Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 QATAR

QC relief drive will support the aff ected and displaced in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and Jerusalem. Qatar Charity allocates $5mn aid for Palestine

atar Charity (QC), in Palestine. QC has announced of patients possible and the in- The aid comes as part of the As of the beginning of this port other sectors, especially through its relief teams the allocation of $5mn within jured. QC has urged the benevo- relief campaign launched week, QC began providing ur- food security, for the benefi t of Qin Palestine, continues the framework of the relief drive lent people of Qatar to support by Qatar Charity last week gent relief aid to help the people the aff ected families. He also to provide urgent aid to aff ected to support the aff ected and dis- the relief campaign meant for in response to the tough of the Gaza Strip by distribut- noted that support would be ex- families in co-operation with placed in the Gaza Strip, West Palestine to enable it to pro- humanitarian events ing blankets, pillows and mat- tended to the displaced whose the Ministry of Social Develop- Bank and Jerusalem. vide aid to the largest number currently unfolding in tresses. Mohamed Abu Haloub, houses were destroyed by pro- ment, aiming to contribute to As part of the relief drive, of displaced and aff ected peo- Palestine director of QC’s offi ce in the viding rent, indicating that Qa- meeting their urgent humani- Qatar Charity seeks to focus on ple possible to meet their urgent Gaza Strip, confi rmed that Qatar tar Charity would spare no eff ort tarian needs in light of their cur- providing urgent food and health humanitarian needs and alle- In a statement, Qatar Char- Charity would implement many in supporting the people of the rent challenging conditions. aid, distributing personal hy- viate their suff ering. Benefac- ity thanked the generous donors projects in support of various Gaza Strip who have been af- The aid comes as part of the giene kits in light of the ongoing tors can donate through Qatar who supported the drive as well sectors, especially health, not- fected by the current events. relief campaign launched by Covid-19 pandemic, and reha- Charity’s website, app, branches as the institutions, companies, ing that medicines and medical He also thanked the people of Qatar Charity last week in re- bilitating and equipping health and collection points across the restaurants and café that allo- supplies would be provided. Qatar for supporting the people sponse to the tough humanitar- centres and hospitals to ac- country, in addition to dialling cated part of their sales profi t for He also indicated that, in the of Palestine in these challenging ian events currently unfolding commodate the largest number 44667711. the campaign. coming days, QC would sup- circumstances.

QRCS building attacked in Gaza

QRCS field team in Gaza. Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation of the Israeli occupation’s bombing of the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) building in the besieged Gaza Strip, which resulted in several deaths and injuries, the off icial QNA reported yesterday. Parallel to the attack on the Red Crescent, another operation caused QRCS provides critical aid in Gaza damage to and destruction of parts of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, as a result of the continuous attacks on buildings surrounding the hospital, the QNA Ministry of Foreign Aff airs (MoFA) said in a statement. Doha

atar Red Crescent Soci- ety (QRCS) said its fi eld Qteams, via its representa- tive mission in the Gaza Strip, continue assessing the situa- tion, the damage, and humani- tarian needs, after visiting the destroyed sites due to the Israeli occupation bombing and follow- ing up the cases of the injured in the Palestinian hospitals in Gaza. The QRCS team donated blood at the Central Blood Bank at the Shifa Medical Center in the Gaza Strip in response to the Minis- try of Health and its hospitals requesting the need to support health staff . Also, QRCS secured free psy- MoPH reports 302 new Covid-19 cases chological counselling sessions with specialised doctors to sup- port those aff ected and provide QNA 613 face prosecution psychological services. Doha for fl outing Covid In co-operation with the The QRCS team donated blood at the Central Blood Bank in Gaza. measures Palestinian Red Crescent Soci- ety, the eight ambulances pre- which have been secured to op- pace with the acute consumption he Ministry of Public viously donated by QRCS via erate inside the corridors and al- of these materials in the current Health (MoPH) reported The designated authorities previous projects to their Pal- leys of the Old City of Jerusalem situation. Tyesterday 302 new con- referred 613 people to the estinian counterpart, support and the Al Aqsa Mosque, are sup- The aid will also provide am- fi rmed cases of coronavirus prosecution for violating the medical personnel and emer- porting the medical teams. QRCS bulances, medical equipment to (Covid-19) - 210 of these were preventive and precautionary gency teams and transport the has allocated US$1mn as an ini- hospitals, materials to prevent from community cases and 92 measures enforced by the wounded and injured in the West tial move and an urgent response the spread of the coronavirus from travellers returning from country to contain the spread Bank. to secure the necessary needs via (Covid-19), food and non-food abroad. The MoPH recorded 719 of Covid-19, the Ministry of Also, the private ambulance the provision of medicines and items, and partial repair of dam- recoveries from the virus during Interior (MoI) said yesterday. and motorcycle ambulance, medical consumables to keep aged homes. the past 24 hours, bringing the Among them, 522 people were total number of cases recovered referred to the prosecution for in Qatar to 207,796. The minis- not wearing masks in places try announced two new deaths where they are mandatory, 48 aged 34 and 78, one of whom was for not maintaining safe physi- chronically ill, and had received cal distancing, 32 for gathering the necessary medical care. in closed places, seven for gathering at parks and the Vaccination data Corniche, and four persons for 2,073,354 Covid-19 vaccine not installing the Ehteraz app. doses have been administered The measure is in line with the since the start of the programme. Cabinet decision, Decree Law 37,879 Covid-19 vaccine doses No 17 of 1990 on infectious have been administered in the diseases, and the precaution- past 24 hours. ary measures in force in the 53.2% of the eligible popula- country to contain the spread tion has now received at least one of Covid-19. The designated dose of the vaccine. authorities have called on the 89% of over 60s (the most vul- public to adhere to the precau- nerable population group) have tionary measures in place to been vaccinated with at least one ensure their safety and that of dose, while 83.3% have received others. both doses. QRCS aid will provide medical equipment to hospitals and materials to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 18, 2021 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Qatar stresses on international community’s role in ending Israeli attacks

QNA HE Larem renewed Qatar’s firm position pation’s bullets, and their mar- lighting that a lot of these attacks Doha tyrdom for their cause and their can be categorised as war crimes. of supporting the Palestinian cause, right to establish an independ- He added that the arbitrary Is- and the rights of the Palestinian people ent state with East Al Quds as its raeli bombing of Gaza has led atar stressed yesterday capital. to civilian deaths that included the importance of having in practising their religious rights and He noted that the occupied Al women and children, describ- Qthe international com- establishing an independent state Quds and Al Aqsa Mosque are ing it as a criminal attack that munity move urgently to stop the witnessing an unprecedented es- is condemned and rejected, and continued Israeli aggression to- based on the borders of 1967 with East calation in tensions by the Israeli plays a role in the deterioration wards the Palestinian people and Al Quds as its capital occupation’s forces, refl ected in of the situation in the occupied Al Aqsa Mosque. the increased rate of Judaisation Al Quds. Qatar renewed its condem- rights and international conven- the level of foreign ministers of and settlements to a level that HE Larem renewed Qatar’s nation of the Israeli occupation tions. member states at the Organisa- can only be described as ethnic fi rm position of supporting the forces’ storming into Al Aqsa This came in Qatar’s speech tion of Islamic Co-operation cleansing of Palestinians and all Palestinian cause, and the rights Mosque and its attack on wor- given by HE the Director of the (OIC). that is not Jewish by settlers who of the Palestinian people in prac- shippers, saying it provoked the International Organisations De- HE Larem saluted the Pales- admitted on camera that they tising their religious rights and feelings of millions of Muslims partment at the Ministry of For- tinian people at the occupied were stealing from Palestinian establishing an independent HE the Director of the International Organisations Department at the around the world and consti- eign Aff airs Yousef Sultan Larem Al Quds for their legendary un- homes with the Israeli occupa- state based on the borders of 1967 Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Yousef Sultan Larem. tuted a severe violation of human at the extraordinary meeting at armed struggle against the occu- tion forces watching on, high- with East Al Quds as its capital.

Temperature to touch 47C in coming days: Met The maximum temperature may go up to 47C in the country in the coming days, according to the Qatar Met department. “Hot weather will continue in the country in the coming days with a gradual rise in temperature, especially on Wednesday and Thursday,” the department said in a tweet yesterday. “The Pandemic and maximum temperature will range between 37C and 47C in diff erent areas of the country.” confl ict: Gaza’s hospitals strained on two fronts

Reuters Gaza The Qatari delegation at the International Conference on Sudan in Paris. aza’s hospitals were al- ready struggling to cope Gwith the Covid-19 pan- demic before the confl ict with Israel erupted last week. Now, Qatar reiterates commitment to medics say, they are being stretched further. “The Ministry of Health is support Sudan at Paris meeting fi ghting on two fronts in the Gaza Strip - the coronavirus front and the other front, which is more QNA regional and international sur- He said that the eff orts helped diffi cult, is the injuries and the Paris roundings and the attention that establish peace in the entire re- wounded,” said Marwan Abu the countries of the world attach gion, and helped make it rela- Sada, the director of surgery in to it due to the huge investment tively stable. He added that the Gaza’s main Shifa hospital. atar affi rmed that it will opportunities it enjoys in light of time has come to establish full More than a week into fi ght- continue to support Su- the eff orts made by the Sudanese and sustainable peace in Darfur ing, with Palestinians pounded Qdan and continue to fulfi l government to achieve security, and other parts of Sudan. night and day by airstrikes and its previous pledges and prepare stability and development for the He noted that Qatar continues Israelis racing for refuge from to continue this support, in addi- Sudanese people, which doubles to honour the pledges it made rockets as sirens wail, Gaza’s tion to using various investment hopes for the outcomes of the in the Doha Donors Conference doctors are battling to keep pace. tools to examine opportunities conference deepens optimism in held in April 2013, highlighting At Shifa, the biggest health facil- in the various economic sectors achieving its desired goals. Qatar’s experience in building 15 ity among the 13 hospitals and 54 in Sudan. This came in Qatar’s He also said that, despite Qa- model villages, with each village clinics serving the crowded en- A child is being treated in Shifa hospital in Gaza City. speech delivered by HE the Min- tar’s conviction of the great po- having a capacity of 100,00 peo- clave’s 2mn people, the number ister of State for Foreign Aff airs tential of Sudan and the ability ple returning from refugee camps of intensive care beds has been by collapsing buildings. Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi at of its economy to grow and face and provided them with drinking doubled to 32 as the toll of those Sacha Bootsma, the head of the International Conference on crises, improving the perform- water, educational institutions, wounded from the confl ict the World Health Organisation in Sudan. ance of the economy and reach- healthcare, among other facili- mounts. Gaza, said Covid-19 had strained HE al-Muraikhi thanked ing sustainable growth has be- ties. Like the rest of the system, the the enclave’s struggling system. French President Emmanuel Ma- come a necessity more than ever HE al-Muraikhi said that Qa- 750-bed hospital faced shortages “Before Covid, the health system cron and the people and govern- before, as Sudan has the neces- tar provided government aid to of medicines and equipment be- could be categorised as fragile ment of France for hosting this sary ingredients for the success Sudan that exceeded $500mn, fore fi ghting erupted on May 10 - because it has very old equip- important conference, which of any investment which requires from the period of 2010-2020. blamed by medics on a blockade ment, old buildings, a shortage of aims to support Sudan in light of developing legislation encourag- Non-governmental aid crossed led by Israel. “The list of essential properly trained health staff and, the great political and economic ing foreign investment, further the $250mn mark. medications and medical dispos- of course, a chronic shortage of challenges it is going through. improving the business environ- He stressed that Qatar will ables suff ered an acute short- essential medicines,” she said. He added that these condi- ment and economic openness, continue supporting Sudan and age,” Abu Sada said. It’s not just Gaza has reported about tions add to the importance of and creating an appropriate en- honouring its previous pledges, medicines in short supply. Fuel 106,000 cases of Covid-19, or this conference, which creates vironment for that. in addition to using a wide vari- for generators that power Gaza’s about 5.3% of the population, an important opportunity to HE the minister emphasised ety of investment tools to exam- hospitals - with main’s power too with 986 deaths, health offi cial explore investment opportuni- that peace is the main pillar of ine the opportunities in diff erent intermittent to be relied on - is say. ties and creating the appropriate stability, without which all ef- sectors. also running out. While Israel has rolled out one environment to enhance and de- forts are lost. He highlighted the HE the Minister of State for Israel says its blockade does of the fastest vaccination pro- Palestinian doctor Abu Sada works in Shifa hospital in Gaza City. velop investment. experience of Qatar in establish- Foreign Aff airs thanked the not aim to stop medicines or grammes in the world, fully in- Al-Muraikhi added that the ing peace in Darfur, highlighting French president again for host- other humanitarian supplies, and oculating about 55% of its 9.3mn tensive care unit for those injured nerves. “As long as we hear si- broad participation of the inter- that Qatar supported peace in the ing the conference and the good any shortages are the result of people, Gaza received about in the confl ict. “We require more rens we know it is not over yet,” national community in the con- region and hosted talks that last- reception, wishing the confer- actions by Hamas, the group that 110,000 doses, or enough for urgent support from interna- said Karam Badr, 57. Yet, health- ference refl ects the great posi- ed more than a year and yielded ence success in meeting the as- has run Gaza since 2007, when 55,000 people, health offi cials tional and relief institutions,” care workers keep the creaking tion that Sudan occupies in the the Doha Document for Peace. pirations of the Sudanese people. the blockade was imposed. say, to be distributed among one said Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman medical facilities going. WHO’s Palestinians say 201 people of the most densely populated for the ministry of health, calling Bootsma said scarce resources have been killed in Gaza since areas in the world. for medicines and ambulances. were still reaching those most the fi ghting started, with hun- One ward at Shifa, still marked For those living near Shifa hos- in need. “The resilience of the dreds more hurt, including those “Corona Isolation Department”, pital, the sound of ambulances health system is remarkable,” she Yemenis rally for Palestine wounded by shrapnel or injured has had to be turned into an in- wears on their already shattered said.

Iran’s oil minister says to retire in few months

AFP almost 16 years since 1997. But venting it from selling oil and de- Tehran he has had a long public service priving it of a key revenue for its record stretching back to the start ailing economy. of the 1979 Islamic Revolution As head of the oil ministry ran’s veteran Oil Minister Bijan and headed other ministries, with under Rouhani since 2013, Zan- Namdar Zanganeh has said he local media calling him “sheikh of ganeh sought to increase foreign Iplans to retire when President ministers”. investment in Iran’s oil sector Hassan Rouhani’s term ends in Iran is a founding member of following the lifting of interna- August following June elections, the Organisation of the Petroleum tional sanctions under the nu- the ministry’s offi cial website re- Exporting Countries (Opec) and clear accord. But Washington’s ported. Iran holds a presidential over the decades Zanganeh has withdrawal from the deal scuttled election on June 18 and under the played a crucial role in the cartel’s those plans, forcing Zanganeh to constitution Rouhani is barred decisions. rely on domestic companies and from running for a third consecu- The June poll comes as Iran is co-ordinate oil exports through tive term. Iran Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh. engaged in talks with world pow- “unconventional” means. Asked by reporters if he would ers in Vienna to revive a 2015 nu- Iran sits on the world’s 4th be part of the next administra- SHANA. “I will retire from public clear deal from which former US largest proven oil reserves and tion, Zanganeh said: “I won’t service but I will stay in politics,” president Donald Trump pulled was the 8th producing nation last accept even if they off er me the he added. out unilaterally in 2018. Trump year with 3,535 barrels per day, ac- Yemeni demonstrators take part in a protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in the capital presidency,” according to the oil Zanganeh has been at the helm also reimposed punishing sanc- cording to the latest BP Statistical Sanaa yesterday. ministry’s offi cial news website of the oil ministry for a total of tions on Tehran, including pre- Review of World Energy. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMERICA

Pfi zer, Moderna vaccines eff ective against Indian variants: study

AFP reviewed journal. “What we found is in a lab to engineered pseudovirus Overall, for B.1.617 they found an highly protective,” he added, because dian variants were able to bind more Washington that the vaccine’s antibodies are a lit- particles that contained mutations in almost four-fold reduction in the the overall levels remain well above tightly to this receptor, like other tle bit weaker against the variants, but the “spike” region of the coronavirus, amount of neutralizing antibodies — those found in samples taken from variants of concern. not enough that we think it would have which were particular to either the Y-shaped proteins the immune system people who recovered from infection This might be linked to its in- he Pfi zer and Moderna Covid much of an eff ect on the protective B.1.617 or B.1.618 variants, fi rst found creates to stop pathogens from invad- with earlier unmutated virus. creased transmissibility compared to vaccines should remain highly ability of the vaccines,” senior author in India. ing cells. But this kind of lab investigation the original strain.“Our results lend Teff ective against two corona- Nathaniel “Ned” Landau said yester- Finally, that mixture was exposed For B.1.618, the reduction was cannot predict what the real world confidence that current vaccines will virus variants fi rst identifi ed in India, day. to lab-grown cells, to see how many around three-fold. efficacy might look like — that will provide protection against variants according to new research carried out The researchers fi rst took blood would become infected. The engi- “In other words, some of the an- have to be investigated through other identified to date,” the team conclud- by US scientists. from people who were vaccinated with neered pseudovirus particles con- tibodies now don’t work anymore studies. ed. However, they do not preclude The lab-based study was carried either of the two shots, which are pre- tained an enzyme called luciferase, against the variants, but you still have The coronavirus is known to latch the possibility that newer variants out by the NYU Grossman School of dominant in the United States and have which fi refl ies use to light up. a lot of antibodies that do work against on to a particular receptor on human that are more resistant to vaccines Medicine and NYU Langone Center been given to more than 150mn Ameri- Adding it to the pseudovirus makes the variants,” said Landau. cells called ACE2, which it uses to will emerge — highlighting the im- and is considered preliminary because cans. it possible to tell how many cells are in- “There’s enough that do work that force its entry. portance of widespread vaccination it has not yet been published in a peer- They then exposed these samples fected, based on light measurements. we believe that the vaccines will be Landau’s team showed the In- at the global level. Biden to send 20mn doses of US vaccines abroad for fi rst time Bill Gates: new revelations Reuters a few mn AstraZeneca doses to Washington Canada and Mexico. “We want to lead the world with our values with this dem- resident Joe Biden will onstration of our innovation, send at least 20mn more ingenuity, and the fundamental Bill Gates left PCovid-19 vaccine doses decency of American people,” abroad by the end of June, mark- Biden said. ing the fi rst time the United The White House has not pro- States is sharing vaccines au- vided any details about what Microsoft board thorised for domestic use. countries will receive the shots. The move marks a notable Biden said that Jeff Zients, who pivot from the White House as heads the US vaccine eff orts, will the administration seeks to use now also lead the global vaccine ‘amid probe into the country’s vaccine supply as push. a diplomatic tool with the pan- The United States has ad- demic outlook brightening at ministered more than 272mn home. Covid-19 vaccine doses and dis- relationship’ Biden announced yesterday tributed more than 340mn, ac- that his administration will send cording to federal data updated doses of the Pfi zer Inc/BioNTech yesterday morning. AFP nounced their divorce on May SE, Moderna Inc and Johnson With more and more Ameri- Washington 3 after 27 years of marriage. & Johnson vaccines, on top of cans vaccinated, US deaths A spokesperson for Micro- 60mn AstraZeneca Plc doses he from Covid-19 last week fell to soft said that the company was had already planned to give to their lowest in nearly 14 months, ill Gates left the Micro- alerted in the second half of other countries. while the number of new cases soft board in 2020 as 2019 that “Bill Gates sought to Unlike the others, AstraZene- declined for a fi fth consecutive Bthe board pursued an initiate an intimate relation- ca’s shot is not yet authorized for week, according to a Reuters investigation into the billion- ship with a company employee use in the United States. US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Covid-19 response and the vaccination programme in the analysis of state and county data. aire’s romantic relationship in the year 2000. A committee “Just as in World War Two East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. Biden warned that those who with a female employee, the of the Board reviewed the con- America was the arsenal of de- do not get vaccinated “will end Wall Street Journal reported on cern, aided by an outside law mocracy, in the battle against The president has been un- health experts fear new, more Biden noted that no other up paying the price” as he la- Sunday. fi rm, to conduct a thorough Covid-19 pandemic our nation der pressure to share vaccines to contagious coronavirus variants country will send more vaccines mented that “we’re still losing The founder and former investigation.” is going to be the arsenal of vac- help contain worsening epidem- could undermine the eff ective- abroad than the United States. too many Americans” despite head of the US technology gi- The employee, an engineer, cines,” Biden said. ics from India to Brazil, where ness of available shots. So far, the United Stages has sent the signifi cant progress. ant stepped down as board claimed in a letter to have had chair in March 2020. a physical relationship with “Microsoft Corp board Gates “over years,” the members decided that Bill Journal reported. Accord- Gates needed to step down ing to the Journal, some board from its board in 2020 as they members also asked about NY ends virus mask pursued an investigation into links between Gates and dis- the billionaire’s prior roman- graced fi nancier Jeff rey Ep- tic relationship with a female stein, who killed himself in jail requirements for Microsoft employee that was in 2019 while awaiting trial for deemed inappropriate,” the allegedly traffi cking minors. Journal reported, citing people Gates’ team assured the vaccinated residents close to the matter. board the Microsoft founder This was “an aff air almost had met Epstein for “philan- 20 years ago which ended thropic reasons” and “regret- Reuters Cuomo said yesterday. “Unvac- amicably,” a spokeswoman for ted doing so,” the Journal said. New York cinated people should continue Gates told the Journal. Gates, who founded Micro- to wear a mask,” the governor According to the spokes- soft in 1975, stepped down as said. Masks will still be required woman, Gates left Microsoft the company’s CEO in 2000, ew York state will no on public transit, in schools and to focus more on his philan- saying he wanted to focus on longer require people in some other communal set- thropic organisation, the Bill his foundation. Nwho are fully vaccinated tings, even among the vaccinat- and Melinda Gates Founda- He left his full-time role at against Covid-19 to wear masks ed, the governor said. tion. Microsoft in 2008. His seat as in many public spaces, adopt- He also said private business- Gates and his wife Melinda, board director, which he left in ing the new guidance issued last es could still impose their own who co-founded their charity March 2020, was the last posi- week by federal health offi cials, masking rules on customers and two decades ago to battle glo- tion that offi cially linked him New York Governor Andrew other visitors. People walk past a subway stop sign as the subway returns to 24-hour service, in New York City, yesterday. bal poverty and disease, an- to the company.

Supreme Court limits police power People await chorus of huge, 17-year cicada hatch to enter homes with no warrant Reuters there are more mature trees, and Washington where the insects were plentiful in previous cicada cycles. Reuters offi cers leeway to engage in “community care- They tend to thrive in sunlit Washington taking” to ensure public safety. emember what was hap- forest edges, which often provide In its ruling, the Supreme Court, which has pening 17 years ago? The the warmer weather and younger previously applied this doctrine to vehicles, said RMotorola fl ip phone was trees most ideal for them to lay he US Supreme Court yesterday refused it does not apply to the home as well. high-tech, Facebook was brand their young. Periodical cica- to make it easier for police to enter a home “What is reasonable for vehicles is diff er- new, George W Bush was presi- das burrow into the ground after Twithout a warrant for reasons of health or ent from what is reasonable for homes,” Justice dent, and, in some parts of the hatching, some digging as far as 8 public safety, throwing out a lower court’s de- Clarence Thomas wrote for the court. United States, people could hear a feet (2.4m) below ground. cision to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a Rhode In ruling against Caniglia, the Boston-based symphony of the cicadas. While underground, the Island man after offi cers entered his home and 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that Much has changed since then. nymphs suck the sap from tree confi scated his guns. even if his case did not involve an emergency, the But once again, billions of the A cicada from Brood X clings to a flower after emerging from its 17 years roots for nourishment and after The 9-0 ruling directed the Boston-based 1st police conduct was justifi ed under the commu- red-eyed cicadas are beginning underground to join the trillions of cicadas that will surface in eastern 17 years, they emerge and climb US Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider Ed- nity caretaking doctrine. to crawl their way above ground states in the coming weeks, in Falls Church, Virginia, yesterday. trees and shrubs, where they shed ward Caniglia’s lawsuit accusing police of violat- There has been heightened concern over po- again in portions of the eastern their crunchy skins and harden ing his constitutional rights by bringing him to a lice conduct, including how authorities deal United States. The cicadas, known like this on the entire planet Earth, if not trillions,” Raupp said. The into maturity. The males make a hospital for a mental health evaluation and taking with mentally ill people, in the wake of protests as Brood X or Brood 10, have be- even in the entire universe,” said 1-1/2 inch-long (3.8cm) black in- cacophony of sounds in the tree away his guns without a warrant after a 2015 ar- in many cities last year against racism and police gun emerging from the earth in Dr Michael Raupp, a cicada en- sects with iridescent wings and tops as they look to mate. Once the gument with his wife. brutality. President Joe Biden’s administration dramatic fashion in Washington, thusiast and Professor Emeritus bright red eyes live above ground cicadas mate, the females cut slits Lower courts had ruled that police in the backed police in the case. DC and 15 states, from Georgia of Entomology at the University of as adults for about three weeks into tree branches, where they de- Rhode Island city of Cranston did not violate the A Justice Department lawyer told the justices to New York, and west to Indiana Maryland. — just long enough to reproduce posit 400-600 eggs. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment ban on un- that offi cers should not be required to obtain and Illinois. “This is the only place any- before dying. The adults quickly die, but the reasonable searches and seizures. warrants in situations in which people could be “This is just a spectacular where that we have 13 and 17-year Raupp said they are found in eggs hatch a few weeks later to re- The case centered on a legal doctrine that gives seriously harmed. event. I mean, there’s nothing else cicadas emerging by the billions, larger numbers in areas where start the cycle. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 18, 2021 5 WORLD Thailand Covid-19 cases soar with prison clusters

AFP 6,853 of which were among pris- country and swift action to iso- ment announced she had tested Bangkok oners. late confi rmed cases. positive fi ve days after being Nearly half of 24,000 inmates But now it is struggling to released from a Bangkok jail on tested at eight prisons, mainly contain a third wave that began bail. The Corrections Depart- hailand reported a new in Bangkok and its suburbs, in- in a Bangkok nightlife district ment has said it plans to test daily high of nearly cluding several where prominent and has seen total infections all of the country’s prisoners T10,000 coronavirus cases democracy activists have been soar from around 30,000 in late – more than 310,000 detain- yesterday, more than two-thirds detained, were found to have the March to over 111,000 yester- ees held in 143 jails around the of them in prisons, as the king- virus. day. country. Justice Minister Som- dom battles its third wave of the Until last month, the kingdom The high infection rates in sak Thepsuthin said he may have pandemic. had kept coronavirus infections prisons came to light last week to consider special probation for The kingdom’s Covid-19 task low, through draconian restric- when an activist at the forefront inmates if the prison clusters are This handout from Thailand’s Department of Corrections received yesterday shows inmates who tested force reported 9,635 new cases, tions on people entering the of Thailand’s democracy move- not brought under control. positive with the coronavirus being quarantined in a field hospital set up by the department in Bangkok. New delay in graft Tutu gets vaccine as govt launches case for SA’s Zuma large-scale rollout AFP some dancing, formed an hon- Pietermaritzburg our guard as Zuma left the AFP court building. Johannesburg Zuma said he was “ready for he corruption trial of trial and waiting for the law to South Africa’s scandal- take its course”, while warning obel Peace Prize laure- Ttainted Jacob Zuma was he would “fight if the laws are ate and retired arch- postponed once again yesterday, bent”. The state has lined up Nbishop Desmond Tutu this time to May 26, as backers around 200 witnesses in the was among South Africa’s fi rst of the former president staged a case, in which Thales is also in seniors to receive jabs yester- boisterous show of support. the dock. day as the country launched a Zuma faces 16 charges of Patricia De Lille, who blew massive immunisation drive fraud, graft and racketeering the whistle on the arms deal for over-60s. relating to a 1999 purchase of and is now public works minis- The 89-year-old anti-apart- fi ghter jets, patrol boats and ter, had been due to be the first heid icon and his wife Leah military gear from fi ve European witness yesterday. emerged from Cape Town’s arms fi rms for 30bn rand, then She spoke of “boxes and box- Brooklyn Chest Hospital in the equivalent of nearly $5bn. es of evidence,” telling journal- wheelchairs after getting their The 79-year-old Zuma, who ists: “Finally this evidence will shots. was president Thabo Mbeki’s be disclosed by the state”. The After much delay and on deputy at the time, is accused opposition politician said she the cusp of a third wave of of accepting bribes totalling blew the whistle to help “root Covid-19 infections, South Af- 4mn rand from one of the fi rms, out the bad apples within the rica fi nally rolled out the much French defence giant Thales. South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, who faces fraud and ANC, (but) the response...was anticipated campaign, which Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Laureate, greets The case has been postponed corruption charges, speaks to supporters after appearing at the vicious”. aims to vaccinate around fi ve wellwishers as he is wheeled out of the Brooklyn Chest Hospital, numerous times as Zuma, who High Court in Pietermaritzburg, yesterday. “We were vilified, ridiculed,” million people aged over 60 by after being vaccinated against Covid-19, in Cape Town, yesterday. has described the trial as a she said. the end of June. “political witch hunt”, lodged about other people, it would country that he had nothing to Carl Niehaus, a fervent Zuma Health Minister Zweli He said the country expects risks over blood clots that had a string of motions to have the be a disaster.” Zuma was the hide. supporter and former spokes- Mkhize visited an elder care to have received 4.5mn doses of been reported in the US. charges dropped. feared intelligence chief of At yesterday’s brief hearing, man for Mandela, said he was facility in the mining town of Pfi zer and 2mn J&J doses in the The “phase two” rollout is In the latest snag last month, Nelson Mandela’s ANC during nearly everyone rose as Zuma, anxious for the trial to end Krugersdorp, around 30 kilo- next six weeks, and that 16.5mn being conducted at 87 vac- all of Zuma’s lawyers quit the party’s years in exile under dressed in a dark blue suit, because “our leader cannot be metres, west of Johannesburg people should be vaccinated by cination sites using the Pfi zer without explanation. apartheid, hunting down trai- entered the wood-panelled persecuted any further”. where he looked on as nurses October. formula. The ruling African National tors and informers. courtroom at the Pietermaritz- For his part, ANC lawmaker administered jabs. South Africa and India are Mkhize said the vaccinations Congress (ANC) forced Zuma Zuma also spent 10 years on burg High Court. Supra Mahumapelo said Zuma, Despite being Africa’s worst leading a global campaign to would start “fairly slowly” be- to resign in 2018 after a mount- Robben Island as a political In response, he clasped his “at his advanced age...should virus-hit country, register- waive intellectual property fore being ramped up towards ing series of scandals. prisoner. hands in front of his chest. be allowed to go into obscurity ing more than 1.6mn cases in- rights for Covid-19 vaccines so the end of the month “because Zuma struck a defiant note He has constantly played A man sitting in the pub- and we to move forward as a cluding 55,210 deaths, South that any country can produce we are starting off with a new after yesterday’s postpone- cat-and-mouse with the anti- lic gallery chanted “Long live society.” Africa has vaccinated fewer them, as poor lag behind in the vaccine we have never used be- ment, telling supporters out- corruption commission that he Jacob Zuma, long live!” Zuma’s successor Cyril Ram- than 480,000 people or just vaccination race. fore”. At a vaccination centre side the courthouse: “If I were himself set up in early 2018 in Outside, dozens of support- aphosa has vowed to root out one % of its population, mainly Last week, South African in Johannesburg’s district of to reveal the things I know an abortive bid to convince the ers wearing military fatigues, corruption. healthcare workers. President Cyril Ramaphosa de- Germiston, retiree Asha Naran, The drive started in Febru- plored the shortfall. 61, was relieved to fi nally get a ary when South Africa became “A situation in which the shot. the fi rst country in the world to populations of advanced, rich “I’m very happy that we’re China takes virus controls to Everest with climber ban administer inoculations by US countries are safely inoculated getting the vaccine and we’re pharma group Johnson & John- while millions in poorer coun- moving forward... everywhere China has banned attempts to scale Everest closed since March 2020, China is now wor- state media said Friday, referring to the Tibetan son, but it has moved slowly. tries die in the queue would be else they’re getting it. Our fam- from its side of the world’s highest peak, as ried about risks at the snow-capped summit, name of the peak. The agency said the decision The government, which has tantamount to vaccine apart- ily in India already got it twice. Beijing takes its unflinching Covid-19 controls which it shares with Nepal at 8,848 meters was made by the China Sports Administration. been widely criticised for the heid,” he said. So they’re quite ahead of us to the Roof of the World. The block on climb- above sea level, as the spring climbing season It was not clear how long the edict would be in sluggish pace of the campaign, South Africa earlier this year so we would like this thing to go ing was announced over concerns of the risk roars to life. Nepal, India’s neighbour, has been place for. says it has ordered enough dos- purchased AstraZeneca vac- faster,” she said after receiving of Covid-19 infection by climbers starting out hit hard by a second wave of the epidemic, Earlier last week, China said it would set up a es to vaccinate at least 45 mn of cines, but then sold them to her jab. in Nepal, where the pandemic is raging. just as the Himalayan state was planning to “separation line” at the summit of Everest to the estimated 59mn popula- other African countries over After a brief lull, infections China was the first country hit by the pan- revive its tourism this summer after a wiped- protect against coronavirus from mingling with tion. fears that they would be less ef- in South Africa climbed by as demic in late 2019, but has since largely con- out 2020 season. In recent weeks the corona- Nepal-side climbers. But Beijing did not specify “Five million senior citizens fective. much as 46% between the last tained the disease with strict border controls. virus has been recorded at base camp on the how it intended to mark its territory on the are targeted to be completed by Then, after it started inocu- week of April and the fi rst week Beijing fears a rebound of infections could Nepalese side of the climb. Given the health narrow summit of the world’s highest mountain, the end of June, provided that lating healthcare workers with of May. Some experts blame the emerge from abroad. With borders all but situation, “all climbing activities are cancelled”, where only a few climbers can fit at a time. the supply of vaccines fl ow as the J&J jabs, it had to pause for jump in cases on the delayed jab anticipated,” Mkhize said. two weeks in mid-April to vet campaign.

POLICY Tanzania government told to resume Activists and SA govt lock horns over coal pollution publishing data on coronavirus Tanzania’s new coronavirus taskforce recommended yesterday that the government resume publishing figures about the disease’s spread in the Reuters yer for the Centre for Environ- Covid-sceptic country, some 13 months after it stopped providing such data. Pretoria mental Rights, told Reuters in a Under its late leader John Magufuli, who downplayed the pandemic and videocall. shunned masks for the healing power of prayer, Tanzania stopped releasing A 2012 South African gov- Covid-19 data in April 2020 when it last showed 509 infections and 16 fatali- outh Africa’s failure to ernment plan set goals to ad- ties. But since Magufuli’s death earlier this year, his successor Samia Suluhu tackle toxic levels of air dress air pollution in the High- Hassan has taken a diff erent approach, creating an expert taskforce to advise Spollution produced by veld. Representatives of Eskom her government about how to best proceed with managing the pandemic. burning coal is a violation its and Sasol had yet to respond to Their list of policy recommendations was formally presented to Hassan, who post-apartheid constitution, requests for comment sent on unlike her predecessor has taken to wearing a mask at public functions. “The activists and a UN rights expert Friday. government should provide accurate statistics on Covid-19 to the public and said in court yesterday. Activist groups includ- to the World Health Organisation for the citizens to get correct informa- Campaigners are suing the ing Groundwork say there are tion about the disease, as well as respecting international agreements,” the South African government in “dangerous levels of air pollu- taskforce said. It said Tanzania had endured two serious waves of the disease the High Court, hoping to force tion” in the Highveld Priority and faced a possible third, and advised the government to off er WHO- tougher action against heavy Area, which comprises parts approved vaccines to vulnerable citizens who wish to be inoculated. polluters such as state power of Gauteng, the province in company Eskom and liquid fuel and around Johannesburg, and producer Sasol. Mpumalanga, where coal is AGREEMENT The campaigners say tougher mined and burned to generate Uganda, Congo to share intelligence action is required to enforce a electricity. constitutional guarantee of the The activists’ submission to Uganda said yesterday it had agreed with neighbouring Democratic right to an environment not the court cites a South Afri- Republic of Congo (DRC) to share intelligence and co-ordinate a new harmful to health. Protesters gather outside court as a case gets underway concerning South Africa’s failure to tackle can Air Quality Management push by Kinshasa to combat rebels blamed for worsening violence in Environment Minister Bar- toxic levels of air pollution produced by burning coal, in Pretoria, yesterday. Systems report covering 2015 Congo’s east. The move came a week after Congolese off icials said the bara Creecy acknowledges that to 2018. The report shows that two countries would set up an operations centre in Eastern Congo to air pollution is a problem, but The ministry says that en- ment of Environmental Affairs dustry, waving banners with air quality at monitoring sta- fight the rebels, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). her submission to the court vironmental concerns con- said he could not comment slogans such as “coal kills” and tions in the Highveld exceeded “Definitely, there will be co-ordination, sharing intelligence, sharing says the constitution does not flict with economic consid- while the matter was before “united against deadly air”. the lower of the World Health information and all sorts of security nature kind of activities,” Brigadier require the ministry to impose erations: the need to generate the court. “We’re asking for account- Organisation’s (WHO) guide- Flavia Byekwaso, spokeswoman for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces stiff er rules. power, nearly 90% of which The hearing is virtual, but ability from government for its line for smaller particulate (UPDF), told Reuters. The commander of UPDF’s Mountain Brigade, Maj. Using the constitution to try comes from coal, but also jobs a few dozen singing activ- failure so far to...implement its matter on most days and its Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, had in recent days met security off icials in the to force the minister’s hand vio- in a coal belt with high poverty ists gathered outside the High own plan. We view the levels of guideline for bigger particu- eastern Congo town of Beni to discuss co-ordinating on anti-ADF opera- lates the separation of powers, rates. Court in the capital Pretoria unsafe air pollution as a public lates on more than half of the tions, Byekwaso said. However, Uganda did not intend to deploy forces in she argues. A spokesman for the Depart- to protest against the coal in- health crisis,” Tim Lloyd, law- days monitored. Congo, Byekwaso said. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 WORLD

New Zealand to cut ‘low-skill’ immigration, refocus on wealthy

Guardian News and Media aires’ boltholes”, as mega-rich hoping to migrate and work in in a speech yesterday evening, contributed to 30% of New Zea- landers into work”, he said. be met before a migrant can be Wellington speculators including Peter Thiel the country, particularly those it which signalled sweeping chang- land’s total population growth Initial changes would be fo- hired”. The government would bought up remote properties in classed as “low-skill” and low- es ahead for immigration. since the early 1990s, Nash said. cused on the temporary and “encourage employers to hire, scenic, isolated regions. wage workers. “Covid-19 has starkly high- New Zealand’s dependency on skilled migrant worker immigra- train and upskill more New Zea- ew Zealand has become But in a post-Covid world, the It simultaneously announced lighted our reliance on migrant temporary workers – the high- tion categories. landers to fi ll skill shortages”, an increasingly appeal- emigration dream will be less ac- new measures to attract rich in- labour – particularly temporary est in the OECD – “means busi- The minister’s speech was Nash said. Ning destination for those cessible – at least for those who vestors. migrant labour. The pressure we nesses have been able to rely on light on the precise details of The proposals are part of a seeking a haven – from Covid-19, don’t fall into the mega-rich cat- “When our borders fully open have seen on housing and infra- lower-skilled labour and sup- how those visa categories would wider suite of changes to immi- economic recession or chaotic egory. again, we can’t aff ord to simply structure in recent years means press wages rather than investing be changed, but he said the gov- gration in New Zealand. international politics. The New Zealand government turn on the tap to the previous we need to get ahead of popula- capital in productivity-enhanc- ernment would “strengthen both The government also an- In recent years, the country yesterday announced it would immigration settings,” the Tour- tion growth,” he said. ing plant and machinery, or em- the minimum employer require- nounced new strategies to target gained a reputation for “billion- be narrowing pathways for those ism Minister, Stuart Nash, said High levels of migration have ploying and upskilling New Zea- ments and labour market test to wealthy investors. India’s Covid-19 cases fall, WHO warns over high positive tests

Reuters Total deaths were put at New Delhi 274,390. Hospitals have had to turn pa- tients away while mortuaries and ndia reported a further de- crematoriums have been unable cline in new coronavirus cas- to cope with bodies piling up. Ies yesterday but daily deaths Photographs and television remained above 4,000 and ex- images of funeral pyres burn- perts said the data was unreliable ing in parking lots and corpses due to a lack of testing in rural washing up on the banks of the areas where the virus is spread- Ganges river have fuelled im- ing fast. patience with the government’s For months now, nowhere in handling of the crisis. the world has been hit harder It is widely accepted that the than India by the pandemic, as a offi cial fi gures grossly underesti- new strain of the virus fuelled a mate the real impact of the epi- surge in infections that has risen demic, with some experts say- to more than 400,000 daily. ing actual infections and deaths Even with a downturn over the could be fi ve to 10 times higher. past few days, experts said there Whereas the fi rst wave of the was no certainty that infections epidemic in India, which peaked had peaked, with alarm growing in September, was concentrated Waves lash the coastline following cyclone Tauktae at the Gateway of India in Mumbai yesterday. both at home and abroad over the in urban areas, where testing was highly contagious B.1.617 variant introduced faster, the second fi rst found in India. wave that erupted in February is “There are still many parts rampaging through rural towns of the country which have not and villages, where about two- yet experienced the peak, they thirds of the country’s 1.35bn are still going up,” World Health people live, and testing in those Organisation chief scientist Sou- places is very patchy. mya Swaminathan was quoted as “This drop in confi rmed Covid Havoc as monster cyclone saying in the Hindu newspaper. cases in India is an illusion,” S Swaminathan pointed to the Vincent Rajkumar, a professor “very high” national positivity of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in rate, at about 20% of tests con- the US, said on Twitter. ducted, as a sign that there could “First, due to limited testing, the be worse to come. total number of cases is a huge un- “Testing is still inadequate derestimate. Second, confi rmed makes landfall in India in a large number of states. And cases can only occur where you when you see high test positivity can confi rm: the urban areas. Ru- AFP hour, gusting up to 185kph, the indoors, authorities shifted 580 within 5kms of the coast were Virus safety protocols such as rates, clearly we are not testing ral areas are not getting counted.” Mahuva, India Indian Meteorological Depart- Covid patients “to safer loca- also moved. wearing masks, social distancing enough. While lockdowns have helped ment said. tions” from three fi eld hospitals. Authorities there scrambled and the use of sanitisers would “And so the absolute num- limit cases in parts of the coun- One woman died after high Six people died and nine were to ensure there would be no be observed in the shelters for bers actually don’t mean any- try hit during an initial surge of deadly cyclone blasted winds knocked over an electric- injured as the storm lashed Ma- power cuts in the nearly 400 evacuees, offi cials added. thing when they are taken just infections in February and April, ashore in western India ity poll in the city of Patan in harashtrae, of which Mumbai is designated Covid hospitals and The state also suspended vac- by themselves; they have to be such as Maharashtra and Delhi, A late yesterday with fi erce northern Gujarat, offi cials said. the capital, the chief minister’s 41 oxygen plants in 12 coastal cinations for two days. taken in the context of how much rural areas and some states are winds and drenching rains that Sea levels swelled as high as offi ce said. districts. Mumbai did the same for one testing is done, and test positiv- dealing with fresh surges. turned streets into rivers, dis- 10 feet along the coast, said local Two navy ships were deployed Chief Minister Vijay Rupani day. ity rate.” The government issued de- rupting the country’s response weather offi cials in the coastal to assist in search and rescue op- told reporters that over 1,000 Thousands of disaster re- Having begun to decline last tailed guidelines on Sunday for to its devastating Covid-19 out- town of Diu, which reported erations for a barge carrying 273 Covid hospitals in coastal towns sponse personnel have been week, new infections over the monitoring Covid-19 cases, with break. wind speeds of 133kph. people “adrift” off Mumbai’s have been provided with gen- deployed, while units from the past 24 hours were put at 281,386 the health ministry asking vil- Cyclone Tauktae, which lo- The colossal swirling system coast, with 28 picked up so far, erators and power backups, with coast guard, navy, army and air by the health ministry yesterday, lages to look out for people with cal press reports called the big- visible from space has exac- the defence ministry said late 744 health teams deployed along force have been placed on stand- dropping below 300,000 for the fl u-like illness and get them test- gest to hit the area in 30 years, erbated India’s embattled re- yesterday. with 174 ICUs on wheels and by. fi rst time since April 21. ed for the coronavirus. has unleashed heavy weather sponse to a coronavirus surge Seven people died and nearly 600 ambulances. Maharashtra evacuated The daily death count stood at Modi has come under fi re for since the weekend that killed at that is killing at least 4,000 peo- 1,500 houses were damaged in “Besides the daily require- around 12,500 people from 4,106. his messaging to the public, a least 20 people in its approach ple daily and pushing hospitals Kerala state, Chief Minister Pi- ment of 1,000 tonnes of oxygen coastal areas. At the current rate, India’s to- decision to leave key decisions to land. to their breaking point. narayi Vijayan tweeted late yes- in Gujarat per day, an additional Four people died on Saturday tal caseload since the epidemic on lockdowns to states, and the It made landfall in Gujarat just In waterlogged and wind- terday. stock of 1,700 tonnes has been as rain and winds battered Kar- began a year ago should pass the slow rollout of an immunisation after 8.30pm local time as an ex- swept Mumbai, where authori- Around 200,000 people were secured and could be used in nataka state, while two died in 25mn mark in the next couple of campaign in the world’s biggest tremely severe cyclonic storm ties on Monday closed the air- evacuated in Gujarat, where all case of emergency,” Rupani Goa as winds hit power supplies days. vaccine producer. packing winds of 155-165km per port and urged people to stay Covid-19 patients in hospitals said. and uprooted trees.

US, allies impose sanctions Vaccination drive Duterte gags cabinet on Myanmar’s junta over China sea row Reuters among us,” he said. Beijing Manila claims almost the entire South Reuters tary seized power from Aung San includes an end to violence and China Sea, where about $3 tn Washington Suu Kyi’s elected government, dialogue between the military worth of ship-borne trade passes with near daily protests and a and its opponents. hilippine President Ro- each year. crackdown by the junta in which “Our actions today under- drigo Duterte yesterday But in 2016, an arbitration tri- he US, United Kingdom hundreds of people have been score our resolve and that of our Pbarred his cabinet from bunal in The Hague ruled that and Canada yesterday killed. partners to apply political and talking about the South China that claim, which China bases on Timposed new sanctions Western nations have led con- fi nancial pressure on the regime Sea in public after weeks of old maps, was inconsistent with targeting Myanmar’s junta, in- demnation of the junta and ap- as long as it fails to stop violence strong rebukes by his ministers international law. creasing pressure on the military plied limited sanctions. and take meaningful action to against China’s conduct in the Since taking offi ce in 2016, in the latest in a series of punitive The junta’s allegations of ir- respect the will of the people,” contested waters. Duterte has pursued warmer ties actions since it took power in a regularities in an election won Blinken said in a statement. Tensions between the Philip- with China, setting aside the ter- February 1 coup. by Suu Kyi’s party in November The US treasury department pines and its giant neighbour ritorial spat in exchange for Bei- The US targeted the govern- were rejected by the electoral in a statement accused the SAC, have escalated since March, with jing’s promise of billions of dol- ing State Administrative Council commission. formed a day after the coup, Manila fi ling daily diplomatic lars in loans, aid and investment, (SAC) and 13 offi cials, the move US Secretary of State Antony of being created by Myanmar’s protests over the presence of much of which are forthcoming. freezing any US assets of those Blinken said the junta had made military to support it’s “unlaw- hundreds of Chinese fi shing ves- Duterte’s defence and foreign listed and generally bars Ameri- no attempt to restore Myanmar’s ful overthrow of the democrati- sels in disputed portions of the ministers and his legal adviser cans from dealing with them. path to democracy, and called on cally elected civilian govern- South China Sea. have taken strong positions Canada said it imposed addi- all countries to consider meas- ment”. “This is my order now to the against Beijing over the presence tional sanctions on individuals ures such as arms embargos and The US sanctions list included cabinet, and to all and sundry of hundreds of Chinese vessels and entities tied to the Myan- ending commercial cooperation four members of the SAC and talking for the government, to within Manila’s 200-mile exclu- mar armed forces, while Britain with military-owned entities. nine other offi cials the Treasury refrain from discussing the West sive economic zone. announced sanctions against He also urged the military to said were key members of My- Philippine Sea with anybody,” The Philippines believes the state-owned enterprise Myan- immediately co-operate with anmar’s military government, Duterte said in a televised na- Chinese vessels are manned by mar Gems Enterprise which was the United Nations and Members including the governor of the tional address. militia, describing their presence included in previous US sanc- of the Association of Southeast central bank and the chairman of A man is vaccinated against the coronavirus disease Manila refers to the South as “swarming and threatening” tions. Asian Nations (Asean) to imple- the military-appointed electoral with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Quezon City, Metro China Sea as the West Philippine as it continues to demand for the The Southeast Asian country ment a fi ve-point plan reached body, the Union Election Com- Manila, Philippines, yesterday. Sea. fl otilla to be withdrawn immedi- has been in crisis since the mili- by consensus last month, which mission. “If we talk, we talk but just ately. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 18, 2021 7 BRITAIN

Home Offi ce letter wrongly tells UK citizens to apply for settled status

Guardian News and Media Campaigners said they were ly sent to numerous people who retired nurse Marianne Howard, who holds a Czech passport and tinue to be eligible for benefi ts, directed to an answerphone London concerned that the “scatter- have lived in the UK for over 82, originally from Germany, naturalised in the UK 36 years free healthcare and the right to message which stated: “We are gun” mailshot, which was sent 40 years, states: “The United who has been a British citizen for ago; and architect Eva Apollo- work in the UK. Some, but not experiencing a high demand out to thousands of people in- Kingdom has left the European over 50 years; retired structural Crawshaw, originally from Po- all, versions of the letter in- for our services and currently number of long-term Brit- structing them to apply for EU Union, so to carry on living in engineer Geoge Smid, who was land, who has been a British citi- clude a paragraph on the second have no more space in our call ish citizens have expressed settled status before the end of the UK after June 30, 2021, you born in what was then Czecho- zen for 40 years. page, telling recipients to ignore queue.” Aalarm at receiving letters June, revealed weaknesses in the and your family members need slovakia and became a British Several expressed their un- the notifi cation if they already Some recipients said they from the Home Offi ce telling them Home Offi ce’s databases, and to have a UK immigration sta- citizen in 1987; Isabella Moore, ease about the insensitivity have citizenship. Anyone con- were disturbed to discover that they risk losing the right to work, a lack of bureaucratic clarity tus,” the letter states. originally from Poland, who has of the letter’s wording, which fused by the letter was invited they remain classifi ed as for- benefi ts and free healthcare unless about who has the right to live Among those who received had citizenship for over 40 years highlighted that urgent action to call a helpline, and several of eigners on internal Home Offi ce they apply for UK immigration in the UK. the letter were several people and spent 33 years working as an was required if the recipient those who tried to do so over databases, despite having been status in the next six weeks. The letter, which was wrong- with dual citizenship, including NHS doctor; academic Jan Culik, and their family were to con- the weekend and yesterday were British for decades.

Covid to cost Britain Cases of India £372bn, says NAO variant doubled

Guardian News and Media London

he government’s bill for in four days, tackling Covid-19 has Trisen by £100bn since the start of the year and now stands at £372bn, according to the in- dependent watchdog that over- sees Whitehall spending. says Hancock Figures from the National Audit Offi ce (NAO) highlighted the fi nancial impact of the lock- Guardian News and Media added sooner to the “red list” of from the Wellcome Sanger Insti- down imposed to cope with the London countries, arrivals from which tute’s Covid-19 genomic surveil- winter surge in cases of the pan- most arrivals to the UK are banned. lance. This showed that almost demic and brought a stark warn- It has also raised concerns 30% of Covid samples analysed ing from the MP who chairs the he number of confi rmed UK about the impact of reopening in the week ending May 8 were Commons committee of public cases of the Covid variant measures. found to contain the variant. accounts. Tfi rst detected in India has Responding in the Commons, The fi gure comes from analy- Amid reports of widespread almost doubled in four days, Matt Labour’s shadow health secre- sis of the data by Prof Christina fraud and contracts going to Hancock said, as experts warned it tary, Jonathan Ashworth, con- Pagel, director of the Clinical Conservative party support- could become the dominant type demned what he said was too Operational Research Unit at ers, Labour’s Meg Hillier said: of the virus imminently. long a delay in stopping interna- University College London and a “The government expects to Speaking on the day indoor tional arrivals from India: “Our member of the Independent Sage spend an eye-watering £372bn hospitality and other venues were borders have been as secure as a group of experts, and suggests in response to the pandemic, and allowed to reopen, Hancock told sieve. The delay in adding India instances of the variant are rising public accountability has never MPs that 2,323 cases of the variant to the red list surely now stands rapidly. been more important.” known as B.1.617.2 had been con- as a catastrophic misstep.” “Data shows continued rapid The NAO’s cost tracker found fi rmed, up from 1,313 on Thursday, As well as the reopening of increase of this new variant up that almost half the £372bn had with 483 of those in the outbreaks many indoor venues yesterday, the to May 8, with no sign so far that been earmarked for support for in Bolton and Blackburn. bulk of distancing rules are due to containment eff orts are hav- businesses, including spending Speaking of a “race between be scrapped on June 21, although ing much eff ect. Increases in on the coronavirus job retention the virus and the vaccine”, the Downing Street is refusing to say the north-west are particularly scheme and bounce-back loans. health secretary rejected calls whether this will now happen. concerning and do seem driven Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, had from Labour to consider a push Also yesterday, the Royal Sta- by areas where B.1.617.2 is domi- originally planned to phase out the to vaccinate all adults in the most tistical Society called for the nant,” said Pagel. furlough scheme last autumn, but aff ected areas, saying that surge government to swiftly publish Paul Hunter, professor in med- new waves of the virus forced the testing was the best remedy. the data behind its decision to icine at the University of East Treasury to extend wage subsi- Hancock confi rmed that evi- go ahead with the latest stage of Anglia, said the situation was dies, fi rst until April this year and dence indicated the variant was reopening, despite the presence worrying. “There is no evidence then until the end of September. more transmissible than others of the B.1.617.2 variant. that the recent rapid rise in cases The next biggest item of ex- seen so far, though it was not The extent and speed of its of the B.1.617.2 variant shows any penditure has been health and known by how much. spread was highlighted in data signs in slowing,” he said. social care, where the test-and- He said 35,000 more tests had trace and vaccine programmes been distributed or collected will cost the state £97bn. in Bolton and Blackburn, along NHS app acts as ‘vaccine passport’ Support for individuals – pri- with a push to target those eligi- marily via the self-employment ble for vaccinations, with 6,200 A change to the NHS app brought records. The update coincides income support scheme – is jabs carried out in Bolton alone in yesterday allows people to with Step 3 of the government’s estimated to have a price tag of over the weekend. prove whether they have had the roadmap, which lifts the ban on £55bn, while support for other Of 19 people currently in hos- Covid jab – eff ectively making it foreign travel. The NHS Digital public services and emergency pital in Bolton with Covid, most a vaccine passport. The update website reads: ‘From May 17, peo- responses is put at £65bn. were eligible for a vaccine but for users in England has been ple in England who have had a The rest of the money – £3.5bn had not had one, Hancock said. brought in with little fanfare but full course of the Covid-19 vaccine – is being spent on other support “Vaccines save lives, they protect MPs and privacy campaigners can demonstrate their Covid-19 and operational expenditure. you, they protect your loved ones have voiced fears that any such vaccination status for international The NAO said that according and they will help us all get out system could be discriminatory travel. “People can prove their vac- to available data, £172bn of the of this pandemic,” he said, add- and a breach of human rights. The cination status in the NHS app or budgeted £372bn had already ing that from today, those aged app, which is separate to the NHS by ringing 119 to get a letter.” been spent. The remainder in- 37 would also be invited for vac- Covid-19 app for contact tracing, A No 10 source said the updated cludes £92bn of government- cinations. can already be used to request app was designed to allow people guaranteed loans, of which the The emergence of the vari- repeat prescriptions, book doctor to meet foreign countries’ require- latest estimates suggest £26bn ant has prompted questions over appointments and view medical ments for visitors. will eventually be written off . Visitors queue to enter The National Gallery as Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease in London, Britain, yesterday. whether India should have been Diana’s brother hits out Tree-planting initiative E-scooter hire schemes to begin in London as BBC shelves expose Hammersmith. Only about 60- Guardian News and Media London 120 scooters will be available in each borough at the start of the Daily Mail Both the programme and the Shortly before, Davie held a trial – a relatively small number London report are expected to expose video conference call with the ondoners can legally use e- given the intense interest from failings at the highest levels of production team and senior ex- scooters on public roads next operators in winning the tender. the corporation, which is ac- ecutives in which it was decided Lmonth – but only slowly. Prices will be set by each op- rincess Diana’s brother cused of a cynical cover-up. to “postpone” the programme. E-scooters will be limited to erator. lambasted the BBC after its The BBC has been plunged into The Mail has been told that a maximum of 12.5mph, 3mph As throughout the UK, e- Pdirector-general shelved fresh turmoil over the mess left during the meeting, it was point- slower than in the rest of the UK, scooters will be barred from the bombshell Panorama probe 26 years ago by Bashir’s inter- ed out to the director-general when rental scheme trials start pavements, and privately owned into the scandal over her famous view with Diana, in which she fa- that he had agreed to let the Pan- on June 7. e-scooters remain illegal, despite interview. Tim Davie dramati- mously declared “there are three orama be broadcast in advance The schemes will only operate their widespread daily use. cally pulled the plug on Friday, of us in this marriage”. of the Dyson report. He allegedly in a few parts of central, south Helen Sharp, TfL’s e-scooter around the time he was handed After the Daily Mail revealed replied: “Really, guys?” and west London as the capital trial lead, said: “We’re doing all a potentially devastating report last November that Bashir alleg- Amid questions over whether prioritises safety. we can to support London’s safe by former judge Lord Dyson into edly spun a web of lies to trick the it will ever be aired, Lord Spen- Three operators – Tier, Lime and sustainable recovery from how journalist Martin Bashir se- Princess of Wales into doing the cer – who is said to have given and Dott – have been chosen by the coronavirus pandemic and cured the 1995 chat. interview, the BBC launched two testimony to the camera that is Transport for London (TfL) to it’s clear that e-scooters could On the same afternoon, it was inquiries. “utterly devastating for the BBC” run the trial service. act as an innovative, greener al- announced Bashir, who had been It commissioned former Mas- – has told friends he intends to As well as having a lower speed ternative to car trips. on sick leave from his role as reli- ter of the Rolls Lord Dyson to wait and see what Lord Dyson limit, the scooters will also have “Safety remains our number gion editor, had resigned from the conduct an investigation. says in his report, and “weigh up lights permanently on, and use one priority and we will work corporation to ‘focus on his health’. And it asked veteran reporter his options”. geofencing to prevent them be- closely with the e-scooter op- Earl Spencer tweeted: ‘Well, John Ware to make a programme One source said: “As far as ing used in areas including the erators, London Councils and there’s a surprise. What’s next? for Panorama – in eff ect, the Charles Spencer is concerned, he royal parks. Users will also have the boroughs to ensure rigorous My guess: a rush by the BBC fl agship current aff airs show in- has faith in Lord Dyson. He has to complete a safety lesson be- standards are consistently met.” director-general to get Lord Dys- vestigating itself. none whatsoever in Tim Davie fore their fi rst rental. Sharp said TfL was working on’s report out, before its expect- On Friday at 6pm, almost six doing the right thing. Apart from Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, plants a tree in the The 12-month trial will run with its independent disability ed publication date on Friday, so months on, Lord Dyson delivered anything else, Spencer has evi- grounds of Windsor Castle, to launch The Queen’s Green in Canary Wharf, the City of advisory group “to ensure that he can claim, with apparent re- his fi ndings to BBC top brass. dence of senior fi gures in the BBC Canopy (QGC) tree-planting initiative created to mark London and boroughs including the trial meets the needs of eve- gret: ‘sadly this Panorama is now They will be published later this briefi ng against him even very Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing, rybody living in, working in and no longer relevant”.’ week. recently.” Richmond upon Thames and visiting the trial areas”. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 LATIN AMERICA Chileans elect left-leaning body to draft post-Pinochet constitution

AFP tasked with drawing up a new just over 20%. Many of the ber 2019 protests that resulted Santiago founding law for a new Chile. independent candidates — an in the government agreeing a Almost half of voters opted assortment of teachers, writ- month later to a referendum on for independent candidates, ers, journalists, lawyers and a new constitution. hileans leaned left but most of them left-leaning, in activists — were involved in or On October 25 last year, 80% turned their backs on a symbolic vote interpreted as inspired by the 2019 uprisings voted for a new constitution to Ctraditional political par- a rebuke of the ruling right and and campaigned with promises be drawn up by a body of elect- ties in electing a 155-member of traditional political parties of social change. ed members. body over the weekend to re- more broadly. Political scientist Clau- The 155-member drafting write the country’s conserva- It showed, said Chile’s Presi- dio Fuentes said most of them group, which will have nine tive, dictatorship-era consti- dent Sebastian Pinera, that his have leftist political affinities, months to come up with a pro- tution. government and parties were meaning that the right finds posed new founding law for A new constitution was a key not “attuned to the demands itself isolated on the new con- Chile, is composed of 78 wom- demand of 2019 protests that and aspirations of citizens.” stitution-writing body. en and 77 men, with 17 seats left several dozen dead but gave With 99.9% of the vote The Santiago stock exchange reserved for representatives of rise to what has been labelled counted by yesterday morning, opened 9.6% lower yesterday indigenous communities. Chile’s most important elec- candidates representing tradi- on the back of the weekend The product of their work tion since its return to democ- tional parties were in the mi- vote, while the peso retreated must be approved or rejected in racy 31 years ago. nority, with over 46% of votes 2.1% against the US dollar. a mandatory national vote next Chile’s existing Magna Carta having gone to independents, Chile’s constitution dates year. limits the role of the state and the biggest single block. from 1980, enacted at the Chile has the highest per bolsters private enterprise. Candidates aligned to left- height of dictator Augusto Pin- capita income and the third- It is blamed by many for the ists parties, which broadly ochet’s 1973-1990 rule. most multimillionaires in Latin deep-rooted gulf between rich proposed a profound consti- It promotes private en- America. and poor, but hailed by others tutional rehaul to guarantee terprise in all sectors of the But the working and even for the country’s many decades greater state control of natu- economy — including educa- upper-middle classes are heav- of economic growth. ral resources and more social tion, health and pensions — in ily indebted, often to pay for Picture released by Aton Chile shows Iraci Hassler, of the Communist Party, celebrating after winning Fewer than half of the coun- spending, received a third of a country ranked as one of the schooling and private pensions. Santiago’s Mayoralty, in the Chilean capital, yesterday. try’s 14.9mn eligible voters the votes cast. most unequal among advanced There is low satisfaction with turned out on Saturday and The right, which defends the economies. the quality of life. councillors in a litmus test for over two days to reduce crowd- 1.2mn recorded cases and near- Sunday to elect a “constitu- constitution’s capitalist, free- This inequality was one of Voters also chose regional presidential elections due in ing during a Covid-19 outbreak ly 30,000 reported deaths in tional convention” that will be market guarantees, garnered the main drivers of the Octo- governors, mayors and local November. The vote was held that has resulted in more than the country of 19mn people. Miss Mexico crowned Mexican govt apologises for Miss Universe 2021 1911 massacre of Chinese AFP the award for best national Washington costume: during that compe- tition segment on Thursday, Reuters she wore an outfi t beaded in Monterrey iss Mexico was traditional Burmese patterns crowned Miss Uni- and held up a sign that said, Mverse on Sunday in “Pray for Myanmar.” exican President An- Florida, after fellow contest- Myanmar has been in up- dres Manuel Lopez ant Miss Myanmar used her roar since February 1, when MObrador issued a for- stage time to draw attention to the army ousted civilian leader mal apology yesterday for the the bloody military coup in her Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 1911 massacre of 303 Chinese in country. 796 people have been killed the northern city of Torreon. Sunday night marked the by security forces since then, “The Mexican state will not Miss Universe competition’s according to a local monitor- allow, ever again, racism, dis- return to television, after the ing group, while nearly 4,000 crimination, and xenophobia,” pageant was cancelled in 2020 Miss Mexico Andrea Meza people are behind bars. the president said during the for the fi rst time due to the was crowned Miss Universe Miss Singapore Bernadette ceremony in Torreon. coronavirus pandemic. 2021 onstage at the Pageant Belle Ong— who did not make The massacre, from May 13- at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & the top 21 — also used the 15, 1911, occurred in the midst Dressed in a Casino in Hollywood, Florida. national costume portion to of the Mexican Revolution, as make a political statement. rebels fighting under Francis- sparkling red Dressed in a sparkling red Dressed in a glittering red co I. Madero seized control of evening gown, Meza evening gown, Meza tearfully bodysuit and matching thigh- the city of Torreon. Chinese ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador walked the catwalk as Miss high boots, she turned around During the massacre, over take part in an event where the Mexican government apologised for killing Chinese residents 110 years tearfully walked Universe for the fi rst time, be- to reveal her cape — in the col- 300 Chinese were killed and ago, in Torreon, in Coahuila state, yesterday. the catwalk as Miss fore rushing back for a group ours of the Singaporean fl ag their homes and businesses hug with the other competi- — was painted with the words were burned. Yesterday’s nese Ambassador to Mexico level Mexican officials, in- and navy, and the foreign and Universe for the first tors. Meza beat more than 70 “Stop Asian Hate.” event was attended by Chi- Zhu Qingqiao, as well as high- cluding the heads of the army interior ministers. time, before rushing contestants from around the “What is this platform for if globe in the 69th instalment I can’t use it to send a strong back for a group of Miss Universe, which was message of resistance against held at the Hard Rock Hotel & prejudice and violence?” she hug with the other Casino in Hollywood, Florida. wrote on Instagram alongside competitors In the days leading up to the pictures of her outfi t. Rising Amazon rivers leave Manaus fl ooded fi nal competition, Miss Myan- The United States in partic- Andrea Meza, 26, fi nished mar Thuzar Wint Lwin, who ular has seen a surge in anti- fi rst ahead of the Brazilian and made the top 21, made waves Asian violence in the past year, Reuters service, many of whom were evacuated as ecologist at the National Institute of Ama- Peruvian fi nalists in a fl ashy tel- when she used her time in the which activists have blamed Manaus water levels climbed. zonian Research in Manaus. Amazon defor- evised event, hosted by Ameri- spotlight to bring attention to on former president Donald The Rio Negro river was rising by about estation may also contribute to long-term can actor Mario Lopez and tele- the coup in her country. Trump’s rhetoric, especially 3cm a day and yesterday streets in the cen- changes but does not impact rainfall year to vision personality Olivia Culpo. “Our people are dying and his repeated description of eavy rains in the Amazon rainfor- tre of Manaus were already under water, ac- year, he said. Former Miss Universe con- being shot by the military Covid-19 as the “China virus.” est have caused rivers to rise to near cording to city hall. Access to the Manaus market on the edge testants Cheslie Kryst, Paulina every day,” she said during The pageant has also drawn Hrecord levels, fl ooding small Brazil- “The water level is... the third highest of the Rio Negro is underwater and the city Vega and Demi-Leigh Tebow her biographical video, which criticism in the past for ob- ian towns and threatening the state capital in the history of the city. If it continues like has built raised wooden walkways for pe- (who won the title in 2017) showed photos of her taking jectifying the contestants. In Manaus with another disaster after it was this, it will pass the record 2012 fl ood,” said destrians. served as competition analysts part in the anti-coup protests. recent years, the competition severely struck by the coronavirus pan- mayoral spokesman Emerson Quaresma. Up the Amazon River, small riverside and commentators, and a pan- “Therefore I would like to has shifted image, focusing demic. While rainfall varies from year to year, towns such as Anama, population 12,700, el of eight women determined urge everyone to speak out more on female empowerment Across the state of Amazonas, more climate change has brought particularly have been totally fl ooded, forcing residents the winner. about Myanmar.” She also won and activism. than 400,000 people have been aff ected heavy rainy years and also very dry years to raise the fl oor levels of their wooden by fl ooding, said the state’s Civil Defence that hurt farming, said Philip Fearnside, an houses or evacuate. Investors keen on Brazil, but jury still out on Bolsonaro

AFP Janeiro water and sewer system, market is apprehensive, because pandemic arrived, causing Brazil’s surge of deforestation in the Ama- Brasília plus another $5.6bn in invest- we’re approaching Bolsonaro’s economy to shrink 4.1% last year zon rainforest. ment commitments over 35 last year in offi ce,” he said. and largely pushing the reform Upcoming plans include pri- years. “This moment will mark Bolsonaro’s sliding popular- agenda to the back burner. vatising Latin America’s biggest resident Jair Bolsonaro our history and our economy,” ity and a Senate inquiry into his The administration is also electric utility, Eletrobras, and the boasts he has restored in- Bolsonaro said at the time, government’s pandemic response fi ghting resistance to the reforms Brazilian postal service. Pvestor confi dence in Bra- boasting that Brazil had regained have meanwhile created political in Congress. But investors say Infrastructure concessions due zil, but analysts and executives investors’ confi dence. uncertainty. following through is vital to re- on the auction block include air- say he still has a long way to go Not so fast, say some in the “Those risks just cloud the pic- duce the “Brazil premium,” the ports in Rio de Janeiro and Sao to deliver his promised economic business world, still waiting for ture,” said Lins. high cost of doing business in the Paulo, a highway between the two reforms. the far-right leader to follow Brazil was seen as an emerging- country. cities, and a trans-Amazonian Still reeling from the corona- through on most of his 2018 cam- market dynamo in the 2000s. But “That includes extremely high railroad — not to mention a ten- virus pandemic, Latin America’s paign promises of economic re- it was knocked off its pedestal by taxation rates, the cost of waste der to develop Brazil’s 5G mobile biggest economy got some good forms and privatisations. twin political and economic crises due to poor infrastructure, the network. news last month with a major Now eyeing re-election in Oc- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. in 2015-16. cost of bureaucracy — everything The Bolsonaro administration series of infrastructure auctions tober next year — and potentially Bolsonaro won the business that makes the business environ- will be hoping to woo investors that raised far more than ex- facing a heavyweight opponent the market in the sprawling coun- And investors are still waiting to sector’s backing by naming ultra- ment worse,” said economist Alex looking to play the long game. pected. in leftist ex-president Luiz Ina- try of 212mn people, its huge need see whether he delivers his prom- liberal economist Paulo Guedes as Agostini of consulting fi rm Austin “Long-term investors never First, Brazil raked in $600mn cio Lula da Silva, who leads in the for infrastructure and the rela- ised fi scal, administrative and tax his economy minister and prom- Rating. lost confi dence in Brazil, because for concessions to operate 22 polls — Bolsonaro is racing to push tively cheap price tag, given the reforms. ising him free rein to implement Increasingly, foreign fi rms are they can take a step back from the airports, fi ve port terminals and through around 100 more privati- depreciation of the Brazilian real “It’s still very early to say sweeping reforms to cut down also insisting their local partners short-term volatility,” said lawyer a railroad, plus around triple that sations this year, for some $84bn. during the pandemic. whether the investment environ- government bloat and relaunch in Brazil have sound environ- Massami Uyeda Jr, who specialises amount in investment commit- Another 85 are on the calendar But there are also risks: Brazil ment in Brazil has improved,” said the economy. mental records — a weak spot for in infrastructure deals. ments over 30 years. for 2022. is being hammered by Covid-19, Eliel Lins, investment adviser at Bolsonaro and Guedes scored Bolsonaro, who is accused of gut- “They see reforms as important Then it raised $4.2bn for con- There are certainly things to with accusations that Bolsonaro’s Mundo Investimentos. an early win with a major pen- ting environmental protection and necessary, but not the decid- cessions to operate the Rio de lure investors: the massive size of chaotic management is to blame. “Without those reforms, the sion reform in 2019. But then the programs and has presided over a ing factor on whether to invest.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 18, 2021 9 EUROPE

Italy to shorten Rich nations can aff ord to Covid-19 curfew, ease other donate Covax jabs: Unicef AFP commitments to their own pop- it had planned to distribute. works”, pointing out that the essential and emergency stop- nations last Friday to refrain Geneva ulations,” Unief director Henri- The programme’s aim of en- programme had delivered some gap measure, and it is needed from giving jabs to children and curbs etta Fore said. suring the vaccination of 20% of 65mn doses to 124 countries right now,” it read. adolescents and instead donate The Unicef, the United Na- populations in all countries by so far. “But it is dependent on The United States has 60mn those doses to Covax. 7 and EU nations can af- tions Children’s Emergency the end of this year “is at risk”, countries and manufacturers AstraZeneca doses it could The urgency stems from more Reuters ford to donate more than Fund, is fl ying Covax doses to Bruce Aylward, the WHO lead on honouring their commitments.” share, while France has pledged than mere fairness: wherever Rome G150mn vaccines to coun- poorer countries due to its ex- Covax, acknowledged yesterday. The current shortfall is in part 500,000 doses and Sweden 1mn, the virus continues to circulate tries in need without compro- pertise in vaccine logistics. It was possible to make up for due to a devastating fl are-up of with Switzerland considering a it could give rise to more con- mising their own objectives, the Britain is due to host its fellow the delays if countries in a posi- the virus in India. similar donation. tagious or more deadly variants taly’s ruling parties have Unicef said yesterday. G7 members Canada, France, tion to do so could donate doses, While the country had been Some 43% of the 1.4bn doses that could threaten progress to- agreed to shorten a nightly The Group of Seven (G7) in- Germany, Italy, Japan and the he told reporters. due to manufacture and export of Covid-19 vaccines so far in- ward immunity. Icurfew to 11pm from 10pm dustrialised powers and the United States for a summit in “We determine our future the majority of Covax doses, it is jected around the world have “We are concerned that the with immediate eff ect and ease European Union could help June. right now,” he added. now putting them to use at home been administered in high-in- deadly spike in India is a precur- other coronavirus curbs in areas close the world’s vaccine gap by By that time, the Unicef said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom instead. come countries accounting for sor to what will happen if those where infections are low, gov- sharing just 20% of their June, the Covax programme – co-led Ghebreyesus agreed. With additional shortages in 16% of the global population. warnings remain unheeded,” ernment sources said. July and August stocks with the by Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, “We need high-income coun- supplies and funding, the Unicef Just 0.3% have been admin- said the Unicef. Speaking after a meeting Covax jab scheme for poorer along with the World Health tries that have contracted much statement called for swift action istered in the 29 lowest-income “Cases are exploding and of medical advisers to Mario nations, a study by British fi rm Organisation (WHO) and the of the immediate global supply until more sustainable produc- countries, home to 9% of the health systems are struggling,” it Draghi’s government and coali- Airfi nity showed. Coalition for Epidemic Prepar- of vaccines to share them now,” tion models were within reach. world’s population. said, in countries like Nepal, Sri tion representatives, the sources “And they could do this while edness Innovations – will fi nd he told reporters. “Sharing immediately avail- That yawning gap spurred Lanka, Maldives, Argentina, and said in these areas the curfew still fulfi lling their vaccination itself 190mn doses short of what He insisted that “Covax able excess doses is a minimum, Tedros to ask vaccine-wealthy Brazil. will begin at midnight from June 7, and be abolished altogether from June 21. Italy, which has the second- highest coronavirus (Covid-19) death toll in Europe after the Portugal greets fi rst UK tourists United Kingdom, is gradually loosening restrictions on busi- ness and people’s freedom of as travel restrictions are lifted movement as daily deaths and cases decline, and more people are vaccinated. AFP back here,” said Barry Thomp- self-isolate on returning home. As of yesterday, some 8.6mn Faro, Portugal son, a 63-year-old retired police Britons can now visit Portugal Italians, or 14.5% of the popula- offi cer from Manchester who as long as they show a negative tion, have been fully vaccinated, landed in the southern town of PCR test result for Covid-19 at while slightly over 30% have ritish holidaymakers re- Faro with his wife and 11-year- most 72 hours before boarding received at least one shot of a turned to Portugal yester- old son. the plane. coronavirus vaccine. Bday as the country seeks “We’re very excited,” Thomp- Portugal and Britain currently Italy has registered more than to revive its battered tourism son said, 11 years after his fi rst have two of the lowest virus 124,000 deaths linked to Cov- industry after lifting travel re- visit to the coastal region of Al- rates in Europe. id-19 since its outbreak emerged strictions that had been im- garve. Tourism plunged in Portugal in February last year. posed to curb the spread of the Some 30 fl ights from the UK last year. But the daily toll has steadily coronavirus (Covid-19). were expected in Portugal yes- The country saw 16.4mn fallen in recent weeks, with less Britons are the biggest con- terday alone, including 17 taking tourists before the pandemic, than 100 fatalities reported on tingent of tourists in Portugal, around 5,500 passengers to Faro. and only a quarter of that in Sunday for the fi rst time since a country whose economy relies “We were desperate to come 2020. October. heavily on foreign visitors. back. It’s fantastic,” said Diane The Algarve region, home to There was an increase yester- Portugal imposed a strict, Healy, who owns a property in 500,000 people, greeted 3.6mn day to 140 deaths. two-month confi nement earlier Lagos, a coastal town west of foreign tourists in 2019 alone, a Late last month the federal this year to control a new wave Faro. “I’m over the moon. It’s third of them from Britain. government reinstated a four- of coronavirus infections. wonderful to be back.” “Today is a special day be- tier colour-coded system, from It lifted restrictions on visi- The lifting of restrictions cause we are restarting the en- white to red, to calibrate restric- tors from Britain and most Euro- came after London placed Por- gine of our economy,” the head tions in its 20 regions, allowing pean Union countries yesterday. tugal on its “green list” of coun- of tourism for the region, Joao People watch a Faro Airport arrivals screen display information on the first day that Britons are allowed nightspots and restaurants to “It’s nice to get away and be tries to visit without having to Fernandes, told AFP. to enter the country without needing to quarantine, in Faro, Portugal. serve clients at outside tables in the low-risk yellow and white areas. Some 19 out of 20 Italian re- gions are currently yellow and one, the tiny Valle d’Aosta, is Two-month-old saved by pioneering heart transplant Nato assures orange. None are currently deemed high-risk red. Reuters blood type, Hospital Gregorio The operation was compli- genital heart disease before ably not be here,” said Manuela Serbia over Six regions – including the Madrid Maranon said yesterday. cated because the donor was at she was born and weighed only Camino, head of the children’s northern Veneto around Venice “It was twice the magic,” said a hospital in a diff erent Span- 3.2kg when the surgery was cardiac transplant unit. – will become white by the end Juan Miguel Gil Jaurena, head ish region and the heart had performed. With 37.4 donors per million Croatian of the fi rst week of June, govern- two-month-old Span- of children’s cardiac surgery at stopped beating for a few min- “She is the smallest baby people, Spain last year was the ment sources said. ish girl was saved by pi- the Madrid hospital, explaining utes. we’ve had for a heart trans- world leader in transplants, ac- In low-risk white regions no Aoneering surgery when that such techniques did not The hospital did not disclose plant, and 24 hours before the cording to the global database troops in curfew will be imposed and only doctors transplanted a small exist for young children three details about the donor. surgery her condition worsened on donation and transplanta- face masks and social distancing heart that had stopped beating years ago and had never before The baby girl, Naiara, had a lot. Had she not got a heart tion of the World Health Or- will remain compulsory. from a donor with a diff erent been used on a baby so small. been diagnosed with a con- (transplant), she would prob- ganisation (WHO). Kosovo

Reuters Court postpones Navalny extremism hearing Russian watchdog Brussels ato sought yesterday to assuage Serbian con- AFP most popular candidates,” Ilya partially halts punitive Ncerns over the deploy- Moscow Novikov told journalists outside ment of Croatian troops to Ko- the court. sovo, stressing that they were For the authorities, “it’s very Twitter slowdown bound by exactly the same rules Russian court has post- important to stop these candi- as all other troops of the alli- poned the beginning of dates”, he added. ance’s KFOR peacekeeping force Aan “extremism” hearing Navalny, who is currently in Reuters and Alphabet Incorporated’s in the Balkan country. against the political network a penal colony outside Moscow, Moscow YouTube, as having posted il- “All troops provided by Nato of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei said in a recent Instagram post legal material. allies and partner countries to Navalny, part of a campaign to that Russia was “sliding into “If these platforms fail to our operation in Kosovo oper- sideline opposition to President darkness”. ussia partially halted a take appropriate action, they ate under ... a well-established Vladimir Putin. “But those who are pushing punitive slowdown of may face similar sanctions,” framework, which is set out by As the proceedings got un- the country backwards are his- RTwitter yesterday after Roskomnadzor said in a state- the UN resolution 1244,” Nato derway, prosecutors submitted torically doomed.” the latter deleted a large por- ment. Secretary-General Jens Stolten- additional documents pushing Ahead of yesterday’s court tion of content deemed illegal Facebook and YouTube did berg told reporters after meeting the start date of the trial to June hearing, Russia’s fi nancial mon- by Moscow, but warned other not immediately respond to Serbian President Aleksandar 9, lawyers representing Nav- itoring service Rosfi nmonitor- US Internet platforms to com- requests for comment. Vucic in Brussels. alny’s organisations said. ing added Navalny’s political ply with local legislation or Roskomnadzor, which had Vucic has been dismayed over The proceedings, which are network to its database of ter- face similar penalties. set May 15 as a deadline for an announcement by Croatia to being held behind closed doors, rorist and extremist organisa- State communications Twitter to delete what it said deploy more troops to Kosovo as are part of a sweeping crack- tions. watchdog Roskomnadzor was banned content, says that part of KFOR. down on Putin’s most promi- Navalny: serving two-and-a-half years on embezzlement charges in Navalny’s network had dis- has since March impeded the it wants the US social media Serbia and Croatia were war- nent critic who was jailed this a penal colony. banded ahead of the listing to speed of Twitter for not re- platform to delete posts that time foes during the break-up year and survived a poisoning shield its members and support- moving banned content quick- contain child pornography, of the former Yugoslavia in the attack in August. Prosecutors in April request- Navalny emerged as an op- ers from possible prosecution. ly enough, and threatened to drug abuse information, or early 1990s. As part of the eff ort – which ed that Navalny’s regional net- position fi gurehead a decade Lawmakers also proposed block it entirely, part of a wider calls for minors to commit sui- Albanian dominated Kosovo comes a few months before par- work and his Anti-Corruption ago, leading huge anti-Kremlin legislation that would apply ret- drive by Moscow to tighten its cide. declared independence in 2008, liamentary elections – the lower Foundation (FBK) be designated rallies sparked by claims of elec- roactively and ban Navalny’s al- control over the internet. Twitter denies allowing its almost a decade after Nato air house is set to begin debating a “extremist” organisations, ac- toral fraud in 2011. lies from running in parliamen- Yesterday, however, the platform to be used to promote strikes wrestled control of the bill banning members of “ex- cusing them of plotting to stage Established in 2011, the An- tary elections for several years. watchdog said it no longer illegal behaviour, and insists territory away from Belgrade to tremist” organisations from be- a Western-backed uprising in ti-Corruption Foundation has The legislation could aff ect planned to block the service that it has a zero-tolerance end a counter-insurgency cam- ing elected lawmakers. Russia. published numerous investiga- senior members and activists of and the slowdown would only policy for child sexual ex- paign by Serbian security forces. Navalny’s network is being Such a ruling would put Na- tions into the lavish lifestyles of Navalny’s political network and remain on mobile devices. ploitation, and prohibits the Vucic called the meeting with represented by lawyers of Team valny, his supporters and fi nan- Russia’s elite. also tens of thousands of Rus- A Twitter spokesperson promotion of suicide or self- Stoltenberg at the North Atlan- 29, a St Petersburg-based group cial backers on par with the Is- While authorities had for sians who supported its work welcomed the decision not to harm. tic Treaty Organisation (Nato)’s that specialises in freedom of lamic State group and Al Qaeda, years tolerated Navalny’s politi- with donations. block its service. Roskomnadzor said that Brussels headquarters reassur- speech and treason cases. threatening them with long cal movement, analysts say that Navalny was arrested in Janu- “We remain deeply com- Twitter had removed 91% of ing. The lawyers said it was not prison sentences. the Kremlin is willing to take no ary upon returning from Ger- mitted to off ering a safe serv- banned content since March, “Everything that has been clear why yesterday’s hearing “The opposition will be chances ahead of parliamentary many after recovering from a ice to account holders around with 563 items now accessi- done so far under the mandate was closed to the public or why crushed,” Abbas Gallyamov, an elections in September as public poisoning attack he says was or- the world – including those in ble, down from almost 6,000 of the United Nations and done some of the case fi les were la- independent political analyst fatigue is growing with Putin’s chestrated by the Kremlin. Russia,” the spokesperson said, in total. by Nato forces was pretty much belled secret. and former Kremlin speech- two-decade rule. The Kremlin denies the alle- adding that Twitter would It said Twitter needed to supported by all sides, and hope- An aide to Navalny, Ivan Zh- writer, told AFP. A Team 29 lawyer said yester- gation. continue to talk with Roskom- remove all banned items and fully that will remain so,” he said. danov, speculated on Twitter But “by destroying the oppo- day that the crackdown on Na- He is serving two-and-a-half nadzor. in future delete illegal posts Stoltenberg stressed that there that it was an attempt to conceal sition, they are destroying their valny’s groups was linked to the years on embezzlement charges Roskomnadzor said it had within 24 hours, as demanded were no changes planned to the the “absurdity of what is hap- own legitimacy”, he added, re- upcoming elections. in a penal colony about 100km identifi ed other Internet plat- by Russian law, for all restric- KFOR mission, which numbers pening”. ferring to authorities. “Members of FBK are now the (62 miles) east of Moscow. forms, including Facebook tions to be lifted. some 3,500 troops. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Biden’s silence in the face of Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Israeli violence is a disgrace P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] By Moustafa Bayoumi 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), n Saturday, an Israeli air strike 44466636 (Home delivery) killed 10 people from the same Oextended family after missiles hit 44350474 the family’s house in the Shati refugee facebook.com/gulftimes camp in Gaza. A fi ve-month-old baby, the sole twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar survivor, was pulled out alive from the rubble, having been trapped next to his deceased mother. At least 180 Palestinians have so far been killed in Gaza, including 52 GULF TIMES children. Ten Israelis have also been killed, including two children. All the innocents slain, whether Palestinian or Israeli, must be mourned, Caution, confusion and it’s beyond distressing to know that the number of deaths will only rise as the days go on. What will remain steady, however, is mark UK premier’s this morbidly lopsided ratio of death. Many more innocent Palestinians will be killed than Israelis. approach to lifting That fact, along with over 70 years of continued Palestinian dispossession (of which the Sheikh Jarrah evictions are a part), has galvanized global opposition Covid lockdown to Israel’s latest actions. Popular demonstrations have broken out around the world in support of On what should have been a day of celebration, UK cabinet Palestinian rights. ministers have come across distinctly uneasy at the latest phase of Since the US provides the key the lifting of lockdown in England, Wales and parts of Scotland, fi nancial, military and diplomatic which allows the reopening of indoor hospitality, hugging, backing to Israel, one wonders where overnight stays with other households and foreign travel. Joe Biden and his administration are Boris Johnson’s message was not for people to get out and during this crucial moment. support their local business, but instead for them to exercise a Not out front and leading, would be a “heavy dose of caution”. kind way of putting it. Palestinan families take shelter at a United Nations (UN) school in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday, as Israeli air The contrast with last year’s great reopening – which saw a Calling Biden’s attitude to Middle strikes continue. East diplomacy a “stand-back maskless Rishi Sunak cheerily serve diners at a London riverside approach”, the New York Times noted business-as-usual approach to cover for state, yet do absolutely nothing to make woman, she too was no stranger to the branch of Wagamama, where the chancellor exhorted the public how his administration has so far done Israel’s aggressive policies. that state a reality, while the Israeli sorts of police brutality and state- to “eat out to help out” – was stark. little and accomplished less.“Muted” is If that’s the case, both the government we fund tries to make it sanctioned violence that Palestinians Yesterday, there were no pictures of Johnson giving a thumbs- how National Public Radio described it. Palestinians and the American people impossible?” suffer. up or enjoying a fry-up, though his new health regime may have In fact, it’s much worse. stand to lose, the former obviously Representative Rashida Tlaib rose and Bush tweeted: “The Black and prohibited both in any event. This administration’s reaction has losing dozens if not hundreds more affi rmed that “I am the only Palestinian Palestinian struggles for liberation are Matt Hancock told broadcasters that he would be hugging his not only been relatively quiet; it has also lives, the latter losing important American member of Congress now, interconnected, and we will not let up parents – but he would stay outside, where the risk is lower. been callous, predictable and nothing prestige and infl uence. and my mere existence has disrupted until all of us are free.” The tone was more reminiscent of the confused public short of a disgrace. And who gains? None other than the status quo. I am a reminder to Omar connected her refugee messaging at the start of the pandemic, parodied by Matt Lucas Consider Biden’s own response when Netanyahu, who just over a week colleagues that Palestinians do indeed experiences to surviving warfare. in his viral “go to work, don’t go to work” tweet. reporters asked him on Thursday if ago, was about to be ousted as prime exist, that we are human, that we are And Tlaib talked about being raised the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin minister after his repeated failures to allowed to dream.” Palestinian “in Detroit, the most “You can now travel abroad without being fined, but you Netanyahu, was doing enough “to stop form a coalition government – Israel Her voice breaking after quoting beautiful, blackest cities in America, a shouldn’t travel abroad,” No 10 said yesterday. this violence there from escalating”. has had four elections in two years – a Gazan mother’s fears of losing her city where movements for civil rights It was unable to answer the question of why travel to amber Biden answered that “thus far there while simultaneously facing corruption children to Israeli bombs, Tlaib said: and social justice are birthed”. list countries – those where home quarantine is still mandatory has not been a signifi cant overreaction” charges. “We must condition aid to Israel on Each woman made the struggle for – was allowed at all if people were being strongly discouraged from the Israelis. But here’s the deal, as Joe Biden compliance with international human Palestinian liberation into something from doing so. Considering the massive asymmetry would say. rights and end the apartheid.” deeply personal, like they were all You can hug your of death and destruction, one can The president’s deference to Israel’s Representative Ayanna Presley meeting at the intersection of their Johnson’s message vaccinated parents – but only wonder, in absolute horror, what wishes – long the American refl ex – proclaimed: “Palestinians are being collective lives. you should consider not Biden would consider “a signifi cant may no longer represent the political told the same thing as black folks in For too long, Palestinians have was not for people doing so. overreaction”. consensus in his party. America. There is no acceptable form been seen as problems to be solved or You can eat indoors in The Biden administration also The US is changing, and so is the of resistance. We are bearing witness to bombed. Democratic party, with cracks emerging egregious human rights violations. to get out and a restaurant, but Sage twice blocked UN Security Council Once they’re seen as people and as a statements on the crisis this past week, in the wall that has historically “The pain, trauma and terror that people, however, and once their struggle scientists queued up on support their and was alone in opposing the Security separated any criticism of Israel from Palestinians are facing is not just the is both understood and identifi ed with, broadcasters to suggest Council from holding an open meeting American politics. result of this week’s escalation, but everything changes. local business, but that they would not do on the issue on Friday. That change was bravely – and the consequences of years of military That was the change that was heard that themselves. Last week, a state department movingly – evident on the floor of the occupation.” on the US House fl oor last week. instead for them to Just one, Graham spokesman, when pressed, couldn’t House of Representatives last week. And Representative Cori Bush, who is It was an embrace of empathy for Medley, professor even get himself to say that the right of “The US must acknowledge its also African American, explained on the Palestine. In its own way, the change is exercise a 'heavy of infectious disease self-defence extends to the Palestinian role in the injustice and human House fl oor how “the same equipment earth shaking. modelling at the London people. rights violations of Palestinians,” that they use to brutalise us is the These are the voices in American dose of caution' School of Hygiene & A US envoy also didn’t arrive in Representative Alexandria Ocasio- same equipment that we send to the politics demanding something diff erent, Tropical Medicine, said the region until Saturday, and the Cortez stated during a Special Order Israeli military to police and brutalise a new way of looking at Palestine and he would risk it – and only in a far-fetched set of conditions, telling Biden administration hasn’t even hour organised by Representatives Marc Palestinians”. Palestinians. named a nominee for US ambassador Pocan and Marie Newman. “This is not The Congress has probably never Unlike what this administration is LBC he would go indoors “in an area of low prevalence and the to Israel. about both sides,” she continued. “This have seen such a powerful display of off ering, that demand can be called clientele was very old (and therefore likely to be vaccinated)”. So while the administration claims is about an imbalance of power.” She support for Palestinian lives. leadership. The awkwardness surrounding this stage of unlocking – to be working “behind the scenes” to was hardly alone. But what’s important is not just the And it’s a demand that must, and will, largely because nobody knows the potential impact of the new solve this latest crisis, that argument Calling Netanyahu a “far-right support but the way it was articulated. be heard. variant of coronavirus first detected in India – risks very mixed is looking more and more like an alibi ethnonationalist” on the fl oor of the When Ocasio-Cortez spoke, she drew public health messaging. for being both unprepared for the House, Representative Ilhan Omar a personal connection from Puerto Rico (Moustafa Bayoumi is the author of It is not possible to overstate how unwelcome any delay to the tough demands of foreign policy while asked how the American government to Palestine. How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: roadmap would be in Downing Street. simultaneously adopting a nihilistic can “pay lip service to a Palestinian Presley stated that, as a Black Being Young and Arab in America) Johnson himself was won over, and in turn won over Sunak and his restive backbenchers, by the case that the slower the reopening goes, the more likely it will be permanent. Johnson has resisted entreaties from his MPs to speed up unlocking. He is desperate to be proved right and to show that caution equals permanence. To reverse now would be extremely difficult. Lebanese students fi ght fees hike And Downing Street, even with all its domestic caution, is not blameless for the current situation. It delayed putting India on the red list for 17 days after its neighbours Pakistan and Bangladesh, By Timour Azhari per greenback used by the universities. economics senior at the AUB. increasingly bankrupt Lebanese state. while Johnson was slated for a visit to Delhi during that period. Beirut “It’s not just a fi ght for education, it’s Following the price hike, annual The AUB said it was owed some The final test will be the hardest – whether to proceed with a fi ght for what’s right and to try to get tuition fees for an arts or sciences $150mn by the state, making its dire “freedom day” on June 21. the judicial system to protect the most degree have risen from about 35mn situation still worse. There is much riding on that, from weddings and festivals to the hen the American University vulnerable,” Slim said. pounds to about 90mn pounds. “AUB, like the rest of the country, profi ts of restaurants that are desperate to ditch social distancing. of Beirut (AUB) said the cost of When students began paying at the The minimum wage in Lebanon is is having to cope through a crisis not offi cial rate, the AUB rejected their 675,000 pounds per month, equivalent of its own making and without any Even before then, Johnson will face difficult calls from the Wstudy at Lebanon’s top school would more than double, 21-year-old Ali payments and said they would need to pay to 8.1mn pounds per year. support,” the university said in written travel industry to start opening up quarantine-free travel to Slim felt his dream career in medicine the new rate – or be dropped from class. As the crisis decimates household comments. holiday hotspots such as Spain and Greece. might be over before it had even began. Students then fi led two suits: one incomes, an unusually large number Still, it has ramped up fi nancial Johnson was a late convert to the concept that cautious Like most Lebanese, his parents affi rming their right to pay fees at the of students appear to be opting for the support leading to reductions in tuition unlocking when case rates are at rock bottom is ultimately are paid in local currency, which has offi cial exchange rate, the other asking publicly funded Lebanese University costs, helping some 4,000 students the best way of protecting the economy, rather than a rush to tumbled in value against the dollar for a stay on all payments until the fi rst (LU) over private institutions – a change – almost one in two – enrolled this freedom. The question now is: can he hold his nerve? – Guardian due to the country’s fi nancial collapse, case is settled. its president, Fouad Ayoub, linked to academic year. News and Media rendering them wholly unable to meet An urgent matters court ruled in their “economic factors”. To ensure it can survive another what is in eff ect a 160% tuition increase favour on the second case, saying the Some 5,000 students joined this year, 150 years, the institution said it had for their son. AUB could not exclude the students after the price hikes were announced, no choice but to up the exchange rate, The AUB has boosted fi nancial aid for until there was a fi nal ruling on whether he said, far more than its average intake insisting the new semi-offi cial rate – To Advertise students, but it said the crisis had made their payment was legal. and swelling the overall student body to used for transactions at commercial the hike in fees unavoidable. The AUB’s offi ce of communications 87,000. banks – was anyway still far below the [email protected] Another top school – the Lebanese said no students had left due to the hike The university cannot meet such volatile market rate. American University (LAU) – soon and that more than 99% had paid their demand, Ayoub said, since its budget With no end in sight to the country’s Display followed suit, prompting fears that fees. is unchanged but its spending power fi nancial collapse, students said they 44466621 44418811 thousands of students like Slim could be Education Minister Tarek Majzoub has crashed in tandem with the local felt compelled to help each other. priced out of private higher education did not respond to a request for currency. Razane Hishi, a 19-year-old software Classified in a country with only a single, under- comment. It has struggled to buy even the engineering junior at the AUB, said she 44466609 44418811 funded, public alternative. As other universities ponder similar basics – lab supplies, electronics and chose to join the exchange rate legal So the students got together and hikes, the court’s ruling could have books – as suppliers held off bidding fi ght out of solidarity, rather than need. Subscription vowed to act. far-reaching implications for tens of on contracts for fear of the volatile “It’s a moral obligation for me to help Along with scores of fellow students, thousands of students nationwide. exchange rate, Ayoub said. protect others that may need this now,” [email protected] Slim mounted a legal action in February “We’re basically looking to secure a “We are rationing the use of paper. Hishi said. “If the trend keeps going, to pay fees at the offi cial rate of 1,500 social safety net that protects students The situation is very diffi cult,” he said. how are any of us supposed to aff ord an Lebanese pounds per dollar, rather than most at risk. That doesn’t exist right The LU is not alone in being crippled education in the future?” – Thomson © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved the semi-offi cial rate of 3,900 pounds now,” said Jad Hani, a 20-year-old by issues that are ultimately tied to the Reuters Foundation Gulf Times Tuesday, May 18, 2021 11 WORLD Record 1,000 migrants reach Spanish enclave

AFP eff orts to battle illegal immigra- swimming rings and rubber din- enclave – have the European The wave of migrant arrivals Madrid tion. ghies. Union’s only land borders with comes at a point of diplomatic A spokesman for the Spanish Others were able to almost Africa, making them popular en- tension between Madrid and Ra- government delegation in Ceuta walk there when the tide went try points for migrants seeking a bat after it emerged that Polisario round 1,000 migrants, told AFP that the migrants had out, the spokesman told AFP, better life in Europe. Front leader Brahim Ghali arrived a third of them minors, reached the enclave by swim- with the numbers climbing rap- Migrants try to reach the en- in northern Spain in mid-April Areached Spain’s North Af- ming or walking at low tide from idly throughout the day. claves either by swimming along and is being treated in hospi- rican enclave of Ceuta yesterday, beaches in neighbouring Mo- After being checked by the Red the coast or climbing the tall tal after being infected with the Spanish offi cials said, describing rocco. Cross, the migrants were taken to border fences that separate them coronavirus (Covid-19). it as a “record” number in a sin- Among them were 300 minors, a migrant reception centre. from Morocco. The Polisario Front has long gle day. he added. During the last weekend of Figures published by Spain’s fought for the independence of The move comes at a point of Earlier, during the morning, April, around 100 migrants swam interior ministry show that be- Western Sahara from Morocco, diplomatic tension between Ma- the delegation put the number to Ceuta in groups of 20 to 30. tween January 1 and May 15, 475 and analysts have warned the drid and Rabat over the presence at 100 arrivals, saying that they Most were deported back to migrants reached Ceuta by land spat could threaten bilateral co- of a Western Sahara independ- were mostly young men but Morocco. or sea, more than double the 203 operation between Madrid and A Spanish Civil guard observes migrants who swam to the Spanish ence leader in Spain, which could also included children and some Ceuta, together with Melilla that arrived in the same period Rabat in the fi ght against illegal enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. aff ect the two countries’ joint women who had used infl atable – Spain’s other North African last year. immigration. Russia warns West against Arctic Kyrgyz lawmakers back seizure of encroachment ahead of negotiations Canadian-run mine

AFP through modernising bases, and creases, Russia is hoping to make AFP temporary “external manage- Moscow also pointed to a growing pres- use of the Northern Sea Route Bishkek ment” period could last around ence of China. shipping channel to export oil three months. Yesterday he welcomed Den- and gas to overseas markets. Lawmakers balloted unani- ussian Foreign Minister mark’s plans to boost its mili- Russia has invested heavily to yrgyzstan’s have parlia- mously yesterday for the plans Sergei Lavrov has warned tary presence in Greenland and develop the route, which allows ment voted in favour of in a non-binding vote, which RWestern countries against the North Atlantic with $245mn ships to cut the journey to Asian Ka plan to seize the coun- should now be considered by staking claims in the Arctic, as worth of investments into sur- ports by 15 days compared with try’s largest gold mine after the the government. global warming makes the region veillance drones and a radar sta- using the traditional Suez Canal Canada-based operator said it The law came the same more accessible and a site of glo- tion on the Faroe Islands. route. was taking the government to month that a court fi ned bal competition. President Vladimir Putin in In August 2017, the fi rst ves- an international court. Centerra’s Kyrgyz subsidiary His comments came ahead of a recent years has made Russia’s sel travelled along the Northern The poor, mountainous Kumtor Gold Company (KGC) ministerial meeting of the Arctic Arctic region a strategic priority Sea Route without the use of ice country in former Soviet Cen- over $3bn for dumping mining Council that comprises Russia, and ordered investment in mili- breakers. tral Asia has few natural re- waste on glaciers at the mine the United States, Canada, Nor- tary infrastructure and mineral Moscow has also beefed up its sources, and regularly accuses 4,000m above sea level and a way, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, extraction, exacerbating tensions military presence in the region, Centerra Gold of shortchang- state commission alleged that and Iceland tomorrow and on with Arctic Council members. reopening and modernising sev- ing it over the giant Kumtor KGC owed over $1bn in unpaid Thursday in Reykjavik. The United States, for its part, eral bases and airfi elds aban- gold mine. taxes. “It has been absolutely clear has pushed back against what it doned since the end of the Soviet Centerra Gold is a Toronto Centerra has called Kyr- for everyone for a long time that considers Russian and Chinese era and deploying its S-400 air Stock Exchange-listed compa- gyzstan’s actions “wrongful this is our territory, this is our “aggressivity” in the region. Lavrov: (The Arctic) is our territory, this is our land. defence systems. ny of which Kyrgyzstan owns and illegal”, and on Sunday said land,” Lavrov said at a press con- In 2018, the US Navy deployed In March, Russia launched more than a quarter. it had “initiated binding arbi- ference in Moscow. “We are re- an aircraft carrier in the Norwe- diff erent situation and here we understand each other better massive Arctic manoeuvres, with The high-altitude mine tration to enforce (Centerra’s) sponsible for ensuring our Arctic gian Sea for the fi rst time since have questions for our neigh- than politicians,” said Russian Putin praising the exercises and a accounted for 12.5% of Kyr- rights under longstanding in- coast is safe.” the 1980s. bours like Norway who are try- political analyst Fyodor Luky- retired admiral saying they were gyzstan’s economy last year. vestment agreements with the As climate change makes the And in February, Washington ing to justify the need for Nato to anov, editor-in-chief of the jour- to send a “signal to our foreign But struggles over the facil- Government”. Arctic more accessible, global in- sent strategic bombers to train come into the Arctic,” he said. nal Russia in Global Aff airs. friends – the Americans”. ity entered unchartered terri- It also accused Kyrgyz law terest in the region’s natural re- in Norway as part of Western ef- The Russian foreign minis- “Even if this measure would In Reykjavik this week, Lavrov tory this month when Presi- enforcement of intimidation sources, its navigation routes and forts to bolster its military pres- ter said “we will talk about this confi rm a return to the Cold War, will also meet with his US coun- dent Sadyr Japarov signed a “including police visits to the its strategic position has grown ence in the region. frankly” at the eight-country it would still be a step forward in terpart Blinken in a test of Mos- law allowing the government homes of several senior KGC among members of the Arctic Lavrov said yesterday that he is ministerial meeting, and sug- this situation,” he told AFP. cow’s strained relationship with to temporarily take over opera- managers and a raid of KGC’s Council as well as China. emphasising “once again – this is gested resuming a regular dia- The Council is expected to is- Washington. tions to remedy what he said offi ce in Bishkek on May 15”. In a speech last month, US our land and our waters”. logue between military chiefs of sue a fi nal communique and a Despite mounting tensions, were environmental and safety Canada, Britain and the Eu- Secretary of State Antony Blinken “When the North Atlantic member countries. common strategic plan for the Russia and the United States violations. ropean Bank of Reconstruc- warned that Russia “is exploiting Treaty Organisation (Nato) tries “It would be perfectly logical next decade at the end of the during climate negotiations ear- The head of a state commis- tion and Development (EBRD) this change to try to exert con- to justify its advance into the to re-establish these relations meeting. lier this year noted the Arctic as sion investigating wrongdo- have all criticised Kyrgyzstan’s trol over new space”, including Arctic, this is probably a slightly between military offi cials who As ice cover in the Arctic de- an area of co-operation. ing at the mine suggested the moves against Centerra.

Cooling off EU targets shipping emissions Youths (right) play in the waters of the Arabian Sea in the port city of Karachi. Meanwhile, volunteers from the Edhi Foundation (below) help a man cool off along the roadside on a hot summer day, yesterday in Karachi. AFP A recovery in big economies start afresh, and we want to make Brussels from the coronavirus (Covid-19) sure that the recovery shifts the pandemic this year and next focus from mere exploitation to means seaborne freight – han- sustainability and resilience,” he European Union’s am- dling 80% of the volume of the said the EU’s commissioner bition to go carbon-neu- world’s trade in goods – is start- for maritime aff airs, Virginijus Ttral by 2050 means slic- ing to expand rapidly. Sinkevicius. ing greenhouse emissions from The European Commission The European Union’s ap- shipping by 90% as part of a hopes to counter the increase in proach covers also other “blue far-reaching plan to shake up the emissions with a plan to encour- economy” sectors, including maritime economy, the EU ex- age the EU’s 27 member states ports, fi sheries, coastal tourism, ecutive said yesterday. and the bloc’s neighbours to in- and greatly increasing renew- “We must change tack and de- vest in sustainable solutions, able ocean energy sources such velop a sustainable blue economy such as more effi cient propul- as wind, waves and tides. where environmental protection sion systems, slow steaming and Together, they all represent and economic activities go hand weather routing. some 4.5mn direct jobs in the EU in hand,” the European Commis- By doing so, it hopes to grab the and about €650bn ($789bn) in sion’s vice-president in charge of initiative from the UN’s Interna- revenue. the EU’s Green Deal, Frans Tim- tional Maritime Organisation, Financing for the transition mermans, said. whose own global plan along the will come from the Commission Maritime transport accounts same lines is perceived as too and the European Investment for 2.5% of greenhouse gas emis- slow and inadequate to meet the Bank Group, which is made up of sions globally and 13% of emis- goals of the Paris Agreement on the European Investment Bank sions from the EU’s transport climate change. and the European Investment sector, the Commission said. “We have an opportunity to Fund.

Separatist parties agree on new Catalan government, months after elections

AFP The pact between the leftist told a news conference. tist ally the far-left, anti-capital- wary of ERC for distancing itself negotiation”, the results of which In January 2020, Prime Minis- Barcelona ERC and the hardline “Together This time around, the coalition ist CUP, which holds nine seats. from plans to stage another break would be evaluated in two years. ter Pedro Sanchez agreed to open for Catalonia” (JxC), which have will be led by ERC as it won one In October 2017, Catalonia’s from Spain and seeking talks on a At that point, a decision would talks with Catalonia’s regional ruled in a regional coalition since more seat than JxC in the election separatist government staged an negotiated solution with Madrid. be taken on whether to continue leaders as part of a deal to win ore than three months 2015, emerged ahead of a May 26 in which the separatist parties illegal referendum then made a “Dialogue (with Madrid) is not talking or “to keep moving to- ERC’s support in the national after regional elections, deadline for appointing a new re- secured 52% of the vote, hand- short-lived declaration of in- our strategy,” JxC’s secretary- wards a Catalan republic” he parliament for his government. MCatalonia’s two main gional leader. ing them 74 of the parliament’s dependence, triggering Spain’s general Jordi Sanchez recently said, without giving further de- Although the talks never got separatist parties said yesterday “We have managed to avoid 135 seats. worst political crisis in decades insisted. tails. off the ground because of the that they had reached agreement a repeat election that nobody ERC has advocated a more and the exile or jailing of the main An initial bid to have Aragones Yesterday’s announcement coronavirus pandemic, they are on forming a ruling coalition, wanted and to reach a good moderate approach to independ- independence leaders. appointed at the end of March followed a weekend poll showing due to begin once a new Catalan heading off the looming threat of agreement on forming a strong, ence based on negotiation with Since then, the issue of dia- collapsed when he won just 42 slipping support for the separa- administration is in place. another vote. unifi ed government,” said ERC Madrid, and Aragones, who has logue with Madrid has been a votes, falling far short of the 68 tist movement, over which the Their positions, however, are Although the wealthy north- leader Pere Aragones, who will served as acting Catalan presi- huge point of friction, particu- needed for an absolute majority. region remains deeply divided. far apart with the separatists eastern region’s pro-independ- serve as president of the region of dent since September, said this larly for JxC whose leader Carles However, yesterday Sanchez In Madrid, government demanding a legally-binding ence parties boosted their show- 7.8mn people. approach would continue. Puigdemont, who was Catalan said the agreement “brings to- spokeswoman Maria Jesus independence referendum and ing in the February 14 elections, “We are beginning a new stage With ERC’s 33 mandates and president at the time, fl ed into gether the two main outlooks of Montero urged the separatist amnesty for their exiled or jailed the main factions were unable with this agreement on a pro- the 32 held by JxC, the coalition exile in Belgium after the failed pro-independence movement”. parties to “abandon the way of leaders. to agree on a government due to independence government ... in will hold 65 of the parliament’s breakaway bid. And Aragones said the new unilateralism”, expressing the Both options have been round- deep disagreements over strat- which we can again move forward 135 seats but will be backed in JxC, which dominated the pre- government would make “a clear leadership’s willingness to renew ly rejected by Sanchez’s govern- egy. towards a Catalan republic,” he parliament by its smaller separa- vious coalition, has been very commitment to enter a phase of talks. ment. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 QATAR

The Toyota hydrogen engine.

The Toyota Corolla Sport with a hydrogen engine. Toyota spurs new engine technology

Toyota is honing its new hydrogen engine technology through a sustainable and prosperous ing diverse technology options. Meanwhile, hydrogen engines vibrations, the statement notes. vehicle will be fuelled using hy- the challenging environment of motorsports mobility society, according to a “I am especially excited as I generate power through the “Toyota has long engaged in drogen produced at the Fuku- press statement issued in Doha believe there is a huge opportu- combustion of hydrogen using the innovation of engine tech- shima Hydrogen Energy Research he Toyota Motor Corpo- 1.6-litre in-line three-cylinder by Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros nity for the uptake of hydrogen in fuel supply and injection systems nology and is applying the tech- Field in Namie Town in Japan’s ration (Toyota) has an- turbo engine that uses com- Co (AAB), the exclusive distribu- the Middle East. that have been modifi ed from nologies that it has continued to Fukushima Prefecture. Tnounced that it is devel- pressed hydrogen as its fuel tor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles “The region has a strong po- those used with gasoline engines, refi ne through its participation in Toyota has been strengthening oping a new hydrogen engine, source. in Qatar. tential to produce clean hydrogen emitting zero CO2 in the process. motorsports in production vehi- its eff orts toward carbon neu- “underlining its commitment to Its fi rst race event will be the “We are excited to put our new from both renewable energy and Combustion in hydrogen en- cles, with the GR Yaris launched trality by promoting the use of achieving a carbon-neutral mo- Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC hydrogen engine technologies to fossil fuel through the technol- gines occurs at a faster rate than last September being one exam- hydrogen through the populari- bility society”. 24 Hours Race, which takes place the test during this year’s Super ogy of Carbon Capture, Utilisa- in gasoline engines, resulting in ple,” the statement says. sation of FCEVs and numerous The engine has been installed from May 21-23 as part of the Su- Taikyu Series,” said Kei Fujita, tion and Storage (CCUS).” a characteristic of good respon- “In addition, Toyota intends to other fuel-cell-powered prod- on a racing vehicle based on Toy- per Taikyu Series 2021 Powered chief representative at Toyota’s Fuel Cell Electrifi ed Vehicles siveness. apply the safety technologies and ucts. ota’s Corolla Sport, which will by Hankook. Middle East and Central Asia (FCEVs) such as Toyota’s Mirai While having excellent envi- know-how that it has accumu- “By further refi ning its hydro- participate in competitive mot- By honing its hydrogen engine Representative Offi ce. “Our par- use a fuel cell in which hydrogen ronmental performance, hydro- lated through the development gen-engine technologies through orsports under the ORC ROOKIE in the challenging environment ticipation underlines Toyota’s chemically reacts with oxygen in gen engines also have the poten- of fuel cell vehicles and the com- motorsports, Toyota is targeting Racing banner. of motorsports, Toyota aims to commitment to achieving car- the air to produce electricity that tial to relay the fun of driving, mercialisation of the Mirai.” the realisation of an even better The vehicle is powered by a contribute to the realisation of bon-neutral mobility by explor- powers the motor. including through sounds and The hydrogen-powered race hydrogen-based society.” ICC marks International Nurses Day

he Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Some screenshots of the virtual gathering that was Qatar observed International organised by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) to observe TNurses Day 2021 in recogni- International Nurses Day 2021, which was held on the tion of the role of nurses as well as of theme of A Voice to Lead – A Vision for Future health and safety. Healthcare. This special day, marked on May 12 every year worldwide, commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale, so- cial reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. The theme for International Nurse Day 2021 is A Voice to Lead – A Vision for Future Healthcare. “The coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- demic has shown the importance of healthcare and investments in health- care,” the ICC said in a statement. “In addition, it has proved that if health- Mariam Nooh al-Mutawa, guest of Indian Doctors Club, addressed the care was not robust, all other sectors honour at the event and acting deputy gathering and supported the event. would suff er.” chief nursing offi cer at Hamad Medi- Nursing associations and bodies India’s ambassador to Qatar Dr cal Corporation, supported the event such as the Federation of Indian Nurs- Deepak Mittal, chief guest at the ICC and appreciated Indian nurses in Qa- es, Qatar (FINQ) and United Nurses of International Nurses Day celebration, tar for their solidarity towards the India, Qatar (UNIQ) also contributed addressed the virtual event. healthcare industry as a team. towards the success of the event. He appreciated nurses “for their re- She concluded her statement by FINQ president Bijoy Chacko and lentless dedication not just during the saying: “Save one life, you are a hero; Mini Siby, president of UNIQ, ex- pandemic but also making themselves save 100 lives you are a nurse.” pressed gratitude for nurses and sup- available at the forefront for genera- The event started with a welcome ported the event. tions”. note by Sudhir R Gupta, joint secre- The event concluded with a vote of The envoy also acknowledged the tary of the ICC. thanks by ICC managing committee support provided by the Ministry ICC president P N Baburaj presided member Anish George Mathew. of Public Health (MoPH) during the over the meeting by sharing his views Elizabeth Varghese anchored the pandemic to Qatar’s citizens as well as and stressing support for frontline event. residents. heroes from the healthcare sector as Cultural programmes, short fi lms Dr Mohan Thomas, president of they continued to provide care, espe- and video presentations, highlight- the Indian Sports Centre, delivered cially during the pandemic. ing the skills and talent of healthcare the keynote address, highlighting the Azim Abbas, president of the Indi- professionals as well as support from signifi cance of the day and expressing an Business and Professionals Coun- their family, were also part of the gratitude towards nurses. cil, and Dr Joel J Mathew, president of event.

Ras Bu Abboud beach project to be complete later this year

The beach project will comprise he Ras Bu Abboud Beach Devel- tion to providing bike racks to make it The project includes the construction buildings and service booths in four opment Project is expected to easier for beach visitors to exercise, jog and development of relevant infrastruc- separate areas, including restaurants Tcompleted by the fourth quar- and cycle. ture, such as drinking water, irrigation and cafes. ter of 2021, according to information There will be landscaping on 11,500sq and electricity networks, surveillance available on the Public Works Authority m, and 469 trees will be planted in order cameras and a network to provide Wi-Fi (Ashghal) website. to provide a suitable healthy environ- service. The project aims to turn the beach ment to further add to the beauty of the The Supervisory Committee’s into a tourist and family destination, beach. projects aim to create a sustainable en- “especially as it is located in a distin- Further, the project will comprise vironment by implementing several guished area that qualifi es it to be one buildings and service booths in four tasks that include building central pub- of the main tourist attractions in Qatar”, separate areas, including restaurants, lic parks, providing pedestrian and cycle according to Ashghal. cafes, and toilets. paths, providing street furniture and The project is being implemented on It will also off er seating areas, um- some decorative lighting, developing an area of 260,000sq m along a stretch brellas and beach showers to serve visi- the Doha Corniche and some beaches, in of 2.2km as part of the works of the Su- tors. addition to developing the Central Doha pervisory Committee of Beautifi cation A distinctive and high-tech lighting area by reviving some internal public of Roads and Public Places in Qatar. network will be put in place, along with roads, vital places, residential areas and The project envisages preparing the surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi devices, plazas. beach to become a suitable recreational to enhance safety on the beach and en- The committee also aims to contrib- destination for practising activities able its users to benefi t from it at night. ute to creating a social environment such as swimming as well as just relax- Parking lots will be available at the with a distinct identity through the ing, and includes an area designated for project site, including parking for per- participation of community members sports activities. sons with special needs, while also pro- in co-ordination with several ministries The project features the construction viding slopes and paths that lead direct- and government agencies in the coun- of pedestrian and cycling paths in addi- ly to the pedestrian and cycling paths. try.