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Business events Sadd see off industry seen to play Wehdat to key role in Qatar’s remain in hunt economic growth

published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXXII No.11893 April 24, 2021 Ramadan 12, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Qatar to host FIFA Arab Cup 2021 draw on April 27 Qatar will host the draw for the facilities exactly a year before Qatar FIFA Arab Cup 2021: Qatar (host Amir, Deputy Amir, FIFA Arab Cup 2021 at Katara Opera hosts the first FIFA World Cup in the nation), Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, House in Doha on Tuesday, April 27 Middle East and Arab world. The finals Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, PM congratulate at 9pm local time. The tournament of both events are set to take place on Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Moroc- Benin president will be contested by 23 Arab nations. 18 December – Qatar’s National Day. co, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, The draw will be attended by a lim- Matches will take place at six Qatar Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ited number of off icials, in line with 2022 tournament venues, some of Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent Qatar’s Covid-19 protocols. which have hosted top-level football and Yemen. Further details about a cable of congratulations to the The FIFA Arab Cup will be held at in recent months, while others are in the tournament format and match Benin President Patrice Talon on the the end of 2021 and is seen as a vital the final stages of construction. calendar will be confirmed in due occasion of his re-election for a new opportunity to test operations and The 23 nations participating in the course. Sport Page 1 presidential term. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent cables of congratulations to Benin President Patrice Talon on the occasion of his re-election for a new HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki presidential term. Qatar in ‘net zero al-Subaie addresses the forum.

Covid recoveries rise, new cases fall There has been a substantial producers forum’ Qatar committed increase in the number of Covid-19 recovered cases in Qatar as well as a steady decline in new cases  The forum will devise strategies, which include methane over the past five days, according abatement and advancing the circular carbon economy approach to ensuring access to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) statistics. As many as 1,297 cases recovered in the last 24 hours atar, along with four other The forum will devise strategies, net zero emission strategies. We be- while 798 new positive cases were countries, will form a ‘unique’ which include methane abatement lieve that our engagement in this to a sustainable recorded, the MoPH announced Qco-operative forum, a plat- and advancing the circular carbon forum is an important mission con- yesterday. The number of recovered form for oil and gas companies to economy approach. The strategies sistent with, and supported by, our cases and new cases, respectively, develop pragmatic net zero emission also include development and de- ambition to create a better and more during the previous four days are as strategies, HE the Minister of State ployment of clean-energy and carbon sustainable future for humanity,” HE world: minister follows: April 22 (976, 800); April 21 for Energy Aff airs Saad bin Sherida capture and storage technologies, di- the Minister of State for Energy Af- (757, 819); April 20 (733, 885); April 19 al-Kaabi announced yesterday. versifi cation from reliance on hydro- fairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi said. (728, 896). Page 3 Apart from Doha, the other mem- carbon revenues, and other measures The establishment of the forum QNA edition of the carbon neutral 2022 FIFA bers of the ‘net zero producers forum’ in line with each country’s national comes as part of ways to discuss how Doha World Cup and to build a sustainable are the US, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and circumstances. the oil and gas sector can support the legacy for future generations consist- Quarantine exemption Norway, which collectively represent “Qatar is pleased to be among this implementation of the Paris Agree- ent with the viability and benefi ts of for Covishield vaccine 40% of global oil and gas production, distinguished group of signatory na- ment on climate change and the goal E the Minister of Municipal- net-zero solutions. it was explained in an offi cial state- tions that will undertake this unique of achieving net-zero emissions by ity and Environment Abdullah The minister pointed out Qatar’s The Indian embassy yesterday said ment. co-operative endeavour to develop 2050. Hbin Abdulaziz bin Turki al- support for development works that Qatar authorities have confirmed Subaie stressed that Qatar is pursuing aim to promote sustainable agricul- that those who have obtained a complete governmental approach to ture, renewable energy and food secu- Covishield vaccine in India are confront the factors of climate change rity in many countries through Silatech eligible for quarantine exemption Israeli forces target Palestinian protesters in all its aspects, referring to the state’s Foundation, where Qatar, working with at the time of entry into Qatar. eff orts at home and abroad to ensure partners, was able to reduce the envi- “Passenger should have obtained access to a more sustainable world. ronmental impact of agriculture and two doses, completed 14 days after The minister made the statement as increase food security in the 18 coun- the second dose and carry the a keynote speaker during the virtual tries in which it operates, while con- vaccine certificate,” the embassy sub-session on adaptation and recov- tributing to the creation of more than tweeted. “As per the new advisory ery, held on the sidelines of the leaders’ 1.7mn job opportunities for youth in by Qatar authorities, with eff ect from summit on climate through video con- Africa and the Middle East. tomorrow, passengers travelling ferencing. The minister commended Qatar’s to Qatar are required to carry a He said Qatar is deeply committed pledge to contribute $100mn to sup- negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test to dealing with issue of climate change, port small island developing states and certificate from an accredited lab noting that preserving and developing least developed countries in dealing done within 72 hours of arrival.” the the environment is one of the four main with climate change, natural hazards Indian embassy added. pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, and environmental challenges. which forms the basis for the state’s He concluded his speech by call- plans for responsible development. ing for collective global action to ad- Qatar beat Canada The minister highlighted the manner dress climate change, stressing Qatar’s in beach volleyball in which Qatar has managed, since 2017, commitment not only to slowing down to move away from importing nearly the eff ects of climate change, but also The Qatari men’s beach volleyball 90% of its food needs to being 100% self- to building a stronger foundation for team defeated Canada in suffi cient in many agricultural products, comprehensive and sustainable global the Cancun beach volleyball He stressed the country has rapidly growth that will benefi t everyone for competition in Mexico yesterday. risen to the challenge, by spreading ad- decades to come. The duo of Sherif Younes and vanced farming techniques and adopt- The minister stressed his keenness Ahmed Tijane prevailed over their ing a range of supply chain solutions to to jointly work to ensure the success of Canadian counterparts 21-17, 23-21 increase effi ciency, reduce waste, and this eff ort. in Group G. The competition plays cut water consumption. Inviting Qatar to attend this session, in an important role in determining The minister highlighted how Qatar which US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom who will play in the Tokyo Olympics supports the eff orts of sustainabil- Vilsack, and US Secretary of Homeland 2020. The Qatar beach volleyball ity and resilience at the international Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, took part, team is ranked 12th highest in the level, noting the country is a founding has come as a direct result of Doha’s suc- world. (QNA) member of the “One Planet” initiative cess in improving its food security at an as it works to accelerate the integration exceptional time, as well as its important of climate change issues into global as- eff orts at the international level to sup- RAMADAN THOUGHT Israeli security forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City yesterday, amid set management. This is in addition to port countries in working to achieve sus- tensions following clashes between Palestinians and far-right Jews. Page 7 Qatar’s commitment to host the fi rst tainable food security. O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow Saudi Arabia bans Lebanese not the footsteps of Shaitan Qatar’s electric vehicle charging (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy. — Qur’an 2: 208 produce over drug smuggling Prayer times strategy ‘to be unveiled next month’ Reuters operations...to prevent harm to inno- Fajr....3.42; Zuhr....11.32; Asr....3.01; cent citizens, farmers, industrialists Maghrib.....6.04; Isha.....7.34 Beirut and the Lebanese economy,” the Leba- By Shafeeq Alingal Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The station functions as a charging nese foreign ministry statement said. Staff Reporter The strategy includes setting up infra- point for vehicles with electricity pro- Fasting times audi Arabia yesterday an- The ban will take eff ect from 9am structure needed for the electric vehicle duced from solar energy via 216 photo- Iftar today ...... 6.04pm nounced a ban on imports of local time tomorrow. charging project and specifi cations for voltaic panels that are divided into two Imsak tomorrow...... 3.31am Sfruits and vegetables from Saudi customs authorities at Jeddah hile continuing its race to- electric chargers. areas with a total area of 270sq m. Lebanon, blaming an increase in drug had foiled an attempt to smuggle in wards achieving the goal in “The most important features of this The entire area is equal to a row for 24 smuggling, in a measure that will add more than 5.3mn Captagon pills, a type Wgoing green in the transporta- strategy are the identifi cation of public cars’ spaces. The total power produced Classifi ed to Lebanon’s economic woes. of amphetamine, hidden in pome- tion sector, Qatar is set to adopt an elec- places to set up the charging points,” the from these panels is 72KW peak. Lebanon is already in the throes of granate shipments from Lebanon, said tric vehicle charging strategy. National offi cial said. Kahramaa has plans to set up The station contains a unit that has Advertisements a deep fi nancial crisis. Mohamed bin Ali al-Naim, under- Programme for Conservation and Energy 200-500 charging points for electric cars two connections of Combo and CHAd- Page 5 Its agriculture minister said the secretary for security aff airs at Saudi Effi ciency (Tarsheed) president, engineer across the country by 2022. eMO types that are compatible with dif- move was a “great loss” and that the Customs, according to Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Ahmed al-Hammadi, said the The charging points will be at shop- ferent types of vehicles. trade was worth $24mn a year. SPA news agency. Lebanon’s caretaker strategy will be announced next month. ping malls, residential areas, stadiums, The unit allows two cars to be charged COMMUNITY The Lebanese foreign ministry said it interior minister Mohamed Fahmy said Addressing a virtual press conference, parks and government offi ces. Also, at a time with a rapid charging level of had been informed of the ban through Lebanon was ready to co-operate with he pointed out that the Qatar General Kahramaa aims to produce 700MW 15-20 minutes. The maximum charging the Saudi embassy and the foreign min- all states to stop drug smuggling and Electricity and Water Corporation (Kah- from solar panels by 2022. capacity is 100KW. See Pages ister had relayed it to top offi cials. that it had already been exerting “tre- ramaa) is working with other authorities In 2019, Kahramaa launched the Tar- The station also contains a power stor- “Lebanese authorities must exert mendous eff orts” but that sometimes including the Ministry of Transportation sheed Photovoltaic Station for Energy age unit in a battery with a capacity of 4,5 & 6 utmost eff orts to control all smuggling smugglers might succeed. and Communications (MoTC) and the Storage and Charging Electric Vehicles. 170KW/h. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 24, 2021 QATAR Qatar’s projects adhere to highest sustainability standards: report n recognition of ‘Earth Day and is taking a leadership position Qatar ranked 18th overall in the vironmental stewardship and dunes and ice sheets with radar 2021’ and the recently-held on the global stage. Throughout Earth.org Global Sustainabil- sustainability are at the heart technology. In addition, Amer- I‘Leaders Summit on Cli- the Qatar National Vision 2030, ity Index, but the country also of Qatar’s future development,” ican-based Texas A&M Univer- mate’ hosted by US President Joe the country’s roadmap for future topped the Mena region in the said Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad sity at Qatar has introduced a Biden, the US-Qatar Business growth, Qatar has prioritised en- World Economic Forum’s Energy al-Thani, managing director major programme called the Qa- Council (USQBC) has released vironmental stewardship across Transition Index.” of USQBC’s Doha Offi ce. “The tar Sustainable Water and Energy ‘Qatar Sustainability Report: A the vision’s four pillars: human Qatar has ensured that sus- country has ensured a green fu- Utilisation Initiative and is also Leader in Green Initiatives’. development, social develop- tainability is at the heart of the ture by investing heavily in re- playing a crucial role in recycling The report includes impor- ment, economic development, country’s economic develop- search, education, and commu- carbon by-products from natural tant information on how Qatar and environmental development. ment by ensuring some of the nity engagement initiatives.” gas production and converting is driving sustainability through Qatar has also made tremen- country’s largest upcoming Qatar has pushed sustainabil- them into carbon nanotubes to its policy, global leadership, and dous progress towards reaching projects and initiatives are en- ity to the forefront of the coun- be used in Qatar’s manufacturing how the country’s key projects the UN Sustainable Develop- vironmentally friendly. In 2022, try’s educational and research facilities. adhere to the highest sustain- ment Goals having established Qatar is set to host the fi rst-ever initiatives with key partnerships This report will be followed ability standards. indicators for 80.2% of the total carbon neutral FIFA World Cup with US institutions. In 2020, by another publication that will In response to growing CO2 number of indicators set forth with many of the stadiums using unveiled its new Sustainability down emission intensity of the Qatar Foundation partnered discuss some of the important emissions, water scarcity, and by the UN framework. “Qatar is solar power for electricity gen- Strategy, which established sev- country’s LNG facilities by 25% with the National Aeronautics initiatives American companies other global environmental chal- quickly becoming a global leader eration. eral targets in line with the goals and its upstream facilities by and Space Administration (Nasa) invested in Qatar are taking to lenges, Qatar has incorporated in sustainability,” said Mohamed In 2021, Qatar Petroleum, of the Paris Agreement. at least 15%, as well mandating to fi nd buried water in earth’s combat climate change. Down- ambitious sustainability goals Barakat, managing director of the world’s largest producer of Some of the goals set forth the use of Carbon Capture and deserts through the design of a load the report at https://www. throughout its national policy USQBC. “In 2021, not only was Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG), in the strategy include cutting Storage (CCS) facilities. “En- satellite mission to probe sand bit.ly/3elFmqp.

Msheireb Live in second season Al Sheehaniya Municipality inspections Al Sheehaniya Municipality, represented by the Meat of social media interview series Health Unit in the Health Control Department, examined 592 livestock ollowing the massive suc- carcasses at Sheehaniya cess of the fi rst social me- central slaughterhouse. Fdia series ‘Msheireb Live’, Seven were completely Msheireb Properties, the leading discarded and some partially sustainable real estate developer removed for being unsuitable in Qatar, is coming back in the for human consumption. second season to feature live in- The inspections are part of terviews with prominent Qatari the municipality’s ongoing fi gures from media, sports and Ramadan drives. culture to enhance social inter- action with people in Qatar. The Msheireb Live Series run- ning during the holy Ramadan, explores various topics related to the social and cultural changes in Qatar and reviving memories of about his memories at Msheireb Downtown Doha, the sustainable the past Qatari life. Additionally, and his family’s old business developer presents a benchmark it includes a competition that al- “Baradat AlSaei’ in the area. The project which truly represents lows followers to participate and session will also explore the role Qatari architecture and identity win valuable prizes. of media, especially social media, in the smartest city district in Study provides insight on ‘pharmacy care’ in Qatar The fi rst session will be held in providing the audience with the world. Msheireb Properties today (April 24), at 11.30pm on facts and deliver their messages. off ers people a new way to live, Msheireb Properties Instagram Msheireb Properties aims to work, and entertain. To watch atar University’s College of QU graduate sheds light on readiness of community page. Dr Hafez Ali, director of enhance social interaction and the Msheireb Live sessions, fol- Pharmacy (QU-CPH) MSc pharmacists to manage common minor ailments Msheireb Museums, will host the revive Qatari heritage for the low Msheireb properties Insta- Qstudent Ahmed Ashraf eff ectively and safely in Qatar prominent Qatari infl uencer and current generation. Through gram account @msheirebprop- Makhlouf recently successfully journalist Hassan Alsaei to talk its fl agship project, Msheireb erties. completed the oral defence of his pharmacists to expand access to outstanding excellence were piv- MSc thesis, titled ‘Community functional healthcare services at otal to the successful completion pharmacists’ self-perceived com- the primary care level were the of the project. petency, and enablers and barriers major enabling factors identifi ed. The valuable insights provid- towards the management of com- Inadequate private counselling ed for the fi rst time by the MSc Abandoned mon minor ailments in Qatar’. space in community pharmacies project will be useful in identify- The MSc project was super- was a key self-perceived barrier. ing appropriate interventions that vehicles vised by QU-CPH associate pro- The study has provided impor- could improve the readiness of fessor of Clinical Pharmacy and tant insights, which will be crucial community pharmacists to take removed in Practice Dr Kazeem Yusuff and to developing appropriate institu- over the task of managing minor QU-CPH professor of Social and Ahmed Ashraf Makhlouf tional framework that will guide ailments in Qatar. Al Sheehaniya Administrative Pharmacy Dr Mo- the ceding of the task of managing He added: “The potential ben- hamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim. A key fi nding of the study was minor ailments to a primary care efi ts associated with ceding the Al Sheehaniya Municipal- The MSc project was a two-phase that out of the 14 minor ailments professional such as community task of managing minor ailments ity, represented by the cross-sectional assessment of commonly encountered in Qatar, pharmacists in Qatar, the state- to community pharmacists in- General Control Department, the self-perceived competency of community pharmacists’ self- ment points out. clude reduction of the clinical and has removed a number of community pharmacists working perceived competency was high- He said this is more likely to fi nancial burden associated with abandoned vehicles from its in independent and chain phar- est for constipation and colds/ ensure that such a policy change minor ailments; more effi cient use jurisdiction. A number of other macies in Qatar to manage com- catarrh. is fi t-for-purpose, meets societal of healthcare resources, as physi- abandoned vehicles were mon minor ailments, QU said in a The competency elements with needs, enhances eff ective service cians will focus on more serious spotted in the camel racing statement. In addition, the factors the highest score were recommen- delivery and achieves positive out- medical conditions; and reduction areas and Al Muzaff arah and that may enhance or impede com- dation of over-the-counter medi- comes in Qatar. in patient load and waiting time Abu Nakhla areas. A statement munity pharmacists’ capacity to cines and provision of instructions Makhlouf noted that “a com- especially at public health facili- by the Ministry of Municipal- manage common minor ailments to guide its use, while the ability to prehensive assessment of commu- ties.” ity and Environment said eff ectively and safely in Qatar were diff erentiate minor ailments from nity pharmacists’ self-perceived Dr Fatima Mraiche, section head necessary measures are being also investigated. other serious diseases was the competency to manage commonly of Research and Graduate Studies taken in accordance with Minor ailments are uncompli- lowest. Female community phar- encountered minor ailments in at the College of Pharmacy-QU, the provisions of the Public cated medical conditions that are macists and working for chain Qatar is crucial to determining highlighted that this unique re- Hygiene Law. commonly encountered by com- pharmacies were the signifi cant their readiness to key into the inte- search project was based on col- munity pharmacists, and have predictors of higher self-perceived grated primary healthcare focus of laboration between community become a major source of clinical competency. Customers’ trust, the Qatar National Health Strategy pharmacy and QU-CPH and that and fi nancial burden especially in physicians’ support and the stra- 2018-2022.” such a collaboration is sure to con- primary, tertiary and emergency tegic focus of the Qatar National Dr Yusuff stated Ahmed’s zeal tribute to enhanced pharmacy care care settings. Health Strategy on community and impressive commitment to in Qatar. Green ideas take centre stage at ECGC

ustainability will take cen- ability, ensuring it is a key pillar in member of QF. HBKU’s MSEM tainability programme develops.” tre stage at Education City the organisation. We strive to em- programme is a joint degree with The HBKU students interviewed SGolf Club (ECGC) and be at brace sustainability in all its forms the University of South Carolina; all the relevant suppliers, such as the heart of the Commercial Bank – social, human, economical and the fi rst master’s degree in sport temporary infrastructure, energy Qatar Masters, a press statement environmental. We now look to and entertainment management and waste contractors, tourna- by Qatar Foundation (QF) has continue our commitment to sus- in Qatar and one of only a few in ment organisers and other rel- stressed. tainability with Hamad Bin Khalifa the Mena region. The programme evant stakeholders to complete the Golf events are increasingly University.” trains and prepares students for study. Work was also done on-site focusing on sustainability best ECGC is currently aligned to the management and leadership roles following strict social distancing practices to reduce their carbon GEO Foundation for Sustainable in the sport and entertainment in- protocols. footprints. Effi ciencies and waste Golf programmes for golf facil- dustries. Once completed, the document reduction can be improved sig- ity development and operations. Several MSEM students, in- will be utilised to develop the 2022 nifi cantly with eff ective planning Ultimately, the goal is to meet the cluding three Qataris, carried out tournament concept with an em- and close monitoring of branding, international standard for sustain- the study across golf’s three main phasis on enhancing sustainable infrastructure, and hospitality ca- able golf tournaments, with the sustainability themes – nature, practices. Dr Kamilla Swart Arries, tering, not only helping the tour- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters resources and community – look- associate professor, MSEM, said: nament operate and save costs, becoming a GEO-certifi ed tour- ing at ways to improve effi ciencies. “We would like to thank ECGC and but also supporting right from the nament over the coming years, the GEO Foundation provided guid- GEO for providing our students onset. statement points out. ance to the students to focus the with an opportunity to collabo- With next year’s event, Educa- During the 2021 tournament, study on the key areas of impact rate on such a prestigious Euro- tion City Golf Club will be look- an audit took place to develop an across the tournament. pean Tour event. We have a shared ing to better highlight the positive action plan for next year’s edi- Libi Newell, tournament sup- responsibility and commitment social and environmental impact tion. It was conducted by stu- port for GEO Foundation, said: to build local capacity within the on the tournament, the statement dents from the Master of Sci- “We are delighted to see the part- sport management industry and to notes. Michael Braidwood, general ence in Sport and Entertainment nership between HBKU and the integrate sustainability best prac- manager of ECGC – a member of Management (MSEM), off ered Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, tices in the learning experiences of QF – said: “Education City Golf by the College of Science and En- and look forward to working with the next generation of sport man- The HBKU partnership aims to improve the environmental impact of future Commercial Bank Qatar Club is committed to sustain- gineering – part of HBKU, also a both as the tournament’s sus- agers in Qatar.” Masters. Gulf Times Saturday, April 24, 2021 3 QATAR QF researchers develop non-invasive gadget to detect low blood sugar

By Joseph Varghese led by Prof Qaraqe and funded when the blood sugar drops to a cemia.” The team has gone a step require a screen making it low- Staff Reporter by QF’s Qatar National Research level that’s too low to sustain nor- forward and developed another maintenance and won’t need to Fund. “We recruited 77 partici- mal functioning- below 70 milli- ML algorithm for prediction of be charged daily,” he noted. The pants with T1D in two cohorts: grams per deciliter. “It is common hypoglycemia which can alert the developed technology has an ac- esearchers from Qatar one consisting of 45 adults lo- in people with T1D to experi- user of hypoglycemia in advance, curacy rate of between 85-89% Foundation (QF) and Tex- cated in the US, and 32 children, ence at least one or two episodes allowing them to prevent it from and “the accuracy range of our Ras A&M University in the from 10-17 years located in Qatar. of mild hypoglycemia a week,” occurring rather than having to technology is actually similar to US have developed an AI-based All members of both cohorts were said, Dr Goran Petrovski, diabetes manage it. The algorithm is also that of commercially available model to make a non-invasive users of Apple watch and con- consultant at QF’s Sidra Medicine able to predict and estimate the medical devices,” according to gadget to detect low blood sugar tinuous glucose monitor (CGM). who served as a consultant on the sugar level based on the tremor Prof Qaraqe. “Our technology is in people with Type1 diabetes The built-in motion sensor in project. data. “What we want to do now is cloud-based which means it is (T1D), Gulf Times has learnt. the Apple watch and blood sugar Existing solutions for glucose to create a wearable device, in the low latency – that means it proc- “The idea was to detect the fre- data collected from the CGM were monitoring such as continuous form of a bracelet or a ring which esses data with minimal delay. quency and magnitude at which crucial for the study,” Prof Qaraqe glucose monitors can prevent will use compact high-precision “As of now, the total time be- signs and symptoms of hypogly- Dr Khaled Qaraqe pointed out. To collect data, the these events but are very costly. Dr Goran Petrovski accelerometers to capture low tween the tremor occurring, cemia or low blood sugar occur in app was installed on each of the The need to come up with a frequency physiologic tremors sending the data to cloud-based people with T1D. University at Qatar, a QF partner participants’ Apple watch. simple, wearable and inexpen- Prof Qaraqe said: “When the and predict the blood sugar level,” AI, performing the calculation “To do this, we developed an and the lead of the programme. Through the watch’s built-in sive solution is what started this algorithm detects a tremor within Prof Qaraqe pointed out. in the cloud and getting it back is app that would help us collect rel- Signs and symptoms of hy- motion sensor and the app, the research. After obtaining the rel- the frequency range that is indic- Dr Petrovski said the device will between 60-90 seconds, which evant data via a smart watch,” said poglycemia can include sweating, group was able to determine the evant data, the team used AI to ative of hypoglycemia, it will send be a low cost one to cater to every is good, but we are working to re- Prof Khalid Qaraqe, professor, feeling tired, dizziness and trem- frequency at which tremors were develop a machine learning (ML) a message to the app user which, segment of the society. “The de- duce this further to a matter of a Electrical and Computer Engi- ors. These physiological trem- occurring in participants with algorithm to correlate tremor fre- in the case of children, is parents vice we envision will be a very few seconds and have it almost in neering Programme, Texas A&M ors were the focus of the project T1D. “Hypoglycemia happens quency and hypoglycemia. to alert them of possible hypogly- low-cost device, which doesn’t real time,” Prof Qaraqe added. VCUarts Qatar student’s research gains entry to international design conference

esearch conducted by standing of Homelessness’, built environment experts, I’ve observed how this attitude existing models in Canada, the ness. Yet, according to her, her Aia Zaina, a Virginia highlights the need for further and policy makers need to fo- has aff ected governmental and US, and Australia. Addition- research had a few surprises in RCommonwealth Univer- understanding into homeless cus on dwelling designs that societal eff orts to include and ally, she conducted in-depth store for her. sity School of the Arts in Qatar shelters, and explores the prob- foster emotional connectiv- reintegrate the homeless into interviews with those directly In her research, Zaina puts (VCUarts Qatar) student – has lem of homelessness as one ity, a sense of belonging, and the community.” Zaina says involved with the homeless or forward a design that promotes been accepted for the Environ- that goes beyond roofl essness. identity, among occupants. her professors encouraged her who were managing homeless inclusion among the homeless ment Design Research Asso- For her research, the interior “Of late I’ve seen how there is to submit her thesis to the En- shelters in Australia. – people who, irrespective of ciation EDRA52 conference to design senior studied exist- a stigma to stay away from, and vironmental Design Research As a Palestinian who spent nationality, ethnicity, colour or be held in Detroit, US, in May ing dwellings for the homeless not interact with, homeless Association, an international, most of her childhood in Aus- culture, are left without roofs this year. around the globe, and gath- people, as they are perceived interdisciplinary organisation tralia, Zaina says that she was over their heads due to their Her thesis titled ‘Prioritis- ered information to show that to be a danger to themselves founded in 1968. As part of her familiar with the topics of personal, social or political cir- ing Place for a Fuller Under- architects, interior designers, and others,” Zaina says. “And, investigations, Zaina studied displacement and homeless- cumstances. Aia Zaina

MoPH reports 1,297 Covid-19 recoveries A taste of

QNA with increased severity of disease. Filipino Doha The good news is that the Pfi zer/ BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being used in our vaccination culture he Ministry of Public program are eff ective against the Health (MoPH) reported new variants. Tyesterday 798 new con- The pace of the vaccination entro Rizal (SR), the Phil- fi rmed cases of coronavirus (Cov- programme means that there is ippines’ cultural arm for id-19) - 524 of these were from fi nally hope of a gradual return Sthe overseas promotion community cases and 274 from to normal for us here in Qatar of Philippine culture under travellers returning from abroad. and people around the world. But the oversight of the National The MoPH recorded 1,297 re- this will not happen in the next Commission for Culture and coveries from the virus during few weeks or months. Covid-19 the Arts (NCCA), will be cel- the past 24 hours, bringing the will continue to be a threat to our ebrating the 2021 ‘Buwan ng total number of cases recovered in health for the majority of 2021 and Kalutong Pilipino’ or Filipino Qatar to 178,461. Six new deaths until all eligible members of our Food Month this month, in co- were recorded ages of 39, 40, 49, population have been vaccinated, operation with the Philippine 57, 60 and 69 years of age, three of we must continue to follow the Culinary Heritage Movement them have chronic diseases, and preventive measures. and the SR Doha. they received the necessary medi- With the recent increase in the Dubbed as ‘Linamnam: A cal care. number of Covid-19 cases in Qa- Philippine Culinary Heritage Vaccination Data tar, it is important for everyone to and Gastronomy Symposium’, play their role in controlling the this SR event will feature an 13,72,396 Covid-19 vaccine virus by following precautionary online presentation of contem- doses have been administered measures: porary innovations on Philip- since the start of the programme.  Adherence to physical dis- pine cuisine by esteemed Fili- 26,973 Covid-19 vaccine doses tancing. pino food historian and author, have been administered in the  Avoiding close contact Felice Prudente Sta Maria. past 24 hours. with others, crowded places and A cooking demo of selected The Sentro Rizal event will feature an online presentation of 39.1% of the eligible population confi ned closed spaces where Filipino cuisine by celebrity contemporary innovations on Philippine cuisine by esteemed Filipino has now received at least one dose other people congregate. chef and author, Chef Myke food historian and author, Felice Prudente Sta Maria. of the vaccine. Wearing a face mask. “Tatung” Sarthou, will high- 84.2% of over 60s (the most Washing hands regularly. light the presentation. This benefit therefrom. Filipinos 34 SR sites worldwide that are vulnerable population group) Anyone suff ering from Cov- initiative is in line with the goal overseas, especially the chil- located in the chanceries under have been vaccinated with at least their symptoms. Since Febru- seeing positive Covid-19 cases id-19 symptoms should contact of Filipino Food Month to ap- dren of migrants, are invited the purview of the Philippine one dose, while 70.8% have re- ary 1, the number of people with in the region and in Qatar with 16000 helpline immediately. This preciate, preserve and promote to participate in this treat that Foreign Service Posts. ceived both doses. Covid-19 admitted to hospital has the new variants from the United is important as the earlier the dis- Filipino culinary traditions and will not only tickle the taste This SR e-tivity will be held doubled. Qatar’s strict quarantine Kingdom. ease is detected the easier it will treasures to ensure their trans- buds, but also bring memories on April 27 at 2pm (Philippine Every day, hundreds of peo- policy for returning travelers ena- This new variant is much more be to receive the right treatment mission to future generations. of home and arouse curiosity Standard Time)/10:00am (lo- ple are becoming sick due to the bled us to delay the introduction contagious and spread more eas- and recover from it. Visit the It likewise aims to support of how the rich Filipino culi- cal time) via zoom and will be Covid-19 with many requiring of new variants into this country ily between people than the exist- MoPH website for regular updates the various industries, farmers, nary traditions have evolved livestreamed on NCCA Face- admission to hospital to manage for several months but we are now ing strain and may be associated and new information. and agri-communities which through time. To date, there are book page. QU-CENG marks World Creativity and Innovation Day World Creativity and Innovation Day was first recognised by the United Nations in 2017

atar University’s Col- lege of Engineering (QU- QCENG) marked World Creativity and Innovation Day to celebrate the potential of the creativity and innovation indus- try around the world. Every year, Dr Mohamed Hussein Prof Rashid Alammari Dr Abdulla al-Ali Dr Adel Gastli Prof Majeda Khraisheh the world celebrates World Crea- tivity and Innovation Day to raise problems. Critical thinking is pushing students to practice in- establish a more effi cient work- Prof Rashid Alammari, profes- Covid-19, and we expect an in- and through providing the ideal awareness about the signifi cance the basis of an engineer. Building dependent thinking to fi nd inno- place, so that employee morale sor of Electrical Engineering. crease in such projects, ideas and educational environment. “This of creativity and innovation. up the creativity and innovation vative solutions. “The university increases, interdependence and Dr Abdulla al-Ali, department startups, all of which emphasise has resulted in success by pro- World Creativity and Innova- thinking in a student requires has worked to create a stimulat- teamwork improve, and chal- head of Computer Science and the importance of innovation viding distinctive solutions to tion Day was fi rst recognised by developing his critical thinking, ing environment by supporting lenges are solved with success. Engineering, noted: “We are be- and entrepreneurship skills in challenges facing the industrial the United Nations in 2017. Fac- through a methodological peda- academic research, establishing “This all results in improv- ginning to reap the fruits of our our graduates.” sector. ulty of QU-CENG shared a few gogy.” research centres and preparing ing productivity in the economy, work as some of our students Dr Mohamed Hussein, depart- Such projects include the Civil statements on this occasion. Dr Prof Majeda Khraisheh, de- the appropriate infrastructure, services and industries, and have launched small companies ment head of Civil and Architec- and Architectural Engineering Adel Gastli, professor of Electri- partment head of Chemical En- in addition to enacting legis- opening new horizons for future such as the Bonocle project (a tural Engineering, added: “The Department’s work in modelling cal Engineering, said: “In engi- gineering, said: “Creativity and lation to preserve intellectual generations in the continuity of digital reader tool for visually College of Engineering is con- constructions and using drones, neering, creativity and innova- innovation are considered es- property.” development and meeting their impaired persons). stantly encouraging its students as well as improving water treat- tion depend on critical thinking sential values greatly encouraged “Creativity and innovation own needs, and this is called Recently, many robots are to innovate through various ment systems, construction ma- in order to fi nd solutions to real by the university and college, by encourage problem-solving and sustainable development,” said helping us in medicine to fi ght research and teaching projects terials and roads.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, April 24, 2021 COMMUNITY Dos and don’ts for fasting diabetics Dr Syed Shadab Ahmed, medical practitioner and wellness expert associated with Zulal Wellness Resort, says diabetes patient can observe fasting by managing the disease

By Mudassir Raja pert associated with Zulal Wellness have a detailed health check-up at Changes in diet and physical index, high-fi bre food that re- can implement during Ramadan? Resort. The resort blends tradi- least one month before the start of activity levels during Ramadan lease energy slowly before and One must have moderate tional Arabic and Islamic medicine the fast. This will allow the patient are even more challenging for in- after fasting, like granary bread amounts of proteins with a prefer- revalence of diabetes is in- with a holistic health and well-be- and the doctors to prepare and have dividuals with diabetes, and their beans and brown rice. Minimis- ence to lean protein that stabilise creasing around the world. ing philosophy. a strict diabetes management plan risk assessment must be com- ing foods that are high in satu- glucose levels and preserves the PModern lifestyle and associ-  Kindly explain diabetic dis- well in advance, taking in consid- pleted by healthcare profession- rated fats and avoiding sugary energy throughout the day. Avoid ated stress are considered major ease and how to tackle it? eration a history of hypoglycemia als and completely individualised desserts, caff einated and sweet- breaking the fast with fruit juices factors for the complication. The There are two types of diabetes or hyperglycemia episodes. to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis and ened drinks are the key to suc- as it causes a sudden spike in glu- disease is no longer age or region- with diff erent levels of severity: Without taking these precau- hypoglycemic risks. During such cessful fasting for those with cose levels. specifi c. Medical experts note Type 1 is an immune system dis- tions, those who suff er from dia- assessments, presence of comor- diabetic condition. Moderate activities are advised that patients can only manage the ease, when the body attacks and betes are likely to experience a bidities, complications, as well as  What would you advise those to attain maximum benefi t and disease as there is not permanent destroys insulin-producing cells in severe hypoglycemic state during individual, social and professional with diabetes who would like to less exhaustion, take small breaks remedy available so far. the pancreas. With Type 2 diabe- Dr Syed Shadab Ahmed. (Sup- fasting days. The patients, classi- circumstances and previous Ram- fast? to keep the body dynamic and As the medical complication is tes, body cells do not allow insulin plied photo) fi ed as a high-risk group, should adan experiences must be taken in Such individuals must con- include 20 minutes of brisk walk- directly related to eating habits and to function as it should to let glu- be carefully monitored at home by account. stantly monitor blood sugar and ing that helps burn calories with routines, there are genuine con- cose into the cells.  Opinions on combining fast- healthcare personnel. With proper  How can one manage hy- fl uids, follow the diet advised by short burst intensity. cerns from patients and doctors To manage diabetes, it is crucial ing and diabetes are controversial – dietary advice and guidance from a poglycemia while fasting? the medical professionals and Having a good oil head massage for those who are diabetic and are to keep risk factors under control, some would recommend it, others medical professional, it is possible To successfully manage fast- break the fast in a timely manner, is especially benefi cial for people fasting during the holy month of keeping the blood glucose levels – fully reject. Share your insights to fast safely throughout the holy ing and avoid hypoglycemia, it and make sure to take the medica- with frequent headaches, intensi- Ramadan. as near to normal as possible by on fasting with diabetes, what are month. is advised to divide daily calo- tion adjusted accordingly. fi ed by dehydration. Acupressure Gulf Times spoke with Dr Syed following a diet plan, taking pre- the pros and cons?  In which cases must a diabetic ries between Suhoor and Iftar,  Can you share some practical and refl exology treatments are also Shadab Ahmed, a medical practi- scribed medication, and increasing All diabetes patients willing to person avoid fasting so as not risk ensuring all meals are well bal- wellness tips – fitness, diet, holistic a good way to boost the detoxifi ca- tioner and health and wellness ex- activity level. fast during Ramadan should ideally too serious health repercussions? anced and include low glycemic practices – that those with diabetes tion process in the body.

VCUarts Qatar interior design NU-Q webinar discusses role of alumna wins French design award ‘How does this design make me feel, and why is it that I feel this way?’ – data, science in pandemic reporting When an interior design student first asked herself that question during a project in her sophomore year at n the midst of confl icting information that ent segments of society and to communicate Virginia Commonwealth University accompanied the outbreak of the covid-19 the complex information to readers. School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Ipandemic, data and science have played “It’s one thing to just have a chart that shows Qatar) in 2015, little did she know a critical role in advancing fact-based cover- something important,” she said, “and it’s an- that that query would become a age, said Pulitzer Center journalists during a other thing to have a compelling visualisation of compass to keep her on the right Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) we- the data that engages with the stories embedded course of every design-related binar on science journalism. in that data (and critically examines) how cer- journey she would undertake over Pulitzer Center journalists Eliza Barclay, tain groups have been really disproportionately the following years – all the way to Charles Piller, and Youyou Zhou discussed aff ected by the pandemic.” creating an award-winning entry for how data analysis and data visualisation in With misinformation and conspiracy theo- a design competition in France. newsrooms have resulted in well-informed ries rapidly swirling around Covid-19 vac- In November 2020, Zeina Sleiman, Sleiman’s design is functional while encouraging children’s creative reporting of the pandemic. cines, Piller argued that science journalists a Class of 2018 Interior Design play. (Photo credit Thibault Charpentier @hebdomania) Piller, an investigative reporter at Science have a particularly important role to play as graduate from VCUarts Qatar, a Magazine, said the pandemic has transformed countries start vaccinating their populations. Qatar Foundation (QF) partner senses that are as equally important the design is playful yet functional. science journalists’ role “from being merely By reporting on clinical trial results and university, won a prize in a competi- as the visual. “On one hand, my design was translators whose job is to convey scientifi c in- prioritising expert opinions, Piller said that tion by French international design “During my research at École based on the psychological impact formation uncritically to being impactful sto- “science journalists are leading the eff orts to magazine Intramuros. Camondo I successfully led a few of a cocoon on children. The shape rytellers who are mobilising the public through data analysis in editorial decision-making has combat misinformation and restore people’s The magazine – for the first time experiments that included diff erent of the arches is meant to invite compelling, science-grounded reporting.” helped journalists report scientifi cally sup- trust in science.” – had organised a collaborative sensory components; I was able to young users to crawl under the Zhou, a New York-based data and visual ported information clearly and concisely by The event – Data, Science and Journalism in competition with École Camondo, link certain emotions to the textures table to play; to create their own journalist, explained how specialist data re- allowing them to realign their messages with the Age of Covid – is part of a series of annual the interior architecture and that I created. isolated, imaginary world. porters are combining their data analysis ex- new scientifi c discoveries and examine the discussions Northwestern Qatar hosts in col- design school in Paris where Zeina “I decided to implement these “We installed Sunbrella’s fabric on pertise with their journalistic skills to quickly changing context of the pandemic throughout laboration with the Pulitzer Center. was a postgraduate student from findings in my final project ‘Au-delà’ the inside part of the arches to show distinguish between fact-based news and the long-term news cycle. Northwestern Qatar students have received 2018 to 2020, Sunbrella, a com- where I could design furniture that the concept. fake news – telling compelling human stories Vox’s science and health editor, Barclay, grants and fellowships for international re- pany specialising in performance go ‘beyond the visual’ or ‘Au-delà du “On the other hand, I worked on that have often been overlooked in the main- added that using data visualisations and en- porting projects and educational programmes fabric for indoor and outdoor visuel’. I created three pieces of fur- ergonomics and anthropometrics stream media’s coverage of the crisis. gaging graphics has also enabled journalists to focusing on news issues of urgency and con- requirements, Moore Design, a niture: a dining table (which won the for both children and adults in order She also pointed out that incorporating capture the impact of the pandemic on diff er- cern. design business renowned for award), a couch and an armchair. to make sure that the table is func- developing workspace solutions “In each design, I highlighted sur- tional from both perspectives.” in multiple sectors, and Lafuma, a faces or zones that, as designers, Zeina then worked with Sunbrella QU industrial project highlighted in Nature Middle East French-based specialist in outdoor we don’t pay much attention to. who provided the fabric and cov- equipment and clothing. For instance, for the table, it was ered the cost of manufacturing the recent study conducted Collaborating in the project Technology Programme, was The competition awarded prizes the underside; for the couch, it prototype of the table, and Lenka by Qatar University were research teams from the able to present this work in a to the top three designs produced was the side corners, and as for Créations, who produced the final A (QU) focussed on the University of Houston (UH), nanomaterial conference in by the final year students at École the armchair, it was the armrest.” prototype itself. oil/water separation proper- US, and the Global Water the Netherlands as well as at an Camondo. Sleiman’s entry, a dining According to the VCUarts Qatar The materials used for the proto- ties by developed polymer Sustainability Center, Cono- international water and energy table design titled, ‘Au-delà du visuel’ alumna from Lebanon, the type were white Corian for the tab- nanocomposite membranes coPhillips, Qatar (GWSC, nexus conference in Qatar. (Beyond the Visual), was selected by design for the award-winning letop, dark-tinted oak for the wood containing specialised nano- ConocoPhillips). Additionally, the work Sunbrella, while Moore Designs and table was based on an entire veneer, and the fabric is Sunbrella’s materials that can resist bio- The research work was con- earned Ali, the ‘Outstanding Lafuma chose designs by two other semester’s research that tackled Savane Midnight. fouling. ducted by a student at Qatar Thesis Award’ by College of students. sensory elements that go The prototype is advertised through The significance of the re- University as part of his the- Arts and Sciences. The three winning students feature beyond the visual sense, and the Intramuros magazine. search to the industrial sector sis. The project was funded by on the cover of the March edition explores the psychology and the “When I heard that I was one of led to the study being high- Under the guidance of a team Qatar University Graduate As- of Intramuros magazine, which also curiosity of children. the prize winners, I was elated,” lighted in the Nature Middle consisting of Prof Mariam al- sistant Research programme has an article about each of the “The structure of the table was one Sleiman says.“And it wasn’t merely East, a comprehensive portal Maadeed, Dr Mohamed K Has- and the Qatar National Re- three winners and their projects. of the most challenging tasks I had because of the award. It was also for information on scientific san (from QU), Prof Alamgir search Fund (QNRF) “As designers, we tend to focus on attempted,” she says.“And this was because the honour seemed and medical research in the – researchers to put their Karim (UH) and Dr Samer Ad- More details of the study the visual aspect of the interiors and where the question I had made a to bring the design-thinking Mideast. theoretical research into a live ham (GWSC, ConocoPhillips), can be had on https://www. furniture pieces,” says Sleiman, as habit of asking myself ever since my processes I picked up during my The project allowed Qa- environment with industrial Ali El-Samak, student (gradu- natureasia.com/en/nmiddlee- she explains the project.“I wanted to sophomore year at VCUarts Qatar undergraduate studies, to tangible tar University – Center for partners, to find solutions that ate assistant programme) from ast/article/10.1038/nmiddlee- change that, and highlight the other kept me focused on ensuring that fruition.” Advanced Materials (CAM) overcome their challenges. the Materials Science and ast.2021.29. MFUA condolence reference pays tribute to Urdu poet

By Mudassir Raja taking care of their needs once Urdu Ghazal in 21st Century’ they arrived in Qatar. “He was that was printed in a book form very focused and hardworking. in 2021. Fartash’s first collec- ssociates, friends, col- He was also a prolifi c poet and tion of poetry, titled ‘Har Warq leagues and Urdu lovers keen Urdu teacher. His associa- Par Usi Ka Naam’ was printed Aremembered late Fartash tion with and services for MFUA in 1992. His second book, titled Syed, a long-time resident of will be remembered forever. The as ‘Fazai e Adab’ was printed Qatar, Urdu teacher, and poet, organisation has announced it in 2000 and was included in recently in an online condolence will give 300,000 Pakistan ru- syllabus courses of schools. reference organised by Majlis- pees to his family for his long His first collection of ghazals, e-Frogh-e-Urdu Adab (MFUA), association with MFUA.” under the name of ‘Hashiya’ a world-renowned Qatar-based Dr Fartash Syed was his pen was printed in 2009. His latest literary Urdu organisation. name for poetry. His origi- two books titled ‘Jadeed Urdu Known poets from Qatar, Pa- nal name was Fazal Hussain. Ghazal --Sheriat -o- Uroodiy- kistan, India, Canada and UK He was born on April 15, 1967 at’ and ‘Barmala’ – a collection attended the condolence ses- in Ludan, Vehari district. He of poetry – are under print. sion and some of them shared Dr Fartash Syed died on April 18, 2021. Fartash Fartash came to Qatar and their video messages remem- is survived by his wife, son and joined the Pak Shamaa School and bering Fartash, who died of of Arts Council of Pakistan Ka- five daughters. College as Urdu teacher in 1992. Covid-19 a few days ago in Pa- rachi; Nawaz Akram, president Fartash, who had made his In the year 2000, he left for kistan. He was buried in his vil- of Shaiqeen e Fun Doha – sister mark in Pakistan as an Urdu Pakistan, but came back in lage in district Vehari of Punjab. organisation of MFUA; Aziz Na- poet, got his early education 2002 and worked for the same The online condolence refer- beel, general secretary of An- in Ludan. He received his MA school till 2008. After return- ence was compered by Obaid juman Muhibban e Urdu Hind Online condolence reference. (Supplied picture) in Urdu from Bahauddin Zaka- ing to Pakistan in 2008, he Tahir, General Secretary of Qatar; Shahid Khan, general sec- ria University, Multan in 1990. completed his MPhil and then MFUA. The participants, who retary Karwan e Urdu Qatar; and dean at Saraiki department of Fartash Syed in Qatar; Ru- he got associated with MFUA Later, he completed his MPhil started to study for PhD. attended the online condolence, Ehsan Shahid Choudhry, known Bahauddin Zakariya University, wais Mumtaz, Sanwal Abbasi, under the patronage of Malik in Urdu from the same univer- In 2011, he returned to Qa- included: Mohamed Atiq, MFUA Urdu poet from London. Multan, Pakistan; Shakil Jazib, Mushfiq Raza Naqvi, Jawaid Museeb-ur-Rehman. It was sity. tar and joined Pakistan Inter- chairman, who presided over Those who shared their Urdu poet and bureaucrat from Bhatti and Zahid Shaikh, Far- Rehman who trained Fartash to The topic of his thesis for national School. At the end of the meeting; Dr Peerzada Qasim video messages were: Dr Gopi Pakistan; Riyaz Bakkali, rep- tash’s friends. become an excellent compere MPhil was ‘Urdu Literary Serv- December, 2018, he resigned Siddiqui, ex-VC Karachi Uni- Chand Narang, head of MFUA resentative of Pakistani com- Speaking on the occasion, for the organisation’s annual ices of ‘Majlis e Frogh e Urdu from the school and left for Pa- versity from Pakistan; Dr Shafey jury from India; Dr Khursheed munity in Qatar and member of Mohamed Attiq said “Far- Urdu mushaira.” Adab, Doha, Qatar’, which was kistan for completing his PhD Kidwai, member of MFUA Rizwi, head of MFUA jury from MFUA; Qamar Zaman Bhatti, tash association with MFUA The MFUA chairman added later printed in a book form in and completed it in six months. jury from India; Abbas Tabish, Pakistan; Amjad Islam Amjad, MFUA joint secretary; Far- spanned over 25 years. His death that Fartash was instrumen- 2009. He also completed his He was teaching in the Urdu known Urdu poet from Pakistan; renowned Urdu poet, play- zana Safdar, radio presenter is very saddening and sudden. I tal in arranging the annual PhD in Urdu from the same Department of Government Dr Ambareen Hasib Ambar, wright and columnist from and Urdu poet in Qatar; Qaisar recall meeting the vibrant and mushaira, having contacts with university and his thesis was College Lahore as an assistant chairperson Literary Committee Pakistan; professor Kazi Abid, Masood, ex-colleague of late enthusiastic young man when poets from outside Qatar and on ‘A Fikri and Fanni Review of professor. Gulf Times Saturday, April 24, 2021 5 COMMUNITY/CLASSIFIED QU promotes body positivity among female students atar University’s (QU) the last station participants chose Public Health students to spend additional time com- Qconducted an Health at paring and congratulating each Every Size-based activity fo- other on their results, talking cused on increasing body posi- about their gratitude statements, Crowne Plaza and tivity and reducing internalised and engaging in discussion with weight-based oppression in fe- the student organisers about the male students at the university. principals of the HAES.” The results have just been pub- The impact of the activity was lished in the prestigious journal profound for many participants, Holiday Inn partner with Body Image, the highest-ranking 35 of whom participated in the journal in the fi eld of body image. evaluation. Senior students from QU’s At the 10 week follow up, one Department of Public Health – participant commented: “It made DEAP for beach clean-up Sana Elashie and Hanaa Ahmed (HAES) approach is one example Hanaa Ahmed explained: “We me refl ect on what exactly I like – under the supervision of Dr of a weight-inclusive approach used the Yay!Scale to highlight about my body, and this refl ec- rowne Plaza Doha and putting the desert’s and the morrow,” said Gilles Nicolas, Lily O’Hara, associate professor which moves the focus away from the principle of weight inclusiv- tion made me realise that I don’t Holiday Inn Doha at sea’s natural habitat and wild- general manager, Crowne Plaza of Public Health, were supported weight and towards health and ity which is focused on rejecting appreciate my body enough and I CThe Business Park re- life in jeopardy. Doha and Holiday Inn Doha – by a QU student research grant to well-being. the idealising or pathologising needed to do something about it.” cently joined hands with Doha DEAP is a volunteer-based The Business Park. evaluate the activity using a mix The HAES approach sup- of specifi c weights, and to pro- Another participant commented, Environmental Action Projects organisation leading the beach IHG Hotels & Resorts re- of methods including an online ports processes that enhance the vide an alternative outcome for a “I now appreciate my body more (DEAP) for a clean-up at Sealine and desert clean-up movement cently launched Journey to To- questionnaire and interview. health of all people, irrespective practice steeped in fear and anxi- than ever, and I thank God for Beach. Ten volunteers from the in Qatar. Founded in May 2017, morrow, a decade-long action The evaluation demonstrated of their body size or weight. ety for many women.” giving me this body. two hotels participated in the its main purpose is to restore plan comprising a series of new that body acceptance and appre- It does not contend that people At the second station, partici- “I now love every single detail initiative, helping remove 150kg and preserve the natural beauty commitments to make a posi- ciations increased signifi cantly are healthy at any size; instead the pants were given a sticker with about my body and cherish it of harmful waste from the area. of the landscapes in Qatar by tive diff erence in communities after the event and were sus- approach contends that people at the same affi rmation/s, and asked because I now consider all these As part of their commitment conducting clean-ups, and to around the world. tained at the 10-week follow up. any size can be empowered to fo- to place it on their chest or arm to imperfections to be beautiful to give back to the community, raise public awareness of the Speaking about the cam- Dr Lily explained that cus on improving their health by reinforce and extend the impact parts of who I am, parts that I will Crowne Plaza Doha and Holi- negative impact and environ- paign, IHG’s CEO Keith Barr “Weight-based oppression, in- adopting behaviours that are not of the positive affi rmation, and refuse to change.” day Inn Doha – The Business mental damage of plastic pol- said: “Journey to Tomorrow cluding negative attitudes about focused on body weight. to display to other participants a The researchers concluded that Park organise a volunteering lution. embodies IHG’s strengthened body weight, and harassment, Over 100 students participated wide variety of compliments. brief ‘Health at Every Size’ in- activity every year. “It is a great pleasure to be commitment to make sure we stigma, and discrimination based in the activity, which involved At the third station, the par- formed health promotion activities In the past years, both hotels joining hands with DEAP once do what’s right, not just what’s on body weight, is a widespread four stations. ticipants had their instant photo show excellent potential to im- participated in clean-ups around again this year to show our sup- needed. We want every IHG phenomenon that leads to con- The fi rst station involved par- taken with the sticker/s clearly prove health and well-being. various areas of the country in port in keeping Qatar clean. As stakeholder to see that we’re siderable distress and poor health ticipants stepping on a Yay!Scale visible. This study adds to the body of partnership with DEAP to con- part of our corporate social re- on a journey to be successful and well-being outcomes. which is a scale where the num- At the fourth station, partici- knowledge that HAES-informed tribute to environmental sus- sponsibility eff orts, we are com- in every sense of the word, and “Conversely, body positivity bers are replaced with positive pants were given a postcard on approaches are more eff ective in tainability activities in Qatar. mitted in advocating causes and we are determined to contrib- is a multi-faceted concept that affi rmations such as amazing, which to stick their photo, and improving physiological, psy- This year, the clean-up ac- initiatives that create a positive ute towards positive social and encompasses body acceptance, beautiful, glorious, wonderful, write three things they are grate- chological and behavioural fac- tivity was conducted at Sealine impact in the community. economic change, to stand up body appreciation, and body and awesome. ful for about their body. tors than weight loss treatments. Beach. “From this year onwards, we for key issues such as diversity, love, and adaptive approaches The students could choose They were asked to place the The full article is avail- As it is a popular desert trip will be focusing on carrying out equity and inclusion, and hu- protective of health and well- between English and Arabic ver- postcard somewhere they could able at https://www.science- destination among travellers more CSR activities and par- man rights, and to make more being.” sions, and many students chose see it each day. direct.com/science/article/pii/ and Qatar residents, disposable ticipating in more initiatives in responsible environmental The ‘Health at Every Size’ both. Sana Elashie explained: “After S1740144521000279. wastes are often left behind, line with IHG’s Journey to To- choices.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, April 24, 2021 COMMUNITY LEISURE/HOROSCOPE

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BREEZE INFANTRY WEIGHT HEARTED SPIRITED HANDED READING FINGERED OPERA BRIGADE METER YEAR Across Down HOUSE VERSE HEADED 1 Athlete fired by club (4,6) 1 Material social worker’s SHIP FOOTED PEN 7 Fish in wreck (7) taken away from police off icer BULB MINDED 8 Mountain range seen when (5) holding record (4) 2 A spell of bowling is finished 10 Little boy taking one in (4) Codeword with fibs (4) 3 Support for little dog (4,2) Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. 11 A sweet throw in darts (5,3) 4 New hat I obtain in foreign Squares with the same number in have the same letter 15 Greek union making noises country (8) Garfield in. Work out which number represents which letter. when coming out (6) 5 Quick to declare (7) 17 Writer possibly in love with 6 Last roundup: cats and saint (8) horses (9) 18 Courage needed on icy 9 Great stir produced by trav- roads? (4) elling Estonians (9) 21 A river in Slavonia (4) 12 Glenda is upset by relations 22 Alligator pear almost (8) producing havoc before a 14 Tonic going up and down party (7) (7) 23 Look for gold American 16 Housing area in eastern brochure (10) land (6) 19 Raises backs (5) 20 Price paid for lettuce and last of beetroot (4)

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Sudoku is a puzzle based on a ٩x٩ grid. The grid is also divided into nine (٣x٣) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every .anone is repeated

Colouring Horoscope ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Some of your job responsibilities are too much for one person and A sudden fascination with metaphysical or spiritual concepts A business enterprise with a friend might seem a little shaky today, they might weigh you down today, Aries. The pile of work seems to could have you wanting to read as much as you can on the subject, Gemini. You could alternate between enthusiasm and gloom get steadily bigger no matter what you do. Delegate if you can. Put Taurus. Your enthusiasm could lead you in a dozen diff erent regarding this project. It’s probably a good one and could lead to the least urgent tasks aside and work your way steadily the rest. directions, which could eventually lead to mental overload. It might the success you want. Don’t make any negative judgments about Your employer may or may not expect too much of you, but you’re be a better idea to take one subject at a time than try to learn about its future based on what happens today. All should be progressing entitled to your sanity no matter what. them all at once. Stay focused! again within a few days. Hang in there! CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

A business deal that you may have been working to finish could Accomplishing some important business might require touching If you’ve been thinking about investing, Virgo, this isn’t the day to require you to tie up a lot of loose ends today, Cancer. You might base with many people who live and work far away, perhaps in commit to anything. This is a great day to consider your options, be pulled in a lot of diff erent directions. Don’t panic! Get some help other countries. This might require that you spend a lot of time on study economic trends, and analyse what you want from investing. if you can. Make a list of what you have to do and cross each task the phone, and it also would require allowing for the diff erent time It isn’t a good day to hand over the money. Land could be a strong off as it’s completed. Stay focused and all should go well. You will zones, which could be a drag. You will eventually make the contacts possibility. Consult with professionals, read the papers, and look into achieve the results you want. you need, even if they don’t come until tomorrow. all kinds of opportunities before committing to one. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Working at home could be diff icult today, especially if you’re Today you might feel the urge to get all unfinished work done, Scorpio. A sudden burst of inspiration for a creative project might keep finalising a business deal, Libra. Other household members will be You could suddenly be in a frenzy to work quickly but perhaps not you busy in the morning and afternoon, Sagittarius. You will need coming and going, slamming doors, asking questions, bringing their as conscientiously as you should. You may spend a lot of time going information and materials you don’t have at home, and finding them friends in. If you’re doing household chores, forget it for now and through paperwork and discarding what’s outdated. It might be a might require a larger expenditure of time, energy, and money than return to it when it’s quieter. If you’re approaching a deadline, close better idea to slow down a little and look closely at what you’re doing. you initially thought. Don’t give up on the idea. It’s likely to be a the door and tell others to leave you alone for a while. You won’t want to throw out something you may need later. good one and you will definitely want to pursue it. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Too many people may be vying for your attention today, Capricorn, Communications coming your way today may be more plentiful A friend may ask to borrow some money today, Pisces. You may both at work and home. You will want to make them all happy, so than useful, Aquarius. You could receive lots of confusing phone feel that he or she is asking for more than is really needed, and you may feel a little frazzled. Your temper might also be on edge. calls. At first you will be excited by the mailbox full of letters, but certainly more than you’re willing to give. You might think this puts It would be better to put off the less urgent demands than work then you’ll find that some are junk while others are addressed to you in an awkward position. Try to talk to your friend and explain yourself into a frenzy. Those who matter would rather have you people you’ve never heard of. Hang in there. This tendency should your situation. If you have to say no, just say it. A real friend will enjoy life than tire yourself out for their sake. pass by tomorrow! understand and look elsewhere for the money. Gulf Times Saturday, April 24, 2021 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/RAMADAN The superiority of fasting

1. Ar-Rayyan Gate is for those who Over 120 hurt in east observer Saum (sincerely). Narrated Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiallah ‘anhu) the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayy- an, and those who observe Saum (fast) will en- ter through it on the Day of Resurrection and Jerusalem clashes none except them will enter through it. It will be said: ‘Where are those who observed Saum.’ AFP They will get up, and none except them will Jerusalem enter through it. After they have entered, the gate will be closed and nobody will enter it.” (Bukhari and Muslim) ver 100 Palestinians and Narrated Abu Hurairah, radiallah ‘anhu, Al- 20 Israeli police were lah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Owounded in overnight said: clashes in annexed east Jerusa- “Whoever gives two kinds (of things or lem, authorities said yesterday, properties) in charity for Allah’s Cause, and as tensions mount over a ban on whoever was amongst those who used to ob- gatherings and videos of attacks serve Saum will be called from the gate of Ar- on youths. Rayyan.” (Bukhari) The violence fl ared out- 2. Observing Saum restricts sexual de- side one of the entrances to the sire. Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (radiallah walled Old City, after police ‘anhu), the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- had barred access to some areas lam, said: where Palestinians usually gath- “O young men! He who can aff ord marriage er in large numbers during the expenses should get married, and he who can- fasting month of Ramadan. not aff ord to marry is advised to observe Saum, ter from the Hell-fi re). So, the person observ- Tensions were fuelled by the as As-Saum will diminish his sexual power.” ing Saum should avoid sexual relation with his arrival of far-right Jews at the (Bukhari and others) wife and should not behave foolishly and im- end of a march during which 3. There are two pleasures for the per- pudently. And if somebody fi ghts with him or they harassed Palestinians. son observing Saum; when he breaks the fast abuses him, he should say to him twice, ‘I am There have been nightly distur- and when he meets his Rabb. observing Saum’. By Him in Whose Hand is my bances in the area since the start 4. The doubling for many times the re- soul, the smell coming out from the mouth of of Ramadan on April 13, with wards of the one who observes Saum to an ex- the person observing Saum is better in Allah’s Palestinians outraged over po- tent not known except by Allah, subhanahu wa sight than the smell of musk. [Allah, subhana- lice blocking access to the prom- Palestinians shout slogans around a model of Al-Aqsa mosque’s Dome of the Rock, during a rally in Gaza ta’ala. hu wa ta’ala, says about the person observing enade around the walls, a popu- city yesterday, condemning overnight clashes in annexed east Jerusalem. 5. The smell coming out from the Saum] ‘He has left his food, drink and desires lar gathering place after the end mouth of the person observing Saum is better for My Sake. The Saum is for his food, drink of the daytime Ramadan fast. were taken to hospital. in recent days manifested in a cidents and lift restrictions on in the sight of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) than and desires for My Sake. The Saum is for Me. Police said that after night “It was like a war zone; it was wave of attacks against Palestin- access to Al-Aqsa mosque. the smell of musk. So, I will reward (the person observing Saum) prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque in dangerous,” a Palestinian who ian civilians in the Old City”. A Police reported “a number Narrated Abu Hurairah, radiallah ‘anhu, the for it and the reward of good deeds is multi- the Old City “hundreds of riot- was near the clashes outside the statement late Thursday on the of incidents overnight in which Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: plied ten times.” (Bukhari) ers began disrupting the order Old City said. “That’s why I left offi cial Palestinian news agency civilians were attacked, some “All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are Narrated Abu Sa’id, radiallah ‘anhu, the violently, including throwing the place.” Wafa urged the international of whom needed medical treat- for them; the reward (of their good deeds) Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: stones and objects at forces”. Tensions have been high in Je- community to protect Palestin- ment.” will be multiplied ten times to seven hundred “No Muslim fasts one day for the sake of Stun grenades were fi red and rusalem after a series of videos ians from the “settler” attacks, The UN envoy for the Middle times. Allah said: ‘Except As-Saum which is Allah but Allah will take his face far away water cannon deployed to dis- posted online in recent days. which it alleged were encour- East peace process, Tor Wen- for Me and I will reward for it. He [ie the one from Hell-fi re the distance of 70 autumns.” perse the “rioters” and force On Thursday night, the Israeli aged by the Israeli government. nesland, called Thursday on “all who observes Saum] leaves his [sexual] desire (Bukhari and Muslim). them towards less central areas extreme right group Lehava or- The Ezzedine al-Qassam Bri- sides” to “de-escalate tensions and food for Me [ie My Pleasure]’. There are two 7. Saum expiates sins. Narrated of east Jerusalem, police said. ganised a march ending opposite gades, the armed wing of the and maintain calm”. pleasures for the person observing Saum; one Huthaifah, radiallah ‘anhu, the Prophet, sal- Police said offi cers attempted the Old City attended by hun- Hamas movement that rules the The US embassy in Israel said at the time of Iftar (breaking his Saum) and the lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: to “distinguish between them dreds to protest the anti-Jewish Gaza Strip, voiced support to yesterday it was “deeply con- other at the time when he will meet his Rabb. “…sins one commits concerning his house- and those who fi nished prayers” violence. east Jerusalem Palestinians. cerned” about the Jerusalem Verily, the smell coming out from the mouth of hold (family), or wealth are expiated by per- and were not involved in the Police erected barriers to keep “The spark you light today violence, expressing hope for an the person observing Saum is better in Allah’s forming Salah – prayers, observing Saum and events. them from entering the mainly will be the wick of the explosion “end to incitement” and “return sight than the smell of musk.” (Bukhari, Mus- giving charities.” (Bukhari, Muslim and others. The Palestinian Red Crescent Arab location. to come in the face of the en- to calm”. lim and others). This is a part of a long hadith). said yesterday it had treated at The Palestinian presidency emy,” it said in a statement. The European Union also 6. As-Saum is a shield. Narrated Abu (Taken from Aqil ibn Zaid al-Maqtiri’s book least 105 people, with about 20 condemned “the growing in- Jordan condemned the “prov- called for “restraint”. Lebanon’s Hurairah, radiallah ‘anhu, the Prophet, sallal- Fasting Rules) of them hospitalised. citement by extremist far-right ocations” carried out by the Hezbollah movement said it was laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ Israeli police said 20 offi c- Israeli settler groups advocating “extremist” Jewish groups, call- “in full solidarity with the Pales- “As-Saum is a shield (or a screen or a shel- emainpage/ ers were injured, three of whom for the killing of Arabs, which ing on Israel to prevent such in- tinian people”.

Ethiopia rejected invitation Nigerian kidnappers kill Houthis claim attack for dam summit: Sudan three abducted students on Saudi oil facility Reuters He had given them until yes- Reuters fi red by the Houthis at the city Khartoum/Cairo terday to attend. Ethiopia has Dubai of Khamis Mushait, where the said it planned to complete the AFP or college since December. som to criminals. air base is located. second phase of fi lling the dam Kano “The armed bandits who “We will not give them any There was no immediate Sudanese minister said during the upcoming rainy sea- kidnapped students of Green- money and they will not make emen’s Houthi move- confi rmation of the Jizan at- yesterday that Ethiopia son, a move Sudan and Egypt fi eld University, have shot any profi t from Kaduna,” gov- ment said yesterday it tack or the third attack on the Ahad rejected an invitation rejected before a binding legal hree abducted Nigerian dead three of the abducted ernor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai Yhad launched attacks air base. The military coalition to a summit to discuss stalled agreement was reached. students have been shot students,” said Samuel Aru- told local media earlier this with drones on a military air which intervened in Yemen negotiations over the Grand “Given that the environmen- Tdead by their kidnap- wan, Kaduna state’s internal month. base and oil facility in Saudi against the Houthis in 2015 Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and tal and social impacts and ac- pers, a local offi cial said yester- security and home aff airs com- The announcement of the Arabia, the latest indication that after the Houthis captured the threatened to go to international companying risks of the GERD day, three days after they were missioner, adding that “an un- student deaths came hours diplomacy to end the six year capital Sanaa, says it inter- arbitration to resolve their dif- have not been studied, various snatched by gunmen from their specifi ed number of students” after President Muhamadu confl ict has so far failed to take cepts the majority of Houthi ferences. options are being considered, university in the northwest of had been taken. Buhari had condemned the hold. missile and drone attacks. Ethiopia is pinning its hopes including The International the country. The remains of the students killing of “tens” of villagers The Houthi military spokes- The Houthi movement, of economic development and Court of Justice, The Human The student killings were were found in a village close early this week in neighbour- man said on Twitter the group which holds most of north power generation on the Blue Rights Commissions, and the an escalation in the mass kid- to the university, he said in a ing northwestern Zamfara had targeted the King Khalid Yemen, has kept up cross- Nile dam, which Egypt fears will COMESA Court,” Sudan’s irri- nappings that are plaguing statement. state and ordered security air base with two drones and border attacks on Saudi Ara- imperil its water supply. gation minister Yasir Abbas said northwest and central Nigeria, Two university staff said that forces to hunt down the per- had struck a facility of Saudi bia and a ground off ensive Sudan is also concerned about in a statement. where criminal gangs who ran- 20 students along with three petrators. Arabia’s oil company Aramco in Yemen’s Marib region at a the impact on its own water COMESA is the Common sack villages have become an non-academic staff were kid- Local residents said as many with a drone in the southwest- time the United States and the fl ows. Market for Eastern and Southern increasing security threat. napped but state offi cials could as 60 people could have been ern Saudi city of Jizan. United Nations are pushing for Talks in Kinshasa overseen by Africa. Gunmen attacked the pri- not confi rm those numbers. killed in Wednesday’s rampage He later said the Houthis a ceasefi re agreement. the African Union collapsed ear- “Failure to reach an agreement vate Greenfield University Bandits have ramped up in about a dozen villages in the had launched a third strike on Riyadh has proposed a truce, lier this month, after which Su- paves the way for raising a com- in Kaduna state on Tuesday, kidnapping attacks in recent state but only nine bodies had the air base. Earlier yesterday, but the Houthis reject the of- danese Prime Minister Abdalla plaint to the Security Council, killing one staff member and months hoping to squeeze ran- been recovered. Saudi state television quoted fer, saying they want the full Hamdok invited his Ethiopian considering that the GERD poses taking an unknown number som payments. Police and government of- the coalition fi ghting in Yemen lifting of a sea and air blockade and Egyptian counterparts to a real threat to regional peace of students, in what was the But local authorities have fi cials could not immediately as saying it had intercepted which allows the coalition to Khartoum. and security.” fifth known attack on a school said it would not pay any ran- confi rm the death toll. two explosives-laden drones restrict imports into Yemen. Chad bids farewell to Deby as France, allies back his son

AFP Place de la Nation square in the He will wield full powers the rebels were “en route to N’Djamena capital N’Djamena for ceremo- but has promised “free and N’Djamena”. Deby seized power nies attended by foreign leaders, democratic” elections after an in a chronically unstable country including French President Em- 18-month transition period that in 1990 and had twice thwarted had yesterday staged a manuel Macron. can be extended once. attempted coups with support state funeral for veteran A 21-gun salute sounded out The move has been branded from France. Cruler Idriss Deby Itno, a for Deby, who only last August an “institutional coup” by the He was repeatedly returned to linchpin in the fi ght against the had been declared a fi eld mar- opposition. The International offi ce in elections condemned by Sahel’s militant insurgency, as shal — the fi rst in Chad’s his- Federation of Human Rights opponents as fraudulent. But he France and regional allies voiced tory — after leading an off ensive (FIDH), underscoring the “ter- gained a reputation in the West as backing for his son and succes- against militants in the west of rible repression” under Deby, on an unfailing ally in the fi ght to roll sor, Mahamat Idriss Deby. the country. Friday urged the swiftest possi- back militants, whose campaign The elder Deby, who had Macron, in his tribute to the ble return to civilian rule. has shaken the vast, impoverished ruled the vast semi-desert state fallen president, said “you lived Deby’s death was announced Sahel. for 30 years, died from wounds as a soldier, you died as a soldier, the day after he was declared the Chad has well-respect- sustained fi ghting rebels at the weapons in your hands”. winner of an April 11 election — ed armed forces and hosts weekend, the army said Tuesday. “France will never let anyone, giving him a sixth mandate after the headquarters of France’s His death has stunned the Sa- either today or tomorrow, chal- three decades at the helm. 5,100-strong Barkhane anti- hel and its ally and former colo- lenge Chad’s stability and integ- French President Emmanuel Macron pays his respects in front of the coff in of late Chadian president The army said the 68-year- militant mission. nial ruler France, battling a mili- rity,” Macron pledged. Idriss Deby during his state funeral in N’Djamena, yesterday. old had died on Monday from It also partners Burkina Faso, tant revolt that in nine years has But Macron also called on wounds suff ered while leading Mali, Mauritania and Niger in a swept across three countries. the newly-appointed military tania and Niger, a French presi- order and handing over of politi- Deby, a 37-year-old four-star troops in battle against rebels regional anti-militant coalition The unrest has claimed thou- government to foster “stabil- dential aide said. cal power to the civilian authori- general commanding the elite who had crossed from Libya. called the G5 Sahel. sands of lives and forced hun- ity, inclusion, dialogue, demo- The African Union meanwhile ties.” The body’s Peace and Se- Republican Guard, was named The Front for Change and The group may name Burki- dreds of thousands from their cratic transition”.A similar mes- called on Chad’s security forces curity Council also called for “an president and head of a military Concord in Chad (FACT) has na’s president, Roch Marc Chris- homes. sage was conveyed personally to “to respect the constitutional all-inclusive national dialogue” council immediately after his fa- vowed to pursue its off ensive af- tian Kabore, as interim leader to Deby’s coffi n, draped in the Deby’s son when he met earlier mandate and order, and to ex- and expressed “grave concern” ther’s death was announced. ter a pause for the funeral, with succeed Deby, who had been its national fl ag and surrounded by with Macron and the presidents peditiously embark on a process over said the establishment of Parliament and the govern- spokesman Kingabe Ogouze- chairman under a rotational ar- elite troops, was driven to the of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauri- of restoration of constitutional a military council. The younger ment were dissolved. imi de Tapol telling AFP that rangement, a source said. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, April 24, 2021 WORLD

Southeast Asian leaders to press Myanmar junta to end violence

Reuters with almost daily protests and a formed by ousted lawmakers and wanted peace. Asean tradition- Myanmar junta chief would at- Jakarta crackdown by the junta in which some ethnic groups opposed to ally does not interfere in the in- tend. hundreds of people have been the junta, told Reuters the group ternal aff airs of a member state “The commitment of leaders killed. Initiatives being consid- had “been in contact with Asean and how it deals with the Myan- to meet physically is a refl ection outheast Asian leaders will ered by Asean include a pause leaders”, but had not been offi - mar crisis will be its biggest test of a deep concern about the situ- try to persuade Myanmar’s in violence to allow medical and cially invited to the summit. yet, the human rights group said. ation in Myanmar and Asean’s Sjunta to end violence and food supplies into Myanmar, In Yangon, Myanmar’s com- “The bloc’s usual commit- determination to help Myanmar let in aid at a summit today, dip- and the appointment of a special mercial capital, scores of pro- ment to non-interference is a get out of this delicate situation,” lomats said, in the fi rst concert- envoy to encourage dialogue be- testers chanted “What do we non-starter: this is not an in- she said at a news conference. ed international eff ort to ease the tween the military regime and its want? Democracy” as they brief- ternal matter for Myanmar but a Myanmar’s state television crisis in the country. opponents in the rival National ly marched through downtown major human rights and human- made no mention of the Asean Leaders will meet behind Unity Government (NUG), the areas of the city. itarian crisis which is impacting meeting in its nightly news bul- closed doors at the Associa- sources said. No one was arrested, witness- the entire region and beyond,” letin yesterday. tion of Southeast Asian Nations No nations outside of Asean es said. Amnesty International Emerlynne Gil, Amnesty’s Dep- The junta has shown no sign (Asean) summit in Jakarta, Indo- will be present at the talks, al- urged Asean to investigate Min uty Regional Director for Re- of wanting to talk to members nesia, in the hope of encouraging though some of the participat- Aung Hlaing for crimes against search, said in the statement. of the government it ousted, ac- candid discussions, two diplo- ing nations and the UN special humanity. Asean’s members include cusing some of them of treason, matic sources told Reuters. envoy on Myanmar, Christine This handout photo taken and released by Dawei Watch yesterday “As a state party to the UN Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, which is punishable by death. Senior General Min Aung Hla- Schraner Burgener, will hold shows protesters holding signs calling for the arrest of Myanmar Convention Against Torture, In- Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the The junta has called the NUG ing, Myanmar’s junta chief who meetings on the sidelines of the armed forces chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a donesia has a legal obligation to Philippines, Singapore, Thailand an unlawful organisation. ousted the civilian government event, they added. demonstration against the military coup in Dawei. prosecute or extradite a suspect- and Vietnam. The Assistance Association on Feb 1, is likely to attend, of- Singapore’s Foreign Minister ed perpetrator on its territory,” Indonesian Foreign Minister for Political Prisoners, a Myan- fi cials and diplomats in the host Vivian Balakrishnan said he met constructive role in facilitating serious consequences for My- Amnesty said. Retno Marsudi said the leaders of mar activist group, says 745 peo- nation have said. Schraner Burgener on Friday normalcy, peace and stability in anmar, Asean and the region,” he The junta said earlier this Laos, the Philippines and Thai- ple have been killed by security The Southeast Asian country and discussed how the interna- Myanmar”. said on Twitter. month protests against its rule land would send representatives, forces since the coup and 3,371 has been in crisis since the coup, tional community can play “a “The unfolding tragedy has A spokesman for the NUG, were dwindling because people but did not confi rm whether the people are in detention.

China’s Hospitals overrun as India’s virus security offi ce to infections top global record again open base India has world’s highest while city governments traded infection tally accusations over hoarding. in HK  Some of Delhi’s hospitals Modi said the government shut doors to new patients was making a “continuous ef-  Delhi government says fort” to increase oxygen sup- Reuters army should handle oxygen plies, including steps to divert Hong Kong deliveries industrial oxygen. In Washington, US health Reuters officials and a White House ong Kong is to grant a site New Delhi spokeswoman yesterday said on the western Kowloon they were weighing how to Hpeninsula, close to the help India and had been in high-speed railway to the main- eople across India scram- contact with officials there, land, to Beijing’s national secu- bled for life-saving oxy- but gave no details on any pos- rity offi ce for its permanent base Pgen supplies yesterday sible US action. in the city, the government said and patients lay dying outside In Mumbai, a fire broke out yesterday. hospitals as the capital recorded in a suburban hospital treating The offi ce, which operates be- the equivalent of one death from Covid-19 patients early yes- yond the scrutiny of local courts Covid-19 every fi ve minutes. terday, killing 13 people. or other institutions, will oversee For the second day running, World Health Organiza- the Hong Kong government’s en- the country’s overnight infec- tion chief Tedros Adhanom forcement of sweeping national tion total was higher than ever Ghebreyesus said he was con- security legislation that Beijing recorded anywhere in the world cerned about the growing case imposed on the city in June. since the pandemic began last load in India, which on Thurs- China opened the offi ce last year, at 332,730. day passed the previous global July, temporarily turning a hotel India’s second wave has hit high of 297,430 recorded in near a city-centre park on Hong with such ferocity that hospitals January in the United States, Kong island that has been one of are running out of oxygen, beds where case numbers have fall- the most popular venues for pro- and anti-viral drugs. en. democracy protests into its new Many patients have been A woman takes care of her husband who is suff ering from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as he waits to get admitted outside the “The situation in India is a headquarters. turned away because there was casualty ward at Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, amidst the spread of the disease in New Delhi, yesterday. devastating reminder of what The national security law has no space for them, doctors in the virus can do,” he told a vir- allowed offi cers from China’s Delhi said. am Narayan died before being “People are dying in front of criticism for allowing politi- Delhi’s government declared tual briefing in Geneva. security forces to take enforce- Ambulance sirens sounded admitted, a death unlikely to be hospitals while they wait for a cal rallies and a Hindu religious in February it had beaten back WHO emergencies direc- ment action in the city for the throughout the day in the de- counted in the city’s rising toll. bed to become available,” one festival, in which millions take the coronavirus. tor Mike Ryan said reducing fi rst time. serted streets of the capital, one “The system is broken,” his man said. a ritual bath in the Ganges river, Yesterday, Chief Minister transmission would be a “very The Hong Kong government of India’s worst hit cities, where younger brother Raj said. Another young man, who was to go ahead. Arvind Kejriwal went on live difficult task” but the govern- said the site, measuring about a lockdown is in place to try and Tushar Maurya, whose moth- not identifi ed, said “Is this why He addressed many of the ral- television to plead for medi- ment was working on limiting 11,500 square metres, is zoned stem the transmission of the vi- er was being treated inside, we voted for this government? lies with packed crowds and few cal oxygen supplies in a virtual mixing between people, which for government use and the na- rus. urged anyone not in a serious When we need it the most, we people wearing masks. meeting with Modi, warning he said was essential. tional security offi ce would bear Mass cremations have been condition to keep away. fi nd ourselves all alone. Where “Indians let down their col- that many people would die. Bhramar Mukherjee, a pro- all construction costs. taking place as the crematori- “The staff are doing their best will the poor go?” lective guard,” Zarir Udwadia, “All of the country’s oxygen fessor of biostatistics and epi- The former British colony of ums have run out of space. but there is not enough oxygen,” Health experts say India be- a pulmonologist on Maharash- plants should immediately be demiology at the University of Hong Kong returned to Chinese At Guru Teg Bahadur Hospi- she said. came complacent in the winter, tra’s task force, wrote in the taken over by the government Michigan in the United States, rule in 1997 with the guarantee tal in the northeast of the city, The India Today television when new cases were running at Times of India newspaper. through the army,” he said. said it seemed as if there was no of continued freedoms. Pro- critical patients gasping for air channel showed angry relatives about 10,000 a day and seemed “We heard self-congratu- Police in the northern state social safety net for Indians. democracy activists say those arrived in ambulances and au- outside a hospital in Ahmeda- to be under control, and lifted latory declarations of victory of Uttar Pradesh, some wield- “Everyone is fi ghting for freedoms are being whittled torickshaws. bad, the largest city in Prime restrictions to allow big gather- from our leaders, now cruelly ing assault rifles, escorted their own survival and trying away, especially with the nation- Some waited for hours on Minister Narendra Modi’s home ings. exposed as mere self-assured trucks carrying oxygen to to protect their loved ones,” he al security law cracking down on trolleys outside and one, Shay- state of Gujarat. Modi himself has faced rare hubris.” waiting hospitals in Delhi, said.”This is hard to watch.” dissent. China denies the charge.

Missing submarine Pedigree cats seized in Thai Singapore PM names battles against time as drugs raid fi nd new home new fi nance minister in US joins search new cabinet reshuffl e Reuters Rayong Reuters pilot said six tonnes of equip- Reuters is not uncommon. Lee, who had Banyuwangi ment had been flown to a base Singapore signalled he would delay his plan to help with the search includ- edigree cats confi scated to retire by 70 to see Singapore ing underwater balloons to by Thai police during a through the Covid-19 pandemic, escue teams were battling help lift a vessel. Pdrugs raid have found ingapore Prime Minister has said he will stay on until a suc- against time yesterday to Indonesia’s navy said it was a home with a feline fanatic Lee Hsien Loong named cessor is chosen. Rfi nd a missing Indonesian investigating whether the after being put up for auction. SLawrence Wong, tipped as “The upgrade for Lawrence Navy submarine lost in the Bali submarine lost power during All six pets, fi ve of the Scot- a contender to be future premier, Wong is certainly a signal, a cau- Sea with 53 crew, which would a dive and could not carry out tish Fold breed and one Ben- as the new fi nance minister in a tious move to explore his capac- be running out of oxygen if not emergency procedures as it de- gal, were sold to Nutch Pra- broader cabinet reshuffl e which ity,” said Gillian Koh, deputy di- already crushed by water pres- scended to a depth of 600-700 sopsin, who runs a Facebook comes at a time when the country rector of research at the Institute sure. metres, well beyond its surviv- page followed by 3mn cat lov- is resetting its leadership succes- of Policy Studies. Lee, son of Sin- Search helicopters and more able limits. ers, who helped her raise the sion plan. gapore’s founding father Lee Kuan ships left Bali and a naval base An object with “high mag- 100,000 baht ($3,186) win- Wong, the face of the govern- Yew, had also held the fi nance in Java heading to the area netic force” had been spotted ning bid. ment’s fi ght against the Covid-19 portfolio before becoming the where contact was lost with the “floating” at a depth of 50-100 “I was very excited. I had pandemic, is among a crop of country’s third prime minister. 44-year-old KRI Nanggala-402 metres, Indonesian Navy Chief very much hoped that the cats younger political fi gures who have The reshuffl e comes after Sin- on Wednesday as it prepared to of Staff Yudo Margono said, would end up in my care. I’ve been touted by analysts as poten- gapore, a global fi nance and trade conduct a torpedo drill, with the and an aerial search had ear- been following their status tial successors to Lee. hub, suff ered its worst ever reces- head of the Indonesian subma- lier spotted an oil spill near the since the very fi rst day,” she He is currently education min- sion last year due to the pandemic. rine fl eet aboard. submarine’s last location. told reporters. Nutch Prasopsin, owner of Facebook fan page “Kingdom of ister and second minister for fi - The government has pumped If the submarine was still in- The diesel-electric powered The auction was held af- Tigers”, holds one of the pedigree cats which were confiscated nance. Wong replaces Heng Swee more than S$100bn ($75.34bn) tact, offi cials said it would only submarine could withstand a ter a 30-day window expired as live assets in a drug bust case, after winning an auction at an Keat, whose unexpected move to into the economy to cope with have enough air to last until depth of up to 500 metres but for the owner, who remains animal shelter in Rayong province, yesterday. step aside as the country’s leader- the fallout. Among the contenders around dawn today. anything more could be fatal, at large, to come forward and in-waiting, has raised uncertainty for the top job, Chan Chun Sing “So far we haven’t found it... Navy spokesman Julius Wid- claim the cats and prove they regional narcotics control each other,” she said. “If we over who will succeed Lee, 69, was given the education port- but with the equipment avail- jojono said. The Bali Sea can were not purchased with drug board said the cats had suf- separate them, this may cause when he retires. folio and Ong Ye Kung will take able we should be able to find reach depths of more than money. fered an ordeal and it was im- them to stress or have psy- Stability has long been one over as health minister. Ong will the location,” Achmad Riad, a 1,500 metres. One of the people The confi scated cats will portant they be auctioned off chological eff ects.” of wealthy Singapore’s great- relinquish his role as minister for spokesman for the Indonesian on board was the commander share their new home with as a group. The money generated at the est strengths, making it a haven transport and join Wong as the military, told a news confer- of the Indonesian submarine Nutch’s 20 other cats. “They were living together auction will be held by police for investors and businesses in a co-chair of the country’s ence. An Indonesian air force fleet, Harry Setiawan. Pornthip Jampong of the so they would be familiar with as a seized asset. region where political upheaval virus-fi ghting task force. Gulf Times Saturday, April 24, 2021 9 WORLD

Pfi zer CEO says vaccine to become easier to ship and store

AFP eff ective against new virus vari- become an issue, we’ll be able to that will be ready to use: that to countries that need it more. Puurs, Belgium ants. Bourla said Pfi zer has large control them.” means you don’t need to dilute “So we have one tier of pricing, amounts of real world data from The European Union is betting the vaccine, it will come diluted.” which covers all the high income some of the variant outbreaks. big on Pfi zer’s relatively expen- Pfi zer hopes the vaccine will countries, Europe is included in S pharmaceuticals giant “We have already data for the sive vaccine, but there are con- able to be stored for two to three that, the US is included in that, Pfi zer is planning a new UK one — I hate using the coun- cerns that the diffi culty of keep- months in normal refrigeration Japan, Canada, all the high in- Uversion of its coronavirus tries, but people know them like ing it at very cold temperatures and an additional three months come countries,” Bourla said. vaccine that can be stored in a that — which is very prominent will make it hard to distribute in in a freezer, Bourla said. “I don’t want to go to what is standard freezer and comes di- in Israel...effi ciency was 97%,” poorer countries. But here again “So a total of four-to-six the price for each one country, luted and ready for use, its CEO he said. Bourla was confi dent. months outside the minus 50 but at the largest it is the cost said yesterday. “We have data from South “We are doing actually two or 70...we believe we’ll be able of a meal. So I would say for the The vaccine developed by Africa, with the South African things on this front,” he said. to have it if we are successful in value that the vaccine brings, we Pfi zer and Germany’s BioNTech variant, and overall the effi cacy The US Food and Drug Ad- summer.” Leaked price details price that very, very reasonably,” is already a mainstay in Europe’s was 100 %. And also have data ministration allows the vaccine suggest that the Pfi zer vaccine he said. eff orts to control the pandemic from Brazil.And it looks also this to be kept at minus 20 Celsius in is many times more expensive For countries defi ned as mid- — but it is a challenge to ship is very well controlled.” a standard freezer for two weeks than, for example, the competi- dle-income by the World Bank, and protect. The current version Pfi zer has not yet compiled Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla sticks an EU flag label during a visit at the factory of and Bourla thinks that could be tor product from UK-based As- “the price is almost half of what must be stored at minus 70C suffi cient data on the effi ciency US pharmaceutical company in Puurs, Belgium, yesterday. extended. “And we are about traZeneca, which has failed to we have in the high-income (-94F), limiting its distribution of its vaccine against the so- to generate the data for another meet delivery promises. countries,” the CEO said. to specially equipped vaccina- called Indian variant, the latest mRNA technology can be adapt- have a new vaccine within 100 two weeks. So that this formu- But Bourla says the higher cost “And for the low-income tion centres. to raise concerns that a new wave ed to counter new strains. days,” he said. “It’s a tough tar- lation can be stored, let’s say, a is justifi ed. countries, we have decided But Pfi zer’s chief executive of infections could overcome the “The thing that makes me get, but I am very comfortable month in minus 20 if we get ap- “Our strategy is to try with a to give it on a non-profi t ba- Albert Bourla said in an inter- immunisation drive. feel more comfortable is that we that we should be able to do it. proval for that,” he said. pricing (that is) able to provide sis, of course. So I think this is view that a new version is in the But he said he was “optimis- have developed a process that “And because of the eff ective- “On the other hand, we are equitable access to all,” he said. our strategy, this is our policy. pipeline and that he was opti- tic” the vaccine would prove once a variant becomes a variant ness of this mRNA technology, also working with a new formu- Equitable means that more So eventually, this vaccine will mistic the vaccine will also prove eff ective, and that the fi rm’s of concern, we should be able to I believe that variants will not lation which is much improved, vaccine doses are made available reach all the people of the world.”

Moscow to reduce Czech embassy staff in retaliatory move

Moscow said yesterday it would cap the number of the Czech Three held after police worker embassy staff in a tit-for-tat move after the EU country announced it was expelling dozens of Russian diplomats. The Czech embassy in Moscow will lose 91 local hires, the foreign stabbed to death near Paris ministry said, in a move that could hamstring the operations of the AFP EU country’s diplomatic mission. Rambouillet “The Czech authorities’ irrespon- sible and provocative behaviour delivered a painful blow to their rench police arrested own diplomatic service,” a foreign three people yesterday ministry spokesperson said in a Fafter a female police em- statement to AFP. ployee was stabbed to death Prague said the move was an “im- at her workplace southwest of portant technical and administra- Paris by a suspected extremist tive complication” in a statement from Tunisia who was then shot issued by the foreign ministry. dead by the security forces. Tensions have spiralled between A judicial source said the the two countries after Prague three were part of the suspect’s accused Russian military intel- “entourage”. President Em- ligence of being behind a deadly manuel Macron said France explosion at an ammunition depot would never give in to “terror- in eastern Czech Republic in 2014. ism” after the attack at a po- Prague has expelled 18 Russian lice station in Rambouillet, a embassy staff over the incident, tranquil commuter town about with Moscow kicking out 20 Czech 60km from Paris, which revived French Prime Minister Jean Castex and French Interior Minister embassy staff in retaliation. On the trauma of a spate of deadly Gerald Darmanin (left) talk to the press near the site where a female Thursday, Prague said it would attacks last year. police employee was stabbed to death by a man. slap a ceiling on Russian diplomat France’s national anti-terror- numbers in line with the Vienna ism prosecutors said they had Charlie Hebdo.On October 16, when suicide bombers and Convention on Diplomatic Rela- opened a terror investigation, a young Chechen refugee be- gunmen attacked the Stade de tions, aiming at parity. The Czech also involving the DGSI do- headed teacher Samuel Paty France stadium, bars and res- government said Russia would mestic intelligence service, into Police off icers secure the area where an attacker stabbed a female police administrative worker, in who had showed some of the taurants in central Paris and have until the end of May to with- the murder of a person holding Rambouillet, near Paris, yesterday. caricatures to his pupils. the Bataclan concert hall in No- draw another 63 embassy employ- public authority. And on October 29, three vember 2015. ees to reduce their numbers to the Chief anti-terror prosecu- The attacker, 36, identi- yesterday evening, AFP report- security forces,” he said. people were killed when a re- The next year a man rammed same level as those of the Czech tor Jean-Francois Ricard, who fi ed only as Jamel G, was fa- ers at the scene said. Interior Minister Gerald Dar- cently arrived Tunisian went on a truck into a Bastille Day crowd embassy in Moscow. The Russian spoke outside the station along tally wounded when an offi cer At the same time police manin, who also visited offi cers a stabbing spree in a church in in Nice in 2016, killing 86 peo- foreign ministry spokesperson said with Prime Minister Jean Cas- opened fi re on him. searched the home of the person in Rambouillet, said security the Mediterranean city of Nice. ple. Just a few weeks before, in that Moscow would also limit the tex, confi rmed “comments He arrived in France illegally who sheltered Jamel G when he would be stepped up at stations In the most serious recent at- June 2016, two police offi cers Czech embassy workforce in the made by the assailant” indicat- in 2009 but had since obtained fi rst arrived in France, sources nationwide. Several attacks tack against French police, three were stabbed to death at their Russian capital, meaning that the ed a terror motive. residency papers, a police close to the inquiry said. over the last year have reignited offi cers and one police employee home outside Paris by a man embassies of the two countries The 49-year-old woman, an source said, adding that he was Macron vowed on Twitter concerns about the spread of in Paris were stabbed to death in claiming allegiance to the Is- would have seven diplomats each administrative assistant and unknown to security services. that “in our fi ght against terror- radicals inside France as well as October 2019 by an IT specialist lamic State group. by May 31. The two countries’ mother-of-two who was re- He had just moved to Ram- ism, we will never give in”, iden- immigration. colleague who was himself then Macron’s government has diplomatic missions will also have turning from a lunch break, was bouillet. tifying the murdered woman as In September, a Pakistani shot dead. introduced legislation to tackle 25 administrative employees and stabbed in the throat twice and About 30 police offi cers Stephanie. man wounded two people with a In France’s deadliest peace- radical activity in France, a bill 19 local hires. died of her wounds shortly af- wearing balaclavas raided the “The nation is by the side of meat cleaver outside the former time atrocity, 130 people were that has stirred anger in some terwards, the source said. suspect’s home in Rambouillet her family, her colleagues and offi ces of satirical magazine killed and 350 were wounded countries.

Former UK aide denies leaking ventilator Kremlin critic Navalny ends hunger Miner takes on Albania’s political messages, blasts PM Dominic Cummings, Prime Min- strike, but political prospects darken heavyweights at ballot box ister Boris Johnson’s former top adviser, yesterday denied reports he leaked Johnson’s private Reuters ed. “Considering the progress to jail, the real hotheads,” the Reuters communications over Covid-19 Moscow and all the circumstances, I am source said. “The authorities Bulqize ventilators and criticised the beginning to come out of the don’t want to look like canni- British leader’s competence and hunger strike,” he wrote. bals.” Leonid Volkov, one of Na- integrity. Cummings, architect ailed Kremlin critic Alexei Supporters and friends re- valny’s closest allies, declined national election in Al- of the successful campaign for Navalny said yesterday he acted with relief, but sources to comment as did other aides. bania tomorrow looks Britain to leave the European Un- Jwould start gradually end- close to the Kremlin and some “The protest movement in Atoo close to call — but ion, left Johnson’s staff suddenly ing a hunger strike after getting activists said his political Russia will be destroyed and third-generation miner and late last year having previously medical care, even as the po- movement — the Anti-Corrup- beheaded to a large degree but fi rst-time parliamentary can- been his most influential adviser litical prospects for him and his tion Foundation (FBK) — was it won’t disappear,” said Abbas didate Elton Debreshi won’t be over Brexit and a 2019 election movement darkened. on the verge of receiving a po- Gallyamov, a former Kremlin celebrating whichever of the campaign. Three British newspa- Sounding upbeat and emo- tential body blow from the au- speech writer.” two main parties wins. pers, citing unidentified sources tional, the 44-year-old op- thorities. “The people who don’t like A native of Bulqize, an east- in Johnson’s off ice, reported position politician said in an A Russian court is expected Putin will hardly start to like ern town dominated by a chro- yesterday that Cummings was Instagram post that his hunger to rule next week on a request him after this. On the contrary mium mine and where poverty behind the leak of text messages strike and the support he had from a Moscow prosecutor to their anger will grow but their is widespread, the 31-year-old in which Johnson promised to received in Russia and the West offi cially outlaw the FBK and outbursts will be more spon- is standing as an independ- fix a tax issue for businessman had delivered “huge progress”. Navalny’s regional headquar- taneous and less organised,” he ent, and on a mission to defend James Dyson. Johnson’s off ice on The worsening health of Na- ters — the backbone of his said. the interests of a working class Thursday launched an inquiry to valny, President Vladimir Pu- movement — on the grounds Tens of thousands of people that, he says, mainstream poli- find the source of the leak. tin’s most prominent domestic that it is an extremist group. took to the streets across Rus- ticians have neglected. Elton Debreshi and his colleague miner wave at a mining area in Dyson was working on supplying opponent, and the authorities’ Such a ruling, if it happens, sia on Wednesday in support of “In parliament, we have Bulqize, Albania. ventilators to the government to initial failure to give him the would give the authorities the Navalny and more than 1,800 never heard a word about our cope with Covid-19 and Johnson treatment he demanded had legal power to arrest and jail his were detained. suff ering,” said Debreshi, who have emigrated since 1990, The opposition has accused has said he has no regrets over triggered a Western diplomatic supporters simply for being ac- Pavel Chikov, a lawyer and has around 7,000 Facebook when a multi-party system re- Rama’s party of trying to buy his actions. Cummings denied off ensive designed to cajole tivists. rights activist predicted that followers and whose campaign placed one of the world’s most votes, which he has denied, he had given the text messages Moscow to make concessions. A source close to the Krem- next week’s ruling may force has won endorsement from an- authoritarian Communist re- and there have been sporadic to journalists and off ered to co- In the Instagram post pub- lin predicted Navalny’s allies Navalny supporters to move ti-establishment former Greek gimes, many driven abroad by outbreaks of violence during operate with the leak inquiry. lished by his lawyers, Navalny would struggle after the ruling. more of their activities online. fi nance minister Yanis Varou- a high unemployment rate and campaigning. “I am happy to meet with the said he was still demanding to “It will be their end as an But he said many disgrun- fakis. one of Europe’s lowest stand- “In a democratic society Cabinet Secretary and for him to be seen by a doctor of his own agent of infl uence,” said the tled Russians were not Nav- “Every lawmaker from this ards of living. changing the governments search my phone for Dyson mes- choosing, the original trigger source. “They will be forced alny supporters and that some region has been an owner of a Opinion polls make tomor- and prime ministers should sages,” he wrote on his blog. for his hunger strike, and that to come up with new ways of would continue to protest when chrome mine, or the owner of row’s vote too close to call be- bring normality but in Al- Asked prior to the Cummings’ he was losing feeling in parts of communicating with their sup- they felt like it. a hydro power plant, forests or tween the governing Socialist bania is seen as a dramatic rebuttal about the reports blam- his legs and arms. porters...They’ll need time to “Their habit of taking to the quarries. Party of the Prime Minister event, with high tensions,” ing his former adviser, Johnson He said, however, he had gain momentum again.” streets will not go away,” Chik- In one word they were not Edi Rama and the opposition said Ervis Iljazaj, a political said: “I think people aren’t so much twice been seen by civilian doc- The same source said the au- ov said. from our class,” Debreshi told led by the Democratic Party, science professor at the Euro- interested in who’s briefing what tors and undergone tests. thorities were ready to jail some Navalny was jailed for 2-1/2 Reuters. fuelling a mood of uncertainty pean University of Tirana. to whom as the substance of the It would take 24 days to un- of Navalny’s allies whom they years in February for parole “They don’t care for the lives in what many observers view The European Union plans issue at hand and the issue is really wind the hunger strike which he regarded as the most radical. violations that he and his sup- of the people here.” as a still relatively fragile de- to send 50 observers to moni- the question of the ventilators.” launched on March 31, he add- “Only a few are likely to go porters said were fabricated. Around 800,000 Albanians mocracy. tor the vote. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, April 24, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Productivity after pandemic Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor Biden administration’s 2020 survey conducted by the World explanation for the disappointing services such as offi ce cleaning, security infrastructure plan could Economic Forum (WEF) found that productivity growth in the decade and maintenance, transportation, K T Chacko 80% of fi rms plan to increase the following the 2007-09 global and restaurant and hospitality crowd in private investment, digitalisation of their operations and fi nancial crisis was chronically weak services. Prior to the pandemic, these Production Editor boosting overall investment in expand their use of remote work, consumption and investment demand. occupations accounted for one in Amjad Khan and 50% intend to accelerate the While the pandemic-era acceleration four US jobs and a growing share of the short run and increasing automation of production tasks. of automation and digitalisation may employment for workers without a the economy’s long-run More broadly, recent research boost productivity on the supply side, post-secondary education. P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar by the McKinsey Global Institute it could have a detrimental eff ect on Weak investment poses another potential productivity growth [email protected] (MGI) identifi es opportunities for demand, by hampering growth in demand-side risk to potential incremental productivity growth labour income and consumption – a productivity growth. Business 44350478 (News), By Laura Tyson and Jan Mischke across a wide variety of sectors major determinant of economic growth investment rates overall were already in long-run decline before the pandemic 44466404 (Sport), Berkeley that account for about 60% of the generally. non-farm economy. These include During the next year, consumption (hence the post-2008 productivity 44466636 (Home delivery) healthcare (telemedicine), construction growth is likely to be strong, owing to slowdown), and investment has 44350474 ith Covid-19 vaccines (digital twins and off site modular the post-pandemic release of pent-up since contracted further, owing to a being rolled out and construction), retail (e-commerce demand and massive injections of fi scal decrease in private non-residential facebook.com/gulftimes supportive fi scal and and warehouse automation), banking stimulus. But, over time, the eff ects investment from its 2019 peak. That twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Wmonetary policies fuelling (digital payments and hybrid remote of effi ciency-focused productivity said, the decline in investment during aggregate demand, the US economy is working), manufacturing (robots, measures and accelerated digitalisation the Covid-19 recession has not been as poised to return to its pre-pandemic digital channels, and connected autos), could dampen employment and income large as that of the 2007-09 fi nancial output level later this year. The labour- and even the hard-hit travel industry growth, cause polarisation within crisis. market recovery, however, will be much (more agile working). labour markets to deepen, and eliminate To realise the potential for higher slower and unevenly distributed, with If all of this potential is realised, middle-skill jobs, thereby constraining productivity growth, fiscal and GULF TIMES employment unlikely to return to its annual labour productivity growth in consumption growth among those with monetary authorities should shape pre-pandemic peak until 2024. the United States and several European the highest propensity to spend. recovery policies with two broad If output growth exceeds economies could increase by about a The long-run eff ects could be goals in mind: fostering strong and employment growth over the next few percentage point between 2019 and substantial. About 60% of the inclusive income and consumption years, productivity will increase (at 2024. But achieving such a dramatic productivity potential identifi ed in growth, and boosting public and The dark money least temporarily). The Congressional supply-side improvement requires the most recent MGI report refl ects private investment in physical Budget Offi ce’s most recent forecast that the productivity-driving changes effi ciency-boosting cuts to labour capital (infrastructure and affordable predicts labour-force productivity spread from the large fi rms where they and other costs. The WEF survey housing), human capital (education growth of 1.5% per year for the 2021-25 have been concentrated to small and found that 43% of the businesses and training), and knowledge tipping point period, up from an average of 1.2% per medium-size enterprises. surveyed anticipate net reductions (research and development). year between 2008 and 2020. Many in this latter group have in their workforce as a result of Given the signifi cant shortfalls In response to the pandemic, so far been unable or reluctant pandemic-accelerated automation in public infrastructure that America’s courts are under siege from right-wing special interests. many fi rms – but especially large to increase their investment in and digitalisation. In a related report, have developed over decades They want to rig the federal judiciary to favour large employers over ones – have made signifi cant strides automating or digitalising their MGI estimates that an additional 5% of underinvestment, the Biden workers, mega-banks over small businesses, and gun manufacturers toward boosting productivity through supply chains, operations, and of workers (eight million) could be administration’s infrastructure plan over gun victims. Again and again, the political agenda pushed through automation, digitalisation, and the delivery models. And without such displaced by automation/digitalisation could crowd in private investment, the Federalist Society, a group that has done more than any other to reorganisation of operations, including investment, the productivity gap by 2030, on top of the 22% of workers boosting overall investment in the short move the federal judiciary far rightward, has become the law of the a rapid shift to at-home work, to boost between big “superstar” fi rms and a estimated to be vulnerable before the run and increasing the economy’s long- land at the expense of everyone else. And now, if this operation gets effi ciency and resilience. long tail of lagging competitors will pandemic. run potential productivity growth. — its way in a little-noticed case before the Supreme Court, secretive In a December 2020 McKinsey & increase, diminishing economy-wide In the US and other industrialised Project Syndicate economies, the largest negative impact interests will cement their upper hand in US constitutional law for Company survey of business executives productivity gains and exacerbating in North America and six European the post-2008 trends toward greater of the pandemic on jobs and incomes  Laura Tyson, former chair of the generations to come. countries representing about 40% of inequality in economic performance has been in food services, retail, US President’s Council of Economic As the chairs of the Senate and House subcommittees on courts, global GDP, 51% of respondents said across fi rms and regions and more hospitality, customer service, and Advisers, is Professor of the Graduate alarming encroachment of dark money on the judiciary has come to they had increased investment in new market concentration. offi ce support. Many of these low- School at the Haas School of Business light. The undisclosed interests wielding that infl uence dictated the technologies in 2020, and 75% said Equally important is the trajectory for wage jobs could disappear altogether and Chair of the Blum Center Board of last three nominations to the Supreme Court, and then pressured they planned to do so in 2020-24. By aggregate demand, which will depend if pandemic-induced reductions in Trustees at the University of California, the Senate to ram the nominees through, including by spending contrast, just 55% reported increased on what happens to employment and professional offi ce time and business Berkeley. Jan Mischke is a partner at the millions of dollars on national television and radio ad campaigns investments in 2014-19. Moreover, a income growth. The most convincing travel diminish demand for myriad McKinsey Global Institute. (especially for Justice Brett Kavanaugh when his nomination ran into trouble). Having helped to install sympathetic jurists on the federal bench, a web of fi nancially interconnected legal groups then takes turns setting up cases to land in the Supreme Court, where they fi le co- ordinated amicus (“friend of the court”) briefs in support of the outcome they are pitching. Resembling a strategically conducted orchestra, the amicus eff ort is the closing movement of a massive court-capture operation. The key to this operation is dark money: donations that cannot be traced to a donor. Special interests have built a massive network of dark money front groups to carry out every function of court capture, from selecting judicial nominees, to picking cases The key to this for them to hear, to lobbying through amicus briefs for the operation is outcomes they desire. From 2014 to 2018 alone, this network dark money: received $400 million in dark donations money, according to recent expert testimony to the Senate. that cannot It’s an unfortunate fact that this dark money campaign is be traced to a working. Even before Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined donor the Court in the dying days of Donald Trump’s administration, the Republican majority of fi ve had run up an 80-case streak of partisan 5-4 victories for big Republican donor interests. But the real payoff could come in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v Rodriquez, where the Court may decide that a right-wing donor elite has a constitutional right to secrecy when it uses front groups to infl uence politics and courts. The parties in the case tell us much about what is at stake. The Americans for Prosperity Foundation is part of the constellation of dark-money front groups funded by billionaire energy mogul Charles Koch, and its Americans for Prosperity affi liate provides the political muscle for the operation. Still more telling is the array of “amici” who fl ocked to the case even before the Supreme Court agreed to hear it. These groups often appear in well-organised armadas before the Court, but the presence of more than 60 dark money front groups in this case indicates that something big is afoot. The explanation lies in Congress, where powerful corporate entities deeply involved in dark money operations have begun openly refusing to answer questions about dark-money funding. In doing so, they are “pleading the First” – claiming a previously unknown First Amendment right to operate covertly in politics through dark money. Ironically, the requirement that political spending be transparent was established by the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which opened the door wide for big money in politics. But the Court has made no eff ort to insist on adherence to its transparency requirements, and now that the Court’s political balance has lurched rightward, those requirements on paper may be shredded. Wall Street’s plant-based love wilts Justice Clarence Thomas was alone in opposing the disclosure requirements back in 2010. But three new justices have since been ushered onto the bench by dark money forces, and Justice Samuel cooling of the US stock Reuters that Beyond’s 420% rise in halted restaurant sales, and sector trades at nearly 21 times sales per share, Alito seems likely to fl ip to the dark side. That makes a plausible market’s taste for plant-based value since listing in September 2019 studies suggest that the industry according to Refi nitiv data, versus 1.6 majority of fi ve for unlimited dark money. Certainly, whoever is meat makers has raised doubts was now seen as overcooked. has yet to convincingly win over times and 1.9 times for Kellogg Co and behind those 60 amici thinks so. — Project Syndicate Aamong some investors and “It’s pretty shocking when you see shoppers. Kraft Heinz, which last year had sales analysts about Impossible Foods’ plans some of these valuations come out,” Nevertheless, both Beyond and of $13.78 billion and $26.19 billion to achieve a $10 billion fl otation. said Patrick Morris, whose Eat Beyond Impossible have signed deals with respectively. Impossible is seeking to go public vehicle has invested in three Canada- major restaurant and grocery chains “Food companies need to trade in a To Advertise through an initial public off ering or via listed plant-based ventures. and the US industry as a whole grew by multiple that has some logic to it,” said a merger with a blank-check company “The $10 billion for Impossible 44% last year during the pandemic. Christopher Kerr, Chief Investment [email protected] within the next 12 months, sources told Foods, with Beyond Meat at $8 or $8.5 Revenues at Beyond and some other Offi cer at Unovis Asset Management, Reuters this month. billion? The fi rst reaction is that these producers are growing, but the rate of an early investor in Beyond Meat who Display The market value of larger competitor valuations are coming from outer volume sales growth of fresh and fully cashed out and now holds stakes in 44466621 44418811 Beyond Meat, however, has sunk from space,” added Morris, who said he is cooked plant-based meat alternatives Oatly and Zero Egg. a peak of $14 billion to closer to $8.5 looking at investing in Impossible if it has been declining steadily at US retail “The question is can they get to Classified billion and is predicted by several opens its books. stores since July last year, NielsenIQ something that represents market 44466609 44418811 brokerages to fall further. Some existing investors have told data shows. valuation tied to revenues ... right now Both fi rms carry expectations of Impossible that it should aim to go Unit sales growth eased from 32.6% we’re seeing some pretty premium Subscription being big players in a so-called faux public at a valuation below where in the July to September period last valuations out there,” Kerr added. meat market which some predict could Beyond is trading, a person familiar year to 1% in January to March quarter One reason for the valuation fl oated [email protected] be worth $85 billion a year by 2030 as with the discussions told Reuters. of 2021, when compared to the same for Impossible is the boom in special- dietary habits shift. Impossible declined to comment. period a year ago, the data showed. purpose acquisition deals and initial But with retail sales of some products While the signs remain positive Beyond’s sales overall were still just off erings that has seen big jumps for a © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved sliding, four sectoral investors told for plant-based food, Covid-19 has $407 million last year, and its stock range of start-ups at launch. — Reuters Gulf Times Saturday, April 24, 2021 11 WORLD

Pakistan parliament Biden urges world to make defers debate on French good on climate promises Reuters his predecessor, Donald Trump, moval and that the United States Breakthrough Energy Catalyst bon capture, energy storage and electric vehicles and more re- Washington withdrew from the 2015 Paris looked forward to working with that would raise money from industrial fuels. newable energy anyway. envoy Agreement to cut greenhouse Russia and other countries on governments, philanthropists Underscoring the role for “No politician, no matter how gas emissions. the technology. and companies to make capital carbon removal technologies to demagogic or how potent and S President Joe Biden has Biden, who returned the Putin and China’s President investments to bring down the meet global climate goals, she capable they are, is going to be AFP called on nations to work United States to the 2015 pact, Xi Jinping spoke at the summit cost of clean technology. announced a partnership with able to change what that market Islamabad Utogether on a transition announced a new US target on on Thursday but did not off er “We can build new industries Canada, Norway, Qatar, and is doing,” said John Kerry, Bi- to clean energy, on the second Thursday to reduce its emissions new pledges on cutting emis- and companies that support Saudi Arabia called the Net Zero den’s climate envoy. and fi nal day of a climate summit 50%-52% by 2030 compared sions. communities around the world Producers Forum. Biden has sought to connect akistan’s parliament has he hosted to rally world ambition with 2005 levels. The US summit is the fi rst in a with good jobs on making the It aimed to develop “long- eff orts to fi ght climate change again deferred debat- to reduce global warming. Japan and Canada also raised string of meetings of world lead- transition to the clean economy,” term strategies to reach global with opportunities to create Ping the fate of the French “Nations that work together their targets. ers – including the G7 and G20 – said Gates, who has invested net-zero emissions”, she said. jobs, arguing that taking action ambassador, with the govern- to invest in a cleaner economy “The commitments we made ahead of annual UN climate talks about $2bn toward the devel- Granholm also announced a will be good for the economy ment seemingly putting a lid on will reap the rewards for their must become real,” Biden said. in November in Scotland. opment of high tech electricity partnership with Denmark to in order to counter Republican bloody anti-France protests that citizens,” the Democratic presi- “Commitment without us doing That meeting will be the generation and storage. partner on zeroing out emissions concerns that climate regulation rocked the country for a week. dent, who took offi ce in January, it is just a lot of hot air, no pun deadline for nearly 200 coun- Jennifer Granholm, the US in the global shipping industry. could slow growth. A resolution tabled on told the virtual summit yester- intended.” tries to update their climate energy secretary, said clean The White House has sought His $2.3tn infrastructure Wednesday called for the na- day. Biden said that he was heart- pledges under the Paris pact. technology is “our generation’s to assure other countries that it package is integral to achieving tional assembly to debate Biden called the meeting with ened by Russian President Bill Gates, a wealthy busi- moonshot” and that her depart- can meet the new US emissions the new US emissions target, but whether to expel the French dozens of heads of state to de- Vladimir Putin’s call for the nessman-turned-philanthro- ment would be announcing new target, even if a new administra- requires approval by Congress, envoy, for the assembly to con- clare the United States back at world to collaborate on ad- pist, said that he is working with goals for “leaps in next genera- tion takes over, because industry where Democrats hold only ra- demn Western blasphemy, for the climate leadership table after vanced carbon dioxide (CO2) re- partners on a programme called tion technologies”, such as car- is moving toward cleaner power, zor-thin majorities. Muslim nations to unite on the issue, and for authorities to pro- vide space in cities for future protests. However, yesterday’s session descended into rowdiness after SpaceX rocketship launches astronauts to space station Canada’s members disagreed on how to proceed – with some chanting anti-French slogans and others AFP/Reuters built by Russia, should reach Covid-19 displaying a poster calling for Kennedy Space Centre, US the station in July and will in- the envoy to be booted out. clude a robotic arm built by ESA The speaker adjourned the that Pesquet will help make op- surge at session indefi nitely. paceX launched its third erational, added De Winne. Still, the resolution appears crew to the International The ESA will also be a key to have taken the steam out of SSpace Station (ISS) an partner to the United States ‘critical’ an anti-France campaign waged hour before sunrise yesterday, in the Artemis programme to for months by the Tehreek-e- recycling a rocket and space- return to the Moon, providing Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) since craft for the fi rst time. the power and propulsion com- juncture President Emmanuel Macron The Crew-2 mission, which ponent for the Orion space- defended the right of a satirical includes the fi rst European, craft, and critical elements of magazine to republish certain Thomas Pesquet of France, a planned lunar orbital station Reuters cartoons. blasted off from pad 39A at called Gateway. Ottawa Supporters of the upstart re- the Kennedy Space Centre in The Crew-2 team has around ligious party protested violently Florida at 5.49am Eastern Time 100 experiments in the diary across the country last week (0949 GMT). during their six-month mis- surge in coronavirus when its leader was arrested The blast-off from Cape Ca- sion. (Covid-19) cases meant after calling for a march on the naveral was aired live on Nasa These include research into ACanada is at a critical capital to demand the French TV. what are known as “tissue juncture, but increased vac- envoy’s expulsion. Within 10 minutes of launch, chips” – small models of hu- cine deliveries off er hope, Prime As the protests grew, the the rocket’s second stage had man organs that are made up Minister Justin Trudeau said French embassy recommended delivered the crew capsule to of diff erent types of cells and yesterday, announcing a deal all its citizens leave the coun- Earth orbit, travelling at near- used to study things like ageing with Pfi zer Incorporated for mil- try – a call that appeared to go ly 17,000mph, according to in the immune system, kidney lions of booster shots. largely unheeded. launch commentators. function and muscle loss. The number of daily cases has Interior Minister Sheikh The rocket’s fi rst stage, In terms of the environment, doubled this month to 8,600, Rashid Ahmed – who negotiated meanwhile, descended back to by the time Crew-2 returns in and health offi cials earlier said an end to the protests with the Earth and touched down safely fall, it will have taken 1.5mn im- they could jump again to more TLP leaders – said that fi ve po- on a landing platform fl oat- ages of the Earth, documenting than 15,000 by the end of April lice offi cers and eight protesters ing in the Atlantic on a drone A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew-2 mission astronauts, lifts off from launch complex 39A phenomena like artifi cial light- unless stricter measures were were killed. ship aff ectionately named “Of at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. ing at night, algal blooms, and taken as new coronavirus vari- The protesters also held hos- Course I Still Love You”. the break-up of Antarctic ice ants spread. tage 11 police offi cers and two “We’re glad to be back in “recycle”, “reuse”, and “reduce”, “Such nice hosts!” he added. tion,” said SpaceX founder Elon shelves. “There are more contagious special rangers for hours, be- space,” said mission command- in a nod to the fact that both the The extra “bed” is necessary Musk, who made a surprise ap- Another important element and more dangerous variants out fore releasing them, bruised and er Shane Kimbrough of the Falcon 9 booster and Endeav- to accommodate an unusually pearance at the post-launch of the mission is upgrading the there. The situation is critical,” bloodied. United States. our were deployed on previous large number of people aboard press conference. “The future’s station’s solar power system by said Trudeau, who together with Prime Minister Imran Khan The Crew Dragon capsule, missions. the ISS: 11 in total, as the Crew- looking good.” installing new panels that roll his wife Sophie is due to receive has in the past been accused of named Endeavour, is now rac- Flying on used vehicles is a 2 team overlaps for a few days The launch is a major mile- open like a huge yoga mat. a fi rst dose of the AstraZeneca appeasing the TLP, fearful of an- ing to catch up with the ISS, key cost-saving goal of the Na- with Crew-1 astronauts, in ad- stone for Europe, which named For now though, the three vaccine. tagonising Pakistan’s conserva- with docking due to take place tional Aeronautics and Space dition to three Russian cosmo- the mission “Alpha” after the space agencies, as well as the “Vaccine doses continue to tives. at 5.10am (0910 GMT) today. Administration (Nasa)’s part- nauts. star system Alpha Centauri. astronauts’ colleagues and be the good news we all need in On Monday he had pleaded The hatch will open two nerships with private industry. It is the third time SpaceX is “This is really the golden era families, are basking in the glow what has become a very tough with the group to end its violent hours after that. The day before, Pesquet sending humans to the ISS as for us in terms of exploitation of a safe and successful launch. spring,” said Trudeau. “It’s also campaign to oust the French am- On the way the astronauts tweeted a photo of the space part of its multibillion dollar of the International Space Sta- “It’s been a lot of excitement, important to plan ahead for the bassador, saying that the unrest will have time to dine on pre- quartet, which includes Ameri- contract with Nasa under the tion,” Frank De Winne, head of lots of ups and downs for the future.” was harming the nation. packaged meals and snacks and can Megan McArthur and Ja- Commercial Crew Programme. ISS programmes for the Euro- past couple of weeks, and now Trudeau said the deal with “It doesn’t make any diff er- to get some sleep. pan’s Akikho Hoshide, relaxing The fi rst mission launched pean Space Agency (ESA), told it’s all done and it was beauti- Pfi zer would help keep the vi- ence to France,” he said in a na- Earlier, the team said their on the beach in Florida. last May, ending nine years of AFP. ful,” Pesquet’s wife Anne Mot- rus under control in the coming tional address broadcast on tel- fi nal goodbyes to their families “Our friends on the @ American reliance on Russian Germany’s Matthias Maurer tet told AFP. years. evision. “If we keep protesting before boarding three white Space_Station are expecting us rockets for rides to the ISS fol- and Italy’s Samantha Cristo- “So I’m feeling relieved, I’m Ottawa will buy 35mn booster our whole lives, we would only Teslas for the launchpad, a to show up and we don’t want lowing the end of the Space foretti are set to follow Pesquet feeling really happy,” she said, doses in 2022 and 30mn in 2023. be damaging our own coun- new tradition established by to be late,” he said. “They even Shuttle programme. on SpaceX missions, this fall adding she had told Pesquet Canada has so far recorded try and it will not impact (the SpaceX. installed my bedroom recently “I think we’re at the dawn and next spring respectively. “I’m going to be watching you” a total of 23,822 deaths and West).” The cars’ licence plates read and literally made my bed.” of a new era of space explora- The next module of the ISS, when they said farewell. 1,155,834 cases of Covid-19.

US to send reinforcements to protect withdrawal from Afghanistan Covid-19 vaccination programme The United States will temporarily deploy extra troops to be completed safely, according to the US military. in Brazil at risk due to no-shows Pakistan, Afghanistan, to Afghanistan to protect international forces as they Despite billions of dollars of investment, equipment withdraw, commander of the US military in the Middle and training, “my concern is the ability of the Afghan Brazil’s coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme is being put East General Kenneth McKenzie said on Thursday. military to hold the ground that they’re on now, without at risk by people failing to show up for their second shot, with 1.5mn Turkey urge Taliban to McKenzie repeated US military concerns that the the support that they’ve been used to for many years”, people missing appointments for the follow-up dose needed to withdrawal could allow the Taliban to advance, after McKenzie told the senators. maximise protection, according to the health ministry. President Joe Biden last week announced all US forces “It’s intelligence, it’s fire support, it’s the enabling things Specialists say that is particularly concerning after a recent real- commit to peace talks would pull out before this year’s 20th anniversary of the that actually give them an edge over the Taliban. And all world study from Chile found that the Sinovac Biotech Covid-19 September 11 attacks. that will be gone.” vaccine, which has accounted for some 80% of Brazil’s programme, “We will bring additional resources in, in order to protect McKenzie dismissed talk of defeat, but he said the is just 16% eff ective after one shot. Reuters ters of Turkey, Afghanistan and the force as it comes out,” McKenzie told a US Senate Taliban were more numerous than in 2011, estimating “Without the two doses, we get neither full protection nor a long Istanbul Pakistan discussed the planned hearing, giving no further details. “That’s normal in any they have 50,000 fighters, and that they control more duration of protection,” Juarez Cunha, head of the Brazilian Society conference, aimed at fast- kind of disengagement. I’m confident that ... we will be Afghan territory than 10 years ago. of Immunisations, told Reuters. tracking an agreement between able to extract ourselves.” He also said that a key concern was “the ability of the In total, Covid-19 has taken more than 380,000 lives in Brazil. he foreign ministers of the Afghan government and the He did not talk about numbers when asked about the Afghan Air Force to fly” without support. The country’s vaccination programme has also repeatedly missed Turkey, Pakistan and Taliban following Washington’s size of the withdrawal reinforcement at later at a press The Afghan Air Force depends on foreign experts targets due to a shortage of doses resulting from delivery delays of TAfghanistan called on announcement that foreign conference, saying that the plans are currently being employed in Afghanistan by the US military to maintain active ingredients from China and India. the Afghan Taliban yesterday troops will leave Afghanistan by worked on. the planes. The failure of people to go for the second dose is an extra worry. to reaffi rm its commitment to September 11. Some 2,500 US troops, plus 16,000 civilian contrac- “We may be able to work some remote televised way” Specialists and authorities involved in the campaign said the low achieving a negotiated settle- The ministers “called on all tors and their equipment, must be evacuated from the to help with airplane maintenance, McKenzie said at the turnout appeared to be due to poor communication, with people ment for lasting peace in Af- parties, in particular the Tali- country, along with some 7,000 North Atlantic Treaty press conference. either not realising the importance of the second shot or simply ghanistan. ban to reaffi rm their commit- Organisation (Nato) soldiers who depend on the US for “I acknowledge that it’s going to be a lot harder,” he said. forgetting when they were meant to go. In a joint statement issued ment for achieving an inclusive transport. “So we will look at innovative ways to do that. We’re still In some cases, they said, people might also have been put off by a after talks in Istanbul, the three negotiated settlement leading The logistical operation will take at least three months working those out right now.” – AFP strong reaction to the first dose, which can frequently cause short- foreign ministers underlined to lasting peace in Afghanistan lived fever and body aches. – Reuters “the urgent need for an imme- desired by the Afghan people, diate ceasefi re” to end the vio- the region and the international “As the co-organisers, we are States last year agreed that all lence and “provide a conducive community”, according to the continuing talks on this with all foreign forces would be with- Three of seven Catholic clergy kidnapped in Haiti released atmosphere” for peace negotia- joint statement. sides,” he said, alongside Pa- drawn from Afghanistan by May tions. They also “deplored the con- kistan’s Foreign Minister Shah 1, a date that was pushed back Three of the seven Catholic clergy who were were not released. There were no lay people among A US-backed Afghan peace tinuing high level of violence in Mehmood Qureshi. last week by US President Joe kidnapped in Haiti more than a week ago have been those released”. conference to be hosted in Is- Afghanistan”. Afghan Foreign Minister Biden. released, a Church spokesman told AFP on Thursday, “Three of the seven clergy kidnapped on April 11 tanbul hosted by Turkey, Qatar, Speaking at a joint news con- Hanif Atmar joined the meeting The Taliban ruled Afghani- as the island nation grapples with a rise in violence were released,” he told AFP. and the United Nations today ference after the talks, Turkish via video link for health reasons, stan from 1996 to 2001, when and ongoing political crisis. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is plagued was postponed over the Tali- Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavu- Cavusoglu said. they were ousted by US-led A total of 10 people were abducted in Croix-des- by insecurity and natural disaster. ban’s non-participation. soglu said Ankara’s support for The Taliban had earlier re- forces. Bouquets, a town northeast of the capital Port-au- Kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent Ankara has said the talks will the Afghan peace process and fused to attend any summits Since then, they have waged Prince, on April 11, including the seven clergy – five of months in Port-au-Prince and other provinces, be held after Ramadan, but no eff orts to organise the confer- until all foreign forces were a long-running insurgency and them Haitian and two of them French. reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs. new date has been set. ence in Istanbul would con- pulled out of Afghanistan. still control wide swathes of ter- Father Loudger Mazile, spokesman for the Bishop’s Haiti’s government resigned in the wake of the Yesterday the foreign minis- tinue. The Taliban and the United ritory. Conference for the island nation, said “the French kidnappings. – AFP Gulf Times 12 Saturday, April 24, 2021 QATAR DFI-funded The Present in Oscar spotlight

he 93rd Academy Awards by British-Palestinian director ski, The Letter Room by Elvira human right of freedom of move- ter Yasmine on a trip to buy a sur- point that I felt very strongly (the Oscars), which will Farah Nabulsi. Lind and Sofi a Sondervan, Two ment. prise gift. about shooting there.” Ttake place at Union Station The Present, co-directed by Distant Strangers by Travon Free “It’s a fi ction fi lm, it’s a very The celebratory plan starts off “The only fi ction in that and Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles Ossama Bawardi, joins four other and Martin Desmond Roe, and simple story, but it is based on a well, but eventually, Yusef has to scene is our protagonist, our ac- on April 26, is set to put a spot- Oscars-nominated short fi lms White Eye by Tomer Shushan and very cruel reality that exist on the grapple between parenting and tor Saleh Bakri, surrounded by light on The Present, a Doha Film (Live Action): Feeling Through by Shira Hochman. ground today in Palestine.” the humiliating realities of the hundreds, thousands, of Pales- Institute (DFI)-funded short fi lm Doug Roland and Susan Ruzen- The Academy Award-nod “It’s in many ways through checkpoints that they become tinians, in what I could only de- takes Nabulsi to new heights, Yasmine’s eyes that we are wit- entangled with. scribe as a battery farm … worse Financial analyst turned activist fi lmmaker making her the fi rst female Pal- nessing what happens to our pro- Along the way, they meet many than a battery farm for cattle,” estinian director to compete in tagonist, which sadly is the case others enduring similar setbacks she added. Farah Nabulsi is a Palestinian tion at JP Morgan Chase, before the awards, in the best short live- for so many Palestinian children and daily indignities. “I found that particularly fas- Farah Nabulsi: I want to British Oscar-nominated and moving on to build a children- action fi lm category. who have to witness their moth- Yusef overcomes the small but cinating what it means to engulf encourage all creatives to be Bafta-nominated filmmaker and focused business that she ran for The Present (Palestine, Qa- ers and their superhero fathers brutal realities, withstands the an entire population, of course, bold, to be unapologetic in their human rights advocate. 10 years. tar/2019), also a British Acad- impotent in the face of a military pain in his back, and tries to mo- in such an infrastructure but by storytelling, and have the She is the daughter of Palestin- In 2015, she started working in the emy of Film and Television Arts power,” she said. tivate Yasmine to cultivate hope. zooming in on this particular courage to do that. ians who were fortunate enough film industry. (Bafta)-nominated fi lm, is about According to the synopsis on However, by nightfall, as their man and his daughter and look- to make a home in 1970’s Britain She founded a production com- Yusef (played by actor Saleh the DFI website, The Present tells patience shatters into fatigue and ing at them as human beings, as but then you make a fi lm in what – unlike the millions who continue pany through which she writes, Bakri) and his young daughter the story of a family man from cold, the gift that was intended as humanising them and under- is essentially militarily-occupied to remain stateless in refugee produces and directs fiction films, (actress Mariam Kanj) setting out the West Bank, who faces enor- a surprise is under threat of not standing such as a simple trip and territory, and now you just add- camps. exploring topics that matter to in the West Bank to buy his wife mous queues at dawn to get to making it home, and they fi nd yet in that bigger infrastructure. ed a whole new level of stress,” Born, raised and educated in Lon- her, and she created a digital re- an anniversary gift – a seemingly work every day, exacerbated by themselves in danger. “You know, when you are mak- the director noted. “As a British don, Farah began her career as an source to deconstruct the Israeli simple task. severe back pain and surrounded “There are two checkpoints ing a fi lm, regardless of where Palestinian, a female, a Muslim institutional equity stockbroker. military occupation of Palestine In an interview with CNN, by military checkpoints. that feature in The Present,” you are in the world, it is already fi lmmaker, I want to encourage She ended up with a CFA (char- in a way never done before. Nabulsi said: “The fi lm is about On his day off , to celebrate his Nabulsi said, “one is the infa- tough … you are chasing the light, all creatives to be bold, to be un- tered financial analyst) designa- (Source: farahnabulsi.com) human dignity, the importance wedding anniversary with his mous Checkpoint 300 in Bethle- you are dealing with budget, you apologetic in their storytelling, of human dignity, and the basic wife Noor, he takes their daugh- hem, that’s of the (actual) check- are dealing with time constraints, and have the courage to do that.”

Scenes from stores at Doha’s Souq Waqif. PICTURES: Thajudheen Souq so ready with goodies for Garangao

arious stores at Doha’s Souq Waqif of- prefer to celebrate the event at their respec- fer an array of candies, sweets, crack- tive homes, adhering to health and safety Vers, and nuts, among other traditional measures set by Qatar authorities to curb the food and non-food items, such as baskets, spread of the virus. bags, and presents, in preparation for the Ga- Some organisations and groups are holding rangao night in Qatar. virtual Garangao this year with a number of Garangao is a traditional children’s party educational and fun-fi lled sessions and ac- celebrated exclusively in the region and takes tivities. place after the breaking of the fast on the 14th In a normal set up, children carry a small night of Ramadan. basket and collect candies, nuts, chocolates, However, due to the coronavirus (Cov- and other sweets from homes in their neigh- id-19) situation, many families and children bourhood.