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SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 27 RABIA II- 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8469 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Build your own plan! Terms & Conditions Apply Field work for final phase of census begins tomorrow

QNA — DOHA

The Planning and Statistics The Planning and Authority will launch field work Statistics Authority of the final phase of Qatar called on all citizens Census 2020 tomorrow, which will continue until mid-January and residents, 2021, with the participation of including families and more than two thousand field individuals, to fully researchers. The Authority explained in cooperate with field a statement that the field work researchers and to consists in collecting and com- provide accurate and pleting data on families and individuals, as the researcher correct data due to its will provide the head of the importance in drawing family with three options to up the state’s complete his and his family data, either through a direct development policies National Day parade rehearsal interview with the researcher, and plans. or through the enveloped paper The Armed Forces, the Amiri Guard, the Internal Security Force and the Ministry of Interior conducted yesterday a successful parade form that will be distributed rehearsal for Qatar National Day slated for next Friday. Many high-ranking officials were present at the rehearsal. For the first time, during the field visit, in a way cooperate with field doctors and nurses at the Hamad Medical Corporation and volunteers who worked in combating the spread of the coronavirus, took that allows citizens and resi- researchers and to provide part in the rehearsal at Doha Corniche. PIC: ANVAR SADATH dents to fill it out in a timely accurate and correct data due manner and hand it over to to its importance in drawing up field researchers on another the state’s development policies day during the census period, and plans. 5th Mahaseel Festival from December 23 or by self-completing the elec- The Authority also con- tronic form on the Authority firmed the continuation of the RAYNALD C RIVERA according to Katara’s social the participation of more than encouraging investment in agri- website. self-filling service for the online THE PENINSULA media post. 40 stalls representing local fruit cultural projects. The Planning and Sta- form of the census, which is Since its inaugural edition and vegetable farms, apiaries Workshops, exhibitions, tistics Authority confirmed available until January 7, The Cultural Village Foundation in 2016, Mahaseel (an Arabic and food production companies competitions and other inter- that the field process comes through the link www.psa.gov. (Katara) is preparing to launch word which translates to including 27 Qatari vegetable, active activities were organised in coordination with the Min- qa/census2020.aspx, calling on the fifth edition of the annual ‘Harvest’) has seen huge success honey and date farms, three in the past to raise awareness istry of Public Health in order citizens and residents to fill in Mahaseel Festival this month. having been patronised by the companies manufacturing among children and the general to ensure the implementation their data and the data of their In a post via its social media general public for offering fresh juices and dairy products and public on the different locally of all precautionary measures families electronically because channels, Katara has produce grown by local farmers three poultry and egg com- grown vegetables and fruits, the in place in the country to of the ease, convenience, speed, announced once again it will being sold at cheap prices. panies in addition to Widam importance of fostering a culture combat the spread of corona- accuracy and complete privacy organise Mahaseel Festival this Katara organises this fes- Food Company. of cultivating crops and the sig- virus (COVID-19), indicating of this method. year to offer consumers local tival every year as a way to Last year’s edition coincided nificant role the agricultural that field researchers have The Authority added that produce freshly picked from support the Qatari agricultural with the inauguration of the sector plays in the country’s received intensive training on this method is one of the latest Qatari farms. sector and national livestock Farmers’ Forum office, a first-of- economy. precautionary measures to technological means applied in Mahaseel Festival will open and food products, as well as its-kind in Qatar which plays an Mahaseel Festival provides ensure their safety and the censuses and field surveys to on December 23 and run until offer business opportunities to important role in the agricultural an excellent platform for local safety of community collect data on individuals January 2 from 9am to 9pm at owners of Qatari farms. sector by bringing owners of farms to directly market their members. through an electronic form Katara’s Southern Area, after Organised in cooperation farms together to exchange expe- produce as well as introduce The Planning and Statistics available to all Qataris, whether which the Mahaseel souq will with the Ministry of Munici- riences, providing workshops people to the varieties of fruits Authority called on all citizens inside or outside the country, continue to be open on pality and Environment, the and seminars that contribute to and vegetables grown in Qatar and residents, including fam- in addition to non-Qataris Thursdays, Fridays and Sat- previous edition of the festival the development of local agricul- which they can purchase at ilies and individuals, to fully residing in the state. urdays until March 31, was the biggest yet witnessing tural production, and affordable prices. 291,225 customs declarations last month

AYENI OLUSEGUN THE PENINSULA The GAC completed 266,498 air cargo declarations, The General Authority of Customs (GAC) made 291,225 customs declarations in November, it while the maritime customs said in its monthly newsletter yesterday. The had completed 24,702 GAC completed 266,498 air cargo declara- tions, while the maritime customs had 24,702 declarations. completed declarations. The GAC also released 99 percent of its declarations within an hour. the department’s importance in the GAC’s According to the data, the GAC seized 1,888 overall function. capsules of narcotic pills, the largest made in Al Sulaiti noted that the department’s role November, making 135 seizure reports in that is to combat the customs offences and com- regard. India remained the top exporting country mercial fraud operations. The department also in November, while China replaced the United carries out inspection tours in the shops and States as the leading importing country. warehouses to investigate prohibited, The statistics also disclosed that the restricted, or goods subjected to high and number of customs declarations transferred stored customs duties or offered for sale to government agencies reached 25,009. In without documents indicating their possession contrast, the best government agency in ‘time or legal importation. of release’ was the Environmental Protection He added that the department carries out Reserves & Wildlife Department, whose patrols within the land and sea customs areas average release time was two hours, an hour and at loading and unloading trucks to monitor Enjoying pleasant weather more than its October average. and investigate smuggling offences. In the newsletter’s latest issue, the head of According to Al Sulaiti, the department will Families enjoying pleasant weather near Sheraton Hotel yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Intelligence and Anti-Smuggling Department, open another office at the Abu Samra Port to Mohammad Mubarak Al Sulaiti, highlighted go with Al Ruwais and Hamad Ports offices. Biden, Harris named Time magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ — NEW YORK The Democratic former most tumultuous US presidential CEO Edward Felsenthal credited are Time’s 2020 The two others, both group vice- president and his running campaign in modern times, the victors with succeeding in Person of the Year,” candidates, were the healthcare US President-elect and mate, a California senator waged in the throes of a deadly “an existential debate over what Trump, the 45th US Pres- workers battling the COVID-19 Vice-President-elect Kamala whose election broke gender pandemic, economic devastation reality we inhabit.” ident and Time’s 2016 Person pandemic, and participants in Harris were jointly named Time and racial barriers, together and a strife-torn national reck- “For changing the American of the Year—so honoured a the racial justice movement magazine’s 2020 “Person of the “offered restoration and oning with racism, Biden and story, for showing that the month after his upset election sparked by the May 25 killing Year” , chosen from a list of renewal in a single ticket,” Time Harris prevailed in an election forces of empathy are greater victory as the Republican of George Floyd, a Black man finalists that included the man said in a profile of the pair, pub- that drew the highest voter than the furies of division, for nominee that year— was among who died after a white Minne- Biden vanquished at the polls - lished online with its turnout in a century. sharing a vision of healing in a three other finalists in the apolis officer knelt on his neck President . announcement. Following the Time editor-in-chief and grieving world, Joe Biden and running this year, Time said. for nearly nine minutes. 02 HOME SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020

Qatar to support global OFFICIAL NEWS efforts to implement youth, Amir congratulates peace & security agenda President of Burkina Faso PRAYER QNA — NEW YORK a number of relevant United TIMINGS Nations bodies. DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING The State of Qatar has affirmed She explained that the con- Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir its keenness on supporting inter- ference aims to strengthen H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables FAJR 04.47 am national efforts to implement political will and commitment youth, peace and security agenda towards engaging youth in peace of congratulations to President SUNRISE 06.10 am in accordance with UN Security processes, and to present of the Republic of Burkina Faso DHUHR 11.27 am Council Resolution 2250 (2015), progress made in implementing H E Roch Marc Christian Kabore ASR 02.25 pm announcing the hosting of a the main recommendations of the on the occasion of his country’s high-level global conference on global policy paper issued by the National Day. Prime Minister and MAGHRIB 04.47 pm comprehensive peace processes, first international symposium. Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Kha- ISHA 06.17 pm which will be held in Doha on She said the outcomes of lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al May 29-30, 2021. the conference will include Thani also sent a cable of con- This came in a statement launching guidelines to support gratulations to Prime Minister of made by Permanent Repre- implementation at the country the Republic of Burkina Faso H E The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. sentative of the State of Qatar level for youth, peace and Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, taking part in the CICA meeting. to the United Nations H E security agenda, and launching on the occasion of his country’s Ambassador Sheikha Alya a five-year strategy to promote National Day. -QNA Qatar attends meeting of officials for Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at a comprehensive peace proc- session held in the UN Security esses for youth. confidence building measures in Asia Council Arria-formula: “Youth, She also expressed confi- WEATHER Peace and Security: Capital- dence that this conference will Shura Council TODAY QNA DOHA by Secretary General of the izing on Intergenerational Dia- mark a turning point for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E logue to build and sustain peace youth, peace and security attends seminar The State of Qatar yesterday Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al and enhance social cohesion at agenda by generating political participated in the meeting of Hammadi. community levels.” commitments at the national on climate change senior officials for the During the meeting, the Her Excellency pointed to level and by promoting an ena- Conference on Interaction and regional situation was the participation of the State of bling environment for inclusive QNA — DOHA Confidence Building Measures reviewed, and the experiences Qatar in 2019 with Finland and youth peace processes to 20oC 24oC in Asia (CICA), which was held gained during the outbreak of Colombia in organising the first become more sustainable. The Shura Council participated Minimum Maximum via video conference tech- the coronavirus (COVID-19) international symposium on She stressed that the issue yesterday in a parliamentary nology, chaired by H E First pandemic were discussed in youth participation in the peace of enhancing the participation seminar organised by the Partly cloudy to cloudy at times with Deputy Minister of Foreign order to continue supporting process, which was held in Hel- of young women in peace proc- Inter-Parliamentary Union on weak chance of scattered rain at Affairs of the Republic of Kaza- and strengthening multilateral sinki. She referred to the main esses is an integral part of the adapting to climate change in places, relatively cold by night. khstan Shahrat Nuryshev. cooperation, as well as the outcomes of that symposium program, taking into account mountainous areas and the W ALRUWAIS : 21o → 23o The State of Qatar was rep- adoption of the CICA plan for with a policy paper entitled gender equality in all stages of role of parliamentarians in that W ALKHOR : 14o → 24o resented at the meeting 2021. “We are Here: An integrated preparation, implementation regard. The event was held via approach to youth-inclusive and follow-up of the con- video conference in cooper- W DUKHAN : 17o → 22o peace processes” which has 17 ference outcomes. ation with the Global W WAKRAH 14o → 24o : MoPH: 161 more recover from virus important recommendations She stressed that the State of Programme Climate Change W MESAIEED : 14o → 24o for enhancing youth partici- Qatar, along with the partici- and Environment of the Swiss W ABUSAMRA : 13o → 20o THE PENINSULA — DOHA Also, 161 people recovered pation in peace processes. pating organisers, is working Agency for Development and from the virus bringing the She praised the cooperation tirelessly to ensure that partici- Cooperation (SDC). The Ministry of Public Health total number of cases of the State of Qatar in organ- pation in the conference includes Talks focused on the role HIGH TIDE yesterday announced the recovered in Qatar to 138194. izing the high-level global con- the largest possible number of parliaments can play in 03:15 – 13:30 registration of 164 new All new cases have been ference with Finland and young men and women from ensuring the implementation LOW TIDE 09:23 – 21:18 confirmed cases of COVID-19, introduced to isolation and Colombia, the Office of the Sec- countries in conflict, in addition of commitments to interna- among them 34 cases are from are receiving necessary retary-General’s Envoy for to the broad participation of tional agreements, while travellers returning from healthcare according to their Youth and the Education Above countries that play a mediating ensuring that the safety of high abroad. health status. All Foundation, in addition to role in peace processes. areas remains a priority for their respective countries, given that the legislative Supplementary response to climate change are Generation Amazing Festival inspires youth through football in agreement with the Paris exams for students Climate Agreement and Sendai infected with QNA — DOHA impact the lives of 1 million Framework for Disaster Risk people by 2022 positively. Reduction. The talks also high- virus in January Hundreds of youth from more Vice-Chairperson and CEO lighted the importance of pro- than 50 countries engaged with of QF H E Sheikha Hind bint viding sufficient funding to QNA — DOHA the Generation Amazing Festival Hamad Al Thani, said: “Qatar implement the sustainable 2020, which took place recently. Foundation is delighted to have development goals. The Evaluation Affairs More than 700 youth learned played its part in the success of The Shura Council was Department of the Ministry of about the power of football to the second Generation Amazing represented in the event by HE Education and Higher deliver positive social change in Festival, which has amplified the Member of the Council Ahmed Education issued a circular to their communities. The event was message of how sport can enrich bin Khalifa Al Rumaihi. directors of public and private organised by the FIFA World Cup the lives of individuals and secondary schools that apply Qatar 2022 legacy programme strengthen the fabric of society.” national standards, regarding in collaboration with a range of Secretary-General of the Action against 54 how to conduct study exami- strategic partners and sponsors, Supreme Committee for Delivery nations for students infected including Qatar Foundation (QF), & Legacy (SC), Hassan Al for not wearing with coronavirus, and students Qatar Airways, University Thawadi, said: “We are proud to quarantined for the twelfth Campus of Football Business see the impact of the second mask in public grade (day and adult education). (UCFB), B4Development, beIN annual Generation Amazing Fes- Hassan Al Thawadi and other participants during a webinar. According to the circular, SPORTS, and Ooredoo. The tival, which successfully brought THE PENINSULA — DOHA the absence of these students theme of this year’s festival was together hundreds of youth from from the end of the first ‘connectedness.’ across Qatar, the region and the we are connected,” said interactive booths were also The Ministry of Interior (MoI) semester exam is counted (with The inaugural Generation world on this virtual journey Djorkaeff, a FIFA World Cup organised during the festival as yesterday referred 54 people to an acceptable excuse), and a Amazing Festival took place at aimed at unlocking the trans- winner with France in 1998. participants learned about the the Public Prosecution for not supplementary exam will be Education City last year and wel- formative power of football. “What is important as we are United Nations Sustainable Devel- wearing masks, which is conducted for these students in comed youth and ambassadors “Ten years on from launching connecting is that we are con- opment Goals and personal devel- mandatory as part of COVID-19 the curriculum of the first worldwide. This year’s event took Generation Amazing, this is the tinuing to communicate at a dif- opment activities that could precautionary measures. semester, provided that the date place virtually due to the latest milestone as we use football ficult time…this allows us to think inspire social change. There were no reported vio- of the supplementary exam is COVID-19 pandemic and to change the world for the better. about what we can do and how Generation Amazing youth lations for maximum number of January 19, 2021. included a range o f panel ses- By investing in the development we can act together.” advocate Ahmed Ali, 16, said: “I people in a vehicle. These students are required sions and presentations from of youth through sport, we enable During the festival, other can confirm that the growth Qatar “In the implementation of to bring a certificate from the prominent people from the world them to play a vital role in prominent contributors included is experiencing, especially in the cabinet decision and Law No. Ministry of Public Health of football. improving their future and bet- Machaille Hassan Al Naimi, QF’s terms of its role in supporting dis- 17 of 1990 regarding infectious proving the date of the student’s Since its launch in 2010, Gen- tering their communities.” President of Community Devel- advantaged communities, has diseases, and the preventive and infection with the COVID-19 or eration Amazing has positively FIFA Foundation CEO, Youri opment, SC ambassador, and been significant. I hope that all of precautionary measures in place the date the student was placed impacted the lives of more than Djorkaeff, spoke live at the fes- Australia football legend Tim these diverse and important skills to limit the spread of the virus. in quarantine, and schools send 500,000 people across the world tival and discussed the impor- Cahill, Carli Lloyd, twice a FIFA I have developed will help me in The authorities referred 54 this certificate to the Secondary through its innovative football for tance of keeping connected Women’s World Cup winner with my future as an academic but also people to the Public Prosecution, Certificate Control — the development programmes, throughout the ongoing the USA, Canadian star Karina in promoting equality, sustaina- as they did not comply with Student Assessment which include building facilities COVID-19 pandemic. LeBlanc and AS Roma player bility, and peace,” added Ali, an wearing masks in places where Department — in order to take in disadvantaged communities. “Today, we can’t be in your Andrine Hegerberg. Egyptian national who lives in it is mandatory,” Ministry said in the necessary measures. Generation Amazing is aiming to country to share this moment, but Several workshops and Qatar. a statement.

National Day parade rehearsal The Armed Forces, the Amiri Guard, the Internal Security Force and the Ministry of Interior conducted yesterday a successful rehearsal for the military parade that will take place on Friday (December 18) to mark Qatar National Day. Many high-ranking officials were also present at the rehearsal. The military parade was preceded by paragliding parachutes on the Doha Corniche. PICS: ANWAR SADATH SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 NATIONAL DAY 03

National Day an occasion to remember A milestone and shining light in the nation’s Qatar’s renaissance: GRSIA President march: QGOSM Chairman QNA — DOHA countries affected by the pan- demic. On our part, the QNA — DOHA President of the General Authority has committed itself Retirement and Social The President of the to the directives of the wise The Chairman of Qatar General Insurance Authority (GRSIA) General Retirement and leadership and to the strategic Organization for Standardi- H E Turki bin Mohamed Al Social Insurance plan of state institutions to zation and Metrology (QGOSM) Khater said the National Day deal with the pandemic. Engineer Mohamed bin Saud Al is an occasion that brings Authority indicated that Among the most important Musallam affirmed that the together all who live in Qatar this year was exceptional precautionary measures we National Day, which falls on to recall the renaissance and at an international level have taken was the activation December 18 of each year, will refinement offered by beloved due to the challenge of of tele-work systems and the remain a milestone and a Qatar, and to honour everyone the COVID-19 pandemic, development of electronic shining light in the march of the who contributed to building, services, allowing the public State of Qatar, and that the cele- establishing and serving this indicating its impact to receive many services bration of this occasion reflects dear country with dedication specifically on pension without the need to physical the solidarity of the people and and sincerity. and social insurance presence. Meetings, activities their rallying around their wise Engineer Mohamed bin Saud In a statement to Qatar and training programmes have leadership. funds as well as on the Al Musallam News Agency (QNA) on the performance of financial also been held virtually. In an exclusive statements to occasion of Qatar National H E Turki bin Mohamed Al Khater Moreover, office workers Qatar News Agency, Al Musallam Day, Al Khater said: “This day markets. adhered to the social dis- pointed out that the QGOSM, as success, and to our dear country is dear to the hearts of Qataris process of retirement and tancing and other precau- the Qatari people participate in with the blessing of security, sta- because it reflects the values social insurance systems and tionary measures,” he said. celebrating this occasion which bility, pride, prestige, progress of unity and harmony between developed a five-year stra- As for the challenges that is very important to all (citizens and prosperity. all who live on the beloved tegic plan concurrent with the to meet their future financial faced the State of Qatar, Al and residents), renews the pledge Regarding QGOSM efforts land of Qatar, and evokes the country’s national devel- obligations for future gener- Khater noted that the country and loyalty to Amir H H Sheikh during this year, Al Musallam path of a country full of pride opment strategy 2018-2022, ations, he said explaining that has overcome the challenges Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as explained that the organisation, and dignity, founded by based on three main strategic GRSIA has worked to complete it faced, owing to the insight the leader of our renaissance and as it renews its determination to Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed objectives, namely financial its march in developing its of the wise leadership. He our march, and affirms to support the process of devel- bin Thani when he assumed sustainability of the retirement electronic services provided stressed the challenges turned redouble efforts to raise our opment and the comprehensive power on this glorious day in fund, the development of to its beneficiaries, as part of into opportunities for devel- country, its pride and the dignity renaissance, has made many 1878. The march of devel- institutional performance, and the country’s digital transfor- opment and prosperity, indi- of its people. achievements, including in the opment and prosperity of the strengthening of relations mation policy. He pointed out cating that among the lessons He added that the State of field of specifications and modern Qatar has been with external parties. that the authority raised the learned was the people’s sol- Qatar was able, despite the standards, as the organisation extended under the wise lead- He explained that in order percentage of Qatarisation of idarity behind their wise unjust blockade and the corona- raised 11 special specifications to ership of Amir H H Sheikh to achieve these objectives, 80 jobs to 80 percent of the total leadership, which made the virus pandemic, to realise many limit the spread of the virus Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, projects included in that number of employees. Qatari society an impregnable major development achieve- (COVID-19) in cooperation with in pursuit of the ambitious strategy should be completed, The President of the barricade in the face of chal- ments in various fields, which the European Committee for Qatar National Vision 2030 confirming the completion of General Retirement and Social lenges to preserve the inde- are the result of decades of hard Standardization (CEN), in and assuming the global lead 42 projects. Insurance Authority indicated pendence of the decision and work in light of a clear vision, accordance with the require- in achieving comprehensive “There are 10 ongoing that this year was exceptional protect the nation’s wealth through which the State of Qatar ments of the market and the sustainable development.” projects that will be completed at an international level due to and capabilities. always seeks to be a model at the national factories, in addition to He in his name and on by the end of this year; and the challenge of the COVID-19 Concluding his statement, regional and global levels. raising approximately 100 behalf of the employees of the thus only 35 percent of the pandemic, indicating its impact Al Khater affirmed that the On behalf of himself and on standard specifications for General Retirement and Social authority’s strategic projects specifically on pension and national renaissance march behalf of all of the organization’s accreditation in the fields of engi- Insurance Authority, congrat- are to be completed during the social insurance funds as well under the wise leadership has members, Al Musallam raised the neering, chemistry, oil and gas, ulated Amir H H Sheikh Tamim period 2021-2022,” he said. as on the performance of proceeded with confident highest verses of loyalty and construction and building bin Hamad Al Thani, renewing In this context, Al Khater financial markets. steps to implement devel- blessings to Amir H H Sheikh materials. the pledge of loyalty to the wise referred to the steps being “The State of Qatar is con- opment plans in accordance Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Al Musallam said that the leadership and stressing taken to expand the insurance sidered a global model in the with national strategies, indi- Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad central laboratories in the organ- keenness to exert every effort umbrella in order to cover all efforts to contain the pan- cating that the leadership has bin Khalifa Al Thani and to the isation have examined more than to serve and elevate Qatar and citizens working in all sectors demic, which made it receive paid attention and direct government and the Qatari 629 samples of building materials its citizens. of the state in line with the international praise. Our follow-up to the development people on the occasion of the and 3,418 of weights, and meters, On this occasion, the pres- social protection goals that the health system also deserved of retirement and social State’s National Day. and examined and stamped ident of GRSIA pointed that the state seeks to achieve. In the praise of Amir H H Sheikh insurance systems, because of Al Musallam called upon the about 2.3 tonnes of gold and silver Authority has taken the Qatar addition, the solvency of the Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, their fundamental impact on Lord to repeat this glorious artefacts to verify the conformity National Vision 2030 as a pension funds is being who insured that Qatar the human and economic occasion to His Highness with of these products with the guideline for the development strengthened in the long run, remained one of the least development goals of the state. good health, happiness and approved specifications. Ambassador of Cuba hails Ties with Qatar strong and historic: Ethiopia Ambassador

QNA — DOHA Qatar’s role in strengthening her congratulations to State of COVID-19 pandemic, adding that Qatar, saying “On behalf of the this shows Qatar’s growing resil- international peace, security Ambassador of the Federal Federal Democratic Republic of ience. The Ambassador praised Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopia and on my own behalf, Qatar’s increasing role in dis- QNA — DOHA to Qatar H E Samia Zekaria Gutu I extend my warmest congratu- charging its global responsibility stressed that the relationship lations and best wishes to Amir H as shown in its support to many Ambassador of Cuba to the between Ethiopia and Qatar is H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al countries to help them tackle the State of Qatar H E Eumelio close, distinguished and based on Thani, the Government and coronavirus pandemic. Caballero Rodrguez hailed the historical ties and a common people of Qatar on the occasion She further said, “The support role played by the State of desire to develop them and open of the anniversary of National Day provided to my country is a living Qatar in strengthening inter- wide horizons of opportunities of the State of Qatar.” witness. Taking this opportunity, national peace and security and and areas of cooperation in “The Federal Democratic I would like to once again thank its efforts in resolving disputes various political, commercial, Republic of Ethiopia and the State Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin H E Samia Zekaria Gutu by peaceful means. economic and investment fields. of Qatar have enjoyed friendly Hamad Al Thani and the Gov- In a statement to Qatar In remarks to Qatar News relations over the past years. I do ernment of the State of Qatar for News Agency on the occasion Agency on the occasion of Qatar hope that the existing relations people continued progress and the support provided to Ethiopia of Qatar’s National Day, His National Day, she expressed her and good cooperation between prosperity,” she added. and our nationals residing in Excellency said that the gov- desire to maintain and strengthen our two countries will be further She expressed her appreci- Qatar. The support, which came ernment and people of Qatar the excellent relations between developed in the years to come ation for the extraordinary efforts during that critical moment, H E Eumelio Caballero Rodríguez can be very proud not only for the two countries on official and for mutual benefits of our two that the Government of Qatar has showed the growing bilateral ties being a nation so much personal levels. nations. I wish His Highness good exerted, through its health system, that our two countries are advanced in the economic and happily exists between both The Ambassador extended health, well-being and the Qatari in the successful fight against the pursuing.” social fields despite the various countries and people, based on challenges that it had to face the prevailing mutual throughout history and recent confidence.” times, particularly the Gulf The Ambassador of Cuba Ukraine Ambassador affirms depth of relations with Qatar crisis, but also for the very congratulated Amir H H Sheikh QNA — DOHA “Despite all the difficulties power, partner and friend.” important role that Qatar has Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and caused by the COVID-19 we were “Ukraine and Qatar have vast been playing at the regional and the Qatari people for the great Ambassador of Ukraine to the able to start the investment coop- potential to expand significantly international arena, always success achieved by this young State of Qatar H E Andriy eration between Ukraine and bilateral fruitful cooperation. I practising a policy of peaceful nation since its establishment by Kuzmenko, affirmed the depth Qatar. This year Qatari company consider our cooperation in agri- solutions to conflicts and con- Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed of Qatari-Ukrainian relations, QTerminals won the concession cultural sphere, infrastructure troversies and extending its bin Thani. describing them as a truly strong tender for the Ukrainian seaport and transport, energy, tourism, hand of friendship and solidarity He also congratulated the partnership based on the prin- Olvia and on August 20 the trade and investments as most with other countries in need. State of Qatar on the occasion of ciples of trust, friendship and respective agreement was signed. promising. Ukraine as one of the He said that this sensible the National Day, adding that mutual respect. I hope that this success story will leading world agricultural and serious position of the Gov- “the commemoration of the His Excellency said, in a encourage other Qatari investors exporters has much to offer to the ernment of Qatar vis-à-vis its National Day of Qatar has for me statement to Qatar News Agency to look at Ukraine as a very State of Qatar that pays much people and the international a special connotation this year on the occasion of the National promising investment market,” attention to its food security. We community as a whole has because I am on the eve of cul- Day: “The State of Qatar is the Ambassador added. continue to work hard on been more recently reflected minating my tour of duty of four regarded in Ukraine as a very He further said: “The State expansion of our cooperation, in H E Andriy Kuzmenko in the correct, energetic and years representing the Gov- important and relevant partner of Qatar is an example of con- particular in investment and responsible manner with which ernment and the Cuban people on the international arena. tinuous development and energy spheres,” he said. Qatar has been handling the in this lovely country.” Likewise, Ukraine is regarded in track, especially during the recent progress, of a wise vision of its The Ambassador concluded coronavirus pandemic. He stated that he is experi- Qatar as a friendly country and years: maintaining of intensive future and tireless work to by saying: “I would like to reit- The Ambassador added, “We encing “mixed feeling of sadness promising partner. The existing political dialogue, steady ensure prosperity of its nation. erate our sincere gratitude to Cubans are very proud of par- because very soon I will be friendly atmosphere between our dynamic of annual increase of All of this, combined with the Qatar for providing Ukraine with ticipating with an important saying “hasta la vista” to so many states and friendship between the bilateral turnover, expansion active Qatar's foreign policy, the humanitarian medical aid in number of health professionals, Qatari friends and to a whole our nations give us an excellent of the legal framework of our extensive and successful medi- May, 2020 aimed at combating together with our Qatari friends people that I learned to love so platform for the development of cooperation, launching of direct ation efforts, has allowed the COVID-19. That step was yet in this battle against COVID-19, much, and happiness ...about the a large-scale cooperation.” flights between Doha and Kiev State of Qatar to strengthen sig- another manifestation of true thus confirming the high level of prompt return to my dear Cuba “We attained significant and visa-free regime of travelling nificantly its prestige worldwide friendship and strong partnership friendship and cooperation that and my beloved family.” achievements on our bilateral just to name a few. as a reliable and trustworthy between Ukraine and Qatar.” 04 MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 Hezbollah member sentenced to life for Hariri murder

AFP — LEIDSCHENDAM, Salim Jamil Ayyash, 57, was found guilty in decades. Hariri had opposed the researcher at the Asser Institute NETHERLANDS absentia of murder and terrorism on August 18 Syrian presence in Lebanon. in The Hague, said. Judges said Ayyash was at International tribunals were An international court by the Netherlands-based Special Tribunal for the centre of a network of like “a giant without arms and sentenced a fugitive Hezbollah Lebanon over the huge suicide bombing that mobile phone users who scoped legs” since they relied on states member yesterday to five life out Hariri’s movements for to arrest suspects and could not jail terms for the 2005 assassi- killed the Sunni billionaire politician and injured months before his assassination. enforce orders themselves. nation of former Lebanese 226 others. The court, however, said there was Sentencing Ayyash yesterday, “But even with this prime minister Rafik Hariri and the court said while there was handicap, the STL has now at 21 other people. no direct evidence of Syria or its ally Hezbollah’s no direct evidence of Syria or least established a very author- Salim Jamil Ayyash, 57, was involvement, the attack “most probably had to its ally Hezbollah’s involvement, itative judicial record about found guilty in absentia of involve state actors”. the attack “most probably had what happened 15 years ago, murder and terrorism on August to involve state actors”. thus assisting the Lebanese 18 by the Netherlands-based Salim Jamil Ayyash, one of four “The state with the most to society in moving away from a Special Tribunal for Lebanon men wanted for the assassination gain from Mr Hariri’s assassi- culture of impunity towards one over the huge suicide bombing sentence for each of the five act using an explosive device, of Lebanon’s former prime nation was probably Syria,” of accountability,” said Pau- that killed the Sunni billionaire crimes of life imprisonment, to the “intentional homicide” of minister Rafik Al Hariri. judge Janet Nosworthy said. lussen. The UN Security Council politician and injured 226 be served concurrently.” The Hariri, and of 21 other people, Prosecutors had said five agreed in 2007 to establish the others. Ayyash remains on the court has issued an interna- and attempted homicide of concurrent life terms were the court, billed as the world’s first run, with Hassan Nasrallah, the tional arrest warrant for Ayyash those injured in the attack. in February 2005 when a “only just and proportionate international tribunal set up to head of the Shia Hezbollah for the “extremely grave” The court said there was not suicide bomber detonated a van sentence” for Ayyash, given it probe terrorist crimes. movement, refusing to hand crimes. enough evidence to convict filled with explosives as his was the “most serious terrorist It opened its doors in 2009, him over or to recognise the The Hezbollah chief’s state- three other defendants who armoured convoy drove past on attack that has occurred on although the Hariri trial itself UN-backed court. ments on refusing to surrender were also on trial in absentia — the Beirut seafront. Lebanese soil.” did not formally start until 2014. “Mr Ayyash participated in Ayyash led Judge Re to make the Assad Sabra, Hussein Oneissi The “massive” bombing left Legal experts said the sen- The court has cost at least an act of terrorism that caused “inference” that he was being and Hassan Habib Merhi. 11-metre (33-foot) wide crater tencing was still important, $600m to operate and has so mass murder,” chief Judge shielded from justice, he said. The attack on Hariri, who was “intended to and in fact even without Ayyash in the far heard only four cases, two David Re said as he announced After a years-long trial, served as Lebanon’s prime min- inflicted terror”, the court said. dock. “In absentia trials are of of them for contempt of court the sentence. “The trial Ayyash was convicted in August ister until he resigned in The attack triggered mass course not the ideal way of dis- about news reports with infor- chamber is satisfied that it of conspiracy to commit a ter- October 2004, changed the face that drove Syrian forces pensing international justice,” mation about confidential should impose the maximum rorist act, committing a terrorist of the Middle East. He was killed out of Lebanon after three Christophe Paulussen, senior witnesses. West in dilemma over release of foreigners jailed in Iran

AFP — PARIS foreign governments are only Adelkhah, arrested in June 2019 emboldening Iran to detain and also now under house arrest. Western governments face a more foreigners and seek an Siamak Namazi’s father Baquer, growing dilemma over how to even higher price for their now 84, was jailed in 2016 after secure the release of their liberation. returning to visit his imprisoned citizens and dual nationals “For the past years it has son and still cannot leave Iran. detained in Iran, with activists been clear to us that what we The latest dual national accusing Tehran of engaging in have been witnessing is nothing known to have been detained “hostage diplomacy” by seeking other than hostage taking,” said is German-Iranian woman exchanges. Hadi Ghaemi, executive director Nahid Taghavi, 66, who Iran has in recent years of the New York-based Center according to her daughter repeatedly detained foreigners for Human Rights in Iran. “These Mariam Claren was arrested at and dual nationals on charges kinds of negotiations will only her apartment in Tehran in mid- campaigners and governments encourage and embolden the October and is now held in sol- say are unfounded, with the hostage taking by the Iranian itary confinement in the city’s prisoners only going free after government,” he said. notorious Evin prison, with no months and sometimes even Iran strongly rejects that reason disclosed for her years of painstaking foreign nationals are held as detention. “I know it will be a n empty street is seen during a lockdown amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in the negotiation. hostages, insisting they are marathon and not a sprint,” northern Gaza Strip, yesterday. The most recent high- imprisoned following a legal Claren said. “I do not expect that profile releases of foreign pris- process by the judiciary in she will be back by Christmas.” oners in Iran — of American which the government is not She said that German dip- Daily virus deaths in Turkey at record high Xiyue Wang in December 2019, able to interfere. But speaking lomats had helped get medi- American Michael White in last week, Foreign Minister cation to her mother through AGENCIES — ISTANBUL/GAZA CITY the surge in cases. Turkey ranks Police and security forces March 2020 and Frenchman Mohammad Javad Zarif stated the prison authorities but added fourth globally in the highest were deployed in the streets of Roland Marchal, also in March Iran was open to prisoner Berlin “has to do more”. Turkey’s daily coronavirus number of daily cases, behind the Palestinian enclave on —were all accompanied by the exchanges, saying if Iranian “Berlin cannot ignore this deaths rose to a record 226 in the United States, India and Friday to implement the curfew release of Iranians held abroad prisoners are released abroad human rights abuse and has to the last 24 hours, bringing the Brazil, all countries with much in all districts, which were sep- on sanctions-busting charges. “Iran is ready to reciprocate”. intervene,” she said. country’s total death toll to larger populations. arated from each other and But concern over the tactics “We can do it tomorrow and Asked about her feelings on 15,977, health ministry data Meanwhile, a two-day divided into blocks to facilitate intensified last month with the we can even do it today,” he prisoner swaps, Claren said: showed yesterday. lockdown came into effect in control. release of Australian-British lec- told the Mediterranean Dia- “Normally I would think it a bad Turkey also recorded the Gaza Strip yesterday to curb The Hamas-run interior turer Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who logues conference. But this puts deal to exchange innocent 32,106 new coronavirus cases, a worsening COVID-19 out- ministry said the measures aim was freed in an apparent foreign governments in a tricky people for people who are including asymptomatic ones, break. Until tomorrow at 7 am to reduce contact and over- exchange for three Iranians con- position as they seek the release imprisoned. But as the daughter in the last 24 hours. For four (0500 GMT), all shops except crowding in light of the rise of victed in Thailand over a 2012 of prisoners. They include of Nahid Taghavi I would, in her months, Ankara only reported pharmacies are to be closed and coronavirus cases in the ter- bomb plot that Israel linked to American-Iranian Siamak case, agree.” There also remains daily symptomatic cases but has people will be barred from ritory. General Ali Al-Nadi, attacks against its interests. Namazi, now held for over five immense concern over the case reported all cases since leaving their homes except for director of police operations While sharing joy over years, British-Iranian Nazanin of Ahmadreza Djalali, an Ira- November 25. The government health reasons. and communications, said that Moore-Gilbert’s release, Zaghari-Ratcliffe, jailed in 2016 nian-Swedish researcher who imposed weekday curfews and A nighttime curfew has violations of the measures activists fear that by agreeing and now under house arrest, was sentenced to death on weekend lockdowns to saddle been in place since August. would not be tolerated. to such exchanges and French-Iranian Fariba charges of spying. Hundreds against Kurdish authorities in Iraq's Sulaimaniyah AFP — SULAIMANIYAH, IRAQ

Hundreds protested in Iraq’s north- eastern city of Sulaimaniyah yesterday against Kurdish authorities they accuse of being corrupt and causing a major fiscal crisis. Protests against the Kurdish regional government (KRG) and the region’s main parties broke out last week after months of delayed public sector salaries and pay cuts. Following days of demonstrations in towns and villages in the Sulaim- aniyah region, hundreds gathered outside a local government building in the provincial capital on Friday. “I came to protest for my salaries and for my children’s lives. We’ve had enough of this suffering,” Fatima Hassan, a 25-year-old public sector worker, said. Crowds of protesters around her yelled chants in Kurdish A security man stands guard outside a government office, which was damaged against local authorities, accusing them during a protest over unpaid salaries of the public servants by the Iraqi Kurdish of corruption. They attempted to block regional government, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, yesterday. off the wide boulevard around the building, but riot police quickly invasion that toppled Iraqi dictator to around six million people — eke out deployed and used tear gas to try to Saddam Hussein, the Kurdish region a living on less than $400 per month. disperse the demonstrators. in the north had been developing as an Anger has been swelling for years Piman Ezzedin, a former law- autonomous zone, with Western at the ruling elite, with Kurdish Iraqis maker in the Kurdish region’s auton- backing. Following Saddam’s ouster, accusing the Barzani clan -- from omous parliament and a member of the region tried to draw in investments which the region’s current prime the opposition Goran (Change) from multinational energy companies minister and president hail -- of cor- Movement, said security forces had while expanding its public sector ruption and embezzlement of state detained around a dozen organisers payroll — creating a major debt crisis. funds. The spontaneous protests of Friday’s rally just as it was starting, Since 2014, Iraqi Kurdistan has echo similar rallies that erupted in around 1:30 pm local (1030 GMT). borrowed more than $4bn to stay October last year in Baghdad and A relative of the former lawmaker afloat, experts say. According to the Shiite-majority areas of Iraq — but said that Ezzedin was subsequently United Nations, 36 percent of house- not in predominantly Kurdish or detained. Even before the 2003 holds across Iraqi Kurdistan — home Sunni regions. SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 05

At least 10 Turkey rejects EU militants killed in sanctions plan Somalia airstrike QNA — MOGADISHU

AFP — ISTANBUL At least ten militants were "We have deep-rooted killed in an airstrike which was Turkey yesterday dismissed as political and economic conducted in southern “unlawful” a relations with both the US Somalia, officials said. plan for sanctions over its The Somali ministry of maritime disputes with Greece and the EU which neither of information said the two air- and Cyprus, as President Recep them can ever disregard or strikes conducted in cooper- Tayyip Erdogan urged calm. risk losing. An agenda of ation with US Africa Command After a marathon Thursday sanctions imposed due to (Africom) targeted militants’ summit, EU leaders decided to political aims and irrational explosives factory and storage draw up a list of Turkish targets facility in the vicinity of Jillib. for sanctions. basis is harmful for all sides The initial assessment But Turkey, an EU can- and do not bring any indicates the strike killed eight didate country whose accession benefits or profits,” the terrorists who were known to process has frozen over many Turkish President Recep play important roles in pro- issues, is also at risk of such Tayyip Erdogan said. ducing explosives for militants, reprisals from Nato ally the to include vehicle-borne United States over its acqui- The Kuwaiti Knights improvised explosive devices sition of Russian defence common sense displayed a (VBIEDs). These devices are systems. positive approach and foiled Members of the Kuwaiti knights team carry a national flag as they perform with their horses on the used frequently to target The extent of European and this game,” speaking to seaside, 70km west of Kuwait City, yesterday. innocent civilians. possible US sanctions was not reporters in Istanbul. immediately known, but they “We have deep-rooted could weigh on the vulnerable political and economic rela- Turkish economy. They could tions with both the US and the Ethiopia returns refugees who fled Tigray fighting also hurt the already depreci- EU which neither of them can ating Turkish currency, which ever disregard or risk losing,” AP — NAIROBI said. “We had not been suffered further losses yes- Erdogan said in another informed in advance by the terday before rallying. address later yesterday. In a development the United government.” “We reject the biased and In an apparent attempt to Nations calls “disturbing,” Given the trauma the ref- unlawful attitude which had to calm things down, he said: “We Ethiopia yesterday said it is ugees say they witnessed in be inserted into the December have never taken and will returning thousands of refugees Tigray, they should be protected 10 EU summit conclusions after never take any step that will who ran from camps in its outside the region, the agency the pressure of solidarity and harm the spirit of these Tigray region as war swept said. It also noted that the veto,” the Turkish foreign min- relations.” through, putting them on buses refugee camps have had no istry said in a statement. “An agenda of sanctions back to the border area with access to services and supplies The list of individuals tar- imposed due to political aims Eritrea, the country the refugees for more than a month. geted by the sanctions would and irrational basis is harmful originally fled. Aid groups say thousands of be known in the coming weeks. for all sides and do not bring The news came as the the Eritrean refugees have fled But a lack of consensus any benefits or profits,” the United States said it believes to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis among member states blocked Turkish leader added. Eritrean troops are active in Ababa, and the Tigray capital, broader economic sanctions He said Turkey believed Ethiopia, which it called a Mekele. Ethiopia’s government and prevented Greece’s any issue could be “resolved “grave development.” said their “unregulated People collect water distributed by the Ethiopian Defence Forces attempts to impose a European through dialogue and “We are aware of credible movement” makes it difficult in the village of Hadaelga, west of the town of Alamata, yesterday. arms embargo on Ankara. cooperation.” reports of Eritrean military to ensure their security and “I will not reveal the Erdogan’s comments involvement in Tigray,” a State provide them with aid. drama,” a Western diplomat appear to be an attempt to Department spokesperson said chief recently warned that the Eritrea, described by rights Their camps are now stable said of Thursday’s meeting. protect the Turkish economy, in an email. “We urge that any reported targeting of Eritrean ref- groups as one of the world’s and under Ethiopia’s “full “You see that part of the whose growth is a major pillar such troops be withdrawn ugees, if confirmed, “would be most repressive countries, has control,” the statement said, public’s expectations which of support for his government, immediately.” major violations of international remained almost silent on the adding that “transportation of were raised by some European from the potential devastating Ethiopia’s government said norms.” Tigray residents who fled Tigray conflict and is a bitter food to the camps is under countries are not present in the impact of tougher European its completed military offensive into Sudan have asserted that enemy of the fugitive Tigray way.” But communications and conclusions and that certain and American sanctions. against the now-fugitive Tigray gunfire came from the direction government. transport links to Tigray remain things that aired publicly, US sanctions over the regional government “was not of Eritrea as the conflict began. “We received alarming so challenging that the Interna- including an arms embargo, S-400 air defence system, pur- a direct threat” to the 96,000 UN Secretary-General messages from Eritreans living tional Rescue Committee said were not in the conclusions,” chased from Russia, would be “misinformed” Eritrean ref- Antonio Guterres this week said abroad and when we looked it was still trying to confirm the the diplomat added. “This is the “disrespectful”, Erdogan said ugees — even as international Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, last into them, ascertained that details around the killing of an result of discussion.” in comments published by aid groups said four of their year’s several hundred refugees had employee in the Hitsats refugee But Erdogan played down Turkish media yesterday after staffers had been killed, at least winner, had “guaranteed to me been put on buses this morning camp in Shire town, the base of the bloc’s plans. He said some US reports that the measures one in a refugee camp there. that (Eritrean forces) have not to be returned to the Tigray humanitarian operations for the “countries in the EU with were imminent. The United Nations refugee entered Tigrayan territory.” region,” the UN refugee agency refugee camps. Chief justice of Nigeria to reopen COVID-19 South Africa isolation centres as cases surge unrepentant for BLOOMBERG — ABUJA pandemic,” Health Minister linking vaccines Osagie Ehanire told a briefing Nigeria is set to reopen on Thursday. to Satanism COVID-19 isolation and Nigeria’s infectious disease treatment centers as the center said it has provided a REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG number cases jumped to the public health advisory to cit- highest in more than five izens on the situation. South African Chief Justice months, according to the health The country of more than Mogoeng Mogoeng yesterday ministry. 200 million people has 71,344 dismissed concerns that he Testing centres across the confirmed Covid-19 cases and might be endangering country reported 675 cases on 1,190 deaths. people’s health by linking Thursday, the highest number A presidential task force coronavirus vaccines to a of daily infections since July 1 plans to request special funding “Satanic agenda”. when 790 were recorded, in next year’s budget to secure It was the first time since according to data on the at least 21 million doses of the outbreak of the pandemic website of the Nigeria Centre vaccine from the World Health that a senior judge had aired for Disease and Control. Infec- Organization-backed Covax such preoccupations. tions have risen sharply in the initiative. South Africa has registered past two weeks, the agency The National Agency for more than 22,700 deaths from added in a post on Twitter Food and Drug Administration COVID-19, by far the highest Sailing in the Bosphorus Friday. and Control expects to license number on the continent. “We may be at the verge of one of the vaccines under Worries quickly surfaced, in a Ferries, with the city’s skyscrapers in the background, sail in the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. the second wave of this development globally by April. country where new medical interventions are often con- troversial, that people might avoid vaccination as a result New report says part of South Sudan is ‘likely in famine’ of the comments. After South Africa began AP — JUBA means at least 20% of house- statement earlier this week, it The violence is the worst in were killed. Acting army hosting the continent’s first holds are facing extreme food urged caution in claiming Jonglei state and the Greater spokesman Santo Domic Chol coronavirus vaccine trial, anti- One county in South Sudan is gaps and at least 30% of famine conditions and said any Pibor Administrative Area, said the army has never denied vaccine activists protested likely in famine and tens of children are acutely famine occurring on the gov- where hunger is the most civilians access to aid. against Africans being used as thousands of people in five malnourished. ernment and aid community’s severe. The problems have been test subjects. other counties are on the brink “Considering all the evi- watch is a “testament of failure “This famine is a result of compounded by the worst local Two decades ago, then- of starvation, according to a dence available, famine is most by both parties.” the broader impact of violence flooding in decades, which has president Thabo Mbeki new report by international likely ongoing, and we expect Aid workers worry that on human lives,” said Edmund displaced more than 1 million famously questioned whether food security experts. a high rate of death in that already challenging humani- Yakani, executive director of the people since July. Most of them the human immunodeficiency Nowhere in the world has area,” said Chris Newton, a tarian access will become more Community Empowerment for are in Jonglei and the Greater virus (HIV) caused AIDS, which been in famine since one was former UN World Food Program difficult in these hungry areas. Progress Organization, a civil Pibor Administrative Area, has ravaged the country. declared nearly four years ago staffer with years of experience The report says there is less society group. He blamed “pol- according to the UN. Mogoeng, who frequently in South Sudan’s Unity state as in South Sudan. than a 50% chance that planned iticians who tend to use vio- On a visit to the community displays his avid Christian faith civil war raged. Now western “The condition is cata- food assistance will be delivered lence as an option for con- of Old Fangak in Jonglei last while performing his duties, Pibor county is feared to have strophic, and the humanitarian to the affected areas in the trolling power.” month, displaced residents said prayed at a public event on reached that crisis level, the community and the government months ahead. Between January and May the floods had wiped out their Thursday that people should result of massive flooding and will have to scale up our South Sudan has been strug- there was a 220% increase in crops and cattle. be spared any vaccine that deadly violence that has pre- assistance,” said Meshack Malo, gling to recover from five years incidents of intercommunal vio- “It is difficult to get food sought to “advance a Satanic vented access to aid. country representative for the of war that killed almost lence compared with the same unless we get it from the agenda of the mark of the The new report stops short UN’s Food and Agriculture 400,000 people, according to period two years ago, the U.N. humanitarian organizations,” beast”. of declaring famine, which Organization. a past study by the London has said, with the government said a dispirited Regina Nyakul. Addressing questions would kick aid efforts into The report says catastrophe School of Hygiene & Tropical and opposition often providing Since her home was destroyed about this at a news con- higher gear, because of insuffi- conditions are also occurring in Medicine. A coalition gov- arms. by the floods, the mother of nine ference on Friday to release a cient data. But based on five counties across South ernment formed this year A UN panel of experts has shelters in a school with her judiciary report, Mogoeng said: available information, famine Sudan in Jonglei, Warrap and between President Salva Kiir said the fighting prevented children. Sometimes they fall ill “If there is any vaccine that is is thought to be occurring, Northern Bahr el Ghazal states, and opposition leader Riek people from cultivating, blocked due to a lack of food, she said. deliberately intended to do according to the Famine Review where 5% to 10% of the popu- Machar is implementing a peace supply routes and burned down At the market, trader harm to people, that vaccine Committee report released by lation is facing starvation. deal behind schedule, while markets while humanitarian Gatluak Billiew said the floods must never see the light of day. the Integrated Food Security South Sudan’s government deadly violence continues in warehouses were looted and had spoiled food commodities I cry unto God to stop it.” Phase Classification. That did not endorse the report. In a parts of the country. several humanitarian workers and made it difficult to restock. 06 HOME SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020

Mall of Qatar CALVIN KLEIN BIRKENSTOCK Qatar Desgin Saudia Hypermarket Sun & Sand SKECHERS TOMMY HILFIGER JEANS CALL IT SPRING ALSAEED TRADING Saudi Mini Mart Nike Kiddy Zone Al Najma Carter’s CHARLES & KEITH CALVIN KLEIN CENTRE Saudia Hypermarket UD Kiddy Zone Gulf Mall LG Homes R us DUNE JEANS MERCH & PARTNERS CO Asian Town Al Wakra Centrepoint Palms Mall GANT HUSH PUPPIES CHARLES & KEITH Bombay silk centre Max Centrepoint LAKELAND KENZ Mini Mart ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM LG COOL CLUB Villeroy and Boch Max RITUALS CROCS Saudia Department AL EMADI TRADING Co Home Centre Rivano design Mesaieed Nike SKECHERS DUNE Stores Al-Taadhod Group ATHLETES CO Mohamed Elshenawy LG Vans TOMMY HILFIGER HERSCHEL Al Saad Happy Baby Center CCC Group Sun & Sand Lagoona Mall LA VIE EN ROSE Rawabi Hypermarket CROCS Souq Waqif Saudia Department Tash Ladies Textiles Timberland LC WAIKIKI RETAIL MART LC WAIKIKI TAMIMA DUNE LG ALDO Stores RITUALS LEVIS FANTINO SHOES LEVIS Souq Al Ali ALDO ACCESSORIES Al Amana Decor TAMIMA TOMMY HILFIGER NATURALIZER Umm Salal REEBOK ATHLETES CO NAUTICA Levante Contracting Al Asmakh Mall TAMIMA Al Nasr Street and Trading Happy Baby Center R&B BEVERLY HILLS HUSH PUPPIES Centrepoint Al Markhiya Al-Taadhod Group Tawar Mall POLO CLUB Solez NEW YORKER LG Max TAMIMA MERCH & PARTNERS CO BIRKENSTOCK Ezdan Mall Alwakra NINE WEST Al-Taadhod Group1 Home Centre Rawabi Hypermarket Anotah Co CALL IT SPRING SKECHERS Al-Taadhod Group2 Landmark Faleh Souq Saving Square Trading FANTINO SHOES CALVIN KLEIN Homes R us THE CHILDRENS PLACE TAMIMA ALSAEED TRADING CASA MODA ULTIMA SHOES JEANS LC WAIKIKI TOMMY HILFIGER GANT R&B Bin Omran CENTRE ANOTAH CHARLES & KEITH TOMMY HILFIGER ALDO Souq Al Nagada REEBOK Al Shaheen EST Barwa Street Kiddy Zone CROCS KIDS CHARLES & KEITH SMYK Madinat Khalifa FANTINO SHOES DUNE TOMMY JEANS Al-Taadhod Group EL CRYSTAL TAMIMA DUNE LA VIE EN ROSE R&B Al Mora RETAIL MART Al Dafna Kiddy Zone HUSH PUPPIES Msheireb LC WAIKIKI RITUALS The Souq HAZARD TRADING Rawabi Hypermarket NINE WEST Panda Hyper Market LEVIS Umm Ghuwailina LG Dana centre Old Airport RITUALS Bombay Silk Centre Madina Central NATURALIZER ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM Carter’s FASHION WORLD Home Centre Kiddy Zone NEW YORKER AL EMADI TRADING Co Passion Al Shaheen EST SKECHERS LG R&B NEW TAIF HYPERMARKET G2000 Mosaic Gallery SMYK Babyshop TAMIMA Porto Arabia GANT RITUALS Al-Taadhod Group Kiddy Zone Al Refaa Kiddy Zone Al Gharafa Villeroy and Boch Barwa Village Wakra SKECHERS Nabco Furniture Center Al Kharaitiyat Al Emadi Electronics EST HAPPY BABY Nike Centrepoint New Industrial Area TOMMY HILFIGER Ocean Import and Export Al Rayan Al MAJSLIS SHOPPING CENTER The north face GRAND Max LG Al Jameel Showroom Al Majlis SHOPPING ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM HYPERMARKET ALSAEED TRADING TAMIMA Vans LG CENTER AL EMADI TRADING Co LG City Centre CENTRE Villeroy and Boch NU Athlete TAMIMA NEW INDIAN Al Khor Mall Under Armour Timberland Villeroy and Boch Al-Taadhod Group Nabco Furniture Center Colombia SUPERMARKET Splash The Mall Centrepoint LG R&B Louis FERAUD Old Ghanim Lifestyle ALDO Max TAMIMA Balmain BIRKENSTOCK Al Duhail ALSAEED TRADING FANTINO SHOES Ezdan Mall Gharafa pierre cardin Home Centre ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM CENTRE ULTIMA SHOES Hyatt Plaza TAMIMA Louis FERAUD AEROPOSTALE AL EMADI TRADING Co Al Mansoura Al Shaheen EST ALDO Homes R us Al Maamoura ALDO Doha Festival City ALSAEED TRADING Rawabi Hypermarket ALDO ACCESSORIES ALDO BEVERLY HILLS Selection Interiors CENTRE Lifestyle ATHLETES CO ATHLETES CO Under Armour POLO CLUB Centrepoint Furniture Al Khor Rawabi Food Center ATHLETES CO KIDS CHARLES & KEITH CALVIN KLEIN LC WAIKIKI Max Max BEVERLY HILLS Salwa Road ALSAEED TRADING JEANS NATURALIZER Home Centre Saudia Hypermarket POLO CLUB CENTRE CHARLES & KEITH BEVERLY HILLS AEROPOSTALE BRADMA-PULSES NUTS Al Emadi Electronics EST CALL IT SPRING Al-Taadhod Group DUNE POLO CLUB ALDO AND CHOCOLATES Saudia Hypermarket Dar Al Salam Mall CHARLES & KEITH SKECHERS NINE WEST ALDO ACCESSORIES AL MAJLIS SHOPING CENTER LA VIE EN ROSE TAMIMA LG R&B MERCH & PARTNERS CO ANTA NATURALIZER Midas Furniture Kiddy Zone Centrepoint Kiddy Zone ATHLETES CO SKECHERS Al Saif A/C Max NEW YORKER Villaggio Mall ATHLETES CO KIDS Muaither TOMMY HILFIGER PAN EMIRATES Sun & Sand SKECHERS BEVERLY HILLS New Happy Baby LG ALDO FURNITURE THE CHILDRENS PLACE POLO CLUB CROCS SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 07 India: Protesting farmers ask top court to scrap new laws

AP — NEW DELHI cartelization and commercial- ization of agriculture and make Indian farmers filed a petition The petition was filed by farmers vulnerable to cor- with the Supreme Court the Bharatiya Kisan porate greed. yesterday seeking the quashing Union, or Indian Farmers’ Agriculture Minister of three new laws on agricul- Narendra Singh Tomar on tural reform which they say Union, and its leader, Thursday said the government will drive down crop prices, as Bhanu Pratap Singh, who is willing to amend the laws to they continued their two-week argued that the laws allay the farmers’ concerns, but blockade of highways were arbitrary because they should give up their connecting to the Indian the government enacted insistence on scrapping them. capital. The farmers say the laws, The Supreme Court is them without proper passed in September, will expected to take up the petition consultations with deregulate crop prices and after seeking the government’s stakeholders. devastate their earnings. They response. No date was set for fear the government will stop a hearing. buying grain at minimum guar- The petition was filed by anteed prices and corporations the Bharatiya Kisan Union, or The protest leaders will then push prices down. The Indian Farmers’ Union, and its announced that farmers will government says it is willing to leader, Bhanu Pratap Singh, block more highways on Sat- pledge that guaranteed prices who argued that the laws were urday and organize a will continue. arbitrary because the gov- nationwide shutdown of busi- With nearly 60% of the ernment enacted them without nesses next Monday unless Indian population depending proper consultations with their demands are met. They on agriculture for their liveli- Farmers shout slogans as they depart for Delhi to protest against the central government’s recent stakeholders. also threatened to block trains hoods, the growing farmer agricultural reforms in Amritsar, Punjab, yesterday. Five round of talks between in coming days. rebellion has rattled Prime the government and farmers The farmers petitioned the Minister Narendra Modi’s camping in New Delhi’s out- produce and boost production states. The situation escalated since November have failed to court yesterday after rejecting administration and its allies. skirts. Modi’s government through private investment. two weeks ago when tens of halt the blockade, with the pro- a renewed government offer Heavy contingents of police insists the reforms will benefit Farmers have been pro- thousands marched to New testers continuing to insist that of talks. The petition said the in riot gear patrolled the areas farmers. It says they will allow testing the laws for nearly two Delhi, where they clashed with the laws be repealed. laws will lead to the where the farmers have been farmers to market their months in Punjab and Haryana police. HK teen found Indian doctors suspend work over new federal rule guilty in flag REUTERS — MUMBAI Thousands of non-critical consultations and surgeries from trained to perform surgical pro- The notification listed 39 medical operations and routine morning until evening yesterday cedures trivialises the medical general surgery procedures and insult case Around a million doctors in India consultations across the country were suspended, “ said Rajan profession,” said Sharma. Last around 19 procedures involving went on a day-long strike were set to be disrupted as the Sharma, the head of IMA, adding month, Prime Minister Narendra the eye, ear, nose and throat. yesterday amid the coronavirus Indian Medical Association that the strike would not affect Modi’s government introduced Sharma said the IMA had AFP — HONG KONG pandemic to protest against a (IMA), the umbrella body for all treatment to COVID-19 patients. a rule that allowed post- written to the government new federal government rule conventional doctors and sur- “The government’s decision graduate practitioners of against the new rules but was A Hong Kong teenager was that allows practitioners of the geons, declared a decision to to bring in a rule that allows Ayurveda, the ancient Indian yet to secure a response. India’s found guilty yesterday of traditional science of Ayurveda suspend work for 12 hours. practitioners in specified science of medicine, to perform AYUSH ministry did not respond insulting China’s national flag to perform minor surgeries. “All non-essential streams of Ayurveda to be certain surgeries. to a request for comment. and unlawful assembly as Beijing accelerates its crackdown on dissent and the city’s pro- democracy movement. Taiwan launches Pro-Beijing authorities have increasingly targeted the most prominent activists in the finance hub, including young new fleet of own leaders such as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, who were jailed last week. patrol vessels Tony Chung, a 19-year-old who led a now-disbanded pro- democracy group, was con- AP — KAOHSIUNG the military aviation industry victed for throwing the Chinese with the production of new flag to the ground during scuffles Taiwan’s president launched a trainer jets and has pushed for outside Hong Kong’s legislature new fleet of domestically made the development of more in May 2019. Coast Guard patrol vessels sophisticated systems by uti- “The actions of the yesterday, in a boost to the lising the island’s high-tech defendant were out of question island’s plans to strengthen its industries. defiling the national flag in an defence capabilities as tensions Tsai has also pushed for an open manner. The defendant rise with China. indigenous made submarine, walked back and jumped to The new Anping (CG-601) launching the production of the throw the flag which made more vessel is the first of 12 locally machine in November after four people able to see what he did,” designed and built 600-ton class years of research and design. Magistrate Peony Wong said. catamaran patrol vessels that “I believe that with the He was arrested by plain- can also be used in a military addition of new ships, it will be clothes police opposite the US President Tsai Ing-wen waves while on the Anping coast guard ship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, yesterday. capacity. The ships “are superior able to better demonstrate the consulate in late October and in speed and function compared courage of maritime patrol in had been remanded in custody to previous ships of the same enforcement and their determi- II or Hsiung Feng III anti-ship breakaway province that is part island of 24 million people, since.Speculation has swirled tonnage, demonstrating the nation to safeguard the blue- missiles. of its territory and has been which lies 160km off China’s that police moved on Chung technical strength of Taiwan’s colored national territory,” Tsai In recent years, Tsai has upping its threats to bring the southeast coast across the because he was hoping to ask shipbuilding industry,” President said, referring to the waters that gained approval from the US for island under control by force as Taiwan Strait. for asylum at the US consulate Tsai Ing-wen said at the launch surround Taiwan. the purchase of billions of dollars economic and political entice- The Coast Guard said the in Hong Kong. ceremony in the southern city The new Anping vessels are in weapons, including upgraded ments bear little fruit. boat is expected to help combat He did not plead guilty to the of Kaohsiung. outfitted with high-pressure F-16 fighter jets, armed drones, China has stepped up mil- smuggling and illegal border- flag insult or unlawful assembly, Tsai has made boosting Tai- water cannons, and there is rocket systems and harpoon itary exercises near Taiwan this crossing activities. The boats will which carry a maximum of three wan’s indigenous defense space for converting into a full missiles capable of hitting both year, flying fighter jets and also play an important role in the and five years respectively. capacity a central pillar of her fledged missile corvette armed ships and land targets. reconnaissance planes on an Coast Guard’s operations against He will be sentenced on defence policy. She relaunched with Taiwan-made Hsiung Feng China regards Taiwan as a almost daily basis toward the illegal sand mining. December 29. Rohingya widow seeks $2m in Australia halts local COVID-19 vaccine development compensation from REUTERS — SYDNEY Oxford vaccine REUTERS — September 2017, according to a being developed subsequent Reuters investi- Australia cancelled the with Britain’s A Rohingya woman is seeking gation. Myanmar’s army said it production of a locally made AstraZeneca, $2 million in compensation for sentenced the soldiers respon- vaccine against COVID-19 after taking the total the death of her husband who sible for the killings to terms of trials showed it could interfere to 53 million. was killed by government 10 years with hard labour, but with HIV diagnosis, with the The gov- soldiers during a 2017 military they were released after less government instead securing ernment said it crackdown in western Myanmar, than a year. additional doses of rival vaccines. has also secured lawyers said. “My husband was killed and Antibodies generated by the additional doses Legal Action Worldwide Myanmar has let those soldiers vaccine being developed by the of Novavax (LAW) and international law firm who did that go free,” she said in University of Queensland (UQ) vaccines. McDermott Will & Emery said a statement. and biotech firm CSL, one of four Australia they filed a complaint on “I am seeking justice for my candidates contracted by the also has a con- Thursday, with Myanmar’s husband and for all Rohingya, Australian government, were tract for 10 human rights commission on who have faced many similar found to lead to some false pos- million doses of behalf of Setara Begum, whose issues,” said the 23-year-old. itive HIV test results, the makers a vaccine being husband Shoket Ullah was killed Reuters journalists Wa Lone said. developed by at Inn Din village in Rakhine and , who docu- While the vaccine had Pfizer, with reg- People cross a street in the city centre following further easing of coronavirus disease state. Her claim is the first com- mented the killings in an inves- elicited a “robust” immune ulatory approval restrictions in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday. plaint related to the Rohingya tigative report, spent more than response to the novel SARS- expected by known to have been filed 16 months in jail after being con- COV-2 virus without serious January 2021. through Myanmar’s humanww victed of obtaining state secrets. adverse effects in a Phase 1 trial JPMorgan analysts said the territory leaders in Canberra - Australian consumer sentiment rights commission, according to They were released in an with 216 participants, re-engi- cancellation of the CSL contract their first in-person meeting in is climbing again as the country LAW, a legal non-profit organi- amnesty in May 2019. neering a fix could take another removed an “important” oppor- nine months - to plan the vacci- re-emerges from the pandemic sation based in Geneva. More than 730,000 12 months, they said. tunity for the vaccine maker that nation roll-out and to develop faster than most. Representatives of the Rohingya were driven into CSL and the Australian gov- would have brought it A$100 seasonal visas for skilled workers Australia’s tally of 28,000 human rights commission were neighbouring Bangladesh during ernment had together decided million ($75 million) in extra rev- and students. COVID-19 infections is far fewer not available to comment when the military campaign in 2017 to stop Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. enues. All up, Australia has “We want to ensure that Aus- than in many other developed contacted by Reuters and a gov- that the United Nations has said “While this is a tough secured 140 million vaccine units tralians... have full confidence, countries, and with only sporadic ernment spokesman did not was executed with genocidal decision to take, the urgent need to inoculate its 25 million people, absolute full confidence that cases of the virus now showing reply to an email requesting intent. The country is facing for a vaccine has to be everyone’s one of the highest ratios of when it gets the tick, they can get up, it has not raced to start vac- comment or answer phone calls. charges of genocide at the Inter- priority,” said UQ professor Paul vaccine purchases to population the jab, and they can make that cinations as in North America Begum’s husband Shoket national Court of Justice in the Young. in the world, officials said. decision for themselves and for and parts of Europe. Ullah, a 35-year-old fishermen, Hague and the International CSL, which had a contract to The cancellation was their families, confidently,” Mor- The country is scheduled to was among 10 men and boys Criminal Court has approved an produce 51 million doses of the announced before Prime Min- rison told reporters. start vaccinations in March 2021 killed by soldiers and villagers investigation into crimes against UQ vaccine, will instead produce ister Scott Morrison’s final Despite suffering significant and expects to inoculate its whole and buried in a shallow grave in humanity. an extra 20 million doses of the meeting this year with state and economic hits due to COVID-19, population by the end of the year. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 Qatar reiterates efforts to support restoration Established in 1996 of security and peace in Afghanistan CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI QNA The State of Qatar is proud of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF its role in the context of inter- DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI national efforts aimed at [email protected] helping the brothers in Afghanistan to reach the desired peace, by playing a ACTING MANAGING EDITOR mediating role, with the MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED support of friendly countries, [email protected] led by the United States. Qatar stressed that its endeavors to support the res- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR toration of security, peace and MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI prosperity in Afghanistan [email protected] reflects its firm foreign policy, which attaches importance to promoting the settlement of disputes through peaceful EDITORIAL means and mediation. This came in a statement made by Permanent Repre- sentative of the State of Qatar A historic budget to the United Nations H E Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, H E Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed Ambassador Sheikha Alya bin Saif Al Thani, attending the 75th session of UN General Assembly on “The situation in Afghanistan”. THE general budget of the State of Qatar for the fiscal Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani year 2021, approved by the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim before the 75th session of UN bin Hamad Al Thani, affirmed the strength and resil- General Assembly on “The sit- Qatar hosted the Afghan challenges due to precau- (UNAMA), expressing appreci- ience of the economy despite the challenges posed by uation in Afghanistan”. peace negotiations last Sep- tionary measures from the ation for the important role of the pandemic. Her Excellency said the tember, and considered them coronavirus pandemic, the neighboring and friendly coun- Minister of Finance H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi efforts of the State of Qatar to an important step towards State of Qatar’s mediation tries, whether in cooperation announced that total revenue estimates, were support the restoration of achieving the desired com- continued to push the dia- and coordination with the QR160.1bn. The total expenditures were QR194.7bn, security, peace and prosperity prehensive political set- logue between the Afghan Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, leading to a projected deficit of QR34.6bn. H E Al Emadi in Afghanistan reflects its firm tlement in Afghanistan, parties. Last summer it or in providing humanitarian said the Ministry of Finance will look to cover the deficit foreign policy that attaches putting an end to the state of managed to reach a ceasefire and development assistance using the available cash reserves, or by relying on local importance to promoting the violence and human suffering on the blessed Eid Al-Fitr and and providing expertise and and foreign debt instruments if needed. The allocation settlement of disputes through and paving the way for lasting Eid Al-Adha, in addition to the technical support. of QR 72.1bn to spending on major projects indicated peaceful means and mediation, stability and prosperity. success of the prisoner She also confirmed that the efforts by the State to complete all the projects related through which we have suc- She continued by saying exchange process between State of Qatar has adopted the to FIFA World Cup 2022 as per the schedule. ceeded in realizing important that this important step came the government of the Islamic draft resolution presented to The allocation of QR16.5bn to the health sector achievements in cooperation as a result of the continuous Republic of Afghanistan and the General Assembly, which demonstrated the continued development of health with our international partners. efforts by the mediation of the the Taliban movement. welcomes the efforts of the care facilities for the wellbeing of citizens and residents She noted that the State of State of Qatar during the past The Permanent Repre- Afghan parties to facilitate the alike. The outlay will guarantee the completion of period to bring the parties to sentative of the State of Qatar Afghan peace negotiations important projects in the field of developing healthcare the dialogue table, including to the United Nations pointed sponsored by the State of and expanding medical facilities. H E Ambassador Doha hosting the Afghan Dia- out that this process will not Qatar, adding that this con- Also the allocation of QR17.4bn to the education Sheikha Alya said the logue Conference in July last be sustainable unless it is tributes to encouraging this sector reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to efforts of the State year with the participation of inclusive of all and based on a very important process, as we develop education to the highest standards as well as representatives of the Afghan broad consensus, and guar- are witnessing through our expand and develop schools and other educational of Qatar to support sects, political parties and antees the rights and full par- role as facilitator of the talks institutions. the restoration of civil society with the distinct ticipation of all groups of the between the Afghan parties: The budget also included allocations to develop cit- participation of women. Afghan people, including the government and the izens’ land by providing an integrated infrastructure of security, peace She explained that the women, girls, youth and Taliban. They are approaching water, electricity, sewage, roads and all other facilities and prosperity progress represented by the minorities. the peace process with a high in different regions of the country. The development of start of the Afghan peace The Afghan people have level of concern and these lands will lead to the expansion of residential in Afghanistan negotiations was based on the come a long way towards awareness of the need to end areas, which in turn will lead to urban development. reflects its firm important achievement made achieving their aspirations to the state of war and achieve The budget estimated average oil prices of $40 a through a peace agreement build a state of institutions lasting peace, she said. barrel, reflecting the state’s policy of conservatism in foreign policy that between the United States and that enjoy security and Concluding, Ambassador estimating revenues and avoiding the impact of oil price attaches importance the Taliban movement in progress, she added, stressing Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif volatility on the budget. Citing the move, Qatar Chamber to promoting the Doha on February 29, and cul- the need for Afghans to Al Thani affirmed that the Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, assured minated in the many rounds of support the international State of Qatar will spare no that the budget supports the state’s plans to continue settlement of negotiations between the two community in order to pre- effort, in cooperation with accomplishing sustainable development, as well as disputes through sides in Doha, describing it as serve these gains, complete international partners, to reflects the sound financial plans adopted by the gov- an important step towards the transitional phase, and make peace negotiations a ernment in dealing with fluctuations in oil prices. peaceful means and ending the war and opening overcome many challenges success and achieve the Qatar is moving ahead with achievements in all mediation. the door to negotiations facing security, sustainable desired goals, and will con- fields. Qatar has emerged as one of the fastest-growing between the Afghan parties. development and economy. tinue its solidarity with the economies in the world and a reliable trade partner. She said that the agreement In this context, Her Excel- Afghan people and support The nation has emerged stronger because of its policy constituted an additional lency praised the pivotal role of the achievement of their aspi- of economic openness which has attracted more foreign incentive for mediation efforts. the United Nations Mission for rations to consolidate peace, investors into the country. She said that despite the Assistance to Afghanistan stability and prosperity. The country is promoting economic diversification, food security projects, the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, and development of free-zones and special economic zones. The budget would enhance Emissions fell record 7 percent in 2020 Qatar’s economic performance which has achieved positive progress despite the current circumstances. PATRICK GALEY — AFP Beijing superpowered its eco- “All elements are not yet activity but rather to speed up nomic recovery. in place for sustained the transition to low-carbon Carbon emissions fell a record By sector, emissions from decreases in global emissions, energy.” seven percent in 2020 as transport accounted for the and emissions are slowly And 2020’s emissions fall countries imposed lockdowns largest share of the global edging back to 2019 levels,” has not translated into a D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR and restrictions on movement decrease, with emissions from said Corinne Le Quere, a cli- reduction in the levels of EMAIL: [email protected] during the Covid-19 car journeys falling by matologist at Britain’s Uni- carbon pollution in Earth’s pandemic, the Global Carbon roughly half at the peak of the versity of East Anglia. atmosphere, Ciais added. Project said Friday in its first Covid-19 wave in April. Under the Paris climate “What we really need to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 annual assessment. By December emissions deal, struck among nations know is if investments linked FAX: +974 4455 7758 The fall of an estimated from road transport had five years ago to the day, to economic recoveries are 2.4 billion tonnes is consid- fallen 10 percent year-on- emissions cuts of around 1 to going to create proper growth MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 erably larger than previous year and emissions from avi- 2 billion tonnes are needed in low-carbon technologies annual record declines, such ation were down 40 percent. annually this decade to limit and a tangible fall in emis- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 as 0.9 billion tonnes at the Emissions from industry temperature rises to “well sions.” Earth’s remaining end of World War II or 0.5 -- 22 percent of the global below” 2C (3.6 Farenheit). carbon budget is the esti- LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 billion tonnes in 2009 at the total -- were down 30 percent The UN warned this week mated amount of emissions height of the financial crisis. in some countries with the that 2020’s unprecedented the atmosphere can take BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 The international team of strongest lockdown measures. emissions falls would have a before the Paris climate goals researchers behind the report The research, normally “negligible” effect on long-term are rendered obsolete. SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 said emissions from fossil fuels presented during United warming trends without a 2020 aside, emissions and industry would be around Nations climate talks which global switch to green energy. have grown each year since ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 34 billion tonnes of CO2 equiv- where delayed this year until Philippe Ciais, a the landmark 2015 accord, email: [email protected] alent this year -- still a signif- 2021 due to the pandemic, said researcher at France’s Labo- and the UN says they must fall icant chunk of Earth’s growth in global carbon emis- ratory of Climate and Envi- 7.6 percent annually by 2030 PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 remaining “carbon budget”. sions had started to falter. ronment Sciences, said that to reach the more ambitious email: [email protected] Emissions reductions Experts warned however without the pandemic it is Paris temperature cap of 1.5C. were most pronounced in the that it was too early to say likely that the carbon foot- “Put simply, global emis- ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 United States (down 12 how quickly emissions will print of big emitters such as sions of carbon (even this year) FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] percent) and the European rebound in 2021 and beyond. China would have continued continue to outstrip nature’s Union (down 11 percent), the Long-term emissions to grow in 2020. ability to lock it up,” said Grant CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 Global Carbon Project said. trends would be heavily influ- “It’s a temporary respite,” Allen, professor of Atmospheric email: [email protected] In China, however, it said enced by how countries he told reporters via video- Physics at the University of emissions would likely fall in power their Covid-19 link. “The way to mitigate Manchester, who was not SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 2020 just 1.7 percent as recovery plans, they said. climate change is not to stop involved in Friday’s research. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The social and economic impact of the pandemic is enormous, and growing. No /Peninsula_Qatar vaccine can undo the damage that has already /ThePeninsulaNewspaper been done. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General +974 6698 6188 SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 09 HK media mogul Jimmy Lai charged under security law

AFP — HONG KONG dozens of activists charged or investigated. Hong Kong media tycoon and Lai, 73, is the most high- Last week three prominent Beijing critic Jimmy Lai was profile figure charged young democracy cam- charged under a new national under the sweeping law. paigners — including Joshua security law yesterday, The city’s new national Wong — were jailed for taking accused of colluding with part in last year’s democracy foreign forces, the latest pro- security unit charged protests. democracy figure targeted him “with one count of Yesterday Hong Kong under the legislation. ‘collusion with a foreign teenager Tony Chung was Lai, 73, is the most high- country or with external found guilty of insulting profile figure charged under elements to endanger China’s national flag and the sweeping law, which has unlawful assembly. targeted the city’s pro- national security’” police The 19-year-old, who led democracy movement but said in a statement. a now-disbanded pro- brought a semblance of calm democracy group, was con- to the finance hub after victed for throwing the months of often-violent Chinese flag to the ground protests. Last week he was denied during scuffles outside Hong The city’s new national bail and remanded into Kong’s legislature in May 2019. security unit charged him custody until April after being Lai is only the fourth “with one count of ‘collusion charged with fraud, the latest person charged under the con- with a foreign country or with in a string of prosecutions troversial national security external elements to endanger brought against high-profile legislation. national security’”, police said democracy campaigners. The others are a 19-year- in a statement. He is set to apply for bail old activist for allegedly pro- in this file photo, pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai (centre) looks on as activists demonstrate National security offences on that charge at the High moting secession on social outside the West Kowloon court, in Hong Kong. carry a maximum sentence of Court on Tuesday. media, a man who rode his life in prison. London expressed alarm motorbike into police officers The publisher will appear after Lai was charged and said at a protest and a man who authorities want to shutter his Prosecutors have tried provoked outrage in the West in court today in relation to the it had raised his case with the repeatedly shouted pro- newspaper and had vowed to bringing cases against him in and fear for millions who last national security charge, authorities. democracy slogans at police. use the outlet to continue the past. year took to the streets to police said. “The UK remains deeply During the police oper- speaking out against Beijing. He was acquitted in Sep- protest against communist Lai is the owner of Hong concerned about the Hong ation on Apple Daily, jour- “I’m prepared for prison,” tember of intimidating a China’s tightening grip on the Kong’s best-selling Apple Kong authorities’ focus on nalists streamed dramatic Lai said in an interview two reporter from a rival pro-gov- semi-autonomous city. Daily, a popular tabloid that is pursuing legal cases against footage on Facebook as police weeks before the security law ernment newspaper. After introducing the law unashamedly pro-democracy pro-democracy figures like raided its offices and led Lai was imposed. The corruption watchdog in June, Beijing says stability and fiercely critical of Jimmy Lai,” who has British away in handcuffs. “I’m a troublemaker. I also dropped a case against and order have been restored authorities. citizenship, a spokesman for The newspaper’s front came here with nothing, the him over political donations and has dismissed the huge Police raided the newspa- Prime Minister Boris Johnson page showed him being freedom of this place has given to pro-democracy supporters crowds that protested as a per’s headquarters in August told reporters. detained with the headline me everything. Maybe it’s time after four years of foreign plot to destabilise and arrested a string of senior China’s clampdown on “Apple will fight on”. I paid back for that freedom investigations. China. company figures, including Lai, Hong Kong has dramatically In Chinese state media he by fighting for it,” he added. Authorities deny targeting Critics say Beijing has on suspicion of “collusion with accelerated since it imposed is routinely cast as a traitor, The entrepreneur was born Apple Daily or Lai and say shredded the freedoms and foreign forces” under the the security law in June, with “black hand” and anti-China in mainland China but moved police are simply enforcing autonomy Hong Kong was vaguely worded new law that opposition politicians disqual- “rabble-rouser”. to the former British colony at breaches of the law. promised ahead of its Beijing imposed on Hong Kong. ified from the legislature and Lai has long said he fears age 12. The crackdown has handover by Britain in 1997. COVID-19 positivity rate rises to 304% in 2 months in Pakistan Maryam Nawaz, others booked INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD October 12, whereas, the overall rate in the percent from 46 percent recorded on current week stood at 8.2 percent, stated October 12. for violating pandemic SOPs The positivity rate of coronavirus in NCOC data. The rate of hospital admissions of (COVID-19) infection has risen over 300 Meanwhile, the daily rate in Pakistan COVID-19 patients reached up to 232 INTERNEWS — LAHORE Shahnawaz. percent in tow month while current week’s jumped up to 3,166 percent with an increase percent this week, stated NCOC. The provisions regarding rate recorded at 8.2 percent in Pakistan, up to 413 percent as compared to 617 Yesterday, Pakistan reported 3,047 new Pakistan Muslim League- violation of SOPs and holding revealed in National Command and Oper- percent recorded on October 12. coronavirus infections and 50 deaths in past Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President provocative speeches have ation Centre (NCOC) data yesterday. The mortality rate also saw a significant 24 hours. The death toll has now reached Maryam Nawaz and dozens of been included in the case. As per the National Command and increase which went as high as 630 percent to 8,653. During the period 4,791 patients party workers yesterday According to Punjab Health Operation Centre (NCOC) statistics, the in the country. Eight deaths had been have recovered from the virus and 2,538 booked for violating corona- Department’s instructions, country witnessed a major surge in reported on October 12, whereas, 58 deaths patients are in critical condition. virus standard operating proce- amid increasing COVID-19 COVID-19 positivity rate in two months were reported this week. The total count of active cases is 44,582 dures (SOP)s during a rally in cases, big public gathering had which was recorded up to 304 per cent. Rate of patients admitted to different and the positivity rate was recorded up to Lahore ahead of PDM public been banned. The rate was recorded 2.3 percent on hospitals have also increased up to 404 7.15 per cent. gathering on December 3. Earlier, the police had reg- As per details, a case has istered a separate case against been registered at Mazang Nawaz Sharif’s daughter and Police Station against Maryam other PML-N leader and Military to be Nawaz after PML-N workers on activists for violating SOPs mobilised in Seoul the complaint of Patwari related to the COVID-19. as virus cases surge Pakistan in talks with many REUTERS — SEOUL countries to procure vaccine South Korea will mobilise military forces in the capital Seoul to help frontline health INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD views of experts, the SAPM said. workers deal with a surge in coronavirus, with He added that in the first 689 new cases reported yesterday, and as Special Assistant to Pakistani phase, the vaccine will be the death toll and number of patients in Prime Minister Imran Khan administered to health workers critical care rose. (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal and senior citizens. In the Of the new cases, 673 were locally trans- Sultan has said that the corona- second stage, the elderly and at mitted, which brings the total tally to 40,786, virus vaccine will be available risk-population will get the the Korea Disease Control and Prevention in Pakistan by next year in vaccine, while and the common Agency (KDCA) said. The death toll increased A restaurant worker carries a tray of food through a market, in Seoul, yesterday. March, local media reported public will receive the vaccine by eight to 572 deaths, KDCA reported. yesterday. in the third stage. The surge in cases has delivered a blow prompting the health authorities to seek more cases grow in various areas including the met- While talking to local media, Last week, Pakistan’s par- to South Korea’s vaunted pandemic-fighting beds nationwide. ropolitan Seoul area, Chung told a gov- the SAPM said that the gov- liamentary secretary for health, system which successfully used invasive Calling the current wave a critical crisis, ernment meeting yesterday. ernment has finalised the pro- Nausheen Hamid, said all cit- tracing, testing and quarantine to avoid lock- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said he will “In the end, in order to tamp down this cedure to buy the vaccine and izens would be administered downs and blunt previous waves, and keep dispatch around 800 military, police and gov- wave, it is key to seize the victory in virus- is in talks with different coun- coronavirus vaccines free of infections below 50 per day for much of the ernment workers in every district of the prevention efforts in the greater Seoul area,” tries regarding it. charge. summer. The authorities scrambled to build greater Seoul area to help track down said Chung. He said the government will Pakistan has allocated $150 hospital beds in shipping containers this week potential patients. The majority of the new cases have been procure the vaccine only after million to secure vaccine doses to ease strains on medical facilities stretched Frontline workers and medical staff are reported in the capital city of Seoul, the neigh- its efficacy and safety is proven. from various developers. The by the latest coronavirus wave. struggling each day to conduct endless epi- bouring port city of Incheon, and Gyeonggi The committee will make a final SAPM said that the authorities The number of patients in serious or demiological investigations, testing and Province, which is home to 13.5 million people decision on the purchase of the will request the government to severe conditions have grown near 170, securing insufficient beds, as the confirmed and surrounds both cities. vaccine after considering the approve more funds if required. US returns 12 military Hong Kong in deal for 15 million vaccine doses HONG KONG BLOOMBERG — population,” she said. rights to market the Pfizer- reviewing Pfizer and Moderna sites to South Korea “If the vaccine needs two BioNTech shot in mainland Inc.’s applications. Saudi Arabia Hong Kong has struck deals for doses, we will buy 30 million China, Hong Kong and Macau, and Bahrain have also approved REUTERS — SEOUL The two sides finalised the 15 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.” The announcement will plans to apply to the Hong Kong the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. handover plan for the 12 sites on doses from two frontrunner likely soothe residents of the regulator for approval as soon as Lam said in her policy The US military agreed yesterday the condition that the discussion companies and will receive the former British colony, who were next week after the US Food & address last month that the to return 12 sites to South Korea, of clean-up costs continued, first shots beginning next month, increasingly concerned that Drug Administration greenlights central government in Beijing including some in central Seoul, South Korean government Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Hong Kong was falling behind it, people familiar with the matter will ensure that Hong Kong has clearing the way for civilian agencies said in a statement. yesterday. regional peers in vaccine pro- said yesterday. sufficient supply of COVID-19 construction projects after years “We reached the decision The Asian financial city will curement, even as restrictions Until the latest vaccines, and will reserve a of squabbling over the hand- comprehensively considering buy 7.5 million doses of the are tightened again to fight a new announcement, the Hong Kong certain amount of vaccines back. social and economic issues in the mRNA shot developed by wave. government was mainly relying developed or produced in the US forces have been sta- communities caused by the BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc., and While its coronavirus out- on the global vaccine alliance mainland for use in the city if tioned in South Korea since the delays and their requests for the 7.5 million doses of a vaccine break isn’t as alarming as those Covax to ensure supply. In con- necessary. 1950-53 . In recent swift return,” Choi Chang-won, from Chinese developer Sinovac in many global hot spots, the city trast, South Korea and Indonesia Food and Health Secretary years, the allies have disputed the a vice minister of government Biotech Ltd, she said. It’s also in of 7.5 million people has been have inked four bilateral vaccine Sophia Chan told lawmakers in cost of maintaining the 28,500 policy coordination, told a talks with AstraZeneca Plc for a plagued by repeated resurgences agreements, while Japan and early December that the gov- US personnel at various bases briefing. further 7.5 million doses, though since the summer and social dis- Australia have three. ernment plans to provide free despite what many see as a Among the 12 sites are six in that agreement has not been tancing measures, including Regulators are speeding up COVID-19 vaccines to the public growing North Korean threat. the capital, Seoul, including two signed. Hong Kong will receive school closures, are in place their approval processes for on a voluntary basis when they The 12 sites are among 80 at the Yongsan Garrison in the Sinovac’s shots from January, and again. The flareup has delayed a COVID-19 vaccine frontrunners. become available. Three million that US Forces Korea (USFK) city centre, which housed the the Pfizer-BioNTech doses from key travel bubble with Singapore The UK and Canada have granted people are expected to be vacci- agreed in 2002 to hand over to USFK headquarters until it was the first quarter of next year, said and dented the competitiveness emergency use to the Pfizer- nated first, including medical South Korea for redevelopment moved to the new, sprawling Lam. of Hong Kong’s financial industry. BioNTech’s shot, which reported workers, elderly people, patients but the plans have been delayed Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, “We plan to buy enough Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceu- over 90% efficacy, and the US is with chronic diseases, and care- by haggling over clean-up costs. south of Seoul, in 2018. doses for twice the size of our tical Group Co., which has the currently in the process of home workers. 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020

UK to reduce Two vaccine candidates hit snags quarantine REUTERS — PARIS GlaxoSmithKline 95 percent effective in suc- cannot test strong dosages,” vaccine has been made”. period for and Sanofi said they cessful large-scale trials. said Jean-Daniel Lelievre, head The EU Commission Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline Delays and additional trials of clinic immunology and infec- declined to comment on the said clinical trials of their planned to start are not unusual but the Sanofi/ tious diseases at Henri-Mondor impact of the delay on the con- travellers COVID-19 vaccine showed an another study next GSK announcement highlights hospital in Creteil, France. tract negotiated with Sanofi. insufficient immune response February, hoping to the unique set of challenges “I would think Sanofi and Under the bloc’s contract signed AFP — LONDON in older people, delaying its facing drugmakers in multi- GSK will be able to improve in September, EU states are not launch to late next year and come up with a more tasking science, speed and their vaccine.” Phase III studies obliged to buy the vaccine, Britain said yesterday it is to marking a setback in the global effective vaccine by logistics during a pandemic that were expected to start this unlike deals signed with other cut its period of self-isolation fight against the pandemic. the end of 2021. has crushed global economies. month. However Sanofi said it vaccine makers which require from 14 to 10 days for trav- The announcement yes- It also underscores why would instead launch a phase stricter commitments from ellers arriving from overseas terday, which highlighted the governments have spread their 2 study in February. European governments. and people who come into challenges of developing shots the most established technol- bets by securing shots from dif- “The study will include a The vaccine uses the same contact with positive corona- at record speed, hinders efforts ogies in vaccines — used against ferent developers. proposed comparison with an recombinant protein-based virus cases. to develop the multiple options the human papillomavirus, hep- Sanofi said yesterday's authorized COVID-19 vaccine,” technology as one of Sanofi’s The chief medics for the that experts say the world needs atitis B and pertussis among results from Phase I/II trials the company said, declining to seasonal influenza vaccines. It four nations of the UK said in to counter a disease that has other pathogens — which aims showed “an immune response give further details on this. will be coupled with an a joint statement they were killed over 1.5 million people. to introduce lab-made proteins comparable to patients who “If data are positive, a global adjuvant, a substance that acts “confident” in the changes The news is also a blow for into the body to prod the recovered from COVID-19 in Phase III study could start in Q2 as a booster to the vaccine, “after reviewing the evidence”. many governments that have immune system into developing adults aged 18 to 49 years, but 2021. Positive results from this made by GSK. The new measures are due booked hundreds of millions of a targeted defence against the a low immune response in older study would lead to regulatory Sanofi and GSK have scaled come into effect in England, doses of the shot, including the novel coronavirus. adults likely due to an insuffi- submissions in the second half up manufacturing in order to Scotland and Northern Ireland European Union, United States It cements the lead of more cient concentration of the of 2021, hence delaying the vac- be ready to produce up to one on Monday. They already and Britain. novel approaches used by vac- antigen”. cine’s potential availability from billion doses of their vaccine in applied to Wales. The two companies said cines from the likes of Pfizer- “With this type of vaccine, mid-2021 to Q4 2021.” 2021. GSK said a goal to produce The devolved governments they planned to start another BioNTech and Moderna, which the result is not a surprise, we The two companies said 1 billion doses of adjuvants - in Cardiff, Edinburgh and study next February, hoping to use mRNA genetic technology know that more antigen is they had “updated governments with some expected to be Belfast all set their own health come up with a more effective to trick the body into producing needed in older patients. But and the European Commission delivered to other partners - in policy and have implemented vaccine by the end of 2021. those proteins. Both of those when in Phase I and II, drug- where a contractual com- 2021 remained in place but was different restrictions to curb The setback affects one of shots were found to be about makers test tolerance and one mitment to purchase the under review. the spread of the virus. Health policy in England is directed from the UK gov- ernment in London. “We can reduce the number of days Genetic variants that contacts self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days,” the chief medical officers said. linked to severe “People who return from countries which are not on the travel corridor list should also self-isolate for 10 days instead COVID-19: Study of 14 days.” But they stressed that self-isolation remained AFP — PARIS a geneticist at the University of crucial to stopping the trans- Edinburgh and lead author of the mission. Britain added another Scientists said that they had study published in Nature. 516 deaths within 28 days of a identified genetic variants that “The beauty of genetics is positive test on Thursday, made patients more likely to that it can predict the effects taking the overall toll to more develop severe COVID-19, in a that a drug might have. The than 63,000 from nearly 1.8 breakthrough that could see really exciting thing about this million cases. new and existing drugs help study is that we have found Earlier this week Britain patients survive the illness. genes that are directly thera- became the first country to To determine why some peutically relevant, so they lead begin giving the Pfizer- people develop severe lung us directly to treatment.” BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at inflammation when sick with Baillie said that there is 73 hospitals across the country. COVID-19, researchers analysed already a group of drugs on the Concern about rising levels mutations on the genomes of market that limits the action of of infection in London and more than 2,000 critically ill TYK2. These are known as JAK parts of southeast England, patients across Britain. inhibitors and are often pre- Diplomacy however, has prompted the They compared their genetic scribed for chronic diseases government to begin testing Russian President meets with Supreme Eurasian Economic Council leaders via a video make-up to that of a control such as cancer and arthritis. children aged 11-18 in the conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow yesterday. group and identified as many as “We showed that people worst-affected areas. eight sequences that were more who produce more TYK2 are common among the Covid-19 more at risk of Covid. And patients. They found that these there’s a drug that inhibits it,” sequences are involved in the he said. The authors noted that Heathrow Terminal 4 to stay shut for most of 2021 body’s inflammatory response there was also an antibody and how the immune system treatment currently in clinical AFP — LONDON year-on-year, it added. protect jobs. be helping the aviation sector battles pathogens such as the trials that blocks CCR2, a protein “Based on current fore- It wants a full business rates to survive, to develop routes to novel coronavirus. involved in immune response. London’s Heathrow airport yes- casts and continued decline in tax relief for all UK airports, and our key trading partners, and After further computer They said wide-scale trials terday said its Terminal 4 will passengers, the decision has for plans to end tax-free attract businesses and tourists analysis, they highlighted two were urgently needed to test remain closed until the end of been taken for Terminal 4 to shopping for international trav- to come to Britain to spend their specific genes — TYK2 and these treatments on patients next year because of a slump in remain non-operational until ellers from January 1 to be money,” he added. CCR2 — that encode inflam- with severe Covid-19. passenger numbers caused by the end of 2021,” it said in a scrapped. Before the global health matory protein molecules. The Sir Mark Caulfield, chief the coronavirus pandemic. statement. Heathrow Chief Executive crisis, Heathrow was the biggest researchers found that indi- scientist for Genomics England The west London hub said During the UK-wide coro- John Holland Kaye called the airport in Europe but it has viduals who produce more of and director of the NIHR Bio- passenger numbers fell by 88 navirus lockdown from March, end to duty-free a “tourist tax”, since lost business to other hubs the TYK2 enzyme appeared to medical Research Centre at percent last month from Heathrow shut Terminal 3 in which could be the death knell including Paris Charles de be at higher risk of developing Barts Hospital, called yester- November 2019 due to con- April and Terminal 4 in May, for struggling businesses in the Gaulle. severe Covid-19. day's research “a remarkable tinued travel restrictions and switching all flights to terminals hospitality reliant on tourism. Heathrow has introduced “We’re trying to cut through result”. He said the team’s study curbs on movement to cut 2 and 5. The scrapping of duty-free pre-departure passenger testing the tremendous complexity of of patient genomes could even- COVID-19 infection rates across The airport, which is shopping would likely see with airlines including British the human immune system to tually create a “comprehensive England. seeking cost-savings and has 2,000 jobs lost at Heathrow Airways, Virgin Atlantic, find the levers that we can pull inventory of variants that Just 747,000 people used put an investment project on alone, he said. American Airlines and United that will change the outcome for change our susceptibility to the the airport in November and hold, appealed to the gov- “To make ‘Global Britain’ a Airlines as a way of ending the patient,” said Kenneth Baillie, severity of COVID”. cargo volumes were also down ernment for more support to reality, the government should quarantine.

German top court strikes down plank Switzerland clamps down of anti-terror law AFP — KARLSRUHE, GERMANY on virus as tensions rise Germany’s top court said yes- AFP — GENEVA relations among Switzerland’s Many in the Francophone terday that it had struck down linguistic groups have frayed and cantons, which were beginning a key passage of an anti-terror Switzerland announced yes- government responses have to loosen their restrictions, feel law on data protection grounds, terday that all shops, clubs and come under fire since a new they are now paying the price raising the bar for security restaurants must close from wave hit in the last three months. for a lack of action in the services to swap information. 7pm in order to fight a resurgent “Initially, it was a health German-speaking areas. The Federal Constitutional coronavirus that is now stirring crisis,” Pierre Ruetschi, head of With its stepping out and Court said the passage of the political and cultural tensions. the Swiss Press Club, wrote in stepping in approach, “the measure in question was too The Alpine country, which the Tribune de Geneve news- Federal Council has created vague in granting permission will apply the new rules from paper. “Very quickly it became real chaos,” Marco Chiesa, for intelligence on terror sus- today until January 22, has economic. That’s normal. Now, leader of the right-wing pop- pects to be shared from a some of the worst per capita it is also cultural, linguistic, ulist Swiss People’s Party told central security database. infection rates in Europe and political.” public broadcaster RTS. It stipulated there must be the government fears the situ- From just three new cases With a population of 8.6 an “overwhelming public ation could spin out of control recorded on June 1, infections million, Switzerland is logging interest” and a “sufficient con- over Christmas. rose slowly but steadily before around 5,000 new cases and crete danger” of an attack to “We’re witnessing an expo- rocketing in October, when 100 deaths a day — a base level justify certain information being nential increase,” President cases, hospitalisations and Health Minister Alain Berset passed from one agency to Simonetta Sommaruga told a deaths began doubling from said was far too high to start another. press conference in the capital week to week. from if infections begin to The anti-terror law has Bern. “Our hospitals and our The second wave initially double again. Even so, the new been controversial since it health workers are being hit the French-speaking west measures are not as strict as in passed because it blurs the stretched to the limit.” and the Italian-speaking south other European countries. strict dividing line between In March, during the first hardest. With the government Those regions which have law enforcement and intelli- wave of infections, Switzerland having handed the reins to the the virus more under control gence established after World was not hit as hard by regional authorities, those can extend the closing time War II to stamp out the abuses At a standstill COVID-19 deaths and did not cantons imposed measures to until 11pm, conditions per- of the Nazi period. impose as strict a lockdown as control the virus. mitting. All regions can extend A cable car at a standstill above a ski slope in the Alps ressort of The 2007 law in question some other European states. The virus burden then it until 1am on the nights of Courchevel yesterday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the French targets Islamic extremists and It eased off those measures shifted towards the German- December 24 and 31. was updated in 2012 to cover government decided to maintain the ski lifts shut to allow winter in stages, and many praised the speaking majority — and Some 372,329 people have the far-right scene. The same sports to resume quickly and hoped that restrictions could be Swiss handling of the crisis, with cantons which were in no rush tested positive in Switzerland, court saw a similar challenge lifted in January. the emphasis placed on indi- to act despite the government’s while 5,378 have died since the in 2013. vidual responsibility. But repeated pleadings. first outbreak. SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 AstraZeneca to use part of Russian vaccine in trials AFP — MOSCOW While Russia’s second wave has continued to surge in recent weeks, the country Pharmaceutical giant Astra- Zeneca’s Russian branch said has refrained from reimposing a strict yesterday that it would use part nationwide lockdown as it did in the Spring of Russia’s homemade Sputnik and pinned its hopes on mass vaccination. V vaccine in further clinical trials, a major sign of recognition for a Last week Russia started a large-scale public jab that has been viewed with vaccination drive, offering Sputnik V initially scepticism by the West. to people in high-risk groups including Russia was one of the first countries to announce the medical workers and teachers. development of a coronavirus vaccine, which it named Sputnik V after the Soviet-era Moscow announced the statement, AstraZeneca said satellite. While the jab is yet to registration of Sputnik V back that “combinations of different complete its third and final in August, after it had com- COVID-19 vaccines may be an phase of testing involving some pleted the second phase of trials important step in generating 40,000 volunteers, its devel- on under 100 volunteers, wider protection through a opers have said that interim raising concerns from scientists stronger immune response and trial results showed 95 percent at home and abroad. better accessibility.” The phar- A little cardbord Eiffel Tower with a flag reading “make Paris real” is part of an installation set up efficacy. Analysts viewed the fast- maceutical giant had earlier by environmental activists of Fridays for Future in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin yesterday to “Today we announce a track registration and the early said that its vaccine was on clinical trial programme to assess launch of mass vaccination as average 70 percent effective. mark the 5th anniversary of the Paris climate agreement. the safety and immunogenicity an effort for Russia to bolster While Russia’s second wave of a combination of AZD1222, its geopolitical influence. has continued to surge in recent developed by AstraZeneca and Several Russian allies — weeks, the country has EU leaders agree climate target Oxford University, and Sputnik including India, Venezuela and refrained from reimposing a V, developed by Russian Belarus — have said they would strict nationwide lockdown as AFP – BRUSSELS French President climate target until their next Gamaleya Research institute,” take part in clinical trials for the it did in the Spring and pinned Emmanuel Macron tweeted an meeting, given the hesitation AstraZeneca said yesterday. jab, while Kremlin-friendly its hopes on mass vaccination. EU leaders yesterday agreed an appeal for action after the by the eastern member states. The pharmaceutical governments have pre-ordered Last week Russia started a ambitious target for cutting target was agreed, insisting: The new climate goals are company said that adults aged more than a billion doses of large-scale public vaccination greenhouse gas emissions after “Let’s do everything to succeed. backed by big EU powers, 18 and over will be enrolled in Sputnik V. Ignoring accusations drive, offering Sputnik V ini- unlocking the bloc’s landmark Now. All together. Because including France and Germany, the trials, expected to start by Britain of Russian-linked tially to people in high-risk budget and coronavirus recovery there is no plan B!” As part of as well as many major busi- before the end of the year. hackers targeting vaccine groups including medical fund at a marathon summit. its commitments to the Paris nesses keen to access European While the Sputnik V jab uses research, Moscow has said it is workers and teachers. The 27 member states Climate Agreement, the EU has funding to kickstart a recovery human adenovirus vectors, open to cooperation with Yesterday, it reported 613 struck a deal on a binding target pledged to become climate- through what Brussels has AZD1222 relies on adenovirus Western countries. virus deaths over the past 24 to slash emissions by at least 55 neutral by 2050, the date when taken to calling a green new from chimpanzees. Both are The vaccine’s developers hours, surpassing the 600 percent by 2030 following an it would offset or capture more deal. administered in two doses. said it will be available on mark for the first time since entire night of intense wran- greenhouse gas than it emits. But environmental activists Russia’s Direct Investment international markets for less the beginning of the pan- gling in Brussels. However, the current decried the latest move as not Fund, which was involved in the than $10 (€8.40) per dose — demic. Total fatalities stood at The fight was over how the interim target for 2030 — a 40 ambitious enough. “It shows development of Sputnik V, said and that it can be stored at 45,893, while infections cost of the effort should be percent reduction in CO2 emis- that political convenience takes in its own statement yesterday between two and eight jumped to 2,597,711. shared across the countries: sions compared to 1990 — is not precedence over climate that on November 23 it offered degrees Celsius (between 35.6 Russia has reported a much Highly dependent on coal, now seen as sufficient to science, and that most politi- AstraZeneca “to use one of the and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit) lower death rate than other Poland fears serious economic achieve this goal. cians are still afraid to take on two vectors of the Sputnik V instead of the temperatures badly hit countries, raising con- consequences and demanded At an October summit, the big polluters,” Greenpeace EU vaccine in additional clinical far below freezing required for cerns that authorities have details on the aid it would EU leaders postponed the climate policy adviser Sebastian trials of its own vaccine”. some other vaccines. In its downplayed the outbreak. receive. decision on the more ambitious Mang said. Brazil police Decision next week on London charge six in girl’s ‘air pollution’ death Black man’s AFP — LONDON taken to hospital with breathing difficulties some 30 times. She The family of a nine-year- lived near the busy and regularly killing old London girl who died after congested South Circular road a spate of severe asthma in Lewisham, southeast London. AFP — RIO DE JANEIRO attacks will find out next week Her mother told the hearing if poor air quality caused her that medics had never raised Brazilian police recommended death, a coroner’s inquest was the possibility that pollution yesterday that prosecutors told yesterday. exacerbated her condition, and charge six people over the Assistant coroner for Inner said if they had, she would have killing of a Black man beaten South London Philip Barlow moved. A first inquest held in by security guards at a super- said he would give his ruling 2014 ruled that Ella died of market, a case that triggered on how Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah acute respiratory failure caused protests. died at 1100 GMT on by severe asthma. But the There is sufficient evidence Wednesday. Barlow has heard findings were overturned and A truck buried in mud is pictured at an area affected by the floods due to the rains brought by to charge four people who wit- 10 days of evidence about the a second inquest ordered. Hurricanes Eta and Iota, in Chamelecon, Honduras in this December 5, 2020 picture. nessed the killing without young girl’s 2013 death, and That followed a review by an intervening, in addition to the whether air pollution was a air pollution specialist who two white guards accused of factor. A ruling that it was linked high levels of nitrogen beating Joao Alberto Silveira Hurricanes hit thousands in Honduras would be a legal first in Britain. dioxide and harmful particulate Freitas to death on November Speaking after the hearing, matter near her home to the time 19, police said in their investi- REUTERS — SAN PEDRO SULA Castro, 34, worked as a Honduran population — have Ella’s mother Rosamund said: of her hospital admissions. gation report. barber from his home, which been impacted by the hurri- “I would like justice for my The hearing was told that The others include the Willian Castro and his family was destroyed in the storms. He canes and their aftermath, daughter. And really, that’s why air pollution just one mile from arrested supervisor of the Car- huddled on the roof of a banana is now considering following including landslides and rain I am here first and foremost. the family home consistently refour supermarket in the packing plant for three days as thousands of Hondurans before that submerged entire commu- “If we get the judgment that broke European norms in the southern city of Porto Alegre, Hurricane Eta raged last month, him who saw emigration north nities, the government said. I think we need, it will impact three years leading up to Ella’s where the killing ocurred. seeking to escape the torrential as a way out of poverty. More than 85,200 homes were a lot of children’s lives for the death. The coroner was also She watched as the guards rains and floods that swept “We will have to start over,” damaged and 6,100 destroyed. better,” she added. told that between 28,000 and from private security company through his home and thou- he said. “We can’t do it alone. Some 95,000 people in San “I think people probably 36,000 deaths in Britain each Vector pummeled Freitas, and sands of others. If not, I’ll have to think about Pedro Sula have taken refuge don’t realise just how quickly year are thought to be linked tried to stop a bystander from His city of San Pedro Sula what many have done in the in shelters. President Juan and how dangerous air pol- to air pollution. filming the scene — a video in northern Honduras was one past, go to the United States.” Orlando Hernandez has called lution is. We sort of act as if The World Health Organi- that later went viral online. of the areas worst hit by Eta and For now, Castro is living in for help from other nations. “It’s we’ve got lots and lots of time, zation says air pollution kills “Witness testimony shows Hurricane Iota, which struck a friend’s house near San Pedro the worst disaster that we have which we don’t have... it is a some seven million people Carrefour and Vector employees just two weeks later, deepening Sula. Private organizations and experienced in the history of public health emergency.” across the globe every year and stood by indifferently,” police the economic hardship caused neighbours have given his the Republic of Honduras,” he Ella died on February 15, nine out of 10 people breathe said. Freitas, a 40-year-old by the coronavirus pandemic family food. Nationwide, some said on Thursday at an event 2013 following a severe asthma air that exceeds guideline limits welder, was shopping when he in Central America. 4.5 million people – half the recognizing first responders. attack. She had previously been on pollutants. reportedly got into an argument with store personnel, leading guards from the private security company contracted by Car- refour to intervene. Extra healthy: Donkey milk a hit in Albania The bystander’s video shows the altercation then AFP — PAPËR, ALBANIA news for the donkeys themselves, But fears around COVID-19 time when virus restrictions animals still bear the scars of turned brutal, as the guards whose comfortable lifestyle on have set off a flurry of interest. mean “people are spending their difficult past lives. restrained Freitas and On a small farm south of Tirana, the farm is a welcome respite While no one is branding the more time at home and can take “They are cared for and reha- repeatedly punched him in the donkeys happily munch on hay from their traditional roles as milk as a cure for the virus, afi- better care of their skin”. bilitated, including psychologi- face, even as he cried out “help while customers flock to scoop beasts of burden. cionados are convinced its The farm currently has cally,” says Riza Kikia, 71, Elton’s me” and “I’m going to die.” The up bottles of their milk, a niche Typically enlisted to carry nutritional profile — which is four pregnant donkeys and father. Geni, for example, is a security guards were arrested product winning fans who heavy loads and pull carts close to human milk — helps four milk-producing mothers, white female donkey who the following day, and the believe in its health benefits. through Albania’s mountainous strengthen the body’s natural each with a calf. With a arrived with a wounded ear and supervisor four days later. Touted as rich in vitamins terrain, donkeys are frequently defences. maximum production of three a scar-streaked back. Sometimes-violent pro- and a boost for the immune subject to mistreatment, in the Klea Ymeri, a student in litres a day, “we can’t meet the “She was weak, sad, she tests against the killing mean- system, the high-priced milk form of beatings, overwork or agro-environmental engi- demand”, Kikia said and didn’t want to stay with the while swept Brazil, in scenes has been flying off the shelf saddle sores. neering, recently travelled to added he plans to expand his others. Now she plays, she eats reminiscent of the Black Lives during the coronavirus pan- “Yet it is a very delicate Paper to buy two 250 millilitre herd to 100 donkeys. well and she makes good milk”, Matter protests that have demic — a time when many in animal, which to produce its bottles to help her parents But that is no easy task in said Kikia. shaken the United States. Albania are looking for an extra milk needs tenderness and recover from COVID-19. “On Albania, where the donkey pop- The donkeys are also a draw The incident triggered calls health kick. love,” says Kikia. top of the medicines they are ulation is on the decline. for local children from the for a boycott of French group “The demand for donkey Two years ago he left his job taking, donkey’s milk could be Waves of emigration from village who come to take rides, Carrefour. The company has milk is rising sharply” alongside as a journalist to take over the a good natural remedy for the villages to cities, plus with the feed and pet the animals. “This sought to control the damage. virus infections, says 37-year- family farm, which is only one respiratory system”, she said. use of machines in agriculture, bond between the donkeys and It has launched a 25m real old Elton Kikia, the manager of of two in the country to raise The family also uses some of the has shrunk the number of the children is a therapy in ($5m) fund to fight racism in the small farm in the village of donkeys for their milk. At €50 milk to make soaps, masks and donkeys and breeders across itself,” Kikia explained. “It is a Brazil, and ended the practice Paper, where around a dozen a litre, the price of their milk is other beauty products. the Balkan state. Milk pro- psychological remedy that has of contracting store security of the small, knobbly-kneed exorbitant in a country where Regina Beqiri, a relative and duction is thus also a way of magical effects, both on the out to private firms in the animals romp around a green the average wage barely pharmacist who concocts the “protecting” the species, behaviour of the children and South American country. pasture. The high demand is good reaches €400 a month. mixtures, says sales are up at at according to the farmers, whose on that of the animals.” 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 Cabinet picks: Biden faces uphill task

AFP — WASHINGTON All eyes now are Several cabinet members- Council, while progressive con- turning to one of the in-waiting are already trail- gresswoman Marcia Fudge was Aware that he owes his presi- blazing picks. Janet Yellen nominated to be housing dential victory to Black voters, final major cabinet would be the first woman to run secretary. Joe Biden pledged to name the posts to be filled: US the US Treasury; Xavier Becerra All eyes now are turning to “most diverse” cabinet in US Attorney- General. would be the only Hispanic one of the final major cabinet history. Behind the scenes health secretary to date; Ale- posts to be filled: US Attorney- African Americans have been jandro Mayorkas the first His- General. The job came up at seeking to ensure he honors Biden reaffirmed his “his- panic homeland security chief; Tuesday’s meeting with Biden. such commitments by toric commitment to racial and Cecilia Rouse will become Sharpton said he told the appointing minorities to key justice,” said Marc Morial, chief the first African American to president-elect directly that he positions. executive of the National Urban chair the Council of Economic would prefer a Black attorney “When this campaign was League, during an online press Advisors. general. If not, “the least we at its lowest ebb, the African- conference. “And we under- Biden also appointed Linda could have is someone that has American community stood up scored that our job as historic Thomas-Greenfield, a Black a proven civil rights back- again for me. You’ve always had civil rights leaders is to, one, help seasoned diplomat, as ambas- ground.” Biden’s picks for his my back, and I’ll have yours,” him, and number two, to hold sador to the United Nations. inner circle “have largely been Biden assured in his victory him accountable for the commit- And barrier-breaker Harris, uncontroversial” to date, noted speech on November 7, prom- ments that were made,” he said. of course, will become the first Kyle Kondik of the University of ising his administration would Biden, the former vice-pres- Black woman and first person Virginia. “look like America”. ident under of Indian heritage to serve as There are exceptions, Recalling that catch accepted that challenge during vice president. however. Neera Tanden, the phrase, the Reverend Al the discussions, Morial added. Biden’s picks so far have first woman of Indian ancestry Sharpton, a prominent US civil And the nominees, who like been “positive steps in the right appointed to direct the White rights leader, said on Tuesday Biden will take their places in the direction, but we look forward House budget office, is getting as Biden was in the thick of White House on January 20, are to more significant appoint- stiff blowback from Repub- decision-making for multiple largely reflecting that promise. ments,” cautioned Morial after licans as well as some progres- cabinet posts: “We want to That was crystalized the Austin nomination was sives. And then there’s Austin. make sure promises made is perhaps most sharply on announced. For the general who retired promises kept.” Tuesday when Biden tapped As if on cue on Thursday, in 2016 to take the Pentagon Sharpton and other repre- retired US Army general Lloyd Biden revealed two more pio- reins, Congress would need to The cover of Time magazine announcing the 2020 Person of the sentatives of African-American Austin, 67, to become the next neering picks: Susan Rice, one grant him a waiver because of a Year with a painting of US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice- organizations had emerged secretary of defence. If con- of the highest-profile Black law that bars any veteran from President-elect Kamala Harris. Biden and Harris were named Time from a nearly two-hour firmed by the Senate, Austin women in American politics, becoming secretary of defence magazine’s 2020 “Person of the Year” for their election victory meeting with Biden and Vice will become the Pentagon’s first was appointed director of the unless they have been out of the over President Donald Trump. President-elect Kamala Harris. Black leader. White House Domestic Policy military for seven years. NYC restaurants US Senate backs massive defence bill, defying veto threat to stop serving REUTERS — WASHINGTON conservative Republicans and Trump’s position had not essential for the Pentagon and legislation that could slow most liberal Democrats. changed. The Republican pres- the result of nearly a year’s plans to withdraw troops from meals indoors The US Senate yesterday The Democratic-led House ident will have 10 days - minus work. Afghanistan and Germany, but threw its weight behind the of Representatives backed the Sundays - to veto, sign or allow Without providing signif- such initiatives would be REUTERS — NEW YORK annual National Defense NDAA by 335 to 78 earlier this it to become law without his icant evidence, Trump and subject to review by the Authorization Act (NDAA), a week, also more than the two- signature. supporters insist tech firms incoming administration of New York City’s restau- $740bn bill setting policy for thirds majority needed. Senate Trump objects to the fiscal have an anti-conservative Democratic President-elect rants must stop serving meals the Department of Defense, passage sends it to Trump’s 2021 NDAA because it does not bias, which the companies Joe Biden. indoors as COVID-19 hospi- passing the bill with a margin desk, weeks before he leaves repeal Section 230 of the Com- deny. Anger over the issue The NDAA determines eve- talizations fail to stabilize and large enough to overcome office. munications Decency Act, intensified after Trump lost rything from how many ships the infection rate for the virus President Donald Trump’s Backers hope strong bipar- which protects technology the Nov. 3 election. are bought to soldiers’ pay to rises in the densely populated promised veto. tisan support will prompt Trump companies like Alphabet Inc’s Trump also wants to block how to address geopolitical metropolis, Governor Andrew The vote in the Republican- to reconsider his threat to veto Google, Twitter Inc and an NDAA provision stripping the threats. Cuomo said yesterday. controlled Senate was 84 to 13, the bill, which has become law Facebook Inc from liability for names of Confederate generals Because it is a compromise, The governor acknowl- more than the two-thirds for 59 straight years. what appears on their from military bases. combining separate measures edged that indoor dining majority needed in the 100- “It’s simple, what this bill platforms. Trump says it disregards already passed in the House and accounts for only a fraction of member chamber needed to does,” said Senator Jim Inhofe, Trump’s threats frustrated history, but supporters say it is Senate, it cannot be amended the city’s new cases, but said he override a veto, a rare break the Republican chairman of the lawmakers from both parties, long past time to stop honoring and will expire on January 3 if was concerned about an “Rt 1.3” between members of the pres- Senate Armed Services Com- who said the tech measure has men who fought Union forces the veto is not overturned. transmission rate, meaning that ident’s party in Congress and mittee. “It makes our country nothing to do with defense. in the 1861-1865 Civil War in A successful veto override one infected person transmits the White House. more secure, and it supports our They also said Trump’s con- order to continue enslaving would be the first of Trump’s it to 1.3 others. The 13 ‘no’ votes were a mix troops who defend it.” cerns about social media should Black Americans. four-year presidency. He has “The Rt rate going up in a of some of the most The White House said not kill legislation considered Trump opposes parts of the had eight sustained. dense environment is really a compounding problem,” Cuomo told a news briefing. “New York City is different. A high trans- Trump administration carries mission rate in a dense envi- ronment is different.” out another execution Nearly three-quarters of the state’s coronavirus infec- AFP — WASHINGTON Bernard and four other tions have come from private Black teenagers were convicted gatherings, or “living room A convicted murderer died by of abducting youth ministers spread,” while only 1.4% of lethal injection on Thursday Todd and Stacie Bagley, a white them could be traced to res- as the administration of Pres- couple from Iowa. They forced taurants and bars, Cuomo said. ident Donald Trump carries them to withdraw cash before The move comes a little out a series of federal execu- eventually shooting and more than 10 weeks after the tions in its waning days in burning them in their car. city’s restaurants were allowed power, ignoring calls for Because the crime took place to resume indoor dining, but clemency and COVID-19 out- on a US military base it was tried only at 25% of capacity, for the breaks behind bars. in federal court. The shooter, first time since March. Brandon Bernard, a then-19-year-old Christopher Many added outdoor 40-year-old African-American Vialva, and Bernard, who lit the pavilions in anticipation of the inmate, was put to death at a car on fire, were sentenced to move, which Cuomo warned prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, death in 2000. would happen if the hospital- for his role in a 1999 double “Brandon made one terrible ization rate did not stabilize. murder in Texas committed mistake at age 18. But he did when he was 18 years old. not kill anyone, and he never US extends curbs More than 500,000 people stopped feeling shame and pro- had signed petitions urging found remorse for his actions at Mexico and Trump to commute Bernard’s in the crime that took the lives Healthcare workers take part in a rehearsal for the administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at sentence to life in prison, citing of Todd and Stacie Bagley,” his Canada borders Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, yesterday. his age at the time of the crime lawyer Robert C. Owen said in and his good behaviour as an a statement after his death. REUTERS — WASHINGTON inmate. Among those lending Vialva was executed by their support to Bernard was lethal injection in September US vaccine nears, but deaths rising US land borders with Canada reality television star Kim but other participants who and Mexico will remain closed Kardashian. were under the age of 17 at the to non-essential travel until at “At just a few months past time avoided the death penalty. by 9/11 proportions each day least January 21 with corona- 18 his brain was still devel- Without a last-minute virus cases spiking to record oping,” Kardashian said. “While reprieve, Bernard became the REUTERS — WASHINGTON Harbor,” Dr. Robert Redfield, from Moderna Inc, next week. numbers across the country, the Brandon did participate in this ninth federal inmate to be exe- director of the US Centers for Other vaccine candidates are US Department of Homeland crime, his role was minor com- cuted since July, when the A mounting US death toll has Disease Control and Prevention in the works. Security said yesterday. pared to that of the other teens Trump administration resumed tempered enthusiasm about a (CDC), told the Council on A US rollout faces significant The decision means it will involved, two of whom are federal executions after a coming COVID-19 vaccine with Foreign Relations on Thursday. logistical challenges to meet be up to the administration of home from prison now.” 17-year hiatus. 9/11-like fatalities projected “The reality is the vaccine President-elect Joe Biden’s goal President-elect Joe Biden to every day for the months ahead, approval this week is not going of inoculating 100 million people determine when it will drop even with a rapid rollout of to really impact that, I think, to within 100 days of his inaugu- the restrictions, first imposed inoculations, which could start any degree for the next 60 ration on January 20. in March to control the spread New ‘Star Wars’ film ‘Rogue as soon as Monday. days,” Redfield said. But any American who of the virus. Acting DHS Sec- Another 2,902 US deaths Moving with unprecedented wants a vaccine should be able retary Chad Wolf said on Squadron’ due in 2023 were reported on Thursday, a speed, the US Food and Drug to get one by May or June, Twitter the latest one-month day after a record 3,253 people Administration (FDA) was on the Assistant US Health Secretary extension was to “continue to AFP — LOS ANGELES died, a pace projected to con- cusp of approving emergency use Brett Giroir told Fox News. prevent the spread of COVID”. tinue for the next two to three of the coronavirus vaccine Then there is the American Canada has shown little Disney announced on Thursday a new “Star Wars” film from the months until the vaccine can be developed by Pfizer Inc with its scepticism about vaccines, with interest in lifting the restrictions director of “Wonder Woman” and several new TV series within the widely distributed. German partner BioNTech. only 61% saying they are open as the virus runs rampant across sci-fi franchise, including two spin-offs from the creators of smash Those daily tolls are roughly “The FDA informed Pfizer to getting vaccinated, according the United States. US officials hit “The Mandalorian”. Patty Jenkins will direct “Rogue Squadron”, equivalent to the 2,996 killed that they do intend to proceed to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. had previously sought some which is set in “a future era of the galaxy” and will be the next “Star in the attacks of September 11, towards an authorization for In the meantime, grim sta- revisions especially for restric- Wars” movie released, scheduled for Christmas 2023. 2001, and greater than the their vaccine,” Health and tistics continue to pile up as the tions impacting residents along “This story will introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots, 2,403 killed in the 1941 attack Human Services Secretary Alex United States recorded more the Canadian border. as they earn their wings and risk their lives in a boundary-pushing, on Pearl Harbor — traumatic Azar told ABC News yesterday. than 200,000 cases per day for The United States has high-speed thrill ride,” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy events that reshaped the United “We will work with Pfizer to get four straight days with another reported about 15.6 million told Disney’s investor day. States for years. that shipped out so we could be 220,815 cases on Thursday. cases and 292,642 deaths since Jenkins immediately posted on Twitter a video of herself “Probably for the next 60 to seeing people getting vaccinated The United States has so far the start of the pandemic. By donning a “Star Wars” starfighter helmet and marching toward 90 days, we’re going to have Monday or Tuesday,” Azar said. reported about 15.6 million contrast, Canada has had about an X-wing, adding she had been inspired to take on the film by more deaths per day than we The US advisory panel is cases and 292,642 deaths by 442,000 confirmed cases with her air force pilot father. had on 9/11 or we had at Pearl due to review a second vaccine, Thursday. just over 13,100 deaths.