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Shura Council welcomes Amir sends congratulations Al-Ula summit outcome to Sultan of Oman

QNA — DOHA QNA — DOHA

The Shura Council yesterday welcomed the outcome of the 41st Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin session of the Supreme Council of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Hamad Al Thani, Deputy expressing its deep pride in wise policies of Amir H H Sheikh Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. bin Hamad Al Thani, and The Shura Council held its regular weekly meeting under the Prime Minister and Minister chairmanship of Speaker of the Shura Council H E Ahmed bin of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al The Shura Council welcomed the outcome of the 41st session Thani sent yesterday cables of the Supreme Council of GCC, which was held in the Al-Ula of congratulations to H M Governorate in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of The Shura Council expressed its deep pride in the wise policy the Sultanate of Oman on the of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which con- anniversary of assuming the tributed to the success achieved by the GCC Supreme Council reins of power in the meeting and its important positive results to consolidate the Sultanate. unity of the GCC ranks, develop the GCC joint action, revive and activate the GCC and spread the spirit of brotherhood, sol- MoPH approves idarity, understanding, trust and mutual respect among its Speaker of the Shura Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud chairing the weekly countries. `P2 meeting of the Council, yesterday. 38 private health facilities for Qatar Airways resumes flights to Riyadh COVID-19 test THE PENINSULA — DOHA which currently stands at over 110 destinations with plans to The Ministry of Public Health increase to over 125 by the end (MoPH) has till now approved of March 2021. A multiple 38 private healthcare facilities award-winning airline, Qatar in the country to carry out Airways was named ‘World’s swabbing samples for the Best Airline’ by the 2019 World COVID-19 PCR test. Airline Awards, managed by The Ministry periodically Skytrax. It is the only airline to published the list adding new have been awarded the coveted medical facilities which got ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ title, approval for conducting the test. which is recognised as the pin- In October the Ministry published nacle of excellence in the airline a list of 32 facilities. The new list industry, five times. published by the Ministry on its Hamad International Twitter account includes 38 Airport (HIA), the airline’s home private healthcare facilities. and hub, was recently ranked The health facilities approved ‘Third Best Airport in the World’, for to swab samples for the among 550 airports worldwide, COVID-19 PCR test are: Al People welcome their relatives who arrived from Doha, at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. by the Skytrax World Airport Emadi Hospital, Turkish Hos- Awards 2020. Rising from pital, Doha Clinic Hospital, Al THE PENINSULA — DOHA 15:10. The flight was operated by Saudi Arabian airlines ‘Saudia’ Disturb (DND)’ indicator. The fourth position in 2019 to third Ahli Hospital, Queen Hospital, Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350- also resumed operating flights to Qsuite seat layout is a 1-2-1 con- in 2020, HIA has been steadily Dr. Moopen’s Aster Hospital, Qatar Airways yesterday 1000. Qatar yesterday. The first flight of figuration, providing passengers rising in the ‘World’s Best Air- Magrabi Center for Eye, ENT & resumed flights to Riyadh in the Later this week, Qatar Saudi Airlines from Riyadh landed with one of the most spacious, ports’ rankings since the start Dental, Elite Medical Center, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a Airways will resume flights to in Doha in the evening. fully private, comfortable, and of its operations in 2014. In West Bay Medicare, Syrian daily service. QR1164 from Jeddah on Thursday (January 14 Passengers from KSA can socially distanced products in addition, HIA was voted the American Medical Center, Future Hamad International Airport to - QR1188 departing DOH at 18:50) once again enjoy Qatar Airways' the sky. ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ Medical Center, Dr. Khaled Al King Khalid International Airport and to Dammam on Saturday award-winning Qsuite, fea- The national carrier of the for the sixth year in a row and Sheikh Ali’s Medical Center, Al took off at 13:45 local time and (January 16 - QR 1150 departing turing sliding privacy doors and State of Qatar continues to ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle Jufairi Diagnosis and Treatment, landed safely at its destination at Doha at 17:10). the option to use a ‘Do Not rebuild its network, East’ for the fifth year in a row. Al Ahmadani Medical Center, Imara Health Care, KIMS Qatar Medical Center, Allevia Medical Center, Aster Medical Center Plus- Vaccine rollout could achieve Almuntazah, Al Jameel Medical Center, Atlas Medical Center, Al herd immunity this year: Expert Tahrir Medical Center, Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Center Doha, FAZEENA SALEEM are vaccinated, then we could Naseem AL Rabeeh Medical THE PENINSULA approach herd immunity by sum- Center, New Naseem AL Rabeeh mer’s end and situation close to Medical Center, Aster Medical The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination where we were before the pandemic Center-Alkhor, Al Kayyali in Qatar and around the world could by the end of 2021,” Dr. Sultan told Medical Center, Abeer Medical provide herd immunity from the The Peninsula. Center, Al Esraa Polyclinic, Value pandemic within this year. If the “This may allow us to reach some Medical Complex, Asian Medical ongoing vaccination campaign goes degree of ‘normality’ that is close to Center W.L.L, Dr. Maher Abbas well, herd immunity could be reached where we were before the pandemic,” Polyclinic, Sidra medicine, Al by summer’s end and situation will be he added. Herd immunity is when a Mansoor Polyclinic, Nova Health close to normal by the end of 2021, large part of the population is immune Care, Al Sultan Medical Center, according to Professor of Teaching in to a specific disease. Al Fardan Medical With North- Microbiology and Immunology at Weill While scientists, including Dr. western Medicine, Raha Medical Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WMC-Q), Sultan, are excited at the prospect of Center W.L.L and Al-Shefa Pol- Dr. Ali Sultan. an effective vaccine and the prospect Belgium, Lebanon envoys plant trees yclinic D-Ring Road. “This estimate is dependent on of returning to normalcy, it is In June 2020 the Ministry significant numbers of people in important to temper this enthusiasm Ambassador of Belgium to Qatar H E Bart De Groof, and Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy issued circular allowing private Qatar and around the world being with caution. Several questions still of Lebanon, Farah Berri, with MME officials after they planted trees in an event organised healthcare facilities to carry out willing to be vaccinated with one of remain about how much protection by the Public Parks Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment under swabbing for COVID-19 test and several vaccines in various stages of an effective vaccine offers, to whom ‘Plant Million Tree’ initiative. The event was attended by Assistant to the Director of Public send the swabs to HMC labora- development. If 75% to 80% of people and for how long. `P2 Parks Department, Mohamad Ibrahim Al Sada and Nasser Darwish from Doha Municipality. tories for examination. Electronic games and trampolines reopen with 50% capacity SANAULLAH ATAULLAH THE PENINSULA kid’s outdoor games, billiards, and children under the special for many months to go to the Theme bowling alleys. As per the decision, arrangement to ensure social dis- Park. She’s overjoyed to see the ride,” The second stage of the reopening of bouncers, inflatable games, and ball tancing and other requirements like said a parent, Umm Aisha. recreational activities in amusement pits will reopen in the third stage separate exit and entry points. Doha Festival City also announced cities and parks began yesterday. starting from January 24. Security officers were deployed to the reopening of its theme parks from Electronic games and trampolines Parents welcomed the decision monitor and ensure people adhere to yesterday. “After months of closure, reopened with 50 percent capacity expressing happiness over a gradual maintaining social distancing during theme parks Angry Birds World, Vir- following the Ministry of Commerce return to normalcy. Electronic games their time in the facility. tuocity, and Snow Dunes will and Industry (MoCI) decision to grad- and trampolines operators also An official told The Peninsula that welcome back visitors for an excep- ually lift COVID-19 restrictions on received families and kids, following Gondolania Theme Park reopened tional experience, adhering to 50% these facilities. COVID-19 measures strictly. after around nine months. Children capacity as per the government On January 3, the first stage saw Gondolania Theme Park at Vil- were excited to enjoy their favourite guidelines,” DFC said in a press the reopening of outdoor playgrounds, laggio Mall yesterday received rides. “My daughter has been insisting statement. `P2 02 HOME TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 Education Ministry provides suitable, legal alternative to tutoring QNA — DOHA Thani for his great interest in is based on strengthening the that the leave for teachers and everything that achieves pros- The Speaker of the Shura Council said that the Council, the national identity, instilling the students has approached Minister of Education and perity and progress for the spirit of belonging and consol- seventy days. Higher Education H E Dr. country and the citizens, espe- government and the society aim to ensure good education idating the values and traditions In addition, the start of the Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al cially education, as a funda- and its beneficial outcomes, stressing that the of the Qatari society, in addition academic year and annual Hammadi has said that the mental pillar in human life and recommendations of the Council aim in short at the to a set of values derived from vacations have been stand- Ministry is providing a suitable a fundamental pillar of Qatar formation of a good citizen who believes in his faith and is the Islamic religion, stressing ardised between public schools and legal alternative to tutoring. National Vision 2030. proud of his country, nation and language. that the national, Arab and and private schools, with coor- Speaking in a Shura Council The Speaker of the Shura Islamic identity is one of the dination with Qatar University session yesterday, Dr. Al Council said that the Council, most important principles that to standardise the start of the Hammadi presented the Min- the government and the society the educational curricula aimed academic year and holidays istry’s report on the results of aim to ensure good education sector, addressing the phe- monitoring the performance of to promote. between public schools and the its study of the Shura Council’s and its beneficial outcomes, nomenon of private lessons, the teachers and developing The Minister highlighted the university. recommendations on the stressing that the recommen- and developing appropriate their skills, reviewing the length Ministry’s keenness on discov- The Minister highlighted general debate request pre- dations of the Council aim in mechanisms with clear of the school year and working ering the distinctive talents and that the ministry is constantly sented by a number of the short at the formation of a good standards that guarantees go achieve proportionality abilities of male and female stu- checking on private schools and Council’s members regarding citizen who believes in his faith equality in the accreditation between the duration of the two dents in the early stages of edu- their academic curricula just education and higher education and is proud of his country, and certification of university academic semesters, and stand- cation, noting the implemen- like public schools, adding that in the State of Qatar. nation and language. degrees for Qatari and non- ardising vacations for students tation of the gifted care policy there is a code of conduct for The Shura Council held its The recommendations of Qatari graduates of foreign between public and private at the Special Needs Education teachers. regular weekly meeting yes- the Shura Council focused on universities. schools. and Gifted Care Department Assistant Undersecretary for terday under the chairmanship curriculum development by The recommendations of Presenting the report of the (the experimental stage) in 13 Educational Affairs at the Min- of Speaker of the Shura Council emphasising the Islamic, Arab the Council also included the Ministry regarding the recom- schools of various stages. istry Fawzia Al Khater gave a H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin and national identity of the necessity to take the needed mendations of the Shura On reconsidering the length presentation of the ministry’s Zaid Al Mahmoud. Qatari society, paying attention practical measures to ensure Council, Dr. Mohammad bin of the academic year, the Min- efforts in facing the implications At the beginning of discus- to sports and cultural activities, the enrollment of more students Abdulwahed Al Hammadi ister noted that the balance in of COVID pandemic. She said sions on the education issues, addressing the phenomenon of with special needs in the edu- explained the foundations upon the number of study days for that the ministry’s early prep- Speaker of the Shura Council Qataris' reluctance to pursue cational process, increasing the which the educational curricula the two academic semesters aration guaranteed the contin- extended the sincerest thanks the teaching profession, salaries of mentors given the are based, and said that the was taken into consideration uation of the educational and appreciation to Amir H H encouraging the private sector scientific value they represent general framework of the in line with the international process and the academic year Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al to invest in the education and their important role in national educational curriculum education systems, explaining successfully. Shura Council QNL, QFA to document history of football in Qatar welcomes Al-Ula THE PENINSULA — DOHA aim at serving researchers, scholars and historians today, summit outcome Qatar National Library and the tomorrow and in the future in FROM PAGE 1 Qatar Football Association terms of football documentation (QFA) have signed a memo- and studies related to the The Shura Council randum of understanding (MoU) game’s various aspects. renewed the praise for the for the exchange of knowledge “The MoU we signed with efforts exerted by HH late and expertise to enhance the QFA simply provides a Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al collective scientific, cultural and framework, but our ambition Jaber Al Sabah to heal the Gulf technical development in Qatar. and the reality of cooperation rift, which were completed by The MoU outlines cooper- between us will go beyond it. H H Amir of the State of ation between the two institu- Hand in hand, we will work on Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al tions in various areas, especially documenting our nation’s Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The those related to the documen- current events under our young Council also praised the role tation process in the field of and creative leadership. We will of the United States in football. preserve these records to be a achieving the Gulf Minister of State and Pres- rich heritage in our nation’s reconciliation. ident of Qatar National Library, brilliant future,” Dr. Al Kuwari The Shura Council valued H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz said. the praise by the GCC Supreme Al Kuwari, said: “Football is The Library’s agreement Council in the Final Commu- more than a sport. It has with the QFA will make lasting nique of H H the Amir’s become a means of communi- contributions to the sporting announcement to hold elec- cation with young people and community in the lead-up to the tions for the Shura Council in between them. It is a sport with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as October, and its congratulation Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari a history rich in honest compe- well as leaving a deep cultural to the State of Qatar on the (right), and President of the Qatar Football Association, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al tition based on human values legacy across the Middle East election of Speaker of the of mutual respect. Likewise, our and worldwide. Thani, during the signing ceremony. Shura Council H E Ahmed bin nation is constructing an hon- President of the Qatar Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud ourable history thanks to all the Football Association, Sheikh specialised library will have a between both sides. goals and aspirations of the two as Chairman of the Global major events it hosts, such as Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad positive impact on sports in “A while ago, we started the sides, we will collaborate with Organization of Parliamen- the FIFA World Cup and the fol- Al Thani, said: “We are proud general and football in par- documentation process of the Library to create distinct tarians Against Corruption lowing events. to sign an MoU with Qatar ticular. Here, I would like to Qatari football affairs. Consid- digital content, including books, (GOPAC) for 2019-2021. “We are happy to sign this National Library to work thank H E Dr. Hamad bin ering that Qatar National references and folders spe- The Shura Council then lis- memorandum of understanding together on documenting the Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister Library is the appropriate cialized in football affairs. This tened to Minister of Education with the Qatar Football Associ- history of Qatari football. There of State and President of Qatar authority to accelerate the doc- content is intended to serve fol- and Higher Education H E Dr. ation. This MoU reflects both is no doubt that cooperating National Library, for the effort umentation process in an ideal lowers and readers, both inside Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed sides’ wish to unite efforts that with a pioneering and exerted to reach this agreement manner and in line with the and outside Qatar,” he added. Al Hammadi who presented the Ministry’s report on the results of its study of the Shura Council’s recommendations on Vaccine rollout could achieve herd immunity this year: Expert the general debate request FROM PAGE 1 presented by a number of the that small share could be a big about post-COVID effect on the of these long-term effects are Council’s members regarding According to Dr. Ali Sultan, number. Still 5-20% of the pop- health of those infected. the result of long ICU stays with education and higher edu- starting a mass vaccination ulation won’t get protected with “We are just beginning to severe illness of any kind, cation in the State of Qatar. program is an important first the current vaccines and this is learn more about the after- versus specific features of step towards ending this pan- really high number,” said Dr. effects of the infection. Reports COVID-19 infection,” he added. demic. And it has come rela- Sultan. are coming out describing Emphasising on most Three arrested tively quickly. Producing an “We don’t yet know long-term lung, heart, kidney important lessons that pan- effective vaccine against an whether vaccinated people can and other body organs effects. demic taught us, Dr. Sultan said for violating infectious disease is a long spread the virus; and corona- Some people, now referred to that it includes, science and data process that in the past has virus is likely to continue its as long-haulers, are also should guide a decision now home quarantine usually taken many years. The rapid spread until a large reporting that their COVID-19 and in the future, practicing development of the COVID-19 majority of the population is symptoms keep dragging on for good hygienic measures could QNA — DOHA vaccine within a span of 8-9 vaccinated or has survived a weeks or months from the time drastically reduce the spread month, on the other hand, has natural infection. The bottom they were initially infected,” he and thereby eliminate new The designated authorities been extraordinarily fast. line is that although an effective said. cases of COVID-19 and help to arrested yesterday three Dr. Ali Sultan “One has to remember that vaccine will certainly diminish “These symptoms include protect us from other infections, persons who violated the COVID-19 vaccine won’t be greatly the relative risk of trans- everything from headaches and health authorities and gov- requirements of the home available immediately for eve- mission, we still should not occur. Hence, he emphasised cognitive problems to mood ernment bodies should have quarantine, they committed to rybody. While early evidence completely abandon basic that strict practice of precau- changes, fatigue, decreased plans and preparedness pro- following, which they are suggests that the 5 available public health measures, tions against COVID-19 is exercise tolerance, and body grams in place in order to avoid legally accountable for, in vaccines reduce people’s risk including the wearing of masks, essential and in the winter, it is ache. We are learning more future pandemics. accordance with the proce- of developing COVID-19 by hand hygiene and physical dis- particularly important to not about the consequences of “The COVID-19 pandemic dures of the health authorities around 80-95%, that still means tancing,” he added. gather indoors in small or large COVID-19 as the months pass has been a test, demonstrating in the country. a small fraction could get sick According to Dr. Sultan, groups. “Also, get a flu shot,” he and our experience grows, and that multilateral cooperation is The violators who are cur- — and as long as the virus is as another issue to consider is re- said. it will require more study to the key to overcoming global rently being referred to the widespread as it is now, even infection, though rare, may still Dr. Sultan also highlighted determine, for example, if some challenges,” he said. designate prosecution, are Sameer Al Sayyed Hashem Mohammed Morsi, Mohammed Junaid Iqbal and Electronic games, trampolines Jarallah Masaud Salem Ali reopen with 50% capacity Jahman.

FROM PAGE 1 The Ministry has said oper- 106 referred to Meanwhile, Fun Ville also ators must allow entry only announced the reopening of after checking their health prosecution for their branches in various malls, status in the Ehteraz app, except including Al Khor Mall, Asmakh for children. Only those with a not wearing Mall, Ezdan Mall. Besides, The green code are permitted Pearl-Qatar welcomed back access. masks visitors following an Individuals who do not wear QNA — DOHA announcement on its social masks are to be denied entry, media channels. and visitors are required to keep The designated authorities According to the Ministry of their masks on while they are yesterday referred 106 people Commerce and Industry’s inside the recreation centre to the Public Prosecution for decision, recreational centres except for children aged under not wearing masks in places should adhere to the precau- ten years old. where they are mandatory. tionary and preventive Also, visitors’ temperatures The measure is in line with measures outlined by the Min- must be measured, and indi- the Cabinet decision, Decree istry of Public Health and the viduals whose temperature is Law No. 17 of 1990 on infectious Ministry of Administrative over 38 degrees Celsius are diseases, and the COVID-19 pre- Development, Labour and denied entry to the recreational cautionary measures in force in Children enjoy rides at an amusement park at a mall in Doha, yesterday. PIC. ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA Social Affairs. activity site. the country. TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 HOME 03 Qatar University, MoCI sign MoU for cooperation in research, training

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The MoU was signed by President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan Rashid Qatar University President Qatar University (QU) and Ministry of Al Derham, and Undersecretary of the Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham Commerce and Industry (MoCI) have Ministry of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of under- (MoCI) Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater. says the Ministry’s support has standing (MoU), which includes broad Commenting on this agreement, contributed to developing the prospects for cooperation in research, Dr. Al Derham stressed Qatar Uni- students' capacity. training, education, data and infor- versity’s interest in entrepre- mation exchange, encouraging the use neurship, supporting emerging com- of facilities available with both parties panies, increasing students’ interest and the exchange of experiences that in this area, and cooperating with economy. enhances scientific and research coop- the Ministry on all issues supporting Commenting on the signing of the eration. development and strengthening of memorandum, Al Khater said the The memorandum also includes joint work between these two insti- agreement is part of the Ministry’s coordination and cooperation in tutions and the development of joint efforts to strengthen cooperation with organising seminars and training initiatives to serve Qatari the various educational institutions Qatar University President Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham (right), and Ministry of workshops targeting the Qatari com- community. and bodies in the State as part of their Commerce and Industry Undersecretary Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater at the MoU munity, implementing joint pro- He said the Ministry’s support and community responsibility. grammes in preparing studies and motivation have contributed to devel- He was pleased that cooperation signing ceremony. research, marketing the two parties’ oping the students' capacity and between the parties in various relevant services, developing entrepreneurship, thanked the Ministry while mentioning areas would be strengthened under information would be encouraged. The the business environment and the Qatari and cooperating in other possible several opportunities that have had a the memorandum of understanding. various sources available to both sides community, promoting the achievement areas of mutual interest on both sides. positive impact on the Qatari Also, exchanging experiences and would be optimised and utilised to serve of the Ministry’s goals. Transport Engineering Conference & Exhibition from April 5 Abu Dhabi adds Qatar to COVID-19 THE PENINSULA — DOHA for road, rail, airport and port on the country’s adoption of projects, as well as choosing the technology developments and travel green list Under the sponsorship of the most appropriate technical and latest updates and the consid- Ministry of Transport and economic solution in an attempt erable attention it pays to pro- THE PENINSULA — DOHA Communications (MoTC), Qatar to develop and update every- viding everything that could Society of Engineers will thing related to this sector. further serve the people of Abu Dhabi has included Qatar organise Transport Engineering Eng. Al Nasr emphasised Qatar, thus raising the country’s in its COVID-19 travel green Conference & Exhibition from that the conference promotes name and profile on global map list. People travelling from April 5 to 7, 2021 at Sharq engineering principles in the among major countries. green list countries do not Village and Spa. fields of transportation engi- Shahdad said the conference have to undergo 10-day quar- Addressing a press con- neering, including transpor- will feature several speakers antine unlike travellers from ference yesterday to announce tation, roads, building materials specialised in these areas who other countries. the event, Chairman of the for roads, railroads, airports, will present and discuss latest “Any visitors travelling Qatar Society of Engineers’ and ports, the development of trends and updates in this from countries, regions and Board of Directors Eng. Khaled freight methods, customs industry. She said MOTC, with territories on the ‘green’ list bin Ahmed Al Nasr said the clearance technology, traffic its various departments, will will be exempt from quar- Transport Engineering Con- engineering and related have a key role in this con- antine requirements and can Noor Ibrahim Shahdad from MoTC and Eng. Khaled bin Ahmed Al ference & Exhibition is the first systems, as well as collective ference, presenting scientific enter the destination by fol- Nasr from Qatar Society of Engineers address a press conference of its kind as it is characterised transport planning. papers and lectures. The Min- lowing a series of procedures by its comprehensiveness in He said the event will high- in connection with Transport Engineering Conference & Exhibition. istry, she added, will be working that include COVID-19 tests,” discussing the three recognised light traffic safety, advanced side by side with the Qatar Visit Abu Dhabi mentioned on sectors of transportation (land, technologies, and the ability to contact has been made with the transportation is a key element Society of Engineers in the their website. air and sea). apply these engineering prin- Gulf Engineering Union and the within the infrastructure coming days to organise and The green list also includes He said the conference will ciples and develop them and Federation of Arab Engineers, system. manage this conference. Eng. Al Kuwait, Oman and Saudi also discuss the ability to use research knowledge related to who expressed their admiration Director of International Nasr also indicated that the con- Arabia. The other countries engineering standards and informatics in addition to uti- and desire to participate in this Relations Department Noor ference will be accompanied by and territories in the list are prepare appropriate designs, lising the computer software for vital conference that con- Ibrahim Shahdad, who also a specialised exhibition, in which Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Isle research and development and engineering representation, tributes to the development of doubles as the Acting Director the government and private of Man, Macao, Mauritius, follow up everything that is new designing, and planning roads infrastructure, as the progress of Public Relations and Com- sectors will have the opportunity Mongolia, New Caledonia, in the transport engineering and developing them, as well of countries is measured by the munication Department at to display their engineering New Zealand, Sao Tome and sector, and even offers alterna- as the traffic control systems. strength and quality of the MoTC, said the conference is products and solutions, as well Principe, St. Kitts and Nevis, tives to engineering solutions Eng. Al Nasr explained that infrastructure and organised based as everything new in this field. Taipei and Thailand. Travellers to Abu Dhabi from the ‘green list’ of coun- tries, regions and territories MoCI checks licenses of street will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours vendors in Al Mukaynis prior to their scheduled departure. THE PENINSULA — DOHA engage in street vending to regulations stipulated in Upon entering the Emirate, activities. law No. (5) of 2015 on Com- they will need to take a second The Ministry of Commerce and The inspection campaign mercial, Industrial and Similar test and self-isolate until the Industry (MoCI), in cooperation forms part of the Ministry’s Public Shops, and Street results of this test are received. with the Ministry of the Interior efforts to monitor the degree of Vendors, as well as in com- With two negative results, (MoI) and the Ministry of compliance with laws and reg- pliance with Ministerial Res- international travellers will no Municipality and Environment ulations governing commercial olution No. 243 of 2016 on the longer need to quarantine for (MME), conducted an inspection activities in a bid to uncover licensing requirements to 10 days after entering Abu campaign on street vendors in and check violations. engage in street vending Dhabi. All travellers will need Al Mukaynis. As a result of the inspection activities. to take a PCR test on day six The inspection was carried campaign, three violations were The Ministry further stated for those staying for six days out to monitor the extent to recorded against several street that it would intensify its or more, and on day 12 for which suppliers (street vendors) vendors for practicing without inspection campaign to crack those staying for 12 days or adhere to regulations stipulated a commercial license. down on such practices. more. in law No. (5) of 2015 on Com- The violators were referred Any party that violates laws mercial, Industrial and Similar to the authorities for the nec- and Ministerial decisions will Public Shops, and Street essary legal action to be taken be referred to the relevant MoPH: 203 new Vendors, as well as their com- against them. authorities who would take mitment to Ministerial Reso- The Ministry stressed that appropriate measures against cases and 132 lution No. 243 of 2016 on the it would not tolerate any neg- them to protect consumer licensing requirements to ligence in terms of adhering rights. An MoCI official checks the licenses of street vendors. recoveries

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

NCCCR develops new psychotherapy model for cancer patients The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced THE PENINSULA — DOHA members and loved ones,” the registration of 203 new said Chairman of Psychiatry confirmed COVID-19 cases. The National Center for and Medical Director of HMC’s Among them 38 were trav- Cancer Care and Research’s Mental Health Service, Dr. ellers returning from abroad. (NCCCR) Psychotherapy Unit Majid Al Abdullah. A dedicated Another 132 people have has developed a new culturally team will be formed to provide recovered from the virus, accepted, holistic, and psychosocial interventions in bringing the total number of comprehensive psychosocial addition to individual, group recovered cases in Qatar to oncology model for cancer and couples therapy. 142,827. All new cases have patients. “Our team is here to help been introduced to isolation Medical Director, NCCCR, patients and their families deal and are receiving necessary Dr. Mohamed Salem Al Hassan, with the emotional and psycho- healthcare according to their said, “We are pleased to adopt logical impact of cancer and its health status. the comprehensive psycho- treatment. Whilst everyone may The total number of pos- FROM LEFT: Dr. Mohamed Salem Al Hassan, Dr. Abdelhamid Afana, and Dr. Majid Al Abdullah social oncology model of struggle at different times in itive COVID-19 cases recorded service delivery at NCCCR. We their cancer care, we can in Qatar is 146,068 and there aim to ensure that every patient colleagues in the Mental significant implications on treatment of patients with address the full range and are 2,995 active cases under receives individualised high- Health Service, this new model their lifestyle; interpersonal cancer allows practitioners to severity of psychological issues treatment. quality care to help them is another milestone to and family life; emotional and support both the patients and associated with cancer While the first phase of overcome the many challenges support the achievement of psychological profile; commu- their families to help them throughout their treatment COVID-19 vaccinations has brought on by cancer, and the high-quality cancer care in nication challenges; stress and cope with the initial diagnosis journey at NCCCR. Our experi- started in Qatar and in the new model provides services to Qatar as stated within the adjustment; fears and other of cancer, reduce the impact enced team has an excellent coming months it will be promote the wellbeing of National Cancer Framework matters that affect their of cancer related treatments, understanding of the specific available for the public for patients and their families. 2017 to 2022,” he added. overall equilibrium. deal with changes in life cir- challenges that cancers, free, the Ministry has stressed “This is achieved through Cancer is a devastating “Mental health profes- cumstances and overcome symptoms and treatments can it is important for everyone to a multifaceted approach disease causing significant sionals working in NCCCR any feelings of anxiety, bring, and is skilled at exploring play their role in controlling including a full range of com- psychosocial challenges encounter a broad spectrum depression, and other emo- the unique impact that adjusting the virus by following precau- prehensive multidisciplinary among patients and their fam- of patients and situations. This tional distress. This new model to these can have on patients tionary measures including psycho-oncology services to ilies. At several points in their can be such a devastating will support not only people and their loved ones,” said Dr. adhering to physical dis- support the mental wellbeing treatment pathway, patients disease with a very complex whose lives may have been Abdelhamid Afana, Clinical tancing; avoiding close contact of both the patients and their can find it hard to cope emo- treatment journey. Patients affected by cancer and those Psychologist and Psycho- with others; wearing a face families. Thanks to the collab- tionally as they pass through and their families can be easily diagnosed with cancer, but it therapy Consultant and Trauma mask and washing hands orative efforts with our very stressful events with overwhelmed. Psychological will also support their family Specialist at NCCCR. regularly. 04 HOME TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 HOME 05 QU-CPH students honoured on Annual Dean’s List ceremony

THE PENINSULA – DOHA The ceremony Qatar University College of acknowledged Pharmacy (QU-CPH) recog- pre-pharmacy and nised 121 of its highest achieving students for the Fall 2019 and pharmacy students’ efforts Spring 2020 semesters by who made it onto the hosting a virtual 9th Annual Dean’s List by achieving a Dean’s List ceremony, which GPA of 3.5 or above. Ooredoo officials pose in front of the renovated store on Salwa honoured their achievements. Road during a reopening ceremony. The ceremony acknowledged pre-pharmacy and pharmacy despite this difficult period and students’ efforts who made it challenging circumstances.” onto the Dean’s List by Doctor of Pharmacy student Ooredoo reopens achieving a GPA of 3.5 or above. Sara Thiab, who received the 8th Assistant Dean of Student and 9th Pin, commented, “It is a Affairs, Dr. Alla El-Awaisi, opened pleasure to have one’s efforts the virtual ceremony. This was appreciated and being on the Salwa Road outlet followed by welcoming remarks Dean’s list is one achievement from CPH Dean Dr. Mohammad that feeds into that and boosts THE PENINSULA – DOHA will also find self-service Diab and the announcement of motivation. I’m grateful to our machines to enable them to the students’ names on the professors who always thrive on Ooredoo has announced the carry out transactions Dean’s List. bringing out the best in all of us, reopening of its Salwa Road digitally. Dr. Mohammad Diab high- and to our college administration branch following refur- Chief Consumer Officer lighted the College’s achieve- for recognizing both extracur- bishment. at Ooredoo Fatima Sultan Al ments over the previous aca- ricular and academic excellence, The shop was officially Kuwari said: “We’re demic year, in which he said: “I motivating students to continue reopened yesterday with a delighted to have reopened wish to congratulate you for your working hard.“ ceremony attended by senior the Salwa Road shop, giving inclusion on this list. This results QU College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Mohammad Diab. RIGHT: College Final year student Hend representatives of Ooredoo, us yet another option via from your efforts and hard work of Pharmacy Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, and chairperson Al-Naimi, who received the including Chief Consumer which to provide service to in the interest of excellence in of the conference Dr Alla El-Awaisi. ABOVE: Dean's List awardees. 6th and 7th Pin, commented, Officer Fatima Sultan Al our customers. While we’re educational attainment, which “I am very proud and delighted Kuwari. committed to our aim of was also met with huge support to be recognized on the Dean’s Customers will be able to complete digitalisation, we from your parents, who played scientific research, and various achievements of undergraduate list for the 7th time in such access all regular services recognise it’s important for a great role in providing the services, and this distinction students who achieved the demanding and strong pro- they expect from the retail us to be available to our cus- appropriate environment until comes within the framework and highest grades in all the courses gramme. The fact that the network and Self-Service tomers wherever and you reached the distinction and strategy of excellence at Qatar they studied. Despite the College of Pharmacy ensures machines to enable them to whenever they need us. honor list. University as a leading educa- COVID-19 challenges, our stu- to recognise the hard work carry out transactions dig- "We look forward to “Also, I cannot forget to tional institution in the region.” dents at the College of Pharmacy and celebrate our achieve- itally themselves. helping them with all their mention the great effort exerted Dr. Alla El Awaisi, in her have proven, as always, their out- ments through this event is The shop is now open telecommunications needs by the college’s faculty members. opening speech, said: “The standing academic performance. rewarding. It empowers us to with the Ooredoo team ready at the reopened Salwa Road QU-CPH has always sought Dean’s List is an academic award They have earned the right to be work harder and continue to to provide all standard shop and of course via all our excellence in its education, to recognise the remarkable honored in today’s ceremony seek excellence.” services to customers. They other channels.” CBQ, ECGC team up to support HEC Paris in Qatar to run online schools in providing golf training session on its degree programmes

THE PENINSULA – DOHA THE PENINSULA – DOHA specialisation (major), and a The session will allow final strategic business In preparation for Commercial HEC Paris, one of the leading prospective participants to project (capstone project). Bank Qatar Masters 2021, which providers of executive interact remotely with the The comprehensive core will take place from March 11 to education worldwide and admissions team of HEC courses include modules on 14, and as part of the initiative to ranked first in the Financial Paris in Qatar to learn more strategy, analysis, implemen- promote golf in Qatar, Times European Business tation, and leadership, and Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) Schools Rankings 2020, will about how to accelerate human resources man- and Education City Golf Club be conducting an online infor- their career path by agement. Participants will (ECGC) have teamed up to mation session about its studying in one of the choose one of the eight spe- support local schools in providing degree programmes on world’s most prestigious cializations, delivered in dif- golf training to Physical January 14, from 4 pm to 5 pm, business schools. ferent locations. Education teachers. A team of golf professionals from ECGC visited Gulf English School Doha time. These specializations are A team of golf professionals to distribute SNAG kits to teachers. The session will allow pro- Energy; Innovation & Social from ECGC recently visited Gulf spective participants to Business; Entrepreneurship & English School and distributed interact remotely with the networking, which is essential Innovation; Differentiation & Start New at Golf (SNAG) kits to Commercial Bank has sophisticated sport; it is an admissions team of HEC Paris for exploring international Innovation through Services; the teachers after training them donated ten customized SNAG activity that helps us practice in Qatar to learn more about opportunities, switching Leading Digital Transfor- on how to use the kit. SNAG is a kit bags that include enough skills such as concentration and how to accelerate their career industries, or further mation; Luxury; Finance; and unique golf instruction system equipment to train up to 16 learn values like patience and path by studying in one of the expanding one’s skills. Entrepreneurship - Project and equipment that helps teachers at a time. Hussein Al persistence to achieve objectives. world’s most prestigious Prospective participants Accelerator. The next intake teachers develop golf skills and Abdulla, Chief Marketing Officer As a bank and as members of this business schools. are requested to confirm of the Executive MBA will be competency. at Commercial Bank, said: “Our community, this initiative reflects Apart from providing their attendance by regis- in April 2021. Commenting on the initiative, latest partnership with ECGC our commitment to support our useful career tips, the inter- tering themselves for the The HEC Paris in Qatar Michael Braidwood, General comes to attest to our com- community’s growth and devel- active session is also intended hour-long session through Specialized Master’s is Manager at Education City Golf mitment as a bank to support our opment,” said Al Kalla. to give professionals and the following link: https://bit. delivered in a flexible 15 to Club, said: “To grow the sport of local community and promote Daniel Langfield, Head of entrepreneurs from the ly/2XppY3X. 18-month modular format golf, it is important that children Qatar National Vision 2030. In Secondary – Assistant Executive private and public sector in- The International Exec- starting with the core cur- get the opportunity to learn golf other words, we highly value Director at The Gulf English depth insights into how they utive MBA, ranked third in riculum focused on strategy, during physical education classes sports activities as they build School, welcomed the can enhance their leadership the world by the Financial finance, leadership, and at school. Our train, the teacher healthier relationships in society initiative. skills through the institution’s Times in 2020, is a practical change. It is characterized by programme supported by Com- and bring people together.” “It is great to get our students International Executive MBA and intense 15 to 18-month a professional thesis, which mercial Bank, is an excellent initi- Abeer Marwan Al Kalla, Head here at The Gulf English School (EMBA) and Specialized Mas- programme developed to enables participants to focus ative to give PE teachers the of Strategic Marketing Develop- involved in golf and encourage ter’s Degree in Strategic provide participants with an on a specific challenge related knowledge, skills, and equipment ments at Commercial Bank, said: them to be active and lead Business Unit Management understanding of the social, to their industry and provides to offer golf as part of their cur- “We at Commercial Bank are healthy lives. The initiative set up (SBUM) programmes. economic, and environ- detailed and well-researched riculum. They will quickly find pleased to partner with Edu- by Commercial Bank and Edu- In addition to providing mental aspects of interna- solutions. children who will be interested or cation City Golf Club and Gulf cation City Golf Club is fantastic. world-class education, HEC tional business, as well as the The programme reflects have a special attitude for golf who English School to contribute It has allowed our students to Paris was also ranked as the skills to implement their HEC Paris’ commitment to will want to try golf on a real golf SNAG kits to the school and to visit the golf club and experience top Alumni Network in 2019 vision. contribute to developing course. At this time, we can invite provide teachers and students it first hand. I want to thank by The Economist. With more The curriculum is built Qatar’s knowledge-based them to Education City Golf Club alike with the right equipment to Commercial Bank for donating than 60,000 alumni in 150 around three components: 11 economy and strengthening to further their development in the keep on practicing golf.” SNAG Golf sets to the school," countries, the institution pro- core courses covering key corporate competitiveness in sport.” “Golf is not only a classy and Langfield said. vides an ideal platform for business areas, a the region. QRCS implements two general surgery campaigns in Somalia THE PENINSULA – DOHA fistula, anal fissure, amputation, campaign's program, with plans natural disasters, focusing on the adenoidectomy, ovarian cyst to involve more hospitals and most vulnerable groups such as Qatar Red Crescent Society's removal, and others. areas of Somalia, to relieve the older persons, widows, and (QRCS) representation mission Overall, 51 percent of proce- pains of underserved patients," children in many districts in in Somalia has concluded two dures were major, 43 percent A beneficiary said Al Emadi. Banaadir Region. general surgery campaigns, moderate, and six percent emer- receives treatment The medical delegation com- In addition to the surgeries conducted by a foreign dele- gency. There were 70 operations under QRCS’s prised four members: general and medical training, QRCS sup- gation of surgical experts at the for women and 131 for children surgery campaign surgeon, anesthetist, pre-oper- ported the host hospital with De Martini General Hospital in and men. in Somalia. ative preparation and disin- medical equipment for surgeries, eastern Mogadishu, Somalia. Faisal Mohamed Al Emadi, fection specialist, and medical anesthetics and disinfectants, Over one month, 867 Executive Director of Relief and coordinator. The campaign medications, laboratory tests, and patients were examined and International Development involved 40 local medical pro- food meals for all patients. given medications by specialised Division at QRCS, said, "The fessionals, including surgeons, Moreover, QRCS undertook the physicians. The surgeons per- general surgery program is an physicians, nursing assistants, maintenance and furnishing of formed 201 major and moderate important part of QRCS's oper- Pre-Op preparation specialists, the hospital. operations, including critical and ations in Somalia. It helps to anesthesia, and laboratory The closing ceremony was emergency cases that required reduce the impact of war and technicians. attended by Somalia's Minister immediate surgical natural disasters, as well as to All the medical professionals of Health, who commended the intervention. reinvigorate the local economy received in-service training remarkable contributions by These procedures included by re-engaging the ill persons during the campaigns to enhance QRCS in Somalia. She urged general surgeries (such as pros- into productive activities." care despite inadequate infra- the quality of surgical services. their capacity and develop new more collaboration on such tatectomy), hernias, cholecys- "Thank Allah; all the patients structure. The delegation of The country is badly affected by surgical skills. The beneficiaries campaigns and valued Qatar's tectomy, exploratory thyroid have recovered after receiving foreign medical professionals the many years of civil war. We included internally displaced growing role of standing by the surgeries, hemorrhoidectomy, high-quality post-procedure made a significant difference in are committed to the medical people (IDPs) affected by war and Somali people. 06 MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 US labels Houthis terrorists after attacks on oil tankers BLOOMBERG & AP — Others said the designation SANA'A/WASHINGTON The planned designation, was an attempt to deflect announced by Mike attention from the US political The US has classified Yemen’s Pompeo late on Sunday, crisis in the wake of the deadly Houthis as a foreign terrorist would take effect a day Capitol rioting and efforts to organisation following a series impeach President Donald of attacks on oil tankers in the before President-elect Joe Trump. “We are honored to be Red Sea and as Washington Biden is inaugurated on terrorists and the world’s gang- seeks to increase pressure on January 20. It was not sters,” tweeted the Houthis Iran in the final days of Donald clear whether Biden would media official Abdel-Rahman Trump’s presidency. overturn the decision. The Al Ahnoumi. The move will give the US The decision will increase “additional tools” with which to US will designate three pressure on the Houthis and counter security threats in the Houthi leaders— Abdul help end “this miserable, long Persian Gulf, according to Sec- Malik Al Houthi, Abd Al conflict,” the UN-backed gov- retary of State Michael Pompeo. Khaliq Badr Al Din Al ernment said through its Min- The Houthis are backed by Iran Houthi and Abdullah Yahya istry of Foreign Affairs. in Yemen’s civil war and have A fuel tanker was hit by an been blamed for several missile al Hakim — will be explosion near the Saudi port classified as global Armed members of the Houthi movement shouting slogans as they visit the grave of Houthi senior strikes and other attacks on Saudi of Jeddah last month. While the official Saleh Al Sammad at Al Sabeen Square in Sana'a, Yemen, yesterday. Arabia, some of which they’ve terrorists. kingdom didn’t blame the claimed responsibility for. Houthis, it described the The planned designation, incident as a “terrorist attack.” Arabia’s oil-production foreign minister is in Tehran north and the capital, Sana'a. announced by Mike Pompeo The Houthis have been Three weeks before that capacity, caused crude prices this week to try to get the ship The following year, the Saudi- late on Sunday, would take fighting Yemen’s UN-recog- another vessel was damaged, to soar. The UN said the drones released and to discuss the led coalition intervened to wage effect a day before President- nised government since 2014. possibly by a mine, at the Saudi were probably of Iranian origin. funds. war on the Houthis to try to elect Joe Biden is inaugurated A Saudi Arabian-led coalition terminal of Shuqaiq and the The Trump administration In Iran, the Foreign Ministry restore the internationally rec- on January 20. It was not clear intervened the following year Houthis claimed responsibility has tightened sanctions on Iran spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh ognised President Abed Rabbo whether Biden would overturn on the side of the government. for a missile strike on a fuel in recent months as it tries to condemned the designation as a Mansour Hadi’s government to the decision. The US will des- The UN has called the conflict depot in Jeddah owned by Saudi weaken the Islamic Republic “doomed-to-failure” action at the power. ignate three Houthi leaders— — in which tens of thousands of Aramco, the state energy economically and force it to end of Trump’s administration. The Norwegian Refugee Abdul Malik Al Houthi, Abd Al people have died — the world’s company. stop meddling in Middle Eastern He said the US would eventually Council, one of the main Khaliq Badr Al Din Al Houthi and worst humanitarian crisis. Yemen President Abd countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, have to enter into negotiations humanitarian agencies active Abdullah Yahya al Hakim — will The Houthis criticised the Rabbuh Mansur Hadi blamed Syria and Yemen. The new pen- with the legitimate representa- in the country, said yesterday be classified as global terrorists. US move via a statement yes- the Houthis for an attack on alties will make it harder for tives of Yemen —referring to the that Pompeo’s planned sanc- “The designations are terday and said they “have the Aden airport on December 30, President-elect Joe Biden to Houthis — to find a peaceful tions “will hamstring the ability intended to hold Ansarallah right to respond to any desig- which the US says killed 27 revive a nuclear deal with Iran solution to the conflict. of aid agencies to respond” to accountable for its terrorist acts, nation coming from the Trump people. The Houthis have reg- that Trump abandoned in 2018. Yemen, on the tip of the the humanitarian needs of mil- including cross-border attacks administration or any other ularly targeted Saudi oil instal- The tensions have also Arabian Peninsula, is the scene lions of Yemenis. threatening civilian populations, administration.” lations. They said they were affected US allies. Iran seized a of the world’s worst humani- “Yemen’s faltering economy infrastructure, and commercial Several senior Houthi responsible for an attack on South Korea-flagged oil tanker tarian disaster. The war, has will be dealt a further devas- shipping,” Pompeo said in a figures slammed Pompeo’s Saudi Arabia’s main oil pipeline last week. Tehran says $7bn killed more than 112,000 tating blow,” said Mohamed statement, referring to the group announcement. “We are not in May 2019 and the world’s from oil sales are trapped in people, has left the majority of Abdi, the group’s director for by another name. “Rather than fearful,” tweeted Mohammed biggest crude-processing plant South Korea due to Washing- the country’s nearly 30 million Yemen. “Getting food and med- distance itself from the Iranian Ali al-Houthi. “America is the at Abqaiq a few months later. ton’s sanctions and it needs people in need of humanitarian icine into Yemen—a country regime, it has embraced the source of terrorism. It’s directly The latter incident, in which them to pay for goods including aid. 80% dependent on imports - world’s leading state-sponsor of involved in killing and starving armed drones temporarily coronavirus vaccines. The conflict started in 2014 will become even more terrorism even more.” the Yemeni people.” knocked out about half of Saudi South Korea’s deputy when the Houthis overran the difficult.” Lebanon may tighten lockdown amid rise in infections

AP — BEIRUT spread, saying many Lebanese still consider the virus a hoax Lebanon’s caretaker prime and are not taking it seriously. minister said yesterday the “We have entered a very country has entered a “very critical zone in terms of the critical zone” in the battle coronavirus spread or at a against the coronavirus as his minimum, we are at the gates government mulls tightening of that zone,” Diab said. Turkish court the nationwide lockdown As of Sunday, the World sentences TV announced last week. Health Organization said 81.7% Following a new post- of Lebanon’s hospital beds were preacher to over holiday surge in infections, the occupied and the intensive- Lebanese government imposed care-unit bed occupancy had 1,000 years in jail a nationwide lockdown and a reached 91.4%, with the highest AP — ISTANBUL nighttime curfew. But many in Beirut. Some 2,295 health were critical of the measures, care workers had been infected A Turkish court yesterday calling them lax for exempting by January 10, up from 2,015 sentenced a controversial tele- many sectors, such as factories, last week. Kayssar Mawad, vangelist and cult leader to life plant nurseries and exchange director of a private hospital in in prison, finding him guilty of bureaus. Zgharta in northern Lebanon, forming a criminal gang and Lebanon’s handling of the said he has been turning cases sexual abuse of minors, among virus surge amid a deepening away because there were no several other offenses. economic crisis has been under more beds. Out of 35 patients Adnan Oktar (pictured), scrutiny, with many saying hes- there with COVID-19, the illness People queueing to enter a supermarket amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Beirut, Lebanon, who was known for holding itant policies have failed to caused by the virus, seven are yesterday. theological discussions sur- contain it. Despite a rise in in ICU, he said. Zgharta is one rounded by women on his infections, the government of the country’s hotspots. private television channel, was relaxed restrictions ahead of skyrocket in the coming days, Lebanese expats had returned virus. Merna Jumaa left a “It is a difficult period,” said convicted of 10 separate Christmas and New Year’s cele- overwhelming health facilities to the country during the hol- packed supermarket in eastern Mawad. “We are refusing many charges, including leading a brations, hoping to boost a crum- in the country of nearly 6 idays, but doctors say the trans- Beirut pushing a cart full of gro- cases. There are no places, no criminal gang, engaging in bling local economy. Penalties million. Daily infection rates mission remains mainly among ceries but with no bread. “We more respirators.” Since Feb- political and military espi- against big holiday gatherings have hovered above 3,000, residents. came to get bread. There was ruary, Lebanon has recorded onage, sexual abuse of minors, and parties were not evenly and hitting an all-time high of over Yesterday, panic buyers already not a single piece of more than 219,000 infections rape, blackmail and causing strictly imposed. On Sunday, a 5,000 last week. swarmed supermarkets after bread left,” she said, walking and 1,606 deaths. Hospitals torment, the state-run Anadolu soccer match was allowed to take Lawmakers and officials reports the government away with her mother. have appealed to the gov- Agency reported. He was place in the northern Tripoli have called on the government planned to also order them shut Ahead of a ministerial ernment to turn all health facil- handed down a total of 1,075 province with an audience. to consider a 24-hour lockdown in the tightened lockdown. Long meeting to consider new ities into treating coronavirus years in prison. Doctors and experts say the without exemptions. There have lines formed outside chain measures, Caretaker Prime patients, saying all 15,000 hos- The charges also included extent of the spread has yet to been calls for the Beirut airport supermarkets, sparking fear the Minister Hassan Diab blamed pital beds are needed to meet aiding the network led by US- be felt, predicting numbers will to be shut. Some 80,000 crowds could further spread the careless behavior for the the new surge. based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accuses of masterminding a failed coup Palestinians approve Russian attempt in 2016. Thirteen of IAEA chief: Matter of weeks left Oktar’s associates were also given lengthy sentences on vaccine for use in self-rule areas similar charges, Anadolu to revive Iran nuclear diplomacy reported. The 64-year-old, REUTERS — RAMALLAH/MOSCOW who has denied the accusa- REUTERS — VIENNA rejoin the deal. 10 kilograms a month at its tions, is expected to appeal the Its parliament passed a law facility in Fordow. The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority has approved the verdict. He has maintained Reviving Iran’s nuclear deal in November that obliges the Uranium refined to 20% main Russian vaccine against COVID-19, known as Sputnik V, for that he was the victim of a plot. must happen within the coming government to halt inspections fissile purity is well above the use in Palestinian self-ruled territory, Russia’s sovereign wealth Oktar was arrested in 2018 weeks, UN atomic watchdog of its nuclear sites by the Inter- 5% generally regarded as fund said yesterday. along with dozens of his fol- chief Rafael Grossi said national Atomic Energy Agency suitable for producing civilian In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian Health Minister lowers in police raids on his yesterday after Tehran resumed and step up uranium nuclear energy and shortens Mai Alkaila confirmed that her ministry had granted “emergency properties in Istanbul and 20% uranium enrichment and enrichment if US sanctions are Iran’s potential path to 90% approval” for the Russian vaccine to be administered in areas under other cities as part of an inves- its parliament threatened to not eased. purity required for a nuclear limited Palestinian self-rule. The first shipment of the Russian shot tigation into his group. The curb access for UN inspectors An Iranian lawmaker said bomb. Iran denies any intent to is expected to arrive next month, with all deliveries expected in the arrests came after Turkey’s in February. on Sunday it would give the weaponise enrichment. first quarter of this year, according to the Russian Direct Investment media watchdog imposed fines “It is clear that we don’t incoming Biden administration, “There will have to be a Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad. on Oktar’s TV channel and have many months ahead of us. which takes office on Jan. 20, clear understanding on how the The RDIF did not disclose how many doses would be shipped suspended broadcasts of his We have weeks,” Grossi said in until February 21 to reverse initial terms and provisions of to the Palestinian Authority - which governs in parts of the West shows where he was sur- an interview. sanctions. “I must take it seri- the JCPOA (nuclear deal) are Bank under interim peace deals with Israel - but said the supplies rounded by women who had Iran resumed enriching ously because it’s the law,” going to be recomplied with,” would be facilitated by manufacturing partners in India, China, undergone cosmetic surgery uranium to 20% fissile strength Grossi said, adding that he Grossi said. South Korea and elsewhere. and were known as “kittens.” at the underground Fordow believed the Islamic Republic’s Tehran started violating the It also did not reveal the financial arrangements of the export The televangelist—who nuclear plant earlier this month government intended to 2015 accord in 2019 in a step- deal but has said previously that Sputnik V would be priced at less uses the pen name Harun in a further breach of the implement it. by-step response to President than $20 per dose. The price includes the first shot and the booster, Yahya— is also known for a nuclear pact with major powers Grossi said Iran was pro- Donald Trump’s withdrawal which is injected 21 days later. Asked if Israel would permit the series of books he has since the United States gressing “quite rapidly” in from it in 2018 and to the reim- Palestinians to import the vaccines, Deputy Israeli Health Min- authored promoting crea- withdrew from it in 2018, pos- 20% enrichment and that position of US sanctions that ister Yoav Kisch told Army Radio: “Anything to do with Pales- tionism against Darwin’s sibly complicating efforts by US based on estimations it had been rescinded under the tinian Authority public health is taken care of by them, (so) I think theory of evolution. President-elect Joe Biden to would be able to reach about deal. they have that freedom.” TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Israel announces 800 new settler homes in West Bank

AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Israel captured the West Bank and year became the first top US diplomat The greatest threat to Netanyahu from several government bodies and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war, terri- to visit a West Bank settlement. in the coming vote comes from the a tendering process. Israel yesterday advanced plans to tories the Palestinians want for their Biden has pledged a more even- right, where Gideon Saar, a former ally The announcement came as neigh- build 800 new settler homes in the future state. Nearly 500,000 Israelis handed approach in which he will and staunch supporter of settlements, boring Egypt hosted the foreign min- occupied West Bank, a move that could live in settlements scattered across the restore aid to the Palestinians that was has broken away and vowed to end his isters of Jordan, Germany and France strain ties with the incoming admin- West Bank. The Palestinians view set- cut off by Trump and work to revive long rule. Polls show Netanyahu’s to discuss ways of reviving talks aimed istration of President-elect Joe Biden. tlements as a violation of international peace negotiations. The two sides have Likud winning the most votes but at a two-state solution, which is still Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- law and an obstacle to peace, a position not held substantive peace talks in falling short of a majority coalition in widely seen as the only way of yahu’s office announced the move, with wide international support. more than a decade. Israel’s 120-seat Knesset, or resolving the decades-old conflict. saying it would include 100 homes in The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, parliament. Yesterday's announcement of a settlement where an Israeli woman Ministry condemned the latest who hopes to unseat Netanyahu in The announcement said 100 homes Israel’s settlement plans “does not was killed last month in an attack announcement, accusing Israel of March, called the settlement would be built in Tel Manashe, a West create the environment conducive to allegedly carried out by a Palestinian “racing against time” to build settle- announcement an “irresponsible step” Bank settlement where Esther Horgan, the resumption of negotiations that are assailant. ments before President Donald Trump that would spark a “battle” with the a 53-year-old mother of six, was killed the only path to a two-state solution,” The announcement will burnish leaves office. new US administration. “The Biden last month while jogging in a nearby Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi Netanyahu’s right-wing credentials in a Trump’s administration provided administration has not yet taken office forest. Israel says it has detained a Pal- said. In their joint statement, the min- tough campaign ahead of March elec- unprecedented support to Israel, and the government is already leading estinian suspect in the attack. isters called for Israel to “immediately tions, but it could anger Biden, who is including by abandoning a decades- us into an unnecessary confrontation,” It was not immediately clear how and completely cease all settlement opposed to settlement expansion and old US policy of opposing settlements. he tweeted. “The national interest must soon the homes would be built, as such activities, including in east has clashed with Israel over it in the past. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last also be maintained during elections.” construction usually requires approval Jerusalem.” Oman to get first As COVID-19 overwhelms South Africa crown prince in hospital, patients treated in parking lot constitution overhaul REUTERS — PRETORIA As daily cases of COVID-19 in South Africa reach REUTERS — MUSCAT The new basic law sets 20,000, surpassing levels seen during the first wave H M Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of the out mechanisms for the of the pandemic, Steve Biko Sultanate of Oman announced appointment of a crown hospital in Pretoria is so full yesterday a constitutional shakeup prince and his duties. that staff are giving some that includes the appointment of a patients oxygen in beds crown prince for the first time and The report did not say wheeled out into the parking new rules on how parliament will who would become the lot. work, state media said. Hospitals in coronavirus A new basic law issued by the new crown prince or hotspots across Africa’s most Sultan also emphasises the role of the provide other details. It industrialised nation are full Gulf Arab state in guaranteeing more to capacity, and face a rights and freedoms for citizens— also sets the rule of law shortage of beds, dwindling including equality between men and and the independence of supplies of oxygen and a lack women, state news agency ONA said. of intensive care units. H M Sultan Haitham came to the judiciary as the basis A Reuters cameraman power a year ago after the death of for governance in the visited the government-run his predecessor H M Sultan Qaboos sultanate. Steve Biko Academic Hos- Bin Said, who transformed an impov- pital in the capital city yes- erished backwater riven by internal terday, and saw a patient conflicts into a state that plays a small law for the parliament —the receiving oxygen on the but important role in international bicameral Council of Oman. The pub- tarmac outside the entrance diplomacy. lished text says changes to conditions to the emergency Qaboos, who was childless, ruled of membership and the council’s department. Oman for 49 years without a publicly terms of reference have been made, Nearby, hospital staff designated heir, naming his preferred but no further details were given. were spraying down beds Health workers attending to patients in tents at the parking lot of the Steve Biko Academic successor in a sealed envelope to be H M Sultan Haitham has shaken with sanitiser to prepare for Hospital, amid a nationwide coronavirus disease lockdown, in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. opened after his death should the up the government and state entities more patients. The hospital royal family disagree on the suc- and moved to enact long-awaited has erected large tents chief executive told state Sunday responded to reports their bed capacity in prepa- cession line. The family went with his fiscal reform since taking power, where some patients receive broadcaster SABC that on social media that Steve ration for rising COVID-19 choice. appointing finance and foreign affairs emergency treatment before treating patients outside was Biko was overwhelmed. infections. The new basic law sets out mech- ministers and a central bank chairman being moved to designated unavoidable because of a “The increased number “The problem is con- anisms for the appointment of a — portfolios held by the late sultan. wards. As of Sunday night, sudden surge in patients. of patients are sicker and gestion in certain facilities crown prince and his duties. The The new basic law creates a com- South Africa had recorded “COVID-19 patients, require critical care... putting like Steve Biko. Gauteng is report did not say who would become mittee under the sultan to evaluate more than 1.2 million infec- even one that looks stable as serious pressure on the bringing on more beds” at the new crown prince or provide the performance of ministers, and tions, the most in Africa, and he steps in the door, the con- facility,” it said, adding that the Nasrec field hospital in other details. provisions to support the state’s over 33,000 deaths. Infections dition can change any time.... it was “putting up two addi- Johannesburg and Jubilee It also sets the rule of law and the financial and administrative oversight surpassed 21,000 a day last Our capacity in terms of tional tents to accommodate hospital north of Pretoria, he independence of the judiciary as the body. week, a new peak, driven by inside, it was overflowing,” this increase.” said. Nurses said wards at basis for governance in the sultanate, H M Sultan Haitham in October a virus variant called 501Y.V2 Mathabo Mathebula said. National health ministry other hospitals in Gauteng, a small oil producer and a regional approved a medium-term fiscal plan that is believed to be more The department of Deputy Director-General which also includes the US ally. to make government finances contagious. health for Gauteng province, Anban Pillay told Reuters all biggest city of Johannesburg, A separate decree created a new sustainable. Steve Biko’s which includes Pretoria, on provinces had expanded were also full. After delay, trial Somalia PM reserves 30% of parliament seats for women of Netanyahu THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION February 8 poll would be parliament, according to the securing the full 30% quota, Women’s rights groups say set to resume — GAROWE, SOMALIA challenging and depended on Inter-Parliamentary Union women’s activists said. a stronger voice at the top the commitment of clan (IPU). “The seats are shared among would have a trickle-down next month Nearly a third of Somalia’s leaders. “Somalia Prime Minster his clans... we want assurances that effect, helping women at the parliamentary seats will be Somalia has been riven by Excellency @MohamedHRoble we will reach our target of 30% grassroots level fight abuse, dis- AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM reserved for female lawmakers civil war since 1991, and due to assured that the Federal Gov- women in the next parliament,” crimination and inequality. in an election next month, the the fragile security situation, ernment of #Somalia is com- said Suad Salah, co-founder of Ruqiya Muhiyadin, 38, who Israeli Prime Minister prime minister said, a measure elections consist of clan dele- mitted to ensuring a 30% quota LeadNow, a grassroots is aspiring to run as a candidate Benjamin Netanyahu’s long demanded by women’s gates choosing members of par- for women in both houses of movement aimed at increasing in the capital, Mogadishu, also corruption trial will resume in rights campaigners in the Horn liament as opposed to a one- Somali parliament for the women’s political voice. expressed concern over February after being post- of Africa nation. person, one-vote electoral upcoming elections...,” gov- Somalia has high rates of whether the clan leaders would poned because of a tightened While welcoming Satur- system. ernment spokesman Mohamed child marriage and gender vio- choose women candidates. coronavirus lockdown, an day’s announcement by Prime Roble made the quota Ibrahim Moalimuu said on lence, including female genital “Initially we doubted we Israeli court said yesterday. Minister Mohamed Hussein pledge after talks with female Twitter on Sunday. mutilation (FGM). The United would get our share in the next The Jerusalem District Roble, some women’s groups lawmakers - who currently hold Ensuring that clan leaders Nations says 45% of women are parliament. I appeal for our cul- Court decided the trial will cautioned that implementing 24% of the 329 seats in Soma- nominate enough women rep- married before 18, while 98% tural leaders to consider the resume on February 8, with the measure in time for the lia’s lower and upper houses of resentatives will be vital to have undergone FGM. PM’s latest pledge for women.” Netanyahu expected to appear in court for the hearing. It was initially slated to resume this week. Zimbabwe bans traditional Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, fraud and funerals to curb virus spread breach of trust connected to AP — HARARE South Africa when scores of thousands of three long-running Zimbabweans living in South Africa investigations. Zimbabwe, battling a spike in new returned home for the festive season. He has denied wrongdoing COVID-19 cases, has banned families from “The strain has been imported into and says he is the victim of a transporting their dead relatives between Zimbabwe but we are in the process of “witch hunt” by hostile media, cities, as part of new measures to stop tradi- conducting genetic sequencing to confirm law enforcement and judicial tional funeral rites that are believed to be this,” ministry of health director for epi- officials. increasing the spread of the disease. demiology and disease control Portia Israel is in its third national The announcement stops the custom Manangazira said. South Africa is cur- lockdown, which was where families take the dead to their rently battling a resurgence of the disease tightened last week, prompting areas of birth for ceremonies and burial. that is rapidly overwhelming its hospitals, the court to delay the trial’s Police have also banned public viewing health officials there report. resumption. of bodies and the tradition of having a Zimbabwe, whose once robust public Israel has seen a recent corpse stay overnight in the family’s home health system has deteriorated, recorded surge in virus cases despite before burial. 21,477 cases and 507 deaths on Jan.10, up unleashing one of the world’s “Police will only clear body move- from the slightly more than 10,000 cases fastest vaccination campaigns. ments for burial straight from a funeral and 277 deaths at the beginning of The country has given the first parlor/hospital mortuary to the burial site,” December, according to government of two vaccine doses to some police spokesman Paul Nyathi said Monday figures. Zimbabwe’s 7-day rolling average 20% of its population, and in the state-run Herald newspaper. Zim- of daily new cases has seen a dramatic Netanyahu has said that Israel Vaccine storage preparations babwe, like many other African countries, rise over the past two weeks from 0.72 has secured enough vaccines Workers preparing new cold rooms to store the country’s stock of vaccines, initially recorded low numbers of COVID-19 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. to inoculate the whole adult including COVID-19 vaccines, at the Fann Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, yesterday but has recently experienced a spike in 27 to 5.97 new cases per 100,000 people population by the end of cases. There are fears that a new, more on Jan. 10, according to figures from Johns March. infectious variant of the virus arrived from Hopkins University. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 Revoke social media’s legal Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI shield, but for the right reason JOE NOCERA — BLOOMBERG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI Donald Trump has been unde- [email protected] niably good for Twitter Inc. In late 2015, when he announced that he was running for pres- ACTING MANAGING EDITOR ident, he was already a signif- MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED icant presence on the social [email protected] media site, with more than 5 million followers. By last week, when Twitter finally banned DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR him, he had almost 89 million MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI followers. In the first three [email protected] years of Trump’s presidency, meanwhile, Twitter’s revenue grew from $2.2bn to $3.5bn. Whether friend or foe, you had EDITORIAL to join Twitter if you wanted to keep track of the US president. Were some of Trump’s A photo illustration shows the suspended Twitter account of US President Donald Trump on a 56,000 tweets - as well as smartphone at the White House briefing room in Washington, DC, on Friday. many of his Facebook posts - Rebuilding network often incendiary, full of lies, a GIANT VOICE long into the and are ignored often if the broken up, and Google QATAR Airways, the national carrier of the State of threats, conspiracies and future.” Twitter’s rationale for user is prominent enough. becomes a regulated Qatar, is rebuilding its network further. The airline insults? Of course they were. why these two tweets incited It used to be acceptable to platform, it won’t curb the resumed flights yesterday to Riyadh in the Kingdom of Did he regularly resort to the violence was extremely weak. be a Holocaust denier on other power the tech com- Saudi Arabia with a daily service. The resumption of kind of hate speech that Coming two days after Facebook; then last year, panies have: the power to direct flights came after Saudi Arabia reopened its Twitter and Facebook insist Trump’s supporters took over Zuckerberg, saying his decide what is hate speech borders and airspace with Qatar last week, paving the they bar? Yes. Did he some- the Capitol, it had the feel of thinking “had evolved,” and what isn’t; what incites way for a broader rapprochement. times seem to be inciting vio- shutting the barn door long decided to ban Holocaust violence and what doesn’t; Qatar Airways has also started rerouting many flights lence? Without question. after the horse had left. deniers. During the 2016 what speech should be over the Saudi airspace after the Al-Ula agreement which So please excuse me if I’m Many on Twitter, election, Twitter was filled allowed and what shouldn’t. the Gulf leaders signed on January 5 during the GCC a little cynical about the including a lot of journalists, with anti-Semitic tweets, As Alexey Navalny, Russia’s summit in Saudi Arabia. On Twitter, Qatar Airways decision by Twitter - and applauded the ban, viewing it which the company rarely most prominent dissident, put shared a video of the flight taking off from Hamad Inter- Facebook - to finally boot as a case of “better late than removed. According to an it in a recent tweetstorm, “The national Airport. Trump 12 days before his never”; after all, Trump had article by Andrew Marantz in ban [against Trump] on Qatar Airways had announced that it would restart presidency ends, when he no been violating the company’s the New Yorker, Facebook Twitter is a decision of people daily service to Riyadh, four weekly flights to the Red longer has the ability to use terms of service for years. has some 15,000 “content we don’t know in accordance Sea city of Jeddah and daily flights to the eastern city the federal government to Trump supporters, starting moderators” who are respon- with a procedure we don’t of Damman using wide-body aircraft. Qatar Airways strike back, as he has so often with Donald Trump Jr., com- sible for finding, and taking know.” This strikes me as will resume flights to Jeddah on January 14 and to done to companies that anger plained that Big Tech was down, posts that violate Face- unarguable - and a large part Dammam on January 16. Likewise, the first flight from him. If Trump had won ree- trying to silence them and book’s terms of service. Given of the reason people don’t Riyadh landed in Doha last evening. lection, would the social was violating their free- that Facebook has upward of trust the decisions about “We also look forward to resuming a strong rela- media companies have speech rights. Trump critics 2.7bn monthly active users, speech that Twitter and tionship with our trade and cargo partners in the bounced him? If he had insti- responded that the First this would be an impossible Facebook make. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the major airports gated the attack on the US Amendment applies only to task even if the company was Navalny’s solution is to in the country,” Qatar’s national airline said in a tweet Capitol, say, a year ago, would government action, not that of serious about this mission - create a committee that recently. he have been banned? private companies such as which Marantz doubts. would make such decisions Passengers from the KSA can once again enjoy the Unlikely. Twitter and Facebook. He quotes approvingly a with full transparency, award-winning Qsuite, featuring sliding privacy doors The two tweets, posted on Which, of course, is true. Facebook critic who believes including the ability to appeal and the option to use a ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indi- Friday, that were ostensibly Twitter and Facebook have that “not even the most any decision the committee cator. The Qsuite seat layout is a 1-2-1 configuration, the final straw for Twitter every legal right to allow - or ingenious technocratic fix to makes. I doubt that would providing passengers with one of the most spacious, were actually pretty benign. disallow - whomever they Facebook’s guidelines can work - it certainly wouldn’t fully private, comfortable, and socially distanced One said he wouldn’t attend want on their platforms. Simi- address the core problem: its be able to operate quickly products in the sky. the inauguration; the other larly, Google and Apple can content-moderation priorities enough to remove hate Recently, Qatar Airways was ranked as second-safest said that the 75 million people accept or reject apps as they won’t change until its algo- speech in real time. airline globally in the list of ‘The Top 20 Safest Airlines who voted for him “will have see fit; indeed, over the rithms stop amplifying The right seems to believe for 2021’, according to AirlineRatings.com. The high weekend, the two companies whatever content is most that repealing Section 230 is ranking of Qatar Airways in the list is a result of series of Many on Twitter, cut off Parler, a right-wing enthralling or emotionally some kind of deserved pun- safety measures taken by the multiple award-winning social media platform that was manipulative.” That’s the ishment for Twitter and airline in the past. As the largest airline flying consistently including a lot of suddenly flooded with incite- content that makes the Facebook for censoring con- throughout the pandemic, Qatar Airways accumulated journalists, applauded ments to violence, according company the most money - servative views. unrivalled experience of how to safely and reliably carry the ban, viewing it to the two tech giants. content like Trump’s. In fact, once the social passengers during these uncertain times. The airline led But consider: Do you In the last Congress, media companies have to the industry in the implementation of new and robust as a case of “better really want Jack Dorsey, Mark House Democrats - and some assume legal liability - not just safety measures to ensure that passengers are safe when late than never”; Zuckerberg, Tim Cook and Republicans - made it clear for libel, but for inciting vio- travelling with it on board and on the ground. Sundar Pichai deciding which that they have an appetite for lence and so on - they will The airline continues to expand its network, which after all, Trump had speech is acceptable and curbing the monopolistic quickly change their algo- currently stands at over 110 destinations with plans to been violating the which is not on their plat- practices of Facebook and the rithms to block anything increase to over 125 by the end of March this year. A forms - platforms that are other big technology com- remotely problematic. People multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was company’s terms of now indistinguishable from panies. I am in wholehearted would still be able to discuss named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline service for years. the public space. In addition favor of new laws and politics, but they wouldn’t be Awards, managed by Skytrax. It is the only airline to to the problem of having so tougher antitrust actions that able to hurl anti-Semitic slurs. have been awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the much power concentrated in would allow for more inno- Presidents and other officials Year’ title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excel- so few hands, they are simply vation and increased could announce policies, but lence in the airline industry, five times. not very good at it. Their rules competition. they wouldn’t be able to spin are vague, change constantly But even if Facebook is wild conspiracies.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR How to build faith in the vaccines EMAIL: [email protected] THE WASHINGTON POST Washington Post reports that more eager for what they from media outlets, whether it EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 members of the National start to see as suppressed comes from a national news- FAX: +974 4455 7758 Fifty-seven vials containing Vaccine Information Center are knowledge. Applying fact paper’s editorial page or a more than 500 doses of the coordinating a “master nar- checks and reducing algo- local daily’s lead story. The MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 Moderna coronavirus vaccine rative” that the virus isn’t a rithmic spread can help. Yet messenger can matter as were removed from a threat and that the safeguards at the core of this conundrum much as the message, espe- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 pharmacy refrigerator by an against it are. They’re ballooning is the question of trust. cially in insular communities employee in a Wisconsin isolated instances of side effects Experts suggest “pre- suspicious of vaccines in par- LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 medical center last month- into proof of general danger- bunking,” or anticipating lies ticular or the government gen- inadvertently, officials said at ousness; homing in on prom- and filling the void before erally. The Centers for Disease BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 first, and then they revised inent online health influencers their arrival with facts. They Control and Prevention can their statement. The act was to spread their propaganda; and also emphasize the need for probably do much less to per- SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 intentional. targeting African American honesty about where the suade an ultra-Orthodox The inoculations against the communities whose fraught vaccine is imperfect, such as Jewish community to get its ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 coronavirus rolling out around history with the medical com- with adverse reactions, unan- shots than can a nearby syna- email: [email protected] the country are the targets of munity has primed them for ticipated side effects and gogue with whom the agency intense disinformation cam- skepticism. imperfect efficacy. Members might partner. Physicians PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 paigns that have spurred con- The best antidote to bad of the public need to be should be trained in how to email: [email protected] cerns about safety and efficacy, information is good infor- assured ahead of time that assuage patients’ fears; indi- even among health-care mation. Trickier is figuring these issues do exist, that they viduals should be taught how ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 workers. Leaders of long- out how to administer it. aren’t evidence of widespread to assuage the fears of their FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] standing anti-vaccine groups Removing false claims is nigh harm and that no one is trying loved ones. The forces that see this pivotal moment as a impossible for platforms to do to hide anything from them. seek to sow doubt are deter- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 prime opportunity to leverage at scale without too much The public also needs to mined and disciplined. Those email: [email protected] the rumor-mongering infra- slipping through the cracks, hear all this in the right places, who hope to build faith in structure they’ve built over the and studies show the practice from the right people. That these lifesaving vaccines must SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 course of years. The sometimes only makes people means responsible reporting be similarly committed. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

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+974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 OPINION 09 The election that foreshadowed 2020 process by bequeathing us the the people’s faith in their gov- president - none other than vice president to prevent a tie 12th Amendment, which still ernment. Republicans, based Jefferson himself - tallied the - and then transmit the results guides presidential elections - in the South, shot back that same result: Eight states for to Washington. Procedural right down to the step that their rivals were nothing less Jefferson. Six for Burr. Two fixes helped prevent the turned unexpectedly than monarchists - stifling abstained (because their del- problems that had beset the explosive in 2021: “The Pres- free speech, repressing the We confront a egations were evenly divided 1800 election. ident of the Senate shall, in people and endangering between the parties). Jef- But, there was a deeper JAMES MORONE the presence of the Senate slavery by recognizing the ferocious urban/ ferson, one agonizing state issue they didn’t resolve - THE WASHINGTON POST and House of Representatives, Haitian rebels who had rural rift and a short of victory, saw “dismay slavery. The Federalists seized open all the certificates thrown off their bondage. and gloom.” Six different on it as a way to attack the [transmitted by the states] and In the end, Jefferson easily burning planet. state delegations were new administration. They In the months since Joe Biden the votes shall then be won the popular vote and A deeply divided divided by a single vote and groused that Jefferson had won the 2020 presidential counted.” But for all they did squeaked by in the electoral Washington - the Federalists could reach a won the election only because election, we’ve watched a right, those early American college. Then, the shenan- majority by flipping just three the Constitution inflated the barrage of efforts to reverse leaders failed to confront the igans began thanks to the reflecting a deeply strategically-placed power of his Southern base the result - President Donald nation’s deepest problem rules governing the electoral divided nation - Republicans. through the notorious three- Trump launched rants, - slavery. college. The Constitution To make matters worse, fifths clause that helped recounts, lawsuits, threats and In many ways, that clearly stated that the person has a lot of work the government had moved in allocate electoral votes. Jef- now a violent insurrection at election - between Federalist with the most votes would be to do. The final 1800 from the large, cosmo- ferson “rode into the temple the Capitol aimed at President John Adams and president, the runner-up vice politan city of Philadelphia to of liberty upon the shoulders disrupting congressional Republican Vice President president. But in 1800, the lesson from 1800: the grim village of Wash- of slaves,” as one Connecticut certification of the results. The Thomas Jefferson - resembled political parties - which the We ignore the big ington, D.C., which amounted newspaper put it. denial and the chaos have 2020. Seven (out of 16) states men who wrote the Consti- to little more than a few rude The volcanic issue was been shocking. But are they fiddled with the voting rules tution did not see coming and problems at our taverns and boardinghouses. only beginning to rumble. unprecedented? to boost their candidate - roundly abhorred - nomi- peril. Tree stumps marked the Some Federalists denounced Not exactly. The very first Pennsylvania was so bitterly nated tickets. Both Jefferson muddy path between the slavery, others took the contested presidential divided about its voting pro- and his running mate, Aaron executive building and the opposite tack and warned that election, in 1800, was also cedures that it almost missed Burr, tallied the same number reasoned, Burr was an expe- half-constructed capitol the Republicans imperiled the chaotic. It too reflected fero- the election. Each party of votes. The election headed dient politician who would building. “We want nothing institution with all their talk cious partisanship, exposed thought the other dangerous - to the House of Representa- defect to the party that thrust here,” wrote New York’s Gou- about the rights of man. The problems in the electoral the two sides believed they tives which might have simply him into power. verneur Morris sarcastically, losers were more focused on process and ended in a were fighting about nothing certified Jefferson as pres- In the House of Repre- “but houses, cellars, kitchens, resisting Jefferson’s political raucous congressional session less than the nation’s identity. ident and Burr as VP. But the sentatives each state would well-informed men, amiable power then in engaging the in which the losers tried to flip The Federalists, based in New defeated Federalists tried to cast a single vote - a majority women, and other little trifles issue itself. The deepest the results. When it was all England, fretted about too steal a victory by flipping the (nine states) would secure the of this kind to make our city national problem festered and over, however, the winners much democracy, too many ticket, rallying around Burr presidency. The House voted. perfect.” There was nothing to grew till, less than two reached for bipartisanship. immigrants and seditious and trying to boost him into And voted. And voted again. do but drink, gamble and decades later, an aging Jef- And they fixed the broken speech that could undermine the presidency. After all, they Each time, the sitting vice conspire. ferson thought he heard the Through the process, passions over slavery tolling Alexander Hamilton, the the “knell of the union.” most influential Federalist, Today, a deep partisan broke with his party and division once again spurred scribbled one letter after an effort to overthrow the another denouncing Aaron presidential election. And like Burr. The two men knew that long ago contested each other well for they had election in 1800, we too risk battled in New York for letting our political differ- years. Now Hamilton warned ences obscure deep national that Burr had no principles problems: More than two cen- at all - just a simple lust for turies later, the race line power. He would be a remains raw and marked by despot. injustice. We face an eco- Finally on the 36th ballot, nomic inequality that has Federalist James Bayard of soared to levels unmatched Maryland, after three letters among wealthy democracies. from Hamilton, cast a blank We confront a ferocious ballot which broke the state’s urban/rural rift and a burning four-four tie and flipped it planet. A deeply divided into Jefferson’s column. Other Washington - reflecting a Federalists followed his lead deeply divided nation - has a and Jefferson finally took the lot of work to do. The final office he had won at the polls. lesson from 1800: We ignore All that rigmarole from the big problems at our peril. long ago broadcasts important Morone is a professor of lessons to our own time. political science at Brown After 1800, leaders quickly University and the author of adjusted the Constitution by “Republic of Wrath: How adding the 12th Amendment. American Politics Turned A sign welcoming US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is placed near the US Capitol days after supporters Electors would now cast sep- Tribal from George Wash- of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC, yesterday. arate ballots for president and ington to Donald Trump.” Brexit gives the Tories a free hand to dismantle workers’ rights conditions, and to provide The quest is intensely ide- suspend its obligations under such as those found in Inter- legislation when necessary to better protection for their ological, with Matt Hancock, the agreement, for example national Labour Organization give effect to convention health and safety at work.” the current health secretary, by imposing tariffs on (ILO) conventions, concerning rights. Thirteen days later, Con- even admitting to getting into imported goods, until the such things as trade union For example, the con- servative Prime Minister Mar- politics to combat “the over- issue has been resolved. rights, health and safety, and vention has extended whistle- garet Thatcher addressed the burdensome intervention of However, the EU could not sick pay, among others. blowing rights to judges and College of Europe in Bruges, health and safety officers”. impose tariffs at a rate higher It is difficult to take these trade union consultation JASON MOYER-LEE Belgium. Alluding to the Workers’ rights which than that necessary to rectify provisions seriously. The UK rights to parks constables AL JAZEERA Eurosceptic reputation which come from EU law, however the distortions caused by the has a notoriously bad track when domestic law had failed preceded her, Thatcher com- – such as the right to paid hol- undercutting. record in upholding ILO con- to provide the same. It is, mented to laughter from the idays, protection from dis- The Brexit deal also pro- ventions. For example, in its therefore, no surprise that the In September 1988, two now audience: “If you believe crimination and protection vides for a scenario in which 2017 report, the ILO’s Com- convention has similarly pro- famous speeches set out some of the things said and against less favourable the UK’s failure over time to mittee of Experts – a super- voked Tory ire in recent years, competing visions for the written about my views on treatment for part-time improve its labour rights at visory body – held the UK to with successive Tory mani- United Kingdom’s role in Europe, it must seem rather workers, among others – the same pace as the EU leads be in breach of a social festos promising to repeal, Europe and Europe’s role in like inviting Genghis Khan to have largely been spared. to a competitive advantage. In security convention due to its curtail, or otherwise modify the UK. In the first, European speak on the virtues of What made EU law rights that case, the EU can again abysmally low levels of sick the Human Rights Act. Commission President peaceful coexistence.” Indeed, so useful to workers was what suspend parts of the pay. Indeed, Prime Minister Jacques Delors addressed the her vision would have made provoked the ire of the Tories: agreement. But the threshold The UK’s refusal to Boris Johnson recently UK’s Trade Union Congress, Genghis proud. the rights could not be removed is high: the divergence in implement the convention announced a review of the pitching the European In Thatcher’s view, Europe by a UK government, they were standards needs to be “signif- which it had ratified was Human Rights Act, with a par- Economic Community on the consisted of sovereign nations ultimately interpreted by a icant”, the impact on trade wilful; as the committee ticular focus on “whether the basis of a role for workers’ sharing a common expe- court in Luxembourg which and investment “material” stated, the UK “expresses no current approach risks rights and collective rience, “for instance, the story tended to interpret them more and “based on reliable evi- intention to comply with the domestic courts being unduly bargaining, saying: “The of how Europeans explored, expansively than UK courts, dence and not merely on con- United Kingdom’s obligation drawn into questions of internal market should be and colonised, and – yes, and in a conflict with UK law, jecture or remote possibility”, to maintain social security policy”. designed to benefit each and without apology – civilised EU law prevailed. Under the and the countermeasures benefits at least at the With a pandemic raging every citizen of the much of the world, is an Brexit deal just agreed between taken need to be no more minimum level guaranteed by out of control, workers’ rights community. It is, therefore, extraordinary tale of talent, the UK and EU, that has now than “what is strictly nec- these international are crucial not only to those necessary to improve skill, and courage”. For her, ended. essary and proportionate in instruments”. key workers who continue to workers’ living and working Europe was a free-market In the final days of Brexit order to remedy the situ- It is inconceivable that the keep the country functioning, project in which there should negotiations, the so-called ation”, all of which is subject EU is unaware of the UK’s but also to the rest of society. Now is the time to be no place for “new regula- “level playing field” – to arbitration. track record on international For example, enhancing sick tions which raise the cost of designed to ensure the UK did As the self-styled “star labour standards. The fact that pay would make it easier for improve workers’ employment and make not deregulate its way to a chamber” of legal experts for this section of the deal does low-paid workers to self- rights and their Europe’s labour market less competitive advantage – was the hard-right Tory Brexit not provide for counter- isolate when necessary. Simi- flexible and less competitive one of the last sticking points. ideologues of the “European measures to be taken in the larly, increasing health and enforcement. with overseas suppliers”. For this reason, the deal con- Research Group” put it in their event of a breach further sug- safety law enforcement would Instead, this Brexit In the three decades since tains a “non-regression statement approving the deal: gests the provision is little reduce the spread of the virus these speeches, successive clause” which requires the UK “We think as long as a UK more than fluff. in workplaces, where people deal does the precise Conservative governments not to reduce workers’ rights government is willing to be However, the weak level are still allowed to opposite, giving have attacked the UK’s below their current level, “in a robust and to defend with playing field provisions do not congregate. workers’ rights regime and manner affecting trade or vigour any arbitration pro- give the Tories complete free Now is the time to improve the Tories even trade unions. From disman- investment between the ceedings launched by the EU, reign when it comes to workers’ rights and their more freedom to tling sectoral collective bar- Parties”. The purpose of then the rebalancing mech- workers’ rights, for there still enforcement. Instead, this undermine labour gaining, to making it harder to labour rights in the deal, anism is less likely to give rise remains the European Con- Brexit deal does the precise claim unfair dismissal, to therefore, is transformed from to a serious, effective con- vention on Human Rights, opposite, giving the Tories even rights in the UK. introducing employment tri- the protection of UK workers straint on practical UK sover- which is separate from EU more freedom to undermine bunal fees (later struck down to the protection of European eignty to revise our own laws law. Similar to EU law though, labour rights in the UK. by the Supreme Court), to reg- profits. in these fields.” the convention has been Jason Moyer-Lee is ulating to near-death the If the UK breaches the Finally, in the area of implemented in the UK – via Practitioner Fellow at Geor- ability of workers to strike, provision, the EU can take the workers’ rights, the deal says the Human Rights Act – in getown University’s the Tory onslaught has been matter to arbitration and can that both sides must uphold such a way that allows UK Kalmanovitz Initiative for wide-ranging and deep. ultimately temporarily international labour standards judges to extend domestic Labor and the Working Poor. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021

Indonesia nod Plane crash: First to Sinovac for victim identified; emergency use REUTERS — JAKARTA search continues Indonesia gave Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine its first emergency use approval REUTERS — JAKARTA outside China yesterday as the world’s fourth most populous Indonesia identified a victim country launches nationwide from the Sriwijaya Air crash The Boeing 737-500 inoculations to stem surging yesterday as emergency crews plane with 62 people on infections and deaths. prepared to send in a remotely board plunged into the A lack of data and varying operated underwater vehicle Java Sea two days ago, efficacy rates reported for the to search for the jet’s cockpit vaccine from different countries recorders in the sea. minutes after taking off could undermine public trust in The Boeing 737-500 plane from Jakarta’s main the rollout, according to public with 62 people on board airport. Divers scoured health experts. plunged into the Java Sea two the sea bed yesterday, Interim data from a late- days ago, minutes after taking retrieving human stage human test of CoronaVac off from Jakarta’s main airport. showed it is 65.3% effective, Divers scoured the sea bed remains, personal Indonesia’s food and drugs yesterday, retrieving human possessions and pieces authority BPOM said — lower remains, personal possessions of plane wreckage until than figures in Brazil and and pieces of plane wreckage fading light ended the Turkey which have yet to until fading light ended the search. launch mass vaccinations. search, emergency officials BPOM head Penny K. Lukito said. said the results met the require- Okky Bisma, a flight ments of the World Health Rescue personnel carry suspected remains of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182, which crashed into the sea attendant on the plane, was Organization’s minimum off the Jakarta coast, at Jakarta International Container Terminal port, Indonesia, yesterday. identified by his fingerprints, different design. The search efficacy of 50%. a police official told reporters team had narrowed down the “Let’s support the COVID-19 “The quicker we can find suspected location of the scattered in a relatively tight seconds later. and other data. vaccination program, because victims, the better,” search and “black box” flight recorders area underwater. The Sriwijaya Air plane was Newer jets and their the success of COVID-19 han- rescue operation director and the remote-controlled Once the flight data and nearly 27 years old, much older engines emit streams of data dling belongs to us as a nation,” Rasman MS said. vehicle would help scan the cockpit voice recorders are than Boeing’s problem-plagued to help airlines plan mainte- she said. The Boeing 737-500 jet sea bed, navy chief of staff found, the KNKT expects to be 737 MAX model. Older 737 nance. But neither the 737-500 President Joko Widodo is set was headed on a domestic Yudo Margono said. able to read the information in models are widely flown and nor its engines leave such a to get his first dose tomorrow in flight to Pontianak on Borneo “There is so much debris three days, Nurcahyo said. do not have the stall-pre- digital trace, industry experts a sign of the priority placed on island, about 740km from down there and we have only The US National Transpor- vention system implicated in say. immunisation in a country of Jakarta, on Saturday before it lifted a few pieces. Hopefully, tation Safety Board will auto- the MAX safety crisis. The crash comes at a sen- 270 million people that has disappeared from radar as we take out more they (the matically be involved in the With few immediate clues sitive time and place for done far less than Southeast screens. recorders) can be found,” Yudo investigation, with technical on what caused a catastrophic Boeing after poor software Asian neighbours to contain the It was the second major air told reporters aboard a ship. support from Boeing as needed. loss of control after take-off, contributed to crashes of the virus. crash in Indonesia since 189 Nurcahyo Utomo, an Tracking service Flight- investigators will rely heavily newer 737 MAX in Indonesia But some public health spe- passengers and crew were investigator at Indonesia’s radar24 said the aircraft took on retrieving the two flight and Ethiopia. But the long cialists question how effective killed in 2018 when a Lion Air National Transportation Safety off at 2.36pm local time (0736 recorders intact from the service history of the model the rollout will be given the Boeing 737 MAX also plunged Committee (KNKT), said the jet GMT) and climbed to 10,900 seabed. They will also study involved in Saturday’s crash, limited number of doses into the Java Sea soon after may have been intact before feet within four minutes. It maintenance and engine and its lack of similar software, available, logistical challenges taking off. The jet that crashed it hit the water, given the then began a steep descent and records, pilot rosters and mean design is seen less likely across thousands of islands and on Saturday is a largely debris appeared to have stopped transmitting data 21 training, air traffic recordings to be a primary focus. scepticism over the vaccine. New top judge of Hong Kong urges impartiality in courts Malaysia PM denies cancer AP — HONG KONG Hong Kong was promised when cases of a political nature. framework that allows Hong Cheung reiterated that personal it was handed over from British “Any lapses in this regard, Kong freedoms not found in attacks as well as extreme and rumours Hong Kong’s new top judge control in 1997. given the potentially polarizing mainland China. unfounded allegations against warned yesterday that the semi- Last week, 55 pro-democracy nature of these cases, could lead Cheung also condemned judges are unacceptable and REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR autonomous Chinese territory’s activists were arrested in a to suspicion of partiality, which threats of violence and doxxing threaten the independence of the courts need to show they are sweeping police operation, and is not conducive to maintaining attacks on judges, describing judiciary. The office of Malaysian Prime impartial amid a flurry of politi- prominent pro-democracy public confidence in our judicial them as futile and He advised judges to focus on Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, cally charged cases or risk losing activists such as Joshua Wong, system,” Cheung said in his first reprehensible. the evidence and facts and dis- who is grappling with public trust. Agnes Chow and outspoken speech delivered as chief justice. “Comments and criticisms, regard everything else, including discontent in his ruling Hong Kong has been in a media tycoon Jimmy Lai are cur- He said it is equally crucial to sometimes extreme and harsh political pressure. coalition, denied yesterday that state of political crisis after rently in jail for their activism. the public and business com- ones, are unavoidable. Whilst the He also said that while there he was undergoing treatment months of anti-government pro- Hong Kong Chief Justice munity that there is confidence freedom of speech of everyone is a system in place to ensure the for cancer. tests in 2019 led to Beijing Andrew Cheung, who was sworn in the judicial system. Cheung in society must be fully respected, accountability of judges in Hong Muhyiddin was declared imposing a tough national in yesterday, said that judges in also said it is important to the there must not be any attempt to Kong, “there is room for further free of cancer in June after security law on the city to quash the city’s courts must be careful international reputation of Hong exert improper pressure on the enhancement of the trans- being diagnosed with pan- dissent. Pro-democracy sup- to show impartiality in what they Kong that the city is governed by judges in the discharge of their parency and accountability” of creatic cancer in 2018. porters say the security legis- say in court and what they write the rule of law under the “one judicial functions,” he said. the complaint-handling His premiership has been lation suppresses the freedoms in their judgments, especially in country, two systems” In a later news conference, mechanism. occupied with managing the coronavirus pandemic, with cases surging past 135,000 total infections including 551 deaths Thousands in Nepal demand as of Sunday. “Rumours saying that the return of monarchy prime minister requires treatment for cancer are not AP — KATHMANDU save our country. We want the true and are ill intentioned,” monarchy back, abolish the Muhyiddin’s office said in a Riot police in Nepal clashed for republic,” the demonstrators statement. hours yesterday with thousands chanted as they waved the Muhyiddin took office in of protesters demanding a country’s flag. March and has remained in return of the monarchy that was Weeks of street protests in power with a slim parlia- abolished more than a decade 2006 forced then King mentary majority, but faces ago and the reinstatement of a Gyanendra to abandon his increasing pressure from the Hindu state. authoritarian rule and introduce United Malays National Organ- Police blocked the main democracy. Two years later, a isation former ruling party, the road to the prime minister’s newly elected parliament voted largest bloc in his ruling pact office, using batons to beat the to abolish the monarchy and and whose leaders are unhappy protesters, who responded by declared Nepal a republic with playing second fiddle to the throwing rocks and sticks. a president as head of state. premier’s smaller Bersatu party. There were no reports of Since then, Gyanendra has serious injuries. been living in Nepal as a private It was the latest in a series citizen with no power or state India hands back of protests against Prime Min- protection. He still has some ister Khadga Prasad Oli’s gov- support among the people but Chinese soldier ernment by a variety of groups, little chance of returning to including a faction of his gov- power. AP — NEW DELHI erning Communist party. The protesters also A supporter of monarchy, celebrating the birth anniversary of the late king Prithvi Narayan Shah, The unrest, fuelled by Oli’s demanded that Nepal again be A Chinese soldier seized by who formed present Nepal centuries ago, falls down as the demonstrators try to break the police failure to honour an agreement declared a Hindu state. Most India’s military in the remote to split his term as prime min- Nepalis are Hindu, but soon line in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. Ladakh region, where the two ister with the co-leader of the after the king’s rule ended, par- countries are locked in a border governing party, has increased liament also decided to turn the merged to form a unified Com- The two had previously agreed dissolution of parliament last standoff, was handed back to distrust of the political system. country into a secular state. munist party ahead of the vote. that they would split the five- month and announced new China yesterday, the army said. The protesters on Monday Oli became prime minister Tensions, however, have year prime minister’s term elections later this year. India took the soldier into accused the government of cor- after his Nepal Communist grown between Oli and the between them, but Oli has Parliament’s dissolution has custody last Friday, when China ruption and using force against Party won elections three years leader of the former rebels, refused to allow Dahal to take been protested by Dahal’s said one of its soldiers had gone peaceful rallies. ago. His party and the party of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is over. faction and by opposition missing “due to darkness and “King please come back and former Maoist rebels had co-chair of the combined party. Instead, Oli ordered the groups. complicated terrain” along the disputed high-altitude border. The soldier was returned to China at the Chushul-Moldo India: Apex Court chides govt over impasse with protesting farmers border meeting point, the Indian military said in a statement. REUTERS — NEW DELHI Delhi, for more than a month, farmers. concerns are heard and said the But farm leaders say the He was the second Chinese and have promised to march “We are extremely disap- court would pass orders if the laws are an attempt to erode a soldier to be detained by India India’s Supreme Court during Republic Day celebra- pointed at the way government two sides remained at an longstanding minimum support since tensions escalated last yesterday criticised the tions on January 26, against is handling all this,” Bobde said. impasse. price for their crops and they year along the disputed border. government for failing to break what they see as laws benefiting “We don’t know what con- The government of Prime want a full repeal of the laws. The standoff between the a deadlock with farmers large private buyers at the sultative process you followed Minister Narendra Modi says The government has said Asian giants began last May with protesting against reforms of expense of producers. before the laws. Many states are the legislation is aimed at mod- there was “no question” of this a fierce brawl, and exploded into the agricultural sector. Chief Justice Sharad Arvind up in rebellion.” ernising an antiquated agricul- happening, and eight rounds of hand-to-hand combat with Tens of thousands of Bobde said in a hearing yes- He repeated a suggestion tural system, which suffers from talks have failed to find clubs, stones and fists on June farmers have been camped on terday the drawn-out confron- that the government pause the colossal wastage and bottle- common ground. The two sides 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers the outskirts of the capital, New tation was causing distress to legislation while farmers’ necks in the supply chain. are set to next meet on Friday. dead. TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 11 China sees biggest jump in new infections

REUTERS — SHANGHAI/BEIJING The current wave of local cases first erupted in the port Mainland China saw its biggest Hebei accounted for 82 of city of Dalian in Liaoning in daily increase in COVID-19 mid-December. As winter cases in over five months, the the 85 new local advanced, other northern prov- country’s health authority said infections reported on inces — Heilongjiang, Hebei and yesterday, as new infections in January 10, the National Jilin — started to report more Hebei province surrounding Health Commission said infections. Beijing continued to rise. in a statement, with Dalian yesterday blamed its A county in northeastern outbreak on contaminated Heilongjiang province yes- Liaoning province also foreign vessels, saying the gene- terday moved into lockdown reporting two new cases sequencing information of the after reporting new coronavirus and Beijing reporting one virus was different from that in infections, state television also new case. The country previous outbreaks. reported separately. also saw 18 new Most of the infected were Hebei accounted for 82 of dock workers handling cargoes the 85 new local infections imported infections from from one ship from Russia, a reported on January 10, the overseas. Dalian official told reporters. National Health Commission Shijiazhuang, Hebei’s (NHC) said in a statement, with capital and the epicentre of the Liaoning province also pandemic are set to arrive in new outbreak in the province, reporting two new cases and China on Thursday. The NHC, is in lockdown. People and Beijing reporting one new case. which announced their arrival vehicles are being barred from The country also saw 18 new date yesterday, declined to leaving Shijiazhuang, while imported infections from provide the team’s itinerary. public transport in the city has overseas. China has been accused of also been halted. The total number of new initially covering up the out- Shijiazhuang accounted for People who are required to undergo centralised quarantine line up to board a bus at a village in COVID-19 cases stood at 103, break that first emerged in the 77 of the 82 new COVID-19 Gaocheng district in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, China, yesterday. the highest since 127 cases were central city of Wuhan in late cases and all of the 49 new reported on July 30. 2019, which critics say delayed asymptomatic cases reported reported four new asympto- health authority said. count individuals who have Though the recent case China’s initial response and in Hebei province on January matic cases yesterday — the Hebei said yesterday that tested positive for the corona- tallies remain a small fraction allowed COVID-19 to spread 10. province’s first local infections several sections of highways in virus but are not showing of what the country saw at the globally. Wangkui county, under the since July 26. The infected the province have been closed, symptoms as confirmed height of the outbreak in early Wuhan city said yesterday jurisdiction of Suihua city in persons had all travelled from and vehicles registered to Shi- COVID-19 cases. 2020, authorities are moving it had launched contact tracing Heilongjiang, reported eight Wangkui county recently via jiazhuang and Xingtai will be The new asymptomatic aggressively to curb its spread work for two people — among new asymptomatic cases and train, Jilin health authorities asked to go back. The latter city cases in Jilin are not part of the to avoid another national wave the 82 new local cases Hebei yesterday closed all non- said. has also reported COVID-19 NHC’s daily case tally published of infections. reported — who had been to essential businesses, banned The residential compounds cases in recent days. yesterday and will be reflected The surge comes as the Wuhan. A restaurant, a business people from leaving the city and of the infected were under The NHC reported 76 new today. Mainland China’s total World Health Organization’s building and three markets blocked all non-essential traffic, lockdown, with people and asymptomatic cases for all of number of infections to date team of investigators probing visited by one of the two people state television also reported. vehicles not allowed to leave mainland China, up from 27 a now stands at 87,536, while the the origins of the COVID-19 were later closed. Changchun, capital of Jilin, the premises, the Changchun day earlier. China does not death toll is unchanged at 4,634. Kyrgyzstan: Newly-elected President seeks to boost powers Malaysia imposes two-week

AP — MOSCOW a regional governor amid a the previous uprisings that lockdown in capital, 5 states dispute over a gold mine when toppled presidents in 2005 and A nationalist politician who he was freed by demonstrators 2010, the latest turmoil was REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR The number of new daily won a landslide victory in who contested the results of driven by clan rivalries that infections breached the 3,000 Kyrgyzstan’s presidential October’s parliamentary shape the country’s politics. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhy- mark for the first time last week, election said he would push for election. In a referendum held in iddin Yassin yesterday while total coronavirus cases quick constitutional changes to Immediately after his parallel with Sunday’s election, announced a nationwide travel passed 138,000 yesterday, with strengthen the powers of the release, Japarov mobilised 81% voters supported strength- ban and a 14-day lockdown in 555 deaths overall. presidency. stone-hurling supporters to ening presidential powers. the capital and five states, as the The lockdown in the capital Election officials said yes- evict President Sooronbai Jeen- Japarov, who initiated the vote, country grapples with a surge in Kuala Lumpur and five states, terday that with 98% of the bekov from office and then took said yesterday he would push coronavirus cases that threaten which takes effect at midnight ballots counted, Sadyr Japarov the helm as the nation’s interim quickly for drafting the relevant to overload its healthcare system. on Wednesday, will bar all social (pictured) was winning with leader. He renounced that constitutional changes to be Malaysia was among the first activities and interstate travel 79% of the vote. The victory position shortly after in order approved by another plebiscite nations to impose strict nationwide. comes just over three months Europe said that the integrity to be able to run for president in several months. movement curbs in March Muhyiddin said businesses after he was freed from jail by of the vote was weakened by as required by law but con- At least two of Japarov’s 16 during the early stages of the in five essential economic sectors throngs of protesters. Japarov’s domination of the tinued calling the shots, relying rivals in the vote refused to pandemic, which helped keep can operate, involving factories Japarov also vowed after the campaign, noting that his on his allies in parliament. acknowledge his victory, transmission down but led to its and manufacturing, con- vote that he would maintain “financial and organisational The unrest marked the third claiming that the vote was fal- first economic contraction in a struction, services, trade and dis- close ties with the country’s resources were far greater than time in 15 years that a leader of sified. There was no sign of decade in the second quarter. tribution and plantations and main sponsor and ally, Russia. all other contestants.” Japarov the nation of 6.5 million on the unrest, however, after Japarov Health officials say the commodities sectors, but at The Organization for was serving an 11 1/2-year sen- border with China was forced had consolidated control over current wave of infections that reduced capacity. Security and Cooperation in tence on charges of abducting out by a popular uprising. Like the country. started in September could see Supermarkets, banks and daily cases grow to as many as health clinics can remain open, 8,000 by May if strict curbs are while restaurants can offer only not imposed. take-out services. To build herd Residents flee “Our healthcare system is at immunity, Malaysia aims to vac- a breaking point,” Muhyiddin cinate 70% of its population of as bushfire said in a live televised address. about 32 million. nears Adelaide Philippines to vaccinate 100 REUTERS — MELBOURNE million citizens by 2023 Residents of a small town in South Australia state were warned to seek shelter yesterday BLOOMBERG — MANILA million doses, while supply as firefighters were called in to battle a fast- agreements are also being moving grassfire. The Philippines targets to finalised with Pfizer Inc.- Locals in Lucindale, a community of vaccinate its entire population BioNTech SE, Johnson & Johnson, around 550 people some 260km south east of more than 100 million people Moderna Inc. and Russia’s of Adelaide, were warned by the Country against the coronavirus by 2023, Gamaleya National Center of Fire Service (CFS) after the fire cut off roads with President Rodrigo Duterte Epidemiology and Microbiology, they could use to evacuate. opting to be given a vaccine Galvez said. “You are now in danger. Take shelter either from China or Russia, offi- Sinovac has committed to in a solid building. Do not leave or enter cials said. deliver 25 million vaccine doses this area in a vehicle or on foot,” the CFS Vaccine rollout may start as to the Philippines this year, pres- said on Twitter. A file photo of firemen putting out bushfire flames in Red Gully, Western Australia. early as February, although bulk idential spokesman Harry Roque Most of the state was under a complete of the inoculations will begin in said at a separate briefing, with fire ban as temperatures soared towards the second half of 2021, vaccine the first shipment expected in 40 degrees (104F). Aerial footage showed farm outhouse services said on Twitter. czar Carlito Galvez said at a February. Duterte wants to be “The fire started just after lunchtime buildings burning. Australia has had some respite from Senate hearing yesterday. The inoculated as soon as possible, today, fuelled by very strong winds, high Hot and windy weather has made for bushfires this year given above-average capital region, which accounts and will only choose from vac- temperatures and dry fuel loads, (which) challenging firefighting conditions, but the rainfall associated with the La Niña for more than a third of cines from China and Russia, meant the fire expanded very, very fire was downgraded to watch and act weather pattern, following last summer’s COVID-19 infections, will be a Roque said. quickly,” South Australian CFS state duty from emergency late on Monday. severe bushfires which killed 33 people, priority, he said. Herd immunity may be commander Brenton Hastie said. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, an razed an area the size of the United The government may sign achieved this year, Health Sec- The CFS estimated the fire had emergency warning was issued for the Kingdom and killed an estimated 3 billion supply deals this week with retary Francisco Duque said at destroyed some 16,000 hectares and was suburb of Baldivis, outside Perth. animals. vaccine-makers including Astra- the Senate hearing, as the gov- likely to have hurt livestock and damaged “You are in danger and need to act A blaze last month tore through World Zeneca Plc. and Sinovac Biotech ernment targets to buy 148 farming infrastructure, Hastie told the Aus- immediately to survive. There is a threat Heritage listed Fraser Island, part of the Ltd. for 60 million doses, he said. million vaccine doses to inoc- tralian Broadcasting Corporation. to lives and homes,” state emergency Great Barrier Reef. A term sheet was signed with ulate more than half of the pop- Serum Institute of India for 30 ulation in 2021. Pakistan launches new anti-polio drive AP — ISLAMABAD infections from the coronavirus he said, adding that the polio 24 hours. Pakistan had hoped — and included former Taliban workers will don gloves and to eliminate polio back in 2018, Despite a steady rise in coro- strongholds bordering face masks and go house-to- when only 12 cases were navirus cases, Pakistan Afghanistan. house during the campaign. reported. But in the years since yesterday launched a five-day This time, polio workers There has lately been a there has been an uptick in new vaccination campaign against will try to vaccinate 40 million steady increase in both fatal- cases. polio amid tight security, children across Pakistan while ities from COVID-19 and the Pakistan and neighbouring hoping to eradicate the crip- at the same time following number of new infections in the Afghanistan are the only two pling children’s disease this social distancing measures and country. Pakistan has registered remaining countries in the year. other precautions due to the more than 504,000 cases of the world where polio is endemic, The drive is the first anti- coronavirus, said Zulfiqar virus, including 10,676 deaths after Nigeria was last year polio campaign in 2021. The Babakhel, a spokesman for the since the first infection was declared free of the wild polio previous campaign took place polio program. detected in February. On yes- virus. Eradicating polio requires People wearing face masks and face shields stand in queue at a last August — during a brief A drops will be given to terday, it reported 1,877 new that more than 90% of children bus stop, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. decline in fatalities and “help build general immunity,” cases and 32 deaths in the past be immunised. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 UK in ‘race against time’ as hospitals run out of oxygen REUTERS — LONDON "The next few weeks are going The government's chief medical to be the worst weeks of this pan- Prime Minister Boris Johnson said demic in terms of numbers into the yesterday Britain was in "a race adviser says during the peak of NHS (National Health Service)," he against time" to rollout COVID-19 the first outbreak in the UK in told BBC TV. vaccines as deaths hit record highs April, about 18,000 people "Anybody who is not shocked and hospitals run out of oxygen, were in hospital but now there by the number of people in hos- with his top medical adviser saying are 30,000. pital who are seriously ill at the the pandemic's worst weeks were moment and who are dying over imminent. the course of this pandemic, I A new, more transmissible middle of next month. think, has not understood this at variant of the disease is now "It's a race against time, all. This is an appalling situation," surging through the population, because we can all see the threat he said. During the peak of the first with one in 20 people in parts of that our NHS faces, the pressure outbreak in April, about 18,000 London now infected, threatening it's under, the demand in intensive people were in hospital but now to overwhelm the health service care units, the pressure on venti- there are 30,000, Whitty said, with hospitals overloaded with lated beds, even the shortage of describing it as "the most dan- patients. The death toll in the oxygen in some places," Johnson gerous time we've really had in Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a COVID-19 vaccination centre in Bristol, yesterday. United Kingdom has been soaring said on a visit to a vaccination terms of numbers". and now stands in excess of 81,000 centre in Bristol, in southwest Johnson's government is — the world's fifth-highest toll — England. "This is a very perilous pinning its hopes on a mass vac- England by the end of January, with the aim target was "a huge ask". while more than 3 million people moment. The worst thing now for cination programme after Britain of immunising tens of millions of people by "We believe it's achievable, we're going have tested positive. us is to allow success in rolling out became the first country to the spring and all adults offered a vaccine by throw absolutely everything at it, to get it done," In a bid to get on top of the a vaccine programme to breed any approve vaccines developed by the autumn. he said. Ministers and health chiefs have pleaded pandemic and to try to restore kind of complacency about the Oxford-AstraZeneca and by Pfizer/ Johnson said 2 million people had already with people to respect lockdown measures and some degree of normality by the state of the pandemic." BioNTech , and approved Mod- been given the vaccine — more than any other stay at home, amid fears some people are not spring, Britain is rushing out its The government's chief erna's shot on Friday. Its plan, European country — but admitted that inoc- adhering to the rules strictly enough, along with largest ever vaccination pro- medical adviser Chris Whitty had announced yesterday, envisages ulating 15 million people in the four highest concern that the virus is being spread in super- gramme, with shots to be offered earlier warned the situation was 2 million shots being delivered at risk levels, including those over 70 and markets. "Where we have to tighten them, we to about 15 million people by the set to deteriorate. some 2,700 centres a week in frontline health workers, by a February 15 will," Johnson said of the rules. Merkel: Trump’s Twitter Italy President wants EU recovery plan UK Labour leader renews criticism eviction ‘problematic’ approved before any political showdown of Premier

AP — BERLIN by flagging it. But Seibert also REUTERS — ROME support his recovery plan, ruling Democratic Party (PD) REUTERS — LONDON said that the freedom of which Renzi has repeatedly said it would take up to 10 days German Chancellor Angela opinion is a fundamental right The Italian head of state wants criticised. for parliament to approve any British Labour leader Keir Merkel considers US President of “elementary significance”. both the cabinet and parliament If Italia Viva's two ministers plan once the cabinet has given Starmer criticised Boris Donald Trump’s eviction from “This fundamental right can to approve a European Union refuse to back the package, the it the green light. Johnson yesterday for Twitter by the company “prob- be intervened in, but according recovery plan before any prime minister would come "The president of the repeatedly failing to take quick lematic,” her spokesman said to the law and within the eventual political showdown under pressure to resign and republic speaks common decisions to fight the novel yesterday. framework defined by legis- between the ruling coalition open a full-blown political sense," Renzi said in an coronavirus and called on the Twitter permanently sus- lators — not according to a parties, a political source said crisis, which could lead to the interview with RTL radio. The prime minister to do more to pended Trump from the micro- decision by the management yesterday. creation of a new government former prime minister, who is relieve the financial burden on blogging platform on Friday, of social media platforms,” he Prime Minister Giuseppe or even early elections. looking to boost his visibility as people. citing a “risk of further told reporters in Berlin. Conte faces a confrontation Mattarella acts as the his party flounders in the polls, With Britain suffering from incitement of violence” in the “Seen from this angle, the with his coalition partner and supreme arbiter in Italian pol- urged Conte to present his one of the highest rates of wake of the storming of the US chancellor considers it prob- former premier Matteo Renzi itics and would have to pilot recovery measures in full. COVID-19 deaths in the world Capitol by supporters of the lematic that the accounts of the that could topple his gov- any such crisis, leading negoti- Italy is due to receive some and struggling to reduce a spi- outgoing president. US president have now been ernment even as it struggles ations with the various parties ¤209bn ($254.83bn) from an ralling increase in the number Asked about Twitter’s permanently blocked.” with COVID-19, and President to try to head off an election in EU fund. of cases, Starmer renewed his decision, Merkel’s spokesman, Facebook on Thursday sus- Sergio Mattarella's demand will the middle of a health and eco- If the government falls, the criticism of Johnson by saying Steffen Seibert, said the oper- pended Trump’s account likely prolong the standoff. nomic crisis. His demand that coalition parties could seek to he “simply isn’t up to the job”. ators of social media platforms through January 20, the day of In an increasingly bitter both the cabinet and parliament draw up a new pact and agree “The indecision and delays “bear great responsibility for President-elect Joe Biden’s tussle, Renzi has been threat- should approve the recovery on a revised team of ministers, of the prime minister cost lives political communication not inauguration, and possibly ening to withdraw his small package before entertaining a with or without Conte at its and they cost people’s jobs,” being poisoned by hatred, by indefinitely. Italia Viva party from the coa- government crisis serves as a helm. Alternatively, Mattarella Starmer said in a speech. lies and by incitement to Merkel herself does not lition for weeks. The clash was warning to Renzi and Conte to could try to put together a gov- “The British people will violence.” have a Twitter account, expected to come to a head at put national interests first and ernment of national unity that forgive many things. They He said it’s right not to although Seibert does and a cabinet meeting slated for avoid an escalation in would draw in opposition know the pandemic is difficult. “stand back” when such many German government Tuesday or Wednesday, when hostilities. parties from the centre-right But they also know serial content is posted, for example ministers do. Conte will ask ministers to A senior member of the bloc. incompetence when they see it — and they know when a prime minister simply isn’t up to the job.” Germany to administer up to 300,000 shots a day A spokesman for Johnson rejected the criticism, saying REUTERS — BERLIN/DILLENBURG hundreds of vaccination centres Germany’s larger size and their production forecast to 50 Germany expects to receive the prime minister had taken in sports halls and concert federal set-up are complicating million doses by year-end. Each 5.3 million shots from Pfizer/ “quick and decisive” action. Proud of their national repu- arenas and has the infra- operations, a problem also recipient requires two shots.. BioNTech by mid-February and Starmer also said he tation for efficiency, Germans structure to administer up to faced in the United States. The government is working another 2 million doses of a wanted the government to are growing increasingly frus- 300,000 shots a day, Health Germany’s 16 states blame with BioNTech to open a new second vaccine from Moderna, protect more people’s money trated by the slow rollout of a Minister Jens Spahn said. the federal government for not production site in the western just approved by the European as a new lockdown bites by COVID-19 vaccine its scientists But the majority are securing enough doses. Doctors town of Marburg, he said. BioN- Union, by the end of March. stopping council tax rises, pre- helped develop. standing empty, with most in some centres say shifts have Tech’s chief executive said last Yet this will barely be venting any cut to welfare Scarce vaccine supply, cum- states not planning to open been cancelled. week the Marburg plant may enough to cover the 5.7 million payments, extending a ban on bersome paperwork, a lack of centres until mid-January as In Berlin, one vaccination enter service in February, ahead people, or 6.8% of the popu- evictions and by handing key healthcare staff and an aged they prioritise sending mobile centre was opened, only to be of schedule. lation, aged over 80. workers a pay rise. and immobile population are teams into care homes. closed over New Year due to a “With the capacity we have State-by-state performance Johnson has been casti- hampering efforts to get early In the first two weeks of its lack of shots. already created in Germany, we in Germany varies widely. Top gated from all sides over the doses of a vaccine made by US- vaccination drive Germany has Spahn says manufacturing will be able to carry out of the class is Mecklenburg- spread of coronavirus, with based Pfizer and German given 533,000 shots, just two- problems rather than too few between 250,000 and 300,000 Vorpommern in the north, with even some in his governing partner BioNTech into the arms fifths of the 1.3 million doses orders are to blame for the vaccinations per day — when 15.6 vaccinations per 1,000 res- Conservative Party taking aim of the people. received. Britain, by contrast, limited supply. Pfizer and we have the vaccine doses,” idents, while Saxony has a rate at his seeming reluctance to Germany has set up has reached the 2 million mark. BioNTech in November halved Spahn said this week. of just 4.4. introduce tougher measures quickly to curb a surge in infections. France should But he backed the govern- Scammers tricking victims ment's vaccine programme, consider closing which ministers want to offer into paying for fake vaccines people in the four highest risk borders with UK: levels, including those over 70, REUTERS — LONDON your bank details and vaccines the most clinically vulnerable Govt adviser are not being delivered to your and frontline health workers, Scammers have been front door by people who have the shots by February 15. REUTERS — PARIS defrauding people by falsely not been identified as NHS "I hope they do. Let's hold offering them COVID-19 staff.” them to that, and let's help France should consider closing vaccines in return for payment, The minister’s warning them with that," Starmer said. its borders with Britain and with some victims receiving came after the National Crime "But then we must deliver other countries that have a unidentified jabs, the Welsh Agency (NCA) last week urged even more and double that strong presence of the new health minister said yesterday, the public to be vigilant, target in February." variant of the coronavirus first echoing warnings from police reporting that scammers were Meanwhile, British law- found in the UK, a French in other parts of Britain. asking elderly and vulnerable makers were asked to wear epidemiologist and government A mass vaccination pro- people for payment in return face masks inside the House adviser said yesterday. gramme is being run across the for access to vaccines that were of Commons debating “It is important that we United Kingdom by the state- fake or non-existent. chamber yesterday, under- Medical workers, wearing protective suits and face masks, work consider whether we need to owned National Health Service “The current level of lining the extensive measures during a mass testing campaign for the coronavirus disease (COVID- close the borders to a limited (NHS), which provides all care reported fraud in relation to the being taken to try to tackle a number of countries, notably 19) in Bagneux, France, yesterday. including vaccines free of vaccine remains very low but surge in COVID-19 cases the United Kingdom and charge. is increasing,” said Graeme across the country. Ireland,” Arnaud Fontanet, a of Marseille and in the Alps. million people by the end of “There are a number of Biggar, Director General of the "Wherever possible, please member of the scientific “The new COVID variant is March and 25 to 30 million scams involving COVID, National Economic Crime try and wear a mask all the council that advises the gov- nearly a new epidemic within people by the end of June. including a particularly nasty Centre at the NCA. time, except obviously while ernment on COVID-19 policy, the epidemic,” Fontanet said. Meanwhile, the European one in which people have been The City of London police speaking," Speaker Lindsay said on BFM television. He said the new variant Union is in talks with Moderna tricked into paying for a COVID reported on Friday that a Hoyle said at the start of the “This is certainly a point for was more contagious, but that to order more of its COVID-19 vaccine and then jabbed in the scammer had obtained 160 day's debate. Several law- the agenda. It is not up to the for now there were no signs vaccine despite the company arm,” said Vaughan Gething, pounds from a 92-year-old makers immediately donned scientific council to decide this, that its mortality rate was seeking a higher price, and is Minister for Health in Wales, at woman and had jabbed her a protective mask, and soon but we want to raise the issue.” higher. also trying to close COVID-19 a briefing. in the arm with what she most participating in person French authorities said on Fontanet also said on BFM vaccine deals with Valneva and “I want to be clear, our NHS described as a “dart-like were seen wearing one. Pre- Sunday that the more infectious television that to get the epi- Novavax, according to two EU will never ask anyone to pay implement” after he turned viously, debates had been variant had now been detected demic under control, France officials and an internal for a COVID vaccine. These are up unannounced at her carried out without requiring in France’s Mediterranean port needed to vaccinate 10 to 15 document. free. The NHS will never ask for home. masks to be worn. TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 EUROPE 13

Sweden sends Snow, heavy rain in Balkans cause floods 2 to prison for AP — BELGRADE In Serbia, authorities yesterday started clearing Albania and bridges and roads flooded and seriously damaged, hammer attack have been damaged, leaving but Zabeli said he was getting Days of heavy rain and snow up tonnes of garbage that was clogging a villages isolated and forcing little help. on blogger across the Balkans left homes southwestern lake after it was swept off from emergency deliveries of water “No one is interested,” he and fields flooded yesterday, to hundreds of people. complained. “You may suffer AP — STOCKHOLM disrupted traffic on highways landfills by overflowing rivers. Emergency Power outages were also a loss here and no one would and at ports and caused power measures were announced in the southern reported, which meant that care.” Slippery roads and A Swedish court yesterday outages. Doljevac and Vlasotince municipalities, where some schools could not reopen strong winds prompted author- sentenced a man and a woman In Serbia, authorities yes- Monday as authorities struggled ities to ban trucks with trailers to 10 years and eight years in terday started clearing up rescue teams helped more than two dozen to handle water levels at the and double-decker buses on prison respectively for tonnes of garbage that was people evacuate their homes. main hydropower system on some roads, as many Adriatic attempted murder and clogging a southwestern lake the Drini River. Sea ferry connections were accessory to attempted murder after it was swept off from land- The army, police and local halted. in a February hammer attack fills by overflowing rivers. town of Leskovac and nearby of heavy snow. emergency teams stepped in to The snow has made the sit- on a blogger and critic of Emergency measures were areas. Traffic disruptions and assist isolated residents in uation even harder for residents Chechen leader Ramzan announced in the southern In central and eastern speed limits due to snow were Shkoder, Lezha and Durres, in central Croatia, which was Kadyrov. Doljevac and Vlasotince munic- Serbia, thousands of people reported in Croatia, where a bus where major flooding in 2010 hit by a major earthquake on The pair, who were not ipalities, where rescue teams were left without electricity as overturned early Monday on the caused devastation. December 29. Many people named by the Gavle District helped more than two dozen heavy snow collapsed distri- main east-west highway, In Kosovo, officials were cannot stay in their damaged Court, assaulted Tumso people evacuate their homes. bution lines. Serbia’s state injuring eight people. talking with NATO-led peace- homes and have been sleeping Abdurachmanov on Feb- The state RTS television power company EPS said Floods were reported in keepers over how to help flood- in containers. ruary 26 in his home in reported that numerous homes, Monday they were working to Albania and Kosovo, where hit areas in the west where Heavy rains further south Gavle, 170km north of barns and fields were flooded restore power. days of heavy rain mixed with people have been forced to in Montenegro damaged a for- Stockholm. and villages were left without Authorities urged drivers snowy weather. evacuate their homes. A house tress wall in the southern town In a statement, the court drinking water after days of rain not to take to the road unless Thousands of acres of land in the village of Fushe belonging of Ulcinj, near the border with said the assault was planned and snow around the southern absolutely necessary because were flooded in western to 60-year-old Muj Zabeli was Albania. and added that “the victim and the perpetrator had no rela- tionship to each other.” Abdurachmanov was Snowfall: Shelves empty, assaulted with a hammer by a man who told the Chechen he came from Moscow, the schools shut in Madrid Swedish news agency TT said. He survived the attack. REUTERS — MADRID hampered Spain’s efforts to The TT news agency said increase the pace of its corona- it was clear to the prosecution Schools in Madrid were shut virus vaccination programme that the man attacked Abdu- and some supermarkets ran out amid rising infections. rachmanov and that the of fresh produce or were shut- A new batch of vaccines woman had started a rela- tered yesterday but most trains meant to land in Madrid was tionship with Abdurachmanov and flights had resumed oper- diverted yesterday to Vitoria in in order to help with the attack ations after a huge snow storm the north, but city authorities and allow the attacker to enter hit the Spanish capital and said vaccinations in care homes the apartment. several other regions over the and hospitals continued as The blogger’s lawyer, Jens weekend. planned. Sjolund, told Swedish broad- While many people enjoyed Renfe train operator said caster SVT that his client had the rare snowfall, skiing in the all fast train lines were oper- hoped for a longer sentence very centre of Madrid and ating except for Madrid-Bar- out of fear he might be holding mass snowball fights, a celona connections, which are attacked again. further cold spell was set to turn likely to resume early in the In a separate statement, the snow into ice this week and afternoon. Most Madrid sub- Daniel Stenling, head of the authorities rushed to clear more urban lines were working on Swedish Security Police’s streets, though they said the Monday, but with fewer trains counterintelligence unit, said efforts could take one or two than usual. in “the last five years, other weeks. Two runways at the Barajas A worker cleans snow from a table outside her coffee shop after heavy snowfall in Madrid, Spain, countries’ activities and oper- Residents of Madrid, which international airport re-opened. yesterday. ations on Sweden have has seen its heaviest snowfall The airport operator said that intensified.” in at least 50 years, helped of around 400 flights scheduled areas. But it said supplies had preparing to resume activity Grande-Marlaska said the sit- He added that SAPO — the police open paths through deep to fly in and out yesterday, 117 resumed in the early hours from yesterday night. uation on the roads was agency’s acronym — “has pre- banks of snow using plywood had been cancelled. yesterday and were gradually About 85 percent of improving but was still viously noted how other coun- boards or trays, and poured salt A reporter saw a number of increasing. Madrid’s bars and restaurants “extraordinary” and many tries act to undermine funda- on the underlying ice. With empty shelves at several central After staying closed in the are still closed, with a return to remained closed. mental human rights and rooftops enveloped in snow, Madrid supermarkets. morning, Mercamadrid, the normal expected on Thursday, The cold wave, with tem- freedoms in Sweden. authorities cordoned off some The Spanish supermarket city’s main wholesale food the Hosteleria de España asso- peratures as low as — 10 Through persecution, pavements due to the risk of association urged customers market, said convoys of trucks ciation said, estimating lost rev- degrees Celsius in central Spain, threats and even attempted accidents. to behave responsibly in the which had been stranded in the enues over the period at ¤70m will last until Thursday, the murder, people are forced to The storm, which dumped wake of a “complicated situ- snow since Friday had started ($85m) Aemet meteorological agency refrain from expressing their up to 50cm on Madrid, has ation” in many storm-affected arriving and that it was Interior Minister Fernando said. opinions.” Moscow has relied on Kadyrov to stabilise Chechnya after two separatist Sweden’s Nato scepticism endures as Russia flexes muscles wars and he has run the pre- dominantly Muslim region as BLOOMBERG — STOCKHOLM Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea shown “they are prepared to the Dagens Nyheter newspaper Hultqvist said. “That’s why we his personal fiefdom, relying from Ukraine in 2014 and use military force to achieve and published on Monday. The believe the fundamental on its feared security forces Sweden’s top defence official backed a war on the two former political goals,” citing events in number of proponents rose by security policy doctrines should to enforce his rule and quash said staying out of Nato remains allies’ border. Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia. the same margin to 33 percent, not be changed. And that’s why dissent. the best security option for the While Swedish lawmakers Sweden’s spending move while the share of those unde- we have chosen to build International human rights country, even with an increas- last month approved the largest “cannot but cause concern,” cided remained at 32 percent. national military capability, groups have accused Chechen ingly assertive Russia. increase in military spending in Russian foreign ministry The anti-immigration based on non-alignment in authorities of abductions, A Swedish application for 70 years, the outlay as a per- spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Sweden Democrats joined the cooperation with other torture and killings of their Nato membership would “affect centage of gross domestic said last October when the plan other opposition parties last countries.” opponents. the entire security policy archi- product still falls short of Nato’s was unveiled. “These invented month to back the option of Sweden’s defense collabo- The Chechen leader has tecture in our part of Europe,” two percent target. Still, a anti-Russia phobias are due in joining Nato quickly if nec- ration with the US during the rejected allegations of his Defense Minister Peter majority in parliament is now no small measure to deliberate essary, though they’re still not last six years has been “very involvement in attacks on his Hultqvist said in an interview voicing support for having the external pressure on Stockholm, ready to back actual fruitful” and been “delivered critics abroad, claiming that in Stockholm on Thursday. option to join the alliance and primarily from the North membership. with stability,” Hultqvist said. they were performed by “Above all, it puts very strong Swedes are now evenly split in Atlantic alliance.” Finland has already adopted Sweden signed a deal with the foreign spies to compromise pressure on Finland, which has their stance. Pressure to Join Public the so-called Nato option. Swe- US government in 2018 for him and tarnish Russia’s a long border with Russia.” The A 40 percent increase in opposition to joining Nato den’s minority government will Patriot air-defence missiles. image. two Nordic nations outside of defence spending through 2025 declined by three percentage respond to the announcement Moreover, the change in US The court said the two the alliance have increased joint is a response to the worsening points to 35 percent, the lowest “in due course,” according to administration is a “stabilising” people convicted must also exercises with the North security situation and “isn’t pro- level since at least December Hultqvist. factor, Hultqvist said, describing jointly pay damages to the Atlantic Treaty Organisation vocative for anyone,” Hultqvist 2014, according to a poll con- “What we strive for are sta- President-Elect Joe Biden as “a victim of 140,000 kronor since Russian President said. He added Russia has ducted last month by Ipsos for bility and predictability,” friend of Sweden.” ($17,000) plus interest. Gorbachev expects Biden to extend last Cold War arms control treaty

REUTERS — MOSCOW treaty must be extended,” said Under Trump, Washington Gorbachev. “But I think that is formally pulled out of the Inter- Mikhail Gorbachev, the last just the first step. We need to mediate-Range Nuclear Forces Soviet leader, said he expects agree on further cuts. We need Treaty in 2019, accusing US President-elect Joe Biden to to discuss and adjust military Moscow of violating it, some- extend the last major nuclear doctrines.” thing Moscow denied. arms control treaty between Gorbachev, whose 1980s Washington also withdrew Moscow and Washington when arms control push and from the Open Skies Treaty in it expires next month, but that democracy-oriented reforms November last year, an arms the two countries have much helped end the Cold War, is still control and verification pact. more to do. listened to by some in the Gorbachev, who called for In an interview with Russia’s Kremlin because of his vast political will and dialogue, said RIA news agency published on experience managing relations he hoped the Biden adminis- Monday, Gorbachev, 89, said he with Washington. tration would endorse a com- was counting on Biden, whom Biden, who will succeed mitment the two sides had made he said he had met many times, Donald Trump as US president at a Soviet-era summit in 1985. to extend the New START treaty. on January 20, said he favours That declaration said The pact limits the number extending New START, which nuclear war was unacceptable, of strategic nuclear warheads, lapses on February 5, though it could have no winner, and that deployed missiles and heavy remains unclear how long any neither side would try to gain bombers the world’s two extension might be. military superiority. biggest nuclear powers can Russia has offered to roll “Russia recently proposed have and is widely regarded as New Start over by anything that the Americans confirm this Daily life in Moscow the cornerstone of global arms from one to five years without formula,” said Gorbachev. control. new conditions, something “Now a new administration will Pigeons fly past a child on a cold winter day in a park in Moscow, Russia , yesterday. “During the election cam- Washington has been keen to come and it would be good to paign, he (Biden) said that the attach. renew our proposal.” 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 Mass vaccination sites open in New York City REUTERS — NEW YORK The mass sites were nursing home residents and staff should have priority for the For Claudia Zain, a home open for part of the limited supply of vaccines. The healthcare aid in New York day on Sunday before agency softened that guidance on City, getting the first shot of the they start operating Friday, recommending that states coronavirus vaccine on Sunday move to those next on the list - felt like being “a little part of round the clock, people over age 75 and so called history” that left her excited and seven days a week, “essential” workers - to accelerate hopeful for the future as the lagging vaccination programs. United States struggles to yesterday as part of The United States is now contain the raging pandemic. New York City Mayor averaging 3,000 deaths and “There’s so many emotions 245,000 new cases a day, wrapped up in what’s hap- Bill de Blasio’s push to according to a tally of public pening right now and I’d like to set up 250 vaccination health data. Surging hospitali- be an inspiration for people locations to meet the zations and overflowing who are wondering, ‘Can I do intensive care units are this? Should I do this?’,” said ambitious goal of stretching healthcare systems Zain, 47 after getting the shot inoculating one million to the breaking point. at Brooklyn Army Terminal on North Carolina and Virginia a frigid Sunday afternoon. “You New Yorkers by the both set one-day records for Protest in Toronto should do it because this is the end of the month. new cases on Saturday. They way to move forward.” are among 22 states that have Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with protesters outside the The Brooklyn site is one of set records for daily infections Sienna St. George long term care home, during a rally to demand that Sienna Senior Living invest two mass vaccination locations of issues. They included strict this month, and health experts more on resident care and staff safety amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Toronto, Ontario, that opened in New York City rules controlling who should get warn new variants of the virus Canada, on Sunday. on Sunday. The second one is inoculated first, with some may lead to an even greater located at Bathgate Contract healthcare workers at the front surge in infections. Postal Station in the borough of of the line declining the shots, A highly transmissible variant the Bronx. and a lack of planning or of the novel coronavirus first Snow blankets parts of US South The mass sites were open for direction on the federal level. detected in the United Kingdom part of the day on Sunday before As of early Sunday, New in December has now been found AP — ALABAMA reported Sunday night. The classes or closed in Alabama, they start operating round the York City had administered in at least nine US states. snow contributed to slick roads and transportation officials clock, seven days a week on 203,181 doses of the vaccines Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former A winter storm has brought and power outages, but some reported wrecks in areas that Monday as part of New York City to its residents out of more than head of the US Food and Drug snow to parts of the US South, families took time to enjoy the received wintry precipitation Mayor Bill de Blasio’s push to set 524,000 doses that have been Administration who sits on the moving into Alabama and weather in areas like Austin and overnight. up 250 vaccination locations to delivered, data from the city’s board of Pfizer Inc which Tennessee yesterday after College Station. Snow could spread into meet the ambitious goal of inoc- health department showed. makes one of the US authorised blowing across Texas, Louisiana The system moved into northwest Georgia, forecasters ulating one million New Yorkers On Friday, New York Gov- vaccines, warned of the need and Mississippi the day before. Louisiana and Mississippi said. by the end of the month. ernor Andrew Cuomo, who pre- for a better system to detect and The blanket of white falling during the nighttime hours, Snowfall totals of about four Three other smaller sites viously said all healthcare combat new COVID-19 variants across the region forced some with Louisiana State Police inches were expected for areas also opened on Sunday in workers should be inoculated from the UK and South Africa. school and government office warning people in an online between Center, Texas, and Brooklyn, the Bronx and in before the state moved on to “We’re going to have to closures, and fostered some video to stay off the roads if Natchitoches, Louisiana, Queens. other categories, changed update our vaccines and our play time for adults and possible. KSLA-TV reported. In New York, like in much course, saying people aged 75 antibody drugs and other ther- children cooped up in the By yesterday morning, a State government offices in of the United States, efforts to and over could receive the shot apeutics regularly to keep up pandemic. light dusting covered grassy and 29 parishes will be closed yes- get the two vaccines that have starting yesterday. with these new variants as they As many as six inches of elevated surfaces across terday —including in Caddo so far been authorised into the The US Centers for Disease emerge,” Gottlieb said in an snow fell across parts of northern Alabama and southern Parish, where Shreveport is arms of Americans have moved Control and Prevention (CDC) has interview with CBS’ ‘Face the southern Texas, the National Tennessee. About two dozen located—according to The slower than hoped due to a slew said healthcare workers and Nation’ on Sunday. Weather Service in Houston public school systems delayed Advocate. Spokesman of Mexico President UN chief wants to stay on for second term tests positive REUTERS — NEW YORK purposes and fulfilling its letter from Bozkir that asked served the maximum two five- percent of the regular budget noble objectives.” his intentions. year terms. and around a quarter of the for coronavirus United Nations Secretary- “Since assuming office, I Guterres informally said on There is no specified peacekeeping budget. General Antonio Guterres told have had the privilege of Friday he planned to seek a timeline for the likely re- In November Guterres AP — MEXICO CITY the Security Council and the working towards the reform of second term during a conver- appointment of Guterres, dip- spoke with US President-elect president of the 193-member the United Nations to meet the sation with Bozkir and a sep- lomats said. Ban’s confirmation Joe Biden, who is due to take The spokesman for Mexican General Assembly yesterday aspirations of member states, arate lunch with the permanent, for a second term was done in office next week, and the pair President Andrés Manuel that he seeks a second five-year striving for the dignity and the veto-wielding Security Council June 2011. discussing the need for a López Obrador has tested term at the helm of the world well-being of people, while members — the United States, An unexpected priority for “strengthened partnership” to positive for coronavirus, he body, according to a letter. ensuring the sustainability of China, France, Britain and Guterres during his first term combat COVID-19 pandemic said on Sunday, the same day His first term finishes at the our planet for future genera- Russia, said diplomats and Boz- was placating US President and climate change, two areas the country reported its first end of this year. tions,” Guterres wrote. kir’s spokesman. Donald Trump, who came to where Trump shunned a mul- case of a potentially more In a letter to the Security He said he was ready to After a competitive months- office just weeks after Guterres tilateral approach. contagious COVID-19 variant Council and General submit a vision statement for long race in 2016, the General and who questioned the value Prior to becoming sec- that is spreading in the United Assembly President Volkan his second term to the General Assembly unanimously of the United Nations and retary-general, Guterres was Kingdom. Bozkir, Guterres said: “It Assembly and take part in an appointed Guterres — on the multilateralism. prime minister of Portugal from Spokesman Jesús Ramírez would be my honor to con- informal discussion with recommendation of the Security The United States is the 1995 to 2002 and then head of Cuevas wrote on his Twitter tinue to serve the Organi- member states. Guterres was Council — to succeed Secretary- world body’s largest financial the UN refugee agency from account, “I am in good health zation in pursuing its responding to a January 8 General Ban Ki-moon, who had contributor, responsible for 22 2005 to 2015. and I will be working from home.” There was no word on whether the president had been tested. US may return Cuba to list of Ramírez Cuevas is close to López Obrador, often handing state sponsors of terrorism him documents or going on trips with the president. REUTERS — WASHINGTON detente that former President López Obrador is 67 and Barack Obama orchestrated has high blood pressure, but The Trump administration between the old Cold War foes. almost never wears a mask. plans to return Cuba to the US Obama’s decision to formally On Sunday, López Obrador list of state sponsors of remove Cuba from the ter- toured the Pacific coast seaport terrorism, a person familiar rorism list in 2015 was an of Manzanillo and gave a speech, with the matter said yesterday, important step toward as usual without a mask on. a move that could complicate restoring diplomatic ties that Also on Sunday, health any efforts by the incoming year. authorities in the northern Biden administration to President Donald Trump, border state of Tamaulipas improve relations with Havana. a Republican, has clamped detected a case of the UK US Secretary of State Mike down on Cuba since coming to variant, known as B.1.1.7. Pompeo, who could announce power in 2017, tightening That strain has also been Cuba’s designation as soon as restrictions on US travel and found in the United States, yesterday, is expected to tie the remittances to Cuba and Canada, Italy, India and the decision to Cuba’s long-time imposing sanctions on ship- United Arab Emirates. harbouring of US fugitives as ments of Venezuelan oil to the Scientists in the UK have well as Colombian rebel island. said the variant may be more leaders, the source said. The administration also contagious than previously He may also cite Com- made it harder for Cubans to identified strains. Amazon climate research munist-ruled Cuba’s support visit family in Florida by The Tamaulipas state for Venezuelan socialist Pres- reducing its Havana embassy health department said the Brazilian forestry student Mateus Sanquetta separates material collected in the Amazon to check ident Nicolas Maduro, the to skeletal staffing and shutting case was detected in a how much climate-warming greenhouse gas a small plot of the rainforest can contain, at the Center source said. down the consular section in 56-year-old man who arrived of Excellence in Research on Carbon Fixation in Biomass at the Federal University of Parana in Returning Cuba to the list the wake of mysterious ill- on December 29 at an airport Curitiba, Brazil. is a further rollback of the nesses among its diplomats. in the border city of Mata- moros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, aboard a flight from Mexico City. Brazil biomedical center to issue more efficacy data on Sinovac vaccine Later, federal health authorities said the man was a REUTERS — SAO PAULO ongoing analysis had yielded a as CoronaVac. worst death toll outside the data to Brazilian health regu- UK citizen who travelled from new “general efficacy” rate in Indonesia gave the vaccine United States. lator Anvisa and was still ana- Amsterdam to Mexico City, and Brazilian researchers will addition to the “clinical emergency use approval on Piecemeal disclosure of lyzing the results in parallel. then caught a connecting flight announce more efficacy data efficacy” announced last week. Monday based on interim data results from global CoronaVac Covas said the institute to Matamoros, where he appar- today for the coronavirus On Thursday, Brazilian showing it is 65 percent effective. studies have contributed to con- would eventually provide its full ently had a work assignment. vaccine made by China’s researchers said the vaccine Both the Chinese vaccine cerns that vaccines developed data to a scientific conference The man was tested only Sinovac, officials said, after was shown to be 78 percent and a shot developed by Oxford by Chinese producers are not to be announced this week. because his company required medical experts and regulators effective against mild cases of University and British-Swedish subject to the same public Anvisa said on Saturday that it; Mexico does very little criticized what they called an COVID-19 and entirely pre- firm AstraZeneca Plc have scrutiny as US and European a filing from Butantan seeking testing of its own. incomplete disclosure last week. vented severe cases. But inde- requests for emergency use alternatives. In an interview emergency use authorization for The man was asympto- Dimas Covas, director of the pendent specialists called for authorization pending with reg- with news website UOL yes- CoronaVac lacked some relevant matic when tested, but has Butantan biomedical center, more transparency on the ulators in Brazil, which has lost terday, Covas said Butantan, information for analysis of the since been hospitalized and which is running a late-stage findings from the Phase III trial more than 200,000 lives to the which is funded by Sao Paulo study, such as the age, gender and placed on a ventilator. trial of the vaccine in Brazil, said of the Sinovac vaccine, known coronavirus pandemic — the state, had prioritized getting its comorbidities of volunteers. TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 Democrats introduce impeachment resolution BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON The four-page If the House impeaches resolution includes a Trump, some Democrats are House Democrats yesterday pressing Pelosi to delay sending introduced a resolution to single article accusing the resolution to the Senate to impeach President Donald Trump of high crimes prevent the trial from inter- Trump for a second time, setting rupting the beginning of Biden’s up a vote this week unless Vice and misdemeanor administration. That would give President Mike Pence uses his for “Incitement of the new president time to get constitutional authority to cabinet members confirmed remove the president. Insurrection,” and and focus on legislative A majority of members in says he “willfully priorities. the Democratic-controlled The Senate is in recess and House have signed on to the made statements that, any trial for Trump could not resolution led by Representa- in context, encouraged begin until January 20 at the tives David Cicilline, Jamie — and foreseeably earliest without the backing of Raskin and Ted Lieu charging all senators. And once a trial is Trump with inciting the insur- resulted in — lawless under way, the Senate couldn’t rection at the Capitol on January action at the Capitol”. take up other business. 6th. It seeks to both remove him “Let’s give president-elect from the presidency and Biden the 100 days he needs to prevent him from ever holding “find” enough votes to overturn get his agenda off and running. office again. Biden’s win there. And maybe we will send the Cicilline said yesterday it “In all this, President Trump articles some time after that,” has enough support for passage, gravely endangered the security Representative James Clyburn, including some Republicans. of the United States and its insti- a member of House Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer speaks to Capitol Hill reporters about an article of impeachment “I expect we will have tutions of Government,” the res- leadership, said on Sunday on against President Donald Trump charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the Republican support,” he said. olution says. CNN. “We should pass it and the Republicans blocked House Biden is treading carefully. attack on the Capitol last week, in Washington, DC, yesterday. Senate should take it up Majority Leader Steny Hoyer He said last week that immediately.” from fast-tracking a resolution impeachment is a matter for will be our action,” Pelosi said no unified position emerging on momentum for impeaching The four-page resolution urging Pence and Trump’s Congress to decide, but he also in a statement yesterday. a response to Trump’s actions Trump. McCarthy, who was includes a single article Cabinet to use the 25th said his inauguration would be Hoyer said that the issue at on January 6, but it’s clear most among the Republicans who accusing Trump of high crimes Amendment to oust Trump. the quickest way to get Trump hand “is we have a president will oppose impeachment. voted against accepting Elec- and misdemeanor for That sets up a roll call vote on out of office. His transition staff most of us believe participated House GOP leader Kevin toral College votes from two “Incitement of Insurrection,” the measure today. declined to comment on the in encouraging an insurrection McCarthy has set a conference states Biden won — even after and says he “willfully made House Speaker Nancy Pelosi latest moves by House and an attack on this building call with rank-and-file the riots — tweeted on Friday statements that, in context, said if Pence doesn’t respond to Democrats. and on democracy and trying members for yesterday that an impeachment “will only encouraged — and foreseeably the ultimatum in 24 hours, the With a groundswell of anger to subvert the counting of the afternoon. But a high-level divide our country more.” resulted in — lawless action at House will move toward a vote among Democrats over the presidential ballot.” Republican aide said most Separately, a small group of the Capitol” as Congress was on an impeachment resolution, storming of the Capitol on Pelosi and other members Republicans are waiting to see House Republicans who certifying the Electoral College which Hoyer said could happen January 6 by a mob encouraged of her leadership team plan a what precisely Democrats opposed GOP objections to results that affirmed Joe Biden tomorrow. Pence has privately by Trump, Pelosi said the House conference call Monday decide to do. Biden’s Electoral College victory won the presidency. It also cites dismissed the possibility that he needed to act speedily. afternoon to discuss the path There’s been an effort by asked the president-elect to Trumps call to Georgia’s sec- would convene the cabinet to “The President’s threat to ahead. Republicans to ask Biden to persuade Pelosi to back off from retary of state urging him to remove Trump. America is urgent, and so too Among Republicans there’s squelch the Democratic impeaching Trump. Melania ‘disappointed’ by Capitol riot, calls for healing Biden nominates William

AP — WILMINGTON proceedings certifying that destruction of America.” stop the violence, not judge Democrat Joe Biden will be the Their friendship ended bit- people by the color of their skin Burns to lead the CIA Melania Trump said yesterday next president come Jan. 20. terly after Wolkoff, who had or “use differing political ide- AP — WASHINGTON Burns was said to have that she is “disappointed and “I am disappointed and dis- worked on arranging festivities ologies as a basis for aggression been a candidate to be Biden’s disheartened” by the deadly riot heartened with what happened for Trump’s inauguration in and viciousness.” William Burns, a well-known secretary of state. Biden chose at the Capitol last week by last week,” she wrote in a White 2017, said the first lady failed to She made no comment figure in diplomatic circles Anthony Blinken instead. supporters of her husband. But House blog post released before defend her after questions arose about her husband or his role around the world, is President- Burns has received three in breaking her silence, she also sunrise. “I find it shameful that about inaugural spending, now in encouraging his supporters elect Joe Biden’s choice to lead Presidential Distinguished lashed out at people she said surrounding these tragic events the subject of federal and con- to go to the Capitol. the CIA, one that likely will be Service Awards and the highest have used the tragic event to there has been salacious gossip, gressional investigations. The president has spent the embraced by the rank-and-file civilian honors from the Pen- spread “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, In the post yesterday, the weeks after losing the at the nation’s premier spy tagon and the US intelligence unwarranted personal attacks and false misleading accusa- first lady said, “This time is November presidential contest agency. community. He has doctoral and false and misleading accu- tions on me - from people who solely about healing our country spreading baseless claims that A former ambassador to degrees in international relations sations about me.” are looking to be relevant and and its citizens. It should not be the balloting was tainted by Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, from Oxford University, where The statement marked the have an agenda.” used for personal gain.” massive fraud and that the had a 33-year career at the he studied as a Marshall Scholar. First Lady’s first public The First Lady did not say “Our Nation must heal in a election was stolen from him. State Department under both Burns, a graduate of La Salle comment in the five days since who she was referring to. Last civil manner,” she wrote. “Make Numerous state and federal Republican and Democratic University in Philadelphia with a violent mob of Trump sup- week, Stephanie Winston no mistake about it, I absolutely officials, including former US presidents. He rose through the advanced degrees from Oxford porters, angry over Trump’s Wolkoff, the first lady’s former condemn the violence that has Attorney General William Barr, ranks of the diplomatic corps University, joined the foreign election loss and stirred up by friend and one-time assistant occurred on our Nation’s said there was no evidence of to become deputy secretary of service in 1982 and before being the president himself, stormed at the White House, wrote an Capitol. Violence is never fraud on a scale massive state before retiring in 2014 to named ambassador to Russia in the Capitol on Wednesday and editorial accusing Mrs. Trump acceptable.” enough to have affected the run the Carnegie Endowment 2005, served as a top aide to temporarily disrupted of being “complicit in the She also urged people to outcome. of International Peace. former Secretaries of State Amid tumult in the State William Christopher and Department after President Madeleine Albright as well as Washington Donald Trump took office in director of the State Depart- 2017, Burns held his tongue ment’s policy planning office. Monument closed until last year when he began Burns was a close adviser and writing highly critical pieces of confidante to Christopher, for inauguration the Trump administration’s Albright, Colin Powell, Con- policies in Foreign Affairs and doleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton and security other publications. Burns has John Kerry before his retirement. been a staunch advocate of In his 2019 book The Back REUTERS — WASHINGTON rebuilding and restructuring Channel: A Memoir of American the foreign service, positions Diplomacy and the Case for Its The US National Park Service Biden has aligned himself with. Renewal, Burns called for a said yesterday it has closed the “Bill Burns is an exemplary revamp of American diplomacy, Washington Monument diplomat with decades of expe- while recalling his days in the through January 24 due to rience on the world stage field, including helping to continuing threats, from keeping our people and our spearhead the early stages of the groups involved in last week’s country safe and secure,” Biden Obama administration’s out- pro-Trump riot at the US said in a statement yesterday. reach to Iran in 2013. Capitol, to disrupt President- “He shares my profound belief Michael Morell, a career elect Joe Biden’s January 20 that intelligence must be apo- intelligence officer and former inauguration. litical and that the dedicated acting director of the CIA In a statement, the Park intelligence professionals whose name was floated to Service said the threats include serving our nation deserve our hold the top position under possible disruption to the gratitude and respect. Ambas- Biden, praised the pick, an indi- “set-up and execution of inau- sador Burns will bring the cation that Burns likely will be gural events, which occur in knowledge, judgment, and per- embraced by the spy agency’s several park areas” on the Seeking justice spective we need to prevent rank and file. “I’ve known Bill National Mall. and confront threats before Burns for decades.... His Kat Rodriguez, the mother of Keyon Harrold Jr, a 14-year-old Black minor, who was attacked and “In response, the National they can reach our shores. The command of the issues, his falsely accused of stealing Miya Ponsetto’s cellphone in the lobby of New York’s Arlo SoHo Hotel Park Service will suspend tours American people will sleep deep respect for intelligence, of the Washington Monument in 2020, speaks alongside civil rights leader Rev Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump, at a news soundly with him as our next and his care for people will beginning Jan. 11, 2021 through conference in Manhattan in New York City, New York, US, yesterday. CIA director.” ensure it,” Morell tweeted. January 24, 2021 and may institute temporary closures of public access to roadways, parking areas and restrooms US Supreme Court shuns election-related disputes within the National Mall and Memorial Parks if conditions REUTERS — WASHINGTON already was clear that the court Republican-governed state, request by Democrats seeking to relied upon mail-in ballots, with warrant, to protect public had no intention to intervene arguing that by treating voters allow broader mail-in voting. The Trump and other Republicans safety and park resources.” The US Supreme Court because it had not acted before differently by age, the Texas law New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit making unfounded claims about It was unclear whether the yesterday steered clear of more Congress last week certified violated the US Constitution’s Court of Appeals earlier that fraud with such voting. closures would prevent the cases involving bids by Pres- Biden’s victory in the November 26th Amendment guarantee of month blocked a ruling by US Dis- Biden’s victory over Trump National Park Service from ident Donald Trump and some 3 election. the right to vote for American trict Judge Fred Biery in favor of was propelled by voters who issuing new public gathering Republican allies to overturn his Trump has falsely claimed citizens age 18 and above. the Democrats and in September cast ballots by mail in crucial permits for First Amendment election loss and turned away he won the election. A mob of But the Supreme Court left threw out Biery’s decision. battleground states. Trump won demonstrations on the a Democratic effort to expand his supporters attacked the US in place a lower court ruling Democrats have accused in Texas. National Mall between now mail-in voting in Texas. Capitol last Wednesday, inter- that sided with Texas in the Republicans in various states of The Supreme Court has kept and January 24. A spokesman The justices, as expected, rupting congressional certifi- lawsuit. The Democrats had pursuing policies intended to its distance from Trump’s post- for the Park Service could not declined to expedite consider- cation of Biden’s victory. gone to court to try to enable all make it more difficult to vote. Election Day efforts to stay in immediately be reached for ation of eight Trump-related Texas state law makes eligible voters in Texas to vote There was a nationwide office. Last month it rejected a comment. cases including three filed by mail-in ballots available only by mail during last year’s surge in voting by mail in the long-shot lawsuit filed by the The permit for the January his campaign challenging the for people age 65 and older or election cycle, including the 2020 election as voters con- Republican attorney general of 6 rally in support of President election results in Wisconsin for voters who meet specific presidential election, in light of cerned about COVID-19 sought Texas and backed by Trump Donald Trump that led to vio- and Pennsylvania, two of the disability guidelines. The state the COVID-19 pandemic. to avoid crowds at polling places. seeking to undo Biden’s victory lence at the Capitol was issued states he lost to Democratic Democratic Party and some In June, the high court The election results showed that by throwing out voting results to “Women for America First”. President-elect Joe Biden. It voters sued the rebuffed an earlier emergency Democratic voters in particular in four states. TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 16

Conductor 50 countries commit to protect Simon Rattle to leave PRAYER 30% of land, sea over decade London post TIMINGS PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING AP — PARIS AP — LONDON A coalition of at least 50 coun- FAJR 05.00 am tries have committed to protect Simon Rattle is set to leave his SUNRISE 06.21 am 30% of the planet, including job as musical director at the land and sea, over the decade London Symphony Orchestra DHUHR 11.42 am in efforts to halt species to lead the Munich-based ASR 02.42 pm extinction and address climate Bavarian Radio Symphony MAGHRIB 05.05 pm change issues, during a global Orchestra, the two organisations ISHA 06.35 pm summit aimed at protecting the said yesterday. world’s biodiversity. Rattle, one of the world’s About 30 leaders, gov- most acclaimed conductors, will ernment officials and heads of become the German orchestra’s international organisations chief conductor in 2023. He will were participating in the One retain a role with the British Planet Summit yesterday, orchestra as conductor which was being held by vide- emeritus, the LSO said. oconference because of the The German company said coronavirus pandemic. Rattle, 65, has signed an initial WEATHER French President five-year contract to lead the TODAY Emmanuel Macron notably orchestra and the Bavarian announced that the High Radio Chorus. Ambition Coalition for Nature Rattle said he was “thrilled” and People, which was to accept the post and honored launched in 2019 by Costa Rica, to succeed conductor Mariss France and Britain to set a Jansons, who died in 2019. President Emmanuel Macron of France speaks during the “One Planet Summit” on biodiversity which target of protecting at least 30% The UK-born Rattle took up is part of the World Nature Day at The Elysee Palace in Paris, yesterday. o o of the planet by 2030, has now the job in London in 2017 after 17 C 24 C been joined by 50 countries. 15 years as head of the Berlin Minimum Maximum A 2019 UN report on biodi- “With smart policies and the postponed last year due to the Philharmonic. He said when the Moderate temperature daytime versity showed that human right investments, we can chart pandemic. The UN’s global appointment was announced in with scattered clouds at times, activities are putting nature in a path that brings health to all, President Emmanuel climate summit, the COP26, has 2015 that it would be his last relatively cold by night. more trouble now than at any revives economies and builds also been rescheduled for major job in music. other time in human history, resilience and rescues Macron of France notably November. News of his departure was W ALRUWAIS : 18o → 21o with extinction looming over 1 biodiversity.” announced that the High A side conference on lamented by many in the British W ALKHOR : 13o → 23o million species of plants and Guterres also stressed that Ambition Coalition for Monday focused on investment arts community, who worry the W DUKHAN : 17o → 20o animals. according to the World Eco- Nature and People, which for Africa’s Great Green Wall country will lose cultural clout W WAKRAH : 09o → 24o “We know even more clearly nomic Forum, emerging was launched in 2019 by project, which involves gigantic because of its departure from amid the crisis we are going business opportunities across efforts to stop the Sahara Desert the European Union. W MESAIEED : 09o → 24o through that all our vulnerabil- nature could create 191 million Costa Rica, France and from spreading further south. Rattle said his reasons for W ABUSAMRA : 13o → 20o ities are interrelated,” Macron jobs by 2030. Britain to set a target of Participants welcomed the taking the job in Munich were said. Amid other leaders attending protecting at least 30% creation of a so-called accel- “entirely personal, enabling me HIGH TIDE “We can change the story if were German Chancellor Angela of the planet by 2030, erator, which is expected to to better manage the balance of 04:19 – 14:57 we decide it,” he added. Merkel, British Prime Minister has now been joined by release a $14.3 billion package my work and be close enough The one-day summit focus Boris Johnson and Canadian over the five coming years to to home to be present for my LOW TIDE 11:52 – 22:23 on four major topics: protecting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 50 countries. finance the program. Launched children in a meaningful way.” terrestrial and marine eco- China, represented by Vice in 2007, it consists in planting Although Rattle’s exit is not systems; promoting agr- Premier Han Zheng, agreed that an arc of trees running 7,000km directly linked to Brexit, but the oecology, a more sustainable “collective efforts” are needed. across Africa — from Senegal lack of a world-class concert way to grow food; increasing The event, organised by along the Atlantic all the way to hall in London may be a factor. TCL to roll out funding to protect biodiversity; France, the United Nations and include the leaders of Russia, Djibouti on the Gulf of Aden. Rattle took up the London job and identifying links between the World Bank, is taking place India and Brazil. Amid other initiatives, Brit- in expectation that a new home Google TVs deforestation and the health of in the absence of top officials Monday’s talks seek to ain’s Prince Charles launched would be built for the orchestra, humans and animals. from the United States, as Pres- prepare negotiations to set bio- an “urgent appeal” to private which is currently based at the IANS — NEW DELHI “Pandemic recovery is our ident-elect Joe Biden, a strong diversity targets for the next sector leaders to join a new Barbican centre, a multipurpose chance to change course,” UN proponent of climate issues, decade at a UN conference on investment alliance targeting arts venue. TCL Electronics yesterday Secretary General Antonio does not take office until January biodiversity to be held in China $10 billion by 2022 to finance Plans for a new concert hall unveiled a new line-up of Mini Guterres said. 20. Other notable absences in October, after it was nature-based solutions. in London have stalled. LED, QLED and 4K HDR TVs. The company also announced it would roll out a series of TCL Google TVs in This month’s Paris Fashion Week goes totally digital 2021, starting in the US. TCL Google TVs will AP — PARIS allowed to invite guests this Paris is technically not in a despite the best efforts of the won’t include guests. They were combine the industry-leading season, after instruction by lockdown, stringent restrictions Italian fashion council to among four brands planning live display technologies, such as Ending the confusion over the police. limiting movements are in place maintain a minimum level of live shows this round. Mini-LED, 8K and QLED, with fate of Paris Fashion Week, In a statement, the federation nationwide, including a 6pm or shows, top brands have also Representatives for K-way, Google’s entertainment French fashion’s regulatory body said yesterday that “we confirm 8pm curfew. Repeated failure to opted to show their collections the maker of high-end outdoor offerings. has said that this month’s Paris that there can be no public gath- obey rules can lead to a six- with no guests, journalists or clothing that is scheduled to “The introduction of TCL men’s and haute couture shows erings” at Paris Fashion Week, month prison sentence. photographers present. show, didn’t respond to requests Google TVs will take our part- will be strictly audience-free over adding that “houses can still France’s second lockdown The Lombardy region, where for comment. nership with Google to the next coronavirus fears. organise ‘real’ runway shows ended December 15, but restau- Milan is located, appears headed The Milan Fashion Week cal- level,” said Kevin Wang, CEO of The Fédération de la Haute with models broadcast live, pro- rants, bars, cinemas, theatres and to another partial lockdown. endar from January 15-19 is much TCL Industrial Holdings and TCL Couture et de la Mode has told vided that their events take place museums remain shuttered. In Fendi, Dolce&Gabbana and scaled back from usual, with just Electronics. luxury houses they won’t be behind closed doors.” Although respect to Milan Fashion Week, Etro all have said their shows 40 brands participating. COVID-19: Trial finds blood plasma not effective in severely ill patients REUTERS — LONDON will explore this,” said Manu does not seem to improve Shankar-Hari, a clinician and outcome in severely ill An international trial testing professor of critical care med- COVID-19 patients admitted to convalescent blood plasma in icine at Britain’s Guy’s and St the ICU is not yet known. cases of moderate and severe Thomas’ hospital, who is co- However, it may be because the COVID-19 has halted enrolment leading the trial. lung damage is too advanced for of severely ill patients requiring He added that the initial convalescent plasma to make a intensive care after finding the analysis did not assess plasma’s difference,” said Alexis Turgeon, plasma was of no benefit, trial effects in hospitalised patients a critical care doctor and pro- investigators said yesterday. with less severe disease. This fessor at Université Laval in The decision by the REMAP- “remains a very important Canada, who is also working on CAP trial leaders came after an question” and would continue the trial. initial analysis of more than 900 to be explored in the ongoing But scientists and doctors severely ill trial participants in trial, he said. called for convalescent plasma intensive care showed that The underlying hypothesis trials to continue and for treatment with the product — for using convalescent plasma recovered COVID-19 patients to an antibody-rich plasma taken as a potential treatment for continue to donate their blood from people who have COVID-19 patients is that the in the hope it might help others. Fight against virus recovered from the pandemic antibodies it contains could neu- “Antibodies work by disease — did not improve tralise the virus, stopping it from stopping the virus, not by outcomes. replicating and halting tissue treating the symptoms,” said A public health information sign is seen in a park amid the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic, “There was no evidence of damage. Gail Miflin, a medical expert in in London, Britain, yesterday. harm associated with the Smaller studies of conva- the blood and transplant unit of administration of convalescent lescent plasma in COVID-19 the UK National Health Service. plasma” (and) the trial is con- patients in India and in “The emerging evidence WhatsApp advises users as Google removes group chat links tinuing to recruit hospitalised Argentina have also found no from international studies is that COVID-19 patients who are apparent benefit for those crit- use before intensive care may IANS — NEW DELHI links to private WhatsApp group WhatsApp group chat invites on moderately ill but not in ically or severely ill with the prove to be more effective.” chats, meaning anyone can join Google. “Since March 2020, intensive care, scientists leading disease. The analysis leading to REMAP-CAP is an interna- Concerned at private group chat various private chat groups with WhatsApp has included the the trial said in a statement. the REMAP-CAP pause in tional clinical trial exploring a links being available on Google a simple search. The indexed “noindex” tag on all deep link “It is biologically plausible enrolment of critically ill range of potential treatments for Search, WhatsApp yesterday said WhatsApp group chat links have pages which, according to Google, that patients who are not pro- patients showed there was a COVID-19. It has already that they have asked Google not now been removed from Google. will exclude them from indexing. ducing antibodies at the time of very low probability - 2.2% - that recruited 4,100 COVID-19 to index such chats and advised Independent cybersecurity We have given our feedback to convalescent plasma therapy it reduced death rates or patients for convalescent plasma users not to share group chat links researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia Google to not index these chats,” and those patients with excess decreased the number of days trials at more than 290 clinical on publicly accessible websites. on Sunday shared screenshots a WhatsApp spokesperson told virus may benefit more than patients needed intensive care. sites across Europe, the Americas, Google had indexed invite with IANS showing indexing of IANS. others. Our additional analyses “Why convalescent plasma Asia, Africa and Australasia.