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THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 5 RABIA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8418 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Watch Disney+ Streaming App Originals as a gift Terms & Conditions Apply Ministry approves Amir visits S’hail 2020 exhibition at Katara rotating attendance QNA — DOHA Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid a visit to Katara Interna- system for students tional Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2020), The new system shall be schedule, with compulsory which is held at the attendance starting from Wisdom Square of the applied after the end of November 1 for public and Cultural Village Foun- the midterm exams of private schools according to dation - Katara, yesterday their academic calendar after evening. the first semester, as of the end of the mid-term The Amir viewed the November 1, 2020. exams of the first semester, exhibited falcons, hunting which will start from October and sniping supplies and 25 and no later than the various types of The average attendance November 1, provided that the weapons, equipment and rate in all government, blended education system will products used in hunting, be applied according to the in addition to artboards for private schools and kin- weekly rotating attendance sniping trips. dergartens to be raised schedules. The Amir was briefed by All government and private the officials in charge of to 42% of the capacity schools are obligated to divide the exhibition, which is of schools. the total number of students at being organised in part- one level into classes with a nership with specialised maximum of 15 students per local and international QNA — DOHA class, with adherence to a dis- companies, about the tance of 1.5 meters between exhibited items and the each student and his classmate, accompanied cultural pro- The Ministry of Education and and wearing masks according grammes and heritage Higher Education has decided to the school stage. events that meet the needs to adopt the actual rotating The school shall organise and requirements of fal- attendance system for students the entry and exit of students coners, amateurs and those in government and private from and to the school building Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani touring the Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition interested in this sport in schools and kindergartens, and to prevent crowding and (S’hail 2020), at the Wisdom Square of the Cultural Village Foundation — Katara, yesterday. Qatar and abroad. to cancel the decision to choose maintain social distancing. Stu- between actual attendance or dents with chronic diseases and distance learning. The new have certified medical certifi- system shall be applied after cates are excluded from Cabinet gives nod for summer the end of the midterm exams attendance to the school of the first semester, as of building during the first November 1, 2020. semester. The decision is based on the The Ministry of Education working hours in open workplaces public health indicators related and Higher Education empha- to COVID-19 and the con- sises the need for all adminis- QNA — DOHA The Cabinet approved a safety at work in open spaces that implementation. The preparation tinuous monitoring and eval- trators and teachers to adhere ministerial decision prepared by are exposed to high temperatures of the draft law comes for the uation of the educational to the precautionary measures The Cabinet yesterday approved the Ministry of Administrative that can cause heat and health purpose of reorganising, re- process in light of the pan- and fully cooperate with the a ministerial decision by the Development, Labor and Social stress. arranging and updating the demic, and within the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Administrative Affairs to replace Resolution No. The project included a implementation procedures stip- framework of the general sit- event of discovery or suspicion Development, Labor and Social 16 for the year 2007 of the Min- number of provisions, including ulated in the Code of Civil and uation data, of any case of COVID-19 Affairs to extend the prohibited ister of Civil Service Affairs and limiting working hours for jobs Commercial Procedure by Law The Ministry also decided infection, and to deal firmly in time in open workplaces during Housing, regarding limiting the performed under the sun or in No. 13 of 1990, in line with the to raise the average attendance the event of any violations in summer. working hours in open work- open workplaces during the development that the country is rate in all government and the application of precau- Prime Minister and Minister places during the summer. period from June 1 to September witnessing in various fields, as private schools and kinder- tionary measures in the of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin The project has been pre- 15 annually, and prohibiting work well as benefiting from modern gartens to 42% of the capacity schools, provided that violation Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani pared with the aim of tightening from 10am to 3.30pm. technological means to speed up of schools, in accordance with of these obligations will entail chaired the regular meeting held control over the requirements The Cabinet also approval to judicial implementation proce- the weekly rotating attendance legal action. `P2 at Amiri Diwan. and specifications of health and a draft law on judicial dures. `P2 QTerminals signs pact to acquire port in Turkey

SACHIN KUMAR the fourth quarter of this year. THE PENINSULA “The sale remains conditional, inter alia, upon obtaining certain reg- Qatar’s QTerminals has signed sale ulatory clearances and approvals and purchase agreement with Global from various Turkish governmental Ports Holding, the world’s largest QTerminals, a terminal operating authorities. independent cruise port operator, for company jointly established by The timing of the closing process the acquisition of Port Akdeniz in is uncertain but could be concluded Turkey for an enterprise value of Qatar Ports Management as early as Q4 2020, however there $140m. Company (Mwani) and Qatar can be no certainty as to the final “Global Ports Holding Plc is Navigation (Milaha), has signed outcome. A further announcement pleased to announce that following will be made when it is appropriate a period of exclusive negotiations it sale and purchase agreement to do so,” said the company in the has entered into a conditional sale with Global Ports Holding for the filing. and purchase agreement to sell Earlier this year, QTerminals had Ortadoğu Antalya Liman Işletmeleri acquisition of Port Akdeniz for an won concession for Port of Olvia in (“Port Akdeniz”) to QTerminals enterprise value of $140m. Ukraine. Under the concession, W.L.L., a Qatari commercial port which represents an exceptional operating company, for an enterprise opportunity on developing and oper- value of $140m,” said Global Ports ating world ports, QTerminals will Holding in a regulatory filing to the concession agreement which runs invest some $120m in the port during London Stock Exchange. until August 2028. the concession term of 35 years. QTerminals is a terminal oper- Port Akdeniz-Antalya is a leading According to Global Ports ating company jointly established by commercial cargo export port in Holding, in the year ended December Qatar Ports Management Company Turkey, currently specialising in han- 31, 2019, Port Akdeniz reported con- (Mwani) and Qatar Navigation dling cargo containers and general tainer throughput volumes of (Milaha) to provide port services to and bulk cargo destined for global 150,900 TEU and general and bulk Hamad Port. markets including those in Asia and cargo volumes of 589,000 tonnes, Port Akdeniz, Global Ports Hold- the Middle East. generating revenue of $47.5m and ing’s largest commercial port con- The deal is subject to clearance EBITDA (earnings before interest, cession, operates Port Akdeniz- from Turkish government author- taxes, depreciation, and amorti- Antalya in Turkey, under a ities and is expected to conclude by zation) of $37.4m. YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

GROUP A Inter Milan (ITA) 2-2 Borussia GROUP D Salzburg (AUT) 2-2 Lokomotiv Moenchengladbach (GER) Ajax (NED) 0 -1 Liverpool (ENG) Moscow (RUS) GROUP C Midtjylland (DEN) 0-4 Bayern Munich (GER) 4-0 Atalanta (ITA) Manchester City (ENG) 3-1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) FC Porto (POR) GROUP B Real Madrid (ESP) 2-3 Olympiakos (GRE) 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) Marseille (FRA) 02 HOME THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Amir meets US Treasury Secretary

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yesterday morning with Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, H E Steven Mnuchin, and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they Amir visits S'hail 2020 Exhibition reviewed the strategic cooperation and relations between the two friendly countries and aspects of supporting Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during his visit to Katara International and strengthening them, especially in the economic field. The joint Qatari-US efforts in counter-terrorist financing Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S'hail 2020), yesterday. and related developments, in addition to issues of common concern were also discussed during the meeting. Cabinet gives nod for summer Ministry approves rotating attendance working hours in open workplaces system for students FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 well as the availability of mul- things, is responsible for coor- same attendance rates men- environment given it benefits on The project is expected to tiple options for conservative dinating work between all the It is also permissible, with tioned. In the schools that the academic achievement and contribute to creating an envi- and executive measures, the entities working at Hamad the prior approval of the Private include a small number of stu- the psychological and social ronment attractive for facilitation of procedures, the International Airport, to facil- Schools Affairs Department of dents equal to the approved per- aspects of the students, as the investment through the provision of adequate safe- itate the operations and activ- the Ministry of Education and centages, attendance for all stu- interaction within the school speedy implementation of guards for or against the exe- ities of air transport, as well Higher Education, to apply the dents shall be 100% five days a class between students and judicial rulings, in addition to cuter and others, and the as the movement of aircraft, two-shift system in private week, provided that the number teachers on the one hand and contributing to securing the establishment of a fund for passengers, goods and mail to schools and kindergartens on a of students in one class does not among the students themselves rapid and continuous payment court trusts. and from the state, in daily basis to cover the schooling exceed 15 students with a main- on the other hand strengthens of family expenses, and The Cabinet also reviewed accordance with applicable hours in the school or kinder- tained distance of 1.5 meters the students’ mental abilities and addressing the phenomenon the following issues and took laws and regulations, and to garten through the attendance between students. contribute to the success of the of issuing cheques without the appropriate decisions in provide the necessary require- of students in two periods, pro- The schools will provide stu- educational process. balance, given that the check their regard: ments to facilitate the work of vided that the attendance rate dents with the rotating The Ministry underlines that is a direct executive document 1. The sixth report on the the airport activities. does not exceed 42% in one schedules that clarify the days the health and safety of its stu- under which the implemen- work of the Coordination 2. The results of the period, whether in classrooms of attendance to the school dents, teaching staff, adminis- tation is carried out without Committee between the meeting held on the sidelines or in the school as a whole, with building and the days in which tration and all school personnel the need to file lawsuits. entities working at Hamad of the 75th session of the the emphasis on thoroughly dis- they will receive distance is an utmost priority, and that it Among the provisions International Airport from United Nations General infecting surfaces between the learning, according to each takes, in cooperation with the included in the draft law are April 1 to September 30 of Assembly, on addressing the two periods. school stage. The Ministry authorities concerned headed provisions related to the 2020. impact of coronavirus Specialised and technical affirms that these amendments by the Ministry of Public Health, establishment of an inde- This Committee, estab- (COVID-19) on future gener- schools, schools for people with serve the interest of students all measures and procedures to pendent court where imple- lished in the General Authority ations, (September of 2020 via special needs, and village and work on their gradual protect the students and ensure mentation shall take place, as of Civil Aviation, among other video conferencing). schools are committed to the return to the school their safety. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 03 Prime Minister meets US Treasury Secretary Cabinet condemns new QNA — DOHA Israeli settlements in Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani occupied West Bank met yesterday with Secretary of the Treasury of the United QNA — DOHA States, H E Steven Mnuchin, The Cabinet called and the accompanying dele- on the international gation. Prime Minister and Minister During the meeting, they of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid community to move reviewed the strategic relations bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al swiftly and decisively between the two countries and Thani chaired yesterday the the prospects for their devel- Cabinet’s regular meeting to stop Israeli opment, especially in the areas held at its seat at the Amiri settlement activity in related to combating terrorism Diwan. and its financing means, in Following the meeting, occupied Palestinian addition to a number of issues Minister of Justice and Acting land. of mutual interest. Minister of State for Cabinet Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani meeting Attorney-General H E Dr. Ali Affairs H E Dr. Issa bin Saad with Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, H E Steven Mnuchin, yesterday. bin Fattis Al Marri also met yes- Al Jafali Al Nuaimi said that at authorities in recent years to terday the US Secretary of the the outset of the meeting, the protect the financial system Treasury. reviewed a number of issues of two friendly countries and ways field of countering terrorism Cabinet condemned the Israeli of Qatar and the world. The During the meeting, they common concern between the to enhance cooperation in the and money-laundering. government’s decision to strategy will serve as a build thousands of new set- roadmap to achieve the state’s tlement units in the occupied ambition of becoming a leader MoPH: 266 new Ministry of Defence concludes Infantry Competition West Bank, challenging inter- in combating these crimes. national law, particularly UN The national strategy is COVID-19 cases, Security Council Resolution focused on limiting threats no. 2334 issued on December related to money laundering 227 recoveries 23 of 2016. and financing of terrorism, in The Cabinet called on the addition to enhancing the THE PENINSULA — DOHA international community to capabilities in dealing with move swiftly and decisively the challenges discovered The Ministry of Public Health to stop Israeli settlement during the national risk (MoPH) yesterday announced activity in occupied Pales- assessment process. the registration of 266 new tinian land, as it is the greatest The strategy’s goals are: confirmed cases of COVID-19 challenge facing peace, and Continue investigating local in the country. Among them undermines the two-state and international financial 36 were travellers returning solution. flow at a strategic level in from abroad. The Cabinet reiterated the order to limit related risks. Also 227 people have State of Qatar’s firm position Combating illegal financing recovered from the virus, of supporting the rights of the through investigation, prose- bringing the total number of Palestinian people, led by cutions, and confiscating the recovered cases in Qatar to their right to establish an crime’s proceeds. Combating 127,093. independent state according illegal financing through The Ministry has also to the 1967 borders with East effective regulation. Enhancing announced one new death due Al Quds as its capital. transparency. Enhancing the to COVID-19 of a person aged Afterwards, the Cabinet collection and analysis of sta- 78, who was receiving medical was briefed by H E Minister tistics at a national level. care. of Public Health on the latest Enhancing the capabilities of All new cases have been developments in the efforts to national authorities in com- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al introduced to isolation and are contain the spread of the bating illegal financing. Attiyah, and Chief of Staff H E Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem at the receiving necessary healthcare coronavirus (COVID-19). The The Cabinet directed the according to their health concluding ceremony of the Infantry Competition of the Armed Forces. Cabinet stressed on the authorities designated with status. importance of precautionary combating money laundering, The Ministry further said QNA — DOHA Prime Minister and Minister of which was supervised by the measures in combating the terrorism financing, and that measures to tackle State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Armed Forces Performances epidemic. financing of weapons of mass COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- The Ministry of Defence Khalid bin Mohammed Al and Music Center. The General The Cabinet then was destruction, to implement the ceeded in flattening the curve concluded yesterday the Attiyah, in the presence of Chief Command Support Force won briefed on the strategy to strategy in order to protect the and limiting the spread of the Infantry Competition for the of Staff H E Lieutenant General first place in the overall evalu- combat money laundering, integrity and safety of the virus. Armed Forces for the year (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al ation of the competition, while financing terrorism and the national financial system, The number of daily new 2020, which is being held for Ghanem. the Armed Forces Music Bat- proliferation of weapons of which would in turn enhance cases and hospital admissions the 43rd time in a row. A total of 12 units from dif- talion Parade Center won mass destruction for 2020 to economic growth by imple- has gradually declined over The competition was held ferent units of the armed forces second place, while the Military 2025, which reflects the menting the best international the past few weeks. under the patronage of Deputy participated in the competition, Police unit came third. intensive efforts of national practices in the field. Rotational learning system will cut school dropout rate: Officials SANAULLAH ATAULLAH & infected outside the school Health (MoPH) after assessment SIDI MOHAMED environment,” said Al Khal. of the situation of COVID-19 in THE PENINSULA He added: “We expect to get the community giving top pri- the vaccine produced by Pfizer ority to the safety of students Zero COVID-19 mortality rate company before the end of the and school staff. and less than one percent year if it is approved, but it may Al Madhahka said that the infection rate among school also be delayed until the presence of students in class- students, and very reassuring beginning of 2021.” rooms is very important situation of COVID-19 in schools Regarding cases detected in because it connects them men- encouraged the Ministry of some schools, he noted: “If tally, physically and socially Education and Higher coronavirus cases are detected reducing absences which causes Education to increase the in three classrooms or if the 5 sitting at homes. “The attendance of students in percent of school staff is attendance of the students in schools to 42 percent from infected, the school would be government and private schools November 1 with a goal to closed completely for two is different from one stage to reduce the school dropouts. weeks.” other and as per the school Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal; and Director of the Educational This came in a joint press “A total of 20 schools have capacity but we put ceiling that Guidance Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Moza Al Madhahka, addressing conference of the Ministry of been closed so far due to coro- the number of students should Public Health (MoPH) and the navirus, in addition to 1,040 a press conference, yesterday. not be more than 42 percent,” Ministry of Education and classrooms,” he added. said Al Madhahka. Higher Education on Qatar TV Talking about his expec- professional residents and their He said that the percentage good for quality education. “We decided to increase the yesterday to explain the tation of more waves of families.” of intensive cases that enter She said that parents also number of students in class- COVID-19 situation in the com- infection, Al Khal said: “Epide- About the number of cases hospitals daily is one of the showed interest in classroom rooms as per the situation in the munity, especially in schools miologists in Qatar do not in schools, he said, “The number important indicators that the learning when they came to community based on the infor- and the new rotational learning expect a new wave, but the of infected cases in schools is Ministry of Public Health mon- know negative impact of mation provided by the MoPH.” system. picture will become clear about considered very less compared itors. “The average cases that absence of students from She said that rotational Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair the possibility of a new wave of to the total number of students enter hospitals daily is 40, and school. “The attendance of the learning system means a group of the National Strategic Group the virus during the next four to who go to school daily. Students which is slightly more than the students increased 10 percent of students to go to schools in a on COVID-19 and Head of the eight weeks.” are also examined in cases of last week.” which gives good gesture to week and other group to next Infectious Diseases Division at The situation in Qatar, Dr. contact with an infected person Director of the Educational take the step of implementing week with the continuation dis- Hamad Medical Corporation, Al Khal said, is considered or by the random examination Guidance Department at the new system,” said Al tance learning for those at home said that so far no child has died stable, and between 200-300 conducted by the Ministry of Ministry of Education and Madhahka. waiting for their turn to go in Qatar due to COVID-19. cases are being recorded in the Public Health.” Higher Education, Moza Al She said that the Ministry schools. Moza Al Madhahka “Only four children have country daily. “The number of “The total number of Madhahka, said that the Min- decided to increase the rate of urged the parents to play their been admitted to the intensive infected cases in the last week infected cases among school istry decided to implement the students’ attendance and pre- roles in supporting the Ministry care unit due to the virus. Also, has increased slightly from the students is less than one new rotational learning system pared the plan in this regard of Education and Higher Edu- the vast majority of children previous week, and most of the percent, and this is a small per- to decrease the school dropout based on the information pro- cation to overcome the crisis of with virus infection were cases were among Qataris, centage,” he said. as much as possible as it is not vided by the Ministry of Public COVID-19. Sidra Medicine to HMC opens medical clinic at Sealine for camping season offer COVID-19 THE PENINSULA — DOHA COVID-19 pandemic and he “The clinic is located on a medications needed to manage Ambulance Service, Saleh M. Al urged campers to adhere to main road adjacent to the busy injuries, but cases of urgent or Marri, said through working testing Hamad Medical Corporation COVID-19 preventive measures, beach, resort, mosque, shopping serious nature are usually closely with other government (HMC) will open its medical including social distancing, area, and other services and transported to hospital by entities, high quality healthcare THE PENINSULA — DOHA clinic in the Sealine area today. wearing masks, and regular amenities in the area and this ambulance or the LifeFlight hel- services were available to The clinic will operate from handwashing, and other safety enables easy access to the clinic icopter, depending on the campers in the Sealine resort Sidra Medicine has been 3pm on Thursdays until 5pm on precautions. and has enabled the team to severity of the injury or illness,” and surrounding areas. confirmed as a COVID-19 Saturdays throughout the Al Khater said that the clinic provide first aid services to the Dr. Ghareeb said. “Ambulance Service cov- testing centre by the Ministry camping season and will remain plays an important role in public in a fast and effective “The clinic — staffed by a erage in the Sealine area of Public Health and will offer open until the official end of the serving the public in this major manner,” Al Khater said. physician, a nurse and a operates 24/7 with two standard PCR testing as a private paid camping season. tourism and camping area, Medical Supervisor at the medical supervisor — receives response vehicles as well as two service. HMC’s Chief Communica- praising the long-standing Sealine Medical Clinic, Hamid all types of medical emer- 4x4 vehicles which are The service will be tions Officer and Project cooperation between HMC and Ghareeb said the facility was gencies and is served by a deployed for transporting available by appointment only, Manager of the Sealine Medical the Ministry of Municipality and equipped to handle injuries and helipad for easy LifeFlight patients from the sand dune which can be made by calling Clinic, Ali Abdulla Al Khater, Environment who facilitated administer first aid to campers access. Assistant Executive areas to either the clinic, a 4003 3333. The cost of the said the camping season coin- providing an ideal location of and visitors. “The clinic features Director for Events and Emer- standard ambulance vehicle, or service is QR500. Results are cides this year with the ongoing the clinic. all the medical equipment and gency Preparedness at HMC’s to the helipad,” Al Marri said. delivered within 24 hours. 04 HOME THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 MoPH organises workshops on new growth plans prepared by WHO QNA — DOHA schemes programme in the Min- It is noteworthy that the use of istry of Public Health and the growth charts for children in the age The Ministry of Public Health, is Primary Health Care Corporation, group from birth to age five years has organising two workshops this week to train them on how to implement been applied since 2010 in the clinics on new growth plans prepared by school student growth monitoring of a healthy child in PHCC centers. the World Health Organisation for and to use the new growth charts The two workshops include students between the age of 5 to 19 approved by the World Health training on how to use and apply years in public schools in Qatar. Organization. new growth charts, early detection The workshops will be held on The two workshops are part of of malnutrition cases that include Friday and Saturday, in cooperation the National Action Plan for Nutrition overweight or underweight, growth with the Ministry of Education and and Physical Activity in the State of problems for students, provision of Higher Education and the Hamad Qatar (2017-2022), which aims to a database for students’ growth of Medical Corporation (HMC), and reduce the burden of obesity and the both genders, and building a system Primary Health Care Corporation associated chronic non-communi- that monitors and monitors their (PHCC). cable diseases, such as cardiovas- health status, especially overweight Workshops will aim at new cular diseases, diabetes, and high and obesity cases, and how to record nursing cadres in all public schools blood pressure among members of data and keep it within the students Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, participating of various educational levels and the Qatari community, citizens and health file in the schools health in the 33rd Session of Arab Transport Ministers' Council via videoconferencing, yesterday. supervisors of the new growth residents. clinic.

Kia Carnival Qatar attends session of Arab (VQ) 2011-2015 Transport Ministers’ Council

models recalled THE PENINSULA — DOHA transportation between Arab countries THE PENINSULA — DOHA within the framework of the Belt and The State of Qatar, represented by a dele- Road Initiative, the Convention on the Ministry of Commerce and gation chaired by Minister of Transport and Regulation of Transit Traffic among the Industry announced recall Communications, H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Arab League States and proposed solu- of Kia Carnival (VQ) models Al Sulaiti, attended the 33rd Session of Arab tions for challenges faced by land trans- of 2011-2015 Transport Ministers’ Council and the 25th portation sector in Arab countries. The Ministry of Com- General Assembly’s Ministerial Session of Furthermore, the session also discussed merce and Industry, in the Arab Academy for Science, Technology several matters relating to maritime and cooperation with Al-Attiya and Maritime Transport (AASTMT). The two air transportation in Arab countries such Motors and Trading events were held yesterday morning via as a draft convention on regulating mar- Company, dealer of Kia in videoconferencing and attended by several itime transportation of passengers and Qatar, announces the Arab ministers and officials. cargo and the economic role of shipbuilding recall of Kia Carnival (VQ) The 33rd Session of Arab Transport and ship repair industry. Other key topics models of 2011-2015 over Minister’ Council opened with Mauri- discussed the convention on mutual fuel rail may develop a tanian Minister of Equipment and exemptions on taxation and customs duties small crack which can Transport, H E Mohamedou Ahmedou on Arab air transport’s activities and cause a fuel leak. M’haimid handing over the session chair- equipment and expanding the membership The recall campaign personship to the Republic of Yemen. of the ICAO Council and ICAO Air Navi- Qatar, Oman review cooperation comes within the Their excellencies the ministers dis- gation Commission. framework of the Ministry’s cussed ways of cooperation among Arab At the AASTMT General Assembly Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al continuous efforts to States in transportation – one of the most meeting, their excellencies the ministers Busaidi, met with Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Sultanate of Oman, H E protect consumers and vital service industries with close and discussed the recommendations of the Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. During the meeting, they reviewed the ensure that car dealers direct connection to all other Executive Council of AASTMT at its 39th relations between the two countries, in addition to issues of joint interest. follow up on vehicle defects industries. and 40th sessions, in addition to several and repairs. They also discussed boosting land Academy organisational matters. Msheireb Downtown Doha hosts Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ event

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ event Msheireb Downtown Doha, the smart and most sustainable city in is hosted at Msherieb Qatar, has launched the first edition Downtown annually with a of Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ event different concept every year. and “In Downtown” exhibition during October. This year, the event features a Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ event unique new ice cream concept is hosted at Msherieb Downtown presented for the first time in annually with a different concept every year. This year, the event fea- Qatar, where families can enjoy tures a unique new ice cream a wide variety of flavours concept presented for the first time offered by the city’s prestigious in Qatar, where families can enjoy a wide variety of flavours offered by retail brands. The event also the city’s prestigious retail brands. hosts the Music Affairs Center The event also hosts the Music Affairs Center to play magical music to play magical music pieces The “In Downtown” exhibition featuring 17 artists from Qatar is open to the pieces creating a beautiful ambiance. creating a beautiful ambiance. Al Sikka ‘Gourmet Street’ started public from 4pm to 9pm at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb. yesterday and is open from 4pm to 11pm. Doha has launched the “In collaboration with Alhosh Gallery In addition, Msheireb Downtown Downtown” exhibition in and the support of Seashore Qatar. The exhibition is open to the public for free and features 17 artists from Qatar who display a collection of their portraits and artworks. The exhibition takes place at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb and is open from 4pm to 9pm. Maryam Al Jassem, Communi- cations and PR Manager of Msheireb Properties, said: “We are pleased to organize this com- munity activation in an open-air space to enjoy a new concept of an ice cream presented by our brands at Msheireb Downtown Doha. It is part of our social responsibility to offer our local community a place to enjoy their time in a safe environment.” “Besides, our new “In Downtown” exhibition will be a unique art exhibition by local artists showcasing their latest collections. We appreciate Alhosh Gallery and Seashore Qatar for their kind col- laboration in making this event happen. Msheireb Properties encourages art and creativity and supports the creative community to spread its creations to the broader audience”. Msheireb Downtown Doha is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, reviving the old commercial heart of the city through a new architectural language. The environmentally con- scious development blends tradi- tional Qatari heritage and aes- thetics with modern technology. From design and planning to the delivery of infrastructure and transportation, through to improving overall lifestyle, the city aims to provide a place where it is enjoyable to live, work, shop, visit, and spend time with family and friends. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 05 Showcasing Arab, int’l content key to beIN’s entertainment strategy THE PENINSULA – DOHA and Warner Bros. The competition, Al Obaidly said, “Our lifestyle shows include a host Offering Arab and international content provides the perfect platform for of options for people across all age to the audience has been an integral upcoming and established Arab groups, including channels like beIN part of beIN’s entertainment strategy, Gourmet, JeemTV, Baraem, beIN says Yousef Al Obaidly (pictured), storytellers to showcase their Series, beIN Drama, Nat Geo Wild, Al Group CEO of beIN Media Group. talent to a global audience. Jazeera Documentary and BBC Earth “Storytelling and showcasing among others. And we also constantly compelling Arab and international place great importance on Arab family content have been at the heart of values and original content – we look beIN’s entertainment strategy and for bespoke content that speaks to the growth,” stressed Al Obaidly while whole Arab region and that is true and talking about beIN’s partnership with authentic to our heritage,” he said. SundanceTV. beIN has built a great base where beIN is the exclusive broadcast it is now considered the home of enter- partner of SundanceTV in the Middle tainment in Mena. East and North Africa (Mena) and In March 2016 it acquired recently it also became the official Miramax, one of Hollywood’s best- GCC Justice Ministers hold meeting partner for SundanceTV’s first edition known independent film and tele- The State of Qatar participated in the 30th meeting of Their Excellencies Ministers of of “Shorts” competition in the region. vision studios and in August 2016, it Justice in the GCC countries, which was held yesterday via video conferencing. Qatar’s The competition, Al Obaidly said, acquired Digiturk, the leading pay-TV delegation to the meeting was headed by Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of provides the perfect platform for operator in Turkey. upcoming and established Arab sto- “Looking ahead, strategic partner- State for Cabinet Affairs, H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi. The meeting dealt rytellers to showcase their talent to a amid COVID-19 lockdown earlier this ships are absolutely key – both in with a number of draft laws and guiding regulations, in addition to a number of global audience. year, when sport stopped completely. Mena and internationally. The collab- agreements, including the agreement on extradition of accused and convicted persons “We’re immensely proud at beIN “Due to our fantastic enter- orations and deals we have signed between GCC countries. The development of the GCC Convention for the Execution to be involved in this initiative with tainment offering in Mena, we could with Warner Bros. and BBC Studios – of Judgments, Delegations and Judicial Notifications, as well as the reports of the SundanceTV, as we continue to build keep our viewers entertained at a time to name just two – are testament to committees concerned with cooperation projects between the ministries of justice partnerships with world-class sports when they needed some light relief this, and we’ll continue partnering with in the GCC countries were also discussed during the meeting. and entertainment organisations, both the most. At the end of the day, the best-in-class organisations in in Mena and all around the world,” he premium is king – whether sports or entertainment,” he said. said. beIN is world-renowned for entertainment content – that’s what “Of course, OTT is also key – giving Closure of main carriageway on Al Wukair Road sport, but is also a growing power- we focus on,” he said. consumers the flexibility to watch house in entertainment. Overall beIN has more than 180 what they want, when they want, THE PENINSULA — DOHA to enable completion of upgrading works “Sport and entertainment are two channels available to subscribers, wherever they are. Our OTT platform, on Al Wukair Road, as part of the Interim sides of the same coin; both have the including blockbuster movies, tele- beIN CONNECT, is well established in The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has Road Improvements in Doha South - same purpose, and both are comple- vision and drama series, lifestyle and Mena providing a great digital gateway announced the closure of the main Phase 2. During this time, traffic on Al mentary to each other... Our audiences children’s programming – both inter- to all the action at everyone’s fin- carriageway of Al Wukair Road in both Wukair Road will be diverted to parallel are at the core of everything we do at national and Arabic. Its entertainment gertips. However, they say that inno- directions, for 0.6 km between Al Wakra two-lane-service road. beIN, and enhancing their viewing expe- portfolio, which is supported by a vation never stands still and we’re con- Health Center Roundabout and Al Wakra The Public Works Authority will install rience is our top priority,” he stressed. great “video on demand” service, stantly working on enhancing our OTT Hospital Roundabout. road signs advising motorists of the tem- By offering diverse content that includes brands such as the iconic platform in line with the latest tech- In coordination with the General Direc- porary closure. Ashghal requests all road suits varied tastes interests, beIN was Miramax studio, Turner, DreamWorks nologies – there will be some exciting torate of Traffic, this change will be imple- users to abide by the speed limit, and follow able to engage and entertain viewers Animation, CBS Studios International news on this soon,” he ended. mented today for a period of 3 months, the road signs to ensure their safety. QU College of Health Sciences holds nutrition education programme THE PENINSULA — DOHA The COVID-19 disease has and administrators in 20 schools. and active lifestyle to strengthen sound immune system that The webinar provided many affected families’ diet, food More than 100 people attended the immune system. Many factors begins at a young age is crucial tips to schedule meals, prepare The Department of Human choices, and general physical the webinar, including school can weaken the immune system, to deter health risks related to lunch boxes, engage in daily fun Nutrition at the College of Health activity. Therefore, the program staff, parents, and children. The such as an incomplete diet, an various diseases and their causes, activities, and offer specialised Sciences, a member of QU-Health emphasised the importance of webinar included a presentation, unorganised sleep pattern, including viruses. strategies designed to deal with at Qatar University (QU), recently good nutrition and physical activities, and a question-and- exposure to pollution, and a lack Teaching Assistants at the picky eaters. “It was a very organised the Smart Start activity in supporting the immune answer section at the end. of fresh air or sunlight. Department of Human Nutrition informative webinar that programme. Smart Start is a system. Due to social distancing The symposium discussed The immune system protects AJazi AlQahtani and Aya included strategies designed to nutrition education programme requirements, the Smart Start this several main areas: foods that the human body from pathogenic Hamdan, emphasized the impor- help incorporate healthy eating promoting a healthy lifestyle and year was virtual and targeted support the immune system, the microbes, such as bacteria and tance of including all food groups habits which boost immunity in targeting school children in Qatar. children, parents, school teachers, importance of adopting a healthy viruses. The development of a to boost immunity. such pandemic,” a parent said. COVID-19 response prevented over a million extra cases: Dr. Al Khal THE PENINSULA — DOHA to a family and to the country, and is an extremely sad loss. More than a million COVID-19 However, with excellent infections have been prevented standards of care and early by the steps Qatar has taken to detection and treatment, we have combat the pandemic, one of the kept mortality rates very low. country’s leading health officials The response of the healthcare has told a webinar organised by system on criticality and mor- a Qatar Foundation partner tality has been remarkable.” university. Dr. Al Khal told the webinar Deputy Chief Medical Officer that the preparedness of Qatar’s at Hamad Medical Corporation healthcare system — in terms of (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, both personnel and infra- explained during an Al Maerifa structure — meant it was able to Pubic Seminar hosted by Texas rapidly expand the number of A&M University at Qatar that Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal speaking acute care beds available, without the restrictions and at the webinar. redeploy staff, and treat public health measures put in COVID-19 cases in dedicated place when COVID-19 struck, the measures been taken,” Dr. Al facilities. “The emphasis on impact of the virus on Qatar Khal told the event, titled Qatar’s broad testing, coupled with would have been so serious that Response to the COVID-19 Pan- proactive early treatment, may it would have overwhelmed the demic: Lessons Learned. also have limited the number of nation’s healthcare system. “Without implementing people who went on to require Instead, he said, the country restrictions and public health hospitalisation or develop severe has been able to stay resilient measures, the peak of the pan- or critical disease,” he added. and avoid having to prioritise demic would have come very Speaking about what Qatar care for some patients over quickly and with a much larger has learned from COVID-19, Dr. others, while recording one of number of infections. We can Al Khal said: “The pandemic has the world’s lowest COVID-19 only imagine what the impact on been devastating for the whole mortality rates — and taking our healthcare system would world, but nevertheless positives some positives for the future. have been if one million more have come out of it. It has dem- “Due to the interventions we people had been affected, but our onstrated that being prepared implemented, we flattened the interventions led to an estimated does help, and in Qatar we have curve to the extent that the peak 77 percent reduction in daily been preparing again and again number of infections was 79 acute care hospital for pandemics and have percent lower than it would have admissions.” strengthened our infrastructure been had no public health “Every death means so much in order to deal with them.” HBKU hosts special economic zones workshop THE PENINSULA — DOHA international investment and trade Legal Officer (Interim) of the Qatar law to special economic zones; Free Zones Authority, also partic- The ability of the College of Law human rights, labor and tax issues; ipated as chair of one of the ses- at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and intra-zone dispute resolution. sions. For its part, HBKU College (HBKU) to foster dialogue and Academic participants of Law was represented by Dr. collaboration with like-minded included Julien Chaisse, Professor Georgios Dimitropoulos, Associate global institutions was recently of Law, City University of Hong Professor of Law, who was the co- demonstrated at a one-day Kong School of Law (also a co- convener of the workshop. collaborative online workshop. convener of the workshop), and Speaking after the workshop, Took place on October 18, Irma Mosquera, Associate Pro- Susan L. Karamanian, Dean of Special Economic Zones in Inter- fessor, Leiden Law School. An HBKU College of Law, said: “As a national Economic Law: Towards international organization per- country with two special economic Unilateral Economic Law, attracted spective was provided by Douglas zone regimes, Qatar has more than renowned academics. Organized in Zeng, a Senior Economist in the a passing interest in the legal collaboration with the School of World Bank’s Financial and instruments and mechanisms that Law at the City University of Hong Private Sector Development underpin their commercial activ- Kong, the workshop consisted of a Department of the Africa Region. ities and operations. The same is series of presentations clustered Private sector insights came also true of our neighbors and around specific research streams. courtesy of Politas Consulting’s those countries represented here These included: the application of Morial Shah. Huw Davies, Chief by workshop participants. ” DOHA TODAY

06 THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Rambling through desert with Qatar Natural History Group

ANISHA BIJUKUMAR THE PENINSULA frequently organising talks and field trips that include nature walk, birdwatching, astronomy, archae- The group offers insight When leaf-nosed snake (Lyto- ological rambles, etc. into the culture, history, rhynchus Diadema) and a sea slug Founded in 1978, QNHG activ- nature, and archaeology belonging to the Chromodoris ities take place from October to species, were first spotted in Qatar, June, the time when the country of the country by playing a key role in their docu- experiences the best weather frequently organising mentation were the members of a outdoors. talks and field trips 40-year-old volunteer group Qatar Chairman of the group Dr Natural History Group (QNHG). Thierry Lesales said he learned that include nature An active, and probably the about the group online, before walk, birdwatching, oldest volunteer group in Qatar, moving to Qatar six years back, astronomy, archaeological QNHG brings together people with and started volunteering as soon a curious mind about the natural as he was in the country. “We’re rambles, etc. environment of the country. always curious about the envi- The group offers insight into ronment, and during our outings, the culture, history, nature, and we are eager to learn more about Some QNHG members have made archaeology of the country by every species that we can observe. some interesting contributions to recording Qatar’s fauna and flora. QNHG members on one For instance, in 1999, we had the of their trips. first recording of the Leaf-nosed snake, Lytorhynchus Diadema, and in 2007, the discovery of a sea slug, walks in the desert, winter belonging to the Chromodoris camping, desert driving workshop species.” and stargazing events. Due to “Throughout its activities, and COVID-19, most of the outdoor over the years, I believe the group events will be restricted to a has allowed generations of expats limited number of people, Dr and Qataris to have a better under- Lesales said. standing of the rich natural and Apart from learning and historical heritage of the peninsula. gaining knowledge, the group Experts and scientists deliver pres- members have contributed to entations based on the latest society through their Citizen knowledge on a specific topic. So, Science Project. it’s always interesting to learn “We invite community about the recent discoveries on a members to participate in this pro- species or the results of new gramme by sharing pictures of archaeological digs,” he adds. animals, birds or even lizards that The group had busy sessions they spot outdoors to map the flora in August and September with bird and fauna of Qatari desert, which watching, walks in the desert, and is then added to our database and stargazing events all with social shared with research organisa- distancing in place. tions,” Dr Lesales, who holds a In the coming months, it has doctorate degree in geography, planned a mix of birdwatching, told The Peninsula. QF honours VCUarts Qatar faculty member for innovation in nanotechnology Ultra-modern operating THE PENINSULA — DOHA achievement from QF. available in the market, the theaters Dr. Saoud said that this inno- product will help architects and Qatar Foundation recently vation resulted from twenty-odd builders design energy-saving res- honored Dr. Khaled Saoud, a years of research into nanotech- idences and structures.” Professor of Physics, Liberal Arts nology, including his investigations Dr. Saoud’s aerogel innovation and Sciences program, Virginia at VCUarts Qatar. has been officially granted the Commonwealth University School “I have always been fascinated status of patent number US 9, 745 of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts by the applications of nanotech- , 439 B1 by United States Patent, Qatar), for an innovation in nology in daily life,” Dr. Saoud said. and the patent is in the name of nanotechnology that was granted “The possibilities are immense. In VCUarts Qatar. Research associate a US patent. this case, the patented aerogel was Dr. Shaukat Saeed from the QF recognized Dr. Saoud’s created by manipulating nanopar- Pakistan Institute of Engineering achievement at a virtual QF Inno- ticles to create porous material and Applied Sciences assisted in vation Showcase, titled ‘Empow- (pore size 2-50 nm). This material the project. ering Innovation’, where his can be used as a thermal insulation The VCUarts Qatar physicist State-of-the-art ambulance invention – a cost-effective rapid coating that can be applied or had already been granted patents fleet fabrication method to produce sprayed onto surfaces, preventing for other innovations developed ultra-light and mechanically infrared rays or heat from passing Dr. Khaled Saoud during his tenure as a researcher robust silica thermo-resistant through. at Phillip Morris USA, and his alma aerogel material was part of the “Aerogels are good thermal engines, aerospace, footwear, mater, Virginia Commonwealth Wall of Innovation. The wall dis- insulators because they can block clothing for extremely cold condi- University in Richmond, Virginia. played the 70-odd international heat transfer (convection, con- tions, and resin for 3D printing. ‘Empowering Innovation’ is a patents granted to various QF duction, and radiation) as they are “For instance, when applied on two-day virtual event organized researchers over the years. composed almost entirely of air, the external surfaces of a building, by QF Research Development and Dr. Saoud, who, incidentally, an inferior heat conductor. it can deflect heat rays from Innovation’s (QF RDI) office of is the first faculty member from “Furthermore, the material passing through surfaces such as Industry Development and VCUarts Qatar to be granted a developed in our laboratory has doors, windows, and walls, Knowledge Transfer (IDKT) that patent for an innovation – also promising applications across allowing indoor temperatures to will feature worldwide patents received a Patent Plaque com- fields such as fire protection of be maintained at lower energy granted to Qatar Foundation memorating this specific research structures, internal combustion costs. When it is eventually inventors in recent years. Highly-advanced patient MES kindergarten information systems DPS-MIS felicitates Grade X & XII toppers students learn cultural THE PENINSULA — DOHA percentage for both the batches endeavours, carrying forward the of 2019-20. legacy of their alma mater. resources virtually DPS-Modern Indian School Najah Ismail, the school topper The Principal, Asna Nafees, THE PENINSULA — DOHA organised a virtual award in Grade XII , secured the coveted in her address, congratulated the ceremony to honour the merito- position of the Gulf Topper in the star performers of Grade X and rious students of Grade X & XII science stream with an aggregate XII and expressed her pride in With an objective to learn about the (2019-20) whose persistent quest of 98.6 percentage. In Grade X, receiving the award of ‘excellence natural and cultural resources of the for success, dedication, sincerity DPS-MIS school toppers grabbed in academics’ in the Gulf region harsh desert climate of Southern and perseverance led them bask the first three positions in Qatar. on behalf of the students for eight California and to understand the in the glory of excellence and Sriram Malarvizhi Kumaran and consecutive years. unique adaptations of plants and achieve the seemingly impossible Sudharsan Podhala Gopikrishna “In 2019-20, DPS-MIS has animals in the desert and geology, goals with ease and certitude. earned the title of Qatar Toppers outperformed again with Gulf the sudents of MES Kindergarten had The solemn occasion was vir- with 98.2%. topper in Grade XII and Qatar a virtual field trip to Joshua Tree tually graced by the chief guest Speaking on the occasion toppers in Grade X’ said she, ‘and National Park, California on October Cutting-edge treatments for Vice-President DPS-MIS,Yasir Vice-President DPS-MIS, Yasir the healthy school average 20, 2020. Nainar; distinguished members Nainar lavished praises on the between 85-90 is a clear indi- Park Ranger and the guest cancer of DPS-MIS executive committee; high achievers and advised them cation of the fact that the last speaker from Joshua Tree National Principal, Asna Nafees; Vice Prin- to remain tenacious, committed student is not left out,” said Asna Park, Simone, shared the interesting cipals, Headmistress, key func- and resolute in their future Nafees. information about the plants’ and At Hamad Medical Corporation we tionaries, proud parents and the animals’ adaptation in desert. are utilizing advanced technology and young achievers. It was an interactive session, The programme commenced during which children understood innovative systems to deliver the highest with a prayer by Saumya Murgai, the time difference between the two quality care to Qatar’s population. a student of Grade XI. The high- countries; it was sunset in Qatar lights of Grade XII and X results whereas it was sun rise in were presented by Academic California. Coordinator Grade XI & XII, Rakhi The kids also had the opportunity www.hamad.qa Mishra, and Academic Coordi- to see the real shell of tortoise, skin nator Grade IX & X, Vijayshree of Coyote and horns of wild horn Nair. sheep. DPS-MIS once again proved Students and teachers of kinder- its mettle and maintained the garten enjoyed the virtual field trip legacy of achieving impeccable and got to know the stunning beauty and exemplary 100 pass of the desert and its vegetation. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 DOHA TODAY 07 AMUAAQ virtually celebrates Sir Syed Day 2020 in Doha Spread awareness THE PENINSULA - DOHA The Aligarh Muslim University not infection Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) an associate organ- isation (AO) of ICBF under the FAZEENA SALEEM prevention and control starts aegis of the Embassy of India- THE PENINSULA from me and you,” she said. Qatar, virtually celebrated the The Ministry of Public 203rd birth anniversary of the Each of us - patients, families, and Health (MoPH) and health sector university founder ‘Sir Syed healthcare personnel - have an institutions are observing Qatar Ahmad Khan’ on October 17, important role to play a role in Infection Control Week from 2020. keeping patients safe from October 18-24, under the slogan, The event was held under infection. First and foremost, ‘Breaking the Infection Chain’. the managing committee of know the basics of infection The theme and activities during Aligarh Muslim University prevention. Whether in a the week highlight that Aligarh Alumni Association healthcare facility or in the COVID-19 has shown the world Qatar presided by Jawed community, there are things what is always known — Ahmad. healthcare professionals, patients, infection preventionists are Ambassador of India to and family members can do to essential to keeping the world Qatar H E Dr. Deepak Mittal; stay safe from infections. safe. In addition to all the usual Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi, Infection prevention and suspects including healthcare- Manish Sisodia and Principal control has always been an associated infections, resur- ZHCET and Chairman Alumni important part of public health gence in measles outbreaks and Affairs Committee Aligarh Prof. and safety. But as the global fight flu season. MM Sufyan Beg graced the Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal, and Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi, Manish Sisodia, against COVID-19 rages on, the According to Director of the event. Over 1,200 alumni and with other participants during virtual celebration of Sir Syed Day 2020 and 100 Years of AMU. world’s communities are Strategic Planning and Per- AMU well-wishers connected reminded just how important it formance Department at MoPH, through Zoom App and Delhi, India Manish Sisodia in generously supported the welcome address including a is. Hoda Amer Al Kathiri, due to Facebook live for the evening his address remembered and development and construction brief about Sir Syed Ahmed “Infection prevention is crit- COVID-19 pandemic challenges, to remember and appreciate appreciated the remarkable projects in the University. Khan. On the occasion of Sir ically important in controlling this year’s events will focus on the achievements of Sir Syed work done by Sir Syed and Sisodia emphasised that Syed day 2020 and 100 years the spread of infectious diseases extending appreciation to Ahmed Khan. emphasized on the importance learning skills in the school of university celebration- and ensuring continuity of infection prevention specialists Dr. Mittal in his address of education in all spheres of becomes extremely important Ahmad congratulated all the health services by protecting for their role in maintaining said that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan life. for preparing the students to Aligarians for being exemplary patients and visitors. We health and safety. was one of the greatest educa- “His thought on the need to live their lives happily and ambassadors of our Alma encourage you to foster culture All health facilities in the tionists in the world and felt build Universities and Colleges responsibly. Mater and for contributing of safety by washing your hands, country participate in the cele- great to be the part of this similar to Oxford and Cam- Prof. MM Sufyan Beg spoke meaningfully towards realizing taking a flu shot, staying home bration by spreading awareness event. He highlighted AMU bridge and other magnificent about the vision and mission the dream of Sir Syed and if you are sick and maintaining of importance of the role of Alumni Association Qatar’s institution in India itself was of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He work hard to keep ourselves good personal hygiene,” said infection prevention specialists. achievements in education, very much appreciated and also addressed that all Alig among Oxfordian and cam- Hospital Infection Control Head, The observance coincides with community service and sports commended. His views on pro- should come together to fulfill bridgian as well, to give com- Leni B. Gracia in a social media the International Infection Pre- and congratulated to the viding ‘Quality Education’ to the AMUAAQ mission towards plete tribute to Sir Syed Ahmed campaign by the Hamad vention Week, International alumni for the university com- one and all was perceived with community and alma mater. Khan. Lastly he mentioned that Medical Corporation to coincide Infection Prevention Week, an pletion of 100 years and Sir great enthusiasm,” said Sisodia. President of the AMU All Aligs and well-wishers with Qatar Infection Control annual awareness campaign Syed Day. He appreciated the role of Alumni Association Qatar, should join hands together to Week. which has been celebrated since Deputy Chief Minister, the Alumni groups who Jawed Ahmad delivered support the community. “Don’t forget that infection 1986, Qatar Toastmasters Club hosts first hybrid meeting THE PENINSULA - DOHA while following the government dedicated to creating effective regulations of maintaining a leaders and communicators Qatar Toastmasters Club safe meeting environment. worldwide. Club members meet recently hosted a hybrid meeting Qatar Toastmasters Club is every first and third Sunday both in person and virtually. one of the first clubs established evening of every month. About 15 members of the Club in Qatar since 1997. It is the The Toastmasters’ mission met in-person while others largest club in Qatar with over is to empower people to find joined the meeting via Zoom. 70 members from different the courage to change, achieve The meeting came in line nationalities. The club is affil- their potential, and ultimately with the club’s aim to provide iated to Toastmasters Interna- share in the mission of contrib- the best public speaking expe- tional, the leading US-based uting to the betterment of rience to members non-profit organization society.

Charge d’Affaires Ratnasingam Kohularangan (third left) at the Sri Lankan embassy in Doha with members of Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs Association in Qatar.

Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs Association launched in Qatar

THE PENINSULA - DOHA bridge between importers of The Charge d’Affaires at the Sri Lankan commodities in Sri lankan embassy in Doha, The Sri Lankan importers based Qatar with the Sri Lankan Ratnasingam Kohularangan in Doha have established the Sri exporters. It will also stimulate presented the affiliation letter Lankan Entrepreneurs Associ- importers in Qatar to diversify of the Embassy to the President ation in Qatar affiliated with the the range of imports. of the Association Prince Embassy of Sri Lanka in Doha, The association will create Stephen. The General Secretary The association’s vision is to a platform for Doha-based of the Association Anoja Jeevani ensure significant Sri Lankan importers of Sri Lankan com- noted that the association imports with high quality in the modities to raise awareness would serve as facilitator Qatar market. about import business and how between importers and The association will to solve issues with the exporters from Qatar and Sri promote the imports from Sri Embassy of Sri Lanka and Lanka and notify both parties Lanka to Qatar by creating a Qatari authorities’ support. on market demand.

THROUGH THE LENS

Considered the biggest of its kind in MENA region, the fourth Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition has gathered some 120 leading companies from 13 countries that deal in hunting and falconry equipment and supplies. Some of the best breeds of falcons, a wide collection of well-known brands of hunting weapons, and falcon training and tracking devices are some of the items on offer for falconers and hunting enthusiasts at the exhibition which runs until Saturday at Katara Building 12 and Wisdom Square. PICS: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA 08 VIEWS THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Qatar welcomes initiatives to reduce escalation, Established in 1996 settle disputes in Gulf region through dialogue CHAIRMAN QNA — NEW YORK DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI The State of Qatar welcomed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the constructive initiatives to DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI find means toward [email protected] de-scalation and settle differ- ences through dialogue in the Gulf region, stressing the ACTING MANAGING EDITOR region’s strategic importance MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED and its serious endeavor [email protected] towards resolving crises peacefully, achieving political and security stability and DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR strengthening preventive MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI diplomacy. [email protected] The State of Qatar’s welcome of constructive initi- atives to find means toward de-scalation and settle differ- ences through dialogue said EDITORIAL the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the A file picture of the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Combating cybercrime threat United Nations H E Ambas- H E Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, at the UN Security Council meeting. sador Sheikha Alya bint CYBERSECURITY has become one of the top prior- Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani at the on common interests, good of the crises in the Gulf region sincerely end these crises in ities for organisers hosting the sports events, particu- UN Security Council Meeting neighborliness, mutual to their current status, H H the accordance with the prin- larly global competitions like the Olympic Games and on the Maintenance of Inter- respect for the sovereignty, Amir has called, since 2015 ciples of confidence-building, the FIFA World Cup. In modern times, cybercrime has national Peace and Security: independence and unity of from the forum of the United good neighborliness and become a major challenge for host nations as organ- Comprehensive Review of the States and non-interference Nations General Assembly, to common interest. She pointed isers have been targeted by the sophisticated online Situation in the Arabian Gulf in their internal affairs, and agree on rules that govern to many common challenges scams to sabotage the tournaments. Region, convened by Russia expressed his commitment to relationship between Iran and and risks facing the region, Currently, reports are doing the rounds, claiming which chairs the Council’s mediation, especially the the GCC countries, and to perhaps the most prominent that a series of malicious cyberattacks were launched works for this month led by efforts of the late Amir of the conduct a meaningful dia- of which are the threats of to disrupt Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics - already H E Russian Foreign Minister State of Kuwait H H Sheikh logue based on common terrorism, climate and epi- affected and delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Sergei Lavrov. Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al- interests, respect for sover- demics, calling for cooper- Japan has said it would take the countermeasures to Sheikha Alya stressed that Sabah and the efforts of eignty, and non-interference ation in facing these common ensure next year’s Tokyo Olympics are not derailed. resolving differences through brotherly and friendly in the internal affairs of states. challenges, which would pave Qatar, which will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar dialogue is the core of Qatar’s countries. Sheikha Alya noted the the way towards the set- 2022, too, is aware of the menace of cybercrime as it foreign policy and the The Ambassador con- vision set forth by H H the tlement of the most complex will bring most popular event to the Middle East for the approach it has followed in tinued that the State of Qatar Amir to get out of the tense crises in the Middle East first time. Like other arrangements that include com- dealing with the Gulf crisis is working to preserve its situation in the region by region, that can only be pleting infrastructure and construction of stadiums for with wisdom and the prin- interests while adhering to establishing an effective resolved on the basis of law, the World Cup in 2022, the Supreme Committee for ciples of peaceful settlement the established principles, framework for shared respect for the United Nations Delivery & Legacy is heading in the right direction in of disputes. She also stressed pointing out that the common security in our region, Charter and the provision of taking steps against possible cybercrime. that this is the State of Qatar’s interests and destiny of the referring to HH’s speech at security development and Recently at the Oman’s Future Tech Summit and policy since the beginning of countries of the region are the Munich Security Con- protection of human rights. Expo, the Supreme Committee showcased its cyber- the crisis, as the Amir H H much more than what divides ference in 2018, in which he Sheikha Alya also empha- security preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al- them, reiterating the State of urged to agree on basic sised the essential role of the presentation covering different aspects. Thani called for a serious and Qatar’s firm conviction that security principles and rules United Nations in settling dis- Maryam Al Muftah, the SC’s IT Director gave the constructive dialogue based there is no way to achieve of governance, and at least a putes, as it is an effective presentation in which she highlighted the importance sustainable peace in the minimum level of security to international framework, of cybersecurity preparations and the challenges that Resolving differences region except by settling dis- allow for peace and calling for enhancing the come with hosting a mega sporting event, such as the putes through an approach to prosperity. effectiveness of this ‘potential for cybercrime, data security breaches and through dialogue is the resolving crises within col- She explained that this framework and relying more information systems failure’. core of Qatar’s foreign lective frameworks. vision does not only guar- on it to achieve these During her presentation, Al Muftah drew examples She also affirmed the State antee the end of existing solutions. from recent FIFA World Cup tournaments and Olympic policy and the approach of Qatar’s keenness to crises, but rather their non- She hailed the influential Games, when organisers were targeted and said the it has followed in maintain the Gulf Cooper- occurrence or escalation in and important role of major threats will increase as Qatar 2022 comes closer ‘meaning dealing with the Gulf ation Council (GCC), as a the future, on the basis of countries in supporting sta- it will be necessary to build our cybersecurity skillset, grow model for a subregional integration instead of collision bility, saying that whatever compliance and maintain all our current capabilities’. crisis with wisdom framework for cooperation and of common interests the interests are, there is still a Al Muftah apprised that the Supreme Committee has and the principles of and coordination, adding that instead of unilateral goals. place for consensus said developed strong partnerships with major cybersecurity peaceful settlement of disputes between its members The ambassador stressed Sheikha Alya, stressing that partners and will continue to nurture these relationships. is supposed to be settled that discussing means to the State of Qatar will con- “We all need to be vigilant and continue to expand our disputes. under its umbrella, as this is reduce tensions needs a reali- tinue its support for such ini- expertise to tackle all aspects of this issue,” said Al Muftah one of the purposes for which sation that the first steps to tiatives that promote diplo- at the event that was held using virtual event technology. it was originally established. pave the way towards the matic solutions to crises and This is certainly a good news that the Supreme Committee H E Sheikha Alya pointed goal of sustainable stability the peaceful settlement of – tasked to deliver a truly unique World Cup – has already out that before the escalation and de-escalation, are to disputes. taken initiatives to tackle the threat and is determined to keep a hawk eye on any malicious attempt. Since it was historically awarded the hosting of the tournament in 2010, Qatar has been defying efforts Burning midnight oil poses health risks from unscrupulous elements to malice its plan of organ- ising a highly successful World Cup. By continuing the limitations of our culture and percent of society), then know closure of healthy restaurants same level of commitment, professionalism and society with a more morning that you are not unusual, but in the middle of the night, teamwork, Qatar will surely tame more such plans and schedule. This means they rather your biological clock is some restaurants that serve host the World Cup that will leave a long lasting legacy. may go to bed late and wake completely different from that unhealthy foods continue to up early -which is really a established by society, which open and serve harmful and painful condition -, so they tends to be more harmonious fast foods, which over time regularly get inadequate with those of the early birds! can greatly affect individuals sleep. Unfortunately, these However, having this ten- and help in developing D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR people showed longer sleep dency in excess and persistent obesity, cancer and type 2 time, more time in bed with being night owl, you may diabetes! EMAIL: [email protected] DR. YOUSUF ALI AL MULLA insomnia, and higher levels of have serious health effects. Here, I think it is good to anxiety about sleep. Unfortunately, over time try to make basic lifestyle EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Sometimes you are surprised Interestingly, studies this habit persists in people changes that promote sleep, FAX: +974 4455 7758 when you go out of your indicate that a person awake who are sleep deprived, with exercise and avoiding home for some emergency in during the night tends to be which increases the risk of caffeine and coffee, as well as MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 the middle of night or when more sleepy during the day developing chronic health following a good healthy you return from your work and has difficulty adapting to problems, including obesity, sleep practice, through which DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 and see the young people in healthy sleep habits com- diabetes, high blood pressure the body prepares at night to neighborhood still awake and pared to people who wake up and heart disease. In addition, rest and sleep, like avoiding LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 do not see until crack of the early, which is the case of an insufficient sleep can lead to any tablets or phone before dawn. This sight has unfortu- early bird who tends to jump mental health problems such bed an hour or more. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 nately become common out of bed in the morning as depression and anxiety, not At the end, given the neg- nowadays! Are they sick or feeling ready for the day and to mention that a person ative effects and night owls, it SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 has it just become a habit that we do not usually see him (night owls) is more suscep- may be worth following the our young people may not complain of yawning for tible to colds if exposed to advice and sacrificing for ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 know that this is unhealthy? instance. influenza virus for instance. your health. If you are a night email: [email protected] Nevertheless, those indi- Of course, whether you Of course, in a few cases owl you may not be looking viduals who tend to stay up are a night owl or an early lack of sleep can lead to forward to a busy or early PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 late at night, or the early bird, this definitely depends daytime sleepiness and what morning, but those mornings email: [email protected] hours of the morning, do they on your daily rhythm or we call as partial sleep. It inevitably happen… wouldn’t realize that one night of lack internal biological clock, usually takes only a few it be great for some of us to be ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 of sleep can make you feel which determines how sleepy seconds, but it can last for 10 around! And here I leave you FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] upset and even worse with or awake you feel 24 hours a or 15 seconds and sadly wondering: Can I force myself extreme fatigue and lethargy day. What I would like to speaking it is a great danger if to become a morning person CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 for some during the day. On point out here, is that if you it occurs while driving. ... like an early bird? email: [email protected] other hand, most night owls - count yourself from the night However, looking at a dif- Dr.Yousuf Ali Al Mulla, a if I can put it this way - still owls (which according to ferent aspect of this problem, physician, a medical inno- SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 have to adhere to the some studies make up 20 did we envision that with the vator and a writer. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar We are going to have to live with this virus for evermore. There is very little chance that it's /Peninsula_Qatar going to become eradicated.

/ThePeninsulaNewspaper John Edmunds, Member of UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies +974 6698 6188 THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST 09 Israeli strike kills Lebanon’s exit from crisis hinges on new PM: Aoun AFP — BEIRUT his nomination. However, the FPM’s allies, the powerful Iran- three pro-Iran Crisis-hit Lebanon’s next prime backed Hezbollah movement minister, the third in a year, will and Amal, are expected to have to spearhead reforms and endorse Hariri. fighters in Syria battle corruption, President “Will the person who will Michel Aoun said yesterday. have to bear the burden of being Aoun was speaking at a tel- named and forming a gov- AFP/REUTERS — BEIRUT The three were from evised news conference a day ernment commit to addressing before his scheduled consulta- corruption and launching a Three Iran-backed paramil- the Syrian Resistance tions with MPs to name Leba- reform drive?” Aoun asked. itary fighters were killed in an to Liberate the Golan, non’s new premier. Lebanon has appointed two overnight Israeli strike that hit “I hope that you will think new premiers since Hariri Syria’s southern province of a group linked to the well about the consequences resigned last October. Hassan Quneitra, a war monitor said Lebanese Hezbollah the nomination (of a premier) Diab, a little known academic, yesterday. movement, said Rami will have on the process of was named as Hariri’s The three were from the forming a government,” Aoun replacement in December last Syrian Resistance to Liberate Abdul Rahman, head said, addressing lawmakers. year.His cabinet of so-called Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun speaking during a news conference the Golan, a group linked to of the Britain-based It will effect “reform plans “technocrats” resigned in the at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, yesterday. the Lebanese Hezbollah and international rescue initi- wake of the huge August 4 blast movement, said Rami Abdul Syrian Observatory atives”, he said. at Beirut port widely blamed on a cabinet line-up. French Pres- Despite mounting interna- Rahman, head of the Britain- for Human Rights. Saad Hariri resigned as government negligence. ident Emmanuel Macron, who tional pressure, Lebanese based Syrian Observatory for premier in October 2019 in the Lebanon’s worst peace- has visited Lebanon twice since parties are still bickering over Human Rights. wake of unprecedented street time disaster killed more than the blast, said its ruling class the distribution of cabinet posts The group was formed yesterday said the United States protests, but he is now expected 200 people and wounded at had “betrayed” the people by and portfolios. more than six years ago to will not change policy towards to make a comeback at the least 6,500 others. failing to form a new cabinet. Hezbollah and Amal, both launch attacks in the Israeli- Syria to obtain the release of helm of the next government. Lebanon’s ambassador to The process can take Shiite groups, have refused to occupied Golan Heights. US journalist Austin Tice and Most parliamentary blocs Berlin, Mustapha Adib, was then months in Lebanon, where con- relinquish control of the finance At least one of the killed other detained Americans. have pledged support for Hariri, named in September but bowed sensus between most of its top ministry, in what many say was fighters was Syrian, the “Our ask is that the Syrians although Aoun and his Free out last month over the failure political groups is required for behind Adib’s failure to form a Observatory said, but the release Mr. Tice, tell us what Patriotic Movement are against of political leaders to agree on major decisions. government. nationalities of the other two they know. They have chosen remained unclear. not to do that,” Pompeo told a The official Sana news State Department news Iran rights agency reported the Israeli conference. strike on a “school” in Qunei- “We’ll continue to work for lawyer moved to tra’s northern countryside the return not only of Austin, shortly after midnight, but did but for every American that’s jail out of Tehran not mention casualties. held. We’re not going to change Abdul Rahman said that American policy to do that.” AFP — TEHRAN Iran-backed fighters were Pompeo’s comments follow the staying inside the facility the disclosure that the top White Jailed Iranian human rights night of the attack. House counterterrorism official lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has Along with Russia, Israel’s secretly traveled to Damascus been moved to a women’s nemesis Iran has been a key earlier this year seeking the detention centre outside the backer of the Damascus regime release of Tice, a freelance capital Tehran instead of in its nine-year-long civil war. journalist who disappeared in receiving the hospital Israel has carried out hun- 2012, and Majd Kamalmaz, an treatment she needs, her dreds of air and missile strikes American psychotherapist husband said yesterday. on Syria since the civil war missing since 2017. The UN has called on Iran broke out in 2011, targeting Pompeo did not directly to free Sotoudeh, a winner of Iranian and Lebanese Hez- address the Damascus visit the European Parliament’s bollah forces as well as gov- when he was asked about it and Sakharov prize, and other ernment troops. The Israeli whether the United States is political prisoners excluded army rarely acknowledges prepared to withdraw some from a push to empty jails amid individual strikes. 600 US troops from Syria in the coronavirus pandemic. Syria’s war has killed more return for the return of Tice and “Nasrin called me yes- than 380,000 people and dis- other Americans. terday to tell me she’s been placed millions more since The US troops are deployed Anti-Zionist group joins rally for Palestinian transferred straight from starting in 2011 with the brutal in northern Syria as part of an Tehran’s Evin jail to the one in repression of anti-government international coalition fighting A Palestinian protester and a member of the Neturei Karta movement, a small faction of anti-Zionist Qarchak,” more than 30km protests. the remnants of Islamic State. ultra-Orthodox Jews who oppose Israel’s existence, hold up signs in solidarity with hunger-striking away, her husband Reza Meanwhile, the US Sec- They also are guarding oil fields Palestinian detainee held by Israel, Maher Al Akhras and other Palestinians in Israeli prisons in the Khandan said. “We had been retary of State Mike Pompeo in the region. West Bank city of Hebron, yesterday. expecting her to be sent to hos- pital for an angiogram” as decided by “the medical com- Officer may face charges in mission at Evin prison”, he said. Iran reports highest daily virus Khandan has said that health issues prompted Sot- killing of autistic Palestinian oudeh, 57, to end a hunger infections since February strike lasting more than 45 AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM and Israeli security forces, and days to push for the release of REUTERS/QNA — DUBAI outbreak, authorities have where the government said vio- the Old City’s narrow streets political prisoners during the urged people to avoid unnec- lators would be fined. The gov- Israeli prosecutors yesterday are lined with hundreds of pandemic. The lawyer was Iran’s health ministry yesterday essary trips and stay home, ernment on Saturday extended recommended charging a security cameras that are mon- sentenced in 2019 to serve 12 reported 5,616 new coronavirus warning that hospitals in restrictions and closures in the police officer with reckless itored by police. But as the years in jail for defending cases for the previous 24 hours, Tehran and some other major capital into a third week. manslaughter in the deadly investigation proceeded over women arrested for protesting the highest daily number since cities are overflowing with The Omani Ministry of shooting of an autistic Pales- the summer, prosecutors compulsory headscarf laws in February, bringing the national coronavirus patients. Health announced yesterday that tinian man in Jerusalem’s Old claimed that none of the the Islamic republic. tally to 545,286 in the Middle On Tuesday, Health Min- the total of reported cases of City earlier this year. cameras in the area had East’s hardest-hit country. ister Saeed Namaki appealed coronavirus (COVID-19) in the The decision came nearly worked and there was no Syria raises fuel Ministry spokeswoman Sima for more public and gov- Sultanate reached 111,484. The five months after the shooting footage of the incident. Sadat Lari told state TV that 312 ernment support to enforce total of deaths due to COVID-19 of Eyad Hallaq. Hallaq’s family, According to accounts at prices, blames people had died from the disease restrictions to curb the spread reached 1,137, while the recov- which had criticised the slow the time, Hallaq was shot after in the past 24 hours, bringing of the virus. Earlier this month, eries reached 97,367, brining pace of the investigation and failing to heed calls to stop and US sanctions total fatalities to 31,346. mask-wearing became man- the recoveries up by 87.3 prosecutors’ claim that security running away. Two members To stem a third wave of the datory in public in Tehran, percent. cameras in the area had mal- of Israel’s paramilitary Border AFP — DAMASCUS functioned, condemned yester- Police then chased Hallaq into day’s decision. They said pros- a nook and shot him as he Damascus has sharply ecutors should have filed much cowered next to a garbage bin. increased petrol prices in tougher charges. In yesterday's statement, government-held areas of The Israeli Justice Ministry the Justice Ministry said that Syria, saying that US sanctions said the officer, who was not after the officer shot Hallaq the on the war-torn country had identified, would be charged first time, he shouted at him in left it with no alternative. with reckless manslaughter, Arabic “don’t move.” The cost per litre of the pending a hearing in which he Another officer asked him 100-litre ration of subsidised can dispute the charges. in Arabic “where is the pistol.” petrol motorists are allowed Hallaq’s family said the The wounded Hallaq pointed each month has risen from 250 ministry’s decision was unac- to a woman whom he knew to 450 Syrian pounds (36 US ceptable. “There is sufficient and muttered something. The cents at the official exchange evidence to bring charges of officer then turned to the rate, 20 US cents at the black premeditated murder against woman and asked her in market rate). The cost of unsub- the two policemen,” said their Arabic, “Where is the gun?” sidised petrol also went up, lawyer, Jad Qadamani. “Eyad She replied, “What gun?” At rising from 296 to 650 pounds was intentionally killed by the that point, the officer under a litre, the trade ministry said. police. We are considering the investigation fired again at The ministry blamed the next step now.” Hallaq. price hikes on “the great cost Hallaq, who was 32, was The woman mentioned in to the government in securing fatally shot just inside the Old the statement appears to be oil derivatives and the increase City’s Lion’s Gate on May 30 as Hallaq’s teacher, who was with in transport costs in light of the he was on his way to the him that morning. At the time unjust blockade imposed by special-needs institution that of the shooting, she told an the US administration”. he attended. Israeli TV station that she had Consumers were quick to A police officer holding a box of protective face masks checks if people wear them, as the coronavirus The area is a frequent site repeatedly called out to police criticise the price hikes, which disease outbreak continues, in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. of clashes between Palestinians that he was “disabled.” came a day after the price of industrial fuel oil shot up from 296 to 650 pounds a litre. “Eve- rything will start costing more Three Turkish police officers on trial for killing of prominent lawyer with the fuel prices going up,” complained one Facebook user. AP — ISTANBUL mosque in the Sur district of conference. At the time Elci, an conflict that began in 1984. Forensic Architecture, which President Bashar Al Assad Diyarbakir province. The ethnic Kurd, was killed Sur and As Elci was making the published a detailed analysis of raised the income tax Three police officers went on trial officers are charged with other areas in the southeast had press statement, two suspected Elci’s killing, said the slayings threshold to those earning yesterday in southeastern Turkey “causing death by foreseeable seen intense clashes between PKK militants shot and killed of the police officers and of Elci more than 50,000 Syrian over the killing of a prominent negligence” in Elci’s November Turkish security forces and two police officers in a nearby should be considered separate pounds ($40 at the official rate) lawyer and human rights 28, 2015 death and face pos- members of the outlawed street and ran towards the incidents. The research group, a month, as opposed to 15,000 defender nearly five years ago. sible prison sentences of two Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, street where the lawyer was based at the University of previously, and ordered the Lawyer Tahir Elci was to six years in prison. and round-the-clock curfews. speaking, exchanging gunfire London, said its investigation payment of a one-off grant of fatally shot in the head after The police officers, who are not The hostilities came after a with other police. Officials pre- revealed that the shot that killed 50,000 pounds to all public making a press statement on in detention, attended the pro- two-and-a-half-year long viously said Elci got caught in Elci could have only come from sector employees, military or the destruction of a historic ceedings through video ceasefire collapsed, reigniting the the crossfire. Research group one of the police officers. civilian. 10 AFRICA THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Unrest in Nigeria spreads after ‘deadly’ shooting

AFP — LAGOS Human Rights Watch said in a statement that the Nigerian army had opened fire on the crowd Buildings in Nigeria’s main city of Lagos were torched yesterday in “a shooting spree”. However, on Twitter, the and sporadic clashes erupted Nigerian army called reports of soldiers firing after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty on protesters “fake news”. International said security forces had killed several people. powerhouse, hundreds of dead. Witnesses said gunmen people took to the streets yes- The centre of Lagos, a opened fire on a crowd of over terday to voice their outrage at sprawling city that is home to 1,000 people on Tuesday the shooting. 20 million people, was deserted evening to disperse them after The Lagos governor at first and shops were closed yes- a curfew was imposed to end insisted no fatalities had been terday under the curfew. spiralling protests over police recorded but later said the An AFP journalist said brutality and deep-rooted social authorities were investigating several buildings were in flames grievances. the death of one person around the area of the shooting “We were all sitting down, resulting from “blunt force and army patrols could be seen peacefully, and they shut down trauma to the head”. in the street. A general view of a building on fire near the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Gate in Lagos, yesterday. the lights and the billboards, He said at least 25 others In another district a bus everyone started screaming,” a were wounded. station was ablaze and there were deployed” at the scene incident but in a statement on UN chief Antonio Guterres protester called Toye said Human Rights Watch said were sporadic clashes between during the shooting on Tuesday. the protests the presidency said called for an “end to reported asking that her full name not be in a statement yesterday that bottle-throwing youths and “This is the toughest night he had appealed for “under- police brutality and abuses” and used. “They came to us, but I the Nigerian army had opened police, who occasionally shot of our lives as forces beyond our standing and calm across the called on the authorities “to don’t know who it was. They fire on the crowd in “a shooting into the air. direct control have moved to nation”. investigate these incidents and were shooting, and everyone spree”. A major Nigerian TV station make dark notes in our history,” “President Buhari’s com- hold the perpetrators was running for his life.” The authorities should linked to one of the ruling Sanwo-Olu wrote on Twitter. mitment to extensive police accountable”, a spokesman Pictures and videos showing immediately withdraw the mil- party’s top politicians was an The United Nations said it reforms should never be in said. scenes of chaos in the aftermath itary from the streets, and “inferno” after its director said decried “the violent escalation doubt,” it added. The European Union’s of the shooting were widely identify and prosecute officers it was attacked by hoodlums on 20 October in Lagos which Reacting to the shooting, foreign policy chief Josep shared on social media. responsible,” said Anietie with Molotov cocktails. resulted in multiple deaths and the minority caucus in Nigeria’s Borrell said it was “alarming to The shooting has drawn Ewang, a Nigeria researcher Lagos state governor caused many injuries”. House of Representatives con- learn that several people have international condemnation, with the rights group. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a tele- Up until Tuesday some 18 demned “such wicked acts of been killed and injured during while Nigerian President The Nigerian army did not vised broadcast, ordered all people had died in the demon- extrajudicial killing of the ongoing protests”. Muhammadu Buhari has respond to the requests for “state activities” to be halted strations as clashes were defenceless citizens”. US presidential candidate appealed for calm, without comment but on Twitter it across the city for three days. reported between protesters The lawmakers called on Joe Biden urged the president directly addressing Tuesday’s called reports of soldiers firing He said he had asked for a and assailants wearing civilian the president to “immediately and military “to cease the incident. on protesters “fake news”. probe into “the rules of clothes. order the arrest and prosecution violent crackdown on protesters In South Africa, the conti- Amnesty said it was seeking engagement employed by the President Buhari was yet to of officers involved in the Lekki in Nigeria, which has already nent’s other economic to determine the number of men of the Nigerian army that directly address Tuesday’s killing”. resulted in several deaths”. UN envoy in Libya ‘optimistic’ on ceasefire talks US has begun process

REUTERS — GENEVA a more lasting and permanent forces to capture the capital Libyan oil output resumed ceasefire,” she told a news con- with the backing of Russia, in August after an eight-month of removing Sudan from The United Nations’ acting ference at the UN in Geneva. Egypt and the United Arab blockade by the LNA, but the Libya envoy said yesterday that The first flights between Emirates. state producer, the National Oil she was “quite optimistic” that Tripoli and the main eastern This week’s meeting Corporation (NOC), has warned state terror list: Pompeo ongoing talks between the city Benghazi would resume between GNA and LNA military of risks posed by a force that warring sides would lead to a this week, and the sides had negotiators in Geneva will be guards oil sites. Williams said REUTERS — WASHINGTON lasting ceasefire, after they agreed to make progress on an followed by a political dialogue the sides had agreed to delegate agreed to reopen land and air exchange of detainees, Williams in Tunis from November 9, Wil- commanders from both east The Trump administration has routes across front lines. said. liams said. and west to work with the NOC begun the process of removing Speaking midway through Libya has been split since Foreign countries involved on a proposal to restructure the Sudan from the US list of state week-long talks, Stephanie Wil- 2014 between an interna- in the conflict “need to take guards to keep oil flowing. sponsors of terrorism while liams said the sides had also tionally recognised Government their hands off of Libya”, Wil- An announcement by GNA also working to get Khartoum agreed to maintain “the current of National Accord (GNA) in liams said. Both sides have pre- Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj to recognise Israel, which it state of calm on the front lines Tripoli and Khalifa Haftar’s viously agreed that after a that he intends to step down by hopes will happen quickly, US and avoid any military Libyan National Army (LNA) in lasting ceasefire agreement is the end of this month “should Secretary of State Mike Pompeo escalation”. the east. reached, all foreign forces and help end the long period of (pictured) said yesterday. “That is why I continue to This year, the GNA, with mercenaries must withdraw transition” and move towards Pompeo spoke just two be very optimistic that the backing from Turkey, halted a within three months, under U.N. a democratically elected gov- days after President Donald parties here are going to reach 14-month attempt by Haftar’s supervision, she added. ernment, she said. Trump announced Sudan Trump is expected to sign would be taken off the ter- an executive order soon to rorism list after it transferred remove Sudan from the list, one Shipwreck off Libya $355m to compensate US US official said. victims and their families. Asked when Sudan’s de- leaves 15 dead However, Pompeo stopped listing is expected, Pompeo told short of saying Sudan’s removal reporters: “I don’t know the AP — CAIRO would be linked to whether it precise timing but we have normalises relations with begun the process.” At least 15 migrants trying to Israel. Asked whether this was reach Europe drowned in the Sudan’s de-listing could set related to Sudan normalising Mediterranean Sea when their in motion steps toward Sudan’s ties with Israel, a linkage boat capsized off the coast of establishment of relations with Sudan’s prime minister Libya, the UN migration agency Israel, US officials have said. opposes, Pompeo said Wash- said yesterday, the latest ship- Sudan’s terrorism desig- ington wanted Sudan and other wreck off North African country. nation dates to its toppled ruler countries “to recognise Israel.” Safa Msehli, spokeswoman Omar Al Bashir and has made “We are working diligently for the International Organi- it difficult for its transitional with them to make the case for zation for Migration, said fish- government to access urgently why that’s in the Sudanese gov- ermen rescued at least five needed debt relief and foreign ernment’s best interest to make migrants and returned them financing. that sovereign decision.” he to the town of Sabratha late Many in Sudan say the des- said. “We hope that they’ll do Tuesday. The boat departed ignation, imposed in 1993 that quickly.” from the western town of because Washington believed Trump’s notification to Zawya Sunday night, and cap- Bashir was supporting militant Congress will give lawmakers sized 29km off the coast. groups, has become outdated 45 days to review the delisting, The shipwreck was the since he was removed last year. though they are unlikely to latest maritime disaster Sudan’s central bank gov- block it. involving migrants seeking a ernor said on Tuesday the However, legislation is better life in Europe. More than required funds had been needed to shield Sudan from 70 others were intercepted deposited. The money was future legal claims over past and returned to Libya by the being placed in a special attacks to ensure the flow of A file photo of Burundi’s former president Pierre Buyoya (centre) with his wife Sophie (right) and Ireland’s coast guard Tuesday, said Fed- account for victims of Al Qaeda payments to the embassy former president Mary Robinson arriving at Rwanda’s genocide memorial centre, in Kigali, Rwanda. erico Soda, head of the IOM attacks on US embassies in bombing victims and their mission in Libya. Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. families. Buyoya ‘rejects’ life sentence for murder AFP — BAMAKO a statement. officials — who received the Risk of virus resurgence in South Buyoya, an ethnic Tutsi, first same sentence — as a “sham”. Burundi’s former president came to power in Burundi in a “This case is a purely Pierre Buyoya said yesterday coup in 1987. political trial,” he said, sug- Africa as cases rise in Cape Town that he rejected a life sentence He stepped down in 1993 gesting that Burundi’s current he received in absentia this in the country’s first democratic government was exploiting it REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG of lockdown restrictions. economy, which also has the week over the 1993 assassi- elections in which Ndadaye, a for electoral ends. “According to our resur- highest number of confirmed nation of his successor, Hutu, beat him resoundingly. He added that, among other South Africa faces a high risk of gence plan, we define this sig- COVID-19 cases on the con- dismissing the case as politi- But hardline ethnic Tutsi problems, defence lawyers had resurging coronavirus infec- nificant spike in new cases in tinent at more than 700,000 cally motivated. soldiers killed Ndadaye just been blocked from accessing tions that may lead to a review the Western Cape as a resur- infections, eased lockdown Buyoya was convicted on four months into the job. case files. by the council deciding on lock- gence,” said Mkhize, adding restrictions to their lowest level Monday for “an attack against His murder plunged the “In other words, the evi- downs, after new cases rose by that nationally infections in the in September as the rate of new the head of state” over his role East African nation into years dence of the facts alleged 42 percent in Western Cape last two week had risen 10.7 cases fell. in the death of president Mel- of civil war between the against the defendants was province in the last two weeks, percent, which was also a “con- It also opened its borders to chior Ndadaye in 1993. majority Hutus and minority never presented or demon- the health minister said cerning trend”. international travellers at the A court in Burundi sen- Tutsis. strated,” he said. yesterday. Mkhize said the cause of the beginning of October after a tenced him to life in prison, The section of the ruling The civil war between the Zweli Mkhize said in a spike in the Western Cape was six-month ban, in what was one according to a ruling seen by does not give details on evi- two ethnic groups that followed statement that the increase in a “super-spreader event” at a the world’s strictest AFP on Tuesday. dence provided against Buyoya, Ndadaye’s murder saw an esti- infections and deaths “will club in southern Cape Town. lockdowns. “We reject these judge- nor his alleged role in the mated 300,000 die by the time inform the recommendations The popular tourist city was The lockdown cost the ments, which are in no way killing. it ended in 2006. After Nda- that the Health Department originally the epicentre of South country more than 2 million binding on us,” Buyoya, who is In the statement yesterday, daye’s murder, Buyoya became makes to the National Corona- Africa’s first wave of jobs in second quarter, while currently the African Union’s Buyoya dismissed the case president again after a coup, virus Council”, the body that infections. the economy shrunk by its most representative in Mali, said in against him and 18 other ruling from 1996 to 2003. determines the different levels Africa’s most advanced on record. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 ASIA 11 Thai PM offers to lift emergency as rivals rally AFP — BANGKOK “I am currently step back when Prayut resigns and stops taking legal action Thailand’s embattled premier preparing to lift against our friends,” one pro- announced yesterday he might the state of severe tester shouted to the crowds, lift an emergency decree that emergency in reading out a statement. has failed to stifle a growing “If Prayut’s government protest movement demanding Bangkok and will does not resign within three his resignation and reforms to do so promptly if days, they will see us again,” the monarchy. warned another activist to After a day of anti-gov- there are no violent chants of, “Prayut, get out!” and ernment and rival royalist pro- incidents. We must “Monarchy reform!”, before tests across the country, thou- they all dispersed. sands of angry democracy now step back from Democracy protesters have activists marched on Gov- the edge of the assembled daily in the capital ernment House, defying an since last week, flouting the emergency decree imposed last slippery slope that emergency edict as their calls week banning gatherings of can easily slide to for Prayut to go intensified. more than four people. chaos,” the Prime The former army chief mas- As they chanted for him to terminded the 2014 coup and resign, Prime Minister Prayut Minister said. demonstrators say the military- Chan-O-Cha addressed the drafted constitution rigged last nation, saying he would make year’s vote in his favour. “the first move to de-escalate” Journalists in Bangkok said Activists are also demanding the situation. some minor scuffles broke out the powerful and ultra-wealthy “I am currently preparing to between rival factions before monarchy stay out of politics — lift the state of severe emergency around 7,000 pro-democracy a previously taboo subject. Pro-democracy protesters wearing helmets march together during an anti-government rally in in Bangkok and will do so activists set off towards the seat The emergency decree was Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. promptly if there are no violent of the executive. issued after a group of pro- incidents,” he said, without spec- A line of around 150 riot testers surrounded the queen’s former premier Thaksin Shina- down a whole page or URL,” Sunai Phasuk from Human ifying any timeframe. police and barbed wire stopped royal motorcade, raising their watra — to close over its cov- Voice TV’s lawyer Winyat Rights Watch hailed the court “We must now step back the crowd about two kilometres arms in a three-fingered salute erage of pro-democracy rallies. Chartmontri told reporters. decision but warned journalists from the edge of the slippery from their target, although pro- of defiance, inspired by the The website was one of four “The court said people’s were still at risk as their slope that can easily slide to testers soon managed to push “Hunger Games” movies. media outlets under investi- freedom (of) communication presence at protests is con- chaos,” he added, calling on their way through. On Friday the use of force gation for violating computer must be protected and media sidered a violation of the emer- protesters to resolve their dif- As they kept up their chants, escalated as riot police deployed crimes laws and an emergency outlets can not be shut down. gency decree. ferences through parliament. one group even waved a giant water cannon against the decree aimed at curbing the Press freedom is very crucial,” “They are not out of the Democracy activists had “resignation letter” for the unarmed activists and scores of civil unrest. he said, adding that today’s woods yet.” Activist Nat, 26, told massed at Bangkok’s Victory premier from the top of buses demonstrators have been But the court revoked the decision cannot be appealed. AFP she was happy the court Monument, while counter- parked just a couple of hundred arrested. ruling, allowing all four to con- Voice TV staff would con- ruling had been overturned. rallies attracted thousands of metres away from the building’s Earlier yesterday, Bangkok’s tinue reporting freely. tinue their reporting duties “We will still have a TV royalists in the southern gates. criminal court backtracked on The court said there “must “fully, professionally and fac- channel that reports the truth,” province of Narathiwat and “Prayut said we should take a ruling that ordered Voice TV be specific content that is illegal tually”, said a statement on the she said, urging for the freedom scores more in the capital. one step back together. We will — partly owned by exiled and authorities cannot shut outlet’s website. to protest to be returned too. India frees Australian watchdog plans own Google antitrust case Chinese soldier AP — CANBERRA really closely,” Sims told the decisions on how much Google California-based company case will be heard by the Federal who strayed National Press Club, referring and Facebook must pay media misled account holders about Court next month. Google also Australia’s competition to the US Department of Justice. companies for news content. its use of their personal data. denies that allegation. along border watchdog will consider its own “We’re going to look at it Sims said his commission The commission alleges the Sims said Google was lob- antitrust case against Google, and see whether there’s any “had a lot of talk” with the US Google misled millions of Aus- bying “every politician at Par- the commission chairman said value in what we might do,” Justice Department before he tralians to obtain their consent liament House” ahead of draft AP — NEW DELHI Wednesday after the US Justice Sims added. released a report in July last and expand the scope of per- legislation being introduced to Department sued the company Separately, Sims is drafting year that recommended more sonal information that Google make it pay for news. The Indian army said for abusing its dominance in legislation to address the government regulation on the collects about users’ Internet Google has said the pro- yesterday that it returned a online search and advertising. imbalance in bargaining power market power of Google and activity to target advertising. posed laws would result in Chinese soldier who had Competition and Consumer between Google and the Aus- Facebook that would ensure Google denies the allegations. “dramatically worse Google strayed into the Indian side in Commission chairman Rod tralian media businesses that fair deals for other media busi- In October last year, the Search and YouTube,” put free the remote Ladakh region, Sims described the US case filed want the tech giant to pay for nesses and more control for commission sued Google in an services at risk and could lead where the two countries are Tuesday as one of the world’s journalism. individuals on how their data Australian court alleging the to users’ data “being handed locked in a monthslong biggest antitrust cases in the The bills, that will be ready was used. company broke consumer law over to big news businesses.” military standoff. past 20 years. to be introduced to Parliament Sim’s commission launched by misleading Android users Facebook has warned it might The soldier, Corporal “I’m delighted the DoJ’s by December, would empower Australian court action against about how their location data block Australian news content Wang Ya Long from the Peo- taking it on and we’ll follow it an arbitrator to make binding Google in July alleging the was collected and used. That rather than pay for it. ple’s Liberation Army, was apprehended inside the Indian-controlled Demchok area on Monday, an Indian Quarantined fishermen drive army statement said earlier this week. virus spike in New Zealand A Chinese army said in a statement on its website that AFP — WELLINGTON the soldier was returned to the Chinese border troops early A coronavirus outbreak among hundreds of Russian and Ukrainian yesterday. fishermen flown to New Zealand to bolster its struggling deep-sea In September, China had fishing industry has prompted that country’s largest daily increase freed five Indians after they in infections in months, authorities said yesterday. strayed into the Chinese side Over 230 fishermen were flown in from Moscow last week, of the disputed border. India with 18 of the crew members then testing positive for COVID-19 said the five were hunters while in quarantine, New Zealand’s director-general of health from a state bordering China. Ashley Bloomfield said. The Pacific nation has almost eliminated local transmission India to roll out of the virus, but regularly records small numbers of new cases in returned travellers. quick and cheap The fishing cluster pushed the daily tally of new infections to 25, the highest level since April sparking concern among officials coronavirus in prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s recently reelected government. paper-based test New Zealand has recorded over 1,500 cases and 25 deaths in a population of almost five million and has been widely praised AFP — NEW DELHI for its handling of the pandemic. Sri Lankans protest proposed constitution amendment Health officials said two new cases had also been linked to a A fast and cheap paper-based port worker, who may have come into contact with a vessel now coronavirus test will soon be Sri Lanka’s trade union activists hold placards as they demonstrate against the proposed constitutional docked off Australia’s east coast. available across India, with amendments outside the national parliament in Colombo, yesterday. Broad travel bans remain in place in New Zealand and those scientists hopeful it will help turn granted exemptions — including the fishermen, who were clas- the tide on the pandemic in one sified as essential workers — are forced to quarantine for 14 days. of the world’s worst-hit nations. Bloomfield said the new cases highlighted the threat of overseas India has recorded more arrivals. “We cannot afford to be complacent, we are not being than 7.5 million infections, No proof yet to link flu shots complacent at the border,” Bloomfield told media. second only to the United States, and the outbreak has spread from densely packed with death, says South Korea Victoria paves way for pop-up megacities to rural communities. REUTERS — SEOUL “We came to the conclusion to prevent the health system dining as new infections drop The locally developed that the deaths had no direct being overloaded by patients Feluda, named for a detective Nine people have died after relations with the vaccination with flu and COVID-19 exposure. REUTERS — MELBOURNE in a famous Indian novel getting flu shots in South Korea given the limited data we have However, the start of a free series, resembles a home preg- in the past week, raising now and without detailed post jab programme for around 19 Australia’s most heavily hit coronavirus state of Victoria logged nancy paper-strip test and concerns over the vaccine’s mortem reports.” Kim said a million eligible people was sus- a sixth consecutive day of low single digit new cases yesterday, delivers results within an hour. safety just as the seasonal inoc- preliminary investigation into pended for three weeks after it as the state government said it was on track to announce fresh Researchers are optimistic ulation programme is expanded six victims revealed five had was discovered that some 5 easing measures at the weekend. “We do genuinely hope on that its low cost and ease of use to head off potential COVID-19 underlying conditions. million doses, which need to be Sunday to make some announcements in the future and if these can help stem the pathogen’s complications. Health officials also said no refrigerated, had been exposed numbers stay on trend we will be able to do that,” Victoria Premier spread in poor and remote areas. Five new deaths were toxic substances had been to room temperature while being Daniel Andrews told a news conference. “This test doesn’t require reported yesterday alone, but found in the same vaccine transported to a medical facility. Victoria, which has been under strict lockdown measures any sophisticated equipment authorities had no plans to administered to other people. Officials said 8.36 million since early July, hopes to revitalise outdoor dining over the summer or highly trained manpower,” suspend the vaccination pro- Coming just weeks after the people have been given the free in the hard hit hospitality sector, by allowing pop up restaurants said co-creator Souvik Maiti, gramme, unless investigations, roll out of the national vaccine flu vaccine since inoculations in public gardens and carparks in downtown areas. a scientist at New Delhi’s CSIR- including post mortems, programme was temporarily resumed on October 13. New infections in the Victoria’s state capital Melbourne rose Institute of Genomics and Inte- revealed a link, which prelim- suspended over safety worries, Adverse reactions — which by three in the past 24 hours, up from a revised number of two grative Biology (IGIB). inary findings had not. the deaths, which include a included fever, diarrhoea and from the day before, bringing total state numbers to 20,323 cases “There are lots of remote “We have reviewed 17-year-old boy and a man in allergies, according to Korea since the outbreak began, of which just 109 remain active. parts of India where you do not whether it is appropriate to his 70s, have dominated news Disease Control and Prevention A downward trend in Victoria brings it within reach of a mile- have any sophisticated labora- continue the vaccination or headlines in South Korea. Agency (KDCA) chief Jeong stone required for opening measures to take place. Its 14-day moving tories... (The test) will be much better to suspend and wait for With winter approaching, Eun-kyeong — were reported average of new cases fell to 6.2, close to the five mark required for easier to deploy; it will have the results,” health official Kim the country is planning to inoc- in 430 people who received the health authorities to be sure they have stamped out community much more penetration.” Joong-gon told a briefing. ulate 30 million people in a bid jabs. transmission and open the way for “COVID-normal” life to resume. 12 ASIA THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Taliban ambush kills 25 Afghan security personnel; Nato to stay AFP & AP — KUNDUZ/ BRUSSELS “We will make a harbouring former Al Qaeda decision together, chief Osama bin Laden. Around At least 25 Afghan security force 12,000 troops from 38 coun- personnel were killed in an coordinate our efforts tries are now working in ambush blamed on the Taliban, based on the principle Afghanistan to train, mentor officials said yesterday, as and assist the national security spiralling violence imperils ‘in together, adjust forces. ongoing peace talks. together, and when Americans often make up The ambush came despite at least half of the troops par- Taliban assurances to Wash- the time is right, ticipating in the mission, ington last week that they when the conditions dubbed Resolute Support. would reduce bloodshed. Around 8,000 US troops were Security forces were are met, then we involved as recently as August. attacked overnight on Tuesday will leave together,’ Nato allies and their partners Afghan men wait to receive tokens needed to apply for the Pakistan visa, after 15 people were killed in Takhar province and fighting but not before,” Nato rely on US air power, transport, was ongoing, said Jawad Hejri, logistics and medical assistance in a stampede in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, yesterday. a spokesman for the governor, Secretary-General to operate. It’s unlikely that the who put the death toll so far at said. mission could function without 25. significant US help. At least 11 Afghan women die in “The Taliban had taken posi- Diplomats and military tions in the houses around the Meanwhile, the head of Nato officers are concerned that area. They ambushed our forces said yesterday that the military setting a definitive date on any stampede near Pakistan consulate who were there for an operation alliance will not leave Afghan- troop withdrawal from Afghan- against the enemy,” he said. istan until security conditions istan could hamper efforts to AFP — JALALABAD which led to the tragic expectant mothers among those Takhar provincial health allow, even as some US troops secure a peace deal between incident,” Khogyani said. who were in the crush. director Abdul Qayoum said 34 might be hoping to be back the Taliban and the Afghan At least 11 women were killed Khogyani and provincial “Some had miscarriages,” security personnel had been home in time for Christmas. government. yesterday in a stampede at an hospital spokesman Zaher Adel the traumatised woman said, killed — including the deputy “We will make a decision Confusion about troops Afghan football stadium where put the death toll at 11 women, declining to be named. “One police chief of the province. together, coordinate our efforts movements in what is Amer- thousands of people had while Nangarhar provincial who had been trampled gave The Taliban did not directly based on the principle ‘in ica’s longest war and Nato’s gathered to apply for Pakistani council member Naser birth there. We helped her but take responsibility, but said together, adjust together, and biggest and most challenging visas, authorities said. Kamawal said 15 people had her baby was dead. (The their fighters had “engaged the when the time is right, when the operation ever is also an The incident unfolded at the died and 15 more were injured. mother) was injured, but alive.” enemy” in Takhar to retaliate conditions are met, then we will extremely sensitive issue for the stadium in Jalalabad city, the Eyewitness Abdul Ahad said Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul against security operations leave together,’ but not before,” military personnel involved and capital of eastern Nangarhar women had been given priority expressed “deep grief and carried out against them. Nato Secretary-General Jens their families. province, after large crowds to stand at the front of the crowd. sadness” over the incident. Despite joining peace talks Stoltenberg told reporters. Last week, Trump’s national assembled in a bid to secure travel In ultra-conservative Afghan- “The embassy remains with the Afghan government in President Donald Trump security adviser said the permission after the nearby Paki- istan it is customary for women committed to ensure smooth Qatar last month, the Taliban tweeted on October 7 that “we number of US troops would stani consulate resumed services to queue separately from men. and effective management of have only increased violence should have the small shrink to 2,500 early next year. following a seven-month hiatus “When the officials visa applicants at our end,” a in Afghanistan in a bid to wield remaining number of our He suggested that Trump’s due to the pandemic. announced that the gates were statement read. leverage in the negotiations. BRAVE Men and Women tweet that all forces should be To avoid overwhelming the opening in the morning, eve- “We seek the understanding A major assault by the mil- serving in Afghanistan home by home by Christmas was more visa centre, applicants had been rybody rushed to enter the and cooperation of Afghan itants in Helmand province Christmas.” The US armed a wish than reality. US com- directed to Jalalabad’s nearby stadium to be the first to deliver people and authorities for better forced thousands of families to forces were blindsided by the manders say the plan is to football stadium to hand over their passports,” Ahad said. and secure management of the flee their homes this month, claim, as were Nato allies. reduce the US presence to passports and paperwork, pro- “The women, most of them Afghan visa applicants.” Thou- while a car bomb on Sunday Nato has led international 4.500 by November. vincial governor’s spokesman elderly, who were in the front sands of Afghans from Nan- near the police headquarters in security efforts in Afghanistan Nato diplomats expect Attaullah Khogyani told reporters. fell and could not get up. It was garhar and other nearby prov- Ghor blamed on the insurgents since 2003; two years after a troops to still be in Afghanistan “Unfortunately this morning chaotic.” A woman who sur- inces had arrived since the early left 16 people dead and 154 US-led coalition ousted the until at least the middle of next tens of thousands of people had vived the stampede recalled morning to apply for medical wounded. Taliban movement for year. come to the football stadium hearing screaming and seeing visas or to visit relatives. Storm Saudel Suga opposes actions that raise tension in South China Sea nears Vietnam REUTERS — JAKARTA about China’s growing assert- of India, Australia, Japan and deep economic ties with China (Asean) have territorial disputes after soaking iveness there. the United States that Wash- against security concerns, with China in the vital South China Japan opposes any actions that “Japan is opposed to any ington sees as a bulwark against including Beijing’s growing Sea, but are wary of alienating the Philippines escalate tension in the East and actions that escalate tensions in China’s growing regional push to assert claims over dis- group’s major economic partner South China Seas, Prime the South China Sea,” Suga told influence. puted East China Sea isles. and getting entangled in an Minister Yoshihide Suga said a news conference in the Indo- China has denounced the Some in his ruling party intense confrontation between REUTERS — HANOI/MANILA yesterday, but added that Tokyo nesian capital. grouping of the four democ- want to see a harder line, after Washington and Beijing. was not aiming at an “Asian “Let me stress anew the racies as a “mini-Nato” aimed ties warmed under his prede- But some welcome Japan’s Vietnam scrambled to Nato” to contain any specific importance of all the countries at containing its development. cessor, Shinzo Abe. greater engagement in the evacuate thousands of people country. concerning the South China Sea “Our response in the South “Japan is determined to region. from their homes as tropical Suga was wrapping up a issues not resorting to force or China Sea is not aimed at any defend its territory, territorial Suga agreed with President storm Saudel approached four-day trip to Vietnam and coercion, but working toward one country,” Suga said, when waters and air space,” Suga Joko Widodo on Tuesday to yesterday, bringing more Indonesia, his first overseas peaceful resolutions of the dis- asked if Japan wanted to create said, adding that Japan also speed talks on the export of Jap- misery for a country that has since taking office last month, putes based on international an Asian version of the North opposed actions that raised anese defence gear and tech- endured weeks of heavy rains as part of Japan’s efforts to law.” The trip follows this Atlantic Treaty Organisation tension in the East China Sea. nology to Indonesia and have and floods that have killed bolster ties with key Southeast month’s meeting in Tokyo of the (Nato). Several members of the Asso- their defence and foreign min- over 100 people. Asian nations amid concerns “Quad”, an informal grouping Suga must balance Japan’s ciation of Southeast Asian Nations isters meet soon. Having already battered the Philippines, the storm was grinding its way across the South China Sea and was expected to UMNO backs Malaysian hit Vietnam on Sunday, making landfall in central areas that are suffering from their worst Premier amid turmoil flooding in two decades. “The damage will be REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR time when the country is facing immense if we are not well the threat of COVID-19 and prepared as the projected The biggest party in Malaysia’s economic uncertainty,” he said. impact area has already suf- ruling alliance yesterday Last month, UMNO said fered from floods and land- pledged its support for Prime some party lawmakers sup- slides,” Mai Van Khiem, chief Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a ported Anwar’s bid to be prime of Vietnam’s weather agency boost for the premier as he minister. said in a statement. faces a leadership challenge. Anwar met Malaysia’s king The region has been hit by The United Malays National last week to prove he has particularly heavy rainfall Organisation (UMNO) also majority support from law- amid the onset of a La Niña called for a “political ceasefire” makers, but further meetings weather system, which is amid a surge in coronavirus scheduled by the palace to characterised by unusually cases, just a week after saying verify his claim were post- cold temperatures in the equa- it was considering withdrawing poned due to movement torial Pacific Ocean. support for Muhyiddin’s restrictions to control the In the Philippines, photo- government. spread of the virus. The king graphs showed widespread The move provides a tem- has also called on politicians flooding and boats used to porary reprieve for Muhyiddin not to drag the country through ferry residents to dry ground Getting ready for swab test following opposition leader political uncertainty. in Quezon province, southeast Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that he Muhyiddin has been in talks of the capital Manila. Medical workers help each other put on personal protective equipment before a mass coronavirus has the parliamentary majority for a possible cabinet reshuffle to Humanitarian groups have disease swab test in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, yesterday. to form a new government with give UMNO officials more prom- warned that the floods in the help of defectors from the inent roles, sources told Reuters. Vietnam will exacerbate the ruling pact. Some UMNO leaders have balked hardships already being suf- Muhyiddin’s coalition is une- at playing second fiddle to Muhy- fered by some of the country’s Kyrgyzstan parliamentary polls in December lected but took power in March iddin’s smaller Bersatu party in poorest communities due to after the unexpected resignation the ruling alliance, coalition the COVID-19 pandemic. AP — MOSCOW election authorities to nullify Election Commission set a new of his predecessor Mahathir sources have said. Delivering food to some of the results of the vote. Demon- parliamentary election for Mohamad. He formed a new Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow the most badly affected areas Authorities in Kyrgyzstan strators also freed several December 20. A presidential alliance with parties that were with Singapore’s Institute of has become difficult, and flood- yesterday set a new parlia- opposition leaders, including vote is expected in January. defeated in a 2018 election. International Affairs, said waters almost completely sub- mentary election for December Sadyr Zhaparov, who was The developments marked In a statement, UMNO pres- UMNO’s call for a ceasefire merging rural homesteads has following a disputed vote that quickly named the new prime the third time in 15 years that a ident Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said helped secure Muhyiddin’s unleashed an outpouring of led to the resignation of the minister. leader of the Central Asian the party had agreed to support position for now but the donations for aid. country’s president. Zhaparov’s supporters country on the border with Muhyiddin’s government and political situation remains fluid. Volunteers across Vietnam The October 4 parlia- threatened to storm gov- China has been forced out by a its efforts to fight the virus and “The undercurrents of have been making highly cal- mentary election was swept by ernment buildings, forcing popular uprising. As in the strengthen a pandemic-bat- power struggle between the orific “banh chung”, a tradi- pro-government parties, a President Sooronbai Jeenbekov uprisings that ousted presidents tered economy. two major component parties tional dish made from parcels result that the opposition dis- to step down on Oct. 15. in 2005 and 2010, the latest “The cooperation of all of the ruling coalition are still of sticky rice and wrapped in missed as having been manip- Zhaparov succeeded him as the unrest was driven by clan parties in the government... flowing strong, albeit beneath tropical leaves, to be handed ulated. Protesters took over acting head of state. rivalries that dominate the must be strengthened in order a veneer of opportune civility,” out in the worst-hit areas. government offices, prompting Yesterday, the Central country’s politics. to ensure political stability at a said Oh. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 EUROPE 13

German Health EU tells Britain to make up its mind on Brexit Minister tests REUTERS — BRUSSELS Britain has also formally notified the EU of its biggest military powers, has London sought to keep the EU also formally notified the EU of market open for UK positive for virus The European Union told intention to withdraw from the bloc’s military its intention to withdraw from companies. Britain yesterday to make up its missions by the end of this year. the bloc’s military missions by “But the UK wants access to REUTERS — BERLIN mind on Brexit, putting the onus the end of this year, EU dip- the single market while at the back on London to unlock trade lomats said yesterday, as had same time being able to diverge German Health Minister Jens talks as the bloc’s chief nego- Michel told the European damentally change” its stance. been announced by London from our standards and regu- Spahn tested positive for the tiator said an agreement was Parliament. The bloc sees this as bluff by earlier. lations when it suits them,” coronavirus yesterday still within reach with 10 weeks He said Britain’s answer Prime Minister Boris Johnson The EU has complained Michel said. afternoon, the health ministry to go. would determine its level of but has also extended an olive about Britain’s refusal to nego- Following Brexit last said, adding that he had A frustrated European access to the EU’s internal branch by talking up UK sover- tiate a new international January, Britain’s current EU placed himself in home quar- Union and piqued Britain market of 450 million con- eignity, as well as the EU’s read- security and foreign policy pact. trading terms expire in 10 antine. exhorted each other this week sumers. The EU’s Brexit nego- iness to discuss intensively, In the meantime, Spain and weeks and unfettered com- The minister, 40, was suf- to compromise to avoid a dis- tiator Michel Barnier told the across the board and on spe- Italy are stepping up their role merce will end without a new fering from cold-like ruptive finale to the five-year parliament an agreement was cific legal texts. in the EU’s 17 missions around treaty. symptoms, the ministry said. Brexit drama that would add to still “within reach”. A UK spokesman said the world. Keen to avoid any blame, People he had been in contact economic pain from the coro- “Time is of the essence... London noted “with interest” The bloc’s executive Com- the bloc is ready to negotiate with were being informed. navirus crisis. Along with our British counter- Barnier’s comments that touch mission said London must until mid-November but must A government spokesman “Time is very short and we parts, we must find solutions to “in a significant way on the respect its Brexit settlement then ratify any deal in the said Spahn had attended a stand ready to negotiate 24/7, the most difficult areas,” Barnier issues behind the current diffi- regardless of the trade talks. European Parliament before cabinet meeting earlier yes- on all subjects, on legal texts. said, in comments that pushed culties in our talks”. Michel said losing access to time is up. “Our doors remain terday, but other cabinet min- The UK has a bit of a decision sterling higher. Barnier and his UK coun- British waters would damage open and will remain open until isters would not necessarily to make and it’s their free and London has this week terpart David Frost were also the EU’s fishing industry, and the last day possible,” Barnier have to go into quarantine. sovereign choice,” European refused to continue full negoti- due yesterday. the bloc therefore wanted to said. “But it takes two to reach “The federal cabinet meets Council President Charles ations, saying the EU must “fun- Britain, one of Europe’s prolong the status-quo just as a deal.” in compliance with hygiene and distance rules, which aim to ensure that even if a person France to extend who later tests corona-pos- Spain far-right files no-confidence motion against govt itive were to participate, curfew measures quarantining of other or even AFP — MADRID all participants would not be as virus spreads necessary,” he said. Spain’s parliament yesterday began While Germany’s infection AFP — PARIS debating a no-confidence motion filed by rates are lower than in much the far-right Vox against the leftwing of Europe, they have been France will place more regions coalition government of Prime Minister accelerating and hit a daily on the highest health alert Pedro Sanchez. record of 7,830 on Saturday, level as coronavirus infections The motion, the fifth since Spain according to the Robert Koch continue to spread fast, the returned to democracy in 1976, has no Institute, Germany’s federal government’s spokesman said chance of passing given that Vox has only disease prevention agency. yesterday. 52 seats in the 350-seat chamber and the “My best wishes for @ A nightly curfew from 9:00 move has no political support. jensspahn,” tweeted Europe pm to 6:00 am went into force During nearly two hours of debate, Vox Minister Michael Roth. “Hope- at the weekend in Paris and leader Santiago Abascal railed against fully he will be back on board several other French cities in Sanchez’s administration as “the worst gov- soon. Healthy and committed. response to daily new infec- ernment in 80 years”, in a reference which We need everyone and any- tions reaching record levels. included the dictatorship of Francisco thing now in the fight against The number of COVID-19 Franco (1939-1975). the #Corona.” Spahn has patients in intensive care went In response, Sanchez denounced the urged Germans to stick to over 2,000 on Monday for the motion, which will be put to a vote today, social distancing rules to keep first time since May, and 278 as “a blatant display of propaganda aimed infections at a manageable new such cases were admitted at sowing discord and hatred between level. on Tuesday. Spaniards”. Earlier this month, he said Prime Minister Jean Castex The proposal has piled pressure on the Germans face a “test of char- Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (below left) acknowledges applause from Spain’s will hold a news conference rightwing opposition Popular Party (PP), acter” to contain a surge in Deputy Prime Minister for Social Rights and Sustainable Development, Pablo Iglesias, and today “which will see an which must choose whether to vote against the number of coronavirus announcement that a certain the motion, in order to maintain its distance other MPs during a parliament session, in Madrid yesterday. cases. number of departments are from the far right, or to abstain to keep the Spahn, a popular member being moved to the maximum peace with Vox’s electorate. Abascal also savaged Sanchez over his minister Mariano Rajoy. of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s alert level”, government Founded in 2014 by Abascal, Vox has government’s management of the pan- That no-confidence motion won the government, had been spokesman Gabriel Attal said steadily bled support from the PP, leaving demic, which has claimed more than backing of the hard-left Podemos party, expected to run for the lead- after yesterday’s cabinet the party in a tricky position of having to 34,000 lives and infected nearly one million along with Basque and Catalan separatist ership of their Christian Dem- meeting. choose between a more central position or people — the highest number in the factions, allowing Sanchez to take over as ocrats earlier this year but A curfew would be ordered veering to the right to staunch the flow of European Union. head of government. backed Armin Laschet, for “some of them”, he said. voters. The last time MPs debated a no-confi- Since January, Sanchez has been at the premier of Germany’s most Some 20 million French Sanchez has asked PP leader Pablo dence motion was in June 2018, in a move head of a leftwing coalition comprising his populous state North people have already been Casado to vote against the motion “to show put forward by the Socialist party on the Socialists and Podemos, which commands Rhine-Westphalia. ordered to stay home every that the right (in Spain) has nothing to do back of a huge corruption scandal that a minority of 155 mandates in The party will pick a new night under a curfew adopted with the far-right”. brought down the government of PP prime parliament. leader in December. after an alarming surge in new coronavirus cases. The government has said it did not expect the curfew to Naples teachers bring socially-distanced New restrictions for another have a real impact on virus numbers before two or three school to the streets and balconies 1.4 million in northern England weeks. The cabinet meeting yes- REUTERS — NAPLES, ITALY “Mothers called me and said said. The government has so far AFP — LONDON restrictions, as well as £11m for terday approved a draft law the kids are in floods of tears, avoided imposing nationwide public health measures. extending France’s state of Since schools in the southern they want to go back to school, curbs on schools, businesses More than a million people in Authorities in Manchester health emergency, the legal Italian region of Campania they don’t understand why and freedom of movement, but northern England will be however had bitterly opposed framework for exceptional closed due to a surge in schools need to be stopped,” has urged regional authorities banned from mixing with other measures announced on measures such as curfews, COVID-19 cases, teachers have said Pamela Buda, while to draw up their own restric- households under new coro- Tuesday for their city, com- which was to expire next been taking their classes to the holding a class for pupils sitting tions if needed. navirus rules announced plaining that the cash on offer month, until February 2021. streets to prevent students from on public steps in central Lombardy has already yesterday, sparking warnings was not enough to protect low- falling behind. Naples. Tonino Stornaiuolo introduced a curfew from 11 pm of “months of agony” ahead. income workers. Campania, around Naples, yells out his lessons to pupils to 5.00 am to put a stop to late The county of South York- The row threatened to Monsanto loses escaped largely unscathed from listening from their balconies night gatherings. “I wanted to shire, which includes the city undermine Prime Minister Italy’s first coronavirus wave in and on the streets outside their find a way in which the kids of Sheffield, will enter into Boris Johnson’s strategy of local case against the spring, but the region has homes. could see us and share time “very high” alert or tier three lockdowns across England, seen infections soar in recent “We do everything to with us, at least as long as it is restrictions from Saturday, the which he hopes will allow him French farmer weeks and local authorities respect the rules because I think possible and until we know UK government announced. to avoid a repeat of the national have closed most schools until this emergency in Italy is whether there will be another Under the new rules, many stay-at-home order imposed AFP — PARIS the end of October. serious and real,” Stornaiuolo lockdown,” Stornaiuolo added. venues will be closed for at from March through June. least four weeks and residents In testy exchanges in the France’s highest appeals court will be barred from meeting House of Commons yesterday, rejected yesterday a Monsanto anybody outside their Johnson said areas where addi- bid to overturn a ruling against household indoors or in private tional restrictions are in place it in a suit brought by farmer gardens. were “showing signs of Paul Francois, who was intox- The decision will affect progress”. icated by the firm’s weed- around 1.4 million people, But opposition Labour killer Lasso. meaning that 7.3 million people leader Keir Starmer questioned The decision wraps up a — or 13 percent of England’s when the measures might be long-running case that began population — will now be living lifted. “Instead of being a in 2007 and included three under the toughest solution, tier three is a gateway previous rulings in favour of restrictions. to weeks and weeks, more the cereal farmer from south- Similar measures were likely months and months, of western France. recently announced for the agony from which there’s no Francois was intoxicated northwestern cities of Liv- likely exit,” he told MPs. in April 2004 after inhaling erpool and Manchester and the Britain has suffered fumes from the product sold county of Lancashire, following Europe’s worst death toll from by Monsanto, now owned by a surge in COVID-19 cases coronavirus, with nearly the German chemical giant there. 44,000 deaths within 28 days Bayer. Dan Jarvis, mayor of the of a positive test result. The farmer claimed to Sheffield City Region, said After a summer lull, cases have suffered severe neuro- South Yorkshire leaders had are rising again as in other parts logical damage as a result, and secured £30m in government of the continent — and so are sued for more than a million funding to help local businesses deaths, with 241 reported on A school teacher holds her lessons to students on steps, in Naples yesterday. euros ($1.18m) in damages. affected by the new Tuesday alone. A lower court found that Monsanto had not provided sufficient information on the risks of inhaling Lasso. German police detain Syrian suspected of killing tourist In April 2019, a court again found Monsanto responsible REUTERS — BERLIN The man was taken into including terrorism, had taken the state and recruiting members 53 and the other 55, were on the grounds that the weed custody late on Tuesday after over investigations in the case. to Islamic State group in the past. German men from the western killer was a “defective German police have arrested a investigators found traces Spiegel magazine reported the The Syrian had come to state of North Rhine-Westphalia product”. 20-year-old Syrian suspected linking him to the crime, suspect had been known as a Germany in 2015, at the peak of on vacation in Dresden, Bayer, which bought Mon- of attacking two tourists in the Dresden police said in a radical to German authorities for the migrant crisis, and been according to the police. They santo in 2018, appealed that eastern city of Dresden at the statement. The federal prose- years. He had been sentenced to refused asylum, Spiegel said. It were severely injured in the decision to France’s highest start of October, killing one of cutor's office, which handles more than two years in prison was unclear why he attacked his knife attack and the 55-year-old appellate court. them, police said yesterday. serious crimes for incitement to crimes against victims. The victims, one aged later died. 14 EUROPE / AMERICAS THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 Czech Republic imposes more curbs as cases surge

Health Minister Roman Prymula detailed how Since the start of the pan- the government was ordering the closure demic, the Czech Republic has registered 193,000 confirmed of many stores, shopping malls and hotels. coronavirus cases, about one People will be banned from leaving their third of them in the last seven days. homes, with some exceptions. They will still The health system faces a be allowed to travel to work, do business, visit serious threat as about 4 percent relatives, buy food and other necessities, do of infected people need hospitalisation. sports and travel abroad. Currently, the number of ill in need of hospital treatment has AP — PRAGUE surpassed 4,400, twice more and hotels. People will be banned than 10 days ago, with over 600 from leaving their homes, with in serious condition. So far, 1,619 The Czech government yesterday some exceptions. They will still people have died. The highest announced further restrictions be allowed to travel to work, do record increase was on Monday to fight the coronavirus business, visit relatives, buy food with 97 deaths. pandemic, including limits on and other necessities, do sports Prymula said about 30 free movement, after a series of and travel abroad. percent of all tests come back earlier restrictive measures failed State offices will also limit positive, leaving possibly many to slow a surge in the number of their opening hours “Those other people with the virus new infections. measures are in our view inevi- undetected. Prime Minister Andrej Babis table,” Prymula said. “To limit People wearing face masks walk in a street as the Czech government mandated further restrictions With some 6,600 health per- apologised for the measures but free movement of people is the to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday. sonnel ill with the virus, Babis said that if they were not taken, most effective form of pre- said his government have “our health system would col- vention,” he said. “All the people on Tuesday. itive this week for the corona- He said the government has been approached partners for help. He lapse between November 7-11.” measures limit contacts among Approved earlier, the country virus and had to isolate. acquiring ventilators for hos- said 28 National Guard doctors “We have no time to wait,” Babis people.” Under the new regime, also returned yesterday to a man- Prymula said the spread of pitals. The capacity came at a cost from the United States are said. “The surge (of new cases) is food and drug stores, pharmacies, datory wearing of face coverings infections has been worse than of reducing treatment of other heading to his country to help out. enormous.” The restrictions will gas stations and some others will outdoors and in cars. expected and the previous patients. The country’s armed forces become affective on Thursday remain open. The government had previ- restrictions have not worked. The infections in the country are also working to complete a and will last until at least The 7-day rolling average of ously called on citizens to work If the rise continues, new hit new record levels as a day- field hospital for 500 patients at November 3. daily new cases in the Czech from home if possible. Mean- patients would fill up the capacity to-day increase of new con- Prague’s exhibition grounds as a Health Minister Roman Republic has risen over the past while, two members of the gov- of beds in hospitals even though firmed cases in one day soared last resort. Another such tem- Prymula detailed how the gov- two weeks from 29.59 new cases ernment, Interior Minister Jan they were increased by 10,000 to almost 12,000 on Tuesday. It porary hospital might be also be ernment was ordering the closure per 100,000 people on October Hamacek and Agriculture Min- to some 15,500, and from 1,000 was almost 900 more than the built in the second largest city of of many stores, shopping malls 6 to 85.64 new cases per 100,000 ister Miroslav Toman, tested pos- to 2,500 in ICUs in recent days. previous record set on Friday. Brno. Kosovo President accused of ‘undercutting’ war crimes court New Democrats vow AFP — PRISTINA “there is good reason to believe” The SPO wrote that its prosecutors filed their Thaci has been acting as part of mandate was supposed to con- indictment against Thaci for to foil possible Prosecutors have accused a “larger strategy to undercut tinue uninterrupted until “noti- alleged crimes stemming from Kosovo President Hashim Thaci the court”. fication of completion is made his role as political chief of gue- of trying to undermine the work The argument concerns by the Council of the European rilla forces that battled Serbia for Canada snap election of a Hague-based court that is amendments Thaci proposed Union.” independence in 1998-99. probing him and other former in August that would give Kos- “By suggesting that the tem- The charges, which include rebels for alleged war crimes ovo’s parliament the power to poral mandate of the court murder, enforced disappear- AFP — OTTAWA during their 1990s uprising extend the specialist court’s requires ‘extension’ and ‘clari- ances, persecution and torture, against Serbia. mandate for another five years. fication’, Mr Thaci implies that need approval from a pre-trial A small leftist opposition party The charge comes as Set up with EU-backing in its mandate already expired”, it judge by Saturday. Prosecutors yesterday rejected a push for an Kosovo, a former Serbian 2015, the Kosovo Specialist said. said they made the news of the anti-corruption committee to province, is waiting to see if an Chambers (KSC) operates under “A potential consequence of indictment public earlier than scrutinise COVID-19 spending indictment filed by the prose- Kosovo law but is based in The that position would be the inval- usual in June because Thaci and by Prime Minister Justin cutors against Thaci will offi- Hague to protect witnesses idation of all actions taken by the others had been trying to Trudeau’s government, averting cially be taken up in court. from intimidation in a society KSC/SPO since that time, notably “obstruct the work” of the tri- the chance of snap elections. In an opinion published where many former rebel com- including any confirmation of bunal. Thaci, 52, has said he “We’re voting against an online, the head of the Specialist manders still dominate politics, the indictment against Mr Thaci would resign if the indictment election,” New Democratic Party Prosecutor Office (SPO) wrote like Thaci. himself.” Nearly six months ago is confirmed. (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference hours before the House of Commons vote to Protests in Bolivia as create the committee that was to also investigate Trudeau’s Canada Prime Minister family dealings, prompting Justin Trudeau Arce looks set for outrage from the ruling Liberals. presidential poll win Trudeau’s Liberals won ree- The latest Leger poll lection just one year ago, but lost yesterday — of 1,512 AFP — LA PAZ their majority in the House of Commons and need the support Canadians conducted Hundreds of Bolivians protested on Tuesday of at least one of three opposition from October 16 against the impending election win of Luis parties to govern. Arce, as the slow official count appeared The prime minister has said to 18 — puts the set to confirm the leftist as their next pres- he does not want an election in Liberals in the lead ident. the midst of the coronavirus of voter intensions at Authoritative exit polls already sug- pandemic, but added he fears the gested Arce, a 57-year-old economist from committee’s probe would end up 36 percent, should an the Movement for Socialism (MAS) and heir paralyzing the government. election be held now. to former president Evo Morales, had His government announced beaten centrist former leader Carlos Mesa Tuesday that a Conservative in Sunday’s polls — by a wide enough motion to create the parlia- cancelled and Finance Minister margin to avoid a second-round runoff. mentary committee with Bill Morneau, who also had links And at about 3am local time yesterday, sweeping powers to probe to the charity, resigned in August. with 86 percent of ballots scrutinised, the People during a protest against the results in the country’s presidential election after “scandals and potential scandals” The committee would have official count showed Arce had 54 percent, Luis Arce of the Movement for Socialism party claimed victory in Sunday’s election, in related to government Covid-19 also investigated the govern- followed by Carlos Mesa on 29.5 percent. Cochabmba, Bolivia, yesterday. spending would face a confi- ment’s purchase of ventilators Conservative Luis Fernando Camacho was dence vote. and lobbying by the husband of in third place with 14.4 percent. his part, expressed doubts about the the coronavirus pandemic, was the first in The Liberals losing the vote Trudeau’s chief of staff. The usual rapid count had been aban- outcome. “We are living in moments of 20 years not to feature Morales, the coun- would have triggered snap Singh said questions could doned after allegations of irregularities last uncertainty created by a very poor admin- try’s first-ever indigenous leader. elections. be put to the government to hold year that led to Morales’ November resig- istration of the electoral process,” he said It came a year after he won an uncon- “We will not give the prime it to account instead through an nation after 14 years in power. on social media. stitutional fourth term in an election that minister an excuse to call an existing parliamentary ethics “It’s a fraud, as Evo Morales has always Arce’s triumph surprised many because sparked weeks of protests, leaving 36 dead election,” Singh said Wednesday. committee. done,” Yeni, a participant in the protest held polls had predicted a runoff between him and 800 injured. The Tories had proposed The latest Leger poll yes- in Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s richest city and a and Mesa. By yesterday’s early hours, he The rapid count in 2019 suggested there creating the committee to spe- terday — of 1,512 Canadians con- Camacho stronghold, said. was winning in six of the nine departments would be no outright winner, but after it cifically look into a contract ducted from October 16 to 18 — Arce’s victory “is like a slap in the face,” of the country, in three of them by more was inexplicably frozen for 24 hours, awarded to the WE Charity to puts the Liberals in the lead of said another protester, Yasmani Acosta. than 60 percent: Cochabamba, a MAS Morales had jumped into a winning lead distribute roughly Can$1bn voter intensions at 36 percent, Dozens also protested at the head- stronghold; Oruro, where Morales was born; over Mesa once the live count resumed. ($760m) in pandemic relief to should an election be held now. quarters of the Electoral Tribunal in the and La Paz, the administrative capital. Morales resigned and fled into exile. young Canadians. The Conservatives trail with central city of Cochabamba, where votes The Bolivian Constitution declares the A later audit by the Organization of Concerns were raised over 29 percent support, the NDP 18 were being counted. Demonstrators there candidate who obtains an absolute majority American States found clear evidence of the contract after it was revealed percent, the Bloc Quebecois denounced a “fraud.” Mesa has conceded or 40 percent of the vote with a 10-point fraud. An interim administration was set that the charity paid Trudeau’s seven percent and the Greens six defeat, and UN Secretary-General Antonio advantage over their nearest challenger as up, led by a right-wing senator, Jeanine wife, brother and mother a com- percent. If those numbers held, Guterres has hailed “peaceful elections”, the winner in the first round. Otherwise, Anez. She withdrew her candidacy for the bined Can$300,000 for it would likely see another calling on all Bolivian politicians to work there must be a second round. presidential election shortly before the speaking engagements. minority Liberal government for “national reconciliation.” Camacho, for The election, twice postponed due to election. The deal was ultimately returned to power. Switzerland fears rising COVID-19 Belgium limits care home visits as infections increase cases could overburden hospitals AP — BRUSSELS new infections have been tests, masks and protective The permitted visitors will growing at an alarming rate in equipment. To avoid a repeat be required to wear masks and AP — GENEVA million tallied yesterday a Authorities in Belgium fear eldercare facilities. of the situation, nursing home to keep safe distance from the record 5,583 new cases over another deadly wave of corona- In the Dutch-speaking visits will now be limited until people they are visiting. The Swiss health minister said the latest 24 hours, obliterating virus cases could soon hit care region of Flanders, coronavirus the curve of the current out- Belgium has reported more coronavirus case counts and the previous one-day record - homes as the country confronts infections in care homes have break in Belgium flattens. than 240,000 confirmed virus hospitalisations were doubling set two days earlier - by about the risk of seeing its hospitals risen by 51% and the number of Vincent Frédéricq, the cases and more than 10,000 every week, warning of the 14 percent. He said the gov- overwhelmed by COVID-19 deaths has doubled in the past general secretary of the rest deaths during the pandemic. As prospect of overburdened ernment will act again if new patients, leading them to restrict week, according to local media homes federation, said only the of Wednesday, 2,969 COVID-19 hospitals as Switzerland has restrictive measures announced nursing home visits. quoting figures by the Flemish same two people will be patients were hospitalised, gone from one of the least- over the weekend don’t help The country of 11.5 million Agency for Care and Health. allowed to visit a home resident including 486 in intensive care. affected countries in Europe to lower the count. inhabitants recorded half of its And the number of deaths has for a 15-day period. For the fol- Authorities have warned that one of the worst-hit in just “The situation is worsening, COVID-19-related deaths in doubled over the past week. lowing two weeks, residents intensive care units will hit their three weeks. and worsening fast,” Berset told such homes during the spring Care home employees will be allowed to replace their capacity of 2,000 beds by mid- Alain Berset made the com- a news conference in Bern, the wave of the pandemic. Amid a worked during the pandemic’s visitors with two different November if new cases con- ments after the country of 8.5 capital. new surge in confirmed cases, earlier peak with a shortage of people. tinue to soar at the same pace. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Obama to make Pennsylvania campaign push for Biden

REUTERS — NEW YORK Obama, who served eight years in office, with Biden as his vice-president, will urge Former President Barack Obama was to make his first supporters to vote early for Biden and other appearance on the campaign Democratic candidates at an outdoor drive-in trail yesterday for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who is rally in Philadelphia. Americans have voted locked in a tight race with Pres- early at a record pace this year, as they ident Donald Trump in crucial look for ways to reduce exposure to the states 13 days before the US general election. coronavirus, with nearly 40 million ballots cast Obama, who served eight ahead of Election Day on November 3. years in office with Biden as his vice president, will urge sup- porters to vote early for Biden change the trajectory of a race Reuters/Ipsos poll released on and other Democratic candi- that Biden is leading in national Monday, which showed the dates at an outdoor drive-in polls. challenger leading by 49 rally in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Biden’s campaign manager, percent to 45 percent, slightly vania’s biggest city, an aide to Jen O’Malley Dillon, has warned narrower than a week earlier. the former president said. staff and supporters she sees a “If we win Pennsylvania, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden (left) and US President Donald Trump speaking during Americans have voted early far closer race in the 17 states we win the whole thing,” the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 29. at a record pace this year, as the campaign considers battle- Trump said on Tuesday night they look for ways to reduce grounds than is suggested by at a rally in Erie, in the state’s disclosures show. A month Roughly 7.3 million infre- preparation ahead of the exposure to the coronavirus, the national polls showing a northwestern corner, where he earlier, the Trump campaign quent and first-time voters debate with Trump in Nash- with nearly 40 million ballots consistent lead for Biden. told supporters Biden’s policies reported having $121m in cash. had cast their ballots as of ville, Tennessee. cast ahead of Election Day on “As President Obama has would decimate their energy Biden’s campaign has yet to Tuesday, according to Target- Trump has resumed a November 3. said, this is an all-hands-on- and manufacturing jobs. report its cash holdings at the Smart, a Democratic analytics crowded schedule of campaign Trump was to head to deck moment, and he looks Trump’s campaign coffers close of September, but it said firm. That’s more than two and rallies since recovering from North Carolina, another bat- forward to hitting the trail in have plunged as he falls behind this month that together with a half times the number of his recent bout with COVID-19, tleground state where opinion person, socially distanced, Biden in the money race, the Democratic Party, it had ballots cast at the same point and will appear on Wednesday polls show a tight race, for a since we’re just two weeks out dipping to about $63m in the $432m in the bank. four years ago, the data show, night at an airport rally in Gas- rally yesterday evening. from the most important bank at the end of September Just under 40 million as states have expanded tonia, North Carolina. Demo- The rare public appearance election of our lifetimes,” the after spending about $139m people already have cast absentee and early in-person cratic vice presidential by Obama, still one of the Dem- Obama aide said, speaking on during the month, a disclosure ballots, according to the Uni- voting options due to concerns nominee Kamala Harris also ocratic Party’s biggest stars condition of anonymity. filed with the Federal Election versity of Florida’s US Elections about the coronavirus will be in North Carolina for nearly four years after leaving Biden regards his birth- Commission on Tuesday night Project, nearly 30 percent of pandemic. voter mobilisation events in the White House and a fre- place of Pennsylvania, which showed. the total 2016 vote. TargetSmart estimates that Asheville and Charlotte. quent target of Trump’s attacks, Democrats narrowly lost to At the end of September, Opinion polls and voting this group leans Democratic by A Reuters/Ipsos poll comes at a critical time. Trump in 2016, as a bellwether Biden’s campaign had about returns indicate that many of 16 percentage points. released on Tuesday showed Biden and Trump are he must win, and has visited $177m in cash. Biden’s cam- these early voters typically Obama’s appearance on the Biden and Trump about even scheduled to meet in their the state more than any other paign took in $281m during the don’t participate in elections campaign trail this week fills a in that state, with Biden at 49 second and final debate on during the campaign. Trump month, more than three times but are coming off the sidelines gap left by Biden, who has percent and Trump at 46 Thursday night, giving the has gained ground on Biden in as much as the $81m Trump’s this year to back Biden — or stayed at home in Delaware percent, within the poll’s cred- Republican an opportunity to Pennsylvania, according to a campaign raised, the vote out Trump. since Monday for meetings and ibility interval.

Parents of 545 Esper stresses stronger alliances to counter China, Russia children separated AFP — WASHINGTON years of Trump’s efforts to And he underscored the Esper’s announcement was at Mexico border restructure and even dismantle need to build closer ties to “like- a “strategic miscalculation” US Defence Secretary Mark alliances, including threatening minded democracies such as which seeks to portray China can’t be found Esper revealed a fresh drive to Nato. India and Indonesia” adding “as an opponent”, Chinese strengthen US alliances with “America’s network of allies “they all recognise what China foreign ministry spokesman AP — SAN DIEGO “like-minded democracies” in and partners provides us an is doing.” A key part of this effort Zhao Lijian told reporters in part through arms sales in an asymmetric advantage our is to expand US arms sales, to Beijing yesterday. Court-appointed lawyers said effort to curb the global adversaries cannot match,” both help allies improve defence China and the US have on Tuesday that they have influence of Russia and China. Esper said on Tuesday, calling capabilities and to bolster the US locked horns over trade, human been unable to find parents of Esper said the Pentagon the network “the backbone of defence industry against com- rights and China’s growing 545 children who were sepa- would systematically monitor the international rules-based petition from Moscow and global tech ambitions in recent rated at the US border with and manage its relationships order.” Beijing, Esper said. years. Mexico early in the Trump with partner countries, aiming “China and Russia probably Esper said he has taken steps Washington has accused administration. to find ways to coordinate mil- have fewer than 10 allies com- to ease restrictions on exports Beijing of stealing technology The children were sepa- itaries and also to advance US bined,” he added. of “critical” weapons systems while China says it has started rated between July 1, 2017, and arms sales. He said China uses coercion and speed up approvals, and will screening Chinese students and June 26, 2018, when a federal The initiative, called the and financial entrapment to use the GDAP to identify arms researchers departing the US. judge in San Diego ordered that Guidance for Development for build its alliances with weak US Defence Secretary Mark Esper sales opportunities and protect Nearly 300 Chinese stu- children in government Alliances and Partnerships countries such as Myanmar, US markets. dents leaving the US have been custody be reunited with their (GDAP), comes just two weeks Cambodia and Laos. to build defense relations with He cited as an example the questioned at American airports parents. Children from that before the presidential election “The smaller the nation and Malta, Mongolia and Palau, as recent relaxation of US restric- from May to September and period are difficult to find that, if President Donald Trump the greater its needs, the heavier well as US plans for a greater tions on the export of battlefield some of their electronic devices because the government had loses, could see Esper replaced the pressure from Beijing,” he defense presence in Eastern drones, which the United States had been confiscated, inadequate tracking systems. in January. said. Europe, including basing troops could sell to Taiwan and the spokesman Zhao said Volunteers have searched for It also came after nearly four He cited visits he has made in Poland. United Arab Emirates. yesterday. them and their parents by going door-to-door in Gua- temala and Honduras. More than 2,700 children Bolsonaro rejects plan to buy were separated from their parents in June 2018 when US China’s Sinovac vaccine District Judge Dana Sabraw ordered an end to the practice REUTERS — BRASILIA AstraZeneca vaccine the federal under a “zero-tolerance” government has prioritized. policy to criminally prosecute Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro On Tuesday, Health Min- every adult who entered the and a high-ranking health ister Eduardo Pazuello said in country illegally from Mexico. official said yesterday the a meeting with state governors The administration sparked an federal government will not buy that the ministry would buy the international outcry when a COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac vaccine to include in parents couldn’t find their China’s Sinovac, one day after the immunization program, children. the health minister said it would along with AstraZeneca’s While those families were be included in the nation’s vaccine developed with Oxford reunited under court order, immunisation programme. University. That inclusion authorities later discovered The apparent about-face, would be contingent on that up to 1,556 children were following anti-China social approval by drug regulator separated under the policy media commentary by some of Anvisa, he said. going back to the summer of Bolsonaro’s supporters, thrust The Health Ministry yes- 2017, including hundreds into the open a simmering terday announced that Pazuello during an initial run at family debate over vaccine policy has tested positive for the virus, separation in El Paso, Texas, between the president and key making him the latest Brazilian from July to November 2017 governors, who have been official, including Bolsonaro, to that was not publicly disclosed exploring alternatives to the do so. at the time. Referendum in Chile on October 25 A man walks by a graffiti reading “I Approve” in reference to the October 25 referendum to change Congress presses DOJ to improve jail reporting system Chile’s military dictatorship-era constitution, in Santiago, Chile, yesterday. REUTERS — WASHINGTON not been convicted of the charges federal prisons, which hold con- they faced. Many remained jailed victed criminals, jails typically are Congressional leaders are calling because they could not afford locally run, usually by county on the US Department of Justice bail. sheriffs or municipal police Hurricane Epsilon moving towards Bermuda to strengthen its tracking of “This report underscores why departments, and designed for deaths in local jails following a it’s urgent that the US radically short stays while inmates await AP — MIAMI Large swells generated by Bermuda, and was moving Reuters investigation that iden- transform its pretrial systems,” trial or serve relatively brief sen- Epsilon are already affecting northwest at 14mph. tified thousands of inmate fatal- said Laura Pitter, deputy director tences for lesser crimes. Hurricane Epsilon, the 10th of Bermuda, the Bahamas, the This year’s hurricane ities and spurred criticism from of Human Rights Watch’s US In 2000, Congress passed the this very busy Atlantic season, Greater Antilles, and the season has had so many storms human rights groups. Program. Death in Custody Reporting Act, was moving toward Bermuda Leeward Islands, and are that the Hurricane Center has House Judiciary Committee “It is no longer enough to say requiring the Department of yesterday. expected to cause life-threat- turned to the Greek alphabet Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a New things have to change - it is an Justice to collect inmate mortality Epsilon is expected to ening surf and rip current con- for storm names after running York Democrat, said fixing the actual emergency.” Pitter called data from each of the nation’s make its closest approach to ditions along the coast of New out of official names. DOJ’s broken system for tracking Reuters’ findings “shocking but 3,000-plus local jails. the island today and there is England and Atlantic Canada Epsilon also represents a inmate deaths “is critical to iden- not surprising,” given that pre- The Justice Department a risk of a direct impact, during the next couple of days. record for the earliest 26th tifying problems in particular jails trial detention has been never has released jail-by-jail according to the US National The Miami-based hur- named storm, arriving more that must be addressed.” examined before, including by data — only state and national Hurricane Center. A tropical ricane center said Epsilon had than a month before a storm Reuters documented 7,571 Human Rights Watch. The dif- figures. That leaves the public, storm watch is in effect for maximum sustained winds of on November 22 in 2005, deaths at more than 500 jails ference, she said: local officials and government Bermuda and residents have 85mph yesterday morning. according to Colorado State from 2008-2019; two-thirds of “We didn’t have access to a agencies with little ability to been urged to closely monitor The storm was located about University hurricane those inmates — close to 5,000 lot of the data Reuters was able identify jails with extraordinary the storm. 450 miles east-southeast of researcher Phil Klotzbach. — were awaiting trial and had to gather.” Unlike state and death rates. THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 16

FIFA World Cup 2022 First Sustainability Progress Report outlines achievements You Ask, officials answer PRAYER THE PENINSULA — DOHA TIMINGS Questions answered by PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING The FIFA World Cup 2022 First Sustainability Progress Report Ministry of Commerce provides an update on the progress and Industry FAJR 04.18 am made by FIFA, the Supreme SUNRISE 05.38 am Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Readers can send questions: 11.18 am DHUHR LLC in 2019 regarding their five [email protected] ASR 02.35 pm sustainability commitments, including MAGHRIB 05.03 pm human rights, diversity and environ- mental protection, SC said on its What should a customer do if ISHA 06.33 pm website. he is cheated or misled by a “We are very glad to provide our stakeholders and the public with an retailer? overview of how much we advanced ANSWER: Law No. (8) 2008 on Consumer Pro- last year with the delivery of the sus- tection established, like any other international leg- An aerial view of Al Janoub Stadium. tainability strategy for the next edition islations, the responsibility of the supplier or trader of our flagship event. The report for practices or harmful actions to the consumer reflects our joint commitment to The FIFA World Cup sustainable building certification for and the law make him/her accountable for many accountability and our drive to con- Qatar 2022 headquarters operations. cases such as fraud or deception. tribute to the evolution of best prac- The majority of the Doha Metro Article No. (5) obliges the supplier to return the WEATHER tices in sustainability management in in Doha became the network became fully operational, commodity or refund or repair free of charge. As TODAY sporting events,” said FIFA’s Head of first office tower in reducing road congestion, vehicle air, the article stipulates that a commodity is found to Sustainability & Environment, Fed- and noise pollution. Continued imple- be defective or does not conform to the prescribed erico Addiechi. the country to receive mentation of the SC programme to standard specifications, the supplier shall recall the “It’s fantastic to be able to share sustainable building monitor compliance with its Workers’ commodity and provide the consumer with a refund the progress that Qatar and FIFA have certification for Welfare Standards across all sites and or exchange, or repair the defect free of charge. This made across the many critical sus- expand the SC’s recruitment fees is in the event that a defect is discovered or found o o tainability projects connected to the operations. reimbursement scheme benefitted not conforming with the established standard spec- 25 C 35 C delivery of the FIFA World Cup. Sus- 16,500 workers on FIFA World Cup ifications or to the purpose for which the contract Minimum Maximum tainability remains at the core of our forefront of our efforts. These workers 2022 projects and 18,000 workers on was made. infrastructure and tournament oper- play an important role in preparing other sites. Article (6) of the law also prohibits selling, dis- Haze at places at first becomes relatively hot daytime with some ational planning. By delivering a fully Qatar to welcome the world in 2022, The first voluntary carbon-off- playing, presenting, promoting, or advertising any clouds, mild by night. carbon neutral FIFA World Cup and their welfare is at the heart of the setting programme was established commodities that are defective or adulterated. A through these various initiatives, we legacy this tournament will leave in the region. Human rights and safety commodity is considered defective or adulterated W ALRUWAIS : 27o → 31o hope to set new standards for hosting behind. Tangible changes in worker training was provided to more than or spoiled in case it does not comply with the estab- W ALKHOR : 22o → 34o sustainable mega event and cement standards on our projects now serve 2,000 police officers by Qatar’s Min- lished standards, specifications or not usable, or has W DUKHAN : 21o → 31o one of Qatar 2022’s most profound as benchmarks across Qatar and the istry of Interior in coordination with expired. W WAKRAH : 20o → 34o legacies,” added Engineer Bodour Al region.” the SC’s security team. The law granted the customer the right to file a Meer, the SC’s Sustainability & Envi- The key achievements: Al Janoub More than 900 people partici- complaint with the competent authorities at the W MESAIEED : 20o → 34o ronment Senior Manager. Stadium became fully operational, pated in the tailor-made online open MoCI reporting the transgressions or irregularities W ABUSAMRA : 19o → 32o Mahmoud Qutub, the SC’s achieved its target, sustainable course on sustainability & major he/she was subjected to. The consumer has also the Workers’ Welfare Executive Director, building certification for design and sports events. right to sue the supplier and ask for compensation said: “We are driven by a commitment build, and exceeded its targeted sus- An assessment was carried out of for the damage. HIGH TIDE 08:57 – 19:24 to ensure the people building our sta- tainable construction management the tournament experience for dis- diums and venues are treated with certification. abled people, and people with limited LOW TIDE 02:26 – 16:36 the utmost dignity and respect. Our The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 mobility at the FIFA Club World Cup How can a person know workforce’s health, safety, and pro- headquarters in Doha became the first Qatar 2019 and improvements were about his consumer rights? tection have always been at the office tower in the country to receive implemented accordingly. ANSWER: Everyone can review Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its implementing reg- Over 60 exhibits damaged ulations to know his rights as a consumer. S’hail 2020 electronic falcon auction For its part, MoCI has spared no effort in this at Berlin museums, aspect, as it has taken many initiatives and awareness campaigns to raise awareness about witnesses huge participation motive a mystery rights of consumers. The ministry also takes the advantage of the National Day celebrations in the THE PENINSULA — DOHA according to an innovative vision AP — BERLIN Darb Al Saai every year to introduce the rights of This year’s S’hail and new style. consumers and raise awareness about the com- The electronic falcon auction at is distinguished by Several companies spe- More than 60 artworks and artifacts at some mercial rules. the ongoing fourth Katara Inter- the electronic falcon cialised in equipping four-wheel- of Berlin’s best-known museums were Among the initiatives of the MoCI is a smart- national Hunting and Falcons drive cars used by hunters and smeared with an oily liquid by an unknown phone application, which raises awareness along Exhibition at the Cultural Village auction in which each off-road drivers participated in perpetrator or perpetrators earlier this other services to make consumers awareness about Foundation – Katara sees participant receives a S’hail exhibition. These pavilions month, authorities said yesterday. They were their rights and duties and the same to the traders. remarkable participation from present their latest products, hopeful that the apparently random damage With regard to awareness campaigns, the Min- falconers and falconry enthu- gold card that allows including accessories and spare can be repaired, but said the motive was a istry has also been implementing periodic cam- siasts. him to visit the parts, and other equipment as mystery. paigns, perhaps the most prominent of which are This year’s S’hail is distin- well as electronic systems The works at the Museum Island complex, the “Plan and Save” campaign, the “Read, Compare, guished by the electronic falcon exhibition anytime. required in falcon hunting and a Unesco world heritage site in the heart of Decide” programme, and the “Know Your Right” auction in which each participant during desert trips. the German capital that is one of the city’s campaign. receives a gold card that allows presence of dignitaries, officials, Adding to the ambience, main tourist attractions, were targeted at him to visit the exhibition ambassadors and members of S’hail presents a variety of cafes some point between 10am and 6pm on Plan & Save Campaign: anytime. diplomatic corps. and restaurants offering daily October 3. Investigators said they had It aims to educate the family and youth about The participant can view pic- Muhammad bin Abdul Latif menu of birds, deer and rabbits watched hours of surveillance camera the importance of planning, dividing the budget, tures and data of all kinds of par- Al Misnad, Vice Chairman of meat, prepared by a some of the footage but hadn’t found any obvious sign of how to distribute it, and importance of saving. This ticipating falcons including the S’hail Organising Committee said most skilled chefs of Katara res- anyone applying the liquid. campaign targets citizens and residents with the rarest “Hur” falcons, and follow that this year’s event, which taurants, following the precau- In all, 63 works at the Pergamon Museum, aim of achieving comprehensive awareness and the auction electronically. attracted the best international tionary measures and require- the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Neues Museum enabling families to maintain balance between their On the first day of the companies in the industry, ben- ments set by the Ministry of were affected, said Christina Haak, the deputy expenditure and saving. auction, Hassan Khaled Ghanem efits falconry and hunting enthu- Public Health and relevant gov- director of Berlin’s state museums. There was Al Ghanem recorded the highest siasts and businesses as it serves ernment agencies to maintain no thematic link between the targeted works, Read, compare, and decide: price in the falcon auction on as a link between them providing health and safety of visitors and and “no pattern is discernible” to the perpe- It is an educational and awareness programme falcon No. 1 FarkhHur(Iran Tarh) high quality products within eve- limit the spread of COVID-19. trator’s approach, Haak added. directed to students at all levels and aims to famil- with the amount of QR145,000. ryone’s reach. Visitors to the exhibition also The liquid was oily but not corrosive, said iarise them with consumer protection laws and its The event which continues The exhibitors and visitors receive discounts in Qatar Friederike Seyfried, the director of Berlin’s importance, establish culture of consumption, proper until Saturday evening has wit- admired the activities and events Airways tickets as well as special Egyptian collection, which is housed in the methods of purchase, and distinguish between nessed a steady increase in at the exhibition while expressing offers in hotels and hotel apart- Neues Museum. She wouldn’t give more spe- original and counterfeit commodities. attendance from hunting and fal- gratitude to Katara for its efforts ments, limousines and safari cific details of the colorless fluid, citing the conry aficionados as well as the in developing the activities adventure trips. ongoing investigation. Know Your Right Campaign: Carsten Pfohl, a senior official with Berlin’s It is a campaign that aims to inform consumer criminal police office, said that more than 3,000 of his rights and duties. people visited the Museum Island on October This campaign lasted for a year, and included 3, a Saturday on which Germany marked the three stages: 30th anniversary of its reunification. Compli- á The first stage was devoted to introducing con- cating investigators’ efforts, most of that day’s sumer rights. tickets were sold on site and only 1,400 per- á
The second stage was dedicated to defining the sonalised tickets had been booked in advance; duties of the trader, all who ordered the latter have been contacted á
The third stage is devoted to defining the duties by email to ask whether they noticed anything of the consumer untoward. Police said they had decided initially not to The answers were received from the Consumer go public about the incident out of “tactical con- Protection Department at the Ministry of Com- siderations related to the investigation.” merce and Industry. Current Chernobyl-level radiation harmful to bees AFP — PARIS Royal Society B, set out to dis- reproduction reduced by 30 to cover how ionising radiation 45 percent at doses previously Bumblebees exposed to levels affects insects, which are often considered too low to impact of radiation found within the thought to be more resilient insects. Chernobyl exclusion zone than other species. “We found that at radiation suffered a “significant” drop in Researchers in Scotland and levels detectable in Chernobyl, reproduction, in new research Germany exposed bee colonies the number of new queen bees published yesterday that scien- in a laboratory setting to a range produced from the colony was tists say should prompt a of radiation levels found in areas significantly reduced and Parasailing in Mesaieed rethink of international calcu- of the exclusion zone around the colony growth was delayed -- lations of nuclear environ- ruined Chernobyl site, where a meaning colonies reached their Thrill seekers gear up to go parasailing and paratriking from the Sky Masters Sports Club grounds at mental risk. reactor exploded in 1986 in the peak weight at a week later,” Sealine in Mesaieed, yesterday. PIC: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH/THE PENINSULA The study, published in the world’s worst nuclear disaster. said the paper’s lead author journal Proceedings of the They found that colony Katherine Raines.