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TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 11 RAJAB - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8541 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS
Shura Council makes Amir meets Jordan Deputy Prime Minister recommendations on job change, exit of workers
QNA — DOHA They also called for ensuing amending some provisions of the number of times allowed to Law No. (4) of 2007 Enacting the The Shura Council yesterday change the employer does not Common System of Extending recommended determining the exceed three times during the Insurance Protection to Citizens period of the contract signed by worker’s stay in the country in of the Cooperation Council of the the employer and the worker, order to prove his seriousness Arab Gulf States working outside and that the worker is prohibited at work, in addition to ensuring their countries in any member from requesting a change of the that the percentage of workers state of the council. After dis- employer during the contract who received approval to cussion, the Council decided to period, which should not exceed change employer does not refer the aforementioned draft two years, unless there are exceed (15%) annually for a law to the Legal and Legislative reasons justifying this or with the single company except with the Affairs Committee for study and approval of his employer. approval of the employer. report on it to the Council. The recommendations of The Shura Council held its During the session, the Shura Council also included regular weekly meeting yes- Council discussed the supple- increasing the percentage of terday under the chairmanship mentary report of the joint Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at the Amiri Diwan yesterday with Deputy Prime workers who are not allowed of Speaker H E Ahmed bin committee of the Services and Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H E Dr to travel without permission Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. Public Utilities Committee and Ayman Al Safadi. Dr Al Safadi conveyed the greetings of H M King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein to H H the from the employer from 5% to The session was held via video the Internal and External Affairs 10%, as there are small and conference technology at the regarding the general dis- Amir, wishing him health and happiness and the Qatari people continuous progress and prosperity. medium enterprises and com- Council headquarters. cussion request submitted by H H the Amir entrusted the Jordan Deputy PM to convey his greetings to H M King of Jordan, wishing panies with very limited At the outset of the session, several members of the council him health and wellness and the Jordanian people further progress and development. During the numbers in them. the Council discussed a draft law on the change of employer and meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and means of developing them, as well as the latest travel without notification for regional and international developments. expatriate workers. After discussing the com- mittee’s report, and based on the Shura Council’s keenness to support the efforts exerted by the MoCI invites applications for government represented by the Ministry of Administrative Devel- opment, Labor and Social development of 14 schools Affairs, and in order to develop the business sector in the State THE PENINSULA — DOHA for students with special and asset transfer to Ashghal of Qatar, and after listening to needs. by that period’s end. the Council members views The Ministry of Commerce and This step is aimed at This comes within the during the Council session held Industry (MoCI), in cooperation meeting the increasing demand framework of Qatar’s com- on January 4, 2021 that was with the Ministry of Education in the education sector, coin- mitment to meet the increasing Speaker of the Shura Council H E Ahmed bin attended by H E Minister of and Higher Education and the ciding with the population demand for public services, Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Administrative Development, Public Works Authority growth and the increasing and its endeavour to find inno- The recommendations included increasing the Labor and Social Affairs, as well (Ashghal), has announced a number of students enrolled in vative ways to provide the as after providing their observa- request for submitting Expres- schools, while achieving con- required infrastructure, percentage of workers who are not allowed to tions and proposals in the Council sions of Interest (EOI) in public- tinuous improvement in the achieve the Qatar National travel without permission from the employer from session held on February 8, 2021, private partnership (PPP) quality of education. Vision 2030, and enable the 5% to 10%. the Shura Council made a development of Qatari schools The project’s scope of work private sector to play a major number of recommendations (package 3) which consists 14 includes the design and con- role in achieving long-term The Council called for ensuing the number of regarding the change of employer schools. struction of 14 schools, demo- goals and results, especially times allowed to change the employer does not and travel without notification for The package 3 consists of lition works in evacuated applying public-private part- exceed three times during the worker’s stay in the expatriate workers, and decided four secondary schools, five schools, project financing, nership for developing infra- country in order to prove his seriousness at work. to refer them to the esteemed preparatory schools, four operation, and maintenance for structure and providing government. `P3 primary schools, and a school a 25-year concession period, services. `P3 EAA’s platform to Qatar contributes to global efforts assist children in Qatar not enrolled to address COVID-19 pandemic in any school QNA — DOHA Rashid Al Khater before the high- by strengthening the health sector, THE PENINSULA — DOHA level segment of the 46th session of providing the necessary support to The State of Qatar has reminded the the Human Rights Council in the economic sector to reduce the Education Above All Foun- international community that Geneva yesterday. pandemic negative effects, and con- dation (EAA) has asked parents providing the coronavirus Al Khater expressed happiness at tributing to international efforts to of school-age children, who (COVID-19) vaccine to the Pales- addressing the esteemed council at address the pandemic by providing are not enrolled in any school, tinians in the occupied territories this session, which is held under support to needy countries and con- to fill in an expression of is one of the responsibilities of the exceptional circumstances due to the cerned international organizations, interest form to find right solu- occupation authorities before inter- continuing spread of the COVID-19 Al Khater explained. tions for them. national and humanitarian law and pandemic, expressing hope that the She indicated that within the “Are you a resident of Qatar that their disavowal of this respon- pandemic will quickly pass, humanity framework of enhancing public and have a school-age child sibility can only be understood as will avoid further loss of life and the participation to allow wider partic- (6-18) that is currently not an apartheid regime that must be various negative consequences. ipation for citizens, the State of Qatar contributed to international efforts to address the enrolled in any school? EAA’s condemned and denounced. Confronting the COVID-19 pan- Qatar decided to hold the first elec- pandemic by providing support to needy countries and new platform aims to identify This came in the speech of demic, the State of Qatar continued tions for the Qatari Shura Council concerned international organizations. children in Qatar facing barriers Assistant Foreign Minister and its efforts by adopting a strategy in October according to the provi- Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater to access education & the right Spokesperson for the Ministry of based on three basic axes: protecting sions of the permanent constitution solutions for them,” EAA Foreign Affairs H E Lolwah bint citizens and residents of the State of Qatar. `P3 tweeted yesterday. The EAA has mentioned 9 kinds of barriers in the form, that can be accessed here Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are very similar: MoPH https://educationaboveall.org/ uploads/library/file/e7ad7e5268. FAZEENA SALEEM pointed the similarities and few effective at preventing symp- age of 16 years. But Moderna country on December 23, 2020 pdf. `P2 THE PENINSULA differences between the two tomatic COVID-19 infection COVID-19 vaccine is given in two and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccines developed after two doses. doses 28 days apart for people vaccine was first administered Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna and “Extensive clinical trials on above the age of 18 years. at Primary Health Care Corpo- which is now available in the Pfizer-BioNTech. tens of thousands of people To mention, Chair of the ration’s (PHCC) health centers. country is similar to Pfizer- The MoPH has granted have shown the vaccines to be National Health Strategic Group From yesterday, Moderna BioNTech vaccine that was first emergency use authorisation safe. Millions of people around on COVID-19, Dr. Abdullatif Al COVID-19 vaccine is also being authorised, according to Ministry for Moderna and Pfizer- the world have already safely Khal had said earlier, “the given to people who have of Public Health (MoPH). BioNTech vaccines, which were received the vaccination,” the Moderna vaccine is very similar already booked in for vacci- The Ministry started admin- already approved by the US Ministry said in a comparison to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine nation appointments at Al ROUND OF 16 istering Moderna COVID-19 Food and Drug Administration, of Pfizer-BioNTech, and and people should not be con- Wajba, Lebaib, and Thumama TODAY 11PM QATAR TIME vaccine in Al Wajba, Lebaib, and European Union and the UK. Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. cerned which vaccine they are health centers and these SS Lazio vs Bayern Munich Thumama health centers yes- Both Pfizer-BioNTech, and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 given.” people will be informed in terday. In a social media Moderna COVID-19 vaccines vaccine is given in two doses 21 The COVID-19 vaccination advance which vaccine they Atlético Madrid vs Chelsea message, the Ministry has have shown nearly 95 percent days apart for people above the campaign has begun in the will receive. 02 HOME TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021
Deputy PM meets GCC Secretary-General Deputy PM and FM meets OFFICIAL NEWS Jordanian counterpart Amir sends condolences to QNA — DOHA The two FMs stress need to Tanzania President Deputy Prime Minister and intensify efforts to resolve Minister of Foreign Affairs H E crises, achieve security and DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir rahman Al Thani met yesterday stability in the region, and H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al with Deputy Prime Minister activate joint Arab action Thani, and Prime Minister and Min- and Minister of Foreign Affairs to confront common ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid and Expatriates of the challenges. bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan sent yesterday cables of condo- H E Dr Ayman Al Safadi, on the lences to President of the United occasion of his visit to the Palestinian elections. Republic of Tanzania H E John country. They stressed during the Magufuli, on the death of First During the meeting, they meeting the importance of Vice President of Zanzibar Seif reviewed the distinguished and achieving Palestinian national Sharif Hamad. — QNA advanced cooperation and reconciliation and uniting the relations between the two Palestinian ranks. They also Qatar condemns brotherly countries and means stressed their support for of supporting and developing holding Palestinian elections. killing of Italian them in all fields, especially in They stressed need to ambassador in economic and investment intensify efforts to resolve Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al DR Congo attack domains, in addition to dis- crises, achieve security and sta- Thani met yesterday with Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the cussing developments in the bility in the region, and activate DOHA: The State of Qatar voiced Gulf (GCC), H E Dr. Nayef Falah Al Hajraf, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, region, especially the Pales- joint Arab action to confront strong condemnation and denun- they exchanged views on the GCC march. tinian cause and the upcoming common challenges. ciation of the killing of the Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an Italian Qatar participates officer and a third person in an Qatar reiterates support for political solution in Syria armed attack on a United Nations in meeting on convoy in the city of Goma in east- QNA — DOHA ern Congo. In a statement issued Afghan peace yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Affairs reiterated the firm position process Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed of the State of Qatar on rejecting violence, terrorism and criminal QNA — KABUL bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met yesterday with President of the National Coalition acts regardless of motives and The State of Qatar participated of Syrian Revolution and Opposition reasons, and stressed the need in a meeting on strengthening Forces H E Dr. Nasr Musa Al Hariri, who to pursue the elements involved consensus for the Afghan is currently visiting the country. in the attack and bring them to peace process organised by the During the meeting, they reviewed justice. The Ministry expressed Afghan Ministry of Peace. bilateral cooperation, relations and dis- the condolences of the State of Chairman of the High Council cussed the Syrian issue. Qatar to the families of the vic- for National Reconciliation of The Deputy Prime Minister and Min- tims and to the government and Afghanistan H E Dr. Abdullah ister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s people of Italy. — QNA Abdullah presided over the firm support for international efforts meeting, held via video aimed at reaching a political solution to conference. the Syrian crisis on the basis of the first EAA to assist The State of Qatar was Geneva Declaration of 2012 and the rel- represented in the meeting by evant Security Council resolutions, espe- out-of-school Acting Charge d’Affaires of the cially Resolution No. 2254, in a manner Embassy of the State of Qatar that meets the legitimate aspirations of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman children in Qatar in the Islamic Republic of the Syrian people for security, stability Al Thani, met with President of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition FROM PAGE 1 Afghanistan Fahad Ali Al and preservation of their territorial Sulaiti. integrity. Forces, H E Dr. Nasr Musa Al Hariri, yesterday. The EAA has mentioned 9 kinds of barriers in the form including: Financial barrier - In case, you do not have SJC Chairman attends opening of 60th training site of GJIN enough financial resources to enroll your child in an appro- QNA — DOHA the Global Judicial Integrity Network priate affordable school. Age initiative. barrier - In case, your child has Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary At the beginning of the ceremony, never attended school, or has Council and the President of the Court senior officer of the judicial integrity pro- dropped out of school and is of Cassation Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al gramme in the relevant UN agency mentioned/considered to be Hassan Al Mohannadi, who is the Chair- Marco Teixeira gave a presentation on over age by the schools. Child person of the second High-Level Meeting the activities of the Global Judicial performance barrier - In case, of the Global Judicial Integrity Network Integrity Network which achieved a sig- your child has been removed (GJIN) for the current session, took part nificant accomplishment in reaching 60 from the school after having in the opening ceremony of the 60th training sites and building judicial failed multiple times in the training site for the Network's activities, capacity at the level of the five conti- same grade. which was held virtually in the Iraqi nents that benefit from the momentum Transportation barrier — capital Baghdad. of the State of Qatar’s presidency of the In case, you cannot afford to In a welcoming speech, Dr. Al Network, financing its activities and sup- arrange, or are not able to Mohannadi expressed his pleasure with porting it with all the Qatari judicial and provide, transportation to and the practical cooperation between the diplomatic tools. from the school. Gender judges of the supreme judicial councils Global Judicial Integrity Network is barrier — In case, you cannot of both Qatar and Iraq, and valued the one of the projects of the judicial integrity identify or secure a seat in an efforts of the General Secretariat of the pillar, and one of the pillars of the global affordable “Girls only” school. Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Global Judicial Integrity Network carried program for the implementation of the School capacity barrier — In out by the teams of the United Nations Mohannadi, attending the opening ceremony of the 60th training site for Global 2015 Doha Declaration on Crime Pre- case, you are unable to secure Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna. Judicial Integrity Network. vention and Criminal Justice. a seat in an affordable school Dr. Al Mohannadi praised the efforts The opening ceremony was attended due to limited capacity at of the workers in the bilateral diplomatic Network initiative. judicial quality with the support of the by a number of judges overseeing the affordable community/private channels, whose support and numerous For his part, President of the Qatari judges brothers. judicial integrity file in the Iraqi courts schools. Special Needs / Illness efforts resulted in the launch of this Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq Judge Deputy Permanent Representative and representatives of the permanent - In case, your child has an project, which he said would be a new Faiq Zidan highlighted the relentless of the State of Qatar to the United missions of the State of Qatar and the illness or special needs that the translation of the serious commitment pursuit of the Iraqi judges to be the first Nations in Vienna Abdullah bin Nasser Republic of Iraq to the United Nations schools are unwilling to made by the State of Qatar, represented to embrace a training site for the Al Hajri said that the Qatari diplomatic in Vienna, in coordination by the General accommodate. Language by the Supreme Judiciary Council, to Network among their Arab judges effort complements the message of the Secretariat of the Global Judicial Integrity barrier and Process barrier - continue to deliver and achieve the lofty brothers, an opportunity which he said judicial effort in promoting and dissem- Network at the United Nations Office on In case, you do not hold the goals of the Global Judicial Integrity has great value that combines the global inating the desired positive results from Drugs and Crime (UNODC). necessary paperwork. 1,498 vie for Prophet’s Poet prize Ministry launches guide to prepare QNA — DOHA supervisor of the Katara Prize The Katara award carries for Prophet’s Poet (Peace Be students for university, job market The Cultural Village Foundation cash prizes worth a total of Upon Him) Khaled Abdul Rahim DOHA (Katara) has announced that it QR4.2m. Al Sayed said that the prize has QNA — colleges within the country and and the role of parents in had received 1,498 poems to received great interaction from their disciplines, in addition to helping and shaping their chil- compete for the Katara Prize poets not only in the Arab The Ministry of Education and admission requirements for dren’s orientations towards for Prophet’s Poet (Peace be and Sudan, with 509 poems, region but in other non-Arabic Higher Education, represented each university or college choosing the educational and upon him). The award activities followed by participants from speaking countries. He pointed by the Academic and Profes- separately. university path through a set of will be organised from the Arab Maghreb countries out that the Gulf participation sional Counselling Department It also includes electronic steps. September 19 to 24. with 378 poems, participants witnessed increase, especially at the Educational Guidance links for international standard The last section of the guide January 31 was the deadline from the Levant and Iraq with in Al Nabati poetry category Department, has issued the tests, which form an important includes the government schol- for submission of entries for the 333 poems, and participants that reached 94 entries of total Student Guide, preparing part in the student’s documents arship programme, which aims Prize, which is marking its fifth from the Arab Gulf states with 140 submissions in Al Nabati students for the university stage for university admission, to provide specialised Qatari edition this year. 259 poems, while the number poetry category. and the labour market for the whether in local or foreign uni- human cadres that meet the Katara General Manager Dr. of submissions from non-Arab The competition is divided academic year 2020-21. versities and colleges, as these needs of the labour market, as Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti countries reached 19 poems. into two categories — Al Nabati The Student Guide aims to tests predict students’ readiness the Ministry of Education and said that the number of poets The Katara General poetry, a variant of classical educate students and parents to join the university, such as Higher Education undertakes participating in the fifth edition Manager affirmed that the prize poetry that is popular in the about the various opportunities IELTS or TOEFL which test stu- the tasks to provide guidance of the Katara Prize for Prophet’s achieved widespread popu- Arabian Peninsula, and classical available to students after high dents’ English proficiency, SAT and scholarships for students, Poet (Peace be upon him) is the larity and received a great poetry. The much-coveted school, and to make them or ACT that test students’ skills while the Ministry of Adminis- largest since the award was interaction from poets and award carries big cash prizes aware of the importance of in mathematics, science and trative Development, Labor and launched in 2016, with an interested people due to the worth a total of QR4.2m. The early readiness for admission critical reading. Social Affairs prepares the increase of 29 percent over the nobility of its objectives, as it first prize winner in each cat- to various local and overseas According to the Student general policy for scholarships fourth edition, in which 1,158 emphasizes the importance of egory will take home a cash universities and colleges, as Guide, students need to com- and coordinates with gov- poets participated, noting that poetry in the unity of the prize of QR1m while winners of well as the importance of plete these tests before the 12th ernment entities to prepare the prize committee of the fifth Islamic and Arab nation, the second and third place posi- standardised tests for under- grade, as they will be required their scholarship programs edition received 1,358 poems expressing his deep thanks to tions will each receive graduate admissions. to start applying to various according to their needs. in the classical category, and the media partner of the prize: QR700,000 and QR400,000, It guides students to choose universities. As for students wishing to 140 poems in Al Nabati poetry Qatar TV and the Prophet respectively. The 30 shortlisted the right major, as it contains a The guide also includes join the military sector, this is category. (Peace Be Upon Him) channel, poems, that enter the preliminary set of steps and directions that advices for 10th grade students done through the Unified He pointed out that the wishing the participants round, will be published in an help students in this regard. It in choosing their educational Standing Committee for the largest participation in the success. annual book which will also be also includes an overview of the path that suits their desires, Selection of Candidates for Mil- current edition was from Egypt For his part, general made available in CD format. various universities and abilities and future aspirations, itary Officers. TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 03 QA processes 50,000 Qatar, UAE hold first talks after hotel quarantine refunds Al-Ula Declaration
THE PENINSULA — DOHA Discover Qatar assisted over QNA — KUWAIT 310,000 people to complete Qatar Airways has said that quarantine in 65 hotels & Official delegations from Qatar its team is working round the served 5 Million meals. Over and the UAE held their first clock to manage the increase 240 employees are dedicated meeting in Kuwait yesterday in demand for quarantine to welcoming those returning to set mechanisms and proce- rooms as no home quarantine to Qatar as we support the dures for the future phase, is permitted for people Ministry of Public Health to after the Al-Ula Summit Decla- coming from 'Red Zone' coun- protect the local community ration, which was issued on tries. from COVID-19, Qatar January 5. “We are aware of the Airways added. The meeting discussed the increased demand for quar- “It has been a huge under- necessary means and antine rooms as restrictions taking to set up an effective measures to enhance the joint evolve with no home quar- and efficient hotel quarantine work process of the GCC coun- Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan H E General Qamar Javed Bajwa meeting Special Envoy of the Minister antine permitted from red system that is a model for tries and achieve the aspira- of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution H E Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed countries,” Qatar Airways said many other countries,” said tions of their peoples in terms Al Qahtani, yesterday. on Twitter yesterday. Qatar Airways. of security, stability, and The Airways said that its It said that the refund development. teams are working around the teams are working diligently The two sides expressed Pakistan FM, Interior Minister & COAS meet clock to ensure the continued to ensure all refunds are proc- appreciation to the Kingdom safety of Qatar and its essed promptly within the 60 of Saudi Arabia for hosting the Qatar FM's special envoy for mediation residents. days of your request and we recent Gulf Summit. The two “We have processed over appreciate your patience sides thanked Kuwait for QNA — ISLAMABAD Special Envoy of the Minister bilateral cooperation, the peace 50,000 refunds to date and during this time. hosting the first meeting of Foreign Affairs for Counter- process in the Islamic Republic continue to facilitate further “Please email all refund between them, and expressed Pakistan's Minister of Foreign terrorism and Mediation in of Afghanistan and the progress requests, we appreciate the requests to DQWel- appreciation to Kuwait Amir Affairs H E Makhdoom Shah Conflict Resolution H E Dr. of the ongoing negotiations in patience of our customers as comeHome@qatarairways. H H Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Mahmood Qureshi; Minister of Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani Doha. it can take up to 60 days to com.qa so we have a record Al Jaber Al Sabah, for the Interior H E Sheikh Rasheed and his accompanying dele- The meetings were process refunds,” said the of the date of your refund efforts of his country to heal Ahmad; and Chief of Army Staff gation during their current visit attended by Ambassador of Airways in another tweet. request,” said Qatar the rift and its keenness to H E General Qamar Javed Bajwa to Islamabad. Qatar to Pakistan Sheikh Saoud To date, it said that the Airways. promote joint Gulf action. met separately yesterday with The meetings reviewed the bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Qatar contributes to global efforts to address COVID-19 pandemic FROM PAGE 1 highest level of women’s partic- responsibility prevailed among human rights. armed conflicts. progress in reaching a peaceful The Assistant Foreign Min- ipation in the workforce in the all and overcoming difficulties Al Khater said that the State She said that the State of solution to the conflict on the ister emphasised that the State region with 58.3 percent. in achieving reconciliation and of Qatar renews its appreciation Qatar reminds the international basis of the Geneva Declaration of Qatar continues its efforts to About modernizing the leg- establishing the principles of for the Kuwaiti mediation efforts community that providing vac- 1 and Security Council Reso- improve human rights condi- islative system in the field of brotherhood and reunification, made by HH Sheikh Sabah Al- cines to the Palestinians in the lution 2254, and to ensure tions, and has made great strides promoting and protecting Al Khater added. She explained Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the occupied territories is one of the accountability the perpetrators in this regard through the steady workers’ rights, the State of that the State of Qatar has wel- late Amir of the State of Kuwait, responsibilities of the occupation of all violations and crimes in implementation of the Qatar Qatar has adopted a series of comed this agreement out of its which was completed by HH the authorities before international Syria, she added. National Vision 2030 and the pioneering legislative and insti- firm conviction that constructive Amir of the State of Kuwait and humanitarian law. Referring to Libya, the State strategies related to it. tutional reforms in the region dialogue is the way to resolve Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- On Syria, Lolwah bint Rashid of Qatar calls on all parties to She said that the State of that have led to the abolition of differences by peaceful means Jaber Al-Sabah, adding Qatar Al Khater said that after 10 years adhere to their national respon- Qatar has achieved many sus- the sponsorship system, based on the rules of interna- also appreciates all brotherly of the ongoing conflict, the sibilities, overcome their differ- tainable development goals, and improvement of working con- tional law, the principles of good and friendly countries that con- brotherly Syrian people are still ences, and move forward in the has assumed advanced positions ditions, and providing a decent neighborliness, and respect for tributed to ending this crisis. paying a heavy price from their Libyan political dialogue in order at the level of the countries of living for all workers. sovereignty and independence Assistant Foreign Minister lives, security and future as a to consolidate the principles of the region in human devel- There is no doubt that eve- of states. and Spokesperson for the Min- result of their demands for the rule of law and institutions opment reports in recent years, ryone has followed the conclu- She added no doubt ending istry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah freedom, dignity and justice. through democratic national as it topped the list of countries sions of the 41 GCC summit in this crisis and implementing the bint Rashid Al Khater indicated Warning about the fragility of elections that meet the demands in the Middle East and North Al-Ula, the Kingdom of Saudi Al-Ula agreement will positively that the world, the Arab region the situation in Syria and the of the Libyan people and con- Africa in the ranking of the 2020 Arabia, and the issuance of the reflect on enhancing the GCC in particular, is still facing many impact of its deterioration on the tribute to the protection and pro- Global Peace Index, ranked first Al-Ula statement announcing desired role in consolidating dangerous challenges that region, the State of Qatar calls motion of human rights, and the in the Arab world in the index of the end of the Gulf crisis that regional stability and the bonds threaten the international peace on all Syrian parties and the achievement of welfare and sus- the most secure and peaceful lasted for more than three years, of the Gulf societal fabric and and security as a result of the international community to tainable development, she societies, and achieved the after the spirit of wisdom and promoting and protecting continued occupation and work hard to make a real added. Shura Council makes recommendations on job change, exit of workers FROM PAGE 1 Shura Council called for Ministry of Administrative addressing the phenomenon of Development, Labor and Social The recommendations illegal workers by setting the Affairs to decide on all applica- called for ensuring the financial appropriate mechanism and tions for the sponsorship and legal status of the company amending their conditions in transfer, provided that the com- to which the worker will move, accordance with the law. It also mittee has in its membership a especially in obtaining the demanded to provide adequate representative from the approval for visa, and ensuring procedures that amending the Chamber of Commerce and the that the first party does not lose status of the worker whose Ministry of Interior, in order to its visa. transfer request has not been consider requests for the spon- When recruiting workers to accepted in case that the sorship transfer and their com- implement governmental or original employer expresses his pliance with the specified con- quasi-governmental contracts, unwillingness for the worker to trols, conditions and it should be taken into account return to work for him. The mechanisms. that they should not be granted Ministry of the Interior should At the end of the session, H change of employer except with set up the appropriate mech- E the Speaker briefed the the consent of the employer anism so that the worker’s Council on his participation last until the term of those contracts employer is notified three days Monday in the meeting of the expires and that the visa should before the date of his departure Special Committee on Counter be linked to the contract. They by text message or via the Terrorism of the Parliamentary also called for fair compen- Metrash application. Assembly of the Mediterranean sation for the costs the company The Shura Council also rec- (PAM) which was held virtually spent on the worker. ommended to establish a per- at the invitation of the In its recommendations, the manent committee at the Assembly. MoCI invites applications for MoPH: 463 new development of 14 schools cases and 495 FROM PAGE 1 more recover The Ministry noted that In this regard, the Ministry interested parties can submit THE PENINSULA — DOHA of Commerce and Industry, the required documents and an Ministry of Education and EOI, through the Public Works The Ministry of Public Health Higher Education, and Ashghal Authority’s website: www. (MoPH) yesterday announced invite interested parties to ashghal.gov.qa. Therein, the the registration of 463 new submit EOI in PPP devel- link (Tenders and Auctions - confirmed cases of COVID-19. opment of Qatari schools Pre-Qualification) is chosen Among them 38 were trav- (package 3), under a system of from the home page to ellers returning from abroad. design, construction, financing, download the EOI form, which Also 495 people have operation, maintenance, and includes: 1) Anti-Corruption recovered from the virus, then ownership transfer of 14 Declaration; 2) Confidentiality bringing the total number of new schools. Declaration; 3) Expression of recovered cases in Qatar to As per the three entities, the Interest Acknowledgment 150,715. All new cases have purpose of the request for EOI Form; 4) Information required been introduced to isolation is to invite competent Qatari from the interested parties. and are receiving necessary and international companies All documents, in addition healthcare according to their and consortia, capable of deliv- to a valid commercial register, health status. ering the project, to indicate must be sent electronically, no Ministry also reported a their interest in it. The qualifi- later than March 9, 2021, before death of 66-year-old, who had cation request documents shall 1pm, Doha local time (+3: 00 received the necessary be issued after receiving EOI GMT), to [email protected] medical care, taking the death requests from the interested For further inquiries, the toll due to COVID-19 to 257. companies. Additionally, a interested companies can The total number of positive meeting shall be held with the contact the Manager of Engi- COVID-19 cases recorded in companies interested in the neering Services Department Qatar is 160,889. There are project during the qualification at the Public Works Authority, 9,917 active cases under request period, to provide them via [email protected] treatment. The first phase of with more information and The PPP project includes COVID-19 vaccinations is respond to their questions. the development of 47 schools. underway in Qatar. 04 HOME TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 QU colleges hold conference on Ooredoo launches 4th online teaching and learning Mini Shop on Wheels THE PENINSULA – DOHA the coming months. THE PENINSULA – DOHA The new Mini Shop on Ooredoo has expanded its Shop Wheels will also serve cus- Qatar University’s College of on Wheels fleet with the tomers at outdoor events Engineering (QU-CENG) and addition of its fourth Mini Shop organised within Qatar. College of Education (QU-CEDU) on Wheels. Director PR at Ooredoo kicked off the three-day Designed to ensure the tele- Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari said: Education, Engineering communications operator can “Our fleet of Mini Shops on Education and Instruction Tech- reach even more of its Wheels helps us ensure we can nology Conference (EEEITC-21), customers, the Mini Shop on reach as many of our customers which will conclude today. The Wheels will offer customers all as possible. It makes it easy for conference is themed “Online regular Ooredoo services them to access our services Teaching and Learning: Towards normally available in shops, whenever they need us. Building a Better Future.” without them needing to leave We recognise not everyone QU President, Dr. Hassan Al their homes. has an Ooredoo shop nearby, Derham, said, “EEEITC-21 will The fourth Mini Shop on especially in more remote cover plenary sessions and main Wheels joins the existing fleet areas, and – with our com- lectures on several topics related of three Shop on Wheels mitment to complete customer to engineering and technical vehicles, which are already satisfaction – want to make education. We expect that this busy serving customers around sure we’re available via as conference will provide a forum Doha, with plans in the pipeline many channels as possible to for exchanging technical infor- Officials from QU speaking during the three-day Education, Engineering Education and Instruction to expand the fleet further in meet our customers’ needs.” mation, disseminating high- Technology Conference. quality research results, and pre- senting new policies and scien- and education sector practical challenges in devel- process of achieving the global tific progress in these areas.” researchers. We wish all par- oping and implementing inno- education goals through Commenting on the com- ticipants a successful outcome.” vative educators in education. reducing barriers to access pany’s sponsorship of the con- QU-CEDU Dean Prof. Ahmed Meanwhile, QU-CENG Dean learning, automating man- ference, Dolphin Energy’s Abdulrahman Emadi said the Dr. Khalid Kamal Naji stressed agement processes, and opti- General Manager – Qatar, conference aims to gather local that the conference would mizing methods to improve Hassan Al Emadi, said: “We are and international experts, edu- include lectures by keynote learning outcomes. very proud to sponsor this con- cators, faculty members, and speakers and invitees, presen- The conference supports the ference which brings together researchers to share their expe- tations, and posters from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda a significant number of diverse riences and research results on participants. Proceedings of the for Sustainable Development international and local experts education and the use of tech- conference and high-quality Goal (SDGs), which will be dis- in the field of education and nology to enhance teaching and papers will also be published in cussed across various profes- technology. This is the perfect learning online. internationally refereed sional fields, including the edu- platform to enhance virtual The event also provides a journals. CENG Associate Dean cation sector, and actively con- learning, help policymakers multidisciplinary platform for of Academic Affairs Prof Abdel- tribute to its mandate. This is find creative and innovative academics and researchers to magid Hamouda said, “Artificial why upcoming EEEITC 21 will solutions, and offer exceptional present and discuss the latest intelligence (AI) has the focus on bringing technology value for students, academics, trends and concerns, and potential to accelerate the and educators together.” Registration for Loyola International School celebrates free education under quota of International Mother Language Day
Russian govt is THE PENINSULA – DOHA
extended International Mother Language Day was celebrated in Loyola A view of Al Mearad -3 Woqod petrol station THE PENINSULA – DOHA International School (LIS) to help students enhance their The registration of candidates awareness of linguistic and Woqod opens new petrol for free education under the cultural diversity that exists in quota of the government of the the world. station in Al Mearad Russian Federation is The event also helped in the extended until March 15, 2021. promotion of multilingualism. to residents, and includes Sidra Qatari citizens, stateless Students across all Grades par- THE PENINSULA – DOHA convenience store, manual car persons and Russian compa- ticipated with great enthusiasm wash, oil change and tire repair, triots with permanent resi- and flair. In keeping with the As part of Woqod’s ongoing for Light Vehicles and sale of dence in Qatar, who wish to need of the times, the activities expansion plans to be able to LPG cylinders ‘Shafaf’, in study in the Russian Feder- were held in a blended fashion serve every area in Qatar, Qatar addition to sale of gasoline and ation under the quota, have to wherein some children partic- Fuel, Woqod opened Al Mearad diesel products for light vehicles. register with the information ipated in online activities -3 petrol station yesterday and Woqod’s Managing Director system https://education-in- whereas there other students LIS students during the International Mother Language Day by this it raised its network of & CEO, Saad Rashid Al russia.com/, to fill in the form, who participated in various celebration. petrol stations to 109. Muhannadi, said: “We are to provide a photo, a scan of a activities on their school New Al Mearad-3 Woqod pleased to open a new petrol passport and education campus. petrol station is spread over an station in Al Mearad-3, Woqod document (or of an education All activities were con- area of 15400 square meters aspires to expand its petrol period certificate) to partic- ducted in a safe environment and has 3 lanes with 9 dis- station network in the country ipate in sectionals. An appli- adhering to all health and safety pensers for light vehicles, to meet the rising demand for cation for admission should be guidelines. Dressed up in their which will serve Al Mearad, and petroleum products and completed via a personal resplendent traditional clothes, its neighborhood. achieve the goal of providing account on the website. To do the tiny tots of the kindergarten Al Mearad-3 petrol station customers with access to best- this, prospective students need and the energetic learners of offers round-the-clock services in-class products and services to select in advance at least six the primary sections spoke elo- at their con- universities where they would quently in their mother venience and like to study and decide on the languages. comfort. level and form of study. The Students of the middle Woqod selected universities should be school wrote essays, recited team would listed in order of priority. poems and sang songs in dif- like to extend These scholarships include ferent languages. They were their gratitude free tuition for the entire ably guided encouraged by to all concerned duration of a programme and their language teachers. from several nations thus Prasad and Vice Principal Mou governmental accommodation in dormi- There were posters, charts offering many opportunities Bera congratulated the students and private tories (if it’s available). The and collages creatively dis- for students to witness and for their outstanding work and entities that scholarship will not cover played through the school respect the rich cultural and also commended the teachers contributed to costs related to the travel, campus. linguistic diversity that exists for helping the students appre- the completion living expenses or health Loyola has a diverse in every classroom. ciate the beauty of linguistic of this project.” insurance. student population that hails The School Principal P.K.V diversity. Mandarin Oriental, Doha achieves five-star rating in international awards
THE PENINSULA – DOHA Downtown Doha and at the Mandarin Oriental, Doha heart of Barahat Msheireb, “Receiving a five-star Mandarin Oriental, Doha has Mandarin Oriental, Doha is sit- rating from such a world- attained the honorary uated in the city’s newest and renowned organisation is a distinction of a five-star rating most exciting neighbourhood. great honour for us, and we are in the 63rd annual Forbes Designed by the world- eager to continue achieving Travel Guide Five & Four-Star renowned David Collins Studio, our mission to delight and Awards. the hotel’s 117 rooms, 41 suites inspire our Fans at every This is the second year for and 91 serviced apartments fuse opportunity,” he added. which Mandarin Oriental, Doha an elegant, contemporary The Forbes Travel Guide has achieved this prestigious design with subtle elements of has been a recognised global honour and remains the only traditional Qatari heritage. authority for rating the finest hotel in Qatar with the distin- Guests can expect an hotels since 1958. guished achievement. inviting ambiance, exquisite According to Forbes, Mandarin Oriental Hotel décor and bespoke service, standards for Forbes Five-Star Group is the award-winning where traditional Middle Award certifications are exact, owner and operator of some of Eastern charm meets Mandarin and few properties meet them. the world’s most luxurious Oriental’s legendary Awarded for exceptional hotels, resorts and residences. hospitality. quality of service, the Forbes Each unique property “We are delighted that our Travel Guide Five-Star Awards reflects the Group’s oriental commitment to excellence has are based on 500 rigorous heritage and unique sense of been recognised with this level standards evaluated anony- place, luxury hotels that are of hospitality distinction by the mously through an unan- embraced by the local com- Forbes Five and Four-Star nounced, undercover service munity and designed to be right awards as we represent Qatar evaluation conducted by Forbes for their time and place. on a global scale,” said Martin Travel Guide’s expert Located in Msheireb Schnider, General Manager of inspectors. TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 05 Breast cancer patient discharged on same day after surgery
THE PENINSULA - DOHA
A team of breast surgical oncologists at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad General Hospital (HGH) has successfully performed a tumour removal surgery for a patient in her thirties, with the patient being discharged from the hospital on the same day of surgery. This is the first time in Qatar a same-day discharge surgery, was per- formed for this kind of case. The surgery has been carried out at the Ambulatory Care Center’s Day Dr. Salman Al Shibani Dr. Ertifaa Al Shammari Surgery Department by Dr. Ertifaa Al Shammari, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, high-quality medical capabilities “The decision to undergo day care and Dr. Salman Al Shibani in collabo- available at HMC and accepted our procedures is subject to several cri- ration with a multidisciplinary medical plan to discharge her from the hospital teria such as the age of the patient and team including, radiologists, nurses, HMC’s Ambulatory Care Center on the same day of surgery. Day her health condition as she does not and histologists. surgery is considered a great option suffer from any chronic disease and Dr. Al Shammari said that per- for breast tumour removal operations the early diagnosis of the tumour. This forming a day surgery for breast and the patient remained under patient 24 hours after her discharge as it can have many advantages for the applies to 80.6% of the cases we tumour removal under the supervision medical supervision for a few more from the hospital for further follow- patients, including improving the diagnose,” Dr. Al Shammari added. of a multidisciplinary team is an hours after the completion of the up to ensure that her condition was patient’s psychological state, reducing Dr. Ertifaa advises women to unprecedented medical achievement surgery. Then she was discharged stable and she was able to return to preoperative anxiety, reducing chances undergo regular checkups for early for HMC. She explained that the patient home on the same day after ensuring her normal life. of developing blood clots in the legs, detection of breast cancer at the age was diagnosed with an early stage that her condition was stable. The The patient expressed her gratitude as well as limiting exposure to infec- of 45, as breast cancer screenings are breast cancer and lymphoma. Fol- patient was provided with analgesics to HMC and thanked her healthcare tions due to the reduced length of hos- available free of charge for all women lowing her diagnosis and the devel- (pain relievers) and all necessary team for the high-quality care she pital stay, especially amid the even for those who did not experience opment of an appropriate treatment wound-care instructions and was given received during all stages of her COVID-19 pandemic and helping the any symptoms. The early detection of plan, a decision was made to remove contact information to call her surgery. patients to recover more quickly and breast cancer helps increase the the tumour surgically. healthcare team in case she needs any- “The patient expressed full confi- return to their normal daily life,” said recovery rate by 99% if cancer was The surgery lasted for three hours thing. A specialist nurse called the dence in her surgical team and the Dr. Al Shammari. detected in early stages. Lekhwiya camp first district project in Qatar to achieve GSAS 4 Stars rating
THE PENINSULA - DOHA sustainability is possible for a typologies. project of any scale provided These include GSAS Hospi- The Internal Security Force (ISF) that there is political will to do tality to assess the barracks – Lekhwiya’s newly developed so. Considering the sheer scale buildings, GSAS Commercial to Camp in Duhail has become the of this project, the outstanding assess headquarters and other first GSAS certified (4 Stars) GSAS rating achieved by administrative and mixed-use district project in Qatar. Lekhwiya represents its lead- buildings, GSAS Sports to assess With 4 Stars rating under ership’s strategic focus and the sports facilities, GSAS GSAS Districts Certification, the management’s unhindered Healthcare to assess ISF development has pioneered efforts,” Alhorr added. Healthcare Medical Unit, GSAS The Internal Security Force (ISF) – Lekhwiya’s newly developed Camp in Duhail green building practices on a To incorporate green Mosques to assess the Camp district level. building principles while also Grand Mosque , GSAS Light Lekhwiya’s mixed-use catering to the unique need of Industry to assess warehouse submetering system across the misuse. Other sustainable fea- the existing buildings to avoid development covers 3,261,844 each facility, Lekhwiya camp and workshops, and GSAS Core project provides real-time data tures of the development waste from demolition, etc. square meters, featuring a range has benefitted from multiple & Shell to assess the Traffic on energy consumption from include the use of sustainable With Lekhwiya Camp project of facilities that include military schemes under the Global Sus- Control Center (TCC) Building. various locations. and locally sourced building now complete, plans are in buildings, stores, guardhouses, tainability Assessment System Most of the buildings within This data is useful in iden- materials wherever possible, place to continue sustainable headquarters, workshops, (GSAS) framework. Lekhwiya Camp have attained tifying and fixing any unusual use of treated water for irri- practices in the operations stage training and sports facilities, As MENA’s first per- GSAS 3 Stars ratings. consumption patterns resulting gation purposes, native plants with GSAS Operations health centre, grand mosque, formance based green building Among some key green from faulty appliances or for landscaping, and reuse of certification. shops, mess and petrol station certification system, GSAS pro- features of Lekhwiya Camp is among other facilities. vides thorough guidelines to the Integrated Building Man- Congratulating ISF implement and assess projects’ agement System (BMS) that (Lekhwiya) on the recent carbon footprint while also con- monitors mechanical and elec- achievement, Founding sidering region-specific chal- trical systems of the facilities to Chairman of the Gulf Organi- lenges. In the case of mixed-use keep a tab on energy and water sation for Research & Devel- developments like Lekhwiya consumption. The project opment (GORD), Dr. Yousef Camp in Duhail, GSAS boasts of Refrigeration District Alhorr said, “Ensuring out- framework also provides spe- Cooling Plant with a 40,000 standing levels of green building cific guidelines and methodol- tonnes capacity, utilising credentials is no simple feat, ogies suited for a diverse range recycled water provided by the especially on a district level. We of building typologies. Public Works Authority are talking about not one, but While a GSAS Districts Cer- (Ashghal). many buildings and facilities all tification represents Lekhwiya With leak detection system, equally ambitious to receive a Camp’s overall sustainability water leaks in any building world-class green building cer- achievement, projects within within Lekhwiya’s district can tification like GSAS.” the development have obtained be easily identified and fixed, “The Development of GSAS-Design & Building (D&B) thereby preventing wastage and Lekhwiya Camp has taken the certifications under different further damage to the sur- lead and proved that schemes based on their building rounding facilities. Similarly, QEERI to provide technical support on solar PV bus depot project THE PENINSULA - DOHA be established in Lusail City. the region, and will be utilized QEERI’s researchers and extensively for this and future Qatar Environment and Energy engineers are involved in projects.” Research Institute (QEERI), part various aspects of the project As part of this agreement, of Hamad Bin Khalifa such as reviewing the guide- PV modules supplied for the University (HBKU), has signed lines, providing recommenda- project are being tested in real a Data License and Consulting tions, and verifying the project’s conditions at QEERI’s Outdoor Service Agreement with Redco compliance with Tarsheed Test Facility to verify the elec- International that will support guidelines and Qatar Standards. trical characteristics of a renewable energy solutions for QEERI services also include sample of modules under local the country’s transportation the provision of estimation data climate conditions. sector. on the energy yield based on The PV modules will also be As part of this agreement, the site location, installation put through rigorous testing Redco International, the tech- configuration (tilt, orientation, conditions at QEERI’s PV reli- nical bid winners for the design etc.), and meteorological data ability laboratory to simulate and development of a solar – estimating the energy yield accelerate aging and determine photovoltaic (PV) bus depot in using real outdoor measure- and address potential failure Lusail managed by the Public ments, verifying the rating of causes. Works Authority (Ashghal), will the PV modules power prior to Sajid Aziz, Director of MEP utilize QEERI’s solar atlas installation according to the at Redco International, stated datasets an advisory services International Electrotechnical that they were eager to start for the validation of their tech- Commission (IEC) standards, collaborating with QEERI. nical proposal for the depot’s and validating the technology “Redco considers it a great PV solar system. reliability for local conditions. advantage to have a world- The project aims to Dr. Veronica Bermudez, class technical facility such as support Qatar in achieving its Senior Research Director, QEERI’s available locally. It target of having a quarter of the Energy Center, said: “We are gives the added assurance of country’s bus fleet electrified thrilled to be working on this having a reliable resource that by 2022 and will be used during project which will help Qatar will go a long way in achieving the FIFA World Cup 2022. achieve the required per- successful project delivery with This project is in line with centage to reduce the rate of the required quality. Both our the commitment of Qatar’s carbon emissions caused by organizations are working Ministry of Transport and Com- traditional buses by 2030, in toward the same goal: to munications toward providing addition to boosting concerted support Qatar, and we bring our clean energy solutions for efforts to preserve environ- unique expertise and objectives transportation. mental sustainability. The toward reaching that goal. I am As per the Ministry’s earlier expertise of QEERI’s scientists positive that our collaboration announcement, the region’s and the state-of-the-art facil- will bring excellent results for largest solar-powered charging ities that we have at the Energy this project, and in turn for the station for electric vehicles will Center are a reference point for country.” 06 GULF / MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 Khamenei: Iran may enrich uranium to 60% purity if needed REUTERS & AP — TEHRAN/DUBAI a technical step away from weapons- Iranian MPs criticise deal with IAEA on snap inspections grade levels, and spinning advanced Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali centrifuges - things both barred by Khamenei said yesterday Iran might REUTERS — DUBAI is an insult to the parliament.” short-notice inspections at locations the deal. enrich uranium up to 60% purity if Iran has been gradually breaching not declared to it. Iran then threatened, citing the the country needed it and would Iranian lawmakers protested terms of a 2015 nuclear pact with But to pressure President Joe bill, to withdraw from its “Additional never yield to US pressure over its yesterday against Tehran’s decision world powers since then US President Biden’s administration to lift sanctions, Protocol” with the IAEA, a confi- nuclear activity, state television to permit “necessary” monitoring by Donald Trump withdrew from it in Iran’s hardline-dominated parliament dential agreement granting the UN reported. the UN nuclear watchdog for up to 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The passed a law last year obliging the gov- inspectors enhanced powers to visit Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six three months, saying the move broke pact aims to keep Iran at arm’s length ernment to end implementation of the facilities and watch Iran’s program. powers, which it has been breaching a law mandating an end to the from being able to make nuclear arms, Protocol if US sanctions are not lifted. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi since the United States withdrew in agency’s snap inspections this week. which Tehran says it has never To create room for diplomacy, the UN traveled to Iran over the weekend to 2018, caps the fissile purity to which “The government has no right to wanted to build. nuclear watchdog on Sunday reached negotiate. Iran can refine uranium at 3.67%, well decide and act arbitrarily,” said Mojtaba Under the deal, Tehran agreed to a deal with Iran to cushion the blow of Grossi offered few details on how under the 20% achieved before the Zolnour, chairman of the parliament’s implement the Additional Protocol, Iran’s reduced cooperation with the access was limited on his return to agreement and far below the 90% national security committee, according which allows the International Atomic agency and its refusal to permit short- Vienna, though Iranian Foreign Min- suitable for a nuclear weapon. to Iranian state media.“This arrangement Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out notice inspections. ister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the “Iran’s uranium enrichment level IAEA would be blocked from will not be limited to 20%. We will accessing its network of surveillance increase it to whatever level the enrichment potential - a possible and the US into providing the sanc- to continue their work for up to three cameras at nuclear sites. The Atomic country needs...We may increase it pathway to atomic bombs - in exchange tions relief it received under its months will expire in the middle of Energy Organization of Iran, Tehran’s to 60%,” the TV quoted Khamenei as for a lifting of most sanctions. collapsing 2015 deal with world campaigning for Iran’s next president. civilian nuclear agency, published a saying, upping the ante in a stand- Khamenei added that the Islamic powers. That adds uncertainty for the West statement early yesterday in Farsi off with Washington over the future Republic had never pursued the con- Full terms of the restrictions on who it will see across the table in clarifying that it would keep the of the fraying deal. struction or use of nuclear weapons remain unclear. But any limit on the any negotiations — and what they can footage for three months, then hand “Americans and the European as this was forbidden by its religion. ability of inspectors to keep track of expect. it over to the IAEA if granted sanc- parties to the deal have used unjust “If we wanted to..., no one could Tehran’s programme raises the risks Iran’s parliament passed a bill in tions relief. language against Iran...Iran will not stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear surrounding what has become one December requiring the government “Otherwise, it will be deleted yield to pressure. Our stance will not weapons..., (but) Iran is not seeking of the Middle East’s most sensitive to limit its cooperation with the IAEA forever,” the agency said. change,” Khamenei said. He repeated nuclear weapons,” he said. issues since then-President Donald and push its nuclear program beyond Grossi said the IAEA will continue a denial that Iran would ever seek to Iran will begin restricting the Trump unilaterally withdrew America the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal. to have the same number of build nuclear weapons. ability of United Nations nuclear from the accord in 2018. After being modified by a constitu- inspectors on the ground. However, US Secretary of State Antony inspectors to monitor Tehran’s Meanwhile, an interim deal tional watchdog under Supreme blocking access to IAEA cameras Blinken said yesterday Washington nuclear programme, the AP reported. reached this weekend between Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the means the agency can’t monitor would aim to bolster and extend the It’s part of the Islamic Republic’s Tehran and the International Atomic bill became law. Iran then began Iranian actions when those inspectors 2015 pact, which aimed to limit Iran’s efforts to pressure European nations Energy Agency allowing inspectors enriching uranium up to 20% purity, aren’t physically at a site. Gaza starts vaccinations Turkey, Iran leaders discuss with just 22,000 doses steps to boost
REUTERS — GAZA resources but great dedication,” cooperation said Riyad Zanoun, a former Palestinians in Gaza began a Gaza health minister, after QNA — DOHA limited COVID-19 vaccination receiving his first dose. programme yesterday after Those vaccinated received Turkey’s President Recep receiving doses donated by instruction cards telling them to Tayyip Erdogan and his Russia and the United Arab continue wearing face masks Iranian counterpart Hassan Emirates, but a wider campaign and practicing social Rouhani discussed, in a phone could be further off as health distancing. call, regional developments officials await larger shipments. While Gaza health officials and means of enhancing Officials in the coastal praised the vaccine launch as a bilateral relations. enclave, run by the Islamist turning point in their fight Turkey’s Directorate of group Hamas and home to 2 against the pandemic, they have Communications said that the million people, are adminis- not said when they expect to two leaders discussed steps to tering the first of their 22,000 begin receiving larger improve Turkey-Iran cooper- Russia Sputnik V doses to health shipments. ation in economy, transpor- workers. Patients with chronic Both Israel and Egypt tation, security, and other areas. Former health minister Jawad Tibi receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Gaza City, yesterday. diseases and those over 60 years maintain a blockade on the Erdogan also reiterated the old will follow. coastal strip, citing security fears will to boost Turkey-Iran rela- The Gaza health ministry about Hamas, which has con- Authority (PA), which has inoculate all people over 16, doses have been slow to come. tions, the Directorate was sent out text messages to urge trolled Gaza since 2007. limited self-rule in the occupied assuming a two-dose regimen. The West Bank, home to 3.1 reported by Turkey’s Anadolu those eligible to come and get Gaza received its first West Bank. The PA says it has large million Palestinians, has Agency as saying. their shots. vaccine shipment last week after It has separately received supply deals with Russia and reported 1,361 deaths and Expressing the wish that the “I am proud the health sector Israel approved a transfer of 20,000 Russian doses from the drugmaker AstraZeneca and 110,294 cases. Gaza has regis- new US administration was able to overcome this dif- 2,000 doses that Russia had UAE. Health officials have said plans to distribute them across tered 543 deaths and more than abandons sanctions against Iran ficult time, with limited donated to the Palestinian they need 2.6 million doses to the West Bank and Gaza, but 54,000 cases. and ‘remove unjust obstacles’ in the welfare of Iranians, Erdogan said that statements made in the last few days on the UN says no progress in Yemen talks over prisoner swap subject have opened a new window of opportunity. AP — CAIRO Yemen Martin Griffiths said the occasional releases of dozens “the unconditional release of all The conflict has killed some For his part, the Iranian two sides did not agree to of prisoners over the past two sick, wounded, elderly and 130,000 people and spawned President said that Iran and Yemen’s warring sides did not release prisoners during this years, which also served as ges- children detainees as well as the world’s worst humanitarian Turkey have good growing achieve progress in their latest round of talks concluded tures of good faith, stoking detained civilians, including disaster. The failure in the relations with each other and round of negotiations over a Sunday in Amman. hopes the factions would women and journalists.” prisoner swap talks has come stressed strengthening the prisoner swap, the United “I am disappointed that this implement the 2018 agreement. The two sides traded the amid an intensive attack by the cooperation between Tehran Nations said on Sunday. round of talks did not amount The prisoner swap talks blame for the failure of the talks. Houthis on the government- and Ankara for countering the The talks started late last to what we saw in Switzerland were facilitated by the UN and Yemen’s devastating conflict held Marib province. The Houthi common threats and solving month in the Jordanian capital last September which resulted the International Committee of erupted in 2014, when the Houthis attacks forced several thousand regional issues, according to Amman between representa- in the historic release of 1056 the Red Cross. Griffiths urged seized the capital, Sanaa, and of internally displaced people, Iranian news agency Irna. tives of the internationally rec- detainees,” he said. the warring sides to work on much of the country’s north. That or IDPs, to flee from Marib’s dis- Urging Turkey to increase ognized government and the In October, the warring “the implementation of what prompted a US-backed Arab mil- trict of Swarih eastward to the trade with Iran through pref- Houthi rebels. The prisoner sides achieved the largest-ever they agreed to and expand the itary coalition to intervene months province’s capital, after the erential trade agreement, exchange is part of a peace deal prisoner swap of the war, arrangements to release more later in a bid to restore the gov- heavy fighting left them without Rouhani mentioned acceler- struck in 2018 in Sweden. releasing more than 1,000 detainees soon.” ernment of Yemeni President Abed water, electricity, health and ation of implementation of the UN Special Envoy for detainees. That followed He repeated his calls for Rabu Mansour Hadi to power. educational needs. agreements of the 6th Meeting of the Turkey-Iran High Level Cooperation Council. Kuwait to close land, Israeli army sea border crossings demolishes bedouin village in from tomorrow Northern Plains REUTERS — CAIRO COVID-19 said it was suspending entry for arrivals QNA — DOHA Kuwait will close its land and from Sudan, Lebanon, Brazil, sea border crossings, with the South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Israeli soldiers invaded, exception of shipping opera- Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea, Sierra yesterday, Khirbat Hamsa Al tions and workers in the neutral Leone for 15 days from February Foqa village, in the Northern zone, from tomorrow until 25, state media reported. Plains of the occupied West March 30, the cabinet said The decision also includes Bank, and began the demo- yesterday on Twitter. arrivals from elsewhere if they lition of its tents and sheds; the Citizens and domestic have passed through any of attack is the sixth of its kind workers accompanying them those countries in the 14 days this year alone. are allowed to return through prior to applying to enter the A Palestinian Authority land and sea ports, as are cit- sultanate. official who monitors Israels Swab testing drive izens’ first-degree relatives, the Omani citizens, diplomats, illegal colonialist activities in cabinet added. health workers and their fam- the Jordan Valley Mo’taz Members of medical team working with mobile COVID-19 testing units prepare to take swabs from Meanwhile, Oman’s supreme ilies are exempt from the sus- Bisharat said dozens of soldiers people, in Baghdad yesterday. committee for dealing with pension, the committee said. surrounded the Bedouin com- munity before invading it. Bisharat added that the soldiers started the demolition Two rockets hit Baghdad green zone, no casualties and removal of many resi- dential sheds and tents, in addition to barns. REUTERS & ANADOLU hosts foreign embassies and in just over a week to target Iraqi national was among the disclosed to the public after The official stated that the — BAGHDAD government buildings and is areas hosting US troops, dip- 13 people killed by PKK ter- autopsies were conducted at a demolished structures were regularly the target of rockets lomats or contractors, including rorists in northern Iraq, a local forensic lab. installed through donations by At least two rockets hit Bagh- fired by groups that US and Iraqi one that killed at least one non- authority in eastern On February 14, Turkey’s international human rights dad’s fortified Green Zone officials say are backed by Iran. American civilian working with The Governor’s Office in defence chief announced 13 groups to provide shelter for yesterday but caused no casu- Most attacks cause no cas- the US-led coalition. Malatya province said in a bodies were found during Tur- the Palestinians who keep alties, the Iraqi military said in ualties but the latest incident is Meanwhile, Turkey statement that the identities of key’s anti-terror operation in facing constant displacement a statement. The Green Zone the third rocket attack in Iraq announced yesterday that an 12 Turkish citizens were Gara, northern Iraq. by the Israeli occupation army. TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Italian envoy among three killed in Congo ambush
AP — KINSHASA The ambush occurred as the convoy was travelling from Goma, The Italian ambassador to Congo’s eastern regional capital, to Congo, an Italian carabineri visit a World Food Program school police officer and their feeding project in Rutshuru, the UN Congolese driver were killed yesterday in an attack on a UN agency said in a statement. After convoy in an area that is home serving in diplomatic roles in to myriad rebel groups, the Switzerland, Morocco and Nigeria, Foreign Ministry and local Attanasio was appointed people said. ambassador at the Italian embassy The ambush occurred as the Congolese military and peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic convoy was travelling from in Kinshasa in September 2017. of the Congo, secure the scene where the Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Italian military policeman Goma, Congo’s eastern regional Vittorio Iacovacci and Congolese driver Moustapha Milambo from the World Food Programme were capital, to visit a World Food Kaway, president of a local civil condolences to Italy and the killed in Ruhimba village, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, yesterday. Program school feeding project society group. United Nations. “The news (is) in Rutshuru, the UN agency said “There were five people extremely worrying, and we are in a statement. aboard the vehicle, including following the situation closely people displaced in the Central the ambassador was killed. September 2017. Attanasio was WFP said it was seeking the Italian ambassador,” Kaway with the EU delegation” in African nation, according to the In January 2019, Congo awarded the Nassiriya Interna- information from local author- said. “The driver died after Congo, EU Commission spokes- United Nations Children’s experienced its first peaceful tional Prize for Peace in October ities, as the ambush occurred being shot with several bullets, woman Nabila Massrali said. Agency, which said in a report democratic transfer of power in a ceremony held in a church on a road that had previously and others were wounded,” he Italian President Sergio Friday that this represents more since independence in 1960 fol- in southern Italy. been cleared for travel without said.“The situation is very Mattarella and Premier Mario displaced than in any other lowing the election of President Attanasio was cited for “his security escorts. tense,” he added. Draghi expressed their condo- country except Syria. In the past Felix Tshisekedi. He succeeded commitment aimed at safe- Ambassador Luca Attanasio More than 2,000 civilians lences to the families of the year alone, 50% have been dis- strongman Joseph Kabila in a guarding peace between (pictured), Italy’s ambassador were killed last year in eastern victims. Foreign Minister Luigi placed, it said. disputed election marked by peoples” and for “having con- to the country since 2017, cara- Congo in violence by armed Di Maio vowed to ascertain who The nation the size of allegations of large-scale fraud. tributed to the realization of binieri officer Vittorio Iacovacci groups whose brutal attacks was responsible for killing Western Europe suffered The UN peacekeeping important humanitarian and their Congolese driver using machetes and heavy “exemplary” Italians as they did through one of the most brutal mission, known by its acronym projects, distinguishing himself Moustapha Milambo were weapons have also displaced their jobs. colonial reigns ever known MONUSCO, has been working for altruism, dedication and the killed. Other members of the millions in what the United “The circumstances of this before undergoing decades of to draw down its at least spirit of service for people in convoy were injured, WFP said. Nations calls one of the worst brutal attack are still unclear corrupt dictatorship. Back-to- 16,000-troop presence and difficulty,” said La Repubblica The attack occurred in the humanitarian crises as attacks and no effort will be spared to back civil wars later drew in a transfer its security work to daily in its account of the cer- territory of Nyiragongo, in ramp up this year. shed light on what happened,” number of neighboring coun- Congolese authorities. emony. La Repubblica quoted North Kivu, the same area, EU foreign policy chief Josep he said in a statement. tries. And many rebel groups After serving in diplomatic Attanasio as saying, “All that known as the “three antennas,” Borrell informed the bloc’s Congo’s east is home to have come and gone during the roles in Switzerland, Morocco which we take for granted in where two Britons were kid- foreign ministers of the incident myriad rebel groups all vying UN mission’s years of operation, and Nigeria, Attanasio was Italy isn’t in Congo, where, napped by unidentified armed at a meeting he is chairing in for control of the mineral-rich at times invading the eastern appointed ambassador at the unfortunately, there are so men in 2018, said Mambo Brussels and presented his land. There are 5.2 million regional capital, Goma, where Italian embassy in Kinshasa in many problems to resolve.” Erdogan vows Thousands rally in Algiers on second anniversary of protest crackdown on REUTERS — ALGIERS “Things must change. We are fed up,” said Ahmed Kurdish Party Thousands of demonstrators Kachime, 25, a student. after botched raid defied a heavy police presence The main demands of the in Algiers yesterday for a march leaderless, unorganised protest BLOOMBERG — ANKARA to mark the second anniversary campaign, known as Hirak of a mass protest movement (Movement), were the ousting Turkish President Recep that convulsed Algeria before of Algeria’s old ruling elite, an Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday the COVID-19 pandemic forced end to corruption and the his government would step up it off the streets. army’s withdrawal from its campaign against Kurdish Chanting “A civilian state politics. politicians following a botched not a military state!”, “Enough After Bouteflika was rescue operation that resulted is enough!” and “The people ousted, the authorities held a in the deaths of 13 hostages. want independence!”, pro- presidential election that The government says the testers walked through the Hirak supporters viewed as a captives were executed by the centre of the capital, waving sham and which resulted in outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ national flags, watched by large Abdelmadjid Tebboune Party or PKK. Erdogan has numbers of police. winning the presidency in ordered an expanded Some of the protesters hope December 2019. crackdown on the group, to revive the twice-weekly pro- He made some moves to which has battled for tests that surged through meet protesters’ grievances, autonomy in southeast Turkey Algerian cities from February including minor changes to the for nearly four decades and is 2019 for more than a year, reg- constitution, but the very low considered a terrorist organ- ularly bringing tens of thou- turnout in a referendum to ization by the US and EU. sands of people to the streets Demonstrators taking part in a protest marking two years since the start of a mass protest movement affirm the reforms indicated At the same time, his gov- until the global pandemic demanding political change, in Algiers, Algeria, yesterday. that his efforts had little public ernment has pressed charges began. backing. against Kurdish lawmakers for “We are determined to con- regular demonstrations, or that led the army to push veteran a more thorough change. Tebboune returned to allegedly conducting outlawed tinue our battle until victory,” without a clear opposition lead- president Abdelaziz Bouteflika “We will stick to our prin- Algeria last week after spending separatist activities. Erdogan’s said Djamel Habi, a student. ership they were not yet sure from power after two decades ciples until all demands are most of the past four months in nationalist allies have However, some other pro- whether to continue with in office and jail many senior met,” said Mohamed Tadjer, a Germany receiving medical demanded that Turkey’s main testers said the march was sym- protests. figures for corruption, many 30-year old employee of Alge- treatment after contracting Kurdish political party be shut bolic rather than a return to Though the 2019 protests of the demonstrators wanted ria’s state insurance company. COVID-19. down entirely, raising concerns among human rights groups over the erosion of democracy Libya: Over 150 and threatening to fuel domestic South Africa inquiry into corruption wants tensions. Kurdish parliamen- tarians deny links to the PKK migrants freed in but say the group is a product Zuma jailed for two years after no-show of Turkey’s refusal to grant raid on traffickers more cultural rights to the coun- try’s minority Kurds. REUTERS — CAIRO The inquiry is examining allegations include that he allowed businessmen “We will continue to appoint AP — CAIRO of high-level graft during Zuma’s period close to him —brothers Atul, Ajay and trustees today and tomorrow to A South African inquiry into corruption in power from 2009 to 2018. Rajesh Gupta—to plunder state the places where production is Libyan authorities say they have raided during Jacob Zuma’s time in power is Zuma denies wrongdoing and has resources and influence policy. halted, where the money given a secret prison in a southeastern city used seeking the former president’s impris- not cooperated with the inquiry. His The Guptas, who also deny wrong- by the state is transferred to by human traffickers and freed at last onment for two years, after he defied a no-show last week came despite the doing, left South Africa after Zuma was Qandil and where there is no 156 African migrants— including 15 summons and court order to appear and inquiry summoning him to appear and ousted in a move orchestrated by allies service,” Erdogan said, referring women and five children. give evidence. the constitutional court directing him of his successor Cyril Ramaphosa. to the ousting of elected Kurdish The raid in the city of Kufra took In an application in the constitu- to comply with that summons and give Ramaphosa has been trying to mayors from about 100 munic- place on Sunday after a migrant managed tional court seen by Reuters, the “state testimony. restore investor confidence in Africa’s ipalities in the country’s to escape a house-turned-prison last capture” inquiry is seeking an order that Zuma’s lawyer Eric Mabuza was not most industrialised nation. However, Kurdish-majority southeast on week and reported to authorities that he Zuma is guilty of contempt of court for available when called by Reuters he has faced opposition from a faction charges of supporting the PKK, and other migrants were held and tor- not turning up last week or providing seeking comment. within the governing African National which is based in Mount Qandil tured by traffickers there, the Kufra affidavits when instructed to do so. The allegations against Zuma Congress party that is still loyal to Zuma. in neighbouring Iraq. security bureau said. Security forces arrested at least six traffickers and referred them to prosecutors for further Niger ruling party candidate clings to investigation, the bureau said. Two giraffes electrocuted by power lines The migrants, who are from Somalia, narrow lead in presidential run-off Eritrea, and Sudan, were freed and taken AP — NAIROBI to the shelter center where they were RIAs( Regulatory Impact Assessment) given food, clothes, and blankets. Kenya’s wildlife agency says two giraffes are notoriously poor on many devel- REUTERS — DAKAR The run-off vote, meant to The raid shows the perils that ref- were electrocuted on Sunday when they opment projects. Sad that it takes these usher in Niger’s first transition ugees and migrants face in conflict- walked into low-lying electric power kinds of deaths to wake some people Niger’s ruling party candidate of power from one democrat- stricken Libya, which has emerged as a transmission lines that pass through the up!” she said in a tweet. Mohamed Bazoum was slightly ically elected leader to another, major transit point for African and Arab Soysambu Conservancy in western In an earlier tweet with a picture of ahead of his challenger yesterday was held on Sunday after migrants fleeing war and poverty to Kenya. two dead giraffes under an electric pole, as vote-counting continued in the neither candidate secured a Europe. Libya has descended into chaos Trizer Mwakinya, head of commu- Kahumbu said the two were of the Roth- West African nation’s presidential majority in the first round in following the 2011 uprising that toppled nications at the Kenya Wildlife schild’s giraffe species. run-off, electoral commission December. and killed longtime dictator Moammar Service, said yesterday that workers The Kenya Wildlife Service says data from nearly a quarter of Voting was marred by the Gadhafi. The country is split between from the Kenya Power and Lighting there are only 609 Rothschild’s giraffes constituencies showed. death of seven election workers rival administrations. Company “were on site” to rectify the in the country. With 62 out of a total 266 after their vehicle hit a landmine Traffickers have exploited the chaos problem. Close to 1,400 Rothschild’s giraffes constituencies counted, provi- on Sunday, underscoring a and often pack desperate families into But conservationist Paula Kahumbu remain in the wild in the world and sional results showed former fraught security climate as a result ill-equipped rubber boats that stall and in tweets addressed to the power according to the International Union for interior minister Bazoum ahead of Islamist insurgencies. founder along the perilous Mediter- company and the wildlife agency said the Conservation of Nature the species of his challenger, former pres- One of the world’s poorest ranean route. Thousands have drowned the power lines have been killing is not considered endangered anymore ident Mahamane Ousmane, with nations, Niger has also struggled along the way, while others have ended giraffes, vultures and flamingos. but is now in the near-threatened 51.49% of the vote, a lead that with drought, floods, coronavirus up detained in squalid smugglers’ pens “Advice from experts was ignored. category. had narrowed from earlier in the and weak prices for its main or crowded detention centers. day. export, uranium. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 Road to renewed Iran nuclear deal Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN likely to be long and bumpy DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
ARSHAD MOHAMMED AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HUMEYRA PAMUK — REUTERS DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] It took seven years from the summer’s day in 2008 when a top US diplomat first sat down ACTING MANAGING EDITOR with his Iranian counterpart MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED until the two sides sealed the [email protected] 2015 Iran nuclear deal that aimed to keep Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR No one expects it to take MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI as long to establish whether [email protected] they can resuscitate the pact abandoned by former US President Donald Trump, but US and European officials say EDITORIAL the journey will be lengthy and arduous, if, indeed, they even begin the trek. US President Joe Biden’s administration said on Impressive growth Thursday that it was ready THE real estate sector is booming yet again in Qatar. send to its special envoy, Rob Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency Market sentiments are reaching a new high due to a Malley, to meet Iranian offi- Director-General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, on Sunday. solid economic recovery, ongoing COVID-19 vaccina- cials and seek a path back to tions, regional ties coming back to normal with the lifting the deal, agreed by Tehran and Trump imposed on Iran after his fellow Democrats. seek to. of the blockade and winning the bid to host Asian Games six major powers and named walking away from the deal “This is an issue that is “How do you reverse the in 2030. The sector is staging an impressive growth. the Joint Comprehensive Plan in May 2018 and the steps very politically sensitive in the knowledge that they have Economic activity in the country has gained momentum. of Action (JCPOA). Iran took, after waiting more US because a number of these gained?” asked Robert The International Monetary Fund has projected Qatar’s While Tehran sent mixed than a year, to violate the pact ... were very intentionally Einhorn of the Brookings economy to grow by 2.5 percent this year. signals at first, Foreign Min- in retaliation. done under terrorism author- Institution think tank. The With the 2022 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, ister Mohammad Javad Zarif While both sides have so ities,” said Henry Rome of authorities in Tehran also face progress can be seen in all aspects of Qatar. Amid more took a hard line on Sunday, far focused in public on the Eurasia Group. a delicate choice on how to opportunities in the market and increased inflow of work- saying: “The US will not be question of who moves first to “The two negotiating respond to any overture from force, there seems to be a upturn in the demand for able to rejoin the nuclear pact revive the deal - each insists teams will need to go through the Biden administration as residential housing, providing a much-needed fillip to before it lifts sanctions.” that the other must do so - a quite an extensive process of Iran prepares for a presi- the sector. The crux of the deal was US official told Reuters the deciding what stays and what dential election in June, when Around 8,200 residential units are expected to enter that Iran would limit its “sequencing” could be goes.” the turnout is likely to be seen market this year, offering more choices to homebuyers. uranium enrichment program finessed. Another challenge is Iran’s as a referendum on the A major portion of the new supply will go to Lusail, The to make it harder to amass the “The issue of who goes support for regional proxies, clerical establishment amid Pearl-Qatar and West Bay. At the end of 2020, the res- fissile material for a nuclear first ... I don’t think it’s the one including those suspected of growing discontent at over idential stock stood at 303,015 units with the addition weapon - an ambition it has that’s going to be the most dif- attacks on US forces. In the economic hardship. of 530 units during the last quarter, said ValuStrat, a long denied - in return for ficult,” he said. “It’s defining deadliest such incident for Iran’s fragile economy, real estate consultancy firm, in a report. The hospitality relief from US and other eco- how each side views com- almost a year, a rocket attack weakened by US sanctions and retail sectors too are expected to bounce back. nomic sanctions. pliance,” the official added, on US-led forces in northern and the coronavirus pan- The country is expected to receive 7,000 rooms (6,250 In theory, it should not be citing instead which US sanc- Iraq on Monday killed a demic, has left the ruling elite keys and 750 apartments) this year. hard to decide how to revive tions might be lifted and “the civilian contractor and injured with few options other than to Qatar is also experiencing increased real estate an agreement whose terms question of ... the steps that a US soldier, making it harder negotiate, but the decision transactions. During the last six months, the value of are detailed in 110 pages of Iran has taken, are they all for Washington to appear to ultimately lies with Supreme real estate deals exceeded QR15bn, especially with the text and annexes. reversible?” offer concessions to Iran. Leader Ayatollah Ali advent of new real estate products in the form of inte- In reality, it will be a chal- Politics, prisoners and A further complication is Khamenei. grated townships along with a host of entertainment lenge for two reasons: the proxy forces the American desire to free It remains unclear, offerings. scores of sanctions that The JCPOA, hammered US citizens detained in Iran, however, whether the two Projects such as The Qetaifan Island and Lusail Seef out by Iran, Britain, China, an issue on which Wash- sides can even return to the are attracting considerable interest from buyers as well While both sides have France, Germany, Russia and ington has begun talks with negotiating table. as investors. Moreover, with Qatar opening its property so far focused in the United States, required Iranian officials, White House Iran has threatened to market to foreigners and rewarding buyers with per- the United States to remove national security adviser Jake scale back its compliance manent residency, Qatar residential market will witness public on the question only “nuclear-related” sanc- Sullivan on Sunday. with the deal further starting a movement from a rental based real estate to a capital of who moves first to tions on Iran. And while some of the on Tuesday, notably by (sales) based economy, said KPMG in its latest report. revive the deal - each After abrogating the steps Tehran has taken to halting some snap inspections The volume of real estate transactions during 2020 agreement, Trump imposed violate the JCPOA may be by the UN’s nuclear watchdog. was QR31bn compared to QR22.8bn in 2019, according insists that the other scores of new sanctions on reversible -- such as its Experts said that would to the Ministry of Justice. In December, total deals worth must do so - a US other grounds, including enriching uranium above 3.67 not necessarily doom the over QR5.43bn were registered while 486 properties official told Reuters the Iran’s alleged support for percent and boosting its stock chances for negotiations, but exchanged hands. In November, deals worth QR2.38bn terrorism. of low enriched uranium -- it adds to the challenges. were signed while total 504 properties were sold. “sequencing” could be Experts say Biden would others may not. These include “Despite everything we One of the main highlights last year was further finessed. find it politically fraught, expertise gleaned from remain in a precarious situ- opening of real estate sector. In October last year, the and maybe impossible, to research and development on ation, which will become all government announced the decision to allow foreign meet Tehran’s demands that advanced centrifuges that the more so in the coming companies and individuals to own real estate in 25 areas these be lifted given the would help Iran enrich days,” said a French diplo- in the country. The move boosted the sentiments of the likely criticism from Repub- uranium to the 90 percent matic source. “It’s important stakeholders in real estate sector. With this move, the licans, and perhaps some of weapons grade level should it to revive diplomacy quickly.” sector has become more accessible to a wider pool of investors. Rules for digital advertising should protect businesses, personal data
JAPAN NEWS - YOMIURI there is a lack of transparency how they dealt with such people gain an understanding in advertising fees and the matters. It is hoped the law of data collection by making it D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR In the expanding digital way advertising is displayed, will be effective in protecting easy to understand. They EMAIL: [email protected] advertising market, the making it difficult to know internet users and business should make more user- adverse effects of an oligopoly such factors as on which site partners in the field of digital friendly systems for users to by tech giants have become ads are shown, meaning that advertising. reject the use of their personal EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 conspicuous. The government fair competition could be The domestic digital information. FAX: +974 4455 7758 must clarify the rules and distorted. advertising market doubled The more times a website improve the situation. The report said that if tech over five years to reach about is visited, the better repu- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 The Japan Fair Trade companies unilaterally 2 trillion yen ($19bn) in 2019, tation it gets, generating Commission has released a change their contracts with and it has become a source of more advertising revenue DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 final report summarizing business partners such as ad revenue for tech companies. for tech companies and the problems of advertise- agencies it could constitute an Google accounts for about 80 others. LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 ments displayed online. The “abuse of a superior bar- percent of search engine The report noted that report presented cases that gaining position.” market share, and its inaccurate information and BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 possibly violate the Antimo- It is reasonable to restrict business partners are fake news can spread in an nopoly Law, urging tech such a practice. A new law reportedly frustrated by the attempt to attract attention, SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 companies to take voluntary came into effect this month to situation, making such com- making it difficult for accurate action. make online shopping and plaints as, “We have no news to be displayed and ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 Tech giants such as other transactions facilitated choice but to comply with its potentially disadvantaging email: [email protected] Google LLC and Facebook by tech giants more trans- requests.” users. Inc., both headquartered in parent. Discussions are The report also expressed The report proposes that PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 the United States, collect ongoing within the gov- concern that tech companies tech companies explicitly email: [email protected] vast amounts of information ernment to have digital are using personal data in state the source of the content such as users’ ages and advertising covered by the advertising without fully displayed and show stories ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 browsing histories through law as well. explaining how it is used. that have a high degree of FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] their search engines and Under the new law, tech According to the JFTC, less reliability higher up in search social media, and utilize companies are required to than 10 percent of all people results. To improve the CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 such information to deliver disclose information and have read the terms of quality of information on the email: [email protected] digital ads tailored to indi- respond to complaints from service. internet, tech companies vidual preferences. business operators, and they Tech companies need to should put efforts into their SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 The report argues that have to regularly report on make every effort to have own reforms. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]
www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar
/ThePeninsulaQatar Ninety-nine percent of forest fires are perpetrated by humans, whether /Peninsula_Qatar intentional or out of negligence.
/ThePeninsulaNewspaper Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia
+974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 OPINION 09 After a decade of turmoil, is peace within reach in Libya?
FERHAT POLAT subsequently introduced a on Tripoli, triggering a sending advisers, drones, air- ANADOLU law prohibiting the formation counter assault and effec- defense systems, which have of political parties or civil tively splitting the country shifted the balance on the In 2011, the Arab Spring society organizations. Since into two halves. Since then, ground. Turkey’s involvement engulfed Libya, as people the collapse of Gaddafi’s After 42 years of Libya has not been able to in the Libyan conflict has stood up against Muammar regime in 2011, Libya has autocratic rule, the recover from the conflict brought relative stability to Gaddafi’s regime. The oppo- been governed under a tem- setting it is mired in. This was the conflict. A nationwide nents united to oust Gaddafi porary Constitutional Decla- country remains in the critical moment for Libya ceasefire was declared in from power, but their loose ration, under which the chaos and its post and signaled the collapse of a August 2020, and on Oct. 23 alliance fell apart as the country is designated as a peaceful transition and the 2020, military delegations various groups sought parliamentary republic Gaddafi future still shattering of dreams for from Libya’s two warring different agendas and administered by the General unclear. Gaddafi left Libyans, who were craving parties announced a formal mistrusted each other for National Congress (GNC), the country without democracy and stability. ceasefire agreement that ini- political interests.The post- whose representatives were With the help of some tiated a peace process that Gaddafi era led to serious, elected in July 2012. Between state structures and Arab and non-Arab countries, could lead to elections on Dec. unintended consequences, 1965 and 2012, no elections an efficient security Haftar extended his military 24, 2021. This would be a vital causing regional unrest, were held in Libya, and these power in eastern Libya. step, if they take place and are massive civilian displacement, were the first to be held since apparatus, which Given the number of fairly free and fair. In order to provide and an environment the ousting of Gaddafi. has had a negative countries that have been All of this is largely pos- a reliable election, conducive to terrorism and The country has struggled involved in the Libyan con- itive, however, even if the extremism. to build national institutions impact on the flict, which has turned Libyan UN-led political talks international actors After 42 years of auto- and a consensus over the post-revolutionary revolution into an opportunity succeed in engendering a must coordinate cratic rule, the country post-Gaddafi transition owing in which external players consensual government for remains in chaos and its post- to deep-rooted divisions process of setting pursue their economic and all the rivaling fractions, their approach to Gaddafi future still unclear. driven by Libya’s fractious up democratic political interests rather than there will still be several support the UN Gaddafi left the country society and complex identity political institutions helping Libyan people to build obstacles on the way to the efforts, engaging without state structures and politics. The complex political national institutions and a December elections this year. an efficient security appa- and security situation in Libya and stabilizing the consensus over the post- Recently, delegates from with Libyans across ratus, which has had a neg- has posed significant chal- state. Gaddafi transition. opposite sides at a UN-led the country in a way ative impact on the post-rev- lenges to the achievement of a Frederic Wehrey, a forum elected Abdul Hamid olutionary process of setting substantive political set- senior fellow in the Middle Dbeibah from the western that enhances the up democratic political insti- tlement between rival fac- East Program at the city of Misrata as prime min- country’s unity and tutions and stabilizing the tions within the country. Dis- stages since 2011, but in 2014, Carnegie Endowment for ister, and Mohamed al Manfi state. agreement as to what political Khalifa Haftar, a former mil- International Peace, wrote: from the east as head of the sovereignty. Libya has had a long form Libya should take means itary leader in Gaddafi’s army, “At the broadest level, presidency council. history of political exclusion that the country has been returned to Libya following Libya’s post-2011 civil wars This new temporary gov- and stigmatization of political plunged into growing turmoil the outbreak of the protests in have been facilitated by a ernment could provide a new opposition. Gaddafi seized over the last ten years. the country. He declared a breakdown in global multi- opportunity to pave the way power through a military Libya’s political trajectory coup, creating his own war in lateral norms, the dimin- for a more democratic and coup in 1969 and has gone through different the east and setting his sights ished authority of the smooth transition of power in United Nations, American the near future. However, sta- ambivalence and bility will be far from guar- retrenchment, European anteed as long as the parties discord and deadlock, and who fought the war have little Russian opportunism.” willingness to give up their In December 2015, the gains, and it remains to be Libyan Political Agreement seen whether the various (LPA), also known as the armed groups, both in Skhirat agreement, was western and eastern Libya, signed with the aim of will respect the outcome. forming a transitional gov- Besides, mercenaries and ernment to resolve the coun- foreign fighters show little try’s political divide. Even- sign of withdrawing from the tually, the UN-backed Gov- country. ernment of National Accord In order to provide a (GNA), headed by Fayez al reliable election, international Sarraj, was established actors must coordinate their through the Libyan Political approach to support the UN Agreement (LPA). efforts, engaging with Libyans Haftar has never accepted across the country in a way the UN-brokered deal, the that enhances the country’s LPA, and has refused to rec- unity and sovereignty. Without ognize the legitimacy of the the support of key foreign GNA. Consequently, he has states that sponsor Libyan consistently rejected peace actors, no political process will proposals and initiatives put be able to succeed in bringing forward by different regional stability. Therefore, all actors, and international actors. both Libyan and international, In April 2019, Libyan should take a more sincere Warlord and his self-claimed stance towards peace. In this Libyan National Army (LNA) regard, the international made a move on the capital in community must provide an attempt to overthrow the further assistance to Libyans UN-backed GNA. to establish a sustained Turkey intervened in the strategy, focusing on security conflict in December 2019 at and unifying the country’s People wave Libyan flags as they gather during celebrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2011 revolution in Tripoli, Libya. the request of the GNA, institutions. Europe applauds Biden’s approach, stresses cooperation
the right message: It was pri- failing to meet Nato defense “I can only support (the saying “a strong partnership marily intended to patch up spending goals. Instead, he idea) that it is up to demo- needs strong partners.” the injuries of the Trump emphasized Washington’s cratic countries not just to “That’s why we, in years,” the magazine said in commitment to Article 5 of talk about freedom and Europe, are growing an analysis. the Nato founding treaty, values, but to produce stronger, to increase our stra- The annual Munich which states that an attack results,” Merkel said. tegic ability to act,” Michel Security Conference has long on one alliance member is In a nod toward Biden’s said. DAVID RISING been heralded as a gathering considered an attack on all. call for cooperation in France’s Macron, who has AP where world leaders are able It is now important for addressing economic and pushed since his own presi- to share and debate ideas in Germany and the rest of national security challenges dency began in 2017 for an informal setting. Europe to seize upon the posed both by Russia and Europe to do more for its Collective sighs of relief Biden’s speech high- renewed US willingness to China, several leaders sug- own defense, suggested that could be heard from many lighted the condensed engage in dialogue and work gested more could be done. by doing so, it would be “Biden gave exactly European capitals Saturday agenda for this year’s con- hard toward resolving areas The leader of the strengthening the US ability after US President Joe Biden ference, which was held of disagreement, said Juergen European Union’s executive to focus more on the Pacific the speech that made clear in his first major online due to the coronavirus Hardt, the foreign policy branch, European Com- region. many Europeans foreign policy address since pandemic. spokesman for Merkel’s par- mission President Ursula “I think it is time for us to taking office that he rejected In his keynote address, liamentary group. von der Leyen, noted at the take much more of the wanted to hear - the “America First” and Biden assured other partici- “With his speech, Joe conference that “a more and burden of our own pro- an America that transactional approach of his pants, including French Biden reached out to more assertive China” tection,” he said. predecessor and urged coop- President Emmanuel Europe,” Hardt said. showed robust economic Merkel, meanwhile, pats you on the eration among Western Macron, German Chancellor "The coming months must growth in 2020 despite the stressed that “it is very shoulders, that allies. Angela Merkel and British be used intensively to resolve pandemic and “a more and important that we develop a doesn’t criticize At the same time, politi- Prime Minister Boris numerous open issues, such more defiant Russia con- common trans-Atlantic cians and observers cau- Johnson, that the United as punitive tariffs, extra-ter- tinues to breach interna- Russia agenda, which on the or demand,” tioned that some of the States was “determined to ritorial sanctions on Nord tional rules at home and one hand makes cooperative wrote Germany’s sources of tension from reengage with Europe, to Stream 2, or digital tax,” he abroad.” offers, but on the other hand Donald Trump’s presidency consult with you, to earn said. “It is up to us, the United very clearly names the influential Der remained and that the allies back our position of trusted Merkel told reporters States and Europe, to differences.” Spiegel magazine have serious work ahead of leadership.” Friday after Biden’s speech strengthen our cooperation “The second and perhaps them, once Biden’s hon- Over the last four years, that it is up to Europe to take again as proven and trusted more complicated thing is after Biden on eymoon is over. the NATO alliance was an example from his first partners, as indispensable for us to develop a common Friday became “Biden gave exactly the shaken by Trump’s ques- days in office, and follow allies, shoulder to shoulder,” agenda toward China,” she the first American speech that many Europeans tioning of its relevance and words with actions. von der Leyen said. said, noting that the country wanted to hear - an America his suggestion that the United She cited the United “Because if we lead the way, is both a systemic com- president to that pats you on the States might not come to the States’ return to the Paris this is not only about joining petitor and needs to tackle appear at the shoulders, that doesn’t crit- aid of members who failed to climate agreement, its forces, this is a signal to the issues such as climate icize or demand,” wrote Ger- meet pledges to commit 2 per decision to stay in the World world.” change. Munich Security many’s influential Der cent of gross domestic Health Organization and to European Council Pres- “There is a great deal to Conference, albeit Spiegel magazine after Biden product to defense spending. engage with the UN Human ident Charles Michel under- do,” Merkel said. “Germany on Friday became the first But Biden made no Rights Council, to extend lined the need for a stands ready for a new in virtual form. American president to mention of Washington’s the New START treaty and common approach to chapter of the trans-Atlantic appear at the Munich opposition to the Germany- to try to revive the Iran “defend the rules-based partnership.” Security Conference, albeit Russia joint Nord Stream 2 nuclear agreement as international order from the Angela Charlton and in virtual form. pipeline project and steered “important steps toward attacks of autocratic Sylvie Corbet in Paris, and “Will it stay that way? For away from criticizing more multilateral regimes, whether from Geir Moulson in Berlin con- the moment, it was certainly Germany and others for cooperation.” Russia, China or Iran,” tributed to this story. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 Anti-coup protesters defy army warnings; strike grips Myanmar
REUTERS & AP — YANGON that confrontation could cost lives. A general strike against army In the capital, “Protesters are now inciting rule shut businesses in the people, especially emotional Myanmar yesterday and huge Naypyitaw, where the teenagers and youths, to a con- crowds gathered peacefully army is headquartered, frontation path where they will despite fears of violence after a police water cannon suffer loss of life,” the broad- authorities warned that truck and a fleet of other caster said. confrontation could be deadly. vehicles closed in to Facebook said yesterday it Three weeks after seizing had removed MRTV’s pages for power, the army has failed to break up a procession of violations of its standards, stop the daily protests and a chanting protesters who including its violence and civil disobedience movement scattered when police incitement policy. On Sunday, Demonstrators rally to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday. calling for the reversal of the on foot rushed in, it deleted the military’s main February 1 coup and release of wrestling several to the page for the same reason. elected leader Aung San Suu Military-run Myawaddy noted the significance of the Blinken said on Twitter that the parliament,” the ministers said Kyi. ground. News reported that junta chief date 22.2.2021, comparing it United States would continue in a statement as they met in Hundreds of thousands General Min Aung Hlaing had with demonstrations on August to “take firm action” against Brussels. gathered in cities and towns said the military was following 8, 1988 when a previous gen- authorities cracking down on “In response to the military across the country, from the a democratic path and, referring eration staged anti-military opponents of the coup. coup, the European Union northern hills on the border to rubber bullets, that it wanted protests that were bloodily Britain, Germany and Japan stands ready to adopt restrictive with China to the central plains, police on foot rushed in, wres- to use minimal force. suppressed. have condemned the violence measures targeting those the Irrawaddy river delta and tling several to the ground. “Nothing is more important But that and the government and UN Secretary-General directly responsible. All other the southern tip of the pan- The response of security than human life. That’s why warning did not put people off. Antonio Guterres urged the mil- tools at the disposal of the handle, social media images forces this month has been less military is controlling the situ- “We need to come out,” said itary to stop repression. European Union and its Member showed. deadly than in earlier bouts of ation carefully,” the broadcaster San San Maw, 46, at a main ral- Meanwhile, European Union States will be kept under For protester Kyaw Kyaw turmoil in almost half a century quoted him as saying. lying point in Yangon. foreign ministers yesterday review,” the ministers said. in the main city of Yangon, of direct military rule but three Talk of a general strike was Later, riot police lined up, tasked the bloc’s top diplomat Myanmar has denounced losing pay to join the strike was protesters have been killed - a rumour and markets and apparently preparing to dis- and its executive wing with interference in its affairs. a small price to pay. two shot dead in Mandalay on shops were open, it said. perse protesters from outside a drawing up a series of measures The army seized power after “Nothing’s going to happen Saturday, and a woman who As well as local stores, inter- UN office, but the crowd broke to target those responsible for alleging fraud in November 8 if my salary is cut but if we stay died on Friday after being shot national chains announced clo- up after singing a festive song the military coup in Myanmar, elections in which Suu Kyi’s under a military dictatorship more than a week earlier in sures yesterday, including Yum that features the line: “Goodbye, as people rallied in the streets party trounced a pro-military we’ll be slaves,” he said. Naypyitaw. Brands Inc’s KFC and delivery we’re going”. of the country’s biggest city. party, detaining her and much In the capital, Naypyitaw, The army has said one service Food Panda, owned by Crowds elsewhere in “The European Union calls of the party leadership. The where the army is headquar- policeman died of injuries sus- Delivery Hero. Southeast Asian Yangon melted away by late for de-escalation of the current electoral commission dismissed tered, a police water cannon tained during the protests. It has company Grab stopped delivery afternoon. Several Western crisis through an immediate end the fraud complaints. truck and a fleet of other accused protesters of provoking services too, but left its taxis countries have condemned the to the state of emergency, the A rights group said that as vehicles closed in to break up a violence. running. coup and decried violence restoration of the legitimate of late Sunday, 640 people had procession of chanting pro- Late on Sunday, state- In a country where dates are against protesters. civilian government and the been arrested in connection testers who scattered when owned media MRTV warned seen as auspicious, protesters US Secretary of State Antony opening of the newly elected with the coup. UN refugee agency calls for rescue of Rohingya adrift at sea Vietnam to start vaccination REUTERS — NEW YORK the vessel and understood that A senior Indian coast guard those on the boat. “But we still Hundreds of thousands of some passengers had died. The official confirmed to Reuters don’t know what they will do Rohingya fled to Bangladesh drive in March The United Nations refugee boat had left southern Bang- that the boat has been tracked afterwards,” he added. after a deadly crackdown by agency called yesterday for the ladesh about 10 days ago and to an area off the Andaman and A spokesman for India’s security forces in Myanmar in REUTERS — HANOI immediate rescue of a group of experienced engine failure, it Nicobar islands. navy did not provide details of 2017. Rohingya refugees adrift in their said. At least eight people had the situation but said a Authorities in Bangladesh Vietnam will begin its boat in the Andaman Sea “Immediate action is died on the boat, according to statement would be issued later. said yesterday they were COVID-19 vaccination without food or water, many of needed to save lives and Chris Lewa, director of the According to UNHCR, the unaware of any boats leaving programme next month with them ill and suffering from prevent further tragedy,” Arakan Project, a group that boat set out from the Bang- the camps. “If we had such frontline healthcare staff and extreme dehydration. UNHCR said in a statement, monitors the Rohingya crisis. ladesh coastal district of Cox’s information, we would have the elderly in line for the first The UN High Commissioner offering to support govern- Lewa said Indian navy Bazar, where about a million stopped them,” said Rafiqul doses as the country tackles a for Refugees (UNHCR) said it did ments by providing humani- vessels that were close by had Rohingya live in dire conditions Islam, an additional police new wave of coronavirus not know the exact location of tarian help to those rescued. provided food and water to in sprawling refugee camps. superintendent in Cox’s Bazar. infections, state media reported yesterday. The Southeast Asian country expects to receive 60 Widodo warns of forest million doses this year, including 30 million under the fires; hot spots detected WHO-led COVAX scheme, with a first batch of 204,000 REUTERS — JAKARTA in a virtual meeting with offi- doses of the AstraZeneca cials. vaccine due to arrive on Feb. Indonesian President Joko Farmers often used fire as 28. Widodo said yesterday local a cheap land clearing method, “The first wave of authorities should get prepared the president said, calling on COVID-19 vaccinations, pri- for potential forest fires later local governments to get forest oritising frontline medical this year as hot spots had been fire containment infrastructure workers and high-risk groups, detected on the island of ready. will begin in March right after Sumatra. Jokowi said Sumatra is the first batch of the Astra- The Southeast Asian country facing a rising risk of forest fires Zeneca vaccine arrives and has suffered some of the biggest this month and warned that the passes quality checks,” the tropical forest fires outside the Kalimantan region on Borneo state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper Amazon and Congo in recent island, as well as Sulawesi reported. years, putting at risk endan- island, could also start seeing Refrigerators able to store gered animals like orangutans forest fires in May to July, with vaccines at temperatures of and tigers and sending choking the peak expected in the August -86 to -40 degrees Celsius haze across the region. “Ninety- to September period. (-122.8°F to -40°F) had been nine percent of forest fires are The president said the fires prepared in the country’s three perpetrated by humans, could cause considerable biggest cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi whether intentional or out of financial losses and “not to Minh City and Danang, the negligence,” Jokowi, as the mention the damage to our paper said. president is widely know, said ecology and ecosystem.” A healthcare worker collects a swab sample from a passenger during a rapid antigen testing campaign The government said pre- for the coronavirus disease, at a railway station in Mumbai, yesterday. viously it was in talks with Russian and US vaccine man- ufacturers on potential supply Thailand extends state of India imposes curbs as virus cases spike agreements, while it expects a home-grown vaccine to be emergency till end-March AP — DELHI pronounced in the western state if it has mutated to be able to ready for domestic inoculation of Maharashtra, where nearly spread more easily, said state by May. BLOOMBERG — BANGKOK after a new wave of infections Cases of COVID-19 are increasing 7,000 cases were detected in the surveillance officer Dr. Pradeep Vietnam’s health ministry that began mid-December in some parts of India after past 24-hours, accounting for Awate. He said that the virus did not immediately respond Thailand extended a state of waned, Piyasakol said. Bars and months of a steady nationwide almost half of India’s over 14,000 evolving was natural, but that to a request for comment its emergency until the end of nightclubs, which remained decline, prompting authorities to cases confirmed yesterday. The consequences of it evolving to vaccination programme. March and ordered easing of closed in some provinces in the impose lockdowns and other weekly average for infections has transmit faster or become more Late last month, Vietnam some COVID-19 containment wake of the fresh outbreak, can virus restrictions. nearly doubled to 5,229 in the virulent could be “catastrophic.” approved the AstraZeneca measures as authorities now reopen and serve liquor to Infections have been plum- state in the past two weeks, and Federal health officials said that vaccine for emergency use prepared to start a vaccination patrons until 11pm, he said. meting in India since September, most of the cases have been con- an increase in new infections, days after the country detected drive as early as next week. Thailand has seen new cases and life has already returned to centrated in a few areas, albeit not as sharp as in Mahar- the first locally transmitted The Center for Covid-19 Sit- drop below 100 in recent days normal in large parts of the including India’s financial capital, ashtra, have also been flagged in cases in nearly two months. uation Administration, chaired after imposing curbs on busi- country. In many cities, markets Mumbai. Punjab state in northern India, Thanks to targeted mass by Prime Minister Prayuth nesses and travel in the worst- are bustling, roads are crowded Lockdowns have been reim- and the central states of Madhya testing and strict quarantining, Chan-Ocha, approved a pro- affected regions early this year. and restaurants are nearly full. posed in some parts of the state Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Vietnam managed to success- posal for the 10th extension of That prompted the COVID-19 But experts have been and authorities have banned all Officials added that a team fully contain the virus for the nationwide state of emer- panel to reassign infection risk warning that the reasons behind religious or cultural programs. of federal health officials has also months but a fresh outbreak gency to contain the outbreak, rankings, with Bangkok now India’s success aren’t really Another wave of cases was been rushed to southern Kerala has proved more difficult to according to Piyasakol Sakol- listed as second-tier. Only understood, and that the country “knocking on our door,” state state, where cases have hovered stamp out. satayadorn, a member of the Samut Sakhon, where the of nearly 1.4 billion people can’t Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray between 4,000 and 5,000 in the The country of 98 million panel. The cabinet is expected current wave of infections afford to let its guard down. said in a virtual address Sunday, past month, which was much people has recorded 791 new to back the extension — in place started, remains in the highest Public health officials are now while warning people that failure higher than other states. Gov- cases since the latest outbreak since March last year — at a risk category with continued investigating potential mutations to follow public health measures ernment-funded research has started last month, or about a meeting on Tuesday. containment measures. in the virus that could make it like wearing masks could result suggested that a more contagious third of its overall caseload of The committee also agreed The Southeast Asian nation more contagious and render in a need for larger and stricter version of the virus could be at 2,383 infections since cases to lift a ban on restaurants is also set to receive the first lot some treatments and vaccines lockdowns. play in Kerala, and efforts to were first detected a year ago. serving alcohol in several prov- of vaccines from China’s less effective. Public health officials are sequence its genome are Vietnam has reported 35 inces including capital Bangkok Sinovac Biotech Ltd. this week. The spike has been most also sequencing the virus to see ongoing. deaths due to the virus. TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 ASIA 11 Beijing official signals electoral reforms in Hong Kong
REUTERS — BEIJING Reforms could also further should be plugged to improve “Under no circumstances concern for many in Hong Kong, skew a committee electing the Hong Kong’s electoral system and should important positions be as its common law-based system “Loopholes” in Hong Kong’s laws city’s leader in favour of the pro- ensure only patriots gain “Patriots” included those held by elements who are anti- has been key to establish the city must be closed to ensure the city Beijing camp. important office, said Xia, who loved China, its China or who bring chaos to as a global financial hub. is governed by “patriots”, a top “Patriots” included those who according to a transcript of his constitution and the Hong Kong.” Hong Kong leader Carrie Beijing official said yesterday, loved China, its constitution and remarks posted online by his A Hong Kong deputy to Lam said her government would signalling changes to the the Communist Party and office. Communist Party and China’s parliament, which is due fully co-operate with Beijing in Chinese-ruled city’s electoral excluded anti-China “trouble- Those who violate the excluded anti-China to congregate from March 5, said its role in improving the former system, potentially as early as makers”, said Xia Baolong, national security law, or chal- “troublemakers”, said that it was likely a “detailed elec- British colony’s political system. next month. director of the Hong Kong and lenge the leadership of the ruling Xia Baolong, director of toral reform plan” for the city will “You have to be a very firm and Any changes could further Macao Affairs Office of the State Communist Party, are not the Hong Kong and be brought up this year, decisive patriot to the extent that limit who could run in a post- Council, China’s cabinet. patriots, he said, referring to the according to a tweet from the you’re prepared to put in every poned legislative election and One direct reason for “anti contentious legislation Beijing Macao Affairs Office of Global Times, a tabloid published effort to defend “one country, two may lead to the disqualification China” movements in Hong Kong imposed on its freest city in June the State Council, China’s by the official People’s Daily, on systems,” regardless of your per- of most lower-level district coun- was that the principle of patriots last year. cabinet. Monday. sonal sacrifices,” Lam said, cillors — the majority of them ruling the city was not fully Patriots would also resolutely The “patriotism” requirement referring to the semi-auton- being pro-democracy politicians, implemented, Xia said. oppose foreign interference in for the city’s fiercely independent omous city’s style of sources said. “Relevant legal loopholes” Hong Kong, he said. judiciary would be of particular governance. Militants kill China rejects genocide four women charge in Xinjiang activists in REUTERS — GENEVA Foreign Minister Wang NW Pakistan Yi told the UN Human China yesterday rejected Rights Council that it AP — PESHAWAR “slanderous attacks” about conditions for Muslim was taking counter- Suspected militants ambushed Uighurs and other minorities terrorism measures in a vehicle carrying women living in its Xinjiang region, accordance with the activists from a non-govern- insisting that they enjoyed mental organization in a former freedom of religion and law and that Xinjiang northwestern tribal region labour rights. enjoyed “social bordering Afghanistan yesterday, Activists and UN rights killing four of them and experts have said that at least stability and sound wounding the driver, police said. 1 million Muslims are development” after The attack took place in the detained in camps in the four years without any village of Epi in Mir Ali, a town remote western region. in North Waziristan district, said China denies abuses and “terrorist case”. Iqbal Khan, a local police officer. says its camps provide voca- Shafi Ullah Khan, a district police tional training and are chief, also confirmed the attack, needed to fight extremism. prepared to impose costs on Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks to media after receiving a dose of the Sinovac Biotech saying police were searching for Foreign Minister Wang Yi China. coronavirus disease vaccine in Hong Kong, yesterday. the attackers. They fled to nearby told the UN Human Rights Earlier, British foreign mountains and no one has Council that it was taking secretary Dominic Raab claimed responsibility. counter-terrorism measures denounced torture, forced Khan said the victims Carrie Lam gets Sinovac vaccine in accordance with the law labour and sterilisations that belonged to the Sabawon Paki- and that Xinjiang enjoyed he said were taking place stani charity, which provides “social stability and sound against Uighurs on an “indus- training to women interested in to bolster public confidence development” after four trial scale” in Xinjiang. doing business from their homes years without any “terrorist “The situation in Xinjiang and creates awareness among REUTERS — HONG KONG Her cabinet ministers including colony on Friday. Hong Kong’s case”. is beyond the pale,” he said. them about their rights. Health Secretary Sophia Chan 7.5 million residents can get There were 24,000 Germany’s foreign min- But Arfan Ullah Marwat, a Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam and Chief Secretary for Admin- vaccinated from February 26 mosques in Xinjiang, where ister Heiko Maas said: “Our spokesman for the Sabawon received China’s Sinovac istration Matthew Cheung lined after applying online. people of all ethnic groups commitment to the Universal charity said the slain women vaccine yesterday together with up to get vaccinated after her. Residents will be allowed also enjoyed labour rights, he Declaration of Human Rights were not their employees. top officials at a live televised Lam appealed to all resi- to choose the type of vaccine, said. also leaves no room for the Marwat refused to share any event to bolster public confi- dents to take the vaccine during the government said. “These basic facts show arbitrary detention of ethnic further details, although police dence ahead of the vaccine’s a press briefing following her Anti-mainland sentiment that there has never been so- minorities like the Uighurs in investigators insisted that their rollout in the global financial vaccination. has increased in Hong Kong called genocide, forced Xinjiang or China’s crackdown initial probe indicated the slain hub this week. “This requires the full col- since 2019 when protesters labour, or religious on civil liberties in Hong women were working for the Sinovac is the first laboration of the people of took to the streets to demon- oppression in Xinjiang,” Kong.” Sabawon charity. COVID-19 vaccine to be intro- Hong Kong to help Hong Kong’s strate against what they see as Wang said. Wang invited UN scrutiny Khan said the women duced in Hong Kong, ahead of society to recover as soon as Beijing’s strengthening hold “Such inflammatory accu- but gave no timetable. activists travelled to Mir Ali the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine set possible.” over the territory. sations are fabricated out of “The door to Xinjiang is from the town of Bannu in the to arrive in the Chinese special Health Secretary Chan told A January survey by the ignorance and prejudice, they always open. People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administrative region before Reuters the government was University of Hong Kong found are simply malicious and many countries who have province. It was unclear why the end of February. trying to reassure residents that fewer than 30% of people politically driven hype and visited Xinjiang have learned police and the charity gave The city’s vaccine rollout worried about taking Sinovac, questioned said they would couldn’t be further from the the facts and the truth on the conflicting information about has lagged other developed stating that standards had not accept the Sinovac vaccine. truth.” ground. China also welcomes the women. cities and is far behind been lowered to accept the Hong Kong has secured a The Biden administration the High Commissioner for The attack drew condem- mainland China which started vaccine and that there was no total of 22.5 million doses of last month endorsed a last- Human Rights to visit Xin- nation from Pakistani rights last July. pressure from Beijing to get it COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, minute determination by the jiang,” he said, referring to UN activists on social media, with Lam, dressed in a white approved. Sinovac and AstraZenca. The Trump administration that rights chief Michelle Bachelet, most of them demanding a t-shirt, was filmed receiving the One million doses of the city has recorded around China has committed gen- whose office has been nego- swift action against those first vaccine in a centre set up Sinovac vaccine arrived from 10,800 cases since last January ocide in Xinjiang and has said tiating terms of access to the responsible. at Hong Kong’s central library. Beijing in the former British and 197 deaths. the United States must be country. New Zealand remembers 185 who died in quake 10 years ago
AP — WELLINGTON be here,” she said. “We are message from Bob Parker, who forever connected by this was the mayor at the time of the New Zealand lowered its flags tragedy and we do not forget quake and became an interna- yesterday and made special you even when we are apart. tionally known face of the note of those who couldn’t You are with us in spirit.” tragedy. Parker recently suf- travel as it marked the 10th Another person who spoke at fered a stroke and attended the anniversary of the Christchurch the Christchurch service was service in a wheelchair. earthquake that killed 185 Maan Alkaisi, a university pro- Ardern said the quake had people. fessor who has spent years affected people in many ways, Hundreds of people trying to get authorities to press and daily reminders including attended an outdoor service in criminal charges against those aftershocks and the fractured Christchurch, which continues who designed the CTV building landscape had made the to rebuild from the magnitude which collapsed during the recovery harder. 6.3 quake that destroyed much quake, killing 115 people “Ten years on there will be An aerial view shows a residential area affected by floods, which damaged the embankment of the of its downtown. A separate including his wife, Maysoon people still living their daily lives Citarum river following the heavy rains, in Bekasi, West Java province, Indonesia, yesterday. service was also held in the Abbas. with the long shadow of that northern Japanese city of A review after the quake day,” she said. Toyama, home to 12 students found the building’s design was “But as we look ahead to the Thousands evacuated in West Java who died in the quake. flawed and it should never have coming decade, I see hope and Speaking at the been approved. energy and optimism,” she said. AP — BEKASI Mitigation Agency, said that Christchurch ceremony, New “Today commemorates 10 “And I see Christchurch taking more than 28,000 residents in Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda years of injustice and mis- its rightful place amongst New Thousands of residents are Raditya Jati, four villages in Bekasi district Ardern said it was important to treatment,” Alkaisi said. “Today Zealand’s best and brightest being evacuated on the spokesperson for the and 34 villages in Karawang remember that 87 of the victims reminds us of our responsibility cities.” outskirts of Indonesia’s capital National Disaster district are affected by the were foreigners and many of to make sure we learn from this In Toyama, more than 100 amid flooding after the Citarum Mitigation Agency, said floods. At least 4,184 people are their families couldn’t be there tragic experience and honor family members, friends and River embankment broke, offi- being evacuated. because of coronavirus travel those lovely people we lost by school officials observed a cials said yesterday. that more than 28,000 Thousands of houses in the restrictions. ensuring their dreams are kept moment of silence for the student Bekasi district in Indone- residents in four villages area are covered with 100 to “Our flags fly at half-mast alive, by ensuring this will not victims and offered flowers sia’s West Java province have in Bekasi district and 34 250 centimetres of water and for them today too,” she said. happen again.” during a ceremony at the Toyama experienced flooding since Sat- villages in Karawang are without power. Christchurch Mayor Lianne The memorial service was College of Foreign Languages. urday because of heavy rain. district are affected by Seasonal rains and high Dalziel talked about the 28 Jap- held on the banks of the Avon Most of them joined online due “Some embankments are tides in recent days have caused anese citizens who died, the River, and people observed a to coronavirus measures. broken, not only from the river the floods. dozens of landslides and wide- largest number of victims from moment’s silence at 12.51pm, the “Now, 10 years after that embankment but also from the spread flooding across much of any country outside of New moment the quake struck in earthquake, the sadness of losing irrigation embankments,” Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 Zealand. 2011. Emergency service you all and the indescribable Public Works and Housing Min- Search and Rescue Agency have islands where millions of “I especially wanted to workers and others took turns regret are once again in our ister Basuki Hadimuljono said been deployed. people live in mountainous mention all the Japanese family reading out the names of each hearts,” Tamehisa Ueda, head of yesterday. Raditya Jati, spokesperson areas or near fertile flood plains members who I last year met of the victims. In a touching the school, said at the Rescuers from the National for the National Disaster close to rivers. in Japan and who so wanted to moment, Dalziel read out a ceremony. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 Johnson sets out cautious lockdown exit plan
REUTERS — LONDON There is no credible route to a zero COVID Britain or a zero British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a phased plan COVID world. And we cannot persist indefinitely with yesterday to end England’s restrictions that debilitate our economy, our physical and COVID-19 lockdown, offering mental well-being, and the life chances of our children. a “cautious” approach to try to prevent a return to wholesale Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister restrictions that have hobbled the economy. Johnson said the first stage fifth-highest official death toll Northern Ireland, which are would prioritise schools from the pandemic and its responsible for their own public returning on March 8 when economy has seen its biggest health, will also ease restric- only minimal socialising out- crash in over 300 years. tions over the coming months. doors would be allowed. With one of the strictest The reopening of schools is The so-called roadmap lockdowns and one of the expected to help the economy, would then pass through four world’s fastest vaccine roll- freeing parents who have had stages, with five weeks in outs, the country may be seen to juggle work and home Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, visits King’s Lynn Corn Exchange Vaccination Centre in between, and the final step, as a test case for governments schooling. King’s Lynn, Britain, yesterday. when most restrictions would hoping to reopen economies However, any easing of be lifted, not starting until June and return life to some kind of social mixing will initially be 21 at the earliest. normalcy. Even with encour- limited and the government will “There is therefore no aging data after more than two ask people to work from home, Prince Philip is ‘OK’, says William credible route to a zero COVID months of domestic vaccina- where they can, for some weeks Britain or a zero COVID world. tions released yesterday, the until it has completed a review REUTERS — LONDON keeping an eye on him,” A royal source said doctors And we cannot persist indefi- British government’s cautious into social distancing at some William said on a visit to a vac- had been acting out of an abun- nitely with restrictions that approach highlights how slow point before June 21. Prince Philip, the husband of cination centre in eastern dance of caution and that Philip debilitate our economy, our a process it will likely be for At the end of March, it is Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, is England. was in good spirits. physical and mental well-being, many countries. Johnson said envisaged a small number of “OK”, Prince William said Royal reporters said he Son and heir Prince Charles and the life chances of our the fast start to the vaccine roll- people will be able to mix out- yesterday after his 99-year-old delivered his message with a paid him a brief visit on Sat- children,” Johnson told par- out plus a sharp fall in infec- doors, but non-essential shops grandfather spent a sixth night wink. urday, although there has been liament. “And that is why it is tions now allowed him to set and outdoor hospitality will not in hospital. The Duke was admitted to no official update on his con- so crucial that this roadmap is out a cautious easing of Eng- reopen until April 12 at the ear- Philip, the Duke of Edin- the private King Edward VII’s dition since last week. cautious but also irreversible. land’s tough national lockdown, liest. Most social contact rules burgh, was admitted to hospital Hospital in central London after Philip, who retired from We’re setting out on, what I which started on January 5. will be lifted outdoors from no on Tuesday as a precautionary feeling unwell for a short official engagements in 2017, hope and believe, is a one-way As the plan unfolds, law- earlier than May 17, with all measure after feeling ill with an period, Buckingham Palace spent four nights at the same road to freedom.” With almost makers will have a chance to legal limits on social contact ailment that was not related to said, and was kept in over the hospital at the end of 2019 130,000 fatalities, Britain has vote on specific steps. Author- possibly being removed from COVID-19. weekend for further while being treated for a pre- suffered the world’s ities in Scotland, Wales and June 21 at the earliest. “Yes, he’s OK, they’re observation. existing condition. UK planning Merkel proposes 3-stage plan to lift virus curbs revaccination REUTERS — BERLIN their parents are especially coronavirus tests from March 1. affected by lockdown," they He also told the meeting campaign German Chancellor Angela said in a document seen by that he wanted to start admin- Merkel wants a staggered, Reuters. "Since it can be hard istering vaccines at family later this year three-stage plan to lift corona- to ensure social distancing with doctors' practices as soon as 3-5 virus restrictions linked to young children, teachers must million doses are delivered REUTERS — LONDON increased testing, she told a be protected in another way." weekly. meeting of her Christian Demo- Germany has extended Production problems and Britain is preparing for a crats' leadership committee, restrictions to curb the spread delivery delays have frustrated revaccination programme according to two participants. of the coronavirus until March Germany's rollout of vaccines against COVID-19, likely to run Merkel wants to reopen 7, though elementary schools so far. As of Sunday, Germany later this year and consist of a parts of society starting with and nurseries started reopening had administered just over 5 single booster dose, the expanding the number of per- in 10 German states on Monday million doses. government said in its plan to sonal contacts, followed by and hair salons are due to open Justice Minister Christine end coronavirus restrictions. schools and vocational colleges their doors again next week. Lambrecht raised the prospect “The Government is and thirdly sports groups, res- While coronavirus cases of lifting restrictions for those planning for a revaccination taurants and culture, according have been falling in recent who have been vaccinated, campaign, which is likely to German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on as she holds a virtual to participants. weeks, the rate of decline has once there is more data on run later this year in autumn dialogue with experts about virtual education, at the Chancellery To help reopen schools, slowed with the seven-day inci- whether it prevents or winter,” the document national and regional health dence rate hovering at around in Berlin, yesterday. transmission. said. ministers decided yesterday to 60 cases per 100,000. "If we know that the vacci- “Any revaccination is likely move primary school and kin- Germany reported 4,369 renewed setbacks by causing next meeting of the federal gov- nation actually leads to the fact to consist of a single ‘booster’ dergarten teachers forward in new infections and 62 further virus variants to spread further. ernment with state premiers on that one is no longer infectious, dose of a COVID-19 vaccine: the queue for vaccines, placing deaths yesterday. Starting today (Tuesday), March 3, the sources said. then there is no longer any the ideal booster may be a new them immediately after the Merkel told the meeting it Merkel's chief of staff, Helge Health Minister Jens Spahn reason to restrict basic rights," vaccine specifically designed elderly. was important that steps to lift Braun, will convene a working repeated his call for the gov- she told TV stations RTL and against a variant form of the "Children, the young, and restrictions did not lead to group to propose a plan for the ernment to offer free rapid ntv. virus.” Some 17.6 million Britons, over a quarter of the 67 million Germany: Nazi population, have now received More restrictions for region in southeast France a first dose, behind only Israel guard deported and the United Arab Emirates AP — PARIS that includes the towns of Nice, only be allowed to leave their 90% of the population lives. in vaccines per head of from US agrees Cannes and other Mediter- homes to buy food, for medical Prefect Bernard Gonzalez population. A region in southeast France is ranean beauty spots is the first appointments, to walk pets or said the region has the highest England's vaccine cam- to be questioned adding daytime weekend lock- region to add the increased for one hour of physical infection rates in France, with paign is significantly reducing AP — BERLIN downs to a 12-hour nightly restrictions to the daily 6 pm-6 exercise during the day before nearly 600 virus cases per cases, with a drop of around curfew already in place seven am curfew that has been in curfew. 100,000 people. 70% in infections among A 95-year-old former Nazi days a week to slow a surge in force nationwide since January. The measures, announced He said hospital wards are healthcare workers who have concentration camp guard coronavirus infections that is For at least the next two yesterday by the region’s top close to being overwhelmed had a first dose of the Pfizer- deported from Tennessee has straining hospital resources. weekends, most people in the official, apply to the Alpes-Mar- and described the situation as BioNTech shot, health officials agreed to be questioned by The Alpes-Maritimes region Alpes-Maritimes region will itimes’ coastal towns where “very worrying.” said yesterday. German prosecutors as they re-examine whether there is enough evidence against him Many arrested after to bring charges, authorities Migrants found hiding in said yesterday. angry youth, police Friedrich Karl Berger container of broken glass arrived on Saturday in clash in Barcelona Frankfurt on a special flight from the US after being AP — BARCELONA and sack full of toxic ash ordered deported to his native Germany by a court in Protests in support of a jailed AP — MADRID Memphis last year. rapper turned violent for a sixth The Spanish Civil Guard He was met by Hesse state consecutive night in Barcelona Spanish authorities say they found 11,700 people last police detectives at the airport on Sunday with clashes have found and rescued 41 year inside the Melilla and told them he would be between police and groups of migrants who tried to reach port’s security perimeter. willing to be questioned by mostly angry youths in the continental Europe from North investigators with a lawyer centre of the Spanish city. Africa last week, some of them In 2021 so far, the figure present, said Bernd Kolkmeier, Like previous days, Sunday hiding inside a container of has reached 1,781 spokesman for the Celle pros- began with a peaceful protest discarded glass bottles and a migrants. ecutor’s office, which is han- in Barcelona, where graffiti bag of toxic ash. dling the case. artists painted a mural critical A person throws an object during a protest in support of rap singer Among people found on Organising counsel and of Spain’s King Felipe VI and his Pablo Hasel in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday. Friday trying to travel to consciousness. The port of ensuring they are up to speed father, former king Juan Carlos Europe from the Spanish port Melilla, where trucks and con- on the facts will take time, I, to show what they called sol- from violent clashes with police frustration among Spain’s of Melilla, an enclave in North tainers embark on a trip to however, so the earliest such idarity with rapper Pablo Hasél. since Hasél was arrested on youths, who have the highest Africa, four hid among bottles Spain that can take up to seven an interview would take place But as night fell, the tension Tuesday to serve a ninth-month unemployment rate in the and other glass partially broken hours, is together with the would be next month, Kolk- increased as protesters mostly prison sentence for his tweets European Union. Four in every in pieces and with sharp edges nearby Ceuta enclave a target meier said. A US immigration dressed in dark clothes and lyrics that insulted the 10 eligible workers under 25 that were destined for recy- for many migrants trying to judge ordered Berger deported marched through the city Spanish monarch and praised years old are without a job. cling, the Spanish Civil Guard reach the European mainland. a year ago after finding that his centre to the National Police terrorism violence. "I think that what we are said yesterday. Some of them try to enter “willing service as an armed headquarters. Catalan police said that on experiencing now with the A video released by the the fenced area of the harbour guard of prisoners at a concen- After half an hour of being Saturday over 35 arrests were cases of Pablo Hasél (...) and police also shows another by swimming there or by hiding tration camp where perse- pelted by rocks, bottles, trash made in Barcelona and other other rappers politically incident in which an officer first in vehicles, in some cases cution took place” constituted and firecrackers, Catalan police nearby towns after rioters detained by this regime is a finds a motionless leg sticking jumping on to them when they assistance in Nazi-sponsored moved in supported by vans to smashed store windows and brutal attack against the out of a large plastic bag con- slow down or stop at the gates persecution. The court found clear the street. Shops of Bar- engaged in running battles with freedom of speech,” 26-year- taining ash from the city’s of the port. The Civil Guard that Berger had served at a celona’s city centre were again police. Other protests across old student Pablo Castilla said incinerator, a material that is says that it found 11,700 people camp in Meppen, which was targeted by vandals who broke Spain, including the capital during a protest in Barcelona. considered highly toxic. last year inside the Melilla a subcamp of the larger Neu- windows. More than 100 Madrid, remained mostly "They are attacking us young- When the agent starts port’s security perimeter and engamme concentration camp people, including seven on peaceful. Hasél’s imprisonment sters because we are showing removing the ash, the alleged that in 2021 so far, the figure near Hamburg. Sunday, have been arrested has also tapped into a well of our anger.” stowaway seems to recover has reached 1,781 migrants. TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 EUROPE 13 Vaccination drive in Russia picking up speed AP — IKHALA On February 10, Denis Logunov, Deputy Director of Russian authorities don’t Investment Fund that bankrolled pendent data analyst who mon- the Gamaleya Centre that developed Sputnik V, said regularly release data on vac- the vaccine’s development and itors regional vaccination rates. Maria Piparinen and other cination rates, but the number is marketing it abroad didn’t “Between the beginning of elderly residents of Ikhala were 2.2 million Russians had received first dose of the who have gotten at least the first respond to a request for January and now, the vacci- relieved when they heard that two-shot vaccine and more than 1.7 million had shot appears to be somewhere comment on how many doses nation rate has increased 10 doctors were finally bringing a between 2 million and 3.2 are going to other countries. times. During the New Year hol- few doses of the coronavirus received both shots. An analysis of regional media million. Media reports indicate idays, some 13,000 people a day vaccine to their remote, snowy reports found that some 3.2 million had received On February 10, Denis about 20 countries ordered a were being vaccinated, and over village in the Russian region of their first shot as of last week. Logunov, Deputy Director of the total of over 200 million doses, the past nine days, I estimate that Karelia, near the border with Gamaleya Centre that said Elena Subbotina, con- shots were being given to Finland. developed Sputnik V, said 2.2 sultant with Central & Eastern 135,000-145,000 people daily,” Otherwise, the 75-year-old million Russians, or less than European Team of CBPartners, Dragan said. said she would have had to hire have received their first dose of tiously along snowy footpaths. two percent, had received their a global health care strategy “In absolute numbers, it a car to take her 10km to the the Sputnik V vaccine in the The goal is to vaccinate first dose of the two-shot consulting firm. looks impressive... but in pro- town of Lakhdenpokhya, region of 600,000 that was hit 290,000 people, or 60 percent vaccine and more than 1.7 On Friday, an African portionate numbers, it’s very because the bus no longer runs hard by COVID-19. of the region’s adults, by million had received both shots. Union-created task force said modest, because one should there. At one point in December, summer, said Karelia Deputy An analysis of regional media Russia has offered 300 million keep in mind Russia’s popu- And besides, “I called the Karelia recorded a daily average Health Minister Galina reports found that some 3.2 doses of Sputnik V. lation of 146 million.” clinic in Lakhdenpokhya, but … of 75.7 cases per 100,000 Matveyeva. million had received their first “I must say we still wonder Dragan’s estimate suggests they told me (all the slots in) people, the highest rate in Russia took pride in being shot as of last week. why Russia is offering theoret- the vaccination rate last week February were booked already,” Russia as a whole, which had the first country to approve a That compares with over 43 ically millions and millions of was about one-fourth of that in Piparinen said. been averaging 18.8 recorded coronavirus vaccine, although million people in the US, or doses while not sufficiently pro- the US. Health Minister Mikhail The village of wooden cases per 100,000. it faced criticism for doing it about 13.2 percent, who have gressing in vaccinating their Murashko has announced plans houses — carved out of a dense “When you watch TV and before completing the advanced received their first shot, and 18.8 own people,” said European to vaccinate 60 percent of the forest of fir trees about 20km see how people are suffering … testing necessary to ensure million who have received both Commission President Ursula population by the end of June. from the Finnish border and you don’t want that. You want Sputnik V’s safety and effec- in a campaign that has had its von der Leyen on February 17. Experts and the media point 100km north of St. Petersburg to live a little longer,” said tiveness. It began vaccinations own difficulties. Russia’s slow Kremlin spokesman Dmitry to limited supply, distribution — is one of several in the Karelia 74-year-old Galina Shilova, one in December, another global rollout has raised questions in Peskov said Russia’s vaccination logistics complicated by its having region where Russia’s vacci- of Ikhala’s nearly 700 residents. first, but now lags behind a the West as more countries campaign is going at “normal” to be stored and transported at nation campaign has arrived in Some of those getting the shots dozen nations that have been have agreed to buy millions of rates. The drive has picked up minus-18 degrees C (minus-0.4 recent weeks. last week at the makeshift clinic using vaccines developed in the doses of Sputnik V. speed but is still rather slow, said F), and hesitance among those More than 18,000 people had to make their way cau- West and China. The Russian Direct Alexander Dragan, an inde- wary of its rushed approval. Navalny case: EU prepares to Sweden to probe adoptions amid sanction 4 Russian officials worries over
REUTERS — BRUSSELS of Russia’s National Guard, who illegal practices publicly threatened Navalny European Union foreign with violence in September REUTERS — STOCKHOLM ministers agreed yesterday to 2018. The fourth man named prepare sanctions on four by the diplomat is Alexander Sweden said yesterday it senior Russian officials close to Kalashnikov, head of the would launch an investigation President Vladimir Putin in a federal prison service. into how it conducted inter- mainly symbolic response to The sanctions are set to be national adoptions until the the jailing of Kremlin critic imposed under a new 1990s amid growing concern Alexei Navalny, three EU framework that allows the EU that many children may have diplomats said. to take measures against been taken from their The political agreement, human rights violators biological parents illegally. which is expected to be for- worldwide. Swedes have adopted mally approved by the EU in Separately the EU has about 60,000 children from March, came after France, already sanctioned six Russians around the world since the Germany, Poland and the Baltic and a state scientific research 1950s, according to the daily states urged the 27-member centre in response to the Dagens Nyheter, many of them bloc to send a message to Putin August poisoning of Navalny. from Asia and South America. that debate and protest must The proposed new listings Worries have been Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and his Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko ride be allowed in Russia. fall well short of the demands increasing, however, that snowmobiles following their talks in Sochi yesterday. Navalny was arrested after made by Navalny’s allies, who some of the children may have returning to Moscow last month have drawn up a list of 35 been stolen from their parents from Germany, where he had people including members of or bought by criminal net- been recovering from a near- Russia’s business elite — the so- Putin, Lukashenko hold talks in Sochi works who then gave them up fatal poisoning in August with called oligarchs — they want to for adoption, with local what Western nations said was see targeted. AP — MOSCOW during Lukashenko’s visit to ex-Soviet nation became the authorities collaborating to a nerve agent. His arrest EU governments say sanc- Russia. The Belarusian leader second country besides Russia provide false papers. sparked nationwide street pro- tions against senior state offi- Russian President Vladimir denied the reports last week to give the shot regulatory “We are going to need to tests in Russia. cials can better withstand legal Putin hosted his Belarusian and said he was “not going approval. He said production investigate how adoption No names were discussed challenges, while it is more dif- counterpart Alexander there to ask for anything.” of Sputnik V will begin in practices functioned in at Monday’s EU meeting, but one ficult to prove business execu- Lukashenko for talks yesterday, The two leaders met in Rus- Belarus in March, and added Sweden between the 1960s diplomat said the proposed new tives’ involvement in any amid media reports suggesting sia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi. that Belarus will develop its and the 1990s,” travel bans and asset freezes human rights abuses. that the leader of Belarus was In brief remarks before the start own coronavirus vaccine by the Health and Social Affairs would target, among others, Before the EU meeting, coming to Russia to secure of their talks, they highlighted fall. Minister Lena Hallengren said Alexander Bastrykin, whose Leonid Volkov, a senior another loan. the close economic and cultural Russia and Belarus have a in an interview with the Investigative Committee handles Navalny aide, said in Brussels The Kremlin extended both ties between the two union treaty envisaging close newspaper. probes into major crimes and that sanctions against oligarchs economical and political countries. political, economic and military Hallengren gave no reports directly to Putin. Bas- might be a way to weaken support to Lukashenko after his Putin pointed out that ties, but they have often further information about the trykin is already under British Putin if they came to feel that disputed re-election in August Russia remains the biggest engaged in acrimonious dis- investigation. Reports on human rights sanctions. association with the president triggered the largest and the trade and economic partner for putes. Before the August 9 irregularities in international Also to be targeted, the dip- was more of a liability than a most sustained wave of mass Belarus. Lukashenko thanked election in Belarus, Lukashenko adoptions have been sur- lomat said, is Igor Krasnov, source of protection. protests in Belarus’ history. In Moscow for its economic repeatedly accused the Kremlin facing for years. who became Russia’s prose- But Volkov welcomed yes- September, Putin said Moscow support, adding that the funds of pressing Belarus to abandon In 2018, a commission in cutor-general a year ago in a terday’s decision: “Even if it’s would provide a $1.5bn loan to invested in the Belarusian its independence. Chile looking into policies by move seen as giving Putin too little... it’s the first time per- its ex-Soviet neighbor. economy were well spent. But with the US and the EU which thousands of children greater scope to retain sonal sanctions are applied Earlier this month, the Lukashenko also praised criticizing the Belarus presi- from poor families were sent influence once his presidential with regard to human rights Kommersant newspaper cited the Russian coronavirus dential election and imposing abroad between 1950 and term expires in 2024. violations, so it opens a way for government sources saying that vaccine Spuntik V, the first sanctions on Belarus, 2000 said that many had been The third official on the further negotiation on this with another loan, this time of over batch of which arrived to Lukashenko has had to rely given away without the draft list is Viktor Zolotov, head Europe.” $3bn, would be discussed Belarus in December after the squarely on Russia’s support. consent of their parents. Italy extends travel curbs, eyes vaccination changes Poland: Historian quits state
REUTERS — ROME job over far-right past
The Italian government AP — WARSAW However, the fact that Greniuch yesterday extended a ban on was even named to the role was non-essential travel between A historian in Poland resigned seen by some as evidence of the country’s 20 regions until yesterday from the govern- how right-wing extremism has March 27 as it looks to slow the ment’s historical institute after become mainstream under the spread of highly contagious controversy erupted over his Poland’s conservative ruling coronavirus variants. past ties with a far-right organ- Law and Justice party. Officials also said the health ization and photos of him The party has sought to ministry was likely to accelerate making the stiff-armed fascist prevent other right-wing vaccination efforts by telling salute. parties from cutting into its regions to use all available Tomasz Greniuch was base, which has led leaders to doses rather than set aside recently appointed to head the sometimes try to appeal to some stock for second shots. Wroclaw office of the Institute ultra-nationalist voters. The ban on travel between of National Remembrance Greniuch also authored a regions was introduced just (IPN), a state organisation book, The Way of the Nation- before Christmas and had been whose role is to document Nazi alist, published in 2013, which due to expire on February 25, and communist crimes carried glorifies Léon Degrelle, a but officials fear a relaxation of out on Polish soil. Belgian collaborator of the Third restrictions could lead to a new The head of the institute, Reich, according to the Gazeta surge in cases, driven by the so- Jaroslaw Szarek, said in a Wyborcza newspaper. called “British” variant. statement yesterday that President Andrzej Duda In its first decisions on Greniuch offered his resig- had awarded Greniuch in 2018 COVID-19, Prime Minister nation and it had been with the Bronze Cross of Merit, Mario Draghi’s new cabinet also accepted. Szarek said the cir- a state decoration awarded for extended restrictions on visiting Commuters at Rome’s main train station Termini wear masks, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, cumstances surrounding the his scholarship on the so-called family and friends, with no in Rome, Italy, yesterday. appointment had made it “cursed soldiers.” Those were more than two adults allowed impossible for Greniuch to do Polish resistance fighters who into another person’s home at classified as “red” but some mid-November to under deaths from COVID-19 each his job. opposed communist forces in the same time. provinces, towns and villages 15,000, the infection rate, day. Outrage had been mounting the later stages of World War No visits are allowed in so- have been designated as such. measuring the percentage of Italy’s official death toll over the appointment in Poland, II and in the war’s aftermath. called red zones, where the Although the number of tests that come back positive, stands at 95,718 - the second a country that suffered enor- Greniuch, who is in his late tightest restrictions are in place. daily COVID-19 cases has fallen has edged up in some areas and highest in Europe after Britain mously under Nazi German rule 30s, issued a public apology At present, no region is from around 40,000 in there are several hundred and seventh highest worldwide. in the Second World War. Friday for his past behaviour. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 Chile leads vaccination drive in Latin America REUTERS — SANTIAGO As of February 18, years when it was rocked first by violent protests and then by Chile is streaking ahead of the the country had given the pandemic. rest of Latin America in its over 2.5 million doses “This global tragedy campaign to vaccinate its popu- of vaccine, enough for perhaps gives us the oppor- lation against the coronavirus, tunity as Chileans not just to which the Andean country’s around one shot for get a shot in the arm but reach leaders hope can help not only 12 in every hundred out to people and soothe the beat back the virus but also nation’s soul,” he said, adding unite the nation. people. It could fully the center was averaging 7,000 As of February 18, the vaccinate 10 percent people a day. copper-producing country had Just over a year ago, Chile given over 2.5 million doses of of its population with was swept by intense protests vaccine, enough for around one two doses per person against inequality and elitism shot for 12 in every hundred that left scores dead and people, according to Our World in just over 20 days. injured, billions of dollars in in Data. It could fully vaccinate damages to businesses, and a 10 percent of its population with populace deeply divided. two doses per person in just vaccine trials to gain priority for However, despite ongoing A healthcare worker administers a dose of Sinovac’s CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination over 20 days at its current rate, supply, and made use of con- tensions, many Chileans are centre in Santiago, Chile. data show. nections with vaccine-pro- pleased at how fast the country That puts it in the top 10 glo- ducing trade partners who nor- has been to get its vaccination the start of February and by last confirmation on a deal with to shore up vaccines when it bally of larger countries and mally snap up its copper and program up and running. On Thursday had given some 2.57 Johnson & Johnson and has became clear competition compares to 172 days for Brazil fresh fruit. Christmas Eve, it was the first million vaccinations. signed up for the global vaccine would be fierce. and over 1,000 days for Mexico, At a soccer stadium-turned in South America to start inoc- The long thin Andean distribution scheme COVAX. All Chileans should feel which has faced delays in its vaccine center in La Florida, a ulations, injecting health nation, which has a population Dr Fernando Leanes, the “proud” that the country was inoculation program. working class neighbourhood workers with the Pfizer- of 19 million, has signed supply World Health Organization’s topping world tables with its Rodrigo Yanez, the vice- of Chilean capital Santiago, BioNTech vaccine. deals for a total of 34 million representative in Chile, vaccination drive, said Paula minister for trade negotiating mayor Rodolfo Carter said that With the arrival of Sinovac doses of two-shot vaccines this credited leaders across Daza, a health ministry official the deals, said in an interview the rapid drive could help heal doses, it set up 1,400 mobile year from Pfizer, Sinovac and political, medical and academic in President Sebastian Pinera’s that Chile had hosted multiple the country after two terrible clinics around the country at AstraZeneca. It is awaiting spheres with reacting swiftly government, last week. Approval rating Virginia Lab researchers lay groundwork for US-made drugs of Brazil BLOOMBERG — VIRGINIA equipment that requires a said. Workers will develop awarded $354m by the Trump “To address the fragile President falls: smaller footprint and fewer standards for measuring drug administration to help produce supply chain, we must invest One thing both the Trump and workers, making US drug pro- quality using the newer COVID-19 treatments made in and sustain domestic critical CNT poll Biden administrations have duction more likely, the equipment. the US. The company’s early health-care manufacturing,” agreed on is that the US needs partners said yesterday. Drugmakers, particularly efforts stand in contrast to a Greg Burel, former director of REUTERS — BRASILIA to expand domestic manufac- The modernised equipment those that manufacture low- $765 million government loan the US Strategic National turing, and soon. allows for a nearly uninter- cost generic medications, have the Trump administration gave Stockpile, told House law- Brazilian right-wing President The pharmaceutical rupted manufacturing process shied away from this Eastman Kodak Co, known for makers at a hearing earlier this Jair Bolsonaro’s approval industry in particular has out- that experts say can produce investment partly because it’s producing cameras, to make month. “Continued domestic rating slumped to 32.9 percent sourced much of its manufac- higher-quality drugs more cost unclear if the US Food and Drug domestic drugs. manufacturing is a national in February, from 41.2 percent turing to take advantage of effectively than through current Administration would accept The loan to Kodak was put security imperative.” in October, according to a poll lower costs and more lax envi- clunky production new calculations for how on hold after concerns were The Pentagon raised similar published yesterday by ronmental laws in other techniques. standards are met. raised when trading in its stock concerns after recalls involving transport association CNT. countries. The new technology is Generics account for 90 picked up the day before the millions of blood pressure pills The poll was conducted This has left Americans referred to as continuous man- percent of the drugs Americans official announcement of the made in China and India that between Thursday and Sat- reliant on overseas drugmakers, ufacturing and without it take yet the companies don’t loan was made in July. were contaminated with ingre- urday last week and so partially largely in India and China, and “there’s just no way with US have the large research and Americans’ reliance on dients that could cause cancer. includes reaction to Bolsonaro’s vulnerable to gaps in the supply labour costs it would make development budgets of brand- foreign-made medicine has Quality problems are the Friday decision to install a chain when quality issues or a sense,” USP Chief Executive name drugmakers. gradually become more of a reason for about two-thirds of retired general with no oil and pandemic halts production. Officer Ronald Piervincenzi USP’s involvement is crucial concern and is being examined drug shortages, Piervincenzi gas experience as chief exec- This is where the United said. because the organisation sets by lawmakers on both sides of said. utive of state oil company States Pharmacopeia, a nearly USP will work alongside the standards for the older the aisle in Congress. With continuous manufac- Petroleo Brasileiro SA. 200-year-old organisation that Phlow researchers at the Med- manufacturing method, which Early last year as the coro- turing, drugmakers work with The announced shakeup creates standards for the icines for All Institute, based at the FDA references when navirus began to spread in the smaller amounts rather than and his criticism of the com- industry, and Phlow Corp come Virginia Commonwealth Uni- reviewing applications. US, crucial drugs were in short mixing several hundred kilo- pany’s pricing policy sent in. They are laying the versity in Richmond, which uses Phlow was formed last year supply and the industry dealt grams at once, said Atul Dubey, Petrobras shares tumbling on groundwork for the industry to advanced drug-making by a group of pharmaceutical with fallout from manufacturing USP’s director of pharmaceutical Friday and they continued to upgrade manufacturing equipment, USP and Phlow executives and in May was halts in China. continuous manufacturing. fall on Monday, as the inter- vention sent Brazil’s financial markets into a tailspin. The poll showed the Bol- Teachers ‘were drivers’ of sonaro government’s bad/ter- rible negative rating has jumped infections in Atlanta schools to 35.5 percent from 27.2 percent in October, while disapproval of AP — ATLANTA all but a handful of Georgia dis- his personal performance as tricts, has been offering in- president has risen to 51.4 A new study finds that teachers person classes since the fall. percent from 43.2 percent. may be more important drivers All the Marietta clusters With his sights set on re- of COVID-19 transmission in also involved “less than ideal election in 2022, Bolsonaro schools than students. physical distancing,” with stu- has blasted “excessive” fuel The paper released yes- dents often less than three feet prices and vowed to tackle terday by the US Centers for apart, although plastic dividers electricity prices next. Disease Control and Prevention were placed on desks. studies nine COVID-19 trans- “Physical distancing of Five Cuban men mission clusters in elementary greater than 6 feet was not pos- schools in the Atlanta suburb sible because of the high rescued near of Marietta in December and number of in-person students January. and classroom layouts,” the Florida coast after That included one cluster authors wrote. where 16 teachers, students and In seven cases, trans- 16 days at sea relatives of students at home mission may have taken place were infected. during small-group AP — MIAMI In only one of the nine instruction sessions where clusters was a student clearly teachers were close to stu- The US Coast Guard rescued the first documented case, dents. Although the authors five Cuban men who said they Mexican Air Force plane crashes while a teacher was the first said they observed students had been floating at sea in a documented case in four wearing masks, interviews small raft for 16 days. The wreckage of an airplane of Mexican Air Force after a crash near El Lencero airport in Emiliano clusters. found that “inadequate mask The agency said on Twitter Zapata municipality, in Veracruz state, Mexico, yesterday. In another four, the first use” by students could have late Sunday that the men were case was unclear. Of the nine contributed to the spread of two miles southeast of the clusters, eight involved infection in five clusters. Lake Worth Inlet, near the Port probable teacher-to-student The CDC again advised that of Palm Beach, when they Plan to rename schools put on hold transmission. Two clusters saw schools need to pursue “mul- were picked up. Images posted teachers infect each other tifaceted” strategies to prevent on the official Twitter account AP — SAN FRANCISCO responsibility that mistakes hospitalization trends have during in-person meetings or the spread of the virus, show the group of men in the were made in the renaming greatly improved in lunches, with a teacher then including cutting down on makeshift vessel wrapped with The head of the San Francisco process.” California. infecting other students. teacher-to-teacher meetings, a black tube and a piece of school board has put on hold The board’s 6-1 vote in late López said reopening will “Educators were central to making sure masks are worn white cloth that appears to be controversial plans to rename January to remove the names be the “only focus” until in-school transmission net- correctly and increasing have been used to sail the raft. 44 schools until students are of Abraham Lincoln, George children are back in school and works,” the authors wrote. physical distancing, especially On Friday, the Coast Guard back on campus after months Washington from schools along that renaming committee The findings line up with during mealtimes when people said it repatriated seven of virtual learning during the with other prominent figures meetings are being canceled for studies from the United can’t wear masks. Cubans who had been at sea coronavirus pandemic. triggered debate on whether it the time being. Kingdom that found teacher- The authors wrote that for six days when they were Board of Education Pres- took the national reckoning on She also said the there will to-teacher was the most Marietta has already made caught earlier last week nav- ident Gabriela López America’s racist past too far. be a “more deliberative common type of school trans- changes, including reducing in- igating toward Florida in a announced the decision in A few days later, the city of process” in the future, including mission there, and a German person contact among teachers. 15-foot vessel made of wood Monday’s editions of the San San Francisco sued the San engaging historians from study that found in-school The district’s superintendent and aluminum that had no Francisco Chronicle and on Francisco Unified School Dis- nearby universities. transmission rates were three wasn’t immediately available motor. The group was 35 miles SFChronicle.com on Sunday, trict and the board to force the “We recognize we need to times higher when the first for comment. east of West Palm Beach when the newspaper reported. reopening of schools to stu- slow down,” she wrote. “And documented case was a The study also said that in they were intercepted by the “There have been many dis- dents. San Francisco teachers, we need to provide more teacher. addition to those strategies, it Coast Guard on Wednesday. tracting public debates as we’ve like those in many big districts, opportunities for community Other research has sug- might be desirable to vaccinate The two interdictions been working to reopen our are resisting a return to class- input. We are working with gested that there’s low trans- teachers to protect educators, follow a rescue earlier this schools,” López wrote. “School rooms until they are educators at all levels to involve mission of viruses and that cut down on in-school trans- month of three Cubans who renaming has been one of them. vaccinated. and educate our school com- schools should reopen, a mission and keep schools oper- capsized and survived 33 days It was a process begun in 2018 Since then, the issue of munities about the renaming message that President Joe ating in person, although the on coconut water, shellfish and with a timeline that didn’t returning students to in-person process. We are realizing, espe- Biden’s administration has CDC restated that teacher vac- rats on a deserted island south anticipate a pandemic. I learning has loomed ever larger cially now, it will take time and been pushing in recent weeks cination is “not a requirement of Florida. acknowledge and take as COVID-19 infection and energy to get that right.” to mixed success. Marietta, like for reopening schools.” TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 Supreme Court allows release of Trump’s tax returns REUTERS — WASHINGTON The justices without comment rebuffed Trump’s prosecutors are examining Vance issued a subpoena to Michael Cohen made before the Trump’s efforts to reduce his Mazars in 2019 seeking Trump’s 2016 election to two women Donald Trump suffered a major request to put on hold an October 7 lower court commercial real-estate taxes corporate and personal tax who said they had intimate setback yesterday in his long ruling directing the Republican businessman- for possible evidence of fraud. returns from 2011 to 2018. encounters with Trump. quest to conceal details of his The Supreme Court, which Trump’s lawyers sued to block In recent court filings, finances as the US Supreme turned-politician’s longtime accounting firm, has a 6-3 conservative majority the subpoena, arguing that as a Vance has suggested that the Court paved the way for a New Mazars USA, to comply with a subpoena to turn included three Trump sitting president, Trump had probe is now broader and could York City prosecutor to obtain over the materials to a grand jury convened by appointees, had already ruled absolute immunity from state focus on potential bank, tax and the former president’s tax once in the subpoena dispute, criminal investigations. insurance fraud, as well as fal- returns and other records as Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance. last July rejecting Trump’s broad The Supreme Court in its sification of business records. part of an accelerating criminal argument that he was immune July ruling rejected those argu- “The Supreme Court has investigation. from criminal probes as a sitting ments but said Trump could now proclaimed that no one is The justices without Vance had previously said action, coming soon after president. raise other objections to the above the law. Trump will, for comment rebuffed Trump’s in a letter to Trump’s lawyers Vance’s hiring of a prominent Unlike all other recent US subpoena. Trump’s lawyers the first time, have to take request to put on hold an that his office would be free to lawyer with deep experience in presidents, Trump refused then argued before lower courts responsibility for his own dirty October 7 lower court ruling immediately enforce the sub- white-collar and organised- during his four years in office that the subpoena was overly deeds,” Cohen said in a directing the Republican busi- poena if the justices rejected crime cases, could boost the dis- to make his tax returns public. broad and amounted to political statement issued after the nessman-turned-politician’s Trump’s request. trict attorney’s investigation The data could provide details harassment. Supreme Court acted. longtime accounting firm, A Mazars spokesman said into Trump’s family real-estate on his wealth and the Trump US District Judge Victor The court on Monday sep- Mazars USA, to comply with a the company was aware of the company, the Trump Organi- Organization’s activities. Marrero in August and the New arately turned away Daniels’ bid subpoena to turn over the mate- court’s action and “remains zation, following a flurry of Trump, who left office on York-based 2nd US Circuit to revive her defamation rials to a grand jury convened committed to fulfilling all of our recent subpoenas. January 20 after being defeated Court of Appeals in October lawsuit against Trump. by Manhattan District Attorney professional and legal obliga- It was reported on Friday in his November 3 re-election rejected those claims. In separate litigation, the Cyrus Vance, a Democrat. tions.” A lawyer for Trump did that Vance’s office had sub- bid by Democrat Joe Biden, con- Vance’s investigation ini- Democratic-led US House of “The work continues,” not immediately respond to a poenaed a New York City tinues to face an array of legal tially focused on hush money Representatives is seeking Vance said in a statement issued request for comment. property tax agency as part of issues concerning personal and payments that the then-presi- similar records from Mazars after the court’s action. The Supreme Court’s the investigation, suggesting business conduct. dent’s former lawyer and fixer and Deutsche Bank. Garland to focus on civil rights and political independence
AP — WASHINGTON “There have been few US Capitol as Congress was moments in history where the voting to certify Biden’s elec- Merrick Garland, President Joe role of attorney general - and toral win on January 6. Biden’s nominee for attorney the occupant of that post - have “I will supervise the prose- general, will appear for his mattered more,” the commit- cution of white supremacists confirmation hearing vowing tee’s chairman, Sen. Dick and others who stormed the to prioritise civil rights, combat Durbin, says in remarks pre- Capitol on January 6 - a heinous extremist attacks and ensure pared for the hearing. attack that sought to disrupt a the Justice Department remains In his own prepared cornerstone of our democracy: politically independent. remarks, Garland focuses on pri- the peaceful transfer of power Garland, a federal appeals oritizing policing and civil rights to a newly elected government,” court judge who was snubbed to combat racial discrimination he says. by Republicans for a seat on the — he says America doesn’t “yet Biden’s choice of Garland Supreme Court in 2016, was to have equal justice” — as well as reflects the president’s goal of appear yesterday before the confronting the rise in extremist restoring the department’s rep- Senate Judiciary Committee and violence and domestic terror utation as an independent body. is widely expected to sail threats and restoring the depart- During his four years as pres- through his confirmation ment’s political independence ident, Donald Trump insisted Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks with Senators Alex Padilla and Chris Coons during a break in the process with bipartisan support. after years of controversial deci- that the attorney general must testimony of Attorney-General nominee Merrick Garland’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Garland’s nomination has sions and turmoil. be loyal to him personally, a Judiciary Committee, in Washington, DC, yesterday. gained public support on both “Communities of colour and position that battered the sides of the political aisle, from other minorities still face dis- department’s reputation. Gar- more than 150 former Justice crimination in housing, edu- land’s high-court nomination tumultuous time under Trump administration, with a focus and politically sensitive cases, Department officials — cation, employment, and the by President Barack Obama in — rife with political drama and more on civil rights issue, like the federal tax investigation including former attorneys criminal justice system; and bear 2016 died because the Repub- controversial decisions - and criminal justice overhauls and involving Biden’s son Hunter general Loretta Lynch, Michael the brunt of the harm caused by lican-controlled Senate refused abundant criticism from Dem- policing policies in the wake of Biden, along with a Justice Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales, pandemic, pollution, and climate to hold a hearing. ocrats over what they saw as nationwide protests over the Department investigation along with 61 former federal change,” Garland says. “I believe that he is the right the politicizing of the nation’s death of Black Americans at the examining whether New York judges. Others, including two Garland is also planning to person for this moment in time,” top law enforcement agencies. hands of law enforcement. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s sons of former Attorney General highlight the department’s work said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The department’s priorities But Garland will also likely administration intentionally Edward Levi, have also written prosecuting hundreds of pro- Garland will inherit a Justice and messaging are expected to face questioning about his plans manipulated data about nursing letters of support to Congress. Trump rioters who stormed the Department that endured a shift drastically in the Biden to handle specific investigations home coronavirus deaths. Charge dropped US surpasses 500,000th COVID-19 death in just over a year against Black REUTERS — NEW YORK States, an outsized figure given with his own health experts. like so many around the world, With numbers that made man walking on that the nation accounts for Biden and Vice-President grappled with the mountain of the appalling toll early in the The United States yesterday just four percent of the world’s Kamala Harris are set to loss brought by COVID-19 as pandemic pale by comparison, icy Texas street crossed the staggering population. commemorate the huge loss health experts warned of yet deaths recorded between milestone of 500,000 “These numbers are of life due to COVID-19 later another coronavirus resurgence December and February AP — PLANO COVID-19 deaths just over a stunning,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, during an event at the White during the upcoming fall and accounted for 46 percent of all year to the day since the a top infectious disease House that will include a winter months. US COVID-19 fatalities, even as A misdemeanour charge has coronavirus pandemic claimed adviser to President Joe Biden speech by the President, a Americans lost mothers vaccines finally became been dropped against a Black its first known US victims in told ABC News’ Good Morning moment of silence and a and fathers, husbands and available and a monumental man who was arrested last Santa Clara County, California. America program. “If you look candle lighting ceremony. wives, brothers, sisters and effort to inoculate the American week for walking home on a The country had recorded back historically, we’ve done Over the past 12 months, the friends to the virus. For many, public got under way. street during a snowstorm in more than 28 million worse than almost any other virus has taken a full year off the grief was amplified by the Despite the grim Texas. COVID-19 cases and 500,054 country and we’re a highly the average life expectancy in inability to see loved ones in milestone, the virus appears Rodney Reese, 18, was lives lost as of Monday developed, rich country.” the United States, the biggest hospitals or nursing homes to have loosened its grip as arrested February 16 in Plano morning, according to a tally The country’s poor decline since World War Two. and by the physical distancing COVID-19 cases in United and charged with being a of public health data, although performance reflects the lack Sweeping through the imposed by authorities to curb States fell for the sixth pedestrian in the roadway, daily deaths and of a unified, national response country at the beginning of last the spread. consecutive week. news outlets reported. hospitalisations have fallen to last year, when the year, the US epidemic had By December, the death Fauci cautioned against Police said officers the lowest level since before administration of former claimed its first 100,000 lives toll had reached 300,000 as complacency and urged received a call about a Black the Thanksgiving and President Donald Trump mostly by May. The death toll doubled the United States entered a Americans to continue public man seen stumbling along in Christmas holidays. left states to their own devices by September as the virus deadly post holiday season health measures such as the middle of the snowy street About 19 percent of total in tackling the greatest public ebbed and surged during the that would claim 230,000 wearing masks, physical wearing a short-sleeved shirt global coronavirus deaths heath crisis in a century, with summer months. lives in the span of less than distancing and avoiding and were sent to perform a have occurred in the United the president often in conflict Pandemic-weary Americans, three months. crowds. wellness check. Police released body camera footage of the encounter on Facebook on 'Mean tweets' threaten Friday. In the video, police are seen following Reese and Biden budget pick Tanden repeatedly asking him where he is going and if he was OK, to which he replies that he is REUTERS — WASHINGTON Joe Manchin, announced on fine and he is on his way home. Friday he would not vote for Reese told KDFW-TV that President Joe Biden’s nomi- her. he was walking home from his nation of Neera Tanden to lead “Neera Tanden has neither job at a Walmart and didn’t the Office of Management and the experience nor the temper- stop for the officers because Budget edged toward collapse ament to lead this critical agency. he didn’t need their help. yesterday as two moderate Her past actions have demon- Officers continued to follow Republicans seen as potential strated exactly the kind of ani- Reese for about two minutes “Yes” votes became “No’s” mosity that President Biden has before stopping him, telling because of her past harsh pledged to transcend,” Collins him they were “doing an inves- comments on social media. said in a statement. tigation” and informing him Senators Susan Collins and A Romney spokeswoman that he was being detained. Mitt Romney both cited con- said he was also opposed. “He Reese replied “no” and cerns that Tanden, 50, would believes it’s hard to return to continued walking, but was be too divisive to lead the comity and respect with a stopped again. In the video, a agency responsible for man- nominee who has issued a brief scuffle is seen as officers aging the $4 trillion federal thousand mean tweets,” she said. attempted to handcuff Reese, budget. Biden, a Democrat, still who can be heard asking to be With the Senate divided supports Tanden. White House released. 50-50 between the Republican spokeswoman Jen Psaki said According to the Facebook Frozen falls at Niagara and Democratic caucuses, the administration was post, the arresting officer Tanden will need the support “looking ahead to the com- noted that Reese resisted Visitors view water flowing around ice at the base of the American Falls due to cold temperatures of at least one Republican to mittee votes this week and con- arrest but chose not to charge in Niagara Falls, New York, yesterday. win confirmation in the Senate. tinuing to work toward her him. A moderate Democrat, Senator confirmation.” TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021 16
QA is Official Airline for UEFA EURO 2020
THE PENINSULA — DOHA vision of Qatar. Qatar Airways recently PRAYER Qatar Airways has announces became the first global airline TIMINGS that it will join The Union of The 16th edition of the in the world to achieve the pres- PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING European Football Associations tigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline (UEFA) as partner of the UEFA flagship UEFA Safety Rating by international EURO 2020, with the national Championship will see air transport rating organi- FAJR 04.45 am carrier of the State of Qatar set to the 24-team tournament sation, Skytrax. SUNRISE 06.06 am be the Official Airline of the tour- celebrated across 12 host This follows HIA’s recent nament taking place from June cities, including success as the first airport in the DHUHR 11.47 am 11 to July 11. Middle East and Asia to be ASR 03.05 pm The 16th edition of the Amsterdam, Baku, awarded a Skytrax 5-Star MAGHRIB 05.34 pm flagship UEFA Championship will Bilbao, Bucharest, COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. ISHA 07.04 pm see the 24-team tournament cel- Budapest, Copenhagen, These recognitions provides ebrated across 12 host cities, Dublin, Glasgow, London, assurance to passengers across including Amsterdam, Baku, the world that airline health and Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Munich, Rome and St. safety standards are subject to Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, Petersburg. the highest possible standards London, Munich, Rome and St. of professional, independent Petersburg. scrutiny and assessment. For Wembley Stadium will be set full details of all the measures to host the final in London on July for us to celebrate the excitement that have been implemented 11, 2021. Qatar Airways will serve that the competition will bring.” onboard and in HIA, please visit WEATHER all the host cities either directly The sponsorship of the qatarairways.com/safety. TODAY or through airline partners. Addi- UEFA EURO 2020 strengthens The national carrier of the tionally, the Qatar Airways brand players, fans and officials across tuates our growing sporting part- Qatar Airways’ presence in the State of Qatar continues to will feature prominently across the globe through our world- nership portfolio.” world of sport, with the likes rebuild its network, which cur- all digital platforms and stadiums class service. The power of sport UEFA Director of Marketing, of FIFA, CONMEBOL, Paris rently stands at over 130 desti- set to host the 51 matches during to unite people is unrivalled, and Guy-Laurent Epstein, said: “We Saint-Germain, as Roma, Boca nations. With more frequencies the course of the summer this partnership with UEFA EURO are delighted to welcome Qatar Juniors, FC Bayern München, being added to key hubs, Qatar tournament. 2020 is an excellent opportunity Airways on board as an Official KAS Eupen and Al Sadd SC Airways offers unrivalled con- o o Qatar Airways Group Chief for us to witness the very best in Partner of UEFA EURO 2020. well placed in the carrier’s nectivity to passengers, making 18 C 24 C Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, European football. Furthermore, Like sport, travel unites us. Now global football sponsorship it easy for them to change their Minimum Maximum said: “Qatar Airways is pleased this alliance illustrates our com- more than ever, next summer portfolio, further representing travel dates or destination if Hazy at places at first becomes to partner with UEFA to connect mitment to Europe, and accen- represents the ideal opportunity its alignment with the national they need to. moderate temperature daytime with scattered clouds and weak chance of rain, relatively cold by night. W ALRUWAIS : 19o → 23o Design experts underline W ALKHOR : 18o → 23o W DUKHAN : 18o → 24o importance of innovation W WAKRAH : 16o → 23o W MESAIEED : 16o → 23o in creative industry W ABUSAMRA : 17o → 24o RAYNALD C RIVERA Bengiuma has been happening THE PENINSULA HIGH TIDE globally and experienced by 02:44 – 0:00 people around the world at dif- Groundbreaking ideas and inno- ferent levels. LOW TIDE 19:15 – 0:00 vation have never been more New innovation has been important in the design industry keeping engagement in the cre- now amid many challenges, say ative industry alive and opening design experts. doors to new ways of thinking, Speaking at an online event an example of which is virtual Captain Tom’s recently, Qatari artist and fashion shows, said Al Obaidly, designer Fahad Ahmed Al stressing the creatives’ use of funeral to take Obaidly, Acting Head of Public technology as a new way and an Fahad Ahmed Al Obaidly (right), Acting Head of Public Programs at Msheireb Cultural Forum (M7), Programs at Msheireb Cultural important part of engagement. and Anis Bengiuma, Design Director at The Creative Union. place on Saturday Forum (M7) and Anis Bengiuma, “This time you have to work Design Director at The Creative online, share ideas in different REUTERS — LONDON Union, a creative studio spe- ways but at the same time He said people are now con- to the fact that awareness cam- display and experience the cialised in branding and design understand the consumers. cerned on how design affects the paigns move faster and mes- various features of the event. The funeral of Captain Sir Tom were of the same view of the sig- Design is contextual; it relies on environment, where materials sages reach them faster and they Al Obaidly and Bengiuma Moore, the World War Two nificance of innovative ideas and what is happening now and pro- come from, or where the product are paying attention to it more,” featured in a conversation the veteran who raised millions of technology in the industry as the vides insights on what’s going to is made, adding there is a col- added Bengiuma. “The Era of Now: The Creative pounds for Britain’s health world grapples with crisis. happen in the future,” said lective understanding that sus- Al Obaidly shared the same Industry in Qatar and the M7 Ini- service during the COVID-19 They spoke about how the Bengiuma. tainability is where the industry outlook giving the recent tiative” held as part of the virtual pandemic, will take place on industry has seen transfor- About how the production is heading. ‘Unwasted” initiative at Msheireb summit held recently as part of Saturday, his daughters said. mation recently such as changes supply has changed, Bengiuma “The younger generation Downtown Doha as an example the launch of the new Doha Moore, who was 100, died in visual language and the said, “In the last couple of years focuses more on sustainability. which was welcomed warmly Design District, set to be the on February 2 after he con- presence of new ways of com- there has been a lot of demand There is greater awareness of the as many people expressed great global destination of creativity tracted COVID-19. munication which according to for sustainable design.” concept of sustainability owing interest to see the collection on in Qatar. He was challenged to walk 100 laps of his garden in the run up to his landmark birthday to raise a modest 1,000 pounds. M7 signs agreements with DFI, VCUarts Qatar & INJAZ Qatar By the time he finished on April 16 2020, he was being THE PENINSULA — DOHA The agreement with VCUarts communities. This collaboration Qataris in creative fields. entities form a cultural part- willed on by millions in Britain Qatar will see Qatar Museums facilitates knowledge exchange Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts nership, which will entail the and beyond, and the total raised Qatar Museums has signed several work with the university to and transfer through several Qatar, noted, “Since its inception, shared use of M7’s creative spaces was heading towards $53m. memoranda of understanding enhance capabilities, develop new inspiring activities designed to VCUarts Qatar has successfully and the development of tailored He was knighted by Queen with local entities working on knowledge and advance creative spark creativity and maximize partnered with artists, designers programmes for students, Elizabeth in recognition of his advancing Qatar’s creative land- expression and innovation, to the learning outcomes for the com- and the wider community to offer including mentorship and talks, efforts. The White House said scape, activating QM’s creative public. The agreement aims to munity. As a creative hub, M7 is programs that enhance the local and an innovation camp model after his death he had “inspired space at M7. augment learning, and strengthen committed to mentoring creatives art and design landscape. Looking placing emphasis on creativity millions through his life and his The agreements support a the positive impact the entities and advancing education within forward, we’re excited to collab- and design thinking skills. actions”. His family said it would mutual commitment by the have on diverse art and design the industry while supporting orate with M7 and Qatar “We at INJAZ Qatar are very be a small family funeral as partners, Virginia Commonwealth communities. Qatar Museums as it nurtures a Museums. The collaboration will proud of this partnership with M7. required by COVID-19 restric- University School of the Arts in Maha Ghanim Al Sulaiti, thriving cultural landscape.” provide an opportunity to collec- We share a common mission to tions. An online book of condo- Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), INJAZ Director, M7, said: “M7 is excited M7 was established under the tively use our resources and develop the careers of the youth lence had been set up to honour Qatar, and Doha Film Institute to join hands with VCUarts Qatar, auspices of H E Sheikha Al expertise to bring out the potential of Qatar, train aspiring entrepre- Moore, they said, and people (DFI) to the strengthening of the INJAZ Qatar and the Doha Film Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa of existing and emerging creative neurs in creative fields and spark could also donate to The Captain relationships between the organ- Institute as our first program Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar talents in the country.” Mean- creativity in people through edu- Tom Foundation, plant a tree or isations and the development of partners to fuel creative Museums, with the aim of while, Qatar Museums’ agreement cational programs,” stated Emad donate to another charity. cooperative programming. expression within our advancing the career path of with INJAZ Qatar will see both Al Khaja, CEO of INJAZ Qatar. First Arctic navigation in February Over 7,500 embrace The Anooki experience at Qatar Foundation sends a worrying climate signal THE PENINSULA — DOHA BLOOMBERG — LONDON said Yury Trutnev, Russia’s More than 7,500 people have deputy prime minister and a embraced The Anooki expe- A tanker sailed through Arctic member of the supervisory rience at Qatar Foundation – as sea ice in February for the first board at Rosatom, the state- two giant characters who aim time, the latest sign of how owned nuclear corporation that to highlight the importance of quickly the pace of climate manages the route. environmental sustainability change is accelerating in the The experimental voyage came to Education City. Earth’s northernmost regions. happened after a year of Thousands of visitors of all The Christophe de Margerie extraordinarily warm condi- ages from across Qatar’s com- was accompanied by the tions in the Arctic that have sent munity enjoyed The Anooki’s nuclear-powered 50 Let Pobedy shockwaves across the world, immersive light show and a tour icebreaker as it sailed back to from the snowstorm that blan- of buildings across QF where the Russia this month after carrying keted Spain in January to the Inuit-inspired characters set up liquefied natural gas to China blast of cold air that swept home for six days, as they sent out through the Northern Sea Route through Canada in mid-Feb- a message about the need for eve- in January. Both trips broke nav- ruary, moving deep into the ryone to play their part in pro- igation records. South as far as Texas. tecting our planet. “I am confident that the The Arctic is warming more To adhere to public health Northern Sea Route is compet- than twice as quickly as the rest guidelines amid COVID-19, all itive, that changes in the ice sit- of the world and the area tours were pre-registered and a uation and the improvement of covered by ice there has series of precautionary measures marine technologies create new reached historic lows multiple were put in place to ensure peo- A view of The Anooki’s immersive light show at Qatar Foundation. The two giant characters aim to conditions for its development,” times over the past 12 months. ple’s safety. highlight the importance of environmental sustainability.