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published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11918 May 19, 2021 Shawwal 7, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar’s rower Tala Abujbara qualifies for Tokyo Olympics Sheikh Hamad hospital in Gaza damaged Team Qatar rower Tala Abujbara has qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Qatar News Agency reported yesterday. Tala’s in Israeli ‘bombings’; suspends services qualification came through her participation in the Asia and Oceania Rowing Qualification Championship ervices at His Highness Sheikh in Kuwait, where she achieved a Hamad Hospital for Rehabilita- time of 8.20 minutes in the 2,000m Stion and Artifi cial Limbs in Gaza, race. Tala had previously won the funded by the Qatar Fund for Develop- gold medal at the second Arab ment (QFFD), have been suspended Championship in Indoor Rowing, after the hospital’s main building and which was hosted by Kuwait in 2018. departments suff ered signifi cant dam- age due to continuous Israeli bombing Minister’s remarks in the surrounding areas. Dr Rafat Lubbad, director-general of anger Gulf states the hospital, strongly condemned the Lebanon’s president said yesterday bombing in a press statement yester- that critical comments made by the day. foreign minister about Gulf states Dr Lubbad said the bombing nega- did not reflect off icial policy, seeking tively aff ected the hospital’s abil- to avoid further strain on ties with ity to provide its services, which were countries that have been Lebanon’s stopped due to concerns for the safety allies and donors. Lebanese Foreign of staff and patients. Minister Charbel Wehbe stoked Funded by QFFD and implemented tensions in a television interview on by the National Committee for the Monday, when he appeared to blame Reconstruction of Gaza in coopera- Gulf nations for the rise of Islamic tion with the Ministry of Public Health State in Iraq and Syria. Wehbe said of Qatar, the hospital serves disabled yesterday his comments had been people through its three departments misrepresented and President - prosthetics, rehabilitation and audi- Michel Aoun said the minister’s ology. comments were his “personal Qatar had sent a number of doctors opinion” and praised “brotherly” ties to operate and train the medical staff . with the Gulf. Page 5 Qatar opened His Highness Sheikh Hamad Hospital , the fi rst prosthetic Plea to evacuate Afghan hospital and disability rehab centre in A view of the damage caused to the hospital. A view of the damage caused to the hospital. the Gaza Strip, in April 2019. allies before pullout The hospital has 100 beds and of- to become the largest medical institu- services at the Sheikh Hamad hospital which housed a number of media insti- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin US lawmakers pleaded yesterday for fers services to people who lost their tion for rehabilitation and prosthetic has dealt another blow to the already tutions, including Al Jazeera offi ces, in Netanyahu has vowed to continue the the evacuation of thousands of allies limbs because of confl ict or accidents. limbs,” said Khalifa bin Jassim al- stretched health facilities in Gaza. the Gaza Strip. military onslaught on the coastal en- in Afghanistan, fearing a bloodbath Children with hearing impairment or Kuwari, director general of the Qatar On Monday, Qatar expressed its Israel’s intense bombing campaign clave “as long as necessary”. as America ends its longest war, but motor disabilities can fi nd treatment in Fund, in comments made at the open- strong condemnation of the Israeli oc- on Gaza has killed 213 Palestinians, Israeli strikes that again sent fi re- the administration brushed off fears the state-of-the-art, 12,000-square- ing of the facility. cupation’s bombing of the Qatar Red including 61 children, and wounded balls, debris and black smoke into the the Kabul government would quickly metre facility. Israel’s incessant bombing campaign Crescent Society (QRCS) building in more than 1,400 people in Gaza in sky have levelled homes and multi- crumble. Some 18,000 Afghan “This hospital was built under the has destroyed much of the infrastruc- the besieged Gaza Strip, which resulted more than a week of fi ghting against story towers, cratered roads and left interpreters, commandos and others full supervision of [Qatar] … and in ac- ture , including health facilities in the in several deaths and injuries. Earlier, Islamist group Hamas, according to two million Palestinians in Gaza des- who backed US forces are waiting cordance with international standards, besieged enclave. The suspension of Israel had also bombed Al-Jalaa tower, the health ministry in Gaza. perate for reprieve. Page 5 for decisions on visas to emigrate to the United States, a backlog that lawmakers say could take more than two years. “We cannot allow Kabul to be another Saigon,” Representative Mike McCaul said, at a hearing, QRCS to continue work in Gaza; Beware of fraudsters, referring to the chaotic helicopter lifts of people as US-allied South Vietnam fell in 1975. charity draws worldwide support says Qatar Post Cyclone pummels Indian coast, killing at least 29 By Ayman Adly By Joseph Varghese the country through Qatar Post. For The Indian Navy mounted a Staff Reporter Staff Reporter instance, there are a large number of massive air and sea rescue mission orders for medicines from the Primary yesterday for 79 oil workers and Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and crew whose barge sank in heavy day after its offi ce in the Gaza atar Post has cautioned its cus- other institutions, and these are being seas following a powerful cyclone Strip was bombed by Israeli tomers to be aware of fraudu- delivered by Qatar Post. that tore up the west coast killing at Aforces, Qatar Red Crescent So- Qlent e-mails, SMSes or tel- As the PHCC collects only the least 29 people. Around 182 of those ciety (QRCS) vowed to continue with ephone calls asking for payment or amount for the medicine online, the on board the barge, which sank off its humanitarian projects for the ben- personal banking information. postal charges are paid through credit the coast of Mumbai, were rescued efi t of the Palestinian people in the Qatar Post has sent an SMS say- or debit card while the medicines are from the huge waves, the navy said. occupied territories, even as support ing “Dear customer, please be aware delivered at the given address. Scam- Cyclone Tauktae, the most powerful poured in for the organisation follow- of fraudulent telephone calls, SMS or sters are making use of this and fi nding storm to batter the west coast in ing the attack. phishing e-mails asking for your cred- it an opportunity to trick customers by two decades, ripped out power In a statement to Gulf Times yester- it/debit card number or any personal sending messages and asking them to pylons, trees and caused house day, QRCS said co-ordination is cur- banking information. Please be careful pay the delivery charges online before collapses killing at least 29 people, rently on to provide aid and support and report any suspicious calls, SMS or the actual delivery of medicines. authorities said. Page 7 worth $1mn to help those aff ected by emails to Qatar Post Help Desk at 104.” A couple of days ago, a reader of Gulf the recent events, in co-operation Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pan- Times got a message seemingly from Macron to visit with the Palestinian Red Crescent demic situation, citizens and residents Qatar Post asking for a payment of Rwanda this month Society. have been availing of various serv- QR10.89 as charges for the delivery of On Monday, Qatar had expressed ices provided by diff erent entities in medicines. To Page 4 French President Emmanuel Macron its strong condemnation of the Israeli said he would make his first visit to occupation’s bombing of the QRCS Taking stock of the damage caused to the QRCS building. Rwanda at the end of this month, a building in the besieged Gaza Strip, Putin lauds close ties with Qatar possible breakthrough in relations which resulted in several deaths Thani, chairman of the QRCS Board Turkish envoy overshadowed by France’s role and injuries as well as damage to the of Directors, expressed strong con- as envoy presents credentials during the 1994 genocide. “I confirm building. demnation of the continued Israeli condemns attack I am going to Rwanda at the end of QRCS said all international organi- attacks on civilians, medical facili- the month. The visit will be one of sations concerned have been notifi ed ties and humanitarian institutions on QRCS office politics and remembrance but also about the Israeli violations, stressing operating in the Gaza Strip, which on QNA economic,” Macron said at the end of that great support and solidarity have Monday targeted the headquarters Turkish ambassador to Qatar Moscow an Africa summit in Paris. He added been extended to QRCS at the level of of the QRCS in Gaza, stressing that Dr Mustafa Goksu has strongly he had agreed with his Rwandan governments, international organisa- these attacks represented a fl agrant condemned the bombing of the counterpart Paul Kagame “to write a tions as well as the public. violation of the international human- Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) ussian President new page in relations”. Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al- itarian law. To Page 2 off ice in Gaza by Israel, stressing Vladimir Putin received that targeting such humanitarian Rthe credentials of HE Pelosi calls for boycott aid organisations is an evidence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser al- the excessive and indiscriminate Thani as Qatar’s ambassador of China’s ’22 Olympics force used by the occupation Extraordinary and Plenipo- US House of Representatives forces that clearly violates the tentiary to Russia. Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday international law and regulations. The ambassador conveyed called for a US diplomatic boycott He said such attacks would the greetings of His High- of the 2022 Winter Olympics in eventually escalate the suff erings ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Beijing, criticising China for human of the Palestinian people and bin Hamad al-Thani to the rights abuses and saying that global worsen their living conditions, Russian president, wishing leaders who attend would lose their calling for the international him good health and happi- moral authority. US lawmakers have community to interfere to put an ness, and the Russian govern- been increasingly vocal about an immediate stop to such attacks. ment and people continued Olympic boycott or venue change, Dr Goksu also stressed that Qatar progress and prosperity. and have lashed out at American and Turkey would continue For his part, the Russian corporations, arguing their silence with their eff orts to mitigate president entrusted the ambassador to convey his greetings to His Highness the about what the State Department the suff erings of the Palestinian Amir, wishing him good health and happiness, and Qatar continued progress, de- has deemed a genocide against people and stand by them in such velopment and prosperity. Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities diff icult times, besides supporting President Putin also wished the ambassador success in his duties, assuring him in China was abetting the Chinese their just cause. of providing all support to advance the bilateral relations to closer co-operation in government. Another view of the damage sustained by the building. various fi elds. To Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 QATAR Qatar reiterates pledge to collective security, respect for international law

QNA This came in a statement de- in human rights violations and the risks resulting from the pan- our obligations to protect popula- a special responsibility to prevent New York livered by HE Qatar’s Permanent atrocities, a matter which calls demic, including strengthening tions exposed to crimes. atrocity crimes by refraining from Representative to the United Na- for more determined and consist- prevention and early warning This is what makes the imple- using the right of veto in cases tions ambassador Sheikha Alya ent measures by the international mechanisms, and addressing the mentation of the responsibility involving atrocity crimes, which atar affi rmed that its com- Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani at the community to fulfi l its responsi- causes that contribute to these to protect principle so important enjoys the support of the majority mitment to the responsi- United Nations General Assem- bility to protect civilians. atrocities by respecting human and irreplaceable. of member states. Qbility to protect is in line bly meeting on “the responsibil- While expressing apprecia- rights, the rule of law, preventing HE Sheikha Alya explained that HE Sheikha Alya affi rmed that with its belief in international ity to protect and the prevention tion and satisfaction over the hate speech, combating extrem- the draft resolution presented convening this offi cial debate of co-operation to establish collec- of genocide, war crimes, ethnic progress made to strengthen the ism, and achieving development. before the General Assembly re- the General Assembly and adopt- tive security, its respect for inter- cleansing and crimes against hu- principle of the responsibility to She said that, in this context fl ects our commitments to protect ing the draft resolution confi rms national law, and its fi rm policy to manity.” protect, and the important role and in light of the current inter- populations exposed to atrocity the international community’s enhance international peace and HE Sheikha Alya said that the the General Assembly is play- national environment, preventing crimes and to put an end to geno- determination to protect civil- security. convening of this offi cial discus- ing to promote this principle in mass atrocities is an individual cide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing ians, address mass atrocities, hold Based on this commitment, sion comes at a time when the line with its responsibility and and collective responsibility of and crimes against humanity. those responsible accountable Qatar continued its eff orts to need for international multilateral decisions to ensure the protec- states based on the UN Charter, From this standpoint, we are and end impunity, stressing that promote this principle, as an ac- action is increasing, as a result of tion of civilians and the account- provisions of international hu- proud that Qatar is among the Qatar will remain at the core of tive member and a co-chair of the the unprecedented eff ects of the ability of perpetrators of mass manitarian law, international hu- countries that submitted the draft the eff orts made to respect human Group of Friends of the Respon- Covid-19 pandemic, and the in- atrocities, she said there is an man rights law and international resolution. She noted that the rights and other international sibility to Protect for a period of crease in armed confl icts, in the urgent need to take more collec- refugee law. Therefore, we have a Security Council, by virtue of its covenants and to promote secu- HE the ambassador Sheikha three years. number of displaced persons and tive steps, especially in light of great responsibility to implement mandate under the Charter, has rity and peace in the world. Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani. QRCS to continue work in Gaza; charity draws worldwide support From Page 1

He praised the wide interna- tional solidarity campaign for the QRCS after it was targeted, whether at the level of govern- ments, national societies, inter- national organisations, media institutions and local bodies or at the public level, which empha- sised the importance of provid- ing protection for the humani- tarian teams working to help the people of the Gaza Strip, Qatar News Agency reported. He extended his thanks and appreciation to all parties that showed solidarity with QRCS after this attack, especially the The damage caused in the neighbourhood of the building. Turkish government, Palestin- Some of the damage caused to the building. ian Red Crescent Society, the president of the International which the latter expressed soli- tack on the QRCS offi ce, and also Federation of the Red Cross and darity with QRCS and the com- expressed solidarity with the or- Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), mittee’s condemnation of the ganisation. International Committee of the bombing that targeted the QRCS “Shocked that the Qatar Red Red Cross (ICRC), Arab Organi- headquarters in the Gaza Strip. Crescent offi ce in Gaza was hit sation of the Red Crescent and During the call, Mardini said in an air strike. Luckily all QRCS Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent, the ICRC stresses the importance staff are safe. But all steps must Jordanian Red Crescent, Iranian of respecting the international be taken to ensure medical in- Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani Red Crescent, Dutch Red Cross, conventions, customs and in- frastructures and staff are pro- UNRWA, IHH and the Network ternational legal texts in the four tected. This incident will only Crescent. We are hoping for the their work safely in accordance of the Red Crescent and Red Geneva conventions, which af- hinder humanitarian response at fast recovery of all those who with international laws and Ge- Cross National Societies in the fi rm the protection of civilians, this critical time,” said Mardini were wounded,” IHH, a Turkish neva conventions in this regard, Organisation of Islamic Co-op- medical and paramedical per- on Twitter. NGO, had tweeted after the at- it added. Further, QRCS pointed eration. sonnel and relief workers, who On its part, the UNRWA said: tack on Monday. out that its fi eld work teams had The QRCS chairman affi rmed are protected under international “We are horrifi ed by the ongo- Francesco Rocca, president of not received any prior warning of Dr Fawzi Oussedik Robert Mardini that the QRCS and its fi eld teams humanitarian law. ing destruction of critical medi- the IFRC, said: “Very concerning the bombing of the building on will continue implementing hu- In a related statement posted cal facilities in Gaza, from MSF news from Gaza: the Qatar Red Monday. medical teams in areas of con- practices against those who of- manitarian relief projects for the on Twitter yesterday, Sheikh Ab- clinics to QRCS HQ. After re- Crescent offi ce was bombarded. Dr Fawzi Oussedik, director fl ict, which is well-established in fer urgent humanitarian aid and benefi t of the aff ected people in dullah said: “I would like to ex- peated escalations and 14 years Civilians, humanitarian teams of international relations and international laws and conven- support,” he informed. the Gaza Strip in co-operation press my gratitude to all my col- of blockade, Gaza has little-to- and their infrastructures, medi- international humanitarian law tions, has been stressed and will The offi cial added that QRCS and co-ordination with the Pal- leagues, national societies, heads no healthcare infrastructure to cal staff , ambulances and hospi- at QRCS, told Gulf Times that be a subject of further discus- will seek to enhance awareness estinian Red Crescent Society, of Red Crescent, Red Cross, local speak of. What remains is under tals, media are not a target. Our the organisation has moved at sion at the highest possible levels and knowledge about the im- calling for protection for human- and international bodies, and all attack during a pandemic.” solidarity to QRCS volunteers various levels in response to the among relevant entities region- portance of ensuring protection itarian and medical teams and individuals who have expressed “The Gaza offi ce of Qatar Red and staff .” bombing of their offi ce in Gaza. ally and internationally. for humanitarian organisations, respect for international human- their solidarity with QRCS after Crescent was targeted by Israeli QRCS said the attack on its of- These include international hu- “We have also made a move at which is stipulated in the Geneva itarian law. the targeting of its offi ce in Gaza, forces. Israel is bombing media fi ce in Gaza was a violation of the manitarian organisations, as all the level of Arab organisations conventions and the decisions of Sheikh Abdullah received a wishing safety for everyone.” outlets and humanitarian serv- international humanitarian law. parties concerned have issued to urge for the establishment of the UN Security Council or even phone call from ICRC director- Offi cials and organisations ex- ices. It commits war crimes. Our Humanitarian aid workers and statements denouncing the at- a committee to investigate the the rules of the International general Robert Mardini, during pressed shock over Monday’s at- sincere condolences to Qatar Red teams should be allowed to do tack. Besides, the protection of facts and expose such illegal Criminal Court.

387 face prosecution for violating Covid Ministry reports 370 new measures

The designated authorities referred 387 people to the Covid cases, 818 recoveries prosecution for violating the preventive and precautionary measures enforced by the country QNA been administered in the past 24 livered over 4 phases with each community, there is still the to contain the spread of Covid-19, Doha hours. phase lasting 3 weeks. potential for the virus to gain the Ministry of Interior (MoI) 53.8% of the eligible popula- The date of implementation momentum and for numbers to said yesterday. Among them, tion has now received at least one and the duration of each phase rise. 347 people were referred to the he Ministry of Public dose of the vaccine. will depend on the epidemic in- With Covid-19 still a threat to prosecution for not wearing Health (MoPH) reported 89.2% of over 60s (the most dicators which depend to a great our health here in Qatar, it is im- masks in places where they are Tyesterday 370 new con- vulnerable population group) extent on the degree of compli- portant for everyone to play their mandatory, 26 for not maintaining fi rmed cases of coronavirus have been vaccinated with at ance of the community mem- role in controlling the virus by safe physical distancing, and (Covid-19) - 226 of these were least one dose, while 83.3% have bers with the current measures, following precautionary meas- 10 for violating the decision to from community and 144 from received both doses. restrictions and guidance by the ures: ban gatherings in closed places. travellers returning from abroad. government.  Adherence to physical dis- Also, two persons were referred The MoPH recorded 818 re- In recent weeks the combined With the potential spike post- tancing. to the prosecution for violating coveries from the virus during impact of Covid-19 restrictions Eid, a distinct possibility, the fi rst  Avoiding close contact the law on the number of people the past 24 hours, bringing the and increasing vaccination rates, phase of the lifting of restrictions with others, crowded places and allowed in a vehicle, and one total number of cases recovered and the overwhelming support is planned to start on May 28 - confi ned closed spaces where person each for not installing in Qatar to 208,614. The ministry of the community, has resulted this will allow suffi cient time to other people congregate. the Ehteraz app and for violating announced four new deaths of in a consistent reduction in the analyse the data and determine Wearing a face mask. quarantine requirements. The patients aged 43, 51, 60, and 66, number of new daily infections the impact of Eid. Washing hands regularly. measure is in line with the Cabinet all of whom were chronically ill, in the country. Unlike last year, it is possible to Anyone suff ering from Cov- decision, Decree Law No 17 of and had received the necessary However, it is still important make more freedoms available to id-19 symptoms should contact 1990 on infectious diseases, and medical care. to be cautious as the second wave those people who are vaccinated 16000 helpline immediately. the precautionary measures in is not yet over and there are still where they will enjoy certain This is important as the earlier force in the country to contain the Vaccination data two highly contagious and highly privileges before others. the disease is detected the eas- spread of Covid-19. The authorities 2,109,980 Covid-19 vaccine virulent strains of the virus that It is vital that people do not ier it will be to receive the right have called on the public to doses have been administered are actively circulating in the claim victory against this virus treatment and recover from it. adhere to the precautionary since the start of the program. community. The plan to gradu- too early with the new, highly- Visit the MoPH website for regu- measures in place to ensure their 36,626 vaccine doses have ally lift restrictions will be de- transmissible variants in the lar updates and new information. safety and that of others. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 19, 2021 3 QATAR

AAB promo for pre-owned Toyota vehicle owners A LuLu Hypermarket Group off icial hands over the relief materials to the ICBF. LuLu Hypermarket donates oxygen bdullah Abdulghani & service the vehicle. Four of the service centres - Al Bros Co (AAB), sole agents “AAB-Toyota always believes Wakra, Al Nayef, Abu Hamour Afor Toyota vehicles in Qa- in giving the best ownership and Aziz - are Express mainte- tar, has started a special promo- experience to customers irre- nance facilities where vehicles’ cylinders for India Covid relief tion for pre-owned Toyota vehi- spective of the model year of the periodic maintenance will be cle owners. vehicle you own. AAB believes completed in one hour. Any person or organisation in long-term relationships and “The technicians at AAB are eading retailer LuLu Hypermarket front-line to contribute towards the cause of demic relief fund,” it was pointed out. purchasing a pre-owned Toyota would like to help customers to specialists who are trained by Toy- Group has joined the relief work co- charity and upliftment of the society, it was Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu vehicle from anyone, between keep their vehicle in good con- ota. AAB has an ongoing training Lordinated by the Indian Community explained in a statement yesterday. Group congratulated the noble eff orts of the April 24 and June 10, can enjoy dition even if they are old,” the programme for the service staff , Benevolent Fund (ICBF) under the ‘Heal “As a responsible retailer with strong CSR ICBF to extend relief to the needy and un- Lube Plus service for only QR33. statement noted. including service managers, serv- India Initiative’ by donating oxygen cylin- policies, we have made remarkable of con- derprivileged brethren in distress by way of The Express Lube Plus Service The AAB service network has ice advisers and technicians as well ders and other essential supplies to meet tributions to hold the community fi rmly fi nancial and medical assistance. includes oil and fi lter change 11 facilities spread across the as support staff . Service advisers the urgent medical requirements in the together during tragic circumstances posed With 14 state-of-the-art stores spread along with a 25-point checkup. country: the Main Service Centre know in detail about your vehi- wake of the surge in Covid-19 cases across by the pandemic across the region. Recently over various strategic locations in Qatar, Customers can also get special in the Industrial Area, Madinat cles to make recommendations the country. LuLu Group had made a substantial contri- LuLu Hypermarket is identifi ed as one of the prices on parts and labour in case Khalifa Quick Service Centre, about any maintenance or repairs LuLu Hypermarket has always been in the bution towards Kerala Chief Minister’s pan- major market players in the retail arena. they do any additional job. To avail Abu Hamour Quick Service Cen- that your car might require. AAB of this benefi t, a customer will tre, Al Nayef Quick Service Cen- service centres uses only Genu- have to show an SMS from Met- tre, Airport Road Quick Service ine Spare Parts and deliver quality rash2 or the Traffi c Department, or Centre, Al Wakra Quick Service service,” AAB said. Putin lauds close ties with Qatar as envoy presents credentials a receipt from the Traffi c Depart- Centre, Aziz Quick Service Cen- AAB’s “constant commitment ment, AAB has said in a statement. tre, Sheehaniya Quick Service to delivering a great customer From Page 1 the Amir has been invited to visit Russia, moting investment partnerships and joint Customers can also enjoy Centre, Al Khor Quick Service experience, coupled with the and we will implement this plan.” eff orts to reveal the potential of cooperation body-painting for any panel for Centre and Al Watania Petrol world-class quality and reliabili- In a speech during an offi cial ceremony He noted that Russia is closely co-op- in trade and the economy.” only QR499 and full body polish Station Quick Service Centre ty of Toyota vehicles, has enabled held in the Kremlin yesterday, the Russian erating with Qatar on the organisation and He pointed out that a representative Qa- for QR499. Customers can call (Al Shamal Road), as well as a the brand to enjoy the highest president said: “I have a very good relation- holding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, add- tari delegation will take part in the St Pe- the hotline number, 800-1-800, dedicated Commercial Vehicles market share in the country”, the ship with His Highness the Amir Sheikh ing: “Our agenda of interaction with the tersburg International Economic Forum in for taking appointments to their Workshop in the Industrial Area. statement adds. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. His Highness State of Qatar is quite rich. It includes pro- June 2021. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 QATAR

Beware of fraudsters: Qatar Post

From Page 1 Gulf Times also contacted QR30 to Qatar Post but the amount Qatar seeks int’l the Qatar Post Help Centre to be paid through the link was However, he became suspicious and was informed that QR10.89. The fi gure itself made me about the SMS as the link pro- such messages were fake suspicious but many people may vided to pay the sum seemed to and people should never think that they are getting a lower be unheard of. He called the Qatar respond to such messages, price and end up paying, thus re- Post Help Centre at 104 to check if e-mails or telephone calls vealing personal banking infor- the message was genuine. A Qatar mation and risking huge fi nancial convention on Post offi cial informed him that the the URL of the website, I became loss,” he added. company never sends such mes- suspicious because I had never Gulf Times also contacted the sages. “I got the message at night heard of such a payment gateway Qatar Post Help Centre and was and thought of paying the money in Qatar. Therefore, I thought of informed that such messages were in the morning. I found a website contacting the call centre to make fake and people should never re- (through the given link) with the sure about this,” he told Gulf Times. spond to such messages, emails Qatar Post logo and thought it was “Many people might fall prey to or telephone calls. Further to that, cybersecurity an original message. It showed the such tricks as they off er lower pric- Qatar Post has sent SMSes, urging package number and the payment es than what Qatar Post normally everyone to be alert against fraud- Screenshot of the fraud regulation amount. However, when I checked off ers. In my case, I had to pay sters. payment portal.

QNA ANNHRI calls for ending Israeli Vienna

atar has affi rmed the im- portance of convening aggression against Palestinians Qan international confer- ence to discuss ways to regulate cybersecurity in international QNA pecially the High Contracting law, a call launched by His High- Doha Parties to the Fourth Geneva ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Convention on the Protection Hamad al-Thani on the podium of Civilians in Time of War of of the United Nations General he Doha-based Arab Net- 1949, to shoulder their legal and Assembly at its seventy-fourth work for National Human moral obligations by providing session. TRights Institutions (AN- protection for Palestinian civil- In a speech before the 30th NHRI) has called on the inter- ians in the occupied Palestinian session of the UN Commission national community to urgently territories, taking urgent action on Crime Prevention and Crimi- intervene to stop the continuous and taking eff ective measures to nal Justice, HE the Permanent HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Israeli occupation aggression stop the Israeli aggression on the Representative of Qatar to the and International Organisations in Vienna ambassador Sultan bin against the Palestinian people. Strip by exerting serious pres- United Nations and Interna- Salmeen al-Mansouri. The network condemned the sure on the occupying power to tional Organisations in Vienna Israeli occupation forces’ con- immediately stop its aggression ambassador Sultan bin Salmeen ceeded during the fi ve years of side the United Nations system, tinued systematic aggression and against the besieged Gaza Strip, al-Mansouri said Qatar is one of implementation in developing and contributed to strengthen- escalation against the Gaza Strip protect the lives of its residents the countries most interested in mechanisms and approaches to ing the concept of sustainability. since the start of the aggres- and prevent more bloodshed, put strengthening cybersecurity at the work of the United Nations With regard to the integration sion on May 10, during which it an end to its gross violations of the national and international Offi ce on Drugs and Crime, de- of sport in crime prevention and targeted various populated resi- their rights and the right to their levels. veloped new tools in the fi elds criminal justice strategies re- dential areas, and deliberately property, and ensure that the oc- This year, it established the of training and capacity de- lated to youth, the ambassador targeted safe Palestinian homes cupying power respects the prin- Qatar National Cybersecurity velopment, and enhanced the affi rmed that the Global Pro- and demolished them without ciples of international humani- Agency and voted in favour of readiness and eff ectiveness of gram for the Implementation of prior warning, which caused the tarian law that are binding on it a UN resolution to draw up a Member States to address tran- the Doha Declaration provided a annihilation of entire families, in in all cases. comprehensive international snational organised crime, drugs, unique model in this regard, and addition to deliberately targeting It urged the international com- convention against cybercrime. corruption and terrorism. that Qatar is interested in host- civilian and public facilities in an munity and the specialised Unit- In his speech, HE al-Mansouri The programme also estab- ing major sporting events, in- organised manner, and damaging ed Nations institutions to take all addressed the Global Program lished and expanded the partner- cluding the 2022 FIFA World Cup them on the basis of revenge and measures to stop the mass forci- for the Implementation of the ships and working relationships for its belief in the power of sport collective punishment, causing ble displacement the residents of The Doha-based network condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ Doha Declaration, and said that of the United Nations Offi ce with in bringing people together and scores of martyrs and leaving the Gaza Strip carried out by the continued systematic aggression and escalation against the Gaza the projects of this program suc- many partners within and out- building a culture of peace. hundreds wounded, with suspi- Israeli occupation forces. Strip. cion of using prohibited interna- The ANNHRI called on the tional weapons and gases. International Criminal Court The ANNHRI held the Israeli the Palestinian territories in Shura Council to participate in Arab Parliament session This came during the emer- to investigate war crimes and occupation authority fully re- addition to what can be done gency meeting of the ANNHRI’s crimes against humanity that the sponsible for the lives of Pal- at the level of the Arab network executive committee held yes- occupation has committed and estinians in the occupied Pal- and member institutions to The Shura Council will participate in the emergency session to be held by the Arab Parliament at the terday by the Network’s general is still committing in the Gaza estinian territories, and for the support the rights of the Pal- headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League today. The emergency session will discuss the administration via video confer- Strip, which target civilians and plan of expulsion and forced estinian people and pressure Israeli crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people and the occupation forces’ violations of the sanctity ence technology at the invitation children in every aggression it displacement of tens of Pales- to stop the Israeli aggression in of Al Aqsa Mosque. The Shura Council is to be represented in this session by members of the Council: Yousef of the Independent Commission launched against the Strip, and tinian families from Sheikh Jar- addition to agreeing on an ac- bin Rashid al-Khater and Dr Aisha bint Yousef al-Mannai. — QNA for Human Rights in Palestine, to hold accountable the occupa- rah neighbourhood in occupied tion plan to support the Inde- which chairs the ANNHRI in its tion leaders who gave the orders Jerusalem, warning of the pro- pendent Commission for Hu- current session, and with the to commit such crimes and all found humanitarian impact and man Rights in Palestine. Fish quantum at Al Wakra market auction falls participation of the national hu- those involved, in addition to repercussions this has on the af- The meeting listened to a man rights institutions members the necessity for international fected families. working paper presented by the The daily auction at the Al Wakra fish market has seen a considerable decrease in the quantity of fish on in Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, humanitarian organisations to The emergency meeting of Independent Commission for display, dropping to some 2.5 tonnes compared to around 35-40 tonnes a day prior to the opening of auctions Oman, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, provide the humanitarian needs the ANNHRI’s executive com- Human Rights in Palestine on at Umm Salal Central Market. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that after the opening of auctions at Umm Tunisia, Lebanon, Mauritania of the forcibly displaced people mittee discussed a range of is- a number of proposals to sup- Salal Central Market, most boat owners and fishermen started to supply their catch there instead of Al Wakra. and Sudan. in the Gaza Strip, including food, sues. The meeting reviewed port the rights of the Palestin- This meant the supply for the Al Wakra fish market’s daily auction went down by as much as 37.5 tonnes. The network called on the medical supplies, medicines and developments in Palestine and ian people and pressure to stop Despite this, retail prices remained stable at the market for most fish varieties except for hamour, hamam and international community, es- others. violations in Jerusalem and all the Israeli aggression. safi, which were sold at higher prices than earlier. Hilton Doha The Pearl’s The Kitchen food now available through delivery

ilton Doha The Pearl has launched a new service, off ering the delivery of “great healthy food” from its The Kitchen restaurant throughout Doha via Snoonu and HTalabat. Chefs at the contemporary restaurant, known for its “high-quality food created from the freshest of ingredients”, have designed an extensive The Kitchen To Go delivery menu with plenty of individually priced vegan, vegetarian and nut-free, chilli and gluten-free options as well as combo choices, according to a press statement. The menu boasts of six salad and vegetable choices, eight single plate dishes with fi ve big plate meat and fi sh selections, fi ve side options and three desserts. Three spe- cial combo meals feature on The Kitchen To Go menu. At QR159, Combo 1 is made up of a starter of heirloom tomatoes, Puglia buratta, olive oil and basil, with a main of half a Kitchen Burger grilled chicken a diable, a side of rustic skin potato fries, and traditional tiramisu, mas- carpone for dessert and coff ee to round off the meal. Combo 2, also at QR159, has a salad starter of spinach and pears, pomegranate, feta cheese and nuts, a main of seabass fi llet with sesame, cumin, lime and coriander and light soy sauce with a green leaf salad on the side and lemon tart with lemon curd and sable crust for dessert. Combo 3, at QR139, comprises a satisfying main of roasted lamb leg with tomato black garlic and mint, a side of traditional creamy mashed potatoes and a chocolate mousse dessert. Available for order daily from 12.30pm until 11pm, The Kitchen on The Go service means “no one needs to forego this restaurant’s high-quality cuisine where all tastes are catered for”, the statement adds.

Roasted Short Rib Gulf Times Wednesday, May 19, 2021 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Iranians protest for Palestine

Hundreds of protesters and activists gather in front of the Israeli Mission to the United Nations to voice their anger at the situation in Israel and to defend the Palestinian resistance movement yesterday in New York City.

An Iranian woman holds the Palestinian flag during a protest yesterday to express solidarity with the Palestinian people amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, Fighting displaces 52,000 in Tehran, Iran. in Gaza; toll mounts to 215 Lebanese president srael bombarded Gaza with air rocket strike on an Israeli farm just affi rming remarks he has made over Nearly 450 buildings in the Gaza strikes and Palestinian militants over the Gaza border, police said. the past several days, said in a video strip have been destroyed or badly Iresumed cross-border rocket Gaza’s ruling Hamas Islamist group clip on Twitter. damaged, including six hospitals fi re yesterday after a brief overnight and Islamic Jihad claimed respon- Hamas began fi ring rockets eight and nine primary care health cen- seeks to avert crisis lull during which the UN sent a sibility. days ago in retaliation for what tres, the United Nations humani- small fuel convoy into the enclave, Rockets were also launched at it said were Israeli rights abuses tarian agency said. Some 47,000 of where it says 52,000 people are now the cities of Ashdod and Beersheba, against Palestinians in Jerusalem. the 52,000 displaced had fl ed to UN displaced. further north. The current hostilities are the most schools. with Gulf over Israeli leaders said they were Gaza residents said Israel was serious between the militant group Israel said more than 3,450 rock- pressing on with an off ensive to de- keeping up intense air strikes. Wit- and Israel in years. ets have been launched at it from stroy the capabilities of the armed nesses said an Israeli tank shell hit Gaza medical offi cials say 215 Gaza, some falling short and oth- factions of Hamas and Islamic Ji- a paint factory in the southern Gaza Palestinians have been killed, in- ers shot down by its Iron Dome air minister’s comments had, amid calls by the United States Strip, setting it on fi re. cluding 61 children and 36 women, defences. and other world powers for an end “We will continue as long as it and more than 1,400 wounded. Is- Yesterday, the army said its forc- to the confl ict. takes in order to restore calm for raeli authorities say 12 people have es have killed around 130 Hamas Reuters it said were “inconsistent with diplomatic Two Thai workers were killed and all of Israel’s citizens,” Israeli Prime been killed in Israel, including two fi ghters and another 30 from Is- Beirut norms”, UAE state news agency (WAM) said seven people were wounded in a Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, re- children. lamic Jihad. yesterday. “The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and International Cooperation has strongly ebanon’s president said yesterday criti- decried the derogatory and racist statements cal comments made by the foreign min- made by caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister, Lister about Gulf states did not refl ect of- Charbel Wehbe, against the Kingdom of Saudi fi cial policy, seeking to avoid a further strain Arabia and other GCC (Gulf Co-operation on ties with countries that have been Leba- Council) states,” WAM reported. Classrooms become dormitories non’s allies and donors. Saad al-Hariri, the prime minister-des- Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe ignate now trying to form a cabinet, said stoked tensions in a television interview on Arab support was vital. “As if the crises that Reuters Few places to flee in densely populated Gaza; About Monday, when he appeared to blame Gulf na- the country is drowning in and the boycott Gaza tions for the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and it is suff ering from are not enough,” he said. 47,000 Gazans flee to schools, says UN; Some schools neighbouring Syria. Crushed by debt, Lebanon’s economy has im- “Those countries of love, friendship and ploded, sending its currency into tailspin. A N-run schools in Gaza look adapted to cope with displaced fraternity, they brought us Islamic State,” he massive blast at Beirut port in August added very little like places of told Al Hurra without naming them. to its woes, prompting the last government to Ulearning these days in the Wehbe said yesterday his comments were resign. It is now acting in a caretaker role. midst of a confl ict between Israel misrepresented and President Michel Aoun, a Months later, politicians in the fractious, and Palestinian armed groups that is Maronite Christian like Wehbe, said the min- sectarian system are still squabbling over new in its second week. Laundry is hung ister’s comments were his “personal opinion” appointments. Western donors, led by France, on makeshift washing lines, moth- and praised “brotherly” ties with the Gulf. which also previously bailed out Lebanon, ers scrub infants at bathroom sinks Saudi Arabia summoned Lebanon’s ambas- want a cabinet of technocrats before releas- and classrooms have become dor- sador to the kingdom over the remarks, hand- ing aid. Mass protests in 2019 had also called mitories with desks stacked up and ing over a memorandum about what were for sweeping out the old elite, many of whom blankets spread on the fl oor. described as Wehbe’s “off ences”. Lebanese have held top posts for years. For Palestinians crammed into politicians also criticised Wehbe. Hariri, who like his assassinated father has this narrow strip of land, wedged The United Arab Emirates’ foreign minis- led several cabinets, has yet to announce a new between Israel, the Mediterranean try summoned the Lebanese ambassador and line up in a country where the prime minister and a small stretch of Egypt, there handed him an offi cial protest note denounc- should be a Sunni, the speaker of parliament a are few places to seek shelter from ing comments by Lebanon’s foreign minister Shia and president a Christian. bombardment. So, many have fled to schools run by the UN refugee agency UNRWA, which estimates that 47,000 Palestinians are now camped out in the 58 education establishments it runs in the en- clave. “We have quit without taking mattresses or anything. We left the house as it is, and we escaped,” said Hassan Haboub, a father of nine whose family have made a tempo- rary home in the four-storey com- plex of Gaza City’s Beach elemen- tary school. Palestinian man Ihab El-Attar, who, according to him, lost four members of his family when an Israeli strike hit their “We have nothing but UNRWA,” house and injured him, walks with crutches at a United Nations-run school where he takes refuge, in Gaza City. said Haboub, whose family fl ed to Gaza when they became refugees in to live in this 365 sq km enclave that by road, sending lumps of concrete ing fi ghting in 2008-9 and in 2012. 1948 from Ashkelon, a city that lies is one of the most densely populated and part of a wrecked car fl ying into Once again, in 2021, he has sought north of Gaza’s border. areas on the planet. the facility. shelter in a UN school. This time, Israeli airstrikes have pounded “Yes, in some cases they warned Palestinians put their death toll he said his house was destroyed Gaza day and night since the con- them, they have protected their lives at 213, including 61 children. In the in a bombardment that killed four fl ict fl ared on May 10. Nearly 450 but they are homeless and need to Gaza enclave, UNRWA said it had members of his family -- it was not buildings in Gaza, an enclave that is completely rebuild their life,” Mat- adapted many schools to cope with immediately possible to verify de- home to 2mn people, have been de- thias Schmale, the director UNRWA receiving displaced people after the tails of that strike. stroyed or badly damaged, the Unit- operations in Gaza, told Reuters. last major confl ict in 2014 between “Every time there is a war, they ed Nations says. Most of the 52,000 He said even UN facilities had Israel and Hamas, the group that has drive us out,” Attar said, speaking who have been displaced are in UN suff ered some collateral damage. He ruled since 2007. from his latest shelter at Beach el- schools, it says. UN offi cials say pointed to a boundary wall of UN- Ihab El-Attar, who usually lives in ementary school after his home was the destruction of residential tower RWA’s complex in Gaza City which Beit Lahiya near Gaza’s border with hit early on Friday morning. “Four blocks and other buildings has left has fractured and cracked walls of Israel, fl ed his home to UN facilities wars drove us out from the same thousands of people with nowhere offi ces, saying a blast struck a near- three times before: in 2014 and dur- house.” Fuel price hike sparks Syria Kurd protests

AFP Yesterday, dozens of people took the cost of diesel climb to 400 Syr- the previous ones didn’t cover the Qamishli, Syria to the streets in the city of Qamishli ian pounds (30 US cents at the offi - cost of production,” said Sadiq al- and other areas calling on the au- cial exchange rate) per litre from 150 Khalaf, a Kurdish administration thorities to reverse the price hike, and petrol to 410 pounds per litre offi cial. decision to hike fuel pric- AFP correspondents reported. from 210. Kurds control some of Syria’s es sparked protests across Clashes broke out when protest- Cannisters of gas used in homes largest gas and oil fi elds but author- AKurdish-held parts of north- ers and gunmen stormed a base in are now selling for 8,000 pounds, ities are not producing enough oil eastern Syria yesterday that turned the town of Shadadi belonging to up from 2,500. The price hikes come and gas to meet the demand. violent and left at least one demon- Kurdish security forces, said the on top of an accelerating economic Heating fuel, petrol and cook- strator dead, a monitor said. Syrian Observatory for Human crisis that has weakened the value ing gas have been in short supply The Kurdish administration Rights. of the pound and plunged wide seg- in recent months and motorists which oversees large swathes of One protester was killed and ments of Syria’s population into have grown used to waiting in long Syria’s northeast said on Monday fi ve others were wounded in the poverty. queues to fi ll up. Regional authori- that it was doubling and in some exchange of fi re, said the Britain- “The Kurdish administration ties have not explained the reason cases tripling the cost of fuel. based monitor. The price hike saw was forced to raise prices because behind the shortage. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 WORLD

DECISION PEOPLE WILDLIFE LAW AND ORDER TRAGEDY Japan withdraws Man donates $550,000 Surfer dies after shark Police kill suspected Sherpa guide immigration bill in cash to Japanese city attack in Australia Philippine militants killed on Everest

Japan’s government yesterday withdrew a bill that An elderly Japanese man has anonymously do- A surfer has died after being bitten by a shark at a Five suspected members of Philippine militant group A Sherpa guide died on Everest yesterday after he would have made it easier to deport failed appli- nated his life’s savings — in cash — to a city outside beach north of Sydney, Australian authorities said Abu Sayyaf were shot dead in a firefight with police fell into a crevasse, a Nepal off icial said, taking the cants for refugee status, off icials said, after the death of Tokyo, an unexpected financial windfall as the yesterday. Paramedics were called to Tuncurry on the Malaysian part of Borneo island, authorities death toll on the world’s highest peak this climbing in March of a Sri Lankan woman at an immigra- economy reels from the fallout of the coronavirus Beach, about three hours’ drive from Australia’s most said yesterday. Police were attacked by men armed season to three. Pemba Tashi Sherpa was descend- tion detention centre sparked criticism. Members pandemic. The man, who did not identify himself, populous city following reports of the attack yester- with guns and machetes on Monday when they ing from Camp 2 to Camp 1 when he plunged into of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s ruling Liberal appeared at city hall in Yokosuka on Monday and day morning. “Despite the best eff orts of paramedics raided a settlement near the town of Beaufort in the deep opening, a government off icial at Everest Democratic Party (LDP) abandoned their attempt asked that a backpack with a letter inside be given and bystanders at the scene, the man could not be Sabah state, and returned fire. “Five male suspects base camp, Gyanendra Shrestha, said. “His body to pass an overhaul of the immigration law, party of- to the mayor, the off icial who met him said. “We resuscitated,” New South Wales Ambulance tweeted. were successfully defeated,” said Sabah police com- was pulled out and attempts are being made to ficials said, which would have meant asylum seekers found 60mn yen ($550,850) in cash inside and a The man, believed to be in his 50s, went into cardiac missioner Hazani Ghazali in a statement. They were bring him down,” Shrestha said. The incident follows could be deported after their third failed application. letter saying ‘This is the money I’ve been saving arrest after being bitten on his thigh, a spokesman believed to be from the Abu Sayyaf group, police the deaths of two foreign climbers last week. Swiss The government had said the change would solve since the first grade. Please make use of it. It’s a said. Police said he was surfing when the attack said, self-proclaimed militants whose stronghold is climber Abdul Waraich, 40, died near the summit the problem of long detentions of asylum seekers. donation,’” said the off icial. The man appeared to occurred. The New South Wales state government’s in the southern Philippines. One of them has been after reaching the top and suff ering exhaustion. Lawyers, opposition lawmakers and human rights be in his 70s or 80s and declined to give his name, SharkSmart organisation said beaches in the area identified as Mabar Binda, a militant leader on the American Puwei Liu, 55, “suddenly passed away” groups said it ran counter to international norms. saying he wanted to stay anonymous. had been closed until further notice. Philippine police’s wanted list. after returning to Camp 4, organisers said. Qantas changes India Covid test laboratory

Guardian News and Media that any passengers booked on Canberra this flight were denied boarding in error.” But the airline said its review antas will use a diff er- had also uncovered “issues” with ent laboratory to screen the laboratory used to review the Qpassengers fl ying from tests. India to Australia after some of Qantas had tested passen- the people stopped from board- gers in their hotel rooms be- ing a repatriation fl ight out of the fore boarding their flights, and country later tested negative for the medical provider had sub- Covid-19. contracted another company, But despite a review reveal- called CRL, to process the re- ing “issues” with the labora- sults. tory used to process the tests, The company is accredited by the airline has stood by the ini- the Indian Council of Medical tial results that saw nearly half Research, but the airline said it of the 150 people who had been had since “emerged” that CRL scheduled to board the fi rst re- had received a temporary sus- patriation fl ight out of Covid- pension of accreditation for oth- ravaged India denied entry to er types of tests in April from the the fl ight. National Accreditation Board for Forty-two people booked Testing and Calibration Labora- on the fi rst repatriation fl ight, tories in India. which landed in Darwin on Sat- The accreditation was not People stand near the 300-metre high SEG Plaza after it began to shake, in Shenzhen in China’s southern Guangdong province yesterday. urday, tested positive either in mandatory and CRL continued PCR tests in the days prior to de- to provide Covid testing for the parture or rapid antigen tests at Indian government, Qantas the gate. Another 30 were barred said. as their close contacts. “While a small number of After reports that a handful passengers found errors in their of people who had been blocked result paperwork (such as the from boarding the flight had wrong age or gender), the actual later tested negative for the vi- result for each passenger was Shoppers fl ee as China rus, Qantas initiated a review linked to their Qantas booking that included re-running all of number on the fl ight. Qantas the positive test results “under has validated with the lab that additional medical supervi- no one received the wrong set sion”. of results,” the airline said in its The company said in a state- statement. ment late yesterday that the re- “Qantas is now working with skyscraper wobbles sults had all come back positive, Dfat to prioritise passengers who including some “weak positives were unable to board the fl ight to AFP one of China’s fastest-growing the heart of a city of over 12mn banned the construction of sky- have chosen the city to host their that may have been interpreted take up a future fl ight, once the Beijing cities. people. scrapers taller than 500 metres, headquarters. as negative results by other labo- mandatory 14-day timeframe Emergency management of- Bystander videos published adding to height restrictions It is also home to the world’s ratories”. following a positive test has fi cials are investigating what by local media on Weibo showed already enforced in some cities fourth-tallest skyscraper, the The airline said the passen- elapsed.” ne of China’s tallest sky- caused the tower in Shenzhen’s the skyscraper shaking on its such as Beijing. 599-metre Ping An Finance gers who tested negative and Qantas’ chief medical offi cer, scrapers was evacuated Futian district to wobble, ac- foundations as hundreds of ter- The new guidelines for ar- Centre. ultimately fl ew on the May 14 Dr Ian Hosegood, said managing Oyesterday after it be- cording to a post on the Twitter- rifi ed pedestrians ran away out- chitects, urban planners and Building collapses are not repatriation fl ight also received a the Covid testing regime in India gan to shake, sending panicked like Weibo platform. side. developers aimed to “highlight rare in China, where lax build- rapid antigen test prior to board- was “inherently diffi cult”, and shoppers scampering to safety “After checking and analysing “SEG has been completely Chinese characteristics” and ing standards and breakneck ur- ing, and were tested again by warned that the high infection in the southern city of Shen- the data of various earthquake evacuated,” wrote one Weibo also banned tacky “copycat” banisation lead to constructions Northern Territory Health after rates in the country meant “we zhen. monitoring stations across the user in a caption to a video of buildings modelled after world being thrown up in haste. landing at the Howard Springs may see similar levels of positive The near 980ft high SEG city, there was no earthquake in hundreds of people milling landmarks. Last May, a fi ve-storey quar- quarantine facility. test results ahead of future repa- Plaza inexplicably began to Shenzhen yesterday,” the state- about on a wide shopping street Five of the world’s tallest sky- antine hotel in the south-east- “Both sets of tests validated triation fl ights”. shake at around 1pm, prompt- ment said. near the tower. scrapers are located in China, ern city of Quanzhou collapsed the original results, with only “We understand the tremen- ing an evacuation of people in- The district said in a later The building is named after including the world’s second- due to shoddy construction, one additional passenger testing dous stress people relying on side while pedestrians looked on statement that everyone in- the semiconductor and elec- tallest building, the Shanghai killing 29. positive at Howard Springs, sug- these fl ights are under and that is open-mouthed from the streets side had been safely evacuated tronics manufacturer Shenzhen Tower, which stands at 632 me- The devastating 2008 Si- gesting this person contracted why Qantas is working with the outside. and that experts had found “no Electronics Group, whose offi ces tres. chuan earthquake caused over Covid prior to leaving India but Australian government to help The building was sealed shut cracks in the ground surround- are based in the complex. Shenzhen is a sprawling me- 69,000 deaths and the disas- had yet to develop the infection,” bring them home,” he said. as of 2.40pm, according to local ing the building and no pieces It is the 18th tallest tower tropolis in southern China, ter ignited a storm of public the airline said in a statement. “But we have to do that in a media reports. of outer wall had fallen or been in Shenzhen, according to the close to Hong Kong, which has a controversy over poorly con- “Considering all of these way that keeps everyone safe and Completed in 2000, the damaged.” Council on Tall Buildings and booming homegrown tech man- structed school buildings — data points, Qantas and Dfat avoids overwhelming quarantine tower is home to a major elec- It was not immediately clear Urban Habitat skyscraper data- ufacturing scene. dubbed ‘tofu dregs’ — which (the department of foreign af- facilities with a high proportion tronics market as well as vari- how authorities will handle a base. Many Chinese tech giants, collapsed killing thousands of fairs and trade] do not believe of positive passengers.” ous offices in the downtown of dangerous tower of its scale in Chinese authorities last year including Tencent and Huawei, students.

South China Sea maritime Journalist arrested Australian PM spurns patrols to continue: Duterte pleas to reopen border Reuters the impact of border bans – have Sydney been urging the federal govern- Reuters der should not be construed as tensions at the rhetorical level, ment to fast track the opening of Manila weakness and that maritime pa- said Aaron Jed Rabena of the Asia- borders. trols must continue. Pacifi c Pathways to Progress, a ustralian Prime Minister “We can’t keep (Covid-19) out “Our agencies have been di- Manila-based think tank. Scott Morrison yesterday forever... It will make us sick but resident Rodrigo Duterte rected to do what they must and “It could be that President Asaid it was still not safe to won’t put us into hospital. Some yesterday said the Philip- should to protect and defend our Duterte has realised that it’s high allow residents fully-vaccinated people may die but it will be way Ppines would not waver in nation’s interest,” Duterte said in time for his administration to for Covid-19 to travel overseas, smaller than the fl u,” Virgin Aus- defence of its interests in the South a statement.”We will not waver in speak with one voice given the as industries hit hard by the pan- tralia boss Jayne Hrdlicka was China Sea, even though he had our position.” mixed signals...which show a demic press for a faster reopen- quoted as saying in Australian barred his ministers from talking Beijing claims almost the en- government that is incoherent,” ing of international borders. media yesterday. about the situation there in public. tire South China Sea and has built Rabena said. “I understand that everyone is Morrison described Hrdlicka’s China’s maritime conduct has military installations equipped The same day Duterte an- keen to get back to a time that we comments as “somewhat insen- been a constant problem for Du- with missiles on reefs in disputed nounced the gag order, the for- once knew. But the reality is we sitive”. terte but he has refrained from areas, including within the Phil- eign ministry fi led another dip- are living this year in a pandemic The Australian Medical Asso- criticising Beijing and instead ippine EEZ, alongside a constant lomatic protest against China that is worse than last year,” ciation (AMA) called for a cau- praised its leadership, hoping to presence of coastguard and fi sh- over the annual summer fi shing Morrison told reporters. tious approach to reopening, secure investment. ing vessels. ban Beijing imposed in the South Morrison said any plans to re- saying the country needs to beef But after weeks of rebukes of Duterte’s defence and for- China Sea from May 1 to August lax border rules for vaccinated up hotel quarantine and set up China by his ministers over the eign ministers and his legal ad- 16, saying it was “a violation of travellers could be implemented dedicated quarantine facilities to presence of hundreds of fi shing viser have taken strong positions Philippines’ sovereignty and “only when it is safe to do so”. handle travellers from countries vessels in the Philippines’ exclu- lately on what they have called sovereign rights”. Australia plans to reopen bor- with high infection rates. sive economic zone (EEZ), he told a “swarming and threatening” “And with the new Chinese ders to the rest of the world from “Our health system, particu- his ministers on Monday they presence of Chinese vessels they coast guard law, it eff ectively the middle of 2022 even as the larly our public hospitals, are must refrain from discussing the believes are manned by militias. grants Chinese coastguard free- Police escort investigative journalist Rozina Islam to federal budget unveiled last week operating beyond capacity and matter. China’s embassy in Manila has dom and authority to use force a court in Dhaka yesterday after she was arrested on hopes to fully vaccinate its near appear ill-equipped to deal with “If we talk, we talk but just denied the presence of militias. within what it considers its charges of stealing documents and taking images by 26mn population by the end of any surge in demand resulting among us,” he said in a televised It did not respond to requests maritime jurisdiction,” foreign the health ministry. The arrest sparked protests by this year. from any community spread of address. for comment on Monday and yes- ministry offi cial Marie Yvette hundreds of reporters. Airlines, tourism operators Covid-19,” AMA president Omar Yesterday, he said his or- terday. The gag order could lessen Banzon-Abalos said. and universities – reeling from Khorshid said. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 19, 2021 7 WORLD Indian mosque bulldozed in defi ance of court order

Guardian News and Media the time of British rule, according Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata The demolition was in viola- mosque committee asking them to mittee went to the Allahabad High tion began building a permanent Lucknow to documents held by its commit- party (BJP), which also governs at tion of a High Court order issued present documentary evidence for Court citing concerns that the structure to block access to the tee. On Monday, police and securi- national level. The chief minister is on April 24, which stated that the ownership of the land and cit- mosque faced “imminent demoli- mosque. ty services moved into the area and a hardline Hindu nationalist called buildings in the state should be ing a court directive where illegal tion”. On March 19, local Muslims local administration in cleared it of people, then brought Yogi Adityanath. protected from any eviction or religious constructions could be The High Court ruled that the were prevented from entering the the Indian state of Uttar in bulldozers and demolished the A local cleric, Maulana Abdul demolition until May 31 “in the demolished if they caused traffi c local administration was only al- mosque, causing tension and pro- APradesh has defi ed a state mosque buildings. Mustafa, who is on the mosque wake of the upsurge of the pan- obstructions. leging “certain other construc- tests in the area. High Court order and bulldozed a Security services have been de- committee, said the mosque was demic”. The mosque committee say they tions have illegally been raised Over 35 local Muslims who were mosque. ployed to prevent anyone coming “hundreds of years old” and that The mosque’s presence has been sent a detailed response but the lo- which include residential rooms” protesting were arrested and put in The mosque, in the city of Ram within a mile of where the mosque “thousands of people have been contested by the local adminis- cal administration did not take the on the land. jail, where many are still held, and Sanehi Ghat in Uttar Pradesh, had stood. The state government of coming here fi ve times a day to of- tration, which on March 15 is- response on to offi cial record. In the following days, local police reports were fi led against stood for at least six decades, since Uttar Pradesh is controlled by the fer prayers”. sued a “show cause” notice to the On March 18, the mosque com- Muslims say the administra- the demonstrators. Major Covid vaccine exports from India ‘not likely before Oct’

Reuters The other two sources said the New Delhi exact timing for resuming ex- ports could change depending on how soon India is able to control ndia is unlikely to resume ma- the second wave of cases that has jor exports of Covid-19 vac- overwhelmed the health system. Icines until at least October as India’s ministry of external af- it diverts shots for domestic use, fairs, which is co-ordinating and three government sources said, a overseeing all vaccine exports, longer-than-expected delay set did not respond to a request for to worsen supply shortages from comment on the matter. the global Covax initiative. SII had previously expected The Serum Institute of India shipments to restart from June. (SII), the world’s biggest vaccine Asked about the October maker producing the AstraZene- timeline, Covax co-lead Gavi ca vaccine, responded by saying said at least 140mn doses it had that it hoped to restart deliveries expected from the Serum Insti- to Covax and other countries by tute by the end of May will now the end of this year. remain in India. “We would like to reiterate “As India confronts a truly that we have never exported vac- dreadful wave of the pandemic, A car lies crushed under a fallen tree on a road after heavy winds caused by Cyclone Tauktae, in Mumbai, India, yesterday. cines at the cost of the people of Indian vaccine production, in- India and remain committed to cluding the 140mn vaccine doses do everything we can in the sup- initially destined for Covax, have port of the vaccination drive in been committed to protecting the country,” SII said in a state- its own citizens,” a Gavi spokes- ment. woman said in an e-mail. Battling the world’s biggest “We off er the government of jump in coronavirus infections, India our full support in their India halted vaccine exports a eff ort to bring the virus under 33 dead, dozens missing month ago after donating or sell- control and stand ready to help in ing more than 66mn doses. any way we can.” The move has left countries Covax has a deal with SII to including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri deliver 1.1bn doses of either the Lanka and many in Africa scram- AstraZeneca or Novavax shots. bling for alternate supplies. The head of Unicef on Mon- The World Health Organisa- day asked G7 countries to donate as cyclone batters India tion, which co-leads Covax, on supplies to Covax as an emergen- Monday called on vaccine mak- cy measure to address a severe AFP roads leading to aff ected areas, lenging sea conditions”. Navy ple in danger zones were evacu- ple died after “super cyclone” ers outside India to advance sup- shortfall caused by disruptions Mahuva offi cials said. helicopters managed, however, ated from their homes. Amphan ravaged eastern India plies to the programme given the to Indian vaccine exports. “I have never experienced to rescue all 137 people stuck on “Our planning over the last and Bangladesh in the Bay of shortfall from the South Asian Unicef, which is helping sup- such intensity in my life,” a hotel another barge that also slipped three days has paid off . We have Bengal. country. ply Covid-19 vaccines through t least 33 people died owner in the town of Bhavnagar its anchor and ran aground. managed to minimise human The Arabian Sea previously The sources, who spoke on Covax, estimates the supply and more than 90 were said. “It was pitch dark as pow- One other barge and an oil rig casualties,” said Rupani. experienced fewer severe cy- condition of anonymity as they shortfall at about 190mn by the Amissing yesterday after a er was cut off and winds were were also adrift. The cyclone barrelled inland, clones than the Bay of Bengal were not authorised to talk to end of June. monster cyclone slammed India. making a roaring sound. It was Elsewhere, seven new fatali- weakening slightly but still but rising water temperatures media on the subject, said India’s US President Joe Biden said on The swirling system dubbed scary.” ties took the toll to 33, with most bringing heavy rains and gale- because of global warming was vaccination drive will now take Monday his country would ex- Cyclone Tauktae is the latest in Prime Minister Narendra of the deaths occurring when force winds. changing that, Roxy Mathew priority as its tally of coronavi- port at least 20mn doses of the what experts say is a growing Modi was set to visit the cy- houses or walls collapsed, Gu- Forecasters said it had eased Koll from the Indian Institute of rus infections crosses 25mn and Pfi zer/BioNTech, Moderna and number of increasingly severe clone-hit regions in Gujarat, his jarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupa- into a deep depression and Tropical Meteorology said. daily death toll hits a record high. Johnson & Johnson shots, on top storms in the Arabian Sea as cli- home state, today. ni said. would further weaken into a de- The eff ects were felt far and “We don’t have to offi cially of 60mn AstraZeneca doses he mate change warms its waters. One support vessel serving More than 16,500 houses were pression overnight. wide with authorities in Nepal convey to all countries as we had already planned to give to Hundreds of thousands of oil rigs that were walloped by damaged, 40,000 trees were “This is one of the most pow- — some 2,000km from Gujarat are not obligated to do,” one of other countries. people were left without power eight-metre waves off Mumbai uprooted and nearly 6,000 vil- erful cyclones we’ve faced in In- — advising climbers on Everest the sources said about the deci- Biden’s move came as WHO after the storm hit the Gujarat sank and 93 of the 273 people lages were without electricity. dia for decades, and after weeks and other mountains to stay put. sion to hold back exports.”It was director-general Tedros Adh- coast in western India on Mon- who had been on board were Just over 2,100 villages had of chaos and devastating loss of But more than 200 climbers internally discussed and some anom Ghebreyesus warned the day evening, leaving a trail of missing, the Indian Navy said their power restored, offi cials life caused by Covid-19, it could ignored the warnings and were countries were asked not to ex- world has reached a situation of death and destruction. yesterday. said late yesterday. not have come at a worse time,” heading up the world’s highest pect export commitments given “vaccine apartheid”, calling on Winds up to 130km per hour The defence ministry said 180 Although the cyclone was one Save the Children India’s Sant- mountain, eyeing the summit by the current Indian situation.” wealthier nations and vaccine smashed seafront windows and people were rescued, with war- of the fi ercest in decades, better anu Chakraborty said in a state- the end of this week, a govern- The source did not name the producers to increase vaccine knocked over power lines and ships attempting to save the rest forecasting than in previous dis- ment yesterday. ment offi cial at the base camp countries told about the delay. sharing. thousands of trees, blocking of the crew in “extremely chal- asters meant that 200,000 peo- Last May, more than 110 peo- said. India’s tally of Covid Festival preparations Sri Lanka’s tax haven plan gets court nod cases passes 25mn AFP of its potential competitors. Colombo Named the ‘Colombo Port City’ because of its proximity to Reuters over the past 24 hours, while fa- earlier. The storm has exacerbat- Colombo’s main harbour, the sea Ahmedabad talities rose by a record 4,329. ed eff orts to tackle the pandemic Chinese-funded tax-free reclamation - carried out with The offi cial total death toll is in Gujarat, with vaccinations enclave billed as Sri Lan- considerable Chinese labour - 278,719. The government said suspended and hospitals await- Aka’s answer to Dubai and completed in 2019 has doubled ndia’s total Covid-19 caseload about 98% of India’s population ing back-up generators to keep Singapore cleared the fi nal legal the size of Colombo’s fi nancial surged past 25mn on Tuesday of 1.3bn remained susceptible to power running and additional hurdle yesterday as the Supreme district by adding 665 acres. Ias a powerful cyclone com- infections. Only the US has had oxygen supplies. Court in Colombo ruled it could Under the proposed legisla- plicated the health crisis in the more cases, or a worse single Vaccinations are likely to re- go ahead with only minor tweaks. tion expected to be passed by Sri western states of Gujarat and day death toll, when it lost 5,444 main suspended at least until The largest single foreign in- Lanka’s parliament tomorrow, Maharashtra, already among the people on February 12. today, a government offi cial said vestment in Sri Lanka is one the Port City will be adminis- hardest hit by a second wave of But whereas the epidemic yesterday. But Aayush Oak, a top of several massive Asian infra- tered by a commission with un- the pandemic. there peaked months ago, there offi cial in Amreli, the district structure projects funded by precedented powers to fast track Covid-19 tests were adminis- is no certainty that India’s in- hardest hit by the cyclone, said China as Beijing increases its re- investment approvals. tered to 200,000 people evacu- fections have. Though the offi - preparations had paid off . gional footprint. All transactions within the ated from coastal districts of cial count shows new infections “We had already shifted Covid Sri Lanka’s top court rejected 19 Port City will be denominated Gujarat and eff orts were being subsiding, there are fears that patients from areas closer to the petitions challenging the “Colom- in foreign currency and all sala- made to try to limit any spread of the new, highly infectious B.1.617 coast to hospitals in other places bo Port City Economic Commis- ries earned by any worker will be infections. “Masks have been ar- variant, fi rst found in India, is three days back and did not need sion” bill and approved the $1.4bn tax-exempt. Western countries, ranged for people shifted to shel- out of control and that many to shift a single patient more. project subject to minor amend- as well as regional power India, ter homes,” said Sandip Sagale, cases are going unreported due to There is no disruption of oxygen ments which the government im- have long expressed concern a top offi cial in Ahmedabad, the lack of testing. supply to any hospital,” Oak said. mediately said it accepted. over growing Chinese infl uence main city in Gujarat. Gujarat, Prime Minister Sunaina Tomar, energy secre- Project offi cials have said in strategically placed Sri Lanka. “Eff orts are also made to Narendra Modi’s home state, has tary in Gujarat state, said 81 hos- they hope the brand new “Port US ambassador Alaina Teplitz maintain social distancing.” suff ered a 30% increase in in- pitals designated for coronavirus City,” an area of reclaimed land, told reporters last month that India’s total tally of coronavi- fections since May 2, while the patients had faced power supply Street vendors wearing face mask as a safety protocol will attract billions of dollars an unintended consequence of rus cases now stands at 25.23mn, total number of vaccinations it disruption, along with 16 other against the Covid-19 coronavirus sell lanterns ahead of for trade, banking and off shore the Port City could be “a haven health ministry data showed, administered last week was just hospitals, and 19 oxygen refi lling the Vesak festival in Colombo yesterday. services similar to what is avail- for money launderers and other following 263,533 new infections 1.1mn — half the total of a month plants. able in Dubai and Singapore, two sorts of nefarious actors.” Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 AMERICAS Fatal shooting of Black man by offi cers ‘justifi ed’

AFP deputies “to reasonably believe it drawn, surrounded the car and on to place their lives in danger.” Yesterday, attorneys for the Black Americans has come under and put in place a curfew for sev- Washington was necessary to use deadly force asked him to exit, but Brown at- “No offi cer will be criminally Brown family released a state- increasing scrutiny, especially eral nights in anticipation of pos- to protect themselves and oth- tempted to drive away. charged,” Womble said. ment decrying what they called in the wake of last year’s killing sible violent demonstrations. ers,” Pasquotank county district “The decision to fl ee, which In the space of 44 seconds, of- Womble’s “attempt to whitewash of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Initially, authorities refused he fatal shooting last attorney Andrew Womble said. Brown made on his own, quickly fi cers fi red 14 shots, at the vehicle this unjustifi ed killing” and call- sparking protests across the Unit- to release body cam footage, month of a Black man by Womble, who was revealing escalated the situation from a and then at the rear of the vehicle ing on the Justice Department to ed States and abroad. which fuelled speculation about Tlaw enforcement offi cers the results of a state investiga- show of force to an employment after Brown turned it around. weigh in on the case. A white former offi cer has been wrongdoing, but Womble re- in the US state of North Caro- tion, said seven offi cers went to of force,” Womble said, adding An autopsy revealed that two “To say this shooting was jus- convicted of Floyd’s murder. leased some of that video yes- lina was “justifi ed” and no one Brown’s home in Elizabeth City that Brown had steered his vehi- of those bullets hit Brown, one of tifi ed, despite the known facts, Brown’s death came in the af- terday, which confi rmed the will face charges, the prosecutor on April 21 — they had arrest and cle towards one of the offi cers. them fatally to the neck. is both an insult and a slap in termath of that ruling, and was number of offi cers at the scene, in charge of the case, which has search warrants related to alleged “The facts of this case clearly The family had previously re- the face to Andrew’s family, the also followed by protests in Eliz- and Brown’s attempt to fl ee. drawn scrutiny, said yesterday. felony drug off ences. illustrate the offi cers who used vealed the cause of death, based on Elizabeth City community, and abeth City, which has a popula- It was not immediately clear The death of Andrew Brown Brown, 42, was in his car out- deadly force on Andrew Brown, Jr an independent autopsy. Brown’s to rational people everywhere,” tion of about 20,000. from the footage how fast Brown “while tragic, was justifi ed” be- side the home when they arrived. did so reasonably, and only when a son Khalil Ferebee said last month the statement said. The city’s mayor declared a was going and if police were di- cause his actions led the sheriff ’s Deputies, their weapons violent felon used a deadly weap- that his father had been “executed.” Police use of lethal force against state of emergency on Monday rectly in the path of the vehicle. Capitol attack commission advances in Congress

Reuters interview whether Trump should Washington talk to the panel if it is created, President Joe Biden tests the new Ford F-150 lightning truck as he visits VDAB Ford facility in Dearborn, Michigan, yesterday. said, “If you put together a com- mission that is focused on the proposal to create a events of Jan. 6, then I think he’s 9/11-style commission to obviously a very key individual.” Ainvestigate the Jan. 6 US The Rules Committee ad- Capitol attack by a mob of Donald vanced a separate bill that would Trump’s supporters advanced in provide $1.9bn in emergency Congress yesterday even as one funding for Capitol security, also key Republican announced oppo- opposed by Republicans. Biden pitches $174bn sition and another suggested the Repudiating a deal on the com- former president could become a mission announced last week witness. by the top Democratic and Re- The Democratic-backed pro- publican members of the House posal won approval in the House Homeland Security Committee, of Representatives Rules Com- McCarthy said in a statement: “I mittee, setting up a planned vote cannot support this legislation.” electric vehicle plan in the full House today. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a The party-line vote in the com- Democrat, told reporters she was Reuters He has ruled out consumer incentives grants to support new high capacity bat- tors expired after they hit the cap. mittee, with Democrats in favour disappointed but not surprised Dearborn/Washington for high-priced electric luxury models, tery facilities in the United States,” the The White House has declined to say and Republicans against, came over the “cowardice” shown by according to a White House factsheet, fact sheet said, and backs grants to fund how Biden wants EV tax credits restruc- hours after Kevin McCarthy, some Republicans “not to want to as he argues for dramatic government the retooling of shuttered factories “to tured or if he wants to hike credits. the top House Republican and a fi nd the truth.” resident Joe Biden made the case spending to prod Americans to buy elec- build advanced vehicles and parts.” Biden faces resistance from many con- Trump ally, announced his op- Hundreds of Trump support- for his $174bn electric vehicle plan tric vehicles at a preview of Ford’s new EV United Auto Workers President Rory gressional Republicans on his EV focus. position. ers stormed the Capitol, inter- Pyesterday, calling for government version of its best-selling F-150 pickup Gamble, who has criticised Ford and Republicans are set to release a coun- In the Senate, Majority Leader rupting the formal congressional grants for new battery production facili- truck. General Motors’ plans to build some EVs terproposal to Biden’s infrastructure plan Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, certifi cation of President Joe Bi- ties during a visit to a Ford Motor elec- Biden’s electric-vehicle plan, fi rst an- in Mexico, urged Biden to make sure in- and Republicans will meet with Biden’s pledged to bring the legislation up den’s election victory, fi ghting tric-vehicle plant in Michigan. nounced March 31, cheered investors vestment encourages strong labor stand- commerce and transportation chiefs lat- for a vote. But Senate Republican with police and leaving fi ve dead “We’re going to set a new pace for who bought shares in several electric-ve- ards, good union jobs and US built vehi- er on Capitol Hill. Leader Mitch McConnell told re- including a police offi cer. Trump electric vehicles,” Biden said, vowing to hicle startups that have struggled of late. cles. Biden backs new tax credits for zero- porters that he was “pushing the and some other Republicans have reverse what he called the Trump admin- Shares in electric truck maker Lord- The centrepiece of Biden’s EV plan is emission medium- and heavy-duty ve- pause button” on the idea of cre- sought to downplay the violence. istration’s “short-sighted” rollback of stown Motors rose 22% and shares in $100bn in consumer rebates, according hicles, which the White House notes “are ating a commission. McCarthy complained that vehicle emissions standards while push- Nikola Motors climbed 5.8% in midday to an April US Transportation Depart- major contributors to poor air quality” Indicating that his rank-and- Democrats refused to broaden the ing for passage of his ambitious $2.3tn trading. ment e-mail to lawmakers. and the administration pegs as costing fi le Republicans had not yet coa- scope of the planned commission jobs and infrastructure bill. Biden is pushing for electric vehicles The White House fact sheet says Bi- $10bn. lesced around a position, McCon- to include 2020 protests in many Biden argues the United States is fall- in the auto industry’s heartland, and try- den’s plan provides “point-of-sale in- Biden wants $15bn to build 500,000 EV nell said they would be willing to US cities against racism and po- ing behind China, which is selling more ing to win over auto workers worried that centives that encourage EV deployment. charging stations by 2030 — including in listen to Democrats’ arguments, lice brutality and a 2017 shoot- EVs. more electric cars and trucks will mean These incentives will not go towards ex- apartment buildings and public park- however. ing that seriously wounded con- “The real question is whether we’ll fewer jobs. pensive luxury models.” ing — and $45bn to electrify a signifi cant Trump’s actions likely would gressman Steve Scalise, now the lead or we’ll fall behind in the race for The White House wants to encourage The existing $7,500 EV tax credit ap- number of school and transit buses. be closely scrutinised in any com- No 2 House Republican, during a the future, or whether we will build these new battery production facilities, which plies to vehicles regardless of price but He also wants to fund shifting the fed- mission investigation. practice at a baseball fi eld. vehicles and the batteries that go in them are key to ramping up US electric vehicle phases out after a manufacturer sells eral fl eet to more EVs, including for the Republican Senator Lisa Neither of those incidents were here in the United States or rely on other manufacturing. 200,000 EVs. Postal Service to begin using EV delivery Murkowski, asked during a CNN related to the Jan. 6 violence. countries,” Biden said. Biden’s plan “proposes cost-sharing Credits for both Tesla and General Mo- trucks.

US seeing fewest Covid deaths Mexico aims to give since start of pandemic population at least one Covid-19 vaccine AFP and Prevention (CDC) said at a least one dose of a Covid vac- Washington briefing. cine, and the country is moving New daily cases are headed to loosen restrictions. dose by October down in all US states, with the Last the week the CDC he United States is see- current average of 30,211 the amended its guidance to say that ing its fewest number of lowest since last June — when vaccinated people do not need Reuters Last month, the president Tdeaths from Covid-19 there were severe testing short- to wear masks either outdoors Mexico City said Mexico would soon re- since the start of the pandemic, ages. or indoors for most activities, ceive at last 5mn additional offi cial data showed yesterday. “We are winning the war on a move welcomed by many ex- AstraZeneca Plc vaccination The seven-day moving aver- the virus, and we need you to perts, though some said it might exico aims to ensure doses, on top of a previous age of deaths was 545 on May help us fi nish the job,” White have been premature. its population has US 16, and “the last time our sev- House senior advisor for Covid The US has also authorised Mhad at least one Cov- donation of 2.7mn doses of en-day-average was this low response Andy Slavitt said, call- the Pfi zer vaccine for children id-19 vaccine shot by Octo- the Anglo-Swedish pharma- was in March 2020, essentially ing on remaining eligible Ameri- aged 12 and up and more than ber before the onset of colder ceutical company’s Covid-19 since the pandemic began,” cans to get vaccinated. 600,000 12- to15-year-olds have weather, President Andres vaccine. Rochelle Walensky, director of About 60% of the US adult now received their fi rst shots, Manuel Lopez Obrador said On Monday, US President the Centers for Disease Control population has now received at added Walensky. yesterday. Joe Biden announced a plan Mexico has so far distribut- to provide 20mn doses from ed nearly 24mn vaccine doses several vaccine developers to Fragrance expert helps Covid-19 patients learn to smell again to its population of 126mn, countries in need of more sup- and Lopez Obrador said he plies. After 13-year-old Sahil Shah lost & Co, and now runs her own “What’s been happening is was sure it would receive more his sense of smell to Covid-19 in company, Scenterprises. we’re training people to, I like shots from the United States. Mexico has so far November, his parents looked “So let me tell you, first of to say, smell with your brain...I By July, health authorities will distributed nearly 24mn everywhere for help. all, I am not a doctor. I’m not can see almost the fog lifting. begin providing vaccinations to vaccine doses to its “We met with neurologists, a scientist. I’m not even a And then they can start to people as young as 40, he told a population of 126mn neurosurgeons, ENT specialists, chemist,” Phillips told a client at smell again. And it’s really regular news conference. and all of them said if it was her boutique on the Upper East amazing.” Over the next month and a Speaking alongside Lopez supposed to come back, it Side of Manhattan. After visiting Philips, Shah’s half, the pace of vaccinations Obrador, Foreign Minister would have come back by To begin the process of helping father said Sahil’s smell is now at in the world’s largest Spanish- Marcelo Ebrard told reporters now,” said Sahil’s father, Pratik people learn to smell again, about 25%. “It’s better than zero.” speaking country should ac- that Mexico expects another Shah. Phillips sets up an array of 18 A panel of experts celerate as tens of millions of 38mn vaccine doses to arrive But six months later, the custom-blended fragrances. recommended in a paper new doses arrive, the govern- between the end of May and teenager from Chicago still had Starting with the lighter notes https://bit.ly/3iD6D9B ment says. July 4. no sense of smell or taste. such as rose, lavender and mint, published in January in the During the news conference, Depending on the spread The family sought help from Phillips hands one scented Journal of Allergy and Clinical Lopez Obrador initially sug- of the virus and how vaccina- an unlikely source — New York blotter strip at a time to her Immunology that Covid-19 gested Mexico could conclude tions proceed, Mexico and the fragrance expert Sue Phillips. client. patients who lost their sense of its vaccination rollout before United States would look at She has helped develop and If there is no response, she uses smell receive a form of “smell the winter, but he later clari- easing some restrictions on market perfumes for Elizabeth more robust scents, such as rehab” known as olfactory US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attends a news fi ed that the aim was to ensure their shared border beginning Arden, Lancome and Tiff any spice and musk. training. conference in the US Capitol about the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, in everyone had had at least one June 22, the Mexican foreign Washington yesterday. shot by October. ministry said. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 19, 2021 9 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Schools object to unpaid ‘propping up’ of Covid system

Guardian News and Media The National Association of receiving notifi cations of positive terday, the NAHT’s general secre- students when there was a Covid staff found themselves – with lit- cern we hear from aspiring head London Head Teachers (NAHT), which cases then notifying close con- tary, Paul Whiteman, said: “It was case in their school, because they tle training or guidance – calling teachers is the level of pressure represents 29,000 UK school tacts who need to self-isolate, the just assumed that school leaders were the ones who had all the con- families at Christmas to break the and the workload they see in the leaders, is calling for the responsi- union says. would take on this additional duty tact information. bad news that they had to self- role. chools have spent up to bility for test and trace to be lifted According to an NAHT poll of despite the government spending “But it has been a full year now isolate because a close contact had “We are already anticipating and in excess of 100 hours from schools, amid fears of an 400 leaders, they have spent on billions on a national test and trace and absolutely no eff ort has been been infected. “The extra burden an exodus by headteachers once S“propping up” the national exodus of headteachers once the average an additional 44 hours system. made to release school leaders this has put on school leaders can- the crisis has passed. One tangi- Covid test and trace system since Covid crisis has passed. on test and trace since the start of Not a penny of that money was from this burden, or to give them not be underestimated (sic),” said ble thing the government could do the start of the academic year, de- School leaders, already under the school year, which equates to given to schools. additional staff or resources to Whiteman. “As we try to bring right now to help is to remove the spite having no additional fund- extreme pressure due to the pan- around seven extra school days, “To begin with, schools ac- do it.” Whiteman said schools in forward the next generation of burden of running test and trace in ing or staff , according to a school demic, have found themselves on while many logged over 100 hours. cepted that they were the people areas with high infection rates school leaders at our conference schools and give leaders some free leaders’ union. call every weekend and holiday, Speaking at a conference yes- best placed to track and inform had been hardest hit, and many today, the biggest barrier and con- time back.”

Nurse who Sturgeon re-elected helped UK jobless rate save PM’s life quits drops as fi rms in protest

AFP London hire amid nurse credited with help- ing to save Prime Min- Aister Boris Johnson’s life last year has quit the UK health service in protest at the gov- ernment’s lack of “respect” for Covid easing frontline staff . New Zealand-born Jenny Mc- Guardian News and Media displaying growth, notably in the that the rate will peak at close to Gee was one of two intensive- London accommodation and food service 5.5% after the furlough scheme care nurses who gave Johnson sectors. ends, signifi cantly lower than the round-the-clock treatment a However, the number of roles worst-case forecasts made last year ago in a central London hos- K employers who were on off er remains below pre-pan- year which predicted a rerun of pital when he was struck down getting ready for the eas- demic levels, with arts, entertain- the 1980s, when unemployment with Covid-19. Uing of lockdown started ment and recreation, and the hos- soared close to 12%. The prime minister said lat- hiring again in March, driving pitality sector worst aff ected. It also represents a much lower er that he only pulled through down unemployment for a third The picture of strength emerg- peak for unemployment than af- thanks to their care, but his gov- consecutive month, according to ing in the jobs market also comes ter the 2008 fi nancial crisis, when ernment has since faced fury offi cial fi gures. with as many as 4.2mn jobs fur- the jobless rate rose from 5.2% in from nurses for off ering a pay The number of adults seeking loughed at the end of March ac- late 2007 to a peak of 8.5% by the rise of just one % — eff ectively a work fell to 1.6mn in the three cording to separate fi gures from autumn of 2011. cut, after infl ation. months to March, compared with HMRC, as the multi-billion- The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, “We’re not getting the respect 1.7mn in the three months to Feb- pound emergency wage scheme said the extension of furlough and and now pay that we deserve. I’m ruary, the Offi ce for National Sta- prevents a higher rate of unem- self-employed support schemes just sick of it. So I’ve handed in tistics said. ployment while the economy re- beyond the end of its roadmap for my resignation,” McGee says in a The quarterly rate was down mains under pressure. easing restrictions in England was Channel 4 television documen- to 4.8% from 4.9% in February, Suren Thiru, the head of eco- helping to protect people’s jobs tary airing next Monday. amid broader signs of recovery in nomics at the British Chambers of while the economy reopens. She refused to take part in a the jobs market as progress with Commerce, said: “UK unemploy- “Protecting and creating jobs Downing Street photo oppor- the Covid-19 vaccine programme ment remains on track to peak at continues to be my top priority. tunity last July, noting: “Lots of helped give companies confi - a much lower level than in recent While sadly not every job can be nurses felt that the government dence to take on more staff . recessions. However, the squeeze saved, nearly 2mn fewer peo- hadn’t led very eff ectively, the City economists had forecast on business cashfl ow from any ple are now expected to be out indecisiveness, so many mixed the unemployment rate to remain marked delay to the planned full of work than initially expected – messages. It was just very upset- unchanged at 4.9%. reopening of the economy may showing our plan for jobs is work- ting.” The improvement helped push trigger renewed job losses, par- ing,” he said. Keir Starmer, leader of the the pound briefl y above $1.42 ticularly when furlough becomes However, economists warned main opposition Labour party, against a weaker dollar on the in- less generous over the summer.” there were still worrying trends said McGee’s resignation was a ternational currency markets, the The fi gures covering the pe- in the jobs market, following the “devastating indictment of Boris highest level since February, amid riod after the government an- fastest growth in long-term un- Johnson’s approach to the people hopes for a stronger economic re- nounced its roadmap out of lock- employment for more than a dec- who put their lives on the line for covery from the pandemic. down showed a rise of 84,000 in ade in the past year. him and our whole country”. According to the latest snap- the number of people in work for Young people have been af- But a Downing Street spokes- shot, the number of employees on the three months to the end of fected by the pandemic in par- person said “this government company payrolls rose for the fi fth March as companies hired more ticular, leading to falls in both will do everything in our power consecutive month, but remained full-time staff to prepare for the employment and unemployment to support” staff of the National 772,000 below pre-pandemic reopening. as young people stay away from Health Service (NHS), stressing levels, in a sign of the ground still The employment rate rose to the jobs market altogether, either they had been excluded from a to be made up. 75.2%, equating to almost 32.5mn by continuing in education or not pay freeze aff ecting other public The biggest falls in employ- workers, in the fi rst increase since looking for work. Unemployment sector workers. ment came in the hospitality sec- the pandemic began. is expected to rise once furlough In the documentary, McGee tor among those under 25, and However, it remains 1.4 per- is made less generous in July and says it was “surreal” seeing the among those living in London. centage points below its pre-cri- removed entirely by the end of prime minister in her hospital. Early indicators show that the sis level. September, while tough govern- In a statement yesterday, Mc- Scotland’s re-elected First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney number of job vacancies con- Although dropping to 4.8%, ment restrictions remaining in Gee said she plans to take up a pose for a photograph on the steps of Bute House in Edinburgh yesterday. The Scottish tinued to rise into April as non- the unemployment rate is still place in response to new Cov- new nursing job in the Carib- Parliament formally voted for Nicola Sturgeon to continue as first minister following the essential shops and outdoor higher than the 4% rate before the id-19 variants and a fresh wave bean, but hopes to return to the SNP’s election victory. hospitality reopened in England pandemic. of infections would derail recent NHS in the future. and Wales, with most industries The Bank of England estimates improvements. Long Covid symptoms Shipyard visit BBC ‘plotted to axe Bashir critics’ ease after shots: survey According to a source familiar Daily Mail London with the new document, which is from minutes of a news and Guardian News and Media helped some people with long (Oxford/AstraZeneca). current aff airs board meeting London Covid. The analysis, which is yet to In particular, those who re- BC bosses plotted to ‘pick that month, bosses discussed be peer reviewed, was based on a ceived the Moderna vaccine were off ’ Panorama staff who embarking on a ‘disciplinary’ survey conducted by the advocacy more likely to see improvements Bexposed Martin Bashir’s route to tackle the whistleblow- ovid-19 vaccines tend to group LongCovidSOS involving in symptoms such as fatigue, rogue tactics, according to an ers. alleviate the symptoms of 812 people (mostly white, female brain fog and muscle pain, and explosive document on the Prin- But it noted that they would Clong Covid, according to participants) with long Covid in less likely to report a deteriora- cess Diana scandal. need ‘proof’ and suggested an a large survey of more than 800 the UK and internationally, who tion, the analysis found. The memo suggests execu- alternative that would instead people that suggests mRNA vac- were contacted via social media. “This survey will reassure tives discussed ‘troublemakers’ ‘pick off ’ these people ‘one by cines, in particular, are benefi cial. The participants (a small pro- people that they would have to and how to get rid of them ‘one one’. Though Covid-19 was ini- portion of whom also said they be quite unlucky to really have by one’. Well-placed sources who tially understood to be a largely had ME/CFS) were asked to wait an overall worsening of symp- Panorama reporters had come were at the BBC at the time say respiratory illness from which at least a week after their fi rst toms,” said analysis author On- forward to blow the whistle a number of those who raised most would recover within a few dose to avoid their responses dine Sherwood, from the patient on Bashir’s use of forged bank concerns with bosses about weeks, as the pandemic wore on confl ating with side-eff ects of advocacy group LongCovidSOS. statements to secure his historic Bashir’s behaviour were forced increasing numbers of people re- the vaccine. Scores across 14 “The data is very encourag- 1995 television interview with off the show in the following ported experiencing symptoms common long-Covid symptoms ing, but we don’t know how long Diana. months. for months on end. were compared before and after the benefi ts last.” Dr David Strain, But instead of being thanked, Lord Dyson, the former judge There is no consensus defi ni- the fi rst vaccine dose. also an analysis author and a sen- the staff ers were reportedly told commissioned to investigate the tion of the condition of these Data showed that 56.7% of re- ior clinical lecturer at the Uni- by the programme’s editor it was scandal, is believed to have had people who have symptoms spondents experienced an overall versity of Exeter medical school, not any of their ‘ business’. access to the document. ranging from chronic fatigue to improvement in symptoms, with said: “There isn’t a blood pres- Then what critics believe was a It is not known whether he organ damage, let alone a stand- 24.6% remaining unchanged and sure tablet that fi xes everybody cover-up was launched, starting will refer to it in his bombshell ardised treatment plan. 18.7% reporting a deterioration in … and similarly, there’s not one with an alleged cull to get rid of report, due to be published soon. As vaccines hit the mainstream, their symptoms. In general, those long-Covid treatment that’s go- the whistleblowers. But it chimes with a previ- concerns arose that vaccination who received mRNA vaccines ing to fi x everyone – but the fact In April 1996, Matt Wiessler, ously released dossier show- could precipitate relapses or a (Pfi zer/BioNTech or Moderna) that one treatment does fi x some- the graphics designer who ing that corporation chiefs had worsening of symptoms. reported more improvements in thing means that there’s bound to Britain’s Prince Charles visits the Harland & Wolff shipyard, mocked up the bank statements vowed to ‘deal with leakers and But conversely, anecdotal re- symptoms, compared with those be other treatments out there that in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Britain, yesterday. on Bashir’s orders, was made a remove persistent troublemak- ports suggested that vaccines who got an adenovirus vaccine will fi x others.” scapegoat and sacked. ers’. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Central banks looking to go green in climate change fi ght

No longer is climate change a debatable problematic with some research models suggesting up to a quarter of global GDP - currently around $80tn - could be lost if no action is taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Across the world, central banks, policymakers, and investors are waking up to the compelling reality. For sure, central banks are the most powerful financial institutions in the world. Now they’re increasingly looking to play a key role in mitigating the impact of rising sea levels, more wildfires, and bigger storms that could cause shortages leading to a rise in A Brexit post-mortem for inflation. Central banks have responded to Covid-19 with record stimulus. Qatar Central Bank Governor HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud al-Thani on Monday said the policy response to the pandemic should turn out to be the blueprint for climate protection London’s fi nancial centre policies as well. Central banks are increasingly interested in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, with 43% of respondents There will still be a fi rms, and the European Commission has January 2021, while the EU share rose from unfettered access to the EU’s markets, to an HSBC survey saying they’d bought green bonds. profi table role for London, allowed euro-denominated instruments 10% to 25%. New York was the benefi ciary so most EU-located fi rms will need The survey carried out between February and April found to be cleared in London until 2022, to avoid of some of the business lost to London, as authorisation to conduct business with but the Golden Age of the the disruption a sudden change on De- many forecasted. And they point to the London-based clients. So perhaps 300- that officials at 57 central banks, with assets worth $3.8tn, cember 31, 2020, might have brought. So move of banking assets worth perhaps €1 500, mainly smaller, European fi rms will were either already City as Europe’s fi nancial what we are seeing today may not refl ect trillion out of the UK, mainly to Frankfurt. need to set up in London. The net result factoring ESG criteria capital will recede, as Brexit’s full longer-term impact. But both sides acknowledge that from will be an outfl ow of jobs from London, but not on anything like the scale widely As many as 57 into decision-making or Golden Ages tend to do Nonetheless, changes that have oc- an economic point of view, the city in were considering doing curred so far permit us to start assessing which trades are booked is less signifi - expected in 2016. the future of the City and the fi nancial cant than the city in which traders pay That is because fi rms have found ways central banks, so. By Howard Davies operations based there. One move that their taxes. Soon after the Brexit vote, to work around the regulatory obstacles. with assets worth European Central London generated headlines was the abrupt shift consultants Oliver Wyman estimated that They have also found that moving staff is Bank president of trading in European equities from 75,000 jobs would quickly be relocated to costly and diffi cult. London retains many $3.8tn, are seen Christine Lagarde has London to Amsterdam at the start of the other EU centres. Others produced even attractions: schools, cultural life, and year. An average of €9.2 billion ($11.2 higher estimates. Have those pessimistic many long-established expatriate social made work on climate early fi ve years after the Brexit factoring ESG referendum, and in the fi ve billion) in shares was traded daily on the forecasts been borne out? networks. It will take time for any puta- change a priority, months since Brexit itself, the Amsterdam exchange in January, four The Leave team can claim another goal. tive rival in the EU to develop a plausible criteria into making it a key element Ndebate about the future of the times the volume in December 2020, while A detailed survey from consultancy New matching off er. of the strategic review City, the fi nancial centre of London, has London’s daily average dropped sharply, Financial last month identifi ed 7,400 It seems likely, therefore, that London decision-making currently underway at remained a dialogue of the deaf. Those to €8.6 billion. The switch can be traced to positions that had been moved from Lon- will remain Europe’s largest fi nancial who voted in June 2016 to leave the regulation: the European Commission has don to a eurozone fi nancial centre – just marketplace, by a considerable distance. It the bank. European Union believe, whatever the not granted “equivalence” to UK trading 10% of the estimates in 2016. The biggest will remain plugged into a global network: The Swiss National Bank last year excluded coal miners from evidence to the contrary, that the impact venues, and is in no rush to do so. benefi ciaries have been Dublin, Paris, transactions with European clients are its equities portfolio, while earlier this month the Bank of Japan will be minimal, and that the warnings That was a crucial early goal by the Re- Luxembourg, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, perhaps a quarter of its business. But it gave one of its strongest hints yet that the need to take action on of job losses and business relocation main team in this match, you might think. in that order. will no longer be the continent’s de facto climate change was on its radar. are exaggerated. Remain voters are But the Leave team hit back quickly. Very But the study can be interpreted in fi nancial centre. programmed to think the opposite and, few job moves resulted from this switch, another way. Two years ago, the same For the EU, London will shift from The widening focus of central banks to factor in the climate in whatever the evidence to the contrary, they say: most of the traders remain in authors identifi ed 269 fi rms that had being its principal onshore fi nancial policy formulation has brought about differing views that the forecast gloom and doom. What can we London. And they point out that London relocated some activity. Now they fi nd centre, to an important off shore centre. regulators are overstepping their conventional mandates. learn from what has actually happened? continues to lead Europe as a centre for that 440 have done so, and they regard Other cities will pick up business, But last December, the US Federal Reserve joined the Central We have to acknowledge, fi rst, that raising new capital. In the fi rst quarter of that as an underestimate of the number though the signs are that a multipolar Covid-19 has confused the picture might- this year, €8.3 billion was raised through that will eventually do so. They expect the system will develop, with no single win- Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial ily over the last 18 months. People have not London IPOs, compared to €5.4 billion in relocated jobs number to rise further. ner. There will still be a profi table role System. The group includes central banks and regulators of found it easy to change location, even if Frankfurt, €5.6 billion in Amsterdam, and Moreover, there are signs that the prop- for London, but the Golden Age of the major European countries as well as China, Russia and Japan. they wanted to. More important, there are just €0.1 billion in Paris. erty market may be reacting. Over the last City as Europe’s fi nancial capital will Now, with 90 central banks and regulators as members, the some temporary regulatory arrangements The Remain team advances again: two years, property prices have risen 20% recede, as Golden Ages tend to do. — group says regulators who don’t consider climate risks are failing that blunt the impact of the United King- Equities are not the only, or even the most in Paris, almost 40% in Amsterdam, but Project Syndicate dom’s departure from the single fi nancial important, instrument. The UK share of just 6% in London. in their jobs. market. There is a Temporary Permissions euro-denominated interest-rate swaps But it will not be one-way traffi c. Just  Howard Davies is Chairman of Some members are adjusting policy based on climate Regime in London for some EU-based fell from 40% to 10% from July 2020 to as fi rms based in the UK no longer have NatWest Group. considerations, potentially including higher capital charges for lending to fossil-fuel companies and bank stress tests that focus on the risk of rising temperatures to loan portfolios. The ECB, which oversees monetary policy and bank regulation in the eurozone, says climate already is covered by its mandate. The Bank for International Settlements, known as the central bank for central banks, has a programme to finance renewable energy production. The ECB is helping to fund that project. Globally, more than $40.5tn is now estimated to be invested using ESG metrics. And the past five years have seen an unprecedented increase in investors’ ESG awareness. Governments, corporations, and other groups raised a record $490bn last year selling green, social, and sustainability bonds. A further $347bn poured into ESG-focused investment funds: An all-time high. In a wider sense, central banks can’t be expected to save the world from climate change, says the BIS. It, for sure, calls for broader co-ordination in the financial world.

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected] © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved SPOTLIGHT: The City of London financial district with off ice skyscrapers commonly known as ‘Cheesegrater’, ‘Gherkin’ and ‘Walkie Talkie’ seen in London. (Reuters) Gulf Times Wednesday, May 19, 2021 11 WORLD Spain vows to restore order after infl ux of migrants Thousands swim into Ceuta; half sent back, says Madrid Spanish enclave in Morocco a magnet for migrants

Rabat recalls ambassador to Madrid for consultations Migrants pictured between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta yesterday in Fnideq. ( AFP)

Reuters minors, entered the enclave on ed in the water towards Ceuta. The Spanish government did declined to be named, adding tweeted that the enclave’s fron- Madrid said it acted on purely Ceuta Monday and yesterday by swim- Spain said approximately not make that connection, with that relations with Spain needed tier was a European border, ex- humanitarian grounds. ming in or climbing over the 4,000 migrants had already been Sanchez calling the north Af- a moment of “contemplation”. pressing his “full solidarity with Morocco’s Foreign Minis- fence. sent back to Morocco, under a rican nation a friend of Spain Moroccan authorities did not re- Spain”. try criticised what it said was sudden infl ux of migrants Armoured vehicles were readmission deal. and the interior ministry citing spond to requests for comment, Ceuta, with a population of Spain’s decision to admit Ghali swimming into the Span- guarding Ceuta’s beach yes- The regional leader of Ceuta co-operation over the readmis- said a diplomatic source who 80,000, is on the northern tip under a false identity without Aish enclave of Ceuta in terday, and soldiers and police criticised what he described as sions, although Foreign Minis- declined to be named, adding of Morocco across from Gibral- informing Morocco, warning of northern Africa is a serious cri- used batons to clear migrants Morocco’s passivity in the face of ter Arancha Gonzalez Laya told that relations with Spain needed tar. Along with another Spanish repercussions. sis for Europe, Prime Minister from the beach and threw smoke Monday’s surge, and some inde- Morocco’s ambassador Spain a moment of “contemplation”. enclave, Melilla, it has long been The Polisario Front wants the Pedro Sanchez said yesterday, bombs to discourage others from pendent experts said Rabat had rejected and disapproved of the Moroccan authorities did not re- a magnet for African migrants Western Sahara to be an inde- vowing to re-establish order crossing. initially allowed it as a means of mass arrivals. spond to requests for comment. seeking a better life in Europe. pendent state rather than part promptly amid heightened dip- A Reuters reporter on the pressuring Madrid over its deci- Moroccan TV footage showed “This sudden arrival of irreg- Morocco has a claim on both. of Morocco. Algeria, Morocco’s lomatic tensions with Morocco. ground said the number of arriv- sion to admit a rebel leader from the authorities setting up barri- ular migrants is a serious crisis The spike in arrivals took place regional rival, backs the Polisa- Spain deployed troops to als by sea had slowed, and some the Western Sahara to a Spanish ers yesterday to prevent people for Spain and Europe,” Sanchez after Rabat expressed its anger rio Front. Ceuta to patrol the border with migrants were voluntarily re- hospital. from crossing into Ceuta. said in a televised address before last month when Spain dis- The United States in Decem- Morocco after around 8,000 mi- turning to Morocco. A few others Moroccan authorities did not Rabat recalled its ambassa- his arrival in Ceuta. creetly admitted Brahim Ghali, ber recognised Moroccan sover- grants, many from Sub-Saharan could be seen being carried away respond to requests for com- dor to Madrid for consultations, European Commission Vice- the leader of Western Sahara’s eignty over the Western Sahara Africa and including some 1,500 by soldiers, but dozens still wad- ment yesterday. said a diplomatic source who President Margaritis Schinas rebel Polisario Front to hospital. territory.

Police arrest Germany opens dozens for antitrust probe trying to lynch blasphemy into Amazon with Russia moves to bar accused tougher law Navalny allies from Pakistani police arrested dozens Germany’s competition authority said yesterday of men yesterday on charges of it had opened an inquiry into online retail giant attacking a police station in a Amazon over potential “anti-competitive practices”, bid to lynch two brothers held in using a new law giving regulators more power to parliamentary race custody accused of desecrating rein in big tech companies. a Muslim mosque, off icials said. Federal Cartel Off ice head Andreas Mundt said his A mob broke into the police off ice is examining whether Amazon has “an almost station on the outskirts of the unchallengeable position of economic power” and Reuters to bar her from running in the elec- capital Islamabad on Monday whether it “operates across various markets”. Moscow tion this September. ahead of an hours-long standoff Fans queue in front of the Ahoy convention centre, prior to the If so, it could be deemed of “paramount Before becoming law, the bill with police. first semi-final of the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest significance”, said Mundt, adding that the regulator needs to be approved in two more Some 36 have been arrested 2021 in Rotterdam yesterday. (AFP) could “take early action against and prohibit ussia’s parliament approved readings in the lower house, before and charged with attacking the possible anti-competitive practices by Amazon”. a bill yesterday that would being backed by the upper house and station under anti-terrorism “This could apply to Amazon with its online Rbar members of “extremist” signed by President Vladimir Putin. laws. Police took the brothers, Rotterdam defies pandemic marketplaces and many other, above all digital organisations from serving as law- Vasily Piskarev, a lawmaker from accused of blasphemy, to safety off ers,” he added. makers, a move that allies of jailed the ruling United Russia party who along with some wounded to ‘open up’ for Eurovision In a statement to AFP, an Amazon spokesperson Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny say co-authored the bill, said it was off icials, police said. said the company “cannot comment on ongoing aims to stop them running in Sep- necessary to bar people from “ex- “Give us the accused. We will The mood is defiant among the trickle of flag-waving Eurovision proceedings and will fully cooperate with the FCO”. tember’s parliamentary election. tremist” organisations from hold- decide what to do with them,” Song Contest fans who have made their way to Rotterdam — like Under the amendment to Germany’s competition The bill, which the lower house of ing seats in parliament because they police off icer Asim Ghaff ar the mood of the Dutch port city itself. A huge artwork outside the law passed in January, the watchdog said it now parliament approved in a first read- could use their position “for propa- quoted the mob as saying. Ahoy Arena is emblazoned with the words “Open Up”, the theme has more power to “intervene earlier and more ing, comes as a court is considering ganda and the justification of their “They said they wanted to for this year’s version of a televisual spectacle that is meant to bring eff ectively” against big tech companies, rather than outlawing Navalny’s anti-corrup- ideas, as well as for the recruitment behead the accused.” Europe together in song. The theme was actually chosen before simply punishing them for abuses of their dominant tion foundation and regional cam- of new followers.” Islamabad Deputy coronavirus swept the globe and forced the cancellation of the 2020 market position. paign groups as extremist. If Russia formally declares Nav- Commissioner Hamza Shafaat edition, but it has proved uncannily apt. Rotterdam is now cautiously The German reform coincided with new EU draft The draft legislation proposes alny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation told Reuters most of the 36 leading the way for Europe’s gradual reopening from Covid-19 and legislation unveiled in December aimed at curbing barring any members or heads of and regional groups extremist, au- arrested men were refugees for other major events like the Euro football tournament and the the power of the Internet behemoths that could groups declared extremist from thorities will gain the formal power from neighbouring Afghanistan. Tokyo Olympics. Rotterdam glitzed up ahead of the first semi-final shake up the way Silicon Valley can operate in the running for seats in the State Duma to jail activists and freeze their bank The two brothers were yesterday, with names of former winners including Abba’s Waterloo 27-nation bloc. lower house for periods ranging accounts. The next court hearing in accused of blasphemy for festooned across the city’s harp-like Erasmus bridge. “We do think The push to tighten legislation comes as big tech from one to five years. the case is set for June 9. allegedly tearing up a banner that this is the stepping stone to the next chapter,” Dave Geensen, companies are facing increasing scrutiny around If passed, the bill would likely The case has already prompted inscribed with the names of Project manager for the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, told the globe, including in the United States, where derail campaigns for the parlia- Navalny’s allies to disband the re- the companions of Prophet AFP. “Right now we are in a phase of adjusting, and the next step Google and Facebook are facing antitrust suits. ment announced by activists such as gional groups. Muhammad (Peace Be Upon obviously would be ‘opening up’.” Geensen said they had to “reinvent The Amazon probe is only the second time that Lyubol Sobol, who is currently un- Navalny’s allies say the extremism Him) from the outer wall of a ourself and come up with resilience and contingency planning” Germany’s Federal Cartel Off ice has made use of its der house arrest for taking part in a allegations are an attempt to blunt mosque, police said. They also to hold a safe contest in the midst of a global pandemic, but it was new powers, after first employing them to widen protest in support of Navalny. their political opposition to United pelted the mosque with stones, worth it. “These are times where we are debating each other, fighting the scope of an investigation into Facebook over its Sobol described the bill on Twit- Russia at the parliamentary elec- police said. a pandemic. Now it’s also time to have some fun.” integration of virtual reality headsets. ter as an “unconstitutional” attempt tion. Dutch slavery exhibition confronts the brutal past

AFP In a sign of the changing times, Dutch King Elsewhere sit the austere portraits of af- Amsterdam Willem-Alexander formally opened the ex- fl uent Amsterdammer Oopjen Coppit and hibition. It will open to the public as soon as her husband Marten Soolmans, which they coronavirus measures are lifted for muse- commissioned legendary artist Rembrandt to set of leg irons that once chained ums, but be viewable immediately online and paint in 1634. slaves by the ankles for punishment. for school parties. Soolmans’ family made a fortune from a AA pair of Rembrandt portraits of a rich Called simply “Slavery”, the exhibit traces sugar refi nery supplied by slave plantations Dutch couple dressed in slavery-funded fi n- the 10 individual stories using both objects in Brazil. After he died, Oopjen remarried to a ery. from the Rijksmuseum’s collection — some man who had once kept slaves in Brazil. Dozens of objects like these went on show never seen before — and from other muse- “We know Oopjen had several links with yesterday at the Dutch national Rijksmu- ums. slavery and that’s also very interesting,” said seum as it opens a landmark exhibition on But it also uses songs and oral sources, Sint Nicolaas. “It really aff ected Dutch soci- slavery highlighting the Netherlands’ dark which visitors listen to on an audio tour, to fi ll ety in many ways, it wasn’t history that just colonial past. the gaps where no records exist. happened far away in the colonies.” Focusing on the stories of 10 people rang- “They tell about people who had to leave The entire exhibition, previewed by AFP, ing from enslaved people to slave owners, the their children behind, or they feel they’re features jarring contrasts of art and atrocity, show covers 250 years of Dutch involvement treated as tools and not human beings,” said brushstrokes and branding irons. in slavery in Suriname, Brazil, the Caribbean, Eveline Sint Nicolaas, senior curator in the What was long thought to be a gilt dog Asia and South Africa. history department. collar in the museum’s collection may actu- Curators at the museum in Amsterdam say One story is that of Wally, a slave on the ally have been a neck ring for a slave. Closer they want to start a “better conversation” in Palmeneribo plantation in Suriname, who inspection of Dutch family portraits reveals a country still reckoning with its role in co- took part in a slave revolt in 1707 and escaped slaves in the shadows. lonialism, and with questions raised by the but was then recaptured and burned to death. Similarly, while the Netherlands’ history Black Lives Matter movement last year. Paintings of slaves on the plantation sit of colonialism under the Dutch East India “This is national history, not just for a alongside a manuscript detailing Wally’s in- Company and Dutch West India company re- small group but for every one of us,” Valika terrogation by slave owners. mains widely known, Dutch links to slavery Smeulders, head of the Rijksmuseum history Like the other stories in the exhibition, have themselves also remained hidden away. department, told AFP during a preview. his tale is told in the audiotour by someone “The history of slavery is something that “The colonial past is an important element with a connection — in his case Dutch former people in school have not been taught a lot in our national history. So it was timely, as it world champion kickboxer Remy Bonjasky, about, and at the same time you see that in This picture taken on May 12, 2021 at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam during the exhibition “Slavery” was not done before, to present an exhibition whose ancestors are believed to have fl ed the the public debate it is a very important sub- shows multiple foot stocks for constraining enslaved people. (AFP) on slavery.” same plantation. ject,” said Smeulders. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 QATAR

Mathafek 2021: A chance to Qatar vegetable ‘get closer to our museums’

By Joey Aguilar production hits Staff Reporter Qatar Museums (QM) has presented Mathafek 2021 virtually aimed at giving residents and netizens around the globe a chance to “get closer to our museums” amid the Covid-19 situation. 60,000 tonnes Mathafek, themed “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine” this year, coincided with the International Museum Day yesterday (May 18). Mathafek events are held annually to “provide experiences that motivate local communities, showcase subjects that touch everyday lives, and create the conditions for creativity to flourish in Qatar.” this year, says “Through Mathafak, we give you behind the scenes access to our museums, collections and team. It is an open space for you to make your own memories that you, yourself, would share with the world; it is an opportunity for you to see for yourself where artifacts, costumes, and diff erent art pieces are kept, as well as, experience the working environment of agriculturist our researchers and museum professionals,” QM said on its Google Arts & Culture found a way for people to virtually visit website. museums, including MIA. “This year, our Mathafek programme is going to be a little diff erent than every year. This pandemic has taught us to get you closer to our museums even when a physical visit is not possible.” In an email sent to Culture Pass members, QM said participants can get easy access to art and culture from the comfort of their homes via a unique 2021 programme, which is also a special dedication to Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). QM urged people to visit MIA online and “have a closer look” at its stunning artifacts and galleries. In 2020, Google Arts & Culture found a way for people to virtually visit museums, including MIA, as well as the National Museum of Qatar and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and to view an array of collections: from textiles, woodwork, metalwork, and jewellery to coins and glasses, among others. Previous Mathafek saw QM organising a series of talks on ‘How to become a museum professional’ and ‘Collection guardians’, in addition to workshops and ‘Curator tours’, ‘Behind the scene tours’, and ‘Tell a tale at the museum’ tours. Visitors can also explore the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum’s (FBQ Museum) designated Carpet Museum at West Bay online, which is “home to over 900 carpets A virtual visit to FBQ Museum’s designated Carpet Museum at with intricate hand-woven rugs among the most exclusive West Bay. acquisitions from Iran, India, and Turkey, Caucasian, Afghani, Albanian, Armenian, Iraqi and North African countries.” journey to discover behind-the-scenes insight into the elaborate Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf Carpet Museum curator Chady Elbaik takes visitors “on a steps that lead from acquisition to final display in the museum.”

By Joey Aguilar in the country even during the He noted that Qatar also Staff Reporter summer season. started exporting its hydro- Some of these fresh produce ponics farming technology include cucumber, tomato, in the region, particularly to he uptrend in the vol- zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, Oman where a 1mn sq m farm ume of vegetable pro- bell pepper, onion, beans, is being developed and could Tduction in Qatar is capsicum, and other green be ready by next year. Agrico expected to continue year-on- leafy vegetables, in addition to will be in charge of its opera- year, ensuring a steady supply mushrooms. tion and marketing. of fresh produce from local “We are at the end of the Al-Khalaf expressed confi- ‘active farms’, a prominent ag- season this year, but some dence that the volume of veg- riculturist told Gulf Times. farms will continue to produce etable production in Qatar will “If local farms produced until end of June using green- keep increasing annually “but around 40,000 tonnes in the houses with cooling system. our aim is not only to increase past years, we have reached Unfortunately the production the amount of production but 60,000 tonnes this year due to does not last during summer also the ‘season of produc- the increase in the number of and the only way is using high tion’”. production (active) farms and tech greenhouse with cooling “I’m happy to see some the growing area and green- and hydroponic system,” al- farms are following on our houses,” said Nasser Ahmed Khalaf said. steps and start to use our tech- al-Khalaf, who is also the Agrico has developed a high- nology. As a result we do have owner and managing director ly sophisticated hydroponics some farms that are producing of Agrico, a private Qatari ag- system capable of producing vegetables all year long,” he ricultural development com- various types of organic and stressed. It is learnt that the pany. pesticide-free vegetables and growing demand for fresh pro- He also cited the signifi- fruits year-long. It also ven- duce in the country prompted cant contribution of advanced tured in aquaponics aimed many non-productive local farming technology in grow- at producing better and high farms to become active and The Mathafek 2021 programme is a special dedication to Museum of Islamic Art. ing various types of vegetables quality yields at a faster pace. adopted hydroponics farming. Young Cornell Stars help WCM-Q students develop core skills of physicianship at annual event

ome of the youngest so doing was giving students members of the commu- an early introduction to tele- Snity gave Weill Cornell medicine. Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) Dr Khidir said: “Cornell students a helping hand to de- Stars is always such a rich velop key physicianship skills learning experience for the in the latest instalment of the students and that continues annual Cornell Stars event. to be the case now that we Held online for the second have had to switch to virtual year running due to Covid-19 consultations. It seems very physical distancing protocols, likely that telemedicine will the Cornell Stars event gives continue to be used even after the trainee doctors in the third the pandemic, so it is really year of the medical programme important for students to have at WCM-Q the opportunity to the chance to experiment with conduct medical encounters and learn some skills required with young children, under the to conduct successful virtual supervision of qualified and consultation.” experienced paediatricians. In total, 18 children took Before the pandemic, the part in the event, along with event was one of the highlights 40 WCM-Q students and sev- of the academic calendar, with en faculty. Dr Khidir said that faculty and staff at the college the event was made possible bringing their young children by support from WCM-Q’s to help the students learn how ITS department and Office of to address, engage, interact, Curriculum Support, as well and examine children. Now, as the paediatricians who gave under lockdown conditions, their time and experience to the event provides a valu- the students. able chance for the students to These included Drs Manasik practice virtual consultations Hassan, Shabina Khan, Sa- conducted via video confer- mar Osman and Nada Shurrub encing platforms that have be- of Hamad Medical Corpora- come commonplace during the tion (HMC) and Dr Marcellina pandemic. Mian, Professor Emerita of Dr Amal Khidir, associate Paediatrics and former associ- WCM-Q students develop physicianship skills through Cornell Stars programme. professor of paediatrics and ate dean of Medical Education vice-chair of the Institutional at WCM-Q. dents be exposed to children of tal stages. The children them- looking forward to participat- opportunity to engage with Spending time with them Review Board at WCM-Q, said Dr Mian said: “This was an different ages, to engage with selves were delightful, coop- ing in Cornell Stars since my the children in a small, com- helped me appreciate the great that the Cornell Stars event excellent opportunity in this them and experience the rich- erative and very entertaining.” first year. Although virtual, fortable setting. The children responsibility entrusted to us had evolved to take account of new world of virtual interac- ness of what children have to Class of 2023 student, Reem the event lived up to my ex- opened up and shared many by the families and parents of the lockdown measures and in tion and learning, to have stu- offer at different developmen- Chamseddine said: “I had been pectations and gave me the fun and interesting stories. paediatric patients.”