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FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11570 June 5, 2020 Shawwal 13, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Covid-19 an unprecedented challenge, says Amir

Qatar reports 39,468 Covid-19 recoveries Qatar yesterday reported 1,581 confirmed new cases of Covid-19, Amir pledges $20mn with 1,926 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered people in Qatar to 39,468. Over the last 24 hours the Ministry of Public Health also recorded 14 new cases being for vaccine alliance admitted to intensive care due to the virus, bringing the total number QNA “In the absence of an eff ective vac- reduce its impact, and protect the citi- of cases in intensive care to 239. Doha cine or cure, some countries and soci- zens and residents on its soil,” he said. Page 6 eties have found themselves faced with The Amir said Qatar has provided the choice between two options both of medical assistance to more than 20 is Highness the Amir Sheikh which are bitter to swallow: either to countries around the world in terms AstraZeneca aims at Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani seek prevention by lockdowns that may of supplies of medical equipment and 2bn doses of new vaccine Hyesterday announced Qatar’s cripple the economy, or put the lives of construction of fi eld hospitals, in ad- Britain’s AstraZeneca will be pledge of $20mn in support of the Glo- people at risk by opting not to sacrifi ce dition to providing $140mn worth of able to deliver 2bn doses of its bal Alliance for Vaccines and Immuni- the economy. fi nancial contribution for multilateral potential coronavirus vaccine sation (GAVI). “Some countries have chosen com- healthcare institutions working to de- this year and next, double the Speaking during a video conference promising solutions by combining velop vaccines and ensuring the effi - previous numbers, thanks to of the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 continuing to coexist with the pan- ciency of healthcare, especially in the deals with the Serum Institute of held in London, the Amir also called demic and fi ghting it at the same time,” least developed countries. India and two Bill Gates-backed upon the international community to the Amir said. “In this context, we call upon the in- global health organisations. The work jointly to ensure fairness in pro- “This crisis has shown that there is ternational community to work jointly company said yesterday it had viding necessary medicines and medi- no alternative to international co-op- to ensure fairness in providing neces- agreed terms with the Indian cal equipment to all countries. eration and exchange of experiences, sary medicines and medical equipment company to supply 1bn doses for The Amir further reiterated Qatar’s which necessitate the redoubling of the to all countries,” he said. low and middle-income countries. support to the World Health Organisa- joint eff orts to eliminate Covid-19 with The Amir thanked British Prime tion (WHO) for its co-ordinating eff orts eff ective vaccines and cures, and prep- Minister Boris Johnson for hosting the to combat the coronavirus pandemic and arations for confronting new epidemics video conference, which was attended Dutch to cull thousands of to promote global readiness to confront in the long run. by heads of states and governments, mink aft er farm infections infectious diseases in the future. “The State of Qatar has spared no representatives of countries, heads Dutch health officials have “The Covid-19 pandemic consti- eff ort to enhance the rapid response to of international and regional organi- ordered the slaughter of around tutes an unprecedented challenge and counter the serious repercussions of sations and directors of many global 10,000 mink to start today threat to all humanity at all levels,” the the crisis, and has promptly taken all companies supporting the programmes on farms where coronavirus Amir said. preventive procedures and measures to of GAVI. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani outbreaks have been reported, possibly infecting at least two employees. The cleanup of the mink farms in southern Netherlands, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, is aimed at ‘Qatar has fl attened the curve, preventing further contamination, Kuwait PM hopeful two senior Dutch ministers said.

Sweden to ease domestic reduced virus impact by 75%’ travel curbs from June 13 of end to Gulf rift Sweden’s government announced hree months into the Covid-19 early detection, early administration yesterday that it would further outbreak, Qatar has succeeded of treatment, excellent care, suffi cient QNA diff erent parties together with a view ease recommendations on Tin fl attening the curve and re- acute and ICU beds and redirecting of Kuwait to achieving any future agreement. domestic travel, allowing people ducing the impact of the virus by 75% resources,” Dr al-Khal said. “I am sure that all Gulf states see “without any symptoms” of thanks to the preventive eff orts and He said the infection rate has stabi- the GCC march important for them, Covid-19 to travel freely in the measures as well as the awareness and lised among the expatriate workforce uwait is continuing its eff orts to for the region and the world. This is country as of June 13. “This does co-operation of the community. and reached its peak, and is expected end the Gulf rift, Kuwaiti Prime what we should build on and use it as not mean that the danger is over,” This was highlighted by Dr Abdul- to drop. However, expatriate and Qa- KMinister Sheikh Sabah Khalid a common ground for moving ahead Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told latif al-Khal, chair of the National tari families have to be more careful al-Hamad al-Sabah said yesterday, in- to bridge the gap,” the prime minister a press conference, underlining Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head as 90% of them have not been in- dicating hopes are brighter than before said. the need to heed public health of the Infectious Diseases Division at fected. They have to be extra careful, in the interest of all states of the Gulf “Regrettably, we are now in the advice. Hamad Medical Corporation, during a Dr Abdullatif al-Khal especially the elderly and those with Co-operation Council. fourth year of the Gulf disagreement,” televised interview yesterday. chronic diseases. Speaking at a meeting with editors of he said, adding, “but attempts are still Latest data on new cases and hos- number of deaths but Qatar continues Meanwhile, everybody is vulner- Kuwaiti newspapers, the prime minis- continuing and hopes are bigger than Iran reports record daily pital admissions show a levelling- to have one of the lowest Covid-19 able and can get infected, as the virus ter said Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah al- before. We used to move one step ahead spike in new infections off , and the coming week or two will death rates in the world thanks to the is still active and the preventive and Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah continues to and return two steps backward. But The number of coronavirus confi rm if this will continue to be the measures put in place: eff ective pre- precautionary measures have to be seek to mend the rift and fi nd the basis now if we move forward a step, it is fol- infections recorded in Iran trend, he said. ventive measures to protect the elder- taken seriously and followed strictly, for continuing the GCC march. lowed by another step,” in the interest over a 24-hour period reached “We are seeing an increase in the ly and those with chronic conditions, he noted. To Page 7 Kuwait is always striving to brings of all states of the GCC. a record high after the Health Ministry announced 3,574 new cases yesterday. This is the most since Iran’s outbreak began at Education City World Cup the end of February, ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur Stadium completed said in remarks reported by Qatar Airways continues to state television.

Masks to be compulsory on public transport in UK grow despite blockade: CEO Masks will be compulsory on public transport in England from next atar Airways “continues to ing our nation’s fl ag proudly around week to prevent the spread of the succeed demonstrating the the world. Our robust business plan- coronavirus, Transport Minister Qairline’s strength and resil- ning, swift actions in the face of the Grant Shapps said yesterday. “As ience” despite the “illegal blockade” crisis, customer-focused solutions of 15th June, face coverings will be imposed by neighbouring countries and dedicated staff have enabled us to mandatory on public transport,” on June 5, 2017. continue succeeding in the face of two he said at a daily briefing on the “The State of Qatar can be proud unprecedented aviation events.” government’s response to the that it is home to not only the ‘Best “Despite the many attempts by the coronavirus outbreak. Airline in the World’ but also the cur- blockading countries to blemish our rent largest passenger airline, the excellent reputation, I am proud to say largest cargo airline and the ‘Third that my country and the airline have QATAR - FOCUSED Best Airport’ in the world,” Qatar Air- managed to persevere and grow over ON FUTURE ways said yesterday. the last three years. The airline’s share of the passenger “Our airline like our country re- It has been three years since and air cargo market has grown sig- mains open to engagement, that is four Arab nations, three of them nifi cantly over the past three months. why we gave away 100,000 compli- immediate neighbours, imposed The airline’s ability to not only con- HE Akbar al-Baker mentary tickets to healthcare workers an unjust blockade on Qatar. As tinue operating but also expand to more around the world to say thank-you for usual Qatar responded calmly and than 30 new destinations despite the The airline’s cargo division has pri- their important work during this cri- with determination under the wise challenges of the illegal blockade set oritised medical and aid shipments sis. We even allocated tickets for the leadership of His Highness the The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Qatar Foundation yesterday the building blocks for it to be able to working closely with governments blockading countries, further high- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad announced that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Stadium located in Education City has continue operating a robust and agile and NGOs to transport in excess of lighting our noble and philanthropic al-Thani, and today the nation has been completed on schedule. It is the third tournament-ready venue for Qatar 2022 schedule throughout this crisis. 200,000 tonnes of essential supplies intentions. proved its mettle and emerged to be completed, following the successful redevelopment of Khalifa International While other airlines in the region to impacted regions. “I am pleased that healthcare profes- stronger on all fronts. Some of Stadium in 2017 and the inauguration of Al Janoub Stadium in 2019. The stadium’s stopped services during the crisis, Qatar Airways Group Chief Execu- sionals in all of these countries claimed Qatar’s remarkable achievements completion will be marked on June 15 with a live programme which celebrates the Qatar Airways has continued to op- tive HE Akbar al-Baker said, “It has the full allocation, and we look forward over the past three years are contribution of frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The show will also erate a signifi cant schedule operating been a testing few years but Qatar to taking them on a thoroughly deserved highlighted on Pages 4 and 5. discuss the future of sport, mental health, and fan experience in a post-Covid-19 more than 15,000 fl ights to take over Airways will always continue to rep- holiday as travel restrictions around the world, the Qatar News Agency reported. 1.8mn people home. resent our country with integrity, fl y- world ease. To Page 7 Gulf Times 2 Friday, June 5, 2020 QATAR Qatar Rail Achieved A Quantum Leap Since Establishing Its Operations As one of the leading transportations systems in Qatar, Qatar Rail has successfully been one of the most comfortable choices for all residents and citizens for going to place to another, gives the passengers an exclusive experience onboard with qualified services.

HIGHLIGHTS

- The Doha Metro is one of the largest public the massive construction drive across the delivery. These actions were extremely infrastructure projects in the world. The country in preparation for the FIFA 2022 successful, resulting in no eventual impact State of Qatar set itself a most ambitious World Cup. These projects, and the Doha on the schedule and the first set of Doha goal – to complete the project from Metro in particular, have transformed Metro trains arrived 3 months earlier than concept design to passenger service in just Doha for future generations. the set schedule. 7 short years. This enormous task was - The project required over 750 million - Qatar Rail identified all affected materials entrusted to Qatar Rail and its strategic man-hours to complete and achieved and equipment and worked with its partners. an industry-beating accident frequency contractors to establish alternative - Qatar Rail’s world-class delivery team rate of just 0.012 – a truly world-class delivery routes and/or suppliers. This overcame every challenge to complete achievement not matched anywhere else exercise was completed in just a matter the project on time and under budget, in the world. of weeks, with all materials since then setting new benchmarks for performance delivered directly to Qatar by sea or air. - The Doha Metro has been a huge hit with and delivery, whilst maintaining the the people of Doha. There have been more In addition, Qatar Rail seized the highest standards of safety, quality and than 17 million passenger trips since the opportunity to support the move of governance. start of operations, exceeding all ridership several manufacturing and assembly - Local business participation was a core expectations. activities to Qatar which created an added objective and 84% of all contracts were benefit of developing local industry. - The Doha Metro will soon be joined in awarded to the local private sector. In operation by the new Lusail Tram, which - The opening of the station at award addition, an entire generation of young will service the Lusail development with winning Hamad International Airport Qatari engineers and project managers passenger services from this year. enables a seamless “Plane to Train” have benefited from working on the experience for those arriving into Qatar, project. - Qatar Rail moved quickly and decisively offering fast and frequent services from to mitigate and manage huge risks to - The project was closely coordinated with the airport to the major cultural, tourist

and business districts of Doha, meaning by downloading the Qatar Rail mobile app it’s now easier than ever for visitors to or by visiting the website. explore everything the city has to offer. - Customers can now also save time, with - In Commissioning the Doha Metro, no need to queue at the station by using additional seamless connectivity has been the Debit Card Top Up on the App to add provided for customers by metrolink, travel credit to their Travel Card before Qatar Rail’s feeder bus service (operated they leave home. by our partner Mowasalat).metrolink - Ridership has grown steadily since services act as a seamless facilitator for the launch of the Metro exceeding all customers getting to and from metro expectation stations and their surrounding areas By January 2020 daily ridership had - Doha Metro also launched the Doha Metro exceeded 145k metroexpress, a complimentary ride sharing service in the West Bay area to Whilst we are waiting to welcome our enable customers to travel seamless to and customers back on board when the Doha from the key stations in the area Metro resumes service, we have updated our service offer to ensure the highest - Metro customers can view available levels of cleanliness and sanatisation. metrolink routes and plan their journey

Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 5, 2020 QATAR-FOCUSED ON FUTURE After 3 years of blockade, Qatar has emerged stronger, united: Al-Kuwari

By Pratap John Times. The storage capacities phalt to complete its infrastruc- ongoing shocks of the blockade oping a system that supports along with outsourcing to hire Business Editor have also been expanded for food ture,” al-Kuwari noted. With at an unexpected” speed, ensur- entrepreneurship and promotes engineers, technicians, doctors, security and logistical supply to regard to the fi nancial sector, he ing economic recovery to a large research and development. The nurses and clerks. ensure the fl ow of commodities said, several parties contributed extent. plan comes in the context of ef- “In addition, we provide engi- he unjustifi ed blockade on at reasonable prices. to alleviating the consequences According to al-Kuwari, or- forts aimed at achieving sustain- neering and management studies Qatar by a quartet of na- This is in addition to pumping of the blockade and the fears of ganising the FIFA World Cup able development and accelerat- and training as a Qatari consul- Ttions, imposed some three liquidity into the fi nancial sector withdrawing foreign investments 2022 is perhaps the biggest chal- ing progress and innovation. tancy company at very competi- years ago, has clearly failed to to compensate for the exit of cap- in Qatari projects and banks, lenge facing Qatar in terms of Al-Kuwari noted that after tive prices and better quality of stifl e Qatar’s economy, impede ital (mostly related to the block- which could have led to an eco- infrastructure for the champion- three years of blockade, Qatar work instead of engaging compa- its development or isolate it in- ading countries) and enhance nomic collapse. ship, whether building stadiums, emerged stronger and united. nies based in the siege countries.” ternationally, points out promi- currency and overall fi nancial This prompted the Qatar hotels or other projects such as “I have a personal experience to Al-Kuwari said, “Finally, I nent Qatari oil strategist Saad stability, he said. Central Bank and other govern- the Doha Metro, and expanding narrate here in this context. Af- strongly believe that Qatar pros- al-Kuwari. “Moreover, Qatar succeeded to mental fi nancial bodies to pump the capacity of airports and ports ter the siege, I have been running pers in spite of blockade by its “In fact, Qatar, after less than cope with the challenges arising more than $38bn within weeks to fulfi l the country’s needs for a recruitment and outsourcing Gulf neighbours. The aim of the three years following the block- out the crisis situation and man- of the state’s estimated reserves goods and products imports. company called Management Qatar National Vision 2030 is ade imposed by the quartet, suc- aged its hydrocarbons exports of about $340bn. He said steps Saad al-Kuwari As the blockade continues, he Solution International – MSI. to ‘transform Qatar into an ad- ceeded in achieving self-suffi - and imports without impacting were taken to relieve pressure on said, Qatar unveiled its second “We succeeded in a very short vanced society capable of achiev- ciency in terms of its food needs its clients … such as exporting the local currency exchange rate and economic analysts indicated National Development Plan, fo- time, co-ordinating with gov- ing sustainable development’ by by more than 80%,” al-Kuwari crude, gas and petrochemicals against foreign currencies, even that the Qatari economy was able cusing on building human and ernment companies and pro- 2030. With God’s blessings we said in an interview with Gulf and importing marine oil and as- as various international reports to “absorb the initial as well as institutional capacities, devel- viding recruitment facilities are well on track to realise it.”

Siege resulted in Qatar’s overall self-reliance Expats on blockade ... Qatar has a clear vision By Pratap John top priority, he said, and noted the dom of mobility of labour, which is in the face of the crisis was clearly Business Editor Hamad Port, which opened within a positive development. seen as expatriates were one with Azim Abbas (President – Indian Business and Professionals Council) three months of the imposition “Qatar also introduced perma- the locals since day one of the The completion of the third year of of the blockade, now serves as a nent residency for foreigners and blockade. And despite the crisis, the unjustified blockade is a time n the three years following the key infrastructure that facilitates announced moves to make it more Qatar still rose four spots in the to introspect and acknowledge the blockade, Qatar has adapted smooth imports and exports for open for visitors. By easing labour World Happiness Index — claiming resilience of Qatar and the clear vision Iextremely well to the chal- the country. laws for people to change jobs, the the 32nd spot out of 195 countries. of its leadership. The annual economic lenges, which positively impacted At the same time, the Hamad country is ensuring that the expa- With the country’s commerce growth rate has remained positive, the the country’s overall self-reli- International Airport (HIA) initi- triate population feels at home in and fi nancial sector emerging maritime borders have shrunk and the ance, predominantly its sustain- ated priority clearance of air-cargo Qatar.” stronger amid the crisis, the unjust shipments from the subcontinent and able economy, said Mazhar Khan, a for FMCG and perishable goods. Khan noted that the society has blockade on Qatar also impacted Far East are reaching Qatar much faster prominent Indian business execu- Khan said, “When I look back at really come together, both nation- the business climate in the coun- than before. Qatar is also producing food tive. The Qatari economy is sound the area that impacted my indus- als and expatriates, in response to try in a positive way that has seen a locally and various sustainable schemes with no sign of any major slow- try (branding, signage, advertising) the challenges following the illegal record number of start-ups mush- have been introduced. down or cancellation of any com- I think institutions like Ashghal, blockade and turn those around rooming. In the area of tourism, In terms of engineering products, the “Made in Qatar” programme mitted projects. QDB, MoTC, Ooredoo, GWC are positively. By investing on projects Qatar has put in a lot of eff orts to championed by QDB has started yielding results and this will further The country also forged stronger outstanding examples of how Qa- and initiatives to attain self-suffi - promote itself as a unique destina- make Qatar self-suff icient. It is commendable that during this ongoing trade and commerce relationships tar is now meeting its needs and ciency, Qatar was able to provide tion through eff orts by Qatar Tour- unfortunate coronavirus pandemic, Qatar was one of the first countries with several other countries across being self-suffi cient, and even ex- Mazhar Khan basic necessities like dairy and ism and Qatar Airways. in the region to announce an economic package for the private sector the world. Diplomatically, Qatar porting. I remember how Ashghal foodstuff for its people. Qatar is also well-connected worth QR75bn. On the sporting front, Qatar hosted several prestigious dealt with the crisis and endeav- implemented ‘Taheel’, a fast-track discovery of Qatar, which has led Besides the import of thousands with the rest of the world as its na- international tournaments ensuring it maintained its status as a great oured to develop new policies and vendor registration process for lo- to a real strengthening on various of dairy cows, Qatari farms have tional carrier Qatar Airways fl ies to sporting hub. Then of course there is the World Cup in 2022, Qatar’s dream procedures for self-reliance with cal suppliers and QDB’s fi nancially fronts. We have witnessed some also enhanced their production of some 160 key business and leisure project, which will further enhance the country’s standing globally. substantial zeal, noted Khan, a sustainable support for SMEs.” positive changes, in relation to ab- fresh vegetables and built addi- destinations globally on more than long-time Qatar resident. “Over the last three years, I olition of exit permit for a vast ma- tional ‘seasonal greenhouses’ and 250 state-of-the-art aircraft, Khan All prime initiatives were put on believe, what we’ve seen is a re- jority of expatriates, or on the free- hydroponic systems. Resilience added. Sport is a vehicle for peace Ashan Perera (chief operating off icer/ high performance coach, Stallions Sports Services WLL Qatar) Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed an illegal blockade on Qatar three years ago but despite that Qatar’s graph has risen in every sphere of human activity. Undeterred by challenges Qatar Qatar won the Asian Cup beating Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Japan along the way and after that successfully hosted the Arabian Gulf Cup, the Club World Cup, the IAAF World Championships and the ‘rallies’ ahead: Nasser al-Attiyah first ever World Beach Games. I am not a political expert but I believe sport is a vehicle for peace. Sometime through sport we can achieve much more than through politics. Qatar By Anil John leadership ensured we didn’t succumb to the pressure put through the Sports Editor blockade. It is said a crisis brings the best out of people and Qatar did exactly that. We have opened a new page in our lives. I’d like to thank each and every one who contributed to Qatar’s cause. hose who have interacted with Nasser al-Attiyah Blockade unites communities Tover the years would vouch for the fact that there is Bosco Menezes (founder, Bigbfotografi ) nothing unlikeable about him. The blockade has brought communities to- A rally driver par excellence and gether, ensuring that the human zest for life a six-time Olympian in shoot- has not faded. Speaking on a personal front, ing, al-Attiyah has been fl ying in my line of publishing and media I meta- Qatar’s fl ag at top events for a morphosed from doing a 9 to 5 job into an quarter of a century during the entrepreneur that gave life to Qatar’s popu- course of which he has gained lar Community initiative called #bigbmeet- global acclaim as a sporting up. The blockade has brought about a lot of icon. change in people’s approach and action. Qa- Besides being a three-time tar winning the Asia Cup in UAE was a feather Dakar Rally champion and win- in our cap as was Mutaz Barshim winning the the gold medal at the ner of multiple driving titles World Athletics. I hope the blockade comes to an end especially tak- around the world, he also bagged ing into account the coronavirus pandemic that we are in. We should a bronze at the London Olym- all bury our diff erences and huddle together for the good of humanity pics in 2012 after grabbing his spot at the Games with a daz- zling show at what was the last Qatar continues to flourish in the qualifying event. sporting arena Passionate about Qatar, he also has strong views on politics PK Mathew (Captain, Qatar Golf and world aff airs. In this Q&A Lovers) with Gulf Times, he speaks about Qatar continues to fl ourish in the what keeps him focused and how sporting arena despite the 3-year-old Qatar emerged stronger during blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and the past three years despite the its allies. The country has hosted sev- Saudi Arabia-led illegal block- eral high-profi le sporting events, some ade. for the fi rst time and some regular Today marks the comple- ones such as the annual Qatar Masters, tion of three years of the which is a European Tour golf tourna- blockade. How has Qatar ment held in Qatar since 1998. The dealt with it in your opinion? country’s resilience in dealing with the blockade has been impressive I think we are better off now and I don’t expect Qatar to give up on its sporting ambitions, no mat- than before. We have learned to Nasser al-Attiyah ter what obstacles come its way. live without depending on some As the Captain of the Qatar Golf Lovers, one of the largest & oldest of our neighbours. We have be- ic strategies to overcome the out and as a result feel very good What about the rallying where aspiring rally drivers and Golf societies in Qatar, I have been happy with the way we have con- come self-suffi cient. Earlier we problems caused by the siege. physically and mentally. In fact, events you were supposed to shooters will be provided world- tinued our golf activities unabated during the 3 years after the block- used to be dependent on them We have a great leader. Unity is I also even went to the shooting participate in? class training. It is a dream ade. Thanks to the great support from the management of the Doha for many of our requirements our strength. Even the residents range for practice a few times Some of my events in July project of mine. I bought 200 Golf Club, we have organised more golf tournaments during these 3 like food, medicine and other from other countries gave us after Ramadan and had a great and August have been cancelled hectares of land for this project. years, compared to the 3 years preceding the blockade. We have ar- materials. But now we get a lot of great support. It was a united time. including the Silkway Rally in The people there are very excit- ranged coaching for many new golfers, enrolled more members and supplies from other nations. Qa- eff ort that saw Qatar emerge Was it in preparation for Russia which I won last year. ed to be trained by a three-time we have seen many of our members participating and winning ma- tar has also established its own strong and self-reliant. the Tokyo Olympics which There was one event in Spain Dakar Rally champion. jor tournaments in Doha Golf Club and Education City Golf Club in industries. Under His Highness Moving on to other topics has been postponed to 2021? and Poland in August. They too When I approached the re- recent times. True to the prevailing spirit of the golfi ng fraternity in the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- now, how did you spend Ra- Yeah, I am keen to qualify for have been cancelled and it looks gional government of Catalunya Qatar, we have fought back with greater enthusiasm to ensure our ac- mad al-Thani, Qatar has also be- madan as it coincided with my seventh Olympics. It will be like, if everything goes well, the they were very impressed. They tivities are not aff ected by the blockade and I fi nd the success that we come secure in all aspects. the restrictions due to the a dream-come-true if that hap- fi rst competition I would get to gave me all the permissions. It have achieved very commendable. Now that we have proven that we I think jealousy could be be- coronavirus situation? pens but there’s a lot of uncer- see will be the Morocco Desert already has two buildings with can not only survive but also fl ourish amid adversities, our Golf Soci- hind the unjust decision. Qatar Well, my aim was to keep fi t tainty at the moment because of Challenge in September. several rooms, a gym and swim- ety will continue its eff orts to get bigger & better. was going to make history with while spending quality time the virus situation. Who knows You have opened an acad- ming pools. This year also saw the Education City Golf Club host the Qatar Masters the FIFA World Cup in 2022. with my family. I also helped in the Olympics could be even can- emy in Barcelona. Tell us I’ve been in touch with car for the fi rst time and this proved to be a second great championship venue But our Amir worked hard and the household chores, like cook- celled? But despite that I am about it. manufacturers who have also in the country. Qatar has proven it is capable of not only surviving but also came up with great diplomat- ing, which I like. I also worked keeping my focus. Yes it’s called Nasser Racing helped. thriving in all aspects of life including sports, come what may. Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 5 QATAR-FOCUSED ON FUTURE ‘Tamim Al Majd’ became so popular because of people’s love for the Amir By Azmat Haroon prised by the reaction of the peo- Doha ple. The reality is that people love His Highness Sheikh Tamim, and the overwhelming response to he portrait ‘Tamim Al ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait was a Majd’ became a popular result of that.” Ahmed believes ‘Qatar has Tphenomenon because of that ‘Tamim Al Majd’ became a people’s love for His Highness channel for Qataris and expa- the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- triates to express their solidar- mad al-Thani, according to the ity with Qatar and denounce the artist behind the famous por- blockade. become more trait. Three years ago when four Speaking about the siege and regional neighbours imposed an how it aff ected him personally, illegal siege on Qatar, a sticker Ahmed said that the blockade with a portrait of His Highness was an act against humanity. self-reliant the Amir started appearing on “When it happened to Qatar I social media platforms. was shocked. Qatar is my family The portrait took the coun- – it’s everything to me. And what try by storm and soon it was happened … you don’t expect seen everywhere – be it bump- it from your neighbour. It was and united’ ers, glass skyscrapers, T-shirts, like someone stabbed me in the shop windows or private homes back. I felt the pain of the people of people. It inspired a patriotic around me.” By Joseph Varghese about the security of the country. fervour and people stood in long Ahmed added that the block- Staff Reporter But as days progressed both the queues to write messages of sup- ade made Qatar a stronger coun- concerns started disappearing. port for their leader on ‘Tamim try as it united everyone. “We are Whenever, we go to the hyper- Al Majd’ posters and billboards. thankful to His Highness Sheikh he blockade against Qa- markets, it was heartening to see The portrait, comprising a Tamim for everything that he has tar has brought everyone the shelves fi lled with food prod- black and white silhouette of done for Qataris and the expatri- Ttogether and work for ucts from all around the world.” His Highness the Amir’s profi le ates. Despite the blockade, we the progress of the country in a He said the blockade has resulted and the slogan ‘Tamim Al Majd’ continue to succeed and prosper highly determined manner, mak- in making Qatar a self-reliant and (Tamim the Glory), was drawn because we believe in our na- ing the country far more resilient self-believing country and created by contemporary Qatari artist tion.” and self-reliant, noted a promi- a sort of fi ghting spirit among the Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed. The original ‘Tamim Al Majd’ nent Qatari entrepreneur. people who stood like a rock behind “The painting was an expression portrait currently resides in “The blockade was a big shock the leadership of the country. of my feelings about the unjust the National Museum of Qatar. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with artist Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed in the beginning and I could not “Earlier, we were fl ooded with blockade of Qatar. I was not sur- Community Pages 1, 2, 3, 4 and the portrait ‘Tamim Al Majd’. even believe such a thing hap- products from the blockading pening, especially from the countries. But as the ‘fl ying cows’ brotherly countries. But the reached Qatar the whole scenario shock gradually made us believe changed and it was the beginning. It in ourselves and the leadership was a defi ning moment in the histo- of His Highness the Amir Sheikh ry of modern Qatar since the block- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. ade. People realised that we have Turning challenges to opportunities: QF As days progressed, people to be self-reliant and this led to the started gaining more confi dence start of several new initiatives. We and the leadership made us be- have started making many things Qatar Foundation (QF) “This is a key part of QF’s plained. “Since the beginning alities continues at the same lieve that we could overcome and this has resulted in transform- has always drawn inspi- mission to unlock human po- of the unjust blockade, we quality. “Also, to continue to any crisis,” recalled, Khalid al- ing the economy of the country,” he “ration from the Qatari tential, which is crystallised in have proven at Qatar Founda- work on research, develop- Mohannadi, an entrepreneur noted. community and its ability to times of challenges, as people tion our readiness and ability ment and innovation that is and the former communications He also highlighted that the adapt, resist and deal with cri- take crises as an incentive for to deal with challenges at vari- beneficial to Qatar and the re- manager at Sidra Medicine and country has promoted entrepre- ses, and even turn challenges creativity, innovation and the ous levels, through our prior gion. Qatar Science and Technology neurship in a big way and many into opportunities,” Khalifa pursuit of sustainability and preparations and our immedi- “We have also moved for- Park. have started setting up new suc- Essa al-Kubaisi, manager of moving forward in achiev- ate and efficient response to ward in launching more com- According to him, the block- cessful ventures and business- Media Relations and Press Of- ing the accomplishments that ensure that education for our munity initiatives and projects ade has brought the people of the es. The government supported fice, said yesterday. Khalifa Essa al-Kubaisi they aspire to achieve,” he ex- students of different nation- aimed at building societies.” country together — citizens and start-ups and other new ventures residents — giving a better sense with strong incentives, he said, of unity and harmony among the adding the industrial production population. “While in the initial and other economic activities in- days, food was a major concern creased many fold because of the ‘Qatar all set to achieve National Vision 2030’ for all. We were also concerned offi cial encouragement.

By Zhou Jian tionship between China and Qa- the pandemic aff ecting Qatar, we with Qatari friends, to strength- Ambassador of China tar, and between China and the feel for our Qatari brothers, and en information sharing as well Arab World has a long history. will always stand with Qatar to as co-operation in the fi eld of At present, the Covid-19 pan- overcome diffi culties together. health, quarantine, transporta- ver the past three years, demic poses common challenges We will continue to share profes- tion and immigration, and strive under the wise leader- for both China and our Arab sional expertise with our Qatari to turn health co-operation into Oship of His Highness the friends. friends, to provide our latest ex- a new highlight for China-Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad As a community of shared perience in prevention and and relations. al-Thani, the people of Qatar destiny, we are ready to help our treatment. We are confi dent that under are united in solidarity and have brothers to overcome the dif- China will to continue to pro- the leadership of President Xi overcome many diffi culties and fi culties as soon as possible. As vide fast channels for Qatar to Jinping and His Highness the challenges. Chinese State Councillor and purchase and import of medical Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad We have seen Qatar’s suc- Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, supplies from China, especially al-Thani, China and Qatar will cess in safeguarding its national China is not a saviour, but we try raw materials to produce medical eventually defeat the virus to- sovereignty, independence and to be a friend in need, a sincere equipment such as masks, in or- gether, co-operation between dignity, as well as maintaining partner you can count on. der to support Qatar to improve our two sides will soon return to social stability, economic de- Chinese ambassador Zhou Jian China will never forget that, production capacity of medical fast track, and our joint work will velopment, and people’s well- when we were in the most diffi - supplies. build a community of shared fu- being. Qatar is now making great fi cation and the historical goal of cult time fi ghting Covid-19, it is We will also step up joint pre- ture for health security between strides toward economic diversi- National Vision 2030. The rela- Qatar who lent us a hand. With vention and control activities China and Qatar. Khalid al-Mohannadi

Qatar’s resilience has been A giant leap to the wider an inspiration: CMU-Q dean world — the Qatari example

By Joseph Varghese Qatar finds itself uniquely po- in the world of football. Qatar’s arnegie Mellon Staff Reporter sitioned amongst the countries economic growth has continued University in Qa- of world. Qatar, in the spirit to be the highest in the GCC and Ctar (CMU-Q) dean of co-operation, has extended its open-minded foreign policy Michael Trick observed that r Mohan Thomas, a long- help and aid to people around has been vindicated. The In- it has been remarkable to see time resident of the coun- the world while fighting against ternational Monetary Fund has Qatar residents come togeth- Dtry and a prominent Indi- Covid-19 at home,” Dr Thomas forecast that Qatar will be one er to help the country adapt an community member who has continued. of only a handful of countries and thrive over the past three been in the forefront of several “We have seen the country worldwide to run a budget sur- years. humanitarian and charitable ini- grow and develop in all sectors by plus in 2020, despite the pan- “There have been new de- tiatives, the latest being the bat- leaps and bounds, demonstrating demic,” he described. mands for nearly every sector tle against Covid-19, recalls how the spirit of the Qatari and ex- According to the physician, to innovate. Qatar has been able to weather patriate population. During this the pandemic has illustrated yet “Within the academic the challenges posed by the un- latest pandemic, Qatar has begun again that Qatar maintains the community in Education just blockade, with determina- to produce cleaning products, highest standards in healthcare City, we have found that Qa- tion, and creating opportunities masks, ventilators and other es- with one of the lowest death tar’s tremendous response out of a crisis. Dr Mohan Thomas sential medical supplies.” rates in the world. has offered ready examples Dr Thomas who is a lead- Dr Thomas highlighted that “This is remarkable con- for our students in areas such ing ENT specialist as well as the On the third anniversary of the Qatar’s eff orts to combat the sidering the conditions under as leadership and business, founder chairman of Birla Public blockade, I take this opportunity pandemic has been lauded by the which Qatar is forced to op- technology, science and en- School, feels that Qatar currently to commend the spirit of the Qa- UN and the WHO. erate. The private sector has trepreneurship, lessons we is in a unique position among tari people and their determina- Dr Thomas also pointed out adapted to the pandemic while have used to bring theory to the nations around the world by tion to go forward hand in hand that the country has always been supporting the government in life for our students. supporting many of the needy in furthering the country’s re- open to dialogue and negotia- its efforts to curb the effects of “Qatar’s resilience has countries during the pandemic silience and progress. It is a great tions to resolve the Gulf crisis. the disease. This has contrib- been a strong inspiration of Covid-19 with medicines and occasion that exhibits the unity “Throughout all these years, uted significantly to the sta- and motivation for many of other supplies. among the citizens and residents Qatar has remained open to dia- bility of the economy in Qatar our graduates to apply their “The blockade showed all of of the country and highlights logue with the blockading coun- along with the QR75bn package world-class education and us what Qatar is truly capable how harmonious a nation moves tries and treated all with respect announced by the government. contribute to Qatar’s growth of under the able leadership of forward,” stated Dr Thomas. and dignity. Qatar’s historic win The country is united under its and development,” the CMU- His Highness the Amir Sheikh “The country is in the throes in 2019 at the Asian Cup dem- wise leadership to overcome all Q dean added. CMU-Q dean Michael Trick Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. of a worldwide pandemic but onstrated Qatar’s eminent place the obstacles,” he concluded. Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 5, 2020 QATAR

Road traffi c violations fall by 62% in April

raffi c violations decreased by 62% in April compared to TMarch, while traffi c accident cases dropped by nearly 32% to 329 in the same period, according to the Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin issued by the Planning and Statis- tics Authority (PSA). Minor injuries made up the vast majority of traffi c accident cases in March at 88%, fol- lowed by severe injuries at 10%. HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie during his visit to farms yesterday. Six deaths were also reported, comprising 2% of total traffi c accident cases, the offi cial QNA reported yesterday. Driving licence issuance for both Qataris and non-Qataris witnessed a signifi cant decline in April, amounting to about 97.8% on a monthly basis and 98.8% annually. Minister lauds local farms With regard to vehicle regis- tration, the bulletin indicated z Production of local vegetables increased from 55,000 tonnes in 2017 before blockade to more than about 91,000 tonnes last year that 2,535 new vehicles were registered in April, a decrease z Minister hails use of latest technologies in farms and how this has positively impacted agricultural production of 41% on a monthly basis and 55.6% on an annual basis. In a press statement, the PSA E the Minister of Munic- government and private sectors, pressed happiness and appreci- stressed that signifi cant changes ipality of Environment visited a number of productive ated the accompanying delegation occurred in some of the country’s HAbdullah bin Abdulaziz Qatari farms with the aim of as- for the eff orts exerted as well as statistical indicators in April as a bin Turki al-Subaie yesterday certaining the situation of farms the production boom experienced result of the impact of the Covid-19 praised Qatari farms for bring- during the blockade and the on- by these farms. He hailed the role pandemic on various sectors. ing about a qualitative shift in going Covid-19 crisis. of the private sector in this regard “Several indicators for April agricultural production in the The visits were aimed at iden- and its involvement, as a partner, 2020 changed; either by going up country. tifying the challenges faced in the in helping achieve the desired food as noted in the total electricity The minister also hailed the development of the agricultural security goals in Qatar. generated and used (the monthly use of the latest agricultural tech- sector, the statement noted. He also stressed the keenness of change was 11.8% and 13.1%, re- nologies while visiting some local The production of local veg- all state institutions to provide the spectively, compared to March farms. He stressed this has had etables increased from about necessary support for the contin- 2020), or by going down as wit- a great impact in terms of in- 55,000 tonnes in 2017 before ued development and growth of nessed in the Consumer Price creasing agricultural production, the blockade to more than about the agricultural sector to achieve Index as the general household providing the needs of the local 91,000 tonnes last year, accord- food security in the country. consumption decreased by 1.33%. market and enhancing the level of ing to the MME. The minister was accompa- The largest drop occurred in self-suffi ciency in the fi eld of veg- HE al-Subaie was briefed by nied by Mohamed bin Towar transportation services by 4.85%, etable production, the Ministry farm owners during the visits. al-Kuwari, Qatar Chamber fi rst followed by restaurants and hotels of Municipality of Environment They discussed the obstacles and vice-chairman and member of with a decrease of 2.51%, com- (MME) said in a statement. challenges facing agricultural the committee to follow up the pared to March,” the PSA said. The visits came in connec- production as well as the pro- implementation of food secu- The bulletin data also indicated tion with the third anniversary posals that could help overcome rity policies in the government that the services of the e-government of the blockade and as part of the these challenges and contribute and private sectors; Mubarak bin portal, Hukoomi, decreased to nearly MME’s keenness to follow up on to the further development and Nasser al-Khalifa, director of half during the month of April, with the eff orts of Qatari farms con- promotion of the agricultural the offi ce of the Minister; You- 45,002 service transactions com- tributing to the development of sector. He also listened to the suf Khalid al-Khulaifi , director pared to 86,431 transactions in the the country’s agricultural sector. proposals of the owners regard- of the MME Agricultural Aff airs previous month, a change of 47.9%. The minister, who is the ing the development of agricul- Department; and Masoud Jar- In terms of real estate, the chairman of the committee to tural support mechanisms as allah al-Marri, director of the number of sold properties de- follow up on the implementation well as marketing operations. MME Food Security Depart- creased by 25% compared to of food security policies in the In the end, the minister ex- ment. March, while the decline was ap- proximately 40%, when compared to April 2019. The total number of construction permits issued by municipalities reached 483 during April, a monthly decrease of 24.2%. ‘Protection of biodiversity key factor in development strategy’ April this year witnessed a decrease in the total of marriage contracts and divorce cases on QNA and also encourages all groups biological diversity beyond 2020 encourage all to take ambitious nicipality and Environment Aisha by the Genetic Bank after the a monthly basis, by 46.4% and Doha of society and sectors to adopt in a manner that contributes to measures in this fi eld. Dasmal al-Kuwari said that plant conservation process, including 85.2%, respectively, as the to- initiatives and programmes that achieving the goals of the 2030 He explained that the Minis- genetic resources are one of the data recording information re- tal marriage contracts reached will protect it in Qatar. Agenda for Sustainable Develop- try of Municipality and Environ- national wealth of strategic and lated to each type on its interna- 150 contracts, while the total atar has consistently in- The minister said the ministry’s ment during the next decade. ment celebrates this occasion, economic value owned by coun- tional database for Qatar. number of divorces cases was 12, corporated preservation participation in this year’s events The minister called on every- as do all actors in the environ- tries, as well as the biological basis Qatar attaches great impor- QNA reported. Qof biological diversity in comes within the framework of one to collaborate to preserve the mental fi eld at the international for food security and sustainable tance to the implementation of Electricity consumption in its development strategies in a Qatar’s interest in the necessity biological diversity in the Qatari level, noting that the ministry agricultural development, because environmental programmes, the said month saw a monthly manner that balances the pro- of international solidarity in the environment as part of Qatar’s has adopted many programmes it directly or indirectly supports projects and initiatives, espe- increase of 13.1% and an annual tection of the environment and fi eld of preserving biological di- natural heritage and legacy for and projects that will maintain human livelihoods, through what cially in the fi eld of biological di- decrease of 0.1%, while water development requirements, HE versity, through clear plans and future generations. biological diversity in Qatar. it provides – food, medicine, feed, versity, in addition to awareness consumption represented a the Minister of Municipality and programmes at the international Meanwhile, the Assistant Un- He noted that, for example, fi bres, clothes, housing, energy and campaigns and programmes for monthly decrease of 3.3% and an Environment Abdullah bin Ab- and national levels. dersecretary for Environmental the ministry attaches great im- several other products and services institutions and individuals to annual increase of 2.9%. dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie has The minister said that this Aff airs at the Ministry of Munic- portance to biodiversity issues for living organisms, in addition to participate in the protection of said. special day refl ects the im- ipality and Environment Has- such as preserving plants and its main role in the national devel- the environment and the bio- Retail store closed In a speech on the occasion portance of promoting global san Jumaa al-Muhannadi said cultivating Qatari mainland in a opment strategy, and in achieving logical diversity of animals and of the ministry’s participation awareness and working for the that World Environment Day is manner that contributes to the the self-suffi ciency and food secu- plants, to preserve these natural for 15 days in celebrating the World Envi- protection and sustainability of one of the most prominent en- rehabilitation and protection of rity of the state. resources for future generations. The Ministry of Commerce and ronment Day, which falls June 5 the environment, since everyone vironmental events at the global endangered species in Qatar. Al-Kuwari explained that The ministry has imple- Industry (MoCI) has closed a every year, the minister stressed has the responsibility to address level, indicating the importance In a related context, he point- seeds are the main resource for mented several projects and retail store in Barwa Village, Al that the Ministry of Municipal- environmental challenges facing of concerted eff orts and solidar- ed out that the Ministry of Mu- plant conservation, reuse, and programmes in this regard, in- Wakrah, for 15 days. Announcing ity and Environment is guided the biological diversity system, ity of all to protect the environ- nicipality and Environment is evaluation, noting that for this cluding a project to establish a this on Twitter yesterday, the by Qatar National Vision 2030, starting from the international ment, whether at the global or continuing its eff orts with a reason the Genetic Bank of the database of biodiversity in the ministry said the shop was closed and the development plans and level and reaching individuals in national levels. team of experts and specialists to Genetic Resources Division was country, the project to reha- for violating a circular issued by strategies that emerged from it, every society. In his speech on the occasion conserve the highly-endangered established. bilitate the Qatari mainland and the MoCI regarding the closure in line with the policies of the He pointed out that this year’s of World Environment Day, he hawksbill sea turtle since the She highlighted that nearly endangered Hawksbill turtle of retail stores at commercial leadership of His Highness the slogan “Biodiversity” comes said that in light of the chal- start of the turtle nesting season 70% of the local plant species protection project, as well as complexes and shopping malls Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad within the context of the urgent lenges facing biodiversity at the for this year in April. were collected and preserved the DNA project for the Arabian as part of the precautionary al-Thani, which always strive need to take ambitious measures international level, this year’s The Head of Genetic Resources in the form of seeds, noting the Oryx, and the whale shark pro- measures taken to prevent the to conserve biological diversity, to develop a global framework for slogan “Biodiversity” came to Division at the Ministry of Mu- most important work carried out tection project. spread of Covid-19. Health ministry reports 39,468 total Covid-19 recovery cases

QNA viously infected, in addition to observe social distancing. one with symptoms of Covid-19 those suff ering from chronic dis- Doha recording new cases of infection The new confi rmed cases of to either quickly contact the eases and their family members to among groups of workers in dif- infection have been introduced 16000 helpline or go directly follow strict measures to reduce ferent regions. The new cases to complete isolation in the to one of the designated health the chances of infection, includ- he Ministry of Public have been identifi ed through in- various medical facilities in the centres for testing. This is im- ing refraining from social visits. Health (MoPH) yester- vestigations by the research and country, where they receive the portant as the earlier the disease The MoPH said that because Tday announced the reg- investigation teams of the min- necessary healthcare according is detected the easier it will be to the Covid-19 outbreak is at the istration of 1,581 confi rmed new istry that contributed to early to the health status of each case. receive the right treatment and peak stage in Qatar, it was im- cases of Covid-19, with 1,926 detection. According to a tweet from recover. portant not to leave the house new recoveries in the last 24 Cases of infection have also the MoPH, with a total of 4,649 The four main testing centres except when absolutely essen- hours, bringing the total number increased among citizens and people tested for Covid-19 in the are Muaither Health Centre, tial. It also stressed the impor- of recovered people in Qatar to residents as a result of contact last 24 hours, as many as 241,086 Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, tance of adhering to all meas- 39,468. with infected family members have been tested so far in Qatar. Umm Slal Health Centre; and Al ures to protect against virus Over the last 24 hours the who had been infected in the The total number of infected Gharafa Health Centre. infection, including maintain- ministry also recorded 14 new workplace or through visits and people in Qatar since the start of The MoPH stated that Qatar is ing social distancing both in cases being admitted to inten- family gatherings. the Covid-19 outbreak is 63,741. still in the peak phase of the Cov- the workplace and public plac- sive care due to the virus, bring- The MoPH revealed that in- The total number of current id-19 outbreak, which is seeing a es, as well as wearing a medical ing the total number bringing fections increased due to family active cases is 24,228. The total rise in the number of infections mask and avoiding social visits the total number of cases in in- gatherings and visits between number of people currently un- recorded daily, and therefore it to reduce the risk of contract- tensive care to 239. friends and extended families, der acute hospital care is 1,646, is necessary to adhere to, more ing the virus. The MoPH said in a state- and people ignoring the pre- including 210 acute hospital than ever before, the preventive The ministry also encouraged ment that the new cases are ex- ventive measures recommend- admissions in the last 24 hours. measures and social measures the public to visit its website patriate workers infected with ed by the concerned authori- The total number of Covid-19 recommended. regularly to view the latest infor- Covid-19 as a result of contact ties; the most important of deaths so far in Qatar is 45. The ministry also stressed the mation and instructions related with individuals who were pre- which are to stay at home and The MoPH encouraged any- importance for the elderly or to Covid-19. Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 7 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA FM: Qatar committed to fi ghting Qatar Airways continues to ISIS despite Covid challenges grow despite QNA of the new government. Doha He said that Qatar shares with its partners concerns about the emerging threat posed by ISIS blockade: CEO atar remains commit- affi liates in particular in West ted to combating ISIS Africa and the Sahel region, add- Qin Iraq and Syria despite ing that there is a need for more From Page 1 drive and emphasis on inno- the exceptional circumstances co-ordination while addressing vation, customer centricity, faced by Qatar and the world due the root causes of this threat in “The Qatar Airways Group, and service excellence. to the coronavirus (Covid-19) those areas. like the nation it represents, The airline’s home and pandemic, HE the Deputy Prime HE the Foreign Minister under- is resilient and strong. The hub, Hamad International Minister and Minister of Foreign lined: “We cannot fully claim that achievements we have made Airport (HIA) has also con- Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin we defeated ISIS without strong despite the illegal blockade tinued to lead the indus- Abdulrahman al-Thani stressed accountability mechanisms for stand as a tribute to the com- try being recently voted the yesterday in the meeting of the terrorist crimes and addressing mitment, drive and persever- ‘Best Airport in the Middle Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS the challenges posed by foreign ance of our staff and of our na- East’ for the sixth year in a Small Group. terrorist fi ghters in accordance tion under its young ruler His row and ‘Best Staff Service in He said Qatar remains com- with international law”. Highness Sheikh Tamim bin the Middle East’ for the fifth mitted to the goals of the Global He pointed out that the is- Hamad al-Thani, to whom we year in a row. Coalition to Defeat ISIS and to sue of ISIS detainees and their dedicate our work.” It was also ranked “Third create conditions for a perma- family members in northeastern Even with the challenges of Best Airport in the World”, nent defeat of the terrorist group Syria is an outstanding problem the blockade, Qatar Airways among 550 airports world- through a comprehensive and that needs a comprehensive so- has remained steadfast in its wide, by the SKYTRAX World multifaceted eff ort. lution. commitment to off ering the Airport Awards 2020. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- very best travel experience to Rising from fourth position dulrahman al-Thani was of the dulrahman al-Thani affi rmed all its passengers. in 2019 to third in 2020, HIA opinion that crimes committed Qatar’s determination to protect This is why the airline has has been steadily rising in the by ISIS against civilians and fl a- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani the collective security interests continued to win awards, ‘World’s Best Airports’ rank- grant violations of international taking part in the meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group. through the work of the coali- with more than 160 accolades ings since the start of its op- law require uncompromising tion. received over the last three erations in 2014. measures and enhanced co-op- continue to pose an internation- conditions for the recovery and of the pandemic. At the outset of his speech, the years. A vital pillar of the nation’s eration across all coalition lines al threat to peace and security. stability of Iraq and Syria and to He expressed appreciation for Foreign Minister thanked the US The national carrier of the economy and global trade, to ensure the protection of civil- HE the Foreign Minister provide the necessary assistance the eff orts made by the govern- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo State of Qatar was recognised HIA’s doors have remained ians and to ensure that ISIS and stressed that Qatar is deter- to legitimate partners on the ment of Iraq in the war against and the Italian Minister of For- in 2019 as the ‘World’s Best open as it continues to oper- its affi liates are unable to recon- mined to continue its co-oper- ground, which are now more im- ISIS, which the Prime Minister eign Aff airs Luigi Di Maio for co- Airline’– for a record fi fth time ate during this crisis to take stitute any regional enclave or ation to achieve the necessary portant than ever in the context declared is one of the priorities ordinating the Small Group. — it also won ‘World’s Best people home and support the Business Class’, ‘Best Busi- transportation of essential ness Class Seat’, and ‘Best Air- supplies around the world and line in the Middle East’ at the to Qatar. 2019 World Airline Awards, Maintaining its position as managed by international air an important global trade and Rouhani slams transport rating organisation travel hub, even during this QFFD signs scholarship Skytrax. illegal blockade, the airport Qatar Airways Cargo has will continue with plans an- US president’s become the leader in global air nounced in 2019 to increase freight since the illegal block- the airport’s capacity to more ade was imposed. than 53mn passengers annual- ‘shameful’ photo op co-funding agreement Its leadership has been ly by 2022, further positioning recognised multiple times, itself as the airport of choice in including with it recently re- the region for global travel and AFP clearing a path for Trump to ceiving the prestigious Inter- trade. Tehran walk from the White House to national Cargo Airline of the The terminal building will the St John’s church for photo- with Swiss institute Year award at the 2020 STAT be the first airport in the graphs as he held a Bible. Times Awards. Mena region to achieve a ranian President Hassan “It’s a shameful act coming s part of the Qatar Schol- tries looking to study in Qatar in Institute’s DPP offers work- This follows the air freight 4-star Global Sustainability Rouhani yesterday accused from a president who, wanting arship Programme, the fall 2020 and beyond. ing professionals from across carrier also receiving the Assessment System (GSAS) IDonald Trump of com- to act against his own people, AQatar Fund for Develop- Ali Abdulla al-Dabbagh, dep- the global south an unparal- Global Air Cargo Airline of rating, which is the first per- mitting a “shameful act” by seized the heavenly book, the ment (QFFD) has signed a co- uty director general of planning leled opportunity to influence the Year in 2019 and being formance-based system in posing with a Bible outside a Gospel, and brandished it,” funding agreement with Swit- for Qatar Fund for Development the development and policy- runner-up for the Global Air the Mena region, developed Washington church after po- Rouhani said in a televised ad- zerland’s Graduate Institute of stated that “The State of Qatar making agenda of their home Cargo Brand of the Year and for rating the green buildings lice cleared peaceful protest- dress. International and Development through Qatar Fund For Devel- countries. Thanks to Qatar’s International Cargo Airline of and infrastructures. ers from the area. “The Bible is a book that Studies (IHEID). opment off ers this unique op- unique position at a pivotal the Year in Africa awards. The terminal will also be a Tens of thousands of dem- invites all people to peace, The new partnership will bring portunity, to confi rm its com- global crossroads, we’re confi- These awards are testa- LEED Silver certifi ed build- onstrators have rallied in cities serenity and humanity. The a leading executive education pro- mitment supporting SDG4 dent that future students will ment to the cargo carrier’s ing with innovative measures across the United States since Gospel is not a book that or- gramme in development studies around the world, to create see the logic in studying for resilience in spite of the of energy effi ciency across the the May 25 death of George ders the murder of innocent and policymaking to Qatar. future leaders capable of con- the DPP at HBKU. To this end, blockade and continued entire building. Floyd, a 46-year-old African- people,” he added. Under the terms of the agree- tributing to the development of we’re already looking forward American man killed by police “We are witnesses to one of ment, Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- their country and the humanity. to welcoming our first cohort in Minneapolis. the worst days in America’s versity (HBKU) will become the Those future leaders will be able and strengthening our ties with On Monday law enforcement political and social history home of IHEID’s Executive Mas- to benefi t from the advanced in- the IHEID.” including military police used and the great injustice done to ter in Development Policies and frastructure and facilities avail- The director of the DPP pro- tear gas to disperse protesters, black people,” Rouhani said. Practices (DPP) programme for able at Education City of Qatar gramme, Dr Alexandre Dormeier ‘Qatar has fl attened the Middle East and North Afri- Foundation; where it’s a place Freire, added: “Thanks to the ‘Violence provokes violence’: can (Mena) region. with branch campuses of some support of the QFFD, we were Beyond funding and facilita- of the world’s leading educa- able to jointly launch the DPP in the curve, reduced Mandela Foundation on US riots tion, HBKU will also develop tional institutes, a homegrown the Mena region with HBKU. Al- further programmes with the research university, start-up in- ready present in Latin America, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Foundation said yesterday violence IHEID. cubators, technology parks, her- Francophone and Anglophone virus impact by 75%’ can be a rational response to racism and for some communities is Managed by QFFD, the Qa- itage sites, cultural institutions, Africa, Central and Southeast the only way to elicit change, as protests raged across the United tar Scholarship Programme is and so much more, and also the Asia, the DPP is now expanding States over the death of George Floyd. The foundation said: “When a grant provided by Qatar. The knowledge that HBKU can off er into the Mena region and will Form Page 1 should be done gradually and communities are confronted by both resilient structural violence programme is designed to at- them. become the largest community in a prudent manner, with and attacks on their bodies, violent responses will occur. The use of tract developing professionals “As Qatar is an international of development professionals in Nobody can be blamed for strict observation of social violence can be rational and carefully targeted.” from across the Mena and Africa. hub for education, we believe the world. This will enable us to the spread of the virus and distancing, wearing masks Specifi cally, the Qatar Scholar- that the Qatar Scholarship pro- foster innovative solutions to the being infected is not a cause and maintaining hand hygiene Kuwait reports 562 new Covid cases ship Programme aims to create gramme is a continuation ef- many development challenges for stigma, he said. Yet, fam- to avoid a resurgence of the vi- future leaders capable of con- fort and refl ection of Qatar’s we will face in the coming years, ily visits and taking the pre- rus.” Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced yesterday 562 new tributing to the development of commitment to support quality while respecting our diff erences ventive measures lightly can Following lifting of the re- coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the past 24 hours, raising the total their country and the wider glo- education globally especially in and diversity. We are convinced lead to more infections and strictions, it is important for to 29,921 cases in the country, while six deaths were recorded, bal community. The programme LDC. We believe this collabo- that this partnership with Qa- some of the cases can be se- people not to leave their hous- bringing the total deaths to 236. The Health Ministry’s spokesman also supports the United Na- ration with HBKU and Geneva tari institutions will give a new vere. es unless it is absolutely nec- Dr Abdullah al-Sanad said that all the new cases were in contact tions’ Sustainable Development Institute will bring expertise impetus to the programme and Ensuring that people with essary. This is particularly true with previously infected people or are being investigated for Goal (SDG) 4, which seeks to en- together to shape future leaders foster relations between our two Covid-19 are treated early is for those who are 60 years and sources of infection. The ministry also announced earlier yesterday sure fair and inclusive education capable of contributing to the countries”. important to prevent their older and those with chronic that 1,473 cases recovered, bringing the total number of recovered and enhanced lifelong learning development of their own coun- An online presentation of the conditions from worsening, conditions, he added. cases to 17,223. for all. SDG 4 also resonates with tries and humanity” DPP programme for candidates he said. “For this reason, it is The Ehteraz app will help QFFD’s priorities. Speaking after the agreement coming from the Mena region important that people with with the gradual lifting of re- Jordan to reopen hotels, cafes In line with its authorisation was confirmed, Dr M. Evren will take place on June 29 at symptoms present early for strictions as it adds another to co-ordinate and implement Tok, assistant dean for Innova- 12noon (local time Geneva). Reg- testing.” layer of protection for the Jordan said yesterday it would reopen hotels and cafes, allow external development assist- tion and Community Develop- ister here\> https://graduatein- “As we move towards a new community as a whole, Dr sporting events without spectators and shorten a night curfew ance projects on behalf of Qatar, ment and associate professor, stitute.ch/executive-education/ normal where we have to live al-Khal stressed. It is a good as of Saturday, further easing its coronavirus lockdown that has QFFD has also announced the College of Islamic Studies, events/lead-development-mid- with the virus, it is very im- example of how technology is hit the aid-dependent economy. But Prime Minister Omar al- launch of the Qatar Scholar- HBKU, said: “We’re naturally dle-east-north-africa portant that people continue proving to be valuable in com- Razzaz told reporters that while Jordan had now returned to near ship Programme website. This delighted that HBKU will play More information about the to follow preventive meas- bating the virus and facilitat- normality, it would now toughen enforcement of social distancing specifi cally targets international a major part in developing this programme\> www.graduatein- ures,” he stressed. “Resuming ing a return towards normal to ensure there was no risk of a resurgence of infections. students from developing coun- partnership. The Graduate stitute.ch/dpp business and other activities life. Libya’s UN-recognised govt claims full control of Tripoli

AFP ocratic and modern state,” Sar- ish drones and air defences, of our heroes, hence our decision “An individual who constantly Ankara raj said in Ankara after meeting have made a string of gains from not to sit at the table with the threatens the future of Libya Turkish President Recep Tayyip Haftar’s forces in recent months. war criminal (Haftar) because he cannot have a representation ca- Erdogan, his main supporter. Haftar is supported by neigh- has never been a partner in the pability at the table,” the Turkish he head of Libya’s UN-rec- Sarraj’s Government of Na- bouring Egypt and the United political process.” leader said. ognised unity government, tional Accord (GNA) said yester- Arab Emirates as well as Russia. He also urged countries back- He also criticised outside TFayez al-Sarraj, said yes- day it was back in full control of The United Nations has urged ing Haftar to stop doing so. countries backing Haftar, saying terday that his forces were “de- the capital and its suburbs after outside powers to respect a deal “Your bet has failed and we they were “the biggest obstacle termined” to take over the entire more than a year of fi ghting off reached at a January conference will sue you after you have tasted before peace” in Libya. “History country from his rival, military an off ensive by eastern strong- in Berlin, ending foreign med- defeat at the doors of Tripoli. will judge them.” commander Khalifa Haftar. man Haftar. dling and upholding a much- Leave us alone.” Erdogan also said Turkey “Our fi ght continues and we The announcement came after violated arms embargo. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Libya’s internationally For his part, Erdogan welcomed would advance its co-operation are determined to defeat the GNA forces retook the capital’s ci- While a January truce bro- recognised Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj hold a news conference at the recent advances made by the with Libya including searching enemy, impose state control on vilian airport on Wednesday, more kered by Turkey and Russia has the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday. Tripoli government on the battle- for hydrocarbons in the eastern the whole of the homeland and than a year after losing it in Haftar’s been repeatedly violated, the UN fi eld saying it was right to use “self- Mediterranean, as part of a bilat- destroy all those who jeopardise initial drive on the capital. said talks on a ceasefi re resumed “positive” fi rst step. will always stay loyal to the blood defence”, adding that Haftar cannot eral maritime deal reached be- the construction of a civil, dem- GNA forces, boosted by Turk- Wednesday, welcoming it as a In Ankara, Sarraj said: “We of our martyrs and the sacrifi ces remain at the negotiating table. tween the two governments. Gulf Times 8 Friday, June 5, 2020 AMERICAS

OPINION CONTROVERSY DATA CRIME OUTBREAK Trudeau says Canada Twitter refuses to rule out America’s billionaires’ Kidnapped politician Peru government extends winning virus fight suspending Trump’s account wealth jumps during Covid-19 found dead in Mexico health emergency

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday declared A top Twitter executive yesterday refused to rule The combined wealth of America’s billionaires, The body of a politician kidnapped a month ago Peru will extend its state of health emergency by that Canada is winning the fight against the new out suspending Donald Trump’s account if the US including Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and in Mexico has been found in the eastern city 90 days and declare the obtention of oxygen for coronavirus, with the latest data showing new president continued posting incendiary messages Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, jumped over 19% of Campeche, President Andres Manuel Lopez Covid-19 patients a matter of national interest, local cases in decline. But he also warned that the such as those about the George Floyd protests. Trump or by half a trillion since the onset of the Covid-19 Obrador said. Anel Bueno, a member of Lopez media reported yesterday. The extension of the battle is not over yet. “The data shows that we are has relied on Twitter to get out his message without pandemic in the US, according to a report published Obrador’s party and a representative in the health emergency will start on June 10, according continuing to make progress in the fight against submitting himself to questions from reporters. His by the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS). During the 11 western state of Colima, was kidnapped by armed to the off icial news agency Andina. The emergency this virus in many communities, the number of 81.7mn followers have made the @realDonaldTrump weeks from March 18, when US lockdowns started, men on April 29. She was visiting the central town has been declared to allow the authorities to better new cases is low, and we can trace where they account one of Twitter’s 10 most popular. But the US the wealth of America’s richest people surged by of Ixtlahuacan at the time, where the streets were take immediate action against the novel coronavirus came from,” Trudeau told a daily briefing. “That’s leader has been at war with the social media platform over $565bn, while 42.6mn workers filed for unem- being disinfected due to the novel coronavirus. in the country, which has confirmed 178,914 infec- an encouraging sign that the virus is slowing, and he uses daily since it took the unprecedented decision ployment, the report said. “These statistics remind Her charred remains, along with those of three tions, the second-largest number in South America in some places, even stopping,” he said. “But I to fact-check two of his tweets about postal ballots last us that we are more economically and racially men, were found near a country road 30kms after Brazil. The death toll stands at 4,894. Peru want to be very clear: We’re not out of the woods.” month. Twitter followed that up Friday by covering up divided than at any time in decades,” said Chuck from the site of her abduction, according to the started imposing restrictions to stem the spread As of yesterday there were 93,700 coronavirus a message from Trump warning protesters outraged Collins, a co-author of the report. During the 11 week public prosecutor. The region is one of the areas of the coronavirus around mid-March. President cases in Canada. More than half of those patients by unarmed black man Floyd’s death at police hands period, Bezos saw his wealth soar by about $36.2bn worst aff ected by violence. Last year, Mexico Martin Vizcarra’s government recently extended a have already recovered. that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”. while Zuckerberg’s fortune surged by about $30.1bn. recorded almost 100 murders every day. nationwide lockdown until June 30. Out-of-state troops must leave capital, says mayor

Reuters Bowser, a Democrat, has Washington fi ercely criticised Republican President Donald Trump for his response to the protests. he mayor of Washing- Newsham said 427 people had ton yesterday called for been arrested between Sunday Tthe withdrawal from the and Tuesday, but Wednesday US capital of military units sent saw no arrests. from outside the city as demon- Meanwhile, prosecutors lev- strators gathered for a seventh elled new charges against four day of protests against police Minneapolis policemen impli- brutality and racism. cated in the killing. “We want troops from out of Former defence secretary Jim state out of Washington D.C.,” Mattis, after long refusing to ex- mayor Muriel Bowser told a news plicitly criticise a sitting presi- conference. dent, denounced a militarisation The US capital has seen a of the response to civil unrest. week of protests over the death Current Defence Secretary of George Floyd, a black Minne- Mark Esper also said he did not apolis man who died after a white back the use of troops to patrol police offi cer knelt on his neck. the country. The incident triggered coun- “Trump is the fi rst president in trywide demonstrations against my lifetime who does not try to Nurses and healthcare workers attend a ‘Black Lives Matter’ rally in front of Bellevue Hospital in New York city yesterday. police brutality and racism. unite the American people — does Shops and offi ces in the city not even pretend to try,” Mattis, centre and nearby areas were hit who resigned as defence secretary by nighttime vandalism and loot- in 2018, wrote in a statement pub- ing after peaceful protests last lished by The Atlantic. weekend, prompting a curfew. “Instead he tries to divide us. The demonstrations mostly We are witnessing the conse- have been peaceful since, al- quences of three years of this de- though offi cers from federal liberate eff ort.” ‘Racial slur used after agencies and thousands of Na- The chairman of the Joint tional Guard troops from other Chiefs of Staff , Army General states have been deployed or are Mark Milley, issued a message on their way to the city. reminding the armed forces of Some 1,600 active duty forces their oath to uphold the Consti- sent from North Carolina and tution, which gives Americans New York are on standby in the the right to “freedom of speech Georgia man was shot’ area. and peaceful assembly.” Bowser said she had author- Similar messages were deliv- Reuters Bryan and McMichael are both George Floyd, also a black Amer- Bryan, a neighbour of the GBI pressed charges. ised the deployment of D.C. Na- ered by other military leaders. New York defendants in the case. ican. McMichaels’ who took the cell- Police have said Gregory Mc- tional Guard units as part of her Earlier in New York City’s “Bryan said that after the Four offi cers have been charged phone video, was charged with Michael saw Arbery running in response to the coronavirus pan- Brooklyn borough, police in shooting took place before po- in that case. felony murder and attempting to his neighbourhood and believed demic, but did not request other riot gear charged into a crowd ne of the white men lice arrival, while Arbery was Dial said he had evidence from illegally detain and confi ne. he looked like a burglary suspect. military units. of about 1,000 protesters defy- charged in the Georgia on the ground, he heard Travis social media and elsewhere that Jason Sheffi eld, an attorney for The elder McMichael called The city’s police chief, Peter ing a local curfew, albeit peace- Okilling of Ahmaud Arbery McMichael make the racial slur,” McMichael had used racial slurs Travis McMichael, pressed Dial his son and the two armed them- Newsham, asked “federal part- fully, near an outdoor plaza, used a racial slur after shoot- Dial said in testimony in front of in the past. on whether Bryan was promised selves and gave chase in a pickup ners” to help with traffi c, she said. and clubbed demonstrators and ing the unarmed black man, an a Glynn County judge. McMichael is a former US leniency for possible co-opera- truck, police have said. “There are other federal assets we journalists as they scurried for investigator for the prosecution The Arbery case triggered a Coast Guard boarding offi cer. tion with the prosecution when Dial said video and other evi- did not request that we under- cover in heavy rain. said in court yesterday, an explo- national outcry after cellphone Dial said the three defendants he cited the alleged racial slur. dence indicated that the fi rst stand are under the direction” of A man armed with a knife sive new allegation in one of the video of the February 23 shooting — Bryan, Travis McMichael and Dial said he was unaware of of three shots from Travis Mc- US attorney general William Barr. stabbed and wounded a Brook- cases roiling race relations in the was leaked on social media. his father Gregory McMichael — any such off er. Michael’s shotgun was to Ar- Her government, she said, lyn policeman in the neck and US. Yesterday’s hearing was to de- chased Arbery in pickup trucks The three defendants were bery’s chest. was “very concerned” by large two offi cers who ran to his rescue Special agent Richard Dial of termine if there is enough evi- and sought to box him in as he was not charged until more than two “You see the front of his shirt is numbers of troops deployed on were wounded before they shot the Georgia Bureau of Investiga- dence for the case to go to trial. jogging in their neighbourhood. months after the shooting. saturated with blood,” Dial said. Wednesday beyond Lafayette the attacker multiple times, po- tion (GBI) quoted William Bryan The hearing follows more than Gregory McMichael, 64, and State police stepped in to in- “The second shot is off camera as Park, opposite the White House, lice said. as saying Travis McMichael ut- a week of demonstrations across his son Travis, 34, are charged vestigate after the video was well but you do see the blood mist and worked with federal authori- All four were taken to the hos- tered the slur after shooting Ah- the US over the May 25 death in with murder and aggravated as- widely seen and Glynn County come into the camera screen.” ties to withdraw them. pital. maud Arbery in February. Minneapolis police custody of sault. police took no action, and the American detained in New citizens Rudy Giuliani loses cool during interview

Iran since 2018 freed AFP on his neck for nearly nine minutes. London The incident sparked outrage, and widespread protests across Reuters who has been detained by Iran the novel coronavirus outbreak. the US and beyond, exposing Washington for 683 days, is on a Swiss plane Iran is one of the worst-hit onald Trump’s personal once again the deep faultlines of that just left Iranian airspace. countries in the Middle East, lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, race and inequality. We expect him to be home with while the US has reported the Dwas called “mad” and Morgan, a former tabloid US Navy veteran detained his family in America very soon,” highest number of deaths and “unhinged” during an explosive newspaper editor, said the presi- in Iran since 2018 was Trump wrote in a tweet. infections in the world from the interview on British television dent should never have tweeted Afreed yesterday and was White’s release is a rare bright virus. yesterday, as he defended the the remark, originally heard dur- on his way back home, President spot in an otherwise deeply Michael’s mother Joanne US president’s handling of the ing the racially charged 1960s Donald Trump and his family frayed relationship between the White in a statement announc- George Floyd protests. civil rights era in the US. said, in a rare instance of co-op- US and Iran, which have grown ing his release said “I am blessed The former New York mayor Giuliani defended the presi- eration between the two nations. more hostile toward each other to announce that the nightmare clashed with presenter Piers dent, saying: “You misinterpret- A White House spokesman since Trump took office in 2017. is over, and my son is safely on Morgan, who once hosted a ed him. You’re misinterpreting said Michael White’s release may Asked whether White’s release his way home.” chatshow on CNN, calling him a him on purpose. lead to an opening in the other- could be an opening in terms White’s release comes two “failed journalist”, as they traded “The question is, did he know wise deeply bitter relationship of US-Iranian relations, White days after the US deported Sirous insults in a live broadcast. that came from some racist 30 between Iran and the US. House spokesman Hogan Gidley Asgari, an Iranian professor im- The pair argued specifically years ago? Well, he didn’t know White had been released from told Fox News Channel, “Hope- prisoned in the US despite being over Trump’s May 29 tweet, that.” an Iranian prison in mid-March fully so. The president has built acquitted on charges of stealing later flagged by Twitter for glo- Morgan called Giuliani a “liar” on medical furlough but had incredible relationships with trade secrets. People wearing masks to protect against the rifying violence, that “when and added: “When I used to in- been held in Iran under Swiss leaders across this globe.” Iranian media reported his ar- coronavirus are sworn in as new American citizens the looting starts, the shooting terview you, you were an intelli- custody. Tensions fl ared after Trump rival on Wednesday. during a ceremony at the US Citizenship and starts”, following early protests gent, reasonable man and you’ve Switzerland looks after US in- pulled out of the 2015 Iran nucle- Both the US State Department Immigration Service’s Kendall off ice in Miami, Florida over Floyd’s death in police gone completely mad and you terests with Tehran because the ar deal in 2018 and reimposed US and Iranian offi cials have repeat- yesterday. The new citizens were participating in the custody. sound abusive.” US and Iran lack diplomatic rela- sanctions that have crippled the edly denied that Asgari was part first day of naturalisation ceremonies in Miami-Dade Floyd, an unarmed African Giuliani countered by claiming tions. country’s economy. of a swap with White, or anyone since off ices were shut down during the Covid-19 American, died on May 25 after that “everyone in America knows “I am happy to announce that Both the US and Iran have called else and said his case was sepa- pandemic. white Minnesota police offi cer you’re a failed journalist, so stop Navy veteran, Michael White, for the release of prisoners due to rate. Derek Chauvin was fi lmed kneeling trying to recreate your career”. Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 9 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Rohingya refugees running scared from coronavirus tests in Bangladesh camps

AFP have gone missing since testing in the overcrowded camps, where He added that only 20 refugees health offi cial told AFP on condi- ately need to increase testing to tests,” said Abu Zaman, a com- Cox’s Bazar positive for the virus after the social distancing is virtually im- agreed to be tested in the past two tion of anonymity. “We have told see how widespread the virus munity leader. fi rst Covid-19 death was report- possible. days because they believe those them they won’t be sent any- may be. But Khalilur Rahman Mohamed Shafi , a camp ed Tuesday, they said. So far only 29 infections have infected will be sent to Bhashan where.” Khan, the government admin- neighbour of the refugee whose ohingya refugees infected About 1mn Rohingya – most of been detected, although 16,000 Char island in the Bay of Bengal. Some 500 isolation beds have istrator of one camp block, said death was announced Tuesday, with coronavirus are fl ee- whom fl ed a military crackdown Rohingya are in quarantine zones “It has created mass panic,” Nu- been prepared in the camps, doctors told him refugees were said people who had coronavi- Ring quarantine in their in Myanmar in 2017 – are packed within the camps. It was not rul Islam, a community leader, but most are empty because so reluctant to participate. rus symptoms such as fever and Bangladesh camps because they into camps along the Bangladesh immediately clear how many told AFP. Bangladesh authori- few confi rmed cases have been Several Rohingya leaders said aches insisted they only had sea- fear being transferred to an iso- border, and the coronavirus has tests have been conducted in the ties have long wanted to estab- found, according to the offi cial. the transfer of the 306 refugees sonal fl u. lated island in the Bay of Bengal, become the latest cause of mis- camps, but a senior health offi - lish a camp for 100,000 people The fi rst Rohingya fatal- to Bhashan Char had sparked ru- “I tried to reassure them that community leaders said yester- ery. cial said two people who proved on the isolated island, and have ity from the coronavirus was mours that anyone with corona- this a curable disease and most day. Aid agencies have long warned positive had “fl ed the isolation already sent 306 Rohingya there. announced only Tuesday, and virus would be sent to join them. people will recover, but many At least two infected refugees that the virus could cause chaos hospital”. “The Rohingya are petrifi ed,” the health offi cials say they desper- “People are scared to go for virus don’t believe it,” he said. Tiananmen memorials observed in Hong Kong Thousands hold annual vigil in Hong Kong despite police ban; Anniversary A couple hold candles along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong. strikes nerve as national security laws loom; Hong Kongers light candles across city

Reuters ‘sayonara’ (goodbye),” said Kitty, Hong Kong a 70-year-old housewife. The anniversary has struck an especially sensitive nerve in olice fi red pepper spray at the former British-ruled city Hong Kong protesters yes- this year after China’s move last Pterday who were defying month to impose national secu- a ban to stage candlelit rallies in rity legislation and the passage memory of China’s 1989 Tianan- of a bill outlawing disrespect of men Square democracy crack- China’s national anthem. down while accusing Beijing of It also comes as Chinese media stifl ing their freedoms too. and some Beijing offi cials voice The scuffl es broke out in the support for protests in the United working-class Mong Kok district States against police brutality. Protesters wearing protective face masks and coverings wave Hong when demonstrators tried to set The crackdown is not offi cially Kong independence flags. up roadblocks with metal barri- commemorated in mainland ers and offi cers used spray to dis- China, where the topic is taboo. Daily, tweeted a screenshot of political motivation. perse them, according to Reuters In Beijing, security around the US statement with his own Earlier yesterday, some stu- witnesses. Tiananmen Square, a popular commentary. “The Tiananmen dents in Hong Kong followed the It was the fi rst time there had tourist attraction in the heart of Protesters take part in a candlelight vigil to mark the 31st anniversary of the crackdown of pro-democracy incident gave Chinese society a annual tradition of repainting a been unrest during the annual the city, appeared to be tight- protests at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989, after police reject a mass annual vigil on public health grounds, political vaccine shot, which has Tiananmen memorial message Tiananmen vigil in Hong Kong, ened, with more police visible at Victoria Park, in Hong Kong. enabled us to be immune to any on a university campus bridge: which police had banned this than on ordinary days. colour revolution. 31 years later, “Souls of martyrs shall forever year citing the coronavirus crisis. In Hong Kong, which just re- member what happened on June Beijing-claimed Taiwan, where China has never provided a riots emerged and spread in the linger despite the brutal mas- Several thousand people joined ported its fi rst locally transmit- 4,” said Brenda Hui, 24, in the more than 300 people gathered full account of the 1989 violence. US. They only think of exporting sacre. Spark of democracy shall the main rally in Victoria Park, ted coronavirus cases in weeks, working class district of Mong in Liberty Square, asked China The death toll given by offi cials it, but forget to prepare vaccine forever glow for the demise of chanting slogans such as “Liber- police had said a mass gathering Kok, where she and a friend stood to apologise, which the mainland days later was about 300, most of for themselves.” evil.” ate Hong Kong, revolution of our would undermine public health. with a white battery-illuminated called “nonsense.” them soldiers, but rights groups Hu did not elaborate. The term In the Hong Kong legislature, time” and “Fight for freedom, But many took to the streets umbrella that read “Never Forget “In China, every year has only and witnesses say thousands of colour revolution is often used debate over the bill that crimi- stand with Hong Kong.” to light candles and stand for a June 4.” 364 days; one day is forgotten,” people may have perished. to describe peaceful uprisings in nalises disrespect of China’s “We are just remembering minute’s silence. Seven Catholic The European Union and Unit- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen There was no mention of the former Soviet states but has also national anthem was disrupted those who died on June 4, the churches opened their doors for ed States both expressed solidar- wrote on her Facebook page. “I anniversary in Chinese state been used to describe other pop- when two pro-democracy law- students who were killed. What memorials. ity with the Hong Kong dem- hope that in every corner of the media. But Hu Xijin, editor of ular movements. In Hong Kong, makers splashed foul-smelling have we done wrong? For 30 years “We are afraid this will be the onstrators’ desire to mark the earth there won’t be any days the Global Times, a nationalis- offi cials have repeatedly said a liquid around in protest against we have come here peacefully last time we can have a ceremony Tiananmen anniversary. that are disappeared again. And I tic tabloid published by the rul- ban on groups larger than eight is the Tiananmen crackdown. and reasonably, once it’s over it’s but Hong Kongers will always re- Democratically-ruled and wish Hong Kong well.” ing Communist Party’s People’s a public health measure with no The bill was passed afterwards.

Killing with ‘near impunity’ in Philippine drug war: UN Australia to pledge

AFP impunity for such violations,” in 2018, which would determine $207mn for regional Manila it said. The UN offi ce called for if it opens a full-blown investi- “independent, impartial, cred- gation. ible investigations into all alle- Despite the thousands of vaccine initiative hilippine President Rod- gations of serious violations of deadly shootings, police have rigo Duterte’s drug war has human rights and international only been convicted for the 2017 Punleashed widespread and humanitarian law” after the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Reuters systematic killing with “near im- Philippines’ failure to ensure ac- Santos. Sydney punity” for off enders, a UN re- countability. “This outcome owes much to port said yesterday, calling for an Its report will be presented the availability of CCTV footage independent probe into human this month to the UN Human and public outrage following the ustralia will pledge A$300mn ($207mn) to provide vaccines to rights abuses. Rights Council, which requested murder,” the UN report noted. children in the Indo-Pacifi c region at a Global Vaccine Sum- Police have been encouraged the review of the crackdown last Duterte’s government denies Amit, its foreign minister said on the eve of the virtual meeting. by the highest levels of govern- year. it has a policy to kill drug sus- “Immunisation saves lives,” Foreign Aff airs Minister Marise Payne ment to use lethal force on drug Duterte, who fi ercely de- pects, but as he took offi ce in said in a statement. “The Covid-19 pandemic has served as yet an- suspects and thousands have fends the drug war against in- 2016 the president said: “If you other reminder that investing in vaccine access is critical to regional been killed by offi cers and un- ternational criticism, lashed out know of any addicts, go ahead health security.” known gunmen since 2016, the against the move, even suspend- and kill them yourself as getting Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make the pledge at the virtual UN human rights offi ce said. ing for a time negotiations of their parents to do it would be too summit hosted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to raise funds Many suspects had been put loans and grants with countries painful.” for the GAVI vaccine alliance, a public-private global health part- on “drug watch lists” by local of- that backed the report. The campaign is Duterte’s nership. GAVI is backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the fi cials and then visited by police The Philippine Drug Enforce- signature policy and polls say it World Health Organisation, the World Bank, Unicef and others, and at their homes, which often ends ment Agency says offi cers have is widely supported by Filipinos. arranges bulk buys to reduce vaccine costs for poor countries. in a deadly shooting that offi c- killed about 5,600 suspects in While data is limited on those The summit aims to raise at least $7.4bn for GAVI to immunise ers claim was self-defence. But offi cial operations. killed, many appear to have been 300mn children in the world’s poorest countries by 2025 against dis- details in police reports on the But the UN report says a con- poor men living in urban areas eases such as polio, diphtheria and measles. Australia’s funding com- confrontations cast doubt on servative toll based on govern- who were frequently breadwin- mitment will help to ensure that GAVI maintains a strong focus in the their own version of events, the ment data is 8,663 killed, not- ners, the report said. Indo-Pacifi c region, Payne said. UN offi ce said, citing an exam- ing that some estimates of the The UN report also notes the GAVI will spend $800mn over fi ve years providing access to vac- ple of two handguns which each number of dead are three times lack of comprehensive and reli- cines for 140mn children in the Indo-Pacifi c. reappeared at fi ve diff erent crime higher. able data on the campaign. For Under the programme, 4mn children in Indonesia will access scenes. It added that further investi- example, 223,780 “drug per- pneumococcal vaccines at a quarter of the commercial cost, and “Despite credible allegations gation is needed to establish the sonalities” were arrested in the A man raises a placard during a protest against the proposed anti-terror 400,000 children in Papua New Guinea will access vaccines under of widespread and systematic true toll of the campaign. campaign’s fi rst three years, but bill that has drawn concern from human rights activists who fear it the programme, Payne said. GAVI will provide $200mn to continue extrajudicial killings in the con- The International Criminal it is not clear how many had been could be used to suppress free speech and harass those who challenge immunisation programmes where possible during the Covid-19 pan- text of the campaign against il- Court also launched a prelimi- convicted, released or remained President Rodrigo Duterte, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, demic, and will later organise catch-up immunisation campaigns. legal drugs, there has been near nary examination of the drug war behind bars, it said. yesterday. Spike in Malaysia virus cases

Malaysia reported 277 coronavirus cases yesterday, its biggest daily NZ says July likely too early to resume travel with Australia increase, due to a growing outbreak at a migrant detention centre, sparking accusations the government is failing to protect foreign workers. The Southeast Asian nation has had a relatively small Reuters land business lobby group said travel, adding that date “was too was unlikely the fi rst fl ights would have paved the way for the pro- outbreak, reporting 8,247 cases in total, and imposed a weeks-long Wellington it intended to take a proposal to early.” New Zealand Prime Minis- be the Wellington-Canberra route, posed easing of travel restrictions. lockdown that largely kept the situation under control. governments this week to kick off ter Jacinda Ardern said earlier this given there were more populated New Zealand reported no new But cases have been increasing rapidly since last week at centres a travel bubble between the pair’s month that September was a more cities in each country. Covid-19 cases for a 13th consecu- where foreigners are detained on suspicion of being in the country ew Zealand rejected calls capital cities with a test fl ight as realistic date for the resumption of “I have nothing against Can- tive day yesterday and has just one illegally. Relatively aff luent Malaysia attracts migrants from poorer by business leaders yes- soon as July 1. fl ights. “It will be over to the Aus- berra but I am for mass popula- active case. Australia has reported Asian countries, including Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia, Nterday to restart fl ights to Foreign Minister Winston Peters tralians more than us because they tion movement by way of demand daily single digit and low double who work in sectors ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. Of Australia within a month as too said no plans had been agreed have got the federal system and rather than capital cities,” he said. digit numbers of new cases in re- yesterday’s cases, 270 were among foreigners held at one detention short a timeframe. as the two countries continue they are still not fl ying interstate,” Falling numbers of active and new cent weeks and has 490 active cas- centre in the capital Kuala Lumpur, senior health ministry off icial An Australian and New Zea- to work on a blueprint to resume Peters told reporters. He added it coronavirus cases in both countries es, with just 25 people in hospital. Noor Hisham Abdullah said. Gulf Times 10 Friday, June 5, 2020 BRITAIN Madeleine McCann is dead, believe German prosecutors

AFP family’s holiday apartment in cluding for the abuse of children,” Clarence Mitchell, a spokes- Portuguese police closed their Later that year the Met alerted town the girl disappeared from is London southern Portugal in 2007, a few Hans Christian Wolters, spokes- man for Madeleine’s parents Kate case in 2008 but London’s Met- German counterparts, and police located — and did occasional jobs days before her fourth birthday, man for Braunschweig prosecu- and Gerry, said the couple – both ropolitan Police opened a sepa- in Portugal were also contacted. in the region. sparking a huge investigation, tor’s offi ce in northern Germany, doctors – welcomed the latest ef- rate missing persons inquiry in Offi cials in the southern Por- “There is information suggest- erman prosecutors yes- global interest — and a slew of told reporters yesterday. forts by police. 2013. tuguese region of Faro confi rmed ing that he also earned his living terday appealed for in- theories about what had hap- “We’re assuming that the girl “They have not given up hope The force revealed the new they were working with UK and by committing criminal off ences, Gformation about a sex pened. (Madeleine) is dead.” of fi nding Madeleine alive, de- suspect was identifi ed in May German police, including speak- such as burglaries of hotel com- off ender they suspect killed Germany urged anyone with German media outlets identi- spite the length of time – they’ve 2017 after an appeal for informa- ing to witnesses. plexes and holiday fl ats, as well missing British girl Madeleine information to come forward af- fi ed the suspect as “Christian B”. never given up that hope,” he tion on the 10th anniversary of Described as white with short as traffi cking in narcotic drugs,” McCann, in what her parents ter police said on Wednesday a He is serving a prison sentence added. the little girl’s disappearance. blond hair in 2007, the suspect German police said. called a potentially signifi cant 43-year-old man with a history for narcotics off ences but also “But they are realistic and they He was among more than 600 was about six feet tall, with a slim Police have released details development in solving a mys- of child sex abuse and currently faces a seven-year jail term for say that whatever the outcome people previously identifi ed as build. and images of two vehicles the tery that has captured public at- in jail was now a prime suspect. the rape of a 72-year-old Ameri- of this appeal...they do need to “potentially signifi cant” but was He regularly lived between suspect was known to have used tention for over a decade “He is a sex off ender with sev- can woman in Portugal in 2005, know because they need to fi nd not a suspect in the case then, it 1995 and 2007 in the Algarve — as well as two phone numbers Madeleine vanished from the eral previous convictions, in- they said. peace.” said. where the Praia da Luz resort linked to him.

Parliament union Face masks threatens to strike mandatory on

Guardian News and Media London

union representing hun- public transport dreds of clerks, security A guards and kitchen staff in parliament is threatening strike action following chaotic scenes on the parliamentary estate as MPs queued to vote on from June 15 Tuesday. Offi cials from the PCS union Guardian News and Media ings is a matter of personal choice, ering in enclosed spaces where have told parliamentary authori- London while in Northern Ireland it is rec- social distancing is not always ties that they could recommend ommended that people “should possible and they come into balloting their members follow- think about using face coverings in contact with others that they do ing the failure of MPs to distance ace coverings on public enclosed spaces where social dis- not normally meet, for example themselves from staff as some transport will be compul- tancing is not possible”. on public transport or in some waited for more than an hour to Fsory from June 15 in Eng- Mick Whelan, the general sec- shops”. cast their votes. land to help stop the transmission retary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ It makes an exception for chil- The union is especially con- of coronavirus as more people go trade union, said it was a “sensible dren under the age of two, who cerned because more than a third back to work, Grant Shapps, the step”. should not have their faces cov- of their members in parliament transport secretary, said yesterday. “We have been working closely ered, and any children of primary are BAME. The government will require with the government to ensure age who do not have somebody People from ethnic minorities people to wear face coverings on that agreed increases in services with them who is supervising are at a higher risk of dying from buses, trains, tubes and other on Britain’s train, and Tube, net- them. coronavirus according to Public modes of public transport from work is done in a safe and con- The chief medical offi cer for Health England. that date, when non-essential trolled manner – to help spread England, Professor Chris Whitty, The development came as shops are likely to reopen. (the number of travellers), and has repeatedly stressed that face ministers come under increasing However, it will not apply to maintain social distancing – for coverings are “not a substitute” pressure to ditch its return to a people entering shops, despite the the safety of passengers and for physical distancing and urged physical parliament after weeks current guidance saying face cov- staff ,” he said. “The instruction the public not to buy surgical or of allowing MPs to attend re- erings should be worn in enclosed to wear face coverings to help medical masks needed for front- motely via video link. public places. prevent the spread of the coro- line carers, but to rely on scarves or Critics rubbished the govern- Ministers are bringing in the navirus will ease the concerns of DIY-type masks instead. ment’s current arrangements on policy due to concerns about the people travelling, and working, The advice also suggests public Wednesday night after the Busi- diffi culties of physical distanc- on the transport network.” should wash their clothes regular- ness Secretary, Alok Sharma, ing on crowded public transport, The change in advice comes a ly, as there is “some evidence that confi rmed he was being tested for despite people being asked to use month after the government ad- the virus can stay on fabrics”. Covid-19 after appearing to be other ways of travelling, to space vised people to “wear a face cov- unwell while delivering a speech out, face away from each other and to the Commons. travel at staggered times. Government sources con- A senior government source Covid-19 death toll rises by 176 to 39,904 fi rmed that the house authorities said it would help stop asympto- are looking at alternative meth- matic people passing the virus on The United Kingdom’s death the coronavirus crisis are ods of allowing MPs to vote that to others and also “act as a visible toll from people who tested likely to cost £132.5bn, up could speed up the voting proc- reminder” of the need for distanc- positive for Covid-19 has about 7.5% from a previous ess. ing and measures such as hand- risen by 176 to 39,904, the estimate. The £9bn increase Chaotic scenes unfolded in washing. government said yesterday. was caused by higher costs the Commons on Tuesday when Under the conditions of car- On Wednesday a separate for the government from its MPs formed a long queue snaking riage, fi nes may be imposed for tally of UK deaths using two wage subsidy schemes through parliament so they could anyone who fl outs the new rules. official data from England, that are at the heart of its maintain physical distancing In Scotland, people are also ad- Scotland, Wales and Northern attempts to slow a surge in while voting on the motion. vised to wear face masks on public Ireland, drawn mostly unemployment. The Office Union offi cials said it resulted transport and in enclosed public from death certificate data for Budget Responsibility in a series of complaints from spaces. and including suspected (OBR) said the Coronavirus members. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s fi rst cases, showed a total of Job Retention Scheme for One member complained minister, said yesterday she was more than 50,000 earlier. employees covered more about a lack of physical distancing considering making the measure Meanwhile, the country’s low-earning workers than at and around the underground compulsory and it may be “inevi- budget watchdog yesterday it previously assumed, entrance to the Commons, where table” at some point, as anecdotal said Britain’s emergency reducing the flow back to the MPs were photographed by col- evidence suggests many Scots are spending and tax cuts to government of income taxes leagues standing less than a me- disregarding guidance. soften the economic hit from and raising its net cost. tre away from each other. A passenger covered with a plastic bag is seen at Luton Airport, Luton, yesterday. In Wales, wearing face cover- Meghan pays tribute White youths arrested for bullying black boy

Guardian News and Media leave him alone. West Yorkshire to George Floyd police said two teenagers had been London arrested after a video was reported Guardian News and Media do in the world.” fi rst thing I want to say to you is to them on Wednesday. New York Addressing graduating stu- that I’m sorry. I am so sorry that wo teenagers have been ar- The force said it appeared the dents at the all-girls Immaculate you have to grow up in the world rested on suspicion of ra- video had been fi lmed at Holm- Heart high school in Los Angeles, where this is still present.” Tcially aggravated off ences fi rth cricket club, near Hudders- he Duchess of Sussex has Meghan said: “I wasn’t sure what Recalling the 1992 LA race ri- after a number of videos circulated fi eld, earlier this week. described events in the I could say to you. I wanted to say ots, Meghan said: “I was 11 or 12 on social media showing a black It provoked outrage on social TUS following the death of the right thing and I was really years old and it was the LA ri- boy being bullied in West York- media and a local barber posted a George Floyd as “absolutely dev- nervous that it would get picked ots, which was also triggered by shire. message saying they had sacked a astating” and said she felt com- apart. senseless acts of racism. The videos, which have been member of staff in response. pelled to speak about it directly. “And I realised the only wrong “I remember the curfew and viewed more than 1.5mn times on The Manchester United and In a video for a virtual gradu- thing to say is nothing. Because I remember rushing back home Twitter, show a white teenage boy England striker Marcus Rashford ation ceremony at her old high George Floyd’s life mattered and and on that drive home seeing and a white teenage girl repeatedly used Twitter to say he had “no school, Meghan said that al- Breonna Taylor’s life mattered ash fall from the sky and smelling shouting at the black boy to kneel words to describe” the actions of though she was nervous about and Philando Castile’s life mat- the smoke and seeing the smoke and kiss their trainers. the teenagers. speaking out, she had decided tered and Tamir Rice’s life mat- billow out of building and seeing At least three people fi lmed the He told the victim, who is said “the only wrong thing to say is tered … and so did so many other people running out of buildings incident, which shows the black to have autism: “I got you my guy, nothing”. people whose names we know and looting. I remember see- boy being slapped by the white boy always. I appreciate the love and In her message she urged and whose names we do not ing men in the back of a van just and goaded by the girl as bystand- support you send me constantly. young Americans to be part of know.” holding guns and rifl es. I remem- ers laugh. Keep that head of yours high. the “rebuilding”, and she told She recalled words of advice ber pulling up at the house and The white boy tells the victim to Love, your friend, MR.” the students that as they were given by a teacher when she was seeing the tree that had always kiss his “fresh Air Force 1 Pro I paid Chief superintendent Ju- turning 18 and would be able to 15 and doing volunteering, who been there, completely charred. £120 for” as the girl shouts “knees, lie Sykes said yesterday: “We were vote they could “use your voice said to her: “Always remember to “And those memories don’t go now”. On one of the videos, the made aware of a serious incident in a stronger way than you have put another’s needs above your away.” white boy threatens to slap him. at Holmfi rth cricket club follow- ever been able to”. She said: “I fears.” She added: “I am sorry that Towards the end of one of the ing the posting of a video on social know that you know that black She had thought about those in a way we have not gotten the videos, the boy bends to kiss the media, and have been conducting lives matter, so I am already words in the last week more than world to a place that you deserve People hold signs during a Black Lives Matter protest in Centenary shoes as the voice of an older urgent inquiries regarding what excited at what you are going to ever before, she said. “So the it to be.” Square in Birmingham yesterday. woman shouts at the teenagers to has taken place. Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 11 EUROPE

France cancels Bastille Europe boosts aid funding Day parade amid ‘people’s vaccine’ call

AFP AFP/Reuters the global vaccine alliance. Hoping the worst of the health lockdown to stem the spread of with France and Portugal as of the coronavirus remains until Paris Frankfurt am Main Since emerging in China late crisis has passed, Europe is the coronavirus in mid-March, June 22 would have to observe a vaccine is found – a message last year, the new coronavirus struggling to restart its stalled faced with what was then one of a 14-day quarantine now in ef- highlighted at the British-hosted has infected at least 6.5mn peo- economies without sparking a the world’s worst outbreaks of fect, Maroto said the lifting of talks that brought together more rance is cancelling the urope ramped up eff orts ple, killed more than 385,000, second wave of infections. the virus. the quarantine requirement still than 50 countries, and individu- 2020 Bastille Day military yesterday to help its coro- and wreaked havoc on the global Governments are especially A government source said needed to be approved. als such as billionaire philan- Fparade due to coronavirus Enavirus-hit economies as economy by forcing millions to keen to save what they can of the Madrid was still considering the Portuguese Foreign Minister thropist Bill Gates. social distancing requirements, the UN’s chief called for a “peo- stay inside their homes. summer tourism season and, af- plan to reopen land borders and Augusto Santos Silva said he was Speaking at the meeting, Brit- replacing it with a tribute to ple’s vaccine” to battle the pan- In Europe where countries are ter easing national lockdowns, would discuss it with France and surprised by Maroto’s comments ish Prime Minister Boris Johnson healthcare workers fi ghting the demic. emerging from lockdowns, the were reopening borders this Portugal, rowing back on re- and would seek clarifi cation from called for a “new era of global pandemic. With Brazil and Mexico seeing European Central Bank dramati- week. marks by Tourism Minister Reyes Spain. health co-operation” to “unite Rather than the traditional record deaths after Latin Amer- cally boosted aid for eurozone Italy welcomed back travel- Maroto earlier in the day. “It is naturally Portugal who humanity in the fi ght against march of soldiers and military ica became the new Covid-19 economies, adding €600bn lers from elsewhere in Europe on In a morning conference call, decides about the opening of the disease”, particularly in the poor- hardware down the Champs- hotspot, UN Secretary-General ($674bn) yesterday to its emer- Wednesday, while Austria was Maroto had told reporters: “In Portuguese border,” he told news est countries. Elysees on July 14, this year will Antonio Guterres said a new vac- gency bond-buying scheme. set to scrap entry checks at its the case of France and Portugal, agency Lusa. The Gavi alliance and its part- see a much smaller ceremony cine had to be available to every- The Pandemic Emergency frontiers, except for the one with I would like also to confi rm that Maroto’s ministry later re- ners will launch a fi nancing drive at the Place de la Concorde, the one across the world. Purchase Programme (PEPP), Italy. from June 22 the restrictions on leased what it described as a to purchase potential Covid-19 presidency said. The Covid-19 disease is caused which will maintain access to Spain announced that it would land transport will also be re- clarifi cation, saying that border vaccines, scale-up their produc- The annual parade to mark by the coronavirus. much-needed credit for com- reopen land borders with France moved. controls could be extended be- tion and support delivery to de- the July 14, 1789 storming of the “A vaccine must be seen as panies, households and govern- and Portugal on June 22, but then “This is very important be- yond June 21 and international veloping nations. Bastille fortress in Paris during a global public good – a peo- ments, now totals some €1.35tn. said it was maintaining an origi- cause it will allow us also to re- tourism would reopen on July 1, The US remains the hardest- the French Revolution, has been ple’s vaccine, which a growing ECB chief Christine Lagar- nal date of July 1 after Portugal cover some tourists, both French without spelling out specifi cally hit nation in the world, with held on the Champs-Elysees number of world leaders are call- de said the eurozone economy expressed surprise. and, in the case of Portugal, on what would happen at the border 1.85mn infections and more than since World War I. ing for,” he said in a message to a would see a sharp contraction of Frontiers with France and land routes.” with France and Portugal. 107,000 deaths. This will be the fi rst year virtual summit hosted by Britain 8.7% this year, but predicted a Portugal have been shut to most Asked whether this meant The new and resurgent out- without one since the end of that aims to raise funds for Gavi, rebound in 2021 and 2022. people since Spain went into people crossing the land borders breaks showed how dangerous „ See also Business Page 6 World War II. It normally starts at the Arc de Triomphe, a monument to those who fought for France, and ends at Concorde, where King Louis XVI was beheaded in 1793 Russia struggles to clean up Arctic river fuel spill France in the revolution that overthrew France’s monarchy. This year, the square will host AFP fuel going into the lake and was ‘failed’ girl a military ceremony with some Moscow using special devices to skim off 2,000 participants and 2,500 the fuel. guests, who will gather in strict But the clean-up mission killed by respect of social distancing rules ussia has intensifi ed ef- is being hampered by the lack seeking to halt the spread of the forts to clean up a major of roads in the area and windy virus that has killed more than Rfuel spill that environ- weather that has already caused parents: 29,000 people in France. mentalists say is the worst such blocks of ice to breach the barri- “It will be a reinvented 14th of accident in the Arctic, as inves- ers, releasing more fuel towards July adapted to the circumstanc- tigators made their fi rst arrest. the lake, and forcing responders court es,” Defence Minister Florence A diesel reservoir collapsed to reposition them, Malov said. Parly said. at a power station outside the “It’s swampy territory, and The event will include a high- northern Siberian city of No- everything can only be deliv- AFP light of the yearly show – the rilsk on Friday, releasing 15,000 ered there on all-terrain vehi- Strasbourg fl ypast – in honour of medical tonnes of fuel into a river and cles,” Malov said, predicting personnel, military and all oth- 6,000 tonnes into the soil, ac- that the collected fuel will have ers “mobilised against the virus”, cording to Russia’s state envi- to stay on site until the winter in he European Court of Hu- the presidential palace said. ronmental watchdog. special tanks. man Rights (ECHR) fault- Four other countries – Ger- President Vladimir Putin has Prosecutors in Krasnoyarsk Ted France yesterday for many, Switzerland, Austria and ordered a state of emergency to region said in a statement failing to protect an eight-year- Luxembourg – have been in- deal with the disaster. that the spill also polluted old girl who died at her parents’ vited to attend this year’s event On Wednesday he furious- 180,000sq m of land before hit- hands despite teachers reporting to thank them for having taken ly criticised the delay in the ting the river. repeated abuse to the authori- coronavirus patients into their clean-up response, while No- Norilsk Nickel said the ac- ties. hospitals in regions bordering rilsk Nickel, the metals giant cident possibly occurred be- The child, known only by the France, said the presidency. that owns the collapsed fuel cause the ground under the fuel name Marina, died in 2009 after The event will likely not be reservoir through a subsidiary, reservoir subsided as the per- a string of assaults that once saw open to the public, although this insists that it notifi ed the prop- mafrost melted due to climate her hospitalised for a month. decision could be re-evaluated if er agencies immediately. change. The ECHR in Strasbourg the health situation improves. Greenpeace Russia said the WWF expert Alexei Knizh- found that a school principal’s Every year, thousands throng accident was the “fi rst accident nikov said that while climate report of suspected abuse in June the Champs-Elysees to view of such a scale in the Arctic” change does aff ect permafrost, 2008 had placed a legal onus on the spectacle of men, women and comparable to the Exxon the accident would not have the state to investigate, identify and their weapons of war rolling Valdez disaster off the coast of happened if the company had a perpetrator, and protect the down the avenue to army bands Alaska in 1989. This handout photograph followed the rules. child against future ill-treat- as French fl ags fl utter. Russia’s Investigative Com- taken and released by the By Russian law, there should ment. Last year’s parade, themed to mittee said a power station Marine Rescue Service of be a containment structure Instead, the authorities failed celebrate European military co- supervisor has been detained Russia on Wednesday shows a around any fuel reservoir that to take the necessary steps to operation, was marred by violent and will be charged shortly as large diesel spill in the would have kept most of the shield the little girl, who the clashes between police and anti- it conducts three probes into Ambarnaya River, outside spillage on site, he said. court said fell in the category government protesters. environmental pollution and Norilsk. “A lot of the blame lies with of “vulnerable persons” with a A year earlier, two motorcy- safety violations. the company,” he added. right to state protection. clists from the French national No information was given fuel is dissolving in the water.” The diffi cult terrain prompt- Social services “should have gendarmerie collided and fi ghter about the possible charges The Ambarnaya River, which ed some offi cials to suggest the been much more vigilant in as- jets sprayed the colours of the against the employee. is aff ected by the spill, feeds collected fuel should be burned sessing the child’s situation” nation’s fl ag in the wrong order. Reinforcements arrived at into Lake Pyasino, a major body off at the scene itself, but Rus- and failed to take “meaningful President Emmanuel Macron, the remote location yesterday, of water and the source of the sia’s environmental watchdog action”. in his fi rst months in offi ce, used said Andrei Malov, spokesman Pyasina River that is vitally chief Svetlana Radionova ruled “Thus the system had failed to the 2017 Bastille Day parade to for Russia’s Marine Rescue important to the entire Taimyr this out yesterday. protect (Marina) from the seri- wow his guest of honour, freshly Service, which cleans up ma- peninsula. This handout photograph released yesterday shows workers “There will not be any burn- ous abuse that had been infl icted inaugurated US President Don- rine spills and was called in at Russian fi sheries agency pumping out the diesel in the Ambarnaya River. ing of the petroleum products,” on her by her parents and which ald Trump. the weekend. spokesman Dmitry Klokov said she was quoted by Interfax had tragically led to her death.” This year’s ceremony will also “There haven’t been such restoring the polluted water he told Tass news agency, add- Malov said that the marine news agency as saying, also The court found the French pay tribute to resistance hero- spills in the Arctic before,” he system would take “decades”. ing that most of the fuel had rescue service has put up six oil promising to consult with the state had violated Article 3 of turned-president Charles de told AFP. “It needs to be col- “The scope of this catastro- sunk to the bottom of the river containment booms in the Am- scientifi c community on the the European Convention on Gaulle who died 50 years ago this lected very quickly because the phe is being underestimated,” and already reached the lake. barnaya River to stop the diesel best course of action. Human Rights, which protects year. against torture and degrading or inhuman treatment. The case was brought by two French child protection associa- tions after they failed to hold the Sweden off ers free virus testing Spanish ‘Wolf Pack’ sentenced state accountable in domestic courts. The ECHR ordered the French AFP symptoms will be able to test The government discouraged for second sexual assault state to pay a token amount of Stockholm themselves for Covid-19 free all unnecessary travel in March, €1 in damages to the associa- of cost,” Minister for Financial but last month eased up and ad- tion “Innocence en Danger” and Markets Per Bolund told report- vised Swedes to travel only about AFP who all pleaded not guilty. words “The power of the wolf €15,000 ($16,900) in costs. weden said yesterday that ers. one or two hours from home. Madrid The four will also have to lies in the pack”. A teacher at Marina’s new it would provide free test- The Covid-19 respiratory dis- Sweden has urged people to pay €13,150 ($15,000) in dam- The San Fermin case school reported suspicions of Sing for anyone showing ease is caused by the coronavirus. follow offi cial recommendations ages to the woman, who was shocked Spain not just because abuse after the girl did not show coronavirus symptoms and con- Both tests to screen for active and behave responsibly instead our members of Spain’s 21 at the time of the assault, of the nature of the crime but up and having read a report from duct contact tracing for those infections and serological tests of rolling out strict lockdowns. notorious “Wolf pack” which happened in May 2016, because the fi ve men were her previous school listing sev- who are infected. to discover previous infections With the exception of a ban on Fsentenced for gang- just weeks before their gang- initially sentenced by lower eral occasions on which blue The announcement came as would be made widely available. public gatherings of more than raping a woman in a case that rape of an 18-year-old woman courts on lesser off ences of as- marks and other wounds were the country said it would also Sweden has reported near- 50 people and visits to nursing shocked Spain have received during Spain’s San Fermin sault rather than rape to nine seen on her body. allow domestic travel across the ly 42,000 confi rmed cases of homes, most measures have not further jail terms for an earlier bullfi ghting festival in Pam- years in jail, sparking protests But an investigation initi- country, almost three months af- Covid-19 and more than 4,500 been legally binding. sexual assault. plona in July 2016. and calls for the country’s rape ated by a public prosecutor was ter it was discouraged in line with deaths, according to the latest The country’s leaders have re- A court in the city of Cordo- Spain’s Supreme Court laws to be changed. closed in October 2008 without anti-virus measures. fi gures yesterday. peatedly stressed that the meas- ba handed three of the young jailed them for 15 years for The judge in Cordoba said any recommendations of further The aim of the new testing The government also said that ures are designed for the long men prison terms of two years that assault which sent shock- yesterday’s verdicts were jus- action against the parents. programme is to control infec- as of June 13 Swedes without haul, and that the fi ght against and ten months for sexual as- waves through the country tifi ed by the “personal cir- Six months later Marina was tion rates in the country, which coronavirus symptoms would the virus is a “marathon, not a sault and breach of privacy for – but only after mass protests cumstances of the accused, hospitalised for a month with did not impose strict lockdown be able to travel freely inside the sprint”. having fi lmed abuse of an un- against a more lenient sen- who after the facts went on to new injuries, and in September measures like many of its Euro- country – though must adhere to Their approach has been conscious woman. tence on lesser charges. indulge in even more serious 2009 she was found dead after pean neighbours. social distancing recommenda- criticised at home and abroad, Another defendant was giv- The fi ve-strong group illicit conduct”. her father reported her missing. The government said it would tions. particularly as deaths exceeded en a four years and six months called themselves “The Pack” The men’s counsel tried un- Her parents were both sen- dedicate 5.9bn Swedish kronor “The situation is still seri- those in neighbouring countries. sentence after being found in a WhatsApp group where successfully to have the video tenced to 30 years’ jail in 2012. ($640mn), in addition to 1bn ous. This announcement doesn’t This week, state epidemi- to have shared images of the they shared video of the rape. evidence struck out, arguing The court pointed to numer- kroner already promised, to cov- mean that the danger has passed. ologist Anders Tegnell admitted assault to members of two Spanish media began calling that police had illegally ob- ous failings by the state after the er the costs of testing and con- It doesn’t mean life returns to there was room for improvement WhatsApp groups. them the “Wolf Pack” because tained footage of the fi rst as- teacher’s report, including a long tact tracing. normal,” Prime Minister Stefan in the country’s approach, and Prosecutors had sought six- one has a tattoo of a howl- sault after their mobile phones delay in appointing a police of- “From now on, everyone with Lofven said. that the death rate was too high. year jail terms for the four, ing wolf on his foot, with the were impounded. fi cer to investigate. Gulf Times 12 Friday, June 5, 2020 INDIA

CO-OPERATION CRITICISM ANGER PEOPLE ASSISTANCE India and Australia BJP lawmaker attacked for Chandy protests end of Constable runs along AAP lawmaker arranges sign military accord flouting Covid-19 norms Karunya health scheme train to give milk for infant flight for migrants

India and Australia sealed an accord yesterday Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy A Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel went Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member to grant access to each other’s military bases in Aparajita Sarangi, invited criticism for violating who was instrumental in launching a special beyond his duty to arrange milk for a four-month- Sanjay Singh, yesterday arranged a order to facilitate mutual defence exchanges and social distancing norms after pictures of her lottery (Karunya) to fund a special health old infant travelling on the Belgaum-Gorakhpur chartered flight for 180 migrant workers exercises. The agreement — known as the Mutual with supporters at a party worker’s house in scheme for the poor and weaker sections of Shramik Special train. A railway ministry off icial to ferry them from Delhi to Bihar, a day Logistics Support Agreement — was reached Bhubaneswar went viral on social media. The society yesterday cried foul over the manner said a Shramik Special train had arrived at Bhopal after he gave up his MP flying quota for 33 during a virtual summit between Prime Minister parliamentarian said she had volunteered to pay in which this scheme has come to an end station. “Constable Inder Singh Yadav noticed migrants. Singh has been ferrying stranded Narendra Modi and Australia’s Premier Scott the fine as per the Covid-19 rules. “Under very on May 31. “The Karunya Benevolent Fund a lady passenger calling him and requesting to migrant workers from Delhi to Bihar Morrison. “We share democratic values, the rule special circumstances, I went to the residence of should not be closed and handed out a mercy arrange milk for her four-month-old child who through private buses as well. “Singh has of law, freedoms, and respect for international BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, on Wednesday. killing,” said Chandy. It was during the tenure was continuously crying. He rushed outside the now arranged a chartered plane for 180 institutions. When these are being challenged, we I fully appreciate and respect people’s concern of Chandy (2011-16) that the then state finance platform and bought one milk packet but noticed workers to fly them to Bihar,” a statement need to strengthen our co-operation,” Modi said regarding adherence to Covid-19 norms. It is minister K M Mani rolled out a new lottery the train was leaving. Yadav ran and managed to from his off ice read. The chartered in opening remarks. “It is time for our relationship a good sign. Acknowledging my duty, I have – Karunya – and decided to transfer all the hand over the milk packet to the passenger,” the Vistara flight for Patna left the Delhi to grow broader and deeper,” Morrison told volunteered to pay the fine due,” she tweeted. proceeds of it to a special healthcare scheme. off icial said adding the lady passenger profusely airport at 6pm. Singh has been helping Modi. The accord is widely seen as being part of a On Wednesday, Sarangi had gone to meet Chandy alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan thanked the RPF staff for the timely help. migrant labourers stranded in Delhi due broader strategy by democracies in the region to Pradhan, who had resigned from the BJP over government had always shown a disinterest Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal yesterday to lockdown. He has also been supplying counter China’s military and economic weight. the district president nomination. towards this scheme. announced a reward for Yadav. monthly rations to the needy. Police hunt for three people over elephant’s killing in Kerala

IANS the Silent Valley National Park in Thiruvananthapuram Palakkad district. The local Manarakadu police station on Wednesday registered erala Chief Minister Pi- a case in the gruesome incident. narayi Vijayan yesterday “The forest department and Ksaid that a joint probe by the police are probing the in- forest and police offi cials to track cident and we are confi dent of down the killers of the pregnant fi nding the villains behind this elephant in Palakkad is on and crime,” said sub inspector of po- three persons are on their radar. lice T K Ramachandran. Vijayan also took strong ex- According to veterinar- ceptions to the manner in which ians who treated the 15-year- some Union ministers and some old pregnant elephant, some other leaders in Delhi have given miscreants while chasing away a diff erent colour to the killing of the elephants who occasionally the elephant. stray into the agricultural land “This incident occurred in Pal- had stuff ed fi recrackers inside a Firefighters riding motorbikes spray disinfectant in narrow streets of containment zones as a preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19 in Chennai yesterday. akkad district and not like what pineapple. these leaders have claimed that When the elephant started the incident occurred in Malap- eating it, the crackers burst, se- purram district. This we feel is riously injuring its upper and a purposeful attempt to degrade lower jaw and tongue. Malappurram district and Kerala. The injured elephant, accord- “This is not acceptable at all. ing to forest offi cials, was fi rst The environment is made up of spotted by locals near a water man, animals, trees and rivers. source on May 23. Two days later Govt releases guidelines Yes, there have been man-animal an elephant expert after a medi- confl ict and we are all working to- cal assessment said things were wards bringing this to the lowest. bad for the animal. “But if anyone tries to spread On May 25, the elephant was canards, it will not be taken light- found dead in slushy water. ly,” said Vijayan. “Despite our best eff orts to get Vijayan was responding to the elephant out of water, it did for reopening of malls strong remarks made by BJP not come out and died,” said a lo- leader Maneka Gandhi, when she cal villager. IANS tive measures are followed.” to take extra precautions. They gaming arcades and children nant women and children below said “Malappurram is known for A post-mortem conducted New Delhi Shopping malls in contain- should preferably not be ex- play areas along with cinema the age of 10 years are advised to its intense criminal activity espe- on the elephant two days later ment zones will remain closed, posed to any front-line work halls inside the malls. stay at home, except for essen- cially with regards to animals. No revealed that the elephant was and only those outside contain- requiring direct contact with “Persons above 65 years of tial and health purposes,” they action has ever been taken against two-months pregnant. ith malls being al- ment zones will be allowed to the public.” age, with co-morbidities, preg- said. a single poacher or wildlife killer Experts pointed out that this lowed to open from open up. The ministry said the shop- so they keep doing it.” was the elephant’s fi rst preg- Wnext week, the Un- According to the ministry, ping mall management must fa- Kerala governor Arif Mohamed nancy. The Minister of Envi- ion health and family welfare the generic measures include cilitate work from home wher- Top bureaucrats test positive for coronavirus Khan tweeted, “I have already ronment, Forest and Climate ministry yesterday issued the simple public health measures ever feasible. taken up the matter with state Change, Prakash Javadekar, yes- SOP (Standard Operating Pro- that are to be followed to reduce It said preferably separate en- A top civilian defence off icial reported 6,075 deaths due to government expressing my an- terday took to Twitter to voice cedure) on preventive meas- the risk of Covid-19 and these try and exits for visitors, work- has tested positive for the virus. Defence Secretary guish. The government of Kerala his displeasure. “The govern- ures there to contain spread of “need to be observed by all ers and goods/supplies should coronavirus and is in home Ajay Kumar is the highest- is taking adequate strong actions ment has taken a very serious Covid-19, saying only asymp- (workers and visitors) in these be organised. quarantine, government ranking off icial to have tested and those responsible for this note of the killing of an elephant tomatic customers will be al- places at all times”. “The staff for home deliver- off icials said yesterday, as positive for the virus that abominable act will be brought to in Malappurram, Kerala. We will lowed with masks and entranc- Physical distancing of at least ies shall be screened thermally the daily rise in infections has also aff ected off icials in justice.” not leave any stone unturned to es will have sanitiser dispensers six feet, use of face covers and by the shopping mall authori- hit a new high. India’s cases the finance, foreign and law In an earlier development, a investigate it properly and nab and thermal screening. masks and frequent hand wash- ties prior to allowing home de- reached 216,919 after 9,304 ministries based in a sprawling Kerala forest department team the culprit(s). This is not Indian Noting shopping malls get ing and use of Aarogya Setu app livery.” new cases were reported over set of buildings in central Delhi. probing the killing of the preg- culture to feed fi recrackers and frequented by a large number was advised to all. Also, the number of people in the previous day, the health Defence Minister Rajnath nant elephant is learnt to have kill,” he wrote. of people for shopping, en- Spitting will be strictly pro- the elevators should be restrict- ministry said. Singh worked from home after taken two persons into custody. On Wednesday, the environ- tertainment and food, it said: hibited, the guidelines said. ed, while “use of escalators with Delhi and Mumbai are seeing Kumar’s test results came back The forest offi cials are tight- ment minister sought a report “To prevent the spread of “All employees who are at a one person on alternate steps a spike in infections as the positive, a defence source said. lipped on the progress of their in- on the death of the elephant and Covid-19 infection, it is im- higher risk — older, pregnant may be encouraged”. government lifts a lockdown It was not immediately clear if vestigation. said stern action would be taken portant that required social and employees who have un- The guidelines also bar large imposed in March. India has Singh had undergone a test. The elephant’s habitat was in against the culprits. distancing and other preven- derlying medical conditions, gatherings or congregations, Gujarat Congress hit by On alert Delay in Mallya’s extradition likely resignations ahead of polls IANS would take time as “formal ex- New Delhi/London tradition order in this regard has not been issued” by the United IANS ki. While Gohil will be getting The BJP has fi shed into the Kingdom. New Delhi/Ahmedabad the first preference vote and is Congress to gain the third seat, a ith a pending legal is- Further, there is a legal option sure to be elected to the Rajya party leader said. sue remaining unre- for the fugitive businessman to Sabha, the fate of Bharat Singh Congress sources say it will Wsolved, fugitive busi- exploit. head of the Rajya Sabha Solanki whose father Madhav now depend on Solanki’s ‘peo- nessman and founder of the On May 14, the UK High Court polls in Gujarat, in a major Singh Solanki has been chief ple-management skill’ to turn now defunct Kingfi sher Airlines, rejected Mallya’s plea seeking Asetback to the Congress, minister of the state hangs in the tide in his favour. Vijay Mallya, may escape extra- permission to fi le an appeal in the two of its legislators have quit the limbo. Last time Ahmed Patel won dition to India for some more Supreme Court in London. party, further reducing the num- Now only Solanki’s ‘people- despite Congress legislators re- time. He remains out on bail in “The fi nal extradition order bers in the Assembly. management skill’ can get him signing and said he defeated England. copy pertaining to this has not It will now be tough for the elected, feel party sources. Amit Shah in numbers game. Sources in London said Mallya been issued,” said a top CBI of- party to get the second seat in the Senior Congress leader Arjun |The BJP has fi elded Rameela was likely to use all his heft to fi cer heading the agency probe in Rajya Sabha. Modwadia said the “BJP is using Ben Bara, Abhay Bhardwaj and thwart the extradition process. the fraud case against Mallya. The two MLAs who resigned money and intimidation to lure Narhari Amin for three of the Ra- A top Central Bureau of In- “Mallya’s extradition is not are — Akshay Patel from Karjan away MLAs. Patel has been lured jya Sabha seats. vestigation (CBI) offi cer said on happening now. Once the UK gov- and Jitu Chaudhary from Ka- away as he has business interest Earlier, in March, fi ve Con- condition of anonymity, “Mallya ernment takes necessary steps, prada constituencies. in mining.” gress legislators had resigned just is going to exploit all legal reme- we will look into it and inform Gujatat Assembly Speaker The Congress had earlier days after polls were announced dies. First the offi cial order has to everyone,” said a top CBI offi cer. Rajendra Trivedi said, “both nominated Rajeev Shukla but and before the lockdown was en- come out and India mission has Sources further said that currently the Congress MLAs came to me was he was opposed by the state forced. to be informed.” no CBI investigating team is in the with resignation letters. I veri- unit and the party fi elded Solan- They were Somabhai Patel, The offi cer said the investi- UK. fi ed them, identifi ed their faces ki, a former Union minister. Praveen Maru, J V Kakadia, Man- Police personnel stand guard ahead of the 36th Operation gating agencies are aware of the The case is being handled by a by asking them to remove their The Congress needs 71 votes gal Gavit and Pradyuman Singh Blue Star anniversary on a street outside the Golden Temple possibility that Mallya, being special investigation team headed masks and then accepted their to win both seats but now their Jadeja. in Amritsar yesterday. The military’s June 1984 assault on the a former Rajya Sabha member, joint director Manoj Shashidhar. resignations. They are no longer numbers have reduced following The exodus started after the Golden Temple in Amritsar, called Operation Blue Star, was could seek political asylum in the Under the India-UK Extradition members of the House.” the fresh resignations. The BJP ruling BJP fi elded the fi fth candi- aimed at flushing out militants holed up inside demanding an UK. They said they had informa- Treaty, the UK Home Offi ce will The Congress has fielded needs 106 votes for its three can- date, Narhari Amin, who is a ex- independent Sikh homeland. The struggle culminated in the tion to this eff ect. have to formally certify the court two candidates — Shakti Singh didates and has a strength of 103 Congressman and also a busi- deadly storming of the Golden Temple. Another CBI source said yes- order for Mallya to be extradited to Gohil and Bharat Singh Solan- in the Assembly. nessman. terday Mallya’s extradition India within 28 days. Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The obligation of fi ve daily prayers rayer is the most obligatory of the evening and when you reach the performing a night prayer until the the Five Pillars of Islam next to morning. And to Him is [due all] praise morning, a day prayer until the night, the two Testifi cations of Faith, throughout the heavens and the earth. or the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer until sunrise, Pand it was ordained in the best And (Exalted is He) at night and when it is by no means permissible, whether and the most perfect way for an act of you are at noon.” [Qur’an 30: 17-18] the reason is a state of major ritual worship. Prayer includes many of the Therefore, it is obligatory for impurity, minor ritual impurity, or acts of worship, like the remembrance whoever reaches one of the specifi ed anything else. Rather, one has to of Allah Almighty, the recitation of times of prayer, being adult and sane, perform them at their specifi ed times, the Qur’an, standing humbly before to perform it, excluding women in a regardless of one’s state. Almighty Allah, bowing, prostration, state of menstruation or postnatal A person might happen to be detained supplication, and Takbeer (uttering bleeding. Scholars unanimously in hospital where he is confi ned to a bed the words ‘Allahu Akbar’). agree that it is not obligatory for that he cannot leave to pray, or cannot Prayer is also the head of the women in the aforesaid two cases change the impure clothes he wears, physical acts of worship, of which to perform prayer, nor to perform or cannot fi nd pure earth to perform none of the religions brought by any it later after purifi cation. On the tayammum (dry ablution) instead of of Allah’s messengers is void. Prayer, other hand, whoever is in a state of ablution to pray. Some ignorant people unlike all other acts of worship, was unconsciousness, as in sleeping, in this case defer prayer on the pretext enjoined by Almighty Allah on His fainting, and the like, has to perform that they will perform it later when messenger, Muhammad, sallallaahu the prayer at the moment when they possible. In fact, this is a grave mistake ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his wake up or recover to the normal state. and a means of missing prayer whose mention) the Seal of Messengers, on Allah, the Exalted, Says (what means): reason is unawareness and lack of the night of Al-Mi’raj (the ascension “...And establish prayer for My juristic consultation. What they have to of the Prophet). This is an indication remembrance.” [Qur’an 20: 14] do is to perform prayer at its specifi ed of its greatness, a confi rmation of its In addition, the Prophet, sallallaahu times regardless of their states. Their being obligatory, and a sign of its high ‘alaihi wa sallam, says: “Whoever prayer will be suffi cient, even if it is status in the Sight of Allah. There are misses a prayer out of oversleeping or performed without tayammum or in many hadiths indicating the virtues forgetfulness, let him perform it once impure clothes; Allah, the Exalted Says of prayer and showing its being he remembers it.” (what means): “So fear Allah as much as obligatory on all Muslim individuals. A guardian of a child has to you are able...” [Qur’an 64: 16] The fact that prayer is an obligatory command him to perform prayer Even if they pray without facing act of worship is primarily known in when the child reaches the age of the Qibla (the direction of Ka’aba), Islam. So, whoever denies this fact is seven, though it is still not obligatory provided they are unable to face it, considered to be an apostate. for him. But the purpose is to make their prayer is still valid. Linguistically, prayer means the child interested in prayer and The prayer is the basic pillar invocation; Allah, the Exalted used to it. Thus, the child and his of Islam, and the main diff erence Commands the Prophet, sallallaahu guardian will be rewarded when the between a Muslim and a disbeliever. ‘alaihi wa sallam, to ‘pray’ for the former performs prayer, for Allah, So, whatever good deeds one might believers, saying (what means): “… the Exalted, Says (what means): do are useless if one is negligent of And invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon “Whoever comes [on the Day of prayer, we ask Almighty Allah for them...” [Qur’an 9: 103] Judgment] with a good deed will safety. (Extracted from: A Summary of Palestinians, keeping a safe distance from each other, perform prayers at the Sayed Al-Hashim mosque, one of the largest According to the Shari’ah (Islamic have ten times the like thereof [to his Islamic Jurisprudence) and oldest mosques in Gaza, after the local authorities eased some of the restrictive measures that had been imposed in a Jurisprudence), prayer is defi ned as credit] ...” [Qur’an 6: 160] Article source: http://www. bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, in Gaza City. a special kind of sayings and deeds Moreover, when a woman showed islamweb.net/emainpage/ beginning with takbeer and ending with the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa tasleem (saying ‘assalamu alaykum sallam, a young boy who was with her, wa rahmatullah’). It is called ‘prayer’ saying:”Does this one have to perform because it includes invocation. During Haj (Pilgrimage), O Messenger of prayer, the worshipper is in a state Allah?” He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa ‘Allah loves the doers of good’ of invocation through worshipping sallam, replied, “Yes, and you will have Almighty Allah, praising Him, or a reward.” supplicating Him for something. So, a guardian has to teach his child raise be to Allah Who has and in your wish to attain His mercy. when you are at noon.” [Qur’an 30: practise acts of obedience and good This is why it is called ‘prayer’. how to perform prayer and how to guided us to Islam. We can Rely on Allah in all your aff airs. Seek 17-18] deeds, kindness to parents, maintaining Prayer was decreed by Almighty Allah perform ablution for it. A guardian never be guided except with His aid and protection, as He is the O Allah! As you have sent to us Your the ties of kinship and kindness to on the night of Al-Mi’raj before Hijrah, has also to beat his child if the latter Pthe help of Allah. During best supporter and disposer of aff airs. Prophet Muhammad, make our houses relatives, the poor and orphans. Hasten as fi ve prayers to be performed every is ten years old and neglects prayer, Ramadan, the believers compete in He is the Saviour and the Answerer well maintained and full of life (due to in reconciliation among yourselves. Give day and night at specifi ed times by for the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa doing acts of obedience and spending of whoever asks Him with sincerity. worship practised therein) and do not measure and weight with full justice. every legally accountable Muslim. sallam, said: “Command your children in the cause of Allah. Allah Says what means: “And when condemn us on account of our bad deeds Give preference to Allah’s judgment Allah, the Exalted Says (what means): to perform prayer when they become Allah Says (what means): “…And do My servants ask you [O Muhammad] and be merciful to us as You are the most above your whims. None of us can be a “...Indeed, prayer has been decreed seven years old, and beat them for (not good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of concerning Me – indeed I am near. Merciful of those who show mercy. true believer until his liking complies upon the believers a decree of specifi ed performing) it (i.e. prayer) when they good.” [Qur’an 2: 195] I respond to the invocation of the O Allah! As You are The Most Gracious with the teachings of Allah’s Messenger, times.” [Qur’an 4: 103] become ten years old; and arrange The verses that encourage doing good supplicant when he calls upon Me. So of those who show graciousness, and sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Know that: Those prayer times are the times their beds (so that boys and girls sleep) in the cause of Allah are many. Therefore, let them respond to Me [by obedience] the Greatest of all those who claim “Injustice will cause darkness on the Day pointed out by Allah’s Messenger, separately.” [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi, Abu we should continue the good deeds that and believe in Me that they may be greatness, make for us a way out of each of Resurrection.”[Al-Bukhari & Muslim] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, through Dawood, and other compilers of hadiths] we have initiated in Ramadan and extend [rightly] guided.” [Qur’an 2: 186] distress and grief. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa his words or his deeds. Allah, the It is also impermissible to perform them after its termination. You should Allah describes the state of the O Allah! Grant blessings on Prophet sallam, also said: “Whoever causes Exalted, Says (what means): “And prayer later than its due time, for know that the sign of the acceptance of believers on the Day of Resurrection Muhammad, son of Abdullah, the harm to others Allah will harm him, and they were not commanded except to Allah, the Exalted Says (what means): a good deed by Allah is that you follow it saying: “[Some] faces, that Day, will be Prophet of mercy and the Messenger of whoever makes it diffi cult for people worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him “...Indeed prayer has been decreed with another good deed, and the sign of bright – Laughing, rejoicing at good guidance, as many times as the number Allah will make it diffi cult for him.” [At- in religion, inclining to truth, and to upon the believers a decree of specifi ed rejecting good deeds by Allah is that you news..” [Qur’an 80: 38-39] of those who off ered prayers on him Tirmithi] establish prayer and to give Zakah. And times.” [Qur’an 4: 103] follow it by committing sins. This should As for the unbelievers on that day right from his mission until the Day of Let us raise our children according to that is the correct religion.” [Qur’an The meaning is that prayer has be well understood by those people Allah describes them as such: “And Resurrection. the precepts of Islam. Let us teach them 98: 5] specifi ed times at which it has to be who feel happy and relieved after the [other] faces, that Day, will have upon O Allah! Grant him intercession on to lead a frugal life and manage fi nancial In addition, in many verses of performed. A prayer is impermissible termination of Ramadan as they think them dust. Blackness will cover them. our behalf and resurrect us in his group aff airs well. Let us teach them how to Allah’s Glorious Book (the Qur’an), to be deferred except for those who that with the end of Ramadan they will Those are the disbelievers, the wicked and under his banner and decree for us spend their money properly. Allah, the Exalted Says: “And establish would like to combine it with the be free to commit whatever sins they ones.” [Qur’an 80: 40-42] to drink from his font (the Hawd) so that Servants of Allah! Know that charity prayer...” [Qur’an: 2: 43] following prayer, provided that the wish, and rebel against the commands of Glorifi ed be Allah, Who is worthy we never feel thirsty thereafter. obliterates sin, extinguishes the wrath of Almighty Allah also Says (what said prayer can be combined with their Lord. of all glorifi cations? Allah Says what O Allah! Grant us a joyful life, a the Lord and protects from evil destinies. means): [O Muhammad], tell My another, and that the case is among Servants of Allah! Turn in means: “So exalted is Allah when you bounteous provision and a righteous Know that whoever is not concerned servants who have believed to establish those in which combining two prayers repentance to your Lord and supplicate reach the evening and when you reach deed! O Allah! Grant mercy on this about the aff airs of Muslims will not be prayer…” [Qur’an 14: 31) is permissible as well as the person Him sincerely by off ering your the morning. And to Him is [due all] gathering and grant us protection from counted as belonging to them. Let’s then Moreover, Allah, the Exalted Says: being one who is allowed to combine duty to Him. Be sincere in worship, praise throughout the heavens and the error after departing! remember the poor and the needy, and “So Exalted is Allah when you reach prayers in this way. As for delaying supplication, in your fear of Allah earth. And [exalted is He] at night and Servants of Allah! Continue to those who strive in the cause of Allah. Islam and stability of the family ut of all the previous divine consequences emerge. The arbitrators you dislike them - perhaps you dislike alienation and irritability. On the breadwinner capable of taking care of men and what hurts their reputation religions, none has given due are chosen from the spouses’ families a thing and Allah makes therein much other hand, the period of purity herself. Does chivalry entail divorcing hurts their relatives as well. importance to the family as because they are more capable of good.} [Qur’an 4: 18] features intermixing between the her in this case? The answer is of course Discussing the advantages of Islam did. In doing so, Islam reconciling them and of knowing the In a Hadith (narration), the Prophet, spouses, mutual understanding and no. Rather, chivalry entails that he keeps polygyny, Shaykh Ash-Shinqeeti, may O Allah have mercy upon him, said: has legislated procedures and means details. The arbitrators should truly sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah interaction. Consequently, when a her as his wife. Nevertheless, is it just which maintain security and preserve seek reconciliation and maintenance exalt his mention), said: “No believing husband divorces his wife while she that he retains her as his wife while he “It is one of the normal ways of Allah stability within the family. It has also of the marital life, and as such Allah man should hate his believing wife. If is menstruating or during a period badly needs someone to take care of him, in the universe that men are less than prescribed some measures which will help them to achieve this. Allah he dislikes one of her characteristics, he of purity in which an incident of manage his aff airs, maintain his chastity women in number and more vulnerable prevent the family from collapse and The Exalted Says (what means): {And would surely like another.” [Muslim] intercourse takes place, this is, as and provide him with off spring? This to death in all fi elds of life. Consequently, destruction. if you fear dissension between the two, This means that a husband could expressed by some of the righteous would mean sentencing him to misery if the man is forbidden from marrying We -- particularly in the present send an arbitrator from his people and hate one of his wife’s characteristics predecessors including Ibn Taymiyyah, and wretchedness. Moreover, this would more than one woman, there will be a time when immorality abounds and an arbitrator from her people. If they while he is heedless of her other good may Allah have mercy upon them, a be a wretched fate for them both. Rather, huge number of unmarried women who temptations are overwhelming -- have both desire reconciliation, Allah will ones. Consequently, he has to think divorce based upon Bid‘ah (innovation) justice entails allowing him to marry will resort to adultery. Neglecting the to return to the endless spring of the cause it between them. Indeed, Allah is deliberately before divorce as he may which contradicts the wise Shari‘ah another wife. Consequently, chivalry guidance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah Qur’an, the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) ever Knowing and Acquainted [with all prefer keeping her and his feeling of (Islamic legislation). Actually, this and justice entail allowing polygyny in in this issue is one of the greatest reasons as well as the sayings of the righteous things].} [Qur’an 4: 35] dislike could change. form of divorce contradicts the such cases. behind lacking morals and degradation predecessors which are guiding beacons 2- Islam directed the spouses to It was narrated that a man consulted ordinances of Allah The Almighty 2- The wife could be infertile, and to the degrees of animals in losing for us along our road to maintain family exert their best eff orts in reconciliation ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allah be because it is an innovated matter although she may spare no eff ort in chastity, honour, nobility and morals. stability. when dissension and dispute occur pleased with him, about divorcing his in religion and does not cancel the seeking a cure and her husband may be Glory be to The Ever Wise and The Ever Islam has initiated several measures among them. Allah The Exalted Says wife and ‘Umar said to him, “Do not do original state (i.e. the marriage keen to utilise the available means for Acquainted with everything.” [Adhwaa’ to maintain the stability of the family as (what means): {And if a woman fears so.” “I do not love her,” the man argued. contract) which is established by her to conceive, their eff orts may be in Al-Bayaan] well the whole Muslim community. from her husband contempt or evasion, ‘Umar said, “Are families built only on the Qur’an, the Sunnah (Prophetic vain. What is the judgment of justice and 4- Unlike women who rarely have In this article, we will discuss there is no sin upon them if they make love? Where is, then, mutual care and the tradition) as well as the scholars’ human nature in this case? Should the children after the age of 45, man is only two measures that Allah The terms of settlement between them - maintenance of rights and duties?” consensus. husband suppress his desire to have a child naturally able to have children even Almighty has legislated to avoid the and settlement is best. And present in The statement of ‘Umar, may Allah be The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa to please him in his lifetime and inherit after the age of 60. Consequently, when disintegration of the family structure [human] souls is stinginess.} [Qur’an 4: pleased with him, indicates how Islam sallam, rejected this form of divorce him after death or marry another woman a man marries at an older age or loves and to maintain the unity of the Muslim 128] is keen to maintain the solemn marital and nullifi ed it. [Ibn Al-Qayyim] The after keeping patient with his wife’s having a lot of children, preventing him community and steadfastness in the Commenting on the last verse, At- contract as Allah The Almighty describes majority of scholars, however, are of infertility for a period of time and losing from marrying another wife is a form of face of the huge challenges that the Tabari, may Allah have mercy upon him, it in the Qur’an Saying (what means): the view that this form of divorce is hope in having children from her? Like the confi nement. Also, unlike the woman entire Muslim Ummah (nation) is facing. said: “There is a consensus that this is {And they have taken from you a solemn eff ective. Consequently, when a husband previous wife, such a woman could be poor who is prevented by pregnancy from Such challenges are directed to the applicable when the wife is unattractive covenant}. [Qur’an 4: 21] Even if love is decides to divorce his wife after he had and have no breadwinner. In such a case, having children all the time, the husband Muslim family in particular which has or very old and feels that her husband missing in marital life, there is still scope divorced her while she was menstruating faithfulness, kind association and chivalry is able to do so at anytime. become a clear target for the schemes of no longer desires her, treats her with for co-operation, solidarity and the fear or during a period of purity in which an entail that he keeps her, maintains her and To sum up: Westernisation and corruption led by the contempt or inclines to other women. of blame for divorce which distresses incident of intercourse took place and takes care of her. Islam legislated many regulations enemies of Islam from among the Jews In such a case, she can waive some of the wife, the children and the husband then took her in wedlock again, he has to 3- In most nations, particularly which safeguard the Muslim family and others. her rights in order to appease him and himself in many cases. divorce her according to the Shari‘ah- in certain circumstances, women and prevent it from disintegration. The 1- Restricting the gates to divorce to maintain her marital life.” 1- When divorce is unavoidable, approved manner. noticeably outnumber men. family is the essential pillar of the entire maintain marital life and safeguard the 3- Islam warns against following the best form is to divorce the wife 2- Permissibility of polygyny if one Consequently, when each man marries Muslim community and its inviolable community: whims and desires as well as only once during a period of purity can be fair: only one wife, other women and young fort. This indicates the justice and To avoid making divorce the fi rst surrendering to emotions, which during which no incident of intercourse There are great advantages in girls will remain spinsters. This means perfection of the Islamic Shari‘ah as well decision in case of dissension and overwhelm and change. A husband may takes place. This is the meaning of the polygyny including, for example: that they will harbour rancour against as its keenness to do what is benefi cial to dispute, Islam stated stages for feel aversion towards his wife, but if he verse in which Allah The Exalted Says 1- The wife may suff er from an married men and women. This also humans in both worlds. reconciliation between the spouses, is patient, this feeling will soon change. (what means): {O Prophet, when you incurable disease and does not expect means exposing their chastity to danger. Article source: http://www.islamweb. including: Therefore, it is not acceptable that a [Muslims] divorce women, divorce them a full recovery, and therefore she is In such a case, the wives themselves will net/emainpage/ 1- The policy of reconciliation husband divorces his wife because of for [the commencement of] their waiting neither able to manage her home nor be affl icted with evil, for the unmarried between the disputing spouses. these temporary feelings of aversion. period.} [Qur’an 65: 1] fulfi l her husband’s rights. Meanwhile, women will share their husbands with Reconciliation is recommended even Allah The Exalted Says (what means): The period of menstruation she is poor and has neither wealth to them secretly. This evil also affl icts men before dissension worsens and its evil {And live with them in kindness. For if mostly brings on feelings of lethargy, live from in case of divorce nor is she a for unmarried women are relatives to Gulf Times 14 Friday, June 5, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Antifa: ‘Terror’ group or Trump’s straw man?

US President Donald Trump has blamed the protest violence in the United States on Antifa, saying the leftist activist network will be formally designated “terrorists” on the same level as Al Qaeda and Islamic State. Both White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien and Attorney General Bill Barr also singled out Antifa “radical militants” for stoking the rioting. “The United States of America will be designating Antifa as a Terrorist Organisation,” Trump tweeted. Antifa stands for anti-fascism, and the name comes from early 1930s Germany, where socialist “anti-fa” groups attempted to stand up to the City centres to see ‘radical’ rise of Adolf Hitler’s Nazis. Over the past two decades anti-fascist groups in the United States have campaigned on a range of social justice issues. “We believe in & fi ght for a world free of fascism, racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia & bigotry,” said a Twitter post this week from New York Antifa. But their principle focus has been countering the resurgence of neo- redesign amid coronavirus nazi and white supremacist groups. One of the oldest, Rose City Antifa of “Various domestic Portland, Oregon, began By Rina Chandran in 2007 to shut down Bangkok terror groups on a neo-Nazi skinhead music festival called both far left & right Hammerfest. rammy award-winner Petula Their tactics mostly Clark famously sang that the are instigating & involve publicly outing “lights are much brighter” right-wing extremists Gdowntown, but the corona- committing acts of and organising counter- virus pandemic may change city cen- protests. tres across the world, as more people violence & looting” But since Trump’s choose to work remotely and compa- election in 2016 nies ditch large offi ce towers. encouraged right-wing With more than 6.3mn people groups, Antifa has engaged in direct confrontations with them and reported infected globally, lockdowns destructive civil disobedience. to stem the spread of the respiratory During Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2017 scores of black-clad, disease in major cities have forced mask-wearing Antifa and other protestors smashed windows and burned millions to work from home. a car in Washington. Many may never go back to working In August that year, they were at the vanguard of counter- full-time in offi ces. demonstrations when white supremacists and neo-nazis marched Twitter has said some of its in Charlottesville, Virginia, and engaged in physical fi ghts with the employees can work from home rightists. “forever”, while Google and Facebook Since then the two sides have taunted and brawled with each other in employees can work remotely until several places including Portland and Berkeley, California. next year. But Antifa has no head or national organisation, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis. Big banks have indicated they may It described Antifa as “decentralised, consisting of independent, not fully occupy their offi ce towers in radical, like-minded groups and individuals.” London and Manhattan. Mostly they are non-violent, the report says, but “a portion of Antifa “In the aftermath of Covid-19, the movement members are willing to commit crimes to promote their cityscape may see changes as people beliefs.” and organisations embrace a new way Aside from Trump and his top allies, US offi cials and state and local of life,” said Ethan Hsu, head of real offi cials say the violence and destruction in cities across the country estate fi rm Knight Frank Singapore. involves multiple groups, on the right and left, including but not limited “There could be radical shifts in the to Antifa. way cities and business districts are “Various domestic terror groups on both far left & right are instigating designed for a modifi ed norm, which & committing acts of violence & looting,” Senator Marco Rubio, who as could include a reduced physical chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee receives top level intelligence offi ce footprint,” he told the Thomson briefi ngs, said on Sunday. Reuters Foundation. ABC News reported that Department of Homeland Security More than two-thirds of the global intelligence reports blame actors on both ends of the political spectrum. population is forecast to live in urban Offi cials in Minnesota say their information points to instigators areas by 2050 — up from 56% today, including white nationalists, leftist anarchists, and even drug gangs. according to the United Nations. Mark Bray, a Dartmouth University historian who wrote “Antifa: The Past epidemics led to massive Anti-Fascist Handbook,” said on Monday that there are certainly Antifa changes in city planning and activists involved, though their loose organisation and small cells make it infrastructure, including sewage The Flatiron building rises above empty streets near Madison Square Park as people adjust to living with the ongoing outbreak impossible to ascertain how many. systems and public transit, as well as of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Manhattan borough of New York, US. “Basically, there are nowhere near enough anarchists and members of housing regulations. “Some areas may need to be with crowds packing its chic bars and Sustainable Cities. Antifa groups to have accomplished such breathtaking destruction on With the coronavirus, cities from redesigned if they are no longer restaurants into the wee hours, most “However, in trying to balance their own,” Bray wrote in the Washington Post. Amsterdam to Sydney have unveiled economically viable — retail districts, employees want to continue working public health and economic concerns, Can Trump designate Antifa as terrorists? measures to improve sustainability, for example. from home after the lockdown is lifted cities are considering strategies such as Not likely. food security and mobility, with more Some offi ce buildings may be on June 1, a survey showed. moving business outdoors as much as The US has no statute that permits designating violent domestic green spaces, wider pavements, bicycle groups terrorists, as they have for international groups like Islamic State demolished or repurposed, with the That would mean less traffi c and possible, redesigning street and curb lanes and new technologies to ensure or Al Qaeda. The global terror designation is a powerful tool for law surrounding infrastructure and public fewer people taking public transport space, using parking lanes to create social distancing. enforcement: it permits the arrest and imprisonment of someone who space also changing in time,” he said. at peak hours, which may lead to bike lanes,” she said. City centres are key economic merely expresses support for those militant groups or others. There is precedent for this sort more mixed-use developments and With more people using a hubs, with their mix of offi ces, shops, That law has not been expanded to domestic groups for good reason: of urban transformation, Matthews amenities to draw footfall, said Hsu. combination of walking, biking and restaurants, bars, entertainment such a law, many fear, could tempt a leader to deploy it against political added, with cities across the world “Fewer road-users would mean some public transit, “investing in bicycle, centres and residences. rivals. having converted old industrial space could potentially be freed up pedestrian and micromobility They are generally well connected by Nevertheless, there is pressure for some sort of elevated designation, structures and decrepit waterfronts for other uses, such as wider foot and infrastructure can fi ll essential gaps in transit systems, and command some of especially since several mass shootings of African Americans by white into art galleries, cafes, apartments and cycling paths, parks, event venues and last-mile access to public transit now the highest real estate values. nationalists in the past several years. lively entertainment spaces. outdoor activity spaces,” he said. and in the future,” she said. Remote working was already on the One such example is London’s In Washington, DC, “It presents an immense opportunity rise in many parts of the world before Canary Wharf, once the world’s largest recommendations in ReOpen DC — a to restructure the transport system to the pandemic. To Advertise port, that was redeveloped into a plan for reopening the city — include serve the majority,” she added. Now, as fi rms grapple with social pricey fi nancial district in the 1980s allocating sidewalks and streets In the longer term, while cities will [email protected] distancing rules that limit how many and 1990s. for residents and restaurants, and still retain their economic centre in the workers can return, they are thinking The 97-acre area, with the regional temporarily repurposing vacant private downtown area, there will be a push Display about what their offi ces are really for. headquarters of several banks, may spaces. toward decentralising commercial That in turn will force planners 44466621 44418811 be in for another makeover, with Jes With “historical inequities” activity and for setting up business and city officials to reconsider and Staley, chief executive of Barclays, exacerbated by Covid-19, any plan clusters outside of the city centre, said Classified redesign central business districts, saying that the notion of putting 7,000 must ensure that everyone has equal Hsu. said Tony Matthews, a senior lecturer 44466609 44418811 people in a building “may be a thing of access to aff ordable housing, healthy “There will be greater pressure on in urban and environmental planning the past”. food, and community facilities, it said. master planners to re-think urban at Australia’s Griffith University. Subscription In New York, the Sept 11, 2001 More people working from design to respond to changing lifestyles “If daytime working populations attacks led to a decentralising of offi ce home “will have a detrimental and behaviours,” he said. [email protected] fall, new populations are likely to be spaces from the downtown area. economic impact on the city,” “A new cityscape could be re- needed to keep these areas buzzing and In Singapore, where the central said Anjali Mahendra, director of imagined.” – Thomson Reuters generating incomes,” he said. © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved business district normally heaves research at the WRI Ross Center for Foundation Gulf Times Friday, June 5, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

Karachi crash pilot ignored Nine areas in Islamabad air traffi c control, sealed over coronavirus PIA told Internews where people have not been fol- Education ministry in Islamabad closed aft er offi cers test positive fallen,” the offi cial said. Islamabad/Rawalpindi lowing standard operating pro- Mehmood added that 1,014 cedures (SOPs), but added that After two off icers tested positive for Covid-19, the advised to be available on telephone and attend suspected patients are still ad- Reuters only streets were sealed as part ministry of education and professional training has meetings as and when required. mitted to hospitals in Rawalpin- Karachi he capital administration of a “smart lockdown” policy. been closed for three days. Meanwhile, through a letter, the ministry on Tuesday di district. in Islamabad has sealed Six cases of Covid-19 were Sources from the ministry said that two senior off ic- also requested that the NDMA depute a team to There were also 20 more cases Tnine areas in the capital reported from the PSB, and the ers of the ministry tested positive, which resulted in disinfect its off ices and premises. reported in the other three dis- akistan’s aviation authori- following massive outbreaks of patients met with a number of closure of the ministry on Tuesday. Under the supervision of Minister for Education tricts of Rawalpindi division – 14 ties have informed Paki- Covid-19, the respiratory dis- people, he said. The ministry also issued a circular that stated: “Con- Shafqat Mahmood, the ministry remained active in Attock, four in Chakwal and Pstan International Airlines ease caused by the coronavirus. Huawei Tech was also sealed sequently, upon the detection of corona infected since March 15, when educational institutions were two in Jhelum. (PIA) that the pilot of a passen- In addition, 295 new cases of after the offi ce was examined cases in this ministry, it has been decided with ap- abruptly closed in the wake of Covid-19. No deaths were reported in ger plane that crashed into a res- Covid-19 and four more deaths and disinfected, and a decision proval of competent authority that premises of Fed- Since then, a number of meetings took place at its Rawalpindi, Attock or Jhelum idential district of Karachi last were reported. would be made on whether to eral Education and Professional Training Ministry will premises to discuss various issues such as prepar- but two patients died in Chak- month had ignored the air traffi c A notifi cation issued from the reopen it. remain unoccupied upto Jun 5, 2020 for thorough ing new exams policy, preparing online content and wal, he added. control’s instructions for land- offi ce of the district magistrate The Covid Nerve Centre at disinfection through National Disaster Management launching of online television for students. Rawalpindi has now reported ing at the airport, a PIA spokes- said that Huawei Tech, Saudi the Citizen Facilitation Centre Authority (NDMA).” Ministry off icials were busy developing content for 2,666 cases of Covid-19, with man said. Pak Tower in Blue Area, the Pa- in G-11/4 was also sealed after The off icial aff airs of the ministry will be dealt educational radio and setting up a designated wing 99 deaths and 1,296 patients The PIA Airbus A320 crashed kistan Sports Board (PSB), Gul- seven staff ers tested positive for through e-off ices and off icials and icersoff have been to promote distance learning. discharged after recovering. on May 22 while trying to land raigan in Chattha Bakhtawar, Covid-19, all of whom have been There are 471 patients be- after the pilots reported the loss Street 13-C in the National Po- isolated. ing treated in the Rawalpindi of both engines. lice Foundation in E-11/4, Street Other staff ers, including four localities and took other precau- The death toll from Covid-19 Commissioner Captain (re- Institute of Urology, Holy Fam- Ninety-seven people on board 26 and sub-street 110 in I-10/4, offi cials of the army who were tions to contain the spread of the rose to 38 after four more pa- tired) Mohamed Mehmood said ily Hospital, Benazir Bhutto were killed. Street 111 in G-9/4, Street 54 in stationed there, have been quar- coronavirus. tients died and Islamabad has that there has not been a de- Hospital (BBH), and District Two passengers survived the G-7/2, Block No.6 in PWD Col- antined, he said. Zia said seven cases were re- now reported 3,188 cases overall, crease in the number of patients, Headquarters Hospital, and 800 crash. ony, and Street 62 in G-6/4 have District Health Offi cer Dr Za- ported from a street in the Na- up from 2,893 a day ago, admin- but fewer reports of Covid-19 patients are isolated in their At least one person was re- been sealed, and that the police, eem Zia said that the capital’s tional Police Foundation, 18 istration offi cials said. tests have been received from homes. ported to have died on the Rangers and army have been District Health Offi ce (DHO) in from a street in G-9/4, fi ve from The number of new Covid-19 laboratories. District Health Authority ground. asked to cordon off these areas G-9 was sealed for a couple of Block-6 in PWD Colony, seven cases fell to 18, but health of- “The number of patients has chief executive Dr Suhail Ahmed Initial reports suggested the for public safety. days and was reopened after all from a street in G-6/4, and 22 fi cials said this was mainly be- fl uctuated, but if the number of said that awareness needs to be plane scraped its engines along Deputy Commissioner Mo- the necessary precautions were from Saudi Pak Tower fl oor of cause the National Institute of patients falls continuously for a created among the public about the runway on a fi rst attempt to hamed Hamza Shafqaat said taken. the tower has been sealed, he Health (NIH) has released fewer week or more, than we can say the importance of taking pre- land following what appeared to these are high-density areas He said the DHO sealed nine added. test results. that the number of patients has cautions at work and in markets. be an unstable approach, arriv- ing steep and fast. In a letter sent to the PIA, the Civil Aviation Authority said Locked down that an approach controller twice told the pilot to discon- Judge questions how tinue the aircraft’s approach as he came into land, but he did not comply. case was approved As it neared for landing, the aircraft’s ground speed was above the runway threshold, the on ‘false legal advice’ letter quoted the controller as saying. It lifted up from the runway Internews failed to explain how the Assets surface and crashed over Ka- Islamabad Recovery Unit acquired the au- rachi’s Model Colony while at- thority to question a judge. tempting a second approach, the In continuation of the re- letter said. he Supreme Court of marks of the judges, Justice “Yes, we have received the Pakistan resumed yes- Bandial pointed out that the letter, they are documenting it,” Tterday the hearing on case does not engage action Abdullah Hafeez Khan, the PIA’s the presidential reference fi led under Clause 209 in case of general manager for corporate against Supreme Court Justice defaulting tax worth Rs10,000. communications, confi rmed to Qazi Faez Isa, who is accused “Yes, you are absolutely Reuters. of hiding details of his assets in right, but the Supreme Judi- He declined to comment on London. cial Council (SJC) has issued a the assertions that were made in A 10-member larger Su- show-cause notice,” Naseem the letter. preme Court bench headed by told the judges. The fl ight had been observed Justice Umar Ata Bandial and He said that the federal gov- as being high for approach as it comprising Justices Maqbool ernment only forwarded the passed Makli, about 100km east Baqar, Manzoor Ahmad Ma- verifi ed information to the SJC of Karachi, but the pilot said he lik, Faisal Arab, Mazhar Alam to run an inquiry. was comfortable for the descent, Khan Miankhel, Munib Akhtar, In Wednesday’s hearing, the letter said. Sajjad Ali Shah, Syed Mansoor the apex court looked into the He was also cautioned a sec- Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi and Qazi petitions by the SJC, where ond time. Mohamed Amin Ahmed heard during the arguments the gov- The plane’s cockpit voice re- the case today. ernment’s counsel Naseem corder and fl ight data box are During the hearing, Justice claimed that the Federal Inves- presently being decoded in Akhtar asked how President tigation Agency (FIA) did not France by French air accident Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minis- begin an inquiry against Justice agency BEA. ter Imran Khan could approve a Isa out of fear. Pakistan’s Aviation Minister presidential reference based on Naseem had earlier tendered Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said “false legal advice”. his resignation to represent that an initial report on the crash “Telling you in a lenient way government in the case against will be presented to parliament that this legal mistake can have the judge. on June 22. consequences,” he threatened The reference fi led against Aviation safety experts say air in his remarks. Justice Isa alleged that he ac- crashes typically have multiple The apex court judge asked quired three properties in Lon- causes and it is too early to de- the government’s counsel and don on lease in the name of his termine the reasons behind the Fishing boats are moored near a naval dockyard in Karachi after Pakistan’s Metrological Department issued a warning of cyclone former law minister Barris- wife and children between 2011 air disaster, which is Pakistan’s Nisarga. ter Farogh Naseem to tell him and 2015, but did not disclose worst since 2012. about the “brilliant” person them in wealth returns. who advised the president In February this year, the and prime minister to approve Supreme Court directed the the reference against Supreme federal government to explain Court judge Isa. in court whether the Asset “The Money Laundering Act Recovery Unit (ARU) was em- does not apply from 2013, so powered to conduct an inquiry that allegation goes out of the against a sitting judge of the Inquiry enters decisive phase in apex court. window,” said Justice Bandial. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah The results of that inquiry, said that the court had ear- later placed before President lier inquired how many public Alvi, had resulted in a presi- offi ce-holders have faced the dential reference fi led against judge Malik video controversy Justice Isa in May 2019. same legal action, to which Naseem responded that he has Justice Isa was accused of Internews headed by then-LHC Chief Jus- gation Agency (FIA)’s fi ndings the image of a judge in the soci- Head of the inquiry commit- taken note of the question. failing to disclose assets be- Islamabad tice Sardar Shamim Khan took up has reviewed all of judge Malik’s ety. tee Babur Bakht Qureshi did not The judge noted that the longing to his wife and children this matter on August 26, 2019, service record, his acts and style “His sordid and disgusting respond to queries pertaining to government’s counsel has also in his tax returns. on the Malik, a former judge of of dispensing justice links to the conduct has made the thousands this case. ffi cials in Pakistan said the Islamabad accountability supremacy of rule of law and su- of honest, upright, fair and prop- Despite repeated attempts, yesterday that the inquiry court, who was suspended over a preme justice,” offi cials said. er judges in the country hang Qureshi did not respond to the Kashmir cabinet okays bill seeking Ointo judge Arshad Malik’s video leak controversy. “There are serious allegations their heads in shame. question as to why the FIA failed video case has entered a decisive Offi cial sources claim that the against judge Arshad Malik; his “His admitted conduct, to conclude investigations into death penalty for child molesters phase in the Lahore High Court administrative committee would services have already been sus- emerging from that press release this case and what was the major (LHC). most likely ponder action against pended, also he admitted his and the affi davit, stinks and the stumbling block, if there are any, The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Cabinet has approved a The inquiry committee headed Malik. guilt … the inquiry against the stench of such stinking conduct into this case. bill seeking the death penalty for those found guilty of sexually by Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem The Supreme Court of Paki- said judge should be concluded has the tendency to bring a bad On July 6 last year, Pakistan abusing children. is said to have begun compiling stan (SCP) in its order on Au- immediately. Judge Malik, how- name to the entire judiciary as an Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- AJK Minister Ahmed Raza Qadri presented the bill to the Cabinet its comprehensive report into gust 23, 2019, observed that “we ever, is entitled to face a fair trial institution.” N) leader Maryam Nawaz ac- Committee. Justice Malik’s video controversy, [judges of the Supreme Court] and must be given opportunity to The case is pending with the cused Malik of convicting former The bill calls for the death penalty of those convicted of carrying revealed a senior offi cial familiar expect that after his repatria- defend his case before the disci- FIA’s Cyber-Crime Wing, which prime minister Nawaz Sharif in out sexual abuse against children. on the condition of anonymity. tion, appropriate departmental plinary committee,” opined re- failed to prove facts against all Al-Azizia reference under du- The bill also calls for the courts to issue a verdict in such a case “The entire record has been disciplinary proceedings shall be tired justice Shah Khawar. the accused named in the fi rst in- ress. within 60 days of the incident, and for an off icer of the deputy examined. Judge [Malik] has initiated against him [Malik] by Findings into Malik’s video in- formation report (FIR), offi cials The then-judge in a complaint superintendent level would investigate the matter. submitted his stance. The report the Lahore High Court, Lahore quiry must come on the record said. fi led with the FIA Cyber-Crime would be submitted before the forthwith”. now as the Supreme Court had The IHC has sought a com- Wing claimed that he had been administrative committee [to be “A seven-member administra- also expressed its great concern plete record of Malik’s video case blackmailed by PML-N support- Construction of Pakistan Navy’s headed by Chief Justice of the tive committee of the LHC held over the said judge’s conduct, he from the FIA, expressing its con- ers. LHC]. This committee in light of two closed-door meetings since added. cern over the way the investiga- Malik also submitted an affi - first MILGEM-class vessel begins the inquiry report would decide August 26, 2019, to discuss the The Supreme Court in its order tion was being conducted by the davit with the FIA, admitting on the fate of video-famed judge issue of judge Malik. against Malik wrote: “Such ad- agency. July 14, 2019 his meetings with The construction of Pakistan Navy’s first MILGEM-class ship has [Arshad Malik],” the senior of- “Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem mitted conduct of the judge was “There is no headway in judge ex-premier Sharif and others, started in Turkey. Under the transfer of technology agreement fi cial. after collecting entire offi cial shocking, to say the least, besides Malik’s video investigation,” a also involved in purported im- signed between Pakistan and Turkey, two of the four ships will be The administrative committee record and the Federal Investi- being abhorrent and off ensive to senior FIA offi cial said. moral act decades back. constructed at Karachi shipyard. Gulf Times 16 Friday, June 5, 2020 QATAR Qatar Airways network covers 40+ destinations atar Airways’ gradual that have fully grounded their rebuilding of its net- operations.” Qwork continues with Qatar Airways’ wide network the resumption of fl ights to of fl ights to over 40 destina- Bangkok, Barcelona, Islama- tions across six continents has bad, Karachi, Lahore, Pesha- ensured that it stayed up to date LuLu Mango World 2020 features a specially picked collection of 12 varieties from diff erent countries. war, Singapore, and Vienna this with the latest in international week, growing the airline’s glo- airport procedures and im- bal network to more than 170 plemented the most advanced weekly fl ights to more than 40 safety and hygiene measures on destinations. board its aircraft and at Hamad The airline also announced International Airport, which LuLu Mango World the upcoming resumption of was recently voted the Best Air- fl ights to Berlin, Dar es Salaam, port in the Middle East for the New York, Tunis, and Venice, sixth consecutive year. while also increasing services To ensure that travellers can to Dublin, Milan, and Rome to plan their travel with peace of 2020 is launched daily fl ights. mind, the airline has also ex- “By maintaining a global net- tended its booking policies to work that never fell below 30 off er even more choice. uLu Mango World 2020, mallika, and rajapuri are all on LuLu management said. destinations, Qatar Airways has The airline will allow unlim- with a specially-picked show. LuLu Mango World 2020 also led the industry during these ited date changes, and passen- Lcollection of 12 varie- The mangoes are from India, off ers various processed and challenging times, becoming gers can change their destina- ties from diff erent countries, Columbia, Pakistan, Brazil, and packed mango products, rang- the largest international carrier tion as often as they need if it is started yesterday across all Peru, including organic man- ing from jams, pickles, pulps, in the last two months, both in within 5,000 miles of the origi- LuLu Hypermarket branches in goes. mango fi sh curry and cakes to a terms of available seat capac- nal destination. Qatar. “LuLu Mango World 2020 is widespread variety of diff erent ity and passenger-kilometres The airline will not charge Running until tomorrow expected to be a runaway suc- products. transported. any fare diff erences for travel (Saturday, June 6), LuLu Mango cess as always. Every year, we “LuLu has continuously been “This has enabled the carrier completed before December 31, World presents a wide diversity try to bring in a wow factor to exerting its greatest eff orts to to accumulate unrivalled expe- after which fare rules will apply. of the fruit sourced from across spice up the promo. This year, provide and sustain the supply rience in carrying passengers All tickets booked for travel the continents. the addition of an organic range of high-quality global products safely and reliably during these up to December 31 will be valid By maintaining a global network that never fell below 30 destinations, The popular varieties such adds a new perspective to the at the best rates,” the offi cial uncertain times, especially in for two years from the date of Qatar Airways has become the largest international carrier in the last as the alphonso, badami, kesar, off erings,” a spokesperson for added. comparison to those airlines issuance. two months. Last year Qatar welcomed more than 2.1mn visitors

atar received 2.136mn visi- in visits by Indian nationals, which tors in 2019, which represents represents some slowing of the sub- Qan increase of 17% compared stantial growth witnessed between to the numbers in 2018, according to 2017 and 2018 (20%). the Qatar National Tourism Council The increases in visits by US na- HOMEWARD BOUND: More repatriation flights have been planned from Qatar from June 9. (QNTC)’s Annual Tourism Perform- tionals were consistent across every ance Report 2019. month of the year, except January, The report noted that visits by na- and were most signifi cant in Q4 (the tionals of all regions of the world grew fourth quarter), it added. signifi cantly. In December last year, Qatar wel- Repatriation fl ights depart Indian nationals continued to make comed a record number of US na- up the largest portion of visitor arriv- tionals (15,189) to the country – the als to Qatar last year, despite decreas- month during which Qatar success- ing by 4% compared to 2018. fully hosted the FIFA Club World Cup for Lucknow and Kannur Arrivals of UK nationals (133,418 and the global policy event, Doha Fo- YTD, year-to-date) were up by 25% rum. from 2018, while arrivals of US na- Meanwhile, the report noted that wo more Indian repatriation fl ights took off tionals (127,271 YTD) increased by the increased visits by UK nation- from Hamad International Airport (HIA) yes- 22%, representing “unprecedented als seem to come from an increasing Tterday. annual growth rates among nationals number of British long-haul travel- AI 1930 left Doha for Lucknow, with 150 passen- from each of these key countries”. lers choosing Qatar as a stopover des- gers, two infants and two mortal remains, the Indian According to the report, this tination. embassy tweeted. growth helped off set the 4% decline The fourth quarter of 2019 also Then, IX 1774 took off from HIA for Kannur, with marked the start of the fourth cruise 177 passengers and nine infants. season in Qatar, and the fi rst to wel- These marked the 18th and 19th fl ights from Qa- come turnaround passengers – those tar under the Vande Bharat mission, respectively, whose cruise itineraries began and “bringing the total number of repatriated passengers ended in the country. to 3,155, plus 87 infants”, the embassy said. In 2019, Qatar welcomed 127,582 Pictured are Lucknow- and Kannur-bound pas- cruise passengers (up 98% from 2018) sengers at HIA yesterday, courtesy of the embassy’s and 57 cruise ships, fi ve of which car- Twitter page. ried turnaround cruise passengers. More repatriation fl ights have been planned In preparation for Qatar’s busi- from Qatar from June 9, the Indian embassy said on est cruise season yet, the QNTC and Wednesday. Doha Port inaugurated a new 6,000sq These fl ights will be operated as part of “Phase m temporary passenger terminal, fur- 2++” of the Vande Bharat Mission, according to in- ther streamlining passenger experi- formation available on the Indian ministry of external ences and off ering premium services aff airs website. similar to those at Hamad Interna- In total, 21 fl ights will be operated between Doha The repatriation flights come under the Vande tional Airport. and 10 Indian cities from June 9-19, the list shows. Bharat mission. UN experts among the speakers at QF webinar on the environment

nvironment experts from groups can work with govern- Speakers will be Dr Miguel the United Nations will be ments and the private sector to Clüsener-Godt, the director of Eamong the speakers as Qa- safeguard the environment, and the Ecological and Earth Sci- tar Foundation (QF) and the Arab how biodiversity issues can be ences Division and Secretary to Youth Climate Movement Qatar addressed in the post-pandemic Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere host an online discussion on June rebuilding stage. Programme; Roula Majdalani, 9 about why nature and sustain- It will also look at the role of the cluster leader on Climate ability must be at the heart of in- youth in conserving the planet, Change and Natural Resources ternational eff orts to build back and whether global systems need Sustainability at the UN Eco- better after the coronavirus pan- to be rethought if biodiversity nomic and Social Commission demic. loss is to be reversed. for Western Asia; Neeshad Shafi , The webinar, Our Biodiversity “The webinar continues our the executive director of the Arab and Our Future, is being held as trend of recent years in hosting Youth Climate Movement Qatar; part of World Environment Day an event to mark World Envi- and, Henriette Walz, the global 2020, which is calling for planet- ronment Day, that seeks to open Neeshad Shafi of the Arab Youth Henriette Walz of the Rainforest Roula Majdalani of the UN Dr Miguel Clüsener-Godt of theme lead for Deforestation and wide action to combat the in- people’s eyes and minds to the Climate Movement Qatar. Alliance. Economic and Social Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere Biodiversity at the Rainforest Al- creasing loss of plant and animal enduring importance of nature, Commission for Western Asia. Programme. liance. species, and the degradation of and the need for us to all play our “The ongoing coronavirus can have economic development, The webinar – which will al- the natural world. part in building a sustainable fu- pandemic has served to remind social resilience, and a truly sus- Rainforest Alliance, and the Arab in encouraging our community low the online audience to post Topics to be spotlighted during ture for our own communities, humanity about all that nature tainable world. Youth Climate Movement Qatar to think, act, and live in a sus- questions – takes place from the online event will include the and for the planet,” said Nisreen gives us, and the need to cher- “Through bringing together – who we are delighted to be col- tainable way, and be active par- 11am-12.30pm on June 9 via Mi- current state of biodiversity in Abdrabbo, the head of Environ- ish and respect it,” she said. “It climate and biodiversity experts laborating with to host this we- ticipants in protecting our shared crosoft Teams. the Arab world, how civil society ment Compliance at QF. is only through doing so that we from the United Nations, the binar – we hope to play our part environment.” No registration is required.