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Volume 24 | Number 8184

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MoI calls on workers to register National Address through Metrash2PRAMOD PRABHAKARAN THE PENINSULA

In a presentation to raise awareness among companies about National Address, Ministry of Interior (MoI) urged companies to encourage their workers to register National Address through Metrash2.

Underlining the importance of completing National Address through Metrash 2, an MoI official said during the presen-tation at the General Direc-torate of Traffic yesterday for companies about National Address, that registering through Metrash2 will save them time and effort.

In the beginning of last month, around 234,000 people had already registered their National Address, and out of which 227,000 used Metrash2 for the same.

Explaining the importance of the National Address, Lt Col Abdullah Zayed Al Sahli, head of the National Address Section at the Public Security, said: “It is a paradigm shift in the conduct of judicial proceedings. It facilitates the delivery of various services from different service providers and helps reaching people concerned in issues of personal and public interest.”

It is easier to register through Metrash2 as lot of data such as details about your sponsor is already available online and updating the address, if needed in future, is also easier.

“Encourage the employees to download and register with Metrash2. If they don’t have a Sim card on their name, they

can apply for a new Sim or transfer the existing into their name.

In case of a new Sim, it will take 10 days to register the data on Metrash 2. This will save you time and efforts as getting thou-sands of workers to service centres is difficult. Better to train them on how to register and using Metrash2,” First Lieu-tenant Saeed Khater Al Kuwari from the Unified Services Department said during the presentation.

For companies with more than 300 workers, the PRO has to approach the MoI Service Centre with an official letter addressed to the head of the Service Centre and take an appointment to get the National

Address registered. If a company has less than 300 workers, then the workers have go to the Service Centre in batches of 20-30 people every day.

One needs to take pref-erably a colour printout of the application form from the Min-istry’s website. PRO has to take printed forms and the employees to the service centre and the signature should be done in front of the officer at the Service Centre and not at the company.

“The company needs to select the Service Centre that is closest for the employees and not that is convenient for them. Sometimes the office might be in Doha, but the employees might be working in Shahaniya, then you have to take them to the Shahaniya Service Centre and not Doha Service Sentre,” Al Kuwari explained.

If anyone fails to register before the last date, July 26, there will be a fine of QR10,000, which will be reduced if court has not taken a decision on the case.

If anyone provides wrong information — intentionally or unintentionally – and authority concerned used that infor-mation for reaching out to you at that wrong address — then also fine is applicable. The official urged everyone to be cautious while filling the address.

“Before filling up the data make sure all the information is accurate. There is a column for electricity number and if it is not correct then you will not receive a confirmation message from the MOI,” he added.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday with Executive Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H E Dr. Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, and her accompanying delegation at the Amiri Diwan. At the outset of the meeting, H E Dr. Delcy conveyed the greetings of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H E Nicolas Maduro, to H H the Amir and his wishes for His Highness of health and happiness and for the Qatari people of more development and prosperity. H H the Amir entrusted H E Dr. Delcy with his greetings to H E President Maduro, wishing him health and wellness and the Venezuelan people continued progress and development. The meeting reviewed relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance and develop these relations, in addition to a host of matters of common interest.

Amir meets Executive Vice-President of Venezuela

Qatar affirms progress of

project to raise LNG production

QNA — DOHA

Minister of State for Energy Affairs, H E Engineer Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, confirmed yesterday that the pace of work in imple-menting the project of increasing the State of Qatar’s production of liquefied gas from 77 million tonnes per day to 126 million tonnes by 2027 is going well, denying media reports that there has been a delay in the project for several months.

Regarding the effects of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on LNG ship-ments for Qatar Petroleum

customers and its subsidi-aries, His Excellency clar-ified, in his statements on the sidelines of the General Assembly of Industries Qatar Company, that the Coronavirus is a global issue and what happens in the delivery of gas ship-ments globally occurs with Qatar Petroleum as well.

H E the Minister also stressed that Qatar Petroleum cooperates with its customers in a manner that provides them with their needs and provides them with support in all forms, which is something that the State of Qatar always does.

Two more cases

of COVID-19

reported in Qatar

QNA — DOHA

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced yesterday that following further testing, two additional cases of coro-navirus disease (COVID-19) have been recorded in the State of Qatar, taking the total of confirmed cases to three.

The two Qatari individuals were evacuated from the Islamic Republic of Iran on a government-chartered plane on 27 February 2020 and have been under full quarantine, the ministry explained in a statement yesterday.

The patients have been transferred to the Communi-cable Disease Center for treatment under full quar-antine and they are in a stable condition, the statement said.

The MoPH reiterated that the patients have not had any engagement with the general public stressing that the risk of infection to the public remains low.

The MoPH has prepared for the spread of the virus by instituting quarantine measures for people returning from infected areas, the statement said adding that the Ministry continues to monitor quarantined individuals for symptoms.

34% increase in visitors to Doha Jewellery and Watches expoRAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

More than 32,000 people visited the 17th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhi-bition (DJWE) which concluded on Saturday, a 34 percent increase from its previous edition, organisers Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) said yesterday.

Under the patronage of H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the six-day exhibition held at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center marked its biggest edition this year with 129 exhibitors from 14 countries, a 68 percent growth from last year.

“This edition of DJWE boasted the largest number of exhibitors to date, representing a record number of coun-tries. Such numbers demonstrate the influence of this prestigious event for both industry and consumers,” H E Akbar Al Baker, Secretary General of QNTC and GCEO of Qatar Airways, said in a statement.

The luxury event will return for its 18th edition on February 22 to 27 next

year, QNTC announced yesterday.“With more exhibition space than

ever before to accommodate a diverse and growing array of brands, DJWE attracts the biggest names in jewellery and watchmaking. As we conclude yet another successful event in 2020, we are already looking ahead to our eight-eenth edition next year to ensure that the event continues to grow each year,” said Al Baker.

Among the highlights of this year’s event was the participation of 18 Young Qatari Designers, the largest yet among the initiative’s four editions. The designers wowed jewellery connois-seurs with their collections inspired from local elements such as desert rose or sadou weaving patterns, and locally sourced pearls.

Spread on a 33,000sqm area, the exhibition featured spectacular pavilions from Qatar’s seven industry powerhouses including Alfardan Jew-ellery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Al Majed Jew-ellery, Amiri Gems, Fifty One East, Al Muftah Jewellery and Blue Salon, in addition to Indian and Turkish pavilions showcasing dozens of brands. �P3

Temporary entrance restrictions on people coming from Egypt due to coronavirusQNA — DOHA

As a public health measure, the State of Qatar has imposed a temporary entrance restriction to its territories on all those who are coming from Egypt

through intermediate points. The measure is temporary due to

the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Government Com-munications Office said in a statement yesterday.

For companies with more than 300 workers, the PRO has to approach the MoI Service Centre with an official letter addressed to the head of the Service Centre and take an appointment to get the National Address registered. If a company has less than 300 workers, then the workers have go to the Service Centre in batches of 20-30 people every day. Amir holds phone

call with Macron

QNA — DOHA

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a telephone conver-sation with President of the French Republic, H E Emmanuel Macron.

During the phone call which H H the Amir received from H E the French President, the two sides reviewed the close bilateral rela-tions between Qatar and France and means of promoting and developing them in all fields.

The two sides also reviewed the most important developments on the regional and international arenas, especially the situation in Libya and ways of maintaining security and stability in the country, in addition to the situation in Afghanistan. �P2

OFFICIAL NEWS

Bamako: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim

bin Hamad Al Thani sent a writ-

ten message to the President of

the Republic of Mali, H E Ibrahim

Boubaker Keita, pertaining to the

bilateral relations and means of sup-

porting and developing them. The

message was handed over by the

Ambassador of the State of Qatar to

Mali, H E Ahmed bin Abdulrahman

Al Sunaidi, during a meeting with

the President of Mali. QNA

Amir sends written message to President of Mali

02 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020HOME

Directorate of Civil Defence to add 23 fire fighting vehicles to its fleet this yearSIDI MOHAMED THE PENINSULA

The Ministry of Interior repre-sented by the General Directorate of Civil Defence observed yesterday the International Civil Defence Day, which falls on March 1 every year.

The theme of this year’s World Civil Defence Day is ‘Civil Defence and a First Aider in Every Home’.

“The General Directorate of Civil Defence added 11 fire trucks to its fleet late last year, in addition to 23 other vehicles that were con-tracted, which will come succes-sively during the current year, all of which work in the field of extin-guishing and protecting buildings and towers, rescuing accidents and land-based places, and dealing with chemicals,” said Brigadier Hamad Othman Al Duhaimi, Director General of Civil Defence.

Speaking to reporters yes-terday about the event which was held at the Officers Club in the presence of a number of officers, he announced the launching of one year training and awareness pro-gramme, targeting school students, commercial complexes, and state ministries, aiming to achieve this year’s theme of “Civil Defence and a First Aider in Every Home”.

In his speech, Brigadier Al Duhaimi, said that the observance of the International Civil Defence Day aims to deliver a message to the community on the importance of intensifying individual efforts alongside the efforts of civil

defence authority in protecting lives and property.

Al Duhaimi added that the Civil Defence cadres are well-trained in firefighting and rescue opera-tions. “The Directorate recognises that the human safety is the most important priority and works with serious steps to improve the mech-anism for carrying out these tasks while consolidating efforts to create a safety culture among dif-ferent segments of society.”

Brigadier Al Duhaimi called on all components of civil society to cooperate with the efforts of the General Directorate of Civil Defence to activate this year’s theme of “Civil Defence and a First Aider in Every Home” in order to preserve the safety of the people of the homeland by educating family members, and instilling safety concepts in them, and affir-mation of the presence of one or more individuals, on knowledge of the most important measures to achieve safety and security, and to act in times of crises and dis-asters in a scientific manner.

The Head of Media and Awareness Section of the General Directorate of Civil Defence, Major Jabir Mohammed Al Marri, explained that the General Direc-torate of Civil Defence’s keenness to hold a celebration of Civil Defence Day every year, in coop-eration with The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) which comes under the theme “Civil Defence and a first aider in every home”, aims to provide

awareness and education in the safety and security procedures in every home.

He said that the mission of the General Directorate of Civil Defence and its related depart-ments is to highlight the potential risks in homes, procedures for securing kitchens, heating tools, etc., through meetings, plans, and awareness programmes that work to activate this theme.

The officials of the General Directorate of Civil Defence during the event.

Brigadier Hamad Othman Al Duhaimi (right), Director- General of Civil Defence, honouring Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior, on the International Civil Defence Day at Civil Defence headquarters, yesterday. PICS: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA

Ashghal’s project receives ‘Construction and Engineering Excellence Award’ from OracleTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Doha South Sewage Infra-structure Project implemented by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has been awarded the Oracle’s ‘Construction and Engi-neering Excellence Award’ for ‘Enterprise-wide Standardi-zation in Public Infrastructure’.

The project was recognised for the use of digital engineering as a primary strategy for process efficiency, resource utilization, record management, enhanced c o l l a b o r a t i o n , a n d

implementation of construction best practices.

The award was received by Eng. Khalid Maher Al Qatami, Head of Treatment Plants and TSE Network Projects Section at Ashghal, during Oracle’s annual awards ceremony held on 26 February 2020 in Doha. The cer-emony was also attended by representatives from M/s. Jacobs (previously CH2M), the Project Management Consultant for this project.

It is worth noting that Oracle is an international organisation

that is specialised in providing technological solutions to clients from different countries including USA, Europe and Asia.

In April 2019, Ashghal com-pleted the construction works of the Main Trunk Sewer (MTS) as part of the Doha South Sewage Infrastructure Project. The MTS is 16-kilometre long and is divided into three seg-ments, Eastern, Northern and Western. In addition, con-struction of seven lateral sewer tunnels of approximately 24 kil-ometres was completed using

170 shafts at different locations within Doha South.

The flows from these lateral sewers will be conveyed to the three segments of the MTS, which will then convey these flows to the existing Doha South Sewage Treatment Plant through a 40 metres deep foul sewerage pumping station.

An important feature of the project is that the gravity MTS will reduce the environmental impacts by fully controlling the odours at the sewage treatment works and conveying system,

and reduce other environ-mental problems arising from sewage overflow due to excess hydraulic pressure on the existing drainage network, where sewage flows exceed its absorptive capacity.

The project is designed to accommodate the population growth expected in Doha South, and has the capacity to be linked to future infrastructure projects. Once complete, the project will enable the decom-missioning of more than twenty foul sewer pumping stations

located in the residential and commercial areas in the south of Doha.

Doha South Sewage Infra-structure Project achieved several prestigious international awards during 2019. The project won the Engineering News Record (ENR)’s Global Best Project Award in the Waste-water Category, in recognition of its design innovation, out-standing health and safety per-formance, effective risk man-agement, and implementation of construction best practices.

Amir meets outgoing Ambassadors of Turkey and Ecuador

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at the Amiri Diwan yesterday morning with the Ambassador of the sisterly Republic of Turkey, H E Fikret Ozer (left) and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador, H E Ivonne Abdul Baki, who called on H H the Amir to greet him on the occasion of the end of their tenures in the country. H H the Amir granted Their Excellencies the Ambassadors the Decoration of Al Wajbah in recognition of their roles in enhancing relations between the State of Qatar and their countries, wishing them success in their future tasks and further progress and development for the relations. The Ambassadors expressed their thanks and appreciation to H H the Amir and the officials in the State for their cooperation which contributed to the success of their work in the country.

Al Attiyah inspects preparations for ‘Al-Adeed 2020’ THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Amiri Land Force has started preparations to carry out the tactical drill “Al-Adeed 2020” with the participation of all leaderships and branches of the Amiri Land Force, in addition to the Amiri Air Force, the Joint Special Forces and a number of various units from the Armed Forces.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, inspected the prepara-tions and checked all arrangements, in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, H E Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem.

H E the Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied by H E the Chief of Staff, also made an inspection tour to check the combat readiness of the Amiri Land Force and their ability to carry out the mil-itary operations due to be implemented at the appropriate time and place.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, inspecting the preparations to carry out the tactical drill “Al-Adeed 2020”.

Amir condoles with President, Prime Minister of PakistanDOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin

Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir

H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al

Thani sent cables of condolences to

the President of the Islamic Repub-

lic of Pakistan, H E Dr. Arif Alvi,

and the Prime Minister, H E Imran

Khan, expressing condolences on

the victims of the train collision with

a passenger bus in southern Paki-

stan, wishing the injured a speedy

recovery. The Prime Minister and

Minister of Interior, H E Sheikh

Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al

Thani, also sent a cable of condo-

lences to the Prime Minister of the

Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H E

Imran Khan, on the victims of the

train collision with a passenger bus

in southern Pakistan, wishing the

injured a speedy recovery. QNA

Minister of Justice meets Lebanese Minister of Interior

Tunis: The Minister of Justice and

Acting Minister of State for Cabi-

net Affairs, H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al

Jafali Al Nuaimi, met yesterday with

the Lebanese Minister of Interior

and Municipalities, H E Mohammed

Fahmi, on the sidelines of the 37th

Arab Interior Ministers meetings in

Tunis. During the meeting, a number

of issues related to strengthening

security relations between the two

countries were discussed. QNA

The theme of this year’s World Civil Defence Day is ‘Civil Defence and a First Aider in Every Home’.

Amir holds phone call with Macron

FROM PAGE 1

The French President praised

the efforts made by the State of

Qatar in reaching a peace agree-

ment between the United States

and the Afghan Taliban movement,

which was signed in Doha yesterday.

03MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 HOME

FM meets Executive Vice-President of Venezuela

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met yesterday with the Executive Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H E Dr. Delcy Rodriguez Gomez, who is currently visiting the country. They reviewed bilateral cooperation relations and regional issues, as well as several matters of common interest.

PM meets outgoing Ambassadors of Turkey and Ecuador

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, met yesterday morning with the Ambassador of the sisterly Republic of Turkey, H E Fikret Ozer (left), and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador, H E Ivonne Abdul Baki, to the State of Qatar on the occasion of the end of their tenures in the country. His Excellency wished the Ambassadors success in their future assignments, and the relations between the State of Qatar and each of Turkey and Ecuador further progress and development.

Al Marri calls on GCC Secretary-General to assume responsibility on blockade’s humanitarian crisisQNA — WASHINGTON

The Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, called on the GCC Secretary-General, during a meeting with members of the US Congress, to assume his responsibilities in dealing with the humanitarian crisis resulting from the continued blockade imposed on the State of Qatar for 1000 days.

Al Marri said that the NHRC was more than ready to hand the new secretary-general com-prehensive reports on the impacts of the blockade and the

human suffering it has caused for 1000 days, expressing hope that they would end immedi-ately regardless of the efforts to resolve the crisis politically.

In a statement on the side-lines of a work visit to US capital Washington, Al Marri expressed hope that the new GCC Sec-retary-General can play a part in resolving the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, in line with his responsibilities dictated by the GCC’s rules of procedures. He also called on him to rectify to the complete failure of GCC and Arab mechanisms in redressing the victims since the blockade was imposed on them

in June 2017. He stressed that the blockade will scar the history of the GCC forever, due to its negative humanitarian implications on the region’s society and citizens who were shocked at their official institu-tions’ inability to resolve the crisis and end the injustice.

The Chairman said that the GCC must reconsider its rights system following the failure regardless of the progress of negotiations.

Dr. Al Marri emphasised that members of the US House of Representatives addressed the US Secretary of State, H E Mike Pompeo, to urge him to

act and take effective and immediate measures to end the blockade imposed on the State of Qatar and put an end to the grave violations affecting cit-izens and residents of Qatar.

During his meetings with the members of the US House of Representatives, H E Dr. Al Marri presented an overview of the repercussions of the blockade that has been going on for the 1,000 days, warning of the grave consequences resulting from the continued human suffering of thousands of citizens and residents, not only in Qatar but in all the coun-tries of the Gulf Cooperation

Council. Responding to ques-tions from members of the US House of Representatives about the actions of NHRC, H E Dr. Al Marri provided an overview of the efforts being made in the judicial and legal tracks, pointing out that the NHRC is committed to its promises to the victims not to renounce the prosecution and condemnation of the blockading states until the victims are compensated and redressing the victims.

He added the people of Qatar lived 1,000 days of vio-lations against the Gulf peoples, 1,000 days of intransigence in harming the citizens and

residents, and 1,000 days of reprisals and collective punish-ments that the blockade coun-tries failed to find a justification for, except for the pretext of revenge from Qatar under the pre te xt o f pol i t ica l differences.

On the expected role of the House of Representatives of the US Congress to stop the suf-fering of those affected by the embargo, the Chairman of NHRC said that the represent-atives of parliaments in the world have a great responsi-bility to defend peoples who are subject to serious violations of their rights.

34% increase in visitors to DJWEFROM PAGE 1

Al Majed Jewellery had special reveals by Tag Heuer including its Aquaracer Calibre 7 limited edition watch made up of 200 pieces and was inspired by the colours of Qatar’s flag. Greubel Forsey, Roberto Coin, and A. Lange & Söhne had special reveals while Pasquale Bruni showcased its latest collection.

Ali bin Ali Luxury also revealed an exquisite range of unique designs, adding new brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Nous to their regular favorites such as Cartier, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Graff, Damiani, Mikimoto, Ulysse Nardin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Baume &

Mercier and Garrard.Al Muftah Jewellery fea-

tured a host of exclusive inter-national brands including Charriol, Chronoswiss, Cuervo Y Sobrinos, Dubey & Schalden-brand, Ebel, Falcinelli, Giovanni Ferraris, Montana and Movado.

The Amiri Gems pavilion brought high-end brands including Adler, Concord, Davidor, Letalis and Ananya.

Alfardan Jewellery unveiled several exhibits including the Égérie watch line, Vacheron Constantin, and an extraor-dinary diamond and gemstone collection by Tiffany & Co.

Fifty One East displayed Rolex’s Baselworld 2019 col-lection alongside TUDOR’s award-winning P01 watch.

Chanel’s booth was inspired by the brand’s iconic camellia flower with its 1.5 1 Camélia 5 Allures collection as its centrepiece.

Blue Salon pavilion also impressed crowds with latest collections by Breitling, Zenith, Bovet, Louis Erard, Mon-tegrappa, Korloff and Digo to name a few.

The expo saw the DJWE debut of De Beers and Le Por-tique Jewellery’ ahead of the opening of their stores in Qatar, and Jawaher’s regional launch of new brand Lenore.

Apart from the spectacular display of diverse collection of stunning adornments, DJWE had daily classes and work-shops by industry experts.

Qatar’s mediation efforts for US-Taliban accord laudedIRFAN BUKHARI & SACHIN KUMAR THE PENINSULA

Welcoming the US-Taliban peace agreement, dignitaries from different countries, diplomats as well as Taliban leaders have lauded Qatar’s contribution towards reaching a peace pact. The US-Taliban peace agreement was signed in Doha on Saturday.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, H E Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, welcomed the US-Taliban agreement for bringing peace in Afghanistan saying that it was a step towards establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

Talking to media persons on Saturday after attending peace pact signing ceremony, H E also lauded Qatar’s medi-ation efforts to end years-old war in Afghanistan. He stressed that all countries had an important role to play in helping Afghanistan achieve sustainable peace.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, H E Mevlut Cavusoglu, praised on Saturday the decisive role of Qatar in ensuring the success of talks between the US and the Taliban, congratulating the leadership, government, and people of the State of Qatar on the achievement.

The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs told reporters that the agreement was one of

the historic moments in the journey towards Afghan peace, adding that it was due to inde-pendent and active Qatari diplomacy, QNA reported. His Excellency praised the achievement despite the diffi-culties it faced, stressing his country’s support to efforts that would lead to peace in Afghan-istan. Cavusoglu said that Feb-ruary 29 agreement had set the stage for intra-Afghan talks, expressing hope that those talks would start soon and lead to a sustainable and comprehensive peace for the Afghan people.

Talking to The Peninsula, Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, termed the signing of US-Taliban peace agreement as ‘historic’. “There were many obstacles and spoilers but ulti-mately the dialogue succeeded. Now all eyes are set on intra-Afghan dialogue scheduled to be held next month.” He said that he was confident that clauses agreed in the accord would be implemented by the both sides. “There was and there is no military solution to Afghanistan crisis.” Praising Qatar’s perseverance in hosting US-Taliban talks for years, Qureshi said that it was due to mature vision of Qatar’s lead-ership that the process of dia-logue had reached the success stage.

Talking to media persons, the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Counterter-rorism and Mediation in Conflict

Resolution, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, said that the negoti-ation period of peace deal between the US and the Taliban was very long and tough but with the help of all parties deal was ultimately signed.

Talking to The Peninsula, Katsuhiko Takahashi, Director-General and Assistant Minister for the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, as well as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan of MOFA Japan, said : “We a p p r e c i a t e Qatar’s efforts to prepare such a good setting for the signing c e r e m o n y . Presence of international community in the signing cer-emony really demonstrates that the world is trying to back this process so that the peace is durable. Japan is ready to con-tinue in working together with international community to realise this goal.”

“The presence of the Tali-ban’s political office in Doha really is a very important element in this process because without a specific channel of communication of the Taliban, the international community will feel at a loss, which wants to

communicate. This is really important thing and this is what Qatar is good at doing. This ini-tiative made by Qatar’s gov-ernment had a very important impact on this process,” said Katsuhiko Takahashi.

Talking to The Peninsula, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, Fikret Ozer, lauded Qatar for playing key mediation role for the peace deal which was signed between the US and the Taliban. “I wish for people of Afghanistan,

Pakistan and neighboring coun-tries peace and stability. Qatar played key role for the peace deal between the US and the Taliban,” said the Ambassador while talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the signing ceremony. Fikret Ozer hoped that the peace deal would be beginning for solving over two decades long fight.

The Ambassador of South Korea to Qatar, Chang-mo KIM, said that it was very historic moment to witness the peace deal between the US and the Taliban. “Qatar played very good role to make these talks a success. I think it is just a starting point; there is a long way to go. The peace deal will bring sta-bility and prosperity to Afghan-istan,” said Chang-mo KIM while talking to The Peninsula.

Rashad Ismayilov, Ambas-

sador of Azerbaijan to Qatar, said that the US and the Taliban signed a historic deal which would bring peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. “Qatar played very important role to make the peace deal possible. I hope that future negotiations will be held successfully,” said Rashad Ismayilov while talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines

of the signing ceremony. He said that the peace deal would bring stability in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Suhail Shahheen, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, said that the Taliban were committed to the agreement signed in Doha. He said that the Taliban hoped to achieve a permanent solution to war in Afghanistan.

He said that Qatar’s role was critical to reach the agreement

further saying that Qatar had ironed out difficulties and chal-lenges facing the peace process.

Another central leader of the Taliban, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: “Today is a historic day that the peace deal has been signed. Now we all move ahead to have peace in Afghanistan. The signing of the agreement is a milestone; the beginning of a new process.”

Sultanate of Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, H E Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah; Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu; and Katsuhiko Takahashi, Director-General and Assistant Minister for the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, Japan.


UN Environment Programme endorses HBKU’s new Environmental Law courseFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has officially introduced its first Environmental Law course and it has been endorsed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia.

The Environmental Law course by the College of Law (CL) at HBKU builds upon institution’s commitment to deliver soci-etally-relevant education and research that contributes to addressing Qatar’s grand challenges.

“The Environmental Law course is a child of necessity,” Dr Damilola S. Olawuyi (pictured), Associate Professor at CL, told The Peninsula.

“It soon became clear to the CL that inspiring future genera-tions of environmental inno-vators in Qatar requires training and research that supports the relevant priorities of Qatar National Vision 2030. HBKU is proud to spearhead innovation in this area. Coming at a time of real need, this course provides exceptional opportunities for stu-dents to understand the values, assumptions, and guiding prin-ciples which underlie the field of

global environmental law. Stu-dents will also discover how they can play leading roles in advancing the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in critical sectors of Qatar’s economy,” he added.

Over the past two years, UNEP’s Law Division and regional office in West Asia have provided technical support, resources, and knowledge plat-forms that have enabled us to develop the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) most com-parative environmental law course at HBKU.

“UNEP’s recognition and support for our efforts to advance environmental law education in Qatar and across the MENA region is deeply important and will only motivate us to continue along this path. We are also

delighted that our students will be able to obtain the UN Certif-icate in Environmental Gov-ernance. This certificate will sig-nificantly enable our graduates to become international leaders in this field in the near future,” said Dr S. Olawuyi.

Protecting and conserving the environment for present and future generations is a key prin-ciple of international law. Scien-tific studies also confirm that a well-protected environment free from pollution is essential to the overall health and vitality of human life and communities. To minimise environmental harm, Qatar has developed a compre-hensive and committed legal order that places environmental protection very squarely at the heart of economic development.

“The Environmental Law course at HBKU exposes students to the various legal regimes in Qatar and beyond that govern human relationships with the envi-ronment. Drawing on principles of ethics, ecology, economics, and the science of risk assessment, it also explores and analyses regu-latory regimes that promote water conservation, resource efficiency, green transportation and other areas,” said Dr S. Olawuyi.

10/15/20/30 promotion launched at Lulu THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Lulu Group, after an interval of a couple of months, has re-launched the most sought after 10/15/20/30 promotion at all Lulu outlets in the Qatar region.

Over 1,000 products from all categories — grocery, fresh food, fruits, vegetables, household, textile, footwear, cosmetics, sports goods, home décor, luggage, stationery, toys and electronics among many more are offered for the above pro-motion. This promotion will con-tinue until March 7.

The specialty of the pro-motion is that Lulu management has succeeded in adding products that meet every utility of customers. Products of good quality are made available at affordable prices and that defines the promotion as outstanding.

Hot Food and Bakery sections have organized their own tailor-made innovative value combo offers encompassing various cui-sines such as Arabic, Western, Chinese, South Indian and North Indian etc., along with extensive diversities of bakery delights to compliment value and beauty to the main-stream promotion. Meanwhile, promotion with better prices have been organized with Digi Tech offers on elec-tronics, IT products and cameras.

Also, LuLu has launched ‘Half Pay Back’ on Readymade gar-ments, Sarees, Churidars, footwear, ladies’ bags, Baby accessories and selected

sunglasses wherein customers can get instantly a QR100 gift voucher against their purchases worth QR200.

The promotion features several international brands of menswear, ladieswear, chu-ridars, saris, children’s wear, footwear and ladies’ bags & selected sunglasses, the Man-agement indicated in a statement. The promotion will continue until Mmarch 7.

Stocks of leading interna-tional brands such as Lee, Wrangler, Crocs, Sketchers, Reebok, Louis Philippe, Arrow, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, Oxemberg, Sero, Tom Smith, Dickies, John Louise, Eten, Cortigiani, Debackers are on display.

Simultaneously, an exclusive ongoing promotion that Lulu Hypermarkets launched in coor-dination with Nestle Qatar on Nescafe 3 in 1 products under title “Buy Nescafe 3 in 1 products

worth QR25 and Get chances to enter raffle draw to win air-ticket for traveling back to home country to 8 winners”. This Pro-motion will continue until March 6th at all Lulu outlets.

Meanwhile, a leading confec-tionary brand Master food in coordination with Lulu has started an innovative promotion under title “Buy Any Mars products for QR25 and Get a free raffle coupon to win Lulu Gift vouchers up to QR50,000“. This promotion will identify 32 winners in a mega raffle draw, which is scheduled to be held on March 31 at Lulu Hypermarket, D-Ring Road branch.

Th Lulu Management has always been striving hard to extend a better shopping expe-rience to its shoppers, and we will continue our sustained efforts in this regard with highly innovative promotions in future as well to keep our customers happier.

Customers shopping at Lulu Hypermarket.

Qatar participates in Arab Interior Ministers Council session in TunisQNA — TUNIS

The 37th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council started yesterday at the head-quarters of the Council’s General Secretariat.

The State of Qatar partici-pated in the meeting with a del-egation headed by Minister of Justice and Minister of State for the Council of Ministers Affairs, H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, and with the mem-bership of H E Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Abdulaziz bin Faisal Al Thani, and a number of officials

at the Ministry of Interior.The session discussed a

number of reports and recom-mendations issued by confer-ences and meetings held within the scope of the General Secre-tariat, the results of joint meetings with Arab and

international bodies during the past year, and other security issues on the agenda.

The meeting will also discuss security efforts at the Arab level to combat terrorism and organised crime in all its forms.

Minister of Justice and Minister of State for the Council of Ministers Affairs, H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, chairing the 37th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council in Tunis, yesterday.

The session discussed a number of reports and recommendations issued by conferences and meetings held within the scope of the General Secretariat, the results of joint meetings with Arab and international bodies during the past year, and other security issues on the agenda.

HMC, PHCC nurses among first InternationalFlorence Nightingale Foundation alumniTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

A group of senior nurses from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) recently joined the internationally-recog-nized Florence Nightingale Foundation, making them the first international alumni of the program.

Thirty Qatari and long-term resident nurses, including one male nurse, attended the pres-tigious Florence Nightingale Foundation leadership training program as part of their ongoing professional development. Twenty-five HMC and five PHCC nurses completed the interactive program, which was led by Pro-fessor Greta Westwood, CEO of the Foundation.

Dr Nicola Ryley, Chief Nursing Officer at HMC, said the program provided an ideal forum for young nurse leaders to build their professional networks.

“The program is designed to develop a cadre of young national nurses who will have the right training to help them in

their personal development as leaders. This experience will be of great benefit to them as they progress on their career journey. Especially as they will be called upon to lead the next generation of nurses and midwives in Qatar and to help shape the relevant healthcare policies of the future,” said Dr Ryley.

“As part of the integrated care efforts mandated by the National Health Strategy 2018–2022, we are working closely with Primary Health Care Cor-poration and warmly welcome the participation of their senior nurses in this program. These activities help to build important professional networks throughout the public healthcare system and are designed to support more collegiate working practices,” added Dr Ryley.

Professor Westwood, who led the four-day intensive training along with Professor Mandy Ashton, an experienced performance coach, said the program is designed to provide participants with a clearer understanding of their lead-

ership style. “It was an honour to deliver

this leadership program, the Foundation’s first internationally delivered program, to this inspi-rational group. I was delighted to be joined by my colleagues from the Royal Academy of Dra-matic Art (RADA) who delivered the program to the group of senior nurses. I now welcome them, as Florence Nightingale Foundation Nurses, into our alumni community,” said Pro-fessor Westwood.

The program is one of the local initiatives arranged in Qatar as part of the Nightingale Chal-lenge, which is an integral com-ponent of Nursing Now’s aim to improve health globally by raising the profile and status of nurses. HMC signed up to the global Nightingale Challenge last year and the local initiative is led by two aspiring nurse leaders: Asmaa Al Atey, Director of Nursing at Hamad General Hos-pital and Ameneh Zadeh, Nursing Duty Supervisor of the Emer-gency Department in Hamad General Hospital.

Senior nurses and officials during the programme.


Al Hammadi holds farewell ceremony for Ambassadors of Turkey and Ecuador

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, held yesterday a farewell ceremony in honour of the Ambassador of the sisterly Republic of Turkey, H E Fikret Ozer, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to Qatar, H E Yvonne Abdul Baki, on the occasion of the end of their tenures in the country. The ceremony, which was held at the Diplomatic Club, was attended by a number of Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions and offices accredited to the State in addition to directors of departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President of The Gambia meets A-G

QNA — BANJUL

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, H E Adama Barrow, met yesterday with the Attorney-General of the State of Qatar, H E Dr. Ali bin

Fetais Al Marri, who is currently visiting Banjul.

During the meeting, the President of the Republic of The Gambia and H E the Attorney-General of the State of Qatar exchanged views on

a number of topics related to legal issues, especially capacity-building in this field. The meeting was attended by H E Foreign Min-ister of The Gambia Mamadou Tangara.

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, H E Adama Barrow, with the Attorney-General of the State of Qatar, H E Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, in Banjul yesterday.

Mowasalat, QU study about driving behaviour of persons with disabilitiesTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School has partnered with Qatar University to conduct a study and research for examining driving behaviour of adults with higher functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders to develop and evaluate an innovative driving instructor training program.

Karwa Driving School will contribute to Qatar University who is awarded this project by Qatar National Research Fund. Furthermore, Shafallah Center, Qatar will provide its support in helping with sampling and survey, with students, faculty and attendants.

The study will focus on ‘behaviours and interventions that improve quality of life and decrease risk’ -Primary Priority Area and also ‘Mobility & Road Safety’ The project is led by Dr. Wael Al Hajyaseen from Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center, Qatar University in collaboration with Uni-

versity of Hasselt, Belgium.The Co-funding contribution

Management agreement has been signed between Qatar Uni-versity and the co-founder Karwa Driving School of Mow-asalat. Qatar University will execute and produce compre-hensive research studies on ‘Examining driving behavior of adults with Higher functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders to develop and evaluate an inno-vative driving instructor training program’.

The current project aims to comprehensively investigate driving behaviours as well as related psychological character-istics of novice drivers with ASD. For this, we use self-report measures, cognitive tasks, and a driving simulator. The to-be-developed simulated driving sce-narios will serve as validated assessment tools in future research.

Furthermore, this project targets the development of inno-vative training modules for the

driving instructors to equip them with the knowledge, tools and techniques to effectively develop driving capabilities and safe driving behaviors of novice drivers with ASD. Information from this training will also be made available for free by devel-oping an information folder, con-taining a summary of the training.

Fahad Al Qahtani, CEO of Mowasalat, said, “Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School wishes to contribute funding for the

research work for execution and implementation of the project. We are delighted to be part of this unique project, first time in Qatar, to develop training modules with information to address people with ASD.”

“We are happy partnering with QU, with whom we have more than 10- year relationship partnering through MOU’s to promote driving & vehicle safety through various campaigns, activities and initiatives

addressing road/traffic/driving safety> Through this project, KDS will be developing and distrib-uting the proposed training modules and information folder, which we expect will encourage more people with ASD to obtain a driving license, enhancing their level of autonomy, confidence and lifestyle as they become less dependent on relatives and friends to assist in transportation requirements,” said Al Qahtani.

Dr. Khalid Naji, Dean of the

College of Engineering in Qatar University, said, “The project also comes with an economic impact. First, as more people with ASD become able to obtain a driver’s license, more people will be able to pursue vocational goals. Second, the driver instructors will be able to attract more learner drivers who experience difficulties with learning how to drive due to their ASD diagnosis.”

Third, the utilization of driving simulators in traffic safety and operation studies in Qatar is quite novel and it will signifi-cantly enhance the under-standing of driver behavior in specific target groups such as people with ASD. Finally, this project will initiate active collab-oration between research bodies and driving schools in order to improve driver-training pro-grams in the state of Qatar.

He said that those with ASD usually experience significant challenges in adulthood and suc-cessfully overcoming typical milestones.

Fahad Al Qahtani (left), Dr. Khalid Naji (centre) and Dr. Wael Al Hajyaseen

WCM-Q students experience life of a doctorTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Students at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) learned what life is really like for a doctor as they shadowed physicians during their busy working days at Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corpo-ration, recently.

The 29 students, who are all on the foundation program or the first or second year of the pre-medical program at the college, all volunteered to par-ticipate in WCM-Q’s Clinical Observership Program, which is organized by the Division of Pre-medical Education. They were able to then shadow a physician specializing in an area they are interested in, learning exactly what a career in medicine entails.

Specialties chosen by the students included pediatrics, general surgery and obstetrics/gynecology. Dalal Al Fadli, a Foundation Program student, carried out her observership at Hamad Medical Corporation.

Dalal said, “It helps prepare you for the working world, because if you don’t know

something, you have to ask. “Before going into the general surgery department it wasn’t really a specialty I considered; I always wanted to be a cardiac surgeon and I didn’t think anyone would change my mind. But there were so many inter-esting operations – I never thought I would enjoy general surgery and being in an oper-ating theatre so much.”

For pre-medical 2 student Vinutha Ramadorai, it was her second year participating in the scheme. She said, “This time I chose to go to pediatric ER at Sidra, and I was really impressed with the way every-thing is organized. The doctors were so friendly, and they made sure we were included and gave us explanations about the cases. We also met a lot of nurse prac-titioners and other staff and saw that everyone is treated as equals which helps to provide good output and positive outcomes.”

The Clinical Observership Program was established to provide students who have yet to begin the medical curriculum with first-hand experience of

healthcare in a professional environment. Crucially, it helps put their studies into context and allows them to see and learn other skills like communication, empathy and teamwork – all attributes that are required in a successful physician.

Senior attending physician Dr Moune Jabre is the director of undergraduate medical edu-cation at Sidra. “The feedback from the physicians was how enthusiastic and interested the students were,” she said, “and they were particularly impressed as none of the stu-dents have formal medical experience, they are still on pre-medical programs.”

Dr Rachid Bendriss, assistant dean for student recruitment, outreach and foundation programs presented the students who completed the program with a certificate and said they had had a valuable learning experience.

He said, “There is only so much that one can learn from books and to get a real insight into medicine and healthcare, one has to actively participate."

HBKU is Event Educational Partner forMaternal and Child Health SymposiumTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has accepted an invitation to partic-ipate in Sidra Medicine’s Maternal and Child Health Symposium 2020 (MCH 2020) as an event educational partner.

Taking place March 7 to 9 and led by event chairs Dr. Sou-haila Al Khodor and Dr. Annalisa Terranegra, MCH 2020 brings together researchers, clinicians, nurses and other healthcare practi-tioners to explore the latest developments and innovations in maternal and child health research.

A mix of discussions,

exhibits and speeches will introduce participants to advanced research projects and resources available in the fields of preconception care, pregnancy complications and post-natal life. MCH 2020 also provides partners and exhib-itors with an opportunity to showcase their respective

capabil it ies to target audiences.

Speaking ahead of the sym-posium, Dr. Edward Stuenkel (pictured), founding dean of CHLS, said: “We’re naturally delighted to be participating at MCH 2020. Like Sidra Medicine, CHLS is committed to improving children’s and women’s health at home and further afield. MCH 2020 also provides the perfect oppor-tunity to highlight our multidis-ciplinary approach to research and discovery in the area of health and life sciences. To this end, we’re looking forward to engaging and building ties with what promises to be an expert and knowledgeable group of participants.”


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Qatar University concludes Sixth Cycle of Faculty Senate

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Faculty Senate at Qatar University (QU) concluded the sixth cycle at the Senior Management Building in the presence of Dr. Hassan Al Derham, QU President.

The ceremony was opened by The Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ali Abdel hadi Al Shawi. During his opening speech he welcomed and thanked 34 members of the council and attends, he praised the role of the council and congratulated

on completion of their tenure.Vice Chairman of the

Council , Dr. Othman Mohammed Al Thawadi gave a presentation on the most prom-inent achievements of the Council during the sixth cycle 2018-2020.

During the ceremony Dr. Al Derham said: “The loyalty of the faculty members is always appreciated. Every effort made towards University’s betterment is reflected in its progress.”

The ceremony was con-cluded with award ceremony

to the entire members of senate. The seventh cycle elections will be announced soon by the end of March, the members of senate will be chosen by the end

of the semester. The Faculty Senate has been

designed with the aim to achieve the principles of trans-parency and shared

responsibility to realise the vision of transforming QU into a model university that offers high-quality learning-centered education in a healthy and

constructive learning and teaching environment.

The Faculty Senate is an elected body representing QU faculty. It aims to represent and allow for the maximum and direct contribution of QU faculty. It is one of the means through which information about QU policies and proce-dures is debated and disseminated.

The senate encourages faculty to submit proposals which are afterwards discussed to come up with recommenda-tions accordingly.

The senate acts as an advisory entity to QU President. It studies and reviews proposed or existing policies and regula-tions that govern the business of QU’s legislative and admin-istrative authorities. Discussion outcomes and recommenda-tions are reported to the president.

Officials pose during the conclusion of Sixth Cycle of Faculty Senate.

Safari organises leap year birthday celebrationTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Safari, the leading hypermarket chain in Doha has organised cele-bration of leap year to create unfor-gettable memories for those who celebrate birthday once in four years. The Leap year Birth Day Celebration took place on February 29 at 6pm in Safari Mall, Abu Hamour.

Safari, which always maintains a special relationship with its customers, has celebrated the birthday of cus-tomer whose birth date falls on Feb-ruary 29. Shaheen Backer, executive director of Safari Group, cut the cake and joined in the celebrations, along with children and adults celebrating their birthdays on February 29.

Safari offered handmade gifts and Ooredoo, Qatar also gave exclusive gifts to the program

participants. 29GB of free data offer for 29 days was given as gift to the birthday celebrants by Ooredoo, Q a t a r . C h i l d r e n a n d

adults celebrating their birthday on February 29 joined the celebration with their family and bachelors attended it with their friends.

Officials with customers cutting a cake at the Safari Mall, Abu Hamour.

The Faculty Senate has been designed with the aim to achieve the principles of transparency and shared responsibility to realise the vision of transforming QU into a model university that offers high-quality learning-centred education in a healthy and constructive learning and teaching environment.

Galfar Toastmasters Club holds 11th Annual Speech Contest THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Galfar Toastmasters Club (GTM), has conducted its 11th Annual Speech Contest at the Oryx Rotana Hotel recently. The enthusiastic members of the Corporate Club, comprised entirely of Galfar Al Misnad staff, vied for the championships in four different categories: inter-national speech, table topics, evaluation speech, and humorous speech. It was attended by about 40 members and guests.

Kingsley Okoro took home the first prizes in both the International Speech and Table Topics categories. While Rajeshwar Rao topped the Evaluation Speech category, and Shashi Prakash Singh aced the Humorous Speech category. The first and second place winners of each category went on to represent GTM at the Area Speech Contest

on Friday, where Kingsley Okoro topped the Interna-tional Speech and Table Topics categories. He will now represent Area 03 at the upcoming Division A Contest.

Galfar Al Misnad, a leading construction company which has been operating in Qatar for nearly 25 years, instituted its own Corporate Toast-masters Club in 2009 as a management initiative to develop Leadership and Communication Skills amongst staff members. Through this program, the company has seen a large number of employees upgrading themselves to perform better in their functional roles as good speakers and effective leaders.

Within three years of its existence, members of GTM started participating in area contests, and by 2016, they were participating in

division level contests. GTM has ensured its represen-tation right up to the District level in the speech contests. Over the past decade, the club has won the best Cor-porate Club award a numerous times, and is con-sidered one of the most sus-tainable and successful Cor-p o r a t e C l u b s i n Toastmasters.

GTM was also desig-nated as a “President’s Dis-tinguished Club” in the 2018-19 term.

This is the highest rec-ognition possible for any Toastmasters’ Club, and makes it the first club in Area 03 of District 116 to achieve this feat, and the second club in Division A.

GTM conducts its regular meeting every first and third Saturday of the month at the Toastmasters Hall, a place exclusively provided by the company as their meeting and activity venue.

Members of Galfar Toastmasters Club at the 11th Annual Speech Contest.

Green Mangroves group calls for rethinkingplastic use during talk at Qatar National LibraryTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Qatar National Library’s focus on sustainability during February culminated in a strong call to action at ‘Saving the Blue’ on Saturday. The talk featured the founders of Green Mangroves, a locally-based program of Qatar Foundation International, that brings people together to protect the country’s natural water and mangroves.

The Green Mangroves activists shared simple steps that anyone can take to reduce plastic use and contribute to protecting the oceans.

“People can reduce their plastic use by taking very simple steps in their daily lives. Instead of using normal plastic bags, opt for reusable cloth bags for shopping. Keep them in your car so you won’t forget them at home,” said Lina Altarawneh, co-founder of Green

Mangroves, who spoke at the event. “Usually coffee cups are lined with plastic, so get your own reusable cups and take them with you to the cafes. Use bar soap at home instead of shampoo and soap from plastic pump dispensers.”

A visitor to the Library, Roy Collado, who attended the event, said: “It is very important for us to be aware of what we are con-suming and how this affects the environment. I learned some useful tips about how to make my daily activities more environmentally friendly. We should act more responsibly in using plastic and do our bit to help this absolutely crucial cause.”

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

for Technology

expands its retail

sales network

in Qatar


Talal Abu-Ghazaleh for Technology (TAGTech) expanded its network of retailers to distribute its electronic devices in Qatar based on a cooperation agreement with the head office of Al-Dura Trading & Marketing Co. in Doha, Safari Mall and Grand Hypermarket.

The sales centers would facilitate the process of purchasing TAGTech devices for those who wish to have advanced digital products in Qatar. The new TAGITOP devices, including TAGITOP-Multi and TAGITOP-Plus laptops in addition to TAG-DC tablet, come with a 15.6 inch full HD with Intel HD-Graphics card.

TAGITOP-Plus comes with an Intel Core i7-8550U processor, 8 GB RAM with two different types of SSD (128 GB and 1TB HDD), while TAGITOP-Multi comes with Intel Core i7-6500U and an additional NVIDIA graphics card with 2 GB memory.

Furthermore, TAG-DC comes with an Octa Core 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage and high-quality front and rear camera in addition to dual SIM card slots with 4G connectivity.


QF forum highlights role of education and the Arabic language in preserving national identityTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The role of education in preserving and promoting Qatari values and the country’s national identity, in a way that combines both modernity and tradition, has been placed in the spotlight at a Qatar Foundation forum.

The fifth edition of the Edu-cation Forum on Heritage and Identity, organised by the Edu-cation Development Institute – part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education – brought together educators from Qatar`s government and private schools, as well as researchers, on a platform for dialogue on learning initiatives built around Qatari culture and heritage, and the Arabic language.

During the main session of the forum at Tariq Bin Ziad School – which took place on the day of the school’s official opening under QF Dr Aisha Al-Mannai, a member of Qatar’s Shura Council and the Arab Parliament, spoke about how to national fundamentals such as religion, language, heritage, and national identity are key to any country’s development and progress.

She emphasized the role of schools in Qatar in promoting these values among the wider community, through national programs in fields such as Islamic studies, cultural her-itage, and history; and the importance of the Arabic lan-guage in promoting a sense of cultural and national belonging among young people.

“Language is an essential element of the culture of every country, and therefore pre-serving it and preventing it from disappearing should be a pri-ority,” she said.

“There is no doubt that learning the English language is very important, and it must have a great focus in our schools and universities. But it cannot replace our mother tongue, which must remain the primary language of our children, whether within the family or in schools and universities.

“We are proud of the attention that our leadership gives to the Arabic language, whether through legislation, initiatives, or centres that enhance the standing of this language. All of our children

must realise the importance of preserving our religion, lan-guage, and heritage, and con-tribute to preserving cultural intellectual heritage and Islamic values for Qatari society.”

Saad Al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Press Centre, said that incorporating cultural heritage in academic curricula in Qatar supports the country’s progress and development, highlighting that the Arabic language is a key factor in preserving the values and heritage of Arab and Islamic countries.

“Arabic is a beautiful and rich language and we must adhere to its use,” he said.

“When our Arab youth speak in regional and interna-tional forums in the Arabic lan-guage, they influence their

audience. Within our curricula in Qatar, we have employed the Arabic language in various subjects, such as engineering, mathematics, and science, as we graduate doctors, engi-neers, and researchers.

“We must continue to promote the language among our children. Tariq Bin Ziad School is an example of this, as it has special symbolism for the Qatari community.”

The forum also included training workshops for edu-cators on topics such as Qatari narrations within classrooms, Qatari songs and chants, Qur’an recitation modes, and the challenges that a changing world presents for languages and concepts of identity; as well as an exhibition of stu-dents’ projects.

Participants during a session at The Education Forum on Heritage and Identity, organised by Qatar Foundation’s Education Development Institute at Tariq Bin Ziad School.

PHCC launches ‘Be The Role Model’ campaignTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) will stage a new campaign this month – ‘Be The Role Model’ – to encourage the public, both men and women aged between 50-74, to take up the bowel cancer screening opportunities offered under Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening program ‘Screen For Life.’

The campaign will be run to mark International Bowel Cancer Awareness month and has drawn the support of three high profile ambassadors and supporters: Qatar TV anchor and Quran Kareem radio program producer Aqeel Saleh Al Janahi; Qatar Municipal Council Member and Head of the Legal Committee Shaikha Al Jufairi and well-known Qatari Chef and Etiquette Expert Aisha Al Tamimi. In

addition to being role models themselves, they are encouraging people to get screened and be role models to others as well.

“Our thanks go to our ambas-sadors and supporters who will use their public profiles and extensive influence to encourage the public to get screened and overcome some of the obstacles people have to screening,” said Dr .Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager of Screening Programs at PHCC.

The campaign comes as ‘Screen For Life’ research unearths three main reasons why some people in the target group reject its call centre screening invitations even though early detection of the disease has been shown to lead to a 90% survival rate.

“The key reasons are lack of time, fear of testing positive for the cancer and a misunder-standing of faith beliefs when some people think faith means

they don’t need to get screened,” explained Dr. Abu Shaikha. “We believe if we can tackle these fundamental obstacles, we can improve our screening rates to tackle the prevalence of bowel cancer which remains the second most diagnosed cancer in Qatar and a leading cause of death among its residents.”

Throughout the month the ‘Be The Role Model’ campaign will see the new ambassadors take part in ‘Screen For Life’ activities, to help spread the message and encourage people to get screened throughout their channels.

‘Screen For Life’ advises res-idents in the target age range to undergo bowel cancer screening every two years in line with international quality assurance guidelines.

“Screening should be under-taken by all in the 50-74 aged range whether or not they are

displaying symptoms of the disease,” said Dr. Shaikha. “We need to make them aware that by taking a very simple FIT test, which can be done in the privacy of their own homes, they are pro-actively protecting their health.”

The FIT test (Fecal Immuno-chemical Test) involves providing a fecal sample via a comple-mentary kit available at the PHCC screening suites at Al Wakra, Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centers. People are advised to schedule their appointments easily by calling the dedicated call center on 8001112.

PHCC’s ‘Screen For Life’ program works closely with the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and the Qatar Cancer Society to synergize efforts to reduce early deaths from cancer and other chronic diseases by 25% by 2025 in line with National Health Strategy 2018-2022 targets.

NMoQ gift shops win international awardsTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The National Museum of Qatar’s (NMoQ) gift shops have won four international awards in various categories, including retail and interior design in 2019.

In the United States, the gift shops were recognised as the Interior Design 2019 Best of Year Award winner for Mixed Retail and the winners of the Architecture MasterPrizeTM (AMP) Award for the Retail cat-egory. In the United Kingdom, the gift shops won the 2019 World Interiors News (WIN) Awards in the Independent Shops or Small Chains category.

The gift shops also received the Gold Winner title by the Driven x Design 2019 Sydney Design Awards in Australia for Interior Design – Retail, a cat-egory that celebrates inno-vative and creative building interiors.

In addition to winning awards, the gift shops were also nominated for the 2019 INSIDE Award for Annual Best Inte-riors, Dezeen Awards 2019 for Retail Interior, and the Frame Awards 2020 for the Multi-Brand Store of The Year category.

Commenting on the announcement, Phil Lawrie, General Manager, IN-Q Enter-prises said: “The National Museum of Qatar opened just last year and continues to set new standards of architectural excellence. Additionally, our collaboration with local artists and designers has contributed to creating a gift shop collection that is unique and authentic. We are honoured that these shops have received recog-nition for multiple awards and look forward to additional milestones in the future.”

The Dahl Al Misfir (Qatar’s “Cave of Light”), located in the heart of Qatar, is a beautiful underground sanctuary formed largely from fibrous gypsum

crystals that give off a faint, moon-like, phosphorescent glow. This natural formation inspired the design of the two gift shops at NMoQ. Their organic architecture, designed by Koichi Takada Architects, reflect his vision of bringing nature back into architecture, establishing relationships that connect people and nature through design.

“The design for the gift shops represents a visually unique example of architecture and retail design that is cul-turally rooted and sympathetic to the local environment, human experience and place,” said Koichi Takada, Principal of Koichi Takada Architects.

The main gift shop stocks a large collection of well-designed, exclusive gifts, many of which draw their inspiration from the history, heritage, and culture of Qatar.

The children’s gift shop offers a diverse range of locally designed souvenirs and gift items, including educational toys, books, puzzles and games. Both gift shops are located on the first floor of NMoQ and are open to the public during museum oper-ating hours.

Inspired by Qatar’s “Cave of Light,” the NMoQ gift shops have won several international awards.

InterContinental Doha unveils stunning new lobby


Following the completion of a holistic renovation, InterConti-nental Doha has unveiled the much-anticipated launch of a breathtaking new lobby, adjoining the equally stunning Lobby Lounge.

The new lobby of InterConti-nental Doha paints a bright por-trait of the newly redefined entryway, while utilising soft glimmers of natural sunlight against beige and navy furniture tones. Embellished with opulence and grandeur, the expansive waiting area boasts of a lavish new 4,000-pc crystal chandelier, as well as a prominent centerpiece painting.

Surrounded by imported Italian marble, the new lobby embodies classical, yet modern designs depicted in a complementing blend of gold and oakwood tables, deep navy furniture, a touch of colourful paintings, and décors that are true to Qatar’s local culture and heritage.

The Lounge, adjacent to the lobby, offers light breakfast options alongside French viennoiseries and pastries available in the à la carte menu. The Lounge is the ideal setting for a leisurely afternoon tea experience, or savoring the aroma of freshly grounded coffee, pre-pared by expert baristas.

Delight in exquisitely crafted delicacies, artisanal pastries and cakes by celebrity pastry chef and Valrhona ambassador, Dimitris Chronopoulos whilst listening to

the beautiful sounds of our resident pianist, and wind-down every evening over bespoke beverages.

“At InterContinental Doha, we are on a continuous journey to redefine luxury. With the com-pletion of our lobby renovation, we are delighted to highlight these refreshed areas to our guests who have been

instrumental in bringing us to where we are now. While we embrace a competitive envi-ronment, we also look forward to continue elevating the benchmark in this dynamic hospitality land-scape,” said Andreas Pfister, General Manager of InterConti-nental Doha and Director of Operations in IHG Northern Gulf.

The gift shops also received the Gold Winner title by the Driven x Design 2019 Sydney Design Awards in Australia for Interior Design – Retail, a category that celebrates innovative and creative building interiors.

The new lobby of InterContinental Doha paints a bright portrait of the newly redefined entryway, while utilising soft glimmers of natural sunlight against beige and navy furniture tones. Embellished with opulence and grandeur, the expansive waiting area boasts of a lavish new 4,000-pc crystal chandelier, as well as a prominent centerpiece painting.

This effort only became real for the United States when the Taliban signaled interest in pursuing peace and ending their relationship with Al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist groups,” Pompeo said in Doha.

08 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020VIEWS

CHAIRMANSHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

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ACTING MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

EDITORIAL

THE US-Taliban peace pact signed on February 29 in Doha is really a ray of hope in view of the various long-running conflicts, which remain unsolved for decades, in the region and around the world. After all, it puts spotlight on the brilliant Qatari mediation and also high-lights the role Qatar can play to resolve various global disputes to spread the message of peace around the world.

The success story of Qatari mediation is not an iso-lated incident as the great nation already has a track record of being an effective peacemaker in the past.

Qatar’s mediation efforts get the backing of its foreign policy, which is based on a set of principles. These principles include strengthening international peace and security by encouraging the peaceful res-olution of international disputes. Qatar’s foreign policy respects and honours all international treaties and con-ventions to which it is a party. One of the major prior-ities of Qatar’s foreign policy is mediating disputes between conflicting parties to achieve peaceful reso-lutions. Qatar believes in building alliances and finding solutions to conflicts through dialogue and mediation, while respecting the rights of sovereign nations.

The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the wake of this landmark development is enough to understand the great perspective the nation closely embraces. The statement said: “It was easy to spark wars and crises, but difficult to engage in con-structive diplomacy.” The statement also viewed the deal as an important step towards resolving all of the world’s crises peacefully.

Qatar played a crucial role in making this peace treaty a reality and without these Qatari efforts it wouldn’t have become a reality this fast. Qatar’s unwa-vering quest for peace was witnessed throughout the mediation efforts.

According to a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar has mediated nearly 10 regional and inter-national portfolios in less than eight years (2008 – 2016). This figure clearly indicates the effectiveness of Qatar’s mediation efforts.

Qatar firmly believes that mediation is the effective way of solving disputes and the nation reiterated its commitment to mediation to settle disputes in various regional and international platforms. Even when the neighbours imposed an unjust blockade, Qatar con-tinued its policy consistent with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law and working to settle disputes and conflicts by peaceful means. There are many unsolved conflicts around the world, where the unique Qatari expertise can bring some positive change.

Mediating for world peace

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Quote of the day

We continue our efforts day and night by

protecting the interests of our country and for

our nation to come out with a victory which

will be at least as big as 100 years ago.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, and Head of the Political Office of Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, shake hands after signing the peace agreement during a ceremony in Doha.

US and Taliban officials signed a peace deal that aims to wind down the war in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of fighting that turned into the longest conflict in American history.

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo led a delegation that signed the agreement with Taliban leaders in Qatar on Sat-urday. He called it a “momentous” day for the US and Afghan people but cautioned that much work lies ahead. The deal calls for US troop levels to fall to 8,600 within 135 days, from about 13,000 now, and for all US forces to withdraw in 14 months if the accord holds.

The immediate partial troop withdrawal allows President Donald Trump to begin fulfilling a key campaign promise to get the US out of “endless wars.” But it leaves many details -- including a lasting peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government, as well as the rights of women -- to be hashed out later.

Trump, speaking Saturday in a press conference at the White House, said he plans to meet per-sonally with Taliban leaders “in the not-too-distant future.”

“I really believe the Taliban wants to do something to show that we’re not all wasting time,” Trump said. “If bad things happen, we’ll go back.”

The deal -- which followed a seven-day reduction in violence -- is expected to pave the way toward direct talks between Taliban officials and Afghan leaders in Oslo in March.

“This effort only became real for the United States when the Taliban signaled interest in pur-suing peace and ending their relationship with al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist groups,” Pompeo said in Doha. “They also recognized that military victory was impossible.”

While Pompeo and Taliban leaders were in Doha, US Sec-retary of Defence, Mark Esper, and Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg were in Kabul. There, the leaders both celebrated the agreement and cautioned that it was “condition-based” and would depend on security improvements.

After Pompeo and Taliban leaders signed the deal, applause and shouts of “Allah Akbar” -- “God is Great” -- rang out. The deal calls for about 5,000 Taliban

prisoners to be released by the US and Afghan governments before the Oslo talks begin.

“It is glorious to watch Afghan people walking through the streets to see them dancing and cele-brating peace,” Pompeo told reporters after the pact was signed. “The Afghan people are thirsting for the very opportunity that we have now presented to them.”

“We’re seizing the best opportunity for peace in a gener-ation built on the hard work of our soldiers, diplomats, busi-nessmen, aid workers, friends, and the Afghans themselves,” Pompeo said.

In exchange for the initial US troop drawdown, the Taliban pledge to cut ties with all ter-rorists and prevent Afghan terri-tories from becoming militant havens. Despite almost two decades of war and $900bn in spending by the US, the Taliban are at their strongest since being ousted by American forces in late 2001, after the group refused to hand over Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11 terror attacks.

Beyond the initial US troop draw-downs, further declines depend on the Taliban fulfilling their agreement to engage in talks with Afghan officials and confront terrorists, according to US officials.

“This is a hopeful moment, but it’s only the beginning,” Esper said in Kabul. “For the first time in many years, Afghanistan has a real path toward the future this country deserves.”

Asked how the US could con-tinue to assure the deal would hold as American forces depart, Esper said that “At the end of the day this will be a conditioned-based process. The standard for me, for the US, will be that Afghanistan never again becomes a threat” to the interna-tional community.”

In a statement, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that “meaningful negotiations between the Afghan leadership and the Taliban” will be the real prize. “I hope this opportunity will be seized,” he said. “”The only way to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan is through a political solution.”

The agreement comes with the Afghan government in turmoil, though. The outcome of the September election, only announced this month, have been disputed. President Ashraf Ghani claimed victory while his rival, Abdullah Abdullah, rejected the results as hopelessly flawed.

Ahead of the signing of the Doha deal, US officials described the agreement as the beginning of an effort to reach a broader political solution to a war that has spanned three US presi-dencies and killed or injured

more than 100,000 Afghans over the past decade alone, while costing the lives of over 2,400 American troops.

Even as Taliban and US-backed Afghan forces have fought to a stalemate, Islamic State terrorists gained a foothold in the country.

“Everyone is tired of war,” said Masood Mahfuz, a 42-year-old Afghan whose brother was killed in a Taliban bombing three years ago. “We are thirsty for peace. The only way is to make peace with the Taliban and forget the past.”

US military commanders long ago assessed that the war would be unwinnable without the presence of tens of thousands of more troops and a broad political accord. At its peak the US had over 100,000 troops based in Afghanistan, but peace remained elusive in a country long known as the “graveyard of empires.”

More than two decades before US forces arrived, Afghans had to contend with the Soviet Union’s invasion, a searing expe-rience that led to a humiliating defeat for Moscow. As the Taliban consolidated power in the late 1990s, they became known for enforcing an extreme version of fundamentalist Islam that denied girls the right to an education and banned women from working.

Asked how the US could ensure female rights will be pro-tected as America tries to step back from the conflict, adminis-tration officials said women’s groups will be represented at the Oslo talks, which could start as soon as March 10.

Yet even as the agreement was signed, critics in Afghanistan said that in Taliban-controlled areas women are whipped for speaking to male strangers and girls, in many cases, still can’t go to school. Underage girls are still often married off to much older men.

“First, the US tells us ‘we are behind you’ but on the other hand they say ‘get united and carry the burden on your own shoulders,”’ said Mahboba Saraj, a board member of Kabul-based Afghan Women’s Network. “We don’t know what they mean by saying that. Will they leave us behind?”

The US has made clear its priorities are on counterter-rorism. Pressed by reporters at a briefing on February 25, Pompeo underscored that any political deal must be worked out by Afghan negotiators, with the US in an observer role.

“The United States effort is to let the Afghans lead this process, and they’ll come up with a reso-lution that is, I’m sure, uniquely theirs, just like every nation across the world does,” Pompeo said.

US, Afghan Taliban ink peace deal to wind down 18-year war

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09MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 OPINION

Spectators will be shut out from preseason professional baseball games to be played through March 15. Officially sanctioned games in soccer’s J.League, basketball’s B.League and rugby’s Top League will be postponed for certain periods of time.

On February 19, a far-right extremist went on a shooting spree in the German city of Hanau, targeting customers at two separate shisha lounges.

He killed nine people and injured five others. Every victim of the attack had a migrant background.

It was soon revealed that the 43-year-old assailant, named Tobias R, left behind a series of rambling texts and videos in which he advocated white supremacist views and called for genocide. German authorities said the attacker showed signs of a “deeply racist mentality”.

The apparent white-supremacist motivations behind the attack did not come as a surprise to anyone who has been watching the rapid mainstreaming of racist views and ideologies in Germany.

Indeed, since the rise of the far-right, anti-immi-grant and anti-Muslim Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to prominence in the 2017 general election, the racist claim that Germany is facing a “Muslim invasion” and that political elites are refusing to take action to stop this has moved from far-right fringes to the political mainstream.

Seemingly centre-right

politicians who felt threatened by the increasing popularity of the AfD started to pander to these anti-immi-grant, Islamophobic views for political gain, allowing far-right narratives to dominate political discussions.

This empowered racist individuals to become more vocal and take action to facil-itate the rebirth of Germany as an ethnically homogenous, “white” nation.

Despite the AfD’s attempts to paint the Hanau shootings as a one-off tragedy perpetrated by a mentally unstable individual, the attack was the direct result of German society’s growing acceptance of racist, discriminatory and exclusionist views. Prior to last week’s tragedy, Germany witnessed a string of similar attacks, including the assassination of pro-immigration German poli-tician Walter Luebcke by a far-right sympathiser in June last year and the deadly shooting that took place outside a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle in October.

It is, however, not too late to reverse this worrying trend. Germany can still be a multi-cultural success story where immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers from around the world live in harmony with the “native” population. But to achieve this, the German authorities need to treat the Hanau attack as a wakeup call and fundamen-tally change their attitudes towards the far right.

Recognising past failures, listening to con-cerned voices

In the aftermath of the

attack, prominent German politicians were quick to acknowledge and denounce the racist motivations behind it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “Racism is a poison ... and is respon-sible for too many crimes in this country.” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, meanwhile, expressed his grief and added that he stands by “all people who are threatened by racist hatred” in Germany.

The German leadership’s admission that the attack was not a stand-alone act by a mentally ill person is a step in the right direction. Never-theless, if Germany wants to make amends with its migrant populations and make them trust the German state authorities again, they need to take a step further and

acknowledge that their past failures have contributed to the situation.

Indeed, the attack in Hanau did not come out of the blue. Migrant organisa-tions, NGOs, and perhaps most importantly, politi-cians of migrant back-grounds, such as the Green Party’s Cem Ozdemir and the Social Democratic Party’s Sawsan Chebli repeatedly warned the German authorities of the growing threat of far-right terrorism in Germany.

The German leadership should admit that these warnings fell on deaf ears and promise to listen to the con-cerns of targeted groups in the future. Sincere apologies coming from people in posi-tions of power will undoubtedly help migrant and minority communities heal, nevertheless, these com-munities can only start truly feeling at home again in Germany if they know that their leaders are listening to their concerns and taking appropriate action.

Law and Order for, not against, the immigrant population

To put a stop to the main-streaming of racism in Germany and prevent attacks like the one we witnessed in Hanau, the German author-ities also need to re-evaluate their anti-crime policies. For too long, German politicians have been promoting policies that feed into the far-right narratives that cast all Muslim immigrants as outlaws who overwhelmingly participate in organised crime.

For example, in January last year, more than 1,300 police officers were deployed in coordinated raids targeting “family crime clans of Arabic background” in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Police spokesman Oliver Peiler told reporters that the raids were targeting shisha bars, particularly because such establishments often “act as sanctuaries for members of these family clans”. The state’s Minister of the Interior, Herbert Reul, then doubled down on the claim, saying, “Shisha bars are the grounds of clan criminality.”

There is no doubt that some criminal gangs establish shisha bars and some crim-inals visit these establish-ments regularly. But criminals also run and visit coffee houses, night clubs, restau-rants and shops.

By singling out shisha bars, which are overwhelm-ingly enjoyed by members of Muslim migrant communities, as “grounds of clan crimi-nality” German politicians and security forces contribute to far-right prejudices. It is not far-fetched to assume Tobias R was influenced by these portrayals of shisha bars as he chose the target of his

attack. Criminal gangs harm everyone living in Germany, including immigrant communities.

The German state has a responsibility to establish law and order in the country, but it needs to do so without criminalising thousands of innocent people and pan-dering to racist tropes.

Stop mimicking the far right

These days in Germany the political centre is rapidly accomodating the far-right. The AfD is not only growing in popularity, but also making centrist parties and politicians who are scared of losing votes start promoting aggressively anti-immigrant, and even racist, policies. Heated debates on immigration and integration are benefiting the far-right.

This, however, does not need to be the case.

Centrist parties can listen to the concerns of the German population about immigration without adopting far-right narratives and policies. They did this in 1993 when they introduced new criteria for political asylum claims in the country, known as the “Asylum Compromise”.

The compromise helped reassure the public that Ger-many’s immigration policies were not being abused without putting genuine asylum claimants in harm’s way. With this compromise, centrist parties succeeded in ending the growing influence of the far-right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) without moving their programmes further towards the far-right fringes and managed to stop the radicalisation of political debates.

Centrist political parties can repeat this move today. Immigrants and minorities are more active in politics in Germany than they had ever been. With their partici-pation, Germany can draw an inclusive and progressive immigration policy that would also address the “native” population’s con-cerns about immigration - a compromise that embraces both (conservative) “native” and immigrant perspectives without delving into partisan or ethnic tribalism.

What politicians need to do is not parrot far-right nar-ratives to protect their vote share but present an acceptable way forward for all Germans, while reminding the German society of the ills of racism, xenophobia and ethnic hatred. If not, further bitterness between the “natives” and the immigrants in the form of ethnic and racist polarisation would likely unfold.

Ozgur Ozvatan is a Research Cluster Coordinator at the Berlin Institute for Inte-gration and Migration Research (BIM).

In Germany, racism is becoming more mainstream

Efforts in the next two weeks to contain the ongoing spread of pneumonic infections caused by the new corona-virus hold the key to over-coming the problem. It is inevitable to take measures aimed at reducing the number of opportunities to become infected with the virus.

There has been a suc-cession of moves to postpone, cancel or downsize sporting events, concerts, exhibitions and other events.

Spectators will be shut out from preseason professional baseball games to be played through March 15. Officially sanctioned games in soccer’s J.League, basketball’s B.League and rugby’s Top

League will be postponed for certain periods of time.

Concerts by popular groups Perfume and Exile have been canceled, while the Shiki Theatre Company has called off all its perform-ances through March 8. National museums and art galleries are being tempo-rarily closed.

At stadiums and concert venues where large numbers of spectators gather, people come into contact with each other at close range. Volun-tarily restricting events is expected to prove effective in reducing the risk of further spreading infections.

It is safe to say that calls by the government for can-celing or postponing events for two weeks has created momentum for various host organizations to shift to vol-

untary restraint.However, sports and art

activities have the power to make people feel positive and spiritually rich. It can be remembered that a splendid showing achieved by the women’s national soccer team after the Great East Japan Earthquake encouraged the Japanese people.

With respect to the spring grand sumo tournament scheduled to open on March 8, the idea of holding it without spectators is being considered. If the spring tournament is broadcast live, it will enable many people to enjoy exciting matches in the ring on TV.

It will be great if athletes’ and artists’ activities are made known to people via the internet or through other

means, even during the vol-untary restraint on events.

It is also important to explore ways for resuming sporting and other events and exhibitions after refraining from holding them.

There are many things not yet known about the new coronavirus. With the passage of time, however, it may be possible to clarify such matters as the infectiousness of the virus and characteristic symptoms. If appropriate measures are taken to deal with the situation, based on the new knowledge gained about the virus, there may be some cases in which events can be held.

Possible measures include not singing supporters songs while watching sporting events to prevent droplet

infections. Another step is to prevent crowding in exhi-bition halls by imposing a certain limit on the number of people who are admitted into them. It is advisable to con-sider these responses from now.

It is worrisome to note that viewpoints from overseas are increasingly critical about Japan. Ahead of a qualifying round for the soccer World Cup, Mongolia has banned entrance into the country by visitors from Japan, arousing concerns about whether the match can be held there.

It is indispensable for the Japanese government to carefully explain to other nations about its nationwide efforts to fight the new coro-navirus infections, thereby gaining their understanding.

Preparation needed to resume events cancelled by coronavirus outbreak

OZGUR OZVATAN AL JAZEERA To put a stop to the

mainstreaming of racism in Germany and prevent attacks like the one we witnessed in Hanau, the German authorities also need to re-evaluate their anti-crime policies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “Racism is a poison ... and is responsible for too many crimes in this country.” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, meanwhile, expressed his grief and added that he stands by “all people who are threatened by racist hatred” in Germany.

Protesters demonstrating against far-right radicalism and racism in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Germany, on February 22, 2020.

JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI

10 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020GULF / MIDDLE EAST

Iran’s toll from coronavirus jumps to 54AGENCIES — TEHRAN

Iran’s health ministry yesterday raised the nationwide death toll from the new coronavirus to 54 as the number of confirmed infected cases jumped overnight by more than half to 978 people.

The ministry’s spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said new cases were confirmed in a number of cities, including Mashhad, which is home to Iran’s most important Shia shrine that attracts pilgrims from across the region. Calls by Iran’s civilian government to clerics to close such shrines to to the public have not been uni-formly followed. The shrine in Mashhad is among those that have remained open.

The new figures represent 11 more deaths than reported on Saturday and a whopping 385 new cases of infections. The new numbers, however, bring down the percentage of deaths to infections to around 5.5%. Still, that is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be much higher than current figures show.

Jahanpour said in his daily briefing that the number of cases is “still inclining” across Iran. Of the 385 newly con-firmed cases, 170 are in Tehran, where schools and cinemas have remained closed for the second week. Public buses and the metro are still operating, but are being disinfected daily there. Authorities also doused busy streets in the capital.

The ministry spokesman said that 44 cases were also confirmed for the first time in the central Markazi province.

Iran’s state broadcaster said all flights to and from the city of Rasht, the capital of nothern Gilan province, had been sus-pended. It gave no reasons why. The area of Gilan has some of Iran’s highest number of infec-tions after the capital, Tehran, and the holy city of Qom, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the country.

The Revolutionary Guard said it plans to install mobile hospitals in Qom and Rasht cities, where the virus has infected high numbers of people. The Guard has also been photographed in state media leading disinfection efforts in some cities. Ali Reza Jalali, the head of the Guard’s medical college, told state TV that Iran is going through a “hard time and dangerous period.” He claimed the group is researching a pos-sible vaccine for the disease.

There is currently no vaccine for the novel corona-virus. Researchers around the

world are working to find one, but anything widely usable is likely more than a year away. The illness, known as COVID-19 and which originated in central China, has infected at least seven government officials in Iran, including one of its vice presidents and a senior health ministry official.

After days of assurances that the virus was largely under control, officials recently acknowledged Iran is preparing for the possibility of “tens of thousands” of people getting tested for the virus.

The first cases were not reported in Iran until February 19, the same day that the two elderly infected people died. Since then, of the more than 1,100 cases in the Middle East, the majority trace back to Iran. Cases from Iran have been reported in Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Iraq reported six new coro-navirus cases yesterday, bringing the total number of cases there to 19, the health

ministry said. The ministry said two of the six are in the capital Baghdad and the other four in Sulaimaniya in the north east of the country. All had recently returned from neighbouring Iran, which has had the highest number of deaths from corona-virus outside of China, where the outbreak originated.

Starting yesterday, all nurs-eries in the UAE licensed by the education ministry were closed for at least two weeks to limit

the spread of the virus, and Kuwait suspended school until March 12. The virus has infected more than 86,000 people worldwide and caused more than 2,900 deaths since emerging in China. Iran has the world’s highest death toll outside of China, where there has been 2,870 deaths among close to 80,000 cases. The outbreak in Iran has prompted its neighbors to seal their borders to Iranians, while other Gulf states have

halted flights to Iran. On Sat-urday, the US announced heightened warnings about travel to certain regions of Italy and South Korea, as well as a ban on travel to Iran, due to the virus.

Saudi Arabia said yesterday it had prepared 25 hospitals to handle any coronavirus cases that might be detected in the kingdom, part of precautionary measures which include closing its borders to foreign “umrah” pilgrims.

The new figures represent 11 more deaths than reported on Saturday and a whopping 385 new cases of infections. The new numbers, however, bring down the percentage of deaths to infections to around 5.5%. Still, that is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be much higher than current figures show.

Kuwaiti traders wear protective face masks, following the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as they stand on the upper floor since the lower main hall is closed to traders at the Kuwait Boursa stock market trading in Kuwait city, yesterday.

Weary and divided, Israel goes back to polls todayAP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM

For the third time in under a year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks re-election, and once again the Israeli leader is on the ropes.

After two inconclusive elec-tions last year, opinion polls forecast another stalemate — a troubling scenario for Netanyahu who will go on trial on corruption charges just two weeks after today's vote.

This election campaign has been especially tumultuous. President Donald Trump launched his long-awaited Mideast plan, a proposal that heavily favoured Israel and was seen as an election gift to Netanyahu. The Israeli leader, meanwhile, was forced to drop his bid for immunity from pros-ecution, and just this week, Israel battled Gaza militants in a two-day round of fighting.

Today’s election is seen as another referendum on Netanyahu, the country’s longest serving prime minister. And once again, the country seems hopelessly divided.

With seeming boundless energy, the 70-year-old

Netanyahu has taken to the air-waves and hit the campaign trail, presenting himself to adoring audiences as a global statesman uniquely qualified to lead the country through its many complicated challenges. In recent weeks, he jetted from the White House to Moscow to bring home a young Israeli woman jailed there on drug charges, and flew to Uganda for a meeting with a leader of Sudan, a longtime enemy country.

“We have turned Israel into a world power, a leader in cyber technology, natural gas, water, agriculture, technology, intelli-gence,” Netanyahu boasted at a recent campaign stop.

He claims credit for a strong economy and boasts of his close relationships with world leaders, first and foremost Trump, while deriding opponent Benny Gantz as a lightweight. In a message that has drawn accusations of racism, he also accuses Gantz of plotting with Arab lawmakers to oust him. In recent days, Netanyahu and his Likud sur-rogates spread unfounded alle-gations claiming his opponent

is corrupt, unstable and suscep-tible to blackmail by Iran.

“Being prime minister of Israel is a complicated thing, full

of pressures 24 hours a day,” Netanyahu added. “I don’t think Benny Gantz can handle it.”

Gantz, a former military

chief of staff, has focused his campaign on Netanyahu’s char-acter, saying a man accused of serious crimes is unfit to lead. He has painted Netanyahu as an out-of-touch egomaniac obsessed with remaining in power and escaping justice, while portraying himself as a moderate alternative to the polarizing prime minister.

“Netanyahu, look me in the eye. Because of your obsession with evading trial, you’re lying, attacking, dividing, mudslinging, spreading malicious rumors and inciting. Netanyahu, you’re poi-soning Israel,” Gantz said last week. “Netanyahu, you’ve lost it, and you’re unworthy of being prime minister for even a single day longer.”

Weekend polls, the last to be published before the vote, showed Gantz’s Blue and White and Netanyahu’s Likud party in a tight race, though Gantz’s party has shown some small signs of slippage over the past week. Even so, the polls forecast both parties and their smaller partners will again fall short of securing the 61-seat majority in parliament required to form a government.

Iraq postpones confidence vote for third timeAFP — BAGHDAD

Iraq’s divided parliament post-poned a vote of confidence in prime minister-designate M o h a m m a d A l l a w i ’ s government for a third time yesterday for a lack of quorum, prolonging a political vacuum.

Parl iament speaker Mohammed Halbusi did not schedule a new date for the session but noted a constitu-tional deadline for the vote would expire today.

Yesterday, only 108 law-makers out of a total of 329 attended the extraordinary session, which had already been delayed twice last week for lack of a quorum.

Iraq’s parliament is the most divided in its recent history and Allawi is struggling to secure support from Sunni Arab and Kurdish minorities for his pro-posed cabinet.

Over the past week, he has adjusted the line-up to bolster support, while also holding talks with Sunni and Kurdish representatives.

Nominated on February 1 to replace Adel Abdel Mahdi who stepped down in December, Allawi must get parliament to approve his cabinet in a

confidence vote, otherwise President Barham Salih has said he will designate a new premier unilaterally. According to political sources, the president intends to propose intelligence chief Mustafa Al Kazimi.

Anti-government demon-strators rallied in Baghdad and southern hotspots yesterday to press for a government of tech-nocrats not beholden to political parties or foreign interests, said a correspondent.

Demonstrators who have remained mobilised since October have rejected the choice of Allawi for premier, saying he is too close to the elite against which they have protesting.

Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, tasked to form the new government, arrives at the Iraqi parliament building to attend a session for vote of confidence, in Baghdad yesterday.

AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged yesterday to annex key parts of the occupied West Bank within “weeks” if re-elected, as he sought to sway voters a day before the coun-try’s third election in a year.

Final polls pointed to another tight race between Netan-yahu’s right-wing Likud and the centrist Blue and White party, led by ex-military chief Benny Gantz. All parties have raised concern about voter apathy amid the grinding political stalemate, putting added emphasis on turnout.

In an interview with Israeli public radio, he said annex-ation of the strategically crucial Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank was his top priority among “four major imme-diate missions”.

“That will happen within weeks, two months at the most, I hope,” he said in the interview aired 24 hours before polls were scheduled to open. US President Donald Trump’s widely-criticised Middle East peace plan, unveiled in late January, gave the Jewish state a green light to annex the Jordan Valley and proposed a committee to set out the exact borders of the ter-ritory in question.

“The joint US-Israeli mapping committee started work a week ago,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu pledges ‘immediate’ annexation steps if re-elected

Houthi rebels seize strategic northern cityAP — CAIRO

Yemen’s Houthi rebels wrested control of the strategic northern city of Hazm, officials on both sides of the conflict said yesterday, a major blow to the internationally recog-nized government backed by Saudi Arabia.

Capturing the capital of Jawf province after weeks of fighting could pave the way for the rebels to move towards the central province of Marib, one of the shrinking safe spots for those opposing the Houthis in northern Yemen. It also could cause a new wave of displacement in the war-torn country.

Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation, has been con-vulsed by civil war since 2014. That’s when the Iran-backed Houtis took control of the country’s north including the capital, Sana'a. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened against the Houthis the fol-lowing year. The conflict has killed over 10,000 people and created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions suffering from food and medical care shortages and pushing the country to the brink of famine last year. A Houthi official said that the Shia group had pushed gov-ernment forces out of Hazm and were “now chasing them in its outskirts.”

Two government officials confirmed the city had fallen, but said government forces were attempting to push back. All the officials spoke on con-dition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. The coalition spokesman’s office said their “operations” in Jawf “are still ongoing,” but did not elaborate. The Houthi-run Al Masirah sat-ellite TV reported that the coa-lition carried out at least three airstrikes in Jawf yesterday.

The rebels earlier this year seized a key supply line linking Marib with Jawf provinces, located along the border with Saudi Arabia. They also took control of the strategic district of Nehm, some 60km northeast of the rebel-held capital Sana'a. “With the seizure of Hazm, the entire Jawf (province) is now con-sidered in their hands, and this would enable them to expand to Marib and even try to take over the south,” said Fatima Al Asrar, a non-resident scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

Occupation forces

arrest 6 Palestinians

in West Bank

QNA — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM

The Israeli occupation forces arrested six Palestinians from different areas in the West Bank. The occupation forces arrested two young men from Kharruba village in Jenin city after breaking into the city and raiding several homes in the village. They also arrested two Palestinians from Sa’ir town, , a young man in one of Al Bireh city’s neighbourhoods after breaking into his family’s house, and another young man from Al Auja governorate.

Security forces kill one, wound 24 at Baghdad protest

REUTERS — BAGHDAD

Iraqi security forces killed one person and wound 24 at an anti-government protest in Baghdad yesterday, a police source said.

The person was killed by birdshot fired from a hunting rifle and some of the injuries were caused by birdshot and tear gas, the source added.

11MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

Turkey hits Assad regime’s military airport in Aleppo; shoots down 2 warplanesAGENCIES — IDLIB

The Turkish Armed Forces targeted the Syrian regime’s military airport in Aleppo, according to local sources yesterday.

Al Nayrab military airport, on the outskirts of Aleppo city center, was known as one of the bases that the Assad regime fre-quently used in the attacks against the Turkish Armed Forces and civilians in Idlib, northwestern Syria.

The Turkish Armed Forces used armed drones and fire support vehicles to target the airport, making it out of service, the sources said.

The regime army trans-ported aircraft and equipment to Al Nayrab from the Kuweires military airport in eastern Aleppo, which was targeted by Turkish forces the previous day, it added.

Local sources said the regime’s range of action has been further restricted as the Al Nayrab military airport has been made unusable.

Turkish Ministry of Defence also announced that it has downed two Syrian Sukhoi 24 fighters.

The Ministry said that the

two warplanes of the Syrian regime were brought down after they attacked Turkish fighters, adding that the Turkish forces destroyed three air defense systems of the Syrian regime, including one that caused the downing of a Turkish drone in Idlib governorate.

The Turkish military launched Operation Spring Shield in Idlib in response to the Assad regime's attack on Feb-ruary 27, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced earlier.

On the details of the oper-ation, Akar said 2,212 regime soldiers and elements, a drone, eight helicopters, 103 tanks, 72 cannons/howitzers, three air-defense system have been neu-tralized so far. He pointed out that they have no intention of colliding with Russia, as their goal is to end the massacres of

the regime and end extremism and immigration.

The operation was launched after at least 34 Turkish soldiers were killed and dozens of others injured in an airstrike by Assad regime forces in Idlib.

At least 34 Turkish soldiers were martyred and tens of others injured in a deadly air-strike by the Bashar Al Assad regime forces in Idlib late on Thursday.

The Turkish soldiers are working to protect local civilians under a September 2018 deal with Russia under which acts of aggression are prohibited in the region.

Meanwhile, Thousands of migrants and refugees massed at Turkey’s western frontier yes-terday, trying to enter Greece by land and sea after Turkey said its borders were open to those

hoping to head to Europe. A Turkish official said the

fighting in Idlib was directly linked to Turkey’s decision to open the gates for refugees to Europe. He said Ankara had changed its focus to preparing for the possibility of new arrivals from Syria “instead of preventing refugees who intend to migrate to Europe.”

“Europe and others must take robust action to address this monumental challenge,” said Fahrettin Altun, the com-munications director for Tur-key’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We can’t be expected to do this on our own.”

Syria’s official news agency Sana said the four pilots ejected and landed safely after their two jets were shot down. Tur-key’s Defense Ministry said it had hit the two SU-24 aircraft as well as Syrian air defense systems after one of its aerial drones was downed.

Earlier yesterday, Syria said northwestern airspace was closed and any aircraft or drone that entered “will be treated as hostile and shot down.”

The Syrian announcement followed two days of Turkish drone strikes in Idlib province. Syrian activists said the strikes killed more than 50 Syrian

government forces and allied fighters.

Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in February, including 33 killed Thursday in a single airstrike. Outraged, Erdogan announced his country’s European borders were open Saturday.

The crisis in Idlib stems from a Syrian government offensive with Russian mil-itary support, which began Dec. 1. The heavy fighting trig-gered a humanitarian catas-trophe and the single largest wave of displacement in Syria’s nine-year civil war, with about 950,000 civilians fleeing their homes.

Turkish Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zumrut Selcuk (left), comforts the mother (centre) of slain Turkish soldier Halil Cankaya, who was martyred in an airstrike in the Syrian town of Idlib, during the funeral ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday.

Seven dead, over 700 cholera cases in Somalia: UN

ANATOLIA — MOGADISHU

At least seven deaths and over 700 cases have been reported in a cholera outbreak in Somalia, the United Nations said yesterday. A total of 732 cases were recorded across the country between January 23 and February 25, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

It said seven deaths and 617 cases were reported in the central Hiran region and at least 115 cases were recorded in a week in the southeastern Banadir region, in which the capital Mogadishu is located.

“Three months after Deyr rains flooded parts of Somalia, acute water diarrhea (AWD)/cholera cases remain high … This situation could worsen when April-June rains start,” the UN agency said in a tweet.

It said women and children under the age of five were most vulnerable and they would need more help if AWD/cholera cases surge after the next rainfall season.

A doctor in Beledweyne, the capital of the hard-hit Hiran region, told Anadolu Agency that most victims in the latest out-break were children, women and the elderly.

“Children, pregnant women, and elderly people have been most affected. There are many in hospitals right now. We need the federal government, other states, and humanitarian agencies to send medical aid and doctors for our help,” said Hussein Abdihakin Mohamed.

Nigeria identifies 100 who may have been exposed to coronavirus patientREUTERS — LAGOS

Nigerian authorities have been in touch with around 100 people who may have been exposed to an Italian man who is the country’s first corona-virus patient, the Lagos state health commissioner said yesterday.

The man arrived in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, on Feb. 24 from Milan on a Turkish Airlines flight that had a con-nection in Istanbul. The fol-lowing day he travelled to neighbouring Ogun state and was in the country for almost two full days before being isolated.

Asked in a telephone interview about the number of

people Nigerian authorities had been in touch with who may have had contact with the man, Lagos state Health Commis-sioner Akin Abayomi said: “It is around 100 people but that number is increasing every minute.”

The Italian man, who is being treated at a hospital in the Yaba district of Lagos, works as a vendor for cement company Lafarge Africa Plc in the south-western state of Ogun.

The company issued a statement on Sunday in which it said its cement production lines remainED open. It said 39 people who were in direct contact with the man had been quarantined.

The case, which is the first

in sub-Saharan Africa, has prompted fears the virus could spread quickly in a region where health systems are already overburdened with cases of malaria, measles, Ebola and other infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, Morocco will postpone sports and cultural events over coronavirus fears, a government committee charged with overseeing the state's response to the disease said yesterday, state media reported.

Morocco says it has tested 25 people suspected of having the coronavirus but so far all the tests have come back negative. The country has not confirmed any cases.

Sudan dismisses many diplomats allegedly linked to Bashir

REUTERS — KHARTOUM

Sudan has fired scores of diplomats for alleged links to the administration of toppled President Omar Al Bashir, a legal committee said. The Empowerment Removal Committee was formed under a law introduced in November to dismantle the system built by Bashir, who was ousted in April last year after nearly three decades in power.

“One-hundred-and-nine ambassadors, diplomats and administrators were fired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and those were appointed through political and social empowerment,” Mohamed Al Faki, deputy head of the com-mittee, told a news conference in the capital, Khartoum.

Some of the diplomats were appointed by Bashir himself and the others were picked through his now dissolved National Congress Party, said Taha Othman, a member of the committee.

Earlier this month, the committee dissolved the boards of the country’s central bank and 11 other state-owned banks and fired the managers of eight of the banks.

It also seized the assets of the former ruling party last month.

Bomb blast kills 4 soldiers in Somalia

ANATOLIA — MOGADISHU

At least four Somali government soldiers were killed and several others wounded when a bomb blast targeted a military convoy near the town of Warmahan, lower Shabelle region, an official said. Warmahan is a small agricultural town located near Afgoye, 30 kilometers (18 miles) southwest of the capital Mogadishu.

Salad Hussein, a military official in lower Shabelle region, spoke to Anadolu Agency over the phone and confirmed the current death toll.

“Al Shabaab terrorist group attacked military personnel traveling between Wanlawayn and Afgoye with a roadside blast.’’ Reinforcements were sent to the scene and security forces conducted an operation against Al Shabaab in the area but no one was arrested so far, he added. Somalia-based Al Qaeda affiliated group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Syria agrees to exchange diplomatic missions with HaftarAFP — DAMASCUS

Damascus and parallel Libyan authorities opposed to the UN-recognised government in Tripoli agreed yesterday to exchange diplomatic missions and confront Turkish “inter-ference”, state media said.

A delegation representing eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Damascus, state news agency Sana said.

“A memorandum of under-standing was signed... for the reopening of diplomatic and

consular missions,” Sana said.Libya has not had any rep-

resentation in Damascus since 2012, following the fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

Muallem said diplomatic missions would be reopened in Damascus and the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, con-trolled by Haftar’s forces.

The two sides also pledged to coordinate to “confront Turkish interference and aggression against both countries”.

The agreement comes as

tensions spiral between Syrian regime and Turkish forces in northwestern Syria, where bombardment has killed dozens of troops on each side.

Turkey backs the UN-rec-ognised Government of National Accord in the Libyan capital Tripoli, and has dis-patched troops and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters to the North African country.

Haftar, backed by the Syrian regime’s main ally Russia, has been battling since April to seize Tripoli from the GNA.

Syria’s conflict, sparked by the brutal repression of

anti-government protests in 2011, has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions.

The Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in November 2011 as the death toll mounted.

Several regional powers, betting on the demise of Pres-ident Bashar Al Assad’s regime, suspended diplomatic ties with Damascus.

Some have since restored those ties. In December 2018, the United Arab Emirates reo-pened its embassy, followed by Bahrain.

Algeria protest figure acquitted, lawyer says

AFP — ALGIERS

An Algerian court yesterday acquitted Fodil Boumala, a key figure in a protest movement that has rocked the country for over a year, his lawyer said.

“He has been acquitted. He will go home today,” said Zoubida Assoul, a lawyer for the accused.

The prosecution had sought a year in prison for the regime opponent and former state TV journalist.

Held in detention since his arrest in mid-September, Boumala was accused of “undermining (national) ter-ritorial integrity”, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

He was also accused of distributing “publications that could undermine the national interest”, punishable by a year in prison.

Boumala was highly active in the “Hirak” protest movement, an unprece-dented popular initiative which emerged in February last year to demand then president Abdelaziz Boute-flika abandon a bid for a fifth term in office.

The ailing Bouteflika duly stepped down in early April, due to pressure from the enormous protests.

Another key protest figure, Karim Tabbou, faces his own verdict on March 4, according to Noureddine Benissad, a member of his defence team.

He is likewise charged with “undermining (national) territorial integrity”, but is also accused of “violent actions” that sought to “impede the movement of military equipment”, said Benissad.

Medical staff distribute information sheets to passengers arriving at Tunisia Airport, after being checked by thermal scanners for coronavirus symptoms in Tunis, Tunisia.

The Defence Ministry said that the two warplanes of the Syrian regime were brought down after they attacked Turkish fighters, adding that the Turkish forces destroyed three air defense systems of the Syrian regime, including one that caused the downing of a Turkish drone in Idlib governorate.

12 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020ASIA

Tajikistan votes in parliamentary polls

AFP — DUSHANBE

Voting was under way in Tajikistan yesterday in parlia-mentary polls that President Emomali Rakhmon’s ruling party is expected to sweep, with only one genuinely critical party taking part and the former main opposition banned.

The elections are the first in the country’s post-Soviet history without the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, a moderate faith-based party which was once the main opposition but

was outlawed in 2015.The country’s Central

Election Commission said just over 75 percent of the electorate had cast votes as of 1000GMT, comfortably beyond the 50 percent threshold required for the commission to validate an election.

Rakhmon voted for “a worthy candidate” at a polling station in the capital Dushanbe yesterday morning, the state agency Khovar reported.

While Rakhmon’s People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan is set for a big win, other com-peting parties from the outgoing legislature — including the Agrarian Party, the Party of Eco-nomic Reform and the Socialist Party — are all widely seen as proxies that endorse his nearly three-decade rule.

Only one identifiable oppo-sition party is competing in yes-terday’s ballot — the Social Dem-ocratic Party of Tajikistan, which has never entered parliament.

The People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan currently dominates the chamber, holding 51 seats out of 63.

Polling stations close at 1500 GMT and preliminary results are expected today.

As voting began yesterday, Mukhabbat Rakhimova, a teacher in the capital Dushanbe, said it was symbolic that she was casting her vote in a school that had been converted into a polling station.

“I want the lawmakers we elect to make their own big con-tributions to education,” Rakhimova said.

The last elections in 2015 marked a turning point for Tajikistan, a landlocked Muslim-majority country reliant on former overlord Russia for security and next-door China for loans and investment.

That year, the Islamic Ren-aissance Party of Tajikistan failed to make parliament for the first time since the end of a five-year civil war that pitted Islamists, democrats and regional forces against troops loyal to Rakhmon, costing tens of thousands of lives.

A peace deal was brokered to end the fighting in 1997, with ally Russia acting as a guarantor,

and the opposition guaranteed a role in politics.

But within months of falling short of the parliamentary threshold, the party was deemed extremist and banned. Eleven members of its political council were jailed.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has deter-mined that the members were arrested “for their exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” and demanded their release.

Since the party was

outlawed, the 67-year-old Rakhmon has strengthened his control over the country. In 2016, he oversaw a referendum that allowed him to rule indefinitely.

Some analysts tip his son, Rustam Emomali, currently serving as Mayor of Dushanbe, to succeed him in the near future.

Shokir Hakimov, the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan’s deputy chairman, said that its lack of seats is “not because we lack a base” but because of a

“lack of political will, poor elec-toral legislation and falsifications.”

The other small parties on the ballot, he said, are “artifi-cially created political structures, which play by the rules of the nomenklatura and keep crit-icism to within pre-agreed limits.”

The buildup to yesterday’s vote saw well-known journalist and government critic Daler Sharipov jailed as part of a wave of over a hundred arrests that began at the end of last year.

People vote during Tajikistan’s parliamentary election at a polling station in Dushanbe, yesterday.

Police in Kazakhstan detain 40people after activist’s deathAFP — ALMATY

Police in Kazakhstan detained dozens of people in the Central Asian country’s largest city yesterday, after an activist’s death in jail triggered diplo-matic condemnation and calls for anti-government rallies.

The witnesses in Almaty saw around 40 people detained by police close to the city hall, where two opposition groups had called for anti-government rallies.

Elsewhere in the city, 26 members of Oyan Qazaqstan, one of the groups that called for a rally, were detained in the morning before they had a chance to reach the protest site, a member of the group said.

“According to our infor-mation, they have not been released yet,” Dimash Alzhanov, one of Oyan Qaza-qstan’s founding members, told

by telephone.One man who was bundled

into a van full of detainees by black-clad police appealed to “the lawmakers in the European parliament”, which sent a del-egation to Kazakhstan last month.

“My constitutional rights are being violated. This is the 21st century!” the man cried out as he was shoved into the van.

Two journalists were also amongst those detained yesterday.

The protests were called after Dulat Agadil, a prominent activist, died in detention hours after he was detained by plain-clothes police on Monday night.

Both the United States and the United Kingdom raised concern over his death this week and called for a “thorough” investigation.

Activists have cited video footage of Agadil’s corpse with

bruises as evidence that he was beaten in detention, rather than dying of heart failure, as police said on Tuesday.

The state prosecutor’s office on Friday called on citizens not to make “hasty conclusions” about the bruises, which the office said was common on corpses.

Kazakhstan regularly cracks down on citizens who attempt to hold rallies, citing laws that make public assem-blies subject to permits from the authorities.

The country is in the process of changing its legis-lation on public assemblies, and a draft of the new law has been released for public discussion.

But civil society groups in the Central Asian state have expressed dissatisfaction with a new draft law, which they argue would introduce addi-tional restrictions.

Kazakh police detain a protester in Almaty, yesterday.

South Korea closeschurches as virus cases rise to 3,736REUTERS — SEOUL

Churches were closed in South Korea yesterday, with many holding online services instead, as authorities fought to rein in public gatherings as 586 new coronavirus infections took the tally to 3,736 cases.

That came a day after the biggest daily jump of 813 cases in South Korea’s battle with the largest virus outbreak outside China, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. The death toll rose to 20, up from 17 the day before.

In Seoul, the capital, about a dozen worshippers were turned away from the Yoido Full Gospel Church, which put a sermon for its 560,000 followers on YouTube, filmed with a small choir instead of all 200 members and 60-strong orchestra.

“I had heard there would be no service, but just came to check as I live nearby, but yes, it is so empty,” said Song Young-koo, as he left South Korea’s biggest church.

“It’s a wise decision to do it online, since the virus would easily spread at mass gatherings and churches can be no exception.”

Authorities have warned of a “critical moment” in the battle against the virus, urging people to refrain from attending reli-gious services and political events and stay home this weekend.

For the first time in its 236-year history, South Korea’s Catholic church decided to halt masses at more than 1,700 loca-tions nationwide. Buddhist temples also called off events, while major Christian churches held online services.

Of the new cases, 333 were from the southeastern city of Daegu, the location of a church at the centre of the outbreak, and 26 from the nearby province of North Gyeongsang, KCDC said.

The agency said some church members in January visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the disease emerged late last year, adding it was investigating to determine if the trip played a role in the outbreak.

“We’re tracing back how many members had gone to China,” its deputy director, Kwon Jun-wook, told a briefing.

“Our top priority is to find out how the coronavirus has been transmitted so widely among the Shincheonji followers,” he added, in a reference to the church involved.

At a news conference in Seoul a group of doctors and chiefs of public hospitals urged the government to combat a shortage of beds by assigning them to the critically ill, after two patients died in self-quarantine at home. President Moon Jae-in called for unity and vowed greater efforts, including an extra budget, to fight the outbreak, in a speech.

“The outbreak can threaten our lives temporarily, but it cannot break our unity and hope,” he said.

Moon proposed joint efforts with North Korea to prevent an outbreak in the neighbour and improve healthcare.

North Korea has not con-firmed cases, but has ordered a month in quarantine for those with symptoms, while state media said leader Kim Jong Un held a meeting on tougher measures.

Myanmar army

kills 5 Rohingya,

says lawmaker

REUTERS — YANGON

At least five ethnic Rohingya were killed, including a child, and several injured after troops clashed with insurgents in Myanmar’s conflict-torn western state of Rakhine, a lawmaker and two residents said yesterday.

Saturday’s fighting broke out after Arakan Army rebels attacked a military convoy passing the historic temple town of Mrauk U, the regional MP, Tun Thar Sein, and a spokesman for the armed group, Khine Thu Kha, said.

Khine Thu Kha, the Arakan Army spokesman, blamed gov-ernment troops for the civilian casualties.

Myanmar army artillery shells hit the village of Bu Ta Lone, killing four people, the Arakan Army spokesman said in a message. The MP, a health worker who treated the injured, and a villager said at least five Rohingya had died. A 12-year-old boy was among them, the villager said.

Delhi Police free

foreign national

from kidnappers

IANS — NEW DELH

The police in the capital have arrested two persons for allegedly kidnapping a foreigner. The victim, a Bulgarian national, has been safely rescued.

The police said a ransom call of Rs20 million was made by the kidnappers.

Weapons have also been seized from the possession of the captured kidnappers.

“There was an exchange of fire between the police per-sonnel and the accused during the rescue operations,” DCP Anto Alphonso of Dwarka said yesterday.

“Arms, a car besides some cash have also been seized by the police from the accused. Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Shalini Singh said the foreign national was kidnapped from outside an ATM kiosk on February 27.

“The kidnappers than called the foreign national’s friend and placed a ransom demand of Rs20 million,” Singh said.

The kidnappers, identified as Anup and Naveen, asked the foreigner’s friends to meet them along with the ransom money at a secluded place on Najafgarh-Jharoda road.

“The kidnappers tried to flee. However, the police managed to nab them,” the police officer said, adding the foreigner was rescued safely.

Passport not mandatory for foreigners for citizenship: Indian courtIANS — KOLKATA

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that it is not mandatory for foreigners to produce a valid passport and its particulars for processing of application for grant of Indian citizenship if he is able to satisfy the appropriate authorities the reasons for non-availability of the document.

Justice Sabysachi Bhatta-charya passed the order while disposing off a petition by granting the petitioner liberty to file an application before the authority “as contemplated in Rule 11 of the Citizenship Rules 2009, upon furnishing expla-nation as to the non-availability of the passport”.

Bismillah Khan had filed the

petition saying he was being denied the citizenship of India because of his inability to file an application under Section 5 (1) (c) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, apparently due to the mandatory requirement of fur-nishing a copy of the passport for such application.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that Khan was a Pakhtoon citizen and due to political turmoil in the said state, which subsequently merged partially into Afghan-istan and partially into Pakistan, he, as a five-year old, had to migrate to India with his father in 1973.

Under such circumstances, the petitioner could not have any opportunity of having a

valid passport, since they were refugees under distress, the counsel said.

The petitioner had previ-ously approached a coordinate Bench of the court, wherein a single judge, passed an order on July 25, 2018, directing him to comply with the formalities required, as communicated by the secretary to the Government of India to the Secretary to the Government of West Bengal (Home), vide a letter dated December 7, 2017.

The court had then also given liberty to the petitioner to apply afresh before the appro-priate authority under Section 5(1)(c) of the 1955 Act, having complied with all the formalities.

The petitioner then moved Bhattacharya’s court submitting that a complete application as directed by the Coordinate Bench cannot be possibly filed by his client due to the man-datory requirement of uploading a copy of his passport, which the petitioner does not have due to reasons beyond his control.

The counsel said Khan is married to an Indian citizen, has a daughter and living in India for close to half a century.

The counsel for the union of India submitted that in view of no application having been filed by the petitioner, there is no scope of granting such proposed application at the present juncture for the Union.

The counsel argued that it is mandatory to file an appli-cation in Form III for the appli-cation of the petitioner under Section 5(1)(c) of the Act to be considered at all.

In view of the petitioner not complying with the mandatory requirement of submitting a copy of his passport, the state government cannot, under the law, forward such application to the union government.

After hearing all sides, Justice Bhattacharya said although the rule “contemplates that an appli-cation shall not be entertained unless the application is made in Form III, such provision does not make the availability of a passport a mandatory requirement”.

The country’s Central Election Commission said just over 75 percent of the electorate had cast votes as of 1000GMT, comfortably beyond the 50 percent threshold required for the commission to validate an election.

13MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 ASIA

Ghani announces extending truce with Taliban for a week

AGENCIES — KABUL

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has announced extension to the temporary truce between the government and Taliban movement for one week, hoping to agree on a complete ceasefire in the country.

Reduction of violence will continue with the goal of achieving a complete ceasefire, Ghani said yesterday during a press conference. He also explained that the US com-mander of foreign forces in Afghanistan Scott Miller informed the Taliban of this decision.

The agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan was signed in Doha on Saturday between the US and the Afghan Taliban movement, announcing an end to 18 years of fighting in the country, and paving the way for the start of reconstruction in afghanistan.

According to the Doha agreement, signed by US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Head of the Political Office of Afghan Taliban Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the

US will initially withdraw 8,600 of its troops from Afghanistan within 135 days. Washington and its allies will also withdraw all their forces from five military bases, while the US and its allies will complete the withdrawal of the remaining forces from Afghanistan within nine and a half months.

The USA will work with all parties involved in the agreement to release political prisoners and prisoners for reasons related to the conflict, for up to five thousand Taliban prisoners, with the aim of building confidence between the parties and enhancing coordi-nation between them.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s president said yesterday that he

will not free thousands of Taliban prisoners ahead of all-Afghan power-sharing talks set for next week, disagreeing with a timetable for a speedy prisoner release laid out just a day earlier in a US-Taliban peace agreement.

President Ashraf Ghani’s comments pointed to the first hitch in implementing the fragile deal, which is aimed at ending America’s longest war after more than 18 years and getting rival Afghan factions to agree on their country’s future.

Still, the US has said a planned US troop withdrawal over the next 14 months is linked to the Taliban’s counter-ter-rorism performance, not to progress in intra-Afghan talks.

Washington’s Peace Envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as America’s first ambassador to Afghanistan after the 2001 US invasion, spent the past 17 months running on-again, off-again talks with the Taliban to hammer out the agreement.

Ghani told a news con-ference in the Afghan capital of Kabul yesterday that this wasn’t a promise the United States could make. He said the release of any prisoners was a decision for his government to take and that he wasn’t ready to release prisoners before the start of negotiations.

“The request has been made by the United States for the release of prisoners and it can be part of the negotiations but it cannot be a precondition,” Ghani said. The intra-Afghan talks between squabbling political factions and rival Taliban in Afghanistan are even more intricate — even if a potential failure might not slow the with-drawal of American forces.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday at the White House that he will be “meeting personally with Taliban leaders in the not-too-distant future,” and described

the group as “tired of war.” Many Afghans, however,

have welcomed the possibility of peace.

Afghans in eastern Nan-garhar posted pictures of dozens of men dancing in the street to celebrate the signing. In eastern Khost province, a Taliban stronghold, the night sky was alight with red tracer bullets fired by celebrating residents. Footballers in southern Helmand Province, also a Taliban stronghold that has seen heavy violence, began a three-day soccer tournament to celebrate the signing.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (right) gestures as he arrives for a press conference at the Presidential Palace, in Kabul, yesterday.

Pakistan hails Doha Accord as start of peace in AfghanistanINTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD

Pakistan has welcomed the signing of Doha Accord between the United States and Taliban as a major step towards peace in Afghanistan after 18 years of war and hoped that Afghan factions would avail this opportunity to reach a mutual accommodation.

Pakistan was represented at the signing ceremony in the Qatar capital by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The agreement, under which the US committed to withdraw up to 5,000 troops in about four and a half months and all remaining forces within 14 months, if the deal holds, is expected to lead to initiation of intra-Afghan dialogue by March 10.

“We welcome the Doha

Accord signed between US and the Taliban. This is the start of a peace and reconciliation process to end decades of war and suf-fering of the Afghan people,” Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted and said he stood vin-dicated that a political solution was the only route to peace.

Cautioning about the chal-lenges ahead for the peace process, Khan said: “Now all stakeholders have to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay. My prayers for peace for the Afghan people who have suffered four decades of bloodshed.”

Pakistan, which played a key role in US-Taliban negotiations that resulted in the signing of the accord, the prime minister said, remained committed to playing its role in ensuring that the agreement held and succeeded

in bringing peace to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Qureshi after witnessing the signing ceremony said that Doha Accord was important, both in symbolism and substance, for Afghanistan, the region and beyond.

“It is a significant step forward by US and Taliban in advancing the ultimate aim of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,” he maintained.

Qureshi hoped that the Afghan parties would now seize this historic opportunity and work out a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

He underlined the need for international support for Afghan-istan to enable its reconstruction and rehabilitation.

REUTERS — WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday expressed hope that negotiations would begin in the coming days between Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban after the United States signed an agreement with the Taliban on a US troop pullout.

Pompeo told CBS’s “Face the Nation” programme the agreement signed on Saturday was historic and contained detailed commitments by the Taliban to reduce violence in the country, paving the way for negotiations among the Afghan people on the future of the country for the first time in nearly two decades.

“We are hopeful that there will be inter-Afghan negotia-tions that commence as well,” Pompeo said, adding that US President Donald Trump would be actively engaged in the process. Pompeo gave no date for Trump’s promised meeting with Taliban leaders.

Reduction of violence will continue with the goal of achieving a complete ceasefire, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said yesterday during a press conference.

Activists of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Nazryate party celebrate the signing of agreement between the US and the Taliban during a rally in Quetta, Pakistan, yesterday.

Chaman border crossing to be closed for a week over virus: PakistanINTERNEWS — QUETTA

Pakistan yesterday announced to close Chaman border with Afghanistan in its Balochistan province for one-week amid the coronavirus outbreak in the neighbouring country.

The interior ministry in its notification said the border will remain close for one week starting from today.

The move comes after Kabul confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Monday with several others being tested for the diseases.

Ferozuddin Feroz, the min-ister of public health, told a press conference one of three suspected cases had been con-firmed in the Western province of Herat.

In addition to the border closure, strict precautionary measures have also been put in place in border areas to stop the spread, including the estab-lishment of an isolation ward at District Hospital Parachinar in Pakistan’s tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Moreover, screening at the Babe-e-Dosti border crossing in Chaman is underway. Medical checkpoints have also been set up at Torkham border for those coming into the country from Afgahnistan’s Nangarhar province.

According to the provincial health department, more than 10,000 people have undergone screening in the last five days at the Chaman border.

Isolation wards have also been set up at Pak-Afghan Friendship Hospital, Landi Kotal and hospitals in Jamrud.

Separately, officials

yesterday said 510 pilgrims from Iran were under quaran-tined at the Pakistan House.

A day earlier, Balochistan’s health officials declared 252 pilgrims from Iran free from coronavirus after putting them under quarantine for 15 days.

According to officials, the pilgrims were cleared after they were screened by the health officials.

Meanwhile, two more cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed by Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Saturday.

“We have received reports of two more positive cases of coronavirus, one has been reported in Sindh province, (the) other in federal areas,” Mirza told a press conference.

Earlier, the Sindh Health Department had confirmed that a patient who had returned from Iran, had been diagnosed with the infection in Karachi at 5pm.

The patient and those who came into contact with him have also been quarantined, confirmed the provincial health department.

Speaking about the two earlier cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, Dr Mirza said there was no need to panic as they were both getting better.

“One of the patients will be discharged from the hospital quite soon,” he said.

Dr Mirza said that the infection spread to Pakistan after cases were first reported in 47 countries.

He said that the disease had spread to Pakistan last as the government had taken nec-essary precautions.

Pakistan launches

coronavirus

awareness portal

INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Health Services, in coordi-nation with the National Infor-mation Technology Board (NITB), has launched a web portal offering latest infor-mation and updates regarding the novel coronavirus.

“The NITB team has acti-vated this portal for the general public on behalf of the Ministry of Health within the shortest possible time frame,” NITB CEO Shabahat Ali Shah said at the web portal launch over the weekend.

“We are hoping that this tool will serve as an effective source of information for all,” he added. Special Assistant to the PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza tweeted that an online coronavirus platform for fre-quently asked questions (FAQs) was also being launched.

“In addition to the 1169 COVID19 helpline, we are also launching an online corona-virus platform for frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the disease. Please go to app.nhsrc.gov.pk for more info and spread this among your friends, family and followers.”

The web portal has been created in view of the rising threat of COVID-19 in various countries.

The portal contains details about the symptoms of COVID-19, its spread in humans, incubation period, protective measures, as well as travel and medical advisories, among other information.

More than 2,700 people have died in China since the outbreak began in December last year. More than 78,000 cases have been confirmed inside of Mainland China.

Climate change lengthens Australian summers by 50%: StudyREUTERS — SYDNEY

Australian summers are now effectively twice as long as its winters as climate change has increased temperatures since the middle of the last century, research released in the wake of the nation’s unprecedented fire season showed on Monday.

The report by the Australia Institute, a Canberra-based think tank, compared data from the past two decades with mid-20th century benchmarks of temperatures at the calendar start of seasons in temperate and sub-tropical parts of the country.

Over the last two decades, summer across most of Australia has been on average one month longer than half a century ago, while winter has contracted by an average three weeks.

Over the past five years, the analysis showed, Australian summers were on average 50 percent longer than they were in the mid-twentieth century based on temperature readings.

“Our findings are not a pro-jection of what we may see in the future,” said Richie Merzian, climate and energy programme director at the Australia Institute.

“It’s happening right now.”

The report was released as Aus-tralia counts the cost of a dev-astating and lengthy bushfire season that burned nearly 12mn hectares of bushland, killing 33 people and an estimated 1 billion native animals.

Dubbed a “black summer” by Prime Minister Scott Mor-rison, the unusually prolonged and intense bushfires have increased pressure on the gov-ernment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While the major fires have been contained or extinguished, more than a dozen were still burning at the end of February,

which traditionally marks the end of summer in Australia.

Scientists have warned that increased temperatures and heatwaves will lead to more dangerous fire seasons and severe weather events, while shorter winters will reduce the window for hazard reduction to mitigate the impact of fires.

The Australia Institute report found that some regional areas, such as Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of New South Wales state, experienced more pronounced shifts, with seven additional weeks of summer.

All crew members have left virus-hit ship in Japan: MinisterAFP — TOKYO

All crew members from a coro-navirus-stricken cruise ship off Japan have now disembarked, the country’s health minister said.

The crew began leaving the Diamond Princess on Thursday for quarantine ashore after the last of the passengers had departed.

“Including the captain, all crew members disembarked,” health minister Katsunobu Kato

told reporters yesterday. Around 130 people — including the captain and 98 health ministry officials who were working aboard — tested negative for the virus as they left the vessel, he said. They will spend 14 days at government-designated dormi-tories before being allowed to leave Japan.

At least six people who were hospitalised after being taken off the ship have died, including a British male passenger, the health ministry said.

Pompeo sees inter-Afghan

negotiations in coming days

14 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020ASIA

Mahathir seeks Parliament vote as new Malaysian Prime Minister sworn inAP — KUALA LUMPUR Mahathir Mohamad called yesterday for an urgent sitting of Malaysia’s Parliament to contest the appointment of a former ally as prime minister under a Malay-majority coalition that could further split the nation following the collapse of Mahathir’s multi-racial reformist alliance.

Muhyiddin Yassin, a sea-soned politician who once famously quipped that he is Malay first and Malaysian second, was sworn in as the new leader at the palace yesterday after getting the support of several opposition parties. Among the supporters was the corruption-tainted United Malays National Organisation, which was ousted by Mahathir’s Alliance of Hope in a historic vote in 2018.

Muhyiddin, 72, pulled his Bersatu party out of the alliance on Monday, triggering its collapse.

Mahathir resigned as prime minister in protest of the plan that would bring UMNO back to power. After a week of political turmoil, the king said on Saturday that he believed Muhyiddin had the majority support of law-makers and named him the new leader.

But Mahathir’s camp has

contested that assertion, saying the 94-year-old two-time prime minister has the backing of 114 lawmakers to return as premier for a third time, surpassing the 112 votes needed for a simple majority.

Mahathir said yesterday that the palace had refused to hear him out. He called for an urgent sitting of the lower house of Par-liament to test Muhyiddin’s claim of majority support. The house is due to resume on March 9, but Mahathir said it could be delayed.

“People on our side may be offered to be ministers. They may be offered other things,” he said.

“We feel we have 114, but after the actions taken by these very rich and very powerful people, we may not have the 114,” he said. “So the test of the pudding is in the eating; hold the

Parliament sitting now.” Already, two of the lawmakers among the 114 have denied supporting Mahathir. Mahathir said he felt betrayed by Muhyiddin’s move and warned that UMNO leaders including ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is facing trial on corruption charges, may get off the hook. UMNO is the biggest party in Muhyiddin’s new coalition.

“The court may find it embar-rassing to take action against the government,” Mahathir said.

“We have seen this happen before during Najib’s time when he was able to manipulate the court, change the charges and to a certain extent, influence the decision of the court. I believe if the new government is installed now with Najib in it, this is what is going to happen.”

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, who oversaw a slew of graft charges against Najib, his wife, Rosmah Mansor, and several UMNO leaders after his appointment by Mahathir, has quit. An official from the attorney general’s office chambers said Thomas tendered his resignation on Friday evening and that an an official announcement will be issued this week. The official was not authorised to speak to the media and spoke on condition of

anonymity. Muhyiddin and Mahathir were former members of UMNO who formed Bersatu in 2016 amid anger over a massive corruption scandal involving the 1MDB state investment fund.

Muhyiddin is a longtime pol-itician who served in various ministries during Mahathir’s first stint as prime minister for 22 years until 2003.

He was appointed as deputy prime minister when Najib took power in 2009 but was sacked in 2015 after he criticised Najib’s handling of the 1MDB scandal.

Bersatu teamed up with the Alliance of Hope with a pact that Mahathir would eventually hand over power to former rival Anwar Ibrahim. Muhyiddin was the

former home minister under the short-lived alliance but only took up the post months later fol-lowing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Muhyiddin’s new gov-ernment, dubbed the National Alliance, has stoked fears of increasing Islamisation because it will also bring to power a party with strong rural support that espouses strict Islamic laws. Ethnic Malays account for 60 percent of Malaysia’s 32 million people, which includes sizable minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians.

Many Malaysians expressed outrage on social media over the betrayal of their vote for a change in 2018 polls. The hashtag

#NotMyPM was trending on Twitter, and dozens of protesters rallied against what they called the “death of democracy” on Saturday.

“We expect a lot more pro-Malay politics coming from his government,” said James Chin, professor of Asian studies at Aus-tralia’s University of Tasmania.

Nevertheless, he said, “Going forward, what I foresee is that Mahathir will still be (in) the game.”

With Mahathir seeking to move a motion of no-confidence against Muhyiddin in Parliament, Chin said horse trading was expected to intensify as both camps seek to solidify their support.

Muhyiddin Yassin takes oath as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Australia’s first virus death confirmed as Diamond Princess passengerREUTERS — MELBOURNE

A former passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined off Japan for coronavirus died in a hospital in Perth yesterday, a health official said, becoming Australia’s first death from the virus.

The 78-year-old man had been in quarantine since being

evacuated from the cruise ship off Yokohama, one of more than 150 Australians taken off the vessel.

“Our condolences are with his family and unfortunately he’s the first death we’ve had from coronavirus in Australia,” Andrew Robertson, the chief health officer of Western Aus-tralia state, told journalists.

The man’s widow also caught the virus, but is in stable con-dition, the health official said. Australia’s tally of virus infections rose by one to 26 yesterday, the latest government figures showed.

Prime Minister Scott Mor-rison said in a tweet that he was saddened to hear of the man’s passing and the government

would continue to do what it could to protect Australians from coronavirus.

“We are monitoring and responding to the information we are receiving every day,” Mor-rison tweeted.

“We are not immune, but we are as prepared as any country can be and we will get through this.” On Saturday, Australia said

it would deny entry to all for-eigners travelling from Iran because of the spreading virus in the Islamic republic.

There have been more than 85,000 virus infections worldwide, the majority in China, the World Health Organization said. Outside China, it has spread to 53 countries, with more than 6,000 cases and 86 deaths.

Malaysian police

arrest man for

insulting King,

probe 3 others

REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia has arrested a man and started investigating three others for social media posts that insult the king and threaten public order, the police said yesterday.

The social media posts fol-lowed the king’s decision on Saturday to name former interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin as Malaysia’s next prime minister. A 35-year-old man was remanded yesterday over a Facebook update insulting the king. Further investigations are ongoing, the police said in a statement. Another two men are also under investigation for insulting the king in Facebook posts, while a Twitter user is being investigated as well.

The latter “deliberately uploaded a statement with ele-ments of sedition that can cause an environment of disharmony, disorder, feelings of enmity and disrupting public peace and safety,” police said.

Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who tweeted under the handle @FadiahNadwa, posted a message calling for those “out-raged by the betrayal” to rally on Saturday night.

Fadiah said in a text message that she had been singled out by the authorities.

“Malaysians have been expressing worry, grief, anger and frustration over the scheming and power tussle by politicians. The police have singled me out for a gathering held on Saturday,” she said.

Coronavirus: First death reported in Thailand; 4 new cases in MalaysiaAGENCIES — ANKARA

Thailand reported the first death from the new corona-virus, officially known as COVID-19, while Malaysia reported four new cases of coronavirus yesterday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 29.

According to the local daily Bangkok Post, the authorities announced that a 35-year-old patient who was diagnosed with the disease died, marking the first death.

Suwannachai Wattanaying-charoenchai, director-general of the Department of Disease Control of the Public Health Ministry, said that the patient was hospitalised due to dengue fever, however, he was also diagnosed with the coronavirus after his admission to the hospital.

Suwannachai said the male patient, who was a retail worker, was transferred to

Bamrasnardura Infectious Dis-eases Institute where he died on Saturday of multiple organ failure.

A total of 42 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Thailand so far.

The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China last December.

The global death toll reached 2,980 with China being the worst hit and reporting nearly 80,000 confirmed cases.

The World Health Organi-sation, which already declared the outbreak an international health emergency, updated the global risk level to very high.

In Malaysia, all of the new cases were among Malaysian nationals, one of whom had travelled to China while another had travelled recently to Milan, northern Italy, the health min-istry said.

Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional said one of the new cases was one of its employees, without giving

further details about the person.Of Malaysia’s total cases, 22

patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

Khazanah Nasional said in a statement that health author-ities had notified it that one of

its employees had been diag-nosed with the virus.

It cancelled a media briefing scheduled for today on its financial results and said it was working with health authorities and office premises man-agement on necessary health

and safety measures and pre-cautions, including identifying individuals who have come into close contact with the employee. The coronavirus has spread from China. In Europe, northern Italy has reported the most number of cases so far.

Health officials wearing face masks check the body temperature of policewomen before an anti-government rally, in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.

Indonesia’s hospital defends policies to tackle coronavirusREUTERS — JAKARTA

Indonesia has the resources to cope with a coronavirus outbreak, the director of its leading infectious diseases hospital said, defending detection procedures in the Southeast Asian nation of more than 260 million, where no cases have been reported.

The world’s fourth most populous nation has tested 141 suspected cases, a small figure for its population, sparking concern among some medical professionals of a lack of vigi-lance and a risk of undetected cases.

Neighbouring Malaysia has reportedly run about 1,000 tests, and Britain more than 10,000.

“We can’t doubt our skills and the facts we gather,” said

Muhammad Syahril, director of the Sulianti Saroso hospital in Jakarta, the capital, when asked why Indonesia had detected no cases.

“If we don’t have cases, we don’t have cases,” he said in an interview at the hospital on Friday. “Why would we cover it up?”

The virus has infected more than 85,000 people globally and killed nearly 2,800, the majority in China, spreading to more than 50 countries.

Sulianti Saroso is Indonesia’s main hospital for handling sus-pected virus cases, among 135 designated for the task.

Indonesia’s efforts have included screening the temper-atures of arrivals at airports and advising that any who later become unwell should contact

health authorities.The hospital offers 11 iso-

lation rooms for patients with symptoms such as pneumonia, Syahril said, adding that three people were being treated, while 21 were in isolation before testing negative.

The hospital was ready to tackle any outbreak, armed with experience gained in handling disease such as the 2003-2004 outbreak of Severe Acute Res-piratory Syndrome (SARS), he said.

A health ministry official previously said that some hos-pitals, particularly in eastern Indonesia, had smaller capacity to handle virus cases.

But even in Jakarta not all best practices appear to be fol-lowed and a recent visit to another hospital revealed some

nurses without masks, despite attending to a patient with fever.

Fuelling concern about Indo-nesia’s vulnerability, four infec-tions were confirmed in trav-ellers who had spent time there, including a Japanese national living in Malaysia and one returning to New Zealand from Iran via the resort island of Bali.

Indonesian physician Shela Putri Sundawa worries that screening could miss potential carriers without symptoms.

“When people have travel or contact history, but they only have issues with coughing or minor fever, they’ll just be mon-itored,” she said, calling for tighter surveillance.

Tests were run when doctors determined that symptoms pointed “to that direction”, Health Minister Terawan Agus

Putranto said last week.“Imagine if everybody who

had a cough or flu was checked, then millions would be checked,” he said, adding that it was “a blessing from the Almighty” that no cases had been found.

Tests are done at a Jakarta laboratory run by the health ministry, but Sundawa said samples from outside the capital could take too long to arrive for optimal results.

Tests should also be cross checked with overseas labora-tories accredited by the World Health Organisation to dispel quality concerns, Arsul Sani, the vice chairman of the upper house of parliament, said.

The health ministry declined to comment but said its labo-ratory was accredited by the WHO.

Japan warns against trips to South Korea

REUTERS — TOKYO

Japan yesterday raised its infectious disease advisory levels for parts of South Korea and Italy, urging its citizens not to take trips to South Korea’s Daegu and Cheongdo regions and avoid non-urgent trips to three areas in Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Until Saturday, the Jap-anese government had told its people not to make non-urgent trips to Daegu and Cheongdo, while advising potential trav-ellers to Italy’s Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna to be cautious.

Mahathir said yesterday that the palace had refused to hear him out. He called for an urgent sitting of the lower house of Parliament to test Muhyiddin’s claim of majority support.

15MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 EUROPE

Swiss govt files complaint over Crypto spying scandalREUTERS — VIENNA

The Swiss government has filed a criminal complaint over the US Central Intelligence Agency’s alleged use of a cryptography company as a front to spy on various governments’ secret communications, the Swiss attorney-general’s office said yesterday.

The complaint against persons unknown for alleged breaches of the law governing export controls follows recent reports on “Operation Rubicon”, which for decades involved the CIA and German BND spy services covertly

reading other nations’ secret messages encoded with tech-nology sold by Swiss firm Crypto AG.

The case of Crypto, which sold encryption devices and software while being secretly owned by US and German intelligence services that could freely read what it encrypted, is embarrassing for neutral Switzerland and could hurt its international reputation, par-ticularly if it turned a blind eye.

Although the outlines of Operation Rubicon were known for years, new details about its scope and duration were made

public last month by Swiss, German and US investigative journalists.

“The Office of the Attorney-General confirms it has received a criminal complaint by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) dated February 2, 2020 regarding possible vio-lations of export control law,” the attorney-general’s office said in a statement. SECO is part of the Swiss Economy Ministry.

The attorney general’s office will review the complaint before deciding whether to open criminal proceedings, the statement said, confirming a

report by SonntagsZeitung newspaper.

A spokeswoman for Swit-zerland’s Economy Ministry confirmed that the complaint had been filed but declined to elaborate.

The technology Crypto sold to dozens of governments including those of Iran, India, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Chile, and Argentina had deliberate flaws or built-in back doors that made messages easily readable to US and German spies. In effect, those client countries paid millions to be spied on.

SonntagsZeitung said SECO, which is in charge of

authorising exports of sensitive equipment, believes it was deceived into clearing the sale of Crypto’s machines and software, and argues it would never have done so had it known of the scheme.

The Swiss government has appointed a former Swiss Supreme Court justice to look into Operation Rubicon. He is due to report back by the end of June and the cabinet will be briefed.

But pressure is mounting for parliament to launch its own investigation to find out who in Switzerland knew about the scheme.

Migrants clash with Greece police at borderREUTERS — KASTANIES

Greek police fired tear gas to repel hundreds of stone-throwing migrants who sought to force their way across the border from Turkey yesterday, witnesses said, with thousands more behind them after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.

It was the second straight day of clashes at the border crossing by the northeastern Greek town of Kastanies in which police drove back approaching migrants with volleys of tear gas.

Greece had placed its borders on maximum-security footing earlier yesterday after hundreds of other migrants used porous crossing points to

enter the country.At least 500 people had

arrived by sea on the Greek islands of Lesbos, Chios and Samos close to the Turkish coast within a few hours on Sunday morning, police said.

Along the northeastern mainland border, some migrants waded across a shallow section of the Evro River to the Greek side. Wit-nesses said there were groups of up to 30, including an Afghan mother with a five-day-old infant, by the side of a road after having forded the river.

The clashes occurred later in the day at the Kastanies crossing after riot police rein-forced security there.

A Greek government source

said some migrants blocked from crossing had also thrown metal bars and hand-held tear gas canisters at police on the Greek side.

Turkey said on Thursday it would no longer restrain hun-dreds of thousands of asylum seekers in its territory from reaching Europe, their pre-ferred destination, despite a commitment to do so under a deal reached with the European Union in 2016.

Turkey’s turnabout came after an air strike killed 33 Turkish soldiers in northwest Syria where Ankara has deployed forces in support of rebels and to help secure its border against a new influx of refugees from the Syrian civil war.

Locals who prevent migrants on a dinghy from disembarking at the port of Thermi beat a journalist, as a woman tries to stop them, on the island of Lesbos, in Greece, yesterday.

Macron bypassing Parliament to pass pension reform stirs protestBLOOMBERG — PARIS

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to push through a controversial pension reform without a vote in the lower house of Parliament sparked protests among oppo-sition lawmakers, who called for a no-confidence vote to oust the government.

The decision to use a con-stitutional manoeuvre to bypass the lower house could put an end to two weeks of debate that government law-makers say has been marred by delaying tactics by the opposition.

The move means that a provisional version of the bill could be passed before municipal elections on March 15 and 22, which are expected to be challenging for Macron’s three-year-old LREM party.

“They didn’t want to listen to the unions, nor to the business federations, but they won’t be able to turn a deaf ear to voters,” said Olivier Faure, the head of the opposition Socialist Party.

The decision was announced on Saturday, the same day as the government said it will ban large gatherings to limit the coronavirus out-break after confirmed cases in the country topped 100. The pension reform had prompted strikes and national protests by public sector transport workers, which had largely died down since the start of the year.

The decision to use a

constitutional provision to end further debate means the draft reform will move directly to the Senate as opposition parties won’t likely have enough support to vote out the gov-ernment in the lower house.

It’s a “missed opportunity to reform our pension system to ensure its sustainability, and make it fairer,” the opposition Republican party said in its call to vote the government out.

The government reform aims to encourage people to continue to work beyond the minimum retirement age of 62 as the growing ranks of retirees puts further strains on public finances. The government pays out about $352bn in pensions per year, about 14% of gross domestic product.

The plan to replace 42 dif-ferent pension regimes with a single, points-based system, was part of Macron’s pledge during his 2017 presidential campaign to overhaul taxes, labor laws and the welfare system.

France’s supreme admin-istrative jurisdiction has warned there are gaps in the financial forecasts of the pension reform and said that it can’t guarantee the legal cer-tainty of the bills.

“The pension reform would have deserved a real debate,” Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, the head of Medef, France’s biggest business federation, said in a tweet.

“Too many questions remain unanswered, including the funding one.”

UK virus cases jump, Johnson says he expects moreREUTERS — LONDON

Britain announced a jump in coronavirus cases yesterday, with 12 new infections taking the total to 35, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he expected the number to rise further.

Johnson will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency response committee today, sig-nalling a step up in attempts to tackle a virus that began in China, where authorities estimate it has killed almost 3,000 people worldwide.

“We’ve found about 35 people in this country have, or have had, the illness and clearly there may be more. That is likely now to spread a bit more,” Johnson said during a visit to a public health facility in London.

“I am very confident that this country has the capacity to deal with it.”

The government has announced some details of its “battle-plan” to cope with the virus, and is expected to set out the rest later this week. Johnson said closures of public events and schools could be considered.

If the virus becomes more widespread, the government will look at registering retired health workers to work again,

and whether encouraging people to work at home could delay the virus’s peak until summer when it can be more easily dealt with.

Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty said that as of 0900 GMT there had been 12 new positive tests in Britain, bringing the total to 35.

Of those new positive tests, three had been in close contact with an existing known case, six had recently travelled from Italy and two from Iran.

They were investigating one case with no relevant travel, to find out how they caught the virus.

According to the health department the outbreak in Britain remained in a “con-tainment” phase despite yes-terday’s increase in cases.

Health Minister Matt Hancock said that he did not rule out any measures to contain the spread of the virus but said any further restrictions would be based on scientific evidence, and that for now people should go about their business as usual.

The issue will become a standing item for all cabinet meetings and there will be more media briefings from health officials.

The government is launching a new public infor-mation campaign this week, encouraging people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, and to do so more often than normal.

The number of countries hit by the coronavirus climbed past 60 yesterday, and infections and deaths continued to mount around the globe, emptying streets of tourists and workers, shaking economies and rewriting the realities of daily life.

More than 87,000 people worldwide have been infected, and nearly 3,000 have died.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson (centre) meets with staff in a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale in north London, yesterday.

I am very confident that this country (Britain) has the capacity to deal with it: Boris Johnson

Virus cases in Germany almost double to 117AFP — FRANKFURT AM MAIN

The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Germany jumped sharply to 117 yesterday, official data showed, as the interior minister said he expected a vaccine by the end of the year.

The latest tally given by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s centre for disease control and pre-vention, showed that the number of cases had almost doubled from 66 on Saturday morning.

More than half are in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state where an infected couple attended car-nival celebrations.

The deadly virus has now reached nine of Germany’s 16 states, with Frankfurt, Hamburg and Bremen among the cities reporting their first COVID-19 cases.

Speaking to the mass-daily Bild am Sonntag, Interior Min-ister Horst Seehofer said he did not see a swift end to the virus’s spread but was optimistic a cure could be found.

“I estimate that a vaccine will be available by the end of year,” he said, adding that he himself had stopped shaking people’s hands.

Asked whether Germany would go so far as to close off access to cities or regions, he said “such a scenario would be a last resort”.

The state of Bavaria announced four new cases yesterday.

Two Swiss high school classes quarantined over coronavirusAFP — GENEVA

Two high school classes and their teachers have been quaran-tined in Switzerland after a student tested positive for the deadly new coronavirus, regional authorities said yesterday.

The move at the Bienne technical high school marks the first measures against COVID-19 that affect a school in Switzerland, where over 20 people have tested positive since a first case emerged less than a week ago.

Authorities in the canton of Bern, where the school is located, said that a 21-year-old woman had been found to have the virus, after she returned from a trip to Milano in Italy, which has been hard-hit by the outbreak.

As a result, two classes had been placed in quarantine for the next 15 days, authorities said.

According to the ATS news agency, 45 students and nine teachers were affected.

A luxury resort hotel in Bad Ragaz in St Gallen has also ordered five employees into quarantine after they came into close contact with a person who tested positive in Zurich, the Blick daily reported yesterday.

Kosovar judoka gets statue in hometownAP — PEJA

Olympic champion Majlinda Kelmendi, the first athlete from Kosovo to win a gold medal at the games, now has a statue in her hometown.

Hundreds of people with-stood rain to gather in Peja for the unveiling of the bronze statue.

The 28-year-old Kelmendi is a Kosovar judoka who com-petes in the 52kg category. In 2016, she was the first Kosovar athlete to win a medal at the Olympics, taking gold. She is a two-time world champion and two-time European champion.

“I strongly believe that the statue will motivate children in Kosovo to achieve successes in life like me,” Kelmendi said.

The statue shows Kel-mendi in a judogi uniform and ready to fight. It cost about $220,000, funded from the local federation.

Mother protests in Berlin for daughter 'kidnapped' by terrorist groupANATOLIA – BERLIN

A mother of a 20-year-old girl started a lone protest in Berlin to reunite with her daughter allegedly kidnapped by the PKK terrorist organisation.

Holding placards, Maide T staged a demonstration in front of the Navende Kurdistaniyen li Berline association.

She claims her daughter, Nilufer T, who went missing on November 12 last year, was “tricked” by the terror group.

“Unfortunately, young people are being deceived here and taken to other European countries,” she said, adding that her daughter used to visit the association after her classes for “folk activities.”

With banners calling upon German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer to help in the recovery of her daughter, Maide said she will protest for an hour every Friday.

“My daughter was tricked by supporters of the terrorist organisation. We can’t reach her... I will continue the struggle to save her from their hands,” she said.

16 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020EUROPE

Slovakia’s populist wins vote with anti-graft stanceAP — BRATISLAVA

Slovakia’s centre-right populist opposition claimed victory yesterday in the country’s parliamentary election, ending the reign of the long-dominant but scandal-tainted leftist party in a move that analysts said showed a strong desire by voters to end corruption.

According to final results released by the Statistics Office, the Ordinary People group cap-tured 25 percent of Saturday’s vote and 53 seats in the 150-seat parliament. The senior ruling leftist Smer-Social Democracy party led by former populist Prime Minister Robert Fico came in second with 18.3 percent or 38 seats.

The results steered the country to the right and could eventually make a local ally of France’s far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen a part of Slovakia’s governing coalition.

“We will try to form the best government Slovakia’s ever had,” Ordinary People chairman Igor Matovic told 2,000 cheering supporters in a sports hall in his hometown of Trnava, northeast of the capital, Bratislava.

The pro-western Matovic,

46, has made fighting cor-ruption and attacking Fico the central tenet of his campaign. He is likely to become the coun-try’s next prime minister.

Officials measured the tem-perature of every person coming into the hall due to fears about the new coronavirus. Slo-vakia hasn’t a single confirmed case yet.

The ruling Smer party has been in power for most of the past 14 years, winning big in every election since 2006 in Slovakia, a European Union nation of almost 5.5 million people in central Europe. The party won 28.3 percent in 2016 after campaigning on an anti-migrant ticket but it was damaged by political turmoil following the 2018 slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee.

The killings of journalist Jan

Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, triggered major street protests and a political crisis that led to the collapse of Fico’s three-party coalition government.

Kuciak had been writing about alleged ties between the Italian mafia and people close to Fico when he was killed and also wrote about corruption scandals linked to Fico’s party.

A new cabinet was made up of ministers from the same three parties.

“This was a clear vote against corruption practices of the ruling party, against the links between politicians and semi-mafia in this country and the quest for rule of law,” said Olga Gyarfasova, an analyst from Comenius University in Bratislava.

In a further blow to Smer, its two current coalition partners, the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party and a party of ethnic Hungarians, didn’t win any seats in Parliament.

Matovic is expected to govern with the pro-business Freedom and Solidarity party, which captured 6.2 percent support and 13 seats and the conservative For People estab-lished by former President

Andrej Kiska that finished with 5.8 percent of the vote and 12 seats.

Although the three parties would have a majority with 78 seats, Matovic said he also wanted to rule with Le Pen’s ally, We Are Family, a populist right-wing group that placed third in Saturday’s vote with 8.2 percent support and 17 seats.

“I’d like to assure everybody that there’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “We’re not here to fight cultural wars.”

Matovic is a skilled poli-tician who knows how to make news.

In January, he traveled to an upscale neighbourhood in Cannes, France, where he placed a poster that read “the property of Slovakia” in front of a luxurious villa that belongs to Jan Pociatek, Fico’s former finance minister.

Matovic accused Pociatek of corruption, saying he could never earn so much money to afford the villa. Pociatek denied

wrongdoing. A video of the event went viral on social media.

The extreme far-right Peo-ple’s Party Our Slovakia, whose members use Nazi salutes and want Slovakia out of the EU and Nato, became the fourth-most popular party in the country with 8 percent support and 17 seats.

But all other parties have ruled out cooperating with it, for the party backs the legacy of the Slovak Nazi puppet World War II state.

Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLANO) party leader, Igor Matovic, gestures in front of supporters at his party’s headquarters after the country’s parliamentary elections, in Trnava, Slovakia, yesterday.

“We will try to form the best government Slovakia’s ever had,” Ordinary People chairman Igor Matovic told 2,000 cheering supporters.

Police clash with French islanders fearing coronavirus among touristsAFP — SAINT-DENIS DE LA REUNION

Police used tear gas on protesting residents of France’s Indian Ocean territory Reunion Island yesterday who tried to block passengers of a cruise ship turned away from nearby Madagascar for fear there may be people infected with the coronavirus on board.

The incident came just hours after clashes between police and protesters near the airport in Martinique, another French overseas territory, demanding strict control of any new arrivals as panic over the outbreak spreads.

Early yesterday morning, the Sun Princess ocean liner of the company Princess Cruises

docked at Reunion in the Indian Ocean with 2,000 passengers on board.

The ship, flying the British flag, was met by about 30 pro-testers who had gathered at the northwestern port to demand health checks of tourists to avoid the virus taking root on their island.

The locals tried to prevent visitors leaving the port, forcing the police to intervene. The protesters threw pebbles and bottles at the security forces, who responded with tear gas.

By this time, some 300 other ship passengers had already left the port by bus or taxi on different island excursions.

“Of course we are not

against the arrival of tourists, they are necessary for the development of our economy. We just want to be sure that there is no risk of the corona-virus propagating,” protester Yannis Latchimy said.

An agent of the regional health authority was at the port to offer face masks and leaflets with coronavirus prevention measures, but disembarking tourists were not seen having their temperature taken. None took the proffered mask.

“We don’t know if these people are sick, they were not tested. It is very dangerous,” said Latchimy.

No coronavirus cases have been reported in Reunion nor in Martinique in the Caribbean Sea.

Russia and Ukraine plan next prisoner swap this month: Kiev

REUTERS — KIEV

Ukraine said yesterday that it had held talks with the Kremlin on swapping all remaining prisoners from the conflict in east Ukraine, and the next exchange might take place later this month.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed in December to send prisoners home, and scores were handed over just before the end of the year.

But many others are still being held, casting a shadow over efforts to roll out a peace deal and, eventually, settle the status of the disputed region where the fighting raged between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.

The head of the Ukraine president’s office, Andriy Yermak, met senior Kremlin official Dmitry Kozak in Minsk, the presidency said.

“The parties discussed the issues of the mutual release of the detainees,” and the plan was to hold the next exchange in March, it added, without giving details on the size of that swap. The con-flict that broke out in 2014 killed more than 13,000 people, left a large swathe of Ukraine de facto controlled by the separatists and aggravated the deepest east-west rift since the Cold War.

The full release of prisoners could help thaw relations that have been frozen since Russian forces annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014.

Police arrest suspected Polish drug gang bossREUTERS — BUDAPEST

A Polish woman suspected of being the head of a Polish drug trafficking group based in Krakow was arrested in Slovakia after a joint operation by Polish, Hungarian and Slovakian security forces, Hungarian police said yesterday.

The 32-year-old woman had been under an Interpol arrest warrant. She had escaped to Slovakia from Budapest in the boot of a car after her hiding place in the Hungarian capital had been identified by police last week, police said.

After taking control of the group in 2017, the woman reor-ganised the gang by recruiting members of the KS Cracovia soccer team’s extremist fans to engage in international drug trafficking, according to a police statement.

Slovakian authorities must now decide whether to extradite the woman to Poland, but her lawyer said recent judiciary reforms had undermined the fairness of the Polish court system.

“In current circumstances handing (the woman) over to Polish law enforcement author-ities would be tantamount to handing her over to wild can-nibals,” Maciej Burda said.

Since coming to power in 2015, Poland’s nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party has introduced a series of judicial reforms that EU officials and democracy activists say may breach the bloc’s standards on the rule of law.

Report lists judges, prosecutors facing reprisals in Poland AP — WARSAW

An association of judges in Poland published a report listing dozens of judges and prosecutors who face reprisals and disciplinary measures for having criticized or questioned changes the country’s right-wing government has made to the judicial system.

The 200-page report issued by the Polish judges’ association Iustitia named judges and pros-ecutors who were called before disciplinary bodies, moved to lower courts or had cases taken away from them.

The actions took place after the lawyers and jurists com-mented on the reorganisation of the judiciary or issued rulings

that seemed to deviate from government policy.

Among those listed in the report as being subject to reprisals is Warsaw District Court Judge Igor Tuleya; Olsztyn District Court Judge Pawel Juszczyszyn and Iustitia’s pres-ident, Judge Krystian Markiewicz of the District Court in Katowice.

Markiewicz has urged the European Union to act in defense of judicial inde-pendence in Poland. Some 4,000 out of Poland’s 10,000 judges are Iustitia members.

“As judges we stand guard over the civil rights and freedoms enshrined in the Con-stitution,” said the English-lan-guage version of the report. “We

do not and will not agree to politicize the courts”.

The report also names and quotes government and judi-ciary officials who, it says, have been publicly “slandering” the judges and prosecutors in Poland and internationally.

The government says the changes it has introduced since 2016 were designed to make the justice system more efficient and free of jurists left over from Poland’s communist era.

In response to criticism coming from newer judges, the government said it is taking steps to prevent “anarchy” in the court system.

The EU, international judicial bodies and critics in Poland have said the changes

could undercut judicial inde-pendence, the rule of law and the democratic system of checks and balances.

One recent law allows pol-iticians to fine and fire judges who are considered biased because of their group affilia-tions or take actions regarded by the government as harmful to the Polish court system.

At a political convention on Saturday, the main opposition candidate in Poland’s May 10 presidential election said that if elected, she would make right “all wrongs done to inde-pendent judges” by the ruling Law and Justice party.

“Poland’s judges are perse-cuted,” Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, who is running for the

pro-EU Civic Platform party, said.

Kidawa-Blonska is among several candidates challenging Poland’s incumbent president, Andrzej Duda.

Opinion polls suggest she may provide competition for Duda, who is backed by the ruling party.

Kidawa-Blonska said that as president, she would work to regain Poland’s place as a respected European Union member and to unify the country after what she described as divisions created by the conservative Law and Justice government.

She said her guiding values would be “mutual respect, trust and honesty.”

Virus fears close down Louvre MuseumAP — PARIS

The spreading coronavirus epidemic shut down France’s Louvre Museum yesterday, with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum’s flow of tourists from around the world.

Almost three-quarters of the Louvre’s 9.6 million visitors last year came from abroad. The world’s most popular museum welcomes tens of thousands of fans daily in Paris.

“We are very worried because we have visitors from everywhere,” said Andre Sac-ristin, a Louvre employee and union representative.

“The risk is very, very, very great,” he said in a phone interview. While there are no known virus infections among the museum’s 2,300 workers, “it’s only a question of time”.

A short statement from the

Louvre said a staff meeting about virus prevention efforts stopped the museum from opening as scheduled yesterday morning. Would-be visitors were still waiting yesterday afternoon to get inside but the Louvre later announced it would not open at all.

Among the frustrated vis-itors was Charles Lim from Sin-gapore. He and his wife, Jeanette, chose Paris to cele-brate their first wedding anni-versary and bought tickets in advance for the Louvre, home to the “Mona Lisa” and other famous artworks. He posted a video on Twitter of the long lines of people waiting to get in.

“We waited for about 3 hours before giving up,” he said. “It was incredibly disappointing.”

The shutdown followed a French government decision on Saturday to ban indoor public gatherings of more than 5,000 people.

Sacristin said the new measure exacerbated the fears of Louvre workers that they might be in danger of contam-ination. Louvre staffers were also concerned about museum workers from northern Italy who had come to the museum to collect works by Leonardo da Vinci that were loaned for a major exhibition, he said.

Italy, with over 1,100 coro-navirus cases and 29 deaths, has been the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe.

Another meeting about virus prevention at the Louvre is scheduled for today between union representatives and the museum management.

Sacristin, who will be taking part, said museum vis-itors should be subjected to health checks to protect staffers and if any cases of coronavirus contamination are confirmed “then the museum should be closed.”

People wait in front of the Louvre Pyramide, in Paris, yesterday.

Trump came into office railing against what he and his allies call the “deep state” — career government employees and political appointees held over from prior administrations — claiming it was out to undermine him.

17MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020 AMERICAS

Trump says getting rid of 'bad' people made him successfulAP — OXON HILL, MARYLAND

US President Donald Trump said that his “journey” in the nation’s highest office would have been a failure had he not be able to rid the government of people he says are “bad”.

Trump came into office railing against what he and his allies call the “deep state” — career government employees and political appointees held over from prior administrations — claiming it was out to undermine him.

He said he has been replacing them with “people who love our country”. “We have such bad people and they’re not people who love our country,” Trump told several thousand cheering and chanting supporters at the the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

“We’re getting people who really love our country and it’s so important,” he said.

“And if I wasn’t able to fulfill that, no matter what other things we’ve done, I would not consider this journey to be a success,” he said. “So just

remember that.” Trump didn’t call anyone

out by name in his remarks, but he has spoken negatively about the previous FBI leaders during other public appearances. Since being acquitted on two articles of impeachment and being allowed to stay in office, he has reassigned individuals who tes-tified against him during the proceedings or whom he per-ceives as disloyal to him.

He also has brought back to the White House trusted aides who had departed earlier in the administration.

The Republican President, who is seeking reelection, sought to fire up his audience during the wide-ranging, nearly 90-minute speech with talk against state and local policies that shield undocumented immigrants, the number of

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) annual meeting at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, US, on Saturday.

conservative federal judges who’ve been confirmed by the Senate, his increased spending on the US military and creation of a new branch of the military known as the Space Force.

Trump also touched on an agreement signed on Saturday

between the US and the Taliban aimed at ending war in Afghan-istan, and he pledged to protect the health and safety of Amer-icans “with vigor” amid an out-break of coronavirus, which overnight had claimed its first victim in the US.

The President closed with a promise to his fawning sup-porters to “be here next year, OK?” In a reprise of his appearance at last year’s con-servative conference, Trump then hugged and kissed an American flag before he left the stage.

Biden revives White House hopes with big South Carolina winAFP — COLUMBIA

Former vice-president Joe Biden notched up a resounding win in the South Carolina primary on Saturday, reviving his campaign for the Demo-cratic presidential nomination and positioning him as the leading rival to frontrunner Bernie Sanders.

The victory, powered by support from African-American voters, was the 77-year-old Biden’s first in the race and may give him momentum going into “Super Tuesday” next week, when 14 states go to the polls.

“Just days ago the press and the pundits had declared this candidacy dead,” Biden told hundreds of supporters at a victory rally in the South Carolina capital Columbia.

“You’ve launched our cam-paign on the path to defeating Donald Trump,” he said. “We have the option of winning big or losing big,” Biden added in a dig at Sanders’ prospects against Trump in November’s election.

With 99 percent of the ballots counted, Biden had 48.4

percent to 20 percent for the 78-year-old Senator Sanders, a self-described “democratic socialist.” Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, who spent a whopping $23m on advertising

in South Carolina, was next with 11.4 percent. Former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Butt-igieg, who has been challenging Biden for the centrist vote, had e i g h t p e r c e n t

while Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren had seven percent.

A victory in South Carolina, where African-Americans make up around 60 percent of the

Democratic primary electorate, was seen as crucial to Biden’s hopes of reviving his flagging campaign.

Sanders has been the clear leader in the overall race, winning two of the first three contests and finishing in a virtual tie in Iowa with the 38-year-old Buttigieg.

South Carolina was seen as a key test of Sanders’ support among African-Americans — crucial to a Democratic victory in November — but he only received the backing of around 15 percent of black voters while Biden received 60 percent according to exit polls.

Biden finished fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and second in Nevada, and des-perately needed a win in South Carolina ahead of Super Tuesday, which decides a third of the delegates who formally choose the Democratic nominee at the July party convention.

“The biggest question is whether this will slingshot Joe Biden into victory in some Super Tuesday states,” said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

Democratic presidential candidate former vice-president Joe Biden celebrates with his supporters after declaring victory at an election-night rally at the University of South Carolina Volleyball Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Billionaire Tom Steyer drops out of Democratic Presidential race

BLOOMBERG – WASHINGTON

Billionaire Tom Steyer ended his campaign for the Demo-cratic presidential nomination after a disappointing finish in South Carolina, where he had hoped to make a stand.

Steyer didn’t garner enough of the vote to get any delegates. He had been betting on a strong performance in that state after doing poorly in the first three early contests, failing to crack the top four slots in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

“I can’t see a path where I can win the presidency,” Steyer said in Columbia, South Carolina. “I have no regrets.” In South Carolina, he spent millions on television ads before the other candidates invested in the state.

Steyer entered the race in July on a platform of reforming the role of money in politics and combating climate change. He also brought a willingness to spend freely from his personal fortune to deliver his message.

His departure leaves Michael Bloomberg as the only candidate left in the race who is self-funding his campaign.

Steyer decided to run despite announcing in January 2019 that he wouldn’t seek the presidency and would instead focus on Need to Impeach, his advocacy organization devoted to removing President Donald Trump from office.

Steyer vowed to spend $100m on his campaign. He spent almost three times that much, with expenditures of $271m through the end of January.

Sanders raised $46.5m in February; Warren got $29mAP — VIRGINIA

Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign said yesterday that it raised more than $46.5m in February, a show of financial strength after the Vermont senator finished a distant second behind Joe Biden in South Carolina’s primary.

Fellow progressive Eliz-abeth Warren announced a short time later collecting a respectable $29m last month, as she copes with a weaker South Carolina showing.

Sanders’ team said it was making television ad buys in nine more states: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri

and Washington, which vote on March 10, and Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio, which vote a week later. The campaign said it is “currently on the air in 12 out of the 14 states” that are voting on Super Tuesday, in two days.

“The senator’s multi-gen-erational, multiracial working class coalition keeps fueling his campaign for transformational change a few bucks at a time,” Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir said. He said that, of the more than 2 million donations received this month, more than 1.4 million were from voters in Super Tuesday states.

The eye-popping haul follows an already impressive

January that raised more than $25m. Sanders’ campaign immediately said it would use the January funds to purchase $5.5m in television and digital advertising in 10 Super Tuesday states.

That investment could still be paying off at a time when some rivals in a Democratic field that remains crowded may struggle to raise money after disappointing finishes in early states. Most other White House hopefuls haven’t yet released updated fundraising totals.

Both Warren and Sanders - who are competing for the Dem-ocratic Party’s most liberal wing against more moderate

candidates like Biden — continue to demonstrate the formidable power of attracting small, online donations nationwide.

Warren, who finished fifth in South Carolina, hasn’t placed better than third since Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus. But, in a memo to supporters, her campaign manager Roger Lau attempted to project confidence going forward. He said the cam-paign was spending more than $2.4m on TV, digital and tradi-tional media ads in Super Tuesday states, as well as more than $4.1m in every state that votes later in March and in Wis-consin, which holds its primary on April 7.

Hollywood split as Democrats swap glitzy fundraisers for ralliesAFP – LOS ANGELES

From Tom Hanks to Scarlett Johansson, Hollywood A-listers determined to see President Donald Trump defeated are badly split over the best Dem-ocratic candidate to back with their silver-screen dollars.

A search of federal donation records shows Hanks has cut a check for former vice president Joe Biden, while Johansson has donated to progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Cheers” star Ted Danson gave the maximum $2,800 to Warren — but his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, also backed Biden.

George Takei of “Star Trek” fame simply couldn’t make his mind up. He donated to both Biden and former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg.

According to Los Angeles-based Democratic strategist Bill Carrick, these split loyalties and multiple donations would be

unusual any other year, but have been common in the 2020 race. “Hollywood has always been a very important source of campaign fundraising for presidential candidates,” he said. “This time has been a bit different.” This is partly due to the large field of potential nom-inees, with many donors giving to as many as three candidates, Carrick said.

For Steven Maviglio, a Dem-ocratic strategist in California’s state capital Sacramento, the stars “are as dazed and con-fused about who’s the best one to beat Trump as everyone else.” This year’s confusion stands in stark contrast to 2016, when Hillary Clinton was Tin-seltown’s clear favorite.

In fact, some leading Dem-ocratic candidates have largely skipped Hollywood’s glitzy private fundraiser circuit.

Frontrunner Bernie Sanders’ message has attracted

celebrities including Susan Sarandon — and Dick Van Dyke, Sarah Silverman and Public Enemy will feature at his Los Angeles rally. Warren has drawn support from singer John Legend. But both Sanders and Warren have blasted the closed-door, uber-wealthy

soirees typical of Hollywood campaigns, in favor of pursuing vast numbers of small, online donations. They have not “invested the time in Hollywood because they don’t have the fundraising goals in mind,” said Carrick. Billionaire candidate Michael Bloomberg has focused

more on harvesting support from elected officials in Cali-fornia than movie stars.

This has left lucrative Los Angeles cocktail parties, dinners and luncheons open for the likes of Biden and Buttigieg. Biden has moved to mobilize Hollywood contacts he forged as a senator and vice president — he appeared onstage at the Oscars in 2016 — and is due to attend a major fun-draiser hosted by former Para-mount boss Sherry Lansing. Butt-igieg has won a list of celebrity endorsements including Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner and Michael J Fox — but started from a very small base in Tinseltown.

Wealthy studio executives, on-screen stars and talent agents — with their enormous client lists — will become more valuable as the November election approaches, said Carrick.And there should be no problem getting those people fired up.

In this file photo a woman enters the historic Johnie’s Coffee Shop restaurant, reopened as Bernie’s Coffee Shop Volunteer Office in Los Angeles, California.

Silicon Valley weighs ‘shades of blue’ in presidential pick

AFP — SAN FRANCISCO

The young and idealistic voters in Silicon Valley are largely united against US President Donald Trump, but split over the rival Democratic hopefuls as the crucial Super Tuesday primaries loom.

Frontrunner Bernie Sanders has gotten the most donations from the “internet industry,” according to tracking by the Center for Responsive Politics with rivals Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren not far behind in the tallies. “Silicon Valley is many shades of blue,” said Vivek Wadhwa, an entrepreneur and author who is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Silicon Valley branch.

Sanders, who at 78 is from a different generation than the typical tech worker, connects with the younger crowd by promoting himself as a “dis-ruptor,” like many emerging tech firms, said San Jose State University political science professor Melinda Jackson.

With Californians set to vote on this week’s Super Tuesday, when 14 states go to the polls, support for Sanders and Warren comes even with the two progressive candi-dates pledging to sharply raise taxes on high earners and break up the largest tech companies which dominate key economic sectors.

“Sanders does appeal to many of the workers who feel the downsides of income ine-quality,” said Jackson.

The number of Americans without health insurance began falling from a high of 46.7 million in 2010 following the passage of Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act), but has risen again over the past two years. The current figure is about 8.5 percent of the population.

18 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020AMERICAS

Coronavirus time bomb: America’s uninsured and brutal work cultureAFP — WASHINGTON

Like many Americans, Danjale Williams is worried about the growing threat of the novel coronavirus. What makes the 22-year-old in Washington even more frightened: The thought of medical bills she just can’t afford, as one of almost 27.5 million people in the United States who don’t have health insurance.

“I definitely would second guess before going to the doctor, because the doctor’s bill is crazy,” she said. “If it did come down to that, I don’t have enough savings to keep me healthy.”

As the virus begins spreading in the west of the country, where the first death was reported on Saturday, public health experts warned the US has several char-acteristics unique among wealthy nations that make it vulnerable.

These include a large and growing population without medical insurance, the 11 million

or so undocumented migrants afraid to come into contact with authorities, and a culture of “powering through” when sick for fear of losing one’s job. “These are all things that can perpetuate the spread of a virus,” said

Brandon Brown, an epidemiol-ogist at UC Riverside.

The number of Americans without health insurance began falling from a high of 46.7 million in 2010 following the passage of Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act), but has risen again over the past two years. The current figure is about 8.5 percent of the population.

Public health experts often worry about the destructive potential of a pandemic in poorer parts of the world like sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

By contrast, the US has some of the world’s best hos-pitals and medical staff, but those not lucky enough to have good insurance through their employer, and not poor enough to qualify for state insurance, often opt out of the system entirely. A routine doctor’s visit can run into hundreds of dollars for those without coverage.

“I think that it’s possible if this has the sustained spread, that

might highlight some of those health care disparities that we already know about and are trying to work on, but haven’t figured out a way to solve,” said Brian Garibaldi, the medical director of Johns Hopkins Hos-pital’s biocontainment unit.

That’s not to say uninsured people have no recourse if they fall seriously ill. US law requires that people who are truly sick get the care they need, regardless of ability to pay.

Abigail Hansmeyer, a Min-nesota resident who along with her husband is uninsured, said that if she did fall ill, “we may seek out the emergency room for treatment.” But being treated doesn’t mean the visit was free and the uninsured can be lumped with huge bills after.

“So we have to very care-fully consider costs in every sit-uation,” the 29-year-old said.

One of the key messages the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put out

about the coronavirus is to stay home if you have mild respi-ratory symptoms, except to go to the doctor once you have called in and if they think you need to. “But a lot of people, depending on their jobs, their position and their privilege, are not able to do that,” said Brown.

The US is alone among advanced countries in not offering any federally mandated paid sick leave. Though private companies offer an average of eight days per year, only 30 percent of the lowest paid workers are able to earn sick days, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

For many of these people, missing even a day’s work can make a painful financial dent.

A n O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 nationwide survey of 2,800 workers by the accounting firm Robert Half found that 57 percent sometimes go to work while sick and 33 percent always go when sick.

Virus spurs US to ramp up mask production and screen travellersREUTERS — WASHINGTON

The United States will start screening travellers for coro-navirus and ramp up pro-duction of masks and test kits as the government scrambles to reassure Americans as the disease spreads.

The first American died from coronavirus, a man in his 50s with underlying conditions in Washington state, officials said on Saturday. They still do not know how he contracted the disease. The state has two other “presumptive” cases at a long-term care facility where more than 50 residents and staff could show symptoms. New cases were reported in the Chicago area and Rhode Island.

The Trump administration is scrambling to respond to the fast-spreading virus that orig-inated in China through travel restrictions and widespread messaging on safety proce-dures, while working to avert public panic. About 70 cases have been reported in the United States.

President Donald Trump yesterday said travellers from countries at high risk of coro-navirus would be screened before boarding and upon arrival, without specifying which countries.

Delta Air Lines Inc yes-terday said it is suspending until May flights to Milan in northern Italy where most coronavirus cases have been reported.

Flights will continue to Rome. American Airlines Group Inc announced a similar move late on Saturday.

The United States has 75,000 test kits for coronavirus and will expand that number “radically” in coming weeks, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told ABC’s “This Week” yesterday.

Vice-President Mike Pence said the government had con-tracted 3M Co to produce an extra 35 million respiratory masks a month. He urged Americans not to buy the masks, which he said were only needed by healthcare workers. Hon-eywell International Inc is the other major US mask producer. He also told Fox News that clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine would start in six weeks but that a vaccine will likely not be available this season.

Democrats, who will chal-lenge Trump for the presidency in the November 3 election, have criticized the adminis-tration for downplaying the crisis and not preparing for the disease to spread in the United States.

The United States has imposed limits on travelers who have visited Iran and recom-mended against travel to hard-hit areas of Italy and South Korea. Trump on Saturday said the United States was also con-sidering shutting the country’s southern border with Mexico to control the spread of the virus.

Trump aides defend US response to epidemicAFP — WASHINGTON

Vice-President Mike Pence yes-terday defended the US admin-istration’s handling of the coro-navirus epidemic after the first confirmed death on American soil and rising criticism of the state of US preparedness.

Pence and Health Secretary Alex Azar made the rounds of talk shows with the message that risks from the disease remain low for most Americans, while promising to make up for testing shortfalls. “We could have more sad news, but the American people should know the risk to the average American remains low,” Pence said on CNN’s “State of the Union”.

The United States has had 70 confirmed coronavirus cases in all, including 47 patients who were repatriated from virus hotspots in Asia and quaran-tined for 14 days on their return, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pence put the number of cases among repatriated Americans at 46. Twenty-three other people have been infected in the United States, a man in Chicago being the latest confirmed US case, according to Azar.

The spread of the virus through communities would be an ominous development that would almost certainly intensify the epidemic in the United States. US health authorities

have been slow to distribute coronavirus testing kits, however, making the dimen-sions of the problem uncertain. “It’s a very fair question, and it’s one of the first issues that gov-ernors I spoke to raised with me,” Pence said when asked on CNN why the US was so far behind other countries in pro-ducing testing kits.

He said more than 15,000 testing kits were released over the weekend, the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved a testing regime, and the government was working with a commercial provider to produce an additional 50,000 kits. Former vice-president and Democratic candidate Joe Biden

attacked what he described as Trump’s “incompetence” in dealing with the epidemic, accusing him of muzzling the government’s top experts. “I see no preparedness other than political talking points,” he said on ABC’s “This Week.”

In defending the administra-tion’s response, Pence credited Trump with acting quickly to establish quarantines for Amer-icans brought back from China and Japan. “The coronavirus remains low — and that is largely owing to the decision the Pres-ident made, the energetic efforts of CDC and local health officials, and we’ll continue to lean in that in a hopeful way,” the Vice-Pres-ident said.

US investigating whistle-blower allegations; vows to keep federal workers safe

REUTERS — WASHINGTON

The US government yesterday said that it was investigating complaints that federal workers were not given proper gear and training before greeting US citizens evacuated from a cruise ship that saw 691 cases of the fast-spreading coronavirus.

US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar told CBS’s “Face the Nation” he was personally involved in the probe, and the federal government was determined to make sure its workers were kept safe.

Azar told CBS it had been 14 days since any HHS worker had contact with the evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, and none had contracted the disease. About 70 cases have been reported in the US.

“Even if these allegations proved to be true, there was no spreading of the disease from this,” he said, adding that the department had offered to test any HHS employees involved if they wanted what he called “that extra piece of mind.” Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Azar said the gov-ernment would not allow any retaliation against the HHS worker who first raised con-cerns about the issue or other employees.

He declined to provide details on whether the whistle-blower had been reassigned to a different position, saying it would be inappropriate to discuss personnel matters.

“Nobody would ever be reassigned or discriminated against or prejudiced or retal-iated against because of raising concerns about the functioning of the department,” Azar said. “If our employees raise con-cerns about our processes, if something proves not to be right, we are grateful.”

The entrance of Life Care Center of Kirkland where one associate and one resident were diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a statement released by the facility in Kirkland, Washington. The first fatality from the novel coronavirus has been confirmed on US soil, as President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Americans not to panic.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido during a demonstration in Barquisimeto on Saturday.

Guaido denounces attack on oppn rallyAFP — BARQUISIMETO

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he could have been killed during a shooting attack on a protest march in the country’s west that wounded a teenage boy.

Guaido had been leading around 2,000 supporters through Barquisimeto city on Saturday when the incident

occurred. A photo released by Guaido’s supporters showed a man standing next to a motor-cycle, with his face covered, aiming a gun in the direction of the parliament speaker.

His team said a 16-year-old boy was later shot in the leg but is now in a “stable condition.” They attributed the attack to pro-government vigilantes. “The dic-tatorship could have killed me

today, without a doubt,” Guaido said in a video published to social media after the march. “They shot... but that is not going to push us back,” he added.

Venezuela lurched into crisis a year ago when Guaido declared himself acting pres-ident, following claims the country’s 2018 election was rigged in favour of President Nicolas Maduro.

Outspoken gang critic LeBarón flees threat in Mexico for USAP — MEXICO CITY

A prominent member of a com-munity of US-Mexican dual cit-izens living in northern Mexico that was shattered by the November massacre of three women and six children along a rural road has fled to the United States after an apparent threat on his life.

Julián LeBarón, who has long been outspoken in denouncing rampant criminal activity in the area and local authorities’ complicity with the gangs, expressed frustration with continued insecurity in his corner of a country that posted 35,588 murders in 2019, the most since comparable records began to be kept in the 1990s.

“I think that it’s reaching a breaking point. I mean, people are just sick to death of the criminals,” LeBarón told The Associated Press on Saturday by phone from Phoenix. “They’re sick and tired of feeling like you have to not move (around). In other words, little by little they end up taking over people’s freedom.”

LeBarón believes the threat was related to his refusal to keep silent and suggested that the final straw may have been a recent verbal dustup with local police.

On February 17, he said, there was a shootout in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua state, where he has a home, followed by a couple of apparent grenade detonations, and then still more gunfire. The next day he called local police to ask about it, and an officer said they didn’t know that anything at all had hap-pened. They argued, and the officer hung up on him.

That night LeBarón said he received a phone call at home from a friendly source saying they had information that La Linea, a gang that acts as enforcers for the Juarez Cartel, wanted to kill him and he needed to get to a safe place - preferably north of the border.

He ran behind a concrete wall and called for help from federal police posted in nearby Colonia LeBaron, a force the community largely trusts and with which it maintains good relations. When they arrived in

Casas Grandes, they saw local police “scrambling,” he said.

A relative’s maid later reported seeing 15 gunmen in a canal two blocks from LeB-arón’s home that night, and he believes he very well could have been their target.

“We’re a thorn in these peo-ple’s side because all the local police in our region in north-western Chihuahua, they all work for the cartel. And obvi-ously the state authorities, they kind of turn a blind eye to the fact that we have an armed army just roaming the streets and murdering people and just complete and total impunity,” LeBarón said.

“I just assume that it’s because we’ve been speaking out so vociferously,” he continued, “leading the local authorities to talk to the cartel.” After laying low for a couple of days on a farm where he figured he would be safe, LeBarón drove with his uncle and a federal police escort to the Arizona border. He said he would travel to Seattle in the coming days for a possible con-struction job.


CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA

A focus on research at WCM-QTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The research efforts of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) over the past year were highlighted as the college held its 10th Research Retreat.

The annual event is an oppor-tunity for scientists in Qatar to spend a day hearing about the work of their colleagues and about the cutting-edge studies that are conducted each year.

The Research Retreat was offi-cially opened by Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, followed by an overview of the major milestones WCMQ has reached on the research front presented by Dr. Khaled Machaca, senior associate dean for research, innovation and commercialization.

Dr. Sheikh said Qatar would soon be embarking on a major drive forward in research, devel-opment and innovation (RDI).

“There is going to be a road map of major elements in terms of RDI strategy within Qatar,” he said. “There will be foundational research - of which I’m very proud to say that Weill Cornell has really led the charge. There will be a spotlight on innovation and RDI talent in the country will be enhanced. There is also going to be increased emphasis on both risk capital and venture funding, and ultimately there will be a focus on RDI governance.

“Dr. Machaca and his team are already providing foundational research, producing RDI talent and accessing innovation enter-prise; they really are leading the charge in biomedical research.”

Dr. Machaca spoke of the Research Division’s many

achievements since the launch of the biomedical research program just ten years ago. These include 1,182 academic publications from WCM-Q, many in high-impact journals, which have been cited 39,375 times. He also spoke of the 37 Qatari nationals who have been trained in biomedical research and have bolstered local research capacity – five of whom are employed by WCM-Q and 30 of whom are working in the bio-medical sector in organizations around Qatar.

Dr. Sheikh and Machaca also acknowledged the invaluable support from both Qatar Foun-dation and Qatar National Research Fund for their unwa-vering backing over the last decade and their commitment to extending human scientific knowledge.

WCMQ recently instituted the Mariam Astrolabi Award for Bio-medical Research Advancement, an award for institutions and/or individuals who have had an indelible impact on advancing the

biomedical research enterprise in Qatar, in support of WCMQ efforts and mission. This year’s awardee was Dr. Asma Al Thani, the founding dean of the College of Health Sciences at Qatar Uni-versity and the founding director of Qatar University’s Biomedical Research Center (BRC).

Mariam Astrolabi after whom the award is named, was a 10th century Arab Muslim scientist who made important contributions to the development of astrolabes, which were essential navigation instruments in the day. Dr. Asma Al Thani was recognised this year for her heroic contributions to the establishment of both the Qatar Genome Project and the Qatar BioBank. Both of these institutions have greatly benefited biomedical research and personalized med-icine efforts in Qatar including researchers at WCM-Q. The award further recognizes Dr. Al Thani’s leading role in the establishment of the BRC at Qatar University.

The Research Retreat then heard from keynote speaker Dr. Gordon Lauc, professor of bio-chemistry and molecular biology at the University of Zagreb, co-director of the Human Glycome Project, and the founder of Genos - a biotech company that is cur-rently a global leader in high-throughput glycomics. Dr Lauc spoke about the importance of glycans in human health and their involvement in the future of per-sonalised medicine.

The retreat this year featured presentations from young and established researchers at WCM-Q who have built a significant portion of their career in Qatar with considerable success.

The poster presentations were a chance to hear about the work going on in all of WCM-Q’s laboratories.

MME concludes activities of Qatar Environment Day-2020THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented in the Environmental Affairs Sector, recently concluded the activities of the Qatar Envi-ronment Day-2020. Held under the slogan ‘Let’s Live Together’ with the participation of all envi-ronmental departments, the event attracted large number of people.

Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at MME,

Hassan Jumaa Al Muhannadi, hon-oured to those who took environ-mental initiatives and the entities which participated the event from outside the Ministry.

Al Muhannadi honoured and gave certificate of appreciations to Aisha Shaheen Al Kuwari and Sarah Ibrahim from the Scout and Guide Association of Qatar; Aisha Al Maadadi from Green Future; Maryam Saleh Al Marri from Inno-vative Smart Container Initiative; Amal Gabriel, from the General

Cleanliness Department among many more.

Hassan Al Muhannadi thanked those took the environmental ini-tiatives and agencies for their pos-itive contributions in preserving the environment. He stressed on the importance of community par-ticipation in efforts to protect the environment along with the efforts of the state represented by the MME’s Environmental Affairs Sector.

Al Muhanandi said that Qatar

Environment Day helped in raising awareness in the community and encouraging people to do more in this field. Within the activities of the Qatar Environment Day, a team from the Awareness Sector of the Public Relations Department visited Al Khor Primary School for Girls, where Fadela Al-Mansoori gave a lecture to students on the importance of agriculture to the environment, and the participation of female students in planting seedlings.

Trance is a 2020 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama film directed and produced by Anwar Rasheed and written by Vincent Vadakkan.

TRANCE

Trance (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 8:00pmKannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 2:00pm; Stardog & Tur-

bocat (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:30pmParadise Hills (2D/Fantasy) 4:30pmThappad (2D/Hindi) 5:00 & 11:30pm; VFW 4:45pm;Doordarshan (2D/Hindi) 7:30pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 6:30pmThe Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 7:30pmSundooq Al Dunya (2D/Horror) 8:15pmAiyai: A Wrathful Soul (2D/Horror) 9:45pm The Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 11:30pm

Trance (2D/Malayalam) 11:00am, 5:15, 8:30 & 111:45pm; Thappad (2D/Hindi) 11:00am, 5:15pmStardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 12:15, 2:15 & 4:15pm; Kannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 11:30, 2:15 & 6:15pm; Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 8:15pmThe Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 9:15 & 12:00pm

LANDMARK

AL KHOR

Trance (2D/Malayalam) 7:00, 8:15, 10:15pm Kannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 6:00 & 11:30pmAyyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 10:15pmParama Padham Vilayattu (2D/Hindi) 9:00pmDoordarshan (2D/Hindi) 6:30pm Varane Avashyamund (2D/Malayalam) 8:45pm

ASIAN TOWN ROXY

FLIK Mirqab Mall

Bad Boys For Life (2D/Action) 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9:35pm &

12:00 midnight.

Brahms: The Boy 2 (2D/Horror) 6:10, 10:10pm & 12:00 midnight

Birds Of Prey (2D/Action) 10:15am, 12:30, 2:40, 4:50, 7:00, 9:10 &

11:30pm

Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 10;20am, 12:20, 2:20, 4:20, 6:20,

8:20, 10:20pm & 0:20am

The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30,

8:30 & 10:30pm

The Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 10:10am, 12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 &

10:40pm

VFW (2D/Action) 2:00 & 6:00pm

Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 4:30 & 10:450m; Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 11:00am, 4:30 & 10:00pmKannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 12:30, 3:40, 7:00 & 10:10pm; Parama Padham Vilayattu (2D/Tamil)

8:20 & 11:00pm; Mafia (2D/Tamil) 2:00 & 7:30pmSonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 11:00am, 12:30, 1:10, 3:20, 2:30, 12:30, 3:40, 3:20, 7:30pmSundooq Al Dunya (2D/Horror) 5:30, 5:50, 8;30 & 10:20pmStardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:45pmThappad (2D/Hindi) 5:30 & 10:40pmThe Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 11:00am, 1:00, 7:50, 10:00pm; Trance (2D/Malayalam) 10:30am, 12:30, 1:00, 3:00, 3:30, 5:30, 6:00, 8;10, 8;40, 10:45 & 11:15pm

Doordarshan (2D/Hindi) 2:00pm

Paradise Hills (2D/Fantasy) 4:15pm

The Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 6:00pm

Trance (2D/Malayalam) 8:15 & 11:15pm

Stardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 4:30pm

Thappad (2D/Hindi) 5:30 & 11:30pm

Sundooq Al Dunya (2D/Horror) 7:45pm

A Million Little Pieces (2D/Horror) 9:30pm

Kannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 11:30pm

Kannum Kannum (2D/Tamil) 2:00, 8:15 & 11:30pm Trance (2D/Malayalam) 5:00 & 11:15pmStardog & Turbocat (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:30pmThappad (2D/Hindi) 5:00 & 11:30pm; VFW 5:45pm;Paradise Hills (2D/Fantasy) 7:30pmDoordarshan (2D/Hindi) 9:15pmSonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 4:00pmThe Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 7:30pmThe Invisible Man (2D/Horror) 9:15pmSundooq Al Dunya (2D/Horror) 8:30pm

20 MONDAY 2 MARCH 2020MORNING BREAK

Mandarin Oriental, Doha introduces authentic Chinese cuisineTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Mandarin Oriental, Doha has introduced an unmatched journey of culinary discovery at Liang Restaurant. Located adjacent to Mandarin Oriental, Doha in Barahat Msheireb at the heart of Msheireb Downtown, the exciting new restaurant showcases distinct Chinese cuisine. Liang features authentic Cantonese recipes and select traditional provincial dishes from across China.

The restaurant’s name, Liang, trans-lates to the beam of light reflected by the moon in Chinese. Emphasising the Moon as a key symbol in both cultures, the res-taurant’s name aims to celebrate the con-nection between Qatari and Chinese tra-dition. Detailed with art and antiques from across China, the traditional atmosphere features amorous elements such as poems about the moon and portrays the rich Chinese culture.

Executive Chef Lam brings his expertise to elevate Liang as a unique Chinese Cuisine experience offering unparalleled authenticity. Liang’s authen-ticity is rooted in details such as the pre-cision in creating versatile options of Dim Sum, a classic Cantonese Cuisine high-light and the advanced wok technique that highlights the flavours of the fresh ingre-dients in the wok.

The traditional preparation of the exceptional Peking Duck, a roasted whole duck served with steamed Peking style pancakes, sets the distinct signature dish apart as genuinely unparalleled within the region.

During an authentic journey to the East at Liang restaurant, guests can look forward to witnessing traditional experi-ences like the famous La Mian per-formance and the traditional Tea per-formance. The traditional creation of Beijing La Mian is performed live by our master chefs, transforming a simple mound of dough into hundreds of long thin strands of noodles within minutes. The Tea performance is performed by a certified Sichuan Tea Master. In this per-formance, a traditional long-spout teapot is incorporated into a fusion of traditional dance and martial arts.

To create the most authentic Chinese Restaurant in Doha, Mandarin Oriental, Doha has partnered with Hong Kong Maxim’s Caterer Ltd. The group is known for leading the Chinese Cuisine scene and has been recognised with a Michelin Star Award. Delegated by Maxim’s Group, Executive Chef Lam masterfully created each recipe according to the group’s standards of Chinese Cuisine excellence.

Guests can experience an A La Carte Menu on the ground floor of Liang Res-taurant as well as the climate-controlled outdoor terrace. To explore Liang’s set menus for group experiences, guests are welcomed in the Mezzanine at the price of QR338 to QR 438 per person.

Used cars keep Africans moving, but dumping concerns remainAP — KAMPALA

Salesmen whistle at potential buyers of scores of vehicles shining in the afternoon sun. One truck might bring over $20,000 but it’s far from the “brand new” ride the salesman touts it to be while attempting to start the engine.

The truck is one of tens of thou-sands of second-hand vehicles imported each year into Uganda from Europe or Asia, especially Japan. In much of sub-Saharan Africa, the imports satisfy demand for mobility while many public transport systems are rudimentary and newer models are not affordable to many in the growing middle class.

But the used vehicles are a problem, say officials. They contribute the pol-lution burden on a continent that con-tributes far less than other regions to the emissions that cause global warming.

Africa has become “the burial ground of vehicles that run on fossil fuel as the West turns to electric and newer cleaner technologies,” said Philip Jakpor, an activist with the Nigerian branch of the group Friends

of the Earth.Many second-hand vehicles

shipped to Africa from Japan are believed to have failed, or were about to fail, pollution tests there, according to the UN Environment Program. But in many parts of Africa such regula-tions are often poorly enforced, and rampant corruption ensures that used vehicles can slip by any controls.

The UNEP, which calls air pollution a “silent killer” in Africa that is respon-sible for about 7 million deaths each year, has warned that vehicle emis-sions are a major source of deterio-rating air quality in booming cities.

More than 1.2 million used vehicles were imported into Africa in 2017, according to UN figures. Most were destined for Nigeria and Kenya, two of Africa’s largest economies. Both coun-tries also have car-assembling plants.

“The West has refused to transfer technology or make the technology to transit to be cheap and accessible,” Jakpor said. “Our governments have equally failed to invest in renewables and transition, so we will have this dumping for a long time.”

In Uganda, more than 80% of all

vehicles are second-hand imports. In part to stem the flow, legislation enacted in 2018 outlaws the impor-tation of vehicles older than 15 years and imposes stiffer taxes on vehicles older than nine years.

A used vehicle made in, say, 2010 can seem new to both buyer and seller in the East African country without a single car-assembling plant and where rickety vehicles are ubiquitous. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles emitting a fog of dark fumes. Police frequently attribute deadly accidents to vehicles in dangerous condition.

“You cannot wake up and put a total ban” on used vehicles, said Dicksons Kateshumbwa, Uganda’s commissioner in charge of customs revenue. “There is a growing middle-income (class). Everyone who gets a job, and gets money, wants to drive.”

Taxes on used vehicles are “a key component” of the revenue agency’s overall collection targets, he said. He added there is no evidence suggesting that stiffer environmental levies on used cars cut into demand.

Car dealers in the Ugandan capital of Kampala said that demand for used

vehicles remains solid because importers target certain vehicles that are much sought-after no matter how old they are. The Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Harrier are much-loved locally, for example. “Ugandans are conversant with older models, so they are looking for those,” said car importer Amir Hussein of Cosmos Uganda Ltd. “For many people, it is their mindset: that old is solid, is good.”

Uganda’s government last year contracted two companies to inspect used vehicles before they are shipped. The head of the standards agency acknowledges the system is imperfect as not all vehicles are subjected to tests as they cross into the country. Inspectors based in Uganda only carry out spot checks.

Ben Manyindo, head of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, called for a plan that eventually would lead to the banning of used vehicles from abroad. The question of whether to impose import restrictions remains contentious despite wide recognition of the dangers of an unlimited flow of used vehicles into Africa, the continent least equipped to deal with climate-

changing carbon emissions.In Zimbabwe, where the gov-

ernment has tried and failed to impose restrictions amid resistance from importers and others, there is no age limit for imported cars. Used cars are not checked for emissions levels when they enter the southern African nation from ports in Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa, which notably allows the importation of used vehicles only for re-export to other countries.

Zimbabwe’s environment pro-tection agency lacks the resources to conduct effective spot checks for emis-sions, and over the years the gov-ernment has appeared fickle in its attempts to regulate the trade in used vehicles.

In 2010 the government banned the importation of vehicles older than five years but later backed down. In December the finance minister announced that older cars would pay less import duty than newer cars, sparking criticism from some law-makers and environmentalists who argued the measure would encourage people to buy cars that are more harmful to the environment.

Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s daughter Baran Rasoulof receiving the award on behalf of her father at Berlin International Film Festival, in Berlin, Germany.

Iranian director wins top prize at Berlin film fest in absentiaAFP — BERLIN

Dissident Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof on Saturday won the top prize at the Berlin film festival for “There Is No Evil”, a searingly critical work about the death penalty in his country.

Rasoulof, 48, is currently banned from leaving Iran and was unable to accept the Golden Bear in person.

The film tells four loosely related individual stories about the death penalty in Iran, from the executioner to the families of the victims.

Industry magazine Variety called it Rasoulof’s “most openly critical statement yet”.

Rasoulof was sentenced to a year in prison last year for “attacking the security of the state”, and banned from making films for life.

Speaking to a news con-ference via mobile phone, the director said his latest film was about “taking responsibility” under despotism.

“You can try to put aside your own responsibility and pass the buck to the gov-ernment... but (people) can say no,” he said.

The runner-up jury prize went to Eliza Hittman’s teenage

abortion drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always”, which had been a favourite among critics.

Sidney Flanigan plays a

17-year-old from Pennsylvania forced to travel to New York in order to abort an unplanned pregnancy. Hailed for its

empathy and emotion, female solidarity is at the heart of the film, in which male characters are marginalised and often

predatory. Audiences and critics were

particularly enthralled by an intense, single-shot scene in which Flanigan’s character answers personal questions at a clinic. “While I was researching this film, I spent a tremendous amount of time inside planned parenthood and other clinics,” said Hittman.

She added that she had been “humbled” by that experience, before addressing the nurses and social workers who work in such clinics. “I want to thank them for their incredible service to our countries, for protecting the lives and rights of all people with uteruses.”

Hittman’s success came in the wake of a controversy earlier in the festival over jury president Jeremy Irons’ past comments on abortion and women’s rights.

At his opening press con-ference, the jury head was forced to clarify that he sup-ported “wholeheartedly the right of women to have an abortion should they so decide”.

The award for Best Actor went to Italy’s Elio Germano for his portrayal of the mental and physical struggles of painter Antonio Ligabue in “Hidden Away”.

OnePlus expected

to unveil a new

concept device

tomorrow

IANS — BEIJING

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has posted a short video clip on Twitter to tease a new device that will be revealed tomorrow.

According to a tweet shared by OnePlus UK, this is not a smartphone or even a commercial product and the company may be gearing up to reveal another concept project to the world.

“We are working on a special project (not a phone/commercial product!) and we’d love your thoughts on it. Reply to this tweet with if you are happy to give feedback, and we will DM a small number of you some photos,” the tweet reads.

The company also showed off the Concept One recently, a smartphone that the company said will not be available for sale.

Additionally, OnePlus is also expected to launch the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro in the coming months.

The traditional Chinese tea performance.

FAJR SUNRISE 04.40 am 05.56 am

W A L R U WA I S : 18o↗ 22o W A L K H O R : 17o↗ 23o W D U K H A N : 17o↗ 25o W WA K R A H : 20o↗ 27o W M E S A I E E D 20o↗ 27o W A B U S A M R A 16o↗ 27o

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

HIGH TIDE 07:49 – 23:50 LOW TIDE 03:56 – 16:01

Misty to foggy at places at first becomes moderate temperature

daytime with blowing dust to dusty at times, relatively cold by

night.Minimum Maximum19oC 25oC

ZUHRMAGHRIB

11.46 am05.38 pm

ASR ISHA

03.07 pm07.08 pm

*Terms & Conditions Apply MoI calls on workers to Amir ...€¦ · 02/03/2020 · sourced pearls....

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Transcript of *Terms & Conditions Apply MoI calls on workers to Amir ...€¦ · 02/03/2020 · sourced pearls....