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SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 10 JUMADA II- 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8511 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Have the SIM delivered to you

Amir to patronize Ashghal to graduation of Police College complete three candidates today more health QNA — Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will patronise the graduation ceremony of centers this year the third batch of candidate students of the Ministry of IRFAN BUKHARI Interior’s Police College today THE PENINSULA The Public Works morning. Authority (Ashghal) will The Public Works Authority Quran Learning (Ashghal) will deliver three deliver three more more health centers in Ain health centers in Ain Centers set to Khalid, Al Sadd and Al Khor to Khalid, Al Sadd and Al reopen next week the Ministry of Public Health Khor to the Ministry of (MoPH) this year. Public Health (MoPH) Ashghal is implementing THE PENINSULA — DOHA new health centers that will this year. Ashghal is also provide general and special constructing the The Ministry of Awqaf and clinics, along with dentistry, National Laboratory Islamic Affairs, in cooperation physiotherapy and family. The Building at an area of with the Ministry of Public centers are located in dif- 29,000 square metres in Health (MoPH), has announced ferent areas as per the the reopening of 47 Holy services to present and Area, with Quran Learning Centers from Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani with Minister number of residents related, four levels to provide next week. of Interior of the Sultanate of Oman, H E Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, in Doha, yesterday according to Ashghal’s several services. In a tweet, the Ministry website. It says that these stated that the reopening centers are expected to be includes 22 Holy Quran Learning completed in Q4 of 2021. PM meets Omani Minister of Interior Centers for females run by the Recently, ‘Ashghal’ com- South Al Wakra Health Center Ministry. Four Holy Quran pleted major works of South Al had also announced that three QNA — DOHA accompanying delegation, on The latest regional and inter- Learning Centers for males Wakra Health Center, imple- more health centers in the the occasion of their visit to the national developments were running in separate buildings mented by the Building Projects pipeline will be delivered in Prime Minister and Minister of country. also discussed. are also scheduled to reopen Department, to serve about 360 2021 including Al Khor, Ain Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin During the meeting, they H E the Prime Minister and next week. visitors per day. Khalid, Al Sadd Health Centers Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani reviewed the strong fraternal Minister of Interior hosted a A total of 21 private Holy The South Al Wakra Health and the National Health met yesterday with Minister of relations between the two luncheon banquet in honour Quran Learning Centers under Center is spreading over an Laboratory. Interior of the Sultanate of countries and means of sup- of the Omani Minister of the supervision of the Ministry area of about 3,000 square Earlier, Ashghal had shared, Oman H E Sayyid Hamoud bin porting and developing them, Interior and his accompanying is also set to reopen in the same metres and includes a single- in its magazine, that health Faisal Al Busaidi and his especially in the security fields. delegation. schedule. story main building housing projects occupy an important main clinical building (health part of Ashghal Building Affairs’ center) covering nine clinics, Projects, in cooperation and annex buildings such as a coordination with the Ministry Real estate registration online platform to add more services mosque, support services of Public Health. building, guards building, mon- The Primary Health Care SIDI MOHAMED The Real Estate Registration Department at transactions. In 2019, Al Marikhi itoring chamber, electrical and sector has recently witnessed THE PENINSULA pointed out that the statistics mechanical maintenance a boom through the opening of the Ministry of Justice has digitalised a showed that 3,783 real estate trans- annex, a garage for ambulances a number of advanced health To facilitate real estate related number of major transactions. The new actions were recorded, and the total and parking slots for 125 cars. centers, which are the first of transactions by people, the Real value was more than QR22bn. As per the website, Ashghal their kind in with Estate Registration Department procedures to be announced would About sales and registration is also constructing the National unprecedented services as well at the Ministry of Justice is set achieve a leap in electronic services. in some areas compared to Laboratory Building at an area as their size which allows them to add more online services to others, he said that turnout is high of 29,000 square metres in to receive large number of its digital platform. in areas where there are more Mesaimeer Area, with four patients and visitors, thus Those services which are He also pointed out that the to take a week or more, but now service facilities compared to levels to provide several improving the quality of more in demand are likely to new procedures to be it only takes a few minutes others. According to the annual services such as food safety medical services provided, be added. “We have digitalised announced would achieve a (around 10 to 15 minutes). Despite analytical real estate bulletin labs, infectious disease labs, Ashghal’s publication said. a number of major transactions leap in electronic services. coronavirus , the issued the Ministry of Justice for specialised labs, and emer- The publication also shared that are attracting more people, Speaking to Qatar Radio, Al Department facilitated many 2020, the municipalities of gency section for national and names of under-construction and soon we will digitalise a Marikhi said that Qatar is first in procedures for visitors. Doha, and Al Daayen environmental disasters. The health projects including Al number of more transactions the world in the ease of proce- Regarding the total value of topped the most active trades National Laboratory Building Khor Health Center which that more people are asking dures for registering the property real estate transactions in Qatar last in terms of financial value, fol- is also to be completed in fourth covers an area of 24, 998 for,” said Khamis Jassim Al documents, and the Department year and despite the difficult situ- lowed by the municipalities of quarter of this year. square metres and will have 60 Marikhi, Head of Real Estate will maintain this position. ation because of coronavirus, he Al Wakra, Umm Salal, Al Khor The Public Works Authority clinics and serve 650 visitors a Registration Department at the Al Marikhi explained that the said that the total vale it stood at and Al Thakhira, Al Shamal on the eve of completion of day. `P2 Ministry of Justice. process of selling a property used QR31bn from 5,117 property and Al Shahaniya. `P2 Qatari artist navigates emotional highs and lows of the pandemic

RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

Qatari artist Muna Al Bader has used a singular colour in multiple artworks to express the unprecedented emotional rollercoaster people experience during the pandemic. It has been a year since the COVID-19 outbreak has sent shockwaves on various sectors of global economy, and people around the world have all expe- rienced a mixture of fear, sadness, and happiness in what many people consider an exis- Some of the paintings by Qatari artist Muna Al Bader which are on display at “Grey Times” exhibition at the Fire Station. tential crisis. PIC: RAYNALD C RIVERA/THE PENINSULA While artists around the world take to art production to convey feelings and meanings and their surroundings in the that we do something useful in the context of the global pan- time of COVID-19. like, in my case, volunteering demic experience, the resident “My paintings and sculp- with the Qatar Red Crescent. I Doha experiences chilly winds artists at the Fire Station shifted tures are all related to opposing saw the happiness of people we Palm trees on the Corniche swaying to high winds in Doha yesterday. their focus from the inter- emotions which are happiness helped and I reflected that on PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA section between visual art and and sadness. Everyone has been my paintings,” said Al Bader, literature to a more relevant impacted by the pandemic but one of the Fire Station resident theme of examination of self at the same time we feel happy artists. `P3 02 HOME SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 QOC President takes part in IOC informal meeting

QNA — DOHA During the meeting, which PRAYER was also attended by the QOC TIMINGS President of Qatar Olympic Secretary General Jassim bin PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING Committee (QOC) H E Sheikh Rashid Al Buenain, the Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani members discussed the latest FAJR 05.00 am participated in the Interna- developments in the Olympic tional Olympic Committee movement, and the decisions SUNRISE 06.20 am (IOC) informal meeting which of the IOC Executive Board DHUHR 11.46 am was held via video conference regarding Tokyo 2020 Olympic ASR 02.50 pm yesterday. Games and Beijing 2022 Winter The meeting was chaired by Olympic Games. The meeting MAGHRIB 05.13 pm the IOC President Dr Thomas also reviewed the topics listed ISHA 06.43 pm Bach and attended by other IOC on the agenda and took the senior officials. necessary decisions thereon. Internal auditors conduct training on ‘Simple Risk

WEATHER Assessment Techniques’ TODAY THE PENINSULA — DOHA the correct usage, differentiating factors, comparative strengths, The Institute of Internal Auditors and relative benefits. Qatar Chapter held a training Alaba elucidated various session on ‘Simple Risk standards and practical appli- Omani Minister of Interior arrives in Doha Assessment Techniques for cation of techniques in real-life o o 13 C 21 C Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani yesterday Internal Auditors’ by Alaba situations. The standards applied Minimum Maximum received Minister of Interior of the Sultanate of Oman, H E Hamoud Bin Faisal Al Busaidi, who arrived in Doha Adedamola Awolaja from Nigeria. mainly are the International Pro- Relatively cold daytime with some on a visit to Qatar. The Omani Minister and his accompanying delegation were also greeted upon arrival Alaba Awolaja, CIA, is a fessional Practices Framework clouds, cold by night. at Doha International Airport by Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman H E Najeeb bin Yahya Al Balushi. business professional and con- (IPPF) from the IIA, International sultant with over a decade of Standard Organization (ISO), banking and financial services. COSO methodology, and IRM W ALRUWAIS : 16o → 19o He is a dedicated risk man- structure. W ALKHOR : 12o → 21o agement professional with a keen “Alaba’s presentation was focus on identifying, assessing, highly useful to improve con- W DUKHAN : 14o → 19o MoPH raises awareness managing, and controlling tinuous risk assessments in this WAKRAH 11o → 21o W : potential events that may affect era of the dynamic risks to nav- W MESAIEED : 11o → 21o entities’ objectives and prevent/ igate the stormy and uncertain W ABUSAMRA : 10o → 19o about cervical cancer detecting fraud. future of businesses. The “Risk assessment is the insightful presentation followed overall process of risk identifi- a great Q&A session that was HIGH TIDE FAZEENA SALEEM contraceptive pills (over 5 years), cation, risk analysis, and risk appreciated for practical inputs,” 02:23 – 00:00 THE PENINSULA The risk of cervical cancer and women who have had three evaluation. Risk assessment is at said Sundaresan Rajeswar Board LOW TIDE 07:19 – 18:08 or more full term pregnancies, the centre of a typical risk man- member of the IIA Qatar Qatar has joined other countries can be lowered by having women under the age of 17, when agement process. Internal audit’s “I have seen the use of elab- in the world to raise awareness the HPV vaccine. It is they had their full term preg- risk assessments start by consid- orate, time-consuming method- about cervical cancer, the fourth recommended that the nancy can increase the risk of ering inherent risk, the combi- ologies, including formulas, to most frequently diagnosed vaccine which protects developing cervical cancer. nation of internal and external score individual risks. Sometimes 263 new virus cancer in women. against several strains of Cervical cancer in Qatar is risks in their pure, uncontrolled these formulas seemed better To mark Cervical Cancer the third most common gynae- state,” said Alaba in his opening suited for a rocket launch than cases, 141 Awareness Month in January, the human papillomavirus is cological cancer and represents remarks. calculating a single risk in an Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) administered at age 13 24 percent of all gynaecological The factors that influence audit plan. As I often coach recoveries: MoPH is raising awareness of cervical years. cancers. About 40 percent of all selecting the right risk assessment internal auditors, simplified for- cancer in a social medial cam- cervical cancers are diagnosed technique depend on the com- mulas can be just as effective as THE PENINSULA — DOHA paign by both advising women at stage II of the disease. plexity of the problem, the degree complicated ones. Professional how to protect themselves from changes can be detected by a pap According to the National of uncertainty, the extent of judgment will invariably be a The Ministry of Public Health the disease and increasing public smear, a procedure which checks Cancer Framework 2017 – 2022, resources needed, and the quan- factor no matter how complex the (MoPH) yesterday announced understanding of the importance for the presence of pre-can- “Cervical screening currently titative output requirement. The process.” the registration of 263 new of prevention and early diag- cerous and cancerous cells on the operates within Qatar on an most common techniques are Alaba concluded by quoting confirmed cases of COVID-19. nosis. The campaign spreads cervix. The risk of cervical cancer opportunistic basis due to the rel- Brainstorming, Delphi, Scenario from the book ‘The Speed of Risk’ Among them 228 are from awareness under several topics can be lowered by having the atively low prevalence of the Analysis, Structure What If by Richard F. Chambers, CEO of community and 35 from trav- including, ‘spread the HPV vaccine. It is recommended disease. A situational analysis to (SWIFT), Hazard and Operability the IIA Inc. ellers returning from abroad. knowledge’, ‘educate yourself that the vaccine which protects understand the evidence base for Studies (HAZOP), Business Impact Fahad Al Marri, Senior Vice Besides, 141 people have and those around you’ and ‘did against several strains of human the adoption of a national pop- Analysis, Bow Tie Analysis, etc. President of the IIA Qatar, recovered from the virus, you know’. papillomavirus is administered ulation-based cervical cancer Alaba detailed each technique on addressed the gathering. bringing the total number of “Cervical cancer generally at age 13 years. screening service in Qatar is cur- cases recovered in Qatar to 144, occurs in midlife. Most cases are Symptoms of cervical cancer rently under evaluation between 619. All new cases have been found in women younger than include abnormal bleeding, such screening service providers and introduced to isolation and are 50, but rarely develops in women as bleeding between menstrual the MoPH.” Ashghal to complete three receiving necessary healthcare younger than 20,” said the Min- periods or after menopause, and Screening tests (pap smears) according to their health status. istry. A major cause of most cer- discharge that is unusual in are generally available at all more health centers this year The Ministry said that the vical cancers is an amount, colour, consistency, or Primary Health Care Corporation measures to tackle COVID-19 called human papillomavirus smell. Early cervical cancer (stage (PHCC) health centres and are FROM PAGE 1 which have been constructed in Qatar have succeeded in flat- (HPV). I) usually has no symptoms and free of charge for those with a in recent past or are under con- tening the curve and limiting Cervical cancer usually is often only detected through a valid health card. Besides, Sidra Al Sadd Health Center with struction in different parts of the spread of the virus and the develops slowly, evolving over a pap smear test. The Ministry has Medicine has launched a Cervical 29, 022 square metres area will the country are in fact health number of new daily cases and number of years (10 to 15 years) cautioned that diet lacking in Screening Clinic which offers have 100 clinics and be able to and wellness centers providing hospital admissions is con- during which time the cells in the fruits and vegetables, being over- screening and HPV vaccinations serve 1,500 visitors a day. services beyond just medical tinuing to decline each week. cervix undergo changes. These weight, long term use of oral to all eligible women. The new health centers diagnosis and treatment. MES Indian School students win 2nd Real estate registration online platform to add more services FROM PAGE 1 Ownership will increase the them is not to bring the prize in Toyota Dream Car Art Contest movement of sale and regis- property document (own- Khamis Jassim Al Marikhi, tration as some began pre- ership), or if the property has Head of Real Estate Regis- paring to buy which areas are a mortgage or other legal THE PENINSULA — DOHA Students participated from months of November and tration Department at the Min- better. matters, adding that there are Junior section. National winners December 2020. The Contest istry of Justice, said that the Regarding the procedures 15 real estate centers dis- A student of Grade-I of MES of the contest were announced is a world-wide competition sales movement is affected by that delay the completion of tributed in the country for reg- Indian School, Sohan Sandeep by the organisers. organised by Toyota Motor Cor- the laws, adding that the law transactions or the sale istration and documentation has won the second prize in the The 14th Toyota Dream Car poration, Japan, where the of Non-Qatari Real Estate process, he said that among service. category 1 (below 7 years) in Art Contest 2020’ was organised children under the age of 15 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest by Toyota and Abdullah years are invited to draw their 2020. Abdulghani & Bros Co. (AAB), ‘Dream Car’, which is the theme Sohan Sandeep canvassed sole agent for Toyota, during the of the competition. Lebanese artist, film producer Akram his imagination on the eco-friendly theme of eco-cars Zaatari to present next Wavelength talk titled ‘Toyota H3 THE PENINSULA — DOHA works of the last 15 years, at the Centre Pompidou, Paris; (Heal, Hope, Happy) addressing some of the crucial Guggenheim Museum, New Cars’. The budding Aspiring visual artists and film questions informing his approach York; Hammer Museum, Los talent was awarded makers across Qatar and else- to video, photography and the Angeles; K21 Dusseldorf; MACBA, with certificate and where can mark their calendars politics of documentary Barcelona; MoMA, New York; gift voucher for his for an exciting learning expe- representation. Serralves Foundation, Porto; Tate remarkable rience. Renowned Lebanese Zaatari and his film Letter to Modern, London and Walker Art achievement. Due to artist and film producer Akram a Refusing Pilot represented Center, Minneapolis. the current COVID-19 Zaatari — whom UK’s The Lebanon at the prestigious Closer to home, the Lebanese restrictions, the Guardian newspaper referred to Venice Biennial in 2013. Some artist is the co-founder of the winner was invited to as “one of the foremost artists still of his more recent solo exhibi- Arab Image Foundation, and has the showroom to living in the Arab region” — will tions include The Script, Modern played a crucial role in devel- collect the prizes in be the next presenter in the Art Oxford; Photographic Cur- oping the formal, intellectual, and person. Wavelength lectures series, on rency, La Vitrine, Beirut Art Res- institutional facets of Beirut’s Principal of MES Tuesday at 8pm Doha time. idency, Beirut; Akram Zaatari, contemporary art scene. He has Indian School, During the lecture — a collab- Turner Contemporary, Kent, UK; also made invaluable contribu- Hameeda Kadar felic- oration between Virginia Com- Against Photography. An anno- tions to various discussions itated Sohan Sandeep monwealth University School of tated history of the Arab Image focused on preservation and for his commendable the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), Foundation, National Museum archival practice. performance and a Qatar Foundation partner uni- of Modern and Contemporary The lecture will be moderated artistic talents. versity, Virginia Commonwealth Art, Seoul; and Letter to a by Noah Simblist, Associate Pro- Students from University, Richmond, and Vir- Refusing Pilot, Modern Museet, fessor and chair of Painting and classes 1 to 4 partic- ginia Commonwealth University Malmö. Printmaking, at Virginia Com- ipated in categories Sohan Sandeep, a winner of Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2020, receiving a Institute for Contemporary Art — His creative productions monwealth University School of one and two. certificate from Toyota officials. Zaatari will discuss his major have found places of prominence the Arts, Richmond. SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 HOME 03 HBKU colleges to convene Qatar attends Global Forum for Food discussion on UK-Gulf ties and Agriculture

Century’ will take place on the UK’s third largest market to policy divergences that require QNA — DOHA January 25 from 2.30pm to after the European Union and further study. The talk will consider 3.45pm, Doha time, and will be United States. The recent for- “The GCC-UK relationship The State of Qatar the marked growth in jointly moderated by Dr. Leslie mation of the Joint UK-Qatar has deep historic roots, but has participated in the Pal, founding dean, College of Eurofighter Typhoon Squadron, also shifted with the changing Global Forum for the UK’s relations with Public Policy (CPP), and Susan indicative of the cooperation strategic needs of the partners Food and Agri- the GCC, and Qatar in Karamanian, dean, College of between the Qatar Emiri Air over time. The webinar will culture, which was particular, in the last Law. Force and the Royal Air Force, provide a solid and fact-based held via video decade. The UK is a The talk will consider the further marks the growth in mil- understanding of the dynamics conference tech- second home to many marked growth in the UK’s rela- itary and security relations of the UK’s relations with Qatar nology, under the tions with the GCC, and Qatar in between the two countries. and the Gulf in the context of title “How to Feed Gulf nationals and their particular, in the last decade. The While they share similar out- changing regional and global the World in Times destination of choice for UK is a second home to many looks on various matters, both dynamics and power distribution. of and investment and higher Gulf nationals and their desti- the UK and Gulf countries — indi- We are pleased to have a guest Climate Change.” education abroad. nation of choice for investment vidually and as a regional bloc — speaker with much knowledge The State of and higher education abroad. are undergoing profound devel- and experience of the region to Qatar was repre- With growing trade and opments on the domestic and shed more light on this topic,” sented in the forum investment, the GCC as a bloc is foreign fronts, which are subject said Leslie Pal, dean of CPP at by Minister of THE PENINSULA — DOHA HBKU. Municipality and Dean of the College of Law, Environment H E A forthcoming talk being Dr. Susan Karamanian said, “The Eng Abdullah bin Minister of Municipality and Environment H E presented by the College of relationship between the United Abdulaziz bin Turki Eng Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie Public Policy (CPP) and the Kingdom and Qatar is strong, and Al Subaie. College of Law at Hamad Bin it will likely strengthen in the The forum is organized by foods to ensure food security Khalifa University (HBKU), will coming years due to shared the Federal Ministry of Food and nutrition in times of crisis, shed light on the changing values. From a legal perspective, and Agriculture in Germany, and the extent of the countries’ dynamics and increased ties the UK common law and legal with the participation of the commitment to providing food between the United Kingdom institutions have had a Secretary-General of the United in light of the persistence of (UK) and Gulf State countries. The remarkable influence on com- Nations, the Director-General various crises and epidemics at guest speaker will be H E mercial law in Qatar. The College of the World Food Organization the regional and international Jonathan Wilks CMG, British of Law looks forward to the con- (FAO), the European Com- levels, and promoting and Ambassador to Qatar. versation with Ambassador Wilks mission for Agriculture and developing innovations and ‘Understanding the and exploring how to further agriculture ministers from 80 agricultural digital technology Dynamics of the UK’s Relations Dr. Susan Karamanian strengthen the UK-Qatar bond, countries. It discussed the role in order to achieve the sus- with Qatar and the Gulf in the 21st Dr. Leslie Pal particularly on the legal front.” of trade in securing various tainable development goals. Qatari artist navigates emotional highs and lows of pandemic Single-lane closure FROM PAGE 1 on both directions are sadness and happiness,” she experience in the Fire Station,” Aisha Al Muhannadi, Ameera explained. she said. Al Aji, Amena Al Yousef, of Jasim Bin The works of Al Bader and Many of Al Bader’s works “Grey Times” features a A computer engineer and Ebtesam “Ebi” Al Hothi, Hind 17 more artists comprising the focus on important aspects of diverse array of artworks business analyst by trade, Al Al Saad, Latifa Al Kuwari, Hamad Street fifth cycle of Fire Station Artist her culture and tradition such including paintings, Bader was motivated to further Maryam Al Maadhadi, Mashael THE PENINSULA — DOHA in Residence programme are as traditional wedding, music drawings, sculptures, her artistic journey when she Al Hijazi, Naila Al Thani, Noor on display at “Grey Times” and folklore. For her residency won first place in an art salon Yousef, Hadeer Omar, Haytham exhibition which recently she spotlighted on pearl divers, installations, video and when she was just starting, Sharrouf, Jaser Alagha, The Public Works Authority opened at the Fire Station their feelings of sadness while photography, all after which she had taken art Majdulin Nasrallah, Mariam ‘Ashghal’ announced single- Garage Gallery. away from their loved ones reflecting the concept of workshops and participated in Rafehi, Maysaa Almumin, and lane traffic closure on both Al Bader is showcasing a while in the sea, exhaustion creativity in time of exhibitions from Qatar to as far Suzana Joumaa. directions of Jasim Bin Hamad collection of her paintings and brought about by a physically isolation. as Turkey, the UK and France. The group exhibition, which Street along 1400 metres from sculptures she fashioned during demanding work, and hap- “Grey Times” features a marks the end of the fifth the Al Markhiya Intersection her nine-month residency. piness as they perform songs diverse array of artworks edition of Qatar Museums’ up to Dahal Al Hamam Inter- They are all in different shades and dances to amuse including paintings, drawings, Artist in Residence programme, section. of blue, which is the signature themselves. “The Fire Station residency sculptures, installations, video runs until July 24 at Garage Ashghal also announced a colour of Al Bader’s artworks. Artist in Residence is an added value to me artistically and photography, all reflecting Gallery and is open from 9am full closure of the access to “I’ve used the blue colour annual initiative, established in because I was not doing any the concept of creativity in time to 7pm Saturday to Thursday and from Umm Al Oshush because it’s the reflection of the 2015, that nurtures creative sculpture before, but this time of isolation. The artworks are and from 1.30pm to 7pm on Street. sky and the sea and it’s also a talent from across the country I have made new sculptures as diverse as the artists in res- Friday following COVID-19 Some local entries and reflection of emotions which and worldwide. and this is the benefit of my idence including Al Bader, safety protocols. exits located along Jasim Bin Hamad Street will be tempo- rarily closed. This diversion will be implemented in coor- Late Qatari artist dination with the Traffic Department. It will start from today lasting for seven months, to Wafa’s murals upgrade the surface and groundwater network on Jasim Bin Hamad Street, as unveiled at Katara part of FIFA Readiness Project 6. During the closure period, THE PENINSULA — DOHA closer to its visitors and urging two lanes will remain open to them to get acquainted with traffic in both directions. In memory of the late prom- the structures of Qatari visual Commuters who want to inent Qatari artist Dr. Wafa Al art through a number of access Jasim Bin Hamad Hamad, two murals of her 1991 murals on the facades of its Street via Al Jassasiya Street painting “A Dream on the buildings and projects. He and Al Kharasa Street can Seabed” were unveiled pointed out that the murals on reach their destination using yesterday at the Cultural a number of facades of Katara Al Daayen Street, while com- Village Foundation (Katara). buildings highlight the muters who wish to access Katara General Manager diversity of art schools, and Jasim Bin Hamad Street via Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim show the richness of Qatari art Umm Al Oshush Street and Al Al Sulaiti unveiled the murals scene. Dr. Wafa Al Hamad led Yoosifiya Street can reach which adorn the exterior walls an outstanding artistic career their destination by using of Building 36. throughout her life which Wasit Street. Murals of prominent works made her one of the pioneers Besides, commuters of art by pioneering Qatari contemporary Qatari art exiting Jasim Bin Hamad Katara General Manager Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (second right) at the unveiling of the artists who have had a great scene. Street towards Al Daayen murals of works by prominent Qatari artist Dr. Wafa Al Hamad at Katara Building 36, yesterday. impact on the Qatari art scene The late artist was con- Street can use Al Jassasiya, deserve to stand for their cre- sidered the first Qatar Uni- and commuters exiting from ativity and introduce the versity professor to work in the combined with the use of (Oil painting) in Eastern Qatari Artists Exhibition — Jasim Bin Hamad street emerging generations to them, Department of Art Education. advanced modern Michigan in the US in 1991. She Doha 2005, and the Asian towards Umm Al Oshush said Dr. Al Sulaiti. Her work was characterized by technologies. did not stop there. She took up Artists Exhibition of the Asian Street can reach their desti- He said the launch of the originality and its connection After the artist discovered and obtained a PhD from Games — Doha 2006. nation by using Khalifa Street two murals located at the to the Qatari identity within her talent at a young age, she Northern Texas University in She returned to her mother as shown in the attached map. southern expansion of Katara what is known as geometric completed a series of art the US in 1998. university, Qatar University in The Public Works continues the series of inau- abstraction, which made her courses in free studio, pastel Among her most prom- 2000, where she joined the Authority will install road gurations of murals which establish her own artistic expe- and oil colours from 1981 AD inent exhibition participation university as an associate pro- signs advising motorists of Katara had started in the past. rience. She is considered one to 1985, and obtained a bach- are the exhibition of Arab fessor at the College of Art these temporary diversions. He added that Katara con- of the most famous contem- elor’s degree in Art Education artists in Rome and the exhi- Education. She passed away Ashghal requests all road tinues to support creativity porary artists in Qatar from Qatar University in 1986, bition of Qatari women artists. in February 2012, leaving users to abide by the speed and art with innovative throughout her life with her after which she obtained a She also participated in the behind a legacy of fine and limit and follow the road signs methods aimed at bringing art vision of the ancient world master’s degree in Studio Art Visual Arts Forum in 2005, the original art. to ensure their safety. British Council launches computer-delivered IELTS testing for UKVI in Qatar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA English, IELTS is now a household name With computer-delivered testing, The test content, timing, and high quality of the test, which measures in many countries worldwide. The candidates can take IELTS for UKVI, structure remain the same in both the four key language skills – listening, International English Language Testing Council is continually enhancing IELTS Academic, or General Training. Com- options, and, importantly, the speaking speaking, reading, and writing. It is System (IELTS) is the most widely used to improve the experience for our test puter-delivered IELTS for UKVI will not test remains face-to-face with a cer- backed by dedicated research teams in English test for migration to Australia, takers and stakeholders. replace paper-based testing but instead tified IELTS examiner. Whether candi- the UK and Australia and administered Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. It is The world’s most popular high- offer a choice in delivery and more dates take IELTS for UKVI on paper or by centres in more than 140 countries recognised by over 10,000 universities, stakes English language test for work, availability. computer, they can be confident that worldwide. schools, employers, and immigration study, and migration can now be taken Test takers can now choose the they are taking the same trusted English More and more people around the bodies, including all universities in on a computer. option and time to take IELTS for UKVI language test. world need English to study, work or Australia and the UK and many leading The computer-delivered solution is that best works for them. They can also Test takers who choose the option move abroad. institutions in the USA. secure and capable of delivering the get their results faster, with results typ- of computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI Through IELTS, the British Council Established in 1989 and jointly world-leading security, quality ically available between five to seven can access support materials to is opening the door to these life- owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS assurance, and operational benefits syn- calendar days after the test has been for taking IELTS on a computer. changing opportunities for millions of Australia and Cambridge Assessment onymous with IELTS. completed. The success of IELTS rests on the aspiring people worldwide. 04 MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 Israeli missiles strike Syria’s Hama killing 4 family members

AP & REUTERS — DAMASCUS The Syrian military official said the attack was aimed at several targets in and near Israeli warplanes fired several missiles toward central Syria the central province of Hama. It added that early yesterday, killing a family Syrian air defense units shot down most of the of four — including two children — and wounding four missiles. Separately, the Israeli military said other people, state media it downed a drone that had crossed into Israel reported. from Lebanon. It did not say how the aircraft Separately, the Israeli mil- itary said it downed a drone was brought down. There was no immediate that had crossed into Israel word from the Lebanese side. from Lebanon. It did not say how the aircraft was brought down. There was no immediate by Syria’s nearly 10-year Lebanon. word from the Lebanese side conflict. Israel has also carried out but the Hezbollah group has The Britain-based Syrian hundreds of air strikes in neigh- sent drones into Israel’s air- Observatory for Human Rights, bouring Syria in recent years space in the past. an opposition war monitoring against suspected Iranian mil- Syria’s state-news agency group that tracks Syria’s civil itary deployments or arms Sana quoted an unnamed mil- war, said the strikes targeted transfers to Hezbollah. itary official as saying the five posts for Iran-backed Tension has been high in Friday prayer at mosque in Gaza missile attack took place shortly fighters based within Syrian the Middle East in recent weeks Palestinians attend Friday prayers in a mosque after the coronavirus disease restrictions eased, in before dawn when Israeli war- army positions. around the anniversary of the Gaza City. planes flew over neighbouring It said the posts were US killing of Iran’s Revolu- Lebanon. destroyed, adding that parts of tionary Guard commander Israeli Prime Minister Ben- one of the air defense missiles Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad jamin Netanyahu’s office fell on a residential area, last January. declined to comment on the causing the casualties among Last week, Israeli war- Erdogan: 10 million CoronaVac doses reports. Israel has launched civilians. planes carried out intense air- hundreds of strikes against It was Israel’s first strike on strikes in eastern Syria, appar- Iran-linked military targets in Syria since President Joe Biden ently targeting positions and could reach Turkey by weekend Syria over the years. But it took office. arms depots of Iran-backed rarely acknowledges or dis- Israel’s military said it forces. At least 57 fighters were REUTERS — ISTANBUL that it could come by the end government to introduce cusses such operations. downed a drone that crossed killed and dozens were of this week. We expect 10 weekday curfews and weekend The Syrian military official from Lebanon and would con- wounded, according to Turkish President Tayyip million to come.” lockdowns since December. said the attack was aimed at tinue to protect its monitors. Erdogan said yesterday China Some 600,000 people were Daily cases have dropped several targets in and near the sovereignty. The Observatory said it had approved delivery of a vaccinated in two days when to around 6,000 in the recent central province of Hama. It With frictions high recorded 39 Israeli strikes second consignment of the the rollout began just over a days, from a high of more than added that Syrian air defense between Israel and Iranian- inside Syria in 2020 that hit 135 CoronaVac vaccine and 10 week ago, but the pace later 33,000 in early December. units shot down most of the backed Lebanese militant targets, including military posts, million doses could arrive in slowed. Asked whether restaurants missiles. group Hezbollah, drone warehouses and vehicles. Turkey by this weekend. The Health Ministry will test would be allowed to re-open, The official said the strike activity is common along the Israel views Iranian Turkey has already received the new shipment, which Erdogan said on Friday the gov- killed a family of four, border. It is not infrequent for entrenchment on its northern an initial consignment of three medics say takes around two ernment had concerns that they including the parents and two one side to report shooting frontier as a red line, and has million doses of the vaccine, weeks, before the vaccinations would not abide by strict children. The strike also down an unmanned aircraft repeatedly struck Iran-linked produced by Sinovac Biotech, are administered. That means measures. wounded four others, dispatched by the other. facilities and weapons convoys and has so far vaccinated more Turkey would be constrained “Unfortunately, no matter including two children, and “The drone was monitored destined for Hezbollah. than 1.170 million people, to around 100,000 inoculations how much they say we’ll keep destroyed three homes on the by the Israel Defense Forces The latest strikes also come mostly health workers and per day for the next two weeks. it tight, it is not kept tight,” he western edge of the provincial throughout the incident,” the amid intensifying low-altitude elderly people. Turkey has recorded more said. “There is a successful capital of Hama, Sana quoted military said in a statement, Israeli warplane missions in “The second consignment than 2.4 million and process right now. We don’t the official as saying. without giving further details. Lebanese skies that have was approved in China,” 24,640 deaths due to COVID-19 want to take the risk of State TV said the family that There was no immediate caused jitters among Erdogan told reporters in since March. A rise in cases over reversing this successful was killed had been displaced comment from officials in residents. Istanbul. “It is highly probable the past months led the process again”. Twitter suspends ‘fake’ account Turkey seeks arrest of judges over coup links that carried a link to Iran AP & REUTERS — ANKARA/ISTANBUL to target a wide range of to insufficient evidence. elsewhere in Turkey against opponents. The trial was followed plans approved by then- Supreme Leader’s website Turkish authorities yesterday Ankara accuses US-based closely by Turkey’s Western premier Erdogan to build a issued arrest warrants for 44 former Muslim cleric Fethullah allies and rights groups. replica Ottoman barracks in the REUTERS — DUBAI judges and prosecutors Gulen of leading the organi- The total of 16 defendants city’s Gezi Park. suspected of links to the group zation behind the attempted in the case were accused of Among those acquitted Twitter said yesterday it had suspended what it said was a fake Ankara blames for a 2016 coup, which led to more than organising and spreading the last year was philanthropist account that carried a link to the website of Iran’s Supreme coup attempt, state-run media 250 deaths and saw rogue mil- 2013 Gezi protests. The cases of businessman Kavala, who Leader, hours after it carried the image of a golfer resembling said. itary elements fire on civilians seven defendants who did not was accused of financing the former US President Donald Trump apparently being targeted The Anadolu news agency, and bomb the Turkish attend the hearings were sep- protests. by a drone. citing a statement from the parliament. arated and their trial He has remained in jail The post, on a Persian-language account carrying a link to Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s His movement is also said continues. over charges related to a Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s website, had carried the text of remarks Office, reported that most of the to have previously infiltrated Court documents showed failed coup attempt in 2016 by him in December in which he said “Revenge is certain” - suspects were believed to have its supporters within state the appeals court had ruled yes- despite the European Court referring to the killing of a top Iranian general in a US drone attack. risen to their judicial positions agencies in a bid to seize terday to overturn the acquittal of Human Rights calling for A Twitter spokeswoman said the @khamenei_site account after benefiting from a leak of control. Gulen has denied the and sent the case back to the his release. was suspended for violating the company’s platform manip- professional exam questions in allegations. lower court. After the acquittal, Erdogan ulation and spam policy, specifically the creation of fake 2011. Meanwhile, a Turkish Among the reasons for said the protests were a accounts. Asked if the @khamenei_site account was fake, she Most were later dismissed appeals court yesterday over- overturning the acquittal, the “heinous attack” aimed at the said it was. from their jobs, the private turned the acquittal of nine court said some evidence had state. He said the court had “set The golfer image tweet was retweeted by Khamenei’s main Demiroren news agency said. people, including philanthropist not been included in the rea- out to acquit (Kavala) with a Persian-language account @Khamenei-fa, although it appeared Tens of thousands of public Osman Kavala, in a case related soning for the verdict, and that manoeuvre”, adding that the to have been deleted later. The text and graphic of the tweet was employees, including members to nationwide protests in 2013, a second case against Kavala second arrest order must be also carried by Khamenei’s official website (farsi.khamenei.ir) of the judiciary, police and mil- according to court documents should also be considered while respected. and widely quoted by Iranian media. itary, were fired in the wake of seen by Reuters. ruling in the Gezi case. All defendants in the Gezi Khamenei’s @Khamenei_fa account and his main Twitter the failed putsch. The case had ended with the The demonstrations in 2013 trial deny the charges. Kavala account in English, which did not carry the golfer image tweet, Critics say the gov- surprise acquittal of nine saw hundreds of thousands also denies the charges related were still operational. ernment has used the attempt defendants last February due march in Istanbul and to the coup attempt. IS claims deadly and rare twin blasts in Baghdad Lebanon President refutes govt formation obstruction AP — BAGHDAD QNA — BEIRUT The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for a rare suicide Lebanese President Michel Aoun refuted allegations that he obstructed attack that rocked central government formation in his country. National News Agency reported Baghdad, killing 32 people and a statement by the Information Office of the Presidency as saying: wounding dozens. “Lately, there has been a proliferation of analyzes and articles dealing The bombing targeted with the position of President Aoun, regarding the issue of forming “apostates,” the group said in a the government, with the intention of distorting and suggesting that statement on an IS-affiliated President Aoun is the one who is putting obstacles in the formation website late on Thursday. process in the face of the PM-designate Saad Hariri.” At least 32 people were Refuting all these rumours and positions of some who are killed and over 100 people involved in the formation process, the Information Office of the wounded in the blasts. Some Presidency confirms that the President did not ask for the “blocking were in severe condition. third” in the upcoming government formation, the statement said. According to officials, the first As for choosing ministers, naming them and distributing port- suicide bomber cried out loudly folios, this matter is not the exclusive right of the prime minister, that he was ill in the middle of based on the Constitution, which indicates that the President has the bustling market, prompting the constitutional right to approve the cabinet formation com- a crowd to gather around him pletely before signing, it added. — and that’s when he detonated his explosive belt. The second Saudi-led forces thwart 2 attacks by Houthis detonated shortly after. The US-led coalition REUTERS — DUBAI recently ceased combat activ- ities and is gradually drawing The Saudi-led coalition fighting against Yemen’s Houthi movement down its troop presence in Iraq, People gather at the damaged site in the aftermath of Thursday's twin suicide bombing attack in a said had it thwarted two attacks by the Houthis last morning, sparking fears of an IS resur- central market, in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday. including destroying an explosive-laden boat in the southern Red gence. The group has rarely Sea, Saudi state TV said on Twitter. been able to penetrate the nearly three years to hit the exclusively target Iraqi government’s focus on The coalition also intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden capital since being dislodged by capital. security forces. tackling the coronavirus pan- drone launched by the Houthis towards Saudi Arabia, state TV channel Iraqi forces and the US-led coa- Elsewhere, in northern An increase in attacks was demic and exploited security Ekhbariya said on Twitter. The Saudi-led coalition since 2015 has lition in 2017. Iraq and the western desert, seen last summer as militants gaps across disputed territory fought the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which has launched cross- The attack was the first in attacks continue and almost took advantage of the in northern Iraq. border missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities. SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 AFRICA 05 Another big storm set to hit central Mozambique

REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG used to batter this stretch of southeast Malawi and Zimbabwe, displaced Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs insurgency in Mozambique’s north. African coastline only rarely, have many more and wiped out crops when (OCHA) said, adding rivers in the region The International Organisation of A powerful storm nearing Mozambique become a regular occurrence as Idai struck in March 2019. were already on alert due to high water Migration said this week that just under is expected to intensify into a tropical warmer waters linked to global Mozambique, one of the world’s levels. 1,000 people had been relocated cyclone, according to forecasts, warming from greenhouse gas emis- poorest countries, was hit by another The International Organisation of within Beira or surrounding areas due dumping rain onto already swollen sions cause stronger storms while cyclone, dubbed Kenneth, six weeks Migration says there are 93,418 dis- to flooding. rivers in an area devastated by Cyclone rising seas make low-lying coastlines later, bringing floods and high winds placed people in four provinces in The government is warning Idai less than two years ago. vulnerable to them, experts say. that flattened several villages. Mozambique’s central region, most people to prepare via phone mes- Tropical Storm Eloise, currently INAM said Eloise, due to make Eloise is expected to pummel the forced from their homes by Cyclone sages, radio and loudspeakers. Last over the Mozambique channel whose landfall on Saturday, could pack winds port city of Beira and surrounding Idai and others displaced by more time it was criticised for not doing warm Indian Ocean waters fuel its of up to 140 kmh (87 mph) and deliver areas - which bore the brunt of Idai. recent storms and floods. enough to prepare. strength, could develop into a category 200 millimetres (7.87 inches) of rain Some areas are already flooded after Idai spawned a vast humani- After hitting land, Eloise is forecast 3 tropical cyclone, Mozambique’s in 24 hours. heavy rains. tarian machinery that may mean to lose strength as it travels inland to National Meteorological Institute This has raised fears of widespread “There are growing concerns better preparedness this time around, southern Zimbabwe, eastern South (INAM) said. flooding like that which killed over regarding the potential for widespread but resources are already stretched, Africa and far eastern Botswana, but Cyclones and flash floods, which 1,000 people across Mozambique, floods,” the UN Office for the including by an escalating Islamist carry heavy rains with it. Tunisia President denies making anti-Semitic remarks

AP — TUNIS Kais Saied’s statement was in response to The Tunisian president has allegations by the Conference of European denied claims that he made Rabbis that he accused Jews of being anti-Semitic remarks this week while trying to calm youths responsible “for the instability of the country.” after days of unrest. “The president mentioned no religion and there Kais Saied’s statement was in response to allegations by the was no reasonable motive to deal with the Conference of European Rabbis question of religion in the context of protests,” that he accused Jews of being his office’s statement said. responsible “for the instability of the country.” The CER statement, issued on directly with youths after a the question of religion in the Tuesday, said such talk “consti- spate of vandalism and looting context of protests,” his office’s tutes an immediate threat for the in several towns. statement said. physical and moral integrity of The Tunisian president, It said the president spoke Tunisian Jewish Citizens.” The wearing a mask, was not always with the chief rabbi of Tunisia, organisation asked the head of fully audible in the recording Haim Bittan, to reassure him state to retract his words. posted by his office of his that Tunisian Jews enjoy “the The statement, relayed by encounter with the youths. solicitude and protection of the some Israeli media, caused an The groundswell of anger Tunisian state, like all other uproar, forcing Saied to address grew out of economic and citizens.” Street show the allegations, which his office social ills and failed promises Saied also used the occasion A man with a weapon rides a horse at Tahrir Square in Sana'a in Yemen, yesterday. firmly denied. of opportunities that flowed to underscore his fervent In a statement on from Tunisia’s revolution 10 defence of Palestinians’ rights Wednesday night, his office years ago, The unrest began “to their land,” referring to denounced the “propagation of amid a four-day lockdown that Israeli-occupied territory, while false information,” saying it started on January 14 — the day saying that position is not Morocco gets two million AstraZeneca amounted to “calumny.” Tunisia marked its revolution. linked to religious freedom. Saied visited M’nihla-Ettad- “The president mentioned There are an estimated vaccine doses; first big shipment to Africa hamon, outside the capital no religion and there was no 1,500 Jews in Tunisia, mainly Tunis, on Tuesday to speak reasonable motive to deal with on the island of Djerba. REUTERS — RABAT World Health Organization infections, including 8,076 Director-General Tedros deaths. Morocco received 2 million doses Adhanom Ghebreyesus this Although Egypt received Zimbabwe reduces surgeries amid COVID-19 resurgence of Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 week described the unequal 50,000 vaccine doses in vaccine yesterday, becoming the access poor countries had to December from its close ally the BLOOMBERG — HARARE the festive season. More than 3 million Zimba- first African country to get a large COVID-19 vaccines as a “cata- United Arab Emirates, no bweans are estimated to be based in South Africa. enough shipment to roll out a strophic moral failure”. African country had up to now Zimbabwe’s government scaled down opera- “We cannot shut down government com- nationwide immunisation Rabat has placed orders for received enough supply to start tions amid a second wave of coronavirus infec- pletely, so we have to do our best to ensure gov- programme. 65 million doses, comprising 25 mass inoculations. tions, with only 10% of its workers available in ernment work continues,” Mangwana said. “But The consignment arrived on million of the AstraZeneca India, the world’s largest offices until February 5. Essential services will we have to minimize contact among workers by a Royal Air Maroc flight from vaccine - for which it has deals vaccine manufacturer, began be offered by staff exempted from the southern taking all possible precautions.” India, which began exporting with both Serum Institute of exporting the AstraZeneca/ African country’s 30-day lockdown, government Zimbabwe had 30,047 reported cases of the vaccine, developed in con- India (SII) and Russia’s Oxford vaccine to neighbouring spokesman Nick Mangwana said in an interview Covid-19 with 917 deaths as of Jan. 21. Among junction with Oxford Uni- R-Pharm - and the remainder Asian countries on Wednesday. on Thursday. The remainder who have online the fatalities are senior government officials, versity, to mid- and lower- with China’s Sinopharm. The SII also planned to ship access will work from home, he said. including former Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso income countries this week. Morocco plans a free vac- doses to Brazil. President Emmerson Mnangagwa imposed Moyo and Ellen Gwaradzimba, the provincial The vast majority of the cination campaign targeting The AstraZeneca vaccine restrictions, including a dawn-to-dusk curfew, minister for Manicaland. production of the three most 25 million people or 80% of requires two doses, but unlike and closed all non-essential businesses on Jan. Thousands of people have been arrested for widely approved COVID vac- its population, starting with some other vaccines it does not 3 after a spike in virus-related deaths since violating the lockdown and some have been cines, including the Astrazeneca health workers. By yes- need ultra-cold storage, making December. Officials attribute the increase to cit- jailed, according to police spokesman Paul drug, has so far been hoovered terday, it had reported it easier to roll out in hot coun- izens visiting from neighboring countries over Nyathi. up by developed nations. 463,706 coronavirus tries and remote locations. UN warns of serious abuse charges in Tigray region UN sets dates for Libyan AP — NAIROBI reports of individuals allegedly the demand for emergency con- A spokeswoman for Patten’s increasing reports of sexual vio- transitional forced to rape members of their traception and testing for sex- office wouldn’t say which “mil- lence against women and girls” The UN special representative own family, under threats of ually transmitted infections.” itary elements” were involved. inside the camps, Patten’s govt selection on sexual violence in conflict imminent violence,” Pramila Patten joined growing calls The fighters in Tigray include statement said. says “serious allegations of Patten said in a statement for immediate and uncondi- those from the neighboring Ethiopia’s government says sexual violence” have emerged released late on Thursday. tional access to the Tigray Amhara region and other parts aid has begun flowing into the REUTERS — TUNIS in Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray “Some women have also region, where fighting broke out of Ethiopia as well as soldiers Tigray region, but humanitarian region, while women and girls reportedly been forced by mil- in early November between from neighbouring Eritrea. workers have told The Asso- The United Nations Libya face shortages of rape kits and itary elements to have sex in Ethiopian forces and those of New arrivals in camps for ciated Press that access remains mission said that nominations HIV drugs amid restrictions on exchange for basic commod- the now-fugitive Tigray leaders refugees and internally dis- limited. In addition, aid is some- for leadership of a new unified humanitarian access. ities, while medical centers who once dominated the coun- placed people are reporting times accompanied by Ethi- transitional government must “There are also disturbing have indicated an increase in try’s government. sexual violence, and “there are opian forces. be made within a week and voting on candidates would take place in early February. Libya has been divided Nigerian stunt crew aims to since 2014 between rival administrations in the capital Tripoli, in the west, and in the kick-start Nollywood action boom country’s east. Manoeuvring over the new government has REUTERS — PORT HARCOURT Now, producers who feel of the weapon, then stain raised fears that powerful spotted their talents have flown it with a little blood so once you figures who stand to lose With fists, flips and kicks, a them to Lagos to choreograph are making the motions, it looks influence could attempt to sab- Nigerian stunt crew is bringing action sequences for upcoming as if the person has actually otage the process. blow-by-blow recreations of films in a bid to bolster the been cut.” The UN in November famous fight scenes to genre within Nollywood, a Attention to detail brought gathered 75 Libyan partici- Nollywood, aiming to put some multibillion dollar industry the crew to the attention of Nol- pants in a political dialogue muscle into a film industry churning out movies and TV lywood filmmakers. Olukiran in Tunis aimed at setting a better known for drama, shows at a rate second only to Babatunde Olawale, a director roadmap to national elections comedy and romance. India’s Bollywood. and producer, drafted the group that they set for late The 15-member Xcel “This started as a result of a last October to choreograph December. Theater, based in the southern passion I have for creative stunt stunts for Mamba Diamond, an After weeks of wrangling, oil city of Port Harcourt, started works that I see in most big action-comedy about two the dialogue members this out posting dance and comedy films,” said Samuel Iyare, the amateur thieves who mis- week agreed on rules for routines on social media. 35-year-old founder of Xcel, at takenly steal one of the world’s selecting a new three-member Last year, the group began a shoot in Port Harcourt. most valuable jewels, set for presidential council and a clashing swords, ducking kicks Iyare, a fan of Hollywood release in May. prime minister to oversee the and flipping over scenery to rec- action films, bankrolls shoots “We were very, very run-up to the election. reate some of film and televi- on as little as 30,000 naira impressed,” said Olawale, who The UN said on Thursday sion’s most intense fights, ($80) by making furniture — a sees a bright future for Nol- that dialogue members would Members of the group ‘Xcel Theatre’, which hopes to boost interest including “Into The Badlands”, skill also useful when creating lywood action films featuring vote on candidates for the new for action films in Nollywood, imitate scenes from a Chinese action “The Witcher” and “The Raid” as props. “We dull the edges,” he the athleticism of fresh talent government’s leadership posi- film in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. well as scenes featuring actors said while holding a wooden like Xcel. “They are going to be tions in Switzerland from Feb- like Jason Statham and Jet Li. knife. “We paint it to give us the in a lot of film projects.” ruary 1-5. 06 HOME SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 07 India inoculates over 1 million within a week REUTERS — NEW DELHI such that vaccine is fast off with 30 million healthcare been able to meet their daily 25,800 participants by early reaching every corner of the and other front-line workers targets. January. Prime Minister Narendra Modi country,” Modi said while first in the queue, followed by The South Asian country’s It said in a statement that In the coming months, said yesterday India was interacting with healthcare about 270 million people older own vaccination drive 1.04 million people had India is expected to approve completely self-reliant on workers from his Varanasi than 50 or deemed at high-risk kicked off with 30 million received their first vaccine two more vaccines, Russia’s coronavirus vaccine supplies constituency through video because of pre-existing doses as of early yesterday. Sputnik V and Cadila Health- as the world’s second-most conferencing. medical conditions. healthcare and other Some doctors have care’s ZyCov-D. India’s focus populous country inoculated “And on the world’s biggest That puts 70-year-old front-line workers first in expressed doubt about the on locally-made shots could more than one million people need today, we are completely Modi in the second category. the queue, followed by Bharat Biotech vaccine, which force companies such as Pfizer within a week of starting a self-reliant. Not just that, India He reiterated the sequence about 270 million people was given approval for emer- Inc to also look at producing massive campaign. is also helping out many coun- would be followed but no older than 50 or deemed gency use without efficacy in the country. On Saturday, India began tries with vaccines.” made reference to when data from late-stage clinical The US company was first what the government calls the India, known as the phar- exactly he would take the at high-risk because of trials. The government says it to seek emergency use author- world’s biggest vaccination maceutical capital of the inoculation. pre-existing medical is safe and effective. isation in India early last programme, using two shots world, has gifted vaccines to India, a country of 1.35 conditions. Bharat Biotech said yes- month, with plans to import made locally: one licensed neighbours and partners such billion people, has so far terday that 13,000 people par- the shots, but a top gov- from Oxford University and as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, reported 10.63 million ticipating in the late-stage trial ernment vaccine official said AstraZeneca Plc, and another Seychelles, Mauritius and the COVID-19 cases — the highest of its had been given it will need to do a local trial developed at home by Bharat Maldives. It was starting com- after the United States — with States, Britain or France. Still, the second dose, which could first. Biotech in partnership with the mercial shipments to Brazil 153,032 deaths. it has been urging more help it soon get some idea The government has also state-run Indian Council of and Morocco yesterday. The health ministry says frontline people to come about its efficacy. It began the requested the company to Medical Research. The South Asian country’s India inoculated more people forward to take the shots as late trial in November, com- consider local production like “Our preparation has been own vaccination drive kicked on its first day than the United only a handful of states have pleting registration of a total the Russians have done. Nepal: Three former Myanmar gets first batch PMs join protesters of vaccines REUTERS — KATHMANDU Yesterday, the protesters demanded that he withdraw his from India Three former Nepali prime “unconstitutional” move that has ministers joined thousands of plunged the young republic REUTERS — YANGON demonstrators yesterday to already battling the pandemic protest against Prime Minister into political turmoil. Myanmar yesterday received 1.5 KP Sharma Oli’s abrupt move to “We will all continue our million doses of a COVID-19 dissolve parliament and call protests to pressure Oli to realise vaccine supplied by India to snap elections. his mistake and correct it,” inoculate 750,000 people, the Judges in the Supreme Court former prime minister Madhav first vaccine batch delivered to are hearing arguments on more Kumar Nepal told the anti-gov- the Southeast Asian country as than a dozen petitions chal- ernment rally in the heart of it fights one of the worst lenging Oli’s plan to seek elec- Kathmandu. COVID-19 outbreaks in the tions about two years before his Former premiers Prachanda, region. government’s tenure ends. who led a decade long Maoist “This is a gift from India to Oli, 68, has said internal insurgency that ended in 2006 Myanmar,” Saurabh Kumar, squabbling and a lack of coop- and still goes by his nom de India’s ambassador to eration from members of his guerre, and Jhal Nath Khanal, Myanmar, told reporters at party had paralysed decision- were also at the rally. All three Yangon airport, where he making, forcing his December former premiers are from Oli’s oversaw the arrival of the Protesters affiliated with a faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party take part in a rally against 2020 move to seek an early vote. party but oppose the dissolution. vaccine. Myanmar health min- the dissolution of parliament, in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. In recent weeks Oli has been A senior police official said an istry spokeswoman Khin Khin attending rallies organised by his estimated 25,000 people had Gyi said the vaccine would be supporters in support of his gathered to protest near Oli’s the Himalayan nation, which hearing on Oli’s decision was had registered their names to kept in Yangon in special refrig- decision that mirror regular office yesterday and more lies between India and China. expected to go on until Feb- participate in the erated rooms before being demonstrations against it. marches were planned across Legal experts said the ruary as more than 300 lawyers proceedings. rolled out next week. “Healthcare workers will be first priority and elderly people will be next,” she said, noting India: Farmers reject govt offer of deferring new reform laws Myanmar has more than 110,000 medical workers. REUTERS — NEW DELHI Uttar Pradesh would drive between government officials led the farm leaders told reporters tomorrow,” he said. Despite the arrival of vac- tractors through New Delhi on by Agricultural minister Narendra after the meeting. Hundreds of thousands of cines, Khin Khin Gyi urged Indian farmers yesterday rejected January 26, the Republic Day Singh Tomar and forty farm Modi’s government has said farmers have been camping on people in Myanmar not to get an offer by the government to national holiday when Prime Min- leaders earlier yesterday was that the laws introduced in Sep- the outskirts of national capital for complacent and follow health defer three farm reform laws for ister Narendra Modi will join a inconclusive. Farmers stuck to tember will unshackle farmers nearly two months, blocking some protocols to prevent further one-and-half years, warning they parade of military forces. their demands while the gov- from the obligation of selling of the roads connecting New Delhi spread of the virus. would step up protests as they Although some former gov- ernment urged them to consider produce only at regulated with neighbouring states. Sup- In a post on an official gov- seek a repeal of the laws and a ernment officials have expressed its offer to hold discussions to wholesale markets. But the porting the farmers, the main ernment Facebook page, guarantee on minimum crop concern that the protests could address their concerns after farmers say the bills are designed opposition Congress party said Myanmar leader Aung San Suu prices. turn violent, the leaders said they deferring the laws. to benefit private buyers. yesterday that the government Kyi urged “all our people to Farm leaders said hundreds would remain peaceful and urged “There is a sort of deadlock as Tomar said the government had shown “shocking insensitivity support us to make all of thousands of farmers from the police to grant permission for the government repeated the offer was committed to the reforms. and arrogance” towards farmers COVID-19 control and neighbouring states including the convoy to enter the capital. of deferring the laws, which is not “If (farm leaders) agree with and urged it to accept their treatment programmes a Haryana, Punjab and western The 11th round of talks acceptable,” Darshan Pal, one of our proposal, we can meet demands. success”. After containing the number of COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the pandemic, Victoria eases social Myanmar is now struggling with a second wave, recording more than 136,000 cases and 3,000 gathering restrictions deaths. The number of daily new cases has dropped recently, REUTERS — SYDNEY huge demands across Europe though medical experts say it is from other clients.” Morrison unlikely to provide a full picture Australia’s second most also said Australia would not given relatively low testing populous state of Victoria eased increase existing quotas for rates. social gathering restrictions returning citizens, which were yesterday after recording 16 slashed earlier this month due days without any new corona- to concerns about more conta- At least 5 mine virus infections in the gious strains of the virus orig- community, doubling the inating overseas. workers dead number of people allowed to New South Wales state, the gather at home to 30. focus of recent community out- in explosion Australia has fared better breaks which sparked border than most developed econ- closures and interstate travel REUTERS — BENGALURU omies in the pandemic through restrictions, yesterday recorded swift border closures, lock- no new cases for the 5th con- At least five mine workers were downs, widespread testing and secutive day. killed in southern India when . Yesterday, it Queensland state Premier their trucks carrying blasting achieved a fifth day of zero Annastacia Palaszscuk said material exploded, officials said An officer wearing protective gear walks at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka. coronavirus cases in the com- three new cases of overseas yesterday. Local media said the munity nationwide. COVID-19 transmissions had toll could be higher. With a total of just over been detected in the country’s The workers were trans- Sri Lanka approves Oxford-AstraZeneca 28,700 cases, the over- third most populous state, but porting gelatin sticks used com- whelming majority in Victoria, there had been no new positive monly as explosive material in vaccine amid warnings of virus spread and 909 COVID-19 deaths, Aus- cases detected in the stone mining quarries, a senior tralia plans to start vaccinations community. police official at the site of the AP — COLOMBO several hospitals. When you have the country’s main fish market in February. That was the 10th day accident, in Shivamogga district one positive case, about 10 health alerted authorities about a rise Following a meeting with without local transitions there of Karnataka state, said. Sri Lanka yesterday approved workers will need to be sent to in the sale of paracetamol, an state and territory govern- following a small outbreak of News18 said that the death the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine quarantine. The system is col- indication people were suffering ments, Prime Minister Scott a more contagious variant that toll could be as high as 11. for COVID-19 amid warnings lapsing day by day,” said Dr. from fevers. Testing of fish Morrison said the plan was infected at least six people. Karnataka, home to the tech from doctors that front-line Haritha Aluthge from the Gov- vendors detected a second subject to production and dis- Victorian Premier Daniel hub of Bengaluru, has vast health workers should be quickly ernment Medical Officers’ Asso- cluster. tribution issues vaccine makers Andrews said the bigger gath- mineral deposits and stone inoculated to prevent the medical ciation, the largest doctors’ union In the more than three were experiencing. erings would be allowed at quarries, but the safety of mine system from collapsing. in the country. months since then, Sri Lanka has “We would hope to com- home from mid-night and workers has remained a Minister for Pharmaceutical “Vaccines need to be given reported more than 52,000 new mence in mid- to late-February travel with COVID testing from concern. Karnataka Chief Min- Production and Regulation quickly to keep the health patients and 260 deaths. but that will obviously change most parts of NSW and ister BS Yedyurappa said five Channa Jayasumana said the workers’ morals up and we need Between 500 to 900 new cases and be subject to any impacts Queensland would be allowed people were confirmed dead vaccine is the first to be approved health workers to treat patients,” are reported every day. on production schedules without having to quarantine and three people including the for emergency use in Sri Lanka, Aluthge said. Doctors blame overseas,” Morrison told for 14 days. owner of the quarry had been while several other candidates After two months during complacency. reporters in Brisbane. Meanwhile, Emirates, detained and an investigation are in the pipeline at the National which no locally transmitted “We were a success story, but “At this stage we’re relying which had temporarily halted was ongoing. “Pained by the loss Medicines Regulatory Authority. cases were reported, a random the issue was we all as Sri on the delivery of the vaccines flights to Sydney, Melbourne of lives in Shivamogga... the state It is unknown when Sri test on a factory worker in Lankans forgot COVID-19 was from those producing countries and Brisbane due to Australia’s government is providing all pos- Lanka will be getting the vaccine. October led to the detection of a existing. We thought that COVID at this early stage. We’re being strict testing rules, said on sible assistance to the affected,” “Hundreds of health care new cluster. At about the same was over,” said Senal Fernando, very careful to be clear about Thursday it would resume Prime Minister Narendra Modi workers have tested positive in time, the owner of an eatery near secretary of the doctors’ union. expectations here. There are a those flights later this month. said in a Twitter post. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL

Efficient delivery of projects A file photo of Nagasaki hit by a second bomb on August 9, 1945 killing 74,000 people.

UNDER its slogan ‘Qatar deserves the best’, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is fast completing different Nuclear weapons are outlawed development projects either they are roads and infra- structure or related to 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ashghal’s Building Projects Department is also delivering projects well before stipulated time. finally, next step is disarmament Ashghal recently completed major works of South Al Wakra Health Center, implemented by the Building (TPNW) comes into force. 100,000 people, including 1,924 Projects Department, to serve about 360 visitors per This day is nothing short of a of Hiroshima’s 2,080 doctors and day. This year, Ashghal will also deliver three more health victory for humanity. Seventy- nurses. This is the reality we are centers including Al Khor Health Center, Ain Khalid five years after nuclear bombs up against. Health Center, Al Sadd Health Centre and the National wrought war’s worst horror on Even if the horror of nuclear Health Laboratory. the people of Hiroshima and detonation may feel like distant Last year, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) suc- Nagasaki, the world’s newest history, the risk today is too high. cessfully completed several highways, and local road multilateral treaty outlaws Treaties to reduce arsenals are ROBERT MARDINI projects and infrastructure works in many areas. The AL JAZEERA nuclear weapons. It prohibits the being abandoned, new types of operation and maintenance of road and drainage net- use, threat of use, development, nuclear weapons are being pro- works continued across the country as well. By the end production, testing and stock- duced, and serious threats are of 2020, around 828 km of highways were completed The vile suffering that poison gas piling of nuclear weapons, for- being made. That is an arms race, by the Authority. inflicted on the soldiers of WWI malising into law a strongly held and it is frightening. Ashghal also completed about 90% of the outfall so horrified the world that taboo against the use of nuclear By setting out pathways for tunnel’s construction works within the Mesaimeer chemical weapons were banned weapons and providing a further their elimination, the treaty is a pumping station and the offshore outfall project and only seven years after the Great disincentive for their concrete step towards fulfilling 95% of the sewage treatment plant project in Al Tha- War ended. proliferation. longstanding nuclear disar- khira in 2020. But during the next global The TPNW is also the first mament obligations, notably The pace of construction works at recently-com- conflict, an even more indiscrim- instrument of international law those under the Nuclear Non- pleted South Al Wakra Health Centre went in accordance inate and inhumane weapon was to mitigate the catastrophic Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which with the set plan of the project despite the COVID-19 unleashed. Nuclear blasts deci- humanitarian consequences of desperately needs to see real pandemic. The project took about 682,000 man-hours mated two Japanese cities as if nuclear weapons by requiring progress on its nuclear disar- without lost-time injury; since Ashghal provides all safety they had been “swept away by a states that suffered a nuclear mament obligations if it is to precautionary measures for the workers deployed to Today we supernatural power”, Dr Marcel explosion to provide medical maintain its credibility. the project. celebrate the Junod, a doctor for the Interna- care for victims on their territory. We are urging states that Ashghal has also completed main works of the tional Committee of the Red What the treaty does not do, possess nuclear weapons to Improvement of Main Roads in Al Nasr Area project. entry into force Cross (ICRC), wrote after visiting quite obviously, is magically urgently take them off high alert The completed works included the upgrade of 7km of of the TPNW. Hiroshima. eliminate the world’s current status and reduce their role in main roads in Al Nasr area in addition to completion of The doctor quickly concluded nuclear arsenal. Indeed, it their military doctrines, pending 6 signalised intersections. But it is only that like poison gas after WWI, would be naive to expect the their total elimination. And we The newly upgraded roads include Al Nasr Street, the beginning nuclear weapons too must be TPNW to deliver a world hope every country finds itself, Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street, Al Kinana Street and banned outright. “Only a unified without nuclear weapons sooner or later, in a position to Mohamed Bin Qasim Street along with Al Syoul Street, of the world’s world policy can save the world tomorrow. The new treaty sign and ratify the treaty. Yaser bin Amar Street, Al Basateen Street, Zaid Al Khail journey to from destruction,” he wrote. By should instead be viewed as the The passage of time may Street and Al Ghotah Street. eliminate 1950, an estimated 340,000 moral and legal starting point have numbed us to the devas- Meanwhile, Ashghal has also started works on the people had died from the effects for a long-term effort to tation of a nuclear detonation. Roads and Infrastructure Development Project in nuclear of those two bombs. achieve nuclear disarmament. But every human on earth should Area which is as part of Ashghal’s plan to weapons. The For more than 75 years, We must now work to ensure be horrified at even the possi- provide an integrated infrastructure, an advanced roads almost half of the ICRC’s 158 the broadest possible bility that such a weapon could network and service facilities throughout the country. end comes years of existence, we have been adherence to the treaty’s be used again. The project is located in Mebaireek, specifically when those advocating for the elimination of prohibitions. Today we celebrate the entry South of Salwa Road, West of Energy Street, and North nuclear weapons for one simple The world’s nine nuclear- into force of the TPNW. But it is of Industrial Street 33. It aims to provide an internal road 13,000 nuclear reason: We do not believe they armed states have more than only the beginning of the world’s network and an integrated infrastructure that meets the weapons no can be used without inflicting 13,000 nuclear bombs, with journey to eliminate nuclear requirements of the population and urban growth in the longer exist. significant death and suffering command-and-control networks weapons. The end comes when future. among civilians. vulnerable to human error and those 13,000 nuclear weapons That is why January 22, 2021, cyberattacks. The power of many no longer exist. is such a momentous day for us. of those warheads is far greater The writer is Director- It is the day the Treaty on the than those dropped in 1945, General, International Com- Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons bombs that killed more than mittee of the Red Cross D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] 400,000 dead. Never forget these precious lives lost. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 THE WASHINGTON POST That was the wife of Pedro dead, daily death tolls as reach 200,000 deaths, three Ramirez recounting the final high as 4,000 - and grisly more months to exceed MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 “He’d wake up at 3 or 4 in the hours of her 47-year-old comparisons - more deaths 300,000 deaths and now just morning to get to the hospital husband before he died of the in a day than people killed five short weeks to hit DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 for rounds, so he could be at coronavirus on Jan. 4. on 9/11 or at Pearl Harbor, 400,000 deaths. It is esti- his office when it opened. He “My beautiful, sassy, eight times more total deaths mated that 1 in every 14 LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 never took a break.” That was smart loving Granddaughter than of Americans in a Americans has been infected Dr. Carlos Araujo Preza’s has gone home to be with decade of fighting in with the virus, and experts are BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 daughter talking about her Jesus.” That is how the Vietnam. The numbers can warning of a new, more con- 51-year-old father, a pulmon- grandmother of Honestie become numbing. But each tagious strain of the virus that SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 ologist in Texas who had been Hodges announced the death loss is its own heartbreaking could make those numbers on the frontlines of the coro- of her granddaughter, whose story. even worse. ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 navirus pandemic before he handcuffing when she was 11 No part of the country, no That effective vaccines are email: [email protected] died of the disease on Nov. 30. caused a national uproar racial, ethnic or socioeco- now being rolled out, albeit “My mom was the smiling over policing of Black nomic group, has been not as quickly as needed, and PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 face, the one that everybody children. She was 14 when spared. We had hoped that that Wednesday saw the email: [email protected] loved.” That is how Debra she died of covid-19 on the first grim milestone of inauguration of a president Ivory, 62, owner of a popular November 22. 100,000 covid-19 deaths who has promised a plan of ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 barbecue restaurant in It has been a year since reached in May would have action against the pandemic FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] Oklahoma City, was remem- the first coronavirus case in served as a wake-up call to are reasons for some hope. It bered by her son after she the United States was the need to change habits and is important, though, that we CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 died of covid-19 on Dec. 13. reported. The toll of the pan- policies. Instead - thanks to never forget the precious lives email: [email protected] “I told him I loved him and demic is often recorded with the abdication of national and lost and how many could how sorry I was that he had to the horrifying numbers - state leadership - it took four have been saved if gov- SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 be in the hospital by himself.” more than 400,000 people months for the country to ernment had not failed. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Once again, the Iraqi people will not be cowed by these cowardly attacks. Now is the time /Peninsula_Qatar for unity and all national efforts must focus on /ThePeninsulaNewspaper ensuring the security of the people. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative for the +974 6698 6188 UN Assistance Mission for Iraq SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 09 Beijing launches mass virus testing REUTERS — BEIJING work unit told me to,” he said. Shanghai began testing all Beijing launched mass hospital staff for the disease on COVID-19 testing in some areas Long queues formed in Thursday after two such yesterday and Shanghai was some districts in Beijing, workers tested positive. testing all hospital staff as China where mass testing was Almost all of the local trans- battles its worst outbreak of the launched following missions and asymptomatic disease since March, with several consecutive days cases in Harbin, the capital of families fretting over Lunar Heilongjiang province, were New Year reunion plans amid of new cases. City officials linked to a meat processing new curbs. said there were some plant owned by a joint venture Mainland China reported a “leaks” in epidemic between Thailand’s top agro- slight decline in new daily control in some rural industrial conglomerate, CP COVID-19 cases yesterday —103 Group, and a development zone. from 144 infections a day areas, with inadequate Tens of millions of people earlier. adherance to rules on have been under some kind of People line up to get their nucleic acid test following an outbreak of coronavirus disease in Beijing, Of the new cases, 94 were wearing masks, social lockdown in northern cities China, yesterday. local transmissions, Hei- distancing and amid worries that undetected longjiang province in the temperature checks. infections could spread quickly northeast reported 47 new during the Lunar New Year and be subject to 14 days of taking care of her mother. station, which normally sees vast cases, while Shanghai reported holiday in mid-February. home observation. Hebei She said she had been told by numbers of passengers in the six new cases and the capital, Hundreds of millions of province, next to Beijing, her neighbourhood she was not run-up to the Lunar New Year, Beijing, reported three new temperature checks. people usually travel during the reported 18 new locally trans- allowed to return to Beijing, was virtually empty yesterday cases. Long queues formed in A queue more than 200 holiday, as migrant workers mitted cases. At the high-speed where the rest of her family are. morning. The number of new some districts in Beijing, where metres long built up outside return to their home provinces railway station in its largest city, She hoped restrictions would be asymptomatic cases, which China mass testing was launched fol- Dengshikou Elementary School, to see family. Officials expect Shijiazhuang, passengers were lifted in time for them to reunite does not classify as confirmed lowing several consecutive days a testing spot near the city large numbers of travellers, allowed to get off a train yes- over the festival. She said she was cases, rose to 119 from 113 cases of new cases. City officials said centre. A man surnamed Lin although many fewer than in terday but none were seen determined to get back to Beijing a day earlier. there were some “leaks” in epi- said the supermarket he works normal years. getting on. to be with her daughter and her The total number of con- demic control in some rural at had told him to get a test. The northern port city of “I’ve never been separated father was in a nursing home firmed COVID-19 cases in areas, with inadequate “I’m not that worried though Tianjin said yesterday that all from my daughter over New there that no longer allowed mainland China now stands at adherance to rules on wearing this round of the outbreak is a domestic arrivals would have to Year before,” said a woman sur- visitors. 88,804, while the death toll masks, social distancing and bit unexpected. I came as my present a negative COVID-19 test named Hao, in Shijiazhuang The capital’s west train remained unchanged at 4,635. Mongolia PM quits over COVID-19 hospital scandal Experts: 15 more days to reach

AP — ULAANBAATAR in slippers and a thin robe from “President Battulga politi- interests within the Mongolian trapped China mine workers the maternity ward to a special cized and funded the people’s People’s Party of pushing him Mongolia’s prime minister has wing for COVID-19 patients demonstration and lost my out in order to stymie investi- AP — BEIJING been in a coma. Two others are resigned following a protest while holding her newborn. trust. I made this decision to gations into alleged corruption said to be in poor health. Res- over a hospital’s treatment of a Mongolia closed its borders prevent riot and disorder which in Mongolia’s crucial mining It will take at least 15 more days cuers have delivered food, med- new mother who tested positive last January and has held coro- might be caused by misuse of industry. to get through a massive icine and other supplies to the for the coronavirus. navirus cases to just 1,592, people’s trust and instigation,” Mongolia has suffered from amount of debris and reach group of 11 as they work to Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, although many Mongolians Khurelsukh said in a statement economic malaise, corruption miners already trapped for 11 remove debris and improve whose Mongolian People’s have protested at the economic to parliament on Thursday. and weak public services for the days since an explosion in a gold ventilation. Party holds a strong majority in impact of control measures. “As chairman of the ruling country’s 3.2 million people, mine in eastern China, author- The state media reports said the parliament known as the The incident comes against party, I believe the president about half of whom live in ities said on Thursday. exhaustion has set in among State Great Khural, stepped the background of the long- should be held accountable. I Ulaanbaatar. The mine shaft is blocked some of the workers since the down on Thursday night after running political rivalry want to say, furthermore, that The vast, land-locked 350 meters below the surface Jan. 10 explosion ripped through accusing President Khalt- between Khurelsukh and Bat- a person who should protect the country has strived to maintain by 70 tons of debris that extends the mine that was under con- maagiin Battulga of the Demo- tulga. Khurelsukh is considered interests of the Mongolian its political and economic inde- down another 100 meters, the struction in Qixia, a jurisdiction cratic Party of orchestrating a a likely presidential candidate people should not repeat such pendence from both Soviet-era Yantai city government said in under Yantai in Shandong political crisis. to run against Battulga in elec- improper actions,” Khurelsukh patron Moscow — which sup- a statement on its social media province. A small protest broke out in tions to be held in June, but said. plies virtually all of its energy account. Rescuers were attempting the capital Ulaanbaatar faces competition within his In his own address to par- needs — and rising regional “Based on expert evalua- to clear cages and other debris Wednesday after TV footage own party from wealthy busi- liament, Battulga expressed power China, which buys more tions, the extent of the blocking the main shaft while appeared of a woman who had nessman and former Prime surprise at Khurelsukh’s resig- than 90% of its mining exports, blockage... is well is out of drilling other shafts for commu- just given birth being escorted Minister Batbold Sukhbaatar. nation and accused monied mainly coal and copper. expectation,” the statement said. nication, ventilation and pos- One worker has died from sibly to lift workers to the head injuries in the explosion, surface. Boring has reached Grieving kin of plane state media said earlier depths of around 700 meters Thursday. Of the remaining 21, (about 2,000 feet), the reports crash victims visit site rescuers have established said. contact with 10, one is Mine managers have been AP — THOUSAND ISLANDS reportedly alive in a nearby detained for waiting more than chamber, and the status of the 24 hours before reporting the Relatives of crash victims yesterday prayed other 10 is unknown. accident, the cause of which has and threw flowers into the Java Sea where The deceased worker had not been announced. a Sriwijaya Air jet plunged into the water almost two weeks ago, killing all 62 people on board. China authorises coast guard to An Indonesian navy vessel took dozens of grieving relatives to the site. Many people wept as they prayed and cast flower petals fire on foreign vessels if needed into the water, and officials from the navy, search and rescue agency, and Sriwijaya REUTERS — BEIJING coast guard is allowed to use “all Air employees threw wreaths into the sea. necessary means” to stop or The airline’s president, Jefferson Irwin China passed a law yesterday prevent threats from foreign Jauwena, said he hoped by visiting the that for the first time explicitly vessels. The bill specifies the cir- location to help relatives accept what hap- allows its coast guard to fire on cumstances under which dif- pened to their loved ones and ease their foreign vessels, a move that ferent kind of weapons - hand- grief. could make the contested waters held, ship borne or airborne - “We also do feel sad and lost... our crew, around China more choppy. can be used. they were part of our beloved Sriwijaya Air China has maritime sover- The bill allows coast guard big family,” he told reporters on the ship. Family members of the passengers of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182 mourn as they visit the eignty disputes with Japan in the personnel to demolish other “I, personally, feel so devastated by this site of the crash at the sea off the Jakarta coast, Indonesia, yesterday. East China Sea and with several countries’ structures built on accident.” The jet nosedived into the water Southeast Asian countries in the Chinese-claimed reefs and to minutes after taking off from Jakarta, the altitude and other parameters of the plane’s the airline said it underwent inspections South China Sea. It has sent its board and inspect foreign vessels capital, on Jan. 9. Searchers have recovered flight, was recovered earlier, and investi- before resuming commercial flights in coast guard to chase away in waters claimed by China. plane parts and human remains from an gators are working with Boeing and engine December. fishing vessels from other coun- The bill also empowers the area between Lancang and Laki islands in maker General Electric to review infor- Indonesia’s aviation industry grew tries, sometimes resulting in the coastguard to create temporary the Thousand Island chain. mation from the device. A team from the quickly after the nation’s economy was sinking of these vessels. exclusion zones “as needed” to Those retrieval efforts ended Thursday, U.S. National Transportation Safety Board opened following the fall of dictator Suharto China’s top legislative body, stop other vessels and personnel but a limited search is continuing for the and Federal Aviation Administration is part in the late 1990s. Safety concerns led the the National People’s Congress from entering. missing memory unit of the cockpit voice of the investigation. United States and the European Union to standing committee, passed the Responding to concerns, recorder which apparently broke away The 26-year-old Boeing 737-500 was ban Indonesian carriers for years, but the Coast Guard Law yesterday, Chinese foreign ministry spokes- from other parts of the device during the out of service for almost nine months last bans have since been lifted due to better according to state media reports. woman Hua Chunying said yes- crash. year because of flight cutbacks caused by compliance with international aviation According to draft wording terday that the law is in line with The flight data recorder, which tracks the coronavirus pandemic. Regulators and standards. in the bill published earlier, the international practices. Hong Kong to order first lockdown in Kowloon area

BLOOMBERG — HONG KONG ilies are common. negative test result. They will also of social distancing, the former SCMP earlier indicated that send enforcement officials to British colony’s infection curve Hong Kong for the first time will parts of Sham Shui Po would also each flat to ensure residents have has ticked up again as colder lock down tens of thousands of be locked down, but later taken a test. weather and faster-spreading residents in a bid to contain a updated to say the district would The reported measures pale variants pose a greater threat. worsening outbreak of the coro- not be affected. in comparison with the lock- The rise in cases, while far navirus, the South China Morning Only residents who show downs adopted in mainland less dramatic compared with Post reported, citing unidentified negative COVID-19 test results China, where a hardline global cities such as London and people. will be allowed to leave the approach bans people from New York, has spurred the gov- The lockdown is expected to lockdown area, according to the leaving cities, districts or even ernment to put in place restric- begin this weekend in Yau Tsim SCMP report, specifying that their apartment complexes. But tions such as the closure of Mong, the core urban district of exemptions will be allowed for it’s the most severe step Hong schools and some businesses. But Kowloon, local media outlets those who need to seek medical Kong has taken to control the until now it has been reluctant to SCMP and HK01 reported yes- consultation or face physical , and a blow to the gov- adopt stricter measures such as terday. It covers a mandatory harm. HK01 said each building ernment’s approach of trying to lockdowns, out of concern they testing area where aging would be guarded by gov- keep the economy largely could ignite a crisis in a city that Residents wear face masks as they walk at a wet market at Jordan buildings and subdivided flats ernment staff to ensure people running during the pandemic. has already been rocked by residential area, in Hong Kong, yesterday. populated by lower-income fam- leaving the building have a Despite almost two months protests. 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 Russia welcomes US proposal to extend N-treaty AP — MOSCOW Barack Obama and Dmitry The treaty signed campaign that he favoured the would follow the US to pull out global stability. Medvedev, limits each country in 2010 limits each preservation of the New START of the Open Skies Treaty Russian diplomats have said The Kremlin yesterday wel- to no more than 1,550 deployed treaty, which was negotiated allowing surveillance flights that Russia’s prospective Sarmat comed US President Joe Biden’s nuclear warheads and 700 country to no more during his tenure as US vice- over military facilities to help heavy intercontinental ballistic proposal to extend the last deployed missiles and bombers, than 1,550 deployed president. The talks on the build trust and transparency missile and the Avangard remaining nuclear arms control and envisages sweeping on-site nuclear warheads and treaty’s extension also were between Russia and the West. hypersonic glide vehicle could treaty between the two coun- inspections to verify compliance. clouded by tensions between While Russia always offered be counted along with other tries, which is set to expire in It expires on February 5. 700 deployed missiles Russia and the United States, to extend New START for five Russian nuclear weapons under less than two weeks. Russia has long proposed to and bombers, and which have been fueled by the years – a possibility envisaged the treaty. The Sarmat is still Russian President Vladimir prolong the pact without any envisages sweeping Ukrainian crisis, Moscow’s med- by the pact — Trump asserted under development, while the Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry conditions or changes, but dling in the 2016 US presidential that it put the US at a disad- first missile unit armed with the Peskov, said that Russia stands Donald Trump’s administration on-site inspections to election and other irritants. vantage and initially insisted Avangard became operational for extending the pact and is waited until last year to start verify compliance. It After both Moscow and that China be added to the in December 2019. waiting to see the details of the talks and made the extension Washington withdrew from the treaty, an idea that Beijing flatly The Russian military has US proposal. The White House contingent on a set of demands. expires on February 5. 1987 Intermediate-Range rejected. Trump’s adminis- said the Avangard is capable of said Thursday that Biden has The talks stalled, and months of Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, tration then proposed to extend flying 27 times faster than the proposed to Russia a five-year bargaining have failed to New START is the only remaining New START for just one year speed of sound and could make extension of the New START narrow differences. organizations in Vienna, also nuclear arms control deal and also sought to expand it to sharp manoeuvres on its way treaty. “Certain conditions for the hailed Biden’s proposal as an between the two countries. include limits on battlefield to a target to bypass missile “We can only welcome extension have been put forward, “encouraging step”. “The Arms control advocates nuclear weapons. defence systems. It has been political will to extend the doc- and some of them have been extension will give the two sides have strongly called for New Moscow has said it remains fitted to the existing Soviet-built ument,” Peskov said in a con- absolutely unacceptable for us, more time to consider possible START’s preservation, warning open for new nuclear arms talks intercontinental ballistic mis- ference call with reporters. “But so let’s see first what the U.S. is additional measures aimed at that its lapse would remove any with the US to negotiate future siles instead of older type war- all will depend on the details of offering,” Peskov said. strengthening strategic stability checks on US and Russian limits on prospective weapons, heads, and in the future could the proposal.” Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian and global security,” he tweeted. nuclear forces. Last week, but emphasized that preserving be fitted to the more powerful The treaty, signed in 2010 by ambassador at the international Biden indicated during the Russia also declared that it New START is essential for Sarmat. UK estimates COVID-19 German minister warns against infections falling, but relaxing virus warns cases still high curbs too soon REUTERS — BERLIN REUTERS — LONDON everyone continues to stay at home, whether they have had Germany’s coronavirus The number of new COVID-19 the vaccine or not.” infection numbers are encour- infections in Britain is esti- Britain has recorded more aging but remain too high, mated to be shrinking by as than 3.5 million infections and Health Minister Jens Spahn much as 4 percent a day, the nearly 96,000 deaths — the said yesterday, dampening government said yesterday, a world’s fifth-highest toll — expectations that restrictions sharp reversal in the trajectory while the economy has been to curb the spread of the virus of the pandemic suggesting hammered. Prime Minister could be lifted. national lockdowns were Boris Johnson said on Thursday Spahn told a news con- beginning to take effect. that it was too early to say ference that new, more trans- England and Scotland when lockdown restrictions missible strains of the virus announced new restrictions on could be lifted, but he hopes a made it imperative to reduce January 4 to stem a surge in the mass vaccination programme case numbers further. disease fuelled by a highly will pave a way for a return to Flooding in Britain “It’s like an antibiotic: if you transmissible variant of the some degree of normality by stop too early, stop too soon, A vehicle is driven along a flooded road, in the aftermath of Storm Christoph, near Chippenham, coronavirus, which has led to the spring. Almost 5 million resistance can develop,” he said. Britain, yesterday. record numbers of daily deaths people have already received “We don’t want to be accused and infections this month. a first shot. of having relaxed too soon.” The latest estimates from While the infections have Germany, in lockdown since the health ministry suggest that fallen back from almost 70,000 early November, reported over the number of new infections daily two weeks ago to under Ruling parties in Italy talk up elections 800 deaths and almost 18,000 was shrinking by between 1% 40,000 this week, hospitals new infections yesterday. The and 4 percent a day. Last week, remain under severe pressure as PM Conte struggles for majority 7-day incidence fell to 115 cases it was thought cases were and there is concern that some per 100,000, its lowest since growing by much as 5 percent, people are not abiding by the November 1. and the turnaround gave hope lockdown rules. REUTERS — ROME epidemics and the deep eco- get the necessary parliamentary Adherence to lockdown that the spread of the virus was Police reported yesterday nomic crisis it has triggered. backing a snap election was the measures meant hospitals being curbed, although the that they had broken up a Italy’s main ruling parties yes- “We don’t fear an election only option. That would have not seen a spike in ministry urged caution. wedding in London attended terday flagged snap elections and we believe it can be one of probably be won by the right- COVID-19 patients in intensive The closely watched repro- by 400 people. The rules limit as the only way out of its the ways out of this situation,” wing opposition led by Matteo care due to the Christmas and duction “R” number was esti- ceremonies to just six. political impasse, if Prime Min- cabinet undersecretary Andrea Salvini’s League party, opinion New Year holiday period, said mated to be between 0.8 and Newspapers said ministers ister Giuseppe Conte fails to Martella, of the centre-left polls suggest. Gernot Marx, president of the 1, down from a range of 1.2 to were considering giving eve- drum up a parliamentary Democratic Party (PD), said in The crisis was triggered last DIVI association for intensive 1.3 last week, meaning that on ryone who tested positive in majority after scraping through an interview with RAI state tel- week when former premier care medicine. average, every 10 people England a £500 ($680) a confidence vote. evision yesterday. Matteo Renzi withdrew his cen- But he warned intensive infected will infect between payment, after a survey indi- After surviving Tuesday’s PD deputy leader Andrea trist Italia Viva party from the care units would still need eight and 10 other people. cated only 17 percent of people Senate vote thanks to absten- Orlando delivered a similar coalition, depriving it of an out- until at least the end of Feb- But the Office for National with symptoms were coming tions, Conte appealed to cen- message on a Thursday evening right Senate majority. ruary to deal with the peak of Statistics estimated that the forward to get a test, fearing trist and unaligned upper house talk show when asked if elections Analysts say the stance 5,800 COVID-19 patients seen prevalence overall remained they would be told to self- lawmakers outside the coalition were becoming likely: “Unfortu- taken by the PD and 5-Star is in early January. high, with about one in 55 isolate and be unable to work. to join his minority govern- nately they are, we believe that partly a way of pressuring “We are still a long way people having the virus. Johnson’s spokesman said ment’s ranks. if Conte falls this majority will wavering senators to join the from a situation where we can “Cases remain dangerously there were no such plans. “The Few have responded and implode,” he replied. government, as most parlia- speak of an easing of the situ- high and we must remain vig- vast majority of the public con- time is short, as Conte seeks a The PD’s coalition partner, mentarians want to avoid a vote ation,” Marx said. ilant to keep this virus under tinues to abide by the rules and solid majority to push through the anti-establishment 5-Star two years ahead of schedule in German Chancellor Angela control,” the health ministry do isolate when they are urgent legislation to tackle one Movement, also said yesterday which many would risk not Merkel and state leaders said. “It is essential that asked,” he said. of Europe’s worst coronavirus that if Conte failed to quickly being re-elected. agreed on Tuesday to extend a hard lockdown that keeps schools, restaurants and all New coronavirus non-essential businesses shut Portugal hospitals face until February 14. variant spreads A survey for broadcaster ARD found a growing number in Denmark ‘war-like’ pressure of Germans are weary of restric- tions, with almost half per- REUTERS — COPENHAGEN REUTERS — LISBON streets yesterday. Rosangela ceiving them to be a strong or Silva, 53, who has no option but very strong burden, up from Denmark is registering a rise Portugal is running out of hos- to leave home every day for around a third before Christmas. in infections with a more con- pital beds across the public and work taking care of a 93-year- tagious coronavirus variant private sectors, the head of its old woman, worried that some CDU confirms known as cluster B.1.1.7, first private hospital association people were not wearing man- identified in Britain, despite said, after a record surge in datory face masks. “I am much Laschet as leader seeing regular infections fall. COVID-19 cases. more afraid,” she said. Denmark implemented The country of 10 million Ambulances queue, some- in postal ballot hard lockdown measures in people, which fared better than times for hours, waiting for December following a rapid rise others in the first wave of the hospital beds for patients. REUTERS — BERLIN in new infections and the dis- pandemic, now has the world’s Intensive care units are 88 covery of a new and more con- highest seven-day rolling percent occupied and interme- Chancellor Angela Merkel’s tagious variant, which author- average of new cases. diate care units 91 percent, Christian Democrats confirmed ities now expect to be the dom- “We are experiencing a Health Secretary Antonio centrist Armin Laschet as their inant one by mid-February. war-like situation. We don’t Lacerda Sales said. new party leader yesterday after In the second week of have enough beds — in the Private hospitals have a postal ballot, which was January, 7 percent of all pos- national health service, private offered just over 1,000 beds — required to legally uphold his itive tests analysed for their or social sector — to deal with around 10 percent of their election by delegates in a digital genetic material had the a pandemic progression of capacity — for COVID-19 and vote on Saturday. mutated variant, the State 13,000 to 14,000 new cases a non-COVID public healthcare Laschet, premier of Ger- Serum Institute said in a report day,” Dr Oscar Gaspar said. patients since the government many’s most populous state published yesterday. Schools were closed yes- asked for help in November. and the self-styled Merkel That is up from 4.1 percent terday for the first time since The other beds are nearly full continuity candidate, won in the first week and just 2.4 March as spiralling coronavirus with private patients, Gaspar 83.35 percent of the valid percent in the last week of cases forced the government said, criticising the government postal votes cast by 1,001 del- December. A total of 464 people to step up its response to the for asking for help too late. egates, the CDU said. He beat have been infected with the new pandemic. Portugal has been Pressure on the health arch-conservative Friedrich variant since mid-November. in lockdown since January 15, system is pushing up non-COVID Merz in Saturday’s online Denmark’s total confirmed with non-essential businesses deaths, Health Ministry data ballot by a 521-466 margin. infections stand at 193,038, and closed and most people con- shows. They were at their highest Laschet must now unite a 1,941 people have died. fined to their homes. since records began at 491 on unite a conservative bloc that, The country has sharply “There is more fear now Thursday. Portugal’s daily despite her four successive increased its sequencing than before... much more,” said COVID-19 deaths also reached federal election victories, has A health worker gestures next to ambulances carrying patients capacity and aims to analyse 78-year-old retiree Maria a record of 221 on Thursday, never been entirely com- with the coronavirus disease outside the Santa Maria Hospital, as the genetic virus material in Madalena, one of the few bringing the total to 9,686. Daily fortable with Merkel’s centrist all positive tests. the COVID-19 outbreak continues, in Lisbon, Portugal, yesterday. people out walking in Lisbon’s infections fell to 13,544. course. SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 UK chief scientist: New virus variant may be more deadly

AP — LONDON Ian Jones, professor identified in Brazil and South of Virology at Africa could be more resistant There is some evidence that a to vaccines, adding that more new coronavirus variant first the University of research needs to be done. identified in southeast England Reading, said “the Concerns about newly iden- carries a higher risk of death. data is limited and tified variants have triggered a than the original strain, the spate of new travel restrictions British government’s chief sci- the conclusions around the world. Many coun- entific adviser said yesterday preliminary. tries have closed their borders — though he stressed that the to travellers from Britain, and data is uncertain. the UK has halted flights from Patrick Vallance told a news The evidence for the new Brazil and South Africa. conference that “there is evi- variant being more deadly is Prime Minister Boris dence that there is an increased in a paper prepared by a group Johnson said there could be risk for those who have the new of scientists that advises the further restrictions. “We may variant.” He said that for a man government on new respi- need to go further to protect our in his 60s with the original ratory viruses, based on borders,” he said. version of the virus, “the several studies. The UK is currently in a The pre-trial detention centre No. 1 of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service, also known as Matrosskaya average risk is that for 1,000 Paul Hunter, Professor in lockdown in an attempt to slow Tishina or Sailor’s Silence prison, is seen in Moscow. Russian opposition leader Alexei navalny is people who got infected, Medicine at the University of the latest surge of the corona- currently held at Matrosskaya Tishina on a 30 day pre-trial detention order. roughly 10 would be expected East Anglia, said “the con- virus outbreak. Clubs, restau- to unfortunately die”. clusion about this probable rants, entertainment venues “With the new variant, for increased lethality comes and many shops are closed, and Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny says 1,000 people infected, roughly from analyses made by several people are required to stay 13 or 14 people might be different groups, though largely at home. expected to die,” he said. working with essentially the The number of new infec- he has no plans to commit suicide But Vallance stressed that same data.” “There is quite a tions has begun to fall, but “the evidence is not yet strong” bit of difference in the esti- deaths remain agonizingly high, REUTERS — MOSCOW Putin of ordering his attempted throat open with a sharpened and more research is needed. mated increased risk of death averaging more than 1,000 a murder. Putin has dismissed spoon,” the post said. “I use the In contrast to that uncer- between the different day, and the number of hospi- Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei that, alleging Navalny is part of staircase very carefully. They tainty, he said, there is analyses, though most but not talized patients is 80 percent Navalny said yesterday that he a US-backed dirty tricks cam- measure my blood pressure growing confidence that the all show increased risk of higher than at the first peak of wanted it known that he had paign to discredit him. every day and it’s like a cosmo- variant is more easily passed death,” he said. the pandemic in the spring. no plans to commit suicide in Navalny’s allies plan naut’s so a sudden heart attack on than the original corona- Ian Jones, professor of Johnson, who has often prison, as he issued a message nationwide protests today to try is ruled out. I know for a fact virus strain. He said it Virology at the University of been accused of giving overly of support to his followers on to force the Kremlin to order his that there are many good appears to be between 30 Reading, said “the data is optimistic predictions about the eve of protests the author- release. The authorities have people outside my prison and percent and 70 percent more limited and the conclusions relaxing coronavirus restric- ities say are illegal. opened a criminal case into that help will come,” he wrote. transmissible. preliminary. However, an tions, sounded gloomy. Navalny was detained on protest organisers, accused Nav- On Friday, Moscow courts Maria Van Kerkhove, the increased case fatality rate is “We will have to live with Sunday after flying home for alny’s allies of trying to illegally sentenced Navalny’s spokes- World Health Organization’s certainly possible with a virus coronavirus in one way or the first time since being poi- encourage minors to attend, and woman to nine days in jail, gave technical lead on COVID-19, that has upped its game in another for a long while to soned with what the West says warned that attendees risk another ally 10 days, and fined said studies were unde rway to transmission.” come,” he said, adding that “it’s was a military-grade nerve catching COVID-19. another 250,000 roubles for look at the transmission and British officials say they are an open question” when agent that Navalny says was Navalny, in a message on what they said were illegal calls severity of new virus variants. confident that the vaccines that measures could be eased. “At applied to his underpants by Instagram via his lawyer, said to attend the protests. She said so far “they haven’t have been authorized for use this stage you’ve got to be very, state security agents. he wanted people to know he Navalny supporters outside seen an increase in severity” against COVID-19 will be very cautious indeed,” he said. The 44-year-old lawyer, in was in good physical and Moscow were also targeted and but that more transmission effective against the new strain Vallance agreed, “I don’t a Moscow prison pending the mental health. “Just in case, I Russia said that TikTok and could lead to “an overburdened identified in the country. think this virus is going any- outcome of four legal matters am announcing that I don’t plan other social media had deleted health care system” and thus But Vallance said scientists where,” he said. “It’s going to he describes as trumped up, to either hang myself on a what it called illegal posts pro- more deaths. are concerned that variants be around, probably, forever.” accuses President Vladimir window grill or cut my veins or moting the protests. Hungary buys Sputnik V vaccine, first in EU Honduran migrants turn REUTERS — BUDAPEST amount sufficient to inoculate Britain’s AstraZeneca and Rus- up shipments. “We don’t need 1 million people,” Szijjarto said sia’s Sputnik V vaccines against explanations, we need vac- anger on President Hungary has signed a deal to during talks with his Russian the coronavirus, as Budapest cines,” Orban told state radio. buy 2 million doses of Russia’s counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. strives to lift coronavirus Right-wing conservative REUTERS — TEGUCIGALPA country. “We’re going to oust this Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, “This represents 2 million lockdown measures to boost its Orban has pursued what he has narco-dictator,” he said. “I the first European Union doses in three tranches. An economy. called good pragmatic relations Returned Honduran migrants already have my group ready.” country to do so, Foreign Min- amount to inoculate 300,000 The EU’s medicines regulator with Russia ever since he came are directing anger against their The Honduran government ister Peter Szijjarto told a people in the first month, for has yet to approve the Russian to power in 2010. Hungary president this week after their did not respond to requests for briefing during talks in Moscow half a million people in the or AstraZeneca vaccine. Szijjarto relies mostly on natural gas US-bound caravan was blocked comment. Hernandez has said yesterday. second month and 200,000 said the Russian vaccines could imported from Russia, and by the region’s security forces, the accusations against him With its order for Russia’s people in the third.” allow Hungary to lift lockdown Rosatom is building a nuclear accusing him of making their come from traffickers angry at COVID-19 vaccine, Hungary is Szijjarto did not say when restrictions sooner. power plant in Hungary. county unlivable while thwarting his government’s crackdown the first EU member to break the first shipment of the Russian Prime Minister Viktor Szijjarto has said he would their escape to a better life. on criminal networks. ranks and unilaterally approve shot would arrive in Hungary Orban said Hungary cannot lift also discuss gas shipments from Honduras is reeling from WhatsApp, Facebook, and the shot as frustrations build in and it was unclear how much restrictions until it can carry Russia during his talks in two back-to-back hurricanes Telegram groups with thou- Europe over delays in supplies of Budapest would pay for the 2 out a mass inoculation. He said Moscow on Friday. Hungary has that devastated Central sands of members are buzzing Western vaccines that are ham- million vaccines in total. the best approach was to said before that it was ready to America in November, as well with angry messages calling for pering an economic recovery. The agreement comes only authorise the use of several start talks with Russia’s as an historic economic con- Hernandez’s ouster. Honduras “Under the terms of our days after Hungary’s drug reg- vaccines as competition would Gazprom about a new long- traction on the back of corona- has been rocked by large anti- agreement, we are buying an ulator gave approval for use of force manufacturers to speed term gas-supply deal. virus pandemic. government mobilizations in President Juan Orlando recent years, although it is Hernandez has also been under unclear whether a large protest Denmark halts fire from US prosecutors that will materialize on Friday. have accused him of having ties Evidence introduced by US all flights from to drug cartels, an allegation he prosecutors this month accused has strongly denied. Hernandez of taking bribes UAE for 5 days An estimated 8,000 Hon- from drug traffickers and has durans sought to flee this week further stoked ire against the in a mass caravan hoping to president, whose brother was REUTERS & AP — COPENHAGEN reach the United States. But after convicted of drug trafficking in regional governments, including a US court last year. Denmark has halted all Honduras, organized a coordi- Many Hondurans have been flights arriving from the United nated military operation to repel critical of what they say was a Arab Emirates for five days the caravan, returned migrants lackluster government response due to potentially unreliable are directing their frustration at to the hurricanes, which caused coronavirus tests in Dubai, their government. nearly $2bn in damages and Denmark’s transport ministry More than 4,500 Hon- forced over 90,000 people into said yesterday. durans, including more than emergency storm shelters. The development, which 600 children, have been Authorities said they provided comes amid a surge of infec- returned to the country by Gua- aid to thousands of families dis- tions in the UAE, poses a direct temalan authorities over the placed by the storms. challenge to the mass testing last week. Among them was Portillo said his family regime that had been the pillar 18-year-old Isaac Portillo, who received no support from the of the country's coronavirus said he felt so desperate upon government in the wake of the response and economic reo- his forced return to Honduras hurricanes. His father had pening. Dubai was one of the that he contemplated suicide. already lost his job as a security world’s first destinations to Like other returned guard when pandemic-related open up to tourists, welcoming migrants, Portillo’s despair restrictions devastated the visitors from anywhere with New court term begins in Venezuela quickly turned to anger. He plans economy and his 14-year-old only a coronavirus test. to join a march on the capital sister had to abandon her Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno bump ellbows The travel restrictions Tegucigalpa — only one week studies as the family sank during a ceremony marking the opening of the new court term, in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. follow suspicions that corona- after he tried to flee his shattered deeper into poverty. virus tests that can be obtained in Dubai before departure are not reliable, the ministry said, adding it had taken the Mexico human trafficking cases stall as coronavirus bites decision after a detailed tip- off, without elaborating. REUTERS — MEXICO CITY the figure rose by 27 percent Institute of Penal Sciences. Under a 2012 anti-trafficking by their cases stalling. “We have Denmark earlier this and 41 percent respectively. “Traffickers keep working (to) law, each state must have its own to push the agencies, the pros- month made it mandatory for Investigations into human traf- Trafficking in Mexico takes recruit, but now with a more prosecutor’s office dedicated to ecutors, the commissions to travellers to show a negative ficking in Mexico stagnated in myriad forms - from young men complex modus operandi,” she investigating the crime. Yet many work together,” Ruvalcaba said. test from the past 24 hours on 2020 after two years of sharp forced to work for drug cartels to said, referring to organized crime state prosecutors’ offices do not State prosecutors identified arrival from all countries. growth, with activists saying indigenous women in domestic groups identifying more potential fully understand the issue and 672 victims last year — down Several Danish celebrities, that authorities had struggled to servitude - and a rise in online victims via social media. are understaffed due to the pan- from 678 in 2019, — according including former footballer adapt as the crime evolved and recruitment due to COVID-19 has As in other years, more than demic, said Iliana Ruvalcaba, to the data released this week. Niklas Bendtner, were criticized recruitment shifted online during posed a challenge for investi- half of the trafficking cases in head of the anti-trafficking The National Human Rights earlier this month after Danish the coronavirus pandemic. gators, according to experts. 2020 came from a handful of non-profit Pozo de Vida. Commission (CNDH) has said media reported they had trav- State authorities launched “The phenomenon of the nation’s 32 states — Mexico “We have investigations that there could be between 50,000 elled to Dubai on holiday 551 trafficking cases last year — human trafficking modified a City, Mexico state, Chihuahua are at a complete standstill,” she and 500,000 victims, but aca- despite the government up 1 percent from 544 in 2019 lot with COVID,” said Maria and Nuevo Leon. Campeche and said, adding that victims in the demics say the real number is advising against going abroad — according to new gov- Olga Noriega, a trafficking Colima opened no probes, while group’s shelter in Mexico City hard to pin down with concrete to limit the spread of virus. ernment data. In 2018 and 2019, expert at Mexico’s National three states initiated one each. were psychologically affected data lacking. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021 Austin wins Senate confirmation as first Black Pentagon chief

AP — WASHINGTON The 93-2 vote gave President Joe Lloyd J Austin (pictured), a West Point graduate who Biden his second rose to the Army’s elite ranks Cabinet member; and marched through racial Avril Haines was barriers in a 41-year career, won Senate confirmation confirmed on yesterday to become the Wednesday as the nation’s first Black Secretary first woman to of Defense. The 93-2 vote gave Pres- serve as Director US President Joe Biden speaks about his administration’s plans to fight the coronavirus disease ident Joe Biden his second of National pandemic during a COVID-19 response event as Vice-President Kamala Harris listens, at the White Cabinet member; Avril House in Washington, US, on Thursday. Haines was confirmed on Intelligence. Wednesday as the first Command. He was the first woman to serve as Director of Black vice-chief of staff of the Biden to sign order to increase National Intelligence. Biden is Army in 2012 and also served Austin was the top US com- expected to win approval for as director of the Joint Staff, a mander in Baghdad. American others on his national security behind-the-scenes job that forces withdrew entirely, only pandemic-related food aid team in coming days, gave him an intimate view of to return in 2014 after the including Antony Blinken as the Pentagon’s inner workings. Islamic State extremist group Secretary of State. The House and the Senate captured large swaths of Iraqi REUTERS — WASHINGTON Black and Hispanic workers Biden will also seek to Biden is looking for Austin approved the waiver on territory. At Central Command, facing higher jobless rates than increase access to food for to restore stability atop the Pen- Thursday, clearing the way for Austin was a key architect of US President Joe Biden will sign white workers. “We’re at a pre- millions of children who are tagon, which went through two the Senate confirmation vote. the strategy to defeat IS in Iraq two executive orders aimed at carious moment in our missing meals because schools Senate-confirmed secretaries Austin, a large man with a and Syria. speeding pandemic stimulus economy,” Brian Deese, director are closed due to the pan- of defense and four who held booming voice and a tendency Biden said in December checks to families who need it of the White House National Eco- demic. He will ask the Agri- the post on an interim basis to shy from publicity, describes when he announced Austin as most and increasing food aid nomic Council, told reporters in culture Department (USDA) to during the Trump adminis- himself as the son of a postal his nominee that he considered for children who normally rely a preview of the orders. consider issuing new guidance tration. The only senators who worker and a homemaker from him “the person we need at this on school meals as a main He said the actions are not that would increase the aid voted against Austin were Thomasville, Georgia. He has moment”, and that he trusts source for nutrition. a substitute for comprehensive given to families who normally Republicans Mike Lee of Utah promised to speak his mind to Austin to ensure civilian control Biden, who has proposed a legislative relief, “but they will rely on schools to provide a and Josh Hawley of Missouri. Congress and to Biden. of the military. $1.9 trillion stimulus package, is provide a critical lifeline to mil- main meal of the day for their Before heading to the Pen- At his confirmation hearing Austin made clear at his using the two orders to try to ease lions of American families.” children. tagon, Austin wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, Austin said he had confirmation hearing that he the burden on people while the In the first order, Biden will It could provide a family that he is especially proud to be not sought the nomination but embraces Biden’s early focus legislation is negotiated in Con- ask the Treasury Department with three children more than the first Black Secretary of was ready to lead the Pentagon on combatting the coronavirus gress. He has made fighting the to consider taking steps to $100 of additional support Defense. “Let’s get to work,” he without clinging to his military pandemic. pandemic an early focus of his expand and improve delivery every two months. wrote. Austin’s confirmation status and with full awareness “I will quickly review the new administration. of stimulus checks, such as “USDA will consider issuing was complicated by his status that being a political appointee department’s contributions to The pandemic recession has establishing online tools for new guidance that would allow as a recently retired general. He and Cabinet member requires coronavirus relief efforts, hit Americans hard. Some 16 claiming payments. states to increase SNAP emer- required a waiver of a legal pro- “a different perspective and ensuring we are doing every- million are now receiving some “Many Americans faced gency allotments for those who hibition on a military officer unique duties from a career in thing we can - and then some type of unemployment benefit, challenges receiving the first need it most. This would be the serving as secretary of defense uniform”, - to help distribute vaccines and an estimated 29 million don’t round of direct payments and first step to ensuring that an within seven years of retirement. As vice-president, Biden across the country and to vac- have enough to eat. Women, as many as 8 million eligible additional 12 million people get Austin retired in 2016 after worked closely with Austin in cinate our troops and preserve minorities and low-income households did not receive the enhanced SNAP benefits to serving as the first Black 2010-11 to wind down US mil- readiness,” he told the Senate service workers have been dis- payments issued in March,” a keep nutritious food on the general to head US Central itary involvement in Iraq while Armed Services Committee. proportionately impacted, with White House fact sheet said. table,” the fact sheet said. Biden to require international air Trump impeachment goes to the Senate on Monday passengers to AP — WASHINGTON proceedings, the schedule president time to prepare and as McConnell proposed, the Butch Bowers to represent him, ahead remains uncertain as the review his case. Trump is still president’s defense team and according to an adviser. Bowers quarantine House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Senate, now in Democratic assembling his legal team.. House prosecutors would have previously served as counsel to plans to send the article of control, is also working to House Democrats who two weeks to file briefs. Argu- former South Carolina Govs. upon arrival impeachment against Donald swiftly confirm President Joe voted to impeach Trump last ments would likely begin in Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford. Trump to the Senate on Monday, Biden’s Cabinet nominees and week for inciting the deadly mid-February. Republican Sen Lindsey REUTERS — WASHINGTON launching the start of the former tackle the new administration’s January 6 Capitol riot say a full A trial delay could appeal to Graham of South Carolina helped president’s trial on a charge of legislative priorities. reckoning is necessary before some Democrats, as it would Trump find Bowers after US President Joe Biden issued incitement of insurrection over Biden says the Senate can the country - and the Congress give the Senate more time to members of his past legal teams an executive order on the deadly Capitol riot. do both and Schumer said he - can move on. confirm Biden’s Cabinet nom- indicated they did not plan to join Thursday that would require “There will be a trial,” also speaking to Senate Repub- The timing and details inees and debate a new round the new effort. international air travellers to Senate Majority Leader Chuck lican leader Mitch McConnell ahead rests on negotiations of coronavirus relief. Trump is at a disadvantage quarantine upon US arrival, Schumer said in making the about the “timing and duration” between Schumer and McCo- Pelosi said Trump doesn’t compared to his first trial, in and directed US agencies to announcement yesterday. “It of the proceedings ahead. nnell, who are also in talks over deserve a “get-out-of-jail card” which he had the full resources implement a federal mask will be a full trial, it will be a fair “Senate Republicans a power-sharing agreement for just because he has left office of the White House counsel’s mandate in interstate trial.” Trump is the first pres- strongly believe we need a full the Senate, which is narrowly- and Biden and others are calling office to defend him. transportation. ident to be twice impeached and fair process,” McConnell split, 50-50, but in Democratic for national unity. Pelosi’s nine impeachment Biden’s order says “to the and the first to face a trial after said after Schumer spoke. On control because the vice pres- Facing his second managers, who will be prose- extent feasible” air travellers leaving office. Thursday he proposed delaying ident serves as a tie-breaking impeachment trial in two years, cuting the House case, have must comply with applicable While the transmission of the start of Trump’s trial to Feb- vote. Trump began to assemble his been regularly meeting to US Centers for Disease Control the article launches the trial ruary to give the former Under an extended timeline defense team by hiring attorney discuss strategy. and Prevention (CDC) guide- lines concerning international travel “including recom- mended periods of self-quar- Canada deporting thousands antine.” It does not explain how it will be enforced. The order also directs US agencies to hold talks with even as pandemic rages Canada and Mexico “regarding public health protocols for REUTERS — TORONTO government says this was nec- deportations before resuming land ports of entry” including essary and done safely. them. Others, like Ireland, have implementing CDC guidelines. Canada deported thousands of The CBSA says the high kept suspensions in place. Nearly all non-essential travel people even as COVID-19 raged number last year is because it The CBSA said it has been at US land borders with last year, data seen by Reuters includes people who decided prioritizing deportations for Canada and Mexico is sus- shows, and lawyers say depor- to leave on their own, termed reasons of “serious admissi- pended through February 21. tations are ramping up, putting “administrative removals.” In bility,” including criminality. The CDC recommends a people needlessly at risk in the 2019 there were 1,657 admin- The vast majority of people seven-day quarantine for midst of a global health istrative removals, compared deported in 2020 were for people arriving in the Unites emergency. with 8,215 last year. reasons of “noncompliance”. States from nearly all coun- Like many other countries, Even subtracting those Even taking into account admin- tries. The order calls on Canada is struggling to stop a numbers, that leaves thousands istrative removals, more than agencies to “immediately take second wave from spiraling out of people deported as the pan- 1,000 people were deported action” to require masks on or of control, and its political demic raged and governments during the suspension, the data in airports, commercial air- leaders are begging residents cautioned against travel of any shows. Public health experts craft, trains, public maritime to stay home to prevent the kind for safety reasons. have warned that travel of any vessels, including ferries, spread. Even as Canada continues kind can spread COVID-19 from intercity bus services and all Lawyers and human rights to deport non-citizens during one place to another, a risk that public transportation, but advocates are decrying Can- a health crisis, US President Joe grows with the advent of more grants them the ability to issue ada’s November decision to Biden paused deportations for highly transmissible COVID exemptions. resume deportations. 100 days within hours of being variants. The Biden administration Until now, the extent of the sworn in on Wednesday. Many of the deportation is implementing new coro- country’s pandemic deporta- Canada officially imposed a trips involve transfers at mul- navirus testing requirements tions was not known, but recent moratorium on deportations in tiple airports and flights during for nearly all international air interviews with immigration March that it lifted at the end of which people are placed in passengers beginning on lawyers and scrutiny of gov- November. “As much as a human enclosed space in close quarters Tuesday, following a CDC ernment numbers has shed rights concern it’s a common with other people for hours at order last week. Under the light on the situation. sense concern,” said Bill Frelick, a time, a situation ripe for new rules, all US-bound pas- Canada counted 12,122 director of Human Rights transmission. sengers age 2 and over must Vaccination drive people as removed in 2020 - 875 Watch’s Refugee Rights Program. Since August Canada has get negative COVID-19 test more than the previous year and Countries’ deportation been conducting deportations Employees check-in people who are classed in the 1B category, results within three calendar the highest number since at least practices have varied over the with CBSA escorts, so Cana- including teachers and childcare providers, to receive the COVID-19 days of travel. Biden also 2015, according to Canada course of the pandemic. dians are also making thou- wants new public health vaccine at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday. Border Services Agency (CBSA) Several, including the United sands of these round-trip flights measures at US sea ports. data seen by Reuters. The Kingdom, suspended for deportation purposes.