www.thepeninsula.qa Wednesday 15 April 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8228 22 Sha'aban - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 PENMAG | 06 SPORT | 12 IMF: Global Classifieds Xavi to economy will and Services share health suffer worst year section and fitness since depression included tips

Minister of Public Health visits HMC’s CDC and QRI

H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari also service enables plasma to be inspected the new clinic at the CDC that has collected from the recovered patients and then transfused into been established to collect blood plasma from a COVID-19 positive patient cur- rently undergoing treatment. COVID-19 recovered patients which is then The antibodies built up in the transfused into coronavirus positive patients recovered patient’s plasma can help patients undergoing currently undergoing treatment. treatment to strengthen their resistance to the virus. During THE PENINSULA — DOHA Disease Center (CDC) on her the visit to the new clinic, the visit to specialist infectious Minister met with a recovered The Minister of Public Health H E disease hospital. patient who donated his plasma Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari H E the Minister was briefed and discussed his experience yesterday visited HMC’s Commu- on the Center’s ongoing with him. nicable Disease Center and Qatar treatment of patients with Following her visit to the Rehabilitation Institute amid COVID-19 and met with CDC, H E Dr. Al Kuwari moved Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari during her visit to Qatar Rehabilitation ongoing COVID-19 measures. infection control teams to on to the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI), yesterday. H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al discuss patient care protocols Institute (QRI), where she Kuwari visited two Hamad specifically designed to manage inspected two key services Medical Corporation hospitals COVID-19 patients and their being led by Dr. Hanadi Al These classes are being run telemedicine consultations. day, H E Dr. Al Kuwari joined and met with senior officials symptoms. Hamad, Medical Director of regularly to ensure patients are This new service has been the daily meeting of the System leading the delivery of COVID-19 H E Dr. Al Kuwari also Rumailah Hospital and the QRI. kept active during this chal- launched to enable elderly Wide Incident Command Com- services. inspected the new clinic at the H E the Minister first visited lenging time. patients to receive consulta- mittee, chaired by Dr. Saad Al H E Dr. Al Kuwari was CDC that has been established one of the hospital’s inpatient H E Dr. Al Kuwari then tions in the comfort of their Kaabi, to discuss the latest accompanied by Dr. Muna Al to collect blood plasma from gyms to observe an exercise joined Dr. Al Hamad to take own home, without the need COVID-19 updates and plan Maslamani, Medical Director patients who have recovered class being run for a small part in one of the Department to come into the hospital. the ongoing healthcare of the Communicable from COVID-19. This advanced number of elderly inpatients. of Geriatric’s regular For the final visit of the response. F-15 fighter jets Moody’s assigns for Amiri Air Aa3 rating to Qatar Force make with Stable Outlook first test flight SATISH KANADY THE PENINSULA QNA — DOHA

F-15 fighter jets, which have been Moody’s Investors Service has rated Qatar Aa3 with developed for the Amiri Air Force, a Stable Outlook reaffirming the resilience of Qatari have successfully completed their economy in the face of crisis. first test flight. One of the F-15 fighter jets after its successful test flight. Qatar’s credit profile reflects the government’s This version is the most strong balance sheet, vast hydrocarbon reserves and advanced of its kind ever, as it exceptionally high per capita income. These factors demonstrated its ability to QA Wing Colonel Pilot Ahmed Mansouri said that this successful singed an agreement with the provide significant shock-absorption capacity and maneuver while taking off in the Jadae Al Mansouri expressed pride first flight is an important closer US Defense Department in June mitigate the vulnerability of government revenue to airspace of the United States of for the achievement, and looked step towards flying this amazing 2017 to purchase a number of temporary declines in oil prices, such as the one America. Commenting on the forward to continuous successes aircraft over the skies of Qatar. F-15 fighter jets to be delivered caused by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the occasion, Commander of the F-15 for this program. Colonel Pilot Al Qatar’s Ministry of Defense next year. economic and financial risks arising from Qatar’s exposure to regional geopolitical tensions, the global rating agency noted yesterday in its updated forecast on Qatar. MoPH reports 39 more recoveries; 197 new cases “Given the current market conditions, this is a very good rating as other markets in the region THE PENINSULA — DOHA COVID-19 QATAR UPDATES ON APRIL 14, 2020 have been downgraded. This reaffirms Qatar’s eco- nomic resilience”, a market expert told The The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday Peninsula “The stable outlook reflects our

announced 197 new confirmed cases of coro- 279 assessment that Qatar’s credit metrics are likely to 250 navirus (COVID-19) and the recovery of 39 251 252 remain consistent with the Aa3 rating, even as oil 225 cases of the disease, bringing the total recovery 228 prices remain subdued due to depressed global oil cases in the State of Qatar to 373 cases. 216 NEW CASES NEW TOTAL TOTAL demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” The new cases are due to people having 197 ANNOUNCED RECOVERIES CASES RECOVERIES Moody’s said. been in contact with positive cases among cit- 166 The stable outlook balances fiscal and economic 153

izens and residents. The new infected cases 136 risks stemming from the decline in oil prices with

126 197 39 3428 373 have been placed under complete isolation 114 Qatar’s very large fiscal and foreign currency reserve and they are receiving necessary medical care. buffers in the fworm of sovereign wealth fund assets. TOTAL

As many as 39 cases of recovery were reg- 54 The stable outlook also takes into account risks asso- istered, bringing the total cases of corona virus DEATHS 7 ciated with the ongoing regional geopolitical tensions, in the State of Qatar to 373. 1234567891011121314 including the diplomatic, economic and financial The Ministry of Public Health has requested TOTAL POSITIVE TOTAL DEATHS TOTAL RECOVERED blockade by some neighbouring nations. all members of society to cooperate fully and The Moody’s said that a sustained and material adhere to all health guidelines and preventive COVID-19 GLOBALLY 1,961,965 125,123 471,469 reduction in external vulnerabilities through a measures to reduce the risk of infection, decrease in external debt and a rebuilding of including sticking to social and physical dis- The Ministry has also recommended that most up-to-date guidance on how to stay foreign-exchange reserves would likely prompt a tancing guidelines. you regularly visit the MoPH website for the safe. further upgrade of the rating of Qatar.`P3

EXCLUSIVE Qatar's preventive Qatar Airways, Standard Chartered sign measures have instilled Qatar will succeed in its confidence among $850m aircraft financing agreement fight to curb spread of expatriates THE PENINSULA — DOHA Standard Chartered for their people including our close coronavirus Dr. Narad Nath Bharadwaj, Ratnasingam Kohularangan, continued support to Qatar partners such as Standard Ambassador of Nepal to the Qatar Airways and Standard Airways. The bank has been a Chartered.” Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy State of Qatar `P9 ` Chartered have successfully close partner of Qatar Airways Standard Chartered Chief of Sri Lanka in Qatar P8 signed a $850m financing in for many years and have Executive, Bill Winters stated: respect of seven Boeing 787-9 proven their support for the “We value our partnership with HMC’s Ambulance Service effectively manages COVID-19 situation aircraft. This transaction airline by closing this trans- Qatar Airways and are very demonstrates the confidence action during difficult times pleased to close this landmark FAZEENA SALEEM deal with the present situation. With the that the banking market has in resulting from COVID-19. Qatar deal at this difficult time. At THE PENINSULA COVID-19, we took information from the Min- Qatar Airways and also high- Airways focus remains on Standard Chartered we con- ister of Public Health and the Communicable lights the strong relationship finding solutions to get as many tinue to support our clients and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Ambulance Disease Center and have set guidelines for the between Qatar Airways and people back to their homes to communities despite the Service is providing the safe and most effective Ambulance Service,” Ali Darwish, Assistant Exec- Standard Chartered. be with their families and loved ongoing challenges with service regarding transportation of patients utive Director, Ambulance Service at HMC, told Qatar Airways Group Chief ones during these difficult times COVID-19 and are proud to during the spread of COVID-19. The Peninsula. Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker and this is made possible by the have been able to provide Qatar “In Qatar, the paramedics are well trained to ` Full report on page 2 stated: “I am grateful to support we have from so many Airways with this financing.” 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 Minister of Public Health visits CDC and QRI

The Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, during a visit to HMC’s Communicable Disease Center and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, yesterday. GAC participates in Customs Union Authority of GCC States meeting Firm penalised for not abiding by THE PENINSULA — DOHA number of officials of the countries during the coming customs procedures and com- remotely due to health precau- Authority attended the meeting. period, in addition to the com- puters, transfer of customs fees, tions to limit the spread of the precautionary The General Authority of The meeting discussed pletion of the requirements of the coordinated system, in coronavirus. Customs (GAC) participated in several issues, among them the the customs union. addition of discussing some Such meetings are requirements the 23rd meeting of the Customs follow-up to the implemen- During the meeting, they international customs agree- important in increasing coop- Union Authority of the GCC tation of the decision of Their agreed to study the amend- ments emanating from the eration between the GCC coun- States. The meeting was held via Excellencies Ministers of Trade ments submitted by the State of World Customs Organization, tries in all customs areas and in QNA — DOHA visual communication to of the GCC countries in their Qatar related to the existing and other topics on the agenda. relation to import and export discuss the current situation of extraordinary meeting held on customs law. They also dis- The meeting comes within mechanisms and other topics An inspection by the the public health. April 2, on the economic reper- cussed the results and recom- the periodic meetings with the and projects related to interna- Ministry of Administrative The Chairman of General cussions of coronavirus, and mendations of the committees’ participation of the Gulf tional trade and joint regulatory Development, Labour and Authority of Customs, Ahmed ways to facilitate the movement meetings related to a number customs authorities, which procedures between the Gulf Social Affairs (MADLSA ) has bin Abdullah Al Jamal, and a of goods between the GCC of customs issues, including were held for the first time countries. found a contracting company in Al Waab area violating the policies issued by the Ministry to avoid the NHRC inspects measures in penal institutions, places of detention spread of the coronavirus in workplaces. QNA — DOHA head of the visits and moni- The company was found toring committee, said that the to be disregarding precau- The National Human Rights field visit of the teams of the tionary measures and pro- Committee (NHRC) started a NHRC comes within the cedures. It was found not series of field visits to a number framework of exercising its reducing the number of of penal institutions and places competence related to moni- workers transported by of detention to inspect their toring what is raised about the buses to half the capacity of commitment to the precau- human rights situation in the the bus. tionary measures used to State, and coordination with the In coordination with the prevent the spread of the coro- authorities concerned to security authorities, the navirus (COVID-19) and to meet respond to them, as well as pre- necessary measures were the human rights standards set paring reports related to human taken against the company's forth in international laws and rights situation and submitting manager and the engineer covenants during periods of them to the Council of Ministers in charge of the site and they crisis, in light of the exceptional along with its views in line with were sent to investigation. circumstances in the world due the paragraphs 5 and 6 of the The Ministry of Admin- to the spread of the epidemic. text of Article 3 of Decree Law istrative Development, The committee’s field visits No. 17 of 2010 organizing the Labour and Social Affairs team visited the men and NHRC. had, previously, adopted women sections of the central He said that the NHRC aims, and published a policy of the prison to monitor the humani- through its field visits, to The officials of National Human Rights Committee during a visit to an institution to inspect their measures that companies tarian conditions of inmates, promote and protect human commitment to the precautionary measures used to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. must follow in the work- conducted a general tour of the rights, especially for the inmate place and housing to protect prison, and held private inter- and detainees category, and workers and prevent the views with detainees chosen by respond to reports in He noted that field visits to nature of the measures taken authorities in the State and spread of the coronavirus. the team to obtain the necessary accordance with paragraphs 6 penal institutions and places of by countries to confront the international human rights The Ministry of Admin- information and data in relation of Article 3 of the above-men- detention also come in response Corona pandemic and their organizations, including its istrative Development, to the measures taken by penal tioned law, which provides for to the reports of various inter- compatibility with international observations and recommen- Labour and Social Affairs institutions department to monitoring what may be raised national organizations and standards. dations on the precautionary has established a dedicated protect inmates. about the human rights situ- United Nations human rights Dr. Al Kuwari added that the measures followed by the State hotline: 40280660 to In a statement, Dr. ation in the country and coor- mechanisms that require NHRC team will prepare, at the of Qatar to prevent the spread receive reports of any work Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, dinating with the authorities national human rights institu- end of its field visits, a report to of the coronavirus (COVID-19) place or accommodation Deputy Chairman of NHRC and concerned to respond to them. tions to submit reports on the be submitted to the official in the penal institutions. violations. HMC’s Ambulance Service effectively manages COVID-19 situation FAZEENA SALEEM Darwish also emphasized on the demand, we still have our regular guidelines provided by the Commu- THE PENINSULA service provided at the Hamad Inter- operation ambulance has been dis- nicable Disease Centre,” he added. national Airport as it is a very patched to transfer COVID-19 positive Darwish also said that all Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s important place to transport people patients. But the message Ambulance COVID-19 patients and those sus- Ambulance Service is providing the by the Ambulance Service. Service would like to send to the com- pected to have the disease or while safe and most effective service “Hamad International Airport is a munity is that all ambulances are dis- transporting people to transport, the regarding transportation of patients very important point of entry to the infected and safe to travel,” he added. Ambulance Service provides the best during the spread of COVID-19. country. We have a good clinic and it “Every ambulance which trans- patient care. The Ambulance Service with is supervised by our mobile doctor ports a COVID-19 patient undergoes “Nothing has changed in patient experience in dealing with infectious service. We screen any person coming a deep cleaning as instructed by the care. The only thing we have added is diseases has introduced some new into Qatar, depending on the condition Communicable Disease Centre. All personal protective equipment for the protective measures due to the nature of the person, we decide either to paramedics use a disposable personal paramedics,” he said. of COVID-19, said Ali Darwish (pic- transfer him/her to a health center, protective equipment. After dis- According to Darwish, the Ambu- tured), Assistant Executive Director, an increase of 30 percent in daily hospital or quarantine centre,” said Ambulance Service at HMC. activities. On average the Ambulance Darwish. He also pointed out that “We understand that the nature Service would receive 700 to 800 calls Ambulance Service has designated of COVID-19 is slightly different from but now the number has increased to service in the Industrial Area, which the other communicable disease like 1200. “We distribute the work across is under lockdown. MERS or SARS. But in Qatar the par- the ambulance service. Everyone has The Ambulance Service also amedics are well trained to deal with a task. We have a robust structure to transport people from and to quar- the present situation. With the ensure smooth operations,” said antine facilities as well as to COVID-19, we took information from Darwish. healthcare facilities. the Minister of Public Health and the The Ambulance Service has also “Even if a person is suspected to Communicable Disease Center and educated the paramedics and pro- have COVID-19, we follow all precau- have set guidelines for the Ambulance vided them with some minor training tionary and preventive measures same Service,” Ali Darwish told The to deal with COVID-19 while handling, as we do for a COVID-19 patient. This Peninsula. lifting movement and treatment of we do for the safety of the public and One of the major steps taken by patients. paramedics,” said Darwish. the Ambulance Service related to “We established a chain of com- The Ambulance Service has also COVID-19 was to protect the para- munication where from the CEO to introduced a drive through facility at medics and patients by providing per- the paramedics are informed about some HMC hospitals, some health sonal protective equipment, following every development. Separately, we centers and deployed mobile vehicles decontamination measures and set a have a System Wide Incident to screen people suspected to have schedule for smooth transportation Command Center (SWICC), which COVID-19 or contact with a patient. The staff of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Ambulance Service. of patients. doesn’t exist in normal situation. It is “The person will be sitting in the “The first step we took was to split activated by the Minister of Public car and we do a quick registration and the field operation from the office Health whenever we have a crisis sit- initial screening. This reduces people patching the patients, the paramedics lance Service also has the responsi- operation for safety of the staff. We uation. In SWICC we have a repre- entering a health care facility,” said will dispose the kits as medical waste,” bility of decontaminating quarantine have also formed a virtual office and sentative from every speciality in the Darwish. he added. Darwish also said that all facilities. He also emphasized on the we hold meetings with the help of health sector. They are connected 24 According to Darwish, 20 ambu- ambulances in Qatar are in high dedication of the Ambulance Service technology. So it doesn’t affect regular hours and help each other,” said lances were assigned exclusively to standards and equipped as well as paramedics and other staff. operations and we keep everyone Darwish. transport COVID-19 patients and suitable to transport patients with “All staffers at the Ambulance updated about day-to-day activity. “This helps transportation of people suspected to have the disease. infectious disease. Service have the self-motivation to This has helped us to remain the flow COVID-19 patients across Qatar to the Also some buses are deployed to “All ambulances in Qatar by design serve the country and people in this of usual business and cope with suitable and available healthcare transport high number of people to have the necessary standard to situation by being available to work COVID-19 situation,” said Ali Darwish. facility depending on their condition, quarantine and healthcare facilities. transport COVID-19 patients. And we at any given time and cancelling their The Ambulance Service has seen gender, age etc.,” he said. “But due to the increase in have to only follow some safety leave,” he added. WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 HOME 03 Ashghal completes first phase of ‘Odour Management Programme’ THE PENINSULA — DOHA The Odour Management Programme for The Public Works Authority drainage includes an advanced technology for (Ashghal) has completed the detecting, monitoring and treating foul odours. first phase of the ‘Odour Management Programme’ for It aims to enhance customer satisfaction and drainage assets to offer a improve quality of services. healthy and safe environment for the people in Qatar. The Odour Management divided into three phases cov- Al Yami further explained Programme for drainage ering a period of five to seven that Ashghal has succeeded in includes an advanced tech- years. The first phase is com- moving towards improving and nology for detecting, moni- pleted, where the number of enhancing the services pro- toring and treating foul odours. customer complaints got vided to its customers by The Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi, It aims to enhance customer reduced by 34% in key districts adopting a new work mech- during a visit to Rabaa Al Adawiya Secondary Girls School to assess educational process. satisfaction and improve of Doha such as Ain Khaled, anism to monitor and respond quality of services, through Hazm Al Markhiya and Dahl Al to potential foul odours proac- proactive plans in dealing with Hamam. The odour man- tively, and using a system of customers’ complaints in the agement system is expected to odour control to monitor the Al Hammadi visits schools to review known hotspot locations. give long-lasting results in the safety of networks and Nasser Al Yami, Assistant affected areas and in the com- pumping stations, and take Manager of Drainage Operation munity at large.” necessary measures. progress of educational system and Maintenance Department The rolled-out real-time Worth to be mentioned (DNO&M), clarified this initi- odour monitoring system is a that Ashghal’s integrated THE PENINSULA — DOHA progress of the educational other topics of interest to the ative, saying: “At Ashghal, we valuable component in Ash- ‘Odour Management Pro- process including the availa- educational sector. believe in our commitment to ghal’s Drainage Network gramme’ is considered as the The Minister of Education and bility of necessities of distance At the end of the visit, H E provide long-lasting solutions Management Centre (DNMC), first-of-its-kind, eco-friendly Higher Education, H E Dr. learning system for teachers, the Minister of Education and that would contribute to the helping Ashghal succeed in and cost saving mechanisms Mohammed bin Abdulwahed students, and their parents. Higher Education instructed the improvement of quality of life resolving customer com- as it does not need periodical Al Hammadi, yesterday made He also reviewed calcu- officials to employ all possible in Qatar. This is in line with one plaints within the first phase maintenance. It encompasses inspection visits to Rabaa Al lating mechanism of the attend- means to deliver educational of the four pillars of the Qatar in locations where foul odour abatement and moni- Adawiya Secondary Girls ances of students and teachers, services to students with the National Vision (QNV) 2030 odours exist. toring in parallel with streams School, and Ali bin Abi Talib indicators of parents’ support quality required and to reduce represented in environmental The programme will also of work. Preparatory School for Boys. for their children, mechanisms the impact of the coronavirus development through provision support Qatar in its preparation This approach adopted by The Minister met the school for enhancing communication by maintaining students’ enthu- of environment friendly solu- to host the 2022 FIFA World Ashghal has been showcased administrations, work teams in with them, answering their siasm, passion and motivation tions to the problems related to Cup, and in meeting the internationally and received schools and reviewed the questions and inquiries, and to learn. foul odours.” requirements of the Supreme commendable applaud from He added, “This plan, which Committee for Delivery and industry specialists in Europe was launched in 2018, is Legacy. and the UK. Dental services at HMC limited Moody’s assigns to emergency care for adults Aa3 rating to Qatar with Stable Outlook FROM PAGE 1 THE PENINSULA — DOHA have one or more of conditions including , severe toothache Qatar’s score for economic In compliance with the directive pain (not just a twinge), swelling strength is set at “a1,” above of the Ministry of Public Health of gums, face, or neck, bleeding the initial score of “a3,” to to reduce the spread of in mouth that does not stop, reflect the country’s excep- COVID-19, all routine appoint- infection or a substantial risk of tionally high per capita ments at Hamad Dental Center it or trauma (such as a broken income and very large hydro- are cancelled. tooth). A patient with the con- carbon reserves. Moody’s The services in the ditions are advised to call 16000 scores Qatar’s institutions and department are limited to to arrange to be seen by a governance strength at “a2,” urgent and emergency visits dentist. “If you feel sick before taking into account the coun- only during this period of the coming to the clinic (if you have try’s strong institutional pandemic, said Hamad Medical symptoms of respiratory illness framework and Corporation (HMC), yesterday. you must call the COVID-19 effectiveness. To be seen at a clinic in Hamad hotline #16000 first for advice Qatar’s Worldwide Gov- Dental Center, patient must on how to proceed,” HMC said. ernance Indicators scores are in line with the Aa-rated median and stronger than those of other GCC countries. The govern- Traffic Dept distributes ment’s responses to the blockade imposed in June 2017 demon- strate policy effectiveness and masks and gloves, coordination within public- sector entities, as well as a strong raises public awareness institutional capacity to manage crisis. SIDI MOHAMED everyone, and we hope other Qatar’s “a1” fiscal strength is THE PENINSULA companies to take similar initia- above the initial score of “a3”, tives until we reach satisfactory taking into account several con- To limit the spread of coronavirus, results in short time, he said. siderations. First, the relatively the General Directorate of Traffic For his part, Lieutenant Abdul high government debt and a rel- yesterday distributed masks and Mohsen Al Ruwaili, officer at the atively high share of foreign- gloves to motorists and made Awareness Department, said that currency debt is mitigated by a them aware of the recommenda- the aim of this initiative is to credible currency peg to the tions of the Supreme Committee deliver an awareness message to dollar, backed by the govern- for Crisis Management. drivers and their companions ment’s large external assets and The initiative was launched about the need to cooperate and the central bank’s foreign from the Corniche in cooperation implement precautionary reserves. with a Kidzmondo Doha, Aura measures recommended by the Moody’s assessment of Entertainment and Palma Hospi- Crisis Committee to prevent the Qatar’s fiscal strength is also tality, with a goal to provide outbreak of the coronavirus. based on the government’s security and safety and enhance He added that the campaign prudent budgeting, which has Traffic Department officials and volunteers distributing masks and gloves to motorists. its concept among the citizen, and includes all areas to spread yielded persistent fiscal sur- give drivers some advice and awareness. Traffic patrols are eve- pluses in the past while also sof- guidance that should be followed rywhere to educate drivers about and others, he said that there is a (registration) from March 22, as providing the necessary tening the negative fiscal impact at this time. the danger of the virus and the great demand for traffic services 2020, until further notice. support to all relevant depart- during the periods of oil price “The Department has marked need to take precautionary through Metrash2, as the Captain Abdel Wahed Gharib ments of the Ministry of Interior. declines. Until recently, hydro- awareness points in several areas. measures. Department provides about 40 Al Enazi, Traffic Awareness Al Enazi called for adherence carbon production increases Each area has six to four points to Through the campaign, he traffic services through Metrash2. Officer, explained that the Traffic to the decisions issued by the state were limited by the self-imposed educate drivers about the need to said, “We have witnessed a great Regarding the technical Department has intensified its that prohibit gatherings in public moratorium on the development take care and be careful and not response from the motorists and inspection procedures for awareness efforts through various places, in order to preserve public of new natural gas projects in the go out except in case of urgency,” their understanding of the vehicles, he pointed out that it communication media to confront safety and also urged the public North Field. said First Lieutenant, Fahad measures taken by the includes all vehicles, even those the spread of this virus and alert to take advantage of electronic Moody’s expects Qatar to Shraideh, officer at the Awareness Department, adding that traffic who didn’t renew their Istimara drivers of its danger. He also services provided by the increase its LNG production Department. has reduced significantly in the since more than one year as all talked about the role played by the Department through Metrash 2 capacity by 40 percent-60 The aim of the campaign is to evening and this is a good thing.” vehicles are exempted from tech- Patrol and Traffic Investigation and the Ministry of Interior’s percent during 2023-27, with foster a community partnership Regarding the demand for nical inspection at Fahes centre Department to ensure the smooth website, without the need to visit first output from the new LNG where responsibility rests with traffic services through Metrash2 for renewal of their Istimara flow of traffic in all roads, as well the departments. trains coming on stream in 2025. People find creative ways to beat COVID-19 gloom

RAYNALD C RIVERA Live. Its very first virtual music Online Sofa Party,” said organ- positive spirit with everyone THE PENINSULA event was held on Friday fea- isers on the event’s Facebook at home every Friday through turing 12 DJs doing one-hour page. their participation in the As the world grapples with the music sessions each from their The weekly online event online event. COVID-19 pandemic, people homes. has been conceptualized to “Let us all come together are finding ways to cope with The different segments “keep busy and support this and promote social distancing anxiety and stress which have offered complete musical beautiful country that has and bring the party for the been virtually inevitable experience to netizens, as the allowed us to perform at people to their home right on during a long period of self- DJs took the audience on a various venues,” they said. their sofa,” they said. isolation. journey to different musical “Let’s show our appreciation Around the world artistes While many people take styles and genres from the the for the men and women in have been staging online con- advantage of the time to watch 60s, 70s and 80s classics to old white and let’s also show a big certs and performances not movies they have missed, school and reggaeton to appreciation to all the Qatari only to entertain people while some play online games and Afrobeat, techno and house authorities that are working in their homes but more others turn to music to relax music. around the clock so hard importantly to encourage and free themselves from “For next Friday, we during this time. Let us show them to stay indoors and worries brought about by the already have some musicians them our appreciation by promote social distancing to uncertain situation. who will be doing live solo staying home and promoting prevent further spread of the Recently, a group of DJs in singing and some will be on #stayhome to everyone out pandemic which infected Doha started organising “We instruments. We have had a there,” they added. The organ- nearly two million and Benz playing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s at the “We Love Love Qatar Online Sofa Party” lot of international artists who isers have urged DJs, singers claimed the lives of over Qatar Online Sofa Party”. every Friday via Facebook also want to take part in our and musicians to share a 100,000 people globally. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 National Center for Educational Development launches new educational campaign 'AWEN' THE PENINSULA — DOHA Dr. Abdullah Abu- in meaningful and beneficial educational work. This also In continuation of the initiative Tineh affirmed aims to enhance friendly “SANID” launched by the that the initiative relation between members of National Center for Educational is represented by the same family, and to transfer Development at Qatar concepts of leadership, crea- University to support parents the participation of tivity, innovation and social and students and teachers and parents, students responsibility into real-life.” support them in distance “The center will implement learning operations, the Center and teachers in the a series of training workshops announced a new national production of various on how to produce educational educational initiative entitled educational videos videos across its multiple plat- “AWEN”. forms,” he added. Dr. Abdullah Abu-Tineh, aiming the following Those wishing to participate Workers disinfecting an area in front of a shopping complex. Director of The National Center topics: topics in in this initiative send the link of for Educational Development, scientific content or Dr. Abdullah Abu-Tineh, Director the produced videos and their MME responds to 4,443 requests affirmed that the initiative is of the National Center for personal data to the e-mail: represented by the participation how to teach it to all Educational Development. [email protected] spe- of parents, students and teachers levels of study. cialized committee reviews for pest and rodent control in the production of various edu- relied upon. To be designed by videos in terms of content cational videos aiming the fol- parents, students, teachers, or quality, design and production. THE PENINSULA — DOHA Department responded to 908 lowing topics: topics in scientific on the topics identified only. together. The videos authorised by the requests in Doha Municipality; content or how to teach it to all The video should not exceed 3 Commenting on the goals committee will be published on The Ministry of Municipality 1,185 requests in Al Rayyan levels of study. educational minutes (1-3 minutes).The of the initiative, Dr. Abu-Tineh the various centres of the Center and Environment (MME), Municipality; 700 requests in topics for students with disabil- videos should have quality of said, “This initiative aims to and those of the College of Edu- represented by the Department Al Wakrah Municipality; 456 ities or talented students. edu- content, design and production spread a culture of producing cation and Qatar University. of Services Affairs in the requests in Al Daayen Munici- cational topics for preparing for in accordance with language targeted resources for distance The owners of high-quality municipalities, conducted pality; 1,121 requests in Umm exams and overcoming their and scientific standards, artistic learning, and to encourage videos will be invited to honor intensive campaigns to control Salal Municipality and 73 concerns. direction and identification of parents, students and teachers in a special ceremony held by insects and rodents in the past requests in Al Shamal Design educational videos the sources that have been to invest their time the center in the fall semester. two weeks. Municipality. The vital areas and public As many as 13,834 con- facilities were also sterilised tainers for household waste and disinfected across munic- were disinfected across the Mirqab Mall launches its virtual mall ipalities during the campaign. municipalities. The campaigns were A total of 86,000 litres of THE PENINSULA — DOHA including Caffe Concerto, Sultan “In such critical times, we carried out in the municipal- spraying and sterilisation mate- Chef, Abd El Wahab and Busaba need to innovate and create new ities of Al Khor, Al Dhakhira, Al rials used in the control As the coronavirus pandemic Eathai, all via WhatsApp, platforms to serve both our cli- Sheehaniya, Al Rayyan, Umm operations. shuts down commerce around Instagram Direct Message, entele and retailers that will help Salal, Al Wakrah, Al Shamal, There were also integrated the world, Mirqab Mall has Website and direct telephone promoting Mirqab Mall busi- Doha and Al Daayen. teams of workers, drivers, engi- created a new online platform ordering with delivery straight nesses in the city,” Rony Mourani, This is part of the precau- neers, and supervisors to cover for Mirqab Mall retailers to to their homes by visiting www. General Manager of Al Mana tionary and preventive work in all municipalities continue to trade on. Mirqabmall.com Malls, said in a statement. measures taken by the state to during that period. Doha residents can order a “The Mirqab Virtual Mall”, “The launch of the Virtual limit the spread of The Ministry called on variety of different products an initiative of Al Mana Malls, Mall will definitely increase the coronavirus. people to cooperate with the from their favourite brands is free for tenants to join and operations of our retailers, stay home. This is another As many as 4,443 requests competent authorities in order from beauty and health will be promoted by the group serve the needs of our cus- platform that will strengthen for pest and rodent control to protect themselves and products to sport goods and through a variety of platforms tomers and work with home the local economy, local busi- were handled during two others from the infection of fashion pieces, in addition to a in order to publicize it to all of deliveries towards supporting nesses and help fighting the weeks. The Services COVID-19. vast Food & Beverage offering Doha’s residents the government instructions to Pandemic.” Staying at home made fun by 6thstreet.com beIN launches new cinema service offering latest movies

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

In yet another move to bring joy and entertainment to households across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) during these difficult times, beIN has announced a ground-breaking cooperation with film distributors so that it can provide the latest THE PENINSULA — DOHA movies straight to subscribers before they are seen in the cinema. enjoy, and share the enter- of the most eagerly anticipated With cinemas unfortunately tainment that has never been international films of 2020 that Stay at home movement means closed across the region due to seen before and wasn’t due to be have never been released, different things to different the coronavirus pandemic, this released to cinemas until later including The Song of Names people. While some people look new collaboration has been next month. (starring Catherine McCormack, at this phase as an opportunity launched so that new movies can The new service also offers Tim Roth & Clive Owen), Into the to completely slowdown from be kept alive and offered imme- vital support to film distributors, Labyrinth (starring Dustin their manic Mondays, and some diately to families and house- who can now make their movies Hoffman), Hope Gap (starring Bill look at it as a blessing in holds across MENA. available to families across the Nighy & Annette Bening). disguise to have quality family The new cinema region during this challenging To watch these films and dis- time, there is a huge community replacement service, launched period. More than 20 new movies cover a new world of enter- that still misses the plethora of yesterday, offers incredible value will be released and available on tainment from beIN for just $10, brands that malls have to offer. la Vie en Rose, Birkenstock and The e-commerce fashion for families. For the price of one beIN On Demand under Cinema simply visit beIN On Demand on Apparel Group’s online Ardene. Stay home and cook: destination from Apparel cinema ticket ($10) per movie, category in April and May. your beIN box and look for shopping portal 6thstreet.com an array of interesting kitchen Group, 6th Street has brought the whole household can watch, First up this month are some CINEMA. poses itself as a panacea for accessories from Lakeland. Stay out a whole new collection with every kind of consumer who is home and rejuvenate: all your interesting edits and customers at home now! beauty and skincare needs from can shop from over 200 Inter- Launching its newest cam- Inglot and Rituals. Stay home national fashion brands such as MoCI recalls Audi Q7 and Q8 models of 2019 paign that makes Staying at and Get active: Active wear to ALDO, Birkenstock, BHPC, THE PENINSULA — DOHA within the framework of the communicate with customers home a lot more fun, 6thstreet. keep you geared up for home Dune London, Charles & Keith, Ministry’s continuous efforts to ensure that the necessary com celebrates the spirit of work-outs from Skechers, Ath- Tommy Hilfiger, Lakeland, The Ministry of Commerce and to protect consumers and repairs are carried out. staying at home with its great lete’s Co, Crocs and many more Rituals and plenty more. Industry (MoCI), in cooperation ensure that car dealers follow The Ministry urged all cus- collection of lounge wear, fun brands like Adidas, Nike, You can shop the with Q-Auto, dealer of Audi in up on vehicle defects and tomers to report any violations casual shoes kitchen acces- Puma & Reebok. #Stayhome edit on 6th Street Qatar, announced the recall of repairs. to its Consumer Protection and sories, kids wear, games and So many categories worth website and mobile app. Q7 and Q8, models of 2019, due The Ministry said that it will Anti-Commercial Fraud activity sets. exploring from the comfort of your Available on both iOS and to the steering shaft bolt is coordinate with the dealer to Department, which processes Stay home and chill: an home. These special Stay home Android. https://en- improperly tightened. follow up on the maintenance complaints, inquires and assortment of casualwear from edits are available across Qatar. qa.6thstreet.com/women.html The recall campaign comes and repair works and will suggestions. Kia Telluride wins big at 2020 World Car Awards

THE PENINSULA — DOHA “Everyone at Kia is truly honored to Shabsogh, Chief Operating receive not just one, but two awards from Officer, Regional HQs, Middle Kia Motors Corporation has East & Africa at Kia Motors won big at the 2020 World Car the World Car of the Year judging panel,” Corporation. “This latest Awards with the Telluride SUV said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice success signifies that the Kia being named ‘World Car of the President and Head of Product Division at brand is excelling and inno- Year’ and the Soul EV ‘World vating in a rapidly changing Urban Car’. Kia Motors Corporation. automotive industry to The Kia Telluride was produce models with enduring rewarded by the judging panel appeal for the modern for its distinctive design and World Car of the Year judging desirable, high-quality and motorist. From all at the Kia impressive practicality. The panel,” said Thomas Schemera, practical cars that drivers Motors MEA team, we congrat- World Car of the Year title rep- Executive Vice President and love.” ulate our dedicated and hard- resents another accolade for a Head of Product Division at Kia The winners of the World working colleagues on this vehicle that has garnered more Motors Corporation. “This is Car Awards are decided by an success and look forward to than 70 awards since its intro- one of the hardest-fought independent international jury sharing many more great The World Car of the Year title represents another accolade for a duction in 2019. The SUV has competitions in the global comprising 86 experienced moments together,” he added. vehicle that has garnered more than 70 awards since its introduction already been crowned North automotive industry, proving and well-respected automotive Available for the past year in 2019. American Utility Vehicle of the that the Telluride and Soul EV journalists from 24 countries in Qatar and in many of Kia’s Year and MotorTrend SUV of are both truly outstanding around the world. global markets, the Kia Tel- the Year, among others. vehicles. These accolades are “For Kia to be recognised luride merges a strong exterior up to eight passengers. driver-assistance systems, the “Everyone at Kia is truly testament to the talents and with two World Car Awards design presence with a spa- Equipped with an array of Telluride is ideal for family honored to receive not just efforts of a worldwide team, this year is a remarkable cious, practical and high- advanced technologies, all- adventures on and off the one, but two awards from the who all strive to create achievement,” added Yaser quality cabin which can seat wheel drive, and beaten track. WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 HOME 05 QRCS launches fundraising drive to support coronavirus control efforts THE PENINSULA — DOHA QRCS targets to raise prove the fact that Qatar is the land of These include: Control of Corona- QR11.3m to implement security and prosperity, caring for virus by providing health and psycho- Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has every life”. logical services for those at risk of launched a fundraising campaign to a handful of projects He described the campaign as a infection at quarantine locations and combat coronavirus, protect the towards the country’s “perfectly national initiative” to protect by raising awareness of workers at medical and other professionals goal of zero coronavirus Qatar against Coronavirus outbreak. health centers, companies and fac- fighting the virus, and help the It conforms to the principles of human- tories; provision of health care and per- vulnerable families financially affected infection. The two-month itarian advocacy and international epi- sonal supplies for inmates and workers by the stay-at-home policy. campaign is estimated demic control standards. at quarantine locations (mattresses, QRCS targets to raise QR11.3m to to benefit more than “QRCS adopts a strategy to attain blankets, clothes, and hygiene kits); implement a handful of projects the United Nations Sustainable Devel- provision of psychological support for towards the country’s goal of zero 8,000 persons. opment Goals (SDGs), particularly ‘Goal the quarantined persons to boost their coronavirus infection. The two-month 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote morale throughout the isolation period; campaign is estimated to benefit more well-being for all at all ages’,” he provision of health protective supplies than 8,000 persons. done, it is necessary to engage the added. such as masks and sanitizers to ensure Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Sec- community in supporting the brave Under approval No. 1038/2020 Coronavirus protection; provision of retary-General of QRCS, commented: organizations and persons as they deal from the Regulatory Authority for personal protective equipment (PPE) “Over the past couple of months, we with the pandemic,” said Al-Hammadi. Charitable Activities (RACA), several for the volunteers and staff working at Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi worked hard to curb the spread of the “Both the nationals and residents are projects will be executed in cooper- facilities or districts at risk of infection; deadly virus. Our volunteers and called upon to return the favor and ation with the Ministry of Public Health and provision of food meals for the medical personnel stood heroically in national and professional stand by our beloved country. We are (MOPH), Hamad Medical Corporation workers and other vulnerable groups the face of risks. Working 24/7, they responsibility”. confident that the people of Qatar are (HMC), and Primary Health Care Cor- affected by stop of work and home showed unrivaled dedication to their “To build on the work already up to it. Giving generously, they always poration (PHCC). quarantine. QF graduates show how film can be a bridge as the world battles coronavirus THE PENINSULA — DOHA social distancing guidelines. enced,” said El Chanti. The Clermond-Ferrand “Having films created by Filmmakers from Qatar, who Short Film Festival showcased Qatari citizens and residents recently showcased their work the best of short films from being showcased at the at France’s Clermond-Ferrand around the world. Among the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival Alessandra El Chanti Dhabya Al Muhannadi Nada Bedair Short Film Festival as part of the guests at this year’s event were is remarkable because, while Qatar-France Year of Culture a series of films from the Doha the French and Qatari cultures France went into lockdown due another in the same way. As the Qatar-France Year of 2020, say cinema has an Film Institute, with several film- are very different, it is a way for to the coronavirus pandemic. It “With film’s visual language, Culture continues in the midst important role in connecting makers from Qatar Foundation audiences to get a glimpse of the has put even more importance people don’t need to speak the of the coronavirus pandemic, people – and cultures. (QF) exhibiting their work and type of storytelling that exists on the role of cinema in con- same language,” says Bedair. virtual events and artistic The 2020 has been an contributing to broadening cul- in our part of the world.” necting communities both near “Film can bridge cultures and mediums will become increas- important year for France and tural understanding between While the festival was an and far. bring people together that ingly important. Current events Qatar. As part of Qatar France and Qatar. opportunity to showcase Director Nada Bedair, also wouldn’t be able to be physi- have only made the three film- Museum’s annual cultural In Alessandra El Chanti’s Qatari cinema talent to France, an NU-Q graduate, says the cally together. [The coronavirus makers more determined to exchange program, the Qatar- Revive the Lira’s Glory, the event was also an honour current pandemic – and subse- pandemic] just increased the develop their craft. France Year of Culture has 22-year-old Ibrahim Sultani for many filmmakers who quent lockdowns – have had an value of the craft.” Bedair has applied to an focused on the growing rela- paints portraits of Lebanese have been longtime admirers impact on her desire to work in For director Al Muhannadi, MFA program to further tionship between the two legends on banknotes in the of France’s famous cinema film. film has the ability to awaken enhance her skills, while Al nations, with a series of exhibi- hope of helping to compensate tradition. Dhabya Al “Most of us graduates love the senses – not just through Muhannadi is working on a tions, festivals and other events for some of the currency’s lost Muhannadi, a graduate of film and want to be filmmakers, visuals – and has the power to script about the evolving Qatari planned throughout the year to financial value, by giving it NU-Q, says she has been but the more I look at the average transport people and allow folklore tradition. Meanwhile, convey all that Qatar has to emotional value instead. enamored with French cinema day of people [in lockdown], them to experience another El Chanti is enrolled in an MFA offer to the world. El Chanti, who is a graduate since she first saw the film there is an increased demand for world. It’s especially relevant program in documentary media But as both France and of QF partner university North- Cléo de 5 à 7 in school. quality content,” says Bedair, now when many people are while promoting a documentary Qatar battle the coronavirus western University in Qatar “It was the first time I had whose film Paper Kite follows looking for an escape from she made about a Palestinian pandemic — like most countries (NU-Q) and has worked for QF encountered such content and two young girls from a strict current affairs. American music composer who in the world—many Year of in its ability-friendly sports pro- it was beautifully shot – show Catholic school on an illicit kite- “I want everyone [watching directs the Middle Eastern Music Culture events have been can- grams, says her film – and film don’t tell,” said Al Muhannadi, making mission. “This is espe- my film] to enjoy the colors, Ensemble at the University of celled or postponed. However, in general – can help change whose short film Maha’mel cially true for content coming sounds and details of this Chicago. one event that went ahead narratives about different cul- explores Doha’s shipping from Arab regions, which are not universe,” says Al Muhannadi, “Cinema is one of the most before the pandemic took hold tures, nationalities and people industry. “French cinema has as well represented.” whose film uses the whirring powerful tools that exist in our showed the importance of from around the world. its own style that is different Bedair says that film can of saws and heavy machinery time that help alter perceptions culture, and especially film, in “It is a medium that can take from Italian or Hollywood bridge the gaps in under- to pull viewers into the world and misconceptions,” says El keeping people connected – a us to places we have never been cinema. It’s very artsy, avant standing, especially at a time of boat construction. “Even Chanti. “The universal is found message that resonates even to, and enable us to learn about garde, and bohemian.” when travel restrictions and if you close your eyes and just in the specific and there is no louder now, as communities are people and cultures that we Shortly after the Clermond- social distancing mean that listened, you would feel like language more universal than increasingly asked to adhere to have never met or experi- Ferrand Short Film Festival, people can’t learn about one you’re looking at the scenes.” the language of film.” QICC donates cables to help build field hospital to fight COVID-19 pandemic THE PENINSULA — DOHA avoid contact between oper- our active role in the community ators and distribute health kit which we are part of: this is part QICC (Qatar International with masks, gloves and sani- of our corporate social respon- Cables Company), a joint tizer items in order to sibility. That is why we took this venture between Al Mirqab maintain the operation of its step in response to the call for Capital and Nexans, directs the factory, which is considered help from Ashghal. In addition, donation of power cables to a of essential continuity as it safety and health are corporate Qatar government project with serves major state projects, of and non-negotiable values with the objective of helping on fight which notably construction of regards to our teams and our against COVID-19 pandemic. hospitals and health care partners,” said Max-André Widely described as the Oscars of the design industry, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s The project is being con- centers. Delannoy, General Manager of largest and well-respected product design competitions and judges the best products of the year ducted by Ashghal and aims to “We are globally aware of QICC. from across the world. build a field hospital with 150 fully equipped beds and the con- Sony wins big at prestigious Red Dot Award 2020 struction of a shaded space with a capacity for 8,000 beds. QICC THE PENINSULA — DOHA social and ecological possibilities limitless.# readily made itself available for requirements. Launched in July 2019, the donation through the community Sony announced that its Bravia Winning products tick all WF-1000XM3 truly brings a services committee of entrepre- 8K LED TV and Bluetooth the boxes: for innovation, new generation truly wireless neurs and contractors, organised noise-cancelling headphones formal quality, ergonomics, headphones with Sony’s by Ashghal. have been awarded the pres- functionality, durability, Industry-leading Noise QICC has been committed tigious Red Dot Award: Product product periphery, self-explan- Cancellation. since the beginning of the Design 2020. atory quality, ecological com- With further improved HD pandemic, acting preventively Widely described as the patibility, and symbolic and Noise Cancelling Processor in the care of its employees, Oscars of the design industry, emotional content. QN1e chip and Dual Noise not only keeping in home the Red Dot Award is one of the Announced at CES 2020, Sensor Technology, the WF- office those who have scope world’s largest and well- the Bravia Z8H 8K LED comes 1000XM3 delivers exceptional of work conditions for this as respected product design power packed with the most noise cancelling performance, also implementing security competitions and judges the immersive experience realised so users can hear just the music measures such as cleaning best products of the year from yet through enhanced picture and nothing else. routine reinforcement at the across the world. quality, slim design and Sound- Launched in September plant and offices, change the A truck delivering QICC cables manufactured in its Messaied plant The Bravia Z8H 8K LED from-Picture Reality with 2019, the WH-H910N comes in organization at the plant to to Ashghal’s site for the new COVID-19 Hospital in Umm Salal. Series received the exceptional Sony’s new Frame Tweeter five trendy colour combinations Red Dot: Best of the Best. Other technology. teamed with high quality sound winners of the Red Dot include Delivering Sony’s super to excite fashion lovers. MME continues protection of endangered turtle species the WF-1000XM3 truly wireless high 8K detail and life-like The WH-H910N comes with headphones, the WH-H910N picture quality, the Z8H uti- Dual Noise Sensor technology QNA — DOHA protection is being imple- nests were moved to the pro- h.ear on 3 wireless noise-can- lises Picture Processor X1 to effectively cancel ambient mented under the supervision tected nests site in Fuwairit celling headphones and the Ultimate to provide crisp, high noise, improving the listening The Ministry of Municipality of the Ministry of Municipality beach, and necessary measure- Dualshock 4Back Button contrast, together with a full experience. and Environment (MME), and Environment and funded ments were taken for turtles, as Attachment. array LED to bring more real- It has Adaptive Sound represented by the Environ- by Qatar Petroleum and the cleaning them from snails and The Red Dot Design Award istic peaks of brightness, more Control to automatically mental Protection Reserves Environmental Science Center treating some of their wounds. is administered by Design accurate shadow detail and change the noise cancellation and Wildlife Department, at Qatar University in cooper- The Ministry attaches great Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen deeper blacks than standard settings anytime, anywhere. affirmed Tuesday that the ation with a team from the importance in its strategy to in Germany. LED TVs. Paired with Quick Attention project of protecting the Environmental Protection protect endangered species, The product design entries Moving into the new mode, it has never been easier endangered hawksbill turtle Reserves and Wildlife including searching and pro- are judged by the Red Dot Jury, decade, Sony Design to reduce music volume and continues to the current season Department. tecting endangered wild and which comprises some 40 endeavours to continue pur- temporarily listen to amid taking all precautions The Ministry explained that marine species, as it repre- international experts, on nine suing ideals of what a TV can announcements without that guarantee the safety of the the field work in the project is sents national wealth for the criteria that are constantly be: A platform for stirring, removing the headphones project’s team. witnessing an acceleration in State and for future adapted to new technical, inspiring visual experiences, the – stylish. The project of sea turtle the nesting operations, as 12 generations. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 Turkey passes bill to free thousands from prison to stem spread of virus REUTERS — ISTANBUL including thieves, racketeers The law will open the and those involved in bribery Turkey’s parliament yesterday way for the temporary could lead to a rise in crime. passed a law that will allow the Violations of Turkey’s intel- release of tens of thousands of release of around ligence law are not eligible for prisoners to ease overcrowding 45,000 prisoners earlier release, which oppo- in jails and protect detainees sition members said aimed to from the coronavirus, but which to stem the spread exclude journalists imprisoned critics slam for excluding those of the coronavirus. earlier this year for reporting jailed on terrorism charges. Those eligible will the death of Turkish intelligence President Tayyip Erdogan’s members in Libya’s conflict. AK Party and nationalist MHP be released under Turkey has arrested thou- allies supported the bill, which judicial control until sands of academics, lawyers, was accepted with 279 votes for journalists, civil servants and and 51 votes against, deputy the end of May. members of the military it says A drone photo shows empty Sultanahmet Square and its surroundings after authorities urged people parliament speaker Sureyya were supporters of US-based to stay home as part of coronavirus precautions, in Istanbul yesterday. Sadi Bilgic said. cleric Fethullah Gulen, who it The law will open the way Justice Minister Abdulhamit blames for the coup attempt. for the temporary release of Gul said on Monday there were Gulen denies any involvement. should be considered for release. politicians. members of the PKK and Gulen’s around 45,000 prisoners to 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Many Kurdish activists and “Those convicted in unfair Erdogan and his AK Party network, are excluded from the stem the spread of the corona- among prisoners, including three politicians the state says have links trials under Turkey’s overly say the judges make decisions new law, according to an oppo- virus. Those eligible will be deaths, and 79 prison personnel to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ broad anti-terrorism laws are independently. sition parliamentarian. released under judicial control had also tested positive. Party (PKK) are also in jail. also now condemned to face the Under the crackdown since CHP parliamentarian Turan until the end of May and the The law has been criticised Engin Ozkoc, parliamen- prospect of infection from this 2016, the number of prisoners Aydogan said the law should Justice Ministry will be able to by opposition parties and tarian from the main opposition deadly disease,” Amnesty cam- has risen to nearly 300,000 - have been designed to protect extend the period three times activists for excluding those Republican People’s Party (CHP), paigner Milena Buyum said. the second-largest prison pop- freedom of thought. by a maximum of two months jailed on terrorism charges, said the party would challenge “Turkey’s government must ulation in Europe and the most “You lock up whoever crit- each time, according to the law. which include journalists and the new law in the Constitutional do the right thing and immedi- overcrowded prison system as icises,” he said, addressing AKP A similar number would be politicians swept up in a Court, Turkey’s highest. ately release those who are of January 2019, according to and MHP members in par- released permanently under a crackdown following a coup Amnesty International wel- imprisoned solely for expressing data from the Council of Europe. liament. Another CHP member separate part of the legislation attempt in 2016. comed the steps to reduce over- their peaceful views,” she said. Around 50,000 people con- said all 210 amendments to the aimed at reducing prison Opposition members say crowding in prisons but said the Critics of Turkey’s judiciary say victed or jailed pending trial on law proposed by opposition overcrowding. the release of criminals law failed to cover others who court rulings are influenced by terrorism charges, including parties were rejected. Turkey completes first phase of As rebel-held Syria fears virus, just one machine for test REUTERS — IDLIB carried out on just 300 samples. one, strict criteria are being UOSSM, which operates in of them people who were coronavirus While all have been neg- used to select samples,” said opposition territory, said last already displaced. A single machine at Mohamad ative so far, doctors and relief Makki. month. In recent days thousands of vaccine efforts Shahim Makki’s medical centre agencies fear that crowded Northwest Syria is the last Plans to equip other centres Syrians have begun to leave in Idlib province, part of Syria’s camps for displaced people, and part of the country still held by with PCR test devices have been camps near the Turkish border, ANATOLIA — IZMIR last rebel stronghold, is the only medical facilities ravaged by fighters trying to overthrow slowed by their high cost and some wary of the virus reaching alarm that will sound when the years of war, would make any president Bashar Al Assad. It is the training needed to run them. tightly packed quarters, Scientists in western Turkey coronavirus strikes a population contagion rapid and lethal. home to more than three “In the liberated areas we choosing instead to return to commenced the lab tests of millions of the world’s most Samples have begun to million people, most of whom have major weaknesses in the Idlib after a ceasefire struck last yesterday of an antigen they vulnerable people. come into the lab faster, with fled other parts of Syria in a civil health sector because of the war month that has restored calm. designed for a vaccine against Makki’s Epidemiological 5,000 received in the last two war that began nine years ago. and because of the systematic In the rest of Syria, the novel coronavirus. Surveillance Laboratory has the days, though it is not yet clear “If corona spreads in the targeting of hospitals and health Damascus has reported 25 Research is ongoing with only device in areas outside of how many of them can be proc- northwest it will be a catas- centres,” said Makki. coronavirus cases and two the collaboration of the Ege Syrian government control essed or how quickly. trophe. The number of deaths The government, backed by deaths in government-held University Drug Development equipped to run a polymerase The machine “is not suffi- will be very big and infections Russia and Iran, launched a areas. It has shut businesses, and Pharmacokinetic chain reaction (PCR) test to cient to serve all these people, will be huge, in the hundreds of push earlier this year to capture halted flights, and imposed a Research Application Center detect the virus. As of a few days so there is pressure on the thousands,” Ahmad Al Dbis of Idlib, sending hundreds of thou- curfew to curb the spread of the (ARGEFAR) in Izmir province ago, just 120 tests had been device. And since it is the only the US-based medical charity sands of residents fleeing, many virus. and the Scientific and Tech- nological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). A total of 32 scientists spe- Kuwait reports 55 new cialising in different branches came together to conduct the COVID-19 cases, one death studies. Dr. Mert Doskaya said that QNA — KUWAIT the design of the antigen, which is the first phase of the The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health yesterday reported 55 new coro- vaccine effort, was completed navirus (COVID-19) infections and one fatality in the last 24 hours, in a week. bringing the total of infections to 1,355 and deaths to three. The Vaccine Research and At a press briefing yesterday, Kuwaiti Health Ministry spokesperson Development Group of the Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad said that 26 patients were in intensive care nine university will test the antigen of them are in critical condition and 17 stable. He added that the death and move on to the second cases reached three after confirming the death of a Kuwaiti female (79 phase, said Doskaya. years) in the last 24 hours, noting that she was in the intensive care unit. Citing the World Health Those currently receiving treatment at hospitals reached 1,176 Organization (WHO), Doskaya patients said the spokesperson, adding that 146 individuals have said that more than 50 completed quarantine in the last 24 hours. Al Sanad pointed out research centers around the that the total recovery cases stood at 176 after Minister of Health world have been trying to Sheikh Basel Al Sabah announced the recovery of 26 new patients develop a vaccine against the in the last 24 hours. coronavirus. He reiterated the need that everyone take all means of per- “In fact, studies in Turkey sonal protection and follow the instructions and recommenda- are at a similar stage with tions issued by the ministry and the official authorities in the State them. of Kuwait related to containing the spread of the virus. “Five of these are in the clinical stage, meaning the first human experimentations have Virus test amid celebration Turkish politician dies begun, and the rest are pre- An Iraqi man, part of a wedding procession, has his temperature tested at a drive through testing paring for animal experi- centre for coronavirus in Iraq’s central city of Hilla. due to virus infection ments,” said Doskaya. ANATOLIA — TRABZON

A Turkish politician lost his life yesterday after contracting the Israel rivals resume unity talks with two-day deadline novel coronavirus. He was 73. Haydar Bas, leader of the Inde- pendent Turkey Party (BTP), was in intensive care in a state hospital AFP — JERUSALEM March 2 election, Israel’s third Likud emerged as the largest party Forming a government in the Black Sea province of Trabzon. poll in less than a year, but a but Gantz’s Blue and White won involves distributing ministerial President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences to Bas’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin deal has remained elusive. the backing of most of the coun- portfolios and agreeing a political family. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Independent Turkey Netanyahu and his main rival Tuesday’s talks ended try’s 120 MPs. Gantz was therefore roadmap for the country. Party leader Haydar Bas, who died due to COVID-19,” Erdogan Benny Gantz held new talks on without a breakthrough but the given a 28-day mandate to try and A major source of tension said on Twitter. “I offer condolences to his family and supporters, forming an emergency unity two men committed to meet form a government. has been the choice of a justice I wish God’s Mercy on all citizens who died due to the same government yesterday, with a again after the Jewish passover But deep divisions within the minister who will be tasked disease,” he added. deadline less than two days holiday ends at sunset today, anti-Netanyahu camp meant his with overseeing the corruption On Monday, Turkey confirmed 98 new deaths from corona- away. with a view to reaching a deal chances of forging a stable coa- case against Netanyahu. virus, bringing the country’s death toll to 1,296. The total number A deal would give Israel its by a midnight that evening. lition were always remote. Disputes have also emerged of registered coronavirus cases surged to 61,049. first fully functioning gov- As Israel’s unprecedented In a surprise move last over the nomination of a ernment since December 2018, political deadlock has persisted, month, Gantz was elected defence minister, including stability that could prove crucial there have been widespread speaker of parliament and speculation that Gantz, a former Virus deaths in Iran drop below as it confronts the coronavirus calls for an interim national effectively stopped seeking to army chief, may want the job. pandemic. unity government to combat the form a coalition with himself as Policy towards the Pales- 100 for first time in one month The two men had been novel coronavirus, which has prime minister. tinians, notably Netanyahu’s negotiating prior to a deadline infected more than 11,500 He called for an alliance led by stated desire to unilaterally AFP — TEHRAN that expired at midnight Monday Israelis and killed 117. Netanyahu for a defined period, annex the strategically night, but jointly asked President Gantz, a centrist ex-military allowing Israeli politics a rare important Jordan Valley in the Iran said yesterday that the number of lives lost in the country to Reuven Rivlin for a two-day chief, has squared off against moment of unity as it stares down occupied West Bank, has also the novel coronavirus dropped to double figures for the first time extension to finalise details. the veteran right-wing prime an unprecedented health crisis. reportedly caused friction. in one month. Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour They met in Jerusalem on minister in three elections since In the process, Gantz broke “Netanyahu, this is our said 98 deaths from the COVID-19 disease were recorded in the Tuesday morning, after April last year. his political party in two, with moment of truth. It’s either a past 24 hours, bringing the overall toll to 4,683. releasing a joint statement late Neither has earned enough more than half his allies in par- national emergency gov- “Unfortunately, we lost 98 of our compatriots infected with Monday hailing “significant support from voters and liament leaving to join the ernment or a senseless fourth the disease... but after a month of waiting, this is the first day that progress”. potential coalition partners to opposition rather than ally with round election, costly and the death toll has been double figures,” he told a televised news There have been repeated form a government. the deeply divisive Netanyahu. unnecessary in this hour of conference. “We hope that this path will continue with your claims of progress in coalition ‘Moment of truth’ In the Since then talks have stalled crisis,” Gantz said on Monday ongoing cooperation” in observing health guidelines aimed at talks since an inconclusive March 2 election, Netanyahu’s over a number of key issues. night. stopping the spread of the virus, he added. WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Rockets rain on Tripoli after Haftar loses key towns

AFP — TRIPOLI “The criminal militia launchpad for the aircraft they and mercenaries use to bombard the capital. The forces of Libyan eastern Fighting was also raging warlord Khalifa Haftar rained have taken out their between the rival forces east of rockets on Tripoli yesterday anger on residential Tripoli, between the cities of after being ousted by Misrata and Sirte. government loyalists from a neighbourhoods of Misrata is the hometown of string of strategic towns west of Tripoli to avenge many GNA loyalists while the the capital. strategic coastal city of Sirte was The capture on Monday of their defeat, firing captured in early January by the coastal towns of Sorman dozens of rockets Haftar forces. and Sabratha and smaller set- and missiles Fighting was also reported tlements further south was seen in the region of Abu Grein, as a major blow to Haftar, who on the capital southeast of Tripoli and halfway in April last year launched an indiscriminately,” GNA between Misrata and Sirte. offensive to seize Tripoli. The seizure of Sorman and Sorman and Sabratha lie spokesman Mohamad Sabratha was the GNA’s most respectively 60 and 70km west Gnunu said. significant victory since June of the Libyan capital, about last year, when its forces retook half-way to the Tunisian border. the town of Gharyan, the main The oil-rich but poverty- supply base for Haftar’s forces stricken North African country spokesman Mohamad Gnunu southwest of the capital. has suffered almost a decade of said. Jalal Harchaoui, a Libya conflict since longtime dictator The commander of analyst at The Hague-based Cling- Moamer Kadhafi was toppled pro-GNA forces, Oussama Al endael Institute, said Monday’s and killed in a 2011 uprising Jwili, late on Monday said the setback meant Haftar had lost the backed by several Western operation to capture Sabratha entire coast west of Tripoli. powers. Fayez Al Sarraj, Prime Minister of Libya’s National Accord, speaks during a press conference in Tripoli and Sorman was launched after According to Harchaoui, the The UN says hundreds have on Monday. he received information that Turkish-backed GNA forces been killed and more than Haftar fighters were moving have in recent week been more 200,000 displaced since Haftar Several homes were hit pandemic in Libya, where 25 The GNA accused pro-Haftar west. “aggressive... on multiple fronts, launched his battle for Triapoli around Mitiga airbase in the cases and one death have been forces of pounding Tripoli, The strongman’s forces often successfully”. last year, which then quickly eastern suburbs, the capital’s officially confirmed. saying they were taking revenge were planning to advance on “High-precision artillery on ground to a bloody stalemate. sole and only intermittently The UN has warned that against the civilian population the city of Zouara near the the ground, Turkish drones and Late on Monday, salvo after functioning airport. health services in the country following Monday’s losses. Tunisian frontier in an attempt better coordination” were proving salvo of rockets began raining One person was wounded, are already fragile and that “The criminal militia and to seize it and then push further a “formidable” combination down on Tripoli, the city where rescuers said late Monday. Since many hospitals near fighting mercenaries have taken out towards the Ras Jedir border against Haftar forces, he said. the UN-recognised Government then there have been no cas- zones south of Tripoli have been their anger on residential neigh- post. Advanced drones supplied of National Accord (GNA) is ualty updates. damaged or closed. bourhoods of Tripoli to avenge GNA forces were now also by the United Arab Emirates based, and loud explosions The latest escalation comes Fighting also raged Tuesday their defeat, firing dozens of surrounding the key Al Watiya have given Haftar, who also could still be heard yeserday as concern runs high over the south of the capital, a GNA mil- rockets and missiles on the airbase southwest of Tripoli, a relies on backing from Russia, morning, a correspondents said. spread of the coronavirus itary source said. capital indiscriminately,” rear base for Haftar forces and an advantage in the skies. Algerian author Virus cases in South Africa rise to 2,415, China donates aid wins top Arab REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG at Johannesburg airport. “This gowns and goggles. being mistreated and Africa’s most industrialised fiction prize for is not a sprint, this is a At the same news con- harassed. nation still has the most con- South Africa’s health minister marathon.” ference, foreign minister Naledi Cases of COVID-19 - the firmed coronavirus cases on the ‘Spartan Court’ yesterday reported a rise in He added that a donation Pandor said she was aware of respiratory disease caused by continent, which has registered coronavirus cases of 143 over of equipment from China that complaints of allegedly racist the new coronavirus - in South a total of 5,741 so far. the past day, taking the total to had just landed would help treatment of South Africans in Africa are creeping up, but not In a bid to counteract the AFP — ABU DHABI 2,415. South Africa “in fighting this China, and that “we believe we at the explosive rate that was economic fallout from the Health Minister Zwelini invisible enemy called can accept the commitment of... initially feared. lockdown, South Africa’s central Algerian author Abdelouahab Mkhize provided no update on COVID-19”. China to address these The rate of new infections bank slashed its main lending Aissaoui yesterday won a pres- the number of deaths, which a These included 10,000 concerns”. has slowed significantly since rate by another 100 basis points tigious prize for Arabic fiction day earlier stood at 27. The total N95 masks and disposable Several African countries President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday, to a record-low 4.25 with his novel The Spartan number of tests conducted so gloves, 50,000 surgical dis- have demanded that China ordered a nationwide percent, after moving forward Court. far was 87,022. posable masks — enough for address their concerns that lockdown on March 27 and its monetary policy committee Backed by the UK’s Booker “We still have a long way to about 6-8 weeks — as well as Africans, in particular in the extended it to the end of (MPC) meeting scheduled for Prize Foundation, the Interna- go,” he told a news conference 2,000 medical protective southern city of Guangzhou, are April. May. tional Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) is financed by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. Ethiopia opens aid Aissaoui will receive $50,000 and funds will be provided to translate the book into English, the organisers transport hub to said on their website. Published by Dar Mim, The Spartan Court is a historical fight COVID-19 novel that relates the power struggle between Ottoman and AFP — ADDIS ABABA referring to the disease caused French colonial powers in by the coronavirus. Algeria at the start of the 19th Ethiopia and the United Nations The Addis gateway is one of century. yesterday opened a humani- eight global humanitarian hubs Born in the northern tarian transport hub at Addis set up to facilitate movement of Algerian city of Djelfa in 1985, Ababa airport to move supplies aid to fight COVID-19, according Aissaoui graduated in electro- and aid workers across Africa to WFP. mechanical engineering before to fight coronavirus. In Africa, there are also hubs devoting himself to writing, The arrangement, which in Ghana and South Africa. penning several books and relies on cargo services pro- The continent has so far not receiving many awards. vided by Ethiopian Airlines, been hit by the coronavirus as The Spartan Court “invites could also partially offset heavy hard as other regions, but the reader to gain a greater losses Africa’s largest carrier is experts worry that weak health understanding of live under sustaining because of the systems could quickly become occupation and the different pandemic. overwhelmed by an influx of forms of resistance that grow An initial shipment of 3,000 cases. against it,” said Muhsin Al cubic metres (106,000 cubic As of yesterday there were Musawi, chair of the prize’s feet) of supplies — most of it 15,249 COVID-19 cases across Fitsum Abade, Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services; Boureima H Sambo, five-member judging panel. personal protective equipment the continent resulting in 816 World Health Organisation Representative to Ethiopia; Steven Were Omamo, WFP’s Country Director “With its deep, historical for health workers — will be deaths, according to the Africa in Ethiopia, and Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Deputy Director of African CDC, attend the launch of the United narrative structure, the novel distributed within the next Centres for Disease Control and Nations Airport Hub for humanitarian shipments to combat the COVID-19, at Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo does not live in the past, but week, said Steven Were Prevention. facility at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, yesterday. rather it challenges the reader Omamo, Ethiopia country African leaders are also to question present reality,” he director for the World Food worried about the economic toll it was already bracing for fight against COVID-19, and the never make up for the loss of added, in remarks published Programme (WFP). on the continent. revenue losses of $550m humanitarian transportation hub most of the airline’s passenger on the IPAF website. “This is a really important An African Union study between January and April. inaugurated Tuesday will be traffic. The Spartan Court was platform in the response to published last week warned The airline is turning to operational at least through the “This division or this chosen from a shortlist of six COVID-19, because what it does that 20 million jobs in the cargo, maintenance and charter end of May, said Fitsum Abadi, business unit is the second novels. The five other authors, is it allows us to move with formal and informal sectors operations to help soften the the company’s managing director largest revenue-generating from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and speed and efficiency to respond were at risk. blow. of cargo and logistics services. business unit, but it cannot Syria will each receive to the needs as they are The state-run Ethiopian Air- Ethiopian Airlines plans to But Fitsum acknowledged offset the entire loss that the $10,000, the organisers said. unfolding,” Omamo said, lines announced last week that play “a major role” in Africa’s that cargo operations would airline is facing,” he said. Unrest fears rise as Buhari extends lockdown in Lagos

AFP — LAGOS, I locked myself inside the rely on daily earnings to survive, neighbourhood after dark. criminals frequently fight for yesterday evening, I was so house,” he said, refusing to give complain they have been left “We shall continue to hold upper hand. scared,” she said. Bus driver Christian did not his surname. facing crippling economic the night vigil until the end of But Chioma Okoro, who Nigeria’s police says it has sleep at all last night after “When it was calmer, with hardship and rising crime. the restriction,” he told. has bunkered down in her dispatched extra forces to deal Nigeria’s President the men on my street, we In recent days, inhabitants Local resident Dotun Alabi home in the Agege district, with the trouble and arrested Muhammadu Buhari ordered organised ourselves. We didn’t in a string of districts across said it was the hunger and des- said insecurity had grown in some 200 suspects. an extension to the lockdown sleep all night. We prepared Lagos and neighbouring Ogun peration caused by the the past two weeks and “A special police squad in his sprawling home city weapons, collected knives, what state have reported a surge in lockdown that appeared to be ratcheted up dramatically over headed by a deputy inspector Lagos to halt the coronavirus. we could find.” The authorities gang attacks. pushing people into crime. the weekend. general has deployed to A few hours before the insist that extending the “The criminals have been “When we arrested two “Now it’s three times, 10 ensure security of lives and announcement on Monday shutdown in Africa’s biggest city taking undue advantage of the boys, they told us that they took times worse,” she said. properties in the affected evening, word spread that over to one month is vital to stop a lockdown to dispossess people to robbery in order to find She had tried to go out with communities,” spokesman a hundred youths from a virus that has so far caused 343 of their valuables,” community something to eat,” he said. her husband to get supplies but Bala Elkana said. criminal gang were swarming confirmed infections and 10 leader Mufu Gbadamosi said. Inhabitants in the over- dashed back when she saw a But residents complain that through his neighbourhood of deaths in Nigeria. He has organised people in crowded neighbourhoods of group of young men bran- there are not enough officers to Alimosho on a robbing spree. But residents in the usually his Agbado area of Lagos into Lagos’ poor — where millions dishing iron bars, machetes, and protect them — and insist the “Everybody was scattering frenetic economic hub of 20 groups to man checkpoints and live squeezed together — are no homemade firearms. government needs to do more for their lives. We ran away and million, where more then half screen people coming into their strangers to gang violence as “I was hearing gunshots to support people financially. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

EDITORIAL To limit the spread of coronavirus, the General Directorate of Traffic distributes masks and gloves to motorists and made them areaw of the recommendations of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. Equality in times of pandemic

THE whole world is still struggling with the unchecked Qatar will succeed in its fight to scourge of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the virus is spreading like a wildfire across the world. Countries find that their healthcare system huffing and curb spread of coronavirus puffing under the heavy weight of the first-of-its-kind pandemic. Several countries are realising that their hos- pital beds fall too short and essential support equipment e all are witnesses institutions. approximately 120,000 Sri like ventilators are hard to come by. Same is the case that Qatar is endeav- Qatar is keen on providing Lankan expatriates living and with essential medical supplies such as face masks, per- Wouring in an effective the highest levels of medical working in Qatar. Sri Lankan sonal protective equipment, sanitizers etc. And of course, and highly-coordinated services for free not only to Associations are closely complaints are galore, the worst among which is the manner to curb the spread of citizens but to expatriates. It is working with the Embassy in alleged discrimination against own citizens, mainly seniors the virus disease and ensuring the continued flow the wake of COVID - 19. and the disabled who are left to fend for themselves. providing higher standard of of food supplies and con- The Embassy is connected The case is not much different in the Middle East medical and healthcare facil- sumer goods to the local with Sri Lankan expatriates and our neighbouring countries. For the last few days ities to all including its citizens market in sufficient quantities through social media plat- there were several media reports about some govern- and residents who have been and at reasonable prices and forms and embassy website ments discriminating against their migrant labour force. infected by the virus and with high quality. The rapid and updating them with After the governments declared lockdowns and some under quarantine. response of citizens and resi- regard to the information placed even curfews, the workers were struggling to I am very confident that dents to the volunteer cam- receiving from the Gov- access food and basic personal hygiene products. Some Qatar will succeed in its fight paign to support the efforts of ernment authorities in Sri countries even warned the labour exporting countries to control the spread of the the state is also remarkable. Lanka and State of Qatar. The to take their people back or face consequences. virus soon. This affirmed that everyone Sri Lankan Associations are In these trying times also the State of Qatar stands Qatar continues progress has felt the responsibility. also disseminating the infor- tall and apart. When the leadership of this country says in its ongoing battle against The Embassy is thankful mation to the people and bring that the migrant workers are their valuable guests it means the COVID-19 through RATNASINGAM KOHULARANGAN to the Government of Qatar to the notice of the Embassy it. Workers are treated as guests, providing them with adopting a full transparency CHARGE D’AFFAIRES OF THE for providing food, medicine with regard to the issues being EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA IN QATAR every facility and amenity that are available in the country. approach in its measures and and other essential to the Sri faced by the Sri Lankan expa- For the last few days several ambassadors expressed engaging the society in con- Lankan expatriates who are triates to the Embassy. their gratitude to the government for the support and care fronting this crisis. for Crisis Management and under quarantine, and The Mission has provided being given to their compatriots. The ambassadors were The televised press confer- information shared by the stranded in lockdown areas. three telephone numbers to the very vociferous in thanking Qatar through columns they ences by Supreme Committee Ministry of Public Health and I request all Sri Lankan expatriate especially for labour wrote in The Peninsula newspaper. Government Information expatriates to cooperate with related matters and one Right from the day when some areas of the country The Embassy is Office are an innovative the Qatar authorities at their number 24/ 7 for other were locked down and people were quarantined, the thankful to the method of conveying infor- efforts to curb the spread of inquires. The Embassy has social media platforms were carrying pictures and mes- Government of Qatar mation to the public. This con- the virus. appointed a person with sages from these people thanking the Government of tributes to confronting the The Qatar Charity has medical background and Qatar for the best treatment and services they were for providing food, spread of false information, provided 300 dry food rations shared his number among the getting. People even posted pictures of the daily food medicine and other withholding the public from to provide to the needy expatriates to give necessary packets they were getting with emotional captions. panic, and promoting the people. The well-wishers of health advice and guidance to On Monday, the Spokesperson of the Supreme essential to the Sri community awareness about the Sri Lankan expatriates the Sri Lankans related to the Committee for Crisis Management categorically reit- Lankan expatriates COVID-19 and how to prevent and the Sri Lankan Associa- COVID -19. erated that there is no discrimination in Qatar, adding it. tions also donated dry food The Embassy appreciates that everybody will get equally good treatment even who are under The precautionary and items to the Embassy. The the decision of the Ministry of if they don’t possess a health card or valid resident quarantine, and proactive measures under- Embassy distributes the food Administrative Development, permit. The country has addressed every concern of taken by the county with its items to the needy Sri Lankan Labour and Social Affairs for its expatriates whether it is expired visa, food supply, stranded in lockdown various institutions against expartriates. introducing online platform to healthcare, salary payment, job security or access to areas. the outbreak of the corona- The Embassy in coordi- receive the labour complaints daily needs. virus will result in great nation with the Ministry of and to pay the full salaries Yes, there is no doubt that the State of Qatar is success, and Qatar will get out Administrative Development, and other benefits without leading the world by example as in every situation. of this critical stage stronger Labour and Social Affairs of any deduction to all quaran- The country is ensuring that nobody is left out unpro- and more faithful in its capa- Qatar is attending labour tined employees, including tected in this relentless war against COVID-19 and it bilities, people and related issues. There are expatriates. is sure that Qatar will win this war. Telco shares are surprise losers as D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] lockdown drives Internet boom EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 TOM WESTBROOK & DOUGLAS but telecoms have not really and entertainment online, but or private individuals have to BUSVINE — REUTERS been defensive,” he said, left telcos spending to service put off renewing their contracts MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 pointing to price drops more surging demand, and, with or can’t pay their bills.” As lockdowns worldwide or less in line with European fixed pricing structures, no The outlook has driven DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 drive a surge in internet use, markets. quick way to monetise the stock drops as investors fret boosting online sales for busi- Globally, a 13% drop in the investment. about dividends that have LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 nesses as varied as gaming MSCI world telecommunica- At the same time, roaming been under pressure for and food delivery, the stocks tions services index pales in revenue has dried up as years. Companies such as BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 of internet providers are an comparison to healthcare , people travel less, and telcos AT&T Inc, which is down 21% unlikely laggard on global down 6%, technology, down are bracing for a slump in this year, Telefonica SA, down SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 markets. 8%, or consumer staples, new contracts accompanying 30%, and MTN Group Ltd In Asia, Africa, Europe and down 10%. a wave of unemployment as have either matched or out- ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 the Americas, a combination The poor showing illus- businesses shut. stripped benchmark declines. email: [email protected] of high fixed costs, debt and trates the difficult dynamics “Because of flat-rate Vodafone Group PLC, the market disruption has left facing carriers, even when deals, we hardly get any extra world’s second-biggest mobile PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 telcos significantly underper- their services are more revenue if people spend more operator, last month said data email: [email protected] forming the data-hungry busi- essential than ever. Around time surfing or talking on the traffic had surged 50%, yet its nesses their networks carry. the world, millions of people phone,” Ralph Dommermuth, stock is down 23% - the same ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 “It’s a bit of a surprise,” are confined to their homes chief executive of German as the benchmark index . FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] said Kasper Elmgreen, and businesses closed as gov- telco 1&1 Drillisch AG, said. “Not only do (telcos) have equities head at Europe’s ernments restrict movement “I can’t yet say whether capex for 5G, but they also CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 biggest fund manager, to halt the spread of the coro- more time being spent in the have debt payments,” said email: [email protected] Amundi Asset Management. navirus which has led to over home office will compensate Tariq Dennison, managing “The traditional defensive 113,000 deaths. for revenue losses that will director at GFM Asset Man- SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 sectors have played defensive, That has driven business arise because many companies agement in Hong Kong. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Turkey is the main source of aid and the pandemic is making efforts more difficult in Syria. We are /Peninsula_Qatar concerned that this might trigger another wave of refugees to Turkey due to international community's /ThePeninsulaNewspaper failure. +974 6698 6188 Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 OPINION 09 Qatar’s preventive measures have instilled confidence among expatriates

n its onward journey, which humanity does not yet equal treatment to all the resi- We Nepali people human civilization has have an antidote, has no dents of Qatar irrespective of living in Qatar faced adversities, set up immunization, no vaccines their nationality, residential tragic milestones and and antibodies. This has made status, religion and ethnicity. have the full carriedI with it memories of the fight against this disease This has instilled a confidence confidence in the suffering from diseases, more challenging and among the expatriate natural calamities and war. It complicated. community. competence of the has faced the menace of Now, the whole world is The government of Qatar Qatari government The State of Qatar bubonic plague, Smallpox, practicing self-isolation, quar- has provided foods and salary in handling the Spanish Flu and world wars in antine and lockdown. They for expatriate workers who has pledged that it previous centuries. Now it is have proved to be three were furloughed by their situation. With the will provide equal facing the scourge of corona- magical weapons which we companies and private state-of-the-art treatment to all virus (COVID-19), which is have at our disposal to protect employers for region of the spreading across the world ourselves from getting adverse impact of the corona- health facilities, the residents of posing an existential threat to infected with the disease. virus on their enterprises. This qualified medical Qatar irrespective human race once again. On the basis of the reveals a high degree of The whole world is in a available knowledge and empathy of the Qatari gov- professionals of their nationality, state of war with this disease insight into this disease, the DR. NARAD NATH BHARADWAJ, ernment towards the expa- and the mature residential status, and all of us living in the State State of Qatar, too, has been AMBASSADOR OF NEPAL TO THE triate workers including the of Qatar have also found our- managing the spreading STATE OF QATAR Nepali workers. and enlightened religion and ethnicity. selves locked in the battle infection smartly and effi- The Nepali community leadership of His This has instilled a against it. This disease, which ciently under the wise and access to highest standard of living in Doha is aware that Highness the Amir, has now assumed the form of enlightened leadership of His health care to seriously sick the leaders of Qatar have confidence among global pandemic, is terror- Highness Amir Sheikh Tamim people. This has kept the rate acknowledged and appre- the people of Qatar the expatriate izing the whole world with its bin Hamad Al Thani. In a short of mortality very low and ciated their contribution and will surely get over community. virulence and morbidity. It is span of time the health many infected people have other expatriate communities very infectious even while authorities of this country had the opportunity to go to the development efforts the crisis and march remaining asymptomatic. have tested more than 52,622 back to work after being and modernization of Qatar. forward taking the That is why it is very dan- people as of today, provided cured of the disease. In return, the Nepali people gerous also. quarantine facility to the The State of Qatar has working in Qatar have obeyed disruption caused by It is a new virus, against infected people and given pledged that it will provide the government authorities of the coronavirus in Qatar, complied with direc- tives and abode law. their strides. In this context, the Embassy of Nepal has also organized various awareness raising activities targeting Nepali workers and educated them about the culture, other public places. Most of the religion and social etiquettes Nepali in Qatar are in home and behavioral codes of the isolation. Some of them are Qatari society so that they do still working in construction not end up committing acts sites but they are made aware that may be offensive to Arab of the precautionary measures. culture. As a result, respectful We Nepali people living in and harmonious relation has Qatar have the full confidence been maintained among the in the competence of the native and expatriate Qatari government in handling communities. the situation. With the state- Now the Nepali people are of-the-art health facilities, fighting against the Corona qualified medical professionals virus together with the native and the mature and population. We have ade- enlightened leadership of His quately explained that they Highness the Amir, the people need to maintain distance of Qatar will surely get over from one another, wash hands the crisis and march forward repeatedly with soap and taking the disruption caused Vehicles of the Ministry of Culture and Sports installed with loudspeakers during the COVID-19 awareness drive at a labour camp in Umm water and use face masks by the coronavirus in their Salal. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA while going out to malls and strides. Africa does not need saving during this pandemic

diverse countries rumoured sanctioned by the West, this process. blindly borrowed protocols to be the final frontier of island nation has a long In the likeness of South from the North without coronavirus, desperately history of dispatching health Korea’s proactive approach understanding that context needs saving. My response? missions in times of calamity to virus prevention, Zimba- must drive policymaking, Puh-lease! and tranquillity. bwe’s universities have others, like Nigeria’s senators Ordinary Africans, and In keeping with Cuba’s shown that necessity is the or senior members of their counterparts in Asia, efforts in Italy, Somalia fol- mother of all inventions. As Rwanda’s executive branch ROBTEL NEAJAI PAILEY Latin America and the Car- lowed suit by sending 20 the country battles a chronic of government, have donated AL JAZEERA ibbean, are not navel-gazing doctors to aid the southern economic recession, portions of their salaries for or waiting around for the European country. Lest we including hyperinflation, relief to poor households. “mighty” Global North - itself forget, this Horn of Africa with healthcare workers As Global North leaders It was inevitable that racism in the bullseye of the virus - nation is recovering from striking across the country, jockey for power, under- would rear its ugly head. to come to the rescue. Even protracted warfare, including universities are manufac- cutting each other in a Having previously docu- in the midst of constraints current threats from al- turing gloves, masks and bidding war over respirators, mented the long and unheard of in Europe and Shabab armed fighters, hand sanitizers amidst a the Global South is unas- shameful history of unethical North America, Global South which makes its intervention 21-day lockdown. Farther suming in its instructions drug testing on communities folks are exemplifying the all the more admirable. east, a factory in Kenya now about the necessity of Ordinary Africans, of colour across the globe, I kind of ingenuity, generosity, Though the United States produces 30,000 surgical civility. Because whether and their was not surprised earlier this solidarity, empathy and has tightened sanctions masks a day to meet rich or poor, black, brown, counterparts in month when two French civility from which we all against conflict-affected Iran heightened national demand. or white, young or old, man doctors proclaimed on must learn. We should be and slammed crisis-prone South Africa also has or woman, we are all in this Asia, Latin America national television that Africa borrowing from this Venezuela with narcoter- important lessons to impart. existential catastrophe and the Caribbean, would be the most appro- playbook, not casting it aside. rorism charges, countries Because of the country’s together. And while some of priate location for a corona- Let’s start with my own across the Southern hemi- experience researching and us may be more equipped are not navel- virus vaccine trial. Never country, Liberia, once desta- sphere have extended olive testing for HIV/AIDS and than others to tackle it, the gazing or waiting mind that this continent has bilised by a 14-year inter- branches of support while other communicable dis- virus’ visa-free obliteration the lowest recorded number mittent armed conflict in the the pandemic nears its peak. eases, it has started devel- of borders and orders proves around for the of cases regionally. late 20th and early 21st cen- Having faced virulent oping locally-made that no one is exempt from “mighty” Global For bigots who operate turies. During the deadliest forms of Sinophobia as the COVID-19 tests and will its ferocity. under the appalling ever Ebola outbreak of 2014- initial epicentre of corona- embark shortly on a clinical Africa and other regions North - itself in assumption that black, 2016, which killed more than virus, China has begun a trial for a vaccine. of the Global South have the bullseye of the brown, and other non-white 11,000 in West Africa alone, global campaign to distribute It has been said a disease already demonstrated that virus - to come bodies are easily expendable 22-year-old Liberian student medical supplies and transported by upwardly they are far from passive during times of crisis, nurse Fatu Kekula single- expertise to African countries mobile jet-setters - who have centres for medical experi- to the rescue. COVID-19 presents the handedly treated three family such as Algeria and Nigeria, the wherewithal to huddle at mentation. Rather, they are Even in the midst perfect storm. Yet, instead of members at home when they with plans to deploy per- homes and the resources to the sites of home-grown expending energy on fell ill. She transformed sonnel to Europe, the Middle practice physical distancing solutions which should be of constraints denouncing the doctors’ rubbish bags into aprons, East and the Gulf in due when necessary - is now transmitted globally. unheard of in asinine comments, as so gloves and masks which course. Although not without killing the poor and sed- As the celebrated Indian many have already done, we became her very own retro- controversy, such is the entary, who do not. author and activist Arundhati Europe and North should be reflecting on what fitted personal protective beauty of “South-South” Yet, Global South traders Roy reminds us, coronavirus America, Global Africa and other regions of equipment (PPE) - a tech- cooperation. in the so-called “informal has not only exposed nature’s the so-called Global South nique that resource-strapped Whereas others parroted sector” have defiantly dic- wrath against the crudeness South folks are have to teach the world in healthcare workers in Europe early on the racist edict that tated that one-size-fits-all of capitalism, but also forced exemplifying the this collective moment of and North America are now COVID-19 was exclusively a coronavirus prevention us to imagine a better world kind of ingenuity, reckoning. replicating. Wuhan epidemic, Chinese measures will not work eve- beyond flattened curves, and, Call me naive in the Indeed, the Global South philanthrocapitalist Jack Ma, rywhere, that they hurt vul- might I add, racist vitriol. generosity, heyday of apocalyptic pro- has both exported innovation of tech giant Alibaba fame, nerable populations in low- Editor’s note: An earlier solidarity, empathy jections about infections and and disseminated much was one of the first billion- income countries, and that version of this article incor- deaths to come, but I prefer needed “staff, stuff and aires to spring into action “top-down”, militarised lock- rectly claimed that 11,000 and civility from to focus on the silver lining. systems”. While critiques when he pledged $14m in late downs cannot be imposed on were infected during the which we all must This is in some ways why I abound, Cuba’s late March January to develop a vaccine poor people without Ebola outbreak in West have been rolling my eyes at deployment of 52 medical to tame the virus. Regional advanced warning or social Africa. It has been updated to learn. countless doomsday com- workers to Italy was a stark heavyweight South Korea protection schemes. clarify that 11,000 was the mentaries published by and important exemplar of also proved its mettle by While some leaders in the deathtoll from the outbreak. Western media outlets in “South to North” medical getting ahead of the curve Global South have unleashed Robtel Neajai Pailey is a which so-called Global North humanitarianism. Once vil- with nation-wide testing and physical brutality against Liberian academic, activist “experts” have argued that ified for its socialist lead- quarantining, earning inter- their citizens under the guise and author of two anti-cor- Africa, a continent of 54 ership and harshly national plaudits in the of battling COVID-19, or ruption children’s books. 10 ASIA WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 India extends virus lockdown until May 3 AFP — NEW DELHI Prime Minister Modi said there would be ‘limited relaxations’ from April 20 for districts India’s nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the biggest in the with no cases, and new guidelines for industry world covering 1.3 billion people, and agriculture would be released today. The will be extended until May 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcement comes as debate rages around said yesterday. the world on how to lift restrictions so the The move comes despite economic carnage of the pandemic can be complaints from millions of poor, a vast underclass who have been eased without a new spike in infections. left almost completely without support as jobs have vanished and incomes dried up. Asian nations have so far been limits on activity, has been dev- “From the economic angle, relatively unscathed by the epi- astating for the economy — and we have paid a big price,” Modi demic, with around 10,800 cases in particular for India’s poor. said. “But the lives of the people and 353 deaths in India. Millions of daily wage of India are far more valuable.” Some experts say not enough labourers suddenly lost their jobs, “From the experiences of the last tests have been conducted and forcing hundreds of thousands to few days it is clear that the path the true number of infections is travel hundreds of kilometres we have chosen is correct.” much higher. back to their home villages, often India’s three-week-old And with some of the most on foot. lockdown, in force since March crowded cities on the planet, Some died on the way, while 25, was scheduled to end at mid- there are fears that numbers others were shunned by locals night yesterday. could take off and overwhelm the when they made it back. One clip A doctor in a protective chamber takes swab from a man to test for coronavirus disease at a newly Modi said there would be shaky healthcare system. that went viral on social media installed Walk-In Sample Kiosk in a government-run hospital, in Chennai. “limited relaxations” from April Several states including showed a group of migrants 20 for districts with no cases, and Maharashtra — home to Mumbai being hosed down with chem- new guidelines for industry and and with the highest number of icals by local officials. station yesterday and demanded “We have tried to keep the The commerce ministry has agriculture would be released cases — Tamil Nadu and Odisha Others have been stranded to be allowed to return home. The interests of the poor and the daily reportedly urged the government today. already announced lockdown in cities in cramped, unsanitary protest was later dispersed by wage workers in mind while to consider opening more activ- The announcement comes as extensions. conditions where the virus could police. making these new guidelines,” ities “with reasonable safe- debate rages around the world The World Health Organi- spread quickly. New Delhi alone Farmers have complained of Modi said in his 24-minute guards” even if the lockdown is on how to lift restrictions so the sation yesterday praised India’s is providing hundreds of thou- a lack of workers to harvest crops address. extended. economic carnage of the pan- decision to extend the lockdown, sands of free meals. while snarl-ups of thousands of “The central and state gov- On the deserted streets of demic can be eased without a saying “it would go a long way in In the financial capital trucks not allowed to move ernments are working together Delhi, Manoj, a businessman, said new spike in infections. arresting the virus spread”. Mumbai, some 800 migrant because of the lockdown have to ensure that the farmers don’t the extended lockdown would Official figures suggest South The shutdown, with strict labourers gathered near a railway hampered food transport. face any problems.” further devastate the economy. Asean leaders discuss ways to deal with pandemic Nepal extends lockdown ANATOLIA — JAKARTA treatment. During the talks, the The trade ministers were closely with the WHO, Asean’s reported in 185 countries since regional leaders agreed on the asked to ensure the supply external partners and the inter- late last year when the virus till April 27 Leaders from the Association of importance of ensuring pro- chain network such that trade national community to suppress was first detected in Wuhan, Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) tection of their citizens, and between Asean countries could the spread of the pandemic, China. agreed yesterday to strengthen resolved to strengthen public continue. Marsudi conveyed her protect people’s lives and live- While the total death toll is ANATOLIA — KATHMANDU cooperation in dealing with the communication and fight support for the reallocation of lihoods, [and] maintain socio- almost 120,000, more than coronavirus pandemic. against stigma and the Asean Trust Fund to assist economic stability...,” a joint 458,000 patients have made Nepal yesterday extended the The understanding was discrimination. Asean countries in handling the declaration issued after the recoveries, according to latest nationwide lockdown until reached during a virtual The leaders also vowed to crisis. summit read. figures by U.S.-based Johns April 27 as part of measures to meeting, the Special Asean take joint steps and devise coor- Vietnamese Foreign Min- The 11-member association Hopkins University. stem the spread of the coro- Summit on Coronavirus dinated policies to deal with ister Pham Binh Minh, who was was established on August 8, Europe remains to be the navirus in the country. Disease, chaired by Vietnamese economic and social impact of appointed as chairman of the 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with epicenter, however, the U.S. has A Cabinet meeting, chaired premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc. COVID-19. Asean Coordinating Council, the signing of the Asean Decla- surpassed all countries in terms by Prime Minister KP Sharma Indonesian Foreign Minister “Asean leaders will urge revealed that the confirmed ration by Indonesia, Malaysia, of positive cases, and virus- Oli, took the decision as two Retno Marsudi, who accom- their economic ministers to cases of COVID-19 in Asean Philippines, Singapore and linked deaths. new COVID-19 cases were panied President Joko Widodo, prepare for the recovery period reached 19,997, with 884 Thailand. Brunei, Vietnam, Billions of people around reported yesterday. said cooperation between in the future. They will also fatalities. Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia the world are in some form of Yesterday’s decision came Asean countries includes infor- observe SMEs sector and other “We pledge to remain joined in later years. restriction that includes lock- hours after India extended mation exchange, research and vulnerable groups,” the foreign united and vigilant against - Global situation Nearly downs and national nationwide lockdown until development, and medical minister added. COVID-19 and commit to work two million cases have been emergencies. May 3. Landlocked Nepal shares an 1,800km open border with India. Australia, New Zealand flatten Nepal went into lockdown on March 24. People are virus curve; lockdown remains advised to stay indoors and only essential services such as AFP — SYDNEY population of 25 million. hospitals, police and grocery It was the lowest two-day stores remained open. Public Australia and New Zealand increase in a month. transport is also halted. yesterday brushed aside calls for New Zealand, a nation of five Yesterday, a 58-year-old an easing of tough restrictions on million, saw just eight new cases man and his 81-year-old travel and public gatherings yesterday for a total of 1,072, its mother, who arrived in Nepal despite their success in curbing lowest daily increase in more from the UK three weeks ago, the spread of COVID-19. than three weeks. tested positive, bringing the The number of new corona- “We’ve been relatively suc- total number of confirmed virus cases in the neighbouring cessful — I don’t want to cases to 16. nations has fallen dramatically squander that success or the sac- in the last two weeks, raising rifices New Zealanders have hopes that difficult social dis- made,” New Zealand Prime Min- UN releases $2.5m tancing measures may be ister Jacinda Ardern responded relaxed. yesterday when asked when the to help cyclone-hit But Australian Prime Minister lockdown will be eased. Vanuatu island Scott Morrison said the country “Our goal has to be go early was still “many weeks away” and go hard, so that we get into AP — UNITED NATIONS from lifting any restrictions. a position where we can ease up “Patience has got to be our restrictions with confidence,” she The United Nations released virtue here,” he said, noting that said, adding that no action would $2.5m from its emergency People wearing face masks walk in the Burwood suburb of Sydney, yesterday. countries like Singapore and be taken for at least another humanitarian fund on Monday South Korea had initial success week. to help thousands of people in against COVID-19 but saw a Both countries have closed restrictions on movement, gath- people honouring lockdown damage, with Australian officials the South Pacific island nation surge in new cases after travel their borders to foreigners and erings and public activities. rules. yesterday predicting unem- of Vanuatu affected by Cyclone and other restrictions were eased. imposed 14-day quarantines on “Australians are doing mag- “The rest of the world would, ployment will double to 10 Harold and offered support to Australia registered just 63 returning residents. nificently, we’ve seen real overwhelmingly in a heartbeat, percent despite a massive gov- other hard-hit countries. new infections on Sunday and New Zealand has enforced a progress,” Health Minister Greg swap positions with Australia.” ernment spending spree to The cyclone made landfall Monday, bringing the total strict stay-at-home lockdown Hunt said yesterday, linking the But the clampdowns have counter the impact of the on the largest island in Vanuatu, number of cases to 6,366 for a while Australia imposed tight slowdown in new cases to caused significant economic pandemic. Espiritu Santo, on April 6 before hitting the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga. The UN cited media reports saying the storm left North Korea fires barrage of missiles from ground and air more than two dozen people dead, and destroyed homes, AP — SEOUL Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. border with China yesterday. buildings and crops in the four The weapons flew more than All the recently tested mis- countries. A barrage of North Korean 150km at a low altitude off the siles were short-range and didn’t UN spokesman Stephane missiles fired from both the North’s east coast, a South pose a direct threat to the US Dujarric said on Sunday that ground and fighter jets splashed Korean defense official said. If mainland. A test of a missile Secretary-General Antonio down on the waters off the coun- confirmed, it would be the capable of reaching the US Guterres expressed “deep sol- try’s east coast yesterday, South North’s first cruise missile launch homeland would end North idarity with the people of the Korea’s military said, a show of in about three years, said the Korea’s self-imposed mora- Pacific as they face the impact force on the eve of a key state official, who spoke on condition torium on major weapons tests of this cyclone along with other anniversary in the North and of anonymity, citing department and likely completely derail climate-related challenges, as parliamentary elections in the rules. nuclear diplomacy with the well as the coronavirus pan- rival South. Later yesterday, North Korea United States. demic, which adds a worrying The back-to-back launches launched several Sukhoi-class Some experts say North new dimension to existing were the latest in a series of fighter jets that fired an unspec- Korea likely used the latest vulnerabilities.” weapons tests that North Korea ified number of air-to-surface weapons launches to bolster its The secretary-general has conducted in recent weeks missiles toward the North’s striking capability against South “stands ready” to support amid stalled nuclear talks and eastern waters, the defence Korea, which has been intro- recovery efforts, he said. outside worries about a possible official said. ducing US-made stealth F-35 jets In Vanuatu, the UN human- People watch a television news broadcast showing file footage of coronavirus outbreak in the The official said North and other sophisticated conven- itarian office said, “Initial North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, in Seoul, yesterday. country. Korea has recently appeared tional weapons systems in recent assessments suggest as much North Korean troops based to be resuming its military years. Others say the latest as 90 percent of the population in the eastern coastal city of drills that it had scaled back weapons tests were also aimed at the Seoul-based Asan Institute “North Korea wants to create in Sanma, the most affected Munchon first launched several due to concerns about the cor- at shoring up internal unity in the for Policy, said North Korea also and maintain tensions, but still province lost their homes, and projectiles — presumed to be novirus pandemic. He said face of US-led sanctions and the wants to maintain tensions to aims to prevent those tensions more than half of all schools cruise missiles — yesterday other North Korean fighter jets coronavirus pandemic. secure leverage over the US. in from growing too much and and almost a quarter of health morning, South Korea’s Joint also flew on patrol near the Go Myong-Hyun, an analyst future negotiations. pressuring the US a lot,” Go said. centers were damaged.” WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 ASIA 11 Pakistan Prime Minister calls for Pakistan extends ‘Global Initiative on Debt Relief’ partial lockdown AGENCIES — ISLAMABAD The initiative is built on the Prime Minister’s for two weeks Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed for a “Global Initiative belief that enhanced INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD demand. However, if the cases on Debt Relief”. While noting that fiscal capacity is spike, the existing equipment COVID-19 pandemic has posed Prime Minister Imran Khan has will be insufficient. unprecedented health and fundamental to announced to extend the partial The Prime Minister said we economic challenges, the Prime recovery from the lockdown across the country for are fighting on two fronts. One Minister underlined that a global ongoing pandemic. the next two weeks with the is containing the spread of coro- recession was certain, one worse opening of some sectors. navirus and second to overcome than the Great Depression. The Prime Minister Talking to media after the unemployment. A global pandemic cannot be cautioned that the meeting of National Coordi- He said daily wagers and contained without strong, coor- pandemic’s socio- nation Committee in Islamabad other businesses are hurt by dinated and well-crafted global yesterday, he said we made the lockdown. He said Ehsaas Pro- response, he stressed, said a economic impacts hard decision of imposing gramme, the biggest in the statement issued by the Embassy lockdown in the country which history of the country, is playing Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. would be more of Pakistan. was very well implemented due a key role in provision of cash The Global Initiative on Debt consequential in the to cooperation of the people. relief to daily wagers and poor Relief will bring together stake- debt relief to the developing Secretary-General’s call for developing countries. Consequently, encouraging people. holders on a platform to promote countries, at their request, and action, the Prime Minister also results are being received with The programme is without coordinated health and economic without onerous conditionalities. urged world leaders to step up spread of coronavirus slowing any political influence and will response. During the past week, The initiative is built on the Prime measures to help developing notably from Paris Club, Highly down to 30 percent of the pro- help any eligible citizen of various announcements have Minister’s belief that enhanced countries to overcome disas- Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), jected target. Pakistan. been made by multilateral actors fiscal capacity is fundamental to trous impacts of COVID-19. Heads of International Organ- He said the government Imran Khan announced to such as the UN, the IMF, and the recovery from the ongoing pan- He proposed that the devel- isations and others concerned took a number of steps to stop open the construction industry World Bank. demic. The Prime Minister cau- oping countries be provided to join him in this endeavour. the spread of coronavirus in the in cities from today as this has The announcements include tioned that the pandemic’s socio- with fiscal space and financial The Prime Minister has country, including closure of the lowest risk factor in terms initial relief packages of $1.4bn economic impacts would be relief through enhanced debt entrusted the Foreign Minister schools and educational insti- of Coronavirus spread. by the IMF, and $1bn by the more consequential in the devel- relief and restructuring and and the Adviser on Finance to tutions, cancelling of March He said an ordinance will be World Bank. oping countries. other additional measures that reach out to their respective 23rd Parade and PSL and all laid out soon to provide big Prime Minister Imran Khan While proposing the initi- could help them manage the counterparts to work for the other official and private func- incentives to the construction invited the Secretary-General to ative, the Prime Minister high- unfolding crisis. initiative with the objective of tions where people could sector to generate job work with him in advancing the lighted that his Government had As part of his diplomatic relieving developing countries congregate. opportunities. objectives of a coordinated provided a $ 8bn stimulus outreach, Prime Minister Imran of the financial challenge The Prime Minister said The Prime Minister said the response. package to help the most vul- Khan will be approaching emerging from the COVID-19 ventilators, protective clothing agriculture sector will also The proposed global initiative nerable Pakistanis. Heads of State/Government pandemic and realising sus- and other gear have been remain open due to upcoming aims to lay ground for urgent Noting the United Nations from a wide range of countries tainable development. reaching the country to meet the harvesting of wheat. Philippines ramps up virus testing to find unknown infections Singapore sees dramatic rise in REUTERS — MANILA Manila first because this is the epicentre,” Carlito Galvez said COVID-19 cases The Philippines introduced a on radio. more aggressive testing “When we test Manila, we ANATOLIA — SINGAPORE programme for the coronavirus can win this battle against yesterday to locate what it said COVID.” At least 386 new cases of the could be as many as 15,000 The government has been novel coronavirus were unknown infections, despite criticised for being too slow reported in Singapore over the having implemented some of with testing but it has accel- past 24 hours, bringing the Asia’s strictest and earliest erated since the start of April country’s total to 2,918, local lockdown measures. due to increases in test kits and media said yesterday. Authorities have targeted laboratory capacity. Channel News Asia said several phases of ramped-up President Rodrigo Duterte one more death was recorded testing, starting yesterday with on Monday approved the pro- during the period, bringing the 8,000 people working at or curement of an additional total number of fatalities to admitted to Manila hospitals 900,000 kits, on top of 100,000 nine. that were treating patients of now in use. According to the media, COVID-19, a disease that so far The number of people 222 of the latest coronavirus infected 5,223 people locally tested stood at 33,814 as of April cases came from guesthouses and killed 335. 12, a tenfold increase from where foreign workers live Although the Philippines March 29, although still far collectively. has Southeast Asia’s highest short of the 110,000 in Vietnam, So far, 586 coronavirus number of coronavirus infec- which has 265 coronavirus cases have been reported tions and nearly 40 percent of cases and no reported deaths. among those living in its known fatalities, the gov- Among its other neighbours, guesthouses. ernment believes its swift move Indonesia is in a more pre- On April 6, two regions Members of the Philippine Coast Guard stand outside a passenger vessel turned into a temporary to close borders and put half its carious situation, according to where approximately 20,000 quarantine facility for Filipino seafarers to contain the coronavirus in Manila. population under home quar- health experts, who warn of foreign workers lived were antine may have averted a far more than 1.6 million infections quarantined for 14 days. greater toll and a healthcare in a best-case scenario, and started five days after confir- risk-based approach, starting until their recovery. After originating in Wuhan, disaster. intensive care units being over- mation of the first domestic with the most vulnerable and “This is where the quar- China last December, the virus, The former military chief in whelmed, even if stronger con- transmission on March 7, may aiming for 8,000 tests daily. antine facilities will come in officially known as COVID-19, charge of the national corona- tainment measures are have prevented between 1.9 and It wants to test more in areas handy, so we can unclog the has spread to at least 185 virus task force said yesterday introduced. 8.3 million coronavirus with known outbreaks, or already overheating health countries and regions across modelling suggested 75 percent Citing expert projections, infections. people showing symptoms, then system,” said task force the world, with its epicentre of infections — or 15,000 people Philippine Cabinet Secretary The government has isolate them at new treatment spokesman Restituto Padilla. shifting to Europe, while China — had yet to be detected. Karlo Nograles said yessterday stressed that it is not mass centres being prepared in sta- “We can maximise available test has largely come out of the “Our strategy is Metro the local lockdown, which testing, but using a targeted, diums and conference centres kits and flatten the curve.” crisis. Kazakhstan calls China tightens Russia border checks, approves virus vaccine trials in Chinese envoy REUTERS — SUIFENHE coronavirus cases and 3,341 over web article China has approved early-stage deaths. It reported no new human tests of two experi- deaths yesterday. Mongolia also AFP — NUR-SULTAN mental vaccines to combat the confirmed 13 new cases, all new coronavirus as the country imported from Russia. Kazakhstan yesterday called where the virus was first As China fights to prevent a in China’s ambassador over a detected battles to contain second wave of coronavirus Chinese web article that said imported cases, especially from infections, two experimental Kazakhstan would “return” to Russia. vaccines will be tested on its giant neighbour. Russia has become China’s humans, the Xinhua state news In a statement on its largest source of imported agency reported. website, the Kazakh foreign cases, with a total of 409 infec- They are being developed ministry said it informed tions originating in its northern by a Beijing-based unit of Zhang Xiao, the ambassador, neighbour. Chinese there should Nasdaq-listed Sinovac Biotech that the article “does not cor- stay put and not return home, and by the Wuhan Institute of respond to the spirit” of the the state-owned Global Times Biological Products, an affiliate pair’s strategic partnership. said yesterday. of state-owned China National The article that appeared “Chinese people have Pharmaceutical Group. on the Sohu.com news site watched Russia become a In March, China gave the argued that Kazakhstan was severely affected country...This green light for another clinical historically part of China’s ter- should sound the alarm: China trial for a vaccine candidate ritory and that there were still must strictly prevent the inflow developed by China’s military- descendants of Han Chinese of cases and avoid a second out- backed Academy of Military living in the country. break,” the paper, which is run Medical Sciences and Hong It was authored by the Ele- by the Communist Party’s Peo- Kong-listed biotech firm phant Media blog, which ple’s Daily, said in an CanSino Bio. People wearing face masks are seen at a shopping area after the lockdown was lifted in Wuhan, appears to have no links to editorial. US drug developer Moderna capital of Hubei province, in China, yesterday. official Chinese media and China’s northeastern border said earlier it had begun human mostly republishes sensation- province of Heilongjiang saw tests of its possible vaccine with preparations for the long term,” mountain passes made it dif- To ensure no infected alist content. The foreign min- 79 new cases of imported coro- the US National Institutes of he said. ficult to control. people slip in from Russia, istry release said the two navirus cases on Monday, all Health. China’s coronavirus task Foreign Ministry spokesman China has put in stringent countries agreed to “cooperate Chinese citizens travelling But despite hopes for a force decided on Monday to Zhao Lijian said yesterday that measures in Suifenhe, a city in closely in the field of mass home from Russia, state media vaccine, the epidemic could boost health resources at its authorities on both sides of the Heilongjiang with a checkpoint media and information distri- said. Mainland China reported stretch on for up to two years borders. It will build hospitals border should collectively take into Russia. Train services from bution” during the meeting. 89 new cases. and precautions such as masks and establish isolation points measures against illegal it have been reduced and cars Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan and Heilongjiang’s provincial and preventing big gatherings near borders and also crossing. need a special pass to leave. China settled outstanding ter- authority said yesterday it had may need to continue, Zhang strengthen cooperation with “This responsibility must be Piao Minghua, deputy head ritorial disputes in 1998 and established a hotline to reward Boli, president of the Tianjin neighbours. shouldered by both sides to of customs in the area, said that Kazakhstan has since emerged citizens as much as $710 for University of Traditional However, officials acknowl- uphold order in the border everyone entering Suifenhe had as Beijing’s most important handing over or reporting illegal Chinese Medicine, told edged that China’s long border area,” he said, adding that there to be tested for the coronavirus, partner in resource-rich immigrants. reporters. with numerous country roads, are about 100,000 Chinese give details of contacts and Central Asia. China has reported 82,249 “We have to make paths, ferry crossings and nationals in Russia. undergo quarantine. 12 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020

Sinn Fein leader Deaths from virus in UK could be says she is recovering from coronavirus far higher than previously reported REUTERS — DUBLIN The leader of the left-wing Irish REUTERS — LONDON The Office for nationalist party Sinn Fein, Mary National Statistics Lou McDonald, said yesterday The United Kingdom’s true death that a test taken at the end of toll from the novel coronavirus said 5,979 people in March confirmed she had the far exceeds estimates previously England had died by coronavirus, but she was no published by the government, longer infected and would according to broader official data April 3 with COVID- return to work next week. that include deaths in the 19, the respiratory McDonald said she was community such as in nursing disease caused by given the result on Monday after homes. “weeks of being very unwell”. Even before the new figures, the virus, mentioned The test was taken on March 28. the official British death toll was on their death McDonald’s party stunned the fifth-highest globally and a Ireland’s establishment in Feb- senior scientific adviser to the certificates — 15 ruary by winning the most votes government has said the country percent more than in an inconclusive national risks becoming the worst-hit in election. The two centrist parties Europe. The Office for National numbers published that have alternated in power Statistics (ONS) said 5,979 people by the health service. throughout Ireland’s history in England had died by April 3 both refuse to work with Sinn with COVID-19, the respiratory Fein and are working on a plan disease caused by the virus, men- Medical Director Yvonne Doyle for a coalition to govern tioned on their death certificates said the government was together. — 15 percent more than numbers working with the ONS to speed “Yesterday afternoon, I published by the health service. up the information. received a positive diagnosis for “I am not remotely surprised “We just need to be abso- COVID-19 having been tested on there would be an under- lutely clear that the cause of Saturday, 28th March,” People are seen wearing face masks amid spread of coronavirus, in London yesterday. counting,” Bill Hanage, associate death that is attributed is correct McDonald said in a statement. professor of epidemiology at and that is what takes time on the “The Public Health Doctor Harvard’s TH Chan School of death certificate to get right,” she infectious disease at the London “The UK response was frac- reported a death toll of more informs me that I am no longer Public Health, said. said, adding the government School of Hygiene and Tropical tured and it was too late, and than 20,000. infected or infectious, and this “The UK hospital death toll hoped to produce more rapid Medicine. London was hit par- allowed a large number of Including Wales, some 6,235 is a great relief after weeks of that you are seeing — the one on data, preferably on a daily basis. ticularly hard in the week to April people to become infected who people had died by April 3, the being very unwell.” the news each night — is a com- Compared with the ONS 3, when the ONS said nearly half didn’t need to become ONS said. Separate data from “I had a setback in my posite of things that have been figures, the daily hospital counts (46.6 percent) of deaths in the infected,” said Hanage at Scotland last week showed 354 recovery at the weekend and trickling in over a period of time. had understated the true death capital involved COVID-19. Harvard. deaths involved COVID-19 as developed post-viral pleurisy It is not an exact number and toll for England and Wales by 52 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, “This is the start of the pan- of April 5. In Northern Ireland, in my right lung. I am on med- does not include the numbers percent as of April 3, although this who is now recuperating from demic, not the end, and people the toll stood at 79 as of April 3. ication and responding very dying in places such as nursing had narrowed from 70 percent COVID-19 complications that need to understand that.” Across England and Wales, well, and I fully expect to be homes.” a week earlier. Still, it raises the almost cost him his life, initially Hanage suggested a focus on deaths mentioning COVID-19 back at work next Monday,” she The new numbers, which likelihood that the latest death refrained from imposing the testing, using new digital tech- accounted for 21.2 percent of all added. reflect both deaths caused pri- toll for the UK as a whole — same stringent controls as other nologies to give targeted advice deaths, compared with 4.8 Sinn Fein operates in both marily by COVID-19 and where 12,107 as of April 13 — is in reality European leaders to counter the to the population, or even percen in the previous week. British-ruled Northern Ireland it is mentioned as a factor, show thousands higher when deaths outbreak. detecting the virus in sewage. The broader reading of total and the Irish Republic, where how limited official data has been outside hospitals are included. But as projections showed Government scientists have deaths showed that 16,387 its influence was limited for so far. Daily figures published by “These new figures clearly 250,000 Britons could be lost to said the United Kingdom will people died in the week ending decades by its history of alliance the health ministry record only show the impact of COVID-19 for the virus, Johnson moved to shutter do well if it manages to keep April 3 — the highest total since to IRA militants who waged a COVID-19 deaths in hospitals. the first time,” said Martin the world’s fifth-largest economy the coronavirus death toll weekly death data started to violent campaign against Public Health England Hibberd, professor of emerging and told people to stay at home. below 20,000. Italy has be compiled in 2005. Britain in the north. Virus cases in Germany ‘stable’ Italy reports 602 new deaths; infections hit new low ANATOLIA — ROME The number of as leaders mull recovered people Italy yesterday reported 602 easing lockdown new deaths from the novel continued to climb AFP — FRANKFURT AM MAIN coronavirus, accelerating from to 37,130 while the the previous day and bringing The number of people infected the total number of fatalities to number of intensive with coronavirus in Germany 21,067. care patients has “stabilised”, the public However, current infec- health chief said yesterday, as tions grew only 0.6 percent dropped for the 11th politicians prepare for talks on from Monday to 104,291– consecutive day, when to end the lockdown touching the lowest level since further lifting the measures used to slow the early March. disease’s spread. The number of recovered burden over Italy’s “Numbers have stabilised people continued to climb to struggling healthcare at a relatively high level,” 37,130, while the number of Lothar Wieler of the Robert intensive care patients dropped system. Koch Institute (RKI) for disease for the 11th consecutive day, control told reporters. further lifting the burden over “There is no clear sign at Italy’s struggling healthcare the reopening until April 20. On present that they’re falling,” he system. the other hand, Veneto started added. The epicentre of the Italian what its governor dubbed a Politicians are waiting on outbreak remains the northern “soft lockdown,” also relaxing every comment by the coun- Lombardy region, which now some of the rules on jogging and A worker checks the temperature of a customer at the entrance of a supermarket as the spread of try’s leading medical experts, counts 11,142 victims, more than physical exercise. the coronavirus continues, in Turin, Italy, yesterday. as Chancellor Angela Merkel half of the total. The government, however, will hold a conference today Waiting for a gradual lifting is still struggling to plan the with state premiers on whether of the nationwide lockdown and baby clothing shops, fol- decided to implement the new recovery. Lombardy and Pie- recovery phase and protect and for how long to extend from May 3, a few regions yes- lowing the government decree rules in a different way, splitting monte, for instance, kept their Italy’s fragile economic system, infection control measures. terday allowed the reopening issued last week. over how to prepare the so- book and stationery stores as the country faces its worst At present, they are slated of book and stationery stores However, each region called “phase-2” of the closed, while Lazio postponed recession since World War II. to expire on April 19. “We should keep up our discipline from the past weeks,” Wieler urged yesterday, noting France records 762 more virus deaths taking total to 15,729 that while the trend on new infections was heading in a AFP — PARIS Minister Christophe Castaner “positive” direction, it was not emphasised that the date was yet possible to say that the France yesterday reported 762 not set in stone and depended disease has been contained. more COVID-19 deaths in on positive trends continuing. By midnight, 125,098 hospitals and nursing homes, “May 11 is an objective,” he people in Europe’s most pop- bringing its total toll from the told France Inter radio. ulous country had tested pos- epidemic to 15,729. “It is a date that we must itive for coronavirus, according The number of confirmed achieve by respecting the to RKI data. cases in France now exceeds lockdown,” he said. The most More than half — around 100,000, health official Jerome controversial announcement by 68,000 — went on to recover, Salomon told reporters, adding Macron was that schools would while almost 3,000 have died. however that the total number open gradually from May 11, Strict social distancing of patients in intensive care fell even though cafes and cultural measures, including closures for the sixth day in a row, by 91 venues would stay shut. of schools and many busi- to 6,730. “We have found contradic- nesses, have helped slow the Despite the heavy new death tions in this speech,” Francette virus’ spread in Germany, while toll, Salomon said that the latest Popineau, General Secretary of extensive testing has caught data confirmed that France’s Snuipp-FSU teachers’ union many cases early. month-long lockdown was said. “Given the present beginning to have an effect. “We understood that there momentum, there is no “We have observed a plateau was to be an end to the con- forecast of shortfalls” in the over the last days... Thanks to finement as of 11 May, but what number of intensive care beds your efforts and the lockdown we did not understand was why in German hospitals to treat we have managed to limit the restaurants would be closed and critically ill COVID-19 patients, spread of the virus,” he said. why canteens would be open, Wieler said. The new toll was released why cinemas would be closed “Compared with many after President Emmanuel and why schools would be other countries, we’re doing Macron on Monday said that the open,” she added. well”. epidemic “was beginning to Macron in his speech also A nurse takes blood sample for a COVID-19 serological test at a nusring home in Bergheim, eastern Even as Wieler called for steady” in France and added the indicated that a COVID-19 France, yesterday. infection control measures to lockdown could begin to be vaccine would be the only long- be upheld, debate has begun eased from May 11. term solution, adding there was people infected. French population had been confirmed COVID-19 cases in about when everyday life can The details of how the no evidence of so-called herd Salomon said the estimates infected, but it varied according France is now 103,573 but offi- begin inching back towards lockdown will be eased have yet immunity among people in based on modelling indicated to region. cials believe this is vastly under- normality. to be made clear and Interior France with only a minority of that around 5-10 percent of the The official number of stated due to a lack of testing. WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 EUROPE 13

With eyes on May Russian Foreign election, Poland to ease curbs Minister calls for from Sunday unity in virus fight REUTERS — WARSAW Poland will gradually lift AP — MOSCOW Sergey Lavrov rejects lockdown measures imposed to contain the novel corona- Russia’s foreign minister claims Moscow used virus starting from this coming yesterday rejected Western coronavirus crisis to Sunday, the government said claims that Moscow has used yesterday, as the nation the coronavirus crisis to expand expand its influence, prepares for a presidential its political influence, saying the terming such claims election on May 10. world needs unity to surmount The ruling Law and Justice the pandemic. 'Russo-phobia'. (PiS) party has said it wants to Foreign Minister Sergey ease economic pain from the Lavrov said that suggestions pandemic, with restrictions on from some in the West that restrictions, Lavrov said that public life costing the country Russia had opaque motives for Russia wouldn’t ask for it. some 10 billion zlotys helping Italy respond to the “If the EU realises that this ($2.42bn) every day or two. virus resulted from “Russo- method has exhausted itself and Several countries in A food delivery courier cycles along pedestrian Arbat street as municipal vehicles clean and disinfect phobia.” Russia sent military renounces the decisions that Europe, including Poland’s the area, in downtown Moscow, Russia, yesterday. medics and disinfection experts were made in 2014, we will be neighbour, the Czech Republic, to Italy as virus infections and ready to respond in kind,” he have also decided to ease deaths surged there last month. added. to give timely information attempts to politicise the coro- shipment of medical supplies curbs as the growth of new A similar Russian team was Lavrov also criticised those about it cross all limits and go navirus outbreak, and that to the United States earlier this reported cases of infection has later dispatched to Serbia. in the West who suggested that beyond any norms of decency,” refers not only to the WHO’s month and said Moscow was slowed. In Poland, new case During a conference call China should pay compen- Lavrov said, emphasising that role,” Lavrov said, adding that ready to send more, if needed. growth has held roughly with reporters, Lavrov dis- sation for allegedly failing to China has offered assistance to international response efforts He noted that Trump told steady from April after a jump missed Western claims that the provide early enough warnings many nations. should be pooled. Russian President Vladimir in March, with a dip over Kremlin provided the assistance about the country’s virus cases, Without mentioning the “It’s important to refrain Putin in a recent phone call Easter. hoping it would help persuade which were reported in United States by name, Russia’s from finger-pointing and that the US could provide As of yesterday, Poland the European Union to lift sanc- December. top diplomat also countered realise that we face a common medical equipment to Russia had reported 7,049 confirmed tions against Russia. “The claims that China Washington’s criticism of the peril and we can only fight it once stocks are built up, cases of the new coronavirus, Asked if Moscow would must pay everyone for the out- World Health Organization. together,” he added. praising the offer as a “partner- and 251 deaths, relatively push the EU to lift the break and the alleged failure “I would warn against Lavrov pointed to Russia’s like approach.” fewer than other countries in Europe. Testing rates in Poland have also been low. Finland’s former “We are slowly unfreezing Forest fire around Chernobyl plant put out: Ukraine the economy, I think this is president good news,” Health Minister REUTERS — KIEV particles in the Kiev area to the area around the plant said new in then-Soviet Ukraine Lukasz Szumowski told a recovering from south of the plant, but radiation fires had broken out to the west occurred on April 26, 1986. It private radio broadcaster. A huge fire that tore through levels were within normal limits and south of the site. Their was caused by a botched safety The initial easing of coronavirus forests around the defunct overall and did not require extent was not immediately test in reactor and sent clouds restrictions will include shops. Chernobyl nuclear plant has additional protection measures. clear. of nuclear material across much As Poland battles the epi- REUTERS — HELSINKI been put out, Ukrainian officials They did not say why the par- The main fire, one of several of Europe. demic, the presidential said yesterday, after hundreds ticle levels rose. that followed unusually dry The plant and the aban- election has emerged as a con- Finland’s former president of emergency workers used Assisted by rain, emergency weather, broke out on April 3. doned nearby town of Pripyat tentious issue, with the ruling Martti Ahtisaari, who won the planes and helicopters to douse services prevented the fire from Police have accused a have become a draw for party arguing it needs to be Nobel Peace Prize in 2008, is the flames. spreading to either the plant or 27-year old local of deliberately tourists, especially since a crit- held on time out of respect for recovering after being infected Environmental activists said military facilities in the area, starting it, and Zelenskiy’s office ically acclaimed US television democratic procedure. The with the coronavirus, Finland’s on Monday that the fire, near though they will need a few said officers had detained sus- miniseries about the accident opposition has accused PiS of presidential office said the site of the world’s worst more days to fully extinguish it, pected arsonists near two points was aired last year. sacrificing public health for yesterday, some three weeks nuclear disaster in 1986, posed President Volodymyr Zelen- where the fire broke out. The site is currently shut as political gain. after Ahtisaari and his wife a radiation risk. skiy’s office said in a statement. Parliament voted on part of a nationwide lockdown Opinion polls show the were found to have contracted Officials said they registered Separately, the state agency Monday to increase fines for to contain the coronavirus incumbent Andrzej Duda- the disease. short-term rises in Caesium-137 responsible for managing the arson. The Chernobyl disaster pandemic. gaining in popularity. “President Martti Ahtisaari’s and Mrs Eeva Ahtisaari’s latest coronavirus samples have been proven Coronavirus deaths in negative and they continue to recover,” the office said in a statement. Sweden exceed 1,000 Ahtisaari’s infection was confirmed on March 23 and his AFP — STOCKHOLM A group of 22 doctors, virol- wife’s some days earlier. ogists and researchers criti- 82-year-old Ahtisaari, who Sweden yesterday reported cised the Public Health Agency was president of Finland from that more than 1,000 people in an op-ed published by 1994 to 2000, won the Nobel had died from the novel coro- Dagens Nyheter newspaper Peace Prize for his long- navirus, as a group of experts yesterday. standing contribution to peace attacked the authorities’ They accused it of having mediation. approach to the crisis. failed to draw up a proper By Monday, Finland had Sweden’s Public Health strategy, pointing out that the 3,064 confirmed coronavirus Agency said it had recorded a mortality rate in Sweden was cases and 59 dead from the total of 11,445 confirmed cases now way above that of its virus. of COVID-19 and 1,033 deaths. Nordic neighbours. And it warned that because “So in Sweden more than not all deaths had yet been 10 times as many people are Romania extends reported over the four-day dying than in our neighbouring Easter weekend, the true country Finland,” they wrote lockdown for Customers wearing face masks are seen outside a hardware store during a partial reopening after number might be higher. while stressing a number of the Austrian government eased restrictions, in Vienna, yesterday. “Deceased per day is more aggressive measures another month probably the figure we can trust taken in Finland. the least today, because there Finland, which has about AFP — BUCHAREST Austria reopens thousands of shops is normally a lot of trailing half the population of Sweden, when it comes to weekends,” had as of Thursday reported 42 Romania yesterday extended state epidemiologist Anders deaths, and has closed down its nationwide lockdown for in first loosening of virus lockdown Tegnell told journalists. restaurants and schools. another month in a bid to slow Sweden has not imposed During the press con- the spread of the new corona- REUTERS — VIENNA The Alpine republic has tennis court — as well as all DIY the extraordinary lockdown ference Anders Tegnell virus. fared relatively well so far, and garden centres yesterday. orders implemented elsewhere however strongly rejected the The government will Austria allowed thousands of having reported 384 deaths in They are due to be followed in Europe to stem the spread of accusations and disputed the maintain previously enforced shops to reopen yesterday, total, fewer than some larger by shopping centres, larger the virus, instead calling for cit- figures they had advanced. restrictions, including allowing becoming one of the first coun- European countries have been shops and hairdressers from izens to take responsibility to Tegnell has previously citizens to go outside only for tries in Europe to loosen its suffering each day. The daily May 1. follow social distancing stated that Finland appears to work and essential shopping lockdown imposed to curb the increase in confirmed cases has The previously bustling guidelines. be in a different phase of the during day time, closing spread of the coronavirus. fallen to low single digits in per- centre of Vienna was still quiet The government has epidemic, which partly explains schools and barring most for- Austria acted early in its centage terms and hospitalisa- yesterday morning amid a cold banned gatherings of more the lower mortality. eigners from entering the outbreak to close schools, the- tions have stabilised. snap. But DIY stores were busy, than 50 people and barred Sweden’s Foreign Minister country. atres, restaurants, non-essential Last week, the government with long but orderly lines of visits to nursing homes. Ann Linde has already pushed “The danger hasn’t passed. shops and other gathering outlined a step-by-step plan to shoppers outside pushing But the Nordic country’s back at criticism from US Pres- Relaxing restrictions... would places roughly four weeks ago. reopen parts of the economy, trolleys, reflecting the modified softer approach has still drawn ident Donald Trump last week lead to a drastic increase in It has told the public to stay starting with shops of up to 400 needs of a self-isolating public. criticism abroad and been the who said the country was not new cases and pressure on the home and work from there if square metres — roughly twice Each week of lockdown has subject of fierce debate at doing enough to combat the healthcare system,” President possible. the playing area of a singles cost Austria’s economy ¤2.1bn. home. virus. Klaus Iohannis said during a televised address. “It’s clear we are facing an epidemic, which is very hard Greece to begin relocating migrant children amid criticism to control,” he added. Romania with a population AFP — ATHENS yesterday called on the Greek vulnerable kids get the care and to join family in Germany, could authorities to lock down both of almost 20 million people government to release hun- protection they need,” said not immediately be physically facilities. has reported more than 6,800 Greece’s migration minister dreds of unaccompanied Cosse. reached because of coronavirus For this reason, the gov- confirmed cases of the new yesterday said dozens of unac- minors held in “unhygienic HRW pointed to gov- movement restrictions, the Arsis ernment has so far resisted coronavirus so far with 346 companied migrant children police cells and detention ernment data that over 330 group said. pressure to move asylum deaths. would be relocated to other EU centres” because of a lack of children are in police custody Greece is sheltering some seekers to the mainland. Around 800 healthcare countries as a rights group space elsewhere. awaiting transfer to a shelter, 100,000 asylum seekers, On Monday, the Interna- workers have tested positive described Athens’ detention “Keeping children locked up up from 180 in January. mostly in camps and in hotel tional Organisation for for COVID-19 in one of the conditions for minors as in filthy police cells was always Last week, a Greek youth rooms and flats. Migration said over 2,000 EU’s poorest nations, whose “abusive”. wrong, but now it also exposes support group said it was giving The worst congestion occurs asylum seekers in high-risk economy has also been hit “Twelve children will be them to the risk of COVID-19 psychological assistance by tel- in camps on five Aegean islands groups would be temporarily hard. Government officials relocated to Luxembourg (on infection,” HRW Greece ephone to a 10-year-old Syrian near Turkey where there are moved from island camps to have called upon the millions Wednesday) and fifty to researcher Eva Cosse said in a boy who had spent 44 days in over 36,000 people for fewer hotels and apartments. of Romanians working abroad Germany on Saturday,” statement. a police cell. than 6,100 places. This would include eve- to refrain from coming home Migration Minister Notis Mita- “The Greek government has The boy, who was detained There have been two coro- ryone over 65 years of age, said for Easter, saying they will be rachi told Athens city radio. a duty to end this abusive in February at the Greek- navirus outbreaks in camps on IOM mission chief for Greece put in quarantine. Human Rights Watch earlier practise and make sure these Albanian border whilst trying the Greek mainland, forcing Gianluca Rocco. 14 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 Study: Brazil likely has 12 times more cases than official count REUTERS — BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO Officially, Brazil’s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,328 on Monday, while the Brazil likely has 12 times more number of confirmed cases hit 23,430. cases of the new coronavirus than are being officially reported by the government, The government has focused on testing with too little testing and long serious cases rather than all suspected waits to confirm the results, according to a study released cases, according to researchers. on Monday. Researchers at a consortium of Brazilian universities and according to the consortium, according to health ministry institutes examined the ratio of known as the Center for Health data. cases resulting in deaths Operations and Intelligence. As of last Thursday, Brazil through April 10 and compared The center and medical profes- had had around 127,000 sus- it with data on the expected sionals have also complained pected cases and carried out death rate from the World of long wait times to get test just short of 63,000 tests, min- Health Organization. results. istry figures indicate. A health Traffic moves along Brasil Avenue, one of the main roads in the city, during a period of social isolation, The much higher-than- Health Minister Luiz Hen- ministry official on Monday said amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. expected death rate in Brazil rique Mandetta has said that it more than 93,000 tests are still indicates there are many more is difficult to distribute tests in being processed for results. cases of the virus than are being Brazil because of the size of the Year to date, the number of “The high degree of under- The center has thus far been predicted. counted, with the study esti- country but acknowledges that hospitalizations for severe res- notification could give a false accurate in predicting the evo- The researchers are now mating only 8% of cases are testing needs to improve. piratory symptoms has been impression about control of the lution of the virus in Brazil, with predicting that by April 20 the being officially reported. Officially, Brazil’s corona- over three times higher than disease, and consequently, the number of confirmed coro- number of cases will grow to The government has virus death toll rose to 1,328 on usual for the time of year, but could lead to a decline in con- navirus cases through March 30 25,164 in its most optimistic sce- focused on testing serious cases Monday, while the number of only 12% of those have been tainment measures,” the center falling within the range that the nario and 60,413 cases in its rather than all suspected cases, confirmed cases hit 23,430, confirmed as COVID-19. said. researchers previously most pessimistic. Mexico President challenges critics to vote him out early Bolivia’s former president to REUTERS — MEXICO CITY However, the opposition ernment news conference. balked at that and managed to Lopez Obrador, 66, took donate salary Mexican President Andres force him to move the planned office in December 2018 with Manuel Lopez Obrador vote into the spring of 2022. his approval ratings as high as to virus efforts yesterday offered to bring Now that the President’s pop- 80% in some polls. But his pop- forward a referendum on his ularity has fallen sharply, ularity has tumbled in recent ANATOLIA — ANKARA presidency to June 2021 from critics have seized on the ref- months and a daily survey by 2022 as he sought to silence erendum as a means of kicking polling firm Mitofsky now puts Bolivia’s former President Evo mounting criticism from busi- him out early. his approval rating at 46.5%. Morales has announced that nesses and the opposition of his Never shy of scrapping with Mexico slipped into a mild he will donate 100% of his record in power. his adversaries, the leftist recession last year, dragged former president’s income in In recent days, critics of Lopez Obrador challenged down by a slump in investment efforts to combat coronavirus Lopez Obrador’s management them to put their grievances to precipitated in particular by outbreak inside the country. of the economy, his security the public by moving the recall concerns about the President’s “In the framework of my record and handling of the vote to when he first proposed readiness to allow major con- proposal for public servants to coronavirus pandemic have it. tracts signed under the pre- contribute to the #Coronavirus urged voters to take advantage “I’m offering them to bring vious government to be called crisis, I will donate 100% of my of a so-called recall referendum forward the date. That we don’t into question. And despite former president’s income for on his presidency in 2022 to Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during a news wait until 2022 for the recall Lopez Obrador’s pledge to community kitchens in vote him out. conference in Mexico City, Mexico, on April 10, 2020. vote, that we take advantage reduce record levels of gang- popular neighborhoods of Lopez Obrador, who won of the (mid-term) elections by fuelled violence plaguing the humble families, as soon as the election by a landslide in 2018, initially wanted to hold it on the legislative elections due in June holding it the same day,” he country, homicides crept up to de facto government makes proposed the referendum and same day as mid-term 2021. told reporters at a regular gov- new highs in 2019. the payment viable,” Morales said on Monday on Twitter, referring to the government US deportation led by Jeanine Anez. Third environmental activist killed in Mexico this year Morales previously recom- flights resume mended that public officials AP — MEXICO CITY populated stretch of coast north Mexico’s National Human at least four years to stop plans who earn more than 7,000 to Guatemala of the Veracruz state capital. Rights Commission said at least to build a housing development Bolivian Bolivianos (nearly The UN human rights office in “Adán Vez Lira was a rec- two other activists have been on the Los Venados tract, an $1,020) should donate 1,000 AP — GUATEMALA CITY Mexico issued a statement on ognized environmental activists killed in 2020. environmentally sensitive Bolivianos ($145) of their Monday condemning the killing whose voice and leadership had In late March, unidentified woodland area in Jiutepec, just salary for two or three months Guatemala again began of an environmental activist in played a notable role in several gunmen shot to death Isaac south of Cuernavaca. for a fund for community receiving deportation flights the violent Gulf coast state of environmental defense causes Medardo Herrera, a lawyer and The development was kitchens that guarantee food from the United States this Veracruz. in Actopan,” the office said. activist who defended a rural halted and the area was sup- for poor families. week after a one-week pause The office of the High Com- Mourners who posted mes- tract against development near posed to be used as a nature Bolivia is one of the coun- prompted by three deportees missioner for Human Rights sages on the reserve’s Facebook the Mexican city of reserve. tries which has the lowest testing positive for COVID-19. said Adán Vez Lira was shot to page said he also was active in Cuernavaca. The Mexican Center for number of virus cases and The Guatemalan gov- death on April 8 while he rode opposing mines and preserving His neighborhood activist Environmental Rights reported fatalities in the region. ernment had asked the United his motorcycle in the township wetlands. The area is noted for group in Jiutepec, Morelos that 15 land defenders were Following the confir- States to not send more than of Actopan. its tropical forest and coastal posted a statement saying the killed in Mexico in 2019. mation of the first corona- 25 deportees per flight, to give Vez Lira was a longtime lagoons. killers knocked on the door of Morelos, the state where virus-related death in late them health exams before supporter and organizer at the He was at least the third Herrera’s home and shot him, Jiutepec is located, was the third March, the country has departure and to certify that La Mancha bird-watching environmentalist killed in before fleeing. most dangerous for environ- recorded 28 deaths among 354 they were not infected. reserve on the sparsely Mexico this year. Herrera had led a fight over mental activists in 2019. cases, and 6 recoveries so far. However, the flights resumed on Monday with 76 migrants aboard the first and With 177 deaths, Dominican 106 on the second. The flights came on the same day that the US State Republic worst-hit in Caribbean Department announced that aid would continue to Gua- ANATOLIA — ANKARA postponed presidential and leg- temala and the other Northern islative elections from May 17 Triangle countries. The Dominican Republic to July 5 due to the corona- At least three of the continues to be the worst-hit virus-related health emergency migrants who arrived on country by the novel corona- in the country. Monday were taken directly virus in the Caribbeans with the Puerto Rico follows the to a hospital for COVID-19 pandemic claiming 177 lives as Dominican Republic with 903 testing. One of the flights also of yesterday. infections and 45 fatalities, included 16 unaccompanied According to the running while in Cuba there are 726 minors, according to the Gua- tally of the US-based Johns confirmed cases and 21 deaths temalan Immigration Hopkins University, the country recorded. Institute. also has the highest number of Case and death numbers Citing the epidemic, the US confirmed cases with 3,167 remain low in Haiti, with only has started swiftly deporting among its nearly 11 million 40 testing positive for the virus unaccompanied minors rather population. and three patients dying. than holding them in pro- In all, more than 150 people After originating in Wuhan, tective settings as specified by Salvadoran troops enforce quarantine have recovered from the China last December, the virus law. disease so far. has spread to at least 185 coun- A man is held by security personnel after violating the quarantine to go for shopping groceries during Also on Monday, US Sec- On Monday, the Dominican tries and regions across the a nationwide quarantine, in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Monday. retary of State Mike Pompeo Republic announced that it world. said in a statement that he had informed Congress that the US government would continue assistance for Guatemala, El Alleged Brazilian kingpin arrested after 20 years on the run Salvador and Honduras in order to continue to lower AFP — MAPUTO Drug Enforcement Adminis- Nigerian nationals, according investigating whether there are years in a maximum-security illegal immigration and tration (DEA). to a statement by Mozambican other gang members in Mozam- prison in the capital Brasilia. accomplish other policy One of Brazil’s most wanted Mozambican police con- authorities. bique,” he said. Dos Santos is accused, objectives. criminals, an alleged drug lord firmed the arrest yesterday. He had arrived in the One of the Nigerians held a among other things, of financing Pompeo said that since accused of running interna- He is accused of shipping southern African country mid- visitor’s visa for Mozambique a plot to help Camacho escape, illegal immigration from those tional cocaine operations for tonnes of cocaine around the March, Mozambique police while the other had a temporary police said. three countries peaked in May the country’s biggest gang, was world, the Brazilian federal spokesman Leonardo Simbine, residence visa. Mozambican police said it 2019, “encounters” with arrested on Monday in Mozam- police said in a statement. told reporters. Born in the prisons of Sao was still too early to speak of migrants from those countries bique, authorities have said. “The accused was con- Brazil issued an interna- Paulo in the 1990s, the PCC is dos Santos possibly being extra- had fallen by 76%. Gilberto “Fuminho” sidered the largest cocaine sup- tional arrest warrant two years considered Brazil’s top criminal dited to Brazil to be tried. The US government has Aparecido dos Santos, an plier” for the PCC, and had been ago. Police said there was no gang, wielding control over Police recovered a fake Bra- effectively ended any possi- alleged leader of the First on the run for more than 20 evidence that dos Santos had cocaine supply routes from zilian passport, 100 grammes of bility of seeking asylum at the Capital Command (PCC), was years, it said. previously been to Mozam- Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. cannabis, 15 mobile phones and southern border with emer- arrested in an international Dos Santos was arrested at bique. Simbine said, however, Its leader, Marcos Willians a car, as well as cash equivalent gency restrictions applied in sting that included agents from the Montebelo Indy, a luxury “he does not operate alone, he Herbas Camacho, is serving a to around $800 in Mozambican the face of the epidemic. Brazil, Mozambique and the US hotel in Maputo, along with two is part of a gang.” “We are still sentence of more than 200 and South African currency. WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020 AMERICAS 15 Trump’s May 1 target for restarting economy ‘overly optimistic’: Fauci REUTERS — WASHINGTON/NEW Trump, insisting it was his decision when to reopen the economy, YORK talked of “mutineers” after New York’s governor said he would US President Donald Trump’s refuse any order by the President to reopen too soon. May 1 target for restarting the economy is “overly optimistic,” his top infectious disease The US death toll from COVID-19 stood at nearly 25,000 yesterday, adviser said yesterday, after a out of more than 584,000 known cases. battle erupted between Trump and state governors over who has the power to lift restrictions reopen the economy too soon. the outbreak in the United “A good old fashioned aimed at curbing the corona- “If he ordered me to reopen States, and governors of six mutiny every now and then is virus pandemic. in a way that would endanger other northeastern states said an exciting and invigorating Anthony Fauci, head of the the public health of the people on Monday they would for- thing to watch, especially when National Institute of Allergy and of my state, I wouldn’t do it,” mulate a regional plan to grad- the mutineers need so much Infectious Diseases, said public Cuomo told CNN early in the ually lift the restrictions. from the Captain. Too easy!” health officials must be able to day, referring to Trump. On the Pacific Coast, the Trump wrote. test for the virus quickly, isolate At a news conference later, governors of California, Trump pushed back against new cases and track down new Cuomo added, “We don’t have Oregon and Washington state the idea that governors should infections before social-dis- a king in this country, we have said they also would take a determine when and how to tancing restrictions can be a Constitution and we elect the regional approach, but cau- reopen their state economies, eased. President.” tioned that any large-scale insisting that he had that right Trump’s administration has The coronavirus restrictions reopening would depend on a as president. recommended stay-at-home have crippled the US economy decline in the rate of spread in “When somebody is the US President Donald Trump speaking during a meeting with patients guidelines through the end of — with businesses forced to their area. president of the United States, who have recovered from the novel coronavirus, at the White House April, and Trump has floated close and million of Americans Trump, whose attacks on the authority is total,” he said at May 1 as a possible date to start becoming unemployed — a Democrats appeal to his con- a Monday news briefing. “The in Washington, DC, yesterday. reopening some areas. development that could hurt servative political base, posted governors know that.” That date may be “a bit Trump’s re-election tweets attacking Cuomo indi- Trump and Vice-President to reopen the economy. time since the onset of the pan- overly optimistic,” Fauci, who prospects. vidually and Democratic gov- Mike Pence met with people The political posturing coin- demic, Cuomo said, adding, “We has become a trusted national Offering an expansive ernors in general. who had recovered from cides with fresh signs the pan- think we are at the apex on the figure during the pandemic, said assessment of the powers of the “Tell the Democrat Gov- COVID-19, the respiratory demic has been slowing in New plateau.” “It has been the most in an interview with AP. presidency, Trump on Monday ernors that ‘Mutiny On The disease caused by the virus, at York and other states where it painful number every day,” Trump, a Republican asserted he had ultimate Bounty’ was one of my all time the White House yesterday and struck early. Cuomo said. running for re-election on authority to reopen the largely favorite movies,” the Trump heard stories about their The US death toll from Cuomo said 778 New November 3, lashed out at shuttered economy even though wrote on Twitter yesterday, recoveries. COVID-19 stood at nearly Yorkers died in the past day, up Democratic state governors, he earlier had deferred to the referring to a film classic about Some Republicans, 25,000 yesterday, out of more from 671 a day earlier that had suggesting they were “muti- governors in putting social-dis- a rebellion against the com- including the governors of Ohio, than 584,000 known US marked the lowest daily death neers” after New York’s Andrew tancing orders in place. manding officer of a British Maryland and New Hampshire, infections. count since April 5. A total of Cuomo said he would refuse Cuomo, a Democrat whose naval vessel in the late 18th have also said the states had the Hospitalizations in New 10,834 New Yorkers have died any order by the President to state has been the epicenter of century. right to decide when and how York have fallen for the first due to COVID-19. Canada toll Obama endorses Biden for president to ‘heal’ America above 800; AFP — WASHINGTON And he said it was time for those pro- gressive supporters to help defeat the shutdown to Former US president Barack Obama Republican incumbent. endorsed Joe Biden’s White House bid “Right now, we need Americans of continue: PM yesterday, saying his longtime vice-pres- goodwill to unite in a great awakening REUTERS — OTTAWA ident can unify and “heal” a nation strug- against a politics that too often has been gling through some of its darkest characterized by corruption, care- Canada’s economic shutdown moments. lessness, self-dealing, disinformation, will last for weeks more to The formal backing by perhaps the ignorance, and just plain meanness,” ensure measures to fight the most popular politician in America is the Obama said. coronavirus are working, latest shot in the arm for Biden’s surging “To change that, we need Americans Prime Minister Justin Trudeau candidacy, and a further sign that Dem- of all political stripes to get involved in said yesterday, while the death ocratic leaders are rallying around the our politics and our public life like never toll from the outbreak rose party flagbearer ahead of November’s before.” Obama’s endorsement comes more than 12 percent. election. as Biden and Trump have been forced Trudeau also told a daily “Joe has the character and the expe- off the campaign trail by the deadly coro- briefing that he would shortly rience to guide us through one of our navirus pandemic. have more to say about a darkest times and heal us through a long Under typical campaign conditions, promised aid package for the recovery,” Obama said in a 12-minute such high-profile support would be fol- oil and gas industry, which has video filmed at his home in Washington lowed by Obama’s appearance at a major been hard hit. He did not give and released online. rally alongside Biden, generating major A November 4, 2008 file photo of former president Barack Obama and former vice- details. “I believe Joe has all the qualities we national buzz and prompting a deluge president Joe Biden at an election rally in Chicago. Authorities across Canada need in a president right now,” Obama of campaign donations. have ordered a shutdown of said, calling his choice of Biden as But it remains unclear when, if at all, non-essential businesses, running mate in 2008 “one of the best remaining rival Bernie Sanders dropped support of Biden. on-the-ground campaigning will resume throwing millions of people out decisions I ever made.” out of the race last week. Two-term president Obama also in 2020. of work. The jobless rate is set The 77-year-old former vice-pres- The leftist US senator from Vermont praised Sanders as a champion of pro- Obama forged a special bond with to soar to 25 percent from ident and Democratic stalwart is the endorsed his former rival on Monday, gressive ideas, a passionate candidate Biden during the eight years the former around 6 percent before the party’s presumptive nominee to chal- saying it was time for Americans of all whose energy and enthusiasm inspired Delaware senator served as his crisis struck. lenge Donald Trump, after his lone political stripes to “come together” in young voters by the millions. vice-president. “Everyone is very inter- ested to know when things are going to get back to normal, when they’ll be able to go back US Supreme Court to hear to work.... The reality is, it is going to be weeks still. We rec- Trump’s tax case in May ognize that it is going to be important to get our economy going and we will have to do it AFP — WASHINGTON which lobbies to modernize the in phases,” Trudeau said. court, said he believed that it “We are having ongoing The US Supreme Court said on would retain a live audio feed discussions with the prov- Monday that it will hear argu- permanently and that live video inces... about how we are going ments by teleconference in May “is not too far behind.” to reopen the economy. It’s just over whether President Donald The court said oral argu- that it’s going to be a while Trump can continue to shield ments in 10 cases would be still.” his tax returns from Congress held on May 4-6 and May 11-13 Public health officials said and New York prosecutors. but it did not assign specific 823 people in Canada had died The nation’s highest court dates yet to each case. of COVID-19, the respiratory had been scheduled to hear Trump broke with presi- disease caused by the corona- arguments in the cases on dential norms during the 2016 virus, up from 734 on Monday. March 31 but they were delayed election by refusing to release The number of positive diag- by the coronavirus pandemic. his tax returns as most presi- noses rose to 26,163, up from The court said it would hear dents have done since the 24,804. Trudeau said author- the consolidated cases by tel- 1970s even though it is not ities would have to be cautious ephone conference in May, a required by law. about lifting the restrictions on move which could allow it to The New York real estate Two men talk in front of a destroyed home in Nixville, South Carolina, on Monday. the economy and the deliver a ruling before the tycoon claimed his tax returns movement of people until a November presidential were under audit by the vaccine had been developed. election. Internal Revenue Service and He also announced Ottawa Tornadoes leave at least 34 dead in US “In keeping with public he would release them when was prepared to help pay the health guidance in response to the audit was done but he has salaries of workers in long- AP/AFP — BIRMINGHAM, US businesses were damaged or coronavirus. COVID-19, the Justices and never done so. term care facilities for the destroyed, and heavy rains US President Donald Trump counsel will all participate Three cases involving elderly, some of which are The death toll from a tornado caused flooding in some areas. offered his "warmest condo- remotely,” the court said in a attempts to force Trump to struggling to cope with the out- outbreak that ravaged parts of Nashville, Tennessee, broke lences" to those affected. statement. release his tax returns and break. Around half the deaths southern US rose to at least 34 a 71-year-old record by "My administration will do Two of the justices — Ruth financial records are before the have occurred in seniors’ yesterday as Mississippi offi- receiving 2.23 inches (5.66 cen- everything possible to help Bader Ginsburg and Stephen court. They are seen as a key residences. cials said a 12th person had died timeters) of rain in a day, the those communities get back on Breyer — are over 80 years old test of the limits of presidential Public health officials say there. weather service said. their feet," he said, promising and six of the nine are over 65, privilege and immunity. they are particularly worried The storms claimed lives in Damage occurred up the that the Federal Emergency putting them at increased risk A federal appeals court in about the residences as well as at least six states, and the East Coast, with a flurry of Management Association was of becoming severely ill from New York ordered the Canada’s remote northern National Weather Service said tornado warnings issued in Del- already offering assistance. coronavirus. accounting firm Mazars USA to regions, where the healthcare preliminary assessments found aware after storms left the "It's a tough deal," he said. In a break with tradition, release eight years of Trump’s system is patchy. evidence that at least 27 Southeast. "It was a bad grouping of tor- the court said it would provide tax returns in regards to the Trudeau said Ottawa would twisters struck the region. Cleaning up and helping nadoes — something incredible, a live audio feed of the May investigation, leading his provide a total of C$140 million The strongest twister was people after the storms was the horrible, destructive arguments to news attorneys to approach the in new funding to the country’s an EF-4 tornado that devas- complicated by social dis- power." Over 1.3 million elec- organizations. Supreme Court. three Arctic territories to boost tated southeastern Mississippi tancing guidelines and shut- tricity customers were without The court normally does The other cases involve sub- health and social services, with winds as fast as 170 mph downs meant to safeguard power after the storms went not release recordings until poenas for Trump’s tax returns make food more affordable and (273 kph). against COVID-19, the disease through, reported Power- several days after a hearing. issued by committees in the support regional airlines. Hundreds of homes and caused by the new Outage.US. Gabe Roth, of Fix the Court House of Representatives. 16 MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY FAJR03.53 am SUNRISE 05.12 am o o Partly cloudy with a chance of cattered rain maybe thundery 21 C 26 C at places and slight dust at times. ZUHR 11.34 am ASR 03.04 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 07:55– 22:47 LOW TIDE 05:00 – 15:33 MAGHRIB 05.58 pm ISHA 07.28 pm W ALRUWAIS: 20o↗25o W ALKHOR: 20o↗26o W DUKHAN: 20o↗28o W WAKRAH: 21o↗26o W MESAIEED 21o↗26o W ABUSAMRA 20o↗28o

Scientists use lockdown as dry run for Mars mission

REUTERS — TOULOUSE The advantage of the of space flight: tasks such as ISAE-SUPAERO, an aeronautics before sending astronauts on a States, also stages simulated lockdown mission is picking up samples from a and space institute in southern mission to Mars that could last missions. French space scientists are planet’s surface using a lunar France. several months. The advantage of the using the COVID-19 lockdown that researchers had rover do not feature, and the “In the case of the partici- Tom Lawson, a masters lockdown mission is that as a dry run for what it will be access to a larger students can break off from pants in the experiment on student in aerospace engi- researchers had access to a like to be cooped up inside a their virtual space journey for campus, it’s a confinement neering who is participating in larger sample size; most simu- space craft on a mission to sample size; most a daily trip outside. which was imposed on them,” the programme, described the lated missions involved four to Mars. simulated missions Instead, they conduct com- she said. effects. six people. The guinea pigs in the involved four to six puter-based tasks such as But the tight living quarters “A lot of the students are French President Emmanuel experiment are 60 students memory tests and mental — students are in rooms that finding it extremely difficult to Macron has said France will who are confined to their dor- people. agility tests. They keep a daily measure 12 sq metres (130 keep up with their work and begin relaxing the lockdown mitory rooms in the southern journal, and every five days square feet) — and the limits on keep up with what they have from May 11. As with people city of Toulouse — not far have to complete a what people can do are similar to do,” Lawson said returning home after a long removed from the kind of con- of the virus, space researcher questionnaire. to conditions people might yesterday. space mission, the students will ditions they might experience Stephanie Lizy-Destrez decided The students have a dif- encounter in space. In 2017, six volunteers spent need to gradually readjust, said on a long space mission. to make the most of a bad situ- ferent set of motivations to real So too are the adverse psy- two weeks in Poland in a sim- Lizy-Destrez. When the French gov- ation, and signed up the student astronauts, said Lizy-Destrez , chological effects this can have ulated version of a Mars base. “We’ll have to be vigilant ernment imposed movement volunteers. Associate Professor of Space on people, which scientists are The Mars Desert Research because there could be unpre- restrictions to curb the spread It’s not an exact simulation Systems Engineering at keen to better understand Station in Utah, the United dictable behaviour,” she said. ‘One coronavirus patient Motorola to launch Moto Edge, Moto can infect up to 400 people’ Edge+ on April 22 ANATOLIA — ANKARA protective antibodies in the blood of 30 out of 100 patients IANS — NEW DELHI A coronavirus (COVID-19) tested two weeks after their patient who does not follow recovery. Lenovo-owned smartphone social distancing can infect up “This makes us think that 30 brand Motorola has to 400 people, a Turkish percent of those who recover announced it will unveil its professor said yesterday. do not develop immunity, and new flagship smartphones, the He quoted a recent study could be infected again.” Motorola Edge Plus and Edge, conducted by the University of According to the World on April 22. Massachusetts Amherst, saying Health Organization (WHO), “It is arriving. Join us for therefore lockdown rules must most people infected with the the Motorola Flagship Launch be adhered to. virus experience mild to mod- E-vent, April 22nd, 11AM CDT,” “This is exponential...we erate respiratory illness and the company said in a tweet should not forget that COVID-19 recover without requiring yesterda. is not a disease that will only special treatment. The smartphone maker affect you,” Professor Hasan However, older people, and also shared a six-second teaser Ozkan, who heads the those with underlying medical which suggests that the device Department of Gastroenter- problems like cardiovascular will have waterfall display ology at Ankara University, said. disease, diabetes, chronic res- along with a 90-degree curved “It is important to maintain piratory disease, and cancer are edge design. social distancing during the out- more likely to develop serious The company was expected break, which could reduce the illness. Patients, who recovered after new type of coronavirus treatment, are being discharged from the to showcase both the devices spread of the virus.” The virus spreads primarily hospital and being sent to their houses accompanied by applauds of doctors and nurses, at Beysehir at the Mobile World Congress Stressing that two patients through droplets of saliva or district in Turkey’s Konya, yesterday. (MWC) earlier this year, but the in China, who recovered from discharge from the nose when conference was cancelled due COVID-19, contracted the virus an infected person coughs or COVID-19. However, there are Nearly two million according to data compiled by to the COVID-19 pandemic. again, Ozkan said the possibility sneezes. many ongoing clinical trials COVID-19 cases have been Johns Hopkins University. More The Edge Plus is expected of reinfection was there. At this time, there are no evaluating potential reported in 185 countries and than 120,400 people, mean- to run on Qualcomm’s He said there were no specific vaccines for treatments. regions since last December, while, have died. top-end Snapdragon 865 processor coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB storage. Jon Bon Jovi asks kindergartners to ‘Do What You Can’ The handset is expected to feature a large 5,170mAh AP — PALM BEACH GARDENS A staffer replied online, some of which he works Bonick made the battery and run on Android 10 that Bon Jovi into performances of the song homework assignment last out-of-the-box. A Florida kindergarten teacher wanted to meet the that he broadcasts online from week and encouraged the The smartphone may took his virtual classroom to kids, and he popped his home in New Jersey. young children to write about come with 108MP sensor seen new levels on Monday when onto their laptop As the 20 kindergartners where they are and who they on the back of the phone, with rock icon Jon Bon Jovi screens at 10am on —and their parents — are with. He said the recurring two more cameras: a 16MP (pictured) popped in on a Monday. watched, Bon Jovi strummed theme was being stuck at wide-angle camera and an writing lesson about life in the “Mr. B got you an acoustic guitar and sang out home, which is fine because he 8MP telephoto camera. coronavirus quarantine. guys writing and I three kindergartners’ writing wants the young writers to The cheaper Edge model Last month, the Grammy was very excited to prompts about life in quar- document their lives in such an might feature less powerful award-winning 80s rocker hear that,” the antine, each one touching on extraordinary time. hardware and a 64MP main released an incomplete version former Bon Jovi themes of idleness and “Once we get out of this - sensor. of “Do What You Can,” which frontman told the isolation. because we will get out of this It may run on Qualcomm’s is a ballad about the nation’s students, “because After singing eight lines — it’s history,” he said. Snapdragon 765 processor battle to contain the virus, and if you get to put ending with, “My parents try A lifelong Bon Jovi fan, with 6GB of RAM and 128GB asked fans to submit verses to your feelings down their best/But I can tell that Bonick had seen the singer’s of onboard storage. help complete it, the Palm the singer’s invitation and found on paper sometimes they’ll turn they’re stressed,” he congratu- invitation to fans to propose Motorola Mobility was Beach Post reported. contact information online for into songs, sometimes they’ll lated the author, a boy named their own lyrics for “Do What sold to Lenovo in 2014. Michael Bonick, a teacher a member of Bon Jovi’s staff. He turn into stories and you never AJ. You Can.” Motorola made its first at Marsh Pointe Elementary sent along his students’ writings know where it might lead you.” “You’re a rock and roll star,” “They were blown away,” Android smartphone in 2009, School in Palm Beach Gardens about being stuck at home in So far, the singer has he said. “We wrote this one Bonick said. “They loved every and its first Android tablet in and life-long Bon Jovi fan, saw quarantine. received thousands of proposals together, me and you buddy.” minute of it.” the year 2011. Russian florists destroy millions of roses as demand wilts amid virus spread fears REUTERS — MOSCOW eyes that they have to be thrown the company to destroy away: they were all grown, 200,000 flowers in stock and Russia’s rose growers are they’re all alive,” Yulia Chary- all new cuttings since self-iso- destroying a million flowers a shkina, director and owner of lation began. day after a coronavirus-induced the Podosinka greenhouse With Russia’s annual rose slump in sales, with fears of complex, said. production at 300 million worse to come as self-isolation President Vladimir Putin blooms, a month without sales measures take hold across the said in late March that Russia could see 10 to 12 percent of the country. would embark on a special non- crop thrown away, Alexei Sit- With non-essential shops working period to try to curb nikov, head of the Russian ordered to shut, florists are the spread of the coronavirus Greenhouse Union, said. among many businesses and people should work from Producers have turned to the fighting for survival and have home if they could. internet in an effort to boost turned to online sales in an The move, which forced sales, offering hefty discounts attempt to recoup some of their most businesses to shut except and emotional advertisements. lost revenue. those deemed essential, has But slashing prices eats into There is no room for excess stopped many firms from profits and puts employees and inventory in such an working and squeezed profits entire companies at risk. environment. as most consumers sit out the “We have a very expensive In a country where flowers coronavirus outbreak at home. product. We now have a price An employee of a flower shop destroys unsold flowers as lockdown restrictions and self-isolation are so popular that some flo- Charyshkina said orders for that doesn’t allow us to live,” said measures imposed by the government across the country to slow the spread of the COVID-19 led to rists operate 24 hours a day, 1.2 her company’s flowers dived to Florence Gervais d’Alden, the a slump in flower sales, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. million roses are being 5,000 from 50,000 the day owner of Kaluga-based firm Rose destroyed daily, the Russian after Putin’s address. Orders Fairy, which she set up in 2008. employees go, when a choice “The scariest thing is that absolutely ready to go bankrupt, Greenhouse Union said. had sometimes fallen to as low She said she would even- needs to be made between sal- this cycle cannot be stopped,” but I am not especially sure that “Everyone has tears in their as 1,000 a day, she said, forcing tually have to let some aries and utility bills. she said. “I personally am we will survive.”