FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Kowie Geldenhuys EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paulo Coutinho www.macaudailytimes.com.mo

THURSDAY T. 22/ 29 Air Quality Bad MOP 8.00 3758 “ THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ”

N.º 22 Apr 2021 HKD 10.00

MACAU REGISTERED A TOTAL SSM TO LAUNCH A LOCAL RESIDENT IS OF 362 REPORTS OF SUSPICIOUS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING AND TRANSACTIONS FROM THE CASINO VACCINATION OUTREACH EXTORTING HIS GIRLFRIEND FOR OPERATORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES A TOTAL OF HKD170,000: PJ P6 P4 P6 AP PHOTO

Indonesia’s navy is searching for a submarine that went missing north of the resort island of Bali with 53 people on board, the military said. Military CLIMATE chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the KRI Nanggala 402 was participating in a training exercise when it missed a scheduled reporting call. The submarine is believed to have disappeared in waters about 60 miles north of Bali, he said. SUMMIT India Twenty-two Covid-19 patients on ventilators died Dozens of foreign in a hospital in western India yesterday when their oxygen supply was leaders are set to meet interrupted by a leak in a supply line, officials said. Suraj Mandhar, the district today in a two-day collector, said the supply of oxygen has since resumed to other patients. Fire virtual summit meant officer Sanjay Bairagi said the leak was halted by the fire service within 15 to invigorate the minutes, but there was supply disruption in the global fight against Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik. climate change P7 Australia yesterday canceled four bilateral deals with China, Iran and Syria under new laws that give the federal government power to overrule international agreements by lower-level administrations that violate the national interest. The canceled deals include Victoria state’s two “Belt and Road” infrastructure building initiative deals with Beijing signed in 2018 and 2019, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement. BLOOMBERG AP PHOTO

New Zealand announced BLOOMBERG yesterday it will consolidate LIVE ON TAOBAO its fragmented health care system into a national service similar to the one revered by many in Britain. first online New Zealand’s government- run system is currently divided into 20 district health commerce boards, each with their own budget. Some describe the system as a “postcode center opens lottery” of different treatment depending on where people live. in town More on backpage P3 page 2 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo MACAU 澳門 22.04.2021 thu

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ttee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Confe- DSAL and MGM rence. Ho called for the promotion co-hosted of industrial innovation with technological innovation, the job fair upgrading of the industrial chain, and the exploration of HE Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) re- new models of cooperation Tcently teamed up with MGM Group between Guangdong, Hong to jointly organize a recruitment fair. Kong, and Macau to drive the The event was intended to facilitate Greater Bay Area’s integrated the job-seeking process for local resi- development to a higher level. dents to secure a position. All of the par- Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for ticipants for the fair were referred by the Ho Iat Seng and Edmund Ho pose for a group photograph with members of the Macau entrepreneur delegation attending the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia, Hainan Province Economy and Finance of the DSAL and interviewed by MGM. SAR, said Macau can provide The fair presented a total of 12 va- legal and commercial services cancies across several departments at for the trade of commodities, MGM Group, including positions in textiles, and mechanical and information technology, business de- Ho Iat Seng to attend electrical products between velopment, internal auditing, accoun- China and Portuguese-s- ting, public affairs departments, and peaking countries. others. GBA meeting in Meanwhile, Carrie Lam, The DSAL has deployed authorities to Chief Executive of Hong Kong, monitor the recruitment process at the said at a sub-forum of the an- fair, ensuring the salary packages offered Guangzhou today nual meeting that the Hong by the firm meet the market standard. Kong region has strong basic Some recent graduates who attended HE Chief Executive Ho Iat tor, Lin Yuan, will also travel spur the high-quality develop- scientific research capabilities the fair yesterday expressed concerns TSeng will attend a meeting to Guangzhou to attend the ment of the city cluster in the and sound financial services. about difficulties in securing jobs during of the Leading Group for the meeting. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Ma- After integrating into the de- the pandemic, with many of their job Development of the Guang- The Secretary for Adminis- cau Greater Bay Area. velopment of the Greater Bay applications being made fruitlessly. dong-Hong Kong-Macau tration and Justice, Cheong Each city should have a ra- Area, Hong Kong can promo- The fair was the lead-off recruitment Greater Bay Area in Guang- Weng Chon, will be Acting tional layout and division of te high-quality development event between the DSAL and MGM. The zhou today. Chief Executive. labor and plan its own com- throughout the region by gi- second session, with a presentation of The director of the Policy At the recent Boao Forum plementary development and ving full play to the region’s 172 vacancies, will take place on April 27. Research and Regional De- for Asia, attendees from Hong mutually beneficial results, manufacturing competitive- The DSAL will collaborate with two velopment Bureau, Cheong Kong and Macau called for said Edmund Ho, vice chair- ness and huge market poten- other leisure enterprises to host four ad- Chok Man, and deputy direc- technological innovation to man of the National Commi- tial, Lam said. LV ditional fairs in the future. HT

has also been proposed to 80% occupancy rate expected 11% of local population achieve proximity to the level proposed by the WHO, des- by hotel association aged above 15 smokes pite the causal economic re- lationship between taxation ANTHONY LAM relative drop fits the target levels and rates of quitting ANTHONY LAM riod was on a trajectory pointed out that the go- set by the WHO for achie- smoking being unproven. to reach 80% from a pre- vernment and the bu- N 2019, one in ten local Ma- ving a relative drop of 30% in The SSM has also inter- HE overall local ho- vious level of only about siness sector had coo- Icau residents aged above 15 smoking population by the viewed an undisclosed num- Ttel occupancy rate half. perated in the hopes of years was a smoker, a report year 2025. ber of casino workers about is likely to surpass the Commenting on this reviving the economy by the Health Bureau (SSM) However, certain areas their perception of air quality 80% threshold during trend, the association through the provision has recently pointed out. remain of concern to the in casinos. The report poin- the seven-day May 1 head said he is satisfied. of consumption pro- The SSM has conducted SSM, including young peo- ted out that more than 90% of holiday in mainland Explaining the fore- motions and privileges. follow-up studies and evalua- ple smoking e-cigarettes, the interviewees rated the air China, Cheung Kin cast popularity, Cheung Cheung believes fur- tions on the Law on Preven- the online sale of cigarette quality as good, very good or Chung, president of reiterated that the holi- ther growth in the hotel tion and Control of Smoking, products and smoking on excellent. the Macau Hoteliers & day period is a traditio- occupancy rate for the also known as the Smoking sidewalks while walking, As for air quality in VIP ca- Innkeepers Association, nal tourism season in holiday period is pos- Control Law, and has compi- among other issues. sinos or junkets, nearly 70% has forecast. mainland China. Also sible. Citing the expe- led a report. In order to combat these of the interviewees gave the Meanwhile, average important is the fact rience and data of pre- While one in five men problems, the authority re- same rating. room rates for the pe- that travelling between vious years, he noted smoke, only 2.4% of females commends that imports of All air samples collected by riod have risen by just Macau and mainland that individual travelers (or one in 40) smoke. e-cigarettes be banned, so the SSM have met standards 10%, approximately, in China does not require usually only make pre- The authority compared as to further restrain the po- for government air quality in order to maintain at- quarantine. parations for their trips the size of the smoking popu- pularity of the product. An general public venues, the tractiveness to custo- He also expressed his about a week before ho- lation in 2011, which was be- increase of the tobacco tax SSM added. mers, the association confidence in the city’s lidays begin. fore the enactment of the law, president revealed. disease containment Concerning the pri- to that of 2019. In 2011, about On top of that, some measures. This safety, ces of rooms, although 17% of the population aged days ago, the Macao according to him, is a they have risen slightly, above 15 years of age smoked. Government Tourism number-one attractive- they remain at a very The absolute drop was about Office announced that ness for mainland re- attractive level, accor- 5% and the relative drop was overall, the local hotel sidents to visit Macau. ding to the association 33.7%. booking rate for the pe- Most importantly, he head. It was noted that the local

www.macaudailytimes.com.mo DIRECTOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF_Paulo Coutinho [email protected] A MACAU TIMES PUBLICATIONS LTD PUBLICATION ASSISTANT EDITOR_Lynzy Valles SENIOR WRITER_Honey Tsang CONTRIBUTING EDITORS_Leanda Lee, Severo Portela, Sheyla Zandonai ADMINISTRATOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kowie Geldenhuys [email protected] NEWSROOM AND CONTRIBUTORS_Albano Martins, Annabel Jackson, Anthony Lam, Emilie Tran, Irene OFFICE MANAGER Juliana Cheang [email protected] REACHING OUT! Sam, Ivo Carneiro de Sousa, Jacky I.F. Cheong, Jenny Lao-Phillips, João Palla Martins, Joseph Cheung, ADDRESS Av. da Praia Grande, 599, Edif. Comercial Rodrigues, 12 Floor C, Juliet Risdon, Linda Kennedy, Paulo Cordeiro de Sousa, Renato Marques, Richard Whitfield, Viviana Seguí MACAU SAR Telephones: +853 287 160 81/2 Fax: +853 287 160 84 DESIGNERS_Eva Bucho, Miguel Bandeira | ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTORS_JML Property, MdME Lawyers, Advertisement [email protected] +20,500 PokerStars, Ruan Du Toit Bester | NEWS AGENCIES_ Associated Press, Bloomberg, MacauHub, MacauNews, Xinhua For subscription and general issues: [email protected] | Printed at Welfare Printing Ltd Like us on facebook.com/mdtimes SECRETARY_Yang Dongxiao [email protected] send newsworthy information and press releases to: [email protected] website: www.macaudailytimes.com.mo www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 3 thu 22.04.2021 澳門 MACAU

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SSM orders recall for batch of Macau’s first live-streaming cholesterol pills The Health Bureau has ordered the recall of a brand of medication mainly used center opens to treat cholesterol issues, branded “Cholesterol Balance HONEY TSANG live-streaming sessions can help F.C. Tablets 10mg” and boost consumption intention, as manufactured by Yusheng HE Live-streaming Commerce merchants are able to give a more Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., center, the first-of-its-kind in detailed and interactive descrip- T with batch number I016, Macau, was opened yesterday. The tion of products to attract prospec- due to the level of impurities institution will enable local retai- tive buyers. missing the relevant quality lers to showcase Macau’s products The center will operate on a threshold. The bureau, citing to consumers on China’s biggest membership basis. It will offer the importer, remarked that e-commerce platform Taobao broadcast rooms and technical the medicine is only sold at through live shows. gears for local enterprises to host community pharmacies. The center was jointly esta- live-streaming shows. It can ac- blished by China’s e-commerce commodate a total of over 50 live giant Alibaba Group and two local anchors at any one time. Public tender conglomerates, including Multi- Alex Lao, chairman of Multina- for fourth national Holdings Group. rious kinds of cross-border e-com- market hit 4.1% last year. tional Holdings Group, also pre- At the opening ceremony yes- merce activities and closely col- The surging sales data for Tao- sided at yesterday’s ceremony. He bridge terday, Tai Kin Ip, director of the laborate with local businesses to bao Live, a live-streaming plat- said that the center would not only commences Economic and Technological De- help Macau’s small-and-medium form for merchants on the Taobao fill the void in Macau’s live-strea- The public tender process for velopment Bureau said that the enterprise (SMEs) to shine on the marketplace, is a testament to the ming commerce market, but also the construction of the road trend of live-streaming e-commer- mainland business stage. surging popularity of live-strea- provides much-needed momen- that will connect the Fourth ce in China is set to continue. The support measures are de- ming e-commerce. tum to help cultivate new and in- Macau-Taipa Bridge with The center will help local signed to nurture local business As stated in a report by Aliba- novative industries. the artificial border island merchants to take advantage of and drive economic diversifica- ba, Taobao Live raked in USD7.5 In the first stage, the center will of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- growing demand. In addition, it tion, he said. billion just within the first 30 mi- feature products with local cha- Macau Bridge and New Area will help reduce the operational According to People’s Daily, nutes of the presales campaign for racteristics, such as Macau’s sou- Zone A has commenced. cost for budding entrepreneurs, the live-streaming e-commerce China’s annual Singles’ Day sho- venirs, local clothing and jewelry Construction should start who can then use the platform to industry in China was forecast to pping festival on November 11 last brands. in the fourth quarter of this promote their brands and produc- generate 1.05 trillion yuan in 2020, year. The organizers will announce year and take 640 days to ts to boost sales, Tai stressed. up 210% year on year, whilst the One merchant, a member in the details regarding the center’s complete. The results of He also vowed that the authori- penetration rate of live-streaming Macau’s first live-streaming center, training scheme for live-streaming the public tender will be ties would continue to support va- sessions in China’s e-commerce told the press yesterday that the skills in May. announced on May 13.

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ned the SSM decided to halt the COVID-19 vaccination of the elderly as there was not sufficient data at the time to verify whether Sinopharm had Sinopharm vaccine a high prevention efficiency for them against the coronavirus. Following the latest advice by reinstated for elderly: SSM the SHC and after evaluating the gains and risks, the SSM decided HONEY TSANG gistered seniors fail to meet the to restore Sinopharm inoculation two requirements for receiving for the city’s elderly, Leong added. HE Health Bureau (SSM) has the inactivated vaccines: firstly, The preconditions for elderly Treinstated the administration bearing a high risk of exposure residents to be inoculated with of Sinopharm’s inactivated vac- to Covid-19, and secondly, expe- Sinopharm vaccines are reduced cine for people aged 60 or above, AGENCY PHOTO MACAU riencing a health condition. from two to one. Tai Wa Hou, coordinator of the Leong Iek Hou, coordinator “They [elderly] no longer need Health Bureau’s (SSM) Covid-19 at the Center for Disease Control to be [those] with high risks of ex- Vaccination Operation, confir- and Prevention, who also atten- posure. The only requirement is med yesterday at the TDM Macau ded the forum yesterday, explai- to be physically fit,” Tai said. Forum. Tai’s announcement came following the statement released on April 1 by the National Heal- th Commission of the People’s Vaccination outreach Republic of China (NHC), which already underway clarified that the elderly aged 60 or above are also eligible for re- THE Health Bureau (SSM) has The plan for the vaccination already commenced its earlier outreach program was first ceiving the vaccines. promised vaccination outreach mentioned to the public by Tai questions are incorporated into gar levels in check, he clarified. The only prerequisite for Ma- activities to boost the city’s vacci- at a Covid-19 media briefing on cau’s senior residents to receive the survey for the Sinopharm The inactivated vaccine deve- nation rate, Tai Wa Hou, coordina- March 23. Sinopharm vaccines now is to be vaccines than for those relating to loped by the Chinese state-ow- tor of the Covid-19 Vaccination “[SSM] will allocate locations and in a condition of good health, Tai BioNTech vaccines. ned pharmaceutical company Operation, revealed yesterday. time slots for [groups] of people stressed. But he emphasized that senior Sinopharm Group was originally The authorities have contacted who hail from the same alliances, Senior residents interested in individuals undergoing acute made available for the city’s el- around 60 associations in Macau organizations, departments and taking the Sinopharm vaccine are bouts of serious and chronic ill- derly until February 24, when to discuss the inoculation arrange- so on, to receive their jabs togeth- required to fill out a questionnai- nesses are not recommended to the SAR government suspended ments for their members. er at the time,” he said earlier re. The medical staff will use the receive the vaccinations. its registration and use on those The SSM will also embark on out- The tactic is intended to extend survey to assess the participant’s However, those with diabetes aged 60 or above. reach vaccination program at local the vaccination service beyond universities and corporations, and the city’s current 13 designated health status and determine whe- and high blood pressure are also Such a moratorium, the SSM will consider extending the pro- centers, to drive up the inoculation entitled to take the Sinopharm officials claimed, was to ensure ther they are physically fit for vac- gram to high schools and elderly rate and help Macau achieve herd cination. vaccines, provided that they keep the vaccination program “runs care centers, he said. immunity as quickly as possible. Tai said that several more the blood pressure and blood su- smoothly,” after seeing some re-

ELECTIONS 2021 UM-co-developed autonomous CAEAL meets driving technology wins prize education at international competition sector, clarifies RENATO MARQUES evaluation mechanism, rules and roles ensuring a safe and viable technology developed autonomous driving sys- HE Electoral Affairs ledge about the election Acooperatively between tem that fixes many of the TCommission for the laws and strengthen the the University of Macau misperceptions occurring

Legislative Assembly Elec- promotion of the concept (UM) and the Shenzhen AGENCY PHOTO MACAU in other models that pose tion (CAEAL) met yester- of clean elections,” he said. Institutes of Advanced a significant safety risk to day with representatives Regarding teaching staff Technology of the Chine- operational self-driving from Macau’s education and other staff members se Academy of Sciences vehicles. sector to remind repre- from schools and higher (SIAT) has been awarded Accompanying the sentatives of the rules and education institutions, second prize in an interna- competition entry, the regulations governing the Tong reminded them that tional algorithm competi- UM-SIAT has presented a election procedure. they should maintain neu- tion titled “CVPR Security paper further explaining In his opening spee- tral behavior regarding AI Challenger.” the new model to the in- ch, the president of the candidates and lists, and The UM-SIAT project ternational conference de- CAEAL, Tong Hio Fong no- warned the private insti- was part of a competi- dicated to the field of artifi- ted the importance of the tutions particularly of the tion of 1,681 projects from cial intelligence. role of the education sec- need to ensure that any teams around the world, The academic paper is tor in ensuring a fair and campaign or advertising with the UM-SIAT team the authored by a student, Yu impartial election process, events are conducted in only one from Macau to that has emerged in recent -driving visual perception Yunrui, under the guidan- since most of the polling accordance with the law. win an award at the com- years. systems to malicious atta- ce of Professor Xu Cheng- stations for the voting day At the meeting, the petition, which was jointly While the model of deep cks on adversarial samples, -Zhong, dean of the Faculty are located in schools. CAEAL explained to all the organized by the University learning has been integra- additions to image data, of Science and Technology Tong urged school re- representatives from the of Illinois, Tsinghua Uni- ted into the fields of per- and subtle disturbances of the UM and the acade- presentatives to be atten- education sector the insti- versity, and Ali Security. ception, decision-making, that are difficult for hu- mic leader of the State Key tive and ensure that no tutions’ obligations during According to a state- and the control of autono- mans to recognize through Laboratory of Smart City unlawful activities occur the election process in ment from the university, mous driving, previously their senses, all of which Internet of Things. The pa- during the campaign or detail, as well as the assis- the UM-SIAT project tested presented deep learning can cause models to make per is co-authored by Dr. on voting day, and called tance that institutions can a new algorithm that can models have presented se- incorrect judgments. Gao Xitong, an assistant on the school institutions provide when the polling achieve better results than vere problems concerning The new model from researcher of SIAT, also un- to take this opportunity to station is located on school any other model robust- robustness. Among these UM-SIAT establishes an der the guidance of Profes- “deepen students’ know- premises. RM ness evaluation method is the vulnerability of self- effective model robustness sor Xu. www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 5 thu 22.04.2021 廣告 ADVERTISEMENT

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MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

CRIME Man accused of assaulting, extorting, and illegally recording his girlfriend

RENATO MARQUES balance, forcing her to log in to the account via online male resident from the banking to check that she was Amainland in his 30s is speaking the truth. suspected of having commit- Upon realizing that she ted several crimes against his had about HKD70,000 in the girlfriend, a 31-year-old wo- bank account, the man for- man, a resident from Macau. ced her to give him this cash, The case was revealed yes- threatening her with public terday by the Judiciary Police humiliation if she did not (PJ) during the regular joint comply. press conference of the police They met again on April 7 forces. this year, and he once more According to the victim’s inspected her bank account, report, she met the man in realizing that she had some December 2018 through a HKD160,000 worth of stocks. mobile dating application The man then threatened and the pair maintained a the woman again, calling on long-distance relationship for her to give him HKD100,000 a period until they finally met of these savings. in February 2020 and formally A few days later, on April 16, began a relationship. he again called for a new mee- About one month later, ting and attempted to repeat they had arranged to meet, the extortion scheme, but the Local contractor suspected as they had done often befo- woman this time resisted the re, in a hotel in the neighbo- threat and pressed charges of employing illegal worker ring city of Zhuhai; but they against him with the police in argued during that meeting, Zhuhai and then with the PJ 52-year-old resident and owner of a civil construction On investigation, the man suspected of being an illegal and the woman said that the on arriving in Macau. Acompany is accused of employing an illegal worker worker told the police that he had followed his father to man physically attacked her, Three days later, on April from the mainland, the Public Security Police Force (PSP) Macau for work, intending to learn how to carry out wall slapping her face and injuring 19, the suspect was intercep- informed media yesterday during the police forces’ joint painting. He also told the police that he was earning 400 one of her arms. ted at the Border Gate while press conference. patacas per day for this work. Even so, she agreed to a attempting to enter Macau, it The case was revealed by a complaint made to the PSP In the course of police questioning, the company owner “peace-making” meeting being alleged that he wanted indicating that illegal workers were being used in the re- denied that the man was employed by him. He said that with him on the following day to reconcile with the woman. novation an apartment located in a building at Rua Cen- he was aware that the father had the intention of bringing at the same place. He only had HKD24,000 tral. his son to observe the work and learning how to perform it On that day, the victim in his possession, it being so The PSP dispatched officers to the location, who dis- only. He also claimed not to be paying any salary or com- said that the man took several far unclear for what he used covered three men in the apartment. While conducting pensation for the man’s work. photos of her naked and also the HKD170,000 that the local identification checks, the police realized that one of According to the PSP spokesperson, and despite the filmed several videos of her woman claims to have lost. the men was a resident of Macau and the owner of the contradictory statements, the force claims to have gathered containing sexual content wi- The suspect was presented apartment. The other two were a non-resident worker enough evidence to show that the man found in the apart- thout her consent. to the Public Prosecutions Of- from the mainland, who was lawfully employed by the ment was working and had been hired for paid work. She said that he then be- fice on April 20 to be charged contractor, and his son, a man without documents Following this evidence, the PSP decided to refer the gan using this content to pres- with bodily harm, extortion, allowing him to work in Macau, who had entered the case to the Public Prosecutions Office with the owner of the sure her to disclose her bank and illegal recording. region on a tourist visa. apartment accused of employing an illegal worker. RM

1.7% increase in suspicious casino FSS: honest declaration transaction reports in Q1 is a legal requirement

ACAU registered a total HE Social Securi- and make contribu- Prosecutions Office. Mof 362 reports of suspi- Tty Fund (FSS) has tions to the system. According to the cious transactions from the AP PHOTO reminded employers One of the require- bureau, a culprit was casino operators in the first and residents that they ments is that the per- recently sentenced quarter (Q1) of 2021, up 1.7% must provide infor- son must have been following convictions from 356 in the same period mation honestly when in Macau for at least concerning a dishonest last year, according to data making contributions; 183 days in the 12 declaration. provided by the Financial In- otherwise it may cons- months before filing In addition, the FSS telligence Office. titute a basis for crimi- the application. The cited Law No. 4/2010 to The suspicious transac- nal liability. FSS noted that it has explain the necessity of tions filed by the local casino The bureau stressed a mechanism for con- the social security ins- industry amounted to arou- that employers must ducting verifications. tallment. It stipulates nd 55.3% of Macau’s total honestly provide the If a person is found to that employers must dubious transactions from employment details of have falsely provided make obligatory sys- January to March this year. their employees to the information or used tem contributions for This figure was followed The aggregate tally of The yearly uptick, the Of- FSS, and pay contribu- false statements with their local employees, by 30.0% from financial suspicious transaction re- fice said, was predominantly tions for them. Macau the intent of obtaining while other adult Ma- institutions and insurance ports received by the office driven by the increase in the residents who have rea- improper benefits cau residents can pay companies, and 14.7% from in Q1 2021 totaled 654: an number of suspicious tran- ched the age of 18 may for themselves or for contributions by en- other institutions, the Office increase of 7.92% year-on- sactions reported by other apply for enrolment others, the case will be rolling in the arbitrary revealed. -year. institutions. HT in the arbitrary system referred to the Public system. AL www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 7 thu 22.04.2021 中國 CHINA

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER BLOOMBERG

prompted India, the world’s third-biggest emitter, to decla- re a target for achieving net-ze- ro emissions domestically. And Putin, Xi, Pope join 40 leaders other nations, such as Brazil, are seeking more financial support to curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. at Biden’s climate summit Other challenges surround ne- JENNIFER A. DLOUHY executives from Citigroup Inc., accord and dismantled domestic participating nations will use the gotiations with China, as the U.S. & JENNIFER EPSTEIN Bank of America Corp., electric policies key to driving emissions forum to make announcements seeks to compartmentalize talks vehicle maker Proterra Inc. and cuts. about their own plans for comba- on climate amid concerns around RESIDENT Joe Biden is other companies. Biden has made combating cli- ting climate change. trade, intellectual property and bringing together dozens Biden administration officials mate change a priority. He’s lau- On Wednesday, Kerry said he human rights. Secretary of State of foreign leaders along said they are “upping the ante” on nched an interagency task force, expects Xi to “to make some an- Antony Blinken warned Mon- with corporate executi- climate change ambition and in- deputized a White House climate nouncements” about what China day that the U.S. won’t let other Pves, union heads and Pope Fran- tend to utilize all the tools availab- czar to coordinate action and di- plans to do to address emissions countries use climate progress as cis in a two-day virtual summit le to confront the crisis, including rected agencies to consider a suite between now and 2030. The next a chip “to excuse bad behavior in meant to invigorate the global finance, which will be in focus on of new rules meant to spur clean nine years, Kerry said, are cri- other areas.” fight against climate change and the first day. While many recent energy. This week’s summit marks tical for putting the Earth on a Xi, meanwhile, issued a veiled restore U.S. credibility on the is- international climate change his first big step to address climate path to slow global warming. critique of his own on Tuesday, as sue. discussions have focused on the on the global stage. he urged other nations to avoid The heads of state of all 40 na- role of multilateral development In the weeks leading up to the “If we don’t have people signing “bossing others around,” and in- tions invited have agreed to at- banks and formal climate assis- summit, Special Presidential En- on to raise ambitions by 2020 to sisted that “the future destiny of tend the event, which begins on tance programs, the conversation voy for Climate John Kerry has 2030, we don’t get to where we the world should be decided by all Earth Day, today, as Biden seeks at this week’s summit will include been traveling the globe, working need to go by 2050,” Kerry said countries.” to prove the U.S. is committed a more expansive look at the role to coax stronger emissions-cu- during a Washington Post inter- The U.S. pledge would requi- to making deep greenhouse gas of private capital in propelling tting pledges from U.S. allies. view streamed online. “And there re dramatic changes in the U.S. emissions cuts needed to avert clean energy and building resi- Some of those efforts have borne is no holding the Earth’s tempe- energy landscape, from the way the most catastrophic conse- lience, the administration rature increase to 1.5 de- electricity is generated to the cars quences of climate change. officials said. grees Centigrade.” traversing the nation’s highways. The gathering is aimed at dri- The agenda also in- Chinese President Even before it starts, The U.S. would also need to cur- ving more aggressive climate ac- cludes a session today on Xi Jinping is slated the U.S. climate summit tail emissions from the industrial tion that can keep average tem- nature-based solutions to is helping galvanize grea- sector, with carbon-capture tech- peratures from rising more than climate change, such as to appear during ter ambition, said David nology deployed at ethanol facto- 1.5 degrees Celsius, a key tipping reducing deforestation, Waskow, director of the ries, cement makers and petro- point. promoting sustainable the conference and World Resources Institu- chemical plants. The leaders of some of the wor- agricultural practices and Russian President te’s International Climate Ahead of the summit, Biden is ld’s top-emitting countries will conserving wetlands. Initiative. Still, a key test set to announce a U.S. vow to at appear alongside officials from Tomorrow’s summit Vladimir Putin is set will be how much fun- least halve domestic greenhouse smaller, island nations that are will focus on unleashing ding the Biden adminis- gas emissions from 2005 levels by already dealing with the conse- technological innovation to make live remarks tration dedicates to ai- the end of the decade, according quences of a warming planet. Chi- necessary to curb emis- ding developing nations to people familiar with the matter. nese President Xi Jinping is slated sions and the economic opportu- fruit, as Japan, Canada, the U.K. in adapting to climate change and The Biden administration also to appear during the conference nities of climate action. and other nations are expected pursuing clean energy projects, is advancing a slate of policies and Russian President Vladimir The administration officials to outline more aggressive targets Waskow said. meant to buttress that carbon- Putin is set to make live remarks. plan to point to sustained climate for paring planet-warming gree- “Clearly the summit has prope- -cutting pledge - including work About 18 top executives from action by corporations and state nhouse gases. lled action in the early part of the to marshal U.S. government the U.S. government, including governments as a sign of enduring The administration officials, year,” Waskow said. “There’s much spending on electric vehicles and Secretary of State Antony Blinken U.S. progress, even as former Pre- noting that the U.S. is responsible more to be done, but this does devote more money to helping and Treasury Secretary Janet sident Donald Trump withdrew for 13% of global greenhouse gas give the traction that we need.” other nations pursue clean ener- Yellen, also will participate, as will the U.S. from the Paris climate emissions, said they anticipate Kerry’s push so far has not gy. MDT/BLOOMBERG page 8 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo WORLD 國際 22.04.2021 thu

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

RUSSIA this day in history

1980 Deposed ministers Over 180 reported arrested executed in Liberia in Navalny demonstrations JIM HEINTZ & DARIA said at least 182 people had LITNOVA, MOSCOW been arrested. It also repor- AP PHOTO ted that police searched the OLICE across Russia offices of Navalny’s organi- have arrested more zation in Yekaterinbrug and than 180 people in detained a Navalny-affiliated connection with journalist in Khabarovsk. Pdemonstrations yesterday In St. Petersburg, the Sta- in support of imprisoned te University of Aerospace opposition leader Alexei Na- Instrumentation posted a valny, a human rights group notice warning that students said. Many were seized be- participating in unauthori- fore protests even began, zed demonstrations could Thirteen leading officials of the ousted govern- including two top Navalny be expelled. ment in Liberia have been publicly executed on the associates in Moscow. The 44-year-old Naval- orders of the new military regime. Navalny’s team called the ny, who is President Vladi- The dead men included several former cabinet unsanctioned demonstra- January that were the largest harshly critical of Navalny’s mir Putin’s most prominent ministers and the elder brother of William Tolbert, the assassinated president of the west African sta- tions after reports that his in Russia in a decade. treatment and have called opponent, was arrested in te. health is deteriorating while Protests in support of Na- for his release. January upon his return They were tied to stakes on a beach next to the on hunger strike, which he valny, who is President Vladi- In Moscow, Navalny from Germany, where he army barracks in the capital, Monrovia, and shot. began March 31. mir Putin’s biggest foe, began spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh had spent five months re- Journalists who had been taken to the barracks “The situation with Ale- in each city around 7 p.m. and Lyubov Sobol, one of his covering from a nerve agent to watch the executions said they were cruel and xei is indeed critical, and so and moved west across the most prominent associates, poisoning he blames on the messy. we moved up the day of the sprawling country. The lar- were detained by police in Kremlin. Russian officials They said four men were forced to watch the mass protests,” Vladimir gest turnouts were expected the morning. have rejected the accusation. others die before being shot themselves as there Ashurkov, a close Navalny in Moscow, where demons- Yarmysh, who was put Soon after, a court found were only nine stakes. ally and executive director trators were called to gather under house arrest after the that Navalny’s long stay in The 13 men had been accused of treason, corrup- of the Foundation for Figh- in a square adjacent to the January protests, was detai- Germany violated the terms tion and violation of human rights. ting Corruption, told The Kremlin, and in St. Peters- ned outside her apartment of a suspended sentence he However, only four were condemned to death af- Associated Press. “Alexei’s burg. building when she went out was handed for a 2014 em- ter their trial by a military tribunal. health has sharply deterio- His team called the na- during the one hour she is bezzlement conviction and But the tribunal’s verdicts were overruled by the rated, and he is in a rather tionwide protests for the allowed to leave, said her ordered him to serve 2 and a so-called “Redemption Council”, headed by Ser- critical condition. Doctors same day that Putin gave his lawyer, Veronika Polyakova. half years in prison . geant Samuel Doe. are saying that judging by annual state-of-the-nation She was taken to a police Navalny began the hun- Sergeant Doe seized power 10 days ago in a coup his test (results), he should address. In his speech, he station and charged with or- ger strike to protest prison during which President Tolbert was shot dead. be admitted into intensive denounced foreign govern- ganizing an illegal gathering. officials’ refusal to let his Since then Sergeant Doe has since been trying to care.” ments’ alleged attempts to Sobol was removed from doctors visit when he began rally support for his regime with promises of eco- His organization had said impose their will on Russia. a taxi by uniformed policei, experiencing severe back nomic recovery. protests would take place in Putin, who never publicly said her lawyer, Vladimir Vo- pain and a loss of feeling in He has already doubled civil service and army sa- more than 180 cities, but it uses Navalny’s name, did not ronin. his legs. The penitentiary laries and announced free tuition for students. Another 80 people associated with the deposed was not immediately clear if specify to whom the denun- OVD-Info, a group that service has said Navalny was government are awaiting trial by the tribunal. they would match the mas- ciation referred, but Western monitors political arrests getting all the medical help Most of the deposed Tolbert government belon- sive turnout for protests in governments have been and offers aid to detainees, he needs. MDT/AP ged to Liberia’s elite -the descendants of freed sla- ves from the United States who founded the coun- try 133 years ago. However, the so-called “Americo-Liberians” now vaccine supply for make up only 5% of the population and resentment COVID-19 every adult by the end has built up over the years at their dominant social of May and for every and economic position. American by July, but Last year riots occurred when the government Hitting latest vaccine milestone, administering the proposed sharply increasing the price of rice, the nation’s staple food. shots will be another matter. Courtesy BBC News Biden pushes shots for all In recent weeks ZEKE MILLER, the White House has WASHINGTON expand vaccine distri- tor to vaccinations in restore a semblance of launched a massive bution and access in much of the country. normalcy around the outreach campaign In context HE U.S. is set to his first three months While surveys have July Fourth holiday to Americans to get Tmeet President Joe in the White House. shown that vaccine and even more so by vaccinated, relying By the late 1980s economic collapse in Liberia cul- Biden’s latest vaccine But with all those 16 hesitancy has decli- the beginning of the on funding from the minated in civil war when dissidents of Charles Tay- goal of administering and older now eligi- ned since the rollout next school year. $1.9 trillion virus relief lor’s National Patriotic Front overran much of the countryside and executed Samuel Doe. 200 million corona- ble for shots, the pre- of the shots, admi- Biden was not ex- package passed last Fighting intensified as the rebels splintered and virus shots in his first sident is expected to nistration officials pected to set new pu- month to launch ads fought each other, the Liberian army and West Afri- 100 days in office, as outline his adminis- believe they have to blic targets for vacci- and fund direct com- can peacekeepers. the White House steps tration’s plans to dri- make getting vac- nations, and adminis- munity engagement In 1995 a peace agreement was signed, eventually up its efforts to inocu- ve up the vaccination cinated easier and tration officials have to under-vaccinated leading to the election of Charles Taylor as presi- dent. late the rest of the pu- rate even further. more appealing. been careful to avoid constituencies. But by October 2000 Liberian forces were engaged blic. With roughly 28 Maximizing the predicting when the Biden set his goal of in battles with rebels based in neighbouring Guinea. With more than million vaccine doses number of Americans country will have vac- 200 million shots last There were also border skirmishes with Guinean 50% of adults at least being delivered each vaccinated in the co- cinated enough peo- month after meeting forces, resulting in the displacement of thousands partially vaccinated, week, demand has ming months is criti- ple to reach herd im- his 100 million-in-100 of people. A power-sharing government was set up in 2003 to Biden yesterday will eclipsed supply as cal for the White Hou- munity. The U.S. is on days goal just over a end 14 years of civil war. reflect on his efforts to the constraining fac- se, which is aiming to track to have enough month ago. MDT/AP www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 9 thu 22.04.2021 資訊／娛樂 INFOTAINMENT

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

YOUR STARS The Born Loser by Chip Sansom

Aries Taurus

Mar. 21-Apr. 19 Apr. 20-May. 20 Romantic relationships may also This energy creates a strong experience a sudden breakthrough urge for freedom and asks you or need for freedom. Meanwhile, to present your most authentic the Virgo moon stabilizes your self. Health revelations may ability to stay productive on the make themselves known under work front. this revealing connection.

Gemini Cancer

May. 21-Jun. 21 Jun. 22-Jul. 22 Lover Venus spends the day alongside Magnetic Venus cuddles up next eye-opening Uranus - a pairing to breakthrough Uranus today - that helps you break through old bringing an electric energy that blockages around love. Elsewhere, welcomes new friends, brings changes the Virgo moon calls you homeward to your community, or ushers in new to focus on family matters. approaches to old goals. SUDOKU WEATHER Leo Virgo MIN MAX CONDITION Jul. 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sep. 22 Easy Easy+ CHINA You deserve the pampering you You’re building the vision, Virgo. Beijing 18 drizzle crave, Leo. The moon meanders Now, all you need is faith and 12 through your sign all day, making follow-through to see it all come Harbin 11 22 cloudy no cosmic connections to other to life. Thursday’s skies help you planets. This creates a low energy, do just that, so long as you’re Tianjin 12 15 drizzle low activity sort of day... willing to lean into the new. Urumqi 0 12 sleet Xi’an 26 clear Libra Scorpio 10 Lhasa 4 17 cloudy Sep.23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Chengdu 16 23 overcast Today’s skies may not be the most Lover Venus spends the day Chongqing 16 28 cloudy comfortable for you to navigate, merged with revolutionizing Libra. Important realizations are Uranus, prompting Kunming 14 27 clear working to break through around breakthroughs, news, or changes Nanjing 21 moderate rain your individuality and intimate taking place in your intimate one- 17 relationship matters. on-ones. Shanghai 17 23 drizzle Wuhan 16 25 cloudy Sagittarius Capricorn Medium Hard Hangzhou 17 25 drizzle Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Taipei 22 27 drizzle That grouchy person who tries Use this energy to go over what’s Guangzhou 21 30 cloudy to steal your parking space, the practical and what’s excessive. This overbearing boss who spends more aspect can also manifest as difficult Hong Kong 23 29 clear time breathing down your neck than moments in relationships; serious doing their own job, the roommate conversations around forward who never cleans up their messes. movement present themselves. WORLD Aquarius Pisces Moscow 4 9 cloudy Frankfurt 2 12 cloudy Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb.19-Mar. 20 Paris 7 15 clear Magnetic Venus spends the day Lover Venus finds herself entangled merged with insightful Uranus, in a union with breakthrough London 3 13 cloudy bringing important revelations or Uranus. This energy has an news around your closest of kin. exciting, electric feel, but one that New York 3 10 drizzle It’s an ideal day for a therapeutic also can burn bridges when it feels release. like its freedom is hindered.

CROSSWORDS USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ACROSS 1- Sewing case; 5- Attention; 9- Damage; 13- Toe woe; 14- Paradises; 16- “On the Waterfront” director Kazan; 17- It’s linked to mighty; 18- Uruguayan friend; 19- Bandage; 20- Olive genus; 21- Sloth, for one; 22- Optical phenomenon; 24- Editor’s note; 26- Smooth sailing; 27- Satisfies; 29- Illegal; 33- Lost; 34- Emergency calls 999 Taxi 28 939 939 / 2828 3283 Against; 35- Indifferent; 36- ___-tzu; 37- Extreme; 38- Automobile; 39- Skin disorder; 41- Ballet bend; 42- Picture; 44- Bare; 46- Holmes’s creator; 47- North Fire department 28 572 222 Water Supply – Report 2822 0088 Carolina university; 48- ___ ex machina; 49- Cossack chief; 52- Baseball club; 53- Dosage abbr.; 57- Quote; 58- Chicago’s airport; 60- Like ___ not; 61- Small gull; PJ (Open line) 993 Telephone – Report 1000 62- Declines; 63- ___ song (cheaply); 64- The wolf ___ the door; 65- Nudnik; 66- Tibetan oxen; PJ (Picket) 28 557 775 Electricity – Report 28 339 922

DOWN: 1- Reflected sound; 2- Labor; 3- Advocate forcefully; 4- Rashly; 5- Stops; PSP 28 573 333 Macau Daily Times 28 716 081 6- Allow to enter; 7- Bridle; 8- Chang’s twin; 9- Book of the New Testament; 10- Inter ___; 11- Circular band; 12- Created; Customs 28 559 944 15- East African nation; 23- This ___ Yesterday’s solution stickup!; 25- Beverage commonly drunk S. J. Hospital 28 313 731 in England; 26- ___ nous; 27- Pile; 28-

In agreement; 29- Before; 30- _____ Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com Kiang Wu Hospital 28 371 333 point: where it all becomes clear; 31- Grammarian’s concern; 32- Learning; 33- Commission Against Woeful word; 34- Detective Pinkerton; 37- So far; 40- Rudimentary component; Corruption (CCAC) 28326 300 42- Chit; 43- Bewilder; 45- Guido’s high note; 46- Hate; 48- Challenges; 49- IAM 28 387 333 Broadway opening; 50- Rail supports; 51- Gillette brand; 52- Ruin; 54- Greek Tourism 28 333 000 portico; 55- Flesh of a hog; 56- Ladies of Sp.; 59- Occurrence;; Airport 59 888 88

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MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER Apple targeted in USD50 million ransomware hack of supplier Quanta

KARTIKAY MEHROTRA to sell their secret documen- ts. More recently, ransomwa- S Apple Inc. was revealing

BLOOMBERG re gangs have also stolen data Aits newest line of iPads and and threatened to make it pu- flashy new iMacs yesterday blic unless the victim pays a (local time), one of its primary fee. REvil’s the same group that suppliers was enduring a ran- executed a ransomware atta- somware attack from a Russian ck in 2020 against a law firm operator claiming to have sto- they claimed once represented len blueprints of the U.S. com- some of Donald Trump’s tele- pany’s latest products. vision enterprises. In 2019, the The ransomware group RE- group also attacked a group vil, also known as Sodinoki- of Louisiana election clerks a bi, published a blog on its week before Election Day. darkweb site early yesterday in REvil attempted to engage which it claimed to have infil- Quanta in ransom negotiations trated the computer network last week inside a chat-room of Quanta Computer Inc. The on the attacker’s darkweb page, Taiwan-based company is a according to a transcript that’s key supplier to Apple, manu- been reviewed by Bloomberg facturing mostly Macbooks. It News. The REvil operator star- similarly produces goods for ted the interaction by claiming the likes of HP Inc., Facebook to have stolen and encrypted Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Goo- “all local network data” while gle. demanding $50 million for the REvil’s public face on the decryption key to unlock their darkweb, a user on the cyber- systems. -crime forum XSS who goes by A user responded two days the name ‘Unknown’, announ- later, stating they were “not the ced Sunday that the ransomwa- person in-charge of the com- re group was on the cusp of de- compromise until the date of cent abnormal activities obser- will continue to post new files pany“ but wanted clarity on claring its “largest attack ever,” Apple’s latest big reveal, con- ved. There’s no material impact every day, REvil said on its blog. the terms of engagement. The in a post reviewed by Bloom- tending the parts supplier had on the company’s business An Apple spokesperson de- engagement caused confusion, berg News. The post was made expressed no interest in paying operation.” clined to comment on ques- and another two days later, in Russian on a channel where to recover the stolen data. By the time Apple’s product tions about the compromise. REvil’s operator threatened to the REvil group recruits new Quanta acknowledged an launch was over, REvil had Quanta added that its infor- publish Apple’s data. It appears affiliates, according to a per- attack without explaining if or posted schematics for a new mation security defense system the conversation then moved son familiar with Unknown’s how much of its data was sto- laptop, including 15 images de- was activated immediately, and to email. history on the XSS forum who len. tailing the guts of what appears it has resumed internal servi- REvil then delivered on its sought anonymity for fear of “Quanta Computer’s in- to be a Macbook designed as ces affected by the incident. promise to publish data it be- retaliation. formation security team has recently as March 2021, ac- The company is upgrading its lieves to be Apple’s proprietary By early on April 20, REvil’s worked with external IT exper- cording to the documents re- cybersecurity infrastructure to blueprints for new devices. The ‘Happy Blog’ - a site where the ts in response to cyber attacks viewed by Bloomberg. protect its data. images include specific compo- cartel publicly names and sha- on a small number of Quanta REvil is now attempting to Ransomware is a type of nent serial numbers, sizes and mes victims in hopes of coaxing servers,” the company said in shake-down Apple in its effort malicious code that typically capacities detailing the many ransom payment - declared a statement. “We’ve reported to profit off the stolen data. encrypts a victim’s data or ne- working parts inside of an Apple Quanta its latest victim. In their to and kept seamless commu- They’ve asked Apple to pay twork of computers. The ha- laptop. One of the images is sig- post, also reviewed by Bloom- nications with the relevant law their ransom by May 1, as was ckers then demand a ransom ned by an Apple designer, John berg, the hackers claim they’d enforcement and data protec- first reported by Bleeping Com- to decrypt the information, or Andreadis and dated March 9, waited to disclose the Quanta tion authorities concerning re- puter. Until then, the hackers a promise from the hackers not 2021. BLOOMBERG

CORPORATE BITS Sands Resorts Macao presents spring promotions Wynn receives accolades in vocational skills competition also receive resort vou- and facilities departments chers that can be used teamed up to take part, ex- on designated dining, spa changing ideas and com- and recreation across the peting alongside more than integrated resort. The pa- 100 industry peers in three ckage is already available separate contests, namely for booking for stays from “Gaming and Entertainment April 23 until June 30. Professional Skills Competi- T Galleria By DFS Macau tion”, “Hotel Services Profes- at Shoppes at Four Sea- sional Skills Competition” and sons is also now offering “Gastronomy Professional a “Limited Time Offer,” Skills Competition.” where shoppers who spend “Wynn has continued to over MOP3,000 or more in make a concerted effort one day until April 27 can in cultivating local talents. Sands Resorts Macao ment and leisure activities redeem a MOP150 e-cou- Wynn won a total of 10 Federation of Trade Unions Through a wide range of ac- is presenting the “Spring for the whole family. pon to use against the next awards in the recently held Wynn has taken part in tive training methods, the Getaway in Macau” pro- Guests can enjoy a se- purchase of MOP500 or Macau Integrated Tourism the competition since 2019, company is committed to motion, which offers stays lection of accommoda- more on full-price beau- and Leisure Enterprise Vo- making this the third con- nurturing future professio- at eight hotels, retail pro- tion for two at Macau’s ty and fragrances, fashion cational Skills Competition secutive year. This year, 23 nals for the industry,” the ga- motions, a wide range of premium integrated re- and accessories and wat- co-organised by the Labour team members from ga- ming operator said in a state- dining options, entertain- sort destination and will ches and jewellery. Affairs Bureau and the Macao ming, F&B, housekeeping, ment. www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 11 thu 22.04.2021 體育 SPORTS

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

ROB HARRIS, LONDON

HE Super League collap- sed before a ball was kicked in the European Super League collapses after breakaway competition Tafter being abandoned by the six English clubs, leaving the Spanish and Italian participants stranded. the six English clubs withdraw Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, a statement, “we shall reconsider dels of American sports that were Manchester United, Manchester the most appropriate steps to believed to be so appealing to the

City and Tottenham throughout reshape the project, always ha- AP PHOTO U.S. owners by offering financial Tuesday evening deserted the ving in mind our goals of offering certainty. proposal to launch a largely-clo- fans the best experience possible But they were resisted by fans sed midweek competition amid while enhancing solidarity pay- of English clubs. an escalating backlash from their ments for the entire football com- “It was never our intention supporters and warnings from munity.” to cause such distress, however, the British government that le- The English clubs heeded the when the invitation to join the Su- gislation could be introduced to appeals from UEFA President per League came, while knowing thwart it. Aleksander Ceferin to remain part there were no guarantees, we did The Super League project was of the Champions League, which not want to be left behind to en- overseen by Real Madrid Presi- has a qualification criteria based sure we protected Arsenal and its dent Florentino Perez, who also on a team’s performance in the pool captain Jordan Henderson “We have listened carefully to future,” the north London club signed up Barcelona and Atlético domestic league. and his teammates posted a mes- the reaction from our fans, the said. “As a result of listening to you Madrid in Spain, and Juventus, AC “I said yesterday that it is admi- sage advocating staying within UK government and other key and the wider football communi- Milan and Inter Milan from Italy. rable to admit a mistake and the- the open European competitions. stakeholders,” said the club ow- ty over recent days we are with- The rival for the UEFA-run Cham- se clubs made a big mistake,” he Liverpool, which is owned by ned by the American Glazer family drawing from the proposed Super pions League became unviable said. “But they are back in the fold the Boston Red Sox investment and listed on the New York Stock League. We made a mistake, and without the six clubs from the now and I know they have a lot to group, eventually issued a state- Exchange. “We remain commit- we apologize for it. world’s richest league. offer not just to our competitions ment thanking those inside and ted to working with others across “We know it will take time to The remaining fledgling Super but to the whole of the European outside the club for “valuable the football community to come restore your faith in what we are League organization was defiant, game. contributions” before making the up with sustainable solutions to trying to achieve here at Arsenal blaming “pressure” being applied “The important thing now is decision to stick within existing the long-term challenges facing but let us be clear that the deci- for forcing out the English clubs that we move on, rebuild the unity structures. the game.” sion to be part of the Super Lea- and insisting the proposal com- that the game enjoyed before this Manchester United defender Just as the Glazers also own gue was driven by our desire to plied with the law and could yet and move forward together.” Luke Shaw also went against his the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stan protect Arsenal, the club you love, be revived in some form. As it became clear Chelsea and club by tweeting his backing of the Kroenke has the NFL’s Los An- and to support the game you love “Given the current circums- City were quitting the Super Lea- existing Champions League minu- geles Rams in his portfolio along through greater solidarity and fi- tances,” the Super League said in gue on Tuesday evening, Liver- tes before his club’s about-turn. with Arsenal. It is the closed mo- nancial stability.” MDT/AP

ad Columbus police officer fatally the shoots girl swinging knife BUZZ Columbus police shot and killed a teenage girl who swung at high-profile police killings that have led to clashes. two other people with a knife yesterday (local time), according The 10-second clip begins with the officer getting out of his to bodycam footage from the officer who fired the shots just car at a house where police had been dispatched after someone minutes before the verdict in George Floyd’s killing was read. called 911 saying they were being physically threatened, Inte- Officials with the Columbus Division of Police showed a seg- rim Police Chief Michael Woods said at the news conference. ment of the footage just hours after the shooting took place in a The officer takes a few steps toward a group of people in the neighborhood on the city’s east side. The decision to swiftly re- driveway when the girl, who was Black, starts swinging a knife OPINION lease the video was a departure from protocol as the force faces wildly at another girl or woman, who falls backward. The officer World Views immense scrutiny from the public following a series of recent shouts several times to get down. Daniel Moss, MDT/Bloomberg

How much of China’s

GDP was made in China says 200 AP PHOTO America?

China kicked off the year with a record expansion million citizens that even surpassed the glory days of the 1990s, EU officials unveiled when manufacturing and export stardom becko- proposals yesterday for ned. The first-quarter performance — stellar as the have been vaccinated reining in high-risk uses of artificial intelligence such headlines are — masks shortcomings and vulne- ROUND 200 million rabilities that will likely constrain the economy in as live facial scanning that AChinese, or 14.29% of could threaten people’s

coming months. AP PHOTO the population, have been Gross domestic product jumped 18.3% in the first safety or rights. The draft vaccinated for COVID-19 quarter from a year earlier, the National Bureau of regulations from the EU’s Statistics said Friday. That’s an impressive perfor- so far, with an emphasis on executive commission mance, albeit one flattered by comparisons with the front-line workers, univer- include rules on the use of the rapidly expanding first three months of 2020, when Covid-19 first hit. sity students and people li- technology in systems that Compared with the fourth quarter, growth was less ving in border areas, a heal- filter out school, job or loan stratospheric — just 0.6%, down from a previously th official said yesterday. applicants. They also would reported 2.6%. Retail sales, considered a soft spot in China is ramping up vac- ban artificial intelligence the recovery, soared by more than a third in March cination efforts after a slow outright in a few cases from a year earlier, according to monthly data re- start, prompted in part by considered too risky, such as leased simultaneously. the virtual elimination of “social scoring” systems that Overall, the figures support projections of a bum- domestic transmission. Just judge people based on their per year for the world economy after the disastrous Masked residents lining up for COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site behavior and physical traits. contraction of 2020. The U.S.’s powerful rebound two local cases were repor- with a board displaying the slogan, “Timely vaccination to build the backs this optimism, too, with growth projected at ted on Wednesday, both in Great Wall of Immunity together” in Beijing, yesterday 6.4% in 2021, compared with China’s 8.4%, accor- the city of Ruili, which bor- ding to International Monetary Fund estimates last ders on Myanmar. nating 560 million of the blic buildings. AP PHOTO week. Notwithstanding critiques about widening Center of Disease Con- country’s 1.4 billion people While China was the first inequality between the best and the rest, we would trol official Cui Gang told by mid-June. major economy to throw off all be considerably poorer without fine report cards a news conference that China locked down the the effects of the virus, the Russia President Vladimir from Washington and Beijing. Putin yesterday sternly key areas and members of city of Wuhan for more than restrictions are seen as limi- But is China really so far ahead, and is the future warned the West against as rosy as it seemed decades ago, when it catapul- the population were being two months starting in Ja- ting its further growth, par- further encroachment on ted past one Group of Seven economy after ano- prioritized for vaccines. nuary 2020 after the coro- ticularly as Beijing readies Russia’s security interests, ther? Some imperfections suggest a tougher road. China has approved five navirus was first detected to welcome tens of thou- saying Moscow’s response A decent chunk of this expansion is attributed to domestically produced vac- in late 2019. Wuhan beca- sands of visitors as host of will be “quick and tough.” the surge in exports generated by American stimu- cines and exported millions me known as the epicenter the Winter Olympics in Fe- Putin’s warning during his lus. Its own central bank is wary of exuberance and of doses, although some of the pandemic, although bruary 2022. annual state-of-the-nation address came amid a inclined to tap the brakes. With the pandemic now scientists believe they pro- Beijing has suggested the Along with the sheer sca- under control and growth looking hale, Beijing can massive Russian military vide less protection that virus might have been cir- le of the vaccination effort, return to one of its main pre-Covid preoccupations: buildup near Ukraine, where those by Pfizer, Moderna culating earlier and possi- authorities need to convin- avoiding buildups of risk and excessive debt accu- cease-fire violations in mulation borne of loose financial conditions. and AstraZeneca. bly brought to China from ce a population that largely the seven-year conflict To that end, the central bank withdrew funds from The Chinese vaccines abroad. no longer feels threatened between Russia-backed the financial system last quarter. Authorities are- have an efficacy range of Since then, China has by infection. separatists and Ukrainian trying to rein in leverage, while doing just enough 50.7% to 79.3%, based on controlled the virus throu- “At present, vaccination forces have escalated in recent weeks. to support the economy and ensure liquidity. For all company data, lower than gh stringent border controls efforts in key areas and key the anxiety about the Federal Reserve scaling back their foreign peers but still and quick lockdowns whe- population groups are pro- bond buying, the real taper tantrum may emanate Germany Discussions effective. never new outbreaks crop gressing smoothly overall,” are underway among from Beijing, as I’ve written. This stance also sug- China is now giving up. Mask wearing indoors Cui told reporters at Wed- military planners with gests monetary officials aren’t overly bothered by millions of shots a day and remains almost universal nesday’s briefing. Already, the NATO-led Resolute possible contagion from the recent stress engulfing Support Mission in Kabul China Huarong Asset Management Co., one of the a top government doctor, and health tracing appli- 80% of workers in the heal- for a possible withdrawal of nation’s largest distressed-debt managers. With the Zhong Nanshan, has an- cations must be shown at th sector have received the international troops from nounced a goal of vacci- most shops, offices and pu- jab, Cui said. Fed and Congress juicing global growth, China can MDT/AP Afghanistan as early as afford to be prudent. The heavy lifting is being done July 4, Germany’s Defense elsewhere. Ministry said yesterday. America’s boom, while it lasts, is great news for If agreed, the date would exporters — and China is the biggest. Shipments move up by more than two to the U.S. jumped by more than half in March, THE DECISIVE MOMENT AP Photo/John Minchillo months the timeline to bring compared with a year earlier. That bounty isn’t res- international troops home. tricted to Beijing. South Korean exports rose 16.5% over the same period. Purchasing managers’ in- dexes across Asia, a barometer of manufacturing, are climbing. Barring a setback to the global eco- AP PHOTO nomy, Singapore’s GDP growth is likely to exceed the upper end of the official 4% to 6% forecast ran- ge, the city-state’s central bank said this week. Chad Rebels in Chad The past 20 years have been dominated by a narra- threatened to depose the tive that China drives the world, while the West se- son of the country’s slain ttles into a funk where GDP moves ahead by 1% or president after he was 2% annually. But the U.S. is catching a wave, too. named interim leader of Growth may be 7.7% this year, according to Bloom- the strategic central African berg Economics. A number in excess of 7% in Ame- nation, raising the specter rica hasn’t been seen since 1984. Strong readings yesterday of a potentially Thursday on retail sales — the second-biggest rise violent power struggle. It since 1992 — and an important factory gauge tur- was not certain how close ning in the best result since 1973 only strengthen the rebel column was to a bullish scenario. N’Djamena, the capital Given the cataclysm wrought by the pandemic, it city of 1 million people, or would be churlish not to welcome the vigorous firs- whether the military would t-quarter numbers from China. Bear in mind, thou- remain loyal to Mahamat gh, Beijing didn’t build this recovery all by itself. Demonstrators gather outside Cup Foods to celebrate the murder conviction of former Idriss Deby following his Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, yesterday (local time) father’s sudden death after three decades in power.