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SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 30 SAFAR - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8413 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Watch Disney+ Streaming App Originals as a gift Terms & Conditions Apply UN body praises Qatar’s role in implementing 2030 sustainable development plan

QNA — VIENNA

The United Nations Office on The report said that it was the first time Drugs and Crime praised a member country supported the yesterday the State of Qatar’s role in achieving the 2030 establishment of a programme with strong sustainable development plan, finances to help country’s implement their especially through its generous contribution in the fields of the commitments under the Doha Declaration, integrity of the judiciary, and contribute to achieving the 2030 education, protecting youth from crimes. sustainable development plan. This came in the report pre- sented to the 11th meeting of the committee following up on the Abdullah Al Mal, and the mem- of law. He stressed that the implementation of the Doha bership of Secretary-General State of Qatar is committed to Declaration. The report said of the Ministry of Foreign H E serving peace and development that it was the first time a Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan around the world by combating member country supported the Al Hammadi, and Ambassador organised crime, terrorism, and establishment of a programme of the State of Qatar and the corruption. with strong finances to help Permanent Representative of He expressed his satis- country’s implement their com- Qatar to the United Nations and faction with the efforts of the mitments under the Doha Dec- international organizations in United Nations Office on Drugs laration, and contribute to Vienna H E Sultan bin Salmeen and Crime over the past five achieving the 2030 sustainable Al Mansouri. years in terms of implementing Enjoying the weather development plan. Al Mal said during the the Doha Declaration’s reso- The committee held its meeting that the declaration lution, stressing the State of Residents enjoying fine weather at the Airport Park yesterday. According to Qatar Meteorological meeting in Vienna chaired by stressed on the importance of Qatar’s commitment to sup- Department, Al Wasmi season, which started yesterday, will witness gradual fall in temperature Advisor to the Minister of basic education in preventing porting the office’s different and coincides with rainfall that helps certain local plants to grow. Interior H E Major General Dr. crime and enhancing the rule activities. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

The Traffic Department Traffic Department sets safety requirements for caravans will carry out an awareness campaign in SIDI MOHAMED to camping sites without fol- any irregularities or violations safety requirements also especially young people, in THE PENINSULA lowing the safety require- to the specifications set by the include the necessity to order to reduce violations such the camping areas to ments are among violations Ministry of Interior. provide backlighting that as reckless driving. educate the campers The winter camping season that usually causes On its Twitter account, the works with the trailers, in Apart from awareness every year poses a major chal- accidents. Department has set safety addition to providing a fire programmes, a special com- about safety measures. lenge to the General Direc- The Traffic Department requirements for the caravans, extinguisher. mittee had already been con- torate of Traffic in terms of has urged all campers to including that the maximum The Traffic Department in stituted to address the serious Ministry of Interior said making campers adhere to adhere to the rules and safety width is 2.60 metres with its 2017 had issued procedures issue of traffic accidents in the traffic safety measures to conditions for camping spe- load, the maximum length is regarding the use of caravans Sealine area. The committee that it will show zero contain number of traffic acci- cially the ones related to trans- 3.5 metres for one axis, the which are used frequently will start its work from the tolerance with any dents. portation of caravans to maximum length of the two during winter campaign. beginning of the winter irregularities or violations The violations such as winter camping sites. axis is 5 metres. The Traffic Department camping season, said a senior driving motorcycles and cars In the same time, the For the height of the will carry out an awareness official at the Ministry of Interior to the specifications set without driving licences by General Directorate of the caravan, the Department said campaign in the camping (MoI). The registration process by the Ministry. minors. Also caravans and Ministry of Interior said that it that the maximum height is areas to educate the campers for winter camping season trailers are frequently taken will show zero tolerance with 4.20 metres with the load. The about safety measures, 2020-21, began on October 11.

Katara shows strong support Katara's building 48 is Doha to host AFC Champions home to the Handicrafts League final on December 19 to local handicraft industry Gallery which contains a display of the rich variety THE PENINSULA — DOHA “The safety and wellbeing RAYNALD C RIVERA which are considered a significant part of of all participating clubs as well THE PENINSULA national identity. Long before the discovery of indigenous Qatari hand- The Asian Football Confeder- as the protection of all stake- of oil and gas, Qataris had a vibrant hand- icrafts which are con- ation (AFC) and Qatar Football holders has been crucial to the A beacon of culture and the arts, the icraft industry that expressed their cultural Association (QFA) yesterday AFC so we must thank the Cultural Village Foundation — Katara identity, from traditional weaving to sidered a significant part confirmed Doha as the venue Qatar Football Association and continues to be highly supportive of Qatar’s clothing to perfume making. of national identity. for this year’s AFC Champions the Qatar Local Authorities and handicraft industry launching a number of The Handicrafts Gallery at Katara dis- League single-leg final, which Ministries for putting in place initiatives and organising several events plays examples of the wide range of hand- will be held on December 19, the necessary health measures recently. crafted local products including miniature are still practiced by some women in Qatar 2020. and effective medical Wednesday’s opening of the third Tra- dhows, batoola, boxes, dolls, falcon hoods today. Prior to the launch of the exhibition, With the successful con- protocols. ditional Handicrafts Exhibition at Building and products made from Sadu weavings, Katara through its Heritage Committee con- clusion of the AFC Champions “The successful staging of 48 is a clear demonstration of Katara’s among others. cluded workshop on Handicraft Product League 2020 (West) in Qatar the AFC Champions League strong support for the industry. Well known in Bedouin societies, Sadu Development which witnessed the partic- recently, as well as the (West) is testament to the capa- Building 48 is home to the Handicrafts is a traditional handicraft of knitting wool ipation of 12 craftswomen engaged in Sadu upcoming preparations to host bility of the QFA and the Qatar Gallery which contains a display of the rich from sheep, camels and goats using tradi- industry. the East region matches next Government and we now look variety of indigenous Qatari handicrafts tional tools in spinning and knitting which The workshop comes within the month, the AFC noted that the forward to building on the spirit framework of the programme of devel- QFA met all the necessary of collaboration as we prepare oping traditional products aimed at pre- hosting capability and capacity to resume the captivating serving local traditional heritage as well and medical infrastructure to action from the East Group as building the capacity and expanding host the Final of Asia’s premier Stage to the Final.” the horizons of women artisans in the club competition. Additionally, the AFC also country. More such workshops will be AFC General Secretary had to consider the ability of organized in the future. Dato’ Windsor John, said: “The the host to deliver such Another traditional handicraft show- COVID-19 pandemic has requirements among others, cased at the gallery is Al Khous which uses undoubtedly made the decision the Video Assistant Referee palm leaves to make native products such on the venue for this year’s technical arrangements, as baskets and mats which can be seen in Final more complex particu- medical requirements and traditional households in Qatar. larly in these uncertain times commercial obligations. Also shown in the gallery are miniature of travel and health QFA Secretary-General dhows which are based on traditional restrictions. Mansoor Mohammed Al wooden boats used by Qataris during the “In addition to the Ansari, said: “Given the pre-oil and gas era as a source of livelihood numerous restrictions, the success of hosting the cen- when they go to the sea to dive for pearls AFC also wanted to protect the tralised West region matches and catch fish. important principle of in close collaboration with the Some of the most important types of sporting fair play. This will be, AFC, and the preparation for dhows are Al Bateel, Al Baghala, Al Jalbot, unlike previous years, a one-off the centralised East matches Al Sanbook, Al Baggara, and El Shahouf final and we therefore needed next month, we are confident which can be seen on show at the Katara to ensure that there was no that we will be able to deliver Miniature dhows are among the items on display at the Handicraft Gallery at Katara Traditional Dhow Festival organised by the unfair advantage to one team or an outstanding AFC Cham- Building 48. PIC: RAYNALD C RIVERA/THE PENINSULA Cultural Village every year. `P3 the other. pions League final. 02 HOME SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020

MoPH: 204 more OFFICIAL NEWS recover from virus FM receives phone THE PENINSULA — DOHA call from German counterpart The Ministry of Public Health PRAYER (MoPH) yesterday announced DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and TIMINGS the registration of 189 new Minister of Foreign Affairs H E PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING confirmed cases of COVID-19. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- As many as 175 of these are from man Al Thani yesterday received a telephone call from Minister of For- FAJR 04.16 am community cases and 14 from travellers returning from eign Affairs of the Federal Republic SUNRISE 05.33 am abroad. of Germany H E Heiko Maas. The DHUHR 11.19 am Also 204 people have call dealt with reviewing bilateral ASR 02.38 pm recovered from the virus during cooperation, developments in Pal- the past 24 hours, bringing the estine and Afghanistan, in addition MAGHRIB 05.07 pm total number of cases recovered to issues of joint interest. -QNA ISHA 06.37 pm in Qatar to 126,006. All new cases have been introduced to Qatar’s Embassy delivers aid to Romania isolation and are receiving nec- FM receives phone essary healthcare according to The Embassy of Qatar in Romania handed yesterday medical and humanitarian aid from Qatar Charity call from Kosovo their health status. to Romania, in a bid to support efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. State Secretary of The Ministry further said counterpart the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Head of Department of Emergency Situations, H E Dr. that the measures to tackle DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister Raed Arafat, was present along with State Secretary for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies, COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Cornel Feruta, representatives of Romanian authorities, and Qatar’s Charge d’Affaires to Romania H ceeded in flattening the curve Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- E Nasser Mohammed Abu Sala. and limiting the spread of the man Al Thani received yesterday WEATHER virus and the number of new a call via video conference tech- TODAY daily cases. Hospital admissions nology from Minister of Foreign are continuing to decline each Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo Bangladesh envoy visits MHM School week. H E Meliza Haradinaj. During the Qatar’s proactive and call, both sides reviewed bilateral extensive testing of suspected cooperation relations between the and College, opens Photo Gallery cases has enabled it to identify two countries, in addition to issues a high number of positive cases of common concern. -QNA 27oC 34oC THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mujibur Rahman. He also toured challenges were addressed with in the community. Minimum Maximum the school campus and the the help of the embassy, Gov- Ambassador of the People’s classroom areas. The Ambas- erning Body, and community Relatively hot daytime with some Republic of Bangladesh to the sador is the new Chairman of the leaders. clouds, mild by night. State of Qatar H E Md Jashim Governing Body, sponsor, and Meanwhile, the Ambassador PSA to organise workshop Uddin recently visited Bang- custodian of the school. in his remarks expressed the W ALRUWAIS : 27o → 31o ladesh MHM School and College, The principal apprised the utmost satisfaction with the on impact of COVID-19 W ALKHOR : 24o → 32o Doha. He was received by the envoy of the students’ overall school’s programme. He hailed Director Md Anwar Khurshid, academic activities and per- the founder, donors, and com- THE PENINSULA — DOHA markets due to the pandemic W DUKHAN : 26o → 33o Principal Md Jashim Uddin, and formance in the board exam and munity leaders’ contribution to and the implementation of the WAKRAH 23o → 34o W : Vice-Principal and other staff related matters. In his address, building the institution. On the occasion of the World Labour Force Survey, and will W MESAIEED : 23o → 34o members. the Director highlighted the The Ambassador also gave a Statistics Day, the Planning and also discuss remote work con- W ABUSAMRA : 22o → 36o During the visit, the Ambas- institution’s objectives while commitment towards the Statistics Authority (PSA), in cepts. Participants will learn sador inaugurated a Photo noting the administrative chal- schools’ bid to build an audi- cooperation with the Interna- about labour statistics standards, Gallery on the Father of the lenges posed by the COVID-19 torium, swimming pool, and tional Labour Organization (ILO), improved measures for market HIGH TIDE Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh pandemic and how the indoor sports facilities. will hold a virtual workshop on monitoring and priority data col- 04:30 – 16:16 October 19 on the impact of lection items. Further, the LOW TIDE 11:38 – 00:00 quarantine measures in light of workshop will also highlight the the spread of COVID-19 importance of the identification pandemic on labour market of the workplace and its use in monitoring. the Labor Force Survey and A number of the ministries, scheduling results according to agencies and organisations pro- the ILO-adopted concepts. British Council ducing and using labour statistics President of the Planning will participate in this workshop. and Statistics Authority, H E Dr. welcomes The workshop aims to Saleh bin Muhammad Al Nabit, enhance the participants’ ability hailed the existing partnership applications for to understand the essential con- between PSA and ILO in the area tents of the Labour Force Survey of labour statistics and related Study UK Alumni and the treatment of special family surveys. He also urged all groups amid the restrictions partners in relevant ministries Awards imposed to contain COVID-19, and government agencies to as well as to define and measure benefit from the activities of this THE PENINSULA — DOHA remote work through electronic workshop. It is worth men- means at home. tioning that the World Statistics The British Council has once Participants will discuss the Day falls on October 20 and is Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar H E Md Jashim Uddin visits Bangladesh MHM School and College, Doha. again launched the prestigious fundamental changes in global celebrated every five years. Study UK Alumni Awards cele- brating the outstanding achievements of the UK’s inter- Third Georgetown Diplomatic national alumni in Qatar and ISC Year of Sports campaign around the world. To mark the occasion, Education Workshop offers British Ambassador to Qatar, H E Jonathan Wilks, said, “I’m strategies for peace launched, to promote fitness delighted to announce the third cycle of the British Council’s THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA Shridharan, IM Vijayan, Study UK Alumni Awards in Prannoy HS and Asif Saheer Qatar. A global leader in the peace- Indian Ambassador to Qatar were played on the screen. The "Through this scheme we building field, former US H E Dr. Deepak Mittal event was streamed live to the celebrate the achievements of diplomat and current CEO of (pictured) inaugurated Indian public via Zoom and Facebook. the many Qataris who succeed The Alliance for Peacebuilding, Sports Centre’s (ISC) Year of Ambassador Mittal spoke of the in their studies in UK and return Uzra Zeya will be offering a Sports campaign at a ceremony sporting values that unite home to play an important part workshop on “Fragile States held recently at the Integrated people, and the emphasis in the development of their own and Post Conflict” at QF Indian Community Centre in Al placed on sports by both India land. partner, Georgetown University Thumama. and Qatar. He commended ISC "They represent an out- in Qatar (GU-Q). The ISC, an apex body for taking the initiative to standing part of the human Organised in collaboration under the patronage of the support Indian government’s bridge between our two coun- with Georgetown’s Institute for Indian Embassy, launched the Fit India Movement through the tries, which the UK values the Study of Diplomacy (ISD) Year of Sports campaign to Year of Sports campaign, and greatly, and an inspiration and in Washington, DC, this third promote the message of the Fit The event witnessed the urged the expatriate com- example to others to follow in instalment of GU-Q’s Diplo- Uzra Zeya India Movement, which aims unveiling of the Year of Sports munity to participate in the their footsteps. I encourage eve- matic Education Workshop at promoting sports activities logo, in addition to the launch activities wholeheartedly. rybody qualified to apply.” Series will be held virtually on Diplomatic Training Series is and healthy lifestyle. of the ISC’s official website ISC President Hassan The Study UK Alumni Tuesday at 4pm, with regis- conducted in English as an Throughout the campaign, ISC www.iscqatar.qa and the Chougule addressed the gath- Awards celebrate and showcase tration now open for public online class and will run for 75 will also showcase Indian expa- cutting of a ceremonial cake. ering, explaining the story the impact and value of UK enrolment. minutes. A presentation will be triate community’s support for Besides, felicitation video mes- behind ISC’s foundation, and higher education and raise the The workshop responds to followed by engaging discus- Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA sages from prominent Indian the sporting objectives of the international profile of alumni a need in diplomacy education, sions for in-depth exploration World Cup. sports celebrities Kapil Dev, GE organisation. who studied in the UK. Award given that the World Bank cur- of the issues. winners and finalists are leaders rently lists 39 “fragile and con- A limited number of partic- in their fields who have used flict-affected situations” ipants per session, which their experience of studying at involving countries that are operate under Chatham House a UK university to make a pos- affected by violent conflict or rules, will ensure each session itive contribution to their com- have high levels of institutional is informative and munities, industries and and social fragility. interactive. countries. Drawing on a distinguished, Uzra Zeya serves on the This will be the third cycle 27-year diplomatic career, Board of Advisors at ISD, and of the awards, which are first Zeya will share lessons learned is also the President of the celebrated at a national level in in her own efforts to help end Alliance for Peacebuilding, Qatar. All applicants including conflict through peaceful where she leads a network of national awards winners will means, and to contribute to a over 100 organisations working then be put forward for the more just, peaceful, and sus- in 153 countries to end conflict global awards set to begin from tainable world. through peaceful means. March 2021 till the winner’s Rodolph Boughaba, the She was also Chargé announcement in September associate dean for Executive d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of 2021. Education at GU-Q, stressed the Mission in the US Embassy Call for applications close importance of providing exec- Paris from 2014 to 2017, and is on October 30. Finalists and utive training that promotes the recipient of the Légion winners of the awards will be peacebuilding strategies across d’honneur, France’s highest announced early next year public and private sectors, civilian honour, as well as 15 during the annual Qatar-UK saying, “With the confluence of Superior Honour and Senior Alumni Networking ceremony. crises in the world today, it is Performance Awards. Award winners have the oppor- more important than ever that Information about regis- Traditional dhow tunity to raise their international we work towards creating tration and topics of upcoming People boarding on traditional Arabian dhows at the Doha Corniche. profile, expand their profes- innovative practices that center workshops can be found at PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA sional networks, and enhance peaceful solutions.” http://qatar.georgetown.edu/ their careers. Each workshop in the diplomacy. SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 HOME/ MIDDLE EAST 03 Qatar wins bronze medal in Korea International Youth Olympiad QNA — DOHA organised by the Ministry of silver nitrate were mixed with Education and Higher Edu- watercress extract to produce The State of Qatar has claimed cation in cooperation with the silver nanoparticles. the bronze medal in the 5th Qatar National Research Fund. The socks impregnated edition of the Korea Interna- The research was based on with different concentrations tional Youth Olympiad (KIYO) the substantial increase in the of nanoparticles were placed 2020, which was held remotely number of diabetes patients on a 2mm deep wound made by the World Women Inventors from 108 million people in on the foot of diabetic mice to and Entrepreneurs Association 1980 to more than 422 million check the time taken for (WWIEA) to raise awareness people in 2017, according to healing. about innovation. statistics released by the World The objectives of the Korea The competition took place Health Organization. International Youth Olympiad from September 20 to October Poor blood circulation and competition are to foster global 12 with the participation of peripheral neuropathy are leaders through creativity, around 60 countries from all common complications of dia- moral courage and teamwork, over the world. betes. Moreover, diabetic foot foster talents that will lead the The Qatari medal was ulcers and resulting infections creative economy era by A number of academic leaders spoke to the Dean’s List recipients and congratulated them for their secured by student Abdul Hadi can potentially lead to ampu- developing leadership based achievements. Jaber Jallab, from Jassim Bin tations and life-threatening on personal strengths and Hamad Secondary School for complications. talents, broaden the horizon as Boys, for his research titled ‘The Therefore, the research a global citizen through the 119 students make up VCUarts Effect of Silver Nanoparticles presented the idea of pro- exchange with students from Socks on the Treatment of Dia- ducing socks impregnated with all over the world, and seek out betic Foot’, this came after silver nitrate nanoparticles young talents who will lead the Qatar’s latest Dean’s List winning the National Scientific from a vegetable source. future intellectual property Research Competition Different concentrations of society.

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Dr. Cherif Amor. combine those with talent, and The Dean’s List is a recog- you get outstanding per- The start of the new academic nition of superior academic per- formance. Each one of you rep- Starlink Qatar hosts Apple keynote year at Virginia Commonwealth formance. At the end of Spring resents that equation, and that’s University School of the Arts in 2020, students who attained a why you’ve been selected to the speech releasing new iPhone 12 models Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, Dean’s List. Foundation partner university, based on a minimum of 12 “It is no small honour to be THE PENINSULA — DOHA The event featured Saad, Season 1 “The Voice Kids” saw 119 high achieving students semester credits graded by the on the Dean’s List — as Dean’s a drive through graced the large screen visible earn places on the Dean’s List. standard grade-mode, with no List students you are setting the Starlink Qatar, part of the to all who attended. Across the global higher I-grades or grades below C, standard for all other students. Ooredoo Group of companies experience: persons Featuring popular person- education landscape, inclusion qualified for placement on the Your names have become part established back in 2006 and in the event were alities like Abdullah Al Ghafri, in the Dean’s List is a recognition Dean’s List. of our school’s history, making the first retailer for mobile and Hussain Al Sada and Essa of a student’s hard work and Of the 119 students placed on each one of you a leader in your accessories, hosted the Apple encouraged to remain Jamali who pushed the academic excellence. At VCUarts the spring 2020 Dean’s List, and own right, both within and Keynote Speech releasing the in their cars as live excitement of the event to Qatar, this selection takes place whom VCUarts Qatar is cele- outside VCUarts Qatar’s com- new iPhone 12 models — the higher levels with their cre- bi-annually. Traditionally the brating this week, 34 are from munity. Having observed and most awaited technology event cultural music and ative videography and inter- awardees are celebrated at an the Art Foundation Program, 21 evaluated what you’ve achieved of the year at Katara. lights shows filled the active competitions. event on campus, that is fol- are from the Art History program, in so short a time, we’re excited The event, which could be Participants answered Apple lowed by a luncheon, along with 9 are from the Fashion Design to see what you’ll be doing next viewed as one of the first events air. Trivia Questions to win the latest the families of the students. program, 26 are from the Graphic — both as students, and even- since the COVID-19 lockdown, Apple Watch Series 6, iPad 10.2 This year, pandemic restric- Design program, 19 are from the tually, as alumni. featured a drive through expe- forward for future collabora- inch 8th Generation and the tions meant that the event took Interior Design program, and 10 “I also want to congratulate rience: persons in the event tions with them in the future,” ultimate prize – the first iPhone place virtually. A number of aca- are from the Painting and Print- the parents and families of our were encouraged to remain in said Maryam Al Saad, Head of 12 to be received by Starlink demic leaders spoke to the making program. Dean’s List students. Your their cars as live cultural music Marketing at Katara Qatar for the winner. Dean’s List recipients and con- Amir Berbić, the Dean of encouragement and support in and lights shows filled the air Audiences became espe- “I was very happy when gratulated them for their VCUarts Qatar, welcomed the their formative years have been and food trucks availed to serve cially aware of Starlink’s killer Starlink asked me to be the achievements, including Dean students and their families, crucial in giving them — your their needs with Exit 55, Karak trade-in offers (trade in your host of the event, it was really Amir Berbić, and Interim Asso- saying, “There is no substitute children — the confidence to and Chapati, and Partner Spe- old phone for the new iPhone fun, specially that I am a big ciate Dean for Academic Affairs, for hard work and dedication; stand out and excel.” cialty Coffee CAF Café amongst and only pay the difference) and fan of Apple products. We had others. got the chance to register their a great opportunity to interact “We were very happy to interest for future updates and with the audience as close as host the event for Starlink, notifications. Live iPad magic we can get while maintaining Katara shows strong support Starlink is a well-known Qatari show performances from World social distancing rules, I am brand that is becoming part of Wide Wonders as well as a live looking forward to more events to local handicraft industry our culture and we are looking performance from Shireen Abu with Starlink,” said Al Ghafri. FROM PAGE 1

A live demonstration of gypsum decoration, another handicraft known in Qatar and the region, is one of the attractions at the exhibition. Gypsum has been chiefly used to adorn facades of Qatari homes and various structures depicting geometric designs among other themes. The 10-day exhibition also features handicrafts and artisans from seven other Arab countries including Ethiopia, Syria, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, and Iran. Several months ago, Katara organized a handicraft Qatari social media influencers Abdullah Al Ghafri and Hussain Al Sada conducting a mini quiz competition inspired by competition based on iPhone models during the livestream of Apple keynote speech organised by women’s craft legacy in coop- Starlink at Katara in Doha on Tuesday evening. eration with the Qatari PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Women’s Pen Forum. The Katara Handicraft Compe- tition was aimed at providing opportunities to exchange ideas, experiences, and dis- Mud-brick palace is Yemen’s latest cover the aesthetics of Qatari women works while docu- menting the national identity. A variety of products from traditionally knitted materials on show heritage site facing disaster Just recently, Katara also at the Handicraft Gallery at Katara Building 48. PIC: RAYNALD C RIVERA/THE PENINSULA extended invitation to AFP — SEIYUN restoration of historical buildings, considered one of the most artisans and companies who appealed for international important mud-brick buildings wish to participate in its inau- Handicrafts and Traditional slated from November 1 this Yemen’s Seiyun Palace, one of assistance to save the structure. in Yemen and maybe even in the gural International Products Cultural Market year to February 28 next year. the world’s largest mud-brick “It is dangerous and, if not Arabian Peninsula,” he said. structures, has become the quickly restored, it is at risk of The facade of the seven-story war-torn country’s latest collapsing,” Barmada said. edifice still retains its original heritage site facing the risk of The floods have killed scores grandeur. Its imposing lines collapse as heavy rains and years of people and damaged Unescol- feature on Yemen’s 1,000-riyal of neglect take their toll. isted World Heritage sites banknote, the highest denomi- The deterioration of the including high-rise mud-brick nation, worth around $4. With bright white building, remi- “skyscrapers” further west in regular rows of windows that niscent of a giant sandcastle with Shibam. overlook a busy street, from rounded turrets on its corners, In Yemen’s third city of Taez, outside the palace seems to be in reflects Yemen’s downward the newly restored National solid condition. But the interior spiral since 2014, when Iran- Museum was a major casualty shows clear signs of damage, with backed Huthi rebels began bat- last month, with parts of the cracks in the walls and a partially tling the government. A Saudi- former Ottoman palace reduced collapsed roof. led coalition intervened in to rubble. The Seiyun Palace, It shut after the war broke out support of the government in once home to the sultan of the but partially reopened last year, 2015. Authorities have struggled Kathiris who ruled much of the receiving a steady stream of vis- to secure funds to maintain region from the 1500s until the itors, museum officials said. important sites such as the 20th century, opened its doors Director Said Baychout said palace, now a museum, in the to the public in 1984. the museum showcases items city of Seiyun in central Hussein Aidarous, head of excavated in the province, Hadramawt province. The the department of antiquities and including tombstones that date building has fallen into disrepair, museums in Hadramawt, said back to the Stone Age and the making it vulnerable to floods that even though the palace had dawn of civilisation in Yemen. Shopping for books that have hit the country in sustained a lot of damage, it There are also Bronze Age recent months. remained one of the few of its statues, and pottery and ancient Residents shop for books at Mutanabi Street in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday. Abdullah Barmada, an kind still standing. manuscripts from the pre- engineer who specialises in the “This large building is Islamic period. 04 MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 European powers, Yemen parties complete largest prisoner swap Jordan condemn AP — SANA'A Yemen’s warring sides completed a major, UN-brokered prisoner swap Israel's approval yesterday, officials said, a development that could revive the country’s stalled peace of settlements process after more than five years of grinding conflict. AFP/AGENCIES — BERLIN/AMMAN “The expansion of This week’s prisoner settlements violates release, the largest-ever in the European powers yesterday war, marks a breakthrough in condemned Israel’s decision to international law the implementation of a long- approve thousands more settle- and further imperils awaited deal between Yemen’s ments in occupied Palestinian the viability of a Iran-backed Houthi rebels and territory, calling it a “counterpro- a Saudi-led military coalition ductive” move that undermines two-state solution supporting the country’s inter- regional peace efforts. to bring about a just nationally recognised gov- “The expansion of settle- and lasting peace to ernment. International pressure ments violates international has been building on the parties law and further imperils the the Israeli-Palestinian to end the war, which has killed viability of a two-state solution conflict,” said a joint thousands of civilians and trig- to bring about a just and lasting gered the world’s worst human- peace to the Israeli-Palestinian statement from the itarian crisis. conflict,” said a joint statement foreign ministers of “We’re very happy this Freed Yemeni prisoners arrive in the rebel-held capital Sana'a, yesterday. from the foreign ministers of Germany, France, operation has concluded with Germany, France, Britain, Italy success, regardless of how chal- and Spain. Britain, Italy and lenging it was to put it together,” Abdul Raqib Al Omari, kidnapped from homes of rel- out. They prostrated themselves “As we have emphasised Spain. said Yara Khawaja, a spokes- director of Aden’s airport, con- atives in the rebel-held capital on the floor, kissing the carpet. directly with the government woman for the International firmed to The Associated Press during the war, they added. Ahmed Hamed, a Houthi of Israel, this step furthermore is necessary to protect peace Committee of the Red Cross in that two planes touched down in The devastating conflict leader, promised cash bonuses undermines efforts to rebuild and protect international law,” Yemen, which has overseen the the city a few hours apart, erupted in 2014, when the to all freed prisoners and said trust between the parties with Al Safadi said. swap. She expressed hope it bringing the total number of pris- Houthis seized the capital, authorities would help all a view to resuming dialogue,” The ministers said pushing would help the warring sides oners returned to the Yemeni Sanaa, and much of the coun- unmarried men cover their they said, urging an immediate ahead with more settlements overcome mistrust and restart government on Friday to 152. try’s north. That prompted a wedding expenses. halt in settlement would be a “counterproductive more substantive negotiations The first of those who US-backed Arab military coa- “We will not abandon our construction. move in light of the positive “to end the suffering of millions arrived in Aden on Friday had lition to intervene months later prisoners or forget them,” said Jordan said the move vio- developments of normalisation of Yemenis.” been captured in fierce battles in a bid to restore the gov- Abdel Qader Mortada, the head lated international law and agreements reached between Yesterday, several planes along Yemen’s western ernment of Yemeni President of the Houthi Committee for called for global pressure to Israel, the United Arab Emirates ferrying a total of 352 freed coastline, in the strategic port Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi to Prisoners Affairs, in a message prevent construction. Foreign and Bahrain”. prisoners from both sides city of Hodeidah, according to power. congratulating the freed cap- Minister Ayman Al Safadi called The UAE and Bahrain had landed in Sanaa, Yemen’s rebel- officials in the city’s prisoner In Sana'a, the Houthi-run Al tives. He said the Houthis were the decision “a violation of inter- in mid-September set aside held capital, and the southern reception committee. The offi- Masirah TV showed the newly seeking to sign another UN- national law… illegitimate steps decades of enmity with Israel port city of Aden, the seat of the cials spoke on condition of ano- freed rebels, clad in traditional mediated agreement to free that undermine the two-state to sign a US-brokered deal to internationally recognized gov- nymity because they weren’t white robes, stepping off the more detainees. In a speech to solution and the chances of normalise ties. ernment, according to the Red authorized to talk to the media. plane onto a long red carpet, the UN Security Council on achieving a comprehensive peace. Western powers had hoped Cross. An unprecedented 1056 The day’s second transfer where they were greeted by Thursday, UN special envoy for “A clear international the deals would bring regional freed detainees returned home involved an undisclosed crowds of officials, aid workers Yemen Martin Griffiths position to reject these [homes] stability and give a boost to in the two-day swap, including number of civilians who had and relatives as trumpets blared described the exchange as “an and put pressure to block them hopes for peace. hundreds released on Thursday. been arrested at checkpoints or and cries of “God is great!” rang airlift of hope.” Israel halts visas for UN rights staff after settlement database Kuwait reports 729 new virus AFP — GENEVA settlements, and announced it would suspend its relations with cases, six deaths Israel, which was angered in the UN rights office. February by the UN listing And in June, the country QNA — KUWAIT companies with activities in reiterated its decision to “freeze illegal Israeli settlements, has ties” with UN High Commis- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health granted no visas to UN rights sioner for Human Rights announced yesterday that it staff for months, the agency said Michelle Bachelet and her reported 729 new cases of yesterday. office. coronavirus (COVID-19) in the “Visa applications have not The Israeli foreign ministry past twenty-four hours, been formally refused, but the said it had nothing to add to a brining the total of confirmed Israeli authorities have statement it issued in February cases in the country to 114,744. abstained from issuing or when it vowed to “take action” The ministry’s spokesman renewing any visas since June,” to prevent the implementation Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad said that UN rights office spokesman of “discriminatory anti-Israel” during the same period, six Rupert Colville said in an email. decisions at the UN. deaths have been recorded, He stressed that Israel had Colville stressed that the UN bringing the total number of not formally refused any of the rights agency’s offices in Israel deaths in Kuwait to 690 cases office’s visa applications, but and the Palestinian territories so far. Al Sanad said that the had simply not acted on new remained open, with 26 patients in intensive care units requests or requests for national staff members and the have reached 139. renewal. remaining three international The Ministry of Health “The first international staff staff onsite. announced earlier the member had to leave in August The remainder of the inter- recovery of 649 people over after her visa expired,” he said, national staff were working the past twenty-four hours, adding that nine international remotely, he said, adding that bringing the total number of staff members had been forced this was not having a big impact recoveries to 106,495. A Palestinian man confronts members of Israeli security forces after they intervened in scuffles to leave so far after their visas on operations yet, since remote between Jewish settlers and Palestinian farmers trying to access their lands to harvest olives, in the were not renewed. work had become a norm in West Bank village of Burqah, yesterday. Israel to start And “three newly appointed many places anyway due to the international staff have not ongoing pandemic. easing curbs as been able to deploy because This, Colville lamented, was official explanation, but the sidered illegal under interna- “We continue to hope that infection rate drops they have not received their creating a “highly irregular sit- blockage comes after the UN tional law. this situation will be resolved visas,” he said. Only three inter- uation and will negatively rights office in February Israel at the time slammed soon, and we are actively REUTERS — OCCUPIED national staff members of the impact on our ability to carry released a list of over 100 com- the move as “shameful”, engaged with various relevant JERUSALEM agency still have valid visas to out our mandate.” panies with activities in Israeli warning the list could be used and concerned parties to that work in the country. Israel has not provided an settlements, which are con- to boycott firms with ties to the end,” Colville said. Israel said yesterday it would begin easing a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown after a steady UN aid chief: Funding shortage Iran: One of two cyber decline in the rate of daily infections, and would examine how best to reopen holy sites cuts aid to 4 million Yemenis attack targets ports in Jerusalem. Much of the economy will AP — UNITED NATIONS of its $500m pledged in June. Council that famine was REUTERS — TEHRAN It gave no further details. remain closed, but starting That pledge was half of its 2019 averted two years ago when Following the cyber attacks, tomorrow businesses that do A funding shortage has cut off commitment. The UAE did not action was taken on five pri- One of the targets of large cyber several government bodies not offer customer service, aid to four million Yemenis and announce any funding for this ority issues: protecting civilians, attacks on two Iranian temporarily shut down internet nursery schools and kinder- experts are increasingly year. access for humanitarian government institutions this services as a precaution, gartens, as well as national worried that “the window to Lowcock said new funding workers, funding, the economy week was the electronic infra- Abolghasem Sadeghi, from the parks and beaches will reopen, prevent famine” in the war-torn increased donations to the UN and progress toward peace. structure of the country’s ports, government’s Information Prime Minister Benjamin country is closing quickly, the appeal from 30 percent last In the last month, he said, an Iranian news agency Technology Organization, told Netanyahu’s office said. UN humanitarian chief said. month to 42 percent this month the conflict has escalated and reported yesterday. state TV on Thursday. The Health Ministry and Mark Lowcock told the UN which is welcome, but last year “there are now 47 active front The government’s Infor- He said the attacks, which other authorities will also start Security Council that aid at this time it was 65 percent lines across Yemen — the most mation Technology Organi- he described as “important and drafting guidelines to reopen agencies are only reaching 9 funded, and the shortage “still every recorded.” sation on Thursday reported on a large scale,” were under popular holy sites in Jerusa- million people a month, down mean that more key programs Civilian casualties reached the hacking of two institutions investigation. lem’s old city to small groups, from more than 13 million at the are at risk of shutting down.” their highest level this year in without giving details on the Iran says it is on high including the Church of the beginning of the year. Yemen’s conflict started September, with the heaviest targets or perpetrators. The alert for online assaults, Holy Sepulchre, the Western “What is to be the fate of the with Houthi Shia rebels backed clashes in Hodeida, Marib and second target of the attacks on which it has blamed in the Wall, and the compound four million we no longer have by Iran capturing the capital, Al Jawf, causing tens of thou- Monday and Tuesday is yet to past on the United States and revered as the Temple Mount the money to help?” he asked. Sana'a, in 2014, forcing the sands of people to flee their be identified. other foreign states, by Jews and by Muslims as the On September 15, Lowcock internationally recognised gov- homes. “Sworn enemies have been including Israel. Noble Sanctuary. for the first time singled out ernment to flee. The following “In recent days, hostilities trying for some time to carry US officials said in October Israel imposed its first three countries for giving nothing year, a Saudi-led coalition have subsided somewhat, but out cyberattacks,” the semi- 2019 that the United States had lockdown between mid-March to this year’s $3.4bn humani- backing the government inter- it is not enough,” he said, official Tasnim news agency carried out a cyber attack on and late May, flattening an tarian appeal for Yemen, the vened to battle the rebels and warning that a major confron- quoted a statement by the Ports Iran after drone strikes on initial wave of COVID-19. But Arab world’s poorest country curb Iran’s influence in what tation in Marib city “could be and Maritime Organization as Saudi oil facilities, which Wash- infections soared after schools which has been engulfed in con- has turned into a stalemated disastrous,” and anything jeop- saying. ington and Riyadh blamed on and businesses reopened, at flict since 2015. regional proxy war. Since then, ardizing the smooth operation The statement said Tehran. one point surpassing 9,000 Kuwait announced a $20m more than 100,000 people — of the country’s major port at deterrent measures had been Iran denied involvement in new daily cases in a population donation and Saudi Arabia pub- fighters and civilians — have Hodeida, which is a lifeline for taken to prevent an inter- the attacks, which were of 9 million. On September 18 licly committed to providing been killed. aid deliveries, “would put mil- ruption in the “organizations’s claimed by Yemen’s Iran- the entire country was again $204m to UN aid agencies, part Lowcock told the Security lions of lives at risk.” missions.” aligned Houthi movement. put under full lockdown. SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 05

Turkey tests Sarkozy hit with new Libya financing charge Russian-made

AFP — PARIS/TRIPOLI The latest charge, which carrying a total of five million of using fake invoices to spend S-400 defence can still be appealed, euros from the Libyan regime nearly double the legal limit of French prosecutors said to Sarkozy’s chief of staff in ¤22.5m ($26.6m), and risks up system: Reports yesterday that they had charged increases the chance of 2006 and 2007. to a year in prison if convicted former president Nicolas Sarkozy a trial for former French After seven years of inves- during a trial set for March. AP — ANKARA over claims he accepted cash president Nicolas tigation efforts resulting in In a third case, Sarkozy from the Libyan dictatorship of witness statements from Libyan faces charges of trying to obtain Nato-member Turkey has Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 Sarkozy (pictured), who officials, members of Gaddafi’s classified information from a tested its Russian-made election campaign. is already poised to secret service and from mid- judge on an inquiry into claims advanced air defence missile The charge for “mem- become the first former dlemen, prosecutors believe that he accepted illicit payments system, Turkish media reports bership in a criminal con- they can show that Sarkozy’s from L’Oreal heiress Liliane said yesterday, raising the spiracy” was brought on French president in campaign was indeed financed Bettencourt for his 2007 pres- specter of a new standoff with Monday after more than 40 the dock on corruption by Gaddafi. idential campaign. the United States. hours of questioning over four charges. But legal experts have said In exchange, Sarkozy A Haber television, which is days, prosecutors said. the charges may hinge on cir- allegedly offered the now- close to the government, said It adds to charges already cumstantial evidence rather retired judge, Gilbert Azibert, a on its website that Turkey’s mil- filed in 2018 of “accepting his “innocence has been tar- tent opposite the Elysee Palace than the sort of ironclad proof cushy job in Monaco. That trial itary test-fired the Russian bribes,” “benefitting from nished” by the charges, without on a state visit to France just of Sarkozy’s guilt that would is set to open on November 23. S-400 air defence system in the embezzled public funds” and “even the slightest proof.” months after his election. ensure a conviction. Sarkozy was cleared over Black Sea province of Sinop. It “illegal campaign financing”. “I answered every question But four years later, in 2011, Sarkozy’s former ministers the Bettencourt allegations in based its reports on an amateur The latest charge, which can I was asked without ever being Sarkozy was a driving force Claude Gueant and Eric Woerth 2013, but investigators believe video, reportedly filmed in still be appealed, increases the put in difficulty,” he said, behind the international mil- are also charged in the case, the only reason the financial Sinop, showing a contrail chance of a trial for Sarkozy, referring to the recent grilling itary invention that drove which is not the only legal deal fell through is because shooting into the sky. Other who is already poised to by prosecutors. “I know that Gaddafi from power. headache for the former Sarkozy — using the code name media carried similar reports. become the first former French justice will triumph in the end.” Sarkozy, a trained lawyer, rightwing president, who is no “Paul Bismuth” — and his Turkish military and president in the dock on cor- Sarkozy, 65, has been under has fought the claims of Libya longer active in politics. lawyer learned their phones defense officials have refused ruption charges. pressure since 2012, when the cash by claiming presidential Sarkozy has faced a litany were being tapped. French to comment on the reports. Prosecutors suspect that investigative website Mediapart immunity, and by arguing there of legal woes since leaving media later reported that the Washington strongly Sarkozy and his associates published a document pur- is no legal basis in France for office, being charged in two real Paul Bismuth was a former objected to Turkey’s acquisition received tens of millions of porting to show that Gaddafi prosecuting someone for mis- other cases, including one school mate of Sarkozy’s lawyer of the Russian anti-aircraft euros from Gaddafi’s regime to agreed to give Sarkozy up to using funds from a foreign relating to fake invoices orches- Thierry Herzog. system and suspended Turkey help finance his election bid. ¤50m ($59m at current rates). country. trated by executives of the Byg- Sarkozy has long accused from its hi-tech F-35 fighter jet Sarkozy, who was president The two leaders enjoyed Judges are also investigating malion public relations firm to the French judiciary of program, saying the S-400 are from 2007 to 2012, has denied surprisingly cordial ties, with claims by a French-Lebanese mask overspending on his failed hounding him, and announced a threat to the stealth fighter jets. any wrongdoing, saying on his Sarkozy letting the Libyan businessman, Ziad Takieddine, 2012 re-election campaign. in 2018 that for him “politics is It has also warned Ankara Facebook page yesterday that strongman pitch his Bedouin who said he delivered suitcases In that case, he is accused finished”. that it risks US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act if the S-400 system is acti- Nigerian protesters vated. Turkey insists it was forced to purchase the Russian system after Washington refused to sell block major roads it the US Patriot system. Russia delivered the the first batch of the Russian AP — LAGOS groups. The #EndSARS cam- defense system last year. paign has attracted interna- Turkey had initially said the Nigerian protests against police tional support, including from S-400 would be operational brutality continued yesterday supporters of Black Lives Matter in April but it has since delayed for the ninth day, with demon- in the US and Twitter co- activating the system. strators fending off attacks from founder Jack Dorsey who has gangs suspected to be backed retweeted posts from Nigerian Wildfire on by the police, warnings from the demonstrators. Nigerian military, and a The protests erupted last Kilimanjaro government order to stop week after a video circulated because of COVID-19. online showing a man being under control In Lagos, Nigeria’s largest beaten, apparently by police city, protesters blocked the road from the SARS unit. In response REUTERS — DAR ES SALAAM to the international airport and to the widespread demonstra- the main highway into the city. tions by young Nigerians, the A wildfire burning since the The Lagos-Ibadan highway, one government said it would start of the week on Kili- of Nigeria’s busiest, is the main disband the SARS unit, but the manjaro, Africa’s tallest road linking the port city to the protesters are continuing, mountain, has been placed rest of Nigeria. saying they want an end to all under control, Tanzania said Protesters gesture as they hold placards at a live concert at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, on Thursday, Protesters in the capital, police brutality. yesterday. during a demonstration to protest against police brutality and scrapping of Special Anti-Robbery Abuja, dedicated the day to The largely peaceful pro- “An air inspection that was Squad (SARS). Nigerians they charge have testers have been attacked in carried out this morning shows been killed by the police Special recent days by gangs armed with that the whole fire has been Anti Robbery Squad, known as guns, knives, clubs, and backed by the police, according saying the army would to all protests in the city, controlled,” a statement from SARS. machetes. to reports in the local press. “maintain law and order, and saying the gatherings risk Tanzania National Park The unit has killed and tor- The protesters say they are Nigeria’s military issued a deal with any situation deci- spreading COVID-19 but a Service (TANAPA) said. “This tured many Nigerians, determined to continue and warning against “subversive sively.” Authorities in the protester in Abuja said they fire has been controlled after according to human rights charge that the attackers are elements and troublemakers,” capital have called for an end are ignoring the order. the ongoing hard work since the fire erupted.” The blaze erupted on Sunday in the Whona area, a Many feared killed in clashes between Somali govt, fighters rest centre for climbers. Hundreds of firefighters REUTERS — MOGADISHU killed about 50 fighters from the transported dozens of dead il Fidow. “Al Shabaab buried its to dislodge the country’s central including residents and stu- Al Qaeda-allied Islamist group. bodies. Likewise, al Shabaab dead bodies in another village government and establish rule dents have been battling to Dozens of soldiers and insur- No immediate account of the took dozens of their bodies. called Bulo Yarey,” it said. based on its strict interpretation extinguish it. On Thursday the gents were killed in two days of battle was available from the They both suffered blows,” he Neither the Somali military of Islam’s sharia law. authorities announced they fighting between Somali militants. said, adding he had counted nor al Shabaab could be The group frequently had deployed a helicopter to government forces and al Hussein Ali, a farmer in the at least 20 bodies on both reached for comment. Both carries out gun assaults and help fight the fire. Shabaab militants northwest of Afgoye area, told Reuters he sides. sides often give sharply dif- bombings of both military and The dormant volcano rises the capital Mogadishu, a witness and other civilians had been Sonna, the state news ferent figures of fatalities in civilian targets and has also to almost 6,000 metres said yesterday. trapped in the crossfire during agency, said that among the skirmishes. carried out attacks on regional (20,000 feet) above sea level Somalia’s state news agency two nights of fighting. insurgents killed was a com- Al Shabaab has been targets, especially in neigh- and attracts about 50,000 Sonna said the military had “The Somali government mander it identified as Osman fighting for more than ten years bouring Kenya. climbers a year. A year on, Lebanon’s protests have faded and life has got worse

REUTERS — BEIRUT Mortada said from in front of the relief agencies, local philan- government headquarters, where thropy and non-governmental One year after Lebanese erupted he once camped out night after organisations (NGOs), with no in rage against politicians they night. Concrete blocks were way out of the crisis in sight. blamed for economic collapse, installed there last year by security Maya Ibrahimchah founded squares once packed with angry forces to keep protesters away. Beit el Baraka, a local NGO, in demonstrators are empty and Dubbed “the wall of shame” by 2018 to serve Beirut’s poor, ini- camps set up to shelter the demonstrators, they have turned tially by finding homes for protesters lie deserted. into a canvas for anti-government evicted tenants and opening a While the anger has not graffiti and slogans. free supermarket. gone away since mass protests Lebanon still has no gov- But in the year since last swept the country late last year, ernment to confront the worst October’s uprising, the NGO has there is little energy left as the emergency it has faced at least grown to help 220,000 people. pandemic spreads, unem- since the 1975-90 civil war, as Ibrahimchah quickly found that ployment rises and the capital rival political factions fail to she was providing food and city reels from a huge explosion agree on how to divide power. shelter to members of Leba- in August that left thousands Meanwhile, its cash reserves non’s shrinking middle class. homeless. Some of those who are running dangerously low, “Now we’re also fixing 3,011 did demonstrate against the hunger stalks middle class fam- homes in the devastated (blast) Lebanese activists erect a metalic monument yesterday, with ‘October 17’ written on it in Arabic, a authorities in the aftermath of ilies, the currency has collapsed zones,” Ibrahimchah says. “We day ahead of the one year anniversary of the beginning of a nationwide anti-government protest that accident were met with and there is not enough money get 95% of our funding from movement, in front of the devastated port of the capital Beirut where a massive explosion took place teargas and police batons. to clean up the devastation - Lebanese in the diaspora.” more than two months ago. Dany Mortada, a 28-year- human and material - left by the One family she encountered old activist, was among hun- August 4 port blast. in Mar Mikhael, a part of Beirut daughter’s husband who lost his ernments and our officials.” destroyed. Struggling to get by dreds of thousands people who After that tragedy, which shattered by the blast, summed job in a pharmaceutical Rita Oghlo’s husband, a on Rita’s income as a beautician, marched through the streets of killed nearly 200 people and up how the crisis has hit the company and three children. mechanic by trade, lost his last the family depends on dona- Beirut and other cities for weeks injured thousands, it fell to whole of society, not just the The kids, aged 7, 10 and 11, job at a restaurant because of tions. “Honestly, in the past in 2019. As he looked across a young volunteers to help clear poor. In the house live a grand- are losing their teeth because the financial crisis. After the year, our lives have been Beirut square at the centre of the rubble and provide support mother, one of the first women the family cannot afford dental coronavirus pandemic struck, upended, not just me, eve- the uprising, he believes the to 300,000 people made to graduate from the American care. “It’s three generations that he found it impossible to find rybody. Now it’s just a catas- spirit of protest lives on. homeless. University of Beirut, her portray what happened to us,” work. His leg was badly injured trophe,” she said. “And nobody “The revolution still exists in Those hit by joblessness, daughter, also a graduate from Ibrahimchah said. “When I got in the port explosion, and the thinks about us, in the state, the heart of many people,” poverty and hunger rely on an elite university, the into this house, I cursed the gov- family’s apartment was they don’t care”. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 Thai PM refuses to resign; police crack down on protesters

AP — BANGKOK The protesters had gathered in torrential monsoon rains to push their core demands, Thailand’s prime minister rejected calls for his resig- including that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- nation yesterday, while riot ocha leave office, the constitution be amended police cracked down on thou- sands of student-led protesters and the nation’s monarchy undergo reform. who rallied in the capital in defiance of a strict state of around a major Bangkok inter- motorcade. They could face up emergency. section where some 10,000 to life in prison if convicted. Police used water cannons protesters defied the new The protest movement was and charged at the crowd, scat- decree on Thursday. Police in launched in March by uni- tering protesters, onlookers riot gear secured the area, versity students and its original and reporters. Journalists who while malls in the normally core demands were new elec- were hit by the water said it busy shopping district closed tions, changes in the consti- caused a stinging sensation and early. Nearby mass transit sta- tution to make it more demo- was dyed blue, to mark pro- tions were closed to stop cratic, and an end to intimi- testers for possible later arrest. crowds of protesters from dation of activists. Police appeared to have getting near the area. The protesters charge that assumed control of the inter- The student protesters, Prayuth, who as army com- section where the rally was however, simply moved down mander led a 2014 coup that centred, and much of the the street to another large toppled an elected government, crowd retreated down a street intersection. was returned to power unfairly to nearby Chulalongkorn Uni- Prayuth’s government in last year’s general election versity, where some organizers declared a strict new state of because laws had been advised them to shelter if they emergency for the capital on changed to favour a pro-mil- were not going directly home. Thursday, a day after the itary party. Pro-democracy protesters gather for anti-government rally in Bangkok yesterday. The protesters had heckling of the motorcade. But the movement took a gathered in torrential monsoon The state of emergency stunning turn in August, when protected by a lese majeste law Dipangkorn as it slowly passed. by way of various methods and rains to push their core outlaws public gatherings of students at a rally aired that has regularly been used to Security personnel stood via different channels, demands, including that Prime more than five people and bans unprecedented criticism of the silence critics who risk up to 15 between the vehicles and the including causing obstruction Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha the dissemination of news that monarchy and issued calls for years in prison if deemed to crowd and there was no visible to the royal motorcade.” leave office, the constitution be is deemed to threaten national its reform. Using direct lan- have insulted the institution. violence and none was Prayuth said yesterday that amended and the nation’s security. It also gives author- guage normally expressed in Conservative royalist Thais described by witnesses. he had no plans to resign as he monarchy undergo reform. ities broad powers, including whispers if at all, the speakers accuse the protest movement It normal in Thailand for had done nothing wrong. He It was the second day they detaining people at length criticized the king’s wealth, his of seeking to end the mon- those waiting for a royal said his government hopes it defied an order not to gather, without charge. influence and that he spends archy, an allegation its leaders motorcade to sit on the ground can drop the state of emer- imposed after some demon- A number of protest leaders much of his time outside the deny. or prostrate themselves. gency ahead of its normal strators heckled a royal have already been rounded up country. Wednesday’s incident with Prayuth’s declaration of a 30-day duration “if the situ- motorcade, an unprecedented since the decree went into Thailand’s royal family has the royal motorcade was state of emergency said the ation improves quickly.” development in Thailand, effect. Yesterday, another two long been considered sacro- stunned many Thais. Video that measure was necessary The legal aid group Thai where the monarchy is nor- activists were arrested under sanct and a pillar of Thai circulated widely showed because “certain groups of per- Lawyers for Human Rights said mally held in reverence. a law covering violence against identity. King Maha Vaji- members of a small crowd petrators intended to instigate at least 51 people have been Police had earlier closed the queen for their alleged part ralongkorn and other key heckling a motorcade carrying an untoward incident and arrested since Tuesday in con- roads and put up barricades in the heckling of the member of the royal family are Queen Suthida and Prince movement in the Bangkok area nection with the protests. Cinemas reopen in India to small audiences Malaysia’s Anwar questioned AP — NEW DELHI passing the United States. But the public back. Many ran embedded moviegoing into by police over bid to oust govt trends also suggest the spread shows for small audiences. India’s contemporary culture Seven months after screens is beginning to slow. In the capital of New Delhi, and been a boon for the AP — KUALA LUMPUR went dark, cinemas reopened Nearly 10,000 theatres one cinema attracted a little economy, which, since the pan- on Thursday in much of India closed in mid-March when the more than two dozen people for demic began, has nosedived to Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was grilled by police with mostly old titles on the government imposed restric- its late afternoon show. Most of its slowest growth on record. on Thursday over his bid to oust the government, in what he called marquee — a sign of the coun- tions to fight the virus, which the moviegoers included guards But even if theatres are reo- “political harassment” to thwart his attempt. try’s efforts to return to normal has torn through India and is and the housekeeping staff of pening, filmmaking hasn’t Anwar met the nation’s king on Tuesday to show evidence that as the pace of coronavirus blamed for more than 110,000 the shopping mall that houses rebounded. Reeling from zero he has majority support in Parliament to form a new government infections slows but also of the deaths. Cinemas are among the the theatre. box-office returns in this pan- and unseat Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has only a thin roadblocks that remain. last public places to reopen — Every year, the $2.8bn demic year, two-seat majority in the house. The return to movie the- a hugely symbolic move in a industry produces more than Indian filmmakers have so Police summoned Anwar to give a statement on Thursday after atres comes as India is regis- country known the world over 2,000 films that feature far not lined up any new big- 113 complaints were lodged over a purported list of 121 lawmakers tering the highest number of for the lavish productions complex dance routines, singing ticket releases and have pushed allegedly backing Anwar that has spread on social media. daily cases globally and is pumped out by its Bollywood and spectacularly large casts, any films they have made Anwar, 73, told reporters outside police headquarters that six expected to soon top the list film industry. serving to unite a diverse nation directly to online streaming cases were being investigated against him under the penal code worldwide in terms of total On Thursday, however, of 1.4 billion people. The indus- platforms like Netflix and covering statements of public mischief and a multimedia law on number of reported infections, movie theatres struggled to lure try’s success over the years has Amazon Prime. the improper use of network facilities to harass someone. But he said police questions were focused on digging out the identities of the lawmakers supporting him, likely at the instruction of the government. “It is clearly malicious, it is clearly a political Smog returns to harassment,” he said. “This is clearly a political ploy to harass me at this critical juncture.” Anwar has claimed he has more than 120 Indian capital as lawmakers backing him but has refused to name them, amid alle- gations that Muhyiddin’s camp might seek to lure them back with bribes. Anwar said the matter was between him and King Sultan farm fires start Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, and told police he won’t reveal the AP — NEW DELHI names of the lawmakers.

The Indian capital’s air quality levels plunged to “very poor” yesterday and a smoggy haze settled over the city, days after Japan to release Fukushima’s the state government initiated stricter measures to fight chronic air pollution. contaminated water into sea The Air Quality Index in New Delhi rose past 270, according to SAFAR, India’s main REUTERS — TOKYO environment monitoring agency, after agri- cultural fires in neighbouring states sent Nearly a decade after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan’s smoke billowing across the city. The World government has decided to release over one million tonnes of contam- Health Organization deems anything above inated water into the sea, media reports said yesterday, with a formal 25 as unsafe. Vehicles queue up at a traffic light on a hazy morning in New Delhi, yesterday. announcement expected to be made later this month. The national capital, one of the world’s The decision is expected to rankle neighbouring countries like most polluted cities, enjoyed a respite from the disease resistance of people living in New yellow haze blanketed the city for several South Korea, which has already stepped up radiation tests of food air pollution up until September in part thanks Delhi, making them more susceptible to the days, forcing schools to close and flights to from Japan, and further devastate the fishing industry in Fukushima to a virus lockdown. But with industrial activ- coronavirus. be diverted. that has battled against such a move for years. ities resuming and cars back on the roads - Over the years, the pollution crisis in New The Indian Agricultural Research Institute The disposal of contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi along with the onset of cooler weather and Delhi has piled public pressure on the gov- says it has developed a microbial liquid plant has been a longstanding problem for Japan as it proceeds with less wind - air quality in the city has once ernment to tackle the root causes. solution that softens crop stubble and turns an decades-long decommissioning project. Nearly 1.2 million tonnes again fallen to unhealthy levels. Authorities have often introduced a it into compost, thus ruling out the need to of contaminated water are currently stored in huge tanks at the facility. October is also the time of year when system that restricts many private vehicles burn the agricultural crop. The plant, run by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc, suf- farmers in neighboring regions, including the from taking to the roads for two weeks. It has The watery solution is made of four cap- fered multiple nuclear meltdowns after a 2011 earthquake and states of Haryana and Punjab, set fire to their also ordered firefighters to sprinkle water sules that cost a little less than half a dollar tsunami. post-harvest fields to clear them, despite there from high-rise buildings to settle the dust, and can be used for the rapid decomposition Yesterday, Japan’s industry minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said no being a ban on it. tried to snuff out garbage fires and ordered of crop residue. decision had been made on the disposal of the water yet, but the gov- That smoke travels to New Delhi, leading builders to cover construction sites to stop K Annapurna, a senior scientist at the ernment aims to make one quickly. “To prevent any delays in the to a surge in pollution levels in the city of more dust from enveloping the area. public institute, said the solution can help with decommissioning process, we need to make a decision quickly,” he than 20 million people and exacerbating what But the problem continues to persist. pollution levels while at the same time told a news conference. is already a public health crisis. During peak pollution periods last year, retaining the essential nutrients in the soil He did not give any further details, including a time-frame. Health experts say high air pollution levels air pollution levels in New Delhi sometimes that are otherwise damaged when the residue The Asahi newspaper reported that any such release is expected over a prolonged period have compromised soared even off the measurable scale. A dark is burned. to take at around two years to prepare. Rare pink dolphins enjoy comeback in HK AFP — HONG KONG location into a GPS device. on the dolphins has been a dis- mammals have adapted to the Conservationists like heartening task. “unprecedented quiet”. Rare pink dolphins are Brennan regularly board boats The population has fallen by “We’re seeing much larger returning to the waters between in the Pearl River Delta to doc- 70-80 percent in the past 15 group sizes as well as much Hong Kong and Macau after the ument how the mammals, years in what is one of the more socialising, mating coronavirus pandemic halted known for their eye-catching world’s most industrialised behaviour, which we hadn’t ferries, but scientists remain pink colouring, are faring. estuaries. really been seeing for the last deeply concerned about their “Today we encountered But this year their numbers five years or so,” said Dr. long-term survival in one of the three different groups of dol- have bounced back — and they Lindsay Porter, a Hong Kong- world’s busiest sea lanes. phins — six adults and two sub- have the pandemic to thank. based marine scientist. The tell-tale flash of pink adults,” she explained. Ferries between Hong Kong According to Porter’s leaping from the waters alerts “They were engaging in a and Macau have been sus- research team, the number of Naomi Brennan to the presence range of behaviour, from pended since February, pro- pink dolphins has increased by A file photo shows a Chinese white dolphin, also known locally of a local Chinese white dolphin feeding to travelling and social- viding local marine scientists roughly a third in those waters as ‘pink dolphin’, swimming in waters off the coast of Hong Kong. and she jots the animal’s ising.” For years keeping tabs an opportunity to study how the since March. SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 ASIA 07 Kyrgyzstan ends emergency as nationalist consolidates power Japarov, freed from prison by his supporters and quickly elected prime minister by parliament, also took over the interim presidency after parliament speaker Kanatbek Isayev — constitutionally first in line — turned it down yesterday. Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov delivers a speech during an extraordinary Activists of the newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement, an opposition alliance of 11 parties, session of parliament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, yesterday. gather during the first public rally in the eastern city of Gujranwala, Punjab, yesterday. REUTERS — BISHKEK “Such tremendous powers As interim president, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted in the hands of one man.” Jas- Japarov cannot run in the pres- Imran Khan unfazed as opposition yesterday to end a state of emer- parov has said Russia would idential election, which he must gency imposed by its ousted remain a key strategic partner oversee no later than mid- president, as interim Prime of Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet January. Tekebayev urged parties start countrywide protests Minister Sadyr Japarov, a Kyrgyz republic in Central Asia with sig- Japarov to make sure people nationalist, took temporary nificant ethnic Russian and close to him do not run for pres- REUTERS — LAHORE leaders. has repeatedly denied meddling control of the presidency of one Uzbek minorities, and he had no ident either, singling out Kam- “We have come out for the in politics. of Russia’s close allies. plans to review the terms of chybek Tashiyev, the leader of Supporters of Pakistan oppo- supremacy of the law,” said The protest campaign Former President Sooronbai Russia’s Kyrgyz air base. the nationalist Ata Zhurt party, sition parties were converging Maryam Nawaz, the daughter comes at a time when Pakistan Jeenbekov, who resigned on His foreign minister Ruslan who spearheaded the efforts to on a stadium in the city of and political heir of former is experiencing an economic Thursday, ordered troops to be Kazakbayev also told the free Japarov from prison and Gujwanwala yesterday to begin Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, crisis, with inflation touching deployed in Bishkek last week Chinese ambassador to Bishkek install him as PM. a countrywide protest speaking from atop an SUV that double digits and negative after days of unrest triggered by yesterday that the cabinet would Later yesterday, Japarov campaign to oust Prime was showered with rose petals growth. The next general an October 4 parliamentary stick to all existing agreements named Tashiyev head of the Minister Imran Khan, who they as she left for Gujwanwala from election is scheduled for 2023. election in which his allies were with Beijing, its giant neighbour, State National Security Com- accuse of being installed by the nearby Lahore. “Go Imran go. Your time is accused of vote-buying. major trade partner and mittee and reshuffled a few military in a rigged 2018 “Our struggle is against up!” shouted tens of thousands Japarov, freed from prison investor. other senior officials at the main election. injustice, unemployment and of the opposition supporters by his supporters and quickly Japarov told parliament he state security body. Nine major opposition all-time price hikes.” Sharif’s gathered at the Gujwanwala elected prime minister by par- would address the nation of 6.5 Japarov, a former presi- parties formed a joint platform Pakistan Muslim League- stadium hours before the liament, also took over the million within hours. However, dential adviser and member of called the Pakistan Democratic Nawaz (PML-N) is the main leaders arrived. interim presidency after par- some four hours later it parliament, had been in prison Movement (PDM) last month to opposition party. Bilawal Bhutto, the son of liament speaker Kanatbek remained unclear when and since 2017 on charges of kid- begin a nationwide agitation Sharif, a long-standing critic assassinated former Prime Min- Isayev — constitutionally first in where he planned to do that and napping over a 2013 event in against the government. of the military, was sacked by ister Benazir Bhutto who heads line — turned it down yesterday. his office could not be reached which protesters briefly held a Khan, who came to power the Supreme Court in 2017 on her Pakistan People’s Party The prime minister is second in for comment. provincial governor hostage. on an anti-graft platform and corruption charges and left for (PPP), and a religious leader, line under the constitution, but In a brief speech in par- Kyrgyzstan, which borders denies the army helped him London last November for Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Japarov’s assumption of both liament, he proposed lowering China and hosts a large win, said yesterday he wasn’t medical treatment. He blames were leading separate rallies to roles prompted concern. the threshold for political parties Canadian-owned gold mining afraid of the opposition’s cam- generals and judges for what join the main gathering. “This is an unprecedented to win seats from the current 7 operation, has seen three pres- paign, which was aimed at he says were trumped up “The time has come for the case in Kyrgyzstan’s history,” percent in a re-run of the par- idents, including Jeenbekov, blackmailing him to drop cor- charges. puppet government to go,” said parliament deputy Omurbek liamentary election, which must toppled by popular uprisings ruption cases against their Pakistan’s powerful military Bhutto. Tekebayev said. take place later this year. over the last 15 years. Philippines lifts ban on oil and gas exploration in South China Sea Bad weather hampers Vietnam’s AFP — MANILA opposition to Beijing’s claims also comes as the Philippines been told to resume work, Cusi suspension) will help prime up search for victims and in 2018 the two countries faces dwindling energy said. our economy,” the energy min- The Philippines has lifted a began talks to jointly explore the reserves. One of the areas now per- ister said, adding it would “help of landslide moratorium on oil and gas contested waters. Malampaya gas field, which mitted for exploration is Reed in generating investments.” But exploration in the disputed “Now that the moratorium supplies about 40 percent of Bank, where Philippine energy despite government claims the REUTERS — HANOI South China Sea, which the is lifted, I’m sure that will power to the archipelago’s main companies operating prior to the move would facilitate cooper- government said yesterday expedite the discussions,” island Luzon, is expected to run 2014 moratorium had com- ation with China, one analyst Vietnamese rescuers battled could fast-track talks with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi dry within a few years. plained of harassment from said it suggested the Philippines driving rain yesterday as they Beijing on a joint energy project. told reporters yesterday. Beijing asserts sovereignty Chinese vessels. was increasingly willing to assert searched for at least 15 Drilling off the Philippines The decision to restart over almost all of the South Cusi said the resumption of its sovereign rights over the area. construction workers missing was halted in 2014 amid an exploration and development China Sea, but in 2016 a UN- exploration activities in the “It creates some leverage on and feared dead after a land- escalating row with China over activities had been “unilateral”, backed tribunal acting on a case region would also help boost the our part to show that we’re slide at the start of the week in its rival claim to areas of the Cusi said, but added Beijing had brought by then-Philippine country’s economy, which has serious about exercising our the mountainous central part waterway that are believed to not been informed ahead of the leader Benigno Aquino rejected been ravaged by the coronavirus own legitimate jurisdiction over of the country. hold rich deposits of natural government’s decision. its claims. pandemic. Millions have lost these resources,” said Jay Intense rains since early resources. China’s embassy in Manila Local companies previously work and around 350,000 Batongbacal, director of the Uni- October have caused floods and Philippine President Rodrigo did not respond to a request for involved in three drilling people have been infected since versity of the Philippines’ mudslides that have killed at Duterte, who took office in 2016, comment. projects off Palawan province the outbreak began. Institute for Maritime Affairs and least 55 people in central has softened his predecessors’ The lifting of the suspension in the western Philippines have “The lifting (of the Law of the Sea. Vietnam, with more heavy rainfall expected until early next week. The landslide took place on China rapidly expands Monday at a hydropower dam project in the province of Thua Thien Hue, with two workers use of experimental confirmed dead up to now. Another landslide later that night killed 13 rescuers, mostly COVID-19 vaccines soldiers, while they were on the way to search for the missing AP — TAIPEI That page had been removed by workers. Their bodies were Tuesday. recovered on Thursday. China is rapidly increasing the Chinese drug companies “They bravely sacrificed to number of people receiving its have five vaccines in final stages save people,” Prime Minister experimental coronavirus of testing but none is approved Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in a vaccines, with a city offering one for public use. They are part of a statement yesterday, describing to the general public and a global race to develop a vaccine the deaths as a great loss to the biotech company providing that, if successful, offers the army. Heavy rain and the risk another free to students going fledgling Chinese industry the of more landslides was making abroad. potential for prestige and it difficult to bring badly needed The city of Jiaxing, south of worldwide sales. equipment to the site of the Shanghai, is offering a vaccine Top Chinese health officials hydropower dam to aid the under development by Sinovac, have promised a vaccine for the search, the government said in it said in an announcement general public before the end of the statement on its website. A file photo of people working in a packaging facility of Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac Biotech, Thursday. It said high-risk this year. “The military is determined which is developing an experimental coronavirus vaccine, in Beijing. groups, including people who are CNBG’s vaccine has already to continue to send troops and “responsible for the basic oper- been given to medical workers equipment to the site of Rao ations of the city” will receive pri- and employees of Chinese com- “It’s very dangerous over outbreak emerged in December, high. Travelers and visitors to Trang 3 hydropower plant ority, but that residents who have panies being sent abroad under there, the town we study in, it’s a to receive the vaccine. public buildings still are checked project for the search and emergency needs can also sign an emergency authorisation for red danger zone,” said a student If the vaccine works, it might for signs of infection. Those rescue operations,” the gov- up. The vaccine is in the final people in high-risk categories. It who goes to school in Poland and help protect students going to arriving from abroad are ernment said. stage of clinical testing, but has has given the vaccine to 350,000 gave only her surname, Ouyang. Europe or the United States, required to be quarantined for State media said yesterday not yet been approved. The city people outside its clinical trials, She signed up for the CNBG where the pandemic is still two weeks. The country has it would take days for the res- government said it is being pro- a company executive said in Sep- vaccine in September but hasn’t raging, medical experts said. But reported 4,634 deaths and 85,622 cuers to reopen a damaged vided under an emergency tember. The trials have about heard back yet. “We all really they said developers need to confirmed cases. road leading to the site, more authorization. 40,000 people enrolled. want this vaccine.” A student who make clear it is unproven and This week, 10 million people than 90km west of the ancient China National Biotech “Currently, it seems Chinese is due to go to Britain said she keep track of what happens to were tested in the eastern port of city of Hue. A tropical Group, another Chinese vaccine students going abroad have a signed up via the online link after people who receive it. Qingdao after 12 cases were depression that is moving company, is offering its vaccine strong desire to take the vaccine,” classmates said they received the If the vaccine doesn’t work, found last weekend, the gov- towards central Vietnam will free to students who study a CNBG employee was quoted as vaccine. then “this is giving people a false ernment said yesterday. That bring more heavy rain until abroad in a strategy health saying by a state-owned news- The student, who would give sense of security,” said Sridhar ended a nearly two-month next Wednesday and beyond, experts say raises safety and paper, the Paper, based on the only her English name, Sally, said Venkatapuram, a specialist in period with no local virus trans- the government’s weather ethical concerns. survey results in September. she started to hear in September bioethics at King’s College Lon- missions reported within China. agency said yesterday. More than 168,000 people Students in China who are that the vaccine was available to don’s Global Health Institute. It was unclear whether Chinese The depression is expected signed up to receive the vaccine due to start their semesters people such as her. She said other The ruling Communist Party students were being offered the to dump up to 500 millimetres via an online survey and more abroad say they want the vaccine students said she might need to declared the coronavirus under CNBG vaccine under the same of rain in Thua Thien Hue and than 91,000 are being con- because they are worried about travel to Beijing, the national control in March but has warned emergency authorisation that other parts of central Vietnam, sidered, CNBG said on its website. getting sick. capital, or Wuhan, where the that the risk of a new outbreak is residents of Jiaxing were. the agency said. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

EDITORIAL A file picture of migrants waiting to receive food packages distributed by UNHCR amid coronavirus disease outbreak, in Tripoli. Shaping tomorrow’s world Preventing ‘hidden hunger’ QATAR is not only laying foundations of a world-class research and education system in the country but also through different initiatives run by Qatar Foundation is promoting education in the region and beyond. Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Com- in the time of pandemic munity Development (QF) since its foundation in 1995 has done a tremendous job to promote and protect ALLISON OMAN LAWI & PENJANI creating multiple shocks – Although there is no silver COVID-19 pandemic on education across the globe. MKAMBULA — AL JAZEERA disrupting livelihoods, food bullet to solve the crisis of supply chains and economies Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) of Qatar Foun- and health systems, social global malnutrition, food for- around the world has put dation has supported 4,000 projects through various In addition to the threat posed protection – all of which tification can significantly national fortification pro- funding programmes and the number of key investigators by COVID-19, the world faces undermine nutrition. Many of improve nutrition across pop- grammes at risk in LMICs. has increased from 200 to 3,000 over the years, said “multiple famines of biblical the world’s most vulnerable ulations and generations, Increased shipping costs and Executive Director of QNRF, Dr. Abdul Sattar Al Taie. proportions” that could result families have had to increase from unborn babies to the breakdowns in supply chains Speaking at a discussion held as part of the ‘Empow- in 300,000 deaths per day – their reliance on staples like elderly. Food fortification has have made it difficult for pro- ering Innovation’ event, he said: “We have the right a “hunger pandemic,” World rice, wheat and maize that are been utilised successfully ducers of fortified staple foods recipe to have success in research and innovation. We Food Programme (WFP) energy rich but nutrient poor. around the world for over a to access raw materials and to are not doing research for the sake of it, but to address Executive Director David Even before the pandemic, century. get their products to con- local and global challenges. We have supported to build Beasley warned earlier this more than one-quarter of the Salt iodisation is practiced sumers. The deprioritisation talent as part of its ongoing commitment to establish year. world’s population could not in 160 countries – improving of nutrition by governments Qatar as a knowledge based economy.” An often forgotten afford a healthy diet that is cognitive ability in infants and and donors in the face of the QNRF was established in 2006 and its programmes dimension of this threat is a rich in the nutrients needed to young children and reducing acute health and economic cover basic disciplines emphasised through Qatar deepening malnutrition crisis survive, thrive, and fight off goitre, an indicator of iodine crises brought on by National Research Strategy (QNRS): energy and envi- also known as “hidden infectious diseases. The pan- deficiency which causes sig- COVID-19, risks undermining ronment, computer science and information and com- hunger,” as the pandemic and demic threatens to deepen nificant swelling of the staple food fortification pro- munications technology, health and social sciences, and its socioeconomic effect make hidden hunger, negatively thyroid gland, by 74 percent. grammes that took years to the arts and humanities. According to Dr. Al Taie, more nutritious foods increasingly impacting child growth and Fortifying staple foods with establish. than 10,000 school students, 4,000 undergraduates and unaffordable and inaccessible development and human folic acid can prevent devas- But every crisis contains 1,200 post-graduate fellows benefit from the QNRF. Also, to the world’s most vul- potential that will far outlast tating birth defects even seeds of hope, signs of our 10,000 research papers have been published. nerable communities. the COVID-19 crisis. before an expectant mother collective ability to fight and First day of the “Empowering Innovation” event also The COVID-19 crisis is Take rice for example. knows that she is pregnant. overcome the impacts of the included a recognition ceremony which acknowledged Today, rice is the staple food Foods fortified with vitamin A pandemic. Despite the chal- distinguished creator, inventor, and innovation of the year An often forgotten for half of the world’s popu- fight against preventable lenges that COVID-19 places 2020. Distinguished Creator of the Year 2020 was awarded lation. The minute but mighty blindness in children. Foods on government priorities and to Dr. Kareem Darwish of Qatar Computing Research dimension of this grain is a rich source of energy. fortified with iron lower budgets, many countries are Institute (QCRI). Distinguished Inventor of the Year 2020 threat is a deepening In developing countries it sup- maternal mortality rates and determined to protect and was awarded to Dr. Nimir El Bashir of QF partner university plies up to 70 percent of the ward off anaemia – a micro- even expand their fortifi- Texas A&M University at Qatar. Innovation of the Year 2020 malnutrition crisis calories people consume every nutrient deficiency that cation programmes. The Gov- was awarded to ‘Automatic Generation of Personas’. also known as day. However, like other afflicts close to half the female ernment of Madagascar has Meanwhile, the WISE Awards, created by the World “hidden hunger,” as staples such as wheat and population in many low and approved a pilot to introduce Innovation Summit for Education at Qatar Foundation maize, it lacks vitamins and middle-income countries fortified rice in its school has announced six projects addressing global educa- the pandemic and minerals that are essential to (LMICs). Fortification with feeding programme, the Gov- tional challenges as winners of the 2020 award. There its socioeconomic health and wellbeing. Forti- zinc strengthens immune ernment of Egypt recently were 625 applications from all over the world this year. fying the foods that people are systems, decreases childhood confirmed the restoration of Since the creation of the program in 2009, WISE has effect make nutritious already eating with the diarrhoea and pneumonia its national wheat flour forti- received over 4,500 applications from more than 150 foods increasingly vitamins and minerals that and helps prevent childhood fication programme after countries including Australia, Finland, Chile, Lebanon, they need to stay healthy is an stunting. nearly 10 years, and the Gov- Nigeria, and Qatar resulting in 72 winning projects. unaffordable efficient, cost-effective way to By addressing malnu- ernment of Bangladesh has The six projects will be celebrated through an online and inaccessible improve nutrition, especially trition, food fortification sup- been undeterred in its effort event on October 28, 2020, including an awards cer- during a pandemic. ports healthy diets that to improve access to vitamin emony and discussions with the winners and innovators to the world’s Staple food fortification improve the daily lives and A fortified cooking oil for its from the WISE community around the topic titled Building most vulnerable reaches vulnerable families futures of vulnerable popula- people by the end of 2020. the Future of Education: Conversations with Resilient communities. where they are, strengthening tions, making children more Allison Oman Lawi, Acting Innovators. And, in addition to publicity and networking the nutritional value of com- alert and ready to learn and Director of Nutrition, World opportunities, each project will receive $20,000 (US). modities like rice, maize, improving the health, energy, Food Programme wheat flour, salt and cooking and productivity of their Penjani Mkambula, Head oil by adding vitamins and parents. of programme, large scale minerals during processing. But the effect of the food fortification, GAIN

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] A safer plan for emergency response EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 THE WASHINGTON POST often agree that law policing on horrific display in to crisis response that do not enforcement is asked to recent months, calls to divest rely solely on the police. The MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 Earlier this year, Daniel T. handle too many of society’s from law enforcement as main CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Prude died after a brutal police problems. We’ve written providers of public safety must Ore., handles a portion of the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 encounter when officers before about the proven value contend with an awkward city’s 911 calls, sending a medic responded to a 911 call from of training police officers to reality - in most places, non- and a crisis worker when the LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 Prude’s brother, who was de-escalate when called to policing solutions do not yet emergency doesn’t warrant a seeking help for his brother’s help people in mental health exist. Now comes a proposed law enforcement response. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 psychosis. Daniel Prude’s emergencies, but even with remedy from Sen. Chris Van More informally, many mar- senseless death emphasized such training police officers Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Karen ginalized communities that SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 the tragic reality that too often, are neither social workers nor Bass, D-Calif.: the Community- have fraught relationships a moment of crisis turns into a mental health workers. People Based Response Act. The bill with law enforcement have ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 fatal brush with the law, partic- experiencing crises that relate would create a grant program, long devised ways to respond email: [email protected] ularly during a mental health to mental health, substance run by the Department of to their own crises that don’t emergency. The obvious illogic abuse or homelessness often Health and Human Services, to involve calling the police. Still, PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 and cruelty of using force fail to get the help they really support localities in building this bill’s commitment to sup- email: [email protected] against a frightened, unarmed need when the police show up. alternatives to law porting community coalitions individual who poses no risk The very presence of an armed enforcement for emergency in building new options would ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 raises the question: Couldn’t officer - particularly one who and non-emergency response. be a major step forward that FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] people in crisis be assisted by doesn’t recognize that a Investing in non-policing would enable much-needed someone other than an armed person in mental distress may solutions, as the bill does, is a experimentation. Such experi- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 policeman? respond unpredictably to the crucial contribution to broader mentation in turn would gen- email: [email protected] Though they may agree on stress of the situation - can efforts to reimagine public erate important data about little else, police reform lead to a deadly escalation. safety. Certainly, some local- what works best for different SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 activists and police officers With many failures of ities already deploy solutions communities. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Aid agencies are only reaching 9 million people (in Yemen) a month, down from more than 13 million at /Peninsula_Qatar the beginning of the year. What is to be the fate of the 4 million we no longer have the money to help? /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian +974 6698 6188 Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 EUROPE 09 Nearly 20 million face virus curfew in France AFP — PARIS Nationwide, wedding Thursday that the curfew celebrations and requires nearly all businesses Millions of French people were to shut their doors on time, looking forward to a last night other parties in except for essential services, of freedom before a COVID-19 public venues as well with “everybody home from 9 curfew in Paris and other large as student parties to 6”. People will need a signed cities comes into force for a attestation or an electronic least a month, prompted by an have been outlawed, version downloaded to a phone alarming surge in new cases. and people are for activities allowed during the The curfew aims to keep being urged to limit curfew, such as walking their some 20 million people home dog, or risk a fine of €135 ($160) from 9pm to 6am — 30 percent gatherings in private just like during the two-month of the French population. homes to six people. lockdown earlier this year. It was ordered by President Repeat offenders could face Emmanuel Macron this week “We have to act. We fines of up to €3,750. as the number of new infections need to put a brake The curfew measure, which and deaths raised the spectre comes just ahead of a two- on the spread of the Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the members of the Security Council via of hospital overloads like those week school holiday, contains teleconference call, in Moscow, yesterday. seen in March and April. virus,” Macron said. no travel restrictions, raising Health authorities reported the prospect that huge numbers on Thursday a record 30,621 new of families will flee cities for the cases in the previous 24 hours as in its simplicity,” Le Maire said. country. That prompted officials well as 88 deaths and over 200 “If we start allowing multiple in Le Touquet, a popular resort Putin for 1-year extension new COVID-19 admissions to exceptions,” he told French TV, town on the English Channel, to intensive care units. “we’re not going to make it”. impose its own curfew, with While the curfew has broad Prime Minister Jean Castex clubs and restaurants ordered to of New START treaty public support — a Harris Inter- added yesterday: “The rules close at 11:30pm. active poll after Macron’s must apply to everyone”. Nationwide, wedding cele- announcement found 70 Restaurant owners have brations and other parties in AFP — MOSCOW Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is unacceptable. percent approval — officials in complained bitterly about a public venues as well as student to “formulate our position to try With three weeks to go several cities worried about the measure they say makes little parties have been outlawed, President Vladimir Putin yes- and get at least some sort of before US elections, the admin- heavy social and economic sense given the strict social dis- and people are being urged to terday proposed a one-year coherent answer from (the US) istration indicated it would costs of a measure set to last tancing rules they have already limit gatherings in private extension without conditions in the nearest future.” support preserving the treaty four weeks, or possibly six if the applied. “I’ve never seen any- homes to six people. “We have of the last major nuclear arms Tensions have raged for for an unspecified period. health situation fails to improve. thing like this in the 50 years I’ve to act. We need to put a brake on reduction accord between months over the fate of New Putin said yesterday that it The new nighttime restric- been here,” said Stain Roman, the spread of the virus,” Macron Russia and the United States. START, which caps the number would be “extremely sad” if the tions came into force at mid- manager of La Mere Buonavista said on Wednesday, when he The New START deal was of nuclear warheads held by treaty, which was successful in night (2200 GMT) in the capital restaurant in Marseille, another also put the entire country back signed in April 2010 but went Washington and Moscow and containing an arms race, expired. and eight other major regional city facing the curfew. under a health state of emer- into force in February 2011. It expires on February 5, 2021. The agreement was signed in cities. Paris Mayor Anne Marseille’s mayor Michele gency starting today. lasts for ten years but with a Earlier this week the United 2010 at the peak of hopes for a Hidalgo is pressing the gov- Rubirola — herself a doctor — The move notably requires possible extension. States said it had reached an “reset” in relations between ernment to ease the rules for said the measure resulted from all restaurants to ask clients for “I have a proposal — which agreement in principle with Russia and the United States. theatres, cinemas and other the government’s insufficent contact details so that author- is to extend the current agre- Russia to extend New START, Trump’s administration cultural venues so that patrons efforts to bolster hospital ities can find them if a corona- ement without any pre-condi- but Moscow quickly rejected US has been insisting without can return home later. systems over the last few virus infection is reported. tions at least for one year to conditions. success that its new nemesis Culture Minister Roselyne months. She said residents were By the end of the month, air- have an opportunity to conduct US negotiator Marshall Bill- China enter the New START Bachelot backed the idea, but paying the price “through the ports will also be able to carry substantial negotiations,” Putin ingslea has said Washington is treaty, which has limited the Finance Minister Brune Le loss of their daily pleasures, out rapid-result COVID-19 said at a meeting of his security ready to extend the treaty if United States and Russia to Maire poured cold water on any their freedom, or through eco- antigen tests for passengers, council, according to a Kremlin Russia agrees to freeze its 1,550 deployed nuclear war- special treatment for live nomic hardship”. Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste statement. nuclear work in the interim. heads each and expires on shows. “The force of a rule lies Castex confirmed on Djebbari told CNews television. At the meeting Putin asked Moscow has said the proposal February 5. France launches terror probe after COVID-19 scares put EU leader summits in peril teacher killed AFP — BRUSSELS a physical presence is essential for taking in knife attack decisions”. “This is what happened in Should Brussels return to virtual EU July”, when a €750bn recovery plan was REUTERS — PARIS summits? The debate was relaunched adopted after marathon discussions and this week after Commission President a multitude of small meetings. A man armed with a knife Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish Prime This time, “the Brexit debate did yesterday killed a middle Minister Sanna Marin left an EU leaders indeed require a physical presence”, school history teacher by meeting largely devoted to Brexit to go added the former Belgian Prime Min- slitting his throat in front of his into self-isolation. ister, stressing that many leaders wanted school in a suburb of Paris, Several times a year the bloc’s 27 this. Physical meetings were defended police said, in an attack that leaders meet in Brussels to argue over a by Merkel, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez, Bul- was being treated as terrorism. wide gamut of policies, with intense nego- garia’s Boiko Borissov, Luxembourg’s The attacker was shot dead tiations that can go deep into the night. Xavier Bettel and Portugal’s Antonio by a police patrol a few streets The meetings involve hundreds of Costa, according to a European source. away. The teacher had shown officials, large security details and “For the future we will assess... what pupils in his class cartoons of include top civil servants squeezing into are the best ways of working in view of the Prophet Muhammad small conference rooms to sweat over this COVID crisis”, Michel added. (Peace Be Upon Him) , which the latest EU compromise. France’s former representative to the are considered by Muslims to But, with the continent facing a diz- EU, Pierre Sellal, stressed in March that be blasphemous, according to zying acceleration of COVID-19 cases, “it is extremely difficult, if not impos- a police source. Denmark Prime Minister Mette Freder- sible, to engage in a real collective debate France’s anti-terror pros- iksen expressed her reluctance to make German Chancellor Angela Merkel coughs in her elbow as she gives a press conference with 27 members via video”. But “by ecutor said it was investigating the trip at the start of the meeting in at the end of the two days face-to-face European Union (EU) summit at the European forcing concision, a virtual meeting can the attack, which took place Brussels on Thursday. “This meeting Council Building in Brussels yesterday. be very effective”, he noted. in Conflans Sainte-Honorine, should have been organised in the form Among the problems posed by virtual a commuter suburb north- of a videoconference,” she said. contact with people testing positive for summits, officials said, but after this summits is the lack of confidentiality, west of Paris. President The head of the Polish government, COVID-19. week’s meeting she did cancel a plan to which can lead participants to use very Emmanuel Macron arrived at Mateusz Morawiecki, who was already During the worst of the first wave of hold an informal leaders’ summit in cautious language. As for the media, they the scene yesterday evening. in quarantine, was absent. Von der Leyen the virus, between March and June, Berlin on November 16. have been kept physically away from French broadcaster BFMTV on Thursday and then Sanna Marin yes- several summits were held by videocon- But the President of the European European summits since the pandemic. reported that the suspected terday left the discussion table after ference. Germany’s Angela Merkel has Council, Charles Michel, who hosts EU Video and photo pools are organised but attacker was 18 years old and learning that they too had been in defended the resumption of physical summits, stressed that “for certain issues all press conferences are held online. born in Moscow. A police source said the victim had been decap- itated in the attack, but this was not confirmed. The attack took Call to to review remdesivir Varsity blockade standoff place in the street in front of the middle school where the victim in Hungary escalates worked. supply deal after trial results “This evening, it’s the Republic which is under attack AFP — BUDAPEST their loss of autonomy to the with the despicable assassi- REUTERS — BRUSSELS Gilead said was the standard for information from the final doc- new, government-picked board nation of one of its servants, a wealthy nations. ument published on Friday. A six-week standoff involving whose trustees are appointed teacher,” French Education The European Union should The Commission “needs to The Commission’s decision students occupying Hungary’s indefinitely. Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer renegotiate a €1bn ($1.17bn) present the reasons behind the was made after EU countries top arts university in protest at Last week the new board’s wrote on Twitter. “Our unity contract it sealed last week with rush to conclude the latest con- warned of shortages of remde- a government reform escalated Chancellor, Gabor Szarka, a and our resolve are the only Gilead for a six-month supply tract with Gilead and move to sivir in their hospitals amid a yesterday after the protestors former army colonel, was pre- responses faced with the mon- of the COVID-19 drug remde- review it in light of the Soli- new surge of COVID-19 infec- were given a deadline to leave vented from entering the strosity of Islamist terrorism.” sivir after it showed poor results darity Trial findings,” said tions across Europe. The con- the building within hours. building by rows of students A Twitter thread posted on in a large trial, experts said Yannis Natsis, who represents tract does not oblige countries The overhaul at the blocking the entrance. October 9 contained allega- yesterday. patients’ organisations on the to buy remdesivir, although it 155-year-old university is seen The blockade was called tions that a history teacher in In a blow to one of the few board of the European Medi- ties them to the agreed price. by critics of nationalist Prime “internal anarchy” by Szarka Conflans Sainte-Honorine had drugs being used to treat people cines Agency (EMA), the EU Two days after the EU deal, Minister Viktor Orban as the Thursday, who said that he had shown pupils the cartoons. with COVID-19, the Solidarity drug regulator. Poland said it had ordered latest step in his attempt to personally switched off the The thread contained a Trial conducted by the World The EU announced on 80,000 vials of remdesivir, reshape Hungary’s public life to internet at the building, and video of a man who said his Health Organization showed October 8 that it had signed the which is usually administered fit his own nationalist and cul- changed door locks inside to daughter, a Muslim, was one yesterday that remdesivir supply contract with the US in a six-dose regimen. turally conservative agenda. prevent the students misusing of the pupils in the class, and appeared to have little or no company on behalf of its 27 “The EU should revisit the New government- the property. that she was shocked and effect on mortality or length of member states and 10 partner prices to be paid for Remde- appointed leaders at the Uni- The new board insists that upset by the teacher’s actions. hospital stays among patients countries, including Britain. sivir. Why pay 1 billion euros versity of Theatre and Film Arts the changes — including a The man in the video urged with the respiratory disease. Gilead had known about the for a drug with no effects on (SZFE) in downtown Budapest switch of the university’s own- Twitter users to complain to The trial results were dis- results of Solidarity since survival?” said Andrew Hill, a said the students must leave by ership from state to private the authorities and get the closed a week after the EU’s October6, the WHO said, citing senior visiting research fellow 6pm so that the building can hands — will improve both teacher removed from his post. executive Commission disclosure rules under the Sol- in the Department of Pharma- be disinfected and mainte- infrastructure and educational French Interior Minister announced its largest contract idarity Trial. Gilead told Reuters cology at the University of Liv- nance carried out. standards. But the hundreds of Gerard Darmanin said he had to date with Gilead for the it had received in late Sep- erpool. He said generic versions The students began the students and teachers say the set up a crisis centre to deal supply of 500,000 courses of tember an “heavily redacted of the drug manufactured in blockade on September 1, a day reform was aggressively with yesterday's attack. the antiviral drug at a price of manuscript” from the WHO India were sold at €200 per after SZFE’s former man- pushed through and strips the €2,070 per treatment, which which contained different course. agement resigned in protest at institution of its autonomy. 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020

Daily virus cases Berlin court overturns nighttime curbs surge above AFP — BERLIN The latest judicial 10,000 in Italy setback for for the first time A Berlin court yesterday over- turned an order for restaurants authorities in the REUTERS — ROME and clubs to close early, the German capital came latest in a slew of legal rulings on the heels of other Italy has registered 10,010 new upending measures taken by coronavirus infections over the Germany’s national and local court challenges over past 24 hours, the health min- governments to fight corona- another restriction istry said yesterday, the highest virus transmission. banning hotel daily tally since the start of the The latest judicial setback country’s outbreak and up from for authorities in the German stays for domestic the previous record of 8,804 capital came on the heels of travellers from posted on Thursday. other court challenges over The ministry also reported another restriction banning regions with high 55 COVID-19-related deaths, hotel stays for domestic trav- infection rates. down from 83 the day before ellers from regions with high and far fewer than at the infection rates. height of the pandemic in Italy The legal tangle added establishments early would help in March and April when a another layer to confusion over fight contagion, the court found daily peak of more than 900 rules agreed between states and in the case brought by 11 res- fatalities was reached. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s taurant and bar owners. The number of corona- federal government but which The measure, which came virus sufferers in intensive are in reality left up to regional in force on October 10, was care continued to rise, authorities of Germany’s 16 therefore a “disproportionate Commuters wear face masks on a platform of the main train station Hauptbahnhof amid the spread reaching 638 yesterday from states to implement. encroachment on the freedom” of the coronavirus disease, in Berlin yesterday. 586 on Thursday and com- Yesterday, an order by Berlin of the industry, the court said. pared with a low of around 40 authorities for restaurant and Berlin authorities plan to appeal who was among plaintiffs in the climb above the threshold of 35 infection levels are high. in the second half of July. clubs to close from 11pm to 6am the ruling. Berlin case, said the restrictions per 100,000 people in seven Up and down the country, Italy was the first country became the latest to fail before Health Minister Jens Spahn had wiped out his business. “It days. More drastic restrictions individuals have taken legal in Europe to be slammed by the court, a ruling that could have said he was “very disappointed” was a dramatic week. Our are imposed when the daily action. An administrative court COVID-19 and has the second- a huge impact on a sector at the ruling, saying the logic business really starts from 10pm caseload climbs to 50 per in Baden-Wuerttemberg on highest death toll in the con- severely hit by the pandemic. behind the measure was right so you can say it was a complete 100,000 people. Cologne, Thursday overturned the ban in tinent after Britain, with 36,427 Berlin's administrative court because “there is no doubt that loss in earnings because guests Frankfurt and Hamburg are the southwestern state, in a case fatalities since the outbreak noted that new infections in in big cities... especially in the basically didn’t go out at all,” he among the cities that have put brought by a family from North flared in February, according Germany currently mostly stem late hours, what is happening said, voicing relief that the court in place early closure hours for Rhine-Westphalia who had made to official figures. The number from private gatherings of family in private and public places is sided with him. restaurants and clubs. a vacation booking there. of swabs carried out over the and friends, at community facil- a driver of current infections”. Under rules agreed by pre- A restriction that has par- Finding that it was a vio- past 24 hours fell to 150,377 ities, meat-processing plants, The capital had imposed the miers of Germany’s 16 states ticularly angered holiday- lation of the freedom of from the record 162,932 reg- religious gatherings or in con- curb as new daily infections in and Merkel, local authorities are makers and guesthouse owners movement, the court said Baden- istered on Thursday. nection with travel. Germany soared past 7,000 -- required to impose early closing is a ban on hotel or holiday Wuerttemberg authorities failed The Italian government on “It was not apparent” that a record since the pandemic hours for restaurants or clubs home stays on domestic trav- to provide proof that hotels were Tuesday imposed new restric- closing food and drink started. Club owner Mike Stolz, once new infection numbers ellers from zones where fuelling contagion. tions on gatherings, restau- rants, sports and school activ- ities in an attempt to slow the Outrage over surge of infections. However, UK Premier warns Manchester faces lockdown some experts said the compulsory virus measures were too limited and AFP — LONDON different parts of the UK become accused Johnson of “asking us Health Secretary Matt some local leaders have since app in Portugal increasingly subject to varying to gamble our residents’ jobs, Hancock warned of “an unre- announced more aggressive British Prime Minister Boris degrees of restrictions, particu- homes and businesses and a lenting rise in cases in Lanca- action for their regions. AFP — LISBON Johnson threatened yesterday larly in devolved Scotland, Wales large chunk of our economy on shire”. “I know how heavy these On Thursday, Campania, to impose new coronavirus and Northern Ireland. a strategy that their own experts additional challenges will weigh which is centred on the Portugal’s government is in restrictions on Manchester after Johnson admitted he had tell them might not work”. on everyday life for the people southern city of Naples, damage control mode after it a stand-off with the city’s leaders “not yet reached agreement Foreign Secretary Dominic of Lancashire but they are ordered all its schools to close triggered widespread outrage risked undermining his strategy with Greater Manchester”, Raab responded yesterday, critical in bringing this virus for two weeks, while the and ignored EU guidelines to drive down infections. adding he understood the reluc- saying that the Labour mayor under control,” he said. regional leader Vincenzo De with plans to make a Johnson imposed further tance for deeper lockdown, was “effectively trying to hold “Without them, we risk the Luca said yesterday that he COVID-19 contract tracing app restrictions on about 1.5 million calling it “far from a pain-free the government over a barrel health of your loved ones, your would impose a curfew on the compulsory. people in nearby Lancashire course of action”. over money and politics”. most vulnerable, and your local night of October 31 to prevent Dubbed “Stay Away yesterday in a bid to bring down “But I must stress the situ- Clubs across Lancashire will NHS services. Now is the time to the virus spreading at Hal- COVID”, the app warns users spiralling transmission rates in ation in Greater Manchester is now be forced to close as part play your part, and we will make loween parties. when they have been near northwest England. grave and it worsens with each of a sit-down meal from today. sure you are supported.” The head of Lombardy in someone who has recently But Manchester mayor Andy passing day,” he said at his People are also banned Lancashire County Council the north, the hardest hit tested positive for the corona- Burnham is fighting against plans weekly coronavirus briefing. “If from mixing with others in any leader Geoff Driver said he had region in Italy, said he would virus. So far, just 1.7 million of for his city to also be moved into agreement cannot be reached, indoor setting or private garden. agreed “a bespoke deal for Lan- revise opening hours for clubs Portugal’s 10-million popu- “Tier 3” — the highest level of I will need to intervene in order Betting shops and soft-play cashire that means our busi- and restaurants and would lation have downloaded it, regional lockdown under John- to protect Manchester’s hos- areas will all shut, although nesses and residents will close gaming centres and which the government says is son’s localised strategy — without pitals and save the lives of Man- gyms can remain open under receive extra support that will bingo halls. He also called on fewer than needed to help extra funding from central gov- chester’s residents,” he added. the new rules, which will be not be available elsewhere in universities to return to dis- brake the pandemic’s spread. ernment. The stand-off comes as Burnham on Thursday reviewed every two weeks. the country”. tance learning. “I hate to be authoritarian, but we have to get this pan- demic under control,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa said. Bosnia court quashes myth He had announced on Wednesday that he would of Serb ‘hero’ in Srebrenica ask parliament for an “urgent” law making it com- AFP — SARAJEVO teenagers in Srebrenica, an pulsory to install the gov- eastern enclave of Muslims, ernment tracing app, A Bosnian court yesterday con- during the final year of Bosnia’s alongside mask-wearing on victed a former ethnic Serb devastating inter-communal the street. MPs are set to vote officer of genocide for his role war. According to the verdict, on the draft law next Friday. in the 1995 Srebrenica mas- Acimovic “carried out an order” sacre of Muslims, overturning to secure trucks to transport Fugitive couple a myth that he had heroically 818 prisoners gathered in a refused to join the operation. school gymnasium to the place face Belgian Srecko Acimovic, who has of their execution, a quarry long claimed to be one of few near the village of Kozluk 70 retrial for murder Serb soldiers to disobey his km north of Srebrenica. superiors during the slaughter Prosecutors said he “know- AFP — BRUSSELS in Srebrenica, was handed nine ingly and for years built himself years in prison for in fact par- the reputation of a hero”. After A couple arrested in Ivory ticipating in the massacre. the end of the war, local press Coast after 20 years on the run Acimovic, 53, “helped hailed Acimovic as “a good man over the murder of a British commit a joint criminal enter- in the time of great evil”. businessman in Belgium are prise... consisting of the partial The Srebrenica massacre to face a retrial, prosecutors extermination of a religious and still casts a shadow over eth- said yesterday. Precautionary measures ethnic group. He has thus com- nically-divided Bosnia. To Jean-Claude Lacote and mitted the act of genocide”, date, nearly 6,900 victims of Healthcare workers at the Intensive Care Unit of the Severo Ochoa University Hospital in Leganes his wife Hilde Van Acker, both Judge Stanisa Gluhajic said the massacre have been iden- yesterday. Spain has declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region to enforce a partial lockdown in their 50s, were sentenced while delivering the verdict tified in more than 80 mass to life in prison in their while the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia on October 14 ordered all clubs and restaurants before a Sarajevo court. graves, while the families of absence in 2011 for killing to close for the next 15 days. Spain has become one of the pandemic’s hotspots in the European Serb troops executed more others are still searching for Marcus Mitchell, who was shot Union, with close to 910,000 registered cases and over 33,000 deaths. than 8,000 Muslim men and remains. twice in the head in Belgium in 1996. Because they were not present for the trial, under Belgian university trials saliva tests to track virus spread Belgian law they have the right to have the case heard AFP — LIEGE, BELGIUM compulsory, but it’s important, The aim of giving the tests given leave to miss lessons. At staff and staff at retirement again, and hearings will so I do it every week,” says to students is to “demonstrate around 60 percent accuracy, homes” who come into contact begin in the western city of At the university of Liege in 20-year-old translation and that these self-testing kits can the saliva testing kits fall short with vulnerable people. Bruges on November 20, Belgium, a steady stream of stu- interpretation student Ruben be useful and allow us to of the 80-90 percent achieved They “could get tested reg- prosecutors said. dents pick up saliva tests in Ponton. “If I’m positive, I don’t throttle the spread of the epi- with nasal swabs. “There’s less ularly with quick results, so The pair, listed on white boxes from a desk at the come to class.” demic in a university of 30,000 virus present in saliva,” says we’d be able to check how the Europol’s most wanted list, entrance of the main building, Two of his fellow students people,” says professor Fabrice virologist Laurent Gillet, who virus is spreading through these fled Belgium in the aftermath a scheme creators hope will behind the desk check their Bureau, an immunologist and helped develop the process. communities,” he suggests. of the murder, beginning an simplify tracking the spread of peers’ ID cards, handing out more vice-rector of research. “The Nevertheless, for people Liege’s university hospital odyssey that reportedly took the coronavirus. than 560 tests on Wednesday idea is that we then make them with a very high viral load, the has started covering the cost of them through Europe, Africa Inside are simple saliva tests morning alone, and offer tips to available to a larger number of accuracy is “above 95 percent,” the kits — €12 ($14) excluding and Brazil before they resur- that people can administer them- those taking their first. They must people,” Bureau adds. he adds. And given how much tax — in a bid to reduce queues faced 23 years later in Abidjan, selves, simply spitting into a tube be taken “in the morning, on an In the second week of the easier the saliva test is than the at its drive-through testing the Ivory Coast’s commercial fitted with a funnel -- rather than empty stomach and before free, anonymous tests, some 3.6 nasal swab, people can take centre, which have at times capital. going to a test centre where a brushing your teeth”. percent of the students and 0.9 multiple tests, which “makes up stretched to 8km. It says they British media said that at medical professional would Backers hope the saliva tests percent of university staff came for the lack of sensitivity,” Gillet are most appropriate for people one point the French-Ivorian administer a nasal swab. developed at the university can back positive, roughly double argues. without symptoms, but who Lacote fled to South Africa, “I come and pick one up on help wipe out backlogs at the figures for the first week. The virologist believes it have been in contact with where he worked on a reality- Wednesdays and get the result testing centres buckling under Those testing positive are could be most useful for “some someone who has tested TV crime show. by Friday evening. It’s not coronavirus demand. urged to self-isolate and are specific populations, like nursing positive. SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 AMERICAS 11 Mexico’s former defence chief detained in LA AFP — NEW YORK Salvador Cienfuegos, a key figure in former president Enrique Pena Nieto’s 2012-2018 The former defence minister of Mexico has been detained in the government, was detained at Los Angeles United States and charged with airport and charged with drug trafficking and drug trafficking and money money laundering. laundering in the latest high- profile arrest linked to the country’s powerful cartels. Cienfuegos and cartel members run by “a narco-government Salvador Cienfuegos, a key intercepted by the authorities. and without doubt a mafia gov- figure in former president The charges are punishable ernment,” added the leftist Enrique Pena Nieto’s 2012-2018 in the United States with a leader, who came to power in government, was detained at minimum of 10 years in prison 2018 vowing to crack down on Los Angeles airport on Thursday and a maximum of life impris- corruption. while on a trip with his family. onment. The 72-year-old retired Former public security min- He is accused of conspiring general nicknamed “The God- ister Genaro Garcia Luna was to produce and distribute “thou- father” will answer three counts detained in Texas in December sands of kilograms” of cocaine, of drug trafficking and one of 2019 on charges of taking huge heroin, methamphetamine and money laundering in a Los bribes to allow the notorious marijuana in the US between Angeles court later. Sinaloa cartel to ship drugs into December 2015 and February US authorities are seeking the US, which he denies. 2017, documents released by a permanent order of detention, The arrest could lead to US federal prosecutors in New York saying Cienfuegos poses a “sig- authorities pursuing even bigger said. nificant risk of flight”. The targets, said Mike Vigil, former Cienfuegos “abused” his indictment was filed by the New head of international operations position “to help the H-2 Cartel, York City District Attorney’s for the US Drug Enforcement This file photo taken on September 16, 2018 shows Enrique Pena Nieto (centre), Navy Secretary an extremely violent Mexican Office on August 14, 2019, but Agency (DEA). Francisco Soberon (right) and Defence Secretary-General Salvador Cienfuegos, participating in the drug trafficking organization,” was only released yesterday. “Cienfuegos has enough parade celebrating the anniversary of the country’s independence, at Zocalo Square in Mexico City. according to the documents. “We’re facing an unprece- information,” he said when “In exchange for bribe pay- dented situation,” Mexico Pres- asked if the investigation could Vigil said the allegations forces won’t want to collaborate million Mexicans or ments, he permitted the H-2 ident Andres Manuel Lopez even result in charges against against Cienfuegos appeared to with US agencies because there descendants of Mexicans. Cartel — a cartel that routinely Obrador said, noting that two former president Enrique Pena have come from witnesses in will be resentment and distrust,” Before coming to power engaged in wholesale violence, former Mexican ministers are Nieto, who also faces corruption the US trial of drug lord Joaquin he added. Lopez Obrador vowed to send including torture and murder now detained in the US on alle- allegations at home. “Prose- “El Chapo” Guzman who was Cienfuegos’s arrest comes the military back to the bar- — to operate with impunity in gations of links to drug cartels. cutors and federal agencies (in sentenced to life in prison in ahead of the November 3 pres- racks, but it has kept its role Mexico,” the indictment said. “Of course, all this must be the US) always look for infor- July 2019. idential election in the United tackling cartel-related violence The prosecution said the proven,” he said. mation from detainees like Cien- Following the detention of States, where both sides are and even gained more respon- evidence included thousands of But the arrests were a clear fuegos that leads them to people the two former ministers, “many wooing Hispanic voters in a sibility including control of the Blackberry messages between sign that Mexico was previously at the same level or above.” members of the Mexican security country home to around 36 ports and customs.

US tycoon who Bolivia set to vote for pledged millions for Black students president after admits tax fraud polarised campaign AFP - NEW YORK Billionaire businessman AFP — LA PAZ Carlos Mesa with 24.7 percent. Robert Smith, who made To win outright in the first headlines last year by prom- Bolivians will vote for a new round, Arce would need to poll ising to pay off school loans president tomorow and for the 40 percent with a 10-point taken on by hundreds of Black first time in two decades the advantage over his nearest students, has reached a deal name of Evo Morales will not challenger. “While the margin with US authorities to stave off be on the ballot paper. will be close, we remain of the prosecution for tax fraud. Yet not only does the view Mesa will take the race to He will pay $140m to tax shadow of the landlocked coun- a 29 November runoff, which authorities as part of the try’s first ever indigenous pres- he would be favored to win,” arrangement, the Justice ident loom large over the poll, said Eurasia Group’s analyst for Department said on Thursday. he is the reason it is taking place Brazil and Bolivia, Filipe Grup- Smith, CEO of the at all. Morales stood for, and pelli Carvalho. Unless Arce wins investment firm Vista Equity won, an unconstitutional fourth in the first round, the other five Partners and the wealthiest term in a controversial election candidates are expected to Black American, is accused of Employees of the Electoral Court, guarded by the Military Police, load a truck with electoral material last year that sparked weeks of endorse Mesa in a runoff. hiding revenue from 2000 to to be distributed for tomorrow's general election, in La Paz, yesterday. protests against his victory. Mesa has already been 2015 to avoid paying millions An Organization of boosted by the withdrawal from in taxes. He has admitted American States audit subse- the race of conservative interim polarized election campaign, public funds during his tenure to official figures. doing this with offshore quently found clear evidence of president Jeanine Anez, who and the vote has twice been as economy and finance min- “Bolivia needs to recover accounts in Belize and St Kitts fraud and Morales resigned quit a month ago after dropping postponed due to the corona- ister under Morales. the path of stability and eco- and Nevis, in the Caribbean, before fleeing into exile. to fourth in opinion polls. virus pandemic. The former leader is himself nomic growth with social the department said. Now living in neighbouring After last year’s poll, the The interim government under investigation accused of justice,” said Arce. Mesa has dis- News of Smith’s deal broke Argentina, he is barred from protests were sparked by a deep accused Morales and Arce of “ter- “statutory trafficking” over missed the success of that period, the same day prosecutors standing but his hand-picked feeling that the election had rorism and genocide” over a alleged relationships with arguing that the country bene- accused Texas software tycoon successor as the Movement for been stolen. This time will be 12-day roadblock movement in underage girls. Yet the country’s fitted from high primary mate- Robert Brockman of hiding Socialism (MAS) candidate, Luis different, though, according to August that saw hospitals com- devastated economy is the main rials prices rather than expert $2bn in income from tax Arce, leads opinion polls. the chief of the top electoral plain they were unable to receive issue facing the candidates. economic management. authorities over two decades, According to analysts Eurasia body, Salvador Romero. urgent medical supplies needed Arce was widely credited Critics of Morales claim his including earnings from Vista. Group, “polls point to a very close “We’re going to have a to treat coronavirus patients. with Bolivia’s “economic miracle” failure to implement structural According to US media race with... Arce within reach of clean, secure and trustworthy Morales, meanwhile, con- during Morales’s 2006-2019 economic reforms meant the reports, Smith cooperated with a first round victory”. A Ciesmori election day,” he said, adding stantly rails against his oppo- presidency, during which the growth was unsustainable. authorities in Brockman’s case. poll released last week put Arce that this time the result would nents on social media, accusing country experienced more than Bolivia remains one of the Smith, 57, who is worth ahead with 30.7 percent of votes “faithfully reflect the popular them of being “putschists.” Arce 4.0 percent annual growth while poorest countries in the region more than $5bn according to compared to his main challenger, will expressed at the polls”. is also being investigated over poverty rates tumbled from 60 despite its vast mineral resources Forbes magazine, drew tears of the centrist former president It has been a particularly alleged misappropriation of percent to 37 percent, according such as gas and lithium. joy last year when he promised the 400-member graduating class of historically Black More- house College in Atlanta that he Federal judge finds Whitmer Plan to get virus shots to would pay off all of their student loans. This amounted to an esti- mated $40m. nursing homes unveiled In America, such loans plot case can move forward tend to average tens of thou- AP — WASHINGTON folks safe and effective vac- sands of dollars and are a huge AP — GRAND RAPIDS The men could get targeting Northam went beyond cines,” Mango said. burden that many young up to life in prison if that meeting, and nothing from Federal health officials yes- People in nursing homes and people take years to pay off. Prosecutors have provided convicted. the complaint or Trask’s tes- terday unveiled a plan to get other long-term care facilities enough evidence to move timony indicated that anyone approved coronavirus vaccines account for less than 1% of the Atlanta police toward trial for five Michigan had been charged with a plot to nursing home residents free US population, but they account men accused of plotting to involving Northam. The men of cost, with the aid of two for about 40% of the deaths from make arrest in kidnap the state’s governor, a saying their repeated partici- could get up to life in prison if national pharmacy chains. COVID-19, with more than federal judge ruled yesterday pation in discussions about convicted. No vaccine has yet been 83,600 fatalities logged by the actor’s death in Grand Rapids. abducting Michigan’s Demo- Several of their defense approved by the Food and Drug COVID Tracking Project. A two-day preliminary cratic governor and surveil- attorneys implied during ques- Administration, and the distri- The Trump administration’s AP — ATLANTA hearing this week featured tes- lance of Whitmer’s vacation tioning on Tuesday that their bution program is contingent initial attempts to promote coro- timony by one of the FBI agents home validated the decision. clients were “big talkers” who on that happening first. navirus testing in nursing homes Atlanta police announced yes- who ran the investigation, relying The preliminary hearing did not intend to follow through Under the plan, trained staff and to ensure sufficient supplies terday that they have made an on confidential informants and began Tuesday and featured with action. from CVS and Walgreens will of protective gear were ham- arrest in the shooting death of undercover agents to thwart the hours of testimony by a lead FBI Prosecutors, though, said deliver the vaccines to each pered by missteps and led to actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd. purported scheme. agent on the Michigan case, some of the men conducted nursing home and administer widespread complaints from Homicide detectives on US Magistrate Judge Sally revealing new detail about surveillance of Whitmer’s shots. Assisted-living facilities nursing home operators and Wednesday obtained an Berens is also set to consider investigators’ use of confi- northern Michigan house in and residential group homes advocates for older people. The warrant for the arrest of whether two of the men, Adam dential informants, undercover August and September and four can also participate in the vol- vaccine program seems designed 30-year-old Antonio Deme- Fox and Ty Garbin, should be agents and encrypted commu- of the men had planned to meet untary program. Nursing home to prevent a repeat at a time trice Rhynes on a felony denied bond ahead of trial. nication to thwart the pur- last week to pay for explosives staffers can be vaccinated too, when President Donald Trump murder charge based on evi- Berens on Tuesday denied bond ported scheme. and exchange tactical gear. if they have not already is battling to hang on to support dence and tips from the public, for three other men charged Agent Richard Trask also said Seven other men pur- received their shots. Needles, from older voters. and officers arrested him early with planning to abduct Dem- members of anti-government portedly linked to an extremist syringes and other necessary Vaccines will be on their Friday morning, Officer Steve ocratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. paramilitary groups from several paramilitary group called the equipment will be included. way to nursing homes within Avery said in an email. A sixth man, Barry Croft, states discussed abducting Wolverine Watchmen were The idea is to give hard- 24 to 48 hours after the FDA Rhynes will be taken to the was separately ordered on Whitmer or Virginia’s Demo- charged in state court last week pressed states an all-inclusive approves their use, Mango said. Fulton County jail once he’s Tuesday to be transferred to cratic governor, Ralph Northam, with providing material support system for vaccinating their The effort is taking place under processed, Avery said. It wasn’t Michigan from his home state during a June meeting in Ohio. for terrorist acts and possession most vulnerable residents, said the auspices of Operation Warp clear whether he had an of Delaware. Fox and Croft were among of a firearm while committing Paul Mango, a senior policy Speed, a White House-backed attorney who could comment Judge Berens on Tuesday those who attended that a felony. Michigan’s attorney adviser at the Department of effort to quickly produce and on his arrest. Police declined to ordered Kaleb Franks, Daniel session, according to testimony general charged an eighth Health and Human Services. distribute hundreds of millions release any further information, Harris and Brandon Caserta and federal court documents. person - a Wisconsin man - in “We are trying to eliminate of doses of approved vaccines, saying the investigation remains held without bond until trial, But it was not clear if talk of that case on Thursday. all potential barriers to getting enough for every American. open and active. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 Record avalanche of early votes transforms election

AP – WASHINGTON The 20.8 million ballots submitted as of yesterday afternoon represents 15% of all the Nearly 21 million Americans have already cast ballots in the votes cast in the 2016 presidential election, 2020 election, a record-shat- even as eight states are not yet reporting their tering avalanche of early votes totals and voters still have more than two driven both by Democratic enthusiasm and a pandemic weeks to cast ballots. that has transformed the way the nation votes. The 20.8 million ballots ratio in the 42 states included have been from Democrats and submitted as of yesterday in The Associated Press count. less than a third of them from afternoon represents 15% of all Republicans have been bracing Republicans. the votes cast in the 2016 pres- themselves for this early Dem- Even in Colorado, a state idential election, even as eight ocratic advantage for months, where every voter is mailed a states are not yet reporting their as they’ve watched President ballot and Republicans usually totals and voters still have more Donald Trump rail against dominate the first week of voting, than two weeks to cast ballots. mail-in ballots and raise only 19% of ballots returned have Clark County information technology department workers set up plexiglass safety shields in front of Americans’ rush to vote is unfounded worries about fraud. been from Republicans. kiosks at a sign-in area at an early voting site at the Cora Coleman Sunrise Senior Center in Las Vegas, leading election experts to predict In many critical battleground The massive amount of that a record 150 million votes states, Democrats have “banked” voting has occurred without any Nevada, on Thursday. In-person early voting in the battleground state begins today. may be cast and turnout rates a chunk of their voters and can of the violent skirmishes at could be higher than in any pres- turn their time and money polling places that some have been extraordinary lines early voters, 82% cast ballots five times as many mail ballots idential election since 1908. toward harder-to-find infrequent activists and law enforcement and hourslong wait times in through the mail and 18% in have been cast compared with “It’s crazy,” said Michael voters. Both parties anticipate officials feared. Georgia, Texas and North person. Black voters cast 10% the entire number in 2016. McDonald, a University of a swell of Republican votes on It has featured high-profile Carolina as they’ve opened in- of the ballots cast, about the North Carolina has seen nearly Florida political scientist who Election Day that could, in a errors — 100,000 faulty mail person early voting. same as their share of the triple the number so far. In- has long tracked voting for his matter of hours, dramatically ballots sent out in New York, An AP analysis of the early national electorate, according person early voting began this site ElectProject.org. McDon- shift the dynamic. 50,000 in Columbus, Ohio, and vote shows 8% of early voters to the AP analysis of data from week in several major states ald’s analysis shows roughly 10 In key swing states, Repub- a vendor supplying that state had never cast a ballot before, L2, a political data firm. and also broke records, partic- times as many people have licans remain far less interested and Pennsylvania blaming and 13.8% had voted in half or Mail ballots so far have ularly in crowded, Democratic- voted compared with this point in voting by mail. In Pennsyl- delays in sending ballots on fewer of previous elections for skewed toward older voters, with leaning metropolitan areas. in 2016. “We can be certain this vania, more than three-quarters overwhelming demand. which they were eligible. half coming from voters over age In Texas, Houston’s Harris will be a high-turnout election,” of the more than 437,000 ballots But there’s little evidence of The data also show voters 64. Traditionally, younger and County saw a record 125,000 McDonald said. sent through the mail so far have the mass disruption that some embracing mail voting, which minority voters send their mail ballots cast. In Georgia, hours- So far the turnout has been been from Democrats. feared as election offices had to health officials say is the safest ballots in closer to Election Day long lines threaded from lopsided, with Democrats out- In Florida, half of all ballots abruptly shift to deal with the way to avoid coronavirus or vote in person. election offices through much voting Republicans by a 2-1 sent through the mail so far influx of early voting. But there infection while voting. Of the In Wisconsin, more than of the state’s urban areas. Low risk of virus Trump and Biden blaze US campaign trail infection on

REUTERS – WILMINGTON Savannah Guthrie on NBC, and Georgia, two states he could planes if masks refused to condemn the bizarre need on the path to victory, worn: US military US President Donald Trump and conspiracy theory QAnon, reit- while Biden will visit two cities Democratic challenger Joe erated his unsubstantiated in Michigan. Biden planned to hit the cam- assertion that the 2020 election The second presidential AFP — WASHINGTON paign trail again yesterday with was rife with fraud and ques- debate had been scheduled for visits to three battleground tioned whether masks help fight Thursday, but Trump pulled out The risk of being infected with states, after displaying their the spread of COVID-19. after organizers said it would the coronavirus on an airliner sharply contrasting styles in Biden delivered policy- be virtual to lessen the risk of is very low if passengers wear dueling televised town halls. heavy answers and focused his infection. The President has masks, according to a study Trump lags in opinion polls attacks on Trump’s handling of returned to headlining cam- carried out aboard Boeing long- and latest figures from his cam- the pandemic, which has killed paign rallies, having spent three haul jets by the US military and paign show he is also behind in 216,000 people in the United nights at a military hospital published late on Thursday. fundraising in the final weeks States and hammered the after contracting the virus. Researchers using sensors before the November 3 election. economy. Biden won the TV Trump questioned whether and fluorescent tracers Trump’s campaign and the ratings battle between the two masks were effective at stopping measured the volume of air- Republican National Committee events, according to Nielsen the spread of the coronavirus, borne contagious matter raised some $247.8m in Sep- ratings data reported by CNN. contradicting the consensus of emitted by a dummy simu- Democratic presidential candidate and former US vice-president tember, his campaign manager Biden averaged 13.9 million public health experts, including lating an infected person Joe Biden and moderator George Stephanopoulos arrive for an said on Twitter, well behind the viewers on Walt Disney Co’s some in his administration. breathing normally. $383m haul of Biden and the ABC on Thursday night, CNN In Philadelphia on the ABC ABC News town hall event at the National Constitution Center in The passengers most Democratic Party. said. Trump pulled in 13 million network, Biden outlined his Philadelphia on Thursday. exposed to the infected person As the candidates return to across Comcast Corp’s NBC and plans to battle the pandemic to Republicans’ push for quick Biden’s campaign said three — those just in front of, behind the trail, a record 21.2 million the company’s MSNBC and and revive the economy by pri- confirmation of Trump’s latest people who in recent days had or beside the dummy — were Americans already have voted. CNBC cable channels. oritizing testing, funding local nominee to the court, Amy travelled with him or his represented in the study by the About 136.6 million people in National opinion polls have and state governments and dra- Coney Barrett. running mate, US Senator sensors. Some 300 test rounds total voted in the 2016 election. shown Biden ahead for months matically increasing taxes on Looming over the last seven Kamala Harris, had tested pos- were carried out on the ground Thursday night’s split-screen and it was unclear whether corporations and the wealthy. months of the campaign, the itive. Neither candidate had and in flight over the course of town hall events replaced a pres- Trump’s aggressive posture He promised to announce coronavirus dominated both close contact with the infected eight straight days in August idential debate that was can- would alter what has been a before the election his position televised events. Trump said individuals, the campaign said, in cooperation with United celled after Trump’s bout with stable race despite a whirlwind on adding justices to the again that the country has but Harris cancelled her in- Airlines on Boeing 767 and 777 coronavirus. A combative Trump, of news. Supreme Court, which some “rounded the corner”, despite person events through Sunday jetliners. sparring with moderator Trump will travel to Florida Democrats favour in response surges in cases in many states. as a precaution. The study concluded that 99.7 percent of COVID-19 con- taminant particles were elim- Michigan to ban open carry of inated by the sophisticated Trump denies California request for ventilation systems on the planes before they reached the firearms at voting locations passengers seated closest to more wildfire aid; state to appeal the dummy. REUTERS — MICHIGAN statement. In Michigan, the sec- Expanding outward to the REUTERS — CALIFORNIA retary of state oversees state 40 seats closest to the infected Michigan will prohibit the open elections. Benson gave the order person, the elimination rate is The Trump administration has carrying of firearms at polling to the state’s 1,600 election offi- 99.99 percent, the study said. denied California’s request for stations, clerk’s offices and cials, with state Attorney General The results prompted US mil- additional wildfire recovery other places where absentee Dana Nessel and the head of the itary transport officials to con- relief, saying yesterday the Sep- ballots are tabulated to prevent state police, Colonel Joe Gasper, clude that even on a full plane, tember blazes, part of the state’s voter intimidation, state offi- also joining her. the level of transmission over record-setting fire year, were cials said yesterday. The order, The Second Amendment of 12 hours of flight was not severe enough to be from Michigan Secretary of the US Constitution guarantees negligible. declared a “major disaster”. State Jocelyn Benson, applies citizens the right to bear arms, However, the tests only State officials said they to Election Day, on November though various states have looked at a scenario involving would appeal the rare rejection, 3, and prohibits a firearm imposed restrictions. Michigan a single infected passenger. which came after 4.1 million within 100 feet of any voting is an open carry state, meaning They also assumed that eve- acres burned this year, shat- or counting location. a firearm can be carried in public ryone on the plane wore a tering a previous record. Firefighters keep watch on the Bobcat Fire as it burns through the “Prohibiting the open-carry by its lawful owner without a mask continuously, and did “We have a strong case that night in Juniper Hills, California, in this September 19, 2020. picture. of firearms in areas where cit- permit, though that does not to not address a scenario in California’s request meets the izens cast their ballots is nec- apply to churches, schools, which an infected person federal requirements for state spends more than the US Federal Emergency Man- essary to ensure every voter is libraries, hospitals and a handful walks around the cabin of the approval,” state Office of Emer- Forest Service does on man- agement Agency spokeswoman protected,” Benson said in a of other public spaces. plane. gency Services spokesman aging those lands to reduce Lizzie Litzow said “the early Sep- Brian Ferguson said in an email. wildfire risk. Trump issued a tember fires were not of such The rejection was the latest major disaster declaration for severity and magnitude to exceed in a string of clashes between some parts of the state in August, the combined capabilities of the Twitter alters policy on hacked content President Donald Trump’s a move that provides federal state, affected local governments, administration and the Demo- assistance for individuals, infra- voluntary agencies and other AFP — WASHINGTON decision “election interference,” while President cratic-led Golden State. structure and both emergency responding federal agencies”. Donald Trump decried the blockage by both Trump has repeatedly and permanent work. Litzow suggested that home- Twitter has altered its policy on hacked content Twitter and Facebook. blamed deadly wildfires on a California Governor Gavin owners and businesses could after its decision to block a news report critical Twitter’s legal and policy executive Vijaya failure by California to clear its Newsom sent him a request on apply for disaster loans from the of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden Gadde tweeted that under changes to its two- forests of dead trees and debris September 28 seeking another Small Business Administration provoked Republican fury. year-old Hacked Materials Policy, the platform and threatened to withhold such declaration for seven and said “insurance is always the The social media behemoth said late on would “no longer remove hacked content unless federal assistance. counties affected by fires that most frequent financial source Thursday that it would in future only block stolen it is directly shared by hackers or those acting in “They have massive fires ignited early that month. of help after disasters”. information which was posted directly by concert with them”. again in California,” Trump said To date, those fires have In a statement, White House hackers, and label any other information of ques- She said it would also label tweets to provide at a campaign rally in August. burned more than 650,000 spokesman Judd Deere said Cal- tionable provenance. context “instead of blocking links from being “Maybe we’re just going to have acres. Among them is the Creek ifornia’s submission “was not Senate Republicans earlier said they would shared on Twitter.” Gadde said the firm made to make them pay for it because Fire, which has burned more supported by the relevant data subpoena Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey to the change to address “concerns that there could they don’t listen to us.” than 340,000 acres in Fresno that States must provide for testify before two different committees on why be many unintended consequences to journalists, In fact, more than half of and Madera counties and is the approval and the President con- the company blocked links to an article in the whistleblowers and others in ways that are con- California’s forests fall under largest single fire in state curred with the FEMA Adminis- New York Post alleging corruption by Biden in trary to Twitter’s purpose of serving the public federal management yet the history, according to the letter. trator’s recommendation”. Ukraine. Republican senator Ted Cruz called the conversation”.