Japan ACL: No virus aims to cases reported boost during East green Zone games, investments final in Qatar

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SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 11 JUMADA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8483 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Share unused data and

minutes with the family Terms & Conditions Apply Agricultural yards boost sale of local farm produce

SIDI MOHAMED Current period is the peak of agricultural THE PENINSULA production, therefore all vegetables are available at the yards in large quantities. The agricultural yards affiliated with the Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment (MME) The number of local farms increased to 150 are attracting a big number of compared to 130 in the previous season. customers as the current period is considered as peak of local exceptional conditions due to helps in creating healthy com- agricultural production. coronavirus pandemic, the petition in the market. They also have achieved number of local farms increased Al Sulaiti said that with the huge success in boosting the to 150 compared to 130 in the increase in demand from cus- sale of local farm produce. “The previous season. These farms tomers, new farms have joined sales in yards are high, espe- are distributed in five yards to meet the needs of residents, cially as current period is the namely Sheehaniya, Al Maz- expressing hope that the season peak of agricultural production, rouha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor-Al will continue until the end of therefore all vegetables are Thakhira and Al Shamal.” April and might continue until available at the yards in large The markets enable farmers May 2021, depending on agri- quantities and there is no to sell their produce directly to cultural production. shortage,” said General Super- the customers without mid- Although there is an visor of the Agricultural Yards dlemen so they can get good increase in the number of cus- at the Ministry of Municipality yields for their hard work and tomers, the markets are and Environment, Abdul investments. The Ministry sup- strictly adhering to the pre- Rahman Al Sulaiti. ports local farms with different ventive and precautionary Flight of the seagulls He further told The ways encouraging them to measures to curb the spread A flock of seagulls flying over dhows anchored on the Doha Corniche. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Peninsula: “Despite this increase the produce which of COVID-19. `P3

Over 60 new Qatar’s e-commerce market grows exponentially e-commerce platforms emerged IRFAN BUKHARI online retail market. largest online market in the is increasing. And the number stimulating Qatar’s e-com- in the country in THE PENINSULA A number of e-commerce Middle East and North Africa of social commerce merchants merce sector and developing websites are of the companies (MENA) in 2015 at $1.2bn is expected to further increase local online retail sales by the last six months. Due to innovative IT sector, which employ hybrid model dollars, is expected to achieve with the upcoming World Cup encouraging citizens and res- effects of COVID-19 pandemic, like well-known hypermarkets, a Compound Annual Growth 2022, which will be an ideal idents to trust the country’s The number of change in shopping behaviours restaurants, pharmacies, Rate (CAGR) of 17% by 2025. opportunity for entrepreneurs e-commerce ecosystem. It also social commerce among other factors, Qatar’s apparel outlets while there are Along proper e-commerce to sell more products. seeks to encourage buyers to merchants is e-commerce market is many online-only commerce platforms of companies, many The MoTC had launched use local websites and plat- expanding exponentially as platforms serving in travel, house-based entrepreneurs are ‘Theqa’, a new website of forms for effective and safe expected to over 60 new e-commerce plat- tourism, and other sectors. also employing social media to Qatar’s e-commerce gateway online shopping, and to increase with the forms emerged in the country A survey conducted by the market, sell their products. last year. The launch was part provide merchants with the upcoming World in the last six months. Ministry of Transport and According to a recent report, of MoTC’s efforts to enhance tools, capabilities and skills In June this year, there Communications, with the help ‘social commerce’ is also growing consumer confidence in the needed to succeed quickly. Cup 2022, which were 350 websites registered of Global Market Research in Qatar at the same pace as the local e-commerce sector and Theqa works to ensure that will be an ideal with the e-commerce directory Company ‘Ipsos’, showed that country’s booming e-commerce improve the quality of services local websites provide clear opportunity for of the Ministry of Transport 60% of consumers in Qatar industry, and is now estimated to provided by local online sup- data and information to cus- and Communications (MoTC) have a desire to shop online, be worth $22m. pliers, in addition to providing tomers including consumer entrepreneurs to while this number has grown MoTC had said last year. Everyday, the number of traders and shoppers with the rights, privacy policy, terms sell more to 416 e-commerce websites According to official esti- merchants selling items latest updates in the sector. and conditions of service, etc., products. now. The exponential growth mates, the Business-to-Con- through Facebook, Twitter, The ‘Theqa’ portal is a non- in order to aid more public indicates more companies are sumer e-commerce market in Instagram, WhatsApp, and profit, voluntary government interest in the local e-com- opting to utilise the scope of Qatar, ranked the seventh other social media platforms programme which aims at merce sector. MoPH reports decline in virus cases and hospital admissions

THE PENINSULA — DOHA QATAR UPDATES The Ministry of Public Health C VID-19 (MoPH) yesterday announced ON 25 DEC 2020 the registration of 129 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Among them, 98 are from NEWNEW TOTALTOTAL NEWNEW CCASESASES ACTIVEACTIVE community cases and 31 from RECOVERIES RECOVERIES ANNOUNCEDANNOUNCED CASES travelers returning from abroad. Also 138 people have 138 140,542 129 1,948 recovered from the virus bringing the total number of cases recovered in Qatar to 140,542. In addition, the Ministry also announced one new death, aged NEW C VID-19 GLOBALLYGLOBALLLY Mahaseel Festival attracts visitors 74, who was receiving the nec- DEATHS essary medical care. All new A view of Mahaseel Festival at Katara. The festival provides an excellent platform to visitors, as it cases have been introduced to offers the finest crops and fresh Qatari agricultural products from national farms to customers. 1 80,045,537 1,754,401 56,349,449 isolation and are receiving nec- TOTAL DEATHS PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA TOTAL TOTALTOTAL TOTTOTALAL essary healthcare according to POSITIVE DDEATHSEATHS RECOVEREDRECOVERED their health status. 244 The Ministry said that Turkey to require negative COVID-19 result for travel measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flat- very high quality of care pro- and numbers are declining, AP — ISTANBUL tening the curve and limiting the vided thorough the public this does not mean that the result from a PCR test taken in a South Africa in the past 10 days spread of the virus and the healthcare sector for COVID-19 COVID-19 pandemic is fin- 72-hour window to board inter- would have to show a negative number of new daily cases and patients; Qatar’s young popu- ished in Qatar – people con- Turkey is enacting precautions national flights en route to test result and go into man- hospital admissions is con- lation; proactive testing to tinue to be admitted with for international travel, Turkey. Previously, tests weren’t datory quarantine for at least tinuing to decline each week. identify cases early; expanding moderate to severe COVID-19 requiring a negative COVID-19 required for travel to Turkey. The seven days until a second test. Qatar’s proactive and extensive hospital capacity, especially symptoms. “Unless we follow test for passengers to enter the rule would apply to all land and Turkey has among the testing of suspected cases has intensive care, to ensure all all precautionary measures, country starting from Monday sea arrivals starting Wednesday. worst infection rates in the enabled us to identify a high patients receive the medical we may experience a second until March. Travellers would be quarantined world, with a weekly average number of positive cases in the care they need; and protecting wave of the virus and see Health Minister Fahrettin at their destination if they don’t of more than 20,000 confirmed community. the elderly and those with numbers increasing – there Koca tweeted a statement yes- have test results. daily infections. The total death It said that Qatar has one of chronic diseases. are already signs of this hap- terday saying travellers would Travelers arriving from the toll is 19,371, according to the lowest COVID-19 death rates It said that even though pening in other countries need to present a negative United Kingdom, Denmark and official statistics. in the world which is a result of restrictions are being lifted, around the world.” 02 HOME SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020

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FAJR 04.54 am SUNRISE 06.17 am DHUHR 11.34 am ASR 02.26 pm MAGHRIB 04.53 pm ISHA 06.23 pm

WEATHER TODAY Friday prayers Dr. Mohammed Hassan Al Muraikhi delivering Friday sermon at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, yesterday. Public Prosecution receives accreditation from Mada o o 17 C 23 C QNA — DOHA Minimum Maximum She noted that the public and enable access to information cognitive, and service content for prosecution started using those and services on the Public Pros- people with functional limita- Relatively cold daytime with some The Public Prosecution recently devices in 2014, but this year saw ecution’s website. tions, including those with disa- clouds and blowing at places dust received the accreditation of the second edition of them which CEO of the Qatar She added that the Public bilities and the elderly because at times, cold by night. Mada (Assistive Technology saw improved services that made Assistive Technology Prosecution’s website was enabling access to services W ALRUWAIS : 18o → 20o Center Qatar) for digital accessi- it more suitable for people with Center (Mada), Maha Al approved in 2019 as a result of available on the self-service W ALKHOR : 16o → 21o bility for a project that would disabilities. She highlighted that Mansouri, praised the the efforts made and the com- machine contributes to sup- provide innovative technologies the Attorney General H E Dr. Ali mitment of the Public Prose- porting the independence of W DUKHAN : 18o → 20o cooperation between that provide self-service to the bin Fetais Al Marri issued direc- cution team to apply global these groups and ensuring their WAKRAH 13o → 22o W : blind. tives to ensure that people with the Center and the digital accessibility standards, access to all services are on an W MESAIEED : 13o → 22o The self-service device, disabilities get easy access to Public Prosecution, and after passing the technical equal footing with all members W ABUSAMRA : 16o → 19o which was developed by the services by developing the self- based on their keenness and usage evaluation. of society, as the services of Public Prosecution, would service system and ensuring it to enhance the Al Mansouri explained that accessing self-service machines, provide electronic services for can meet the needs of people opportunities and after monitoring the good impact ATMs and other digital platforms HIGH TIDE people with special needs that with disabilities. of applying digital accessibility in general, establish an equal 03:36 – 12:01 wouldn’t require the aid of any She added that receiving the accessibility of standards on the website on base that guarantees the absence LOW TIDE 09:48 – 20:43 employees. The device has key- accreditation reflected the com- information and persons with disabilities and the of barriers to interaction or boards that suit the needs of mitment of the Public Prose- communication elderly, work was launched to access to these services and people and would provide them cution to supporting people with technology in Qatar and update and enable access to the information. with the full functionality to com- disabilities, and comes in the the world. digital platforms of the Public Also, Mada CEO indicated plete the services they need. The framework of realizing one of Prosecution, starting with the that the Mada Digital Access device also allows the use of Qatar National Vision’s goals of self-service device (Kiosk) as the Accreditation Program assesses Doha Institute voice commands as well. providing electronic services to two parties cooperated from the the digital platforms, to Director of the Information all segments of society. beginning of the project in all determine whether they allow organises System Department at the Public CEO of the Qatar Assistive non-governmental agencies to design stages, evaluation, and access to online content and Prosecution, Mariam Hajji Technology Center (Mada) Maha enhance its role as a strategic accreditation, indicating that this services in line with international lecture on Abdulla said that getting the Al Mansouri praised the cooper- enabler in ICT accessibility by accreditation is an addition to the digital accessibility standards set accreditation was an important ation between the center and the developing the capabilities of digital accessibility achievements out in the Web Content Accessi- cybersecurity achievement and represents a Public Prosecution, based on various sectors, she explained. of the State of Qatar, which bility Guidelines. The Public Pros- qualitative leap in the quality of their keenness to enhance the Al Mansouri noted that the ranked first in the world ecution is the first judicial service provided by the Public opportunities and accessibility of cooperation between the center according to the Digital Accessi- authority in the region to use this QNA — DOHA Prosecution to the public. She information and communication and the Public Prosecution began bility Rights Evaluation Index. type of device in providing added that there are currently 14 technology in Qatar and the in 2018 through work between She stated that this accredi- judicial services to the public, and The Doha Institute for of those devices located in areas world. Mada center provides Mada’s digital access team and tation is an important step the first to provide online services Graduate Studies organised a were the public would go to seek several services and activities to the ICT management team of the towards building an inclusive through self-service devices that lecture under the title “Cyber- services. various governmental and Public Prosecution to improve society, allowing access to digital, serve persons with disabilities. security: Reality and Chal- lenges” via video conference technology, as part of series of Al Khor Park entry tickets now periodic lectures organized by CNA-Q signs MoU with PetroSkills the institute. available at Al Meera branches The Senior Software QNA — DOHA to empower the people of Qatar matter that gives the workers in Engineer in Cybersecurity at THE PENINSULA — DOHA iting Al Khor Family Park. to sustain and support their this sector an opportunity to Qatar Computing Research As per the new timing, the The College of the North Atlantic country’s growth. develop their skills and abilities, Institute, Aref Al Tamimi, To facilitate visits to Al Khor Park receives visitors from 8am Qatar (CNA-Q) recently “With the mega expansion under these circumstances, and explained, at the beginning of Park, the Ministry of Municipality to 10pm throughout the week. announced a multi-year memo- of Qatar’s LNG production to obtain the necessary training the lecture, several definitions and Environment have However, ticket window will randum of understanding (MoU) trains, this agreement could not in a safe, effective and economic of the term “cybersecurity”. announced the sale of entry close by 8pm. with the US founded training have come at a better time. Our manner at the same time. He explained that it refers tickets at Al Meera branches. Sunday is for general public company PetroSkills Solutions partnership with PetroSkills will On the occasion, Dr. Suhaim to the practice of protecting The Ministry said in a tweet and Tuesday is dedicated for and Services. Under the shape the framework of training Khalaf Al Josaiman, Manager of systems, networks, and pro- that the Al Meera branches women and children only. renewable agreement, CNA-Q and services provided to the oil CNA-Q’s Continuing and Pro- grams from digital attacks, where tickets are available are Many facilities were added will use their modern facilities and gas industry, and utilize the fessional Education, noted, which usually aim to access, Airport, Hyatt Plaza, Gulf Mall, to the Park after a major reno- and competent staff to deliver state-of-the-art facilities and “Qatar’s oil and gas sector com- change or destroy sensitive Al Thakhira, Al Khor, Al Wakrah, vation which included a mini the full range of PetroSkills experienced staff we have prises over 60% of the coun- information. In this context, he Al Shamal, Al Mansoura. zoo with seven sections that courses, which provide available at CNA-Q,” he pointed try’s gross domestic product. covered a number of other The entry fees of Al Khor include 315 animals of 49 education and training in out. Given the key role that oil and cyber terms such as space, Park is QR15 per person for adult species, including 290 new ones hundreds of technical processes As the country’s leading gas play in Qatar’s economy, cyberattack, and servers. and QR10 for the children up to like rhinoceros, crocodile, that span the entire oil and gas technical college, CNA-Q effi- and at a time when the industry On the importance of 10 years. giraffe, bear, tiger, cheetah, industry value chain. ciently responded to market is facing a growing skills gap cybersecurity, Al Tamimi said The Ministry recently monkey and many species of Acting President of CNA-Q, needs in Qatar by striking a worldwide, we are committed that the current digital age announced new timing for vis- birds. Dr. Salem Al Naemi said, “This partnership with a reputable to constantly searching for makes cybersecurity a nec- MoU represents the com- skills training firm. At a time innovative educational solu- essary and indispensable mitment of CNA-Q in supporting when the oil and gas industry tions, and forming new part- matter, especially with data rev- the human development pillar faces a human resource and nerships to ensure the right olution in Internet. HEC Paris retains top position of the Qatar National Vision skills shortage, CNA-Q has training is available to Qatar’s He pointed out that the level 2030. Under this pillar, we seek stepped in to find a solution, the workforce.” of readiness of institutions for in FT European Business cyber attacks is measured by the available technologies to Schools Rankings 2020 them, and the devices asso- ciated with old systems, in THE PENINSULA — DOHA from our commitment to excel- addition to human resources. lence in research, teaching and On the national strategy HEC Paris, one of the leading thought leadership in the disci- for cybersecurity in the State providers of executive education plines that matter in today’s of Qatar, the lecturer in the world, has been recently increasingly complex global explained that it is based on ranked #1 in the Financial Times economy. These rankings reflect several pillars, including cre- (FT) European Business Schools not only on the academic excel- ating a safe and solid cyber Rankings 2020. It has retained lence of our programs, but also environment, protecting the the top position from last year’s the relevance and impact we national vital information rankings. deliver. Here in Qatar, the success infrastructure, as well as The rankings are calculated of our International EMBA and responding to, resolving and according to a business school’s the growth of our custom exec- recovering from cyber inci- performance in five main cate- utive programs has supported the dents and attacks, and setting gories published by the Financial HEC Paris achievement in the legal, regulatory frameworks Times during the year: MBA, rankings.” to enhance the safety and Executive MBA, Masters in Man- HEC Paris’ International vitality of the cyber space. agement and the two rankings for Executive MBA provides execu- Al Tamimi concluded by Executive Education (Custom and tives with a set of fundamental saying that the hacking Open Enrolment programs). In skills to expand their knowledge process is done by taking each of these categories, HEC and leadership capabilities. It is a advantage of digital vulnera- Paris placed in the top slots practical and intense 15 to bilities, which he said are dis- among all business schools 18-month program which Mahaseel festival under way covered by hackers, in ranked. develops participant’s under- Diverse local products such as dates, honey, agricultural crops, vegetables, livestock and food addition to not updating the Dean of HEC Paris in Qatar, standing of the social, economic products on display at the fifth edition of the Mahaseel festival, now under way, in Katara. systems constantly, and Dr. Pablo Martin de Holan, said, and environmental aspects of PIC: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA placing malicious programs in “This is another great result for international business and skills devices. HEC Paris. Our success springs to implement their vision. SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 HOME / MIDDLE EAST 03 Oman’s type 2 diabetes epidemic to grow in next 3 decades

THE PENINSULA — DOHA study, said, Dr. Susanne Awad, A study investigated and “Our predictions showed that According to findings published forecasted diabetes Oman will witness a nearly 200 in the Journal of Diabetes Inves- percent increase in the number tigation, Oman is facing a burden and its of people suffering from dia- rapidly rising diabetes epidemic associated economic betes over the next three over the coming three decades. costs up to 2050. The decades. Nearly 70 percent of The number of people with study was funded by this rapid increase in diabetes diabetes will continue to grow, is due to the high prevalence of making it challenging to control Qatar National Research obesity. Oman is confronted the epidemic if no major Fund. with a serious challenge caused preventive interventions are by the growing obesity epi- implemented now. demic which will drive the A study titled, “Forecasting past two decades,” said Director already high diabetes epidemic the type 2 diabetes mellitus epi- of the Research and Studies to higher levels and women are demic and the role of key risk Centre at the Ministry of Health at higher risk and higher factors in Oman up to 2050: in Oman and co-investigator of prevalence.” FROM LEFT: Dr. Adhra Al Mawali, Dr. Susanne Awad, Dr. Jawad Al Lawati, Professor Laith Abu-Raddad, Mathematical modelling this study, Dr. Adhra Al Mawali. Senior consultant at the Min- and Dr. Abdul Sattar Al Taie. analyses”, was conducted by a “These figures were alarming, istry of Health in Oman and co- research collaboration between so we needed to conduct this investigator of the study said, Dr. Abu-Raddad, said, “The study better understand the epidemic region’s premier research Oman’s Ministry of Health and forecasting study to assess Jawad Al Lawati, “Diabetes is found that the costs of diabetes and to provide solutions.” funding entity, Qatar National Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar future trends and costs of dia- already consuming 21 percent of care in Oman will reach one “I am delighted to observe Research Fund is driven by its (WCM-Q). The study investi- betes in Oman. The findings of Oman’s health expenditure and billion US dollars per year by the successful utilization of the commitment to improve the gated and forecasted diabetes the study confirmed our fears. it is projected to consume nearly 2050. Having said so, this chal- methodologies and models health and lifestyle of our pop- burden and its associated eco- Diabetes prevalence will con- 30 percent of health expenditure lenge is regional as we have resulting from one of QNRF- ulations by enabling impact- nomic costs up to 2050. The tinue to grow and will reach 24 by 2050. This confirms that dia- previously also found similar funded projects in this collab- driven scientific research that study was funded by Qatar percent by 2050. One in every betes needs to be the primary trends in Qatar and other coun- orative study between Omani directly informs public health National Research Fund four Omanis will be suffering health priority in Oman.” tries. This demonstrates the and Qatari institutions which policy and programs to address (QNRF). from diabetes if no major inter- Professor of population need for regional cooperation provides a timely reminder of our foremost health challenges “Oman’s national surveys vention is implemented”. health sciences at WCM-Q and to address this epidemic. This addressing the rising diabetes including diabetes.” said Exec- revealed that diabetes preva- Research associate at principal investigator of the study shows the effectiveness rates in Qatar, Oman and the utive director at QNRF, Dr. lence has been increasing in the WCM-Q and first author of the study, Professor Laith of regional collaborations to whole of Mena region. As the Abdul Sattar Al Taie. MME agricultural yards boost sale of local farm produce HBKU college highlights new digital FROM PAGE 1 mental health tools at global events Al Sulaiti emphasised marketing method followed General Supervisor of the the success of the by the Ministry to ensure THE PENINSULA — DOHA Agricultural Yards at the Min- access to good products at istry of Municipality and ‘yards experiment’ reasonable prices. The agri- Dr. Mowafa Househ, associate Environment, Abdul Rahman during the past years, cultural produce is classified professor at the College of Al Sulaiti, pointed out that due to the high quality into grades and sold to the Science and Engineering (CSE) that the Ministry of Munici- customers at lower prices. at Hamad Bin Khalifa University pality and Environment pro- of the vegetables According to the progress (HBKU), has delivered two talks vides boxes, seeds and ferti- offered to residents report of all winter vegetable organised by institutions in the lizers to farms participating markets 2012-20 released by USA and Canada, in an effort to in the yards free of charge, in through them in the MME recently, the markets strengthen international collab- order to encourage them to light of an advanced since their establishment in oration. increase production. 2012 sold 47,242 tonnes During a guest lecture at General Supervisor of He said that the prices are marketing method . locally grown vegetables, CUNY Graduate School of Public Agricultural Yards at MME, less in these yards by about 21,356 tonnes fruits, 20,1555 Health and Health Policy, New 30 percent compared to other Abdul Rahman Al Sulaiti country chicken and birds, York, Dr. Mowafa spoke on AI outlets. of the vegetables offered to 736 tonnes fish, 103,673 for Mental Health: Challenges He emphasised the experiment’ during the past residents through them in crates of eggs and 13,089kg and Opportunities. Highlighting Dr Mowafa Househ success of the ‘yards years, due to the high quality light of an advanced honey. the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent, From Stigma to Empowerment diagnose, and treat mental – A Middle Eastern Perspective. health, he presented an overview During his presentation he Far from the capital, Iran struggles to bury virus victims of his work on AI for mental highlighted three of the projects health in the Middle East, during and applications he is currently AP — GHAEMSHAHR As the virus ripples across the In the early days of the pan- one may touch the body. the pandemic, and beyond. working on: ESRA, SUKUN, and country, killing over 54,000 demic, authorities feared burials Rahimi tries to keep his Dr. Mowafa also partici- MOMEHED, which provide Deep in the lush valleys of people in what has become the would risk contagion. But work efficient and unsenti- pated in the University of Cal- digital mental health support northern Iran, where the Alborz Middle East’s worst outbreak, Rahimi and his colleagues soon mental, retrieving and washing gary’s CHI Virtual Speaker and are intended to empower Mountains crumble toward the the bucolic countryside has not learned how to properly wrap the corpse, sprinkling white Series, where he spoke on individuals and families in sea, Ali Rahimi takes up his been spared. and transport the bodies of those lime powder over the loose dirt, Mental Health Informatics: Qatar and the Mena region. grisly work. Grave diggers in Maz- who died of COVID-19, pro- carefully placing the body Day in and day out, Rahimi, andaran say that hundreds have viding some ritual and relief to inside the pit. There is haste a 53-year-old volunteer cleric died, but numbers are difficult bereaved loved ones. around death: In Islam, burial in the city of Ghaemshahr, puts to verify because Iran’s Health After noon prayers, families should be done as soon as pos- US deepens sanctions on Syria on his hazmat suit and receives Ministry stopped releasing a arrive at the cemetery along with sible, preferably within 24 AP — DAMASCUS the deceased; disinfecting, breakdown by province. A the ambulances. Rahimi and his hours. At the end of the day, accountable the Assad regime for washing and shrouding the dead popular vacation spot lined with medical team prepare each body Rahimi sets fire to his contam- The Trump administration on the atrocities it has committed bodies in white cloth. hotels, villas and cafes along the for the cleansing required for the inated gear. Tuesday announced more sanc- against its own people.” “The The northern province of Caspian Sea, Mazandaran draws Muslim dead, which now Rahimi often thinks about tions on Syria, intensifying Treasury Department will con- Mazandaran, with its forests and throngs of Tehran residents involves disinfectant. the families, like the 50-year- pressure on President Bashar tinue to use all of its tools to farmland, is a four-hour drive seeking a break from the city’s Male relatives, many wearing old mother, Parvin Enayati, who Assad to end the country’s expose those who stand with the from Tehran, the capital, where pressures. Despite sporadic masks and gloves, carry the body died of the virus just days after vicious, nearly decade-long Assad regime and enable these half of the country’s coronavirus travel bans, the steady stream aloft for a brief ceremony back her older relative who she had conflict. The new sanctions crimes to continue,” Mnuchin deaths are concentrated. Hos- of visitors from major cities has at the village. Women in tradi- visited in the hospital. His only target Syria’s central bank, said in a statement. pitals in the city of 10 million are helped spread the virus deep tional black chadors bend their comfort, he said, comes from Assad’s in-laws, and others. The new measures also coming under strain and the into the province’s rural corners, knees, arch their backs and weep God, and the sense that he is Treasury Secretary Steven increase pressure on Syria’s first capital’s vast cemetery is strug- thick with rice fields and tan- over the grave. Some cry out, smoothing the passage of the Mnuchin said the United States lady, Asma Assad, sanctioning gling to keep pace with the dead. gerine orchards. raising their arms to the sky. No dead into the next world. was intent on “holding her mother, father and siblings. In a northern town brutalised by IS, Iraq tests its power

AP — SINJAR have agreed to withdraw, but returning between June to Sep- from us,” said a tribal elder, Sinjar area. Under the plan, the negotiations led to the with- some of their fighters have not.” tember, many times the rate of Sheikh Naif Ibrahim. “They can’t Kurdish authority is to appoint drawal of YBS from Sinjar’s city One by one, the flags belonging Sealing the deal was hard previous years. distinguish between civilians a mayor - a prospect many centre. to a patchwork of armed forces enough. Implementing it brings But scratch the surface, and and IS members.” Many Yazidis Yazidis oppose - and local YBS fighters interviewed were lowered in a northern new problems. Critics say it will almost everyone harbors raw, accuse local Sunni Arabs of sup- police are eventually to take said they expected to be sub- Iraqi town once brutalised by take more than a change of flags unresolved trauma. Everyone porting IS. Since the militants’ over security, working under sumed as a unit of the Popular the Islamic State group. The to cement rule of law in Sinjar. vividly recalls the IS attack that fall, Sunni Arabs have had fric- the government’s intelligence Mobilization Forces, providing territorial claims symbolised by The Yazidis, traumatised by murdered fathers and sons, tions with Yazidi militias - and agency and National Security them with much-needed each were replaced by the flut- the mass killing and enslavement enslaved thousands of women a number of Sunnis have been Adviser. The plan calls for 2,500 political legitimacy. A portion tering of just one: The Iraqi that IS unleashed against them, and sent survivors fleeing up killed. At the same time, many new security personnel to be of the 2,500-3,500 YBS fighters state’s. have no trust in the Iraqi author- Sinjar mountain. Yazidis reject the Kurdish pesh- hired locally. are already on the PMF payroll. The hoisting of the national ities they say abandoned them In Sinjar’s market, a farmer, merga, who consider the Sinjar Most Yazidi leaders and res- In theory, the plan calls for flag in Sinjar, home to Iraq’s to the militants’ brutality. With Zaidan Khalaf, introduced area part of their domain. idents interviewed said they the PMF to end its presence in Yazidi religious minority, is the the central government weak, himself first by telling The Asso- “Seven flags ruled over us, were irate the community was the city as well. To date, they are result of a deal months in the they fear militias — including ciated Press how many relatives you never knew who had power not consulted by the government supporting forces and securing making for the federal gov- Iranian-backed Shia factions — he lost under IS: 18. Others in the over you which day,” said in the making of the plan. Sinjar’s peripheries. But Khan ernment to restore order from will gain sway over them. market did the same. Khalaf, the farmer. “We are the ones who sac- Ali, the commander of the a tangled web of paramilitaries, The militias policing Sinjar “We lost our dignity,” he said. The UN has focused on the rificed, lost our lives,” said Laslish Brigades, a Yazidi unit who sowed chaos in the district the past three years are a mix. Communities remain deeply return of displaced Yazidis, but Fahed Hamed, Sinjar’s district of the group, said, “The (PMF) during the bedlam following lib- They include peshmerga fighters divided and bitterly resentful of this is not the only criterion for mayor. “We should have been will stay forever, we are kings eration from IS three years ago. from Iraq’s Kurdish autonomy one another. success, said Sajad Jiyad, a the main interlocutors.” “We over the heads of the security This month, Iraq’s army zone, as well as the PKK and its “What agreement?” scoffed fellow at The Century Foun- want a force from our own. We forces in Sinjar.” deployed there for the first time affiliate made up of local Yazidi Farzo Mato Sabo, an 86-year- dation. “It’s about services, don’t trust anyone.” The force That prospect has divided since the 2003 fall of Saddam fighters, called the Sinjar old in the predominantly Yazidi schools, security and the ability most trusted by locals is a Yazidis. Some want Yazidi PMF Hussein. Resistance Units or YBS. There village of Tal Binat, south of to move around without being faction the plan seeks to eject - factions included in the security Lt. Imad Hasan hiked up a are also Yazidi units belonging Sinjar. She and her three shaken down by various the YBS, whose fighters are arrangement. Others fear it will rocky ascent overlooking the to the Popular Mobilization daughters were taken by IS mil- groups,” he said. largely Sinjar Yazidis. While bring Sinjar under the influence deserted ruins of Sinjar’s old Forces, an umbrella group of itants and later saved by smug- “This is a test for the effec- other forces retreated from the of the Shiite Arab factions close town, vacant since IS was dis- state-sanctioned paramilitaries glers. Eleven of her family tiveness of post-war gov- IS onslaught in 2014, many to Iran that dominate the lodged. His gaze fell on a lookout created in 2014 to defeat IS. members are still unaccounted ernance and post-war liber- recall it was the YBS that fought umbrella group. on the other side of the mountain There are signs of recovery for. ation,” he said. “Is the gov- to secure a safe route for “If the international com- - the last, he said, that belongs to of Sinjar. Its city centre hummed “I lost everyone,” she ernment prepared enough to civilians. munity and central government a local affiliate of an outlawed with shoppers, merchants — and sobbed. “Will it bring them allow the return to normalcy?” “They were the only ones don’t care about Sinjar, the PMF Kurdish guerrilla group, known the odd Iraqi army tank. More of back?” Neighboring Tal Binat is The Iraqi military will secure the who stayed to protect us,” said will take control,” one prom- as the PKK. the 200,000 Yazidis displaced the Sunni Arab village of Khailo. area for now, with other fac- Sherko Khalaf, a Yazidi village inent Yazidi leader said, “We have problems with by the 2014 IS onslaught are “We used to be like brothers, tions leaving their positions, mukhtar. requesting anonymity to speak them,” he said. “Their leaders coming back — some 21,600 but now the Yazidis stay away although many remain in the Despite protests by locals, freely. “This is clear.” 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020

Avalanche in Israeli strikes on Iran kills at least Iran-backed militia one climber REUTERS — TEHRAN in Syria kill six An avalanche on a mountain summit outside Iran’s capital Tehran killed at least one AFP & AP — BEIRUT climber yesterday, the local Red The missiles, which were Crescent said, after heavy over- Israeli missile strikes on Syria fired from Lebanese night snow blizzards. killed at least six Iran-backed airspace, hit positions Shahin Fathi, head of the fighters yesterday, a war charity’s search-and-rescue monitor said. The dead were held by Iran-backed unit, told state television another all foreign paramilitaries militias in the Masyaf climber was missing and feared fighting alongside President district of Hama province. dead after the incident on the Bashar Al Assad’s forces, the One also targeted a Kolakchal Summit, while two Syrian Observatory for Human government-run research others were injured and taken Right said. to hospital. Iranians ski at the Tochal ski resort, in north of Tehran, in this December 12, 2019 file picture. The missiles, which were centre, where surface-to- Rescuers were also dis- fired from Lebanese airspace, surface missiles are patched to two more summits hit positions held by Iran- developed and stored, in north Tehran, where other The city is located at the foot of which is home to several ski several parts of Iran has closed backed militias in the Masyaf the Britain-based climbers were stranded, he said. the Alborz mountain range, resorts. The heavy snow in many roads. district of Hama province, watchdog said. Observatory chief Rami Abdul Rahman said. Lebanon’s top One also targeted a gov- Erdogan: Palestinian cause ernment-run research centre, fighters from Lebanese militant cleric urges where surface-to-surface mis- group Hezbollah. siles are developed and stored, It rarely confirms details of politicians to the Britain-based watchdog its operations in Syria, but says remains 'red line' for Turkey form government said.Iranian experts are Iran’s presence in support of REUTERS — ANKARA recent US-brokered rapproche- Erdogan’s statement. believed to work in the President Bashar al-Assad is a ments between Israel and four Turkey and Israel expelled research centre. The Israeli mil- threat to which it will continue Turkey would like better ties Muslim countries. each other’s ambassadors in REUTERS — BEIRUT itary said it would not comment to respond. with Israel but Israeli policy “The Palestine policy is our 2018 after Israeli forces killed on reports in foreign media. The Israeli jets regularly violate towards the Palestinians red line. It is impossible for us dozens of Palestinians in Lebanon’s top Christian cleric research centre in Masyaf has Lebanese airspace and have remains “unacceptable”, Pres- to accept Israel’s Palestine pol- clashes on the Gaza border. urged politicians to rid them- been hit several times by Israeli often struck inside Syria from ident Tayyip Erdogan said icies. Their merciless acts there In August this year, Israel selves of external pressure and strikes in recent years, the Lebanese territory. But the yesterday. are unacceptable,” Erdogan accused Turkey of giving pass- form a government to end Observatory said. Christmas Eve flights were Turkey and Israel, once told reporters after Friday ports to a dozen Hamas political deadlock and help According to the United louder than usual, frightening allies, have had a bitter falling prayers in Istanbul. members in Istanbul, describing resolve a severe financial crisis. States, sarin gas was being residents of Beirut who have out in recent years. Ankara has “If there were no issues at the move as “a very unfriendly Fractious politicians have developed at the centre, a claim endured multiple crises in the repeatedly condemned Israel’s the top level (in Israel), our ties step”. Turkey says Hamas is a been unable to agree on a new denied by Syrian authorities, past year, including the cata- occupation in the West Bank could have been very different,” legitimate political movement administration since the last one who say the country has pos- strophic August 4 explosion at and its treatment of Pales- he said. Israel’s Foreign Min- that won power through dem- quit in the aftermath of the sessed no chemical weapons the city’s port that killed over tinians. It has also criticised istry declined to comment on ocratic elections. August 4 Beirut port explosion, since it dismantled its arsenal 200 people and destroyed parts leaving Lebanon rudderless as it under a 2013 agreement. of the capital. That explosion sinks deeper into economic crisis. Syrian state news agency resulted from the detonation Veteran Sunni politician Sana said air defences inter- of a stockpile of ammonium Lebanon says first case of new coronavirus Saad Al Hariri was named cepted missiles fired by Israel nitrates that was improperly premier for a fourth time in on Masyaf. “Our air defences stored at the facility. variant detected on flight from London October promising to form a intercepted an Israeli attack on In the past few years, Israel cabinet of specialists to enact the Masyaf area,” Sana has acknowledged carrying out REUTERS — BEIRUT Lebanon, with an estimated population of reforms necessary to unlock reported. dozens of airstrikes in Syria, 6 million people, has reported more than 1,000 foreign aid, but political wran- It said air defences hit most of them aimed at sus- Lebanon has detected its first case of the new deaths as a result of COVID-19. gling has delayed the process. “most” missiles before they pected Iranian weapons ship- variant of the coronavirus, which has been Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ministry of Health If the reasons for not reached their target. State tel- ments believed to be bound for spreading rapidly in parts of Britain, on a flight announced yesterday 260 new cases of coro- forming government are evision aired footage pur- Hezbollah. In recent months, arriving from London, it said yesterday. navirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours, internal than “the problem is porting to show air defences Israeli officials have expressed “The detection of the first case of the new bringing the total of confirmed cases in the great” because it shows lack responding to the Israeli attack. concern that Hezbollah is trying variant of Covid-19 on Middle East Airlines flight country to 149,277. of responsibility, but if they are The Israeli activity in the to establish production facil- 202 coming from London on December 21,” the In a statement, the ministry’s spokesman external “it is greater” because skies was heard over parts of ities to make precision guided country’s caretaker health minister said on Dr Abdullah Al Sanad said that no death cases it exposes loyalties beyond neighbouring Lebanon, where missiles. Twitter, urging all passengers on the flight and were recorded, and the total number of deaths Lebanon, Maronite Patriarch many took to social media to Masyaf is a significant mil- their families to take precautionary measures. in Kuwait is 926 cases so far, QNA reported Bechara Boutros Al Rai said at denounce the Christmas Day itary area for Syrian President A surge in coronavirus infections is straining quoting Kuwait News Agency. Christmas Mass. attack. Israel has launched hun- Bashar Assad’s regime that Lebanon’s healthcare system, which was Al Sanad added that the patients in intensive Prime Minister-designate dreds of strikes in Syria since the includes a military academy already struggling amid a financial crisis and care units have reached 39, bringing the total Hariri and President Michel start of the civil war in 2011. and a scientific research center. following the huge port explosion in August of confirmed cases that are still receiving the Aoun aired their differences It has targeted government Israel has struck targets there which damaged hospitals in Beirut. necessary treatment to 3,221. over the government in state- troops, allied Iranian forces and several times in the past. ments on December 14. Artists lead efforts to restore, preserve Gaza’s old houses

AP — GAZA CITY enclave, fewer than 200 houses from the militant group that has run Gaza supporting windows with wood not top priorities, but are welcomed. these eras are partially or entirely since 2007, have contributed to the frames. “The initiatives are very important The grand, 500-year-old brick walls standing, according to tourist officials. erasure of many signs of Gaza’s five Once the renovation is completed, because their goal is to preserve the of the Al Kamalaia School slowly They are threatened by neglect, decay millennia of history. al-Ruzzi says the goal is to convert the cultural legacy,” said al-Astal. emerged from years of accumulated or even demolition by new urban The territory has been enriched by building into a venue for cultural and A few blocks from the school, a dif- garbage as grassroots preservers began development. its prime location along the route con- artistic activities because such facil- ferent team is working on renovating the long process of restoring it to its “Lack of public awareness and the necting ancient Egypt, the Levant and ities are few in Gaza. a house, the Ghussein palace, named former glory. economic considerations by owners Mesopotamia. For example, Hamas “This is the only school that still after the family that has owned it for Located in the heart of the old are the greatest threats to these bulldozers destroyed large parts of a maintains its architectural standing, it 200 years. The workers scraped the quarter of Gaza City, the Mamluk-era buildings,” said Ahmed Al Astal, rare 4,500-year-old Bronze Age set- still has classrooms. It’s clear that this bricks to remove layers of dust that hid building is one of an ever-dwindling director of Iwan, the history and her- tlement to make way for a housing school was used until a recent time in their features. Others took measure- number of historic structures at risk of itage institute of Gaza’s Islamic Uni- project. education and memorizing the Quran ments for the door frames. demolition. “It was in a very difficult, versity. “These houses are our identity, Mobaderoon is one of a handful of because it’s in the old city,” said Jamal The work began on this home in pitiful state. It was a dump,” said but ignorance leads to their organizations seeking to preserve Abu Rida, director of the archaeology August and is scheduled to be com- Abdullah Al Ruzzi, an artist and leading destruction.” ancient sites in Gaza City. But their department in Gaza’s Tourism plete in January. “It was left for a long volunteer. Because the Gaza Strip is small, efforts are typically limited in scope Ministry. time and has a lot of cracks and Al Ruzzi and other artists launched with 2 million people living in just 300 and lack systematic plans. Residents of Gaza are preoccupied problems,” said Nashwa Ramlawi, the the Mobaderoon, or Initiators, program, sq km (115 sq miles), the experts and It took the team two weeks to with financial woes, struggling with a architect leading the restoration. “The seeking to save abandoned houses and volunteers fear that structures of past remove the trash from the al-Kamalaia 13-year-old Israeli-Egyptian blockade, place has a great heritage and cultural buildings from two periods of Gaza’s centuries will disappear, like those school, which is named after a Mamluk and combatting a raging coronavirus value. We will dedicate it for anything history: the Mamluk Sultanate and the from far more ancient civilizations. sultan. Each day, young men and outbreak that has overwhelmed the that serves the community; a cultural, subsequent Ottoman Empire. Population growth, conflict with women gather there, sweeping the health system. Campaigns to protect service or social center open to In the old section of the Palestinian Israel and mismanagement by Hamas, dusty floor, brushing the bricks and heritage and archaeological sites are everyone.” CAR rebel groups call off truce before vote AFP — BANGUI that it made the decision “faced with which is our final objective”. “the irresponsible stubbornness of the After a brief lull in fighting on A rebel coalition that has been fighting government”. Thursday morning, clashes resumed the government in Central African The ceasefire’s signatories had in Bakouma, about 800km northeast Republic said yesterday it was calling “invited the authorities to observe the of Bangui, according to Vladimir Mon- off a three-day ceasefire ahead of a ceasefire over the same period” and teiro, spokesman for the UN’s MINUSCA tense general election at the weekend. called on President Faustin Archange peacekeeping force. The CPC was The rebel groups launched an Touadera to suspend the election. created on December 19 by armed offensive a week ago threatening to But government spokesman Ange- groups who accuse Touadera, the march on the capital Bangui, in what Maxime Kazagui dismissed the frontrunner in Sunday’s election, of the government described as an ceasefire on Thursday, saying it was “a trying to rig the vote. attempted coup, but their progress was non-event” and that “we haven’t seen Its components are drawn from halted with international help. these people stop what they’re doing”. militia groups that, together, control The Coalition of Patriots for Change The CPC said the government had two-thirds of the country. (CPC) then announced a brief truce “cavalierly rejected” this “chance for Earlier, the government accused before presidential and legislative elec- peace”. “Several attacks followed on Touadera’s ousted predecessor, tions on Sunday which are seen as a positions occupied” by CPC forces, its Francois Bozize, of fomenting a coup crucial test for the troubled country. statement said. with the rebels, a charge he denies. But the CPC said in a statement yes- The authenticity of the statement Gunmen had sought to advance terday it had “decided to break the was confirmed by two of the main down the main highways towards 72-hour truce it had imposed on itself armed groups in the coalition -- the 3R Bangui, but were stopped, according and resume its unrelenting march and the Popular Front for the Rebirth to MINUSCA. On Tuesday, rebels took Rwandan peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated towards its final objective”— taking the of Central Africa (FPRC). the CAR’s fourth largest town, Bambari, Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), monitor the capital. In the statement, which was General Bobo, the leader of 3R, told 380km northeast of Bangui. Security arrival of rebel groups on National Road 2 north of Bangui, the capital of the confirmed as authentic by two of the AFP that “now either the government forces backed by UN peacekeepers Central African Republic, yesterday. six groups in the coalition, the CPC said disperses us, or we march on Bangui, regained control the following day. SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 AFRICA 05

Death toll from Ethiopia sets national election for June 5 attack in western REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA The election board said its calendar for next year’s polls declared a terrorist movement before it Ethiopia reaches was unbanned by Abiy, said on Ethiopia will hold a parliamentary does not include an election in Tigray. It said it would December 12 that the government was 222: Red Cross election on June 5, 2021, the National announce a date for elections there once the interim using the prospect of an election to divert Electoral Board said yesterday, as Prime attention away from the myriad security REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to quell government established during the conflict is able to support problems. outbreaks of deadly political and ethnic the opening of election offices there. Abiy’s Prosperity Party, “Even though the ruling party wants The death toll from a violence in several regions. to conceal the existing problems and Wednesday attack in the Abiy’s Prosperity Party, a pan-Ethi- a pan-Ethiopian movement he founded a year ago, faces divert attention towards the national western Benishangul-Gumuz opian movement he founded a year ago, challenges from increasingly strident ethnically-based election, it is obvious that the country region of Ethiopia has risen to faces challenges from increasingly parties seeking more power for their regions. has descended into complex security 222 people, a volunteer from strident ethnically-based parties seeking crises and political catastrophes,” it said the country’s Red Cross told more power for their regions. “We recommend that repairing the frac- Reuters on Friday. Africa’s second most populous nation support the opening of election offices 30, the election board said. tured administrative regions and restoring “Yesterday we buried 207 has a federal system and 10 regional gov- there. Abiy’s peace deal with Ethiopia’s peace and security must be undertaken people who are the victims and ernments, many of whom have border For nearly three decades until Abiy’s arch-enemy Eritrea helped earn him the before the election takes place.” 15 more from the attackers,” disputes or face low-level unrest. appointment, Ethiopia was ruled by a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. But loosening Many Oromo politicians are in jail, said the volunteer, Melese In the northern Tigray region, thou- coalition of four ethnically-based move- the government’s iron grip was also fol- such as Jawar Mohammed, a prominent Mesfin. sands of people are believed to have died ments dominated by the party from lowed by outbreaks of violence as media mogul and member of the Oromo The attack occurred in the and 950,000 have fled their homes since Tigray. That administration ruled in an regional powerbrokers jostled for Federalist Congress party. village of Bekoji in Bulen fighting between regional forces and the increasingly autocratic fashion until Abiy resources and power. He and other party leaders were in county in the Metekel zone, federal government erupted on took power in 2018 following years of On Thursday, Abiy said he was September charged with terrorism and the state-appointed Ethi- November 4. bloody anti-government street protests. sending forces to the western Benis- offences following the killing of the opian Human Rights Com- Tigray held its own elections in The initial months after Abiy’s appointment hangul-Gumuz region, which borders popular Oromo musician Haacaaluu mission initially estimated September in defiance of the federal saw a rush of political and economic Sudan, the day after unidentified Hundeessaa. The death of Haacaaluu more than 100 people had government, which declared the polls reforms, including the release of tens of attackers torched homes and killed many sparked protests that killed at least 178 been killed. illegal. The election board said its cal- thousands of political prisoners. people in a village there. people in Oromiya and the capital. endar for next year’s polls does not Last year Abiy merged three of the There is also a long-running insur- Ethiopia’s parliamentary vote was Tunisia extends include an election in Tigray. It said it old parties to form the Prosperity Party gency in Oromiya region, Ethiopia’s most postponed from August this year because would announce a date for elections - only the Tigray People’s Liberation populous region. The Oromo Liberation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 5-year-old state there once the interim government Front (TPLF) refused to join. Voter reg- Front, an opposition party from the chairman of the winning party becomes established during the conflict is able to istration will take place from March 1 to Oromiya region which was once prime minister. of emergency

AFP — TUNIS

Morocco orders 65 The Tunisian presidency yesterday announced a six- month extension of the coun- million vaccine doses try’s state of emergency, in place since a 2015 attack on AFP — RABAT The vaccination campaign a presidential guard bus will first target frontline staff in claimed by the Islamic State Morocco said yesterday it had the health, security and edu- (IS) group. ordered 65 million doses of cation sectors, as well as vul- President Kais Saied novel coronavirus vaccine, as nerable and elderly people, “decided on the six-month the North African kingdom before being extended to the extension of the nationwide prepared to launch a vacci- rest of the population. state of emergency, from nation campaign targeting 25 H M King Mohammed VI December 26, 2020, to June million people. has decreed that the vaccine 23, 2021,” a statement said. “Preparations have reached will be administered free of The measure, extended very advanced stages,” Health charge. continuously since late Minister Khalid Ait Taleb said Morocco, a country of 2015, grants exceptional in a statement on the roll-out around 35 million people, has powers to the country’s plans. “Field exercises covering officially recorded more than security forces. all stages of the process of vac- 425,000 novel coronavirus It allows measures to cinating citizens have been put cases and 7,130 deaths. “ensure the control of the in place.” On Wednesday, authorities press” and for strikes and A government source con- imposed a nationwide three- meetings that “create dis- firmed that Morocco has opted week night-time curfew. order” to be banned. for the Chinese Sinopharm and Gatherings have been pro- Members of Morocco’s Interior Ministry Auxiliary Forces speaking to a street peddlar as they patrol Tunisia has seen political British AstraZeneca vaccines, hibited and restaurants, cafes, a neighbourhood to enforce the reimposed lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the capital and social instability in recent which both require two shots. shops and department stores Rabat’s old city, yesterday. weeks, along with protests in No date has been given for have been ordered to close from several regions. the arrival of the jabs or for the 8 pm. Casablanca, Marrakesh, Agadir been shuttered for three weeks. state of public health emer- The country faced a rise start of the vaccine rollout. In the major cities of and Tangier, restaurants have Morocco has extended a gency until January 10, 2021. in militant activity after its 2011 revolution, with attacks killing dozens of security per- sonnel, civilians and foreign Healthcare workers in South Africa US begins work to set up tourists. The 2015 attack in the consulate in Western Sahara capital Tunis killed 12 presi- stretched as virus cases near 1 million dential guards and came after REUTERS — WASHINGTON two other deadly attacks REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG Amid the beeps of monitors end in October, early claimed by IS that year: one at and ventilators, 60-year-old November, and now this dark The US State Department said on Thursday it began the process the capital’s Bardo museum Matron Annamarie Odendaal Odendaal said the situation was cloud is circling again, so emo- to set up a US consulate in Western Sahara, after President Donald and another at the coastal has cancelled all staff holiday getting worse as hospital beds tionally it takes a lot out of the Trump’s administration this month recognised Morocco’s sover- resort of Sousse. on the COVID-19 ward at the filled up quickly. nursing staff,” Collins said eignty over the region. On Thursday, a man of private Arwyp Medical Centre Several countries, including outside the hospital on a brief In a departure from longstanding US policy, Washington agreed “extremist appearance” in Johannesburg as a second Britain which has found the break from the COVID-19 ICU to recognise Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a attempted to attack a police wave of the coronavirus mutant variant in cases linked ward, which has reached desert region where a decades-old territorial dispute has pitted officer with a knife in the threatens to overwhelm South to South Africa, have banned capacity. Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway capital Tunis, the interior min- Africa’s health system. flights from the country, dis- Dressed in theatre scrubs movement that seeks to establish an independent state. istry said in a statement. “I called them back because rupting holiday travel plans and and a red Santa hat, the mother The recognition was part of a US-brokered deal in which Last Sunday, officials said we are in a peak period now, frustrating tour operators. of one said she had been Morocco became the fourth Arab country after the United Arab the decapitated body of a so it’s not easy for the staff The latest data showed the scheduled to work on Christmas Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to normalize ties with Israel in the 20-year-old man had been because they also want to go infection tally so far rising to Day but several of her work- past four months. “Effective immediately, we are inaugurating a found in the country’s central back to their family members,” 968,563 on Thursday. If the tra- mates had had to cancel their virtual presence post for Western Sahara, with a focus on pro- Kasserine region in a probable she told Reuters on the ward on jectory continues, South Africa holiday plans after being called moting economic and social development, to be followed soon “terrorist” attack. Christmas Day. would breach the million mark back. Private hospital group by a fully functioning consulate,” US Secretary of State Mike The mountainous central “Sometimes they are tired as early as Sunday, a Reuters Mediclinic said the number of Pompeo said in a statement. region is also a hideout for the but they never say ‘I can’t come tally showed. patients seeking care at its hos- “This virtual presence post will be managed by the US Embassy Tunisian branch of jihadist to work’. The patient is really South Africa has recorded pitals in Western Cape and in Rabat,” Pompeo said, adding that Washington would be con- group Al Qaeda in the Islamic always first for them.” 25,983 deaths, the highest rising incidents in KwaZulu tinuing to support political negotiations to resolve the issues Maghreb (AQIM), known as A confluence of school hol- figure on the continent. Natal and Gauteng had already between Morocco and the Polisario within the framework of Okba Ibn Nafaa. idays, public laxity and a new, At Cape Town’s Groote exceeded those in the first peak Morocco’s autonomy plan. Washington’s support for Moroccan As well as the state of potentially more infectious Schuur public hospital, where and the majority of its ICU and sovereignty over the desert territory represents the biggest policy emergency, a night-time variant of the virus has left the world’s first human-to- high care units were operating concession the US has made so far in its quest to win Arab recog- curfew is in place in Tunisia to authorities scrambling to counter human heart transplant was at full capacity. nition of Israel. The series of normalization deals have been driven curb the spread of the novel an earlier-than-expected resur- performed in 1967, intensive “With the new strain we in part by US-led efforts to present a united front against Iran and coronavirus, which has gence of infections that saw new care nurse Verna Collins said saw that the patients are not roll back Tehran’s regional influence. President-elect Joe Biden, infected more than 126,000 daily cases spike nearly seven- she was physically and emo- recovering so easy and this is a due to succeed Trump on January 20, will face a decision whether people and killed over 4,300 fold from a month ago to top tionally drained. problem,” said matron to accept the US deal on the Western Sahara, which no other in the country, according to 14,305 on December 24. “We thought we were at the Odendaal. Western nation has done. health ministry figures. At least 15 dead in screening delays at South Africa-Zimbabwe border

REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG facilities while waiting to cross COVID-19 infections. the border, sometimes for days. Authorities suspect the surge At least 15 people have died in Images and videos on local in cases has been triggered by recent weeks on the South news channels and circulated a genetic mutation of the African side of the Beitbridge on social media showed lines of disease. Total positive cases are border with Zimbabwe in stationary cars, mainly trucks, now near the 1 million mark, by lengthy queues that have been stretching for kilometres on the far the most on the continent. slowed by coronavirus narrow road leading to the inland Asked about the border screening, television news Beitbridge port that serves as the delays in an interview on news channel eNCA said yesterday. main crossing point between the channel eNCA, the director- The health ministry, countries, and is more busy than general of South Africa’s Health Department of Home Affairs usual at this time of year because Department, Sandile Buthelezi, and South African police Local of a seasonal return of migrants said that coronavirus screening did not respond immediately to to Zimbabwe. South Africa, for outgoing traffic had now the requests for confirmation of which the United Nations says been suspended but proof of a fatalities that local media outlets is host to an estimated 1.5 negative COVID-19 test per- Passengers wearing protective masks walk to the check-in counters at the O.R. Tambo International attributed to exhaustion and ill million Zimbabwean migrants, formed within 30 days would Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday. health owing to a lack of is suffering a second wave of be required upon re-entry. 06 HOME SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020

Mall of Qatar JEANS JEANS MERCH & PARTNERS CO Asian Town Happy Baby Center Tawar Mall Souq Al Nagada CHARLES & KEITH CHARLES & KEITH Bombay silk centre Rawabi Hypermarket Carter’s KENZ Mini Mart MERCH & PARTNERS CO FANTINO SHOES DUNE COOL CLUB Villeroy and Boch RETAIL MART Homes R us HUSH PUPPIES Saudia Department Saving Square Trading CROCS Rivano design FANTINO SHOES Al Dafna GANT LAKELAND DUNE Stores CASA MODA Mohamed Elshenawy Umm Salal HAZARD TRADING Nike RITUALS HERSCHEL Al Saad ANOTAH Vans SKECHERS Group Happy Baby Center Madina Central LA VIE EN ROSE Tash Ladies Textiles Kiddy Zone Saudia Department Sun & Sand TOMMY HILFIGER LC WAIKIKI Al-Taadhod Group Madinat Khalifa Kiddy Zone Stores LG Timberland Lagoona Mall LEVIS Rawabi Hypermarket Porto Arabia TAMIMA RETAIL MART ALDO NATURALIZER Al Amana Decor DUNE Faleh Souq Kiddy Zone Levante Contracting Al Asmakh Mall The Souq ALDO ACCESSORIES RITUALS NAUTICA and Trading ALSAEED TRADING Dana centre ATHLETES CO TOMMY HILFIGER HUSH PUPPIES Home Centre New Industrial Area CENTRE FASHION WORLD BEVERLY HILLS NEW YORKER LG Landmark Al Majlis SHOPPING Al Nasr Street Barwa Street LG NINE WEST Al-Taadhod Group1 POLO CLUB GANT CENTER Solez SKECHERS EL CRYSTAL TAMIMA BIRKENSTOCK Al-Taadhod Group2 THE CHILDRENS PLACE ALDO Barwa Village Wakra CALL IT SPRING Ezdan Mall Alwakra TAMIMA Msheireb TOMMY HILFIGER CHARLES & KEITH CALVIN KLEIN Bin Omran Panda Hyper Market LG Homes R us TOMMY HILFIGER DUNE JEANS LC WAIKIKI Bombay Silk Centre KIDS Al Shaheen EST HUSH PUPPIES Ezdan Mall Gharafa CHARLES & KEITH R&B Home Centre TOMMY JEANS Al-Taadhod Group NINE WEST REEBOK AEROPOSTALE CROCS R&B Al Mora Al Refaa SMYK RITUALS ALDO DUNE RITUALS Al Emadi Electronics EST TAMIMA Rawabi Hypermarket SKECHERS ALDO ACCESSORIES LA VIE EN ROSE LG Kiddy Zone SMYK Al Rayan LC WAIKIKI Carter’s Old Airport ATHLETES CO LEVIS Umm Ghuwailina Passion Al Shaheen EST Kiddy Zone ALSAEED TRADING ATHLETES CO KIDS CENTRE NATURALIZER ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM G2000 Mosaic Gallery Al Kharaitiyat BEVERLY HILLS Al-Taadhod Group NEW YORKER AL EMADI TRADING Co GANT Al-Taadhod Group GRAND POLO CLUB Villeroy and Boch LG R&B NEW TAIF HYPERMARKET Nabco Furniture Center HYPERMARKET CALL IT SPRING Nike RITUALS Al Gharafa Ocean Import and Export City Centre TAMIMA The north face CHARLES & KEITH SKECHERS FANTINO SHOES HAPPY BABY Vans Al Jameel Showroom Villeroy and Boch LA VIE EN ROSE TOMMY HILFIGER ULTIMA SHOES Al MAJSLIS SHOPPING CENTER NU Athlete LG Home Centre NATURALIZER LG ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM NEW INDIAN Al Shaheen EST Timberland Louis FERAUD NEW YORKER TAMIMA AL EMADI TRADING Co Colombia SUPERMARKET Rawabi Hypermarket ALDO SKECHERS Villeroy and Boch TAMIMA Louis FERAUD Old Ghanim Rawabi Food Center THE CHILDRENS PLACE Under Armour Nabco Furniture Center Balmain BEVERLY HILLS ALSAEED TRADING Saudia Hypermarket The Mall R&B pierre cardin POLO CLUB TOMMY HILFIGER CENTRE Al Emadi Electronics EST ALDO Al Duhail TAMIMA CALVIN KLEIN Al Najma Al Mansoura Dar Al Salam Mall BIRKENSTOCK ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM Al Maamoura JEANS LG ALSAEED TRADING Hyatt Plaza AL EMADI TRADING Co CHARLES & KEITH MERCH & PARTNERS CO Palms Mall Selection Interiors CENTRE Homes R us DUNE Sun & Sand Doha Festival City Furniture Al Khor LG ALDO NINE WEST CROCS Under Armour Mesaieed ATHLETES CO Salwa Road ALSAEED TRADING R&B SKECHERS Home Centre CHARLES & KEITH CENTRE Kiddy Zone LG AEROPOSTALE BRADMA-PULSES NUTS SKECHERS LC WAIKIKI Al-Taadhod Group Gulf Mall Souq Waqif ALDO AND CHOCOLATES TOMMY HILFIGER NATURALIZER Saudia Hypermarket TAMIMA ALDO ACCESSORIES LG Home Centre BEVERLY HILLS AL MAJLIS SHOPING CENTER ANTA LG Sun & Sand ATHLETES CO Souq Al Ali POLO CLUB Midas Furniture ATHLETES CO Kiddy Zone Nike CCC SKECHERS Al Saif A/C TAMIMA ATHLETES CO KIDS Muaither Kiddy Zone TAMIMA CROCS Al Markhiya BEVERLY HILLS PAN EMIRATES Kiddy Zone FURNITURE New Happy Baby Al Wakra LC WAIKIKI POLO CLUB D TAMIMA Saudia Hypermarket LEVIS Villaggio Mall BIRKENSTOCK Qatar Desgin ABDUL HAMID ABDUL RAHIM Anotah Co Saudi Mini Mart ALDO CALL IT SPRING ALSAEED TRADING AL EMADI TRADING Co REEBOK FANTINO SHOES CALVIN KLEIN CALVIN KLEIN CENTRE Saudia Hypermarket UD Al-Taadhod Group R&B ULTIMA SHOES SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 07 India: Modi defends farm laws amid protests AP — NEW DELHI his government and have now hun- kered down outside capital in their Prime Minister Narendra Modi held Modi’s talks with supporters of trucks, trailers and tractors. virtual talks with Indian farmers the legislation come while his Modi’s outreach comes a day after yesterday and asked them to explain government is making multiple India’s main opposition party called how the government’s agricultural efforts to placate tens of for a special parliamentary session to policies have benefited them, a month thousands of farmers who are withdraw the new laws. into massive farmer protests that have “The prime minister wants to help rattled his administration. blocking key highways on the two, three business people” by intro- Modi’s talks with supporters of the outskirts of the capital in ducing the farm laws, said Rahul legislation come while his government protests against new Gandhi, a senior leader from the oppo- is making multiple efforts to placate agricultural laws. sition Congress party, on Thursday. tens of thousands of farmers who are He led a party delegation to Pres- blocking key highways on the outskirts ident Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his of the capital in protests against new intervention for repeal of the laws. agricultural laws. reforms, we have given better options Six rounds of talks between gov- The protesting farmers say the laws to the farmers,” Modi said in his live ernment officials and farmer union will dismantle regulated markets, address. leaders have failed to resolve the favour big corporations, and make He reiterated that the laws were a deadlock. family-owned farms unviable, even- much-needed reform that would On Thursday, the government Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking via a video conference in New Delhi. tually leaving them landless. benefit farmers and accused opposition again invited protesting farmers to Protesting farmers fear the gov- parties of spreading fears of farmers’ further talks. ernment will stop buying grain at exploitation by corporations. Modi’s government has said it is describing protesting farmers as country where nearly 60% of the pop- minimum guaranteed prices and cor- “Those making big speeches today willing to pledge that guaranteed prices “anti-nationals.” ulation depends on agriculture for their porations will then push down prices. did nothing for farmers when they will continue but protest leaders have The laws have exacerbated existing livelihoods. The government says the three laws were in power,” Modi said. rejected the government’s offer to resentment from farmers, who often But farmers’ economic clout has approved by Parliament in September The farmers present during Modi’s amend some contentious provisions complain of being ignored by the diminished over the last three decades. will enable farmers to market their talks were from six states but not from of the laws. government. Once accounting for a third of India’s produce and boost production through Punjab and Haryana, two of India’s Farmers union leaders have also India’s fabled farmers, often called gross domestic product, they now private investment. largest agricultural states whose accused the government of trying to “annadatta,” or “providers,” have long account for only 15% of the country’s “Through these agricultural farmers were the first to rise up against weaken and discredit them by been seen as the heart and soul of a $2.9 trillion economy. Hong Kong imposes 21-day quarantine for visitors Australia steps up testing REUTERS — HONG KONG people who have stayed in COVID-19. with the new virus variant to rein in resurgence South Africa in the past 21 days In a statement midnight found in more countries, there Hong Kong extended a from boarding for Hong Kong. yesterday, authorities said is a need for the government to compulsory quarantine by an Hong Kong has already people who have stayed in introduce resolute measures of infections in Sydney extra seven days to 21 days for banned all flights arriving places outside China during the immediately... to ensure that no all visitors outside China, from the United Kingdom from 21 days before their arrival have case would slip through the net REUTERS — MELBOURNE televised briefing. “Make sure effective yesterday, in stepped- Monday and the city said on to undergo 21 days of com- even under very exceptional you think very carefully about up efforts to prevent a new Wednesday two students who pulsory quarantine in desig- cases where the incubation Australia’s New South Wales all the activities you are under- variant of the novel coronavirus returned from the UK were nated quarantine hotels. period of the virus is longer state has increased COVID-19 taking.” The neighbouring state from spreading. likely to be infected with the “Noting the drastic change than 14 days,” a government testing to rein in a resurgence of Victoria, which has not seen Authorities also banned all new super-virulent strain of of the global pandemic situation spokesman said. of coronavirus infections in a new COVID-19 case for eight Sydney, with other states and straight weeks after battling a territories taking similar steps big outbreak for months, con- on concerns the outbreak might ducted more than 11,000 tests South Korea may have spread. on Thursday. A record of nearly 70,000 The day before, a record of tighten social tests were conducted on more than 96,000 COVID-19 Thursday across New South tests were done across Wales (NSW), home to about a Australia. distancing rules quarter of Australia’s 25-million “Well done Australia!” population, officials said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison REUTERS — SEOUL NSW recorded yesterday said on Twitter late on seven new cases of the coro- Thursday. “Let’s all keep doing South Korea plans to discuss whether it navirus, six linked to an out- our bit to stay COVIDSafe.” needs to further tighten distancing rules break in the suburbs of Syd- Sydney has been virtually iso- this weekend as the current curbs failed to ney’s northern beaches that has lated from the rest of the reverse a resurgence in outbreaks, with the kept more than a quarter of country with state border clo- daily coronavirus count hitting another high million in some sort of sures or mandatory 14-day yesterday, officials said. lockdown for nearly a week. quarantine for arrivals from the The Korea Disease Control and Pre- The cluster now stands at 104. city. The coronavirus outbreak vention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,241 new Rain has kept people away has been largely contained to coronavirus cases as of midnight Thursday, from beaches and at home on the affected suburbs, but there the highest daily count recorded. Christmas Day, but officials have been a handful of cases Daily numbers have been hovering at urged social distancing at gath- reported across Australia in the record levels over the past few weeks, erings, cutting down on Boxing past week. around 1,000, but the government resisted Day shopping and getting Australia has reported just People wait in line to undergo COVID-19 test at a testing site, in Seoul yesterday. calls for imposing the toughest Level 3 at tested. over 28,000 coronavirus cases least for the greater Seoul area due to eco- “I do not think anyone is and 908 deaths so far, thanks nomic concerns, calling it a last resort. having a normal Christmas in part to widespread testing, Level 3 restrictions would essentially churches which would otherwise be filled cooperative, many still flout distancing today across NSW,” Premier which is free at public health mean a lockdown of Asia’s fourth-largest with cars and worshippers were empty, rules, Chung said, referring to some res- Gladys Berejiklian said at a facilities. economy, closing another 1.2 million busi- local television footage showed, as they held taurants and bars defying a ban to take nesses and allowing only essential workers Christmas services online in line with a guests after 9 p.m. with their doors locked into offices. gathering ban. Some new restrictions were and lights turned off. Health authorities blamed an outbreak taken this week including a ban on gath- More than 118,000 tests were conducted at a Seoul prison for the fresh high daily erings of more than four people, and a sus- nationwide on Thursday, Yoon said, as tally but said they will gather on Sunday to pension of ski resorts and tourist spots, authorities have been ramping up testing decide whether distancing needs to be aimed at stopping the spread during the since last week to better track cases from tightened to Level 3. Christmas and New Year holidays. unknown origin and people who were “The weekly average had exceeded Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged infected but not displaying symptoms. 1,000 but we still see it is more likely to be anti-virus measures to be strictly imple- South Korea had early success in a temporary phenomenon,” Yoon Tae-ho, mented especially at military and correction quickly controlling outbreaks with a senior health ministry official, told a facilities. aggressive testing and contact tracing, but briefing. At a prison in eastern Seoul, 478 inmates that success led to over-confidence that left “But how it would effect our decision and 20 workers have tested positive so far, the government scrambling to contain a on Level 3... we will hold a meeting on including 288 newly confirmed on third wave, critics say. Employees work on the production line of a coronavirus home Sunday and release the outcome.” The Thursday. Total infections stand at 54,770, with test unit in Brisbane, Australia. streets around major cathedrals and While a majority of the public are 773 deaths, KDCA data showed. Afghan army: 2 officers killed Japan official, calling Taiwan ‘red line’, urges Biden to ‘be strong’ REUTERS — TOKYO strengthening ties with Taiwan anyone by any means.” In by roadside bomb in north and other “like-minded Taipei, Foreign Ministry spokes- A top Japanese defence official democracies.” woman Joanne Ou noted the AP — KABUL southern Kandahar province’s yesterday urged US President- Decades ago as senator, strong bipartisan US support for Panjwai district. elect Joe Biden to “be strong” in Biden questioned whether the Taiwan based on the “shared At least two Afghan army This is the first batch of supporting Taiwan in the face United States had an “obli- language” of freedom and officers including a battalion prisoners released by the of an aggressive China, calling gation” to defend Taiwan. But democracy. commander were killed Taliban since the start of direct the island’s safety a “red line.” many in his foreign policy “Taiwan looks forward to yesterday when their vehicle peace talks with the Afghan “We are concerned China circles acknowledge that US working closely with the Biden was hit by a roadside bomb in government in September. will expand its aggressive imperatives have changed as a team, to continue to steadily the northern Balkh province, Zabihullah Mujahid, a stance into areas other than rising, authoritarian China has improve Taiwan-US relations the military said. spokesman for the group, did not Hong Kong. I think one of the become more assertive and on the basis of the existing solid Hanif Rezaie, a spokesman provide further details about the next targets, or what everyone sought to shape global friendship,” she said. for the army in the country’s freed prisoners, but it appeared is worried about, is Taiwan,” institutions. US officials in Tokyo could north, said Capt Mohammad the decision was based on an State Minister of Defence Yas- Beijing has been angered by not be reached as the embassy Qasim Paikar and another order from the Taliban’s lead- uhide Nakayama (pictured) neighbouring giant China and increased US support for was closed for Christmas. officer were killed and two ership. Earlier this year, the gov- said. its longtime military ally in Taiwan, including arms sales “There’s a red line in Asia — other soldiers were wounded ernment freed more than 5,000 In an interview, Nakayama, Washington. Japan shares stra- and visits to Taipei by senior US China and Taiwan,” Nakayama in the explosion, which took Taliban prisoners in exchange Japan’s deputy defence min- tegic interests with Taiwan, officials, further straining said, citing a red line that former place between Balkh and Char for the Taliban releasing around ister, urged Biden to take a which sits in sea lanes through already poor Sino-US ties. president Barack Obama Bolak districts. 1,000 Afghan security forces. similar line on Taiwan as out- which much of Japan’s energy China considers democratically declared over Syria’s use of No one immediately The prisoner swap was part of going President Donald Trump, supplies and trade flow. run Taiwan one of its provinces chemical weapons — a line claimed responsibility for yes- the terms of a separate US- who has significantly boosted “So far, I haven’t yet seen a and has never renounced the Damascus then crossed. Biden terday’s bombing. Rezaie Taliban deal signed in military sales to the Chinese- clear policy or an use of force to bring it under was Obama’s vice president. blamed the Taliban, who are February. claimed island and increased announcement on Taiwan from Beijing’s control. “How will Joe Biden in the active in both districts and reg- Violence in Afghanistan has engagement. Japan’s Joe Biden. I would like to hear “Taiwan is China’s internal White House react in any case ularly launch attacks against spiked even amid the Taliban engagement with Taiwan has it quickly, then we can also affair,” Chinese Foreign Min- if China crosses this red line?” Afghan security forces. and Afghan government peace also flourished in recent years prepare our response on istry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Nakayama. Elsewhere, the Taliban negotiations, which after some on a largely non-governmental Taiwan in accordance,” said yesterday. “The US is the leader of the announced the release of 30 recent procedural progress basis. Tokyo maintains a “one Nakayama said. “We firmly oppose inter- democratic countries. I have a imprisoned Afghan security have been suspended until China” policy, delicately bal- During the presidential ference in China’s internal strong feeling to say: America, personnel on Thursday in the early January. ancing its relationships with campaign, Biden called for affairs by any country or be strong!” 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 The UN cannot abandon Darfur Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN people amid rising violence DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED MOHAMED OSMAN [email protected] AL JAZEERA

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR “It is the same as in the old MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI days,” Adam Rojal, a coordi- [email protected] nator in an internally displaced community in Sudan’s Darfur region told me recently. He was referring to EDITORIAL the continuing violence by militias and government forces against the civilian population. I asked how the Expanding network situation could be the same given that former President AFTER playing crucial role in transporting travellers Omar al-Bashir, under whose and essential goods including medicines during watch Darfur became the site COVID-19 lockdown phases witnessed globally, Qatar of mass-scale atrocities, was A file picture of residents gather after an attack in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan. Airways is fast reviving and expanding its network across ousted in 2019 and a new the globe in the times when coronavirus vaccine is taking transitional government took the world to normalcy. over, promising peace. compliance with interna- camps in south Darfur pro- and punching me, then On Thursday, Qatar Airways announced the first “The abusive forces that tional standards. tested against the move. A slapping on my ears.” stage of codeshare cooperation with China Southern have been targeting civilians Yet Rojal and other dis- journalist who covered the Voices from Darfur raise Airlines has begun with the Chinese carrier placing its for years are still roaming placed people in Darfur worry protests told me: “The dis- the critical question of how the code on Qatar Airways flights between Guangzhou and around,” he responded. that the government is a long placed see UNAMID’s government is going to protect Doha. Flights are already available for sale with the first On December 22, the way from being ready to fulfil departure at this moment as the population by deploying codeshare flights starting from December 27, 2020. United Nations Security this task. “The peacekeeping catastrophic. Intercommunal forces with a documented The codeshare flights will enable China Southern Air- Council voted unanimously to mission sometimes failed to violence is spiking. Some record of abuses. Tackling this lines’ passengers to book travel on Qatar Airways’ flights end the joint African Union- protect us,” Rojal said. “But holdout groups still did not starts with reforming those between Guangzhou and Doha and onwards to more UN peacekeeping force in the solution should be join the peace talks, and their forces and ending their than 60 destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle Darfur. The remaining UN improving what is here, not current infighting also poses impunity. The international East. presence will be in the form removing that and leaving us risk to the civilian community should step up its Also Qatar Airways announced earlier that it will of a political mission with no alone.” population.” scrutiny on how the gov- begin incrementally increasing flights to Montréal from mandate to provide physical While the peacekeepers’ In June and July, commu- ernment is going to uphold its January 16, 2021 and operate daily frequencies by Feb- protection. While the full mandate was briefly extended nities in Darfur, many from commitments in line with ruary 25, 2021, up from the previously scheduled four details of the mission’s in October following a request within the displaced popu- international standards. weekly frequencies. The Montréal service is operated responsibilities are still being from Sudanese Prime Min- lation, protested against inse- Although the UNSC voted by Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats worked out, the UN under- ister Abdalla Hamdok, the curity and abuses. Some of against extending the peace- in Qsuite Business Class and 247 seats in Economy secretary-general for political government seems unwilling these demonstrations did not keepers’ mission, it cannot Class. and peacebuilding affairs, to extend the mandate end peacefully. simply walk away from the By the end of March 2021, Qatar Airways plans to Rosemary DiCarlo, told the beyond the end of this year. In response, the gov- civilians of Darfur. Sudan’s rebuild its network to 126 destinations including 20 in UN Security Council on Foreign governments and the ernment deployed joint forces partners should ensure that Africa, 11 in the Americas, 29 in Asia-Pacific, 38 in December 8 that the it would UN have shown that they are including the Rapid Support there is robust UN human Europe, 13 in India and 15 in the Middle East. Many have a team of advisers on unwilling to push Khartoum Forces, who have a long track rights monitoring in Darfur cities will be served with a strong schedule with daily child protection and women’s to consider another extension. record of serious violations of and elsewhere in Sudan. If or more frequencies. rights, human rights officers, The period following al- international law for years, as there is a spike in violence, Qatar Airways is not only expanding its network but and police trainers. Bashir’s ouster in April 2019 human rights groups, the UNSC should consider has also won new acclaims internationally. Few days As December 31, the final has been a story of turbulent including Human Rights either a temporary reauthori- ago, Qatar Airways announced winning two major day of the peacekeeping and fragile transition, espe- Watch, have documented. sation of UNAMID if there are awards for ‘Brilliance in Employee Engagement in HR’ mission draws close, residents cially in Darfur. In August of What followed was a cam- still troops on the ground or and the Gold Award for ‘Best Social Media Campaign’ of this restive region are justi- 2019, civilian political groups paign of arrests of protesters an expansion of the capabil- for its 2019 Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. fiably concerned. The latest and military commanders and activists that in many ities of the follow-on mission. The airline awarded for excellence in promoting report by the UN secretary- reached a power-sharing cases involved serious human hey should ensure there is no breast cancer awareness while engaging thousands of general and the African Union agreement, charting the path rights violations. security vacuum that leads to employees and passengers in a 30-day program during Commission chairperson doc- for Sudan’s transition. A peace A 37-year human rights more violence against the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2019, as well uments an “uptick” in inter- deal was signed in October lawyer was arrested by a mil- civilians. as for its influential social media campaign which shared communal violence and civil 2020 with a number of rebel itary intelligence officer on With the clock ticking, inspirational and informative content with millions of unrest, with the peacekeepers factions, but some key armed July 19 in the North Darfuri both Sudan and the interna- Qatar Airways’ followers on social media platforms. recording 146 fatalities groups are active in Darfur. town of Kutum and detained tional community need to To give maximum relief to its customers, Qatar between June and October. Darfuris have become for days. “They accused me of listen to the people of Darfur Airways also announced recently that it will offer pas- Under Sudan’s new quite vocal about their instigating recent protests and ensure they are not sengers unlimited date changes and fee-free refunds national plan to protect rejection of the UN peace- that ended up with the abandoned. for all tickets issued before April 30, 2021 for travel com- civilians, the government is to keepers’ withdrawal. In early burning of a police station,” Mohamed Osman is a pleted by December 31, 2021. The airline’s latest assume full responsibility for December, displaced commu- he later told me. “They kept Sudan assistant researcher at enhancement to its flexible booking policy has been civilian security in nities in Zalingi and Kalma beating me with their boots Human Rights Watch. designed to continue providing customers with peace of mind that they can change their plans with ease. Threading the needle at the border

THE WASHINGTON POST a new surge of illegal border emergency public health edict. summary expulsion of unau- D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR crossing. Any hope of building A pair of devastating hurri- thorized migrants at the EMAIL: [email protected] After the measures designed public support for a legislative canes in Central America, border, based on the pan- by the Trump administration overhaul of the immigration coupled with the economic demic’s threat. That’s the right to terrify, threaten and deter system, let alone bipartisan ravages wrought by the pan- call at a time when the coro- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 migrants from seeking refuge backing in Congress, would be demic there as well as in navirus is spreading aggres- FAX: +974 4455 7758 in the United States, Pres- blown to pieces by fresh Mexico, are now thought likely sively on both sides of the ident-elect Joe Biden faces a images of pandemonium at the to drive new waves of border and Americans are MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 needle-threading challenge border. migrants. barred from traveling to immediately on taking office. The president-elect Biden has pledged to end Canada and much of Europe. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 As he seeks to recalibrate acknowledged that explicitly the Trump administration’s There are legitimate concerns immigration policy so that it is Tuesday when he walked “Remain in Mexico” policy, that loosening restrictions on LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 more compassionate, rational back campaign promises to which has forced tens of the southern border could and aligned with America’s immediately undo Trump thousands of asylum seekers speed covid-19’s march. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 traditions and interests, he administration asylum pol- into camps south of the A return to the pre-pan- must also avoid triggering a icies. “It will get done and it border, where they await demic regime of catch-and- SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 new humanitarian crisis at will get done quickly,” he said word on their efforts to enter release could be at least partly the Mexican border featuring - but not on Day 1. the US legally. Biden’s instinct avoided by a more rational ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 unauthorized Central Amer- The risk is real and is right - the camps are approach to immigration email: [email protected] icans and Mexicans streaming building. More than 140,000 squalid, and migrants there courts as well as judges, who north to escape the economic undocumented migrants were are victimized by predators. have been leaving the bench PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 fallout of recent hurricanes apprehended at the southern Yet any sudden move to in record numbers in email: [email protected] and the pandemic. border in October and abolish the policy without an response to the Trump Make no mistake. Despite November combined, the orderly system to replace it administration’s meddling. In ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 Biden’s distaste for the cruelty highest numbers for those could be read as a green light addition, the Biden adminis- FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] and bigotry at the heart of months in almost a decade. that would invite more tration should focus a con- President Trump’s immigration And that was despite the migrants than the US certed US aid program on CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 policies, it would be self- Trump administration’s policy bureaucracy can process. Nor alleviating the poverty and email: [email protected] defeating for the new adminis- of turning back nearly all is it reasonable to swiftly violence that impel Central tration to take steps that would detainees without an asylum revoke the emergency public American migrants to seek SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 encourage, intentionally or not, hearing, on the basis of an health order authorizing the better lives elsewhere. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Just as the United States has needed a unified, national response to COVID-19, it needs one for /Peninsula_Qatar dealing with climate change. We literally have no /ThePeninsulaNewspaper time to waste. Joe Biden, +974 6698 6188 US President-elect SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 09 Abe apologises to lawmakers over payments scandal

AFP — TOKYO reasons, apologising but insisting he had no knowledge Japan’s former prime minister Japan’s former prime of the payments. Shinzo Abe apologised to He said he “deeply, deeply” lawmakers yesterday over a minister has denied apologised for falsely claiming scandal involving payments for any wrongdoing, but his office had not paid. supporters, a day after prose- acknowledged that he “My political responsibility cutors said they would not is very serious. I will do my indict him in the case. had made statements utmost to regain the people’s The country’s longest- to parliament that trust,” he said. serving prime minister has In parliament, opposition denied any wrongdoing, but were subsequently lawmakers excoriated the acknowledged that he had shown to be false. former leader. made statements to parliament “You have no intention of that were subsequently shown finding out the truth at all, and to be false. no intention of explaining to “It turned out that I gave attended by supporters over five the public,” said Takahiro explanations that are contrary years until 2019, failing to Kuroiwa of the Constitutional to the facts,” Abe said at the report the expenditures as Democratic Party of Japan lower house. required by Japanese law. (CDP). Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe (centre) arrives at the parliament building to attend a “Even though I was not Abe had previously denied “In a private firm, if the session to over a possible violation of election funding laws, in Tokyo yesterday. aware of it, I feel a moral that his political office had paid president makes false state- responsibility. I deeply regret for the dinners. ments 100 times, then makes Minister Yoshihide Suga, has Abe weathered several inviting a member of Japan’s this and apologise to my fellow He was questioned by pros- an excuse saying he or she was also apologised for making scandals while in office, infamous Yakuza mafia. lawmakers,” he added. ecutors over the case, but on deceived by an employee, is it statements about the payments including over the cherry When the opposition The case revolves around Thursday they said they would forgiven?” added Kiyomi Tsu- that turned out to be false. blossom parties, a decades-old demanded a guest list be pro- dinners organised on the eve of not take further action against jimoto, another CDP While Suga is not expected tradition intended to honour duced, it emerged the list had government-sponsored cherry him. lawmaker. to face prosecution, it comes at the great and good for their been shredded. blossom viewing parties. Abe held a press con- “Why don’t you step down a bad time for his cabinet, with achievements. While the government His office is alleged to have ference on Thursday for the as a lawmaker?” she his approval ratings sinking in His government was denied wrongdoing, Suga has paid more than eight million first time since he resigned demanded. part over his handling of a third accused of packing the event said he will not hold the event yen ($76,000) for the dinners earlier this year over health Abe’s successor, Prime wave of coronavirus cases. with supporters, and even next year. Pakistan PM Japan delays gender equality goals in new five-year plan stresses need to AP — TOKYO 2020s.” The earlier goal was set childrearing. steps” to address inconveniences female members or only one. by Suga’s predecessor, Shinzo The plan backpedaled from and burdens on women. But the Suga’s 20-member Cabinet has revise master Japan yesterday adopted a plan Abe, under his “womenomics” a draft and fell short of promoting final plan, reflecting conservative only two female ministers. that delays women’s policy designed to promote more proactive steps, including a pos- views of Suga’s ruling lawmakers, “We cannot say we are close plans of cities advancement goals by up to a women in the workforce to make sible legal revision on family said family name options should to achieving the 30% target,” the decade after failing to reach even up for Japan’s fast-aging names, to allow married couples be carefully studied, taking into new plan said. INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD half of the 30% target by 2020 population. a right to choose whether to keep consideration Japanese tradition “While women’s and other measures. The plan called for a society their maiden names. The current and possible impact on children advancement is progressing Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Under the new five-year with no gender bias by 2030s. civil law says a married couple and a sense of family unity. faster in other countries, Japan Khan has stressed the need to gender equality plan, approved But it said that Japan is still must choose either family name, Japan especially lags in has fallen behind.” revise the master plans of major by Prime Minister Yoshihide largely bound by traditional most often causing women to women’s advancement in pol- Japan placed 121st in the cities to address the problems Suga’s Cabinet, the government gender roles, making it difficult adopt their husbands’ household itics. Women account for less global gender-equality ranking arising from the growing urban has postponed the goal for for women to pursue careers in names under Japan’s paternal- than 10% of lawmakers in the of 153 countries in the 2020 population. women to account for at least business and politics while ful- istic tradition. more powerful of its two- World Economic Forum report, He was chairing a weekly 30% of leadership positions until filling expected responsibilities The government draft had chamber parliament. About 40% falling from 101st when Abe took meeting of the National Coor- “as early as possible during the in homemaking and called for taking “necessary of local assemblies have no office in 2012. dination Committee on Housing, Construction and Development in Islamabad. The Prime Minister directed Suga urges citizens to adopt modern and interna- tional standard methods for master plans. to have a quiet and He said the master plan will not only help in providing better facilities to the citizens but also prevent misuse of space allotted distanced New Year for civic amenities and other purposes. REUTERS — TOKYO Tamura said after his meeting The meeting was informed with the prime minister. that mapping is underway in Japanese Prime Minister Japan has banned entry from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Yoshihide Suga urged the nation UK, with the exception of Peshawar and Quetta and data yesterday to spend a quiet New returning Japanese nationals and has been collected from other Year period without the usual those with residence permits. small towns and rural areas social gatherings to prevent the Japan does not celebrate which is being digitized. spread of COVID-19, which has Christmas, but the New Year This process will eliminate been breaking infection records period is an extended national problems in determining the almost on a daily basis. holiday, with many people actual ownership of the land Suga also announced a usually travelling back to their and will help in better planning. package of $2.6 billion for hos- hometowns and spending time The Prime Minister directed pitals treating COVID-19 patients with family and friends. all the Provincial Chief Secre- which have come under strain Omi warned that it was taries to provide the Provincial due to the rapid rise in cases critical that “all citizens move in Land Records to the Surveyor across the northern island of the same direction,” to get a grip General as soon as possible so People queue up to enter a Christmas market at Hibiya Park in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Hokkaido as well as large cities on the health crisis. that the mapping process could like Tokyo and Osaka. “If we don’t bring infections be completed. “I want you to spend a quiet down now, once they surge this month. Tokyo reported 884 “These small and medium- A health ministry panel said New Year,” the premier told a again after the New Year period infections on Friday, near Thurs- sized hospitals, which have been that people aged 65 or older news conference in Tokyo with it won’t be easy to change the day’s record 888. supporting medical services in should get priority for vacci- AirSial launches the government’s leading coro- downward trend,” he said. “It Underscoring the strain on their respective regions, are nation against COVID-19, as well navirus expert Shigeru Omi. would take time, and would the hospitals, five national facing a crisis that is threatening as frontline healthcare workers domestic flight “The infections aren’t probably be impossible to groups of doctors and other their survival,” Masuda told and people with underlying coming down and if we keep control over a period of weeks,” medical workers made an emer- reporters at a separate news medical conditions. operations going like this, we won’t be able he said. gency request to Suga yesterday, conference on Friday. It specified chronic heart to avoid further spread of the Omi said shared meals were asking for strong anti-pandemic He also warned that the risk disease, chronic respiratory INTERNEWS — LAHORE virus.” The country confirmed a major cause of infections and measures and support for the of in-hospital infections was disease and chronic kidney its first five cases of the new, called on people to refrain from medical sector. high at institutions not spe- disease, among others, as under- AirSial, a Sialkot-based airline, faster-spreading variant of the holding large gatherings and to With hospitals equipped for cialised in dealing with infec- lying conditions that should launched its domestic flight virus in passengers arriving from limit meals to four people one treating COVID-19 filling up, tious diseases. determine priority. operations yesterday. the United Kingdom, Health regularly ate with, or fewer. other hospitals are being forced Japan, with a population of The panel’s recommenda- The airline, which is a Minister Norihisa Tamura said While Japan has avoided the to accept patients with the 126 million, has struck deals to tions would mean 36 million Rs3.5bn project of the members late on Friday. huge infection numbers seen in disease, according to Tsuyoshi buy 290 million vaccine doses elderly people and 8.2 million of Sialkot Chamber of Com- Suga called for strong quar- other parts of the world, the Masuda, president of the Japan from Pfizer Inc, AstraZeneca Plc people with medical conditions merce and Industry, is Paki- antine measures at airports and number of new daily cases sur- Federation of Democratic and Moderna Inc, or enough for would be the first to receive stan’s third privately-owned on those returning from the UK, passed 3,000 for the first time Medical Institutions. 145 million people. shots. airline, said an airline’s spokesperson. Initially, AirSial will be Trial of HK people detained in China from Monday relying on three Airbus 6.3-magnitude earthquake A320-200s, which have been REUTERS — HONG KONG quarantine upon entering undergo private hearings on a leased from AerCap in Dublin. mainland China. Instead, the separate date, Chinese author- rocks Philippines: USGS The carrier, which aims to Ten of 12 Hong Kong people families of seven detainees were ities said earlier this month. become the leading airline of the captured by China at sea as they notified of the trial date by gov- All were facing charges in AFP — MANILA of Calatagan, about 90km south region, will be running tried to flee by boat four months ernment-appointed lawyers, a Hong Kong linked to anti-gov- of Manila and near the epicentre, scheduled flights between ago will go on trial in the support group said. ernment protests in the former A 6.3-magnitude quake rocked people attending mass remained Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, mainland city of Shenzhen on “Obviously (the Chinese British colony, including rioting the Philippines yesterday, the US calm as the earthquake hit, Sialkot and Peshawar in the first Monday, supporters said authorities) are rushing during and violation of a national Geological Survey (USGS) said, police chief Major Carlo Caceres phase but plans to extend oper- yesteray. the Christmas period so as to security law Beijing imposed on with residents in the capital said. ations to the Middle East in two The case has attracted great minimise international the city in June. In their mainland Manila reporting buildings “There was a pause in the years. AirSial flight tickets are interest in Hong Kong and backlash,” said Beatrice Li, sister trial, they face charges of illegally shaking and Christmas Day church service, but the people now available for online abroad as a rare instance of the of detainee Andy Li. crossing the border and organ- masses interrupted but there did not panic,” Caceres said. booking on sastaticket.pk, Beijing authorities arresting Beijing’s Hong Kong and ising an illegal crossing, which were no reports of damage. “This area is quake-prone which is Pakistan’s leading people trying to leave the Macau Affairs Office did not could carry sentences of up to The quake struck in and people are more or less used online travel booking portal. financial hub at a time of growing immediately respond to a request seven years. The Hong Kong gov- Batangas province on the main to them.” There were no reports AirSial was inaugurated by concern about the prospects for for comment. ernment has said the defendants island of Luzon at a depth of of damage or casualties in the Prime Minister Imran Khan the city’s high degree of Twelve Hong Kongers were must face justice on the mainland 114km at 7.43am local time (2343 area, he added. “The office fur- earlier in December at a cer- autonomy. The families had intercepted by the Chinese coast- before returning to Hong Kong, GMT), according to USGS. niture and equipment swayed, emony held in Sialkot. asked this week for 20 days’ guard on August 23 on a boat where they are expected to be The agency initially said the but nothing was broken,” said The PM called the launch as notice to allow them to attend the believed to be bound for Taiwan. further investigated for the sus- quake’s strength was 6.2 and policeman Allan Megano in the “a very important step for the trial, given a 14-day COVID-19 Two underage suspects will pected protest-related crimes. 108km deep. In the coastal city nearby town of Balayan. airline industry in Pakistan”. 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 British army helps clear backlog of truck drivers

AP — LONDON The military personnel to enter France. French fire- were directing traffic fighters have also been drafted Around 1,000 British soldiers to help the military test drivers were spending Christmas Day and helping a mass for coronavirus. Officials from trying to clear a huge backlog testing program for the Department for Transport of truck drivers stuck in the drivers, who must said all but three of the 2,367 southeast England after France coronavirus tests conducted so briefly closed its border to the test negative to enter far have been negative. UK then demanded coronavirus France. Most of the testing is being tests from all amid fears of a conducted at a disused airfield new, apparently more conta- at Manston Airport, 33km from gious, virus variant. towards the extra ferries that Dover. Free food was being sent Even as 4,000 international were put on to make the short to the stranded truck drivers truck drivers spent yet another crossing across to Calais in and more than 250 portable day cooped up in their cabs, northern France. toilets were put in at Manston, some progress was evident yes- The military personnel were with 32 others placed along the terday, with traffic around the directing traffic and helping a gridlocked M20 highway. Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, Britain. English Channel port of Dover mass testing program for the The mood among the moving in an orderly fashion drivers, who must test negative stranded drivers appeared to be mostly sanguine, especially Queen Elizabeth thanks medical staff compared to their anger earlier this week at the situation and BLOOMBERG & REUTERS — LONDON Elizabeth said. “If you are areas there are strict curbs lim- the lack of facilities. among them, you are not alone. iting contact to just a single day. “I know it’s been hard for Queen Elizabeth II used her And let me assure you of my “Remarkably, a year that many drivers cooped up in their annual Christmas message to thoughts and prayers.” has necessarily kept people cabs at this precious time of year, thank medical staff on the front The Queen herself has had apart has in many ways brought but I assure them that we are lines of the battle against to eschew her traditional us closer,” said the Queen, doing our utmost to get them COVID-19, and said the pan- Christmas celebrations, and is adding the royals had been home,” said British Transport demic has helped bring com- spending the festive season inspired by stories of those who Secretary Grant Shapps. munities together despite the quietly at Windsor Castle with volunteered to help others in From today, Britain is need for social distancing. her husband Prince Philip, 99. need. “In the United Kingdom extending tighter lockdown Speaking from the Green Usually, all the Windsors gather and around the world, people restrictions to more areas as Drawing Room at Windsor Castle at her home on the Sandringham have risen magnificently to the authorities try to stem the spread in her traditional pre-recorded estate in eastern England, the challenges of the year and I’m of the new variant. Over the past Christmas Day address to the walk to a nearby church for a so proud and moved by this two days, the UK has recorded nation, the 94-year-old Christmas Day service is a staple quiet indomitable spirit.” its two highest daily infection monarch repeatedly spoke of of the royal calendar. Filming of the Queen’s numbers, at just below 40,000. hope for the future whilst However, Britain is cur- 2020 message observed dis- In a video message to the acknowledging millions of rently battling to curb the tance protocols, according to nation, Johnson said this Britons would be unable to spread of a new variant of the her communications sec- Christmas is all about hope, in have their usual family cele- novel coronavirus, with the retary. The only people the form of coronavirus vaccine brations this year. number of new infections allowed in the room were the shots being delivered and more “Of course for many, this reaching record levels this week two cameramen and one other vaccines being developed. “We time of year will be tinged with and the number of hospital member of the crew and know there will be people sadness; some mourning the admissions and death soaring. “suitable PPE” was worn. alive next Christmas, people loss of those dear to them, and Much of the country has The first Christmas broadcast we love, alive next Christmas others missing friends and been placed under tight restric- was delivered by King George V precisely because we made family members distanced for tions, and for London and the in 1932 and it has become an the sacrifice and didn’t cele- safety when all they really want surrounding areas, households important part of the festive A woman hands out food to a truck driver on the outskirts of brate as normal this for Christmas is a simple hug or are not allowed to mix at all season for many in Britain and Ashford, Britain, yesterday. Christmas,” he said. a squeeze of the hand,” Queen over Christmas, while for other across the Commonwealth. Three women Over 600,000 in UK get first Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine dose scientists speak REUTERS — LONDON received the vaccine between expects to receive millions of Medicines and Healthcare has been spreading rapidly in out against 8 December and 20 December doses by the end of the year. Products Regulatory Agency Britain recently with huge More than 600,000 people in in the UK is 616,933,” the Vaccines have been admin- Chief Executive June Raine said swathes of England being placed cyberbullying the United Kingdom have Department of Health and istered to care home residents, on Thursday that the regulator under its strictest restrictions. received the first dose of the Social Care said. Earlier this those aged 80 and over and started its analysis of the data The mutation known as the AFP — PARIS Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 month, the United Kingdom health and social care staff and will make a decision in the B.1.1.7 lineage may be up to 70 vaccine since inoculations became the first country in the through over 500 vaccination “shortest time possible”. percent more infectious and Three woman scientists who began in the country earlier this world to roll out the vaccine sites, the government said. Separately, a spokesman for more of a concern for children. have spoken to the press about month, the British government made by Pfizer and BioNTech. Drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc the Health Department said that It has sown chaos in Britain, the merits of the anti-malarial said on Thursday. In all, Britain has ordered 40 submitted a full data package some staff at the Milton Keynes prompting a wave of travel bans drug hydroxychloroquine for “The government has pub- million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, about its COVID-19 vaccine to testing lab, the UK’s biggest, that are disrupting trade with treating COVID-19 spoke out lished figures which show the and Health Secretary Matt the UK’s medicines regulator, tested positive for COVID-19. A Europe and threatening to further this week against cyberbul- number of people who have Hancock has said that he Hancock said on Wednesday. new variant of the coronavirus isolate the island country. lying including death threats targeting female colleagues. “Women may be more prone than men to cyberbul- Historian sentenced to lying, which aims to denigrate their probity and scientific com- petence,” they wrote in a letter over 12 years in jail published in The Lancet on Wednesday. They referenced scientific articles reporting for murdering student “receipt of death threats and cyber harassment in Brazil, AFP — SAINT PETERSBURG with his former student and France and Switzerland after lover. Sokolov’s lawyer Sergei publication of studies that did not A court in Saint Petersburg yes- Lukyanov said the defence demonstrate clinical efficacy” for terday sentenced a Russian his- “does not agree” with the sen- hydroxychloroquine. torian and Napoleon enthusiast tence but will decide whether “We fully support our col- to 12-and-a-half-years in jail to appeal after receiving a copy leagues and feel concerned by for murdering and dismem- of the verdict. what they report, having been bering his young student lover Last week the court heard victims ourselves... to varying last year. the final arguments in the case degrees of threats of all kinds, The trial, which spurred and prosecutors requested a including violent defamatory activists to voice growing anger 15-year-term. Yeshchenko’s statements, stalking and over domestic abuse in Russia, parents attended the sen- misogynistic and gender-ori- began in June after delays due tencing yesterday. ented attacks,” they wrote. to the coronavirus pandemic. Their lawyer Alexandra The authors are Caroline Yesterday, Oleg Sokolov, a Baksheyeva told reporters that, Samer, a Swiss pharmacologist, In this file photo taken on July 15, 2019, the candidate to the Moscow City Duma, Lyubov Sobol, history lecturer who received even though “nothing can bring and infectious diseases spe- speaks during a rally against efforts to stop opposition candidates to register for elections to the France’s Legion d’Honneur in their daughter back”, the family cialists Alexandra Calmy and Moscow City Duma in central Moscow. 2003, came to the courtroom does not intend to appeal the Karine Lacombe, of Switzerland in a grey suit and a white shirt, verdict to request a harsher and France respectively. a journalist following the trial sentence. “These attacks were exclu- Russia opens criminal probe reported. Sokolov taught history at sively linked to public interven- Sokolov paced back and Saint Petersburg State Uni- tions in the media, in which we forth in a glass cell as Judge versity, President Vladimir attempted to rationally explain into Navalny ally over ‘threat’ Yulia Maximenko sentenced Putin’s alma mater, and was the current state of knowledge him to “12 years and six months close to the authorities. on the effectiveness and safety in a strict regime penal colony” The decorated historian of hydroxychloroquine in the AFP – MOSCOW weapons expert with the FSB Anti-Corruption Fund wrote on on charges of murder and the authored several books on treatment and prevention of named Konstantin Kudryavtsev Twitter. illegal possession of firearms. Napoleon Bonaparte and often COVID-19,” they wrote. Russian authorities yesterday into admitting that the domestic Sobol’s young daughter and “He was aware of his led historical reenactments of “All threats directed at opened a criminal probe into intelligence agency had sought husband were allowed to leave actions at the time of the the French emperor’s 1812 researchers and clinicians an ally of opposition leader to kill him this summer by the flat, said a message posted crime,” Maximenko said as she Russian campaign. must be clearly and unani- Alexei Navalny after raiding her placing poison in his underwear. on Sobol’s Twitter feed. read out the verdict, adding The gruesome murder scan- mously rejected by the scien- flat, alleging she threatened a Later on Monday, Sobol went Speaking to AFP on Monday, that the intent to murder arose dalised Russia after many of his tific community,” they said. man Navalny claimed took part to the Moscow apartment where the opposition activist had “suddenly”. Sokolov was students said Sokolov had The drug, the subject of in his poisoning. a joint media report led by the expressed concern about a pos- arrested in November 2019 exhibited inappropriate heated debate in France where Ivan Zhdanov, head of Nav- Bellingcat investigative website sible criminal case against her. after he was hauled out of the behaviour in the past and it has been championed by Mar- alny’s Anti-Corruption Fund, last week said Kudryavtsev lives. Sobol, a lawyer by training, freezing Moika River in Saint demanded that management at seille-based medical professor said investigators launched a She was detained by police at the has announced plans to run in Petersburg while drunk and the university be investigated. Didier Raoult, has long been probe into Lyubov Sobol for scene and questioned for hours. parliamentary elections next carrying a backpack containing Every year, nearly 16.5 used to treat malaria, rheumatoid trespassing “with the use of vio- Yesterday, police took the year. Western governments say a woman’s arms. million women across Russia arthritis and lupus. In June the lence or a threat to use it” after 33-year-old opposition activist Navalny, 44, was poisoned with The historian pleaded guilty fall victim to domestic violence, British-led Recovery trial team Sobol rang the doorbell of the in for questioning after con- the Soviet-era Novichok nerve to the charges of murdering according to activists. said that hydroxychloroquine alleged Federal Security ducting a raid on her Moscow agent in a case that has further 24-year-old Anastasia Yesh- However, efforts to lobby does nothing to reduce corona- Service(FSB) agent. apartment at around 7am dented Moscow’s relations with chenko, but said he committed for a specialised law against virus mortality, a finding cor- On Monday Navalny said he (0400 GMT) and confiscated leading European countries and the crime in the heat of the violence and protect victims roborated by WHO. had tricked an alleged chemical her tech devices, the sparked mutual sanctions. moment during an argument have failed. SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Don’t squander sacrifices of 2020: WHO chief

AFP & REUTERS — GENEVA “As 2020 draws to an end, a pandemic of said in his traditional “Urbi et historic proportions is preventing many of us Orbi” message. The sacrifices made to protect The pontiff, who just cele- people during the coronavirus from celebrating in the ways we would like,” brated his 84th birthday, gave pandemic must not be squan- WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus his eighth Christmas message dered over the festive period, said. “Instead, hundreds of millions of people “to the city and the world” by the World Health Organization’s video, to prevent a crowd from chief said in a Christmas are today making great, heart-wrenching gathering in St Peter’s Square. message. sacrifices by staying apart to stay safe. But The battle to halt the pan- Millions were making in doing so, they are giving the most precious demic, which has claimed more “heart-wrenching sacrifices” by than 1.7 million lives, is far from staying away from loved ones gifts: The gifts of life and health,” he added. over despite the launching of on Christmas Day, Tedros mass vaccine campaigns. Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Europe, where a new strain a video clip posted to Twitter almost 78.7 million cases have testing. A further 172 candidate of coronavirus believed to late on Thursday, while others been registered, according to a vaccines are being developed spread much faster has will have a missing face at the tally from official sources com- in laboratories with a view to emerged in Britain, yesterday family table. piled by AFP. eventual human testing. passed 25 million confirmed He said vaccines, now “All around the world, Tedros said: “We must con- cases. Last week it became the beginning to be deployed in throughout this most trying of tinue taking comfort in the fact first global region where more countries around the world, years, we have seen over and that by caring for others, than 500,000 people have died were starting to offer a way out over again the sacrifices of so through acts of solidarity and of the virus. of the crisis that has engulfed many people to protect and pre- safety, we can share the greatest Germany has been forced the planet this year. serve life,” said Tedros. gift of all: The gift of life.” to cancel its famous Christmas “As 2020 draws to an end, “We must not squander Meanwhile, hundreds of mil- markets. For many, the isolation a pandemic of historic propor- their sacrifices, nor those made lions across the world celebrated that has defined the past year tions is preventing many of us by so many families who, this pared-down Christmas festivities will continue into Christmas from celebrating in the ways we holiday season, will sit at family yesterday due to coronavirus Day and beyond — such as in would like,” Tedros said. tables missing a familiar face. restrictions, as Pope Francis Belgium, where residents are “Instead, hundreds of millions “Despite so much loss, we appealed for people to show “fra- largely limited to welcoming a of people are today making have built so much hope. Vac- ternity” faced with crises aggra- single visitor. great, heart-wrenching sacri- cines are offering the world a vated by the pandemic. Britons, meanwhile, were fices by staying apart to stay way out of this tragedy. But it “At this moment in history, cut off from swathes of the safe. “But in doing so, they are will take time for the whole marked by the ecological crisis world due to the emergence of giving the most precious gifts: world to be vaccinated.” and grave economic and social a new COVID-19 strain. Some the gifts of life and health.” According to the WHO’s imbalances only worsened by UK border restrictions have A combination picture shows people walking along Via del Corso The novel coronavirus has overview of different candidate the coronavirus pandemic, it is been temporarily relaxed for street in Rome, Italy, ahead of further COVID-19 restrictions on killed at least 1.7 million people vaccines, 61 have entered all the more important for us to the holidays, but thousands since the outbreak emerged in human trials, 16 of which have acknowledge one another as from other European countries December 19, 2020 (top) and people walking by an almost deserted China last December, while reached final-stage mass brothers and sisters,” Francis are still stranded in England. Via del Corso after a complete lockdown on Thursday. Some Russians Britons in two minds about Brexit deal dismayed at AFP — BOSTON, UK “It would’ve been a disaster In the Scottish capital of vaccine exports if there would’ve been no deal, Edinburgh, which voted over- After months of fraught nego- so very pleased that there is,” whelmingly to remain in the to Argentina tiations between the European Shane O’Neill said. European Union, Sharmila Union and the UK, Britons wel- O’Neill added he would Hutchinson, a bank employee, REUTERS — MOSCOW comed Thursday’s “Christmas have preferred for Britain to said she hadn’t supported Brexit present” Brexit deal with relief remain in the European Union and was “gutted to not be part Some Russians took to social and some scepticism. but that ultimately “now the of Europe anymore”. media yesterday to voice frus- David Ashby, a 62-year-old debate is over and we need to “It does make me nervous tration after 300,000 doses of from the town of Boston on the move on”. to think how I’m going to visit the country’s Sputnik V east coast of England, called it Student Harry Vincent said the European cities and COVID-19 vaccine were sup- “a nice Christmas present for it was a “relief” to have a deal friends,” the 35-year-old said. plied to Argentina, arguing that the country”, saying it was good but questioned whether it Henry Gray, a charity more shots should be made “just to get it all finished and would have been better to worker, said Brexit had available at home. tied up and done with”. remain in the EU. brought him to think Scotland Though the vaccine is “I think it’s dragged on for He said the compromises should become an inde- readily available in Moscow, too long now,” he added. that had been necessary to pendent country. relatively small batches have so Andy Finch, who also lives strike a deal “sort of made me “I think we could be led far been delivered to many in the Lincolnshire market town wonder whether it was worth better from Scotland. It would Russian regions as part of a which voted by a higher margin it to begin with it all”. be nice to feel we would be part mass inoculation programme, than anywhere else in the UK In this file photo taken on June 28, 2016, a man waves both a Union Hugh Rowlands also said of the EU still,” he said. with several reporting receiving to leave the EU, sounded a pes- flag and a European flag together on College Green outside the the Brexit deal was like a “big Lewis Summers, a 2,000 doses or less so far. simistic note. Houses of Parliament in central London. Christmas present”. 25-year-old property Novgorod has received “I don’t think it was a good The student added that was developer, was pleased the 600 doses for civilian use thus idea in the first place. I still don’t questioned the thinking behind door, or the countries next door, especially the case after whole thing was over. “I’m far, according to an official in think it’s a good idea. But that’s leaving the European Union. it works better if we work “Christmas was cancelled” fol- happy that it’s eventually over the local government. Kalin- where we are. And, well, we’ll “At the end of the day, what together. So that’s the way I see lowing the reintroduction of the line,” he said. “There’s ingrad has received 400, just have to see,” Finch said. we do need to be doing is it,” he said. coronavirus restrictions across been a bit of uncertainty but according to the Interfax news Paul Skinner, leader of working with our partners, In London the news of the much of the country to curb the hopefully we can just move on agency. “Better hurry to Boston Borough Council, also whether it’s the council next deal was also met with relief. spread of the disease. and get things done now.” Argentina to get vaccinated then,” Alexander, a resident of Kaliningrad, said on Twitter. The Samara region has UK launches post-EU received 2,751 doses of Sputnik V for civilian use, according to local officials, and a further scheme for students 1,000 for members of the mil- itary based there. “Awesome! 3,000 for AFP — LONDON The government said Samara, while Argentina gets it would spell out 300,000...” wrote another Britain, while clinching a trade Twitter user, Maria. The deal with the EU, said on details of the Turing Russian health ministry did not Thursday that it was backing programme in the respond to a request for out of a European student coming days. comment on any regional exchange programme and shortages of vaccine doses. replacing it with a global Equitable access to scheme named after computing In 2017 more than 16,500 COVID-19 vaccines has become pioneer Alan Turing. British students took part in an issue across the world as rich Prime Minister Boris Erasmus, while a further 31,727 nations, including in Europe and Johnson said the UK had made EU nationals came to the UK, the United States, secure hun- the “tough decision” to pull out according to official figures. dreds of millions of doses of of the Erasmus programme for The government said it various shots, while poorer cost reasons. would spell out details of the countries face more of a struggle “Financially the UK Turing programme in the to access supplies. exchequer, more or less, loses coming days, but the demise of Russia has announced out on the deal,” he told a news the old partnership drew crit- several international deals for conference announcing the icism that Johnson was aban- the supply of Sputnik V, which trade agreement, as EU nego- doning a core tenet of European This file photo shows an aerial view of singer Michael Jackson’s Neverland Valley Ranch on June 25, is named after the Soviet-era tiator Michel Barnier expressed integration for younger people 2001 in Santa Ynez, California. satellite that triggered the space regrets at the UK withdrawal. as part of Brexit. race, in a nod to the project’s Instead, Johnson said the “There will be lots of focus, geopolitical importance for UK would launch a new rightly, on the economic costs Jackson’s Neverland Ranch sold for $22m Moscow. So far, regulators in scheme in honour of Turing, of Brexit,” Scottish First Min- Argentina and Belarus have a mathematician who is seen ister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted. REUTERS — LOS ANGELES sold for $22m, according to about 193km north of Los approved the use the vaccine. as the father of modern com- “But ending UK participation public records. In 2015, the Angeles, in 1988 for $19.5m. Russian officials have said puting. He spearheaded a in Erasmus, an initiative that has Michael Jackson’s famed Nev- asking price was $100m and in After financial troubles, in 2008 that international Sputnik V team at Britain’s Bletchley expanded opportunities and erland Ranch in California has 2017 it was re-listed for $67m. he handed over the title to orders would primarily be met Park that cracked the Nazis’ horizons for so many young finally sold, more than 10 Burkle’s spokesman said the Colony Capital LLC, which held using doses produced by man- Enigma code in 1941. people, is cultural vandalism by years after the death of the businessman saw the investment a loan on the property. ufacturers abroad. “Students will have the the UK government.” pop star who abandoned the as a land banking opportunity. Neverland, a name taken “Russians are the abso- opportunity not just to go to Turing’s computing break- property following his trial on He spotted the estate from the from the “Peter Pan” tale of a boy lutely priority,” Kremlin European universities, but to through helped the Allies charges of molesting a young air while looking at another who refused to grew up, became spokesman Dmitry Peskov go to the best universities in decipher crucial radio mes- boy there. location and contacted Tom Jackson’s favourite retreat and said this month. “And domestic the world,” the Prime Minister sages about German military Billionaire investor Ron Barrack, the founder of real famously featured a zoo, a production... will specifically said. movements. Historians believe Burkle, a former family friend estate investment company railway and theme park rides. cover the needs of Russians.” Since 1987 more than it shortened the war by about of Jackson, recently bought the Colony Capital LLC, to seal the Burkle is the controlling The Russian Direct Investment 300,000 UK students have two years. sprawling 2,700 acre (1,100 sale. The ranch was off the shareholder of Soho House, a Fund, the sovereign wealth studied or worked in Europe The story was turned into hectare) estate, his spokesman market at the time. private members club that fund responsible for marketing on the Erasmus exchange pro- a 2014 movie called “The Imi- said late on Thursday. The Wall Jackson, who died from an attracts people in entertainment Sputnik V abroad, has struck gramme, named after the 15th- tation Game”, starring Oscar- Street Journal said the estate, overdose of the anesthetic Pro- and media industries and which manufacturing deals with century Enlightenment Dutch nominated British actor Ben- which was renamed Sycamore pofol in 2009 at age 50, bought has properties in New York, vaccine makers in India, South philosopher. edict Cumberbatch as Turing. Valley Ranch several years ago, the property in Los Olivos, London, Los Angeles and HK. Korea, China and Brazil. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 US to require negative COVID-19 tests for all UK passengers: CDC

REUTERS — WASHINGTON The decision follows than previously circulating the emergence of variants”. The US government will require The CDC noted that in all airline passengers arriving a highly infectious March President Donald Trump from the United Kingdom to new coronavirus suspended entry of nearly all test negative for COVID-19 variant in Britain foreign nationals who visited within 72 hours of departure the United Kingdom in the past starting on Monday amid con- that has prompted 14 days, which has reduced air cerns about a new coronavirus many countries to travel to the US from Britain by variant that may be more shut their borders to about 90 percent. transmissible. Under the new policy, pas- Debris litters the road near the site of an explosion in the area of Second and Commerce in Nashville, The Centers for Disease travellers from there. sengers departing from the UK Tennessee, US, yesterday. Control and Prevention (CDC) for the United States must said in a statement on Thursday provide written documentation that all airline passengers as far as possible,” adding that of their laboratory test result (in arriving from the UK must test FCDO will regularly update hard copy or electronic) to the Vehicle explosion rocks Nashville, negative in order to fly to the advice online. airline, the CDC said. Airlines United States. “British travellers should must confirm negative test The decision was a turna- follow the US authorities’ results for all passengers before police call it an ‘intentional act’ round after the Trump admin- guidance, and speak to their they board. If passengers istration told US airlines on airlines for the latest travel choose not to take a test, the REUTERS — NASHVILLE said. The bomb squad was on whether domestic or foreign. Tuesday that it was not options in the first instance.” airline must deny boarding. the way when the explosion Moments before the blast, planning to require any testing On Thursday, United Air- Delta’s policy, expanded A parked motor home exploded occurred. “We do believe that police officers went door-to- for arriving UK passengers. lines and Delta Air Lines said from its decision on Monday to in downtown Nashville yes- the explosion was an inten- door in nearby buildings to The CDC said an order they were requiring all pas- require the screenings on UK terday morning in what police tional act,” he said, describing hustle residents to safety and would be signed soon and is sengers on flights from the flights to New York’s JFK described as an “intentional the explosion as “significant” motioned a man walking his effective Monday. United Kingdom to the United Airport, is effective December act”, and fire officials reported and adding that police were dog near the vehicle to change The decision follows the States to present a negative 24, while United’s requirement taking three people to hospital working with federal author- direction. emergence of a highly infec- COVID-19 test taken within 72 begins on December 28. but none were critically injured. ities including the FBI and the Police said it was not imme- tious new coronavirus variant hours of departure. On Monday, the three air- Police initially responded to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, diately clear if anyone was in Britain that has prompted The CDC said late on lines that fly from London to an emergency call of “shots fired” Firearms and Explosives. inside the motor home when it many countries to shut their Thursday that passengers must JFK Delta, British Airways and in the downtown tourist area Andrew McCabe, a former exploded. The explosion, which borders to travellers from there. test negative via either a PCR Virgin Atlantic — agreed to a about 1200 GMT, when they deputy FBI director, told CNN could be felt nine blocks away, A representative from the or Antigen test. request from New York Gov- reported seeing the vehicle, said police may have been the target knocked one officer off his feet UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth The CDC said “viruses con- ernor Andrew Cuomo that they Nashville police spokesman Don of the explosions given they and caused what was hoped to and Development Office stantly change through screen passengers from Britain. Aaron, without specifying what were answering the report of a be only a temporary hearing (FDCO) said yesterday that they mutation, and preliminary US airlines have already made it suspicious. suspicious vehicle when it blew loss, the spokesman said. Res- are “in close contact with the analysis in the UK suggests that drastically scaled back flying to “Circumstances about the up. He said an explosion of this idents reported seeing a US authorities and are working this new variant may be up to the United Kingdom, as well as vehicle caused the officers to size would be investigated as a number of other vehicles on fire urgently to minimise disruption 70 percent more transmissible the rest of Europe. call the bomb squad,” Aaron possible act of terrorism, amid the debris.

Ohio police chief Americans told to avoid travel as cases spike urges dismissal of officer for death REUTERS — NEW YORK California, the nation’s most populous state, stood second at of Black man Americans marked a grim festive 105 cases per 100,000 people. season as coronavirus infections Rhode Island and Arizona have REUTERS — OHIO exploded nationwide as political also seen recent spikes. leaders warned them not to State and local political The chief of police in travel or gather in large groups. leaders nationwide have urged Columbus, Ohio, said he has More than one million Americans not to travel for the concluded that an officer who people have received the first holidays, saying that Thanks- fatally shot an unarmed Black of two vaccine doses since giving celebrations had further man earlier this week engaged December 14, according to the spread the virus. Many Amer- in an act of “senseless vio- US Centers for Disease Control icans, weary after more than lence” that should immedi- and Prevention. But the vacci- nine months of lockdowns, ately cost the officer his job. nations have so far had little have defied those warnings. Chief Thomas Quinlan effect on the latest surge in More passengers flew on announced his recommen- cases spiraling nationwide. commercial flights on dation that the city fire the Achieving herd immunity Wednesday than any other day policeman in a somber video- against the virus could require of the pandemic, with 1,191,123 taped statement that he posted vaccination of up to 90 percent passengers passing through online, two days after Andre of Americans, Dr. Anthony airport checkpoints, according Maurice Hill, 47, was gunned Fauci, the most prominent U.S. to data from the US Transpor- down in the garage of a house infectious disease expert, told tation Security Administration. where he was staying as a guest. the New York Times in an Health care workers, elderly Quinlan said he filed two interview. “We really don’t nursing home residents, elected departmental charges of know what the real number is. officials and firefighters are “critical misconduct” against I think the real range is some- A resident of King David Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, a long term care nursing home, meets among those receiving the vac- the officer, Adam Coy, where between 70 to 90 with his daughter through a glass yesterday amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Brooklyn’s Bath Beach cines first. Most Americans have stemming from an expedited percent. But, I’m not going to neighbourhood in New York City, US. been told it could be six months internal investigation of what say 90 percent,” Fauci said, or more before they are eligible the chief called Coy’s “unrea- Fauci, who is advising both inoculating 60 percent to 70 pandemic broke out in March Lee said in a tweet. Lee asked for the shots. sonable use of deadly force” Republican President Donald percent of the population. has surpassed 326,000. The residents of the southern state Political leaders have come and “failure to render aid” to Trump and President-elect Joe Fauci was vaccinated earlier states of Tennessee and Cali- to wear masks and avoid large under criticism for putting Hill after he was shot. Biden, a Democrat, on the pan- this week on live television. The fornia have emerged as the gatherings over the holidays. themselves at the front of the The city’s public safety demic, acknowledged that he United States recorded more than epicenters of the latest surge Tennessee has recorded 119 line. New York, an early epi- director will hold a hearing on had revised his estimates 3,000 deaths for the second con- “Our state is ground zero for new cases per 100,000 people center of the pandemic, has Monday to rule on the police upward from earlier in the year, secutive day on Wednesday, a surge in COVID-19 and we over the last seven days, recorded more than 36,000 chief’s recommendation that when he said the nation would according to a Reuters tally. need Tennesseeans to their according to data from the COVID-19 deaths, far more than Coy, a 19-year veteran of the reach herd immunity by The US death toll since the part,” Tennessee Governor Bill Centers for Disease Control. any other state. force already relieved of duty, be dismissed, Quinlan said. Quinlan called the fatal Brush fire at US Marine base shooting an act of “preventable With pardons, Trump seeks to violence, senseless violence”. forces evacuation of more “This didn’t have to happen, and it never should have,” he than 7,000 residents said. “Andre Hill should be erase stain of Russia probe with his family this holiday.” REUTERS — LOS ANGELES Hill’s slaying marked the AFP — WASHINGTON conspired with Moscow. For Trump, been victimized by Mueller. “Mr. second time in a month that Wind-driven flames racing through miles of dry brush the pardons delivered a rebuke to Manafort has endured years of an African-American man was on a US Marine Corps base in Southern California President Donald Trump’s pardons those alleging his election victory unfair treatment and is one of the slain by law enforcement prompted the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents of five people from his 2016 was tainted by Russian help. most prominent victims of what has under questionable circum- on Thursday from neighbourhoods at the edge of the election campaign caps his effort Flynn, his former national been revealed to be perhaps the stances in Ohio’s capital. sprawling installation, authorities said. to bleach out the stain on his tenure security adviser who admitted lying greatest witch hunt in American Casey Christopher Goodson, The so-called Creek Fire erupted on Wednesday of the Russia interference to the FBI about secret contacts with history,” the White House said. 23, was shot dead outside his night along a roadside on the eastern flank of Camp investigation. Russians, was victim of a “relentless, Trump has fought hard since home on December 4 by a Pendleton, north of San Diego, and charred some 3,000 The US leader never accepted partisan pursuit of an innocent coming to office, attacking his own Franklin County sheriff’s deputy acres by noon on Thursday, the California Department the conclusions of US intelligence man,” Trump said as he announced Justice Department and threatening assigned to a team of US mar- of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) reported. and special counsel Robert Mueller the pardon on November 25. officials’ jobs, to convince the public shals searching for a fugitive in No property damage or injuries were reported, that Moscow intervened in the The probe into Flynn, he said, that the allegations about Russian Goodson’s neighbourhood. but the blaze prompted mandatory evacuations early election four years ago to aid his was part of “a coordinated attempt interference were groundless and The latest incident on Thursday of base housing facilities, as well as upset victory, calling it a “hoax” to subvert the election of 2016.” On politically motivated. unfolded in the early hours of homes in the adjacent civilian community of Fall- and “fake news”. Tuesday Trump pardoned Papa- That was seen as the main Tuesday after police brook, displacing 7,000 people there, CalFire Captain He has also claimed that his dopoulos -- a campaign advisor reason why, in November 2018, he responded to a non-emer- Thomas Shoots said. predecessor Barack Obama and a who had tried to hide his contacts fired attorney general Jeff Sessions, gency report of a man turning As of midday, firefighters had yet to establish firm so-called “deep state” of anti- with individuals linked to Russian who supported Mueller, and a car on and off for an control lines around the blaze, with containment at zero, Trump officials conspired with the intelligence -- and Van Der Zwaan, replaced him with Bill Barr. extended period, Columbus although fierce Santa Ana winds that initially fanned investigation to destroy his presi- who also lied to investigators. Four months later, when police said in a statement. the flames through drought-parched grass and brush dency from the beginning. And on Wednesday Trump Mueller released a final report out- Footage from Coy’s body- had subsided by early afternoon, Shoots said. Those pardoned in the past announced the pardons of political lining efforts by the Trump cam- worn camera showed Hill The cause of the blaze was under investigation. month — Michael Flynn, Paul Man- consultant Stone and campaign paign to cooperate with Russia, and emerging from the shadows The incident capped the heaviest wildfire season afort, Roger Stone, George Papa- chairman Manafort, both convicted multiple instances in which Trump of the garage holding up a on record in California in terms of total acreage dopoulos and Alex Van Der Zwaan of obstructing the investigations and sought to obstruct the investi- glowing cellphone in one hand burned, with more than 4 million acres and over — pleaded guilty or were convicted lying. Manafort was also jailed over gation, Barr declared there was before the officer opens fire on 10,000 homes and other structures up in flames. at trial as a result of Mueller’s probe multiple financial fraud charges. nothing significant there and him. Hill died a short time later Thirty-three lives were lost. into whether the Trump campaign All, the White House said, had refused to act. at a hospital.