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published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11909 May 10, 2021 Ramadan 28, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar to chair Arab League meet on Al Quds tomorrow The General Secretariat of the Arab Qatar plans lifting of Covid-19 League announced yesterday that an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers will be held virtually tomorrow, under the chairmanship of Qatar. The session is at the request of curbs in 4 phases from May 28 the State of Palestine, it added. Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki, in a statement, said that it was By Ayman Adly make more freedoms available to those O Steady fall in number of new daily Covid-19 cases decided to upgrade the meeting Staff Reporter who are vaccinated,” Dr al-Khal said. to the ministerial level instead of The National Covid-19 Vaccination O Returning travellers form a larger part of new cases permanent delegates, in proportion Programme is progressing at a fast pace O More freedoms to be allowed to those vaccinated to the seriousness of the Israeli atar plans to gradually lift the and more than 1.7mn doses have been attacks on the worshippers in the Al Covid-19 restrictions in four administered since the beginning, the O People urged to be very careful during Eid holidays Aqsa Mosque and the residents of Qphases from May 28, with each senior offi cial explained. the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, as phase lasting three weeks, a top health “Qatar is among the top 10 coun- part of an Israeli systematic policy offi cial announced yesterday. tries in the world in terms of vaccine No Indian strain in Qatar so far to Judaise Al Quds and change the “With a potential spike post-Eid a coverage for the size of its population. existing legal and historical status of distinct possibility, this will allow suf- It is very encouraging that we are see- The Indian strain of Covid-19 is not returning travellers test positive. This the city and its sanctities. fi cient time to analyse the data and de- ing clear evidence that the vaccines recorded in Qatar so far, Dr Abdullatif rate of infection is not abnormally The ministers will discuss Israeli termine the impact,” stated Dr Abdul- Dr Abdullatif al-Khal at the press are protecting people from developing al-Khal said. “Even if it was spotted, it high and consistent with rates that crimes and aggression in the latif al-Khal. conference yesterday. symptoms of Covid and becoming ill. would be under control because of we would expect to see in people occupied Al Quds against Muslim The chair of the National Strategic “A study undertaken in Qatar and the quarantine policy,” he told a press returning from multiple countries. and Christian holy sites, especially Group on Covid-19 and head of the tory against this virus too early - with published last week in the New England conference on Qatar TV yesterday. “Our quarantine policy for anyone Al Aqsa mosque, as well as attacking Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad the new, highly-transmissible variants Journal of Medicine showed that for With the number of community cases entering Qatar has been one of the worshipers in the holy month of Medical Corporation was addressing a in the community, there is still the po- fully vaccinated people - 14 days after declining, infections from returning strictest of its kind in the world and Ramadan, in addition to the brutal press conference on Qatar TV. tential for the virus to gain momentum receiving the second dose - vaccination travellers now make up a larger proved to be eff ective in detecting Israeli attacks and plans to seize the “The date of implementation and and for the number to increase,” Dr al- is 97.4% eff ective in preventing severe, proportion of the total daily cases of those infected and quickly isolating homes of Palestinians in Al Quds, the duration of each phase will depend Khal cautioned. critical or fatal disease due to both the Covid-19, Dr al-Khal said. them and delaying the introduction of especially in the Sheikh Jarrah on the epidemic indicators, based on a “For the past 15 months we have UK and South African variants. “Our data shows around 2-6% of new variants into Qatar,” he added. neighbourhood, in an attempt to great extent on the degree of compli- lived under the threat of Covid-19 - “These statistics are very promising empty the holy city of its residents ance of the community members with this virus has negatively impacted the and give good cause to be optimistic and displace its people. (QNA) the current measures, restrictions and lives of each and every one of us in about a return towards normal life once munity, has resulted in a consistent “However we still need to be cau- guidance by the government,” he said. some way, either directly or indirectly. we have vaccinated around 80-90% of reduction in the number of new daily tious as we are not out of the second GCC secretary-general “So, while I understand that many It is important to acknowledge how the eligible population in Qatar. infections in the country. wave yet and we are still dealing with people may be eager to begin the lifting much we have achieved and how much “In recent weeks, the combined “I urge people to take the vaccine two highly contagious and highly viru- lauds Qatar mediation of restrictions as soon as possible, I ask we have sacrifi ced to get this virus un- impact of Covid-19 restrictions and whenever possible as it has been prov- lent strains of the virus that are ac- in Somalia-Kenya row you to please be patient. der control.” increasing vaccination rates, and the en safe even for pregnant women and tively circulating in the community,” “It is vital that we do not claim vic- “Unlike last year, we will be able to overwhelming support of the com- those with hypersensitivity. Dr al-Khal added. Page 2 HE the Secretary- General of the Show of solidarity with Palestinians in Jordan Co-operation Council for the Arab States Schools, restaurants, salons of the Gulf (GCC) Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak to ‘open’ in fi rst phase al-Hajraf has praised Qatar’s eff orts and mediation between Somalia and Kenya by bridging esuming blended views and enhancing relations learning in schools between the two countries, thus Rat 30% capacity, op- strengthening international security, erating public transport on stability and peace. In a statement , all days, allowing dine-in at the GCC secretary-general welcomed restaurants and reopening the announcement of Somalia and driving schools, barbershops, Kenya on the resumption of full gyms, swimming pools, diplomatic relations between them, museums and libraries etc, Health and Ministry of Com- towards normality: wear your highlighting the importance of this are among the highlights of merce and Industry yesterday. mask, keep a physical distance step that will bring prosperity to Phase 1 of the planned easing The MoPH also issued a series of 1.5m from others, and take the peoples of the two countries of Covid-19 restrictions in of infographics explaining the the Covid-19 vaccine when it is and achieve security and stability in Qatar. lifting of restrictions. your turn to do so.” these countries. (QNA) The lifting of restrictions Phase 1 is planned to begin Following are the details of will also be marked by vari- on May 28, Phase 2 on June 18, Phase 1, sector-wise: Saudi to hold Haj ous allowances for fully vac- Phase 3 on July 9 and Phase 4 cinated people. on July 30. Education under health and The details of the four- “Public compliance with the  Allow blended learning regulatory controls phase plan, which relies on a precautionary measures will in schools at 30% capacity. set of key performance indi- play a key role in the successful  Continue to allow 1:5 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has cators, were given at a press implementation of this plan,” sessions in special needs cen- announced to hold Haj for this year People chant slogans as they gather for a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people near conference jointly organised the MoPH urged the public. tres. All instructors must be 1442AH in a manner that ensures the Israeli embassy in Jordan’s capital Amman yesterday. Page 7 by the Ministry of Public “Play your role in moving us vaccinated. To Page 2 the health and safety of pilgrims, in accordance with the health, security, and regulatory controls so that Al Sadd in Amir Cup final pilgrims can perform their rituals easily and in a safe environment. The Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia explained that the More than 1,000 mosques, health authorities in the kingdom are continuing to assess conditions and take all health measures, pointing out the details of the controls and grounds to host Eid prayers operational plans for this year’s Haj will be announced later. (QNA) By Shafeeq Alingal Salal Ali, Umm Salal Mohamed, Umm Kabul blast toll 68 Staff Reporter Ghuwailina, Umm Qarn, Umm Le- The death toll from a bomb attack khba, Bin Omran, Bin Mahmoud, Bu outside a school in the Afghan capital Sidra, Al Thumama, Al Jumailiya, Al Kabul has risen to 68, off icials said ore than 1,000 mosques and Kharaitiyat, Al Jeryan, Al Huwaila, yesterday. prayer grounds across the Al Kharrara, Al Khalidiya, Al Khar- Mcountry will host Eid-al- saah, Al Kheesa, Al Dafna, Al Doha Fitr prayers, the Ministry of Endow- Al Jadeed, Al Thakira, Al Soudan, Al RAMADAN THOUGHT ments (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs Sailiya, Al Sheehaniya, Al Ebb, The announced. Also, no place is avail- Pearl, Al Murra, Al Messila, Al Mirqab And if all the trees on the earth able for women, and children aged File picture of a mosque. Al Jadeed, Al Meshaf, Al Mamoura, were pens and the sea (were below 12 years at mosques and prayer Industrial Area, Al Najada, Al Hilal, Al ink wherewith to write), with grounds. As per the advisory, worshippers Wajba, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Khor, Al seven seas behind it to add to its Awqaf published the list of the should not shake hands even with Duhail, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed, Al Rayy- (supply), yet the Words of Allah mosques and prayer grounds on its gloves on. They should cover the an Al Qadeem, Al Sadd, Simaisma, Al would not be exhausted. Verily, social media accounts and asked the mouth and nose while sneezing, wear Sailiya, Al Sheehaniya, Al Shamal, Al Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer. — believers to follow the safety meas- face masks and do ablution at home as Azeeziya, Bani Hajer, Bu Samra, Bu Qur’an 31: 27 ures. Name, number and location the bathrooms and ablution place of Sidra, Dukhan, Raas Lafan, Rawdat Al of the 1,026 mosques and prayer the mosques will remain closed. The Hamama, Rawdat Al Khail, Rawdat Prayer times grounds are available on the Twit- ministry has urged the faithful not to Al Fars, Rawdat Aba Al Heeran, Se- ter handle of the ministry https://t. go to the mosques early as they will maisma, Onaiza, Fereej Al Nasr, Fereej Fajr....3.27; Zuhr....11.30; Asr....2.58; co/3k5s8quKuU?amp=1. be opened only with prayer calls. The bin Dirham, Fereej Al Manaseer, Fer- Maghrib.....6.12; Isha.....7.42 Eid prayer will start at 5.05am. The believers should maintain a distance eej bin Omran, Fereej bin Mahmood, ministry has informed that social dis- of two meters from each other and Fereej Abdul Aziz, Leibeib, Legataifi - Fasting times tancing will be applicable and urged should not crowd inside the mosque. ya, Meraikh, Mesaieed, Messaimeer, Al Sadd’s South Korean star Nam Tae-hee celebrates with teammates after Iftar today ...... 6.12pm the faithful to follow all precautions The mosques will be reopened at Msheirib, Nuaija, Wadi Al Sail, Ain scoring against Al Arabi during their Amir Cup semi-final match at the Jassim bin Imsak tomorrow...... 3.16am and safety measures announced in the various areas including Ezgava, Umm Kahled, Al Ghanem Al Jadeed, Al Hamad Stadium yesterday. Al Sadd won the match 3-0 to stay on course for their last phase of reopening. Saneem, Al Salata Al Jadeeda, Umm Gharrafa, Fereej bin Omar. 18th Amir Cup title. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Page 12, Sport Page 1 Gulf Times 2 Monday, May 10, 2021 QATAR

Dazzling dhow Two new appointments at Sidra Medicine

idra Medicine has ap- pointed Prof Ziyad M SHijazi as its chief medi- cal offi cer (CMO) and Dr Khalid Fakhro as its chief research of- fi cer (CRO). Dr Barbro Friden, CEO at Sidra Medicine said: “Both leaders have an unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare and with the sup- port of all of us at Sidra Medi- cine, I hope our organisation becomes the fi rst choice for Prof Ziyad M Hijazi Dr Khalid Fakhro parents across the Middle East who are seeking personalised treatment (medical, interven- ity conditions, such as genetic care for their children. I also tional, electrical and surgical) diseases, autism spectrum dis- hope that our precision medi- for patients with congenital or order, and diabetes. Dr Fakhro cine programme, will set the acquired heart disease. joined Sidra Medicine in 2014. clinical research framework for Prof Hijazi also successfully Under Dr Fakhro’s leader- advancing academic medicine set up Sidra Medicine’s Inter- ship, scientists in the Research in this region.” national Medical Offi ce which Branch at Sidra Medicine, have Prof Hijazi has nearly 40 has facilitated international made important strides to im- A decked up and illuminated dhow along the Corniche yesterday evening. PICTURE: Thajudheen years of experience in con- patients to access several spe- prove diagnosis of rare genetic genital cardiology and has pio- cialist services, including car- conditions. They have also neered several ground-break- diology, urology, plastics and contributed towards Qatar’s ing interventional procedures neurosurgery among others. eff orts to tackle the Covid-19 in the fi eld. He is an interna- As the CRO for Sidra Medi- pandemic, through the devel- tionally recognised leader in cine, Dr Fakhro is responsible opment of new testing meth- the non-surgical repair of con- for designing and implementing ods and the publication of genital and structural heart de- the healthcare organisation’s studies in conjunction with in- fects in children and adults and ambitious research strategy to ternational collaborators. in the development of novel advance precision medicine In addition to his new role as trans-catheter devices. in Qatar. The strategy aims to the CRO, Dr Fakhro will con- Sharp decline seen As CMO of Sidra Medicine, place Sidra Medicine among tinue to run his own labora- Prof Hijazi will be responsible the top destinations for per- tory, having won over $5mn in for the overall management sonalised care in the world; international grants, and pub- of the hospital’s medical op- leveraging next-generation lished landmark studies on the erations, upholding its clinical technologies to enhance dis- genetic structure of Qatar, in- excellence and patient safety ease diagnosis and implement cluding the discovery of many programmes and ensuring that advanced therapies for patients. novel disease-causing genes in in new Covid-19 patients in Qatar receive the Prior to being appointed as the local population. highest standard of medical the CRO, he led the Human Dr Fakhro is also involved in care. Genetics Department at Sidra capacity building and educa- Prof Hijazi joined Sidra Medicine and was the inaugu- tion via adjunct faculty ap- Medicine in 2014, during which ral director of precision medi- pointments at Weill Cornell time he established the hospi- cine, heading an ambitious Medicine – Qatar and at Ha- tal’s Department of Paediatrics programme where research mad Bin Khalifa University, cases in Qatar and Heart Centre; staff ed by in genomics and personalised where he teaches classes and some of the top paediatric spe- medicine become embedded mentors the next generation of  New cases drop below 400 cialists and healthcare profes- in the heart of Sidra Medicine’s Master’s and PhD students in  MoPH reports 389 new 490 face prosecution sionals from across the globe. academic medical enterprise; human genetics and genomic cases, 1,063 recoveries and for violating The Heart Centre provides with a focus on national prior- medicine. 201,530 total recoveries Covid measures The designated authorities QNA Doha referred 490 people to the Public Prosecution for violating the preventive and precaution- he Ministry of Public ary measures enforced by the Health (MoPH) reported country to contain the spread Tyesterday, 389 new con- of the Covid-19. Among them, fi rmed cases of coronavirus 452 people were referred to (Covid-19), with 292 of these the Public Prosecution for not from community cases and 97 wearing masks in places where from travellers returning from they are mandatory, 20 persons abroad. for not maintaining a safe physi- The MoPH recorded 1,063 re- cal distance, 15 for gathering in coveries from the virus during closed places and three for not the past 24 hours, bringing the installing the Ehteraz app. total number of cases recovered The measure is in line with the in Qatar to 201,530. Cabinet decision, Decree Law The ministry announced six No 17 of 1990 on infectious new deaths of those aged 43, diseases, and the precautionary 51, 55, 57, 66 and 69 years, all of measures in force in the country whom had a history of chronic to contain the spread of Covid-19. disease and were receiving the The designated authorities called necessary medical care. on the public to adhere to the The number of new Covid-19 precautionary measures in place cases reported yesterday saw a to ensure their safety and the sharp drop from the 533 cases safety of others. recorded on Saturday. Before that, 600 cases were reported been administered in the past 24 ple are becoming sick due to the on Friday, 593 on Thursday, 645 hours Covid-19 with many requiring but we are now seeing positive on Wednesday, 640 on Tues-  49.1% of the eligible popu- admission to hospital. Covid-19 cases in the region and day, 644 on Monday and 646 on lation has now received at least Since February 1, the number in Qatar with the new variants Sunday. one dose of the vaccine of people with Covid-19 admit- from South Africa. Vaccination Programme  87.5% of over 60s (the most ted to hospital has doubled. This new variant is much Data: vulnerable population group) Qatar’s strict quarantine more contagious and spreads 1,813,240 Covid-19 vaccine have been vaccinated with at policy for returning travellers more easily between people than “Never respond to suspicious messages and calls that ask for your personal or banking data to doses have been administered least one dose, while 80.1% have has enabled to delay the intro- the existing strain and may be avoid being a victim of cybercrimes,” the Ministry of Interior has advised the public, listing the since the start of the programme received both doses duction of new variants into associated with increased sever- dos and don’ts if a person receives anonymous calls and messages.  26,080 vaccine doses have Every day, hundreds of peo- this country for several months, ity of the disease. Schools, restaurants, salons to ‘open’ in fi rst phase

From Page 1 and members of the same house- members must be vaccinated. from Phase 2, based on risk as- hold to gather in parks, beaches  Allow the reopening of sessment by the MoPH and with  Allow training centres to and on the Corniche, with the driving schools at 30% capacity. restrictions on capacity. operate at 30% capacity. All capacity of private beaches lim- Vaccinated staff are allowed to Allow the reopening of trainers must be vaccinated. ited to 30%. run lessons. theme parks and leisure centres  Allow the reopening of  Allow preparatory training at 30% capacity outdoors. In- nurseries and childcare centres for local and international tour- Business and leisure door activities will be limited to at a maximum capacity of 30%. naments approved by the Min-  Maintain workplace capac- vaccinated people only with a All staff members must be vac- istry of Public Health. Profes- ity at 50%, with essential busi- maximum capacity of 20%. cinated. sional training allowed indoors ness meetings limited to 15 vac-  Allow gyms and health and outdoors. Amateur sports cinated people. clubs to reopen at 30% capac- Gatherings training allowed for vaccinated  Maintain shopping malls’ ity only for vaccinated clients.  Allow social gatherings for people only with a capacity of 10 capacity at 30% and the closure All staff members must be vac- vaccinated people with up to 10 outdoors and fi ve indoors. of food courts (except for pick- cinated. people outdoors (or fi ve if it in-  Allow selected professional up and delivery), while children  Allow swimming pools and cludes unvaccinated people) and sports events with a vaccinated under 12 years will not be al- water parks to reopen at 30% fi ve people indoors. Unvaccinated spectator capacity of 30%, out- lowed. capacity outdoors. Indoor ac- people can only gather outdoors doors only.  Allow outdoor dining at tivities will be limited to vacci- with a maximum of fi ve people. 30% capacity for all restaurants, nated people only with a maxi-  Allow the continuation Transportation and 30% indoor (for vaccinated mum capacity of 20%. of daily and Friday prayers in  Allow the operation of pub- clients only) capacity for restau-  Allow the reopening of cin- mosques, with no children under lic transport at 30% capacity, rants that are part of the Qatar emas and theatres at a maximum 12 years old allowed, and the clo- including on Fridays and Satur- Clean programme. capacity of 30% for only vacci- sure of toilets and ablution areas. days.  Allow souqs to operate at nated people over 16 years old.  Not allow wedding parties.  Allow personal boats with 30% capacity, including on Fri-  Allow the reopening of Such parties will be allowed start- a maximum capacity of 10 peo- days and Saturdays, with no barbershops and hairdressers ing from Phase 2, with certain re- ple (only two of whom may be children under 12 years allowed. at a maximum capacity of 30% strictions on venues and capacity. unvaccinated). Excursion and  Maintain the capacity of for vaccinated clients. All staff touristic boats will remain sus- wholesale markets at 30%, with tality services as follows: more than one vaccinated staff during working hours. members must be vaccinated. Outdoors and professional pended, while rental boats will no children under 12 years al- At homes: Vaccinated staff can member.  Not allow conferences, exhi-  Allow the reopening of mu- sports be allowed only for families from lowed. work in more than one house- At workplaces: Vaccinated bitions and cultural events to be seums and libraries at a maxi-  Allow groups of fi ve people the same household. All staff  Allow cleaning and hospi- hold and each house may have staff can operate at 30% capacity held. Such events will be allowed mum capacity of 30%.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, May 10, 2021 QATAR

‘Soul’ by Qatar Charity continues Amal to receive Zakat Al-Fitr Ameen. Amal Ameen’s and donations for needy new fragrance atar Charity (QC) has said it continues receiving Zakat Al- ‘Soul’ launched QFitr and donations from ben- efactors until the morning of Eid Al- Fitr for the benefi t of the needy and mal Ameen has box, limited edition, repre- the poor. launched Soul, an ex- sents elegance, mystery and QC collects Zakat Al-Fitr, Zakat and Aclusive and unique sophistication. The fashion- donations from benevolent people new fragrance inspired by able package hosts a screen through its headquarters, branches, Mykonos. inside, where the story of collection points and collectors. Ben- “The Soul fragrance is a Soul is played. The bottle is efactors can pay their Zakat and do- spiritual celebration in all its cushioned with foam, and its nate at these places until midnight in splendour, a free choice; a white and black composition Ramadan. new feeling of freshness and is evoking a timeless declara- Qatar Charity seeks to share the newness without limitation tion of power, resulting from joy of Eid Al-Fitr with the less for- that evokes a peaceful retreat the experience of successful tunate and the underprivileged, al- after a long day. Soul repre- bestsellers like La Boutique leviate the fi nancial burdens of poor sents this calm moment of Blanche, Amici Di Moda or families, meet the needs of orphans escape where our feeling of La Blanche perfumes. and the needy, improve their living completeness and happiness “Soul is bold and inter- conditions, and to promote solidarity is overwhelming. A satisfy- national, it is cosmopolitan, and co-operation, according to a press ing moment - all of our own elegant and self-confident. statement. - in which we fi nd comfort It rushes out like an explo- QC’s Al Hilal branch remains open and pleasure,” a press state- sion of feelings that brings from 9am until the sunset prayer. The ment noted. back pleasant memories other branches and collection points Qatar Charity off ers various options for Zakat and donations. It is an “aromatic version of paradise, of the beauti- are open from 10am to 5.30pm and of life itself, made only using ful island of Mykonos and from 8.30pm to midnight. On Fridays, the fi nest and best oils and its colours, which served as they are open from 12noon to 5.30pm most exquisite natural ingre- an inspiration. Conjuring and from 8.30pm to midnight. dients. The delicate bouquet memories of vacations in Qatar Charity has 32 branches, of of oriental scents, blends the sun, of deep blue skies, which 20 are for men and 12 for wom- the freshness of bergamot of salty waves, of breaths of en, across the country. It also has 101 preciously with peach and pure air, Soul is a liberat- collection points, 1,622 donation box- orange blossom, which com- ing trip full of promise and es and 37 donation payment kiosks. bine fl awlessly with woody possibilities,” the statement Zakat and donations can be made base notes and rich musk. added. “Memories might through Qatar Charity’s website Its essence captivates the fade away, but the scent of (qcharity.org/en/qa) and app (qch.qa/ tips of the soul and thrives real feelings remains un- appen) in an easy and accessible way, through the deepness of na- touched.” in addition to dialling 44667711. ture, giving warmth with its The perfume can be found QC has urged the benevolent people pure fl oral and subtle clean at La Boutique Blanche, or of Qatar to “hasten to do good deeds notes and zesty composi- online on the Amal Ameen and give during the remaining days of tion”, it explained. Beauty website/Instagram Ramadan for the benefi t of the needy The soft velvet feel black page: @Amalameenbeauty. and poor”. Al Wakra fi sh market sees customers’ surge in last week of Ramadan

l Wakra fi sh market has received more customers during the last Aweek of Ramadan, after a pe- riod of slump since the start of the holy month. The surge in demand has seen higher retail prices, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported. A number of sellers and traders pointed out that the initial drop in de- mand was due to the fact that fi sh is not often preferred by many customers during Ramadan. They explained that Al Wakra fi sh market is open for the public on all days except Thursdays and Fridays. There are 22 retail shops and three cleaning stalls. Dr Abu Aqlah al-Mas- sari, from the health control section of Al Wakra Municipality’s Municipal Control Department, said that all the fi sh at the market is examined several The surge in demand has seen higher retail prices. times during the day to ensure they are fi t for human consumption. control on the market to ensure that in their boats and store the fi sh in ad- A spike in summer heat could cause the fi sh are stored properly. In addi- equate ice, as soon as they are caught. speedy deterioration of the fi sh on dis- tion, the sellers are banned from dis- Similarly, customers are advised to go play. He explained that the low sales playing unsold fi sh after two days and home as quickly as possible after buy- of fi sh could lead shops to store the they are asked to dispose them. ing fi sh to store them properly in the unsold quantities for the next day. Ac- Dr al-Massari, advised all fi sher- fridge and to avoid spoiling them due cordingly, the section exercises tighter men to store suffi cient quantity of ice to the hot weather.

Gulf Times 6 Monday, May 10, 2021 QATAR

EAA Ramadan campaign off ers needy children educational opportunities

ince the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Sthe Education Above All (EAA) Foundation launched its nationwide fundraising cam- CNA-Q distributes Iftar paign under the theme of “Do- nate To Build Their Future”, to support the world’s most vul- nerable and marginalised chil- meals with Qatar Charity dren by providing them with the educational opportunities. The campaign intends to sup- s part of its social commitment towards port children’s access to safe, the workers on campus, the College of the quality and equitable education ANorth Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) collabo- to unlock their potential and rated with Qatar Charity (QC) to distribute 350 create a better future for them- Iftar meals. selves, their families and their This activity aims to reach workers in diff erent communities. campus divisions such as security, cleaning, tech- The campaign will continue nical, fi re and safety, civil and more. to support EAA’s projects across In line with the Covid-19 restrictions, meal the world with a specifi c focus boxes were packed and loaded onto QC’s decon- on supporting children in Iraq, taminated delivery van. Workers received their Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Pal- meals directly from the van while respecting social estine, where the Covid-19 pan- distancing and Covid-19 prevention measures. demic has exacerbated the many Dr Salem al-Naemi, CNA-Q’s president said: pre-existing barriers to acces- “Ramadan is the time to be selfl ess and under- sible education, which include Donate (@EAADonate) and the “Our mission to ensure that Airways, LuLu, Marriott Qatar stand there is no way we can overcome diffi cul- a legacy of confl ict, poverty and EAA Foundation @education- inclusive, equitable and quality Business Council hotels, Carre- ties without showing grace to others. While many insecurity. It will also support aboveall_eaa and with the pos- education is delivered to those four Qatar, Arrayah newspaper, of us gather at home to share Ramadan Iftars, for the Together project in Qatar. sibility of donors winning free who need it the most continues, the Qatar Women’s Association, many shift workers it is not that simple to break of our nation and the society’s well-being.” raffl e prizes including cash cou- and we hope that the campaign Yalla Toys, Vodafone, Oore- their fast. We wanted to show CNA-Q’s workers Suhoor and Iftar are two elements of Ramadan The campaign intends pons, Qatar Airways fl ight tick- draws renewed attention to the doo, Mega Mart, Awfaz global appreciation to all the hard work and eff orts they that have great signifi cance to all worshippers. to support children’s ets, spa treatments, Staycations power of learning as the most schools, Qatar Football Associa- put into their jobs even during fasting hours. We It is a manifestation of solidarity and fellowship. access to safe, quality at 5 star hotels and other gifts. important enabler of human de- tion, SPAR, Nakhilat, Abdullah also extend our appreciation to Qatar Charity and College of the North Atlantic – Qatar has always and equitable education Mubarak al-Thani, communi- velopment”. Abdul Ghani and Bros, ELAN the volunteers who made this event possible.” been committed to the community causes and has to unlock their potential cation manager and head of Ad- EAA Education projects are Qatar and Family Food Centre. Yousuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, CEO of QC worked relentlessly to encourage volunteering and and create a better vocacy at EAA Foundation, said: eligible for Sadaqah and in or- Partners will be channelling praised CNA-Q’s initiative guided by the core actions that make a diff erence. future for themselves, “This year’s campaign comes as der to raise adequate funds and support through internal com- values of the educational institute that thrive on It is worth noting that this event falls under the their families and their the Covid-19 pandemic contin- enhance participation in the munications to employees and community service and solidarity. Ramadan initiatives organised by QC, benefi ting communities ues to build upon the fundamen- campaign, EAA is continuing to customers for support to EAA, Al-Kuwari thanked CNA-Q for choosing QC as as many as 490,000 persons in Qatar. tal barriers to education in place work with many partners across selling merchandise of which a a partner in humanitarian actions and said: “Qatar These projects include the mobile Iftar, which The foundation’s retail part- for millions of children around Qatar to drive awareness of the portion of proceeds are directed Charity is keen on collaborating with all sectors, contains Iftar meals and food baskets for work- ners have further launched a the world and we are pleased to need to provide educational op- towards EAA, matching dona- governmental or educational entities, in order to ers and drivers, in addition to Ramadan supplies digital outreach campaign to have the support of our partners portunities for needy children so tions and promoting the cam- strengthen the values that we believe in and seek for families with limited income, assistance and encourage participation in EAA’s in reaching as big of an audience as to help them build a stronger paign’s call to action via their to spread in society. We strive to achieve human food baskets for those aff ected by the Covid-19 Ramadan contest through the as possible for our call-to-action future. social media channels, and in dignity and community development for the sake pandemic. social media channels of EAA to be heard. These partners include Qatar newspaper coverage. Gulf Times Monday, May 10, 2021 7 QATAR/ARAB WORLD/RAMADAN Safwa conducts latest The blessed times when supplications are accepted Golden Leaf Promotion t is well known that the Lord descends in the to Allah The Almighty. On Friday, the hearts last third of the night and Says: “‘Is there of believers collaborate in good deeds to solicit Iany seeker of forgiveness so that I would the mercy of Allah The Almighty, which makes The purpose of the forgive for him? Is there anyone with a demand it more likely for the supplication to receive promotion is to encourage so that I would give him? Is there any repentant an answer. The same applies to the state of healthy products with an person so that I would accept his repentance?’ submissiveness of the heart and humiliation incentive of winning gold Until the rise of dawn.” [Al-Bukhari and before the Lord Almighty. Muslim] This is the reason why ‘Umar, may Allah afwa has conducted its This is the time during which the be pleased with him, did not rely, in terms of latest Golden Leaf Pro- supplication is answered and when the slave response, on the supplication itself so much as Smotion at all Mega Mart is in prostration, he is even closer to his Lord on opening the gate of supplication. He says, “If outlets around Doha. and in a position that makes it more likely for the gate of supplication is opened, this means Through this promotion, his supplication to be fulfi lled. This is because that the gate of response will be opened.” That Safwa gave the opportunity to Allah The Almighty draws near His slave at the is, when one is helped to supplicate in this customers to fi nd a golden leaf last third of the night and the slave becomes the manner where the heart is submissive, and one inside the packaging of their closest to the Lord while he is in prostration. For stands in humility before the Lord, singing His products, from which they this reason, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu praises, imploring Him, humbly and tearfully, would register themselves for a ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), he should know that this supplication will raffl e contest. said: “I have been forbidden from reciting receive an answer. “Safwa is constantly fi nding the Qur’an while bowing or prostrating. So, It is most likely that a supplication will be new ways to promote a healthy in bowing, exalt Allah The Exalted, and in accepted by Allah The Almighty when one, lifestyle and its locally grown prostration, be earnest in supplication, for you being in the state of Tahaarah (ritual purity), products. Safwa takes its cor- are in a position that entitles you to have your faces the Qiblah (direction of prayer), raises porate social responsibilities supplication answered.” [Muslim] his hands, and then supplicates in that state seriously and believes it is vital If those three conditions are realised: the of submissiveness. This was the practice of for companies to invest back slave is close to his Lord, and the Lord Is close the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi into their communities and to His slave, in the last third of the night when wa sallam, i who used to raise his hands in created a strong bond with their the supplication receives an answer, it is, most supplication so much that the whiteness of consumers. The purpose of likely, that Allah The Almighty will respond to his armpits would be visible, [Al-Bukhari and this promotion was to encour- Fardan Fahad Alfardan with the winners and Mega Mart off icials. his supplication. Muslim], just as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi age healthy products with an At the time of the Athaan (fi rst call to prayer), wa sallam, did in all his aff airs. It was said in incentive of winning gold and producers to emerge and grow and was a “tremendous success 3rd place - Elloise Girle (QR1,000 and in the interval between the Athaan and the a Hadith (narration): “Whenever anything vouchers worth QR2,000 to be in the market, and it believes with substantial engagement Safwa vouchers). Iqaamah (second call to prayer), the supplication concerned him (the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi used on their online platform,” that Qatar has the potential to with the community”. Many “Safwa continues to promote never fails to receive an answer according to wa sallam, he would raise his head towards the the company said in a press become self-suffi cient towards participants registered and a healthy lifestyle and aims to an authentic Hadith (narration) with a Saheeh sky; and whenever he strove in supplication, statement. sustainable development as eventually three winners where do more promotions with retail (sound) chain of narrators. The same is true of the he would say: ‘Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyoom (O Safwa gave a “special thanks part of its vision for 2030”, the picked at random. stores and the community. Safwa time following the prescribed obligatory prayers, (Allah) The Ever-Living, The Sustainer of [all] to the management team of statement noted. Fardan Fahad Alfardan was uses innovative agricultural the time when the Imaam is ascending the pulpit existence).’” Mega Mart, Pagarani and It was also the fi rst retail present at Mega Mart, The Cen- techniques to provide its freshly (on Friday) until the prayer is over, and the last If one faces Allah The Almighty and Chandnani, who made this store to display Safwa’s prod- tre, to meet with the winners and harvested products, and hopes to hour of Friday. supplicates Him, raising his hands with promotion a reality and for ucts and the promotion was hand over the awards. expand largely in order to become Those days, nights and hours (during which humility, imploring Him humbly and tearfully continuously supporting local “perfectly aligned” with Mega The winners are: 1st place - one of the top local producers of the supplication is answered) are honoured and with a present heart, at those virtuous producers”. Mart’s goals. Jagat Singh Kullar (prize: 8gm of vegetables and greens. Stay safe for reasons, some of which are beyond human times, it is almost certain that his supplication Mega Mart “highly encour- The promotion ran for an en- gold); 2nd place - David David & healthy,” the statement added. knowledge, and others are known to people. will be accepted by Allah The Almighty. ages any opportunity for local tire month across all the outlets, (QR2,000 Safwa vouchers); and In the last third of the night, the soul Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ becomes pure, more sincere, and more devoted emainpage/ Completing the Qur’an Mall of Qatar joins in Taraweh prayer

Question: Is it Sunnah to complete the entire people praying, then this is good. The general Qur’an recitation in the Taraweh (the night prayer principle that should be observed is that the during the month of Ramadan) prayers during Ra- imam should take the circumstances of the initiative to distribute madan? Some people complete the entire Qur’an congregation into consideration, so he should within six days (each night 5 parts) during the first recite a part of the Qur’an (neither very long nor days of Ramadan. They fear that they might not very short) during the Taraweh so that he does continue praying the Taraweh prayer in the same not make them shun away from the congrega- mosque and may lose the sequence or chain tion, as some scholars, may Allah have mercy on of the entire Qur’an completion in the Taraweh them, have stated. food kits among prayer as a result. Please explain this action ac- Finally, it should be noted that a Muslim is not cording to the Sunnah. obliged to perform the Taraweh prayer in a par- ticular mosque and not go to other mosques, he Fatwa: A group of scholars, may Allah have is also not obliged to attend the Taraweeh prayer mercy on them, hold the view that it is desirable during the whole month until the recitation of the to finish reciting the whole Qur’an during the whole Qur’an has been accomplished, but if one workers across Qatar Taraweh. So if a congregation can finish reciting does so, then this is better. the whole Qur’an more than once during the Allah knows best. n line with its corporate Taraweh without causing great difficulty to the Source: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs social responsibility (CSR) Iprogramme and on the oc- casion of Eid al-Fitr, Mall of Qatar (MoQ), in collaboration with Wa’hab, has been spear- heading an initiative to provide 300 kits to labourers across Qa- Jordan warns Israel against tar, enabling them to overcome the current challenges and en- joy the Eid moments. The kits included food ma- ‘barbaric’ attacks on mosque terials and personal hygiene items, and were well-packed and delivered to the labourers Reuters with the highest standards of Amman safety and sanitation, MoQ said in a statement. This initiative supports la- ordan urged Israel yesterday bourers and less privileged to stop what it described as communities to enjoy the hap- J“barbaric” attacks on wor- py moments of the holy occa- shippers in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa sion. mosque and said it would step up Emile Sarkis, general man- international pressure. ager, Mall of Qatar, said: “With Jordan, which has custodian- Eid al-Fitr coming closer, we ship of Muslim and Christian extend our sincere congratu- sites in Jerusalem, said Israel lations to all Muslims and to should respect worshippers and the people of Qatar. We pride international law safeguarding ourselves in contributing to Arab rights. the eff ort to provide appropri- The kits included food materials and personal hygiene items. East Jerusalem tensions have ate support to those who are in spilled over into clashes between need and make a diff erence in that give back to the commu- Together, we can help make solidarity of the community Israeli police and Palestinians Women carry signs as they demonstrate to express solidarity with their lives. This initiative is part nity and contribute in achieving a real difference and support here in Qatar.” around Al Aqsa, at the height of the Palestinian people near the Israeli embassy in Amman of our CSR programme and that sustainable development”, the the vulnerable communities Wa’hab, an award-winning the Ramadan fasting month. yesterday. The sign reads: “Save the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood”. refl ects the values of solidarity statement added. to highlight our commitment SME, works to reduce food “What the Israeli police and in the community.” Wardah Mamukoya, found- to their wellbeing. The spirit wastage and provide support special forces are doing, from The CSR programme “is er and managing director of of Ramadan is enhanced by to the communities in Qatar. violations against the mosque to Court delays hearing in Palestinian eviction case at the core of Mall of Qatar’s Wa’hab, said: “We are delight- sharing our food and bless- By connecting surplus food to attacks on worshippers, is bar- business model, and the mall ed to have partnered with Mall ings with those around us and those in need, Wa’hab aims to baric (behaviour) that is rejected Israel’s justice ministry said it been wounded in clashes in executes several educational, of Qatar and thank them for these actions clearly demon- promote social solidarity and and condemned,” the govern- would delay a key hearing today recent days in east Jerusalem’s awareness and social initiatives their generous contribution. strate the collaboration and protect the environment. ment said in a statement. in a case that could see Palestin- Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, Frictions have mounted in Je- ian families evicted from their the scene of a long-running land rusalem and the occupied West Jerusalem homes to make way dispute and located a short walk RESTRICTIONS Bank, with nightly clashes in for Jewish settlers. from flashpoint holy sites. Tunisia begins East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah “In all the circumstances and in The case dates back to before — a neighbourhood where nu- light of the attorney general’s the creation of the state of Israel. week of curbs South Sudan president dissolves merous Palestinian families face request, the regular hearing After Israel’s independence eviction. for tomorrow, May 10, 2021 (is) and the 1948 war with its Arab Tunisia yesterday started a week King Abdullah said Israeli ac- cancelled,” it said in a state- neighbours, east Jerusalem of coronavirus restrictions cover- parliament in line with peace deal tions in the holy city were an es- ment yesterday, adding it would came under the control of ing the Eid holiday, as hospitals calation and called on it to end schedule a new hearing within Jordan. Many refugees settled in battle to stay afloat as Covid-19 its “dangerous provocations”. 30 days. the district after fleeing Zionist Dozens of Palestinians and sev- forces in other parts of what was cases soar. Prime Minister Reuters to end a civil war that began in 2013. The presi- The monarch accused Israel Hichem Mechichi said Friday that Juba dent dissolved parliament on Saturday and the of trying to change the demo- eral Israeli police off icers have now Israel. Tunisia was going through “the new body will be formed in “a matter of time, graphic status of the holy city worst health crisis in its history” not too long”, his spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny which contains sacred sites. and that health facilities were outh Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dis- told Reuters.According to the deal that ended Jordanian Foreign Minister ians against ownership claims media. Jordan blames Israel for at risk of collapse. Until next solved parliament, a long-awaited step the civil war, parliament must be expanded Ayman Safadi said the kingdom, by Jewish settlers. “Israel as the allowing right-wing religious Sunday, mosques, markets and Sto pave the way for the appointment of from 400 members to 550 and must include which lost East Jerusalem and occupying force carries respon- Jews entry into the Aqsa mosque non-essential shops must close, lawmakers from formerly warring parties in the members from all parties to the peace accord. the West Bank in the 1967 Arab- sibility for protecting rights of compound, saying this ignites gatherings and family or cultural country. South Sudan won independence from Sudan Israeli war, would do its utmost Palestinians in their homes,” passions and raises risks of a celebrations are banned. The move was in line with a peace deal signed in 2011 after decades of civil war. to protect rights of Palestin- Safadi said in comments on state wider regional confl agration. Gulf Times 8 Monday, May 10, 2021 WORLD

SPACE DECISION PANDEMIC FALLOUT CRACKDOWN Chinese rocket segment falls China to create ‘line of Australia state hunts Vietnam premier warns 10 rebels killed by to earth over Indian Ocean separation’ at Everest’ source of Covid outbreak over new Covid cases Congolese army A large segment of a Chinese rocket re-entered China will set up “a line of separation” at the sum- Australia’s most populous state recorded no new Vietnam reported 102 new Covid-19 infections Congolese army forces yesterday killed 10 rebels the earth’s atmosphere and disintegrated over mit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of Covid-19 infections for a third straight day yester- yesterday as the country battled a fast-spreading of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the trou- the Indian Ocean yesterday, China’s space agency climbers from Covid-hit Nepal and those ascend- day but extended raised social distancing and outbreak which Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh bled east of the country, a spokesman said. The said, following fevered speculation over where ing from the Tibetan side as a precautionary mask-wearing rules by a week as the authorities said threatened political stability if not brought un- off ensive kicked off last Thursday in North Kivu the 18-tonne object would come down. Off icials in measure, Chinese state media reported yesterday. hunted for the source of a small outbreak. After a der control. The new cases raised the total to 3,332 and Ituri provinces, with army and police off icers Beijing had said there was little risk from the freefall- Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has Sydney couple tested positive to the coronavirus since the pandemic began, with 35 deaths, the assigned to replace civilian authorities under a ing segment of the Long March-5B rocket, which been hit by coronavirus cases since late April. last week, ending a long run without community ministry of health said. Vietnam has been praised 30-day “state of siege”. In a clash in Halungupa, had launched the first module of China’s new space The Nepalese government, starved of tourism transmission, the authorities reinstated some social for its record in containing its outbreaks quickly in the Rwenzori area, “our troops got the better station into earth orbit on April 29. But the US space revenue, has yet to cancel the spring climbing distancing measures until May 10, and a campaign through targeted mass testing and a strict, central- of the ADF enemy. We in fact saw 10 dead bod- agency Nasa and some experts said China had season, usually from April to early June before to get more people tested, as they scrambled to ised quarantine programme. But a new outbreak ies of ADF elements,” Antony Mualushayi, army behaved irresponsibly, as an uncontrolled re-entry the monsoon rains. It was not immediately clear determine the source of infection. “As the ‘missing emerged late last month and has spread rapidly in spokesman in the North Kivu city of Beni, said. of such a large object risked damage and casualties. how the line would be enforced on the summit, link’ case hasn’t been identified we’re keen to the country, infecting 333 people in 25 cities and The death toll is provisional, he added. “We are Because it was an uncontrolled descent, there was a tiny, perilous and inhospitable area the size of a prevent a super-spreading event,” said New South provinces, including the capital Hanoi, and leaving determined to finish with the ADF once and for speculation about where the debris would land. dining table. Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian in a tweet. around 10 hospitals under lockdown. all,” he said. Myanmar poet dies after being detained, claims family

Khet Thi’s wife said both I arrived here, he was at the of them were taken for morgue and his internal organs interrogation on Saturday by were taken out,” she said. armed soldiers and police in She had been told at the hos- the central town of Shwebo, in pital he had a heart problem, the Sagaing region - a centre but had not bothered to read the of resistance to the coup in death certifi cate because she was which elected leader Aung sure it would not be true, Chaw San Suu Kyi was ousted Su said. Reuters was unable to reach the hospital for comment. Reuters Chaw Su said the army had Yangon planned to bury him but that she pleaded with them for the body. She did not say how she knew yanmar poet Khet Thi, her husband’s organs had been whose works declare removed. Mresistance to the ruling “He died at the hospital after junta, died in detention over- being tortured in the interroga- night and his body was returned tion centre,” the Assistance As- with the organs removed, his sociation for Political Prisoners family said yesterday. activist group said in a bulletin A spokesman for the junta did that put the toll of civilians killed not answer calls to request com- since the coup at 780. ment on the death of Khet Thi, The group, which monitors A woman holds on to the oxygen cylinders for a patient after re-filling them at a factory in Kathmandu, Nepal, Yesterday. who had penned the line “They details of killings, did not iden- shoot in the head, but they don’t tify the source of its information. know the revolution is in the Khet Thi was at least the third heart.” poet to die during protests since His Facebook page said he was the February 1 coup. 45. Khet Thi had been a friend of K Za Win, 39, a poet who was shot “I don’t want to dead during a protest in Monywa in early March. India turns to ex-army support injustice. Cultural fi gures and celebrities If I have only a have been prominent supporters of opposition to the coup with minute to live, I want protests daily in diff erent parts my conscience to of the Southeast Asian country in spite of the killings and thou- be clean for that sands of arrests. medics amid Covid surge minute” Khet Thi had been an engineer before quitting his job in 2012 to Reuters have been hitting records every strictions imposed by states for on ABC’s ‘This Week’ television that India will see 1mn Covid-19 Khet Thi’s wife said both of focus on his poetry and to sup- Mumbai two or three days. a few days at a time. programme. deaths by August. them were taken for interroga- port himself by making and sell- Deaths rose by more than “IMA is astonished to see the Modi is battling criticism for With an acute shortage of oxy- tion on Saturday by armed sol- ing ice cream and cakes. 4,000 for a second consecutive extreme lethargy and inappro- allowing huge gatherings at a re- gen and beds in many hospitals diers and police in the central “I don’t want to be a hero, I ndia will recruit hundreds day yesterday. priate actions from the minis- ligious festival and holding large and with morgues and cremato- town of Shwebo, in the Sagaing don’t want to be a martyr, I don’t of former army medics to Many Indian states have im- try of health in combating the election rallies over the past two riums overfl owing, experts have region - a centre of resistance to want to be a weakling, I don’t Isupport its overwhelmed posed strict lockdowns over agonising crisis born out of the months even as Covid-19 cases said the actual numbers for Cov- the coup in which elected leader want to be a fool,” he wrote two healthcare system, the defence the past month while others devastating second wave of the were surging. id-19 cases and fatalities could be Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted. weeks after the coup. “I don’t ministry said yesterday, as the have announced restrictions Covid-19 pandemic,” it said in a The health ministry reported far higher than reported. “I was interrogated. So was he. want to support injustice. If I country grapples with record on public movement and shut statement on. 4,092 deaths over the past 24 The world’s largest vaccine- They said he was at the interro- have only a minute to live, I want Covid-19 infections and deaths down cinemas, restaurants and Dr Anthony Fauci, a top White hours, taking the overall death producing nation has fully vac- gation centre. But he didn’t come my conscience to be clean for amid calls for a complete na- shopping malls. But pressure House coronavirus adviser, said toll to 242,362. cinated just over 34.3mn, or only back, only his body,” his wife that minute.” tionwide lockdown. is mounting on Prime Minister yesterday he has advised Indian New cases rose by 403,738, 2.5%, of its 1.35bn population as Chaw Su told BBC Burmese lan- More recently, he wrote that Some 400 medical offi cers are Narendra Modi to announce a authorities they need to shut just shy of the record and in- of yesterday, according to data guage news in tears from Monywa, he was a guitar player, a cake expected to serve on contract for nationwide lockdown as it did down. “You’ve got to shut down. creasing the total since the start from the government’s Co-WIN around 100km away by road. baker and a poet - not someone a maximum of 11 months, the during the fi rst wave last year. I believe several of the Indian of the pandemic to 22.3mn. portal. “They called me in the morn- who could fi re a gun. But he im- ministry said in a press release, The Indian Medical Asso- states have already done that, India on Saturday reported Support has been pouring in ing and told me to meet him plied his attitude was changing. adding that other defence doc- ciation (IMA) called for a “com- but you need to break the chain its highest ever single-day Cov- from around the world in the at the hospital in Monywa. I “My people are being shot and I tors had also been contacted for plete, well-planned, pre-an- of transmission. id-19 death toll of 4,187. form of oxygen cylinders and thought it was just for a broken can only throw back poems,” he online consultations. nounced” lockdown instead of “And one of the ways to do The Institute for Health Met- concentrators, ventilators and arm or something...But when wrote. Covid-19 cases and deaths sporadic night curfews and re- that is to shut down,” Fauci said rics and Evaluation estimates other medical equipment. Third suspect arrested in Heading home Chad military claims Nasheed assassination bid victory over rebels Reuters army to the barracks heralds the N’djamena end of operations and Chad’s AFP the islet of Thinadoo in the Vaavu tion about another man seen in victory,” the army’s chief of the Male, Maldives atoll, about 75km south of Male. the area. general staff Abakar Abdelkerim He was arrested at dawn yes- There was no update from had’s military yesterday Daoud told reporters. terday after police scoured CCTV Nasheed’s hospital since it an- claimed victory in its At an army base in N’Djamena, he Maldivian police yes- footage on the archipelago’s one- nounced on Saturday that he was Cweeks-long battle with dozens of captured rebels sat in terday arrested a third square mile capital island. off life support and out of danger, northern rebels that led to the the dirt, on display for the as- Tsuspect in the attempted Offi cial sources said they be- but would remain in intensive death of President Idriss Deby on sembled press. assassination of former president lieved Rasheed may have deto- care. the battlefi eld. FACT fi ghters crossed the bor- Mohamed Nasheed, offi cials said nated the explosive device using Family members said he was The rebel group Front for der from Libya in April to take a as a manhunt continued for oth- a remote control. able to speak to close relatives on Change and Concord in Chad stand against Deby, whose 30- ers who may have been involved. Police also released CCTV Saturday. (FACT) did not respond to a re- year rule they opposed. The 53-year-old democracy footage showing him waiting at a Nasheed underwent 16 hours quest for comment. His subsequent death while pioneer and climate activist narrow alley as Nasheed and his of surgery to remove shrapnel The transitional military au- visiting troops plunged the was seriously hurt after a bomb bodyguards walked by to a wait- from his body and doctors said thorities have previously said country into crisis. attack in the capital Male on ing car. one shard narrowly missed his they have defeated the rebels On Saturday, security forces Thursday night that also injured The bomb, rigged to a parked heart. only for fi ghting to continue. fi red tear gas to disperse a pro- a British national and two others. motorcycle, was detonated as There has been no claim of re- The fi ghting and broader po- test against the ruling military Police have blamed the attack Nasheed was about to get into sponsibility for the attack, but litical instability are being close- council. on “religious extremists” while the vehicle. offi cials from Nasheed’s Maldiv- ly watched. Led by Deby’s son Maha- doctors noted that the explosive The other two suspects in cus- ian Democratic Party (MDP) have Chad is a key power in central mat Idriss Itno, the council device had been packed with ball tody were Mujaz Ahmed, 21, and alleged that extremists and polit- Africa and a longtime Western seized power after the former’s bearings to cause maximum dam- Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, who were ical interests could be involved. ally against Islamist militants death, promising to oversee an age. “We can confi rm that a third both arrested Saturday. The Indian Ocean archipelago across the Sahel region. 18-month transition to elec- individual has been arrested in Police said the three men in of 340,000 people is major- Crowds in the capital tions. connection with the May 6 at- custody had criminal records. ity Muslim, and in October 2019 N’Djamena cheered yesterday as Opposition politicians and tack early yesterday,” police said Two experts from the Austral- police arrested a suspected Is- People wait to board a ferry to their hometowns ahead soldiers returned from the front civil society have denounced in a statement. ian Federal Police (AFP) joined lamic State recruiter accused of of the Eid al-Fitr festivities in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, line in a column of tanks and ar- the takeover as a coup and They identifi ed him as Adhu- the investigation as local author- sending dozens of Maldivians to yesterday. moured vehicles. called for supporters to take to ham Ahmed Rasheed, 25, from ities appealed for more informa- Syria. “The triumphant return of the the streets. Gulf Times Monday, May 10, 2021 9 WORLD

US govt working to help pipeline operator US is turning corner on after cyber-attack

Reuters busiest by passenger traffi c. Washington Retail fuel experts including the American Automobile As- pandemic: White House sociation said an outage lasting S government offi cials several days could have signifi -  We have a long way to go to recover from pandemic, says are working closely cant impacts on regional fuel commerce secretary Uwith top US fuel pipe- supplies, particularly in the  ‘No doubt’ US has undercounted Covid deaths: Fauci line operator Colonial Pipe- southeastern United States. line to help it recover from a While the US government Reuters/AFP would be unlikely if the Biden ransomware cyber-attack that investigation is in the early Washington goal is met or exceeded. forced the company to shut a stages, a former US offi cial and “The larger proportion of the critical fuel network supplying two industry sources said the population that’s vaccinated, populous eastern states. hackers are likely a profession- he United States is closer the less likelihood that in a sea- The attack is one of the al cyber-criminal group and to getting the coronavirus son like the coming fall or winter most disruptive digital ransom that a group called DarkSide is T(Covid-19) pandemic un- you’re going to see a signifi cant operations reported and has among potential suspects. der control and health offi cials surge,” Fauci said on NBC’s Meet prompted calls from American DarkSide is known for de- are focused on the next chal- the Press. “That’s the reason why lawmakers to tighten protec- ploying ransomware and ex- lenge: getting more Americans vaccinations are so important. tions for critical US energy in- torting victims while avoiding vaccinated, the White House That’s the wild card that we have Fauci: The larger proportion of the population frastructure against hackers. targets in post-Soviet states. Covid-19 response coordinator now that we didn’t have last fall that’s vaccinated, the less likelihood that in a Commerce Secretary Gina Ransomware is a type of Jeff Zients said yesterday. or the last winter.” Raimondo: We have a long way to go to recover season like the coming fall or winter you’re going Raimondo said Washington is malware designed to lock down “I would say we are turning Fauci also said that there is “no from the pandemic. to see a significant surge. working to avoid more severe systems by encrypting data the corner,” Zients said in an in- doubt” that the US been under- fuel supply disruptions and to and demanding payment to re- terview with CNN’s State of the counting fatal cases. crowded outdoor events or when and last week’s lower-than-ex- hit hardest – lower-skilled serv- help Colonial restart as quick- gain access. Union. The country has offi cially lost they go indoors in public settings pected jobs numbers were a re- ice jobs, she said. ly as possible its more than Cyber-security fi rm FireEye He said that about 58% of over 581,000 people to the dis- with other people who may not fl ection of that. Lack of aff ordable child care 5,500-mile (8,850km) pipeline has also been brought in to re- American adults have received ease caused by the Sars-CoV-2 be vaccinated. “I think we have a long way to also hits women hard, and with network from Texas to New spond to the attack, according at least one coronavirus vaccine (the offi cial name of the coro- Some health experts have go to recover from the pandem- schools closed their choices were Jersey. to the two industry sources. shot. navirus) – but a University of questioned whether the CDC ic,” she said on CBS’s Face the curtailed further. “It’s an all hands on deck FireEye declined to com- The task now is to continue Washington study released on guidelines are too strict, and that Nation programme. Raimondo rejected some Re- eff ort right now,” Raimondo ment. building confi dence in vaccines Thursday estimated deaths at removing the indoor mask man- “There are so many Americans publicans’ contention that peo- said on CBS’s Face the Nation Bloomberg News, citing and get enough Americans vac- more than 900,000. date for fully vaccinated people still struggling” and 8mn fewer ple are reluctant to return to programme. “We are working people familiar with the mat- cinated to mitigate the spread of “That’s a bit more than I would could encourage confi dence in jobs than there were before the work because they are receiving closely with the company, state ter, reported late on Satur- the virus and its variants, he said. have thought the undercount- the vaccines. pandemic, she said. unemployment insurance, saying and local offi cials, to make sure day that the hackers are part US health offi cials are aiming ing was,” Fauci told NBC. “But I That move would not, howev- US job growth unexpectedly nothing in the data suggests that. that they get back up to normal of DarkSide and took nearly to meet Democratic President Joe think there’s no doubt ... that we er, protect unvaccinated people slowed last month, likely re- “The number one reason now operations as quickly as pos- 100gb of data out of Colonial’s Biden’s goal of 70% of American are, and have been, undercount- from contracting the virus from a strained by shortages of workers that people aren’t going back sible and there aren’t disrup- network on Thursday ahead of adults having at least one shot by ing.” carrier who has been vaccinated. and raw materials. to work is what you said: fear. tions in supply.” the pipeline shutdown. the July 4 US Independence Day. The United States has reported The CDC guidelines will over Non-farm payrolls increased Or if they can’t fi nd childcare Colonial said on Satur- Messages left with the Dark- Zients said reaching that goal over 32.6mn cases since the virus time allow more people to take by only 266,000 jobs, well below or schools are still closed,” Rai- day that it was “continuing Side hackers were not immedi- could help the country reach a was fi rst identifi ed at the end of off their masks, Zients said in the the nearly 1mn jobs economists mondo said. to monitor the impact of this ately returned. sustainable low level of infec- 2019 in China. interview with CNN, while ac- expected and a sharp contrast to She said on Friday that the temporary service halt” and to The group’s dark website, tions. America was battered by a knowledging Americans’ mask steady increases in growth from shortage in semiconductors was work to restore service”. where hackers regularly post About 46% of all Americans spike in cases and deaths after fatigue. January to March. a factor in April’s jobs report, and Neither Raimondo nor the data about victims, made no have received at least one coro- the end-of-year holidays, but “We’re getting there,” Zients “We are making bold moves, yesterday she said she is focused company gave an estimate for a reference to Colonial Pipeline. navirus vaccine shot, according since January new infections said. “And the light at the end of but there’s a long way to go and on fi nding ways to produce them restart date and yesterday Co- Colonial declined to com- to the Centres for Disease Con- have come down as vaccination the tunnel is brighter and bright- we have to be there to help Amer- in the United States to avoid lonial declined further com- ment on whether DarkSide trol and Prevention (CDC). rates have jumped. er. Let’s keep up our guard.” icans fi nd jobs,” Raimondo said of similar supply disruptions in the ment. hackers were involved in the Dr Anthony Fauci, the direc- Zients has also defended the Commerce Secretary Gina eff orts by the Biden administra- future. Colonial transports roughly attack, when the breach oc- tor of the National Institute of latest masking guidelines from Raimondo meanwhile said yes- tion to boost the economy. Biden’s jobs package calls for a 2.5mn barrels per day of gaso- curred or what ransom they Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the CDC, which recommends terday that many Americans are Women have been particularly $50bn investment into the sup- line and other fuels from refi n- demanded. meanwhile said that another that fully-vaccinated peo- still struggling to return to work hard-hit during the pandemic as ply chain to make the country ers on the Gulf Coast to con- President Joe Biden was surge in coronavirus infections ple should still wear masks at after the coronavirus pandemic, many are clustered in industries less vulnerable, she said. sumers in the mid-Atlantic and briefed on the cyber-attack on southeastern United States. Saturday morning, the White Its extensive pipeline net- House said. work serves major US airports, Another fuel pipeline serv- including Atlanta’s Hartsfi eld ing the same regions carries a Jackson Airport, the world’s third of what Colonial does. New York’s Times

Actor Scarlett Johansson joins criticism of Golden Globes body Square shooting

Actor Scarlett Johansson has urged the film industry to “step back” from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) as criticism leaves 3 injured of the opaque film industry group, which controls the influential Golden Globe awards, continues to mount for sexism and racism. In a statement, the Avengers star said the “HFPA is an organisation AFP veillance camera footage of a that was legitimised by the likes of Harvey Weinstein”. New York wanted man. Johansson said that “as an actor promoting a film”, participating Times Square, one of New in the organisation’s press conferences and award shows “has York’s tourist hotspots before often meant facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA shooting in New York’s the pandemic, has changed members that bordered on sexual harassment”. bustling Times Square since theatres all closed in The actor’s stance follows a letter from the Netflix chief executive, Aon Saturday injured March 2020. Ted Sarandos, on Friday to the organisation, stating that the a four-year-old girl and two According to a recent report streaming giant will not participate with the Globes unless the women, in the latest incident by the Times Square Alliance, group pledges to reform itself. of gun violence in the city, po- the neighbourhood business That was followed by the Amazon Studios chief, Jennifer Salke, who lice said. association, the area recorded said in a statement that Amazon had “not been working with the The shooting took place just 25 violent crimes in the fi rst HFPA since these issues were first raised”. before 5pm local time, at the quarter of 2021, up from 17 Earlier, 75 of the HFPA’s 86 members voted for an inclusion and Police off icers are seen in New York City’s Times Square following reports of three people, including a toddler, intersection of 7th Avenue and cases in the same period of overhaul proposal put forward by the group’s board. – Guardian being shot. 44th Street, a New York Police 2020. Department (NYPD) spokes- At the end of March, a video person told AFP. of an assault on an older wom- The three victims were a an of Asian descent shocked four-year-old child in a stroll- the neighbourhood. er, who was hit in the leg while A man with a criminal Republicans expected to oust Trump critic Cheney her family was buying toys, a record, who lived in a hotel 46-year-old woman hit in the near Times Square that had foot, and a 23-year-old tour- become a reception centre for Reuters ist from Rhode Island hit in the the homeless, was arrested and Washington leg. charged. They were hospitalised in Neighbourhood theatres Manhattan, and their lives are set to start reopening on op US Republicans sought were not in danger, said New September 14, however, and yesterday to portray their York police commissioner the mayor of New York, Bill de Texpected ouster of Rep- Dermot Shea, at a press brief- Blasio, recently announced a resentative Liz Cheney as an act ing. major campaign to revive tour- of unity, despite warnings that He said that the three by- ism from June. the move could deepen divisions standers – who did not appear Shootings in New York have over former president Donald to know each other – stumbled sharply increased since the Trump and sink party hopes in into an argument between two summer of 2020 and the pro- the 2022 elections. to four men, at least one of tests against the police vio- In the strongest sign yet that whom fi red a gun. lence that followed the death Cheney faces defeat in a party No arrests had been made by of George Floyd in Minneapo- vote expected on Wednesday, early evening. lis, offi cial data show. the top Republican in the House McCarthy: We need to be united Cheney: under fire as a party leader because of her repeated criticism Stefanik: began her Washington Police issued an appeal for Crime in general was up of Representatives, Kevin Mc- and that starts with leadership. of Trump’s falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen. career as a moderate. witnesses and released sur- 30% over the same period. Carthy, said that he would back Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has distracted from party mes- Cheney was among 10 House conference, told the Fox News vote to “a circular fi ring squad” to replace the Wyoming Repub- saging against Democratic Presi- Republicans who voted to im- Sunday programme. in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Guatemala protesters want president lican as chair of the 212-member dent Joe Biden’s agenda. peach Trump on a charge of in- However, while McCarthy and Press programme. House Republican Conference. “We need to be united and citing insurrection after hun- Banks cast Cheney’s likely ejec- “We had the worst four years to resign over vaccine shortage Republicans hope to reclaim that starts with leadership,” dreds of his supporters stormed tion from the party leadership as we’ve had – ever – in the Re- majorities in the Senate and the McCarthy told the Fox News the US Capitol on January 6 in a a step toward unity, others said publican Party, losing the White Dozens of Guatemalans protested on Saturday in the capital House of Representatives in next programme, Sunday Morning riot that left fi ve people dead in- Wednesday’s vote would only House, the House of Representa- to demand the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, year’s congressional elections. Futures. “We want to be united cluding a police offi cer. deepen divisions that could sink tives and the Senate. And suc- holding him responsible for a lack of coronavirus vaccines. Most lawmakers have sought moving forward, and I think The daughter of former vice- the party. cessful politics is about addition “We are protesting for him [Giammattei] to resign and to tell us to placate Trump and the Repub- that’s what will take place.” president Dick Cheney, Liz “Right now, it’s basically the and multiplication, not subtrac- where the money for the vaccines is,” Karla Perez, a 48-year-old lican voters who enthusiastically Asked if he supports Stefanik Cheney has continued to criticise Titanic. We’re in the middle of tion and division,” Hogan said. woman who held up a banner at the demonstration, told AFP. support him, despite the loss of for Cheney’s position, McCarthy Trump for repeating falsehoods this slow sink. We have a band Cheney held off an initial chal- “Vaccines go in the arm, not in the pockets,” said the banner, both chambers and the White replied: “Yes, I do.” about his election loss to Biden playing on the deck telling every- lenge to her House leadership po- displayed during the protest held in front of the National Palace, House during his presidency. Stefanik, a 36-year-old from and has called on Republicans to body ‘It’s fi ne’,” Republican Rep- sition earlier this year. the former seat of government, which was guarded by police. McCarthy and Representative New York state whose status in become the “party of truth” by resentative Adam Kinzinger, who She also faces an uphill 2022 Since February, 658,200 vaccine doses have arrived in Guatemala, Jim Banks, who heads the Repub- the party rose after she aggres- rejecting his claims. also voted to impeach Trump, re-election battle in her home some purchased and some donated. lican Study Committee, a leading sively defended Trump during “Any leader who is not focused told CBS’s Face the Nation pro- state of Wyoming, where Trump The country has a population of more than 16mn. conservative caucus, said that congressional hearings ahead of on pushing back against the radi- gramme. is working to defeat her as the For the protesters, the numbers reflect mismanagement and fuel Cheney is under fi re as a party his 2019 impeachment, is also cal and dangerous Biden agenda Maryland Governor Larry state’s sole House member. suspicions of corruption. leader because of her repeated supported by No 2 House Repub- needs to be replaced,” Banks, Hogan, who is seen as a possible She and the former president Giammattei has argued that the lack of vaccines is due to high criticism of Trump’s falsehood lican Steve Scalise and by Trump whose caucus represents about Republican presidential candi- each received nearly 70% of Wy- global demand and has criticised the Covax global vaccine-sharing that the 2020 election was stolen himself. 70% of the House Republican date in 2024, likened the Cheney oming’s vote in November. scheme for the delay in deliveries. – AFP Gulf Times 10 Monday, May 10, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Covid-19 deaths may be more than double the 3.24mn reported If the offi cially reported global Covid-19 death number is 3.24mn, a new study which claims that the actual fi gure is more than double, nearing 7mn, has come as a rude jolt. The analysis comes from researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, who looked at excess mortality from March 2020 through May 3, 2021, compared it with what would be expected in a typical non-pandemic year, then adjusted those fi gures to account for a handful of other pandemic-related factors. The fi nal count only estimates deaths “caused directly by the Money alone won’t ensure Sars-CoV-2 virus,” according to the study’s authors. Sars- CoV-2 is the virus that causes Covid-19. According to the new study, the number of people who have died of Covid-19 in the US is more than 900,000, a number 57% higher than official figures. Researchers estimated dramatic undercounts in countries such as global vaccine equity India, Mexico and Russia, where they said the official death counts are some 400,000 too low in each country. In some countries — including Japan, Egypt and several If the gaps between haves and the Oxford-AstraZeneca doses that and unfair outcomes. The first World governments potentially even ignoring have-nots aren’t narrowed were supposed to arrive in countries Bank-financed Covid-19 vaccine- people in these territories. Central Asian nations — the Institute for Health Metrics by the end of this month. At this rate, procurement operation, launched in In-country vaccination programmes and Evaluation’s death toll estimate is more than 10 times soon the entire pandemic advanced economies will be able to vac- Lebanon in January, was nearly sus- must include clear protections for higher than reported totals. response will be compromised cinate their entire populations before pended within a month of its launch the most vulnerable groups, with the “The analysis many low-income countries even begin because politicians were cutting in World Bank using its leverage to prevent just shows how By Rosalind McKenna their vaccine rollout. front of higher-priority individuals, discrimination in the implementation Researchers at New York To accelerate progress, international such as health workers. of its projects. Any vaccine funding challenging it development banks have committed Transparency is vital to limit such must be made contingent on its fair UW estimate that has been during considerable funding to help poor coun- behaviours, but the World Bank may and safe distribution. Moreover, there the pandemic to n March, South Sudan received its tries purchase and distribute vaccines, be setting itself up for more of the must be supervision and monitoring of roughly 2.5mn accurately track fi rst batch of Covid-19 vaccines. tests, and treatments. The World Bank same: it recently approved a project these projects, as the Bank’s own board the deaths — and IWhile that is good news, it came alone has promised to contribute $12 in Ethiopia, where similar queue- recently urged. more people almost four months after the fi rst doses billion. But the details of its pledge are jumping is a known risk. It has also For this to work, the World Bank actually, transmission were administered in the United King- getting lost, raising the risk that this approved a project in Tunisia, where must engage directly with margin- will die of the — of Covid. And by dom, highlighting the wide disparities much-needed money will be wasted for vaccine hesitancy and scepticism, and alised groups. Their perspectives are focusing in on the in global vaccine distribution. If these lack of scrutiny. disinformation eff orts, are substantial essential to determine how best to pandemic until total Covid death gaps are not narrowed soon – with For starters, the World Bank has yet to – factors that can further undermine a spend the pledged funds and to ensure rate, I think we bring international bodies leading a transpar- clarify how it will use its market power programme’s effi ciency, if not addressed accountability by challenging misuse of September 1 ent and equitable global vaccine rollout to ensure that doses remain aff ordable. eff ectively. resources and misallocation of vaccine to light just how – the entire pandemic response will be But as vaccine producers such as John- These projects are being designed at doses. much greater the impact of Covid has been already and compromised. son & Johnson back away from their rapid speed. Too often, however, World The global vaccine rollout is a criti- may be in the future,” said Dr Christopher Murray, who South Sudan received its doses thanks pledges to make vaccines available on a Bank teams – whether at the Bank’s cal test for an institution whose stated heads the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. to the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access not-for-profi t basis, such intervention headquarters in Washington, DC, or mission is to “end extreme poverty and The group reached its estimates by calculating excess (Covax) facility, which has been at the is becoming urgent. in the countries seeking funds – are advance shared prosperity.” Fortunately, mortality based on a variety of sources, including forefront of eff orts to ensure equitable The three US pharmaceutical fi rms developing these vaccine programmes there is reason to hope that the World access to Covid-19 tests, treatments, with approved vaccines – Pfi zer, without input from all essential Bank will pass. Its president, David official death statistics from various countries as well as and vaccines worldwide. Institutions Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – stakeholders. If groups at risk of being Malpass, has called the Covid-19 crisis academic studies of other locations. Then, it examined like the World Health Organisation, the have already shared with investors excluded from the vaccine rollouts a “pandemic of inequality,” one of its other mortality factors influenced by the pandemic. World Bank, and Unicef have supported plans to raise vaccine prices in the near are not involved in project design and hallmarks being unequal access to vac- For example, some of the extra deaths were caused by these eff orts. future. In making $12 billion available monitoring, it will become all the more cines. increased opioid overdoses or deferred healthcare. On the But rich countries are hamper- for vaccine procurement and deploy- likely that they will be left behind. But simply throwing money at the ing progress by continuing to hoard ment, it remains unclear what steps the Such groups include refugees, prison- problem will not be enough to solve other hand, the dramatic reduction in flu cases last winter supplies. In the United States, more World Bank is taking to make vaccine ers, and people living in slums and other it. Only a transparent, inclusive, and and a modest drop in deaths caused by injury resulted in than 2.1 million doses are being ad- manufacturers share the technology and overcrowded conditions. In Greece, for well-designed strategy that explicitly lower mortality in those categories than usual. ministered per day; South Sudan has know-how to ramp up global produc- example, more than 70,000 asylum- protects the interests of the most vul- Researchers at UW ultimately concluded that the extra administered around 1,000 vaccines tion. seekers are being excluded from the nerable and gives them a way to sound deaths not directly caused by Covid-19 were eff ectively in total. Overall, residents of high- Furthermore, the World Bank is still national vaccination program. the alarm when things go wrong can do and middle-income countries have struggling to explain how it plans to en- Persecuted minorities, such as that. That would be money well spent. off set by the other reductions in death rates, leaving them received 83% of the 1.2 billion vaccine sure that its expenditure is transparent, Myanmar’s Rohingya population and — Project Syndicate to attribute all of the net excess deaths to the coronavirus. doses delivered so far. or ensure that countries abide by plans India’s Dalits (the lowest-ranked group “When you put all that together, we conclude that the In fact, the combination of export to get vaccines to priority populations. in the country’s caste system), are also Rosalind McKenna is a team best way, the closest estimate, for the true Covid death is bans, hoarding, and supply short- As the World Bank well knows, poor at high risk of being overlooked. And manager in the fi nancing division of the still excess mortality, because some of those things are on ages has meant that Covax has so far programme design and flawed vaccine co-ordination in confl ict zones, such Open Society Foundation’s Public Health managed to deliver only one in fi ve of rollouts can lead to exorbitant costs as in Syria, may pose a challenge, with Programme. the positive side, other factors are on the negative side,” Murray said. Experts are in agreement that offi cial reports of Covid-19 deaths undercount the true death toll of the virus. Some countries only report deaths that take place in hospitals, or only when patients are confi rmed to have been infected; others have poor healthcare access altogether. Researchers at UW also released an updated forecast for the Covid-19 death count worldwide, estimating that roughly 2.5mn more people will die of the pandemic until September 1, driven in part by the dramatic surge of cases in India. “We need to better understand the impact of Covid across the globe so that countries can understand the trajectory of the pandemic and figure out where to deploy additional resources, like testing supplies and vaccines to stop the spread,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins.

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© 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved SPOTLIGHT: A medical worker prepares to inoculate a person with a dose of the Covaxin vaccine at a vaccination centre in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, May 10, 2021 11 WORLD ‘Londoner’ Sadiq Khan wins an encore as mayor Son of Pakistani parents predicts UK will have a Muslim PM in the not-too-distant future but insists it won’t be him

AFP controversial travel ban on peo- urday, Khan described himself Khan joined Labour aged 15 London ple from certain Muslim coun- as “a Londoner through and when Conservative prime min- tries. through”. ister Margaret Thatcher was in In a series of bizarre attacks, “I grew up on a council es- her pomp. ondon Mayor Sadiq Khan, Trump accused Khan of doing a tate, a working class boy, a child He became a local councillor who won re-election “very bad job on terrorism” and of immigrants, but I’m now the for Tooting in the Conservative- LSaturday, has risen from called him a “stone cold loser” Mayor of London,” he said. dominated Wandsworth local humble roots to spar with prime and a “national disgrace”. Khan still regularly recalls borough in 1994, and its member ministers and presidents since The mayor in turn allowed how his father drove one of Lon- of parliament in 2005. taking charge of the British capi- an infamous blimp of Trump don’s famous red buses, and his He still lives in the area with tal fi ve years ago. dressed as a baby in a nappy to mother was a seamstress. One his lawyer wife Saadiya and their The 50-year-old politician fl y above protests in Parliament of his brothers is a motor me- two teenage daughters. from the main opposition La- Square during his 2018 visit to chanic. Then prime minister Gordon bour party, a former human Britain. He is a handy boxer, having Brown made him the communi- rights lawyer brought up on a “He once called me a stone learnt the sport to defend him- ties minister in 2008 and he later London public housing complex, cold loser. Only one of us is a self in the streets against those served as transport minister, be- won a second stint at City Hall loser, and it’s not me,” a typically who hurled racist abuse at him, coming the fi rst Muslim minister with victory over Conservative combative Khan told AFP as he and two of his brothers are box- to attend Cabinet meetings. rival Shaun Bailey. campaigned ahead of Thursday’s ing coaches. He also ran the Lon- As mayor, he vowed to focus This continues a remarkable poll. don Marathon in 2014. on providing aff ordable homes journey for the Pakistani immi- Born in London in 1970 to At school, he wanted to study for Londoners and freezing grant bus driver’s son, who be- parents who had recently arrived science and become a dentist. transport fares, but — like many came the fi rst Muslim mayor of from Pakistan, Khan was the But a teacher spotted his gift for in power around the world — saw a Western capital when initially fi fth child out of seven brothers verbal sparring and directed him his agenda engulfed by the pan- elected in 2016. and one sister. towards law. demic. He has made a name for him- He grew up in public housing He gained a law degree from Khan has said his priority for self as a vocal critic of Brexit and in Tooting, an ethnically mixed the University of North Lon- a second term will be “jobs, jobs, successive Conservative prime residential area in south London, don and started out as a trainee jobs” as he bids to keep London ministers, including his mayoral and slept in a bunkbed until he lawyer in 1994 at the Christian on its perch as a top world city Mayor of London Sadiq Khan embraces a family member following a speech after being re-elected in the predecessor Boris Johnson, as was 24. Fisher legal fi rm, where he was while tackling the crisis and the London mayoral election, at the City Hall in London. (Reuters) well as for a feud with former US His modest background plays eventually made a partner. fallout from Brexit, which could president Donald Trump. well in a city that is proud of its He specialised in human threaten the capital’s vital fi nan- (2000-2008) and Johnson steps to Downing Street. sists it will not be him. The pair became embroiled in diversity and loves a self-made rights, and spent three years cial sector. (2008-2016), with widespread Khan predicts Britain will have “As long as Londoners continue an extraordinary war of words, success story. chairing the civil liberties cam- He is London’s third mayor speculation he could try to fol- a Muslim prime minister “in the to trust me to be their mayor, I’m after Khan criticised Trump’s In his victory speech on Sat- paign group Liberty. after Labour’s Ken Livingstone low in his predecessor’s foot- not-too-distant future” but in- currently in this job,” he told AFP.

Siberian doc UK royal off ers Putin fl ays ‘Russophobia’, who treated to sell access Navalny goes to Putin: report missing vows to defend interests Scotland vote Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, A Siberian doctor who has been caught off ering AFP Union in 1991 and have taken treated Kremlin critic investors access to the Moscow on increasing importance in Alexei Navalny after he Kremlin in exchange for projecting Russia’s renewed collapsed on a flight in personal gain, according military might during Putin’s Russia last year has gone sets up clash to a Sunday Times and resident Vladimir Putin two decades in power, also took missing, Russian police Channel 4 investigation. on Sunday vowed Russia place yesterday in dozens of said yesterday. The embarrassing claims Pwill “fi rmly” defend na- cities across the nation. Police in the Omsk region, come at a time of disas- tional interests and denounced A survey this week by state- about 1,370 miles east of trous relations between the return of “Russophobia”, as run pollster VTsIOM showed Moscow, said physician London and Moscow, the country marked the 76th that 69% of Russians view Vic- Alexander Murakhovsky with London notably after the 2018 poi- anniversary of victory in World tory Day as the most important had left a hunting base in soning of a former Russian War II. holiday on the calendar. a forest on an all-terrain spy in England. His speech to thousands of A third of respondents said vehicle on Friday and had AFP Westminster now has “no people,” she said. Prince Michael told un- soldiers and veterans on Red they would take part in the not been seen since. Edinburgh democratic justifi cation” to “I think it is an understate- dercover reporters posing Square came as recent tensions celebrations, while a fi fth said It said that emergency deny a second independence ment to say that that wouldn’t as investors from South between Moscow and the West they would watch on televi- services, drones, a heli- referendum. play well.” Korea in a virtual meeting have recalled the Cold War sion. copter and volunteers on he Scottish National “I hope to lead Scotland to Sturgeon arrived back at her that for £10,000 a day he over the confl ict in Ukraine and “For me and my family, this the ground had joined the Party yesterday said its independence,” she told the offi cial residence in Edinburgh could make “confidential” a litany of spy scandals in Eu- holiday marks the victory of search eff ort. Tlandslide victory in Ed- BBC yesterday. yesterday, waving and giving representations to Russian rope. the entire Russian people,” Murakhovsky was the inburgh’s devolved parliament She said that it would be a thumbs-up as a supporter President Vladimir Putin’s “The Soviet people kept Yulia Gulevskikh, a 31-year-old head doctor at the hos- was grounds for a fresh inde- “absurd and completely out- shouted: “Well done!” entourage. Channel 4’s their sacred oath, defended the accountant told AFP in the Far pital in the Siberian city pendence referendum, despite rageous” for the referendum Yesterday, senior UK min- Dispatches programme homeland and freed the coun- East city of Vladivostok. of Omsk that treated Na- opposition from London. to lead to a legal wrangle in the ister Michael Gove sought to and the weekly newspa- tries of Europe from the black “We are proud, remember valny, President Vladimir While the SNP campaigned Supreme Court, as could hap- downplay the brewing con- per set up a fake South plague,” Putin told the crowd. and honour all our relatives Putin’s most prominent on promises to hold a new vote, pen if Westminster blocked it fl ict. Korean gold company — “Russia consistently defends and friends. And all the brave critic. Murakhovsky was the UK government — which and the Scottish parliament He insisted in comments to House of Haedong. The international law. At the same soldiers,” she added, noting subsequently promoted to would need to give formal legal passed its own legislation. the BBC that for all UK leaders prince said he could also time, we will fi rmly defend our she was happy the parade took the post of regional health permission — is opposed, rais- Prime Minister Boris John- including Sturgeon the priority give the company a royal national interests to ensure the place despite pandemic meas- minister. ing fears of a protracted politi- son has said the 2014 refer- is recovery from the coronavi- endorsement in a record- safety of our people,” he said. ures. After tense negotiations cal and legal battle. endum where 55% voted “no” rus pandemic and claimed the ed speech for $200,000, The Russian leader also This year’s Victory Day was with the authorities, Now the nationalists say should be a once in a genera- country did not have time now with his Kensington Palace condemned what he called a the second during the corona- Navalny was airlifted to their slightly increased share tion event. for a “protracted conversation home as a backdrop. In creeping return of ideologies of virus pandemic. Germany from Omsk for of seats, one short of an over- Johnson said Saturday that about the Constitution”. a recorded meeting with the time, when “slogans of ra- Russia has lifted nearly all of further treatment. all majority of 65, gives them the SNP’s aim of a second ref- Gove also argued that the the undercover reporters, cial and national superiority, of its measures to limit the spread Laboratory tests in three a mandate for “indyref2”, so erendum was “irresponsible fact that the SNP do not have his business partner Lord anti-semitism and Russopho- of the virus, though a ban re- European countries, called after the “no” vote in and reckless” while he wrote a an outright majority in the de- Reading called the prince bia, became ever more cynical”. mains in place on mass gather- confirmed by the global Scotland’s fi rst independence public letter to Sturgeon ask- volved parliament — as they “Her Majesty’s unoff icial His speech came at the start ings in most regions. chemical weapons watch- referendum in 2014. ing her to “work together” in did before the fi rst referendum ambassador to Russia”. of an annual parade that sees As of yesterday, total in- dog, established that Scottish media stressed the “Team UK.” in 2014 — made a “signifi cant “I think ... this is kind of military hardware roll through fections stood at nearly 4.9 Navalny had been poi- SNP’s strong showing, with Sturgeon told the BBC that diff erence”. slightly discreet, we’re the streets of Moscow. million and fatalities at over soned with a Soviet-style The Herald on Sunday head- she thought the UK govern- “It is not the case now, as we talking relatively dis- More than 12,000 military 113,000, according to a tally by Novichok nerve agent. lining its front page simply: ment ultimately would not see, that the people of Scotland creetly here,” he report- personnel took part in yester- health offi cials. The Kremlin has repeated- Landslide. stand against the referendum are agitating for the referen- edly said. “Because we day’s parade, as well as some But authorities have been ly rejected any suggestion But UK-wide newspapers because this would come dum,” said Gove, who himself wouldn’t want the world 190 pieces of military equip- criticised for downplaying the that Russian authorities had a diff erent take, as The across as disrespectful of grew up in Scotland. to know that he is seeing ment and 76 fi ghter jets and severity Russia’s outbreak by tried to kill Navalny. He Sunday Telegraph declared Scots’ democratic rights. The Scottish Conservative Putin purely for business helicopters. counting only fatalities where was jailed in February “Sturgeon falls short of ma- “It would mean that the leader Douglas Ross claimed in reasons, if you follow me.” Victory Day parades, which the coronavirus was found to on what he said were jority”. Conservative government had a tweet that his party “stopped Royals for Hire shows only became an annual event be the primary cause of death trumped up charges. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon refused to respect the demo- an SNP majority, stopped in- today on Channel 4. after the collapse of the Soviet after an autopsy. said in her victory speech that cratic wishes of the Scottish dyref2.” ‘Earth’s power’: Iceland volcano’s lava geysers thrill visitors

AFP The powerful bursts throw Gudmundsson said. Fagradalsfjall, Islande up rock fragments called tephra, “All the time the magma is some still hot, that land several fl owing,” Gudmundsson told AFP. hundred metres from the crater, “This is not uncommon and this is celand’s Fagradalshraun vol- which is located in an uninhabited a normal behaviour. It is, if any- cano lies quiet for a spell before area on the Reykjanes peninsula in thing, less common to have a very Isuddenly spewing red molten southwestern Iceland. continuous fl ow with no pulsa- lava geysers high into the air, vis- A low roar precedes the next tions.” ible from the capital Reykjavik in explosion, a noise that “kind of The eruption, which began on an awe-inspiring display. reminds me of an airplane,” said March 19, is the fi rst on the Rey- The volcano, which sprang into Freyja Wappler-Fridriksdottir. kjanes peninsula in more than life in mid-March in the Geldinga- She was among more than eight centuries, and it has been dalir valley near Mount Fagradals- 2,500 people at the site on Satur- nearly 6,000 years since the last fj all, has drawn visitors from day, kept back some 500 metres activity at the precise site. around the world, many venturing from the crater — a safety radius Since the original eruption in as close as possible to the safety that varies from 400 to 650 me- the Geldingadalir (Eunuchs in perimeter set up to protect against tres depending on the wind speed. English) valley, several new vents sprays of red-hot rock. “It’s not every day we can go to opened up. “It’s incredible to see,” said look at a volcano so close. It’s just Vulcanologists have predicted Henrike Wappler, a German really amazing and so beautiful,” that the activity will continue for woman who lives in Iceland, she said. several months — if not decades. standing with her daughter at the Bjarki Brynjarsson, 25, was But they are certain that the edge of the volcano. enthralled by the alternation of eruption is far from superfi cial, Marvelling at “the power of the slumber and fury. coming from the Earth’s crust. earth,” she told AFP Saturday on This file photo taken on May 5 shows the skyline of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik with the glow from the lava coming out of a fissure near the “I’m just waiting for the bomb “This is the most primitive lava her fourth visit to the site: “I feel Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula behind. (AFP) to pop,” he joked. that we have seen since the last Ice small so near to this power — but Despite outward appearances, Age” some 10,000 years ago, said I’m not scared.” canic activity was continuous and between quiet spells and furious One geyser was measured at last Wednesday, according to the the volcano’s activity is continu- Edward Marshall of the Institute Up until a week ago, the vol- low key, but now it is alternating outbursts. more than 460 metres at dawn national meteorological offi ce. ous, vulcanologist Magnus Tumi of Earth Sciences. Gulf Times 12 Monday, May 10, 2021 QATAR Al Sadd see off Al Arabi to reach Amir Cup fi nal

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Sadd stayed on course for their 18th Amir Cup title Aafter an emphatic 3-0 win over Al Arabi put them in the fi nal of the prestigious tournament’s 49th edition yesterday. South Korean forward Nam Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez reacts during the match. Tae-hee opened the scoring for Al Sadd early in the match before Left: Al Sadd’s Santi Cazorla celebrates with teammate Baghdad Baghdad Bounedjah and Santi Bounedjah after scoring a penalty against Al Arabi yesterday. Cazorla struck on the other side PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil of the break as QNB Stars League champions thoroughly domi- and Baghdad Bounedjah. minute when Bounedjah found nated the “Dream Team” at the But Ibrahim could do precious himself in perfect position to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Sta- little in the 10th minute when score off an assist from Hassan dium. Yousef Abdurisag displayed al-Haydos in the 56th minute. Al Arabi have won eight Amir some excellent skill on the right Al Arabi’s Youssef Msakni was Cup titles themselves but the last fl ank to cross for Nam who made hardly given any space to oper- of their triumphs came in 1993 as no mistake from the centre of the ate freely by the Al Sadd defence other teams gained ground over box Ibrahim was instrumental in which left him thoroughly frus- them over the years. keeping Al Arabi’s margin of de- trated, even earning a yellow Yesterday, they once came up feat down as he pulled off saves card. short on the big stage, barely get- from Abdelkarim Hassan and They even introduced veteran ting a decent crack at the Al Sadd Bounedjah to ensure the teams Uruguayan Sebastian Soria late goal as “The Wolves” literally had went to half-time with Al Sadd in the match but to no avail as them chasing shadows. leading by a solitary goal. Cazorla drilled a penalty in the Al Sadd had dominated the But any hopes Al Arabi had of 80th minute following a foul on domestic league but their per- causing an upset began fading Bounedjah to seal Al Sadd’s ticket formance in the Asian Champi- andez’s dream of winning his fi rst avoid another shock yesterday match as part of the govern- and almost scored twice within as Al Sadd continued with their to the fi nal on May 14. ons League left a lot to be desired continental title as coach. and they did it with some style ment’s measures against the the fi rst fi ve minutes but Al Arabi domination after resumption. The second semi-fi nal, be- as they crashed out in the group Still smarting from that fail- at their home ground although coronavirus pandemic. goalkeeper Mahmoud Ibrahim After a few close calls, the Al tween Al Rayyan and Al Duhail, phase, dashing coach Xavi Hern- ure, Al Sadd were determined to spectators were barred from the Al Sadd hit the ground running foiled eff orts from Santi Cazorla Arabi goal fell again in the 58th will be played today. GU-Q celebrates Class of 2021 in virtual ceremony

eorgetown University in ice to humanity,” he said. “Now Qatar (GU-Q), a Qatar more than ever, we need your GFoundation partner, rec- ideas, your hard work, and your ognised 71 students – 53 women commitment to addressing these and 18 men – at a virtual com- challenges to make a better world mencement ceremony attended for generations to come.” by dignitaries, friends, and fami- The ceremony featured re- lies recently. marks from Georgetown Univer- The 34 Qatari and 37 interna- sity president Dr John J DeGioia. tional and resident students will HE Lolwah Rashid AlKhater, join a growing community of Assistant Foreign Minister and GU-Q alumni pursuing graduate Spokesperson for the Ministry of degrees or working in a diverse Foreign Aff airs, was the keynote range of industries in Qatar and speaker at the ceremony. beyond, including education, She said: “As ambitious glo- communications, government, bal citizens with a commitment business, and banking. to scholarship and service, you GU-Q graduates earn a Bach- represent the best of Qatar’s in- elor of Science in Foreign Service vestment in its human capital, degree, Georgetown’s globally- helping to drive Qatar towards its recognised interdisciplinary pro- future.” gramme off ered in four majors: “Congratulations on your Culture and Politics, Interna- achievements and thank you for tional Economics, International the lasting legacy of your many History, and International Poli- contributions to our commu- tics. nity,” HE AlKhater said. “I look GU-Q dean Dr Ahmad Dal- forward to hearing about what lal opened the formal ceremony you achieve next as Georgetown with a congratulatory message alumni.” to students, saying: “Your class HE the Assistant Foreign Min- has demonstrated extraordinary ister also serves as a member of resilience, creativity, and courage the GU-Q joint advisory board. in the face of an unprecedented Prior to the virtual com- global crisis.” mencement, the GU-Q honoured “Your academic success dur- major achievements of seniors, The GU-Q Class of 2021. ing these challenging times is as well as faculty and staff , at the especially worth celebrating and annual Tropaia Award Exercises, students’ families whose support Starting with a student body tries, and delivers the same inter- In addition to the four ma- tifi cate programmes, part of a demonstrates a commitment to also held virtually this year. during a challenging year was of 25 students in 2005, the GU-Q nationally-ranked curriculum as jors, students have the option rigorous, multidisciplinary cur- Georgetown University’s core At the ceremony, Dallal sent a even more critical for student has now produced 635 alumni Georgetown’s campus in Wash- of expanding their fi eld of study riculum that is taught in a sup- values of excellence and serv- special message of gratitude to success. representing more than 50 coun- ington, DC. through several minors and cer- portive learning environment. VCUarts Qatar BFA+MFA 2021 online show launches today

irginia Commonwealth University School of the VArts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation part- ner university, will launch the online exhibition of this year’s graduating cohort of artists and designers today (Monday). Members of the public, as well as artists, designers and indus- try professionals from across the Design by Nada Raafat Elkharashi, MFA in Design, Class of 2021. globe, will now be able to view the creative output of Qatar’s MFA in Design, and Painting + in their fi nal projects. manity across the globe, to those latest generation of creatives, by Printmaking graduates. “Our fi rst BFA + MFA online that off er a quirky, lighter twist accessing the link https://qatar. Despite most of the academic show last year resulted in even on the ordinary and the every- vcu.edu/bfa-mfa-thesis-2021. year being held online, VCUarts greater reach, allowing industry day.” The online show is a collective Qatar ensured that students had and media professionals to view The Class of 2021 follows in presentation of the skills and tal- access to resources that would and appreciate the talent and the footsteps of alumni who are ents of VCUarts Qatar’s Class of allow them to incorporate tech- creativity at VCUarts Qatar,” said making their mark in the four 2021, made up of 85 graduates. niques such as animation, textile dean Amir Berbic. corners of the globe. Design for the ageing, the design, silk printing, fabrication “This year, we’re continuing in Some of them have been rec- homeless, cultural conservation technology, visual languages, the same vein, and we’re thrilled ognised through international in Qatar, gender stereotyping, product, print and website de- to present the work of our gradu- awards – such as the Interna- third culture children, mental sign, typography, home fashion ating Class of 2021 to you,” he tional Property Awards, and the well-being, nationality and iden- merchandising, building code said. “The projects on display Red Dot Award – while others tity, social hierarchies, and ac- requirements, interior graphics, show how this graduating group have had their work displayed cessories, are some of the themes printmaking, digital painting, – despite the circumstance they at prestigious exhibitions and that have been examined by this screen-printing, lithography, were in – have ventured off the events in places such as Doha, year’s cohort of Fashion Design, computer programming, and beaten track to explore areas as Dubai, London, Berlin, Moscow, Artwork by Almaha al-Maadeed, Class of 2021. Graphic Design, Interior Design, photographic stencil techniques, diverse as issues that aff ect hu- Paris, and Hong Kong.