Wednesday 27 May 2020

4 Shawwal - 1441

2 Riyals

www.thepeninsula.qa

Volume 25 | Number 8270

Eid Mubarak

BUSINESS | 01 PENMAG | 03 SPORT | 08

Kimmich

shines as

Bayern win in

Dortmund

Classifieds

and Services

section

included

France unveils €8bn

plan to revive auto

sector through

electric cars

On Amir’s directives, medical aid shipment arrives in Ethiopia and Moldova

QNA — ADDIS ABABA / CHISINAU

In implementation of the direc-tives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a cargo plane loaded with urgent medical aid provided by the State of Qatar through Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) arrived in the Federal Demo-cratic Republic of Ethiopia, in support of the efforts of the friendly Republic of Ethiopia to face the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

H H the Amir yesterday directed sending urgent medical assistance to Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as a support from the State of Qatar for the friendly countries in combating COVID-19.

The aid shipment was received by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of Ethiopia H E Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye, Min-ister of State in the Ethiopian Ministry of Health H E Dr. D Dujma, and H E Qatar's Ambassador to Ethiopia Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dosari.

In a related development, in implementation of the directives of H H the Amir, a cargo plane loaded with 8.5 tonnes of urgent medical assistance provided by the State of Qatar through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) arrived in the Republic of Moldova, in support of the efforts of the friendly Republic of Moldova to face the out-break of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). �P2

Amir receives

telephone call

from India's

Prime Minister

QNA — Doha

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday a telephone call from the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H E Narendra Modi, who congrat-ulated H H the Amir and the Qatari people on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

The call saw a review of bilateral relations and the means to enhance them, in addition to a discussion of t h e m o s t p r o m i n e n t regional and international developments.

Amir sends cable

of greetings to

President of

Georgia

QNA — DOHA

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of congrat-ulations to the President of Georgia, H E Salome Zour-abichvili on the anniversary of her country’s Independence Day. Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani also sent a cable of congrat-ulations to H E the President of Georgia on the same occasion.

Prime Minister and Min-ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent yes-terday a cable of congratu-lations to Prime Minister of Georgia H E Giorgi Gakharia on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.

Thousands watch Katara online Eid celebrationTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The online Eid Al Fitr cele-bration by the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) generated huge interest on its website and its accounts on social media platforms. The celebrations attracted many people as its website recorded, in the first two days of the holiday, more than 132,000 visits to follow various Eid programme. The celebration included a set of programs, including virtual fire-works that were organized by Katara to celebrate Eid and attract large numbers of people. The four-day celebration will conclude today.

In line with the precau-tionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Katara was keen to make its celebrations innovative and

compatible with the holiday atmosphere filled with joy and surprise.

The “Al Eidiya” program also witnessed an unprece-dented turnout by followers. For

the distribution of Al Eidiya (gifts), people have to register on the website to get it. In case the participant wins, he will get e-voucher via WhatsApp.

Katara gifts (Al Eidiya) will

be send through the sponsor of the delivery service, Rafiq Company, after May 30. Katara will also distribute some gifts to Dreama children who are in health quarantine.

Katara has also been keen on creating innovative compe-titions that included choosing the most beautiful costume for children on the Eid by sending a photo or video of the partici-pating child. One of the condi-tions for this competition is that the image or video should be of high quality. Other conditions are that Katara can use the pic-tures or videos for any purpose. The deadline for submitting entries is May 30.

Participants should send pictures or videos on WhatsApp to the number 66011303. Five winners will be chosen from the entries.

The Katara reaffirmed, despite exceptional circum-stances this year, its position as a prime Eid destination as many people watch its activities online. �P2

Winter vegetable markets to reopen today with new timingsSANAULLAH ATAULLAH THE PENINSULA

Winter vegetable markets will reopen today after three-day Eid Al Fitr break with new timings, offering a number of farm fresh local vegetables at competitive prices.

“The three winter vegetable markets out of five — Al Maz-rouha, Al Wakra and Al Khor-and-Al Zakhira — will resume operation from today from 6am to 12 noon,” General Supervisor of Winter Vegetable Markets at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), Abdurrahman Al Sulaiti told The Peninsula.

He said that the winter veg-etable markets at Al Sheehaniya and Al Shamal have been closed for this season. Al Sulaiti said that the markets will operate strictly following the state pre-ventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 to protect the visitors and vendors from infection.

“The agricultural season in Qatar for this year is the largest due to remarkable growth in the production of vegetables which reached over 30 percent more this year compared to last year,” said Al Sulaiti.

“The winter vegetable markets opened for this season in the beginning of November

when the harvest of vegetables at local farms began,” said Al Sualiti, adding that three markets will keep operating until the end of the production at the farms.

He said that many types of vegetable will be available at the winter vegetable markets including tomato, cucumber, zucchini, leafy vegetables, egg plants, pumpkins, sweet melon, water melon, cabbage, cauli-flower, lettuce, mushroom and onions.

Regarding other business activities rather than vegetables,

Al Sualiti said: “Fish outlets will be available in Al Wakra and fruit shops in all three markets.”

Regarding the timing of winter vegetable markets, Al Sulaiti said: “Customers prefer to visit winter vegetable markets at night during Ramadan and during the day in other months.

He said that local farms are producing high quality vege-tables which were classified into A, B and C categories as per the quality for pricing and they are available in local market. �P2

MoPH reports 1,481 recoveriesand 1,742 new infection casesQNA — DOHA

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced yesterday registration of 1,742 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), and 1,481 new recovered cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in the State of Qatar to 11,844. MoPH also announced two deaths due to the virus.

Over the last 24 hours, 19 people were admitted to intensive care due to the virus, bringing the total number of cases in intensive care to 205.

MoPH said in a statement that the new cases are due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified after conducting inves-tigations by the research and investigation teams of the Ministry of Public Health that contributed to early detection of cases.

Cases of infection have also increased among citizens and residents as a result of contact

with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.

The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.

The Ministry revealed that the number of positive cases between citizens and residents witnessed a significant rise, with the number of infections relating to family gatherings, visits and sharing meals together with rel-atives and extended families.

The Ministry stated that the two new deaths recorded yes-terday belonged to people aged 58 and 60 years old, who were suffering from chronic diseases and received treatment in intensive care. The Ministry of Public Health extended its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.

The Ministry of Public Health said that Qatar is still in the peak phase of the virus out-break, which is seeing a rise in the number of infections recorded daily, and therefore it is necessary to adhere to, more than ever before, the preventive measures and social measures recommended. �P2

NEW DEATHS

TOTAL DEATHSTOTAL

DEATHS

TOTAL

RECOVERED

GLOBALLY

C VID-19

C VID-19

QATAR UPDATES ON 26 MAY 2020

TOTTOTTOTTOTALALALAL

DEATHS

TOTTOTTOTTOTALALALAL

RECOVERED

5,534,728 347,587 2,260,945

NEW CASES ANNOUNCED

1,742

228

NEW RECOVERIES

1,481

ACTIVE CASES

35,335

TOTAL RECOVERIES

11,844

TOTAL

POSITIVE

NEW CASESANNOUNCED

NEWRECOVERIES

ACTIVECASES

TOTALRECOVERIES

H H the Amir yesterday directed sending urgent medical assistance to Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as a support from the State of Qatar for the friendly countries in combating COVID-19. The medical aid shipments arrived in Ethiopia and Moldova, yesterday.

Al Mazrouha, Al Wakra and Al Khor-and-Al

Zakhira to be open from 6am to 12 noon.

The markets will follow strict preventive and

precautionary measures to curb the spread of

COVID-19.

In addition to vegetables, several varieties of

fish will be available in Al Wakra. All three

markets will also have fruit shops.

02 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020HOME

On Amir’s directives, medical aid shipment arrives in Ethiopia, MoldovaFROM PAGE 1

The medical aid was received by Minister of the Interior of Moldova H E Pavel Fico, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration H E Dumitru Sokolan, Assistant Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection H E Alex-andro H, and Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Qatar to Moldova, Hamad bin Rashid Al Athba.

On this occasion, H E the Minister of Interior of Moldova expressed his thanks to H H the Amir for providing medical assistance at this difficult time, noting that it will help the Moldovan government to face the challenges of the corona-virus pandemic.

For his part, the Acting Charge d’Affaires at the

Thousands watch Katara online Eid celebration

FROM PAGE 1The Cultural Village Foundation- Katara has always been a hotspot destination during Eid Al Fitr celebration offering an array of fun activities for its visitors. It also used to distribute gifts in occasion of Eid Al Fitr to the children at the Katara amphitheatre and a large play area is allocated for them which include many entertainment activities for them. This year gifts will be sent to children while they are at their homes.

Winter vegetable markets to reopen todayFROM PAGE 1

Local farms said that they completed their prep-arations to supply fresh veg-etables in large quantity from greenhouse and farms to winter vegetable markets.

Ali Ahmad Al Kaabi, owner of a local farm ‘Global Farm for Agricul-tural Supplies’ said that greenhouses are pumping verity of vegetables in large quantity, however the pro-duction of farms reduced to few types of vegetables as the agriculture season is going to end.

“Now, we are pro-ducing various types of vegetables including egg-plant, cucumber, tomato,

green chili, capsicum in greenhouses and sweet melon and pumpkin in the farms,” said Al Kaabi. Speaking about the demand of local vegetable, Al Kaabi

said: “Local agricultural produce attracted large number of customers because of its quality and freshness as it reached within few hours from farms to the shelves.”

Regarding the new timing of winter vegetable markets, he said that the timing is suitable as the outlets at the markets are shaded so there will be no problem at all to operate from 6am to 12noon.

Regarding the quality of local vegetables, he said that in cooperation with the Qatar Development Bank, the Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies par-ticipated in a number of international agricultural exhibitions in Moscow, Berlin, Paris, Singapore and with the support of MME in Tunis where the visitors were surprised to see Qatari vegetables.

MoPH reports 1,481more recoveries

FROM PAGE 1

The Ministry also stressed the importance for the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases and their family members to follow strict measures to reduce the chances of infection, including refraining from social visits during Eid Al Fitr and beyond.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 must either quickly contact the 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centers for testing the virus. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it.

The four main testing centers are the Muaither Health Centre, Rawdat Al Khalil Health Centre, Umm Slal Health Centre, and Al Gharafa Health Centre

Embassy of Qatar to Moldova affirmed that the State of Qatar stands with the friendly

Republic of Moldova and its people, noting that the Qatari medical aid is directed to

support the Moldovan health sector to face the coronavirus pandemic.

Abdurrahman Al Sulaiti (left), General Supervisor of Winter Vegetable Markets at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), and Ali Ahmad Al Kaabi, owner of a local farm ‘Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies’.

First batch of Sri Lankans leaves Doha in special repatriation flightFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

The first batch of Sri Lankans left Doha yesterday as part of a repatri-ation drive by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Qatar. A total of 275 Sri Lankans departed from Hamad Inter-national Airport by Srilankan Airlines flight UL 218.

The group consisted of 26 released inmates, five safe house inmates, 17 pregnant women, 19 visit and other short term visa holders, and 206 migrant workers who have been terminated or resigned from their jobs.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Doha, Qatar in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and Srilankan Airlines repatriated Sri Lankans. All repat-riated Sri Lankans will be under-going mandatory quarantine at des-ignated government quarantine centers or at hotels allocated for this purpose.

“The embassy wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of

Interior, Ministry of Administration Development, Labour and Social Affairs, the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar and Hamad International Airport for their invaluable assistance and corporation endeavors,” Ratnasingam Kohular-angan, Acting Ambassador of Sri Lanka, told The Peninsula.

With approximately 120,000 Sri Lankans living and working in Qatar, the mission has implemented several initiatives to support the community related to COVID-19 sit-uation and other related issues.

The Embassy is connected with Sri Lankan expatriates through social media platforms and embassy website. “We keep them updated with regard to the information receiving from the Government authorities in Sri Lanka and Qatar.The mission has assigned three

telephone numbers for expatriates to contact the embassy, especially for labour related issues at this time. Also the embassy has appointed a medically qualified person to help the community with health related issues,” said Kohularangan.

“The embassy provided dry food rations for needy Sri Lankan expa-triates. Qatar Charity, well-wishers, and Sri Lankan Associations have donated dry food items,” he said.

Many have registered in embassy to travel back to Sri Lanka in repa-triation drive. According embassy guidelines, priority will be given to pregnant women, urgent medical cases, workers in distress, senior cit-izens as well as to other people who are stranded in difficult situations.

“The embassy has been sup-portive since I approached them. They also arranged my travel ticket

as I lost my job and couldn’t bear the expenses. Thankfully finally I’m going back to Sri Lanka,” said Mohamed Muthalib, who was working in Doha as a labourer for nearly two years.

While, Chathura Weerasinghe was travelling home due to a medical condition and he said, “I’m working here for around one and half years and now I am in need of a surgery. I preferred to do it back in Sri Lanka because I’m living here alone.” He expects to return back to Doha, when the situation improves.

Sri Lankan Airlines operate special repatriation flights to dif-ferent destinations including the Middle East under special COVID-19 airline operational procedures that include the use of Personal Pro-tective Equipment for staff, deep cleaning, fogging and de-misting procedures to disinfect aircraft, etc. SriLankan Airlines in a recent statement about its repatriation flights said, that they will operate special passenger flights as and when required, in order to continue to reach out to fellow Sri Lankans in need.

The group consisted of 26 released inmates, five safe house inmates, 17 pregnant women, 19 visit and other short term visa holders, and 206 migrant workers who have been terminated or resigned from their jobs.

Emergency cases decreaseduring Eid holidaysFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

At least 1,485 patients were treated at the Hamad Medical Corporation’s main Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) during the first three days of Eid Al Fitr. However, none of the cases were critical and the numbers have reduced compared to previous years, said an official.

Among cases the department received were due to road traffic acci-dents, stomach ailments, and chronic conditions such as cardiac problems, diabetics and trauma due to different reasons.

The number of cases seen during the Eid Al Fitr, has reduced as a result

several reasons as awareness created among the public, following pre-ventive measures against COVID-19 and others, said Dr Galal Saleh Al Essai, Vice Chairman for Corporate Affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation.

“In comparison to previous years, the number of cases seen at the Emer-gency Department has reduced. This is due to the awareness created among the public about use of emergency services. For non-emergency condi-tions they go to health centres. Another factor is that number of road accidents have reduced. Also the present COVID-19 situation has made people stay home and safe,” he told The Peninsula yesterday.

The Qatari, Ethiopian and Moldovan officials during the reception of medical aid shipment.

FAJR SUNRISE 03.17 am 04.45 am

W A L R U WA I S : 27o↗ 32o W A L K H O R : 28o↗ 37o W D U K H A N : 25o↗ 35o W WA K R A H : 26o↗ 38o W M E S A I E E D 26o↗ 38o W A B U S A M R A 26o↗ 34o

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

HIGH TIDE 05:59–20:08 LOW TIDE 03:04 – 13:08

Hot daytime with slight dust and mild by night.

Minimum Maximum27oC 39oC

ZUHRMAGHRIB

11.31 am06.20 pm

ASR ISHA

02.56 pm07.50 pm

03WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 HOME

Sun will be perpendicular to Kaaba today: QCHQNA — DOHA

Qatar Calendar House (QCH) said yesterday that the shadow of Kaaba in Makkah will completely disappear at today’s Dhuhr prayer at 12:18pm Makkah time (9:18 UTC), as the Sun will be perpendicular to Kaaba.

Dr. Bashir Marzouq, who is an astronomer at the Qatar Calendar House, said that the shadow of Kaaba during Dhuhr prayer is crucial to determining Qibla anywhere in the world. He added that Qibla anywhere in the world is in the opposite direction to the shadow of Kaaba at Dhuhr prayer.

He said that the phe-nomenon of the Sun being per-pendicular to Kaaba happens in May and July every year.

QRCS provides aid to Gaziantep province of Turkey

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has delivered medical supplies as a gift to Gaziantep province, in response to the invitation by the Department of Societies of the southern Turkish province to the human-itarian providers involved in Syria.

The gift included 36,000 masks and 72,000 gloves, in order to ensure the coronavirus

protection of medical and non-medical staff at public hospitals working in Turkey and Syria.

Gaziantep is a Syria-adjacent border province located 96 km away from Aleppo City. It hosts many makeshift shelter centers for Syrian refugees. Since 2011, the province has received around

400,000 Syrians.QRCS’s representation

mission in Turkey is applying preventive measures in Syria, in coordination with World Health Organization (WHO) and other hu0manitarian peers working there.

They are developing pre-paredness, response, and

follow-up plans. All pre-ventive and administrative procedures are strictly applied at the multiple QRCS-operated health facilities and services.

This gift reflects the strong relations between QRCS and Turkey’s public organizations and NGOs, mainly the Turkish

Red Crescent. It builds upon the historical bonds of friendship between the two countries at all levels, which are capitalized on and pro-moted by QRCS to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian brothers affected by the pro-longed conflict in their country.

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) officials unloading from a vehicle medical aid boxes containing masks and gloves for the people of Gaziantep province.

The gift included 36,000 masks and 72,000 gloves, in order to ensure the coronavirus protection of medical and non-medical staff at public hospitals working in Turkey and Syria.

Don’t panic but stay safe, says doctor who recovered from COVID-19FAZEENA SALEEMTHE PENINSULA

People should not panic but follow the precautionary measure by the government to limit the spread of COVID-19, says doctor who recovered from virus in Qatar.

Dr Muthana Al Salihi, a Pediatric Surgeon at Hamad Medical Corpo-ration and Sidra Medicine, has no clue how he got infected and urge people not to underestimate COVID-19 as anyone can get infected.

“People should not be worried or terrified about COVID-19. Only a very few percentage of people get to a severe condition and mortality rate due to the disease. But we should not underestimate because the virus is highly infectious. People should strictly follow guidelines set by the Ministry of Public Health and the government, such as wearing face masks, social distancing among others and stay at home as much as possible,” he told The Peninsula.

Dr. Al Salihi also lauded the

efforts taken by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country by imposing precautionary measures such as contact tracking of infected people.

Dr Al Salihi, an Iraqi national

working with HMC for 15 years said: “I’m speaking here in patient per-spective. I received the best care that maybe no one can receive from their own country. I am sure that many people cannot receive this kind of

care even in their home countries. I am very grateful to the government, Ministry of Public Health, doctors, nurses and others for the exceptional care given.”

Dr Al Salihi, is preparing to resume work after Eid holidays and narrated his ‘smooth’ journey from being sick to recovery.

It all started on April 12 for Dr Al Salihi with cold-like symptoms including back pain and sore throat. But within three days, he lost smell and taste sensations totally which made him to become worried. As he knew it was one of the symptoms of the COVID-19. Then he developed a cough and chest pain.

On April 18, Dr Al Salihi, was taken to HMC’s Communicable Disease Center (CDC) where his medical and travel history were noted and a swab was taken.

“On April 19, an official from MoPH called, asked some general questions and broke the news that my test was positive. He also enquired who I lived with and asked to isolate myself,” said Dr Salihi.

He was admitted at CDC after some investigations it showed that he had pneumonia. He condition was moderate.

“I was put on a treatment pro-tocol for pneumonia and started medication. There were five types of medication and two of them were antibiotics. They also treated me with an antimalarial drug and two anti-viral medicines—Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Hydroxy chloroquine, Tamiflu and Kaletra,” said Dr Dr Al Salihi.

“After five days. My condition improved. Then I was tested neg-ative twice for COVID-19. As per pro-tocol if you have two negative swabs in a -24 hours gap, it means that you are cured,” he said.

Dr Al Salihi stayed in the CDC for nine days before he was discharged and was asked to do self-isolation for another 14 days.

All the people that he had contact with including family members and colleagues were traced and tested but none of them tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr Al Salihi also lauded the efforts taken by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country by imposing precautionary measures such as contact tracking of infected people.

Dr Muthana Al Salihi, Pediatric Surgeon at HMC and Sidra Medicine.

Evolution Sports Qatar launches virtual live team training programme

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Evolution Sports yesterday announced launch of a virtual live team training programme designed for individuals and teams that will bring live training sessions into your home on a weekly basis.

From Sunday, the Evolution Sports Virtual Live Team Training programme will allow individuals and teams to train live twice a week with its most experienced coaches. These 30-45 minute sessions have been designed around the

technical skills that athletes are able to develop in limited space with only the most basic equipment required.

Players and athletes will join the training sessions through the Zoom App, receiving an invitation for each session 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Sessions will be scheduled at the same each week, over the course of four, eight or 12 weeks. Each Virtual Live Team Training session will be limited to no more than 12 participants.

Each four weeks (eight training session) program will be available for as little as QR280 per month. The pro-gramme is open to anyone from any club, anywhere in the world.

Along with the above, all players will be given access to our state of the art performance management application the Sports Office; the same software used by Premier League clubs and federations across the world to monitor performance data and analyse player development.

Al Jazeera programme 'Fault Lines' investigates cancer cluster

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Fault Lines, Al Jazeera English’s Emmy and Peabody-award winning documentary programme, is releasing a documentary, “Houston’s Cancer Cluster,” which follows an African-American commu-nity’s search for answers and accountability after their Texas neighborhood was declared a cancer cluster.

Last year, the state of Texas found unusually high rates of certain kinds of lung and throat cancers in two historically Black neighborhoods in East Houston, the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens. Many res-idents suspect that the nearby railyard, which is owned by the railroad-giant Union Pacific, has something to do with it.

For nearly 75 years, the rai-lyard treated railroad ties with a toxic compound called cre-osote, which the US Environ-mental Protection Agency lists as a probable human car-cinogen. The groundwater under more than 100 properties surrounding the railyard is con-taminated with chemicals found in creosote. And the cancers found in the cluster are associated with exposure to creosote.

Fault Lines focuses on the

stories of three women, including Schrhonda Babineux, whose husband grew up in Kashmere Gardens and is dying from esophageal cancer. When we met her, Schrhonda was spending her hours outside of work caring for her husband as he fought for his life.

Andre West grew up in the Fifth Ward. Two of her sisters died from lung cancer when they were in their 60s. Neither smoked. Andre long suspected the chemicals at the railyard made them sick and has joined local activists to force Union Pacific to answer for the pol-lution in the community.

Sandra Edwards leads IMPACT, a community group that is pressuring the state to conduct an epidemiological study, which could determine a cause of the cancer cluster. But nine months after the cancer

cluster was discovered Texas still hasn’t agreed to do one.

In an exclusive group interview, Fault Lines spoke to more than a dozen men who worked at the railyard, who described how carelessly-stored creosote flowed into the neighborhoods for decades whenever it rained.

Union Pacific declined an interview with Fault Lines. In a statement they said that resi-dents are not exposed to the contaminated groundwater and denied connection to the cancer cluster.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in Houston has diminished organizing efforts. But the pressure may be working. The Houston health department has set aside funds for environ-mental testing and is studying the feasibility of an epidemio-logical study.

For nearly 75 years, the railyard treated railroad ties with a toxic compound called creosote, which the US Environmental Protection Agency lists as a probable human carcinogen. The groundwater under more than 100 properties surroun-ding the railyard is contaminated with chemicals found in creosote.

DPS-MIS mathematics faculty attends webinar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The mathematics faculty of senior secondary section of DPS-Modern Indian School attended a webinar on ‘Applied Mathematics’ which is intro-duced as a new elective by CBSE for Grade XI and XII students from the current year 2020-2021. The resource person, Lalit Sharma, discussed the new elective Applied Mathematics’ (Sub. Code 241) eligibility for higher education and explained the difference between Applied Mathematics (Sub. Code 241) and Applied Mathematics (Sub. Code 840) which will be discontinued

from the academic session 2020-21.

The facilitator, Lalit Sharma, clarified that the students who opted for Basic Mathematics in class X will be eligible to opt only Applied Mathematics (Sub. Code 241) not Mathematics (Sub. Code 041) whereas both the options i.e. Applied Mathematics (Sub. Code 241) and Mathematics (Sub. Code 041) are open for the students who opted for Standard Mathematics in class X .

The students with P/C/B combination too can choose Applied math but those planning to pursue Engi-neering/Physical Science/Math(Honours) should take

Mathematics(Sub. Code 041). He further acquainted the

attendees with the wide-range of career options available for Applied Mathematics students, which include BBA, BMS, BCA, SSC, Bank PO, Actuarial Science (Statistics + Probability), ICWA etc.

With regard to Applied Mathematics’ eligibility for B.Com (Honours) and Eco-nomics (Honours), CBSE has written to UGC for permission and its outcome is expected by June end.

It was an informative session and helped the partici-pants know in depth about the newly introduced subject.

From Sunday, the Evolution Sports Virtual Live Team Training programme will allow individuals and teams to train live twice a week with its most experienced coaches.

04 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon’s migrant workers’ plight worsens as crises multiplyAP — BEIRUT

Long before the pandemic struck, they lived and worked in conditions that rights groups called exploitative — low wages, long hours, no labour law protections.

Now, some 250,000 registered migrant labourers in Lebanon — maids, garbage collectors, farm hands and con-struction workers — are growing more desperate as a crippling economic and financial crisis sets in, coupled with coro-navirus restrictions.

Lebanon’s unprecedented foreign currency crisis means that many migrants have not been paid for months or that the value of salaries is down by more than half. Others have lost their jobs after employers dumped them on the streets or outside their embassies. “We are invisible,” said Banchi Yimer, an Ethiopian former domestic worker who founded a group that campaigns for domestic workers’ rights in Lebanon. “We don’t even exist for our governments, not just the Leb-anese government.”

In just three days, she said, 20 Ethi-opian domestic workers were aban-doned by their sponsors and left outside the embassy. A photo she posted shows women with as little as a backpack or a purse, lined up along the walls of the embassy - some sitting on the floor.

The pandemic delivered just the

latest blow to a Lebanese economy, already devastated by a financial crisis brought on by decades of corruption and mismanagement. In recent weeks, the Lebanese pound, pegged to the dollar for more than two decades, has lost 60% of its value against the dollar and prices of basic goods soared. Unemployment has risen to 35% and an estimated 45% of the country’s pop-ulation is now below the poverty line.

In this crisis, migrant workers are among the most vulnerable.

Among them are 180,000 domestic workers, most of them women and many from Ethiopia and the Philip-pines. Thousands live illegally, after escaping their employers to whom they were tied under an ill-reputed spon-sorship system, known in Arabic as ‘kafala,’ which dates back to the 1960s.

Many are trapped, unable to go home, because they cannot afford the exorbitant costs of repatriation flights or because global air travel is severely restricted. Their plight is similar to that

of migrant workers in other countries, including foreign laborers in oil-rich Gulf Arab states who now find them-selves jobless, as COVID-19 stalks their labour camps.

In the Lebanese capital of Beirut, the financial chaos has added to their despair. On Saturday, a Filipina domestic worker took her own life a day after arriving at a shelter run by the Philippines Embassy for workers waiting to return home after losing their jobs. In a statement on Monday, the embassy said she died after jumping from a room she was sharing with two others. Both the Philippines Embassy and Lebanese authorities said they were investigating the death.

Suspected suicides or escape attempts of foreign household workers have become a frequent occurrence in Lebanon, with local reports recording at least one incident a month.

Such desperate acts are often blamed on the sponsorship system, which rights groups say creates near

slave-like conditions. Some employers do not allow their helpers to go out on the street alone or have a day off.

Domestic workers are not pro-tected by labor law and are often shackled in a 24-7 work schedule with no right to resign. “Some of their employers abuse them mentally phys-ically and there is no law to protect them. Their employers... treat them like slaves,” said Tsigereda Brihanu, an Ethiopian activist with Egna Legna, Yimer’s organization.

A 2016 International Labor Organ-ization study found that out of 1,200 employers surveyed, more than 94% withheld their workers’ passports.

Last week, security forces violently quelled a protest by Bangladeshi san-itation workers who were demanding an adjustment of their salaries to new market rates. The pandemic has also taken its toll. A few dozen foreign workers living in overcrowded apart-ments in Beirut have tested positive for the coronavirus. Riot police are often deployed outside their buildings to enforce isolation. Last week, Ethi-opian workers staged a symbolic dem-onstration outside their embassy to demand free repatriation.

“We don’t have the power to bring a plane and to take out everybody from this country. I wish we can do that,” Brihanu said. “Regular life in Lebanon is very difficult even to survive. It is not worth it to stay here.”

One Ethiopian worker said that even though her sponsor still pays her salary, she is already checking into going home because she knows the dollars will run out and prices will con-tinue to increase. “Lebanon’s finished,” she said, declining to give her name in order to speak freely.

The virus lockdown has exacer-bated work conditions. Some workers are not able to communicate with their own families and friends, the hours are much longer and the demands by employers are unrealistic, said Zeina Mezher of the International Labor Organization. “They say that we are all in the storm, but it doesn’t affect us all in the same way,” she said.

Yimer, who founded Egna Legna in 2017, is now in Canada, where the group is registered as a non-profit organization, because it is illegal for domestic workers to be activists in Lebanon, and the government has refused to register a union for them.

Egna Legna, meaning “from us migrants to us migrants” in Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language, now offers food packages for some who lost their jobs and helps others pay rent.

“I have not worked for nearly three months,” said Kumari, a household worker from Sri Lanka. Kumari used to hold down work in several homes in order to send money to her 5-year-old daughter who is being raised by her mother back home.

People wearing protective face masks wait to complete their transactions in the Civil Status Department after Jordan’s public sector employees returned gradually to work, two months after they were ordered to stay home as part of a tight lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Amman yesterday.

Palestine reopens mosque, church after three-month closureANATOLIA — RAMALLAHPalestine yesterday reopened a prominent church and mosque in the occupied West Bank as part of easing corona-virus lockdown measures.

The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem opened for worshipers after three months.

Dozens of Palestinians per-formed morning prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque amid tight Israeli security measures.

Hefzi Abu Sneineh, director of endowments for Hebron province, said that the Israeli authorities allowed 50 wor-shipers to enter the mosque due to the pandemic.

He added that the morning

prayer was performed thrice to allow more people to pray.

The Church of the Nativity also reopened its doors to wor-shipers and visitors amid tight security. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Rula Maayah said that reopening the church is a glimmer of hope for the beginning of a return to normal life, especially since the church was receiving millions of pil-grims and tourists from all over the world.

The Church of the Nativity is the most prominent Christian site in Palestine.

On Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the opening of places of worship starting from yesterday, as part

of easing preventive measures against coronavirus. As of

yesterday, Palestine recorded a total of 602 coronavirus cases

including five deaths, and 475 recoveries.

Palestinians gather for a dawn prayer at Haram Al Ibrahimi Mosque after being closed for approximately three months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, in Al Khalil, West Bank, yesterday.

Jordan’s civil servants return to work after two months breakREUTERS — AMMAN

Jordan’s public sector employees began a phased return to work yesterday, more than two months after they were told to stay at home under a coro-navirus lockdown, officials said.

Most of the country’s 250,000 civil servants had not been working in their offices since a state of emergency was declared in mid-March.

Sameh al Nasser, the head of the civil service commission, said that about 60% of civil servants were expected to show up for work under a gradual plan involving social distancing.

Schools, universities and border crossings were closed and interna-tional flights were halted under the lockdown, but tens of thousands of state employees in the medical services, civil defence, customs, security forces and army continued working to maintain essential services.

The government said at the end of last month it had contained the coronavirus outbreak, and many restrictions have of the lockdown restric-tions have been lifted, with most businesses and industries now open again.

Jordan has reported 711 confirmed coronavirus cases, with nine deaths. Some medical officials have warned there could be a new rise in infections after the easing of the restrictions.

Colonel, 4 others killed in Yemen blastANATOLIA — SANA'A

A senior Yemeni security official was among five people killed in a bomb blast in the country’s eastern Hadhramaut province yesterday.

An improvised explosive device targeted a vehicle car-rying Colonel Saleh Ali Jaber —head of the security direc-torate of Shibam town — and four other people, local media reported.

Mohammed Gezan, under-secretary of Yemen’s Infor-mation Ministry, confirmed the incident in a tweet but did not share any details.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital Sana'a.

The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led mil-itary coalition launched a dev-astating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi terri-torial gains.

Iran eases restaurant curbs as virus claims 57 more livesAFP & ANATOLIA — TEHRAN

Iran further eased restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus yesterday by allowing restaurants to accept customers, as it announced another 57 deaths from the virus.

Since the first cases of COVID-19 appeared on its soil in mid-February, the Islamic Republic has sought to halt the spread of the virus without imposing lockdowns. A deputy health minister signalled the easing of restrictions on eateries.

“Restaurants which before this decree were only allowed to distribute food will be allowed to accept customers from today,” Mohsen Farhadi told state television.

Farhadi called on restau-rants to respect health protocols

to ensure distancing of two metres, a measure he said would reduce client numbers by 50 percent.

Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour reported 57 additional COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities in the country to 7,508.

Jahanpour said 1,787 new cases of infection over the same period brought the Islamic republic’s caseload to 139,511.

“We are seeing a stable process in the majority of prov-inces,” Jahanpour said, adding that the southwestern province of Khuzestan was still classified “red”, although the number of infected cases was declining.

Red is the highest level on the country’s colour-coded scale of risk in relation to its coronavirus outbreak -- the

deadliest in the Middle East. Experts both at home and

abroad have voiced scepticism about Iran’s official figures, saying the real toll could be much higher.

Cases of the novel corona-virus continue to rise in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sudan, Morocco, Oman and Syria, local health authorities said yesterday.

In the Gulf state of Kuwait, seven fatalities were recorded and 608 new cases, according to the Health Ministry.

Yesterday’s figures brought the total number of cases to 22,575, including 172 deaths and 7,306 recoveries.

In the UAE, the Health Min-istry recorded five deaths and 779 new cases, pushing the total to 31,086 including 253 deaths and 15,982 recoveries.

Oman’s Health Ministry registered 348 new cases, bringing the total to 8,118, including 37 deaths and 67 recoveries. Syrian regime health

officials announced 15 addi-tional cases, raising the total to 121, including four fatalities and 41 recoveries.

Turning to North Africa,

Sudan’s Health Ministry said five fatalities raised the death toll to 170 while 156 new cases brought the total to 3,976, including 503 recoveries.

Putin and Iraq PM discuss settlement in SyriaANATOLIA — MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Syrian settlement in a phone conver-sation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kazemi.The two leaders agreed to coordinate the steps aiming to achieve a sustainable peace in Syria, the Kremlin said.

“It was agreed to further coordinate steps to ensure long-term normalization of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and restore its sov-ereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.

Iranians walk past shops in the capital Tehran, yesterday.

Now, some 250,000 registered migrant labourers in Lebanon — maids, garbage collectors, farm hands and construction workers — are growing more desperate as a crippling economic and financial crisis sets in, coupled with coronavirus restrictions.

Eid celebrations

05WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

Palestinians children jump from a wall as they enjoy the Eid Al Fitr holidays in Gaza, yesterday.

Confined Moroccans find new ways to celebrate EidAP — CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Instead of mass prayers and large family gatherings filled with colourful clothes, gifts and traditional foods, millions of Moroccan Muslims celebrated Eid Al Fitr at home, subdued and isolated amid their country’s newly extended coronavirus lockdown.

The mood was somber for the normally joyous holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, but also mixed with gratitude that Morocco’s brush with the virus has been so far milder than those in the US or Europe.

And Moroccan families found ways to make Eid special, as Muslims around the world adapted the religious festival because of social distancing rules and life under confinement.

In Casablanca, Morocco’s most populous city, where police tasked with enforcing the

lockdown guarded deserted streets, 21-year-old Yousra Sandabad’s family greeted loved ones over video calls.

They cooed at a baby on a cellphone screen, as a breeze lapped the gauzy curtains, honey-laden sweets piled high on the table along with other traditional holiday treats.5

Her extended family lives in several different cities across the kingdom and they would normally get together to cele-brate Eid.

But her family hasn’t had a guest since Morocco’s strict lockdown was declared over two months ago. She celebrated the day with just her parents, Afifa and Moustafa, and took a trip to their rooftop for a view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and Casablanca’s iconic Hassan II Mosque.

About 100km away, in Sale, Ghita Naoui and her sister Fatima shared a meal with their children as they watched TV

and drank tea. Suhail, her nephew, an amateur music pro-ducer, worked on a new mix as his sister and cousin caught up with their friends via social media. The virus was on many

minds, but also hope that restrictions are relaxed soon. Morocco was early to order confinement, and has reported only 200 deaths and about 7,500 infections overall. “It’s not

how we imagined celebrating Eid,” Fatima Naoui said while cooking lunch for the family, “but we hope that by the next (major Muslim holiday), things will be back like it used to be.”

Russia tells Haftar ally it backs immediate truce and talksREUTERS & ANATOLIA — TRIPOLI

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday told an ally of Libya’s eastern commander Khalifa Haftar that Moscow backed an immediate ceasefire and political talks that would culminate in united governing authorities.

Lavrov conveyed that message to Aguila Saleh Issa, speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, in a phone call, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Issa is aligned to General Khalifa Haftar who controls the east of the country which opposes the internationally rec-ognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

The US military earlier yes-terday accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mer-cenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

There was no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry to a request

for comment. “US Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there,” US Africa Command said in a statement.

“Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fires for the Wagner Group PMC that is supporting the [Haftar-led] Libyan National Army’s (LNA) fight against the internationally recognized Government of National Accord,” said the statement.

Since April 2019 separatist Haftar’s forces have launched attacks on the capital Tripoli and other parts of northwestern

Libya, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.

Following the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya’s government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led political agreement.

Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 2,000 Russian Wagner Group merce-naries were fighting in the war-ravaged country.

The US also claimed that the Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya from an airbase in Russia, “after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.”

“Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya. Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner,” US Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, com-mander, US Africa Command, said in the statement.

“For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now,” Townsend said.

Townsend accused Russia of concealing its direct role in Libya and avoiding responsi-bility for the “malign actions” of Wagner Group mercenaries. He went on to say that “Mos-cow’s military actions have prolonged the Libyan conflict and exacerbated casualties and human suffering on both sides.”

AFP — TRIPOLI

The United Nations has deplored the “grotesque” use of impro-vised explosive devices against civilians in Libya’s capital Tripoli, the scene of more than a year of deadly fighting.

The UN mission in Libya said it “strongly condemns these acts, which serve no military objective, provoke extreme fear among the population, and violate the rights of innocent civilians who must be protected under international human-itarian law.”

In a statement, it voiced alarm about reports that residents of the Ain Zara and Salaheddin districts in southern Tripoli had been killed or wounded by IEDs placed in or near their homes. “This grotesque transformation and deterioration of the conflict, (which) has occurred while families were seeking the safety and comfort of their homes for the Eid holiday, dem-onstrates deliberate targeting of innocent civilians.”

UN condemns use of IEDs against civilians in Libya

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov conveyed the message to Aguila Saleh Issa, Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, in a phone call, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A deserted street in Rabat, as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19, on the first day of the Eid Al Fitr.

South African

Airways aims to

resume domestic

flights in mid-JuneREUTERS — JOHANNESBURG

South African Airways (SAA) aims to resume domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town from mid-June, the cash-strapped airline said, as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease.

SAA, which is under a form of bankruptcy protection, suspended all commercial passenger flights in late March, when the government imposed one of the strictest lockdowns on the African con-tinent. But President Cyril Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation on Sunday that domestic air travel for business purposes would be phased in after June 1, when the country moves to level 3 of a five-level alert system.

South Africa is currently on alert level 4, a tougher level of anti-coronavirus restric-tions. Ramaphosa did not give an exact date when business travellers would be able to fly domestically, and SAA said it was preparing to resume flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town when permissible.

Tanzania summons US official over coronavirus warningAFP — DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzania said yesterday it had summoned the top official at the US embassy to object to an advisory that warned of “expo-nential growth” of COVID-19 cases in the East African nation.

The embassy’s “health advisory” published earlier this month contained inaccurate information, the foreign min-istry said in a statement.

The advisory reported, for instance, that “many hospitals” in Dar es Salaam, the economic capital, “have been over-whelmed in recent weeks”.

This claim “is not true and could cause panic among Tan-zanians and foreigners”, the foreign ministry’s statement said. The US embassy’s charge d’affaires, Inmi Patterson, met with Wilbert Ibuge, permanent secretary at the foreign min-istry, who reminded Patterson about the two countries’ “his-torical cooperation”, the foreign ministry said. It did not

specify when the meeting took place. The US embassy in Tan-zania has been without an ambassador since 2016.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has repeatedly played down the gravity of the corona-virus pandemic, and it has been nearly a month since the country released official data on case numbers, which stood at 480 with 16 deaths on April 29.

Last week the government announced that universities and sports events would resume in June and also lifted restrictions on flights, even as critics say cases are soaring.

Opposition politicians have criticised the lack of data, which the government stopped giving after Magufuli cast doubt on the credibility of laboratory equipment and technicians.

Laboratory officials were suspended earlier this month after Magufuli said he had secret tests performed in which a papaya and a goat tested positive.

South Africa to let places of worship reopen from June

REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG

South Africa’s churches and other places of worship can reopen their doors from June, but will be limited to 50 people, President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday as coronavirus lockdown rules are further eased.

Africa’s most industr-ialised economy has been largely shut since late March, when the government enforced restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which has so far infected 23,615 people in South Africa and killed 481.

Some churches responded by moving to radio, television and online so that people could worship from home.

“This pandemic has... taken a toll on us emotionally and spiritually. It has shaken our sense of well-being and security. Many of us are anxious and fearful of both the present and the future,” Ram-aphosa said in a televised address.

“We have a responsibility to...take care of the spiritual, psychological and emotional well-being of all South Africans.”

South Africa will move to “level three” of its five-level lockdown system from June, allowing the vast majority of the economy to return to full capacity.

Ramaphosa, who has been under pressure from rival political parties and indus-tries to ease the restrictions, said social distancing will have to be observed and all worshippers and partici-pants will have to wear face masks.

He added that any reli-gious rituals that carry even the slightest possibility of exposing worshippers to risk should be avoided, and where they form an essential part of religious practice, sanitisation is paramount.

Burundi oppn prepares challenge to ruling party winAFP — BUJUMURA, BURUNDI

Burundi’s leading opposition party will start filing challenges to election results as early as today, a lawmaker said as calm reigned in the commercial capital a day after the ruling party’s candidate was named winner of the presidential contest.

Evariste Ndayishimiye, a former army general chosen by the powerful CNDD-FDD governing party as heir to outgoing Pres-ident Pierre Nkurunziza, won the May 20 poll with 68.72 percent of the vote, according to results on Monday.

The strongest opposition candidate, Agathon Rwasa, came in a distant second with 24.19 percent, but his National Freedom Council (CNL) has rejected the results and accused the CNDD-FDD of fraud.

CNL officials were still preparing appeals Tuesday in polls which also involved legislative and municipal contests, said a party lawmaker, who spoke anonymously.

The party has until Thursday to for-mally contest the presidential outcome, although the appeal will “probably” be

ready Wednesday along with challenges in lower-level races, the lawmaker said.

Many shops and bistros closed on Monday evening after the results were announced, but life largely returned to normal Tuesday in Bujumbura, the com-mercial capital, and elsewhere in the country.

Burundi is tightly controlled by the ruling party and its youth wing has been implicated in a forceful crackdown against the government’s critics.

No foreign observers were allowed into Burundi to keep an eye on the election, which went ahead with scant regard for the coronavirus outbreak following a tense campaign marked by violence and arbi-trary arrests. 0

“We feel that people are resigned. We also feel a deep disappointment because everyone says their victory was stolen from them but they know they can’t do anything,” said a bank employee who spoke on con-dition of anonymity.

-A ‘personal choice’- Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005, and his final years in office have been wracked with turmoil. His third-term election run in 2015

sparked violence which left at least 1,200 dead and pushed 400,000 to flee the country.

While some observers feared Rwasa would urge his supporters to take in protest after results were announced, he appears committed to a legal challenge, said Richard Moncrieff of the International Crisis Group, a conflict-prevention organisation.

Rwasa acted similarly during the unrest of 2015, unlike other members of the oppo-sition, Moncrieff noted.

“He did not choose exile or armed struggle. He obviously made a personal choice,” Moncrieff said.

The CNDD-FDD also defeated the CNL by a similar margin in the legislative elections.

In another sign that the CNL will stick to a constitutional path, its members par-ticipated in a meeting Tuesday with the only other opposition party to secure seats.

The constitution requires that ethnic Hutus make up 60 percent of the National Assembly and ethnic Tutsis 40 percent, and 30 percent of the body must be women.

Some reshuffling will need to take place to honour the quotas.

Nine militia

fighters arrested

in CAR killingsAFP — BANGUI

Nine fighters from an armed group which launched a week-long attack last week in south-eastern Central African Republic have been arrested.

The assailants belong to a branch of the CAR’s biggest armed group, the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), the country’s special criminal court said in a statement..

The court is responsible for trying cases of serious human rights violations in the country, which has been ravaged by conflict for more than 20 years.

06 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020ASIA

India has low virus death rate but worries about migrants on the moveREUTERS — MUMBAI

India yesterday recorded a total of 145,380 coronavirus infec-tions and a death toll of 4,167, comparatively low figures for the world’s second-most populous country.

But separate states wit-nessing millions of migrant labourers returning from the big cities were recording rising infections, officials said, fearing that the pandemic could spread through villages where medical care is basic at best.

Health ministry officials said that India’s death rate stood at 0.3 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to what they said was a world average of 4.4.

“We have surprisingly found a low fatality rate in India, which is very good,” said Balram Bhargava, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, in New Delhi.

Officials from the home and railway ministries said at least 4.5 million workers had migrated home from economic hubs in the two months since

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a lockdown.

The eastern state of Bihar registered more than 160 infec-tions on Monday, its highest one-day rise, taking its tally to more than 2,700 cases. In the past 48 hours, more than 75 people tested positive in Odisha and 176 in different districts in the desert state of Rajasthan.

The latest cases have forced authorities to stretch limited testing resources.

“Dozens of labourers who travelled from New Delhi have tested positive. We are ensuring

that no one enters their village with this infection,” said Gaurav Sinha, a senior health official in Bihar’s capital, Patna.

Economists studying reverse migration patterns said India’s poorest migrant labourers have been the worst hit by the lockdown. TV footage early in the crisis showed police beating migrant workers as they tried to board city buses to reach their villages, making a mockery of social distancing.

Meanwhile, Glenmark Phar-maceuticals Ltd said yesterday it would begin a clinical trial in India to test a combination of two anti-viral drugs, favipiravir and umifenovir, as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Glenmark has secured Indian regulatory approval for the study, which will aim to enrol 158 hospitalised patients with moderate COVID-19, the company said.

Drugmakers across the world have been rushing to develop a treatment or vaccine for the novel coronavirus, which has infected 5.5 million people globally, killing more

than 345,000, according to a tally.

Favipiravir is made under the brand name Avigan by Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp and was approved for use as an anti-flu drug there in 2014, while umifenovir is licensed as a treatment for some types of flu infections in Russia and China.

Japan said yesterday Fujifilm will continue research on Avigan into June, effectively dashing hopes that the drug would be approved as a

COVID-19 treatment this month.Glenmark is also conducting

clinical trials in India of just favipiravir as a potential COVID-19 treatment, for which it expects results by July or August. Favipiravir is also undergoing trials in other countries.

“The two antiviral drugs have different mechanism of action, and their combination may demonstrate improved treatment efficacy,” the Mumbai-headquartered drug-maker said.

Glenmark did not respond to an email requesting more details on the trials. Its shares ended 1.1 percent lower yesterday.

Another Indian drugmaker — Strides Pharma — is also set to begin clinical trials of favipiravir as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Shares in Indian drugmakers have been on a tear this year. India’s Nifty pharma index has risen 18 percent this year, com-pared with a 26 percent slide in the blue-chip NSE Nifty 50.

Migrant workers and their families stand in queues to get themselves registered for trains to their home state of Uttar Pradesh, during an extended lockdown in New Delhi, India, yesterday.

Australia bushfire

smoke linked to

hundreds

of deaths

AFP — SYDNEY

Smoke from Australia’s deadly recent bushfires is linked to an estimated 445 deaths and more than 4,000 hospitalisa-tions over several months, a government inquiry heard yesterday.

More than 30 people died as a direct cause of the blazes and thousands of homes were destroyed in late 2019 and early 2020, leaving affected communities devastated.

The Royal Commission — tasked with finding ways to improve how Australia deals with natural disasters — heard from an environmental health specialist that the overall toll was estimated to be far higher when accounting for impacts from the bushfire smoke.

Fay Johnston, associate professor at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said its modelling found there were 445 deaths attributable to the fires as well as 3,340 hospital admissions and 1,373 emer-gency room visits.

“Our estimates for the last season were at A$2bn ($1.3 bn) in health costs associated with premature loss of life and admissions to hospitals,” she added.

Johnston said that was “about 10 times higher” than in preceding years, despite not including costs associated with ambulance callouts, lost pro-ductivity or some diseases where impacts would be dif-ficult to model, such as diabetes.

“There’s fluctuation year to year, of course, but that was a major departure from any-thing we had seen in the pre-vious 20 years,” she added.

Johnston said 80 percent of Australians — or about 20 million people — were affected by smoke from the vast blazes, which burned more than 10 million hectares of land.

Sydney was blanketed by grey toxic haze for weeks as mega-blazes ringed Australia’s biggest city, while other major centres including the capital, Canberra, were also shrouded by hazardous smoke.

Bushfire-prone Australia has seen dozens of inquests into the causes of bushfires and steps that could be taken to mitigate them. But many measures recommended by inquiries going back to the 1930s have still not been implemented.

The current inquiry is required to report its findings by August 31 ahead of the next bushfire season.

New Indian roads, air strips sparked standoff with ChinaREUTERS — NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR

A Himalayan border standoff between old foes India and China was triggered by India’s construction of roads and air strips in the region as it competes with China’s spreading Belt and Road initiative, Indian observers said yesterday.

Soldiers from both sides have been camped out in the Galwan Valley in the high-altitude Ladakh region, accusing each other of tres-passing over the disputed border, the trigger of a brief but bloody war in 1962.

About 80 to 100 tents have

sprung up on the Chinese side and about 60 on the Indian side where soldiers are billeted, Indian officials briefed on the matter in New Delhi and in Ladakh’s capital, Leh, said.

Both were digging defences and Chinese trucks have been moving equipment into the area, the officials said, raising concerns of a long face-off.

“China is committed to safe-guarding the security of its national territorial sovereignty, as well as safeguarding peace and stability in the China-India border areas,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s office said in a statement.

“At present, the overall

situation in the border areas is stable and controllable. There are sound mechanisms and channels of communication for border-related affairs, and the two sides are capable of properly resolving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation.” There was no immediate Indian foreign min-istry comment. It said last week Chinese troops had hindered regular Indian patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

But interviews with former Indian military officials and diplomats suggest the trigger for the flare-up is India’s con-struction of roads and air strips.

“Today, with our

infrastructure reach slowly extending into areas along the LAC, the Chinese threat per-ception is raised,” said former Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao.

“Xi Jinping’s China is the pro-ponent of a hard line on all matters of territory, sovereignty. India is no less when it comes to these matters either,” she said.

After years of neglect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gov-ernment has pushed for improving connectivity and by 2022, 66 key roads along the Chinese border will have been built.

One of these roads is near the Galwan valley that connects

to Daulat Beg Oldi air base, which was inaugurated last October.

“The road is very important because it runs parallel to the LAC and is linked at various points with the major supply bases inland,” said Shyam Saran, another former Indian foreign secretary.

“It remains within our side of the LAC. It is construction along this new alignment which appears to have been challenged by the Chinese.” China’s Belt and Road is a string of ports, railways, roads and bridges con-necting China to Europe via central and southern Asia and involving Pakistan, China’s close ally and India’s long-time foe.

Sri Lanka lifts day-time curfew

A Sri Lankan police officer wearing a protective face mask and a face shield controls the traffic after Island-wide day-time curfew has been lifted to restart the country’s economic activities after almost two months lockdown amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday.

Destruction of Myanmar village has ‘hallmarks’ of military, says HRWAFP — YANGON

At least 200 houses and other buildings were destroyed by fire in a conflict-ridden state in Myanmar in an incident that has “all the hallmarks” of previous military arson attacks on villages, a rights group said yesterday.

Let Kar village in the north-western state of Rakhine was mostly deserted when the buildings went up in flames on May 16 after the population of mainly ethnic Rakhine Bud-dhists fled more than a year ago, Human Rights Watch said, citing satellite images and witnesses.

Myanmar’s military has been locked in an increasingly brutal war against the Arakan Army (AA), insurgents fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, since January last year that has killed scores of people and forced 150,000 to flee their homes.

Both the military and the AA deny responsibility for the destruction in Let Kar in Mrauk U township, accusing the other of committing what HRW warns could constitute a war crime.

“The burning of Let Kar village has all the hallmarks of Myanmar military arson on Rohingya villages in recent years,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Arakan Army.

“A credible and impartial investigation is urgently needed to find out what happened, punish those responsible, and provide compensation to vil-lagers harmed.”

Rakhine is the state where a 2017 military crackdown forced about 750,000

Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh in violence that has led to Myanmar facing genocide charges at the UN’s top court.

Robertson added that the government should request UN assistance in the probe and not leave it to the military.

The Human Rights Watch analysis of the satellite images “most likely” underestimates the scale of the destruction because internal damage to buildings is not visible, the group said.

There have been no reports of any deaths.

Kyaw Zaw Hla, 46, who has been living in a camp near the village with his family since fleeing, confirmed his home was among those razed.

“We’ve lost everything,” he said by phone.

“We aren’t able to make a living and we have no access to healthcare.” Photos released by the armed forces show “Arakan Army insur-gents running away after setting fire to the village”, military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said on Friday, allega-tions rebuffed by the Arakan Army.

The conflict-ridden area is under an Internet shutdown and off-limits to journalists, making independent reporting difficult.

UN rights expert Yanghee Lee last month warned Myan-mar’s military should be investigated for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Lee accused the armed forces of disappearing, tor-turing and killing dozens of Arakan Army suspects — allegations the military denied.

Virus traps poor foreign workers in MaldivesAFP — MALÉ

Tens of thousands of impover-ished foreign labourers have been left stranded and ostra-cised in one of the world’s most densely packed cities as the tourist paradise of the Maldives battles coronavirus.

The turquoise waters and pristine beaches that draw hon-eymoon couples from around the world have been empty for weeks since a government order to close all resorts. That has left an army of migrant workers jobless.

Like Singapore, which recorded a large number of coronavirus cases among migrants living in tightly-packed dorms, the Maldives is heavily dependent on foreign labour.

About half of the 150,000 people in the two square

kilometres that make up the capital, Male, are workers from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka living in teeming alleys that are a haven for the virus.

“There is huge uncertainty and panic,” said Zakir Hossain, 39, who had worked in a Male res-taurant until March’s shutdown.

He said he has not been paid for more than two months.

“We are worried about the disease. All the Bangladeshi workers live in congested con-ditions,” he said.

Like many migrants — who share rooms and even beds between shifts — Hossain lives in a single room on a backstreet with four other Bangladeshis. Outside, security forces stop the labourers going out on the streets.

Authorities acknowledge conditions in Male for foreign workers are poor, and say they

are moving thousands into better housing out of the capital.

But opposition politicians have criticised the plans, labelling the treatment of such workers as “inhuman”.

The Maldives has recorded nearly 1,400 coronavirus infec-tions among a population of 340,000, a much higher ratio than neighbouring Sri Lanka with 22 million people.

Some experts have warned the Maldives risks thousands more cases unless action is taken. Authorities say the infection spreads three times faster in migrant communities than in the local population.

Fears are growing for the health and welfare of these foreign workers, who are often brought in to clear refuse, clean dishes and do other essential jobs that locals reject.

Separate states witnessing millions of migrant labourers returning from the big cities were recording rising infections, officials said, fearing that the pandemic could spread through villages.

07WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 ASIA

Both Koreas violated armistice in gunfire exchange: UNAP — SEOUL

A UN investigation into a recent exchange of gunfire between the two Koreas has determined that both countries violated the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, the Amer-ican-led UN Command said yesterday.

The May 3 gunfire exchange was the first shooting inside the Korean Demilitarized Zone in about 2½ years. There were no known casualties on either side.

The DMZ, which was

established as a buffer at the end of the Korean War, is a de facto border separating North

and South Korea. It is officially jointly overseen by North Korea and the UN Command.

The UN Command said in a statement that a multinational special investigation team led the probe with the full cooper-ation of the South Korean mil-itary. It said it invited North Korea to provide information on the incident but the country hasn’t offered a formal response.

The investigation ruled that North Korea breached the armistice by firing four rounds

and South Korea by returning fire, according to the statement. It said the investigation was unable to determine if the North Korean rounds were fired intentionally or by mistake.

South Korea’s Defense Min-istry expressed regret that the UN Command reached the con-clusion without investigating North Korea, which the South says fired first.

In a statement, the ministry said South Korean troops were reacting in accordance with a

response manual and that the South’s military is committed to government goals of pro-moting peace and easing ten-sions along the border.

South Korean officials earlier said that they fired warning shots toward North Korea after four bullets fired by the North hit one of its front-line guard posts.

The UN Command said the terms of the armistice agreement are in place to min-imize the risk of incidents such as gunfire exchanges.

Unlike its name, the DMZ is the world’s most heavily for-tified border, guarded by mines, barbed wire fences and combat troops on both sides. Gunfire exchanges inside the DMZ are not unusual, but no deadly clashes have occurred in recent years. About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea.

The recent incident came amid a deadlock in negotiations between North Korean and US officials on the North’s nuclear weapons programme.

Duterte: No school until vaccine availableAFP — MANILA

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not allow students to go back to school until a coronavirus vaccine is available, even as some coun-tries resume in-person classes.

Children were due to return to school at the end of August after classes for more than 25 million primary and secondary students were shut down in March as the contagion took off in the Philippines.

But in a speech aired late Monday, Duterte said the risk was too great, even if it held students back academically.

“Unless I am sure that they

are really safe it’s useless to be talking about opening of classes,” the president said.

“For me, vaccine first. If the vaccine is already there, then it’s okay,” he added. “If no one graduates, then so be it.”

Though researchers have launched an unprecedented global effort to quickly develop a vaccine, it is not clear when a viable candidate will be proven and distributed on a large scale.

Public school normally runs from June to April in the Phil-ippines, but authorities pushed back the start as cases rose and a strict lockdown brought most of the nation to a halt.

In order to ease classroom

crowding, the education min-istry had already announced a mix of distance-learning measures, including online classes, would be used for the coming school year.

Millions live in deep poverty in the Philippines and do not have access to computers at home, which would be key for the viability of online classes.

The pandemic has kept children around the globe home for months, but in-person classes have begun to resume in countries including South Korea and France. The Philip-pines’ coronavirus case count reached more than 14,300 on Monday, including 873 deaths.

Police trainees maintain social distancing in a train during a simulation exercise in preparation for the resumption of train operations, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Manila, yesterday.

South Korea’s Defence Ministry expressed regret that the UN Command reached the conclusion without investigating North Korea, which the South says fired first.

Cafe in S Korea hires robot barista to help with social distancingREUTERS — DAEJEON

The new robot barista at a cafe in Daejeon, South Korea, is courteous and swift as it seamlessly makes its way towards customers.

“Here is your Rooibos almonds tea latte, please enjoy. It’s even better if you stir it,” it says, as a customer reaches for her drink on a tray installed within the large, gleaming white, capsule-shaped robot.

After managing to contain an out-break of the new coronavirus that infected more than 11,000 and killed 269, South Korea is slowly transitioning from intensive social distancing rules towards what the government calls “dis-tancing in daily life”.

Robots could help people observe social distancing in public, said Lee Dong-bae, director of research at Vision Semicon, the smart factory solution pro-

vider that developed the robot barista.“Our system needs no input from

people from order to delivery, and tables are sparsely arranged to ensure smooth movements of the robots, which fits well with the current distancing campaign,” he said.

The system, which uses a coffee-making robotic arm and a serving robot, can make 60 different types of coffee and serves the drinks to customers at their seats. It can also communicate and transmit data to other devices and con-tains self-driving technology to calculate the best routes around the cafe.

An order of six drinks, processed through a kiosk, took just seven minutes. The only human employee at the two-storey cafe was a patissier who also has cleaning duties and refills ingredients.

The manufacturer aims to supply at least 30 cafes with robots this year. It is also working with a state-run science

institute on an upgrade that would add big data and artificial intelligence tech-nology to make custom drinks.

“Robots are fun and it was easy because you don’t have to pick up your

order,” said student Lee Chae-mi, 23. “But I’m also a bit of worried about

the job market as many of my friends are doing part-time jobs at cafes and these robots would replace humans.”

Customers wait at a cafe where a robot that takes orders, makes coffee and brings the drinks straight to customers is being used in Daejeon, South Korea.

Hong Kong leader defends security law with protests loomingBLOOMBERG — HONG KONG

Hong Kong’s leader defended China’s moves to impose sweeping national security laws in the territory amid renewed protests and growing interna-tional concern over what it would mean for the city’s future autonomy.

Local residents support the planned legislation, Chief Exec-utive Carrie Lam asserted in a weekly briefing yesterday, while rejecting criticism from foreign governments. She said it was untrue that the new security law would ban street protests or calls for her dis-missal, and pledged that Hong Kong’s freedoms would be preserved.

“We are a very free society,

so for the time being, people have the freedom to say whatever they want to say,” she told reporters. “Hong Kong’s vibrancy and core values in terms of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the various rights and freedoms enjoyed by people will continue to be there.”

Lam’s remarks come days after Beijing announced it would try and bypass Hong Kong’s legislature and implement controversial new national security legislation banning subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign inter-ference in the former British colony. Key details about the bill remain unclear.

The move already prompted one of the largest protests in

recent months, with riot police firing tear gas at demonstrators in a central shopping area Sunday in scenes reminiscent of last year’s unrest. Pro-democracy groups are planning another major rally and general strike against both the new measure and a planned Legis-lative Council hearing on a sep-arate bill that would criminalise disrespect toward China’s national anthem.

Chen Daoxiang, com-mander of the People’s Liber-ation Army garrison in Hong Kong, said yesterday that the army “firmly” upheld the NPC’s plan.

The decision “shows our firm determination in safe-guarding the country’s sover-eignty and territorial integrity,”

Chen said in an interview with China’s official military news site. “The garrison will firmly implement China’s decisions and plans, comprehensively implement the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and dis-charge defense duties in accordance to the law.”

China’s move has rattled markets, led multiple govern-ments to put out statements of concern and prompted top US officials — who have seen ten-sions with China increasingly worsen in recent months amid the coronavirus pandemic — to openly mull retaliatory action.

Chinese officials say Hong Kong’s violent protests over the last year made the new legis-lation necessary. But human

rights groups, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the city’s bar associ-ation say the new security measures are vague, legally questionable and could endanger its reputation as a global financial hub.

Pro-democracy politicians have called the law an unprec-edented assault on the city’s unique freedoms under the “one country, two systems” principle by which China promised to govern Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Lam rejected that assertion yesterday, saying that the city has always triumphed despite previous rounds of international concern about its prospects since the handover.

Airbus experts probe Pakistan plane crashAP — KARACHI

Pakistan announced yesterday that Airbus experts have opened a probe into last week’s plane crash that killed 97 people when an Airbus A320 went down in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in the port city of Karachi.

Initial reports have said the Pakistan International Airlines jet crashed after an apparent engine failure. Pakistani avi-ation authorities said yes-terday they have shared their initial findings with the visiting 11-member team from the European plane maker.

The Airbus experts and engineers are also to visit the crash site, according to Abdul Hafeez, a spokesman for PIA. “We are providing all possible assistance to the technical experts of Airbus,” he said.

Only two people on board survived the crash, including Zafar Masood, a bank executive.

Flight PK-8303 took off from the eastern city of Lahore and crashed on Friday while trying to land at the Karachi airport, Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Abdul Sattar Kokhar said.

On the ground, 18 homes were damaged but no one was killed, mainly because the local residents were gathered at nearby mosques at the time, officials had said. Eight people on the ground were injured.

So far, Pakistan has handed over 41 bodies to their families, Hafeez said, adding that DNA tests were underway to identify the remains of the other victims.

The plane made failed attempts to land at the Karachi airport before the crash. Authorities found the plane’s black box and have been guarding the crash site to facil-itate the probe. The plane last received a government check last November. PIA’s chief engineer signed a separate certificate on April 28, con-firming all maintenance had been conducted. Airbus has said the two-engine plane had logged 47,100 flight hours and 25,860 flights as of last Friday.

The crash took place days after Pakistan resumed domestic flights ahead of Eid Al Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

ANATOLIA — ANKARA

Chinese authorities in Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus first emerged, have tested more than half of the city’s population for COVID-19 in the last 10 days, local media reported.

Citing health authorities, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported that over 6.5 million tests were conducted to screen for coronavirus infections in the city, with a population of around 11 million.

The tests were conducted between May 14 and 23.The novel coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries and

regions. The US, Russia, Brazil and several European countries are currently the hardest hit.

The pandemic has killed nearly 345,000 people worldwide, with more than 5.46 million confirmed cases and recoveries exceeding 2.19 million, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins Uni-versity of the US.

China conducts over 6.5 million COVID-19 tests in Wuhan

Afghan government to free 900 more prisoners; Taliban may extend truceAP — KABUL

The Afghan government announced that it would free 900 prisoners, its single largest prisoner release since the US and the Taliban signed a peace deal earlier this year that spells out an exchange of detainees between the warring sides.

The announcement came as a three-day ceasefire with the insurgents draws to an end. The Taliban had called for the truce during the Muslim holiday of Eid Al Fitr that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

There are expectations that the prisoner release could lead to new reductions in violence, and Taliban officials say they are considering an extension of the ceasefire.

A senior Taliban figure con-firmed this to AP.

“If these developments, like the announcement of prisoner release continues, it is possible to move forward with decisions like extending the brief ceasefire and to move in a pos-itive direction with some minor issues,” the Taliban official said.

The prisoners were being released from Bagram prison, where the US still maintains a major military base, north of Kabul, as well as from the infamous Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the eastern edge of Kabul.

By late afternoon, the AP witnessed scores of men pouring out of the Bagram com-pound — presumably the released prisoners. It was not immediately possible to verify their numbers or whether they were all Taliban members.

The prisoner release is part of the US deal with the Taliban,

signed on February 29 to allow for the eventual withdrawal of US and Nato troops from Afghanistan, bringing to an end the country’s protracted war and America’s longest military involvement.

When the deal was signed, it was touted as Afghanistan’s best chance for peace after decades of war but political feuding in Kabul and delays in prisoner exchanges have slowed the deal’s progress toward intra-Afghan negotia-tions, considered the second and most critical phase of the accord.

Under the deal, Kabul is to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners while the insurgents are to free 1,000 captives they hold, mostly government officials and Afghan forces, before intra-Afghan negotiations can begin.

One such novel candidate, based on RNA and made by Moderna, showed promising results in early human trials, though critics warned the evidence is preliminary.

08 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020VIEWS

CHAIRMANDR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

editorinchief@pen.com.qa

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED OSMAN ALI osman@pen.com.qa

EDITORIAL

EID AL FITR, which comes as the culmination of a month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting and self purification, is an occasion for celebration for everybody without any discrimination. Islam is an inclusive religion, which encompasses everybody and ensures the welfare and salvation of everyone, whether rich or poor, literate or illiterate, foreigners or citizens. It always prioritises a wholesome progress of the mind and body alike.

If everybody in a country cannot celebrate Eid then the celebration will not be complete. The spirit of collecting and distributing Zakal Al Fitr is primarily aimed at ensuring equality among Muslims all over the world. Zakat becomes instrumental in celebrating Eid in its true spirit for the less privileged people helping them in getting them gifts for children, enough food for celebration and new dress. Zakat Al Fitr makes sure that wealth is distributed equally instead of concentrating it in the hands of a few people.

This time, during the Eid celebrations Qatar went an extra mile in involving everybody in the festivities. As part of the ‘Let’s Celebrate Eid Together’ initiative 50,000 food kits were distributed to community members, which is a true manifes-tation of the spirit of Eid Al Fitr and the government’s keenness to ensure the welfare of its expatriate communities, espe-cially during this unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 pan-demic. It helped the communities celebrate the festival at home conveying the message of staying together.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, Qatar Charity and Ooredoo joined hands to make the initiative a resounding success, which resulted in strengthening the bond between Qatar and members of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philip-pines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Gambia Nigeria, Tunisia, Ghana and Kenya. The kits were delivered to community organi-sations to be distributed among the needy.

The kits included 50,000 Eid greeting cards, 4,500 toys for children, 2,279 gifts and 20,000 recharge cards from Ooredoo for workers. The Ministries made use of the occasion to raise awareness to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the kits included awareness brochures in 11 languages and some 25,000 Stay at Home stickers.

For Qatar, its expatriate communities, especially the guest workers, have been a priority in every activity. Every year during the Eid celebrations the country used to have special entertainment programmes for the communities, but this year because of the pandemic restrictions, there were no public celebration, but the festival spirit was very much alive. Following the directives from the authorities people stayed at home, avoiding gatherings and visits during the celebrations. Despite the lack of public festiv-ities, the government ensured that the true spirit of Eid Al Fitr, that is love and concern for fellow beings and sharing of resources, were continued uninterrupted.

A unique Eid celebration

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Quote of the day

Many developing countries, including middle-

income nations, lacked sufficient funds to fight

the pandemic and invest in recovery. Work is

going on. But it is not urgent enough.

Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General

An employee works at the Stabilitech laboratory in Burgess Hill, South East England, where scientists are trying to develop an oral vaccine for the COVID-19 illness.

The way the COVID-19 crisis ends is with vaccines - not a vaccine. More than one horse can win this race. Some of us might end up getting a shot of a more traditional vaccine, which uses parts of an inacti-vated virus to stimulate immunity. Others might get vaccines based on emerging technologies that use synthetic versions of the virus’s genetic code.

One such novel candidate, based on RNA and made by Moderna, showed promising results in early human trials, though critics warned the evi-dence is preliminary. Mean-while, a different prototype based on DNA made head-lines for an experiment that showed it worked in monkeys.

In the end, some vaccines might be extremely effective but harder to scale; others the opposite. Even a less-effective vaccine might work well enough to provide herd immunity in a wider popu-lation. Other vaccines might be more appropriate for health care workers, who have to risk exposure on the job, and need protection as soon as possible.

Scientists have created more than 70 vaccine candi-dates so far. “If we end up with two, three, or four vac-cines, that’s good, since we have seven billion people,” says Harvard vaccine researcher Dan Barouch, who led the development of one of the vaccines featured in recent news. His group began working on a vaccine in January, after the virus started spreading in China.

There are good reasons for him and other scientists to be optimistic. “For COVID-19, it’s clear most humans who get infected recover … that alone shows the human immune system can eliminate the virus,” he says. That makes it a much easier target than HIV, which he calls unprecedented in the history of vaccinology for its ability to evade the immune system. And the SARS-Cov2 virus doesn’t have the fast mutation rate that makes flu viruses a moving target.

Art Krieg, a physician and founder of Checkmate Phar-maceuticals, says he’s very optimistic that because the human immune system can successfully battle the virus, so will one or more of the many experimental vaccines.

All vaccines have to provide a danger signal to “prime” the immune system

into acting against an invader. In 1995, Krieg reported the discovery one of these danger signals - called CpG DNA - which has been used in several vaccines, including one for hepatitis B, and is in some of the experimental candidates against the virus that causes COVID-19. Next, the vaccine has to mimic the invader in order to get the immune system to create spe-cific antibodies that target the intended enemy. Vaccine designers using genetic material (DNA or RNA) have to stimulate the immune system enough to generate those antibodies, but not so much that the immune system destroys the vaccine before it can complete its mission.

The biggest driver of recent headlines (and stock market drama) was a vaccine produced by the Massachu-setts-based company Moderna, which is based on synthetic genetic material identical to parts of the code carried by the coronavirus. The genetic material is RNA - the single-stranded cousin of DNA. (Other RNA vaccines are being studied by BionTech, Translate Bio, and Curevac.) The RNA tricks human cells into making pro-teins identical to the “spike” proteins the virus uses to pen-etrate human cells. And that, in turn, stimulates the immune system to make anti-bodies that will be ready to block that protein if the real coronavirus invades.

The excitement about Moderna’s vaccine followed the release of data from a trial that involved 45 volunteers, though the company only described results for eight of them. Of the eight, all

produced antibodies with the desired “neutralizing” property needed to attack the virus in the future. What hap-pened to the other 37 people? Since this vaccine requires two doses, they probably just didn’t have that data yet, says Krieg.

A similar concept is behind DNA vaccines. The one developed by Harvard’s Barouch made the news for a successful experiment in monkeys. Other DNA vaccines are already in early human trials, including candidates developed by Oxford Uni-versity, Johnson & Johnson and the Chinese company CanSino Biologics.

These DNA vaccines use synthetic strings of code for making the spike protein carried by the virus. In some of these, the synthetic DNA is injected alone, while in others, it rides into human cells inside a deactivated cold virus (called an adenovirus). The human cells transcribe the DNA to RNA, and then into the decoy spike protein used to create immunity to the real thing. While the prototype developed by Barouch’s group at Harvard can be given in two shots, the Oxford DNA vaccine and several others that use cold viruses confer immunity with just one shot, says Krieg.

DNA and RNA aren’t our only options. Yet another vaccine concept, made by Dynavax, uses the spike protein itself and stimulates the immune system using a synthetic DNA danger signal - the CpG DNA. These protein-based vaccines would have to be produced in bulk in fer-mentation vats, which Krieg says is something the biotech industry is equipped to do.

GARY COHN THE WASHINGTON POST

In the first response phase to COVID-19, the objective was clear: provide relief to those hit hardest by social distancing and minimize the impact on the overall economy. To do this, we expanded unemployment benefits to incentivize as many people as possible to stay home; we created programs to help otherwise healthy businesses tempo-rarily close; and we sought to give small businesses forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to hire back their employees while they remained at home.

But the policies that support a rapid response can be quite different from those that support a sustainable recovery. In fact, sometimes

they are in conflict with one another. We must determine what we are trying to achieve. This is complicated by the fact that Washington is returning to its typical state of gridlock. There’s no time for this. Par-tisan politics should be set aside to focus on pragmatic solutions to support recovery.

First, all states have suf-fered during the past months. They have carried the costs of funding unemployment and medical claims while pro-viding overtime to the first responders we have all relied upon. States cannot print their own money to cover these costs. The federal government called on states to act, and it should be accountable for providing relief. Similarly, our hospitals answered the gov-ernment’s call to combat the pandemic, stopping much of their non-emergency medical services. This has had an

extraordinary financial impact, particularly on smaller rural institutions, which require immediate help.

Second, while enhanced unemployment benefits were the right answer when the objective was exclusively eco-nomic relief, they create a disincentive to any effort aimed at getting people back to work. We will need to return to the traditional defi-nition of unemployment in which recipients are incen-tivized to actively look for a job and cannot receive ben-efits if offered one. Repub-lican and Democratic gov-ernors have acknowledged this challenge.

Instead, we should provide enhanced incentives to bring people back to work. The PPP is a critical program to help us get from response to recovery, and it should be revised based

on learnings from its initial application. The Treasury Department has helpfully clar-ified that if small-business employees turn down an offer of reemployment via PPP, the employer must notify the state that they are now ineligible for unemployment benefits, but this may be hard to enforce.

Third, employer liability must be resolved for any eco-nomic recovery phase to begin. Businesses of all sizes need to know that if they take responsible steps to protect employees and customers, they have a safe harbor in which to operate. This is especially critical to small businesses selling nones-sential goods that have been forced to close while the big-box and online retailers with which they compete have been allowed to remain open and sell competing goods.

The more COVID-19 vaccines, the merrier

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The most challenging test has yet to come: Sustaining a recovery

Established in 1996

FAYE FLAM BLOOMBERG

09WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 OPINION

Sectors like construction, manufacturing and some retail have been allowed to gradually reopen by the government of President Ivan Duque, with limits on the numbers of employees.

Chemical action of MyrrhCurrent research has demon-

strated that the primary chemical action of myrrh includes anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anal-gesic activities.

Anti-inflammatory action Myrrh has active compounds that

are known to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This has been attributed to the essential steroid, guggulsterone (GS). The GS found in myrrh acts on acute pancreatitis by inhibiting the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular-regulated protein kinase. In addition, administration of myrrh resin, known as the Commiphora erythraea acts by restoring ROS control and viability of microglia BV-2 cells and reducing the pro-duction of nitric oxide and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6, interleukin-23, inter-leukin-17, tumor necrosis factor-B and interferon gamma, which are induced by lipopolysaccharides. Similarly, the use of myrrh resin facilitates the reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta in the brain and liver. The 4-furanodien-6-one found in myrrh also acts by inhibiting a protein complex known as NF-B that is involved in controlling tran-scription in DNA. This action, thus, leads to attenuation of neuro-inflammation, therefore providing anti-inflammatory activity. Addi-tionally, myrrh resin has been found to induce antibacterial activity by acting on specific pathways.

Researchers asserted that myrrh resin acts by inducing haem oxy-genase activity, which stops the deg-radation of IKB alpha as a response to the activation of inflammatory receptors. Such activation plays a crucial role in preventing the trans-location of nuclear factor kappaB.

It causes inhibition of gene expression under enzyme activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase that inhibits p38 and c-jun N-terminal kinase. In addition to anti-inflammatory effects on nuclear factor kappaB system, myrrh also has significant effects in inhibiting activator of transcription-1 and acti-vator of transcription- 3 (STAT-1 and STAT-3), as well as a signal trans-ducer, which leads to a reduction in

the production of cytokines through janus kinase/STAT pathway. It also decreases the down- regulation of suppressor of cytokine synthesis in response to the low production of interferon-gamma and interleukin-beta. This action acts as the auto-regulator of the JAK/STAT pathway through transcriptional control of the activator of transcriptions, which also inhibits pathway activation.

Anticancer actionThe pharmacological studies

have demonstrated the chemical action of myrrh in inducing anti-cancer activity. The essential com-pound in myrrh that exerts anti-cancer effects is elemene, which has been proven to be safe and effective for cancers, including glioblastoma. Elemene, mainly the beta-elemene, has been found to exert the anti-pro-liferation effect by activating thep38MAPK in glioblastoma. Also, myrrh has the compound known as the furose-type sesquiterpene rel-1S, 2S-epoxy-4R-furanogermacr-10-3n-6-one, which contains a week cytotoxic activity against the cell line MCF-7 of breast cancer. Such a com-pound, together with bisabolene compound in myrrh acts effectively by reducing the growth of breast tumors, which indicates that myrrh can be used in pharmacology as a novel anti-breast cancer drug. On the other hand, the cyclobolinane triterpenoids found in myrrh acts by exerting moderate cytotoxic activity against the PC3 and DU145 of prostate cancer cell lines.

Triterpenoids and guggulsterone in myrrh act chemically on cyclin in tumor cells. The steroids act by inhibiting cyclin regulation, which, in turn, affects the growth and multipli-cation of tumor cells. They induce cell death or apoptosis through the down-regulation of the anti-apop-totic gene product. It inhibits the proliferation of cells and induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells, which, in turn, activates the intrinsic mito-chondrion pathway. Besides, myrrh extracts act by interacting with the Bcl family of proteins, which facili-tates the pro-apoptotic activity. Due to such interaction, myrrh induces pro-apoptotic protein expression while reducing the expression of Bcl proteins, mainly the Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins. When taken at low doses, myrrh works by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway of cancer cells and such action promotes the phosphor-ylation of N-terminal kinase and P38, which have a crucial role in both adaptive and innate immune systems.

Analgestic action The myrrh has proven to be useful

analgesics in ancient times due to sig-nificant compounds that act effec-tively as pain relievers. The sesquiter-penes furanocudesma-1, 3-diene, and curzerene found in myrrh are essential compounds that act on the opioid receptors in the central nervous system by exerting analgesic activity. In addition, the sesquiter-penes furanocudesma-1, 3-diene in myrrh, especially those extracted from Commiphora mukul has signif-icant effects in relieving abdominal pain and alleviating health hyperal-gesia. As a consequence, such extracts act by alleviating the pain in peripheral nerves from chronic com-pressive injuries that affect the sciatic nerves. Also, the extracts can be used as the alternative medication to treat nerve pains. Additionally, the current study showed that compounds, such as lindestrene and sesquiterpenes furanocudesma-1, 3-diene found in myrrh have chemical action by acting on nerves and body joints to relieve pain. The compound acts by sup-pressing the production of prostag-landins and block the inward sodium currents, hence alleviating feelings of pain. The high content of furanodiene compounds works by alleviating low pain and fever-dependent pain.

Effect of Myrrh on virus and bacteria

The impacts of myrrh on viruses and bacteria are well documented in previously conducted studies. The existing empirical evidence shows that myrrh extracts have viral effects in which the extracts from such plants have antibacterial and anti-viral activity against different strains of viruses. A study investigated the anti-bactericidal, antifungal, and antiviral activity of essential oils from myrrh extracts supported the efficacy of the extracts in reducing the growth of different strains of bacteria and virus. The study found that essential oils in myrrh provide antiviral activity against influenza virus type A (H1N1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The study found that myrrh acts by

directly causing inactivation of free viral particles and interfere with the virion envelope structures, which are crucial for the virus to enter the host cells. Also, the extracts act by inhib-iting DNA polymerase in viral strains; therefore, preventing viral resistance to specificmedications. As such, myrrh can be used as antiviral medication in which new drugs can be developedwith the use of the extracts and ensure that they target DNA polymerase.

In terms of antibacterial effects of myrrh, a study showed that the essential oils in myrrh have antibac-terial activity against different strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomona aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It demon-strated that the Oleo gum resin from C. Myrrh or molmol and essential oil cream from myrrh play a crucial role in reducing the resistance of bacteria. The study disclosed that the extracts have bactericidal activity and mollus-cicidal activity, which helps the bac-terial from developing resistance to specific drugs. The extracts prevent multidrug resistance of bacteria; hence they are essential agents to use in multidrug pharmaceutical prepa-ration of drugs. Previously conducted studies showed similar information about the efficacy of myrrh resin in terms of antibacterial activity. The studies showed that terpenoids found in myrrhextracts have antimicrobial, molluscicidal activity, anti-hypergly-cemic, and cytotoxic activities, which make them essential therapeutic agents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Further, the study revealed that due to biological and bactericidal activities of myrrh, the extracts or resin from Commiphora myrrh could be used as broad-spectrum drugs against multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomona aeruginosa, and Kleb-siella pneumoniae.

Use of myrrh for for respiratory inections

Commiphora myrrh or myrrh has also been found to have clinical effects on chest infection and sore throat, mainly acting by suppressing the inflammation.

The review found that C. myrrh extracts and essential oils are used to develop expectorants, which are the essential medication for respiratory diseases, such as chest infections and associated ailments. Similarly, a study supported the effects of aromatic gum resin in myrrh on chest infections. The resin acts by exerting anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity against bacterial or fungal infection, causing chest ailments. It is also shared that resin or extracts in C. myrrh have anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, supporting the use of myrrh as an essential traditional or herbal remedy for different chest infections.

The existing body of evidence demonstrates that the volatile com-pounds, which include essential oils that are rich in furanosesquiterpe-noids have antiseptic and antifungal properties, which are essential in treating mild inflammation that can lead to sore throat and related ail-ments in the pharyngeal and oral mucosa. Also, myrrh has antiseptic properties that help in treating sore throat. Studies explained that myrrh is used together with peppermint and menthol to treat sore throat. The authors shared that the myrrh gum can be used as a mouthwash, and since it has expectorant activities, it can act by reducing inflammation in the throat, hence preventing sore throat and related infections. It is evident that combining the myrrh extracts with peppermint oil and menthol, which, when administered

as a mouthwash, it promotes mucosal circulation in the bronchial tract and throat. Thus, in swollen tissues that occur due to sore throat, the extracts exert anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, which help to treat sore throat, and in turn, prevent the onset of tonsillitis because it helps in trig-gering regeneration of healthy tissues and cells.

Effect of Myrrh on nasal congestion

Administration of myrrh or extracts from Commiphora myrrh helps in reducing nasal congestion in common cold and flu infections. Myrrh resin can be used as an immu-nostimulant during cold and flu season where it acts by strength-ening the immune system and acts as an expectorant to treat nasal con-gestion. Few drops on myrrh oil can be added to hot water and inhaled in the form of steam have been used traditionally. The analgesic effects of myrrh also help to reduce headache associated with nasal congestion.

Effect of Myrrh in the oral cavity It is found that myrrh suspension

in low quantities is effective and pro-duces clinical benefits as a mouthwash, especially when treating intra-oral mucosal wounds [40].

Additionally, a pilot clinical study that examined the effects of using C. myrrh as mouthwash supported the anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory activities. The study was a rand-omized controlled trial that was con-ducted among healthy subjects in which gingivitis was allowed to develop, and the participants were assigned C. myrrh mouthwash. The trial revealed that the use of C. myrrh extracts as the mouthwash has sig-nificant effects in treating gums by reducing gingival inflammation.

In comparison to other mouthwash agents, such as Miswak, it has been found the myrrh extracts are more effective in terms of anti-inflammatory and anti-plaque activity to prevent gingivitis. This is evident in a study comparative clinical trial which compared the efficacy of using Miswak and myrrh mouthwashes against chlorhexidine in reducing chronic gingivitis. The study revealed that myrrh is more effective in reducing gingivitis inflammation compared with Miswak and chlorhexidine, in which the subjects who participated in the study showed clinical improvement with myrrh mouthwash.

Can Mryrrh combat COVID-19?Myrrh or C. myrrh is one of the

medicinal plants believed to have therapeutic effects in various dis-eases. It is believed that C.myrrh has medicinal properties, such as immu-nomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, and analgesic activities. As a consequence, myrrh can be used to treat different types of diseases because of their therapeutic activ-ities. Besides, myrrh antiviral activ-ities that helps in preventing dif-ferent types of diseases. As such, there is a possibility that myrrh or C. myrrh could be effective in treating the current cases of COVID-19.

It noticed in the State of Qatar, sales of herbs and Myrrh has escalade since the surgency of COVID-19 cases , and the price of Myrrh has soared equivalently. Whether this trend can attribute to the traditional beliefs in indigenous remedies or the existent preventive or therapeutic effects of Myrrh needs to be investigated. Studying the effectiveness of Myrrh mouthwashes to combat COVID-19 can emerge as a promising avenue in the field of research.

Can Myrrh combat COVID-19?

NELSON BOCANEGRA REUTERS

Colombian seamstress Nazly Penagos got an unusual offer from her boss: Come live inside the Bogota factory to reduce the chance of getting sick with the novel coronavirus.

The owner of the Hechizoo factory, which normally employs 70 to produce high-end upholstery, has installed bathrooms, a kitchen and beds to house eight of the 17 employees who have returned to work, as Colombia grad-ually reopens its economy after two months of quarantine.

“It’s been good, because I don’t go out onto the street,” said Penagos, who only goes home on weekends. “I have a

small daughter and I wouldn’t like to be coming and going and - you never know - take the infection home.”

While installing living quarters is a rare measure, thousands of Colombian

factories and businesses are restarting operations. They are grappling with government delays in granting permission to reopen and worries about how to sell products to still-quarantined consumers in Latin America’s fourth-largest economy.

Sectors like construction, manufacturing and some retail have been allowed to grad-ually reopen by the gov-ernment of President Ivan Duque, with limits on the numbers of employees.

The country’s lockdown - extended four times and set to last until May 31 - has also forced reinventions like the one at Hechizoo.

The factory’s managers are hopeful the addition of living quarters will keep the business

afloat and avoid employee infections. The company is getting about 15% of its regular orders.

“We decided to stay here permanently until we know what will happen,” said cre-ative director Jorge Lizarazo, who is also living at the factory and complained of unclear government instructions. “The uncertainty worries me...uncertainty is fatal for any business.”

Colombia’s gradual reo-pening is similar to those taking place in Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Chile. South America is coronavirus’ new epicenter, with Brazil the hardest hit.

Europe, walloped by cases in recent months, has also begun reopening.

“Thank God the company called us in to work,” said con-struction manager Luis Alfonso Carranza at the site of a new apartment-office building in Bogota. “It affected us a lot. Our company didn’t pay us so economically it was really hard.”

Carranza said he had not been paid for nearly two months and that his wife had also lost her job.

Businesses said gov-ernment authorizations to restart work have come slowly amid contradictory official announcements and their fears customers will purchase little while they remain largely stuck at home and restricted to buying basics.

Another group of busi-nesses - including beauty

salons - can reopen from June 1 only with reduced capacity and masks.

“It doesn’t mean in any way that these sectors can operate from June 1, no, it’s not like that, they have to comply with and validate the bio-safety protocols,” Commerce Minister Jose Manuel Restrepo said last week. Frustrated manufacturers say their funds will soon run out.

“The mayor’s office gave us thumbs up to open the factory, with just 20 of the 60 people, but why should we make things if there’s no one to sell them to?” said Elsa Zarate, manager of clothing factory Francotex. “At this pace we can’t keep the employees. We only have funds through May 30.”

Colombian factory adds bedrooms for workers as economy slowly reopens

The myrrh has proven to be useful analgesics in ancient times due to significant compounds that act effectively as pain relievers.

NAJAT ABDRABBO ALYAFEI

Head of Oral Public Health Operations, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Published: IBEROAMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

A tree of Myrrh

10 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020EUROPE

UK minister quits over Cummings’ lockdown tripAFP — LONDON

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government was hit by its first resignation yesterday over the controversy surrounding his top aide Dominic Cummings’ cross-country trip during the corona-virus lockdown.

Undermining attempts by ministers to move on from a crisis that has dominated British politics for days, Douglas Ross, a minister for Scotland, quit in protest. “I have constituents who didn’t get to say goodbye to loved ones; families who could not mourn together; people who didn’t visit sick relatives because they followed the guidance of the government,” he said in a statement.

“I cannot in good faith tell them they were all wrong and one senior advisor to the gov-ernment was right.” The gov-ernment said it regretted his decision.

The resignation will pile more pressure on Cummings, who held a press conference on Monday to justify driving his wife and young son on a 425 km trip from London to Durham in the northeast of England during

the height of the coronavirus crisis. Cummings said he had virus symptoms around the time of the trip and his wife was also suffering from COVID-19.

The Brexit campaign mas-termind explained he wanted to drop off his four-year-old son at his parent’s house in case both he and his wife became incapacitated.

But many in Britain remain unconvinced.

A YouGov poll taken after Cummings’ press conference found that 59 percent of respondents thought he should resign, up from 52 percent.

More than two-thirds — 71

percent — thought he had broken the government’s lockdown rules.

Hours after Ross resigned, Jackson Carlaw, the leader of Johnson’s Conservatives in Scotland, said the British prime minister’s most trusted adviser should think about quitting.

“Given the furore, given the distraction this is... if I were Mr Cummings I would be consid-ering my position,” he told STV News.

Meanwhile, a host of smaller opposition parties wrote to

Johnson to call for Cummings to be fired. “There cannot be one rule for those involved in formu-lating public health advice and another for the rest of us,” the Scottish National Party, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and others said in the letter.

The main opposition Labour party has stopped short of backing that call but demanded an internal government inquiry.

Dozens of Conservative law-makers have also called on Cummings to quit. Mark Pawsey said he had acted “against the

spirit of the lockdown” while William Wragg tweeted that the government was throwing away “political goodwill” over the scandal. But Cabinet heavy-weight Michael Gove defended Cummings, arguing the contro-versial aide had not broken the law. Gove said Cummings had acted reasonably in driving from London to Durham and then taking a separate journey to a local beauty spot, Barnard Castle, to — as Cummings claimed — test his eyesight.

“What’s clear is that he didn’t break the law, he didn’t break the rules, he sought to protect his family,” Gove told the BBC yesterday.

The prime minister called Cummings’ actions “plausible”. Johnson’s spokesman said on Tuesday that “from the PM’s point of view, he has set out that he believes Dominic Cummings acted reasonably, legally and with integrity and care for his family and others”.

Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics said the number of deaths in Britain involving the coronavirus had risen above 46,000, far higher than the 36,914 deaths officially confirmed in the government’s count.

A file photo shows Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson (centre) with Douglas Ross (right), who resigned as a minister yesterday.

France ranks fourth in virus deaths; Spain revises tallyREUTERS — PARIS

France again ranked fourth in coronavirus deaths after the United States, Britain and Italy, as Spain revised its tally down by nearly 2,000 on Monday.

The French health ministry reported on its website that the cumulative death toll rose by 65, or 0.2%, to 28,432. But on a separate ministry website it said the toll went up by 90, or 0.3%, to 28,457.

The ministry could not be

reached for comment about the discrepancy, but both numbers put the French toll at about 1,600 higher than Spain’s 26,834 and well below Italy’s nearly 33,000.

France’s death toll was slightly higher than Spain’s between May 12 and May 21, but at the end of last week it dipped below Spain’s again for three days. France also reported on Monday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 358, or 0.2%, to 145,279,

in line with the rate of the second half of last week and slower than the week before, raising hopes that the worst of the epidemic is over in France.

“The virus is finding it increasingly difficult to spread. At some point it does not find enough people who are suscep-tible to infection,” epidemiol-ogist Laurent Toubiana, director of the IRSAN health data institute, said in an interview.

The total number of con-firmed and probable cases,

which stood at over 180,000 last week, could not be calcu-lated as the ministry has not updated its nursing home data for several days.

The ministry said earlier in a statement that the number of patients in hospital with coro-navirus fell by 387 to 16,798 on Monday, resuming a gradual decline that had been inter-rupted on Sunday. Intensive care patients decreased by 46 to 1,609, continuing a six-week downtrend.

Sitting for exams at sports arena Students sit at a sports arena in Oslo, that is one of several places used as an examination room for many of the 8,000 students doing their “Spring 2020 Privatisteksamen” exams. There is more distance between the students and disinfectants are available.

Anniversary of proclamation of Italian Republic Italy’s aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori (Tricolour Arrows) flies over the city of Florence as part of celebrations for the 74th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in Florence, Italy, yesterday.

Deaths from virus in Italy near 33,000ANATOLIA — ROME

Italy yesterday reported 78 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, bringing the death toll to 32,955, as the Italian Red Cross started to conduct voluntary blood tests to search for antibodies to the virus.

The low increase in deaths registered yesterday confirms the slowing trend in the virus outbreak, showing that the peak of the crisis has been left behind.

The tally of active infec-tions fell again, by 2,358, placing the total at 52,942.

Meanwhile, recoveries continued to climb, reaching 144,658, as more patients left intensive care, easing pressure on Italy’s strained healthcare

system. The northern Lom-bardy region remains the epi-center of the pandemic, with victims rising to 15,896, almost half of the total.

The Italian Red Cross on Monday started contacting people to carry out 150,000 blood tests for antibodies to the new coronavirus, in a bid to learn about people who may have recovered from the virus without ever realising they had it. Participation in the test is not obligatory, but — given the country’s epide-miological situation — is needed, experts said.

People selected will be contacted by phone by Red Cross regional centres to arrange an appointment for a blood test to be taken at a

local lab. The test can also be done at home if the person is fragile or vulnerable.

If the test is positive, the person will be quarantined at home and contacted by the regional health service to undergo a swab test and verify w h e t h e r t h e y a r e contagious.

The Red Cross, however, said yesterday that out of 7,300 calls, only 25% of the people contacted agreed to take the test, while over 60% asked to be contacted later, and 15% said they were still evaluating the option.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza issued a call for Italians to voluntarily take the test, stressing its importance in the fight against the virus.

Italy panel votes against fresh Salvini migrant trial

AFP — ROME

A special committee voted yesterday against Italy’s far-right chief Matteo Salvini standing trial for allegedly ille-gally detaining migrants at sea, though the final decision rests with the Senate.

The Senate committee is tasked with advising the upper house of parliament, which will vote at a date yet to be set.

Prosecutors in the Sicilian

city of Palermo accuse Salvini of abusing his powers as then interior minister in August 2019 to illegally prevent more than 80 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean from disem-barking the Open Arms charity ship.

Ministers cannot be tried for actions taken while in office unless their parliamentary immunity is revoked by the Senate. The head of the far-right League insists the decision

to stop the migrants from getting off the ship until a deal was brokered with EU countries to take them in had been taken collectively within the government.

It is not the first such case against Salvini.

In February the Senate voted to strip him of his parlia-mentary immunity so he could stand trial for blocking migrants from disembarking from a coastguard boat last July.

Germany aims to lift European travel warningREUTERS — BERLIN

Germany aims to lift a travel warning for 31 European countries from mid-June, a government source said, and media reported that social distancing rules imposed to avoid the coronavirus could be eased from June 29, a week earlier than planned.

German regions are in talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel on how to further relax restrictions introduced in March to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. An initial easing of measures does not seem to have caused a signif-icant spike in infections.

Balancing the need to revive Europe’s biggest economy — which faces its deepest recession since World War Two — with protecting public health, Germany’s 16 state premiers will try today to agree with Merkel on the way forward.

She has counselled caution, warning of a new wave of infections if curbs on contact and movement are eased too fast.

A government source said her cabinet may on Wednesday decide to lift a warning against travel to 26 fellow EU countries plus Britain, Iceland, Norway, Swit-zerland and Liechtenstein from June 15, if infection rates remain lower and under control. That would open the way to separate pieces of advice on travel for given regions. Under Germany’s federal system, individual states can decide which measures to enforce.

Germany has kept its COVID-19 death rate relatively low, at 8,302 so far despite a high number of cases.

Kosovo President

rejects EU

mediator for

talks with Serbia

REUTERS — PRISTINA

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said yesterday he would not take part in talks on normalising ties with Serbia led by a European Union special mediator, calling instead for an increased US role in the dialogue.

Kosovo declared inde-pendence from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after a guer-rilla uprising by its ethnic Albanian majority, and agreed to an EU-sponsored dialogue with Belgrade in 2013 to resolve all outstanding issues.

Normalisation is among key conditions the EU has set for admitting Kosovo as a member state, and by Russia, a traditional ally of Serbia, to lift its veto on Kosovo joining the United Nations.

In March, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell appointed Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajcak as special mediator for Kosovo.

But Slovakia is one of five EU member countries - along with Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain - that still decline to r e c o g n i z e K o s o v o ’ s independence.

“In front of us we will have two negotiators from the countries that do not recognise Kosovo’s independence,” Thaci told reporters in Pristina, referring to Lajcak and Borrell, a former Spanish foreign minister.

Thaci said he would join any meetings organised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“But there is no inclination on my part to participate in a negotiation process that is led by Lajcak,” he said. Thaci said only the United States could really advance dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Britain to provide anti-viral drug remdesivir to some COVID-19 patientsREUTERS — LONDON

Britain will provide the anti-viral drug remdesivir to certain COVID-19 patients that it is most likely to benefit as part of a collaboration with manufacturer Gilead Sciences, the health ministry said yesterday.

The department of health said early data from clinical trials around the world showed that the drug could shorten the recovery time of COVID-19 patients by four days.

“As we navigate this unprecedented period, we must be on the front foot of the latest medical advancements, while always ensuring patient safety remains a top priority,” junior health minister James Bethell said.

“We will continue to monitor remdesivir’s success in clinical trials across the country to ensure the best results for UK patients.”

The government said the allocation of the drug would be determined by where it would have the greatest benefit, but did not say how many patients would be treated.

The US National Institutes

of Health (NIH) said last week that data from its trial of rem-desivir showed that the drug offers the most benefit for COVID-19 patients who need extra oxygen but do not require mechanical ventilation.

The researchers also said that “given high mortality despite the use of remdesivir,” it is likely that the drug would be more effective in combi-nation with other treatments for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Stephen Griffin, an asso-ciate professor at Leeds Uni-versity, welcomed the move to use remdesivir, saying it would “likely mean that the most severe COVID-19 patients will receive it first”.

He said that while this approach was the most ethical, it also meant drug would not be a “magic bullet”.

“We can instead hope for improved recovery rates and a reduction in patient mortality,” Griffin said.

Gilead said it expects results from its own study of remde-sivir in patients with moderate COVID-19 at the end of this month.

Office for National Statistics said yesterday the number of deaths in Britain involving the coronavirus had risen above 46,000, far higher than the 36,914 deaths officially confirmed by the government.

11WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS

Putin says Russia past virus peak, WWII parade in June

AFP — MOSCOW

President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia has passed its peak of coronavirus infections and ordered a World War II victory parade post-poned by the pandemic to be held next month.

The postponement of the May 9 Victory Day parade had been a huge blow to Putin, who had hoped to gather world leaders to watch troops march on Red Square to celebrate 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

But with the number of new coronavirus cases declining steadily in Russia, Putin told Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to reschedule the parade for June 24.

“According to experts, the peak can be considered passed,” Putin told Shoigu in a televised video link-up.

“We will do it on June 24, the day the legendary historic victors’ parade took place in 1945,” Putin said, referring to the first victory parade in Red Square after Germany’s sur-render to Soviet commanders on May 9. With leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron of France set to attend, this year’s parade had been meant as a major showcase of Russia’s return to the world stage.

Putin was forced to announce its delay in mid-April as coronavirus infections surged and officials ordered lockdowns across the country.

After peaking in mid-May at more than 11,000 new cases per day, the number of daily infections has dropped below 9,000. The country yesterday recorded its highest daily death toll of 174 — a number still far lower than in countries with

similar rates of infections — and said a record 12,000 people had recovered from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

Russia has the third-highest number of cases after the United States and Brazil, which officials say is due in large part to a massive testing campaign.

Authorities have been easing lockdowns despite the high number of infections, though tough restrictions remain in place in hard-hit Moscow until at least May 31.

Putin said “strict safety measures” would need to be put in place for the parade.

“The risks for all partici-pants should be minimised, or even better, eliminated,” he said. Another popular event usually held on May 9 — the Immortal Regiment processions that see Russians across the country carry portraits of rela-tives who died in World War II — will be held on July 26, Putin said.

Russian naval bases will also hold traditional naval parades that day, he said.

Putin has made clear in

recent days that he believes Russia has overcome the worst of the pandemic.

On Monday, he made a rare recent appearance for a meeting in the Kremlin, after working remotely from his Novo-Oga-ryovo residence outside Moscow for the past few weeks.

The pandemic derailed Putin’s plans for a triumphant spring, with not only the parade

postponed but also an April vote on constitutional reforms that would have paved the way for the longtime leader to poten-tially stay in power until 2036.

Officials have said they still hope the vote can be held this year but have yet to announce a date.

The government’s handling of the crisis has come under fire, with critics saying Putin initially

appeared disinterested in dealing with the pandemic.

One survey by independent pollster Levada showed Putin’s approval rating falling to a his-toric low of 59 percent in April.

In recent weeks he has taken a more direct approach, berating officials for not pro-viding enough protective equipment or promising bonuses to medical workers.

A woman wearing a protective mask walks on a platform at the Otradnoye metro station under an art painting depicting famous Russian writers and composers, in Moscow, yesterday.

4 dead in Russia

helicopter crashAFP — MOSCOW

A military helicopter crashed at an airport in Russia’s remote eastern Chukotka region yesterday, killing all four people on board.

The helicopter of the Russian defence ministry went down in the main airport in Chukotka near Anadyr, which has mixed military and civilian use.

“There were three crew members and one technician on board. All four died,” gov-ernor Roman Kopin wrote on his Instagram account.

Russian agencies reported that it was a Mi-8 helicopter which was doing a test flight after undergoing technical maintenance.

Hungary expects emergency powers to end on June 20AFP — BUDAPEST

The Hungarian government said yesterday it is submitting draft legislation to revoke anti-coronavirus emergency powers that triggered fears of a power grab by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

“A bill calling on the gov-ernment to end the state of danger will be submitted to Parliament today,” Justice Min-ister Judit Varga said in a Facebook post.

“With the adoption of the law the state of danger is expected to end on June 20 in Hungary,” she said.

An anti-coronavirus defence bill adopted on March 30 by the Budapest assembly enabled Orban to rule by decree until his Cabinet

declared an end to its “state of danger” declared March 11 owing to the COVID-19 crisis.

Orban argued that ruling by decree allowed him to respond quickly and effectively during the emergency.

But critics at home and abroad fretted that the law had no time limit and accused Orban of using the crisis to steer EU member Hungary toward authoritarianism.

In April the European Par-liament approved a statement that was backed by some of Orban’s allies in the conserv-ative European People’s Party grouping and which said that Hungary’s measures were “incompatible with European values”.

Budapest dismissed the criticism as “fake news” and

said the legislation was propor-tionate and could be rescinded at any time by parliament or reviewed by the consitutional court.

Hungary, with a population of almost 10 million, has reported 3,771 infections of the novel coronavirus and 499 deaths as of yesterday morning, with growth in both numbers gradually slowing and lockdown restrictions relaxed in May.

Previously when looking forward to the end of emer-gency powers, Orban said that critics “will get a chance to apologise to Hungary for unfounded accusations about the law”.

Hungary had been attacked by a “slander campaign,” Varga said.

Hungarian opposition parties had called the extra powers “dictatorial” and said Orban was abusing them to cement his rule, rather than combat the virus.

Some of the more than 100 decrees issued since April have stripped opposition-run municipalities of power and finances.

The emergency powers also included potential jail terms for “scaremongering”, sparking concern for press freedom in covering the gov-ernment’s handling of the pandemic.

Police have investigated dozens of people on suspicion of scaremongering and tem-porarily detained several including an opposition party member.

People protest against lower wages and budget cuts imposed by the government amid the new coronavirus pandemic in downtown Quito, Ecuador, on Monday.

Protests in Ecuador against job, wage cuts over virus

AFP — QUITO

Demonstrators defied corona-virus restrictions to march in cities across Ecuador on Monday in protest against President Lenin Moreno’s drastic economic measures to tackle the crisis.

Moreno last week announced public spending cuts including the closure of state companies and embassies around the world, but trade unions on Monday said workers were paying a disproportionate price compared to Ecuador’s elite. Around 2,000 people marched in the capital, waving flags and banners and shouting anti-government slogans.

The protesters wore masks and respected distancing

measures recommended against the spread of the coronavirus that has caused at least 3,200 deaths in the country, making it South America’s worst hit nation per capita. Authorities say more than 2,000 further deaths are likely linked to the virus.

Demonstrations took place in several other cities, including Guayaquil, the epicenter of Ecuador’s health crisis, where union leaders said hundreds marched through the city.

Moreno ordered the closure of Ecuadoran embassies, a reduction in diplomatic staff and scrapped seven state companies as part of measures designed to save some $4bn.

The government says the pandemic has so far cost the economy at least $8bn.

Pandemic probe: Brazil police raid Rio governor’s residenceAP — RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazil’s Federal Police searched the official residence of Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel yesterday, part of an investi-gation into the alleged embez-zlement of public resources in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police did not say whether Witzel, a former federal judge, was personally targeted by any of the 12 search and seizure warrants in Rio and Sao Paulo states.

An ongoing investigation pointed to irregularities in con-tracts awarded for the con-struction of emergency field hospitals in Rio, and involved health officials, police said in a statement.

“There is absolutely no par-ticipation on my part in any type of irregularity,” Witzel said in a statement. He also implied that he was the target of

political revenge, saying “inter-ference announced by the pres-ident of the republic has been made official.”

Brazilian President Jair Bol-sonaro has openly challenged many governors’ measures for containing the spread of the new coronavirus, with Witzel a primary focus.

Bolsonaro has accused gov-ernors of inciting panic among the population with allegedly excessive stay-at-home recom-mendations and restrictions on commerce that he says will wreck the economy and produce worse hardship than the virus.

Bolsonaro, for his part, has been accused of attempting to improperly meddle in the federal police for political or personal ends, a claim made by former Justice Minister Sérgio Moro when he resigned last month.

The allegations are at the

heart of an investigation the Supreme Court authorized on April 27.

Carla Zambelli, a federal lawmaker who is close to the president, said in an interview Monday with Rádio Gaúcha that the Federal Police force was

investigating governors for crimes related with coronavirus contracts. While she didn’t say which governors were being investigated, Witzel pointed to comments from lawmakers aligned with Bolsonaro as evi-dence there had been a leak and

an attempt to “build a narrative that will never be confirmed.” Bolsonaro, speaking in the capital Brasilia, denied any prior knowledge of the raid.

“I learned about it now,” Bolsonaro told reporters on Tuesday morning. “Congratu-lations to the Federal Police.”

On May 14, federal prose-cutors launched a separate operation looking at the state’s COVID-19 response, serving 25 search and arrest warrants in Rio and neighboring Minas Gerais states. Federal prose-cutors said then that a group of businessmen had sought to take advantage of the new corona-virus pandemic and diverted some 3.95 million reais (over $725,000) in public resources through contracts for the con-struction of field hospitals.

Rio is one of the states most affected by COVID-19, with more than 4,000 deaths and almost 40,000 confirmed cases.

Police officers carrying seized evidence walk into the Federal Police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday.

Hungary, Czech

Republic, Slovakia

to mutually open

bordersREUTERS — BUDAPEST

Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will open their borders to each others’ citizens from today, with some condi-tions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement.

Cross-border travel without having to undergo mandatory quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic will be allowed for Hungarians, Slovaks and Czechs whose stay in the other country does not exceed 48 hours.

In addition, Hungarians can travel to the Czech Republic by crossing Slovakia but cannot cross Slovakia on their way back; they will have to detour through Austria, Szi-jjarto said. The same applies to Czechs returning home from Hungary. Hungary had also opened its southern border for Serbs from Monday morning.

Hungary escaped the first wave of the pandemic with a total of 3,771 cases and 499 deaths as of yesterday, fairly low numbers due to an early and strict lockdown, which the government has been easing since early May.

A-G seeks to

declare Guaido’s

party a ‘terrorist

organisation’

AFP — CARACAS

Venezuela’s attorney-general on Monday asked the Supreme Court to declare opposition leader Juan Guaido’s party a “terrorist organization,” blaming it for a failed sea invasion.

Tarek William Saab accused the Voluntad Popular (“Popular Will”) party and its leader Guaido — who is sup-ported by the US and around 50 other countries as the interim president of Venezuela — of promoting destabilising actions during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a state TV broadcast, Saab said his office had asked the court “to determine if the Voluntad Popular political organization is a terrorist organization.” He referred to a “naval incursion” on May 3 in which Venezuela detained 52 alleged mercenaries, including two retired members of the US military, Luke Alex-ander Denman and Airan Berry. The pair have been charged with terrorism.

Venezuela’s leftist pres-ident Nicolas Maduro has already accused Guaido of orchestrating the maritime invasion.

Russia yesterday recorded its highest daily death toll of 174 and said a record 12,000 people had recovered from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

12 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020AMERICAS

US nears grim milestone of 100,000 deaths from virusAP – NEW YORK

The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange reopened yesterday in a largely symbolic step toward economic recovery, and stocks surged at the opening bell, even as the official US death toll from the corona-virus closed in on 100,000, a mark President Donald Trump once predicted the country would never see.

With infections mounting rapidly in places like Brazil and India, a top global health official warned that the crisis around the world is far from over.

All 50 states have begun easing their stay-at-home restrictions and allowing busi-nesses to open their doors again, even as some parts of the country see no drop-off in con-firmed coronavirus cases. There is also some optimism about the race for a vaccine.

“These little baby steps that we start to see different states reopening, different policies that are being allowed that weren’t allowed two weeks ago — these are all clear signals that

we’re moving in the right direction,” said Jonathan Corpina, senior managing partner at Meridian Equity Partners.

Worldwide, the virus has infected nearly 5.5 million people, killing over 346,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Europe has recorded about 170,000 deaths, while the US was approaching 100,000 over a span of less than four months, more than the number of Amer-icans killed in the Vietnam and Korean wars combined.

The true death toll is widely believed to be significantly higher, with experts saying many victims died of the virus without ever being tested for it.

Trump several months ago

likened the coronavirus to the flu and dismissed worries it could lead to so many deaths. The administration’s leading scientists have since warned that as many as 240,000 could perish from the virus.

In hard-hit New York, Cuomo reported a one-day total of 73 deaths yesterday, the lowest figure in months, and down from a peak of nearly 800.

“In this absurd new reality, that is good news,” he said.

The World Health Organi-zation said that the world remains mired in only the first stage of the pandemic, putting a damper on hopes for a speedy global economic rebound.

“Right now, we’re not in the second wave. We’re right in the

middle of the first wave glo-bally,” said Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO’s executive director.

“We’re still very much in a

phase where the disease is actually on the way up,” Ryan said, pointing to South America, South Asia and other

parts of the world. A US travel ban was set to take effect yes-terday for foreigners coming from Brazil.

All 50 US states have begun easing their stay-at-home restrictions and allowing businesses to open their doors again, even as some parts of the country see no drop-off in confirmed coronavirus cases. There is also some optimism about the race for a vaccine.

WHO: Americas the new virus epicenter as deaths surge in LatAmREUTERS — BRASILIA

The Americas have emerged as the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a briefing yesterday, as a US study forecast deaths surging in Brazil and other Latin American countries through August.

“Now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions,” Carissa Etienne, WHO director

for the Americas and head of the Pan American Health Organization, said via videoconference.

The Americas have regis-tered more than 2.4 million cases of the new coronavirus and more than 143,000 deaths from the resulting COVID-19 respiratory disease. Latin America has passed Europe and the United States in daily infections, she said.

“Our region has become the epicenter of the COVID-19

pandemic,” Etienne said, as other PAHO directors warned there are “very tough” weeks ahead for the region and Brazil has a long way to go before it will see the pandemic end.

Also of concern to WHO officials are accelerating out-breaks in Peru, Chile, El Sal-vador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

As Brazil’s daily death rate became the world’s highest on Monday, a University of Wash-ington study warned that the

country’s total death toll could climb five-fold to 125,000 by early August.

The forecast from the uni-versity’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) came with a call for lockdowns that Brazil’s right-wing pres-ident, Jair Bolsonaro, has resisted.

The current data projects COVID-19 deaths in Peru totaling nearly 20,000 by August, IHME said, indicating demand is likely to outstrip of

the supply of beds in intensive care units. The latest IHME model projections see deaths rising to nearly 12,000 in Chile, 7,000 in Mexico, 6,000 in Ecuador, 5,500 in Argentina and to 4,500 in Colombia by August.

One country in the region doing relatively well against COVID-19 is Cuba, where the IHME forecasts a death toll of just 82 by August while testing continues to outpace the outbreak.

White House: Late-June G7 summit would be great reopening example REUTERS — WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump believes there would be “no greater example of reopening” than holding a summit of Group of Seven leaders in the United States near the end of June, the White House said yesterday.

White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said the goal was for the summit to be held at the White House and that world leaders who attend would be protected.

“The President thinks no greater example of reopening in his transition to greatness would be the G7 and the G7 happening here,” McEnany told reporters.

“We want to see it happen,

we think it will happen and so far foreign leaders are very much on board with the idea,” she added.

Trump, who is head of the G7 this year, has said an in-person summit would be a symbol of the United States and other countries seeking to return to normal, something the president has urged should happen quickly despite con-cerns from public health experts.

In March, the Republican President canceled the physical summit scheduled for June, moving to a video conference as nations grappled with the shutdown of international travel and multiple closures to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The leaders’ April and May discussions were also moved to teleconference.

The G7 is made up of the United States, Italy, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Britain as well as the European Union.

At least 1,672,708 cases of the highly contagious novel coronavirus have been reported in the United States and its ter-ritories, according to a Reuters tally of state and local gov-ernment sources as of yesterday.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany holds a briefing for reporters and speaks about the COVID-19 outbreak, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio condemned her actions as “racism, plain and simple”. “She called the police BECAUSE he was a Black man. Even though she was the one breaking the rules. She decided he was the criminal and we know why. This kind of hatred has no place in our city,” he tweeted.

Anger as white woman reports black birdwatcher in Central Park to policeAFP — NEW YORK

A video of a white woman calling the police about a black birdwatcher in New York’s Central Park has gone viral, sparking anger about African Americans being falsely reported to cops.

The clip, posted on Twitter and viewed 30 million times, was filmed by the man, Christian Cooper, who said he had asked the woman to leash her dog. She was walking the pooch on Monday in a wooded area of the park popular with birdwatchers where dogs are meant to be kept on leads.

As the woman struggles to control the dog, she approaches Cooper and is then seen making a phone call.

“I’m going to tell them there’s an African-American man threatening my life,” she tells Cooper while appearing to dial 911. “There is an African-American man, I’m in Central Park. He’s recording me and threatening me and threatening my dog,” she then tells the operator.

The exchange prompted outrage on social media, with

users calling the woman a “Karen,” a term popular online to describe an entitled white woman. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio condemned her actions as “racism, plain and simple.” “She called the police BECAUSE he was a Black man. Even though she was the one breaking the rules. She decided he was the criminal and we know why. This kind of hatred has no place in our city,” he tweeted.

The woman was identified as Amy Cooper, no relation to the man she argued with. She worked in insurance at investment management company Franklin Templeton. She apologized during an interview with NBC but denied that she was racist, saying she

had overreacted after feeling threatened. “I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone, especially to that man, his family,” she said.

In a statement posted on Twitter Tuesday, Franklin Tem-pleton said it had fired an employee with immediate effect following an investi-gation. “We do not tolerate racism of any kind at Franklin Templeton,” the company said.

On Facebook, Christian Cooper said he had offered the dog a treat after the woman refused his request to leash the dog.

“That’s when I started video recording with my iPhone, and when her inner Karen fully emerged and took a dark turn,” he wrote.

Pentagon’s deputy inspector general resignsREUTERS — WASHINGTON

The Defense Department’s deputy inspector general resigned yesterday, more than a month after President Donald Trump removed him as the Pentagon’s acting inspector general, who was to also oversee the US government $2.3 trillion coronavirus response.

Glenn Fine’s resignation comes after the Trump admin-istration has removed four gov-ernment inspectors general, who seek to root out gov-ernment waste, fraud and abuse, in recent weeks.

Most recently the State Department’s inspector general, Steve Linick was fired. That ousting prompted heavy criticism from senior Demo-cratic lawmakers, including House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat.

“I believe the time has come for me to step down and allow others to perform this vital role,” Fine said in a statement.

“The role of Inspectors General is a strength of our

system of government. They provide independent oversight to help improve government operations in a transparent way,” Fine added.

Fine had been performing the duties of the Pentagon’s lead inspector general when he was removed in early April and reverted to being the No. 2 official in the inspector gen-eral’s office.

Earlier in May, Trump ousted Christi Grimm, who led the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

He accused her of having produced a “fake dossier” on shortages at American hospitals on the frontlines of the coro-navirus outbreak.

Grimm was testifying before a congressional com-mittee on Tuesday.

In April, the Republican president notified Congress that he was firing Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the US intelligence community.

Atkinson was involved in triggering a probe of Trump last year that resulted in Trump’s impeachment.

3 US states offer

to host Republican

convention

REUTERS — WASHINGTON

Republicans in Georgia, Texas and Florida are offering to host the party’s national convention if President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to move the event from North Carolina over social distancing restrictions due to the corona-virus.

Trump tweeted on Monday that the party would find another site for the Republican National Convention if North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, did not immediately say whether the convention space can be “fully occupied.” Cooper’s office has said state health officials are working with the RNC to review plans, and that they would rely on data and science to protect public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention is set to start on August 24 in Charlotte.

Republican National Com-mittee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told a FOX News show yesterday that “a lot of states” have stepped forward as alternatives to North Carolina. Those states include Georgia, Texas and Florida, all led by Republican governors who moved to loosen stay-at-home orders earlier than North Carolina.

“With world-class facilities, restaurants, hotels, and work-force, Georgia would be honored to safely host the Republican National Convention,” Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp said.

Police in Canada

crack down on

Toronto tow

truck turf war

AFP — OTTAWA

Police in Canada brought charges yesterday against 20 people linked to a turf war between tow truck companies that resulted in four murders and at least 30 arson attacks in the past three years.

Organized crime groups behind rival towing companies in the Toronto area “used vio-lence and property damage as a means to gain control and territory,” York Regional Police Superintendent Mike Slack said.

The crimes alleged in the 191 charges brought included extortion, fraud, murders and the torching of tow trucks, he said.

Some of those charged went so far as to “stage colli-sions using drivers they recruited,” and later inflated costs charged to victims for towing their vehicles, he said.

They also partnered with auto repair shops and car and truck rental companies to carry out the frauds, according to a police statement.

One local law firm hired by insurance companies to pursue legal action against several tow companies became the target of violence and threats.

Slack estimated that fraud-ulent billing, repairs and phys-iotherapy claims earned people connected to the scheme millions of dollars in “illicit income.”

“Organized crime begins with an opportunity to make money and a level of greed that leads to criminality and violence,” he said in a video news release.

“The towing industry and its lack of regulations have bred exactly that envi-ronment,” he said.

“Over time, unscrupulous companies and the people working for them have found ways to inflate costs, and vic-timize consumers.”

The specific charges against 20 individuals include murder, attempted murder, participating in a criminal organization, fraud, and arson, as well as firearms and drug offenses.

Dr. Jerome Adams, Surgeon General adjusts his face mask as US President Donald Trump speaks on protecting seniors with diabetes in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday.