Bank Lamouchi reports proud of Al QR703m ’s net profit CWC for 2020 adventure

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TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 27 JUMADA II - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8528 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Build your own plan! Terms & Conditions Apply Amir congratulates celebrates President of Libyan Executive Authority Sport Day today QNA — DOHA Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held amid precautions yesterday a telephone conver- sation with head of the interim FAZEENA SALEEM Tuesday of every February with executive authority of Libya H THE PENINSULA various activities for all age E Mohammad Younes Al groups throughout Qatar. Menfi, during which H H the Qatar will mark 2021 National The Qatar Sports for All Amir congratulated H E Al Sport Day, encouraging the (QSFA) Federation has Menfi on winning the presi- community to stay active and announced on its website that dency of the council, wishing embrace a healthy lifestyle there will be a live broadcast of him success and the brotherly Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi; while adhering to health guide- sports activities on the social Libyan people more progress Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chiyoda Corporation, Kazushi Okawa; and President of Technip lines amid the ongoing media channels and through its and prosperity. COVID-19 pandemic. app. QSFA has also announced Energies, Arnaud Pieton, signing the agreement. The Amir also affirmed the A series of virtual activities a challenge to the public to State of Qatar’s supportive have been scheduled by several share images of completing position to Libya’s security and organisations to involve all 10,000 steps. It has said QP commences construction stability. members of the community to winners will be announced mark the national celebration through a draw. of sport and wellbeing. Qatar Foundation (QF)’s FM receives call Online workouts and exer- virtual National Sport Day of world’s largest LNG project cises for children, inspirational offerings encourage people to from US officials talks, yoga sessions, and make sport and physical SACHIN KUMAR construction — was signed with Speaking at the signing cer- inclusive sporting demonstra- activity a central part of their THE PENINSULA a joint venture between emony, Al Kaabi thanked exec- QNA — DOHA tions will encourage people to lives, and to provide opportu- Chiyoda and Technip. utives in attendance from get into the National Sport Day nities for them to maintain and Qatar Petroleum (QP), world’s The contract was signed by Chiyoda and Technip, and said: Deputy Prime Minister and activities. Qatar celebrates improve their physical and largest exporter of LNG, Minister of State for Energy “The execution of this EPC con- Minister of Foreign Affairs H National Sport Day on second mental wellbeing. `P4 yesterday signed a contract for Affairs, and President and CEO tract marks the commencement E Sheikh Mohammed bin developing its $28.75bn North of Qatar Petroleum, H E Saad of the construction of the North Abdulrahman Al Thani Field East Project (NFE), the Sherida Al Kaabi; Chairman of Field East LNG Project, and is a received yesterday a phone A series of virtual activities world’s largest LNG project, the Board and CEO of Chiyoda significant landmark in Qatar call from US National Security from online workouts, yoga which will raise Qatar’s LNG Corporation, Kazushi Okawa; Petroleum’s strategic growth Advisor, H E Jake Sullivan. sessions and talks have production capacity from 77 and President of Technip journey in a sustainable The call dealt with been lined up by various million metric tons per annum Energies, Arnaud Pieton, in the manner.” reviewing bilateral cooper- entities to mark the day. (MMTPA) to 110 MMTPA. attendance of senior executives “The total cost of the NFE ation between the two coun- In addition to LNG, the from Qatar Petroleum, project will be $28.75bn, tries, in addition to reviewing project will produce con- Qatargas, Chiyoda, and making it one of the energy issues of joint interest. 10,000 steps densate, LPG, ethane, sulphur Technip. industry’s largest investments H E the Deputy Prime Min- QSFA has invited the public to walk and helium. It is expected to The main scope of the EPC in the past few years, in ister and Minister of Foreign and share images of 10,000 steps start production in the fourth contract is the construction of addition to being the largest Affairs also received yesterday to stand a chance to win prizes. quarter of 2025 and its total four mega LNG trains with a LNG capacity addition ever, a phone call from US Special production will reach about 1.4 capacity of eight MMTPA each, and the most competitive LNG Representative for Iran, H E People have been advised Contact sports and public million barrels oil equivalent with associated facilities for gas project in the world. This Robert Malley. to carry out sport activities attendance for sport per day. treatment, natural gas liquids project will generate sub- The call dealt with individually and take all events are not permitted The contract — which recovery, as well as helium stantial revenues for the state reviewing bilateral cooper- precautions. as a precaution. covers major onshore engi- extraction and refining within of Qatar. ation, in addition to issues of neering, procurement and Ras Laffan Industrial City. `P4 & Business P1 joint interest. Quality healthcare enabling Qatar to stage safe sport events

QNA — DOHA residence, and training venues the first two matches of FIFA controlling the pandemic and and stadiums, in addition to Qatar’s success in Club World Cup. the expanded medical bubble Qatar has been able to field services and ambulance Al Musleh added that the system applied to the FIFA successfully stage various services around the clock. controlling the pandemic application of the medical Club World Cup is one of the sport events including the In an interview with Qatar and the expanded medical bubble system in sporting main reasons for FIFA’s ongoing FIFA Club World Cup News Agency (QNA), Dr Al events has succeeded greatly, approval to hold the FIFA Club 2020 in a safe environment Musleh said rate of COVID-19 bubble system was one of whether in the Judo World World Cup in February after amid the pandemic, thanks to infection in Qatar in general the reasons for FIFA’s Masters, the FIBA Asia Cup it was scheduled for December the country's strong healthcare is 2%, but during the matches qualifiers, the Katara Interna- 2020, indicating that FIFA system. of the West and East regions green light for the ongoing tional Arabian Horse Festival officials were impressed and Adviser to the Minister of of the AFC Champions League Club World Cup. or others sport and non-sport praised the system during Public Health for Sports Affairs recently hosted in Doha, it was events that require to be daily meetings that take place Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Musleh at 0.5%, which is the same per- approved and monitored by on the sidelines of the tour- has said that comprehensive centage as of the ongoing FIFA the Ministry of Public Health nament to discuss the health medical services were pro- Club World Cup. (MoPH) in light of the conditions of the participating vided to the participants of the Around 12,000 COVID-19 participating teams, escorts, tournament, and the 10,000 COVID-19 pandemic. delegations, the adviser said. Club World Cup — at places of tests were conducted for the and the teams working in the fans who were examined for Qatar’s success in `P4 Brazilian Ambassador lauds Qatar for FIFA Club World Cup success QNA — DOHA Qatar remains the best in implementing health The Ambassador of the Feder- ative Republic of Brazil, H E measures and containing the Luiz Alberto, has praised the spread of COVID-19. The State of Qatar’s success in country prioritises people’s hosting the FIFA Club World safety. Cup 2020 in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, high- lighting the success of the coun- — Luiz Alberto try’s healthcare system and the contribution it made to hosting many sporting events. ensure everyone involved in the involves some of the best Speaking to Qatar News competition is safe, especially players, making it difficult to Agency, the Ambassador said fans, who are set to come in predict a winner. Qatar remains the best in large numbers like last year’s He praised the highly com- implementing health measures edition. petitive match between Pal- Bayern enters Club World Cup final and containing the spread of The ambassador voiced his meiras and Tigres Unal, though COVID-19, noting that the support to all precautionary the Brazilian team lost. Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scoring his team's second goal against Egypt's Al Ahly during country prioritises people’s measures in place, particularly Alberto said that he knows the second semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday. safety. in light of current conditions Qatari football quite well, as he Seeking a staggering sixth title of the season in Qatar, Bayern will take on Mexican giants Tigres UANL He added that the Qatari that require strict measures. followed the Qatar national PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA ` Sport P 11, 12 in Thursday's final at Stadium. government and FIFA are The Brazilian ambassador team’s participation in the Copa making a significant effort to said the FIFA Club World Cup America. `P4 02 HOME TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021

Shura Council discusses changes to labor law OFFICIAL NEWS Amir condoles with QNA — DOHA Custodian of the

The Shura Council yesterday discussed two Two Holy Mosques reports on the law for amending some Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin provisions of labor law and the law for Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable amending some provisions of Law No. 21 of condolences to the Custodian of of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and resi- the Two Holy Mosques King Salman dence of expatriates. The Shura Council bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom held its regular weekly meeting, via video of Saudi Arabia on the death of the conference, under the chairmanship of mother of HRH Prince Abdulrahman its Speaker H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin bin Faisal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Zaid Al Mahmoud. Saud. Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdul- During its session, the council dis- lah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime cussed the report of the joint committee Minister and Minister of Interior H E of the Services and Public Utilities Com- Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz mittee and the Internal and External Al Thani also sent cables of condo- Affairs Committee regarding Decree-Law lences. -QNA No. 18 of 2020 amending some provi- sions of the Labor Law promulgated by FM sends written Law No. 14 of 2004. message to Paraguay The council also discussed the report of the same committee regarding Doha: Minister of Foreign Relations Decree-Law No. 19 of 2020 amending of the Republic of Paraguay, H E some provisions of Law No. 21 of 2015 Euclides Acevedo has received a regulating the entry, exit and residence written message from Deputy Prime of expatriates. Minister and Minister of Foreign After discussing the two reports, the Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Council approved the two decrees and Shura Council members during a meeting held yesterday. Abdulrahman Al Thani, pertaining to decided to refer them to the esteemed the bilateral relations and means of government. The council’s session had workers. the Council on the outcomes of the years 2021-22, its work programs and enhancing and developing them. The extensive discussions about the report After discussion, the council decided meeting of the Executive Committee of joint activities with the United Nations message was handed over by Acting of the joint committee of the Services and to return the report to the joint com- the Global Organization of Parliamen- and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Charge D’affaires of the Embassy of Public Utilities Committee and the mittee to complete it in light of comments tarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) that was dominated by a common desire Qatar to Paraguay Saeed bin Hamad Internal and External Affairs Committee and suggestions put forward by several was held via video conference under his to develop and activate the role of the Al Marri, during his meeting with the regarding the general discussion request members, and submit a supplementary chairmanship last Tuesday. organization through its office in Doha Minister of Foreign Relations yesterday. submitted by several members of the report to the council in this regard at a He explained that this meeting, to which GOPAC’s General Secretariat The meeting was attended by Second council on the change of employer and forthcoming session. During the session, during which the committee discussed will move soon after its Secretary of the Embassy, Ali Rashid travel without notification for expatriate the Speaker of the Shura Council briefed the organisation’s strategy for the inauguration. Al Shafi. -QNA Qatar provides medical aid to Sudan

QNA — KHARTOUM Engineer Omar Abdul Aziz. Qatar’s supportive stance to Director of Bilateral Rela- Sudan in the various service A plane loaded with medical tions at the Sudanese Health and development fields as assistance provided by the State Ministry commended the State well as humanitarian aid of Qatar in support of the of Qatar’s support and field. medical sector in Sudan arrived assistance to her country in Director of Qatar Charity’s at Khartoum airport. the health domain, expressing Office in Sudan said the con- The medical assistance thanks to the government and signment contains 79 tonnes consignment was received at people of Qatar while of medical solutions and is the airport by the Director of describing Sudan-Qatar rela- part of continued humani- Bilateral Relations at the tions as strong and solid. tarian and relief assistance to Sudanese Health Ministry Dr. For his part, Ambassador Sudan and is also part of Eman Mukhtar, Ambassador Al Kubaisi said the assistance “Safety for Sudan” campaign, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the ASEAN, H E Fawziya bint Edrees Al Sulaiti, during the video of the State of Qatar to Sudan came within the framework adding there will be a second conferencing. H E Abdulrahman bin Ali Al of the distinguished relations phase of assistance that will Kubaisi, and Director of Qatari between the two countries, cover health, educational ASEAN Secretary-General receives Charity’s Office in Sudan pointing to the State of fields and others. Qatar ambassador’s credentials

QNA — DOHA Sulaiti, via video conferencing. between the ASEAN and Qatar. Dato Lim Jock Hoi hailed On her part, Al Sulaiti The Secretary-General of the the distinguished relations expressed readiness to work Association of Southeast Asian between the State of Qatar and jointly with the ASEAN to Nations (ASEAN), Dato Lim Jock the ASEAN. support and strengthen bilateral Hoi, received the credentials of The Secretary-General also relations between Qatar and the the accredited Ambassador of wished the Ambassador success association in various fields, the State of Qatar to the ASEAN, in her duties, stressing that he especially in economy, trade, H E Fawziya bint Edrees Al will support bilateral relations and investment. Adhere to precautionary measures today, says MoI official SIDI MOHAMED departments and is in contact where the violator was arrested. THE PENINSULA with other ministries in the The case is then referred to the country. Public Prosecution.” The Ministry of Interior (MoI) There are also representa- As for the quarantine Director of Bilateral Relations at the Sudanese Health Ministry, Dr. Eman Mukhtar, Ambassador of the has enjoined citizens and resi- tives from the Ministry of Com- offenders, he noted they are State of Qatar to Sudan, H E Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Kubaisi, and Director of Qatari Charity’s Office dents to follow the instructions merce and Industry, the Min- immediately held and isolated and precautionary measures set istry of Administrative Devel- before being referred to the in Sudan Engineer Omar Abdul Aziz receiving medial aid at Khartoum airport. by the Ministry of Public Health opment, Labour and Social Public Prosecution for violating (MoPH) to prevent the spread Affairs (MADLSA), and the Min- home quarantine. of the COVID-19, especially istry of Municipality and The Ministry said earlier during the celebration of Environment. that Police patrols have inten- International tests are mandatory for National Sport Day, today. Regarding the procedures sified on roads and neighbour- “Since the outbreak of the when violators of precautionary hoods to apprehend those vio- targeted groups: Education official pandemic, the Ministry of measures are caught, Maj. Al lating precautionary measures. Interior has been keen to take Qahtani said: “In all public So far over 15,000 violators of SANAULLAH ATAULLAH which were selected immediate measures to limit the places, there are mobile patrols the precautionary measures THE PENINSULA for the tests,” said Al spread of the pandemic. Among represented by Al Fazaa Police have been arrested since the Fadli. these measures are establishing and General Directorate of Ministry started its crackdown The Advisor for Education at He said that a committee called ‘Ehteraz Traffic. There are also foot months ago, and nearly 10,000 Private Schools Affairs department con- Committee’ concerned with the patrols carried out by Pre- in the past three months alone. Department at the Ministry of cerned at the Min- application of precautionary ventive Security Department in The MoI noted that people Education and Higher istry also encourage measures in the country,” said commercial complexes and need to notify the authorities of Education, Rashid Al Awda Al private schools for Major Masoud Al Qahtani, Head tourist places. the date and place of any Fadli, has said that the inter- the tests and educate of the Ehteraz Committee at the “In the event that violators potential wedding ceremony or national tests are mandatory them about the National Command Center NCC. of these precautionary gathering and must pledge to for all targeted groups of importance of these Maj. Al Qahtani, who spoke measures are caught, a vio- abide by the procedures and students. tests and ensure to Qatar Radio yesterday, added lation report is prepared at the precautionary measures “International tests are for Advisor for Education at Private Schools Affairs their readiness ena- that the committee includes same time and referred to the according to the mechanism all schools operating in the Department at the Ministry of Education and bling students take several officers from different security department in the area determined by the Ministry. country including private Higher Education, Rashid Al Awda Al Fadli the tests smoothly. schools,” said Al Fadli while “PIRSL test speaking in a Qatar TV pro- (PISA) and the Progress in focuses on the skills of students gramme yesterday. International Reading Literacy in reading Arabic and English. Speaking about the Study (PIRLS) and Trends in This year, we will conduct pilot selection of schools and stu- International Mathematics PISA test which will focus on dents for the tests, Al Fadli said and Science Study (TIMSS), are evaluating the skills of students the Ministry of Education and scheduled to take place in and their scholastic performance Higher Education, represented March and April, 2021,” said on mathematics, science, and by Section for International Al Fadli. reading,” said Al Fadli. Tests of the Students Evaluation Speaking about the support He said TMSS will he held Department, sends names of of the Ministry to private sector under international organisa- students and schools of targeted for international tests, Al Fadli tions to evaluate the per- groups to the international said that private schools are formance of the students. Military Police concludes joint exercise with Turkish forces organisations to select schools part of the education system of “Eighteen private schools have Forces of the Military Police concluded a four-week joint military exercise with the Turkish Armed and students and to decide the Ministry of Education and been selected out of 42 schools Forces. The closing day of the exercise included riot control scenarios and storming built-up areas. when and how the test will be Higher Education. to participate in the pilot Pisa Commander of the Military Police, Brigadier General Rashid Mohammed Al Hajri and Military Advisor conducted. “We provide necessary doc- 2021 test and 173 private to the Turkish forces in the State of Qatar, Brigadier General Ramazan Aydemir praised the quality, “The international tests uments, results of the previous schools out of 266 schools to professionalism and distinguished performance presented by all participants in the exercise. 2021- Programme for Inter- tests and hold training pro- participate in the PIRLS 2021 national Student Assessment gramme for private schools test,” said Al Fadli. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 03 04 HOME TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 Qatar, Rwanda sign pact to avoid double taxation THE PENINSULA — DOHA eliminate double taxation This agreement also between the two countries, The State of Qatar and the stipulates important solve obstacles that may restrict Republic of Rwanda signed an economic articles in the movement of capital and agreement to avoid double encourage trade exchange, taxation and prevent financial maritime and air transport, increase investment opportu- evasion between the govern- joint ventures, and other nities between the two sides ments of the two countries at areas such as dividends, through individuals and corpo- the General Tax Authority’s interest, and royalties, in rates, and enhance interna- (GTA) headquarters in Doha line with the tional standards of trans- yesterday. parency through the exchange The agreement was signed strengthening of economic of documented financial General Tax Authority (GTA) President Ahmed bin Issa Al Mohannadi, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to by GTA President Ahmed bin relations between the two information. Qatar, H E Francois Nkulikiyimfura, signing the agreement in Doha, yesterday. Issa Al Mohannadi, and friendly countries. This agreement also stipu- Rwanda’s Ambassador to Qatar lates important economic with the strengthening of eco- double taxation and prevent other countries to sign similar H E Francois Nkulikiyimfura, in articles in maritime and air nomic relations between the financial evasion with several agreements in this field, in line the presence of the Director of Ambassador Abdulrahman bin transport, joint ventures, and two friendly countries. other brotherly and friendly with Qatar’s investment African Affairs Department Mohammed Al Dosari. other areas such as dividends, Qatar has previously signed countries. Discussions are cur- direction abroad. Ministry of Foreign Affairs The agreement aims to interest, and royalties, in line several agreements to avoid rently underway with some Quality healthcare enabling All HMC outpatient consultations Qatar to stage safe sport events FROM PAGE 1 of the current coronavirus pandemic. Dr. via telephone from tomorrow Dr. Al Musleh explained that the health Al Musleh praised the fruitful cooperation bubble system includes all participants in the between all authorities and institutions in THE PENINSULA — DOHA According to HMC, the doctor will video or audio consultations. FIFA Club World Cup clubs, including players, the country, especially the Supreme Com- arrange a face-to-face appointment A survey conducted to seek coaches, officials, administrators, escorts, mittee for Delivery and Legacy, which is Due to the recent increase in if needed and patient will be patients’ opinion about the service organisers and service workers, whether in responsible for implementing the infra- COVID-19 cases in Qatar, Hamad informed by the clinic. showed that when asked about stadiums or hotels, as it was confirmed that structure projects necessary for the State Medical Corporation (HMC) is This measure is taken for the pro- their decision if the Urgent Consul- everyone was free from COVID-19 infection of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. stopping physical attendance at tection and safety of patients, said tation Service was not available, after undergoing an examination. Dr. Al Musleh explained that the State outpatient clinics in all HMC hospitals HMC. 58% of the respondent said they Dr. Al Musleh stressed the implemen- of Qatar is one of the first countries in the from Wednesday (February 10). HMC To recall, in response to the would go to the emergency tation of strict precautionary measures during world to implement the medical bubble through its social media handles has COVID-19 pandemic HMC begun department, while 18% said they the FIFA Club World Cup, covering all activ- system according to the expanded model urged patients not to come into offering many of its regular services would go to private clinics, 16% said ities and groups, whether outside or inside that includes large numbers of teams and hospital for appointments. including urgent consultations, via they would go to the OPD without the stadium, including observing the social athletes during a number of sporting events. “HMC will instead be using tele- telemedicine in March 2020. an appointment, and 11% said they distance of one and a half metres in the fans’ Dr. Al Musleh observed that the most phone consultations between the It has achieved 95% response would stay home and would not seats, the obligation to wear a mask and a prominent challenges facing the system are physician and patient,” they said. rate for its Urgent Consultation seek medical attention. plastic face cover in the stands, thermal laboratory tests, especially since the pan- “Patients are asked not to come Service. The urgent Consultation The Urgent Consultation Service detection and sterilisers, and the media not demic is still present, and the MoPH is car- into hospital for appointment. The Service offers medical consultations will remain in place with periodic approaching the players. In addition, the rying out huge numbers of tests for the com- physician will telephone the patient to patients with urgent but non- reviews conducted regularly to examination, if it is negative, will allow its munity, which had reached 20,000 per day, on the day of the appointment,” it life-threatening conditions via tele- remove or add more services and holder to attend the event within three days, previously. This is a great challenge for the added. medicine with options available for specialties as needed. and then a new examination will be required medical staff, but the Ministry has suc- to attend another event. ceeded in providing medical teams, he said. He indicated that the secret of the Dr. Al Musleh stressed that in light of 15 health centers success of the health system is that it works the pandemic, medical services have MoPH reports 123 recoveries to find the infected quickly under the work become the body responsible for preserving to operate today of periodic checks, provided that the patient lives in the first place and preserving human and 427 new virus cases is isolated and removed from the bubble health and facing the pandemic, a matter QNA — DOHA and placed in the areas designated for iso- which adds more burdens, noting that the lation provided by the State of Qatar, and State of Qatar has succeeded in controlling THE PENINSULA — DOHA The Primary Health Care Cooperation then monitoring and follow-up work for the first wave of the pandemic, and is cur- (PHCC) has announced that 15 health all those in contact with this case until their rently moving steadily as well in order to The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced the regis- centers will operate continuously from safety is proven, and then their normal par- succeed in controlling the second wave. tration of 427 new confirmed COVID-19. Among them 40 were travellers 7am to 11pm on National Sport Day, ticipation in the championship. He affirmed that the commitment by returning from abroad.Another 123 people have recovered from the virus, today. Dr. Al Musleh added that the success everyone in Qatar, government and people, bringing the total number of recovered cases in Qatar to 147,033. The PHCC stated that the health in organising many sporting events in the is the real secret to controlling the corona- All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving centers in Al Wakra, Airport, Umm recent period confirms the ability of the virus, pointing out that the MoPH is striving necessary healthcare according to their health status. Ghuwailina, Omar Bin Al Khattab, State of Qatar and all the organisers in with all its efforts to control the second Ministry reported the death of a 51-year-old, who had received nec- West Bay, Al Sheehaniya, Abu Baker various government agencies and institu- wave of the virus, which began weeks ago, essary medical care, taking the total death toll to 251 in the country. Al Siddiq, , , tions, particularly the MoPH, to host the adding that according to the Ministry’s plan, The total number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Qatar is , Al Ruwais, Al Khor, largest future sporting events such as FIFA all residents of Qatar will be vaccinated so 154,525 and there are 7,241active cases under treatment. Leabaib, and World Cup Qatar 2022, despite all the dif- that the State of Qatar will reach compre- There are 65 new cases of hospital admissions taking the total number Madinat Khalifa will operate today. Al ficulties and challenges, especially in light hensive immunity. of patients in the hospital to 570. Three were admitted to intensive care, Jumailiya health center will operate and so 64 people continue to receive medical attention in ICU. on a call-up system. With regard to the health centers Brazil envoy lauds Qatar for FIFA Club World Cup success dedicated to examine and keep sus- FROM PAGE 1 pected cases of infection with the He highlighted that Brazilians have beautiful memories in Qatar, most recently with QP commences construction COVID-19 , PHCC stated that the Flamengo, which played in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final. He highlighted of world’s largest LNG project Rawdat Al Khail and Health Qatar’s infrastructural development and the rapid rate at which the World Cup facil- FROM PAGE 1 Centers will work continuously ities are being completed. The envoy said he hopes the Qatari team can win the World without any interruption. Health Cup in Qatar in 2022, pointing out that all teams will be competing ferociously for the He added: “It will have significant benefits to all sectors of the Qatari centers that will be closed on National title. He said that Brazilians’ love for football was mainly due to the joy it brings. Alberto economy during the construction phase and beyond.” Sport Day are, , , also hailed the strength of bilateral relations between Qatar and Brazil. Highlighting the significance of this event in the context of the global , Al Thumama, Abu Nakhla, LNG and energy industry, he said: “This event is of particular importance Qatar University, Leghwairiya and Al as it comes at a critical time when the world is still reeling from the effects Karana, and Al Kaaban Health Center, of a global pandemic and related depressed economies. This investment except for the urgent cases unit at the decision is a clear demonstration of the steadfast commitment by the center, which will operate 24 hours. State of Qatar to supply the world with the clean energy it needs.” Concerning the appointments for spe- He added, “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Amir H H cialized clinics in the alternating health Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for his guidance and unwavering centers, the two eye clinics in the centers support to Qatar Petroleum and Qatar’s energy sector.” of Leabaib and the Airport will operate in two shifts, in the morning from 7am to 2pm and the evening from 4pm until 10pm, while the ENT clinics in the centers of Qatar celebrates Sport Day Leabaib and Mesaimeer will operate on two morning shifts from 7am to 2pmand today amid precautions in the evening from 4pm until 10pm. The dermatology clinics at Leabaib FROM PAGE 1 HMC has also requested the and Muaither Health Centers will also The activities include discussion on pubic to carry out all sports activ- operate in two shifts, first in the topics such as living a balanced life- ities for this year’s National Sport morning from 7am to 2pm and second style; women, youth, and sports Day such as running, swimming in the evening from 4pm to 10pm, development; mental wellbeing; and cycling individually, as a pre- while dental clinics will operate con- exercise and mental health; and caution against the pandemic. tinuously from 7am. to 10pm. how to succeed in sports. The National Sports Day Com- The PHCC set working hours for Professional instructors from mittee also called on all members urgent cases units to 24 hours a day in gyms and fitness centres across of society who practice sports to Al Ruwais, Al Kaaban, Umm Salal, Qatar will be holding sessions that commit to taking several pre- Gharrafat Al Rayyan, Al Sheehaniya, are open to everyone through a ventive measures, such as wearing Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Muaither, and dedicated National Sport Day masks, except for the time of prac- Rawdat Al Khail Health Centers, section on QF’s website, while a ticing sports activity, stressing that while the community call center will series of activities for all ages are a thermal examination must be operate 24 hours. With regard to now ready for people to register conducted for practitioners of drive through COVID-19 tests, PHCC for through the newly-launched sports activity upon entering any noted that this service will be Education City App. area to practice and to prevent the available according to the appoint- Meanwhile, the Physiotherapy participation of those whose tem- ments specified for patients in Department of the Hamad Medical perature reaches more than 37.8 advance in the health centers. Corporation (HMC) marked C, in addition to making sure that The service will only be available National Sport Day by launching participants have a green colour in the morning period from 7am to its “Physiotherapy Online Exercise status on EHTERAZ application. 2pm at Al Thumama Center, West Bay Program”. The new website, which The Committee also said that Center and Al Khor Center. The service is hosted at www.hamad.qa, fea- contact sports such as football will operate in the evening period only tures 609 videos for patients and matches are not permitted, nor are from 4pm to 11pm in the centers of will continue to expand to reach sports in which several teams Leabaib, Al Wajbah and Al Rayyan. 1,500 videos. The website is compete in a limited space. Sports The drive through service will be intended to enhance the patient that require physical contact such carried out in two shifts in the morning experience and enable them to as ball matches are also not from 7am to 2pm and from 4pm to access exercise information in a allowed. Public attendance in 11pm in four health centers in Al safe and convenient manner, places of sports activities is also not Wakra, Al Waab, Mesaimeer and Abu helping their journey to recovery. allowed this Sport Day. Baker Al Siddiq. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 05 HMC launches ‘Physiotherapy Online Exercise Program’ to mark Sport Day THE PENINSULA – DOHA continue their treatment at home and engages the patient The Physiotherapy Department in their recovery which leads to at Hamad Medical Corporation better outcomes. This program (HMC) will mark National Sport will be available only for Day in Qatar by launching its patients who are being treated “Physiotherapy Online Exercise in the physiotherapy clinics in Program”. the various facilities of HMC. The new website, which is The unique aspect of this hosted at www.hamad.qa, fea- entire website is that the entire tures 609 videos for patients conceptualization of the idea, CMU ranked second for US and will continue to expand to video shooting, script of the reach 1,500 videos. exercises, models for the shoot, The website is intended to camera shooting, editing, undergraduate computer enhance the patient experience branding, developing website and enable them to access The new website, which is hosted at www.hamad.qa, content was undertaken by the science programs exercise information in a safe multitalented team of and convenient manner, helping features 609 videos for patients and will continue to physiotherapists. THE PENINSULA – DOHA four years of study, they their journey to recovery. expand to reach 1,500 videos. It is intended to enhance They were supported and acquire the fundamental skills During the COVID-19 pan- the patient experience and enable them to access guided by the dynamic super- Carnegie Mellon University to develop new technologies demic, the online consultation exercise information in a safe and convenient manner, visors of various facilities led (CMU) was ranked second for and shape the frontiers of and telerehabilitation service by Chief Noora al Mudahka. US undergraduate computer computing.” was well utilized by the Physi- helping their journey to recovery. The feat of launching the science programs by US News As a world leader in edu- otherapy Department of HMC. Physiotherapy Online Exercise & World Report, a leader in cation, CMU is known for its As an initial response, telephone Program would not have been educational analysis and creativity and collaboration. consultations were started, pro- possible without the support rankings. Carnegie Mellon CMU has been home to some gressing gradually to video maintaining patient confiden- exercise program and will send from the Corporate Communi- University in Qatar, a partner of the world’s most innovative consultations. tiality and keeping in consider- an SMS and email to the patient. cations, web and digital services university of Qatar Foundation thinkers, including 20 Nobel The challenges to commu- ation the safety of the patients. These will have a password led by Ali Al Khater, Chief of (QF), has taught the top-ranked Prize winners and 13 Turing nicate and yet maintain social After an evaluation by the to login into the exercise portal HMC’s Corporate Communica- computer science program Award winners. Graduates of distancing led the Physio- physiotherapist either in person and access the exercises tions Department. since opening its doors in 2004. CMU-Q’s Computer Science therapy Department to look for or online, the therapist will program through the patient’s Their timely cooperation Dean of CMU-Q, Michael Program now work at top innovative solutions. This led develop a treatment plan based mobile or on any digital device. and support instilled confidence Trick said, “Computer science organizations in Qatar and the Physiotherapist Department on the problems of the patient. At the same time the physio- to keep the hard work going on. education is an important around the world. to develop a large database of If the patient can be advised to therapist will be able to track The responsiveness of his team focus for Carnegie Mellon, and This is the first time that US online exercise programs to perform a home program, the the patient’s performance. in setting up this website is for our campus in Qatar. Our News & World Report has enable patients to use them physiotherapist will choose the This is a safe and con- appreciated by the leaders of students can attest that this is ranked undergraduate com- through a secure channel, right exercises from the online venient way for patients to the Physiotherapy Department. a rigorous program, but over puter science programs. Ashghal completes construction work for TSE network in

THE PENINSULA – DOHA bicycle path, to The works also included the ensure a sus- installation of 42 control valve The Public Works Authority tainable exploi- rooms, 49 rooms and wash (Ashghal) has announced tation of the basins, 32 air valves rooms, 63 completion of all works related treated effluent distribution rooms, in addition to to constructing 28km-long to increase the control valves and communi- Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) green space in cation rooms. network, which aims to irrigate the area. This project forms as a link in green areas in Al Kharaitiyat Eng. Jamal the Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) and its surrounding areas. Ajina added that Network between Al Shamal Besides Al Kharaitiyat, this the upgrade of the Road and Dukhan Road in North TSE network covers areas like Treated Sewage Doha. Rawdat Egdaim, Rawdat Al Jah- Effluent (TSE) The project serves several haniya, Jeryan Al Saham, Network that was areas witnessing a significant Rawdat Al Thamid, Jarry Al Eng. Jamal Ajina, project implemented urban growth as it provides and Dhabi, and Al Froush. engineer and engineering included connects TSE lines of other Eng. Jamal Ajina, project projects expert in Roads Projects extending 28-km- existing projects in the area. engineer and engineering Department long TSE lines It also minimises the pressure projects expert in Roads using fine tun- on local water resources Projects Department, pointed The project is surrounded neling technology including water desalination and out that the scope of works by Al Shamal Road in the east and the open groundwater well drilling. included constructing a TSE and Al Majd Road in the West, cutting method. Eng. Jamal Ajina also Network covering the needs of as well as Dukhan Highway in The network explained that this project 8 areas north of Doha through the south. was imple- comes as part of Ashghal’s extending new pipelines from The newly constructed mented at an commitment to encourage sus- Al Kharaitiyat in the Al Rayyan network collects all treated average depth tainability and recycling to Municipality towards Umm sewage effluent water and dis- areas, parks and landscapes as Riffa Street and the green ranging between 2 to 5 meters reuse the treated sewage Salal Municipality. tributes it to irrigate the green alongside these roads, as well areas on either side of the underground. effluent. Oman’s legendary football player visits NMoQ Free registration for Ooredoo THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Legendary Omani football Doha Virtual Marathon 2021 player Ali Al Habsi has visited the National Museum of Qatar, THE PENINSULA – DOHA track their run or sync their Marathon 2021 and to be where he was welcomed by smart device to the app. Run offering free registration to Abdullah Yousif Al Mulla, Ooredoo Qatar has announced times will automatically be make the event accessible to as Director of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic that registration fees for the uploaded to the leaderboard, many runners as possible. and Sports Museum. upcoming Ooredoo Doha and there will be a host of smart We’re all disappointed the During his visit, Al Mulla Virtual Marathon 2021 will be devices on offer as prizes. physical event can’t go ahead delivered a presentation on waived to celebrate National The event will feature many this year, but we hope to see a 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Sport Day 2021. categories for all ages and abil- packed leaderboard with Museum, and led a guided tour The Ooredoo Doha Virtual ities; a 1km run for children, a runners making the most of the of NMoQ. Marathon 2021 is being held 5km and 10km race for men and virtual event. Supporting activ- Al Habsi gifted his special from February 19-26, 2021. women, a 21km half-marathon ities that promote a healthy, football jersey the 3-2-1 Qatar Runners can participate in their for men and women, and the full active lifestyle is a huge priority Olympic and Sports Museum’s Omani football player Ali Al Habsi at the National Museum of Qatar. own time by either running 42km marathon for men and for us at Ooredoo, especially in collection. He wore the jersey outside or running on a women. There will be no reg- challenging times where we’re during the F.A. Cup Final, where number of clubs in England Academy used his professional treadmill to ensure safety in the istration fees for any of the all restricted in what we can do. his team, Wigan Athletic, won and Saudi Arabia from 1998 experience at Al Habsi to ongoing pandemic situation. categories. We consider this an 1-0. until 2020. develop a complete training To join the event, runners Director PR at Ooredoo excellent opportunity to get Al Habsi was the Sultanate In 2016 Captain Al Habsi methodology aimed at sup- need to register and download Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, said: active in honour of National of Oman’s national team’s established the Al Habsi School porting football stars of the the Suffix.Tracker app. They “We’re delighted to be hosting Sports Day. Good luck to all the goalkeeper, and played in a of Football in Muscat. The future. can then either use the app to the Ooredoo Doha Virtual runners participating!” HMC promotes importance of adopting healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet

FAZEENA SALEEM diseases, including cardiovas- person’s nutritional needs. recommended daily calorie ability and mental stress,” she THE PENINSULA cular disease, diabetes, hyper- Consuming nutrient-dense Eating a balanced diet helps intake,” said Mercy. added. tension, obesity, and depression, people maintain good health, “By eating a balanced diet, Separately on social media Hamad Medical Corporation according to Senior Clinical Die- foods in the right build a immune system and people can get the nutrients and HMC has reiterated that a bal- (HMC) has reiterated the titian, Cuban Hospital, Mercy quantities, from all the reduce their risk of disease,” calories they need and avoid anced, healthy diet can help importance on adopting a Garcia Sta Rosa. food groups, and said Mercy. eating junk food, or food build and strengthen a child’s healthy lifestyle and “Consuming nutrient- engaging in regular She said that there’s no without nutritional value,” she immune system and prevent encourage people follow a dense foods in the right quan- physical activity are major universal diet for all people, added. infections. balanced diet and be active. tities, from all the food groups, and findings are unique to Mercy emphasized on Stating this, HMC has pro- To mark Qatar Sport Day, HMC and engaging in regular determinants of good each person. But a balance diet omega-3 fatty acids, a family of vided some tips on foods that has highlighted the impor- physical activity are major health. A balanced diet should include proteins, veg- important fats that must obtain can boost a child’s immune tance of healthy eating and determinants of good health. gives your body the etables, carbs, healthy fats, from a balanced diet. system. leading an active lifestyle with A balanced diet gives your nutrients it needs to vitamins and minerals. A “Omega-3 fatty acids are a HMC has said parents a great focus on the impor- body the nutrients it needs to function correctly. healthful, balanced diet type of fat the body cannot should focus on foods that can tance of an active lifestyle in function correctly,” she told includes foods from vege- make on its own. They are an help boost a child’s immune preventing diseases such as The Peninsula. tables, fruits, grains, protein essential fat, which means they system and foods that contain high blood pressure, obesity, She emphasized that a Mercy Garcia Sta Rosa, and dairy. are needed to survive. We get antioxidants. diabetes, and heart-related balance diet should include all Senior Clinical Dietitian, “Humans need a certain the omega-3 fatty acids we need “Encourage your child to illnesses. needed nutrition without Cuban Hospital. amount of calories and from the foods we eat like avoid sweets, carbonated soft There is a strong link exclude certain food. nutrients to stay healthy. A bal- salmon, walnuts and kiwi,” she drinks and juices, and replace between taking a balance diet, “There is a misconception anced diet provides all the said. them with water and herbal regular physical activity and the that some type of food can be diet includes foods from five nutrients a person requires, “This will help a person to drinks like chamomile and prevention of several chronic eliminated in a diet. A balanced groups and fulfils all of a without going over the improve memory, learning anise,” said HMC. 06 HOME TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 QU hosts panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccines

THE PENINSULA - DOHA underlying conditions, addi- Program’s phase and booking tional health care workers and their appointment. Qatar University’s (QU) Health essential workers, and 50 Dr. Elawad also shed light Cluster hosted a panel percent of teachers, among on the vaccine’s side effects, discussion via WebEx on other groups. stating that any potential side “COVID-19 Vaccines: Your Head of Vaccination at effects were mild. Questions Answered.” MoPH and COVID-19, Contact He also stressed the need for The discussion aimed to Track and Trace Lead for Qatar, the community to take their raise awareness on the vacci- Dr. Soha Al Bayat said the pub- vaccination appointments seri- nation for COVID-19 and clarify lic’s response to receiving the ously and to take the second misconceptions. vaccine has been dose at the appropriate time. QU President, Dr. Hassan commendable. The panel speakers stressed Rashid Al Derham and Vice She added that the MoPH the need to avoid taking or President for Medical and hopes to vaccinate 70 to 80 sharing information about the Health Sciences and Dean of the percent of the community, vaccine from untrusted sources College of Medicine, QU, Prof. Officials during the panel discussion. which will make it harder for such as messages disseminated Egon Toft delivered the opening the virus to transmit from on social media. They said remarks. and providing vaccines to the the same phases that any the goals of the National Vacci- person to person. people should instead seek out Director of Public Health, population swiftly. vaccine would go through,” he nation Program, such as tar- Health Protection Manager official sources for accurate Ministry of Public Health A Senior Consultant in added, correcting the miscon- geting those who are at greater and Preventive Health Direc- information on COVID-19 and (MoPH), Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Infectious Diseases at Al Wakra ception that the vaccine was risk, reducing the number of torate at the Primary Health its vaccine. Al Thani during the virtual dis- Hospital and CD, Dr. Masautso “rushed.” hospitalised patients and Care Corporation (PHCC) Dr. A PhD student in Biological cussion, explained the signifi- Chaponda was on hand to Chair of the National Health achieving herd immunity. Khalid Elawad, spoke about and Environmental Sciences, cance of the Ministry’s efforts answer questions regarding the Strategic Group on COVID-19 He also detailed the phases PHCC’s role in being the direct QU & Manager of Diagnostic in mitigating the effects of the vaccine. and the Head of Infectious Dis- of the vaccination plan, line to the community. Test at National Reference Lab- pandemic, reducing the number “There were no shortcuts eases Division at Hamad explaining the current phase The PHCC is responsible for oratories, MoPH, Mashael of deaths, mobilising the public, taken,” Dr. Chaponda said. Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. targeting adults aged 50 to 69, targeting individuals based on Al-Badr moderated the panel providing accurate information, “The vaccine went through Abdullatif Al Khal, spoke about people with comorbid and the National Vaccination discussion. QFA, Qatar Shell launch 9th season of Koora Time

inception in 2012. In season 8, Koora Time averaged 3,500 participants weekly. A total of 53% of Koora Time participants were girls, reflecting the positive role of women in sport and further supporting female empowerment in Qatar. By the end of the season Koora Time has introduced a virtual football challenge to stimulate a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 challenges and to conclude last season. People can visit www.kooratime.qa to find out more about Koora Time, or to reg- ister their children for the award-winning Participants during Gulf Urdu Conference and Mushaira. and impactful programme. The Qatar Football Association is a pioneer among Qatari sports Bazme Sadaf International associations. QFA plays a pivotal role in laying the organises Urdu conference foundation for football in the state and is still the first to help advance the game and improve its level in Qatar, thus making the and poetry symposium state a crucial player on the regional and international football scene. THE PENINSULA - DOHA THE PENINSULA - DOHA Social responsibility is one of the key 44 hours of physical activity and education priorities of QFA. Bazme Sadaf International (BSI) per child through football, over the 11-week The purpose of engaging the society organised a first-of-its-kind Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar season, as well as education on healthy through various football-related programs Gulf Urdu Conference and Shell have launched the 9th season of Koora habits such as nutrition. has been well received by the public in Mushaira (poetry symposium) Time, the sustainable initiative that has The newly refreshed methodology was recent years. on February 5 and 6. improved the health and wellbeing of over developed in collaboration with the initi- A ten-year sustainable initiative The online event was 150,000 youth across Qatar since its ative’s partners; Aspire Academy and FC between Qatar Football Association (QFA) mainly facilitated by the Kuwait inception in 2012. Barcelona Foundation. and Qatar Shell, Koora Time is designed to Chapter of BSI and watched by A fully virtual programme was designed The methodology will include improved improve the health and wellbeing of Qatar’s thousands via Facebook Live. to conduct the new season to accommodate football skills and drills. In addition to the youth through football. The theme of the first day’s for the safety measures. newly added self-development programme This initiative aims to facilitate access international seminar was to Koora Time is introducing an online and sports ethics aspects. to more football in a non-competitive envi- highlight the achievements of training platform called Koora Time’s In recognition of its positive impact on ronment, supporting an active and healthy various organisations active in Coaches Zone. A platform that will teach the health of youth, Koora Time has won lifestyle amongst the young people in Qatar. GCC countries for the pro- Shahabuddin Ahmad, Chairman the coaches from anywhere in the world local and international awards. As part of the ten-year campaign, QFA and motion of Urdu language and of BSI offering courses and tests to learners, track Last year, Koora Time won the silver Qatar Shell will jointly organise and launch literature and recognise the their performance and analyze their results. award for Corporate Engagement Awards a series of youth engagement programmes individual writers and poets In season 9, Koora Time aims to provide bringing the total to 13 awards since its using football as the platform. from each GCC nation. senior Abu Dhabi based poet The event was inaugurated Zahoorul Islam Jawaid. by BSI Chairman, Shahabuddin Prof Safdar Imam Quadri MoCI shuts some Ahmad. was the chief guest, and two HBKU faculty member wins teaching award He highlighted the need for medical doctors who are also retail outlets joining hands and collabora- distinguished Urdu poets, THE PENINSULA - DOHA dean, College of Law, remarked: tions for the promotion of Urdu Dr Sarwat Zahra (Dubai) “Dr. Damilola’s focus on envi- language and literature. and Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani THE PENINSULA - DOHA Dr. Damilola Olawuyi ronmental law, whether It was presided by Danish (President BSI Qatar (pictured), Queen’s Counsel, a through his teaching or out- renowned scholar and critic chapter) attended the event. faculty member at the College reach to major MENA univer- The Ministry of Commerce and Professor Safdar Imam Quadri Masood Hassas (President of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa sities, is in line with HBKU’s Industry announced the ,Director BSI from India and BSI Kuwait chapter) compered University (HBKU), has received overall emphasis on sustaina- closure of several retail outlets accomplished poet and BSI the mushaira in a unique style the 2020 LexisNexis Innovative bility, specifically as to the across the country, including a program director Ahmad Ash- where he introduced every poet Teaching Award. The award United Nations Sustainable women’s accessories store in faque was the chief guest. with self-composed verses. was presented at a recent Development Goals (UN SDGs). Al Markhiya, a car wash on Mahtab Qadar (KSA), Arif Almost 30 distinguished virtual awards ceremony His work and engagement on Salwa Road, and a café in Anwarul Haq (Oman) and poets recited their selected following the annual Qatar issues such as food sustaina- Al-Duhail, for non-compliance Ahmad Adil (Bahrain) were poetry in the mushaira. Business Law Forum. bility, alternative energy, and with the Ministry’s circulars guests of honour on the Dr. Sarwat Zahra termed it Celebrating excellence in clean practices as to natural regarding precautionary and occasion. a unique initiative and thanked innovation across the legal stakeholders in Qatar, espe- resources are highly relevant preventive measures to Ayesha Sheikh Aashi of BSI for bringing so many sector, the Qatar Business Law cially business enterprises, cor- to Qatar. We are so proud of confront the coronavirus Dubai conducted the pro- writers under one roof. Awards select winners from a porate organizations, lawyers, him as his energy and vision (COVID-19), as well as failure gramme smoothly. Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani high caliber of entrants. The and law firms can anticipate, have helped establish the to meet general and special Scholars who presented expressed hope that this is just Innovative Teaching Award cat- prevent, and mitigate environ- College of Law as a regional requirements. papers included Dr Wasiul Haq the beginning of a new era of egory recognizes the achieve- mental liability in their opera- leader in the important field of These measures come as Wasi and Waquar Ahmad from cultural exchange and more ments of legal educators in the tions, especially through cor- environmental law.” part of the Ministry’s keen Qatar, Athar Abbasi and such events will be organised areas of designing and imple- porate social responsibility, According to Dr. Olawuyi: efforts to monitor and regulate Nayeem Jawaid (KSA), Gauhar in the future as per BSI vision menting innovative academic environmental due diligence, “The aim of ASSELLMU and our markets and commercial activ- Naqvi and Tufail Ahmad & mission. legal training programs and for sustainability reporting, green environmental law initiatives ities across Qatar, monitor the (Oman), Izaharul Haq and Riaz Prof Quadri summarised overall strategic vision. supply chains and procure- is to equip the next generation degree of compliance with Shahid (Bahrain), Ehyaul Islam and presented the gems from Dr. Olawuyi was recognized ments, and strategic risk of environmental innovators laws and regulations governing and Shadab Ulfat (UAE) and the evening and rated the for his many accomplishments management.” and lawyers in Qatar and the commercial activities, and Shahjahan Jafri and Badar poetry presented in the event although two, in particular, ASSELLMU, founded by the region with dynamic legal follow up on compliance with Seemab from Kuwait. as of a very high standard. stood out: the launch of his new College of Law in cooperation knowledge and skills needed to its circulars regarding precau- Professor Safdar Imam Zahoorul Islam Jawaid in course “Environmental Law” with the United Nations Envi- support, promote and commer- tionary and preventive Quadri,Director BSI hailed the his presidential address and his leadership in estab- ronment Programme (UNEP) in cialize environmentally sus- measures concerning corona- contribution of writers of the lauded the effort of BSI in lishing the Association for Envi- 2018, is a network of environ- tainable technologies that virus.The Ministry stressed that gulf region and hoped the event organising such a wonderful ronmental Law Lecturers in mental law academics from the advance all aspects of Qatar’s it would neither tolerate any would be a milestone in getting programme. Middle East and North African MENA region that is dedicated National Vision (QNV) 2030. negligence in meeting obliga- their vast body of work recog- He stressed on the need Universities (ASSELLMU). to the establishment of environ- This timely recognition and tions stipulated in Law No. (5) nised in the Urdu speaking for more such events so that In response to receiving the mental law courses in law fac- award will certainly spur us on of 2015 on Commercial, Indus- world dominated by the writers writers from GCC region and award, Dr. Olawuyi stated: “I ulties in the MENA region and to continue our innovation and trial, and Similar Public Shops, of the subcontinent. their work could get am most delighted and honored the development of best prac- leadership in this area.” and Street Vendors, nor would Chairman BSI, Ahmad also recognition. to receive the Innovative tices as to the teaching of envi- As part of HBKU’s com- it allow violation of the cir- announced holding an in- Chairman BSI, Sha- Teaching Award. The Environ- ronmental law. Thanks to a mitment to provide cutting- culars regarding precautionary person Khaleej Urdu Con- habuddin Ahmad thanked all mental Law course provides grant from the Qatar National edge education and training in and preventive measures. The ference in Doha in November the participants especially the opportunities for our students Research Fund (QNRF), key sectors relevant to QNV Ministry assures that it intends if the Pandemic situation BSI Kuwait chapter team for to understand the values, ASSELLMU has hosted two 2030, the College of Law con- to intensify its inspection cam- improved. this path-breaking event. assumptions, and guiding prin- major international confer- tinues to host innovative lec- paigns to control violating Day 2 of the event brought He affirmed that the ciples that underlie the field of ences, the first at HBKU in 2018 tures, seminars, conferences, practices. Any party who vio- renowned Urdu poets of GCC success of the event and pos- global environmental law. and the second at Hassan the and other capacity devel- lates laws and Ministerial deci- countries on a distinct virtual itive feedback from all had Coming at a time of real need, First University, Settat, Casa- opment programs to facilitate sions will be referred to com- stage. energised him to do more to the course emphasizes practical blanca, Morocco in 2019. mutual dialogue between petent authorities, who will This poetry symposium promote Urdu across the skills and requirements on how Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, industry and academia. take appropriate measures. (Mushaira) was presided by globe. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 MIDDLE EAST 07 Palestinian factions hold reconciliation talks in Cairo REUTERS — GAZA/RAMALLAH to reset relations after they The last ballot in 2006 reached a new low under Pres- Leaders of rival Palestinian ident Donald Trump. factions began Egyptian- ended in a surprise win “There are equal chances brokered reconciliation talks in by Hamas in its first for success and failure,” said Cairo yesterday to try to heal parliamentary elections. Hani Al Masri, a political analyst long-standing internal divi- That set up a power in the Israeli-occupied West sions, ahead of planned Pales- struggle between Bank, who is taking part in the tinian elections later this year. talks as an independent. Egypt has tried in vain for Hamas, with its power Abbas’s western-backed 14 years to reconcile Palestinian base in Gaza, and Fatah Palestinian Authority (PA), President Mahmoud Abbas’s in the West Bank. which has limited self-rule in nationalist Fatah faction and its the Israeli-occupied West Bank, bitter rival Hamas, the armed plans to hold parliamentary movement that opposes any elections on May 22 and a pres- UN envoy for Yemen meets Iran FM negotiations with Israel. But such is the mistrust idential vote on July 31. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meets with Martin Griffiths, United Nations Special No Palestinian elections between the rivals that issues There are 2.8 million eli- Envoy for Yemen, in Tehran. yesterday. have been held in Gaza, the on the agenda include electoral gible voters in Gaza and the West Bank and East Jerusalem basics such as how ballot sta- West Bank, and more than 80 for 15 years. tions will be guarded and how percent of them have so far As well as Hamas and Fatah courts will adjudicate election been registered with the there are thought to be around disputes. Central Election Commission. COVID-19 cases in Oman reach 135,990 a dozen other factions repre- There is widespread scep- Palestinian voting age is 18 QNA — MUSCAT due to COVID-19 reached 1,535, reached 28 cases, bringing the sented in the Cairo talks. ticism that the elections will years old. while the recoveries reached total to 136, while patients in the Among those invited was even happen. The last ballot in 2006 The Omani Ministry of Health 127,853, bringing the recoveries intensive care units reached 34, Islamic Jihad, a group which Many Palestinians believe ended in a surprise win by announced yesterday that the rate to 94%, the Ministry said in the Ministry added. The Omani boycotted the 1996 and 2006 they are primarily an attempt Hamas in its first parliamentary total reported cases of corona- a statement carried by Oman Ministry of Health announced elections and which, Pales- by Abbas to show his demo- elections. That set up a power virus (COVID-19) in the News Agency (ONA). on Sunday that the total of tinian sources said, is now con- cratic credentials to the new struggle between Hamas, with Sultanate had reached 135,990 Patients who have been iso- reported cases of Coronavirus sidering whether to take part administration of President Joe its power base in Gaza, and cases. lated in hospitals due to infec- (COVID-19) in the Sultanate this year. Biden, with whom Abbas wants Fatah in the West Bank. The total number of deaths tions in the past 24 hours reached 135,674 cases. Lebanon: Prosecutor summons former army chief over port blast Dubai aims to

AP — BEIRUT limit the spread of the Jean Kahwaji, judicial officials explosive company in Lebanon of negligence leading to the vaccinate all coronavirus. said. The officials, who spoke also didn’t need it, the material deaths of hundreds of people. The prosecutor investigating State-run National News on condition of anonymity in should be exported at the Diab and the three former eligible adults last year’s massive explosion at Agency said Sawwan has set line with regulations, said expense of the ship owner who ministers did not show up for the port of Lebanon’s capital has appointments to hear witnesses Kahwaji will be questioned as brought it to Lebanon. questioning following the by end of year summoned several people, and others charged in the a witness. The resumption of the charges. including a former army August 4 explosion of nearly The names of the others to investigation is likely to ease The summoning of Diab BLOOMBERG commander, for questioning in 3,000 tons of ammonium be questioned have not been concerns by members of the sparked concerted criticism the case, judicial officials said nitrate, a highly explosive released. public who feared the investi- from most of Lebanon’s top pol- Dubai plans to vaccinate all yesterday. material used mostly as a The army command, when gation might end, given Leba- iticians and the militant Hez- eligible adults by the end of the The questioning marks the fertilizer. Kahwaji was in charge, was one non’s decades-long culture of bollah group, which urged year, as the Middle East resumption of Judge Fadi Saw- The blast, one of the largest of the entities that exchanged impunity. Sawwan to reconsider his business hub uses a variety of wan’s investigation into the non-nuclear explosions in letters with the customs Nearly 30 people, most of decision after describing it as shots and movement restric- explosion after nearly a two- history, killed 211 people, department on what to do with them port and customs officials, politically motivated. tions to contain the corona- month pause following legal injured over 6,000 and the ammonium nitrate as it was have been arrested since the Sawwan paused his inves- virus. challenges to his authority. damaged entire neighbour- kept in a warehouse at the port blast. tigation to allow him to respond “We are planning for 100% The summonses came as hoods in the capital Beirut. for six years until it blew up. In December, Sawwan filed to accusations that he violated of eligible adults by the end of Lebanon began easing a strict Among those summoned for In April 2016, the army said charges against caretaker Prime legal and constitutional proce- the fourth quarter of this year,” 25-day nationwide lockdown questioning by Sawwan is in a letter that it didn’t need the Minister Hassan Diab and three dures by summoning Diab and Amer Sharif, the head of that included a curfew to try to former army commander Gen. material, adding that if a private former ministers, accusing them the former ministers. Dubai’s COVID-19 Command and Control Centre, told Bloomberg TV. Palestinian injured Daily cases in the United Iraqi forces Arab Emirates, of which Dubai in clashes with is a part, have quadrupled continue sweep since November as the country occupation forces opened up for travel and eased of Al Anbar desert movement restrictions. The surge forced Dubai to QNA — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM QNA — BAGHDAD reintroduce curbs on hotels and air travel, and the emirate A Palestinian youth was injured in Iraqi Armed Forces announced ongoing replaced its top health official firing by Israeli occupation forces sweeps of desert areas of Al Anbar province last month. during clashes that broke out in Jenin in western Iraq in search for ISIS hideouts. Last week, an official from refugee camp. Army forces were directed to station in Dubai’s tourism department The occupation forces arrested the desert areas near the Al Ratba district criticised the lack of com- the young man after they fired live west of Al Anbar in western Iraq and other pliance that’s driven cases up, bullets at him in the chest when they border areas, following intelligence infor- but said the city is confident raided his house in Jenin camp, local mation that the organization was present in about growth prospects. sources told Palestinian News Agency those areas, Al Anbar Operations Com- While cases have jumped (WAFA). mander Maj. Gen. Rakan Nasser Al Ghannam in recent months, the country Two Palestinians were also said in a press release. has also rolled out an arrested after Israeli forces raided He added that the army forces were able aggressive inoculation pro- their families’ homes in Qabatiya to destroy a number of ISIS hideouts in these gramme. It has administered village south of Jenin. areas as well as eliminate a large number of more than 4.2 million vaccine This led to the outbreak of them depending on the intelligence effort doses in a population of about Israeli soldiers walk near sheep belonging to a Palestinian shepherd grazing in clashes, during which the occupation operations in the province. 10 million, one of the highest Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. forces fired bullets and tear gas can- A security source in the Iraqi Directorate rates of vaccinations per 100 isters towards the Palestinians, of General Military Intelligence revealed that people globally. without injuries being reported. Israeli soldiers stationed at the land to avoid being harmed. the Coalition forces have installed new “The current approach for Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation borders east of Gaza City opened fire In the south of the Gaza Strip, sol- thermal cameras on the border after attempts the country is we make army attacked yesterday morning and shot smoke grenades at farmers diers opened fire at farmers east of by ISIS operatives to infiltrate Syria and enter available for the people Palestinian farmers working in their working on their lands close to the Khan Yunis as they were working on Iraqi territory. whatever vaccines have been lands in the north and south of the borders east of Al Zaytoun their border area lands and at shep- The Iraqi Syrian border needs greater going through the clinical Gaza Strip and forced them to leave neighbourhood. herds in the area, forcing them to government support to be fully equipped trials, and at the same time the area. They were forced to leave their leave without anyone being hurt. with thermal cameras, the source added. partner with different entities to enhance this industry,” Sharif said. The UAE has approved Israel PM pleads not guilty as corruption trial resumes shots developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, as well as AP — JERUSALEM his family. The latest hearing approved the investigations in Outside the courthouse, 2009, and in the past two years China’s Sinopharm. It has also was postponed last month due writing. After around 20 around 150 protesters chanted has managed to hang onto given Russia’s Sputnik vaccine Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin to lockdown restrictions on minutes, Netanyahu left the against Netanyahu. Many power through three tumul- authorisation for emergency Netanyahu pleaded not guilty public gatherings. courtroom without explanation carried banners reading “Crime tuous, deadlocked elections. use, while Dubai last week as his trial on corruption Israel’s longest serving and his motorcade departed. Minister.” “We want a new His flimsy ruling coalition col- received the first shipment of charges resumed in a Jerusalem leader is also the first sitting His only remarks to the court government, a clean gov- lapsed in December and he AstraZeneca Plc-Oxford Uni- courtroom yesterday just weeks prime minister to go on trial for were that he had nothing to ernment, no corruption” said now faces a major battle for versity vaccine from India. before national elections in corruption. Israeli law requires add to his attorney’s response Sharon Sagy, a protester, “We reelection in March 23 parlia- Sharif said the challenge which he hopes to extend his Cabinet ministers to resign to the charges. don’t want Bibi Netanyahu, we mentary elections. around getting Pfizer ship- 12-year rule. when charged with criminal The hearing continued in want him to go, he needs to Netanyahu hopes to cam- ments is not unique to Dubai Netanyahu was indicted offenses, but does not specifi- his absence, with his lawyers go,” she said, using his paign on having pulled the and hopes to receive new sup- last year for fraud, breach of cally address the case of a arguing for more than an hour nickname. country out of the pandemic plies soon. The vaccine pro- trust and accepting bribes in prime minister under that constitutional procedures At the start of his trial last through one of the world’s vider last month said it would three separate cases. In recent indictment. had not been followed. The May, Netanyahu was flanked most successful vaccination temporarily be reducing deliv- months, Israelis have held Netanyahu has denied any judges appeared sceptical and by a cohort of Likud party allies campaigns. He boasts of having eries as it expands its manu- weekly protests calling on him wrongdoing and has dismissed repeatedly called on the as he railed against the media, personally secured millions of facturing capacity. to resign over the charges and the charges against him as a defence lawyers to wrap it up. police, judges and prosecutors. doses from major drug makers, “The Pfizer supply has criticising his government’s “witch-hunt” orchestrated by The prosecution then rejected He said the trial aimed to allowing Israel to vaccinate been a global challenge,” Sharif response to the coronavirus biased law enforcement and those arguments, saying the “depose a strong, right-wing more than a third of its popu- said. “There has been a lot of crisis. Protesters gathered media. He has refused to step attorney general had approved prime minister, and thus lation of 9.3 million. He hopes discussion with the Pfizer rep- outside the courthouse could down and has used his office the investigations in dozens of remove the nationalist camp to vaccinate the entire adult resentatives in the region and be heard inside the room as a bully pulpit against critics meetings. from the leadership of the population by late March. we know that there will be where the hearing was being and the criminal justice system. The prime minister’s country for many years.” Yes- But his government has new supplies coming in soon.” held. At the hearing yesterday, attorneys called on the court terday’s hearing was far more faced heavy criticism for other Dubai’s neighbour Abu Dhabi, He stands accused of Netanyahu’s lawyers submitted to postpone evidence hearings subdued. Netanyahu arrived at aspects of its response to the also the capital of the UAE, on accepting lavish gifts from a written response pleading not for several more months, the courthouse unaccompanied crisis. The country is only now Sunday imposed more restric- wealthy friends and offering to guilty. They then argued claiming they had inadequate by supporters and entered starting to emerge from its tions to curb the virus spread. grant favours to powerful media against the cases on procedural time to prepare. If granted, the through a rear entrance. third nationwide lockdown and It banned all gatherings, shut moguls in exchange for grounds, saying the attorney hearings would take place after Netanyahu has served as the closures have sent unem- theatres and cut capacity at favourable coverage of him and general had not properly the upcoming elections. Israel’s prime minister since ployment skyrocketing. hotels and malls. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 Food price spikes see inflation Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN rear its head in emerging markets DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED KARIN STROHECKER REUTERS [email protected] For Cleanne Brito Machado, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR like millions of people in MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI developing countries around [email protected] the world, shopping for staple foods such as rice, beans, oil or potatoes now means making hard choices. “The shopping cart is EDITORIAL getting much smaller and we’re paying much more,” said the 41-year old, who works as a maid in Brazil’s Stay safe, be healthy capital Brasilia. “We’ve had to give up on little trips, visiting A file photo of Seref Geyik, a 53-year old seller, waiting for customers at his stall at a local market HEALTH and wellbeing are the cornerstones of both family at the weekend, and in Fatih district in Istanbul. a happy and fulfilling life, and a strong and vibrant we haven’t been able to save society. Qatar is celebrating National Sport Day today any money for emergencies strategy at UBS. Food is the transitory. But in developing and agricultural prices to in a limited format and through virtual events this year or to have in the bank.” single largest element of nations, persistent food price serve as an “early warning” to prevent and halt the spread of COVID-19 cases in A mix of currency depre- inflation baskets in many rises in the run up to the 2008 system. the country. ciation, rising commodity emerging markets, accounting financial crisis lifted core In January, Brazil’s central Qatar is one of the few countries which give strong prices and coronavirus dis- for around half in countries like inflation, prompting years of bank abandoned forward impetus on the importance of sport. In the year 2012, ruptions saw food inflation India or Pakistan compared to interest rate hikes. guidance that rates would Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani decreed soar 14 percent last year in less than 10 percent in the Cautionary tale stay low after the real came the second Tuesday of February as an annual cele- Latin America’s largest United States. In Istanbul, food market under pressure and bond bration of sports and active lifestyle, with the hope of economy - the biggest Rising food prices have vendor Seref Geyik says he markets sold off. In a nod to instilling sport and exercise as a part of residents’ daily increase in nearly two contributed to social unrest in has seen the effect of opening changing priorities, deputy routine. Promoting sports as an important part of daily decades. The headline figure the past. Climate change hours cut short by the pan- governor Fernanda Nechio life is also part of the goals of Qatar National Vision masks hikes in staples, such effects are expected to exac- demic and rising wholesale said keeping inflation under 2030 as it helps in the sustainable development of as a 76 percent jump in rice or erbate price swings and rising prices of fruit and vegetables. control has helped lift large human capital. a doubling of soy oil prices. energy prices add to the “Consumers are leaning numbers of people out of Qatar Foundation is helping people get into the Other developing coun- pressure. towards cheaper stalls, they poverty. National Sport Day spirit – without leaving their homes. tries from Turkey to Nigeria For those like Machado, are not looking for good Analysts predict Russia An array of virtual activities hosted by QF will be available also recorded double-digit higher food bills leaves less to quality produce,” the 53-year and South Africa will make for all members of the community, opening up oppor- jumps in food inflation. Major spend on other goods, old said. the same journey. tunities to stay active and embrace a healthy lifestyle wheat and corn exporters squeezing demand for items Relying heavily on Keeping interest rates while still adhering to health guidelines amid the ongoing such as Russia or Argentina from travel to eating out. imported unprocessed foods, unchanged in December, Rus- COVID-19 pandemic. QF’s virtual National Sport Day have introduced curbs or Many countries have Turkey saw food price rises sia’s central bank governor offering reflects its commitment to encouraging, empow- taxes to preserve domestic already seen hard currency accelerate from August, when Elvira Nabiullina pointed to ering, and enabling people to make sport and physical stockpiles, exacerbating pres- revenues from sectors such as the lira chalked up monthly secondary effects from a rise activity a central part of their lives, and to providing sures elsewhere. tourism crater and they lack losses of 5 percent or more in global food prices and the opportunities for them to maintain and improve their United Nations data the capacity of their richer against the dollar. weaker rouble. physical and mental wellbeing. With public safety showed food prices hit six- peers to pump in stimulus. With nearly all its energy Few expect pressures to remaining paramount as Qatar continues to combat year highs in January after For central banks, the also imported, rising energy ease soon, with Chinese the pandemic, this year’s activities are being taken rising for eight consecutive temptation may be to let prices from early November demand which sent global online, while still providing something for everyone to months. inflation rise and keep mon- have added to the pressure. cereal prices to a six-year enjoy – for free. The unwelcome return of etary conditions loose to Dry weather has meanwhile high showing little sign of In the interest of community safety amid the ongoing food price pressures has put support growth, say analysts. hampered production of abating. pandemic, the National Sport Day Committee, after policymakers and investors “It is a very difficult some local crops, from Rice price increases led to coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, decided on high alert, worried what it balance - governments in hazelnuts and chestnuts to unrest in several countries that all sports activities will be individual only, such as means for inflation more emerging markets are apricots and olives. during the 2008 food crisis, running, swimming, and cycling. Sports that require broadly while economies are damned if they do and Turkey’s experience of and food inflation was a con- physical contact are not allowed and sports in which still reeling from the corona- damned if they don’t,” said chronically high inflation two tributor to the Arab Spring several teams compete in a limited space are also not virus crisis. David Rees, senior emerging decades ago is a cautionary revolts a decade ago. permitted. The Committee called on all members of “Central banks will be markets economist at tale of how price pressures “We have seen in the past society to commit to taking several preventive measures, watching the level of food Schroders. can derail economic growth instances of protests appar- such as wearing masks and washing hands. prices quite carefully over the “As a policymaker - do and shatter household and ently at least triggered by food The Advisor to the Minister of Public Health for next few months because they you choose to support your investor confidence. price spikes, (especially) Sports Affairs, Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, said com- will have to make a decision population or choose keeping New central bank gov- when prices of staples are mitment by everyone in Qatar, the government and its on whether to respond to this the markets happy?” ernor Naci Agbal has increasing,” said Moody’s people, is the real secret to controlling the coronavirus. or not,” said Manik Narain, Developed economies launched a dedicated managing director Marie He said the Ministry of Public Health is striving with all head of emerging market generally see food inflation as department to monitor food Diron. its efforts to control the spread of virus adding that according to the Ministry’s plan, all residents of Qatar will be vaccinated so that the State of Qatar will reach The world is moving toward net zero because of a single sentence comprehensive immunity.

ERIC ROSTON don’t have any more time,’ outlining the 2050 timeline the formidable rival ‘all men BLOOMBERG said Anna Lising, now a senior was just a single sentence, are created equal.’ climate advisor to Wash- and yet very few corners of ‘I think you could say that The District of Columbia city ington Governor Jay Inslee, the world have remained is one of the most important D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR council held a public hearing who at the time worked for unaffected by it. If all these sentences of the last few cen- EMAIL: [email protected] on Oct. 9, 2018, to discuss the D.C. Department of countries and companies turies,’ Yergin said. ‘It has legislation that would Energy & Environment. Dis- succeed in zeroing out their provided an incredibly pow- halve the U.S. capital’s green- cussion of the bill ‘went from emissions in time, it may turn erful traffic signal to tell you EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 house-gas pollution by 2032. everyone being supportive to out to be the grammatical unit where things are going.’ FAX: +974 4455 7758 The bill had gathered everyone acting with that saved the world. If The half-by-2030, all-by- momentum over the summer urgency.’ not, it’ll be remembered as 2050 guidance is keyed spe- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 and fall, but received a turbo Two years later, eight of the last, best warning we cifically to emissions of CO, boost of support just one day the 10 largest economies have ignored before it was too late. by far the biggest contributor DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 prior, when the world’s most pledged to reach net-zero Like most statements the to warming. Methane, nitrous authoritative climate-science emissions by mid-century- IPCC sets down, the most oxide, and several other gases LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 body published a nine once President Joe Biden important sentence ever together make up nearly a landmark report asking the formalizes his campaign written is just terrible-clunky fourth of the problem, and BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 world to do, essentially, promise to do so. Twenty- and jargon-filled. What it says, goal-setters need to take this exactly what D.C. was pro- nine countries, plus the in English, is this: By 2030 the into account while they’re SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 posing. The Intergovern- European Union, have net- world needs to cut its carbon- slashing CO, said Kelly Levin, mental Panel on Climate zero pledges for either CO or dioxide pollution by 45%, and senior associate in the World ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 Change’s Global Warming of all greenhouse gases, by midcentury reach “net- Resources Institute’s global email: [email protected] 1.5°C report said that, to have accounting for 14.5% of global zero” emissions, meaning climate program. a shot at achieving the Paris emissions. Some 400 com- that any CO still emitted Many of these national net PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 Agreement’s stretch goal of panies, including Microsoft, would have to be drawn down zero ambitions ‘are very email: [email protected] limiting warming to 1.5° Unilever, Facebook, Ford, in some way. much driven by the latest Celsius above preindustrial Nestle, Pepsi Co, Brunswick It may lack in poetry, but climate science,’ she said. But ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 levels, every nation must cut Group and Bloomberg LP, Daniel Yergin, author of The some nations must move FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] its carbon-dioxide emissions publisher of Bloomberg New Map: Energy, Climate, faster than others. ‘Countries in half by 2030-and neu- Green, have signed on with and the Clash of Nations and with the highest emissions, CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 tralize them by 2050. the Business Ambition for vice chairman at corporate greatest responsibility, and email: [email protected] ‘When the IPCC report 1.5°C pledge, which is built intelligence firm IHS capability should adopt the dropped, you could feel the on the IPCC’s analysis. Markit, acknowledged its most ambitious target time SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 urgency. Everyone said we The portion of the report influence. He pitted it against frames,’ Levin said. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

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+974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 AFRICA 09 Somalia opposition cease recognising president as election row escalates REUTERS — MOGADISHU hold its first direct election since civil The opposition alliance said they war erupted in 1991, but delays in prep- An alliance of Somali opposition parties would reject any attempt to extend arations and continuous attacks by al proposed the creation of a national Shabaab forced Somalia to plan council of lawmakers, opposition the term of President Mohamed another indirect vote. leaders and civil society to govern the Abdullahi Mohamed and suggested Clan elders should have chosen Horn of Africa nation after the presi- the council could elect a transitional lawmakers in December and the law- dent’s term expired yesterday with no leader to govern until a new makers were due to choose a president clear succession plan. president can be chosen by on Monday. But selection of lawmakers The power vacuum and divisions was delayed after the opposition between political leaders was a boost lawmakers. accused President Mohamed - who to the Al Shabaab insurgency, a Somali was seeking a second term - of packing security analyst warned, citing a spate regional and national electoral boards of recent attacks in a relatively peaceful time.” There was no immediate with his allies. Leaders in two of Soma- Rickshaw taxis drive past the campaign billboard of Somalia’s opposition part of the country. comment from the presidency. Aides lia’s five federal states, Puntland and presidential candidate Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed, in Mogadishu, yesterday. The opposition alliance said they had previously privately floated the Jubbaland, have said they will no would reject any attempt to extend the idea of extending his term. longer recognise President Mohamed. term of President Mohamed Abdullahi In a statement issued by its On Sunday night at midnight, the founder of the Mogadishu-based Hiraal On Sunday, 12 security agents were Mohamed and suggested the council embassy in Mogadishu, the United capital Mogadishu lit up with gunfire think-tank, said Al Shabaab had killed by a roadside bomb outside the could elect a transitional leader to States urged Mohamed to “act now to and drums as residents said they were already taken advantage of the security town of Dhusamareb in central Somalia govern until a new president can be resolve the political impasse...and find celebrating the end of the president’s vacuum to launch attacks in portions where political leaders were meeting chosen by lawmakers. agreement with Federal Member State term. “We are firing into the sky to say of central Somalia that had been rela- to try to resolve disagreements over “We are against time extension, leaders to allow the conduct of parlia- goodbye to the dictator Farmajo, he tively peaceful for around a decade. the presidential selection process. Al suppression, violence and further delay mentary and presidential elections has burnt Somalia these four years,” “They (Al Shabaab) are laughing out Shabaab also launched repeated to the election,” the alliance said in a immediately.” “The political gridlock... said a soldier Aden Ali, using President loud,” he said. “This is a failure by the mortar attacks on the town. statement. “An election schedule has resulted in a disappointing lack of Mohamed’s common nickname. president, Somalia’s political elite and The attack happened a week after should immediately without delay be progress in fighting Al Shabaab.” Hussein Sheikh Ali, Somalia’s the international community. They four Al Shabaab suicide attackers killed displayed with agreed upon specified Somalia was initially planning to former national security advisor and didn’t have a plan B to move forward.” five people at a hotel in Mogadishu. Al Sarraj receives Darfur rebel leader set to head Sudan finance ministry phone call from REUTERS — KHARTOUM signed in October with some rebel expected appointment of a former Bashir groups. It was aimed at ending conflicts ally to a key ministry, particularly given new UN envoy Sudan’s prime minister is expected to in Darfur and southern Sudan, awarded the economic crisis. appoint veteran Darfur rebel group the groups posts in transitional institu- Rebel groups have also been given QNA — TRIPOLI leader Jibril Ibrahim as finance minister tions, and reset the clock on a 39-month the mining, livestock, social devel- in a cabinet overhaul, according to a list transition to elections. opment, and federal government min- Head of the Presidential of nominees and an official source. Analysts say the peace deal and long- istries, according to the list of nominees Council of Government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, delayed appointments to transitional from Hamdok’s office seen by Reuters. National Accord of Libya Fayez who was appointed after a military- bodies are important steps, though the Three rebel leaders were appointed last Al Sarraj received a phone call civilian power-sharing deal following replacement of qualified technocrats week to an expanded ruling transitional from the new United Nations the overthrow of Omar Al Bashir in 2019, with political figures could throw up new sovereign council. envoy to Libya Jan Kubisch. dissolved the cabinet on Sunday and was challenges. The post of foreign minister is During the phone call, the due to announce ministerial appoint- Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and expected to go to Mariam Sadiq Al Mahdi, two sides discussed the latest A file photo of Sudan’s Prime Minister ments yesterday. Equality Movement (JEM) that fought a leader of the popular Umma Party and developments in the situation Abdalla Hamdok The reshuffle comes as Hamdok government forces in Darfur from 2003, daughter of former prime minister and of Libya. struggles to push through reforms and had previously been a member of the Bashir opponent Sadiq Al Mahdi. Al Sarraj hailed the efforts secure foreign financing seen as crucial relationship with the military. Caretaker movement under Bashir. Khalid Omar Yousif, a leader of the of the United Nations in spon- to easing a deep economic crisis and bol- ministers have been in charge at seven A former economic advisor for JEM Sudanese Congress Party and a prom- soring the political process, the stering Sudan’s transition to democracy. ministries including the finance ministry who became leader after his brother was inent figure in the protests that brought Libyan News Agency reported. Hamdok has led a cabinet of tech- since July. killed in an airstrike, some Sudanese, as down Bashir, is expected to become min- The two sides stressed on nocrats which has had an uneasy The reshuffle follows a peace deal well as analysts, have questioned the ister of cabinet affairs. the importance of completing the military and economic tracks after a new executive Nigeria to toughen authority was agreed to be Pandemic derails trade for differently abled couriers in Congo formed. They also expressed punishment for their hope that this agreement REUTERS — GOMA, DRC would allow the reunification collusion with of state institutions and kidnappers Perched on a super-sized tricycle laden stressed the need to adhere to with sacks of mangoes, disabled courier holding the general elections REUTERS — ABUJA/LAGOS Claude Kalwira scooted over the short on the scheduled date of stretch of no-man’s-land between December 24, 2021. Nigeria’s navy plans to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of strengthen its measures to root Congo. out and punish personnel who Due to his disability, Kalwira has a Heavy rains flood collude with kidnappers and permit to shuttle some goods in and out of criminals, its new naval chief Congo tax-free, but an eight-month border factory in Tangiers, said. closure last year caused by the coronavirus Kidnappings in the Gulf of meant he and 200 fellow couriers saw 24 workers killed Guinea, which covers 2.3 business dry up. million sq km and borders While borders reopened on November AP — RABAT, MOROCCO some 20 countries, hit a record 5, a new testing requirement means the last year, according to the 30-year-old’s cart, a hodgepodge of steel At least 24 workers have been International Maritime Bureau. tubing and butchered motorcycle parts, is killed in the Moroccan city of Well-armed, violent now one of only a few dozen plying the Tangier after heavy rains pirates operate there out of route between the twin cities of Rubavu flooded a clandestine garment Nigeria’s hard-to-police Delta and Goma. factory, Morocco’s state news swamps, and experts say their “This border is vital for us,” said agency MAP reported increasingly bold tactics show Kalwira, who lost his right arm in a car yesterday. A differently abled courier cycles a super-sized tricycle laden with sacks of grocery at that better enforcement is accident when he was young. Local authorities said fire- the no-man’s-land amid the coronavirus disease outbreak between Rwanda and Congo, badly needed. In a country with few opportunities for fighters and emergency Rear Admiral A.Z. Gambo, people living with disabilities, Kalwira’s in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on November 20, 2020. workers yesterday rescued 10 who was appointed as trade exists thanks to a decades-old quirk survivors from the factory, in Nigeria’s naval chief of staff in customs law. at $40 per swab is a prohibitive cost for hybrid bikes on the Congolese side of the the basement of a residential last month, said he would take Sending goods via the custom-made many who earn less than $20 per day. border. Father-of-six Dieu Merci Kahasha villa. Search operations were a “zero tolerance” approach carts is cheaper than hiring a truck, so Rwanda gives free tests to Kalwira and called on the Congolese government to step still underway to rescue other and use a “heavy hand” against demand bounced back once travel resumed around 60 of his colleagues, but the in. workers trapped inside the those who engaged in across the busy crossing. remaining 140 couriers must pay their own “If Rwanda can help the Congolese flooded factory. The total criminality. But most have not been able to benefit. way. people by giving them free tests, our gov- number of workers remains “The established policies The authorities now require the cou- Hoping for a break, the out-of-work ernment should also... so that we too can unknown. An investigation has and measures to sanction riers to take regular COVID-19 tests, which couriers have been gathering on their find food for our families.” been launched. identified Nigerian Navy per- sonnel that collude with eco- nomic saboteurs, drug traf- fickers/barons, bandits, kid- South Africa looks to J&J vaccine after AstraZeneca trial data nappers and armed robbers shall be overhauled and REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG “minimal protection” against was seen as one of the best- large enough to draw conclu- strengthened,” he said in an mild-to-moderate illness South Africa, which has suited to weak African public sions from, Pillay said: “I don’t address last week in Abuja to Johnson & Johnson will speed caused by the dominant coro- health systems as it can be think we can be confident to say naval officers and up deliveries of its COVID-19 navirus variant in South Africa reported the highest stored at fridge temperatures, the vaccine doesn’t work, but commanders. vaccine to South Africa, a senior is a blow to the continent’s number of confirmed rather than the sub-freezing we also don’t have the data to Most recently, pirates government official said immunisation plans. coronavirus infections in temperatures needed for Pfizer say it certainly will work. What breached the citadel of a yesterday, after the country Media reported that Malawi Africa and over 46,000 shots. The global vaccine dis- we have are potential Turkish-crewed container ship suspended plans to roll out was also reviewing whether to coronavirus-related tribution scheme COVAX plans indicators.” in the waters, killing one crew AstraZeneca shots due to disap- proceed with an AstraZeneca to start sending millions of Pillay said that J&J’s vaccine member and kidnapping 15 pointing trial data. rollout and a Ugandan health deaths, hopes to vaccine doses to African coun- was a good fit in the meantime. others. While foreign navies, Health ministry Deputy ministry spokesman said the vaccinate 40 million tries this month. Trials had shown that it was such as France, Spain and Director-General Anban Pillay government there would seek people, or two-thirds of The lead investigator of highly effective in preventing Italy, patrol the region’s inter- told state broadcaster SABC that guidance from the World Health the population, to achieve AstraZeneca’s vaccine study in hospitalisation and death, and national waters, under the first J&J doses could arrive Organization (WHO). some level of herd South Africa said on Sunday it it can also be stored at fridge Nigerian law only its naval around the end of the week, The more contagious would be reckless to discard the temperatures, he said. personnel can carry arms on whereas officials had previously variant first identified in South immunity. million doses that arrived in the Local regulator SAHPRA has vessels within its coastal said deliveries would start in the Africa late last year is believed country last week as there was not yet authorised J&J’s vaccine waters. A Nigerian court last second quarter. to have spread to nine other still a chance that they could but has been conducting a year made the first convictions J&J said it was in advanced African countries, according to Residents of Johannesburg’s protect against severe rolling review since late last under a new anti-piracy law, discussions with South Africa a WHO epidemiological report Soweto township said the trial COVID-19. year. but kidnappings rose about “potential additional col- last week. Although the trial by results were a big setback. AstraZeneca, which South Africa, which has nonetheless. laborations” to combat researchers at a Johannesburg “It’s just a disappointment developed the vaccine with reported the highest number of Shipping trade association COVID-19. university did not assess because the only thing that we Oxford University, says it confirmed coronavirus infec- BIMCO and Denmark’s A.P. “We hope to be able to share whether the vaccine protects were looking forward to ... set believes its vaccine can protect tions in Africa and over 46,000 Moller Maersk, the world’s more details in the coming against severe COVID-19 from us free it was the vaccine,” said against severe disease and has coronavirus-related deaths, biggest container line, have days,” it said. the 501Y.V2 variant, the gov- Mabutho Dube, a 43-year-old already started adapting it hopes to vaccinate 40 million called for a coordinated inter- Preliminary trial data ernment is holding talks with former restaurant manager who against the 501Y.V2 variant. people, or two-thirds of the national law enforcement showing the AstraZeneca shot local and international scien- is currently unemployed. Asked whether the sample population, to achieve some operation in the region. offers only tists to decide how to proceed. The AstraZeneca vaccine size of the South Africa trial was level of herd immunity. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 India glacier burst: Race to rescue 200 missing, toll rises

REUTERS — LUCKNOW Devi area and it was possible that some of the snow had Indian rescuers searched Rescue squads were started melting and may have yesterday for more than 200 focused on drilling their led to an avalanche. people missing after part of a way through a 2.5km Rescue squads were remote Himalayan glacier long tunnel at the focused on drilling their way broke away, sweeping away through a 2.5km long tunnel at bridges, breaking dams and Tapovan Vishnugad the Tapovan Vishnugad hydro- sending a torrent of water, hydropower project site power project site that NTPC rocks and construction debris that NTPC was building was building 5km downstream down a mountain valley. 5km downstream where where about 30 workers were Sunday’s disaster below about 30 workers were believed trapped. Nanda Devi, India’s second- “We are trying to break highest peak, swept away the believed trapped. open the tunnel, it’s a long one, small Rishiganga hydro- about 2.5km,” said Ashok electric project and damaged Kumar, the state police chief. a bigger one further down the He said rescuers had gone 150 Dhauliganga river being built fractured. metres into the tunnel but by state firm NTPC. “Our current hypothesis is debris and slush were slowing Eighteen bodies had been that the water accumulated progress. recovered so far, officials said. and locked in the debris-snow There had been no voice Most of the missing were below the glacier was released contact yet with anyone in the people working on the two when the glacier-rock mass tunnel, another official said. projects, part of the many the fell,” he said. Heavy equipment has been government has been building Videos on social media employed and a dog squad deep in the mountains of Utta- showed water surging through flown to the site. rakhand state as part of a a small dam site, washing away On Sunday, 12 people were Rescue team members work outside a tunnel after a part of a glacier broke away and caused floods development push. construction equipment and rescued from another much in Tapovan, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, yesterday. “As of now, around 203 bringing down small bridges. smaller tunnel. people are missing,” state chief “Everything was swept Uttarakhand is prone to minister Trivendra Singh away, people, cattle and trees,” flash floods and landslides and floods that killed nearly 6,000 Network of Dams, Rivers and The disaster also raises Rawat said. Sangram Singh Rawat, a former the disaster prompted calls by people. People, said that there were questions about the strength Mohd Farooq Azam, village council member of Raini, environmentalists for a review Environmental groups clear government recommen- of the dams. assistant professor, glaciology the site closest to the Rishiganga of power projects in the eco- have blamed construction dations against the use of “The dams are supposed to & hydrology at the Indian project, told media. logically sensitive mountains. activity in the mountains. explosives for construction withstand much greater force. Institute of Technology in Experts said it had snowed In June 2013, record monsoon Himanshu Thakkar, co- purposes. “There have been This was not a monsoon flood, Indore, said a hanging glacier heavily last week in the Nanda rains there caused devastating ordinator of the South Asia violations.” it was much smaller.” Protesting farmers to call in reinforcements during harvest season Access to Easter bombing report in REUTERS — NEW DELHI season when farmers will gather The government says the for villages to collect crops,” said back police cases filed against their wheat and other winter new laws will open up fresh Tikait, who has emerged as a protesting growers, Tikait said. Sri Lanka sought Indian farmers have drawn up crops,” Rakesh Tikait, a prom- opportunities to farmers by prominent leader of the biggest “Farmers are not going to plans to continue their protests inent leader of Bharatiya Kisan allowing them to directly sell farmers’ protest in decades. budge if the government does AP — COLOMBO during the harvest season from Union, one of the largest produce to private buyers like “We can’t lose sight of the not concede to the three core March by bringing reinforce- farmers’ unions, said in an large retailers. Protesters say the movement that will not end demands. A senior Sri Lankan church ments from thousands of interview. laws benefit large private buyers until the government accepts “We have other concerns official has asked President villages, a top union official said Tens of thousands of angry at the expense of growers. our three demands,” he said. too, but those issues can be Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give him yesterday. farmers have encircled the “We have prepared a set of To ensure that the deadlock looked into by appointing a access to a presidential “We have worked out capital New Delhi to put rota for every village to ensure ends, the government must roll committee,” he said. commission’s report on Easter detailed plans to ensure that our pressure on the government to that a new batch of farmers back the laws, make it man- Earlier, Prime Minister Sunday bomb attacks in 2019 movement does not lose steam repeal three agricultural laws comes to the protest sites every datory for buyers to pay state- Narendra Modi again urged that killed more than 260 even during the next harvest introduced in September. time a group from here leaves set guaranteed prices and take farmers to end their protest. people, including churchgoers. The Roman Catholic Arch- bishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has written to Myanmar military imposes Rajapaksa to make the request, his spokesman, the Rev. Camillus Fernando, said curfew, ban on gatherings yesterday. The report by a commission AP — YANGON Protesters also rallied at a elected lawmakers were sup- comprising judges hasn’t been major downtown intersection posed to take their seats in Par- made public, but Rajapaksa Myanmar’s military in the country’s largest city, liament after November elec- said in his Independence Day government imposed a curfew Yangon, raising a three-finger tions. The generals have said speech last week that it has and bans on gatherings of more salute that is a symbol of that vote was marred by fraud been referred to relevant offi- than five people in the coun- resistance and carrying - though the country’s election cials for prosecution. Inquiries try’s two biggest cities yesterday placards saying, “Reject the commission has dismissed that to the president’s office on as protests against last week’s military coup” and “Justice for claim. whether the report will be coup showed no sign of abating. Myanmar.” State media for the first released were not immediately The decrees covering There were also reports of time yesterday made reference answered. Yangon and Mandalay were new demonstrations in towns to the protests, claiming they Two local Muslim groups A doctor looks on as a medical worker prepares a dose of China’s issued on a township-by- in the north, southeast and east were endangering the country’s that pledged allegiance to the Sinovac Biotech vaccine, in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. township basis, and those of the country, as well as in the stability. Islamic State group were which have become public so city of Mandalay, where there “Democracy can be blamed for the coordinated far have the same restrictions. was a procession of marchers destroyed if there is no disci- suicide bomb attacks on six At least seven have been issued, and motorbikes. pline,” according to a statement Indonesia vaccinating locations on April 21, 2019. The and more are expected for The growing wave of from the Ministry of Infor- victims included worshippers other areas. defiance — particularly in the mation, read on state television in two Roman Catholic Rallies and gatherings of capital Naypyitaw, where such station MRTV. elderly health workers churches and a Protestant more than five people, along protests are unusual — was “We will have to take legal church participating in Easter with motorised processions, are striking in a country where actions to prevent acts that are REUTERS — JAKARTA in Southeast Asia. The deaths Sunday services, and local res- banned, and a 8pm to 4am demonstrations have been met violating state stability, public include 647 medical workers, idents and foreigners who were curfew is imposed. The with severe force in the past. safety and the rule of law.” Indonesia started vaccinating its according to data from the having breakfast at three measures are effective until That resistance is being seen in However, the military com- elderly medical workers against Indonesian Medical Association, leading hotels in the heart of further notice. Naypyitaw, whose population mander who led the coup and the coronavirus for the first time one of the highest rates Colombo. The decrees say they were includes many civil servants and is now Myanmar’s leader made yesterday, after initial uncer- globally. Political infighting leading issued in response to people their families, could speak to the no mention of the unrest in a tainty over whether seniors As part of phase one of a to a communications carrying out unlawful actions level of anger among people 20-minute televised speech would be prioritised in a country mass vaccination campaign, breakdown between the then that harm the rule of law. who had only begun to taste yesterday night, his first to the battling one of Asia’s worst Indonesia is hoping to have inoc- president and prime minister Demonstrations against the democracy in recent years after public since the takeover. epidemics. ulated nearly 1.5 million medical was cited as a cause of the gov- coup had intensified Monday five decades of military rule. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing Indonesia’s food and drug workers by February 21. ernment’s failure to respond to and spread to more parts of the “We do not want the mil- instead repeated the claim that agency recently approved use of Some 11,000 workers above near-specific foreign intelli- country. itary junta,” said Daw Moe, a the military staged the takeover the Sinovac Biotech vaccine for the age of 60 will be vaccinated, gence warnings of an Police fired a water cannon protester in Yangon. because of alleged voter fraud. the elderly, potentially changing health ministry official Siti impending attack. at hundreds of protesters in “We never ever wanted this He added that the military the country’s strategy to focus on Nadia Tarmizi said. Both former President Myanmar’s capital who were junta. Nobody wants it. All the would hold new elections as the working population. “There were worries that Maithripala Sirisena and former demanding the military hand people are ready to fight them.” promised in a year and hand “I hope that once I am vac- people above 60 couldn’t get Prime Minister Ranil Wick- power back to elected officials. The coup came the day newly over power to the winners. cinated I will be safe in my daily vaccinated,” Kamsah Ginting, a remesinghe were summoned life, especially as the rate of the bespectacled and masked by the commission. Sirisena pandemic is going up, not down,” 60-year-old Jakarta doctor told appointed the inquiry com- said VSRitonga, an 83-year-old Reuters. “But now there’s no mission soon after the attacks. paediatrician, after receiving his need to worry.” Ranjith had complained first shot at a Jakarta health In recent months the world’s several times about a perceived centre. fourth most populous nation lack of progress in the commis- Indonesia has recorded had deliberated on vaccinating sion’s investigation. more than 1.1 million corona- people aged between 18-59 The attacks helped virus infections and 31,000 only, citing limited data on the Rajapaksa win the presidential deaths, among the biggest safety of the available vaccine election later in 2019 on a caseloads in Asia and the most for anyone older. platform of national security. Floods trigger power outages, evacuations in Jakarta REUTERS — JAKARTA with households along the brown water. Children played winding Ciliwung River among waist-deep in the water in front Floods, heavy rain and power the worst affected by the floods. of their homes. outages led people to evacuate “If the flood gets bigger, we Fire department officials their homes in parts of Indone- will have to take refuge else- dressed in red life jackets sia’s capital yesterday, with the where, but if it remains this high, inspected the affected areas, conditions — worsened by the then I think we will decide not where they said some elderly La Nina weather pattern — to evacuate,” said resident Isti residents and small children expected to continue until March Barokah, whose home was were evacuated. The country’s or April. flooded. meteorology, climatology and More than 1,000 people in “Most of our stuff is already geophysical agency (BMKG) had east and south Jakarta were on the second floor.” Wooden issued heavy rain alerts across Police fire a water cannon at protesters demonstrating against the coup and demanding the release evacuated after torrential rain homes along the river were par- populous Java island, Bali and of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, yesterday. overnight, local media reported, tially submerged in muddy parts of eastern Indonesia. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 ASIA 11 CanSinoBIO vaccine 65.7% effective in trials: Official REUTERS — ISLAMABAD based on analysis of 30,000 The positive data moves participants and 101 confirmed CanSino Biologics Inc’s (CanSi- the vaccine, jointly cases of COVID-19, the minister noBIO) COVID-19 vaccine said on Twitter, quoting data showed 65.7% efficacy in developed by a research from an independent data mon- preventing symptomatic cases institute affiliated with itoring committee. and a 90.98% success rate in the Chinese military, a It was not immediately clear stopping severe disease in an step closer to becoming whether the study also looked interim analysis of global trials, China’s third successful into the vaccine’s efficacy Pakistan’s health minister said against new and highly trans- yesterday. shot for the disease. missible variants first found in The positive data moves the South Africa, Britain and Brazil. vaccine, jointly developed by a No serious safety concerns research institute affiliated with Mexico. have been raised in the study, the Chinese military, a step Pakistan’s health minister, Sultan said. closer to becoming China’s third Faisal Sultan, had said that the In the Pakistani subset, successful shot for the disease. country could receive “in the efficacy of the CanSinoBIO Although COVID-19 vac- range of tens of millions” of the vaccine at preventing sympto- cines from Chinese developers vaccine under an agreement matic cases was 74.8% and have shown lower protection with the Chinese firm. 100% at preventing severe A health worker receives a dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karachi, rates than some Western ones, Hassan Abbas, head of the disease, Sultan added. yesterday. and no detailed study results are CanSinoBIO’s trial at AJ Pharma CanSinoBIO was not imme- publicly available yet, they have in Pakistan, said it has already diately available for comment. CanSinoBIO’s vaccine - expressed concern the vaccine Shots from Chinese com- already been approved in applied to the government for SINGLE-DOSE REGIMEN which was approved for use in may not work in those previ- panies Sinovac and state- several developing countries permission to import the While the vaccine’s protection the Chinese military last year ously exposed to Ad5, as the backed Sinopharm have shown battling a surge in coronavirus vaccine. rate trails the more than 90% and has since been given to at pre-existing antibody against efficacy of between 50% and infections. “The initial set of vaccines efficacy of shots developed by least 40,000-50,000 people - the common cold virus could 91%. The three firms have The CanSinoBIO vaccine is will come in vials already filled, Pfizer Inc and its partner uses a modified common cold weaken the vaccine-triggered applied to join the global being tested in Pakistan, Mexico, but we hope in the future to get BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc, virus known as adenovirus immune response. vaccine sharing scheme COVAX Russia, Argentina and Chile, them in the form of concen- its single-dose regimen and type-5 (Ad5) to carry genetic CanSinoBIO is also testing for approval and China plans to according to clinical trial regis- trates from CanSino, and do the normal refrigerator storage material from the coronavirus a two-dose regimen of the provide 10 million doses to the tration data, and the company filling here in Pakistan,” he told requirement could make it a protein into the body. vaccine in China including on initiative, which is backed by has supply deals with some of Reuters. favourable option for many However, researchers in an participants aged between 6 the World Health Organization those countries, including The efficacy of the shot is countries. early and mid-stage trial report and 17 and older than 55. and GAVI vaccine alliance. Bad weather halts search for climbers missing on K2 Philippines, US to iron out AP — ISLAMABAD for their fate in the harsh was under clouds. The search hope for a miracle is still there,” differences on troops deal environment. and rescue team was unable to said Karar Haideri, secretary at Bad weather yesterday forced The three lost contact with find any clue of the climbers’ the Pakistan alpine Club. He REUTERS — MANILA year that he was cancelling the Pakistani army helicopters to base camp late on Friday and whereabouts so far, he said, said a statement from the deal, outraged that a senator temporarily halt their search for were reported missing on Sat- adding it will attempt again authorities was expected later The Philippines and the United and ally who led his notorious three mountaineers who went urday, after their support team once the weather improves. yesterday. States will meet this month to war on drugs was denied a US missing while attempting to stopped receiving communica- Earlier, Sadpara’s son said Sadpara’s son Sajid Ali iron out differences over a visa. scale K2, the world’s second- tions from them during their in a video statement released Sadpara, himself a mountaineer Visiting Forces Agreement The VFA provides the legal highest mountain. ascent of the 8,611-metre high to the media that the chances who was part of the expedition (VFA), Manila’s top diplomat framework under which US The search was stopped just K2 – sometimes referred to as of the mountaineers’ survival at the start but later returned to said, amid renewed regional troops can operate on a rota- hours after it resumed for the “killer mountain.” Located in in the harsh winter conditions base camp after his oxygen reg- concerns over China’s assertive tional basis in the Philippines. third consecutive day, with offi- the Karakorum mountain were extremely low. Sadpara, ulator malfunctioned, said their maritime agenda. Experts say without it, other cials uncertain when weather range, K2 is one of the most an experienced climber, had chances after “spending two to The Philippines in bilateral defence agreements, conditions would improve dangerous climbs. Last month, earlier scaled the world’s eight three days in the winter at November suspended for a including the Mutual Defence enough for it to resume again. a team of 10 Nepalese climbers highest mountains, including 8,000 (meters’ altitude) are next second time President Rodrigo Treaty (MDT), cannot be Friends and family of the three made history by scaling the K2 the highest, Mount Everest in to none.” The younger Sadpara Duterte’s unilateral decision to implemented. — Pakistani climber Ali for the first time in winter. the Himalayas, and was praised the rescue and search terminate the VFA, to allow it The US Embassy in Manila Sadpara, John Snorri of Iceland Waqas Johar, a district gov- attempting to climb K2 in efforts but said “as a climber, I to work with Washington on a did not immediately respond and Juan Pablo Mohr of Chile ernment administrator, said on winter. know that... only a miracle can long-term pact. to a request for comment. — grew increasingly concerned Twitter that almost 60% of K2 “Miracles do happen and the save their lives.” “I am narrowing down the US Secretary of State issues and soon we will meet... Antony Blinken last month and iron out whatever differ- stressed the importance of the Australia scribe ences we have,” Foreign Affairs MDT should Manila come Secretary Teodoro Locsin told under attack in the South China formally arrested ANC news channel yesterday, Sea. Blinken’s comments came adding a meeting was likely in as the Philippines protested in China the last week of February. China’s new law allowing its He declined to elaborate on coastguard to open fire on REUTERS — SYDNEY the terms of a potential foreign vessels in what it sees agreement. Duterte notified as its territory, describing it as An Australian journalist who Washington in February last a “threat of war”. has been detained for nearly six months in China where she worked for a state-television channel has been formally Cambodia releases detained arrested on suspicion of ille- gally supplying state secrets activists over logging protest overseas, the two countries said yesterday. REUTERS — PHNOM PENH “A prosecutor said there is no The announcement came crime and told us to go home,” as the family of Cheng Lei, 49, Cambodian authorities yesterday Ouch Leng said. pleaded with authorities to released five environmental The activists still intended to grant the former high-profile activists after they were detained go back to the sanctuary even if news anchor access to her two for three days for protesting permission was not granted, he school-age children. against illegal logging inside one said. “We are absolutely con- of the country’s biggest wildlife The activists had mounted a vinced of her innocence,” a sanctuaries. campaign at Prey Lang last family representative said in The five, including Ouch month, posting signs saying an emailed statement. Leng, a 2016 Goldman Environ- “don’t cut down trees” and Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit talking to reporters in Bangkok. “We respect China’s mental Prize winner, were placing Buddhist robes on trees judicial process and urge the detained by rangers on Friday to protect the sanctuary, Ouch authorities bring this matter to for being inside the Prey Lang Leng said. Thai court overturns takedown order a swift, compassionate and Wildlife Sanctuary without per- “They detained us so that timely conclusion.” Cheng was mission, Environment Ministry they could take our cameras, pic- arrested on February 5, Aus- spokesman Neth Pheaktra said. tures and phones so that we don’t over criticism of vaccine strategy tralia’s Foreign Minister Marise The Kratie Provincial Court report logging crimes,” he said. Payne and Chinese foreign court had released the five who A report by Global Witness REUTERS — BANGKOK Juangroongruangkit, accusing Thanathorn’s accusation that the ministry spokesman Wang signed an agreement not to enter said Prey Lang - which is home him of insulting the king, an government was slow to procure Wenbin said separately restricted areas without per- to endangered plants and A Thai court yesterday overturned offense punishable by up to 15 vaccines and too reliant on the yesterday. mission, Neth Pheaktra said. A animals - lost nearly a tenth of its order for an opposition figure years in prison. AstraZeneca vaccine, which Siam The journalist was born in case has also been filed against its forest cover in about two to remove social media videos in “The court saw that Thana- Bioscience, a firm owned by King China but moved with her Ouch Leng’s Cambodian Human decades to 2018 and that illegal which he criticised the govern- thorn’s comments were honest Maha Vajiralongkorn, will man- parents to Australia as a child, Rights Task Force for not being logging has escalated during the ment’s coronavirus vaccine opinions which didn’t affect ufacture locally. and attended university in registered with the Interior Min- pandemic. Asked whether illegal strategy, which he had called national security,” Kritsadang He said Thailand was offered Queensland. istry, he said. logging was taking place in the opaque, slow and unfairly Nutcharat, Thanathorn’s lawyer, higher prices from the interna- Her children, aged nine Ouch Leng said he was sanctuary, Neth Pheaktra said favourable to a royal-owned said. tional vaccine sharing scheme and eleven, were visiting their released because he did not do any evidence should be pre- company. A court official confirmed the COVAX, and due to local laws, the grandparents in Australia anything wrong. sented to the ministry. The government has also decision to reverse the order but government could not commit to during school closures in lodged a complaint separately did not elaborate. downpayments for vaccines Beijing caused by the over the same remarks by banned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- when effectiveness or delivery COVID-19 pandemic when she politician Thanathorn ocha on Sunday rejected could not be guaranteed. was detained. South Korea reassures ageing residents on Astra vaccine REUTERS — SEOUL the use of the AstraZeneca director Jeong Eun-kyeong said older. Several European nations vaccine for people older than 65, some 1.5 million doses of Astra- have said they plan to restrict the With one of the fastest ageing citing a lack of data, the food and Zeneca vaccines, enough for vaccine to younger people, or are populations in the world, South drug safety ministry said last some 750,000 people, will arrive considering doing so, because of Korea has sought to reassure week. The government con- in the final week of February. insufficient data on its efficacy in elderly residents as it said it firmed yesterday it would go AstraZeneca vaccines will be the elderly. AstraZeneca denied would push ahead with Astra- ahead with plans to distribute the supplied to South Korea starting media reports that its vaccine Zeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine but company’s vaccine, but that reg- on February 24, local news outlet was not very effective for people is still examining its efficacy for ulators will decide later this week Yonhap reported later in the day over 65, saying a strong immune people older than 65. whether to provide it to older cit- citing the government. response to the vaccine had been Cambodian environmental activist Leng Ouch accepts his award at A panel of South Korean izens. Korea Disease Control and Nearly 16 percent of South shown in blood analysis of the 2017 Asia Game Changer Awards and Gala Dinner in Manhattan, advisers has urged caution over Prevention Agency (KDCA) Korea’s population is 65 years or elderly trial participants. New York, US, on November 1, 2017. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 Govts back AstraZeneca jab after SA pauses roll-out REUTERS — LONDON French Health Minister Olivier Veran voiced Western governments rushed support for the AstraZeneca vaccine, arguing it to offer support for the Astra- provided sufficient protection against “nearly Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine after South Africa halted its roll-out all the variants” of the virus. German Health when research showed it Minister Jens Spahn said current evidence offered minimal protection against mild infection from a suggests all three vaccines approved in Europe variant spreading there. — which include AstraZeneca — provided The arrival of vaccines has effective protection against serious infections. given hope that scientists can tame a pandemic that has killed 2.3 million people worldwide. in vaccinated populations, as and death, while AstraZeneca But if vaccines are less effective expected,” said Andrew Pollard, said it believed its vaccine could against new variants, they may chief investigator on the Oxford protect against severe disease. need to be tweaked and people vaccine trial. “But, taken with “We think that both the vac- may need booster shots. the promising results from other cines that we’re currently using South Africa announced its studies in South Africa using a are effective in, as I say, in pause after researchers from similar viral vector, vaccines stopping serious disease and the University of Witwatersrand may continue to ease the toll on death,” British Prime Minister President Emmanuel Macron of France, wearing a protective face mask, attends a video-conference and the University of Oxford health care systems by pre- Boris Johnson told reporters. meeting with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the found that the AstraZeneca venting severe disease.” Britain also uses the Pfizer shot. Elysee Palace, in Paris yesterday. vaccine provided only minimal French Health Minister “We also think in particular protection against mild or mod- Olivier Veran voiced support for in the case of the Oxford Astra- fundamental task, to protect the had hoped to roll out the Astra- the South African variant erate infection from the B.1.351 the AstraZeneca vaccine, Zeneca vaccine that there’s health,” Health Minister Greg Zeneca shot this month, is showed there was only a 22% variant, now the dominant form arguing it provided sufficient good evidence that it is stopping Hunt said. storing around 1 million doses lower risk of developing mild- of the virus in that country. protection against “nearly all transmission, as well, I think But if vaccines do not it has received from the Serum to-moderate COVID-19, more The research is not yet peer the variants” of the virus. 67% reduction in transmission.” work as effectively as hoped Institute of India. than 14 days after being vacci- reviewed and did not provide German Health Minister Australia is expected approve against new and emerging The B.1.351 variant dominant nated with the AstraZeneca data on older people most likely Jens Spahn said current evi- the use of the AstraZeneca variants, then the world in South Africa, also known as shot, versus those given a to die or need hospitalisation. dence suggests all three vac- vaccine within days and could be facing a much 20I/501Y.V2, is also circulating in placebo. Protection against There was no data on whether cines approved in Europe — expressed confidence in it. longer— and more expensive at least 40 other countries, moderate-severe disease, hos- the vaccine would prevent which include AstraZeneca — “There is currently no evi- — battle against the virus including the United States. Other pitalisation or death could not severe illness, and researchers provided effective protection dence to indicate a reduction in than previously thought. major variants include one first be assessed in the study of said that was still possible. against serious infections. the effectiveness of either the The AstraZeneca vaccine found in Britain, known as around 2,000 volunteers who “This study confirms that Britain and Australia urged AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines was the big hope for Africa as it 20I/501Y.V1, and one found in had a median age of 31, as the the pandemic coronavirus will calm, citing evidence that the in preventing severe disease is cheap and easy to store and Brazil known as P.1. target population were at such find ways to continue to spread vaccines prevented grave illness and death. That is the transport. South Africa, which An analysis of infections by low risk.

Snowstorm forces many construction Southwest France hit by heavy floods; Paris area on alert sites in Germany AP — SAINTES, FRANCE he has lived for less than a year. Fire brigade chief Pascal to shut Southwestern France was hit by Leprince said his services had heavy flooding yesterday evacuated about 400 people in REUTERS — BERLIN following days of torrential rain, Saintes and he estimated that up and several other regions to 800 people had left their A snowstorm has forced many including eastern Paris were on houses on their own. To the construction sites in Germany flood alert ahead of a cold snap southeast of Bordeaux, where the to shut, an industry group said expected later this week. river Garonne last week flooded yesterday, crippling a sector The worst flooding was in large areas between Marmande that has been providing vital Saintes, 115km north of Bor- and La Reole, floodwaters were impetus during the corona- deaux, where the river Charente receding, but the waters of the virus pandemic to an economy stood at a near-record level of Charente were not expected to that shrank 5% last year. 6.20 metres (20 feet). The fall before Wednesday. As in most of Europe, tem- waters were at waist level in “We are at a peak level now. peratures in Germany plunged several streets and knee-deep We expect water levels to rise to their lowest so far this in large parts of the town. a little more in coming days, winter as a weather system Hundreds of people were and to subside from mid-week,” forecasters have widely evacuated as water seeping into a Charente-Maritime spokes- dubbed the “Beast from the cellars knocked out power sup- woman said. The city, on the East” sent temperatures well plies. Local authorities laid Charente river, also saw several below zero. beams on cinder blocks so res- streets flooded. “Many construction sites idents could walk from flooded The France Meteo weather have closed down,” said houses to dry land. service put seven departments A rescue worker walks in a flooded area to help residents as the Charente River overflows in Saintes Heinrich Weitz of the German “We knew this was in a on flood alert yesterday, after days of rainy weather causing flooding in western France, yesterday. Construction Industry Associ- flood zone, but not that the area including Charente-Maritime, ation (HDB). “Pouring concrete could flood up to this point, oth- two areas along the Loire river, the river Seine have been inac- highs of 5.88 metres seen in river broke its banks in several or laying asphalt in these tem- erwise we would never have the Somme and Oise regions in cessible for days after the river January 2018 and 6.10 metres in towns, notably in Conde-Sainte- peratures is impossible.” taken this flat,” said Saintes res- northern France and the Seine- broke its banks, but water levels, June 2016. Along the river Marne, Libaire and Esbly, where several Temperatures fell to minus ident Cyril Cheransac, who had et-Marne region east of Paris. at 4.35 metres last morning, which flows into the Seine on the streets were flooded. 8 degrees in Berlin and minus to leave the apartment where In Paris, parts of quays on remained well below recent eastern edge of the capital, the 3 in Frankfurt yesterday, according to The Weather Channel, and were projected to stay around there for most With trust low, UK calls for refinement of Brexit deal Many injured in of the week. The German economy REUTERS — LONDON to use emergency measures that could “There are number of issues... fire at migrant eked out 0.1% growth in the create a hard border between the where we believe that we do need fourth quarter thanks to Britain and the European Union need British province of Northern Ireland refinement of the way in which the centre in Berlin exports and a construction to reset their relationship after trust and EU member Ireland. protocol operates for it to be effective sector kept humming by infra- was eroded by a row over vaccine The EU swiftly changed position, in the interests of the people of REUTERS — BERLIN structure investments and supplies, British minister Michael Gove but London hopes to capitalise on the Northern Ireland.” demand for new housing. said yesterday, calling for a refinement gaffe, which united British politicians Some Northern Irish politicians A fire broke out yesterday at a building Consumption, by contrast, of a deal covering post-Brexit trade in in their criticism, by trying to gain have complained that new rules have in Berlin that houses newly arrived has been hit by a lockdown Northern Ireland. changes to the part of the Brexit divorce caused shortages in supermarkets asylum seekers, the fire brigade said on introduced in November and Since Britain completed its journey deal which covers trade with Northern and have impeded the delivery of Twitter, adding that many people were hardened in mid-December to out of the EU’s orbit at the beginning Ireland. other goods, and have called for the injured. contain a second wave of of this year, trade between Northern “It was a moment when trust was so-called Northern Ireland Protocol It was not clear what had caused the COVID-19 infections. Ireland and the rest of the United eroded, when damage was done and be scrapped. fire on Niedstrasse in the German capi- “Freak weather will bring Kingdom has become a flashpoint for where movement is required in order But the EU and Britain have agreed tal’s south-western Friedenau district. the construction sector to an ties with the bloc. to ensure that we have an appropriate to “work intensively” to resolve the dif- “The fire at the refugee centre has almost standstill at least in Ties are strained, not only by years reset,” Gove, in charge of imple- ficulties, and Gove is expected to meet been confirmed,” the Berlin fire February,” said Carsten of bruising Brexit negotiations, but after menting the divorce agreement with European Commission Vice President department said on Twitter, adding that Brzeski, global head of macro the EU announced its plans for export the EU, told a parliamentary Maros Sefcovic this week to try to find 70 firefighters had been sent to the scene at ING. controls on vaccines and threatened committee. a way forward. to take care of the many injured. Luxembourg defends itself against new tax haven allegations

AP — LUXEMBOURG The Luxembourg government investment funds “largely said in a statement it “rejects the operate in secrecy.” Luxembourg yesterday denied claims made in these articles as The government countered claims made in international well as the entirely unjustified that “Luxembourg is fully in line media publications that the portrayal of the country and its and compliant with all EU and nation is a massive tax haven economy.” international regulations and for the world’s rich and famous It said that as an interna- transparency standards, and despite European Union legis- tional financial center, “Luxem- applies, without exception, the lation to clamp down on it. bourg continuously assesses and full arsenal of EU and interna- A group of media outlets updates its supervisory archi- tional measures to exchange including France’s Le Monde tecture and arsenal of measures information in tax matters and allege that the Grand Duchy has to combat money laundering and combat tax abuse and tax scores of ghost companies terrorist financing.” avoidance.” European law- without staff or offices with only The Transparency Interna- maker Sven Giegold of the the aim in mind to hide or protect tional group said the so-called Greens/EFA group said the Snow woes funds and wealth from tax col- OpenLux investigation by Le efforts of Luxembourg had not lectors or harbor suspect funds. Monde and others showed gone far enough. “Luxembourg People walk through a snow-covered Westminster Bridge with the Parliament in the background, The outlets cite financial data “major weaknesses in anti- acts as a go-between for as Storm Darcy affects large parts of the country, in London, Britain, yesterday. they collated based on publicly money laundering frameworks European countries and tax available registers of companies. in Luxembourg,” where havens around the world. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 EUROPE 13 EU expels 3 Russian diplomats in reciprocal move

REUTERS — BRUSSELS Germany, Poland and Sweden expelled three Russia’s consulate in the city of But the executive European the completion of the Nord Russian diplomats yesterday. The expulsions Poznan to leave “in accordance Commission said it had no Stream 2 energy pipeline Germany, Poland and Sweden with the principle of reciprocity regrets about Borrell making his between Russia and Germany. expelled three Russian diplomats underscore the volatility in East-West relations and in coordination with first trip to Moscow as the coor- Some EU states are now in a coordinated retaliation and an erosion of trust among former Cold War Germany and Sweden.” dinator of EU foreign policy intensifying a push for new yesterday for the expulsion of Swedish Foreign Minister Ann because Russia was on a course Western sanctions against three European Union diplomats foes, as the West accuses Moscow of trying to Linde said Stockholm’s action was towards confrontation — which Moscow, two diplomats said. by Russia while the EU’s foreign destabilise it and the Kremlin rejects what it a “clear response to the unac- Borrell sought to avert. Poland convened a two- policy chief was visiting Moscow sees as foreign interference. ceptable (Russian) decision to “The trip was necessary. hour-long video call with EU last week. expel a Swedish diplomat who One doesn’t give up on a trip states yesterday that was joined The tit-for-tat expulsions was only performing his duties”. because it looks difficult,” Com- by envoys from Britain, the underscore the volatility in Russia’s Foreign Ministry mission spokesman Eric Mamer United States, Canada and East-West relations and an social media while speaking with before Borrell’s trip. said the EU countries’ action said in Brussels. “A trip is not a Ukraine, as well as two allies of erosion of trust among former Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Germany’s Foreign Office, against its diplomats was success or a failure on the basis Navalny, Vladimir Ashurkov and Cold War foes, as the West Lavrov in Moscow on Friday. in a statement regarding its “unjustified and unfriendly”, of what happens during a par- Leonid Volkov, to discuss policy accuses Moscow of trying to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry ejection of a Russian diplomat, Interfax news agency reported. ticular moment.” on Russia, including sanctions. destabilise it and the Kremlin Peskov said yesterday the said the German diplomat In a blog released late on Peskov told reporters that During Borrell’s visit, he rejects what it sees as foreign removal of diplomats from booted out by Moscow was only Sunday, Borrell said his pleas to Russian officials “were not the and Lavrov gave a news con- interference. Germany, Poland and Sweden, “carrying out his task of Russia to halt the expulsions were initiators of the collapse in ference at which the Russian The EU executive defended accused by Moscow of taking reporting on developments on ignored. Estonia’s former defence relations”. minister described the EU as “an Josep Borrell over his trip to part in protests last month the spot in a legal fashion”. chief Riho Terras, now an EU law- Borrell will today address unreliable partner” and the Russia where has said he had against jailed Kremlin critic Poland’s Foreign Ministry maker, has started a campaign to the European Parliament, which Spaniard praised Russia’s learned of the expulsions via Alexei Navalny, took place a day said it ordered a member of call for Borrell’s resignation. has called for sanctions to stop COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19: Healthcare staff in Spain suffer mental trauma REUTERS — BARCELONA He has not been able to workers, have difficulties embrace his mother for almost admitting having a psycho- It has been eight months since a year. logical problem because they he last treated a patient with The emotional toll of consider it a weakness, a per- COVID-19, but Spanish nurse treating COVID-19 patients is sonal fault,” said Eduard Vieta, Ricardo Belmonte still feels under increasing scrutiny, as head of psychiatry and psy- anxious when he recalls the first overworked medics around the chology at Barcelona’s Hospital wave of the pandemic at the world relive their experiences Clinic, which was part of the intensive care unit of Barce- of overcrowded hospital wards study. lona’s Vall d’Hebron Hospital. and high death rates. He said the hospital offered Early last year patients were Spain has been among the counselling, and had discovered pleading with him to save their worst-hit countries, with that one of the biggest chal- lives and he had to live apart around three million cases and lenges was to convince health from his family for three more than 61,000 deaths. workers to come off the months to protect them from About 45 percent of COVID-19 frontline, because infection. healthcare staff in Spain were they “don’t see their limits”. “A feeling of anxiety has at high risk of some type of Belmonte declined his hos- stayed with me all this time. I mental disorder after the coro- pital’s offer of a therapist, as he have been overcoming it with navirus’ first wave, according preferred to open up to his the help of my family, talking to a recent survey of 9,000 pro- family. Hospital staff members Ricardo Belmonte, 50, and Teresa Pastor (right), 53, talk about their feelings with other colleagues,” said Bel- fessionals in 18 hospitals. It also He said he would happily and thoughts in an interview, after having worked with patients suffering from the coronavirus disease, monte, 50. showed 3.5 percent of them had treat COVID-19 patients again in an Intensive Care Unit of a Hospital, in Barcelona, Spain. The coronavirus and asso- suicidal thoughts. at the intensive care unit (ICU) ciated disease, COVID-19, had Depression, anxiety and where he works, which spe- at the ICU where she works. avoiding human contact. therapist, preferring to speak with an even deeper impact because post traumatic stress disorder cialises in cardiology, but from Treating COVID-19 patients “The (mental) scars will last, family and friends and find her his parents contracted it and it were the most common com- March to May dealt solely with has changed her and she still because no one will erase what own peace. But she said many killed his 90-year-old father. plaints. The mental health COVID-19. feels the emotional impact. you lived. What’s different is professionals hide their feelings “It makes me angry not impact was higher among His colleague Teresa Pastor, Pastor has increased her yoga how you treat these scars and because of the stigma they believe having been able to take care people who caught COVID-19 53, felt the opposite. Although practice to instil calm, and if you want them to be very is related to mental health. of him,” Belmonte recalled, or whose family members did. she loves her job, she does not would like a part-time job visible or not,” Pastor said. “People don’t tend to talk unable to hold back the tears. “People, including (health) want to relive that experience taking care of plants or animals, She also declined to see a about this,” she said. Austria warns against travel to EU ties recovery funds to Hungary procurement reform REUTERS — BRUSSELS Minister Viktor Orban’s other EU countries. “It would be completely the highest single-bidding rates Tyrol province, government. The Commission document irresponsible of the Commission in the EU, leading to systemic The European Union’s executive “Competition in public pro- called specifically for improved to allow these necessary funds overpricing, and that Hungarian eases virus curbs has told Hungary to reform its curement is insufficient in data transparency and accessi- to be managed by a system that laws on conflict of interest were public procurement laws to practice,” said the document, bility, which it argued would lacks the necessary anti-fraud marred by loopholes. AP — VIENNA curb systemic fraud before citing “systemic irregularities” lead to a fairer and more open rules in place,” Transparency “The Commission has been billions of euros from the bloc’s that “led to the highest financial procurement process. International’s Nicholas Aiossa pushing for a better analysis and Austria yesterday issued a new pandemic recovery fund correction in the history of (EU) Hungary had irregularities said yesterday. control of public procurement warning against travel to its are made available, according structural funds in 2019”. in nearly four percent of its Orban has disputed OLAF’s risks for many years,” the doc- Tyrol province amid concerns to an internal document. Asked to comment on the spending of EU funds in 2015- findings, saying in September: “I ument read. “But there seems to over cases of a coronavirus The European Commission Commission’s call for reform of 2019, the bloc’s anti-fraud body don’t accept the point that be political opposition at the variant first discovered in is managing the ¤750bn its public procurement laws, the OLAF said last year, compared Hungary is more corrupt than highest level. These measures South Africa, even as the stimulus scheme and has Hungarian government, which to an EU average of 0.36 Austria or Germany or Denmark”. are simple to implement from a country eased its third already told several EU states has battled with EU authorities percent and much worse than The Commission document technical perspective and fit into lockdown by reopening their proposals for spending over rule of law issues, said it the second-poorest score of listed legal changes needed to the digitalisation objectives.” schools, shops, hairdressing their shares must be improved. was working on a response. 0.53 percent for Slovakia. introduce more transparency, As France warned that salons, museums and zoos. The bloc wants outright Budapest is due to receive OLAF said in 2016 that the real competition between back-and-forth between the Officials have been dis- changes to Hungary’s public nearly ¤6.3bn in free grants EU should ask Budapest to repay bidders and accountability in Commission and EU countries cussing for days whether extra procurement laws, according to from the recovery scheme if more than ¤280m in funding to Hungarian public procurement risked delaying spending of the restrictions are required in the January 26 Commission doc- its spending plan is proposed build a metro line in the Hun- to avoid fraud and the need to recovery funds, a senior Com- Tyrol, a popular skiing desti- ument laying out specific legal by an end-April deadline and garian capital due to “fraud and recuperate misspent aid. mission official said more work nation. Federal authorities say changes required of Prime then accepted by Brussels and possible corruption”. It said Hungary had one of needed to be done. 293 infections with the more contagious variant first dis- covered in South Africa have been confirmed in Tyrol. Netherlands freezes The regional government yesterday drew up a list of measures that included calls international adoptions for people to avoid nones- sential travel, more police REUTERS — AMSTERDAM despite recent reforms “too checks on mask-wearing and much remains out of our sight” social distancing, and a The Netherlands is freezing inter- in some foreign countries. requirement for negative national adoptions after a “I understand that this will be antigen tests before people can government commission found painful for some people, but let us use cable cars and ski lifts. some children had been stolen or not forget the reason for this A little later, the federal bought from their birth parents decision: by suspending adoptions government urged Austrians in cases going back to the 1960s. we are protecting children and to refrain from nonessential The commission was set up their biological parents,” he said. travel to Tyrol, which borders under pressure from increasing In a letter announcing the Germany, Italy and Swit- numbers of grown up adopted halt, Dekker apologised to the zerland. It called on people children who began to research adopted children, adoptive who have been in the region their roots and often found that parents and birth parents who in the past two weeks to get their birth documents had been were harmed in varying tested and for those planning forged or lost, or that their degrees by the practice. to travel from Tyrol to other adoption had been illegal. “The positive sentiment Austrian regions to be tested Workers collect plastic waste from Tisza river in Vasarosnameny, Hungary. It looked at adoptions from around adoption in the pre- before they set off. Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, vious century — with the “Everything must be done Indonesia and Sri Lanka from leading idea that we were doing to prevent these (virus) muta- Floods send sea of plastic waste to Hungary 1967 to 1998. good by adoption — may be an tions spreading ever further,” Dutch parents adopted explanation, but it is not a jus- Chancellor Sebastian Kurz REUTERS — BUDAPEST waste from the Tisza and entered Hungary. around 40,000 children from 80 tification,” Dekker said. said. Szamos rivers, Gabriella Siklos, “At Tivadar (a village on the countries in the previous half He said it would be up to Austria’s overall relaxation Flooding has sent carpets of a spokeswoman at the Hun- Tisza) there are still 50-70 century. The practice has the next government to decide of restrictions is far from com- waste plastic down river into garian Water Authority said. bottles flowing every minute declined in recent years, with just whether any foreign adoption plete. People going to the hair- Hungary over the past few days, Plastic bottles are streaming and there are similar numbers 145 children adopted in 2019. system could be designed that dresser will need to show a officials say, despite earlier in on the Tisza from Ukraine, on the Szamos River,” he said. In some of the most difficult would not be vulnerable to such negative test result that is at pleas to its upstream neigh- where it rises, and on the While much of the debris is cases, children adopted via inter- abuses. most 48 hours old. bours Ukraine and Romania for Szamos river that flows from organic when water levels rise, mediaries were found to have Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s In shops, customers have an end to the pollution. Romania, said Gabor Molnar, household waste, including been stolen or purchased under government resigned last to wear full protective masks As of yesterday, floating an engineer at the authority, slippers and even televisions, duress from their birth parents. month over a tax scandal and rather than just fabric face garbage disposal units have adding that colleagues up river appears alongside the plastic Rights Minister Sander is acting in a caretaker capacity coverings. removed 500 cubic metres of were counting them as they bottles, Molnar said. Dekker said yesterday that until an election due in March. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 Ecuador heads to runoff ballot amid deep divisions

AP — QUITO The top candidate in happen to Moreno, and Moreno, of course, broke away to the Ecuador is headed to a runoff Sunday’s ballot was right and ended up not gov- presidential election in April Andrés Arauz, who erning as Correa’s puppet.” with its deep political divisions head to a runoff on Gustavo Isch, an analyst and evident after the first round of professor at the Universidad voting, which saw a young April 11. But long after Andina, took a different view. leftist backed by a convicted- polls closed it was not He said Sunday’s winner but-popular former president was Correa, not Arauz, because lead the field of 16 candidates clear if Arauz would the candidate on the ballot did while the second slot remained face Guillermo Lasso, not propose anything new undecided between a conserv- during his campaign. “Arauz’s ative former banker and an in his third run for the offer is, ‘Let’s go back to what Indigenous leader. presidency, or Yaku we had with Correa,’” Isch said. The top candidate in Sun- He feels Pérez will have the day’s ballot was Andrés Arauz, Pérez. edge over Arauz if he makes it who is supported by former into the runoff election. President Rafael Correa, a whose criminal conviction Arauz got 31.5 percent of the major influence in the troubled blocked him from seeking the votes, while Pérez had 20.04 Andean nation despite a cor- vice presidency this year. percent and Lasso had 19.97 ruption conviction. “What you are seeing here percent, according to an official That gave Arauz a spot in is really fractured politics,” said quick count from the Electoral Supporters of presidential candidate Andres Arauz gather while waiting for official results of the the April 11 runoff. But long after Marc Becker, a history professor Council of Ecuador late Sunday. presidential election, in Quito, Ecuador. polls closed it was not clear if with a focus on Latin America To win outright, a candidate Arauz would face Guillermo at Truman State University in needed 50 percent of the votes, was registered to do so in indigenous uprising in Ecuador participation of private entities Lasso, in his third run for the Kirksville, Missouri. or to have at least 40 percent Mexico, where he lived until against the increase in fuel to replace state financing. presidency after a long career Becker said Pérez’s unex- with a 10-point lead over the shortly before his nomination, prices. The civil unrest lasted 11 In Ecuador, voting is man- in business, banking and gov- pected strong showing reflected closest opponent. and he did not change his elec- days. datory. Skipping a trip to the ernment, or Yaku Pérez, an a rising interest in mining and Arauz, a former culture min- toral address. Lasso, 65, was making a polls comes with a $40 fine. Indigenous rights and environ- environmental concerns among ister who attended the University Perez, 51, is a lawyer and third run for the presidency The coronavirus pandemic mental activist. Ecuadorians, but added that he of Michigan, has proposed one of the country’s most visible after a long career in business, prompted government officials Pérez’s challenge for second felt conditions favor Arauz for making the wealthy pay more Indigenous leaders. He became banking and government. He to require voters to wear masks, place surprised some observers the runoff. taxes and strengthening con- governor of an Ecuadorian favours free-market policies bring their own bottle of hand because he had trailed Arauz “I’m assuming at this point sumer protection mechanisms, province in 2019, but he and Ecuador’s rapprochement sanitizer and pencil, keep a and Lasso in pre-election polls. that Arauz is going to be elected, public banking and local credit resigned a year later to seek the with international 5-foot distance from others and April’s winner will succeed and it is a big unknown how he and savings organizations. Arauz, presidency. During the cam- organizations. avoid all personal contact in the President Lenín Moreno. He will end up governing,” Becker 36, said he would not comply paign, the widower and father He promised to create more polling places. also was initially a protege of said, referring to Correa’s with agreements with the Inter- of two travelled about 1,243 jobs and attract international The only time voters were Correa but he turned on his influence. national Monetary Fund. miles on a bamboo bicycle. banks. He also wants to boost allowed to lower their masks predecessor, who had governed “Four years ago, people Arauz could not cast his vote Pérez’s showing comes the oil, mining and energy was during the identification Ecuador for a decade and thought the same thing would in the capital, Quito, because he more than a year after an sectors through the process. Mexico President begins daily news conferences Venezuela-Colombia spar AP — MEXICO CITY The president also revealed Despite Mexico’s dearth of Interior Secretary Olga puts woman in legal limbo that he twice tested negative in vaccines — the country hasn’t Sánchez Cordero took over Mexican President Andrés late January in rapid tests that received new shipments in during his absence, and the REUTERS — BOGOTA Venezuela’s military seized the Manuel López Obrador are widely used in Mexico, weeks, and is down to its last conferences were quite dif- vessel after Herrera declined returned to his daily morning before a more thorough test — 55,000 doses — López Obrador ferent for a while. Sánchez A year after a Colombian oil to pay bribes to officers, crew news conferences Monday apparently PCR — came back repeated his faith that the Cordero sought out daily news- tanker captain was murdered members said. following a two-week absence positive the same day. “I came country will get enough vac- paper reporters for questions; by Venezuela’s military, his For six months, the crew after catching coronavirus, but through well, healthy,” López cines from Pfizer, Russia, China the president prefers taking widow says she still cannot was held prisoner on board. vowed not to wear a mask or Obrador said, noting he had and India to vaccinate all Mex- questions from sympathetic claim his pension to support Then, one night in February, require Mexicans to use them. been doing breathing exercises icans over 60 by the end of web sites. Nor did Sánchez their two sons as the Vene- masked soldiers raided the “There is no authoritari- as well. “We are back on our March. Cordero criticize the newspaper zuelan government refuses to boat, stealing valuables and anism in Mexico... everything is feet again, in fighting style.” That would imply the reporters, as López Obrador authenticate his death certif- shooting Herrera. A Venezuelan voluntary, liberty is the most Many residents of Mexico daunting task of giving about frequently does. icate. court later ordered the arrest important thing,” López City have been unable to find 15 million people at least one True to style, López Obrador Jaime Herrera, 59, was shot of seven officers on charges Obrador said. “It is each per- beds at Mexico City’s over- dose in just a month and a half. came back swinging, saying his dead on board the tanker in that included murder. son’s own decision.” crowded hospitals, and have López Obrador has held his opponents “have not stopped February 2020 by officers Herrera’s death left Fortich López Obrador revealed he been forced to treat sick rela- daily news conferences almost politicizing the issue of COVID,” tasked with guarding his crew, back home in the Colombian received experimental treat- tives at home. López Obrador every working day for more and claiming that “the plague according to a Reuters investi- city of Cartagena with their two ments, which he described only was treated at the apartment than two years, and this was the of corruption” has done much gation published last year that young sons, one of whom has as an “antiviral” medication and where he lives in the city’s longest he has been absent from more damage to Mexico than highlighted his death as an been diagnosed with autism an anti-inflammatory drug. National Palace. them. the novel coronavirus. example of Venezuela’s and needs her full-time care, lawlessness. preventing her from working. Now, Herrera’s widow, She says that without Herrera’s Pfizer applies for Claudia Fortich, says the savings, held at Colombian breakdown of diplomatic rela- pension fund Porvenir, she full COVID-19 tions between Venezuela and could lose her house. Colombia has left her in a des- To grant her access, Por- vaccine approval perate limbo without the legal venir required an authenticated right to access his savings. Ven- death certificate, which Fortich in Brazil ezuela’s government has requested from Colombia’s denied requests she sent to National Civil Registry. The reg- AL JAZEERA — BRASILIA obtain the required document, istry told her that since Herrera and Colombia’s foreign min- died in Venezuela, the certif- Pfizer Inc has applied for full istry told her in an email that it icate had to be authenticated regulatory approval for its was “impossible” to help her. there. But Venezuelan author- COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil, “Although nothing will ities ignored her, she said. the country’s health regulator bring back my husband, I feel She filed a lawsuit against said, amid continuing unrest victimised again by the Vene- Porvenir, the civil registry, and over right-wing President Jair zuelan government because Colombia’s foreign ministry to Bolsonaro’s response to the besides killing him, they won’t obtain an exemption, but in pandemic and slow vaccine give me what I need to continue October a judge ruled against roll-out. with my life,” she said. her, saying she should continue The Pfizer-BioNTech In a statement, Colombia’s seeking the document in vaccine is the second sub- foreign ministry said Fortich’s Venezuela. mitted for full approval in case was a matter for Vene- Porvenir, in a statement, Brazil after AstraZeneca zuelan authorities. Venezuela’s said once Fortich “has the applied on January 29 for the Information Ministry did not required documents, Porvenir vaccine it created with Oxford respond to requests to will give priority attention to University. comment. her case.” That vaccine is being man- Herrera captained the Fortich says one of her few ufactured in Brazil in part- Guarding vaccines tanker, the San Ramon, during options remaining is to ask nership with the federally a voyage to the Venezuelan Colombian authorities to funded Fiocruz biomedical Police officers stand guard outside the National Centre for Strategic Health Resourcing (CENARES) port of Puerto La Cruz, where declare Herrera dead in centre. where doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccines against the coronavirus disease are being stored, in it intended to load a shipment absentia, even though she wit- Brazil has already Lima, Peru, on Sunday. of diesel. On arriving, nessed his interment. approved the Oxford-Astra- Zeneca vaccine and the Chinese-developed SinoVac shots for emergency use and Brazil’s wealthy cause a stir trying to score quick vaccines began a vaccination drive in mid-January, but that roll-out AP — SAO PAULO Latin America’s most unequal moneyed Brazilians want to open, with the prosperous coor- ripped up his 100 reais ($20) has been plagued by delays in country. President Jair Bol- find a swift path to vaccination, dinating efforts that the gov- fine. ingredient shipments. Brazilian marketing executive sonaro, under fire for his gov- sparking backlash from some ernment endorses, according to “Brazil’s wealthy nor- The Pfizer-BioNTech Eduardo Menga is extra ernment’s handling of the pan- public health experts and Roberto DaMatta, an emeritus malized slavery for ages. Now, vaccine has an overall efficacy cautious when it comes to his demic, has promised not to igniting debate on social media, anthropology professor at the they accept that more poor and of 95 percent, and efficacy of health. During the pandemic, interfere. editorial pages and talk shows. University of Notre Dame. Black people die of COVID, and 94 percent in people aged over he consulted a slew of doctors “When I go to a restaurant There has been concern glo- “The pandemic makes Bra- put little pressure on a gov- 65, Pfizer has said. to ensure he was in good shape and I pay for my own food, I’m bally that the privileged could zil’s inequality more obvious, ernment that has sabotaged the The prospect of distrib- and uprooted his family from not taking anyone else’s food,” game the system to get them- because the virus doesn’t rollout. Taking the vaccine in uting a new vaccine in Brazil Rio de Janeiro to a quiet city in the 68-year-old Menga said selves vaccinated before others. choose social class, but the cure this scenario might depend on came as Bolsonaro has faced the countryside where he works from his home in Jundiai in Sao When the connected have been just might,” said DaMatta, who organization, so the well-off are protests – largely organised by remotely. His wife Bianca Paulo state. “I don’t think caught leapfrogging ahead, in authored the book Do You organizing,” DaMatta said. left-wing parties and groups Rinaldi, an actress, hasn’t getting a vaccine from a private countries like Morocco and Spain, Know With Whom You’re Business leaders and some – against his handling of the worked since March. clinic will take it from someone they have faced criticism, inves- Speaking? a portrait of Brazilian authorities defend attempts to pandemic. Menga and Rinaldi are else waiting in the public tigations or forced resignations. privilege. It was inspired by epi- secure a vaccine as boosting The president previously among a minority of Brazilians system. It could be an alter- Brazil has had its reports of sodes during the pandemic, Brazil’s economic reboot. And dismissed the virus as a “little who will pay for a COVID-19 native line, and those who have line-jumpers, too, but the nation including a judge who refused anyway, they argue, why flu” and rejected the need to vaccine if an association of the chance should take it.” stands apart because manoeu- a policeman’s order to don a shouldn’t the well-heeled buy put public health restrictions private clinics can close a deal Amid the government’s vring isn’t only done in the mask, then called the state’s vaccines if government efforts in place to prevent its spread. to bring five million shots to stumbling vaccine rollout, many shadows. Some is out in the security chief to protest and are falling short TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 US plans to reengage with UN rights council

AP — WASHINGTON The decision is likely persistent focus on Israel, the to draw criticism Trump administration took The United States announced issue with the body’s mem- plans yesterday to reengage from conservative bership, which currently with the much-maligned UN lawmakers and many includes China, Cuba, Eritrea, Human Rights Council that Russia and Venezuela, all of former President Donald in the pro-Israel which have been accused of Trump withdrew from almost community, who human rights abuses. three years ago, as the Biden Hillel Neuer, the executive administration reverses have derided the director of advocacy group UN another Trump-era move away council and echoed Watch, which often decries the from multilateral organizations council’s excessive focus on Israel, and agreements. Trump administration said the Obama administration Announcing the new complaints that it had had a “tendency to become approach from Washington, was too quick to a cheerleader for the council” — Secretary of State Antony and called on the Biden team to Blinken said the pullout in June overlook abuses by avoid it, and instead call out the US President Joe Biden salutes as he walks from Air Force One, as he arrives from Newcastle, Delaware, 2018 “did nothing to encourage autocratic regimes council’s “abuses.” meaningful change, but instead “The cost of the US decision at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, yesterday. created a vacuum of US lead- and governments. to rejoin is that it gives legit- ership, which countries with imacy to a council where tyr- authoritarian agendas have annies and other non-democ- Biden says virus immunity used to their advantage.” flawed body, in need of reform racies now comprise 60% of the “The Biden administration to its agenda, membership, and membership,” Neuer said. has recommitted the United focus, including its dispropor- “In exchange, the US must unlikely before end of summer States to a foreign policy cen- tionate focus on Israel,” he said. demand serious reform, tered on democracy, human Blinken said the council, when removing despots from the rights, and equality,” he said in it works well, “shines a spotlight council such as Venezuela’s BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON economy back on track. as we can to get more vaccine a statement. “Effective use of on countries with the worst human Nicolas Maduro regime, holding Herd immunity means manufactured,” he said. multilateral tools is an important rights records and can serve as an dictators to account, and President Joe Biden said it’s enough people become So far, 40.5 million doses element of that vision.” important forum for those fighting removing the agenda item that unlikely the US will reach herd resistant to the disease that its have been administered in the The decision is likely to draw injustice and tyranny.” targets Israel in each session, immunity for the coronavirus spread becomes unlikely. That US. criticism from conservative law- “To address the council’s the only one to focus on a single before the end of the summer provides protection to the Biden also said his adminis- makers and many in the pro- deficiencies and ensure it lives country,” he added. due to a shortfall in vaccine entire community, including tration may take the National Israel community, who have up to its mandate, the United The council’s next session availability. people who aren’t individually Football League up on an offer to derided the council and echoed States must be at the table using — the first of three each year, “The idea that this can be immune, according to Harvard make its stadiums available as Trump administration com- the full weight of our diplomatic and the only one to feature a done and we can get to herd University. It is typically mass vaccination sites. NFL Com- plaints that it was too quick to leadership,” he added. “high-level segment” that often immunity much before the end achieved through missioner Roger Goodell made overlook abuses by autocratic Trump pulled out of the lures top diplomats — runs from of this summer is very difficult,” vaccination. the offer in a letter last week. regimes and governments — and council due to its disproportionate Feb. 22 to March 23. Biden said in an interview with In the US, logistical delays “I tell my team they’re even accept them as members. focus on Israel, which has Although the US will have CBS News that aired on Sunday and vaccine shortages have available and I believe we’ll use Blinken said President Joe received by far the largest number only nonvoting observer status during Super Bowl pre-game meant only a small fraction of them,” Biden said in the Biden had instructed the State of critical council resolutions for now, US officials say the coverage. the population has received interview, which was taped at Department to “reengage against any country, and because administration intends to seek Biden also said the Centers shots since two different vac- the White House on Friday. immediately and robustly” with it failed to meet an extensive list one of the three full-member for Disease Control would issue cines became available in Biden blamed the Trump the council, but he acknowl- of reforms demanded by then-US seats left vacant when the guidance soon on how to December. administration for leaving the edged it still needs work. Ambassador to the United Nations current council terms of reopen classrooms safely, a key “Look, it was one thing if we US in a “more dire” situation “We recognize that the Nikki Haley. Austria, Denmark and Italy- early goal of his administration had enough vaccine, which we than expected with vaccine Human Rights Council is a Besides the council’s expire at the end of 2021. that’s part of getting the don’t. So we’re pushing as hard supplies. Avalanche kills four backcountry Trump lawyers call impeachment trial ‘political theatre’ AP — WASHINGTON was simply exercising his First political spectrum upon seeing There will likely be no wit- deadly riot, the proceedings are ski enthusiasts Amendment rights when he dis- the destruction at the Capitol on nesses called during the trial, expected to diverge from the Lawyers for Donald Trump puted the election results and Jan. 6 by a few hundred people,” and the former president has lengthy, complicated trial that AP — SALT LAKE CITY yesterday blasted the argue that he explicitly the lawyers wrote in a brief. declined a request to testify. The resulted in Trump’s acquittal a impeachment case against him encouraged his supporters to “Instead of acting to heal the proceedings will break Saturday year ago on charges that he pri- Four backcountry skiers in as an act of “political theatre” have a peaceful protest and nation, or at the very least for the Jewish Sabbath, at the vately pressured Ukraine to dig their 20s died when one of the by Democrats, whom they therefore cannot be responsible focusing on prosecuting the request of Trump’s defense up dirt on a Democratic rival, deadliest avalanches in Utah accused of exploiting for their for the actions of the rioters. lawbreakers who stormed the team. Joe Biden, now the president. history hit a popular canyon, own party’s gain the chaos and They suggest the Senate is not Capitol, the Speaker of the The trial will push into a This time, Trump’s January 6 police said. trauma of last month’s riot at entitled to try Trump now that House and her allies have tried Sunday session. rally cry to “fight like hell” and Four other people were the US Capitol. he has left office, an argument to callously harness the chaos Trump’s second the storming of the Capitol also buried in the Saturday In a brief filed on the eve of that is contested by even some of the moment for their own impeachment trial is opening played out for the world to see. slide but managed to dig them- the Senate impeachment trial, conservative legal scholars, and political gain,” they added. this week with a sense of While Trump very well could selves out and didn’t suffer lawyers for the former pres- they deny that the goal of the The details of the trial are urgency — by Democrats who be acquitted again, the trial serious injuries, according to ident attacked the case on mul- case is about pursuing justice. coming together in a draft want to hold the former pres- could be over in half the time. Unified Police of Salt Lake tiple grounds, foreshadowing “Instead, this was only ever agreement between Senate ident accountable for the Under the terms of the trial County. legal and constitutional argu- a selfish attempt by Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer violent US Capitol siege and being negotiated, it would The skiers were from two ments they intend to present leadership in the House to prey and Senate Republican Leader Republicans who want it over launch first with a debate over separate groups, and all eight when the trial opens in earnest upon the feelings of horror and Mitch McConnell, according to as fast as possible. its constitutionality, a key had prepared with the nec- today. confusion that fell upon all a person granted anonymity to Scheduled to begin today, argument of the former presi- essary avalanche safety gear, They suggest that Trump Americans across the entire discuss the ongoing talks. just over a month since the dent’s defense. authorities said. The four killed were all from the Salt Lake City area, not far the spot where they Schools plan for potential of were swept up by the skier- trigged avalanche in Millcreek remote learning into the fall Canyon. Intermountain Life Flight AP — NEW YORK or early summer. helicopter pilot Richard By then, districts will be Dobson told the and others Parents of schoolchildren deep into preparations for the scanned the mountainside learning from home shouldn’t next school year. where eight skiers had been necessarily count on reclaiming “As far as 2021-22, at least caught in an avalanche. the dining room table any time some part of that school year It took them six or seven soon. is likely still going to be pan- minutes to locate some of the After seeing two academic demic response-related on the Salt Lake Tribune that as he years thrown off course by the assumption that children won’t arrived at the site of the ava- pandemic, school leaders have access to the vaccine, or lanche, he could tell the situ- around the country are at least many won’t,” said ation was grim. planning for the possibility of Superintendent Brian Woods, Dobson said he saw one more distance learning next fall of Northside Independent person conducting CPR on one at the start of yet another School District, among the of the skiers. “At that point,” school year. largest districts in Texas. he said, “we knew that the sit- “We have no illusions that That could mean a more uation was a dire situation.” COVID will be eradicated by teacher-friendly version of the Salt Lake County Mayor the time the start of the school mix of in-person and remote Jenny Wilson called the deaths year comes up,” said William learning happening now, one a tragedy. “Chip” Sudderth III, a spokes- that doesn’t require teachers to “Our backcountry person for Durham, North simultaneously instruct two outdoor community is very Funeral aid for coronavirus victims Carolina schools, whose stu- groups. That could be accom- connected so this type of loss dents have been out of school plished either by splitting touches many people and US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speak buildings since March. staffing or rearranging really is heartbreaking,” during a news conference to announce that FEMA will help pay for the funeral and burial of COVID- President Joe Biden has schedules, he said, adding Wilson said. hit families in the Queens borough of New York City, US, yesterday. made reopening schools a top longer term may see an all- priority, but administrators say remote option for students who there is much to consider as have moved on permanently new strains of the coronavirus from traditional school. Two kids safe after Minneapolis-area vehicle thefts appear and teachers wait their “There’s going to be some turn for vaccinations. element of the genie not being AP — ST PAUL triggered an Amber Alert on phone saying police were bundled up and rushed outside. And while many parents able to be put back in the Saturday afternoon, leading looking for a missing 1-year-old A similar case Sunday are demanding that schools bottle,” Woods said. “I think police to the abandoned vehicle boy and a white Jeep SUV that evening in St. Paul also ended fully reopen, others say they that there now will always be Two Minneapolis-area car and the crying toddler inside. had been stolen in Minneapolis. happily. Someone stole a car left won’t feel safe sending children a group of families who want thefts over the weekend in Barb Gusse, of Brooklyn Gusse said she grabbed her bin- idling in a Walgreens parking back to classrooms until vac- a virtual option.... We know which young children were in Center, said she was in her yard oculars and zeroed in on the lot in St. Paul with a 6-year-old cines are available to even we’re able to, but are we willing the vehicles ended happily, with when she noticed the idling, license plate. It was a match. girl inside. The child’s mother young students. Dr. Anthony to do it?” both children being found white SUV in the parking lot of “My heart went to my feet,” called police after realizing Fauci, the government’s top Faced with the same reality, unharmed. the Cross of Glory Lutheran she told the Star Tribune yet- what happened, and officers public health expert, said late California’s West Contra Costa A sharp-eyed suburban Church across the street. serday. She alerted police and found the car abandoned a last month the Biden adminis- Unified School District is Minneapolis grandmother When she went back inside, as soon as she saw a squad car couple of blocks away and the tration hopes to begin vacci- planning a new K-12 Virtual spotted a stolen SUV that an Amber Alert buzzed on her pull into the parking lot, she girl unharmed. nating children by late spring Academy for 2021-22. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 16

Mysterious Three Mars missions set to arrive monolith pops up BLOOMBERG — NEW YORK geology, a surface lander and a also will include the first attempt near Turkish World Mars rover. Media reports have to fly a drone, the Ingenuity Mars Heritage site Robots begin an invasion of Mars The three Mars arrivals said the landing is expected for Helicopter, on another planet. PRAYER this week that will take three have journeyed 293 May. First, though, Perseverance AP — ISTANBUL TIMINGS scientific missions to the planet million miles since they “If they’re successful, then it has to land successfully — an PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING by month’s end. will unequivocally put China’s enormous feat. Rover landings on Today, the United Arab were launched in July to space program in the top tier,” Mars follow what engineers call Turkish authorities are Emirates’ Hope probe will reach capitalise on the Dylan Taylor, chief executive “seven minutes of terror,” the investigating the appearance FAJR 04.54 am orbit to study the red planet’s alignment of the planet officer of exploration contractor period from when the spacecraft of a mysterious monolith in SUNRISE 06.13 am atmosphere. The following day, and the Earth. Voyager Space Holdings, told reaches the top of the Martian southeastern Turkey. China’s Tianwen-1 mission will Bloomberg News last year. China atmosphere at about 12,000 miles The metal block was DHUHR 11.48 am start ticking off its audacious has said it intends to collect and per hour until it slows to a lei- found by a farmer on Friday ASR 03.00 pm to-do list, which includes placing return Martian samples to Earth surely 2.2mph for touchdown. in Sanliurfa province with MAGHRIB 05.26 pm a vehicle on the surface. Next by 2030. The high-precision, entry, old Turkic script that reads ISHA 06.56 pm week, Nasa will attempt to land The UAE’s Hope probe, the Jezero Crater The National descent and landing sequence “Look at the sky, see the its largest rover yet — an SUV- country’s first excursion into deep Aeronautics and Space Adminis- involves a supersonic parachute, moon.” sized behemoth — in an ancient space, is a 1,350kg orbiter tration’s $2.4 billion Perseverance rocket firings and dropping the The monolith, 3 metres lake bed. designed as a weather satellite to rover will land Feb. 18 in the rover by cable and severing that high, was discovered near The two landings will be par- analyse the dynamic aspects of 28-mile-wide Jezero Crater and tether in 6.6 minutes. the Unesco World Heritage ticularly tense, involving what the atmosphere across the entire attempt to determine if the desert The mission sports a record site named Gobekli Tepe, rocket scientists call “seven planet. The two-year mission also planet — which was once awash 25 cameras and microphones that which has megalithic struc- minutes of terror.” aims to study hydrogen and in water — ever hosted microbial will mark Nasa’s first effort to tures dating to the 10th mil- About 60% of attempts have oxygen in Mars’s upper atmos- life. The 10-foot-long, 1,025kg record the EDL sequence in high- lennium BC, thousands of failed, and if China succeeds, it phere and why those elements are vehicle is the most sophisticated definition video along with the years before Stonehenge. would be the third country to lost to space. scientific equipment that Nasa has sound of entering the planet’s thin Turkish media reported WEATHER mark the achievement, after the China’s first mission to Mars, sent to Mars in the 45 years since atmosphere. A SuperCam micro- Sunday that gendarmes were TODAY US and the former Soviet Union. meanwhile, is another crucial the agency’s first successful phone on the rover will listen for looking through CCTV The three Mars arrivals have piece of the nation’s ambitious landing with the twin Viking wind and the pops from the vehi- footage and investigating journeyed 293 million miles since plans to become a space super- missions. cle’s laser when it fires into rock vehicles that may have they were launched in July to cap- power. Just over two years ago, The Perseverance will carry samples. “Chemical and mineral transported the monolith. italise on the alignment of the the country became the first to a roughly 50% bigger scientific sensors have let us taste and smell Other mysterious mono- planet and the Earth. The planets land successfully on the far side payload than past rovers, on Mars,” Nasa says on the mis- liths have popped up and o o move closest to each other every of the moon, which never faces including 43 sample collection sion’s website. “Hearing is the last some have disappeared in 17 C 25 C 26 months, offering the easiest Earth. Tianwen-1 combines an tubes that Nas hopes to return to of the five senses we have yet to numerous countries in Minimum Maximum route. orbiter to map the planet and its Earth at some point. The mission exercise on the Red Planet.” recent months. Misty to foggy at places at first becomes moderate temperature daytime with some clouds at times, cold by night. Moldovan youth adviser lays out economic basis for climate action W ALRUWAIS : 19o → 21o W ALKHOR : 16o → 24o REUTERS — LONDON as token representatives, which they see W DUKHAN : 17o → 22o as a continuing problem. W WAKRAH : 14o → 26o While many young climate activists aim to “Of course young people are invited, W MESAIEED : 14o → 26o cool an overheating planet and protect are used to sharing stages,” said Marie- nature, Vladislav Kaim worries about Claire Graf, the Swiss head of the UN W ABUSAMRA : 15o → 21o another threat in a warming world: debt- climate secretariat’s youth constituency laden economies with few jobs for his and a formal climate negotiator for Swit- HIGH TIDE generation and workers trapped in dying zerland. But “in the end, the outcomes are 03:27 – 14:00 industries. not in line with what we’re demanding” “Of course we want to save our planet. — on everything from faster climate action LOW TIDE 11:06 – 21:15 It is in everyone’s enlightened self-interest,” to climate justice and green jobs, she said. said the 25-year-old Moldovan, one of a Activists like Kaim, who bring an eco- group of youth advisers to UN Secretary- nomic framing and a “very interesting per- General Antonio Guterres on climate sonal perspective”, may eventually help change and sustainability. shift that, she said. Man strikes up “But we also want to eat and have a job Kaim said young climate activists and have a guarantee our children will live had responded to the roadblocks in part 37-year friendship better than we do,” said Kaim, who earned by increasingly organising their own an economics degree in Moscow and is now events. with swan working on a master’s at Sweden’s Lund For instance, they held their own online University. “Mock COP26” late last year to replace the AP — DIRNE Kaim has a better view than many pandemic-delayed UN climate summit. young activists of the economic threats of The event produced a negotiated An unusual friendship between climate change - and the risks of wresting outcome similar in style to that produced a Turkish man and a swan he the global economy onto a low-carbon path at the UN talks, including demands for a rescued has endured for that leaves old-industry workers behind. climate-smart recovery from the corona- decades. His fiance hails from a long-time virus pandemic and recognition of a new Young climate change economist Vladislav Kaim poses with a sign at an event in Retired postman Recep mining and steel hub in Sweden’s Arctic human right to a healthy environment. Lithuania as part of his role as a Young European Ambassador, in June 2019. Mirzan found Garip, a female north, and his own country is Europe’s “We’ll go out there and DIY our own swan, 37 years ago in Turkey’s poorest, still battling to recover from a rapid, events and consultations and reports — and western Edirne province. painful shift to a market economy when Because the price of emitting climate- double burden of debt and climate threats whatever else is possible,” said Kaim, Mirzan and a group of the Soviet Union collapsed 30 years ago. heating gases has been too low, and there will land squarely on the young, Kaim Moldova’s representative at the Mock COP. friends were taking a shortcut “We didn’t transition to capitalism super is no economic value put on natural services warned. The young economist pointed to the in their car when they noticed gradually. We had shock therapy and it was such as forests generating clean air and “That money is not being used to invest “yellow vest” protests in France, sparked the swan, with a broken wing, more shock than therapy,” he told the water, incentives to protect the climate and in us, in our jobs and climate action. But the in 2018 over an ill-explained boost in fossil in an empty field. Mirzan imme- Thomson Reuters Foundation in a video nature are lacking, analysts say. Too many debt will be on us,” he said. fuel taxes, as an example of the dangers of diately took the swan in to interview. people also continue to see climate change Kaim got his start in environmental and getting the coming shift to renewable protect her from predators and That experience has given the young action or economic growth as opposite youth activism as a teenager, when he energy wrong. kept her in the car until that economist a particularly acute under- choices, when in fact they depend on each wrote a prize-winning story about And before that, former US President afternoon, when he was able to standing both of the failings of today’s global other, said Kaim, who grew up in a middle- Moldova’s polluted Dniester River. Donald Trump rose to power in part on the take the swan to his home. economic model - and the perils of class home in Chișinău, Moldova’s capital. Later, at university, he helped found a backs of Americans who “had certain eco- Since then, Garip has lived changing it swiftly. He is particularly unhappy that gov- group to raise awareness of sustainability nomic shortcomings brewing in their com- on the man’s farm in the “What we count in our economic ernments worldwide have poured trillions goals, and give students real-world nego- munities” and were won over by his Karaagac region, bordering systems sometimes or often times does not of dollars of coronavirus stimulus cash into tiating experience. promises of jobs, Kaim noted. Ensuring Greece. Garip follows Mirzan coincide with what we consider being of fossil fuel industries and other policies that Today, he is combining his climate there is a “just transition”, where people whenever she is out of her pen, value,” he said. are not green. activism, negotiating and emerging eco- get training and help to shift to new, greener accompanying him when he is “People who say GDP has gotten At the end of 2020, research by think- nomic skills as a member of the UN Sec- jobs, will be crucial to winning the broad doing his chores around the obsolete are right.” Globally, a growing tanks Vivid Economics and Finance for Bio- retary-General’s youth advisory group, support needed for effective action on farm or for his evening walks. number of economists say relying on gross diversity showed that among wealthier G20 doing that work as a volunteer alongside climate change, he added. “Since I love animals, I said domestic product (GDP) as the main countries, 15 had announced stimulus studying. “The net-zero transition will have its to myself that I should take her measure of progress is a prime driver of packages that would have a net negative He and others in the group aim to win losers and winners - and those are real home instead of leaving her as worsening environmental degradation, loss impact on the environment. With much of a real voice for young people in negotia- people with real families to feed. They have prey to foxes,” Mirzan said. of nature and climate change. that spending coming from borrowing, a tions that concern them, rather than serving a real stake in this,” he said. British boy wakes from nearly year-long coma unaware of COVID-19 pandemic

REUTERS — NOTTINGHAM she said, adding that he now sig- nalled ‘yes’ with a blink and ‘no’ A British teenager is slowly Joseph Flavill, 19, with two blinks. emerging from a coma nearly a suffered a traumatic brain Since Joseph’s accident, year after being hit by a car, and injury when he was hit by Britain has registered nearly four he has no knowledge of the coro- million COVID-19 cases, including navirus pandemic even though the car in the central more than 110,000 deaths, in a he has caught the virus twice. English town of Burton- pandemic that has turned life Joseph Flavill, 19, suffered a on-Trent on March 1 last upside down worldwide, shut- traumatic brain injury when he year, about three weeks tering schools, universities, shops was hit by the car in the central before a first national and many other places. English town of Burton-on-Trent “I don’t know how Joseph will on March 1 last year, about three lockdown was imposed to ever understand our stories of this weeks before a first national curb the spread of the lockdown,” his aunt said, adding lockdown was imposed to curb virus. that he was still very ill and faced the spread of the virus. a “very, very long journey” back During that time his family to some kind of normal life. has been largely unable to be near know now he can hear us, he Joseph, who before the him and hold his hand due to responds to small commands,” his accident was a keen sportsman, coronavirus restrictions, mostly aunt, Sally Flavill, told Reuters. is now receiving treatment at a trying to communicate with him “When we say to him ‘Joseph, care centre in Stoke-on-Trent, via video link. we can’t be with you, but you are central England, and his family “Recently Joseph has started safe, this is not going to be has started a fund-raising cam- Sally Flavill shows a photograph of her nephew Joseph Flavill, who has awoken from a coma with no to show small signs of recovery, forever’, he understands, he hears paign to help support his long- knowledge of the coronavirus disease pandemic after he was injured ina car accident in March 2020, which we are thrilled about... We you, he just can’t communicate,” term recovery. during an interview in Nottingham, Britain.