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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXII No.12002 August 11, 2021 Muharram 3, 1443 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Deputy Amir meets Belgian envoy In brief Qatar Food Systems Amir condoles with Algerian president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Dialogues launched Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent cables of condolences to Algerian Event within the framework of preparation for UN Food Systems Summit 2021 President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the victims of the fires that erupted atar National Food Systems “The countries of the world have in several areas in Algeria, wishing Summit Dialogues, organised witnessed recently many devastating the injured a speedy recovery. HE Qby the Ministry of Munici- eff ects as a result of climate change, the Prime Minister and Minister of pality and Environment, kicked off including fl oods in northern Europe, Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin yesterday within the framework of heat waves and fi res in the Mediterra- Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a similar preparation for the UN Food Systems nean, in North America, Canada and cable of condolences to Prime Summit 2021, scheduled in Septem- others, which gives a grave warning Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane. ber with the participation of leaders to all countries of the seriousness of His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani met at his (QNA) of the member states. the situation and the need for eff orts Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday with the outgoing Belgian ambassador to Qatar The two-day event will review as- to prevent or limit climate change, Bart de Grove. The Deputy Amir wished the ambassador success in his future pects of developing food systems and whether in terms of expanding the assignments and further progress and prosperity for relations between Qatar Amir sends greetings ways to overcome challenges and ob- use of renewable energy, or by ad- and Belgium. For his part, the ambassador expressed thanks and appreciation to to Ecuador president stacles, in accordance with the objec- dressing food systems that account His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Deputy Amir and to the state’s off icials tives of the United Nations, providing for at least about 30% of the problem, for the co-operation he received which contributed to the success of his work in His Highness the Amir Sheikh an opportunity to all stakeholders, which is related to the food consumed the country. (QNA) Page 2 Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His including consumers, producers, and the methods of food production.” Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh wholesalers and retailers, research- HE the Minister of Municipality and HE al-Subaie noted that the UN Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and ers, students and policy makers, to Environment and Acting Minister of secretary-general took the initiative HE the Prime Minister and Minister discuss and develop the food system State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Abdullah and encouraged all member states to of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa in Qatar. bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie prioritise establishing food systems, bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent cables In an opening address, HE the delivering the opening address. and to organise dialogues between Qatar set to cross 4mn of congratulations to Ecuador’s Minister of Municipality and Envi- members on national food systems President Guillermo Lasso on ronment and Acting Minister of State dition to diversifying the sources of in order to engage all stakeholders the anniversary of his country’s for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Abdullah bin international trade through various on how to make the food systems re- Independence Day. (QNA) Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie com- alternative methods and improving silient and sustainable to benefi t the vaccine doses milestone mended the national dialogues, being local markets and logistics services planet and the people. organised in co-operation with the reiterates that food security is a na- Dr Masoud Jarallah al-Marri, di- Thousands fl ee as two Ministry of Commerce and Industry tional security issue that has been rector of Food Security Department By Joseph Varghese such as the elderly above 65, pregnant more cities fall to Taliban and the Ministry of Public Health, in successfully dealt with. at the Ministry of Municipality and Staff Reporter women and children aged 12-15. preparation for the UN Food Systems HE the minister explained that the Environment (MME) and national They have noted that these catego- The Taliban seized two more Summit 2021 which aims at making a national dialogues features many co-ordinator of the UN Food Systems ries of people are likely to face more Afghan provincial capitals progress in all Sustainable Develop- discussions about common con- Summit 2021, said that organising atar is poised to cross a mile- complications if they are aff ected by yesterday - including one just ment Goals by 2030. cerns, whether at the national or in- a national dialogue on food systems stone of administering 4mn the virus. Though children may not 200km from Kabul - as tens of “Qatar has made great strides in ternational level, so that everyone’s comes in the framework of prepara- Qdoses of Covid-19 vaccine to- face such complications, they might thousands of people fled their making its food system more fl ex- attention is focused on how to deal tions for a global summit called for day as the country has given a total of face long period of illness and they are homes in the north for the relative ible to face any supply disruptions with the planet, adapt to climate by the UN secretary-general in 2019. 3,990,966 doses as of yesterday. likely to transmit the virus to others. safety of Kabul and other centres. or price hikes,” he said. The eff orts to changes, and achieve justice, sus- The summit is set to act as a plat- The Ministry of Public Health The head of vaccination at MoPH, Dr Farah city, capital of the same- increase local production and build tainability and fl exibility of the food form for transforming the current (MoPH) in its daily bulletin noted that Soha al- Bayat had recently said, that named province, and Pul-e-Khumri a strategic stockpile covering six system in the present and the future food systems to sustainable ones, he 26,431 doses of vaccine have been giv- the vaccination campaign is focusing in Baghlan fell within hours of each months of basic commodities, in ad- as well. stated. en in the last 24 hours taking the total more on these groups as the fi rst two other. The Taliban confirmed their number of doses since the start of the groups of people can develop more seizure in separate tweets. Six of campaign to just about 9,044 short of complications from the virus and the the other provincial capitals to the 4mn mark. children can transmit the disease faster. have fallen since Friday are in the The MoPH yesterday announced Earlier this week, Dr Yousef al- country’s north with the insurgents that 88.3% of the eligible population Maslamani, medical director of Hamad setting their sights on Mazar-i- 25 soldiers among 38 dead in Algeria fi res has received at least one dose of vac- General Hospital, through a video mes- Sharif, the region’s biggest city. Its cine. This amounts to 76.6% of the to- sage on the MoPH social media channel fall would signal the total collapse tal population of the country. said: “With the Covid-19 delta vari- of government control in the ildfi res fanned by blister- Algiers. President Abdelmadjid Teb- and Tizi Ouzou,” the president said. With the current vaccination fi gures, ant now in Qatar, like most countries traditionally anti-Taliban north. ing temperatures and tin- boune tweeted his condolences for State radio said three “arson- Qatar is among the leading countries in around the world, it is more important Wder-dry conditions have 25 soldiers who were killed as they ists” had been arrested in the terms of vaccinating the largest per- than ever to get vaccinated. This vari- killed at least 38 people in Algeria, rescued people in the areas of Bejaiea northern district of Medea and centage of the total population. ant is very contagious and spreads fast. Air quality monitoring authorities said yesterday, adding and Tizi Ouzou, the epicentre of the another in Annaba, in relation to The healthcare leaders are urging eve- We have vaccines which are very safe stations installed that the fi res had criminal origins. blazes. other fires. ry eligible person to get vaccinated at the and highly eff ective against such vari- Photographs posted on social media “It is with great sadness that I More than 70 fi res have broken out earliest with the detection of the delta ants. Therefore, it is more important The Supreme Committee for show huge walls of fl ame and billow- have learned of the martyrdom of 25 in 14 states across the north of the variant in the country. They have also than ever to get vaccinated. Your sup- Delivery & Legacy (SC), in ing clouds of smoke towering over soldiers after they were successful country, including 10 particularly urged those who have not yet been vacci- port is important, and it makes us all collaboration with the Ministry of charred trees in the forested hills of in rescuing around 100 citizens from around Tizi Ouzou, one of the most nated to go for inoculation immediately, safe if everyone gets vaccinated at the Municipality and Environment, the Kabylie region, east of the capital the fl ames in the mountains of Bejaia populous cities in Kabylie. Page 4 especially the vulnerable population earliest.” announced the start of installing the first air quality monitoring stations in the vicinity of Qatar University’s training stadiums, as part of an Messi in 2-year deal with PSG integrated programme to enhance monitoring of air quality around the FIFA World Cup stadiums and Corniche reopens to traffi c training grounds of Qatar 2022. This step comes as part of eff orts to improve the air quality inside he Public Works Authority the tournament stadiums, training (Ashghal) announced the reo- facilities and areas that host various Tpening of traffi c on the Cor- events during the World Cup in line niche Street after a 101-hour tem- with the sustainability strategy of porary closure on both directions to the tournament. Page 3 facilitate completion of some con- struction works as part of the relevant development project. New York Governor In a tweet yesterday, Ashghal Cuomo resigns thanked “all people including citi- zens, residents and visitors for their Embattled New York Governor support for the success of the tempo- Andrew Cuomo announced his rary traffi c plans by using alternative resignation yesterday after 11 routes and public transport, signifi - women accused him of harassment. cantly reducing congestion.” “I think that given the circumstances, The entire Corniche Street had the best way I can help now is if I remained closed to traffi c until 5am Doha Corniche Street after its reopening yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam step aside and let government get yesterday from Thursday midnight. back to government,” Cuomo said in The closure was implemented by tion to studying some infrastructure tation means as an alternative to pri- a live address. “My resignation will Ashghal in co-ordination with the development works in public utility vate vehicles. be eff ective in 14 days.” The 63-year- General Directorate of Traffi c of the service. All 37 stations of Doha Metro, in- old Cuomo denied the claims of Ministry of Interior. The closure also included parts of cluding seven along Corniche Street, sexual harassment outlined in a Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who left Barcelona after 21 years last week The Corniche Street development some surrounding streets around Al were open and accessible during the report released last week by the has signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, with the option of an project includes completion of im- Bidda Park, Al Diwan Street, Al Ru- closure. The public transport buses op- New York attorney-general’s off ice. additional year, the French club announced in Paris yesterday. Messi, 34, will plementing four pedestrian tunnels maila street, Grand Hamad Street erated at intervals of every 10-15 min- But he said he wanted to “deeply, wear the number 30 as revealed in a video by the club, the number he had linking the paths to the neighbour- (Banks’ Street) and Mohammed bin utes, providing transportation from deeply apologise” to any women when he began his professional career at Barcelona between 2004-2006. “I am hoods and construction of three pla- Thani street. However, pedestrians 6am-11pm from Friday to Sunday. The who may have been off ended by his excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” said Messi zas such as Al Dafna Plaza, Corniche were allowed to use the closed roads, buses operated in parallel with Metro actions. Page 8 in a statement on the club’s website. Sport Page 1 Plaza, and Al Bidda Plaza, in addi- in addition to use of public transpor- operating hours. Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 QATAR

Deputy Amir meets outgoing Kosovo and Tunisia envoys

His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani met separately at his Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday with Kosovo’s ambassador, Amir Bairos Ahmadi (left), and Tunisian ambassador Sami Saidi, who called on to greet him on the occasion of the end of their tenure in Qatar. The Deputy Amir wished the outgoing ambassadors success in their future assignments and further progress and prosperity for relations between Qatar and their countries. For their part, the ambassadors expressed thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Deputy Amir and to the state’s off icials for the co-operation they received which contributed to the success of their work in the country. — QNA

Al-Shahwani meets Qatar-Oman military ‘Voters should Jordanian commander relations reviewed have a clear

Amiri Guard Commander Major General Hazza bin Khalil al- HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General view of Shura Shahwani met yesterday with Commander of Jordanian Special (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem met yesterday with Royal Guard Brigadier General Raed Ahmed al-Ajarmeh. During the visiting Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration in Oman the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations of common interest Brigadier General (Navy) Issa bin Salem al-Owaisi. During the in military fields and ways to enhance and develop them. The meeting, they reviewed the bilateral military relations and ways meeting was attended by a number of senior off icers of the Amiri to enhance and develop them. The meeting was attended by a jurisdiction’ Guard. — QNA number of senior off icers in the Qatar Armed Forces. — QNA he actual jurisdiction of the cording to the Qatari constitution. voters’ clear understanding of the Shura Council and the des- Besides, the Shura Council mem- real jurisdiction and duties of the Tignated tasks and duties of bers could question and investigate Council and its members facilitates the members are considered the the offi cials to clarify certain inter- the choice of members who are best guide for the upcoming elec- nal aff airs within the jurisdiction of more suitable and fi t to undertake Qatar Charity implements 209 tions, a number of Qatari citizens the Council. such tasks based on their profes- and experts in the fi eld have af- They further stressed that the sional public profi les. Yousef al- fi rmed. job of the elected members of the Jassim called on the voters to study Speaking to local Arabic daily Shura Council does not in any way well the public achievements of Arrayah, they pointed out that the off er personal services to others the candidates and review them WASH projects in Pakistan voters should have a clear view or promoting their requests but within the requirements of the job and understanding of their pro- rather address the issues of pub- before making a decision on whom grammes and make sure that it lic interest. Lawyer Ali Rashid to vote for. Besides, the candidates atar Charity (QC) imple- falls within the jurisdiction of the al-Buainain said that the voters should be keen to maintain active mented various water, Council and serve the public in- should go for those candidates communication with the voters to Qsanitation, and hygiene terests of the country rather than who are able to serve the nation explain their vision. (WASH) projects in Pakistan’s promoting promises that could be without any personal interests. He Habib al-Hajiri suggested Sindh province this year, bene- considered outside the jurisdiction explained that the main purpose launching more active social fo- fi ting 27,550 people. The imple- of the Council in the fi rst place. of voting for a certain candidate rums and dialogue with the candi- mentation of the WASH projects The jurisdiction and tasks of the is to further promote public good dates at the various constituencies comes as part of QC’s continued upcoming elected Council include and serve the country as a whole. ahead of the voting process to give a eff orts to contribute in address- introducing laws and legislations, It does not involve responding to platform to explain their views and ing the water problem and pro- approving the public budget of the the particular personal demands of what they can off er. This would re- viding safe drinking water to the state, and control over the execu- individuals. fl ect positively on the overall selec- vulnerable in the province. tive authorities of the country, ac- Lawyer Saif al-Ameri that the tion process. QC also installed 140 hand pumps in the province’s two dis- tricts, Tando Muhammad Khan and Badin, to provide 13,500 people with safe drinking water. It also constructed 46 sanitation Cityscape Qatar to accelerate Gulf facilities, along with an ablu- tion area in both districts where nearly 7,000 individuals ben- state’s resurgent real estate market efi ted from these interventions. In addition, QC also installed 23 solar water pumps for the use ith the 2022 FIFA World of 7,150 individuals in these two Cup powering a real es- districts, as well as the Umarkot Wtate resurgence in Qa- district. tar, Cityscape Qatar is gearing up “Qatar Charity is working at QC installed 140 hand pumps in the districts of Tando Muhammad Khan and Badin to provide 13,500 to showcase a vast array of diverse the grass-root level to meet the people with safe drinking water. real estate opportunities aimed at basic needs of the community, local, regional, and international school, and health facilities,” investors. said Badin’s Deputy Commis- Held under the patronage of HE sioner Hafeez Ahmed Siyal, the Prime Minister and Minister of lauding QC’s efforts in imple- Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa menting WASH and livelihood bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the ninth projects. He also indicated that edition of the three-day real estate the governmental bodies will exhibition, co-organised by Infor- fully co-operate with QC to fa- ma Markets and Elan Events, will cilitate the implementation of run from October 17-19 at Doha its various projects. Exhibition & Convention Centre. Badin’s Social Welfare De- Chris Speller, group director of Chris Speller, group director of Cityscape. partment deputy director Ab- Cityscape, said: “While the inter- dul Gaffar Khoso applauded national real estate market took a get back to business with Cityscape tors from Qatar will also take part QC for playing a vital role in hit last year, it’s promising to see Qatar in October. We have already in the new hybrid model for City- providing safe and clean drink- the movers and shakers across Qa- seen positive shoots from develop- scape Global in November, where ing for the poorest community tar’s market aggressively getting ers and brokers in the country and, they will have access to the month- in the Sindh province. Since back to business. with a projected resurgence of the long digital networking and semi- the 2010-2011 flood emergency “With Cityscape Qatar histori- real estate market, it is an oppor- nar platform. in the Sindh Province, QC has cally regarded as a key date in the tune moment to reinvigorate the The collaboration will enable actively been implementing networking calendar for industry industry. By providing a trusted exhibitors and visitors to search for many projects such as emer- professionals, we look forward to platform, Cityscape will facilitate and identify new leads and con- gency, early recovery, recon- supporting a return to normal op- progressive and constructive dia- tacts globally based on their in- struction, WASH, and liveli- erations, albeit, in a safe and hygi- logue on developments within the vestment interests, business type hood projects. enic manner later this year.” real estate industry.” and projects. QC expanded its interven- Top exhibitors currently signed In a further boost to Cityscape The live event will be held in ad- tions in districts of Tando Mu- up for the ninth edition include Qatar and the wider real estate sec- herence with Informa AllSecure, hammad Khan and Badin, where Barwa, Qatari Diar, UDC, Qetaifan tor, Informa Markets has partnered an enhanced health and safety many people suff er from poor The projects involved construction of 46 sanitation facilities. Projects, and Ariane Real Estate. Qatar Tourism to align on the de- standards that raise the bar on safe, economic conditions, lack of Khalid al-Muraikhi, group chief velopment and promotion of in- hygienic, productive, and high- livelihood opportunities, no ter, these people face malnutri- Unicef in April to implement chistan over the period of two support offi cer for Elan Group, vestment opportunities across the quality organised event experi- safe drinking water, and poor tion, high infant mortality rate. two WASH projects for the ben- years. Both WASH projects are said: “After a hiatus on events for tourism sector. Aligning with the ences. For more information, visit infrastructure. Due to the una- QC, through its Pakistan of- efi t of nearly 1mn people in the being implemented at a cost of the past 18 months, it is exciting to show’s UAE counterpart, exhibi- www.cityscapeqatar.com. vailability of safe drinking wa- fi ce, signed two contracts with provinces of Punjab and Balu- QR12mn. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 11, 2021 3 QATAR Air quality monitoring stations being installed at Qatar 2022 sites

he Supreme Committee tions will also be installed at the Project launched to support delivery Cup infrastructure through a international standards. Helping for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Al Janoub Stadium precinct in number of means, including the Qatar achieve carbon-neutral Tin collaboration with the the near future. of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 design and construction phases, will be the tournament’s small Ministry of Municipality and En- Jassim al-Jaidah, the SC’s Lo- Sustainability Strategy which have reduced energy and footprint. vironment, has begun installing cal Stakeholders Relations man- water consumption, prioritised The compact nature of the air quality monitoring stations at ager for Sustainability, said: the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 country and region. In order to recycling and effi ciently dealt event – with all the stadiums FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tour- “These stations will monitor and Sustainability Strategy.” achieve a carbon-neutral tour- with waste. close together and no internal nament venues. measure air quality according to Improving air quality is just nament, the SC has estimated In addition, every Qatar 2022 fl ights required for fans and play- The fi rst stations have been the weather, along with the per- one of Qatar’s sustainability the amount of carbon emissions stadium is mandated to achieve ers – will signifi cantly limit the installed in the precinct of the centage of gases and other parti- goals. from hosting the World Cup and a four-star rating under the carbon footprint. Qatar University training site and cles in the air. The data provided The country is committed to raised awareness of reducing Global Sustainability Assess- In addition, Qatar’s green pub- form part of a project to improve will help the SC make informed hosting a carbon-neutral FIFA emissions with both local and re- ment System – which, among lic transport network, includ- air quality, in line with the FIFA decisions in relation to improv- World Cup and leveraging the gional stakeholders. other things, requires a project ing the Doha Metro and electric World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustain- ing air quality inside Qatar 2022 hosting of the mega-event to Emissions have been reduced to reduce energy and water con- buses, will support sustainability ability Strategy. Monitoring sta- tournament venues, in line with build a green legacy across the during the construction of World sumption by 30% compared to goals. Jassim al-Jaidah Kahramaa, CNA-Q sign agreement atar General Electric- opment across both entities. to consolidate and expand our and achievements.” Engineer ity and Water Corpora- Further, the MoU provides networks and seek new oppor- al-Wahdi expressed his support Qtion (Kahramaa) signed a CNA-Q students with intern- tunities of growth for our staff for all co-operation initiatives memorandum of understanding ship opportunities at Kahramaa and team members. I believe this between Kahramaa and other na- with College of the North Atlan- facilities and allows them to ben- MoU will prove to be an example tional entities: “Our partnership tic - Qatar (CNA-Q) yesterday. efi t from these facilities in con- of a most successful partnership in the bounties and resources Kahramaa’s Shared Services ducting their capstone projects. that will provide both parties of our country must be trans- director engineer Abdullah Muh- It also helps in creating pertinent with tremendous space for inno- lated into a partnership in work, sen al-Wahdi, and CNA-Q’s as- solutions for professional devel- vation and development.” achievement, and responsibility, sociate vice-president for Stu- opment and mutually custom- CNA-Q president Dr Salem and there is no doubt that the dent Aff airs Dr Aljazzi Fetais were ised staff training. al-Naemi said Kahramaa has had basis for achieving our goals lies the signatories. The scope expands to include an active role in the electricity in co-ordination and joint work This collaboration is meant to joint awareness campaigns on and water sector in Qatar, and to exchange experience and to provide a strategic framework to energy and water conservation the agreement will be benefi cial achieve maximum benefi t from enhance means of co-operation to increase recognition of the im- for both sides. “CNA-Q seeks the gains available to all parties”. in the fi elds of education, train- portance of energy effi ciency. to provide new opportunities Dr Aljazzi Fetais, stated that: ing, and development, it was ex- In addition, the agreement for its students and professors “The college believes in the im- plained in a Kahramaa statement. discusses off ering Kahramaa through such initiatives to enrich portance of co-operation, which The importance of the agreement a membership in the relevant Kahramaa and CNA-Q off icials at the MoU signing ceremony yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam their academic experience and constitutes the main pillar for lies in conducting joint projects, CNA-Q’s Programme Advisory push them forward towards their growth and development. This research, and exchange of exper- Committees to gain new insights library access to Kahramaa em- es. Kahramaa president engineer will be of mutual benefi t: “We, goals. We are confi dent that this memorandum will support joint tise. This integrated approach and advice. ployees to benefi t from thou- Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari com- at Kahramaa, have spared no ef- co-operation will be the driv- initiatives and will form a basis underpins innovation and devel- The College will also provide sands of online and offl ine sourc- mended the MoU and hoped it fort in seeking new partnerships ing force for further excellence for development and success.”

Schools were unwittingly preparing for blended learning years before pandemic: QF educators Pregnant women urged dtech experts have high- lighted many schools in EQatar, and around the world, spent years unwittingly to get Covid vaccination preparing for a global pandemic that would shake the founda- tions of traditional learning. QNA cine during pregnancy can pro- for severe outcomes when they The discussion – titled ‘Stu- Doha tect you from severe illness from get Covid-19 and even if they’re dents of Change: Edtech in Qatar the disease,” she notes. healthy, the pregnancy itself Before and After Covid’ held as “Around the world, hundreds makes them susceptible to some part of the ASU+GSV Summit Dr Soha al-Bayat r Najat Khenyab, Lead for of thousands of pregnant women of the complications of the virus. 2021 in San Diego, US, and in col- National Health Strat- have been vaccinated, mainly Therefore, pregnant women are laboration with Qatar Founda- Parents need Degy 2018-2022, has urged with Pfi zer and Moderna vac- more likely to have severe Cov- tion (QF) – saw panellists high- pregnant women to act now and cines, and no notable safety con- id-19 and more likely to be hos- light the diff erent ways in which not be afraid of get vaccinated against Covid-19 cerns have been identifi ed. The pitalised, and any severe illness blended learning was being uti- vaccinating to ensure they and their unborn vaccines are highly eff ective as in pregnancy increases the risk to lised eff ectively in classrooms babies are protected against almost all hospital admissions the outcome of the pregnancy,” before Covid-19. Participants at the seminar. children: MoPH the virus, especially with the are for individuals who are not Dr Khenyab said. Dan Pardy, co-ordinator for more severe Delta variant being fully vaccinated,” Dr Khenyab Additionally, pregnant women Learning Innovation, QF, said: had access to training.” Seungah Lee, research fellow, Dr Soha al-Bayat, head of the present in Qatar and most coun- added. with Covid-19 are at increased “We’ve been training and up- Edward Keller, CEO, Smart World Innovation Summit for Vaccination Section in the tries around the world. She says that the World Health risk of preterm birth and might skilling our teachers within QF Science Education, said: “It’s re- Education and Mehdi Benchaa- Department of Health Protection “With the Delta Covid-19 Organisation (WHO) guidance be at increased risk of other ad- schools and across Qatar for ally been an interesting last year… bane, executive director, Learn- and Communicable Disease strain currently in circulation in states that pregnant women are verse conditions, she empha- years – if not a decade or so year plus. What we learned, and ing & Innovation, QF, echoed the Control at the Ministry of Public Qatar, it is more important than at higher risk of severe Covid-19 sised. prior to Covid-19, with no way what we’ve always hypothesised, ideas. Health, has called on parents ever for pregnant women to get compared with women of child- To book an appointment to re- of knowing that something like is that digital learning can do an “For us, focusing on well-be- not to be afraid of vaccinating inoculated against the virus. bearing age who are not preg- ceive Covid-19 vaccine, pregnant Covid-19 was coming. incredible job augmenting tradi- ing was a key element,” said Ben- their children against Covid-19. The Delta variant is more nant, and Covid-19 has been women may visit the MoPH’s “But knowing that blended tional learning, even before the chaabane. “In times of crises, the She pointed out that more than transmissible and causes more associated with an increased website: moph.gov.qa or contact learning was the future of edu- pandemic. And this was always fi rst thing you want to do is focus 40% of children aged 12-15 have severe symptoms than other risk of preterm births. “Preg- your primary health centre di- cation – that mix of traditional, our assumption. on the well-being of both stu- already taken two doses of the strains. Getting a Covid-19 vac- nant women are at increased risk rectly. in-class teaching, with being “There is a lot to be gained dents and staff . And once peo- vaccine. Dr al-Bayat hoped that able to learn anywhere, anytime, from using high-quality dig- ple feel like they’re being looked the coming period will witness at home or abroad. This was the ital tools, even when you have a after, they will respond better to an increase in the number of basis of our drive to a building traditional classroom operating challenges. children receiving vaccination a solid blended learning model as it should be. And then all of “We quickly realised teachers with the return of travellers from within our schools in QF.” a sudden the pandemic hit, and were under a lot of pressure, so abroad after the current holidays Total Covid recoveries rise to 225,213 Pardy said that this blended we were able to test this out in the fi rst thing we did was create season. She also noted that learning model wasn’t imple- a much larger way, because so a crisis management team. We there is a very good response to mented suddenly. “We still have many schools were desperate to started a hotline. We looked at children’s vaccination. QNA a long way to go with it. But the fi nd solutions to – in our case – leadership understanding. And Doha way we got there was through traditional science labs, which of of course, student well-being prioritising professional learning course are very challenging and was already the centre of our at- Recall of Kia, Fuso for our staff , and ensuring they expensive to do anyway.” tention.” he Ministry of Public models Health (MoPH) reported Tyesterday 147 new con- QRCS opens first dialysis centre in Syria’s Ras Al-Ayn The Ministry of Commerce fi rmed cases of Covid-19 among and Industry (MoCI), in co- the community and 73 among operation with Al-Attiyah travellers. The MoPH recorded atar Red Crescent Society Motors and Trading Company, 180 recoveries from the virus (QRCS), in co-operation has announced the recall of during the past 24 hours, bring- Qwith the Turkish au- Kia Cadenza and Sportage ing the total number of cases re- thorities concerned and the lo- 2016-2021 models, due to a covered in Qatar to 225,213. cal partner, the Syrian Expatriate possible electrical short circuit Medical Association (SEMA), has in the brake system Hydraulic Vaccination data inaugurated the fi rst dialysis cen- Electronic Control Unit (HECU). — 3,990,966 Covid-19 vaccine tre in Ras Al-Ayn city, northern The MoCI also recalled, in doses have been administered Syria. co-operation with Al Wajba since the start of the programme. Being the only medical facility Establishment, Fuso FA/ FI 2020- — 26,431 Covid-19 vaccine providing such vital services in 2019 models, because the wiring doses have been administered in that area, the new centre’s open- harness is getting damaged due the past 24 hours. ing ceremony was attended by to the friction between electrical — 88.3% of the eligible popu- the deputy governor of Sanlıurfa wire and metal parts inside the lation (12 years and over) have Province, head of QRCS’ mission dashboard. The recall campaign now received at least one dose of in Turkey, chairman of SEMA In- comes within the framework of the vaccine. ternational, and Syria Humani- the MoCI’s continuous eff orts to — 76.6% of the total popula- tarian Assistance Co-ordinator protect consumers and ensure tion have now received at least at the Turkish Red Crescent. The The dialysis centre in Ras Al-Ayn city. that dealers follow up on vehicle one dose of the vaccine. project is aimed at reducing the defects and repairs. The MoCI In recent weeks the combined mortality rates resulting from in- These provisions will help 446 kidney failure, who had to travel said that it will co-ordinate with impact of Covid-19 restrictions suffi cient specialised health care patients to receive treatment. to Turkey three times per week the dealer to follow up on the and increasing vaccination rates, services for patients with chronic Among the supplies were 15 for dialysis sessions. Now, they maintenance and repair works and the overwhelming support kidney failure by providing life- dialysis machines, medical con- need not go so far or pay for travel and will communicate with of the community, has resulted saving dialysis services. sumables, pharmaceutical drugs, costs. customers to ensure that they in a consistent reduction in the tions began on July 9, and is part government. It is important dur- It also aims to give as many pa- and fuel. Other components of Dialysis services, medications, carried out the necessary repairs. number of new daily infections of a four-stage plan to be imple- ing the current period that all tients as possible access to such the project include maintenance follow-up, and radiography are The MoCI urged all customers in the country. However, it is still mented over the coming months. members of society, including services by supporting/creating and restoration work, staff remu- available for free in their where- to report any violations to its important to be cautious as the The date of implementation and those who have received the vac- dialysis centres in the north- nerations, and logistics. QRCS abouts. Funded by QRCS, this Consumer Protection and Anti- second wave is not yet over and the duration of each phase will cination, continue to wear masks ern parts of the country. Under furnished and supported the new activity is part of the emergency Commercial Fraud Department, there are still two highly conta- depend on the pandemic indi- as recommended and continue to the $1,202,627 project, a total of dialysis centre, which is the only medical response to secure di- which processes complaints, gious and highly virulent strains cators which depend to a great adhere to social distancing. 15,534 medical kits were supplied medical facility in Ras Al-Ayn alysis equipment and supplies for inquires and suggestions through of the virus that are actively cir- extent on the degree of compli- Anyone suff ering from Cov- to cover the needs of dialysis ses- providing these services. residents and displaced people the following channels: culating in the community. ance of the community mem- id-19 symptoms should contact sions at 10 dialysis centres for It will largely help to allevi- across northern governorates of Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ The third phase of the gradual bers with the current measures, 16000 helpline immediately. — three months. ate the suff ering of patients with Syria. moci.gov.qa. lifting of precautionary restric- restrictions and guidance by the QNA Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 REGION/ARAB WORLD 25 soldiers among 38 killed in Algeria fi res

AFP zens from the fl ames in the mountains of Be- These fi res are of criminal origin.” Algiers jaia and Tizi Ouzou,” the president said. The civil protection directorate said 12 The defence ministry said the actions of northern urban centres were hit by fi res. the soldiers had “saved 110 people — men, Public radio reported the arrest of three ildfi res fanned by blistering tem- women and children — from the fl ames”. suspected arsonists in Medea. peratures and tinder-dry condi- State radio said three “arsonists” had been Arson has been blamed for several major Wtions have killed at least 38 people arrested in the northern district of Medea and fi res in recent years in Algeria. in Algeria, authorities said yesterday, adding another in Annaba, in relation to other fi res. Last month, President Tebboune ordered a that the fi res had criminal origins. More than 70 fi res have broken out in 14 bill to stiff en punishments for starting a forest Photographs posted on social media show states across the north of the country, includ- fi re, with sentences of up to 30 years in prison huge walls of fl ame and billowing clouds of ing 10 particularly around Tizi Ouzou, one of — and possible life imprisonment, if the fi re smoke towering over charred trees in the for- the most populous cities in Kabylie. results in death. ested hills of the Kabylie region, east of the An AFP photographer in Tizi Ouzou saw In July, three people were arrested on suspi- capital Algiers. medics carrying away bodies of people killed cion of starting fi res that devastated 15 square Algeria joins a string of countries to be in the fi re. kilometres of forest in the Aures mountains. hit by major blazes in recent weeks, includ- Meteorologists said the temperature would In 2020, nearly 440 square kilometres of ing Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the western hit 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahr- forest were destroyed by fi re, and several peo- United States. enheit) yesterday in a North African coun- ple were arrested on suspicion of arson. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tweeted try that is also struggling with severe water On Monday, the UN released a major report his condolences for 25 soldiers who were shortages. showing how the threat from global warming killed as they rescued people in the areas of The APS news agency said 13 civilians had is even more acute than previously thought. Bejaiea and Tizi Ouzou, the epicentre of the died, 12 in the Tizi Ouzou region, raising an It highlighted how scientists are quanti- blazes. earlier interior ministry toll. fying the extent to which human-induced “It is with great sadness that I have learned Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud, on a visit warming increases the intensity and/or like- Charred trees are seen following a wildfire in Tizi Ouzou, one of the most populous cities in Algeria’s of the martyrdom of 25 soldiers after they to the northern city, told television that “50 lihood of a specifi c extreme weather event, Kabylie region, yesterday. (AFP) were successful in rescuing around 100 citi- fi res starting at the same time is impossible. such as a heatwave or a wildfi re.

Iran president invited to Baghdad summit

AFP coming the Iraqi initiative. Tehran “Co-operation between the region’s countries without foreign interference is the necessary condition for the region’s stable security,” Raisi ran’s new President Ebrahim Raisi has been added in a statement. invited to a planned regional summit in Bagh- The presidency’s announcement came after Idad, his offi ce said yesterday during a visit by Hussein met his Iranian counterpart Mohamed Iraq’s top diplomat. Javad Zarif in Tehran, according to Iranian media. The invitation was delivered to the Iranian The two men discussed “bilateral ties and (the) capital by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, a latest regional and international developments,” day after Baghdad announced the summit set for the ISNA news agency said. later this month. No date for the meeting in Baghdad has yet French President Emmanuel Macron has con- been announced and a complete list of partici- fi rmed he plans to attend, while Iraq has said Tur- pants is yet to be unveiled. key’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Iraq is seeking to establish itself as a mediator Arabia’s King Salman have also been invited. between Arab countries and Iran. A handout picture provided by the Iranian Iran’s presidency did not confi rm whether Baghdad has been brokering talks between presidency yesterday shows Iranian President Raisi would accept his invitation, but a statement regional heavyweights Riyadh and Tehran since Ebrahim Raisi (right) with Iraqi Minister of after his meeting with Hussein quoted him wel- April on mending ties severed in 2016. Foreign Aff airs Fuad Hussein in Tehran. (AFP) Tunisia swelters

AFP Temperatures are set to “fall progres- Tunis sively” from tomorrow, it added. Yesterday’s highs follow a record high for the south of the country, where the heatwave broke temperature temperature hit 48.5 Celsius on Sunday, records in Tunisia’s capital and according to the institute. Aelsewhere in north and centre of The health ministry has advised the North African country yesterday, ac- people not to venture out during the cording to the national meteorological hottest hours of the day and to drink institute. plenty of water, in a post on its Face- The temperature in Tunis reached 48 book page. degrees Celsius at midday (118 Fahren- The agriculture ministry meanwhile heit), smashing the capital’s previous urged farmers to take measures to protect record high of 46.8 degrees, registered in their livestock and crops. 1982. In neighbouring Algeria, some fifty The mercury hit between nine and 15 fires have been sparked by the heat- degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal wave since Monday evening, killing norm in northern and central-eastern seven people, according to authori- parts of the country, the institute said. ties.

A sight to behold

Friends look at the Milky Way galaxy rising in the night sky in Kuwait’s al-Salmi desert, 120km north of the capital, yesterday. (AFP)

Assad okays new cabinet

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree yesterday approving a new cabinet headed by Hussein Arnous, following a May election that secured Assad’s grip on power in the war-torn country. The new 29-minister government, announced less than two weeks since Assad tasked Arnous with forming it, is little changed from its predecessor. Those at the head of the key defence, foreign aff airs, interior and finance ministries remained unchanged. But new names were appointed to lead the ministries of information, social aff airs and domestic trade and consumer protection. The reshuff le, weeks after Assad took the oath of off ice for a fourth seven-year term, is required by the Syrian constitution which stipulates that a cabinet’s term ends with that of the president. Yesterday, the presidency announced a final list of names on its social media channels. The new cabinet is the second to be headed by Arnous, who was first appointed by Assad last summer. It will have to deal with a spiralling economic crisis caused by a decade-long conflict and compounded by a spate of Western sanctions and a financial crunch in neighbouring Lebanon. Spiralling poverty now aff ects 80% of the population, and the Syrian pound has plummeted to unprecedented lows against the dollar on the black market. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 11, 2021 5 ARAB WORLD Lebanese queue for cooking gas amid economic crisis

AFP Beirut

ebanese lined up in long queues yesterday to stock up on cook- Ling gas following warnings of imminent shortages, as an economic crisis eats away at supplies of basic imports. Lebanon, grappling with an eco- nomic crisis branded by the World Bank as one of the planet’s worse since the mid-19th century, has been hit in recent months by a wave of shortages of basic items from medi- cine to fuel. Liquefi ed petroleum gas, usually sold in cannisters and used widely in homes and businesses for cooking and heating, had been readily avail- able in the market. Lebanese wait to fill their gas cylinders in the southern city of Sidon amidst a But importers warned it would deepening economic crisis yesterday. (AFP) soon join the list of scarce goods, prompting a country-wide panic. The offi cial National News Agency non’s migrant workers are in need of “Our current stock will last one reported “unprecedented” demand “urgent humanitarian assistance” to week,” said Farid Zeynoun, who for gas in the northern Akkar district. survive an economic crisis that has heads a syndicate of petroleum gas “Importing companies have plunged most of the population into distributors. “After which, if no solu- stopped meeting our gas needs,” said poverty. tion is found, gas used in homes will Walid al-Hayek, the head of a gas The local currency has lost more be sold on the black market.” distribution company, according to than 90 percent of its black market Zeynoun blamed the crisis on a NNA. value. Some 78% of the country’s delay by the central bank in opening Hayek also blamed the crisis on a population now live in poverty, the credit lines to fund imports. central bank delay in opening credit UN Offi ce for the Coordination of Gas is subsidised by the govern- lines. Humanitarian Aff airs (OCHA) said ment with a set price, but dealers In the southern city of Sidon, peo- last week — a proportion far higher warn that if offi cial supplies run dry, ple fl ocked to a local gas supplier to than last year’s fi gure of around 55%. prices could shoot up by more than a refi ll their cannisters. Extreme poverty has reached an third. “Is there anything more humiliat- estimated 36% of the Lebanese pop- Foreign currency reserves are rap- ing than this?” asked Mohamed Ali ulation, OCHA said. idly depleting, forcing the country to Hasan, one of those in the queue, The International Organisation for scale-down imports to shore up the waiting for hours under the scorch- Migration said yesterday that mi- little money it has left. ing sun. grant workers had been hit especially Zeynoun said that a vessel carrying “We use gas... to cook for our chil- hard. 5,000 tonnes of liquefi ed petroleum dren... we will soon wait in line for “They have lost their jobs. They are docked in Lebanese waters 17 days water”. hungry, they cannot access medical ago, but is awaiting approval by the Meanwhile, the UN warned yes- care and feel unsafe,” the UN agency’s authorities to unload its cargo. terday that more than half of Leba- Mathieu Luciano said. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 WORLD Zambians to vote in tense polls as economy struggles

AFP Lusaka Things to know A supporter of the Zambian opposition party United Party for Zambia, which holds presiden- National Development of the presidential candidate Hakainde ambians will decide to- tial elections on August 12, is a Hichilema gestures during a motorcade parade in Matero, Lusaka. morrow whether to re- copper-rich nation in southern Zelect President Edgar Africa once hailed as a regional Lungu after the country’s worst success story. economic performance in dec- Over the past decade however, ades and a crackdown on dis- it has been hit hard by political sent that has raised fears of and economic problems. unrest. His main rival, in what Copper is king polls suggest is a close election Zambia is the second biggest race, is 59-year-old Hakainde producer of copper in Africa af- Hichilema, making his sixth run ter the Democratic Republic of for the presidency. Congo, and the eighth producer Hichilema has already nar- in the world. rowly lost to Lungu twice: in a But a sharp decline in copper 2015 by-election after the death prices in 2011 and weaker of ex-president Michael Sata exports to China, along with and then in general polls the a series of government policy following year. Lungu deployed reversals, have undermined in- the army following clashes be- ternational investor confidence. tween the rival supporters in Most of the copper companies the run-up to presidential and Danny Yenga, a parliamentary candidate for the ruling Patriotic Front of the incumbent President Edgar are owned by foreign, notably Supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front of the incumbent President parliamentary polls, a move Lungu throws a pagne printed with the picture of the president Lungu during a campaign parade in Chinese, investors. Edgar Lungu gather during a campaign parade in Lusaka. critics denounced as a tactic to Lusaka, yesterday. Debt crisis intimidate opposition voters. Long considered a promising Lusaka has urged the police it was ready to deliver “a cred- His Patriotic Front (PF) party finance flashy infrastructure pastor. The Covid pandemic register, which some observ- African country with annual and military to “apply the law ible election”. “The poll will be spokesman Antonio Mwanza, projects, as living costs soared. meant that only door-to-door ers allege is skewed towards growth exceeding 10% in the equally and humanely” in the free and fair,” chief electoral of- claimed that the opposition “is In the capital Lusaka, Lungu’s campaigning was allowed rather PF strongholds, and a contro- 2000s, Zambia has been in se- “competitive election”. ficer Patrick Nshindano said at using violence” to “undermine green Patriotic Front (PF) party than mass gatherings, although versial cybersecurity law that vere economic and financial dif- While pre-election violence a news conference. “The com- the electoral process” and to in- manifestos have dominated politicians have rallied under could be used to block the In- ficulty for several years because is not uncommon in Zambia, mission does not engage in ma- timidate people so they do not billboards lining newly built the guise of mask-distribution ternet. “The incumbent regime of the drop in copper prices. every transition of power has noeuvres and manipulation.” turn out in numbers to cast bal- freeways and overpass bridges. events. Government critics say will stop at nothing to manipu- been peaceful since the former The results in Lusaka— a city lots. Analysts say the result of Opposition voters, whose party the pandemic has been used to late the vote,” UPND spokes- British colony adopted mul- of more than 3.3mn inhabitants the closely fought election will colour is red, are keeping a low thwart the opposition. man Anthony Bwalya told AFP. Amnesty International ti-party democracy in 1990. — and the central Copperbelt set the tone for investment in profile in the city, traditionally Hichilema’s team say they But the PF disagrees, insisting warned in June that repression Both Hichilema and Lungu are province will be key to deter- the copper-rich southern Af- a PF stronghold. Some of them have been barred from enter- that Lungu will win the vote under Lungu had pushed Zam- campaigning as “people’s poli- mining the winner. Sydney Chi- rican nation, where more than even wear green to avoid trou- ing several parts of the country, outright. bia to the brink of a “human ticians” promising jobs and longa, a stylish 21-year-old in half of its 17mn people live in ble – known as the “watermel- including the strategic central “We want to challenge any- rights crisis”, citing the jailing wealth to disillusioned voters. sunglasses and selling clothes poverty. Surveys suggest eco- on tactic”. “We do not feel that Copperbelt Province, their sup- body... who claims the elec- of opposition figures and po- Over 7mn people are registered to get by, hopes “we will be able nomic hardship has eroded safe...there is so much intimi- porters dispersed with tear gas. tions will not be free and fair lice killings. Hichilema himself to vote with the results expect- to keep peace”. “I think it’s go- support for Lungu, accused of dation,” said UPND supporter There are also concerns about to provide evidence of rigging,” claims he has been arrested ed by Sunday. Yesterday, the ing to be a tough moment for borrowing unsustainably to William Njombo, a 42-year-old a newly compiled electoral Mwanza told journalists. 15 times. The US embassy in electoral commission declared us.”

First West African case of deadly Ethiopian PM urges civilians to Marburg virus detected in Guinea join armed forces as war escalates AFP colonies of Rousettus bats. Once Ebola’s deadly cousin AFP ist TPLF organisation and the Ayish Yasin, head of Afar’s Geneva caught by a human, it is spread Addis Ababa machinations of foreign hands bureau for women and children, through contact with bodily fl uids How is it transmitted? are similar to diseases such once and for all”. Those unable to told AFP that “out of the 200 of infected people, or with con- The natural “reservoir,” or as typhoid and malaria. enlist could contribute in other bodies recovered, 107 are chil- uinea confi rmed a case taminated surfaces and materials, host, of the Marburg virus Haemorrhagic episodes thiopian Prime Minister ways, including “providing sup- dren — 48 girls and 59 boys”. of Marburg disease, the according to the WHO. “We ap- is the African fruit bat. The typically follow between five Abiy Ahmed issued a call plies and moral support for the The head of the UN children’s GWorld Health Organisa- plaud the alertness and the quick cave-dwelling mammals and seven days later, with blood Eyesterday for all eligible ci- army”, the statement said. agency Unicef, Henrietta Fore, tion said on Monday, the fi rst re- investigative action by Guinea’s carry the virus but do not fall in the vomit and faeces and vilians to join the armed forces as “Every Ethiopian must work said Monday she was “extremely corded in West Africa of the lethal health workers,” Moeti said. sick from it, and can hand bleeding from the nose, gums fi ghting rages in multiple regions closely with the security forces alarmed by the reported killings virus that’s related to Ebola and, The case was detected in a vil- the virus to primates in close and vagina. In fatal cases, death of Africa’s second most populous in being the eyes and ears of the of over 200 people, including like Covid-19, passed from animal lage in a forested region close to proximity, including humans occurs most often between nation. country in order to track down more than 100 children, in at- hosts to humans. the borders of Sierra Leone and – one suspected pathway is eight and nine days. “Now is the right time for all and expose spies and agents of tacks on displaced families” in The virus, which is carried by Liberia. The man’s symptoms date the killing or butchering of capable Ethiopians who are of the terrorist TPLF.” Afar. bats and has a fatality rate of up to back to July 25, the WHO said. Af- infected bats for food. Human- What treatments are age to join the Defence Forces, As the fi ghting drags on, the A Unicef spokesman said said 88%, was found in samples taken ter being initially treated at a local to-human transmission then available? Special Forces and militias and humanitarian toll has spiked, it had received “credible infor- from a patient who died on August clinic and tested for malaria, the occurs through contact with There are no vaccines or show your patriotism,” Abiy’s of- with thousands killed and at least mation from partners” about 2 in southern Gueckedou prefec- patient died “in the community”, blood or other bodily fluids, or antiviral treatments for fi ce said in a statement released two million others forced to fl ee. the attacks and that various UN ture, the WHO said. “The poten- the WHO said. Post-mortem contact with surfaces such as Marburg disease. Rehydration less than two months after he Both sides are trading blame agencies were planning to assess tial for the Marburg virus to spread samples then tested negative for bedding or clothing that are with oral or intravenous declared a unilateral ceasefi re in for civilian casualties. A medi- the site “as soon as security per- far and wide means we need to stop Ebola, but positive for Marburg. contaminated with these fluids. techniques improves survival the war against Tigrayan rebels. cal offi cial in Afar told AFP that mits”. it in its tracks,” said Dr Matshidiso Ten WHO experts, including Some infections have happened and experimental use of Northern Ethiopia has been 12 people were killed and dozens Ethiopian offi cials have seized Moeti, WHO Regional Director for epidemiologists and socio-an- accidentally in the lab, through monoclonal antibody drugs wracked by violence since No- wounded in an attack on dis- on the Galicoma deaths as proof Africa. The discovery comes just thropologists, are already in the needle wounds. has been promising. This is vember after Abiy, the 2019 placed civilians. of the TPLF’s disregard for the two months after the WHO de- fi eld to support national health au- why it is crucial to stamp out Nobel Peace Prize winner, sent The incident occurred on Au- worsening humanitarian situa- clared an end to Guinea’s second thorities. The emergency response What are the symptoms? the disease from the outset, troops into Tigray to topple its gust 5 in Galicoma town, said Dr tion in Tigray. outbreak of Ebola, which started includes risk assessment, disease The virus takes between say experts. “You have to step regional ruling party, the Tigray Abubeker Mahammud, medi- But TPLF spokesman last year and claimed 12 lives. surveillance, community mobili- two and 21 days to incubate, up surveillance, identify all People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), cal director of the Dubti Referral Getachew Reda said on Twit- In Geneva, the WHO said it sation and screening, clinical care, leading to abrupt symptoms of contact cases in order to isolate vowing a swift victory. Hospital, where victims were be- ter that government troops considered the threat “high” at infection control and logistical high fever, severe headaches, them if they start developing But nine months later, the ing treated. “Twelve dead bodies “launched an off ensive on Au- the national and regional level, support, WHO said. muscular pain, vomiting and the disease, to prevent any TPLF has made advances into the arrived at the hospital,” Abubek- gust 5 against our forces in Gali- but “low” globally. “We are work- Cross-border surveillance has diarrhoea – symptoms that transmission,” said Ousmane neighbouring Afar and Amhara er said. coma”. He said the TPLF would ing with the health authorities to also been stepped up so that possi- can make Marburg diff icult Faye, a virologist at Pasteur regions, while aid workers strug- He said almost 50 people were “investigate any incident that implement a swift response that ble cases can be quickly detected, it to diagnose initially, as they Institute in Dakar, Senegal. gle to reach cut-off populations, injured, nearly 75% with bullet may have occurred”. builds on Guinea’s past experience said. Three family members of the with 400,000 people facing wounds. Survivors told hospi- Aid agencies have warned of and expertise in managing Ebola, deceased and a healthcare worker famine-like conditions in Tigray, tal offi cials they had been shot dire days ahead as humanitar- which is transmitted in a similar have been identifi ed as high-risk Previous outbreaks and sporadic suddenly, with a high fever, severe according to the UN. by TPLF fi ghters, he added. Two ian access remains hamstrung way,” Moeti said. The Guinean close contacts and are being moni- cases have been reported in South headache and discomfort. Fatal- Yesterday, the government’s offi cials with Afar’s regional by security woes. Yesterday the government confi rmed the Mar- tored, while investigations are Africa, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, ity rates have ranged from 24% to patience appeared to have run government put the death toll UN refugee agency UNHCR said burg case in a statement. Marburg under way to identify the source and the DRC. But this is the fi rst 88% in previous outbreaks, de- out, with Abiy ordering security in Galicoma at more than 200, it had regained access to two Eri- virus is usually associated with ex- of the infection and any other time the virus has been detected pending on the virus strain and forces “to halt the destruction but the fi gure could not be inde- trean refugee camps in Tigray for posure to caves or mines housing possible contacts, the WHO said. in West Africa. The disease begins case management, the WHO says. of the treasonous and terror- pendently verifi ed. the fi rst time since July 13.

Zuma’s graft trial postponed to Sept 9 The long-running corruption trial of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma over an arms deal dating back more than two decades was postponed yesterday to next month after he was hospitalised last week. The 79-year- old was admitted to hospital for observation on Friday for an undisclosed condition, which prompted yesterday’s hearing to be held virtually rather than in open court. “The matter is postponed to 9th and 10th of September, 2021,” Judge Piet Koen declared, pending a medical report declaring Zuma’s fitness for trial. The case has been carrying on for years and suff ered a string of holdups. Wim Trengove, a lawyer representing the state, last month acerbically referred to the postponements as “Stalingrad: Season 27,” apparently referring to an entrenched strategy of delay by the defence. This week’s hearing was expected to involve a plea by the defence to remove a state prosecutor and thus have the charges against Zuma dropped. Instead, Zuma remains in hospital at an undisclosed location. The lawyer questioned the severity of Zuma’s condition. “This is a crisis which has dragged on for 18 months and we find it very hard to understand how that suddenly transforms into an inability to stand trial,” he said. However, Zuma’s representative Dali Mpofu said the delay in treatment was precisely the reason why his health was now declining. “The fact that the problem existed for 18 months is exactly the reason why it is exacerbated now, especially since the incarceration,” he told the virtual court hearing yesterday. — AFP Gulf Times Wednesday, August 11, 2021 7 WORLD

ANGER PANDEMIC DATA CONTROVERSY HEALTHCARE Kim Jong-un’s sister slams Sydney hits new Covid case China coronavirus cases Japan apologises Bangladesh begins Seoul over drills with US record as outbreak spreads at seven-month high for woman’s death vaccinating Rohingyas

The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Sydney posted a new record of Covid-19 infec- China’s coronavirus cases hit a seven-month Japan apologised for the death of a Sri Lankan wom- Bangladesh yesterday began vaccinating Rohingya Jong-un yesterday called Seoul authorities “perfidi- tions yesterday as the city struggles to control an high yesterday, after a cluster at a test site helped an in immigration detention and pledged to reform refugees living in congested camps as the nation ous” over the South’s joint military exercises with outbreak that is sending other Australian regions drive up numbers as the Delta variant challenges conditions in the system. Justice Minister Yoko Ka- battles a record surge in coronavirus cases. Health the US, and demanded Washington withdraw into lockdown. New South Wales state announced Beijing’s grip on the pandemic. State media has mikawa said a report on the March death of Wishma off icials say 2,600 Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths its forces from the peninsula. Kim Yo-jong’s latest 356 new cases, a fresh record for a Delta-variant described the current outbreak — which has Sandamali concluded she received inadequate have been recorded in the camps housing 850,000 remarks come despite a surprise thaw on the Korean outbreak that began in mid-June and continues sparked local lockdowns, mass testing and travel treatment. Sandamali was detained for overstaying Rohingya but many experts say this is likely a gross peninsula, prompted by a series of personal letters to grow in a population with low vaccination restrictions — as the most severe since the virus her visa after seeking police protection, reportedly underestimate. The initial inoculation phase will see between her brother and South Korean President rates. More than 5mn people in Sydney, Australia’s emerged in the central city of Wuhan. Authorities to escape an abusive relationship. She reportedly around 48,000 refugees aged over 55 get Chinese- Moon Jae-in. The two sides last month restored biggest city, are now in their seventh week of had brought domestic infections down to virtually complained of stomach pain and campaigners allege made Sinopharm shots in the coming three days, cross-border communications that were severed lockdown as the cluster hit 5,805 cases with 32 zero, allowing economic activity to rebound albeit she was given inadequate medical care. The minister local health chief Mahbubur Rahman said. At more than a year ago. But Kim Yo-jong - a key deaths to date. “Our strategy is to get to as close with tight border restrictions. But now, cases said the report had not determined the cause of Kutupalong, the largest refugee settlement home adviser to her brother - condemned South Korea for to zero as we can... but regrettably we have seen are rising. Chinese health authorities yesterday Sandamali’s death but found the detention centre to more than 600,000 people, Rohingya including holding “dangerous” joint military drills with the US those numbers increase in the last few days,” reported 143 new coronavirus infections — 108 of in Nagoya “lacked a system to assess the health of many elderly people queued up to get their shots this month. state premier Gladys Berejiklian said. them locally transmitted. detainees and provide medical services”. from health workers in protective suits. Canadian’s Rare fresh water crocodile finally captured death sentence upheld by Chinese court

AFP to do so,” added Barton, who at- Beijing tended the appeal hearing in the northeastern city of Shenyang. Ottawa-Beijing relations de- Chinese court yesterday teriorated in December 2018 upheld the death sentence after Canada arrested Huawei’s Apassed on a Canadian Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant citizen for drug smuggling - one linked to alleged Iran sanctions of a number of legal cases to se- violations by the Chinese tech verely damage relations between giant. Ottawa and Beijing. China quickly followed suit by Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was arresting two Canadian citizens, originally sentenced to 15 years in later accusing them of espio- prison in late 2018, but that was nage, drawing further condem- changed to the death penalty just nation from Ottawa. months after a diplomatic rift ex- Businessman Michael Spavor ploded between Ottawa and Bei- and Michael Kovrig, a former jing over the detention of Huawei diplomat, were both tried in executive Meng Wanzhou. March this year but no decision The upholding of the death was ever announced. sentence comes a week after Beijing also abruptly revised Meng began the latest round Schellenberg’s sentence to the of her court battle in Canada death penalty in January 2019, Onlookers gather as a rare fresh water crocodile is finally captured from a river after wildlife rangers had made futile attempts to nab it for two weeks, in Faridpur, Bangladesh. against US extradition, a case saying the original sentence was that has infuriated China. too lenient. A ruling was also expected to- That prompted Canadian day in the case of Michael Spa- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to vor, the Canadian ambassador express “extreme concern”, say- said, one of two Canadians de- ing China had “arbitrarily” im- tained by China for espionage posed the death penalty. in the wake of Meng’s arrest in Human rights advocates say Canada. China executes more prisoners “The facts found in the fi rst every year than any other coun- trial were clear, the evidence was try, but executions of westerners China demands Lithuania reliable and suffi cient, the con- are rare. viction was accurate, the sen- The most recent case involving tence was appropriate, and the a Western passport holder is be- trial procedures were legal,” the lieved to be that of Akmal Shaikh, Liaoning Province Higher Peo- a British citizen executed in 2009 ple’s Court said in a statement. for heroin traffi cking, according recall envoy in Taiwan row Prosecutors have said Schellen- to state news agency Xinhua. berg was a key member of an inter- Canadian ambassador Bar- AFP ministry yesterday said it had decision” and “not to move fur- recalled an ambassador in an operation forum with central national drug traffi cking syndicate ton said he was travelling to the Beijing “demanded the Lithuanian gov- ther down the wrong path”. EU member state for opening or and eastern European states, which in 2014 had planned to ship northern city of Dandong to ernment recall its ambassador to Lithuania’s foreign ministry maintaining an offi ce in Taiwan.” calling it “divisive”. It has since more than 200kg of methamphet- meet with Michael Spavor. He China” and would also withdraw responded by saying it “regrets In Taipei, the foreign ministry pledged to donate 20,000 coro- amine to Australia. said the embassy had received no hina yesterday demand- the Chinese envoy to Lithuania. this move by China”. called Lithuania “a like-minded navirus vaccine doses to Taiwan. Schellenebrg claims he was word on any ruling for Kovrig. ed Lithuania recall its The decision by Vilnius to al- “While respecting the princi- good partner for Taiwan”. And in 2019, Prague cancelled in China as a tourist and was The latest hearings in the Cenvoy to Beijing, after low a Taiwanese Representative ple of one China, (Lithuania) is “Based on the universal values a sister-city agreement with unwittingly swept up in a drug Meng case began a week ago in Vilnius allowed Taiwan to set up Offi ce “severely undermines determined to develop mutually of democracy, freedom and hu- Beijing and signed one with Tai- smuggling ring by a Chinese man Vancouver. Meng, Huawei’s chief an offi ce under its own name in a China’s sovereignty and territo- benefi cial relations with Tai- man rights, the two sides con- pei, while a high-profi le visit to recommended as a translator. fi nancial offi cer and daughter move seen as provocative by the rial integrity” and “brazenly vi- wan,” a ministry statement said. tinue to enhance exchanges in Taiwan last year by Czech senate “We condemn the verdict in of the company’s founder Ren Chinese government. olates” the ground rules of dip- The EU echoed the “regret” all areas,” spokeswoman Joanne leader Milos Vystrcil infuriated the strongest possible terms and Zhengfei, is accused by the US The self-ruled island, which lomatic relations between China at Beijing’s move and said it was Ou said. China. call on China to grant Robert of defrauding HSBC by falsely China considers part of its terri- and Lithuania, the ministry said “following developments closely”. The opening of the Vilnius of- China cut offi cial contact with clemency,” Canadian ambassa- misrepresenting her company’s tory, last month said it was set- in a statement. “We do not regard the open- fi ce is the latest sign that some Taiwan and ramped up diplo- dor to China Dominic Barton told links with a subsidiary that sold ting up a representative offi ce Beijing claims Taiwan as its ing of a representative offi ce in Baltic and central European matic pressure after the 2016 reporters. telecom equipment to Iran. in Vilnius under the name “Tai- own and has vowed to one day or from Taiwan (as opposed to an countries are seeking closer re- election of President Tsai Ing- “We’ve expressed our strong Meng’s defence has argued wan” as opposed to “Taipei”, an retake it - by force if needed. embassy or consulate) as a breach lations with Taiwan, even if that wen. opposition to this cruel and in- that the charges are inaccurate act Beijing interprets as a diplo- The Chinese foreign minis- of the EU’s One China policy,” a angers China. Beijing has in recent years humane punishment to China and that she is a victim of “po- matic insult. try yesterday urged Lithuania to spokeswoman for the bloc said. In May, Lithuania announced persuaded some of Taiwan’s few repeatedly and we will continue litical persecution”. An outraged Chinese foreign “immediately rectify its wrong “This is the fi rst time China has it was quitting China’s 17+1 co- diplomatic allies to switch sides. Rubber bullets fi red Lanka rejects lockdown to beat Covid ‘bomb’ at Bangkok protesters AFP ing to the government to take ur- Colombo gent steps to lock down at least for two weeks,” said a spokesman AFP clashes. Two police traffi c booths lating coronavirus restrictions. for the SLMA, a professional Bangkok were set ablaze and some dem- Piya Tawichai, deputy com- ri Lanka’s government body of medical experts. onstrators threw fi recrackers and missioner of the Metropolitan yesterday rejected mount- A junior minister for health, fi reworks at offi cers, who had Police Bureau told reporters af- Sing calls for an immediate Channa Jayasumana, called iot police fi red water can- earlier unleashed water cannons, ter the clashes that “demonstra- lockdown to contain a surge in the Delta variant of the virus nons, rubber bullets and rubber bullets, and tear gas on tors used violence and various Covid-19 cases and deaths that “a powerful bomb which has Rtear gas at protesters in the crowd. weapons, such as stones, bricks, is severely stretching hospitals exploded in Colombo and is Bangkok yesterday as hundreds Protesters defaced a logo of sharp iron spikes, fi reworks, and crematoriums. spreading elsewhere”. On Fri- rallied for democratic reform and Sino-Thai Engineering and Con- large fi recrackers, and ping pong Government spokesman and day the government tightened against the government’s handling struction - a company with links bombs to assault police on a media minister Keheliya Ram- some restrictions, banning state of the coronavirus pandemic. to Public Health Minister Anu- gradual basis”. bukwella said the country had not ceremonies and public gather- Demonstrators defi ed a ban tin Charnvirakul - with animal He added six police were in- reached a critical stage even as the ings until September 1. But most on public gatherings as Thailand blood. jured including one offi cer shot island nation suff ers more than activity is allowed, with shops, tries to quash its worst virus out- They also targeted the logo of in the thigh with a homemade 100 deaths per day on average. restaurants and offi ces open and break so far, with new cases hov- King Power, a major duty-free gun. “Curfews or a lockdown is public transport still operating. ering around the 20,000 mark company, over its perceived sup- Police have taken six protest- the last resort, but we are not The number of deaths hit a daily. port for the government. ers into custody and confi scated there yet,” Rambukwella told record 111 on Monday with the The slow start to the corona- “The authoritarian Prayut nearly 100 motorbikes. reporters.”Our target is to get daily average in the past week virus vaccination programme Chan-o-cha government con- Erawan Emergency Medical everyone over the age of 18 vac- crossing 100 — more than double in Thailand and economic pain tinues to seek, allocate, and dis- Centre said there were no reports cinated by September.” the average of 40 in the previous from restrictions and business tribute benefi ts for the ruling so far of protesters being injured. His comments came despite week. The number of infections closures has heaped pressure on class, allowing people to get sick Thailand’s Civil Court yes- the Sri Lanka Medical Asso- also more than doubled to nearly Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- and die on their own fate,” stu- terday ordered police to “exer- ciation (SLMA) issuing what 3,000 this week. cha’s government. dent activist Benja Apan told the cise caution” when performing it called a “fi nal warning” to At one morgue in Colombo Hundreds of protesters made rally. crowd control duties but dis- Police fire water cannon at pro-democracy protesters during the government to restrict the yesterday morning, workers their way through Bangkok Ahead of the protest, police missed a motion from human a protest calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut movement of people immedi- tested 15 corpses for Covid-19 streets on motorbikes and in warned demonstrators not to rights lawyers asking for a ban on Chan-o-cha over the Thai government’s handling of the Covid-19 ately or risk a bigger catastrophe. and then cremated them to clear cars. By early evening there were jeopardise public health by vio- rubber bullet use. crisis, in Bangkok yesterday. “We have given the fi nal warn- the way for more bodies. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 WORLD

DECISION ANNOUNCEMENT ASSISTANCE LAW AND ORDER LEGAL Pro-Trump lawmaker’s Moderna to open US to send 8.5mn Covid Former Nicaraguan Brazil’s indigenous group Twitter account suspended vaccine plant in Canada vaccines to Mexico diplomat arrested sues Bolsonaro at ICC

Twitter yesterday said it had suspended the account The US has promised to send 8.5mn more A former Nicaraguan diplomat has been arrested, A Brazilian indigenous organisation asked the Inter- of controversial US lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, US biotech company Moderna will build a plant in coronavirus vaccines to Mexico as the country police said, the latest critic of President Daniel national Criminal Court to investigate President Jair a staunch supporter of former Republican president Canada to produce vaccines for Covid-19 and other battles a third wave of infections, Mexican Foreign Ortega detained ahead of the country’s presiden- Bolsonaro for “genocide” and “ecocide,” accusing Donald Trump, for a week over a “misleading” tweet respiratory infections, the Canadian government Minister Marcelo Ebrard said yesterday. The off er tial election later this year. Mauricio Diaz, a former him of persecuting native peoples and destroying on coronavirus vaccines. The tweet in question, sent and the company announced yesterday. Industry came during a phone call between Mexican ambassador to Costa Rica and to the Organisation their homelands. The Association of Indigenous on Monday, said the US Food and Drug Administra- Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne made the President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and US of American States (OAS), was a member of the Peoples of Brazil alleged in a case filed with the tion should not give final approval to anti-coronavirus announcement with the head of Moderna, saying Vice President Kamala Harris, when they also dis- Citizens Alliance for Liberty (CXL) bloc, which lost Hague-based court that the president has led “an vaccines, with Greene saying they were “failing” and the plant would fulfil orders for its messenger RNA cussed migrant flows and prospects of reopening its legal status on Friday and was excluded from the explicit, systematic and intentional anti-indigenous did not curb the spread of the virus. Twitter labelled vaccines, with manufacturers struggling to meet the border. “The US is going to send 3.5mn doses November 7 elections. Diaz is being investigated for policy” since taking off ice in 2019. Bolsonaro, has the message “misleading” and suggested that users soaring demand for Covid-19 shots worldwide. “The of the Moderna vaccine and up to 5mn of the “acts that threaten the country’s sovereignty and presided over a surge of destruction in the Amazon consult information provided by US health authorities collaboration aims to provide Canadians with access AstraZeneca vaccine,” Ebrard said. In June, Mexico self-determination and for inciting foreign involve- rainforest, slashed environmental protection about vaccines and mask-wearing. If the first-term to a domestically manufactured portfolio of mRNA received 1.3mn doses of the Johnson & Johnson ment in internal aff airs,” police said in a statement. programmes and pushed to open indigenous res- Georgia congresswoman were to break the rules vaccines against respiratory viruses,” the company coronavirus vaccine from the US to inoculate The spate of arrests, of which Diaz is the 32nd, ervations and other protected lands to agribusiness again, she could face a permanent ban. said in a statement. people living along the US-Mexican border. include seven potential presidential candidates. and mining. Biden’s $1.2tn Excessive heat warning for New York issued infrastructure bill approved by US Senate

AFP the progressive and moderate Washington wings. Negotiations are likely to be drawn out, and a fi nal vote in he US Senate yesterday Congress may not come until the approved Joe Biden’s his- fall. Ttoric $1.2tn infrastructure In a deeply divided Washing- plan, paving the way for a major ton, the bill’s approval would victory to the president if it wins mark a resounding victory for fi nal passage in the lower cham- Biden, a former senator who ber of Congress. Some seven touts his ability to reach across weeks after the Democratic lead- the aisle. er stood with senators from both The package is a primary ele- parties hailing a preliminary ment of Biden’s sweeping do- agreement to fi x the nation’s mestic agenda aimed at trans- roads, bridges, ports and internet forming the US with more than connections, the deal arrived on $4tn in federal spending. the Senate fl oor needing just a Democrats now are working People ride bicycles on the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade in New York City. The National Weather Service yesterday issued an excessive heat warning for NYC from today simple majority to pass. on the next stage: a go-it-alone, through Friday. In the event, the package re- $3.5tn budget framework that ceived rare bipartisan support includes major investments in among Washington’s highly-po- health, education, tackling cli- larised political elite, passing by mate change and expanding so- 69 votes to 30 after winning the cial welfare programmes. backing of a third of Republicans. The budget resolution “will be The measure now faces a the most consequential piece of make-or-break vote in the House legislation for working people, of Representatives in the coming the elderly, the children, the sick weeks, where its future is less and the poor since (president certain as divisions have sprung Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and New York governor quits up in the Democratic majority. the New Deal of the 1930s,” inde- Democratic Senate Majority pendent senator Bernie Sanders, leader Chuck Schumer credited chairman of the Budget Com- Biden for winning approval of mittee, said this week. “the fi rst major infrastructure Democratic leaders intend to package in over a decade on a bi- use a fast-track process known partisan basis” after just seven as reconciliation that allows after harassment claims months in offi ce. budget-related legislation to “It’s been a long and wind- pass by simple majority. AFP cumstances, the best way I can any women who may have been Cuomo, whose father Mario last thing that state government ing road, but we have persisted,” With Republicans united New York help now is if I step aside and let off ended by his actions. also served as governor of New should be doing.” Schumer said.”The American against the broader budget bill, government get back to govern- “I have been too familiar York, was elected governor in Cuomo described Hochul, people will now see the most ro- every Senate Democrat would ment,” Cuomo said in a live tel- with people,” said Cuomo, who 2010 and easily won re-election who will become the fi rst ever bust injection of funds into in- need to support the package. ew York Governor An- evised address. “My resignation was once touted as a potential in the heavily Democratic state female governor of New York, frastructure in decades.” Biden has urged Congress to drew Cuomo, facing will be eff ective in 14 days.” Democratic presidential candi- in 2014 and 2018. as “smart and competent” and The ambitious plan provides deliver on his priorities, saying in Npossible impeachment Cuomo, who will hand over date. “I do hug and kiss people Cuomo described himself as promised a “seamless” transi- for $550bn in new federal spend- July that “we can’t aff ord not to over sexual harassment claims the reins to lieutenant governor casually, women and men. I have a “New Yorker, born and bred” tion. ing on transport infrastructure, make these investments.” from 11 women and mount- Kathy Hochul, a fellow Demo- done it all my life. In my mind and a “fi ghter” and said his “in- Cuomo had been under but also for high-speed inter- Making a last-minute plea ing pressure to quit from fellow crat, denied the accusations of I’ve never crossed the line with stinct is to fi ght through this mounting pressure to resign in net and eff orts to fi ght climate for passage of the bipartisan bill Democrats, announced his res- sexual harassment outlined in a anyone,” he said. “But I didn’t controversy because I truly be- recent days with President Joe change. over the weekend, the president ignation yesterday. report released last week by the realise the extent to which the lieve it is politically motivated.” Biden, the two Democratic sen- The total price tag of the pack- tweeted that it represented a It was a stunning reversal offi ce of New York attorney gen- line has been redrawn. But he said he had decided ators from New York and mul- age - the equivalent of Spain’s “historic, once-in-a-generation of fortune for the 63-year-old eral Letitia James. “There are generational and instead to step aside because an tiple state lawmakers calling on 2020 gross domestic product - investment in our nation’s infra- Cuomo, who just a year ago “The report said I sexually cultural shifts that I just didn’t impeachment fi ght would “con- him to step down. relies on other public funds that structure.” earned praise for his handling of harassed 11 women,” Cuomo fully appreciate. And I should sume government,” cost taxpay- His announcement came just already have been appropriated. Former Republican president the Covid-19 pandemic before said. “That was the headline have. No excuses.” ers millions of dollars and “bru- days after the resignation of a Passage looks less certain Donald Trump however called it being engulfed in the harass- people heard and saw. The reac- “I thought a hug and putting talise people.” top aide, Melissa DeRosa, and in the House of Representa- a “disgrace,” noting the victory ment allegations and claims that tion was outrage. It should have my arm around a staff per- “Government really needs to the fi ling of a criminal complaint tives, however, where rifts have it would hand Biden, and threat- he covered up the scale of deaths been. However, it was also false.” son while taking a picture was function today,” he said. “Govern- against him by a former execu- emerged within the narrow ened political reprisals against in nursing homes. But he said he wanted to friendly, but she found it to be ment needs to perform. And wast- tive assistant, Brittany Comm- Democratic majority between Republicans who voted for it. “I think that given the cir- “deeply, deeply” apologise to too forward,” Cuomo said. ing energy on distractions is the isso. Pentagon to mandate Long wait New review of 9/11 documents pledged

Covid shots for military AFP ment that he welcomed the court Washington fi ling. “My administration is com- AFP now not forced troops to have individual services are currently mitted to ensuring the maximum Washington them, as it does for other inocu- developing plans for the forced S offi cials vowed to re- degree of transparency under the lations. vaccinations. view classifi ed docu- law, and to adhering to the rigor- Doing so would have opened Currently 73% of 1.4mn active Uments related to the Sep- ous guidance...on the invocation he Pentagon said it will the door to legal challenges, un- duty forces have had at least one tember 11, 2001 terror attacks to of the state secrets privilege,” he make Covid-19 vaccina- less Biden issued a waiver to al- shot, but if another 1.1mn in re- see which could be made public said. Ttions mandatory for all low it. serve troops are added in, the rate — a recurring demand of some The US is preparing to com- members of the US military by If the Pfi zer or another vaccine goes down to 56%. victims’ relatives. memorate the 20th anniversary mid-September, amid an alarm- does not get full FDA approval by That low level has left US of- The FBI said in a letter to of the attacks against the World ing surge in infections by the mid-September, Austin said he fi cials concerned over the poten- the US attorney for the south- Trade Center, the Pentagon, Delta variant. would go ahead and seek Biden’s tial for the virus to hurt military ern district of New York that and on an airplane that crashed Defence Secretary Lloyd Aus- approval. readiness. it “has decided to review” its in Pennsylvania, with a solemn tin said in a memo he would ask Biden released a statement Austin said in the memo that prior privilege to not disclose ceremony planned in New York President Joe Biden to approve “strongly” supporting the deci- before the vaccination order is certain sensitive documents with Biden in attendance. the move in about fi ve weeks, sion. made, the military would “also and will “identify additional Some relatives of victims, sur- even if none of the current vac- “These vaccines save lives,” he be keeping a close eye on infec- information appropriate for vivors of the attacks and mem- cines gains full approval from the said. tion rates — which are on the rise disclosure.” bers of rescue teams published US Food and Drug Administra- “Being vaccinated will en- now due to the Delta variant — Agents with the Federal Bu- a letter last week saying Biden tion. able our service members to stay and the impact these rates might reau of Investigation “will dis- would not be welcome at the But the order could come ear- healthy, to better protect their have on our readiness.” close such information on a commemoration “until he fulfi ls lier if the Pfi zer vaccine gets ap- families, and to ensure that our “I will not hesitate to act People wait in line at the US-Canada border as Canada rolling basis as expeditiously as his commitment.” proval before then. force is ready to operate any- sooner or recommend a diff erent reopens for non-essential travel to fully vaccinated possible,” the letter read. The letter called for the release Offi cials say they think Pfi zer where in the world.” course to the president if I feel Americans at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, During the legal wrangling, of all documents and informa- could earn full FDA approval by Defence department spokes- the need to do so,” he said. Ontario. American visitors trickled across the Canada-US successive US administrations tion “that our government has the beginning of September. man John Kirby said that the US service members cur- border, cheering the reopening of the world’s longest have invoked state secrecy in accrued in its investigation”. Because the Covid vaccines Pentagon expects to have the rently are mandated to have 17 land boundary 17 months after all non-essential travel order not to publish some docu- Some 1,700 people have have only had emergency ap- hundreds of thousands of doses vaccines, all of which are FDA- was halted to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. ments. signed the letter, according to proval, the US military has until needed to be stockpiled and that approved. Biden however said in a state- the US media. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 11, 2021 9 WORLD UK minister hints at backing calls for refunds on tuition fees

Guardian News and Media liamson said that from the au- Over the last year there have not backed calls for the wide- complaints involving unusual ing back to the situation of actu- gree courses this year, Ucas fi g- London tumn he expected universities to been persistent calls for students spread payment of refunds, ar- circumstances. ally delivering lessons, lectures, ures show. return to off ering in-person lec- to be off ered refunds on fees, guing that the move to online Williamson yesterday stressed face to face,” he told Sky News. A total of 435,430 people from tures and tutorials, instead of just which are normally £9,250 a year, learning forced by the pandemic he expected the student experi- “I think universities have got the UK and overseas have had tudents in England should online, which has been the norm because most of them have only did not stop universities off ering ence to be very diff erent in the to sort of stand up their off er to places confi rmed, up 5% on the not be charged full fees if for most students since the pan- been able to access teaching via quality education. next academic year from what their own students. I think they same point last year, according to Sthey do not receive face- demic started. a laptop. The Offi ce of the Independ- it has been since the start of the have the fl exibility and the ability data published by the university to-face teaching in the next aca- He also hinted he would back Students have also missed out ent Adjudicator for Higher Edu- pandemic. to deliver face-to-face lectures, admissions service. demic year, the Education Sec- calls for students to receive re- on much of the socialising asso- cation has ordered universities “Our guidance is clear, our di- and expect them to be delivering Among UK applicants, 388,230 retary, Gavin Williamson, has funds on tuition fees in the event ciated with the normal university to off er compensation for lost rection is clear and we do expect face-to-face lectures.” have been accepted – an 8% rise signalled. of universities failing to provide experience. teaching in some cases, but only all universities, unless there’s un- A record number of students compared with results day last In interviews yesterday, Wil- in-person education. But until now ministers have in relation to a small number of precedented reasons, to be mov- have been accepted on to UK de- year. Nearly 45% of Mumbai vaccination drive A-level entries across UK get top grades

Guardian News and Media crease in grades awarded by in- London dependent schools and centres outside the state sector, where 39.5% gained the top A* grade, early 45% of A-level en- compared with 27.4% in 2020 tries across the UK have and 16% in 2019. Nbeen awarded top grades Seventy percent of entries at in A-level results, a record- private schools received A grades breaking return for students af- or higher, compared with 39% ter more than a year of disrup- at comprehensives and 42% at tion and school closures during academies. There were also wide the pandemic. disparities in regional results. The 44.8% in top grades in While more than 47% of en- England, Wales and Northern tries in London and the south of Ireland matched earlier predic- England received A* or A, 39% of tions by university admissions those in the north-east of Eng- offi cers but was lower than oth- land did so. ers had feared, following a 13 The latest fi gures are likely to percentage point increase be- spark further questions about tween 2019, the last time formal the unequal distribution of exams were held, and 2020. grades. Residents queue up to get inoculated with a dose of Covaxin vaccine against Covid-19 at a temporary vaccination centre set up at a school in Mumbai yesterday. In Northern Ireland, 50.8% of The Joint Council for Qualifi - entries were awarded A* or A, up cations (JCQ), representing the from 31% in 2019, while in Wales examination boards, said: “Exam the proportion awarded top boards looked at student work grades rose by more than six per- from all types of school and col- centage points compared with lege as part of the external qual- last year, to 48.3%. ity assurance process. This year, A-level results in “They did not fi nd that any England, Wales and North- type of school or college was ern Ireland have been awarded more likely than others to have through teacher-assessed grades provided grades that did not re- India’s police stations (Tags) overseen by examina- fl ect the standard of their stu- tion boards, while the Scottish dents’ work. Indeed, they found Qualifi cations Authority will that, irrespective of the type of use a similar process in making school or college, the grades were awards. largely supported by the quality Education policy is devolved of students’ work.” to national governments, so each Simon Lebus, the interim chief ‘are human rights threat’ of the four countries have their regulator of Ofqual, said it had own systems and qualifi cations. been an “exceptional” year but Guardian News and Media Services Authority in a speech representation at police stations 1,189 were tortured in police police continue to use violence In England alone, 44.3% of said next year’s exams would be New Delhi in Delhi. is a huge detriment to arrested custody over the last three years. and torture is “extremely sig- entries gained A* and A grades, diff erent. “We’ve always said out- He added that the poor bore or detained persons. The deci- Ramana urged the National nifi cant”, according to the law- compared with 38.1% in 2020. comes this year were likely to look the brunt of police brutality, but sions taken in these early hours Legal Services Authority, which yer and human rights activist Overall, 88.2% of the more diff erent to other years. This has n an extraordinary rebuke “going by recent reports, even will later determine the ability of is meant to ensure free legal Vrinda Grover. than 750,000 entries by 18-year- indeed proven to be the case. The over police brutality, India’s the privileged are not spared the accused to defend himself,” advice is provided to the poor She said the key to stopping olds in England received grades C pandemic will have had diff erent Ichief justice has said the third-degree treatment”. Ramana said. and marginalised, to do more these violations, in addition to or above, little changed for 2020 impacts on students’ opportuni- most dangerous places in the One of the causes of police To many Indians the chief to make the public and police providing a lawyer, was to pros- when 87.5% did so. ties to learn and that mean s the country for threats to human misconduct, he said, was that justice’s words will not be a rev- aware of their rights. ecute and punish guilty police The fi gures also revealed that mechanisms we normally use to rights are police stations. when brought in for questioning elation. He suggested putting up large offi cers, which she said current- 12,945 sixth-formers in England secure standards over time have Nuthalapati Ramana said or arrested most Indians had no The slogan of Delhi police, hoardings outside police sta- ly did not happen as the govern- gained three A*s – nearly 7% of not been deployed this year. that rather than being the saf- lawyer to represent them, leav- “For you, with you, always”, is tions so that, on entering, peo- ment refused to sanction crimi- all candidates – compared with “We expect to get back to ex- est places, “the threat to hu- ing them at the mercy of corrupt often rephrased as “never for ple could see at a glance that nal prosecution of the police. 7,700 in 2020 and 3,000 in 2019. ams and formal assessments man rights and bodily integrity offi cers. you, never with you and never they had a right to a lawyer, and “Accountability through the Nineteen percent of entries in next year because although they are the highest in police sta- The law provides for free legal will be for you” by residents that the postal service be em- judicial process and punishment England were awarded A*, com- are not perfect exams have prov- tions”. representation to people who who have come to associate ployed to distribute informa- of off ending policemen alone pared with 14% in 2020 when en to consistently be the best “Custodial torture and other cannot aff ord to hire a lawyer, police stations with fear and tion to people in the country- will create a deterrent and make grades were also assessed by way of assessing what a student police atrocities are problems but many poor Indians are una- abuse. side. police stations a refuge for vic- schools. The rise was fuelled knows, understands and can do,” which still prevail in our soci- ware of this right. The government said last Ramana “sharply and unam- tims rather than sites of custo- partly by a record-breaking in- Lebus said. ety,” he told the National Legal “The lack of eff ective legal week that 348 people died and biguously” stressing that the dial violence,” she said. Woman killed as buses Gandhi in Srinagar Special day to mark collide in central London Chopra’s Olympic feat AFP just outside capital New Delhi New Delhi told reporters yesterday. Guardian News and Media ous area response team. We also ered round”. She continued: “I am happy kids will get an London dispatched London’s air ambu- “It was awful, I knew instantly opportunity to compete in jave- lance,” she said. something bad had happened. I eeraj Chopra’s historic lin events and hope that we get “We treated three people at was told later a woman had got feat in winning India’s more medals in athletics.” woman has been killed and the scene, and took two of them trapped under a bus.” Nfi rst-ever track-and- The new poster boy of Indian three other people injured to hospital. Sadly, a fourth person The bus station was closed fi eld gold at the Olympics will be sports, with his boyish charm Awhen two buses crashed in died at the scene.” shortly after the crash. commemorated every year, offi - and tousled hair, has come a long central London, police said. A witness, who wished to re- A wide cordon remained in cials said yesterday, as the javelin way from being teased as an over- The Metropolitan police were main anonymous, said she was place surrounding the terminal. star spoke of his desire to inspire weight child to throwing 87.58 called to the incident at Victoria travelling on another bus when The two single-decker buses future athletes. metres for the gold in the javelin bus station at 8.25am yesterday. she “heard a bang” and saw a involved were visible, one with A medal-starved India rev- fi nal. Hundreds of fans had gath- Images posted on social me- woman “underneath” a 507 bus. its windshield smashed and elled in Chopra’s stunning ered at Delhi’s international air- dia show a single-decker bus on She told the PA Media news the other with a crumpled rear achievement in Tokyo, which port on Monday to give Chopra a route 507 crashed into the rear of agency the woman was wearing bumper. Light blue screens and ended a more than century-long hero’s welcome. another, causing damage to both a dark fl oral skirt and had blonde blue tarpaulins, erected by po- wait for an athletics gold, with Chopra said the enormity of the vehicles. The dead woman was hair. She said: “Her hand was lice, remained in place cover- politicians, celebrities and the achievement only sunk in when believed to be in her 30s. outstretched. There were a lot of ing most of the scene. A private general public heaping praise on he saw people banging drums Her next of kin had yet to be people around her, one lady was ambulance arrived shortly after the 23-year-old. and playing music as his car left informed, police said. holding her hand and a guy was 12.30pm and was seen reversing The Athletics Federation of the airport and headed for a party Three other people were treat- trying to help. I honestly hoped behind the screens. Andy Byford, India said August 7 — the date welcoming him back home. ed for non-life-threatening inju- she would be OK.” Transport for London’s commis- of Chopra’s triumph — would “It is a dream of any athlete ries. A London ambulance service The witness said the bus she sioner, said: “We are extremely be dubbed “Javelin Throw Day”, of the world to win an Olympic spokesperson said it was called to was travelling on left moments saddened that a woman has with annual state meets for the medal and there is nothing big- reports of a road traffi c collision. later. She added that she and her tragically died after a collision sport held across the nation of ger than gold, so the feeling was “We sent three ambulance fellow passengers were left feel- with a bus and our thoughts are 1.3bn people. “I feel honoured surreal. When I arrived in India crews, two medics in cars, an ad- ing in shock and “so helpless”. with her family and friends. We India’s Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi gestures that I could become an inspi- the mood was diff erent and when vanced paramedic, an incident Danielle Cain, a Big Issue seller, are thinking of everyone aff ected while he addresses the party members and workers in ration for Indian athletics and I landed, I realised I had done response offi cer, an advanced said she “heard a woman scream” by this incident and will support Srinagar yesterday. javelin in particular,” the farm- something big for the nation that paramedic, and our hazard- and saw “a load of people gath- everyone however we can.” er’s son from Khandra village I am getting this honour.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Running against the tide in Covid era

In his elegiac memoir The World of Yesterday, the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig observed that most people cannot comprehend the prospect of catastrophic changes in their situation. Things can get incrementally worse for a long time without prompting a reaction. Once catastrophe strikes, it is too late to act. Dramatic changes are occurring in our times, too, and we must hope that it is not yet too late to address them. Unfortunately, suffi ciently urgent, co-ordinated, and decisive action will likely be diffi cult to mobilise when most of us – like the proverbial slowly boiling frog – perceive change to be incremental. So, it is worth asking what we might be facing if the worst happens. Climate change-induced weather events are one obvious type of catastrophe. These could render uninhabitable large, densely populated parts of the planet, and it might already be impossible to avert large-scale population movements stemming from them. Retail coff ee prices to soar Many climate victims might seem far away – tiny Tuvalu in the Pacifi c is frequently portrayed as one of the fi rst likely casualties. But recent weather events point to areas closer to global centres of power – such as Florida, the cities of China’s Yellow River valley, Seattle, and New Delhi – either fl ooding or becoming too hot for humans. as frost, freight costs bite Governments and international organisations should therefore start preparing for the prospect of millions of future climate refugees. According to the United Nations, there were 79.5mn In areas where coff ee trees have not survived it may take up to seven years for production to fully recover displaced people globally at the end of 2019, the biggest number it had ever recorded, and more than at any time since the huge, By Nigel Hunt, Jonathan Saul goods and not enough ships as for roasters in Brazil increased around Trading, said it was very challenging to forced migrations in the aftermath of World War II. Continued and Marcelo Teixeira people stayed home due to the global 80% from December to late July. ship coff ee, particularly in the Americas. global warming means London coronavirus pandemic, has also led to “Some companies, including market “It is almost not economical to use that number will likely a sharp rise in the cost of transporting leaders, have already announced price this route right now. The ports in the US Governments beans to major consuming countries in increases,” Abic said in a letter to are full, shipping companies do not want increase. he most devastating frost in North America and Europe. associated roasters seen by Reuters. to take more cargoes to there, so they and international Worse still, climate decades in top coff ee producer Traders believe while consumers will JDE Peet’s, whose brands include charge more. Prices are more than three organisations change, combined with Brazil and record freight costs soon have to pay more to purchase coff ee Douwe Egberts, Kenco and Peet’s, times higher than they were before the biodiversity loss and soil Tsparked by Covid-19 causing from supermarkets, the cost of a latte or noted that there had been a sharp rise in pandemic,” he said. degradation, threatens massive shipping logjams are expected to Americano at high street coff ee chains ingredient, freight and other costs in the Thiago Cazarini, a coff ee broker in should start to cause a downward push retail prices to multi-year highs in may not follow suit in the short term. last 12 months. Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, said that “Historically, signifi cant spiral in agricultural the coming weeks. “Roast and ground (coff ee in even paying up the much higher prices preparing for A hike in coff ee prices will further supermarkets) has only coff ee and a bit fl uctuations in green coff ee prices have to secure a container, exporters are productivity. That would raise the cost of a basket of shopping of packaging. Your coff ee at Starbucks been refl ected in the market (retail having problems trying to load them the prospect of undo many of the gains of following increases for other items such might not go up (as much) cause you prices) and we expect that precedent to into the ships. the Green Revolution that as bread, vegetable oils and sugar. The pay more for the shop, the Wi-Fi, the continue,” the company said. He said the problem is widespread, millions of future has enabled the Earth to United Nations food agency’s index of experience,” he added. The rise in transport costs, linked to impacting all players. climate refugees sustain its 7.9bn people. world food prices for July showed a year- Data issued by the US Bureau of Labor a shortage of shipping containers, could “Brazil is such a mess logistically right As such, we need a new on-year rise of 31% at a time when many Statistics show average ground coff ee play a major role in driving up prices. now. I have coff ees that were supposed to consumers are struggling fi nancially due prices rose to a peak of $4.75 per lb in Coff ee is normally shipped in containers, arrive two months ago and I haven’t got Green Revolution that goes beyond genetic modifi cation of crops to the pandemic. April, up 8.1% from a year earlier and the in contrast to commodities such as grains them yet,” one US coff ee importer said. to encompass social and economic changes such as land reform, The worst cold snap in Brazil since highest level since July 2015, as drought which are transported in bulk carriers. Julian Thomas, managing director of altered diets, and diff erent business models. Failure to change 1994 sent the price of green coff ee beans took an initial toll on Brazil’s crops. Many coff ee companies fi nd it easier Maersk Brazil , part of the world’s biggest current intensive, industrialised farming practices rapidly and at to the highest level in almost seven The rise in Arabica coff ee prices on to withstand a rise in the cost of beans, container shipping line, said the “current scale will result in crop failures and increasing hunger. For net food years and is expected to pass through to the ICE Futures US exchange accelerated at least in the short term, than increasing bottlenecks from measures to contain importers like the United Kingdom, the post-war plenty we have consumers when they purchase roasted rapidly, however, after the recent shipping costs as they often fi x the price the pandemic and a strong demand are beans or ground coff ee in supermarkets. frost and retail prices appear certain of their purchases several months in also impacting supply chains in and out grown used to could become a thing of the past. But how are we to Arabica coff ee on the ICE Futures to increase in response. In Brazil, the advance. of Brazil.” bring about the system change needed when, despite the pandemic, US exchange has doubled in price over world’s number two consuming nation “We have hedging here in place for a “We are still servicing our customers supermarket shelves are still full? the last 12 months with crops in Brazil after the United States, roast and ground good percentage of our coff ee needs for and can attend to their growing demand,” Another type of disaster related to ever greater human incursions already wilting after the worst dry spell coff ee prices increased 3.4% in June, the rest of this year and even for part of he told Reuters. on nature is the increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases that in 91 years. according to statistics offi ce IBGE. next year so I’m not short-term worried German container shipper Hapag leap from animal hosts to humans. The extraordinary Covid-19 The extent of the damage is still being They are set to rise further. After the about that,” Nestle Chief Executive Lloyd added that there were delays for assessed but in areas where coff ee trees July frosts, Brazil’s coff ee industry group Mark Schneider said during a recent shipping goods, “but not only coff ee”. pandemic has driven this message home to the world – Ebola, Sars, have not survived it may take up to seven Abic told roasters to analyse their costs conference call, adding this was not the Brazil accounts for an estimated and Mers were earlier warnings – and there are more such health years for production to fully recover. and adjust prices accordingly, to preserve case with transportation costs. 30% of global exports and its peak crises to come. The period in history when infectious disease Shipping disruptions, caused partly the sustainability of their businesses. Carlos Santana, coff ee head trader shipment season has already kicked seemed to have been tamed is likely over. Similarly, the spread of by a surge in demand for consumer Abic estimates that green coff ee prices for Eisa Interagricola, a unit of ECOM off. — Reuters anti-microbial resistance means some old infection battles have restarted. And if an even more virulent novel coronavirus emerges in the next few years, will we be prepared for another upheaval like the one we have all experienced over the past 18 months? These kinds of events will put immense pressure on existing political systems, whether they be democracies or authoritarian regimes. Today, only a Panglossian observer would foresee an imminent return to the trend toward liberal democracy that characterised the latter part of the twentieth century. On the contrary, the need to deal with more emergencies could make the West more authoritarian. And the retreat from multilateralism to geopolitical clashes could accelerate, fuelling a vicious cycle that makes it ever more diffi cult to tackle global problems. Perhaps these gloomy thoughts are merely a sign that their author needs a summer holiday. But with Zweig’s warning in mind, it would do no harm to consider ‘the what if’. What if this is the time for large actions, not small ones? What would they be? — Project Syndicate

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© 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved OMINOUS: Traders believe consumers will soon have to pay more to purchase coff ee from supermarkets. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 11, 2021 11 WORLD Greeks battle to protect town from ferocious fi re

AFP the region of Gortynia were warned out to help the professionals. Avgaria to evacuate yesterday, with the mayor “If we don’t come, who will?” asked saying conditions seemed out of con- Yiannis, a burly man in his 20s. “My trol again. aunt’s house burnt down, that of my olunteers and fi refi ghters are “In the blink of an eye, all control grandfather almost did, too.” working round-the-clock, of- was lost,” mayor Efstathios Soulis told The fi re has also wrought havoc on Vten without masks or helmets, state TV ERT, adding that dozens of the island’s agricultural economy that in a desperate bid to stop a violent blaze villages, agricultural units and busi- included olives, fi gs and honey, leaving from reaching a key town on Greece’s nesses were at risk. many producers despondent. Evia island, one of hundreds of fi res “The fi re fronts are too many to Istiaia Mayor Kontzias said “mis- that have raged through the country. count,” Soulis said. The fl ames have takes were made and we need to draw Nearly 900 fi refi ghters, reinforced claimed three lives in Greece, while in lessons from this”. overnight with fresh arrivals from neighbouring Turkey eight have been “The Greek state must never forget abroad, were deployed on the coun- killed. Several people have been in- what happened in northern Evia,” he try’s second largest island as major jured, some critically. Sixteen people added. “Helicopters helped a lot and towns and resorts remained under have been arrested on suspicion of ar- if we had done that since the begin- threat yesterday from a blaze burning son or negligent arson, the police said. ning, we would have avoided all this for eight days. Much of the attention was focused destruction.” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis yesterday on keeping the fi re out of He was echoing a complaint widely apologised to the nation, saying more Evia’s northern hub of Istiaia, which heard about the lack of air support not than 580 fi res had broken out in recent has 7,000 residents who had yet to just on Evia but throughout Greece. days, exposing Greece to a “natural evacuate. Many mayors around the country fury without precedent”. Firefi ghters and volunteers had have complained of a serious lack of Weather disasters bulked up by cli- been engaged overnight in “hand-to- aerial support in fi ghting the fi res, de- mate change have swept the globe hand combat, fi ghting heart and soul” spite government assurances of having this summer, with a landmark UN as- to erect fi re breaks outside villages set aside ample resources. sessment published Monday warning neighbouring Istiaia, mayor Yiannis “Every lost home is a tragedy, a dag- the world is warming even faster than Kontzias said. ger to the heart,” Deputy Civil Protec- forecast. Locals, often in just T-shirts, bat- tion Minister Nikos Hardalias said yes- Hundreds of homes have been lost in tled the fl ames on several fronts, one of terday, his voice breaking. Evia, greater Athens, the Peloponnese which raged out of control. In a televised address on Monday, and other parts of Greece to wildfi res The Evia force includes hundreds of Mitsotakis apologised “for any short- since late July, as the region suff ers fi refi ghters from Romania, Serbia and Local youths and volunteers gather in an open field and wait to support firefighters during a wildfire next to the village of comings” in the state response. through an intense heatwave. Ukraine. They were reinforced yester- Kamatriades, near Istiaia, northern Evia (Euboea) island. (AFP) “We may have done what was hu- Underscoring the violent swings of day with units from Cyprus, Slovakia manly possible, but in many cases it fortune tormenting Greece, fi res in the and Poland, the civil protection au- people were evacuated by sea this past flames, yesterday. pointed angrily at a Slovakian fi refi ght- was not enough.” Peloponnese fl ared anew just an hour thority said. week as the fl ames neared. “Where do you want us to go?,” a ing truck. “Look, they’re doing all the The PM has pledged hundreds of after offi cials said the situation was The rugged island is popular with Authorities ordered the evacu- woman in her sixties shouted, refusing work. Where are ours? We beg them to millions of euros in additional funds stabilising. holidaymakers and many Greeks have ation of Asiminio, a coastal vil- to leave as helicopters fl ew ahead. come and no one comes,” said Dimitri. for civil protection, reforestation and Residents in 20 small villages in summer homes on Evia. Some 3,000 lage near Istiaia also threatened by On the streets, dozens of residents In Avgaria village, many people turned fl ood prevention.

6 countries urge EU to continue German train drivers go on strike deportation of Afghans Germany to end AFP coronavirus pandemic,” said Martin Seiler, DB board Berlin member for human resources and legal aff airs. Six EU countries have called But Weselsky argued that the GDL “intention- on the European Commission ally chose this timeframe in the week to limit the im- not to halt the deportation of erman train drivers went on strike over wages pact on weekend and holiday traffi c” and that it was Afghan migrants despite an free Covid tests to from yesterday, dealing a blow to summer “never the best time” for a strike. accelerating Taliban advance, Gholidaymakers and adding to logistics and He, in turn, accused DB managers of “lining their off icials said yesterday. supply problems already plaguing the industry. pockets while the little guys are getting their pockets The governments of Austria, Only one in four long-distance trains will be in picked.” Belgium, Denmark, Germany, service today and tomorrow, as the walkout began The strike will be the fi rst to hit rail traffi c since Greece and The Netherlands boost jab take-up with cargo trains from yesterday and is scheduled to December 2018, when a stoppage was called for four wrote to the EU’s executive extend to the passenger network seven hours later. hours. arm saying they should be Some 95% of union members had voted for the Coming at the height of the key summer vacation allowed to send Afghan AFP stood yesterday at 23.5, but sev- to pressure the population to fi rst round of industrial action, which is due to end season, it marks a new setback for the travel industry migrants back if their asylum Berlin eral regions including Berlin and get jabbed. on Friday, said the leader of the GDL train drivers’ which was only starting to recover after months of bids fail. Afghanistan urged Hamburg are already past the 35 Alice Weidel, leader of the union, Claus Weselsky. shutdown over coronavirus infection risks. the EU in July to cease forced mark. far-right AfD who is herself not Deutsche Bahn blasted the move as an “unneces- With the walkout also due to aff ect rail cargo, deportations of Afghan ermany will end free After delivering well over one vaccinated, said the move was an sary escalation on the back of rail customers”. Germany’s industrial groups, already hit by supply migrants for three months coronavirus tests in million jabs a day at its peak, Eu- “indirect compulsory vaccina- “Just as people are travelling more again and using chain issues, risk seeing further delivery delays for as security forces battle the GOctober, regional lead- rope’s most populous country tion through restrictions, bans trains, GDL leaders are destroying the upswing that raw materials or components from timber and steel Taliban off ensive ahead of the ers and the federal government has seen the takeup for inocu- and additional burdens”. we urgently need given the huge damage from the to computer chips. full US military pullout from agreed yesterday, in a push to lation against the coronavirus Merkel countered that vac- Afghanistan on August 31. incentivise more people to get slow dramatically. cinated people cannot simply Their letter asked the vaccinated. As of yesterday, 52 million be asked to continue to be sub- European Commission “to Covid-19 tests or proof of people in Germany — or 62.5% ject to restrictions because part engage in an intensified vaccination or recovery will be of the population — have re- of the population opted against In Berlin, green ideas dialogue with Afghan partners required to access facilities in- ceived at least one dose of the jabs. “We also have to think on all pressing migration cluding restaurants, cinemas vaccine, but Merkel said she about those who work in hospi- issues including swift and and gyms, in areas where infec- hoped another 15-20% would tals, and overloading the health eff ective return co-operation”. tion rates rise above a certain get the jab. system must be ruled out,” she “Furthermore, stopping threshold. “It is everyone’s responsibil- added. Germany’s latest move is returns sends the wrong signal From October those who ity ... to promote vaccination similar to new requirements in and is likely to motivate even refuse to get jabbed will have to wherever possible,” said Ger- France of a health pass to access more Afghan citizens to leave pay to prove they are infection- man Chancellor Angela Merkel, cinemas, cafes or trains. their home for the EU,” said free, or risk being shut out. urging “all friends and family The push by French Presi- the letter, sent on August 5, Proof of test or vaccination members who have been vac- dent Emmanuel Macron for which was seen by AFP. will be required as soon as the cinated to promote this in their the health pass which is proof Belgian migration minister rate of infections in a region circles of friends and families of either vaccination, a recent Sammy Mahdi confirmed the reaches 35 per 100,000 people and sport clubs”. negative test or recovery from letter’s contents on Twitter, over seven days. Merkel has repeatedly said Covid-19, has sparked angry adding: “Just because regions Children and people who for she does not think it is right protests across France. of a country are dangerous health reasons cannot be vac- to make vaccinations compul- In Germany, regular protests doesn’t mean that every cinated will still be able to get sory. have also broken out against person from that country has tested for free. But critics accused her gov- coronavirus restrictions as well the right to protection.” Germany’s incidence rate ernment of using tests as a tool as vaccinations. EU pledges help for Afghanistan’s neighbours on refugees

The European Union said available to those countries that in the field and providing crisis that saw around a million yesterday it was eyeing more are the most aff ected,” a senior assistance to displaced persons migrants — many from Syria support for Afghanistan’s EU off icial said. “So it’s important and refugees.” The 27-nation — arrive in the EU and sparked neighbours as a senior off icial to continue strengthening direct bloc is nervously watching as major political problems at home. warned fighting could force half a support to those countries the Taliban sweeps across the The United Nations says that million people to flee abroad. and the diff erent types of conflict-wracked country as so far this year there have been An old radio and and old hiking shoe are used as plant pots at a garden at the former Tempelhof “The first priority is to continue organisations, non-governmental foreign troops depart. no “large-scale displacements” airport field in Berlin yesterday. (AFP) to provide the best possible organisations or international Brussels fears the violence could across Afghanistan’s borders support according to the means organisations that are present lead to a repeat of the 2015 despite the Taliban’s advance. Greens holding on to hope for change aft er Merkel exit

Rattled by a shaky start to their “It’s about our future,” said Baerbock, protection now” plan as part of their and shaved several points off their scientist Thorsten Faas of the Otto were keeping the faith. campaign, Germany’s Greens are stressing that the Greens were ready platform. support. Suhr Institute told AFP. “It’s going to be tough but she’s good trying to regroup ahead of next “to shape it”. It includes a proposal to create a Currently the CDU-CSU is leading the “But the political agenda does too and convincing,” Marion Olthoff , 66, month’s general election with a Western Germany last month “super ministry” for the environment Greens by around a 10-point margin, and the Greens of course have a said of Baerbock. renewed focus on climate protection experienced devastating floods with the power to veto government putting their candidate Armin card to play with the climate, the “Yes, she’s definitely got a chance. as floods and fires ravage Europe. that left at least 190 people dead policies deemed potentially harmful. Laschet in pole position to become environment and energy which And the others are so bad,” The ecologist party’s bid to crown and washed away billions of euros This year is the first time the Green Germany’s next chancellor after are their foundational issues — all particularly Laschet, she added with their candidate Annalena Baerbock in housing, businesses and public party, in opposition since 2005, Merkel retires this year. the more so after the floods which a smile. as Angela Merkel’s successor as infrastructure. has fielded a candidate to lead the Rosa Wagner Kroeger, a Greens focused the agenda on the climate.” The conservative state leader has chancellor seemed to falter this Meanwhile thousands of German country. member in her 50s at the rally Voters say they’re ready for change piled up a series of own-goals in summer over a series of gaff es. holiday-makers recently returned In April, its ambition seemed in Hildesheim, said she was still after Merkel’s long tenure, according recent weeks, including being Now hoping to seize on the urgency from Greece after witnessing first- realistic when it tapped Baerbock, confident the party could turn the to a study released in mid-May caught on camera joking with local of the climate issue in many voters’ hand raging forest fires. an energetic 40-year-old MP, as their tide. by the Allensbach demographic off icials on a visit to a flood-stricken minds, the Greens chose the central An alarming UN report said this standard bearer. “Annalena Baerbock is a strong institute. town and getting ensnared in his city of Hildesheim to launch the week that such catastrophes would For weeks the party was leading the candidate — very intelligent. She was Sixty percent said they wanted a own plagiarism scandal. And given “hot phase” on the hustings, as it grow more frequent as global polls ahead of Merkel’s conservative attacked because she’s a woman,” new government to replace the the potential vagaries of coalition is known in Germany, ahead of the warming is occurring far more CDU-CSU alliance, which was Kroeger said. right-left “grand coalition” made up building, the election’s ultimate September 26 poll. quickly than previously forecast. hobbled by infighting. “Now we should return to the of the conservatives and the Social outcome is still seen as wide open. “A lot is at stake with this election” The Greens, who have been warning But a failure by Baerbock to declare Greens’ issues in the campaign Democrats (SPD), as well as a more “A lot of things have already after 16 years of Merkel at the helm, of the dangerous impact of fossil fuel a pay bonus, inaccuracies on her which have a lot to off er.” “ambitious” government, particularly happened during this campaign,” Baerbock told a crowd assembled on emissions since their founding four CV and plagiarism allegations did “Of course the personality of the on climate policy. Faas, the political scientist, said. “And the historic town square. decades ago, have laid out a “climate lasting damage to her credibility candidate plays a big role,” political In Hildesheim, Greens supporters it’s certainly not over.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, August 11, 2021 QATAR Ashghal opens two key interchanges

n a tweet yesterday, Public completion of expansion works, led, Al Waab and Al Aziziyah. with Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor ed in prime areas covering many Works Authority (Ashghal) converting old Haloul Rounda- According to Ashghal, “the all the way to Faleh Bin Nasser vital, commercial, health and Iannounced that it has opened bout into a two-level intersec- new intersections connect Sabah Interchange and Salwa Road on educational facilities located on Faleh Bin Nasser Interchange tion. This will streamline traf- Al Ahmad Corridor with sur- one side, and Wholesale Market Salwa Rd, Wholesale Market St, on Salwa Road and Haloul In- fi c to neighbourhoods of Bu rounding roads. Haloul Inter- Street on the other. Haloul St and Sabah Al Ahmad terchange on Haloul Street after Hamour, Al Mamoura, Ain Kha- change connects Haloul Street “The two junctions are locat- Corridor.”

The QU alumni heading Revive, a small startup food manufacturing project. QU college alumni to Doha Metro facilitates passenger compete for movement following temporary Student closure of the Corniche Road Nobel Prize atar Railways Company (Qa- evive, a small star- the Hult Prize. Revive, the fi rst Qtar Rail) has an- tup food manufacturing team to emerge from QU, is nounced that 106,349 Rproject run by a number currently based in the Qatari passengers used Doha of graduates from the Human market. Within the fi rst phase Metro services at seven Nutrition Department at the of the accelerator programme; stations located in the College of Health Sciences at the team held the top three Corniche area during the Qatar University, has quali- positions for three weeks out temporary road closure fi ed for the upcoming trial and of four, and took fi rst place for from August 6-10. velocity phases of the Hult In- two consecutive weeks. Doha Metro stations ternational Competition, also The accelerator programme located in the Corniche known as the Student Nobel gives growing companies ac- area, including the Na- Prize. cess to mentorship, investors, tional Museum Station, The Hult Prize, a global and other forms of support Souq Waqif, Corniche, partner organisation of the that help them become sta- Al Bidda, West Bay, and United Nations urging change, ble, self-suffi cient businesses. DECC, witnessed a wide challenges young people to Companies that use business turnout from the passen- solve current global chal- accelerators are usually star- gers. lenges. The competition for tups that are past their early At the same time, the undergraduate students is for stages of being established. metrolink and metroex- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and the Currently, the Revive team press services continued PhD levels. The participat- will compete for a place in the to transport passengers ing teams compete to develop fi nal stage of the annual Hult throughout the Corniche ideas to establish profi table Prize in the UK in the accel- area, as these two routes projects or companies aimed erator programme. The win- were diverted. at solving one of the diffi cult ners will then move on to the The two services tem- problems in society within the fi nal stage of presenting their porarily provided alter- Challenge of the Year. product at the United Nations native routes during the Revive, with a project to Headquarters in New York and closure period, which support food sustainability, present it to the Clinton Global helped transport the has made successive achieve- Initiative. public around the main ments, reaching this stage Dr Tahra ElObeid, head of destinations in the Cor- after a six-month journey, the Human Nutrition Depart- niche area allowing them according to a QU statement ment, College of Health Sci- to reach their destina- yesterday. QU alumni and Re- ences at QU, confi rmed that tions easily. vive CEO Katiba al-Ghazali, this project is of great impor- This confi rms the inte- chief marketing offi cer Noshin tance from a nutritional and gral role of the Doha Met- Zehra, and chief operating of- economic point of view. Food ro in enhancing the public fi cer, Somaya Youssef devel- production requires the use of transport system, provid- oped the idea, market studies, a lot of natural resources, so ing an eff ective alterna- created prototypes, and net- food loss or waste results in tive means of transporta- worked with diff erent organi- misuse of resources and will tion and facilitation of the sations to set up their startup. have negative environmental movement of individuals. The team which won an impacts. In addition, Doha Metro on-campus stage and reached “This project is very impor- aids the free fl ow of traffi c the top six in the Doha Impact tant as it reduces food loss and avoiding congestion, es- Summit, won the wildcard waste, which leads to better pecially during temporary The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) reopened traff ic on the Corniche Street after a 101-hour temporary closure to facilitate completion of some tour to join the best global ac- resource use effi ciency,” she road closures. construction works. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam celerator programme to win added.