtra In a letter to Prime Minister people have recovered. which recorded 22 deaths and Narendra Modi and Chief Min- “There are six doctors and 811 new patients, health officials. ister Uddhav Thackeray, the one nurse who were discharged The death toll in the state now Microbiologists Society of In- today. They have also agreed to 4 northeast states virus-free, no stands at 323 and the number of dia has suggested a formula to donate their blood plasma for Covid-19 patients at 7,628. be adopted after the lockdown the treatment of other Covid-19 Twice this week, the state is lifted to reduce the number patients,” Vijayabaskar said. witnessed a single-day high of Covid-19 cases and casual- Meanwhile, Chief Minister new cases in some other places figures of 552 new cases, zoom- ties. K Palaniswami yesterday an- ing to a record of 778 on Friday, “All citizens above 60 and nounced the reappointment of and 811yesterday, sparking huge those in the high-risk category doctors, nurses and lab techni- IANS 32-year-old Tripura State Rifles Additional Director Khoirom in Mumbai, Delhi, Rajasthan, concerns among the health au- with health problems must be cians retiring on April 30 for two Agartala/Imphal trooper from Uttar Pradesh, was Sasheekumar Mangang told Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya. thorities. completely barred from going more months. discharged from the govern- IANS. l Taking a cue from Uttar Of the 22 deaths yesterday, 13 outdoors, isolated in their homes He said the appointment or- ment-run Govind Ballabh Pant Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and were recorded in Mumbai, tak- in cities or villages for the next ders for 1,323 nurses are being our of the eight northeast- Medical College and Hospital China, became the third coro- Uttarakhand, the Assam govern- ing the total from 178 to 191 and three months,” it said. issued. ern states - Tripura, Ma- yesterday and he would remain navirus free state after the lone ment has facilitated the return of the number of positive patients Some of the major Covid-19 Palaniswami also announced Fnipur, Arunachal Pradesh in 14-day quarantine as per the patient, a 31-year-old man, was 391 students stranded in Kota in shot up from 4,447 on Friday to hotspots in Mumbai include Rs 1,000 as relief to about 21,770 and Sikkim - have become coro- protocol. discharged from hospital on Fri- Rajasthan amid the nationwide 5,049 yesterday - marking the Dharavi, Worli, Mahalaxmi, By- workers in match manufacturing navirus free, officials said yes- Debbarma said the first pa- day. lockdown restrictions, officials highest single-day jump of 602 culla and Shivajinagar, though units registered under the Em- terday. tient, a woman, was discharged The man from Medo village said. new cases. the cases are spread elsewhere in ployees State Insurance (ESI). According to the health offi- from hospital on April 15. had also attended the Tablighi Assam’s Transport Depart- Pune district recorded six the city and suburbs also. Meanwhile Karnataka regis- cials, there are 15 active Covid-19 In Imphal, a 23-year-old Jamaat congregation. ment officials said the students fresh deaths, and Malegaon “We are concentrating in areas tered 26 new Covid-19 cases, cases in Assam, 11 in Meghalaya woman, who had returned from He tested positive for coro- started their 2,000km journey (Nashik), Dhule and Solapur one like Dharavi. We are considering taking the state’s tally to 500. and one in Mizoram, besides the UK last month, became the navirus infection on April 1 and from Kota on Friday in 17 air- each. institutional quarantine for fam- “As of 5pm, cumulatively a 33-year-old trader from Di- first coronavirus case. since then was kept in an isola- conditioned sleeper buses. They Pune City and Pimpri- ily members or close contacts of 500 Covid-19 cases have been mapur, Nagaland, undergoing She was also the first Covid-19 tion ward at the Tezu Zonal Hos- are expected to reach Assam to- Chinchwad metro areas have positive patients. For this pur- confirmed in the state, which treatment at the Guwahati Med- patient to recover in the north- pital. day after passing through Uttar been sealed completely till to- pose we plan to open up school includes 18 deaths and 158 dis- ical College and Hospital since east. While no positive case was Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and morrow. buildings, community halls, be- charges,” said a health official. April 12. Manipur became second state reported from Sikkim, the other West Bengal. The Mumbai Metropolitan sides hotel rooms,” Health Min- In the past 24 hours, six pa- There has been no fresh Cov- after Goa to become coronavirus states in the region have so far According to Assam Health Region (Thane Division) con- ister Rajesh Tope said. tients got discharged, taking id-19 cases in any of the north- free after the state’s second and reported 55 coronavirus cases, Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, tinued to cause worries with 211 However, Mumbai is also rac- the number of recovered people eastern states in the past 24 last patient was discharged on including Nagaland’s lone case. the students are paying Rs7,000 Covid-19 deaths and 5,961 pa- ing ahead in terms of the number from 152 to 158. hours. April 21. Assam leads the tally with 36 each as bus fare. tients. of tests conducted - more than Among the places with high Tripura Chief Minister Biplab The 65-year-old man had at- cases and one death, followed “When the students, accom- The city’s Dharavi slum pock- 55,000 so far - and now the situ- case-load, Vijayapura and Man- Kumar Deb said the second and tended the Tablighi Jamaat’s by Meghalaya (12 cases and one panied by eight police person- et alone accounts for 241 pa- ation is expected to improve dya are yet to record a discharge. last Covid-19 patient in Tripura congregation in Delhi’s Niza- death), Manipur and Tripura nel, return to Assam, their swab tients and 14 deaths. with the central government Of the 324 active cases, 317 was released from hospital yes- muddin area last month. (two cases each), and Arunachal samples will be tested, and they On the positive side, 119 fully permitting pool tests and plasma patients, including a pregnant terday. The second Covid-19 patient Pradesh and Mizoram (one case will be sent to quarantine,” said cured patients returned home therapy for the city. woman, are isolated at desig- “He expressed satisfaction for of the state whose second test each). Sarma. yesterday, taking the number of Mumbai has also reported nated hospitals and are stable, the treatment and thanked doc- turned out negative and showed Of Assam’s 36 cases, 35 are di- In Agartala, a guardian of a those discharged to 1,076. major scares - Housing Minister except seven in ICU, the official tors and medical staff,” said Deb, improvement in his diabetic rectly or indirectly linked to the stranded student said that over Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Jitendra Awhad has tested posi- said. who also holds the Health and status was discharged from the Tablighi Jamaat congregation. 500 students and guardians of Pawar ruled out reopening shops tive and is in hospital for the past Yesterday, 10 cases emerging Home portfolios. Regional Institute of Medical Besides the 55 cases in north- other northeastern states in- and establishments in Pune re- three days. from Bengaluru Urban were con- Tripura’s Covid-19 surveil- Sciences hospital in Imphal late east, eight from Tripura, four cluding Tripura, Manipur, Aru- gion as the district continues to In Tamil Nadu, 66 people tacts of the Hongasandra case, a lance officer Dip Debbarma on Tuesday, Manipur Health and each from Assam and Mizoram nachal Pradesh and Meghalaya be in the Red Zone. tested positive for the virus yes- 55-year-old man, designated as told IANS the second patient, Family Welfare Department’s also tested coronavirus positive are also stranded in Kota. Though the Federation of Re- terday, taking the total number 419th positive case.
Ready to accept returning Kothari is new expats: Kerala minister vigilance chief IANS New Delhi IANS various Middle East countries. egorise the list of people who Thiruvananthapuram The rough estimates of the state should be brought back first government say around 300,000 and it should include pregnant anjay Kothari took oath to 500,000 Keralaites are likely to women, the sick, those whose as the Central Vigilance he Kerala government return when flights resume. visa period is over and senior SCommissioner (CVC) yes- yesterday said it was ready The state government has citizens,” said Chennithala. terday, a statement issued by the Tto receives expatriates said it has various hostels, ho- Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rashtrapati Bhavan said. wishing to return to the state. tels, halls and private hospitals Pinarayi Vijayan said the state “At a ceremony held today at Minister for Higher Education with accommodation facilities was going through a tough time 10.30 hrs at Rashtrapati Bha- K T Jaleel said over 100,000 peo- besides floating houseboats at due to bad financial position. van, Shri Sanjay Kothari was ple are likely to return. Alappuzha, ready to keep them. “We are looking towards the sworn in as the Central Vigilance He made the announcement While many of these corona- Centre. We have raised the issue. Commissioner. He made and after central government said virus care centres will be oper- We will raise it at the video con- subscribed the oath of his office it was considering repatriating ated for free, those who wish to ference with the prime minister before the president,” the state- the non-resident Indians who have better facilities and more again,” said Vijayan. ment read. wished to return home. comfort will have to pay. Kerala should be treated in Kothari was secretary to the “Whatever be the number, we The opposition Congress yes- a different way when financial president and was earlier se- are ready to receive them and terday held a protest in front of packages are be prepared, he lected as the new chief vigilance follow the accepted protocols the Kerala Raj Bhavan demand- added. commissioner by a high-pow- that would be in place, once they ing that Governor Arif Mohamed “We need an overall package, ered committee headed by Prime return,” Jaleel said. Khan put pressure on the cen- besides a special package for the Minister Narendra Modi. “Everyone would be screened tral government to send special returning diaspora. They will have He was selected with majority and those having no symptoms aircraft to bring back Keralites to be rehabilitated,” Vijayan said. votes. CVC is the anti-corrup- would be sent home and would stranded in various countries. In a related development Kera- tion watchdog with autonomous have to remain under isolation, Congress leader Ramesh la Congress president Mullapally status. others who have symptoms would Chennithala said while numer- Ramachandran asked Vijayan to It is free of control from any be quarantined under the present ous countries have taken back first cut down his extravagance, executive authority. It also has medical guidelines,” he said. their citizens, India is yet to act before forcing state government the responsibility of monitor- There are an estimated 2.5mn despite numerous distress calls. employees to contribute to the President Ram Nath Kovind, wearing a mask, administers the oath of office to Sanjay Kothari as the ing all vigilance activities in the Keralaites, 90% of whom are in “The government should cat- CM Covid Relief Fund. central vigilance commissioner (CVC) at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi yesterday. central government. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 15 INDIA Health ‘warriors’ play key role in Covid-19 battle
DPA the outbreak from overwhelming not enough testing in India, but malaria, leprosy, HIV or swine In the last few weeks, India helped India’s polio programme and child health, carry out im- New Delhi its tattered health care system. it has been done in an appropri- flu, former health secretary- Su markedly improved on its low will join the Covid-19 fight and munisation campaigns and enroll Tens of thousands of health- ate manner. It is clear that we jatha Rao says. testing rate. bolster the ongoing surveillance, people in health programmes but care workers are going door- haven’t missed major areas of India’s national surveillance It had conducted 500,000 WHO India representative Henk are now first responders in the cri- ndia faces shortages of test- to-door to trace and quarantine transmissions and hotspots are network, the Integrated Disease tests by Wednesday, compared Bekedam said. sis, educating families about isola- ing kits - just like so many people who might have had con- being controlled,” said Giridhar Surveillance Programme, has to merely 14,500 a month earlier, “We are going to live with the vi- tion, monitoring them for symp- Iother countries - in the battle tact with those infected. R Babu, head of life course epi- capacities to reach every one of senior government official C K rus. Post lockdown, we should aim toms and identifying contacts of with the new coronavirus. People are usually tested only if demiology at the Public Health its citizens for disease response Mishra said, adding testing was for a surveillance system that is confirmed and suspect cases. That’s why it has called on its they develop flu-like symptoms. Foundation of India. and control, as attested by the becoming a main pillar of India’s very sensitive, which guides us not K K Shailaja, health minister key asset - people power - to help Epidemiologists say the sur- “Kits are a major constraint country’s efforts to defeat po- control strategy. only to areas of outbreaks but also of Kerala, which reported India’s turn the tide. veillance strategy - along with a worldwide, but we have health lio, which were acclaimed by “Our testing strategy has been picks up new cases in new places.” first case, but has flattened the India has reported more than 40-day lockdown - helped India workers in every rural area, so we the World Health Organisation focused, targeted and continues On the front line are 3.5mn curve of infections despite short- 23,000 cases and 700 deaths cut transmissions and minimise have to find every active case out (WHO). to expand,” he said. Accredited Social Health Activ- age of testing-kits, gives much from the contagion so far, which infection spread; avoiding large there. This is definitely possible, Countries like South Ko- India has identified a total of ists (Asha or Hope in Hindi) and credit to these workers. seem like modest figures for the outbreaks like those in the US we have done it for several diseas- rea isolated infected people via 12.4mn volunteers, health pro- Anganwadi workers, drawn from Dubbed as virus detectives by second-most populous nation, and Europe. es, over several decades,” he added. widespread testing. fessionals and workers as ‘Covid local and rural communities who the press, the workers carry out with its 1.3bn inhabitants. Significantly, it has also given Community surveillance and In contrast, surveillance- Warriors’ who can be drafted in form a key element of India’s pri- contact tracing, sometimes using But community health work- India time to ramp up testing and contact testing have been im- guided testing helped India con- the fight against the virus. mary and community health pro- closed circuit footage for clues as ers are tracking and containing health infrastructure. mensely useful in disease con- trol infections and is instructive Some 1,600 WHO staff in- grammes. well as mass quarantine and rig- infections in an effort to prevent “There were concerns over tainment in India, be it for polio, to countries facing kit shortages. cluding its expert team that They take care after maternal orous checking. No surge in fever and pneumonia cases: govt
IANS and it is limited, and the effort New Delhi by the government, including the major decision of lockdown, has helped effectively to bring he government yester- the outbreak under control. We day allayed fears over are ready to move on to the next Tunchecked spread of the stage in our fight against Cov- Covid-19, and said there was no id-19”, Paul said. spike in fever and pneumonia Reacting to the testing strat- cases, no flooding of ICUs and egy, he said: “We have had a nu- that other data-sets indicate anced approach for testing in our there was nothing to suggest a country, the testing strategy has large-scale spread of viral infec- evolved in accordance with the tion in the country. changing situation. If the situ- V K Paul, chairman of Em- ation demands, we will modify People throng a market ahead of a complete four-day lockdown beginning today, in Chennai yesterday. Besides Chennai, Madurai and Coimbaore will also see more stringent restrictions powered Group 1, said: “The and recalibrate our testing strat- from today. utilisation of PM Jan Arogya egy. We have enough testing as Package (PM-JAY) indicates, as per the existing situation.We also other data-sets say, there have already put in all efforts to is nothing of this sort. Our rou- increase our testing capacity”, he tine surveillance of pneumonia added. and high fever shows that there In other developments, the is no spike as such. Nobody has Health Ministry said that more heard about ICUs being flooded than 100,000 protective equip- with patients and long queues ment kits and N95 masks are Shops in residential being formed outside hospi- being manufactured everyday in tals.” the country, while production of He said a study was done on ventilators by domestic manu- drug utilisation to see if there facturers has also started and was an increase in the consump- orders have been placed for more tion of medicines, in connection than 59,000 units through nine with fever and cough. manufacturers. areas allowed to open “But even this did not hap- The ministry in a high-level pen”. meeting of Group of Ministers Agencies Members of industry groups jarat, the government declared ues with curbs on traffic move- In Tamil, Nadu meanwhile, long The response came on a query (GoM) on Covid-19 said that New Delhi welcomed the partial resump- that all individual shops, neigh- ment,” a shopkeeper in the city’s queues were seen outside gro- on the testing capacity of the domestic manufactures, which tion of activity but said a large bourhood shops and other small southeast suburb Kodathi said. cery shops in five cities with peo- country, where over 500,000 were identified earlier, have - al number of businesses faced bot- commercial activities outside Rows of shops selling groceries ple wanting to stock up as a more tests have already been done for ready started the production of ndia allowed shops in resi- tlenecks due to a lack of raw ma- containment zones will be per- and provisions are shuttered and stringent four-day lockdown is Covid-19. personal protective equipment dential areas to reopen from terials and police restrictions on mitted from today. not many buyers were seen at the being enforced from today. Paul said that after the testing (PPE) kits, face masks, etc., and Iyesterday, more than a month the movement of workers. Shops like stationery, provi- few shops open for business. Chief Minister K Palaniswami was scaled up, “we have not seen adequate quantity was available after the country went into lock- In a letter to Prime Minister sion stores, mobile recharging, The Delhi government said it ordered essential shops to be an increase in the proportion of now. down to curb the spread of the Narendra Modi, the Congress mobile repairs, electrical goods, was yet to decide on implement- open till 3pm today. positive cases”. “As on date, more than 1 lakh coronavirus, federal and state of- president Sonia Gandhi said appliances repair, motor me- ing the order. During the nationwide lock- He said the picture the gov- PPE kits and N95 masks are be- ficials said. small businesses faced economic chanic, etc will be allowed. According to a senior official in down essential shops were al- ernment has presented is the real ing manufactured everyday in The federal home ministry said ruin and job losses due to the ab- However, the central govern- the Delhi government, the state lowed to function between 6am picture of Covid-19 in the coun- the country. There are at present late on Friday that retailers could sence of any major support from ment’s decision to reopen neigh- authorities will first ‘study’ the and 1pm. try largely, and there is no under- 104 domestic manufactures of resume operations with the staff the government. bourhood shops has not seen order and go through the ground However, with the risk of coro- current to conclude that the viral PPE kits while three manufac- numbers reduced by half as long She called for a fiscal package many takers in Bengaluru, as the reports before taking a final deci- navirus spreading further in densely infection is unchecked and that turers are making N95 masks in as employees wore masks and of at least Rs1tn to protect wages public response was poor and sion. populated cities, Palaniswami on it has spread. the country. In addition, produc- gloves and appropriate social of employees in small businesses transactions were few. “The situation is different Friday ordered a complete lockdown “There is nothing of this sort tion of ventilators vide domestic distancing was maintained. and to provide credit guarantees “We have not seen customers here, all our districts are current- in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, in the country”, he said. manufacturers has also started The sale of non-essential items on bank loans. rushing to neighbourhood shops, ly under hotspot category and Salem and Madurai. Paul said only a minor refine- and orders have been placed for continues to be banned and no “Every single day of the lock- as evident from a few transac- we don’t want to take any deci- Long queue was seen outside ment could be made in the pic- more than 59,000 units through shops in large market places or mul- down comes at a cost of Rs30,000 tions during the day. sion hurriedly. The decision can the Amudham Stores and other ture that “we have projected”. nine manufacturers,” the minis- ti-brand and single-brand malls will crore to the sector,” she said. It may take time for better re- be expected within a day or two,” grocery shops in Chennai and “The disease is under control try said in a statement. be allowed to reopen until May 3. In Modi’s home state of Gu- sponse, as the lockdown contin- the official said. other four cities. W Bengal not co-operating, Company develops disinfection trolley says central Covid-19 team IANS Rapid decontamination of the Hyderabad used patient care beds and hos- IANS tary in the Ministry of Defence, mentation of the ongoing lock- pital rooms before admission of Kolkata in one of the missives referred to down and deployment of more subsequent occupants is a major a purported remark by Sinha that field officers to avoid any further leading automobile pack- requirement in hospitals. “IMCT is free to visit anywhere outbreak of coronavirus. aging manufacturer has Coronavirus is sensitive to lleging non-cooperation and senior officers of the state That team’s leader Vineet Joshi Adeveloped a UVC-based UVC light, as in the case of other by the West Bengal gov- government cannot waste time came up with the suggestions in disinfection trolley to fight viruses and bacteria. Aernment, the Inter Minis- accompanying the IMCT.” a letter to Sinha after touring against Covid-19 by rapid clean- According to the company, terial Central Teams (IMCT) yes- The IMCT leader said Sinha’s parts of Kalimpong and Darjeel- ing of hospital environment, of- chemical disinfectants are often terday sent three more letters to stand was in “violation of the ing districts. fices, factories, malls, airports not enough to remove the bacte- the state Chief Secretary Rajiva Ministry of Home Affairs order” Joshi in his letter asked the and railway coaches. ria and viruses found in hospitals Sinha to know why its missives wherein the state was asked to chief secretary to furnish details The Hyderabad-based Mekins and other contamination-prone went unanswered and suggested provide logistic support and fa- about the measures taken by Industries Limited developed the environment. immediate stricter enforcement cilitate all field visits. the state to combat Covid-19 in trolley in association with In- UV light provides rapid, effec- of lockdown measures. Chandra said the delega- north Bengal. ternational Advanced Research tive inactivation of micro-organ- “The IMCT has been in Kolkata tion has received complaints He also sought a meeting with Centre for Powder Metallurgy and isms through a physical process. since 10am on April 20. Four let- of patients unable to contact the Siliguri police commissioner. New Materials (ARCI), an autono- “Dry disinfection and steri- ters have been written by IMCT their family members and rela- “As an immediate measure, it mous R&D Centre of the Depart- lisation of hospital rooms, in- till today. No response has been tives, after the state government is suggested that stricter imple- ment of Science and Technology struments and other surfaces in received to any letters till date,” banned mobile phones in Covid mentation of lockdown is abso- (DST) of the government and Uni- the high risk areas using a deep IMCT leader Apurva Chandra hospitals. lutely necessary to avoid any fur- versity of Hyderabad. ultraviolet light is a good solu- said in his communication. He said many patients who ther outbreak. A larger number UV light in the range of wave- tion, which is implemented by the Chandra said the delegation had tested negative had to remain of field officers are required to lengths between 200 and 300nm designer trolley in a compelling has not received the hard copy in hospital as they could not con- monitor and provide feedback is capable of in-activating mi- package that brings in ease, speed of the presentation given by the tact their relatives. about the effectiveness of vari- cro-organisms, such as bacteria and efficiency,” said Prof Ashutosh state health secretary on Thurs- Meanwhile, the other IMCT on ous measures undertaken by the and viruses, thus disinfecting Sharma, secretary to the Govern- day. a tour to north Bengal suggested government,” Joshi said in the A police officer walks through a newly-installed disinfection tunnel at a both air and solid surfaces, the ment of India, Department of Sci- Chandra, an additional secre- the immediate stricter imple- letter. police station in New Delhi yesterday. company said. ence and Technology. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, April 26, 2020 PAKISTAN
PM says nation 10% of people risk falling has been focusing into poverty, says report on ‘elites’
Internews Rs800bn by June 2020, the re- growth falling into negative 1.5% people, which is more than 32% of 27mn tonnes to 25.5-26mn opening from June 1 with strin- in virus Islamabad port stated. for the current fiscal year in Pa- of population. tonnes in the current fiscal year, gent protocols. The fiscal deficit, according to kistan. However, the Sub-Committee the meeting was informed. Results show that in the first the official report, could climb up On poverty, the official report of the NCC for Covid-19 on Eco- The official report states that scenario, Pakistan will witness response he government has sub- to 9.6% of GDP for the current states that poverty is measured nomic Analysis assessed that the the lockdown was imposed in contraction in GDP growth by mitted a detailed report on fiscal year in the post-Covid-19 in Pakistan through household real GDP growth would be stand- Pakistan in the second half of 0.7% from the expected 3.3% be- Tthe macroeconomic losses scenario, against the official pro- consumption expenditure on ing at positive in the range of March 2020, which means eco- fore the crisis to 2.6% after the Internews expected to be incurred as a re- jection of 7.4% in the pre-Cov- food and non-food items. 2-2.6% of GDP. nomic activity was in full mo- crisis. Islamabad sult of the coronavirus crisis, as- id-19 situation. Simulations conducted show Adviser to the Prime Minis- mentum for almost nine months However, in the second sce- sessing that the GDP growth will The report, 30 pages in length, that if annualised aggregate con- ter on Finance and Revenues Dr of the fiscal year, and thus last nario (prolonged lockdown), go down by 1.3%, push 10% of was submitted before the NCC to sumption of households goes Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a quarter of 2019-20 will face the growth rate drops to 2.0%. rime Minister Imran Khan, the population below the poverty help the top civilian and military down by 5%, poverty headcount high-level meeting on macr- major brunt of the crisis. Agriculture sector will not see while wishing Ramadan line, and cause 3mn in jobs losses leadership in reviewing the eco- will rise from existing 24.3% to oeconomic projections, during April will witness peak of the major disruption but still some Pto the nation, has said in the coming months, local me- nomic situation of Pakistan. 29%, and in case of 10% reduc- which he took strong exception crisis and the lockdown will be risks linger such as labour mobil- that the nation has largely been dia reported yesterday. The official report on econom- tion in household consumption, to the State Bank of Pakistan relaxed by May 20, the report ity for wheat harvesting in Pun- “elite-centric” in its response to The coronavirus causes the ic losses made another startling poverty could rise to 33.5%. (SBP) for aligning GDP growth predicts. jab and partial impediments to the coronavirus pandemic, with Covid-19 respiratory disease. disclosure when it stated that During pandemic and post- to fall into negative 1.5% as por- Simulations for the report wheat procurement, storage and no thought for daily wage earn- The report, submitted be- “assuming that no economic ac- crisis periods, short-term in- trayed by the IMF. were conducted under two sce- distribution, the report stated. ers “as we sought a total lock- fore the National Co-ordination tivity takes place in Pakistan and come losses will be offset by un- The prime minister’s adviser, narios. Sugarcane crushing is already down”. Committee (NCC), indicates that there is a complete lockdown, it precedented rise in social safety according to the sources, was The first scenario assumed a in its final stages as such impact The prime minister, in a tweet, different ministries and divisions would take 1.66 weeks for Pa- nets. of the view that the country’s gradual relaxing of lockdowns in on the same is not expected to be said: “Ramadan Mubarak to within the government are going kistan’s growth to drop to nil The government has extended growth would remain positive a sector by sector (phased) ap- much, it added. Muslims across the world. We to face a Rs638bn reduction in (zero)”. outreach of its cash transfers to ranging from 1-2%. proach until May 15, with a fully However, livestock and poultry in Pakistan must use this holy their revenues during the ongo- The International Monetary 12mn households from the exist- The recent issues had im- operative economy after June 1. sectors are facing headwinds due month to ask Allah for forgive- ing fourth quarter (April-June). Fund (IMF) and World Bank had ing 5mn. pacted wheat production nega- The second scenario assumes to falling demand as consump- ness for neglecting the poor and The Federal Board of Revenue already projected shrinking of It means the government has tively and it might fall by 1-1.5mn a relatively prolonged lockdown tion pertaining to social events vulnerable in our society.” (FBR) will face a revenue loss of GDP growth and assessed real extended its support to 78mn tonnes from projected output until end-May and gradual has fallen significantly, it noted. “We as a nation have been elite-centric in our policies, with no thought for these people, incl Sweet undertaking in the pandemic [ ] when we sought a total lockdown without Lockdown extended to May 9 thinking about the consequenc- es for the daily wage earners, the street vendors, the labour- Internews as four-month stipend under the health professionals with volun- ers, all of whom face poverty and Islamabad Ehsaas cash programme – 19mn teer healthcare opportunities at hunger for themselves and their families also deserved monetary institutions and healthcare pro- families,” he wrote. assistance of the government, viders in Pakistan. Pakistan began observing the s the confirmed corona- but the federal cabinet had yet to The digital collaborations first day of Ramadan yesterday, virus cases jumped past decide how the additional fami- would facilitate the diaspora with obligatory and tarawih A11,700 with 248 deaths, lies could be supported. healthcare professionals includ- prayers observed in mosques the government has decided to Meanwhile, the federal gov- ing doctors, nurses, pharmacists, under the guidelines and stand- extend lockdown till the middle ernment in collaboration with paramedical and allied health ard operating procedures (SOPs) of Ramadan, while cautioning the Pakistani diaspora working staff in providing their services issued by the ulema and the pro- the nation that the fight had en- in the health sector launched remotely through telemedicine vincial governments. tered a decisive phase that would Yaran-e-Watan programme. or telehealth companies and “May Allah forgive us our sin set the future course of action re- Special Assistant to the Prime health Institutes and facilities in of neglecting our dispossessed garding the restrictions. Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mir- Pakistan, the minister added. and poor citizens,” Khan la- “Today we have decided to ex- za, at a press conference with Pa- Many Pakistani health profes- mented. tend restrictions or lockdown for kistani Norwegian doctor Usman sionals across the world are serv- The premier reiterated that another 15 days, till May 9,” said Mushtaq, said that the Yaran-e- ing in the frontline fight against the people of Pakistan must Federal Minister for Planning and Watan programme was launched Covid-19, and despite their com- strive to make the country into a Development Asad Umar while with the assistance of Interna- mitments to their residing coun- welfare state, such as “Riyasat- briefing the media about the de- tional Organisation on Migration tries, they are willing to offer as- e-Madina”. cisions taken by the Centre and (IOM) and World Health Organi- sistance to Pakistan, Mirza said. “Let us also resolve as a nation, provinces at a meeting held at sation (WHO). Earlier, Federal Planning Min- in this holy month of Ramadan, the National Command and Op- Mirza said the government ister Umar said that the NCOC to lift our marginalised citizens eration Centre (NCOC). is working hard to provide an also gave final approval to the out of poverty and mainstream He said that the second exten- adequate national emergency “smart lockdown” system, them as our Prophet (PBUH) did sion in the lockdown was made response, but a shortage of dif- which was implemented across in the world’s first welfare state with consensus though some ferent cadres in the health work- the country yesterday. – Riyasat-e-Madina – and as provinces were demanding long- force remained a barrier. “Today Prime Minister Imran China has done in lifting 700mn er and some shorter extension in To augment this response, the Khan and all chief ministers have people out of poverty,” he said. lockdown. health minister explained, the given final nod to the system The prime minister also com- “But it was a consensus deci- ministry of national health serv- which will be implemented with plained that some sections of the sion in the meeting [attended ices and the ministry of overseas the help of provincial govern- media were not “doing” journal- by the prime minister and four Pakistanis and human resource ments even at the level of tehsils,” ism on the basis of facts. chief ministers and officials] that development, in partnership the minister said. Speaking to a group of own- lockdown should be extended till with Pakistani and international Umar said that although the ers of private YouTube channels May 9,” said Umar, who heads the diaspora organisations, launched month of Ramadan is a month and social media activists at the NCOC. the health initiative. of prayers, people would have to Prime Minister’s Office, Khan The meeting also decided that This initiative is aligned with maintain social distancing be- highlighted how some media power load-shedding would not the national vision to realise and cause the month of May is quite houses and anchorpersons had be conducted during Iftar and mobilise the full potential of the crucial in terms of the spread of flourished with the passage of Sehri timings in the country Pakistani diaspora community, highly-contagious coronavirus. time and how others were wiped during the month of Ramadan, for the health sector develop- “We again reviewed the trend out, a source privy to the meet- which started yesterday. ment in Pakistan. of Covid-19 and reached the ing said. The meeting was also apprised Mirza said that the Yaran- conclusion that Ramadan is a When some participants that Rs69bn had been distrib- e-Watan would enable the ex- decisive month, because if we of the meeting told the prime uted among 5.7mn families in the change of knowledge and ex- continue to adopt precaution- minister that they had blocked country under the Ehsaas Cash pertise by curating an integrated ary measures we will be able to many “fake” news items of for- Distribution Programme. platform, developed by the head towards normalcy after the mal media, the prime minister At a separate press conference, National Information Board of Eid and more business will be said that those who did not “do” Special Assistant to the Prime Technology. opened, but in case of irrespon- journalism on the basis of facts Minister Dr Sania Nishtar said It would offer a two-way - en sible attitude of the people, we vanished from the market, while that in addition to 12mn families gagement by connecting the will have to enforce stricter re- A man makes jalebi sweet yesterday at his stall in Rawalpindi on the first day of Ramadan. those who “did” factual report- – who are being given Rs12,000 diaspora or overseas Pakistani strictions,” the minister warned. ing survived. Dozens of doctors launch hunger strike over virus protection fears
Court fines doctors for including a 26-year-old physi- awarded a pay bonus and life in- In a development yesterday, screen virus patients, for which malafide petition seeking cian who had recently started his surance. the Lahore High Court (LHC) re- he was given complete protective financial relief career, and an official told AFP Almost half of the nearly leased its written verdict in a pe- gear. that a specialist at a state-run 12,000 confirmed Covid-19 in- tition filed by doctors working as “For what has been stated AFP/Internews hospital died from the disease fections across Pakistan have medical officers in Punjab hospi- above, the instant writ petition Lahore yesterday. been recorded in Punjab. tals, seeking personal protective on the face of it appears to be a The protesters have kept work- The number of infections in equipment (PPE) and additional malafide move and an attempt ing in their hospitals while taking the country is believed to be far financial relief from the govern- to get easy social media projec- ozens of doctors and turns to demonstrate outside the higher because of a lack of test- ment. tion for no solid and sound basis nurses have launched a health authority offices in pro- ing in the impoverished country In its written order, authored thereof,” read the order. Dhunger strike demanding vincial capital Lahore. of 215mn. by LHC Chief Justice Mohamed Accepting the Punjab gov- adequate protective equipment “We do not intend on stop- Shehzad Akbar, medical direc- Qasim Khan, the court not only ernment’s stance that PPEs are for frontline staff treating coro- ping until the government listens tor at a public hospital in Pesha- threw out the petition, but also only provided to doctors treating navirus patients, the lead organ- to our demands. They have been war, told AFP that an ear, nose ordered the petitioners to cover coronavirus patients, the court iser of the protest said yesterday. consistently refusing to adhere to and throat specialist working on the costs while allowing the Pun- also noted in its order that devel- Health workers have com- our demands,” said doctor Sal- the Covid-19 ward died yester- jab health department and the oped countries are also facing a plained for weeks that the coun- man Haseeb. day of the disease. provincial government to take shortage of protective gear. try’s hospitals are suffering He heads the province’s Grand The doctor’s death prompted action against them for any laws The court said that it would be chronic shortages of safety gear, Health Alliance, which is organ- This handout photograph released by the Punjab chapter of the renewed calls for tougher gov- they may have broken and for unfair to give a verdict against the prompting the arrest of more ising the protest, and said he had Young Doctors Association (YDA) and taken on Friday shows doctors ernment action and complete “bringing a bad name to the in- Punjab government when it had than 50 doctors who called for not eaten since April 16. during their hunger strike protest at the Punjab health secretary’s lockdowns to stem the spread of stitution”. been taking effective measures more supplies in the city of Quet- “We are on the frontline of this office in Lahore. the coronavirus. According to the order, the to ensure the safety of doctors, ta earlier this month. virus, and if we are not protected, The holy month of Ramadan petitioners pleaded for the pro- adding that doctors as public Frontline staff have been left then the whole population is at nurses and paramedics con- late their protest by walking off officially began in Pakistan yes- vision of protective equipment servants also had a responsibility vulnerable, with more than 150 risk,” he told AFP. tracted the virus in one hospital the job, he added. terday, with concerns that the for all health professionals com- towards the state. medical workers testing positive The alliance said about 30 in the city of Multan, while seven Provincial health department light restrictions imposed on bating the spread of the novel The court also noted that the for the virus nationwide, accord- doctors and nurses were on hun- members of a doctor’s family officials told AFP that hospitals mosque gatherings will not stop a coronavirus, but records shared pleas by the doctors, including ing to the Young Doctors’ Asso- ger strike, with up to 200 medi- were infected in Lahore, it said. had now been provided with ad- rapid spread of the virus. with the court showed not one the financial relief package, were ciation (YDA) in worst-hit Pun- cal staff joining them each day for “We are simply demanding equate protective gear after an Medical workers across the of the five petitioners had been directly related to their terms jab province. demonstrations. justice for our community,” said earlier “backlog” was resolved. world have been grappling with assigned duties related to coro- of service, for which they have Several doctors and nurses Punjab’s health worker union doctor and YDA chairman Khizer Earlier this month the Pun- shortages of vital safety equip- navirus. means of redressing in the form have died from Covid-19, the dis- is supporting the alliance. Hayat. jab government announced ment since the start of the pan- It added that one of the peti- of hierarchies in the health de- ease caused by the coronavirus, Nearly three dozen doctors, Hospital staff would not esca- that frontline workers would be demic. tioners was posted for a day to partment. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES Chinese music video on virus co-operation faces Filipino criticism
DPA this propaganda video in the during trying times and the vi- routine injections for other Manila middle of (the) pandemic. sion of building a community infectious diseases amid the West Philippine Sea is ours,” with a shared future for man- Covid-19 outbreak. one tweet said, referring to the kind,” it added. “It is very important to en- music video aimed at disputed area by its Philippine The song’s lyrics were written sure that our children are pro- celebrating a “new era name. by Chinese ambassador Huang tected against vaccine pre- A of partnership” between Another Twitter user told Xilian and it was performed by ventable illnesses like polio, the Philippines and China amid the Chinese Embassy to shut up Chinese and Filipino artists. measles, tetanus and diphthe- the coronavirus outbreak was about being “one sea,” adding: A part of the song reads: ria because weak or sick chil- lambasted yesterday by outraged “No one has forgotten how you “You and I are in the same sea, dren can easily be infected,” she Filipinos. maltreated our fishermen.” your love keeps me company. I said. Vergeire reminded village The music video of the song According to the Chinese em- won’t let go of your hand. We health centres to follow strict entitled, “Iisang Dagat” (One bassy, the song was “dedicated have a bright future ahead.” infection control and preven- Sea) was released by the Chinese to those who contributed to our The Department of Health tion measures so that it would embassy in Manila on social me- fight against the epidemic from yesterday reported 102 new be safe for parents to bring dia on Friday. both countries, especially the confirmed cases of Covid-19, their children for immunisa- Since then, it has received China medical expert team (that bringing the national tally to tion. thousands of dislikes and angry visited to help) the Philippines.” 7,294. It also reported 17 addi- “Now that we are in the mid- reactions by Filipinos who criti- “China and the Philippines tional deaths pushing the death dle of the epidemic, it is impor- cised the video’s imagery of a sea have been supporting and help- toll to 494. tant for our children to receive shared by China and the Philip- ing each other during the chal- Health Undersecretary Maria their vaccines,” she added. A soldier wearing a protective mask guards a street while children look out from a balcony, as the city pines, contrary to the situation lenge of Covid-19 outbreak, Rose Vergeire urged parents to “But at the same time, we have undergoes a stricter lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) spread, in Pasay City. in the disputed South China Sea. demonstrating a new era of make sure that children under to make sure that the health “The nerve of China to release partnership and mutual support the age of five do not miss their centres are safe for them.”
53 arrested in police Galvez says Metro raid over illegal Duterte raises reward money for gaming in Paranaque Forty-four Chinese and nine Filipi- Covid-19 vaccine discovery nos were arrested as authorities Manila remains raided an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in By Catherine S Valente will discover a vaccine against you,” Duterte said, referring to Paranaque City on Friday night, Manila Times Covid-19. Health Secretary Francisco Du- Manila Times reported. ‘epicentre of pandemic’ He would also offer a “sub- que 3rd. Paranaque City Police Chief stantial grant” to the University “I’d be glad, if it’s not too Robin King Sarmiento said that resident Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines-Philippine much, because we lack cash, I police received a report that some By Catherine S Valente epicentre of Covid-19 is re- tions. It is followed by Manila, has raised to P50mn the General Hospital for the devel- will readily give it to them,” he “armed civilians” were loitering in Manila Times ally here in Metro Manila. Paranaque City and Makati Preward to any Filipino opment of a vaccine. added. Barangay Tambo in violation of the But I hope that the trend will City. who will discover a vaccine The President said only a lockdown curfew. Upon receiving improve in the near future,” The least affected localities against the coronavirus disease “People are more vaccine could put an end to the the report, Sarmiento said that a etro Manila remains Galvez said during a virtual in Metro Manila are Navotas 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. interested that this Covid-19 pandemic. mobile patrol was dispatched to the hardest-hit by the press briefing. and Pateros. In a recorded public address come out of my mouth, “People are more inter- the area. Sarmiento said police Mcoronavirus disease “That’s why we are trying To contain the spread of over state-run PTV-4, Duterte ‘When will this end?’ This ested that this come out of my noticed that the men seemed to 2019 (Covid-19) in the coun- to ramp up testing, so that we Covid-19, Duterte has ex- said the bounty could even go Covid-19 will not end. It mouth, ‘When will this end?’ have concealed weapons. He said try, a Cabinet official said,- af can improve the cases in Met- tended the enhanced com- as high as P100mn if he be- will yield and it will stay This Covid-19 will not end. It that as the police approached, the ter President Rodrigo Duterte ro Manila,” he added. munity quarantine up to May comes “happy.” until kingdom come” will yield and it will stay un- men ran to a nearby house where extended the enhanced com- More than half of the coun- 15 in Metro Manila, Benguet, “The P10mn reward that I til kingdom come,” Duterte police discovered more Chinese munity quarantine (ECQ) in try’s coronavirus infections Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, offered to our scientists here Currently, different pharma- said.“But if there’s an available allegedly working for an illegal the capital region and in other are in Metro Manila, accord- Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tar- in the Philippines, the bright ceutical companies across the vaccine, if we develop it first, POGO. Seized were 36 laptops, 17, areas where the risk of the con- ing to the Department of lac, Zambales, Batangas, La- Filipinos who are there work- globe are doing research and our scientistswork overtime to computer desktops, five guns, and tagion remains high. Health (DoH). South of Metro guna, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, ing day and night trying to find trials for the vaccine against come up with a vaccine. Covid 1.3mn peso in cash. The suspects Secretary Carlito Galvez Manila, Calabarzon has the Oriental Mindoro, Occiden- out how to combat Covid, I am the novel coronavirus. equals vaccine. Period,” he face multiple charges, including Jr, chief implementer of the second highest number of tal Mindoro, Albay, Catan- raising the bounty to P50mn,” In his latest speech, Duterte added. illegal possession of firearms and government’s national policy coronavirus cases. duanes, Davao del Norte and Duterte said. told the Department of Health Duterte then urged the public breaching quarantine protocols against the pandemic, said This is followed by Central Davao City. “I will give P50mn to a group that he was willing to give ad- to be patient in waiting for the under the Bayanihan To Heal As Covid-19 cases remained Visayas, Central Luzon, Dav- The same stay-at-home or- because it’s a collegial thing, ditional research funding to lo- lifting of the lockdown.“One One Act. The Philippine Amuse- largely concentrated in Metro ao Region, Western Visayas ders and suspension of most It’s not only for one person. If cal scientists. thing I can assure you is that ment and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) Manila due to the high popu- and Ilocos Region. work and mass transporta- I’m too happy I might add an- “What matters to me is the we are just waiting for the right ordered the temporary suspension lation size and density of the In Metro Manila, Quezon tion will also remain in ef- other P50mn,” he added. dedication and the load of work time. Let’s endure it for the of POGOs and their service provid- region. City, the country’s most pop- fect in “high-risk” provinces The President initially of- that they are performing. meantime. I’m appealing to you ers in Luzon for the duration of the “We saw an increasing ulous city, reported the most or those with high number of fered up to P10mn in reward If they need additional fund- because we are trying to limit community quarantine. number of cases because the number of coronavirus infec- Covid-19 cases. money to any Filipino who ing, all they have to do is to ask the contamination,” he said. Govt spends 352bn peso President warns of imposing martial in battle against virus
By Catherine S Valente ernment could sell public prop- law if rebel attacks on troops continue Manila Times erties, in case loans were “not enough” to stop the spread of Covid-19. By Catherine S Valente surgents killed a government “In the event that the presi- he government has spent “Why am I talking this way? Manila Times trooper in a firefight in Bayog dent declares martial law, we P352.7bn in battling the You know why? There is no town, Zamboanga del Sur, Army will implement it in accord- Tcoronavirus disease 2019 telling how long this Covid-19 officials said. ance with existing laws and the (Covid-19) pandemic, Finance will affect our lives,” Duterte resident Rodrigo Duterte Lt Col Manaros Boransing, provisions of the constitution,” Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said. warned that he “might commander of the 97th Infan- he said. “We have the wealth of said. Avisado said the transi- Pdeclare martial law” if try Battalion, reported that a experience and lessons learned Dominguez disclosed the fig- tion to “new normal” after the communist rebels continue to patrol clashed with NPA fight- in the enforcement of (martial ure during President Rodrigo pandemic will require “a lot of attack government troops as the ers in the village of Balukbahan. law) in Mindanao. We will capi- Duterte’s public address on Fri- funding.” government struggles to fight “One trooper paid the ulti- talise on it.” day. “The new normal should al- the coronavirus disease 2019 mate sacrifice in an encounter CPP condemned Duterte’s He said the funds were taken low us to provide more jobs to (Covid-19) pandemic. with the communist NPA ter- threat to declare martial law from the P4.1tn national budget the people,” he said. In a public address aired on rorist group,” he said. and told him to stop blaming for 2020, tax collections, savings The two officials warned that PTV4, the president denounced Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, the NPA “to cover up his gov- and borrowings from multilat- state spending for the Covid-19 the New People’s Army (NPA) commander of the 1st Infantry ernment’s failures.” eral agencies. emergency was being con- for launching strikes against Division, also ordered troops “This is a classic deflection At the same TV address, strained by budget allowance. soldiers. to sustain the offensive and tactic to draw away the peo- Budget Secretary Wendel Avisa- “So far we have sufficient “That’s why now, if you con- Rodrigo Duterte: getting tough on rebels destroy the rebel group as he ple’s attention from the govern- do said the amount is part of the cash, but we are being held tinue with your lawlessness, condoled with the family of the ment’s inept, incompassionate P397bn that the government is back by our budget allowance. killing here and there and it’s of Social Welfare and Develop- he said, referring to the Com- slain soldier. and irresponsible actions in the allowed to draw from the na- That is our problem now. We happening all over the Philip- ment, who were distributing re- munist Party of the Philippines. The clash was the second face of the pandemic,” it said tional budget. have the cash, but we do not pines, maybe I will declare mar- lief goods, the Army said. Under the Constitution, a this week. Soldiers engaged the in a statement. It also pointed Earlier in the programme, the have the authority for bigger tial law because you NPAs are During a virtual press brief- president can declare martial same group in the village and out that Duterte’s handling of president rued that the gov- spending,” Dominguez said. the number one instigators,” ing, Palace spokesman Harry law when there is an “invasion recovered an automatic rifle the Covid-19 crisis “has blown ernment was “running low on Avisado, on the other hand, Duterte said. Roque said Duterte could use or rebellion,” or “when the pub- and improvised explosive left up because of his government’s funds” for fighting the pandem- emphasised that the gap be- “You steal the relief goods his “extraordinary” power to lic safety requires it.” behind by fleeing rebels. military-minded response and ic. tween the allowable budget and meant for the people, the sup- declare martial law. There have been a number of On Wednesday, rebels am- failure to conduct mass testing, Dominguez said the govern- the fund already spent for the plies of food for them. That is “He will use the extraordi- clashes between government bushed a military truck and to carry out agenda of imposing ment still has enough money in crisis is narrowing. why, I am now warning every- nary power of the presidency to forces and the NPA, which de- wounded two soldiers in Davao martial law.” its coffers, but acknowledged To address this concern, body and putting notice to the declare martial law against this clared a unilateral ceasefire un- City. The CPP said declaring mar- that the allocation for the Cov- Dominguez said the govern- Armed Forces and the police, I group that is engaged in an act til April 30 in response to the The attack in Malabog village tial law would not help stop id-19 response was starting to ment will make sure that its might declare martial law and of rebellion against the govern- United Nations’ call for a global in Paquibato district targeted Covid-19 and would only cause thin out. Covid expenditures are focused there will be no turning back,” ment,” he added. truce so all states can focus on members of the 16th Infantry “greater hardships” among Fili- “Our cash is sufficient but our on helping the country’s poor- he said. In the same briefing, Interior the Covid-19 pandemic. Battalion. pinos. budget allowance is dwindling. est population. The president’s warning Secretary Eduardo Ano backed Last month, Malacanang as- The ambush sparked a brief Senate President Vicente That’s our problem now,” he said. The government has ear- came after two soldiers were re- Roque’s statement, noting that sailed the NPA for attacking firefight and it was unknown Sotto 3rd said if the NPA at- Duterte said the government marked P1.49tn for its four- portedly killed in an NPA attack Duterte could take such an “ex- soldiers in Rodriguez, Rizal. A whether any of the communist tacks persist and rebellion con- has to look for ways to address pillar socio-economic strategy in Aurora province on Tuesday. treme” measure “if public safe- soldier and a rebel were killed rebels were wounded or killed in tinues amid the pandemic, the the challenges the country was to fight the pandemic. In a statement, the Philippine ty is so required.” during the incident, according the clash. president is obligated to declare facing. The enhanced community Army identified the fatalities as “What would be the basis for to military reports. Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, martial law. “That’s the problem now. It’s quarantine has been extended Privates First Class Ken Lester declaring martial law? In case Communists have accused Armed Forces of the Philippines Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd really a question of money,” he to May 15 in the National Capi- Sasapan and Jackson Mallari. there is massive public disor- government forces of commit- spokesman, said the military said a declaration of martial said. “If the funds are not suffi- tal Region, Regions III and IV-A The two were part of a pla- der and if there are groups that ting atrocities during the cease- was prepared to implement law was subject to the sub- cient, they will have to borrow.” and other areas that are con- toon providing security for would take advantage of the fire. martial law should President stantive requirements of the The president said the gov- sidered high risk for Covid-19. workers from the Department crisis such as the CPP-NPA,” On Friday, communist in- Duterte declare it. Constitution. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, April 26, 2020 COMMENT
CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Re-starting aviation critical to eventual economic recovery Airlines in the Middle East continue to be battered by Covid-19 as the impacts of the coronavirus crisis in Mena deepen. The region’s airlines could lose $24bn of passenger revenue this year compared to 2019. That is $5bn more than what was expected at the beginning of the month, according to the global trade body of airlines- IATA. Job losses in aviation and related industries could grow to 1.2mn. That is half of the region’s 2.4mn aviation-related employment. Previous estimate was 0.9mn. Full-year 2020 traffic is expected to plummet by 51% compared to 2019. Previous estimate was a fall of 39%. What Covid-19 reveals GDP supported by aviation in the region could fall by $66bn from $130bn and previous estimate was $51bn. Globally, airlines could lose $252bn in revenue from passenger operations this year because of the pandemic. Border closure, travel restrictions, social and physical about the US and China distancing and self-isolation are now being implemented globally in containing the highly contagious viral attack. By Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng the global economy. The Fed is taking fintech – have linked the traditional platforms’ reach: one or both of these While it won’t be enough to salvage the fortunes of Hong Kong that route again during the pandemic, economy with a broadly accessible apps is already installed on nearly every slashing interest rates and expanding digital ecosystem that encourages users smartphone in China. airlines- earnings from cargo operations- perhaps this year, its balance sheet by more than $2.4 both to consume and to earn, thereby So, on top of the hierarchical will certainly help them narrow losses from the collapse in here is nothing like a pandemic trillion in the past six weeks to prevent a boosting the Chinese economy’s traditional banking system, China passenger operations. to expose systemic differences. systemic liquidity shortage. structural and organisational resilience. has developed a flat, adaptive A coordinated approach among governments is For China and the United The US financial system has also built These are the results not of system connecting 800mn domestic States, which were locked in up excessive leverage, while becoming central planning, but of continuous smartphones in productive ways. This necessary to keep air cargo flowing, experts say. IATA has Tan ideologically driven competition increasingly disconnected from the experimentation on the ground and is a crucial element of China’s broader pointed out that delays in permit approvals, quarantine even before the Covid-19 crisis, those real economy. Wall Street firms trade adaptation based on bottom-up hybrid-circular savings-consumption- measures for air cargo crew and insufficient support on differences are stark. But the two among themselves, rather than serving feedback. It was tech platforms, not debt-income model, which is more the ground continue to hamper the movement of cargo countries have at least one thing in Main Street. Corporations rely more on central planners, that developed resilient than the Western model of common: when this is all over, they will capital markets than on banks. inclusive networks that fostered debt-financed consumption. Indeed, it flights globally. need to rethink their social contracts. Moreover, despite advancements innovation, created new markets, and is a major reason why China’s financial The industry To curb virus transmission, China in electronic payments, households generated jobs. Regulators merely sector did not confront severe liquidity has called for a and the US have implemented social- and small businesses continue to facilitated it. shortages that warranted a drastic “Co-operation and combination of distancing measures, which – together operate mainly in less efficient cash, The Covid-19 crisis has underscored central-bank response during the with the unemployment they produce paper checks, and credit cards. The the benefits of this approach. Chinese economy’s lockdown. harmonisation direct financial – have broken the cycle of earning and US Treasury is delivering pandemic “ “super app” ecosystems create As China’s development model support, loans, loan spending that sustains global growth. stimulus payments through direct sustainable, circular digital “earn- continues to evolve, it could become across borders will guarantees, support The International Monetary Fund deposits and mailed checks. spend-pay” business models that merge a fully circular system that fosters for the corporate bond estimates that world GDP will contract Technology platforms have business and consumer functions, far the creation of economic, social, and be essential to by 3% this year. China’s shrank by 6.8% capitalised on this debt-driven growth more broad-based than Western models natural capital, rather than simply market, and tax relief in the first quarter. model, pushing endless consumption that are still segmented by sectoral consuming it. But success will depend re-start aviation” to help it tide over the Yet the type of public-health by users – through, say, targeted ads – regulations. During lockdown, Alibaba, on the development of a more inclusive unprecedented crisis. measures pursued – and their outcomes with less concern for supporting those Pinduoduo, and other marketplaces post-pandemic social contract – a In addition to vital financial relief, the industry will also – have diverged sharply. China’s attempting to generate income online. became a lifeline for many small- and process that could easily be disrupted draconian lockdowns produced a The “gig economy” exemplifies this micro-business owners, keeping them by the relentless ideological and need careful planning and co-ordination to ensure that dramatic decline in new cases, whereas one-way dynamic: a platform like Uber connected to millions of domestic geopolitical rivalry with the US. airlines are ready when the pandemic is contained. America’s delayed and fragmented is optimised for sales and provides and international consumers. Online Yet the US has its own social contract As governments struggle to contain the Covid-19 response allowed infections – and the workers with the bare minimum logistics companies, such as JD.com, to update, especially by bolstering pandemic, an economic catastrophe has unfolded. Re- death toll – to mount. of training and protection, while were also critical, as they ensured the inclusiveness and resilience. As with This divergence is often attributed regulators take a hands-off approach. delivery of essential goods throughout China, the key will be to strike the right starting aviation and opening borders will be critical to the to political differences: Chinese central It has long been clear that the US the lockdown. balance between large corporations and eventual economic recovery. “Airlines are eager to get back planning allows for more resolute model is financially, environmentally, Tencent’s WeChat, a social media small firms, individual privacy and big to business when and in a way that it is safe. But starting up action. But this explanation misses the and – given skyrocketing inequality platform, enabled people to stay data, and short-term efficiency and will be complicated. We need to make sure that the system is extent to which the US and Chinese – socially unsustainable. But the in touch with their families and long-term risk-management. growth models have shaped their Covid-19 pandemic has shown that any friends during the lockdown, while But, for that to happen, political ready, have a clear vision of what is needed for a safe travel responses – and the financial and disruption of the debt-consumption allowing some creative individuals to grandstanding must give way to experience, establish passenger confidence and find ways economic effects. cycle threatens to trigger collapse earn incomes from blogs and vlogs. rational, informed, and inclusive to restore demand. Co-operation and harmonisation across In the US, decades of neoliberal almost immediately: as soon as incomes Payments were sent via WeChat Pay. exchanges. Judging by the US response borders will be essential to re-start aviation,” IATA’s regional policies have led to a dependence on are interrupted, private financial WeChat also enabled the government to to the Covid-19 crisis, that is far from debt-financed consumption. Americans institutions curtail credit, fearing relay critical messages to the public, and guaranteed. - Project Syndicate chief Mohamed al-Bakri recently told the region’s media in a saved little but borrowed a lot. Thanks non-performing loans. Consumption facilitated the co-ordination of complex video conferencing. to the “exorbitant privilege” afforded plummets, depleting incomes further. projects, such as the delivery of critical l Andrew Sheng is Distinguished Clearly, passenger traffic has all but ground to a halt by the US dollar’s position as the To stave off disaster, the Fed and medical equipment and supplies. Fellow of the Asia Global Institute at and revenue streams have evaporated. No amount of cost leading global reserve currency, so did Treasury must step in, shifting credit Tencent’s Meeting app allowed schools the University of Hong Kong and a the government. Fiscal and current- risks to the public-sector balance sheet. to continue operating through online member of the UNEP Advisory Council cutting will save airlines from a liquidity crisis. The collapse account deficits swelled. The Chinese model avoids many of classrooms. on Sustainable Finance. Xiao Geng, of air transport will have devastating effects on countries’ Inflation, however, remained low, these pitfalls. Beyond high savings, As lockdowns are eased, software President of the Hong Kong Institution economies and jobs. even when the US Federal Reserve China has relied on exports and installed in WeChat and Alipay, for International Finance, is a And in a region where aviation is a key pillar of many pursued expansionary policies, largely investment, rather than unsustainable Alibaba’s online payment platform, professor and Director of the Research because of the positive supply shocks levels of domestic consumption, to is being used to monitor residents’ Institute of Maritime Silk-Road at nations’ economies the effect will be much worse. For this produced by the integration of China fuel growth. Furthermore, innovative health and determine where they can Peking University HSBC Business reason, direct financial support is essential to maintain jobs and other developing countries into technology platforms – especially in go. This is possible because of these School. and ensure airlines can remain viable businesses. To minimise the broad damage that these losses would have across the Middle East economies, it is vital that governments step up their efforts to aid the industry. Governments, therefore, should act swiftly as the region’s airlines fight for survival amidst the pandemic.
To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected] A woman wearing a face mask adjusts her child’s mask as they arrive at Hankou People wait in line to pick up packages of free food during a food rescue operation Railway Station in Wuhan to take one of the first trains leaving the city in China’s © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved run by City Harvest in the Bronx borough of New York City. central Hubei province. Gulf Times Sunday, April 26, 2020 19 COMMENT Patents vs the pandemic
By Joseph E Stiglitz, Arjun Jayadev, new models transparently, and publish drug companies to behave well. But, and Achal Prabhala findings immediately. In this new beyond front-line researchers who New York climate of co-operation, it is easy to are not motivated solely by short- forget that commercial pharmaceutical term profits, it is not clear that the magine a world in which a global companies have for decades been big pharmaceutical companies network of medical professionals privatising and locking up the understand their responsibilities. After monitored for emerging strains of knowledge commons by extending all, Gilead, the maker of remdesivir, a contagious virus, periodically control over life-saving drugs through initially reacted to the current crisis updatedI an established formula for unwarranted, frivolous, or secondary by applying for “orphan drug” status, vaccinating against it, and then made patents, and by lobbying against the which would have granted it a stronger that information available to companies approval and production of monopoly position and multimillion- and countries around the world. With the arrival of Covid-19, it dollar tax breaks. (Following a public Moreover, imagine if this work were is now painfully obvious that such outcry, the company withdrew its done without any intellectual-property monopolisation comes at the cost of application.) (IP) considerations, and without human lives. Monopoly control over For too long, we have bought into pharmaceutical monopolies exploiting the technology used in testing for the the myth that today’s IP regime is a desperate public to maximise their virus has hampered the rapid rollout necessary. The proven success of profits. of more testing kits, just as 3M’s 441 GISRS and other applications of “open This may sound like a utopian patents mentioning “respirator” or science” shows that it is not. With the fantasy, but it is actually a “N95” have made it more difficult Covid-19 death toll rising, we should description of how the flu vaccine for new producers to manufacture question the wisdom and morality of a has been produced for the past 50 medical-grade face masks at scale. system that silently condemns millions years. Through the World Health Worse, multiple patents are in force of human beings to suffering and death Organisation’s Global Influenza in most of the world for three of every year. Surveillance and Response System, the most promising treatments for It’s time for a new approach. experts from around the world convene Covid-19 – remdesivir, favipiravir, Academics and policymakers have twice a year to analyse and discuss the and lopinavir/ritonavir. Already, already come forward with many latest data on emerging flu strains, these patents are preventing promising proposals for generating and to decide which strains should competition and threatening both the A scientist at RNA medicines company Arcturus Therapeutics research a vaccine for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) at a socially useful – rather than be included in each year’s vaccine. As affordability and the supply of new laboratory in San Diego, California, US, in this March 17, 2020, file photo. merely profitable – pharmaceutical a network of laboratories spanning drugs. innovation. There has never been a 110 countries, funded almost entirely We now have a choice between made freely available immediately, profit from knowledge that is largely Patent pooling is not a new idea. better time to start putting these ideas by governments (and partly by two futures. In the first scenario, we most vaccines that come to market produced by public institutions – is Through the Medicines Patent Pool, into practice. - Project Syndicate foundations), GISRS epitomises what continue as usual, relying on the big today are patented. For example, not fit for purpose. As public-health the United Nations and the WHO Amy Kapczynski of Yale Law School pharmaceutical companies, hoping PCV13, the current multi-strain advocates and scholars have long have for years sought to increase *Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate calls “open science.” that some potential treatment for pneumonia vaccine administered argued, monopolies kill, by denying access to treatments for HIV/Aids, in economics and University Professor Because GISRS is focused solely Covid-19 will make it through clinical to babies, costs hundreds of dollars access to life-saving medicines that hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, and at Columbia University, is the author, on protecting human lives, rather trials, and that other technologies for because it is the monopoly property of otherwise would have been available have now expanded that program to most recently, of People, Power, and than turning a profit, it is uniquely detection, testing, and protection will Pfizer. And although Gavi, the Vaccine under an alternative system – like the cover Covid-19. Patent pools, prize Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an capable of gathering, interpreting, and emerge. In this future, patents will give Alliance subsidizes some of the costs one facilitating the yearly production funds, and other similar ideas are part Age of Discontent. distributing actionable knowledge for monopoly suppliers control over most of the vaccine in developing countries, of the flu vaccine. of a broader agenda to reform how *Arjun Jayadev is Professor of the development of vaccines. While of these innovations. The suppliers will many people still cannot afford it. In There is already some movement life-saving drugs are developed and Economics at Azim Premji University this approach may have been taken for set the price high, forcing downstream India, more than 100,000 preventable in favour of alternative approaches. made available. The goal is to replace and Senior Economist at the Institute granted in the past, its advantages are rationing of care. In the absence of infant deaths from pneumonia are For example, Costa Rica’s government a monopoly-driven system with one for New Economic Thinking. quickly becoming clear. strong public intervention, lives will recorded every year, while the vaccine recently called on the WHO to based on co-operation and shared *Achal Prabhala is a fellow at the In responding to the pandemic, the be lost, particularly in developing brings in roughly $5bn in revenue for establish a voluntary pool of IP rights knowledge. Shuttleworth Foundation and co- global scientific community has shown countries. Pfizer annually. for Covid-19 treatments, which would To be sure, some will argue that ordinator of the accessibsa project, a remarkable willingness to share The same problem will also apply to In the second possible future, we allow multiple manufacturers to the Covid-19 crisis is sui generis, or which campaigns for access to knowledge of potential treatments, any potential Covid-19 vaccine. Unlike would acknowledge that the current supply new drugs and diagnostics at that the threat of compulsory licenses medicines in India, Brazil, and South co-ordinate clinical trials, develop Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine, which was system – in which private monopolies more affordable prices. offers sufficient means for pressuring Africa.
Covid-19 and Europe’s new battle of ideas Three-day forecast Today Maximum Temperature : 400c Minimum Temperature : 270c By Daniel Gros fight is not about “innovative financial the only acceptable solution. held beliefs, confirmation bias has Berkeley instruments,” as eurozone finance Many Germans, on the other hand, only hardened the opposing sides’ Monday ministers diplomatically put it at their regard coronabonds as a mortal positions. Maximum Temperature : 330c most recent meeting, but rather about danger, because they would open Thus, Germans see in the crisis Minimum Temperature : 240c urope can see light at the end the future direction of fiscal policy and the door to the dreaded Eurobonds vindication of their prudent approach Tuesday of the Covid-19 tunnel as the even the euro itself. – which would mean that German to fiscal policy, because years of Maximum Temperature : 320c numbers of daily infections In their insightful book The Euro taxpayers become liable for Italian balanced budgets mean that their Minimum Temperature : 240c and deaths from the virus fall and the Battle of Ideas, the economists debt. government can now spend much Fisherman's forecast Egradually across the continent. But Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James, Reasonable proponents of more on helping German workers and the economic fallout from the “Great and Jean-Pierre Landau analysed coronabonds in France, Spain, and enterprises to overcome the crisis. Warning Inshore : Strong wind expected Lockdown” is still to come. The Inter- the role played by ideas in 2010-14, Italy do not understand this objection. But long-time critics of “austerity” and thundery rain at national Monetary Fund is forecasting when the eurozone at times seemed After all, they argue, they are not see in Germany’s large budget deficit some places that the eurozone will experience a in danger of breaking up. They argued asking for a German guarantee of confirmation of their own position. Offshore : Expected strong wind drop in real GDP of more than 7% this that the management of the euro crisis existing Italian debt, only that the After all, nobody can object to big and high sea Weather year and only partly recover in 2021, was dominated by clashes between additional expenses stemming from deficits at the moment. Inshore : Hot daytime and slight making this downturn deeper than France and Germany, and that the this crisis should be financed by a Unfortunately, this dialogue of dust to blowing dust at even the Great Recession of 2008-09. two countries’ positions were largely common European instrument. But the deaf distracts from the real issue, places at times with a c of light rain at places Europe, or rather the European determined by the fundamental Dutch and German politicians fear namely the direction of fiscal policy by evening maybe Union, has been largely missing in economic ideas that dominated their mission creep, with a limited issuance once the immediate crisis has been thundery at times action during the continent’s most domestic debates. of coronabonds paving the way for overcome. Should governments try Wind Inshore : Southeasterly-South- serious crisis in generations. Member This time, however, the key fault large, uncontrolled sums of other to balance their budgets as quickly westerly 10-20/25 KT states have not only engaged in an line is clearly between Germany and instruments. as possible and start reducing debt Offshore : Southeasterly-North unseemly scramble to secure scarce Italy. Nor does it help that many in Italy again? Or should they continue to run 07-17/28 KT medical supplies, but have also made French President Emmanuel and elsewhere do indeed dream of deficits for as long as interest rates Visibility : 4-8/3 KM little tangible progress regarding the Macron is in a relatively comfortable coronabonds opening the door for remain low? The eventual outcome Offshore : 3-5/9 FT EU’s contribution to the economic and position, because most French voters Eurobonds. They have long thought of this battle of fiscal ideas will be financial costs of the crisis. do not have a strong opinion on that the eurozone needs common debt decisive for the future of the euro. True, the European Central Bank Euro- or coronabonds. By contrast, instruments to become a “complete” This is not an issue that will become Around the region has rightly done all it could to calm these instruments are at the centre monetary union, and they regard the relevant only in some distant future Weather Weather financial markets. But EU member of domestic debate in both Italy and current crisis as the ideal moment to when the economy has recovered. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min states remain bogged down on the key Germany – but are regarded very achieve this goal. More immediately, as long as this Baghdad S T Storms 27/15 M Sunny 30/19 question of whether the bloc can and differently in each country. The basic reason for this mutual battle remains unresolved, member Kuwait City Sunny 36/22 Sunny 32/21 will help fiscally stretched countries. In Italy, coronabonds are viewed as distrust is the absence of a shared states will find it difficult ever to agree Manama M Sunny 36/26 Cloudy 29/24 On the surface, the main dispute the natural expression of European vision regarding long-term on a common European strategy to Sunny 36/29 Sunny 37/29 concerns whether the EU should solidarity. The government argues underlying fiscal principles. And overcome the current crisis. - Project Muscat T Storm 21/12 M Sunny 21/12 issue mutualised “coronabonds” to that the Covid-19 crisis could not have because people see in crises what Syndicate Tehran finance health-care spending and been expected; that Italy therefore they want to see, which, as Harvard’s other crisis-related expenditure in the deserves help from its European Dani Rodrik recently emphasised, l Daniel Gros is Director of the hardest-hit countries. Yet, the real partners; and that coronabonds are often is an affirmation of their long- Centre for European Policy Studies.
Live issues
Does sunlight rapidly destroy the coronavirus? Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min AFP of biological sciences at Texas A&M there are so far few details, making Broadly speaking, these can be Athens Cloudy 22/10 P Cloudy 23/11 Washington University-Texarkana, said. it impossible for experts to categorised into UVA, which causes Beirut Showers 20/16 P Cloudy 21/16 “It would be good to know how the independently validate the findings. the skin to tan and age; UVB, which is Bangkok S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 34/27 test was done.” “As a scientist, I’d of course like a bit more harmful in high doses and Berlin P Cloudy 19/05 M Sunny 23/09 oes sunlight rapidly destroy William Bryan, the official who to see an actual study and the actual can cause burning and cancer, and Cairo Sunny 27/17 P Cloudy 31/18 the coronavirus? A White summarised the findings, told numbers,” viral epidemiologist Chris UVC, which is the most dangerous. Cape Town P Cloudy 22/16 Cloudy 20/12 House presentation on a reporters that an experiment was von Csefalvay said. Most of the sunlight that penetrates Colombo P Cloudy 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 mysterious government carried out at the National Biodefense We do know that the solar radiation our atmosphere is UVA while UVC is Dhaka T Storm 28/23 S T Storms 29/23 Dstudy says so — but some scientists Analysis and Countermeasures Center contained in ultraviolet light — an completely filtered out. Hong Kong P Cloudy 26/19 P Cloudy 26/22 have called for caution as we await in Maryland. invisible, energetic part of the That is good news for us: UVC has Istanbul P Cloudy 21/11 M Sunny 20/09 more evidence. On a stainless steel surface in electromagnetic spectrum — can be small, high energy waves that are Jakarta T Storm 32/25 T Storm 32/25 An official from the Department sunlight, the virus shrinks to half its very effective at dealing with certain particularly adept at warping genetic Karachi Sunny 34/26 Sunny 33/26 of Homeland Security made the amount in a matter of just two minutes pathogens. material, whether in animal cells or in London M Sunny 21/09 M Cloudy 19/09 eye-catching announcement during in 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to That is why, for example, the World viruses. Manila P Cloudy 36/26 P Cloudy 36/26 President Donald Trump’s daily 24 degrees Celsius) heat and 80 % Health Organisation recommends that A 2004 study on SARS — a close Moscow M Sunny 11/00 Cloudy 11/01 pandemic briefing on Thursday, humidity, compared to six hours in the people in developing countries can genetic relative of the new coronavirus New Delhi T Storm 31/23 S T Storms 31/22 showing a dramatic reduction in the dark. place tap water in plastic bottles and — found that UVA light “had no effect New York Rain 11/06 Showers 10/06 virus’ viability under the sun’s rays. When the virus was suspended in leave them under the sun for five hours on viability, regardless of duration of Paris Sunny 22/11 M Cloudy 24/13 But the fact there are no further the air, its half-life in sunlight was in order to make it drinkable. exposure.” Sao Paulo Sunny 29/16 P Cloudy 27/14 details about how the study was just a minute and a half when the But not all microbes respond in the UVC light — which is commonly Seoul M Sunny 18/04 M Sunny 18/04 conducted has left some experts temperature was 70 to 75 degrees with same way. used to sterilise labs, hospitals and Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 31/26 scratching their heads. 20 % humidity, as opposed to one hour Sunlight in fact contains different now even buses in China — completely Sydney M Cloudy 26/15 S Showers 21/16 “It looks like someone did a test in the dark. types of ultraviolet radiation, which inactivated the virus within 15 Tokyo Clear 25/13 Cloudy 17/09 somewhere,” Benjamin Neuman, chair Beyond the headline results, are classed by their wavelength. minutes. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, April 26, 2020 QATAR
Carrefour to match customer donations to Education Above All l In support of the foundation’s ‘Together’ programme, the donation initiative aims to ensure quality education is prioritised for Qatar’s children and youth
his Ramadan, Carrefour the cash counter of any Carre- the community every day by at EAA, said: “Education stands Qatar has partnered with four store. providing them with their gro- as the strongest pillar of growth Tthe Education Above All “The initiative builds upon cery and lifestyle essentials. for our youth who will lead the Foundation (EAA) through its Carrefour’s ongoing partnership As Ramadan evokes the spirit way into the future. Now more ‘Together’ programme to sup- with EAA and their shared com- of giving in us all, it’s impor- than ever, learners around the port parents and families in Qa- mitment to bringing hope and tant to look toward those who world need our support in dis- tar who face barriers in sending real opportunity to the lives of are less fortunate. That’s why seminating remote learning so- their children to school. impoverished and marginalised we’ve once again partnered lutions. The retail leader has pledged children and youth. In particu- with the Education Above All “This Ramadan, we are aug- to match all donations made lar, this includes young people in Foundation towards our shared menting our approach so that by customers in store between the developing world and those goal of bettering the commu- we can reach millions of children April 23 and 30 in support of facing threats such as conflict nity and uplifting those around worldwide who are negatively EAA’s causes, to ensure that and natural disasters,” the state- us. impacted by the current situ- all children and youth in Qatar ment notes. “Education is a vital pillar of ation. We would like to thank have access to quality educa- Since May 2019, Carrefour any society. By providing youth Carrefour, who have once again tion, Carrefour Qatar has said in has raised more than QR3.5mn with access to quality educa- joined us in supporting our mis- a statement. for Education Above All Foun- tion, we hope to transform their sion, to guarantee every child’s As customers shop for their dation’s initiatives, it adds. lives by helping them to build a right to education.” Ramadan essentials, they can Laurent Hausknecht, coun- better future for themselves.” For more information on the give back to the community this try manager at Carrefour Qa- Moza al-Mansouri, Fundrais- campaign, one can visit educa- Spirit of Ramadan: Carrefour Qatar has pledged to match all donations made by customers in store blessed month by donating at tar, said: “Carrefour supports ing and Partnerships specialist tionaboveall.org. between April 23 and 30 in support of EAA’s causes. Lekhwiya patrols help curb Covid-19 spread in Qatar
By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter
he Internal Security Force (Le- ‘Ice giant’ to khwiya) is taking part in the Tongoing efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by implementing pass behind a slew of measures across the country. The efforts of Lekhwiya have been highlighted by a video tweeted by the sun today Ministry of Interior (MoI). Among the steps taken by Lekhwiya are patrols conducted in various parts ranus, the ‘ice giant’ planet, of the country, the video shows. will be in conjunction with the The patrols are carried out in co-op- Usun at 12:02pm Doha time to- eration with Al Fazaa and the General day, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) has Directorate of Traffic. said. During these patrols, Lekhwiya per- “The ‘superior conjunction’ of Ura- sonnel raise awareness among motor- nus is a very important astronomical ists about the importance of Covid-19 phenomenon because it is an indica- preventive measures. tor of the Uranus’s transition from the They educate people on how to evening sky (over the western horizon properly use masks and gloves to stay after sunset) to appear in morning sky safe and prevent infections. (over the eastern horizon before sun- In the Industrial Area, Lekhwiya has rise),” QCH astronomy expert Dr Be- been involved in the disinfection and shir Marzouk has explained in a state- sterilisation work carried out there. ment. It has also played a key role in keep- During ‘superior conjunction’, Ura- ing part of the area closed as part of nus will be close to the sun. Moreover, the preventive and precautionary steps it will pass behind the sun and hence taken by the state. cannot be observed at all for the next Lekhwiya has so far disinfected Lekhwiya has been conducting patrols around the country. (Screen grabs from MoI video) few weeks from the Earth, the state- some 2,000 vehicles coming from the ment notes. Industrial Area while around 4,000 closed as per government directives. People in Qatar will be able to see people have also been sanitised. Al Fazaa has set up checkpoints Uranus with astronomical telescopes The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has throughout the country with the aim over the eastern horizon after mid- mobilised all its capabilities in the fight of providing more protection to the May approximately. Today, Uranus against Covid-19 and to protect soci- community against the risk of the vi- will rise in the Qatar sky at the same ety from the virus by adopting a slew rus and to avoid infection. time as sunrise and both Uranus and of measures. The Traffic Patrol and Investigation the sun will be set on the western ho- MoI departments are working to Department at the General Directorate rizon at approximately the same time. ensure that people follow the safety of Traffic has provided round-the- So, it will be impossible to observe guidelines and participating in com- clock support to all relevant depart- Uranus today, QCH adds. munity awareness campaigns. ments of the MoI such as Al Fazaa, Dr Marzouk said the ‘superior con- In general, the number of patrols has the Capital Security Department and junction’ of Uranus occurs once every been increased across the country in security departments in external areas. year during April, with the next con- order to ensure public safety. Efforts to secure street and road junction taking place on April 30, Al Fazaa is also securing the closed traffic, and provide advice and - guid 2021. part of the Industrial Area and conduct- ance to drivers have been consolidated During the ‘superior conjunction’ ing patrols all over the country to moni- through the specific follow-up and in- of Uranus, the centre of the sun, Earth tor compliance with the instructions is- spection points. and Uranus will be aligned along a sued by the competent authorities. These are done with the purpose of straight line. The sun will be between The patrols ensure that there is no educating road users to stay at home Uranus and Earth, and the ‘ice gi- gathering in public places and people to ensure public safety and support ant’ will reach the farthest point from follow social distancing guidelines. Be- Qatar’s efforts in confronting the pan- Earth during this phenomenon. sides, Al Fazaa ensures that shops are demic. Qatar Foundation organises several activities for Ramadan he Education City Mosque https://www.qf.org.qa/saaim- Ramadan events and activities l Throughout Ramadan and than ever amid the unprecedent- has organised a host of al-sagheer-2020 organised by Qatar Foundation until May 31: Weekly Interac- ed challenges our world is cur- Tspecial online events and l Spotlight on Qur’anic Verses also include: tive Meetings at the Qur’anic rently living through. activities for people of all ages, Webinars with Dr Abdulrahman l April 24 to May 22: Daily Ques- Botanic Garden Library. More in- “Throughout Ramadan, Qatar Qatar Foundation (QF) has said al-Harami will address differ- tion and Answer Quiz – Qur’anic formation is available at https:// Foundation is offering a host of in a statement. ent verses of the Holy Qur’an Botanic Garden. www.qf.org.qa/events/weekly- online events and activities for and discuss its connection to our More information is avail- interactive-meetings-at-the- the entire community of Qatar The activities and events are: daily lives. These will take place able at https://www.qf.org.qa/ quranic-botanic-garden-library to participate in from their own l Prophetic Biography Series every day at 4.30pm during Ra- events/daily-question-and-an- l Throughout Ramadan and un- homes, and we invite people of all Learn about the life of the Proph- madan. More details are available swer-quiz til June 17: Weekly Interactive ages and cultures to explore them et Muhammad (PBUH) from at https://www.facebook.com/ l April 27: Online Ramadan Tours of the Qur’anic Botanic and benefit from them. Sheikh Yahya al-Naimi through ecmosque/ Session. More information is Garden Nursery. More informa- “While we may be physically daily videos posted on the Edu- l Webinars: The Qur’an Their available at https://www.qf.org. tion is available at https://www. apart, Ramadan brings us to- cation City Mosque’s social me- Lives: Listen and participate qa/events/online-ramadan-ses- qf.org.qa/events/weekly-inter- gether through the power of faith dia platforms. These can be ac- in live interviews with distin- sion active-tours-of-the-quranic- and unity, and the events and ac- cessed at https://www.youtube. guished community figures from l May 6: Online Garangao botanic-garden-nursery. tivities that Qatar Foundation is com/ecmosque various fields, and learn more Session: More information is Khalifa Essa al-Kubaisi, man- providing reflect the true spirit of l Al-Saa’im Al-Sagheer 2020 about the role the Qur’an has available at https://www.qf.org. ager of Media Relations and this special time. Children aged 6-12 years are wel- played in their lives. qa/events/online-garangao- Press Office, QF, said: “The holy We wish everyone in Qatar, come to participate in this pro- These will take place every session month of Ramadan is a time for and beyond, a peaceful, uplifting gramme. two days during Ramadan, from l May 20: Online Eid al-Fitr reflection, for connecting with and healthy Ramadan.” Document your children doing 10am-11pm. Session. More information is ourselves, and for enriching our For a full list of Qatar Foundation’s a good deed and post it on social More details are available at available at https://www.qf.org. minds and souls through knowl- online events and activities during media to inspire others. https://www.facebook.com/ec- qa/events/online-eid-al-fitr- edge and mindfulness – some- Ramadan, one can visit www.qf.org. More details are available at mosque session thing that is even more important qa/community/ramadan.