www.thepeninsula.qa Wednesday 11 March 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8193 16 Rajab - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 SPORT | 08

Qatar emerges as Amir Cup: strategic shipping Resolute Al Ahli and maritime look to upset Al Arabi hub: Nakilat in ‘Hilal derby’

Moving house? FREE Wi-Fi Ooredoo device & FREE installation! ONE *Terms & Conditions Apply Virtual classes planned Snapshot of January statistics bulletin 2.773 million QR2.9bn Total population of Qatar Total value of real estate to overcome suspension at the end of January deals in January

59 percent 277,392 visitors of classroom teaching Rise in volume of deals Number of visitors came SANAULLAH ATAULLAH for residential houses to Qatar in January Undersecretary natives to deal with this case. THE PENINSULA “The suspension of classes at the Ministry came as one of the precau- With the closure of schools and tionary measures to limit the QR483.5m universities in Qatar, virtual of Education and spread of the virus. By the way, Value of deals for classes are set to take place of Higher Education, we are going for regular residential houses conventional means of teaching vacation from next week which and learning as a number of Dr. Ibrahim Al is mid-term holiday,” said Al educational institutes are ready Nuaimi, has said Nuaimi. to employ modern technology. He explained that only Virtual classes are emerging that the virtual classes for the students were as an alternative for the classes education would suspended, teachers and of schools and universities employees will be on duty who which were suspended to curb be an alternative are being cared properly under the spread of COVID-19. While for schools and certain measures such as can- some private universities and cellation of fingerprint biometric Demand for residential houses rises schools have already universities if attendance system and banning announced starting virtual the classes are gathering for their safety. classes for their students, the “The government schools by 59% in January: PSA report officials of the Ministry of Edu- suspended for long and many private schools have SACHIN KUMAR According to the report, employed by a resident entity cation and Higher Education to curb the spread a distinct infrastructure and THE PENINSULA 277,392 visitors came to Qatar in the country or place visited. say they may opt the distant some private schools are able during January 2020. Visitors A visitor is classified as a tourist, mode in case of closure of edu- of COVID-19. to provide distance education The demand for residential from European countries if his trip includes an overnight cational institutes for an which can be accessed from houses has remained firm in the emerged as the largest group stay. extended period of time. homes,” said Al Nuaimi first month of the year. The of people coming to Qatar in Total 182,273 cases of traffic Undersecretary at the Min- Higher Education, since the He said that all measures volume of deals for residential the first month of this year. The violations were recorded during istry of Education and Higher outbreak of coronavirus in were taken at the Ministry, houses grew by 59 percent to visitors from Europe occupied the first month of the year, Education, Dr. Ibrahim Al China, took measures to private schools and universities QR483.5m in January this year 41 percent share in total tourist compared to 172,012 such cases Nuaimi, has said that the virtual maintain hygiene in school for switching to virtual classes from QR304m in January last arrivals, making them the in January last year, showing education would be an alter- facilities such as sterilising if the suspension of classroom year, according to the Qatar biggest group of tourists an increase of six percent. native for schools and univer- water coolers, classes, chairs, teaching continues. “The Min- Monthly Statistics bulletin coming to Qatar during the Another prominent change sities if the classes are sus- tables, corridors and toilets. istry communicated with the released yesterday. month. in this issue is the increase in pended for long to curb the “The workers of cleaning parents and guided them. Now As per the bulletin, released Visitor arrivals measure deposits and credit facilities spread of COVID-19. companies were provided we are communicating with the by the Planning and Statistics non-residents travelling to for commercial banks at a “I wish the return of classes special training for sterilising teachers,” said Al Nuaimi. Authority (PSA), deals valuing Qatar on a short-term basis for monthly rate of 2.8 percent as soon as possible but if sus- school facilities, isolation He said that now the QR2.9bn were signed during all purposes. It includes arrivals and 2.1 percent, respectively pension of classes continue we rooms were set up as a pre- instructions were issued to the January this year which is around at borders under 15 different (compared to December 2019), will resort to the use of tech- cautionary measures fol- parents and students to help 89 percent more than the value visit visa classes, including all an annual increase of 10.5 nology of virtual classes as an lowing the directive of the students who have difficulty in of deals in December last year business and leisure visa types percent and 11.7 percent, alternative which we have and Ministry of Public Health,” using the technology of virtual and 30 percent more than deals while excluding work visas. As respectively (compared to it will be applied on schools and said Al Nuaimi. classes and this will be done in signed in January 2019. per the PSA, a visitor is a trav- January 2019). universities,” said Dr. Ibrahim He said that the students a normal manner. The demographic statistics eller taking a trip to a main des- The total number of regis- Al Nuaimi while talking in a had completed the exams of Meanwhile, Qatar Uni- revealed that the total population tination outside his usual envi- tered new vehicles during Qatar TV programme. first semester and only a part versity has announced that the of Qatar increased from 2.766 ronment, for less than a year, January 2020 reached 5,925 He assured that situation is of second semester exam educational process will con- million during January 2019 to for any main purpose (business, new vehicles. The figure under control in schools and the remained which prompted the tinue with the help of virtual 2.773 million at end of January leisure or other personal showed an annual increase of Ministry of Education and Ministry to study different alter- learning platforms. `P3 2020. purpose) other than to be 5.8 percent. Serving of shisha banned Several events at Katara cancelled or postponed as six new cases of RAYNALD C RIVERA media platforms it was calling off the Algerian revolutionary leader, get updated via social media THE PENINSULA some of its public events. supposed to be shown at Katara accounts of Katara. COVID-19 reported The Ukrainian cultural shows, Drama Theatre on Monday. The Qatari beach volleyball To ensure public health and safety which were scheduled to be held It also announced that starting team is participating in the this FAZEENA SALEEM amid the global outbreak of coro- on Friday and Saturday at Katara yesterday, “all Katara events will year’s edition of Katara Beach Vol- THE PENINSULA navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Amphitheatre as part of the be broadcast live on the founda- leyball Cup organized by the Qatar which already infected 24 people months-long Cultural Diversity tion’s social media platforms for the Volleyball Association (QVA) in The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday in Qatar as of yesterday, a number Festival, had been postponed until safety of the public.” cooperation with Katara in which announced six new cases of COVID-19 in Qatar of events slated to be held in the further notice and screenings of Rather than personally cheer some of the best volleyball teams among expatriates, bringing the total number of coming days have been either “Beyond the Stars” which were for their favourite teams, volleyball from 28 countries are taking part. confirmed cases in the country to 24. cancelled or postponed. planned to take place from Tuesday enthusiasts who have been fol- Further, Katara also announced The new cases are all expatriate residents, all The Cultural Village Foundation to Thursday at Al Thuraya Plane- lowing the excitement at the it had stopped serving shisha in its of whom have had contact with the previously (Katara), one of the most visited tarium had been cancelled. ongoing Katara Beach Volleyball restaurants and cafes for the health announced community cases. spots in the country which plays Earlier, Katara also announced Cup 2020, which began on Monday and safety of customers in line with The new patients have been admitted to the host to big local and international the cancellation of the screening of and runs until Friday, can watch the directive that the Ministry of Communicable Disease Center under complete iso- events, has announced via its social Mostefa Ben Boulaid, a film about livestream of the games as well as Public Health issued yesterday. `P3 lation and the people they have had contact with have also been checked and tested, the Ministry said. The Ministry has also set up a dedicated, round- Citizens and residents the-clock call center to answer all questions and inquiries related to COVID-19. The hotline number offer volunteering to 16000 is toll-free. In another step to prevent the spread of overcome challenge COVID-19 in the community, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), yesterday imposed a temporary SIDI MOHAMED ban on serving shisha/hookah in all restaurants THE PENINSULA and cafes until further notice. The Ministry affirms that any party that violates Overcoming the shadows of fears related to spread this decision will be held accountable and legal of COVID-19, the citizens and residents of Qatar have action will be taken. expressed their resolve to defeat the threat through The MoPH also urged all companies and indi- unity and volunteering. To support the government viduals to follow preventive measures to ensure efforts, Twitter users yesterday launched a hashtag their safety and that of the community and refer to in Arabic #WeAreAllVolunteersForQatar, announcing the website of the Ministry for all information about their readiness for volunteering works to implement COVID 19 virus that is provided in several languages, any plan to counter spread of COVID-19 in the country, or call toll-free number 16000. and assisting the competent authorities in the State Many people on social media welcomed the to implement its precautionary measures. decision by the Ministry to impose a temporary ban The number of tweets encouraging volunteering on serving shisha/hookah in all restaurants and reached over 5,000 yesterday evening. “Judges, civilians, cafes. They tweeted saying ‘It’s a good decision’, military personnel, lawyers, engineers, pilots, teachers, ‘right decision.’ Qatar Museum delegation visits Sudan archaeology sites students, employees, all of them are for Qatar,” lawyer Further, Katara also announced it had stopped Khaled Al Mohannadi tweeted. Sara Saad, tweeted: “I serving shisha in its restaurants and cafes for the A Qatar Museums’ delegation visited the Al-Barjawi region in Sudan. They were introduced announce that I am ready to volunteer myself for any- health and safety of customers in line with the to the activities of the Qatari mission – considered as one of the most important missions thing possible needed by the state. I am completely free directive that the Ministry of Public Health issued working under the Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project and its work in Nubian archeology sites. all the day long, and what we could do for our country yesterday. is nothing less than our obligation”. `P3 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Qatar urges global MoTC, QU sign pact to share expertise community to assume THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Ministry of Transport and responsibility for Communications (MoTC) and Qatar University (QU), repre- sented by the College of Engi- Syria rights violations neering, yesterday signed a memorandum of cooperation to QNA — GENEVA Qatar strongly boost and strengthen cooper- condemned the Syrian ation in scientific, technological The State of Qatar stressed the and research fields on mobility importance of accountability authorities' failure to and transportation. for all those responsible for allow the Independent The two parties also aim to human rights violations, war maximise benefiting from crimes and crimes against International expertise and competence they humanity in Syria and bringing Commission of Inquiry have in developing and training them to international justice. human resources in pursuant of The State of Qatar strongly of the Syrian Arab the pillars of the Qatar National condemned the Syrian author- Republic to enter the Vision 2030 and the National ities' failure to allow the Inde- country in order to Development Strategy pendent International Com- 2018-2022. mission of Inquiry of the Syrian carry out its mandate. The memo was signed by Arab Republic to enter the MoTC’s Acting Assistant Under- country in order to carry out its secretary of Land Transport mandate. scorched earth,” Deputy Per- Affairs, Eng. Hamad Essa Abdulla, This came in a speech by manent Representative of and Dean of QU College of Engi- the Deputy Permanent Repre- Qatar to UN said. neering (QU-CENG), Dr. Khaled sentative of the State of Qatar Civilians and civilian facil- Kamal Naji. Eng. Hamad Essa Abdulla, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary of Land Transport Affairs at the Ministry to the UN in Geneva, Abdullah ities have always been the main The memo for the exchange of Transport and Communications, and Dean of Qatar University College of Engineering, Dr. Khaled Hamad Al Nuaimi, during the target of violence in Syria. The of information, expertise, studies, interactive dialogue with the impact has been evident on statistics and data that matter the Kamal Naji, exchanging documents after the signing of the agreement. Independent International women, children, the elderly most for the Ministry and the QU Commission of Inquiry on the and people with disabilities. Qatar Transportation and Traffic employees who meet QU’s mas- contribute to developing land confirms the continuous Syrian Arab Republic, within Furthermore, the hospitals, Safety Center (QTTSC), in ter’s and doctoral programs’ transport affairs, particularly the endeavor by QU-CENG to find item (4) of the agenda of the schools and camps for the dis- addition to conducting research requirements can resume their universal land transport,” he solutions to the challenges facing 43rd session of the Human placed were considered legit- on planning, designing and study with QTTSC on relevant added. Abdulla also stressed that the transportation sector specif- Rights Council . imate targets by the Syrian developing road and land subjects, according to QU’s appli- MoTC has always been keen to ically in line with the national pri- “As we enter the tenth year forces and their allies as well transport projects, traffic engi- cable rules and procedures. enhance engagement with QU orities towards a knowledge- of the Syrian crisis, we are lis- as by terrorist groups, Al neering, road safety, the “The Ministry of Transport on scientific, administrative, based economy.” tening today to another report Nuaimi added deployment of smart systems in and Communications continu- technological and research fields “Through this memo, fields of the commission of inquiry Killing, destruction and dis- land transport projects, public ously advocates for more coop- on all fronts relating to mobility of cooperation diversify and mul- that reveals to us the mag- placement in Syria, especially transit and mobility. The memo eration and integration with edu- and land transport. tiply to include several horizons nitude of grave violations and the city of Idlib, should stir the also provides for the drafting and cational institutions, particularly Dr. Naji said, “This memo including studies, consultations, heinous crimes committed global moral and human con- developing of policies, strategies QU, to help harmonize its output between QU-CENG represented quality services and consulting against the Syrian people. We science, Al Nuaimi said, calling and legislations needed for with what the transportation and by Qatar Transportation and services, in addition to work- express our condemnation and the international community developing and regulating the land transport industry needs. Traffic Safety Centre and the shops and specialised courses concern about the continuing to assume its legal responsibil- land transport and transportation This also helps raise the sector’s Ministry of Transport and Com- and investment in faculty deterioration of the human ities and take all necessary industry. competitiveness in terms of munications provides distin- members and summer training rights and humanitarian con- measures to save and protect Under the memo, workshops research and academic studies guished research and advisory for students, as well as facilitating ditions of the Syrian people the Syrian people, pressure the and programs will be developed in addition to upskilling the services and stimulates sus- the exchange of information and referred to in the report, the Syrian regime to end military for hands-on training for profes- human resources to achieve tainable economic and social field visits. Such efforts support absence of any horizon for a operations and start a real sionals from the Ministry and QU success in all areas,” said Abdulla. development in the State of the college’s endeavour to political solution, and the political transition process students covering the topics “This memo will provide an Qatar. It activates the social part- prepare the Qatari engineers who insistence of the Syrian regime based on the Geneva Decla- relating to land transport, ample room for work with QU nership and facilitates the will proceed the renaissance and and its allies on the military ration (1) and Security Council logistics support services and on developing various projects, transfer of knowledge and tech- prosperity of the State of Qatar,” solution and the politics of the Resolution 2254. traffic safety. Additionally, MoTC studies and strategies that can nology with MOTC. It also he added. Ooredoo MoI trains state employees on cybercrime announces SIDI MOHAMED information technology and company is sent to a person employees should have a great Academy. First Lieutenant appointment THE PENINSULA systems, and raise the efficiency under pretext of marketing or degree of readiness to protect Kavoud said that these practical of information systems and infor- request of renewal of a person’s these installations from any cyber courses come within the of new officials In order to prevent cyberattacks mation security personnel in par- data and hence hacked infor- attack,” he said while talking to framework of activating the and develop human cadre ticular,” said First Lieutenant mation of the victim is used to a local channel. practical side of the training THE PENINSULA – DOHA capable of dealing with emerging Mohamed Youssef Kavoud, harm him. “In the first phase of the pro- program for the prevention of challenge, the Ministry of Inte- supervisor of the courses offered “We as a Center connect with gramme, we focused on the gov- cyber attacks. Ooredoo announced the rior’s (MoI) Cyber Security Center by the Cyber Security Center at all state agencies with a view to ernment sector but it does not He said that the programmes appointment of Sheikh Ali bin recently launched a number of MoI. detect cyber breaches and we mean that the private sector is prepared by the Cyber Security Jabor Al Thani as Acting Group training courses in the field of On the most common have evaluated the readiness of lesser important,” he said, adding Center aim to prevent cyber Chief Legal & Regulatory electronic crime prevention. method of hacking, he said that these agencies to address the that the courses are provided by attacks and seeks to implement Officer and Maryam Mubarak “The programmes target the most common method is threats. There exists weakness experts from Cisco International one of the pillars of Qatar Al Nasr as Acting Group Chief more than 52,000 trainees and ‘electronic phishing’ under which among some entities and accord- Company. The courses are being National Vision 2030, which is Human Resources Officer, as aim to raise awareness of all state an email similar to his business ingly we have put a number of organised in collaboration with to develop a human cadre of of March 10. employees in the field of entity or an international technical training so that all the Qatar Finance & Business highest efficiency. Maryam succeeds Mohanna Nasser Al Nuaimi, who is retiring. She has over Qatar Charity 25 years of professional expe- Ashghal to upgrade streets in West Bay rience and was most recently distributes gas the Executive Director of Organisation and Talent heaters, bread THE PENINSULA — DOHA highlighted the importance of the Development at Ooredoo project given its geographical Group. She holds a degree in in Palestine The Public Works Authority location in West Bay Area which Business Administration and (Ashghal) has announced the is one of the most vital areas in an MBA from Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA launch of upgrading works on Doha, since it comprises the Dip- University. some streets in West Bay Area to lomatic District and attracts Sheikh Ali succeeds Qatar Charity (QC) has improve them and increase their many large international and Izzeldin Hamed Hussein, who distributed 395 gas heaters to vehicular capacities along with local companies. She then added is retiring. He is Chief of Legal the families of orphans and alleviating the traffic in the area that the project will contribute and Regulatory Department needy families in the various especially in peak hours. in facilitating access to the QP for Ooredoo Qatar since 2016, governorates of the West Bank, Eng. Mooza Al Sowaidi, Head District, which is one of the a position he will keep in while the bread distribution of Doha Section at the Roads largest real estate projects in the addition to his new role. project is underway in the Gaza Projects Department in country and represents a hub for Sheikh Ali holds a Bachelor’s Strip. “Ashghal”, has stated that, as part finance and business. degree in Law. The aid comes in view of of the Public Works Authority’s The project works include Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al the difficult economic condi- efforts to improve the existing the establishment and devel- Thani, Group Chief Executive tions experienced by the Pal- service facilities and develop the opment of 8 signalized intersec- Street, as well as the provision Petroleum District. Officer, Ooredoo, said: “I estinians and their deterio- road network in Doha in a way tions on the streets surrounding of pedestrian walkways and It is worth mentioning that would like to extend my rating living conditions during that responds to the economic Qatar Petroleum District to reg- cycle paths along the street. Ashghal has developed a plan to warmest thanks to Mohanna the winter. The gas heater and social growth requirements ulate traffic. In addition to the The project will be imple- manage traffic during the imple- Nasser Al Nuaimi, who played project has benefited 1975 in the country, upgrading works upgrade of water and electricity mented in two parallel phases, mentation of traffic diversions a key role in developing persons belonging to families on some streets in West Bay Area networks, the installation of the first includes the devel- in order to minimize the impact Ooredoo Group’s HR strategy in need and families of orphans will enhance internal streets lighting poles and the con- opment of internal roads sur- of construction and development and operating model, and to in several governorates of the leading to and from Qatar struction of pedestrian rounding the QP District, while works in the area on road users. Izzeldin Hamed Hussein for West Bank, including Ramallah Petroleum District (QP District). walkways. The scope also com- the second phase includes the The project is being imple- their valuable contributions to and Al-Bireh, Nablus, Jenin, In addition to external streets, prises the expansion of 5 existing development of Al Corniche mented by “Al Bawakir Unicon” our company. I also take this Salfit, Jerusalem, Hebron and which are connected to main signalized intersections on Al Street, Majls Al Taawon Street Company under the supervision opportunity to congratulate Bethlehem. arterial roads such as Al Cor- Corniche Street and Majlis Al and a part of Omar Al Mokhtar of “Gulf Engineering and Indus- Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani The project aims to support niche Street, Majliss Al Taawon Taawon Street along with the Street. As well as the trial Consultancy” Company and and Maryam Mubarak Al Nasr the targeted families and meet Street and a part of Omar Al construction of a new signalized improvement of external roads is scheduled to be complete by on their new roles and wish their basic needs in the winter Mokhtar Street. Eng. Al-Sowaidi intersection at Majliss Al Taawon leading to and from Qatar Q1 2021. them the best of luck.” by providing gas heaters for families lacking the winter essentials to protect them from the harsh cold. DI to continue studies through virtual education platforms The beneficiaries are the families of orphans registered QNA — DOHA DI stated that this decision (COVID-19). necessary details in this traveling except for the most with QC, and the families most came in line with the The Institute added that regard. urgent necessity, and in need included in the lists of The management of the Doha announcement by the Gov- the information technology The institute had spreading awareness mes- the Palestinian Ministry of Institute for Graduate Studies ernment Communication department has organized announced in a previous sages about the methods of Social Development, Ministry (DI) has decided to continue Office on the suspension of special sessions for training announcement that all its preventing the spread coro- of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, studying through the virtual public and private schools and on the use of virtual education employees and members of its navirus. The institute also rec- and Zakat Fund. Besides, QC education and distance universities for all students in platforms for members of the teaching staff continue to ommended to all its members provides packages of bread for education platforms as of Qatar, within the framework academic and administrative work as usual, in addition to that they should adhere to more than 100 poor families today, according to the of efforts and measures taken bodies, and the DI’s adminis- taking several measures and health instructions and guide- daily in several governorates current study plans and its by the state to contain the tration has contacted students recommendations for its lines to limit the spread of the of the Gaza Strip. schedule. spread of coronavirus and provided them with the members, including not coronavirus. WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 HOME 03 Outgoing Ecuadorian envoy to launch autobiography today

“I was keen to issue this book in Arabic, Speaking about her tenure roses from Ecuador to Qatar has in Doha for more than two increased multiple times. Choc- first to reach a large audience of the Qataris years, A Baki said, “We are in olate import is also increasing. and the Arab residents in Qatar. This book the right direction, we have We are working on bringing in made a lot, but this is the more bananas. We have also starts from Qatar and ends in Qatar. It has beginning and we have much made progress politically and a large part where I talk about my stay more to do best is yet to culturally. However, still there come.” is a lot more to do,” she said. in Qatar and my experience during the Ambassador A Baki also A Baki on completion of her emphasized that trade between over two years of diplomatic blockade,” said A Baki. Qatar and Ecuador has mission in Qatar will be leaving increased considerably during soon to be the ambassador of FAZEENA SALEEM aspirations who long to peace her term. She also said that a Ecuador to the US where she THE PENINSULA and struggle to reach the top of significant increase has been had served in the same role 20 a community full of conspir- seen in the supply of roses from years ago. The outgoing Ecuadorian acies and corruption. Ecuador to Qatar through daily “I have mixed feelings. Ambassador to Qatar, Ivonne A W“I was keen to issue this cargo flights. Similarly, the pop- Wondering that I have to leave Baki, will launch her first book book in Arabic, first to reach a ularity of Ecuador’s chocolates very soon brings tears to my which narrates important large audience of the Qataris and bananas has increased in eyes. But at the same time, I am stories of her life, including her and the Arab residents in Qatar. Doha. excited about the new chal- mission in Qatar, at Marza This book starts from Qatar and Ivonne A Baki, Ecuador Ambassador to Qatar, during a press conference “As for bilateral ties with lenges awaiting me as an Malas Kempinski today. ends in Qatar. It has a large part at the Ambassador's residence. PIC: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA Qatar, I think we have made a ambassador to the US. Honestly, Titled ‘My Destiny…Horrors where I talk about my stay in lot of progress. Ecuador is I can say that Qatar is my of War and Aspirations of Qatar and my experience during known here more than ever and second home. I have never felt Peace’, the book speaks issues the blockade,” said A Baki. too. I was lucky to have the experience for me and made me vice versa Qataris are very well- I am a stranger here. I have got on humanity, freedom, romance “It will soon be translated support of Ibrahim Badawi, remember all the past years known in my country. There is many friends who helped my and peace. It combines within into three languages, English Arabic journalist, in writing this with its happy memories and an increase of 35 percent in mission be easier and more pro- its two covers, women’s first, then Spanish and French book. This book is a unique the tragic ones,” she added. bilateral trade. The import of ductive,” she added. Kahramaa takes precautionary measures Awqaf Ministry receives budgets of companies to calculate Zakat to protect employees from COVID-19 QNA — DOHA managers from hundreds of companies and national The Department of Zakat Fund financial institutions on Cor- THE PENINSULA — DOHA has taken many preventive and at the Ministry of Awqaf and porate Zakat Accounting work precautionary measures for the Islamic Affairs has started through 20 courses organized The Qatar General Electricity health and safety of its receiving the budgets of by the Fund. and Water Corporation employees, customers and all companies operating in Qatar The Fund has been organ- (Kahramaa) has taken a number those dealing with it. for the past fiscal year. It ising the course annually with of precautionary measures to In addition to publishing receives annually more than the participation of more than prevent the spread of (COVID- health tips and advice and 150 budgets for companies 70 participants in each session. 19). urging compliance with them operating in the country to They were given certificates of The action was taken as part in the various buildings and calculate its Zakat. this skill that students of of Kahramaa’s social responsi- facilities of the institution, sub- The Director of Zakat Fund accounting colleges usually do bility and its keenness to scriber services centers and Department at the Ministry of not learn in their universities, provide a healthy and safe work other sites, and following up the Endowments (Awqaf) and Al Kubaisi noted. environment for its employees commitment of contractors and Islamic Affairs, Jassem bin The head of the Zakat and all those dealing with it, companies contracting with Mohamed Al Kubaisi, said that Services Division of the Zakat said Kahramaa in a statement them by following the highest the Zakat Fund is the official Fund Mohamed Jaber Al Baridi The Supreme Committee for standards of health to ensure zakat institution in the country said that the Zakat Fund is con- Monitoring the Health Status prevention of the virus and limit that includes a group of qual- stantly opening its doors to the formed by the departments its spread in light of its global ified legal and accounting pro- companies and financial insti- concerned at the Kahramaa, led spread. fessionals. This service is pro- tutions and institutions con- by the President, has taken a Moreover, Kahramaa vided free of charge to all com- cerned with the third pillar of number of urgent measures to launched an intensive cam- panies and individuals to Islam to learn the skill of cal- prevent the virus and limit its paign for its employees to raise calculate their Zakat. culating Zakat of companies spread. awareness of the virus and The Fund completes the under the hand of specialists in Kahramaa headquarters The measures include sus- ways to prevent it by spreading calculation of zakat within two the legal and accounting pension of fingerprint biometric health guidelines and or three days from the date it aspects of the fund who have attendance system at all work- practices. disease, not to travel to coun- apply the highest health, safety receives the budgets. The fund been qualified in the legal and places, and applying the use of The campaign focuses on tries where the virus has spread, and security rates in all its receives annually more than accounting sciences to train institutional business cards as the necessity of washing hands and to visit a health center or workplaces. Kahramaa has a 150 budgets for companies and develop the skills of an alternative to fingerprint to with soap and water, using hospital if any of the symptoms proven track record in the field operating in the state to calcu- financial people in this field for put an end the source of trans- hand sanitizers, avoiding of the virus appear. of health and safety. During the lates their zakat. Afterward, the free. mission of infection. touching the nose, eyes, and Kahramaa also launched an past year without professional companies are addressed with In addition, the Fund The committee will keep mouth with unclean hands, awareness campaign through diseases, it accomplished about an official letter informing organises the Zakat Fiqh monitoring the operational covering the mouth when its platforms on social media for 40 million working hours them of the value of zakat on Course for the general public status of Kahramaa’s main coughing or sneezing, and dis- all groups of society to create without occupational diseases, the company and the per- from non-accountants to teach facilities and projects and take posing of the napkin after use. awareness about the virus and including 33.7 million working centages of zakat on the shares them how to calculate Zakat for all measures to prevent the The employees were also ways to prevent it. hours in Kahramaa projects and listed on Qatar Stock Exchange. individual funds, shares and virus and limit its spread, and commanded to avoid close These measures come 6.1 million working hours in The Fund was also able to train others for free, and approxi- to overcome its effects, if any. contact with anyone who has within the framework of Kah- services and businesses in the about (1500) accountants, mately 130 participants partic- At the same time, Kahramaa symptoms of respiratory ramaa’s keenness to follow and workplace. auditors and financial ipate annually, Al Baridi added. MoI acts against rumour-mongers Bedaya Center celebrates International Women’s Attempt to THE PENINSULA — DOHA circulating rumours and false Day by hosting workshop on women empowerment smuggle hashish information through social The Ministry of Interior (MoI) media that affected the security THE PENINSULA foiled at HIA has referred a number of and safety of society. DOHA accused people to the Public The Ministry has tweeted THE PENINSULA — DOHA Prosecution for spreading false that involvement in spreading Bedaya Center for Entrepre- news and circulating rumours. or circulating rumours is a neurship and Career Devel- The Customs officials at The Ministry said on its serious offense and may expose opment (Bedaya Center), a joint Hamad International Airport official Twitter account that the one involved to legal initiative by Qatar Development (HIA) foiled an attempt to accused were referred after accountability. Bank and Silatech, hosted a smuggle hashish into the motivational workshop, on the country. Virtual classes planned to overcome occasion of International The passenger was trying Women’s Day, in collaboration to get the drug into the suspension of classroom teaching with coach Najlaa Al Khulaifi. country by hiding inside his The workshop highlighted luggage. FROM PAGE 1 Northwestern University in the importance of self-commu- In a video posted on “Based on the statement Qatar has also said that based nication (intrapersonal commu- Twitter yesterday, the issued by the Government Com- on the Qatar government’s nication), balancing responsi- customs said that they seized munications Office to suspend decision, NU-Q classes on the bilities as well as sharing 3kg and 19 grammes of Women engaging in an activity during the workshop organised classes in public and private ground will be moved to canvas. success stories on women hashish from a traveller by Bedaya Center. schools and universities for all Students should not report to empowerment. coming from an Asian students in Qatar until further campus; faculty and staff are During the workshop, coach country. During an notice, Qatar University has expected to report as usual, said Najlaa Al Khulaifi shed light on In the second session of the Manager at Bedaya Center, inspection at the airport, announced certain measures in the University. Birla Public the methods of using and dis- workshop, Al-Khulaifi touched said,” We are pleased to cele- hashish was found hidden this regard,” Qatar University School has said that the ongoing covering self-communication on the subject of balancing brate International Women’s inside the walls and the tweeted on Monday evening. Grade XII classes (Academic techniques, which contributes responsibilities and how to Day, where we sought, during trolley rod of the suitcase. In another tweet, the uni- Year 2020-2021) will resume in significantly in empowering achieve it through effective this motivational workshop in Customs has been issuing versity said: “The educational an online platform (virtual women. The attendees at the techniques and tools. In this collaboration with coach Najlaa a continuous warning process will continue with the classroom) from March 15, workshop were made to under- session, Al-Khulaifi discussed Al Khulaifi, to help the against carrying illegal sub- help of virtual and distance 2020. Similarly, virtual stand the process to assess in detail how women can attendees discover themselves stances into the country. learning platforms and the uni- classroom for Grade X will com- strengths and weaknesses that balance their responsibilities as by highlighting their strengths Customs officers are pro- versity will communicate with mence from March 22, 2020 will help them to discover majority of them have multiple and weaknesses using their vided with hi-tech devices the students via email and and for Grades VI – IX from themselves and better under- responsibilities that vary skills and talents to achieve and continuous training to blackboard to provide them April 5, 2020. For Grades up to stand the challenges that they between home, work and study, their goals in life, in addition to read body language of pas- with details. All university staff V, classes will begin based on could face, and thereby achieve which increases the daily learning the best methods of sengers and to be aware of and faculty members should the Ministry of Education's their goals in a more effective stresses they live in. balancing their the latest methods followed continue work as usual.” directives, the school said. way. Reema Al Khater, Marketing responsibilities.” by smugglers. Several events at Katara cancelled or postponed Citizens, residents offer volunteering to overcome challenge FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 security among the consumers West” chamber music concert “Take care of your children, don’t of the virus. A resident, Youssef Meanwhile, the newly especially under the current at the Museum of Islamic Art, Some of them suggested that visit malls except for necessary Abdel Karim, tweeted: “I am a founded Katara Farmers’ situation amid coronavirus “Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5” in such circumstances the “best things, and to keep yourself and retired doctor currently residing Forum during their recent fears. at Katara Opera House, “Ori- thing to do is to adhere to pre- your children away from gath- in Qatar, I am ready for any vol- regular meeting, discussed the The Qatar Philharmonic ental Jazz Music by Maias ventive measures” announced erings,” they suggested. unteering work requested by the need to unify the efforts of Orchestra announced yes- Alyamani” at Qatar National by the authorities concerned and Others praised government's Ministry at any location or in any Qatari farms to showcase and terday in its official website the Library, and “Arabian Night” at to fight rumours. The second measures for the safety of the filed, especially in ambulance, sell their products at compet- cancellation of its shows this Qatar National Convention important thing the twitter users people and taking the necessary preventive medicine and itive prices, ensuring food month including “East Meets Center. suggested is to spread awareness. measures to prevent the spread research.” 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Ooredoo recharge cards feature designs by local female artists THE PENINSULA — DOHA To recognise the awesome talents of prize-winning female artists from the Girls Creativity Center, Ooredoo has launched a special and in line with the company’s commitment to range of recharge cards featuring designs by prize- supporting art within local communities, Ooredoo winning female artists from has created a special batch of Hala recharge Girls Creativity Center. cards featuring artworks from local female artists To recognise the awesome participating in competitions at the Center. talents of prize-winning female artists from the Girls Creativity Officials from Public Prosecution, MoI, and Supreme Council of the Judiciary attending the workshop. Center, and in line with the company’s commitment to supporting art within local Public Prosecution organises communities, Ooredoo has created a special batch of Hala recharge cards featuring workshop on cybercrime artworks from local female artists participating in compe- QNA — DOHA raise the efficiency of work and the Internet protocol address, titions at the Center. coordination between all electronic research and inves- Their artworks can be seen The Public Prosecution, repre- national agencies involved in tigation, obstacles to official on Hala 20, 30, 50, 100 and sented by the Institute of Criminal combating cybercrime in the dealing with websites, prohibi- 200 recharge cards, available Studies and the Cybercrime Pros- area of investigation procedures tions when dealing with digital in grocery stores and super- ecution, organised a joint and ways to extract digital evi- evidence and its causes, tech- markets now. workshop for the national dence to prove these crimes. It nical obstacles and its impact on Speaking of the new cards, agencies dealing with cyber- also aimed at providing partic- the result of the examination, Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, crime, within the framework of ipants with the necessary infor- and the retrieval of data. Director of Public Relations, exchanging experiences and mation and skills, and enhancing Fifty participants from the Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We are of recharge cards is a great way artworks produced by our local coordination between the Public coordination among all the affil- Public Prosecution, the Ministry committed to promoting art of both showing this support in female artists. We’re sure cus- Prosecution and these national iates of these bodies. of Interior, and the Supreme within our local communities, a practical way and enabling tomers will like the special bodies. The workshop's topics Council of the Judiciary attended and supporting community ini- Qatari citizens and residents to cards, and will enjoy collecting The workshop aimed to covered many points, including the three-day workshop. tiatives, and creating this range appreciate the incredible the range.” HMC joins global efforts to raise awareness of delirium

THE PENINSULA — DOHA March 11 is observed as World Delirium In recognition of World Delirium Awareness Day, being Awareness Day. observed today, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Geriatric and Long-Term Care unify delirium care across Department is leading a month- medical and surgical units and long campaign to inform and in the ICU setting. educate the general public, and Dr. Nicola Ryley, Chief health care professionals about Nursing Officer at HMC says the common condition. nurses are integral to preventing Dr. Anand Kartha, Senior and identifying delirium, noting Consultant, General Medicine, they play a vital role in assessing at HMC, said delirium is a patients, identifying risk factors Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Chairperson sudden mental change or and symptoms, and imple- of Geriatrics and Long Term Care decline in brain function that is menting prevention strategies. at HMC mostly caused by acute ill- Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Chair- nesses, injuries (such as a hip person of Geriatrics and Long fracture), major surgery, or that health care providers, and Term Care at HMC, and the drug-adverse effects or the general public, can rec- National Health Strategy Lead withdrawal. ognise the difference between for Healthy Aging, says delirium “Delirium is a life-threat- delirium and dementia. is complex and often multi-fac- ening medical emergency and According to the Interna- torial and must be a global public is an independent risk factor for tional Federation of Delirium health priority. increased mortality, morbidity, Societies, delirium occurs in up “Here in HMC, under the Experts say delirium is a common condition, especially among older hospitalised patients. and health care expenditure. to 25% of medical inpatients, remit of the Ministry’s National Delirium can result in increased 50% of surgery patients, and Health Strategy 2018-2022, lengths of hospitalisation and 75% of intensive care patients. general surgery. It is often hospitals, and specifically for the ICU but notes it is frequently delirium care is given due pri- long-term care requirements,” There are no approved poorly identified and managed emergency physicians, as many under-diagnosed and can neg- ority and it is recognised that said Dr. Kartha. medications for delirium; clini- because the diagnosis of patients will first present at atively influence prognosis. awareness is key to effective According to Dr. Kartha, cians treat the condition by delirium is complicated as it is Emergency Departments. He “Approximately two out of management. We have well- every 48 hours spent with identifying and treating the often linked with other chronic says delirium can easily be three patients contract delirium established awareness and delirium increases an individ- underlying causes. conditions that may have over- treated if detected early, under- in the ICU setting and seven out training programmes. ual’s mortality rate by 11%. He “Delirium is much more lapping symptoms,” said Pro- scoring the importance of of ten patients develop delirium "During the last year, we ran says, on average, one in five common than people realise fessor Stephen Thomas, ongoing delirium education for while they are on a breathing 55 education events and activ- adult patients in hospital expe- and affects up to 40% of older Chairman of Emergency Emergency Department staff. machine or soon after,” said Dr. ities across Qatar, training 3,840 riences delirium, with older hospitalised patients. It is a Services at HMC. Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Fawzy, who is part of the health care staff and raising patients, and especially those common post-operative com- Professor Thomas added the Fawzy, Director of Critical Care recently formed National awareness in upwards of 4,500 with dementia, at greatest risk. plication, occurring in around detection and prevention of at HMC, says delirium is also Delirium Steering Committee. people in the community,” said Dr. Kartha says it is important 15% of elderly patients following delirium is a top priority for common in patients admitted to The Committee is working to Dr. Al Hamad. Birla Public School to arrange virtual classrooms for students THE PENINSULA — DOHA for Grade X will commence from Higher Education to prevent the transportation and parents are can take care their child using promoted to the next grade. In March 22, 2020 and for Grades spread of COVID-19, the school required to drop their child their own vehicle,” the school respect of Grade IX students, pro- Birla Public School has said that VI – IX from April 5, 2020. For was closed from yesterday until directly to the Examination statement says. motions will be made to the next the ongoing Grade XII classes Grades up to V, classes will begin further notice. Centre (MES Indian School, For Grades from KG to VIII, grade based on their previous (Academic Year 2020-2021) will based on Ministry of Education However, the school said, Doha – Qatar) and pick from all remaining school-based term exam marks. However, resume in an online platform & Higher Education directives, the CBSE Board Examinations there after the examination. “In exams have been cancelled. The those students in grade IX who (virtual classroom) from March the school has said in a statement. for Grade X & XII will take place the interest of your child’s students’ average marks of pre- are not meeting the passing mark 15, 2020. Based on the directives from as normal as per schedule. health, please do not use shared vious terms will be considered for criteria will have to appear for Similarly, virtual classroom the Ministry of Education & There shall not be school services. It is best if the parents record purpose and they will be exams after the school reopens. MoCI recalls GMC Sierra models of 2019-2020

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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Mannai Trading Company WLL, dealer of GMC in Qatar, announced the recall of GMC Sierra models of 2019-2020 due to the B+ battery cable Suspects and the tools seized by the authorities. maybe contaminated with glue, which may cause the battery to overheat or the 15 arrested for attempting to vehicle to stop suddenly. The recall campaign comes smuggle gold out of country within the framework of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to THE PENINSULA — DOHA in different localities were protect consumers and ensure raided. Tools they used to that car dealers follow up on The North Security Department convert gold into powder were vehicle defects and repairs. arrested 15 people from an seized along with cash and gold The Ministry said that it Asian country for attempting coins. will coordinate with the dealer to smuggle gold out of the The relevant authorities in to follow up on the mainte- country, by converting it into the Ministry of Interior have nance and repair works and powder. appealed to the public to coop- will communicate with cus- After completing the nec- erate with the security agencies tomers to ensure that they essary procedures, the sur- to reduce the crimes by carried out the necessary roundings of the perpetrators reporting them immediately. repairs. WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 HOME 05 Ashghal receives Certificate of Registration of QMS ISO 9001: 2015 THE PENINSULA — DOHA The scope of the certification covered all Ashghal functionalities comprising design, The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has been awarded the construction, and management of major projects Certificate of Registration of the including roads, drainage, buildings and public Quality Management System (QMS) ISO 9001: 2015 during a amenities such as public buildings, schools ceremony held at its head- and hospitals, in addition to operation and quarters, as part of Ashghal maintenance of assets such as Roads, Drainage Eng. Jamal Sharida Al Kaabi, Manager of Planning and Quality Department in Ashghal, with other Corporate Excellence officials receiving the Certificate of Registration of the Quality Management System ISO 9001: 2015 Programme. Networks and Sewage Treatment Plants. at Ashghal's headquarters. This international recog- nition was awarded to Eng. Jamal Sharida Al Kaabi, construction, and management 2015, is a key milestone and Works Authority is committed years, Ashghal developed and also implements regular online Manager of Planning and of major projects including major accomplishment for to achieve and maintain improved over 300 operational surveys in order to continuously Quality Department in Ashghal, roads, drainage, buildings and Ashghal and a fundamental Quality Management System processes and 22 corporate pol- improve customer after a comprehensive and public amenities such as public pillar for establishing a culture in compliance with icies, in addition to elevating it’s satisfaction. extensive external audit of all buildings, schools and hospitals, of quality in the implementation ISO9001:2015 requirements, measuring, monitoring and Worth to be mentioned that Ashghal’s departments by in addition to operation and and management of infra- and to comply with approved evaluation approaches, which the upcoming milestones for Intertek Group in December maintenance of assets such as structure projects and service governmental legislations helped in providing factual evi- Ashghal’s Corporate Excellence 2019, resulting in zero non-con- Roads, Drainage Networks and delivery. It helps in the con- and policies and require- dences for internal quality Programme include achieving formance with the interna- Sewage Treatment Plants. tinuous improvement and ments as related to infra- performance. the ISO 14001:2015 - Environ- tionally recognised standards In this context, Eng. Jamal achievement of the strategic structure building and con- Ashghal places customer mental Management System set by the International Organ- Sharida Al Kaabi, Manager of goals of the authority related to struction management. This care and satisfaction amongst and ISO 45001:2018 - Occu- ization for Standardization Planning and Quality quality management and organ- is addition to Ashghal’s com- its top priorities, and its inter- pational Health and Safety (ISO). Department in Ashghal said: isational excellence.” mitment to improve service action and communication with Management System Certifi- The scope of the certifi- “Achieving the Certificate of He added: “In line with levels, public safety, envi- customers is closely monitored cations for the entire organi- cation covered all Ashghal func- Registration, of the Quality Ashghal’s Corporate Quality ronment and customer satis- through real-time dashboards sation by the third quarter of tionalities comprising design, Management System ISO 9001: Policy Statement, the Public faction.” During the past three and performance indicators. It 2020. Aspire Zone Foundation readies to blow its first whistle to 4th edition of Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament THE PENINSULA — DOHA Fahad Al Thani (pictured), Manager of the competition at Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) Aspire Zone, said: “after the readies to put its curtains up on success of the previous ver- the fourth edition of the Aspire sions, we are happy to organize Embassies Futsal Tournament the fourth year in a row, with that is jointly organised with participation of 16 embassies Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign and diplomatic and Qatar Affairs. The tournament is Foreign Ministry team which scheduled to be held from confirms on the success of the March 17 to April 15 every competition and its apriority to Tuesday, Wednesday and enhance communication Thursday of every week at The between them away from the Dome. officials atmosphere.” The 4th edition of the tour- The tournament is nament will feature 16 diplo- France, Italy, Sweden, Jordan, scheduled to kick off on matic teams of embassies in the Lebanon, Kurdistan, USA and Tuesday (March 17), each team State of Qatar, representing a team representing Qatar that will consist of 13 players, com- countries like: Kenya, Mali, will include members from the prising of diplomats and rep- South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. resentatives from each Qatar Museums’ delegation during their visit to the pyramids in Al-Barjawi region in Sudan. Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Sheikh Mohammed bin embassy. QM delegation visits Sudan pyramids

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A Qatar Museums’ (QM) dele- gation, accompanied by H E Abdul Rahman Al-Kubaisi, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Sudan, visited the Al-Barjawi region in Sudan. The delegation was intro- duced to the activities of the Qatari mission – considered as one of the most important mis- sions working under the Qatar- Sudan Archaeological Project (QSAP), which are over 40 mis- sions – and its work in Nubian archeology sites. The site contains a royal city with the remains of temples, palaces, The delegation was led by three baths, groups of pyramids, quarries and piles of remains of Ahmed Al-Namla, CEO of QM, the iron industry that Meroe is famous for. and included Mohammed Juma Al-Kuwari, Rapporteur of the Supreme Committee for the in turn, make Sudan a cultural allow the pyramids to be seen project, and Abdullatif al Jasmi, attraction, creating economic from their main facades. The Rapporteur of the Scientific returns from establishing entrance is connected to a dirt Committee of the project. tourist projects, museums, and road that starts from the infor- Al-Namla expressed his visitor centers. mation center. happiness at the great achieve- The QM delegation heard a The delegation then pro- ments attained by the Qatari detailed explanation from Dr. ceeded to visit pyramid No. 9, mission saying: “We are very Mahmoud Suleiman which was excavated at the proud of this achievement, the Muhammad Bashir, co-director beginning of the 20th century result of a strong cooperation of the Qatari mission and by the archaeologist Reisner. between Qatar Museums and director of the World Heritage The Qatari mission has re-exca- our brothers in Sudan.” He also site “Meroe Island”, about the vated, studied, protected and noted the great support pro- activities of the Qatari mission restored the rooms of this vided by Qatar to preserve such in Al-Bajrawi, considered as pyramid to make them a valuable and important one of the most important and available to tourists. human heritage. highly visited archaeological The pyramid belonged to Al-Namla also pointed sites in Sudan. King Tabrika, who ruled Meroe QSAP’s achievements and dis- Al-Bajrawi (Old Meroe) is from 207 to 86 BC, and its coveries which, over the past the capital of the state of Meroe rooms can be accessed at 10 five years, have greatly con- (4th century BC - 4th century meters below the surface. The tributed to developing tourism AD). The site contains a royal Qatari mission also dis- in Sudan. He also expressed his city with the remains of mantled, restored, and rein- appreciation to the German del- temples, palaces, three baths, stalled the inscribed funerary egation which has given Sudan groups of pyramids, quarries temple for pyramid No. 2 a copy of Dr. Friedrich Hinkel’s and piles of remains of the iron which belonged to King Amani archive, stressing how this will industry that Meroe is famous Khabal. greatly contribute to enriching for. The delegation also visited the work conducted by German The delegation also visited the royal bath located within missions today. the Qatari projects, which the royal city, which includes The CEO also noted that included Doha Meroe, a world- the remains of temples and QSAP aims to highlight Sudan’s class tourist village which palaces of the Meroe kings. civilization and support cultural includes two buildings, namely, QSAP, under the framework of tourism, training programs and “Archaeologist Harbour” and tourism management planning, scientific research. He “Information Center”, both of is currently financing the con- explained that through the which are built in Nubian style. struction of an external archaeological discoveries, Between the two facilities is a building that lies outside the supported by Qatar, the project theater that hosts various bath and that will take the form will have an impact not only on events. As part of the project, of a small museum and Sudan and its civilization, but the entrance to the pyramids includes archaeological pieces also on Arab and international was changed from the western and information about the heritage and history. This will side to the southern side, to bath. 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020

Sidra Medicine brings together experts calling for better QIC Group and Sompo Japan nutrition and support for women in early stages of life strengthen ties through The symposium, Paradigm: Maternal Roots of knowledge exchange programs brought together Adult Onset Chronic Disease”, nearly 600 delegates it was noted that the intro- including well-known duction of good nutrition in the early stages of a woman’s life is researchers, clinicians, fundamental not only for her trainees, postdoctoral health, but also for healthier researchers, students pregnancies and healthier and all members of babies. The theory was sup- ported by several speakers the community to during MCH 2020, who shared cover advancement best practice examples and methods in the field of research programs from Qatar reproductive health, as well as from the United States, the United Kingdom, pregnancy, fetal and Spain and other countries. post-natal life. Pregnancy complications in women are said to be rapidly Dr. Khalid Fakhro, Acting Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, increasing with a health risk for speaking at the conference at QNCC. THE PENINSULA — DOHA both mother and child. Common complications The Maternal and Child Health health, pregnancy, foetal and gestational diabetes, pre-term reported in Qatar include ges- Symposium (MCH 2020), held post-natal life. birth, perinatal child health and tational diabetes, preterm birth, by Sidra Medicine, a member The conference is in reproductive conditions such pre-eclampsia, gestational An SJNKI official receiving a certificate at QIC Headquarters. of Qatar Foundation, wrapped alignment with Qatar’s National as infertility that affect millions hypertension, stillbirth and low up its three-day conference Health strategy 2018-2022 pri- of women and men worldwide. birth weight. However, the THE PENINSULA — DOHA knowledge in various fields of with key calls to action on ority targets: Healthy women “We learned a lot over the symposium participants agreed insurance, digitised retail plat- better nutrition for women, leading to healthy pregnancies, three days, and a key message that more longitudinal studies As part of its endeavour towards forms and communicating with importance of HPV vaccines in and was co-chaired by Dr. Sou- from the symposium is that to are needed, in addition to realising Qatar National Vision a multi-cultural workforce and adolescent women, and haila Al Khodor, Director of advance maternal and child multi-omics technologies to 2030, QIC Group announced customer base in the Middle investment in further research Maternal and Child Health health in Qatar, large cohort address pregnancy complica- yesterday that it had completed East. to understand pregnancy Program, and Dr Annalisa Ter- studies and public participation tions and enable precision med- a knowledge exchange program Speaking about this complications. ranegra, Investigator in Nutri- are fundamental. As an aca- icine in this field. with leading insurance knowledge exchange initiative, The symposium, which took tional Genomics and Metab- demic medical center, patients The MCH2020 Symposium company Sompo Japan Ahmed Al Jarboey, Senior Vice- place at the Qatar National olism, from Sidra Medicine. at Sidra Medicine who enrol in included a pre-conference Nipponkoa Insurance Inc President MENA Retail & Motor Convention Center brought Dr. Khalid Fakhro, Acting research can teach us a lot, with seminar and community (SJNKI). Claims, stated: “This collabo- together nearly 600 delegates Chief Research Officer at Sidra benefits not only for today’s workshop aimed at pregnant Owing to QIC Group’s rep- rative partnership highlights including well-known Medicine said, “MCH 2020 world but also for future gen- women and first-time mothers utation as the leading insurer QIC Group’s reputation and researchers, clinicians, showcased the successful inte- erations around the globe,” said to provide them with infor- in the MENA region, SJNKI sent goodwill for which SJNKI has trainees, postdoctoral gration of our clinical and Dr Fakhro. mation regarding nutrition and its staff to QIC Headquarters in chosen us as the ideal partner. researchers, students and all research maternal programs at During a session presented exercise during pregnancy. The Doha for enhancing technical We wish to foster this growing members of the community to Sidra Medicine. International by Professor Kent L Thornburg, conference also marked Inter- skills, exchanging experiences relationship and take to its next cover advancement methods and local speakers shared their titled “The Developmental national Women’s Day with the and adopting best practices. stage of its evolution. It would in the field of reproductive experience on topics such as Origins of Health and Disease delegates on March 8. The trainee was successful at be our way of cementing the familiarising himself with QIC partnership between the two Second Ihsan School brings delight to students Group’s wide-spread business powerhouses.”

THE PENINSULA — DOHA her of education and she moved The Westin Doha Hotel and to Qatar where she is now a Tears poured down the cheeks student at the Second Ihsan Spa introduces new menu of Nagham Aziz Al Hamed, a School. Syrian seventh-grade student She expresses her delight at at the Second Ihsan School being a student of the school at Hunters Room & Grill while speaking about the that brought an opportunity to discontinuation of her studies her to realize her dream, as she THE PENINSULA — DOHA for more than one year, due to wants to be a lawyer in the the ongoing conflict in her future to fight for children’s The Award-winning restaurant country. rights violated in crises. She also Hunters Room & Grill at The “I used to go through a great thanked the people of Qatar for Westin Doha Hotel and Spa, has anxiety every morning when I establishing the school and pro- recently announced the launch saw, from a window of my viding all school supplies and of its new innovative menu. A view of the second Ihsan School. house, girls of my age riding transportation for students free Showcasing more than 35 school buses, while I was of charge. dishes, all carefully crafted by trapped in the house”, Nagham Nagham described the moment Foundation. She expressed the Besides, Maryam Saad, Hunters Room and Grill Chef expressed her pain. when she heard about her hope that more students would talked about her suffering, de Cuisine, Esteban Guevara, After arriving in Doha, enrolment into the school. She find an opportunity of edu- saying “I remained out-of- with a new twist from Latin Nagham remained out-of- tells us that she has devoted cation at the school where some school for nearly one year due America. The Menu has been school for a whole semester. herself to her study and is 482 students, boys and girls, are to the security reason in my designed to offer an exciting However, the opportunity of racing against time to make up now studying. country. When I arrived in dining experience throughout being a regular student came to for what she missed. Nagham is not the only Qatar, I began to study at the a selection of delicious soups, her due to the opening of the She thanked the State of student at the school, who went home on my own. However, appetisers, burgers and the second Ihsan School, a non- Qatar and everyone who played through the deprivation of edu- after joining the Second Ihsan chef’s signature dishes. Showcasing more than 35 dishes, profit academic institution that a role in establishing this school, cation. Nearly half of the School, I focus more on my The New Menu consists of all carefully crafted by Hunters provides free-of-cost education which depends on the full school’s female students are studies and do homework reg- Kale Salad, which includes apple Room & Grill Chef de Cuisine to Arab children within Qatar, support of Qatar Charity and is Syrian nationals, including ularly. The school provided me granny smith with pomegranate, Esteban Guevara, with a new who have been deprived of run in cooperation with Afif Salah Al Din Murad, currently with a good environment and pumpkin seeds, mint honey twist from Latin America. education for various reasons. Charity, the Ministry of Edu- a seventh-grader supposed to friends and brought back a mustard and smoked salmon to “It was a wonderful feeling cation and Higher Education, be a ninth-grader, who said the hope to my life, as I want to be add more crunchiness; Beef Car- full with joy and delight,” and the Education Above All conflict in her country deprived a doctor in the future.” paccio which is an appetising beef tenderloin with wholegrain fig mustard, enoki mushrooms, chipotle aioli, truffle oil and parmesan cheese; Crab Cake and Empanadas; Chef’s sig- nature dishes combining Black Angus Tomahawk, a succulent 1.4 kg of cut carved at the table and served with three side dishes and two sauces for the guest choice, with best Chef’s Esteban’s Malbec Short Ribs, Argentinian Malbec, 12 hours slow-cooked Short Ribs with Palm Sugar and Polenta on the side and very delicious T-Bone or Tenderloin Steaks. From his side, Rui Eduardo, Director of Food & Beverage of The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, commented on the launches: “The new mouth-watering menu at Hunters will be an added value to the steakhouse offerings” He added: “We promise our guest of a one-of- a-kind experience at Hunters with our new variety of dishes especially those looking to expe- rience Latin American cuisine in a unique atmosphere.” Hunters Room & Grill at The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa is a contemporary Grill Res- taurant inspired by the uncom- promising quality, creativity and unique style of a traditional grill room. Serving the premium class meat selected from boutique farms, dishes are plated with a contemporary touch or carved live at the table. Hunters is located on the mezzanine floor of Westin Doha Hotel and Spa, next to the indoor garden and is open daily for New Business Lunch from 12pm until 4pm and for dinner from 7pm until 11pm. WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 GULF / MIDDLE EAST 07 COVID-19: Iran death toll rises to Kuwait reports four new cases QNA — KUWAIT CITY

Kuwait announced yesterday four new coronavirus cases 291; Lebanon reports first death registered over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of cases to 67. Iranian Health Ministry “One of the four infectees was a person who came from Iran, spokesman offered new another from Azerbaijan and two citizens who flew from Egypt,” Kuwaiti Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Abdullah casualty figures, which Al Sanad was quoted by Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) as represented an 18% saying. At a daily press briefing, he recalled that two persons were increase in deaths from treated from the virus. the day before and 12% Al Sanad said there were four persons admitted into the intensive care unit, three stable and one in critical condition. more confirmed cases. Kuwait's cabinet has decided to keep schools closed until He warned figures in March 23, said the government’s official spokesman Tareq Al Merzem, amid a rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. Iran likely will continue According to the Kuna, the extension will come into effect to rise before Nowruz on March 15 until March 26, Al Merzem added, describing the on March 20. measure as a safety precaution given the spread of the con- tagion. .

AGENCIES — TEHRAN Cases in West Bank jump to 26

Iran will recognise doctors and ANATOLIA — RAMALLAH nurses who die combating the new coronavirus as “martyrs” The Palestinian authorities confirmed yesterday a new coro- like slain soldiers, the country’s navirus case in the occupied West Bank. supreme leader announced “The Health Ministry has reported a new coronavirus case yesterday as the outbreak killed in Bethlehem, which increased the number of people infected 54 more people and pushed the Sanitary workers disinfecting the desks and chairs of the Lebanese Parliament in central Beirut, yesterday with coronavirus to 26,” government spokesman Ibrahim nation’s death toll to 291. amid the spread of coronavirus in the country. Melhem said in a statement. Last week, the Palestinian Health The decision by Supreme Ministry announced a state of emergency in the West Bank Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Rafic Hariri State Hospital capital Ankara after the meeting Ministry spokesman Kianoush cities of Bethlehem and Jericho over suspected coronavirus comes amid a propaganda cam- announced that it found nine of the science council on the Jahanpour offered new casualty cases. The ministry said a hotel in Bethlehem was quarantined paign already trying to link the new cases of the fatal virus. The coronavirus, Fahrettin Koca said figures for the virus, which rep- due to a number of suspected cases. fight against the virus to Iran’s hospital added that out of 122 the Health Ministry and the resented an 18% increase in Palestinian Health Minister Mai Al Kaileh said on Thursday long, bloody 1980s war with tests recently carried out, only Turkish government took all the deaths from the day before and that they decided to activate the emergency plan in the gov- Iraq. The rising casualty figures nine people tested positive. measures to prevent the novel 12% more confirmed cases. ernorates of Bethlehem and Jericho. each day in Iran suggest the fight The United Arab Emirates virus from entering Turkey. Jahanpour warned figures in against the new coronavirus is (UAE) confirmed 15 new cases Across the Mideast, over Iran likely will continue to rise Sistani calls to ban mass prayers far from over, even as more of the coronavirus yesterday, 8,600 people have contracted before Nowruz on March 20. He people die from drinking taking the national tally to 74. the virus and the COVID-19 urged people to limit their travel, BAGHDAD methanol in the false belief it “Effective application of pre- illness it causes. The majority which already has been difficult ANATOLIA — kills the virus. cautionary measures revealed come from hard-hit Iran, which for police manning checkpoints Prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Ali Al Sistani yesterday urged people The first death from novel 15 cases of coronavirus infec- has one of the world’s worst on roads between major cities. to abide by the ban on mass prayers to avoid the spread of coronavirus has been reported tions,” the UAE Health Ministry death tolls outside of China, the Iran has yet to take widespread coronavirus in the country. Al Sistani made this statement on in Lebanon, according to the was quoted as saying in a epicenter of the outbreak. quarantine decisions like China his official website responding to a question on performing country’s top health official. The statement by official news For most people, the new and Italy. “The rate of spreading mass prayers in the light of coronavirus spread. Lebanese citizen had been found agency WAM. This, it added, coronavirus causes only mild or disease is still rising,” Jahanpour “These gatherings are banned to limit the spread of coro- to be infected five days after brought the total number of moderate symptoms, such as told a televised news navirus, it must be heard and taken seriously,” Al Sistani said. returning from a trip to Egypt, infected people in the country fever and cough. For some, conference. Lebanese Health Minister Hamad to 74. Some 12 cases have especially older adults and The UN Special Rapporteur Hassan told state television. recovered so far. people with existing health on human rights in Iran said Separately, Lebanese No coronavirus cases have problems, it can cause more yesterday that he had asked the have political prisoners detained have not...got it (coronavirus) authorities announced that the been confirmed in Turkey so far, severe illness, including country to release all prisoners amid the coronavirus outbreak. they are really fearful of the con- number of those diagnosed with the health minister said. pneumonia. temporarily, saying that it is “A number of dual and foreign ditions,” Javaid Rehman told the disease rose to 41. Beirut’s Addressing reporters in the Yesterday, Iranian Health “unfortunate and disturbing” to nationals are at real risk if they journalists in Geneva. Israeli court rejects Netanyahu request to delay trial

AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM therefore there was no justification for Gantz, refused to sit with him in gov- ballots that are in contention. Gantz’s Netanyahu. If the deadlock continues, a delay. ernment and appears poised to push Blue and White said the move set a Israel could see itself heading toward An Israeli court yesterday rejected Prime Netanyahu has been charged with for legislation in the incoming par- “dangerous precedent” that damaged a fourth straight election, which experts Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request fraud, breach of trust and accepting liament that would bar anyone indicted the legitimacy of the country’s elec- say would have disastrous effects on to delay the start of his corruption trial, bribes in connection to a series of for a crime being able to lead a gov- tions commission. the public’s confidence in their elected clearing the way for proceedings to begin scandals that include accepting ernment—in effect disqualifying The anti-Netanyahu forces in the officials and electoral system. as planned next week. expensive gifts from wealthy friends Netanyahu from leading the country. new incoming parliament command Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving Netanyahu’s lawyers had appealed and offering to exchange favors with While the most straightforward a 62-58 majority but are deeply divided leader, is desperate to remain in office for a delay, saying they needed more powerful media moguls. The long- way out of the deadlock in each of the among themselves, even though Gantz because installing a new government time to review evidence. State prose- ruling Israeli leader denies any wrong- previous rounds was a unity gov- and the smaller Yisrael Beitenu party, would give him an important political cutors responded that they oppose any doing and says he is the victim of a ernment, the sides have grown increas- led by Netanyahu ally-turned-nemesis boost and potentially allow him to leg- delays and the court accepted their media-orchestrated witch hunt. ingly acrimonious toward each other Avigdor Lieberman, have agreed to islate his way out of the legal quagmire. position. His legal troubles stood at the with each campaign. cooperate to form a government. Amit Haddad, one of Netanyahu’s In overruling the request the pre- center of last week’s national election, Yesterday, members of Netan- Israel’s president will soon begin lawyers, had said he would seek a delay siding judge wrote that the first session Israel’s third in less than a year. Like yahu’s Likud Party abstained from a consultations with the elected parties in the start of the trial. He said the request on March 17 was a procedural reading elections last April and September, this procedural vote meant to approve the to determine who to tap as prime min- was “technical” and meant to give the of the charges only and the defend- one ended inconclusively. official election results, citing their ister-designate, typically the leader of defense time to review investigative ant’s response was not needed, Netanyahu’s opponent, Benny demand for a recount of hundreds of the largest party and in this case materials that it still has not received. Spy drone shot down in western Yemen, say Houthi rebels

ANATOLIA & AP — SANA'A

The Houthi rebel group yesterday said it shot down a “spy drone” of the Saudi Arabia-led international coalition in western Yemen. Air defence forces of Houthi rebels destroyed the drone in Al Tuhaita district in Yemen’s western Al Hudaydah province, according to the Al Masirah news network, a Yemeni media outlet aligned with the Houthi rebel group. The Saudi-led international coalition and the Yemeni government are yet to comment on the incident. Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when the Iran- backed Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital Sana'a. The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains. Tens of thousands of Yemenis, including numerous civilians, are believed to have been killed in the con- flict, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis as millions remain at risk of starvation. Meanwhile, Yemen’s army said on Monday it wrested control of several northern towns from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels Monday, a step toward sre- versing the rebels’ rapid gains in the stra- tegic area. Yemeni forces, supported by Saudi air power, announced on Twitter that they retook cities in the vast Khub Walsha'af district, which borders Saudi Arabia. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020

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A Colombian migration official and arriving passengers wear protective face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of EDITORIAL COVID-19, at the Bonilla Aragon International Airport in Palmira, Colombia, yesterday.

Extending a helping hand Big Pharma can’t be trusted SINCE the civil war officially began in Syria on March 15, 2011, families have suffered heavily under brutal conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, to solve coronavirus torn a beautiful nation apart and set back the standard of living by decades. The Syrian refugee crisis has become the largest refugee and displacement crisis of are simply unable to follow and markets the drugs. Again, the the modern world. safety advice like staying away public bears the cost while big Qatar has been extending a helping hand to ref- from work or talking to their corporations sit on the profits. ugees and people displaced by conflicts and natural doctor. According to Public Citizen, a calamities across the world and in the Syrian refugee The US suffers from the most non-profit consumer advocacy crisis also Qatar is doing more than what other coun- inefficient health system in the group based in the US, the US tries or entities are doing. The country has not only developed world, according to a National Institutes of Health has extended financial and material aid to the suffering NICK DEARDEN 2014 report from The Common- already spent $700 million on Syrians, but also has been advocating for the rights and AP wealth Fund, an independent research into the disease, yet protection of the people affected by the crisis by raising research organisation focusing sadly no conditions have been the issue at regional or international forums. People might think that on healthcare. Despite being the imposed to ensure that everyone Qatar strongly condemned the failure of the Syrian pandemics are great levellers: in most expensive, the US can get access to the treatments authorities in allowing the Independent International a crisis, no matter how rich you healthcare system delivers the produced. Commission of Inquiry of the Syrian Arab Republic to are, you are as likely to die from worst health outcomes of any In turn, vast swaths of the enter the country in order to carry out its mandate. a contagious disease as anyone industrialised country. world’s population are effec- The Deputy Permanent Representative of Qatar to the else. Recently, people worried tively priced out of being able to UN in Geneva, H E Abdullah Hamad Al Nuaimi, during But this is far from true, and about coronavirus have been access new drugs when they are a dialogue with the Independent International Com- while deadly diseases are of charged thousands of dollars for produced. Even for those of us mission of Inquiry, as part of the agenda of the 43rd course a major worry for us all, basic tests to rule out infection, a lucky enough to enjoy a public session of the Human Rights Council, said: “As we the impact on those who are situation that contrasts sharply health system, the cost of new enter the 10th year of the Syrian crisis, we are listening Spiralling poorer is much heavier. with many European countries drugs to that system can be today to another report of the commission of inquiry inequality They are more at risk; disease where testing is free at the point eye-watering. that reveals to us the magnitude of grave violations will take a bigger toll on their of use, and universal. In developing countries, the and heinous crimes committed against the Syrian has become lives and if they do succumb, When we add into the situation may become dire. For- people. We express our condemnation and concern a scar on our they are less likely to recover. equation the likelihood of retail tunately, the spread of the virus about the continuing deterioration of the human rights Spiralling inequality has and catering jobs being among throughout Africa has been slow and humanitarian conditions of the Syrian people world, and is become a scar on our world, and the most insecure, where people to date. This is good because referred to in the report, the absence of any horizon at the root of is at the root of so many of the are least likely to be able to take nowhere will the inequalities of for a political solution and the insistence of the Syrian problems humanity faces. The time off or admit to feeling ill, the pandemic be seen more regime and its allies on the military solution and the so many of current coronavirus epidemic is and also where many of these starkly. If public healthcare, politics of the scorched earth”. the problems exposing that inequality afresh. roles are public-facing, we find decent jobs and welfare are key Since the refugee crisis began, Qatar has been con- humanity Furthermore, that inequality exactly the conditions that will to reducing the impact of the sistently giving aid to the refugees inside Syria and the will be driven to new heights by promote the rapid spread of the disease, many African countries neighbouring countries through different agencies and faces. The some of the proposals that have disease. will struggle. Ministries. Recently H H the Amir donated QR50m to current been put forward to solve the And while even public Former World Bank ‘Shams Deserves’ campaign. It was launched in part- crisis, including the promotion of healthcare systems can struggle employees have made clear that nership with the Qatar Media Corporation. The cam- coronavirus financial markets, big healthcare with preventive medicine, there the answer to mitigating pan- paign will provide food, health, shelter, water and san- epidemic is and pharmaceutical is a built-in disincentive to demics is better public itation supplies to Syrians who fled their homes in the corporations. prevent illness in a system where healthcare facilities within coun- largest wave of displacement since the war began. exposing that In China, where the latest illness equals profit. tries. This allows better pre- During the winter, the state has sent tents, blankets, inequality variant of coronavirus, The most immediate hope vention and the ability to act heaters and other supplies to help them weather the afresh. COVID-19, was first reported, the lies in the production of a quickly when crisis strikes. harsh living conditions. impact of food price rises and vaccine for the virus and public Yet, despite awful recent epi- Qatar is concerned about the plight of the ordinary economic slowdown have money is being pumped into demics like Ebola, market solu- people, irrespective of their religion, race, colour or already been felt most acutely by research around the world by tions are still being pushed by region, who just happened to be the victims of wars the poorest. While the elite and national research institutes and donors onto poorer parts of the and conflicts. middle classes are more likely to nonprofit bodies. world. One “innovative” be able to work from home, to But there is a problem – the approach the World Bank has afford a period without earning way the global pharmaceutical established to deal with pan- and to rely on other (often industry works means it is disin- demics like coronavirus is the poorer) people to deliver every- terested in finding vaccines for issue of “pandemic bonds”. thing they need to their doors, epidemics. Big pharmaceutical These bonds are bought by D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR these options are not available to corporations make their profits hedge funds and pension funds largely from developing drugs initially from the World Bank, EMAIL: [email protected] those already struggling to make ends meet. In rural areas, some for chronic conditions which but then on secondary markets, farmers are facing devastation have a vast, long-term market and pay out a high rate of return EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 and the Chinese leadership has among people (or institutions) to investors - until a pandemic FAX: +974 4455 7758 been warned that the virus will able to pay for them. strikes. At that point, the bond prevent its anti-poverty goal Companies then sit on investment is used to support MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 being reached this year. decades-long patents, infa- low-income countries to tackle The whole purpose of state mously spending more on mar- the outbreak. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 provision of healthcare is to keting their current drugs than But, in order to sell such pan- remove the demands of the researching new ones. An epi- demic bonds, the World Bank LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 market from our ability to enjoy demic is far too uncertain to has had to make the terms so a healthy and dignified life. But justify Big Pharma’s time, as we favourable that to date they have BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 years of austerity, even in rich can see from the way SARS never been triggered, even countries, have eroded public (another form of coronavirus) during the Ebola crisis. Although SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 services and the welfare safety research was dropped as the epi- they might be triggered this time net. demic waned, a tragedy because around, the amount released is ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 This means that even it could have helped enormously likely to fall well short of the email: [email protected] developed health systems in with locating treatments for funds needed. Europe will struggle with the COVID-19. As the crisis heightens, the PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 virus, and an individual’s wealth This is especially disgraceful value of the bonds is plum- email: [email protected] will dictate how well insulated when so much medical research meting, but rich investors have they are from contagion. is already effectively funded by been handsomely paid out in ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 But in countries without the state: between one-third and interest and premiums in the FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] proper state provisions, the situ- two-thirds of research funding meantime, at the expense of ation is far worse. Insecurity of globally comes from the public public purses which were sup- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 employment and a lack of social purse. The scandal is that so posed to be used to fight poverty. email: [email protected] safety nets, mean many workers much of this research is then Nick Dearden is the director in the United States, where handed over to Big Pharma, of UK campaigning organisation SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 healthcare is insurance-based, which finalises, manufactures Global Justice Now. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar We have to eliminate the root causes of migration… That was the main philosophy of the EU-Turkey /Peninsula_Qatar agreement. I have been advocating for that since 2015, and I will continue to do so in the future. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Angela Merkel, German Chancellor +974 6698 6188 WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09 US offers Turkey its Patriot Turkey defies EU pressure to shut defence system if Russian border, says to host migration summit S-400s remain unboxed REUTERS — ANKARA President Recep Tayyip REUTERS — ANKARA Two Turkish officials said Erdogan said yesterday he would not stop migrants The United States has offered to sell that Turkey was evaluating trying to cross Turkey’s Turkey its Patriot missile defence system the US offer but that border into Greece despite if Ankara promises not to operate a rival Ankara had not changed EU pressure to do so, but he Russian system, Turkish President also announced a summit Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, in what he its plans for the Russian next week in Istanbul with called a significant softening in Wash- S-400 systems, which it European leaders to seek a ington’s position. solution to the crisis. Two Turkish officials said that has said it will start to Tens of thousands of Turkey was evaluating the US offer but activate next month. migrants have been trying that Ankara had not changed its plans for to get into Greece, a the Russian S-400 systems, which it has European Union member said it will start to activate next month. But US officials said yesterday state, since Turkey said on Nato allies Turkey and the United States Ankara had to clarify its position on the February 28 it would no have been at odds over Ankara’s purchase S-400s for their security ties to advance. longer keep them on its ter- last year of the S-400s, which Washington US special representative for Syria ritory as part of a 2016 deal says are incompatible with the alliance’s James Jeffrey and US Ambassador to with Brussels in return for defence systems. Turkey, David Satterfield, told reporters EU aid for the refugees. After heavy fighting in northwestern on a conference call from Brussels that Greece has sent troops Syria’s Idlib region this year Turkey Washington was discussing with Nato to the border area and used asked Washington to deploy Patriots what support it can offer Turkey mili- tear gas and water cannon along its border with Syria for protection tarily. Jeffrey also said they had con- against the migrants, but but the United States said Turkey cannot sidered possible responses should the pressure has continued. Asylum seeker Mahmood Ahmad (left), his daughter Najla (second left) and their family have both the S-400s and the Patriots. Russia and the Syrian government break Greece said it stopped 963 continue to wait at the border between Greece and Turkey in Edirne, yesterday. Turkish Speaking to reporters on his return a ceasefire in Idlib, officials said. illegal migrants in the 24 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned about Najla during a celebration of heroic flight from Brussels, Erdogan said He suggested other Nato states could hours to 6 a.m. on Tuesday women of Turkey as part of International Women’s Day. Ankara had told Washington to deploy individually or as an alliance provide and arrested 52. Patriot systems to Turkey and that it was military support to help Turkey. But he Erdogan, speaking to reached the EU via Turkey ister Boris Johnson. try to come up with pro- ready to purchase the systems from the ruled out sending ground troops and reporters on his plane back and Greece, boosting He said he had stressed posals in time for a summit United States as well. said there still needed to be a resolution to Turkey after discussing support for far-right in the Brussels talks the of EU leaders on March 26, “We made this offer to the United to the S-400 issue for the security rela- the migrant crisis on parties. need to update both the Erdogan said. States on the Patriot: If you are going to tionship to move forward. Monday in Brussels with Greek military vehicles 2016 migration deal Ankara says the EU has give us Patriots, then do it. We can also “You can forget ground troops. top EU officials, repeated and soldiers on foot con- between Ankara and the EU so far handed over only buy Patriots from you,” he said. Turkey has demonstrated that it and its his call on Greece to change tinued on Tuesday to patrol and Turkey’s customs about half of the six billion “They also softened significantly on opposition forces are more than capable tack. “We are not thinking along the wire and steel union with the bloc, and euros initially promised to this S-400 issue. They are now at the of holding ground on their own,” Jeffrey of closing these gates. Our fence that separates the also to revive Turkey’s help house, feed, educate point of ‘promise us you won’t make the said. “The issue is the situation in the air proposal to Greece is to Kastanies crossing from stalled EU accession and care for the 3.6 million S-400s operational’,” Erdogan added. and it’s what we are looking at,” he said. open the gates. These Turkey’s border post at process. “The EU leaders refugees living in Turkey. Previous talks between Turkey and While Erdogan has frequently people won’t stay in Greece. Pazarkule. Greek officials accepted that Turkey had Turkey also wants more the United States on the purchase of the referred to the S-400 purchase as a Let them cross from Greece said the 52 migrants fulfilled its responsibilities European support over the Patriots have collapsed over a host of “done deal” and said Turkey will not into other European coun- arrested from Monday to under the March 18 (2016) war in neighbouring Syria, issues, from the S-400s to Ankara’s dis- turn back from it, he did not repeat that tries,” he said, calling for a yesterday included Syrians, agreement and that the EU where Turkish troops face satisfaction with Washington’s terms. stance in his comments yesterday. “just, humane sharing” of Afghans and Iranians. had acted slowly,” Erdogan off against Russian-backed Turkey has said it will only agree to an Turkish officials, however, said Turkey’s the burden. Erdogan said he would said, adding that technical Syrian government forces. offer if it includes technology transfer position remained unchanged. His comments will convene a summit in and political teams would The 2016 pact also and joint production terms. “The United States has once again revive memories of the Istanbul on March 17 on the now produce a road map. envisaged European coun- While ties between Ankara and brought up the Patriot offer. The United 2015-16 migrant crisis, migrant issue with German Turkish Foreign Min- tries taking in thousands of Washington have been strained, the States’ previous strong stance isn’t the when more than one Chancellor Angela Merkel, ister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Syrian refugees directly United States has offered support for its case any more. They are approaching million people, mostly French President Josep Borrell, the EU’s from camps in Turkey and ally as it battle to stop Russia-backed Turkey more empathetically now,” a fleeing war and poverty in Emmanuel Macron and foreign policy chief, will rewarding Turks with visa- Syrian government advances in Idlib. senior official said. the Middle East and Asia, possibly British Prime Min- conduct this process and free travel to the EU. Tunisia International Book Fair postponed Merkel meets Libyan due to coronavirus warlord Haftar in Berlin QNA — TUNIS AP — BERLIN The Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Haftar militants Affairs announced the post- German Chancellor Angela target two schools ponement of the Tunis Interna- Merkel met Libyan military tional Book Fair, the International commander Khalifa Haftar in with rockets Day of the Theater and the Izz Al Berlin yesterday in a bid to Din Qanoun Festival for Theater, advance efforts to secure a ANATOLIA — TRIPOLI due to the coronavirus Covid-19. lasting ceasefire in Libya. The ministry stated that new An administration backed Militants affiliated with dates will be announced later, by Haftar’s forces controls most renegade Libyan military adding that a number of other of Libya’s east and south, while commander Khalifa Haftar major international and local cul- a UN-backed but weak gov- targeted two schools with tural and artistic events can be ernment in Tripoli holds a rocket fire, local officials said. postponed or canceled according shrinking area in the west, In a statement, Abu to developments. including the capital. A Salim Municipality said no The number of people infected patchwork of armed groups one was killed or injured in with coronavirus (COVID-19) in and foreign countries support the attack as the schools A health personnel checks the temperature of passengers upon their arrival at Carthage Airport Tunisia increased to five cases on one or the other. were empty at the time. in the Tunisian capital Tunis, yesterday. Monday. Haftar’s forces launched an On February 27, the UN- offensive in April 2019 to seize recognised Government of Tripoli but the operation has National Accord (GNA) said Congo sees first case; infections in Africa at 105 been at a military stalemate. 21 civilians were killed and Last month, rival Libyan 31 wounded amid a AGENCIES — KINSHASA apart from people who have a cases — a husband and wife catastrophic given the poor military officials met in Geneva, relentless military campaign cough. who returned from a trip to health systems in many African where the United Nations said by Haftar’s forces that indis- Democratic Republic of Congo The outbreak has largely France. countries. they agreed to a draft cease- criminately targeted civilian confirmed its first case of spared sub-Saharan Africa so South Africa announced Meanwhile, the fire agreement that involved areas. Although a ceasefire coronavirus yesterday, far, but since February a few four more cases, bringing its Khouribga African Film Fes- the return of displaced civilians was reached on Jan. 12, forces bringing the number of coun- cases have been registered in total to seven, all part of a group tival (FCAK) Foundation to their homes. The fate of the loyal to Haftar have tries in sub-Saharan Africa hit Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, that returned from Italy. announced that the 22nd draft agreement remains repeatedly violated the truce. by the epidemic to seven the Cameroon, Togo and Burkina Senegal has reported four cases. edition of the festival in unclear. number of infections in Africa Faso. North African countries Nigeria and Cameroon each Morocco that was originally The hoped ceasefire would to 105. have registered dozens of have two cases and Togo has scheduled for the end of solidify a truce brokered by a full cease-fire. But violations The patient is a Congolese cases. one. March and the beginning of Russia and Turkey that took of the arms embargo citizen who lives in France and Congo’s first coronavirus In North Africa, there April is postponed to a later effect in January and has been persisted. returned to Congo on March 8 case comes as its long-running have been two deaths, one date. fragile at best. Low-intensity At yesterday’s meeting with with no symptoms of the virus, Ebola epidemic appears to be each in Morocco and Egypt. The Foundation’s statement fighting and artillery shelling Haftar, Merkel stressed that Health Minister Eteni Longondo on the wane. Egypt now has 59 cases, explained that this decision continue in Tripoli’s suburbs. there can be no military told reporters. The last patient being Algeria has 20, Tunisia has comes in line with the regula- Merkel hosted a summit in solution to the conflict and so The patient and others with treated for Ebola was dis- five and Morocco now has tions of the Moroccan gov- January of countries with an “a ceasefire and progress in the him have been placed in quar- charged on March 3 — the first one remaining case. ernment to preserve the health interest in Libya’s long-running political process, in line with antine, Longondo said. “What time there have been no active Although Africa’s numbers security of the country, citizens, conflict. Those countries agreed the decisions of the Berlin con- I’d like to tell people is not to cases since the outbreak was are low compared to Asia, and the festivals guests, as well to respect a much-violated UN ference, are necessary,” her panic,” he said, recommending declared in August 2018. Europe and the US, experts as a preventive measure against arms embargo, hold off on mil- spokesman, Steffen Seibert, people wash their hands regu- Burkina Faso late on warn that COVID-19 spreading the spread of the novel corona- itary support to Libya’s warring said in a statement. He didn’t larly and stay at least one meter Monday confirmed its first two across the continent could be virus (COVID-19). parties and push them to reach detail Haftar’s response. Algeria facing unprecedented ‘multi-dimensional crisis’: PM REUTERS — ALGIERS are continuing even though falling hydrocarbons output putting pressure on the dem- out of this multi-dimensional more schools and construct they have already led to many have hit state coffers. onstrators through a heavy crisis,” Djerad told state news better transport infrastructure Algeria’s prime minister said changes at the top of the ruling “It would be wiser to reduce police presence and arrests. agency. around the country. yesterday the country faced an hierarchy. the tendency to make demands In addition to the mass pro- Elected in December last The government has unprecedented “multi-dimen- The demonstrators are and the overblown occupation tests that take place each year in a vote largely rejected approved a 9.2% cut in public sional crisis” and urged people demanding wholesale changes of public roads, which only Friday, there have been smaller by demonstrators, President spending for this year com- to make fewer demands of the in the power structure and the aggravate the current situation demonstrations demanding Abdelmadjid Tebboune has said pared with 2019 but kept government and reduce their army’s withdrawal from more,” Djerad told state news better living standards and repeatedly he will meet the subsidy policy unchanged in a street presence. politics. agency APS. public services. protest movement’s demands bid to avoid social unrest. The comments by Prime An oil market crash has fol- The Algerian authorities “Given the seriousness of with changes to the Algeria subsidies almost Minister Abdelaziz Djerad were lowed years of growing eco- have in public mostly praised the current economic and social constitution. everything from basic food- an apparent reference to a year nomic strain in Algeria as lower the mass protests as a national situation, all parties are He has also pledged steps to stuffs to fuel, housing and of weekly mass protests, which energy prices since 2014 and revival, while simultaneously expected to be mobilised to get improve living standards, build medicine. 10 ASIA WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Scindia quits Congress, set to join BJP today AGENCIES — NEW DELHI Election Committee (CEC) meeting held yesterday at the After immense speculations party headquarters, to decide over his divorce with the upon the candidates for the Congress party, former union coming Rajya Sabha elections minister and Congress leader scheduled on March 26. in the central Indian state of Within hours of Scindia’s Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya exit, more than 20 party MLAs Scindia (pictured), has finally close to him submitted their res- Members of Myanmar’s parliament leave after a session, in Naypyidaw, yesterday. resigned from the primary ignation from the assembly putting membership of the party and the Congress in an apparent sent his resignation letter to minority in Madhya Pradesh. An Myanmar’s military blocks attempt to interim Congress President MLA each from the SP and BSP Sonia Gandhi. who were earlier supporting the While tendering his resig- Jyotiraditya Scindia Congress were also seen with BJP relinquish parliamentary power base nation, he cited, “...as you well is reportedly eyeing leaders. know, this is a path that has been a Rajya Sabha (Upper Earlier in the day, Scindia AFP — NAYPYIDAW The country is gearing up to military-scripted 2008 consti- drawing itself out over the last met Home Minister Amit Shah polls likely to be held later this tution. In unprecedented scenes year.” He added that he is House) nomination and he took him to the prime Myanmar’s military yesterday year, only the second since out- in Myanmar’s young parliament, “unable” to “serve” people having and a cabinet berth minister’s residence where an quashed proposals in parliament right military rule came to an the tempers of civilian and mil- been a part of the Congress. in return for crossing hour long meeting with PM that would mean its MPs relin- end. But the military still wields itary MPs have frayed during dis- Scindia is set to begin his Narendra Modi took place. Fol- quish power, in a vote pitting the considerable power, appointing cussions of the amendments, new innings with the BJP today, over to the BJP. lowing that meeting which armed forces in open opposition three key ministers — defence, with MPs shouting at each other and triggered a possible col- sealed the next move of Scindia, against Aung San Suu Kyi as elec- border and home affairs. across a normally staid chamber. lapse of the Kamal Nath gov- for the Rajya Sabha elections he released the letter to Sonia tions loom. Crucially, it holds a quarter The proposal to slash the ernment in Madhya Pradesh. due this month. Scindia is Gandhi. Four-time Lok Sabha The vote was the climax of a of parliamentary seats, effec- number of seats reserved for the Scindia will be formally reportedly eyeing a Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia hails year of fierce debates between tively giving it a veto over any military came up on the opening inducted into the BJP in the (Upper House) nomination and from a princely family of MPs as the civilian government legislation. day of a marathon series of votes morning, according to the party a cabinet berth in return for Gwalior. His late father Mad- attempted to reform the consti- Suu Kyi’s ruling National expected to last nearly two sources, before the party crossing over to the BJP. havrao Scindia was a Congress tution and reduce the military’s League for Democracy (NLD) has weeks. In the end, it was voted releases the list of nominations The BJP’s key Central leader and federal minister. stranglehold on parliament. been fighting for reforms of the down by 633 votes to 404. Downward trend in virus cases raises glimmer of hope in South Korea Bangladeshi man dies from REUTERS — SEOUL company. Authorities are inves- tigating in the cluster and say virus in UK A downward trend in new coro- more infections are likely among navirus cases in South Korea the 200 people packed into the ANATOLIA — DHAKA raised hope yesterday that Asia’s floor where the call-centre is biggest outbreak outside China located. They are being tested. may be slowing, but officials Seoul’s mayor, Park Won- A British national of Bangla- urged vigilance with new clusters soon, told a briefing the call- deshi origin died over the of infections emerging from a call centre outbreak was the capital’s weekend from the novel coro- centre and a dance class. largest. navirus at a hospital in the UK, The Korea Centres for “We will urgently check British media reported on Disease Control and Prevention companies where many people Monday, marking the first death (KCDC) reported 35 new coro- work in the same space like call of a Bangladeshi from the virus. navirus cases, down from a peak centres,” Park said. “The deceased, 60, returned of 909 on February 29. The new More than 90 out of 102 cases to the UK from Italy on Feb- figures brought the national tally in the central province of South ruary 29 while he was physi- to 7,513, while the death toll rose Chungcheong have been traced cally fit. But everything went by eight to 59. to a Zumba dance class. downhill after three days,” BBC The numbers were expected Among the infections linked Bangla reported, quoting the to be updated later yesterday. to the class were three gov- man’s son without disclosing The fall in the daily tally of ernment officials, including one his identity. new infections to its lowest level from the health ministry, trig- He added that his father was in 11 days coincided with the Chinese students who had been quarantined for two weeks after arriving in South Korea celebrate gering extensive disinfection admitted to North Manchester completion of testing of most of their release from a temporary living facility in Yongin, yesterday. efforts at the buildings where General Hospital on March 3 the roughly 200,000 followers they work. The US military in and that was his last meeting of a fringe Christian church at the the discovery of 64 new cases call centres. The cooperation of where the church at the centre south Korea reported a new case with family members. centre of South Korea’s among call-centre workers and business owners is essential as of the outbreak is based, and the yesteday, a Korean worker at a “It was really beyond my epidemic. their relatives. they shouldn’t let employees nearby province of North base in Daegu. That took the total imagination that I would never Yoon Tae-ho, director “The rate of increase is come in if they show symptoms Gyeongsang. number of infections to nine get back my father.” general for public health policy declining but there are still many like fever.” But alarm has been raised in among soldiers, employees or “After my father was at the health ministry, urged new cases,” Yoon told a briefing. More than 90 percent of the capital, Seoul, with the new people related to the roughly admitted to the hospital, we businesses to do what they could “We need to pay attention to South Korea’s cases have been cases there linked to the call- 28,500 US troops stationed in were also quarantined at home. to help stem the outbreak after crowded workplaces including in the southeastern city of Daegu, centre, operated by an insurance South Korea. We regularly received infor- mation from the hospital over the phone, though we were not allowed to talk directly with my COVID-19: Eight new father,” he said, adding they received a call from the hospital on Sunday morning conveying cases reported in Kerala; the tragic news. “We never heard of any- five in Maharashtra thing like the coronavirus only two months ago, but it has taken away my father,” he added. IANS — THIRUVANANTHAPURAM more cases turned positive, taking the total to 12. State Health Minister K K “The Cabinet held a meeting Indonesia arrests Shailaja yesterday said that two and we had a brief of what’s more new cases of coronavirus happening from various district six over online patients tested positive taking health officials. We have decided the total number of cases in to close down all educational virus hoaxes Kerala to 14. institutions in the state for the She said that the boy, who month of March. But all the AFP — JAKARTA came with his parents from Italy examinations will be held as and was admitted in a hospital normal. There will be no exam- Six Indonesians have been at Kochi had tested positive ination for classes 1 to 7, while arrested for allegedly spreading earlier, and yesterday, the the others will have examina- A group of students wearing protective face masks walk outside a railway station amid fear of misinformation online about the parents also tested positive. tions as usual,” said Vijayan coronavirus, in Kochi, India, yesterday deadly coronavirus, police said "All the three have already while speaking to the media yesterday, as the Southeast been isolated. There need be no here. to be cautious and everyone Tope announced yesterday. treatment in isolation at Naidu Asian nation’s confirmed worries or panic as we are doing “We have also decided to see should behave in a responsible “There are a total of five Hospital here. infection cases jumped. our best. All what needs to be that all the government func- manner. At the moment 1116 patients who have teated pos- “The condition of the A woman in Indonesia’s done, is everyone should just tions in the state for the month people are under observation. itive for coronavirus in Mahar- patients are stable. Mild second-biggest city Surabaya follow the health advisories that of March be cancelled. In the Just as we managed this when ashtra,” he said. symptoms of coronavirus were was arrested on Monday for comes out daily," said Shailaja. best interests of all movie halls three cases were reported On Monday, a Pune couple, found in one of these two spreading inaccurate claims on "All the three have already and dramas should not function. before, we will be able to with a history of travel to Dubai, patients, whereas the other has Facebook a patient was being been isolated. There need be no Marriages that are fixed, should manage this time also,” said tested positive for coronavirus not yet shown any symptoms. treated for the virus in the city, worries or panic as we are doing be held in a low profile manner, Vijayan. and were quarantined. “The information about all police said. our best. All what needs to be likewise there should be no gala Meanwhile, five patients Yesterday, their daughter, a the people who came in contact Five others were also done, is everyone should just festivities that are associated have tested positive in Mahar- cab-driver, who ferried them with these two patients and the detained for spreading false follow the health advisories that with all religious establish- ashtra for COVID-19 and have form Mumbai Airport to their places where they have visited, information on social media, comes out daily," said Shailaja. ments,” added Vijayan. been admitted in an isolation Pune home, and a co-pas- is being collected,” Divisional including claims a Muslim Earlier in the day, Chief Min- “There need be no reason for award at a local hospital in Pune, senger, also tested positive. All Commissioner of Pune Deepak woman flying to Saudi Arabia ister Pinarayi Vijayan said six worries as all what’s needed is state Health Minister Rajesh of them are undergoing Mhaisekar told media persons. for a religious pilgrimage had died suddenly from the virus at Jakarta’s international airport. All six suspects are accused Dutch King apologises for colonial killings in Indonesia of violating laws banning the spread of misinformation, which AP — BOGOR, INDONESIA The king’s apology was con- until 2013, when the Dutch “In line with the previous for generations.” carries as much as six years in veyed after he and Queen ambassador expressed remorse statement by my government, I Indonesia declared its inde- prison. King Willem-Alexander of the Maxima were hosted by Indo- for a series of massacres carried would like to express my regret pendence from Dutch colonial “It should serve as a lesson Netherlands apologised nesian President Joko Widodo out by the Dutch military to crush and apologise here for the rule on August 17, 1945, but the for other people not to spread yesterday for his country’s and his wife, Iriana, at an official resistance against colonial rule excessive violence on the part of Netherlands refused to hoaxes about coronavirus in aggression during its colonial rule ceremony in the ornate colonial- in Java and Sulawesi islands after the Dutch in those years,” the acknowledge it and fought Indonesia,” senior communica- of Indonesia and formally recog- style presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia’s 1945 declaration of king said yesterday at a joint unsuccessfully to maintain tions ministry official Semuel nised the Southeast Asian coun- just outside the capital, Jakarta. independence. news conference with Widodo. control of the lucrative Asian Abrijani Pangerapan said. try’s independence date, in his The Netherlands did not ini- That apology came only after “I do so with full awareness outpost. It finally recognised the On Monday, the country first state visit to the former tially apologise for its 350 years the victims’ widows took the that the pain and sorrow of the country as an independent nation reported its confirmed cases had Dutch colony. of colonial rule and aggression Dutch government to court. affected families will be felt in December 1949. jumped to 19 from six. WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 ASIA 11 Wuhan has ‘turned the tide’ against virus epidemic: Xi During Xi’s trip, Hubei announced it Survivor pulled from collapsed would ease travel quarantine hotel after 69 hours restrictions to allow AFP — BEIJING agency, and sent to a nearby healthy people in hospital. low-risk areas to A survivor was rescued after Video posted online yes- travel throughout 69 hours trapped under a terday by the Ministry of collapsed hotel used as a coro- Emergency Management the province. But navirus quarantine facility in showed rescuers bowing over the measure did not eastern China yesterday, as the body of a victim, with one officials said the building had rescuer breaking down in appear to loosen been illegally rebuilt several tears and leaving the scene. restrictions on times. Twenty people died when The unidentified man was the 66-room hotel crumbled Wuhan nor indicate pulled out yesterday afternoon Saturday night, with 41 people if people could leave nearly three days after the rescued from the wreckage building collapsed, according injured and nine still feared the province of 56 to the official Xinhua news trapped. million people.

has stayed out of the spotlight for their handling of the virus, with AFP — WUHAN much of the crisis and assigned local officials coming under par- Premier Li Keqiang to oversee the ticular scrutiny for punishing Chinese President Xi Jinping said response to the epidemic. whistleblowers in an apparent yesterday that Wuhan has turned But as the number of new attempt to cover up the outbreak the tide against the deadly coro- cases has fallen in recent weeks, in early January. navirus outbreak, as he paid his China’s President Xi Jinping wearing face mask gestures to a coronavirus patient and medical staff state media has played up Xi’s The death of doctor Li Wen- first visit to the city at the heart via a video link at the Huoshenshan hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province, yesterday. role in the fight against the out- liang, who died from the of the global epidemic. break, releasing a speech last COVID-19 illness in February, Xi’s visit came as unprece- appear to loosen restrictions on Wuhan,” Xi said, according to the Xi, who arrived by plane in month in which he said he had sparked a wave of grief and anger dented quarantine measures that Wuhan nor indicate if people official Xinhua news agency. Hubei’s capital, wearing a face been giving instructions since online. He was among a group of have sealed off Wuhan and the could leave the province of 56 “Initial success has been mask as he spoke via video-link early January. people who had raised the alarm rest of central Hubei province million people. made in stabilising the situation from a conference hall to Hua Po, an independent as early as December. since late January appear to have State media also reported and turning the tide in Hubei and frontline medical workers and Beijing-based political analyst, More than 4,000 people have paid off, with new infections that the last of Wuhan’s 16 make- Wuhan,” he said. patients who are at one of two said the trip’s timing indicated an died and over 110,000 have been dropping dramatically in recent shift hospitals that were con- China’s progress against the field hospitals set up in the city. “interim victory” for China. infected worldwide, with the weeks. verted from public buildings outbreak stands in stark contrast He then went to a residential “His visit is to signal that the majority in China. During Xi’s trip, Hubei during the worst of the outbreak with the growing global crisis, community in Wuhan to speak outbreak has been effectively But China reported only 17 announced it would ease travel had closed. with cases now growing at a with people quarantined, and curbed, and is an attempt to new cases in Wuhan yesterday, restrictions to allow healthy “The spread of the novel faster pace abroad, and Italy community workers. quieten external criticism of him the lowest figure since it started people in low-risk areas to travel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) enacting its own nationwide China’s most powerful leader not going to the frontlines,” said publishing data on January 21, throughout the province. has been basically curbed in travel restrictions. since Mao Zedong is usually a Hao. Authorities have faced rare and two elsewhere that were But the measure did not Hubei province and its capital city State media images showed daily fixture in state media but he and fierce criticism online over imported from abroad. Bangladesh to Taliban to release 1,000 Afghan troops in prisoner swap consider oppn REUTERS — PESHAWAR/KABUL talks with the both sides and the Zalmay Khalilzad (the US special agreement, a troop withdrawal A senior government official, United States individually. envoy for Afghanistan) on agreement signed in Doha means who declined to be named, said leader’s release The Taliban have sent vehicles Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman Monday, in which he conveyed nothing, fighters returning is on Tuesday: “In principle we to be ready to collect fighters for President Ashraf Ghani, said to us the release of our 5,000 something they can feel,” said a have agreed to release prisoners ANATOLIA — DHAKA expected to be released by the on Twitter that the presidential prisoners, we sent vehicles to diplomat in Kabul. in order to show our com- Afghan government in a prisoner palace would issue a decree with pick them up,” he said. Khalilzad attended Ghani’s mitment towards bringing peace The Bangladeshi government exchange and said they will details of the process, and the A government source said swearing-in ceremony in Kabul in Afghanistan but in what con- is considering an appeal by the honour the deal by handing over release was contingent on any release was unlikely in the on Monday. The president had ditions the government is going family of main opposition 1,000 government troops. security and peace coming days and could be weeks previously rejected the Taliban to release them and how many, Bangladesh Nationalist Party The release is part of a deal developments. away. demand for its fighters to be will be in the decree later this (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia to signed by the United States and “The Afghan government has The issue has become one of released. afternoon.” release her from jail on health the militant group last month that reached a framework based on the biggest sticking points in any It was unclear whether pris- He said the release would not grounds. would allow US forces and Nato which the release of prisoners progress towards peace, compli- oners would be released from be on Tuesday or Wednesday but Home Minister Asaduz- troops to withdraw from Afghan- will be in exchange for a signif- cated further by differing other prisons aside from Bagram, could be “within weeks or zaman Khan Kamal confirmed istan to end more than 18 years icant reduction in the level of vio- wording of documents between a detention facility located next months”. on Monday at an event in the of war. lence,” he said. the United States and the Taliban to a US military base. A Taliban spokesman, Suhail capital that his ministry had The Taliban have demanded A senior Taliban leader said and the United States and the It was also not known how Shaheen, said in a Tweet that his received the appeal from Zia’s the release of the prisoners as a vehicles had been sent to an area Afghan government. many prisoners would be group had handed a detailed list family. confidence-building measure to near Bagram Prison, north of the “The Taliban needs this to released initially, but three of all 5,000 prisoners to the The Ministry of Home pave the way for the opening of capital Kabul, to fetch the freed show to their rank and file. For sources told Reuters on United States and was waiting for Affairs has forwarded it to the direct talks between the gov- fighters. the foot soldiers on the ground, Monday that it could be all to be released. Ministry of Law, Justice and ernment and the insurgents after “After our conversation with a reduction-in-violence between 1,000 and 1,800. Parliamentary Affairs to get its legal opinion on it and the next course of action will be taken following this, Kamal added, Chinese aid for fighting saying the Home Ministry could not make a decision on it as it locust arrives in Pakistan is a judicial matter. INTERNEWS — KARACHI Pakistan. The experts, along with Consul General Li Bijan through Nine more Chinese government aircraft a press conference had offered carrying remote air spray the support. virus cases material has arrived in Pakistan Li Bijan had said that on to combat locust swarms, and Pakistan government’s request, in Karachi has been handed over to the the government of China sent a Plant Protection Department of team of its agriculture experts to INTERNEWS — KARACHI the federal government, an fight with the locust crisis. Head official of the Sindh government of the Chinese delegation Wang The Sindh Health Department said. Fengle said Chinese experts reported nine new cases of The official said that the visited the desert area of Sindh coronavirus in Karachi the Chinese authorities had not con- to formulate an emergency highest count of the epidemic tacted the provincial gov- response to control locust. since it was first detected in the ernment, as the Chinese teams These experts would closely country last month taking the were in direct contact with the work with the Plant Protection total tally to 13 in the province federal government. Official said Department and Pakistani sci- and 16 in the country. that when required, Sindh gov- entists to prevent and control Sindh Chief Minister Syed ernment would write to the locust, he said. Murad Ali Shah directed all the federal government and they “We suggest the government government and private hos- would spray the affected areas. of Pakistan formulate a timely pitals to share the record of all A police officer (second left) wearing a face mask and a protective suit stands guard outside a building Sindh remains the worst plan to control the locust,” he the patients with symptoms of in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, yesterday. affected by locust swarms, as the added. The visiting delegation pneumonia with the health pest first appeared in Sindh said the Chinese government ministry so that their medical during May last year. Since then, would provide 50 vehicles that investigation could be done to Mongolia seals off cities, bans locusts remain alive in fertile and would spray 16,000 hectares per contain the spread of virus. desert districts of the province. day, while 50 units of drones Confirming the fresh cases, Chinese experts visited would be provided to spray and the provincial health ministry flights after first virus case locust affected areas in the monitor 1,333 hectares per hour. said the department was in the whole country around two It was discussed that the air- process of tracking down all weeks days ago, following which craft would be provided once the those with whom they came in AFP — ULAANBAATAR only way for people to fly to Mon- food, petrol and tyre services, and prompt help was provided to package was finalised. contact for further testing. golia from abroad. the National Emergency Council Mongolia yesterday barred Mongolia had already sealed urged businesses to let employees anyone from entering or leaving its border with neighbouring work from home. Duterte faces challenge over exiting US pact its cities for six days and banned China, the epicentre of the global Mongolia is the latest country most international flights after epidemic, in an effort to keep the to enact tough measures to ANATOLIA — ANKARA Washington. However, Duterte American military planes and the country reported its first deadly virus out of the landlocked contain the epidemic. remained defiant and said he vessels free entry into the coronavirus case — a Frenchman country of three million people. In Mongolia’s first case, the Several senators have launched would not succumb to pressure country. Ratified in 1999, the VFA who arrived from Moscow. “The capital Ulaanbaatar and French national arrived on March a legal challenge against Phil- to revive the deal. also exempts US military per- The National Emergency all province centres are quaran- 2 on a flight from Moscow, said ippine President Rodrigo “They cannot compel me. I sonnel from passport and visa Council suspended flights from tined until March 16 to curb the Health Minister Davaajantsangiin Duterte’s decision to scrap a refuse to be compelled,” he said regulations when they come for Moscow and Istanbul, the main outbreak,” Deputy Prime Min- Sarangerel. The man, who works defence agreement with the at a news conference late on joint exercises and trainings. transit points for travellers from ister Enkhtuvshin Ulziisaikhan for a subsidiary of French nuclear United States. Monday night. However, the senators have Europe, until March 29. It also said at a press conference. firm Orano, was supposed to According to local news He said he was waiting to see been irked by Duterte’s author- stopped arrivals from The move means people are have remained in quarantine in outlet Rappler, the senators have the deal dead. “I am not reneging itarian approach and have asked Kazakhstan. not allowed to enter or leave the his hotel for 14 days but ignored filed a petition in the Supreme on the VFA and I am not going to the Supreme Court to “uphold the The country had already capital or rural cities for almost the rule, the minister said. Court saying that Duterte must America to discuss this with role of the senate in terminating banned flights from South Korea a week, he said. He also visited a uranium seek the Senate’s nod before ter- anybody,” said Duterte. or withdrawing from treaties and Japan, and the latest move The government also closed mining project in Dornogobi minating the Visiting Forces Last month, Philippines ter- with the United States and other effectively leaves Germany as the all shops except those selling province. Agreement (VFA) with minated the VFA that allows countries”. 12 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Italy in coronavirus lockdown as deaths soar REUTERS — ROME The total number one around,” said Mario Mon- freda, who runs Larys res- Shops and restaurants closed, of confirmed cases taurant in a smart Rome res- hundreds of flights were rose at a much idential area. Under the gov- cancelled and streets emptied ernment order, all restaurants across Italy yesterday, the slower rate than will now have to close at 6pm. first day of an unprecedented, recently seen, hitting “It is a total disaster. This nationwide lockdown 10,149 against a will reduce us to nothing. imposed to slow Europe’s More people are going to die worst outbreak of corona- previous 9,172, but as a result of the economic virus. officials warned that crisis that this lockdown is Just hours after the dra- going to cause than the virus matic new restrictions came the region at the itself.” into force, health authorities epicentre, Lombardy, However, the prosperous announced the death toll had northern region of Lombardy, jumped by 168 to 631, the had provided centred on Italy’s financial largest rise in absolute incomplete data. capital Milan, called on the numbers since the contagion government to introduce even came to light on February 21. more stringent measures. The total number of con- thing that can save us,” said “I would shut down all the firmed cases rose at a much Marzio Tonilo, 35, a teacher shops. I would certainly close slower rate than recently from the northern town of San down public transport and I seen, hitting 10,149 against a Fiorano, which was placed would seek out all businesses previous 9,172, but officials under quarantine last month. that could be shut without warned that the region at the Prime Minister Giuseppe creating excessive damage to epicentre, Lombardy, had Conte unexpectedly expanded the economy,” said Lombardy provided incomplete data. the so-called red zone to the Governor Attilio Fontana. Italian Carabinieri police officers wearing respiratory masks as part of precautionary measures The government has told entire country on Monday While Lombardy accounts against the spread of the new coronavirus perform driving permission controls, in Milan, yesterday. all Italians to stay at home night, introducing the most for 74 percent of all the fatal- and avoid non-essential severe controls on a Western ities, the disease has now travel until April 3, radically nation since World War Two. touched all of the country and Rome landmarks St Peter’s Basilica to tourists. document declaring their widening steps already taken The move shocked many the government is worried including the Trevi Fountain, Police told holidaymakers to reasons. Outdoor events, in much of the wealthy north, small businesses, which that if it worsens, the health the Pantheon and the Spanish return to their hotels. including sports fixtures, have which is the epicentre of the feared for their future. system in the less developed Steps were largely empty yes- For at least the next three been suspended and schools spreading contagion. “It looks like an apoca- south will collapse, causing terday, while the Vatican weeks, anyone travelling in and universities are all “Our civic duty is the only lypse has struck, there is no deaths to spike. closed St. Peter’s Square and Italy will have to carry a shuttered. Poland President Macron urges calm after minister tests positive for virus calls off big REUTERS — PARIS presidential residence. Europe to combat the economic more than 1,400 people in in place by then. This week’s Measures are in place to fallout from the coronavirus out- France and killed 30. cabinet meeting was still due to election rallies President Emmanuel Macron protect Macron: meetings are break. There has been global Riester became the first take place, an official at the warned France yesterday that it kept to a minimum, video con- disruption to businesses and French government minister to prime minister’s Matignon office due to virus was at just the start of a health ference calls are being supply chains, and neighbouring go down with the coronavirus. said. epidemic as the coronavirus encouraged and non-essential Italy is in lockdown. He said he had been tested on Desks are being cleaned REUTERS — WARSAW outbreak crept closer to the visitors are being turned away. Macron visited a paediatric Monday afternoon after feeling twice a day and the distance heart of French political power. “Don’t start thinking we’re hospital yesterday and urged the flu-like symptoms. between seats is being widened, Poland President Andrzej Duda Culture Minister Franck creating a bubble,” the Elysee French people to stay calm after He attended last Wednes- the Matignon official said. has said he will not organise Riester said late on Monday he official said, adding that “we’re signs of panic buying of staple day’s cabinet meeting, chaired Macron’s chief-of-staff, large campaign meetings in a had tested positive for the virus, still in line with the kind of goods in and around Paris. by Macron, and sessions last Patrick Strzoda, was working bid to stop the spread of coro- and Macron’s chief of staff is advice we’re giving to the whole But he cautioned: “We’re week in parliament where five from home as a preventative navirus, raising questions over self-isolating after contact with French population.” only at the beginning of this lawmakers have tested positive. measure and had not shown any how the outbreak could affect an infected person, said an Macron’s government had epidemic.” A policy of no handshakes symptoms of a coronavirus the election due in May. official at the Elysee Palace, the led calls for a fiscal shock in The coronavirus has infected between ministers was already infection, the Elysee official said. The presidential vote will decide whether the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party can fully implement its Spain steps up anti-virus plan agenda, including a further overhaul of the judiciary that to ‘avoid Italian scenario’ has put it at loggerheads with Brussels, as the president can REUTERS — MADRID it was cancelling all direct veto laws. flights from Italy for at least two Duda is a PiS ally and is Spain shut down schools in weeks from Wednesday to try ahead in the polls, consistently several regions, suspended to avoid further contagion. scoring over 40 percent. If no flights from Italy and closed the State-funded pensioners’ candidate scores more than 50 lower house of parliament for travel will also be suspended, percent in the first round there at least a week after a lawmaker while the government will will be a runoff vote, which tested positive for the corona- evaluate whether to ban large most polls show Duda nar- virus, in the hope of stemming events on a case-by-case basis rowly winning against any a growing outbreak. beyond the worst-affected opposition candidate. The government recom- areas. His announcement late on mended avoiding travel both “We recommend... avoiding Monday came before PiS Prime within and outside Spain and travel whenever possible, both Minister Mateusz Morawiecki banned indoor gatherings of inside and outside Spain. If said yesterday all mass events more than 1,000 people in the these are not essential trips, we in the country would be can- regions most affected by the ask you not to travel,” Illa said. celled due to the outbreak. virus - Madrid, the Rioja wine- Far-right lawmaker Javier “I have made the decision growing region and two areas Ortega Smith was diagnosed that I will not organise large in the northern Basque Country. with the virus and the party said meetings in connection with A woman is seen in front of the empty store shelves at a supermarket where large purchases were “We are working on all its parliamentarians would my presidential campaign, made due to the coronavirus outbreak, in Madrid yesterday. avoiding the Italian scenario,” be working from home until because these are meetings Health Minister Salvador Illa further notice, prompting the that hundreds of people come told reporters. lower house of parliament to how we could organise our- country. out what they saw as the incon- to,” state news agency PAP “With these measures we suspend activities for a week. selves. Thank God both the Madrid schoolchildren, at sistency of closing schools and quoted Duda as saying. believe that we can avoid it. And The metro of Madrid has father and myself can work least the oldest ones, will get keeping the subway or “It seems to me that the if we have to take additional started using hydroalcoholic from home,” said Ester Force, online classes from Monday, a swimming pools open. risk that this may lead to the measures, we will take them.” solutions to clean handrails, as she dropped her child at a regional official said. Amid signs in some super- spread of coronavirus is too Italy is the hardest-hit European seats, armrests and door con- Madrid primary school. “We think that it is possible markets that people were great.” The country of 38 country, with a nationwide trols to prevent infection. The closure of schools — for students to continue having starting to hoard essential million people has reported 18 lockdown, 9,172 cases and 463 Across the Madrid region, from kindergarten to univer- lessons from their homes from goods, causing long queues, for cases of coronavirus. No one deaths. parents prepared for a two- sities — in Madrid will affect at Monday onwards. It’s easier in fear of suddenly being confined has died from the virus in Spain reported 35 deaths week school shutdown starting least 1.53 million pupils and stu- high school and university,” to their homes, the ANGED Poland. and 1,622 confirmed corona- there today. dents, regional authorities said, Enrique Ossorio, Madrid Edu- association of Spain’s main Anna Materska-Sos- virus cases yesterday, a ten-fold “It was chaos when I learnt with tens of thousands more cation councillor, said. retail chains issued a statement nowska, a political scientist at increase in cases in a week. about it. The phone started affected by school shutdowns In some schools’ WhatsApp to say that the supply chain was Warsaw University, said the The government announced ringing and we started to see in Rioja and in the Basque groups, several parents pointed working properly. decision could benefit Duda. Russian meddling casts ‘dark shadow’ over MH17 trial: Prosecutors

AFP — BADHOEVEDORP flight MH17,” prosecutor Thijs — Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Berger told judges. Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov Dutch prosecutors accused Russia had also targeted and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Russia yesterday of interfering investigators in several countries Kharchenko. with the probe into the downing affected by the disaster, the pros- International investigators of flight MH17 and casting a “dark ecutor told the second day of the say the Boeing 777 jetliner was shadow” over the trial of four hearing at a high-security court hit by a Russian-made BUK suspects in the disaster. near Amsterdam’s Schiphol surface-to-air missile, fired from Moscow had tried to track airport. territory held by pro-Moscow down witnesses in the trial that “The British and Dutch rebels battling Kiev. started on Monday in the Neth- authorities have determined that Relatives of those who died erlands, leaving some in fear for Russian GRU agents were have repeatedly called for the their lives in case they were iden- involved in attempting to hack trial to examine the role of tified, prosecutors said. into the systems of the Malaysian Russia in the crash, which inves- Three Russians and a investigative authorities,” Berger tigators say was caused by a Ukranian are on trial over the said, referring to Russia’s mil- Russian-made missile fired from 2014 crash of the Malaysia Air- itary spy agency. separatist territory. lines jet in rebel-held eastern There had also been “The court has made it Ukraine with the loss of all 298 attempts to hack into the Dutch crystal clear that the Russian people on board, 196 of them Safety Board which was probing government is staging a cam- Dutch. the MH17 disaster, he said. paign of disinformation,” Anton “There are clear indications “Seen as a whole, this infor- Kotte, a board member of a that Russian security services are mation casts a dark shadow over foundation for MH17 victims Prosecutors Thijs Berger, Ward Ferdinandusse and Dedy Woei-a-Tsoi attend the criminal trial actively attempting to disrupt these proceedings,” Berger said. who lost his son, daughter-in- against four suspects in the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, in Badhoevedorp, efforts to establish the truth The trial opened in the law and grandson, said behind the shooting down of absence of the four suspects yesterday. The Netherlands, yesterday. WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 13

Bulgaria opposes Putin lays out path Greece plans for refugee camp to staying in power near border AFP — MOSCOW Final reading of the constitutional reforms AFP — SOFIA Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out a path yesterday is due in the Duma Bulgaria’s defence minister to staying in power beyond today. has hit out at “unreasonable” 2024, as lawmakers approved Greek plans to build a camp sweeping reforms to the consti- near their border to shelter tution. was the first woman in space, asylum seekers amid a In a surprise address to the that would annul previous pres- migration surge. lower house State Duma, Putin idential terms. “The accommodation by said there could be a presi- This would allow 67-year- the Greek side of illegal dential "reset" allowing him to old Putin, who was first elected migrants near our border is a run after his current term in 2000, to run again after his pre-requisite for building up expires. current six-year term expires, of additional tensions. This is "This would be possible... if and potentially stay in power not good-neighbourly and is the constitutional court rules until 2036. unreasonable!” Krasimir Kar- such an amendment would not "These amendments are akachanov posted late Monday go against (the constitution)," long overdue, they are needed, on Facebook. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Lower House of Parliament he said. and I am sure they will be useful The comments came after to consider constitutional changes, in Moscow yesterday. Putin appeared before the for society, for our citizens," he Greek migration minister Notis Duma after lawmakers pro- told lawmakers. Mitarachi announced over the posed a series of amendments He said Russia needed evo- tied to one specific person. But not necessary and the favour, 44 abstentions and none weekend that Athens wanted to a package of constitutional lutionary change, "because we all of our previous history hap- amendment was withdrawn. He against. to build two closed centres in reforms he announced in have had enough of revolu- pened in this way, and of course also rejected a call for a lifting A third and final reading is the northern region of Serres January. tions" while suggesting that the we cannot ignore this," Putin of the overall two-term presi- due in the Duma today, fol- that borders Bulgaria and in Among them was an country may not yet be ready said. dential limit. lowed by approval in the upper the Athens area with 1,000 amendment put forward by for a new leader. Lawmakers also proposed Deputies then voted to house Federation Council and places. Valentina Tereshkova, an MP "There will be a time when holding early parliamentary approve the reforms in the key a public vote on the reforms “The Bulgarian army is on and Soviet-era cosmonaut who the highest power... will not be elections but Putin said that was second reading, with 382 in planned for April 22. standby, and I guarantee that I won’t allow a new migration wave to our country,” wrote Karakachanov, the leader of Trump to skip Victory Day the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the celebrations in Moscow government. “Bulgaria will not pay AFP — MOSCOW would be a “mistake”. other people’s bills!” “For our former allies in the US President Donald Trump will anti-Hitler coalition it would be not attend celebrations in the right thing to come to us, East Europeans Moscow to mark 75 years since both in terms of domestic policy the Soviet victory over Nazi and in the moral sense,” Putin demand EU funds Germany, the Kremlin said said. “We are waiting for them yesterday. and would be happy if they for faster troop President Vladimir Putin’s come. If not, that is their choice. spokesman Dmitry Peskov told But, I believe, it would be a movement journalists that Washington has mistake for them.” notified Russia “through diplo- Moscow in recent months AFP — VILNIUS matic channels” that “Trump has sparred with several will not come for May 9” Victory European countries over WWII- The EU must provide funds to Day celebrations. era history. enable the faster movement Peskov said it wasn’t clear Putin provoked an outcry of military forces across who would be coming in the US after making the claim that Europe, defence ministers delegation for the large-scale Poland and Western powers from four eastern European celebrations on the Russian had colluded with Hitler. nations said yesterday, as the holiday. Putin in the interview reit- bloc braces for a new round of Russia’s TASS agency yes- erated his view, saying Britain, fractious budget talks. Greece PM in Austria terday released parts of a long France and Poland “worked EU and Nato members interview with Putin , in which with Hitler” and signed joint Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (left) and Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis receive a he said any decision by Western documents together prior to war Romania said Brussels could guard of honour upon the latter’s arrival in Vienna, Austria, yesterday. leaders to snub the anniversary breaking out. undermine European Union ambitions by cutting funding for the “military mobility” pro- Judge orders gramme, including measures German court rejects request to extradite suspect to Poland to quickly move troops and Ronaldinho to equipment in the event of a AFP – BERLIN related to the ‘justice reform’.” in the framework of the justice European judicial bodies, argue conflict with Russia. remain in prison They lifted an extradition reform”. they threaten judicial inde- The European Commis- A German court has for the first order against the male suspect, The court did not specify pendence and the rule of law. sion’s latest “technical doc- AFP — ASUNCION time rejected a request to according to the decision first what the suspect was accused “Other member states are ument” on the EU’s 2021-27 extradite a suspect to Poland reported on Monday by RND of, but RND reported that having a hard time supporting budget, proposed zero funding Brazilian football great over concerns about judicial newspaper group. charges related to “fraud, the criminal trials of a country for the military mobility Ronaldinho will remain in pre- independence in the fellow There is “cause to believe among other things”. that is moving further and programme. trial detention in Paraguay European Union member, AFP that in case of his extradition, Since taking office in 2015, further away from the EU’s col- “The EU’s ambition to after a judge yesterday has learned. the defendant would run the Poland’s right-wing Law and lective understanding of the become a stronger player in rejected his lawyer’s request Judges at the superior state real risk of a breach of his right Justice (PiS) party has intro- rule of law,” German Judges’ dealing with most imminent that he be released on bail or court in Karlsruhe said there to a fair trial,” the Karlsruhe duced a slew of controversial Federation (DRB) director Sven security risks will be seriously to house arrest. was a “high probability” that judges said. judicial reforms that it insists Rebehn said. compromised if Military The 39-year-old World an extradition “would prove to They added that more are designed to tackle Poland’s reforms threaten Mobility were left without ade- Cup winner and his brother be illegal, at least for the information was needed about corruption. “to isolate it within the quate funding from the very Roberto were arrested on moment, because of current “punishments threatened But critics, including the European justice community”, start,” the ministers said in a Friday, accused of being in developments in Poland against judges and prosecutors European Commission and top Rehbehn added. letter. possession of fake Paraguayan passports. “The judge rejected the defence’s request for condi- Venezuelan opposition marches to tional release or house arrest,” said prosecutor Osmar Legal. Congress in showdown with Maduro Judge Gustavo Amarilla cited the seriousness of the REUTERS — CARACAS US President Donald Trump at the White case and the discovery of new House. It marks another test of Guaido’s evidence, as well as the Venezuela’s opposition yesterday marched capacity to mobilise supporters, who are involvement of public officials toward downtown Caracas with the aim of increasingly weary with his inability to oust and business people who facil- regaining control of the national congress, Maduro despite a broad US sanctions pro- itated Ronaldinho’s arrival in which was snatched by pro-government gramme and an economic collapse. Paraguay. lawmakers in January, setting up a Guaidó led several hundred people Those factors meant the showdown with President Nicolas Maduro. through an opposition-friendly section of former footballer needed to be Opposition leader Juan Guaido for weeks Caracas on a course toward downtown. kept in Asuncion “so that there has urged Venezuelans to join the rally as a State police wearing riot gear were posi- is no obstruction to the inves- way of reviving street protests against tioned between the opposition march and tigation,” he said. Maduro that surged in 2019 but have waned their destination. Amarilla acknowledged as the ruling Socialist Party has clung to Supporters of the socialist government, the measures taken against the power. dressed in red shirts, also gathered around brothers were harsh but said This is the opposition’s first march since a stage set up blasting salsa music. Some 60 Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido march during a it was his “responsibility not Guaido returned on February 11 from a dip- nations recognise Guaidó, head of the con- demonstration heading to the National Assembly, in Caracas yesterday. to hinder an investigation,” lomatic tour that included a meeting with gress, as Venezuela's legitimate leader which could be the case if the suspects “were to flee” the country. Legal said he opposed Colombian police used excessive force during protests: HRW report house arrest because the property offered as a guar- REUTERS — BOGOTA from President Ivan Duque’s and used crowd-control and the authorities should The country’s procurator antee was only valued at right-wing government, on eve- weapons inappropriately, ensure that those responsible asked the squad to stop using $750,000 to $800,000. Some members of Colombia’s rything from the murders of advocacy group HRW said. for violations are held to the weapon that killed Cruz, but “It’s a tiny amount given police used excessive force human rights activists to youth “We have gathered wor- account.” The national police HRW said the head of police the economic solvency of one against protesters participating unemployment. rying accounts and evidence of did not immediately respond to told them in late January the of the” accused, he said. in marches late last year, Duque’s administration has abuses by Colombia’s police, a request for comment. force continues to use the Ronaldinho and his including beatings and deten- been meeting with represent- including arbitrary detention HRW said it interviewed 26 weapon. Colombia uses brother are spending a fifth tions, Human Rights Watch atives of the protesters since, in and brutal beatings against victims of police abuse and met weapons reviewed by the day in a police cell in Asuncion. (HRW) said in a report talks hailed as a success by the peaceful protesters, detainees, with officials to discuss the United Nations to control dis- They arrived in Asuncion yesterday, as unions and government. Dissatisfied major and bystanders,” Jose Miguel cases. It specially cited the turbances during protests, the from Brazil on Wednesday. student groups prepared for unions and students groups will Vivanco, Americas director at death of teenager Dilan Cruz, defence ministry said at the Hours later, when the pass- further demonstrations this hold a new national strike on Human Rights Watch said in a fatally injured by a projectile time of Cruz’s death. ports were determined to be month. March 25. statement. fired by riot police. Cruz’s death The Colombia government fake, investigators raided the Marchers held mass protests Though marches last year “President Duque should became a rallying cry for many expelled 61 foreign nationals in football star’s hotel room and in November and December to were largely peaceful, in several send a clear message that these marchers, who have demanded connection with the protests, the seized the travel documents. demand a laundry list of actions instances police beat protesters violations will not be tolerated the riot force be dissolved. report said. 14 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Trump plans payroll tax relief in response to coronavirus

AP — WASHINGTON for hourly-wage workers to Trump said he would hold ensure they’re “not going to a press conference later yes- President Donald Trump said miss a paycheck” and “don’t get terday to outline the proposals, his administration will ask penalized for something that’s saying his administration and Congress to pass payroll tax not their fault.” Congress would be “discussing relief and other quick measures He stepped forward with a possible payroll tax cut or as a public health and the contours of an initiative relief, substantial relief, very economic maelstrom brought after markets dropped sharply substantial relief, that’s big, on by the coronavirus drew and as the outbreak spread. that’s a big number. We’re also closer to him personally. Several Trump confidants going to be talking about Intending to calm the fears in Congress disclosed they hourly wage earners getting of financial markets over the were isolating themselves after help so that they can be in a impact of the epidemic, Trump potential exposure to the virus; position where they’re not told reporters on Monday he is one traveled with the president going to ever miss a seeking “very substantial from Florida on Air Force One paycheck.” relief” to the payroll tax. Trump on Monday; another was his As Trump grappled with an also said he was seeking help just-tapped new chief of staff. epidemic whose consequences he has repeatedly played down, the White House asserted it US Fed ‘pathetic, slow moving’, was conducting “business as usual.” But the Securities and should lower rate: President Exchange Commission, which monitors financial markets, AFP — WASHINGTON encouraged employees at its Washington, DC, headquarters US President Donald Trump yesterday called the Federal Reserve to work from home after an US President Donald Trump arrives at the US Capitol to attend the Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon “pathetic, slow moving” and reiterated his demand that the employee there had respiratory in Washington, DC, yesterday. He is flanked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (left) and central bank lower its key lending rate and stimulate the symptoms and was referred for economy. coronavirus testing. Republican Policy Committee Chairman Senator Roy Blunt. “Our pathetic, slow moving Federal Reserve, headed by Jay And Defense Secretary Powell, who raised rates too fast and lowered too late, should Mark Esper postponed a trip to number of people in the same the virus. His office said he was Trump has not been tested get our Fed Rate down to the levels of our competitor nations,” India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan room. “mid-flight” on Air Force One because he has not had “pro- Trump tweeted. Adding the bank should “stimulate!”, The pres- that was to begin next Monday, Trump returned to Wash- when CPAC informed his staff longed close contacts” with any ident continued: “The Federal Reserve must be a leader, not a citing the coronavirus crisis, ington on Monday accom- that he had been in contact patients and “does not have very late follower, which it has been!” The Fed is a familiar Pentagon press secretary panied by Florida Represent- with the attendee who had the any symptoms.” The White punching bag for Trump, who has assailed it repeatedly in recent Alyssa Farah said yesterday. ative Matt Gaetz, who later virus. House has been convening weeks while the US economy has been grappling with the She said he would remain went into a voluntary Once the plane landed, meetings with an array of spreading coronavirus outbreak, with Wall Street on Monday in the U.S to “help manage” the quarantine. Gaetz was immediately tested. travel and healthcare industry having its worst session since December 2008. Pentagon response. He was one of several GOP Vice President Mike Pence, representatives, and was set to Last week, the Fed slashed its key interest rate by a half On Capitol Hill, handshakes lawmakers who were exposed who also spoke at CPAC, said host Wall Street executives at point to a range of 1.0-1.25 percent amid rising concerns about were discouraged and a Pen- to a person at last month’s Con- he has not been tested for the the White House today to the virus and its damage to the global economy. tagon meeting was broken into servative Political Action Con- virus. White House press sec- discuss the economic fallout of sub-groups to minimise the ference who tested positive for retary Stephanie Grisham said the epidemic. Virus cases in US rise to US seeks Security Council vote on 791; death toll at 27 Taliban deal REUTERS — WASHINGTON US coronavirus cases have climbed to 791 and there have AFP — UNITED NATIONS, US Private US health insurers been 27 deaths, most of them agreed to extend coronavirus in Washington state, according The United States has called treatment coverage in all of to a tally by Johns Hopkins Uni- for a vote at the UN Security their plans and waive versity. That tally did not Council to endorse Washing- co-payment fees for testing, include a death reported in ton’s deal with the Taliban that Vice-President Mike Pence said New Jersey yesterday, the was meant to pave the way to yesterday, as coronavirus cases state’s first. peace in Afghanistan, in the country climbed to 791 At least 35 US states and the diplomats said. with 27 deaths. District of Columbia have The request for a UN vote “We want the American reported infections of came after hard negotiations people to know that they are COVID-19, the illness caused that began one week ago, dip- covered with private insurance, by the virus that can lead to lomats said on Monday. they are covered with Medicare pneumonia. China requested in the last Medical personnel tend to passengers as they disembark from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the and Medicaid,” Pence said at a Washington state has been draft, already revised three Port of Oakland, in California, on Monday. White House meeting with hardest hit, with a nursing times, that the resolution health executives, referring to home in the Seattle suburb of mention “regional cooper- More passengers leave virus-hit ship the government-funded pro- Kirkland accounting for the ation,” the sources said. grams for Americans over age bulk of the state’s 22 confirmed According to the draft text, AP — OAKLAND, US needed acute medical care had Services. Many of the nearly 65 and the poor. deaths. the Security Council “urges the been taken off the ship by late 240 Canadians on board left the Pence did not mention the California and New York Government of the Islamic The cruise ship forced to idle Monday afternoon, but it was ship and stood outside two tents millions of uninsured Amer- each have more than 140 con- Republic of Afghanistan to for days off the California coast not clear how many of them displaying Canadian flags. icans. The vice-president, who firmed cases. New York Gov- advance the peace process, because of a cluster of corona- had tested positive for the virus, Canada and the UK were is heading the government’s ernor Andrew Cuomo said including by participating in virus cases aboard arrived in said Brian Ferguson, a among the countries sending response to the outbreak, said schools and businesses in a intra-Afghan negotiations port on Monday, and dozen of spokesman for the California chartered flights to retrieve more than 1 million test kits for coronavirus “hot zone” in New through a diverse and passengers began to leave for Office of Emergency Services. their citizens. the coronavirus were in the Rochelle, a New York City inclusive negotiating team military bases where they Officials have said the US passengers will be flown field and that 4 million more suburb, would close for two composed of Afghan political would be quarantined or to unloading will take up to three or bused from the port — were going out this week. “We weeks. North Carolina Gov- and civil society leaders, return to their home countries. days. chosen for its proximity to an want people to get tested,” he ernor Roy Cooper yesterday including women.” The Grand Princess pulled “Our intent is to basically airport and a military base — to said. declared a state of emergency The US’s request that the into the Port of Oakland with disembark about half the pas- bases in California, Texas and Health officials in New York in his state, which has reported Security Council adjust its more than 3,500 people aboard sengers today. Everyone will be Georgia for testing and a 14-day state and other parts of the seven presumptive cases. agreement with the Taliban is — 21 confirmed to be infected screened initially today,” said quarantine. country hard hit by the coro- As the outbreak spreads, a rare move in the forum for an with the new virus. Robert Kadlec, assistant sec- The ship is carrying people navirus have complained about daily life in the US has been accord between a foreign Twenty-three people who retary of Health and Human from 54 countries. a shortage of testing capacity. increasingly disrupted. country and an insurgent group, diplomats said. Diplomats were also sur- Thieves steal prised that the agreement Biden aims for big win in included two secret appendices over $14m from on the fight against terrorism Michigan; Sanders looks that Council members must Chile airport approve without even knowing what they say. One diplomat AGENCIES — SANTIAGO, CHILE to keep hopes alive described it as “unbelievable.” Thieves stole $14m and ¤1m REUTERS — DETROIT July’s Democratic convention Russia’s position on the res- that was destined for an will be up for grabs. olution remains uncertain. armored truck in a warehouse Joe Biden hoped to take a big Missouri, Mississippi, Wash- Moscow had hinted on Friday in Chile’s international airport, step toward the Democratic ington, North Dakota and Idaho that it might oppose the text officials said, the same place presidential nomination also hold contests. after the US rejected a where a $10m heist was yesterday as six states cast Since last week’s romps, statement endorsing a ceasefire carried out almost six years votes, while Bernie Sanders Biden has roared into the agreement in Syria between ago. aimed for an upset win in national lead in polling and del- Russia and Turkey. Oscar Figueroa, prefect of Michigan that would keep his egates, knocked out his The US draft on Afghan- Chile’s investigative police, White House hopes alive. remaining viable rivals except istan “welcomes” the February Democratic US presidential candidate and former vice-president said the thieves entered the Biden, who claimed the Sanders and swept up another 29 pullout deal and “calls upon Joe Biden speaks to workers during a campaign stop at an assembly terminal’s warehouse in a position of Democratic front- wave of endorsements from all States to provide their full vehicle that bore the logo of a runner with a sweeping series prominent Democrats and plant in Detroit, Michigan, yesterday. support to promoting the suc- well-known courier company. of wins last week in Super former rivals such as Senators cessful negotiation of a com- “The security of this Tuesday nominating contests, Kamala Harris and Cory day for Crazy Bernie!” Biden, administration’s decision to bail prehensive and sustainable entrance point was violated,” could build a formidable lead Booker. whose resounding wins in out the auto industry, an eco- peace agreement which ends said Figueroa. The robbery in the race to pick a challenger Democrats worried that South Carolina and on Super nomic pillar in Michigan, and the war for the benefit of all affected a company that to President Donald Trump with Sanders’ democratic socialist Tuesday were powered by help its biggest city, Detroit, Afghans.” Washington’s plan operated in the warehouse another round of decisive proposals to restructure the strong support among black navigate a municipal also puts pressure on the which had received the money victories. economy would doom the party voters, hoped to receive a bankruptcy. Afghan government to engage from abroad. Two guards in The biggest showdown to defeat in the November similar boost yesterday. In 2016, On Tuesday morning, he in negotiations with the Taliban the terminal suffered light between Biden and Sanders will election have rushed to rally about one-fifth of Democratic visited Detroit’s first new auto to achieve a “permanent and injuries. Hector Espinosa, a top take place in Michigan, a blue- behind Biden, who was vice- primary voters in Michigan and assembly plant in decades, comprehensive ceasefire.” official of Chile’s investigative collar battleground where president under Barack Obama. Missouri, and an overwhelming which is owned by Fiat Chrysler That text, which will be put police, said it was a "well- Sanders sprang a stunning 2016 Biden has a double-digit 70% in Mississippi, were black. Automobiles NV, and met with to a vote, “emphasises the planned” robbery by a "pro- upset over Hillary Clinton that lead in the four most recent In Michigan, Sanders has workers from the International importance of the effective and fessional” group. ensured a long nominating fight polls taken in Michigan. But criticized Biden’s past support Brotherhood of Electrical meaningful participation of In August 2014, thieves — something Biden hopes to Clinton held a similar polling for global trade deals such as Workers (IBEW) labor union, women, youth and minorities, stole $10m from the same avoid this time. lead in Michigan over Sanders, the North American Free Trade which endorsed him in and affirms that any political place. Those thieves were cap- With 125 delegates, a senator from Vermont, before Agreement which is blamed in February. settlement must protect the tured and convicted but only Michigan is the largest prize of the 2016 primary. Michigan for costing jobs. “Unions built the country,” rights of all Afghans, including a small part of the stolen the six states voting yesterday, Trump wrote on Twitter Biden has countered by Biden said. “You’re the best women, youth and money was recovered. when a total of 352 delegates to yesterday, “Going to be a BAD recalling the Obama damn workers in the world.” minorities.” WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 HOME 15 Families and children take part in cleaning mangrove at Purple Island

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Over 175 volunteer families and children took part in an initiative to clean one of Qatar’s most valued natural and historical heritage sites – the mangrove forests at the Purple Island in Al Thakira. “This is A Flower Each Spring’s 2nd beach cleanup for the 22nd edition of the program. We had the American Girl Scouts camped at our campsite; the girls were very eager, the scout leaders practiced Volunteers pose after cleaning the mangrove forests at the Purple Island in Al Thakira. what they preached, and the fam- ilies were very committed,” said The commendable environ- variety of wild birds and sea life that is home to many species of Fatma Hassan, event/school coor- mental event was organised by including flamingos, herons, as birds and marine life. We are very dinator at A Flower Each Spring Doha Environmental Actions well as the endangered grey man- grateful to A Flower Each spring, (FES) and program coordinator of Project (DEAP) and FON and grove. Grey mangroves are hugely Friends of Nature and Aquasports, Friends of Nature (FON). hosted in two different campsites, important to habitat preservation as well as to the American Girl “We thank our co-host one side of the Purple Island by for many animals but they are also Scouts, and all the incredible vol- AquaSports for accommodating AquaSports, Qatar’s leading water- very susceptible to pollution and unteers that were part of today’s the rest of the participants who sports and nature tourism changes to local conditions.” clean-up for supporting our attended the beach cleanup and company, and the opposite side of Purple Island is also a location efforts. It takes a village to give the event an AquaSports twist. the purple island by FES, a of significant historical interest. #keeepqatarclean.” And it is always an honour program publicising local floral The name Purple Island is derived The clean-up was very suc- working with DEAP, they are very and other environmental aspects from the dye produced in ancient cessful – over 1,000kg of dan- dedicated to their mission and for community awareness since times from the shells of a local gerous and polluting refuse was Qatar’s environmental prosperity. 1999. Valued support was also pro- mollusk. This purple dye was collected including old tyres, It’s always wonder to see people vided by the local Baladiya. much prized by royalty and plastic bags, and fishing lines and with a common goal come Mohamed El Azab, Operations wealthy across the region and as sharp metal objects. At the end of together at the end and celebrate & Branding Manager of AquaSports far as the Roman Empire. the day the Baladiya removed all what they have achieved as a said: “The mangrove forests of Al Jose Saucedo, Director of the collected matter for safe dis- unity. It was a beautiful success, Thakira around Purple Island (Bin DEAP, said: “We are very happy posal and the natural habitat was we are very proud of the outcome,” Ghanim Island) are a protected to be back in Purple Island. It is an a safer and cleaner place for said Fatma Hassan natural site and home to a wide incredible beautiful place in Qatar humans and animals alike. Secrets of whales revealed at QNL THE PENINSULA — DOHA shipping lanes,” said Dr. Pyenson. Whales are some of the biggest crea- “It is easy to protect this great tures ever to have existed on Earth, species by changing our laws, dwarfing even the largest of the dino- shipping lanes and fishing lines, and saurs, and their fascinating world was we are perfectly capable of doing revealed in an entertaining and this, so whales and humans can live informative lecture at Qatar National alongside each other in peace.” Library (QNL) on March 8. Geologist Jacques Leblanc, who In his lecture “Spying on attended the event, said: “I found the Whales”, Dr. Nick Pyenson lecture fascinating, as it gave a lot of engaged attendees with stories information about whales and how from his research into the lives of they have evolved over the past cen- whales, revealing how intelligent turies. We need to exchange these creatures from the deep knowledge with researchers in other really are and the challenges they People listening to a lecture on whales at Qatar National Library. countries to find best practices to currently face due to human pol- protect whales. Most importantly, we lution of the oceans they call home. History in the US and author of the including living alongside humans. should keep them free and study Dr. Pyenson is a research geol- book Spying On Whales: The Past, Any whales that live near urban them in their natural environment to ogist and curator of fossil marine Present and Future Of Earth’s Most areas face threats, including noisy understand them, so we can find mammals at the Smithsonian Awesome Creatures. oceans, plastic pollution, and ways to protect them and their National Museum of Natural “Whales face a lot of challenges, dangers from fishing lines and habitats.”

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA Stardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 2:15pm Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 2:00, 8:15 & 11:15pm Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 4:00, 6:30, 9:00 & 11:30pm Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 11:30pm Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 2:30, 4:30, 7:00 & 11:30 Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 4:30pm The Way Back (2D/Drama) 7:00pm The Way Back (2D/Drama) 5:00pm Come To Daddy (2D/Comedy) 9:15pm Come To Daddy (2D/Comedy) 6:30pm Escape From Pretoria (2D/Thriller) 7:00pm The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 5:00pm Kapella (2D/Malayalam) 9:00pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 2:30pm Kapella (2D/Malayalam) 9:15 & 11:00pm FLIK Mirqab Mall Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 7:10 & 10:10pm Escape From Pretoria (2D/Thriller) 11:10am, 3:25 & 10:55pm LANDMARK Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 4:35, 7:15, 9:55 & 0:35am Birds Of Prey (2D/Action) 12:15, 4:25 & 8:35pm Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 2:30, 4:00 & 11:00pm Onward (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:05, 1:05, 2:10, 3:10, The Way Back (2D/Drama) 5:15 & 7:00pm 4:15, 5:15, 6:20, 7:20, 8:25, 9:25, 10:30 & 11:30pm Kapella (2D/Malayalam) 8:30 & 11:30pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 10:35, 12:35 & 2:35pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 2:00 & 6:30pm The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 10:15, 1:20, 2:25, 6:35 & 10:45pm Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 2:00, 4:30, 7:15 & 9:00pm The Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 11:15am, 1:40, 4:05, 5:40,6:30, Come To Daddy (2D/Comedy) 9:45pm 8:55 & 11:20pm The Way Back (2D/Drama) Escape From Pretoria (2D/Thriller) 11:30pm 10:30am, 12:40, 2:50, 5:00 & 11:40pm

ROXY ASIAN TOWN Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 12:45, 6:00, 8:15, 11:15 Baaghi 3 (2D/Hindi) 10:30am, 11:00am, 12:30, 1:00, Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 3:00, 3:30, 5:30, 6:15, 8:00, 8:45, 1:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:20, 7:00, 7:30, 8;20, 10:00, 10:20, 10:30, 12:00 midnight, 1:00am 10:40 & 11:00pm Trance (2D/Malayalam) 3:00 & 8:45pm Escape From Pretoria (2D/Thriller) 3:00, 10:10, 10:30, Pon Manickavel (2D/Tamil) 12:30 & 5:45pm 11:30 Forensic (2D/Malayalam) 10:30am, 12:30, 1:00, 2:00, AL KHOR 3:40, 4:40, 6:20, 7:20, 9:00, 11:20 & 11:40pm Trance (2D/Malayalam) 11:00am, 5:15, 8:30 & Onward (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 12:30, 1:00, 2:40, 111:45pm; Thappad (2D/Hindi) 11:00am, 5:15pm Stardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 12:15, 2:15 & 3:50, 5:00, 6:00, 7:10 & 8:15pm 4:15pm; Kannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 11:30, 2:15 & Pon Manickavel (2D/Tamil) 7:30 & 10:00pm 6:15pm; Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 11:00am, 12:30, 2:00 & 8:15pm The Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 9:15 & 12:00pm 1:00, 2:00 & 3:20pm; The Way Back (2D/Drama) 2:30, 4:50, 7:00, 8:20, 9:10, 9:30 & 11:50pm

THE CALL OF THE WILD

The Call of the Wild is a 2020 American adventure film based on the Jack London 1903 novel of the same name and Twentieth Century Pictures' previous 1935 film adaptation. 16 MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY Misty to foggy at most places at first becomes moderate FAJR04.32 am SUNRISE 05.48 am o o temperature daytime with some clouds, relatively cold by ZUHR 11.44 am ASR 03.08 pm 17 C 25 C night. Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 05:32 – 17:27 LOW TIDE 00:10 – 13:11 MAGHRIB 05.43 pm ISHA 07.13 pm W ALRUWAIS: 18o↗23o W ALKHOR: 13o↗23o W DUKHAN: 15o↗21o W WAKRAH: 11o↗23o W MESAIEED 11o↗23o W ABUSAMRA 11o↗26o

Istanbul exhibition showcases Ottoman manuscripts

ANATOLIA — ISTANBUL advisers, Baha M Tanman, early modern period,” Kentel Aslihan Gurbuzel, Selim S Kuru, said. An Istanbul exhibition on Akif Ercihan Yerlioglu, and Asli Ottoman manuscripts is Niyazioglu, and is designed by Complex, interesting Ottoman attempting to explore the multi- PATTU Architecture. history faceted life and culture of the According to Kentel, period. 67 copies were selected Ottoman history is multi- The exhibition, Memories of “Manuscripts surviving from layered, multilingual and not Humankind: Stories From the the Ottoman era still have many straightforward. “(Ottoman) Ottoman Manuscripts is curated stories to tell, even after 90 history has a lot of very inter- by K Mehmet Kentel. years have passed since the esting, sometimes very contro- The Suna and Inan Kirac adoption of the Latin script (in versial stories.” Foundation has displayed its Turkey), 100 years since the “It’s not only a linear history collection at the exhibition — collapse of the empire, and of the rises and falls of the states which is open for public until almost 200 years since the or wars and agreements and July 25 — at the Istanbul spread of the printing press,” their reasons and their results,” Research Institute. reads a leaflet about the he said. “This collection itself is exhibition. “So this exhibition really based on mostly Sevket Rado’s There are 626 volumes of tries to use this collection in private collection,” the curator manuscripts at the Suna and order to delve into these dif- said, referring to the influential Inan Kirac Foundation, each ferent interesting grounds of intellectual who lived between usually containing more than Ottoman history,” he added. 1913-1988. one work. The entire collection Kentel gave details of the According to Kentel, Rado comprises 1,311 works. exhibition which is divided into was “interested in collecting A total of 67 copies were six thematic sections plus an intellectually stimulating works selected for the exhibition. “We introduction. “The exhibition that reflected different aspects selected these using different first gets a larger view of the Curator K Mehmet Kentel is seen during the exhibition, Memories of Humankind: Stories From the of Ottoman social and cultural parameters, sometimes we manuscripts of culture. So who Ottoman Manuscripts, in Istanbul, yesterday. life”. picked the most beautiful, or the produces these manuscripts? In 2007, the Istanbul-based most extraordinary — and Who copied them? Who read insects,” he added. translations,” he said. Persian and was translated to foundation purchased the col- sometimes the most typical,” them? Who left notes in the “They inhabited these single “Translations of famous Ottoman Turkish with some lection, which later arrived at Kentel added. margin area?” individual manuscripts where Rumi, Divan or Alexander important changes. the Istanbul Research Institute. One of the selected works For Kentel, highlighting the we can find their different romance, Iskandername,” he “So those stories were told “Since then it has been open for the display is a divan, an role of non-human actors on traces, bites on the paper,” said referring to the works of in Persian, in Turkish, in Greek, to our readers, our users of the anthology of poems by the manuscripts is one of the most according to Kentel. 13th-century Muslim mystic in Arabic, in Armenian in many library. They were digitised for 16-century Ottoman poet Baki. attractive parts of the display. The manuscripts also poet Mevlana Jalaluddin Al different languages throughout those who are interested,” The book contains a note by “We know about the include, as Kentel said, the Rumi and 14th-century Ana- the larger Mediterranean Kentel said. its copyist saying it was seen by authors, we know about the other-worldly, such as kebikec, tolian poet Ahmedi, world,” he added. A catalogue on the manu- Baki himself and approved by readers, we know about the a talisman used to protect man- respectively. The second thematic section scripts was published in 2014 him. copyists or mustensih, who uscripts from bookworms as “This is the first Turkish is titled the History of Extra/ and was widely used by aca- “So, Baki really looked at copied these different works well as evil spirits. edition of the famous tale of Ordinary Life, which delves into demics, but the larger public this manuscript and verified throughout time, but there were Kentel explained the first Alexander which brings the daily lives of the Ottomans was mostly unaware of it. that these are his poems, and also non-human actors thematic section of the exhi- together real-life events that and the things they did in order “So with this exhibition, this is a very good selection, a involved,” he said. bition, which is called Multilin- happened in Alexander’s to break the ordinary, he added. what we have in mind is to complete collection of his “These would include all gualism in Ottoman Manu- lifetime with mythological, and “For example, music, we make this collection known to poetry,” Kentel explained. different environmental ele- scripts, which traces how mul- religious figures, all in this have lavishly illustrated song a larger audience, but also make The Ottoman manuscripts ments that make up a single tiple languages were used in single work and this was a very collections [mecmua] from the the public, cultural enthusiasts at the exhibition are in Persian, paper or a binding. Or similarly, manuscripts by the authors and famous very popular work that late 18th century,” he added. in Istanbul interested in Arabic as well as Ottoman all these different environ- readers. was read by many, many The selection, also contains Ottoman history,” he added. Turkish and “they very much mental elements that make up “There are Ottoman Ottomans throughout cen- an 18-century cookbook, which The exhibition was reflect the Ottoman social and ink that people used to write on Turkish, Arabic and Persian turies,” Kentel said, adding the includes recipes that are used organised with the help of cultural life especially in the these books, but also animals, manuscripts here and there are book was originally written in to this day. Nintendo Play Station prototype Taylor Swift tops fetches $360,000 at auction Google’s 2020 list of most-searched IANS — SAN FRANCISCO owned by Olaf Olaffson, the founder, first president, and woman in music A rare “Play Station” prototype chief executive officer of Sony IANS — LOS ANGELES developed by Nintendo and Computer Entertainment, Inc., Sony during the 1990s, sold for and eventually found its way Singer Taylor Swift has been a whopping $360,000 at an into the hands of a private named as Google’s most- auction. owner by pure chance. searched for woman in music The “Play Station” is “The other 199 prototypes of 2020. believed to be the “only sur- purported to exist were allegedly The search engine hon- viving example of 200 pre-pro- destroyed when the partnership oured International Women’s duction consoles that spawned between Nintendo and Sony was Day on Sunday, March 08 by from a once promising part- officially severed, and, though it sharing their data surrounding nership between Sony and Nin- isn’t certain, it is entirely possible the most looked-up women on tendo,” according to the US- this unit narrowly missed that the Internet, reports ace- based Heritage Auctions, which fate,” Valarie McLeckie, Con- showbiz.com. sold the console. signment Director, Video Games, According to Google, Swift Video game collector Greg at Heritage Auctions, said in a topped the list of searches McLemore, founder of Pets.com statement. among women in music, while and Toys.com had the winning “While there are vast dif- tennis player Serena Williams bid, Forbes reported. ferences between this 1990- was the most-searched for Also known as the Super 1992 prototype and the Play- female athlete. NES CD-ROM System, the pro- Station console that was even- Actress Awkwafina was the totype has a slot for Super tually released to consumers most searched-for woman in Famicom and Super Nintendo by Sony in 1994, it is technically comedy, and novelist Toni games as well as a disc drive to the earliest existing prototype Supermoon Morrison was the most- play a proprietary CD-ROM for Sony’s first home console searched for female author. “Super Disc” based format. video game and an invaluable A plane passes in front of the full moon as seen from Curitiba, Brazil, yesterday. The supermoon is Meanwhile, searches for “songs At one time, this reportedly piece of video game history,” visible as the full moon coincides with the satellite in its closest approach to Earth, which makes it about girl power” have reached single-surviving unit was McLeckie said. appear brighter and larger than other full moons. an all-time high in America. Deforestation for coffee production ups malaria risk Rock band Pearl Jam IANS — SYDNEY of our consumption and pro- turn, malaria risk. Unsustainable “This work goes beyond simple postpones tour over virus curement, and avoid buying from human consumption is clearly incidence mapping and correla- Researchers, including one of an sources implicated with deforest- driving this trend,” said Indian- tions, in that it unveils a global AFP — NEW YORK Indian-origin, have estimated that ation, and support sustainable land origin researcher and study co- supply-chain network that links 20 percent of the malaria risk in ownership in developing coun- author Dr. Arunima Malik from the malaria occurring in specific loca- American rock band Pearl Jam announced that they deforestation hot spots is driven tries,” Lenzen said. University of Sydney in tions because of deforestation with are postponing the first leg of their North American by the international trade of According to the researchers, Australia. globally dispersed consumption,” tour this spring over coronavirus concerns. exports including coffee, cocoa, directing consumption away from “We achieved this by quanti- Malik said. “Unfortunately, communing in large groups is a huge palm oil, beef and cotton. deforestation has benefits beyond tatively relating malaria incidence The results of the study can be part of what we do as a band and the tour we’ve been Previous studies have shown the malaria link; it will help first with deforestation, then to used for more demand-side busy planning for months is now in jeopardy... We have deforestation and rainforest dis- reducing biodiversity loss and primary commodity production, approaches to mitigating malaria and will always keep the safety and well-being of our turbances can increase the trans- greenhouse gas emissions as well. which we then connected to global incidence by focusing on regulating supporters as top priority,” frontman Eddie Vedder said mission of malaria by creating For the findings, published in supply-chain networks and ulti- malaria-impacted global supply in a statement on social media. conditions where mosquitoes the journal Nature Communica- mately to worldwide consumer chains, the researchers said. “So it is with deep frustration and regret that we are thrive: warmer habitats and fewer tions, the research team investi- demand,” Malik said. Demand-side initiatives such forced to make this most unfortunate of announcements... predators. gated links between the increasing The final step was accom- as product labelling and certifi- This scheduled first leg of our PJ/Gigaton tour will need “What does this mean for risk of malaria in developing plished by coupling a highly cation, supply-chain dialogue and to be postponed and shows rescheduled for a later date.” affluent consumers?” asks study countries to products demanded detailed and large international green procurement standards The band’s new album “Gigaton” is scheduled for senior author Professor Manfred by distant consumers. database with an established and have been successful in addressing release on March 27. They had planned to embark on Lenzen, from the University of “This study is the first to assess widely used analytical technique trade-related global problems a 16-date North American tour in March and April, with Sydney in Australia. the role of global consumption in — multi-region input-output such as deforestation, threats to destinations including New York’s Madison Square “We need to be more mindful increasing deforestation and, in (MRIO) analysis, the study said. species and child labour. Garden.