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SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 8 RABIA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8421 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Get a smart Wi-Fi device as a gift and enjoy the best entertainment With Ooredoo ONE Terms and Conditions Apply S’hail international exhibition proves a great success THE PENINSULA — DOHA The exhibition saw 120 local, Arab and international companies specialising in falcons, falconry, hunting, Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad camping, and adventure participate. bin Khalifa Al Thani visited the S’hail - Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition Participating entities unanimously hailed the success of yesterday morning. S’hail 2020 in terms of its size and diversity. H H the Father Amir toured the various areas of the exhibition, The exhibition management’s precautionary measures accompanied by Dr. Khaled bin under the highest health and safety standards to ensure a Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village safe shopping process draw praise. Foundation (Katara) and Chairman of the Organising Com- S’hail has also become an important economic and mittee of the S'hail 2020’. H H the marketing platform that supports the national economy Father Amir visited the hunting, falconry supplies, adventure and and revives the local market. trekking, in addition to other sec- tions that display the best and year especially its organisation and falcons in the Middle East. finest types of falcons. in securing the requirements and S’hail has also become an The fourth edition of S’hail needs of the participating important economic and mar- 2020 concluded yesterday at companies. keting platform that supports the Katara after five days. The exhi- The participants also national economy and revives bition saw 120 local, Arab, and extolled the exhibition manage- the local market. The exhibition international companies special- ment’s precautionary measures met all exhibitors’ expectations ising in falcons, falconry, under the highest health and and visitors’ requests from fal- hunting, camping, and adventure safety standards to ensure a safe conry and hunting enthusiasts participate in the event. shopping process, such as elec- with new, modern, and inno- Participating entities unan- tronic reservation, alternating vative supplies. imously hailed the success of the entry of visitors, and per- Handicraft and arts, and ‘S’hail 2020’ in terms of its size manent sanitization of booths, artists also registered a Katara General Manager Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, with other officials and guests listening to and diversity, the provision of facilities, and corridors. presence along the sidelines of a visitor during the S’hail - Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition. hunting equipment and sniper Social distancing and elec- the exhibition highlighting the requirements, and the latest tronic payment, among other longstanding Qatari heritage. weapons and rifles. measures, ensured that S’hail Through the five-day exhi- the Amir and H E the Prime Min- ambassadors and representa- and international satellite Participating firms also 2020 raised itself to a leadership bition, S’hail 2020 attracted ister and Minister of Interior. tives of diplomatic missions. channels, including Qatar TV, praised the remarkable level position among international thousands of visitors, and it was Other VIPs from Their Excel- Several journalists and media AlKass, and Al Rayyan channels achieved by the exhibition this exhibitions specialising in hunting distinguished by the visit of H H lencies ministers, Sheikhs, representatives from local, Arab, also visited the exhibition. `P2 17 entities deploy National Authentication System IRFAN BUKHARI to all government’s e-services self-registration for users, user THE PENINSULA with unified login data. Sev- verification, single sign-on with enteen entities have to date the same user name and Since its launch last year, 17 deployed the system that is password for all government entities of the country have consistent with Qatar digital services, digital signing and deployed the National Authen- government goals for better other services, as well as sim- tication System, ‘Tawtheeq’, in government services for indi- plifying of e-service integration Qatar. viduals & businesses,” said through standards protocols. The Tawtheeq provides MoTC in the tweet. Through the National access to government’s In 2019, the MoTC had Authentication Service, all users e-services with unified login launched the National Authen- can access services provided by data. The Ministry of Transport tication Service ‘, which acts as government entities with the and Communications (MoTC) a national identity provider for same user name and password said on its Twitter account that all the government online which saves time and effort for so far 17 entities have deployed services. It provides a secure the user and speeds up access the system. authentication, digital signing, to the required services. Key features of Tawtheeq and Single-Sign-On (SSO) The National Authentication include servicing individuals services and is a key com- System also provides digital and businesses, simplified gov- ponent in e-Services devel- identity verification and secure ernment entities’ connection to opment and security. It delivers authentication in line with the service, protecting digital improved security, usability, best global practices in infor- Trump votes in presidential election identity from theft and hacking, and efficiency for end-users of mation security, as well as deploying best info security government e-Services. appropriate solutions to the US President Donald Trump leaves the polling station after casting his ballot at the Palm Beach standards, and fast access to Tawtheeq also offers many obstacles faced by government County Public Library, during early voting for the November 3 election, in West Palm Beach, Florida, `See P15 services. benefits to both digital service entities in developing digital yesterday. “Tawtheeq provides access providers and users, such as services. Fifth edition of ‘Khotwa’ Public urged to take seasonal flu vaccination FAZEENA SALEEM a video message posted on Expert warns that even programme launched THE PENINSULA social media pages of MoPH and Hamad Medical healthy people can get sick QNA — DOHA train and develop retirees and The Ministry of Public Health Corporation(HMC). from flu and spread it to others. teach them basic entrepre- (MoPH) has urged the public to It is part of an awareness Qatar Development Bank neurial skills, through a take seasonal influenza (flu) campaign about flu vaccination The vaccine protects you from (QDB), in cooperation with the package of training pro- vaccination as it has been which aims to spread the several viruses, that can risk your General Retirement and Social grammes and advisory services shown to have many benefits message, ‘this year is important Insurance Authority (GRSIA), to enter the world of entrepre- including reducing risk of flu ill- than ever to get your free flu life or lead to hospital admission. launched the fifth edition of neurship, to create and manage nesses and hospitalisation. vaccination’. ‘Khotwa’ programme, which a successful and sustainable Head of Vaccination Unit, The free seasonal flu For the sixth consecutive year, aims to build the capacities of business. Health Protection and Commu- vaccine is available at Primary the campaign aims to vaccinate retirees in the field of entre- In a statement on this nicable Disease Control Health Care Corporation preneurship and convert their occasion, the Executive Director Department at the MoPH, Dr. (PHCC) health centres, HMC around 500,000 people. ideas into successful projects. of Advisory and Incubation at Soha Al Bayat, said that even outpatient clinics and desig- The programme aims to QDB Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al healthy people can get sick nated private and semi-private Mannai, stressed that the pro- from flu and spread it to others. clinics and hospitals across available for free across all the Flu’ aims to vaccinate gramme is a unique opportunity “Even if you not get severely Qatar. PHCC’s health centres, at HMC around 500,000 people. to benefit from the experiences sick with flu, you may pass it Healthcare experts have for patients attending clinic “In seasonal flu vaccination,

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 of retirees to enrich the business onto someone with a weak warned that amid the continued appointments and at more than our focus most of the time is on environment in Qatar. immune system,” she said. COVID-19 pandemic, it is more 40 private clinics and hospitals the elderly, children below 5 Al Mannai added that QDB “This vaccine is very important than ever to protect as well as and semi-govern- years of age, pregnant women, Included with today’s edition believes in providing opportu- important to take, it protects from the seasonal flu. mental health care facilities, healthcare workers, people is a special supplement nities for everyone to partic- you from several viruses, that The annual seasonal flu until March 2021. with chronic illnesses such as ipate in building a diversified can risk your life or lead to hos- vaccination campaign is a joint Being conducted for the hypertension, diabetes, lung `BUSINESS 4-5 business climate in the country. pital admission or other com- initiative of the MoPH, the sixth consecutive year, the cam- diseases and immunity com- `P2 plications,” said Dr. Al Bayat in PHCC and HMC. The vaccine is paign under the theme ‘Fight promising illnesses. `P2 02 HOME SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020

QM invites community to OFFICIAL NEWS Amir congratulates explore Qatar’s rich heritage President of Zambia DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim through Airbnb Experiences bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad THE PENINSULA — DOHA Al Thani, and Prime Minister and We encourage members of the Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Kha- In its ongoing efforts to promote Qatar’s community to join us in serving lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al rich heritage, Qatar Museums (QM) has Thani sent yesterday cables of launched several cultural activities and as local ambassadors of Qatar congratulations to President of tours through Airbnb Experiences, that by hosting their own Airbnb the Republic of Zambia H E Edgar curates a host of unique offerings led by Experiences that showcase Chagwa Lungu on the anniver- locals from cities all across the world. their unique hobbies. Each of sary of his country’s Independence The initial rollout of Qatar Museums’ our passions contributes to our Day. — QNA Airbnb Experiences will provide locals and visitors to Qatar with experiences collective cultural identity. Amir sends co-hosted by the Museum of Islamic Art condolences to (MIA). These include Learn Calligraphy H E Sheikha Al Mayassa @ MIA, which lets participants discover Chairperson, Qatar Museums Sultan of Brunei the world of calligraphy with specialised The Museum of Islamic Art. experts who will delve into the art of DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Islamic calligraphy and its association bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir with geometric Islamic art and the ara- to the 19th century. own Airbnb Experiences that showcase including the ceilings of the elevators. H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al besque form. Chairperson of Qatar Museums, H E their unique hobbies. Each of our pas- To enjoy a beautiful view of Doha’s Thani, and Prime Minister and Min- Learn about the Art of Illumination Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin sions contributes to our collective cul- skyline, Qatar Museums is also hosting ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid @ MIA will see specialised experts Khalifa Al Thani, said: “Through Airbnb tural identity. Afternoon Tea in Jiwan, taking guests bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani provide a tour of the museum and its Experiences, Qatar Museums invites the "This is an amazing opportunity to back to Qatar’s roots in a beautiful setting sent yesterday cables of condo- iconic design by world-renowned community, regional and international showcase these to as many as possible that showcases the architecture and lences to His Majesty Sultan of architect I.M. Pei, followed by a visitors to Qatar to expand their cultural and provide the community and visitors interior design of the National Museum the Nation of Brunei Hassanal workshop exploring the details of the horizons by exploring the rich artistic to Qatar with a truly immersive of Qatar. Bolkiah, on the death of his son art of illumination and how it affects tapestry of our country. Much can also experience.” In the coming months, Qatar Prince Abdul Azim, praying to the museum spaces. be learned about our history and influ- Those with a passion for architecture Museums will expand its Airbnb Expe- Almighty Allah to have mercy on The Explore the History of Islamic ences by studying architecture can sign up to Explore the Unique Archi- riences with tours and activities by his soul and to rest it in peace in Art @MIA takes visitors on a tour of the throughout the city. tecture of the MIA for a guided tour and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the paradise, and to inspire His Maj- museum’s permanent collection repre- “We encourage members of the com- workshop introducing participants to National Museum of Qatar, IDAM, the esty and the ruling family with senting the full scope and diversity of munity to join us in serving as local the Islamic world’s geometric patterns Public Art Department, and the Division patience and solace. — QNA Islamic art dating from the 7th through ambassadors of Qatar by hosting their that adorn the spaces of the museum, of Cultural Heritage. Qatar strongly MME calls for compliance with law banning Fifth edition of condemns bombing ‘Khotwa’ in Afghanistan workers' accommodation in family areas launched DOHA: The State of Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation FROM PAGE 1 SIDI MOHAMED water services in specific places provisions of Law No. (15) of that the Ministry has a periodic and denunciation of the bomb- THE PENINSULA because of partitioned villa,” he 2010 regarding the ban on inspection drives. “It also con- The launch of ‘Khotwa’ ing that targeted a training centre said. housing of more workers than ducts inspection based on com- programme is part of QDB west of the Afghan capital, Kabul, Assistant at the Legal Affairs If the number of workers in allowed within the family res- plaints and reports. In case of endeavours to support all and led to deaths and injuries, Department of the Ministry of one residence is below three, idential areas. complaints, the inspector entrepreneurs, in addition to including children. In a statement Municipality and Environment the aforementioned law will not Speaking to Qatar TV, Al checks for the existence of the making use of the experiences issued yesterday, the Ministry of (MME), Ahmed Al Emadi, has be applied to them, according Emadi explained that the defi- violation.” of retirees and harnessing Foreign Affairs reiterated the State said that the aim of banning to MME. nition of worker in the law also MME has stressed the need them in projects that make of Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting workers’ accommodation in The Ministry of Adminis- includes an engineer, a doctor to adhere to the requirements difference, he added. violence and terrorism regard- family residential area has trative Development, Labor and or a teacher if they work for of appropriate housing specifi- For his part, the Director less of motives and causes. The social, health and economic Social Affairs (MADLSA), in col- private establishments on cations for workers. If com- of Public Relations and Com- statement expressed the State of goals. laboration with MME carries out which the labor law applies. The panies do not comply with reg- munications at GRSIA Qatar’s condolences to the families “The ban is for social campaigns to inspect workers' law also applies to non-profes- ulations, strict measures Mohammed Abdullah Al of victims as well as the govern- purpose which is to prevent housing in the country’s resi- sional occupations. including penalties will be Malki, praised the partnership ment and people of Afghanistan, workers’ housing within family dential neighbourhoods. Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Sayed, taken against them. The vio- and cooperation with Qatar wishing the wounded a speedy residential area. Secondly, we The implementation of the Director of the Municipal lating companies will be Development Bank to launch recovery. — QNA also noticed pressure on health drives is based on Law No. (22) Control Section at Al Khor and referred to the security the 5th edition of this initi- services and electricity and of 2019 amending some Al Thakhira Municipality, said authorities. ative, considering that it seeks to provide the necessary MoPH: 254 new training and qualification to S’hail international enable retirees to become COVID-19 cases entrepreneurs. exhibition proves a Khotwa program, which THE PENINSULA — DOHA was launched in its first great success edition in 2014, is a com- The Ministry of Public Health FROM PAGE 1 munity initiative aimed at (MoPH) yesterday announced building and developing the the registration of 254 new Ministries, institutions, and capabilities and skills of confirmed COVID-19 cases. governmental and official retirees and encouraging Among them, 36 were trav- bodies such as the Ministry of them to establish their small ellers returning from abroad. Interior, the Ministry of Munic- and medium businesses and Also 269 people have ipality, and Environment rep- projects, and converting their recovered from the virus, resented by the Environmental ideas into successful projects, bringing the total number of Affairs and Livestock Man- as the number of beneficiaries recovered cases in Qatar to agement Sector participated reached nearly 150 retirees in 127,868. All new cases have in the event. The Qatar Red the total of previous been introduced to isolation Crescent and Souq Waqif Hos- editions. and are receiving necessary pital — ensured compre- The program will be held healthcare according to their hensive checks on the health from November 1 until health status. of the falcons before com- November 12, and from 10.30 pleting the purchase process, in the morning until 12.30 in the South Reserve, and the the afternoon, through video One arrested for Qatari Al Gannas Association conference technology. Reg- all participated in the exhi- Gourmet Street istration for the program has violating home bition. The fourth edition of been opened through the Visitors take pictures of a giant ice cream statue installed as part of Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ event S’hail 2020 was held in part- GRSIA and Qatar Devel- quarantine at Msheireb Downtown Doha. The event is held annually with a different concept every year. This nership with the Social and opment Bank website, or by Sports Activities Support Fund, year it features a unique new ice cream concept presented for the first time in Qatar, where families visiting the following link: THE PENINSULA — DOHA can enjoy a wide variety of flavours offered by the city’s prestigious retail brands. Qatar Airways, Ooredoo, and PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA https://www.eventbrite. Qatar Insurance Company. com/e/124515255481 The competent authorities arrested yesterday one person who violated the requirements of the home quarantine that Asthmatic attacks among children rise in winter: Expert he committed to follow in accordance with the proce- THE PENINSULA — DOHA (57%) while the rest are either consumption and preserving 2% of healthcare spending in dures of the health authorities mild (28%) or severe (18%). biodiversity,” he wrote. developed countries. in the country. The person Increased incidence of asth- In an article on ‘Tackling Dr. Biswas also said that “While the underlying being referred to the matic attacks among children Childhood Asthma: The View there are currently no cures for causes are not entirely clear, competent prosecution is is common in Qatar at the from Qatar’, Assistant Professor asthma, given the multi-fac- available evidence suggests Abdullah Mohammed beginning of winter and during at the College of Health and torial nature and heteroge- that asthma is a multi-factorial Abdullah Al Ibrahim Al sandstorms. Life Sciences at Hamad Bin neous symptoms with different disease, with environmental Mohannadi. Besides genetics, several Khalifa University, Dr. Kabir etiologies and prognoses. and host factors, and genetic factors are associated with Hassan Biswas, explained that, Accordingly, appropriate man- susceptibility play a significant Public urged to childhood asthma in Qatar, “In response, Qatar has applied agement of the disease and part,” Dr. Biswas highlighted. including obesity — 25 percent a multi-pronged approach to reducing exposure to agents “For instance, some regions take seasonal flu of asthmatic children were tackling childhood asthma, and triggers are the only strat- in the human genome con- obese compared to 18 percent which falls broadly under the egies available to thwart this taining various genes, including vaccination of the non-asthmatic controls rights of children, youth, and epidemic. interleukins (immune cell- FROM PAGE 1 — respiratory infections (96%), older persons of the Qatar Children are especially sus- secreted protein factors that and family history (86%). National Vision 2030. First, the ceptible to many diseases, play a critical role in inflam- Because, they are at a high Dr. Kabir Hassan Biswas, Assistant According to Hamad country’s healthcare system, including pathogenic microor- mation), have been associated risk of developing flu related Professor, College of Health and Medical Corporation (HMC), the including HMC and the Primary ganisms, genetic variations, with childhood asthma. Host these complications,” said Dr. general prevalence of asthma Health Care Corporation Life Sciences, HBKU and environmental factors. factors linked to asthma Al Bayat. “But we highly urge among Qatari children is esti- (PHCC), has elaborate protocols One of the most prevalent non- include allergic sensitization, all citizens and residents of mated to be the same as the in place for the diagnosis and asthma in their offspring. communicable diseases among frequent respiratory infections, Qatar to take the flu vaccine if world average — about 20 management of asthma in Finally, controlling sources and children is asthma. Childhood obesity, family history, low not to protect yourself, at least percent of children aged 6-14 children.” an overall reduction in air pol- or paediatric asthma could birth weight, heavy physical to protect your loved ones,” years. “Additionally, citizens lution is a key priority of stra- affect almost 1 in 5 children activity, and nutritional factors. she said. More information Of these, approximately intending to enter into a con- tegic plans developed by the worldwide, a trend that has While these factors impact suf- including where to get the flu two-thirds of cases are sanguineous marriage are Ministry of Municipality and increased over the past several ferers at the individual level, vaccine in Qatar and fre- reported among boys. In both required to undergo premarital Environment (MME). Initiatives decades. Widely regarded as a environmental problems such quently asked questions about males and females, the screening in which they are include a move towards global epidemic, asthma also as air pollution, pollens, mould, the flu and COVID-19 can be majority of these cases appear evaluated for a variety of pos- cleaner energy and a greener poses a significant financial and the weather impact at the found on the campaign to be moderate in severity sible factors that might lead to economy, reducing energy burden, accounting for up to population level,” he added. website www.fighttheflu.qa. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 03 Arab Network for rights institutions marks 75th anniversary of UN QNA — DOHA importance of enhancing the human rights, including work Al Jamali congratulated the participation of developing to develop Standards and The Arab Network for National UN for its 75th anniversary, countries in global governance guarantees. Human Rights Institutions pointing out that during these institutions, and implementing The panel discussion wit- organised a virtual panel past years the United Nations the principle of leaving no one nessed interventions by the par- discussion entitled “75 Years: behind. ticipants focused on the role of Development of the Human managed to avoid the Al Jamali congratulated the the United Nations in combating Rights System: Implications and outbreak of a third World UN for its 75th anniversary, racism and decolonisation, the Prospects”, in partnership with War, in addition to its pointing out that during these importance of mechanisms and the High Commissioner for appreciated and past years the United Nations the role of national institutions Human Rights represented by commendable efforts to managed to avoid the outbreak to encourage their countries to the UN Center for Training and of a third World War, in ratify them, the importance of Documentation in the Field of promote and protect human addition to its appreciated and working on the 2030 sus- Human Rights for South and rights. commendable efforts to tainable development plan by Sultan Hassan Al Jamali, Executive Director of the Arab Network of West Asia and the Arab Region. promote and protect human eliminating corruption as an National Human Rights Institutions with other participants during The discussion was held in rights. initial step and the importance the presence of 75 participants mechanisms that enable the the virtual discussion entitled “75 Years: Development of the Human For his part, Deputy of introducing and training on from 20 Arab countries, repre- United Nations to implement its Rights System: Implications and Prospects”. Director of the UN Human human rights at an early age in senting national human rights decisions, in a way that under- Rights Training and Documen- addition to the Arab human institutions, members of the mines the use of force and legitimacy decisions, end the implemented, it will form the tation Centre for South- West rights system and the estab- network, and a number of civil imposes the status quo, and Israeli occupation, establish the basis for solutions, explaining Asia and the Arab Region Alaa lishment of the permanent Arab society organisations and giving priority to public interest State of Palestine with Jeru- that the implementation of the Kaoud, presented a working Human Rights Committee and human rights activists. and effective and constructive salem as its capital, and sustainable development goals paper in which he dealt with its role. The participants In his intervention, Sultan international cooperation, to establish a just and compre- needs serious, honest and the main milestones that the praised the cooperation with Hassan Al Jamali, Executive achieve international peace and hensive peace in accordance effective international solidarity international human rights the Arab Network for National Director of the Arab Network security. with the principle of land for between countries and all system has gone through since Human Rights Institutions to of National Human Rights Insti- In the same context, he peace. stakeholders. the founding of the United promote human rights in the tutions — based in Doha — stressed the need to end the suf- He stressed the importance Al Jamali considered that Nations, and the extent of Arab region and other inter- stressed the necessity of fering of the Palestinian people, of implementing the goals of the strengthening the rule of law interaction with the work of ventions related to the issues invoking international law and resolve the Palestinian issue in 2030 Sustainable Development and promoting human rights is these mechanisms in terms of of the international human finding new tools, methods and accordance with international Plan, noting that if this plan is essential, stressing the promoting and protecting rights system. HMC’s Physiotherapy Department launches website featuring exercise video portal THE PENINSULA — DOHA supporting their journey to patients during more than recovery. 270,000 outpatient visits and The Physiotherapy Department “Physiotherapists work in a 160,000 inpatient visits a year at Hamad Medical Corporation multitude of clinical settings, and has come so far since our (HMC) has marked World Phys- from working with our youngest beginnings at Rumailah Hos- iotherapy Day 2020 with the patients to patients in intensive pital in 1957. We now have launch of a new website that care units, to supporting more than 300 therapists includes a dedicated online patients of long-term care reha- working across HMC hospitals. exercise video portal for bilitation facilities and in the Today we offer a full range of HMC officials pose for a group photo at an event to celebrate World Physiotherapy Day 2020. patients. community. Our team includes services to patients who need World Physiotherapy Day specialties such as orthopedics, our care – from babies through is celebrated globally each Sep- neurology, cardiorespiratory, to our older patients. Most muscle weakness. They might also has information about recovery and has explanatory tember and the theme for this pediatrics, women’s health, recently the department started be confined to a bed for a few services available and how to instruction with exercises and year was the role of physio- men’s health, geriatrics, providing services through tele- days and this makes it difficult access these services. movements that are specific to therapy in rehabilitation and oncology, community-based medicine channels including for them to mobilize out of bed “The portal can be their treatment and recovery. COVID-19. physiotherapy, and mental video consultations,” added Al once they are awake. Physio- accessed by patients through We continuously follow-up The new website, which is health,” said Chief of Physio- Mudahka. therapists play a vital role by a specialized link and hosts with the patients through hosted at www.hamad.qa and therapy at HMC, Noora Al The Physiotherapy assisting them to regain their interventional exercise videos virtual video consultations to can be accessed by current Mudahka. Department is currently at the strength and gradually return specific to various clinical monitor their progress and patients through a link provided “The process of rehabili- frontline of providing physio- to functional independence,” conditions, such as stroke, adjust where needed. This is a by their physiotherapist, tation starts the moment a therapy services to recovering said Al Mudahka. traumatic brain injury, post- safe and convenient way for includes more than 500 videos. patient is admitted to the hos- COVID-19 patients who have Lolwa Al Mohannadi, Exec- operative, and guiding parents patients to continue their The portal is intended to pital and continues after dis- varied, and complex needs due utive Director of Clinical and in the care of babies who had treatment at home and it enhance the patient experience charge through outpatient or to complications associated Service Development, said the been ventilated,” said Al engages the patient in their and enables patients to access home care therapy services. The with the virus. new website not only includes Mohannadi. recovery, which evidence instructional videos safely and Physiotherapy Department pro- “Patients who were on ven- an innovative online exercise “Each video is customized shows leads to better out- conveniently as part of vides physical therapy to tilator support often experience video portal for patients, but it for the various phases of comes,” added Al Mohannadi. 'Qatar’s prompt action to protect people Municipality closes manufacturing with dementia from COVID-19 saved lives' unit set up in family residential area THE PENINSULA — DOHA in family residential area, products stored at the FAZEENA SALEEM said the Ministry of Munic- facility, which was located THE PENINSULA The Municipal Control ipality and Environment in a family residential Department of Al Wakrah on its Twitter Account. area. The violation was Qatar was prompt to set a compre- Municipality found a During the inspection detected by the Health hensive plan to protect people with manufacturing unit of of the villa, it was found Control Department with dementia during COVID-19 and it foodstuffs set up inside a that the occupants had set the participation of the helped safeguard this vulnerable family residential area. up a small manufacturing Health Control Devel- group of the society, according to Authorities seized the unit, which was used to opment Team at the Office experts at Qatar Foundation (QF). house as it violates the make food products inside of the Assistant Undersec- While the death rate of people provisions of the law pro- the premises. The officers retary for Municipal with dementia accounted for a large hibiting workers' housing also seized the food Affairs. percentage of all COVID-19 related deaths in the US, UK and several European countries, Qatar has reported a very low mortality rate. According to QF’s WISH Faras Almeer (left) and Dr. Salman Al Jerdi Research Lead on Dementia, Faras Almeer, in light of the current pan- demic, Qatar has been a particularly reflexive example compared to its While majority of countries are still behind projected UN targets global contemporaries. for developing national healthcare strategies for dementia, Almeer highlighted about the Qatar has demonstrated its willingness to prioritise this launch of Raha, the National Alzhe- imer’s and Memory Services Hel- category of diseases at the national level. Even before the pline and COVID-19 specific public launch of the Qatar National Dementia Plan in 2018, Qatar had healthcare strategies aimed towards already joined the Global Dementia Observatory and formed a the elderly. “While majority of countries National Stakeholder’s Group by that point. are still behind projected UN targets for developing national healthcare strategies for dementia, Qatar has demonstrated its will- shadowed by other diseases. likely to be older, be living in nursing ingness to prioritise this category In light of the COVID-19 pan- homes, and have multiple other of diseases at the national level. demic, people with dementia medical problems. They may be less Even before the launch of the Qatar accounted for a quarter of all able to recognize or express the National Dementia Plan in 2018, COVID-19-related deaths in earlier and potentially milder Qatar had already joined the Global England and Wales, and three- symptoms of the viral infection,” he Dementia Observatory and formed quarters of all deaths in care facil- said. a National Stakeholder’s Group by ities globally, data shows. The US According to Dr. Al Jerdi, it is that point,” Almeer told The has witnessed a similar surge during unfortunate but true that when Peninsula. the pandemic, with persons affected healthcare resources are scarce, “However, Qatar is in a unique by Alzheimer’s disease showing a more aggressive care is likely to be position of being a very small 20% increase in mortality since offered to younger healthier patients, country with a centralized bureau- February. or to those that do not suffer from cratic infrastructure, which bolsters “The findings in the studies dementia. its ability to respond swiftly to public about the number of patients with He lauded the efforts taken by health crises. Other countries will pre-existing dementia dying from Qatar to protect and care people not be set up in the same way. COVID-19 are alarming. Although with dementia and support their Empowering community-based care it is unlikely that dementia caregivers. “According to Medical is one way to address the gaps and directly results in an increased Director of Qatar Rehabilitation vulnerabilities experienced by susceptibility to the virus, it is Institute and National Health people with dementia and their car- factors associated with the diag- Strategy lead for Healthy Aging, egivers,” he added. nosis that are quite concerning,” Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, about 70% Dementia is one of the more sig- said Alumnus and Assistant Pro- of Qatar Dementia Plan has nificant causes of dependence and fessor of Neurology at Weil already been completed, bringing disability in older people worldwide, Cornell Medicine Qatar of QF, Dr. Qatar much closer to achieving affecting as many 50 million people, Salman Al Jerdi. this ambitious project,” said Dr. yet it has a history of being over- “People with dementia are more Jerdi. 04 HOME SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 Qatari Society of Al Gannas announces QLC to launch virtual 7 championships for 2020-21 season graduation tomorrow THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA The virtual celebration Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC) Qatari Society of Al Gannas has invited the community to will be launched at has announced its annual join with it to honour its eighth 6pm on www.qlc.org. program for the 2020-21 class at a special graduation qa. It will welcome season, which includes seven ceremony, to be conducted via all virtual visitors to international and local cham- the Centre’s digital platforms, pionships including the Inter- tomorrow (October 26, 2020). congratulate the 147 national Marmi Festival. To be held under the Qataris who have Chairman of the Board of patronage of H E Sheikha Al completed their Directors of Qatari Society of Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa studies in the National Al Gannas, Ali bin Khatem Al Al Thani, Chairperson, QLC Board Leadership Programs . Mehshadi, said that 2020-21 of Directors, the virtual gradu- season will begin with Isfari ation experience will feature tra- Falconry Championship. ditional elements of the yearly He said that the additions celebration, including a special site, www.qlc.org.qa. to this year includes the video convocation address. Qatar Leadership Centre is a promising falconry compe- The virtual celebration will be national management devel- tition, as well as the addition launched at 6pm on www.qlc.org. opment institute that seeks to of ‘Shat Al Nukhba Lejeer’ in qa. It will welcome all virtual vis- develop leadership talent among the Ras Laffan championship, itors to congratulate the 147 Qatari professionals who work sponsored by the Ras Laffan Qataris who have completed their in government institutions and Social Communication studies in the National Leadership in public and private sector Program. Programs (Rising, Government, organizations. More than 800 Al Mehshadi said that this and Executive Leaders Programs) Qataris have now participated in is a new addition to the junior and the Executive Master’s in one or more QLC programs. A falcon being inspected during the registration. championship to be held Leadership – Qatar, offered by Through its programs, Qatar second year in a row, as well Georgetown University Leadership Centre contributes to as the participation of junior He added that the activities Gannas, Muhammad bin Abdul exhibition, it overcome the McDonough School of Business. the development and empow- falconers (Junior Falconer of Qatari Society of Al Gannas Latif Al Misnad, emphasised challenges. Family, friends, colleagues, erment of the nation’s citizens, Competition) in the Al Gannas for this season is not limited that the announcement of the For his part, Head of Qatar professors, and alumni and the as outlined in the National Devel- Society Championship, which to championships and com- annual program aims to Isfari Championship for community are welcome to the opment Strategy 2018-2022. is considered a mini-festival, petitions, but rather that the inform the participants and Falcon, Khalid bin Saeed Al virtual event. After the initial Combining theoretical and and shows the participants’ scientific, educational aspect falconers the exact dates of Sulaiti, said that registration launch, QLC’s website will practical instruction to build high- readiness for the rest of the is strongly present in its championship so they can get for the championship for the remain open to visitors who level leadership and management competitions. program in accordance with ready accordingly. year 2020 will begin would like to replay the celebra- skills in Qatari women and men, He also indicated that the the society’s mission and Al Misnad explained that tomorrow (October 26) and tions and share congratulatory the Centre delivers a core cur- Qatar International Falcons objectives, revealing that in the Qatari Society of Al Gannas until on October 28 from 4pm messages with the graduates riculum through its National Lead- and Hunting Festival, the coming days, Al Gannas program is not limited to hold to 8pm at the headquarters through the online guestbook. ership Programs and Institutional launched under the patronage Library will be opened, as well championships and festivals Qatari Society of Al Gannas in Following safety guidelines Programs, all developed and of H E Sheikh Joaan bin as he revealed a number of throughout the year, but it Katara. (Building No. 33). of the Ministry of Public Health, delivered in cooperation with Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani major surprises for also participates in the in Al Sulaiti said that Qatar the Centre converted its annual world-class education partners will have associate rounds - researchers and falconers international forums. Isfari Championship for in-person graduation celebration from prominent international uni- Al Hur Al Tafreekh for the cat- alike. He added that despite Falcon will start on November to a virtual event. This was versities and institutions. egories of Al Qarnas and Al Al Mehshadi called on fal- some difficulties that the 1, 2020 and continues until essential as part of national Additionally, a specialized Farkh. coners and participants to society faced due to the pan- November 7 at Aba Al Qararis efforts to combat the spread of Executive Master’s in Leadership Al Mehshadi expressed that abide by the laws to preserve demic, such as the delay of the area in Al Khor. COVID-19, by avoiding large – Qatar degree program is also the Junior Al Gannas Maizab the environment and wildlife Katara International Falconry He pointed out that the social gatherings. Those who available exclusively to QLC Camp will be on schedule in for sustainability purpose. and Hunting Exhibition, as championship includes a wish to congratulate the grad- alumni through its partner, Geor- the first week of the school For his part, Vice President well as the late entry of some number of Al Daw uates can visit QLC’s social media getown University McDonough spring vacation. of the Qatari Society of Al birds associated with the competitions. channels or the dedicated web School of Business. Qatari Music Affairs Center joins International Music Council

THE PENINSULA — DOHA works, including events, activ- Joining the International Council for Music provides ities, articles, and others As a step towards developing through the Council’s official music in the country, the the possibility to review the artworks of the Center. website and activities, will Qatari Music Affairs Center These works, including events, activities, articles, strengthen Qatar’s position in announced that it has been and others through the Council’s official website the field of music at the inter- selected to join the Unesco national level.” International Council of Music and activities, will strengthen Qatar’s position in the The International Music — the first governmental body field of music at the international level. Council (IMC) is a non-profit to join this Council. advisory body that aims to This achievement is a step Faisal Al Suwaidi, Director of Culture and Arts Department develop music sectors towards supporting Qatari at the Ministry of Culture and Sports worldwide and create artists and musicians who awareness about the value of work diligently to develop music. their musical abilities. The Council was founded The Center’s selection was music, access to music through foundations by developing production that enhances the and Arts Department at the in 1949 by the United Nations based on its commitment to participation, listening, crea- cultural activities that cul- national identity, and organ- Ministry of Culture and Sports Educational, Scientific and the five musical rights. These tivity and information, and the turally raise societal izing events that improve cul- Faisal Al Suwaidi, said, Cultural Organization are represented by the right of right of all musical artists to participation. tural communication with res- “Joining the International (UNESCO), and the world’s children and adults to “express develop their skills.” Besides, it also enables dis- ident communities. Council for Music provides the largest network of organiza- themselves freely in music, to Such a step also aims to covering and nurturing artistic Commenting on the possibility to review the art- tions and institutions working learn languages and skills in enhance the national identity talents, increasing cultural selection, Director of Culture works of the Center. These in music. SIS holds Talent Fest 2020 QRCS, QFFD to enhance

THE PENINSULA — DOHA awe-inspiring. The little commentators emergency medical The pre-primary section of held the audience spellbound Shantiniketan Indian School as they spoke eloquently on (SIS) organised a week-long topics like Save Water, system in Sennar Talent Fest. Children demon- Traffic Light, My Favourite strated their innate talents with Fruit, The Life Cycle of But- THE PENINSULA — DOHA During the visit, a love and passion remotely terfly, etc. plenary meeting using the Google Classroom The startling storytellers With funding from Qatar Fund platform. used facial expressions, ges- for Development (QFFD), the was held with the The tiny tots performed tures, and voice modulation to representation mission of Qatar ministry’s laboratories, excellently well in a series of narrate captivating stories like Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in events that included Quran The Miller, His Son, and The Sudan has initiated a project to epidemiology, and Memorization, Action Song, Donkey, The Little Red Hen, enhance the emergency prepar- other departments, Members of the joint team of QRCS and SRCS during their visit to Show and Tell, Freehand The Hunter Who Called Wolf, edness of the health system in to discuss the action inspect the preparations of the project in Sennar. Drawing, Colouring, Story- and The Blue Jackal, and many Sennar State of Sudan. telling, and Super dancers. more. Implemented in cooper- plan and locations. It was an incredible feeling The ‘Super Dancers’ little ation with the Sudanese Red The team took a tour to discuss the action plan and needs of the State, amid to witness the soothing and moves fascinated and mes- Crescent Society (SRCS), the of some of the areas locations. The team took a tour spreading diseases and lack of melodious recitation of the holy merised the audience and kept project is designed to support of some of the areas proposed medical equipment and sup- verses Qur’an with Tarteel and them glued to the screens. the State Ministry of Health. proposed for isolation for isolation facilities, moni- plies at hospitals and Tajweed by the children. The The Finale was organized A joint team of QRCS and facilities, monitoring toring and reporting points, and laboratories. Action songs also captivated the online on October 17 through SRCS supervise the prepar- central laboratory. “This project is a significant audience, and their creative the Zoom Platform and atory stage of the project, with and reporting points, One of the visited locations contribution to the State’s impressions were streamed live on YouTube. an extensive series of meetings and central laboratory. was the Sennar Teaching Hos- health system. It will help to held with the implementing pital, where the available capa- solve many health problems partners, including the bilities and premises were here and in neighboring States,” project’s Steering Committee staff and volunteers to be hired. reviewed. said Soliman. from the Federal Ministry of At the headquarters of Sen- In the presence of the Gov- He accompanied the team Health and its different nar’s Ministry of Health, Dr. ernor of Sennar, Al Mahy in a visit to the designated departments in Khartoum. Awadallah Hamdan, Head of Mohamed Soliman, represent- location of the new central lab- Meetings have already been QRCS’s Office in Sudan, gave a atives of health institutions, oratory. He offered every pos- held with the Departments of detailed overview of the project and other partners in the State, sible support from his side to International Health and Health to the State’s Health Minister- a presentation on the project facilitate all the stages of the Emergencies to coordinate the Designate, Dr. Al Hadi Awadallah. was given by the Ministry of project. commence of execution. The latter commended the Health, which promised to The visit was concluded The joint team visited project’s plan and valued the provide all facilitations to with a small-scale meeting Sennar to inspect the prepara- efforts of Qatar and QRCS to accelerate the implementation between SRCS and the man- tions of the project. They met stand by the people of Sudan. process. agement of the central labo- with the management of SRCS’s During the visit, a plenary The Governor of Sennar ratory to discuss the out- branch in Sennar to agree on meeting was held with the min- thanked QFFD and QRCS for comes of the visit, the pro- the mechanisms of work, the istry’s laboratories, epidemi- this generous and timely initi- posed locations, and the next Students of SIS during the Talent Fest 2020. activities to be done, and the ology, and other departments, ative to meet the increasing steps. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 05

VCUarts Qatar Dreama partners with Al Arabi SC alumna wins

THE PENINSULA – DOHA cooperation and support of coveted Red The club will provide the Dreama, and their full support Within the joint and bilateral children’s permanent to Qatar Foundation for Social Dot Award cooperation framework, dedi- card to attend all the Al Work and all affiliated centers. cated by Dreama Orphan Care Arabi Sports Club “In Dreama, We are Center, a partnership note was matches at the club’s pleased and honored to sign concluded with Al Arabi Sports the partnership note that Club to support the bonds of stadium. On the State’s strengthens the cooperation collaboration between them. sports day, the facilities links between Dreama and Al The partnership also aims to of the Al Arabi Sports Arabi Sports Club,” said Al achieve common goals to Club will be reserved for Misnad. support the beneficiary cate- the benefit of Dreama On the other hand, gories and provide them with Director General of Al Arabi appropriate care in the best children. Sports Club, and CEO of Al possible way, besides Arabi Football Club Company, strengthening cooperation ties Ahmed Hussein Al Ajeel said: between the two parties. organised by Dreama. “We are pleased to conclude Radheya Visperas Ponce with The partnership note Acting Executive Director a note of partnership with her Red Dot award certificate. includes placing the Dreama of Dreama Orphan Care Dreama we value the cooper- logo on the official sports kit Center, Maryam bent Ali bin ation. We provide all support THE PENINSULA – DOHA of Al Arabi Sports Club for the Nasser Al Misnad said that to that would help the Center current sports season (2020- develop and expand its part- achieve its goals for all its Radheya Visperas Ponce, a 2017 21), and Dreama beneficiary nerships with institutions and members.” Virginia Commonwealth categories may use the club’s sports clubs, the Center signed “We, in Al Arabi Sports University of the Arts in Qatar services, sports, and social a collaboration with Al Arabi Club, as a public sports insti- (VCUarts Qatar) graduate in facilities. Sports Club of its desire to tution, provide our services in Fashion Design, has won the The club will provide the provide a sports environment the field of sports, in addition coveted Red Dot Award Design children’s permanent card to for the Center’s members. to other cultural, social, Concept for her work. attend all the Al Arabi Sports She noted that this part- humanitarian and other fields. The current Savannah Club matches at the club’s nership would help children The club also provides several College of Art and Design (SCAD) stadium. On the State’s sports refining their sporting talents, services that benefit society post-graduate research student day, the facilities of the Al which allows the Center to and the development of the was recognized for her design Arabi Sports Club will be open more horizons for its environment, by providing concept, Metamorphosis, using reserved for the benefit of Officials from Dreama and Al Arabi Sports Club exchanging employees at the sports level. programs and policies that scrap materials. The Red Dot Dreama children. documents after signing partnership note. In her speech, Al Misnad contribute to preparing spe- Design Awards are considered A total of 10% of sales extended her thankfulness and cialised cadres and activating one of the preeminent award proceeds of the third kit of Al allocated to Dreama, in of Al Arabi Sports Club in appreciation to Al Arabi Sports the field of social responsi- programs in the design field. Arabi Sports Club will be addition to the participation awareness campaigns Club for the continuous bility,” said Al Ajeel. The award places Ponce amongst an elite group of artists and designers such as Michael Brandis and Inga Sempe. Red EAA, partners discuss HBKU Press celebrates OA Week Dot has recognized companies such as Apple, Motorola, Dyson, and Berendsohn since the global approach to despite pandemic challenges award was initiated in 1955. This year, over 4000 artists and THE PENINSULA – DOHA designers from 52 countries sent growth during COVID in applications to the awarding Hamad Bin Khalifa University body based in Germany. Press (HBKU Press) celebrates Ponce, who is in the final year THE PENINSULA – DOHA Open Access Week 2020 by of her MFA program at SCAD, During the webinar, Joe reaffirming its commitment as was encouraged by one of her Education Above All Foundation Cerrell discussed the central a leader in information dissem- professors to send a portfolio of (EAA) in partnership with Geor- importance of multilateralism ination despite the economic her work to the Red Dot jury. getown University in Qatar challenges that publishers “My Fibers Professor in (GU-Q) hosted Managing in building back after the worldwide face as a result of Textile Innovation nominated Director of Global Policy and COVID-19 pandemic, noting the COVID-19 pandemic. me to submit my work to Red Advocacy for the Bill & Melinda that a global access plan and “HBKU Press has and con- Dot,” Ponce says. “I submitted Gates Foundation, Joe Cerrell for universal government tinues to adapt successfully to my entry early this year while a virtual seminar on “Working approach can speed up the changing publishing land- hub of information exchange Access model on QScience.com, also preparing to finish my Together During COVID-19: A scape to keep our authors and for the region, despite the its academic, online publishing thesis. Over the next few Global Approach to Devel- recovery and add almost $9 researchers at the heart of the impact that COVID-19 has had platform, hosting thousands of months, I learned that winning opment”. trillion to global income by publication process,” explained on the landscape of open scholarly, peer-reviewed a Red Dot award was an honour A part of the EAA and GU-Q 2025. Cerrell also stressed Bachar Chebaro, Executive access, open science, and articles that are freely available that enhanced the credentials Speaker Series, the event the need to create economic Director of HBKU Press. “Now scholarly publishing. to readers worldwide. of artists and designers by brought together industry more than ever, we are success- “Our online Open Access The Open Access publishing default. Naturally, when I experts and the community to policies that help women in fully providing a supportive and website, QScience.com, is an model on QScience.com allows received my award letter from learn about pressing challenges the global ‘rebuild phase’ to collaborative research envi- instrumental platform that sup- authors to share their work Red Dot in the first week of July, and solutions for international strengthen economic ronment for academics and ports researchers’ publishing freely, with higher access, I was elated.” cooperation, drawing on Cer- progress for years to come. scholars in Qatar, MENA, and endeavors by providing nec- download, and sharing rates, Metamorphosis is a col- rell’s extensive experience in the rest of the world.” essary services such as research while ensuring proper citation. lection of hand-manipulated overseeing the Bill & Melinda Open Access (OA) Week is writing guidance, editing, type- The Open Access model is in textiles made from second- Gates Foundation’s relation- an annual global event during setting, translation, article line with international hand fabrics, collected as mem- ships with donor governments this important virtual talk and the last full week of October. As hosting, archiving, and indexing standards that ensure that the orabilia from different people in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the touch on some of the key a part of the 2020 Open Access in internationally recognized region’s information is being and places. Some of the donors Middle East, to support development topics that are Week, HBKU Press participated indexing databases,” said Dr. shared freely in the wider who sent in scrap material also increased global engagement set to shape our global outlook. in the virtual event celebrating Isaifan. knowledge economy. shared brief descriptions of and global progress. "The COVID-19 pandemic OA Week as organized by Qatar “We’ve also expanded our HBKU Press also meets the what those pieces of cloth During the webinar, Joe has brought us face to face National Library (QNL). services to include virtual increasing demand for Arabic meant to them at various points Cerrell discussed the central with the central role collabo- Head of Academic Pub- training support on the use of researchers by facilitating the in their lives. importance of multilateralism ration plays across govern- lishing at HBKU Press Dr. Rima our submission systems and unique Arabic language publi- Ponce said the piece in building back better after the ments, NGOs, educators and Isaifan, was a panelist in a dis- institutional support by expe- cation process. HBKU Press has encourages personal and COVID-19 pandemic, noting businesses. Achieving sus- cussion centered around this diting publishing services to developed a portfolio of Open sensory interaction with the that a global access plan and tainable development – a year’s theme that explored how meet the changes that the con- Access journals and confer- viewer, evoking a sustainable universal government approach long-term goal of Education the COVID-19 pandemic has stantly evolving research land- ences which are bilingual and and enduring legacy of can speed up recovery and add Above All Foundation – will caused ripple effects into all scape has demanded of us publish Arabic academic poignant, joyful, and ordinary almost $9 trillion to global depend on a collective coor- aspects of life, including during the pandemic.” research at the same high moments that make up our income by 2025. Cerrell also dinated global effort to ensure research and publishing. The panel discussion standard and quality as their daily lives. stressed the need to create eco- a safer future for our children.” Panelists discussed how the further explored the pandemic’s English counterparts. “The four years at VCUarts nomic policies that help women The EAA and GU-Q Series is dependency on electronic impact on various stakeholders QScience.com currently Qatar triggered me to think of in the global ‘rebuild phase’ to part of the GU-Q Virtual Hub for resources resulting from global from libraries, scholarly pub- hosts scholarly journals, con- fashion as something beyond strengthen economic progress Global Dialogue: Engaging lockdown underlines the lishers, and research institu- ference proceedings, and designing apparel, opening up a for years to come. Communities, Finding Solutions necessity of quality online tions and the expectations and eBooks, all available for free world of possibilities that were Communication Manager initiative, an online platform content and the importance of predictions for 2021 and online to disseminate both sustainable and beautiful,” and Head of Advocacy at EAA, that comprises the university’s open access to information. beyond. knowledge and understanding she said. “Moving forward, it is Mubarak AlThani, said, “We broad efforts to bring the com- Dr. Isaifan highlighted spe- HBKU Press has been a of scientific, social, political, a pathway that I would like to are proud to partner with our munity together for engaging cifically how HBKU Press has pioneer of Open Access pub- and health-related subjects pursue; my ultimate goal is to set distinguished academic and discussions on a wide variety of adapted to maintain its status lishing in Qatar since its while adhering to international up my studio practice that offers industry partners to deliver issues. as a world-class publisher and inception. It adopted an Open publishing standards. sustainable art and design.” Infertility treatments raise no theological or legal issues for Muslim scholars

THE PENINSULA – DOHA The study will provide the report, said: “Infertility research center at HBKU to healthcare professionals and affects around 10-15% of couples provide informed and evidence- The World Innovation Summit policymakers with an inform- globally. ARTs have provided based policy recommendations for Health (WISH) is collabo- ative and practical guide to solutions that have benefited from the perspective of Islamic rating with the Research Center better understand how ARTs many couples. While biomedical ethics. Our upcoming summit for Islamic Legislation & Ethics intersect with the Islamic tradi- scientists have been working to promises to be a suitable (CILE) at the College of Islamic tion’s moral world. improve these new technologies’ platform to interact with world- Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa HBKU Professor of Islam and safety and efficacy, ethicists and renowned experts on ethical University (HBKU), on a forth- Biomedical Ethics, CILE Dr. religious experts have studied concerns raised in diverse cul- coming research report Islamic Mohammed Ghaly, and Chair of the related moral issues. This is, tures and contexts.” Ethics and Infertility Treatment. the Assisted Reproductive Center so couples that undergo In response to the complex Examining the challenging and Senior Consultant, Women’s treatment do not compromise and multidimensional questions moral questions triggered by Wellness and Research Center, their moral or religious values from the use of ARTs, Muslim Assisted Reproductive Technol- Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Mohammed Ghaly Dr. Alia Abd El Hadi and principles. religious scholars have some- ogies (ARTs), more commonly (HMC) Dr. Alia Abd El Hadi, will “A meeting of religious and times formally collaborated with known as fertility treatments, co-chair the WISH forum that greater freedom to formulating (ARC) established at HMC, the biomedical scholars on this biomedical scientists to under- the new report and its findings will lead the discussions. governing policies, regulations, country’s largest governmental subject is crucial, and this stand some of the scientific and will be released at the WISH This latest study to be pre- and drafting laws. healthcare provider, currently seminal report is an extension biomedical aspects of ARTs. As 2020 biennial conference. sented at WISH 2020 shows that The observation is pertinent performs over 1,500 cycles a of WISH’s long-term interest in explained in previous studies Qatar Foundation’s global Islamic moral tradition is char- for Qatar and other Muslim- year for female and male infer- examining the interplay between published by WISH, the collab- health initiative, WISH, will acterized by a diversity of majority countries, where a legal tility, with a success rate com- biomedical sciences and Islamic oration between religious convene global healthcare opinions on many of the ques- vacuum in this field persists. parable to that of international ethics. scholars and biomedical scien- leaders for its fifth edition next tions raised by ARTs. This gives Qatar launched its first IVF centers. "It is an honour to be tists was facilitated through the month in a free virtual format healthcare professionals, their center in April 1993, and the WISH Head of Content Maha drawing on the widely- mechanism of collective religio- from November 15-19. patients, and policymakers Assisted Reproductive Center El Akoum, and a contributor to respected scholarship of CIS’ moral reasoning. 06 MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 Iran’s top leader says fighting virus trumps other concerns AP — TEHRAN, IRAN The Iranian health ministry put the official Iran’s supreme leader yesterday death toll from COVID-19 at 32,320 yesterday, urged authorities to prioritise adding 335 casualties from the past 24 hours. public health above any economic or security concerns, amid the Mideast’s worst Some hardliner lawmakers is a difference between criti- outbreak of the coronavirus. have criticised Iranian President cisms and insults. Iran’s death toll from the Hassan Rouhani’s management Iran shattered its single-day global pandemic topped 32,000 of the pandemic and demanded death toll record on Monday, this week. The government has his resignation. Rouhani is a and recorded consecutive daily resisted a total lockdown reformist politician and also infection highs on Tuesday and fearing it would further dev- championed Tehran’s nuclear Wednesday — then again on astate its economy, already deal with world powers, which Friday. A top health official weakened by unprecedented began collapsing after the US’s stressed this week that the true US sanctions. unilateral withdrawal. number of deaths from the out- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Lawmaker Mojtaba Zol- break is likely 2.5 times higher. officials during a meeting with nouri, who heads parliament’s The Iranian health ministry the country’s top counter-coro- influential committee for put the official death toll from navirus committee that “the national security and foreign COVID-19 at 32,320 yesterday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani during a meeting of main priority in decision- policy, called on his Twitter adding 335 casualties from the the national staff to discuss the issue of the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis, in Tehran yesterday. making is people’s health.” account for Rouhani’s “hanging past 24 hours. Khamenei urged “all organ- a thousand times until people’s Health ministry spokes- pandemic is very important. people’s lives and health and could only be controlled by isations” to follow strictly the hearts are satisfied.” woman Sima Sadat Lari raised “In some countries, such as their security and economy, enforcing tighter restrictions. health ministry’s guidelines to Khamenei indirectly con- the total number of confirmed the United States, the worst with the best management,” he “We must curb the disease by help restrict the virus’s spread, demned such inflammatory cases to 562,705. management has been applied. said. Iranian health minister enforcing regulations and “regardless of other statements in the meeting, Khamenei added the gov- But we must try to pass this Saeed Namaki said in the tightening legal restrictions,” considerations.” calling it “wrong.” He said there ernment’s management of the incident, which is related to meeting that the pandemic he said. Iran terms Sudan-Israel deal to normalise relations as 'phony' Kuwait reports 695 new virus REUTERS — TEHRAN aside hostilities with Israel in had pledged to pay in territories. They have refused in establishing ties with Israel. the last two months. compensation. to engage with the Trump A sticking point in the nego- cases, 4 deaths Iran’s foreign ministry “Pay enough ransom, close Khartoum has since placed administration, seeing it as tiations was Sudan’s insistence yesterday described a your eyes to the crimes against the funds in a special escrow biased in favour of Israel. that any announcement of QNA — KUWAIT US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal Palestinians, then you’ll be account for victims of Al Qaeda In recent weeks the United Khartoum’s delisting from ter- to normalise ties as “phoney” taken off the so-called ‘ter- attacks on US embassies in Arab Emirates and Bahrain rorism designation not be The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and accused Khartoum of rorism’ blacklist,” the ministry Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. became the first Arab states in explicitly linked to relations announced yesterday 695 new paying a ransom in return for tweeted in English. Trump also said the Pales- a quarter of a century to agree with Israel. Sudan’s 1993 des- cases of coronavirus Washington removing it from “Obviously, the list is as tinians “are wanting to do to formal relations with Israel, ignation as a state sponsor of (COVID-19) in the past 24 a list of state sponsors of phoney as the US fight against something” but offered no forged largely through shared terrorism dates to its toppled hours, bringing the total of terrorism. terrorism. Shameful.” proof. Palestinian leaders have fears of Iran. ruler Omar Al Bashir and has confirmed cases in the country The deal agreed on Friday US President Donald Trump condemned recent Arab over- The military and civilian made it difficult for the transi- to 120,927. marked the third Arab gov- announced on Monday he tures to Israel as a betrayal of leaders of Sudan’s transitional tional government in Khartoum In a statement released by ernment after the United Arab would take Sudan off the list their nationalist cause for government have been divided to access urgently needed debt Kuwait News Agency, the min- Emirates and Bahrain to set once it had deposited $335m it statehood in Israeli-occupied over how fast and how far to go relief and foreign financing. istry’s spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad said that during the same period, four deaths have been recorded, bringing the Nato to expand training total number of deaths in Kuwait to 744 so far. Al Sanad added that the mission in Iraq patients in intensive care units have reached 123, bringing the AFP — BRUSSELS Nato maintains a 500- total of confirmed cases that strong training mission in the are still receiving the nec- Nato Secretary-General Jens country to prepare local forces essary treatment to 8,073 Stoltenberg said on Friday a in the event of attacks from cases. meeting of western military Islamic State extremists. The Kuwaiti Ministry of alliance defence ministers had Stoltenberg said the scope Health announced earlier the agreed to expand its training of the mission’s upgrading recovery of 670 people over mission in Iraq to help Iraqi would be decided at a meeting the past twenty-four hours, forces fight extremism. of alliance defence ministers in bringing the total number of “While the security situ- February. Anti-US sentiment recoveries to 112,110. ation remains challenging, Nato spiked anew in Iraq following remains committed to stepping the January killing of powerful up our support,” said Iranian military commander Istanbul mayor Stoltenberg after a two-day Major General Qassem Sole- defence ministers’ meeting in imani in a US airstrike near tests positive Brussels. “Our aim is to help Baghdad, leading to a sus- build self-sustaining Iraqi pension of NATO training of for COVID-19 forces able to fight terrorism, Iraqi forces. prevent the return of ISIS, and The COVID-19 pandemic AGENCIES — ANKARA Activists demand release of detained Palestinians stabilise their country,” added also forced the alliance to dial Stoltenberg, citing a “con- down numbers earlier this year The mayor of Istanbul has Israeli left-wing activists lift placards during a demonstration calling for the release of Palestinian cerning” rise in the number and but the mission has since tested positive for COVID-19, administrative detainees, including Maher Al Akhras, whose health has deteriorated while on hunger sophistication of attacks against returned to full capacity, a spokesman for the Turkish strike, during a protest outside the Israeli run Ayalon prison in Ramle near Tel Aviv, yesterday. international forces in Iraq. Stoltenberg said. city said yesterday. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has received treatment at a Hariri confirms hospital and his condition is Syrians spruce up famed castle after years of war good, spokesman Murat intention to form Ongun tweeted. AFP — HOMS, SYRIA have visited to help with resto- Istanbul, a city of 16 million govt of experts ration. “The Hungarian exca- people, has recorded 40% of Clutching a small saw, Syrian vation team came at the end of Turkey’s total reported coro- QNA — BEIRUT volunteer Rana Jreij cut away 2016 and helped us to restore navirus cases, according to at bushes growing up the the church’s steeple and part of Health Minister Fahrettin Lebanon’s prime minister- centuries-old walls of one of the the castle’s interior,” he said. Koca. designate, Saad Hariri, began world’s most famous Crusader The United Nations Edu- Imamoglu, who represents consultations with parlia- castles, Krak des Chevaliers. cation, Cultural and Scientific the opposition Republican mentary blocs to form a She was among dozens to Organisation (UNESCO) added People’s Party, or CHP, government of specialists to clear grass, shrubs and dead Krak des Chevaliers to its World became one of the country’s tackle the country’s economic trees from the UNESCO-listed Heritage List in 2006, alongside most recognisable politicians woes, his office said. fortress this week, to protect it Old Damascus and the ancient after winning office in June The talks begin the day from forest fires that have city of Palmyra. Two years into 2019. after Lebanese President ravaged the region. the civil war, it was put on the The test result comes after Michel Aoun designated Hariri “This castle is our home. It’s World Heritage in Danger list. Turkish Health Minister to form the government in a our memories, and I’m scared Now the guns have fallen Fahrettin Koca sounded the bid to bring an end to the for it,” said the 32-year-old, silent, another kind of danger alarm over rising cases in the Volunteers take part in a clean-up at the medieval fortress Krak des country’s political crisis. dressed in a white t-shirt with stalks its fortified walls. country. Chevaliers, 40 km west of Syria’s central city of Homs and close to Hariri said he is keen to her hair tied back. Earlier this month, Pres- His success was part of a form a government of experts Heritage official Naeema the border with Lebanon, on October 20, 2020. ident Bashar al-Assad declared series of victories for the CHP to enact badly needed reforms Muhartam said she was a national catastrophe after in major cities, including and fight corruption, two delighted to see the castle come its doors in 2012, then opened “I hope one day to again see inspecting farmland devastated capital Ankara. urgent priorities underlined by back to life after years of up again in 2014 but it wasn’t concerts within its walls like by wildfires that have ravaged The mayor and other the international community, grinding civil war that has kept ready to receive visitors,” there used to be before the Syria’s Mediterranean coastal opposition figures have criti- especially France. almost all tourists away. Muhartam said. war.” In early 2018, the Syrian belt. The fires destroyed more cized the Turkish govern- Hariri has presented “The castle is recovering,” Most notable was the government attended a tourism than 9,000 hectares of ment’s approach to tackling himself as the candidate to she said. The fortress was built damage to the castle’s Gothic trade fair in Madrid, seeking to farmland and forest in the the virus, including its decision build a new Cabinet that can by a medieval Catholic military reception hall, and its chapel. bring back foreign visitors to the coastal provinces of Latakia and to publish data only on revive French efforts. order, the Knights of St John, Muhartam was ecstatic war-ravaged nation. Tartus, as well as Homs inland, patients displaying COVID-19 According to the Lebanese who held it from 1142 to 1271, when the fortress finally wel- But most countries advise the United Nations said. symptoms rather than constitution, the prime min- when it was captured by a comed sightseers back across citizens against all travel to Naji Derwish, a director of including asymptomatic ister-designate conducts par- Mamluk sultan. the moat bridge into its walled Syria, and tourists from abroad social responsibility at a nearby individuals. liamentary consultations to Sitting atop a high ridge in interior in late 2018. have been few and far between. university, says more than 400 The country on Friday form the government and what is now the Homs province “Up to 23,000 visitors came At the entrance to the cas- volunteers have travelled to the reported 2,165 new confirmed signs with the president of the of modern-day Syria, it could in 2019, but the corona pan- tle’s large reception hall, fortress to clear vegetation and cases in people with republic the decree to form it, once accommodate a garrison demic forced it back into iso- engineer Hazem Hanna ges- anything else that could catch symptoms, the highest daily and the government must of 2,000 men. lation and only 5,000 people tured to some of the decorative fire. Derwish said he hoped to number since restrictions to submit its ministerial Many centuries later, after have come this year,” she said. stonework damaged in the again see tourists explore the combat the outbreak were statement to the House of Rep- civil war broke out in Syria in “I’m happy to see life come 2012-2014 battles. fortress’s dark underbelly and imposed in May. resentatives to gain confidence 2011, the fortress again became back to the castle with hun- “As long as the primary snap pictures from the top of its The new cases brought within thirty days from the a battleground, this time dreds of volunteers turning up, materials are available, we can massive walls. Turkey’s total known cases to date of the decree of its between government forces but my dream is to see cultural fix them,” he said. “The castle misses its vis- 357,693, including 9,658 virus- formation. and rebels. “The castle closed and touristic events return. Hungarian archaeologists itors,” he said. related deaths. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 AFRICA 07

Algeria President Conde wins third self isolates as virus spreads term in Guinea REUTERS — ALGIERS

AP — CONAKRY, GUINEA Internet and Algeria’s 75-year-old Pres- international calls ident Abdelmadjid Tebboune Guinea’s President Alpha Conde is self isolating because some has won a third term with were cut off across officials in “upper ranks of the 59.49% of the vote, the National the country on Friday government” are sick with Independent Electoral COVID-19, he said in a Tweet Commission declared in anticipation of yesterday. yesterday. the election results, Tebboune took office in Some people went to the according to locals December in an election that streets to protest immediately came amidst months of mass after the announcement. Such and international protests which forced his demonstrations have occurred observers. predecessor Abdelaziz Boute- for months after the gov- flika from power after 20 ernment changed the consti- years. tution through a national refer- forces fired tear gas to disperse “I assure you, my brothers endum, boycotted by the oppo- them. and sisters, that I am well and sition, allowing the 82-year-old At least nine people have healthy and that I continue my Conde to extend his decade in been killed since the election, work,” he said, saying his Police officers are seen in front of protesters, as they throw stones and block roads during mass power. He could serve up to 10 according to the government. decision was taken on the protests after preliminary election results were released in Conakry, Guinea, on Friday. more years. The violence sparked interna- advice of medical staff. Opposition candidate Cellou tional condemnation by the US The global pandemic Dalein Diallo received 33.50% and others. vote, observers raised concerns Positive Change, a local civil since independence from struck Algeria’s economy as it of the vote, the electoral com- On Friday, Internet and that any electoral dispute could society group, described France in 1958, he was seen as faced long-term challenges mission said. Voter turnout was international calls were cut off reignite ethnic tensions Conde’s new term as an “illegal a fresh start for a country posed by the decline of the oil almost 80%. across the West African nation between Guinea’s largest ethnic mandate” and doubted that the wracked by decades of author- and gas revenues that finance Tensions around the in anticipation of the election groups. The two main candi- situation will improve if security itarian rule. its historically lavish state election in the West African results, according to locals and dates drew support from the forces fire on demonstrators. He Opponents, though, say spending. nation turned violent in recent international observers in the Malinke and the Peuhl, and pre- also questioned the validity of Conde has failed to improve the So far, Algeria has officially days after Diallo claimed victory capital, Conakry. vious match-ups have resulted the vote, alleging that “the fraud lives of Guineans, most of confirmed more than 55,000 ahead of the official results. Cel- This was the third time that in violence. is massive.” When Conde came whom live in poverty despite cases of the coronavirus with ebrations by his supporters Conde faced against Diallo in Ibrahima Kalil Gueye, pres- to power in 2010, in the coun- the country’s vast mineral nearly 2,000 deaths. were suppressed when security an election. Before the latest ident of the Organization for try’s first democratic elections riches. Though the pandemic forced an end to the weekly mass protest marches through Cameroon: Six Algiers and other cities that Ethiopia protests Trump remark on Nile dam lasted for more than a year, the children killed in political challenges remain. AP — ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA United States nor is acceptable remark reckless and irrespon- efforts to broker a deal on the Tebboune has pushed for attack on school in international law governing sible. Trump made the project among Ethiopia, Egypt changes to Algeria’s refer- Ethiopia yesterday denounced interstate relations,” a comment while announcing and Sudan. Ethiopia walked endum to limit presidential REUTERS — KUMBA, CAMEROON “belligerent threats” over the statement said. that Sudan would start to nor- away from those talks. terms while expanding the huge dam it has nearly Without naming Trump or malise ties with Israel. Down- “They will never see that powers of the parliament and Gunmen killed at least six completed on the Blue Nile the US, Prime Minister Abiy stream Sudan is a party to the money unless they adhere to judiciary. children and badly wounded River, a day after US President Ahmed’s office issued a sep- talks with Ethiopia and Egypt that agreement,” Trump said However, many people in about eight others when they Donald Trump said down- arate critical statement amid over the disputed dam. “They Friday. the leaderless protest stormed a school in stream Egypt will “blow up” the an outcry in Ethiopia over (Egypt) will end up blowing up “Occasional statements of movement believe their core Cameroon’s Anglophone project it has called an exis- Trump’s latest threat over the the dam,” Trump said. “And I belligerent threats to have goals of replacing the old South West Region yesterday tential threat. dam. The $4.6bn Grand Ethi- said it and I say it loud and clear Ethiopia succumb to unfair ruling elite and forcing the and opened fire indiscrimi- Ethiopia’s foreign minister opian Renaissance Dam is a … they’ll blow up that dam. And terms still abound,” the army to stay out of politics nately, officials and parents summoned the US ambassador source of national pride, aimed they have to do something.” statement by the Ethiopian remain unmet. Algerians will told Reuters. to seek clarification, saying “the at pulling millions of people The US president earlier this prime minister’s office said. vote in a referendum on the The attacks occurred incitement of war between from poverty. year told the State Department “These threats and affronts to new constitution on November around midday when the Ethiopia and Egypt from a “The man doesn’t have a to suspend millions of dollars Ethiopian sovereignty are mis- 1, with Tebboune and the gunmen arrived on motor- sitting US president neither clue on what he is talking in aid to Ethiopia because of the guided, unproductive, and clear country’s powerful army gen- bikes and entered the school reflects the longstanding part- about,” Former Prime Minister dam dispute, angering Ethio- violations of international law.” erals seeking a high turnout in in the city of Kumba, in an nership and strategic alliance Hailemariam Dessalegn pians who had accused the US It added: “Ethiopia will not cave order to turn a page on the area where separatist insur- between Ethiopia and the tweeted, calling Trump’s of being biased during its earlier in to aggressions of any kind.” protests. gents operate, the sources said. Many were injured when they jumped from second Head of Sudan’s largest storey windows in an attempt to escape. “They found the children party slams Israel deal in class and they opened fire on them,” city sub-prefect Ali AP — CAIRO party is allied with the pro- Anougou told Reuters. democracy movement that led Videos circulating on Sudan’s former Prime Minister the protests against Al Bashir. social media filmed by local Sadiq Al Mahdi yesterday Al Mahdi accused Trump of journalists showed adults slammed an announcement by being racist against Muslims rushing from the school with President Donald Trump that and Black people, and children in their arms, sur- Sudan would start normalising described Israel as an rounded by a crowd of wailing ties with Israel. “apartheid state.” onlookers. Al Mahdi, who is the coun- Sudan hosted a landmark Local education official try’s last democratically elected Arab League conference after Ahhim Abanaw Obase con- premier and heads the coun- the 1967 Mideast war where firmed the death toll and said try’s largest political party, said eight Arab countries approved that eight children were taken he withdrew from a gov- the “three no’s”: no peace with to hospital. ernment-organised religious Israel, no recognition of Israel, He said the dead children conference yesterday in the and no negotiations with Israel. were aged between 12 and 14. capital, Khartoum, in protest Sudan’s acting Foreign Min- Anougou and another against Friday’s announcement. ister Omar Qamar Al Din said Shoppers crowd at a market place in Lagos, Nigeria, yesterday. official blamed the attack on “This statement contradicts the ratification of the normal- secessionist insurgents who the Sudanese national law.. and isation deal was up to a legis- are seeking to form a contributes to the elimination lative body, which has yet to be breakaway state in Cam- Lagos cautiously reopens after curfew of the peace project in the formed. He said on Friday the eroon’s English-speaking Middle East and to preparing deal ends the state of hostility west. A prominent separatist AFP — LAGOS Lagos has been rocked by peace.” Peaceful demonstra- for the ignition of a new war,” with Israel, and it will lead to leader said his team was days of chaos since the shooting tions against police brutality Al Mahdi said in a letter to the diplomatic, political, economic working on a statement that Shops lifted their shutters and of peaceful protesters by erupted in Nigeria on October conference. He said the and investment connections if will “express our disgust” at market traders set out their security forces in the city on 8 and quickly spiralled into one agreement with Israel would approved, according to the the attack, without providing stalls yesterday, as Nigeria’s Tuesday. of the biggest challenges to the jeopardise the authority of state-run SUNA news agency. further detail. biggest city Lagos cautiously Police stations were burnt, ruling elite in decades. Sudan’s transitional gov- “If ratified, the benefits for Anglophone secessionists reopened after a curfew was supermarkets looted and Amnesty International has ernment, a fragile coalition of Sudan will be enormous,” he have imposed curfews and eased following days of unrest. vehicles destroyed as violence said at least 12 protesters were civilian and military leaders. was quoted as saying by SUNA. closed schools as part of their Streets in the centre of the flared across the economic hub gunned down by the army and Sudan is on a thorny path Earlier this month, Gen. protest against President Paul economic hub were still largely of 20 million, with officials police in Lagos on Tuesday, and to democracy after a popular Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, Biya’s French-speaking gov- deserted after the local gov- accusing “hoodlums” of taking a total of 56 people have died uprising last year led the mil- deputy head of the Sudanese ernment and its perceived ernor said people would now advantage of the mayhem. since the demonstrations itary to overthrow the longtime sovereign council, told a local marginalisation of the be allowed out between 8am “Our beautiful city has seen began. Sanwo-Olu said a autocrat, Omar Al Bashir. The television station that Sudan English-speaking minority. and 6pm. a level of destruction almost judicial panel that would probe transitional government has would benefit from the Last year, officials blamed Market vendors said they akin to a war zone,” Governor the shooting of demonstrators promised elections as soon as normalisation. separatists for kidnapping were waiting for deliveries and Babijide Sanwo-Olu wrote on in downtown Lagos would start 2022. Al Mahdi, who heads the “We need Israel.. Israel is a dozens of schoolchildren, had few goods to sell, while the Twitter. work on Monday. Lagos has National Umma Party, was developed country and the charges the separatists shops and restaurants that had “Enough is enough. We been under a round-the-clock overthrown in a 1989 coup that whole world is working with denied. reopened were mainly empty. want peace and we will get lockdown since Tuesday. brought Al Bashir to power. His it,” he said. Seychelles holds presidential, parliamentary polls amid economic downturn

AFP — VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES the rest living on further-flung or the island management Seychelles independence from and La Digue to encourage restrictions on global travel territories of the Indian Ocean authority, who attended pop-up Britain. It is up against the voters to turn out. bottom out the tourism industry Voters on the main islands of nation. polling stations with election incumbent Danny Faure, 58, The main opposition parties — a major earner for the Sey- the Seychelles cast their ballot Some voters on northern materials carried by plane or who is running under the did not manage to unite. chelles and employer for many yesterday in presidential and Mahe gathered as early as 4:30 boat. Some on the main islands recently renamed United Sey- The campaign took place of its 98,000 people. parliamentary elections am. Later, as the morning sun deemed essential workers, such chelles ruling party which has mainly over social media, with Visitor numbers have col- spanning three days, across an beat down, many held up as hospital and nursing staff, been in power since 1977. rallies banned due to the coro- lapsed since March in the archi- idyllic archipelago that has been umbrellas outside the Bel also voted on Thursday. “I believe I will win these navirus. The Bel Ombre polling pelago nation of 115 islands, economically hammered by the Ombre polling station at a The opposition, narrowly elections,” Faure said after station was closed briefly so normally a popular destination coronavirus. school close to a white sandy defeated in a presidential casting the first vote at a polling staff could disinfect areas voters for honeymooners and par- Polling stations opened at beach. election in 2015 and buoyed by station in Beau Vallon, Mahe. had touched. adise-seekers drawn by its fine 7:00am (0300 GMT) on Mahe, Voting took place on a landmark victory in a parlia- “And I will respect the will and The Seychelles has recorded sandy beaches and turquoise Praslin and La Digue — home Thursday and Friday on a few mentary poll a year later, is choice of the Seychelles only 149 cases, mostly imported, waters. The economy has to the majority of the 74,600 dozen of these outer islands, hoping for its first presidential people.” He said he would travel but the pandemic has been a slowed significantly since the voters on the Seychelles, with mainly for employees of hotels win in the 40 years since to the other islands of Praslin burning campaign issue as start of the pandemic. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

Pictures of the winners of the 2020 Nobel prize in economic sciences, Paul R Milgrom and Robert B Wilson, are displayed on a screen EDITORIAL at a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden October 12, 2020 Perfect performance What is the Nobel Prize for THE Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is contributing to developing the nation and working on implementing mega projects in order to make the state one of the most-advanced countries in the world leading the trans- formation of nation’s goals to achieve Qatar National Economics really about? Vision 2030. The Authority through its responsibility of governing winner attends the same cer- credibility not grounded in theoretical and empirical the design, construction, and management of major emony, receives a diploma political support”. quantisation that other sci- projects, is currently managing implementation of and a gold medal from the The connection of free ences, especially physics, had projects worth more than QR100bn. Swedish monarch, and banks market, laissez-faire, classical followed”. Tinbergen “was a Ashghal is progressing on a wide range of infra- the same cash prize. It’s listed and neo-classical economics pioneer in changing eco- structure projects including roads, drainage and on the official website, Nobel- to the Wall Street Crash of nomics from a science formu- buildings, beautification of central Doha and devel- prize.org. But it is not the 1929 and the Great lated in words to one based opment of the Corniche, while adopting best practices LARRY BEINHART same. Alfred Nobel set up the Depression was still a living on mathematics”. The next in infrastructure development and management. The AL JAZEERA other prizes to recognise memory. The general con- recipient, Paul Samuelson, Authority is also working in cooperation with relevant accomplishments that had sensus was that those events wanted to make economics “a Qatari authorities on significant public projects that “conferred the greatest ben- had unleashed fascism and hard science”. Some of his include health and educational institutions and other “Nobel Prize in Economics” efits to mankind”. This one led to World War II. The most significant work was public sector projects. for 2020 has been awarded was set up by a bank. The Swedish bankers could not go inspired by thermodynamics. This all being executed using locally-made con- for advances in auction intent was not merely dif- back to that. They had to The problem is that eco- struction materials and equipment. The reliance on main theory! It is truly a “you must ferent, it was to get out of any come up with something nomics is not physics. The local materials has increased from 38 to 70 percent be joking” moment. obligation to consider “ben- more subtle and more physical universe exists with from 2016 to 2020 according to a statement made by With COVID-19, the efits to mankind”. acceptable. or without us. It is there for us the President of Ashghal, Dr. Engineer Saad bin Ahmad economy of the whole world For that prize, the It was to promote an eco- to discover. Economies are Al Muhannadi, in September this year. is on the verge of a meltdown. selection is absolutely perfect. nomics that was purely different. They are invented With the 2022 World Cup approaching near, Ashghal Are there solutions? What are Way, way back, in 1932, mechanical, that had an by humans. They are products said it has completed 98 percent of main roads serving the good ones? The bad ones? the Swedish Social Demo- existence like the Platonic of technologies, politics, and 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums, without being affected In the United States, we are cratic Party came to power. It Forms – out there, beyond social orders. Here is a simple by COVID-19 outbreak, as the projects’ implementation having a V-shaped recovery remained so until 1976. They human creation – in super- example. From the start of is running ahead of schedule and the opening of the for the rich and flat-lining – instituted “the Swedish way”, nature, like the laws of human history until the 18th first phase of the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, the largest at best – for the rest. The creating a model that has physics. century, no society rose above corridor in Qatar, six months ahead of schedule is a failures of capitalism to since become a cliche in the It is a notion that econo- a subsistence level. There clear evidence of Ashghal’s perfect performance. deliver its benefits broadly is popular imagination: capi- mists love. When economics were spectacular elites from Ashghal now is moving towards enhancing, reviewing, a major cause for the political talist but very egalitarian, first became a field of study in time to time. But they neces- updating and developing all completed projects according discontent that has brought business-friendly but with a the 18th century, “Physics was sarily rested on slaves, serfs, to new designs and standards. Therefore, the Committee about the return of authori- strong welfare state, accom- unequivocally the discipline peons, and the like. Eco- for Signboards at Ashghal has announced that it is con- tarianism in Eastern Europe, modating powerful unions enjoying the highest respect, nomics did not change that. ducting a study on all fixed signboards to assist the need far-right parties in Western and the interests of large mathematics was its pre- The Industrial Revolution did. for installing new ones where needed and upgrading the Europe, the rise of Donald companies. Denmark and ferred language, and Isaac When people argue about old ones on all roads and side lanes. Trump in the US, and Brexit in Norway did similar things. Newton was England’s intel- the politics of this particular Eng Khalid Al Quraishi from Projects and Roads the United Kingdom. Could Collectively their model is lectual saint.” Just as prize, it is always in terms of Department at Ashghal has been reported as saying the committee have given the referred to as the “Nordic Pinocchio yearned to be “a simplistic ideas of left and that the Authority is upgrading the old signboards and prize for anything more way”. real boy”, economists yearned right. The prize has gone to installing more at new spots on highways and service trivial? The Swedish National to be “real scientists”. They enough on either side to make lanes across the country following new standards to The phrase “Nobel Prize in Bank (Sveriges Riksbank) was still do. it seem like there is no help the motorists reach their destinations easily. Economics” is in quotes part of the government. The Thus, Sveriges Riksbank problem. But there is. All signboards which are in Arabic and English, with because it really is not a Nobel “Swedish way” meant that the created a prize in 1968 whose An examination of the changes in font size, will be placed at points where Prize. It actually is the bankers were answerable for sole purpose was to exalt the awards, in toto, reveals that motorist can take the decision before reaching the exit Sveriges Riksbank Prize in social issues as well as Pinocchio economists. In they promote the pseudo- point. This will be possible with three repeated sign- Economic Sciences in financial ones. Bankers do not 1969, the first time it was physics notion of economics boards at highways – far from the exit point, near it and Memory of Alfred Nobel. like such obligations. In the given away, the prize went to and that has distinct and at the exit point alerting motorists to take the decision It should be acknowl- 1960s, the bank was trying to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tin- powerful consequences. It on time, said Eng Khalid Al Quraishi. edged that a lot of sources say get out of democratic bergen. Frisch argued that means that whoever gets that this is a distinction accountability and, to do that, “economics should follow the money, should get it because without a difference. “The “it needed to claim scientific same path towards it is like the laws of physics. Pandemic still biggest issue for US presidential election D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI EMAIL: [email protected] for the novel coronavirus and “coronavirus/diseases” alliances, and to return to pandemic, saying, “It’s China’s were cited by 25% of international cooperation, is How seriously do they take fault.” respondents, topping “eco- commendable. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 the threat of the novel coro- In response, Biden came nomic problems,” which were Trump claimed that a FAX: +974 4455 7758 navirus and what message are down hard on Trump for cited by 9%. There are signs of series of summit meetings they conveying to the public? having “no plan,” and con- growing concern about the with Kim Jong Un, the MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 The differences in how the cluded, “Anyone who’s administration’s ability to chairman of the Workers’ two candidates are perceived responsible for that many manage the crisis of an infec- Party of Korea, prevented the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 have become distinct. These deaths should not remain as tious disease. United States and North will also have an impact on president of the United States After Trump recovered, he Korea from going to war. LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 the judgment of voters. of America.” He also strongly immediately resumed his In reality, North Korea US President Donald warned that infections could massive campaign rallies. He continues to develop its BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 Trump, a Republican, and possibly spread further. may have wanted to send a nuclear and missile programs, former Vice President Joe More than 220,000 message to the public that the and its recent military parade SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 Biden, a Democrat, held their people have died in the situation has normalized, but featured a new type of inter- final televised debate in the United States due to infection this may be out of touch with continental ballistic missile ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 run-up to the November 3 US with the novel coronavirus, the people’s sensibilities. (ICBM). It will be difficult to email: [email protected] presidential election. far more than in any other For Japan, the direction achieve denuclearization Trump, who himself was country. Trump’s argument US policies on China and through personal relations PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 infected with the novel coro- that coronavirus infections North Korea are going in is between the leaders alone. email: [email protected] navirus, expressed an opti- are a global problem and that also a cause for concern. On the other hand, mistic view that the situation there was no way to stop the Biden expressed a view of Trump’s criticism is right that ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 in the United States is spread must be said working with friendly coun- former President Barack FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] improving and demonstrated unconvincing. tries to increase pressure on Obama’s administration, in his own argument that the In an opinion survey China to make it play by which Biden served as vice CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 resumption of business, asking about “the most international rules. His president, had the result of email: [email protected] schools and other activities important problem facing” attempt to change Trump’s allowing China’s military should speed up. He has the United States, both “the “America first” policy and dis- buildup and North Korea’s SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 refused to take responsibility government/poor leadership” regard for the United States’ nuclear and missile tests. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Although the ongoing political situation comprises many opposing views among different groups, we /Peninsula_Qatar should rather take this as an opportunity for Thais to consult each other on what is best for the nation. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Thailand +974 6698 6188 SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 OPINION 09 A new turn: Sudan to be taken off list of terror states

American officials to drop deemed terrorists, such as had to deposit a payment of the economic turmoil Sudan from the list of state Hezbollah. (Syria, Iran and $335 million in compensation deepened, fuel shortages and sponsors of terrorism by North Korea continue to to victims, and their families, food price hikes led to dem- citing a long list of recent remain on the list.) Sudan of attacks on US Embassies in onstrations that eventually reforms. These included was, furthermore, accused of Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, removed General al-Bashir in banning female genital human right violations, par- and the US Navy destroyer April 2019. For many observers, cutting, scrapping apostasy ticularly summary executions, Cole in Yemen in 2000, nev- Equally important, lifting laws, putting Al Bashir on detention without trial, forced ertheless it was considered the country off the terrorism now it is the trial, opening inquiries into relocation of persons, and an important U-turn for list is likely to bolster Sudan’s appropriate time to the bloody suppression of the torture. Sudan to normalize its rela- fledgling transitional civilian western Darfur region, and Needless to say such harsh tionships with US and the government, which came to look forward. With ABDALLA MOHAMED signing a peace agreement measures not only isolated international community. power last year after the the political stigma QATAR UNIVERSITY with rebel groups. Sudan externally but also More importantly, such a ouster of the dictator Omar of being designated After 27 years of being hampered peace and devel- move, once again, would Hassan Al Bashir, and has designated by US as a state opment in the country. The help Sudan revive its ailing been facing protests from as a state sponsor Immediately after its sponsor of terrorism, Pres- designation cut off the Sudan economy and enable it to those calling for a quicker of terrorism is out of formation last year, the Sudan ident Trump finally from the global economy, access foreign aid, pace of reform. transitional government announced on last Monday a pushing inflation and interest investment and debt relief, as However, while many the way, expectations exerted its utmost efforts to plan to remove Sudan off the rates up, drawing away well as military aid. The details of the Trump deal have in Sudan are high, convince Trump adminis- list of states sponsoring ter- foreign investment, forcing country economy faced a yet to emerge, the mere tration to remove Sudan’s rorism. Sudan was added to local companies to turn to the sharp downward spiral after announcement of removal by and the pressure name from the list of coun- the State Department’s list of black market and enabling the secession of South Sudan Trump by itself is considered for the transitional tries sponsoring terrorism. state sponsors of terrorism in corruption and money laun- in 2011, which took with it as a major achievement for For many months, the Prime 1993 during Clinton presi- dering to thrive. about three-quarters of Sudan. The announcement government to Minister Abdalla Hamdok dency, accused of harboring Even though such Sudan’s oil production and came during this critical time capitalize on this intensified talks with groups that the United States removal required first Sudan two-thirds of total exports. As for the transitional gov- window of opportunity ernment; with inflation exceeding 200 percent and and accelerate the Sudanese pound falling to domestic efforts to 262 against the dollar (down from 82 when the civilian undo, reform and government came into office modernize the political thirteen months ago), the economy is collapsing, bread and economic life of and fuel lines across the the country are even capital, Khartoum, are longer today than when Bashir was higher. in office. While Sudan’s removal from the terrorism list won’t make good on the promise improve in the short run the of delivering a lasting rapidly deteriorating eco- democracy dividend to nomic conditions, it pro- Sudan’s long-suffering vides an important political population. support for the transitional For many observers, now government, which came it is the appropriate time to into office pledging to look forward. With the remove Sudan from the list political stigma of being des- and normalize the country’s ignated as a state sponsor of relationship with the rest of terrorism is out of the way, the world. Removal from expectations in Sudan are the terrorism list was the high, and the pressure for transitional government’s the transitional government ultimate prize and brings to capitalize on this window with it a precious injection of opportunity and accel- of political capital that, at a erate domestic efforts to minimum, will provide undo, reform and modernize more time for the gov- the political and economic ernment to try to improve life of the country are even US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greeting Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum, in this file picture. economic conditions and higher. As disaster train gathers speed, efforts gear up to clear the track including flash-cards with to react at the right time, in had often operated seven countries for a varying (so) we need that investment COVID-19 precautionary the right place, can save many separately. combination of cyclones, to go to solutions that will be measures and helpline lives and protect the liveli- WFP chief David Beasley floods and droughts. effective” and that make com- numbers to report violence hoods of communities every- said that made no sense to The money will go to dis- munities and societies more and receive advice. where,” said WMO Secretary- people suffering hunger or aster-vulnerable poor com- resilient as a whole, he said. “Acting early is cheaper, General Petteri Taalas. disease, urging aid groups and munities - for instance in WFP’s Laganda said this more effective and more Over the past 50 years, the donors to be more flexible in parts of Zambia where year’s anticipatory action in MEGAN ROWLING humane,” UN humanitarian number of disasters has how they fund and deliver flooding often follows Bangladesh and an earlier REUTERS chief Mark Lowcock told an increased five-fold and eco- assistance. drought, wiping out crops. project in Nepal showed the event this week on a push to nomic losses have jumped by “The people on the In the tiny nation of approach is a smart way to provide aid ahead of disasters, a factor of seven as climate ground, they don’t care what Lesotho, meanwhile, the use money. When forecasts of severe which has garnered growing change worsens extreme you call it - just give us solu- system will be used to antic- A 2015-2019 programme flooding on Bangladesh’s interest and funding from weather, the report said. tions so that (we) no longer ipate and reduce the effects of to provide protection ahead Jamuna River came through governments in the last But the average death toll need that outside support,” he drought, and eventually help of floods in 14 districts of in early July, UN aid officials couple of years. recorded for each disaster has told the discussion. mountain-dwellers prepare Nepal resulted in a 50%-60% did not just wait and hope for Such a shift away from fallen by a third, partly as Besides providing food for heavy snow. reduction in damages, saving the best, as they might have simply responding after a dis- governments have improved aid, the WFP is now doing Maarten van Aalst, $34 per $1 invested, as there done in the past. aster occurs - which is far their ability to evacuate things like building up food director of the Red Cross Red was less need for a costly Drawing on $5.2 million more common and costly - people, it noted. stocks ahead of droughts and Crescent Climate Centre, said response. released by the UN Central could help fraying aid budgets In 2018, about 108 million floods, digging wells and governments in vulnerable Evidence of such savings Emergency Response Fund go further and assist more people needed international helping communities capture countries needed support to - now starting to be produced (CERF), they started making people as climate change fuels aid as a result of storms, and use rainwater for crops build systems to create in early action projects cash payments of just over more frequent and damaging floods, droughts and wildfires. by restoring land, he noted. effective early warnings, get around the world - will be $50 to about 30,000 house- disasters globally. But by 2030, that number Programmes to support them to communities in required to persuade national holds expected to be in harm’s The allocation of money could increase by almost 50%, “early action” are now being harm’s way and act on them. policy makers to fund way. before the floods hit in Bang- pushing climate-related gradually ramped up in more The argument for putting upfront aid, Laganda added. The money aimed to allow ladesh, affecting more than 5 humanitarian costs up to than 50 countries across in place such systems is even International climate families to spend on whatever million people, was the first about $20 billion a year, the Africa, Asia and Latin more compelling at a time finance could play a key role they believed would protect time the CERF had been used report warned, citing Red America. when risks - from climate in funding demonstrations to them most from the for this kind of “forecast- Cross figures. The Red Cross, which has change to pandemics - are show the approach can save impending flood waters, from based financing” - but is Gernot Laganda, chief of pioneered the approach in the rising fast, and funding is lives and money, he said. food and medicine to unlikely to be the last. climate and disaster risk past five years, is involved in under pressure because of “Without this evidence, transport and clothing. “There are very few reduction for the UN World about half of those. COVID-19 disruptions to governments are not going Thousands of farmers also problems humanitarian Food Programme (WFP) - In southern Africa, for economies, he said. to invest in putting part of were given sealable drums in organisations deal with that which managed the Bang- example, it is ready to provide “We will be facing their public budgets into which to safely store their you don’t get some notice of,” ladesh cash transfers - said forecast-based financing increasing challenges in a forecast-based financing,” seeds and farming tools, as except for earthquakes, when ramping up early action when needed in time of constrained finance... he added. well as feed for their animals alerts come only seconds would be vital this decade to at evacuation centres. ahead, Lowcock said. prevent “runaway” humani- About 15,000 women, For most weather and tarian needs. girls and other people were climate threats that can cause Advances in forecasting provided with kits to support humanitarian disasters, technology meant there was their reproductive health, including droughts, storms now little excuse to respond and floods, modern fore- only after a disaster hit, he “Being prepared and casting systems can now give said. advance warning of at least a “When you see a train able to react at the few days or weeks in many approaching, you need to get right time, in the right parts of the world. off the tracks,” he said. But simply having a “It’s not ethically justi- place, can save many forecast in hand at a national fiable to wait until people are lives and protect meteorological office is not struggling when we know that enough, unless government this will happen.” But putting the livelihoods officials and others can alert in place early warning of communities citizens and keep them safe. systems on which govern- everywhere,” said One in three people ments, aid organisations and worldwide are still not ade- communities can act effec- WMO Secretary- quately covered by early tively takes two to three years, General Petteri warning systems, with Africa and requires a lot of work to facing the largest gaps, said a coordinate funding, ministries Taalas. report on climate services and people, he added. released by the World Mete- UN and Red Cross leaders orological Organisation conceded at this week’s event (WMO) and other agencies that agencies dealing with this month. emergencies and those “Being prepared and able tackling longer-term poverty A boatman ferries passengers across the Buriganga River amid rains, in Dhaka on Friday. 10 ASIA SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 Pompeo to bolster allies during South Asia visit REUTERS — NEW DELHI After India visit, as military stand-off on the dis- puted land border with China. US Secretary of State of Mike part of an intensifying Thousands of troops are in Pompeo is flying to India next push back against close proximity in the western week to strengthen strategic China’s growing Himalayas, where India says ties with a nation that is locked Chinese troops have intruded in a military standoff with economic and military across its side of the de facto China, in Washington’s latest power in the region, border. Beijing denies any effort to bolster allies against intrusion and says India has Beijing. Pompeo will also been building roads and other As part of an intensifying travel to, Sri Lanka infrastructure in the disputed push back against China’s area, causing the crisis. growing economic and military and the Maldives, Chinese foreign ministry power in the region, Pompeo two Indian Ocean spokesman Zhao Lijian said on will also travel to Sri Lanka and Friday the United States was the Maldives, two Indian Ocean countries struggling bullying countries to pick sides countries struggling with a with a mountain of over their links to China, but mountain of Chinese debt Chinese debt. such efforts would not succeed. incurred to finance big infra- During Pompeo’s trip, structure projects. which Defence Secretary Mark Flood clean-up drive in Bengaluru Pompeo will conclude his Esper will join, India is expected trip, which comes in the final been named the Quad, and to sign an agreement that will Municipal workers clean away the slush after flash floods battered a residential area due to a breach week before the US presidential could be a bulwark against give it access to sensitive US in an overflowing sewer canal following heavy rains, in Bengaluru, in India, yesterday. election, in Indonesia, which is China’s growing assertiveness satellite data to help improve also locked in territorial dis- in the region. targeting of missiles and putes with China in the South “This is more about real drones, Indian officials said. China Sea. foreign policy than domestic pol- “There is great further Seasonal yellow dust ‘could spread COVID-19’ “We’re looking forward to itics,” said Greg Poling, maritime potential in our defence coop- strengthening critical relation- security expert at the Center for eration,” an Indian official said. REUTERS — SEOUL unsupported. Two metres is a and politically isolated country. ships with our friends and Strategic and International In what will be the first visit common social-distancing State-run KRT television said partners, emphasising our deep Studies in Washington. by a US Secretary of State to Sri North Korea has warned its metric, although the US Centers on Wednesday the yellow dust commitment to the Indo-Pacific “Yes, Pompeo’s anti-China Lanka in over a decade, Pompeo citizens to stay indoors, saying for Disease Control and Pre- and fine dust may contain and advancing our vision for rhetoric is largely about the will advise leaders in Colombo seasonal yellow dust blowing vention says droplets con- harmful substances, such as long-term partnership and election, but State’s broader push to scale back dependence on in from China might carry the taining the virus can sometimes heavy metals and pathogenic prosperity in the region,” said to strengthen the Quad, tighten China, which has invested bil- new coronavirus into the linger in the air for hours. microorganisms including Dean Thompson, principal relations with Taiwan, heighten lions of dollars building ports country. The North Korean news- viruses. deputy assistant secretary at the attention on the South China Sea and highways but left the island “As the new coronavirus paper said citizens should “People must pay attention State Department’s Bureau of and more, are being driven as nation in debt, Thompson said. infections continue to spread refrain from outdoor activities to personal hygiene after South and Central Asian Affairs. much by the policy professionals “We urge Sri Lanka to make around the world, the need to and must follow prevention returning from outside,” a news Washington has been as the politicians.” difficult but necessary decisions deal with the yellow dust and guidelines such as wearing reader said. “Also, workers ramping up diplomatic pressure Next month, India hosts to secure its economic inde- take thorough measures has masks when they go outside. should avoid outdoor con- on China, and President Donald ‘Malabar’, the biggest naval pendence for long-term pros- become more critical,” North North Korea has reported struction work even at recon- Trump has made being tough wargames in years, with the perity,” Thompson added. Korea’s official party news- no confirmed cases of the coro- struction sites.” On Thursday, on Beijing a key part of his cam- other Quad members — an The island is a key part of paper Rodong Sinmun said on navirus. Pyongyang has the Russian embassy in North paign to secure a second term. exercise that China has in the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Thursday. imposed strict border controls Korea wrote on Facebook that Pompeo led a meeting of past opposed. Belt and Road Initiative but The claim that the virus that and quarantine measures to North Korea’s Foreign Ministry foreign ministers from India, India’s decision on Colombo has in recent years causes COVID-19 could spread prevent an outbreak. Analysts had ordered all visitors to the Japan and Australia this month expanding the exercises comes sought to improve ties with to North Korea from the Gobi say an outbreak could be dev- country and its staff to wait out in Tokyo, a grouping which has at a time when it is locked in a India, United States and Japan. desert, 1,900km away, appears astating for the economically the dust storm inside. South Korea Thailand PM calls for calm ahead of protesters’ deadline sticks to flu AP — BANGKOK rather take this as an oppor- yesterday’s statement, quoting press for their comrades’ because laws had been changed vaccine plan tunity for Thais to consult each government spokesperson release. They welcomed the to favour a pro-military party. Thailand’s government and the other on what is best for the Anucha Burapachaisri. release of Jatupat, who called The protesters also say that a REUTERS — SEOUL country’s pro-democracy nation,” said the statement. The protesters, however, for seven others still imprisoned constitution written and passed movement appeared no closer Prayuth this past week said they were sticking to a to be freed. under military rule is The number of South Koreans to resolving their differences issued a call to allow Parliament deadline of 10pm yesterday for However, three prominent undemocratic. who have died after getting flu yesterday, as the protesters’ to seek a solution to the crisis, Prayuth to meet their demands protest leaders were denied The implicit criticism of the shots has risen to 48, the Korea evening deadline for Prime and in a gesture to appease the that he resign, and that their release on bail yesterday monarchy, which protesters Disease Control and Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to protesters, revoked a state of arrested comrades be released morning. believe wields too much power, Prevention Agency (KDCA) step down approached. emergency for Bangkok he had from jail. In addition to calling for has irked conservative Thais said yesterday, adding that the Prayuth’s office issued a imposed a week earlier that One of the protest leaders, Prayuth’s resignation, the pro- because it traditionally has been vaccines would continue to statement repeating his plea to made protest rallies illegal. Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpat- testers’ core demands also treated as sacrosanct and a reduce the chance of having resolve differences through Par- “If all parties are committed tararaksa, told a crowd outside include a more democratic con- pillar of national identity. simultaneous epidemics. liament, which will discuss the to exercise full restraint and Bangkok Remand Prison that stitution and reforms to the There is concern that the The health authorities said political situation in a special flexibility, the circumstances protesters should gather there monarchy. situation may become more they found no direct link session starting tomorrow. would be more conducive to Saturday and consider their The protesters charge that volatile, because in the past between the deaths and the “Although the ongoing de-escalating the current tense next step as they wait for a Prayuth, who as then-army week there has been a mobili- shots. They plan to carry on with political situation comprises political conflict and reaching response from Prayuth. commander led a 2014 coup, zation of forces who claim to the state-run vaccination pro- many opposing views among an outcome that is acceptable Protesters had rallied was returned to power unfairly be defenders of the gramme to try to avoid having different groups, we should to all stakeholders,” said outside the prison on Friday to in last year’s general election monarchy. to fight both the flu and the coro- navirus over the coming winter. “After reviewing death Prince Charles cases so far, it is not the time Myanmar vote ban puts ethnic minorities in despair to suspend a flu vaccination backed ‘plot’ to programme since vaccination AFP — YANGON is very crucial this year, con- oust Australian sidering... the COVID-19 out- For many marginalised ethnic breaks,” KDCA Director Jeong minority groups in conflict- PM in 1975 Eun-kyung told a briefing. plagued regions of Myanmar, Jeong said the review had next month’s national elections REUTERS — SYDNEY shown no direct link between had at least offered a glimmer the flu shots and the 26 deaths of hope for empowerment. Britain’s Prince Charles sent a that have been investigated. But a decision to exclude hand-written letter of support Some 20 initial autopsy swathes of their homelands to Australia’s governor general results from the police and the from the vote — ostensibly over in 1976, backing his contro- National Forensic Service security concerns — has instead versial sacking of Prime showed that 13 people died of filled them with anger and Minister Gough Whitlam, local cardiovascular, cerebrovas- despair, with nearly two million media reported yesterday. cular and other disorders not people now disenfranchised. The letter, published yes- caused by the vaccination. Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling terday by The Australian The death toll among those National League for Democracy newspaper, is dated four who have been vaccinated (NLD) is widely expected to be months after Queen Eliza- rose by 12 cases from a day returned to power in the beth’s representative in Aus- earlier to 48 yesterday. November 8 polls — only the tralia, John Kerr, took the The rising deaths have second since the country unprecedented step to dismiss caused some doctors and pol- emerged from outright military A trishaw driver campaigns for the National League for Democracy party in Yangon, yesterday, ahead Whitlam without first warning iticians to call for a halt to the rule. of next month’s elections. the palace or the prime government campaign. But the party faces waning minister. While encouraging people support in many ethnic more than a million disenfran- people in his state. “I’m Myanmar military and the “Please don’t lose heart,” to get flu vaccines, Jeong issued minority areas, where dis- chised in Rakhine and hundreds depressed by the decision, Arakan Army (AA) — a militant the heir to the British throne precautions to take before content has now intensified. of thousands more elsewhere. because I knew who I was going group fighting for more wrote in the hand-written getting the shot, such as drinking Last week the election com- “This is devastating,” said to vote for from the beginning.” autonomy for the ethnic letter to Kerr on March 27. enough water and telling mission announced a long list Hla Maung Oo, an ethnic Tensions in Rakhine were high Rakhine — has killed and “What you did last year healthcare workers about any of constituencies where voting Rakhine and head of one of even before the move. wounded hundreds and forced was right and the courageous underlying medical conditions. will not take place, leaving many camps for displaced A civil war between the 200,000 from their homes. thing to do — and most Aus- tralians seemed to endorse your decision when it came to the point.” The letter was Victoria to ease some curbs despite 7 new virus cases in Melbourne revealed in an extract of a book The Truth of the Palace REUTERS — SYDNEY populous state, is emerging suburbs that prompted author- He did not specify what have to wait to see what those Letters: Deceit, Ambush and from a second wave as a hard ities to order 800 people to restrictions would be lifted. test results show us.” Ahead of Dismissal in 1975 by Paul Kelly Australia’s Victoria state, the lockdown since July has brought self-isolate. Cafes, restaurants and clubs Australian Football League and Troy Bramston, due to be country’s COVID-19 hotspot, daily infections of the new coro- Victoria Premier Daniel remain closed for indoor Grand Final, one of the coun- published next month. reported four cases related to navirus down to single digits Andrews said that some service in the capital, while try’s biggest sport events, Whitlam’s firing remains infections in schools yesterday, from an August peak over 700. announcements would be residents still need a reason to Andrews said the results were one of the country’s most a day before the expected In the previous 24 hours, the made today as expected but leave their homes. “We are still expected soon.The game is to polarising political events easing of strict social distancing state found seven new cases, others would depend on the optimistic that we will be able be held in the northern state of because it represented an restrictions. officials said, including four results of thousands of tests to have positive things to say,” Queensland - outside Mel- unmatched level of inter- Melbourne, the capital of related to a cluster linked to two performed in the past few days Andrews told a news con- bourne for the first time vention by the Australia’s second-most schools in Melbourne’s northern in surrounding areas. ference. But “we really do just because of the pandemic. Commonwealth. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 ASIA 11 Malaysia’s King to consult with royals on emergency

REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR Under the constitution, the King can decide if today. Muhyiddin’s office has post on Facebook. muster a majority in parliament not commented on the emer- He said the government’s to pass the budget since Anwar Malaysia’s King Al Sultan an emergency should be declared based on the gency proposal. preemptive measures must also staked his claim to form a gov- Abdullah will consult with other threat to security, economy or public order. The Opposition politicians say include border controls, and ernment. The premier has also senior royals on proposals by there is no valid reason for the that the armed forces and police come under fire from some of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Council of Rulers, which groups the heads of government to impose an emer- must be empowered through his coalition partners, who have Yassin, the palace said Malaysia’s nine royal houses, can deliberate on gency and that it was meant to constitutional processes to take threatened to withdraw support yesterday, after sources told questions of national policy and has the power avoid a showdown in par- action against threats including for him and back Anwar instead. Reuters the premier had asked liament over the support Muhy- what he termed “illegal immi- Defeat on the budget would the king to declare a state of to withhold consent from any law. iddin commands. grants with high risk of trans- count as a vote of no confidence emergency. In the first official com- mitting COVID-19 or other in Muhyiddin and could trigger Muhyiddin met with the ments by the government on the infectious diseases.” an election. Emergency rule king on Friday to present the Muhyiddin’s ability to command a statement. proposed emergency, trade Malaysia has in several might mean the budget would emergency proposals that majority in parliament and pass a Under the constitution, the minister Azmin Ali said politi- instances blamed undocu- not be put to a vote. include a suspension of par- budget for 2021. king can decide if an emergency cians should come together to mented migrants in the country Former premier and oppo- liament, the sources with direct The palace did not identify should be declared based on the protect public health and the for a spike in coronavirus sition lawmaker Mahathir knowledge of the matter said, the recommendations made by threat to security, economy or economy. infections. Mohamad said there were no a move that opposition leader Muhyiddin, but said the king public order. The Council of “Opposition parties’ out- The southeast Asian nation riots or a breakdown of law and Anwar Ibrahim denounced as would soon hold the consul- Rulers, which groups the heads burst yesterday about the nation reported 1,228 new coronavirus order to justify an emergency, an attempt by the premier to tation with the heads of other of Malaysia’s nine royal houses, descending into dictatorship cases yesterday, its biggest daily which would give additional retain control amid a power royal households. can deliberate on questions of should a state of economic jump since the pandemic started. powers to Muhyiddin. struggle. “Al Sultan Abdullah greatly national policy and has the emergency be declared is Muhyiddin’s government is “Faced with the possibility The proposal comes as understands the need for the power to withhold consent from therefore an act of utter reck- scheduled to propose its 2021 of being overthrown, the prime Malaysia faces a resurgence in country’s administration to con- any law. lessness and irresponsibility budget on November 6. minister wants the powers coronavirus cases, a pandemic- tinue to tackle the threat of A source familiar with the most unbecoming of members There have been questions under a state of emergency,” battered economy and doubts over COVID-19,” the palace said in a matter said the rulers will meet of parliament,” Azmin said in a over whether Muhyiddin can Mahathir in a blog post. Judge recommends criminal proceedings against Pakistan’s Law Minister INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD under Section 199 read with judgment. sections 198 and 216(1) of the Leaving nothing to imagi- The long-awaited detailed Ordinance,” Justice Afridi stated nation, Justice Afridi has made judgement in the Justice Qazi in the judgment. it clear that “no constitutional Faez Isa case was finally Subsequently, Justie Yahya immunity from prosecution delivered with Justice Yahya has directed the incumbent would be available to the law Afridi’s dissenting note Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) minister or any other federal surprising many as it recom- chairman to ensure that the minister for issuing directions mended criminal proceedings entire record of the present case to obtain legally confidential against Law Minister Farogh is placed before the FBR “to information, and that too in the Naseem and Assets Recovery proceed under the law, against face of the said direction to an Unit (ARU) Chairman Mirza the law minister, the ARU officer of the government to Shahzad Akbar, among others. chairman, the then FBR commit an offence under the In a 24-page judgement, chairman and all the concerned ordinance.” He said that it was Justice Afridi also declared that income tax officers qua their further vehemently asserted President Arif Alvi failed to dis- role in ordering to inquire into, that the law minister was charge his constitutional obli- solicit, disclose and receive con- immune from criminal prose- gations as ordained under fidential information relating to cution under Article 248 of the Article 209(5) of the Consti- the income tax returns of Justice Constitution. tution by showing blatant and Isa and Sarina Isa”. The judge has stated that the uncalled-for obedience to the Similarly, the top court’s law minister and the ARU “advice” of the prime minister judge continued, the fact that chairman lacked the mandate Disinfecting apartments for filing the reference against the then FBR chairman and the to initiate an inquiry against a a sitting judge of the apex court. income tax officials having not sitting judge of the Supreme A worker sprays disinfectant at an apartment, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Kuala In his dissenting note, Justice refused the illegal directions of Court, as the legal domain to do Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. Afridi, who had earlier dis- the law minister and ARU so rests solely with the Supreme missed Justice Isa’s petition but chairman, and passing on con- Judicial Council, and none other. allowed superior bars petitions fidential information to them, Declaring his fellow judge’s against the presidential ref- prima facie, exposes them not petitions not maintainable, 18 dead in Kabul suicide bombing erence, has given a detailed rea- only to departmental action but Justice Afridi has accepted the soning as to why he reached also to penal consequences constitutional challenge made AP — KABUL that the attacker was trying to which 34 students were killed. such conclusions and for what under Section 198 read with by the petitioners representing enter the center when he was Within Afghanistan, IS has reasons the law minister and Section 216(1) of the Income Tax the entire lawyers’ community The death toll from the suicide stopped by security guards. launched large-scale attacks on others have exposed themselves Ordinance, 2001. of the country. attack yesterday in Afghanistan’s According to Arian, the cas- minority Shiites, Sikhs and to criminal proceedings. Ensuring that the matter “(They) have been able to capital has risen to at least 18 ualty toll may rise further as Hindus, whom it views as “The direction of the law does not remain pending for successfully establish that the killed and 57 people wounded, family members of victims of apostates. minister and the ARU chairman long, Justice Afridi has sought worthy president grossly failed including schoolchildren, the the suicide bombing are still Hundreds of Sikhs and to solicit, obtain and receive a compliance report of the to exercise his discretion as interior ministry said. The searching the several different Hindus in Afghanistan fled the confidential information above action of the FBR to be mandated under the Consti- explosion struck outside an hospitals where the wounded country in September after a regarding the income tax submitted by the incumbent tution and, thus, the entire education center in a heavily Shia have been taken. gunman loyal to the militant returns of Justice Isa and Sarina FBR chairman under his sig- process built thereon leading neighbourhood of western An Islamic State affiliate group killed 25 members of the Isa, prima facie, exposes them nature to the registrar of the to the filing of the reference was Kabul, Dasht-e-Barchi. claimed responsibility for a shrinking community in an to criminal prosecution for Supreme Court not later than in violation of the law and the The interior ministry similar suicide attack at an edu- attack on their share a place of having committed an offence 15 days from receipt of the Constitution,” he declared. spokesman Tariq Arian says cation center in August 2018, in worship in Kabul. Missing Geo News US to deploy Coast Guard TV reporter found after 72 hours cutters in western Pacific REUTERS — WASHINGTON security missions, such as fish- AP — ISLAMABAD eries patrols, and enhance mar- The US national security itime-domain awareness and A reporter working for Paki- adviser said on Friday the US enforcement efforts in collab- stan’s leading Geo News tele- Coast Guard was basing oration with “regional partners vision who had gone missing Enhanced Response Cutters in who have limited offshore sur- in the southern port city of the western Pacific for veillance and enforcement Karachi has been found, family maritime security missions, capacity.” and colleague said yesterday. citing illegal fishing and “Enhancing the presence of Geo bureau chief in harassment of vessels by China. the USCG in the Indo-Pacific Karachi, Fahim Siddiqi, said In a statement, Robert ensures the United States will Ali Imran Syed had contacted O’Brien also said the Coast remain the maritime partner his wife by phone to say that Guard planned to evaluate next of choice in the region,” his he had reached his mother’s fiscal year the feasibility of statement said. home. basing Fast Response Cutters The Coast Guard did not Earlier police registered in American Samoa in the immediately respond to a the journalist’s disappearance South Pacific. request for comment on the as an “abduction” case without The statement described statement, which came just naming suspects. the United States as a Pacific ahead of a planned visit to Asia The reporter left home late power and added that China’s by US Secretary of State Mike Friday evening telling his wife Angling for a catch “illegal, unreported, and unreg- Pompeo. that he would be back in half ulated fishing, and harassment Pompeo led a meeting of an hour before disappearing An angler fishing at Lhoknga beach, Aceh province in Indonesia, yesterday. of vessels operating in the foreign ministers from India, for 72 hours. exclusive economic zones of Japan and Australia this month Recently there have been other countries in the Indo- in Tokyo, a grouping Wash- several cases of Pakistani jour- Pacific threatens our sover- ington hopes to develop as a nalists being detained or Pakistan reports highest single day eignty, as well as the sover- bulwark against China’s abducted for several hours, eignty of our Pacific neighbors growing assertiveness and before being released. and endangers regional extensive maritime claims in Azhar Abbas, head of the rise in COVID-19 cases since July stability.” the region, including to most of Geo TV, earlier said he has It said US efforts, including the strategic South China Sea. contacted provincial and INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD critical cases. The country also from Islamabad, 4,148 cases, by the Coast Guard, were The US Navy regularly federal authorities “to help reported 12 more deaths from and 90 deaths from Gilgit- “critical to countering these angers China by conducting trace the missing reporter” and Pakistan has reported its single- COVID-19, taking the Baltistan, and 3,748 cases, and destabilising and malign what it calls “freedom of nav- “ensure his safety”. highest day coronavirus cases nationwide death toll to 6,727. 86 deaths have been recorded actions.” igation” operations close to Siddiqi said the reporter’s since July after 847 people In the last 24 hours, 455 people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “To that end, the USCG is some of the islands China abduction may have been tested positive for the novel also recovered from the virus. The National Command and strategically homeporting sig- occupies that are also claimed related to his work on recent virus. So far, Sindh has reported Operation Centre (NCOC) has nificantly enhanced Fast by other states. political events, including the Some 31,009 tests were 143,222 cases and 2,594 deaths, taken notice of the alarming Response Cutters... in the O’Brien’s announcement arrest of an opposition leader conducted across the country Punjab 102,467 cases and 2,334 spike in COVID-19 cases during western Pacific,” the statement comes less than two weeks who is the son-in-law of in the last 24 hours, taking the deaths, Balochistan 15,791 cases the last couple of days. The said, without detailing where ahead of the November 3 US former premier Nawaz Sharif. total number of tests conducted and 148, while KP has con- NCOC noted that Muzaffarabad, the vessels would be based or presidential election, in which Minister for Human Rights to 4,235,329. The country has firmed 38,923 infections and Hyderabad, Karachi and GB how many were involved. President Donald Trump’s Shireen Mazari said in a tweet confirmed 327,063 coronavirus 1,268 death from the virus. have a higher positivity ratio O’Brien said the new-gen- campaign has made a tough no one should “disappear in a cases. Out of these, 10,235 are Similarly, 18,764 cases and along with other areas across eration Coast Guard vessels approach to China a major democracy”. active cases, while 586 are 207 death have been reported the country. would conduct maritime foreign policy theme. 12 EUROPE SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 Spain braces for national state of emergency again

AFP — MADRID Spain registered more have done this a long time ago than one million virus or taken other steps like Spain was bracing for a new restricting the number of national state of emergency to cases, becoming the people taking public transport allow the imposition of curfews sixth country in the or going to work,” 22-year-old as its regions pushed for action student Patricia Vazquez told to slow surging virus cases. world to pass the AFPTV. In the face of growing calls grim milestone — “In Spain, the restrictions for a legal framework to allow and the first in the are different in each region. In regional chiefs to impose Madrid, if you look at how the tougher restrictions, Prime European Union. infections are evolving, it seems Minister Pedro Sanchez’s like they’re not taking the nec- Cabinet was to hold a special Spain used such powers in essary steps,” agreed Eduardo meeting today to decide on the the spring to enforce one of the Debiasi, 48, who works in mar- matter. world’s tightest lockdowns, and keting and said more should be The calls came just days a similar measure has been in done. after Spain registered more force in Madrid for the past Although the government than one million virus cases, fortnight — although only to can impose an emergency for becoming the sixth country in impose movement restrictions up to a fortnight, it would need the world to pass the grim mile- on the capital and various parliamentary approval to stone — and the first in the nearby towns. extend it — not a given for a the Anti-lockdown protesters take part in a march, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, in London, European Union. That measure ended just leftwing coalition. yesterday. So far, nine of Spain’s 17 before 1500 GMT when new So far, none of the regions autonomous regions have for- regional restrictions came into run by the rightwing opposition mally requested that the gov- force, including a ban on all Popular Party (PP) have ernment declare a national gatherings, in public and requested a national emer- UK police to enforce travel ban in Wales state of emergency which private, of people who don’t live gency, mirroring the party’s would enable them to impose in the same household between ongoing bitter standoff with the AP — LONDON Wales, which has a population Welsh counterparts to “enforce, a curfew — a measure increas- midnight and 6:00 am. Sanchez government over its of about 3 million. where necessary, the relevant ingly applied across Europe. “They probably should handling of the pandemic. A police force in England says Under the UK’s system of rules for the area we serve.’’ it will try to stop people from devolved authority, Wales, New infections are con- leaving Wales, which has Scotland and Northern Ireland tinuing to rise across Britain. Greta Thunberg Merkel sees increased urgency in started a 17-day lockdown to have established their own Professor Neil Ferguson, whose slow a surging rate of corona- public health rules. Meanwhile, modelling led to the UK’s says EU farm bill fight against COVID-19 pandemic virus infections. the national government in original lockdown in March, The Gloucestershire Con- Westminster has created a told the BBC that the current ‘fuels ecological BLOOMBERG — BERLIN to France and Spain are wres- stabulary will patrol routes three-tiered virus alert system situation was “worrying.’’ tling with surging coronavirus from Wales and pull over that applies to England alone. “We are in a critical time destruction’ Chancellor Angela Merkel said cases. drivers they believe are making South Yorkshire yesterday right now,’’ he said. “The health the COVID-19 pandemic has Authorities have imposed long journeys. Travelers became the latest region to system will not be able to cope AFP — STOCKHOLM worsened in Germany over the curfews in major cities like Paris without a good excuse will be enter Tier 3 — the tightest level with this rate of growth for past week and renewed calls for and Madrid and are urging cit- asked to turn around. If they of virus risk restrictions in much longer.” Teen climate activist Greta people to reduce contact with izens to adhere to social dis- don’t comply, officers will England — following Liverpool, Across the planet, COVID-19 Thunberg has denounced the others, avoid travel and follow tancing and hygiene rules. inform their Welsh counter- Greater Manchester and has now claimed the lives of 1.1 new farm bill adopted by the hygiene rules. German Health Minister Jens parts so they can take action Lancashire. million people and infected European Parliament as one There’s increasing urgency Spahn tested positive for because Gloucestershire police But it is the Welsh gov- close to 42 million, with the that “fuels ecological because in a growing number of COVID19 this week, adding to don’t have the authority to fine ernment that has imposed one WHO warning the northern destruction.” regions health authorities are the growing list of politicians people traveling from Wales, of the UK’s strictest lockdowns, hemisphere was at a critical Environmentalists say only struggling to track down worldwide who have had the the department said. including a ban on non- juncture. 20 percent of planned infection chains, Merkel said in virus. The situation illustrates the essential travel. Under rules “Too many countries are spending under the massive her weekly podcast yesterday. Germany exceeded 10,000 patchwork of coronavirus that took effect Friday evening, seeing an exponential increase farm subsidy bill passed on “We’re not powerless against deaths yesterday, according to restrictions imposed by author- Wales also closed most busi- in COVID-19 cases and that is Friday will go to climate- the virus,” she said. “Our Johns Hopkins University. ities throughout the UK, which nesses and restricted high now leading to hospitals and friendly policies. behaviour decides how strong A total of 10,008 people has Europe’s deadliest corona- schools to online instruction. intensive care units running “Eleven months after the and how fast it spreads.” have died in the country related virus numbers, with 44,661 Another English police close to or above capacity,” said European Parliament declared Europe’s largest economy to COVID-19, up from 9,960 a confirmed virus deaths. Some force, West Mercia, also said it WHO chief Tedros Adhanom a climate emergency, the very and other countries from the UK day earlier. 1,756 of those occurred in will be working with their Ghebreyesus. same parliament voted to go ahead with an agricultural policy that — in summary — fuels ecological destruction European buildings turn blue for UN’s 75th anniversary with almost 400 billion euros,” Thunberg wrote in a Facebook AFP — GENEVA now 193, with South Sudan the Jet d’Eau fountain in Geneva; coronavirus pandemic sweeps other signatories. post signed with four other latest to join in 2011. the bridges of Turin; the Peace the globe. Tatiana Valovaya, activists. More than 150 monuments and “The United Nations has Palace in The Hague, and the “On United Nations Day, I director-general of the UN in In the budget proposal for buildings across Europe will spanned the decades helping Presidential Palace in reinforce my appeal for a Geneva, said it had carved out 2021 to 2027 under discussion, be lit up blue to mark the 75th millions of people to escape Bratislava. global ceasefire so we can a reputation as a place where $460bn is earmarked for agri- anniversary of the United the yoke of poverty, gain The Foreign Office in devote all our energies to “discussions can take place in culture, accounting for roughly Nations. access to education and London, the Unesco head- fighting COVID-19,” Guterres the greatest confidence and one-third of all bloc spending The UN’s Palais des health, have their fundamental quarters in Paris, Rua Augusta said. neutrality”. for member states. Nations headquarters in rights respected, and enjoy Arch in Lisbon, the Olympic “Let us act together now to On Friday, Libya’s warring “Are we disappointed? Geneva, the Grand Place in better livelihoods,” it said in a Museum in Lausanne, Mostar defeat the pandemic, prevent rival administrations signed a No,” Thunberg and fellow Brussels and Dublin Castle statement. Bridge in Bosnia and Herze- climate catastrophe, uphold permanent and immediate activists wrote. were among the locations set “It also helped the world govina, the Zizkov Television the equality of women and ceasefire agreement at the “Because that would mean to turn the shade of blue used avoid a third world conflict — Tower in Prague and men and pave the way for a Palais des Nations, following we were expecting a miracle. on the UN flag. the main reason it was created Ljubljana’s Triple Bridge were safer, healthier, more just and years of turmoil and Yet this day has once again The United Nations offi- — and remain relatively also to be lit. sustainable world.” bloodshed. shown the size of the gap that cially came into existence on peaceful.” In a speech in New York The United Nations offi- And an international treaty lies between current policies October 24, 1945, when the UN Locations turning blue marking the anniversary, UN cially began once the UN banning nuclear weapons is and where we would need to Charter, agreed four months included the city halls in Bar- Secretary-General Antonio Charter had been ratified by on the verge of coming into be, in order to be in line with earlier, came into force. celona, Belfast and Copen- Guterres said international Britain, China, France, the force, on Friday becoming just the Paris Agreement,” they Starting out with 51 hagen; cathedrals in solidarity was urgently needed Soviet Union and the United one ratification short of the 50 said. original members, there are Stockholm and Reykjavik; the in unprecedented times as the States, and by a majority of its required. EU border agency ‘involved Hundreds protest in London against in illegal asylum pushbacks’ Nigeria violence AFP — BERLIN across the bow of the migrant boat before leaving the area. AFP — LONDON Europe’s border security German public broadcaster agency Frontex has been ARD, journalist collective Light- Around 500 demonstrators involved in several illegal house Reports, investigative took to the streets of London “pushbacks” of asylum seekers platform Bellingcat and Jap- yesterday in support of youth crossing the Aegean Sea from anese broadcaster TV Asahi protests in Nigeria that have Turkey to Greece, media were involved in the investi- spiralled into widespread including Germany’s Der gation alongside Der Spiegel. unrest. Spiegel reported yesterday. The journalists say they Nigeria president The investigation “shows compared “dozens” of videos, Muhammadu Buhari was the for the first time that senior also checking satellite imagery focus of the anger for his han- Frontex officials know about and eyewitness accounts from dling of anti-police brutality illegal practices by Greek both refugees and Frontex protests against loathed Special border guards — and that some workers. Anti-Robbery Squad or Sars. of them are themselves impli- Spiegel reported that more Black-clad demonstrators, cated in pushbacks,” the than 600 people from the mostly part of Britain’s large weekly said on its website. European border agency Nigerian diaspora, held signs Also known as refoule- equipped with boats, drones reading “End Sars, end police ments, “pushbacks” are inci- and aircraft are deployed in brutality” as they made their dents where refugees or asylum Greece, where many migrants way through the streets of seekers are illegally returned first enter the EU. London. A screengrab taken from a video obtained by Civil Defence Agency of the French Government (Securite across a border to a country It added that Frontex would Others waved Nigerian Civile) shows a fire broke out from a Lipton tea manufacturer warehouse, in Le Havre, yesterday. where they could face not comment on the individual flags, with some splashed with persecution. cases uncovered by the inves- red paint to make them look Journalists say that they tigation, but referred to a bloodstained, while some uncovered six cases since April human rights and non- Major fire erupts in northern French port wore green and white masks when Frontex units at a refoulement code of conduct and shouted through loud- minimum did nothing to stop supposed to bind staff. REUTERS — PARIS sites said. Lipton warehouse. Local news speakers as they protested at refugee boats in Greek waters The agency posted on In a statement on Twitter, websites showed smoke fun- London landmarks. being returned towards Turkey. Twitter Friday that its actions A major fire broke out police said houses in the neigh- nelling skywards from the Buhari scrapped the feared A video from a June in support of Greek authorities yesterday in an abandoned bourhood of Le Havre’s harbour depot, visible kilometres (miles) police unit and pledged incident shows a Frontex boat were “in full respect of funda- building in the northern French were being evacuated. away. reforms, but the demands from blocking a refugee boat, with a mental rights and international port city of Le Havre, sending Tendance Ouest radio Le Havre is located in the the young protesters later shot from the same law.” Athens had launched an huge clouds of black smoke into reported on its Twitter feed that Seine estuary and is one of broadened to calls for more encounter shows it racing “internal inquiry,” it added. the air, police and local media the fire was burning in an old France’s biggest port cities. sweeping change. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 EUROPE 13

Lockdown likely Poland President tests positive for virus in Brussels; AFP — WARSAW Poland saw a near- infections in record 13,628 new Poland President Andrzej Duda Belgium surge said he had tested positive for coronavirus cases coronavirus yesterday, as the over 24 hours as REUTERS — BRUSSELS EU country faces a record rise of yesterday and a in cases and mass protests Sport and cultural facilities in despite a ban on public gath- record 179 deaths. Brussels must close and resi- erings intended to stem dents will face a longer curfew infections. from tomorrow, the regional Duda is the latest in a string quarantine in Sofia. government said yesterday, as of leaders to have been diag- Backed by Poland’s gov- COVID-19 infections in nosed with the virus, including erning nationalist Law and Belgium continued to surge to US President Donald Trump, Justice (PiS) party, Duda won a record highs. British Prime Minister Boris second consecutive term in Belgium, one of the Johnson and Brazil’s President office in July. His diagnosis European countries worst hit Jair Bolsonaro. comes after it was announced by COVID-19, is grappling with All have recovered and, on Monday that powerful PiS a new wave of the virus. The aside from the diagnosis, the party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski country’s rate of new cases is 48-year-old Duda is believed had gone into quarantine after at the highest since the start of to be in good general health. being in contact with a person the pandemic, with a record “As a result of the test, I diagnosed as positive for the 15,432 infections recorded on know that I am sick with the coronavirus. Tuesday, the latest official coronavirus,” Duda tweeted, Poland went into a “red zone” figures show. adding that he was “feeling lockdown on Saturday, including The capital city Brussels, good”, was at “full strength”, the partial closure of primary home to the European Union Policemen clash with participants of a demonstration against the coronavirus restrictions yesterday had no symptoms and would schools and restaurants along and Nato, is among the coun- in Warsaw, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. be working remotely. with a raft of restrictions tailored try’s hardest hit regions. While it was unclear when to stem infection while allowing Rudi Vervoort, Premier of Duda was infected, he attended more economic activity than gatherings came into force three attending classes. there are strict limits on the the Brussels region, yesterday an investment forum in Tallinn during this spring’s more under government anti-coro- Secondary school and uni- numbers of people allowed in ordered gyms and cultural on Monday where he met stringent anti-virus regime. navirus guidelines. versity students switched to dis- shops, on public transport and facilities including theatres Estonian President Kersti But tens of thousands of Poland, a country of 38 tance learning a week ago, at religious services. and cinemas to close, and Kaljulaid and Bulgarian Pres- Poles have taken to the streets million people, saw a near- while all seniors over the age of Poland’s national stadium imposed a curfew of 10pm to ident Rumen Radev. Kaljulaid in protest since Thursday, when record 13,628 new coronavirus 70 have been asked to stay is being transformed into a field 6am. The measures will last said on her Facebook page she the EU country’s top court ren- cases over 24 hours as of yes- home as of yesterday. hospital for Warsaw and the until November 19. tested negative for the virus dered a ruling that imposes a terday and a record 179 deaths. Restaurants, cafes and clubs government is building tem- Masks will once again after returning home from near-total ban on abortion in Poles have been asked to are only able to serve take- porary medical facilities else- become mandatory in public France on Friday. Radev had, Poland. More protests went work remotely if they can and away meals. Fitness clubs and where, as the surge in corona- spaces in Brussels, shops must meanwhile, cut short his visit ahead yesterday nationwide, primary schools are partially pools are also closed. virus cases strains healthcare shut at 8pm, and public gath- to Tallinn on Tuesday go into when a five-person limit on closed with only grades one to Weddings are banned and facilities to breaking point. erings of more than four people are banned. “The situ- ation is very serious, it cannot remain this way,” Vervoort Italy plans further curbs told a news conference. Belgium’s government had already tightened measures on as cases hit new record Friday, on top of a nationwide closure of clubs and restau- REUTERS — MILAN the economy completely but is rants and a curfew of midnight facing growing public anger at to 5am. The government in Italy reported a further record renewed restrictions that are Belgium’s French-speaking daily total of 19,644 new coro- being imposed to limit public region of Wallonia also navirus cases yesterday as the gatherings. ordered a tighter 10pm-6am government considered further Late on Friday, crowds in the curfew on Friday and made restrictions including early clo- southern city of Naples clashed online learning mandatory for sures of clubs and restaurants with police in protest against a students until November 19. to contain a resurgence of the night-time curfew in the Cam- pandemic. pania region. Earlier in the week, Alarm in Sofia Prime Minister Giuseppe overnight curfews were ordered Conte has said he wants to by local governors in Campania, as COVID-19 avoid a repeat of the blanket Lazio around the capital Rome, lockdown earlier in the year. and Lombardy, the epicentre of cases increase But a number of regions have the first wave where Milan imposed overnight curfews and recorded more than 1,000 new REUTERS — SOFIA the central government is cases yesterday. expected to announce more The northern region of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, home measures soon. Piedmont and Sicily in the south to some 2 million people, will Conte pledged yesterday to will follow next week and other close clubs and discos today Women chant slogans as they take part in a march to protest against Belarus presidential election speed up help for businesses regions are expected to match for two weeks as it grapples to results and police violence during a traditional Women’s March in Minsk, yesterday. suffering in the crisis but said them. With public health services contain a surge in coronavirus the weeks ahead would be very coming under strain, authorities infections straining its health complex. “We cannot lower our have reopened temporary system, Mayor Yordanka Daily protests in Belarus continue guard,” he added. According intensive care facilities built Fandakova said yesterday. to a draft decree, public gyms during the first phase. Despite Speaking on national BTV and swimming pools may be this, Italy’s top public health body television, Fandakova also despite arrests and pressure closed and clubs and restau- warned on Friday that services urged Sofia universities to rants told to shut from 6pm, were approaching crisis point. switch to online education and AP — MINSK various occupations, chanting Pompeo called Lukashenko while people will be The mortality rate remains appealed to businesses to have “Go away!” as a demand for the yesterday, and the Belarus encouraged not to travel well below the earlier peak of as many employees as possible Several hundred women president’s resignation. President told Pompeo about a outside their home districts. more than 900 deaths in a day work from home. marched across the capital of Police arrested at least 10 “national dialogue” taking place Like many authorities across but it has moved up steadily, Bulgaria, like many other Belarus in heavy rain yesterday march participants, according in the country. Europe, the Italian government with 151 deaths reported European Union countries, is to demand the resignation of to the Viasna human rights Lukashenko likely was is desperate not to close down yesterday. seeing a steep rise in new the country’s authoritarian center. Smaller anti-gov- referring to a constitutional infections over the past three president, continuing more ernment demonstrations were amendment process he pro- weeks. There were 1,589 new than two-and-a-half months of also held in several other cities. posed that the opposition has infections reported yesterday protests against his challenged Daily protests in Belarus dismissed as an attempt to sti- in the country of 7 million reelection to a sixth term. have continued despite arrests flethe ongoing protests, buy people, bringing the total to The demonstrations were and pressure, peaking on time and stay in power. 36,519. New cases in Sofia triggered by official results weekends with crowds of Pompeo and EU foreign alone were 584. giving President Alexander 100,000 and more. Another big policy chief Josep Borrell dis- The fast spread of the Lukashenko 80% of the vote in protest is slated today. cussed the situation in Belarus infection is putting the country’s an August 9 election that the The United States and the among other issues during a health system under great stress opposition insists was rigged. European Union have dismissed phone call on Friday. The State and Bulgarian authorities have The women who marched the August election as neither Department said they agreed banned non-urgent surgeries in Minsk carried umbrellas in free nor fair and introduced Belarusian authorities need to in regions that have more than the white and red colours of the sanctions against top Belarusian “engage in a meaningful dialogue 120 infections per 100,000 opposition flag. They also held officials accused of vote manip- with genuine representatives of people to provide more bed placards stating their profes- ulation and a crackdown on civil society,” including Lukash- capacity for COVID patients. As A deserted Colosseum is seen as a curfew was imposed by the sions to underline widespread peaceful protesters. enko’s leading election opponent, of yesterday, some 1,886 people region of Lazio from midnight to 5am to curb COVID-19 infections, opposition to Lukashenko’s Belarus state television said opposition candidate Sviatlana with COVID-19 were being 26-year rule among people of that US Secretary of State Mike Tsikhanouskaya. in Rome, Italy, yesterday. treated in hospitals. Emotions run high as ‘The Great Scotland to adopt new virus alert system Gatsby’ reopens in London West End BLOOMBERG — EDINBURGH Scotland’s five-tier system of have risen sharply over much of the restrictions “will allow us to take a last month, these numbers are likely REUTERS — LONDON world of American author F. Scott Fit- Scotland will adopt a new five-tier national approach if required,” to rise for some time yet,” Sturgeon zgerald’s millionaire character Jay system of coronavirus restrictions Sturgeon said. “It is possible that said. Amid the sharp suits and glamorous Gatsby, was palpable. “I’ve just cried my from November in an attempt to sim- the whole country could be placed The UK’s four nations have dresses in 1920s styles, the fashion eyes out at the finale,” said audience plify rules amid a surge in cases and in the same level.” varying restrictions in different accessory of 2020 — the face mask — member Jess Pether. “To see people per- a rising number of deaths. Scotland’s semi-autonomous gov- regions, based on the number of cases stood out as guests lined up in a socially forming after so long, it’s filled my soul. The tiered system is similar to Eng- ernment, which has already intro- and which administration is respon- distanced queue for the relaunch of “The It’s filled my heart. It was great.” land’s three-tier strategy and is duced tougher rules on households sible for health. Great Gatsby” in London’s West End on Theatres, music halls and other expected to come into force on and the hospitality industry than in The government in London has Thursday. entertainment venues in London’s West November 2, First Minister Nicola England, is battling a renewed out- placed large parts of northern England Billed by organisers as the first press End were shut down in March to slow Sturgeon told reporters in Edinburgh break of COVID-19 as it tries to under the toughest measures while in night of the West End autumn season, the spread of the new coronavirus. on Friday. balance protecting the economy with Wales the devolved administration is strict COVID-19 measures were in place Producers of “The Great Gatsby” — The new approach comes curbing new infections. starting a two-week lockdown to curb at the Mayfair townhouse hosting the among the first of the shows to return alongside an expanded testing The number of coronavirus cases the spread of the virus. performance. Audience members — are hoping to offer a blueprint for strategy. It’s an attempt by the Scottish have spiked in recent weeks and the Scotland’s government doesn’t checked into the venue via an app, had other struggling productions to begin government to take a more targeted total since the start of the pandemic expect to implement a national their temperatures taken, sanitised their opening their doors. approach and make restrictions easier exceeded 50,000 earlier this week. lockdown similar to Wales. “We do hands, and were seated at properly The venue’s capacity has been more to understand amid separate out- The number of fatalities has also not envisage a return to a situation as spaced tables for the performance. than halved to around 100 and the breaks across the region — in par- begun increasing sharply, with almost severe as the national lockdown in Despite the measures, the enjoyment show’s content altered to avoid activity ticular in the central belt, which 100 deaths in the last seven days. March this coming winter,” Sturgeon of those attending the show set in the that would be considered high risk. includes Edinburgh and Glasgow. “Unfortunately, given that cases told reporters. 14 AMERICAS SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 US sets single day record for COVID-19 cases REUTERS — NEW YORK pinpointed the reason for the The spike to 84,218 cases, breaking the record reported their highest daily in Madison, expressed worry rise but have cited such factors of 77,299 set on July 16, comes as University numbers of hospitalized about a lack of compliance with More than 84,000 people were as colder temperatures driving COVID-19 patients since the public health measures in the diagnosed with COVID-19 people inside, fatigue with of Washington researchers forecast that the US pandemic started and on state, where some groups have across the United States on COVID-19 precautions and stu- death toll from COVID-19 could reach a total of Friday, the number of COVID-19 challenged Democratic Gov- Friday, according to a tally, a dents returning to schools and patients in US hospitals climbed ernor Tony Evers’ COVID-19 record one-day increase in colleges. 500,000 by February. Sixteen US states also hit to a two-month high. restrictions in court. infections during the pandemic The latest estimate by the one-day records for new infections of the virus There are now more than Chicago Mayor Lori as the virus surges again widely cited University of Wash- that causes COVID-19 on Friday. 41,000 hospitalised patients Lightfoot announced a curfew nationwide. ington’s Institute for Health with coronavirus across the on nonessential businesses The spike to 84,218 cases, Metrics and Evaluation also country, up 34 percent from from 10 p.m. on Friday. She breaking the record of 77,299 reflects fears that cold winter “The good news on the “major vector of disease spread.” Oct. 1, according to an analysis. warned residents to avoid social set on July 16, comes as Uni- weather will drive Americans horizon is that vaccines look Asked about an assertion by North Dakota, with 887 new gatherings of more than six versity of Washington indoors, where the virus is more promising,” Fauci told CNN in President Donald Trump during cases on both Thursday and people and end all gatherings researchers forecast that the US likely to spread. an interview. Thursday night’s presidential Friday, remains the hardest-hit by 10 p.m. death toll from COVID-19 could “We are heading into a very “And hopefully by the time debate that the United States is state, based on new cases per Nearly 2,500 people were reach a total of 500,000 by substantial fall/winter surge,” we get to the end of November, “rounding the turn” on the pan- capita, followed by South hospitalised in Illinois, the February. said IHME director Chris Murray, the beginning of December we demic, Azar told CNN that Dakota, Montana and Wis- state’s top public health official, Sixteen US states also hit who co-led the research. will have shown that we have at Trump was trying to provide consin, according to a tally. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, told a news one-day records for new infec- The number of possible least one or two - and maybe hope to Americans waiting for In Tennessee, hospitals in conference. tions of the virus that causes deaths could drop by 130,000 if more but at least two - vaccines a vaccine. On Thursday there Nashville said they have expe- The Northeast remains the COVID-19 on Friday, including 95 percent of Americans would that are safe and effective.” were 916 reported fatalities in rienced a 40 percent increase one region of the county five considered key in the Nov. cover their faces, the IHME said, Health Secretary Alex Azar the United States, a day after the in patients admitted for without a significant surge in 3 presidential election: Ohio, echoing a recommendation by attributed the increase in cases country recorded over 1,200 COVID-19. cases, but infections are Michigan, North Carolina, Anthony Fauci, director of the nationwide to the behavior of new deaths for the first time Dr. Jeff Pothof, an emer- trending higher. Boston public Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. National Institute of Allergy and individuals, saying household since August. gency medicine physician at schools shifted to online-only Health experts have not Infectious Diseases. gatherings have become a Eighteen states have University of Wisconsin Health learning this week. Mexico’s ruling Morena party elects leader after fractious race

AP — MEXICO CITY marked by debilitating cor- ruption scandals that the PRI The Morena party of Mexican now seems cowed and President Andrés Manuel rudderless. López Obrador finally chose a López Obrador has leader on Friday after two proved himself a master at failed, acrimonious attempts. the kind of politics - charis- A poll of party members matic leadership, ardent gave a comfortable margin nationalism and govern- of victory to congressional mental handout programs - leader Mario Delgado, a cen- the PRI once specialized in. trist seen as more obedient National Action, a con- to the president. servative party that offers The results of an earlier the clearest alternative to poll that showed a tie had López Obrador, is still dis- been hotly disputed by Por- trusted by many due to two firio Muñoz Ledo, an lackluster terms in the pres- 87-year-old political war- idency from 2000 to 2012. horse who has been critical Some party factions have Early voting in New York City at times of López Obrador. Porfirio Muñoz Ledo been drawn into counterpro- Later Friday, Muñoz Ledo ductive demonstrations of People wait in a line to vote at the Queens Public Library during early voting for the US Presidential said the polls, and previous holds only seven rage against the president. election in the Jackson Heights neighbourhood in the Queens borough in New York City. Due to the ones, were “done illegally,” governorships. Delgado, 58, is seen as a coronavirus and social distancing concerns New York State is allowing early voting for the first time. but did not say specifically Beyond that is the skilled behind-the-scenes whether he would accept the question of whether Morena, political operator and ally of verdict. in its present form, will one of López Obrador’s The inter-party dispute outlast the presidency of its potential successors, Foreign Trudeau denies seeking snap election had been a thorn in the side creator, who is constitu- Relations Secretary Marcelo of López Obrador, who needs tionally barred from Ebrard. AFP — MONTREAL in an interview with French directly, in addition to the to protect his party’s tenuous reelection. Muñoz Ledo has jumped language broadcaster TVA, government’s COVID-19 grip on congress in 2021 The only good news for from one party to another Canadian Prime Minister which was taped on Friday spending. mid-term elections. Morena is that the two main throughout a career that Justin Trudeau has denied and aired yesterday. Trudeau said such a panel López Obrador cobbled opposition parties — the began as a student leader in suggestions that he wanted to “No one wanted elections would paralyse the work of together the National Regen- Institutional Revolutionary the mid-1950s and estab- trigger a snap election to cash during the pandemic,” said the government just as Canada eration Movement — known Party, or PRI, and the con- lished him in Mexican history in on good polling numbers Trudeau, who has presided deals with a second wave of to all in Mexico as Morena — servative National Action as the first opposition party during the coronavirus over a minority government virus cases. from breakaway members Party, are arguably in worse leader of Congress in 1997. pandemic, saying he was glad for the past year. But the opposition and from other parties in 2014. shape. He has been willing to he dodged that prospect by Trudeau warned early this some commentators said they It’s members include leftists The PRI ruled Mexico criticize López Obrador’s surviving a confidence vote week that he would call early suspected Trudeau’s threat and independents and uninterrupted from 1929 to heavy-handed approach to this week. elections if opposition parties was actually a ploy aimed at centrists. 2000, and still has the most catching and deporting “I am happy we will not in parliament passed a bill triggering elections to take The young party lacks governorships, 11. But its Central American migrants have elections. I think eve- creating an anti-corruption advantage of his good formal organisation in many brief return to the presi- who try to cross Mexico to ryone is happy we will not committee to probe a case approval rating for his han- of Mexico’s 32 states, and dency in 2012-2018 was so reach the United States. have elections,” Trudeau said touching him and his family dling of the health crisis. South America ravaged by unprecedented drought and fires Venezuelan opposition figure AFP — MONTEVIDEO small mammals and tortoises have died,” Cesar Massi, a natu- Lopez to leave country Under stress from a historic ralist in Argentina’s Santa Fe drought, large swathes of forest province, said. REUTERS — CARACAS and wetlands in central South “I remember that during the America known for their excep- last drought in 2008, there were Venezuelan opposition poli- tional biodiversity have been fires. But this year they’ve been tician Leopoldo Lopez has ravaged by devastating fires. stronger, more intense and lasted abandoned the Spanish ambas- Experts say the wildfires in a longer.” sador’s residence in Caracas to region that spans Argentina, Agriculture is a massive leave the country, more than a Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay — source of income for the coun- year after seeking refuge there especially the region between the tries in this region but the slash- to escape house arrest, three Paraguay, Parana and Uruguay and-burn techniques used people familiar with his exit rivers — have become critical in aggravate the situation. said. 2020. In the north of Argentina Lopez was heading for “There has been a dramatic “despite COVID-19 restrictions, Colombia, two of the people The drought affecting the Cerro Lake, allegedly polluted by chemical increase in fires. In Argentina between March 15 and Sep- said, though it was not imme- disposals from a tannery located on its banks, in Limpio, northeast Leopoldo Lopez there has been an increase of tember 30... twice the area of diately clear if he had already of Asuncion, Paraguay. around 170 percent, it’s very Buenos Aires was deforested,” arrived. serious,” said Elisabeth Mohle, an according to Greenpeace. Lopez was jailed in 2014 who joined him at the resi- environmental politics the usual 3-4 meters for that time even weeks submerged under a The Mighty Earth NGO says after leading protests against dence, left for Spain that May, researcher at Argentina’s San of year. It’s the same thing with thick fog due to the intense fires. that Paraguay’s dry forests are Venezuelan President Nicolas along with their daughter. Martin National University the Paraguay river that is at its And without the usual rainfall “one of the main sites of defor- Maduro, before his provisional “I’m extremely happy that (UNSM). lowest level “in half a century,” that moistens the soil, the wet- estation in the world, mostly due release in 2017. From his house Leopoldo Lopez can again be She says it’s part of a wider according to Paraguay’s national lands have been particularly to the expansion of pastureland arrest, he mentored Juan with his family in freedom,” problem affecting multiple weather center in Asuncion. badly affected. and more recently soyabean Guaido, then a young delegate Maria Corina Machado, leader regions around the world this The fires are being fanned by Images from the Brazilian plantations.” Argentina’s gov- in their hardline Popular Will of another Venezuelan oppo- year, including in Brazil’s Ama- ideal conditions, including strong Pantanal of the charred carcases ernment has accused cattle party. sition party, wrote on Twitter. zonas state, Australia, California, winds, temperatures over 40 of birds, snakes, caimans and farmers of setting fires to Early last year, Guaido was Lopez’s relationship with and the Gran Chaco, South Amer- degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) trees have shocked the world. “increase pastureland area” in elected head of the opposition- his Spanish hosts has some- ica’s second largest forest after and the dry season in which A quarter of the area was the Parana Delta. controlled congress and then times been fractious. After the Amazon. farmers use slash-and-burn devastated between January and One problem is that NGOs invoked the constitution to granting Lopez access to the The Pantanal — the world’s techniques to try to regenerate September, while the Para- don’t have the necessary funding assume an interim presidency residence, acting Foreign Min- largest wetlands that span Brazil, the soil. guayan Pantanal had already from governments to enforce in a bid to unseat Maduro. ister Josep Borrell said Spain Bolivia and Paraguay — is expe- In Paraguay, “the fires... at the been badly affected by fires in rules and instigate large resto- In April 2019, when Guaido would not allow its embassy in riencing its worst drought in 47 end of September and first week 2019. ration or protection projects. spurred a brief military revolt Caracas to be used as an oppo- years. of October, broke all records,” The Parana Delta that is “The provincial government against Maduro, Lopez sition center and it would limit The Parana river — one of the Eduardo Mingo, a top official at home to species such as the has less and less of a budget for appeared on the streets again Lopez’s political activity. most powerful on the planet that the national weather center, said. jaguar, Pampas cat and several prevention, there are no surveil- alongside him. When the Borrell said the Spanish originates in Brazil and empties The number of fires were up rodents, has been hit by fires of lance posts, the environmental uprising fizzled, Lopez sought government would not turn into the River Plate estuary — is 46 percent in 2020, according to an unprecedented intensity since police have been disassembled,” shelter first in the Chilean dip- Lopez over to the Venezuelan at its lowest level since 1970. authorities. Paraguay’s capital January, leaving a “desert of Alfredo Leytes, a member of the lomatic residence and then at authorities, but it would not In August it was down to Asuncion and several towns in ashes” over tens of thousands of Ambiente en Lucha environ- the home of the Spanish grant him asylum as he would 80-centimeters in Rosario, northeastern Argentina and hectares of wetlands. mental collective based in ambassador. have to request it once in eastern Argentina, rather than southern Brazil spent days and “Reptiles, migratory birds, Cordoba, Argentina, said. Lopez’s wife, Lilian Tintori, Spanish territory. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Biden, Trump rallies show sharp contrast REUTERS — LUMBERTON Opinion polls show Biden leading Trump

President Donald Trump and his nationally, but the race is much closer in Democratic rival Joe Biden gave starkly contrasting messages the battleground states that will decide the yesterday about the coronavirus election. Trump was headed to large rallies in pandemic, taking their campaigns for the White House two more of those states, Ohio and Wisconsin. on the road as COVID-19 cases surged again. Trump addressed a few election. Trump was headed to killed more people in the United thousand supporters at a tightly large rallies in two more of those States than anywhere else and is packed, in-person, outdoor rally states, Ohio and Wisconsin, later on the rise in several battle- in North Carolina, one of the bat- yesterday. In Lumberton, North ground states. tleground states in the November Carolina, he told supporters he "It's going to be a dark winter 3 election. He again said America was offering a fast recovery from ahead unless we change our was turning the corner in the the economic damage wrought ways," he said of Trump's US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign event at the Robeson County fight against COVID-19 and by virus lockdowns, which have attempts to contain the Fairgrounds in Lumberton, North Carolina, US, yesterday. mocked Biden's more cautious devastated small businesses and coronavirus. campaigning style. put millions out of work. Biden was addressing sup- Biden, a former vice pres- "It's a choice between a porters in the town of Bristol who doing. The Trump guys. It’s about according to a Reuters tally, with Trump voted in his adopted ident, addressed supporters in Trump super boom and a Biden had gathered in pickup trucks or decency." At his event in Lum- the spike in infections hitting home of Florida on Saturday, about 130 vehicles at a drive-in lockdown," the Republican pres- cars, many with their windows berton, Trump made fun of the election swing states Ohio, joining more than 56 million rally in the swing state of Penn- ident said. or sunroofs down, to avoid pos- Biden rally, which he said he had Michigan, North Carolina, Penn- Americans who have cast early sylvania and warned of a grim "We are rounding the turn," sible coronavirus infection. seen on television. sylvania and Wisconsin. ballots at a record-setting pace. winter ahead unless the Trump he said, repeating a claim he has Biden's campaign limited each "There were so few cars. I've North Carolina reported Trump cast his ballot at a administration did a better job of been making for months that vehicle to a maximum of four never seen an audience like that," 2,584 new COVID-19 cases yes- library in West Palm Beach, near halting the disease, which has America is close to getting the passengers. At one point, Biden he said. "It was a tiny, tiny little terday, down from a record high his Mar-a-Lago resort, after killed 224,000 Americans. better of the virus. called out a group of Trump sup- crowd. You could hear the cars: of 2,716 the day before. switching his permanent resi- Opinion polls show Biden By contrast, Biden warned porters who were shouting into honk honk." Many states have expanded dence and voter registration last leading Trump nationally, but the that the cold months ahead could microphones nearby. "We don’t The United States set a single- in-person early voting and year from New York to Florida, race is much closer in the battle- be even harsher due to a resur- do things like those chumps out day record of more than 84,000 mail-in ballots as a safer way to a must-win battleground for his ground states that will decide the gence of the virus, which has there with the microphone are new COVID-19 cases on Friday, vote during the pandemic. re-election bid. US State Department suspends all diversity training after Trump’s directive FBI joins probe into fatal Illinois REUTERS — WASHINGTON race and sex stereotyping,” the fund “un-American propaganda During the first debate with the Democratic challenger while cable said. sessions” that provided his Democratic rival Joe Biden, 43 percent are voting for the police shooting The US State Department has “The pause will allow time for instruction about critical race Trump defended his executive president. suspended all training the Department and Office of theory, white privilege or “taught order saying the training pro- At the pair’s second debate, AP — WAUKEGAN programmes for employees Personnel Management (OPM) that the United States is an inher- grams were teaching people on Thursday, Trump denied the related to diversity and inclusion, to review program content,” it ently racist or evil” country. “very bad ideas.” accusations and said he was least The FBI will join Illinois State an internal cable obtained said. The State Department did not “And really, they were racist person in the room. Police in investigating a police showed, after President Donald Trump’s September 22 exec- respond to a request for comment teaching people to hate our With its 76,000 employees shooting in suburban Chicago Trump directed federal agencies utive order forbid the teaching on the cable. country and I’m not going to do globally and representing the that killed a Black man who was last month to end programs by federal agencies of “divisive The move comes less than that,” Trump said at the Sept. 29 face of America in the world, a passenger in a vehicle and deemed divisive by the White concepts” including that the two weeks before the November debate. “They were teaching State Department has had a wounded the Black female House. United States is “fundamentally 3 US presidential election, in people that our country is a hor- mixed track record on diversity, driver, a prosecutor announced “Beginning Friday, October racist or sexist.” The order fol- which the debate about racial rible place.” Biden, who has with racial and ethnic minorities on Friday. 23, 2020, the Department is tem- lowed a September 4 memo from injustice in the United States has accused Trump of racism, leads still underrepresented, particu- Lake County State’s porarily pausing all training pro- the White House Office of Man- been fuelled by police killings of by 8 percentage points nationally, larly in senior ranks, according Attorney Michael Nerheim said grammes related to diversity and agement and Budget that told Black Americans that sparked according to the latest Reuters/ to an independent federal he asked the US Justice inclusion in accordance with officials at federal agencies they nationwide protests over the Ipsos poll, with 51 percent of watchdog report released earlier Department to review the cir- Executive Order... on combating could not use taxpayer dollars to summer. likely voters say they are backing this year. cumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Marcellis Stin- nette, 19, and the wounding of his girlfriend, Tafara Williams, Senate GOP marches this week in Waukegan. “I am confident in the work being done by the Illinois State ahead on Barrett over Police and welcome the assistance of the FBI,” Nerheim said in a statement. ”As I have Democrats’ blockade said before, once the investi- gation is concluded, all the evi- AP — WASHINGTON neutral arbiter of cases on dence will be reviewed and a abortion, the Affordable Care Act final decision will be made with The Senate is poised for a rare and presidential power — issues respect to any potential weekend session as Republicans soon confronting the court. At charges.” race to put Amy Coney Barrett one point she suggested, “It’s not Waukegan police have said on the Supreme Court and the law of Amy.” But Barrett’s the pair were in a vehicle that cement a conservative majority past writings against abortion fled a traffic stop late Tuesday before Election Day despite and a ruling on the Obama-era and that the vehicle was later Democratic efforts to stall Pres- health care law show a deeply spotted by another officer. ident Donald Trump’s nominee. conservative thinker. Police said that as the second Democrats mounted time- Trump said this week he is officer approached, the vehicle consuming procedural hurdles hopeful the Supreme Court will started moving in reverse and on Friday, but the party has no undo the health law when the the officer opened fire. No realistic chance of stopping Bar- justices take up a challenge Nov. weapon was found in the rett’s advance in the Republican- 10, the week after the election. vehicle. The officer who shot the controlled chamber. Barrett, a The fast-track confirmation Activists dressed in Handmaid’s Tale costumes protest during a Democratic leaders news conference couple is Hispanic and a five- federal appeals court judge, is process is like none other in US after their boycott of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney year veteran of the Waukegan expected to be confirmed history so close to a presidential Barrett to the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. Police Department. The officer Monday and quickly join the election. who conducted the original court. Schumer called it the “least With a 53-47 GOP majority, Bar- Republicans on the Judiciary would undo much of what was traffic stop is white, police said. Senate Democratic leader legitimate process in the coun- rett’s confirmation is almost Committee powered Barrett’s accomplished by Justice Ruth Activists and relatives of the Chuck Schumer of New York try’s history” as he forced proce- certain. nomination forward Thursday Bader Ginsburg, the liberal icon couple have demanded the warned Republicans that they dural steps, including an unusual Most Republicans are sup- despite a boycott of the vote by who died last month. release of police video of the were making a “colossal and his- private Senate session, in hopes porting Barrett’s confirmation. Democrats. By pushing for Barrett’s shooting, which authorities say toric mistake.” of changing Republicans’ minds. Only Republican Sen. Susan Senator Lindsey Graham, the ascension so close to the Nov. 3 has been turned over to Republicans appeared But Republicans quickly con- Collins of Maine has said she committee chairman, acknowl- election, Trump and his Repub- investigators. unmoved. In a lengthy speech, vened, then ended, the closed- won’t vote for a nominee so edged the partisan nature of the lican allies are counting on a Activist Chris Blanks said Senate Majority Leader Mitch door meeting, pushing forward. close to the presidential election. proceedings, but said he could campaign boost, in much the the video is particularly McConnell praised Barrett as an Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, dis- Another, Sen. Lisa not live with himself if the way they believe McConnell’s important because the police “extraordinary” nominee and missed the stall tactics as “friv- Murkowski, R-Alaska, early on Senate failed to confirm refusal to allow the Senate to version of events and the defended her quick olous.” At the start of Trump’s said she would prefer not to vote someone he said was such an consider President Barack version Clifftina Johnson said confirmation. presidency, McConnell engi- ahead of the election. But in a exceptional nominee. Graham, Obama’s nominee in February her wounded daughter, Wil- “We will give this nominee neered a Senate rules change to statement Thursday, Murkowski called Barrett a “role model” for 2016 created excitement for liams, shared with her appear the vote she deserves no later allow confirmation by a majority said now that the process is conservative women and for Trump among conservatives and to contradict each other. than Monday,” he said. of the 100 senators, rather than moving forward, the decision on people strongly held religious evangelical Christians eager for Johnson said her daughter told Barrett, 48, presented herself the 60-vote threshold tradi- whether to vote to confirm beliefs. the Republican president to her that Williams and her boy- in public testimony before the tionally needed to advance high Barrett is one “each senator has Democrats decried the make that nomination after friend had done nothing to Senate Judiciary Committee as a court nominees over objections. to make on their own.” “sham” process and said Barrett Justice Antonin Scalia’s death. provoke the officer. Facebook and Twitter chiefs to testify before Senate on November 17 BLOOMBERG — NEW YORK Jack Dorsey. The committee companies and bring them to President Donald Trump declined further comment. president, show he introduced announced on Friday evening heel. and other conservatives claim Twitter said that Dorsey would an executive at a Ukrainian The chief executive officers of that they would appear Dorsey and Zuckerberg, the law enables the companies testify virtually and also energy company to his father Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. voluntarily. who have been called to Wash- to silence their views and declined to elaborate. when he was vice president. have agreed to testify on Senate Republicans and the ington to explain their content content. Senate Republicans The paper claimed the com- November 17 before a Senate Trump administration have policies, are also due to appear “I would say that big tech is demanded to question the CEOs munication contradicts Joe panel looking into restrictions been heightening pressure on before the Senate Commerce not distinguishing itself,” Trump after their companies moved to Biden’s assertion that he hadn’t their companies put an on the companies and other tech- Committee next Wednesday, said at a campaign rally in Pen- limit the spread of a New York spoken to his son about his article about the son of Demo- nology giants over allegations along with Alphabet Inc. CEO sacola, Florida, on Friday night. Post article on Biden’s son business dealings. cratic presidential nominee Joe that they are biased against Sundar Pichai. “They don’t want to put Hunter and what the Post said The emails didn’t say defin- Biden. conservatives. The questions will focus on something on, they don’t put it were his exchanges with a itively whether Joe Biden The Judiciary Committee on At the same time, there is a their liability protections for on. But you know what? Can I Ukrainian executive. actually met the executive. The Thursday authorised subpoenas growing willingness by user content under Section 230 tell you what? People are wise The article said emails pur- Biden campaign said the former for both Mark Zuckerberg of members of both parties to con- of the Communications to it.” Facebook confirmed that portedly from Hunter Biden, vice president’s schedules show Facebook and Twitter’s chief, front the powerful technology Decency Act. Zuckerberg would appear, but and provided by allies of the that no such meeting took place. SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2020 16

EU adopts ‘life insurance’ biodiversity plan AFP — BRUSSELS environment minister Svenja Meeting in Luxembourg, the 27 national percent from 1990 standards Schulze. put forward by the Commission EU environment ministers on “Biodiversity is our life ministers backed the EU Commission’s strategy for 2030, are not feasible for PRAYER Friday adopted a biodiversity insurance: it supplies clean air of placing at least 30 percent of the EU’s land economies reliant on carbon TIMINGS strategy aimed at protecting and water, food, building maritime areas under special protection.The fuel. The current agreed drop PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING ecosystems, a move deemed material and clothing. It creates is 40 percent. essential to tackling climate jobs and livelihoods. With the objective will be reached ‘with all member The European Parliament change and reducing the risk destruction of nature there is states participating in this joint effort’, the joint also easily passed a massive FAJR 04.19 am of future pandemics. also the risk of disease out- statement said. farm subsidy bill on Friday, to SUNRISE 05.37 am Meeting in Luxembourg, breaks and pandemics,” she the fury of environmental the 27 national ministers added. activists who say it fell well DHUHR 11.18 am backed the EU Commission’s The European governments diversity programmes. “Today’s endorsement is a short of EU commitments to ASR 02.33 pm strategy of placing at least 30 now expect the EU commission A Monday report by the much-needed beacon of hope,” fight climate change. MAGHRIB 05.01 pm percent of the EU’s land mar- — the bloc’s executive arm — European Environment Agency the WWF said in a statement. “It’s five minutes to mid- itime areas under special to integrate the biodiversity (EEA) warned that more than But the group said the EU night on the climate emergency ISHA 06.31 pm protection. policy objectives in relevant 80 percent of the European ministers had “failed to make clock, but our governments are The objective will be future legislative proposals. Union’s natural habitats were real progress on the EU climate stalling,” said Greenpeace EU reached “with all member The joint statement in poor or bad condition. law, ignoring the European climate policy adviser states participating in this joint stressed the need “to fully inte- “We clearly need a large- Parliament’s recent support for Sebastian Mang. effort”, the joint statement said. grate these objectives into scale restoration in Europe,” a 60 percent emissions “Meanwhile, the gas “The COVID-19 pandemic other sectors such as agri- EEA expert Carlos Romao, one reduction target for 2030”. industry, the industrial farming has once again shown us the culture, fisheries and of the authors of the report, Strong differences remain lobby, airlines and carmakers fundamental importance of forestry”. said at the time. between member states on that are shooting holes in the EU ecosystems and biodiversity for It also said member states Friday’s EU initiative issue, with Poland leading a Green Deal, and our chance of WEATHER our health and economic and wanted some EU climate action received a cautious welcome group of countries who believe a safe climate for people and TODAY social stability,” said German funding to be directed to bio- from environmental groups. that such a cut, or the 55 nature is fading.”

UK cultural institutions hit 26oC 33oC by virus get £75m funding Minimum Maximum AFP — LONDON Hazy to misty at places at first becomes relatively hot daytime with “These places and some clouds and mild by night. The British government organisations are irre- yesterday announced a placeable parts of our her- W ALRUWAIS : 24o → 30o £75m (82 million euros) itage and what make us the W ALKHOR : 20o → 32o rescue package to save 35 cultural superpower we W DUKHAN : 21o → 30o cultural institutions hit by are,” minister Oliver W WAKRAH : 21o → 31o the coronavirus pandemic, Dowden said in a statement. including London’s iconic Globe Executive Director W MESAIEED : 21o → 31o Globe Theatre. Neil Constable and Artistic W ABUSAMRA : 17o → 30o Grants of between £1m Director Michelle Terry and £3m will be distributed called the nearly £3m grant to each of the organisations, a “lifeline”. HIGH TIDE 02:32 – 12:27 and will be drawn from the “We...are hugely grateful £1.57bn culture rescue fund and relieved to receive the LOW TIDE 04:57 – 20:43 announced in July to safe- maximum grant available,” guard the arts. they said in a statement. The Old Vic theatre in The theatre hopes to London, founded in 1818, reopen in the spring of 2021. Following protective measures and the Globe, a life-size Britain imposed a full Paul McCartney replica of the 1599 Shake- lockdown in March at the A man wearing a protective face masks walks in a park in Moscow, yesterday, as the country faces a speare theatre, built on the beginning of the first wave to release new new wave of infections of COVID-19. Russia confirmed 16,521 new virus cases yesterday. south bank of the Thames of the pandemic, which has near its original site, will claimed more than 44,000 lockdown album both receive support. lives, the worst death toll in More than a million Europe. AFP — LONDON Famous art piece damaged at Berlin’s Museum Island people annually visit the The Globe warned in Globe, which also includes May that it might not survive British pop legend Paul McCa- AP — BERLIN of the Altes Museum, which is cultural organisation that a library, archives and a without help, and a parlia- rtney revealed on Wednesday part of the German capital’s oversees the Museum Island candlelit replica of a 17th mentary report in July high- he will release the third in a A famous piece of art was museum complex, was smeared complex, said. century Jacobean theatre. lighted the “existential trilogy of self-titled solo albums vandalised at one of Berlin’s by an unknown perpetrator or “The prominent and world- But 70 percent of the threat” to the cultural this year, after resurrecting most famous museums only perpetrators, dpa reported. famous granite bowl in front of funds are earmarked for sector, which employs unfinished music during the days after authorities revealed Museum Island is a Unesco Altes Museum was smeared in cultural venues outside the 700,000 people. coronavirus lockdown. that more than 60 other art world heritage site in the heart the most horrible way.” British capital, such as the In 2018, the 1,100 British The former Beatle’s latest works on the city’s Museum of Berlin and one of the city’s It was not immediately Crucible in Sheffield and the theatres employed 290,000 record “McCartney III”, which Island were smeared with an main tourist attractions, “It can clear if the bowl was smeared Royal Exchange Theatre in people, with 34 million will be unveiled on December oily liquid, German news no longer be denied: culture is with the same oily liquid as the Manchester, the Ministry of people spending £1.28bn on 11, follows months of work at agency dpa reported yesterday. being attacked,” Hermann Par- other art pieces that were Culture said in a statement. tickets. his home studio in Sussex in A huge granite bowl in front zinger, the president of the damaged early this month. southern England on previ- ously started and new songs. It has all been written, pro- duced and performed by McCa- Nasa probe leaking asteroid samples after hearty collection rtney, who said he hadn’t been planning to release an album REUTERS — WASHINGTON spillage. performed a better collection exper- in 2020 until the pandemic “Time is of the essence,” Thomas iment,” OSIRIS-REx principle investi- forced him to stay at home for The US probe that collected a sample Zurbuchen, Nasa’s associate adminis- gator Dante Lauretta told reporters, months. from an asteroid earlier this week trator for science, told reporters. affirming a hearty sample size. “I had some stuff I’d retrieved so much material that a rock Zurbuchen said mission teams will But with the door lodged open by a worked on over the years but is wedged the container door, allowing skip their chance to measure how much rock and the “concerning” images of sometimes time would run out rocks to spill back out into space, Nasa material they collected as originally sample spillage, “we’re almost the and it would be left half-fin- officials said yesterday. planned and proceed to the stow phase, victim of our own success here,” he ished so I started thinking The robotic arm of the probe, a fragile process of tucking the sample added. about what I had,” McCartney OSIRIS-REx, on Tuesday night kicked collection container in a safe position The roughly $800 million, minivan- said, in comments published by up a debris cloud of rocks on Bennu, a within the spacecraft without jostling sized OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, built by Britain’s Press Association skyscraper-sized asteroid some 200 out more valuable material. Lockheed Martin, launched in 2016 to news agency. million miles from Earth and trapped Nasa will not know how much grab and return the first US sample of “Each day I’d start the material in a collection device for material it collected until the sample pristine asteroid materials. recording with the instrument the return to Earth. capsule returns in 2023. Japan is the only other country to I wrote the song on and then But images of the spacecraft’s col- The troubleshooting also led have accomplished such a feat. gradually layer it all up, it was lection head beamed back to ground mission leaders to forgo any more Asteroids are among the leftover a lot of fun,” the 78-year-old control revealed it had caught more chances of redoing a collection attempt debris from the solar system’s formation McCartney added. material than scientists anticipated and The leakage had the OSIRIS-REx and instead commit to begin the space- some 4.5 billion years ago. A sample “It was about making music was spewing an excess of flaky asteroid mission team scrambling to stow the craft’s return to Earth next March. could hold clues to the origins of life on for yourself rather than making rocks into space. collection device to prevent additional “Quite honestly, we could not have Earth, scientists say. music that has to do a job. So, I just did stuff I fancied doing. I had no idea this would end up as an album.” Its release coin- Pandemic halts bullfighting where animal rights activists couldn’t cides with the 50th anniversary of his first self-titled solo AFP — LIMA “There will be no bulls this Hispanic world —was brought to infected 875,000 in the country. cattle transporters. In Puga’s endeavour, released as the year,” Rafael Puga, a retired bull- the Americas by Spanish con- Football, on the other hand, ranch 140-km northeast of Lima, “Fab Four” went their separate In a matter of months, the novel fighter who also rears bulls, said. quistadors in the 16th century restarted in August after a five- he has 400 fighting bulls and 140 ways in 1970. A follow-up, coronavirus achieved some- In 1973, he won the Senor de and has since become hugely month hiatus, although without “mother cows.” There’s also a “McCartney II”, came a decade thing that animal rights activists los Milagros festival’s top prize, popular among Peruvians of all fans. small square where novice bull- later. failed to do in decades: put a the Escapulario de Oro. social classes. “The fact that there aren’t any fighters can practice. The latest collection of halt to bullfighting in Peru. It’s the first time since the fes- Peru has more bullfighting bullfights in the provinces is like “We ranchers now have to tracks was mostly built from The annual Senor de los tival began in 1946 that it’s been arenas than football stadiums. death for breeders. Some won’t live off other businesses. Some live takes of McCartney on Milagros (lord of the miracles) cancelled. The Acho arena in the Rimac be able to survive because the have even sent their cattle to the vocals and guitar or piano, festival at Lima’s Acho Bullring “But it’s also the first time that neighborhood of Lima, built in cattle eat every day,” said Rey. slaughterhouse, that is to reduce before overdubbing with his that usually takes place in the San Isidro festival in Madrid 1766, is one of the oldest in the This doesn’t just affect us their livestock to a minimum to bass playing and drumming, October or November was can- hasn’t been held. It’s due to a world and the oldest in the artists but everyone that works cut costs,” said Puga, 72. according to PA. celled this year due to Covid-19 force majeure,” sighed Juan Americas. around a bullfight,” said bull- Animal rights activists are It said McCartney had restrictions. Manuel Roca Rey, who organizes In Peru, “there must be 700 fighter Fernando Villavicencio, celebrating, though. returned to an unreleased track The 14,000 capacity Acho bullfights in the Acho ring and bullfights a year with 2,500 bulls 34. He said the ban has also “It’s good news. There’s no from the early 1990s, “When Bullring is currently being used also rears bulls, using a legal term killed,” said Puga. affected bullfighter assistants, reason for the bull festival to go Winter Comes”, which was co- to provide shelter for homeless referring to events beyond any- But they have all been those who make the heavily- ahead,” Luis Berrospi, an activist produced by The Beatles’ late pensioners affected by the one’s control. Bullfighting — banned due to the pandemic that embroidered suits, stable owners also campaigning against cock- producer George Martin. pandemic. known as a corrida in the has killed 34,000 people and of horses used in the corridas and fighting, said.