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SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 20 RAMADAN - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8610 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

International Workers’ Day this year coincides with the New unified platform for settling start of the implementation of the new and pioneering legislation that has strengthened the work environment that attracts workers, especially the work disputes soon: Labour Ministry legislations that facilitate the movement of workers QNA — DOHA International Workers’ Day is a workers. He said that the Min- in the national plan for vacci- between different employers and the non- tribute to all workers due to the istry is working in this regard nation against coronavirus and discriminatory minimum wage law for workers and The Ministry of Administrative interest they receive as partners to implement modern legis- the intensive efforts made by domestic workers. Development, Labour and in the development renaissance lation in accordance with the the state to provide free vacci- Social Affairs has announced in the State of Qatar, expressing highest standards through con- nation for all categories of H E Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhroo the establishment of a unified deep gratitude and appreciation tinuous cooperation and coor- workers, he said. platform for complaints and to the workers who have helped dination with representatives He affirmed that the State disputes in the coming days. and continue to contribute to of employers and workers and will continue implementing The platform will allow the achievement of compre- various local and international measures to respond to the eco- employees and workers who hensive development. partners to search for the best nomic repercussions of the are subject to the labour law to He added that this day is the and most successful ways to crisis through the financial submit complaints related to culmination of labour legis- care for workers. incentives package and the work issues. The announcement lation and its updating to keep The Minister pointed out extension of the national guar- by the Ministry came on the pace with the best international that the Ministry is making antees programme, in order to occasion of the International standards for protecting every effort to ensure the health ensure the sustainability of Workers’ Day, observed workers' rights, and that the cel- and safety of workers, by businesses and jobs and to con- worldwide yesterday. ebration of International strengthening precautionary tinue paying workers’ wages. In his speech on the Workers’ Day this year coin- measures and health require- He pointed out that the Min- occasion, Minister of Adminis- cides with the start of the imple- ments at work sites and workers istry is working to strengthen trative Development, Labour mentation of the new and pio- housing, and the Ministry counts the protection of wages and to and Social Affairs H E Yousef neering legislation that has in this regard on workers' provide support and assistance bin Mohammed Al Othman strengthened the work envi- awareness and their com- to workers to ensure that they Fakhroo, affirmed the com- ronment that attracts workers, mitment to the procedures and obtain their rights and financial mitment of the State of Qatar to especially the legislations that measures that have been taken entitlements, and that they continue its relentless efforts facilitate the movement of by the competent authorities to benefit from decent housing aimed at promoting and pro- workers between different limit the spread of the corona- and basic services. standards to ensure the security providing decent work condi- tecting workers’ rights and pro- employers and the non-dis- virus and to preserve their In conclusion, the Minister and safety of expatriate tions for all workers and pro- viding a safe and healthy work criminatory minimum wage law safety. The Ministry also counts affirmed the State's keenness to workers, and its commitment moting their rights and pro- environment. The Minister said for workers and domestic on the participation of workers apply the best international to continue efforts aimed at tection in various fields. Over 80% people access MoI services electronically IRFAN BUKHARI Metrash2 app offers more than a person can easily renew the Ramadan THE PENINSULA MoI's service delivery app, Metrash2, 220 active services. These Establishment Card (Computer Timing services are available in 6 lan- Card),” Lt. Col. Tariq Issa Al With over 220 active e-services offers more than 220 services in six guages — Arabic, English, Aqidi, an officer from the Public Today's Iftar: offered by the Ministry of languages. It guarantees safe and encrypted French, Malayalam, Urdu, and Relations and Information 6:08pm Interior (MoI) through Metrash2 Spanish. It guarantees safe and Office at the General Direc- app and its online platform, an services and supports most smart devices. encrypted services and supports torate of Passports, had said. Tomorrow's Imsak: overwhelming majority of most smart devices, which con- The Coasts and Borders 03:23am people are preferring accessing tributes to reaching the largest Security Department of the those services electronically. possible segment of users. Ministry of Interior also In a survey conducted by Last month, the General launched a new sailing appli- COVID-19 survivors the Ministry of Interior on its Directorate of Passports of the cation service on Metrash2 website, 1,078 people or 83% of Ministry of Interior (MoI) which covers all marine vessels laud healthcare the total 1,305 participants said announced that the work was in Qatar territorial waters, on that they always access services underway to convert the the sidelines of the 13th Inter- system, services electronically. As many as 168 remaining paper services into national Event for Homeland FAZEENA SALEEM (13%) participants said that they electronic ones, including Estab- Security and Civil Defence — use e-services occasionally. lishment Card (Computer Card). Milipol Qatar in March 2021. THE PENINSULA “The e-services offered by “Studies have been pre- More than 7 million trans- the Ministry of Interior save your pared in this regard and are actions were completed Several patients recovered time and effort and help you the question asked by the Min- yesterday, only 59 participants almost ready. Therefore, this through the Metrash2 app last from COVID-19 have lauded access our services at your con- istry in the opinion poll. (5%) said that they did not use service will soon be available year, a Ministry official had said efficiency of country’s venience. Do you take care to In the survey, which started e-services. online and on Metrash2 app. earlier. The number of Metrash2 healthcare system and access them electronically?” was on April 1 and concluded It is to be noted that Once service is available online, users has reached 2 million. expressed gratitude to medical staff for their dedication. The Ministry of Public Nearly 1,000 Health (MoPH) shared experi- Car dining: A COVID-19 alternative to dine-in ences of some of the people cancer patients who have recovered from FAZEENA SALEEM “Once the dine-in services were ceramic plates and cutlery. Others will ask COVID-19, on Twitter get QCS support THE PENINSULA restricted, we were offering takeaway and for disposable cups and cutlery.” yesterday. home delivery services. But it was not sat- Ismaeel said his restaurant follows all The recovered patients Diners in Doha can enjoy restaurant meals isfactory. We were looking for something COVID-19 preventive measures and health said that not just the excellent SIDI MOHAMED from the safety and comfort of their different and came across the car-dine-in guidelines throughout the food preparation, medical service but excep- THE PENINSULA vehicles, as many eateries have started a service. I initially experimented with the storage, and delivery to customers. Like tional patient care helped drive-in service for those who want to enjoy idea with some friends and later introduced Qatar, restaurants in other countries have them recover from COVID-19 Nearly 1,000 patients have eating out during COVID-19 restrictions. it to customers,” said Zaid Ismaeel, General found innovative dining solutions for their and return to normal life. benefited from financial Many restaurants have adopted this Manager at Social. customers during the pandemic. The new “On behalf of all patients services provided by the Qatar approach as a way to continue receiving “Our customers like the concept. We car dine-in trend has also been introduced at Hazm Mebaireek General Cancer Society (QCS) during customers without breaking the COVID-19 serve every order as per the customers' by many restaurants worldwide and large Hospital, I extend my sincere first quarter of 2021. precautionary measures. The services are request. Some prefer to dine in our original food chains to survive during this period. thanks and gratitude to QCS Chairman Sheikh Dr. available at several restaurants in The Hamad Medical Corporation Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani said Pearl-Qatar, Msheireb Downtown Doha, for the medical care and a total of 981 cancer patients Katara Cultural Village, North Gate Mall, services received by received the financial support and Lusail. COVID-19 patients,” said Ali in the first quarter. QCS seeks In this car dine-in restaurant service, Aboinin, a patient who to reduce the financial burdens the customers can have their food and recovered recently from on cancer patients, who also drinks inside their cars, with special COVID-19. Aboinin, in his include Qatar's residents. QCS set-ups. early 70s, received care for helps patients to continue their Customers drive into the parking lot of two weeks in the intensive treatment, until their recovery restaurants and order by electronic devices care unit. through coordination with or scan a QR code through the vehicle “For a period of two National Center for Cancer windows. weeks, I was in intensive care Care and Research (NCCCR). Each meal order comes on a customised and received special attention “In 2020, QCS supported tray that fits the narrow space between the from caring teams, who pro- 1,317 patients with cancer for driver seat and steering wheel. Some restau- vided all the right care and their treatment. Since the rants serve in small trays that fit between the psychological comfort for a beginning of this year (the first driver and passenger seats. The waiters serve patient over the age of seventy. quarter), we have taken care the food and drinks inside the vehicle only. I especially thank Dr. of the treatment expenses of Social, a cafe in Lusail Marina, is one of Muhammad Al Khatib, head of 981 patients, at a cost of more the first eateries to introduce such a service Intensive Care Department at than QR6.5m,” Dr. Al Thani in the country. The restaurant’s car dine-in the hospital, and his team of said during an interview with service ranges from ordinary to customised A waiter serves customers in their cars outside a restaurant in North Gate Mall. doctors, nurses and support Al Rayyan TV. `P3 orders in the car. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA teams,” he said. `P4 02 HOME SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 MoPH reports 650 new Minister hails workers’ role in Qatar’s renaissance virus cases, 7 deaths QNA — DOHA Minister of Municipality and Environment H E THE PENINSULA — DOHA diseases and all of them Eng. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie PRAYER received necessary medical congratulated the workers of the Ministry on TIMINGS The Ministry of Public Health care. Some 22,799 doses of the occasion of International Workers’ Day, PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING (MoPH) reported 650 new cases COVID-19 vaccines have been which falls on May 1. of COVID-19 yesterday. Among administered during the past 24 The Minister thanked all workers in the 03.34 am them 345 were travellers hours. The total number of various sectors, departments, and municipal- FAJR returning from abroad. vaccine doses administered ities of the Ministry for their sincere work to SUNRISE 04.58 am A total of 1,527 people since the start of the vaccination serve the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- DHUHR 11.31 am recovered from COVID-19 yes- campaign is 1,579,002. ronment, and the renaissance of the State of ASR 03.00 pm terday, bringing the total “Every day, hundreds of Qatar in general, during a speech he delivered number of people recovered in people are becoming sick due through visual communication technology. MAGHRIB 06.08 pm Qatar to 191,071. The Ministry to the COVID-19 with many He valued their distinguished efforts during ISHA 07.38 pm also announced seven new requiring admission to hospital COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the need to con- deaths 39, 50, 55, 56, 59, and to manage their symptoms,” tinue adherence to all precautionary measures two of 67 years of age years of said the Ministry in its daily Minister of Municipality and Environment H E to preserve their health and safety, and wishing age. Two of them had chronic COVID-19 report. Eng. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie. them continued success. Vaccines offer hope to return Qatar’s Ambassador to

WEATHER Russia: Amir’s visit to TODAY to normal life: MoPH official

THE PENINSULA — DOHA ICU – and just 19 of these “Around 44% of the adult Moscow boosted ties patients had been fully population has now had at least QNA — MOSCOW Head of Vaccination at Ministry vaccinated.” one dose of the vaccine. More of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Dr. Soha said that only 1% than half a million people have Ambassador of the Soha Al Bayat, has said that of COVID-19 ICU admissions now had both doses and are State of Qatar to the 25oC 35oC after more than 14 months of have been fully vaccinated fully vaccinated. Every week, Russian Federation H E Minimum Maximum living under the threat of against the virus. She said in more than 160,000 doses are Sheikh Ahmed bin Hazy to misty at places at times, COVID-19, the vaccines now fact, non-vaccinated people of given,” said Dr. Soha. Nasser Al Thani relatively hot daytime and scattered offer the hope to return to all ages in Qatar are 91 times She said that the drive (pictured) said that the clouds later. normal life. more likely to be admitted to through vaccination centers visit of Amir H H Sheikh “Here in Qatar, we are ICU with COVID-19 than fully have been a huge success and Tamim bin Hamad Al W ALRUWAIS : 24o → 31o making great progress in the vaccinated people. so far, more than 170,000 Thani to Moscow in W ALKHOR : 21o → 35o roll out of the vaccination “The number of new daily people have visited the vacci- March 2018, and the program, but we need at least COVID-19 cases has been nation centers at Lusail and Al talks His Highness held W DUKHAN : 22o → 36o 80-90% of eligible people to be declining steadily recently. This Wakra. with HE the Russian → W WAKRAH : 24o 33o vaccinated in order to have has led to a significant decrease She said that vaccinated President Vladimir W MESAIEED : 24o → 33o maximum protection for the in the number of people with individuals may still spread the Putin was the most W ABUSAMRA : 19o → 38o entire population,” said Al COVID-19 in hospital. The virus to others. “It is still important factor in Bayat while speaking to a Qatar decline in the number of cases unknown yet whether the vac- developing ties TV programme. is a result of the current restric- cines prevent passing between Qatar and HIGH TIDE “I urge everyone to take tions in place and the fast roll COVID-19 to other people. Russia, noting that the that role between Iran and the 7:06– 21:29 their vaccination appointment out of the vaccination “So vaccinated people still fact that the two countries are GCC, as well as with US Pres- LOW TIDE 4:00 – 14:43 when their turn comes and play program,” said Dr. Soha. have the potential to contract World Cup hosts helped ident Joe Biden’s administration their part in beating corona- “We will ease the current the infection (though they are enhance cooperation in more and the Iranian government if it virus. The vaccines do work – restrictions only when we are very unlikely to become sick) fields. was requested to do so. our data here in Qatar is con- sure that the threat of the and pass it on to others. Addi- In an interview with Russian He added that Qatar wel- clusive,” said Dr. Soha. disease has subsided. More than tionally, the vaccines aren’t daily Kommersant, he said that comed all ideas on the Arabian She said: “Since the 1.5 million doses have been 100% effective at preventing Qatar relies in its foreign rela- Gulf region’s joint security, Awqaf Minister to beginning of 2021, we have had administered since the start of symptomatic COVID-19,” said tions on the principle of stressing that an Arab-Iranian 1,766 COVID-19 admissions to the program. Dr. Soha. respecting sovereignty and non- dialogue was a necessity that open ‘Amenhum interference in internal affairs. serves the interests of everyone He noted that the absence of in the region. His Excellency also men Khawf’ Iran in the Qatari-Turkish- said that Qatar views the Russian program today MME honours workers to mark Russian consultative framework role positively and its wise policy cannot be interpreted as a of enhancing ties with the QNA — DOHA position on Iran, adding that region’s countries, expressing International Workers’ Day there a number of issues were hope that the region’s countries Minister of Awqaf and Islamic silence is no longer possible and can reach an understanding. Affairs H E Dr. Ghaith bin THE PENINSULA — DOHA Abdullah Mohammed Al Those in attendance there is an urgent need to act, He said that one of his pri- Mubarak Al Kuwari will open Falasi, Director of the Public acknowledged the vital and led by the struggle of the Syrian orities as an ambassador of the today the first session of On the International Workers’ Relations Department at the Min- ongoing role played by the people. State of Qatar to Russia was to Ramadan program ‘Amenhum Day, which is observed on the istry; Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, workers in their respective He added that the nature of strengthen bilateral ties in all men Khawf’, which is organised first of May, the Ministry of Director of Public Relations at sections, departments, and the role of each of the countries, fields. by the Ministry for the seventh Municipality and Environment Ooredoo Qatar; Ali Hasan Al municipalities affiliated with the framework came in its He noted that the State of year in a row. honored a number of general Mutawa, from the events team the Ministry especially in light current form of three countries. Qatar has enormous capabilities The program’s sessions will cleanness and park workers at Ooredoo; and Mohammed of the pandemic which entails He stressed that no one has any to invest all over the world, and be presented by a group of in collaboration with Ooredoo Faraj Al Kubaisi, Assistant increased cleaning, saniti- intention to be a substitute for views Russia accordingly. He scholars of the Islamic world Qatar for their efforts and Director of the General Cleaning sation, and disinfection efforts other countries, or to alienate or noted that the St. Petersburg over three days, from May 2 to activism in a number of events Department at the Ministry in order to curb the spread of limit their roles in any way. The International Economic Forum 4 corresponding to from 20 to held by the state. attended the ceremony. the coronavirus. ambassador said that Iran has will take place in June, with 22 Ramadan, through the social an active role in the Syrian crisis, Qatar participating as a guest of media accounts of the Ministry noting that Qatar welcomes any honor. of Awqaf and the platform role that would help the Syrian He added that the presence ‘Amenhum men Khawf’, within people. of Russian investments in Qatar the framework of the activities He explained that there is a does not mean that the country of Doha Capital of Culture in the common understanding about is unable to finance its projects, Islamic world 2021. the Syrian crisis between Qatar rather it is a way to enhance the The Ministry of Awqaf and and Russia and that there is a scope of bilateral cooperation Islamic Affairs decided that the convergence in positions, indi- in the business field, and allows 7th edition of the program high- cating that Qatar is working with Russian capital into the Qatari lights the issue of the Islamic Russia to end the tragedy of the market, given it is one of the cultural security aiming at Syrian people. He also said that most stable countries in the eco- addressing the unprecedented their a joint desire to work nomic and security fields. challenges of the Islamic world together is much stronger than He said that ties between the at the level of its comprehensive any contradictions, highlighting State of Qatar and the Russian cultural security. The Ministry that the position was clear, and Federation are constantly has been preparing the stressed that the country does developing, particularly eco- ‘Amenhum men Khawf’ not support any extremist nomic cooperation and after program during the month of groups. that security cooperation, in Ramadan since 1435 AH. The Responding to a question on addition to cooperation in the program discusses problems whether the State of Qatar was military field given the trans- and issues of concern to the ready to play the role of parent relations and the Islamic nation in the present mediator between Iran and GCC stronger communication time, the future of its compre- countries, he said that Doha between the two countries Ministry of Municipality and Environment officials honour a worker on International Workers’ Day. hensive cultural security. announced it was willing to play security bodies. Traffic Department holds series of awareness lectures for road users THE PENINSULA — DOHA social and economic impacts. Meanwhile, for the delivery The lecture also dealt with drivers, the lectures focused on The General Directorate of traffic law and the importance some wrong violations com- Traffic has organised several of adhering to it to achieve the mitted by delivery drivers, such awareness lectures as part of its highest levels of road safety. It as swerving between cars or annual operational plan to reviewed many traffic rules and driving on the roads in groups, spread traffic awareness among instructions that the vehicle’s sudden entry, and changing all road users. driver must adhere to, including lanes quickly and unpre- The programme included an the importance of fastening the dictably, especially in internal awareness lecture for students seat belt, adherence to the streets. at Ahmed Bin Mohammed Mil- speed limits on the roads, not The General Directorate of itary College and two lectures using a mobile phone while Traffic confirmed that the for the Filipino, Nepalese, Sri driving, and other safety awareness lectures come Lankan, Malaysian and Indo- requirements. within the framework of an nesian communities. Regarding the lectures for annual plan encouraging road The Directorate also held an communities, they focused users to adhere to traffic rules awareness lecture for delivery more on the common traffic and regulations to protect their drivers. mistakes among road users, lives and the lives of others by The awareness lecture for including crossing the road discarding bad traffic habits. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military from undesignated places and The Directorate is partnering College students provided a not adhering to pedestrian with several companies to brief idea of the causes of traffic traffic signs when crossing the include as many delivery riders A traffic officer delivers an online lecture to raise awareness of traffic rules among public. accidents and their health, road. as possible. SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 HOME 03 QRCS, Qatar Post sign pact to boost cooperation Seven held for violating home THE PENINSULA — DOHA Under the agreement, quarantine Qatar Red Crescent Society Qatar Post will provide (QRCS) and Qatar Postal Services requirements Company (Qatar Post) signed diverse services for yesterday an agreement to QRCS, including the QNA — DOHA enhance their cooperation in promotion of its making use of each party’s prac- operations by featuring The designated authorities tical experience and resources posters at the General arrested seven people who towards the deployment of violated the requirements of effective and sustainable human- Post Office, as well as the home quarantine, they itarian response. the company’s online committed to following, The pact was signed by Ali portal. which they are legally bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Sec- accountable for, in retary-General of QRCS, and accordance with the proce- Faleh Al Naemi, Chairman and the country’s leading NGO that dures of the health authorities Managing Director of Qatar Post. serves people both locally and in the country. Al Hammadi commended the internationally. He said that The arrest of the violators strong relations with Qatar Post: today like never before, at a time came in implementation of “This partnership is not some- of major health crisis worldwide, the precautionary measures Secretary-General of QRCS Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi and Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar thing new; we have worked Qatar Post has been fulfilling its in force in the country, Post Faleh Al Naemi signing an agreement to enhance cooperation. together in the past. And today, greatest sense of corporate approved by health author- we are reviving it to build on its responsibility towards the com- ities represented in the Min- positive outcomes for our munity in need. contribute to the wellness of our It also allows the promotion the deployment and delivery of istry of Public Health, to curb humanitarian action, in the best “We have made available, society both in Qatar and of some QRCS’s major seasonal its humanitarian aid shipments the spread of the COVID-19. interest of the public and further unconditionally and without hes- overseas, thus alleviating human campaigns to Qatar Post’s clients, both in and out of Qatar. The violators, who are development under Qatar itation, our managerial talent and suffering. We thank QRCS for such as the Ramadan, Adahi, and In return, QRCS will provide currently being referred to the National Vision 2030.” our delivery resources who have giving us the opportunity to Warm Winter campaigns. The Qatar Post’s staff with field designate prosecution, are He said that this agreement worked incessantly and around serve,” said Al Naimi. company will issue commemo- training, enrol five Qatar Post Saeed Suhail Abdul Hadi is part of QRCS’s strategy of the clock to support the Coun- Under the agreement, Qatar rative stamps for QRCS, put employees as trainees in its Haffar Al Marri; Ahmed Ali boosting various aspects of try’s need for medicines deliv- Post will provide diverse services QRCS’s donation collection boxes annual Disaster Management Hassan Ahmad Al Mansouri; humanitarian work, thus paving eries to thousands of patients’ for QRCS, including the pro- at its General Post Office, and Camp (DMC), and invite Qatar Rifkat Mahmoud Abdoul the way for easier fulfilment of homes every day. motion of its operations by fea- hold bilateral training workshops Post’s staff to attend public Qayoum; Abdul Ahad Fairouz its development and social man- “Our long standing collabo- turing posters at the General Post at its premises. awareness sessions on the Inter- Meyah; Fesial Ramjander; dates. Al Naemi expressed his ration with QRCS is yet another Office, as well as the company’s More importantly, Qatar Post national Humanitarian Law and Seraj Qadeer Pati and happiness for joining hands with example of our commitment to online portal. will support QRCS by facilitating Geneva Conventions. Rajinder Sinj Sudish Cumar. PCMs in buildings can reduce energy consumption: QU webinar Nearly 1,000 cancer AYENI OLUSEGUN — DOHA structures has gained interest. imize electricity use. The webinar title ‘Phase PCMs can reduce the temper- “PCMs encourages patients get QCS support Using Phase Change Materials for Change Materials for ature variations and decrease the designing buildings based on building industries would signif- energy consumption of buildings local climate, providing thermal FROM PAGE 1 icantly reduce greenhouse gas Building Industry’ due to their capability to absorb and visual comfort, making use well as covering the cost of emissions and promote sustain- discussed how buildings and release energy from/in the of other environmental sources He highlighted that since treatment for patients,” he ability, participants at a Qatar consume huge energy. environment. to absorb and release thermal its establishment in 1997, QCS said. University webinar said. Prof. Igor Krupa, Research energy,” Prof. Krupa said. has been working to achieve “QCS is keen to provide all The webinar title ‘Phase Associate Professor at the He noted that paraffin wax, its vision to be the community material and moral support to Change Materials for Building thermal energy for heating or Centre for Advanced Materials a white or colourless soft solid partnership platform for individuals living with cancer. Industry’ discussed how buildings cooling and, in turn, protect the at Qatar University, in his derived from petroleum, coal, making Qatar a leader in QCS covered treatment of consume huge energy. It dis- buildings from overheating. lecture titled, ‘Shape-Sterbilised or oil shale, is used for a broad cancer prevention by working cancer patients with an closed that buildings consume The construction industry is Phase Change Materials for melting range, is environmen- with partners. approximate cost of QR30m 40% of the world’s energy, and responsible for consuming large Building Industries,’ highlighted tally harmless and readily Thousands of people of dif- for about 3,000 patients from 21% of greenhouse emissions amounts of energy. The devel- using PCMs in buildings without available, and cheap. ferent nationalities have ben- 2013 to 2018.” come from buildings. opment of new materials to causing more expenses to According to Prof. Krupa, efited from QCS since its Dr. Al Thani said that the In Qatar, 65% of produced increase the thermal efficiency energy cost. PCMs can be used in blocks and inception. QCS works on several pro- electricity is consumed by cooling of buildings is more imperative Prof. Krupa said that biocli- bricks production, temperature “Our goal is to spread grammes through targeted systems in all buildings. Using than ever. matic buildings that utilize management in rooms, thermal awareness of cancer and the groups that include children heat absorbers as building com- During the last decades, the natural elements like sun, wind, food protection and cooling importance of early detection and the elderly, for each spe- ponents can help transform integration of PCMs into and air to produce energy min- control. and prevention methods, as cific programme category. Ooredoo shows support for Qatar’s workers on International Labour Day Partnership with Ministry of Municipality and Environment to Honour Workers 100 Recharge Cards Distributed to Workers Vaccine Initiative at QNCC and Distribution of Food Supply Packs

Ooredoo has announced details of an initiative designed to show support for Qatar’s many valued workers, and thank them for their contribution to the coun- "Workers contribute try’s progress, in honour of International Labour Day. immensely to the In partnership with the Min- country’s istry of Municipality and Envi- development” ronment (MME), Ooredoo organised delivery of 100 Sheikh Nasser Bin recharge cards to MME workers Hamad Bin Nasser Al to enable them to stay con- Thani, Chief nected to family, friends and loved ones with data and calling Commercial Officer at minutes. Ooredoo. The second activity in the initiative, set for the coming week, will be distribution of organised an awareness and vaccine, and included encour- food supply packs, containing gratitude poster campaign at agement for those yet to have essential meal preparation the dedicated COVID-19 vacci- the vaccine to do so as soon as items, to MME workers. nation centre at Qatar National possible. To support the Qatar gov- Convention Centre. Posters on In addition to this initiative, ernment in its fight against display thanked vaccinated Ooredoo is also running promo- COVID-19, Ooredoo also workers for having had the tions aimed at workers who regularly send money home to loved ones. Ooredoo Money Partnership with Ministry of Municipality and Environment to Honour Workers customers can win up to QR1,000 daily simply by Pickup via Ooredoo Money will annually welcoming large appreciation and thanks for all sending a MoneyGram Cash also earn QR15 cashback. numbers of expatriate workers their efforts.” Pick-up Transfer via their Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad to meet the needs of devel- This initiative follows Ooredoo Money app, and can Bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Com- opment plans at all levels; these similar such programmes in earn up to QR24 as a reward for mercial Officer at Ooredoo, said: expatriate workers, who come previous years, where Ooredoo referring friends to use Mon- “We’re delighted to be working from many different parts of the has designed and carried out eyGram Cash Pickup via with the Ministry of Munici- world, contribute immensely to programmes of support for Ooredoo Money. Customers pality and Environment on this the country’s development. Qatar’s workers to commem- sending their first international invaluable initiative. Qatar is at We’re proud to have the oppor- orate the globally celebrated transfer with MoneyGram Cash the forefront of countries tunity to show them our International Labour Day. 04 HOME SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 QU-CPH students participate in Mall of Qatar launches ‘Shop & Win’ regional pharma competition and ‘Scratch & Win’ campaigns

THE PENINSULA – DOHA THE PENINSULA – DOHA In the spirit of the holy month Five students from Qatar of Ramadan, Mall of Qatar has University College of Pharmacy launched the new ‘Shop & Win’ (QU-CPH) recently participated festival along with a ‘Scratch & in the 2nd International Phar- Win’ campaign, granting maceutical Students’ Feder- customers an exceptional ation (IPSF) Eastern Mediter- shopping experience and the ranean Regional Office (EMRO) opportunity of winning instant case-based learning compe- valuable prizes of total value tition (CBL). Laila ElMancy Emelith Cerbito worth QR1m. Running until Participants were divided June 30, 2021, the new festival into four groups, and each ElMancy were on the winning on the quality of learning they are is part of Mall of Qatar’s group comprised four team. provided with.” Year 2 student continuous programs and initi- members from the different QU-CPH Dean Dr. Cerbito said it was an unforget- atives to give back to the EMRO regions. A hypertension Mohammad Diab commented, table learning experience to community. It allows customers A Range Rover Velar 2021 offered by Mall of Qatar for raffle draw case was distributed among the “No doubt that competitions are work with students from other to enter the big raffle draw on under the new shopping festival. groups, and one week was of extreme importance in the countries. “Though it was chal- Range Rover Velar 2021 and given for solving the case. CPH learning curve of students; it lenging, we were determined to leverage from a wide range of & Win’ campaign to win a Qatar visitors needs to make a students participating in the teaches them to become inquis- work together as a team to solve instant gifts, including Mall of luxury car, along with a unique purchase of QR200 and above competition included Profes- itive, research independently, the case. I certainly believe that Qatar Gift Cards, and in-kind ‘Scratch & Win’ festival worth in any of the Mall outlets to be sional Year 3 Mounyah Basil, and learn to work with others. this self-directed learning expe- gifts from various stores in the QR1m of instant cash and eligible for the draw. They can Professional Year 3 Shaima Believing in the importance of rience and the skill to search for Mall. The new festival campaign in-kind prizes. At Mall of Qatar, redeem their receipts with Bashir, Professional Year 2 contesting and co-learning and the best evidence to back up your comes after the successful ‘Pick all customers are winners, and coupons from the Mall cus- Fatima Nazar, Professional in line with CPH goals to foster recommendation is crucial to & Choose’ festival, which this festival reassures our com- tomer service desks and put Year 2 Emelith Cerbito, and the integration of knowledge and ensure optimal patient offered shoppers 20 luxury cars mitment to make their shopping them in the dedicated box to Professional Year 1 Laila skills and to develop our stu- outcomes.” in three months. experience worthy, unique, and enter the big raffle draw on ElMancy. dent’s general and professional This achievement would Emile Sarkis, General outstanding. We are confident Range Rover Velar that will take All groups had the oppor- abilities. We have and always will not have been possible without Manager, Mall of Qatar, said: this will add significant value place on July 1 at the Oasis tunity to discuss and present encourage our students to par- the inspiration I have received “Following the huge success of to shoppers, especially in the stage. Shoppers can put more their management plan for the ticipate in such competitions and from my College,” ElMancy ‘Pick&Choose’ festival, we are holy month of Ramadan and the than one coupon based on their case. Emelith Cerbito and Laila harvest awards that highly reflect said. delighted to launch a new ‘Shop coming Eid Al-Fitr.” Mall of spending. Awqaf Ministry provides QR465,000 to Wifaq Family Consulting Center

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The General Department of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced the allocation of QR465,000 for holding courses for 220 citizens who are about to get married during this year, in beIN offers latest Oscar-winning cooperation with Wifaq Family Consulting Center. movies to subscribers The announcement was made recently in a press conference which was attended THE PENINSULA — DOHA East and North Africa region, by Director General of General Department offering more options and of Endowments Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin This Oscar season, beIN Media catering to the entire family’s Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani, and CEO Group brings the latest in needs. beIN viewers and sub- of Wifaq Family Consulting Center Rashid entertainment to its scribers will also be able to bin Ahmed Al Dossari. subscribers. The 93rd Academy receive monthly bonus credit on Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Awards were held recently, and the beIN On Demand store and Thani appreciated the close relationship winning movies The Father, beIN Box Office channels to between General Department of Endowments Judas and the Black Messiah, enjoy a wide range of enter- and the civil organisations in the state, which Sound of Metal, and Tenet are tainment options through the are dedicated to serve various groups of available on beIN’s OnDemand four new packages: Together, society and the family in particular. service. Besides this year’s Kick-off, Premium, and Ultimate. He emphasized that the family is the winners, viewers can choose beIN entertains and operates in building block of society, and its right- from a selection of 38 past 43 countries globally, including eousness is the good of society, and from Oscar Winners, all housed in a 24 countries across the MENA this point of view, General Department of folder entitled ‘The Oscars’ region. With broadcast on sat- Endowments had established the endowment OnDemand. ellite in 4K and Full HD, the beIN fun for the family and childhood, which deals beIN recently announced experience is also available on with family and childhood projects and coop- new channels and packages to mobile, tablet, and computer erates with various parties in this field. its subscribers across the Middle through beIN CONNECT. COVID-19 survivors laud healthcare system, services FROM PAGE 1 Qatar is dedicated to providing the best COVID-19 infection after Aboinin said the dedicated care by for its people. spending months under the staff and the latest technology His experience was echoed by treatment. “Throughout the dif- available for treatment reflects how Mohamed Al Mirza, who recovered from ficult months I have spent in hospital due to COVID-19, I was in need of many different healthcare services,” he said. He received intensive care at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital and at the rehabilitation hospital. “The care and compassion given by doctors and other staff helped me. My special thanks to Dr. Muhammad Al Khatib and his team --- Dr. Hani, Dr. Dure, Dr. Mustafa, Dr. Sohail and Dr. Shakil.” While, the COVID-19 journey started by end of Feb- ruary for Kim Theodore, she said the road to recovery was comfortable with the care she received at the hospital. “I started to feel unwell and my husband had to call the ambu- lance service and I had to be admitted to the hospital. I eventually got to Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital and then moved to Ras Laffan Hospital where I stayed for several days,” said Kim. “I had a dry cough and a fatigue that kept me on bed the whole day. I couldn’t walk up the stairs; I could barely go for a shower. The scary symptom was that I couldn’t catch my breath; I received oxygen and started on medication. With the great support of the staff and doctors there I slowly got better, and then was moved home for quarantine. In the road to recovery, I felt extremely comfortable with the care that I received.” Kim also urged people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and practice all precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus. SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 HOME 05 HMC encourages public to donate blood during Ramadan

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Waqif and Msheireb HMC has ensured the Downtown for their support Hamad Medical Corporation safety and of blood and community partnership (HMC) has encouraged people donors and said that during the month of Ramadan to donate blood during the holy to secure and enrich Qatar’s month of Ramadan. infection control blood stocks during Ramadan HMC has ensured the safety practices in place at it ’s and the pandemic. and of blood donors and said Blood Donor Centers and To be able to donate blood, that infection control practices mobile units at Souq a donor must be a healthy adult, are in place at it’s Blood Donor Waqif and Msheireb not less than 18 years of age, Centers and mobile units at with no significant chronic Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown. illness or previous infections. Downtown. The donor’s body weight must One out of every 10 patients not be less than 50kg and admitted to hospitals may be in hemoglobin level of not less urgent need of a transfusion of an emergency and for people than 13g/dl for male and 12.5g/ blood or blood products, and who need long-term treatment, dl for female. On the day of the there are many patients whose for example, cancer patients. donation, the donor must be lives depend on blood and We need new donors from all free of symptoms from fever blood products transfusions. backgrounds to ensure there is and coughs or any other The unit of blood donated may the right and safe blood infection, and he must have benefit at least three patients if available for patients who need A volunteer donating blood at one of HMC's Blood Donor Centers. adequate hours of sleep. used as separate blood it,” Chairperson of the HMC Those who have taken the components. Department of Laboratory Med- COVID-19 vaccination can Patients who might benefit icine and Pathology, Dr. Einas member of the public that temperature, asking about Blood Donor Center opposite donate three days after the shot from the donation are many, Al Kuwari, has said. giving blood is safe and they recent travel history, as well as Outpatient Department next to and only if they are free of including victims of road acci- “This Ramadan, you can should have no concerns about regular cleaning and stringent the Surgical Specialty Center is symptoms such as fever or any dents, victims of other accidents make a real difference to some- donating. Our teams at Qatar disinfection of all surfaces and open from 6pm to 12 midnight, other infections. Individuals and burns, patients with dif- one’s life. We do advise people Blood Services have stepped up equipment. COVID-19 tests are Sunday to Thursday, Saturdays who are recovered from ferent types of cancers, patients who are fasting to wait after precautionary measures to not required for donors to 7pm to 12am and closed on COVID-19 should wait at least with a blood disease or bleeding Iftar to donate blood and people ensure that every blood donate blood.” Fridays. The Souq Waqif mobile three months after symptoms problems, pregnant or post- who are not fasting can donate donation is safe during the pan- The Blood Donor Center unit and the Msherieb mobile have subsided to donate blood. delivery mothers, and many between 8am to 1pm.” Dr. Al demic,” she said. next to Hamad General Hospital unit are both open Sunday to As per World Health Organ- others. Kuwari assured the public that “This includes asking all is open Sunday to Thursday Saturday (including Friday) ization Guidelines, anyone who “Modestly, giving blood giving blood during COVID-19 donors to show the Ehteraz from 8am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm to 12am. has travelled recently must wait saves lives. The blood you give is safe and hygienic. application and a checkup and 12am, Saturdays 7pm to 12am. Dr. Al Kuwari thanked the 28 days after their return to is a lifeline to many patients in “We can also assure all triage–checking body It is closed on Fridays. The new management of both Souq Qatar to donate. beIN extends Carnegie Mellon team wins Qatar Stock Exchange competition exclusive THE PENINSULA — DOHA summer early A team of students from The competition kicked off bird offer until Carnegie Mellon University in before the pandemic, in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foun- early 2020. Teams were May 31 dation partner university, took given the task to value the top spot at the second Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA Stock Exchange (QSE) Financial Aamal Holdings, a Education Competition. Eight diversified business with Following its announcement universities took part, with holdings in four different of world-class sports and CMU-Q edging out teams from sectors. Business entertainment packages in Qatar University and Hamad Mena, global sports and Bin Khalifa University. administration students entertainment broadcaster The first QSE Financial Edu- Haidar Al Haidar, Abraham beIN Media Group has cation Competition took place Farooqui, Joud Ghalayini, announced that its exclusive in 2019, with a CMU-Q team Faiha Sahirah and Mariam summer early bird offers also taking first place. will be extended until May The competition kicked off Syed delved into the 31, allowing sports fans to before the pandemic, in early complicated task of enjoy the most exclusive 2020. Teams were given the valuating a company with championships of the task to value Aamal Holdings, such varied assets. summer while saving on a diversified business with subscription fees. holdings in four different Subscribers can avail of sectors. Winners of second Qatar Stock Exchange Financial Education Competition. early bird offers to get three- Business administration fact that our teams have won month complimentary students Haidar Al Haidar, only included technical and students presented their work price one year in the future. twice is reflection of the quality access to the Ultimate Abraham Farooqui, Joud Gha- fundamental analysis, but also to an online panel of industry Because of the wait, we could of our students, how engaged package when subscribing layini, Faiha Sahirah and the methodology and theo- judges in April 2021, including see the actual stock price, and they are, and how they can to watch UEFA Euro 2020 Mariam Syed delved into the retical underpinnings of that representatives from Qatar that our prediction was actually apply their knowledge to real- and Copa America 2021. complicated task of valuating a analysis.” Financial Center, AlRayan very close.” world scenarios.” Other offers also allow company with such varied After the students com- Investments and Aventicum. Farooqi, who teaches Al Haidar, Ghalayini, viewers to save four months’ assets. pleted their report in the spring When the scores were financial markets, believes Sahirah and Syed will graduate worth of subscription fees Fuad Farooqi, associate of 2020, they looked forward announced, CMU-Q topped the competitions like this reinforce from CMU-Q with bachelor when subscribing to watch teaching professor of finance at to the formal presentation and leaderboard. the theory he teaches in class: degrees in business adminis- UEFA Euro 2020, Copa CMU-Q, noted that the analysis awards. Due to COVID-19 Al Haidar said that the wait “The QSE competition replicates tration in 2021. Abraham America 2021, and Total was much deeper than a typical restrictions, however, the pres- worked in the team’s favor: “We the industry experience. It’s a Farooqui graduated with the Africa Cup of Nations, Cam- valuation: “The submission not entations were postponed. The were asked to predict the stock slice of the real world, and the Class of 2020. eroon 2021. In addition, sub- scribers can save up to six months’ worth of sub- scription fees on the Ultimate package and enjoy the UEFA Euro 2020, Total Africa Cup of Nations, Cameron 2021, Copa America, and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Current subscribers benefit from some of the above offers and free access to Copa America 2021 when adding the UEFA Euro 2020 to their subscription. In addition, newly joining subscribers will be offered a free 4K Media Server with installation included when they sub- scribe to the Ultimate package. This package offers the ultimate beIN experience with 100 channels of exclusive content and 4K Ultra-HD viewing. It includes com- plimentary access to beIN Connect, a monthly $20 bonus credit on the beIN On Demand Store, and beIN Box Office channels. Viewers who subscribe now for the Premium package will get a free PVR Plus box and free delivery. This package includes access to the UEFA Cham- pions League and English Premier League and the latest entertainment content. With 91 channels of sports and entertainment, subscribers also get com- plimentary access to beIN Connect and a monthly $16 bonus credit on the beIN On Demand Store, and beIN Box Office channels. 06 GULF / MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 Progress noted at diplomats’ talks on Iran nuclear deal

AP — VIENNA considering a rollback of some The Biden administration of the most stringent Trump- High-ranking diplomats from era sanctions in a bid to get Iran China, Germany, France, Russia is considering a rollback to come back into compliance and Britain made progress at of some of the most with the nuclear agreement, talks yesterday focused on stringent Trump-era according to information from bringing the United States back sanctions in a bid to get current and former US officials into their landmark nuclear deal Iran to come back into and others familiar with the with Iran, but said they need matter. more work and time to bring compliance with the Ahead of the main talks, about a future agreement. nuclear agreement. Ulyanov said JCPOA members After the meeting, Russia’s met on the side with officials top representative, Mikhail from the US delegation but that Ulyanov, tweeted that members Donald Trump unilaterally the Iranian delegation was not European External Action Service Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora (left) and Iranian Deputy of the Joint Comprehensive Plan pulled the country out of the ready to meet with US at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi wait for the start of a meeting of the JCPOA Joint of Action, or JCPOA, “noted deal in 2018. Trump also diplomats. today the indisputable progress restored and augmented sanc- The nuclear deal promised Commission in Vienna, Austria, yesterday. made at the Vienna talks on res- tions to try to force Iran into Iran economic incentives in toration of the nuclear deal.” renegotiating the pact with exchange for curbs on its to pressure the other countries nuclear deal was signed. Outside the talks in Vienna, “The Joint Commission will more concessions. nuclear programme. to provide relief from the The Vienna talks began in other challenges remain. reconvene at the end of the next US President Joe Biden The reimposition of US sanctions. early April and have included An attack suspected to have week,” Ulyanov wrote. “In the wants to rejoin the deal, sanctions has left the country’s The ultimate goal of the deal several rounds of high-level been carried out by Israel meantime, experts will continue however, and a US delegation economy reeling. Tehran has is to prevent Iran from devel- discussions. Expert groups also recently struck Iran’s Natanz to draft elements of future in Vienna was taking part in responded by steadily oping a nuclear bomb, some- have been working on how to nuclear site, causing an agreement.” indirect talks with Iran, with increasing its violations of the thing it insists it doesn’t want to resolve the issues around the unknown amount of damage. The US did not have a rep- diplomats from the other world restrictions of the deal, such as do. Iran now has enough American sanctions and Iranian Tehran retaliated by beginning resentative at the table when powers acting as increasing the purity of uranium enriched uranium to make a compliance, as well as the “pos- to enrich a small amount of the diplomats met in Vienna go-betweens. it enriches and its stockpiles, in bomb, but nowhere near the sible sequencing” of the US uranium up to 60% purity, its because former President The Biden administration is a thus-far unsuccessful effort amount it had before the return. highest level ever. Yemen officials: Heavy flooding from seasonal rains kills 13 Saudi Arabia logs 1,048 new virus AP — SANA'A, YEMEN began raining late last month, save some residents trapped in Last year, flooding in Yemen rebels swept across much of the the officials said. They spoke on their cars. left dozens dead and forced tens north and seized the capital of cases, 11 deaths Floods swept through parts of condition of anonymity because Yemen’s National Meteor- of thousands to leave their Sana'a late in 2014. They forced Yemen amid heavy seasonal they were not authorised to ological Center issued state- homes. the government of President QNA — RIYADH rains, leaving at least 13 people brief the media. ments in recent days warning The Arab world’s poorest Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi into dead, including two children, Heavy rains also pelted the Yemenis to stay away from country is divided between exile in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Health security officials said yesterday. provinces of Aden, Taiz and flood ducts in affected areas and Houthi rebels in the north and Yemen is located at the yesterday reported 1,048 new Fatalities were reported in Hadramawt, where flooding to take necessary precautions. an internationally recognised southern corner of the Arabian confirmed cases of the Coro- the provinces of Sana'a, Ibb, damaged houses and vehicles, Yemen’s rainy season runs from government in the south. Both Peninsula, overlooking the Red navirus (COVID-19) during the Shabwa and Hodeida, where it they said. Rescuers managed to April through August. sides have been at war since the and Arabian Seas. past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 418,411. The ministry recorded 964 recoveries overnight, taking Vaccine campaign begins amid the total recoveries to 401,544. It also announced 11 new virus-related deaths, bringing virus surge in rebel-held Syria the fatalities tally to 6,968. AP — IDLIB, SYRIA world. Idlib health official from different parts of Syria by Yasser Najib said the jabs were the conflict. At least 641 have Palestine official: A COVID-19 vaccine campaign provided through the UN-led died in the area from COVID-19 kicked off in Syria’s last rebel- COVAX programme for the related complications. Conflict Polls postponed to held enclave yesterday, with a world’s poor and developing has subsided in the area, but 45-year-old front-line nurse nations. outbreaks of violence are still preserve ‘national becoming the first to receive a He said the vaccination reported. UN-secured jab. campaign will last 21 working Syria has been divided by constants’ Nizar Fattouh, a nurse in Ibn days, starting yesterday in two the war so vaccinations in gov- QNA/REUTERS — RAMALLAH Sina Hospital in Idlib city, of the enclave’s largest hos- ernment-controlled areas, received one of 53,800 Astra- pitals. Tomorrow, the campaign nearly 60% of the country’s ter- Nabil Abu Rudeineh, A healthcare worker prepares a dose of the coronavirus disease Zeneca vaccines delivered to will unfold in other health ritory, are managed and take spokesman for Palestinian vaccine at a hospital in Idlib, Syria, yesterday. northwest Syria through Turkey centers, Najib said. place separately. presidency, said yesterday that on April 21. The vaccines come He said the small quantity The Syrian government has the Palestinian leadership's amid a new surge of infections will prioritise health care secured 200,000 vaccines a surge in infections. The one- cases and 14 deaths in the decision to postpone the legis- in the war-torn country. Syria workers and aid personnel who through the UN-led programme week extension comes as an region, which is home to nearly lative and presidential elec- supplies of oxygen are depleted are on the front line of the battle but also has obtained doses international aid group warned 4 million people and borders tions aims at “preserving top and its hospitals were already against the coronavirus. Infec- from China, Russia and the of oxygen shortages in the Turkey and Iraq. The new cases national constants, on top of overwhelmed from 10 years of tions among health care United Arab Emirates. A limited region. raise to nearly 15,800 the total which is the issue of occupied conflict and deteriorating health workers in the enclave have inoculation campaign had also Northeast Syria, adminis- registered coronavirus cases in Jerusalem.” care services. been high, accounting for as begun in government-con- tered by a Kurdish-led the region, including 571 deaths. In remarks carried by Pal- The AstraZeneca vaccines many as 30% of confirmed trolled areas that are experi- authority, doesn’t have a sep- The World Health Organi- estine’s WAFA news agency, were delivered to the rebel- cases at one point. encing increased pressure on arate inoculation program and zation has said the vaccination Abu Rudeineh said, “Holding controlled area through a There are over 21,000 con- hospitals. In the Kurdish-con- is dependent on Damascus for campaign in Syria aims to inoc- the elections with Jerusalem border crossing with Turkey, firmed infections in the rebel- trolled northeast, authorities testing for the virus and for vac- ulate 20% of the total popu- excluded from the vote means the northwestern territory’s held enclave, home to 4 million announced this week they will cinations. The local health lation residing in the country by an implementation of the Deal only gateway to the outside people, most of them displaced extend a partial lockdown amid department reported 123 new the end of the year. of the Century ... The inde- pendent national decision is the key to peace and security in the region.” He explained, “President Mahmoud Abbas identified a clear path after the decision to postpone the elections, repre- sented in launching a dialogue with the factions, forming a government of national unity, and strengthening the PLO.” Abu Rudeineh underlined, “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine. The issue is not about elections, and everyone having a reservation on the decision to postpone the elec- tions should understand the US and Israeli game and the regional complicity aiming to establish a fragile entity, which shall not be allowed.” He said the leadership has tried by all means to hold the elections in Jerusalem. On Thursday, Pal- estinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the post- ponement of the legislative elections due to the Israeli occupation’s refusal to hold them in occupied Jerusalem. The delay drew immediate criticism from opponents and from would-be voters — no Palestinian under 34 has taken part in national elections. It also came on the day that campaigning was due to begin — preparations were already well under way, with thousands of new voters and three dozen party lists registered. "As a young Palestinian citizen, I call for conducting elections, and I want my right to elect so I would see new faces, young faces, and see new political stances," said Wael Deys, from Hebron. SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 AFRICA 07 Somali lawmakers reverse President’s term extension AP — MOGADISHU, SOMALIA President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed asked the The controversial two-year term extension for Somalia’s lawmakers to retreat from their decision last month to extend president evaporated yesterday his time in office. The extension had been blasted by the after intense public pressure, as Senate as illegal and opposed by soldiers who took up key the lower house of parliament positions in the capital and clashed with other security forces. approved his request to instead support efforts to organise the country’s long-delayed national election. international community measures. President Mohamed worried that the Al Shabab “I also ask the opposition Abdullahi Mohamed asked the extremist group would take leaders to play their role in pac- lawmakers to retreat from their advantage. ifying the country and decision last month to extend Yesterday’s actions mean a Mogadishu, in particular, for the his time in office. The extension return to talks on how to carry sake of the people, country and Somalia legislators vote by raising their hands to cancel a divisive two-year presidential term extension, had been blasted by the Senate out the election that has been religion,” the president said. inside the lower house of Parliament in Mogadishu, Somalia, yesterday. as illegal and opposed by sol- delayed since early February, Somalia’s leader also for the diers who took up key positions when some Somalis believe the first time publicly expressed his in the capital and clashed with president’s term ended. condolences to those who died would run for a second term. unpredictable or reasonable was quiet, but tense. other security forces. Mohamed asked lawmakers or were displaced during the It is unknown how long it ways,” said Abdirahman Abdis- And some of the displaced The extraordinary scene of to back the agreement the clashes in Mogadishu. The will take for the election to be hakur, one of the opposition hesitated to go home. soldiers firing at each other in federal government reached United Nations has said several organized. candidates. “Would you bring your wife the streets of Mogadishu with regional states last Sep- tens of thousands fled their Opposition leaders, Despite the prime minister’s and children in the middle of brought back fears for many tember on a way forward for homes. however, did not appear to be call for all security forces to those opposing forces, right in Somalis that the Horn of Africa the vote. He asked Prime Min- Some in the opposition had satisfied with Saturday’s events. return to their barracks, the sol- front of and around your nation could collapse back into ister Mohamed Hussein Roble hoped that the president would “(The president) can never diers backing the opposition house?” asked Mohamed chaos after years of trying to to lead the election preparations resign. Mohamed left the future be trusted as he flip-flops remained on the streets of the Abdulle Farah, who had fled the rebuild. Alarmed, the and the related security unclear, not saying whether he between his own words in capital Saturday. Mogadishu Hodan district of the capital. Kenya eases curfew, other virus measures after cases decline DR Congo declares state of siege over AP — NAIROBI, KENYA ordered the year-long curfew restaurants to serve food on Industry associations com- same period, going from a to start two hours earlier, at their premises instead of only plained that small business 7-day rolling average of 0.01 eastern bloodshed Kenyan President Uhuru 8pm, due to a spike in preparing takeout orders. were shutting down as a result deaths per 100,000 people to REUTERS — BENI, DR CONGO Kenyatta loosened infection- COVID-19 deaths in Kenya’s Sports events will resume of the shorter operating hours. 0.04 deaths per 100,000. control measures yesterday capital, Nairobi, three urban under regulations to be issued Kenya’s 7-day rolling Kenya, with a population Militants killed at least 19 after the number of new counties surrounding it and by the Ministry of Health, he average of new confirmed of 53 million, has reported a people, including 10 soldiers, COVID-19 cases confirmed in Nakuru, a major transit city. said. cases more than doubled in total of 159,318 confirmed in raids on two villages in the the country dropped from an He also had prohibited The 8pm curfew had March, from 1.02 new cases cases and more than 2,700 east of Democratic Republic early spring surge. travel in and out of the five caused a public outcry. Many per 100,000 people on March deaths in the pandemic. of Congo yesterday, hours Kenyatta announced in his areas but said Saturday the Kenyans living in the capital 11 to 2.29 new cases per Kenyatta gave his May Day after President Felix May Day speech that a nightly ban on movement was lifted. leave work at 5pm and it takes 100,000 people on March 25, speech during a low-key Tshisekedi declared a state of curfew was being moved to 10 Kenyatta said the gov- them more than three hours according to Johns Hopkins function at the State House. siege in two provinces. p.m. following a 72% reduction ernment also is allowing to get home due to traffic and University. For the second year A surge in attacks by in new cases. church services to resume at a lack of reliable public The country’s mortality running, he did not announce armed militias and inter-com- On March 26, the president one-third capacity and transportation. rate quadrupled during the an a minimum wage increase. munal violence in the east have killed more than 300 people since the start of the year as government troops and Chadian security forces fire upon UN peacekeepers struggle to stabilise the situation. The latest violence took protesters in southern town place early yesterday morning when militants raided two vil- REUTERS — N’DJAMENA person who was shot in the military council declined to lages in North Kivu’s regional abdomen is in critical condition, comment on the actions of hub of Beni, local authorities At least four people were shot according to a medical worker security forces, but said the pro- said. and wounded in Chad’s who requested anonymity. testers were “just young people Tshisekedi had declared a southern Mandoul region “Two of my friends were who marched through the state of siege in North Kivu and yesterday when security forces wounded by gunshots right in streets creating traffic jams.” Ituri provinces on Friday. fired upon a crowd demon- front of me, and spent more The demonstrations in Mandoul “The objective is to swiftly strating against last month’s than an hour on the spot before occurred at the same time as a end the insecurity which is military takeover, witnesses they could be transported to the funeral for five people in killing our fellow citizens in and hospital sources said. hospital,” Allaissem Bernodji N’Djamena who were killed on that part of the country on a Protesters in the town of Manace, who protested in Sarh, Tuesday during clashes daily basis,” government Sarh, about 550 kilometres (340 told Reuters. between protesters and security spokesman Patrick Muyaya miles) from the capital “We lived through a terrible forces. said. People attend the funeral of Djikoloum Yanick, 19, who was shot N’Djamena, banged pots and scene,” he said. The army’s response to He did not say what steps and killed during a protest to demand a return to civilian rule, in pans in a show of defiance Civil society leaders in the those protests was condemned would be taken next under the N’djamena, Chad, yesterday. against the military council that neighbouring town of Koumra by some of Chad’s strongest state of siege. has taken over since Chad’s said that a dozen people were allies, including France, the On Friday armed police in longtime ruler Idriss Deby was arrested during a parallel United States and the African elections within 18 months. closely monitored by its Beni dispersed students who killed last month. protest, to which security forces Union. Deby was killed on April 19 as Western allies, who have were staging an eight-day Police responded by firing responded with beatings and The military council, led by he visited troops fighting rebels worked with the central African sit-in at the town hall to draw into the crowd with live ammu- teargas. Deby’s son, Mahamat Idriss opposed his 30-year rule. nation to combat militants attention to the worsening nition, witnesses said. One A representative of Chad’s Deby, has promised to hold Chad’s transition is being across the Sahel. security situation. Several stu- dents were wounded and others were arrested, Algeria, Libya according to a Reuters Tanzania President plans income tax cut, other changes witness. FMs discuss A Ugandan insurgent REUTERS — NAIROBI March following the death of Africa’s most prominent will later increase,” she said faction active in eastern Congo advancing President John Magufuli, said COVID-19 sceptic. yesterday. since the 1990s called the Tanzania’s new President in a Labour Day speech in the Last month, Hassan The new president has Allied Democratic Forces peace in Libya Samia Suluhu Hassan said northern Mwanza region that announced she was forming a indicated in public remarks (ADF) is believed to be respon- yesterday the government the COVID-19 pandemic had committee to research whether since she took office on March sible for much of the recent would reduce the income tax hurt global economic growth, Tanzania should follow the 19 that she will also seek to bloodshed. QNA/AP — ALGIERS rate by 1 percentage point to and that Tanzania’s economy course taken by the rest of the improve the investment It has carried out a spate 8%, in the 2021/22 financial had not been spared. world against the pandemic. climate in the country of of reprisal attacks on civilians Algerian Minister of Foreign year beginning in July, and Her remarks were the “Due to steps I’m planning nearly 60 million people. since the army began opera- Affairs Sabri Boukadoum also planned to remove latest acknowledgement of the to take by removing unfriendly Under Magufuli, foreign tions against it in late 2019, and Libyan Minister of “unfriendly taxes and charges coronavirus, in stark contrast taxes and charges to Tanza- direct investment plunged and killing around 850 people last Foreign Affairs and Interna- to Tanzanians”. to the denials of her prede- nians, tax revenues will investors complained of a dif- year, according to United tional Cooperation Nadjla El Hassan, who took office in cessor Magufuli, who was decline for a short period and ficult business environment. Nations figures. Mangoush discussed the developments in Libya. The talks included ways to enhance joint efforts to Tanzania installs oxygen production advance the path of peace and reconciliation in Libya, plants as demand increases the APS reported. Algeria will chair the REUTERS — NAIROBI controversial stances of her predecessor Peace and Security Council by announcing she was forming a com- of the African Union this Tanzania has installed medical oxygen mittee to research whether Tanzania month. production plants in its biggest national should follow the course taken by the During its presidency, hospitals to serve intensive care ward rest of the world against the Algeria will work with its patients, including those ill with coro- pandemic. counterparts in the council navirus, its health ministry said on And on Sunday Hassan said that to promote peace and Friday. while that committee continues its work, security in Africa and face The plants, which can produce Tanzanians should follow the public the current challenges on medical oxygen to fill 200 cylinders a health guidelines for COVID-19 pre- the continent. day, were installed in seven referral hos- vention advised globally, namely mask Libya has been wracked pitals in a World Bank-backed project, wearing and washing hands. by chaos since a Nato- the statement said. She called on religious leaders to help backed uprising toppled The statement noted that demand educate the public on this. longtime dictator Muammar for medical oxygen had increased fol- Magufuli died last month after weeks Gaddafi in 2011 and split the lowing the oubreak of COVID-19 in the of speculation that he was ill with oil-rich North African country, whose former President John COVID-19. country between a UN-sup- Magufuli was Africa’s most prominent He urged Tanzanians to shun mask- ported government in the Iftar time for Libya troops coronavirus sceptic. Magufuli died in wearing and denounced vaccines as a capital, Tripoli, and rival March. Western conspiracy, frustrating the Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally-recognised government gather to break authorities based in the Earlier this month, President Samia World Health Organization. their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Grein, Libya, on Thursday. country’s east, each backed Suluhu Hassan shifted the country’s Tanzania stopped reporting corona- by armed groups. approach to COVID-19 from the virus data in May 2020. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 Vaccine passports are a reality, Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN whatever they’re called DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED JOE NOCERA [email protected] BLOOMBERG

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR I downloaded my vaccine MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI passport the other day. [email protected] Of course, it wasn’t called a vaccine passport. Rather, it was an “Excelsior Pass,” issued by New York State. In addition to verifying that I EDITORIAL have been fully vaccinated, it has a QR code that ticket- takers can scan when I want Caring workers to go to Madison Square A smartphone with displayed 'Immunity passport COVID-19' is placed on a passport. Garden to see the resurgent THE International Labour Day, or Worker’s Day, was Knicks or Yankee Stadium to marked across the globe yesterday. The day is observed watch the faltering Yankees. On the other hand, the full approval. readable so that citizens can to raise awareness among all the people, not only among It can also show the last time Washington Post reported in With additional schools use them to travel without workers, about the rights of workers and celebrate their the holder has tested negative late March that the Department announcing vaccine man- restrictions.” achievements regardless of their geographic location for COVID-19; more on that in of Health and Human Services dates almost daily, it seems Inevitably, airlines will have and work nature. a moment. is “working to develop a likely that by September the to enforce any vaccine certifi- Same like the previous year, the event marked under The Excelsior Pass, standard way of handling cre- vast majority of universities cation requirement imposed by COVID-19 pandemic which is an unprecedented chal- developed with IBM, is the dentials … that would allow will require proof that stu- European countries - which lenge in relation to its impact on the entire population of first government-issued proof Americans to prove they’ve dents have been vaccinated. means that many international the world. In every country across the world, the Labour of vaccination in the US But it been vaccinated against the Given that universities have flights will be restricted to those Day is marked in different ways, but the goal remains the won’t be the last - at least 17 novel coronavirus as busi- been a chief source of infection who have been vaccinated and same for all that is to create awareness about labour more are in the works in the nesses try to reopen.” At a - with 535,000 COVID-19 can prove it. rights, importance of their role in nations’ development US alone. In the media, and recent White House pandemic cases, according to the New And on it goes. Profes- march, and draw attention to lessons learned and expe- among government officials, briefing, Jeff Zients, Biden’s York Times - it is hardly a sur- sional sports are going to riences gained from the world of workers. vaccine passports are the coronavirus coordinator, said prise that school officials want to employ vaccine pass- In Qatar, the event is marked every year under well subject of debate and contro- that the administration’s goal nationwide would want a vac- ports, especially once they are thought theme with participation of top officials, and versy. Right-wing pundits and was to “help ensure that any cinated student body. Brian allowed to fill up their arenas. this year’s theme focused on responding to the pan- politicians have denounced solution in this area should be Clark, a Brown University Concert venues will, too. And demic crisis, and refection to the ILO’s motto “World them as a threat to personal simple, free, open source, spokesman, told me that there Broadway theaters and cruise Day for Safety and Health at Work”. liberty - just like mask man- accessible to people both dig- has been very little pushback. lines; really, just about any- On the occasion, Minister of Administrative Devel- dates. Many liberals worry itally and on paper, and “Most on campus recognize where that people come in opment, Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousef bin that they will further exac- designed from the start to that the sooner the vast close contact. Mohammed Al Othman Fakhroo, affirmed the com- erbate “pandemic inequality” protect people’s privacy.” majority of our community is Vaccine passports aren’t mitment of the State of Qatar to continue its relentless because the vaccination rate That doesn’t exactly sound vaccinated, the sooner we can the death knell of liberty that efforts aimed at promoting and protecting workers’ rights among the poor is low. Earlier as if the administration is return to a more traditional opponents proclaim. Many and providing a safe and healthy work environment. this month, the White House opposed to the idea of vaccine campus experience,” he wrote people have come to take for The Ministry is working to implement modern leg- declared that Americans passports. And, indeed, it’s not. in an email. granted a lot of mandated islation to keep pace with the best international would not be required to There may not be a single Americans who want to safety requirements that they standards and practices for protecting workers’ rights, “obtain a single vaccination national passport, but states take that long-delayed resisted at first such as car seat in collaboration with representatives of employers and credential.” and the private sector are European vacation are going belts and motorcycle helmets workers and various local and international partners. developing any number of cer- to need vaccine passports. in some states. “Everyone is The Ministry has also announced the establishment Vaccine passports tification apps. Regardless of Just a few days ago, the pres- sick of masks,” Donald G. of the unified platform for complaints and disputes, to aren’t the death what they are called or ident of the European Com- McNeil Jr., the former New allow employees and workers to submit complaints however strident the oppo- mission, Ursula von der York Times pandemic related to work issues. knell of liberty that sition, vaccine passports are, in Leyen, told the New York reporter, wrote recently. “So In gesture to value the role of workers in Qatar, the opponents proclaim. fact, going to be inevitable for Times that because the US is the only way we’re going to Ministry of Municipality and Ooredoo organised delivery any return to something using vaccines that have been finish it is through vaccination. of 100 recharge cards to MME workers to enable them Many people have resembling normal interaction. approved by the European And we do need to know to stay connected to family, friends and loved ones with come to take for For example, universities Medicines Agency, Americans who’s vaccinated.” data and calling minutes. granted a lot of are going to need them soon. would be free to travel to any As I mentioned earlier, the For his part, Minister of Municipality and Environment Several dozen universities are of the EU countries. But to do Excelsior Pass that I down- H E Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie congrat- mandated safety already requiring all incoming so, they are going to have to loaded doesn’t just show that ulated the workers and thanked all workers in the various requirements that they students for the fall 2021 prove they have received one I’m vaccinated, it can also keep sectors for their sincere work the renaissance of the semester to be vaccinated - of the Pfizer, Moderna or track of COVID-19 tests. So far, State of Qatar. resisted at first such small schools like Roger Wil- Johnson & Johnson vaccines. venues such as Yankee Stadium The different governmental and non-governmental as car seat belts and liams University in Bristol, From the Times article: allow the unvaccinated in as institutions have expressed, at different occasions, their Rhode Island, and large insti- “Technical discussions long as they can show they had appreciation to the valued role of workers and have motorcycle helmets in tutions like Duke University. have been going on for either a negative PCR or rapid showed their keenness to apply the best international some states. The California State Uni- several weeks between antigen test within the previous standards to ensure the security and safety of expa- versity system is requiring not European Union and United 72 hours. I suspect most other triate workers and provide them with decent living and just students but faculty and States officials on how to places will do the same. work conditions. staff to be vaccinated once the practically and technologi- Joe Nocera is a Food and Drug Adminis- cally make vaccine certifi- Bloomberg Opinion columnist tration gives the vaccines its cates from each place broadly covering business.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR A new virus origins investigation EMAIL: [email protected] THE WASHINGTON POST that more than 80,000 wildlife, food packaging from abroad. obfuscation and secrecy. The livestock and poultry samples Whether China likes it or not, Wall Street Journal reported EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 The pandemic is a global were collected from across a serious investigation must Tuesday that the United States health calamity, with 3.1 China’s provinces, and none encompass zoonotic spillover, and other nations are writing MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 millionpeople dead in little tested positive for the virus the possibility of a laboratory recommendations to the WHO more than a year. Yet almost before or after the outbreak. leak and any other possibility for a broad phase-two DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 nothing is known about how The investigating team said the backed by evidence. investigation. it began, and the first attempt least likely pathway was an A group of scientists, in an The WHO director-general, LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 to discover the origins went inadvertent leak from a labo- open letter released Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 nowhere. In the next few ratory in Wuhan, where the Friday,correctly called for a “full has declared that a second weeks, the World Health outbreak first exploded. The scientific and forensic investi- investigative phase is necessary, SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 Organization and member leak hypothesis was not inves- gation into all possible origins” and no theory is off the table. nations must rally anew to tigated, although it is known of the virus, and provided a set The WHO is a member-based ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 launch a credible investi- that the Wuhan Institute of of unanswered questions about United Nations organization, email: [email protected] gation into how and where Virology was carrying out risky the laboratory and its work. and it lacks unilateral regulatory PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 the pandemic got started. “gain of function” experiments Some of them concern the powers. Yet a credible phase- email: [email protected] No one should underes- on bat coronaviruses, which mystery of a sickness that two investigation could not be timate the difficulty - it might involves modifying viral overtook six men in Mojiang, more important. The WHO MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 take years. But understanding genomes to give them new Yunnan province, in 2012. Three member states, meeting in late email: [email protected] the origins of this pandemic properties, including the ability of them died after clearing bat May as the World Health will help immensely in pre- to infect lung cells of laboratory guano in an abandoned mine. Assembly, must insist on the ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 paring for another one. mice that had been genetically “To this day all the coronavi- launch of a far-reaching inquiry FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] The recent joint WHO- changed to respond as human ruses most closely related to with the proper staff and a CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 China investigation found the respiratory cells would. SARS-CoV-2 come from that wide-ranging mandate to go email: [email protected] most likely source of the coro- China has strenuously Mojiang mine,” the scientists wherever the evidence leads. navirus was a direct or indirect denied that a leak came from say, yet the Wuhan institute, The virus origins may be hard to SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 zoonotic spillover to humans. the lab, calling it a “farce,” which collected samples, has locate, but it should not be for FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] However, the mission reported and pointing instead to frozen cloaked its research in lack of trying.

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar I wouldn’t call it the end of of the world for our /ThePeninsulaQatar people. I would say that it will be very challenging and that’s why I am of the opinion that the whole /Peninsula_Qatar focus has to be on achieving peace, that does not only take us, it takes the other side. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Abdullah Abdullah, Head of Afghanistan’s National +974 6698 6188 Reconciliation Council SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 ASIA 09 India records over 400,000 virus cases in 24 hours

REUTERS — NEW DELHI medical system. In New Delhi’s Batra Hos- India recorded more than Authorities reported pital, local media reported that 400,000 new COVID-19 cases eight people including a doctor for the first time yesterday as it 401,993 new cases in died yesterday after the facility battles a devastating second the previous 24 hours, ran out of oxygen. wave, and the country’s massive after 10 consecutive “Delhi required 976 tonnes new vaccination drive was days of more than of oxygen and yesterday only hampered in some areas by 300,000 daily cases. 312 tonnes of oxygen was given. shortages of the shots. How does Delhi breathe in such Authorities reported Deaths jumped by 3,523, a low oxygen?” chief minister 401,993 new cases in the pre- taking the country’s Kejriwal tweeted. vious 24 hours, after 10 consec- total toll to 211,853, At a hearing yesterday, the utive days of more than according to the federal Delhi high court took note of the 300,000 daily cases. Deaths health ministry. deaths at Batra Hospital and jumped by 3,523, taking the told the federal government to country’s total toll to 211,853, make arrangements for the according to the federal health allocated supply of oxygen to ministry. vaccines would arrive be given to Delhi. The surge in infections has “tomorrow or the day after”. “Enough is enough,” Justice overwhelmed hospitals, Eastern Odisha state said on Vipin Sanghi said. morgues and crematoriums and Friday it had received a con- The federal government’s left families scrambling for signment of 150,000 shots but counsel told the court: “We are scarce medicines and oxygen. would only allow a few people doing maximum to what And while India is the world’s to get shots due to lockdown human limit can go.” biggest producer of COVID-19 restrictions preventing Desperate coronavirus People wearing protective face masks wait to receive a dose of COVISHIELD, a coronavirus disease vaccines, shortages of the shots movement. patients continued to arrive at vaccine, outside a vaccination centre in Ahmedabad, yesterday. in some states hindered the In Ahmedabad, the main hospitals despite a shortage of opening of vaccinations for all commercial city in Prime Min- beds. adults. ister Narendra Modi’s home Gasping for air, 62-year- latest in a series of deadly acci- in early March of a new and and opposition politicians. West Bengal state was state of Gujarat, hundreds of old Vijay Gupta was turned dents at hospitals. more contagious variant taking The surge in India has come unable to start a drive aimed at people lined up for their shots. away by Holy Family hospital, The Delhi government said hold in the country, five scien- as many countries are seeing adults aged between 18 and 45 “I took my first dose and I a non-profit private facility in it will extend for another seven tists who are part of the forum the pandemic ease. due to a shortage of shots and am appealing to all students to the southeast of the capital, as days a lockdown it first said. US President Joe Biden on urged the federal government take the vaccine and be safe,” all of its 385 beds were full. imposed for a week on April 19. Four of the scientists said Friday banned most travel from to provide more supplies, a said Raj Shah, a 27-year-old His family and friends Daily infections have that despite the warning, the India in restrictions that will senior state health official said, student in the city. debated what to do try next. soared since the start of April. federal government did not take effect from Tuesday. declining to be named as he was India has received 150,000 “We have been roaming Some experts blame mass reli- seek to impose major restric- Other countries and terri- not authorised to speak with Sputnik-V vaccine doses from around since 6am looking for gious gatherings and political tions to contain the spread of tories have also imposed travel media. Russia and millions more doses a bed,” said Gupta’s friend Raj- rallies for the severity of India’s the virus. restrictions on India, including Arvind Kejriwal, the chief will follow, an Indian foreign kumar Khandelwal. “Where second wave, which caught the Millions, largely unmasked, Australia, Britain, Germany, minister of the hard-hit state of ministry spokesman said shall we go?” A fire in a hos- government unprepared. attended religious gatherings Italy and Singapore. Canada, Delhi on Friday urged people yesterday. pital about 190km south of A forum of scientific and election rallies that were Hong Kong and New Zealand not to queue at vaccination Shortages of medical Ahmedabad killed 16 corona- advisers set up by the Modi held by Modi, leaders of the have suspended all commercial centres, promising more oxygen have plagued the virus patients and two staff, the administration warned officials ruling Bharatiya Janata Party travel with India. Scientists flag virus mutations that could ‘evade immune response’ Cambodia drafts

NEW DELHI in army to speed REUTERS — mutations, there was no reason concern,” as it has done for var- mutations in the coronavirus Indian variant or any other currently to believe they were iants first detected in Britain, that it thinks need to be tracked strain. up vaccinations A forum of scientific advisers expanding or could be Brazil and South Africa. closely. “Unless you culture those set up by the Indian government dangerous. But the WHO said on April “We are seeing some viruses and test them in the lab, REUTERS — PHNOM PENH has told authorities about minor Scientists are studying what 27 that its early modelling, mutation coming up in some you can’t say for sure. At this mutations in some samples of led to the current surge in cases based on genome sequencing, samples that could possibly point, there is no reason to Cambodia’s army began a the coronavirus that could in India and particularly suggested that B.1.617 had a evade immune responses,” said believe that they are expanding drive yesterday to vaccinate “possibly evade immune whether a variant first detected higher growth rate than other Shahid Jameel, chair of the sci- or if they can be dangerous, but nearly half a million people response” and require more in the country, called B.1.617, is variants circulating in India. entific advisory group of we flagged it so that we keep in the parts of Phnom Penh study, a leader of the forum to blame. The forum of advisers, INSACOG and a top Indian our eye on the ball,” he said. worst-hit by COVID-19, as the said. The World Health Organi- known as the Indian SARS- virologist. INSACOG brings together 10 Southeast Asian nation looks However the advisers said zation has not declared the CoV-2 Genetics Consortium, or He did not say if the muta- national research to step up the pace of inocu- while they were flagging the Indian variant a “variant of INSACOG, has now found more tions have been seen in the laboratories. lations. The country, which had been one of the least affected by the pandemic, is fighting a UNSC calls for return to surge in coronavirus cases that has seen the total number of infections jump from about democracy in Myanmar 500 to 13,790 since late Feb- ruary, including all 96 of the AP — UNITED NATIONS “pushed to the edge” for food, deaths it has recorded. going into debt and trying to Phnom Penh is under The UN Security Council (UNSC) survive. lockdown until May 5 and has on Friday again demanded the Security Council members declared some districts of the restoration of democracy in “reiterated their deep concern capital “red zones”, banning Myanmar and the release of all at the situation in Myanmar fol- people from leaving their detainees including Aung San lowing the declaration of the homes except for medical Suu Kyi and strongly backed calls state of emergency imposed by reasons. by Southeast Asian nations for the military on February 1 and Senior military official Eth an immediate cessation of reiterated their support for Sarath said 471,573 people violence and talks as a first step Myanmar’s democratic would be inoculated with toward a solution following the transition.” China’s Sinopharm and February 1 military coup. The council also reiterated Sinovac shots during a one- The council’s press statement its previous statements which month campaign led by the followed a briefing by the top UN include strongly condemning the military, according to a Min- envoy that the strong, united use of violence against peaceful istry of Defence statement demand for democracy by the protesters and the deaths of hun- posted on Facebook. people of Myanmar who have dreds of civilians, calling for the “To date, more than 1.3 been protesting since the coup restoration of democracy and million Cambodians, has created “unexpected diffi- release of detainees. including foreigners, dip- culties” for military leaders in Council members have also lomats and civil society consolidating power and risks called on the military “to exercise workers in Cambodia, have Treating COVID-19 patients bringing the administration of utmost restraint” and “on all been vaccinated,” the defence the nation to a standstill. sides to refrain from violence,” ministry said. A man suffering from coronavirus disease sits at the entrance of a hospital while he waits to get Christine Schraner Burgener and stressed “the need to fully It said the country, which admitted amid the lack of free beds at a hospital in Kathmandu, on Friday. said in remarks to the closed respect human rights and to has a population of around 16 council meeting obtained by AP pursue dialogue and million, had received more that her discussions in the region reconciliation.” than 4 million doses of “compounded” her concern that The UN envoy said she met vaccine, including 1.7 million Australia bans arrivals from India, says the situation in Myanmar is dete- the commander-in-chief on the doses of Sinopharm donated riorating in all areas. She pointed Asean sidelines and they agreed by China. offenders face 5 years in jail, fines to a resurgence of fighting in “to keep details of the exchange People queued to get vac- ethnic areas, more poor people discreet to allow for continued cinated yesterday at a primary REUTERS — SYDNEY Greg Hunt said in a statement. overly punitive. losing jobs, civil servants refusing frank and open discussions,” but school in Phnom Penh as “The government does not “Indian-Australians are to work to protest the coup and she assured the council she camouflage army personnel Australian residents and make these decisions lightly,” seeing this as a racist policy a brewing crisis of families in and “amplified” on the statements its coordinated the crowd by citizens who have been in India Hunt said.” However, it is because we are being treated around the main city Yangon 15 members had approved. radio. within 14 days of the date they critical the integrity of the Aus- different than people from plan to return home will be tralian public health and quar- other countries who have had banned from entering Australia antine systems is protected and similar waves of infection like Singapore reinstates some social distancing rules as of tomorrow and those who the number of COVID-19 cases the US, the UK and Europe. It is disobey will face fines and jail, in quarantine facilities is very hard to feel anything other BLOOMBERG — SINGAPORE social gatherings to two per day tighten and significantly reduce government officials said. reduced to a manageable level.” than targeted as an ethnic and stay home where possible, the level of interactions in the The temporary emergency The government will reconsider group.” Singapore will reinstate some it said. community should trans- determination, issued late on the restrictions on May 15. A spokesman for the Health social distancing controls and Visitors and long-term pass mission persist,” the statement Friday, is the first time Australia India’s coronavirus death Minister “deeply” rejected the tighten borders with countries holders from Bangladesh, Nepal, said. has made it a criminal offence toll passed 200,000 this week, view that stopping arrivals from that are seeing a persistent rise Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be The move comes as Sin- for its citizens to return home. and cases are nearing 19 million India temporarily was a biased in coronavirus cases to stem a barred from entering or trans- gapore experiences a higher The move is part of strict as virulent new strains have measure, saying it was a dif- virus spread in the city. iting through Singapore from than usual number of new measures to stop travellers to combined with “super- ficult but necessary decision The government will allow May 2. In addition, all travellers COVID-19 infections, reporting Australia from the world’s spreader” events such as that applied “to all people no fewer people at malls and large from these countries will have the most in more than nine second most populous nation political rallies and religious matter their nationality, race or stores, and close campsites for their quarantine extended to 21 months on Thursday. as it contends with a surge in festivals. religion.” two weeks from May 1, days. People arriving from The cases stem from one COVID-19 cases and deaths. Neela Janakiramanan, an Human rights groups according to a statement from Thailand will have to complete cluster in one of the country’s The restrictions come into Australian surgeon with voiced indignation at the ban, the health ministry on Friday. quarantine in a dedicated facility biggest hospitals and another effect from May 3 and family in India said the suggesting the government’s It will reduce the operating for 14 days, it said. from an immigration officer in breaching the ban risks civil decision to “criminalise” Aus- focus should be on improving capacity of attractions to 50% “We will continue to review Changi Airport. Yesterday, the penalties and up to five years tralians returning from India its quarantine system, not on from 65% for a week from May the current suite of measures nation reported nine new cases imprisonment, Health Minister was disproportionate and punishment. 7, and urged people to limit and will take further steps to in the local community. 10 ASIA / EUROPE SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 US, Nato begin formal troop pull out in Afghanistan

AP — KABUL The Afghan bin Laden, were on the run. “Kandahar Airfield received the battlefield will wait for a 66,000 to 69,000 Afghan defence ministry In his withdrawal ineffective indirect fire this decision from the leadership troops killed. The Afghan mil- The final phase of ending Amer- announcement last month, afternoon; no injury to per- before launching any attacks itary has been battered by cor- ica’s “forever war” in Afghan- and presidential Biden said the initial mission sonnel or damage to and that decision will be based ruption. The US and Nato pay istan after 20 years formally palace in separate was accomplished a decade ago equipment,” he tweeted, on “the sovereignty, values and $4bn a year to sustain the force. began yesterday, with the with- when US Navy SEALS killed bin without attaching blame. higher interests of the country.” Some 300,000 Afghan drawal of the last US and Nato statements have said Laden in his hideout in neigh- However, he also posted a Violence has spiked in troops are on the books, troops by the end of summer. that Afghanistan’s boring Pakistan. Since then, al- video clip of Gen. Austin Miller, Afghanistan since the February although the actual number is President Joe Biden had set security forces are Qaida has been degraded, while head of the US-led coalition in 2020 deal was signed. Peace believed to be lower. Com- May 1 as the official start of the the terrorist threat has “metas- Afghanistan, speaking to an talks between the Taliban and manders have been found to withdrawal of the remaining in good shape to tasized” into a global phe- Afghan journalist in which he Afghan government, which were inflate the numbers to collect forces — about 2,500 to 3,500 defend against Taliban nomenon that is not contained said “a return to violence would part of the agreement, quickly paychecks of so-called “ghost US troops and about 7,000 Nato by keeping thousands of troops be one senseless and tragic,” but bogged down. On Friday, a truck soldiers,” according to the US soldiers. advances. in one country, he said. that coalition troops “have the bomb in eastern Logar province watchdog monitoring Washing- Even before yesterday, the Until now the US and Nato military means to respond force- killed 21 people, many of them ton’s spending in Afghanistan. herculean task of packing up Defence department offi- have received no promises from fully to any type of attacks.” police and students. Still, the Afghan defence had begun. cials and diplomats told AP the the Taliban that they won’t The insurgent group con- Afghans have paid the ministry and presidential palace The military has been taking withdrawal has involved closing attack troops during the pullout. tinues to accuse Washington of highest price since 2001, with in separate statements have said inventory, deciding what is smaller bases over the last year. In a response to AP questions, breaching the deal it signed 47,245 civilians killed, that Afghanistan’s security forces shipped back to the US, what is They said that since Biden Taliban spokesman Suhail with Biden’s predecessor more according to the Costs of War are in good shape to defend handed to the Afghan security announced the end-of-summer Shaheen said the Taliban lead- than a year ago. In that project. Millions more have against Taliban advances. forces and what is sold as junk withdrawal date in mid-April, ership was still mulling over its agreement, the US said it would been displaced inside Afghan- Last year was the only year in Afghanistan’s markets. In only roughly 60 military per- strategy. have all troops out by May 1. istan or have fled to Pakistan, US and Nato troops did not recent weeks, the military has sonnel had left the country. US military spokesman Col. In a statement yesterday, Iran and Europe. suffer a loss. The Defence been flying out equipment on The US and its Nato allies Sonny Leggett tweeted yes- Taliban military spokesman Afghanistan’s security Department says 2,442 US massive C-17 cargo planes. went into Afghanistan together terday that there was some Zabihullah Mujahid said the forces are expected to come troops have been killed and The US is estimated to have on October 7, 2001 to hunt the ineffective firing in the area of passing of the May 1 deadline under increasing pressure from 20,666 wounded since 2001. It spent more than $2 trillion in Al Qaeda perpetrators of the southern Kandahar air base, for a complete withdrawal the Taliban after the withdrawal is estimated that over 3,800 US Afghanistan in the past two 9/11 terrorist attacks who lived one of the US military’s largest “opened the way for (Islamic if no peace agreement is private security contractors decades, according to the Costs under the protection of the bases. He also said US forces Emirate of Afghanistan) muja- reached in the interim, have been killed. The Pentagon of War project at Brown Uni- country’s Taliban rulers. Two had conducted “precision hidin to take every counter- according to Afghan watchers. does not track their deaths. versity, which documents the months later, the Taliban had strikes” against missiles found action it deems appropriate Since the start of the war The conflict also has killed hidden costs of the US military been defeated and Al Qaeda aimed at the airfield in against the occupying forces.” they have taken heavy losses, 1,144 personnel from Nato engagement. fighters and their leader, Osama Kandahar. However, he said fighters on with estimates ranging from countries. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agree Powerful quake ceasefire after border clashes hits off Japan; minor injuries REUTERS — BISHKEK Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone reported Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with his counterparts in both agreed what they called a countries, urging them to stick complete ceasefire yesterday to the ceasefire agreement, the AP — TOKYO after reports of fresh shooting Russian Foreign Ministry said. and troop build-ups in the Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, A strong earthquake struck off aftermath of border clashes which are former Soviet northern Japan early yesterday, earlier this week that killed 49 republics, host Russian military causing no risk of a tsunami but people. bases and consider Moscow a leaving three people injured The heads of the countries’ strategic ally. and shaking buildings in Tokyo, state security bodies announced The clashes broke out this authorities said. the agreement in a joint briefing week along the frontier The US Geological Survey in Kyrgyzstan hours after Kyr- between Tajikistan’s Sughd said the magnitude 6.8 earth- gyzstan’s border guard service province and Kyrgyzstan’s quake hit at a depth of 47km said Tajik troops opened fire on southern Batken province off the coast of Miyagi Kyrgyz vehicles on their side of because of a dispute over a res- prefecture. the border. ervoir and pump, claimed by Two people were injured The presidents of the two both sides, on the Isfara River. in Miyagi and another in the Central Asian nations also spoke Villagers from opposing neighboring prefecture of on the phone yesterday to sides hurled rocks at each other Fukushima, but none of the discuss further steps, their and border guards joined the injuries were life-threatening, offices said. fray with guns, mortars and said the Fire and Disaster Man- “The tragedy that happened even, according to Kyrgyz agement Agency. in the border area must never border guards, a Tajik attack Protesters holding a rally to demand of authorities to hand over weapons to volunteers willing to There was no major dis- happen again,” Saimumin helicopter. support residents of Kyrgyzstan’s southern Batken province following clashes with Tajik troops, near ruption in transportation, Yatiyev, head of Tajikistan’s At least one Kyrgyz border the government house in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, yesterday. although Shinkansen bullet State National Security Com- outpost and a number of houses trains were temporarily sus- mittee, said as he stood next to on both sides were set ablaze from the area. them civilians, and 132 people had been killed on its pended for safety checks and his Kyrgyz counterpart Kam- and Kyrgyzstan said it had Kyrgyz authorities reported wounded. Local government side, including six border guards some local lines were delayed, chybek Tashiyev. evacuated thousands of people 34 people killed, all but three of sources in Tajikistan said 15 and one policeman. the East Japan Railway Co. said. Miyagi prefecture, in the country’s rugged northeast, Former Italian was heavily damaged by the COVID-19: Pakistan to slash international flights by 80% 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left more than 18,000 PM Berlusconi REUTERS — ISLAMABAD government said in a statement Pakistan-bound flight. deaths in recent days from the people dead. endorsed by the National Passengers with a negative coronavirus and stricter restric- Japan’s Nuclear Regulation released from Pakistan will reduce the Command Operation Center COVID test will still undergo tions on movement and gath- Authority said no abnormalities number of international flights (NCOC), which oversees Paki- self-quarantine at home for 10 ering in public are planned for were reported at nuclear hospital into and out of its airports by stan’s response to the days, and those found positive the upcoming Eid holiday, plants, including the Fuku- 80 percent to help curb rising pandemic. will be shifted to a self-paid though the level of infections shima Daiichi, which melted REUTERS — MILAN COVID-19 cases, the The restrictions will be facility for the same period of has not yet reached the level in down following 2011 disaster. government said yesterday. applied to chartered and private time. Inbound passengers will neighbouring India. Late last month, another Former Italian Prime Minister The restrictions will come flights as well as scheduled also need to download an app Officials are worried the strong earthquake occurred off Silvio Berlusconi has been into effect on May 5 and will run services. on to their phones to help country’s healthcare system, the coast of Miyagi prefecture, discharged from Milan’s San to May 20, Pakistan’s Civil Avi- All international passengers monitor their movements. already under strain, could triggering a tsunami advisory Raffaele hospital after under- ation Authority said in a upon arrival at Pakistani air- There will be exemptions on reach breaking point if more for a part of the northern coast. going 24 days of tests, a person statement, though it did not ports on remaining services these controls for children contagious variants of the virus No major damage was close to the matter said specify which flights or desti- would be required to undergo younger than 12 years old, dis- begin to spread, as has hap- reported, but several people yesterday. nations would be affected by rapid antigen testing (RAT) and abled persons, high-level inter- pened in India. had minor injuries. In mid-Feb- Berlusconi, 84, returned to the measure. will also have to show an national dignities and Pakistani Pakistan reported 4,696 ruary, another powerful quake his villa in Arcore, north of The controls will be RT-PCR test conducted within deportees. new COVID-19 cases in the past in the region killed one person Milan, after leaving hospital on reviewed on May 18, the 72 hours before boarding a Pakistan has seen record 24 hours and 146 deaths. and left more than 180 injured. Friday, Corriere della Sera said on its website. A hospital- like room has been set up at the property as a condition by Russia reports 25% death doctors to allow the discharge, it said. increase in January-March The media magnate was flown to the hospital on April AP — MOSCOW substantially higher number. 6 from southern France, where The agency said there were he had spent Easter at his Russia’s state statistical service 15,003 deaths that month in daughter Marina’s house. says the number of deaths which coronavirus was the A source at the time said nationwide in the first three leading cause, along with 2,454 the four-times prime minister months of 2021 was more than cases in which COVID-19 was had been hospitalised for 25% higher than the same believed to be the leading cause follow-up tests after con- period a year ago, and it and 1,401 deaths in which tracting coronavirus last reported thousands more COVID-19 influenced other dis- September. deaths due to COVID-19 in eases and accelerated death. He had been in hospital March than tallied by the coun- According to the task force, only a few weeks earlier for try’s coronavirus task force. throughout the pandemic another routine check-up. More than 583,000 people 110,502 people have died in That had prevented him from died in January to March of this Russia of COVID-19 as of yes- attending a court hearing for year in Russia, compared with terday — 392 of them in the a judicial case in which he is 460,000 for those months in past day. The country has involved. 2020, the Rosstat agency said recorded more than 4.8 million Corriere said the corna- in a report issued Friday. confirmed cases. virus infection has worsened The agency did not provide Although Russia has pre-existing chronic inflam- an explanation for the sharply boasted of being the first matory issues. higher death toll, but critics country to authorise a corona- Berlusconi, who have suggested that Russian virus vaccine — Sputnik V — underwent major heart Up for auction officials underplay the severity the pace of its vaccination pro- surgery in 2016 and has also of the pandemic in the country. gramme is lagging well behind A round watch with the figure of French Emperor Napoleon I is displayed at Osenat auction house, survived prostate cancer, was The national coronavirus other countries. Only about 8% before being put on auction for the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death, in Fontainebleau, near Paris, admitted to hospital in January task force counted more than of Russians have gotten at least this year due to a heart France, on Friday. 12,300 deaths from COVID-19 one vaccine shot, while 5% problem. in March, but Rosstat gave a have been fully vaccinated. SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 EUROPE 11 Hungary reopens for virus immunity cards holders

AP — BUDAPEST People who have many people as possible will recognise this and visit us,” Hungary loosened several received at least Szucs said. COVID-19 restrictions for one vaccine dose Speaking from Budapest’s people with government-issued neo-Baroque Szecheyni Baths, immunity cards, the latest in a and those who have the largest medicinal spa in series of reopening measures recovered from COVID- Europe, Szucs said many guests that have followed an ambitious 19 are eligible for the arrived yesterday with proof of vaccination campaign. vaccination issued by their As of yesterday, individuals Hungarian immunity doctors but had not received with the plastic cards may enter cards. their government-issued cards indoor dining rooms, hotels, and had to be turned away. theatres, cinemas, spas, gyms, “We will try to take action libraries, museums and other Hungary, bureaucratic hiccups on this matter and, if necessary, recreational venues. Opening meant that many vaccinated ask for an amendment to the hours for businesses were residents did not receive legislation...since these guests extended to 11 pm and an over- immunity cards within eight have already received two vac- night curfew in place since days of their first shot as cinations in many cases,” she November will now start later, planned. said. at midnight. Hungary’s famous thermal Maria and Gabor Gal, a Employees checking the COVID-19 immunity cards at the Szechenyi thermal bath as the coronavirus People who have received baths, a hallmark of its tourism retired married couple, received disease restrictions are eased for those who have them, in Budapest, yesterday. at least one vaccine dose and industry, opened their pools, their first dose on March 21, and those who have recovered from saunas and steam rooms to their second in early April. But waiting for their cards could But the government has certificates only to those who COVID-19 are eligible for the guests yesterday after nearly six six weeks after their initial submit inquiries. Earlier plans moved aggressively to vaccinate received vaccines approved by Hungarian immunity cards, months of closure. Budapest, shots, they said they hadn’t indicated a mobile application the population. Hungary has the European Medicines which must be presented at which operates 12 such spas, received their cards. would be available to provide administered 4 million first Agency, which so far do not establishments before entry. opened six of them. “They told us that the vac- proof of vaccination, but the doses of coronavirus vaccines, include the vaccines made in Businesses can be issued heavy Ildiko Szucs, the CEO of cination certificate will come system has yet to go online. reaching about 40 percent of the China and Russia. fines if they allow non-card- Budapest Spas Ltd., told AP that when it comes. Now we’re A devastating pandemic population, giving the country Earlier in the day, parents holders to enter. she thinks the baths will benefit asking when it will come, surge this spring gave Hungary the second-highest vaccination and eager children lined up to The whole issue of so-called people who have suffered phys- because it would be good if we the world’s highest overall rate in the European Union . be among the guests let into the COVID-19 passports is fraught ically and mentally during the could use it,” Maria Gal, 67, said. COVID-19 mortality rate per 1 Hungary also is the only one Budapest Zoo when it reopened in many parts of the world, with pandemic. “We’re sitting here locked in for million residents, according to of the EU’s 27 nations to use for the first time in nearly six critics saying they discriminate “The effect of medicinal a year-and-a-half.” Johns Hopkins University. The vaccines from China and Russia months. Children under 18 who against people in poorer nations water on stress management The Hungarian government country of about 9.7 million in addition to Western jabs. The are accompanied by adult card- or younger age groups who do and mental rejuvenation is very launched a website and special people has reported over government is trying to counter holders may enter establish- not have access to vaccines. In important, and we hope as e-mail address where people 27,500 deaths in pandemic. possible EU moves to issue such ments without a card. Russia bars 8 EU officials in retaliation for sanctions Germany, France, Spain aim for

AP — MOSCOW any legal justification and is its development with “unlawful from a nerve agent poisoning that fighter jet agreement next week entirely groundless.” restrictions.” It particularly he blames on the Kremlin — Russia blacklisted eight officials They said in a statement referred to the EU sanctions accusations that Russian officials REUTERS — BERLIN The countries were aiming from the European Union in that Moscow’s action is “the slapped on six Russian officials reject. European labs have con- for an agreement next week, retaliation for EU sanctions over latest, striking demonstration in March. firmed Navalny was poisoned. Disagreements over intellectual she added. the imprisonment of Russian of how the Russian Federation “All our proposals for set- In February, Navalny was property rights mean Germany, Costing more than $120bn, opposition leader Alexei has chosen confrontation with tling problems between Russia sentenced to 2 1/2 years in France and Spain have yet to the development of the jet Navalny. the EU instead of agreeing to and the EU through a direct prison on charges of violating agree the next steps for a joint brings together Germany, The Russian list includes redress the negative trajectory professional dialogue have been the terms of a suspended sen- fighter jet project, the defence France and Spain. Dassault Avi- European Parliament President of our bilateral relations.” consistently ignored or tence while he was in Germany. ministry in Berlin said ation, Airbus and Indra are David Sassoli and Vera Jourova, “The EU reserves the right rejected,” the ministry said. The sentence stemmed from a yesterday after a deadline to involved in the scheme to start the vice president of the to take appropriate measures The EU sanctions targeted the 2014 embezzlement conviction find a solution ran out. replacing France’s Rafale and European Commission for in response to the Russian Russian officials involved in the that Navalny has rejected as Last week, the defence German and Spanish values and transparency. authorities’ decision,” the imprisonment of Navalny, the politically driven. ministers of Germany and Eurofighters from 2040. European Council President statement said. most adamant opponent and Russia has rejected the US France set an end-April Berlin’s defence ministry Charles Michel, European Com- The Russian Foreign Min- critics of Russian President and the EU criticism of Nav- deadline to broker a deal over spokeswoman said there mission President Ursula von istry accused the EU of trying Vladimir Putin. Navalny was alny’s imprisonment and of the Future Combat Air System needed to be an adequate der Leyen and Sassoli con- to punish Moscow for its “inde- arrested in January upon his Russia’s crackdown on protests (FCAS), Europe’s largest arrangement for the use of demned the Russian move, pendent foreign and domestic return from Germany where he demanding his release as med- defence project. intellectual property rights in saying it’s “unacceptable, lacks policies” and of trying contain spent five months recovering dling in its internal affairs. “No agreement over the the jet which respected the use of the intellectual property interests of all participants in rights has been found yet,” a the project. Arrests in Paris as ministry spokeswoman said. She said negotiations were “For Germany, unrestricted continuing and it remained thousands join access to the results of the Germany’s goal to present a jointly financed research is of proposal to the parliament’s May Day protests utmost importance.” budget committee in June. across France REUTERS — PARIS Bulgaria faces fresh elections as Hooded, black-clad demon- Socialists refuse to form govt strators clashed with police in Paris yesterday as thousands of REUTERS – SOFIA economy and effectively tap people joined traditional May the EU’s $896bn coronavirus Day protests across France to Bulgaria will head to the polls Recovery Fund. demand social and economic in July after the Socialists The Socialists’ decision justice and voice their oppo- became the third political party comes after both the centre- sition to government plans to to refuse to lead a government right GERB party of outgoing, change unemployment benefits. following last month’s parlia- three-time Prime Minister Police made 34 arrests in mentary election. Boyko Borissov and the new the capital, where garbage bins The Socialists, who lost anti-establishment ITN party, were set on fire and the almost half of their seats in the led by TV host and singer Slavi windows of a bank branch were April 4 election, said it would Trifonov, both gave up on smashed, momentarily delaying be impossible to build a attempts to form a the march. working majority in a frag- government. Trade unionists were joined mented parliament and would The Socialists, who have by members of the “Yellow return the mandate immedi- campaigned to unseat Vest” movement, which trig- ately after the president hands Borissov’s GERB, said the three gered a wave of anti-gov- Firefighters carrying a police officer away from clashes during the traditional May Day protests, amid it to them on May 5. new parties have refused to ernment protests three years the coronavirus disease outbreak in Paris, yesterday. President Rumen Radev enter into alliance with them. ago, and by workers from faces having to dissolve par- “The three new parties in sectors hit hard by pandemic not survive”. The Prefecture de reflected in the unemployment and Toulouse. liament, appoint an interim the parliament showed political restrictions such as culture. Police, which deployed 5,000 insurance reform plan that we France, which has the administration and call snap immaturity, they could not Marchers, most wearing officers in Paris, said it had pre- want scrapped,” Philippe Mar- world’s eighth-highest tally of polls within two months — overcome their ego,” Socialist masks in line with coronavirus vented ‘Black Bloc’ anarchists tinez, head of the CGT labour coronavirus deaths, will start most likely on July 11. leader Kornelia Ninova said. “In rules, carried banners reading, from forming a group. union said. unwinding its third pandemic Prolonged political uncer- this situation, despite our will “Dividends, not unemployment “Loads of money is going to About 300 rallies were lockdown restrictions from tainty could hamper the EU’s for a change a government led benefits are the income of lazy those who have plenty and less organised in French cities tomorrow after a fall in poorest member state’s ability by us, even a temporary one, is people,” and, “We want to live, for those who have nothing as including Lyon, Nantes, Lille infection rates. to restart its pandemic battered impossible.” Charity, military vessels rescue over 800 migrants to Italy

AP — ROME Ocean Viking was sailing to the night. They were brought to on the boat had appealed for nations, large-scale rescue insufficient rations. Augusta, Sicily, with its pas- safety by Italian coast guard and help in waters off Libya, but no operations in the central Med- “Europe can no longer A charity group’s ship sailed sengers, who included 119 unac- customs police boats. coast guard vessels from Libya, iterranean north of Libya were remain passive in the face of toward a Sicilian port yesterday companied minors, the group Separately, an Italian navy Italy or Malta came their aid, the ended. recurring shipwrecks while with 236 migrants who were said. vessel rescued 49 migrants, group said. No survivors were Italy has been equipping consciously upholding a system rescued in the Mediterranean SOS Mediterranee said some Italian state TV reported. found. and training the Libyan coast of unspeakable abuse by sup- from human traffickers’ boats, of the passengers told rescuers In most recent years, Humanitarian groups have guard personnel to rescue porting forced returns to Libya,” while Italian coast guard and they were beaten by smugglers warmer weather in spring has been calling for European migrants in their search-and- SOS Mediterranee said in a border police vessels brought based in Libya and forced to accompanied upticks in the nations to resume the rescue area and to discourage statement. 532 more rescued migrants to embark on the unseaworthy number of vessels launched by deployment of military vessels traffickers. Earlier in the week, a total a tiny island. dinghies despite high waves. Libya-based migrant on rescue patrols. Those intercepted at sea by of 121 migrants were brought to Maritime rescue group SOS On Italy’s Lampedusa traffickers. After hundreds of thousands the Libyan coast guard are safety aboard another charity Mediterranee said a ship it island, which is closer to Last month, SOS Mediter- of rescued migrants, many of brought ashore and taken to rescue ship, Sea-Watch 4, in operates, the Ocean Viking, northern Africa than to the ranean personnel and a mer- them ineligible for asylum, were detention centers. Human rights two separate rescues. pulled the migrants to safety Italian mainland, Mayor Sal- chant ship spotted several brought to Italian shores by groups and U.N. agencies have According to the Italian four days ago from two rubber vatore Martello said migrants bodies from a shipwrecked coast guard, navy and border denounced inhumane Interior Ministry, as of Friday, dinghies. Upon instructions from four boats that needed dinghy, believed to have been police ships and military vessels treatment in the centers, some 9,000 migrants had from Italian authorities, the rescue stepped ashore during carrying 130 migrants. People from Italy and some other including beatings, rapes and reached Italy by sea. 12 AMERICAS SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021 Biden sets new N Korea policy of ‘practical’ diplomacy

REUTERS — ABOARD AIR FORCE “Our policy will not Democrat Barack Obama its weapons programs. Korea-US talks resumed The Biden administration ONE focus on achieving refused serious diplomatic Psaki did not provide details shortly.” has simultaneously signaled a engagement with North Korea of what the administration’s Jenny Town, director of 38 hard line on human rights, President Joe Biden has settled a grand bargain, nor absent any steps by Pyongyang next step might be beyond dis- North, a Washington-based denuclearization and sanctions, on a new approach to pres- will it rely on strategic to reduce tensions. cussions with allies. Biden met North Korea monitoring pro- while making diplomatic over- suring North Korea to give up “Our policy will not focus on Japanese Prime Minister gramme, said the broad strokes tures that officials say have nuclear weapons and ballistic patience,” White achieving a grand bargain, nor Yoshihide Suga two weeks ago of the Biden policy sound good been rebuffed by Pyongyang, missiles that will explore House spokeswoman will it rely on strategic and is to meet South Korean so far. which has long demanded sanc- diplomacy but not seek a grand Jen Psaki said. patience,” Psaki said. President Moon Jae-in on May “But the details will matter tions relief. bargain with North Korean Instead, the United States 21 at the White House. greatly to assessing how suc- On April 15, Washington leader Kim Jong-Un, the White will pursue a “calibrated prac- The United States had con- cessful the administration might Post columnist David Ignatius House said. The Biden policy attempts tical approach that is open to sulted with South Korea be with this ‘new approach.’ Not quoted a senior administration White House spokeswoman to strike a middle ground and will explore diplomacy throughout the policy review sure there’s much to say until official as saying the likelihood Jen Psaki told reporters on Air between the policy pursued by with” North Korea and making process and Washington had we see more,” she said. of North Korea giving up Force One that US officials had Biden’s most recent “practical progress” that informed Seoul of its conclu- There are ongoing concerns nuclear weapons right now was completed a months-long predecessors. increases the security of the US sions in advance, the South that North Korea might return to “close to zero” and the admin- review of North Korean policy. Republican Donald Trump and its allies, she said. Korean foreign ministry said. testing of nuclear devices. North istration was seeking interim Complete denuclearisation held three summit meetings North Korea, so far, has “The two countries will Korea launched two suspected “way stations,” such as halting of North Korea remains the with Kim but achieved no refused diplomatic entreaties discuss the direction of North ballistic missiles into the sea near weapons proliferation and goal, she said, but she noted that breakthrough other than a from the Biden administration. Korea policy at the scheduled Japan in March. The White House checking North Korea’s devel- the past four presidents had pause in nuclear and intercon- Pyongyang wants the United summit and meeting of foreign did not say whether it will offer opment of new delivery systems been unable to get Pyongyang tinental ballistic missile tests States and its allies to lift eco- ministers in May and continue concessions to get North Korea like submarine-launched bal- to forswear nuclear weapons. that has lasted since 2017. nomic sanctions imposed over cooperation to have the North to return to talks. listic missiles. Pentagon chief calls for ‘new vision’ for American defence

AP — NAVAL STATION PEARL Arizona Memorial and the Bat- potentially take Taiwan by HARBOR, HAWAII tleship Missouri Memorial in the force within several years. background, Austin cautioned In his departing remarks, In his first major speech as that the US military cannot be Davidson repeated his assertion Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin satisfied with believing it is the that China is using “pernicious” called for developing a “new strongest and most capability behavior to challenge US dom- vision” for American defence military in the world today inance in the region and to in the face of emerging cyber —“not at a time when our remake the international order and space threats and the potential adversaries are very in its image. prospect of fighting bigger wars. deliberately working to blunt Austin mentioned no spe- Reflecting President Joe our edge.” He appeared to be cific potential flashpoints for Biden’s promise to put referring to China, which other conflict in the Indo-Pacific diplomacy first in dealing with officials say has accelerated its region but said the US must foreign policy problems, Austin military modernisation and develop a new vision of defense said the military should provide sped up its construction of a that takes greater advantage of leverage that diplomats can use wide range of sophisticated new technologies, including to prevent conflict. His com- weaponry while the USwas quantum computing, artificial ments suggested a contrast with focused for two decades on intelligence, and edge com- what critics call the militari- combatting extremist groups puting, which he described as zation of US foreign policy in like Al Qaeda in Afghanistan a framework that allows data recent decades. and, more recently, the Islamic to be processed while it’s being “US military isn’t meant to State group in Iraq and Syria. collected, and to absorb and stand apart, but to buttress US Austin, who spent more share it instantaneously. Labour Day protest diplomacy and advance a than 40 years in the Army, Austin said US defence will foreign policy that employs all including as the top American continue to rest on maintaining People gather at The Oculus during a May Day rally for media workers held by The NewsGuild of New of our instruments of national commander in Iraq during the deterrence, which he described York on International Workers’ Day in Manhattan, New York City, yesterday. power,” Austin said. last years of US combat there, as “fixing a basic truth within He chose to spell out his noted that he had spent most the minds of our potential foes: ideas at Pearl Harbor, at the of the past two decades in “the The costs and risks of centre of US military power in last of the old wars.” aggression are out of line with Brazil hits 1 million a day vaccine goal the Indo-Pacific region, “The way that we fight the any conceivable benefit.” reflecting US concerns that next major war is going to look To keep that deterrent BLOOMBERG — BRASILIA been administered in Brazil, and pushing the death toll past China’s rapid modernisation very different from the way that effect, the US military must use mostly of Sinovac shot. That’s the 400,000 mark. and growing assertiveness we fought the last ones,” he existing capabilities, develop Brazil reached a self-imposed enough to cover almost 15% of Last month, the ministry make it a powerful adversary. said. “We all need to drive new ones, and use all of them daily COVID-19 vaccination the population with one dose, authorised the immediate use In his first four-plus months toward a new vision of what it in new and networked ways goal, but a shortage of shots and fully inoculate 7.4%. of all shots at hand, including as defence secretary, Austin has means to defend our nation.” —“hand in hand with our allies poses a risk to the immuni- Health Minister Marcelo those stored by local govern- focused less on big policy pro- He spoke at a ceremony and partners.” This should be zation plan going forward. Queiroga set the target of 1 ments to be given as second nouncements and more on marking the arrival of Adm accomplished in alignment with The seven-day moving million daily shots when he doses. But with delays in ship- immediate issues like the US John Aquilino as the new com- US diplomatic goals and efforts, average of shots given rose to took office in March. The pledge ments of ready-made vaccines withdrawal from Afghanistan mander of US Indo-Pacific he added, in order to prevent 1 million for the first time since to speed up the mass immuni- and inputs, cities from at least and internal issues like Command, succeeding Adm conflict from breaking out in applications started in mid- zation campaign came as a new 11 states ran out of shots to fully extremism in the military, as Philip Davidson, who has been the first place. “It’s always January, according to data com- wave of the virus devastated immunize those who had been well as launching broad reviews outspoken in his concerns that easier to stamp out a small piled by Bloomberg. A total of Brazil, leaving hospitals over- given a first dose, according to of defence strategy. China is proceeding with ember than to put out a raging 47,111,974 vaccines have now whelmed amid surging cases local newspapers. Speaking with the USS urgency to be in position to fire,” he said. Mexico looks for US help as AstraZeneca admits vaccine delay 76,000 California inmates eligible REUTERS — MEXICO CITY addition to some 2.7 million duction deal. “site qualifications” for those AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca doses Washington Argentina has delivered batches. An additional site in the for earlier releases Mexican President Andres sent to Mexico in March. cargos of the active ingredient “This will delay the launch United States will help meet the Manuel Lopez Obrador said “It’s probable that they’ll to Mexico, but Liomont’s com- of our vaccine in countries target of 150 million doses for AP — SACRAMENTO yesterday the United States help us with a loan, while the mercial production has slipped across Latin America to be sup- the region, excluding Brazil, this would probably send his AstraZeneca plant in Mexico from an original target of plied from this supply chain,” year, the AstraZeneca said, but California is giving 76,000 country 5 million more doses gets up and running,” Lopez March. In a statement shared AstraZeneca said, without 80 percent of the shots will still inmates, including violent and of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, as the Obrador said. with Reuters on Friday, Astra- giving more details of what had be bottled at the Mexico plant. repeat felons, the opportunity company admitted production Under a deal reached last Zeneca said deliveries of the caused the problems. The problems have affected to leave prison earlier as the in Latin American had suffered year, the mAbxience laboratory shots would now begin before The Mexican government vaccination programmes in the state aims to further trim the multiple setbacks. in Argentina manufactures the the end of June. has said the Liomont factory has region. population of what once was Mexico is struggling with active ingredient of the vaccine AstraZeneca said it undergone major upgrades to In Mexico, the problems the nation’s largest state behind-schedule local Astra- and ships it for bottling to a regretted the setbacks, which it produce the AstraZeneca have been compounded by correctional system. Zeneca production and short- factory in Mexico owned by a attributed to limited access to vaccine, and that it has taken deliveries of far fewer Sputnik More than 63,000 inmates falls in deliveries from foreign company called Liomont. The critical supplies, lower-than- longer than expected for the V doses from Russia than had convicted of violent crimes suppliers and has asked the shots are to be delivered across expected process yields from factory to win regulatory been agreed, and lower will be eligible for good United States to help with more Latin America, excluding Brazil, initial vaccine batches, and approvals. Liomont referred a volumes than expected of Pfizer behaviour credits that shorten vaccines. The request is in which has a separate pro- longer times to meet internal request for comment to Inc’s coronavirus vaccines. their sentences by one-third instead of the one-fifth that had been in place since 2017. Over 90 people found in Houston That includes nearly 20,000 inmates who are serving life home; trafficking suspected sentences with the possibility of parole. The new rules took effect REUTERS — HOUSTON At least several of the yesterday but it will be months people showed symptoms of or years before any inmates Police responding to reports of COVID-19 infection, including go free earlier. Corrections a kidnapping said on Friday fever and lack of taste or smell, officials say the goal is to they had found more than 90 Edward said. The victims told reward inmates who better people crammed into a two- police they had not eaten themselves while critics said story suburban Houston home recently. move will endanger the public. and suspected it was being used The victims were issued Under the change, more in a human smuggling oper- personal protective gear and than 10,000 prisoners con- ation. put onto white busses. It was victed of a second serious but The 90 victims, all but not immediately clear where nonviolent offense under the about five of them men, were they were being taken. state’s “three strikes” law will removed from the house and Homeland Security and be eligible for release after given food and water, said Immigration and Customs serving half their sentences. Daryn Edwards, assistant chief Enforcement agents were seen That’s an increase from the of Houston Police Department. at the house along with local current time-served credit of “They basically (were) in police and firefighters. one-third of their sentence. there in their basic clothing and Edwards said no arrests had The same increased all, all huddled together. So been made in the case as of release time will apply to that’s what we saw when we Friday afternoon and declined nearly 2,900 nonviolent third Homeland Security Investigations personnel escort a man wearing handcuffs to a transport bus from got in,” he said. No children to offer further details, citing strikers, the corrections a residence in southwest Houston, Texas, yesterday. were found among them. the ongoing investigation. department projected.