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THURSDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11779 December 31, 2020 Jumada I 16, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Cabinet okays customs Amir receives written message from Kuwaiti leader departments in Ras Bufontas, Umm Al Houl The Cabinet yesterday approved the Katara Hospitality draft decision of HE the Minister of Finance to establish two customs departments in Ras Bufontas and Umm Al Houl areas. According to the plans to establish project, a customs department will be established for each of the following two areas: 1- The First Economic Zone (Ras Bufontas ), 2 - The Third 60 hotels by 2030 Economic Zone (Umm Al Houl). HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa QNA This was revealed by Katara Hospi- bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Doha tality Chairman HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Cabinet’s regular meeting held at its Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani yesterday seat at the Amiri Diwan. Page 2 while speaking on the occasion of the atara Hospitality plans to estab- 50th anniversary Katara Hospitality. Qatar condemns blast lish about 60 hotels in Qatar by Established in 1970, Katara Hospitality His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh at Aden airport K2030. was formerly known as Qatar National Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, pertaining to the solid fraternal ties between the two countries and the prospects for Hotels. enhancing and developing them, in addition to a number of issues of mutual interest. The message was handed over by Qatar has strongly condemned the Desert Falls theme Sheikh Nawaf said that Katara Hos- Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmed Nasser al-Mohamed al-Sabah, during his meeting with His Highness the Amir explosion at Yemen’s Aden airport, park opens partially pitality now has 42 hotels and more at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday. At the outset of the meeting, the Kuwaiti foreign minister conveyed the greetings which killed scores of people and than 25,000 rooms, up from about of the Kuwaiti Amir to His Highness the Amir, wishing him good health and happiness and the Qatari people further injured several others. In a statement Katara Hospitality yesterday partially 4,000 in the year 2000, terming it as a progress and prosperity. For his part, the Amir entrusted the Kuwaiti minister to convey his greetings to Sheikh Nawaf, yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign opened the Desert Falls Water & Ad- huge progressive rate in the company’s wishing him good health and the Kuwaiti people further progress and prosperity. Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm position venture Park located within Salwa development, and stressing that it will on rejecting violence and terrorism Beach Resort and Villas, which is continue expanding. regardless of motives and reasons. one of the largest theme parks in the He said ever since its establish- Amir gets Saudi king’s invitation to The statement aff irmed Qatar’s firm Middle East. ment, the company has adopted a stance calling for resolving the crisis in The facilities of Desert Falls Water & pioneering approach to develop the attend GCC Summit in Riyadh Yemen through negotiations between Adventure Park provide a mixture of hospitality scene in the country, Yemenis, to fulfil the aspirations of the entertainment and adventure spirit, noting that it was renamed in 2012 His Highness the Amir Sheikh brotherly Yemeni people for security, and a unique experience for all family as “Katara Hospitality” to reflect its Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received stability and prosperity. It expressed members. The park also includes 18 heritage and international expansion a written message from the Qatar’s condolences to the families of entertainment destinations, 56 rides plans, with the aim of developing a Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the victims. Page 5 and slopes, including the famous group of unique properties that cel- King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud “Cobra King” game. ebrate hospitality icons around the of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Britain and EU sign Designed to the highest international world. Arabia, inviting him to attend the post-Brexit trade deal standards, the resort encourages fam- Sheikh Nawaf reviewed the com- 41st session of the GCC Supreme ilies to return for a weekend break, or pany development since its inception, Council, to be held in Riyadh on Britain and the EU signed a post-Brexit to stay longer at Salwa Beach Resort. when it had only one hotel. Later it January 5. The message was trade deal yesterday, setting their seal Salwa Beach Resort and Villas is developed in terms of the number of handed over by GCC Secretary- on a drawn-out divorce just hours located 84km from Doha, owned by diff erent hotels within Qatar, and to General Dr Nayef bin Falah al-Hajraf before the UK brings its half-century Katara Hospitality and managed by quickly assume a major role with many during a meeting with the Amir at European experiment to an end. Hilton Hotels and Resorts. Page 2 distinctive hotels under its manage- the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday. Business Page 3 ment or assets. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 31, 2020 QATAR

Deputy PM meets Iranian minister Deputy PM meets GCC secretary-general

Katara Hospitality Chairman HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani. Katara Hospitality plans to establish 60 hotels by 2030 From Page 1

He expressed pride at the fact that Katara Hospitality is No 1 in terms of rooms in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, and No 25 in the world, as well as No 1 in terms of revenue in the Middle East and North Africa, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- and No 14 in the world. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani met yesterday with GCC Secretary-General Dr Nayef Falah al-Hajraf, who is currently visiting “We have a close team which is Thani met yesterday with Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting dealt with exchanging views on the work of the Co-operation Council for very important in our success. We the country. The meeting dealt with reviewing bilateral co-operation and issues of joint interest. the Arab States of the Gulf, developments of the GCC crisis, in addition to issues of joint interest. now have very good Qatari candi- dates who can indeed be leaders in the future,” he said, noting that the capitalist side is not the most important today, stressing in this context that investment cannot be made without experience, in addition to the appropriate tim- ing of investment and its great importance for any investor. He noted that one of the most Cabinet approves customs important elements in Qatar Na- tional Vision 2030 is the tourism aspect, which the state focuses on, adding that Katara Hospital- ity adopts a strategy on how to improve this industry. It is noteworthy that the com- departments in new areas pany has witnessed a series of fi rst steps, over the years, since QNA „ Customs departments will be established in the Committee studies draft law on companies its inception to manage the Gulf Doha Hotel — the Gulf Marriott Hotel economic zones of Ras Bufontas and Umm Al Houl The Financial and Economic Aff airs Committee of the Shura Council in Doha now — which is the fi rst „ Cabinet aff irms progress of the first phase of the held a meeting yesterday, presided over by its Rapporteur HE Ali fi ve-star hotel in the country, and he Cabinet yesterday ap- bin Abdullatif al-Misnad al-Muhannadi. During the meeting, the with the opening of the Sheraton proved the draft decision vaccination campaign against Covid-19 committee studied a draft law amending some provisions of the Doha Resort and the Convention Tof the Minister of Finance „ Cabinet approves draft agreement between Qatar and Commercial Companies Law issued by Law No 11 of 2015, and Hotel in 1982, the company in- to establish two customs de- decided to complete its study during its next meeting. troduced the fi rst Qatari hotel to partments in Ras Bufontas and Peru regarding the exemption from short-stay visas carry an international brand. Umm Al Houl areas. According Katara Hospitality portfolio to the project, a customs depart- regular meeting held at its seat explanation provided by HE the vaccination campaign against (Unicef) and a draft agreement of the Ministers of Justice in the includes a unique group of glit- ment will be established for each at the Amiri Diwan. Following Minister of Public Health on Covid-19, which is being car- between Qatar and Peru regard- countries of the Co-operation tering edifi ces in distinctive and of the following two areas: the meeting, HE the Minister of the latest developments to limit ried out successfully, accord- ing the exemption from short- Council for the Arab States of prestigious locations in Qatar and 1- The First Economic Zone Justice and Acting Minister of the spread of Covid-19, and af- ing to the set plan, as part of the stay visas. The Cabinet reviewed the Gulf. abroad. It plays an important role (Ras Bufontas ), 2 - The Third State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa fi rmed the continuation of work state’s continuous eff orts to ad- the following topics and took the 2- The report of HE the Min- in developing the strategic devel- Economic Zone (Umm Al Houl). Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi issued with regard to the precautionary dress this pandemic and return appropriate decisions: 1- The ister of Justice and Acting Min- opment witnessed by Qatar, and HE the Prime Minister and a statement about the proceed- measures that have been taken in to normal life. report of HE the Minister of Jus- ister of State for Cabinet Aff airs as the leading institution for the Minister of Interior Sheikh Kha- ings. order to combat the pandemic. The Cabinet approved a draft tice and Acting Minister of State regarding the results of the (36) hospitality sector in the country, lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz At the beginning of the meet- The Cabinet reassured the MoU between Qatar and the for Cabinet Aff airs regarding session of the Council of Arab it invests in the best international al-Thani chaired the Cabinet’s ing, the Cabinet listened to the progress of the fi rst phase of the United Nations Children’s Fund the results of the (30) meeting Justice Ministers. hotels.

Qatar Charity provides medical aid to fire-affected Syrians in Lebanon Theme park opens for special preview esert Falls Water & Ad- venture Park, one of Dthe largest theme parks in the Middle East and located in Salwa Beach Resort, opened for a special preview yester- day. Owned by Katara Hospi- tality and managed by Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Salwa Beach Resort is on Salwa Road, Exit 84. Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park fea- tures 18 attractions and 56 rides and slides, including the signature ride “The King Cobra”. The rides and attractions include the Kids Ship Pool, the Whizzard Mat Racer, inner tube slides, Dahab Mountain, Surfi ng Dunes, Family Abyss, Falls Pool and the Wave Pool. An in-house laser tag adven- ture will also be available at extra charge. A very special preview ticket price of QR150 and QR The relief team of Qatar Charity (QC) has embarked on delivering urgent support to Syrian refugee families aff ected by the large fire that 100 for visitors under 1.2m in had broken out in the refugee camp in the Miniyeh region of north Lebanon. QC, in co-operation with the Islamic Medical Association, height will be exclusively sold operated a mobile medical clinic equipped with an ambulance and a specialised medical team in the aff ected refugee camp. The urgent for a limited time from a kiosk intervention also included medical examinations and the necessary medicines. As many refugees were aff ected by this humanitarian in Doha’s “Hotel Park”, next to catastrophe, QC is working to provide urgent aid to the vulnerable to alleviate their suff ering. This is one of the dozens of the refugee the corniche. Tickets can be camps across the country where the fire tore through the tented shelters of some 75 families, leaving only a charred wasteland. Lebanon purchased between 1pm and hosts some 1.5mn Syrian refugees, most of whom live in diff icult humanitarian conditions. The coronavirus, and then the catastrophic 8pm on weekdays and 10am explosion multiplied the suff ering of these homeless people. and 8pm on weekends. Desert Falls will be open daily from 10am-6pm. Gulf Times Thursday, December 31, 2020 3 QATAR Vodafone launches Insteon Smart Home Starter Kits

odafone Qatar yesterday homeowners to wirelessly con- The Insteon Security Starter control and monitoring system tures that make life easier. announced the launch trol their home lighting, turn- Kit lets users secure their homes that provides customers with “This smart technology Vof its new Insteon Smart ing it on and off and adjusting remotely via their smartphone everything they need all in one helps users create any desired Home Starter Kit range, which brightness levels from any lo- using the Insteon Door/Win- package to get smart lighting atmosphere in their homes, includes lighting control, secu- cation via their phone, besides dow Sensor, a wireless mag- and security features at home while conveniently controlling rity, and connectivity packages. controlling lamps, coff ee ma- netic contact sensor that turns aff ordably, as well as faster aspects like energy effi ciency, Each Kit comes as a pre- chines, and anything else that any Insteon-controlled light communication. home security, and other fea- packaged bundle with the In- plugs in. into a door or window sens- Vodafone Qatar COO Diego tures.” steon Hub as its centrepiece, Users are also able to create ing device. When paired with Camberos said: “The launch of Starting at a retail price of according to a statement. The schedules and scenes for home the Insteon Hub, the sensor our new Insteon range of smart QR1,389, all three smart home hub controls the home network, and away and confi gure the In- turns into a motion detector home kits shows how our dig- starter kits are now available to giving users complete remote steon Motion Sensor or Door that sends instant phone alerts ital technology innovation con- customers for purchase from control over a huge family of Sensor to control lighting and when triggered, enabling resi- tinues to transform life for the Vodafone retail stores in Villag- connected devices via smart- motion-detecting alarm sys- dents to safeguard their homes better for consumers in Qatar, gio, City Center, Landmark, and phone or tablet. tems remotely. Plus, it acts as a at a distance. by allowing them to easily and Doha Festival City malls with The Insteon Lighting Control range extender for fast and reli- Also launched is the Insteon aff ordably upgrade to smart free installation by a Vodafone Starter Kit allows residents and able communication. Connected Starter Kit, a remote homes and enjoy the digital fea- smart home expert. Ashghal joins hands with students HBKU team to plant trees at Arab League Street

n continuation of ‘Qatar Beautifi cation and our Kids IPlanting Trees’ campaign, wins top place trees were planted at Arab League Street yesterday. According to a tweet by the Public Works Authority (Ash- ghal), the event was organised by the Supervisory Committee Jana Ahmed Ram Kalash Meshaal al-Nuaimi in AI contest of Beautifi cation of Roads and Public Places in Qatar at Ash- Everyone should be interested he College of Science and Engineering (CSE) ghal in co-ordination with the in aff orestation as it is an im- at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Ministry of Municipality and portant part of our life,” he said. Trecently highlighted the signifi cant positive Environment (MME). Students Student Jana Ahmed said this impact of their work in the fi eld of artifi cial intel- of Noor Al Khaleej Internation- is an opportunity to do some- ligence (AI) when a team led by Dr Mowafa Househ, al School and Newton Interna- thing helpful and be a good associate professor at CSE, won fi rst place in the tional Academy participated. member of society. “Waking Middle East and Africa at the AI for Development While attending the event, up early and going out to plant (AI4Dev) Challenge for the Emotion Sensing Rec- Meshaal al-Nuaimi, Central trees make the world a better ognition (ESRA) Application. Municipal Council member - place and create an healthier Dr Househ’s team from CSE included Dr Alaa Constituency 18, thanked the environment,” she said. Abd-alrazaq, post-doc; Dr Zubair Shah, assistant supervisory committee for the The Supervisory Committee professor; Dr Younns Ait Mou, software engineer great initiative to aff orest all re- of Beautifi cation of Roads and and research fellow; and Shaymaa Khalifa, software gions of Qatar. Children participate in planting a tree. Public Places in Qatar is imple- engineer. The CSE team began developing ESRA to “We witnessed a signifi cant menting Qatar Beautifi cation help address the potential negative impact of the positive change in develop- during the last year,” al-Nuaimi the event. “This is the fi rst time and Our Kids Planting Trees Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of fami- ment of areas in recent years, said. Student Ram Kalash said that I learnt about the eff orts of campaign, which will continue lies, especially children. especially in Constituency 18 he was glad to participate in engineers and project workers. until 2021-end. ESRA provides feedback on a child’s emotional state and well-being to parents, teachers and men- tal health practitioners based on an analysis of their drawings. The app saves the well-being responses to enable the emotional status of the child to be MME partners with Mali embassy in 1mn tree initiative tracked over time. ESRA can be used as a tool to HBKU team wins first place at ITU AI4Dev The Ministry of monitor a number of mental health conditions Challenge. Municipality and while also encouraging family bonding. Environment’s The AI4Dev Challenge was launched by the In- ner of the challenge based on six core criteria, (MME) Public ternational Telecommunications Union (ITU) to which included problem relevance, solution ur- Gardens identify innovative and impactful Artifi cial Intel- gency, solution scalability, team requirements, use Department in ligence solutions that would help achieve four Sus- of AI, and data acquisition. co-operation tainable Development Goals in Arab and African Dr Househ said: “Our participation in the with the embassy states. AI4Dev Challenge highlighted our aim at CSE to of Mali in Doha The competition was co-ordinated by the Nile serve societal needs and the recognition of our planted a number Pioneers initiative and held in partnership with ESRA app is very encouraging. In particular, the of saplings as part the United Nations Development Programme, the tool recognises the impact on children and ado- of the one-million World Health Organisation, United Nations Edu- lescents in times when access to traditional men- tree initiative. cational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation, Nile tal health consultation is missing. Not only does The ambassador University, Egypt, and other local and international this award encourage us as researchers to see our of Mali Sheikh organisations. work having an impact on driving sustainable Ahmed Tijani The challenge attracted over 200 entrants, with development across the region, but it also high- Gakiti and Nasser participants from 17 countries and 25 diff erent lights the real-world application of AI.” Darwish from nationalities. Along with cash prizes for the top Dr Mounir Hamdi, founding dean at CSE, said: Doha Municipality four teams, the winners will receive mentorship, “This prestigious win for the ESRA tool is a tre- Gardens Section training, and guidance on developing prototypes, mendous and noteworthy achievement by the were present. in keeping with the initiative’s aim to build the team at the global level. It is a testament to the capacity of new innovators in emerging technolo- significance of CSE’s research and world stand- gies and support their entry into the market, while ing in providing novel solutions to the UN SDGs encouraging new partnerships, collaboration, and and the exceptional opportunities we provide for co-operation. impactful research that advances development The competition’s jury selected ESRA as a win- needs.” India-Qatar air bubble extended until January 31 WCM-Q conference highlights key The air bubble arrangement between India and Qatar has been extended until January 31, 2021, the Indian embassy tweeted yesterday. Relaxation is also allowed for Indians stranded in South America and Africa to use the air bubble arrangement between India and Qatar. This facility is also available to citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. role of communication in healthcare

he impact of eff ective Medical Corporation, and Dr Alijarah Holding to cease communication strate- Tripiti Sinha of Sidra Medicine. Tgies on healthcare out- Workshop 2 provided discus- taxi operations from today comes was explored by del- sion and training in cultural egates from across the Mena competency in healthcare con- The navy blue-roof Karwa taxis will be off the road from today as Alijarah region, Europe and the US at texts and was delivered by Maha Holding has decided to cease the taxi operations. a virtual conference hosted by Elnashar, director of the Cen- “This is due to many reasons, including the losses in the past years, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar tre for Cultural Competence in and the latest consequences of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), (WCM-Q). Healthcare, and Huda Abdelra- which led to an increased loss on the company and the depletion of its The Healthcare Communica- him, senior Specialist in cultur- shareholders’ rights,” Alijarah Holding said in its regulatory filing with the tions in the Middle East con- al competence and medical in- Qatar Stock Exchange. For those reasons, and to preserve the rights of ference brought together lead- terpretation, both of WCM-Q. shareholders, and in order to avoid additional losses that the company ing regional and international Strategies for teaching and may incur in the coming years, the board of directors has “decided to experts to share best practices, learning communication skills cease the taxi operation”, eff ective December 31, 2020. examine recent research, and in Arabic-speaking countries discuss communication policies were explained in the third and standards in the healthcare Dr Alan Weber and Dr Stella Major led the conference. workshop, which was presented Qatari Youth Forum from February 15 systems of diff erent countries. by Dr Katherine Miles and Dr The two-day event fea- of English and Dr Stella Major, important area of study in the takeaway messages which the Aiman al-Sharei, both of the The Ministry of Culture and Sports will organise the fourth edition of the tured presentations, discus- associate professor of Fam- Mena region, driven by the ex- patient panel and the student Hashemite University in Jor- Qatari Youth Forum during February 15- 17, 2021, on the topic ‘The Coun- sion sessions and four practi- ily Medicine in Clinical Medi- traordinary pace of modernisa- panel presentations off ered. dan, with Dr Abdul-Salam S try rise higher with its youth’. cal workshops on a wide range cine and director of the Clini- tion of healthcare systems here The students drew upon their Sultan of the National Training The event will focus on all young residents and serve as a good platform of issues, including the role of cal Skills and Simulation Lab. and the highly diverse, multi- observations and remarked that and Human Development Cen- to show their skills and talk about their experiences. Accordingly, the cultural competence training, Around 600 participants joined cultural populations of the re- health literacy gaps pose a big- tre in the Ministry of Health in ministry has called for participation on its Tamkeen Platform through its current healthcare commu- the conference, which also fea- gion.” ger challenge than language Iraq, who also gave the keynote social media accounts and website. nications teaching strategies tured patient and student panel The International Asso- barriers between patients and speech at the event. in Arabic-speaking countries, discussions about the role of ciation for Communication health care providers, affi rm- The fourth and fi nal work- best practices for breaking bad communication in healthcare. in Healthcare (EACH) and its ing the importance of investing shop was delivered by Dr Marta 1998-2000 Honda models recalled news to patients and relatives, Dr Major, who was recently US-affi liated organisation, the mindfully in promoting health Fadda of the Universita della the impact of social media on elected Qatar Deputy National Academy of Communication literacy for all. Svizzera italiana in Lugano, The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-operation with Do- healthcare communications, Representative for the Inter- in Healthcare, are the two larg- The fi rst of the four work- Switzerland and Past Presi- masco (Doha Marketing Services), announced the recall of 729 vehicles and health literacy in the Mena national Association for Com- est healthcare communications shops focused on breaking bad dent of EACH, discussed ways comprising Honda Odyssey, Accord, CR-V, Legend, Civic, and City models region. munication in Healthcare, said: professional organisations in news and was delivered by Dr to conceptualise, measure and of 1998-2000, as the driver’s airbag inflator may not function properly The course was co-directed “Healthcare communication world. Dr Major also said that Ambika Anand and Dr Sheyma promote health literacy in the due to excessive or insuff icient pressure during deployment. by Dr Alan Weber, professor has emerged as an extremely she strongly values the key al-Romaihi, both of Hamad Mena region. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 31, 2020 QATAR MoPH offi cial urges QR1,000 minimum fi ne on those vaccinated to violators of vehicle capacity hose who violate the re- Arrayah, the offi cial told radio Administration, in co-operation striction on the number programme “The Police Are with with the Public Relations De- Tof passengers in a vehicle You”, that after issuing a viola- partment at the Ministry of In- (four people including driver, tion, the violators are arrested, terior, on ‘Crime Prevention and continue precautions but excluding families) will then referred to the Public Pros- Societal Responsibility’, aimed have to pay a minimum fi ne of ecution, which imposes a fi ne on at educating workers and resi- QR1,000, Lt Col Saqr Khamis al- them. dents, about precautionary and By Joseph Varghese MoPH tweets Amir’s Instagram post Kubaisi, assistant director of the He pointed out that more preventive measures against Staff Reporter Capital Security Administration, than 500 people participated in Covid-19. The Ministry of Public Health yesterday tweeted the Instagram has said. a virtual awareness seminar, or- The participants included post of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on According to local Arabic daily ganised by the Capital Security company owners and managers, hose who have got the fi rst getting vaccinated. The tweet quotes His Highness the Amir: “Today and offi cials of human resources, dose of the Covid-19 vac- I took the #Covid19 vaccine, and I wish everyone safety and protec- public relations, and adminis- Tcine should continue tak- tion from this epidemic”. trative aff airs and other sections ing precautions until suffi cient to convey awareness messages antibodies are developed, noted in their turn to employees and a top offi cial of the Ministry of at this stage. Technically speak- Dr al-Bayat said that the Pfi z- workers of their companies and Public Health (MoPH) yesterday. ing it should be safe but there is er-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine various entities. “Suffi cient antibodies will de- no scientifi c evidence,” she said, being given in the country can be Lt Col al-Kubaisi explained velop only after taking the sec- while ruling out any serious side eff ective for a minimum of four that the seminar dealt with the ond dose of the vaccine,” Dr Soha Dr Soha al-Bayat eff ects caused by the vaccine. to fi ve months according to ini- penalty for not wearing masks, al-Bayat, head of Vaccination at “So far about 2mn people tial clinical trials. failure to download the Ehteraz MoPH, explained at an Instagram have developed antibodies. Each have received the vaccine in the “The Covid-19 vaccine is app, violating the requirements question and answer session. person’s body responds diff erent US, more than a million in the new; it’s very diffi cult to say for of home quarantine, and crimes “A person who has taken the to vaccines and illnesses. Even if UK and many others around the how long it will be eff ective. But of theft, street vendors, customs fi rst shot of vaccine can still be you don’t develop enough anti- world including Qatar. Some clinical trials show that it can be evasion and how the newcom- infected with Covid-19 before bodies and get the infection, the have shown very modest side eff ective for a minimum of four ers to the country are exploit- the second dose is taken as suf- eff ect will be mild,” she said. eff ects such as mild fever, head- to fi ve months and hopefully it ed in this regard, their lack of fi cient time is needed to develop Dr al-Bayat also pointed out ache, fatigue and soreness at will be more. Follow up tests are knowledge of the local law, and antibodies,” she stressed. that clinical trials for the Pfi zer- the injection site and these are being done with people who are the problem of issuing cheques The clinical trial data for the BioNTech vaccine did not in- common with other vaccines,” vaccinated,” she added. Lt Col Saqr Khamis al-Kubaisi addressing the online awareness without balance in the accounts Pfi zer-BioNTech Covid-19 vac- clude either pregnant or lactat- pointed out Dr al-Bayat. Qatar started Covid-19 vacci- seminar. concerned. cine show that when both shots ing women and children below “When we receive the next nation drive on December 23. In of the vaccine are taken, three the age of 16, and available data batches of the Covid-19 vaccine, the fi rst phase of the campaign weeks apart, it is about 95% ef- is so far insuffi cient to determine we will gradually include every that lasts until January 31, peo- fective. any risks to them by the vaccine. category of the population. The ple aged 70 and above as well as “About 95% people who re- “No pregnant women were in- vaccine is given free and to eve- adults with chronic diseases are QRCS sends another batch of ceived both doses of the Pfi zer- cluded in the trial but no signifi - ryone regardless of their nation- among the categories to be vac- BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine cant contra indications are shown ality,” said Dr al-Bayat. cinated. Covid-19 medical aid to Sudan Covid-19 hotline gets 1.7mn calls

he free, round-the-clock number of people with Covid-19 prescribed the appropriate psychological pressures and hotline 16000, dedicated were able to contact the hotline drugs. anxiety due to the pandemic. Tto Covid-19 inquiries, re- to obtain urgent and quick care, With regard to patients who A team of specialised mental ceived about 1.7mn calls since it which helped during the peak of needed pharmacy services, the health cadres provide support was launched by the Ministry of the pandemic to facilitate clas- hotline allowed them to benefi t and evaluation to callers clas- Public Health in March. sifying cases and directing them from home delivery of medicines sifi ed into four main catego- The English - Arabic hot- to home quarantine or isolation by requesting that medicines ries, namely: children and their line also enables the public and facilities. It also helped in track- be delivered to their homes by parents, adults, the elderly, and healthcare staff to access main ing contacts to identify poten- post or dispensing medicines frontline healthcare personnel. health care services provided tial new cases and thus slowing from the health centre nearest to HMC Quality Sector deputy by Hamad Medical Corporation down the rate of infection spread them. As of December 3, as many chief and Hamad Healthcare (HMC) and Primary Health Care among the population in Qatar. as 252,433 patients got 860,64 Quality Institute director Nasser Corporation (PHCC). The hotline provided urgent medicines home delivered. al-Naimi recalled that HMC’s The hotline received more medical consultation services The hotline provided patients specialised team, in co-opera- than 552,000 calls to request in- provided by HMC to more than with the National Mental Health tion with healthcare providers, The shipment contains six tonnes of medications, medical equipment and miscellaneous supplies. formation or services related to 220,000 cases who were able Helpline, which has so far re- was able to develop an informa- Covid-19. While the rest of the to speak with a doctor and ob- ceived more than 15,000 calls tion base to assist the call centre second batch of medi- calls were distributed to the oth- tain medical advice remotely from people in need of support, staff in responding eff ectively to cal aid was delivered er services provided by the line, a using phone or video calls and especially those suff ering from all public inquiries. Aby Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Soci- ety (SRCS) in the fi ght against the Covid-19 outbreak. Under the joint response by QRCS and MoPH reports 141,300 the Turkish Red Crescent, the shipment contained six tonnes of medications, medical equip- total Covid recoveries ment, and miscellaneous sup- plies. It was received by mem- bers of QRCS’ representation QNA 91 people face prosecution offi ce in Sudan, SRCS, and di- Doha for not wearing masks rector of the Turkish Red Cres- cent’s offi ce in Sudan. The designated authorities This is the 8th aid shipment he Ministry of Public referred 91 people to the Public sent in 2020. QRCS supported QRCS delivers second batch of medical aid to Sudan. Health (MoPH) reported Prosecution for not wearing its Sudanese counterpart with Tyesterday 193 new con- masks in places where they are over eight cargoes for diff erent velopment operations by QRCS handed over to Siddiq Tawer, a fi rmed cases of coronavirus mandatory. The measure is in reasons, including enhance- where aid is purchased from the member of Sudan’s Sovereign (Covid-19) during the last 24 line with the Cabinet decision, ment of the health system, re- local market for the benefi t of Council and chairman of the hours, of which 148 were from Decree Law No 17 of 1990 on sponse to fl ash fl oods, Covid-19 vulnerable communities. Late Higher Committee for Health community and 45 from travel- infectious diseases, and the control, and assistance for in November, a fi rst shipment Emergencies, as well as top of- lers returning from abroad who precautionary measures in force Ethiopian refugees. In addition, of Covid-19 control supplies fi cials from the two partnering are subject to quarantine. in the country to contain the there are ongoing relief and de- was delivered to Sudan. It was organisations. The MoPH also recorded 153 re- spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). coveries from the virus during the The authorities call on the public past 24 hours, bringing the total to adhere to the precautionary 10 people arrested for flouting home quarantine rules number of cases that have recov- measures for their safety and the ered so far in Qatar to 141,300. safety of others. Ten people were arrested in Qatar yesterday for Dhaker Hussien Tufail Ahmed, Fahad Said Mastoor All new cases have been in- violating the legal requirements of the home al-Sharif al-Qahtani, Ali Bakhit Salim Ajij al-Snaid, troduced to isolation and are re- quarantine. The arrests came in implementation Faisal Mohamed Fahad Farraj al-Dosari, Mohamed ceiving necessary healthcare. necessary checks at Muaither, of the precautionary measures in force in the Salman Mohamed Ishtaq, Bawdi Mulan, Mohamed Anyone suff ering from Cov- Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al country, approved by the Ministry of Public Saleh Rashid al-Behaih al-Marri and Said Ahmed id-19 symptoms should either Gharrafa. This is important as the Health (MoPH), for public safety and to curb the Dereh Juleed. The authorities concerned call on contact 16000 helpline or go di- earlier the disease is detected the spread of the coronavirus. The arrested people quarantined citizens and residents to adhere to the rectly to one of the designated easier it will be to receive the right being referred to the prosecution are: Mohamed requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health for health centres to undergo the treatment and recover from it. Elias Khan Abdulrashid Khan, Ali Ahmed Dhafar, their safety and the safety of others. HBKU college webinar series on Covid-19 family life study he Programme for Social window into the commonalities Federation for Home Economics, Policy Evaluation and Re- and diff erences in how families Germany; and the German Society Tsearch (Prosper) at the were shaped by the Covid-19 pan- for Home Economics, Germany. College of Public Policy (CPP), demic on every continent, across Upcoming webinars will discuss Hamad Bin Khalifa University all income and education levels, and the results for the Gulf region, (HBKU), has organised a webinar within all age groups. Topics ranged North America, Africa, and the series to discuss the fi ndings of a from parents and child health and Arab region. wide-reaching international re- anxieties, marital relationship qual- Dr Brik said: “The coronavirus search study on Covid-19 family ity, parenting practices, gender pandemic aff ected every aspect of life led by Dr Anis Ben Brik, asso- roles, fatherhood, family coping and life, from shuttering schools, clos- ciate professor at CPP and found- resilience, family satisfaction, do- ing shops, and halting everyday life ing director of Prosper. mestic violence, intergenerational in nearly every corner of the globe. ‘The Impact of the Pandemic on solidarity, impact of technology and College of Public Policy holds webinar. Consequently, it is crucial to exam- Family Life Across Cultures’, one internet addiction, social interac- ine how family life changed during of the largest studies of its kind tions to family policies. ance Research Centre, Austral Uni- the Centre for Family and Popu- the pandemic and explore how in the world, was conducted in 72 Bringing together several of the versity, Argentina; APDES Colegi- lation Research (CFPR), National these changes will likely infl uence countries from North America, academics and experts who were os De Familias, Argentina; Regional University of Singapore, and Focus future government policy and pro- Latin America, Africa, Europe, part of the research team, the we- Observatory of Latin America and on the Family Asia. gramming. We have assembled a Asia, Oceania, and the Arab re- binar series kicked off with Impact the Caribbean for Women, Mexico; On December 22, the third we- team of global experts, who togeth- gion including Qatar, in partner- of the Pandemic on Family Life in and the Centre for Research and binar, European Results on Large er have collected very rich data that ship with the United Nations De- Latin America on December 14, in Higher Studies in Social Anthro- Families of the International is ready to be brought to bear on a partment of Economic and Social partnership with the Institute of pology (CIESAS), Mexico. COVID-19 Family Life Study, was slew of pressing global issues fac- Development, 10 universities and the Family, University of La Saba- Impact of the Pandemic on held in partnership with the Eu- ing the family as well as to inform research centres, and 17 NGOs. na, Colombia; University of Nove Family Life in Asia was held on ropean Large Families Confedera- academic and public discourse on The global data provided a unique de Julho, Brazil; Family-Work Bal- December 17, in partnership with tion, HARO Sweden, International families moving forward.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 31, 2020 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

28 dead after bus 22 killed in attack on airport ambush in Syrian after new Yemen cabinet lands

Reuters airport is part of the war that is and two were missing, ICRC province Aden being waged against the Yemeni Yemen said on Twitter. state and its great people.” The southern port city of Aden Jaber tweeted: “Peace, se- has been mired in violence be- Reuters t least 22 people were curity and stability will prevail cause of a rift between the sepa- Amman killed and dozens thanks to Yemenis’ strong will ratists and Hadi’s government, Awounded in an attack on and their brave government.” based there after being driven Aden airport yesterday, mo- The new cabinet unites the from the capital by the Houthis wenty-eight people were ments after a plane landed car- government of President Abd- in 2014. The separatist South- killed in an attack on a bus rying a newly formed cabinet Rabbu Mansour Hadi with ern Transitional Council (STC), Talong a main highway in for government-held parts of southern separatists, intended which seeks independence for Syria’s Deir al-Zor province that Yemen. to fulfi l an aim of ending a feud. south Yemen, declared self-rule borders Iraq, Syrian state media Prime Minister Maeen Ab- The two groups are the main in Aden in April, triggering clash- said yesterday, an incident that dulmalik said all members of the Yemeni factions in a southern- es and complicating United Na- residents and defectors say was cabinet were “fi ne”. But the at- based alliance fi ghting the tions eff orts to forge a permanent an ambush on an army vehicle. tack underlined the diffi culties Houthis who control the north, ceasefi re in the overall confl ict. There were no more details facing a government intended to including the capital Sanaa. The coalition announced the of the incident in an area where unite two of its allies in the war TV footage from Al Arabiya new power-sharing cabinet this mostly Syrian army and militias against the Houthi movement. channel showed dozens of peo- month after more than a year of are based, near the ancient city Hours after the attack, a sec- ple leaving the airplane when a intense mediation between the of Palmyra. ond explosion was heard around fi rst blast hit the airport’s hall. government and the separatists. A senior military defec- Aden’s Maasheq presidential Heavy gunfi re from armoured The STC condemned the at- tor in the area said the vehicle palace where the cabinet mem- vehicles followed, with plumes tack and accused the Houthi carried soldiers and pro-gov- bers including Maeen as well as Dust rises after explosions hit Aden airport, upon the arrival of the newly-formed Yemeni of white and black smoke rising movement of responsibility. ernment militias who had fi n- the Saudi ambassador to Yem- government, yesterday. from the scene. UN Yemen envoy Martin Grif- ished their leave and were on en, Mohamed Said al-Jaber, had Other video footage showed fi ths and several Arab countries their way back to their base in been taken to safety, residents on the airport’s hall. The cabi- its hospital in Aden. There was denied responsibility for the damage to the terminal’s con- condemned the attack. the desolate, sparsely popu- and local media said. net gave the death fi gure on no immediate claim of respon- airport attack. crete walls and smashed glass. “I wish the cabinet strength in lated area. Another source said In the airport attack, loud Twitter, citing the interior min- sibility. The coalition said it “We and the members of the Government offi cials were facing the diffi cult tasks ahead,” at least thirty soldiers were blasts and gunfi re were heard ister, and said 50 people were had downed an explosive-laden government are in the tempo- among the casualties in the air- Griffi ths said. “This unaccept- killed, mostly from the Syr- shortly after the plane arrived wounded. Houthi drone that was targeting rary capital of Aden and every- port attack, sources said. able act of violence is a tragic ian army’s elite Fourth Brigade, from Riyadh, witnesses said. Medecins Sans Frontieres aid the presidential palace. one is fi ne,” Maeen tweeted from One International Committee reminder of the importance of which has a strong presence in A local security source said group had earlier said 17 people There was no immediate re- Maasheq palace. “The cowardly of the Red Cross staff member bringing Yemen urgently back on the rich oil-producing prov- three mortar shells had landed had been treated for wounds at action from the Houthis, who terrorist act that targeted Aden was killed in the airport attack the path towards peace.” ince since Islamic State fi ghters were ousted at the end of 2017. Deir al-Zor residents and intel- ligence sources say there has been a rise in recent months of ambushes and hit-and-run at- Iran allocates $150,000 for families of victims of Ukraine plane crash tacks by remnants of Islamic State militants who hid in caves in the mainly desert region. Reuters ary, the offi cial IRNA news agency re- Iranian government statement said: Ukraine International Airlines plane of the tragedy and bringing those re- They also say in the last few Dubai ported. “The cabinet approved the provision shortly after takeoff , mistaking it for a sponsible to justice. “The Ukrainian months, tribes who inhabit the Describing Iran’s handling of the sit- of $150,000 or the equivalent in euros missile when tensions with the United side expects from Iran a draft techni- area have been angered by ex- uation as “unacceptable”, Ukraine said as soon as possible to the families and States were high. cal report on the circumstances of ecutions by militias operating ran’s Cabinet yesterday allocated the amount of compensation should be survivors of each of the victims of the Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the the aircraft shooting down,” ministry in the area of dozens of nomads $150,000 for the families of each of negotiated and called for those respon- Ukrainian plane crash.” compensation should be set through spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said, add- suspected of affi liation to mili- Ithe 176 victims of a Ukrainian plane sible to be brought to justice. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have talks, taking into account international ing that Iran had yet to implement ear- tants. shot down in Iranian airspace in Janu- According to the IRNA report, an said they accidentally shot down the practice, after establishing the causes lier agreements, without giving details.

Tunisia president to launch dialogue Central Africa opposition to ‘correct the revolution’ process Air strikes kill Syrian Tunisian President Kais Saied will launch in coming weeks a national dialogue that will include political parties and youth from all regions wants elections scrapped “to correct the revolution that has deviated from its goals a decade after its outbreak”, the presidency said yesterday, Reuters reported. soldier, wound fi ve The presidency said the dialogue proposed by the powerful UGTT AFP ic Opposition Coalition (COD- union seeks economic, social and political reforms as the country is Bangui 2020), an alliance of political and witnessing a wave of protests against bad public services, wide- AFP geting a unit of our air defence forces in other groups in the coup-prone spread unemployment and corruption. Beirut the Nabi Habeel area,” the military source country, said the elections “were Ten years ago, massive protests against poverty, marginalisation said. “Our air defence countered some of powerful opposition coalition not fair and inclusive and are in no and unemployment brought down the regime of the late President the missiles, which caused one martyr and in Central African Republic way the expression of the people’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The Tunisian revolution triggered the Arab sraeli air strikes in Syria targeting the wounded three soldiers.” The Observa- Ayesterday called for the “can- will.” Spring uprisings in Egypt, Libya and Syria. Despite that, Tunisia is pro-Damascus Lebanese Hezbollah tory yesterday morning said the number of cellation, pure and simple” of week- Condemning an “electoral farce”, an example of peaceful transition in a region struggling elsewhere Igroup and Syrian air defence forces wounded had risen to fi ve, two of them in end elections that were badly ham- it claimed widespread ballot stuffi ng with violence and upheaval. Later, its economic and social situation killed one Syrian soldier and wounded fi ve grave condition. pered by armed groups. and complained of a lack of observers worsened and the country became on the verge of bankruptcy and others, a war monitor said yesterday. The strikes targeted Hezbollah rocket and More than a third of the troubled in remote areas of the mineral-rich the protests increased. The air raids early yesterday hit positions ammunition depots in a mountainous area country’s districts did not take part but poor country. The twin elections, “The dialogue aims to correct the process of the revolution, which in a rural area northwest of the capital, said near the town of Zabadani close to the Leb- in Sunday’s fi rst round of voting for which the government described has been diverted from its true path that the people set 10 years the Britain-based war monitoring group anese border, destroying them and causing the presidency and National Assem- Tuesday as “credible, committed and ago, which is employment, freedom and dignity.”, the presidency Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. casualties, it said, without providing a toll. bly, according to offi cial fi gures. popular,” have been seen as a key sta- said in statement. Syrian state news agency SANA, citing a Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman In a statement, the Democrat- bility test for the CAR. military source, said one Syrian soldier was said some groups use the heights around killed and three others wounded in an Israeli Zabadani to store weapons and ammuni- strike on a military position near the capital. tion. “Today at 01:30 (2230 GMT) the Israeli “Hezbollah uses (the area) as a storage enemy carried out an air aggression with spot before transporting weapons and am- missile bursts from northern Galilee, tar- munition into Lebanon,” he said. Uganda presidential candidate arrested

Reuters Nairobi

ganda opposition presidential candi- Udate Robert Kyagu- lanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and his cam- paign team were arrested in Ugandan opposition Kalangala in the country’s presidential candidate central region yesterday, he Robert Kyagulanyi also said in a post on Twitter. known as Bobi Wine The arrests spurred pro- (centre) is escorted by tests at a fi eld in Kalangala policemen during his Island in Lake Victoria where arrest in Kalangala. a helicopter was parked and which Wine’s supporters reasons, told Reuters. said they believed would be No further details of the used to fl y him back to the arrests were immediately capital Kampala. available. Police fired tear gas to Wine has emerged as disperse the crowd who the strongest challenger to were protesting, a wit- President Yoweri Musev- ness, who did not want to eni, 76, in the presidential give his name for security election on Jan 14.

Four children die playing with grenade

Four Congolese children were killed when a grenade they were playing with exploded, a local off icial said yesterday in Ituri, a province in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The accident occurred Tuesday in the village of Tsoro, in Ituri’s Djugu territory, said local administrator Adel Alingi. “One of them picked up the device, another threw it in the air, and the grenade exploded as it fell,” Alingi said, adding that all four children died on the spot. Djugu is at the centre of violence blamed on fighters from the Co-operation for the Development of Congo (Codeco), an armed political-religious sect linked to more than 1,000 deaths since December 2017. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 31, 2020 HOL STIC Wellbeing How to cool down that hot temper Vegan wins in an unprecedented year

people: international travel- lers, both for transit, and for departures from Doha. While much of the world remains restricted in terms of travel, I’ve heard from plant-based follow- ers from around the world who By Reem Abdulrahman Jassim have picked up vegan food from al-Muftah the airport during their transit, either on their way home to see o you get angry easily? loved ones, or repositioning Are you quick to respond somewhere for the holidays. For Din the heat of the moment years, one of my main concerns and regret it later on? Do you have when travelling abroad was the road rage? These are all signs that By Ghanim al-Sulaiti lack of healthy vegan food, es- you may have to coach yourself pecially when travelling, and the into a healthier version of your- very idea of being able to find self by controlling your quick temper and handling things in a It’s been a very diff erent year vegan food in an airport would better way that is more benefi cial — and that’s probably the be something I’d daydream understatement of the century. to your mind and body’s health. about while waiting for a flight. Anger is a healthy emotion 2020 will go down in the history With the opening of Evergreen and yes anger is normal, but the books for all things unprec- Organics at a gateway airport at trick is to deal with your anger act, take a step back and allow breathing techniques that can attacking someone and calling you need to take a timeout and edented, and not many will even the centre of the world here in in a more positive manner. An- yourself a minute or two to cool help you cool off and do not un- them out on things. get away from the triggers to want to begin to reflect on the the Middle East, I am so pleased ger can sky rocket your blood down. I know this is easier said derestimate the power of calm- be with your own thoughts and turbulence we, as a world, have to be able to provide travellers pressure, can tire your body and than done but from personal ing yourself down with phrases If you feel your anger is in- to think of possible solutions endured. from all backgrounds passing can even cause more wrinkles experience, I recently realised such as, “it’s okay, just calm creasing instead of cooling and reactions to those triggers There were some positive through Doha with a unique and none of us want any of that! that I am very quick to speak down,” or “take it easy, it’s all down, physical activity could and how they made you feel. aspects of what a diff icult year vegan experience with quality, If you don’t get your anger un- my mind and almost always feel going to be fine.” do the trick. Getting active can Always remind yourself that anger will not fix the problem, for many was, and I want to pay fresh vegan food, and look for- der control you may be risking bad about it a few hours later. Do not be quick to explain help reduce that stress your your general health, your work, I realised that some people re- yourself too soon, make sure feeling by getting those happy it will only make it worse. You tribute to some in this week’s ward to more of you enjoying it extended column. your relationships and even ally do not understand what you cool down and that the oth- hormones going such as endor- can even refocus your energy once the world resumes travel- er party or parties have cooled phins, serotonin and dopamine. into something else. For exam- Firstly, it was definitely the your life. Here are a few things they are saying and doing and ling in a larger capacity again. you can try to help minimise just need me to explain to them down too (even if they don’t This is scientifi cally proven and ple, I always go for organising year that people became more As we move into a new year, mil- your anger and your immediate how what they do makes me feel seem to be angry too). Then, is defi nitely worth a try. Not and cleaning when I feel anger health, and hygiene focused. lions of people will undertake response to it: and how they can prevent mak- explain yourself, state your only does activity help boost the because I know that if I dwell While there are all kinds of the Veganuary Pledge – for the ing me get to this boiling point concerns and make sure you are happy hormone levels, it also on my anger for too long it will claims online, the fact is the only duration of the month of Janu- Take a minute and think in the future. I finally realised clear and direct. Be wary of be- increases your chances of focus- really affect me negatively. Try diet that is genuinely full of vita- ary, people who do not typically about what you’re feeling and if that it was a better idea to cool ing confrontational, assertive ing on you, your health and po- to find activities you can really mins and minerals essential for follow a plant-based diet will it’s really worth getting heated off and explain my mind so that and belittling. There is no need tentially enjoying the naturally get into and let all those nega- boosting your immune system avoid all animal products (flesh, over. It’s extremely easy to say I work on the issue and prevent to re-ignite the frustration for calming eff ects of nature if you tive vibes go. is a plant-based diet, and mil- milk, eggs, etc). They will also the wrong things in the heat it from happening again instead all. A final tip is to stick with ‘I’ choose to be outdoors. of the moment and you prob- of acting right away and the is- statements rather than “you” Taking a break and letting lions of people around the world ensure that any products they ably usually regret it later on. sue continuously coming up. statements. Be clear when you yourself self-discover is also „ The author is a wellness advo- realised this, and have since are buying (products, clothes, Do not be quick to speak or to Also, keep in mind the standard explain how you feel instead of another option. Sometimes cate and infl uencer @keys2balance. committed to boosting their etc) do not contain animal prod- immune systems and improving ucts nor have they been tested the status of their health amid a on animals. It’s a huge step in global public health emergency. the right direction, and a great A study this year concluded that way to start the new year — and Are you mentally flexible? a whole food, plant-based diet my vegan businesses remain contains 64-times the number ready to assist anyone with their of immunity-boosting antioxi- Veganuary pledge here in Doha, flexibility often has mental dants compared to a diet that or around the world. flexibility, although it is not a includes meat and dairy. Young people, in particular condition, but for example have you noticed that if you feel Furthermore, the benefits this year, have woken up to the frustrated in one aspect of life then of Zinc were thrown into the devastating harm that animal spotlight, and zinc – which you will probably feel frustrated production does to the environ- in other aspects of life as well, but can feature prominently in a ment. More people than ever why not take advantage of this plant-based diet, is being used have also realised: we do not connection and make things easy, to keep people healthy around need to eat animals to survive. and then try to apply this concept the world amid this ongoing Indeed, we can live a healthy in all aspects of your life, such as pandemic. and a more compassionate life going to work in an easy way, and While most of us had to adhere by not eating animals. A better talking to people with a mind free to lockdowns in order to keep life, with rewards for the body of worries, and this not only speeds the population safe, the world and the mind. By Hala Bader al-Humaidhi up your progress, but also It helps also got to catch a little bit of At the heart of our big vegan you understand the relationship better, and makes you understand a break whilst we spent time movement is a deep passion There are many things that are yourself and read things more at home for the safety and for progression, creativity, and protection of those around us. not under our control, such as logically. innovation. This year we saw the the weather, political aff airs, the This unique nature of our global vegan scene explode to newer, reaction of the people around Understanding the ego: pause resulted in an ecological higher levels, and I’m continu- us, the seasons, and many other reset — or to put it simply, the ously impressed with the devel- things, but what is in our control We have diff erent definitions of the Earth was kind of in a ‘recovery opments within our sector. is our response and our reactions word ‘I’ such as the psychological, mode’ with nature pressing Beyond Meat — with an objec- and that is the key to becoming change, and change happens don’t accept that, it is better to Find a healthy balance: spiritual, religious and other egos, the reset button. Swans gliding tive is to build great, healthy mentally resilient. The guidelines to whether we like it or not. It may accept the situation. Try to see the and it is defined with emotions and through clear canals of Venice, ‘meat’ from plants — has taken focus on is the shift in behaviour in be diff icult for some people to bright side in this situation, and it The correct balance between the ideas. You must put yourself aside and blue skies over China where off , and products are now sold order to become flexible, and there accept this, but just knowing and can also be seen as a motivation for basic and remote elements is very and keep neutral. are some methods that help in this understanding this principle is part you to do something diff erent. eff ective, for example if you see the air is usually choked with both in supermarkets all over transformation that you will find in of the process for achieving mental yourself as a smart person, but you Make a list, put yourself aside and smog – were all seen this year. the world, including here in our article. resilience. Talking about the matter as do not have the skills to express it, make a list that shows the pros In China — the world’s biggest Qatar, and at various restau- a normal matter is one of the the eff ective balance comes after and cons in accepting change, but polluter – Nasa’s satellites have rants. They have partnered with You know that change is a Try to see the bright side: most important ways to become a number of iterations, and this make sure that you put yourself captured a largest drop-off in mainstream chains like Dunkin’ permanent thing: mentally flexible, which means number varies from one person to aside, otherwise yourself will not pollution ever recorded over the Donuts, Del Taco, and TGI Fri- If some change makes you skipping the matter and not talking another ,based on the personality allow you to make an intelligent major Chinese cities where fac- day’s, to promote their burgers It is part of this world, and things uncomfortable, then you should about it in a sad way and making and their learning curve. decision! tories were powered down and at as many locations as possible may change suddenly, gradually relax and think, is there anything things easy, and this is one of the vehicle traff ic was grounded to and move people over to the or slowly, but in the end things you can do to fix the situation, very eff ective treatment methods Understanding communication: „ The author is a consultant in a halt. Italy’s lockdown due to plant-based way of living. change, and even strong and taking into account your that will help you a lot in the long Public Relations and Personality the coronavirus pandemic is not In addition, Qatar Airways – one strong mountains happen to motivation behind it, and if you run. A person who has physical Types. Instagram: @Tipsbyhalahill only keeping people safe, but of the world’s largest airlines it gave the outdoors — which by international network -in- is typically flooded with tour- troduced its first range of fully ists — a chance to recharge. In vegan dishes to its à la carte photos posted online, ‘Venezia menu on all flights. The airline Pulita’ which translates to ‘Clean See you next year said that its decision to add the Venice,’ showed the city’s water new menu was to respond to looking the cleanest it has for the huge increase in demand for of transmuting energy, so I’ll years — and it’s encouraged vegan food among travellers. typically find myself writing on marine life to return. Real food, real ingredients, paper all that I’d like to release, While I had to adapt businesses 100% plant based, and on an shed, and purge. I write freely, to e-commerce in order to fit a Arab airline here in the Middle without thinking or judging myself. Then I’d take those pages new ‘contactless’ way of doing East. I felt extremely proud for and rip them up or burn them. business, in terms of a personal our region, which continues to After this releasing exercise, I goal achieved my highlight was move towards vegan, ethical, like to intentionally fill this newly contributing to the worldwide and sustainable eating. found space with whatever I’m vegan sector by launching the Now, as we prepare to embark being called to bring more of in world’s first 100% vegan café on a new chapter: 2021, more — this tends to be the same most at a major hub airport this year. vegan goals are part of your By Shefa Ali years, either more gratitude, Evergreen Organics opened this new year’s resolutions than ever appreciation, compassion and summer at the state-of-the-art before, and it’s easier to live a love in my life. Hamad International Airport, plant-based life than it ever has So we’re here, the eve of 2021. To Tonight I am looking forward to and the opening of our airport been — and for this, I remain say the least, 2020 has been an gathering with family and friends café took us back to our roots, grateful to our vegan com- unforgettable year full of historic for our annual New Year’s Eve changes and challenges, but picnic, we will be asking each and the values of how we munity for their spirit, passion, if you’re reading this then that other reflective questions, we’ll founded Evergreen Organics and positivity through what has here in Qatar. means you survived. Despite the be writing out our 2021 goals and been a diff icult year for many. many obstacles that you probably most importantly we’ll be sharing Back then we wanted to enable Keep safe, enjoy plant-based came across this winding path love, laughter and yummy food. people to have access to fresh, goodness, and I look forward toward a great unknown, you’re Whatever you are doing this delicious, and nutritious food in to writing to you in the New still here — and that’s definitely evening and whomever you are a natural setting (with plenty of Year. Wishing you all the best worth celebrating. with, I hope you have a memorable jungle vibes), and to build and for 2021. To round off the year and keep in evening and a wonderful start to grow our country’s conscious theme with my last few columns the New Year. community. Now, it’s time to „ The author is an expert in where I talked about my end of „ enable that access to vegan vegan well-being and health. year rituals and practices, here is Everything is about intention for go in mind through meditation, letting go in spirit through feeling The author is a consultant and one I will definitely be doing this me, so for the intention of letting letting go in the body through my feelings and also writing. I coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ food to a new demographic of Instagram handle: @Ghanim92 year. 2020 go, I find myself letting asanas (yogic postures), and use writing as a powerful method shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times Thursday, December 31, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Singapore begins Covid-19 vaccinations, marking ‘new chapter’ in virus fi ght

Reuters nurse, and 43-year-old infec- ful that this vaccine will do the doses for all its 5.7mn people by Singapore acted swiftly after whether they need to take the would be among the fi rst to get Singapore tious diseases doctor Kalisvar same,” Marimuthu said in re- the third quarter of 2021. Singa- the fi rst cases of the virus were jabs. the shots. They will be free and Marimuthu were among the corded remarks provided by the pore hopes to complete vaccina- reported, and although it was While Gan acknowledged voluntary, but the government is more than 30 staff at the Na- health ministry. Singapore is the tion coverage by the end of next blindsided by tens of thousands Singaporeans’ concerns over encouraging all medically eligi- ingapore began vaccinat- tional Centre for Infectious Dis- fi rst country in Asia to approve year, health minister Gan Kim of infections in migrant workers’ the unknowns of a new vaccine, ble residents to take them. ing healthcare workers eases who were vaccinated yes- the Pfi zer-BioNTech Covid-19 Yong said. dormitories, it has reported only he said it had met all safety and Wednesday’s vaccinations Swith Pfi zer-BioNTech’s terday, the health ministry said. vaccine. It has also signed ad- “Our priority over the next a few new local cases in recent effi cacy requirements based on mark “a new chapter in our fi ght Covid-19 vaccine yesterday, They will return for the sec- vance purchase agreements and few months is to ensure that the months. current data and that the au- against the pandemic,” Lee said kicking off one of Asia’s rstfi in- ond dose of the vaccine on Jan. made early down-payments on vaccines that we use are safe and In total, only 29 people in thorities would continue their in a Facebook post. oculation programmes against a 20. several other vaccine candidates, eff ective, and we are able to roll Singapore have died from Cov- monitoring. “The vaccine is key to living in pandemic that has killed more “Vaccines have managed to including those being developed out this programme to the whole id-19, one of the lowest fatality To show the vaccine is safe, a Covid-19 world, but it will still than 1.7mn people globally. bring pandemics down to their by Moderna and Sinovac. It ex- population smoothly and in an rates in the world. This has led Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, be some time before this storm Sarah Lim, a 46-year-old knees before. So I am hope- pects to have enough vaccine orderly manner,” he said. some Singaporeans to question 68, said he and his colleagues will pass.” N Korea prepares for major party congress amid growing challenges

Reuters „ Congress Seoul expected to unveil new five-year orth Korean leader Kim Jong-un will convene a economic plan Nrare congress of the rul- „ N Korea’s ing party in early January, where he will seek to rally public sup- crises caused by port and outline new long-term sanctions, Covid economic and political goals in the face of unprecedented chal- border closure lenges. „ Kim has few Kim chaired a politburo meet- ing on Tuesday to prepare for the good options for congress, state media reported, solving problems: without specifying an exact date for its start. analysts North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attending the 22nd meeting of the As 2020 ends, the young Political Bureau of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of North Korean leader is faced for the fi rst time because the Korea (WPK) at the off ice building of the Party Central Committee in with compounding crises pandemic has forced North Ko- Pyongyang. caused by international sanc- rea into self isolation, when un- tions, natural disasters, and a til now, it has been able to rely the country’s spiralling prob- down on currency traders, and self-imposed border lockdown on China as a life support even lems, Kim’s government may markets have been more closely aimed at preventing a coronavi- during the harshest of econom- roll back some economic and tied to centres of political au- rus outbreak. ic times,” said Duyeon Kim, a political reforms allowed in thority, according to NK Pro, a While North Korea’s nuclear North Korea expert at the US- the earlier years, analysts said. website that tracks North Ko- The meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in progress. arsenal has grown, Kim’s high- based Center for a New Ameri- “North Korea’s political and rea. stakes personal outreach to US can Security. economic policies may become While smugglers, who could In October, Kim called on his in downtown Pyongyang in re- off er some kind of olive branch President Donald Trump ended North Korea has not report- more conservative, given the help alleviate the worst conse- country to embark on an 80-day cent days, possibly practising for to South Korea after saying in with no sanctions relief, and ed any coronavirus cases, but prolonged diffi culties and the quences of the border closure, campaign to achieve its goals in parades or other public events October that he hoped the two the incoming administration the economy took a further hit likelihood of their continuation have been accused of anti-state every economic sector before related to the congress, accord- countries could repair relations of president-elect Joe Biden when the country closed its bor- into 2021, and consequently the actions, it said. the congress in January. ing to 38 North, a US think tank. after the coronavirus pandemic. has said it won’t ease sanctions ders to nearly all traffi c, send- regime’s perceived need to rein- In an unusually emotional The politburo meeting on Analysts will be watching for But Kim may not break his without more concessions. ing publicly reported trade with force control to ensure national speech in October, Kim apolo- Tuesday approved agendas and major leadership shuffl es, which silence on the stalled talks with With Biden’s policy toward China tumbling by 75%. The stability,” said Rachel Minyoung gised for failing to deliver on proposals to be presented at could provide clues to Kim’s the United States or the new Bi- North Korea still in fl ux, Kim is circumstances facing North Lee, an independent researcher his economic promises, but also the congress, state news agency plans for the future. den administration, Lee said. more likely to use the congress to Korea now are decidedly diff er- and former open-source North struck a defi ant tone, vowing to KCNA reported. “All the prepa- The 2016 congress saw Kim “He will probably want to focus on domestic issues, par- ent from the last party congress Korea analyst for the US govern- crack down on offi cials accused rations for the Party Congress offi cially elected to the posi- maintain some fl exibility un- ticularly the ailing economy and in 2016, when Kim unveiled the ment. of corruption or of failing the are going off smoothly,” state tion of chairman of the ruling til the Biden administration’s North Korea’s “juche” ideology fi rst 5-year economic plan since Already the government has people, as well as doubling down news agency KCNA reported. Workers’ Party, and this gath- North Korea policy takes shape,” of self-reliance, analysts said. 1980. imposed foreign exchange con- on his programme of expanding Commercial satellite imagery ering will likely be used to fur- she said. “Juche is truly being tested With few options for solving trols on diplomats, cracked the nuclear deterrent. has shown formations of people ther cement his rule. Kim may

President Duterte’s guards used It’s snowing ‘smuggled’ coronavirus vaccines

Reuters (PSG) obtained the vaccine unit could not aff ord to wait for Manila without government authori- approval. He did not say how sation and had administered the vaccine was obtained, or them without his knowledge. which one was used. he Philippine defence “Yes smuggled, because they The FDA and health ministry minister said yesterday were not authorised, only the both warned on Monday against Tthat unapproved Cov- government can authorise,” he use of unapproved vaccines and id-19 vaccines given to Presi- told reporters when asked if said importing, distributing or dent Rodrigo Duterte’s military the vaccine was smuggled into selling them was illegal. security detail had been smug- the country. “They need to ex- Akbayan Partylist, a left- gled into the country, but called plain because they violated FDA wing group of lawmakers, the move “justifi ed”. rules.” cried foul yesterday over what News of the special troop He added: “It is justifi ed ... it called “VIP treatment” when unit being inoculated as early it will protect them so they will local governments were strug- as September has caused a stir not be infected and at the same gling to get budgets to fi ght the among activists, with the Food time they can protect the presi- coronavirus. and Drug Administration (FDA) dent.” On Tuesday, PSG head Asked how the PSG ob- yet to approve any Covid-19 Brigadier General Jesus Durante tained the vaccine and which vaccines and no set timeline for told news channel ANC that a was used, the health minister, when health workers would re- handful of unit members had Francisco Duque, said the FDA ceive one. given themselves a coronavirus was investigating. FDA chief Defence Secretary Delfi n vaccine “in good faith” and the Rolando Enrique Domingo said Lorenzana said members of the president was only informed his enforcement team had yet to Presidential Security Group afterwards. Durante said the complete its report. Pedestrians walk on a street as snow falls in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the northern shore of the Japanese island of Kyushu, yesterday. Covid-19: Thailand bans large gatherings, events for New Year Sydney tightens Covid-19 curbs for New Year’s Eve

Reuters visitors. “We don’t want New of an extended family living in been cut to seven minutes. Reuters imposed in some provincial count up (the number of cases)”. Sydney Year’s Eve to be the cause of a three different households, is “If I can stress again, the Bangkok districts. Taweesin on Tuesday said super-spreader,” New South expected to grow as members strongest message to everybody The health ministry con- more aggressive restrictions Wales state Premier Gladys Be- had joined Christmas gather- across New South Wales no fi rmed 250 new infections like those seen earlier in the uthorities restricted rejiklian said as she announced ings. The outbreaks in Sydney matter where you are, is please hailand imposed a ban yesterday, among the larg- year may need to be imposed if movement and tightened the restrictions would take ef- have dampened plans for the limit your activity and your yesterday on large gath- est number of confi rmed daily the spread is not contained. Acurbs on gatherings in fect from midnight on Wednes- city’s New Year’s Eve harbour mobility,” Berejiklian said. Terings and events across cases since a big outbreak found Those measures, which in- Australia’s biggest city yester- day until further notice. fireworks display, an event tel- In the state of Victoria, after the country in an eff ort to nearly two weeks ago that was cluded closures of malls, res- day, hoping to avoid a corona- Berejiklian reported 18 new evised around the world. two months of no locally ac- contain its worst coronavirus the country’s largest yet. “To- taurants and entertainment virus “super spreader” event coronavirus cases yesterday, In addition to the new re- quired cases, the health depart- epidemic yet during New Year, day’s fi gures made me nerv- areas and restrictions on in- during New Year’s Eve celebra- the biggest daily increase in a strictions, authorities have ment late on Wednesday said with active cases in over half of ous... what we don’t want to see ternational travel, caused the tions after finding a new cluster week, with nine of them part of imposed a “green zone” in three new cases had been diag- its provinces. is a second or third lockdown,” tourism-reliant economy to of infections. an outbreak in the city’s north- key vantage spots around the nosed outside hotel quarantine. Authorities have asked the Covid-19 taskforce spokesman contract the most in 22 years in Household gatherings were ern beaches that has grown to harbour that will be restricted It had no immediate details on public to avoid travel and have Taweesin Wisanuyothin told a the second quarter. New clus- limited to five people while the more than 100 people over the to residents and people with how the infections happened. imposed tighter control meas- briefi ng. ters have emerged in the wake maximum number of people al- past week. NSW Chief Health confirmed bookings who get Australia has reported just over ures in some areas, includ- “If the situation can’t be of a big outbreak this month at lowed to gather in public in Syd- Officer Kerry Chant said a new a permit. The usual 9pm fire- 28,300 Covid-19 cases and 909 ing entertainment businesses. controlled, rather than count a seafood market near Bangkok, ney was capped at 30. Residen- cluster in the city’s inner west, works have been cancelled deaths since the pandemic be- Targeted lockdowns have been down to the New Year, we may among mainly migrant workers. tial care facilities were closed to which includes six members and the midnight session has gan, mostly in Victoria. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, December 31, 2020 AMERICA/BRITAIN/EUROPE

10 hurt, 11 missing in Norway landslide Biden to

Reuters released by the royal palace. Oslo Helicopters continued to hover over the area as night fell, quickly roll at times lowering emergency re- en people were injured, sponders towards the debris of one of them critically, collapsed houses. Tand 11 were classified “There could be people as missing after a landslide in trapped... but at the same time back Trump southern Norway swept away we can’t be sure because it is more than a dozen buildings the New Year’s holiday, which in the early hours of yesterday, means people could be else- police said. where,” Prime Minister Erna The landslide struck a resi- Solberg told reporters after vis- ‘midnight dential area in the municipality iting the site. of Gjerdrum, about 30km north Local residents spoke of their of the capital Oslo. Police said experience. more than 900 people had been “There were two massive evacuated from the area. tremors that lasted for a long regulations’ Rescue workers continued to while and I assumed it was snow search the area for children and being cleared or something like adults who were feared to have that,” Oeystein Gjerdrum, 68, Reuters new year, and she repeated been caught in mud and debris, told NRK. Wilmington (Delaware) complaints that the outgo- police said. “Then the power suddenly ing Trump administration has “We are quite certain that went out, and a neighbour came failed to co-operate with the there are people in the aff ected to the door and said we needed to he Biden administration transition team. area, but we don’t know if all evacuate, so I woke up my three will take swift action She said such lack of co-op- 11 are there or if the number is grandchildren and told them to Twhen it assumes of- eration could delay production smaller,” police spokesman Rog- get dressed quickly.” fi ce on January 20 to roll back of a federal budget. er Pettersen told a news confer- A rescue helicopter view shows the aftermath of a landslide at a residential area in Ask village, about Masses of earth are still mov- harmful Trump administra- Key cabinet nominations ence. 40km north of the capital Oslo yesterday. (Reuters) ing in what has been one of the tion policies that have not tak- still pending from the Biden “We’re still searching for sur- largest clay slides in recent en eff ect by Inauguration day, camp include those for attor- vivors,” he said. edges of the crater, TV footage Norway’s King Harald said the or have lost their homes and Norwegian history, Toril Hof- a spokeswoman for President- ney general and labour secre- Photos of the site showed showed. Two more houses col- landslide had made a deep im- those who now live in fear and shagen, the regional head of the elect Joe Biden’s transition tary. a large crater with destroyed lapsed into the crater yesterday pression on him. uncertainty of the full extent of Norwegian Water Resources and team said yesterday. Speaking with reporters buildings at the bottom of it. afternoon, broadcaster NRK re- “My thoughts are with all the catastrophe,” the 83-year- Energy Directorate, told a news “The Biden-Harris White last week, Biden said he has Other buildings hung on the ported. those who are aff ected, injured old monarch said in a statement conference. House will issue a memo to not settled upon a candidate take eff ect afternoon Eastern for attorney general, in part Time on January 20 that will because he wants to ensure halt, or delay, midnight regu- he lives up to his pledge to ap- lations,” Jen Psaki told a news point a diverse cabinet. conference. Biden’s search for a candi- Psaki gave as an example date has been complicated by a an expected Department of federal probe into the business Labour rule that would make aff airs of his son Hunter. Joe it easier for companies to call Biden has vowed not to inter- In UK, a shot in the arm their workers independent fere in the investigation or dis- contractors to avoid minimum cuss it with his nominee. wage and overtime protec- Some Republicans have Britain gives approval of low-cost Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine tions. called for the appointment of “If it takes eff ect, that rule a special counsel to handle the will make it easier to misclas- matter. The vaccine costs about tion, said effi cacy at that point sify employees as independent The labour issue Psaki re- £2.50 per dose — a fraction of was around 70%. contractors, costing workers ferred to is particularly im- the price of the Moderna and The Oxford/AstraZeneca vac- more than $3.7 billion annu- portant for franchisers like Pfizer/BioNTech drugs cine is based on a weakened ver- ally,” she said. McDonald’s Corp and Restau- sion of a common cold virus (ad- “The memo would poten- rant Brands International Inc’s AFP enovirus) in chimpanzees which tially freeze this rule and not Burger King, and the many London has been genetically changed to allow it to be implemented.” companies that utilise staffi ng stop Covid-19 replicating in hu- Psaki also told the briefi ng agencies, because joint em- mans. that more cabinet-level nomi- ployers can be made to bargain ritain yesterday became It delivers genetic cargo into nations could be expected with unions and found liable the fi rst country in the cells, giving them instructions from the Biden camp in the for violations of the US law Bworld to approve Astra- how to fi ght Sars-CoV-2. next week, but not before the that governs union organising. Zeneca and Oxford University’s The vaccine costs about £2.50 low-cost Covid vaccine, raising ($3.40, 2.75 euros) per dose — a hopes it will help tackle surg- fraction of the price of the Mod- US Congress member dies of Covid ing cases and ease pressure on erna and Pfi zer/BioNTech drugs. creaking health services. On Sunday, AstraZeneca chief The independent Medicines executive Pascal Soriot said the A representative-elect from and Healthcare products and vaccine would provide “100 per- Louisiana died of Covid-19 on Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said cent protection” against severe Tuesday, the first member of the vaccine “met its strict stand- Covid disease requiring hospi- the US Congress to succumb to ards of safety, quality and eff ec- talisation. the disease. tiveness”, and a roll-out was set He predicted trials would show Republican Luke Letlow, 41, for January 4. his fi rm had achieved a vaccine had been elected to Louisiana’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, effi cacy equal to Pfi zer/BioNTech 5th district and was due to be who spent several days in inten- MILESTONE: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a vial of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University at 95% and Moderna at 94.5%. sworn in on Sunday. sive care with Covid earlier this Covid-19 candidate vaccine, known as AZD1222, at Wockhardt’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Earlier trials had shown vary- Louisiana governor John Bel year, called it “truly fantastic Wrexham, Wales, Britain, last month. (Reuters file photo) ing outcomes in the AstraZeneca Edwards announced the news news” and “a triumph for British shot’s effi cacy. on Twitter with a “heavy heart.” science”. have also promised to provide it tially more contagious variant the pandemic”, adding: “Now we Initial large-scale trials in “I am heartbroken that he will Britain has already approved on a not-for-profi t basis to de- of the virus, which is blamed for need to hold our nerve while we which volunteers in the UK and not be able to serve our people Luke Letlow the Pfi zer/BioNTech vaccine for veloping nations, and hope to the surge. get through this together.” Brazil were given two full doses as a US Representative, but I general use, and some 800,000 make up to three billion doses in More than 24 million people, Britain has ordered 100 mil- showed 62% eff ectiveness. am even more devastated for quarantining at home. He was people have received a fi rst dose 2021. or 43% of England alone, are lion doses and the Department For volunteers who received his loving family,” he wrote. hospitalised three days later. in the country’s biggest ever Britain is struggling with an- already living under strict stay- of Health expects four million a half-dose fi rst and then a full Edwards said he had ordered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vaccination drive. other surge in the virus, with an- at-home measures, with bars, doses to be ready by the end of dose one month later, however, flags to be flown at half-staff on released a statement saying But as daily Covid infection other 981 deaths within 28 days restaurants, pubs and other en- the year, and 40 million by the the vaccine was found to have the day of Letlow’s funeral. the lower chamber “sadly rates hit record highs, the gov- of a positive test recorded yes- tertainment closed. end of March. 90% effi cacy. Letlow is survived by his wife, mourns” his passing. ernment is pinning its hopes terday, taking the overall death Health Secretary Matt Han- Regulators have advised that But regulators have recom- Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two “Congressman-elect Letlow on the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, toll past 72,500. cock said the move was “abso- each person should receive two mended two full doses as they young children. was a ninth generation which is cheaper to produce, and The number of positive tests lutely necessary” because of the doses, two to four weeks apart. believe an extended interval be- “The family appreciates the Louisianan who fought easier to store and transport. in 24-hours exceeded 50,000 rising number of cases, and the It begins to provide immu- tween shots may be responsible numerous prayers and support passionately for his point of Unlike the Pfi zer-BioNTech for the second day running, with pressure on health services. nity 22 days after the fi rst dose, for the increased effi cacy, not the over the past days but asks view and dedicated his life to vaccine, it does not require ul- concern about the state-run Na- The government also delayed said Munir Pirmohamed, chair- reduced dosage. for privacy during this diff icult public service,” Pelosi said in tra-low freezing temperatures tional Health Service’s ability to the return to school for second- man of the Commission on Hu- Pirmohamed said more data and unexpected time,” his the statement. and can use normal refrigerated cope during its busiest winter ary schoolchildren to allow for man Medicine Expert Working was expected in early 2021 but family said in a statement to US “As the House grieves... our supply chains, making it a more period. more preparations for a mass Group. the vaccine has been shown to media. sorrow is compounded by the attractive proposition globally. Doctors say many frontline testing programme. Wei Shen Lim, who heads the be eff ective in older people, with Letlow had announced on grief of so many other families The partners, who have billed healthcare workers have been Hancock said approval of the government’s Joint Committee no indications it would not work December 18 that he had tested who have also suff ered lives it as a “vaccine for the world”, struck down with a new, poten- new vaccine was a “way out of on Vaccination and Immunisa- against the new strain. positive for Covid-19 and was cut short by this terrible virus.”

Gilligan’s Island castaway — Dawn Wells — dies of Covid

UK widens lockdowns as Dawn Wells, who parlayed her girl- movement and the escalation of the next-door charm and wholesome Vietnam War. beauty into enduring TV fame as the Wells, playing a cheerful brunette sweet-natured desert island castaway Midwestern farm girl, appeared in the Covid variant surges Mary Ann on the classic 1960s sitcom series wearing short shorts, midriff Gilligan’s Island, died yesterday at age tops and pigtails. Louise, playing a PM urges people to stay home day, covering 44.1 million people. In Scotland, large areas are under 82, her publicist said. buxom red-headed sensation akin to and avoid New Year celebrations In those areas, hospitality venues tough lockdowns where pubs, res- Wells, who won the title of Miss Marilyn Monroe, wore slinky, form- and non-essential shops are closed taurants and cafes must close, while Nevada in 1959 and competed in fitting dresses. The two inspired what Reuters and households cannot mix. schools will open later than expected. the Miss America contest, died from became an enduring pop culture London “We must face the reality that the Northern Ireland and Wales have their complications of Covid-19, publicist question for men: “Ginger or Mary sheer pace of the spread of this new own similar, tough restrictions. Harlan Boll said in a statement. Ann?” variant requires us now to take even Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Born in the gambling city of Reno, Wells said that question was the ritish Prime Minister Boris tougher action in some areas,” Johnson Hancock said the country’s hospitals Wells played Kansas farm girl Mary most common topic mentioned to Johnson ordered millions more told a news conference. were coming under very signifi cant Ann Summers, one of seven castaways her by fans. “Mostly they’ll pick a Bpeople to live under the strict- He urged people to stay at home to- pressure, with the number of people stranded after their boat, the S.S. END OF AN ERA: Dawn Wells favourite, Ginger or Mary Ann. For est Covid-19 restrictions from today night and avoid any public New Year’s battling the virus on wards or intensive Minnow, became battered in a storm some reason, they feel they have to to counter a new variant of the virus Eve celebrations. care as high as it was during the fi rst during what was supposed to be a The death of Wells leaves Louise, make a choice,” Wells told Forbes that is spreading at a “sheer pace” The government also said secondary wave. three-hour tour from Hawaii. Wells 86, the sole survivor of these cast magazine in 2016. across the country. schools would delay and stagger their “Unfortunately, this new variant is beat out actresses including Raquel members. Wells had eff usive praise for Denver Case numbers have risen sharply reopening after Christmas to enable now spreading across most of England Welch for her role. The 98 episodes invariably involved and her other cast mates but was in Britain in the last two weeks, driv- testing to be implemented, while some and cases are doubling fast,” he told Gilligan’s Island ran for three seasons their eff orts in vain to get off the not especially close to Louise, who en in part by a new strain that is up primary schools in the worst-hit areas parliament. “It is therefore necessary (1964-1967) with a cast that also island, even as a parade of guest stars distanced herself from the Ginger to 70% more transmissible than the will not open to all pupils. to apply Tier 4 to a wider area.” included Bob Denver as the zany dropped in and had no trouble getting character and declined to appear in original. Britain has suff ered one of the high- London and surrounding areas Gilligan, Alan Hale Jr. as The Skipper, out. The show drew the wrath of critics various Gilligan’s Island reboots with The government, which reported est death tolls in Europe and the deep- were put into the newly created Tier Jim Backus as millionaire Thurston but its innocent fun caught on with her former co-stars.“We had nothing another 981 deaths from the virus in est economic contraction from the 4 on December 19. The Midlands, the Howell III, Natalie Schafer as his posh viewers at a time of tumult in America against each other,” Wells told the Los the last 24 hours, said three quarters of pandemic, spending much of 2020 in north east, parts of the north west wife, Russell Johnson as The Professor, after the assassination of a president Angeles Times in 2014. “We didn’t have England’s population would be in the varying levels of lockdown to prevent and parts of the south west will join and Tina Louise as movie star Ginger. and during the rise of the civil rights much in common.” top tier of restrictions from 0001 to- its hospitals from being overwhelmed. them today. Gulf Times Thursday, December 31, 2020 9 INDIA

TMC urges Govt-farmers to meet again president to replace after consensus on two issues Bengal

IANS ture Ministry in an official governor New Delhi letter had confirmed the re- sumption of talks mention- ing a four-point agenda of the IANS he sixth round of meet- meeting that includes “mo- Kolkata ings between protesting dalities to be adopted for the Tfarmers and the gov- repeal of the three Central ernment ended after over five farm acts; mechanisms to be amata Banerjee-led hours with the Centre saying adopted to make remunera- West Bengal’s ruling that the two sides had reached tive Minimum Support Price MTrinamool Congress consensus on two out of four (MSP) recommended by the yesterday wrote to President key issues. National Farmers’ Commis- Ram Nath Kovind demanding The next meeting will take sion into a legally guaranteed the immediate removal of state’s place on January 4. entitlement for all farmers Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Addressing mediaper- and all agricultural commodi- The state government has been sons after the meeting with ties; amendments to be made at loggerheads with Dhankhar on 41 farmer leaders at Vigyan and notified in the ‘Commis- various issues ranging from law Bhavan here, Union Agricul- sion for the Air Quality Man- and order, administrative func- ture Minister Narendra Singh agement in National Capital tioning to the roles of senior po- Tomar said: “Today’s talks Region and Adjoining Areas lice offi cials in Bengal. were held in a very good en- Ordinance, 2020’ to exclude In the letter, the state’s rul- vironment and concluded on farmers from the penal provi- ing formation alleged a serious a positive note. We have had sions of the Ordinance; and breach of oath of governor’s of- consensus on two out of the changes to be made in the draft fi ce. Trinamool Congress Rajya four issues.” “Next meeting of Electricity (Amendment) Bill Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy government with farmers will 2020 to protect the interests of sent a memorandum to the presi- take place on January 4.” farmers”. dent on the matter. He said that the government After a meeting at Singhu bor- “We have a submitted the and the farmers had reached der— a major protest venue on memorandum saying the gover- agreement over the latter’s the Delhi-Haryana border, the nor has failed to preserve, pro- demands to keep farmers out farmer leaders, under the ban- tect, and defend the Constitu- of the penal provisions of the ner of All India Kisan Sangharsh tion, and repeatedly breached Commission for the Air Qual- Co-ordination Committee (AIK- law declared by SC,” said Roy. ity Management in National SCC), arrived at Vigyan Bhavan Besides Ray, Trinamool’s Lok Capital Region and Adjoining for the talks reiterating that the Sabha MP Sudip Bandyopad- Areas Ordinance, 2020, and “fi rst and foremost demand of hyay, Kalyan Banerjee, Kakoli to withdraw the Electricity Farmer leaders arrive to attend a meeting with government representatives in New Delhi, yesterday. the farmers of India is to repeal Ghosh Dastidar and Rajya Sabha Amendment Bill 2020. the three farm laws and the Elec- MP Derek O’Brien are the other “We discussed stubble The meeting started around ministry officials were also Bharatiya Kisan Union Ut- to end the agitation against tricity Bill, 2020, every other de- signatories to the memoran- burning and the government 2.30pm at Vigyan Bhavan present. tar Pradesh President Rakesh three contentious new agri- mand only follows this.” dum that demanded removal of assured the farmers that their with Tomar, Consumer Affairs Krantikari Kisan Union’s Tikait were among the 41 cultural legislations enacted Thousands of farmers from Dhankhar from the offi ce. concerns will be taken into ac- Minister Piyush Goyal and Punjab President Darshan Pal, farmers union leaders taking in September during the Mon- Punjab, Haryana and western Earlier Congress MP Kakoli count. The electricity bill was Union Minister of State for Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Jag- part in the meeting. soon Session of Parliament. Uttar Pradesh have been pro- Ghosh Dastidar had also de- also discussed... this has not Commerce and Industry Som jeet Singh Dalewal and Balbir After five previous rounds The withdrawal of these laws testing at several borders of the manded immediate removal of been enacted. Farmers believe Parkash heading the govern- Singh Rajewal, Jamhuri Kis- of inconclusive talks, the gov- is a major demand of the agi- national capital demanding the Dhankhar from the post, alleging that subsidy will be withdrawn ment side. Agriculture Secre- han Sabha Punjab’s General ernment had hoped that this tating farmers. repeal of the farm laws, among that he was trying to disturb the (under this),” Tomar said. tary Sanjay Agarwal and other Secretary Kulwant Singh, and meeting would be “decisive” Earlier, the Union Agricul- other demands. peace in the state. BJP inducts former Thousands fl ock to Taj Mahal Families contest Indian cricketer despite coronavirus fears allegiance as Sivaramakrishnan Reuters government imposed a lock- said. Yesterday, thousands of Agra down to curb the spread of the tourists, many without masks, coronavirus. When it reopened fl ocked to the white marble IANS He added that the BJP does in September, visitors were monument, crowding around a troops kill three Chennai not have to go to anyone’s ndia has raised the number initially only allowed back un- ticket window. doorstep to bring them into of visitors it will allow into der strict restrictions but lo- Families also strolled the party fold. “Prime Minis- Ithe Taj Mahal monument to cal offi cials said numbers had through the gardens surround- Reuters Vijay Kumar, the Kashmir val- amil Nadu BJP in its ter Narendra Modi is seen as 15,000 per day despite warn- swelled in recent weeks, push- ing the Taj Mahal. Srinagar ley’s top police offi cial, said quest to widen its ac- an ultimate leader not only by ings from health offi cials that ing them to increase the cap on Federal health offi cials about the men killed yesterday, Tceptance, inducted the BJP but also by the people overcrowding at tourist sites tourists from 10,000 per day. warned on Tuesday that over- adding they were supporters of former India leg-spinner and of India. They have accepted could lead to a rise in coronavi- “The limit has been in- crowding at tourist spots could ndian security forces said militant groups and likely plan- cricket commentator Laxman his policies without suspect- rus cases. creased to 15,000 tickets per lead to another spike in coro- they killed three militants in ning an attack. One rifl e and two Sivaramakrishnan yesterday ing him. That is the charisma The 17th-century mau- day so that every tourist can get navirus cases, with concern IKashmir’s main city, Srina- pistols were recovered from the in Chennai in the presence of he commands,” he said. soleum, one of India’s most the ticket and admire the mon- over the new, more infectious gar, yesterday after a gun battle, site of the gun battle, he said. A national secretary and Tamil Ravi further said that the popular tourist destinations, ument,” government archaeol- strain from Britain that has but families of the dead men said spokesman for the Indian Army Nadu in-charge C T Ravi. Tamil Nadu BJP is in touch was shut in March after the ogist Vasant Kumar Swarnkar been detected in India. they were innocent. declined to comment, referring This comes ahead of the with leaders from various India has been fi ghting an the matter to the police. 2021 assembly elections in backgrounds, industrialists, armed insurgency in the disput- Bashir Ahmad Ganai, grand- Tamil Nadu where the BJP is academicians and intellectu- ed Himalayan region for decades father of 25-year-old Aijaz Ah- trying to make a mark and is als. “We are in the process of and killed more than 200 mili- mad Ganai, who was killed in the on a recruiting spree. building our base, we will do Rajinikanth fans seek tants this year, according to of- protracted fi refi ght in Srinagar, BJP national secretary and it,” he said. fi cial data. It is, however, rare for told reporters his grandson was Tamil Nadu in-charge C T Ravi Sivaramakrishnan’s politi- families to immediately contest not a militant. told IANS that it is wrong to cal foray comes as a surprise. actor’s entry into politics victims’ allegiance to insurgent “He was a student. Why did state that the BJP was in search Popularly known as Siva, he groups. Police in Kashmir this they kill him?” he said at a pro- of people to bring it into its was fi rst noticed during his month fi led charges against an test by family members outside a fold but said more people are Ranji trophy debut against army offi cer and a civilian for police offi ce. getting attracted to its policies Delhi and was picked as part allegedly killing three labourers Athar Ahmad, 27, who was and Prime Minister Narendra of the Indian team that went to and planting weapons to pass also shot dead, studied at Kash- Modi. Pakistan in 1982-83. He made them off as militants. mir University and had left home “We don’t even have a sin- his Test debut at the age of 17 “Parents might not be know- on Tuesday to fi ll in an academic gle board or corporation to of- against the West Indies. ing activities of their wards,” form, his sister Rifat Wani said. fer anyone who is joining us in After his retirement, he Tamil Nadu at present. Many turned commentator. He is a are joining our party after get- player’s representative of the ting attracted to the Prime ICC’s cricket committee. Minister Narendra Modi’s The BJP is presently in alli- fearless policies. Be it eco- ance with the ruling All India Criticism as Assam nomic or defence, he has ush- Anna Dravida Munnetra Ka- ered a new era,” he claimed. zhagam (AIADMK) govern- ment in Tamil Nadu. Ravi said bans Islamic schools he hoped Tamil superstar Ra- jinikanth, who has decided not to enter politics, would sup- n Indian state ruled by anti-Muslim attitude in the port the NDA alliance. Prime Minister Narendra Hindu-majority country. Meanwhile BJP’s Tamil Nadu AModi’s Hindu national- More than 700 of the schools, unit chief L Murugan, who was ist party yesterday passed a law known as madrasas, in north- also present at the press meet, abolishing all Islamic schools, eastern Assam will be shut by said the party had not been ‘of- Fans of actor Rajinikanth hold placards and gesture near the actor’s residence asking him Reuters reported from Guwa- April, the state’s education min- fi cially’ engaged in any talks to enter politics the day after he cancelled his political plans, in Chennai, yesterday. Movie hati. ister Himanta Biswa Sarma told with expelled DMK leader M K superstar Rajinikanth on December 29 cancelled his plans to enter politics, saying a health Opposition politicians criti- the local assembly. Opposition Alagiri on him, possibly joining scare had been “a warning from god”. cised the move and said it politicians said the move was an Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. the national party. refl ected the government’s attack on Muslims. Govt races to fi nd UK arrivals to halt new virus strain

AFP coronavirus strain more than day the ban on flights to and ministry said Tuesday, refer- vent a wider outbreak in a coun- over the new strain, which Brit- have tested positive for corona- New Delhi doubled in 24 hours. from Britain by a week to Janu- ring to those who flew between try combatting the world’s sec- ish medical offi cials have said is virus. They have launched efforts ary 7 in a bid to combat the new November 25 and December 23, ond highest Covid-19 tally. “out of control”. Civil Aviation The cases have been reported to locate around 33,000 peo- strain that British authori- when Delhi suspended air links Britain is home to a huge Indi- Minister Hardeep Singh Puri across India, but most are in ndian authorities were try- ple who flew to India in the last ties say is no more deadly, but with Britain. an community and several fl ights said any resumption of fl ights Delhi and Bengaluru. ing yesterday to track down month from the UK after 20 which spreads more easily. It remains unclear how many per day take hundreds of people to and from Britain would be India has the world’s second Itens of thousands of people people tested positive for the “Comprehensive contact arrivals from Britain it has from London to New Delhi and “strictly regulated”. highest coronavirus caseload who entered the country from new, more virulent strain — up tracing has been initiated for traced so far. Mumbai. Of the 33,000 passengers to behind the United States, with Britain in recent weeks as cases by 14 cases since Tuesday. co-travellers, family contacts Delhi wants to learn about More than 30 countries have enter the country in the last more than 10mn infections and of a new and fast-spreading India also extended yester- and others,” the Indian health their movements in order to pre- suspended air links with Britain month, more than 130 people 145,000 deaths. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, December 31, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka The (un)Social Network Deputy Managing Editor The emergence of digital thought clones and what to do about them K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Digital thought clones that [email protected] prey on and manipulate 44350478 (News), real-time online behaviour 44466404 (Sport), can be tackled with tough 44466636 (Home delivery) legislation, say experts 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes groundbreaking study published in Information & twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Communications Technology ALaw by experts at the Centre for Law and Development at Qatar University discusses the legal and ethi- cal implications of Big Tech’s develop- GULF TIMES ment of “digital thought clones.” Digital thought clones can allow technology companies to accurately predict and infl uence people’s behaviour according to their digital habits. The authors call Make the new year for legislation to protect people from technology companies’ malicious use of their digital footprint. In The Social Dilemma, the Netfl ix count for animals documentary that has been in the news recently for its eye-opening revelations, former executives at major technology companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Tech companies are on the cusp of perfecting digital thought clones which replicate online and off line activity to be tested in and the planet Instagram, among others, share how real-world situations. their ex-employers have developed sophisticated algorithms that not only patterns, and determine which factors of their relationship with digital to determine whether the digital clone’s In a year dominated by Covid-19 headlines, it was easy for predict users’ actions but also know are necessary for a diff erent decision to services if their data should be consciousness is the same as that of the climate change and the environment to slide off the agenda: The which content will keep them hooked emerge and run all kinds of simulations protected forever or until they freely biological source. word “climate” even fell off the Oxford Dictionary’s count of on their platforms. before testing it in the real world,” says waive it. This rests on two principles: The world is at a crossroads: should most-popular words in 2020. Yet, another recent count — the The knowledge that technology Prof Truby, a co-author of the study. the ownership principle that data it continue to do nothing and allow for Lancet Countdown on health and climate change, which collates companies are preying on their users’ An example is predicting whether a belongs to the person, and that total manipulation by the technology person will make the eff ort to compare certain data is inherently protected; industry or take control through much- advice from global public health experts — reminds us that we digital activities without their consent and awareness is well-known. But online prices for a purchase, and if and the control principle, which needed legislation to ensure that people must keep climate change squarely in our thoughts moving Associate Professor Jon Truby and they do not, charging a premium for requires that individuals be allowed are in charge of their digital data? It’s forward. Clinical Assistant Professor Rafael their chosen purchase. This digital to make changes to the type of data not quite a social dilemma. This research collaboration monitored the relationship Brown at the Centre for Law and manipulation reduces a person’s ability collected and if it should be stored. between climate change and public health and concluded that Development at Qatar University have to make choices freely. In this framework, people are asked Authors a warming climate threatens health, the economy and our pulled the curtain on another element Outside of consumer marketing, beforehand if data can be shared with O Jon Truby is an Associate Professor communities. The next few years are critical if we want to avoid that technology companies are pursuing imagine if fi nancial institutions use an unauthorised entity. of Law and directs the Centre for Law The European Union’s landmark and Development at Qatar University. catastrophic climate change, and we can make our choices count to the detriment of people’s lives, and digital thought clones to make fi nancial investigated what we can do about it. decisions, such as whether a person General Data Protection Regulation and His research interests include technology by going vegan today. Prof Brown, one of the co-authors would repay a loan. What if insurance the California Consumer Privacy Act law and sustainability, particularly It would be easy to view 2020 as a year of missed opportunities, said: “We had been working on the companies judged medical insurance of 2018 can serve as a foundation for artifi cial intelligence and fi nancial but the Lancet report suggests that we reframe the year as a digital thought clone paper a year before applications by predicting the likelihood governments everywhere to legislate on technology. Prof Truby has secured teachable moment. We saw how much suff ering and death the Netfl ix documentary aired. So, of future illnesses based on diet, gym digital thought clones and all that they major research grants and recently occurred when scientifi c advice was ignored or delayed — we were not surprised to see the story membership, the distance applicants entail. But the authors also raise critical spoke on a panel at the United Nations proving how urgently we must address the changing climate revealed by the documentary, which walk in a day — based on their phone’s moral and legal questions over the General Assembly on blockchain law status of these digital thought clones. and policy. He directs the undergraduate now. Lancet scientists collated data on heatwaves, rainfall and affi rmed what our research had found.” location history — and their social Published in Information & circle, as generated by their phone “Does privacy for humans mean their and graduate Environmental Law extreme weather in the United States and found that heat-related Communications Technology Law, contacts and social media groups, and digital clones are protected as well? programmes, and runs a continuing mortality for people over 65 has doubled in the last 20 years. The their paper identifi es “digital thought other variables? Are users giving informed consent to legal education programme for the US also lost 2 billion hours of labour because of extreme heat, had clones,” which act as digital twins that The authors suggest that the companies if their terms and conditions community. He was the founding editor- a 19% rise in exposure to wildfi re risk since 2004 and experienced constantly collect personal data in real- current views on privacy, where are couched in misleading language?” in-chief of the International Review of the six warmest years in recorded history between 2014 and 2019. time, and then predict and analyse the information is treated either as a asks Prof Truby. Law, an internationally peer reviewed The data are stark, data to manipulate people’s decisions. public or private matter or viewed in A legal distinction must be made bilingual law journal. but there is hope on the Activity from apps, social media contextual relationships of who the between the digital clone and the The next few accounts, gadgets, GPS tracking, online information concerns and impacts, biological source. Whether the digital O Rafael Brown received his Juris horizon, if we all recognise and offl ine behaviour and activities, and are outmoded. A human-centred clone can be said to have attained Doctor from Case Western Reserve years are that the world’s future public records are all used to formulate framework is needed, where a person consciousness will be relevant to the University School of Law. He has been is in our hands — and on what they call a “digital thought clone”. can decide from the very beginning inquiry but far more important would be serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor critical if we our plates. Lancet authors The paper defi nes digital thought at the Legal Skills Department of Qatar recommend an urgent clone as “a personalised digital twin University College of Law since 2015, want to avoid reduction in greenhouse consisting of a replica of all known About Qatar University where he teaches legal skills and legal gases within the next fi ve data and behaviour on a specifi c living writing. He is a Vice Chair of Faculty catastrophic person, recording in real-time their Qatar University is one of the society is reflected in its community Aff airs in the Faculty Senate, and an years. While some of their choices, preferences, behavioural leading institutions of academic service efforts and in its vibrant Affi liate Member of the Centre for climate change recommendations, like trends, and decision making processes.” and research excellence in the GCC research portfolio that addresses Law and Development. He previously reshaping the energy grid or “Currently existing or future region. It provides high quality relevant local and regional taught LL.M at the Case Western improving public transport, take time, others, like decarbonising artifi cial intelligence (AI) algorithms undergraduate and graduate challenges, advances national Reserve University Law School, US the food system, are within easy reach of individuals. The best can then process this personalised programs that prepare competent goals towards a knowledge-based and the Global Legal Studies Program. way for us to heed the advice to transition to healthy, sustainable data to test strategies in real-time to graduates, primed to shape the economy, and contributes actively His research interests encompass the agricultural practices — which reduce pollution and greenhouse predict, infl uence, and manipulate a future of Qatar. The organisation’s to the needs and aspirations of the intersection of law and technology, person’s consumer or online decisions strong relationship with Qatari society. www.qu.edu.qa. focusing specifi cally on artifi cial gas emissions — is by going vegan. using extremely precise behavioural intelligence and cybersecurity. Going vegan can ease many of the problems that plagued us in 2020. By reducing demand for factory farms, live animal markets and slaughterhouses, we lessen the disease risk that comes with packing sick, stressed animals in fi lthy, extremely crowded conditions, where illness can easily spread. Raising cows in pastures and feedlots, as well as growing their feed, leads to deforestation, which threatens biodiversity and puts wild Why Biden needs to name a democracy czar animals in close proximity with humans — a disease-promoting scenario that experts have called “poking a beehive.” By Scott Warren meaning tens of millions still wrongfully nimbly push the interdepartmental furthering of social movements like the Other studies have noted a vicious cycle linking climate believe Biden was not rightfully elected prioritisation of democracy essential to Movement for Black Lives and mass change, animal illness and increased production of methane — a president. restoring trust in the American public actions on climate, immigration and particularly potent greenhouse gas emitted by ruminant animals. hen Joe Biden becomes While these numbers are alarming, and across the world. women’s rights. A democracy czar could They point out that a changed climate creates sicker cows, president on January 20, the democratic backsliding and This offi cial could start by following make sure these movements do not he will face an unprec- erosion is not just an American trend. through on the “democracy summit” see themselves as oppositional to the who generate more greenhouse gases, which further heat the edented number of crises. Across the world, democracy is at the Biden promised in the campaign, government, but instead make sure they planet, and then the cycle repeats itself. A study from New York W An unabated global pandemic. An in- precipice. Wholesale change, wrought bringing together countries to focus build durable power by helping inform University found that if we all transitioned to plant-based foods creasingly unequal and fragile economy by automation of the economy and on fi ghting corruption, defeating and guide federal policy. and restored the farmland back to a healthy ecosystem, we could on the verge of recession. A climate societal demographics, is provoking authoritarianism and promoting human Several prominent people are remove up to 16 years’ worth of carbon dioxide emissions from rapidly worsening. A generational fi ght fear. Societies are questioning whether rights. A similar, but domestic, summit well-suited to lend gravitas to such the atmosphere. for racial justice causing a society-wide democracy can actually work. And could include civil rights and voting a position. Stacey Abrams, who’s There are quantifi able public health savings related to going reckoning. across the world, leaders from Hungary organisations, educators and civic received deserved plaudits for her work All are monumental, potentially to Thailand to the United States have engagement groups. organising and protecting the vote in vegan. Oxford University concluded that a global move away existential challenges. But it will be been taking advantage. Beyond such meetings, an eff ective Georgia, could build on this success at from meat could save up to 8 million lives by 2050, reduce food- impossible to make progress on any So if the president-elect wants to approach to democracy would require a the national level. Deval Patrick built related emissions by two-thirds and avoid $1.5 trillion in climate- of these problems without addressing have any chance of succeeding in his broad inter-departmental approach. a strong record of civic engagement related damage. perhaps the most profound crisis the ambitious policy agenda, he must make It would ensure the State Department as governor of Massachusetts, and The past year showed us that we cannot thrive if our new administration will face — the restoring democracy an urgent priority. prioritises the fi ght for democracy in his brief 2020 presidential campaign environment is suff ering. Cities aff ected by smoke, floods crisis in democracy itself. And to help spur this critical rebuilding its policies — not through imposing an explicitly promoted a “democracy and heat waves aff ected our health and productivity. Our A fi ght for the survival of democracy project, he should put a single person in American-version of the governance agenda” that included making voting requires a solution that may seem charge as soon as he’s inaugurated. concept, but by actively supporting accessible and secure, universal mistreatment of animals led to a global pandemic, which killed laughable, but is completely necessary. Yes, the term “democracy czar” is grassroots, pro-democracy eff orts in national service and strengthening and sickened many individuals. As we enter 2021, let’s urgently The new president needs to appoint a oxymoronic. An all-powerful individual countries such as Thailand, Uganda democratic institutions. embrace individual change where we can: in our kitchens, by democracy czar. to restore collective action and trust and Venezuela. It would mean the Many of Biden’s policy proposals going vegan. A kinder, safer and healthier world will be our This crisis in democracy has not amid the masses? Justice Department reversing the voter are focused on outcomes — a rebuilt reward. — Tribune News Service solely been caused by the autocratic But the appointment of John Kerry suppression that defi ned the Trump economy, for starters, then reforms of tendencies of President Donald Trump, as “climate czar” demonstrates the era, through ensuring new regulations the immigration, education and energy and will not go away when he leaves potential for such an approach. Kerry’s put teeth back in the Voting Rights Act systems. None will be sustainable To Advertise offi ce. Over the last several decades, role, while sitting on the National and protect election systems at the without a robust democracy that the American people have become Security Council, will be to coordinate local level. It would mean the Education encourages citizen engagement, fosters [email protected] increasingly distrustful of a system of the administration’s response to Department ensuring schools prioritise dialogue and ensures Americans of Display governance they feel has produced more the climate crisis across multiple educating for democracy through a all stripes feel the government truly cronyism than results. The sobering agencies. Rather than environmental revitalisation and deep investment cares about them and listens to their 44466621 44418811 statistics are endless but include: Fewer policy becoming the work of any one in civics education. And it could opinions. than 20% of Americans trust the federal department, the former secretary of mean the Health and Human Services No person can solve all of these Classified government to do the right thing, a state and 2004 presidential nominee Department helping register people to challenges. But in an unprecedented 44466609 44418811 historic low, and fewer than 30% of will have the stature to ensure each vote when they use HealthCare.gov or moment, innovative solutions are young people even think democracy is Cabinet secretary makes climate go online with Medicare and Medicaid. required. A democracy czar would show Subscription the best form of governance. change a priority, whether they are The federal government can prioritise the Biden administration’s commitment And despite an election that by all coordinating international relations or democracy with initiatives to actively — not only to solving for the challenges [email protected] accounts was free and fair, historically farm programs. encourage citizen involvement. This of today, but to making sure the high levels of polarisation remain — While some have called for a whole year has seen an unprecedented American democratic experiment stimulated by a Republican Party that new Department of Democracy, a amount of citizen action — not only continues into the future. — Tribune © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved has put winning above democracy, democracy czar would similarly and record turnout for the election but the News Service Gulf Times Thursday, December 31, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Fresh delivery of 14 home-made JF-17B multi-role fighter jets for Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra delivered 14 dual-seat JF-17 aircraft to Pa- kistan Air Force (PAF), local media reported yesterday. The jets would also be used for pilots’ training. The induction of JF-17 air- craft will increase the poten- tial for national defence. The Chinese-designed dual-seat fighter jet produced jointly by Pakistan were inducted into PAF’s fleet during a ceremony held in Kamra. Earlier, China ramped up the production of JF-17 fighter jet, which was jointly devel- oped with Pakistan. In the first half of 2020, the number of aircraft delivered was the most in the past five years, according to industry reports. The production line of the JF-17 has on average short- ened the production period of a single aircraft by 15 days compared to last year. The Pakistani Air Force is the main operator of JF-17 fighter jets. Myanmar also flies the Chi- nese-Pakistani made fighter jets. The latest, powered-up ver- sion of the JF-17, known as the JF-17 Block 3, made its maiden flight in December 2019, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong (left) receives a plaque from Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board Air Marshal Syed Noman during the rolled-out ceremony of 14 dual-seat JF-17B multi- Aerospace Knowledge maga- role aircraft, which coincided with the launch of JF-17 Block-III aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, west of the capital Islamabad yesterday. Right: Pakistani Air Force personnel stand guard in zine reported then. front of the JF-17B multi-role aircraft rolled out at the ceremony. (AFP)

Balochistan China to provide halts fencing PML-N Foundation Day 50 armed drones after criticism to Pakistan

The Balochistan government As reported by Chinese state media, Covid death toll halted work on Gwadar fence Beijing has decided to supply 50 Wing on the instructions of Chief Loong II armed drones to Pakistan, Minister Jam Kamal yesterday. which would pose a unique challenge The initiative has been taken for adversarial forces across the Line after strong criticism from the of Control. These armed drones have citizens of the port city. been touted as extremely eff ective, crosses 10,000 Home Minister Mir Zia especially in high-altitude areas, as Lango said a parliamentary the Indian military lacks the capability delegation would give its to respond to the new-age weaponry. Pakistanis not being allowed recommendation to the chief Chinese state media outlets argued to board flights at Heathrow minister in this regard. He that armed drones played a crucial said the government would role in the conflicts in Libya, Syria Internews address the reservations of and Azerbaijan; adding that Indian Islamabad the locals and move forward forces would be unable to parry in consultation with the an attack against this aerial threat. people of Gwadar. The minister However, Indian military off icials have n the last 24 hours, the novel said the concerns of the locals pointed out that armed drones are virus claimed the lives of were more important for the most eff ective aerial spaces where I55 more people across the provincial government, which it has dominance, and which remain country taking the total number is working for the progress and uncontested — a key example of of deaths to 10,047. Some 36,390 prosperity of the people under which is in Afghanistan or Iraq, where people were tested for the virus Kamal’s leadership. Earlier, as the United States routinely carries out across the country, taking the part of security measures to Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz strikes against insurgents. number of total tests conducted protect belt and road projects, (PML-N) vice-president and daughter of former The cost of the Chinese Wing Loong II to 6,656,373. the work on Gwadar Fencing premier Nawaz Sharif, waves to supporters during drone is one-tenth of that of a fighter Out of these, 2,155 people Project kicked off under the the party’s Foundation Day celebration in Islamabad jet, but in the absence of a properly tested positive, taking the na- Gwadar Smart Port City Master yesterday. (AFP) integrated air defence system in tionwide tally to 477,240. The Plan 2017-2050. place, a coordinated drone strike can break-up is: Sindh 1,100 new be very costly. cases; Punjab 626; Balochistan 19; and KP 236 cases. Meanwhile, Islamabad report- Hindu temple ed 166, Gilgit-Baltistan 2, and Pakistanis own $150bn in foreign Azad Jammu and Kashmir 6 new torched by mob Covid-19 cases. There are 37,080 accounts, claims ex-FBR chair active cases in the country. A couple wearing protective masks walks along a market as the Hundreds of Muslims attacked and On Tuesday, Pakistan report- outbreak of coronavirus disease continues in the southern port city Pakistanis own $150 billion lying in for- said, are earning 1 or 2% profit because of set fire to a Hindu temple in northwest ed its fi rst confi rmed cases of a of Karachi. (Reuters) eign bank accounts and are earning pea- lower interest rates and are deprived of Pakistan yesterday, police and witnesses new coronavirus strain detected nuts in the wake of lower interest rates, huge profit earning opportunities in Paki- said. Videos circulating on social in the United Kingdom. ports, airlines have refused to fl y this month. says former Federal Bureau of Revenue stan. media showed men using hammers In a statement, the Sindh back passengers despite Pakistan The new strain, referred to by chairperson Shabbar Zaidi. The former FBR chairperson said the to- to damage the temple walls as thick health department said that government’s directives that some experts as the B.1.17 line- Zaidi made the startling disclosure dur- bacco sector had a 30% share of illegal trade grey smoke rose up from the site. The 12 samples of UK returnees their passport-holders and stu- age, is not the fi rst variant of ing a webinar organised by Positive Media of cigarettes. incident took place in a remote village were taken for genotyping out dents would be allowed to travel Covid-19 pandemic, but it is said Communication. There is taxation of 74% in the tobacco sec- in Karak district, some 100 kilometres of which six were positive and to the country, provided they to be up to 70% more transmissi- He said the time had come for these tor and where there is higher incidence, there southeast of Peshawar, the capital of three showed the new variant of hold a negative coronavirus test ble than the previously dominant businessmen to think about bringing back will be a huge evasion, Zaidi said, adding the the northwestern province of Khyber the coronavirus virus in the fi rst conducted within 72 hours of the strain in the UK. this huge sum of money. sugar and cement industries are among the Pakthunkhwa. “A charged mob of some phase. travel time. It has since been detected in Zaidi recalled his meeting with a re- major sectors evading tax. 1,000 to 1,200 people were incited Later, the National Command The passengers, however, are some European countries, South nowned Pakistani businessmen in which He criticised the role of the media and ar- by the local Muslim clerics to destroy and Operation Centre (NCOC) not being allowed to board fl ights Africa, India, Japan and Pakistan. he named the Pakistanis who had stored gued that it created blocks in the way of in- the Hindu temple,” district police chief also released a statement, saying even with a negative Covid-19 On December 21, Civil Avia- money in dollars abroad in countries like troducing reforms and documentation of the Irfanullah Khan told AFP. that two more patients admitted test result. They staged a pro- tion Authority (CAA) placed a Malta. economy. Khan said resentment towards the to the National Institute of Health test over the non-co-operation temporary restriction on inbound Zaidi claimed he knew individuals with Zaidi said 90% off icers belonging to the IRS temple, which was not in regular use, in Islamabad also showed the new of the airlines at the Heathrow fl ights from the UK. The govern- addresses who owned the $150 billion. and the Customs Group belonged to those has been brewing for years, particularly variant. Airport. ment had made it mandatory A report published in local media quoted families where their relatives are involved in after recent renovation work was carried Meanwhile Pakistanis looking Countries including Pakistan for people to download the Pass Zaidi as saying that he had written about illegal businesses so it was also in their vested out. “The police have registered a to fl y back to the country have placed travel restrictions and Track App app which records the this money stashed abroad in his book. interest to continue the practice of undocu- case against some 20 people and with not been able to board fl ights at closed their borders to the United basic information of passengers These Pakistani businessmen, Zaidi, mented economy for a longer period. the help of videos, we will trace more the Heathrow Airport in London. Kingdom after a new strain of the arriving in Pakistan before com- culprits,” Khan added. According to local media re- coronavirus was detected earlier ing to Pakistan. NAB to fi le 11th case in fake bank accounts scandal

Internews over by the NAB chairman Javed “The accused Haroon and No 6500002687 titled Mandvi- the freezing order. Later, on De- He said meeting also approved munity and all other segments of Islamabad Iqbal. Saleem Mandviwalla in conniv- walla brothers. cember 8th, Tariq Mehmood, an to refer the complaint regarding Pakistani communities also desire The NAB has decided to fi le ance with each other embezzled The accused Mandviwalla uti- employee or alleged benamidar negligence in performance of of- the transformation of the country reference against the accused on the government land through lised same account for purchase of Mandviwalla, challenged the fi cial duty by offi cial/offi cers of into a prosperous, corruption free, he National Accountabil- their involvement in illegal al- illegal and fraudulent allotment of 3,108,000 shares of Man- court order and court sought reply customs deployed at Sost Dry Port and developed country, it says. ity Bureau (NAB) has de- lotment of plots in the OCHSL of plots of OCHSL and received gla View Resort Pvt Ltd, valuing of the NAB. to the Federal Board of Revenue The NAB has outrightly re- Tcided to fi le 11th corrup- Karachi, and payment of those unlawful and illegal gains of Rs31,080,000 in the name of his The NAB submitted on De- (FBR) for further proceedings as jected and brushed aside the im- tion reference in multi-billion plots through fake bank ac- Rs144.2 million from fake bank employee/associate Tariq Meh- cember 18 its reply with respect per law. pression of some elements about fake bank accounts case against counts which incurred huge accounts namely, A-One Inter- mood.” to Mehmood’s petition, and court According to the statement, death of the accused person in its chairman Overseas Co-oper- losses to the national exchequer, national and Lucky Internation- It says that “the above said will hear arguments of the counsel the EBM said that NAB always custody, adding that such baseless ative Housing Society Limited according to an offi cial state- al under the garb of business deal amount from which shares were of Mehmood regarding the NAB’s believes in respecting the sanc- and misleading allegations cannot (OCHSL) (Kidney Hill) Karachi, ment issued by the NAB. or property transaction with purchased belonged to accused reply on January 6th. tity and respect of parliament stop the NAB from performing its former chairman Pakistan Inter- However, the NAB’s state- Abdul Ghani Majeed,” the docu- Mandvidwalla. The NAB has so far fi led 11 cor- and parliamentarians. Business legal and constitutional obliga- national Airlines (PIA) Moham- ment did not mention the name ment says. There is great likelihood that ruption references out of total of community play important role in tions to eradicate corruption from ed Ijaz Haroon, OMNI group’s of Deputy Chairman Senate Sal- According to the document, above mentioned shares will be 43 fake accounts cases in the cur- the progress and prosperity of the the country. Abdul Ghani Majeed, and others eem Mandviwala, who has also “the accused Mandviwalla co- sold out with purpose to create rent year. As many as 11 fake ac- country. The NAB has decided to initi- on charge of illegal allotment of appeared before the bureau in ordinated the said property hardship in the recovery of the counts cases are at investigation The NAB strongly denied the ate probe against the baseless, plots of the OCHSL. the same case and according to a deal and received illegal gains of crime proceeds. Therefore, it is re- stage, while 21 are at inquiry stage. impression that the business misleading, concocted and fab- An offi cial said the decision to document submitted by the NAB Rs64.2 million out of total crime quested that freezing order passed The offi cial said that the bureau community is perturbed due to ricated propaganda against the fi le corruption reference against investigation offi cer Mudassar proceeds of Rs144.2 million and by Director General (DG) NAB on also authorised to start corruption the NAB’s action. NAB in order to tarnish its image Haroon, Majeed, and others was Hussain, before the account- utilised the sake for his personal November 11, 2020 be confi rmed.” inquiry against the offi cers/of- The NAB always believes in per- and repute as an institution un- taken in the NAB’s executive ability court-I that he was au- gains by using mandate to oper- The AC-I judge Mohamed Ba- fi cials of the Federal Government forming its duties in accordance der Clause 31 (a) of the NAB Or- board meeting (EBM) presided thorised to investigate the case. ate his brother company account shir on November 24 endorsed Employees Housing Foundation. with the law. The business com- dinance. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, December 31, 2020 QATAR

Qatar-US joint aerial refuelling exercise

Qatar Amiri Air Force conducted an aerial refuelling exercise with the US Air Force. The Rafale aircraft of the Qatar Amiri Air Force were refuelled in the air by the US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft. This is the first aerial Aspire Zone refuelling exercise conducted between the two friendly Foundation gears countries, and it reflects the up to host eighth practical side of the strategic partnership between Qatar edition of Qatar’s and the US. — QNA Strongest Man he eighth edition of Qa- tar’s Strongest Man T(QSM) is set to take place on January 22 with all the pre- cautionary measures in place, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has announced. Registration is now open for the event. AZF will run the qualifi cation rounds on January 8 and 15 from 4pm- 6pm. It will also organise a techni- cal meeting to familiarise par- ticipants with the rules of the competition. Those who are interested can register through AZF’s website. Participants must complete the physical challenges before pro- ceeding to the actual competi- tion. Challenges include a 200kg deadlift, a farmer’s 20m walk while carrying 120kg in each arm, and a giant 160kg tyre fl ip. Considering the Covid-19 outbreak, AZF takes all preven- tive precautions to prevent the spread of the virus by check- ing of Ehtraz App (green code), measuring the temperatures and mandatory wearing of face masks. Those who are keen to put their strength to the test can register to participate online at www.aspirezone.qa. Ashghal to open highest and seventh bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange he highest and seventh With a height of about 30m, the bridge of the Umm Le- Tkhba Interchange (Land- bridge consists of one lane to mark) will be opened to traffi c accommodate about 2,000 vehicles tomorrow (Friday), the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has per hour significantly reducing the said. The 1km-long bridge, part travel time for road users from the of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project, will provide free fl ow north in the direction of Al Markhiya traffi c for road users coming Street without the need to use the Al from Al Shamal Road towards Al Markhiya Street. Gharrafa Intersection (Immigration “The new bridge is the highest Intersection) bridge at this vital interchange and the second highest fl yover in Qatar after Umm Besher In- terchange fl yover,” an Ashghal statement explained. With a height of about 30m, Ashghal completes the bridge consists of one lane to accommodate about 2,000 vehicles per hour signifi cantly 96% of Umm Lekhba reducing the travel time for road users from the north in the di- A view of the highest and seventh bridge of the Umm Lekhba Interchange (Landmark). rection of Al Markhiya Street Interchange without the need to use the Al Gharrafa Intersection (Immigra- tion Intersection). he Public Works Authority Ashghal has so far opened pe- (Ashghal) has completed destrian and bicycle paths and T96% works of Umm Le- beautifi cation elements on the khba Interchange where the re- east side of the new Al Hatim maining bridges will be opened Street in the Al Gharrafa area. by the fi rst quarter of 2021. This With a length of about 6km, was revealed by Highway Project the paths spread over an area Department’s project engineer of about 70,000sq m. Around Ali Saeed Ibrahim yesterday 800 trees were planted along while announcing the opening of the street, in addition to shrubs the seventh bridge at the inter- and lawns across 80,000sq m. change. Engineer Ali Saeed Ibrahim In addition, 22 bicycle racks and Once completed, Qatar’s long- 18 benches have been provided est and vital interchange will Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to Al along the street. signifi cantly improve traffi c and Shamal Road. Ali Saeed Ibrahim, project en- Ashghal has planted around 800 trees along the new Al Hatim Street A view of a bicycle path on the east side of the new Al Hatim Street in shorten journey time by more The second level includes gineer at Highway Project De- in Al Gharrafa area, in addition to shrubs and lawns across 80,000sq Al Gharrafa area. than 70%. three bridges to ensure traf- partment, said the new opening m. The bridges provide nine ar- fi c fl ow to and from Al Shamal on Umm Lekhba Interchange teries that provide a free traffi c Road and connecting Al Gharrafa will provide free traffi c fl ow from fl ow in all directions. It can ac- fl ow in nine directions in ad- to Doha and Al Shamal Road to the north towards Al Markhiya. commodate more than 20,000 dition to the free traffi c on Al Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. This will signifi cantly reduce vehicles per hour. Five bridges Shamal Road as well as the un- The project includes an inte- traffi c pressure on Al Shamal consist of two lanes in one di- derpass of the old interchange grated drinking water network, Road (22 February Street) es- rection while the other four linking Al Markhiya Street and electricity and treated water lines pecially on Al Gharrafa Inter- bridges include one lane in one Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. as well as an integrated rainwa- change as road users coming direction. The interchange is The interchange features a ter and service water drainage. from Al Shamal and heading to- the second highest interchange sophisticated intelligent trans- These are in addition to a sewage wards Al Markhiya will now have in Qatar after the interchange port system wherein surveillance and drainage network, various direct access instead of making of Umm Besher on the G-Ring cameras, a vehicle number mon- communication networks and a U-turn at Immigration Inter- Road. itor, vehicle classifi cation and fi bre optic cables. The construc- change. Umm Lekhba Interchange emergency traffi c system will be tion of Umm Lekhba Interchange The Umm Lekhba Interchange will ease the traffi c congestion installed. encountered many diffi culties is considered to be the northern on Doha Expressway, especially The new junction consists of and challenges, according to gateway of Doha and a ‘distri- at Al Gharrafa (Immigration) an underpass extending 700m Ashghal. bution station’ due to its stra- Interchange and Al Duhail in- between Al Markhiya Street and To overcome the complex na- tegic location where Al Shamal tersections. It will also ensure Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. The ture of the project, the ‘precast Road intersects with the Doha smooth traffi c fl ow for those ground level consists of two loop segmental balanced cantilever’ Expressway, Al Markhiya Street coming from Doha Corniche, Road users coming from Al Shamal and heading towards Al Markhiya will now have direct access instead bridges to Sabah Al Ahmad Cor- method was used. The reduc- and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and of making a U-turn at Immigration Interchange. ridor (bridge adjacent to Land- tion of space and the complex and witnesses heavy traffi c to Duhail in the direction of Al mark Mall and another adjacent arrangement of bridges also and from Doha via Al Shamal. Shamal Road, Sabah Al Ahmad The area is densely populated cilities. The bridges provide nine Road as well as the underpass of to Ezdan Mall to ease traffi c pres- necessitate the design of some Umm Lekhba Interchange Corridor, Al Gharrafa and Ghar- and serve as a commercial hub arteries that provide free traffi c the old interchange linking Al sure). The ground level also in- bridges, extending long spans up consists of four levels and nine rafat Al Rayyan areas to Al Luqta that also has government enti- fl ow in nine directions, in addi- Markhiya Street and Sabah Al cludes four bridges that provide to 90m in some cases, the long- bridges that provide free traffi c and Al Rayyan. ties, educational and health fa- tion to free traffi c on Al Shamal Ahmad Corridor. free traffi c fl ow and connects est in Qatar.