Ooredoo QSL: Ismaeel, Group Olunga on announces target as Al QR1.1bn net Duhail beat Al profit in 2020 Rayyan 2-0

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MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 3 RAJAB - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8534 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Cargo service through border begins

THE PENINSULA — government of both countries of imported and transiting in January to open the Abu goods from Salwa border port The Land Customs Adminis- Samra and Salwa borders. The in the Kingdom of tration at the General Authority border has since been receiving to Abu Samra border port in the of Customs (GAC) started the travelers from both countries. State of . commercial cargo movement Based on the travel and Murshid Shaheen Al through the Abu Samra border return policy to and from the Kuwari, Director of the Land yesterday. State of Qatar, applicable in Customs Administration, said Activities to facilitate the light of COVID-19, and after that as soon as instructions commercial exchange proce- coordinating with the relevant were received to open the land dures (import and export) parties of the Ministry of Public port between Qatar and Saudi between the State of Qatar and Health (MoPH) and the Ministry Arabia, the Land Customs Saudi Arabia began following of Commerce and Industry Administration addressed the the conditions announced by (MoCI), it has been decided to appropriate departments to the GAC. apply various regulatory and coordinate the return of work This development comes preventive controls and proce- and to determine the readiness after the decision issued by the dures regarding the movement of customs operations inside the port. He also said that many x-ray inspection devices have Qatari and US officials during the signing ceremony in Brussels, yesterday. been provided recently, working according to the best international specifications. Qatar signs agreement to open mission The commercial cargo movement started at Abu offices at Nato headquarters in Brussels Activities to facilitate the commercial exchange Samra port according to spe- procedures between the State of Qatar and Saudi cific requirements and pro- Arabia began following the conditions announced cedures, including that truck QNA — BRUSSELS Financial Controller of the Nato long journey of distinct rela- by the GAC. drivers coming through International Staff Miroslawa tions between the two parties, Salwa border port must The State of Qatar and the Boryczka and Deputy Assistant which included political and Various regulatory and preventive controls and obtain a certificate authen- North Atlantic Treaty Organi- Secretary General Head- practical cooperation and procedures regarding the movement of imported ticated by the Saudi Ministry sation (Nato) signed an quarters Support and Transfor- reached the level of part- and transiting goods from Salwa border in place of Health, proving that they agreement to open Qatar’s mation of Nato Martin Versnel nership between the State of due to COVID-19 situation. have tested negative for mission offices and military signed the agreement. Qatar and the Nato. COVID-19, at least 72 hours representation at the Nato The signing ceremony was The Qatari mission offices Truck drivers coming through Salwa border port before the date of entry into headquarters in Brussels, in attended by Military Represent- will continue to support these must obtain a certificate authenticated by the Abu Samra port. implementation of the arrange- ative and Assistant Military relations with the organisation Saudi Ministry of Health proving that they tested Al Kuwari added that all ments of the Individual Part- Attache to Belgium Brigadier and its member states, as this negative for COVID-19. exporters of goods through Abu nership and Cooperation General Ali Abdulaziz Al continuation will facilitate the Samara to the Salwa port Programme (IPCP). Mohannadi, diplomats from the process of direct communi- should comply with the instruc- On behalf of the Qatari side, embassy of the State of Qatar cation as well as enhance tions issued by Saudi Customs the head of Qatar’s missions to in Brussels, and officials from bilateral and multilateral before proceeding to export or the European Union and the the Nato. meetings and strengthen re-export the goods, to avoid Nato H E Abdulrahman bin The opening of the State of Qatar’s presence inside the any delay or rejection of the Mohammed Al Khulaifi signed Qatar’s mission offices in the organisation and its partici- goods upon arrival at the Salwa the agreement. Nato headquarters represents pation in military and civilian port. `P2 On behalf of the Nato, a distinguished step in the activities.

Virtual consultations QFMA launches AML/CFT digital learning assessment module for all non-essential QNA — DOHA in the Qatari capital market. The The module combines reg- CFT legislations of Qatar. the registrant will receive a clinic appointments successful completion of the ulatory and supervisory As one of its digital plat- downloadable certificate issued Qatar Financial Markets Authority e-learning module will enhance knowledge together with pro- forms, QFMA made this module by the QFMA and the CISI. at health centers (QFMA), in cooperation with the the AML/CFT awareness in the fessional and training expe- available for the public and the QFMA CEO Nasser Al Shaibi Chartered Institute for Securities capital market sector, and will be rience, as it includes AML/CFT concerned entities. It can be said: “QFMA’s cooperation with THE PENINSULA — DOHA & Investment (CISI), launched its well recognized in the QFMA international principles and read and accessed on any main- the CISI, as the first Capital digital and educational project on licensing process. regulations, as well as the AML/ stream mobile, tablet, or laptop, Market Regulator in the Middle As a preventive measure to Anti-Money Laundering/ with the aim of disseminating East joining the Institute in this control the spread of Combating the Financing of knowledge and awareness project, reflects QFMA’s COVID-19, the Primary Health Terrorism (AML/CFT) whereby QFMA is the first about AML/CFT in the capital keenness and commitment Care Corporation (PHCC) has they have developed an Middle East regu- market sector in particular, and towards promoting the spe- re-started to conduct all non- assessment module. lator to launch an in the financial sector in cialised technical learning of essential clinic appointments QFMA is the first Middle Anti-Money Laun- general. those involved in the financial by virtual consultations only East regulator to launch such a dering/Combating The AML/CFT e-learning market through providing a from yesterday. programme. the Financing of module consists of eight- digital platform to disseminate But all essential services QFMA has developed this Terrorism digital themed chapters and is con- knowledge and raise awareness will continue face to face at a AML/CFT digital learning learning cluded by a test of multiple- about combatting money-laun- limited capacity across all assessment, in English and assessment module. choice questions. Upon the suc- dering and financing of ter- health centres, said PHCC in a , for professionals working cessful completion of the test, rorism." `P5 statement. PHCC has listed a number of services which will be con- sidered as non-essential Installation of new lighting poles at services. It also stated that all booked face to face consulta- tions will be converted to tel- Corniche to begin in few months ephone consultations. “Should you have an SIDI MOHAMED (Ashghal) recently signed two local products while formerly existing appointment, you will THE PENINSULA contracts to provide 2,600 dec- foreign companies were exe- be contacted by a member of orative lighting poles to cuting such projects,” he said. our team to rearrange this as The first installation of deco- enhance Doha Corniche and Replying to a question a virtual consultation,” said the rative lighting poles to enhance Central Doha areas, within the about more focus on Doha Cor- statement. Doha Corniche will begin in the works of the Supervisory Com- niche compared to other The non-essential services middle of this year, said Ahmad mittee of Beautification of streets, Al Abdulla said that it include, geriatric memory Al Abdulla, CEO of the Lighting Roads and Public Places in was because Doha Corniche is clinic, physiotherapy, well Design Company. Qatar. a main road of the state and due woman, cancer screening, “Most of the lighting poles Al Abdulla further said that its strategic location at the minor procedures, smoking to be installed by the middle of the new lighting poles are waterfront connecting eastern cessation, adolescent health, this year will be in area of the designed in the form of palm coastal regions. SMART clinics, wellness National Day celebration,” he frond and leaves shaped It is to be noted that two services, dental screening, said appreciating the great lighting poles in order to enrich local companies have been health educators, family support and cooperation that the Qatari identity and also to contracted to supply 2,600 planning, non-communicable private companies have save 60 percent energy com- locally manufactured lighting diseases, dermatology, ENT, received from the pared to the electric poles that poles to provide LED lighting ophthalmology, optometry, government. are currently used. extended along 10km on Doha audiology, general paediatric, Speaking to Qatar Radio “The idea and implemen- Corniche from Ras Bu Abboud integrated psychiatry, support yesterday, Al Abdulla noted that tation is by Qatari cadres and Bridge to Doha Cityscape Area clinic, cardiology, dental the work will be completed by institutions according to inter- and along another two square general, dietary, centres for the February next year. national standards. The goal is kilometres around Central A view of the new lighting poles disease control and prevention The Public Works Authority to beautify our country with Doha. (travel medicine). `P5 02 HOME MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021

Amir receives written message Companies’ establishment, OFFICIAL NEWS renewal services available Amir sends from President of the Gambia condolences to online only: MoCI Argentina President

QNA — DOHA reservation of the trade name DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim upon incorporation, issuance bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy The Ministry of Commerce and of the commercial register, Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Industry (MoCI) said that it has trade license, professional Hamad Al Thani, and Prime been decided to provide the licenses, and subsidiary Minister and Minister of Interior comprehensive establishment licenses of all kinds. The com- H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin and renewal services only via prehensive renewal service Abdulaziz Al Thani sent yesterday the “Single Window” platform, includes all commercial cables of condolences to Presi- pointing out that individuals records and licenses without dent of the Argentine Republic H following up on these services being restricted to the condition E Alberto Fernandez on the death will no longer be received at the that they expire within 60 days. of former Argentine President Car- MoCI headquarters and its The MoCI said Single los Menem. — QNA branches. Window advantages include The ministry said that this renewal from one to five years, step comes in line with precau- and renewal can also be done MoPH: 440 new tionary measures to limit the without being restricted to the spread of the coronavirus condition that commercial cases, 177 (COVID-19) and as part of its records and licenses should Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a written message from President of the efforts to facilitate and shorten expire within 60 days, in Republic of the Gambia H E Adama Barrow, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support recoveries procedures for establishing addition to obtaining the and develop them. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed companies and renewing com- required governmental or THE PENINSULA — DOHA bin Abdulrahman Al Thani received the message during a meeting yesterday with H E Dr. Mamadou mercial records and licenses. external approvals electronically, Tangara, Special Envoy of H E the President of the Republic of the Gambia and Minister of Foreign The comprehensive estab- with the electronic signature of The Ministry of Public Health Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad. lishment service includes the the establishment contracts. (MoPH) yesterday announced the registration of 440 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. QA extends Among them 41 were travellers Katara, Embassy to hold Bangladesh cultural events returning from abroad. booking for Also 177 people have THE PENINSULA — DOHA with the Bangladesh community recovered from the virus, medics campaign would organise events at Katara bringing the total number of Ambassador of Bangladesh H E to mark the Mujib Year and the recovered cases in Qatar to THE PENINSULA — DOHA Md. Jashim Uddin held a Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh in 148,314. All new cases have meeting yesterday with General the coming months. been introduced to isolation Qatar Airways has announced Manager of Katara, Prof Dr. The Ambassador proposed and are receiving necessary the extension of ticket booking Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti. to sign an MoU between Katara healthcare according to their for healthcare professionals, Ambassador thanked the and the authority concerned of health status. the beneficiaries of its medics General Manager for hosting a Bangladesh to expand cooper- The total number of pos- campaign. number of events at Katara in ation in the area of art and itive COVID-19 cases recorded “To all the healthcare pro- the past which were organised culture. in Qatar is 157,244 and there fessionals who received our by the Bangladesh Embassy and The General Manager of are 8,675 active cases under medics campaign giveaway, the members of Bangladesh Katara appreciated the proposal treatment. There are 76 new we have more good news for expatriate community in Qatar. to sign an MoU. cases of hospital admissions you. If you haven’t been able Appreciating the world class Highlighting the importance taking the total number of to book your ticket or travel to facilities available at Katara, the of culture in nurturing the patients in the hospital to 589. date due to the pandemic, fret Ambassador requested the bilateral relations, the Ambas- 14 patients were admitted to not as the booking date will be General Manager to facilitate the sador stressed on the exchange intensive care, and so 99 extended to September 30, participation of Bangladeshi of visits of the artists and cul- people continue to receive 2021 with travel valid until expatriate community in Qatar tural troupes form both medical attention in ICU. The March 31, 2022, subject to at events to be organised by the countries. first phase of COVID-19 vac- availability. Details will be Katara from time to time. Embassy Counsellor cinations has started in Qatar emailed to you. Thank you for It was agreed in the meeting (Political and Economic) Md. and in the coming months it Ambassador of Bangladesh H E Md. Jashim Uddin and General Manager your heroic efforts,” Qatar that the Bangladesh Embassy Mahbur Rahman was also will be available for the public of Katara, Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti during the meeting. Airways tweeted yesterday. and the Katara in collaboration present at the meeting. for free. QNTC gets ISO certifications for sustainability, Quality Management Systems

THE PENINSULA — DOHA sustainability into management growth and development has further the national sustaina- plastics, encouraging locally internationally recognised and practices and processes by been predicated on it. This cer- bility agenda, it has already sourced products, supporting are awarded based on Qatar National Tourism Council specifying requirements that tification is yet another recog- begun incorporating sus- the use of public transportation numerous quality management (QNTC) was recently awarded reduce their environmental nition of QNTC’s ongoing com- tainable practices at its events. and smart cooling principles including continual the ISO 20121 certification for footprint. It offers guidance to mitment to providing superior During Qatar International technology. development and Event Sustainability help organisers manage events quality and effective man- Food Festival (QIFF), QNTC The ISO certifications were improvement, strong customer Management Systems, as well and control their social, eco- agement while adhering to works with food charities to granted after an extensive audit focus, and evidence-based as the ISO 9001:2015 for Quality nomic and environmental international best practices. It collect extra food from partic- conducted by Global Inter Cer- decision making. Management Systems. Both impact while promoting more will instil confidence among ipants and distribute it to those tification (GIC) and is valid for As the main tourism devel- certifications affirm QNTC’s responsible consumption. partners, as well as current and in need. In the future, the three years. As part of QNTC’s opment and regulation body, commitment to sustainable QNTC Secretary General prospective stakeholders, in council will incorporate addi- commitment to ISO, the council QNTC works towards the practices in all areas of event and Qatar Airways Group Chief our operations and procedures, tional measures at its events, will be working with a third- development of a sustainable management. Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, while supporting our efforts to such as digital banners, rollups party certification body to and robust sector, empowering ISO 20121 is an international said: “Enshrined in the Qatar improve tourism sector and badges in lieu of paper or conduct an annual surveillance stakeholders across the public standard designed to help National Vision 2030, sustain- services in Qatar.” plastic, the installation of recy- audit to ensure its adherence and private sectors to innovate organisations in the events and ability has long been of vital As QNTC collaborates with cling bins throughout event to the latest best practices. in the creation of products and hospitality industry integrate importance to Qatar, and our partners and stakeholders to venues, banning single use ISO certifications are services. Six arrested for MoPH urges people aged over 60 to get COVID-19 jab soon violating home QNA — DOHA residents and citizens over 60 proportion of COVID-19 related years of age to get vaccinated I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is for ICU admissions.” quarantine rules The Ministry of Public Health against COVID-19 as soon as Regarding any long-term older people to get their vaccine. Now that we have an QNA — DOHA (MOPH) has urged all residents possible. Since the start of the approved and effective vaccine, elderly citizens and residents effects of COVID-19 on the elderly, and citizens over 60 years of pandemic more than 12 months she said: “Due to their increased The designated authorities age to get vaccinated against ago it has been clear that age is have the opportunity to become protected and live free from vulnerability and often weakened arrested yesterday six persons COVID-19 as soon as possible the biggest risk factor for the threat of this virus. immune systems, the elderly are who violated the requirements National Health Strategy COVID-19.” In a statement to more susceptible to long-term of the home quarantine, they 2018-2022 Lead for Healthy QNA, she said people over the Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad complications due to COVID-19. committed to following, which Ageing Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad age of 60 have a significantly National Health Strategy 2018-2022 Lead for Healthy Ageing Even if they recover from their they are legally accountable said that the recent increase in higher risk of developing severe immediate severe symptoms, for, in accordance with the COVID-19 cases in Qatar has complications and even death many elderly people experience procedures of the health sadly resulted in four deaths of due to the virus. “I cannot opportunity to become pro- admission to ICU due to severe what is known as ‘long-covid’. authorities in the country. people over 60 years of age in emphasise strongly enough how tected and live free from the complications from COVID-19. Symptoms of long-covid can last The arrest of the violators the past few days. important it is for older people threat of this virus.” As many elderly people have several weeks or months and came in implementation of the She added that it was to get their vaccine. Now that Dr Hanadi Al Hamad said: existing long-term medical con- include extreme tiredness, precautionary measures in important for people over 60 we have an approved and “In recent weeks we have seen ditions, they are more suscep- shortness of breath, chest pain or force in the country, approved to get vaccinated against effective vaccine, elderly cit- a significant increase in the tible to severe complications tightness, and problems with by health authorities repre- COVID-191, saying, “I urge all izens and residents have the number of people requiring and so they account for a large memory and concentration.” sented in the Ministry of Public Health, to curb the spread of the COVID-19. Cargo service The violators who are cur- Qatar’s CPI shows annual decrease of 1.29% rently being referred to the designate prosecution, are: THE PENINSULA — DOHA CPI, December 2020, showed footwear (6.88%), housing, through Abu Mahmoud Mohammed Zaki that there were nine main This Y-o-Y price decreased water, electricity, and other fuel Juma, Fahd Khalil Ibrahim Al Qatar’s Consumer Price Index groups, where respective primarily due to the prices (5.49%), and health (1.30%). An Samra border Shouli, Riyad Khalil Ibrahim Al (CPI) showed an annual indices in this month have decline in four groups, increase was recorded in price begins Shouli, Hamad Ahmed decrease of 1.29 percent for increased, namely: transport recreation and culture levels in eight groups, including Mohammed Al Bardini, Salman January 2021, compared to (4.12%), furniture and household tobacco (8.37%), transport FROM PAGE 1 Mohammed Salman Al Qudah January 2020, according to the equipment (2.96%), communi- (16.93%), clothing and (6.11%), education (3.97%), res- and Sultan Said Mohammed Planning and Statistics cation (2.01%), food and bev- footwear (6.88%), taurants and hotels (3.05%), Within the framework of Said Al Qutbi. The authorities Authority (PSA). erages (1.44%), clothing and housing, water, electricity, communication (3.01%), fur- completing technical called on citizens and residents The CPI of January 2021 footwear (1.36%), restaurants and other fuel (5.49%), niture, and Household equipment and customs pro- under home quarantine to fully reached 97.11 points showing and hotels (1.30%), education and health (1.30%). Equipment (2.85%), miscella- cedures, the Information commit to the Ministry of an increase of 1.23% compared (0.58%), miscellaneous goods neous goods and services Systems Department at the Public Health’s condition, to to the CPI of December 2021. and services (0.43%), and rec- (2.81%), and food and Beverages GAC has carefully reviewed all ensure their safety and the Compared to the CPI of January reation and culture (0.22%). January 2021 with the CPI of (0.52%). The CPI of January 2021 systems, devices, networks, safety of others. They added 2020, on a year-on-year basis A decrease has been January 2020 (Annual Change), excluding housing, water, elec- etc. The Authority also made that anyone who violates the (Y-o-Y), a decrease of 1.29% has recorded in housing, water, elec- a decrease has been recorded in tricity, and other fuel stands at sure that all updates of the Al quarantine will be subject to been recorded in the general tricity, and other fuel by 0.83% the general index (CPI) by 1.29%. 99.16 points, showing an Nadeeb system have been article no. 253 of law no. 11 of index (CPI) this month. and health by 0.79%. Tobacco This (Y-o-Y) price decreased pri- increase of 1.74% compared to completed; and provided all 2004, provisions of law no. 17 An analysis on a month-on- had remained flat at the last marily due to the prices decline the index of December 2020 and necessary measures like ster- of 1990 on communicable dis- month basis (M-o-M) of CPI for month’s price level. in four groups, recreation and a decrease of 0.21% to the CPI of ilizers, protective masks, eases, and law no. 17 of 2002 January 2021 compared with Comparing the CPI in culture (16.93%), clothing and January 2020. gloves, and others. on protecting society. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 03 Attorney-General meets special Entries for 7th edition of Sheikh envoy of President of the Gambia Hamad Translation Award open

QNA — DOHA to English, translation from English to Arabic, translation from The board of trustees of the Sheikh Arabic to one of the other chosen Hamad Award for Translation and languages, and translation from International Understanding the other chosen languages to announced yesterday the launch Arabic. of the award’s seventh edition for Each prize is worth $200,000, 2021, as it will be receiving the as the first place winner will nominated works starting from receive $100,000, while the today until August 15. second-place winner will receive As an international award that $60,000 and the third-place has been established in 2015, it winner will receive $40,000. aims to honour translators and The second category includes appreciate their role in strength- alongside English, with four new the Achievement prizes in the ening the bonds of friendship and languages chosen for the minor languages, as it is awarded cooperation between the world’s Achievement category, which are to several translated works from nations, as well as encouraging Urdu, Amharic, Dutch and Modern the selected languages to Arabic, creativity, spreading diversity, Greek. To continue enhancing and from Arabic to the selected pluralism and openness, devel- communication between the Arab languages (Urdu, Amharic, Dutch, oping international understanding culture and the world’s different and Modern Greek), with and enhancing the role of trans- cultures, the award of 2021 drew $100,000 allocated for each cat- lation in spreading peace and its attention to four new egory. The third category also Attorney-General H E Dr. Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri met yesterday with Special Envoy of H E the knowledge, and the role of trans- languages. includes the Achievement prize President of the Republic of the Gambia and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation lators in bringing cultures The seventh session includes for the two main languages, as this and Gambians Abroad H E Dr. Mamadou Tangara. During the meeting, they exchanged points together. translation awards in individual award is worth $200,000. of view regarding issues of joint interest, as well as ways to strengthen legal cooperation The award has chosen Chinese books and is divided into four Those wishing can apply at between the two friendly countries. as the second main language branches: Translation from Arabic www.hta.qa Ministry of Defence inaugurates 'Damsa' corvette in Italy QNA — LA SPEZIA, ITALY

The Ministry of Defence on Saturday inaugurated “Damsa” corvette during a ceremony held in the Italian city of La Spezia. The ship is the second of four cor- vettes manufactured by the Italian ship- building company Fincantieri for the Amiri Naval Forces. The inauguration ceremony also included the laying of the hull of the fourth “Simaisma” corvette. This project comes within a group of projects aimed at developing the armament competence of the Qatari Amiri Naval Forces in line with the vision of the supreme leadership of the Qatar Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Logistics H E Major General (Pilot) Mubarak bin Mohammed Al Kumait Al Khayarin andother officials at the inauguration Armed Forces in developing its combat of the ship at La Spezia, Italy. RIGHT: The new 'Damsa' corvette of the Qatari Amiri Naval Forces. systems with the latest technologies and armament capabilities available in inter- national companies specialising in war attended by Deputy Chief of Staff for Mohammed Al Kumait Al Khayarin, Qatari Military Attache in Italy Brig- senior officials from Fincantieri industries. Administration and Logistics H E Commander of the Italian Northeast adier General (Navy) Hilal Ali Al company and a number of senior The inauguration ceremony was Major General (Pilot) Mubarak bin Navy H E Admiral Giorgio Lazio, and Mohannadi, along with a number of officers from both sides. Sidra Medicine identifies genetic causes for wide spectrum of diseases MoCI detects

FAZEENA SALEEM grown to becoming a national Sidra Medicine as a state- is a strategic partner of the 115 violations THE PENINSULA center of expertise in human of-the-art academic medical Qatar Genome Program, and disease genetics. Our goal is to centre specialised in women contributing to building Qatar in January With an aim to fill the gap in fill the current gap in identifying and paediatric care has rapidly genetic array as a population identifying genetic causes for genetic causes for the wide become a national referral and creating a clinical genetics QNA — DOHA wide spectrum of diseases in spectrum of undiagnosed cases centre for many paediatric dis- tool for the large-scale charac- Qatar and the region, the in Qatar and the Middle East eases and established ultra- terization of Qatar and wider The Ministry of Commerce and Human Genetics Department due to elevated consanguinity, modern facilities and cores of MENA region. Industry (MoCI) carried out at Sidra Medicine has genetic and further our understanding expertise in various areas of “There are always chal- extensive inspection cohorts of hundreds of patients of disease etiology to enable tai- clinical and biomedical lenges for such big missions, but campaigns in January to and their families in a range of lored clinical interventions,” research domains. our journey is cruising smoothly monitor suppliers’ compliance disease areas. said Dr. Younes Mokrab, prin- “The primary focus is to with the perseverance of eve- (retail outlets) with their obli- Dr. Younes Mokrab Sidra Medicine, which aims cipal investigator and head of provide genomic-based med- ryone and the generous and gations under laws and minis- to bring application of precision Medical and Population icine for every patient who continuous support of QF and terial resolutions on consumer genomic medicine into Qatar’s Genomics Lab, Sidra Medicine, diabetes, autism, epilepsy, walks in with a genetic disease, the government,” said Dr. protection. healthcare system, in a study on a member of Qatar neuro-developmental dis- cancer or immunological dis- Mokrab. Sidra Medicine has The inspection campaigns the genetic architecture for rare Foundation(QF). orders, cardiovascular con- order. It has three major cores built strategic ties with Hamad resulted in uncovering 115 dif- and complex diseases for “This is critical because our genital diseases and cancer,” he and more than 20 specialized Medical Corporation and ferent violations, including Middle East population has population is under-studied, told The Peninsula. labs which are developing various academic and research offering discounts and promo- covered various disease areas and its unique genetic ancestry “We are applying state-of- experimental assays, techniques institutions nationwide. It has tions without obtaining the such as type 1 diabetes, autism, is likely to have a differential the art sequencing methods to and computational algorithms also established collaborations necessary license from the epilepsy, neuro-developmental impact on disease risk, archi- characterize their genomes and to better characterize patients, with world top institutions competent department; dis- disorders, cardiovascular con- tecture and response to biology. We are working very predict disease risk and pro- including University College of playing expired products; genital diseases and cancer. treatment. So far, we built large closely with clinicians to better gression as well as build local London, University of Gron- describing the commodity, “Despite being relatively cohorts of hundreds of patients understand the causes of many patient cohorts for large scale ingen and Imagine Institute, advertising it, or displaying it new, our population and clinical and their families in various diseases cases and explore ther- studies,” said Dr. Mokrab. SickKids, Baylor college of Med- in a manner that contains false genetics program has rapidly disease areas such as type 1 apeutic possibilities,” he added. For example, Sidra Medicine icine and Stanford University. or deceptive information; and failing to offer a service war- ranty for an appropriate period, refunding customers Msheireb Properties to launch Doha or appropriately reoffering the service. The inspection campaigns Design District through virtual summit fall within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to THE PENINSULA — DOHA Leasing Consultant, will discuss that embraces the ethos of monitor markets and com- the inception of DDD and its ini- beauty, culture, art, and inno- mercial activities in Qatar in a Msheireb Properties, the tiaitives and significance in vation, from to the smallest bid to control prices and sustainable real estate MDD. Additionally, Whitney aspects of our fashion, interiors, uncover violations to protect developer and a subsidiary of Robinson, former Editor of Elle and architecture. We aim to be consumer rights. , will organise Décor and senior design con- the design destination in Qatar Penalties imposed on retail a virtual summit on Wednesday sultant to Qatar Museums, will and the region, embracing the outlets included adminis- to announce the launch of Doha discuss the work undertaken most important design concepts trative closures and fines Design District (DDD) — the with international designers to while raising awareness, ranging from between new design hub at Msheireb launch the CP Club Townhouses teaching, and inspiring QR5,000 and QR30,000, as Msheireb Properties and international design house Preciosa are Downtown Doha (MDD) which Project in MDD. designers of the future. per the laws and decisions reg- currently holding the ‘Crystallation exhibition’, at Sikkat Al will serve as the centre of DDD will be a vital piece of “Doha Design District will ulating the Consumer Pro- Qatar’s design and innovation. Doha’s cultural fabric and help add great value to our existing in the city district. tection Department. The virtual summit aims to position the city as the regional facilities and will enhance the The authorities concerned introduce DDD and its objec- design hub by collaborating position of Doha as a global that is currently placed on Above All Foundation to support with consumer protection at tives, shed light on the role of with established brands and capital of design. We are proud Sikkat Al Wadi in the city dis- their education projects that the Ministry received several international design districts in designers worldwide while pro- to be the leaders in Qatar for trict. Crystallation is a symbol target vulnerable communities complaints in January. They enriching the cultural and art moting local designers. It will having such an initiative and of design innovation that offers across the world. The price of were dealt with, and necessary scene while offering a platform create an artistic design ethos offering great opportunities for an opportunity to show how each crystal trimming starts measures to resolve them for discussion, mutual expertise by partnering with the retail corporates and entrepreneurs design can raise awareness of from QR50. were taken. between local and international brands, collaborating with local to contribute to this big the importance of community DDD is set to be home to The Ministry stressed that designers. industry professionals, global industry.” and collaboration. At the galleries, showrooms, creative it will not tolerate any viola- The opening session will affiliations, and networking To watch the summit, reg- exhibit, each visitor has the services, stores, and even tions of the Consumer Pro- focus on DDD, with speakers partners, and offering an envi- ister now at: https://www. chance to buy a pair of Preciosa eateries and cafes. Here you can tection Law and its regulations from Msheireb Properites and ronment where designers and dohadesigndistrict.com/ Lighting crystal trimmings. One find the most exciting names, and will intensify its inspection Qatar Museums. Eng. Ali Al the general public can gather, In addition to the virtual trimming can be hung on the classics, trendsetters, and so campaigns to crack down on Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb be inspired, and create. summit, Msheireb Properties, installation, while the second much more. The design district illegal practices. The Ministry Properties, will provide the wel- Al Kuwari said: “We are in collaboration with the inter- trimming is given to the pur- is a global concept, and MDD is said it would refer those who coming speech and Shaikha Al proud to announce the foun- national design house Preciosa, chaser to take home. Proceeds the ideal venue for the new dis- violate laws and Ministerial Sulaiti, Manager, Interior Design dation of Doha Design District is displaying the ‘Crystallation from the sale of trimmings will trict and a blank canvas that decisions to the competent and David MacAdam, Senior at Msheireb Downtown Doha, exhibition’, a physical exhibition be donated to the Education designers can make their own. authorities. 04 HOME MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 MME sells 3,752 tonnes of MME launches QR95m project to local vegetables in January build veterinary quarantine facilities THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ruwais Port facility The veterinary quarantines are through farms programmes located near Ruwais Port on an area To modernise veterinary quarantines, comprises six barns of 30,000 square metres comprising the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- with the capacity to six barns in an area of 16,000 square THE PENINSULA — DOHA ronment (MME), represented by the accommodate 16,000 metres with the capacity to accom- Department of Animal Resources has modate 16,000 sheep and goats or The Ministry of Munici- started implementing a project to sheep and goats or 1,600 1,600 camels or 2,600 cows. pality and Environment build integrated veterinary quaran- camels or 2,600 cows, The quarantine facility also (MME) said that ‘Qatar tines near Hamad Port and Ruwais includes an incinerator operating Farms Programme’ and Port. and Hamad Port centre with a capacity of 650kg per hour, ‘Premium Qatar Farms The facilities will be developed as comprises 20 barns with in addition to a semi-automatic Programme’ helped per the modern international veter- slaughterhouse that includes three market over 3,752 tonnes inary standards. Moreover, the staff a capacity of 40,000 production lines with a production of local vegetables in will be trained to enable them to deal sheep and goats, or capacity of 250 sheep and goats and January. with the latest technologies. The 50 camels and 50 cows per shift. Over 3265 tonnes of project is expected to complete in the 2,000 camels or 4,000 The veterinary quarantine located vegetables were sold out last quarter of this year and it will start cows. The quarantines near Hamad Port is in over an area of under Qatar Farms Pro- operations immediately by the include administrative 90,000 square metres comprising 20 gramme, however decision of the Livestock Affairs barns with a capacity of 40,000 sheep Premium Qatar Farms Department. buildings, laboratories and and goats, or 2,000 camels or 4,000 Programme contributed This project is part of the Minis- veterinary clinics. cows, in addition to an incinerator in selling 487 tonnes try’s efforts to establish modern vet- operating at a capacity of 650kg per vegetables. erinary quarantines at each entry hour and a well-equipped slaughter- The sale of premium point to examine incoming animals best standards and specifications, house with three production lines Qatari vegetables before they are allowed to enter the which is being implemented by one with the capacity of 600 sheep and increased 61 percent country’s territory, with the aim of of the national companies specialised goats, 100 camels and 100 cows per recording 487 tonnes veg- Local vegetables showcased at a commercial outlet achieving food security and protection in this field and under the supervision shift. etables in January 2021 under the marketing programme. from common diseases that are trans- of specialists in the Public Works These modern quarantines have the compared to 302 tonnes mitted from animals to humans, as Authority (Ashghal). ability to deal from within veterinary vegetable in January minimum, as well as to among many more. Both well as protecting livestock within the The veterinary quarantines quarantine, for the first time, because 2020. increase the income of the programmes enable country from diseases. include administrative buildings, they include animal quarantine, slaugh- The local vegetables Qatari farms in order to local farms to supply their The new veterinary quarantines laboratories and veterinary clinics terhouse, and incinerator, in cases where sold through Qatar Farm increase investment in the produce to commercial project at an estimated cost of about to examine incoming consign- there are consignments that do not meet Programme witnessed 52 agricultural sector, and outlets without QR95m is distinguished by the design, ments, slaughterhouses and the health specifications and percent increase from the availability of local middlemen. facilities and services according to the incinerators. requirements. 2141 tonnes in January vegetables in consumer The initiatives aim at 2020 to 3265 tonnes in complexes over the course proving reasonable prices January 2021. of Year. to local farmers for their The local product The programmes are investments and marketing programmes run by MME in cooper- handwork by offering Kia Sonet arrives in Qatar aim to improve the local ation with the Ministry of farm fresh vegetables to marketing method for Commerce and Industry the customers at compet- THE PENINSULA —DOHA Qatari vegetables, at major commercial itive prices. The good yield increase demand for outlets like Lulu Hyper- also encourages local The urban and athletic Sonet has them, and reduce waste markets, Al Meera, Family farms to increase their finally arrived in Qatar and to select from production to a Food Center, Carrefour products. markets within the Middle East and Africa region. Designed to be bold and unforgettable, the Sonet sports key features that place it in a league of its own within the compact SUV segment. Customers can now visit their Kia dealerships online or in-person to learn more about the model and book a test drive. With multiple powertrain options, the new Sonet’s impressive features come encapsulated in a modern exterior, making the Sonet the latest addition to Kia’s award- winning SUV family. With a dynamic stance in a confident and compact Kia Sonet outdoors rear body, the Sonet includes a fresh interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, ‘heartbeat’ LED with sub-woofer, wireless smart- conditions. The well-matched driv- DRLs (daytime running lights), and phone charging with a cooling etrain offers reliable and efficient a stylish front skid plate beneath. function and LED Sound Mood performance and handling for typical Kia first unveiled the Sonet Lighting. Harbouring functional urban commutes. concept in Delhi, India, during the qualities in every inch of its ergo- Kia Motors keenly prioritises cus- Auto Expo 2020. Within a year, Kia nomic space. tomer safety. As a result, more than has taken a concept to reality, “Kia has manufactured a vision two-thirds of the Sonet’s body con- bringing the future closer to cus- inspired by our young, ingenious cus- sists of high strength and advanced tomers. The all-new Sonet incorpo- tomers who crave simplicity and high strength steel, which creates a rates Kia’s DNA of emotive styling seamlessness in their lives. The Sonet robust yet lightweight structure. along with a premium appeal, which delivers on features that are simply Among the Sonet’s key safety fea- creates a strong presence on road. not found in models belonging to the tures are six airbags, ABS (anti-lock Boasting multiple segment-first same compact SUV category. Packed braking system) with EBD (electronic features that offer the ultimate with first-in-class, purposeful fea- brake force distribution), ESC (Elec- driving experience for customers, the tures and technologies. Customers tronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill- Sonet provides comfort, convenience, from the Middle East and Africa will start Assist Control), VSM (Vehicle and safety. Fitted with a modern and find in the Sonet a smart companion Stability Management) and BA (brake intuitive 8” LCD multimedia screen, to navigate the needs of life,” said assist), Front and rear parking the Sonet also comes with other Yaser Shabsogh, Chief Operating sensors, highline tyre pressure mon- smart features such as remote engine Officer, Regional HQs, Middle East & itoring system (TPMS), Auto head- start, multi-drive & traction modes, Africa, Kia. lamps and ISOFIX child-seat and grip control for automatic Under the hood, the Sonet comes anchoring points. models. with an all-new G4FIII 1.5L MPI The Sonet starts at QR54,999 for Designed around the driver with engine. Core features include dual base model and can inquire with Al a well laid-out, intuitive info- port fuel injection and integrated Attiya Motors and Trading Co. tainment and cluster interface, the thermal management system. The (exclusive distributor) for more Sonet was built taking into consid- Sonet also brings a first for Kia in the details. Customers are encouraged eration the end user’s experience. local market with a CVT system. The to visit www.kiaqatar.com to know The Sonet comes with optional CVT automatically matches the more and even book a bespoke test premium BOSE seven-speaker audio effective ratios to engine and driving drive appointment. ISC announces new managing committee

Members of new ISC Managing Committee & Advisory Council

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Thomas, President of ISC is Committee, John DeSa, Head is assigned Overall Co-ordinator; assigned Primary: Football; Sec- The Indian Sports Centre (ISC) Sheji Valiyakath, Vice President ondary: Hockey & Carrom; has announced new Managing of ISC is assigned Membership, Yawar Ali, Head is assigned Committee & Advisory Council. Premises development & spon- Primary: Volleyball; Secondary: The council members are sorship, Qatar Shooting; T S Basketball; Safeeru Rahman, elected as officials of the Indian Sreenivas, General Secretary for Head for Primary: Badminton; Sports Centre (ISC) in the online Primary: Tennis; Secondary : Secondary: Football, Squash, Tug elections held on January 7, 2021 Cricket, School Games; of War & Arm Wrestling; Varkey by the Embassy of India in Qatar. Rukkaiya Pachisa, Head of Boban, Head is assigned Primary: Ambassador of India to Finance is assigned Primary: Table Tennis; Secondary: Bad- Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal, is Golf; Secondary: Ladies Games, minton, Chess; Anil Boloor is the Patron of ISC, and Capt. Trekking; Rajesh Kannan, Joint assigned Head for Primary: Mohan Atla Defense Attache, Secretary is assigned Primary: Throwball; Secondary: Cricket, Embassy of India is the Coor- Yoga and Fitness; Secondary: Cycling and Shivani, Head is dinating Officer.In the ISC Man- Water Sports, Swimming. assigned Primary: Cricket; Sec- aging Committee, Dr. Mohan In the ISC Managing ondary: School Games. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 05 QU, partners develop method to remove Northwestern Qatar launches Dean’s Global Forum pharmaceutical wastes from water – DOHA THE PENINSULA

THE PENINSULA – DOHA raised increasing concern due The Dean's Global Forum is a to their frequent appearance new lecture series at North- An international team, led by and persistence in the aquatic western Qatar that will feature Qatar University (QU) ecosystem and threat to health diverse leaders from academe, researchers, has recently and safety. media, the arts, and public published a research article in The research explained that affairs in conversation with the Environmental Science and the antidiabetic drug school’s dean, Marwan M. Pollution Research, a reputable glimepiride, GPD, is among Kraidy, on enduring issues and journal published by Springer these compounds and can cause pressing global matters. The Nature. adverse effects on human conversations will also include The work presented a rapid health if not carefully adminis- the speakers’ career journeys and efficient removal of the tered. Several conventional and life experiences. antidiabetic drug glimepiride processes were proposed for Eve Troutt Powell, the inau- Eve Troutt Powell by multi-walled carbon nano- the elimination of these per- gural speaker at the Dean’s tubes (MWCNT). The research sistent contaminants, and Global Forum, is a MacArthur was motivated by the rising adsorption is among them. fellow and the Christopher H. The inaugural lecture, global water pollution concerns Therefore, in this study, the Browne Distinguished Pro- which will take place on caused by pharmaceutical and adsorptive removal of GPD fessor of History and African February 17, “Race in the personal care products (PPCP). from water using MWCNT sup- Studies at the University of Middle East and North Such pollutants have been Method by research for the removal of pharmaceutical residue ported on silica was explored Pennsylvania. Africa: From the Ottoman detected in surface water across from water. on a fixed-bed column. The “With a focus on the Global the globe, particularly in heavily effects of bed-height, solution South, this initiative aligns with Empire to Black Lives populated areas. pH, and flow rate on the our mission to promote inter- Matter,” reflects Troutt This research aims to engine for research and inno- adsorptive removal of GPD disciplinary discussions on Powell’s scholarship on develop a new method for vation in Qatar focused on a were investigated. important topics and big ideas racial issues and removing residues of Gilmeride, record of research achieve- The obtained adsorption that are shaping the narrative colonialism in the region. a common drug to treat type II ments. The research was sup- parameters using Sips, and future of the world today,” diabetes, using carbon nano- ported by the College of Arts Langmuir, and Freundlich said Kraidy. “While, at the same tubes in a continuous and Sciences at Qatar Uni- models were used to investigate time, we will delve into how adsorption process. This versity, the Central Laboratory the continuous adsorption. The our speakers arrived at where Sudan, the co-editor, with John research came as a collabo- Unit (CLU) at Qatar University, results showed that the drug they are today – who and what Hunwick, of The African ration between Dr. Ismail and An-Najah National Uni- removal improved with the influenced their career Diaspora in the Mediterranean Badran, Assistant Professor, versity in Palestine. increasing bed height; however, decisions?” Lands of Islam, and Tell This in Department of Chemistry and The study utilised MWCNT it decreased with the flow rate. The inaugural lecture, My Memory: Stories of Earth Sciences at the College of to remove the antidogmatic The effect of pH indicated which will take place on Feb- Enslavement in , Sudan Arts and Sciences at Qatar Uni- drag, glimepiride, from aqueous that the adsorption is signifi- ruary 17, “Race in the Middle and the Late Ottoman Empire. versity, Dr. Murad Abu Al media. The study revealed that cantly affected and increased East and North Africa: From the Troutt Powell received her Hassan, an associate professor Dr. Ismail Badran, Assistant the drug could be removed with in acidic medium. The con- Ottoman Empire to Black Lives BA, MA, and Ph.D. in history in Pharmacy, An-Najah Professor, Department of almost 100% efficiency. For vection-dispersion model Matter,” reflects Troutt Pow- and Middle Eastern studies National University in Palestine, Chemistry and Earth Sciences potential industrial implemen- coupled with Freundlich iso- ell’s scholarship on racial issues from Harvard University. and Obada Qut, a graduate at the College of Arts and tation, the study was done therm was developed and and colonialism in the region. Before joining the University of student in the Department of Sciences at QU. under continuous-flow mode used to describe the An authority on colonialism Pennsylvania, Powell taught at Chemistry at An-Najah Uni- rather than the conventional adsorption breakthrough and slavery in the Ottoman the University of Georgia and versity. The research was also quality and to develop human batch method. curves. The maximum Empire and the Nile Valley, has received fellowships from done in collaboration with Dr. and technical skills in Qatar. The researchers point out adsorption capacity (qm) was Troutt Powell is a historian of the American Research Center Abdullah Manasra, Department Qatar University is an active that water pollution by 275.3 mg/g, and the axial dis- the modern Middle East, in Egypt and the Social Science of Chemical Engineering at the and pivotal research body for emerging pollutants such as persion coefficients were focusing on Egypt, Sudan, and Research Council. Powell has University of Calgary, Canada. Qatar’s development, which pharmaceutical and personal ranged between 3.5 and 9.0 × the Ottoman Empire in the been a fellow at the Institute This research serves Qatar conducts high-level research to care products is one of today’s 105 m2/s. The spent adsorbent nineteenth century. She is the for Advanced Study at Prin- University’s objectives within serve its partners in the biggest challenges. The was successfully regenerated author of A Different Shade of ceton University and the Rad- its continuous vision to focus community. presence of these emerging at high pH by flushing with Colonialism: Egypt, Great cliffe Institute for Advanced on scientific research and its The university’s role as an contaminants in water has NaOH. Britain and the Mastery of the Study. MME cultivates endangered Ehsan continues Day Clubs programmes wild plants successfully through social media platforms THE PENINSULA – DOHA and how they planned for it THE PENINSULA – DOHA and their life after retirement. Elderly Empowerment and On the other hand, Sheikha The Ministry of Municipality Care Center (Ehsan) launched Al Hareeb Head of the Imple- and Environment (MME), repre- a campaign under the title of mentation and Follow-up sented by the Director at the “Continuous Support” as part Department said that Ehsan Department of Protection and of a series of programmes for clubs are still working Wildlife, has successfully culti- Ehsan Day Clubs. remotely due to the current vated and propagated many The campaign is held on circumstances. Communi- important, rare, and endan- the center’s social media plat- cation with club affiliates was gered wild plants, in addition forms to maintain continuous not interrupted. to local medicinal and aromatic communication with the The “Continuous Support” plants. elderly in light of the current campaign aids in ensuring the Director of the Department circumstances related to the continuity of the distance edu- of Protection and Wildlife, Talib COVID-19 pandemic while cation process through the Khalid Al Shahwani, in a Seedlings of endangered wild plant cultivated by the MME. maintaining older persons’ allocation of programs under statement, said the seedlings safety and protecting them the name of “Their Hobbies” would be used in continuous from infection risks by in which a group of elderly environmental campaigns for and Wildlife, explained that adhering to preventive people will participate to show land cultivation and meadows most of the critical, rare, and measures and social dis- their handmade pieces. rehabilitation in the State of endangered plant species have tancing practices. Moreover, Abdullah Qatar. been preserved in the Field Educational programmes Muhammad will offer many This came within the Minis- Gene Bank, indicating that were broadcast on the center’s episodes about manufacturing try’s framework to preserve and approximately 130 plants have social media platforms during wooden boxes, while Fatima protect the local wild plants, been preserved so far. January and February. Muhammad will showcase propagate the important plants, He noted that the rarest and Commenting on the pro- several handicrafts. and return them to the land, endangered species that have gramme, Zainab Al Kuwari, campaign offered diverse Al-Hareeb added that the meadows, and natural reserves. been successfully cultivated Head of the Preparation and presentations, including reli- center is keen to continue Head of the Wildlife Section and propagated included Al Design Department at the gious programmes, with offering these programs in a of the Protection and Wildlife Arta, Al Ghada, Al Ghaf, Ramtha, Awareness and Community Sheikh Ahmed Al-Buainain, new way through well- Department, Ali Saleh Al Marri Al Markh, Al Arousa, Al Tanum, Outreach Department at who talked about the “Impor- thought plans that have been Director of the Department of said, the section expanded the Al Alaqi, and many more. Ehsan, stated that this cam- tance of generosity in Islam”, developed within the daycare Protection and Wildlife, Talib Field Gene Bank to be a compre- According to the Ministry’s paign was prepared by the and the “Impact of generosity” plan for this year. hensive national bank for all Khalid Al Shahwani plan, the focus will be on the center to enhance continuous program delivered by Khaled The number of Ehsan day wild, fungal, pastoral, medicinal, transfer and cultivation of communication with the Saleh, who talked about the clubs reached three clubs: the and aromatic species in the Al meadows, wild cultivation, and indigenous national wild elderly and to highlight the impact of giving on mental Airport Club, Club, Ghyshamia area and Rawdat Al combating desertification in species, whether on land or in value of productivity, its reli- health. and the North Club, in addition Faras Research Center. Qatar. protected nurseries, according gious and psychological The programme also coop- to a Majlis for older men. The He said that Field Gene For his part, Dr. Hayel to the spread of each species importance, and stress that erated with Nasra Al Nubi, the clubs attracted 344 female Bank helped in the land reha- Muhammad Al Wawi, an expert and according to its original it is not related to a certain first Qatari nurse, and the vir- members who participate in bilitation programs, rehabili- on wild plants and rangelands environment it was previously age. tuous teacher Fatima Zainal, different activities four times tation of pastures and at the Department of Protection grown in meadows. She added that the to talk about their career path weekly. QFMA launches digital learning assessment module Virtual consultations for all non-essential FROM PAGE 1 FCSI, CISI CEO said: “We are “It also reflects supporting delighted and honoured to be clinic appointments at health centers the national efforts aimed at working with the QFMA on this FROM PAGE 1 enhancing the efficiency of the important project to ensure tested and isolated, and will Qatar capital market AML/CFT.” sound training and competence Essential services will still The PHCC has also dedicated receive the results from Al Shaibi affirmed that the standards for those working in continue face to face at a two of its health centers as healthcare professionals as QFMA attaches a great impor- the financial services domain limited capacity including test and hold centers as part soon as samples are tested,” tance to enhancing the educa- in the Qatari capital market. family medicine, dental PHCC stated. COVID-19 test are tional and awareness capacities The aim of the program is to services, well baby, pre-marital of its efforts to contain the also made available at all other of professionals in the capital help increase the effectiveness clinics, ultrasound (obs/gynae) spread of the pandemic. health centers within PHCC for market, and for those con- of all staff to fight money laun- and abdominal, walk-in for suspected cases. cerned and interested in it, dering and the financing of ter- dental, walk-in for family med- To recall, in March 2020 especially regarding AML/CFT, rorism, enabling the financial icine, urgent care, medical Al Khail Health Centre and during start of the pandemic, Nasser Al Shaibi, CEO of QFMA considering its key role in sector in Qatar to be at the fore- commission and home care Umm Slal Health Centre. the Ministry of Public Health ensuring the ongoing devel- front of combating money laun- services. “Patients with mild or activated a set of remote access opment of the financial sector in cooperation with the con- dering and terrorism financing. The PHCC has also dedi- moderate symptoms of coro- channels to healthcare services in general, and the capital cerned entities in the State of Registration for QFMA AML/ cated two of its health centers navirus should dial 16000 and including from PHCC. Face to market sector in particular. Qatar, to keep abreast with the CFT E-Module can be done by as test and hold centers as part will be directed to one the face consultations resumed Al Shaibi added that this AML/CFT international using the link: https://www. of its efforts to contain the screening units at the PHCC with the gradual drop in module is part of the QFMA’s standards and requirements. qfma.org.qa/English/cisi/pages/ spread of the pandemic. The COVID-19 designated health OCVID-19 cases since July strategic Plan 2017-2022, and Simon Culhane, Chartered default.aspx. two testing centres are Rawdat centers where they will be 2020. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 Clashes rage in central Yemen; many killed AP — SANA'A The fighting could last year also displaced thou- sands of families. Heavy fighting between forces cause significant The fighting in Marib could of Yemen’s internationally civilian casualties if also thwart renewed efforts by recognised government and it extended to urban the UN to re-launch negotia- Houthi rebels raged again tions between the warring yesterday, extending a week of areas in Marib. The sides. They have not held sub- violence in the strategic province has served stantive negotiations since province of Marib, Yemeni offi- 2019. cials said. With dozens killed, as a sort of haven UN envoy Martin Griffiths the fighting has cast major for hundreds of said last week he was doubt over UN-led efforts to “extremely concerned” about restart negotiations to end years thousands of Yemenis hostilities in Marib, especially of civil war. who have fled Houthi at a time of “renewed diplo- The rebels earlier this matic momentum,” in an month renewed their attack on offensives since the apparent reference to the latest the oil-rich province, an anti- start of the war. measures US President Joe Houthi stronghold held by the Biden’s administration have internationally recognised gov- taken on Yemen’s conflict. A Turkish sailor, who was kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last month and was freed on ernment. But they faced stiff government-held provinces of President Joe Biden has Friday, is greeted by his family members upon his arrival at Istanbul International Airport, in Istanbul resistance and have not made Taiz and Shabwa, the officials turned a spotlight on the brutal progress amid heavy causalities said. conflict, declaring earlier this yesterday. mostly from the Houthis, mil- The Houthis’ media office month that the United States itary officials from both sides reported on Tuesday at least 10 would end its support of the said. air strikes by the Saudi-led coa- Saudi-led military offensive, 15 freed sailors return to Turkey Yemen’s war started in lition in Marib, and two more including “relevant” arms 2014, when the rebels seized air strikes on the neighbouring sales. AL JAZEERA — ANKARA The Liberian-flagged con- locked themselves in a secure the capital, Sana'a, and much province of Jaw, which the The administration has also tainer ship was headed to Cape room but the pirates forced of the country’s north. A Saudi- rebels use as base to launch moved to lift a terrorist desig- Fifteen Turkish sailors Town, South Africa from Lagos, their way in after a five-hour led, US-backed intervened their latest attack in Marib. nation against the Houthis, kidnapped by pirates last month Nigeria, when it was attacked struggle. months later to dislodge the More than 48 fighters were citing the need to mitigate in the Gulf of Guinea have on January 23, 160km off Sao “They were constantly Houthis and restore the inter- killed and over 120 were Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. returned to Turkey and Tome island. opening fire, firing randomly nationally recognised gov- wounded in the past two days, The Houthis have also described the death threats they One Azeri sailor was killed inside. At that time one of our ernment. The conflict has killed mostly Houthis, the officials recently accelerated their faced during their three-week in what the crew described as colleagues died. He was shot in some 130,000 people and said. Over two dozen others cross-border attacks by ordeal. a sophisticated and well- the belly. We are very sad,” he spawned the world’s worst were reported killed at the start explosive-laden drones on The sailors embraced their orchestrated assault. said. humanitarian disaster. of the attack. Saudi Arabia, in an apparent families on Sunday after disem- “We didn’t experience The crew was finally taken The rebels seek to wrestle The officials spoke on con- attempt to pressure the Saudi- barking at Istanbul Airport, physical violence but they by boat and released at a safe control of Marib, closing off dition of anonymity because led coalition to stop its air where they were greeted by exerted psychological pressure location specified by the Saudi-Arabi’s southern border they were not authorized to bombing on the rebels in Marib Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut during the negotiations. They company. Their release came and taking control of oil fields brief the media. and elsewhere in Yemen. Cavusoglu and other officials, said: ‘We will kill you if your two weeks after the attackers in the province that would give The fighting could cause Rebel leader Mohammed two days after news of their company does not do what we made contact to discuss them leverage in possible peace significant civilian casualties if Ali Al Houthi called for air- release in Nigeria emerged. want,’” Kaya said. ransom. negotiations. it extended to urban areas in strikes by the Saudi-led coa- “We were in a forest. There According to news reports, After their release, Levent Alarmed by the Houthis’ Marib. The province, which lition to stop in return to halting were tough conditions. There the pirates disabled most of the Karsan from Istanbul-based renewed push, the Saudi-led houses the ancient Great Marib Houthi drone and missile were constantly armed men at ship’s systems, leaving only the Boden Shipping, which pro- coalition bombed their Dam, has served as a sort of attacks on the kingdom. our side,” Mustafa Kaya, captain navigation system for the vides technical management advancing convoys in the haven for hundreds of thou- “Stopping the bombing in of the ship MV Mozart from remaining crew to find their services for the vessel, said the sprawling desert around Marib. sands of Yemenis who have fled return for (stopping) the which the crew were abducted, way to the port. sailors were all in good health It also brought in ground Houthi offensives since the start bombing, we are present if was cited as saying by the Kaya said at the time of and it was not a political enforcements from the of the war. A bout of violence there is seriousness,” he said. Demiroren news agency. their abduction the crew kidnapping. Iran: Army tests short-range Turkey says 13 citizens killed by militants in Iraq AP — ANKARA two insurgents, Akar said. The identity of the Turkish Turkish security forces and Ruling party spokesman ‘smart’ missile Chief of General Staff citizens was not initially intelligence agency were killed Omer Celik said the hostage Troops have found the bodies General Yasar Guler said the revealed and Akar said their as a result of Turkey’s attack. killings were “an attack on all AP — TEHRAN of 13 Turkish citizens abducted operation covered an area of kidnapping had not previously Turkish officials said the humanity” while Devlet Bahceli, by Kurdish insurgents in a cave 75km by 25km, one of the been disclosed due to security underground cave system, which who leads a nationalist party Iran’s army test fired a sophis- complex in northern Iraq, the largest areas to be targeted in reasons. had three entrances and nine allied to the government, ticated short-range missile on Turkish defense minister said recent campaigns against the The 13 bodies were flown to separate chambers, was manned described the incident as “like Sunday, state media reported. yesterday. PKK. the central Turkish city of by ten insurgents, two of whom a fireball that has crashed on The report by the official Hulusi Akar said 12 of the “In searches of a cave, Malatya, where a prosecutor were captured before the cave the nation’s hearts.” IRNA news agency quoted the victims were shot in the head which was taken under control will oversee an investigation. was stormed by Turkish troops. Opposition leader Kemal chief of the army’s ground and one died of a shoulder after intense clashes, the bodies Malatya Governor Aydin Ammunition stores and PKK Kilicdaroglu offered his condo- forces, Gen. Kioumars Heidari, bullet wound. They were dis- of 13 of our abducted citizens Barus later said 10 of the dead bases in the mountainous lences to those killed by the as saying that the missile’s covered in the Gara region near were found,” Akar said from an had been identified and named region were destroyed in the “treacherous terrorist range was 300km. the Turkish border during an operations center in Sirnak on them as soldiers or police operation, which deployed air organisation”. General Heidari said the operation against the Kurdistan the Turkish side of the border. officers, as well as two civilians, strikes and helicopter-borne Tens of thousands of people “smart” missile is capable to Workers’ Party, or PKK, The victims had been killed kidnapped inside Turkey in the soldiers. The PKK uses bases in have been killed since the PKK, work in under “any weather launched on February 10. at the start of the operation to last six years. northern Iraq to launch cross- which is designated a terrorist condition.” He did not say Operation Claw-Eagle 2 led seize the cave complex, Akar In a statement carried by the border attacks against Turkey. organization by the US and where the test took place. to the deaths of 48 PKK mili- said, adding that “all the ter- PKK-linked Firat news agency, Three Turkish troops died European Union, began an insur- Iran’s national army con- tants, including three senior rorists in the cave… have been the PKK said “prisoners of war” during the operation and three gency in Turkey’s majority trols short-range missiles, members, and the capture of neutralized.” consisting of members of the others were wounded, Akar said. Kurdish southeast region in 1984. although longer-range ones capable of travelling up to 2,000km — far enough to Hariri sees no reach archenemy Israel and Lebanon administers jabs to health workers, elderly US military bases — are con- way out of crisis trolled by the paramilitary AP — BEIRUT Revolutionary Guard. without Arab In a parallel development, Lebanon administered deputy chief of the army Adm. yesterday its first jabs of support Habibollah Sayyari told IRNA COVID-19 vaccine, with an that Iran and Russia will hold intensive care unit physician REUTERS — BEIRUT a joint naval drill in northern and a well-known 93-year-old part of the Indian Ocean in the comedian becoming the first to Lebanese Prime Minister “near future.” Adm Sayyari receive Pfizer-BioNTech doses. designate Saad Al Hariri said the drill has aimed at Lebanon launched its inoc- yesterday said that his country “reinforcing security” in the ulation campaign a day after could not be rescued from its region. This is the second such receiving the first batch of the current crisis without the a drill since 2019, when the vaccine — 28,500 doses from support of Arab countries and two nations held a four-day Brussels, near where Pfizer has the international community. exercise alongside China’s a manufacturing facility. More “There is no way out of the navy. were expected to arrive in the crisis... without a deep recon- Tehran has been seeking coming weeks. ciliation with our Arab to step up military cooper- The rollout will be moni- brothers and an end to using ation with Beijing and tored by the World Bank and the country as a staging point Moscow while under US-led the International Federation of for attacking Gulf countries sanctions. Visits to Iran by the Red Cross and Red Crescent and threatening their Russian and Chinese naval Societies to ensure safe han- interests,” Hariri said in a tel- representatives have also dling and fair and equitable evised speech marking 16 increased in recent years. access for all Lebanese. years since the assassination In recent months, Iran has Lebanon’s political, eco- of his father, ex-premier Rafik increased its military drills as nomic and health crises have Al Hariri. the country tries to pressure converged, deepening the A healthcare worker receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease Saad Al Hariri, a former President Joe Biden to reenter country’s troubles and public during a vaccination campaign at American University of Beirut’s medical centre, Lebanon, yesterday. prime minister himself, was a previous nuclear accord that anger and mistrust of the long- given the task of forming a his predecessor Donald Trump serving ruling class. The gov- country deeper into crisis. The World Bank offered a cases with 3,961 deaths since government in October but is abandoned. Biden has said ernment failed to offer social Since the explosion, rival $34m loan to help pay for Pfizer- its first confirmed case last struggling so far to cobble America could reenter the safety nets or structural reform political groups have been BioNTech vaccines for Lebanon February. together a cabinet to share deal. to secure international unable to agree on a new gov- that will inoculate over two The country of over 6 million, power with all Lebanese On Thursday, the Guard assistance. ernment and reforms million people. Nearly three including more than 1 million ref- parties, including Hezbollah. conducted a drill near Iraqi Lebanon has had a care- demanded by the international million other vaccine doses are ugees, at first managed to contain After a meeting with Pres- border using drones, heli- taker government since last community to offer assistance. expected to be secured through the virus. But since the August ident Michel Aoun on Friday, copters and tanks. summer after Prime Minister Pandemic restrictions only the UN-backed COVAX program. explosion, it has witnessed a Hariri said there had been no Trump in 2018 unilaterally Hassan Diab resigned. He quit worsened the economic crisis. Both are free of charge. surge that only worsened during progress on the formation of withdrew the US from the following a massive explosion International organisations The private sector has been the holiday season. That’s when a government. Iranian nuclear accord, in in the capital’s port in August and allied countries have negotiating separately for more the government, seeking to boost Under a sectarian power- which Tehran had agreed to that killed more than 200 extended only humanitarian vaccines. the economy, eased restrictions sharing system, Lebanon’s limit its uranium enrichment people and injured thousands, assistance to deal with the port Lebanon is in the midst of a in place for months as nearly president must be a Maronite in exchange for the lifting of testing the struggling health explosion and the worsening surge in coronavirus cases. It 80,000 expats arrived in Christian and the prime min- economic sanctions. care sector and plunging the pandemic. has registered about 337,000 Lebanon. ister a Sunni Muslim. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Guinea confirms Ebola outbreak with at least 3 deaths

AP — CONAKRY An additional five people have tested positive respond quickly and educate in the capital, said they worried Last month the World for Ebola in Gueckedou town in the country’s communities about what’s the country wouldn’t be able to Health Organisation said it is Health officials in Guinea going on, said Kuppalli. cope with another outbreak. creating a global emergency yesterday confirmed that at south, according to Dr. Sakoba Keita, the head One reason the previous “The news about the Ebola stockpile of about 500,000 least three people have died of Guinea’s National Health Security Agency. outbreak was so deadly was outbreak in Guinea is worrying. doses of the Ebola vaccine to from Ebola there, the first cases because the virus wasn’t We already have difficulties help stamp out future out- declared since it was one of “I confirm it’s Ebola. The results prove it,” detected quickly and local dealing with the coronavirus, breaks, but only 7,000 were three West African nations to Minister of Health Remy Lamah said. authorities and the international now, the health system will be available at the time of the fight the world’s deadliest Ebola community were slow to act overwhelmed by two pan- statement. The Ebola vaccine epidemic that ended five years when cases first popped up in demics,” said Mamadou Kone, being stockpiled is made by ago. Guinea’s announcement very concerning for what it a rural part of Guinea. a Conakry resident. Merck. An additional five people comes one week after eastern could do for the people, the The epidemic’s initial “I don’t know what this “There are tools and have tested positive for Ebola Congo confirmed it also had economy, the health infra- patient, an 18-month-old boy curse is hitting the Guineans, all systems that can be mobilized in Gueckedou town in the coun- cases. The cases are not linked. structure,” said Dr. Krutika from a small village, was the pandemics are falling on quickly to address these cases. try’s south, according to Dr. Health experts in Guinea say Kuppalli, assistant professor of believed to have been infected us,” said Mariam Konate, a The key will be speed, ensuring Sakoba Keita, the head of these latest cases could be a medicine for infectious diseases by bats, but after the case was nurse. “It’s like the country has appropriate people and mate- Guinea’s National Health major setback for the impover- at the Medical University of reported in December 2013, been hit by a curse,” she said. rials are where they need to be,” Security Agency. ished nation, already battling South Carolina, who was the according to the US Centers for The origin of the infections said Donald Brooks, chief exec- “I confirm it’s Ebola. The COVID-19 and which is still medical director of an Ebola Disease Control and Prevention, is still unknown. utive officer of Initiative: Eau, a results prove it,” Minister of recovering from the previous treatment unit in Sierra Leone it was weeks before a medical Health experts hope that the US aid group focused on water Health Remy Lamah said by Ebola outbreak, which killed during the previous outbreak. alert was issued and by then the availability of an Ebola vaccine and sanitation, who has worked phone. 2,500 in Guinea where it began. “We’re still understanding virus had already spread and it will help to quickly control this on establishing public health The patients were tested for More than 11,300 people died the repercussions of the (last) took years to end it. outbreak. Ebola is transmitted emergency response systems in Ebola after showing symptoms in that outbreak which also hit outbreak on the population,” The new cases announced through direct contact with West Africa. of haemorrhagic fever and the neighboring countries of she said. yesterday are in the Nzerekore bodily fluids from someone “If not and it spreads to those who came in contact with Liberia and Sierra Leone To contain the spread, the region, the same place where showing Ebola symptoms, or urban centers, it could result in the sick are already in isolation, between 2014 and 2016. government and international the previous one started. from corpses who were disastrous loss of life,” he said officials. “The resurgence of Ebola is health organisations must After hearing the news, locals positive. warned. Police abuse allegations cloud democratic gains in Tunisia

REUTERS — TUNIS have increasingly focused on The judge could not be abusive tactics by police. reached for comment but the Tunisian police took Ahmed The Interior Ministry, which state news agency TAP cited a Gam from the shop where he has oversight of the police, said court spokeswoman as saying worked, accused him of looting it would not comment on he had opened an investigation during recent protests, and beat ongoing cases, including Gam’s. for torture which caused the him so badly during his But it denounced allegations loss of an organ after seeing the detention last month that he lost against police as “attacks aimed doctor’s document and hearing a testicle, he said. to undermine the credibility of from the plaintiff. Lying in bed in his parents’ its structures” and said it sought The judge has asked three home in Bennane, near the a balance between upholding people to appear before him on coastal city of Monastir, Gam, rights and enforcing the law. Monday in connection with the 21, could not stand without help “Some individual mistakes case, TAP reported. and cried as he described police happen but... we have main- The recent unrest, which beating and burning his tained self restraint despite began on the day after the 10th genitals. provocations,” said Jamel anniversary of the revolution, His account was supported, Jarboui, spokesman for the started as clashes at night in part, by a hospital report. national syndicate of security between police and youths in Tunisia is widely seen as forces, a police union. poor city districts before the sole relative success story A judge in Monastir is spreading to daylight protests. Security forces clash with demonstrators during anti-government protests in Tunis, Tunisia, in this of the 2011 “Arab spring” revolts investigating Gam’s complaint While the protests initially file picture. for its democratic advances. It of torture. The family gave the targeted inequality, they later holds regular elections and has judge the report from Sahloul focused more on anger at police detention centre in Monastir, continued to torture him for removed it, he said. a press that criticises the state. Hospital in Sousse describing abuses, with demonstrators last tied his feet to the legs of a table more than an hour, he said. He After his operation he was But Gam’s case is one of at Gam’s admission on January 30 week shouting: “police every- “like a chicken” and then beat was then held for two days returned to custody and still least 100 in which, a Tunisian with “trauma” . where, justice nowhere”. him in the groin with sticks, he without medical treatment. faces prosecution for looting. and international rights group The document is stamped Gam denies having taken said. “I told them I would die,” To end the assault, he said However, the judge ordered his says, security forces recently by both the hospital and the part in the protests as well as he said. he told police he “stole every- release while under investi- used violent abuse after people Monastir Court of First Instance the accusations of looting. He They then removed his thing”, a confession he told gation because of his medical engaged in protest and dissent, and dated February 4. An said police seized him on Jan. clothes. “One of them took a Reuters was untrue. condition, he said. freedoms won during the rev- official at the hospital, who 27 while he was at work and lighter and put it to each tes- After two days police Monther Charni, head of the olution 10 years ago. asked to remain anonymous, started hitting him in the face ticle,” he said. The policeman took him to hospital in the Tunisia Organisation Against The protests, which began confirmed Gam was hospi- as soon as they put him in their stopped when a colleague told nearby city of Sousse, his Torture, said he knew of more on Jan. 15, the day after the 10th talised on January 30 and his vehicle. him to, Gam said. testicle swollen and than 100 cases of ill treatment anniversary of the revolution, testicle removed. They took him to a A group of seven police blackened. Doctors then in detention.

Guterres welcomes Mali peace and Ethiopia: Concern grows over health of jailed political leaders AL JAZEERA — ADDIS ABABA Bekele, Jawar and others kidney problems, according to to protest against the continued repressive nature, Abiy – Ethi- reconciliation began the food strike in late his lawyer. detention of the Oromo leaders, opia’s first Oromo prime min- panel meeting Concerns are growing about the January in response to reports of The Ethiopian Human with a number of injuries and at ister – ordered the release of health of several imprisoned arrests and mistreatment of sup- Rights Commission (EHRC) last least one death reported. thousands of political prisoners, QNA — NEW YORK Ethiopian opposition figures porters and family members who week said it had visited the “We are asking for the promised free and fair elections who launched a hunger strike attend their courthouse hearings, defendants and confirmed they releases of our political and later won the Nobel Peace The Secretary-General of the some two weeks ago, with according to their legal team. were on hunger strike. leaders,” Yeroon Tolassa, a Prize for his landmark resto- United Nations Antonio protests erupting in Oromia to “Four of them have already “Very close supervision is student activist who attended ration of ties with neighbouring Guterres welcomed the demand the release of some of collapsed and have been taken required to prevent any grave last week’s protests, told Al Eritrea, with whom Ethiopia convening of the Monitoring the region’s most prominent to hospital,” Ibsa Gemeda, one threat to their health and life,” Jazeera from Ethiopia’s capital, fought a bloody border war Committee of the Agreement political leaders. of the defendants’ lawyers, said. Daniel Bekele, EHRC chief com- Addis Ababa. “Our political between 1998 and 2000. on Peace and Reconciliation Senior Oromo Federal Con- “The others are unable to have missioner, said in a statement, leaders and activists are jailed But for many Oromos, the in Mali, which met this week gress (OFC) members Bekele conversations or move around. adding that “reasonably jus- in the thousands.” It was on the initial enthusiasm has all but dis- in the city of Kidal in the Gerba and Jawar Mohammed Some of them have serious tified demands of the prisoners back of popular uprisings that sipated. Abiy’s opponents accuse Azawad region in the north of are among some 20 people underlying health issues and we must be addressed”. first ignited among the ethnic him of growing authoritarian the country. facing charges ranging from are worried that this could A court hearing was can- Oromo, who constitute about a tendencies, while rights groups Spokesman for the Sec- “terrorism” to illegal possession result in their deaths.” Jawar celled last week due to the third of Ethiopia’s 112 million have expressed serious concerns retary-General Stephane of firearms in connection with himself has been extremely defendants being too weak to people, that Abiy Ahmed over the detention of dozens of Dujarric said in a statement the unrest that followed the weakened by the strike he attend. It came as the youth took ascended to the Ethiopian pre- opposition members and jour- that this is the first time that murder of a popular Oromo launched on January 27 and has to the streets of several cities miership in April 2018. Prom- nalists and the shutdown of the meeting has taken place musician last year. since developed unspecified including Ambo and Dire Dawa ising to rid the state of its independent media outlets. outside of Bamako since the signature of the Peace Agreement in 2015. The high- level meeting, brought CAR to hold second round together six Malian Ministers, the leadership of the signatory of voting next month armed movements and the International Mediation, is AL JAZEERA — BANGUI – and in the presidential considered a good plan election held on the same day towards peace in the country, The Central African Republic – because of voter intimidation he pointed out. (CAR) will hold next month a in areas controlled by rebel He added that the Sec- second round of voting for groups. retary-General welcome the legislative elections in some The Constitutional Court “new momentum and growing constituencies, as well as a first cancelled the first-round trust among the signatory round where a December ballot results in 13 out of 140 voting parties” and encourage them was disrupted amid a fresh districts because of irregular- to “build upon this positive wave of unrest in the violence- ities. There was no polling in dynamic by translating the hit country. about 50 others because of the agreed commitments into President Faustin Archange security situation. actions so that the Malian Touadera said in a decree on Only 22 deputies out of 140 people could reap the benefits Saturday the second round will won their seats outright in the of peace”. take place on March 14. The first round, of whom just four On the other hand, regions where the first round are from Touadera’s party. Guterres condemned, yes- was disrupted by rebel violence However, the court con- erday, the attack that took and other factors will also vote firmed last month that Touadera place on Feb. 10 and targeted on the same date. had won a second mandate in the base of the UN Integrated The campaign for the first the first round of the presi- Stabilization Mission for Mali round will open on February dential polls, with 53.16 percent (MINUSMA) in Kerena, in Animal rights activists release rescued bear 27 and for the second round on of the vote. The opposition had Central Mali,resulted inthe March 6. urged the court to order a rerun death of a Togolese peace- People and security members run away as Kurdish animal rights activists release a bear into the wild Barely a third of the of the voting, saying insecurity keeper and the wounding of27 after rescuing bears from captivity in people homes, in Dohuk, Iraq on February 11, 2021. potential ballots were cast on and alleged irregularities had others. the December 27 first round marred the process. 08 VIEWS MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 Europe is using longer, stricter lockdowns to fight Established in 1996 coronavirus variants. They show signs of working. CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] ADAM TAYLOR ACTING MANAGING EDITOR THE WASHINGTON POST MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] For months, one pesky number had undermined Britain’s fight against the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR coronavirus. It wasn’t the MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI daily number of new cases, [email protected] the ever-increasing death toll or even the spread of an alarming new variant - though none of these were reassuring, of course. EDITORIAL It was a far smaller figure that British authorities -call the R number, also known as the reproduction number, or European Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton, wearing protective gear, enters a lab during a Busy seven weeks! simply R0. visit at the Thermo Fisher plant, former Novasep, producing COVID-19 vaccines for AstraZeneca in The R number is a repre- Seneffe, Belgium, recently. sentation of how fast the THE busiest six or seven weeks of the domestic coronavirus, or really any sports season has kicked off in Qatar. A day after other disease, is spreading. If around 0.99 for B.1.1.7 by the cases at the end of 2020, as fying new, stricter require- Qatar successfully concluded the FIFA Club World the figure is above 1, as the week of February 1. well as the rise of more trans- ments for reopening. Cup 2020 event on Thursday, the coronavirus stubbornly was The positive moves have missible variants, govern- With lockdowns taking a resumed after three weeks of break on Saturday. for months in Britain, it allowed Denmark to partially ments opted for not just significant personal and eco- Three more matches on Sunday including that of Al means that on average, a reopen schools, though most another lockdown, but stricter nomic toll, governments will Duhail - who appeared in the FIFA Club World Cup person will spread the virus other restrictions are to and longer measures than have to consider when to ease last week - concluded the round of 16 matches in to more than one person and remain until at least February before. them. In the past, they have the Qatar Stars League. that the outbreak is 28, if not longer. Those measures now look been criticized for ending The Qatar Stars League Management will also spreading. Ireland, which imple- to be working, though the restrictions too early. hold Qatar Cup matches this coming week followed But on Friday, the British mented its own tight restric- exact nature of the success is In Britain, an by the Amir Cup games that will run into most of government had good news: tions after a huge surge in hard to measure. announcement is expected March and April. The Qatar Volleyball Association The R number had dropped cases over Christmas, also Brazil, another country before the end of the month is also about to conclude the Qatar Cup event. On to between 0.7 and 0.9 this saw a steep decline in new home to another fast- on how long the lockdown Saturday, Police team reached the final of by week, finally below 1 for the cases after the lockdown spreading variant but will last. Prime Minister beating Qatar SC (3-1) while Al Ahli edged past Al first time since July 2020. was implemented, with its R without a national lockdown, Boris Johnson has said he Arabi (3-2). Many were quick to number declining to has not seen a substantial plans to reopen schools in Also on Saturday, the Qatar Equestrian Feder- point out what they thought between 0.5 and 0.8 by decline in new cases in March, though some restric- ation (QEF) staged the Amir Sword Endurance Race the cause was: a longer, mid-January. recent weeks. tions are expected to last featuring 57 riders in the marathon battle across stricter government As in Britain and In South Africa, where months. the Sealine desert. In the coming days (Feb 18-20), lockdown in place since Denmark, the B.1.1.7 variant is strict measures such as a ban In Denmark, some policy- the QEF will stage the Amir Sword Festival in show early January. believed to be widespread in on the sale of alcohol were makers expect restrictions to jumping, a hugely popular event for equestrian The R number showed the Ireland. Likewise, many only recently relaxed, new be extended past a February lovers. During the same window, the Amir Sword “lockdown IS working,” wrote experts view a strict cases have recently declined 28 deadline currently in place. Horse Racing Festival will offer millions of dollars the Daily Express, a patriotic lockdown as the likely root of substantially. “It is too early to assess in prize money as horse racing fans will get to see tabloid. “The lockdown has the success against it, with But in the United States, whether there is a stable their favourite event of the year at Race really driven down cases schools and construction sites where restrictions are at trend,” the country’s public Track. quite fast,” Neil Ferguson of among those closed. best a regional patchwork, health agency, the State At the end of this month, will organise Imperial College London, a “Ireland’s experience yet new cases overall have also Serum Institute, said of the the 8th edition of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab. former government adviser, again shows how straight- declined. It is not clear if low R number in a statement Al Shaqab’s signature equestrian competition will told Politico’s “Westminster forward it is to bring case such differences are because this week. take place from February 25-27, at the Longines Arena Insider” podcast this week. numbers down,” Luke O’Neill, of the comparatively low Although there was at Al Shaqab. A few days later, the same venue will Outside of Britain, other an immunologist at Trinity levels of variants or some- pressure to reopen in Ireland, host the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) nations appear to be having College Dublin, wrote for the thing else. O’Neill, the immunologist, and Global Champions League 2021 season openers similar successes against fast- Conversation, a website for Vaccination may soon warned that the sudden spike from March 4 to 6. The massively popular 16-leg spreading variants like B.1.1.7, academic discussion. play a role, though both in cases after Christmas series will kick off in Doha. the variant first found in That unambiguous logic Denmark and Ireland are far showed that even a limited At the start of March, tennis fans will witness a Britain. has existed in some form or behind Britain and the United amount of social interaction first - two back-to-back events - the Qatar Total Open And though the spread of another since the very start States in the number of doses could allow the virus to (Mar 1-6) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Mar 8-13) the coronavirus throughout of the pandemic, when they have given out to their “re-erupt.” at the iconic Khalifa Tennis Complex. the pandemic has often con- China took the then-unprec- population. “Ireland must keep up This year tennis icon and three-time former founded experts, in many edented approach to limit Many governments still with public health measures champion Roger Federer will launch his new season cases the most effective form spread of the then-myste- view lockdowns as a nec- into the foreseeable future,” right here in Doha. Also in March, golf fans will see of containment is longer and rious virus of locking down essary tool against new var- O’Neill wrote. “This virus will the annual European Tour event the Qatar Masters stricter lockdowns. millions of people roughly iants. Despite a drop in new exploit any weakness and the (Mar 11-14) at Golf Course. This year After more than six weeks one year ago. cases in Germany, Chancellor task now is to learn from mis- Qatar will stage the first two races of the MotoGP of severe restrictions in As cases subsided in many Angela Merkel and state takes and move to the next World Championship (Grand Prix in Qatar, March Denmark, authorities nations over summer, many leaders on Wednesday phase, with what has become 26-28 and the Grand Prix of Doha, April 2-4). announced this week that governments relaxed these extended the country’s the mantra of these times: rates of infection had dropped restrictions. But as infections lockdown for another month. cautious optimism.” from growing exponentially surged again in the fall, many “We have this great Adam Taylor writes about to essentially constant - sug- countries imposed a second uncertainty with the foreign affairs for The Wash- gesting an R number of lockdown. After a surge of mutation,” Merkel said, justi- ington Post.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] Avoid confusion through close cooperation JAPAN NEWS - YOMIURI measure that greatly reduces the supply of vaccines must and disadvantages of the vac- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 procedures has been imple- be established as soon as cination and calmly make FAX: +974 4455 7758 An expert panel of the Health, mented in the approval possible. judgments. The government Labor and Welfare Ministry process. Taking into consider- All vaccines have minor needs to explain the effects MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 has decided that the ation the state of emergency side effects, such as pain in and side effects of the vaccine COVID-19 vaccine produced extension, it is appropriate the arm. In some cases, in an easy-to-understand DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 by leading US pharmaceutical that the government has serious symptoms appear as manner and resolve any company Pfizer should be placed importance on speed often as once in every questions or concerns about LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 approved. The ministry is to approve the vaccine. 100,000 shots. vaccination. expected to formally approve Medical workers at risk of It is said that the Japanese The government has BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 the vaccine imminently. infection will be prioritized have a strong tendency to be decided against lifting the The vaccine was for vaccinations, the first of reluctant to be vaccinated. state of emergency for some SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 developed at an unprece- which will be given to 10,000 Given the history of harmful areas. In Aichi and Gifu pre- dented speed, using the latest to 20,000 people. Full-scale drug-related incidents, it is fectures, the number of ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 genetic technology. Although vaccinations for the elderly inevitable that people feel people infected with the email: [email protected] some people have expressed are expected to start in April afraid of new products. virus has been decreasing, concern regarding this, the or later. Nevertheless, the risk of but the government con- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 vaccine has undergone Although the first batch of infection in society as a whole cluded that the pressure over email: [email protected] clinical testing and other nec- the vaccine has arrived in can be reduced if the vacci- hospital bed availability has essary procedures overseas Japan, confusion is spreading nation rate increases. Japan not been fully resolved. This ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 and is said to be highly among local governments as might be able to escape the was an inevitable decision FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] effective. There have not been the vaccination schedule and current situation in which that helps to avoid a situation many reports of serious cases quantity of vaccine to be sup- there has been no choice but in which infections rebound CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 of side effects. plied have not been finalized. to restrict economic activities after the state of emergency email: [email protected] Large-scale vaccinations A government-led system to and exercise self-restraint. is lifted, forcing the gov- have begun in most advanced gather information on the It is important to compare ernment to make another SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 countries. In Japan, a special progress of vaccinations and the advantages declaration. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Today we have reached a significant (vaccine) milestone. No one is resting on their laurels... We've /Peninsula_Qatar still got a long way to go and there will undoubtedly be bumps in the road, but after all we've achieved I /ThePeninsulaNewspaper know we can go forward with great confidence. +974 6698 6188 Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 OPINION 09 How should social media be regulated?

more broadly, and specifically It would be a tremendous consequences. moment to reflect and to the role of social media, in mistake for rule-making When these corporations address. For the last 15 years, hosting and moderating around social networking went global they took the US digital rights activists outside political conversations. In the sites to only take the US expe- approach to free speech but the US have been calling for US, social media has been an rience into account, particu- not the guardrails that came social networking sites to be enabler of rampant misinfor- larly because activists and with it. What has been evident more proactive in their mation and hate speech that analysts from other parts of is their willingness to cosy up approach to entering societies NANJALA NYABOLA incubated groups like QAnon the world have not only been to powerful politicians in around the world. AL JAZEERA who infiltrated the US Capitol. flagging these issues just as fraught political contexts in Activists have pointed to In Uganda, social media long if not longer, but would order to secure market access. the way these platforms was the main platform on have to live with the conse- In India, Facebook’s chief lob- incubate extremist rhetoric The first month of 2021 was which the opposition was able quences of any new regula- bying officer declined to deal that is difficult to analogise to marked by two pivotal to document the violence of the tions without the social or with Hindu nationalist hate the Western audience, eg how political moments across two ruling party, to advocate for economic capital to make speech at the risk of damaging a few Facebook posts in continents, united by a social change, and to organise them sensitive to local the platform’s business pros- Oromo in Ethiopia can fuel curious feature of modern against the excesses of power. contexts. pects in the country. violent clashes that leave 78 communication. In the United In the US, the social net- Basically, we are facing a This in the context of people dead in one weekend. States, right-wing extremist works de-platformed the situation where a choice to rising tensions between the But also, in societies where groups successfully radi- now-former president and ban politicians in the US leads country’s two main religions traditional media is ham- calised, organised and milita- disabled his accounts. In to a choice to ban a dictator that analysts argue is being strung by state censorship and rised on social media, Uganda, they did the same who then cracks down on the incubated and disseminated interference, and where the managing to invade the seat and the president retaliated public sphere in Uganda, while through social media. Social government can pressure of Congress, while refusing to by banning social media for a choice to do nothing results networking sites need to mobile networks to take the accept the result of a recent removing accounts allied to in genocide in Myanmar. remember that free speech is entire country offline at the election and threatening the his party before turning off Based on their origin myths not a standalone value. It is a drop of a hat, activists have lives of the country’s senior- the internet wholesale. and in their own descriptions value that has to be protected similarly argued that the most lawmakers. Within the first two weeks of what they do, the founders in social context, and that freedom of expression on And in Uganda, a highly of 2021, the two extremes of of these sites certainly did not understanding and social networking sites is a In Uganda, social contentious election pitted an what social media represents see them evolving into the big, responding to a social context key pillar for the democracies media was the main increasingly cruel octoge- in the public sphere were on global political players that requires more substantial they are trying to build. narian president, who refuses full display, underscoring how they are today. investment than merely Both of these positions are platform on which to cede power, against a char- the same approach on the In my 2018 book, Digital relying on community-driven valid, and regulations emerge the opposition was ismatic musician turned poli- same platforms in different Democracy, Analogue Politics, I content moderation. from this period of reflection tician, young enough to be the social contexts can have analyse how these sites evolved It is not unreasonable to should ideally incubate the able to document the former’s grandson. Although wildly disparate outcomes into key pillars of the public demand a localised, historically good and make it possible for violence of the ruling the Ugandan incumbent and implications. sphere in Kenya where they sensitive approach to moder- activists to find voice and party, to advocate for promised a “scientific” Predictably the aftermath insert themselves into spaces ating the content these plat- community while curbing the election in which tech would of both elections has seen calls left open by the retreat of tradi- forms allow. The German bad and preventing saboteurs social change, and to be a key factor, instead he to enhance regulation of the tional media and constraints on approach to regulating Nazi and extremist groups from organise against the flung the entire country back social networking platforms. organising and mobilising in speech on social media has mobilising and organising. into the pre-digital era for a Unfortunately, now that the the analogue public sphere. been the most visible example This is the heart of the excesses of power. week using his preferred harms caused by content Kenya is the example but the of making these primarily US regulatory challenge around weapon of late – a national moderation fails are finally principle holds across all soci- corporations bend to local social networking sites, and internet shutdown. affecting US national politics, eties: the internet is an inten- realities. only working with the US Two elections united by the calls for regulation are also sifier of whatever energies exist While the prohibition on experience will not address it. the changing role of tech- being shaped by US perspec- in the analogue public sphere creating and sharing Nazi Whatever rules and regula- nology in our public spheres tives and interests. and you cannot understand the sympathetic material online tions come from this period of role that these platforms will has not stopped the rise of the re-evaluation must as far as play in various societies if you far right in Germany, it has possible work for the US and do not understand the society certainly slowed it down in a the Ugandas of this world. in question first. way that would make the US Rule-making for multina- Until recently few coun- jealous. The point is that tional corporations that have tries – like Germany – German regulators had a socio-political interests in 197 actively pushed for regula- clearly articulated red line for different countries cannot only tions that went beyond cor- the kind of content that the reflect the policy or political porate accountability to place social networking sites could priorities of one. One dreadful guardrails on the kind of permit and perhaps because outcome would be for the speech that would be allowed of the potentially large rules made in Washington to on these platforms. market, the sites listened. enable dictatorship and atroc- The rest perceived the US Still, Germany is an ities in countries that are approach to free speech as the example where communities already vulnerable to authori- best approach and thought can trust regulators to be tarianism and censorship. that whatever restrictions acting in the public interest. There are no easy were needed would be pro- The story is different in coun- answers, but one sure way of vided by users coming tries like Uganda where the making the situation worse together to volunteer to flag regulator is primarily acting in would be to ignore what negative content. the interest of those in power. activists and thinkers from But the US approach to In countries where regulation outside the US have been free speech is a political value has been historically lax and saying for the last 15 years. grounded in a specific socio- primarily focused on curbing The US is right now going political history: it only makes freedom of expression and through experiences that sense in the US in the context criticism of the state, merely countries in other parts of the of US history and other provi- bowing to the pressure from world have already navigated sions in US law more broadly the government without and learned from. It is that outline the limits to asking why can consolidate important to create platforms absolute free speech in order authoritarianism. where they can be heard. to prevent large-scale harm. All the more reason to Nanjala Nyabola is a Even in the US, there is no think critically about what we political analyst and the such thing as absolute free want the regulations that author of “Digital Democracy, speech, certainly not without come out of this fraught Analogue Politics”. Virus may never go away but could change into mild annoyance

ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL & spreads, experts say, the more exposed to the virus - either quickly. It later mutated into a Ian MacKay, who studies CHRISTINA LARSON — AP likely it is that a new variant through vaccination or sur- less virulent form, which viruses at the University of will become capable of viving infections - the experts say continues to cir- Queensland. What if COVID-19 never goes eluding current tests, treat- pathogen “will continue to culate seasonally. That some vaccines seem away? ments and vaccines. circulate, but will mostly “Very commonly the less effective against the new Experts say it’s likely that For now, scientists agree cause only mild illness,” like a descendants of flu pandemics strains is worrisome, but since some version of the disease on the immediate priority: routine cold. become the milder seasonal the shots provide some pro- will linger for years. But what Vaccinate as many people as While immunity acquired flu viruses we experience for tection, vaccines could still be it will look like in the future is quickly as possible. The next from other coronaviruses - many years,” said Stephen used to slow or stop the virus less clear. step is less certain and like those that cause the Morse, who studies viruses at from spreading, said Ashley Will the coronavirus, depends largely on the common cold or SARS or Columbia University. St. John, who studies immune which has already killed more strength of the immunity MERS - wanes over time, It’s not clear yet how systems at Duke-NUS Medical than 2 million people offered by vaccines and symptoms upon reinfection future mutations in SARS- School in Singapore. worldwide, eventually be natural infections and how tend to be milder than the first CoV-2 will shape the tra- Dr. Gagandeep Kang, an If humans must eliminated by a global vacci- long it lasts. illness, said Ottar Bjornstad, a jectory of the current disease. infectious diseases expert at learn to live nation campaign, like “Are people going to be co-author of the Science paper As new variants emerge - Christian Medical College at smallpox? Will dangerous frequently subject to repeat who studies viruses at Penn- some more contagious, some Vellore in southern India, said with COVID-19, new variants evade vaccines? infections? We don’t have sylvania State University. more virulent and some pos- the evolution of the virus the nature of Or will the virus stick around enough data yet to know,” “Adults tend not to get very sibly less responsive to vac- raises new questions: At what for a long time, transforming said Jeffrey Shaman, who bad symptoms if they’ve cines - scientists are stage does the virus become a that coexistence into a mild annoyance, like studies viruses at Columbia already been exposed,” he said. reminded how much they new strain? Will countries depends not just the common cold? University. Like many The prediction in the don’t yet know about the need to re-vaccinate from Eventually, the virus known researchers, he believes Science paper is based on an future of the virus, said Mark scratch? Or could a booster on how long as SARS-CoV-2 will become yet chances are slim that vaccines analysis of how other corona- Jit, who studies viruses at the dose be given? immunity lasts, “another animal in the zoo,” will confer lifelong immunity. viruses have behaved over London School of Hygiene “These are questions that but also how the joining the many other infec- If humans must learn to time and assumes that SAR- and Tropical Medicine. you will have to address in the tious diseases that humanity live with COVID-19, the CoV-2 continues to evolve, “We’ve only known about future,” Kang said. virus evolves. has learned to live with, pre- nature of that coexistence but not quickly or radically. this virus for about a year, so The future of the corona- Will it mutate dicted Dr. T. Jacob John, who depends not just on how long The 1918 flu pandemic we don’t yet have data to virus may contrast with other studies viruses and was at the immunity lasts, but also how could offer clues about the show its behavior over five highly contagious diseases significantly each helm of India’s efforts to tackle the virus evolves. Will it course of COVID-19. That years or 10 years,” he said. that have been largely beaten year, requiring polio and HIV/AIDS. mutate significantly each pathogen was an H1N1 virus Of the more than 12 billion by vaccines that provide But no one knows for sure. year, requiring annual shots, with genes that originated in coronavirus vaccine shots lifelong immunity - such as annual shots, like The virus is evolving rapidly, like the flu? Or will it pop up birds, not a coronavirus. At being made in 2021, rich measles. The spread of the flu? Or will it and new variants are popping every few years? the time, no vaccines were countries have bought about 9 measles drops off after many pop up every few up in different countries. The This question of what available. The US Centers for billion, and many have people have been vaccinated. risk of these new variants was happens next attracted Jennie Disease Control and Pre- options to buy more. This But the dynamic changes years? underscored when Novavax Lavine, a virologist at Emory vention estimates that a third inequity is a threat since it will over time with new births, so Inc. found that the company’s University, who is co-author of the world’s population result in poorer countries outbreaks tend to come in vaccine did not work as well of a recent paper in Science became infected. Eventually, having to wait longer for the cycles, explained Dr. Jay- against mutated versions cir- that projected a relatively after infected people either vaccine, during which time aprakash Muliyil, who studies culating in Britain and South optimistic scenario: After died or developed immunity, the disease will continue to epidemics and advises India Africa. The more the virus most people have been the virus stopped spreading spread and kill people, said on virus surveillance. 10 ASIA MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 Anti-coup protesters up the ante on Myanmar army

REUTERS — YANGON retribution, adding that some colleagues were participating in Hundreds of thousands of A civil disobedience the strike. protesters took to the streets in movement to protest The government and army Myanmar for a ninth day of anti- against the February 1 could not be reached for coup demonstrations yesterday, coup that deposed the comment. as the new army rulers grappled civilian government led Richard Horsey, a Myanmar- to contain a strike by based analyst with the Interna- government workers that could by Aung San Suu Kyi tional Crisis Group, said the cripple their ability to run the started with doctors. It work of many government country. now affects a swathe of departments had effectively Trains in parts of the country government ground to a halt. stopped running after staff departments. “This has the potential to refused to go to work, local also affect vital functions - the media reported, while the mil- military can replace engineers itary deployed soldiers to power and doctors, but not power grid plants only to be confronted by controllers and central bankers,” Demonstrators flash the three-finger salute during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, angry crowds. work. The police were forced to he said. Myanmar, on Saturday. As evening fell, armoured leave after angry crowds Hundreds of thousands of vehicles were seen in the com- gathered, according to a live people protested across the mercial capital of Yangon for the broadcast by Myanmar Now. nation after a fearful night as Waimaw, in Kachin state, Campaign UK said on Twitter, said. He cited pro-democracy first time since the coup, wit- Soldiers were deployed to residents formed patrols and the crowds carried flags and sang referring to the military ruler. demonstrations in 1988, when nesses said. power plants in the northern army rolled back laws protecting revolutionary songs. Residents banded together the military was widely accused A civil disobedience Kachin state, leading to a con- freedoms. Many of the protesters late on Saturday to patrol streets of releasing criminals into the movement to protest against the frontation with protesters who Engineering students nationwide held up images of in Yangon and the country’s population to stage attacks, later February 1 coup that deposed said they believed they intended marched through downtown Suu Kyi. second-largest city Mandalay, citing the unrest as a justification the civilian government led by to cut off the electricity to carry Yangon, the biggest city, wearing Her detention is due to fearing arrest raids as well as for extending their own power. Aung San Suu Kyi started with out nightly arrests. white and carrying placards expire on Monday. Her lawyer, common crime. Also late on Saturday, the doctors. It now affects a swathe “The military tried to control demanding the release of ousted Khin Maung Zaw, could not be Worries about crime rose army reinstated a law requiring of government departments. the electricity power sources leader Suu Kyi, who has been in reached for comment on what after the junta announced on people to report overnight vis- The junta ordered civil since yesterday,” said Awng detention since the coup and was set to happen. Friday it would free 23,000 pris- itors to their homes, allowed servants to go back to work, Kham, a local politician. “They charged with importing walkie More than 384 people have oners, saying the move was con- security forces to detain suspects threatening action. The army has might be able to control the talkies. been detained since the coup, sistent with “establishing a new and search private property been carrying out nightly mass power during the night while A fleet of highway buses the monitoring group Assistance democratic state with peace, without court approval, and arrests and on Saturday gave they are doing their business at rolled slowly through the city Association for Political Pris- development and discipline”. ordered the arrest of well- itself sweeping powers to detain night.” with horns blaring, part of the oners said, in a wave of mostly Tin Myint, a Yangon resident, known backers of mass people and search private Several power departments biggest street protests in more nightly arrests. was among the crowds who protests. property. in Yangon said in Facebook than a decade. “While the international detained a group of four people Suu Kyi’s National League But hundreds of railway posts that they would refuse to A convoy of motorbikes and community is condemning the suspected of carrying out an for Democracy (NLD) won a workers joined demonstrations cut the power and expressed cars drove through the capital coup, Min Aung Hlaing is using attack in the neighbourhood. landslide victory in a November in Yangon yesterday, even as support for the protesters. “Our Naypyitaw. In the southeastern every tool he has to instigate “We think the military election that the army said was police went to their housing duty is to give electricity, not to coastal town of Dawei, a band fears and instabilities,” activist intends to cause violence with tainted with fraud - an accu- compound on the outskirts of cut,” said one staffer, who asked played drums as crowds Wai Hnin Pwint Thon from the these criminals by infiltrating sation dismissed by the electoral the city to order them back to not to be named for fear of marched under the hot sun. In UK-based rights group Burma them into peaceful protests,” he commission. Glacier disaster: Climate activist held in India for inciting protesting farmers Rescuers pull out AP — NEW DELHI Disha Ravi, 22, was on Jan. 26, India’s Republic religious flag. says the new laws are nec- arrested in the southern city of Day, police said. India’s Ministry of External essary to modernize Indian 9 more bodies An Indian climate activist has Bengaluru and appeared in a Thousands of farmers Affairs condemned “vested farming. been arrested for circulating a New Delhi court yesterday, stormed New Delhi’s historic interest groups trying to The farmers say the laws REUTERS — LUCKNOW document on social media that New Delhi police said in a Red Fort complex that day, enforce their agenda” after pop will benefit corporations and allegedly incited protesting statement. posing a major challenge to star Rihanna, teenage climate leave them at their mercy for Rescuers pulled out nine more farmers to turn violent last The court sent her to police Prime Minister Narendra activist Greta Thunberg and negotiating prices for their bodies from the site of a flash month, leaving one protester custody for five days to help in Modi’s Hindu nationalist gov- Meena Harris, the niece of U.S. crops. flood in a Himalayan region of dead and about 400 police an investigation “into the ernment. Farmers demanding Vice President Kamala Harris, Tens of thousands of northern India yesterday, a officers injured during clashes criminal conspiracy related to the repeal of new agricultural tweeted their support to the farmers have been camping on week after the disaster struck, in the Indian capital, police said the Toolkit document” that laws briefly took over the 17th farmers on February 3. the outskirts of New Delhi since bringing the death toll to 50 yesterday. allegedly incited the farmers century fort and hoisted a Sikh The Indian government the last week of November. with more than 150 people still missing, officials said. The flash flood in Uttara- khand state, triggered by what Thailand defends decision scientists said could have been a large avalanche of glacier ice, not to join COVAX alliance sent water, rocks and debris surging down the Dhauliganga REUTERS — BANGKOK middle-income country Thailand river valley, destroying dams is not eligible for free or cheap and bridges. Rescuers are using The Thai government yesterday vaccines under the heavy digging machinery in defended its decision not to join programme. race to free dozens of dam con- the WHO-sponsored coronavirus “Buying vaccines directly struction workers trapped in vaccine programme, saying that from the manufacturers is an an underground tunnel con- to do so would risk the country appropriate choice... as it’s more nected to a hydroelectric paying more for the shots and flexible,” Anucha said. project being built by the gov- facing uncertainty about delivery “If Thailand wants to join the ernment-owned National times. COVAX program, it will have to Thermal Power Corporation. The government has been pay for vaccines itself with a high “We have not lost all hope criticised by opposition politicians budget and there is also a risk,” yet. We hope to find more sur- and protesters for lacking trans- he said, adding the country had vivors,” the top government parency and being too slow in to make an advance payment official in the region, Swati procuring vaccines. While the without knowing the source of Bhadoriya said. Authorities said country of 66 million people has vaccines and delivery dates. He 154 people were still missing. had low numbers of cases and did not specify the costs. Experts have cautioned deaths, it is dealing with a second In all, 190 countries including there could be still be huge wave of infections. have joined COVAX, which aims amounts of rock, debris, ice Frontline health workers are to ensure equitable access to vac- and water that could be dis- to begin receiving 2 million cines during the pandemic. The lodged, making rescue efforts imported Chinese Sinovac shots scheme is jointly run by the GAVI risky. Bangladesh Navy personnel help a Rohingya refugee child to get off from a navy vessel as they arrive within a month, but mass vacci- alliance, the WHO, the Coalition Uttarakhand is prone to at the Bhasan Char island in Noakhali district, Bangladesh, on December 29, 2020. nations for the general population for Epidemic Preparedness Inno- flash floods and landslides. The are not due to begin until locally vations and Unicef. disaster has prompted calls by produced AstraZeneca doses are Thailand so far has not environmental groups for a Bangladesh relocating nearly 4,000 ready in June. received or produced any vac- review of power projects in the Government spokesman cines, even as many of its neigh- ecologically sensitive Anucha Buraphachaisri, bours have started inoculations. mountains. more Rohingya to remote island responding to media reports that Thailand reported 166 new A team of scientists are Thailand is the only Southeast coronavirus cases yesterday, investigating if a piece of a REUTERS — DHAKA spoke of being coerced. Rohingya will continue... they Asian country to skip the WHO’s taking its total of infections to Himalayan glacier did fall into The government has dis- are going there happily for COVAX scheme, said that as a 24,571, with a death toll of 80. water and trigger the flood. Bangladesh is moving 3,000- missed safety concerns over better life,” Mohammad 4,000 more Rohingya Muslim the island, citing the building Shamsud Douza, the deputy refugees to a remote Bay of of flood defences as well as Bangladesh government Bengal island over the next two housing for 100,000 people, official in charge of refugees, Victoria reports two new local COVID-19 cases days, two officials said hospitals and cyclone centres. said by phone from Cox’s Bazar yesterday, despite concerns It also says overcrowding in southeastern Bangladesh. REUTERS — MELBOURNE people. While there have only airport cafe where a worker was about the risk of storms and in refugee camps fuels crime. “Our main priority is repat- been three new local cases iden- infected and contacts of the two floods lashing the site. Once they arrive on Bhasan riating them to their homeland Australia’s second-most tified following thousands of tests new cases. Dhaka has relocated Char, the Rohingya, a minority in a dignified and sustainable populous state, Victoria, reported since the lockdown was The latter had attended a around 7,000 to Bhasan Char group who fled violence, are way,” he said. two new cases of locally trans- announced on Friday, Victoria’s social function where one of the island since early December not allowed to leave the island, Bangladesh has called on mitted COVID-19 infection health officials said the tough hotel workers was present. from border camps in neigh- which is several hours’ journey Myanmar to move forward the yesterday, day two of a snap curbs - forcing the state’s six Others among the 38 at that bouring Buddhist-majority from the southern port of stalled process of voluntary lockdown as authorities million-plus people to stay home event are in isolation and being Myanmar, where more than a Chittagong. repatriation of Rohingya ref- scrambled to curb the spread of for five days - were still needed. tested. million refugees live in ram- Bangladesh has drawn crit- ugees, as international the highly infectious UK variant “It is too early to say whether “This is a high stakes game, shackle huts perched on razed icism for a reluctance to pressure mounts on the mil- of the disease. we have been successful, but the when (there’s) a virus that has hillsides. consult with the United Nations itary leaders following a coup, The two cases, including a signs that show Victorians are caused devastation across the The Rohingya refugees will refugee agency and other aid which reduces the refugees’ three-year-old child, were the doing the right thing,” Victoria’s Northern Hemisphere and many, be moved to Bhasan Char by bodies over the transfers. hopes of returning home. first two who were not household health minister, Martin Foley, many other countries in the ships on Monday and Tuesday, The UN High Commis- “I don’t see any future for contacts of a cluster of infected told reporters. world and may soon be the pre- Navy Commodore Rashed sioner for Refugees says the us,” said 42-year-old refugee, workers at a quarantine hotel at All Victorians have to stay dominant variant of concern glo- Sattar said from the island. agency has not been allowed who chose to move the island. Melbourne airport which had home except for essential bally, and we cannot afford to be Bangladesh says the relo- to evaluate the safety and sus- “The little hope we had of triggered the five-day lockdown, shopping and work, caregiving wrong here,” Victoria’s Chief cation is voluntary, but some tainability of life on the island. going back to our homeland health authorities said. The hotel and outdoor exercise, as the state Health Officer Brett Sutton told of a first group to be moved “The process of moving the was broken after the coup.” cluster has now affected 16 races to trace customers of an reporters. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 ASIA 11 Japan okays Pfizer vaccine for emergency use

AP — TOKYO Still, the rollout in Japan is months behind many other coun- Japan yesterday formally The announcement tries because the government had approved its first COVID-19 comes after a asked for clinical testing at home vaccine and said it would start government panel on in addition to the multinational nationwide inoculations within Friday confirmed that tests Pfizer conducted on more days, but months behind the US than 40,000 people from July to and many other countries. final results of clinical November. Many countries Japan’s health ministry said testing done in Japan accepted Pfizer’s results and it had approved the vaccine co- showed that the vaccine moved ahead. developed and supplied by Pfizer had an efficacy similar to In a country where many Inc. what overseas tests people are skeptical about vac- The announcement comes cines, Japan sought additional after a government panel on showed. tests to address safety concerns. Friday confirmed that final But the tests were conducted on results of clinical testing done in only 160 people, and some Japan showed that the vaccine question whether it was worth it had an efficacy similar to what their shots in April. By June, it’s to delay the rollout. overseas tests showed. expected that all others will be Vaccines are considered key Many countries began vacci- eligible. Health ministry official to holding the delayed Tokyo nating their citizens late last year, Yuta Yamashita said inoculations Olympics this summer. Japan is and Pfizer’s vaccine has been can start as soon as a ministry expected to receive 144 million used elsewhere since December. panel on vaccination logistics doses from Pfizer, 120 million Under the current plan, about gives the go-ahead. from AstraZeneca and about 50 20,000 front-line medical The approval was granted in million from Moderna before the workers at hospitals in Japan will a special fast-track process for end of this year, enough to cover Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk on a street amid coronavirus disease outbreak, in Tokyo. get their first shots beginning emergency use. It took two its population. around Wednesday. About 3.7 months compared to the usual Vaccines being developed by approval in Japan only recently, EU export controls, is also causing force, earlier this month cited a million other medical workers one year in a country known for Japan are still in the early stages, while Moderna hasn’t applied yet. concerns about supplies. lack of global competitiveness of will be next, followed by elderly cautious and slow-moving so the country must rely on Japan’s reliance on the Shigeru Omi, the head of the Japanese pharmaceuticals as a people, who are expected to get approval processes. imports. AstraZeneca applied for imports, many of them subject to government coronavirus task reason for the delayed rollout. China refutes US allegations of lack of transparency Auckland goes back into AP — BEIJING with a statement from its Wash- due contribution to the interna- Koelsen Fischer of Denmark, also ington Embassy that said the US tional cooperation on COVID-19,” said that had not been her expe- lockdown after 3 cases China fired back at the US had already “gravely damaged the statement said. rience and implied some com- yesterday over allegations from international cooperation on Following allegations of ments had been misrepresented REUTERS — WELLINGTON the White House that Beijing COVID-19” and was now Chinese withholding of data in in the media. New Zealand, which had withheld some information about “pointing fingers at other coun- The New York Times and other “We did build up a good rela- New Zealand’s Prime the coronavirus outbreak from tries who have been faithfully media outlets, investigation team tionship in the Chinese/Int Epi- Minister Jacinda Ardern gone more than two World Health Organization supporting the WHO and at the member Peter Daszak tweeted, team! Allowing for heated argu- yesterday announced a months without local investigators. WHO itself.” “This was NOT my experience on ments reflects a deep level of three-day lockdown in the infections before the In a statement on Saturday, While it welcomed President @WHO mission.” engagement in the room. Our country’s biggest city January case, is to start White House National Security Joe Biden’s decision to reverse the “As lead of animal/envi- quotes are intendedly twisted Auckland, after three inoculating its 5 million Adviser Jake Sullivan said Wash- Trump administration’s move to ronment working group I found casting shadows over important COVID-19 cases emerged, the ington had “deep concerns about leave the WHO, China hopes the trust & openness w/ my China scientific work,” Fischer tweeted. first local infections since late people against the new the way in which the early US will “hold itself to the highest counterparts. We did get access While in Wuhan, Koelsen January. coronavirus on February findings of the COVID-19 inves- standards, take a serious, earnest, to critical new data throughout. Fischer said she did not get to see Level 3 restrictions will 20, receiving the Pfizer- tigation were communicated and transparent and responsible We did increase our under- the raw data and had to rely on require everyone to stay BioNTech vaccine earlier questions about the process used attitude, shoulder its rightful standing of likely spillover an analysis of the data that was home except for essential than anticipated. to reach them.” responsibility, support the WHO’s pathways,” Daszak tweeted. presented to her. But she said that shopping and essential work, China responded yesterday work with real actions and make Another team member, Thea would be true in most countries. Ardern said, repeating the strict approach the country has taken over the past year services — including super- Japan: Earthquake in virtually eliminating the markets, pharmacies and Firefighters battle massive blaze on pandemic. petrol stations - would injures 146, “We have stamped out remain open. Still, long the virus before and we will queues formed outside Afghan-Iran border for second day causes temporary do it again,” Ardern told a Auckland supermarkets, and news conference in the pictures on social media AP — KABUL meters high,” he said. the government was able to save power outages capital, Wellington. showed empty grocery Two explosions at the border more than 1,200 trucks. New Zealand, which had shelves. Firefighters struggled for a second crossing were powerful enough Herat’s chamber of com- BLOOMBERG — TOKYO gone more than two months Airlines have been con- day yesterday to battle a massive to be spotted from space by Nasa merce and industries chief without local infections tacted, as the woman in the fire that began when a fuel tanker satellites. Younus Qazizada said the Recovery efforts are underway before the January case, is to infected family works for an exploded at a major crossing in One blast erupted around explosion and fire started when in northern Japan after an start inoculating its 5 million airline catering company, Afghanistan’s western Herat 1.10pm Afghan time, the next provincial customs employees earthquake of magnitude-7.3 people against the new coro- LSG Sky Chefs, where she province on the Iranian border, around a half-hour later at were inspecting a gas tanker. But struck off Fukushima, leaving navirus on February 20, mostly works in laundry officials said. 1:42pm. The United States allows an investigation into the cause of more than a hundred injured receiving the Pfizer- facilities, officials said. At least 20 people were Afghanistan to import fuel and oil the fire continued yesterday. and causing temporary power BioNTech vaccine earlier The COVID-19 alert for injured and many of the more from Iran as part of a special con- “If the government would outages across the region. than anticipated. the rest of the country was than 500 trucks lined up at the cession that exempts Kabul from have invested the income of a At least 146 people got Restrictions were raised raised to level 2, with all Islam Qala crossing carrying US sanctions against Iran. Satellite single day of customs (tariffs) in injured but no deaths were to level 3 through on gatherings limited to 100 natural gas and fuel were still photos taken Saturday before the the firefighting department this reported, according to public Wednesday, shutting public people, including at restau- ablaze, according to Afghan offi- explosion showed dozens of chaos wouldn’t have happened,” broadcaster NHK. Energy com- venues and prohibiting gath- rants and cafes. cials and Iranian state media. tankers parked at the border Qazizada said. panies witnessed no damage erings outside homes, except Australia yesterday Herat provincial Gov. Wahid crossing. Iran’s semi-official ISNA news to nuclear power units in the for weddings and funerals of reported two new local Qatali said first responders were Qatali said officials were con- agency reported an estimated $50 region. About 13 thermal power up to 10 people. COVID-19 cases in the coun- quickly overwhelmed Saturday cerned that windy conditions million loss of goods and consign- plants in Fukushima and Miyagi Schools will stay open for try’s second-most populous by the huge, out-of-control fire. Sunday could fan the flames and ments in the catastrophe. stayed offline after the earth- children of essential workers state, Victoria, on the second “When each cylinder was spread the fire to even more fuel- Qazizada estimated the losses quake, with some expected to but others were asked to stay day of a snap lockdown to exploding it was flying 100s of laden trucks in the area. He said were twice that much. restart yesterday. home. Yesterday’s cases were contain the spread of the The Saturday-night earth- a couple and their daughter highly infectious UK variant. quake hit the Tohoku region, in Auckland, the first local The two cases, including 220km north of Tokyo, the infections since January 24. a 3-year-old child, were the Japan Meteorological Agency Health authorities are first who were not household said. The earthquake occurred trying to find out whether contacts of a cluster of less than a month before the these cases involve any of the infected workers at a quar- 10-year anniversary of the new, highly infectious var- antine hotel at Melbourne 2011 earthquake and tsunami iants and how the family airport which triggered the that led to a meltdown at three contracted the virus, Ardern five-day lockdown, health nuclear units of Fukushima said. authorities said. Dai-ichi nuclear plant and left “Three days should give The hotel cluster has now about 19,000 people dead or us enough time to gather affected 16 people. missing. further information, New Zealand and Australia NHK reported, citing undertake large-scale testing closed their international Tokyo Electric Power Co, that and establish if there has borders and introduced strict there was a minor overflow of been wider community social distancing rules early in water from the pool that stores transmission,” she said. the pandemic, dramatically used nuclear fuels at the Fuku- “That is what we believe reducing the spread of the shima nuclear plants, but no the cautious approach virus. uncontrolled radiation activ- requires and its the right New Zealand was ranked ities were seen. Prime Minister thing to do.” the best-performing nation in Yoshihide Suga said at a press The prime minister said an index of almost 100 coun- conference yesterday that no there was no need to stock tries based on containment of incidents were reported from up on goods, as essential the coronavirus. Smoke rises from burnt tankers in Islam Qala, Herat province, Afghanistan, yesterday. the nuclear power plants. Pakistan lab expects Sputnik V doses for commercial sale soon REUTERS — ISLAMABAD sale of vaccines without price a price cap in a lower-income with 500,000 doses of the was the first to become available, said the two-dose vaccine would caps, in contrast to most coun- country of 220 million people Sinopharm vaccine donated by Chughtai said. be sold at $10 per dose. A Pakistani lab will soon receive tries, which are importing and faces criticism. longtime ally China. But aside Health Minister Faisal Sultan “Internationally there is very Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 administering vaccines through Former health minister Zafar from the donated Chinese doses, said in a message he was “not high demand, and I would not vaccine for commercial sale, a government channels. Mirza, while praising gov- Islamabad has not completed directly aware” of the deal. be surprised if the price points company official said yesterday, “We are told the first ernment efforts to procure and any deals to buy vaccines. Chughtai declined to specify are higher today,” Chughtai said, making Pakistan one of the first shipment is expected within the distribute free vaccine, said that Sputnik V is one of four vac- import costs or prices but said adding that prices will come countries to market shots next week,” Chughtai Lab avoiding a price cap for private cines approved for emergency the price would “appear down over the next three to four privately as it scrambles to secure director Omar Chughtai told sales “will deepen inequality in use in Pakistan, in addition to inflated” compared to what has months as more vaccine supplies. Reuters, adding it would be society at a time when there is a those by China’s Sinopharm and been reported for Sputnik V glo- becomes available. Despite concerns over receiving several thousand need to have widespread CanSinoBio, and the Astra- bally, given the smaller volume “The biggest challenge fairness and higher prices, doses. coverage.” Zeneca-Oxford University shot. it was planning to sell relative to around the vaccines globally Islamabad agreed this week to Pakistan’s decision to allow The government launched a Chughtai Lab aims to import global procurement. right now is allocation to spe- allow the commercial import and private sales of vaccine without vaccination drive this month the others as well, but Sputnik V Sputnik V’s developers have cific countries,” he said 12 EUROPE MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 UK gives first vaccine dose to 15 million people in milestone

AP/REUTERS — LONDON first country to authorise wide- Some 22 percent of the spread use of a COVID-19 shot. The UK government said population has received At the same time, rules that yesterday that it reached its goal their first shot or were have closed schools, restaurants of giving at least one COVID-19 and nonessential shops in the vaccine shot to the most offered one. The figure UK are starting to pay off. The vulnerable people in the includes most people in number of new infections, hos- country, increasing pressure on the government’s top four pital admissions and deaths ministers to clarify when they priority groups, including recorded over the past seven will ease a lockdown imposed everyone over 75, frontline days have all dropped by more in early January. than 20 percent from the pre- Britain reported 258 new healthcare workers and vious week, according to gov- deaths within 28 days of a pos- nursing home staff. ernment figures. itive COVID-19 test and 10,972 When Johnson announced new infections, official data the lockdown, he said the gov- showed yesterday. most vulnerable & all over 50s ernment would review the The data also showed by end April and then all measures in mid-February People queue outside a bus modified into a mobile vaccination centre, in Thamesmead, London, 15,062,189 people had received adults.’’ based on their success in con- yesterday. their first vaccine dose. Prime Minister Boris trolling the pandemic and Some 15 million people, or Johnson plans to unveil his progress in the vaccination 22 percent of the UK population, roadmap for easing restrictions effort. Johnson’s first priority is — (and) still, sadly, a great many warned the government against “If you think about the have received their first shot or on February 22 amid signs that to reopen schools, and he has deaths in our hospitals,” he said “moving the goalposts” for restrictions that the govern- were offered one. The figure infection rates, hospitalisations promised to give schools two during a visit to a vaccine man- deciding when to ease the ment’s placed on everybody, includes most people in the and deaths have fallen sharply weeks notice to give teachers ufacturing facility in north- lockdown. they are the toughest set of government’s top four priority since England’s third national time to prepare for the return eastern England. “Although the Johnson should start by reo- restrictions that have ever been groups, including everyone over lockdown began on January 4. of students. number is beginning to come pening schools, then gradually placed on the British people 75, frontline healthcare workers Jockeying has already begun The prime minister on Sat- down, and perhaps starting to lift other restrictions as more outside of the Second and First and nursing home staff. between those who want the urday applauded the vaccine come down quite fast, we need people are vaccinated, said World Wars,” Harper told the “15,000,000! Amazing measures lifted as soon as pos- rollout but urged people to be to look at the data very, very Harper, who leads a group of BBC. team,’’ Nadhim Zahawi, the sible and those who fear moving cautious. hard.” Britain has reported over about 70 lawmakers who have “So it’s kind of just worth vaccines minister, said in a too fast will lead to a resurgence “We have still got infections 117,000 virus-related deaths, lobbied for the government to stepping back a bit and saying, tweet that featured a red heart. of the virus. running very high throughout the highest toll in Europe. consider the negative economic ‘This isn’t normal, and it “We will not rest till we offer Britain got a head start on the country — levels which last Mark Harper, a member of and social impacts of the shouldn’t continue, frankly, for the vaccine to the whole of its vaccination effort in year we would have thought Parliament from the ruling Con- restrictions, along with the a moment longer than it’s abso- phase1 the 1-9 categories of the December, when it became the were really very high indeed servative Party, last week health benefits. lutely necessary’.” Johnson to host virtual G7 meeting in push for global vaccine rollout Macron promotes vaccine efforts REUTERS — LONDON Joe Biden’s first major multi- Johnson will call for the G7 situation in which the virus need to end this pandemic for lateral engagement as US pres- to work on a global approach could continue to spread and good,” Johnson said in a for the poor British Prime Minister Boris ident, Downing Street said. to pandemics, such as designing mutate. Britain itself has been statement. “Now world govern- Johnson will host a virtual “The solutions to the chal- an early warning system, which caught up in a row between the ments have a responsibility to AP — PARIS meeting of G7 leaders next lenges we face — from the would bring to an end “the European Union and Anglo- work together to put those vac- week to call for action to ensure colossal mission to get vaccines nationalist and divisive politics Swedish drugmaker Astra- cines to the best possible use.” French President Emmanuel equal global distribution of to every single country, to the that marred the initial response Zeneca over vaccine supplies, In June, Johnson is due to host Macron has urged stepped-up COVID-19 vaccines, and to fight to reverse the damage to coronavirus”, his office said. which almost led to the bloc the first in-person summit of G7 international efforts to get prevent future pandemics, his done to our ecosystems and The World Health Organi- imposing emergency measures leaders in nearly two years in a vaccines to poor countries, and office said on Saturday. lead a sustainable recovery zation has warned that a “me- to prevent exports of shots into seaside village in Cornwall, wants China and Russia more The meeting of the leaders from coronavirus — lie in the first” policy towards vaccines the United Kingdom via southwestern England, which involved. from the Group of Seven rich discussions we have with our by rich nations could leave the Northern Ireland. will focus on rebuilding from While France’s own vac- nations on Friday is the first friends and partners around the poorest and most vulnerable at “Quantum leaps in science the pandemic and climate cination programme has suf- since April last year, and will be world,” Johnson said. risk, while also allowing a have given us the vaccines we change. fered from delivery delays and bureaucratic troubles, Macron told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper in an interview Germany tightens border checks published yesterday that “African countries are asking to stem spread of virus variants us, justifiably, about their access to vaccines.” AP — BERLIN latter have been discovered in Tyrol, Macron met with global whose residents have needed to show a pharmaceutical CEOs and Germany yesterday implemented tight recent negative coronavirus test to travel vaccine experts in recent days border controls on its frontiers with the to the rest of Austria since Friday. The to discuss programmes to fight Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol spread of the British variant has vaccine inequality, to help end province in an effort to stem the spread prompted a complete lockdown of some the pandemic and revive econ- of more contagious coronavirus variants. Czech districts on the border with omies faster. Among those The new restrictions that took effect Germany and Poland. programmes is the UN-backed at midnight limit entry from those areas Bavarian governor Markus Soeder, COVAX, which has suffered a to German citizens and residents, truck speaking at Schirnding on the Czech slow start because of funding drivers, transport and health service border, said that “not taking the (virus) shortages and lack of com- workers and a few others, who have to mutations seriously would mean signif- mitment from some major register online and show a negative icant consequences.” Soeder, whose state world powers. German border police officers stop a car at the border as controls between Germany coronavirus test. contains half the German-Czech border “We must speed up this and the Czech Republic have been re-established, in Zinnwald, Germany, yesterday. The German government warned and the entire German-Austrian border, effort further because each that some border delays were possible, noted that districts on the Czech border week counts,” Macron was but police said there were no major tail- have particularly high infection rates. means a significant danger.” It wasn’t make an important contribution” to quoted as saying. He also said backs on Sunday morning. “On top of that comes concern at the immediately clear which cross-border getting the vaccination campaign moving vaccines made in China and Infection rates in Germany have been moment with our Czech partners that it commuters will be allowed into faster, he said, but German police will Russia should be “integrated declining steadily in recent weeks but is unclear what will happen with their Germany. Federal Interior Minister Horst do their job at the border. into this great multilateral officials are concerned about the pos- corona management,” Soeder said, Seehofer said those working in “system- On Sunday morning, federal police effort against the pandemic.” sible impact of variants first discovered pointing to the Czech parliament’s ically relevant sectors” will be allowed said that 288 of the 717 people checked in Britain and South Africa. Both variants refusal to extend a state of emergency. to cross and authorities will be “prag- at the Bavarian-Czech border were have been reported in Germany but so “We are friends, we help; we gladly take matic wherever it is possible.” Seehofer turned back because they weren’t France seeking to far appear to account for just a small pro- in Czech patients if that’s wanted, but of has brusquely rejected criticism of the entitled to cross, along with 247 of more portion of cases. course if there were to be no measures border checks from the European Union, than 1,000 checked at the border with ban far-right, Significant numbers of cases of the at all across the border, that and Soeder echoed that. “Brussels can Tyrol. anti-migrant group Italy reports 221 REUTERS — PARIS Catalans vote in regional election amid pandemic France has begun a process to new virus deaths, ban French far-right group REUTERS — BARCELONA shown the Socialists — who Generation Identitaire, which 11,068 cases oppose independence but is known to be hostile to Catalan voters headed to the favour dialogue — slightly migrants, Interior Minister REUTERS — MILAN polls yesterday for an election ahead, although they would Gerald Darmanin said. that will test the strength of need support from other parties Generation Identitaire has Italy’s health ministry reported the Spanish region’s pro-inde- to form the first anti-inde- repeatedly tried to bar 221 coronavirus-related pendence movement, but in pendence regional government migrants from entering the deaths yesterday against 311 an era dominated by the coro- in nine years. country, conducting high- the day before, while the daily navirus crisis rather than If separatists manage to profile raids in the French Alps tally of new infections fell to separatist sentiment. retain control, a new inde- and the Pyrennees. “This 11,068 from 13,532. A steady trickle of mask- pendence declaration appears organisation has now 10 days Some 205,642 tests for wearing voters turned up at very unlikely, as the movement to respond,” Darmanin wrote COVID-19 were carried out, polling stations that were is divided between moderate on Twitter late on Saturday. In compared with 290,534 the replete with pandemic pre- and confrontational January, French authorities previous day, the ministry said. cautions: Temperatures taken approaches and its top leaders launched an investigation into Italy has registered 93,577 on arrival, election workers in are jailed or fled Spain after the the group on the grounds of deaths linked to COVID-19 protective suits or visors, sep- 2017 events. incitement to racial hatred, since its outbreak began in arate entrances and exits, Polling stations began following anti-migrant action February last year, the second- hand gel on tap and floor opening at 9 am and Catalan in the Pyrennees. Darmanin People queue to cast their vote outside a polling station at FC highest toll in Europe after markings to ensure social authorities confirmed 100% of said at the time he was looking Barcelona’s Auditorium, next to Camp Nou stadium, during regional Britain and the sixth-highest distancing. polling stations had opened into shutting the group down. in the world. Whether the election is elections in Catalonia, in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. without problem by around 11 On December 16, the Gre- The country has reported won by the separatist parties am. “At this time there are very noble Appeals Court released 2.72 million cases to date and now in power in Catalonia or pro-independence movement said pensioner Jose Antonio few people. I’m healthy and I three Generation Identitaire patients in hospital with the Socialists who lead Spain’s for years to come. Martinez, queuing to vote don’t live with anyone who is activists that had been sen- COVID-19 in Italy stood at central government, it is Opinion polls have pointed outside the Sant Antoni market high risk,” said Lali Olle, a tenced to six months in jail 18,449 yesterday, compared unlikely to lead to any repeat to a low physical turnout, with in Barcelona. 51-year-old psychologist who after having tried to bar with 18,500 a day earlier. of the chaotic, short-lived dec- voters worried about the risk of Close to 300,000 people turned up in person to cast her migrants from entering the There were 126 new laration of independence in contagion at polling stations. have requested to vote by mail, ballot for centre-right sepa- country at the Franco-Italian admissions to intensive care late 2017. “I have some fear and a fraction of the 5.5 million ratist party Junts.” border in 2018. The organi- units, up from 118 on Saturday. But it will still be an concern but it is a civic duty and potential voters but still a 350% People with confirmed or sation rented two helicopters The total number of intensive important signal of the sepa- so I come to vote but I don’t rise from those who requested suspected COVID-19 were to and a plane in 2018 to track care patients increased to ratists’ appeal and could affect think it’s appropriate during mail ballots in 2017. vote during a specific time slot down migrants trying to make 2,085 from a previous 2,062. the political trajectory of the COVID to call these elections,” Recent opinion polls have later yesterday. it into France. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 EUROPE 13 Kosovo votes in polls that could complicate dialogue with Serbia

REUTERS — PRISTINA Opinion polls suggest the Vetevendosje party will win 45% to 55% of the vote among ethnic Kosovars began voting yesterday in a parliamentary Albanians, who make up 90% of Kosovo’s 1.9 election that an anti-estab- million population. While that would be nearly lishment party is expected to win, further complicating double its result in a 2019 election, the party Western efforts to resolve the may still need a partner to govern. country’s decades-long terri- torial dispute with Serbia. Opinion polls suggest the on a stance that there should be percentage point lower than in Vetevendosje party will win no compromise in a dialogue the last election in 2019, mainly 45% to 55% of the vote among with Serbia, which lost control due to freezing temperatures. ethnic Albanians, who make up over Kosovo in 1999 after Nato If Vetevendosje does not 90% of Kosovo’s 1.9 million bombed its forces. secure a majority of 61 seats it People queue to vote at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Pristina, Kosovo, yesterday. population. While that would “Kosovo as an independent may have to join forces with be nearly double its result in a state, is returning to its people either the now-ruling Democratic situation and strengthening the minority. Negotiators from the domestic product per capita of 2019 election, the party may still as the source of sovereignty,” League of Kosovo (LDK), or the state,” Ramush Haradinaj, whose European Union and the United $4,300, Kosovo remains the need a partner to govern. Kurti told reporters after casting opposition Democratic Party of AAK is seen as a potential king- States have failed to secure a poorest country in the Western Vetevendosje leader Albin his ballot. “We should vote with Kosovo (PDK) or Alliance for the maker, said after casting his compromise to allow Kosovo to Balkan region. Kurti, who served as prime min- love for the country” Future of Kosovo (AAK). ballot. Serbia, backed by Russia, join international bodies such “People want jobs, we want ister for five months last year, The state election com- “There are a lot of chal- does not recognise Kosovo’s as the United Nations and Nato. to get rid of corruption,” said has won support on pledges to mission said turnout by 11 a.m. lenges ahead of us, we have the independence, citing the need With one third of its work- Luljeta Emini after she cast her fight widespread corruption and (1000 GMT) was 8.3%, one issue with Serbia, the pandemic to protect the rights of its Serb force unemployed and a gross ballot in Pristina. EU asks Hungary Serbia donates Pfizer vaccines to North Macedonia not to take oppn AP — BELGRADE between the two neighbouring By contrast, North Mace- praised him for showing the meant to portray him as the main Balkan states. donia, like most of other Western “real solidarity in practice.” regional leader. They say many radio off air Serbia yesterday donated a first Serbia, a country of 7 Balkan countries, has not yet The vaccine handover had in Serbia are still waiting in line batch of 8,000 doses of Pfizer million, has so far vaccinated secured a single dose of the coro- to be postponed last week to get inoculated with their first REUTERS — BRUSSELS COVID-19 vaccines to North some 600,000 people, mainly navirus vaccine for its population because Pfizer and its German choice Pfizer shots. Macedonia, which is yet to with the Chinese Sinopharm of 2.1 million. Many of the states partner BioNTech had Earlier this week, North The European Union’s executive deliver its first jabs. vaccine and Russian Sputnik V, in the region are reconsidering demanded “additional docu- Macedonian authorities signed asked Hungary to “take urgent Serbian President Ale- and to a lesser extent with the their strategy of waiting for mentation” from Serbia on the an agreement to procure action” to let an opposition radio ksandar Vucic and North Mac- Pfizer jab. The country has been Western-supplied shots and are re-export of its shots, Vucic said. 200,000 doses of the Chinese station continue broadcasting edonian Prime Minister Zoran one of the most successful in mulling the purchase of the Vucic’s opponents in Serbia Sinopharm vaccine, with which after it lost an appeal against the Zaev attended a border check- Europe in terms of how fast it Chinese and Russian ones. have called his vaccine donation they hope to launch their vac- removal of its licence, according point handover ceremony of the has rolled out the vaccine “A friend in need is a friend to North Macedonia another of cination program later this to a letter. shipment, praising friendship among its population. indeed,” Vucic said, while Zaev his populist political moves month. The EU this week expressed concern over media freedom in Hungary over the case of Klubradio, which has Poland PM defends new been broadcasting for 19 years and whose political and talk show guests often criticise media advertising tax government policies. The February 12 letter AP — WARSAW fair share of taxes. It says the from the European Commis- tax, which is linked to the size sion’s head of communi- Poland’s prime minister of companies, would raise cation networks unit, Roberto defended a new advertising tax some 800m zlotys ($215m) and Viola, to Hungary’s ambas- opposed by media outlets, provide funds for health care sador to the EU, Tibor Stel- arguing the measure would and culture at a time when the baczky, read: protect Polish broadcasters and coronavirus pandemic has “I request you to ensure news publishers from interna- badly strained state finances. that the current use of this tional companies. More than 45 independent spectrum can continue in the In a strongly worded media outlets suspended their interim period until final deci- Facebook post, Prime Minister coverage for 24 hours sions on the rejection of the Mateusz Morawiecki denied the Wednesday to protest the plan, renewal request and on any tax would be detrimental and saying they already pay cor- new assignment become said it would not apply to small, porate taxes on advertising and legally binding.” regional media but will break many other taxes. Under the Participants form a human chain during a demonstration to support female political prisoners and “I would request the Hun- the dominance of giant inter- right-wing Law and Justice party, to protest against police violence in Saint Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. garian authorities to take urgent national corporations. the government has generously action, pending the ongoing Independent media in funded state-owned media that court proceedings and final Poland have protested the are seen as its mouthpiece. Russian oppn holds flashmob protest decisions on the rights of use of right-wing government’s pro- The proposed tax is still at spectrum, to ensure that... posal for the tax, saying it an early stage while the gov- BLOOMBERG — MOSCOW rallies, according to his meeting Russia has 11 time zones, so requirements of EU law are would put many small news ernment tries to secure with the chief editors of major the event should reach the respected while avoiding irrep- outlets out of business and backing. The Agreement party Supporters of imprisoned media outlets broadcast on state capital, Moscow, in several arable damage to the current undermine the freedom and said it was ready to work on a Russian opposition leader television.“Irritation is growing, hours. The organisers didn’t holder of the frequency.” variety of the country’s media tax for media technology cor- Alexey Navalny staged a there are many problems, there have information on how many A spokeswoman for Hun- landscape. The government porations that are active on the flashmob protest by waving is not enough money,” Putin said. people took part in the gary’s EU embassy confirmed wants it implemented July 1. Polish and European Union lights as a symbol of discontent He referred to Navalny only as a flashmob so far. receipt of the letter and said A junior partner in Poland’s markets. Morawiecki also crit- with the authorities that have “figure” that was being used by Riot police detained more it would be answered by the governing coalition said Friday icized digital market and waged a harsh crackdown on Europe, the US and other coun- than 11,000 when protesters Hungarian authorities. that it would not support the content regulations proposed street rallies. tries to destabilize Russia. took to the streets in dozens of The letter said Klubradio proposed tax. The by the European Union’s exec- A top Navalny aide, Leonid The flashmob, which organ- cities on January 23 and 31. The was facing “imminent risk” of announcement by the utive arm in December, saying Volkov, had urged supporters to isers call “Love is more pow- largest nationwide protests in being forced off air “on the Agreement party means the he thinks risk encouraging the go out into the yards of erful than fear,” started in the a decade came after police basis of highly questionable coalition would be short of the “dictation of political apartment buildings at 8 pm yes- Russian Far East, Volkov said detained Navalny when he legal grounds.” Hungary’s parliamentary votes needed to correctness.” terday and hold up phone flash- in his Twitter post, showing a returned to Moscow last month media authority refused to pass the legislation. “Propositions coming from lights or other lights for a few photo of a group of people with from Berlin, where he’d been renew Klubradio’s licence due “In our opinion, (the tax) Brussels are the creations of a minutes, after announcing that the lights on the Bering Island. recovering from a nerve-agent to what it called a string of reg- may bring many negative certain ideological trend that the opposition was suspending Navalny’s team accounts posted poisoning that he and Western ulatory offences by the station. effects to Poland’s businesses, is dominant among liberal and further street rallies until spring. similar photos from Petropav- governments blamed on Putin’s Klubradio lost an appeal media and the people,” and left-wing elites of Western “Putin made fear his sole lovsk-Kamchatsky and other security service. The Kremlin against the removal of its Agreement “sees no possibility countries, or eurocrats,” weapon,” Volkov said. “We Far East regions. denies responsibility. licence on Tuesday. The Com- of giving its backing to the law Morawiecki wrote on have to overcome this fear. We Navalny himself only The flashmob takes place as mission letter said Hungary, in its current shape,” the party Facebook. He expressed similar have to carry out a protest posted a photo with his wife, the European Union works on an ex-communist member of said. The government argues views in January after action that riot police can’t stop Yulia, on Instagram, with the a proposal to sanction Russia the EU, should respect the that its proposed “solidarity” Facebook, Twitter and other and that anyone can join.” message: “I love you. And all the over the imprisonment of right to freedom of expression tax would force giant com- platforms suspended the President Vladimir Putin jokes I make in the courts, I Navalny, according to two and to conduct business, as panies like Google, Facebook, accounts of then-US President said he can understand why make only for you to laugh in people familiar with the well as honouring the principle Apple and Amazon pay their Donald Trump. people support the recent the first row.” discussions. of proportionality. Avalanche kills Ukraine: Five army service personnel killed despite truce mountain climber in

REUTERS — KIEV accompanied by Western dip- southern Bosnia lomats, was visiting the area. AP — SARAJEVO Ukraine’s army said five of its Zelenskiy’s office said in service personnel were killed a statement the president had this week, despite a ceasefire sent the country’s defence An avalanche killed a mountain climber with pro-Russian separatists minister and its chief of staff in southern Bosnia yesterday, author- in the east of the country, to eastern Ukraine to inves- ities said. Bosnia’s Defence Ministry taking the total number of tigate the latest incidents. says the man was a member of the deaths to 11 since the start of During the second half of armed forces who was climbing the the year. last year, there were four Prenj mountain while off duty. Three soldiers died when deaths after the sides agreed Bosnian media reported that a small an unknown device exploded to a truce in order to give time avalanche swept the man off a cliff while they were moving to for politicians and diplomats while the other climber who was with take up their position for duty to seek a peaceful resolution. him survived. The Klix news portal said yesterday, the Ukrainian mil- Swedish Foreign Minister Ann the victim was a well-known nature- itary said, the latest casualties Linde, who took over as lover and adventurer. of a six-year conflict that has rotating head of the Organi- The death comes amid a spell of claimed about 14,000 lives. zation for Security and Coop- freezing weather in Europe that also The deaths follow the eration in Europe, said during has engulfed the Balkan region. killing of two Ukrainian serv- her first trip to the region in A pair of avalanches on Saturday icemen by snipers as January that more steps are killed three people in Slovenia and A Ukrainian service member walks along fighting positions on the contact line with Russian-backed Ukraine’s President Volo- needed to protect the injured three more, including two separatist rebels near the town of Avdiivka in Donetsk Region, Ukraine, yesterday. dymyr Zelenskiy, who was ceasefire. rescuers. 14 AMERICAS MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 Mexico plans to vaccinate elderly and Argentina’s former President Carlos Menem dies poorest in most remote areas first AP — BUENOS AIRES

Mexico has so far used Carlos Menem (pictured), a former Argentine president Pfizer shots to vaccinate who delivered short-lived frontline health workers, economic stability and forged but has nearly run out of close ties with the United States those. So the government in the 1990s even as he navi- will start applying its first gated scandal and enjoyed an often flamboyant lifestyle, has doses of the AstraZeneca died. shot, which it purchased Argentine President Alberto at $4 each. Fernández confirmed the death prominence. of the 90-year-old former He won the Peronist Party leader, who had been ailing in nomination and surged to AP — MEXICO CITY recent weeks. victory in 1989 presidential elec- The dapper lawyer from tions, capitalizing on economic Mexico received a shipment of one of Argentina’s poorest and social chaos in Argentina. 870,000 AstraZeneca vaccine provinces, dismissed by critics The country was mired in doses from a plant in India as a playboy, steered Argentina 5,000% annual inflation and the yesterday and laid out plans to towards a free-market model poor were sacking supermarkets vaccinate elderly people in the that was, at one point, envied to obtain food. country’s poorest, most remote by neighbours and favoured by Under Menem, the areas first. Mexico has so far investors. Menem’s accom- economy registered strong Workers unloading a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine after its arrival at Benito Juarez’s international used Pfizer shots to vaccinate plishments, however, coincided growth, inflation dropped to airport in Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday. frontline health workers, but with growing unemployment, single digits and the peso, the has nearly run out of those. So start vaccination efforts in the “The decision has been vaccines from Pfizer, Russia, economic inequality and national currency, enjoyed the government will start worst-hit urban areas, where made to start in the most China and India to vaccinate all foreign debt. unprecedented stability as it applying its first doses of the the elderly live closer together. remote, marginalized towns Mexicans over 60 by mid-April. Menem was also supremely was pegged to the U.S. dollar. AstraZeneca shot, which it But the government announced with the country’s poorest pop- That would imply the daunting flexible as a politician, The long hair and sideburns purchased at $4 each. plans to send teams by truck, ulation,” said President Andrés task of giving over 15 million beginning his career as a self- were gone and the flashy Critics say it would be plane and helicopter to 330 out- Manuel López Obrador. people at least one dose in just styled disciple of Gen. Juan clothes replaced by imported, quicker and more efficient to lying townships. Mexico hopes to get enough two months. Domingo Peron, who founded the hand-made suits. populist movement that bears his The core of Menem’s name and placed the economy recovery plan, masterminded largely under state control. by energetic Harvard-educated Venezuela receives 100,000 Menem, who served two terms Economy Minister Domingo as president between 1989 and Cavallo, was the withdrawal of doses of Sputnik V vaccine 1999, transformed the country — the state from the economy. but in the opposite direction. Menem removed controls REUTERS — CARACAS reduce community trans- “I don’t know if I’m going on prices and interest rates. He mission,” she added. to get the country out of its eco- sold the state-owned phone The first 100,000 doses of Maduro has previously said nomic problems, but I’m sure company, airlines, race tracks, Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus after healthcare workers, “vul- going to make a more fun steel mills and the oil giant YPF, vaccine arrived in Venezuela nerable sectors” would be next country,” Menem once said. He then South America’s largest yesterday. in line, followed by teachers. relished the company of celeb- company. In a tweet, President Nicolas For months Venezuela’s rities, hosting the Rolling Stones He cut the state payroll and Maduro said medical and health government has said the South and Madonna in Buenos Aires, encouraged foreign investment. personnel would be the first to American country would and memorably shrugged off He curbed once-powerful receive the vaccine, “given their receive 10 million doses of the criticism after receiving a red labour unions that formed the exposure to COVID-19.” The Sputnik V vaccine, although the Ferrari as a gift from an Italian backbone of the Peronist vaccines arrived at Caracas’ vaccine’s maker has not con- businessman in 1990. movement and were angered international airport on a firmed that figure. “It is mine, mine and by state payroll cuts that elim- special flight from Moscow on In addition to Sputnik V, the Workers unloading the first shipment of the Sputnik V vaccine after mine,” Menem, an auto racing inated jobs. Conviasa airlines, Venezuela’s Pan American Health Organi- its arrival at Caracas international airport, in Caracas, Venezuela, fan, said in front of television In foreign affairs, Menem state carrier, according to zation’s chief of mission said yesterday. cameras. “Why would I donate withdrew Argentina from the Reuters witnesses and images last week that between 1.4 international COVAX program details. Authorities on Friday it?” Later, he reluctantly agreed Non-Aligned Movement, a Cold shown by state television VTV. million and 2.4 million doses of using cash frozen in the United reported 132,259 coronavirus to auction off the car for War-era structure that had “Here is the vaccine to serve the AstraZeneca Plc vaccine had States by economic sanctions, but cases in the country and 1,267 $135,000, with the proceeds espoused independence from the most vulnerable sectors been reserved for Venezuela. no deal has been made. deaths, but medical unions and going to state coffers. the United States and - less so with the highest priority, health At $10 per dose, those vaccines In a Thursday evening state opponents have said the figure The son of Syrian immi- - the Soviet Union, and forged personnel, for example; it is a would cost between $140m and television appearance, Maduro is likely higher. grants, Menem was a folksy, strong ties with Washington. vaccine that addresses the most $240m. said the government was The government has three-time governor of north- Argentine troops partici- grave cases of patients with Venezuelan government working on a $300m deal with authorized a relaxation of the western La Rioja Province, pated in the 1991 Gulf War morbidities,” said Vice Pres- officials and opposition leaders the Pan American Health national quarantine for two noted for shoulder-length hair against Iraq and joined U.N. ident Delcy Rodriguez. have met to discuss buying coro- Organization for vaccine sup- weeks for the next Carnival and muttonchop sideburns peacekeepers in Haiti and the “It is a vaccine that seeks to navirus vaccines through the plies, but did not provide holiday. when he came to international former Yugoslavia. Peru presidential election likely Indianapolis museum apologises for ‘white art’ job listing AP — INDIANAPOLIS of an exhibit on a Black Lives Still, Malina Simone Jeffers and discriminatory work envi- (diversity, equity and headed for second Matter mural in Indianapolis. and Alan Bacon, guest curators ronment. She said the wording inclusion) language that round, poll shows The Indianapolis Museum of Art The museum’s director and for an upcoming exhibit called, illustrates an incorrect sen- you’ve got up and through this at Newfields has apologised for chief executive, Charles “DRIP: Indy’s #BlackLives- timent that raising up art from job description, that sentence a job listing seeking a new Venable, said the decision to use Matter Street Mural,” said Sat- African or Indigenous artists would have never been there,” REUTERS — LIMA director who would maintain “white” had been intentional to urday that they would drop out would somehow exclude white Morgan told the newspaper. the museum’s “traditional, core, show the museum wouldn’t over the posting and asked the people and that words like “tra- “You can’t do both.” Less than two months before white art audience.” abandon its existing audience museum to apologize to other ditional” and “core” were also The position description, Peru’s presidential election, The wording was a bullet as it works for more diversity. Black artists. They run stand-ins for white. first posted in January on a non- five candidates have emerged point in a six-page job “I think the fact you can GANGGANG, an Indianapolis- “The entire job description profit search firm with listings in the upper tier of a contest description that also said the read that one sentence and now based art incubator for artists is chock full of diversity lan- from around the world, now that appears headed for a museum was working to attract reading it as a single sentence or of color. guage, but it’s completely dis- reads “traditional core art second round of voting, a more diverse audience. a clause, I certainly can under- Another critic was Kelli connected from what that lan- audience.” according to an opinion poll However, museum officials stand and regret that it could be Morgan, a Black former asso- guage actually means because Newfields is the Indiana- released yesterday. removed the word “white” over taken that way,” he told The Indi- ciate curator who was hired to if you were invested, if you care, polis museum’s 152-acre Support for front-runner the weekend following outrage, anapolis Star. “It certainly was diversify galleries but resigned right, if you were knowl- campus which includes gardens and former soccer goalkeeper including from guest curators not the intent at all.” over the summer citing a toxic edgeable about all this DEI and an art and nature park. George Forsyth, of the con- servative National Restoration party, fell six percentage points Venezuela releases 12 Pemon to 11%, according to the poll. ‘Obamacare’ sign-ups reopen as His closest rival is former leg- islator and lawyer Yonhy indigenous people accused of Lescano of the Popular Action Democrats push for more aid party, who advanced four assault on a military post notches to 10%. AP — WASHINGTON While policy experts like husband hung on to his mainte- The survey by polling firm REUTERS — CARACAS (General Directorate of Military Hempstead are taking note, it’s nance job, but the couple and Ipsos Peru and published in Counterintelligence) in HealthCare.gov’s market for unclear how uninsured Amer- their two children are uninsured. the newspaper El Comercio. Venezuela on Saturday Caracas,” said the lawyer, subsidised health plans reopens icans will respond. Former Pres- Barradez said a friend told her Right-wing presidential released 12 Pemon indigenous adding that one of the detainees today for a special three-month ident Barack Obama’s health law about the health law and she candidate Keiko Fujimori had people who had been detained died in prison last month of sign-up window as the Demo- has been on the books over a intends to follow through. 8% support in the survey. This more than a year ago for an severe malnutrition and tuber- cratic-led Congress pushes a decade, but surveys consistently With no health insurance as is her third run for the presi- assault on a remote military culosis, and did not receive boost in financial help that could show that many people lacking the pandemic stretches into its dency. She is the daughter of post on the country’s southern medical help. cut premiums by double digits. job-based insurance do not second year, Barradez is uneasy. jailed former President Alberto border with Brazil, the leader The group must still This enrollment period realize they may qualify. The “We are not exempt from having Fujimori. of a nongovernmental human present themselves to the court during the coronavirus pan- Congressional Budget Office esti- something happen to us,” she said Left-leaning psychologist rights organization said. and follow measures restricting demic is an early test of Pres- mates that about 33 million in Spanish, her first language. “Not and anthropologist Veronika The people were detained their movement, Romero said. ident Joe Biden’s strategy to use people are uninsured this year. having the means to respond is Mendoza has 8% support and in an operation in the Kumar- Venezuelan’s information the Affordable Care Act as a At Foundation Commu- extremely worrisome.” retired military officer Daniel akapay community, hours after ministry did not respond to a springboard toward health cov- nities, an Austin, Texas, non- The Biden administration is Urresti has 7%. Centrist econ- the incident at a battalion in request for comment. President erage for all. Advancing on a profit that serves low-income going the extra mile to try to omist Julio Guzmán fell three Bolivar state in 2019. The gov- Nicolas Maduro’s government parallel track, the new working people, program sign up people such as Bar- percentage points to 4%. ernment said at the time that said in 2019 that the people who COVID-19 relief bill from House director Kori Hattemer says radez. HealthCare.gov will be The survey, including the detainees were civilians participated in the assault, Democrats would offer a gen- she’s seeing an uptick in accepting applications through 1,210 respondents between and soldiers, and that some had including a Venezuelan soldier erous, though temporary, interest. Although her agency May 15, a period about twice as February 10 and 11, had a fled to Brazil with stolen who defected to Colombia in Feb- increase in subsidies for people had not started advertising, long as annual open enrollment. margin of error of 2.81 per- weapons. ruary of that year, had the support covered by the law known as appointments for enrollment The Centers for Medicare and centage points. “Thirteen indigenous of Bogota, Peru and Brazil, which “Obamacare.” assistance booked up quickly. Medicaid Services, which runs The election for leader of people who are not related to have denied any involvement in “It is a hugely important sig- Volunteer counselors are being the program, has a $50 million the world’s second-largest the assault were arrested. It the case. naling move,” said Katherine called back. For clients, “it’s advertising budget, five times copper producer is unpre- was a military rebellion,” In February 2019, there Hempstead of the nonpartisan their last chance probably to what the Trump administration dictable, considering that eight Alfredo Romero, president of were deadly confrontations Robert Wood Johnson Foun- enroll in health insurance for would spend on annual open weeks before the April 11 human rights group Foro Penal, between indigenous Pemon dation. “The administration is 2021,” Hattemer said. enrollment. Under Biden, there general elections, 32% of Peru- said in an interview. and authorities when the indig- doing more than having open One is Jacklindy Barradez, will be a special emphasis on vians say they will not support “They were subjected to enous group said troops loyal enrollment here, they’re saying a housekeeper and restaurant reaching Black and Latino com- any candidate or do not know torture and disappearance and to Maduro blocked aid from they want to make this cov- worker unemployed since the munities that have borne a who to vote for. were later taken to the DGCIM entering the country. erage more affordable.” start of the pandemic. Her heavy burden from COVID-19. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 On Parkland anniversary, Biden calls for tougher gun laws

AP — TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA “In seconds, the lives of dozens of families, and for a moment of silence at 3 pm. governor and Republican-con- high-capacity magazines and the life of an American community, were changed “The Parkland community trolled Legislature have done make gun manufacturers liable Sorrow reverberated across the is resilient in the wake of little to keep guns away from for the role their products play country yesterday as Amer- forever,” Biden said in a statement yesterday. The tragedy, reminding us just how potentially bad actors and have in violence. icans, including President Joe President used the occasion to call on Congress strong and united Floridians can opposed the ban of assault-style “For three years now, the Biden, joined a Florida to strengthen gun laws, including requiring be in the face of such devas- guns. Parkland families have spent community in remembering the tating loss,” the governor said It remains to be seen what birthdays and holidays without 17 lives lost three years ago in background checks on all gun sales and banning in his proclamation. will be done on the federal level, their loved ones,” Biden said. the Parkland school shooting assault weapons. The Republican governor despite Democratic control of “Today, as we mourn with massacre. also noted some of the school the White House and both the Parkland community, we “In seconds, the lives of There was no time to wait, opened fire on campus with an safety measures enacted since chambers of Congress. mourn for all who have lost dozens of families, and the life the president said. “We owe it AR-15 rifle on Valentines Day the tragedy three years ago, “This Administration will loved ones to gun violence,” he of an American community, to all those we’ve lost and to all in 2018. including money to install panic not wait for the next mass said. “Over these three years, were changed forever,” Biden those left behind to grieve to When the gunfire ended, 14 alert systems at schools across shooting to heed that call. We the Parkland families have said in a statement released make a change. The time to act students and three staff the state and to strengthen pro- will take action to end our epi- taught all of us something pro- yesterday. is now.” members were dead, and 17 grams meant to prevent vio- demic of gun violence and make found,” the president continued. The president used the Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered others were wounded. The lence before they occur. our schools and communities “Time and again, they have occasion to call on Congress to flags be lowered to half staff suspect, Nikolas Cruz, is still The panic alert measure was safer,” the president said his showed us how we can turn our strengthen gun laws, including from sunrise to sunset across awaiting trial. dubbed “Alyssa’s Law,” in honor statement. In addition to back- grief into purpose - to march, requiring background checks the state to honor those who In his proclamation for a of 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, ground checks and an assault- organize, and build a strong, on all gun sales and banning perished when a former student day of remembrance, DeSantis one of the students killed three weapons ban, Biden is calling inclusive, and durable assault weapons. of Marjory Stoneman Douglas asked fellow Floridians to pause years ago. But critics say the on Congress to outlaw movement for change.” Freeze threatens Trump remains Texas with dominant in GOP power outages BLOOMBERG — AUSTIN AP — NEW YORK base. And for Trump’s GOP antagonists, it marks another The arctic freeze gripping the The Republican Party still belongs alarming sign that the party is central US is raising the to Donald Trump. After he incited lurching further in a dangerous specter of power outages in a deadly riot at the US. Capitol direction with little desire to Texas and putting further last month, the GOP considered reconnect with the moderates, pressure on energy prices purging the norm-shattering women and college-educated already trading at unprece- former president. But in the end, voters Trump alienated. dented levels. only seven of 50 Senate Repub- Ultimately, the resolution In Texas, where tempera- licans voted to convict Trump in of the impeachment trial tures in Dallas are forecast to his historic second impeachment brings into clear relief a divide fall to as low as 4 degrees trial on Saturday. in the GOP that party leaders, Fahrenheit today (minus 16 Immediately after his donors and voters will have to Celsius), the operator of the acquittal, Trump issued a navigate as they try to regain state’s power grid warned it written statement promising to control of Congress next year may need to plunge some reemerge “soon.” and aim to retake the White areas into darkness as surging “Our historic, patriotic and House in 2024. Supporters of former President Donald Trump holding a “Patriot Rally” at Pacific Beach in San Diego, demand for heat taxes the beautiful movement to Make That tension was on display California, US, on Saturday. electrical system. America Great Again has only in the immediate aftermath of “We expect to be very tight just begun,” Trump said. “In the the vote. After supporting provoking the events” that led Republicans,” said Sen. ultimately believed that Trump’s this evening and may need to months ahead I have much to Trump’s acquittal, Senate to the insurrection. But he Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on behaviour was egregious declare an energy emergency,” share with you, and I look Minority Leader Mitch McCo- argued that there were no con- “Fox News Sunday.” Graham enough to warrant conviction - said Leslie Sopko, a spokes- forward to continuing our nnell, R-Ky., delivered a speech stitutional grounds for the said McConnell is “going to be and even a lifetime ban on woman for the Electric Relia- incredible journey together to that echoed some of the very Senate to convict Trump now center stage now” as Repub- holding future office. bility Council of Texas, which achieve American greatness for points Democratic impeachment that he’s out of office, a proce- licans try to win back the Never before have so many runs the grid. “Rotating all of our people.” managers emphasized in seeking dural point embraced by many Senate in 2022. members of a president’s party outages are a possibility.” For Trump’s loyalists, the Trump’s conviction. in the GOP. The history books will show voted for his removal. But by Spot prices for electricity acquittal offers a vindication of The former president, “He got a load off a chest that 10 members of the presi- most objective measures, are expected to hit the grid’s sorts and a fresh connection to McConnell said, was “practically obviously, but unfortunately dent’s party in the House and Trump’s grasp on the GOP and cap of $9,000 per megawatt the former president’s fiery and morally responsible for he put a load on the back of another seven in the Senate its future remains airtight. hour today and tomorrow. The state’s power-grid operator is asking people to conserve Here’s why seven GOP senators voted to convict Trump energy. Police arrest suspect BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON had been agonizing over his decision all primary challenger. However, in 2010, Conveniently for him, he also just won week, and was troubled by the inability she won as a write-in candidate after re-election and won’t face voters for six in deadly ‘subway Seven Republican senators broke ranks of Trump’s lawyers to explain the former losing a party primary. The Alaskan issued years. In a statement explaining his vote, slasher’ attacks and voted to convict Donald Trump for president’s inaction during the first hours a lengthy statement on Sunday that exco- he condemned Trump for falsely inciting the January 6 insurrection at the of the riot as police were under attack, riated Trump, whom she said “set the claiming he won the 2020 election by a REUTERS — NEW YORK Capitol — 10 shy of the 17 needed to people were dying, and lawmakers — stage” for the “violence and desecration” landslide and for spreading conspiracy reach a two-thirds majority, but still an including Vice President Mike Pence — of Jan. 6. theories about voter fraud. New York City police have unusually strong rebuke from members were under threat. “Our Constitution and “If months of lies, organizing a rally “The president repeated these lies arrested a suspect in of the former president’s party. our country is more important than any of supporters in an effort to thwart the when summoning his crowd -- parts of connection with a spate of Each is likely to face significant one person. I voted to convict President work of Congress, encouraging a crowd which were widely known to be violent stabbing attacks on the city’s blowback from other Republicans. Here Trump because he is guilty,” he said.. to march on the Capitol, and then taking — to Capitol Hill to intimidate Vice Pres- subway that left two people are the seven senators and the explana- no meaningful action to stop the violence ident Pence and Congress into not fulfilling dead, authorities said. tions for their votes: Susan Collins of Maine once it began is not worthy of our constitutional duties,” he said. “Those Rigoberto Lopez is charged Collins voted to acquit Trump at his impeachment, conviction, and disquali- lies had consequences, endangering the with one count of first-degree Richard Burr of North Carolina first impeachment trial, saying the House fication from holding office in the United life of the vice president and bringing us murder, two counts of second- Burr had previously announced he had failed to clear the high bar for States, I cannot imagine what is,” she said. dangerously close to a bloody constitu- degree murder, and two won’t run for re-election in 2022, and removing a president from office and tional crisis. Each of these actions are vio- counts of second-degree has been a sometime critic of Trump’s. later said she hoped the former pres- Mitt Romney of Utah lations of a president’s oath of office.” attempted murder, the New He ran a multi-year bipartisan investi- ident learned a lesson after that pro- The 2012 GOP presidential nominee York Police Department said gation of Russian interference in the ceeding. This time, she voted to convict. was the only Republican to vote to toss Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Twitter. The four unpro- 2016 election and whether it was aimed Collins ripped Trump in a lengthy Trump from office a year ago, and his Toomey has long chafed at Trump, voked attacks apparently tar- at helping Trump win. floor speech for inciting the insurrection vote was not a surprise. Romney accused particularly on their divergent economic geted homeless people and “The president bears responsibility for and said he “bears significant responsi- Trump of trying to “corrupt the election” philosophies. He came out quickly took place on the A train or at these tragic events,” Burr said in a bility for the invasion.” She said the trial by pressuring Georgia’s secretary of state against Trump’s efforts to overturn the stations served by it beginning statement after his vote to convict Trump. for her was about his failure to follow to falsify results, and of inciting the results in his state. He’s retiring and on Friday morning. “The evidence is compelling that President his oath of office and respect the insurrection. “Trump also violated his doesn’t need to worry about a primary. Local radio station Trump is guilty of inciting an insurrection peaceful transition of power. oath of office by failing to protect the “As a result of President Trump’s 1010WINS, citing police sources, against a co-equal branch of government, Capitol, the Vice President, and others actions, for the first time in American said Lopez was taken into and that the charge rises to the level of Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in the Capitol,” Romney said. history, the transfer of presidential custody wearing blood-soaked high crimes and misdemeanors. Therefore, Murkowski has previously expressed power was not peaceful,” Toomey said. clothes and shoes. In the first I have voted to convict.” a hope that her party could move on Ben Sasse of Nebraska “A lawless attempt to retain power by a attack, a 67-year-old man is from Trump, and is arguably the most Sasse has emerged as one of the few president was one of the founders’ recovering in the hospital after Bill Cassidy of Louisiana independent Republican senator. She young Republicans willing to buck greatest fears motivating the inclusion being stabbed by a masked Cassidy, who just won re-election plans to run for re-election next year Trump, harshly slamming his efforts to of the impeachment authorities in the assailant at the West 181st Street and won’t face voters again until 2026, and is sure to face a Trump-aligned overturn the election results. US Constitution.” station in upper Manhattan. Average daily new virus cases in US dip below 100,000

AP — ATLANTA 100,000 on Friday for the first earlier in the winter, according time since Nov. 4. It stayed to Johns Hopkins. Average daily new coronavirus below 100,000 on Saturday. The US saw a spike of more cases in the United States “We are still at about than 5,400 deaths reported dipped below 100,000 in recent 100,000 cases a day. We are Friday - nearly half from Ohio, days for the first time in months, still at around 1,500 to 3,500 where authorities said earlier in but experts cautioned yesterday deaths per day. The cases are the week that they planned to add that infections remain high and more than two-and-a-half-fold deaths to the state’s tally over the precautions to slow the times what we saw over the course of a few days after discov- pandemic must remain in place. summer,” Dr. Rochelle ering as many as 4,000 unre- The seven-day rolling Walensky, director of the ported COVID-19 fatalities. average of new infections was Centers for Disease Control and Walensky added that new well above 200,000 for much Prevention, said on NBC’s “Meet variants, including one first of December and went to the Press.” “It’s encouraging to detected in the United Kingdom roughly 250,000 in January, see these trends coming down, that appears to be more trans- according to data kept by Johns but they’re coming down from missible and has already been Hopkins University, as the pan- an extraordinarily high place.” recorded in more than 30 states, demic came roaring back after On Saturday, the seven-day will likely lead to more cases it had been tamed in some rolling average for deaths was and more deaths. “All of it is Juanta J Gordon (centre), receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot from her daughter, nurse Zyra places over the summer. around 2,500. That number really wraps up into we can’t let D Gordon Smith, in Chicago, Illinois, US, yesterday. That average dropped below peaked at more than 3,300 our guard down,” she said. MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2021 16

Machu Picchu: A wonder of the world in Peru JOSE A BENZAQUEN PEREA, hours on a train that AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF PERU follows the route of the TO THE STATE OF QATAR / THE PENINSULA Urubamba river with PRAYER majestic landscapes, dif- TIMINGS ficult to forget once we PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, visit. one of the seven wonders of the modern When National Geo- world, will be 110-years-old on July 24, graphic published an FAJR 04.51 am 2021, when Yale University professor article on the works of SUNRISE 06.09 am Hiram Bingham rediscovers it and makes Hiram Birhan, it referred the existence of this city known to the to everything being intact DHUHR 11.48 am world of the Empire of the Incas, as in July in 1911, and said “it takes ASR 03.02 pm 1902 the Peruvian Agustín Lizárraga had my breath away” looking MAGHRIB 05.29 pm arrived in that area of the Peruvian jungle at it; sensation that all vis- ISHA 06.59 pm in the company of other locals. itors experience when On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was admiring this work of declared as one of the seven modern engineering and wonders in the world and one of the most architecture. important archaeological remains in South It feels like a telluric America. energy that transmits a This archeological treasure is located spiritual peace. in the northeast of the Cuzco region of Our Inca culture with present-day Peru, part of that Inca civili- its language Quechua, the sation that extended over a territory of official language of Peru, 2,500,000sqkm, with a coastline of Inca Yupanqui, who came to be Pacha- with Castilian, had as its capital Cuzco, a WEATHER 4,023km, reaching present-day Colombia On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu cutec who decided to carry out this con- beautiful city that was classified by TODAY from the North, and Chile from the South, was declared as one of the struction, as he was one of the ones that Unesco as a Cultural Heritage of including territories of Ecuador, Argentina seven modern wonders in the expanded the empire territorially. Humanity in 1983. and Bolivia. Granite quarries have been found, a This ancient marvel of the fourteenth Its wonderful existence for more than world and one of the most material used in its construction, and its century, offers us great satisfaction now 500 years, still keeps researchers myste- important archaeological location due to the steepness of the site and always, due to its unique construction rious to know exactly if it was a defence remains in South America. required a work from the bottom up with character, and to which I hope you visit o o fortress. Its construction continues to be platforms or terraces, to achieve a good it, while enjoying the kindness of the 18 C 27 C a mystery, and its location at 2,450 metres drainage mechanism, due to the abundant Peruvian, their hospitality and the Minimum Maximum above sea level, with 200 structures, in a get to know Machu Picchu. water from the springs and the rain in uniqueness of Peru’s internationally gas- Misty at places at first becomes beautiful and disconcerting place with an They were looking for a lost city of that area of Peru. tronomy recognized worldwide. moderate temperature daytime, Inca road from the capital of the Empire, Vilcabamba, where Incas would have Where is Machu Picchu (Old Mountain The empire of the Incas was described relatively cold by night. Cuzco (navel of the world) has left an inex- taken refuge. A city that has also been dis- in the Quechua language) to its constant as one of the greatest civilizations of the haustible legacy cultural. covered by Hiram Bingham. is the Young Mote or Huayna Picchu, world by the father of modern history, W ALRUWAIS : 19o → 23o In the 15th century, the Incas came to As a religious sanctuary, it is supported which forms that harmony with nature Arnold J. Toynbee. W ALKHOR : 15o → 27o power, known as great builders, as dem- by the existence of the temples of the and the landscape where the sacred for This civilisation among others are W : 19o → 24o onstrated in this region and on the roads Three Windows, the Condor Group and the ancient Peruvians is combined: The worth mentioning such as: Caral, Chavín, W WAKRAH : 12o → 28o that communicated to the Inca’s civili- the Temple of the Sun, and in the centre mountains (Apus) , the Pachamama Paracas, Mochica, Chimú, Nazca, Huari, sation. They ruled for only 100 years and and at the top the Intihuatana, which also (mother earth), water and its sacred river, Tiahuanaco, and many more. W : 12o → 28o it is believed that they were decimated by corresponds to the cardinal points. the Urubamba. With enormous generosity and W ABUSAMRA : 16o → 24o diseases, a civil war and then by the con- It is probable that it was built by an It is located five days away from kindness, Peruvian people are waiting to querors of Spain who by the way did not Inca in a time of 50 years, and it was the Cuzco, through the Inca Trail and four welcome you in the near future. HIGH TIDE 06:44 – 18:29 LOW TIDE 1:13 – 14:34 Oscars to be broadcast Nagham singing contest from multiple locations finalists announced Rihanna, LVMH REUTERS — LOS ANGELES RAYNALD C RIVERA In the Arabic singing category the finalists suspend Fenty A spokesperson for the The Academy Awards, or THE PENINSULA are Muhammad Habib from Mauritania, Sibal fashion brand Oscars, ceremony in April will Academy of Motion be an in-person event that Picture Arts and Sciences The Music Affairs Centre under Abu Murad from Lebanon, Rawan Aldous will air live from multiple said in a statement that the Ministry of Culture and from Palestine, Mahmoud Hamdy from Egypt, BLOOMBERG — NEW YORK locations, organisers said. despite the coronavirus Sports has announced the 17 Muhammad Al Omari from Yemen, and Yusra A spokesperson for the pandemic, the group was aspiring singers who comprise LVMH and Rihanna are Academy of Motion Picture the finalists for the second Kharroubi, Riad Issa, Maryam Al Turki and suspending the ready-to-wear Arts and Sciences said in a determined to present edition of its exciting Nagham operations of Fenty, the pop statement that despite the an Oscars like none Competition aimed towards Dalila Dhefi from Tunisia. singer’s brand, less than two coronavirus pandemic that other. discovering unique singing years after its debut as the has caused havoc in the enter- talents of Qatar. Tunisia. The finalists in other huge success the inaugural pandemic pummels demand for tainment industry, the group Launched in January, the languages category are Abu- edition enjoyed last year which clothing. was “determined to present Angeles area has been partic- contest, whose goal is to bakar Mohamed from Somalia, saw the wealth of talent Qatar “Rihanna and LVMH have an Oscars like none other, ularly badly hit. enhance cross-cultural conver- Ali Shawkat from Pakistan, possesses in the field of music jointly made the decision to put while prioritising the public The Academy re- gence through music and Aarya Prasad and Palavi Aditya when a large number of on hold the ready-to-wear health and safety of all those scheduled the 2021 Oscar cer- encourage the best musicians from India, and Brian Joseph, aspiring musicians from various activity, based in Europe, who will participate.” “To emony, the highest awards in in the country, was opened to Anna Vinna, Christian Mae, and nationalities took part in the pending better conditions,” the create the in-person show our the movie industry from Feb- talented citizens and residents Rosadelo Villanueva from the competition despite limitations French luxury conglomerate said global audience wants to see, ruary 28 to April 25 because in Qatar of any age who could Philippines. imposed by the COVID-19 pan- in a statement on Wednesday. while adapting to the require- of the coronavirus sing in any language. It was These finalists will record a demic. Conducted in several Fenty was launched to great ments of the pandemic, the pandemic. divided into two categories music video of their per- phases, the exciting compe- fanfare in May 2019 and repre- ceremony will broadcast live Other awards shows in namely singing in Arabic lan- formance not exceeding four tition, which was divided into sented a rare effort by LVMH to from multiple locations, recent months have replaced guage and singing in other minutes in the Music Affairs two categories namely singers build a new fashion brand from including the landmark Dolby the usual gatherings at gala languages. Center production studio which and instrumentalists, took place scratch. The luxury giant has Theatre.” dinners and on stage with The finalists to advance to will be uploaded on the Cen- virtually between June and typically focused on acquiring The Dolby Theatre in pre-recorded appearances or the second stage of the compe- tre’s YouTube channel for September. businesses with prestigious leg- Hollywood has been the virtual events. tition were chosen by the jury online voting which will run Under the Department of acies, whether it’s handbag venue for the Oscars show The Grammy Awards in from among the video submis- from March 1 to April 1. Culture and Arts at the Ministry maker Louis Vuitton or Cham- for a number of years. Nor- January postponed its cer- sions of aspirants performing a Two winners from each cat- of Culture and Sports, the Music pagne producer Moet & mally, hundreds of the emony to March just three song of their choice. The names egory will take the first place Affairs Centre continues to play Chandon. world’s top movie stars weeks before the scheduled of the finalists along with their that will be decided by jury and an active role in supporting In a separate statement on would gather in the 3,400- date after talks with health photos were uploaded on the voting (number of likes that music activities in Qatar, devel- Wednesday, L Catterton, the seat theatre for a live show experts and musicians. centre’s official social media each competitor’s video will get oping talents and spreading the private equity fund backed by preceded by a red carpet The delayed Golden accounts on Saturday. at the Centre’s YouTube culture of music to citizens and LVMH founder and billionaire packed with photographers Globes ceremony for film and In the Arabic singing cat- channel during the voting residents. Bernard Arnault, led a $115m and camera crews. television on February 28 will egory the finalists are phase). The second place The Centre has been organ- series B funding along with The statement said more take part in both Los Angeles Muhammad Habib from Mau- winner will be decided by the ising events for the community other investors into Savage X details would be forthcoming. and New York with nominees ritania, Sibal Abu Murad from jury for each category. such as music festivals which Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie brand. No host has been announced. taking part from locations Lebanon, Rawan Aldous from The winners will be invited focus on reflecting the impor- The funds will help power California on Tuesday around the world, organisers Palestine, Mahmoud Hamdy to the final event on April 5 tance of cultural diversity of the the underwear business’s next surpassed New York as the US said last week. Nominations from Egypt, Muhammad Al where each will perform their communities residing in Qatar phase of growth and enable its state with the most corona- for the 2021 Oscars will be Omari from Yemen, and Yusra own complete song live and reflect the ministry’s vision retail expansion, the fund’s virus deaths and the Los announced on March 15. Kharroubi, Riad Issa, Maryam onstage. of stressing the importance of statement said. Al Turki and Dalila Dhefi from The contest follows the opening up to other cultures. Nasa rover faces ‘seven minutes of terror’ before landing on Mars REUTERS — LOS ANGELES the top of the Martian atmosphere to attempted to land at.” Much is riding on the planet’s surface in less time than the outcome. Building on discoveries of When Nasa’s Mars rover Perseverance, the 11-minute-plus radio transmission nearly 20 US outings to Mars dating a robotic astrobiology lab packed to Earth. Thus, Thursday’s final, self- back to Mariner 4’s 1965 flyby, Perse- inside a space capsule, hits the final guided descent of the rover spacecraft verance may set the stage for scientists stretch of its seven-month journey is set to occur during a white-knuckled to conclusively show whether life has from Earth this week, it is set to emit interval that JPL engineers affection- existed beyond Earth, while paving the a radio alert as it streaks into the thin ately refer to as the “seven minutes of way for eventual human missions to Martian atmosphere. terror.” Al Chen, head of the JPL the fourth planet from the sun. A safe By the time that signal reaches descent and landing team, called it the landing, as always, comes first. mission managers some 127 million most critical and most dangerous part Success will hinge on a complex miles away at the Jet Propulsion Lab- of the $2.7bn mission. sequence of events unfolding without oratory (JPL) near Los Angeles, Perse- “Success is never assured,” Chen a hitch — from inflation of a giant, verance will already have landed on told a recent news briefing. “And that’s supersonic parachute to deployment the Red Planet — hopefully in one especially true when we’re trying to of a jet-powered “sky crane” that will piece. land the biggest, heaviest and most descend to a safe landing spot and A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying Nasa’s Mars 2020 Perseverance The six-wheeled rover is expected complicated rover we’ve ever built to hover above the surface while lowering Rover vehicle takes off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, to take seven minutes to descend from the most dangerous site we’ve ever the rover to the ground on a tether. Florida, US, on July 30, 2020.