Wave 2 of Hat-trick hero QFTH to Bounedjah cover more fires Al Sadd sectors, says to win over official Al Duhail

Business | 01 Sport | 11

WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 29 JUMADA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8501 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Build your own plan! Terms & Conditions Apply Amir receives MME signs contract to build container city phone call from SANAULLAH ATAULLAH PM of Greece THE PENINSULA QNA — DOHA To preserve the environment by providing safe alternative Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin storage facility to individuals, Hamad Al Thani received entities, the Ministry of Munic- yesterday morning a telephone ipality and Environment (MME) call from Prime Minister of the yesterday signed a contract with Hellenic Republic H E Kyriakos Continental Trading Company Mitsotakis, during which he to build and operate a self congratulated H H the Amir on storage container-city in Bojoud the Gulf reconciliation and the area on Al Majd Road opposite positive outcomes of the 41st Birkat Al Awamer. session of the Supreme Council The main purpose of the of the Gulf Cooperation Council project is to provide alternative (GCC). storage facility to citizens and During the telephone call, expatriates to curb the practice they reviewed the bilateral rela- Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of at random stockpile of their tions between the two countries bin Turki Al Subaie, with officials from the Ministry and Continental belongings in residential areas, The main purpose of the project, expected to and means to enhance them in farms and public places that will come into operation within four months, is to Trading Co (CTC), after signing the contract between the ministry various domains. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA protect the environment and provide alternative storage facility to and CTC. ensure health and safety. citizens and expatriates to curb the practice Appointments for Minister of Municipality and of random stockpile of their belongings in res- Environmental Affairs at MME, prices,” said Al Muhannadi. He Environment H E Abdullah bin idential areas, farms and public places that Eng Hasan Juma Al Muhannadi, called campers to use city con- QVC in Colombo Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie will protect the environment and ensure said the project will help greatly tainers facility for storing witnessed the contract signing health and safety. to curb the practice of random camping gears after end of the begins today ceremony held at the head- storage in houses, farms and winter season. quarters of MME. public places which is considered “The project is being THE PENINSULA — DOHA “The project will provide their belongings in containers sidelines of the signing ceremony, a violation of the provisions of developed in a strategic location necessities for self-storage provided by the company exe- Al Tamimi said the project city of Public Hygiene Law. falling close to vital areas and The Ministry of Interior (MoI) facilities in an area of 310,884 cuting the project,” said Director containers for self-storage is “The project will provide an highways which provide ease will reopen its Qatar Visa sq meters which can house of Technical Office at MME, Tariq expected to come into operation alternative storage facility of to transport storage materials Center (QVC) in Colombo, Sri 28,000 containers enabling Juma Al Tamimi. Speaking at a within four months. self-storage containers in most from/to the city,” said Al Lanka on January 20. The people and companies to store press conference held on the Assistant Undersecretary for modern way at competitive Muhannadi. `P3 appointment bookings to visit the QVC for Colombo will open today and can be done through the website. MoTC collects data to develop The Ministry announced this on its social media channels. “Appointment booking to visit the Centre can Qatar Freight Master Plan be made through the QVC website starting on January 13, THE PENINSULA — DOHA transportation and freight 2021,” MoI said in a statement. The Ministry of services companies, as well as This decision comes within In a bid to establish a modern Transport and with harbors countrywide and the framework of reopening infrastructure for freight Communications Hamad International Airport. Qatar Visa Centres abroad. industry across the country as (MoTC) is Based on this information, Qatar recently opened the part of an integrated transpor- currently a traffic model that simulates visa centers in India, Nepal, tation system, the Ministry of considering the the reality can be developed Pakistan, and the Philippines. Transport and Communications supported by an enhanced QVC also recently started Vehicles crossing the Abu Samra border. is likely to finalise Qatar Freight Qatar Freight capability for understanding receiving visa applications for Master Plan by end of next year. Master Plan how variables are impacting Bangladeshi domestic workers. Over 900 vehicles crossed Abu The Ministry of Transport (QFMP), which is freight activity till 2050, as well and Communications (MoTC) expected to be as the latest techniques Egypt reopens Samra border in first 3 days is currently considering the finalised by the deployed in freight and delivery Qatar Freight Master Plan end of 2022. industry. airspace to Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA of Saudi Arabia. The Land (QFMP), which is expected to The QFMP aims to establish Customs Administration started be finalised by the end of 2022. a modern infrastructure for THE PENINSULA — DOHA Over 900 vehicles crossed Abu its processes for receiving trav- The Ministry said in a freight industry across the Samra border in the first three ellers to and from the country, statement yesterday that it is on country as part of an integrated Egypt reopened its airspace to days since the border’s in coordination with its the stage of collecting data and transportation system in such Qatari flights yesterday and reopening, the General partners from the government conducting relevant surveys a way that upgrades the culture will allow the resumption of Authority of Customs (GAC) has agencies operating at the and questionnaires. The effort and service of freight in Qatar flights between the two coun- announced. A total of 835 border crossing. includes collecting a wide-range to the best global standards and tries, agencies have reported. vehicles exited from Qatar to Director of the Land of freight-related information on practices in terms of traffic The lifting of Egypt’s avi- Saudi Arabia, and 95 vehicles Customs Department, Murshid origins, routes and destinations safety and least possible envi- ation ban allowed Qatari entered Qatar from Saudi Shaheen Al Kuwari, said of freight movements, the flow ronmental imprint. flights to cross Egyptian air- Arabia, according to checkpoint immediately after receiving rate of trucks at major junctions, on roads, traffic counts on junc- It will also contribute to space and national carriers records at Abu Samra border, instructions to reopen the only as well as other qualitative and tions using cameras, measuring economic and urban growth from both countries to submit the GAC said in a statement. land checkpoint between quantitative data on the per- trip duration on existing roads, and an improved road freight flight operating schedules for The GAC resumed work at Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the formance of freight industry classifying the vehicles for people and visitors of Qatar, approval, Al Ahram newspaper the Abu Samra border crossing, department notified relevant across Qatar in general. including all types of trucks, thus meeting the Qatar National reported. Alex Macheras, avi- following the procedures to agencies to coordinate and Field surveys are collecting and conducting surveys and Vision 2030 objectives for sus- ation analyst, tweeted that reopen air, land, and sea determine the readiness of data needed to develop the questionnaires with employers tainability, growing economic Egypt officially updates its borders between the State of customs operations within the QFMP. Extensive data will be and staff of construction, productivity, social equity and NOTAMs to remove its airspace Qatar and the sisterly Kingdom checkpoint. `P3 collected through traffic counts logistics, heavy and light livable neighborhoods. `P2 ban on Qatar. QA earns Diamond Standard in APEX Health Safety

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The ‘Diamond Standard’ status, and impact of the global pandemic, which is the highest level we welcome the introduction of this Qatar Airways has achieved attainable, was announced by and other relevant COVID-related Diamond Standard in the Airline APEX and global aviation hygiene and safety reviews, and Passenger Experience Association’s marketing consultancy, would encourage other airlines to (APEX) Health Safety Powered by SimpliFlying, following a continue to build passenger confi- SimpliFlying audit. dence and assist with the recovery The ‘Diamond Standard’ status, meticulous assessment of the of the industry by participating which is the highest level attainable, airline’s robust COVID-19 wherever possible.” was announced by APEX and global hygiene and safety standards. APEX Chief Executive Officer Dr. aviation marketing consultancy, Joe Leader said: “Qatar Airways’ SimpliFlying, following a meticulous COVID-19 protocols definitively met assessment of the airline’s robust monitoring, detection and COVID-19 airline’s comprehensive COVID-19 the highest marks for the Diamond COVID-19 hygiene and safety safety programme throughout our protection and prevention measures, certification level backed by their standards. end-to-end passenger experience, both on board and at Hamad Inter- extraordinary steps for customer Qatar Airways Group Chief Exec- in existence within the global avi- national Airport, and reinforces the safety. The actions taken by Qatar utive H E Akbar Al Baker said: “As ation community. fact that air travel does not need to appear centered around a singular an industry leader, we welcome the “The awarding of the APEX be a source of concern to philosophy: how can we innova- further recognition of Qatar Airways’ Health Safety ‘Diamond Standard’ passengers. tively maximize both our customer commitment to providing the most was the result of a thorough and “As commercial aviation con- service and passenger safety hand- rigorous and stringent virus extensive independent audit of the tinues to deal with the challenges in-hand. `P3 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 Qatar, Sudan review boosting ties Hifz Al Naema humanitarian projects benefit over 167,000 in 2020 QNA — DOHA electronic devices and about The number of 174 tons of clothes to workers More than 167,000 people and beneficiary families and families in need after families have benefited from approved has increased studying the cases presented. the humanitarian projects In addition, the number of carried out by Hifz Al Naema from 650 last year to beneficiaries from the in-kind centre last year. The projects 1,600 by the end of donations reached 337 families included food donations, 2020. The number of and workers, and the centre in-kind donations, awareness meals reached 204,153 also implemented many sea- activities and others. meals benefiting 107,496 sonal projects. The food aid provided by Public relations officer at the centre, represented by the workers and 22,516 Hifz Al Naema, Yousef Al Khu- food bank department, has the families. laifi, praised the solidarity of the largest number of beneficiaries, Qatari community and its great as the number of families and the third benefited 1,500 interaction with the centre’s approved by it increased from families in June and July respec- initiatives, especially in light of 650 last year to 1,600 by the tively. The centre maintained the conditions resulted by the end of 2020. The number of all the precautionary measures spread of the coronavirus pan- meals reached 204,153 meals followed in the country in light demic worldwide. State Minister for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi receiving the message during his benefiting 107,496 workers and of the difficult conditions the He noted that the centre meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan H E Abd Al Rahim Al Siddig Mohammed. 22,516 families. world is witnessing due to the needs more support from the On the other hand, the coronavirus pandemic, and was public and private institutions QNA — DOHA from the Acting Minister of Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al “food basket” initiative keen to cancel any gatherings to help achieve its vision aiming Foreign Affairs of the Republic Muraikhi received the message launched by the Ministry of related to the mechanism and at reducing waste, whether Deputy Prime Minister and of Sudan H E Omar Gammar- during his meeting with Endowments and Islamic method of distribution. from surplus food or others, Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Eddin, pertaining to bilateral Ambassador of the Republic of Affairs in cooperation with the Meanwhile, charitable and to achieve social solidarity, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- relations and ways to enhance Sudan to the State of Qatar H centre included three phases — warehouse department at the which in turn will be reflected rahman Al Thani received and develop them. E Abd Al Rahim Al Siddig the first benefited 1,100 fam- centre distributed thousands of in the increase in the number yesterday a written message State Minister for Foreign Mohammed. ilies in May, while the second furniture, electrical and of beneficiaries. Qatar Museums makes new archaeological discovery in Asaila Qatari students enrolling in THE PENINSULA — DOHA Museums, said: “The recent discovery at Aisala paves the way for a deeper under- CNA-Q on rise The Department of Archaeology at Qatar standing of past civilisations, which will Museums (QM) has announced the in turn enable Qatar Museums to trace THE PENINSULA — DOHA discovery of new archaeological remains the influences they have had on shaping in Asaila, located in the west of Qatar, Qatar’s heritage. We are honoured to be College of the North Atlantic - approximately 12 kilometres east of able to carry out this important archae- Qatar (CNA-Q) has welcomed Umm Bab and said to be one of the oldest ological work to support the preservation a new group of students to its archaeological sites in the country. of Qatar’s history and traditions.” winter semester 2021. The initial excavation took place at Commenting on this finding, Faisal This year saw an increase a burial mound, dating back between Al Naimi, Director of the Department of almost 140% in the appli- 300 BCE and 300 CE. Although the of Archaeology at QM stated: “Exca- cation rate of Qatari students, tombs themselves had been robbed vation is one of the Department of after announcing that the Col- already in antiquity, a team from the Archaeology’s key focus areas. Qatar’s lege’s Board of Trustees agreed Department of Archaeology was able to sites and burial mounds tell the stories to exempt both Qatari citizens uncover the remains of important indi- of its past inhabitants. Our work at and children of Qatari women viduals, who were buried on top of a Asaila is part of a wider plan to be from the payment of tuition plateau in large and carefully con- implemented over several years to fees. structed burial mounds together with uncover burial mounds in the country, In line with the govern- personal items such as a sword, metal which will provide invaluable insights ment’s plan to reduce restric- tools and a golden earring. about how people lived on this land in tions in phases as a result of Remains of a camel found in a grave in Asaila. The sacrificial burial of a camel and the past. The findings from the exca- the coronavirus pandemic, the its calf was found in a stone chamber vation will contribute to preserving and College is following blended attached to one of the human graves. documenting Qatari heritage, and burial pit, made to kneel and then The Asaila tombs are one of several learning with 50% attendance. The human remains will be subject to linking it to the present day.” slaughtered alongside with its calf. This burial sites that QM plans to excavate as Within this framework, 3 ori- advanced paleoanthropological and Extensive data revealed that Asaila spectacular finding will provide new part of the National Priority Research entation sessions were offered molecular analyses, including the study still has numerous undiscovered archae- information about the domestication and Programme “Human Populations and to new students; one of them of ancient genetic material. The process ological remains. The newly excavated usage of camels and the ritual practices Demographics in Qatar from the Neo- was on campus while the other is aimed at understanding the migration graves also revealed an untouched burial that existed in pre-Islamic Arabia. In lithic to the late Iron Age” led by Sidra two took place online. and dietary habits of people who lived of a camel in its natural resting position 1961, a similar grave containing the Medicine and funded by the Qatar During orientation ses- in this region in ancient times. with its legs folded under the body. This remains of a dromedary-Bactrian hybrid National Research Fund (Grant no. sions organised by the Student Ahmad Musa Al Namla, CEO of Qatar suggests that the camel was led into the camel was excavated at Mezruah. NPRP10-0208-170411). Affairs department, new joiners toured through the many advanced laboratory and simulation facilities that Early Education Department the campus boasts, and were able to meet highly skilled faculty members who will be produces 1,200 video lessons leading them through their studies. Furthermore, students THE PENINSULA — DOHA to develop specifications for midterm have the opportunity to join exams for the second semester to clubs and a wide variety of The Early Education Department has provide schools with them early. sports teams. planned for the second semester on From the perspective of upgrading More than 3,629 students several axes, the most important of the level of teachers and coordinators, joined the college for the which is the administration’s will- the Early Education Department pre- winter semester, across dif- ingness, through the implementation pared a series of virtual remote ferent schools from Business of its plans, to support the educational meetings and awareness workshops, Management and Information field during the second semester. and identified a set of important topics, Technology to Engineering An example of this support is com- on which these workshops and Technology and Industrial pleting the production of video lessons awareness activities will be presented Trades, Health Sciences and for the second semester of the foun- such as ‘developing the thinking skills Foundation Program. dation stage and the kindergarten stage and creativity of teachers’. Commenting on the start with 550 videos, bringing the total The Department also created of the new semester, Acting number of lessons and videos made opportunity to organise educational President of CNA-Q, Dr. Salem Mali FM meets Ambassador of Qatar during the current academic year to meetings through Microsoft-Teams Al Naemi, said, “We are approximately 1,200 videos, said the platform to exchange experiences pleased to welcome all new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali H E Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- between the teachers, and direct the and returning students. CNA-Q Zeini Moulaye met yesterday with Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Mali H E Ahmed cation in a statement. teachers on how to proceed with the is an excellent choice to follow Abdulrahman Al Sunaidi. The meeting reviewed aspects of bilateral cooperation and This came within the framework live broadcast lessons to achieve the an applied education and issues of mutual concern. of the constant and continuous efforts goal of blended-learning for prepare for a successful career. made by the Early Education students. We are particularly contented Department to plan the start of the The Department focused, in its with the increasing number of second semester, and in its endeavours plans for the second semester, on Qatari students, and hope that to improve the learning outcomes of developing the academic aspects of the campus life will enable school students, and raise the effi- teachers and coordinators, by inten- every student to develop not ciency of teachers and coordinators, sifying field visits to schools, moni- only on the academic level but which will be reflected in the quality toring performance of academic staff. also on the personal one as of the educational process. With regard to learning resources well.” In the same context, schools were the Early Education Department The college is following provided with semester plans for the attaches great importance to kinder- strict preventive measures to second semester early in order for its garten learning resources through its protect its students and faculty coordinators and teachers to plan and revision to meet children’s behav- members against the corona- prepare well from the first day of stu- ioural, value and educational needs. virus. The security team has dents’ attendance in the second The Department affirmed the role been trained to ensure best semester. that kindergarten directors play in pro- practices are set in place. The The Department also provided a viding the required support to teachers college has also launched the series of presentations to support the and coordinators and the continuous student “COVID-19 Ambas- female teachers to raise the academic and intensive visits to ensure the sador Program”, designed to level of students. With regard to exam- appropriate quality of learning out- provide people with proper inations and evaluations, the spe- comes in light of the global conditions protocol regarding the virus cialised team in this regard has begun due to the COVID-19 pandemic. prevention. MoTC collects data to develop Qatar Freight Master Plan FROM PAGE 1 freight, its modes and work hours Upon completing the stage of This project is for developing on well-considered routes in such a data collection and surveys, a spe- plans for freight routes across the way that meets the expectations of cialised MoTC team will embark on country, be them private or joint. The developers and freight companies an integrated and sustainable aim is to reduce freight traffic on in Qatar. Additionally, the project is designing for all freight modes, road congestion. establishing an electronic GIS and develop a freight route designing It is also preparing a freight route assistive smart applications to be guidebook and develop relevant pol- designing guidebook and setting used by all the concerned bodies in icies for the miscellaneous freight systems and policies relating to Qatar till 2050. networks and systems. WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 HOME 03

Vice-President of Indonesia meets Qatar envoy MME signs contract to build container city

FROM PAGE 1 Chairman of Continental The purpose of the project Director of Technical Office Trading Company, Abdullah is to utilise government land to at MME, Tariq Juma Al Tamimi, Saif Al Mesalam, said the project provide areas for storing said that contract has been will be implemented in coordi- camping equipment, buggies, signed with Continental Trading nation with the Ministry of furniture, household items and Company to build and operate Municipality and Environment any other such items in for ten years. to develop necessary logistic containers. He said that project is facility to support the national The project will help people located at key strategic point economy. to avoid violating provisions of close to highways, airport, port, “The company will develop, public hygiene law which metro station and economic manage and operate the city of causes by pilling up camping areas, industrial cities of containers of self-storage to gears and other materials in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. ensure a complete logistic residential areas. “The project will help in service at a place,” said Al As per the contract, the developing national economy Mesalam. project will also have other Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia, H E Ma’ruf Amin (top left), met with Ambassador of the and local trade by providing He added that the project facilities like portable petrol State of Qatar to the Republic of Indonesia, H E Fauziya bint Edrees Salman Al Sulaiti (top centre). excellent logistic services which will help in getting rid of at station, grocery shop, prayer The meeting took place via video conference. The meeting reviewed bilateral cooperation and issues meet the needs of local market,” random storage which causes area, parking, paved roads, of joint interest. said Al Tamimi. safety and health risk. trees and green areas. QA earns Diamond Kahramaa, HBKU to collaborate for research on water Standard in APEX THE PENINSULA — DOHA Health Safety Qatar General Electricity and Water Kahramaa and QEERI aim to increase FROM PAGE 1 Corporation (Kahramaa) and Hamad Bin their efforts to develop the water Khalifa University (HBKU) represented sector, improve the environment, APEX Chief Executive by its Qatar Environment and Energy and build a sustainable economy in Officer, Dr. Joe Leader added: Research Institute (QEERI) have signed line with the goals and objectives of “Having flown recently on a cooperation framework to benefit from Qatar Airways with my family QEERI’s laboratories. Qatar National Strategy 2018-22. to the Maldives after negative The ceremony took place at HBKU’s COVID-19 PCR tests, the level headquarters in the presence of Pres- of health safe service both in- ident of Kahramaa, Eng Essa bin Hilal Al expertise and resources at QEERI, which flight and on-the-ground sur- Kuwari; President of HBKU, Dr. Ahmad to be provided as needed under this passed my highest expecta- M. Hasnah and Executive Director of agreement. It also includes preparing tions and even surpassed our QEERI, Dr. Marc Vermeersch. reports that clarify the achievements and best-ever pre-pandemic The agreement was signed by the results of the important research that experience on the airline.” Director of Technical Affairs, Eng. Ahmed will be carried out. SimpliFlying Chief Exec- Al Nasr, on behalf of Kahramaa and by Eng Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari said this utive Officer, Shashank Executive Director of the Institute, Dr. agreement is important for Kahramaa Nigam, said: “Qatar Airways Marc Vermeersch on behalf of QEERI. and QEERI alike, as the two parties has raised the bar for health President of Kahramaa Eng Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari and President of HBKU Dr. Ahmad This agreement is in line with the benefit from the available expertise safety standards in the M Hasnah look on as Director of Technical Affairs at Kahramaa Eng. Ahmed Al Nasr Qatar National Vision 2030, which sets available and through which they benefit industry by initiatives such as economic, social and environmental from the resources set up by the state in and Executive Director of QEERI Dr. Marc Vermeersch sign the agreement. providing a face shield to all development as a priority whose the national institutes whose current passengers, using Honeywell’s achievement is based on scientific capabilities and laboratories are equiv- of renewable energy and water quality. regard to a self-sustainable society that UV disinfection systems and research, development and innovation, alent to those at the global institute. “Our joint activities will no doubt meets smart cities’ modern life require- advanced biosafety measures as well as cooperation between the He added that by signing this coop- foster innovation that meets the mutual ments. The projects will also support at its hub in Doha. Taking various state institutions. eration framework, Kahramaa will interests of both institutions, especially Qatar’s steps towards a green future, such hospital-grade in Whereas Kahramaa and QEERI aim benefit from the laboratories of QEERI toward building a sustainable economy achieve an economic and environmental ensuring health safety will to increase their efforts to develop the in several subjects on top of which is in line with national goals and objec- balance, to ensure the sustainability of help bolster trust among water sector, improve the environment, water quality and measures of devices tives. I am confident our combined water, energy and environment travellers.” and build a sustainable economy in line and equipment used in the water sector. efforts will contribute considerably to projects.” Qatar Airways’ onboard with the goals and objectives of Qatar Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah said: “As an innovative research and development He added that he is proud of the safety measures include the National Strategy 2018-22, the innovative research university that and amplify our individual efforts on capabilities and development that QEERI provision of Personal Pro- agreement is to establish cooperation to endeavors to support national Qatari renewable energy.” has witnessed over the past few years, tective Equipment (PPE) for develop joint projects between them in entities, HBKU is pleased to strengthen In this regard, Dr. Marc Vermeersch including its laboratories’ obtainment of cabin crew and a compli- relation to research projects regarding our relationship with Kahramaa through said the cooperation with Kahramaa will the international ISO certifications, as mentary protective kit and laboratories and materials, especially this new agreement. Our collaboration provide an opportunity for a number of well as many research papers being disposable face shields for those related to the field of water and its will enable Kahramaa to leverage joint research projects to take place. Such approved by reputable international passengers. quality. QEERI’s technical and scientific expertise projects will support innovation and conferences, in a way that contributes Business Class passengers It also includes service agreements to support their institutional mandate, development in a way that will be to the scientific and economic growth of on aircraft equipped with for Kahramaa to benefit from the and the country’s priorities, in the areas reflected on Qatar’s objectives with the State of Qatar. Qsuite can enjoy the enhanced privacy this award- winning business seat pro- vides, including sliding ‘Qatar, Kyrgyzstan have huge potential for trade and tourism’ privacy partitions and the option to use a ‘Do Not AYENI OLUSEGUN “Tourism is an important governments’ cooperation. here are highly educated, and Disturb (DND)’ indicator. THE PENINSULA part of our economy. Kyr- “We still have work to do to they speak English very well. Qsuite is available on flights gyzstan has a lot to offer, and increase trade, but we do have But I think with the coming to more than 30 destinations Qatar and Kyrgyzstan have the the English Guardian recently some successful Kyrgyz trade World Cup in 2022, more including Frankfurt, Kuala potential to increase trade and listed Kyrgyzstan as one of the companies here because we are people from Kyrgyzstan can be Lumpur, London and New tourism links, the Ambassador top countries to visit in 2021. It’s famous for ecologically green employed in the Qatari York. For full details of all the Extraordinary and Plenipoten- perfect for visiting during the products. The primary product economy.” measures that have been tiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to summer, and we have halal we bring here is honey, like the Ambassador Eshimbekov implemented onboard and in the State of Qatar H E Chyngyz products (for Muslim travellers), White Mountain Honey, which praised Qatar’s handling of the HIA, please visit qatarairways. Eshimbekov (pictured) told The mountainous scenery, and is famous here. coronavirus pandemic and com/safety. Peninsula. more. It is a perfect destination “We hope that with better thanked the government for the In addition to this, the The Ambassador said that for those who want to escape transport communication and aid provided to Kyrgyzstan. airline also uses the most both countries have solid the summer heat to engage in with the establishment of direct “Qatar was successful in advanced HEPA air filtration treaties in economic activities biking and mountain trekking. flights between the two coun- handling the pandemic, with the systems on board all aircraft, and several interest fields. We also have winter tourism asleep in a ‘yurta’ (a traditional tries, this will grow. We are pos- measures in place and the intro- and recently introduced Hon- According to the Ambassador, with skiing centres, which tent) counting numerous stars itive that with the support of the duction of Ehteraz, it was exem- eywell’s state-of-the-art there have been several com- people can explore,” the on the night sky. But most of all, two countries’ governments, the plary, and we have learned a lot Ultraviolet Cabin System, munications at different levels Ambassador said. visiting people discover people, aviation lines will be open to from their methods. Qatar operated by Qatar Aviation of government and ministries “Qataris are yet to discover which makes tourism a prom- facilitate trade, tourism, edu- delivered a lot of aid during the Services, as a further step in between both countries. the Kyrgyz Republic’s tourism ising bridge between Kyr- cation, and more.” peak of the pandemic. Kyr- the cleaning of its aircraft. The Kyrgyz-Qatar joint and adventure travel secret. gyzstan and Qatar,” he added. The envoy said unlike other gyzstan is thankful for the aid intergovernmental commission Kyrgyzstan has striking land- The envoy noted that trade expatriate communities here in delivered. They helped us with on economic, trade, and tech- scapes that make it the best des- is another sector both countries Qatar with a larger labour force, oxygen tanks and respiratory Three arrested nical cooperation was held in tination for those who want to aim to explore. He said that the Kyrgyz community of equipment. They also sent PPEs March 2017 in Doha. He stressed spend time riding through the establishing an aviation route around 600 has the potential and other necessary items which for violating that Kyrgyzstan’s tourism sector picturesque mountain gorges, for direct flights between Doha to grow. “We have a very tal- were necessary to help ease the is an untapped area for Qataris having a campfire retreat at a and Bishkek would ease further ented and educated young gen- strain of the virus on our home quarantine and residents in the country. rapid riverbank, and falling trade and tourism with both eration, and most of the expats healthcare system,” he added. QNA — DOHA

MoPH: 211 new The designated authorities Over 900 vehicles crossed Abu Samra border in 3 days arrested yesterday three persons who violated the COVID-19 cases, FROM PAGE 1 administrative and technical support in providing all the Land As for the precautionary requirements of the home 111 recoveries Director of the Land procedures required in this Customs Department’s needs at measures related to the quarantine. The violators, who Customs Department, Murshid regard within 24 hours. Al the checkpoint. He also thanked COVID-19, Al Obaidli said that are currently being referred to THE PENINSULA — DOHA Shaheen Al Kuwari, said the Obaidli said employees were all customs departments for applying these measures is the designate prosecution are coordination was made with notified, introduced to the their prompt response, including within MoPH guidelines through Tanan Shakron Tantidam The Ministry of Public Health government agencies working working mechanism, and the Information Systems their office in the Abu Samra Ronjko Lasht, Morali Kreishna (MoPH) yesterday announced at the checkpoint to determine assigned their duties in shifts as Department, Operations Man- checkpoint. He explained that Ako La and Osama Ismail the registration of 211 new the working mechanism to be per the expected work. agement, Risk Analysis, and the Land Customs Department Mohammed Al Asi. confirmed cases of COVID-19. followed according to the Per- The Information Systems Financial and Administrative coordinates with the office to Among them 40 were trav- manent Committee of Abu Department carefully checked Affairs Department. implement all the instructions ellers returning from abroad. Samra checkpoint’s directives. all systems, devices, and net- Al Obaidli said the customs regarding travelers’ entry and 92 referred to Another 111 people have He explained that many X-ray works. A large number of com- procedures would be conducted exit. recovered from the virus, machines have been provided puters, network communication as before. Customs employees Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Head of prosecution for bringing the total number of recently, working according to systems, and others have been will receive vehicles and ensure the Land Customs Security recovered cases in Qatar to the best international replaced. The Operations and that motorists meet the health Section, said the deployment of not wearing 142,938. All new cases have specifications. Risk Analysis Department also procedures approved by the customs security personnel from been introduced to isolation During a tour inside the checked electronic systems (Al- Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) the entrances and exits of the masks and are receiving necessary Land Customs Department sec- Nadeeb) and other structures. and the Passports Department’s land border was strengthened healthcare according to their tions, Abdul Rahman Al Obaidli, The Financial and Adminis- procedures at the Ministry of according to the new work QNA — DOHA health status. Head of the Passenger trative Affairs Department pro- Interior (MoI). After that, a instructions immediately after The total number of pos- Department, explained and clar- vided all business necessities by thorough inspection is carried receiving the instructions to The authorities yesterday itive COVID-19 cases recorded ified all the procedures followed replacing seals and docu- out on the vehicles to ensure that reopen. referred 92 people to the Public in Qatar is 146,279 and there at the port. He confirmed that mentary tools, providing steri- they are free of prohibited items He said coordination was Prosecution for not wearing are 3,095 active cases under when directives were received lizers, protective masks, and before granting them passage. made with the Passenger masks in public. The measure treatment. The mass vacci- to reopen the border for gloves. He said that procedures are Department regarding the is in line with the Cabinet nation is currently under way travelers, the Land Customs Al Obaidli thanked the GAC done quickly, not exceeding five mechanism of work and decision, Decree Law No. 17 of in the country. Department completed all Chairman for his prompt minutes. applying customs procedures. 1990 on infectious diseases. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 Former minister to chair CCQ Board of Trustees

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) in UNESCO. Other The Council of Ministers Office board members include Vice- Decision No. 14 of 2020 on Chair, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Al restructuring the board to Kaabi, and Dr. Rashid Sultan Al- include three new members has Kuwari, Soud Abdulaziz Al approved Dr. Hessa bint Sultan Tamimi, and Dr. Abdulla Al Jaber to chair the Board of Ibrahim Al Emadi as members. Trustees of the Community CCQ President, Dr. College of Qatar (CCQ). Mohamed Al Naemi, said, “We Dr. Hessa is a pioneer in the are pleased to welcome the new country’s development process, members in the College’s board and she had held several of trustees. As part of our com- important positions. She is a mitment to contribute to Qatar member of the Shura Council National Vision 2030, we look Dr. Hessa bint Sultan Al-Jaber, CCQ President Dr Mohamed and the third Qatari woman to forward to working together to Chair of CCQ’s Board of Trustees Al Naemi assume a ministerial position. enhance the College’s per- In 2013, she was listed Marafih and Dr. Khalid Abdulla Director of Higher Education formance and offer the best among the 500 most powerful Al-Ali were also awarded the Institutional Affairs and the possible educational services Arabs in the world in Arabian honour of membership on the Acting Undersecretary for to our students. We also extend Business magazine. Then, she board. Dr. Marafih has been the Higher Education in the Min- our thanks to the previous ranked 20th on the 2013 Chief Executive Officer of the istry of Education and Higher chairman, Engineer Hamad Arabian Business’ list of 100 Ooredoo Group since 2006. He Education in Qatar. He has Rashid Al Mohannadi, and the most powerful Arab women in also served as Ooredoo Qatar served previously in several previous members Dr. Khalid April. CEO from 2002 until 2011. Dr. educational posts, such as Asso- Mohamed Al Horr and Hassan Moreover, Dr. Hessa holds Marafih holds a Ph.D. in Com- ciate Vice President for Faculty Abdulrahman Al Ibrahim for all a Ph.D. in Computer Science munication Engineering from Affairs, Director of Foundation their efforts and achievements Kosovo Foreign Affairs Minister from George Washington Uni- George Washington University, Program at Qatar University, that strengthened the position versity, Washington, DC. USA. and the World Commission’s of the College and supported its meets Qatar Ambassador Dr. Nasser Mohammed Meanwhile, Dr. Khalid is the Chair on the Ethics of Science educational process.” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo H E Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla, met yesterday with non-resident Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Kosovo, H E WCM-Q research examines implications Ali bin Hamad Al Marri. The meeting dealt with reviewing bilateral cooperation and issues of joint interest. of telehealth surge during pandemic

THE PENINSULA — DOHA lack of telecommunications Textbook by Texas A&M infrastructure in lower income The Institute for Population countries might lead to wid- faculty member published Health (IPH) of Weill Cornell ening inequity across various Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has population subgroups with the THE PENINSULA — DOHA published a scientific review of increasing use of telehealth. research detailing the dramatic A further observation of the Assistant professor of upswing in the use of telehealth WCM-Q study is that many petroleum engineering at Qatar services prompted by the countries relaxed previously Foundation partner university COVID-19 pandemic. strict laws and regulations Texas A&M University at Qatar, Researchers at the IPH relating to telehealth in order Dr. Nayef Alyafei (pictured) has carried out an exhaustive to allow healthcare profes- published the second edition review and analysis of 543 sionals to continue to treat their of his textbook, Fundamentals articles on the subject of tele- patients while physical dis- of Reservoir Rock Properties. health published in 331 scien- tancing protocols were in place Alyafei said he wrote the tific journals during the first to reduce disease textbook after his first semester peak of the pandemic (from transmission. Authors of the WCM-Q study, FROM LEFT: Dr. Sathyanarayanan teaching the reservoir petro- A&M at Qatar who earned his January 1, 2020 to June 10, This raises the concern that Doraiswamy, Dr. Amit Abraham, Dr. Ravinder Mamtani and Dr. physics course for Texas A&M Ph.D. at Imperial College 2020). regulations designed to ensure Sohaila Cheema. at Qatar petroleum engineering London before returning to They found that the accountability, ethical medical students. The book covers the Texas A&M at Qatar as a faculty majority of scientific studies practice, and patient data need to establish a global con- needed to provide high-quality essential concepts of rock member. In 2018, Alyafei was focused on telehealth were con- privacy have been removed sensus on definitions, bound- care via telehealth approaches. properties aiding students, named the university’s ducted in the United States, with extremely rapidly, which could aries, protocols, monitoring, Dr. Cheema said, “Our petroleum geoscientists, and Alumnus of the Year and in the next highest number pub- cause unexpected challenges. evaluation, and data privacy.” research highlights that the engineers to understand 2020 was named an Energy lished in the United Kingdom, Furthermore, some insurance The WCM-Q study, titled extraordinarily rapid growth of petroleum reservoirs. Alyafei Influencer by The Way Ahead, followed by Italy, India, Canada, companies did not provide cov- Use of Telehealth During the telehealth during the pandemic is a Class of 2009 petroleum a publication of the Society of Australia, France, China, Spain, erage for healthcare delivered COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping presents a huge opportunity for engineering graduate of Texas Petroleum Engineers. and Singapore, in decreasing via telehealth approaches, Review, has been published in the healthcare sector to lev- order. posing a headache for patients, the prestigious Journal of erage technology to both A key finding of the review administrators and healthcare Medical Internet Research. The expand and enhance the DI to continue blended learning was that 7.7 percent (42/543) of professionals. other authors of the study are delivery of care. But urgent the published scientific articles The first author of the study, Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, Vice work is needed to ensure we QNA — DOHA of the learning process. focused on the provision of tel- Dr. Sathyanarayanan Dean for Student Affairs- have the correct training and “Despite the challenges ehealth related to COVID-19. Doraiswamy, Assistant Director Admissions, Population Health, regulatory frameworks to The Doha Institute for Graduate posed by the pandemic, the The other 92.3 percent (501/543) of the IPH, said, “Many legal and and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. provide telehealth in a way that Studies (DI) administration various online platforms of the articles reported pro- practical barriers to the delivery Sohaila Cheema, Assistant Dean protects the rights, safety and announced that it would enabled faculty members and vision of healthcare support for of telehealth were removed for the IPH, and Dr. Amit dignity of those giving and continue with the remote and students to engage in the a wide variety of communicable very quickly as governments Abraham, Instructor of Popu- receiving care.” blended education for Spring teaching and learning process diseases, such as tuberculosis, and healthcare systems reacted lation Health Sciences/Projects Dr. Cheema added: “It is 2021 to prevent the spread of including direct audio and HIV and non-communicable to the urgent need to provide Specialist. also crucial that the global com- coronavirus (COVID-19). video communication, the diseases such as diabetes and care while observing physical The study also pointed to a munity takes steps to ensure A broadcast message sent to exchange of files and media, as stroke. The research also noted distancing protocols to prevent need to update the curricula of that people in low- and middle- students stated that in-person well as the creation of private that the vast majority of studies the spread of the coronavirus. medical schools and continuing income countries are also able teaching in the classroom would rooms for discussions and were conducted by scientific This has undoubtedly saved professional development pro- to reap the benefits of this new be for small numbers, while other features,” he added. professionals in high-income many lives, but our review also grams to ensure healthcare pro- boom in telehealth.” remote education will be for Information Technology countries, raising concerns that reveals that there is an urgent fessionals have the skills first-year students and courses Department, in cooperation with with large numbers. Hence, the the Teaching and Learning Office, blended learning will be for the is preparing the classrooms with rest of programmes, following the necessary equipment, testing, Research into Global South gains new the Ministry of Education and and improving its performance Higher Education directions in for the students as DI is aiming to Qatar.DI Director of Communi- expand in blended education in cation and External Relations the future. DI had issued a momentum at Northwestern Qatar Department Ali Menadi Al Kaabi decision last March to continue said that the Institute has studying remotely as a precaution THE PENINSULA — DOHA that he and his co-authors invested in educational plat- to limit the spread of the want to demystify traditional forms to ensure the smoothness coronavirus. A new book on data journalism academic discussions that have in the Global South by associate been imposed on research professor at Northwestern from and about the Global Ali Bin Abdullah Intersection partial closure Qatar, Eddy Borges-Rey South. “By providing a platform (pictured) focuses on the tran- to amplify the voice of scholars THE PENINSULA — DOHA works at Grand Hamad Street snational debates on how jour- from the Global South, we hope and Ali bin Abdulla Street, nalism is taught by exploring those voices will eventually The Public Works Authority within Doha Central Devel- overlooked practices and find their way into the center (Ashghal) has announced a opment and Beautification approaches from Chile, Qatar, of the academic debate and partial closure of Ali bin Project – Package 3. Zimbabwe, and a host of other will be able to generate a Abdullah Intersection, on the During this period, road regions of the world. much-needed cross-polli- lanes heading from Al-Koot users wishing to use this In explaining the rationale nation,” he said. Fort Intersection to Al-Mirqab direction on Ali bin Abdullah behind the project, Borges-Rey The project is the first in a Roundabout and vice versa, Street, can make U-Turn on emphasized that “there is no series, Palgrave Studies in Jour- starting January 17 in coordi- Grand Hamad Street to reach longer one single definition of nalism and the Global South. It nation with the General Direc- the other side of the Inter- journalism,” adding that “the was selected by BookAuthority torate of Traffic. section, or use the alternative ideal of journalism constructed to be included in their list of The closure aims to enable roads to reach their destina- after the golden era that fol- through which reality can be researchers from contributing Best New Journalism Books of expansion and upgrading tions, as shown on the attached lowed the 1920s remains measured,” Borges-Rey said. to mainstream debates. 2020, and “has been well- map. important but has become only While he and his co- “If you really are for received,” according to Borges- The Public a portion of a larger, evolving, authors, journalism scholars inclusion and diversity, these Rey, “especially by members of Works knowledge-building Saba Bebawi and Bruce should not really be challenges the Global South community, Authority will phenomenon.” Mutsvairo, confront a schol- or obstacles at all,” Borges-Rey who feel represented.” install road By advancing an under- arship that is still very much said. “In fact, diversity in At Northwestern Qatar, signs advising standing of journalism that centered on Western concerns, approaches, themes, theories, Borges-Rey teaches courses on motorists of takes different forms in dif- he noted that the traditional and and methodologies, when mobile journalism, data jour- the closure and ferent countries, owing to the static model of data journalism openly welcomed and ade- nalism, and social media for has urged all unique forces and dynamics is responsible for dismissing quately nurtured, has the journalists, amongst others. road users to that can be found in each place, emerging research from the potential to shake the pristine, Before obtaining his PhD in abide by the the book, Data Journalism in the Global South as “descriptive monolithic structure of our Media and Communication speed limit, Global South, “advocates and exploratory in nature.” And, current mainstream disciplines, from the University of Malaga and follow the against the reductionist view he continued, it also uses “lan- and to further expand the limits in Spain, Borges-Rey worked road signs to that journalism only occurs in guage barriers and differing of what we often take for as a broadcast journalist, media ensure their democratic societies, and that scholarly traditions” as criteria granted.” producer, and PR safety. objectivity is the only lens to exclude non-Western Borges-Rey also explained practitioner. WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 HOME 05 Community engagement enhances Sidra Medicine appoints Dr. Barbro Fridén as CEO Amir Cup final Fan Zone experience THE PENINSULA — DOHA Sidra Medicine, a Qatar Foun- THE PENINSULA — DOHA dation entity, has appointed Dr. Barbro Fridén as its Chief Exec- Football fans were treated to a utive Officer. Dr. Fridén has special occasion on Qatar extensive experience in both National Day, as the 48th Amir the public and private Cup final became the first healthcare sectors in Sweden official match to be played at and the Middle East. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The Prior to joining Sidra Med- 40,000-capacity venue is the icine, Dr. Fridén was the CEO fourth Qatar 2022 stadium to of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City be inaugurated with just under in Ajman and before that, the two years to go until the country CEO of Sahlgrenska University hosts the first FIFA World Cup Hospital, Scandinavia’s largest in the Middle East and Arab teaching hospital. Dr. Fridén Dr. Barbro Friden world. was previously the Hospital As part of the festivities on Director of the Children’s Hos- December 18, 2020, the Com- pital at Karolinska University munity Engagement Division of Hospital in Sweden. I am excited to be joining the Supreme Committee for Managing Director and Sidra Medicine during this Delivery & Legacy (SC) part- Member of the Board of Gov- dynamic phase as the nered with various stake- ernors at Sidra Medicine, holders, notably the Ministry of Mohammed Khalid Al Mana healthcare organization is Culture and Sports and Qatar said, “We are delighted to have poised for new Olympic and Sports Museum Dr. Barbro Fridén join us at opportunities for growth. (QOSM), to operate a Fan Zone Sidra Medicine. Her leadership People taking part in a range of activities at the Fan Zone. outside the stadium. experience in obstetrics and Dr. Barbro Fridén A range of activities and cul- gynecology and experience in tural offerings were offered environment throughout Qatar, organised a robust display ded- having led women’s and chil- CEO, Sidra Medicine both prior to kick-off and after A range of activities and organised a series of activations icated to Al Rayyan SC’s her- dren’s hospitals in Sweden, will the final whistle. This included cultural offerings were at the Fan Zone. These included itage, widely recognised as one be a tremendous asset to our roving and on-stage perform- offered both prior to traditional activities such as of Qatar’s most widely sup- patient care model as we ances from various community folkloric games that form the ported football teams. This embark on strengthening and won “Leader of the Year”, a groups, including Bangladesh, kick-off and after the backbone of a vibrant sports included both video content and expanding our services in national award in Sweden in Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, India, final whistle. This culture in Qatar. a photography exhibition. Qatar. 2015 as well as “Influencer of Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pal- included roving and “The Ministry’s participation A Qatar Museums initiative, "We look forward to Dr. the Year” in 2014, a life science estine, Sudan, and Uganda. on-stage performances was primarily through the QOSM activations at the Fan Fridén’s stewardship over the business national award. Dr. “What we wanted to from various community Nomas Educational Center, Zone included children’s activ- next chapter of our journey Fridén sits on the board on a achieve with the Fan Zone was which set up a majlis for vis- ities inspired by the colours of towards achieving our overall variety of government and to not only celebrate the groups, including itors to engage. It showcased a the Olympic rings, a mini five- vision of becoming a beacon of commercial boards related to opening of another World Cup Bangladesh, Egypt, traditional musical instrument a-side football match, and live learning, discovery and excep- healthcare including a leading venue but also to highlight the Ghana, Hungary, India, known as a rababa, and hosted colouring of football jerseys tional care.” medtech company and Sophi- diversity of Qatar’s many com- Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, falconry, along with a wide with the emblem of Al Rayyan Dr. Fridén said, “I am ahemmet, a non-profit munities,” said the SC’s Stake- Palestine, Sudan, and variety of traditional games,” SC. excited to be joining Sidra Med- healthcare provider under holder Relations Senior said Aisha Al Mahmoud, “We are delighted with the icine during this dynamic phase royal stewardship that con- Manager, Khaled Al Suwaidi. Uganda. Director of PR & Communica- enthusiastic response to the as the healthcare organization ducts education, healthcare “Their excitement for Qatar tions at the Ministry of Culture activations organised by the is poised for new opportunities and research. 2022 has been unwavering, so and Sports. Qatar Olympic & Sports for growth. Together with our Dr Fridén received her it was great to see our local support in organising the Fan “It was important for us to Museum during the Amir Cup diverse multidisciplinary medical degree from Umeå communities get involved and Zone. After a difficult year for showcase Qatari culture at the final. Particularly, these activa- teams, I look forward to University in Sweden, special- make a contribution to the everyone, it was great to see so country’s most prestigious foot- tions were designed to inspire building on Sidra Medicine’s izing in obstetrics and gyne- festive atmosphere we created many smiling faces enjoying the balling event on our National communities across Qatar to legacy of providing quality care cology with a subspecialty in on National Day,” he added. festivities and marking the Day, an occasion that was made lead an active lifestyle, which and a personalized patient reproductive medicine and IVF. “I would like to thank our inauguration of the fourth Qatar even more special with the we see as one of the key leg- experience with excellent She was also a visiting research community groups, along with 2022 venue,” Al Suwaidi inauguration of Ahmad Bin Ali acies of hosting large sporting medical outcomes built on a fellow in reproductive med- our valued stakeholders – par- continued. Stadium, which will host events like the Amir Cup and strong research foundation of icine at the University of Cali- ticularly the Ministry of Culture The Ministry of Culture and matches during Qatar 2022,” the FIFA World Cup Qatar precision medicine.” fornia. She holds a PhD in and Sports and Qatar Olympic Sports, tasked with nurturing a she added. 2022,” said Qatar Museums Dr. Fridén is well recog- Medicine from Gothenburg and Sports Museum – for their growing and inclusive cultural Additionally, the Ministry CEO Ahmad Al Namla. nized within her field having University. QRCS provides assistance for refugees in Bangladesh

emphasised the importance of QRCS’s humanitarian activities in Bangladesh, amid lack of services. “Last year, QRCS offered $2.6m worth of aid for those in need. We reached out to over 728,000 beneficiaries with health, shelter, food, water, and sanitation aid,” said Al-Emadi. The projects done by QRCS in Bangladesh include con- struction of water and sani- tation facilities and collection One of the shelters being built under a project implemented by of solid waste to preserve public QRCS in Bangladesh. health, improvement of health care services by deploying and THE PENINSULA — DOHA most vulnerable groups at operating a field hospital, camps. Together with BDRCS, training and remuneration for The representation mission of QRCS distributed 1,000 hand- local medical professionals, dis- Qatar Red Crescent Society washing containers to refugee tribution of food and nonfood (QRCS) in Bangladesh has families at Camp#18. items, provision of safe shelter carried out multiple activities The field personnel up to the Sphere Project for the Myanmar refugees and launched an awareness cam- standards, and installation of host communities, funded by paign to advise the beneficiaries solar lighting systems. the donations of charity payers as to washing hands regularly Other activities include the in Qatar. with soap and water, given the deployment of medical delega- In cooperation with Bang- fact that hands are the most tions in several vital specialisa- ladesh Red Crescent Society common medium transmitting tions, emergency winterisation (BDRCS), a new project was ini- the virus from person to person. relief for those affected by cold tiated to provide adequate A water well was dug by weather, flash floods, or tropical shelter for the Myanmar ref- QRCS’s mission to secure storms, construction of water ugees. The construction of 100 drinking and personal cleaning and sanitation at the quarantine shelters commenced at water at the camps. Another facility operated by QRCS inside Camp#18 in Cox’s Bazar, fol- three water wells are being in the field hospital, operation of lowing months of delay due to progress at other camps. two health centers at Camp#E8 the Coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director of Relief and Camp#19 to offer primary Responding to the outbreak, and International Development health care services and supply QRCS is promoting personal Division at QRCS, Faisal of medications and medical hygiene practices among the Mohamed Al Emadi, consumables.

Kahramaa electricity distribution shows high performance THE PENINSULA — DOHA The targeted average was of the distribution network in 0.364 and this reflects a 2020 witnessed a significant The distribution network of remarkable improvement. This improvement registering Qatar General Electricity and indicator is calculated by unprecedented levels for the first Water Corporation (Kahramaa) dividing the number affected time in the history of the elec- achieved the highest level of by outages during the year on trical system, the statement said. performance in 2020 while all of the consumers. The response speed index ensuring uninterrupted service. The performance index for for distribution network faults According to a Kahramaa average interruptions also wit- recorded an unprecedented statement, the performance nessed an improvement of 26 average in terms of response index for the average number percent in 2020 after recording times for faults by various of outages for subscribers was an average of 11.666 minutes emergency offices marking a a new rate of 0.1672 times for per subscriber as the target rate record time of 55 minutes while each subscriber, recording 12 was 45.5 minutes. the average repair index percent improvement. The technical performance reached 1.40 hours. 06 GULF / MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021

Oman Sultan’s Kuwait ministers eldest son to submit resignations succeed him under new law to Prime Minister REUTERS — DUBAI

REUTERS — KUWAIT CITY H M Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman will be succeeded by Kuwaiti ministers handed in The Government his eldest son Dhi Yazan, their resignations to the prime Communications Office according to a new basic law minister yesterday, the said the government published yesterday that Government Communications submitted its creates a new position of Office (CGC) said. resignation in light of crown prince and establishes Prime Minister H E Sheikh succession from ruler to the Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al developments in the eldest son. Sabah must submit the resig- relationship between H M Sultan Haitham bin nations to the Amir H H Sheikh the National Assembly Tariq had announced plans for Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, for and the government. the constitutional change on approval. Three main Kuwaiti Monday, a year after the death newspapers earlier said of his predecessor, H M Sultan Sheikh Sabah was expected to Qaboos bin Said. The new do so. political system in the Gulf basic law was published yes- The resignation of the region, with a parliament terday in the official gazette. cabinet, formed on December wielding power to pass legis- The late H M Sultan Qaboos 14, had been expected. lation and question ministers, named his cousin Haitham as Kuwait Prime Minister H E Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah receiving the resignation of cabinet The CGC said the gov- although senior posts are his preferred successor in a ministers at Seif Palace yesterday. ernment submitted its resig- occupied by ruling family sealed envelope to be opened nation in light of developments members. after his death should the royal in the relationship between the Frequent rows and dead- solutions of parliament, ham- complicates government efforts through a debt law that has family disagree on the suc- National Assembly and the locks between cabinet and par- pering investment and eco- to tackle a severe liquidity faced legislative gridlock. cession line. The family went government. liament have led to successive nomic and fiscal reform. crunch caused by low oil prices The Amir has final say in with his choice. Kuwait has the most open government reshuffles and dis- The latest standoff and COVID-19 by pushing state matters. The new law also retains an elected advisory Shura Council, the lower house of parliament. Lebanon to impose 24-hour curfew from tomorrow Jordan sentences

AGENCIES — BEIRUT celebrations, hoping to boost a felt, predicting numbers will audience and was aired on TV. one death has been recorded in man to death for crumbling local economy as skyrocket in the coming days, Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti the past twenty-four hours, Lebanese authorities tightened thousands of Lebanese expats overwhelming health facilities Ministry of Health reported yes- bringing the number of deaths stabbings at a nationwide lockdown, arrived in the country. in the country of nearly 6 terday 494 new cases of coro- in Kuwait to 946, adding that including an 11-day, 24-hour Daily infection rates have million. navirus (COVID-19) in the past the patients in intensive care tourist site curfew, amid a dramatic surge since hovered above 3,000, Despite the nationwide 24 hours, bringing the total of units have reached 47. in coronavirus infections and hitting an all-time high of over lockdown announced last week, confirmed cases in the country Israel may include children AP — AMMAN growing criticism of uncoordi- 5,000 last week. Doctors and a soccer match was allowed to to 155,335. over the age of 12 in groups nated policies many blame for experts say the extent of the take place in the northern Tripoli The Ministry’s spokesman receiving COVID-19 vaccines Jordan yesterday sentenced a the spread of the virus. spread has yet to be province on Sunday with an Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad said that within the next two months if man to death by hanging for a News of the restrictions to research shows this is safe, a top 2019 stabbing attack at a be implemented starting health official said on Tuesday. popular tourist site that tomorrow morning sparked Vaccinating at a world- wounded eight people, panicked grocery buying as record pace, Israel says it aims including foreign tourists and people lined up outside of to have administered one or their guide. supermarkets to stock up, both shots to 5 million of its 9 A state security court found raising fears the crowds could million citizens, and reopen the the man guilty. It sentenced further spread the virus. economy, by mid-March. another man to life in prison Lebanon had only just Elderly Israelis and adults and a third to seven years for announced a nationwide with medical conditions or jobs allegedly aiding in the attack lockdown last week. But many, in critical high-risk sectors have at the Roman ruins of Jerash, including the health minister and been given priority. But with the state-run Petra news officials on a government com- Israeli officials anticipating agency said. mittee, considered it to be too more regular vaccine ship- The family of the suspect, lenient because it exempted ments, the eligibility categories who was subdued and appre- many sectors, such as florists, have been expanded. hended immediately after the plant nurseries and factories. Nachman Ash, national attack, identified him at the time Hospitals, meanwhile, were coordinator on the pandemic, as Mustafa Abu Tuameh, a running out of beds amid rapidly predicted that pharmacological 22-year-old resident of a nearby multiplying COVID-19 cases. research would establish that Palestinian refugee camp. Critics have said uncoordi- the minimum age threshold for They said he was very poor nated and hesitant policies the vaccines could be safely and had recently become more wavering between relaxing lowered from 16 to 12, and FDA religious but was not affiliated restrictions and shutting down approval for such use secured, with any armed group.His were behind the failure to by March. “The fact that children lawyer, Mekhled Dwaikat, said contain the virus. under the age of 16 are not cur- he would appeal. For instance, despite a rise rently getting vaccinated is cer- The attack in Jerash, some Near empty bread shelves are pictured inside a supermarket after people hoarded food as authorities in infections, the government tainly troubling, in terms of the 60km north of the capital, are discussing the latest measures to implement to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, in relaxed restrictions ahead of ability to achieve herd Amman, cast a shadow on Jor- Christmas and New Year’s Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday. immunity,” he told 103 FM radio. dan’s vital tourism industry, which over the past year has been decimated by the coro- Netanyahu navirus pandemic. Rights group calls Israel an ‘apartheid’ state The wounded included removes Trump three Mexican tourists and a from his Twitter AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM river and the sea.” 5 million Palestinians and “We are not saying that the Swiss woman. Along with the That a respected Israeli which the Palestinians want for degree of discrimination that a tour guide, three other Jorda- banner photo A leading Israeli human rights organisation is adopting a term a future state. Palestinian has to endure is the nians, including two security group has begun describing long seen as taboo even by many Israel withdrew troops and same if one is a citizen of the officers and a bus driver, were REUTERS — OCCUPIED both Israel and its control of the critics of Israel points to a broader settlers from Gaza in 2005 but state of Israel or if one is also hurt before the attacker JERUSALEM Palestinian territories as a shift in the debate as its half- imposed a blockade after the besieged in Gaza,” El Ad said. was subdued and arrested. single “apartheid” regime, using century occupation of war-won resistant movement Hamas “The point is that there isn’t a Israeli Prime Benjamin an explosive term that the lands drags on and hopes for a group seized power there two single square inch between the Interpol issues Netanyahu dropped US Pres- country’s leaders and their two-state solution fade. years later. It considers the river and the sea in which a Pal- ident Donald Trump from the supporters vehemently reject. Peter Beinart, a prominent West Bank “disputed” territory estinian and a Jew are equal.” notices over banner photo of his Twitter In a report released yes- Jewish-American critic of Israel, whose fate should be deter- Israel’s harshest critics have Lebanon port blast account yesterday in an terday, B’Tselem says that while caused a similar stir last year mined in peace talks. Israel used the term “apartheid” for apparent break with a political Palestinians live under different when he came out in favour of a annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 decades, evoking the system of AP — BEIRUT ally facing possible forms of Israeli control in the single binational state with equal in a move not recognised inter- white rule and racial segre- impeachment. occupied West Bank, blockaded rights for Jews and Palestinians. nationally and considers the gation in South Africa that was Interpol has issued a wanted A photo of Netanyahu Gaza, annexed east Jerusalem and B’Tselem does not take a position entire city its unified capital. Most brought to an end in 1994. notice for two Russians and a sitting next to Trump at a within Israel itself, they have fewer on whether there should be one Palestinians in east Jerusalem are The International Criminal Portuguese man over White House meeting had long rights than Jews in the entire area state or two. Israeli “residents,” but not cit- Court defines apartheid as an explosive material that had taken pride of place on the between the Mediterranean Sea Israel has long presented izens with voting rights. “institutionalized regime of sys- been shipped to Beirut and official @netanyahu account, and the Jordan River. itself as a thriving democracy B’Tselem argues that by tematic oppression and domi- stored at the city’s port for six testimony to the conservative “One of the key points in in which Palestinian citizens, dividing up the territories and nation by one racial group.” years until it exploded in Israeli leader’s close ties with our analysis is that this is a who make up about 20% of its using different means of control, “There is no country in the August, the state-run National the Republican president and single geopolitical area ruled by population of 9.2 million, have Israel masks the underlying world that is clearer in its News Agency reported. his popularity in Israel. one government,” said B’Tselem equal rights. Israel seized east reality — that roughly 7 million apartheid policies than Israel,” The August 4 explosion Early yesterday, another director Hagai El Ad. “This is not Jerusalem, the West Bank and Jews and 7 million Palestinians said Nabil Shaath, a senior killed 200 people, injured photo, showing Netanyahu democracy plus occupation. the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war live under a single system with adviser to Palestinian President thousands and caused wide being injected with the coro- This is apartheid between the — lands that are home to nearly vastly unequal rights. Mahmoud Abbas. destruction in Beirut. navirus vaccine, topped the page, along with the slogan for Israel’s inoculation campaign: “Citizens of Israel, we are Lebanon files urgent complaint to UN against Israel flights returning to life”. Netanyahu had kept the AP — BEIRUT brought about the cessation of strangers to conflict. Warplanes have said the overflights are country’s civil war. photo of his meeting with hostilities between the two have appeared in Beirut skies, necessary because Lebanon’s Israel has expressed Trump, long in lockstep with Lebanon will file an urgent countries following their last causing loud noise, including on powerful Hezbollah militant is concern, and acted to thwart, him over a tough policy towards complaint with the United all-out conflict in 2006. Christmas Eve. The flights ter- violating the 2006 U.N. reso- increasing Iranian and Hez- Iran and the Palestinians, on the Nations against Israel’s daily The two countries remain rorized residents of the city who lution that bars it from building bollah presence near its site even after the Republican violations of its airspace amid technically at war and Lebanon have recently survived a up its military capabilities and borders, including a stockpile president’s defeat by Democrat intensifying drone reconnais- has repeatedly complained of massive explosion in the port. operating near the Israeli of precision-guided missiles. Joe Biden. No explanation was sance and mock raids around Israel’s violations of its airspace Reconnaissance drones border. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan given on Netanyahu’s site for the country, the president’s and waters. sometimes remain in Lebanese Many such raids are often Nasrallah, in a year-end Trump’s disappearance, a day office said yesterday. In recent weeks, Israeli mil- airspace for 24 hours at a time, to carry out strikes in neigh- interview, said Israel’s efforts before the US House of Repre- President Michel Aoun itary jets have carried out said a Lebanese military official boring Syria, where Israel has to curb his group’s ability to sentatives was expected to called for a condemnation of several low-altitude flying who spoke on condition of ano- been targeting Iranian-backed acquire those missiles have begin considering his second Israel’s “aggression and viola- flights over the capital and other nymity in line with regulations. militias and posts for Lebanon’s failed, adding that it now has impeachment on after last tions of Lebanon’s sovereignty” major cities, causing jitters Israel rarely comments on such Hezbollah group fighting twice as many as it had last week’s storming of the Capitol. and the UN resolution that among civilians who are no missions, but Israeli officials alongside Syrian troops in that year. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021

Established in 1996 COVID-19 improved how CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI the world does science EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] TYLER COWEN BLOOMBERG DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI The current pandemic will [email protected] eventually end, leaving us more free to ponder what to keep from all the changes it has wrought. One obvious candidate is open-access EDITORIAL scientific journals. Most relevant scientific advances on the COVID-19 front have been put online in Nurturing true citizens open-access form and then KNOWLEDGE is power and education is the foundation debated online. Even if they of any society. More than anything else, education is a later came out in refereed fundamental human right and is essential for the exercise journals, their real impact of all other human rights. Countries which have realised came during their early open- An elderly woman claps her hands after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a nursing home in Athens, these keep education at a high pedestal and invest in it access days. Greece. enormously in the hope of reaping an empowered, skilled Open-access publishing and knowledgeable society which can take the country has obvious advantages. The to the pinnacles of progress and development. articles are free, the whole has a proposal, called the “One numerous times by academic papers to incorporate new data Qatar has recognised the potential of education world can read them, and the Nation, One Subscription” journals, hardly a ringing or an author’s change in long back and has been exerting every effort by investing interplay of ideas they gen- plan, to buy bulk subscriptions endorsement of the status quo. opinion. Overall, more col- millions of dollars in the sector, creating a novel crop erate is easier to track. As sci- of the world’s most important More generally, since publi- lective effort would be put into of finest educators and in turn giving the country’s entific contributions come scientific journals and provide cation is currently a yes/no improving, revising and inter- children a well-rounded growth, so that they become from a greater number of dif- them free to everyone in India. decision, the refereeing system preting the most important real citizens true to their culture, faith and the country. ferent countries, including Given the porousness of the creates incentives to avoid crit- results. For Qatar, education is a fundamental pillar of human many poorer countries, these internet, and the widespread icism and play it safe, rather Under the current system life and Qatar National Vision 2030. factors will be increasingly availability of VPN services, than to strike out with bold in my own profession - eco- Speaking at a Shura Council session recently, Min- important. I work at a major general worldwide access is new ideas and risk rejection. nomics - a large percentage of ister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. US research university, but likely to result. Sci-Hub, based Under my alternative the top 50 schools will not Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi said that the even so I am frequently in Russia, already offers open vision, research scientists consider candidates for Ministry is providing suitable and legal alternative to unable to gain access to access to many scientific would be told to publish one- tenure unless they have some tutoring. He was presenting the Ministry’s report on the desired academic publications. third less and devote the extra publications in the top three results of the study of Shura Council’s recommenda- publications. But why stop there? time to volunteer refereeing or four journals. Is that such a tions on the general debate request presented by a To make a new open- Rather than just reproducing of what they consider to be good system for encouraging number of Council members about education and higher access system work would published articles, the publi- the most important online innovation and education. require a number of pieces to cation process could be postings. That refereeing, non-conformism? In a nutshell, the Council’s recommendation aim at fall into place. There is such a opened up altogether. If this which would not be anon- Critics might argue that the formation of an ideal citizen who believes in his faith path. Indian initiative happens, or if ymous, would be considered under this system more false and is proud of his country and language. The Council The Indian government pirated copies become more as a significant part of their results would circulate. But calls for a curriculum development based on the Islamic, common, academic journal research contribution for keep in mind that this new Arab and national identity of Qatar society, paying Most relevant publishing could become less tenure and promotion. Pro- arrangement would devote attention to sports and cultural activities. profitable. Perhaps the gated fessional associations, foun- much more effort and In its march of education, Qatar has achieved a great scientific advances publication sources will prove dations and universities could attention to high-quality, deal and is continuing with its efforts to bring in more on the COVID-19 front unable to sustain themselves set up prizes for the top ref- open-access refereeing. Fur- internationally acclaimed institutions of learning and financially, especially as the erees, who might be able to thermore, the status quo is research to the country to cater to the needs of citizens have been put online in budgets of universities get tenure just by being great not ideal. It is very hard to and residents. Qatar Foundation’s contribution in edu- open-access form and libraries continue to tighten. at adding value to other peo- find reliable information cation sector in the last couple of decades is enormous The biggest problem for ple’s work. If the lack of ano- about how good any given and enviable. The vision behind the establishment of then debated online. an open-access regime is how nymity bothers you, keep in article is, even in a top Qatar Foundation served as game changer in the field Even if they later to ensure good refereeing, mind that book reviews are journal. In reality, many of of education in the country. The Education City, with its came out in refereed which if done correctly raises already a key determinant for these results are false, non- eight international and one homegrown universities with the quality of academic tenure in many fields, such as replicable or simply irrelevant 8,000 plus students and 13 pre-university institutions, is journals, their real papers. Under the current the humanities, and they are for real-world problems. providing phenomenal contribution to the country. Qatar impact came during system, editors decide which not typically anonymous. People outside the academic University, the national university, is being reckoned papers get refereed, and they Secondary institutions process do not have much among the best universities in the world. their early open- choose the identities of the would spotlight the most inter- faith in what is being certified. Qatar gives equal importance to the education of access days. referees. Those same referees esting papers and reviews, and The changes the pandemic the children of citizens and residents. There are scores are underpaid and underin- they would aggregate that has forced in academic pub- of private and community schools catering to the needs centivized, and often do a information into more lishing aren’t all bad. At the of the diverse expatriate communities in the country. poor or indifferent job. digestible form - just as Google very least, they have revealed These institutions are operating under the watchful eyes Many of the original papers Scholar helps to track citations. that there are almost certainly and guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Higher on mRNA vaccines, for With open-access publishing, it better ways to evaluate and Education enjoying every kind of support from the example, were rejected also would be easier to revise publish scientific research. government. We still need rules for the Internet D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] THE WASHINGTON POST many cases, been occurring Instead, the situation must be to do this, as those com- for years, and it was only tackled head-on, in the same plaining today about cen- President Donald Trump’s when the online harms spilled manner this nation has sorship are likely to turn tech EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 exile from Twitter and into the offline world that tackled utilities in the past: bias into a boogeyman for FAX: +974 4455 7758 Facebook last week left him firms punished the through regulation. voters. But there’s good policy with Parler, a fringe, laissez- perpetrators. The government has abdi- reason, too: The public should MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 faire social media site, as his All the same, their cated its responsibility on be able to judge platforms on likely best alternative for response has revealed the tre- both ends of this question. the clarity of their terms of DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 online communication. Then mendous power that a There’s the matter of ensuring service and the consistency of Parler found itself on the outs, handful of private companies safety by requiring that com- their enforcement. LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 too, booted from Apple and wield over the public square. panies put into place systems These companies are Google’s app stores and Some of those companies are for rooting out illegal recognizing their responsi- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 Amazon’s Web-hosting well known to the public (one, behavior, instead of ignoring bility for shaping our dis- service. Amazon, is led by Jeff Bezos, or encouraging it. If we want course and our democracy. SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 Trump and his followers who also owns The Wash- rules of the road for the Some will say this puts us on say they are victims of anti- ington Post). Others operate Twitters and Parlers of the a slippery slope toward ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 conservative discrimination. the hidden infrastructure of Web - rules about inciting unacceptable curtailments email: [email protected] Their complaints are uncon- the Internet and are unfa- violence, for example - they of expression. They’re right, vincing. It is legitimate for miliar to most of us. In neither should be set by our elected but the alternative is violent PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 corporate actors to scrub their case is the problem likely to representatives, not unelected rhetoric left unchecked, email: [email protected] sites of speech with the be solved by familiar antitrust CEOs. And if we want those which we now know too potential to cause harm, such remedies such as corporate rules to be enforced fairly, well can result in violent ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 as the explicit plotting that breakups. When it comes to without targeting speech that action. It’s time for the FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] preceded last week’s armed operating the Web, network is merely unpopular, then we public to insist that the gov- insurrection at the Capitol. In effects can mean a bigger should insist that companies ernment do its job and set CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 fact, we should expect them business is better for con- put into place systems for some rules that balance the email: [email protected] to take such action and more sumers, which means we will transparency, notice and urgency of free speech with promptly than they did in this never see 50 app stores or appeal for their decisions. the necessity of public SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 case: Rule violations had, in cloud-computing hosts. There’s good political reason safety. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar If we don't manage to stop this British coronavirus variant, then we will have 10 times /Peninsula_Qatar the number of cases by Easter. We need eight to /ThePeninsulaNewspaper 10 more weeks of tough measures. German Chancellor +974 6698 6188 Angela Merkel, WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 OPINION 09 The dark side of vaccine success story in Israel Israel’s “vaccine success were in no shape to procuring the vaccine, and decades. story”: While it is immunising implement effective pan- that, under the Oslo accords Indeed, Israel is often its citizens against COVID-19 demic mitigation strategies or which never came to fruition, praised by the international at an unrivalled rate, the procure the necessary medi- all vaccination programmes community and media for Israeli government is not cations and vaccines to in the West Bank should be letting the odd Palestinian doing anything to vaccinate protect Palestinians. led by the PA. patient from Gaza receive millions of Palestinians living The Palestinian Authority Yet this ignores the fact treatment in Tel Aviv hos- YARA HAWARI under its military occupation. (PA) is yet to secure a suffi- that Article 56 of the Fourth pitals. In these “feel good” AL JAZEERA In a cruel irony, hundreds of cient quantity of vaccinations Geneva Convention specifi- stories, however, the real doses on the cusp of expi- to immunise the Palestinian cally provides that an reason why Palestinians need ration were reportedly population against COVID-19. occupier has the duty of to go to Israel to receive On December 19, Israel’s thrown away in Israeli clinics And due to its dire financial ensuring “the adoption and treatment is seldom men- Prime Minister Benjamin last week, while millions of situation, it will need signif- application of the prophy- tioned: The crippling military Netanyahu received the Palestinians are being denied icant outside help to make lactic and preventive siege that prevents local hos- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 the vaccine. any substantial purchase. measures necessary to pitals from obtaining the nec- vaccine on live television. This Indeed, while the vaccine Several PA officials have combat the spread of conta- essary equipment and sup- kicked off a high-paced roll-out in Israel includes the mentioned the possibility of gious diseases and epi- plies to provide treatment national vaccination Palestinian citizens of Israel, it obtaining a quantity from the demics”. In other words, the themselves. campaign that has seen more does not include some five COVAX programme, the Israeli regime has a legal obli- No doubt, whenever the than a million Israelis, some million Palestinians living in WHO-led scheme to deliver gation to procure a sufficient PA succeeds in securing a 12 percent of the country’s the West Bank and Gaza. COVID-19 vaccines to poorer amount of COVID-19 vaccines vaccine shipment, this population, receive the jab in Since 1967, these two Pal- countries. But it is likely this for Palestinians living under achievement will once again less than two weeks – the estinian territories have been will take a long time – the its military occupation. be presented to the interna- highest rate in the world. under Israel’s military occu- vaccines intended for COVAX Furthermore, both Israeli tional community as a sign of Multiple factors paved the pation, with the latter also have not yet gained “emer- and international law ban “great coordination” between way for Israel to take the lead suffering from a blockade gency use” approval by the Israel from allowing the dis- the Israelis and the Pales- So as the world in the global vaccination race. since 2007. WHO, a precondition for dis- tribution of a vaccine in Gaza tinians. Indeed, to deliver the Being a relatively small Among many things, this tribution to begin. and the West Bank that it has vaccines to the Palestinians watches Israel’s country – both by land area regime of absolute control has In early December, the PA not approved for its own pop- living in occupied territories, speedy vaccination and population – certainly had a direct and detrimental also claimed it reached a deal ulation. So, Israel is not only the PA will need to coordinate helped. Having a digitised effect not only on Pales- with Russia to receive some responsible for vaccinating with the Israeli regime, which program in awe, it national healthcare system tinians’ access to healthcare four million doses of its Palestinians living in the maintains full control over must not ignore the which requires all citizens to but also the quality of the care Sputnik V vaccine in the occupied territories, but it everything going in and out of bigger picture – that be registered also contributed. on offer in the West Bank and coming weeks. However, also has a legal obligation to the West Bank and Gaza. Moreover, unlike other states, Gaza.. Russian officials recently ensure the vaccines they Hence, when and if the the Israeli regime is the Israeli government did not Israel’s occupation has left notified the PA they do not yet eventually receive meet the Israelis “allow” the vaccines refusing to provide hesitate to recruit the army to the Palestinian healthcare have enough supplies to fulfil approval criteria of the Israeli to be delivered to the Pales- help with the administration system undersupplied and non-domestic orders. healthcare system. tinians, they will likely be the vaccine to the and distribution of the with insufficient medical All this would not have Since the beginning of this hailed by many in the interna- millions of people it vaccine. There is also a facilities. For years, rather mattered, if Israel met its unprecedented global public tional community for “coop- political dimension to the fast than being allowed to develop legal, moral and humanitarian health emergency, however, erating” and “coordinating” is forcefully ruling roll out – Netanyahu is self-sufficiency, Palestinians obligation to vaccinate the Israel not only refused to live with the Palestinians. over. fighting for political survival living in the occupied terri- Palestinians living under its up to its clearly defined legal The Palestinians, of and winning the vaccine race tories were forced to rely on military occupation. obligations to the Palestinian course, are not the only ones might tip the balance in his outside help to meet their The Israeli officials are people but also created a false who were practically kicked favour in the upcoming March most basic healthcare needs. trying to evade responsibility picture in which it is working out of the vaccine race even elections. Thus, when COVID-19 hit, by claiming the PA is yet to with the PA to defeat the virus. before it started. Most coun- But there is a dark side to the Palestinian authorities ask Israel for assistance in In March last year, for tries in the Global South have example, when it “allowed” also been left out of the race, the entry of medical supplies with most of the vaccine and equipment into Gaza, doses that will be available in Israel received praise from the short-term being allo- the likes of the UN for “coop- cated to rich nations that have erating” with the Palestinians the funds, and the political with regard to tackling might, to buy them. But COVID-19. Israel’s military occupation, In effect, the Israeli and unrivalled control over regime, which singlehandedly the Palestinian population, depleted the capabilities of makes the challenge facing the Palestinian healthcare the authorities in the West system through its decades- Bank and Gaza especially long military occupation, was formidable. being praised for allowing a Places like the occupied few medical supplies donated territories, where the health by international actors to be infrastructure is weak and it is transported into Gaza. This, difficult to maintain basic social despite its responsibility distancing or hygiene require- under international law as an ments, should be prioritised in occupying power to provide vaccination efforts. And yet, the supplies itself. because of prevailing struc- Creating the impression tures of oppression, they won’t that Israel is helping the Pal- be. estinians in good faith to So as the world watches tackle the virus while keeping Israel’s speedy vaccination them under occupation, was a program in awe, it must not remarkable achievement of ignore the bigger picture – the Israeli propaganda that the Israeli regime is machine. But this is not sur- refusing to provide the prising considering that Israel vaccine to the millions of A medical worker prepares to vaccinate a man against the coronavirus disease as Israel continues its national vaccination campaign had hid the violence of its people it is forcefully ruling amid a third COVID-19 lockdown, in East Jerusalem. regime with such illusions for over. Some lending apps thrive on Google Play in India despite policy violations NUPUR ANAND steep processing fees, as high wrongdoing or did not The four apps found had been downloaded a total days or less, it said: “We REUTERS as Rs2,000 ($27) on loans of respond. of at least 1.5 million times. support 90 days repayment less than Rs10,000 with The apps, many of which to have breached Reuters flagged those apps for the loan cycle.” CashBean At least 10 Indian lending apps tenures of 30 days or under, act as intermediaries con- Google’s repayment to Google on December 18 also said it followed RBI on Google’s Play Store, which according to the 15 borrowers. necting borrowers and and they were taken down guidelines. “Our customer- have been downloaded Together with other charges lending institutions, are not length policy - from the Play Store in India care lines are open for all our millions of times, breached including one-off registration breaking the law as the RBI 10MinuteLoan, within four days. borrowers at all times,” it Google rules on loan costs, borrowers can pay, in has no rules covering In response to a Reuters added. It did not directly repayment lengths aimed at real terms, interest rates as minimum loan tenures. The Ex-Money, StuCred query about whether it had address a question on protecting vulnerable high as 60 percent per week, RBI also does not oversee and Extra Mudra - offered loans that required whether it offered loan borrowers, according to a their loan details show. intermediaries. full repayment in 60 days or tenures of 60 days or less. Reuters review of such By comparison, Indian The Indian finance min- were advertising loan less, StuCred said: “Google CashKey, iCredit, services and more than a banks typically offer personal istry and information tech- tenures of 30 days on has unilaterally decided that RupeeFly and RupeePlus did dozen users. loans with annual interest nology ministry did not their apps and had fintech apps cannot be on not respond to emails seeking Four apps were taken rates of 10-20 percent, and respond to requests for com- their apps store which have comment and were not down from the Play Store - they usually do not have to be ments on whether they been downloaded a repayments under 30 days, reachable by phone. where the vast majority of repaid in full for at least a planned to increase scrutiny total of at least 1.5 even though no law relating The lending app industry Indians download phone apps year. of these apps. to the same has been passed has separately attracted the - after Reuters flagged to The Reserve Bank of India Some consumer cam- million times. that would require such scrutiny of police who say Google that they were vio- (RBI), the banking regulator, paigners say short-term, or action on their (Google’s) they are investigating dozens lating its ban on offering per- did not respond to a request payday, loans can lead to bor- part.” Several other apps say of apps following the suicides sonal loans requiring full for comment about whether it rowers defaulting and on their Play Store listings of at least two borrowers in repayment in 60 days or less. planned to step up super- running up spiralling costs. that the minimum the past month after they and Three of these apps - visory action. In December it “Predatory loan apps with repayment length they offer their families were allegedly 10MinuteLoan, Ex-Money and issued a public notice about high processing fees, short is over three months, but in harassed by debt-recovery Extra Mudra - didn’t return lending apps, warning some tenures and steep penalty authorities and are calling for reality their tenures often agents. calls and emails seeking engaged in “unscrupulous charges on default are leading regulations to be introduced range between seven and 15 The police haven’t dis- comment. activities”, such as charging people into a debt trap,” said regarding loan tenures and days, according to the 15 closed the identities of the The fourth app, StuCred, excessive interest rates and Pravin Kalaiselvan, who fees. borrowers and their those under investigation. was allowed back on the fees. heads a digital rights group, “There are no clear norms screenshots. Debt-recovery har- Google Play store on January Google, which dominates Save Them India Foundation. on lending apps in India. Right Those apps include assment is prohibited under 7 after it removed the offer of India’s app market with over Google introduced its own now they fall in a grey zone,” CashBean, Moneed, iCredit, RBI rules which say col- a 30-day loan. It denied 98 percent of smartphones global policy for its platform said Nikhil Pahwa, a digital CashKey, RupeeFly and lection agents cannot harass engaging in any unscrupulous using its Android platform, in 2019 “to protect users from rights activist and editor of RupeePlus, which have been borrowers by “persistently practices. said its policies were “contin- harmful or deceitful MediaNama, a Delhi-based downloaded a total of nearly bothering” them, or by con- At least six other apps uously updated in response to practices”. publication on technology 12 million times. tacting their family or remain available at the store new and emerging threats The rise of smartphones policy. Moneed said it adhered to acquaintances. that offer loan repayment and bad actors”. and affordable mobile The four apps found to RBI rules and that any The Reuters review of 50 lengths, or tenures, some as “We take action on apps internet in India has seen a have breached Google’s company that did not do so popular lending apps low as seven days, according that are flagged to us by users proliferation of hundreds of repayment length policy - should not be allowed to do available on Google Play to 15 borrowers and screen- and regulatory bodies,” it personal lending apps in 10MinuteLoan, Ex-Money, business. In response to a found that nearly all of them shots of loan details from all added. When contacted by recent years. Campaign StuCred and Extra Mudra - Reuters query about whether require borrowers to give six apps shared with Reuters. Reuters, the apps offering groups say rapid advances in were advertising loan tenures it had offered loans that them permission to access Some of these apps apply short tenures either denied technology have outpaced of 30 days on their apps and required full repayment in 60 their phone contacts. 10 ASIA WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 Flight data recorder of crashed plane retrieved AP — JAKARTA Jakarta where Flight 182 crashed and have found parts of the Indonesian navy divers plane and human remains in the More than 3,600 rescue searching the ocean floor water at a depth of 23 metres. personnel, 13 yesterday recovered the flight So far, the searchers have helicopters, 54 large data recorder from a Sriwijaya sent 74 body bags containing Air jet that crashed into the Java human remains to police iden- ships and 20 small boats Sea with 62 people on board. tification experts who on are searching the area The device is expected to Monday said they had identified just north of Jakarta help investigators determine their first victim, 29-year-old where Flight 182 what caused the Boeing flight attendant Okky Bisma. 737-500 plane to nosedive into His wife, Aldha Refa, who is crashed and have found the ocean in heavy rain shortly also a flight attendant for Sriw- parts of the plane and after taking off from Jakarta on ijaya Air, shared her grief in a human remains in the Saturday. series of posts on social media. water at a depth of 23 TV stations showed divers on “My husband is a loving, an inflatable vessel with a large devout and super kind man,” she metres. white container containing the wrote on Instagram. “Heaven is device heading to a Jakarta port. your place, dear... be peaceful Military chief Air Chief there.” Anguished family Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said the members have been providing midair breakup after seeing the plane’s other “black box,” the samples for DNA tests and police condition of the wreckage found cockpit voice recorder, was say results are expected in 4-8 by searchers. He said the jet was likely to be found soon because days. intact until it struck the water, con- its beacon was being emitted in National Police spokesman centrating the debris field, rather the same area. Rusdi Hartono said about 53 than spreading it out over a large The devices were buried in samples for DNA testing have area as would be seen with a Members of Indonesian Navy take pictures of a part of the retrieved flight data recorder of Sriwijaya seabed mud under tonnes of been collected but more are still midair event. Air flight SJ 182, which crashed into the sea off Jakarta coast, in Jakarta yesterday. sharp objects in the plane’s needed, especially from parents The disaster has reignited wreckage, navy Chief Adm Yudo and children of victims. concerns about safety in Indo- lifting the action in 2016, citing pandemic that caused travel to a hydraulic issue. In 2018, a Margono said. He said at least Indonesia’s National Trans- nesia’s aviation industry, which improvements in compliance restrictions and a slump in Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet operated 160 divers were deployed yes- portation Safety Committee said grew fast after the economy was with international aviation demand among travellers. by Lion Air crashed, killing 189 terday in the search. the US National Transportation opened following the fall of dic- standards. The European Union Sriwijaya Air has had only people. An automated flight- More than 3,600 rescue per- Safety Board will join in inves- tator Suharto in the late 1990s. lifted a similar ban in 2018. minor safety incidents in the control system played a role in sonnel, 13 helicopters, 54 large tigating the crash. The United States had banned In the past year, Indonesian past, though a farmer was killed that crash, but the Sriwijaya Air ships and 20 small boats are The NTSC chairman, Soerjanto Indonesian carriers from oper- aviation was affected signifi- in 2008 when a plane went off jet did not have that system on searching the area just north of Tjahjono, ruled out a possible ating in the country in 2007, cantly by the coronavirus the runway while landing due board. India: Apex Court suspends implementation of new farm laws India’s army chief expects China AP — NEW DELHI talks were proceeding between earnings. The government insists welcome but “not a solution.” The two sides have failed to representatives of the gov- the laws will benefit farmers and “The government must make progress in multiple talks will solve India’s top court yesterday ernment and farmers. enable them to market their withdraw. It must understand rounds of talks over the farmers’ border crisis temporarily put on hold the Tens of thousands of farmers produce and boost production that farmers and people of India main demand that the laws be implementation of agricultural protesting against the legislation through private investment. are opposed to the laws,” the All scrapped. The government has reform laws and ordered the have been blocking half a dozen Chief Justice Sharad Arvind India Kisan Sangharsh Coordi- ruled out withdrawing the laws, REUTERS — NEW DELHI creation of an independent major highways on the outskirts Bobde said the independent nation Committee said. but says it could make some committee of experts to nego- of New Delhi for more than 45 committee of experts would During a virtual hearing on amendments. India’s army chief said tiate with farmers who have days. Farmers say they won’t “amicably resolve” the standoff Monday, Bobde said the impasse The two sides are due to yesterday he expected talks been protesting against the legis- leave until the government between the farmers and the was causing distress to farmers meet again on Friday. with China will lead to an lation. repeals the laws. government. and the situation at the protest On December 30, they amicable solution to the Hima- The Supreme Court’s ruling They say the legislation Farmer unions rejected the sites was only getting worse. reached a consensus on two layan border crisis which esca- came a day after it heard peti- passed by Parliament in Sep- idea of an expert committee and “Each one of us will be issues — that the government lated after a fight in which 20 tions filed by the farmers chal- tember will lead to the reiterated their demand for the responsible if anything goes would continue its subsidy of Indian soldiers were killed last lenging the legislation. It said the cartelization and commerciali- total repeal of the laws. wrong,” Bobde told India’s electricity for irrigating farms, year. laws were passed without sation of agriculture, make A key union said the court’s attorney general, K.K. and that farmers would not be General Manoj Mukund enough consultation, and that it farmers vulnerable to corporate decision to suspend the imple- Venugopal, who was arguing for punished for burning crop res- Naravane said Indian and was disappointed with the way greed and devastate their mentation of the legislation was the government. idues, a cause of air pollution. Chinese troops were holding their positions, although Chinese troops had pulled back from some training areas on Thailand aims to inoculate the adjacent Tibetan plateau. “If the talks get prolonged, half the population in 2021 so be it,” he told reporters in an annual briefing on the situation BLOOMBERG — BANGKOK and pave for the reopening of its in India’s Ladakh region, in the tourism industry, a lifeline for the country’s northern tip. Thailand is set to begin inocu- economy. “We are prepared to hold lating its citizens against “Once 50% of the population our ground where we are, for COVID-19 before the end of has been vaccinated, we’ll be as long as it takes, to achieve February, with the goal of vacci- able to control the infections and our national goals and nating at least 33 million people, there won’t be any large out- interests.” half the nation’s population, by breaks in the country,” Nakorn Several rounds of talks the end of 2021. Premsri, director of the vaccine have so far made little headway The Southeast Asian nation, institute, said in an interview. in deflating tensions over the battling its biggest wave of coro- “Once we’ve reached 70%, disputed border. navirus infections since the pan- we can be certain that there will Naravane said he expected demic began, will start with be no outbreaks here. We may another round of talks soon. doses from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. have one or two isolated cases, The nuclear-armed neigh- once the Thai Food and Drug but the country can move bours moved thousands of Administration approves it, forward.” additional troops to the Ladakh according to the Health Ministry. Thailand may reach the area since the clash in June last By April, it plans to complete dis- herd immunity threshold only year, the worst between India tribution of two million Sinovac in 2022, given its slow vaccine and China in more than four shots to healthcare and front-line rollout compared to higher- decades. workers, people with underlying income countries with a similar conditions and those over the population, like the UK. The Workers unload boxes containing vials of COVISHIELD, a coronavirus disease vaccine after a consignment age 60. delay stemmed from the gov- Taiwan reports arrived from the western city of Pune for its distribution, outside a storage centre in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Prayuth ernment’s inability to order vac- Gujarat, yesterday. Chan-Ocha’s government has cines in advance during the two new locally approved purchase of a total of research when there’s no guar- 63 million doses and the National antee of viable shots at the end transmitted Vaccine Institute is in talks with of the trials, Nakorn said. India embarks on one of the world’s several manufacturers for addi- The agreement with Astra- COVID-19 cases tional supplies for delivery as Zeneca and the University of most ambitious vaccine rollouts early as this quarter. The gov- Oxford, currently the nation’s REUTERS — TAIPEI ernment expects the first batch biggest vaccine supplier, will also REUTERS — NEW DELHI “These vaccines will be markets.” While AstraZeneca of AstraZeneca Plc vaccines — allow local production through Taiwan yesterday reported its taken to the cold storage from has said it would not profit from to be approved by the regulator technology transfer, Nakorn said. first locally transmitted cases Indian airlines started deliv- the airport and swiftly delivered the vaccine during the pan- this month — will be ready for Thailand will administer of COVID-19 since December ering batches of COVID-19 to vaccination booths,” said demic, neighbouring Bang- distribution in May. vaccines from more than 22 — a doctor in a hospital vaccines nationwide yesterday, Nitin Patel, the state’s deputy ladesh is expected to pay about Thailand has closed schools 10,000 locations across the who was treating an infected preparing for the launch of a chief minister. $4 a dose, and pricing in Britain and temporarily shut some busi- country free of charge for cit- patient, and a nurse who is the campaign to offer shots to 1.3 Modi’s government signed is as yet unknown. nesses to contain a resurgence izens. It will also allow private doctor’s girlfriend. billion people, in what officials purchase pacts on Monday with Health authorities in that’s seen COVID-19 cases more firms to import and sell those Until last month’s domestic call the world’s biggest vacci- vaccine maker Serum Institute eastern and western states said than double to 10,834 in less than vaccines approved by the coun- transmission the island had nation drive. of India (SII), based in the they would make use of expe- a month. The government is try’s regulator to people who not reported any local cases Vaccinations are set to western city of Pune, for its rience gained from running betting on wider availability of can afford to pay, according to since April 12, with the vast begin on Saturday in an effort Covishield shot, more than a regular child immunisation vaccine to stamp out the virus officials. majority of infections in people that authorities hope will see week after approving the programmes for polio to ensure coming to Taiwan from 300 million high-risk people vaccine developed by Britain’s full coverage in what they overseas. inoculated over the next six to AstraZeneca and Oxford called the world’s biggest vac- “Of course, we really regret eight months. University. cination drive. the hospital infection,” Health First to get the vaccine will “We’ve given a special price But creaking transport net- Minister Chen Shih-chung told be 30 million health and other of 200 rupees ($2.73) for the works and a crumbling reporters. frontline workers, followed by first 100 million doses only to healthcare system add an “Our hospital control about 270 million older than 50 the government of India on enormous layer of complexity, measures are extremely strict, or deemed high-risk. their request,” Adar Poona- they said. but inevitably something may Airlines were due to deliver walla, the firm’s chief executive, India’s tally of close to 10.5 have been overlooked.” While 5.65 million vaccine doses yes- told Reuters television’s India million infections is the world’s the doctor had been treating a terday to various cities, Avi- partner ANI. second highest after the United COVID-19 patient, his nurse ation Minister Hardeep Singh The price represented a States, although the rate of girlfriend had not, Chen said. Puri said on Twitter. gesture of support for the increase has been slowing. A total of 464 contacts at Officials in Prime Minister common man, those who are Yesterday, India added the hospital have been Narendra Modi’s western home poor and vulnerable, and 12,584 cases, for its lowest daily screened with all returning state of Gujarat said vaccine healthcare workers, he said, increase in several months, negative tests, while another distribution was their top adding, “After that we’ll be while the death toll exceeds People wearing face masks shop for street food in Chinatown 42 people were in the process priority. selling it at INR1,000 in private 151,000. amid the spread of the coronavirus disease in Bangkok, Thailand. of being tested, he said. WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 11 Malaysia declares state of emergency until August 1

REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR administration and questioned the need for an emergency, Malaysia’s king declared a The emergency saying existing laws were suffi- nationwide state of emergency declaration, which allows cient to tackle the virus’ spread. yesterday to curb the spread of the Muhyiddin “We also see the move to COVID-19, a move that the suspend parliament and state opposition decried as an attempt government to introduce legislatures... as affecting checks by Prime Minister Muhyiddin laws without and balance, inhibiting the Yassin to retain control amid a parliamentary approval, nation’s democracy and denying power struggle. comes a day after the PM the people’s voices,” they said. In a televised address yes- announced a nationwide The emergency declaration, terday, Muhyiddin said the par- which allows the Muhyiddin liament will be suspended for a travel ban and a 14-day government to introduce laws stipulated period of time and lockdown in Kuala without parliamentary approval, that elections would not be held Lumpur and five states. comes a day after the premier in the Southeast Asian nation announced a nationwide travel during the emergency, which ban and a 14-day lockdown in could last until August 1. the capital Kuala Lumpur and People queue to pay at a supermarket amid the coronavirus disease pandemic in Kuala Lumpur, “Let me assure you, the with a razor thin majority in five states. Malaysia, yesterday. civilian government will con- March following the collapse of The healthcare system for tinue to function. The emergency the previous coalition led by the country of 32 million people proclaimed by the king is not a Malaysia’s veteran leader was at a breaking point, the Malaysia’s benchmark share expected economic recovery to similar request from Muhyiddin military coup and curfew will Mahathir Mohamad. premier said. The number of index fell as much as 1.6% and meet the government’s 2021 in October. Opposition leaders not be enforced,” Muhyiddin said Some lawmakers in the new daily infections hit a record the ringgit currency lost as much growth target of 6.5-7.5%. had then criticised the request in an attempt to dispel alarm ruling coalition have pulled high yesterday with 3,309 cases. as 0.5% after the emergency Malaysia’s palace said King as a move to cling to power. over the measures. support for the premier and have Total coronavirus cases passed announcement. Al Sultan Abdullah agreed to Malaysia is a constitutional Muhyiddin also gave his called for early elections, while 141,000 with 559 deaths. Malaysia’s economy took a Muhyiddin’s request to declare monarchy in which the king has commitment that elections opposition leader Anwar Under the emergency, the hit from measures taken to curb emergency due to the “critical a largely ceremonial role, car- would be held as soon as it was Ibrahim said last year that he military can be given powers to the epidemic last year, posting stage” of the pandemic. rying out his duties with advice safe to do so. had a majority to form a new help carry out functions related its first economic contraction in The emergency will last until from the prime minister and The move should reduce, at government. to public health, he said, adding over a decade in the second August 1 or earlier depending on cabinet. But, the monarch also least for now, some of the In a statement, Anwar’s coa- that the police can also be given quarter of 2020. whether coronavirus infections has the power to decide if an political uncertainty hovering lition Pakatan Harapan accused extra powers. Economists warned the have been brought under emergency should be declared, over Muhyiddin since his une- Muhyiddin of using the pan- Economic activities will be emergency and new lockdown control, the palace said. based on threats to security, lected alliance came to power demic to avoid a collapse of his unaffected, he said. measures will harder for the The king had rejected a economy or public order. Visitors to New Zealand must show negative result Gunmen kill REUTERS — WELLINGTON for the foreseeable future,” the initial phase of the pan- secured enough vaccines to Collins said in a statement this cop escorting COVID-19 Response Minister demic has helped New Zealand inoculate all of the country’s week. New Zealand will ask interna- Chris Hipkins said in a keep numbers relatively low, 5 million people, with agree- “Kiwis are rightly asking why polio workers tional travellers from most statement. with just over 1,800 confirmed ments signed with pharma- Australia has plans to vaccinate countries to show negative Hipkins said the pre- cases and 25 deaths since the ceutical companies Astra- four million people by the end of in Pakistan COVID-19 test results before departure test requirement pandemic began. Zeneca and Novavax. It plans March while New Zealand won’t boarding flights to the country would soon expand to all coun- The country last reported a to inoculate border workers start vaccinating the general as new contagious variants of tries and territories excluding local case nearly two months only by the end of March and public until at least July.” Aus- AP — PESHAWAR COVID-19 spread across Australia, Antarctica and some ago. Critics have said the gov- the general public by tralia brought forward its vaccine globally. Pacific Island nations. ernment has been taking the mid-year. roll-out two weeks to early Gunmen riding on a motor- “Given the high rates of Travellers would still have new COVID-19 variants too “New Zealand has fallen March. “When we start is less cycle shot and killed a infection in many countries and to complete the 14-day man- lightly and calls have grown for behind the rest of the world important than when we finish policeman in northwestern evidence of the global spread datory quarantine and undergo urgently extending pre- with its vaccine programme it,” Hipkins said at a news con- Pakistan yesterday as he of more transmissible variants, testing upon arrival in New departure testing and accelerate and the government needs to ference, adding New Zealand’s escorted a team of polio it’s clear that most global air Zealand. Border closure and a the roll out of vaccines. explain why,” opposition success in containing gives it time workers. routes will be of critical concern strict national lockdown during The government said it had National Party leader Judith to roll out vaccines. The attack in the district of Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province came on the second day of a nationwide anti-polio Japan PM may widen vaccination campaign that Pakistani authorities launched in an effort to eradicate the COVID-19 emergency crippling disease by the end of the year. to more prefectures The polio workers on the team in Karak escaped REUTERS — TOKYO coronavirus cases has also unharmed, according to local climbed in the west, prompting police officer Irfan Khan. A Japanese Prime Minister Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo to seek search for the attackers who Yoshihide Suga said he is a state of emergency. Yesterday, fled the scene was underway, considering extending a state the central prefectures of Aichi he added. No one immediately of emergency further beyond and Gifu also asked the gov- claimed responsibility for the Tokyo to include Aichi ernment to be included in the attack. prefecture, home to Toyota state of emergency. Pakistan regularly Motor Corp, and other central The government is now launches polio drives. It had and western areas to curb the finalising plans to do so as early hoped to eliminate polio back spread of COVID-19. as today, Kyodo news agency in 2018, when only 12 cases “We are gauging the situ- reported, citing government were reported. But in the years ation right now,” he told the sources. since there has been an uptick daily Asahi newspaper. Adding those five prefec- in new cases. The latest five- A state of emergency gives tures would mean about half of day anti-polio drive started local authorities the legal basis Japan’s population of 126 Monday, with the goal to vac- to place restrictions on resi- million people living under cinate 40 million children Youth including Kimono-clad women wearing protective face masks attend their Coming of Age Day dents’ movements and busi- emergency restrictions. across Pakistan. celebration ceremony, in Yokohama, Japan, yesterday. nesses, but under Japanese law Japan’s top government Militants often target polio the power to declare one rests spokesman, Chief Cabinet Sec- teams and police assigned to with the prime minister. retary Katsunobu Kato, did not infections hover near record In a bid to help the strug- urging clubs and restaurants to protect them. The Pakistani Responding to pressure confirm the report, saying only highs. About 79% of respondents gling services sector, the gov- close by 8 pm. Taliban claim the campaigns from Tokyo and three neigh- that the government would in a Kyodo survey published on ernment had offered generous “Please refrain from going are a Western conspiracy to bouring prefectures in the east consider the measures for a Sunday said his decision to subsidies to encourage citizens out, not only at night, but also sterilise children. Pakistan and of Japan’s main island of “swift response” for the Osaka declare the emergency for to travel domestically and dine during the day,” Economy Min- neighbouring Afghanistan are Honshu, Suga last week area. Tokyo came too late. out, only to pause the effort late ister Yasutoshi Nishimura said the only two remaining coun- declared a one-month state of Suga has been criticised for Daily cases hit a high of last year as virus cases soared. on Twitter, adding that daytime tries in the world where polio emergency for that region until what many have called a slow, 7,882 last Friday, bringing the Now, it is asking residents outings over the three-day is endemic, after Nigeria was February 7. confusing and piecemeal overall tally to nearly 300,000, of the Tokyo area to stay weekend had not fallen, despite last year declared free of the But the number of response to the pandemic as public broadcaster NHK said. indoors as much as possible and the emergency. wild polio virus. Rescuers seek to free 22 Chinese city of 4.9 million goes into lockdown REUTERS — BEIJING 42 locally transmitted infections, during next month’s Lunar New its 11 million people under Control recommended that taxi trapped miners with the capital and northeastern Year period to be “markedly less” lockdown. The province has shut and ride-hailing operators China imposed new corona- Heilongjiang province reporting than in normal years, with a sections of highway and is suspend car-pooling services, virus curbs in areas near Beijing one local case each. bigger share of people choosing ordering vehicles registered to and that drivers should get AP — BEIJING yesterday, putting 4.9 million In a village in the south of cars over other transport. Many Shijiazhuang to turn back. weekly nucleic acid tests and be people in Langfang city under Beijing that shares a border with provinces have issued notices A new guideline issued by the vaccinated in order to work, the Rescuers are seeking to free 22 lockdown as new infections Hebei, residents were stopping urging workers to stay put for the Beijing Center for Disease Pre- ruling Communist Party-backed Chinese workers trapped raised worries about a second vehicles yesterday and asking to festival. Langfang, southeast of vention and Beijing Daily reported. underground for more than wave in a country that has see health-tracking codes on Beijing, said its 4.9 million resi- two days following an mostly contained the disease. mobile phones. dents would be put under home explosion at a partially built The number of new cases in “We have to be careful as quarantine for seven days and gold mine in the country’s east, mainland China reported yes- we’re near Guan, where COVID would be subject to mass state media reported terday almost halved from a day cases were reported today,” said COVID-19 testing. yesterday. earlier and remained a small a volunteer security officer sur- Also yesterday, China said a Some 300 rescuers were fraction of those seen at the named Wang, referring to a World Health Organization team seeking to clear obstructions height of the outbreak in early Hebei province county bordering investigating the origin of the to reach the workers, whose 2020. However, authorities are Beijing. At a highway checkpoint coronavirus would arrive on condition remains unknown, implementing strict curbs near Beijing’s border with Hebei, Thursday in the city of Wuhan, the reports said. whenever new cases emerge. police in protective gowns where the virus emerged in late The mine in the eastern The National Health Com- ordered a car entering Beijing to 2019, after a delay that Beijing province of Shandong was mission reported 55 new return to Hebei after the driver has called a under construction at the time COVID-19 cases yesterday, down was unable to show proof of a “misunderstanding”. of the explosion. The cause of from 103 a day earlier. Hebei negative COVID-19 test. Shijiazhuang, Hebei’s capital, People practise social distancing as they line up for a second the blast has not been province, which surrounds China’s state planning agency has been hardest hit in the latest round of citywide nucleic acid testing at a residential compound announced. Beijing, accounted for 40 of the said it expected population flows surge in infections and has placed in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, China, yesterday. 12 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 Merkel warns virus strain from UK may hit Germany hard BLOOMBERG steps in the fight against the During a video call pandemic. Current measures Chancellor Angela Merkel has yesterday, the German are set to run until at least the warned that Germany faces end of the month, but are hard lockdown measures into Chancellor said that a widely expected to be late March if authorities fail to strain that surfaced in extended. contain a fast-spreading Britain could lead to a The opposition Green party variant of the coronavirus. called for restrictions beyond During a video call yes- rapid increase in the the current lockdown, terday, the German leader said country’s contagion rates including obliging people to that a strain that surfaced in and prompt a 10-week work from home where fea- Britain could lead to a rapid sible and requiring seat reser- increase in the country’s con- extension of virus curbs. vations on commuter trains. tagion rates and prompt a Germany and its European 10-week extension of virus Union partners began rolling curbs, according to a person out a vaccine at the end of on the call who asked not to be ranging contact restrictions. December, but progress has identified. German officials are on been slow and officials have Macron visits industrial site Germany has struggled to alert over a strain of the virus said it will take months for the French President Emmanuel Macron visits Ariane Group’s industrial site in Vernon, France, yesterday. control the spread of the that could be over 50% more shots to have a tangible impact. disease despite weeks of transmissible. It was first Misinformation is under- stricter measures, including the detected in southeast England mining Germany’s campaign, closing of schools and non- in mid-December. including discouraging essential stores and limiting The variant has spread to workers in old age and nursing Biggest illegal darknet marketplace shut down contact between people. The other countries, notably homes from getting the shot, AP — BERLIN for sale there, they added. web accessible only with spe- news was first reported by the Ireland, which now has one of Bavarian state premier Markus German investigators were cialised identity-cloaking tools. Bild newspaper. The chan- the world’s highest contagion Soeder said yesterday. German prosecutors said assisted in their months-long The suspected operator, a cellery declined to comment rates. He said the government yesterday that they have taken probe by US authorities and by 34-year-old Australian man, when contacted. Because Germany’s labs should consider making vac- down what they believe was the Australian, British, Danish, was arrested near the German- The numbers of infections don’t regularly examine the cinations obligatory for people biggest illegal marketplace on Swiss, Ukrainian and Moldovan Danish border. Prosecutors said and fatalities have roughly structure of the virus, it’s coming into close contact with the darknet and arrested its police. a judge has ordered him held doubled since the end of unclear how widespread the vulnerable individuals, adding suspected operator. The marketplace had nearly in custody pending possible November, rising to nearly 2 variant may already be in the that Germany already requires The site, known as Dark- 500,000 users and more than formal charges, and he hasn’t million and almost 42,000 country. To counter this, Mer- inoculations for the measles, Market, was shut down on 2,400 vendors, prosecutors given any information to inves- respectively. The infection rate kel’s government is looking to which is far less dangerous Monday, prosecutors in the said. They added that it proc- tigators. More than 20 servers has been climbing in recent make funds available and than the coronavirus. southwestern city of Koblenz essed more than 320,000 in Moldova and Ukraine were days and was at 165 cases per require labs to share data with “It’s surprising,” he told said. All sorts of drugs, forged transactions, and Bitcoin and seized, German prosecutors 100,000 people yesterday, the country’s RKI public health ZDF television. “It has to do money, stolen or forged credit Monero cryptocurrency to the said. They hope to find infor- more than triple the level the institute. with this incredible fake news cards, anonymous mobile value of more than ¤140m mation on those servers about government has determined to Authorities will meet on that spooks around on the phone SIM cards and malware ($170m) were exchanged. other participants in the be manageable without wide- January 25 to discuss the next web.” were among the things offered The darknet is a part of the marketplace. Temporary morgues set up as UK hospitals run out of space UK supermarket majors insist on REUTERS — LEATHERHEAD, fuelled by a new variant of the wards, or as we have seen The temporary mortuary, southeast England. ENGLAND coronavirus which has caused overseas left in corridors... which has space for 845 Britain has reported more face coverings a surge in cases, especially in when the mortuaries are bodies, was first set up in April than 80,000 deaths — the fifth British authorities have had to London and southeast reaching capacity, they during the initial outbreak of highest death toll globally — REUTERS — LONDON set up a temporary morgues England. contact the temporary mor- COVID-19 in Britain. and in excess of 3 million in some areas after local In Surrey, to the south of tuary to go and collect bodies,” “Over a twelve-week COVID cases. Tesco, Asda and Waitrose will hospital mortuaries ran out of London, the county’s hospital a spokesman for the Surrey period from April to June, they Prime Minister Boris not let shoppers into their space due to a surge in deaths mortuaries have reached their Resilience Forum said. dealt with 700 bodies. In the Johnson said on Monday it was stores if they are not wearing caused by the COVID-19 600 capacity, meaning local There were about 170 last three weeks, we’ve dealt a perilous moment for the a face covering, the British pandemic. authorities have had to start bodies currently being kept at with 330,” the spokesman said. state-run National Health supermarket groups said Britain has reported record using a temporary morgue. the Headley Court facility, a Similar facilities have been Service, and hospital chiefs yesterday, joining rivals Sains- levels of deaths and new infec- “To avoid patients who former Ministry of Defence set up or are being set up in have warned that they face bury’s and Morrisons which tions in the last few weeks, have sadly died being left on site in Leatherhead, he said. London and Kent, also in being overwhelmed. made the policy change a day earlier. With COVID-19 infection Spain care home numbers rising sharply, the UK France to provide daily updates on vaccination progress government has expressed residents to get concern about the spread of REUTERS — PARIS including more than 30,000 in senior citizens older than 75 which will increase to 1 million the virus in supermarkets, with first vaccine the Paris region. living at home. per week. On Monday, France some people breaching rules The French government is to That number is well below Veran said the government had received the first 50,000 by not wearing masks while dose by weekend provide daily updates on the the more than 1 million vaccine was also drawing up plans to Moderna vaccine doses, which shopping. number of people it has vacci- doses available in France, but make vaccines available to will be deployed in areas which Non-essential retail and REUTERS — MADRID nated against COVID-19 as it Veran said the government people under 75 who suffer face a strong resurgence of the restaurants are shut across comes under fire for its slow would stick to its policy of pri- from certain illnesses — with a epidemic. Britain, leading to a high level Spain aims for all its nursing pace compared with other oritising the most vulnerable target of having a total of 1 France’s COVID-19 infec- of demand for supermarkets home residents to have European countries. people, even if that means a million people vaccinated by tions are on average increasing and other food stores. received a first dose of vaccine Health Minister Olivier slower pace, rather than opting the end of January. by more than 18,000 a day, a “To protect our customers against the coronavirus by the Veran told parliament yes- for mass vaccination of all “We cannot vaccinate the seven-week high, and the and colleagues, we won’t let end of the week, Health terday his ministry would citizens. entire population in one go. number of people hospitalised anyone into our stores who is Minister Salvador Illa said publish a detailed table with the For now, France is giving Vaccines need to be produced is rising again, data published not wearing a face covering, yesterday after a cabinet number of people vaccinated priority to residents of and distributed first,” Veran on Monday showed. unless they are exempt in line meeting. per region by 1830 GMT at the retirement homes, but early said. France is one of the most with government guidance,” Since kicking off its vacci- latest each day. January it widened that to Veran said that last week, vaccine-sceptic countries in the market leader Tesco said in a nation campaign at the end of A first list was published on health staff older than 50 or France had 1,080,000 doses of world, with a survey this month statement. December and with new infec- Monday evening, showing that with existing illnesses. the Pfizer vaccine in stock and showing six in 10 French cit- “Our colleagues are tions on the rise, Spain has more than 138,000 people have From January 18, the was being supplied with izens would refuse working hard in difficult cir- focused its efforts on inocu- been vaccinated to date, vaccine will be available to 500,000 more doses per week, vaccination. cumstances to make sure eve- lating elderly nursing-home ryone can get what they need, residents who are particularly and we’d ask everyone to vulnerable to COVID-19. Spain records lowest please be kind, patient and During the first wave of respectful as we all work to infection from March-May the keep each other safe.” Tesco virus devastated the care- temperatures in 20 said it was also asking cus- home population, killing some tomers to shop alone, unless 20,000 people, according to years after cold snap they are a carer or with preliminary data reported by children. It has also put in El Pais newspaper and broad- AP — MADRID additional security in stores to caster RTVE. The total official manage the change in stance. death toll from the virus now Much of Spain struggled yesterday in the Asda issued a similar stands at 52,275. aftermath of a massive snowfall that statement. It said if customers From January 18, health hardened into ice amid a record cold snap had forgotten a face covering, authorities will begin admin- that turned streets and roads into safety it would continue to offer them istering the second round of hazards in areas unaccustomed to extreme one free of charge. the double-dose Pfizer- winters. “But should a customer BioNTech jab to the earliest Overnight temperatures were the refuse to wear a covering recipients of the first shot. coldest since at least 2001 and dropped in without a valid medical reason “We believe this week some places to the lowest since 1982, and be in any way challenging Spain will reach cruising speed according to the Spanish weather agency to our colleagues about doing in its vaccination plan,” Illa AEMET. Schools remained closed in Madrid so — our security colleagues said. and much of central Spain, and 11 of the will refuse their entry,” it said. “This weekend we con- country’s 51 provinces and autonomous The John Lewis Part- tinued vaccinating in many regions were at the highest weather alert nership also said face cov- A woman throws water on a snow-covered street, following heavy snowfall, in Madrid, places, despite Storm level. erings would be mandatory at Spain, on Monday. Filomena,” he added, referring The town of Bello, in the northeastern its Waitrose supermarkets. to the storm that blanketed Teruel province, registered a temperature The British Retail Con- much of the country with snow of minus 25.4 degrees Celsius (minus 13.7 accidents that could further strain hospital Spain over a 30-hour period that started sortium, which represents and cut off transport links to F), and the town of Molina de Aragón, in emergency rooms. A military hospital in Friday morning. Five people, including two more than 170 major retailers the capital. the central Guadalajara province, was only the capital saw a worrying uptick in trauma homeless people in Barcelona, died as a including the big supermarket Spain took delivery of a tenth of a degree warmer. cases, Defence Minister Margarita Robles result of the blizzard and the ensuing cold groups, said on Monday it was 35,700 doses of US pharma- In Madrid and the capital’s surrounding said late Monday. snap, the government reported. the police’s responsibility to ceutical company Moderna’s region, home to 6.6 million people, ther- Visiting the operation centre of a mil- The Madrid regional government said enforce face coverings and recently-approved vaccine mometers plummeted to up to minus 16 itary emergency unit, Spanish Prime Min- yesterday it was still waiting for a new batch called for their support. yesterday morning, and degrees Celsius (3.2 F). However, the day ister Pedro Sánchez thanked civil protection of 48,750 Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus Meanwhile, British police expects to receive 600,000 turned out to be sunny, offering some relief crews and soldiers. vaccine doses that had been due to arrive will get tougher on those who doses by the third week of to people trying to get to work and the “We have had to live difficult and the day before by plane but had to be flout rules aimed at stopping February, Illa said. emergency and military crews working to complex times, but we will move forward diverted to a northern Spanish airport. the spread of COVID-19 and Health ministry data reopen roads, reestablish power lines and because the Spanish society does not give The regional health department said stricter measures could be showed some 406,000 doses to ensure the distribution of food and coro- up in the face of adversity,” he said in tel- the delay was not expected to affect the brought in, the country's top of the Pfizer vaccine had been navirus vaccines. evised comments. local vaccine drive, which continued at officer and the minister administered by Monday, Authorities urged people to stay at home Storm Filomena left up to half a meter nursing homes and among health personnel responsible for policing said about 55% of total stocks. unless absolutely necessary to prevent (20 inches) of snow across large swaths of with doses delivered earlier. yesterday. WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 EUROPE 13

Prison service in Hungary keeps deporting migrants: NGO Russia seeks to

REUTERS — BUDAPEST The Helsinki Since then, police data show at issue in the present pro- court) ruling on our operational jail Alexei Navalny Committee said Hungary has “escorted back” ceedings no longer exist. Transit activities in Hungary,” Frontex Hungary has ignored 2,346 undocumented immi- zones have been closed. spokesman Chris Borowski told AP — MOSCOW complaints about its practice of “the Agency grants, while it detained and However, strict border control Reuters, without elaborating. escorting undocumented immi- (Frontex) turned a started proceedings against only is maintained.” The Helsinki Committee’s Russia’s prison service has grants back across the border 120 people — meaning its Hungary closed the so-called request to Frontex to sever ties asked a Moscow court to put to Serbia without due process, blind eye towards primary method remained swift transit zones last year. The zones with Hungary was based on an top Kremlin critic Alexei a watchdog group said well-documented expulsion. had comprised shipping con- earlier commitment by the Navalny behind bars for yesterday after it raised the systemic human The Hungarian Helsinki tainers for lodging and were sur- agency to part ways with breaching the terms of his alarm about the ongoing human Committee, a legal advocacy rounded by heavily guarded member states that breached suspended sentence and rights violations. rights violations at group, urged Hungary’s police barbed wire perimeters. human rights norms. probation. Hungary’s nationalist gov- Hungary’s Schengen chief to end the practice and Asked about the push-back In a separate report on the Navalny, who is conva- ernment has long taken a tough asked the EU’s border guard practice, the government Frontex record in Hungary, the lescing in Germany from an stance on migrants and asylum borders for more than agency Frontex to cease coop- spokesman declined to Helsinki Committee said “the August poisoning with a nerve seekers entering the European four years”. eration with Budapest. comment, but added: “We will Agency turned a blind eye agent that he has blamed on Union, an issue that has con- “Neither the government continue to protect the borders towards well-documented sys- the Kremlin, alleged yesterday tributed to a sharp souring of nor Frontex replied to our of Hungary and Europe, and temic human rights violations that Russian President relations with some EU on protecting migrants by letters,” Helsinki lawyer Andras will do everything we can to at Hungary’s Schengen borders Vladimir Putin was behind the partners. denying them asylum and for- Lederer said. prevent the formation of inter- for more than four years”. new legal motion. The European Court of cibly deporting them. Hungary A government spokesman national migrant corridors.” Frontex did not immediately “Putin is so mad at me for Justice ruled in December that is an EU member but Serbia is said the EU ruling was “devoid Frontex is “currently respond to questions seeking surviving his poisoning that he Hungary had broken EU laws not. of purpose as the circumstances assessing the impact of the (EU comment on that. ordered the Federal Peniten- tiary Service to replace my suspended sentence with a real one,” Navalny tweeted. Ukraine asks EU states The Kremlin has repeatedly denied a role in the opposition leader’s poisoning. for more help in getting There was no immediate comment from the Russian government on the appeal to COVID-19 vaccines the Simonovsky District Court posted on the prison service’s REUTERS — KIEV “Today, for all countries of website. the Eastern Partnership initi- At the end of December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr ative, in particular Ukraine and the Federal Penitentiary Zelenskiy yesterday asked Moldova, the issue of obtaining Service demanded that European Union countries for vaccines is important,” Zel- Navalny report to its office in more help in procuring coro- enskiy said in a televised line with the terms of a sus- navirus vaccines after his statement while hosting pended sentence he received government resisted turning to Moldovan President Maia Sandu for a 2014 conviction on Russia for assistance. in Kiev. charges of embezzlement and The pandemic has killed “The countries of the money-laundering that he more than 20,000 Ukrainians Eastern Partnership should be rejected as politically and plunged one of Europe’s given increased attention by the motivated. poorest countries into recession EU states in matters of joint pro- The service warned that he last year. curement procedures and faced prison time, if he failed Ukraine has agreed to buy accelerating the supply of to appear. some vaccines from China and vaccines.” Navalny says his sus- also expects to secure some A week ago, 13 of the EU’s pended sentence ended on under the global COVAX pro- 27 member states jointly urged December 30. He also noted gramme for poorer countries. the bloc’s executive, the EU the European Court for Human But it has dismissed calls Commission, to do more to help Rights had ruled that his 2014 from a Russian-leaning oppo- combat the coronavirus in the conviction was unlawful. sition leader to buy vaccines bloc’s Balkan neighbours and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attending a meeting with his Moldova counterpart Maia Navalny fell into a coma from Russia. The neighbours are in Ukraine. Sandu, in Kiev yesterday. while aboard a domestic flight estranged over Russia’s annex- Sandu came to power in from Siberia to Moscow on ation of Crimea in 2014 and its November by defeating Dodon, and has promised closer Chisinau, Romanian President BioNTech coronavirus vaccine August 20. He was transferred support for rebels in eastern Moldova’s Moscow-backed cooperation with the EU. Klaus Iohannis promised to to Moldova as a gesture of soli- from a hospital in Siberia to a Ukraine. incumbent president, Igor Last month, while visiting donate 200,000 doses of Pfizer/ darity following Sandu’s election. Berlin hospital two days later. Man linked to Virus cases in Sweden surpass 500,000 as hospitals near limit slaying scribe REUTERS — STOCKHOLM day since the start of the pan- work and schools after the The country of 10 million In December last year 47 sentenced in demic with 116 deaths, sur- holidays. inhabitants registered 234 new percent said that they had rel- Sweden has registered 17,395 passing a previous peak of 115 “It’s quite obvious that the deaths since Friday, taking the atively high or high confidence Slovakia new coronavirus cases since daily deaths set in April. healthcare system is as strained total to 9,667. The deaths reg- in the government’s and Friday, taking the total above More people are being now (as during the spring),” istered have occurred over agencies’ actions, down from AP — BRATISLAVA 500,000 cases since the start treated for COVID-19 at hos- Chief Epidemiologist Anders several days and weeks with 52 percent in the previous of the pandemic, as hospitals pitals in Sweden now than at Tegnell, the architect of an many from the Christmas month. An appeals court in Slovakia struggled to cope with a any time during the pandemic. unorthodox pandemic strategy period being registered with a Sweden’s codeath rate per upheld a lower court ruling rampant second wave of the While Sweden still has around that has eschewed lockdowns, significant delay. capita is several times higher that sentenced a businessman virus, Health Agency statistics 20 percent spare capacity at told a news conference. The second wave has also than that of its Nordic neigh- allegedly linked to the slaying showed yesterday. intensive care units, there are “We are near the limit for affected how Swedes perceive bours but lower than several of an investigative journalist The statistics showed that worries the spread will accel- what the healthcare system can authorities’ handling of the European countries that opted in Slovakia to 19 years in December 17 was the deadliest erate again as people return to handle.” crisis. for lockdowns. prison in a separate case of forgery. Marian Kocner was charged with forgery, together Italy PM battles on as head with former Economy Minister Pavol Rusko. of coalition partner eyes exit A court in the town of Pezinok sentenced the two to REUTERS — ROME basis points yesterday ahead of the same prison terms in Feb- the cabinet meeting, the biggest ruary and the country’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte daily rise since early November. Supreme Court yesterday con- faced a cabinet showdown with The gap between the Italian firmed the verdict, which is a small coalition partner that 10-year-bond and the German final. could bring down his rose from 110 to 118 basis Kocner had claimed government and unleash points. around 69 million euros political chaos on Italy as it Days of behind-the-scenes ($84m) from Markiza TV, struggles to contain the talks have failed to bridge the where Rusko was a director COVID-19 pandemic. differences and the leaders of before it was taken over by Italia Viva, headed by the main coalition parties Central European Media former premier Matteo Renzi, warned of dire consequences Enterprises, or CME, which is has threatened to withdraw its if Renzi, anxious to give his controlled by US company two ministers in protest over fringe party new impetus, acted AT&T. The claim was based on various issues, but talks are still on his threat. promissory notes that Markiza ongoing and Renzi is keeping “We are against opening a said were fake. Italy on tenterhooks over if, and crisis that would prevent the CME was acquired last when, he will make his move. approval of the national year by the PPF Group, which An Italia Viva source said it recovery plan and the eco- is owned by Czech busi- is unlikely to come immediately nomic aid for so many Italians, nessman Petr Kellner. after the cabinet meeting. for so many businesses and Lithuania parliament holding its first virtual sitting as it moves all its activities online amid the In September, Kocner was The cabinet is due to small activities in difficulty,” deepening coronavirus disease outbreak in the country, in Vilnius yesterday. acquitted in a separate trial approve a national plan for Nicola Zingaretti, head of the where he could get a prison spending billions of euros Democratic Party (PD), said in sentence of 25 years to life for promised by the European a statement after a party lead- allegedly ordering the 2018 Lithuania parliament moves online Union to relaunch the battered ership meeting. slayings of the reporter Jan economy, which Italia Viva has One possible scenario if Kuciak, and his fiancee, REUTERS — VILNIUS her staff were physically laptops immediately afterwards strongly criticized. Italia Viva quits would be for Martina Kusnirova. present in the chamber, while to confirm their identity. Today, Renzi will hold a all the coalition parties to rene- Prosecutors appealed the Lithuania’s parliament held its lawmakers all connected to the “It was quite unusual to news conference, his party said, gotiate a new pact, which verdict, but the Supreme Court first sitting online yesterday as proceedings via video chat from chair a meeting with an empty which is expected to clarify would almost certainly open has yet to rule on that. part of efforts to curb a sharp their offices elsewhere in the hall instead of 140 people,” whether or not he remains in the way for a major cabinet Kuciak had been investi- increase in COVID-19 infec- building or from home. Cmilyte-Nielsen said. “I really the coalition. If Italia Viva pulls reshuffle, with or without Conte gating possible government tions. “It was important, as hope and wish that in the spring its support, Conte would no at the helm. corruption and Kocner’s The Baltic nation of 2.8 members of parliament con- we can return to our usual way longer have a working majority However, upping the business deals. million people had the highest tinued to fall ill, to create con- of life”. in parliament. pressure on Renzi, the head of Kuciak and his fiancée rate of infections in the ditions for the parliament to Four lawmakers out of 141 A source in Conte’s office the largest ruling party, the were shot dead in their house 27-member European Union in continue working,” said were ill with COVID-19 as of said the prime minister would 5-Star Movement, rejected that near Bratislava on February the two weeks ending on Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has had last week, one of them in hos- not seek a new coalition deal idea. 2018, in the first such targeted Sunday, with 1,199 cases per the virus herself. pital. At least six others, with Renzi if his ministers quit “If Renzi is guilty of with- killing of a journalist in Slovak 100,000 people, data from the Lawmakers were asked to including the speaker, have had the cabinet, in a move that drawing his ministers, then history. The killings prompted European Centre for Disease identify themselves by entering the virus since the current par- appeared to restrict options for there cannot be another gov- major street protests and a Prevention and Control showed. a code on their mobile phone liament took its oath on the future in case the gov- ernment with him and Italia political crisis that led to the Only parliamentary speaker before each vote and to have November 13, local media have ernment falls. Viva. There is a limit to every- government’s collapse. Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen and their picture taken on their reported. Italian bond yields rose 10 thing,” Vito Crimi said. 14 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 Sinovac efficacy less than 60% in Brazil trial REUTERS — SAO PAULO Dimas Covas, director of the Sinovac vaccine, known of the Butantan as CoronaVac. Indonesia gave The coronavirus vaccine the vaccine emergency use developed by China’s Sinovac biomedical center, approval on Monday based on Biotech showed a general which is running a interim data showing it is 65 efficacy of less than 60 percent percent effective. in its late-stage trial in Brazil, a late-stage trial of Brazilian news website UOL news website reported on the vaccine in Brazil, reported that the efficacy rate that Monday, citing two people who Butantan was set to announce on seen the results. said ongoing analysis Tuesday was between 50 percent Sao Paulo’s Butantan bio- had yielded a new and 60 percent — above the medical center, which partnered threshold set by health regulators, with Sinovac to test and produce “general efficacy” but well below the numbers cel- the vaccine in Brazil, dismissed rate in addition to the ebrated last week. the report as “purely speculative” “clinical efficacy” Both the Chinese vaccine as it prepared to release a more and a shot developed by Oxford complete set of results yesterday announced last week. University and British-Swedish at 12.45pm (1545 GMT). A more complete set firm AstraZeneca Plc have Medical experts and regu- requests for emergency use lators criticized what they called of data was expected authorization pending with reg- Employees handle vials containing CoronaVac, Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine against the coronavirus disease, an incomplete disclosure of later yesterday. ulators in Brazil, which has lost in the bottle filling section at Butantan biomedical production center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yeserday. study results last week. more than 200,000 lives to the Dimas Covas, director of pandemic — the worst death toll In an interview with news data to a scientific conference of volunteers. Covas said the the Butantan biomedical center, researchers said the vaccine outside the United States. website UOL on Monday, Covas to be announced this week. federal agency’s handling of the which is running a late-stage was shown to be 78 percent Piecemeal disclosure of said Butantan, which is funded by Anvisa said on Saturday CoronaVac trial had raised trial of the vaccine in Brazil, said effective against mild cases of results from global CoronaVac Sao Paulo state, had prioritized that a filing from Butantan questions about its inde- ongoing analysis had yielded a COVID-19 and entirely pre- studies have contributed to con- getting its data to Brazilian health seeking emergency use author- pendence, adding to tensions new “general efficacy” rate in vented severe cases. But inde- cerns that vaccines developed by regulator Anvisa and was still ana- ization for CoronaVac lacked between Sao Paulo officials and addition to the “clinical efficacy” pendent specialists called for Chinese producers are not subject lyzing the results in parallel. some relevant information for the government of President announced last week. more transparency on the to the same public scrutiny as US Covas said the institute analysis of the study, such as the Jair Bolsonaro, who had On Thursday, Brazilian findings from the Phase III trial and European alternatives. would eventually provide its full age, gender and comorbidities spurned the Chinese vaccine. Trudeau shuffles Cabinet, names Restaurant chains flout ban, open doors in Mexico City REUTERS — MEXICO CITY Officials initially said a opening on their social media with staff wearing masks and offering service would be shut astronaut as partial lockdown implemented accounts. asking customers to wash their down or fined, noting infections Several prominent restaurant on December 19 would last until “There’s nothing else we hands, she said. spread easily in enclosed places foreign minister chains and smaller eateries on January 11, but extended it after can do,” said the owner of a Sonora Grill Chief Executive where people are not wearing Monday defied Mexico City’s surging cases last week pushed small eatery inside a Mexico Ricardo Añorve told Mexican masks. AP —TORONTO extension of a ban on dine-in hospitals to their limit. City housing complex, who media it was unjust that unreg- The city said it will not service, in an act of civil diso- Hospitals in the capital are asked not to be named because ulated street food vendors were collect income tax from restau- Canadian Prime Minister Justin bedience against rules aimed at 89 percent full, the highest peak she was serving diners on site. able operate while formal rants in January and has offered Trudeau shuffled his Cabinet controlling a surge in COVID-19 of the pandemic, according to Although the restaurant outlets applying health one-off $100 payments for yesterday and made the first cases. city data. Nationwide, Mexico survived an earlier lockdown measures were closed. employees. Canadian to soar into space his Fish restaurant Fisher’s, has surpassed 1.5 million cases by offering deliveries, orders In Mexico City’s large “Let us work,” Jose Manuel foreign minister. steak house Sonora Grill and and 130,000 deaths. have dwindled. central plaza, a couple of dozen Delgado, Potzollcalli’s opera- Trudeau made the move Potzollcalli, which sells a Still, restaurateurs say they “If it were just take-out, I restaurant workers, some in tions director, said in an ahead of a possible election Mexican meat and corn soup, can provide a safe dining envi- wouldn’t break even,” she said, white chef’s coats and banging interview with network Milenio. this spring. were among the outlets that ronment, and have no other noting competitors nearby were pots and pans, said eateries The company has opened some Former astronaut Marc flouted the ban. Between them, option to stay afloat. Fisher’s, also serving guests, increasing were safe. locations at 25 percent capacity, Garneau moves from the role the three chains have dozens of Sonora Grill and Potzollcalli her fears of losing business. Her Mexico City Mayor Claudia but has let go 600 people, half as transport minister while outlets in the city area. announced their Monday site only serves half its tables, Sheinbaum warned restaurants its staff, he added. François-Philippe Cham- pagne, who became foreign minister in November 2019, moves to minister of inno- Ontario mulls further curbs vation, science and industry. Omar Alghabra becomes to contain spread of virus transport minister. Navdeep Bains, who was REUTERS — TORONTO minister of innovation, science and industry, has decided not Ontario is considering “next steps” to limit the spread of COVID-19, to run in the next election. Premier Doug Ford said on Twitter on Monday, amid calls to put Trudeau has said important Canada’s most populous province under more stringent lockdown Cabinet positions should be as the pandemic overwhelms its hospitals. held by ministers who intend Ford is widely expected to announce further restrictions after to be around for the long haul Ontario health authorities release new case modelling, which the and who can sell the govern- premier has previously described as “a wake up call to anyone ment’s agenda during the next who’s seen it.” election campaign. Canada’s economic engine has been under lockdown since Trudeau’s Liberal Party Dec. 26, shuttering non-essential businesses and extending closure won reelection in 2019 but of elementary schools in some parts last week. does not have a majority of Yet the daily number of COVID-19 cases has spiked above seats in Parliament and must 3,500 on average over the past seven days, government data rely on at least one opposition showed. That is straining Ontario’s hospitals, and the Canadian party to remain in power. Ana- Broadcasting Corp (CBC) reported on Monday the modelling would lysts say potential disputes show Ontario’s intensive care units would be filled beyond capacity over the next federal budget by mid-February. could prompt a general Ford said in a tweet on Sunday the province’s healthcare election in the spring. system was “on the brink of being overwhelmed.” The 71-year-old Garneau Fire in Mexico metro system CBC reported the new measures could include cutting hours will also head the Cabinet for essential businesses, curtailing construction activity and Committee on Canada- Commuters get off the bus as they struggle to get homeafter a fire in the metro system shut down reducing gathering limits to five people, down from the current United States Relations. An six train lines in Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday. limit of 10 outdoors. But the province is unlikely to impose a electrical engineer and curfew, CBC reported. Last week Quebec, Canada’s worst-affected former Royal Canadian Navy province from COVID-19, became the first in the country to officer, he became the first introduce a curfew to limit the spread. Canadian in space when he Deaths of policemen rattle Puerto Rico “If you said to me, going short of a curfew, that you had to flew aboard the US space (impose) more hours of restriction on when people could be going shuttle in 1984. BLOOMBERG — SAN JUAN guards. Here he is.” The hom- they chased a group of men in out to get food, I would be perfectly comfortable with that,” John Garneau lived in the US for icide rate in Puerto Rico is a stolen car near the island’s Tory, mayor of Toronto, told a local TV station on Monday. nine years and two of his Puerto Rico Governor Pedro about four times the US national capital. All three died from their children were born there. Pierluisi yesterday ordered rate. Although it has been wounds. “No bilateral relation is flags flown at half-staff and dropping, the dramatic nature The empty automobile Brazil environmental fines more important than that of declared three days of of the violence can make it all- involved in the chase was later Canada with the United States mourning after three police the-more terrifying. The island found at the Luis Llorens Torres fall as deforestation soars and it will continue to be that officers were killed, the latest is in a long population slump, apartment complex in San Juan’s way. We are inextricably round of shocking violence to and some out-migrants cite Santurce neighbourhood. REUTERS — BRASILIA linked whether it be trade, plague the US commonwealth. safety concerns for leaving. The incident is one of the security or other matters,” Yesterday, police said the The three officers, state first major challenges for Pier- Brazil’s main environmental enforcement agency, Ibama, handed Garneau said. investigation was ongoing, even policeman Luis Marrero Diaz, luisi, who took office January out 20 percent fewer fines in 2020, a Brazilian non-profit fact- “We are looking forward after they recovered a bullet- and municipal police, Luis 2. Yesterday, he said the case checking initiative said yesterday, as the government rolls back to working with the new riddled body of a man with a Salaman Conde and Eliezer would remain under investi- conservation efforts and Amazon deforestation skyrockets. administration under Pres- sign on his neck reading, “I was Hernandez Cartagena, were gation until all the suspects had The federal agency gave out 9,516 fines in 2020 compared ident Joe Biden.” responsible for the killing of the shot on Monday afternoon as been caught. with 11,914 in 2019, according to an analysis of public databases by Fakebook.eco, which is run by the Climate Observatory cam- paign group. Since assuming office in 2019, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro has sought to weaken by cutting its funding and Mexico sees holiday bump in tourism amid pandemic surge installing managers who have promoted softer tactics against illegal logging, farming and mining. AP — TULUM the close of 2020 and start of But concern is spreading Tourism accounts for 87 Bolsonaro has said more commercial farming and mining in this year. Quintana Roo state, that the winter holiday success percent of Quintana Roo’s the Amazon rainforest are necessary to lift the region out of The friends from Jackson, the country’s tourism crown could be fleeting, because it gross domestic product, said poverty, and has accused Ibama of creating an “industry of fines.” Mississippi, relaxed on lounge jewel, home to Cancun, the came as COVID-19 infections in state Tourism Secretary Fakebook said Bolsonaro had hamstrung Ibama and created chairs dug into a white sand Riviera Maya and Tulum, both Mexico and the United Marisol Vanegas Pérez. The impunity for illegal deforestation and mining. beach and romped in the received 961,000 tourists States, the main source of the state lost some 90,000 Bolsonaro’s office directed questions about his environmental turquoise Caribbean waters, during that stretch - nearly half foreign tourists, were reaching tourism jobs - only 10,000 of agenda to Ibama, which did not immediately respond to a request grateful for a break from the from the US - down only 25 new heights — and as a new, which have come back — and for comment. Amazon deforestation hit a 12-year high in 2020, pandemic winter in the United percent from the previous year. more easily spread variant was countless others that depend when an area of forest seven times the size of London was cleared, States. “You come here and it’s a beginning to emerge in the US. on tourism. according to the government’s space research institute (Inpe). They were among tens of sigh of relief from all the turmoil If a sharp rise in infections Flights from the US dried up According to Fakebook’s analysis, fines specifically for “flora” thousands of American tourists of the COVID,” said Latron forces a new shutdown of the last spring as the pandemic took violations in the Amazon region, which includes deforestation, who descended on Mexico’s Evans, a 40-year-old Jackson tourism sector, the effects hold but have risen steadily fell by 42% for the 12 months through July 2020, compared to the glittering Caribbean beaches at firefighter. would be devastating. since then. previous 12-month period WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 US House Democrats race to impeach Trump REUTERS — WASHINGTON “This impeachment is dead, including a police officer. Two Democratic lawmakers, Democrats will give President causing tremendous US Representatives Pramila Donald Trump one last chance anger,” Trump Jayapal and Bonnie Watson yesterday to leave office just told reporters. He Coleman, said they tested pos- over a week before his term itive for COVID-19 days after expires or face an unprece- also defended the being locked down for hours dented second impeachment remarks he made with other colleagues, including over his supporters’ deadly Jan. Republicans who did not wear 6 assault on the US Capitol. last week to a rally a face mask, to avoid the mob. The Democratic-led House of his supporters Meanwhile, US Represent- of Representatives plans to vote ative Tom Reed, a moderate as soon as today on an article immediately before Republican, wrote in a New of impeachment charging some of them stormed York Times op-ed that he and Trump with inciting an insur- House colleagues would rection unless he resigns or Vice the Capitol, saying, “I introduce a censure resolution President Mike Pence moves to want no violence.” against Trump yesterday as an oust him under a provision in alternative to a “rushed, the US Constitution. divisive” impeachment. Making his first public to strip the president of power But House Speaker Nancy appearance since the rampage if he or she is unable to dis- Pelosi, the top congressional that killed five, Trump lam- charge the office’s duties. Democrat, told Democratic basted Democrats for pushing Pence advisers say he is members on a conference call ahead with the impeachment opposed to the idea. on Monday that a censure drive. The violence at the Capitol “would be an abdication of our “This impeachment is last week caused a serious rift responsibility,” according to a US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he departs the White House on travel to visit the causing tremendous anger,” between Trump and Pence, and source familiar with the call. US-Mexico border Wall in Texas, in Washington, DC, US, yesterday. Trump told reporters as he left the two men did not speak for Democratic lawmakers the White House for a trip to the days, although they did meet at introduced one article of Republican-controlled Senate, President-elect Kamala Harris splitting its hours in half. US-Mexico border wall near the White House on Monday. A impeachment on Monday, which is in recess and not the tie-breaking vote once she Until his departure for Alamo, Texas. He also defended senior administration official said accusing Trump of inciting a scheduled to return to Wash- is sworn in. Texas, Trump had not been seen the remarks he made last week they discussed the violence. violent insurrection with a fiery ington until Jan. 19, the day An impeachment trial could in public since the day of the to a rally of his supporters “The two had a good con- speech exhorting thousands of before Biden is to be sworn in. proceed even after Trump Capitol siege. immediately before some of versation, discussing the week followers to march on Congress A Senate conviction requires leaves office. Some Democrats Trump’s favorite means of them stormed the Capitol, ahead and reflecting on the last as it worked to certify Pres- a two-thirds majority of those have expressed concern that a communication was cut off last saying, “I want no violence.” four years of the administra- ident-elect Joe Biden’s present, which means at least trial could hamper Biden’s week when Twitter suspended The Republican president, tion’s work and accomplish- November 3 election victory. 17 Republicans would have to agenda, slowing down confir- his account permanently, saying however, did not answer a ments,” the official added. “The president’s threat to break with a president who has mation of his appointees and it was concerned he could use reporter’s question about If Trump has not stepped America is urgent, and so too maintained an iron grip over his distracting from legislative pri- it to incite further mayhem. whether he would resign. down and Pence has not taken will be our action,” Pelosi said. party for four years. orities such as a new corona- The president’s actions have The House was to vote later action by Wednesday, Demo- With only eight days left in Democrats will take control virus relief package. driven a wedge among Repub- yesterday on a resolution calling cratic leaders plan to bring Trump’s term, chances the of the Senate once the two If an impeachment trial is licans, with a handful of law- on Pence, a Republican, to impeachment to the House Democratic drive will result in winners of last week’s runoff held, Biden said on Monday he makers either calling for him to invoke the 25th Amendment, a floor, one week after a riot that his removal appear remote. elections in Georgia are seated hoped the Senate would be able step down immediately or never-before used law that forced lawmakers into hiding Impeachment would trigger later this month, creating a to conduct normal business at saying they will consider sup- allows a majority of the Cabinet for hours and left behind five a trial in the 50-50 split and giving Vice the same time, perhaps by porting impeachment. Judge halts first US execution of DC seeks security boost, eyes National Guard authority AP — WASHINGTON borders fall under the juris- Agency to coordinate with local Monday. “The DC National in the midst of a deadly time- female inmate diction of federal agencies like authorities as needed. Guard was ready. It was held critical situation. Last week’s mob attack on the the Capitol Police, Supreme The mayor had sought such back.” The first National Guard in 67 years US Capitol starkly highlighted Court Police, Secret Service and a declaration after last week’s Norton first introduced the reinforcements didn’t arrive on a longstanding local security Park Police, not local officials storming of the Capitol. motion in June 2020 after the scene until after 5pm. By AP — MISSION paradox: The District of or police. In the longer-term, last Trump deployed National then officers from the Metro- Columbia government lacks As Washington braces for a week’s security debacle has lent Guard units and other federal politan Police Department, A judge has halted the US authority over much of the area nerve-wracking lead-up to momentum and urgency to the forces on DC streets when pro- alongside Capitol Police, had government’s first execution within its borders. President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. longstanding effort for DC to tests over racial injustice and already been fighting a series of a female inmate in nearly When violent backers of 20 inauguration. Bowser is gain direct authority over its police brutality turned violent. of frantic running battles with seven decades, saying a court President Donald Trump seeking increased security and National Guard contingent - Currently requests for insurgents in the hallways of the must first determine whether overran the undermanned and better coordination among the and the parallel campaign to deployment of the DC guard building. the Kansas woman who killed under-prepared Capitol Police multiple law enforcement make it the 51st state. must go through the president, “Wednesday’s riot makes an expectant mother, cut the around 1pm on January 6, DC agencies involved. Eleanor Holmes Norton, but the decision is delegated to clear once again that DC baby from her womb and then Mayor Muriel Bowser lacked the President Donald Trump on DC’s nonvoting delegate in Con- the Defense Department chain statehood must become a reality tried to pass off the newborn authority to call in reinforce- Monday issued an emergency gress, is reviving a dormant bill of command. While the exact and that the District must have as her own is mentally ments from the DC National declaration for the nation’s that would give Bowser that timeline of what went wrong the power to deploy the National competent. Guard. That’s a responsibility capital. The declaration, in authority. on Jan. 6 is still being estab- Guard when the need is present,” The order, handed down given to governors, not mayors. effect through January 24, “It’s an absolute direct link” lished, and will likely be subject Carolyn B Maloney, said in a less than 24 hours before Lisa And as the nation’s capital, allows the Department of between the security failure and to months of investigation, it’s statement supporting Norton’s Montgomery was set to be exe- large swaths of the land and Homeland Security and Federal lack of local authority, she told clear that there was a serious proposed “District of Columbia cuted yesterday at the federal property within the District’s Emergency Management The Associated Press on National Guard-related delay National Guard Home Rule Act.” prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, temporarily blocks the federal Bureau of Prisons After frosty few from moving forward with her States told to speed delivery of COVID-19 vaccines execution. The Justice days, Pence and Department didn’t immedi- AP — WASHINGTON ately comment. Trump appear to Montgomery’s lawyers have The Trump administration is said their client suffers from asking states to speed delivery reach détente hallucinations - including of COVID-19 vaccines to people hearing her abusive mother’s 65 and older and to others at AP — WASHINGTON voice - as well as a disoriented high risk by no longer holding sense of reality and gaps in her back the second dose of the President Donald Trump and consciousness. They have long two-dose shots, officials said Vice-President Mike Pence argued that she is not mentally yesterday. appear to have come to a fit to be executed because she Health and Human Services détente after nearly a week of suffers from serious mental Secretary Alex Azar said that silence, anger and finger- illness and faced years of emo- “the administration in the states pointing. tional trauma as a child. has been too narrowly focused.” The two met on Monday US District Judge James As a result, he said, the Trump evening in the Oval Office and Patrick Hanlon found that the administration is now asking had a “good conversation,” court must first hold a hearing states to vaccinate people age according to a senior admin- to determine whether Mont- 65 and over and those under 65 istration official. It was their gomery meets the legal criteria with underlying health condi- first time speaking since last for competency before the exe- tions that put them at high risk. Wednesday, when Trump cution can move forward, He said the vaccine production incited his supporters to storm finding she “would be irrepa- is such that the second dose of the Capitol building as Pence rably injured if the government the two-shot vaccine can be was presiding over certifi- executes her when she is not released without jeopardizing Martin Morales, chief of personnel at the New York Police Department, (centre) speaks with Bill de cation of November’s election competent to be executed.” immunization for those who got Blasio, New York’s Mayor, (right), during distribution of vaccination at Queens Police Academy in the results. Pence and his family Kelley Henry, one of Mont- the first shot. Queens borough of New York, US, yesterday. were forced into hiding. gomery’s attorneys, praised the “We now believe that our During their conversation, ruling and said her client is manufacturing is predictable states and our health care pro- The CDC recommendations continued to rise. More than the official said, Trump and “mentally deteriorating.” “Mrs. enough that we can ensure viders.” Each state has its own give first priority to health care 376,000 people have died, Pence pledged to continue to Montgomery has brain damage second doses are available for plan for who should be vacci- workers and nursing home res- according to the Johns Hopkins work for “the remainder of their and severe mental illness that people from ongoing pro- nated, based on recommenda- idents. But the slow pace of the database. term” — a seeming acknowl- was exacerbated by the lifetime duction,” Azar told ABC’s Good tions from the federal Centers vaccine rollout has frustrated Azar said it was now time edgement that the vice president of torture she suffered at the Morning America. “So every- for Disease Control and many Americans at a time when to move “to the next phase on will not pursue efforts to try to hands of caretakers,” Henry said. thing is now available to our Prevention. the coronavirus death toll has the vaccine program”. invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office with nine days left in his term. While his office had not Early warning signs emerge for GOP after US Capitol riots definitively ruled out invoking the amendment, Pence had AP — HARRISBURG way,” said Demme, the county’s Pennsylvania, 192 people have the 48 hours after the Capitol leaving a Republican Party they signaled that he no intention former Republican Party changed their party registration attack. They mostly switched to fear will be less loyal to Trump. of moving forward with that In the 36 hours after last week’s chairman who has opposed since the January 6 riot. Only 13 no party, elections commis- But they offer an early sign kind of challenge. The House deadly insurrection at the US President Donald Trump and is switched to the GOP — the other sioner Joel Miller said, though of the volatility ahead for the is prepared to cast a vote Capitol, 112 Republicans now an independent. “If they 179 changed to Democrat, inde- a small number took the highly GOP as the party braces for Tuesday calling on Pence to reached out to the election kept going, I knew there’s no pendent or a third party, unusual step of cancelling their political fallout of the riots that invoke the amendment. office in Lancaster County, way I can keep going. But if according to Bethany Salzarulo, registrations altogether. Trump incited. “I do think there’s “The president represents Pennsylvania, to change their you’ve been a Republican all the director of the bureau of The party switching pales in a palpable shift, from knee-jerk an imminent threat to our party registration. Ethan your life, it’s hard to jump out of elections. comparison to the more than defense of the president to ‘wow, Constitution, our Country and Demme was one of them. a big boat and into a little boat.” In Linn County, Iowa, home 74 million people who voted for that was a bridge too far,’” said the American people, and he “Ever since they started Officials are seeing similar to Cedar Rapids, more than four Trump in November. Some Kirk Adams, the former Repub- must be removed from office denying the election result, I scenes unfold elsewhere. dozen voters dropped their may be rejecting politics alto- lican speaker of the Arizona immediately,” said House kind of knew it was heading this In Cumberland County, Republican Party affiliations in gether while others may be House of Representatives. Speaker Nancy Pelosi. WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2021 16

HK ‘not in a hurry’ to roll out COVID-19 vaccines BLOOMBERG — HONG KONG vaccine late, and having ade- to contain a fourth wave that didn’t immediately respond quate supplies, and we have has resurrected tight social yesterday to further inquiries Hong Kong is in no hurry to the luxury to know that the The city has purchased distancing requirements and about the vaccination PRAYER roll out COVID-19 vaccina- vaccine we’ve purchased is enough doses — a mix of frustrated local businesses — programme. TIMINGS tions, according to safe.” the Pfizer Inc/BioNTech especially restaurants — and The cautious approach PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING government advisers, Unlike the US, the UK and SE, Sinovac Biotech Ltd parents of school-age could result in wider public preferring instead to see what China, which have adminis- children. Authorities have acceptance of the vaccines happens in other, harder-hit tered millions of vaccinations and AstraZeneca Plc reported between 25 and 60 once they become available, FAJR 05.00 am places. since December, Hong Kong vaccines — to cover its daily cases over the last week. according to David Hui, a pro- SUNRISE 06.21 am “We have the luxury of a has yet to authorize a vaccine 7.5 million residents, The city has also seen 159 fessor of respiratory medicine bit of time to observe how the and doesn’t plan to begin deaths from COVID-19 — still at the Chinese University of DHUHR 11.43 am and plans to offer program is being rolled out inoculations until February. people a choice of which roughly half of the total death Hong Kong and a member of ASR 02.44 pm elsewhere, especially on the Officials already declined toll inflicted on Hong Kong the government’s COVID-19 vaccine they’ll take. MAGHRIB 05.06 pm safety side,” Lam Ching-choi, to receive a January shipment from severe acute respiratory advisory panel. ISHA 06.36 pm a medical doctor and member of Sinovac vaccines because syndrome, or SARS, which “It’s good that we have of the Chief Executive’s regulatory approval was killed nearly 300 people in data from North America and advisory Executive Council, pending, according to Lam. people a choice of which the early 2000s. also the UK — which have said in an interview on The city has purchased vaccine they’ll take.Hong In separate comments already commenced the vac- Monday. enough doses — a mix of the Kong has reported just 9,283 yesterday, Chief Executive cination program — to show “Our experts are not in a Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE, coronavirus cases since the Carrie Lam noted that rolling us more information about hurry to be the first to be Sinovac Biotech Ltd and pandemic began, making it out vaccines wouldn’t bring the unknown side effects, doing a vaccination program. AstraZeneca Plc vaccines — one of the most COVID- an immediate end to social such as severe allergic We’re finding a balance to cover its 7.5 million resi- resilient places in the world. distancing. reaction, so we can have between not having the dents, and plans to offer But the city is now struggling Hong Kong’s government better preparation,” Hui said. WEATHER TODAY Recovered bird soars off endangered species list

TRAVERSE CITY o o AP — 18,000, with about 480 nesting 16 C 23 C sites available in 18 states. Minimum Maximum The interior least tern, a hardy The Endangered Species Act Hazy at places a first becomes Midwestern bird that survived requires the Fish and Wildlife moderate temperature daytime a craze for its plumage and Service to monitor the tern for with some clouds, cold by night. dam-building that destroyed at least five years to make sure much of its habitat, has soared its numbers remain stable. W ALRUWAIS : 17o → 21o off the endangered species list. The engineering changes W ALKHOR : 15o → 22o Federal officials said yes- have drawn criticism and legal W DUKHAN : 16o → 20o terday that 35 years of legal pro- action from some Missouri River W WAKRAH : 09o → 23o tection and habitat restoration farmers, who contend they have W MESAIEED : 09o → 23o efforts had brought the tern back worsened flooding since the from the brink of extinction. mid-2000s. W ABUSAMRA : 10o → 20o “Dozens of states, federal But the Army Corps says it agencies, tribes, businesses and will continue conservation and HIGH TIDE conservation groups have monitoring efforts in an area 04:56 – 15:46 worked tirelessly over the course affecting about 80% of the tern’s of three decades to successfully breeding population. LOW TIDE 12:39 – 23:16 recover these birds,” US Fish and Its partnership with other Wildlife Service Aurelia Skipwith agencies and nonprofits has Heavy snowfall in Seoul said. shown that “we can protect and The smallest members of the recover an endangered species A man wearing a mask pushes his bicycle through a zebra crossing during a heavy snowfall, amid tern family, weighing less than 2 while continuing to provide Gorillas at San the coronavirus disease pandemic in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. ounces (56 grammes), they feed critical navigation and flood mostly on small fish and build control benefits to the nation,” Diego Zoo Safari nests on the ground. While most said Major General Diana least terns are considered sea- Holland, Commander of the Mis- Park diagnosed birds, some species live by rivers, sissippi Valley Division of the Gothams give virtual start to Oscar lakes and wetlands. Corps. with COVID-19 Their most important nesting The Corps and the Fish and areas are along more than Wildlife Service teamed with the REUTERS — LOS ANGELES season, ‘Nomadland’ wins 4,500km of river channels in the American Bird Conservancy to Great Plains and the Lower Mis- develop a computer modeling As many as eight gorillas at the AP — NEW YORK throughout the event. The show audience awaited her speech. sissippi Valley. They migrate to system to track the bird’s status San Diego Zoo Safari Park are was livestreamed on Facebook, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear any- the Caribbean and South with and without continued presumed to have contracted Streaming from an empty with invitees placed digitally at thing. What’s going on?” said America for the winter. management in certain areas. COVID-19 from a human banquet hall and with tables via a poker programme Diaz, who then learned that she Their numbers plummeted States known to have col- handler after one of the acceptance speeches made that Gotham organisers retooled had won. “Oh, I did?” she said. in the late 19th and early 20th onies of the terns include: animals tested positive, from living rooms, the 30th to simulate being seated at the But the Gothams, which had centuries when their feathers Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, marking the first known trans- Gotham Awards gave a very gala. been postponed by about two became a popular feature of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, mission of the virus to apes, strange Oscar season a virtual “While we’re the first, we’re months to coincide with the women’s hats. Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, zoo officials said on Monday. start on Monday in a largely definitely not the last award delayed Academy Awards cal- Then came a wave of dam Montana, Nebraska, New Three among the band of digital ceremony that crowned show exploring new ways to endar, fell into a kind of rhythm and levee construction and other Mexico, North Dakota, critically endangered western Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” the come together,” said Sharp. and a predictable winner. engineering measures to control Oklahoma, South Dakota, Ten- lowland gorillas at the best film of 2020. The results weren’t always Zhao’s “Nomadland,” starring Middle America’s great rivers - nessee and Texas. sprawling wildlife park have As the first prominent award smooth, but they were typical Frances McDormand as an itin- particularly the Missouri and the Environmental groups that shown symptoms of the res- show to go forward during the of a pandemic that has made erant widow living in her van, Mississippi. sometimes have opposed piratory virus, such as pandemic, the Gotham Awards any large gatherings — let alone was the sensation of a similarly Those structures wiped out dropping species from the coughing, though none took a trial-and-error approach glitzy ones like the Gothams — pandemic-marred film festival much of the bird’s shoreline endangered list supported the appears severely ill, and all are to mounting a show that couldn’t impossible. Winners, appearing season, winning top honors at habitat. removal of the interior least tern. expected to fully recover, the include the usual trappings of by videoconference, were some- the Venice and Toronto film When listed as endangered “We consider it an Endan- zoo said in online the annual independent film times befuddled. festivals, along with best picture in 1985 as a distinct population gered Species Act success story statements. awards: a flashy red carpet, free- “I think I’m supposed to be from the National Society of segment, fewer than 2,000 for sure,” said Noah Greenwald Laboratory analysis of a flowing cocktails, standing speaking right now but I hear so Film Critics. interior least terns remained, of the Center for Biological fecal sample collected last ovations. many different people talking, “Nomadland” won both best along with a few dozen nesting Diversity. Wednesday from one of two The Gothams nevertheless I’m not really sure what’s going feature and the Gothams’ sites. But he cautioned that vigi- gorillas initially seen coughing went ahead with a ceremony on,” said breakthrough actor audience award on Monday. All The Army Corps of Engineers lance was needed to make sure detected the presence of the from its usual home of Wall winner Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One of the films nominated for best played a key role in the bird’s the bird’s river habitat remains virus two days later, zoo Street Cipriani’s in downtown Night in Miami”) from a hotel feature were directed by recovery, changing river man- secure. spokesman Andrew James Manhattan, albeit without an in- room in London. women, including lead- agement strategies and placing “Scientists are warning that said. person audience and with only Ramona S Diaz, director of nominee getter “First Cow,” by dredged material to create new we’re in danger of losing 1 million The positive results were a handful of presenters. the Maria Ressa profile, “A Kelly Reichardt. Zhao, whose nesting and dwelling spots for species to extinction,” Greenwald confirmed on Monday by the Opening the show, Jeffrey Thousand Cuts,” learned that “The Rider” won best feature at terns and other imperiled shore- said. US Department of Agriculture Sharp, executive director of the she had won best docu- the Gothams two years ago, birds such as the piping plover. “Efforts to manage rivers in (USDA) National Veterinary Gotham Film & Media Institute, mentary, in a tie with Garrett thanked the festivals that, like The steps paid off. The a more natural way are the kinds Services Laboratories, the zoo predicted that there would be Bradley’s incarceration tale the Gothams, carried on despite interior least tern’s population is of things we need to do to avoid said on its website. “glitches and gremlins” “Time,” while the livestream the trying circumstances. now estimated at more than the extinction crisis.” South Korean firm’s smart dog collar tells owners what’s in a bark REUTERS — SEOUL gathering different types of October last year at $99. barks to analyse dogs’ emo- The global pet care market A South Korean startup has tions in 2017. Three years The Petpuls collar can was worth $138bn in 2020, up developed an AI-powered dog later, they developed a pro- tell pet owners through 34 percent, Euromonitor data collar that can detect five prietary algorithm based on a a smartphone showed, as more people spent emotions in canines by moni- database of more than 10,000 time at home with their pets toring their barks using voice samples from 50 breeds of application if their dogs or adopted pets during the recognition technology. dogs. are happy, relaxed, COVID-19 pandemic. The The Petpuls collar can tell “I thought she was just anxious, angry or sad. It global dog population also pet owners through a smart- happy when she played and also tracks dogs’ grew 18 percent the same year phone application if their dogs felt sad and anxious when I physical activity and to 489 million. are happy, relaxed, anxious, wasn’t home...actually she felt “More people began to angry or sad. It also tracks angry when she lost a game rest. adopt dogs, but unfortunately dogs’ physical activity and she played with me, like how some of them abandoned their rest. humans feel,” said Moon dogs due to miscommuni- “This device gives a dog a Sae-mi, who has a six-year- which tested the device the cation,” Gil said. voice so that humans can old Border Collie. company says is the first of its “Petpuls can have an understand,” Andrew Gil, The collar has a 90 percent kind to be powered by AI voice important role in the pan- director of global marketing average accuracy rate of emo- recognition technology. demic...it helps owners under- at Petpuls Lab, said. tional recognition, according Petpuls Lab started mar- stand how dogs feel and Moon Sae-mi tries out Petpuls, an AI-powered smart dog collar, with her The company began to Seoul National University, keting the collar online in increases their bonding.” dog Godot during a demonstration in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday.