Lebanon MP warns country has ‘lost control’ of Covid-19

The head of the Lebanese parliament's health committee, Assem Araji said Lebanon has "lost control" of coronavirus and is "heading towards herd immunity" but that another lockdown is not currently being considered in the crisis-hit country.
Lebanon's recorded coronavirus cases have more than quadrupled since explosions in Beirut's port devastated swathes of the capital on August 4. September has seen daily infections rise to record levels and pass 1,000 new cases for the first time on Monday.
"There is no co-ordination between the concerned ministries about the preventive guidelines," Mr Araji told local TV channel Al Jadeed on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Health Minister Hamad Hasan called for Lebanon to enter a two-week lockdown in an attempt to flatten the curve. Rather than reimposing the lockdown, Mr Araji told local newspaper Al Anbaa, the committee tasked with combating the pandemic, is "heading toward increasing control measures on institutions in order to implement safety standards".
Dr Firass Abiad, the director of Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the country's main coronavirus facility, told The National that there are lessons to be learnt before heading back into another lockdown.

A Lebanese policeman fines a motorist for violating strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

Customers wearing face masks and gloves queue outside a supermarket, during a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beirut, Lebanon. REUTERS

Abu-Hattab rides his horse on a deserted street after security forces began implementing strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for all driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

A Lebanese woman sits at her home's entrance during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

A Lebanese man sitting by a fresh produce stall checks his phone in the market of the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Lebanese security forces stop vehicles at a highway checkpoint in Nahr al-Kalb, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut, as authorities implemented further measures restricting the movement of cars, trucks and motorcycles to three assigned days per week. AFP

A driver argues with Lebanese policemen after he received a fine for violating strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

A Lebanese man stands by his pigeon pen on the roof of his house in the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

"We all know that lockdowns work but the problem is the baggage that comes with lockdowns," he said.
"You go into lockdown – two weeks – you get some measure of control but then you have to open up again. If you open up and you go back to where you were before, the same behaviour, the same contact, the same compliance, you've really not done anything."

The hospitals have hovered at near-full capacity for a few months now, but have yet to be overwhelmed, which Dr Abiad says disproves Mr Araji's claim that Lebanon has lost control of the virus.
"It's not going as well as we hoped and we are definitely facing mounting challenges, but I don't think we have reached the stage where we can say we have lost control of the virus – our hospitals are not overwhelmed," he said.
The total number of coronavirus cases passed 30,000 on Wednesday in a country of about five million.

This figure, Dr Abiad said, raises questions over how Lebanon could be heading towards "herd immunity", as Mr Araji suggests.
"If we have 30,000 cases in a population of five million, that's around 0.6 per cent of the country. If we're talking about 50 per cent of the population contracting coronavirus, it will probably take us years to reach that point," he said.

"To be honest, I'm not sure what people mean by the phrase 'we're heading towards herd immunity', it's a phrase people use alongside 'the virus is getting out of control.' From a public health perspective it could be considered a bit irresponsible."
Mr Araji told Al Jadeed the country is "heading towards so-called 'herd immunity' because nobody is complying with the guidelines".
"The resistance to the lockdown was led by the business sectors, already suffering from the effects of the financial meltdown," Dr Abiad tweeted. However, the economy versus health debate is the wrong argument as it is not an either/or situation, he told The National.
"If you have a rampant virus, your economy will not do well. People will not feel safe to eat in restaurants," he said.
"I don't think anyone has a solution right now, but if we can introduce and reinforce some measures, we can, to a degree, retain some control."

UAE WARRIORS RESULTS

Featherweight

Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)

TKO round 2

Catchweight 90kg

Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)

Split points decision

Welterweight

Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)

TKO round 1

Flyweight (women)

Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)

Unanimous points decision

Lightweight

Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)

TKO round 1

Catchweight 100kg

Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)

Rear neck choke round 1

Featherweight

James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)

TKO round 2

Welterweight

Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)

TKO round 1

Middleweight

Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)

Unanimous points decision

Bantamweight

Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)

Unanimous points decision

Welterweight

Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)

TKO round 1

Bantamweight

Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)

TKO round 3

Lightweight

Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)

TKO round 1

Middleweight

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)

Submission round 2

Lightweight

Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)

TKO round 2

Bullet%20Train

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CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP

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Results:

CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off

1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds

2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09

3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42

4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

MATCH INFO

Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')

Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')

Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)

WISH

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Buck%2C%20Fawn%20Veerasunthorn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ariana%20DeBose%2C%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Alan%20Tudyk%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

While you're here

Hussein Ibish: There are reasons for Democrats and Republicans to be happy

Rashmee Roshan Lall: Who are the women driving Joe Biden's success?

How to invest in gold

Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.

A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.

Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”

Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”

Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”

By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.

You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.

You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

Tips to keep your car cool

Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
Park in shaded or covered areas
Add tint to windows
Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 626bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,050,000

On sale: now

Match statistics

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 36 Bahrain 32

Harlequins

Tries: Penalty 2, Stevenson, Teasdale, Semple

Cons: Stevenson 2

Pens: Stevenson

Bahrain

Tries: Wallace 2, Heath, Evans, Behan

Cons: Radley 2

Pen: Radley

Man of the match: Craig Nutt (Harlequins)

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.