www.thepeninsula.qa Sunday 9 August 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8344 19 Dhul-Hijja - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 13 PENMAG | 15 SPORT | 20

COVID-19 punishes Classifieds Tabata strikes Buffett, as and Services as Al Sadd Berkshire takes section edge big writedown included Al Duhail

Choose the network of heroes Enjoy the Internet Trump firmly rejected Saudi proposal to invade Qatar in '17 “During a June 6, 2017, call with Saudi King Salman, “It is regrettable to make a military action an US President Donald Trump option by a GCC country against a State firmly rejected a Saudi Member of the organization which was proposal to invade Qatar,” established on the basis of collective security writes Sigurd Neubauer in and a kind of alliance between the members.” the Foreign Policy. “The fact that Saudi Arabia has not yet THE PENINSULA — DOHA denied what was revealed by the American A report appeared in the Foreign Policy magazine indicates the truth of what Magazine has again exposed designs of Saudi Arabia to invade Qatar one happened, and this is very dangerous to the day after imposition of June 5, 2017 security and stability of the region.” blockade against Qatar by the quartet. “During a June 6, 2017, call with Director of the Information Office at the Ministry of Saudi King Salman, US President Donald Trump firmly rejected a Saudi Foreign Affairs H E Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed bin proposal to invade Qatar,” writes Jabor Al Rumaihi tweeted Sigurd Neubauer in the Foreign Policy. US President Donald Trump He further writes that soon after, the United States requested Kuwaiti medi- going along with the quartet’s plans. press conference with US President order to achieve other bigger goals that importance of Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base ation with the goal of resolving the con- Erdogan also dispatched Turkish troops Donald Trump at the White House on gamble with the future of the region particularly in reference to Trump flict within the confines of the Gulf Coop- to Qatar as part of a deterrence strategy September 7, 2017. and its people,” he tweeted. administration’s initiative of forming eration Council (GCC). The article also against Saudi Arabia and the UAE.” H H the Amir of Kuwait, who is the “The military plan set up by the of Middle East Strategic Alliance. points out crucial role played by Turkey The article says that Iran likewise main mediator to resolve Gulf crisis blockading countries violates interna- “Formally announced in May 2017, and Iran in thwarting plans of Saudi-led played key role in foiling the siege plan had said that his mediation efforts had tional law and all conventions which the Middle East Strategic Alliance coalition against Qatar. by opening its airspace and ports. managed to prevent military action we agreed on, as members of the United would include the six GCC countries, “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Qatar was well aware that there against Qatar. “What is important is Nations to resolve disputes in peaceful along with Egypt and Jordan.” Erdogan stepped in on Qatar’s side by was a plan to target its national sover- that we have stopped any military means. As well clearly shows that it is It adds: “While it is unclear when the engaging leaders from the Organisation eignty, a fact also confirmed by the action.” irresponsible adventure policy, similar Middle East Strategic Alliance will be of Islamic Cooperation and urging Amir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Commenting on the FP revelation, to the policy which led the region to launched, it could be headquartered at them not to be drawn into the crisis by Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah during a joint Director of the Information Office at the instability in the early 1990s,” Al Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, which houses Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Ambas- Rumaihi further wrote on his Twitter US, Qatari, and other allied troops.” sador Ahmed bin Saeed bin Jabor Al account. The writer observes that the US Rumaihi tweeted that what was revealed Earlier a report appeared on Al presence would effectively provide by the American Foreign Policy magazine Jazeera website on February 3, 2018 Qatar with some security against future about the firm rejection of US President had revealed the intentions of the embargos or worse. “Further, given The military plan revealed by the American magazine reconfirms Donald Trump of a proposal to invade blockading countries to invade Qatar. that the GCC headquarters is already what the Amir of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Qatar, during a phone call with Saudi King “Saudi Arabia and the United Arab based in Riyadh, establishing the new Salman bin Abdulaziz on June 6, 2017, is Emirates had intentions to invade grouping’s counterpart at Al Udeid Air Al Sabah, said in a joint press conference with US President a shocking matter for a member state of Qatar at the beginning of a diplomatic Base would not only strengthen the Donald Trump at the White House on September 7, 2017, the Gulf Cooperation Council. crisis that erupted in June, according balance of power within the Gulf but that Kuwait’s mediation succeeded in stopping any military “We emphasized from the to Qatar’s defence minister.” also ensure that not all of the Gulf intervention against Qatar. beginning that the allegations against The new article of the Foreign region’s multilateral organizations are Qatar were a justification attempt in Policy magazine also highlights the concentrated in one country.” ‘Lebanon in Our Hearts’ campaign raises over QR94m SANAULLAH ATAULLAH and lasted until 12.15 midnight including local businessmen, donations were made from sons Activities (RACA) in cooperation THE PENINSULA raised a total of QR94,052,940. individuals, women and of late Abdul Jalil Al Abdul with Qatar Charity (QC) and the The pouring donations forced children contributed in a big Ghani. Al Darwish United Co Qatar Red Crescent Society The donations of the fundraising organisers to extend the two- way to the campaign. donated QR500,000. Qatar (QRCS), to support Lebanese campaign ‘Lebanon in Our hour programme for an hour Qatar National Bank (QNB) Islamic Insurance Company people, following the tragic dis- Hearts’ reached over QR94m on and 15 minutes. donated QR2m, Al Rayan Bank donated QR100,000. aster that struck the port of LAST 16 - SECOND LEG second day in a live transmission The fundraising began with contributed with QR1.5m. Qatar Lebanese Expatriate Com- Beirut. held on Qatar TV yesterday to generous donation of QR1m by International Islamic Bank munity in Qatar contribute A number of scholars, YESTERDAY'S RESULTS support the people in Lebanon Ooredoo. Afterward, the dona- donated QR1m. QR40,000. A woman, Umm , humanitarian activists and rep- affected by Biuret Port blast. tions started pouring in from Alfardan Group donated donated QR25,000 and a child resentative from local charity Bayern Munich 4 - 1 Chelsea A total of QR65,244,865 financial institutions, banks, QR1m and Husain Al Fardan, a Turki Al Kuwari donated organizations were guests of the (Agg 7-1) donation was raised on first day insurance companies, exchange member of Board of Directors QR10,000. programme who encouraged (Friday) during two hours live houses and other private firms of Qatar Red Cresent Society The campaign was people to extend their helping Barcelona 3-1 Napoli transmission. The second day of in the country. donated QR1m. organised by the Regulatory hand for their brothers in (Agg 4-2) programme which began at 9pm Large number people As much as QR3.2m Authority for Charitable Lebanon at this tough time. `P2 Ras Laffan Hospital played major role in QA makes COVID-19 test recovery of over 4,000 COVID-19 patients mandatory for travel from some countries DOHA QNA — During the three months as a dedicated COVID-19 transferred from HMC’s Hamad General Hospital and the Com- THE PENINSULA — DOHA resume our services to these Hamad Medical Corporation’s treatment facility, over 600 staff tirelessly worked to municable Disease Center after countries,” airline said in (HMC) Ras Laffan Hospital has ensure patients received the best possible care. testing positive for the corona- Qatar Airways has said that message posted on its website. provided high-quality virus. At our busiest, we were from August 13 people trav- Tests must be done within treatment to more than 4,000 The hospital was opened with a capacity of 94 beds admitting between 120 and 150 elling from some specific 72 hours before departure, from COVID-19 patients with mild to and then gradually increased to 762 beds, which new patients each day. Over airports in some countries will laboratories that are approved moderate symptoms, officials 4,000 COVID-19 patients were have to present a negative by Qatar Airways, and paid for said yesterday. included increasing from 10 to 32 ICU beds. treated at our facility and dis- COVID-19 medical test result. at the passenger’s expense. As part of national efforts to Only three patients were transferred to the ICU at charged backed into the com- The airline has published a Those that do not have a expand the capacity to care for munity after recovering from list of approved test centres in copy of their medical test cer- COVID-19 patients, Ras Laffan Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital for more specialist the virus. Only three patients these countries on its website. tificate alongside a consent form Hospital treated patients since its care. were transferred to the ICU at “For the safety of all pas- will not be permitted to travel opening on April 21. And it dis- Hazm Mebaireek General Hos- sengers, effective August 13, on Qatar Airways flights. charged the final group of pital for more specialist care, Qatar Airways requires pas- Children below the age of 12 are recovered COVID-19 patients and which I believe is a direct sengers travelling from specific exempted from the test if was declassified as a dedicated reflection of the high-quality airports in the below countries accompanied by family COVID-19 treatment facility. care we were able to provide at to present a negative COVID-19 members that have presented Saadia Ahmed Al Hubail, our facility,” said Al Hubail. RT-PCR medical test result a negative test result. Assistant Executive Director of 32 ICU beds. During the three “While Ras Laffan Hospital Mona Al Hetmi, Director of when checking in. Regarding passenger forms Nursing at the Ambulatory Care months we operated as a ded- was a dedicated COVID-19 Nursing Education at the Ambu- "In our current network, for travel to certain countries, Center and Head of the nursing icated COVID-19 treatment treatment facility, we provided latory Care Center, said: “We these countries are Bangladesh, Qatar Airways announced on team at Ras Laffan Hospital, facility, over 600 staff tirelessly all necessary care to our worked very hard to ensure our Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Phil- its website that some coun- said: “The hospital was initially worked to ensure patients patients, the majority of whom nursing teams at Ras Laffan ippines, and Sri Lanka. They tries’ immigration and health opened with a capacity of 94 received the best possible care. were manual workers living in Hospital were fully unified and will also be required for pas- authorities require passengers beds and then gradually I’m proud to say that nurses the industrial areas. We cared that each individual nurse was sengers travelling with Qatar to submit a passenger locator increased to 762 beds, which played an important role in for patients of various ages, able to perform their role effec- Airways from India, Nepal, or health form prior to included increasing from 10 to delivering this care.” many of whom were tively." `P2 Nigeria and Russia, when we departure. `P2 02 HOME SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

03.42 am 05.05 am o o Very hot daytime with some clouds and slight dust at places FAJR SUNRISE 35 C 45 C at times, relatively hot by night. ZUHR 11.39 am ASR 03.08 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 07:43 – 19:37 LOW TIDE 03:20–14:14 MAGHRIB 06.16 pm ISHA 07.46 pm W ALRUWAIS: 34o↗39o W ALKHOR: 34o↗44o W DUKHAN: 33o↗42o W WAKRAH: 31o↗47o W MESAIEED 31o↗47o W ABUSAMRA 28o↗44o

Qatar takes part in Lebanon OFFICIAL NEWS search and rescue operation Amir condoles with President, Prime QNA — BEIRUT the vicinity of the explosion since its occurrence to prevent Minister of India Search and rescue operations entry and tampering with it, as DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin continued for the fifth consec- specialised teams have been Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir utive day in the vicinity of the dispatched to deal with the H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Beirut Port explosion, searching repercussions of the disaster. Thani sent yesterday cables of con- for survivors or bodies under Colonel Roger Khoury, dolences to President of the Republic the rubble, a mission in which commander of the engineering of India H E Ram Nath Kovind and the Lebanese army and security regiment in search and rescue Prime Minister of the Republic of India forces support specialised operations, ruled out the H E Narendra Modi on the victims international rescue teams, hypothesis that nuclear mate- of an Air India plane that crashed in including a team from the rials were among the explo- southern India, wishing the injured Qatar International Search and sives in the Beirut port a speedy recovery. Rescue Group. bombing, pointing out that The Prime Minister and Minis- Chief of the Lebanese technical assistance was ter of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Search and Rescue Group Brig- received from several coun- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani also adier General Jean Nahra said tries, including Qatar, Cyprus, sent a cable of condolences to Prime in remarks that many coun- Greece, Poland, France, Russia Minister of the Republic of India H tries, including the State of and Turkey. E Narendra Modi on the victims of Qatar, have provided assistance An equipped team from the an Air India plane that crashed in to his country in the aforemen- International Qatari Search and southern India, wishing the injured tioned search and rescue oper- Rescue Group of the Internal a speedy recovery. - QNA ations, as the area of the Security Force (Lekhwiya) Qatari envoy inspects field hospital in Beirut explosion was divided into geo- arrived in Beirut last Wednesday Qatar condemns Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Lebanon, H E Mohammed Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, graphical areas, each assigned and began its tasks in search and explosion in Mogadishu accompanied by the diplomats at the embassy, visited Al Roum Hospital, in Beirut to inspect the to a specific country to facil- rescue operations at the site of DOHA: The State of Qatar has construction of the field hospital donated by Qatar. The photo was shared by the Embassy of Qatar itate the survey process. the explosion in Beirut port, in expressed its strong condemnation in Lebanon yesterday. He added that the Lebanese coordination with the Lebanese security forces have isolated Army Command. and denunciation of the explosion that targeted a Somali army site in the capital, Mogadishu, and led to PHCC centers the deaths and injuries of soldiers. ‘Lebanon in Our Hearts’ campaign raises over QR94m In a statement issued yesterday, received over 24,000 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiter- patients during Eid FROM PAGE 1 ated the State of Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism QNA — DOHA Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Maliki, regardless of motives and causes. Chief Executive Director of The statement expressed The Primary Health Care QRCS said that QRCS responded the State of Qatar’s condolences Corporation (PHCC) on Eid Al quickly to the blast of Beiruit to the families of victims and the Al Adha holidays received port while speaking at the fun- government and people of Soma- 24,135 patients through 17 draising programme lia, wishing the wounded a speedy working health centers. Al Maliki said that a filed recovery. -QNA During the period from June team from QRCS are available 30 until yesterday, the PHCC in Lebanon to support the provided general medicine affected people. Relief materials COVID-19: 267 services to 19,745 patients and and medical supplies were also dental clinics service to 1,936 dispatched. new cases, 296 patients, in addition to emer- Sheikh Mawafi Adab, a gency services to 1,152 patients famous Islamic scholar was recoveries recorded who received treatment at its among the guest of programme health health centres. to encourage to donors. Sheikh THE PENINSULA – DOHA The PHCC affirmed that Mawafi prayed from Allah to meeting the needs of the give best rewards to those con- The Ministry of Public Health patients is one of its main tributed in the campaign. (MoPH) yesterday announced priorities. the registration of 267 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Another 296 people have recovered from QRCS’ Adahi reaches out to over 141,000 beneficiaries the virus, bringing the total number of recovered cases in THE PENINSULA — DOHA QRCS on the Adahi project for widows, and orphans. According to the final happiness to 4,000 Somali fam- Qatar to 109,438. the third year consecutively. He Overall, they received 8,590 report, the following activities ilies, or 24,000 persons, in All new cases have been Qatar Red Crescent Society emphasised the company’s full animals, including cows, sheep, were done in cooperation with Mogadishu, Banaadir, Hiran, introduced to isolation and are (QRCS) has concluded its 2020- support to the charitable and goats, depending on avail- National Societies in beneficiary Kismayo, and Gardo. After hard receiving necessary healthcare Adahi project under which project, which met the needs of ability in the respective countries. times due to the recent floods, according to their health sacrificial animals were poor families. countries. Palestine received 80 cows, the meat of 4,000 goats pro- status. distributed to a total of 141,128 “We are committed to the These food provisions con- which produced a net of 14,710 vided good nutrition for their The Ministry has also beneficiaries in all over the highest standards of providing stituted a message of love and kg of meat, to 7,355 families children, amid high rates of reported two new deaths due world. and slaughtering Adahi animals compassion from the benev- (44,130 persons) in the cities malnutrition. to COVID-19, of people aged Under a theme of ‘Offer as per the health and religious olent donors in Qatar. The and villages of the West Bank, In three regions of Chad, the 65 and 70 — all were receiving Your Sacrifice’, QRCS personnel requirements. We look forward project has a dual benefit for as well as villages in north- receipt of Adahi meat was the necessary medical care. distributed the meat of 1,000 to continuing our partnership both the donors and recipients. western Jerusalem. hailed by 6,000 destitute fam- The Ministry further said sheep as Adahi Qurbani to 1,211 with QRCS towards the social While being an act of worship, The project covered 2,000 ilies, or 36,000 beneficiaries of that measures to tackle families and 2,672 laborers. and humanitarian goals of this it is of great value to the needy poor families with widows, 1,500 goats. COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- Meat rations were home- noble project,” said Al Othman. who cannot afford to purchase orphans, or displaced persons Over 2,510 families found ceeded in flattening the curve delivered to 60 vulnerable fam- Internationally, the project high-quality food for their fam- in Sudan. As much as 500 sheep their food during the Eid Al and limiting the spread of the ilies living in remote areas of the was implemented in five coun- ilies. Also, it shows how others were distributed to 12,000 ben- Adha in Ethiopia. Prayers were virus. country. tries (Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, care for them and want to share eficiaries in Khartoum and sent to the charity payers of The number of daily new Musa Al Othman, Public Chad, and Ethiopia), with a total with them the joy of Eid Al some states of the region of Qatar from 15,060 beneficiaries, cases and hospital admissions Relations Manger at Widam, of 131,190 displaced persons, Adha, out of solidarity and Darfur. who received 2,510 sheep and has gradually declined over praised the cooperation with victims of disasters, poor unity. The Adahi project brought goats in Oromia. the past few weeks. Ras Laffan hospital played QA makes COVID-19 test mandatory for travel from some countries FROM PAGE 1 major role in recovery of of departure to confirm arrange- administered up to 72-hours prior a form up to 48 hours ahead of From August 1, passengers ments for a 14-day quarantine or to arrival. departure. Passengers travelling over 4,000 virus patients travelling to Massachusetts, US, that they can produce a negative Passengers travelling to Spain, to the Maldives must fill out a form must fill out a travel form ahead COVID-19 test result that has been Greece, and the UK must fill out up to 24 hours ahead of departure. FROM PAGE 1 “Ensuring teams who have never worked together before are able to seamlessly integrate can be chal- lenging and to help prepare our nurses we organized DPS Modern Indian School holds online Alumni Talk an intensive training course. Each nurse working at Ras Laffan Hospital was required to complete a four- THE PENINSULA — DOHA teaching. hour course prior to starting work at the facility. We The differ- also provided nurses with in-depth training on infection The DPS Modern Indian School ences between control procedures and the application of security and organised an online Alumni Talk the medical safety procedures. They received information on the event with Dr. Faid Khopekar, who courses available different roles within the hospital as well as the various is the former student of DPS-MIS in the United procedures and processes that were unique to this new from the batch 2013-14, on August States, India and facility.” 1, 2020. the United “As our nursing staff were coming from a number The event commenced suc- Kingdom. The of different facilities and had varying backgrounds, cessfully by the hearty welcome importance of co- including different specialities and experience levels, by Principal Asna Nafees who curricular activ- it was very important to us that we ensuring they explained in her speech the ities as well as the received the same orientation so that they were able importance of giving back to the vitality of to act as a cohesive unit. The training also helped to society which is also of our school teamwork. The make them feel more comfortable about working in a motto ‘service before self’, said the different changes high-risk and high-stress environment. Organising school in a statement. which are experi- these training courses allowed us to provide nurses Dr. Faid talked about his enced when with additional mentoring and helped us to build a journey from when he was in going abroad and strong and effective team,” added Al Hetmi. school till the present. He talked how to overcome Al Hetmi pointed out that nursing teams worked about the medical school entrance them, the impor- A screen grab from DPS-MIS online Alumni talk. 12-hour shifts and were involved in a variety of tasks that qualifications along with the tance of passion went above and beyond bedside care. She said a team of standardised examinations that in this field of work and the vari- Dr. Faid answered the questions of medicine and various career 12 nurses from HMC’s Department of Psychiatry were are required. He mentioned the eties of occupations available from the aspiring students present opportunities present in India and also essential to caring for patients and staff, providing difference between the traditional through this field were explained. in the session. Overall, Dr. Faid abroad was a truly inspirational necessary psychological guidance and support as needed. and modernised methods of At the end of his consultation, Khopekar’s insight into the field and sensational event. SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 HOME / MIDDLE EAST 03 More mothers in Qatar choose to breast-feed their newborns FAZEENA SALEEM exclusive breastfeeding for the system and society at large,” she key messages including, THE PENINSULA first six months of life,” she told said. ‘breastfeeding is the first vac- The Peninsula. Dr. Marwa also empha- cination for the baby’, ‘breast- More mothers in Qatar are Hamad Medical Corporation Babies should be exclusively breastfed during sized that exclusive breast- feeding helps the mother to choosing to breast-feed their has allocated breastfeeding feeding reduces infant mor- lose weight gained during newborns due to awareness clinics in the outpatient depart- the first six months, it is the normal way of tality from common childhood pregnancy’, ‘breastfeeding about the importance of breast- ments of the Women’s Health providing young infants with the nutrients, illnesses such as diarrhoea and helps to protect children feeding and the protective and Research Center and Al pneumonia and helps ensure against many diseases’, effects of breast milk on infant Wakra Hospital as part of a antibodies, enzymes, and substances they a quicker recovery from ‘working mothers can health, as result of national national initiative to promote need for healthy growth and development. illness. breastfeed because breast milk initiative to encourage the exclusive breast-feeding for six Breast-feeding can build a special connection Also to align with the global can be stored’ and ‘the mother practice. months and continuous breast- Baby-Friendly Hospital Initi- can always ask for help.’ “Due to the awareness feeding until the baby is two between a mother and her baby. ative of World Health Organi- According to Dr. Marwa, a about the benefit of breast- years. zation (WHO), HMC implement study held in 2015 has revealed feeding, an increasing number The breastfeeding clinic practices that protect, promote that 18 % of Qatari mothers and of mothers in the country provides essential services and Dr. Marwa Samir Hamdy, and support breastfeeding. 36%of expatriate mothers in the choose it as the best way to support to mothers who want Lactation Specialist at Al Wakra Hospital “We at Al Wakra Hospital country exclusively breast-feed ensure their newborn’s healthy to successfully breastfeed, have taken my steps to be rec- their babies in the first six growth,” said Dr. Marwa Samir including mothers who are ognized by the WHO for the months. Hamdy, Lactation Specialist at having difficulties in the number of mothers development,” she said. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initi- Also according a study by Al Wakra Hospital. breastfeeding. breastfeed their babies at least Dr. Marwa said that, breast- ative. We are paving the way for Sidra Medicine, lack of infor- “It is encouraging to see that “The antenatal clinics during the first six months,” said feeding can build a special con- the WHO recognition,” said Dr. mation and support by family more women are aware of the encourage and prepare women Dr. Marwa. nection between a mother and Marwa. and work place prevent benefits of breastfeeding in the for breastfeeding, prior to “Babies should be exclu- her baby, adding that it is one While, to mark the World mothers from wanting to con- recent years. In fact, Qatar’s delivery. A doctor examines the sively breastfed during the first of the many ways mothers and Breastfeeding Week, (from tinue breastfeeding. National Health Strategy is mother and if she shows any six months, it is the normal way babies bond. August 1 to 7), the Ministry of “These findings are focusing on developing an inte- complications that may hinder of providing young infants with “All mothers can breastfeed, Public Health, HMC and important to know the reasons grated national program for breastfeeding, necessary the nutrients, antibodies, provided they have accurate Primary Health Care Corpo- and find solutions to encourage maternal and newborn health guidance and medicines are enzymes, and substances they information, and the support of ration together hold a social breastfeeding practice,” said Dr. which includes promoting provided. The aim is to increase need for healthy growth and their family, the healthcare media campaign with seven Marwa. HBKU Press books win at the 2020 International Book Awards THE PENINSULA — DOHA on a Football Carpet by Matthias falcon find his way home. To help Krug in the category of Sports. their new friend reach his desti- Hamad Bin Khalifa University “HBKU Press is extremely nation, they must solve math Press’ (HBKU Press) latest chil- proud of all the authors who have riddles along the way, with each dren’s title Spring Bloom was been deservedly recognized at answer leading them closer to his named a winner in the category this year’s International Book home. The story was written in of Children’s Educational at this Awards,” explained Bachar an effort to teach math in a fun year’s edition of the International Chebaro, Executive Director of and imaginative way, but also to Book Awards (IBA). HBKU Press. address a gap in multicultural Co-authored by Virginia “The recognition of HBKU storytelling. Commonwealth University Press books on the international Where Is My Teacher?, which judge, saying that Qatar, with no easy-to-adopt nutritional guide- the winners and finalists. School of the Arts in Qatar’s stage further validates our com- was previously named as HBKU football history of its own, didn’t lines and framework for health, Jeffrey Keen, President and (VCUarts Qatar) Sadia Mir and mitment to publishing quality Press’ 2020 World Book Day deserve the chance to host the The Six Pillars of Wellness, you’ll CEO of American Book Fest, said, Summer Al Jarrah Bateiha and books that highlight literary official selection and a finalist in biggest football tournament in the learn how to make healthier and “The 2020 results represent a illustrated by award-winning talents from the region. the category of Best Illustrations world. In Journeys on a Football more sustainable choices, so you phenomenal mix of books from artist Inna Ogando, the book was “These four books specifically in the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Carpet, Matthias Krug sets out to feel more satisfied, energized, a wide array of publishers also recently named a winner at were written with a distinct focus Awards, was inspired by the young debunk that myth by sharing the lighter, and happier. throughout the world. With a full the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book on the history, concepts, ideas, author’s vivid imagination. The fascinating inside story of the This year, which marks the publicity and marketing cam- Awards. and values from the region, delightfully inventive tale follows country’s football evolution over award’s 11th annual year, there paign promoting the results of HBKU Press’s list of finalists making their wins doubly Dalal’s missing teacher and takes the past six decades. were over 2,000 entries from all IBA, this year’s winners and also included: Where Is My important: not only do they high- readers on a literary adventure A Beautiful Balance: A over the world in over 90 cate- finalists will gain additional Teacher?, written by Dalal light talented authors, but also where they are immersed in a new Wellness Guide to Healthy Eating gories. The IBA, which is spon- media coverage for the second Ghanim Al Romaihi with illustra- important stories and narratives world on every page. and Feeling Great is a complete sored by the American Book Fest, half of 2020.” tions by Nicos Yanopulos, in the to the global literary community In Journeys on a Football resource that gives you the tools highlights a wide variety of out- All four winning books can be category of Children’s Picture which is key in furthering cross Carpet, Qatar-born journalist and to help you live a healthier life- standing literary fiction and non- found online as eBooks on Book: Hardcover Fiction; A Beau- cultural knowledge and under- author Matthias Krug sets out to style, get control of sugar fiction works that are the best in Amazon Kindle. Hard copies of the tiful Balance: A Wellness Guide standing, something that HBKU explore Qatar’s sporting history. cravings, and look and feel your their categories. A distinguished books, and other HBKU Press pub- to Healthy Eating and Feeling Press consistently endeavours to When Qatar won its bid to host best. Full of delicious, nourishing panel of industry judges, who lications, can now be purchased Great by Zoë Palmer-Wright, do.” the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was recipes, including healthier twists brought to the table their and delivered in Qatar from the available in both English and in Spring Bloom follows the the ultimate sporting miracle for on traditional Mediterranean and extensive editorial, PR, mar- Rafeeq and Snoonu applications Arabic, in the category of Health: protagonists Aliya and Zade on a young and ambitious nation. Middle Eastern dishes, and author keting, and design expertise, nar- (available to download from the Women’s Health; and Journeys their journey to help a lost young But the critics were quick to Zoë Palmer-Wright’s rowed down the 2,000 entries to Apple Store and Google Play). Trump to host Iran asks UN to hold United States Belgian court suspends Iraq PM at the accountable for plane interception arms export to Saudi Arabia White House ANATOLIA — BRUSSELS according to the decision. AP — UNITED NATIONS fighter jets while travelling International Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia is the most on August 20 through internationally specified Iran’s civil aviation organization Belgium’s highest adminis- important client of the Wallo- Iran is urging the United Nations air corridors in Syria’s airspace. contacted Syrian authorities and trative court yesterday nia’s arms industry. In 2018, REUTERS — WASHINGTON to hold the United States “In reaction to the offensive called for “a prompt and accurate suspended arms export licenses local companies sold weapons accountable for the interception and hazardous manoeuvring of investigation of the incident.” He to Saudi Arabia. for €225m ($267m) to the oil US President Donald Trump of an Iranian passenger plane by the United States fighter jets and said Iranian authorities also The Council of State monarchy, representing one- will host a visit of Iraqi Prime two US fighter jets in the skies in order to save the civil aircraft launched an investigation. decided to suspend by an quarter of the region’s total Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi over Syria last month, which it and passengers’ lives, the airliner The results of both investi- emergency ruling the Wal- arms export. to the White House on August called an “unlawful” and an had to change altitude abruptly, gations will be released “after the lonian minister-president’s According to Amnesty 20 to discuss challenges posed “adventuristic act.” Iran’s UN causing injuries to the passengers revision and finalisation of the decision on granting licenses International, Wallonian arms by the coronavirus pandemic Ambassador, Majid Takht onboard,” the ambassador said. collected data and information” to several Belgian companies company John Cockerill, whose as well as security, energy and Ravanchi, said in identical letters US Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a by both teams, Ravanchi said. to export arms to Saudi Arabia. license was also suspended by economic issues, the White to UN Secretary-General Antonio Central Command spokesman, “It is obvious that the act by Elio di Rupo, the minister- a previous court decision, gave House said in statement on Guterres and the UN Security said at the time of the incident the United States fighter jets is president of the country’s military training to the Saudi Friday. Council circulated that Iran that a US F-15 “conducted a a flagrant violation of the avi- southern region, gave author- army in 2018 in Eastern France. Al Kadhimi took office in “expresses its strongest objections standard visual inspection” of the ation security and freedom of ization to two Wallonia-based Yemen has been in violence April, becoming the third against this violation of interna- Iranian plane “at a safe distance civil aviation reflected in the arms companies, FN Herstal and chaos since 2014, when Iraq head of state in a chaotic tional law and will pursue the of approximately 1,000 meters 1944 Chicago Convention on and CMI Defence, to sell Iran-backed Houthi rebels 10-week period that fol- issue through relevant interna- (3,280 feet) from the airliner.” International Civil Aviation and weapons to the Saud Arabia’s overran much of the country, lowed months of deadly pro- tional bodies.” He said once the aircraft was its relevant annexes as well as National Guard and Royal including the capital, Sanaa, tests in the country, which Ravanchi said a Mahan Air- identified as a passenger plane, an infringement of the 1971 Guard in early July. and forced President has been exhausted by lines Airbus A310 en route from “the F-15 safely opened distance Montreal Convention for the Licenses were meant to Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to decades of sanctions, war, Tehran to Beirut on July 23 “was from the aircraft.” The Iranian Suppression of Unlawful Acts replace previous decisions can- flee the country the following corruption and economic aggressively and unexpectedly ambassador said that in line with against the Safety of Civil Avi- celed by the highest adminis- year. challenges. intercepted” by two US F-15 provisions of the Convention on ation,” he said. trative court. The new author- The crisis escalated in 2015 izations were again brought to when a Saudi-led military coa- the Council of State by human lition launched a devastating Gaza students back to school with few virus safety measures rights and anti-war associa- air campaign aimed at rolling tions, claiming Saudi Arabia back Houthi territorial gains. AP — GAZA STRIP did everything possible to might use the military Tens of thousands of Hundreds of thousands of students secure smooth beginning of equipment to intervene in Yemenis, including civilians, in the isolated Gaza Strip returned this school year by several Yemen. are believed to have been killed to schools after five months of measures to prepare, clean, “It cannot be excluded that in the conflict, which has led to closure, despite the ongoing disinfect schools and training there is a real risk for the one of the world’s worst pandemic that has seen school workers on daily disinfection,” weapons... to be used in the humanitarian crisis with 3.65 years postponed elsewhere across said Farid Abu Athra, director context of the conflict in million internally displaced and the globe. of the agency’s education Yemen or to contribute to 15 million people in need of The rare scene of normalcy in program. internal repression,” immediate humanitarian aid. the Palestinian enclave came as the territory has so far been spared a Students going back to school which have been serious outbreak of the corona- closed due to COVID -19 pandemic in Gaza City. virus. There have been no known cases of community transmission infections have spiked and and workers of international aid among the 2 million residents of imposing mandatory quarantine at groups. Gaza, which has been under an designated facilities for all arrivals. With the virus at bay, 285,000 Israeli-Egyptian blockade since the Seventy-eight people have students at UN-run schools and militant Hamas group took power tested positive for COVID-19 and some 277,000 pupils at public in 2007. a woman with underlying health schools were headed back to school For Gaza’s limited health care issues died, all at the isolation this week. They were not required system, Hamas authorities have centers. From the outset, the to wear masks or keep distancing, sought strict precautions to prevent blockade has restricted movement but teachers at UN Relief and Works an outbreak, largely shutting Gaza’s in and out of Gaza mostly to its res- Agency schools poured sanitizers border with Israel and Egypt where idents with humanitarian causes on students’ hands. “The UNRWA 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 Police fire tear gas at Beirut protesters

REUTERS — BEIRUT About 5,000 people gathered in Martyrs’ Square in the city centre, some throwing Lebanese riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to stones. Police fired tear gas when some break through a barrier to get protesters tried to break through the barrier to the parliament building in Beirut yesterday during a blocking a street leading to parliament. protest over the government’s handling of this week’s devas- tating explosion in the city. government,” said university city would not fall into “corrupt About 5,000 people student Celine Dibo as she hands”. He will host a donor gathered in Martyrs’ Square in scrubbed blood off the walls of conference for Lebanon via the city centre, some throwing her shattered apartment video-link today, his office stones. Police fired tear gas building. “I wish the United said. US President Donald when some protesters tried to Nations would take over Trump said that he will join. break through the barrier Lebanon.” Several people said The prime minister and blocking a street leading to they were not surprised that presidency have said 2,750 parliament, a journalist said. French President Emmanuel tonnes of highly explosive The protesters chanted “the Macron had visited their gutted ammonium nitrate, which is people want the fall of the neighbourhoods this week used in making fertilisers and regime”, and held posters while Lebanese leaders had bombs, had been stored for six saying “Leave, you are all not. years without safety measures killers”. “We are living in ground at the port warehouse. “We want a future with zero. I hope another country President Michel Aoun said dignity, we don’t want the would just take us over. Our on Friday an investigation blood of the victims of the leaders are a bunch of corrupt would examine whether it was Lebanese protesters carry a wounded demonstrator away from clashes in downtown Beirut, yesterday. explosion wasted,” said Rose people,” said psychologist caused by a bomb or other Sirour, one of the Maryse Hayek, 48, whose external interference. Aoun demonstrators. parents’ house was destroyed said the investigation would blown across his home, and a could have caused losses provide support to Lebanon. Tuesday’s blast, the biggest in the explosion. also weigh if the blast was due damaged photograph of him amounting to $15 billion. That Also speaking after meeting explosion in Beirut’s history Lebanon’s Kataeb Party, a to negligence or an accident. and his wife. is a bill that Lebanon cannot Aoun, Turkish Vice President which destroyed a swathe of Christian group that opposes Twenty people had been Bulldozers ploughed pay after already defaulting on Fuat Oktay said his country was the city, killed 158 people and the government backed by the detained so far, he added. through the wreckage of a mountain of debt — ready to help rebuild the port. wounded 6,000, the health Iran-aligned Hezbollah, Some residents wondered mangled homes and long rows exceeding 150 percent of eco- For ordinary Lebanese, the ministry media office said yes- announced yesterday the res- how they would ever rebuild of flattened cars as soldiers nomic output — and with talks scale of destruction is terday. Twenty-one people ignation of its three lawmakers their lives. Tearing up, Bilal stood by. Volunteers with stalled on a lifeline from the overwhelming. were still reported as missing. from parliament. Hassan used his bare hands to shovels streamed through International Monetary Fund. “It felt like a mini atomic The government has “I invite all honourable try to remove debris from his streets. France and other countries bomb,” said George Rohana, promised to hold those respon- (lawmakers) to resign so that home. He has been sleeping on Danielle Chemaly said her have rushed emergency aid to sitting beside a supermarket that sible to account. the people can decide who will a dusty couch besides pieces charity organisation, whose Lebanon, including doctors, was demolished. Some residents, struggling govern them, without anybody of splintered glass. headquarters was destroyed, and tons of health equipment Marita Abou Jawda was to clean up shattered homes, imposing anything to them,” When his three wounded had provided assistance to 70 and food. The blast destroyed handing out bread and cheese complain the government they said party chief Samy Gemayel, teenage children ran for their families who were left Lebanon’s only major grain silo to victims of the blast. see as corrupt — there had announcing the move during lives they left blood stains on homeless. and UN agencies are helping “Macron offered to help and been months of protests the funeral of a leading the staircase and walls. “We have given people provide emergency food and our government has not done against its handling of a deep member of the group who died “There is really nothing we initial help but we don’t know medical aid. anything. It has always been like economic crisis before this in the explosion. can do. We can’t afford to what we can do for families in Arab League Chief Ahmed that,” she said. week’s disaster — has let them Macron, who visited Beirut rebuild and no one is helping the future. It requires major Aboul Gheit said yesterday after “After Macron visited I down again. on Thursday, promised angry us,” he said, standing beside a projects,” she said. a meeting with Aoun he would played the French national “We have no trust in our crowds that aid to rebuild the large teddy bear that was Officials have said the blast seek to mobilise Arab efforts to anthem all day in my car.” Sudan ‘regrets’ tone of US travel advisory At least 8 soldiers dead in blast AFP — KHARTOUM kidnapping and armed conflict”. Sudan said yesterday it “regrets” the tone “Members of known terrorist groups of the latest US State Department continue to be in Sudan and could pose outside Somali army base advisory against travel to the country, a threat,” it said. saying it does not take into account “Demonstrations can occur with no AP — NAIROBI changes of the post-Bashir era. warning,” although recent protests had “The ministry calls on its counterpart been “peaceful with no police response”. A car bomb exploded at the gates of to show caution when warning its cit- In contrast, Sudan’s government this a military base in Somalia’s capital izens to reconsider travel to Sudan,” the week welcomed remarks from US Sec- yesterday, killing at least eight foreign ministry said in a statement. retary of State Mike Pompeo that he soldiers and wounding 14 others, It stressed “the great change brought would like to delist Sudan as a state with the toll expected to rise, police about by the glorious revolution of sponsor of terrorism. said. December 2018” that led to longtime Pompeo has repeatedly indicated The Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab leader Omar Al Bashir’s ouster, saying Washington hopes to remove the desig- extremist group quickly claimed Khartoum “regrets” the wording of nation, which dents investment in Sudan, responsibility via its radio arm, Thursday’s advisory. but disputes have arisen on compen- Andalus. The group often targets The country was now one of “political sation over the 1998 bombings of two US military sites in Mogadishu and con- stability, free demonstrations, and pro- embassies in Africa. trols large parts of southern and tection of human life and the rights of Bashir had welcomed Al Qaeda chief central Somalia, with little sign of Sudanese citizens, with peace negotia- Osama bin Laden and Sudan was accused being hampered by the coronavirus tions underway with armed struggle of aiding militants who blew up the pandemic. movements”. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing Police Capt Mohamed Hussein In a standard advisory, the State 224 people. Sudan’s new government has shared the attack’s toll and Col Department called on US citizens to agreed to a compensation package but Ahmed Muse said the bomber struck An ambulance is seen near a blast site that rocked a military base, in “reconsider travel to Sudan due to a dispute has arisen over higher pay- the 12th April Army Brigade base COVID-19... crime, terrorism, civil unrest, ments to Americans than to Africans. near the newly reopened sports Mogadishu, Somalia, yesterday. stadium in Warta-Nabadda district. But the Somalia-based extremist progress in improving security was The stadium’s reopening had group has been resilient, recently cited - along with disagreements over been celebrated by Somalia’s pres- improving its ability to build explo- the timing of a crucial national election ident and others as a sign of the sives and supporting its deadly work set for early next year. Horn of Africa nation’s attempts to by taxing travellers along major Last month’s vote came just days rebuild from three decades of con- routes in the country and extorting after the president and regional gov- flict and chaos — though mortar businesses. While Somalis and ernments, which have had a tense rela- blasts outside sent fans ducking for returnees from the country’s diaspora tionship, had agreed to hold a timely cover. continue to invest in renewal, the election. Somalia had aimed to hold Al Shabab has been the target of insecurity poses a daily threat and its first one-person-one-vote in 50 a growing number of US military air- complicates political tensions. years, but that prospect is fading. strikes under President Donald When the prime minister was How such a vote can be held in Trump’s administration, with at least ousted in a parliament vote of no con- areas under the sway of Al Shabab 63 strikes carried out last year alone. fidence last month, lack of sufficient remains unclear. Mali President names nine judges to new constitutional court in bid to ease crisis

AFP — BAMAKO to include opposition members, court. Officials from Mali’s presi- while sticking by Keita. dency, who declined to be named, Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar They also urged the said that the judges are due to be Keita appointed nine judges to the appointment of new judges to the sworn in tomorrow. Constitutional Court on Friday, by Constitutional Court to resolve a Opposition figures appear decree, as part of a compromise festering election dispute, among unlikely to back down, however. intended to ease the country’s other measures. The June 5 Movement earlier on months-long political crisis. Much of Mali’s current tension Friday said that it would stage The poor Sahel nation is in the was sparked in April, when the nationwide anti-Keita demonstra- grip of a political impasse between Constitutional Court tossed out 30 tions on Tuesday. Keita and an increasingly strident results from long-delayed parlia- The group has been channelling opposition which is intent on mentary elections — a move that deep anger over Mali’s eight-year securing his resignation. benefited Keita’s party, but trig- militant conflict, a dire economy Last month, 11 people died over gered protests. and perceived government cor- three days of unrest following an Mali’s opposition June 5 ruption. The government has been anti-Keita protest — in the worst Movement has repeatedly spurned struggling to contain an insurgency political strife Mali has seen in the ECOWAS proposal, however, that first emerged in the north in years. and continues to demand the 2012, before spreading to the Heads of government from the 75-year-old president’s central Mali and to neighbouring Economic Community of West resignation. Burkina Faso and Niger. African States (ECOWAS) stepped On Friday, according to a pres- Thousands of soldiers and in, suggesting on July 27 the for- idential decree, Keita nevertheless civilians have been killed in the mation of a new unity government appointed nine new judges to the conflict. SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 ASIA 05 Investigators find black boxes from Indian plane crash; death toll hits 18 AFP — KOZHIKODE Aviation Minister plane touching the ground and Hardeep Singh then everything went “blank”. Investigators have recovered “After the crash, the emer- the “black box” flight recorders Puri, who visited gency door opened and I from an Air India Express plane the accident site dragged myself out somehow,” that crashed in southern India he said from a hospital bed in killing at least 18 people, the yesterday, put the Kozhikode. aviation minister said latest death toll at “The front part of the plane yesterday. was gone — it was completely The plane carrying 190 18, while authorities gone. I don’t know how I made people crash-landed during bad said 22 people were it but I’m grateful. I am still weather on Friday night and shaken.” The impact was so tore in two, injuring scores of in critical condition in brutal that the nose of the passengers. hospital. The fatalities Boeing 737 finished about 20 Officials inspecting the wreckage of the Air India Express jet at Calicut International Airport in Karipur, The Boeing 737, on a special included the two metres from the back half of the flight from Dubai to bring back jet. Kerala, India, yesterday. Indians stranded by the coro- pilots as well as four “All that we could hear were navirus pandemic, overshot the children. screams all around. People the wreckage in the dark and car before the child could Modi tweeted his runway at Kozhikode in Kerala were soaked in blood every- wet. receive treatment. condolences. state, plunged down an where, some had fractures, Several people on board had The flight was one of hun- “My thoughts are with those embankment and broke up. Kozhikode is considered a some were unconscious,” said to be cut out with special dreds in recent months to bring who lost their loved ones,” Modi “Fuel had leaked out so it tricky airport as it has a table- local resident Fazal Puthiyakath equipment. It took three hours home tens of thousands of said. was a miracle that the plane did top runway with a steep drop who was among the first at the to clear all the injured and Indians stranded abroad by the Pakistani Prime Minister not catch fire, the toll could at one end. scene. bodies, officials said. coronavirus pandemic, many Imran Khan said he was sad- have been much higher,” one Kerala has been hit by Indian media quoted air Taxis ferried many of the of them in Gulf countries. dened by the “loss of innocent senior emergency official at the severe floods in recent days and traffic control officials and a injured to hospitals. Kerala’s Health Minister K lives”. scene said. heavy rains had been falling for flight tracker website as “Locals rushed to the spot K Shailaja asked all those In June, a Pakistan Interna- Aviation Minister Hardeep several hours at Kozhikode as showing the Boeing 737 twice after hearing the noise,” one involved in the rescue to go into tional Airlines flight ploughed Singh Puri visited the site yes- the jet landed. circled and started to land rescue worker said. “People isolation because of the risk of into a crowded Karachi neigh- terday and announced that the Puri put the latest death toll before it crashed at the third came in cars, messages were catching the coronavirus from bourhood, killing 97 people flight data and cockpit voice at 18, while authorities said 22 attempt. being sent on WhatsApp... passengers. aboard and a child on the recorders had been found, people were in critical condition The jet repeatedly jumped that people were needed to According to flight docu- ground. which will help the investi- in hospital. up and down in buffeting winds help. ments, 15 of those on board had The last major plane crash gation into the cause of the The fatalities included the before the landing, survivors “At first, people took the lost their jobs and 12 were in India was in 2010 when an crash. two pilots as well as four told Indian television. injured to the hospitals in returning for a medical emer- Air India Express Boeing The Aircraft Accident Inves- children. Local taxi drivers and their cars. Then the emer- gency. Two were coming back 737-800 from Dubai to Man- tigation Bureau was conducting Passenger Renjith traders joined airport rescue gency services took over.” to be married. galore overshot the runway the probe, he said. Panangad, 34, recalled the staff to help free people from One of the infants died in a Prime Minister Narendra killing 158 people. New Zealand PM kicks off election campaign after taming virus AFP — AUCKLAND an unknown source. to support businesses in hiring “When people ask, is this a at least 40,000 people whose New Zealand Prime Minister COVID election, my answer is employment has been affected Jacinda Ardern kicked off her yes, it is,” the charismatic by the coronavirus. Labour Party’s election 40-year-old said as she It pledged to expand existing campaign Saturday riding high launched the campaign with a job schemes to help employers in the opinion polls after a NZ$311m ($205m) pledge to hire staff at risk of long-term successful response to the coro- boost jobs. unemployment. navirus outbreak. “Businesses large and small It will also help out-of-work Ardern’s popularity as pre- are crucial to our economic New Zealanders start a business ferred prime minister — often recovery.” Labour is the senior through an expanded self- referred to as “Jacindamania” partner in a three-party coa- employment programme which — topped 60 percent in the lition government but if it can will provide the equivalent of latest surveys following her maintain the support shown in the minimum wage for up to leadership through the recent opinion polls, where it 30-hours a week. Christchurch mosque attacks, has consistently been above 50 “The new flexi-wage the White Island volcanic percent, it could govern alone scheme is a key plank of our eruption and the pandemic. after the election. economic plan to support busi- Before the virus forced New Ardern was an unheralded nesses to recover and to provide Zealand to seal its borders, the MP when thrust into the Labour jobs to those who have lost polls had pointed to a cliff- leadership shortly before the work due to COVID,” Ardern hanger election on September 2017 election when the party said. 19, but support swung sharply was struggling and “there were “Our team-of-five-million towards the centre-left Labour plenty who thought it couldn’t approach to fighting COVID Party as the country eliminated (win),” she said. means there is huge willingness community transmission in a “If you had told me then that in our business community to matter on months. our launch in 2020 would be in avoid unemployment rising by In a country of five million the midst of a global pandemic retaining staff and taking on people, New Zealand has had with our borders closed — I new employees where they can, only 22 COVID-19 deaths and would have found that very but many just need a little bit of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attends the launch of the Labour Party’s election it has been 99 days since the last hard to fathom.” The centre- extra support to do that, which campaign in Auckland yesterday, ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for September 19. recorded case of infection from piece of Labour’s campaign is this package provides.” Australia arrests two for planning Floods bring further misery protest against to India amid pandemic lockdown ANATOLIA — NEW DELHI While monsoon floods are routine in many parts in India, what has com- AFP — MELBOURNE For several days, Satendra Prasad and pounded the problem is the corona- five family members have resided at a virus pandemic, which is witnessing a Australian police have arrested neighbour’s house after floodwaters huge increase across the country. two men accused of planning entered their one-story home in Mathia Locals and health officials say chal- an anti-lockdown protest in village in India’s Bihar state. lenges have increased in view of Melbourne, an unusual move “The situation is really bad here. COVID-19. The state has recorded more to stop an event that author- Water has entered our village for the than 60,000 cases. ities said would put “lives at first time after so many years,” Prasad, “At least 12 blocks are under flood- risk”. 48, told Anadolu Agency. “Several fam- water. The challenge for us is double Police said on Friday that ilies have shifted to safe areas, and obviously because there is a pandemic the two men in their 40s had those who have no option are living as well and the staff is less,” said Dr. been detained after mobile together in camps. Everyone’s priority Sanjiv Kumar, a senior health official phones and a computer were is to save their life.” of worst-hit Darbhanga district. seized and both would be for- Mathia, located in the Saran dis- Mansoor Khusper, who runs the Al mally charged with inciting a trict, is one of many villages affected Mansoor Educational and Welfare criminal offence. by flooding in Bihar, which has affected Trust, a non-government organization The pair were arrested fol- 6.9 million people across 16 districts in in the state, said COVID-19 has doubled lowing an investigation into a the state and killed 21 people. problems. “People are living in camps protest of hundreds of people Prasad’s story is not the only one. because their houses are marooned, planned for Melbourne city He said residents are moving out of the and inside the relief camps, people are centre on Sunday, police said. village by boat, and earlier this week, not maintaining social distance, which The gathering would a pregnant woman had to be taken to is creating a lot of problems,” he said. breach Melbourne’s wide- a local health center under trying cir- Local media reported Bihar Chief ranging lockdown — which cumstances during the night. Minister Nitesh Kumar ordered entered into force on “The health center is 4km from our COVID-19 testing in relief camps to Thursday, banning large gath- village. She reached there with diffi- prevent the spread of the virus. erings and preventing resi- culties. A boat was available here. Oth- Asked about the present situation, dents from going outside erwise, God knows what would have Pratyaya Amrit, a top officer in the except to work, exercise or buy happened,” said Prasad, who also runs Bihar government, said it is “chal- essentials. a local non-government lenging, but very well under control.” The state of Victoria — organization. Currently, many areas in India have which includes Melbourne — Arvind Kumar Singh, also from been flooded due to the monsoon rains. recorded 450 new virus cases Saran, said he is seeing floods after Besides northeastern Assam state, on Friday and has seen record quite some time and things are worse. where 2 million residents are affected, deaths this week, making it “Every year, we see water in some officials said more than 500 villages Australia’s most serious areas. But this type of flood is after a have been affected in 16 districts of outbreak. long time,” he said. northern Uttar Pradesh state. 06 ASIA SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 Top Afghan council urges release of all Taliban inmates

ANATOLIA — KABUL Abdullah Abdullah said that the participants have voiced support for the government’s calls Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga, the Family of French woman killed in highest consultative body of for a permanent ceasefire and international elders, yesterday urged the guarantees that the Taliban will not resort to Afghanistan oppose prisoner release government to release the remaining 400 Taliban pris- violence again. AFP — PARIS the judicial process which baulked at freeing the final oners to push forward the saw her killers, arrested in prisoners demanded by the peace process. not resort to violence again. economic development.” The family of a French woman the act and whose guilt has Taliban. On the second day of the They also agreed that the The event has caught global murdered in Afghanistan said never been in doubt, con- As well as Bettina’s two grand assembly in the capital much-stalled intra-Afghan attention as it is being held amid yesterday that they could not victed in an Afghan court,” killers, there are some 150 Kabul, Abdullah Abdullah, talks should start at the earliest, ongoing peace negotiations accept the release of her killers the statement said. others who have been sen- chairman of the Supreme he said. between the Taliban and the US. as Kabul and the Taliban On Friday, Afghan Pres- tenced to death for serious Council of National Reconcili- President Ashraf Ghani, The US State Department discuss freeing 400 prisoners ident Ashraf Ghani urged thou- crimes, according to the list ation, said a majority of partic- addressing the inaugural also hoped that the grand moot, as part of a peace deal. sands of prominent citizens seen by AFP. ipants voted in favor of session on Friday, had con- along with consolidating Bettina Goislard was gathered in a Loya Jirga Five of the men, for releasing the Taliban inmates. veyed that the government was national support for peace in working for the UN refugee assembly to decide whether to example, played a role in the The fate of the remaining keen to commence negotiations Afghanistan, would determine agency when she was killed in release about 400 Taliban 2018 attack on the Interconti- captive insurgents — a partic- immediately. the fate of the remaining Taliban 2003 in Ghazni, south of Kabul, prisoners, including many nental hotel in Kabul which left ularly thorny issue between “[...] The sooner you prisoners, which remains “the by two men who are on the list involved in attacks that killed 40 people dead, including 14 Kabul and the Taliban - was [council participants] decide, last obstacle to the start of intra- of Taliban prisoners held by scores of Afghans and foreigners. one of the main aims of the the better it is so that the talks Afghan negotiations.” the Afghan government and foreigners. The family said they could grand moot, which ends today. between the Islamic Republic The Taliban, however, have may be set free. The prisoners’ fate is a never accept a decision to Abdullah said the over of Afghanistan and the Taliban downplayed the importance of “Such a decision to free crucial hurdle in launching release the prisoners “which 3,000 participants held detailed begin,” he said. the Loya Jirga. (them) made on the basis of peace talks between the two would not show respect to deliberations on other top pri- He also defended the need “It is imperative that all horse-trading would be, to us, warring sides, which have their victims or their relatives ority matters as well, and have for a democratic system in the sides understand the need of her family, inconceivable,” committed to completing a and we hope the Loya Jirga will voiced support for the govern- country, saying the elders of this time and refrain from cre- Bettina’s parents, brother and prisoner exchange beforehand. carefully consider the case of ment’s calls for a permanent Afghanistan had gathered “to ating obstacles for the present sister said in a statement to The Afghan government those who have carried out ceasefire and international strengthen democratic values, opportunity,” the group said in AFP. has already released almost such crimes and not release guarantees that the Taliban will unity and ensure support for a statement on Wednesday. “It would be a denial of 5,000 Taliban inmates but has them.” Pakistan PM says Turkmenistan allows WHO uniform education system best way to to conduct independent end discrimination coronavirus sampling

INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD AFP — GENEVA Turkmenistan has since implemented a nationwide Pakistani Prime Minister The World Health Organi- lockdown and warned citizens Imran Khan says a uniform zation (WHO) has secured to wear masks, citing “dust” education system is the best permission to conduct inde- and “pathogens” carried by way to end discrimination pendent sampling in officially wind, rather than the virus. among different segments of coronavirus-free Turkmen- State television said Berdy- the society. istan, after expressing “serious mukhamedov had raised the Chairing a review meeting concern” over rising pneu- issue of a “pneumonia of on reforms in the education monia cases there, a WHO unknown etymology, which is system of Punjab, he said real official said. rapidly spreading in our development is possible only Yesterday's state television (Central Asian) region” in the through education. report showing a telecon- call with the WHO, without Provincial Education Min- ference involving Turkmeni- saying if the pneumonia had ister Murad Raas gave a stan’s leader Gurbanguly Ber- reached Turkmenistan. detailed briefing on reforms dymukhamedov and WHO Berdymukhamedov even and new projects in Punjab. chief Tedros Adhanom Ghe- speculated that pneumonia The Prime Minister appre- breyesus made no mention of cases in the region could be ciated the training of teachers WHO concern over pneumonia linked to a “new A man takes photographs of flooded Han River in Seoul, South Korea, by the Punjab government and cases or Berdymukhamedov’s coronavirus.” the measures adopted for pledge over sampling. “I am confident in the need uniform education system and But Hans Kluge, the WHO’s to consolidate the efforts of related legal reforms. Toll from South Korea floods, landslides rises to 26 Europe director, said the United states in the very near future to Nations health body had correctly diagnose this disease REUTERS — SEOUL evacuated in the province basements, valleys and rivers “expressed serious concern under the patronage of the Number of virus including about 500 from as further torrential rains were about (a rise) in #COVID19 neg- World Health Organization,” At least 26 people have died around the river. expected. ative pneumonia” in Turkmen- Berdymukhamedov was recoveries in after 46 days of heavy rains in The country’s forestry South Korea’s longest istan during the Friday call with reported as saying. South Korea, with the country’s agency has raised landslide monsoon on record was 49 Berdymukhamedov that he Health is an important Pakistan at 259,604 longest monsoon in seven years warnings to its highest level in days in 2013. Current weather also participated in. feature of state propaganda in INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD causing more flooding, land- every region except the holiday forecasts predict that this year’s The WHO “urged for a @ ex-Soviet Turkmenistan, which slides and evacuations island of Jeju. monsoon may last longer. WHO team to sample inde- has also claimed in the past to The total number of recovered yesterday. Five homes were buried in In neighbouring North pendently #COVID19 tests in- have zero cases of HIV/AIDS. coronavirus patients in Nearly 5,000 people had a landslide on Friday from a Korea, state media Korean country & take to @WHO ref- All-powerful Berdy- Pakistan has reached 259,604 been evacuated as of 4:30pm mountain behind a village in Central Broadcasting also erence labs. President agreed,” mukhamedov, a 63-year-old yesterday, making it a signif- local time yesterday, according Gokseong, South Jeolla warned of additional heavy Kluge tweeted on Friday, former dentist and health min- icant count. to Ministry of the Interior and province, killing five people. rains in areas already hit by without offering further ister, is regularly shown cycling According to the latest sta- Safety data, as rains battered Three people have been floods, according to Yonhap. details. and working out and has tistics, there are now 17,815 the southern part of the Korean rescued. Following leader Kim Jong- A WHO mission visited the overseen a government active cases in Pakistan. peninsula. Ten people are Twelve local flights were Un’s flood relief inspection secretive gas-rich Central Asian clampdown on tobacco use. Another 842 new cases missing. cancelled at the regional reported on Friday, KCNA said state last month and advised The country is regularly were reported over the last About 100 metres of levee Gwangju airport near the yesterday that Pak Pong Ju, the country to adopt measures cited as among the most twenty four hours. collapsed at the Seomjin River southwestern tip of the vice-chairman of the state’s including contact tracing “as if repressive in the world with no The death toll from the in the southern edge of the peninsula after the runway was highest decision-making com- COVID-19 were already circu- free press or independent insti- coronavirus has reached peninsula yesterday and flooded, according to Yonhap mission, inspected damage to lating” but stopped short of tutions to check the power of 6,068 with 14 new deaths flooded the area, an official at news agency. submerged fields and crops in saying that it thought the gov- Berdymukhamedov, who is reported over the last twenty the South Jeolla province said, The city of Seoul warned southwest regions of the ernment was covering up coro- known as the Arkadag, or four hours. with about 1,900 people people to stay away from country. navirus cases. “protector.” Vietnam’s no virus death record ends with hospital outbreak

BLOOMBERG — HANOI growth. After officials lifted were being swamped by strict social-distancing lock- patients as virus cases soared. For almost six months, Viet- downs last spring, people Hospital beds were close to 50 namese officials every day returned to activities such as percent capacity, landing in the announced a fairly astonishing crowding onto Danang’s Health Department’s “warning statistic for a nation of 96 beaches, prompting Prime Min- zone.” million: No COVID-19 deaths. ister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to scold Yet Vietnam’s chronically But that changed on July 31, the country for letting its guard overcrowded hospitals are at with 10 deaths being reported down. risk if it fails to contain this out- since. It’s unclear where the latest break, with most of the cases After no reports of com- outbreak originated, though it tied to medical facilities in munity transmission cases since quickly spread to 12 provinces Danang. Officials in Hanoi are April 16, an outbreak in the and cities and infected 333 alarmed at the inability of coastal city of Danang turned people. The virus may have medical units to conduct deadly in late July. The virus lurked in Vietnam undetected, thorough contact tracing of as swept through three hospitals spread through a quarantine many as 94,000 residents who and infected older people with glitch or an illegal migrant, or have returned to the nation’s serious health issues, leading jumped to a human from an capital from hard-hit Danang. health officials to warn of more animal, said Rogier van Doorn, “The government is aware deaths. a clinical microbiologist and that the health care system is at Healthcare workers spray disinfectant at Vietnamese nationals after their repatriation flight from Singapore “The coronavirus infection director of the Oxford University risk,” said Le Dang Doanh, a landed amid spread of the coronavirus disease outbreak, at Can Tho airport, in Vietnam, yesterday. was their last straw,” said Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi. Hanoi-based economist and Nguyen Gia Binh, who leads the Vietnam’s tough approach former government adviser. “In countries with similar popula- greater risk of contracting the placed 23,356 people in quar- health ministry’s team over- to containing the virus had pro- Danang, doctors and hospital tions, is grappling with the infection and dying because of antine centers, isolated 6,717 seeing COVID-19 treatment, in tected it from the fate of neigh- staff have been infected. If deadly nature of the virus for existing health problems and people in hospitals and ordered a government post. boring countries, such as the medical staff are infected, the the first time. Previously, the advanced age, the government 140,384 to quarantine at home, Vietnam’s virus resurgence Philippines and Indonesia, pandemic could paralyze the government was able to catch warns. This is the scenario according to health ministry. underscores the difficulties gov- whose health care systems medical system.” infected individuals and the Vietnam sought to avoid with Vietnam prime minister on ernments face not only in bat- became overwhelmed as fatal- Vietnam, whose tally of 789 health care system wasn’t over- drastic policies to contain the Friday said aggressive action is tling waves of the stealthy ities rapidly rose. confirmed virus patients as of whelmed, enabling a high level virus at the pandemic’s start. In needed in the next two weeks pathogen but doing so while Last month, officials in the the morning of August 8 is dra- of care, van Doorn said. response to the Danang out- as the country faces a high risk trying to preserve economic Philippines warned hospitals matically lower than in most Now, dozens more are at break, Vietnamese authorities of community infection. SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 ASIA 07 China-US ties deteriorate over Hong Kong sanctions

AFP — HONG KONG The Hong Kong The city’s commerce sec- government described retary Edward Yau warned that China yesterday slammed the the “savage and unreasonable” United States for imposing the sanctions sanctions could have blowback “barbarous” sanctions in as “shameless for American businesses in response to Beijing’s crackdown Hong Kong. in Hong Kong, capping a and despicable”. China’s Hong Kong and dramatic week of deteriorating “We will fully Macau Affairs Office said the relations between the world’s support the Central sanctions list “rudely tramples two biggest economies. on international law” and “will In the toughest US action on Government to adopt be nailed to the historic pillar Hong Kong since China imposed countermeasures,” it of shame forever.” a sweeping new security law on Facebook barred Lam and the territory, Washington on said in a statement. the 10 other sanctioned officials Friday imposed sanctions on a from advertising on the group of Chinese and Hong platform, with a spokesperson Kong officials — including the officials, including Luo Huining saying yesterday it had “a legal city’s leader Carrie Lam. — the head of the Liaison Office. obligation to take action.” The move came after Pres- It accused the sanctioned Beijing’s security law was ident Donald Trump’s admin- individuals of being “directly imposed in late June, following A pro-China protester holding a flag demonstrates outside the US consulate, in Hong Kong, yesterday, istration forced Chinese internet responsible for implementing last year’s huge pro-democracy after the US applied sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and other top officials in giants TikTok and WeChat to Beijing’s policies of suppression protests in Hong Kong, sending response to Beijing enacting a national security law on the city. end all operations in the US, in of freedom and democratic a political chill through the a twin diplomatic-commercial processes”. semi-autonomous city. Kong authorities’ actions are good on previous threats against China condemned the move offensive set to grow ahead of The move criminalises any Since then, Hong Kong unacceptable,” Pompeo said in WeChat and TikTok —two as “arbitrary political the US presidential election in US financial transactions with authorities have postponed a statement. Chinese-owned apps with major manipulation”. November. the sanctioned officials. elections, citing the coronavirus The US measures come audiences that US officials say The new restrictions sent China yesterday criticised In a short statement, Luo pandemic, issued arrest war- three months ahead of the pose a national security threat. Tencent shares tanking as much the sanctions as “barbarous and said he welcomed the rants for six exiled pro- November election in which In an executive order, as 10 percent at one point in rude”. blacklisting. democracy activists and Trump, who is behind his rival Trump gave Americans 45 days Hong Kong trade on Friday, “The ill intentions of US “I have done what I should launched a crackdown on other Joe Biden, is campaigning hard to stop doing business with the wiping almost $50bn off its politicians to support people do for the country and for Hong activists. on an increasingly strident anti- platforms, effectively setting a market capitalisation. who are anti-China and Kong,” he said. “I don’t have a US Secretary of State Mike Beijing message. deadline for a potential, under- Trump’s order claimed messing up Hong Kong have dime’s worth in foreign assets.” Pompeo said the security law As public disapproval has pressure sale of TikTok to TikTok could be used by China been clearly revealed,” Beijing’s The Hong Kong government violated promises made by grown for his handling of the Microsoft. to track the locations of federal Liaison Office in Hong Kong described the sanctions as China ahead of Hong Kong’s pandemic, Trump has pivoted The move also threw into employees, build dossiers on said in a statement. “shameless and despicable”. 1997 handover that the city from his previous focus on doubt the US operations of people for blackmail and The Treasury Department “We will fully support the could keep key freedoms and striking a trade deal with China WeChat’s parent firm, Tencent, conduct corporate espionage. announced it was freezing the Central Government to adopt autonomy for 50 years. to blaming the country for the a powerful player in the video TikTok has repeatedly US assets of Chief Executive countermeasures,” it said in a “Today’s actions send a coronavirus crisis. game industry and one of the denied sharing data with Carrie Lam and 10 other senior statement. clear message that the Hong On Thursday, Trump made world’s richest companies. Beijing.

Thousands of baby Thai protesters stage anti-govt rally over arrest of activists turtles get first

REUTERS — BANGKOK on the condition that they do Anon and Panupong shopping district. told to disperse and they would taste of the sea not re-offend. appeared in good health when “Do not harass the citizens,” be investigated. REUTERS — GIANYAR BEACH, More than 1,000 anti- “The court’s condition was they exited the court and protesters shouted at a bridge Demonstrations have INDONESIA government demonstrators that the two not repeat actions pledged to continue in front the MBK shopping returned to Thailand’s streets rallied in Bangkok’s commercial like allegations from this case,” protesting. centre despite police appeals to to call for removal of the gov- More than 10,000 baby turtles district yesterday after two Anon’s lawyer, Weeranan “We will join protests that disperse. ernment of the 2014 coup were released into the sea off protest leaders were arrested Huadsri, said, but they could are in accordance with the con- They chanted “Police get leader Prayuth Chan-ocha the Indonesian island of Bali and held overnight. join legal protests. stitution, he said. out” and “Dictatorship shall fall” after a disputed election last on Friday, as part of conser- Human rights lawyer Anon Charges against Anon and He said he had always acted and gave the three-finger year that activists say was vationists’ attempts to boost Nampa, 35, and student activist Panupong include sedition and peacefully in accordance with salutes of pro-democracy pro- engineered to ensure his hold the population of a vulnerable Panupong Jadnok, 23, were violating an emergency decree the constitution and that gov- testers who are demanding the on power. species and promote environ- charged on Friday and held in imposed to stop the spread of ernment should stop its dissolution of parliament, “We cannot stand the mental protection. connection with a series of pro- the coronavirus. harassment. amending the constitution and tyranny and oppression that is Conservation groups tests demanding greater At a protest on Monday, Their release, however, did new elections. being inflicted on the Thai carried crates each full of democracy. Anon had also made an not appease more than 1,000 Police Colonel Patikorn people,” said 22-year-old dozens of tiny turtles to the They were released on bail extremely rare call for reforms demonstrators who moved Sornchai said the protesters student Pattanun Arun- island’s Gianyar beach and yesterday pending further to the powerful monarchy, but ahead with an anti-gov- were clearly breaking the emer- preechawat. “We have to come encouraged people and volun- investigation of the charges and he was not charged over that. ernment rally in Bangkok’s gency law yesterday after being out to show that.” teers to line up on the sand and release the hatchlings together. The turtles, just a few China’s Inner Mongolia issues inches long, scurried over the black sand and pebbles as the warning after plague patient dies tide splashed over them. “It’s really exciting to see REUTERS — BEIJING all of these turtles being released into the wild,” said Authorities in a city in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia issued American volunteer Jessica a warning after a patient who had bubonic plague died of multiple Lieberman, adding she hoped organ failure, state media reported yesterday. they would survive. Cases of plague are not uncommon in China, although out- The Olive Ridley turtles are breaks have become increasingly rare. From 2009 to 2018, China among the most abundant sea reported 26 cases and 11 deaths. turtles but are still considered The patient was confirmed to have bubonic plague, the Peo- vulnerable because there are ple’s Daily reported, citing an announcement from the health few places in which they will committee of the Bayan Nur city. nest. The bubonic plague, known as the “Black Death” in the Middle Flavianus Erwin Putranto, Ages, is a highly infectious and often fatal disease that is spread a conservation volunteer, said mostly by rodents. turtle eggs were appearing in The committee issued a third-level alert, the second lowest fewer places on Bali than in a four-level system, effective Friday to the end of 2020 to before, but programmes to help prevent the spread of the disease, the People’s Daily reported. protect them were seeing This marks the second death of a plague patient reported this success. “We are able to collect month in the Inner Mongolia region. and save them. Hopefully we On Thursday, authorities in Baotou city, which is adjacent to can hatch more turtles and Bayan Nur city, reported that a patient with an “intestinal-type release them back into ocean”. plague” died of circulatory system failure. Sea turtle populations have Bayan Nur authorities have locked down the area where the declined in recent years due Children and their parents role-play as respective flight attendants and passengers during a ‘fly to dead patient lived and quarantined seven close contacts of the to hunting, loss of beach nowhere’ event at the China Airlines’ campus, in Taoyuan City, in Taiwan, yesterday. patient, who have tested negative for the disease so far and taken nesting sites and over-har- Taiwan airlines offer sight-seeing flights preventive medicines. vesting of their eggs.

AFP — TAOYUAN the skies in their new uniforms The total flight time was two Virus continues to spread across Central Asia for a two hour flight over the hours and 45 minutes. Faced with the coronavirus island and the soaring An economy seat is selling ANATOLIA — NUR-SULTAN patients, the ministry said. Health Ministry. The new cases collapse in travellers, mountain range that runs down for around $180 while business A total of 8,894 patients raised the country’s total to Taiwanese airlines have begun its spine. class costs $214. Coronavirus cases and fatalities remain under treatment in the 1,257, including 17 fatalities and offering sight-seeing “flights to The flights are part of an The China Airlines flight continued to rise in Eurasian country. 996 recoveries. nowhere” on their passenger innovative attempt by airlines lasts around two hours and will and Central Asian countries Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s Ukraine registered a record jets — including flight attendant to scramble up some extra cash also fly into Japanese airspace yesterday. Foreign Minister Abdulaziz 1,489 more COVID-19 cases lessons for children. at a time when their business before turning around to the Kazakhstan reported 907 Kamilov said that the gov- over the past 24 hours, bringing At the headquarters of Tai- has all but dried up. eastern coast of Taiwan. more virus cases, taking its total ernment has repatriated its tally to 79,750. The figure wan’s China Airlines in Taoyuan Like most airlines around Further flights are planned to 97,829. While, recoveries in 117,000 citizens who were includes 5,582 children and yesterday, 50 children took a the world, both China Airlines in the coming weeks and both the country increased by 929 stranded abroad because of 9,150 health workers. morning course on how serve and its main competitor Eva Air Eva and China Airlines say they to reach 71,609. COVID-19 restrictions. Health Minister Maksym passengers aboard a mock have had to mothball a huge have quickly sold out. A total of 1,159 patients have Armenia’s viruscase count Stepanov said 27 more fatalities cabin. chunk of their fleet as interna- Local enthusiasm for the died in the Central Asian swelled by 200 to reach 40,185. took the death toll to 1,879, while Cheng Yu-wei, who works tional travel evaporates during trips has been helped by the country so far, according to Eight more patients died over recoveries increased by 600 to in the fashion apparel business the pandemic. The two also knowledge that there is cur- figures compiled by the US’ the past 24 hours, raising the reach 43,655, adding that 35,869 and enjoys travelling abroad, have a limited domestic rently little chance of catching Johns Hopkins University. death toll to 785, while recov- tests were performed in the came with his wife and six-year business to fall back on. the coronavirus on a Taiwanese Uzbekistan’s Health Min- eries are now up to 32,395. country over the past day. He old daughter to “revive that old Yesterday, an Eva A330 flight. istry reported 402 more Armenia has administered urged the public to strictly follow feeling of travelling”. from Taoyuan International The island has been held up COVID-19 cases, bringing the at least 174,438 coronavirus COVID-19 restrictions, which “Maybe it’s because we Airport flew over Taiwan’s as a poster child for how to beat total to 29,459. tests so far, according to official have been extended until August have been bored for too long,” northeast cape, circled Japan’s the virus with fewer than 500 Two more fatalities took the figures. 31, as President Vladimir Zel- Cheng said. Ryukyu Islands before infections and just seven deaths death toll to 183, while recov- Three more people tested enskiy ordered the government Later in the day, the returning home via the pictur- despite its proximity and eco- eries increased by 321 to reach positive for coronavirus in to prepare for a second wave of excitable gaggle of kids took to esque and rural southeast coast. nomic links to China. 20,380, or 69 percent of all Georgia, according to the infections. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 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 Workers wearing protective face masks walk near the Bank of England in the City of London, Britain, on Friday. Invasion designs thwarted Why Londoners are refusing THE Gulf crisis started early morning May 24, 2017, when the hackers posted false statements and fake remarks to create confusion and irrelevant contro- versial debates to pave way for the malicious scheme of air, land and sea blockade imposed on the State to return to the office of Qatar 1161 days ago. Qatar was well aware that there was a plan targeting questions more easily answered 2,600 high-rise buildings, com- its national sovereignty, a fact confirmed by Amir of no. Do I want to trade the 15 hours pared with less than 1,000 in Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah a week I’ve gained from not com- Frankfurt and Paris, according to during a joint press conference with US President Donald muting for the heightened risk of real-estate data provider Trump at the White House on September 7, 2017. contracting Covid-19, on the train Emporis. It’s hard to get people H H the Amir of Kuwait, who is the main mediator or elsewhere? Do I want to forgo through turnstiles and up lifts in and a leader who made sincere efforts to resolve the the serendipitous savings from numbers with social distancing. crisis in a peaceful manner, said his mediation efforts CHRIS HUGHES those nosebleed suburban rail Meanwhile, many office- managed to prevent military action against Qatar. “What BLOOMBERG fares? based businesses have traded is important is that we have stopped any military action.” For parents with well during lockdown. Fearful of As usual the quartet denied, but this was again younger children, the scaling losing their jobs, homeworkers confirmed on Thursday by Foreign Policy Magazine, Britons are lagging Europe in the back of holiday childcare provi- have reinvested commuting time in a report which disclosed an attempt made by Saudi Only 34% of UK march back to the office, but the sions made the decision for in work. The big investment King Salman to convince US President Trump with office workers are UK’s status as the standard- them. Anecdotally, all-day banks still captured the revenue military intervention against Qatar, a demand firmly bearer for WFH could be hard to childcare appears to be less opportunity created by crisis- rejected by the US President. working in their sustain. available in the UK than on the driven bond issuance and wide- The FP disclosed: “During a June 6, 2017, call with normal location, Only 34% of UK office continent this summer. spread market volatility. Multi- Saudi King Salman, US President Donald Trump firmly according to a workers are working in their It’s probably millennial workers billion-dollar M&A deals have rejected a Saudi proposal to invade Qatar. Soon after, normal location, according to a who have most gladly taken the been agreed online. BP Plc this the United States requested Kuwaiti mediation with recent survey recent survey by analysts at path back to the office, perhaps week hosted a slickly pro- the goal of resolving the conflict within the confines by analysts Morgan Stanley. In France, even those who had decamped to duced interactive strategy update of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).” at Morgan Germany, Italy and Spain the work from their childhood homes. praised by zoomed-in investment Adventurers and immature policy makers do not figure ranges from 70% to 83%. In Cooped up in small flats or house- analysts as if it was even better believe that time will expose all intrigue schemes, as Stanley. In London, nearly half of office shares closer to their workplace, than the real thing. True, these no truth remains hidden forever. France, Germany, staff are working from home five many understandably crave the factors apply in all European The most shocking is to see a plan for invading days a week, compared with just chance to work away from the cities. They just apply more so in Qatar was set at the time Qatari forces were protecting Italy and Spain 20%-33% for peers in room they sleep in - and to hang London and the UK the southern borders of Saudi Arabia, and its gov- the figure ranges the financial hubs of greater Paris, out with peers. Plus they can We shall see how long this ernment was in solidarity with Saudi when its embassy from 70% to 83%. Frankfurt, Milan and Madrid. probably more easily walk or lasts. Bosses are changing their in Tehran was attacked. The UK entered lockdown cycle in. tune. Barclays Plc Chief Exec- The desire of deadlock status by the siege nations In London, nearly later than other European coun- Even though they utive Jes Staley said in April that is making them continuously give a deaf ear to calls half of office tries, and emerged later as the can renew acquaintances in the big offices were likely history. for dialogue and fail all initiatives to resolve the con- staff are working summer holiday season got office, they will still miss out Just over a week ago, he said he flict, but this did not make Qatar lose hope for peaceful underway, potentially one factor on learning by osmosis from wanted his people back at their resolution of the conflict, therefore Qatar keeps on from home five in resistance to going back to the senior colleagues who are desks over time. calling for unconditional dialogue as the only way to days a week, office. The official guidance has staying put in suburban gardens Transmission rates are key. end the dispute. compared with been that you should do your and loft-conversion studies. And But employers will face As well such situation did not prevent Qatar from job from home if you can. But lunch options remain limited mounting pressure to accom- resorting to legal appeals to prestigious international just 20%-33% this month, that was softened, with many shops still shut in modate staff fed up with WFH institutions such as the International Court for Justice, for peers in making the question of how to central London. Without a and how it’s encroached on their and the WTO, where Qatar won legal battles against the financial hubs work safely a matter for critical mass of people returning, work-life balance. Multinational the measures taken by the Saudi-led quartet. employers and employees the zombified atmosphere of this firms probably have overdue After more than three years, no benefits have been of greater Paris, with WFH “one way” of doing so. usually buzzing financial center projects in the wings that are just gained or goals achieved by the siege nations, but Frankfurt, Milan Individual ministers are being risks ecoming self-perpetuating. too big and complicated to be even this did not bring them back to their senses and and Madrid. much more explicit in saying So far, employers have been done 100% on Zoom or Microsoft make them think about the interests, security and sta- people have to get back to work a weak counterbalancing force. Teams. Assuming schools return bility of the region. in city centers to support the They must respect the gov- in September, the WFH anchor economy. ernment guidance and can’t pull for some will slip loose. For workers in London’s com- staff back en masse before Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg muter belt, weighing whether to making offices safe. London has Opinion columnist covering return means answering yes to more than deals. D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] China’s once-booming mask makers struggle after price drop EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 AFP — BEIJING quality and a surge in scams”, unrest in the mainland, said After international com- FAX: +974 4455 7758 according to China-based there had been a number of plaints about low grade Tens of thousands of mask- researchers at Daxue Con- protests in recent months due products, Chinese authorities MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 making companies mush- sulting, as firms from carmakers to some mask factories now demand a certificate of roomed across China at the to diaper producers converted closing abruptly and leaving quality for those looking to DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 start of the coronavirus production lines to make masks. staff unpaid. Companies export masks, which has also pandemic, but many are Now the outbreak is largely contacted by AFP said orders hit some of the smaller LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 struggling to survive as they under control in mainland had dropped significantly and producers. face stricter quality control China, domestic mask demand some said they were refo- Between March and May, BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 measures and falling has dropped dramatically, cusing their business. China exported more than 50 domestic demand. pushing prices down. “Our company has several billion face masks -- a tenfold SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 China launched a huge “Our orders have been business lines, we stepped up increase for total production effort to produce protective slashed five or sixfold since the production of masks when last year, according to ana- ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 gear to meet shortages during April,” said Yang Hao, a sales the pandemic hard-hit China, lysts. The government used email: [email protected] the outbreak, which first director at CCST, a company but we will shift back to our mask donations as a propa- emerged in the country late in the southern city of other productions in the ganda tool described by ana- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 last year before spreading Shenzhen that makes air future,” said one sales director lysts as “mask diplomacy” to email: [email protected] across the globe. More than purifiers but added masks to surnamed Xu at a company deflect blame for the virus. 73,000 companies registered its repertoire. that makes medical products However, global friction ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 as mask makers in the first “We do not need to in northern Hebei province. has also had an impact on the FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] half of the year -- including produce masks days and Xu said the company now ease of business. Exports to over 36,000 new companies nights every day now.” Some sells each mask for 0.4 yuan the United States are done via CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 in April alone -- as prices and of the companies that piled (about six US cents) -- a quarter a third country due to soaring email: [email protected] demand soared. into the industry are now of the price they sold for at the diplomatic tensions between But the influx of new com- backing out. China Labour height of China’s domestic out- Washington and Beijing, SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 panies led to a “dilution in Bulletin, which tracks worker break earlier this year. CCST’s Yang said. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar I want to take this opportunity to encourage every single Kenyan to take advantage and to travel... You /Peninsula_Qatar can travel, you can move. Safety is not really just a government issue. It is an individual choice. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyan President +974 6698 6188 SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 EUROPE 09 UK military asked to help stem Channel migrant crossings REUTERS — LONDON “We are assessing the Taking advantage of a spell of hot weather Union in January and a tran- Critics such as groups cam- requirements... and are working and calm sea conditions, hundreds of people sition period during which most paigning for the rights of immi- Britain’s armed forces have hard to identify how we can EU rules and accords are still in grants and refugees accuse the been asked to help deal with most effectively assist,” the including children and pregnant women have force will come to an end on government of stoking some boats carrying migrants across defence ministry said in a made the dangerous 33km crossing in recent Dec. 31, which could further voters’ xenophobic fears by the Channel from France, the statement. days, many in overloaded rubber dinghies and complicate cooperation with EU magnifying the issue. Defence Ministry said yesterday A Home Office spokes- other small vessels. member France. “Britain is better than this. after a spate of arrivals on the woman declined to comment. Immigration has been an The arrival of small numbers southern English coast. More than 200 people especially polarising issue in of people by boat is not a Taking advantage of a spell arrived on the English coast on Britain since the Brexit refer- crisis,” said Stephen Hale, of hot weather and calm sea Thursday, followed by some 130 getting in the water in the first between January and July com- endum in 2016 because “taking chief executive of Refugee conditions, hundreds of people on Friday, and media reported place,” he said in an opinion pared with the same period in back control” of immigration Action, urging the government including children and pregnant more arrivals yesterday as the column published in yesterday’s 2019. and border policy was pre- to focus on the coronavirus women have made the dan- hot weather persisted. Daily Telegraph newspaper, “This is a joint problem... sented as one of the key advan- pandemic and resulting eco- gerous 33-km crossing in recent A junior Home Office min- adding that Britain would seek which needs a joint operational tages by pro-Brexit nomic crisis. days, many in overloaded ister in charge of immigration to return to France those who response,” a spokesman said. campaigners. The numbers crossing the rubber dinghies and other small compliance, Chris Philp, called made it across. Uncontrolled arrivals of Home Secretary Priti Patel, Channel are tiny compared vessels. the rise in arrivals “shameful” France’s interior ministry asylum seekers and migrants an enthusiastic Brexiteer, made with the flows of people who The Defence Ministry said and sought to put pressure on said surveillance teams on the from Africa, the Middle East and the link in a tweet on Friday try and reach EU countries it had received a formal request France ahead of a meeting with northern coast were inter- Asia have long been a source of about the Channel crossings: “I such as Malta, Greece, Italy and from the Home Office, or his French counterpart in Paris cepting migrants daily and it tension between European know that when the British Spain every year by crossing interior ministry, to assist the next week. had mobilised extra resources. countries struggling to find an people say they want to take the Mediterranean from north UK Border Force with its oper- “The French need to stop It said five times as many effective joint response. back control of our borders, Africa or Turkey, thousands of ations in the Dover Straits. these illegal migrants from migrant boats had been caught Britain left the European this is exactly what they mean.” them dying on the way. Germany adds UK medics protest, parts of Bulgaria, seek pay rise after Romania to pandemic struggle virus-risk list AFP — BERLIN AP — LONDON ministers has left the state- funded National Health Service Germany has added parts Hundreds of health care struggling to cope. several areas of Bulgaria and workers rallied in British cities A placard carried by a pro- Romania to a list of places yesterday, demanding that the tester in Glasgow, Scotland, said considered a high risk for Conservative government “Enough empty praise. (Give us) coronavirus infections, acknowledge their hard work a fair raise.” Another read: requiring compulsory tests for and dedication during the coro- “Who saved you, Boris?” travellers returning from those navirus pandemic with a hefty Johnson himself contracted places from yesterday. pay increase. COVID-19 and spent three In its latest travel In London, demonstrators — nights in intensive care at St warning update, the foreign most wearing masks and Thomas’ Hospital in London. He ministry put Bulgaria’s Bla- observing social distancing – later thanked the staff there for goevgrad, Dobritch and marched to the gates of Downing saving his life. Black Sea tourist hotspot Street, the home and office of Nurses, care assistants and Varna on its list of places Prime Minister Boris Johnson, junior doctors are angry that where infections were rising chanting, “Boris Johnson, hear they were left out of plans to give rapidly. us shout! Pay us properly or get an above-inflation pay raise to Seven places in Romania Nurses and other frontline NHS workers stage a protest at 10 Downing Street after being left out of out!” Britain’s medical workers almost 1 million public sector —Arges, Bihor, Buzau, Neamt, a public sector pay rise, in London, yesterday. have been hailed as heroes workers because they have a Ialomita, Mehedinti and Timis during the pandemic by both the different contract with the — were also added. government and the public. But British government. outbreak was “the hardest thing absolutely on our knees. And on with that — but they carve us This means that travellers some say a decade of public Dave Carr, a critical care I’ve ever done in my life and top of it they give 900,000 out,” he said. “I’m absolutely entering Germany after vis- spending cuts by Johnson and nurse at St. Thomas’ Hospital, we’re all exhausted.” public sector workers a pay rise fuming. Tired and fuming. iting these sites must take a previous Conservative prime said working through the “We’re on our knees, - and I haven’t got a problem We’ve had enough.” coronavirus test on arrival unless they can produce a test taken in the previous 48 hours. Germany uses the Paris makes masks compulsory in busy outdoor areas as virus flares up yardstick of 50 new infec- AGENCIES — PARIS The rate of positive tests in countries are now watching if it is not particularly tions creep up again. tions per 100,000 residents the greater Paris region now new clusters flare up after pleasant,” Parisian Ofra The uptick corresponds with in the last seven days to Paris authorities yesterday stood at 2.4 percent compared easing restrictions to try to Hoffman said in the run-up to France’s summer holidays, when determine if a country or imposed the mandatory with a national average of 1.6 limit the economic damage and the announcement. vacationers head off in droves, region should go on its high- wearing of face masks percent, it said. alleviate public frustration. Meanwhile, the glamorous often to seashores, for festive risk list. outdoors in busy areas of the The zones where masks France has made it com- French Riviera resort of Saint- gatherings with family and It recently added three French capital from Monday to must be worn will be detailed pulsory to wear a face mask in Tropez is requiring face masks friends. As of yesterday, wearing regions in Spain to the list in curb a rise in the rate of coro- separately, and evaluated on a closed public spaces such as outdoors starting from yes- a mask outdoors is also com- a blow to the fellow EU navirus infections. regular basis, the prefecture shops and banks since July 21, terday, threatening to sober the pulsory in some crowded parts member state. The order applies to people said. They will include some and Paris joins a growing list mood in a place renowned for of Marseille, France’s second- aged 11 and over, the Paris pre- densely populated areas in the of cities ordering people to high-end, free-wheeling summer largest city. fecture said in a statement, capital’s lower-income suburbs. wear masks in busy zones out- beach parties. More cities and The number of people in Several German adding that indicators showed After tough lockdown doors, including Toulouse, Lille towns, especially in tourist areas, France infected with coronavirus the virus had begun circulating measures slowed infection and Biarritz. are imposing mask requirements rose by 2,288 on Friday, a new health offices hit more widely since mid-July. rates, many European “It needs to be done, even as France’s coronavirus infec- post-lockdown high. by bomb threats

AFP — BERLIN

Big jump in Italy’s Several bomb threats were made against health author- ities across Germany over- daily new cases night, police said yesterday, although searches have so far not turned up any suspicious driven by travel items. The offices of the local AP — ROME health authority in Olpe in throughout the pandemic. the western state of North The number of daily new But recently, many other Rhine-Westphalia had to be coronavirus infections in Italy clusters of infection have temporarily evacuated late jumped 38 percent higher on been occurring in central and on Friday after receiving Friday, with 552 confirmed southern Italy. Most of those such a threat. cases registered compared to cases have been linked to for- The all-clear was given the previous day. eigners returning for work at after a search by police Italy hadn’t seen a such farms or restaurants or hotels officers and sniffer dogs. a high daily new caseload or to migrants rescued at sea. Likewise, health author- since late May. Barely two Three more deaths were ities in the city of Cologne weeks ago, Italy had been registered on Friday, raising also received a threatening A security officer looks through binoculars at the Planpincieux glacier in Courmayeur village, Val registering roughly 200 Italy’s confirmed pandemic telephone call, although Ferret, northwestern Italy, yesterday. new cases a day. toll to 35,190. Experts say police said they did not deem The northeastern region numbers from all countries it to be serious. of Veneto, which performed are undercounts, due to Separately in the Bavaria ‘Slight improvement’ in melting nearly 16,500 swab tests in a limited testing, missed cases town of Ansbach, several res- day, registered roughly a third and other issues. idential homes were evac- of those new cases - 183. Italian authorities have uated overnight after police glacier threatening Italy resort Veneto Gov. Luca Zaia also been trying to crack received a call claiming an said the new infections were down on night life in tourist imminent threat to the local AFP — COURMAYEUR 500,000 cubic metres — the size the closure,” he added found in residents who spots like the islands of Capri health authority’s office. of the Milan cathedral, one “The emergency measures recently returned home from and Ponza or in bar districts In July, several district The threat that a massive chunk official said — from the Planpin- remain the same: evacuation of Spain, Peru, Malta, Croatia in cities including Rome, courts were evacuated in of glacier loosened by soaring cieux glacier risked falling and the inhabitants, and the closure and Greece. Milan and Naples. Italy Germany after they received temperatures could collapse near threatening homes. of the road to Val Ferret,” a small “Vacations are a risk,” requires masks to be worn bomb threats. an alpine resort on the Italian A “red zone” at the base of valley normally busy with he said in his daily briefing. outdoors if social distancing Nothing concrete have side of the Mont Blanc mountain the slope was also evacuated, tourists at this time of year. “Everyone must decide can’t be maintained. Many been found in searches and range has slightly eased, a local with 20 residents and around 55 Some locals were dismissive where they want to go on outdoor cafes and bars have no arrests have been made. mayor said yesterday. holidaymakers moved from the of the closure, lamenting that it vacation, but it’s also true, attracted crowds of young The trial of a man accused Climate change has been area. further affected a tourism that by us, for a couple of people, most not wearing of sending over 100 far-right increasingly melting the world’s But Courmayeur mayor season already hit by corona- weeks now, we’re seeing a masks. letters to politicians, jour- glaciers, creating a new danger Stefano Miserocchi said yes- virus measures. concentration of patients The Italian Health Min- nalists and officials between for the town of Courmayeur, a terday that things were looking However, Mayor Miserocchi who were infected on istry says the average age of October 2018 and April 2019 resort community in Italy’s Aosta up. said it was “urgent and vital” to vacation.’’ Northern Italy is infected persons in recent is ongoing. Valley region, near the French “We are in a phase of slight move people directly in the where Italy’s outbreak weeks has dropped to 40, The threats had prompted border. improvement, the situation is a path of a potential ice fall, as began in February, and compared to about 61 during evacuations, including of the The town was put on high little better,” he said. more scorching temperatures which registered the highest the early days brunt of the main train station in Luebeck alert on Wednesday as a block “However we have not yet are forecast over the coming number of cases and deaths pandemic. and a tax office in of ice estimated at about returned to the situation before days. Gelsenkirchen. 10 EUROPE SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020

Illegal migrants Thousands take to the streets in Russian city pose biological AFP — KHABAROVSK The demonstrations risks: Orban were sparked by Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia’s Far East the sudden arrest ANATOLIA — BELGRADE for a fifth consecutive weekend of Khabarovsk’s as anti-Kremlin rallies showed The arrival of illegal migrants little sign of dying down popular governor in in Hungary during the corona- yesterday. a murder probe but virus pandemic is kind of a The rallies in the city of some has since acquired a biological threat, that country’s 600,000 people on the border Prime Minister said on Friday. with China is a major show of wider, distinctly anti- All migrants attempting to defiance against Moscow’s pol- Kremlin agenda. enter Hungary illegally pose icies and present a headache for health and biological risks that President Vladimir Putin, is to be averted at all cost, observers say. referring to Furgal. Viktor Orban told public The demonstrations were “I think that this will either broadcaster Kossuth Radio. sparked by the sudden arrest of grind to a halt when the president “This is too strong a Khabarovsk’s popular governor gives us his answer or will not statement for social justice in a murder probe but has since stop at all,” she said. warriors … but Hungarians acquired a wider, distinctly anti- Furgal’s supporters say the have to think about self- Kremlin agenda. charges against him are political defence,” he said. Protesters demand that and payback for his popularity. Orban added that he asked regional governor Sergei Furgal In 2018, he won the gover- the interior minister to make be either released or tried in nor’s seat from a representative sure armed forces and police Khabarovsk. of the ruling United Russia party continue to take forceful action Putin last month dismissed who was backed by Putin. against all attempts at illegal Furgal over a “loss of confidence” Entrepreneur Yevgeny entry as it now poses health in his ability to govern and Savinov suggested that protests risks. People take part in a rally in support of former regional governor Sergei Furgal, who was arrested appointed a controversial new could spread across the country Hungary, which has a pop- on murder charges, in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk, Russia, yesterday. official in his place. because Russians are “fed up” ulation of about 10 million, has Protesters said they were with “corruption, lies, and registered 4,600 coronavirus incensed by what they call a propaganda.” Khabarovsk protesters but those incomes but it remains unclear city’s central square yesterday. cases and 602 deaths. blatant disregard for their “This will only grow and rallies were not massive. if Russians across the country are But witnesses and partici- As part of measures taken feelings and opinions. spread across Russia,” the Several Moscow-based ready to take to the streets en pants said that tens of thousands against illegal migrants, Elena Ogly, 38, said that the 37-year-old said. activists have called on Russians masse. took part in a march across the Hungary reinforced borders Kremlin should either fulfil pro- “Authorities have been to take to the streets across the In a statement, regional city. with troops and police with the testers’ demand or face a long- playing a dangerous game.” In country on August 15. Observers authorities claimed turnout at High-profile local activist support of its partners in the term opposition movement. recent weeks people in a number say that anger at the Kremlin is Khabarovsk rallies has been Alexei Vorsin suggested that at Visegrad Group, Czechia, “We elected him honestly. of Russian cities and towns took building over its handling of the going down and said that just least 50,000 people were Poland, and Slovakia. We love him,” said Ogly, to the streets in support of coronavirus pandemic and falling 2,800 people turned up in the present. Barbed wire fences were installed on the borders of Serbia and Croatia to stop asylum seekers, a state of Bulgaria anti-govt protesters restore Sofia blockades emergency was declared in border regions and an increase AFP — SOFIA consecutive evening on Friday on Friday, warning that no Sofia security police did not Borisov has resigned his in penalties for illegal in the biggest protest wave in more blockades would be intervene, saying yesterday that previous two premierships. His crossings. Anti-government protesters in the poorest EU country since tolerated. protesters had prepared to current minority coalition with With the law adopted by Bulgaria had restored their 2013-14. Demonstrators in Sofia respond with stones and bottles. two nationalist parties decided the Parliament, it was oblig- week-long blockades in central Rallies were also held in at however set up fresh tent The protesters are on Thursday that they would atory for asylum seekers, Sofia by early yesterday, less least five other cities. camps overnight at three major demanding the resignation of fulfil their current mandate that including children, to be kept than a day after they were Protesters had occupied downtown crossroads over- the conservative cabinet of runs until March 2021. in camps established at removed by police. major crossroads in Sofia, night, buttressing them with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov Polls this week showed that borders during asylum appli- More than 5,000 demon- Varna and Plovdiv, severely dis- cordons of large garbage con- and of chief prosecutor Ivan the ongoing protest wave is cations, and it was announced strators gathered in Sofia in rupting traffic, and blocked a tainers, park benches and con- Geshev, accusing them of being severely eroding support for that those caught would be pouring rain to shout “Mafia!” road in central Bulgaria before crete street flowerpots. beholden to behind-the-scenes Borisov and his conservative expelled from the border sur- and “Resignation!” for a 30th police moved to clear their tents Despite the warning, the oligarchs. GERB party. rounded by wire fences. Czechs record Leading Belarus opposition biggest daily jump in virus cases candidate’s campaign since April 3 manager detained REUTERS — PRAGUE AFP — MINSK The 65-year-old leader has headed the ex-Soviet The Czech Republic recorded The campaign manager of Bela- country bordering Russia its biggest daily rise in new rus’s leading opposition since 1994 and yesterday’s coronavirus cases since April candidate was detained polls are expected to hand 3 due to local outbreaks in a yesterday on the eve of a tense him his sixth term. number of regions, the health presidential vote, her office said. Lukashenko has presided ministry reported yesterday. A spokeswoman for pres- over an aggressive crackdown The central European idential hopeful Svetlana on the opposition and country of 10.7 million Tikhanovskaya said that Tikhanovskaya has charged recorded 323 new cases on Maria Moroz had been that he will rig the vote. Friday, Health Ministry data detained and was expected to Early voting began in the showed, bringing the total be held until tomorrow. country of 9.5 million people number of cases detected to It was not immediately on Tuesday, with official 18,060. Of those, 12,749 have clear on what grounds she turnout over the past four recovered and 389 have died had been detained, said days already at more than 32 of COVID-19. spokeswoman Anna percent. Health officials have said Krasulina. Tikhanovskaya has drawn the recent uptick in cases is “She probably won’t be huge crowds to campaign due to local clusters and they released before Monday,” rallies throughout the country say hospitalisations, at 116, are Krasulina said. after she was allowed to par- well below peaks of over 400 Moroz was also detained ticipate in place of her Belarusian law enforcement officers detain a man during an anti-government flash mob on the eve as the government seek to by the interior ministry on husband who was jailed and of the presidential election, in Minsk, Belarus, yesterday. avoid a national lockdown Thursday after visiting the barred from running. again. Lithuanian embassy in Minsk. Lukashenko, who is However, officials have She was later released. Europe’s longest-serving countries of meddling in the Belarusian authorities also opposition. cautioned that some measures Belarus holds the presi- leader, jailed two of his main elections and last week his detained Vitali Shkliarov, a His lawyer said yesterday taken to curb the illness are dential election today with rivals in the elections while security service detained well-known political analyst that Shkliarov had been likely to return after the Tikhanovskaya posing the another would-be candidate more than 30 Russians who who was born in Belarus and charged with helping organise summer holidays when cities greatest challenge in years to fled the country. the authorities said were worked on the US presidential mass unrest in Belarus and become more crowded again long-ruling strongman Alex- The strongman has plotting violent protests with bids of Bernie Sanders and faces up to three years in and the flu season arrives. ander Lukashenko. accused Moscow and Western members of the opposition. advised the Russian prison, if convicted. Greece reports 151 Truce offers opportunity for Ukraine peace push: President REUTERS — TARAMCHUK phased troop withdrawals at Belarus in 2015 stopped the only take place once Russian- selected hotspots. worst of the fighting, but sol- backed forces withdraw. new COVID-19 cases Ukraine wants to build on a lull “This is an opportunity to diers and civilians were still “I think this issue is very ANATOLIA — ATHENS tested positive for the virus. in fighting in the eastern save our guys and continue the regularly killed in flare-ups. important: first security, then Businesses will have to Donbass region to push for a diplomatic dialogue,” he said on The July 27 truce broke elections,” he said. Another 151 coronavirus cases remain closed from 11pm to 7 am lasting peace settlement at a Friday during a whistle-stop down within hours. But Kiev The first year of Zelenskiy’s were recorded on Friday in and a ban is also in effect all new round of four-way talks tour along more than 100km of says the shooting has been spo- presidency was overshadowed Greece, with seven at the coun- public and private gatherings of with Russia, France and the frontline. radic and on Thursday interna- by Ukraine’s unwitting try’s entry points. more than nine people. Farmers Germany, President Volodymyr If the ceasefire holds, “the tional monitors for the first time involvement in events that led The number of infections markets are also suspended as Zelenskiy said. first big step has been taken, it recorded no ceasefire violations to the impeachment trial of US since the pandemic first well as village festivals and other Dressed in a T-shirt and is necessary to meet in the Nor- within a daily reporting period. President Donald Trump. appeared in Greece is 5,270 such events. Only four people, or khaki trousers, Zelenskiy was mandy Format,” he said, The next round of peace Trump had pressed while deaths remain at 210, six if they are in a family, will be speaking on a visit to the area referring to the four-way talks talks is due in Berlin but there Ukraine to launch an investi- according the National Public allowed to sit at the same table on the 12th day of what Kiev named after the French region is no date fixed. Kiev wants to gation into his Democratic rival Health Organisation. in a cafe or restaurant. hopes will be a permanent where they were first held. press for Red Cross access to for the 2020 presidential race, A total of 1,379 cases are Masks will be mandatory at ceasefire agreed with Russian- Zelenskiy inherited the its prisoners and a timeline for former Vice President Joe related to travelling abroad while all indoor and outdoor public backed forces on July 27. conflict that began after Russia Russian-backed forces to Biden. 2,611 are linked to already regis- spaces. Restrictions will apply Zelenskiy, 42, was a comic annexed Ukraine’s Crimea withdraw. Zelenskiy said bilateral tered infections. through August 17. actor when he won a landslide peninsula six years ago. Zelenskiy said Ukraine was support for Ukraine would Forty-six were identified in Deputy Minister for Civil election last year promising to Ukraine says Russia then engi- willing to show flexibility on a remain strong regardless of the Attica region, 38 in the Thes- Protection & Crisis Management end the conflict that has killed neered quasi-separatist key sticking point - giving legal who won the upcoming saloniki region and 17 were con- Nikos Hardalias said on Friday more than 13,000 people and uprisings across a belt of special status to the Donbass election. nected to a wedding in the banning of customers brought Western sanctions on eastern Ukraine that escalated region after holding local elec- “They are our partners Alexandroupolis. standing in public entertainment Russia. into a full-scale war. Moscow tions there, providing this indeed,” he said. “I believe that The island of Poros in the venues — restaurants and live Once a political novice, he denies the claim. stopped short of their strategic course does not Saronic Gulf was placed under music venues – will be extended has since secured prisoner A ceasefire agreed under federalisation. change, regardless of who is strict measures after 13 people until August 31. exchanges with Russia and Zelenskiy’s predecessor in But local elections could the president.” SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 AMERICAS 11 Venezuela jails two Americans over failed ‘invasion’

AP — CARACAS training camps in neighboring Lawyers for the lator was present. demanded freedom for six to bring them back home to Colombia and left at least eight former Green Berets, The two Americans arrested jailed American oil executives their families.” A Venezuelan court has sen- rebel soldiers dead while more in a coastal fishing community from Houston-based Citgo, a Both cases play out amid tenced two former US special than 60 more were jailed. Luke Denman and have ever since been paraded subsidiary of Venezuela’s state- hostility between Washington forces soldiers to 20 years in Former Green Beret, Jordan Airan Berry, said they by officials on Venezuelan owned oil monopoly, who had and Caracas. The Trump admin- prison for their part in a Goudreau, who operated a Flor- were barred from the state TV as proof of their long- been lured to Caracas for a istration last year threw its blunder-filled beach attack ida-based security firm called held claims that the United meeting and then arrested on support behind opposition aimed at overthrowing Pres- Silvercorp USA, claimed secretive jailhouse States is set on violently over- corruption charges, which all leader Guaidó, who has been ident Nicolás Maduro. responsibility for the failed proceedings on Friday throwing Maduro’s socialist deny. recognized as Venezuela’s legit- Lawyers for the former attack and had hired his two night in what they government. A day before the two ex- imate president by 60 nations Green Berets, Luke Denman and former army buddies to prepare The incident also prompted Green Berets were sentenced, the pledging to oust Maduro. Airan Berry, said they were a small cadre of deserting Ven- consider a violation claims that US backed oppo- corruption trial began for the so- Guaidó blames Maduro for barred from the secretive jail- ezuelan soldiers living at the of their constitutional sition leader Juan Guaidó had called Citgo 6. The case had lin- the once wealthy nation’s eco- house proceedings on Friday makeshift camps. authorized Goudreau through gered since their arrest two years nomic and social collapse, while night in what they consider a Venezuelan prosecutors have rights to a defence. a signed agreement to carry out and eight months ago until the socialist leader, who is violation of their constitutional ordered his arrest. Goudreau is the attack, executed by two of former New Mexico Governor Bill wanted in the US on narcoter- rights to a defence. believed to be in the US, where Guaidó’s former political Richardson met in July with rorism charges, says Wash- Maduro’s chief prosecutor he also is under investigation f or ago by the families of the two advisers in the US. Maduro in Caracas to urge they ington is using Guaidó to steal announced the surprise decision possibly violating arms traf- Americans but has so far been US officials have denied any be released and returned home the nation’s vast oil wealth. late on Friday night. “THEY ficking laws in connection to the barred from meeting or role in the attack but have not to the United States. Medina Roa said that while ADMITTED THEIR RESPONSI- botched incursion. speaking with his clients. said what knowledge they had Richardson yesterday said Maduro may be looking to BILITY FOR THE FACTS,” Tarek Denman and Berry, both In violation of their constitu- about the clandestine camps in he would also work to free the negotiate a political deal with William Saab announced on decorated former U.S. service tional rights to a defence, he said, Colombia, details of which were convicted veterans, who are the US for the Green Berets’ Twitter, adding that proceedings members, were found guilty of Judge Máximo Marquez never made public by an AP investi- both natives of Texas. release, authorities don’t need will continue against dozens of conspiracy, trafficking in illegal informed him of Friday night’s gation two days prior to the raid. “Luke Denman and Airan to trample further on Vene- other defendants accused of arms and terrorism, Saab said. proceedings at the headquarters Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Berry are American citizens and zuela’s constitution to achieve assisting in the May 3 raid. He did But lawyers for the men said of the SEBIN police, where the said Washington would use all military veterans who deserve their goals. “It’s a perversion of not offer details. the hearing was marred by men are being held. They were possible means to win the our support,” he said. “We will justice to violate their constitu- “Operation Gideon” was irregularities. Alonso Medina represented instead by a public freedom of Denman and Berry. continue our dialogue with the tional rights for future political launched from makeshift Roa said he was hired a month defender. It’s unknown if a trans- US officials also have Venezuelans to try to find a way gain,” said Medina Roa. Mexico President Canada’s last fully defends record as coronavirus intact Arctic ice death toll soars shelf collapses AFP — MEXICO CITY Mexican President Andres REUTERS — OTTAWA caps, which can melt quickly Manuel Lopez Obrador yes- because they do not have the terday defended his govern- The last fully intact ice shelf in bulk that larger glaciers have to ment’s record fighting the the Canadian Arctic has col- stay cold. As a glacier disappears, coronavirus and ruled out a lapsed, losing more than 40% of more bedrock is exposed, which change in strategy after the its area in just two days at the then heats up and accelerates the official death toll surged past end of July, researchers said. The melting process. 50,000. Milne Ice Shelf is at the fringe of “The very small ones, we’re The Latin American nation Ellesmere Island, in the sparsely losing them dramatically,” he recently overtook Britain to populated northern Canadian said, citing researchers’ become the third hardest-hit territory of Nunavut. reviews. The ice shelf collapse country in terms of total virus “Above normal air temper- on Ellesmere Island also meant deaths, after Brazil and the atures, offshore winds and the loss of the northern hemi- United States. On Thursday the open water in front of the ice sphere’s last known epishelf Mexican health ministry shelf are all part of the recipe lake, a geographic feature in reported a total of 50,517 for ice shelf break up,” the which a body of freshwater is deaths and 462,690 infections A nurse holds China’s Sinovac vaccine, a potential vaccine for the coronavirus disease, at the Sao Canadian Ice Service said on dammed by the ice shelf and in the nation of more than 128 Lucas Hospital of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), in Porto Alegre, Twitter when it announced the floats atop ocean water. million. loss on Sunday. A research camp, including Brazil, yesterday. But Lopez Obrador said “Entire cities are that size. instruments for measuring water that in terms of deaths relative These are big pieces of ice,” said flow through the ice shelf, was to population size, “we have Luke Copland, a glaciologist at lost when the shelf collapsed. “It COVID-19 deaths reach 100,000 in Brazil not been so hard hit.” He said the University of Ottawa who is lucky we were not on the ice that while the situation is was part of the research team shelf when this happened,” said REUTERS — BRASILIA despair, because this is a an anti-malarial drug that painful, on that basis Mexico studying the Milne Ice Shelf. researcher Derek Mueller of Car- tragedy like a world war. But remains unproven against the ranks fifth in the Americas, The shelf’s area shrank by leton University in Ottawa, in an Brazil’s death toll from Brazil is under collective coronavirus. behind the United States, about 80 square kilometers. By August 2 blog post. Ellesmere COVID-19 hit 100,000 yes- anesthesia,” said Dr. José Davi “We don’t know where it Brazil, Chile and Peru. comparison, the island of Man- also lost its two St. Patrick Bay terday and continue to climb as Urbaez, a senior member of the will stop, maybe at 150,000 or “And if we compare our- hattan in New York covers ice caps this summer. most Brazilian cities reopen Infectious Diseases Society. 200,000 deaths. Only time will selves with Europe, there are roughly 60 square kilometers. “We saw them going, like shops and dining even though He and other pubic health show the full impact of more deaths in Spain, France “This was the largest remaining someone with terminal cancer. the pandemic has yet to peak. experts have raised the alarm COVID-19 here,” said Alexandre and England than in Mexico,” intact ice shelf, and it’s disinte- It was only a matter of time,” Confronting its most lethal that Brazil still has no coordi- Naime, head of the Sao Paulo he told a news conference in grated, basically,” Copland said. said Mark Serreze, director of outbreak since the Spanish flu nated plan to fight the pan- State University’s department the northwestern state of Baja The Arctic has been the National Snow and Ice Data a century ago, Brazil reported demic, as many officials focus of infectious diseases. California Sur. warming at twice the global Center in Boulder, Colorado. its first cases of the novel coro- on “reopening,” which is likely He said the only comparison Critics say the Mexican rate for the last 30 years, due Serreze and other NSIDC navirus at the end of February. to boost circulation and worsen may be diseases brought by col- authorities have not done to a process known as Arctic scientists had published a 2017 The virus took three months to the outbreak. onizers, such as smallpox, that enough testing to establish the amplification. But this year, study predicting the ice caps kill 50,000 people, and just 50 Two health ministers, both decimated indigenous popula- true extent of infections and temperatures in the polar were likely to disappear within days to kill the next 50,000. trained doctors, have resigned tions when Europeans first deaths. But Lopez Obrador region have been intense. The five years. The ice caps were Led by President Jair Bol- over differences with Bolsonaro. arrived in the Americas. defended his team in charge polar sea ice hit its lowest believed to have formed several sonaro, who has played down The acting minister is an army While that history is long of fighting the pandemic, extent for July in 40 years. centuries ago. The vanishing was the gravity of the epidemic and general who has abandoned the past, Urbaez said Brazil today including his coronavirus czar Record heat and wildfires have confirmed last month, when fought lockdowns by local offi- call for social distancing, which seems equally resigned to the Hugo Lopez-Gatell. scorched Siberian Russia. Nasa satellite shots of the region cials, Brazilians who protested experts says is essential but the COVID-19 deaths to come. “There is no change” in Summer in the Canadian revealed a complete lack of snow nightly from their windows in President opposes. “The government’s message strategy, said the leftist leader Arctic this year in particular has and ice, said Serreze, who the first months of the outbreak Bolsonaro, who has called today is: ‘Catch your corona- when asked about demands been 5 degrees Celsius above the studied the caps as a graduate have met the grim milestone COVID-19 a “little flu,” says he virus and if it’s serious, there is from his opponents for a shift 30-year average, Copland said. student on his first trip to the with a shrug. recovered from his own infection intensive care.’ That sums up in tactics and the resignation That has threatened smaller ice Arctic years ago. “We should be living in thanks to hydroxychloroquine, our policy today,” Urbaez said. of Lopez-Gatell. Puerto Rico prepares for historic primaries Brazil hails reduction in AP — SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO Amazon deforestation Two candidates who both served as replacement governors in the wake of a AFP — RIO DE JANEIRO The difference is much Puerto Rican political crisis are competing greater when examining against each other for a chance to win the Brazil on Friday hailed figures 12-month figures: The 9,200 job in their own right as the disaster-struck showing a reduction in July of km2 lost from August 2019 to US territory holds primary elections. deforestation that has spooked July 2020 was sharply higher Governor Wanda Vázquez of the pro- international investors, though than the 6,800 km2 cleared in statehood New Progressive Party is seeking environmentalists warned it was the previous 12 months. the party’s nomination in a contest today too early to proclaim success. The administration of far- with seasoned politician Pedro Pierluisi, Official data showed a right President Jair Bolsonaro is who represented Puerto Rico in Congress swath of Brazil’s Amazon rain- under pressure to stop Amazon from 2009 to 2017. forest about the size of London deforestation and forest fires, Pierluisi was sworn in as governor last — more than 1,600 square kil- after international investment August when Governor Ricardo Rosselló ometers — was cleared in July, funds that collectively admin- resigned following widespread street pro- down from the 2,250 km2 lost ister close to $4 trillion in assets tests over a profanity-laced chat that was in July 2019. wrote an open letter to the leaked and government corruption. But he That shows government leader in June, urging the end served less than a week as Puerto Rico’s efforts have achieved an of projects that accelerate the Supreme Court ruled that Vázquez, then the A May 4,2017 file picture of the Capitol building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “inversion of the trend,” said area’s destruction. justice secretary, was constitutionally next in Vice President Hamilton Mourao last month com- line because there was no secretary of state. Donald Trump following the devastation “I’m not interested, and I don’t even Mourao, who heads Brazil’s mitted to cutting deforestation Whoever emerges as the party’s of Hurricane Maria; Puerto Rico Sen. want to know about politics,” said 51-year- National Amazon Council. and forest fires “to an acceptable nominee will be among six gubernatorial Eduardo Bhatia; and Carlos Delgado, mayor old Yayi Borrero, who has voted regularly An analysis of longer-term minimum.” Environmentalists, candidates in November’s general election. of the northwest coastal town of Isabela. since age 18. The primaries come at a figures for the world’s largest however, were not optimistic The main opposition Popular Demo- Despite the “firsts” in the primaries, critical time. Along with facing the pan- rainforest is more worrying, about the latest numbers. “We cratic Party, which supports Puerto Rico’s Puerto Rico’s consistently high voter demic, Puerto Rico has yet to recover from however. The 4,730 km2 of cannot celebrate that we haven’t current political status as a US territory, is turnout of nearly 70% could dip as the US hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and a deforestation in the Amazon surpassed the 2019 record. That’s holding a primary for the first time in its territory struggles with a spike in corona- string of recent strong earthquakes that from January 1 to July 31 was positive, but it’s important to 82-year history. It has three people com- virus cases and growing disillusion and began in late December, the government slightly above the 4,700 km2 understand that 1,600 km2 is a peting for its gubernatorial nomination - anger over the island government’s is struggling to emerge from bankruptcy, from the same period in 2019, lot,” Ane Alencar, science San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, known response to hurricanes, recent earthquakes the island is in the 13th year of a recession, the country’s National Institute director at the Amazon Environ- for her public spats with US President and the pandemic. and power outages are frequent. for Space Research (INPE) said. mental Research Institute, said. 12 AMERICAS SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 Probe under way after police officers handcuff Black girls

AP— DENVER Aurora police apologised after the video taken by the video, said on camera that a bystander showed the girls, with the 17-year- the police drew guns as they Prosecutors are investigating initially approached the car. whether suburban Denver old and a 12-year-old lying on their stomachs Wilson, who was named police officers should face with their hands cuffed behind their backs. A chief of the Aurora Police criminal charges for putting 14-year-old was lying next to the 6-year-old, also Department this week after four Black girls on the ground serving as its interim leader, and handcuffing two of them on their stomachs next to the car. said earlier this week that she after mistakenly suspecting was “angry and disgusted” like they were riding in a stolen car, others who have seen the video a district attorney said late on treated equally under the law,” A woman on the other side of and said on Friday that she wel- Friday. he said. “No one is above the the car is seen being led away comed the investigation, which The incident on Sunday law. If our investigation deter- in handcuffs. coincides with an internal attracted national attention mines that the officers involved An officer eventually helped investigation she ordered. after a video of the girls — some committed a crime, I will not the handcuffed girls sit up but “I have promised trans- in tears — being detained in a hesitate to file charges and left them with their hands parency to a community who parking lot spread on social prosecute them.” behind their backs, and police not only demands it, but media. The traffic stop hap- Brauchler is a Republican eventually determined they had deserves it,” she said. pened in Aurora, where officers and a vocal defender of law stopped the wrong car. Part of Police are instructed to are also being investigated fol- enforcement, but earlier this the reason for the mix-up might draw their guns and put occu- lowing the death of 23-year-old year he criticized members of have been that the car had been pants on the ground when Elijah McClain after he was Aurora’s police department for reported as stolen earlier in the dealing with a suspected stolen placed in a chokehold last year. helping shield an officer found year, police said. car, but Wilson has said they In the Sunday incident, passed out in his patrol car from Driver Brittney Gilliam, who should have changed course officers eventually determined criminal prosecution for sus- had taken her nieces, sister and after Gilliam said the car was the car carrying the girls, pected drinking and driving. daughter out for a day at a nail not stolen and that she had ranging in age from 6 to 17, had Aurora police apologized salon, has characterized the children inside. the same license plate number after the video taken by a officers’ actions as police bru- McClain died after he was as the one they were seeking bystander showed the girls, tality. “There’s no excuse why stopped by police who put him from another state. with the 17-year-old and a you didn’t handle it a different in a chokehold before para- Aurora Police Chief Vanessa 12-year-old lying on their type of way,” Gilliam told medics gave him a drug to calm Wilson and the department are stomachs with their hands KUSA-TV. him down. McClain suffered cooperating with the investi- cuffed behind their backs. A “You could have even told cardiac arrest and was later gation, 18th Judicial District 14-year-old girl was lying next them ‘step off to the side, let me taken off life support. Black lives matter Attorney George Brauchler said to the 6-year-old, also on their ask your mom or your auntie a The Colorado attorney One of 26 billboards, sponsored by Oprah Winfrey’s O, The Oprah in his announcement. He called stomachs next to the car. few questions so we can get this general is investigating after a Magazine, calling for criminal charges against police officers in the the public accounts of the con- They can be heard crying cleared up’' There was different county prosecutor said last year frontation “very concerning”. and screaming as officers stand ways to handle it.” there wasn’t enough evidence killing of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman shot to death in her own “Everyone is entitled to be with their backs to the camera. Jennifer Wurtz, who shot to charge the officers. apartment, is seen in Louisville, Kentucky, US, on Friday.

4 US deaths tied to Rare syndrome linked methanol-based to COVID-19 found in hand sanitizers AP — NEW YORK

570 US children: CDC Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help stop the coronavirus REUTERS — NEW YORK In May, the CDC published from spreading, but drinking the a health advisory with details products turned out to be deadly Nearly 600 children were of how MIS-C manifests in for four people in two states. admitted to US hospitals with patients, and asked clinicians Health officials reported this a rare inflammatory syndrome to report suspected U.S. cases week that 15 adults were poi- associated with the novel coro- to local and state health soned in Arizona and New navirus over four months departments. Mexico in May and June after during the peak of the pan- As of July 29, state health drinking hand sanitizer. Besides demic, the Centers for Disease departments across the country the four who died, three had Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 570 MIS-C ongoing vision problems, the said in a report on Friday. patients diagnosed with the Centers for Disease Control and Multisystem inflammatory illness from March 2 to July 18. Prevention said. syndrome (MIS-C) is a rare but Among the MIS-C cases, all All had consumed sanitizers severe condition that shares patients tested positive for containing methanol, or wood symptoms with toxic shock COVID-19 and 10 died, the CDC alcohol. The active ingredient and Kawasaki disease, said in the report. that kills germs in legitimate including fever, rashes, The data is consistent with sanitizers is ethyl alcohol, which USMA cadets undergo training swollen glands and, in severe two US studies published in is consumable. But some com- cases, heart inflammation. It June and several reports of the panies have been replacing it US Military Academy (USMA) cadets work on the water confidence course during tactical and physical has been reported in children syndrome among COVID-19 with poisonous methanol, training activities as part of Cadet Summer Training at West Point, New York, US, on Friday. and adolescent patients about patients in France, Italy, Spain which is used in antifreeze. two to four weeks after the and Britain. The US Food and Drug onset of COVID-19. The report, the CDC said, Administration issued a With rising COVID-19 cases, highlights the need for greater warning in June about Mex- US schools reopen in virus hotspots there could be an increased awareness among healthcare ican-made hand sanitizer gel occurrence of MIS-C, but this providers, as distinguishing that it said contained large AFP — WASHINGTON President Donald Trump, the most of Mississippi is in the might not be apparent imme- patients with MIS-C from those amounts of methanol. Since Centers for Disease Control and “red” — meaning it is clearly diately because of the delay in with acute COVID-19 and other then, the FDA has expanded Undeterred by the coronavirus, Prevention last month issued unsafe to reopen. development of symptoms, said hyperinflammatory conditions the list. The FDA has identified schools in several US states new guidelines on how to open New York Governor the report’s authors, including is critical for early recognition, dozens of hand sanitizers that have reopened for in-person up classrooms. Andrew Cuomo said schools those from the CDC’s COVID-19 early diagnosis, and prompt contain methanol and have classes — but some have It firmly weighed its recom- will be reopening, citing his response team. treatment. been recalled in the US. already been hit by large quar- mendations in favor of in- state’s success in battling the antines of students and staff fol- person learning because of the virus, with schools planning for lowing fresh outbreaks. negative impact of lockdowns a part-time approach. MTV’s Video Music Awards drops plans for indoor show In Mississippi — the state on social development and The state averages three with the country’s highest pos- mental health. Data also shows daily new cases per 100,000, REUTERS — LOS ANGELES “In close consultation with state and local health itivity rate at 22 percent of eve- distance-learning exacerbates placing it in the “yellow” cat- officials , it became clear at this time that outdoor ryone tested, sick or otherwise educational attainment gaps egory on the Harvard dash- MTV has abandoned the idea of holding its Video performances with limited or no audience would — the Corinth School District between socioeconomic groups. board, meaning schools can Music Awards show at an indoor venue in New be more feasible and safer than an indoor event,” has so far seen eight confirmed In the absence of official open with a robust testing plan. York because of the complications of the coro- MTV and the Barclays Center said and added all cases across several schools, guidance, experts have devised Several other large cities, navirus epidemic. local health guidelines will be observed for the according to officials. their own metrics. including Chicago, Houston, Los The VMA show on August 30, which tradi- outdoor performances, which will take place at As a result, over 100 people Harvard has created a dash- Angeles, and Miami have tionally features live performances from music’s locations around New York City. It did not say which who came into close contact board that gives every county announced they will stick to biggest stars, will instead go ahead with some artists would be performing outdoors. with them have been asked to in the country a colour rating distance learning for now. artists performing at outdoor locations, MTV and Last week organizers of the Emmy Awards quarantine, swiftly disrupting based on a seven-day average But Republican-led states the Barclays Center arena said. The VMA cer- show honoring the best in television, which is local authorities’ plans for a of its per capita daily cases. of Mississippi, Georgia, Ten- emony was to be the first major awards show since usually held in Los Angeles in front of a large return to normal. With an average of 37 daily nessee and Indiana opened this the pandemic began to take place in a physical A-list audience, said this year’s event in Sep- After pressure from US cases per 100,000, week and last. location, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. tember would be a virtual affair. Census Bureau drop-outs complicate door-knocking efforts

AP — ORLANDO a shortened schedule. many congressional seats each with the technology, as iPhones Door-knockers started state gets. Bureau officials have replaced the clipboards of Bob Garick was looking forward heading out last month in six acknowledge that they’ve had censuses past. The pandemic to being a field supervisor areas of the country in a test- door-knockers, also known as has forced training to be held during the door-knocking phase run of the most labour-intensive enumerators, come to training mostly online and there’s less of the 2020 census, but as the part of the 2020 census, and but then not show up for work. in-person interaction with number of new coronavirus their ranks have increased with The door-knockers wear cloth supervisors should enumerators cases in Florida shot up last each passing week as more face masks and are equipped with need help, Stempowski said. month, he changed his mind. locations were added. But next hand sanitizer and cellphones. Concerns about attracting With widespread home week, the full army of 500,000 “We are seeing folks who door-knockers forced the visits for the 2020 census set to census-takers will be in the field are a little hesitant because of Census Bureau to raise its begin next week, the Census for the first time, knocking on the COVID environment,” hourly wage: Enumerators in Bureau is losing workers like the doors of more than a third Deborah Stempowski, the the highest-paying cities can Garick to pandemic fears. The of US households that haven’t Census Bureau’s assistant now earn $30 an hour. attrition could complicate the yet responded to the once-a- director for decennial pro- To meet the year-end bureau’s plans to ramp up decade head count. grams, said last week. deadline, the agency announced efforts to reach the hardest to The census helps determine Other non-COVID factors it would finish data collection A pamphlet with 2020 census information is included in a box of count communities, including how $1.5 trillion in federal are also playing a role. Some at the end of September instead food in Paramount, California. minorities and immigrants, on spending is distributed and how enumerators are uncomfortable of the end of October.