QATAR | Page 6 BUSINESS | Page 1 Ashghal completes Qatar Chamber 80% of development to hold ‘Industrial works on Losail Investment International Circuit Opportunities Forum’ on Dec 6

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TUESDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11875 April 6, 2021 Sha’aban 24, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir holds talks with president of Ukraine Amir holds phone call with Turkish president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. During the phone call, the Amir and the Turkish president reviewed the strategic relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to enhance and promote them, in addition to the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern. (QNA)

Amir receives message from president of Chad His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a written message from the President of Chad Idriss Deby, pertaining to the bilateral relations and ways Qatar, Ukraine sign several agreements, MoUs in the fields of energy, healthcare to enhance and develop them. The message was handed over QNA The session also dealt with a number ments of the two countries at the Amiri tract and support investment. in honour of the Ukrainian president by Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Doha of issues of common concern. Diwan. They also witnessed the signing of and the delegation accompanying him. African Integration, International It was attended by a number of min- The Amir and the Ukrainian presi- a memorandum of understanding on The banquet was attended by a Co-operation and Chadians Abroad isters. From the Ukrainian side, it was dent witnessed the signing of an co-operation in the fi elds of youth and number of ministers. Amine Abba Sidick, when the Amir is Highness the Amir Sheikh attended by a number of members of agreement for co-operation in the sports, a memorandum of understand- The Ukrainian president left Doha met him and the accompanying Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani the offi cial delegation accompanying legal field, an agreement for addi- ing on ports, and a memorandum of yesterday evening after an offi cial visit delegation yesterday. (QNA) Hand President of Ukraine Volo- the president. tional contributions from sharehold- understanding for co-operation in the to the country. dymyr Zelenskyy held an offi cial talks Earlier upon arrival at the Amiri Di- ers QTerminals, a memorandum of fi eld of agriculture and food safety. The president and the accompanying session at the Amiri Diwan yesterday wan, an offi cial reception ceremony understanding on co-operation in The signing ceremony was attended delegation were seen off upon depar- Sheikha Jawaher morning. was held for the Ukrainian president. the field of energy, a memorandum of by a number ministers. ture at Doha International Airport by meets wife of During the session, they discussed His Highness the Amir Sheikh understanding for joint co-operation From the Ukrainian side, it was at- HE the Minister of Culture and Sports bilateral relations and means of de- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Presi- in the field of healthcare, a memo- tended by a number of members of the Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Ukraine president veloping and strengthening them, es- dent Volodymyr Zelenskyy witnessed randum of understanding between offi cial delegation accompanying the Qatar’s ambassador to Ukraine Hadi Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint pecially in the fi elds of energy, invest- the signing ceremony of a number of Qatar Investment Authority and president. bin Nasser al-Hajri, and ambassador Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani, wife ment, transport, tourism, agriculture, agreements and memoranda of under- State Property Fund of Ukraine, and a His Highness the Amir hosted a of Ukraine to Qatar Andriy Kuzmenko. of His Highness the Amir, met with infrastructure, and healthcare. standing (MoUs) between the govern- memorandum of understanding to at- luncheon banquet at the Amiri Diwan Page 12 Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and her accompanying delegation at the Pearl Palace yesterday. During Office for non-Qatari real estate the meeting, they exchanged ownership launched in Lusail cordial talks on a number of topics 650 products to be available at of mutual interest. Her Highness also hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of Zelenska and the accompanying delegation. (QNA) reduced prices during Ramadan

Saudi to allow only QNA The full list is available at 2u.pw/ immunised pilgrims Doha KywWc The ministry has also indicated Saudi authorities said yesterday only that in order to make it easier for people immunised against Covid-19 he Ministry of Commerce and consumers to access the discounted will be allowed to perform the year- Industry (MoCI) yesterday an- goods, posters have been designed to round Umrah pilgrimage from the Tnounced the list of discounted be placed on store shelves to show the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting consumer goods for Ramadan this prices of Qatari and imported prod- month for Muslims. The Haj and year, which includes more than 650 ucts. Umrah ministry said in a statement products. The MoCI has called for adher- that three categories of people The list, released in co-operation ence to the set prices until the end of would be considered “immunised” – with major retail outlets, came into the holy month of Ramadan, stress- those who have received two doses eff ect yesterday and will remain ap- ing that it will intensify its inspection of the vaccine, those administered a plicable until the end of the holy Ramadan, such as fl our, sugar, rice, campaigns to detect violations and single dose at least 14 days prior, and month of Ramadan. macaroni, rice, oil, milk, chicken and refer the off enders to the competent people who have recovered from The ministries of interior and justice yesterday launched an off ice for non-Qatari The initiative comes within the other food and non-food items whose authorities for appropriate measures the infection. Only those people will real estate ownership and use in Lusail City to provide services through one framework of the ministry’s eff orts consumption increases during the in order to protect the rights of con- be eligible for permits to perform window for investors and dealers. The off ice provides all the requirements for the over the past years to meet citizens’ holy month. sumers. Umrah, as well as to attend prayers sale and purchase of real estate, residential units and off ices in the areas covered and residents’ need for consumer The list of discounted consumer The Ministry of Commerce and In- in the Grand Mosque in the holy city by Cabinet Resolution No 28 of 2020. The off ice enables beneficiaries to obtain goods at reduced prices during the goods has been circulated to all ma- dustry has urged consumers to report of Mecca. the title deed in less than an hour. HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister holy month. jor retail outlets in the country and is any price violations by contacting the of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi reviewed the workflow This year’s list includes all essen- accessible to consumers through the call centre at 16001, or by using the of the off ice during its inauguration. Page 2 tial consumer goods needed during MoCI website and social media pages. MoCI social media accounts. Prince Hamza pledges allegiance to king Jordan’s Prince Hamza pledged allegiance to King Abdullah yesterday after mediation by the royal family, two days after he was Qatar Airways Cargo transports PHCC visits allowed for placed under house arrest and accused of trying to destabilise the country. Prince Hamza signed a letter 1.5mn doses of vaccine for Qatar ‘essential services’ only in which he placed himself at the monarch’s disposal after a meeting with Prince Hassan, the king’s uncle, Globally, the national airline has transported close to 20mn Covid-19 vaccine doses he Primary Health Care Corpo- and other princes, the royal court ration (PHCC) has announced said. “I place myself in the hands of atar Airways Cargo has large populations access to these vi- Tthat all non-essential services his majesty the king... I will remain crossed a milestone of trans- tal vaccines, thanks to the dedication will only be conducted through virtual committed to the constitution of the Qporting over 1.5mn Covid-19 and co-ordinated eff orts of its global consultations using both telephone dear Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” vaccine doses into Qatar, with its larg- teams and ground handling partners. and video. Prince Hamza said in the letter est batch of more than 530,000 Pfi zer Globally, the cargo carrier has “Given the current rise in Covid-19 released by the palace. and Moderna vaccines arriving from surpassed a milestone with close cases, the changes have been put into es will still be provided, but at a limited Amsterdam yesterday. to 20mn Covid-19 vaccines trans- eff ect as a precautionary measure to capacity, and it is advised not to visit The airline has played a signifi cant ported into 24 different countries, keep the community safe, by mini- the health centres unless urgent care is US seeks answers to role throughout the pandemic and is including Covid-19 vaccines for mising exposure for both patients and required. Russian ‘provocations’ committed to helping people and giv- Unicef as part of the five-year MoU healthcare workers as we have a high Face-to-face consultations are now ing back to communities, in alignment Qatar Airways Cargo has crossed a to support Unicef’s Humanitarian volume of vaccination groups visiting only available for the following serv- The United States finds reports of with its sustainability programme – milestone transport of over 1.5mn Airfreight Initiative. the health centres. To limit the number ices: Urgent-care patients, walk-in pa- Russian military movements on ‘WeQare’, based on the core pillars of Covid-19 vaccine doses into Qatar, with Through its QR Pharma product, of patients visiting health centres, tients, all suspected Covid-19 and close Ukraine’s border “credible,” has asked sustainability – environment, society, its largest batch of more than 530,000 Qatar Airways Cargo off ers controlled PHCC teams will call patients to re- contact cases (walk-in or referred), Moscow to explain the “provocations” economy and culture. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines arriving cool chain and dedicated monitoring, schedule any existing appointments of well baby and vaccinations, antena- and is ready to engage on the Guillaume Halleux, chief offi cer from Amsterdam yesterday. intervention and servicing as well as non-essential services by converting tal (but only on referral after a virtual situation, the US State Department (Cargo) said, “We remain commit- proactive re-icing at its Doha hub. them to virtual consultations,” said Dr consultation by a physician), essential said yesterday. The reported Russian ted and resilient in the fi ght against Qatar, supporting the country with its With signifi cant investments and Samya Ahmad al-Abdulla, executive X-ray and ultrasound scan (USS) ur- troop buildup and movements the pandemic and together with our Covid-19 immunisation campaign in enhancements to the QR Pharma director of operations, of PHCC. gent cases only, Covid-19 vaccinations, bordering eastern Ukraine have partners, are ensuring the safe, timely the fi ght against the pandemic.” product and its state-of-the-art hub PHCC health centres will continue drive-thru Covid-19 swabbing, day 6 become the latest point of tension and effi cient transportation of these Since December 2020, Qatar Air- in Doha, the cargo carrier confi rms to receive all walk-in and urgent care swab (either reactive or post travel), in icy US-Russian relations less than life-saving supplies. I am glad that all ways Cargo has transported Covid-19 its strategy and commitment to sup- patients including family medicine, home healthcare, pre-marital services three months after US President Joe our teams have worked so hard to co- vaccines to several countries around porting the logistics around the global dental and specialty services, as as- on request, medical commission and Biden took off ice. ordinate this milestone transport into the world including Qatar, providing Covid-19 vaccination endeavour. sessed by a physician. Essential servic- school registration. To Page 4 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 QATAR

Shura Council FM meets Chad counterpart holds weekly Offi ce for non-Qatari meeting The Shura Council held its weekly meeting, via video conference yesterday, under real estate ownership the chairmanship of HE the Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, at the council’s headquarters. The council reviewed the report of opens in Lusail City the Services and Public Utilities Committee on a draft law organising healthcare services Beneficiaries can obtain title deed in less than an hour within the country. After extensive discussions, the council decided to return the QNA Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuai- ownership, adding that it enhances report to the committee for further Doha mi reviewed the workfl ow of the offi ce eff orts to encourage investment in study in light of the observations and the procedures in place to provide the country. This is the second offi ce HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed and inquiries presented by the services in accordance with the qual- opened by the Ministry of Interior, bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday with Chad’s Minister of Foreign Speaker and members of the he ministries of interior and ity and effi ciency standards set by the in co-operation with the Ministry of Aff airs, African Integration, International Co-operation and Chadians Abroad, council before a supplementary justice yesterday launched an competent authorities as part of the Justice, after the Pearl offi ce. Amine Abba Sidick. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations, in report is submitted to the council Toffi ce for non-Qatari real estate procedures for launching the offi ce. He praised the co-ordination be- addition to discussing regional issues. (QNA) in this regard during the next ownership and use in Lusail City to He thanked the government and tween the two ministries in providing session. (QNA) provide services through one window private agencies, especially the Minis- outstanding services to citizens and for investors and dealers. try of Interior and the Qatari Diar Real investors. The offi ce provides all the require- Estate Investment Company, which Assistant Undersecretary at the ments for the sale and purchase of real contributed to providing the required Ministry of Justice for Real Estate estate, residential units and offi ces in facilities, which aim to support the Registration and Documentation and the areas covered by Cabinet Resolu- national development process and Head of Committee for the Regulation tion No 28 of 2020, determining the ar- establish an integrated investment of Ownership and Use of Non-Qatari Minister outlines strategy eas in which non-Qataris may own and infrastructure that constitutes a cata- Property Saeed Abdullah al-Suwaidi benefi t from real estate, and the terms, lyst and true support for the national said that the opening of the Lusail City conditions, benefi ts and procedures for economy. offi ce came under the directives of HE their ownership and use of them. The minister said that Qatar today the Minister of Justice, in co-ordina- The offi ce enables the benefi ciaries enjoys the best environment for real tion with the real estate development on dealing with waste to obtain the title deed in less than an estate investment supported by an companies and the new economic hour. integrated legal system that includes zones, to implement Cabinet Resolu- It also provides, through an auto- various economic and investment tion No 28 of 2020 in order to serve Waste management conference kicks off in Doha mated system created by the minis- fi elds. the development of the real estate sec- tries of interior and justice, the issu- He added that the Lusail office will tor and keep pace with the economic ance of residency upon completion of constitute a qualitative addition to development in the new investment QNA the ownership or procedures, in case the services provided by the minis- zones in the country. Doha the property of the owner or the ben- tries of justice and interior in Lusail, Al-Suwaidi said that these offi ces efi ciary is in the category whose value in addition to the services provided allow investors to own real estate and is not less than QR730,000, so that the by the Pearl Office, which consti- use in about 25 areas. he 1st International Conference owner of the property from this cat- tutes a new window for providing The resolution allowed ownership on Waste Management, organ- egory obtains a residence permit for real estate ownership services and in nine areas characterised by invest- Tised by the Ministry of Mu- themselves and their family without benefiting easily. ment attractiveness, advanced infra- nicipality and Environment, kicked off a recruiter for the duration of their These offi ces will also contribute to structure, and modern communica- yesterday, with the participation of a ownership of the property. the implementation of the objectives tion network, while the number of number of governmental institutions, In addition to residency for them of Cabinet Resolution No 28 of 2020 areas of use of real estate is 16 areas. private sector and local factories as and their family, the owner of the in accordance with an integrated vi- He pointed out that Qatari and non- well as some external parties, a group property or the benefi ciary will also sion with the National Development Qatari citizens may own a detached of experts and local and international receive permanent residency benefi ts Strategy 2017-2022 and the objectives unit in a residential complex, and may specialists in the waste management that include health, education and of Qatar National Vision 2030. also own the detached units (offi ces and treatment. investment in some commercial ac- HE the Director General of the Gen- and shops) in malls. Speaking at the opening of the con- tivities, if the property value is not less eral Directorate of Passports Brigadier CEO of Qatari Diar Eng. Abdullah ference, HE the Minister of Municipal- than QR3,650,000. Mohamed Ahmed al-Ateeq said that bin Hamad al-Attiyah said the servic- ity and Environment Abdullah bin Ab- During the inauguration of the of- the offi ce aims to facilitate for inves- es provided by the new offi ce will open dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said that HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie delivering his speech. fi ce, HE the Minister of Justice and tors and real estate owners obtaining up greater horizons for investment Qatar, under the wise leadership of Acting Minister of State for Cabinet residency services associated with the opportunities in Lusail City. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim and discussion panels. bin Hamad al-Thani, has developed a The topics include circular econ- comprehensive strategy to deal with all omy, integration between the public types of waste, whether from residen- and private sectors, modern technolo- tial places, commercial and industrial gies for converting waste into energy, sites, or the building and construction research and development in the fi eld sector, among others. of waste, food waste, smart manage- He said that Qatar has adopted a ment of waste collection and trans- comprehensive plan to manage and re- portation, waste and challenges in cycle this waste by establishing a waste light of the coronavirus pandemic, re- management and treatment centre in cycling and other topics related to the Mesaieed, which is one of the largest management of recycling and treating centres in the region, as well as meet waste of various kinds. environmental safety requirements in He said that the ministry, within the terms of treating waste in a modern Ahmed Mohamed al-Sada. framework of its strategic plan, is con- and safe manner, believing that there cerned with preparing the necessary is a direct relationship between the tions and technologies for the impacts policies and strategies and developing eff orts of waste management and re- resulting from the population growth plans for waste management in the cycling in preserving the integrity of and urban and economic development country, in order to ensure the pres- the environment and achieving sus- that Qatar is witnessing. ervation of the health and safety of the tainable development to which Qatar The recycling process contributes to society and the improvement of the pays most attention as it has placed preserving the environment, reducing quality of life, in co-ordination with environmental development as one of pollution, preserving resources and the competent authorities. the main pillars of its National Vision energy, reducing consumption, raising He noted that the Waste Recycling 2030. the effi ciency of production processes, and Treatment Department super- HE the Minister stressed that Qa- as well as protecting lands from harm- vises the solid waste treatment plant, tar’s keenness to organise this confer- ful substances, he added. its transfer stations, and the sanitary ence for the fi rst time (remotely) due HE al-Subaie hoped for distin- landfi lls for waste and recycling in ac- to the challenges of the coronavirus guished participation in the activities cordance with international specifi ca- (Covid-19) confi rms the great interest of this conference (visible and virtual) tions and standards. that the country attaches to the issue through presentations, workshops and The department also develops the of recycling waste, reducing its quan- seminars presented by local and in- necessary administrative plans for solid tities and reusing it in the production ternational institutions, companies, waste treatment to ensure the preser- of compost and power generation in experts and specialists that deal with vation of public health and safety. accordance with the strategy of the many issues related to waste manage- Al-Sada indicated that the ministry Ministry of Municipality and Envi- ment and recycling, pointing out that established the largest waste treat- ronment, and the second national this conference represents an oppor- ment centre in the Middle East in 2011. development strategy of Qatar (2018- tunity for all participants as well as The centre treats 2,300 tonnes of 2022), and through an integrated waste observers from diff erent countries of household waste and produces 50 management plan aimed at improving the world to benefi t from these topics megawatts of electrical energy. waste collection, establishing factories and discussions, participate in making In 2020, the Center produced more to recycle organic, plastic and elec- the future of waste management and than 30,000 tonnes of organic fer- tronic waste, as well as establishing recycling. tiliser and generated about 269,000 treatment plants to convert waste into Assistant Undersecretary for Public megawatts/hour of electric power, and energy and waste incineration plants, Services Aff airs at the Ministry of Mu- more than 33mn cu m of biogas, in ad- in addition to developing policies and nicipality and Environment Ahmed dition to processing more than 30,000 legislation that support waste reduc- Mohamed al-Sada underlined the tonnes of car tyres in each of the Umm tion activities, and national aware- keenness of the ministry on holding Al Afai and Rawdat Rashid landfi lls. ness campaigns and programmes to the conference for its utmost impor- The centre also recycled about encourage individuals and companies tance in the lives of all living things on 420,000 tonnes of construction waste. to reduce waste and use recycled ma- the planet and its direct impact on the In 2019, the ministry, represented terials. sustainable development. by the Public Hygiene Department, He added that the ministry has Addressing the opening session launched an integrated programme for adopted waste recycling as one of its of the hybrid conference, al-Sada sorting and recycling waste in Qatar key issues, and has set many facilities said that the conference will discuss aims to reduce the amount of waste for it, in recognition of the importance over two days several topics related and economically benefi t from waste of development and the environment, to waste management and recycling recycling and achieve sustainable de- and keenness to fi nd the best solu- through presentations, workshops velopment. Qatar takes Windy spell to continue part in GCC meeting across Qatar today: Met dept Qatar participated in the 11th meeting of GCC he windy spell being currently ex- Off shore, the speed of northwesterly undersecretaries of the perienced in Qatar will continue winds will be 15-25 knots, going up to 32 ministries of interior, which Ttoday, the weather forecast showed. knots at times and dropping to 8-18 knots was held yesterday via video The Qatar Met department said yester- by late in the night. The sea level, mean- conferencing. HE the Director day that strong winds are expected along while, may rise to 10ft at fi rst. of Public Security Staff Major with poor horizontal visibility in some The detailed forecast also says moder- General Saad bin Jassim al- places by this afternoon. Off shore ar- ate temperature is expected today along Khulaifi represented Qatar at eas have a forecast for windy conditions with slight to blowing dust in some places the meeting. and high seas. Northwesterly winds will by the afternoon, while it will be relative- The meeting discussed issues blow at 12-22 knots inshore, gusting to 32 ly cold by night. related to enhancing security knots in some places during the daytime The temperature will range from 21- co-operation between the and decreasing to 5-12 knots by night. 32C in Doha today, the forecast added. GCC states. (QNA) Gulf Times Tuesday, April 6, 2021 3 QATAR WCM-Q researchers explore student stress at universities esearchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM- RQ) have found elevated Off icials at the signing ceremony. levels of stress among students studying at universities in Qatar. The researchers of the Institute for Population Health (IPH) at WCM-Q surveyed 370 students of Qatar Charity signs health and 44 diff erent nationalities enrolled at various universities in Qatar. The study found that elevated stress was signifi cantly associ- education protocols in Turkey ated with being female, country of origin, residing off -campus, eating when bored, lack of self- atar Charity (QC) re- ceived nearly 450,000 Syrians neighbouring countries, not- discipline, disturbed sleep, and cently signed two co- (out of approximately 3.6mn ing that these two protocols fall low levels of life satisfaction. In Qoperation protocols in in Turkey) in 10 years, who fl ed under this framework. addition, students with above- the health and education sec- their country following the on- According to the fi rst pro- average stress scores were found tors with the Turkish Sanliurfa set of the crisis in 2011. tocol, a health centre will be to be more than twice as likely to WCM-Q researchers conducted the study. Province to improve the living He underlined that the prov- established and operated in report diffi culty concentrating conditions and quality of life of ince is working hard to deliver Suluk, a town in Syria that is on academic work than students country. The students complet- associated with low intake of sions, Population Health, and Syrian refugees in the province. services and aid to all Syrians close to the border with Tur- with lower stress scores. ed a self-administered, validated fresh fruit juice, high intake of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr Amit This came during a visit by living in it, in addition to the key, in addition to other vari- Titled ‘Factors associated questionnaire for the study. In soft drinks, diminished levels of Abraham, instructor in Popu- the CEO’s assistant for Inter- eff orts made to provide se- ous projects supported by with perceived stress in Mid- addition to the questions about physical activity, irregular eating lation Health Sciences, and Dr national Operations and Pro- curity, health and education Qatar Charity in the region of dle Eastern university students’, perceived stress, the question- patterns, emotional eating, poor Karima Chaabna, instructor grammes at Qatar Charity, Na- services to nearly 250,000 Syr- Operation Peace Spring. These the study has been published naire also asked about demo- sleep quality, diffi culty falling in Population Health Scienc- waf al-Hammadi, to Turkey. ians in the region of Operation projects are implemented in in the Journal of American Col- graphics, diet, exercise, sleep asleep and short sleep duration. es, all members of the IPH at The two protocols were Peace Spring. He stated that co-operation with Sanliurfa lege Health and acknowledges habits and quality, and smoking. Crucially for students, elevated WCM-Q. Dr Albert B Lowen- signed by Abdullah Erin, gov- nearly 350 schools in the region Province, in addition to an that college and university stu- The study found that fe- stress levels were found to be fels of New York Medical Col- ernor of Sanliurfa Province, of Operation Peace Spring need educational centre for training dents face a unique set of cir- male students had significantly signifi cantly associated with lege in Valhalla, New York and and al-Hammadi in the pres- rehabilitation and restoration. nurses and midwives. cumstances that can lead to higher stress levels than male trouble concentrating and stay- Dr Patrick Maisonneuve of the ence of many offi cials, in ad- Al-Hammadi thanked the The second protocol in- increased stress. These include students, and that students ing awake in class. European Institute of Oncol- dition to the director of Qatar governor for the warm wel- cludes several educational fi nancial pressures, living in- from other Eastern Mediter- The authors of the study ogy, Milan also contributed to Charity’s Turkey offi ce, Mo- come and the support extended projects that QC is working dependently for the fi rst time, ranean region countries, Af- were Dr Sohaila Cheema, as- the study, as did WCM-Q stu- hamed Wahi. by the province for the projects on to serve refugees and Turk- academic pressures, a need to rica and Asia had higher stress sistant dean for the IPH, Dr dents Abdallah Tom, Hania Ib- Speaking at the signing cer- implemented by Qatar Charity ish citizens in the state. Qatar make new friends and, often, the levels than students from Qa- Ravinder Mamtani, vice dean rahim, Tasnim Mushannen and emony, Erin emphasised the “We thank the Turkish Charity will construct an edu- stress of moving to a new city or tar. Higher stress levels were for Student Affairs-Admis- Wajiha Yousuf. importance of this co-opera- people for welcoming Syrian cational complex consisting of tion for the benefi t of Syrian brothers,” said al-Hammadi. 24 classrooms (equivalent to refugees in the province. He “The aid that we provide is a three schools). This protocol is thanked the “generous Qatari humanitarian duty towards our an extension of several activi- people and QC for their benev- Syrian brothers.” ties that QC carries out in the olent eff orts”. He indicated that Al-Hammadi said QC has province by rehabilitating two HMC advocates early adoption of healthy the province oversees the res- implemented many projects for schools. Al-Hammadi visited toration and rehabilitation of the benefi t of Syrians since the several Turkish provinces to health and educational build- eruption of the Syrian crisis. strengthen QC’s role in both ings carried out by charitable He added that Qatar Charity Turkey and Syria, to support lifestyle changes to prevent dementia organisations in the region of continues its eff orts to provide the displaced and refugees and Operation Peace Spring. He support to internally displaced enable them to integrate into noted that the province has re- people in Syria, and refugees in the host societies. amad Medical Corpora- risk factors for brain health”. early diagnosis and intervention tion’s (HMC) National “Early-life risks, such as less is important to future health HDementia Risk Reduc- education, have been shown to outcomes. “We encourage adults tion team is working to raise aff ect cognitive reserve, which to do regular health screening public awareness on 12 modifi - is essentially the mind’s resil- tests as prescribed by your doc- able risk factors identifi ed as po- ience in coping with damage of tor. People over the age of 60 can Dukhan Bank off ers cash reward tentially having a signifi cant im- the brain. The midlife and later- visit their Primary Health doctor pact on a person’s overall health life risk factors aff ect the reserve or make an appointment with and their propensity for getting and may trigger changes in the the Geriatric Wellness Clinic on personal fi nance applications some form of dementia later in brain that lead to symptoms of to undergo a range of health life. dementia,” said Dr al-Hamad. screening tests, including hear- The risk factors include less “While some risk factors can- ing, obesity and fi tness,” said Dr ukhan Bank recently launched its personal education in early life, hearing not be modifi ed, such as age and al-Kaabi. “The Geriatric fi nance campaign that off ers the custom- loss, traumatic brain injury, hy- family history; other modifi - Wellness Clinic aims to identify Ders a cash reward of up to QR20,000 upon pertension as well as diabetes able risks can be incorporated Dr Hanadi al-Hamad potential health risks that can application. and obesity in middle life. in healthy lifestyle changes that increase with age.” The off er will run until May 17. Smoking, depression, social can help to improve the quality tion to nourish both the body People aged 60 and over can New and existing customers can apply for isolation, physical inactivity, of life in older age.” and the mind.” call the Tawasol helpline on Dukhan Bank’s personal fi nance off ering that has harmful use of alcohol and air Dr Bhaskaran, geriatric con- Particularly in mid-life, obes- 40260400 between Sunday an application process and on the “best competi- pollution make up the remaining sultant at HMC, advised that ity is associated with other non- to Thursday from 7am to 3pm tive” profi t rate. To avail of the cash reward, the risk factors. diff erent research studies have communicable diseases, includ- to book an appointment for a minimum fi nance amount need to be QR200,000. Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, Qatar’s concluded that there is convinc- ing an increased risk of memory health and wellness assessment Cash reward is to be credited on customer’s credit National Health Strategy lead ing evidence for physical activ- loss in later life. and treatment advice at the Ger- card, the bank said. for Healthy Ageing and chair- ity being a signifi cant factor in Evidence suggests that losing iatric Wellness Clinic. On the campaign, Dukhan Bank stated, “We are person of the Department of protecting against all types of weight has many cardiovascu- Raha — the National Alzhe- continuously seeking ways to expand our service Geriatrics and Long-Term Care dementias. lar benefi ts, such as improving imer’s and Memory Services off erings to our customers. Our personal fi nance at HMC explained that the Na- Dr Bhaskaran said, “Regular heart health, as well as reducing Helpline is a confi dential serv- campaign aims to drive value for our customers tional Dementia Risk Reduc- physical activity is also impor- the risk of diabetes, which can ice which off ers support and by off ering a service that in turn rewards them. tion programme is an important tant for managing hypertension, also help reduce the risk of de- guidance to people aged 60 and At Dukhan Bank, we are committed to providing initiative of the Qatar National obesity and diabetes, which are veloping dementia. above who are living with de- the best banking services that meet our custom- Dementia Plan. “We are work- three of the 12 dementia risk Dr Noora al-Kaabi, consult- mentia and memory loss and er’s ever-changing needs as part of our eff orts to on personal, vehicle, and home fi nancing. ing jointly with clinical experts factors. We therefore encourage ant in Community Medicine and their carers. emerge as Qatar’s bank of choice.” For more details, customers can contact the across multiple disciplines to people of all ages to adopt an ac- Clinical Lead of the Geriatric The helpline (40262222) is Dukhan Bank off ers some of the “most innova- call centre on 800 8555 or visit promote international best tive lifestyle along with consum- Wellness Clinic in the Qatar Re- available between 8am to 3pm tive” features and competitively priced solutions www.dukhanbank.com practice guidelines that address ing healthy and balanced nutri- habilitation Institute, said that from Sunday to Thursday.

Expat gets jail term over illegal drugs A Doha Misdemeanour Court has sentenced an expatriate man to six months in jail and a fine of QR10,000, in addition to subsequent deporta- QRCS, Al Ahli Sports Club sign pact for humanitarian initiatives tion for being convicted of illicit drug possession. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that the case goes back to when the department concerned at the Ministry of Interior received information from a secret source that the con- atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Al Ahli Sports Club is open to sharing vict used to sell and consume illicit drugs. After confirming the information signed a co-operation agreement all its resources with QRCS to organ- through investigations, the necessary approvals and procedures were taken Qwith Al Ahli Sports Club yester- ise any event. He sees this bilateral col- to track and arrest the man. When the man was arrested, some pieces of the day, aimed at supporting humanitarian laboration as having a positive impact illicit drug hashish were found in diff erent parts of his apartment. During the initiatives in Qatar, exchanging experi- on society, with sports, social, and other prosecution interrogation, he admitted to possession of such illicit drugs. Be- ence, and promoting a culture of volun- programmes, saying: “We hold CSR as an sides, a blood test also revealed that he used to consume them. Accordingly, tary and charitable work among athletes. essential value.” Meanwhile, al-Sulaiti the court established his guilt and sentenced him. The pact was signed by QRCS CEO commended the new agreement that Eng. Ibrahim Abdullah al-Malki and Al brings together two fi elds with noble Ahli Sports Club chairman Abdullah goals, saying that: “Humanitarian action Compensation over damage to vehicle Yousef al-Mulla at a ceremony, attended takes many forms, including sports. We by QRCS Volunteering and Local De- are proud to have athletes from this lead- The Civilian Court has ordered a man to pay a sum of QR34,755 as compen- velopment Division’s executive director ing sports club as volunteers with QRCS. sation for damages to his victim’s vehicle. The court ruled that the insurance Muna Fadel al-Sulaiti, and Al Ahli Sports This is a promising strategic partnership company concerned shall be absolved as the court established that the Club general manager Aref Abdulrahman that will yield signifi cant outcomes”. Al- man did this on purpose. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that as the al-Abdullah. Abdullah said the MoU falls under the claimant was driving her vehicle, the defendant followed in his vehicle and “This partnership builds on QRCS’ club’s vision of contributing to social de- crashed into it, causing damages that cost QR46,340 to repair, she claimed. endeavours over its four decades, seeking velopment. “We welcome all civil society Accordingly, the Court of Misdemeanour convicted and fined him QR1,000. to create a network of strategic relations organisations, including QRCS, by hold- The lady then filed a case at the Civilian Court demanding compensation for with government and other organisa- ing and hosting numerous programmes. damages. However, the court delegated an expert, who filed an estimate for tions in Qatar,” said Eng. al-Malki. “We All our resources are available to be used the cost of repair that the court eventually approved. believe in the importance of sharing ef- by QRCS on any humanitarian activities forts, ideas, and resources, in pursuit of that enhance their infl uence both in Qa- the ideals of corporate social responsi- Engineer Ibrahim Abdullah al-Malki and Abdullah Yousef al-Mulla, along with Muna tar and internationally.” Schedule announced for semester-end exams bility (CSR)”. Fadel al-Sulaiti and Aref Abdulrahman al-Abdullah at the signing ceremony. The MoU aims to support social as- “The coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- sistance programmes addressed to poor The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced yesterday demic necessitates concerted eff orts the community and improving individ- serving society and its organisations. families, patients, and students, by pro- the schedule of the end of second semester exams for the academic from all organisations. As an integral part ual conditions of living, guided by Qatar Sports clubs should have an eff ective moting QRCS’ humanitarian projects year 2020-2021 for grades (1-11) in public schools (daytime and adult of the Qatari society, it is our responsi- National Vision 2030,” he added. role through their community service among Al Ahli’s members and visitors education) and private schools that follow national standards, QNA re- bility to have solid relations with diff er- Al-Mulla said he was glad to sign this programmes,” said al-Mulla, adding that such as the Ramadan Campaign, as well ported. The ministry indicated that the tests will start on May 25 and will ent components of society. We share the memorandum of understanding (MoU) he was glad to sign the Memorandum of as putting donation collection boxes continue until June 10, 2021. same concerns and goals of advancing with QRCS. “We pay great attention to Understanding (MoU). He stressed that around the club premises. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 QATAR

No QNCC entry for Covid vaccine without MoPH reports 910 green status on Ehteraz: MoPH new Covid-19 cases and 489 recoveries 934,843 Covid-19 vaccine doses administered so far with 23,992 doses given in the past 24 hours

QNA United Kingdom. This new Doha variant is much more con- tagious and can spread more easily between people than he Ministry of Public the existing strain and may be Health (MoPH) reported associated with increased se- Tyesterday 910 new con- verity of disease. fi rmed cases of coronavirus However, the good news is (Covid-19), of which 759 are that the Pfi zer/BioNTech and from community and 151 from Moderna vaccines being used in The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday reiterated, through social media, that no one will be allowed travellers returning from abroad. Qatar’s vaccination programme to enter Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) to receive the Covid-19 vaccine unless their Ehteraz status It recorded 489 recoveries are eff ective against the new is green. from the virus during the past 24 variants. hours, bringing the total number The ministry said the pace of of cases recovered in Qatar to the vaccination programmes is 166,441. holding out hope of a gradual Ensure negative Covid-19 test result The ministry reported three return to normality for people new deaths of people aged 44, 45 in Qatar as well as around the before getting vaccine: MoPH and 58, who were receiving the world. “But this will not hap- necessary medical care. pen in the next few weeks or Meanwhile, the MoPH said months.” 934,843 Covid-19 vaccine It said Covid-19 will continue doses have been administered to be a threat to health for the since the start of the national best part of 2021 and until all vaccination programme. Of eligible members of the popula- this 23,992 doses were given in tion are vaccinated, people must the past 24 hours. continue to follow the preventive The health ministry said hun- measures. dreds of people are becoming With the recent increase in the sick daily due to Covid-19 with number of Covid-19 cases in Qa- many requiring hospital ad- tar, it is important for everyone mission. Since February 1, the to play their role in controlling fi ned closed spaces where other This is important as the earlier number of people with Covid-19 the virus by following precau- people congregate. the disease is detected the eas- admitted to hospital has dou- tionary measures: Wearing a face mask. ier it will be to receive the right bled. Adherence to physical dis- Washing hands regularly. treatment and recover from it. It said Qatar is now seeing tancing. Anyone suff ering from Cov- One may visit the MoPH web- positive Covid-19 cases with Avoiding close contact with id-19 symptoms should contact site for regular updates and new the new variants from the others, crowded places and con- 16000 helpline immediately. information.

PHCC visits allowed for ‘essential services’ only

From Page 1 the need for face-to-face visits, a physician via telephone or Medical Corporation, as appro- yet still providing the individual video conference by calling priate. PHCC successfully launched attention, with a personal touch. 16000, selecting the PHCC op- PHCC urgent care services virtual consultations during the It has proved to be an advanced tion, followed by choosing op- are available at eight health Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 by and clinically sustainable model, tion two. If the physician then centres 24 hours a day. They using the latest community call changing the way PHCC deliv- determines that a patient is in are Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, centre technology. “The virtual ers patient care,” added Dr al- need of a physical examination, Al Gharafa, Al Kaaban, Al Sha- consultations proved to be an Abdulla. the patient is then referred to haniyah, Al Ruwais, Umm Slal The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in an advisory yesterday, reiterated that people who undergo a Covid-19 invaluable service for patients Patients can access urgent PHCC’s walk-in service at the and Abu Baker Al Siddiq health test must wait at home while taking all precautionary measures until they receive their result. “Make sure it is during the pandemic, reducing medical consultations with nearest health centre or Hamad centres. negative before receiving the vaccine,” the ministry said. Qatari team achieves impressive results in the Fifth International School Debating Championship QCS launches campaign QNA national team in the Arabic lan- Doha guage, Abdulrahman al-Kubaisi, said: “My happiness cannot be to raise awareness on described by this wonderful ex- he Qatari team achieved perience, in training these young impressive results in the people who acquired skills dur- T preliminary rounds of ing a period of time and were colorectal cancer the fifth International School able to go through the champi- Debating Championship in onship rounds with exceptional Arabic and English, which is experience. atar Cancer Society (QCS) has organised by the QatarDe- They have acquired the launched a new campaign ‘It’s all about bate Centre under the slogan ability to prepare and deal Qprevention’ to raise awareness about ‘Our Earth, Our Refuge’. The with texts and their chanc- colorectal cancer. five-day event is being held ing of winning are great, Colorectal cancer is the second com- via cyberspace with a wide in- yesterday they presented a mon cancer among both genders and first ternational participation of wonderful round that proved common cancer among men, and the third debaters, judges and team in- their ability to qualify for the common cancer among women in Qatar, ac- Abdulrahman al-Kubaisi HE Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani structors. eight-rounds.” cording to Qatar National Cancer Registry, Instructor of the national Members of the national team Ministry of Public Health in 2016. team in the English language, in the Arabic language affirmed Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, acting HE Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani, their determination on win- head of professional development and scien- said the team members made ning the championship despite tifi c research department at QCS, said, “Ac- intense efforts before the cham- the strong competition with the cording to the registry, more than 150 cases pionship and trained very hard most experienced teams, noting were diagnosed with colon cancer in Qatar. with the aim of also participat- that they have prepared well for 67% of them were males and 33% were fe- ing in the World Schools Debat- this great global event by partic- males. 74% of the cases were non-Qatari, and ing Championship next summer, ipating in the Universities De- the remaining were Qatari. 69.9% of colon noting that they have now par- bate League and attending many cancer patients could survive four years after ticipated in debating rounds in training camps that have gained getting diagnosed.” the international championship them a lot of knowledge in vari- Heba Nassar, head educator at QCS said, and achieved surprising initial ous fields. “This campaign aims to raise awareness about results. They added that joining the colorectal cancer which is the uncontrolled She said that the team was national team is a great honour growth of abnormal cells at the colon or the divided into two teams to de- that places the responsibility on rectum. Most colorectal cancers begin as a bate with the other teams and them to win this championship, growth called a polyp on the inner lining of there was great convergence which is one of the most memo- the colon or rectum. Some types of polyps can between their levels. “We saw rable experiences that will re- transform into cancer for several years, but not that during the rounds when main in memory, especially as it all polyps become cancer.” the competition was fierce, has changed their thinking and The campaign included many events and especially against the expe- personality. virtual workshops that were launched on the rienced Malaysian team,” she They pointed out that the media platforms. Entities such as National noted. championship has earned them Cancer Programme at the Ministry of Public “The Qatari team presented many values such as co-opera- Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the new skills that we did not see tion, acceptance of others and Primary Health Care Corporation collaborated during training because for the commitment, and that the com- with the campaign. first time they faced external petitions are full of knowledge, The campaign also witnessed the launch teams, and their ability to re- skills and awareness, expressing of “It’s all about prevention” challenge by spond, adapt and think quickly their gratitude for the honour of encouraging people to prepare a healthy showed in the rounds,” she add- representing Qatar among 40 lunchbox during working hours and taking a ed. countries from different conti- picture for three healthy boxes and sharing For his part, instructor of the nents of the world. them on QCS’ social media. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 6, 2021 5 QATAR

QBRI collaborates with Argus Cognitive Chef keen to share Qatari and Rush University

he Qatar Biomedical Re- search Institute (QBRI), Tpart of Hamad Bin Kha- cuisine with the world lifa University (HBKU), has signed a collaboration agree- Restaurateur will cook grandmother’s recipes for thousands of ment with Argus Cognitive, in fans when Qatar hosts FIFA World Cup association with Rush Univer- sity, Chicago, US, to support t the heart of Souq Wa- Early beginnings the early diagnosis of autism qif – one of Doha’s busi- Al-Qassabi’s constant thirst and spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr El Agnaf: We look forward Aest tourist destinations desire to learn new recipes en- During the two-year collab- to closely collaborating with – Qatari chef Shams al-Qassabi couraged her to take on new chal- oration, the organisations will Argus Cognitive and Rush serves traditional local cuisine. lenges. jointly work on a project titled University. She has built one of the most “After my husband retired, “Digital Phenotyping for Social successful restaurants in the I said I needed to play a role in Communication Behaviours in ing alongside the QBRI on oth- country and has developed a supporting the family. I never Autism Spectrum Disorder”. er innovative research projects loyal clientele, including many fi nished my schooling but I de- The project will utilise ma- such as the collaboration with famous faces from across Qatar. cided to start my own business,” chine learning and Artifi cial Argus Cognitive.” Al-Qassabi is currently look- she said. Intelligence (AI) techniques Dr Lawrence Stanton, direc- ing forward to hosting thousands Al-Qassabi participated in to create an objective diag- tor of the NDRC, said: “The of fans from all over the globe the fi rst Qatar Family Exhibits in nostic tool for early detection overall goal of research on neu- when Qatar hosts the fi rst FIFA 2001 to promote her work and and diagnosis of autism, using rological disorders at NDRC is World Cup in the Middle East produced a cookbook, The A to Z the gold standard diagnostic to make a positive impact on and Arab world in under two of Shoomos, that gained massive instrument, the Autism Di- the health of people. years’ time. recognition locally. agnostic Observation Sched- “Working in partnership Her mission is to introduce in- Following on from its success, ule (ADOS-2), a standardised with Argus is a major advance- ternational fans to Qatari culture in 2004 she opened her own spice activity-based assessment for ment towards this goal.” and cuisine in a traditional set- shop, becoming the fi rst woman ASD. QBRI executive director Dr ting. to open a business in Souq Waqif. The project will be funded by Omar El Agnaf said: “The col- “God willing, fans from all Argus Cognitive, a US-based laboration serves our goal at over the world will visit us and Shay Al Shoomos high-tech IT company that the QBRI of improving early realise how amazing Qatari food In 2014, al-Qassabi opened a aims to improve medical diag- diagnosis and intervention of is,” Shams told qatar2022.qa. restaurant next door to her spice nostics, prognosis and therapy Autism Spectrum Disorder.” “I’ll make true, traditional food shop. Qatari chef Shams al-Qassabi choices by integrating AI com- “We look forward to closely that they haven’t eaten anywhere Located in the heart of the at her restaurant, Shay Al ponents into medical devices collaborating with Argus Cog- else, just like our grandmothers traditional marketplace, the res- Shoomos, in Souq Waqif. or medical decision support nitive and Rush University, used to make.” taurant off ers a unique cultural systems. combining the possibilities experience to residents and visi- customers, she spent time per- Dr Fouad Alshaban, a sen- created by innovative tech- Inspired by grandma’s recipes tors. fecting her bread recipe. ior scientist at the Neurologi- nologies with the exceptional Al-Qassabi grew up watching her Known for its traditional Qa- Al-Qassabi baked samples of cal Disorders Research Centre medical research and scientifi c grandmother cook authentic Qa- tari dishes, including balaleet, a bread and handed them out for (NDRC) of the QBRI, will be capabilities of each organisa- tari dishes. scrambled egg dish served on a free. leading the project. tion,” he said. “The mutually She learned about the perfect bed of sweet vermicelli, and mar- This proved to be an inspired His research group at the benefi cial outcomes will cer- spice combinations and how to googa, a spiced vegetable dish move and helped signifi cantly institute focuses on applying tainly advance our aim at the run a kitchen eff ectively. served with Arabic bread, the grow her business. epidemiological methods to QBRI to transform healthcare “I used to love watching my restaurant exemplifi es local hos- “From that point on, I took evaluate the burden of ASD on in Qatar through innovation in grandmother cook, so when I got pitality, with the large platters the restaurant from six seats to Qatari families and those living research to support improving married and moved to Dukhan, refl ecting Qatari generosity. 248 and from success to success. in Qatar, through studying the the healthcare system.” I wanted to take on the respon- Al-Qassabi said: “I specialise Now, my restaurant spans the prevalence rates of ASD and all “This collaboration will al- sibility of managing my own in Qatari food to show people size of six shops,” she said. contributing risk factors asso- low us to mirror a parallel study home,” al-Qassabi said. what our cuisine is like. I like to She is now looking forward to ciated with the disorder. we run in the US, to compare She would go on to train the show that Qatari culture is rich welcoming fans during the FIFA Dr Alshaban said: “The ex- two patient cohorts in sepa- cooks at her husband’s company and we work hard to get the taste World Cup and can’t wait for perience gained through the rate geographies and to gain a cafeteria by teaching them local just right.” them to sample the dishes passed execution of the eye tracking deeper understanding of the seafood recipes. After a rocky start and very few down through generations. research project, spearheaded signs and symptoms of ASD, by my research team in collab- and how these may be shaped oration with Cleveland Clinic, by diff erences in language and enabled us to attract funding culture,” Dr Attila Meretei, from signifi cant foreign com- president of Argus Cognitive, panies and institutions, work- said. Upscale Levantine restaurant opens at Hilton The Pearl in time for Ramadan QU students prefer he “upscale, casual and Residences, and will be the “con- Dessert choices are “extensive fl ash-charcoal-grilled spiced authentic” Levantine temporary home of soulful Le- and tempting” with a Ramadan meats, seafood, fi sh and veg- exams on campus Trestaurant has opened at vant cuisine in Qatar”, it has been feel, and include the ever-popu- etables, spit-roasted lamb and Hilton Doha the Pearl Hotel & announced. lar Umm Ali, favourites from the chicken, and fresh bread baking. The opening is “particularly Levant as well as international The upscale Levantine lifestyle atar University (QU) Levantine will serve daily apt for a restaurant where shar- selections, and can be rounded is also refl ected with the terrace students prefer exami- evening Iftar and Suhoor, and ing is an everyday culture and off with fruits, dates and nuts. service where Moroccan tea is Qnations on campus, QU menus will be changed on a where a spacious terrace pro- All Ramadan juices, laban and served, paying tribute to Magh- has stressed. weekly basis. vides for a superb open-air gath- water are included. reb traditions, the statement “Recently, students of Qa- ering experience”, according to a The Suhoor fare begins with adds. tar University were allowed on press statement. dates, fruit, laban and Qamar “In keeping with true Levan- campus only for the midterms The restaurant will have its full al-Din before moving on to cold tine traditions, this restaurant and fi nal exams. Students pre- opening on the fi rst day of Ram- mezze and salad, a choice of cold is the perfect setting for fami- fer exams on campus rather adan. cuts, a cheese platter with dis- lies and friends to get together than online exams,” QU said in Levantine will serve daily tinctively Levantine favourites, during Ramadan and celebrate a statement yesterday. evening Iftar and Suhoor, and halawa, hand-crafted bread and their connections and the shar- The utmost precautionary AlNahas: Administering exams menus will be changed on a pastries, yoghurts, popular hot ing spirit of the holy month over and preventative practices are on campus during a pandemic weekly basis to ensure variety for Levantine breakfast-style dishes really good food,” said Hassan El being followed by co-ordinat- can be a stressful experience, returning guests. and a range of desserts. Wahidi, the hotel’s general man- ing with the Health and Safety as examinees’ anxiety over Iftar guests will enjoy a wide Levantine’s distinctive menu is ager. “Levantine will appeal to Offi ce in the Facilities and health and safety may aff ect variety of traditional Ramadan a result of collaboration between diners of all ages, with all food General Services Department their performance. favourites, from lentil soup with the hotel’s own expert culinary preferences and from all walks to ensure that students have a condiments to cold mezze and team and Lebanese celebrity chef of life. safe and healthy environment, cautionary measures, which salad, hot mezze, and a live cook- Joe Barza. “With a great ambiance and a the statement notes. made the campus a very safe ing station choice of a whole lamb Guests can eat indoors or out- celebrity chef in the midst of it Abdulla Belal Hossain, a stu- environment. I believe if all the ouzi – the “ultimate in Ramadan doors amid the fragrant aromas all, this is one dining outlet the dent of the Foundation Pro- students are vaccinated, it will sharing cuisine” – or meat, fi sh of live, theatre-style cooking of guests surely won’t want to miss gramme, said: “Having exams make it more feasible to stay on and vegetable grill selections. Levantine favourites, including out on.” on the campus was a very nice campus and return to normal experience, and I felt very safe life.” because everything was sani- Fellow Engineering student tised and all the students were Sarim Toqeer said exams on wearing masks at all times. campus are preferred to on- We also maintained social dis- line tests, because taking ex- Covid-19 awareness campaign tance.” ams practically on campus can “I prefer taking exams on help one think rationally, which campus because it is more consequently results in better for maritime vessel helmsmen comfortable and suitable,” he answers. added. “Unlike online exams, Mohamed Hosam AlNahas, we face a lot of challenges. a lecturer at QU, shed light on he Ministry of Transport and Campus is a quiet place where sustainable solutions, saying: Communications (MoTC), rep- we can take exams without any “Administering exams on cam- Tresented by the Maritime Trans- disturbance while sitting in a pus during a pandemic can be port Aff airs, has conducted an aware- safe and clean environment.” a stressful experience, as ex- ness and control campaign to ensure Students found the campus aminees’ anxiety over health maritime vessels’ helmsmen and users safe as precautionary measures and safety may aff ect their per- follow coronavirus (Covid-19) pre- were adopted and all the stu- formance.” ventative and precautionary measures dents were requested to main- “However, transitioning as well as maritime safety rules. tain social distance. completely to online testing Several maritime aff airs profes- Abdulrahman Abdulla al- could also present challenges, sionals from the MoTC, the Criminal Naama, a student of the En- such as connectivity issues in Investigation Department of the Min- gineering Department, said: remote areas and examinee im- istry of Interior, and Qatar National “All the students followed pre- personation,” he explained. Tourism Council participated in the campaign. They inspected to which extent the helmsmen and the users of all types of marine vessels follow the precaution- ary instructions by the National Com- mittee to Combat the Covid-19. They delivered awareness messages about the importance of adhering to these instructions in order to restrict the spread of Covid-19. Also, they checked compliance with relevant maritime safety and security Toqeer: exams on campus can Hossain: Exams on the campus instructions and availability of all safe- help one think rationally. was a very nice experience. Maritime aff airs professionals from the government participated in the campaign. ty and security equipment on boats. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 QATAR Ashghal completes 80% of development works of Losail International Circuit

he Public Works Authority project assumes importance as with international requirements, The works that have been im- fi tness centre, football and bas- (Ashghal) has completed the Losail International Circuit standards and design require- plemented so far consist of sup- ketball courts. In addition, this T80% of the development is a global interface that hosts ments of the FIA (International plying and installing the latest phase includes the removal of works on Losail International motor sports. Motorcycle Federation) and FIM lighting systems for circuits in the existing petrol station and Circuit, it was announced yes- “In addition, it places Qatar (International Motorcycle Fed- the world. A total of 542 light- rebuilding a new station in ac- terday. on the map as a central sports eration). ing poles and 3,703 lighting units cordance with Woqod require- This project has contributed destination that attracts the In addition to the design and (LED) have been installed, in ad- ments and standards. It will massively to the success of The most important events to con- implementation of equipping dition to designing a new build- provide all necessary services for Grand Prix of Qatar, which is tinuously prove its ability to host rooms for the riders in line with ing with 12 rooms with an area Losail Circuit Sports Club users the fi rst phase of MotoGP World and organise the largest global international rules and require- of 1,450sqm. In addition, a de- while providing them with the Championship 2021, an Ashghal and regional sporting events ments. sign of the staff accommodation necessary fuel. statement said. with a high level of competence,” These developmental works building has been completed and Ashghal is keen on supporting The most important works he said. contributed massively to the will be implemented as part of local products and Qatari manu- accomplished include the design Project engineer Hamad al- success of The Grand Prix of Qa- the project’s second phase. facturers, as many Qatari ma- and implementation of light- Badr said the project consists tar, which was held over a period Phase two, which is underway, terials were used in the circuit’s ing system for the racetrack, and of two phases to rehabilitate the of three days, from March 26, includes the implementation of developmental works. These in- rider equipping rooms. circuit to host the MotoGP World Eng Ali Ibrahim Ashkanani Eng. Hamad al-Badr 2021, leading up to hosting the a two-storey accommodation clude concrete works, insulation Engineer Ali Ibrahim Ashka- Championship 2021. “There- next rounds of MotoGP World building for employees with an and fi nishing, as well as various nani, head of the Northern Ar- fore, Ashghal was keen to com- scheduled date; hence, the works. The project includes the Championship at Losail Inter- area of 2,200sqm. The building elevators and doors used in the eas Section in the Roads Projects plete the developmental works project completion rate reached design and implementation of national Circuit on April 2, 3 and contains service and recreational construction of the new build- Department at Ashghal, said the of the fi rst phase ahead of the 80% of the total developmental a lighting system in accordance 4, 2021,” he said. facilities, such as, a social club, a ings. DHFC celebrates Ramadan QU to launch with a myriad of exclusive fi rst Qatari Youth off ers and promotions Survey project

oha Festival City (DHFC) dinner sets, porcelain, and is celebrating Ramadan lanterns. Dwith exclusive off ers Laura Ashley, a leading home across a broad range of its retail- furniture company from the UK, ers, highlighting new Ramadan is running a ‘mega off er’ with collections, and most recent special prices on selected items products launches. until May 15. Hera, famous for evening NYX professional makeup’s gowns and collaborations with special Ramadan promotion, top international designers, has off ers free gifts for each spend special Ramadan outfi t and kaf- starting from QR179. tans. “We are looking forward to Aura, another premium celebrating this special month evening dresses retailer, has also with Qatar’s community, off er- just launched their special Ram- ing to our customers the best re- adan collection. tail off ers and promotions across Tally Weijl, a Swiss clothing clothing, homeware and beauty. retailer for young women, will We would also like to invite our also present its new collection customers to relish in a delicious Sesri hosts virtual meeting to launch first-ever Qatari Youth Survey project. featuring black and white mod- Iftar selection from a number of ern looks, and off er a 50% dis- dining outlets available at Festi- atar University’s (QU) ra Lari, who is manager of the Qatari youth respondents count on its previous collection, val City,” DHFC general manager Social and Economic Policy Department at Sesri. Dr will fi rst be interviewed in a from April 26 to May 25. Robert Hall said in a press state- QSurvey Research Insti- Lari was joined by Sesri direc- preliminary survey and then Machka, a Turkish brand, and ment. The mall will also adjust tute (Sesri) convened a virtual tor, Dr Kaltham al-Ghanim re-contacted approximately Nu, futuristic and minimalistic its trading hours during Ram- meeting to launch a new re- and fellow project investiga- 12-18 months later for a sec- brand for active women, have adan for Iftar and Suhoor meals search project titled “Gender, tors, Dr Justin Gengler and ond interview. This method- new collections. Riva and Riva in the dining outlets, and con- Education, and Employment Dr Abdellatif Sellami of Qatar ology allows the research team Kids, casual style brands from tinue enjoying their shopping Transitions in Qatar: Im- University, and Dr Azza Ab- to identify trends within the Kuwait, have a collection of kaf- afterwards. plementing the First Survey dalmoneim of the Doha Inter- population as well as to focus tans and kids’ outfi ts. Choice Between April 12 and 24, the of Qatari Youth,” which was national Family Institute. on the causal eff ects of eco- will showcase its new Ramadan Kashkha modest dresses and Jalabiyas mall’s trading hours will be from awarded a grant from Qatar Participants confi rmed the nomic, educational, and per- womenswear collection. 10am to 3pm and from 7pm to National Research Fund Na- need for reliable and up-to- sonal “shocks,” or diffi cult- Modest fashion brand from April 1 until June 12, and Muji, the Japanese home- midnight, while the hypermar- tional Priorities Research Pro- date scientifi c data that gives to-predict events that took Kashkha will also showcase its will launch new collections by ware retailer, will offer 50% off ket will be open continuously gramme. insight into the youth experi- place in the time between the Ramadan-exclusive collection Fun&Fun couture, Manuel Ritz, on selected items until April 8, from 9am to midnight, and F&B The project aims to under- ence in Qatar, as well as how surveys. at their DHFC store. British de- Marc Ellis, Ninnaoh, Paolo Pec- as well as run a special house- outlets will serve Iftar until mid- stand more about the chal- public sector eff orts in Qatar The telephone survey will partment store BHS will run a ora Milano and Peuterey. ware buy-2-get-one-free night. From April 25 to May 11, lenges and opportunities might be targeted to assist provide a wide-ranging pic- special mid-season promotion Several DHFC sports and ac- promotion on a selection of general mall trading hours will associated with young adult- critical transitions between ture of issues pertaining to until May 12 on kids wear, wom- tivewear brands, including Co- household items including ta- be from 10am to midnight, with hood in Qatar through im- schooling, employment, and youth empowerment, per- enswear, men’s clothing, home- lumbia, Timberland, Vans, and bleware, cookware, and much an option to trade until 1am. plementation of a fi rst-ever marriage. They also empha- sonal well-being, and atti- ware items, bags, and shoes. The North Face, will launch new more. The Hypermarket will be open Qatari Youth Survey, which sised the importance of an- tudes toward diff erent types Little Milano Kids, a top des- collections. Homeware brands Madam Coco, a Turkish continuously from 9am to mid- will provide scholars and poli- other key focus of the project, of educational, employment, tination for luxury Italian kids will also run promotions, off er- homeware brand, will also night, and F&B outlets will serve cymakers previously-unavail- which is gender roles in Qatar and social developments in the wear brand, will feature spe- ing new collections and a myriad launch a special Ramadan col- Suhoor until midnight or until able data about the educa- and their impact on human lives of Qatari young adults. cial prices on selected items of items. lection across glassware, rugs, 2am as an option. tional, professional, and social development. The Qatari Youth Survey is transitions taking place in the The attendees lauded the the latest of a number of sur- lives of young Qataris between unique and innovative sci- vey-based research projects the age of 18 and 29. entifi c approach taken by the currently being conducted by A meeting for the survey study, which will implement a the Sesri Policy Department was chaired by the study’s lead panel study carried out across to help inform evidence-based Awqaf holds training for imams, muazzins primary investigator, Dr Noo- two waves. The same set of decision-making in Qatar.

he Ministry of Endow- ams and muezzins and support- ments and Islamic Aff airs ing in carrying out their roles to T(Awqaf), represented by the fullest. The course covers the Department of Religious Call sciences of jurisprudence, belief, Ferrari F8 Tributo of 2020 recalled and Guidance, organised a ses- hadith and biography. sion on “The Jurisprudence of The programme supervised by Zakat and Fasting”. the Institute for Islamic Call and he Ministry of Commerce and Industry pair works and will communicate with custom- The session, according to an Sciences is held remotely on the (MoCI), in co-operation with Alfardan ers to ensure that they carried out the necessary Awqaf statement, was attended Ministry’s educational platform TSports Motors, announced the recall of repairs. by about 150 imams and held until April 11 with exams on April Ferrari F8 Tributo model of 2020, due to not ap- The MoCI urged all customers to report any as part of the activities of the 12. The course is presented by a plying enough adhesive between rear screen (on violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti- “Pathways and Minarets” pro- group of specialised trainers in top of the engine) and the vehicle body. Commercial Fraud Department, which processes gramme that features training co-operation with the Mosques The recall campaign comes within the frame- complaints, inquires and suggestions through courses for imams, muezzins Administration Department that work of the MoCI’s continuous eff orts to protect the following channels: and preachers. nominates imams and muezzins consumers and ensure that dealers follow up on Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], The course is conducted with with the support and patronage vehicle defects and repairs. Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQA- the aim of enhancing and raising of the General Administration of The MoCI said that it will co-ordinate with the TAR, MoCI mobile app for android and iOS: MO- the scientifi c standards of im- Endowments. dealer to follow up on the maintenance and re- CIQATAR Gulf Times Tuesday, April 6, 2021 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Solidarity with Palestinian prisoners At least 40 dead in Darfur fi ghting

AFP violence, witnesses reported. thick smoke billowed over El are women and children,” he Khartoum “On Monday, we woke up to Geneina. “We stayed in our added.Sudan is in the midst the sound of gunfire,” Abdel- homes, but we’ve been hearing of a rocky transitional period rahman Ahmed, an eyewitness, gunfire close by – a shell land- following the toppling of long- t least 40 people have said. Clashes “spread to the ed at our neighbour’s home,” time president Omar al-Bashir been killed and 58 injured western suburbs”. said Adam Issa, another resi- in April 2019 off the back of Ain three days of clashes in It is unclear what sparked the dent. The West Darfur Doctors’ mass protests against his rule. Sudan’s West Darfur state, the latest violence. Committee said an ambulance The transitional government United Nations said yesterday. The vast Darfur region carrying wounded victims was has pushed to build peace with “Since April 3, 40 people have was ravaged by a civil war attacked. rebel groups in Sudan’s main been killed,” the UN humanitar- that erupted in 2003, leaving After years of conflict, the conflict zones, including Dar- ian co-ordination offi ce OCHA around 300,000 people dead region is awash with automatic fur. said in a statement. and 2.5mn displaced, according weapons. On December 31, the UN and After clashes at the weekend, to the UN. “I live in the eastern part of African Union ended a 13-year residents of El Geneina, capital The conflict has subsided the city, and I am seeing a cloud peacekeeping mission in Dar- Demonstrators gather for a rally in support of Palestinians currently in Israeli jails, in Khan Yunis of West Darfur and close to the over the years, and the latest of smoke covering the western, fur, even as residents feared in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. border with Chad, said gunfire in a string of peace deals was southern and southwestern further violence. erupted in the city at dawn yes- agreed in October. districts,” said Saleh Issa, an- More than 200 people were terday, with shells exploding in But clashes still erupt, often other El Geneina resident. killed in clashes in January, in the suburbs. over land and access to water. “Some residents from these some of the worst bloodshed Plumes of smoke rose high Eyewitnesses said fighting still neighbourhoods have fled to- the region had witnessed President Abbas to undergo into the sky as people fled the raged yesterday afternoon, as wards our area – most of whom in years. ‘medical tests’ in Germany Saudi govt to allow only ‘immunised’ pilgrims

AFP source added, requesting ano- last vote in 2005 following the AFP tion. Only those people will be grimage later this year. Saudi In late July last year, the king- Ramallah nymity pending an offi cial an- death of Yasser Arafat, has not Riyadh eligible for permits to perform Arabia has reported more than dom hosted a downsized Haj pil- nouncement. But a German declared whether he intends to Umrah, as well as to attend 393,000 coronavirus infections grimage. It is unclear how many government spokeswoman run again. prayers in the Grand Mosque in and 6,700 deaths from Covid-19. pilgrims will be allowed for Haj alestinian President said: “We cannot confi rm there His secular Fatah movement, audi authorities said yes- the holy city of Makkah. The kingdom’s health ministry this year. According to the pro- Mahmoud Abbas left will be a meeting between the which controls the West Bank, terday only people im- The policy would eff ectively said it has administered more than government Okaz newspaper, Pfor Germany yesterday chancellor and President Ab- has submitted a list of candi- Smunised against Covid-19 “raise the operational capacity” 5mn coronavirus vaccine doses, only vaccinated pilgrims will for “routine medical tests”, a bas during his stay in Germa- dates for the legislative polls. will be allowed to perform the of the Grand Mosque during Ra- in a country with a population of likely be permitted this year. In a source in his offi ce said, weeks ny,” where coronavirus restric- Abbas was hospitalised with year-round Umrah pilgrimage madan, it said, adding that the over 34mn. relaxation of coronavirus curbs before the fi rst Palestinian tions are in place. pneumonia in 2018, fuelling from the start of Ramadan, the condition also applies for entry The announcement comes af- last October, Saudi Arabia opened polls in 15 years. The offi cial Palestinian news speculation about a possible holy fasting month for Muslims. into the Prophet’s Mosque in the ter King Salman replaced the Haj the Grand Mosque for prayers for The 86-year-old Abbas left agency Wafa confi rmed Abbas’ Palestinian succession plan. The Haj and Umrah ministry holy city of Madinah. minister last month, less than a the fi rst time in seven months and the presidential compound in arrival in Jordan but made no His latest visit comes with Ab- said in a statement that three The ministry said the policy year after the kingdom hosted the partially resumed the Umrah pil- Ramallah in the occupied West mention of the onward trip to bas and Fatah facing mounting categories of people would be starts with Ramadan, which is smallest Haj in modern history grimage. Bank via helicopter for Jordan, Germany. Palestinian legisla- political pressures. considered “immunised” – due to begin later this month. due to the pandemic. The Umrah, usually attracts said the source. tive elections are scheduled for The Palestinian election fol- those who have received two It was also not clear whether Mohamed Benten was relieved millions of Muslims from across He was to fl y to Germany May 22, with a presidential vote lowed an agreement on vote doses of the vaccine, those ad- the policy, which comes amid from his post and replaced by the globe each year. Authorities where he would meet Chan- to follow on July 31. procedures between Fatah and ministered a single dose at least an uptick in coronavirus infec- Essam bin Saeed, according to a said the Umrah will be allowed to cellor Angela Merkel, before Abbas, elected Palestin- Hamas who control the block- 14 days prior, and people who tions in the kingdom, would be royal decree published by offi cial return to full capacity once the returning on Thursday, the ian Authority president in the aded Gaza strip. have recovered from the infec- extended to the annual Haj pil- Saudi Press Agency (SPA). threat of the pandemic has abated.

Oman to More than 1,800 prisoners US govt sees no quick ban entry escape after Nigeria jail attack breakthrough in Iran talks of visitors Reuters States did not expect any “at Washington present” but remained open to AFP men in Owerri,” Imo state cor- mand and can be held await- tween the army and the local the possibility. from April 8 Abuja rections service spokesman ing trial for years. The gov- militia. But IPOB spokesman “We don’t underestimate James Madugba said, adding ernor of neighbouring Abia Emmanuel Powerful rejected he United States said yes- the scale of the challenges that the number of escaped in- state imposed a night curfew any involvement in the Imo terday it expected indirect ahead,” Price said. “These are Reuters ore than 1,800 in- mates was yet to be confi rmed. on two towns there, a state- prison attack in a statement Ttalks with Iran about both early days. We don’t anticipate Dubai mates have escaped “The situation is under ment said, to protect local sent to AFP, dismissing any sides resuming compliance with an early or immediate break- Mafter a heavily armed control,” he said. residents without direct ref- accusations as “lies”. Calls the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to be through as these discussions, gang attacked a prison in The assailants arrived in erence to the prison attack. for a separate state of Bia- diffi cult, adding it did not fore- we fully expect, will be diffi- man will only allow citi- southern Nigeria using explo- pickup trucks and buses be- Imo state is part of a region fra in the south are a sensi- see any early breakthrough. cult.” US Special Envoy for Iran zens and residents to sives, correctional authorities fore storming the facility, the that has long been a hot- tive subject in Nigeria, after The talks begin today. Rob Malley, a veteran of the Oenter the Gulf state from said yesterday, in one of the correction authority said. bed for Nigerian separatist a unilateral declaration of Iran and the United States Clinton and Obama adminis- April 8 following an increase in West African country’s largest No group claimed re- groups and where tensions independence from British said on Friday they would hold trations, will lead the US del- Covid-19 cases that is pressuring jailbreaks. sponsibility for the assault, between federal authorities rule in 1967 sparked a brutal indirect talks in Vienna from egation to the talks, he added. the healthcare system, the coun- The attackers blasted their though President Muham- and the indigenous Igbo pop- 30-month civil war. today as part of a wider effort Under the 2015 deal struck try’s coronavirus committee said way into the Owerri prison in madu Buhari called the at- ulation are often high. Buhari is facing several se- to revive the nuclear deal be- by Iran and six major powers yesterday. Imo state, engaging guards in tack an “act of terrorism” The Indigenous People curity challenges including a tween Tehran and global pow- — Britain, China, France, Ger- The committee also extended a gun battle and breaking out carried out by “anarchists” of Biafra (IPOB) separatist more than decade-long in- ers, formally called the Joint many, Russia and the United an evening ban on all commer- inmates, the national correc- and urged security forces to movement has recently been surgency in Nigeria’s north- Comprehensive Plan of Action States — US and other econom- cial activities until the end of tions authority said in a state- capture the assailants and posting videos on social me- east, a spate of mass kidnap- (JCPOA). Tehran has ruled out ic sanctions on Tehran were the fasting month of Ramadan, ment. the escaped detainees. dia of dozens of its militia- pings by criminal gangs in face-to-face bilateral discus- removed in return for curbs which is due to start in mid-April “I can confi rm that the Imo Prisons in Africa’s most men in training. the northwest and a surge in sions and State Department on Iran’s nuclear programme this year, according to a state- State command of the Nige- populous country are often Authorities imposed a cur- piracy on commercial ship- spokesman Ned Price told to make it harder to develop a ment on state media. rian Correctional Service was overcrowded, and as many few on parts of Imo State ear- ping in the Gulf of Guinea off reporters at his daily brief- nuclear weapon — an ambition A curfew imposed on March attacked by unknown gun- as 70% of inmates are on re- lier this year after clashes be- the coast. ing yesterday that the United Tehran denies. 28 on movement of vehicles and people outdoors between 8pm and 5am would be lifted, as scheduled, on April 8 but would Mozambique army be reinstated during the month says most of Palma of Ramadan from 9pm to 4am, Iran Covid infections jump after new year holidays ‘safe’ from militants the statement added. Mozambique’s military says it is AFP western half of Iran such as regaining territory in the northern Tehran Isfahan, Shiraz and Karaj are town and gas hub of Palma, seized Ethiopian Airlines listed as red as well. by Islamic State-linked militants pilot lands at wrong Lari called the spread “very last month, claiming a “significant” Zambia airport ran’s daily new Covid-19 concerning”, and warned the number of militants had since been infections reached a four- rest of the country may soon killed in fighting. Palma was taken in An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane Imonth high yesterday as follow. a co-ordinated attack on March 24, in flying from Addis Ababa into the capital Tehran was put on Tehran was put on orange a major escalation of an insurgency Zambia accidentally landed at an the highest virus risk level, alert on March 28, leading to that has been raging in Cabo Del- airport that is still under construc- with authorities blaming in- the closing of cinemas and gado province for more than three tion, a government off icial and the creased travelling. theatres. years. On Sunday, the army escorted airline said yesterday. The Islamic republic is bat- Authorities had warned of a off icials and journalists through The plane hit the tarmac on tling the Middle East’s deadli- concerning rise in the spread Palma. Commander Chongo Vidigal, Sunday at the uncompleted airport est coronavirus outbreak, and of the more contagious Brit- leader of military operations to in Zambia’s northern Copperbelt case numbers have risen fol- ish variant of the disease and regain control of Palma, told state province, which is currently served lowing a surge in trips during of a “fourth wave” prior to the television TVM the area was now by the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe the Iranian new year holidays holidays. “safe”, although he stopped short International Airport around 15 kilo- that started on March 18. Iranians were allowed to of declaring that the army had metres away. The transport minis- In the past 24 hours, 13,890 travel to low-risk cities dur- regained complete control. “The try’s permanent secretary Misheck new coronavirus cases were ing the holidays, but were airfield area was the only one we Lungu said the pilot had landed at recorded, health ministry warned to leave or be fined if needed to clear and we did that this the future Copperbelt International spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari the level rose to orange or red. morning. It’s completely safe,” Vidigal Airport “by error”. “When he was said in televised remarks. In late March, deputy said. “I think that it is a significant about to land he was communicat- It is the highest number of People wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus pandemic walk on a street in Iran’s capital health minister Alireza Raisi number of terrorists who were shot ing with the radar and they told daily infections since Decem- Tehran, yesterday. criticised a significant lack of down,” he said, adding the authori- him, ‘We can’t see you’,” Lungu ber 4, and close to the peak of compliance with health pro- ties would provide a precise number said. “So he used his sight as he 14,051 positive cases recorded of the most severe waves” of (of the virus), and it’s not clear Tehran, with a population of tocols. later. Thousands have fled the town had no control and landed at an on November 28. coronavirus. “Sadly, no one when we can go below triple over 8mn, is now classifi ed as Iran has never imposed a of some 75,000 people where airport still under construction.” The new reported cases listened to me about managing digit deaths.” “red” on the country’s corona- full lockdown since the pan- dozens were killed, according to an Lungu added that no damage re- brought the total number of travel, and today we’re facing Some offi cials, including virus risk scale. demic started. early government toll, and French sulted and said investigators would infections to over 1.94mn, ac- a great diffi culty,” he said, ac- Namaki, have admitted in the Only essential services, Instead, it has resorted to energy giant Total has abandoned issue a “comprehensive report” on cording to Lari. cording to the ministry’s web- past that the virus numbers such as food providers and limited and shifting meas- a site where a multi-billion-dollar gas the incident. Health Minister Saeed Na- site. are likely higher than offi cial health centres, remain open. ures, such as temporary bans project is under way. maki said Iran is facing “one “We’ve now lost the reins fi gures. Most major cities in the on travelling or businesses. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 WORLD

Venezuela J&J put in charge of plant to seek UN aid to clear mines from that ruined Covid vaccine border White House says removal of AstraZeneca vaccine from US US coronavirus cases rise for the third straight week federal health offi cials. plant will not aff ect dose output A White House offi cial said New cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the United now,” Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious yesterday that the government AFP Reuters and Human Services (HHS) has States rose 5% to more than 450,000 last week, the disease expert, said at a news briefing yesterday. decision is not an indication of Caracas Washington also increased Emergent’s order third week in a row that infections have increased, ac- Twenty-seven out of 50 states reported increases concerns about the AstraZeneca by $23mn for expansion of pro- cording to a Reuters analysis of state and county data. in new cases last week compared with the previous vaccine’s safety or eff ectiveness, duction specifi c to J&J’s vaccine The average number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals seven days, according to the Reuters analysis. and will not impact the output of enezuela has announced he United States has put doses, Emergent added. rose 4% to more than 37,000 in the week ended April Per 100,000 people, Michigan, New Jersey and New doses. that it will request “im- Johnson and Johnson “The $23mn will be used for 4, breaking a streak of 11 weeks of falling admissions. York reported both the highest number of new cases “This is not a decision that in Vmediate aid” from the T(J&J) in charge of a plant the purchase of biologics manu- Health off icials have expressed concerns about the in- and the highest number of hospitalisations. any way has anything to do with United Nations to clear antiper- that ruined 15mn doses of its facturing equipment specifi c to crease in travel around the Easter holiday and school Deaths from Covid-19, which tend to lag infections by any concerns about the Astra- sonnel mines that Caracas alleg- coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 spring breaks, at a time when more infectious variants several weeks, fell 17% to about 5,800 last week, or Zeneca vaccine,” White House es were placed in the southeast and has stopped British drug- vaccine for the potential expan- of the coronavirus are circulating. about 834 per day. Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt of the country by Colombian maker AstraZeneca Plc from us- sion of manufacturing of that While flu viruses tend to be seasonal, with cases falling Health off icials have said the country’s vaccination told journalists during a virtual armed groups. ing the facility, a senior health bulk drug substance into a third as the weather warms, health off icials said they have eff ort could limit deaths even with rising cases. news conference. Clashes between Venezuela’s offi cial said on Saturday. suite of Emergent’s Baltimore not seen similar trends with the novel coronavirus, For a sixth week, vaccinations set a record, with an “This is a decision that HHS military and armed groups have J&J said it was “assuming full Bayview facility,” the company pointing to a surge in Covid-19 cases in some regions average of 3.1mn shots given per day last week. made with Johnson & Johnson occurred near the border with responsibility” of the Emergent said. last summer. As of Sunday, 32% of the US population has received at and AstraZeneca in complete Colombia since March 21. BioSolutions facility in Balti- The Department of Health “I don’t think we should even think about relying on least one dose and 19% was fully vaccinated, accord- collaboration,” he said. Venezuela is preparing “to ask more, reiterating that it will de- and Human Services facilitated the weather to bail us out of anything we’re in right ing to the CDC. – Reuters Slavitt also said during yes- for immediate emergency aid liver 100mn doses to the govern- the move, the health offi cial said terday’s briefi ng that nearly from the UN ... to defuse mine- ment by the end of May. in an e-mail, asking not to be one-in-three Americans have fi elds left by these illegal groups In a separate statement late on named due to the sensitivity of The development, fi rst re- It later revised its study. ruined batch of vaccine doses had at least one Covid-19 shot of murderers and drug traffi ck- Sunday, Emergent said it expects the matter. ported by the New York Times, Workers at the Emergent Bio- had not advanced to the fi ll- and more than 55% of seniors ers from Colombia”, Venezuelan to align with the US government AstraZeneca, whose vaccine further hampers AstraZeneca’s Solutions plant several weeks and-fi nish stage. have been fully vaccinated. President Nicolas Maduro said and AstraZeneca to ramp down has not been approved in the eff orts in the United States. ago confl ated ingredients for The government’s move to The United States has shipped in a televised speech. manufacturing for AstraZene- United States, said it will work The government has criticised the J&J and AstraZeneca vac- have the facility make only the out nearly 208mn Covid-19 According to Caracas’s offi cial ca’s Covid-19 vaccine at its Bal- with President Joe Biden’s ad- the drugmaker for using outdat- cines, the Times said earlier in J&J single-dose vaccine is meant shots and administered more toll, 15 people – six Venezuelan timore plant. ministration to fi nd an alterna- ed data in the results of its vac- the week. to avoid future mix-ups, the than 165mn, according to federal soldiers and nine members of the The Department of Health tive site to produce its vaccine. cine trial. J&J said at the time that the Times said, citing two senior data last updated on Sunday. armed groups described as “ter- rorists” by authorities – were killed on Sunday, while the Ven- ezuelan military posted photos of artillery fi re on Twitter. Plenty of boat about More than 30 people have also been arrested, and weapons, ex- Fauci hits back at plosives and drugs seized since the start of the fi ghting intend- ed, according to Caracas, to pre- vent Colombian armed groups settled along the border from right-wing criticism entering Venezuelan territory. “We have dislodged (these groups) from several camps. Scientist forced to defend himself from attacks by Trump the fi ght against Aids and HIV They left a mined territory be- allies and says ‘I can’t be bothered with getting distracted’ before emerging as the trusted hind ... we have lost several sol- public face of attempts to con- diers with these mines,” Maduro By Adam Gabbatt tain the coronavirus pandemic. said. Guardian News & Media On Wednesday Peter Navar- The socialist leader again ac- ro, who served in various roles cused the groups of ties “to the under Donald Trump, launched Colombian army and the gov- nthony Fauci has de- a bizarre rant during an inter- ernment of Ivan Duque”, the Co- scribed attacks on him view with Fox News. lombian president. Afrom Republicans as “bi- Asked about Fauci’s com- “They are dressed as guerril- zarre”, after a barrage of criti- ment that his pursuit of a vac- A woman returns a kayak after paddling on a sunny day on the waterfront in Toronto, Ontario. las to serve the drug traffi cking cism from senior Republican cine was “the best decision routes,” Maduro added. Party fi gures. [I] ever made”, Navarro said: Security sources in Colombia The infectious disease expert “Fauci is a sociopath and a liar. say the “armed groups” are dis- who has led the US eff ort against He had nothing to do with the sidents of the now-disbanded the coronavirus (Covid-19) was vaccine. Revolutionary Armed Forces of forced to defend himself after “The father of the vaccine is Colombia (Farc) rebel group. a former Trump offi cial called Donald J Trump. Actress Thandie Newton reverts to The Farc signed a historic him “the father of the actual “What is Fauci the father of? peace agreement with Bogota virus” and the senator Lindsey Fauci is the father of the actual in 2016 to end a half century of Graham followed other Repub- virus.” correct name spelling, ‘Thandiwe’ armed confl ict. licans in urging Fauci – Joe Bi- Fauci responded, asking: But some guerrilla fi ghters re- den’s chief medical adviser and “How bizarre is that? Think fused to join the peace process the head of the National Insti- Fauci: busy trying to do some about it for a second. Isn’t that AFP In the Vogue interview New- and have continued their strug- tute for Allergy and Infectious important things to preserve a little weird? I mean, come on.” Los Angeles ton said that Flirting director gle, while also mixing with and Diseases, to travel to the US- the health and the safety of the Last week Mark Meadows, John Duigan instructed her to battling drug-traffi ckers in law- Mexico border. American people. Trump’s former chief of staff , “be a bit darker” for the role, less areas of Colombia, including Speaking to Fox News, Fauci accused Fauci of remaining si- ritish actress Thandie and repeated allegations that close to the Venezuelan border. said he had become a scapegoat asylum-seekers are tested for lent over conditions at the bor- Newton (pictured) is the then-39-year-old em- Maduro acknowledged last for right-wing fi gures. coronavirus on arrival in the US. der. Breverting to the origi- barked on what Newton has Sunday that it was possible the “I’ve been a symbol to them It was unclear what Graham An Alabama congressman nal Zimbabwean spelling of previously described as a “co- groups were Farc dissidents. of what they don’t like about thought a Fauci visit would also urged Fauci to get involved. her name, “Thandiwe” (pro- erced” physical relationship Diplomatic relations between anything that has to do with achieve. In February Marco Rubio, a nounced “tan-DEE-way”), af- with her. the neighbouring South Ameri- things that are contrary to “It’s a little bit bizarre, I senator from Florida, criticised ter decades in Hollywood, she She recalled other derogatory can nations have been non- them, anything outside of their would say,” Fauci said. “I mean Fauci, saying that his job “is not said in a new interview with incidents of racism and sexual existent since Colombia recog- own realm,” he said. … Lindsey Graham, who I like, to mislead or scare” the Ameri- Vogue that was released this abuse, including a director who nised Venezuelan opposition In a fl urry of tweets on Fri- he’s … you know, he’s a good can public. week. abused her and then showed leader Juan Guaido as his coun- day, Graham, from South Caro- person, I’ve dealt with him very, Fauci demurred when asked Newton, the daughter of a footage of the incident to oth- try’s interim president in 2019. lina, told Fauci: “You need to very well over the years, you to respond. white British father, Nick, and “That’s my name. It’s always ers. Bogota has also long accused go to the southern border and know, equating me with things “I am so busy trying to do a Zimbabwean mother, Nyasha, been my name. I’m taking back “I was traumatised,” she told Venezuela of shielding members witness in person the biggest that have to do at the border? I some important things to pre- said the spelling of her name – what’s mine,” she was quoted as the magazine. of Farc and armed rebel group super-spreader event in the na- mean, I have nothing to do with serve the health and the safety which means “beloved” in Sho- telling the British magazine. “Black women are truly the ELN on its soil, a charge Maduro tion.” the border. of the American people that I na – got changed in the credits Newton, long an advocate for nexus where all of this over- denies. Graham was referring to “Having me down at the bor- can’t be bothered with getting for her fi rst acting role, in 1991’s women and survivors of sexual laps,” she said. “Think of what More than 3,000 people have thousands of migrants being der, that’s really not what I do.” distracted with these people Flirting, when she was just 16. violence, has been outspoken else has the potential to heal if fl ed to Colombia since the fi ght- held in overcrowded conditions. Fauci, 80, has served seven that are doing these ad hom- Now, the Westworld star said, about racist and sexual abuse in we support and care for black ing broke out, according to Bo- The administration has said presidents since 1984, leading inems,” he said. she is changing it back. Hollywood. women.” gota.

Trial of Chicago 7, Boseman score SAG award wins Google prevails over Oracle in Trump Twitter fi ght concludes Courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 and jazz period film Ma long-running copyright case Reuters formation infrastructure such Twitter to promote his agenda Rainey’s Black Bottom were the Washington as digital platforms,” he wrote. and attack detractors. big winners at the Screen Actors Thomas said social media Twitter banned Trump from Guild (SAG) awards, one of the AFP whether copyright protection ing Google to take the case to companies, which under US its service days after a mob of last major ceremonies before the Washington should be extended to applica- the highest US court. he US Supreme Court has law have leeway as private en- his supporters attacked the US Oscars. tion software interfaces (APIs), Oracle obtained the rights to brought an end to a legal tities to moderate user content Capitol in a deadly riot on Janu- The Trial of the Chicago 7, set the bits of code that allow pro- Java in 2010 when it acquired Tfi ght over former presi- as they see fi t, might have to ary 6. during a Vietnam War protest he US Supreme Court grams and apps to work togeth- Sun Microsystems – which had dent Donald Trump’s eff ort to be treated more like businesses Trump made his innumerable in 1968, took the prize for best has handed Google a ma- er, and if so, whether Google’s supported Google’s use of Java block critics from following that are subject to public ac- posts on the Twitter Inc social ensemble with a cast that Tjor win in a long-running implementation was a “fair for Android – and sought $9bn his now-frozen Twitter ac- commodation laws, which re- media platform an important includes Sacha Baron Cohen, copyright battle with Oracle, use” of Oracle’s copyrighted in damages. count, deciding the dispute was quire all customers to be treated way of communicating both be- Eddie Redmayne, Frank Langella, ruling that the use of the Java material. Google and many Silicon Val- moot and throwing out a lower equally. fore and during his presidency. and Mark Rylance. programming language for the The decade-old case drew ley allies have argued that ex- court’s decision that found he Trump had appealed after the Before his permanent sus- Langella credited writer and Android mobile operating sys- interest across the spectrum of tending copyright protection to had violated constitutional free New York-based 2nd US Circuit pension, Trump’s @realDon- director Aaron Sorkin for the win, tem was “fair use”. technology fi rms and creative APIs would threaten innovation speech rights. Court of Appeals concluded aldTrump account, which he saying his “voice is the soul of The 6-2 ruling had been industries, and sparked heated in the digital world. None of the justices on the that he had violated the US opened in 2009, had more than this movie”. closely watched as a key test of debate on how much copyright According to Google, a win court, which has a 6-3 conserv- Constitution’s First Amend- 88mn followers. All four of the winning film actors copyright in the digital era, and protection should be aff orded to for Oracle would “upend the ative majority, dissented from ment by blocking his critics on Twitter said it expelled were people of colour, the first allows Google to avoid paying bits of computer code. longstanding expectation of yesterday’s action. the social media platform. Trump from its platform “due time this has happened in the out billions to its technology Two separate jury trials end- software developers that they But conservative Justice Trump, a Republican, left to the risk of further incitement SAG awards’ 27-history. rival. ed with a determination that are free to use existing compu- Clarence Thomas wrote a sepa- offi ce in January, replaced by of violence”. Chadwick Boseman, who died of Justice Stephen Breyer wrote Google’s “software interface” ter software interfaces to build rate opinion echoing concerns Democratic President Joe Bi- The case began when seven cancer last year at age 43, picked in the 39-page majority opinion did not unfairly use Java code, new programs”. made by Republicans about the den. people who Trump had blocked up another award for his final role that even if Google used copy- saving the Internet giant from Oracle backers said Google power of social media com- With Trump no longer presi- in 2017, along with the Knight as a 1930s trumpet player in Ma rightable material, “the copy- a possible multibillion-dollar would walk away with “intel- panies like Twitter, saying the dent, the justices declined to First Amendment Institute at Rainey’s Black Bottom. ing here at issue nonetheless verdict. lectual property theft” in a court needs to step in. hear arguments and resolve the Columbia University, chal- Sunday’s SAG win positioned him constituted a fair use. Hence, But an appeals court in 2018 court victory, arguing that it “We will soon have no choice case on the merits, tossing out lenged Trump’s power to ex- as front-runner for his first Oscar Google’s copying did not violate disagreed, saying that the soft- would make it hard to protect but to address how our legal the 2nd Circuit decision. clude people with whom he at the Academy Awards on April the copyright law”. ware interface is entitled to any digital property from Chi- doctrines apply to highly con- Throughout his presiden- disagreed from his Twitter ac- 25. – Reuters The case revolved around copyright protection, prompt- nese misappropriation. centrated, privately owned in- cy, Trump had regularly used count. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 6, 2021 9 WORLD

Search for survivors called off as Bangladesh ferry toll rises to 28

AFP dead, he added. The vessel, Hundreds of onlookers and Ferry accidents are common Narayanganj named Sabit Al Hasan, sank less relatives of the missing had in Bangladesh, a delta nation than an hour after it had depart- watched from the shore, but crisscrossed by hundreds of riv- ed Narayanganj, 20 kilometres many have since left, he said. ers. Millions of people are heavi- he search for survivors from the capital Dhaka, offi cials “I don’t think anyone is miss- ly reliant on ferries for transport, from a ferry disaster in said. A local police inspector ing as most of the relatives have particularly in the country’s TBangladesh was called off said the ferry was packed with left the riverbanks,” Billah said, southern coastal region, but the yesterday, offi cials said, with the passengers after the government adding that authorities had or- vessels have a poor safety record. death toll rising to 28 when res- confi rmed it would impose a dered a probe into the accident. Experts blame poor mainte- cuers pulled the vessel from the seven-day lockdown across the Local police chief Dipak Saha nance, lax safety standards at water and found bodies inside. country to combat the recent said rescue eff orts on Sunday shipyards and overcrowding for The one-and-a-half storey rise in coronavirus cases. had been hampered for hours by many of the accidents. In June ferry was lifted from the heav- Billah said the ship was car- a powerful storm that hit after last year, a ferry sank in Dhaka ily polluted Shitalakshya River rying at least 46 people when it the accident. after it was hit from behind by in the central district of Naray- left. Under the lockdown, all do- another ferry, killing at least anganj yesterday, some 18 hours “Some 20 people swam to mestic travel services – includ- 32 people. In February 2015, at after it sank following a collision safety after the vessel sank,” he ing buses, ferries, trains and least 78 people died when an with a bigger cargo vessel on said. fl ights – will be suspended. overcrowded ship collided with Sunday. He said search operations, Shops and malls will be shut a cargo boat in a central Bangla- “We have found 23 bodies which were led by fi re brigade for a week and a night curfew desh river. today...Five bodies were found divers and other rescuers, were will come into eff ect. The number of accidents has Sunday night,” local offi cial called off yesterday evening as Public and private sector busi- dropped sharply in recent years Mustain Billah said. authorities believed no one else nesses were told to only have a as authorities crack down on un- Relatives mourn after several people died as a ferry collided with a cargo vessel and sank on Sunday in Six children were among the was missing. skeleton crew in their offi ces. seaworthy vessels. the Shitalakhsyaa River in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, yesterday.

Aussie India tightens screws as Covid-19 couple released infections reach new record from

AFP religious epic “Ram Setu” that in cases. Police say they are is- New Delhi Kumar was making was halted suing more fi nes to people not house after 45 crew members also wearing masks. tested positive. “The fear of Covid-19 has ndia’s worst-hit state “How long shooting remains gone away. Most people don’t arrest in ramped up its coronavirus halted depends on Akshay Ku- wear masks properly, includ- Irestrictions as nationwide mar’s recovery. We can replace ing many of my passengers,” the daily infections exceeded all our crew members, but we said auto-rickshaw driver Surjit Myanmar 100,000 for the fi rst time yes- cannot replace the star of the Singh, 68. terday. fi lm,” Ashok Dubey from the Rajesh Mohan Bindlish, 34, The United States is the only Federation of Western India a bank executive in Noida out- AFP nation that has regularly regis- Cine Employees said. side the capital, said that police Yangon tered so many cases in one day. Kumar, 53, tweeted mean- should be stricter but that the Brazil recorded triple digits while that he had been hospital- government should avoid an- once in March. ised “as a precautionary meas- other lockdown. n Australian couple was In India, hopes at the start of ure under medical advice”. “The economy will be hit very released from house ar- the year that the outbreak may Prime Minister Narendra hard and it won’t be good for all Arest in Myanmar and al- be subsiding in the vast na- Modi’s government is anxious of us. We can’t aff ord to disrupt lowed to leave the country, as tion of 1.3bn people have been to avoid imposing a new nation- our economic recovery as so protests against the military dashed in recent weeks as a al lockdown after a shutdown in many jobs depend on it,” Bind- junta continued yesterday. fresh wave pushed the national March 2020 caused widespread lish said. Myanmar has been in turmoil total to 12.5mn infections and human and economic misery. “The cases have risen because since a February 1 coup ousted 165,000 deaths. Modi on Sunday chaired a the people outside became too civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi Maharashtra, the worst-hit high-level meeting and a state- lax about the entire situation. and derailed the country’s ex- state and home to India’s fi nan- ment afterwards announced an If fi nes are increased and there periment with democracy. cial and entertainment capi- awareness campaign from April is strictness in their implemen- Business consultants Mat- tal Mumbai, recorded nearly 6-14 “with emphasis on 100% tation, things will improve,” he thew O’Kane and Christa Av- 60,000 cases in the last 24 A health worker takes a swab sample from a man to perform RT-PCR test following restrictions imposed mask usage, personal hygiene said. ery, a dual Canadian-Australian hours. by the state government amid rising Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Mumbai, yesterday. and sanitation at public places/ India has so far administered citizen, tried to leave the coun- Struggling state authori- workplaces and health facili- almost 80mn vaccine shots. try on a relief fl ight in late March ties on Sunday tightened the from 8:00pm to 7:00am. The banned and places of worship stars, Akshay Kumar, became ties.” Last week, it opened up vacci- but were barred from departing evening curfew to allow only region of 110mn people will also and restaurants shut. the latest celebrity to test posi- In the capital New Delhi, the nations to all those over 45 years and placed under house arrest. people involved in essential see weekend lockdowns, with In Mumbai over the week- tive. chief minister has ruled out a old to speed up its fl agging na- “I am of course incredibly re- services out of their homes gatherings of over four people end, one of Bollywood’s biggest Yesterday, shooting of the new lockdown despite the surge tional inoculation drive. lieved to have been released and to be on my way home with my husband Matt,” Avery said in a statement. China reports biggest daily virus case jump in over two months “Even though I knew that I had done nothing wrong it was China reported its biggest daily jump in new were identified as Myanmar citizens. Ruili is a key Taiwan rescuers work to bring very stressful being held under Covid-19 cases in more than two months, as a city transit point for Yunnan province, which has strug- house arrest for two weeks, not on the border with Myanmar in southwestern Yun- gled to monitor its rugged 4,000km border with knowing what was going to be nan province accounted for all new local cases. Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam for illegal immigration out last body from wrecked train the outcome of the question- Ruili’s local government put residents in its urban amid a wave of unauthorised crossings last year by ing.” area under home quarantine, launched a massive people seeking a haven from the pandemic. The couple said they were in- testing drive and began restricting people from Yesterday evening, city authorities announced Reuters fi rmed dead after a packed ex- brakes were not properly ap- credibly sad to leave Myanmar, leaving and entering the city from last week after three high risk and six medium risk areas in Ruili Taipei press train carrying almost 500 plied and are investigating the which was their home for eight reporting Covid-19 patients.The city accounted for as of 7pm local time (1100 GMT), reported state passengers and crew slammed manager of the site. Hualien’s years, and hope the country sta- all of the 15 new local cases reported on April 4. broadcaster CCTV. CCTV also reported that Ruili into a truck near the eastern fi re department said that the bilises soon. The total number of new Covid-19 infections, would conduct a second testing drive round from aiwanese rescuers were city of Hualien on Friday, caus- remaining body was trapped Canberra’s and Ottawa’s for- including imported infections originating from April 6 onwards, and that residents who had visited trying yesterday to re- ing it to derail and the front under a 15-tonne train bogie. eign aff airs departments said overseas, stood at 32, marking the highest total Jiegaoyu City, a jade market in one of the high risk Ttrieve the last body of a end to crumple. It was the is- It did not provide details on they had provided support to since Jan 31. areas, between March 15 and 29 would need to be passenger from wreckage of a land’s worst rail accident in the identity of the passenger. the couple. Genetic analysis of the cases discovered in Ruili quarantined at home. deadly train crash last week, as seven decades. The truck had “The rescue is diffi cult, and The couple ran a bespoke suggest the new local infections stem from viruses Local authorities have also began a vaccination the government said fi ve of the slid down a sloping road from we are currently discussing consultancy business in Yangon. imported from Myanmar, state media reported. drive in Ruili in a bid to contain Covid-19 and build eight carriages had now been a building site onto the tracks how to overcome these diffi cul- A third Australian, econo- Of the new patients reported in the city, 11 of them up herd immunity in the city. removed. just outside a tunnel. ties, so the time it takes may be mist Sean Turnell, was arrested Fifty people have been con- Offi cials suspect the truck’s delayed,” the department said. a week after the putsch and re- mains in custody. The university professor and adviser to Suu Kyi was the fi rst foreign national arrested fol- lowing the coup. Singapore to accept Over 100 dead in Indonesia, East Timor fl oods He has been charged with a violation of state secret laws, along with Suu Kyi late last Covid-19 digital travel AFP ered in rubble. “There were month. Lembata four of them inside. Three sur- More than 2,500 people have vived but the other one didn’t been detained since the coup, pass from next month make it,” he told reporters. according to local monitoring ropical cyclone Seroja Langoday and his friends group Assistance Association pounded Indonesia and scrambled to try and save the for Political Prisoners. Reuters “The success of our joint eff orts TEast Timor yesterday trapped man before he was It also recorded the death toll Singapore will make IATA’s partnership with after torrential rains triggered crushed to death. as 564 as of Sunday, as secu- the government of Singapore a fl oods and landslides that have “He said ‘hurry, I can’t rity forces continue to use lethal model for others to follow,” IATA killed at least 113 people and hold on any longer,” Langoday force against protesters. ingapore will next month director general Willie Walsh said left dozens more missing. added. Juna Witak, another Despite six weekend deaths, accept visitors who use a in a statement. Packing heavy winds and Lembata resident, joined his demonstrators returned to the Smobile travel pass con- Singapore, which has had rela- rain, the storm heaped more family at a local hospital where streets yesterday in Mandalay, taining digital certifi cates for tively few coronavirus cases this misery on the Southeast Asian they wept over the corpse of Yangon, Bago, a small town in Covid-19 tests and vaccines, its year, has been a leader in devel- nations after Sunday’s disaster his mother, who was killed in Kachin state and Pale township aviation regulator said yesterday, oping and using technology dur- turned small communities into Residents take refuge at an evacuation centre after fleeing their a fl ash fl ood Sunday. Her body in Sagaing region, according to becoming one of the fi rst coun- ing the pandemic and wants to be wastelands of mud, uprooted damaged homes in Dili, East Timor yesterday, after torrential was found by the seashore. social media posts. tries to adopt the initiative. among the fi rst countries to reo- trees and forced thousands of rains triggered floods and landslides. “There was a rumbling sound A 25-year-old man was shot Singapore will accept the In- pen to host international events. people into shelters. and the fl oods swept away in the chest and killed and six ternational Air Transport Asso- Airlines are hoping more countries Downpours are expected died in East Timor, a tiny half- showed workers digging up homes, everything,” Witak said. others were wounded as police ciation (IATA) mobile travel pass will approve digital passes on apps over the next day as the storm island nation of 1.3mn that mud-covered corpses before The European Union said it was cracked down on protesters at for pre-departure checks, where to allow travel to resume faster and triggers off shore waves as high lies between Indonesia and placing them in body bags. ready to off er assistance to pov- Pinlebu, a town in the Saga- travellers can get clearance to fl y avoid complications and delays at as six metres, Indonesia’s dis- Australia. Its capital Dili was On Lembata, an island east erty-stricken East Timor, of- ing region. “They (police) did to and enter Singapore by showing airports where multiple checks on aster agency said. inundated, with the front of of Flores, parts of some villag- fi cially known as Timor-Leste. not give any warning. They just a smartphone application con- documents are required. The cyclone, which was its presidential palace trans- es were swept down a moun- “The catastrophic fl oods come came and shot the people,” an- taining their data from accredited Currently, travellers from most picking up strength as it formed into a mud pit. tainside and carried to the at a time when Timor-Leste other protester said. laboratories. countries are required to take pre- moved towards the west coast In Indonesia’s remote East shore of the ocean. is working hard to contain the Meanwhile, a 20-year-old The pass was successfully departure Covid-19 swab tests of Australia, hampered eff orts Flores municipality, torrents Soon after fl ash fl oods be- spread of Covid-19 among its man from Mandalay is recov- tested by Singapore Airlines. More within 72 hours of their fl ights to reach trapped survivors. of mud washed over homes, gan tearing into resident Basir population, putting a consider- ering after security forces beat than 20 carriers, including Emir- in order to travel to Singapore, At least 86 people have been bridges and roads. Langoday’s district in the early able additional strain both on him up and burned his arm, ates, Qatar Airways and Malaysia with results presented at airport killed in Indonesia, with an- Images from Indonesia’s morning, he heard screams for resources and on the Timorese which had a tattoo of Suu Kyi, Airlines, are also testing the pass. check-in and on arrival. other 71 missing, while 27 have search and rescue agency help from a nearby home cov- people,” the EU said. on Sunday night. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Can Rory McIlroy close the deal at Masters this time? Like Augusta National’s famous azaleas it is a storyline that pops up every April at the Masters: Will Rory McIlroy finally win a green jacket and complete the career slam? Only five players have ever won golf’s career Grand Slam and each year since his British Open triumph in 2014 McIlroy has cruised up Magnolia Lane hoping to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan in the club. Costa Rica’s steadfast It’s not that he didn’t have his chances – the Northern Irishman has come close to winning, posting top five finishes in three of the last six years but never closing the deal. This week he arrives at Augusta with his ranking and form in decline, but experts still fancy the commitment to rights 31-year-old who is pencilled in as the co-fifth As the country celebrates respecting the environment. .international instruments on this thereof, unique in the world. favourite alongside former-winner Jordan Spieth. its bicentenary of Throughout its independent matter. The American Convention on Currently, the country is facing a On results alone there has been nothing in the run existence, Costa Rica has placed Human Rights was signed in our capital special opportunity for the projection up to the year’s first major to suggest that McIlroy’s independence, it has proven singular value on peace and harmony. city of San José and the Inter-American of its values and principles that have to the world that even with This vocation for peace was confi rmed Court of Human Rights has its seat served as a basis for its internal conduct time has come. in 1949 when the national army was there. and foreign policy. Costa Rica is the His Players Championship title defence last month scarce economic resources constitutionally abolished. Another Costa Rica has staunchly defended head of two important examples for ended in a missed cut. in the face of major threats fundamental Costa Rican characteristic the cause for fundamental rights and regional cooperation. It currently The only splash McIlroy is its commitment to the rule of law. liberties and actively promoted the holds the rotational presidency of and challenges, it is possible The country always seeks resolution creation of the UN High Commissioner the Economic Commission for Latin This week made at his next event the to live in peace, freely, in International Law as the only for Human Rights. The country’s America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) WGC Match Play came and democratically whilst valid mechanism for promoting and Constitutional Court has even ruled and the Central American Integration he arrives at when a tee shot ended up defending universal values that should that international human rights System (SICA, Spanish acronym). respecting the environment be accepted by the entire international agreements are hierarchically above its At ECLAC, the Costa Rican Augusta with in a backyard swimming community. Costa Rica fi rmly believes own national constitution. presidency began in August of pool. in negotiation, arbitration, and In recent decades and as host to great 2020. Since then, it has focused on his ranking and That one misguided shot osta Rica is celebrating its jurisdictional processes, and it has biological diversity, Costa Rica has also the principles of international co- encapsulated McIlroy’s Bicentenary of Independence unrestrainedly supported the cause undertaken a serious commitment to operation, solidarity, and promotion of form in decline in 2021. After signing the 1821 of disarmament, particularly in the protecting the environment. National human rights as well as concentrating current woes. CAct of Independence, the nuclear context. parks and protected areas constitute an on regional policy co-ordination and Already one of golf’s country has been characterised from the Respect for human rights was clearly important part of the national territory co-operation, co-operation with start for its clear institutional vocation. stated in 1821 and characterises the and the country places great importance international fi nancial institutions, big hitters McIlroy felt an urge to add even more From its foundation, a guideline for country’s very existence, as is proven on the fi ght against climate change and support for the UN system, and power after watching Bryson DeChambeau bludgeon conduct was expressly established in by early milestones, such as the 1869 environmental deterioration. protection of international law and Winged Foot into submission on way to winning last developing the Costa Rican State, a declaration of primary education as free The High Ambition Coalition (HAC) human rights. year’s US Open. rule that is still current in both internal and obligatory and the constitutionally for Nature and People was offi cially For the SICA presidency, Costa and international relationships. This recognised abolition of the death launched recently, with the goal of Rica has determined that its priority Later conceding he got “sucked into that stuff”, standard determines that Costa Rica penalty in 1882. conserving 30% of the world’s land actions will pivot around gender McIlroy’s search for more distance introduced flaws “recognises and respects civil liberties, Costa Rica proposed the creation of and marine areas by 2030, stemming equality and human rights, particularly into his swing and something he has been trying to property, and other legitimate national the Central American Court of Justice, massive species loss, and protecting for the most vulnerable populations; rights of every person and any state or the fi rst permanent international court ecosystems that are key to human economic and social post-pandemic correct ever since. nation.” of Public International Law, and the fi rst welfare and that of nature as a whole. recovery for the region, health and food “After Winged Foot I had a few weeks before we Today, two hundred years later, the international Human Rights Court in All of the above have provided a security; and promotion of science and went to the West Coast and I started to try to hit the small but ambitious Central American history, which was inaugurated in the solid foundation for Costa Rica’s technology, creativity and innovation, country eff ectively proves to the City of Cartago in 1908. foreign policy as a singular case of a with special emphasis on integrated ball a bit harder, hit a lot of drivers, get a bit more world that even with scarce economic Costa Rica was among the countries demilitarised democracy, with strong risk management and the fi ght against speed, and I felt like that was sort of the infancy resources and facing important threats unconditionally adopting the Universal institutions, and respect for the climate change. of where these swing problems have come from,” and challenges, it is possible to live in Declaration of Human Rights in environment, a pioneer in human rights, Furthermore, Costa Rica considers peace, freely, and democratically, while 1948 and is party to the principal and an internationally active proponent that a greater and more eff ective McIlroy said. “So it’s just a matter of trying to get integration among SICA member back out of it.” states will harness substantial benefi ts. McIlroy is now in full reboot mode, the four-time Additionally, eff orts are being made major winner bringing in swing coach Pete Cowen to to revitalise the steps Costa Rica has taken with SICA observer countries and help with the debugging. co-operative partners to promote the “It seems like to me he went after distance,” said creation of a special fund for regional Curtis Strange, winner of back-to-back US Open recovery. In these and other international titles and runner-up at the 1985 Masters. “It messed organisations in which Costa him up a little bit. Now he’s got to go back. Rica participates, the country has “How long it takes him to get back to a comfort consistently adhered to the principles that have given a unique identity to its zone, only he knows, and maybe he doesn’t know.” foreign policy. McIlroy knows very well that Augusta National can Convinced of the importance of be unforgiving. multilateralism for peace and co- “First and foremost I have to be able to hit the operative development to prosper among nations, the country has been shots and get the ball starting on my line and control very active in the multilateral scenario, the flight and control the spin,” he said. proposing implementation of the At the moment he is struggling to do that, and if he World Health Organisation (WHO) C-TAP (Covid-Technology Access Pool) cannot do it this week, he knows he has no chance. initiative. This consists of a common repository for rights to technologies that countries have developed and that are useful for To Advertise the detection, control, and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to [email protected] ensure equitable access to respond to the crisis. Display Costa Rica proposes undertaking 44466621 44418811 its third century of independent life contributing towards new initiatives Classified that refl ect these same values and also 44466609 44418811 responding to the changing needs of our world and the importance of resolving Subscription those challenges that await us with enthusiasm, responsibility, and a sense [email protected] of innovation. CHAMPION OF RIGHTS: Costa Rica has staunchly defended the cause for fundamental rights and liberties and actively promoted the creation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The country’s Constitutional Court has even ruled that Supplied by the Embassy of Costa © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved international human rights agreements are hierarchically above its own national constitution. Rica. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 6, 2021 11 WORLD Inquiry in France over ‘clandestine’ Covid-defying dinners

A report by a French television surging Covid-19 infections. 490 euros ($578), including a bottle centre of Paris. Macron ordered new restrictions said those involved in such dinners channel alleging “clandestine” luxury The hashtag #OnVeutLesNoms of champagne. In statement sent to AFP through including a brief closure of schools to should be prosecuted if the dinners in Paris despite the pandemic (We Want the Names) went viral Removing the face mask was not just his lawyer late Sunday, Chalencon keep cases down before the eff ects of allegations in the report were true. has sparked an investigation and on Twitter, as speculation swirled possible but obligatory, it said. implicitly acknowledged he was the vaccine drive kick in. “There are not two types of citizens — public furore over claims the nation’s over who may have attended such “We don’t wear a mask here. Once the source but also appeared to Chalencon had been recorded those who have the right to party and political elite were brazenly ignoring dinners. you pass through the doors, Covid retract the claim ministers were saying in February that government those who do not,” he said. rules they themselves had set. Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said no longer exists. We want people to involved, saying he was only showing spokesman Gabriel Attal, a rising Insinuations that politicians and The M6 private channel on Friday Sunday that a criminal probe had feel at ease,” a staff member told the “humour” and the “sense of the cabinet star, would be attending such off icials have not followed the very broadcast a reportage based on been opened into putting the lives of undercover team. absurd”. a dinner. Attal vehemently denied the restriction measures they themselves footage recorded with a hidden others at risk. One source interviewed by M6, M6 later broadcast its full interview claim. set have proved hugely damaging camera purportedly from a The investigation would assess “if whose identity was not revealed identifying Chalencon as the source But deputy interior minister to governments across Europe clandestine restaurant in a high-end these evenings were organised and whose voice was distorted, told and without distorting his voice, Marlene Schiappa told French TV throughout the pandemic. area of Paris where neither the staff in defiance of health rules and to the channel that such evenings had noting that his tone had been “far that if ministers or lawmakers were British Prime Minister Boris Johnson nor the diners were wearing masks. determine who were the possible taken place and guests present had from humorous”. involved “they should be fined and last year came under immense All restaurants and cafes have been organisers and participants.” even included ministers. “We are still in a democracy, we can penalised like any other citizen”. pressure after allegations his former closed in France for eating in for The report showed staff at the venue The source was later identified by do what we like,” he said. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire top aide Dominic Cummings broke the last five months. The country proposing an evening menu from 160 media and bloggers as Pierre-Jean The report was no laughing matter insisted: “All the ministers, without lockdown rules by travelling across this week began a new limited euros ($189) per head but said that Chalencon, who runs the luxury for members of the government, exception, respect the rules.” the country while displaying Covid-19 nationwide lockdown to deal with the most expensive option went for Palais Vivienne event venue in the days after President Emmanuel Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin symptoms.

Russia says Navalny in high-level continuing contact with Putin signs law hunger strike US over despite cough Ukraine that will allow him and fever

Reuters AFP Moscow Moscow

ussia said yesterday it was two more terms ailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in high-level contact with yesterday said he was suff ering from Rthe United States about AFP Ja heavy cough and fever but would tensions over Ukraine and dis- Moscow continue a hunger strike he launched missed fears of a Russian mili- last week demanding adequate medical tary buildup even as it vowed to treatment. respond to new Ukrainian sanc- ussian President Navalny, 44, announced the hunger tions. Vladimir Putin yester- strike on Wednesday, complaining a US President Joe Biden used Rday gave fi nal approval prison doctor had only given him pain- a fi rst phone call with Ukraine’s to legislation allowing him to killers as treatment for severe back pain President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hold offi ce for two additional and numbness in his legs. on Friday to off er “unwavering” six-year terms, opening the His team the next day said he had al- support after Western nations possibility for him to stay in ready lost eight kilogrammes before go- and Nato voiced concern over power until 2036. ing on hunger strike — down from the 93 Russian troop movements near The 68-year-old Russian kilogrammes (205 pounds) he weighed Ukraine. leader, who has already been when he arrived at his penal colony — There has been a recent spike in power for more than two due to sleep deprivation. in violence in Ukraine’s eastern decades, signed off on the bill In a post on his Instagram yesterday, Donbass region where Kyiv’s yesterday, according to a copy Navalny reported new ailments. troops have battled Russian- posted on the government’s “I am quoting the offi cial data from backed separatist forces in a legal information portal. today’s temperature measurement: ‘Na- confl ict it estimates has killed Putin proposed the change valny A.A., strong cough, temperature 14,000 people since 2014. last year as part of constitu- 38.1’,” he wrote, referring to degrees Cel- “We are in contact with the tional reforms that Russians sius, or 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Americans, this is happening overwhelmingly backed in a “P.S. I am continuing my hunger at a high level,” Russia’s Deputy vote in July. Lawmakers ap- strike, of course,” Navalny said. Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov proved the bill last month. The opposition politician is serving was quoted as saying by Interfax The legislation will reset a two-and-a-half year sentence on old news agency. presidential term limits, al- fraud charges in a penal colony some He said Moscow had rejected lowing Putin to run in elec- 62 miles east of Moscow known for its as “unfounded” concerns raised tions again after his current harsh discipline. by Washington over the situa- and second consecutive term His latest statement from the colony tion. He accused Ukraine of fail- expires in 2024. comes after pro-Kremlin media on Fri- ing to implement agreements Putin was fi rst elected pres- day launched an off ensive aiming to dis- over the region. “If our Ameri- ident in 2000 and served two prove his complaints of mistreatment can colleagues were concerned consecutive four-year terms. and lack of medical attention. about this, it would really help His ally Dmitry Medvedev Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets stabilise the situation,” he was took his place in 2008, which described Navalny as looking “quite quoted as saying. critics saw as a way around Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. normal” and saying he is incarcerated in Ukraine, Western countries Russia’s limit of two consecu- (Reuters) a colony that is “practically exemplary”. and Nato accuse Russia of send- tive terms for presidents. In his post yesterday, Navalny said the ing troops and heavy weapons While in offi ce, Medvedev ties said was aimed at limiting Putin to become “president had foreign citizenship or a supporting the constitutional reports had “not a single word of truth”. to prop up proxies in Donbass signed off on legislation ex- the spread of the coronavirus for life”. Putin would be 83 or permanent residence permit reforms. As evidence, he wrote that a third who seized a swathe of eastern tending terms to six years but critics said left the process 84 when he leaves offi ce if he from a state other than Russia. The new legislation also person out of 15 total in his unit had been Ukraine in 2014. Russia says it starting with the next presi- open to manipulation. is elected and serves two ad- Also yesterday, Putin signed comes as authorities ratchet hospitalised with tuberculosis since his provides only political and hu- dent. Golos, an independent ditional terms to their end in off on legislation banning in- up pressure on the opposition arrival at the penal colony in February. manitarian support to separatist Putin then returned to the election monitor, criticised 2036. sults against World War II and clamp down on dissent. “I am surprised that there is no Ebola fi ghters in what it casts as an in- Kremlin in 2012 and won re- the format of the vote, say- “They really think that if veterans, with off enders fac- Navalny last week launched virus here,” he quipped, adding: “such is ternal confl ict. election in 2018. ing Russians should have been they managed to deceive hu- ing possible sentences of up to a hunger strike demanding our ‘ideal, exemplary colony’.” Ukraine over the weekend The term reset was part of able to vote for each separate man laws, then they will be three years in jail. adequate medical treatment Navalny was arrested on his return targeted several Russian com- constitutional reforms that change. able to deceive the laws of The new law comes after a in prison, saying he was expe- to Russia in January, after spending panies with sanctions as part of included populist economic It also said it received hun- nature,” opposition politician judge in February ruled that riencing severe back pain and months in Germany recovering from a what it said was a clamp-down measures and sweeteners for dreds of complaints of viola- Yevgeny Roizman wrote on jailed opposition politician numbness in his legs. poisoning last summer that he blames on smuggling. Yesterday, the traditionalists such as an ef- tions, including people voting Twitter. Alexei Navalny was guilty of Ten of Navalny’s allies in- on the Kremlin. Kremlin said Moscow would re- fective ban on gay marriage. multiple times. The bill also includes new defaming a World War II vet- cluding key aide Lyubov Sobol Earlier this month, Navalny, who is spond to those sanctions. It also Russians voted yes or no to Russians ultimately voted requirements for presidential eran. and his brother Oleg remain in considered a fl ight risk by authorities, said it was up to Moscow to move the entire bundle of amend- 78% in favour of the changes. candidates. They must now be The veteran was among a house arrest on charges of vio- fi led two complaints against prison of- its military around in Russia as ments in a vote last summer Kremlin opponents have at least 35 years old, have per- group of Russians Putin’s top lating epidemiological meas- fi cials, saying he is woken eight times a it saw fi t and that those move- that was held over the course said the constitutional re- manently resided in Russia for domestic critic called “trai- ures during a Moscow protest night by guards announcing to a record- ments posed no threat to Kyiv. of a week, in a move authori- forms were a pretext to allow at least 25 years and have never tors” for appearing in a video demanding he be released. ing camera that he is still in his cell. Too soon to say if Britons can take summer holiday abroad: PM

Reuters imported into the United King- bound restrictions to be lifted. tour operation with one or two Johnson said a planned reo- London dom from other countries so it The lack of clarity from John- weeks’ notice,” he said. pening of the economy could was not possible to give more son disappointed Britain’s big- Britain plans to use a traffi c- take place next week, with the clarity as the global situation gest airport and travel compa- light risk system for countries opening of all shops, gyms, ritish Prime Minister was evolving so fast. nies which said the sector was once non-essential interna- hairdressers and outdoor hospi- Boris Johnson said yester- “Obviously we are hopeful teetering on the brink of col- tional travel resumes, but the tality areas in England. Bday it was too soon to say that we can get going from May lapse. government said it was too early With the vaccine rolling out whether international summer 17th, but I do not wish to give “It’s disappointing that the to say which countries could be rapidly across Britain and infec- holidays can go ahead this year, hostages to fortune or to under- opportunity has been missed to given the green light that would tion numbers falling, Johnson a remark suggesting a planned estimate the diffi culties that we provide more certainty to reu- only require coronavirus tests said England could proceed to reopening of outbound travel are seeing in some of the des- nite families separated by travel before and after travel. Stage 2 of his roadmap out of could be pushed back beyond tination countries that people restrictions, to give sunseekers Countries that could fi t on lockdown from April 12. May 17. might want to go to,” he said. the confi dence to book ahead the green list include Portugal, “I will be going to the pub Britons are among Europe’s “I wish I could give you more for their summer getaway,” Malta, Israel, the United Arab myself – and cautiously but ir- highest spending tourists so on that, I know that people Heathrow CEO John Holland- Emirates and the United States. reversibly raising a pint of beer the fortunes of the continent’s watching will want to know Kaye said. Countries on the amber list to my lips,” Johnson said. summer season and the travel exactly what they can do from “A clearer timeline for the would require self-isolation. Johnson also confi rmed that industry, hit hard by restric- May 17, but we’re not there yet,” return to international travel is Those on the red list would re- the government was looking at tions imposed on travel because Johnson said. “As soon as we needed,” Holland-Kaye said. quire quarantine. a Covid-19 status certifi cation of the Covid-19 pandemic, will have more solid information, Noel Josephides, chairman of Airlines such as easyJet, Rya- system, or vaccine passport, to depend on when tourists can more solid data, we’ll let you travel group Sunvil, told Reu- nair and British Airways, plus help reopen larger events and to return to the beaches, cafes and know.” ters before Johnson spoke that holiday groups such as TUI, travel. tavernas of southern Europe. A British government review the industry would need weeks hope to avoid a second lost “You’ve got to be very careful Asked about summer holi- of travel said that it was not yet of notice to reopen hotels and summer but Covid-19 cases in how you handle this and ... Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving an update on the coronavirus days, Johnson told reporters he clear if tourists would have to resume fl ight routes. have risen in continental Eu- don’t start a system that’s dis- pandemic during a virtual press conference inside the new Downing did not want the virus to be re- wait beyond May 17 for the out- “It is not possible to launch a rope. criminatory.” Street Briefing Room in central London yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 QATAR

Amir receives Ukrainian president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an off icial talks session at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The Amir and the Ukrainian leader witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the governments of the two countries at the Amiri Diwan. Earlier, Zelenskyy was accorded an off icial reception ceremony at the Amiri Diwan. – QNA

Sheikha Moza meets Ukrainian fi rst lady visits QNL wife of Ukrainian and National Museum of Qatar president lena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian Presi- Zelenska also visited the National Museum of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint dent Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited Qatar Qatar yesterday. Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar ONational Library (QNL) yesterday morn- She toured the galleries, and viewed its col- Foundation and Education ing as part of her visit to the country. lections as well as the various exhibition halls, Above All Foundation, met She was briefed on the library’s architectural which chart the geological development of the Ukraine’s First Lady Olena structure and the most important books in its Qatar Peninsula, its natural surroundings, the Zelenska yesterday. During the collection on sciences, arts and literature, as well archaeological sites and monuments, the life of meeting, they discussed areas as the heritage library, the children’s library, and the people of Qatar on land and coasts, and the of mutual interest in education the creativity station in the library. digital exhibition. as well as opportunities for HE the Minister of State and President of Qa- HE the vice-chairman of the board of trustees increased collaboration with tar National Library Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz of Qatar Museums Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohan- Qatar Foundation and Education al-Kuwari received the Ukrainian fi rst lady and nadi welcomed Zelenska and briefed her on the Above All. briefed her on the library’s cultural role. museum’s galleries and collections. – QNA PM meets Ukrainian minister Ukraine president meets prime minister

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met visiting Ukrainian Minister of Internal Aff airs Arsen Avakov and the accompanying delegation yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed co-operative relations between the two countries and means of strengthening them, especially in the field of security. They signed a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in preventing and combating crime, and a joint declaration of intent in the field of simplifying the replacement of driving licences. – QNA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed the co-operative relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance them. – QNA